Draft version. C&C is most welcome. Warning: The following is by no means dark by my standards, but I am aware that other people judge the same tag by different standards, so I will give fair warning that there is a scene within this chapter which may cross the boundaries for some people. Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 is the property of Rumiko Takahashi and her publishers. I am merely using the characters for the purpose of profit-free entertainment and make no claim on them. The following people have been kind enough to create a page to host my fanfics, so please take a look: Vincent Seifert: http://www.csus.edu/indiv/s/seifertv/kagami/ Yoshiro_san: http://members.xoom.com/Yoshiro_san/mother/ David Pascal: http://www.davidpascal.com/smj/ You can contact me at: kagami@jeack.com.au --- "Shukumaru-sama, your litter awaits," Jakuten said obsequiously. "Very well, Jakuten." Shukumaru sipped the last of her tea and set the cup down. She adjusted the folds of her traveling oba. It was white, she noted absently. Only the flower patterns and richly embroidered sleeves offset the harsh single colour. All of her clothing was restricted to that one colour, she realized. When had it been since she had worn a different hue? She turned to look at temple room that had been her home for the past few months. She would not miss it. A quick stroll past the dead holy fire of the main shrine brought her outside into the dim morning light of cloud-covered Fuji-san. "Well, Raijin, I return to you your temple, Kaminari-jinja. I thank you for the loan," she murmured sardonically. Her litter rested on the ground in the temple courtyard. Possibly one of the simplest forms of transportation available, the litter consisted of a wooden framework enclosing a seat within. However, it was a masterpiece of workmanship and design, crafted from sandalwood and inlaid with pearls and jade. Yet its majesty paled beside its bearers: four white-furred kyubi-kitsune of the highest rank and power. The nine-tailed foxes were famed and feared for their cunning and deviousness amongst demonkind. That four such creatures would consent to serve Shukumaru as mere litter-bearers was a sign of her growing status. She believed their positions to be entirely appropriate. It would hardly do for her to travel in less than complete style, after all. Shukumaru strode to the litter and sank gracefully into the soft silk cushions within. The only other inhabitant of the transport uttered a low growl of welcome at her arrival. She stroked a hand along his blue-furred neck. "Raiha, we shall be on our way now." The Thunderbeast, who had currently assumed the shape of a wolf of ordinary size, albeit of extraordinary colour, merely rumbled his contentment. "Jakuten, follow us." The litter rose swiftly into the air, borne on the shoulders of the nine-tailed fox demons, and sped towards the north. Inside, Shukumaru rested her head against the warm fur of her companion and remembered a time when white had yet to become the colour of death. --- An Awakening of Demons A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic By Kagami Chapter 7: Shukumaru --- "I will not marry him!" Shukumaru spat out the words in outrage. "You will do as I tell you!" Yami-no-Tsume thundered at his only child: his daughter, who should know better than to argue with him on this matter. The solution was obvious to him and seemed perfectly reasonable. Why was she being so obstinate? "Masakado is perfectly willing to align himself to us in order to marry you. You should be honoured!" "I should prefer to be dead! He's nothing but a fat slug!" Shukumaru sneered. Palpable disgust dripped from her tone. "What do we need him for? Does the Demon Lord of the East rely on the South to maintain his rule?" "Be careful, Daughter. I am not known for my patience." The Demon Lord of the East glared fiercely at his daughter, determined to drive his message home. "You will marry Masakado, and that is my final word on it!" Shukumaru paled, trembling with deep rage. The claws on her hands bit into the soft skin of her palm as she curled her fingers into tight fists. Blood trickled from between her clenched fists. "Very well, Father." She spun on her foot and strode through the doorway of the living room. She slammed the door shut behind her. "You were hard on her," a low rumbling voice observed from beside the Demon Lord. "Ahh, what am I to