Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Muma Oni - The Succubus Demon ❯ The Reject ( Chapter 12 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

“So that demon hunter kidnapped Muma?” Pinaka asked as she raced with Sato and Ina back to the shrine. She had joined them once they got out of school, having lost track of the demon she was hunting down.

“Yeah,” answered Sato. “I told him to meet me at the shrine and we’ll finish the fight.”

“Who was it?”

“He called himself Ryomaru, and had a wolf has his companion like you have Jira.”

Sato stopped and looked back, seeing that Pinaka had stopped before him. Ina was the last to realize and stopped several feet after passing Sato. “Pina, what’s wrong?” Sato asked.

Pinaka was white, a look of shock on her face. Jira was at her feet, mewing in a scared tone. Sato approached her. Pinaka took a quick step back and said, “I’m sorry, but I can’t help you. Sato, you’re on your own.”

“What?” Sato said, taken back. “But Pina, I could really use your help. Why can’t you come?”

“I’m sorry, Sato,” Pinaka said, turning from him. “I’ll return home after the demon hunter leaves.”

Sato held a hand toward Pinaka as she walked away. Ina caught Sato by the shoulder and told him, “You can’t force her into it. Forget her right now, okay? We have to save Muma.”

Sato nodded. They continued down the street and turned down the walkway toward Sato’s house. They circled around back to the shrine. In the distance they could see Ryomaru standing in front of the shrine building, Muma restrained and suspended in the air by some magical force.

“Takedo!” Sato called as he came to a halt.

Ryomaru turned to face Sato and Ina. In the bubble holding Muma she was pounding against it, obviously calling out to Sato, but her voice couldn’t be heard.

“Well, you’ve finally come,” Ryomaru sad. Hasu appeared then at his side. “Are you ready for this?”

“Yeah,” Sato said.

Ryomaru held a hand over Hasu. The demon transformed into his large katana and slowly rose to his hand. Ryomaru gripped his sword and raised it in front of him. “Okay, Kannin,” he said, “let’s get this started.” He narrowed his eyes and smiled viciously.

“Wait,” Sato said quickly, “I don’t have a weapon. This is unfair!”

“Sato,” came a voice from behind.

Sato turned and saw his grandpa coming up the walkway. “Grandpa, what’re you doing here?” Sato asked.

Grandpa tossed something wrapped in brown paper at him. Sato caught it, feeling its heavy weight. He looked to Grandpa with a questioning look.

“That sword has been passed down through the generations of our family,” Grandpa explained. “Take it into your hands, Sato, and protect the honor that our shrine stands for.”

Sato nodded and carefully removed the brown paper from around the sheathed katana. The scabbard was apparently old. The once ruby color had faded to a dull white and pink. The guard was worn at the edges. The hilt looked like it was recently rewrapped in a brand new black silk.

Sato turned back to Ryomaru, pulling the clean, unscathed blade from the scabbard. He placed the sheath down gently on the ground and took a few steps forward, holding up the sword. Sato smiled as he watched the sword shine with a sleek blue and silver.

Ryomaru lowered his sword slightly. “I see,” he said. “It’s the sword from legend, isn’t it? You’re the great descendent of the Higuro family, huh?”

“That’s right,” Sato said. “Now, enough of this dilly dallying. Let’s fight!”

Ina backed away from Sato toward Grandpa. She said to him, “I’ve never seen Kannin look so fierce.”

“He only gets that way when he’s defending those he cares about,” Grandpa said. “He’d be even fiercer than this if it was you in danger.”

Ina blushed.

“Here I come!” Sato cried, racing at Ryomaru.

Their swords clashed hard. Ryomaru moved gracefully as he swung his sword, smiling the entire time as Sato poured all of his strength into each attack, trying to break Ryomaru’s defense. Sato swept fast. Ryomaru jumped and slashed down at Sato who rolled to the side.

Sato reached into his uniform coat. “Try this on for size!” He pulled three long spikes from an inside pocket and launched them at Ryomaru. Ryomaru made no gesture to dodge. The spikes hit his chest and dropped to the ground, blocked by the armor that he wore.

