Demon In The Clouds. (OPEN)

[Ketsueki Satou]

Ketsueki Satou

Kumogakure....

A lovely village, very quiet, somewhat peaceful. And Satou enjoyed the quiet life. Away from the life of Shinobi. He wanted nothing to do with being a Ninja. Yet still, his memories came crawling back, over and over again. No matter how many sleepless nights passed. Her voice echoed through his mind. His sweet Sukino, his dead wife haunted him. Her spirit would visit him in the middle of the night, her lush silky smooth skin would slid along his body while he slept, leaving a cold empty trail along his flesh. He would always wake up to the feeling of her body against his, a sharp breath as his eyes opened with a jolting look of surprise and eagerness to look, only to find the emptiness of the room to console him.

His heart would beat erratically for a few moments, then calm down after realizing the horrible loneliness he bared. Only the burning in his chest grew with the realization, he was damned, cursed. Forever to be a creature of darkness. To never find someone to carry his pain with him, to never feel the touch of another hand in his.

There was one women, someone who resembled so much of his Sukino. But she, she didn't wish for her life to be intertwined with a demon who thirsts for the blood of living. Whom craved her flesh and the red hot plasma coursing under her skin. He groaned angrily as he couldn't find sleep taking him again. He needed to get out of the temple. The Nanjirou Temple had gave him shelter for many months upon months. He lost count of the days, spending all of his time secluded behind these old withered walls.

He needed to get out, to find some fresh night air. Hoping it would clear his head a little. Maybe go out and grab a drink, find a lovely women to bed with. Someone to sink his fangs into, a midnight snack. The thought made the worthless demon snicker a little bit. How he wished, even when swearing off humans on his menu, he still needed to curb that particular appetite. Animals in the village have begun to dwindle since his arrival. He worried how the villagers were reacting to the sudden decline of house pets in the village. corpses of mutilated cats and dogs found about in the dark of alleyways.

It was that, or the people of the village. The words of that old young man Kotsurugi nagged at Satou's mind as he slipped into a simple shirt and some nice slacks.

"Don't feed upon the villagers, you may have their animals. The small lives will be missed but it would be a better sacrifice then the innocents of this Shinobi village Satou."

The demon could have sworn the old bastard was standing behind him. That sharp spiritual pressure the old man threw about, even in his sleep. Was probably the most alarming thing the Demon had come across in a long while. His mind ran around in circles, he roared a deep yawn as he stretched and slid the rice paper door aside, stepping out into the cool night air. The cold breeze on his face woke him up rather quickly. His soft burgundy eyes glowed with a deep lush red, sharp like the eyes of a feline.

"F#@$ I need a drink." He grumbled softly as he ran his hand through his hair, marching off to the streets in search a lonely cat or dog to munch on.

The streets of Kumo were quiet, the hour was late. He wandered about aimlessly for awhile. Just trying to get the image of his Sukino's face out of his mind. The pain of a lost loved one was great. It was like something was pressing his chest inward, it was hard to breath. But he was alive, he had to make a change in this horrible world. He promised her that much at least.

While being lost in his thoughts, something shattered the silence. A scream, a women's scream for help. The Demon paused, almost a complete halt in mid step as his head turned slightly down the alleyway adjacent to him. He stood there for a few moments, having lit a cigarette he was smoking rather heavily the past few days.

The nicotine had curbed some of his cravings but the blood lust still pried at the back of his brain no and then. He was wanting to simply keep on walking. But the scream came again, but it was much louder then before. The Demon chewed on the butt of his cigarette.

"F@!#, and I was having such a pleasant night." He sighed heavily as he spit the cigarette and took off in a blazing high speed run. Blurring from site of untrained eyes. His speed was at it's peak performance as he traveled down the long narrow alleyway and down several blocks from there to the scene of incident.

A simple mugging. Three guys and the victim, a lowly girl dressed in rather provocative clothing.

"Where's my money girl?!" Exclaimed one of the armed thugs as he brandished a switchblade across the girls throat, pressing the steel to the girls skin, just enough to break it as warm trickle of red ran down.

Satou stood, his eyes glowed a brimming violent thrust of red burning with a furious glare as the men stopped, turned and saw the man standing behind them all with a great menacing aura covering his body. Even the victim looked more afraid of Satou then pleased to see her rescuer.
He didn't care, he just wanted to end things quickly and continue his walk. He crack his neck with while popping his knuckles as he grinned. "Which one of you scumbags are first?"

The one with the knife nodded to both the accomplices, both attacked at once. Knives brandishes and swinging wide as they charged the demon. Satou was getting somewhat sloppy though. He had not fed on proper prey in months, his moves were sluggish but his brute strength was good enough to slam his fists and feet into the bodies of the weak pathetic thugs of the streets at night.

The two who came at him were quickly thwarted with a swift ass kicking, knuckle sandwich for one, the other a good round house to the chin. Both bodies sent flying past the leader of the small group and the frightened prostitute. Leaving but one more piece of trash to be dealt with.

The thug leader rushed in stupidly with fear, just like the other two. And with a quick duck of the knife swing, Satou delivered a quick Shoryuken to the Thugs thick chin, sending the body up high into the air and crashing to the ground. The knife falling way to the feet of the scared girl.

With all three knocked out, the demon quickly gathered some them and threw them into a dumpster. But as he turned to check on the girl, he met with a disheartening site. The girl stood, with shaking fear and worry on her face. The point of the Thugs knife pointed at Satou.

Satou was at a loss for words, mostly a face of anger and frustration on his face. "Hey, you better put that down before you hurt yourself girlie." He approached her slowly. He reached out to take the knife, yet the girl jumped forward. The Demons eyes were widened as he felt the sharp blade pierce his chest. A look of shock and disbelief spread on his face as was on the girls. Looking down at the knife plunged into his chest. The girl had let go of the handle, stepping away, then taking off in a full run as Satou stood there. Watching the girl run off as blood began to trickle slowly down his shirt.

He groaned and cussed when his hand firmly clasped around the knife then with a thick heavy jerk, he yanked the blade from his chest. Coughing up a good mouthful of blood. He was lucky the blade was low, it didn't hit anything too vital. But he was sure his left lung was punctured. He needed to get help, or else he'd bleed out.

Not even his healing could help at this point, he was to weak from feeding on animals and not real humans. Humans had the right amount of nutrients and iron in their blood to revitalize his dark unnatural being. But drinking from animals gave a mere fraction of the strength he needed. If not for that, he was a normal civilian with a bit of brute strength.

The foolish young man stumbled away from the scene, dropping the bloodied knife onto the ground. Staggering away he had to get onto the main road, he needed help. But every time he tried speaking he could feel his strength leaving him. How weak has he became? He wondered, if this was his last time dancing with death. Finally giving in, he collapsed to the ground. Only having the strength to turn over, looking to the cold night sky above, it was so clear. The stars were out, they looked so beautiful in the haze of blurring images...

 

[Shinrya Kahako]

‘I should not be out this late,’ was Kahako’s thought as she crossed her arms around herself to keep warm and walked down the road late at night. She was on her way home. After class at the Academy, she decided to spend most of the day looking at the shops and theaters of the Susukino district. She promised her aunt that she would be home before most shops closed. What she didn't realize was that Susukino’s shops didn’t close when night fell like they did in her home village. Not even shortly after.

The sights and sounds of the district shops created a new life that the young girl never saw before. It was a world she couldn’t fathom, and the more she explored the town, the more she grew to love it. She was drawn to the sights and sounds as if they were wisps leading her around a dream. Lights from the window shops appeared like fireflies inviting Kahako in to look at the goods; asking her to stay a little longer to see all of the new wonders.