do, Raiha?" Yami-no-Tsume asked mildly. He stroked the Thunderbeast's fur with his right hand. "If only I had a son, then I wouldn't have to play these games with the others." He shook his head in annoyance. "Using my child as a pawn, what has the East become?" Yes, Father, Shukumaru thought as she snuck away from the thin door. What has the East become? If only you had a son? Why am I not worthy of assuming your place as Demon Lord? Masakado only wishes to marry me in order to gain a second Quarter. Only a fool would grant him the opportunity. Licking the blood from her torn palms, she strode towards the entrance of the apartment. The night was too fine to spend sulking in her rooms. Perhaps she could find an interesting mortal or two to play with. --- Dance clubs were the latest fad in Tokyo. With the migration of Beatles music a decade after the height of their popularity in the West, the nightlife in the capital hummed to the tunes of 'A Hard Day's Night' and 'All You Need is Love'. Club Yellow in the Roppongi district was no different. Heavy guitar chords and fastpaced cheerful vocals assaulted Shukumaru as she passed through the door. Even with the light earplugs, the music fairly pulsed against her sensitive ears. Shukumaru was dressed completely in black, highlighting her pale skin and flawless features. She made for the dance floor, determined to lose herself in the swaying rhythm of discomania. Coloured lights flashed off the large silver globe overhanging the crowded floor, and bodies shook and boogied to the songs of the Beatles. Shukumaru joined the crowd, blending in with artless grace and natural talent. Her third decade as a demon should be just like this, full of carefree wonder and fun, and not flung to the mercies of an unwanted marriage to an overweight piece of slime. She banished the dark thoughts and focused all her attention on the music. "Can I have this dance?" The shouted words belonged to a dark-haired boy who appeared to be in his late teens. He shot her a grin as he eased his way in beside her, taking her silence as permission. He proved a masterful dancer, effortlessly matching her twisting and gyrations. Shukumaru hid a smile as she contemplated his handsome features. "Haven't seen you here before," he yelled, bending close to make his words audible over the deafening melody of 'Magical Mystery Tour'. "How original," she replied, smiling slightly. Only five minutes since she had entered the club and she had already snared her prey. It had to be a new record. The night was looking up. "But it's true!" he said, grinning widely. "I'm Hikaru. Nice to meet ya." "Shukumaru. Nice to meet you." She spun, arms raised above her head, using the motion to bump and grind against him. >From the glitter in his eyes, he appreciated the moves she made. The last bars of 'Magical Mystery Tour' died away, and the club resounded with cheers and claps from the dancers. As the refrain to 'Tell Me Why' started up, she whispered into his ear, "Meet me around the corner in ten minutes." She pulled away from him and was lost amidst the crowd in moments. Extracting herself from the dance floor took only a minute, and then she was walking out into the clear night air of Tokyo. Shukumaru took a deep breath to disperse the stink of sweaty humans clogging her nostrils. It was a wonder that they failed to simply expire from water loss. Her head slowly cleared from the clamour of the club and she started toward her destination. 'Around the corner' was the common euphemism for Aoyama Park, next to the Cemetery of the same name. The short walk took her less than five minutes to cover. Aoyama Park was dim and quiet, full of secluded locations and well-suited for her purposes. "Hey there, babe." Shukumaru turned and smiled welcomingly. Her smile widened when she saw four street punks standing there instead of Hikaru. Ahh. An entree course before the main meal. It appeared as though life was planning to compensate her for her earlier distress. "Why, hello there. Can I help you?" she purred with artful innocence. "Sure, babe," said the lead thug. He looked barely out of his teens, obviously a school dropout who had graduated to the low end of the gutter. "Take off your clothes, and we can have a real party." He leered at her in what was obviously meant to be a threatening fashion. It was all she could do to avoid laughing. Their scars and spiked hair had evolved