“Nice try, Kannin,” Ryomaru said, then shot at Sato.

Sato blocked fast with his sword. Ryomaru swung hard, lifting Sato off his feet and slamming him through a column at the shrine. Ryomaru approached.

“Kannin!” Ina cried worriedly. “Oh Kannin, please be all right!”

Sato coughed up blood as he lifted himself. He had a slice on his cheek from where the tip of Ryomaru’s blade had barely nicked him. Ryomaru stopped below the bubble with Muma in it. He glared at Sato, completely emotionless.

“You’re tough, that’s for sure,” Sato said, “but I’m far from done.”

“Is that so?” said Ryomaru, his eyes narrowing. “Then show me what you’ve got!”

Ryomaru swung his sword through the air. A white blade of energy released from it and shot at Sato. He covered himself fast, preparing for the end.

“Kannin!” Ina cried again, tears pouring from her eyes as smoke covered the grounds from the explosion of Ryomaru’s attack.

“Poor Sato,” said Grandpa, lowering his head and clapping his hands together.

“No, don’t say that!” Ina said, grabbing Grandpa by his gi. “Don’t say Kannin’s dead! He has to be alive!”

She looked back at the site. The smoke was slowly clearing. To her and Grandpa’s surprise, Pinaka stood between Sato and Ryomaru, wielding her polearm. “She saved him,” Ina squeaked, about to break from the suspense.

Ryomaru showed no surprise at Pinaka’s interference. Somehow he knew he’d end up facing her if he battled Sato. He said nothing, but used his gestures to talk for him. He raised his sword to dare Pinaka to come at him. She hesitated, taking the moment to make sure that Sato was all right.

Pinaka sighed as she returned her attention to Ryomaru. Fear raced through her, knowing of the tremendous power that Ryomaru had. They graduated from the same class at the hidden demon hunter academy in the outskirts of Kyoto. Ryomaru passed at the top of the class, while Pinaka stood at the bottom. She was afraid to fight Ryomaru, but she cared for Sato. To her he felt like the little brother she never had.

“What’s wrong?” Ryomaru asked, growing tired of the stillness. “Are you afraid?” Pinaka’s face went white. “You know what I’m capable of. You know my power. Stand down and allow me to finish this shrine boy. Afterwards I’ll deal with you, you disgrace.”

Pinaka gripped her polearm tight. “Enough, Ryomaru,” she said. Her eyes were beginning to water. “You always did that. You’d call me a disgrace. You’d call me a reject, a dropout, a failure. Well you know, Ryomaru, I’m tired of it! I know, I’m clumsy, I’m ditzy, I’m a total loser, but I don’t care! I love Sato, and I’m not going to let you hurt him anymore!”

Ryomaru narrowed his eyes. “Is that how it is? So be it.” He waved his sword. With a third stroke, he sent an energy attack straight at Pinaka.

Pinaka twirled her polearm around and knocked the attack into the air. It erupted in flames twenty feet above them, shaking the ground. In the instant Pinaka defended herself, Ryomaru moved in and hit her hard with the hilt of his sword, sending her skirting across the ground. She planted a hand to the ground and brought herself to a halt. She looked around at Ryomaru, seeing the smile on his face.

“You’re lasting longer than I expected,” he said. “It seems you’ve grown stronger since graduation, but there’s something you must always remember: once a failure, always a failure.”

“Shut up!” Pinaka cried, racing at Ryomaru with her polearm in hand.

Pinaka came to a stop as Ryomaru attacked. She quickly went from offensive to defensive, blocking Ryomaru’s attacks with the shaft of her weapon. She heaved his weapon aside and tried to attack him, but was easily blocked by the cuff Ryomaru wore on his forearm.

“Try harder,” Ryomaru said, punching Pinaka in the face.

She staggered backwards. Ryomaru started his attacks again. Pinaka tried hard to block all of the attacks, but some connected to her skin, sending blood into the air. Ryomaru lunged forward and stabbed Pinaka in her left side. She cried loudly in pain, dropping to her knees.