The lights were a lie.

Once the shops closed and the night fully descended upon Kahako, she realized that this was a completely different Kumogakure. As she entered the residential area, she quickly realized that it was a Kumogakure she did not like at all. All was silent on her way back to her home. The shadows crept from everywhere, turning and twisting into shapes that seemed neither lively nor human. The warm lights that came from the houses were now dimmed as if taunting her for her foolishness. The cold weather dropped to a chill that she wasn't accustomed to. The wind blew against her face almost as if pushing her away from her home and safety, causing her to shiver from both cold and small panic. Kahako took another deep breath to try and calm herself. She still had a ways to travel. No need to freak out about shadows and things that went bump in the night, right? she tried to joke with herself. She felt as if she was too old for those tales. She stifled her fear and quickened her pace, almost welcoming the harsh scolding that was to come.

“Why hello there little girl,” came a voice from the shadows to her right. “It’s a little late for a mouse like you to be out isn’t it?” Stifling the scream that nearly passed her lips, Kahako turned her head to the side to see a man coming out from a smaller street on the main road. He seemed unkempt; his clothing a slightly worse for wear, but his smile seemed harmless. Still, it didn't calm Kahako’s inner panic. Her mind made the man seem much larger than he was; his smile seemed deformed in her eyes and looked evil. “Would you like someone to walk you home?” He asked as he reached his arm out and waited for her to take his hand out.

Kahako smiled at the man, desperately trying to hide the panic. She didn’t say a word to him, she couldn’t trust her voice. She just bowed and continued walking down the street. “Wait little mouse, it IS dangerous to be out alone around here.” The worry that came from the man sounded like sadistic glee to the young girl. All she wanted was for him to go away. Couldn’t he get the picture? She wasn’t interested in the man’s help; she just wanted to get home. An angry aunt sounded like a better senerio than the one she was currently in. “I said wai-“

It was a scream in the night air that set the brown haired girl running to the nearest alleyway. As an untrained wannabe ninja, she knew that she had no way to protect herself. If the man wanted to make a grab for her, he was going to have to catch her first. She made the turns as fast as possible, refusing to look back down the streets she came. Don’t cry. Keep Running. Stay quiet. She kept telling herself this mantra as she twisted her way through the dark streets.

Finally, when she realized she couldn’t hear a pursuer, she jumped behind the nearest object that would hide her form from the dim lights of the street. She allowed her body to slump against the wall of her hiding place. There was a fleeting thought that she would ruin her clothes with the way she sat on the ground, but it was quickly squashed by the panic and adrenalin that was still coursing through her body. She lowered her head between her legs and began trying to even out her breathing. She thanked whatever higher being was watching over her that she hadn’t started crying. It made breathing easier.

Just when she was about to reclaim control of her panic, she heard a groan and the distinct clink of metal hitting the street. Her heartbeat began its triathlon anew when she realized that the person was getting closer to her shelter that consisted of shadows and a measly rubbish bin. She closed her eyes and prayed that the being in the street would just walk past her. The person was almost upon her, when she heard what sounded like a thud on the ground. She waited a second before daring herself to take a peak around the bin. Once she got a view of the person, she wished she had just stayed in her sad shelter.

There in the middle of the small street, lay a man. He looked to be a lot older than her, but she could tell immediately that he was worse off. All she could see from her position was his black hair, and a dagger he must have dropped further down the street. He wasn’t getting back up. She contemplated running away, but something called her to remain where she was. She waited for the man to stand up and brush himself off. She waited for him to roll over and mumble something in a drunken stupor. She waited for him to do anything that would make her first night in Kumogakuro less of the dream turned nightmare it already become.

That was when she noticed the growing wet spot on his shirt, and, seeing how it wasn’t raining, Kahako realized how dire the situation was. Oh no, he’s bleeding! Her heart sank at this realization. She was no medic. She wasn’t even a ninja yet! She looked down the abandoned street to yell for someone to help this poor man. No one was there. No one would hear her. Should she run and call for help? What if he died before she could bring someone back? She couldn’t just leave the man there to bleed out, but what could she do? ‘Slow the bleeding,’ she thought to herself, ‘Then go look for help.’ Cautiously but quickly, she walked up to the man on the ground. If he made any quick movements in her direction, she would bolt for the main street, wherever it was.

When she reached a point to get a better look at him, every fiber of her being told her to turn tail and run. This was someone dangerous. But it was also someone injured. With her eyes brimming with tears, and her heart hugging her uvula like it was a lifeline, Kahako knelt beside the dazed man and quietly muttered the most direct question she ever asked, “Hey, hey you. What can I do to help you?” She wanted to place a hand over the wound, but she was too afraid to actually engage in physical contact. Despite what her senses were saying, she was going to at least try to help him.

 

[Ketsueki Satou]

(Sorry for the wait. Life is a cruel mistress, and she loves to whip me so. T^T I'll post more frequently from now on)

Pain, it was something that told you that your still kicking and breathing. Not much else but the pain and the thirst to remind him how foolish he was to go around feeding on lesser beings. The blood was weak in animals, it didn't carry enough nutrients and that special something to give it the kick he needed. What he mainly needed was the Chakra in the blood itself. Yes, there was some. But not a lot. The demon possession that plagues him requires ample amount of Blood and Chakra to sustain its strength and force. But Satou starved it, weakening himself and the demonic powers he held.

The best he could manage would be parlor tricks. But if he fed enough, maybe, just maybe in some time. He would be rather frightening to come across. But not now, not in this sorry state. He laid there, under the dimly lit street light. He could feel the moisture of the rain that threatened to was away his tainted blood.

I somewhat gave him hope. His hands had laid flat to the dirtied ground. He reached out with his mind rather then his physical body. It wasn't much to sense life in the earth,bugs,critters,snacks and the like. He could call to them, make them obey his command. This was why animals of the world feared the demon race, the evil they produced was on an estranged scale compared to other creatures. Mind control was a growing gift that Satou had to conjure from within himself. He found it easy to take the minds of animals but people were a bit more strong willed, especially shinobi.

But if he was in full health and had continued to absorb adequate amounts of blood and Chakra. Satou feared what other abilities would awaken in him. But he needed to focus on the situation, his fingers dug deep as he sent a wave of dark aura into the ground around him. He could feel them starting to wriggle and slither to the surface. But he stopped the process when his ears picked up movement. A civilian? A child.

A young girl cam scurrying over, quite the little bit energetic. Satou's ears were rather strong, to pick up the noise of her pounding heart in her chest. Her heavy breath of panicked senses. She was most likely afraid of someone or something. Her voice was shaken almost as much as her figure. He had to calm her, If he planned to live more then just this night.

His eyes opened to look upon her, their soft red glow would probably be alarming to her. The paleness of his skin looked sickly, as was his figure rather malnourished and skeletal skinny. "Don't fret, I'm not going to harm you." He whispered in such a soothing voice. A voice that slowly seeped towards her. Like a commend echoing into her mind. Maybe he could possess this girl. To drink from her. To steal some of her blood and chakra, to save himself.

But would he really have to force her? His eyes showed some strain of physical pain as he tried to get up. "I would appreciate the help...Names Satou..." He mumbled softly to her, trying not to have a more disdained voice to worry her. His wound seeped and bled out rather copious amounts of blood. He could feel his consciousness slipping here and there. But he had to remain awake.