to induce an aura of menace. Their clothes were ripped, metal-studded leather obviously copied from an American movie. The leader wore a well-used pair of bronze knuckle dusters. His expensive sunglasses were quite likely looted from a previous mugging victim. The others carried an assortment of common weapons ranging from knives to links of heavy chain. All in all, the thugs came across as an intimidating group in a flashy and showy manner. They were just so much dead meat. Shukumaru licked her lips in anticipation. "Leave her alone, you scum!" Damn. Her date had shown up at the worst possible time. She glanced right to see Hikaru standing there, arms raised and fists clenched. Shukumaru wanted to scream out at the injustice of life. The punks had been hers! Was that really so much to ask of fate? "Don't worry, Shukumaru! I'll protect you," Hikaru cheerfully added. Obviously so. The boy was smiling, eyes dancing with anticipation. He flickered his fingers in a come hither fashion at the thug leader. "Let's rock and roll!" "Fool! I don't know who you think you are, but you'll regret stepping on the territory of the Roppongi Scorpions! I, Hatamei Hanzai, swear it!" the lead punk exclaimed. "Say, aren't we in Aoyama?" Hikaru pointed out. Shukumaru wanted to groan at the utter banality of the conversation. Life just wasn't fair. "Shut up!" screamed Hanzai, before waving on his valiant minions. "Get him!" The three underlings charged in, viciously waving knives and spinning chains. Hikaru sidestepped the first punk and his knife, and snapped a low kick into the back of his knee, sending the thug tumbling away. The move forced him to block an incoming chain, and he grimaced as heavy links of metal slammed into his left forearm. The end of the chain snapped around the shielding arm and narrowly missed his head. Hikaru smashed his right fist into the chain- wielding punk's face, dropping him like a sack of flour. He ducked beneath a hasty stab by the final underling, grabbed hold of the shirt and used the thug's momentum from his off- balance lunge to hurl him overhead. The thug crashed into the ground a full five metres away. Hikaru glanced over at her, grinning confidently. "Watch out!" Shukumaru shouted as Hanzai charged in, his face purpling with fury at the quick manner in which his underlings had been dispatched. Hikaru turned back to receive a knuckle duster in the mouth, spinning him about, spitting blood. He stumbled back, barely avoiding the next two devastating punches. Shukumaru was tempted to step in and rip Hanzai apart there and then, but it wasn't necessary. Hikaru slapped aside the next roundhouse from Hanzai with his left palm and rocketed a right cross at the thug leader's chin. Hanzai's head was snapped back by the blow, eyes glazing over and footwork faltering. A thundering left from Hikaru directly into the solar plexus sent the breath whooshing out of Hanzai's lungs and sent him sagging to the ground. Hikaru smiled cheerfully at her and took one step towards her, before staggering to one side. Shukumaru caught him just before he hit the pavement. His lip was gashed and bleeding badly, and his left sleeve was ripped from the chain strike, exposing bloody skin. Bruises were already beginning to purple. She brushed aside the hair covering his eyes and he stared up at her with slightly dazed pupils. She could kill him now, Shukumaru realized. It would be easy... and totally without meaning. "Fool," she chided, "why did you do it?" "I'm a martial artist," Hikaru replied as though that explained it all. --- I have always hated martial artists since, Shukumaru realized with a pang. Her litter rocked slightly as it passed through the black head of a thundercloud. Lightning played around in dazzling arcs as the skies geared for a storm of epic proportions. The charged air raised the hairs on her skin, and Shukumaru reveled in the closeness of potential death, though the threat of the gathering storm was hardly a real danger with the presence of Raiha by her side. The memories of her first meeting with Hikaru were bright sharp knives in her mind. She had originally meant for him to die, and yet something had stayed her hand that night. She had not even slept with him, but instead, had patched him up and delivered him back to his apartment in Aoyama. Somehow, he had wormed a contact number from her before she left, and had called her the next day. Shukumaru