“Beg,” Ryomaru said. “Beg for your life, you reject! I want to hear your pleas for mercy. Say it!”

Pinaka cried loudly as Ryomaru twisted his sword inside her. He smiled, enjoying the sounds of her pain.

“I won’t!” Pinaka called out. “I’ll never beg, not to you! Go ahead and kill me!”

“If you insist,” Ryomaru said, pulling his sword from Pinaka’s side and raising it in the air.

Sato snatched up his sword fast and raced at Ryomaru. Without hesitation he struck Ryomaru straight through his right shoulder. Instantly Ryomaru’s hand dropped to his side, and the sword fell from his hand. He turned and swatted Sato hard with the back of his left hand. Sato slid backwards, gripping his sword tight.

Ryomaru faced Sato, not pleased. “You’re the first to ever hurt me,” he said. “For that, you shall die.”

“We’ll see about that,” said Sato. He was breathing heavily, worn from fighting Ryomaru previously.

Ryomaru brought his weapon to his left hand and held it up. Sato gripped his sword tight, ready for anything to come. He shook with anticipation.

A smile cracked over Ryomaru’s face. He lowered his sword and began to laugh loud. Everyone stared at him with raised eyebrows. He finally brought his laughter down. He dropped his sword that turned instantly back into Hasu. He waved his hand through the air and Muma was released from her prison, dropping to the ground in a heap.

“Kannin, you’re something else,” Ryomaru said. “Either you’re a complete moron, or you’re the gutsiest person I’ve ever met.”

“What do you mean?” Sato asked, keeping his sword high.

Ryomaru shook his head. “Never mind that. Good work sticking up for your friends like that. I think I’ll be on my way now.”

“What?” said Sato, unable to believe his ears. “After all this, you’re just going to withdraw from the fight? You have the power to take me out right now!”

“I know,” Ryomaru said, “but I also know that you can handle that demon yourself if she becomes wild. I suppose I can leave her in your hands.”

“Are you going to tell the school about this?” Pinaka asked.

“They will receive a report,” said Ryomaru as he walked away, Hasu following him. “Pinaka, I have much to tell them about you. I’m sure they’ll be happy to hear you’re not such a failure after all.”

Pinaka slowly smiled, gazing after Ryomaru as he continued to walk away.

Muma rushed to Sato, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Sati, I can’t believe you fought for me! I’m so happy.”

“Okay, okay,” Sato said, dropping his sword and trying to shove Muma off him.

Ina and Grandpa raced to Pinaka’s side, worried about her wounds. She shoved them off and turned to Sato. “I’m glad you’re all right,” she said. “I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.”

Sato was taken aback by her words. “Well, Pina, I’m very happy you were there for me. I really owe you.”

Pinaka dropped her polearm which turned instantly into Jira. She grasped her side and began walking toward the house. Suddenly she tripped over her own feet and fell to the ground with a loud thud.

“Pina, let me help you,” Ina said, tending to Pinaka.

Grandpa turned on Sato. “I’m very proud of your performance,” he told his grandson.

“Thanks,” Sato said, still trying to shove Muma off him.

“Now,” said Grandpa, lowering his gaze, “starting tomorrow we’re doubling your training.”

“Doubling?” Sato said, his eyes widening. “I thought I did good!”

“Your form is still sloppy! Did you see Ryomaru’s movement? That is the movement of a true swordsman. Actually, scratch doubling, because we’re tripling your training!”

Sato watched his grandpa walk away. His head dropped and he sighed. Muma slid her fingers across his face and said, “Don’t worry, Sati, I’ll be at your training every minute. And afterwards we can make plenty of love.”

“I don’t think so,” Sato said, finally pushing Muma off of him, “you have work to get to, remember?”

Muma slapped her hands to her face. “Oh no, I have to hurry!” she cried, racing down the walkway.

Sato sighed. “Sadly, I love this life.”