 

[Shinrya Kahako]

(OOC: lol. It’s okay. The next five days might be difficult for me to post often as well. It is finals week for me, but I‘ll try my hardest to post quickly!)

At first, the red glow from his eyes startled her. Satou's pale, emaciated face made his eyes stand out amongst the dark shadows that surrounded them. ‘Prey,’ was the first thought that passed her mind when he laid eyes upon her. Kahako always equated the color red with the thought of hunting. To her, his eyes were no different. If he hadn’t spoken when he did, she probably would have been half way down the street screaming for anyone to assist her.

But it was his voice that stalled her movements and calmed her from this state of irrational panic. It was almost as if she heard his voice as a thought from within instead of the moving lips in front of her. She found it oddly comforting to almost feel the voice trying to sooth her; bringing her closer to a more rational state that wasn’t screaming instinct and tensed muscles. But she was still wary, fairy tales were there to teach one a lesson, and red eyes were never a good sign in any sense. And she felt like she was in a morbid tale right now.

Kahako shifted to a one knee stance as the man attempted to rise, ready to spring away at a moment’s notice, despite that she calmed herself enough to decide that she wasn’t going to leave him to die. “People worry when they think someone is going to harm them. They fret when they see people bleeding out in the middle of the road. I'm not too worried right now,” she said with voice she hoped sounded a lot more confident than how she felt. She barely picked up on his slight uncoordinated movements as he rose, and reached for his shoulders to help steady him and nodded. “My name is Kahako and I am an academy student, but what is really important is stopping the blood from leaving you.”

By now, her eyes stopped the attempted assault of waterworks. As she gained more rationality, she also gathered the confidence to try and place a hand over his wound. Her father always told her that if she was ever out in a caravan and she injured herself, applying pressure could mean the difference between life and death. She thought it would be bittersweet if this Satou man survived tonight due to advice from her father. The blood that was flowing from his wound was great, and she felt that he would not have the constitution to carry himself anywhere, even with her strength to help. “I do not have anything with me to help you, and I am new to Kumogakure. Do you think you could stay awake long enough for me to call for help?” She looked into his red eyes, silently praying that he knew some form of medical technique that she could assist him with. She desperately wished she could split into two people at this point. One to make sure the man stayed conscious and the other to scream down the streets for a medic-nin.

 

[Ketsueki Satou]

The night air became thin and cold as his legs shook slightly when forcing his body to sit up, then to stand. He needed to be on his feet. Something was alarming his senses. He had a somewhat taste for danger when it approached. He would get horrible feelings of being watched. There was too much noise. Movements in the background were more deeper, something was hiding in the shadows. Hiding from the light of the street lamps. Satou tensed when he felt the girls hand press against his wound. It was rather deep, He knew one of his lungs was nicked.

He could still breath, but anything extra vascular would cause his lungs to fill with blood. He would drown in his own blood. What irony, but such thoughts of dark humor could be brought back to a later conversation. Satou smiled softly, her tiny hand measured to his thick ice cold feelers as he rested his left upon hers. His glance turned to a bench right next to them. He motioned for them to sit as he couldn't keep himself standing in this rate.

Once the two sat upon the cold wooden bench, Satou laid back, his breathing was slow and steady. He could regenerate slowly if this keeps up. But since his knowledge of the perils at night. He knew, the sound that seemed so soft and gentle. Was something every person fears.

The Darkness always hid danger, but Satou was one of the most dangerous of creatures who hid. But this girl, this sweet small child. She tended to a monster, he could not lie not keep it a secret from her. "As you can see.....I'm not a normal human. I'm something special, some would say. But others would spit on me and run from the very sight of me. You have a very kind heart.." He smiled ever so gently, he seemed so calm and there was not a single feeling of fear from him. His voice came out reassured and unshakable even with a horrible wound.

"But I have to ask....Did someone follow you?" He seemed questioning but to softness of his face did not change. It was a slow way to speak, hoping not to alarm her.

Someone was breathing heavy in the dark alleyway across the street from them.

 

[Shinrya Kahako]

(OOC: Okay, my finals are over. I’ll be able to post faster now! \(^_^)/ )

As blood slowly began covering her hand, Kahako felt Satou tense slightly. She worried that she was hurting him, but she didn’t change the pressure she placed on the wound. She was taken aback by the temperature of his hand when he rested it upon her own. It was as if a smooth stone forgotten in the winter night covered her hand. She wondered if this was just another quality he possessed that came with his glowing red eyes.

He wasn’t at his full height yet he towered over her. She had a little trouble maintaining pressure on his side as she helped him over to the bench, but she was able to keep pace as he eased onto the wooden support. She listened to his calm voice, explaining how different he was from most people, how different he was from her. Her facial expression didn’t change much, but she was filled with shame at his statement of her being kind-hearted. “If you knew my first impression of you before I knew your name, you would not be calling me kind, Satou-san,” she said quietly as she began to access his knife wound. ‘Should I use my jacket and wrap it around his chest?’ She could tell it was deep and the position was close to his lung. She prayed it didn’t hit anything important, but at the same time she couldn’t tell.

So engrossed in her thoughts on what to do with the wound, Kahako almost missed the calm question that came from the man with red eyes. It took a few seconds to process what he asked, and a few more to notice his attention was focused on the alleyway she came from. “I thought I lost him,” she said as her body tensed. If this was the same man that found her on the main street, she couldn’t tell if Satou was about to be saved, or if they both were going to die tonight. Either way, Kahako had to force the panic threatening to rise from her body as she heard footsteps echo from the shadows. Even gravely injured, Satou remained calm. This gave her the strength to try to do the same.

“Now would be a really good time to show me how special you are, Satou-san.” She spoke quietly as the man from the main road entered their small street. His breathing was heavy from chasing her down the twists and turns of the residential roads. She was surprised he found her after she was so sure she lost him.

“There you are little mouse, I was afraid I had lost you to the night.” The man smiled at Kahako between his heavy breaths. This time, with fear no longer pulling at her senses, she could see that his smile didn’t reach his eyes. Instead, there was an emotion that played there that she had never seen before. She remained silent as he eyes moved towards Satou. She watched the man from the main road as he took in the scene around him. “Please, call for help.” She said calmly to him as his face contorted into one of panic and disgust. She knew Satou was scary. She herself felt the same emotions that played across this man’s face upon finding him. However, despite the danger that flowed from Satou, despite his red eyes and cold skin, he was a citizen of Kumo at most and in need of help at least.

“Get away from him, girl,” her pursuer said. He fully faced Satou, his movements cautious and slow as if she was standing next to a feral tiger. His hand moved to something in his pocket, and immediately Kahako realized how bad the situation was becoming. “This man desperately needs help, please call for a medic-nin.” She said once again, trying to keep the man’s attention on her. He slowly pulled out a switchblade, one that looked oddly similar to the one lying on the ground with Satou’s blood still upon it. “Trust me, mouse, between me and him I’m not the biggest danger in this street. You’d be better off leaving him to die.”

Kahako bared a small frown, “Funny I get the feeling that I’m safer over here.” She jerked her head towards Satou, “He’s not the one brandishing the switchblade at someone injured.” Her pursuer was slowly moving closer, shifting more to her side than Satou’s. She shifted her body in case she had to engage the man in combat. She wasn’t of ninja quality, but her family did teach her basic fighting. Travelling merchants were constantly the target of raids, and, although shinobi were often employed, there could always be an instance where you were on your own in a fight. Kahako summoned all that she remembered about fighting. She knew she was outmatched. She knew she should run to save herself and leave Satou to his fate. But she was a stubborn, foolish little girl, and she decided to save him. As she saw her pursuer prepare to attack, she quickly moved into a defensive stance, removing her hand from Satou’s side. “It doesn’t have to be like this, you can go find help, point them in the right direction and never come back, and let me deal with my own hazardous life choices.” She desperately pleaded one last time.