sighed as she snuggled into Raiha's warmth. It would have been better if she had killed him that first night. --- Fukuzushi was the site of their second meeting. Hikaru had invited her to dinner at the elegant and expensive sushi restaurant in Roppongi. Shukumaru felt at home amidst the traditional Japanese decor and well-appointed surrounds of Fukuzushi. It was strange how the class structure of humans reflected that of demon society. As the daughter of the Demon Lord of the East, Shukumaru had been raised in luxury and taught the manners that reflected her highborn status. It also reflected on her worth as a breeding consort, she realized sourly. A motion from her partner interrupted her bleak mood. "Here, try this one," Hikaru said as he offered her a rice roll wrapped in dried seaweed. "What is it?" Shukumaru asked as she stared dubiously at the innocent sushi roll. Her ideal in cuisine was raw and bloody meat, preferably warm and fresh off the bone. Sushi was an acquired taste that she hoped would not poison her. "Kappamaki," he replied. "It's a rice and cucumber roll. I think it was named after those water demons that live in rivers. You know, the ones that carry water around in a hole on top of their heads? Pure legend, of course. Haha!" "Haha," Shukumaru echoed, surreptitiously rubbing a five- inch long white scar on the side of her right thigh, inflicted by a 'mythical' kappa in the last border dispute between North and East two years ago. She ate the kappamaki and found it marginally palatable. By its crunchy texture and the horrible taste flooding her mouth, cucumber was likely a part of the vegetable family. Spitting it out in such an expensive restaurant would undoubtedly disgrace her and insult the cooks. Bravely, she swallowed and resolved to avoid both food and real kappas in the future. She took a piece of sashimi, a slice of raw tuna, glistening red and moist in the low candlelight. Dipping it into a mixture of light soy sauce and wasabi, she inhaled the rich aroma of the raw fish and delicately popped it into her mouth, savouring the exquisite flavour and texture. Fish, she could handle and even enjoy. Some cat demons preferred to consume only fish, but Shukumaru was not that sort. Still, she could see the attraction. Shukumaru looked up to see Hikaru gazing at her with a soulful expression. "What?" "You don't smile all that much, do you?" he asked softly. "There isn't all that much to smile about," she replied. "That's not true. You're young, you're beautiful, and--," Hikaru paused dramatically, "--you have me by your side!" He said it without a trace of embarrassment or self- consciousness, grinning brightly at her. The silly statement made her smile involuntarily, and his grin broadened into a matching smile. "You look wonderful when you smile, Shukumaru. So smile more often... for me," he said quietly. "I'll try, Hikaru. I'll try." Despite her words, the smile stayed with her for the night. Hikaru took her out seven more times in as many days and nights. He lavished money on her as though it was water, and Shukumaru, daughter of a remarkably wealthy Demon Lord, was both amused and suitably impressed. They visited amusement parks, movie theatres, restaurants, took walks on crowded beaches since deserted beaches were rare in Japan, played games, and indulged themselves thoroughly. Each night, they returned to Aoyama Park, drawn there to renew their fragile bond. He lay there, resting his head in her arms and lap, staring up into the night sky, and to her surprise, Shukumaru felt a warm contentment. It made her uneasy. "My brother is getting married next week," Hikaru remarked casually. "Come with me." A wedding. The words conjured up her own impending nuptials, due wherever her father wished to seal the pact with Masakado. The taste was bitter on her tongue, even more so now than before. Why? What had changed for her? "I don't--" Hikaru reached up and touched her lips, and she fell briefly silent. The warmth of his fingers was a shock. Confusing emotions surged making her feel giddy as if the very tides peaked within her body. "Yes," Shukumaru found herself saying, without really knowing why. --- "I don't understand it, Jakuten." Shukumaru thumped her hand into the silken pillow by her side. She collapsed back into her large bed and fiercely hugged an embroidered cushion. "Why can't I just kill him and end it once and for all? It's