 

[Ketsueki Satou]

(WHOOT! I'm still kind flip floppy but I shall do my best to please )

Humanity, it was beautiful and ugly. And he found himself in a disgustingly beautiful situation. An innocent one, protecting a destructive wounded creature of darkness from a thug with a switchblade. The scenario. It made him laugh. And his laugh, so loud and booming with strength. It was surprising from his physical wounds that he could muster such full laughter. Once calmed, He looked to his little protector. "He's somewhat right....I am quite dangerous. But..." He groaned softly as he sat up more strait and slowly stood by her side. "Tell me...do you wish for my aid?...If you accept my aid in this situation, I will hold you in contract with me. I will serve your every beckoning and whim. But for a price...."

Old man...It is time. Release my seal? I have found someone I wish to serve... Whispered the demons thoughts. His mind sending a mental message to the Elder Nanjirou Rurou Kotsurugi. Kotsu sat in his temple far away from the scene. Smoking his pip as he sat along in his room. His long flowing green robes flapped gently as the wind picked up. Flowing gently into the Elders room. He of course heard the demons words.
Would it be wise to release your seal Satou? To become what you wished to hide from the world. Once I release you, It will be near impossible to set the seal back. You will be tracked by the shinobi I held back from investigating in you. I hid the village information that a Demon had entered the village. It seems it has become to difficult to persuade your decision.

Satou couldn't help but smile. Looking at the child who aided him, he would repay her for this kindness and offer something he would rarely do for any mere mortal being. "I am a Demon, Ketsueki Satou. On a contract of blood exchange I will be bound to you and serve you." He knelt before her, blocking her from the thugs site. "Will you become my Master...Unleash me..." His face and voice were softened. He appeared charming and kind, but his power was surely the opposite.


Yes, break the seal. I've made a decision. It will be today!

 

[Shinrya Kahako]

Kahako raised an eyebrow at the man beside her. She didn’t particularly find anything funny about the situation currently, yet here he was… laughing. It appeared she wasn’t the only one disturbed, for the man with the switchblade paused in his movements, unsure of what Satou was up to. ‘A price for his aid?’ Well… there was a price for everything. What mattered was if the exchange benefited both parties involved. In this situation, though, Kahako had little time to consider the terms. But what she did know was that she didn’t want to die on this night, nor did she want to watch Satou bleed to death because of her own indecisiveness.

Kahako looked to Satou as he rose. She felt small and less unsure about the situation when he looked down to her. His facial appearance and tone was a contradiction to what was being revealed to her. He spoke kindly as he explained himself to be a demon, a creature of darkness and evil. His predatory red eyes bore down upon her, but he promised to obey. As he knelt, she felt a pressure of power swell from him, yet he requested to serve her. It felt as if he could destroy her, but she would receive the aid of a demon in return. This was a terrifying concept to her despite his charm. But her mother's voice bubbled from her mind. It was from a lesson she taught Kahako a long time ago, ‘Never second guess what appears to be at least a decent business transaction.’ Anything worth something came with a price tag.

With that, Kahako’s eyes filled with resolve. She felt her heart slow as she held Satou’s gaze. Only her eyes expressed her determination to survive the night. She heard the footsteps of her pursuer begin to approach them; imagining the man raising his blade to stab Satou while his back was turned. “Survive tonight, and make this man go away, Satou-san. I agree your blood contract.” A small insignificant thought crossed her mind as she finished her sentence.

‘If I live tonight, my aunt’s going to kill me…’

 

[Ketsueki Satou]

Laughter, not from him, not from her or even their attacker. It was a laugh so silent, not even the canine ears could hear it. It was the darkness. The darkness that churned and creaked in the alleyways and the shadows of the people who walked in the blinding light. The darkness was happy, happy to see Satou smiling again. His wicked grin grew, his teeth like jagged razors as his pupils turned pin shaped, glowing brightly with glee. "Ahhh, My Master has been found." His right arm raised, swinging it behind him send a gust of air that sent their attacker back a couple feet.

Satou's features, even changed had smoothed out and returned to a more human look. He reached down and took the girl's hand, His other hand raised slightly, playing his index finger to swirl the stain of blood into a single spot. The blood then seep through her skin pores, she could feel a heavy heat warm up her arm and to her chest. She started to feel an amazing rush of adrenaline. His blood slithering into her heart. Pumping more blood through her body. She would mostly just feel her heart beating more rapidly as her skin warmed with fresh, hot blood.

He took a more classical look to his fangs as he brought her wrist gently to his lips. He took a glance at her eyes as his mouth opened and his thick long canine fangs dug deeply into the flesh of her arm, it was something of a sting in pain but it slowly ebbed out to a numbing pain as he removed the fangs from her skin, his mouth latched over the bite marks as he began to suckle the wound slowly. Drinking her blood in a sign of the pact. He only needed a little bit, so hard was it to pull away, licking the wound, the bite was somewhat healed over when finished, his saliva had a special substance to coagulate the blood and seal the bite.

He could feel it now, the blood he took from her circulating inside of him. He was could feel the tinge of chakra he stole. Nothing more then a pinch to kick start himself. Soon enough, the black aura began to seep from his pores. a wave of darkness filled the area around them It became more and more dense, so dense. That anything a few feet from lamp posts would become invisible under the thick shroud of black. He stood before her now. His body brimming with unnatural powers.

Smog of white bellowed from his heated breath as his hair swayed with the look of a beast about him. He was no more hiding his demonic presence, he had someone to serve, and he would serve them with his true self.

"My Master, do you wish for me to take his life? Or simple, break him so he can no longer harm others?" The demon grinned, waiting for his Master Answer. He was truly happy to serve again. To become a weapon of destruction. He loved the feeling, to destroy everything around him was his bread and butter of life. That, and maybe a few pints of blood. Maybe the girl would understand her actions, when she see's the monster she unleashed.

 

[Shinrya Kahako]

It was like being slammed into the eye of a storm, which was ironic because it was Satou's eyes that pulled her into this state. His eyes dilated, and his grin turned from kind and charming into a wicked smile. One that cradled twisted glee in its half moon form. Instead of terror, she felt as if she fell into a state of limbo. As if her body reached its limit of producing fear. It was almost as if she was balancing between the two extremes of terror and awe.

As his arm flew around him, she barely registered the feeling of the ends of her hair tickle her chin as they moved with the slight breeze he created. She was too focused on watching the monster turn back to man. She didn't look away as he took her hand into his. No, she couldn't. No matter how hard her mind tried, her body refused to move, the confusing state of limbo keeping her in place. It allowed him to grab her arm gently, and she watched as his blood seeped into her skin. Felt its warmth and energy travel to her heart, speeding the artery up in the process. If it wasn't for the actuality of what was happening, she would have called the rush euphoric.

She felt her throat close when he brought her wrist to his lips. His red eyes looking into her green ones as he opened his mouth. She thought he was silently asking her if she regretted her decision. Challenging her to look away in disgust or fear. She didn't look away from him. Instead she stared into his eyes. She didn't break contact when his fangs elongated again. The only moment they changed was when she winced as he bit onto her wrist. A small sound of protest emitted from her lips when she felt the pain. But she refused to close her eyes completely. She refused to look anywhere else but into his eyes.

She felt the blood leaving her veins where he bit. Instinct begging her to pull away, but stubbornness keeping her stationed. She felt his tongue slowly gloss over her wrist, and she folded it into her body when he released her. The pain a tugging reminder of what just transpired. As she watched him transform, she fell to the side awe as the darkness seemed to morph around him. Before her was no longer the man she found bleeding in a back alley. His white breath pulled her back to reality, back to the reason this creature was before her now.

Only when the question was asked, did she look away from his form. She felt so emotionally tired, yet her emotions still raged on. Confusion, awe, fear, determination... it was more than what she ever had to feel at once; more than she ever had to express in her life. She curled into herself, as if trying to protect her wounded arm from the onslaught of emotions. Fear lead her here, coupled with foolish compassion. It was too much for a young girl such as herself to handle. The dull pain pushed her off the edge into an emotion she could easily relate to: Bitterness.

“There are worse things than death,” She said quietly to no one in particular. She rose her eyes to Satou again, her emotions transforming into anger directed at the thug. She blamed him for what happened tonight. Yes, bitterness and blame were negative emotions she could deal with. It was much better than fear. She was still curled over her arm as she gave him his order. “Let him live, but I want him to remember tonight feeling the same way I did when I experienced it. I want him to look back, and remember pain and fear. I want him to always wonder if he will live to see the next day.” The reasonable part of her understood what she was doing was wrong, the man only appeared hostile when Satou had been around. Why harm him at all? Sadly, she didn't care. All she wanted was to stop the constant ebb and flow of fear and panic. The man behind Satou, to her, was the source of it all. Though 13, she was still a child, and she had been pushed to feel emotions she could not handle. There was still that small part of her that fell to selfish desires when she was upset. “Break him, Satou. In every sense of the word. I no longer want to see his face.” Only then did she break down and cry, and it was because of the cruelty and bitterness she herself could hear in her voice.

 

[Ketsueki Satou]

(*Whips out giant writing pen. Breaks pen.* O~@ MOTHA FAWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!*EXPLODES INTO RAIMBOW OF DEATH* ......*Hiccup* :3....)


Satou felt almost saddened by this display of humanity. She was so strong for so young. She made his old twisted heart unloose somewhat. He didn't feel that utter madness to kill. He was almost unsatisfied with how the situation turned. He was glad enough to have some fun though. He stood before her, a giant beast at her command. And she was more merciful then she should have been. But with the choices of power. She was so gentle. Her voice struggled to remain strong in a way. The when the poor girls spoke her cruel words. The demons eyes, softened in glow of the madness. He knew her pain, that today she grew just a little bit older.

But his grin, remained ever so twisted in terror delight when His bloodthirsty eyes turned to his victim. The scum was well off better dead then what Satou had in mind. "I shall make sure indeed Master." He chuckled, the man who brandished a knife at demon. Was surely going to wish he hadn't followed a little innocent ninja girl on such a night like this.

The demon cackled and danced about rather suddenly and comically. "How I love to break and mash!" He laughed like a loon as he twirled and danced about. The air suddenly changed, it was still a deep darkness in the air. But there was little to no tension. It was quite, aside from the dancing fool. The air was dead, thin. One would simply breath and become light headed. There was a cold. A chill, a deathly touch up your spin. Something that made you shiver so deeply it gripped your heart.

The demon stood still, away from the two of them, his arms raised as he sucked his breath inward with such force and volume of noise, it was as if the maw of hell open and was yelling inwards. Sucking and devouring the darkness, all shadows of the night. He breathed in the void, back inside himself. To be, Darkness.

His flesh darkened and colored a nice deep tan. His eyes a shimmering glow of ruby and lined silver. His hot steamy breath hung heavy and faded off as his soft smile, seemed so much more terrifying then the twisted grin. He simply walked over to the man, still feebly holding his knife at the demon with a shaking hand. He was almost pissing himself with fear at this point. His eyes shaking, dilated with shock. Satou looked somewhat disappointingly at the whimpering coward. "Too easy...."

He whispered, as the words hung in the air. The sound of a heavy jab punched the thug in the chest with so much force, it wounded of bone cracking against solid stone.The rushing painful noise, the wheezing gasps of air from the middle aged mans lips whistled with heavy wisps as he tried talking but forgot to breath in. A punch, so strong, it stole the air from the mans lungs and shatter many bones. All within the span of a second. The jab had hit the mans chest plate. But when the demons fist hit the body, He sent a wave of chakra through his fist at the same time. The effect was more then explosive. It was sound shatteringly loud. But the effect was more dormant then for show.

Satou felt the technique was still off. "Master!" He called out with a playful tone. "I'll teach you some cool moves once I got them worked out well enough so others can learn." He turned to the girl, he looked so human, so kind and soft spirited. The evil had dissipated from him, his teeth were normal, his eyes still somewhat dark but resembled something more human. The area was normal again. The lamp posts seemed a bit brighter then usual. They eyes had to adapt. The man kneeling in his shattered self. Just simply stared. Out from the darkness, there was light. But he couldn't move. He couldn't speak.

He wanted to get away from the darkness, to seek help in light. But the hands, the chilling cold hands of darkness held him. His body was brittle, it's memories shattered as he was nor more a man, but a husk. They would find him, weak and broken. but his physical outer layer had no bruising or scrapes. Just, a terrorized look in the mans eyes. He would be wheeled away to the hospital. To die slowly as his life would simply waist away. Healing splintered gems of bones. A broken man, will simply wither away till nothing left existed.

But as for the demon and young girl. Satou bent down and retrieved a long silk white cloth. It had a nice golden trim to it. Rather it was dainty and old fashioned. He left it rest on the girls arm. "Do not cry my Master.... Your heart is still pure." He grinned so sweetly. Oh it wounded him, seeing such pure tears. He almost felt is own swell in his chest. Oh he wanted to kill somebody! He was more bashful then murderous horrific creature of carnage and blah blah blah.

No, Satou had his humanity still. In this girl. He helped her up, and was now more of a talkative canary. "Ummm, wanna grab some Ramen?" His stomach growled noisily. He wanted to guide her away. To leave the scum to a fate worse then death. Solitude within your own body.

He sighed with relief, the night air had gotten thick and soft. warm rain was coming. The air was more dense and the night sky was never clear. "I'll get you home. It's gonna rain a bit tonight." He held out his hand for her to take if she wished.

 

[Shinrya Kahako]

(*Pokes the steaming body* you okay there, buddy? You can’t die on me now! Our social link was just created! )

Kahako watched as Satou performed his dance of terror, all the while holding her wrist with her other hand. Her thumb rolled lightly over one of the punctures that slowly grew less painful. She watched Satou do what she commanded, the thug growing small and insignificant against Satou’s power. As Satou landed his punch, the sound of bones cracking could be heard clearly from where she sat. She grimaced at the sound, and just like that, it was over.

The brightening of the lights around her made her close her eyes for a second until her pupils had adjusted. As he offered to one day teach her what he did, she looked to the thug who fell to his knees after the punch. He didn’t move. He didn’t speak. All she saw was fear in his eyes, and she could only understand that somehow Satou did exactly as she asked.

She jumped slightly at the light feather touch of fabric brush against her hand. Looking back down to her hands, she saw the white cloth lying on her arm. It seemed so out of place here, but she grabbed it regardless and proceeded to wipe her eyes. Her eyes were still providing the waterworks, but she was slowly getting them under control.‘Where’s that poker face now, Kahako? Crying in front of the stranger you wanted to save?’ She sniffed and blew her nose, trying to find her voice again. “Please, call me by my name. It is odd to hear someone call me master,” she got between the sobs one usually has after they had been crying. She wiped her eyes with the cloth again, and this time more tears didn’t follow. ‘Now if only the dry sobbing could stop.’