like he has some kind of hold over me. It... it aggravates me!" "I'm sorry, Shukumaru-sama," said her personal servitor fawningly. He stepped from foot to foot nervously, eyes bulging as he contemplated the ceiling. "You know I'm terrible at answering such questions. Why not pay a visit to the Old Woman and see if she can answer your query?" "The Old Woman?" Shukumaru inquired sharply. "Hmm. That does seem a sound idea, Jakuten. I believe I will do so at once!" The Old Woman's rooms were at the back of the apartment complex ruled by her father. True to her name, the Old Woman was not a demon. Instead she was a mortal woman who had lived on beyond her years. Formerly a Shinto priestess, she had dabbled in demonology and fallen from grace. She was powerful, well-versed in arcane knowledge, and this expertise had led her father to recruit her. Her reward for joining the Demon Lord of the East was continued survival and some measure of protection. In return, she provided advice and information upon command. The aged crone was pouring over an ancient dust-covered text when Shukumaru entered her rooms. She was dressed in a traditional and old-fashioned black kimono, well-worn and patched with countless squares of newer fabric. Gnarled fingers traced over a strange cursive script that Shukumaru failed to recognize. She cleared her throat. "Ahh, Shukumaru-sama, what may I do for you?" The Old Woman's wizened features gazed upon her kindly. It was a masterful piece of deception, but Shukumaru was not fooled. The stench of evil clung firmly to the Old Woman's soul. It did not matter to her; she could trust the Old Woman to provide the best advice possible within her power. "Well, there is this human that I met a week ago," she began. "A human? And still alive?" the Old Woman sharply asked. At Shukumaru's answering nod, she smiled hideously, without apparent surprise. "A male?" "Yes," Shukumaru replied reluctantly. The old crone cackled fiercely, and Shukumaru tensed with outrage. How dare the Old Woman laugh at her? Her problems were not to be mocked so! Her fingers curled into an instinctive claw, and the Old Woman broke off her laughter to wave a weak hand of conciliation. "Your pardon, Shukumaru-sama. Please forgive this old one's folly." As Shukumaru slowly relaxed, still smouldering, the crone continued her explanation. "Oho, but who would have thought that Shukumaru-sama would fall in love? And with a human no less?" Love?! It was not possible, Shukumaru thought numbly. The foolish crone had to be mistaken! But she wasn't, Shukumaru realized with sudden clarity. It was she who had blinded herself to the reality of her liaison with Hikaru. She opened her mouth to speak, but soft footfalls from the hallway distracted her. The Old Woman looked up at the sound as well and glanced at the wall clock. "Hmm. Yami-no-Tsume-sama approaches for his requested meeting," she noted with interest. "Again I crave your pardon, Shukumaru-sama, but I must ask you to wait next door." She pointed to a side room, and Shukumaru availed herself of the direction, not eager to meet with her father whom she had assiduously avoided the past week. She closed the door and pressed her ear against the wooden panel, curious to learn the reason for her father's visit. "Welcome, Yami-no-Tsume-sama," the Old Woman said, bowing low. "Ahh, Old Woman, I wish to--" Yami-no-Tsume broke off suddenly and sniffed the air. "Has my daughter been to see you?" he demanded. "A minor matter, my Lord. Of no great concern and easily dealt with. What brings you here to see me?" "Very well then. I wish you to search out a mate who will provide me with issue. Male issue," the Demon Lord of the East clarified. "I have conjoined with dozens of willing female demons, and not one has given me a male child. Only my wife has provided me with a child, but that was a daughter. I want a son! An heir to carry on my great name and sit upon the Eastern Throne!" "Your wife would kill me should I locate her replacement for you," the Old Woman pointed out. "Bah! I will handle her myself! She will not harm you in any way," Yami-no-Tsume promised with airy assurance. "Remember who holds the power in this Quarter, Old Woman!" "Very well, my Lord. I will do as you command." The old crone bowed low as Yami-no-Tsume swept out of the room. Her eyes narrowed and a frown crossed her ancient features. "It will not be that easy, my Lord," she