As he helped her up, Satou appeared friendlier and even more human than before. It was funny how someone could change so quickly. She wondered if she could even eat after all that happened tonight. She didn’t have to question it for long, however, because her stomach left out a growl as if responding to Satou’s in agreement. Looked down bashfully, surprised by the loud noise that Satou surely heard as well. Despite what happened tonight, all she had today was dango from a small tea café. “Ramen would be nice, Satou-san. My aunt is going to be mad at me for getting home late already. I might as well be full when I get into trouble for still being out.” She reached for his offered hand with the one that still had small puncture marks on them. With the other she held onto the cloth he handed to her with her last two fingers and began playing with the charm necklace around her neck between her index finger and thumb.

“I don’t know where we are, or where the main road is.” She said tentatively, her dry sobs becoming less and less noticable. “I’m new to kumogakure.” She looked up to the man who now supposedly served her, his hand engulfing her small one. Just as his life at one point in the night might have depended on her, she now was depending on him to get her back to safety and, hopefully, some food.

(OOC: To be completely honest, this is my first forum-based RP, and the third ever topic I’m a part of. I have no idea where there is a good point to ‘stop’ in a topic. I’m still having tons of fun with this thread, though, so I’ll leave it up to you if you wish to continue or take Kahako home.)

 

[Ketsueki Satou]

(*twitches* Ughhhh Hermit.... LMAO)

Satou's appearance softened, his eyes were warm. his smile was simple. He seemed a bit shorter then before. He was tall enough but seemed lesser in some way now. His outer layer seemed more meek then brazen. He walked rather slowly and with appreciated pace as his eyes took in the surroundings. "Kahako-Sama...." He spoke of her higher then he. A jounin of almost peaked strength. Leading as a servant to a student would not seem so honorable or "right" in a sense with other high ranking shinobi. But to think, he would find someone so soon to serve, it made him happy in a way. To have purpose other then simply living to live.

"Kahako-Sama, I would address you as my Master for you are. You own me know, I will do your bidding and any acts you wish of me." For a moment, his calm quiet aura turned a shade darker. The pitch of his voice was a tad bit deeper. "Command me to destroy them, send me forward to reap your foes and I will do so." He spoke with a thick intense feeling of destruction. But just after the burst, everything ebbed and calmed once more.

"But, I believe my Master has other plans then simple carnage. You wish to become a shinobi, you'd probably do much good for our people. Your heart is in the right place. So, your our cover will be as Sensei and Student. I will be your personal tutor. Say you were studying late with me." He smile, walking hand in hand with the girl he sworn his life to so simply and quickly on a strange turn of events. The night was still somewhat young, and he needed a drink.

Satou knew the area well enough that he could find what he wanted in this town. "While walking around, try looking for certain stores, learn how far they are from your house, then make a mental mapping of what streets their on. You'll learn the area more and more on your own in time. Explore while your young and open your eyes to everything. First lesson."
They soon happened upon a small Ramen and bar. How quaint and convenient. He looked to his young Master. "So, shall we?"


(I swear this is an interesting story progress. I took a rout I didn't think of. Lets continue. XD)

 

[Shinrya Kahako]

Kahako listened silently as Satou explained what exactly she was to him now. It was still odd, but she settled with the honorific title. She had no idea how she was going to explain it to others if they ever heard him call her as such, but it was a lot better than master. That would definitely be an awkward moment of explanation. She was slightly unsettled by the change of his voice and the promise of destruction to all those who stood in her way. She didn’t have any foes as of right now, but that didn’t mean she would never have them. Though the thought was unsettling, it was… comforting to know she had weapon like this at her disposal. She admonished herself lightly for referencing Satou as such even though he did so to himself in a way.

She didn’t know how to respond to his compliments. A barely noticeable smile rose to her lips in gratitude. She truly hoped he wasn’t expecting a lot out of her in terms of goodness. She was only human after all. If anything, tonight showed her that everyone had a bad side that was just a prevalent as the good one. As he gave her an excuse for being out so late and her first lesson thereafter, Kahako began doing as she was told. She picked up the street names and what shops were located on the few streets they passed. This would be easy for her to pick up since she usually had a good sense of observation, but she agreed; this would take time. As they stopped in front of the small ramen and bar, she looked to Satou once more. His welcoming appearance garnered small confidence and a reserved smile rose to her face. She nodded lightly, “okay… I have questions for you anyway, Satou-sempai.”

The thought of food gave her the courage to lead him into the bar by the hand. Inside appeared a little bit busier than Kahako thought it would be at this time of night, but for the most part it seemed to be adults enjoying a late dinner or whatever adults do in bars at this time. She tugged his hand lightly as she headed for a quieter section of the bar. Grabbing one of the stools, she climbed up and allowed her legs to dangle. Kicking them back and forth lightly, she continued to play with the charm around her neck. She looked at the wooden and weathered surface in front of her as she lost herself in though. Her eyes studied each scratch that came from years of glasses and ramen bowls sliding along its worn surface. There had been no time before to ask these questions. She knew so little of the shinobi world, and she needed to understand just what she signed up for when she agreed to the blood contract, but… where to start? “Satou-sempai,” She asked quietly as to make sure only he would hear her, “what will you get out of all of this? I mean, is there anything I should know about or do under our contract?” She was going to continue her questioning, but she noticed the bartender approaching. His face only slightly weary since a little girl walked into his bar this late at night, even with a chaperon.

(OOC: I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels this way! )

 

[Ketsueki Satou]

(I see dat hermit social link. Made my night.)

He felt more at ease when inside someplace warm and social. The smell of Ramen and cheap Liquor. A good scent of floral that hung about the shelf's, the polished aged wood furnishing. When he stepped in his eyes and ears had taken in so much at once. Every smallest detail to the crumbs of bread on the mans scarf sitting in the corner. The sounds of movements. weight shifting creaks along the wooden flooring. He could smell the perfumes of different scents mixing in the air. Almost chocking to him. But, it wasn't all too bad. The looks he got were pestering his nerves to say the least. Walking into a bar at the edge of night with a young girl accompanying him. He shot glares around the room to get eyes off him. He hated people staring at him.

She said his name again, a second time. "Sorry..." He listened to what she had to say, thinking it more clearly to give a short version or the long version, the bartender came forward. He knew the man, he'd been here a few times.

"혈액 마시는여보세요." Spoke the Bartender in a strange dialect that was not of traditional Japanese nor Kumo descent language. Satou responded with a thickened glare in his eyes. But responded with the same language.

"저 바텐더에게 매정하지 마십시오. 이름을 불러주세요, 일본어 구사합니다. 우리는 더 이상 우리 조국은되지 않았어요." He spoke so fluently, the words were soft and seemed so casual. Satou turned to the girl. He frowned then looked back. "I'll just have a cup of warm Sake please."

The Bartender nodded, his brown hazel eyes turned to the girl. The man was large,stocky shape and size. he seemed rather pleasant with a good feeling about him. Like an old uncle you can just sit and talk with. His voice was deep but not loud or frightening. "And you little miss?"

(longer post next XD)

 

[Shinrya Kahako]

(*Bows* Thank you, I plan to entertain on most weeknights, and the occasional Saturday afternoon. XD)

Kahako blinked at what the bartender said. ‘What language was that? ´ she thought. She looked up to the man. It was something she never heard before. What bewildered her more was Satou’s perfectly fluid response to the bartender’s….Statement? Question? She couldn’t tell which. A quick glance to Satou indicated to her that whatever the two said between each other, he didn’t particularly like. She met his eyes with her own and she watched the small frown form on his face. It only brought more questions to mind as he ordered his Sake in her native tongue. ‘Funny… he doesn’t have an accent that I can tell.’ Her eyes turned to the bartender as he addressed her.

The man seemed pleasant enough. His deep voice and stocky build reminded her of the frequent patrons at her mother’s restaurant back home. The aura about him made her give off her usual reserved smile. “Spicy katsu ramen and water, please,” she said. She liked this bartender. He gave off the housewarming feeling that her mother always tried to give in the restaurant back home. She would have to remember where this place was for future dinner stops. With a nod of his head, he glanced to Satou one last time and left to get their order.

Kahako returned to her stare back on the wooden counter, returning to her fiddling with her charm necklace. Just in that small exchange, so many questions rose to Kahako’s mind. Growing up, she watched her father entertain many business clients, many of which came from foreign countries seeking some form of trade. Many times she came in contact with the dialect of the other nations, but this language sounded nothing like any of those. It meant that he either came from a distant land, or he spent a lot of time there. Either way, it made her wonder just how he ended up as a demon in Kumo without a master.

Despite her child-like curiosity regarding his personal life, she waited for him to answer her first question. Her eyes turned to him, looking expectantly as she waited. As each second passed in Satou’s presence, her curiosity grew. Questions built upon themselves and expanded in her mind, but she didn’t want to ask them all at once. The most important question she felt she had already floated in the air waiting for an answer. What did she exactly sign up for?

(FUT DA WAH, KOREAN! Your night wasn’t the only one made. XD)

 

[Ketsueki Satou]

An answer. What answer would whisper from the demons lips. His figure seemed to smooth out in the atmosphere of a cozy little bar like this. His hands reached for a pack of cigarette in his shirt. he flicked the bottom with his finger, popped from the top came a white cigarette. His lips gracefully lifted the stick from the package. The air chilled slightly to him. A shiver up his spin as he sighed a fog of white. The stick was not yet lit.
His eyes held an eerie glow of red, that color so sickly sweet, drenched in blood. He smile revealed the soft showing of his canines. Sharp needle like fangs. Maybe this show of his appearance, she would understand what she was.

She was his meal, he would feed upon her, over and over again. She would command him like a dog, but at the price of some expensive food. He blood that pumped and surged under her veins. His thirst, his contract. He wanted to be used, but what he craved just as dearly. Was to give into the hunger, to let it take him in the ecstasy of draining every last drop from a human body. To feast like the monster he was. But with such dirtied thoughts of murder and bloodbath. Satou simply sat there, staring at her with his bloody eyes. It was not the look of lustful bloodshed. It was sad, his eyes showed the lonesome sorrow of what he was. His smile faded, hiding his teeth from her. Hoping that the sight didn't upset her in a local place.

His hand reached for his pocket, retrieving the lighter, quick snap motion, cigarette lit. lighter on the counter. a few seconds more of silence, the air was heavy.

The waiter came with food and drink, but Satou merely stared at his bottle. "Eat your Ramen, please...I rather not mention of it here." He seemed to avoid the question. Was he thinking it would upset her enough to pause her appetite? Maybe. But more so, he hoped before hand, she wouldn't ask.

He finally accepted his drink in his hands, the uncorked the bottle slowly, pouring his small cup full.

"To answer the other question in your mind...about the language you just heard." How did he know? Could, even read her mind? How strong were demons powers. What depth has Satou gone down the darkest paths?
"My mother came from across seas....She had me here in this land. But, I didn't know of my peoples heritage and our own culture. Our language...Of where I came from. I met a few people who noticed I looked similar to certain family they new across seas. The bartender here married my mothers sister. When I met him, he yelled at me in a different language that wasn't Japanese. It was then he tried teaching me this language from my people." Satou spoke rather openly and with a normal tone of voice. But inside, he felt it didn't matter as much, life like this. Was common for him.

He took his drink one long gulp. The Alcohol burned down his throat. It would take his mind off the hunger for awhile. Kill the sensation, yet he seemed not even phased in outer appearance by the alcohol. His cigarette smoke just hanging off his lip. Burning, not one drag. Yet when he breathed out gently through his lips, a thine white smoke would waft through the air. A soft scent of mint leaf from the smoke. it wasn't sickly or hurt to breath around.

The demon sat there, drinking and smoking. Enjoying his company.

"Whats your story...Young Higa Sama?" He smirked. He was coy sometimes in his voice. But he seemed always kind to her in his voice, anyone else. It would be stiffed, stern and cold. But to this girl, it was like his sister or friend.

The juke box chirped..in the corner of that homey bar..the music grew in soft volume....There was no one near the machine.

The Darkness smiles....

Satou tapped his foot much like she was doing impulsively more then by thought as he relaxed.

 

[Shinrya Kahako]

(This post took FOREVA! My fingers are steaming D

Kahako looked away when Satou looked at her with his saddened gaze. She realized what he was silently getting at. It was moments like this that Kahako was grateful she had been taught how to keep a decent poker face. However, it was nowhere near perfect. It was actually quite obvious when she pulled one. The usual tint of emotion that usually ran through her eyes completely disappeared. Her lips fell into a straight line, and she proceeded to stare at the ramen that was placed in front of her. With a blink, she raised her hand to her chopsticks, gave the usual thanks and proceeded to pull a piece of ramen from the bowl, blowing on the steaming wheat noodle, but not taking the bite. It was painfully robotic, but it kept the attention of the bar patrons off of the pair.

It was very subtle; the way Satou answered her question while he brushed off a verbal response. She would have missed it, if she hadn’t remembered the fairytale his red eyes reminded her so much of. ‘I might as well be sitting next to Shuten-Douji,' she thought as she finally took a bite of her now cool noodle, slurping it down and picking it up another to repeat the process. She always thought her mother told her those stories to make sure she didn’t stay out late. Really, who would believe in a demon living in the mountains that drank the blood of maidens and feasted upon their flesh? It was almost laughable at how close their current situation fell into the old folklore. To meet each other in Kumogakure of all places at, night of all times, was icing on the ironic cake.

On the inside, it unsettled her. Learning that the currency of their transaction was literally your own blood does that to a person. ‘Talk about a new meaning to biting the hand that feeds you,’ she thought as she looked to what was left of the two small puncture marks on her wrist, barely hidden by her favored jacket. She wondered if these marks would stay on her skin despite the healing abilities Satou had. Something told her they would. She glanced back at Satou, watching him take his shot of warm Sake. She didn’t stay on the thought for long though, because Satou’s next statement dragged her out of the mental topic completely.

Was she that obvious in her curiosity? She wasn’t going to ask him about it, at least not tonight. But she listened to his story anyway. She imagined the first time he met the bartender. Was it a humorous encounter to find a family member yelling at you in another language? What brought his mother to this land? What was that white mist that came from his mouth while the cigarette burned? She had so many questions for this man. But again, she paused in asking them. He had a question for her after all.

She took a mouthful of noodles and then a sip of water. The hardy broth that clung to the noodles gave a welcome spiciness that warmed her. She loved spicy food; the pain on her tongue and lips more welcome than the thoughts of what brought her to Kumo. No one really asked her why she wanted to become a shinobi. She took another drink to gather her thoughts, setting the glass down with both hands, but not letting it go just yet.