murmured. A noise startled her, and she looked around to see Shukumaru easing out of the side room, face taut with suppressed fury. "A son!" Shukumaru snarled. "That is all he thinks about these days. I could rule the East just as well as any son!" She turned to glare at the Old Woman before pushing down the black rage deep within. Her face became icy cold and remote. "Do you still wish my advice, Shukumaru-sama?" the Old Woman asked. At her solemn nod, the crone sighed and looked grim. "Then kill your lover. You do yourself and your family no justice by loving a human. Your father would be most displeased should he find out." Shukumaru shook her head slowly. "I cannot," she said somberly. "Try hard," the Old Woman said. --- A week later, Hikaru was still alive. Shukumaru was discovering the delightful intricacies involved in a human Shinto wedding. Like the necessity for guests to produce gifts of money to the marrying couple. The young girl, with a vague facial resemblance to Hikaru, looked at her in anticipation. No, she couldn't kill her, Hikaru would likely be most disappointed and upset with her if he returned and discovered her standing over the butchered remains of one of his relatives. "Uh, a gift?" Shukumaru asked, stalling for time as she looked around desperately for Hikaru. A cousin or some such had snagged him the moment they had entered the Ceremony Hall, and he had been dragged off to accomplish some errand, leaving her without a single clue as to what to do. She really would kill him the next time she saw him. A yell saved her from committing mass mayhem on the innocent girl. "Hold on!" Hikaru cried out as he charged out of the large inner doors. He hastily adjusted his hakama as he slid to a stop next to them. "She's with me, Yumi. Go and pester someone else for a change," he said, waving the girl off. "You've already drained me dry." He noticed Shukumaru's annoyance and bowed solemnly in apology. "Sorry, Shukumaru. I came back as fast as I could. Can you believe they almost forgot the wedding sake?" He took hold of her hand and his good cheer bubbled on. "Did I mention how good you look in that kimono?" "About a hundred times so far," she replied soberly, hiding her amusement. Hikaru sighed. He cradled her hand within his own and attempted a mournful and miserable expression. It worked fairly well on his narrow face. "Forgive me?" he asked in a plaintive tone. "Idiot. Yes, I forgive you." Shukumaru smiled dazzlingly. "Good. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare attempt this." He bent and abruptly kissed her. His lips were remarkably warm on hers, Shukumaru absently noted. It was the only rational thought she had as feelings long locked within erupted in a flood of passion. A distinct clapping sound disturbed her, and suddenly embarrassed, she pulled away. She felt her face flush as she saw a slightly older version of Hikaru and an exquisitely demure young woman by his side standing there. The formal wedding clothes also cued her to their identity. Hikaru's older brother cheered lustily. "At last, my little brother shows some taste. I was beginning to think he hadn't inherited the family talent for spotting the prettiest girl in the crowd. Of course, his talent is no where close to mine." He glanced proudly at the blushing bride beside him. It was in that manner that Shukumaru was introduced to Hiro Gosunkugi and his bride, Shura. "That isn't fair, onii-san!" Hikaru hotly protested. "Shukumaru's the most beautiful girl to me!" "Yeah, yeah, tell it to someone who doesn't already know," Hiro said smiling. "I'm Hiro, and this is Shura. Thank you for coming with this idiotic brother of mine. It's nice to meet you." He and Shura politely bowed, and Shukumaru reciprocated the gesture. They were a young couple by mortal standards, barely out of their teens. Hikaru's older brother was studying to be a photographer while Shura was pursuing a position as a librarian. The Gosunkugis were obviously a wealthy family since Hiro was marrying early, without first establishing a career. Hikaru certainly had no problems spending money on her. The wedding ceremony was solemn but delightfully brief, interrupted only by frequent toasts by guests to the bride and groom. A Shinto priest blessed the couple with various prayers and incantations, while offerings of food were presented on an altar. Fortunately, none of the chants were demon-specific, nor were they directed at her, Shukumaru noted with relief. There would not be any unpleasant incidents to interrupt the ceremony. Hiro and Shura sipped from shallow bowls of the wedding sake to seal their marriage. The rest of the sake that Hikaru had saved through his efforts was consumed with gustow amidst a storm of hearty cheers from family and friends. Shukumaru wondered if all Shinto weddings were as boisterous as this one, or if it was merely Hikaru's family that partied so well. She drank far too much, and Hikaru was more than moderately drunk by the time they staggered out of the reception. They stood there, holding hands and drinking in the evening air to clear their alcohol-fogged brains. "Come home with me," he suddenly said, tightening his grasp on her hand. It wasn't painful, only intense, conveying his fear that she would say no. "Is that what you want?" she asked. "Only... only if you want it too," he replied. His hand loosened its grip, ready to withdraw. She squeezed back hard. "I do." Hikaru's apartment in Aoyama was very much a bachelor pad, though remarkably clean. Shukumaru only had eyes for the bed. Sex was not a commitment to demons, and yet this coupling weighed heavily on her mind. It was a commitment to her, she realized, because of her emotions. For the first time in her life, Shukumaru wanted to love and be loved. How strange it was that those feelings were due to a human. She found she did not care that he was human and not demon. Only her feelings for him mattered and his for her. She kissed him long and hard, and sank down on the bed. The sheets were cool against her body, and Hikaru devoured her with eyes that gleamed with fire. He switched off the bedroom lights, and the night hid them both from prying eyes. The light of dawn seeped in through the eastern window and woke her. Shukumaru brushed Hikaru's hair with a curiously gentle gesture as he murmured and turned over onto his back. He was still more than half asleep. "I must go," she whispered. That woke him up. "Wait, come back tonight," Hikaru said, yawning mightily. He grabbed her hand and kissed it, eyeing her lovingly through sleep-mazed eyes. He started to nuzzle up her arm, and she had to pull her hand away firmly, before she succumbed to another bout in bed. "I will," Shukumaru promised, laughing. --- Night fell as Shukumaru returned to Hikaru's apartment. She raised her hand to knock upon the door and suddenly froze, sensing the presence of a ward: a seal of silence and secrets, powerful and meant to hide the doings of demons. Her heart pounded furiously. No, it could not be. Surely life would not be so unjust. They had only the one night together. The door handle turned easily in her unsteady grasp, and she opened the front door and stepped through. She walked into a nightmare of blood and anguish. Scarlet splashed the walls of the small apartment. The living room was stained and soaked in glistening crimson, forming bizarre images upon the walls, ceiling and floor. Look, was that not a dull red sun pictured on the far wall? And that splotch seemed distinctly shaped like a broken heart. Trickles of the thick liquid had slowly trailed down the pictures, forming claws of blood. She took another step and stumbled over an object on the floor. She looked down. It was a hand. Shukumaru calmly bent and lifted it up slowly. The hand was perfectly formed and cleanly severed at the wrist. Blood, fresh and red, still oozed from the cut. She walked further in, still holding the hand and remembering how it had felt, warm and alive, when she had last held it but a day past. She turned aside to avoid a leg, and then an arm, and then the pelvis with the other leg still attached. Blood squelched with every step she took. So much blood in a single human body. She reached the bedroom door and swung it open. It ground to a halt halfway, bumping into the left arm and hand. Hikaru lay on the bed. Or rather what was left of his body lay on the bed. It was merely the upper torso, the neck ending in a red stump. Her breath caught in her throat and she sucked in the tainted air in an effort to clear it. The smell of blood and bowel stained the air: Hikaru's blood. She closed her eyes and opened them again. Why did the scene hurt her so? She had seen similar ones before, and built similar altars of depravity and evil herself. Because this time it is the person you love, her mind