“My mom is from Kumogakure, but she doesn’t live here anymore. Before I was born, she moved to a smaller village outside Kelmura to be with my father.” She moved the glass back to its original position, picking up the chopsticks again, but not taking another bite. The music in the background reached the peak in its tune. She didn’t turn around to see who started it, the lyrics were difficult for her to understand, but she didn’t mind its melody. “She was never a shinobi. She met my father when he was passing through for business while she worked as a waitress for the restaurant my aunt, her sister, owns. He is a trader and shipper. His business isn’t famous, but he was able to give mom a restaurant of her own in our home village.
“I am their only child. I was supposed to take over the family business. I was trained to become a good merchant and hostess, but… father changed.” Her tone was even at first, but bitterness and anger slipped through at the mentioning of her father. She looked back at her ramen, playing with an onion using her chopsticks. Memories of the day she learned her parents’ separation flooded her mind. The hand that was resting by her ramen bowl clenched. Quick picture-like images flashed in her head of her mother emitting heart wrenching sobs in front of her five-year-old daughter. “After their divorce, mom kept her restaurant in the village. She hoped that I would still take over both when they retired, but a few months ago I decided I wanted to do something… else. Something I wanted to do. So a few months ago mom made arrangements for me to stay with my aunt while I studied at the Academy.” She looked up to Satou and smiled. She was proud of her mother, and that was expressed through her eyes. “You know, if it wasn’t for what happened to Port Cirrus, I don’t think mom would have been willing to let me come here. At first she often ignored my requests, (a small giggle) yelling in her usual loud voice about how against she was with it. She seemed sad, but after a while she supported my decision…” ‘…unlike father,’ she finished mentally.

Done with her story, she proceeded to dig into her food. It was good. Beyond good. The more she ate, the stronger the sting of the spice hit her tongue. ‘I wonder if my life will become like this ramen,’ wondered to herself idly. ‘Tasteful, warm, but with the occasional sting...’ Another bite… Another sip... “How is your side, Satou?” she quietly inquired.

 

[Ketsueki Satou]

He simply sat there, smiling and drinking as the atmosphere was a tad bit heavy. He waved the Bartender/Chef back over. "나에게 먹을 매운 것을 가져와." The Chef nodded and headed to the back of the kitchen. Satou sat in a relaxed pose, staring this girl down. His eyes of hunger radiating somewhat, he had to calm down. He paused his drinking, corked the bottle and sat in silence while listening to the girls words as she began her little tale.

He listened to her story, it was a bit heartwarming to hear a tale of life beginning so small. His feet tapping to the drum beats. His smile was normal and his whole posture relaxed as his food arrive. A plate of steaming hot chicken covered in breading as he took one drum stick and dug in. His teeth taring through the soft meat, the savory spices and herbs cooked into the chicken were rather delicious to the demons taste buds.

"정말 좋아." He bows his head to the cook before turning his attention back to the girl with his response when she mentioned her father in a lesser tone. It made his grin twist a bit. He wondered, what was his father like. Was he a beast, just like himself? He never knew. But such thoughts belittle him. Belittled his true origins. He was born, he was killed, then he arisen as a demon child. Such dramatics was of little interests. His memories swarmed around his brain while he continued to listen to the girls life.

His eyes softened, the mentioning of a mother. The images of a women sitting in the rice fields, singing to her engorged belly with a child growing inside of her. A painful grip had a hold around his heart. I wish I could have spoken to you....even once...

He put his food down, wiped his hands on the napkin given to him and his mouth. "A mothers love is probably one of the greatest emotions in this world." He smirked that cocky grin. "My mother was very brave...." He seemed to hold that lonely tone once more. Like all his life was so terrible and miserable, yet he dared not say a word around others. It was unsettling to hear the tale.

When she finished she continued eating, then questioned about his wounds. He looked a bit confused, as if to ask himself if he was really hurt. He lifted up his shirt to reveal the white spot where the hole in his stomach used to be. Just a simple lighter patch of skin across his well tone body, it was a first glance at his actual body. He was nothing but muscle and toned features. Abs and all, many women would want his body lustfully. "Nothing to worry about." He shirt fell back down to cover himself. "Just a flesh wound, heals pretty quickly once I've rested a bit. One of the perks to being what I am." He chuckled as he continued with his eating.

"How's the wrist?" He threw the question at her rather easily.

He seemed to star off at the bottles of liquor on the wall. "My Mother....She was brave. When I was born, I was to be a sacrifice for a demon which the village i lived in worshiped. My mother, she fought to save me....Only to die at the hands of the demon....Me...." He didn't look to Kahako. He was afraid what look she would have on her face.

When he was born, he was fused with a demon to become its vessel. But instead of a shared body, they became one. So it was right enough to him, in his mind. To call himself his mother's murderer. But maybe others would disagree.

 

[Shinrya Kahako]

A loud, boisterous laugh came from the other patrons, well into the realm of the inebriated. It seemed so far away from the young girl and her companion. She felt a little foolish when he displayed what was left of their introduction. Her eyes focused on the white scar as a blush spilled onto her cheeks. It wasn’t everyday shinobi travelled to her home. Rarer was the occurrence of them stopping in her mother’s restaurant. The few that did were often covered head to foot in gear, armor, and weapons. Toned muscles were a rare sight for the preteen. The blush increased as her eyes moved away, looking back to her wrist in response to his inquiry. The second half of their initial meeting stamped upon her flesh. The skin was still an angry red, but the pain left a while ago. All that remained was phantom stings. “I’ll get used to it.” She said simply. Knowing full well she meant more than just the marks, and hoping he would catch the double meaning as well.

She watched him out of the corner of her eye as he stared into the distance. Her eyes grew downcast as she listened to his own beginnings. Her hands clutched the worn ceramic bowl that now held just broth. She was so flippant about her own beginnings while his was cheated from the happiness she experienced. All of the issues she had seemed to pale in comparison to Satou’s. When he revealed that he was the demon that ended his mother’s life, she head quickly turned to look at him. ‘Who else knew? Did he ever tell anyone?’ Unwittingly, she reached out to the demon, taking a part of his shirt into her own. There was the effect of a light, awkward tug in the process.

The surprise was clear in her eyes although her lips kept their straight line. She looked at the hand that was still clutched onto him. ‘Why did I grab for him?’ she asked herself. Never could she understand his dark past. The thought of being without her mother, despite their usual bickering, was terrifying. To never have met her at all, and then believe that you were her murderer? It was impossible for her mind to imagine it. So why then did she feel and act upon the urge to reach for him?

Her eyes moved to his face. She couldn’t tell him that he wasn’t to blame. That it wasn’t his fault. It was a fools dream to believe that everyone always had either an innocent or good side. A cutthroat business world exposed her to this lesson early in life. But… she also didn’t know his entire story. The truth of the night, and his role in it could possibly forever be lost to her. All she knew for sure about this man beside her was their binding contract. ‘You’re not alone.’ She wanted to say. The words couldn’t pass her lips. What right did she have to say something so personal to someone she just met? What worth would it have when a stranger said it?

Instead, her look of surprise at her own actions turned into a small smile, Her eyes fought the sadness in them as if trying to make herself pleasant for his sake. She would never truly understand the guilt he must have felt, but she didn’t wish for him to wallow in the sad creation of his existence. “My condolences.” She said simply. Another lesson from her mother; sometimes this word was a whole lot better than ‘I’m sorry.’ A few people in the bar nonchalantly glanced their way in her quick movements, but she didn’t notice their casual glances. The rusty jukebox continued on.