answered. "Shukumaru, do you like what you see?" She kicked the door aside to reveal a silver-furred demon wolf, resting on all fours, who was licking at the crimson stains on his tail-blade and uttering odd yips of laughter. "Heizen-To?! You will die for this!!" She darted forward, right claw raised to wipe him from the face of the earth. "Why?! Why did you kill him?!" "I have merely performed my duty as my Lord commanded, Shukumaru," Heizen-To said with a savage and joyful grin as he leapt back gracefully to avoid her wild and furious blows. "Desist your foolish attack, or will you face your father and tell him why we battled?" He smiled craftily at her, lupine jaws gaping and tongue lolling. "Yami-no-Tsume- sama sits upon the Eastern Throne awaiting your arrival even now." Shukumaru stood paralyzed as a raging inferno of anger consumed her. Her father had ordered this! Her father! Heizen-To casually knocked forward a round object with his right forepaw, before fading into the shadows. His vulpine grin was the last to disappear and he spoke for a final time. "Remember, he awaits your arrival with little patience. Oh, and don't forget to clean up." His insane giggle hung in the air as he faded completely from sight. The rolling object came to a halt by her right foot. Blood- matted black hair framed a pair of dull blue eyes that stared up unseeing at her. Hikaru would never lovingly gaze upon her face again. Rage and grief overwhelmed her, and she screamed her anguish into the uncaring night. --- Shukumaru flung the doors open and strode into the throne room of Yami-no-Tsume, Demon Lord of the East and her father. Demons of all shapes and sizes lined the path before the Eastern Throne as Yami-no-Tsume sat in audience. Powerful oni, chattering fish-like kappa, laughing kitsune, cat demons and dog demons, spider demons and tentacled fiends were all present; each and every one gathered to pay homage to their ruler. Shukumaru ignored them all as if they did not exist. Only Yami-no-Tsume commanded her attention. The great Demon Lord sat brooding on his throne. Not an iron-forged monstrosity laced with skulls for Yami-no- Tsume. No, while that might satisfy the barbaric natures of gaijin demons, Yami-no-Tsume was a refined demon. He sat upon delicate construct of teak and ivory, inlaid with mother-of-pearl and tomb jade. Yet the culture and refinement was merely a thin veneer of civilization over the horrific lusts that welled up in every demon's corrupted essence. He had commanded the death of Hikaru, after all. "Father!" she shouted over the throng of gibbering demons. "You wanted to see me?! Well, here I am!" The throng fell silent. Yami-no-Tsume raised his head and stared at her. Black eyes, darker than the night, stabbed into the core of her being. Shukumaru felt a distant fear twist within, held back by a storm of churning fury and pain. "Shukumaru! Remember who you are!" Yami-no-Tsume did not raise his voice, but it echoed in the room, channeled and amplified by his own ire. "You are the daughter of the Demon Lord of the East! How dare one of your blood consort with a mere mortal?! Especially when a marriage to a Demon Lord awaits you! You seek to abrogate my wishes!" She flinched, for his anger was palpable, and it was never wise to become the focus of a Demon Lord's wrath, even when he was her fath-- No, especially when he was her father. "No, Father. I did not mean to defy you, but you had no reason to kill him." "No reason?! Daughter, I have chosen to turn a blind eye to your mortal dalliances because none of them ever mattered to you. They were all slain by your own hand, and I felt great pride in knowing that my blood flowed truly within you." Yami-no-Tsume's voice sunk to a grim whisper. "But when you spared the life of this human, then it became my prerogative. He chose to love you, and so he chose to die. You may have felt affection for him, Shukumaru, but understand this, no daughter of mine shall soil herself so." Shukumaru shook in the grips of a silent rage. Her father would control her thus, and she was powerless to prevent it, for now. But it would not always be so, she promised herself. No, things would change and her time would come... and soon. "Very well, Father," she said. Her voice sounded cool and calm, untouched by the hidden rage. "If you will excuse me, I believe I will travel to Rashamon and visit Mother." Yami-no-Tsume reclined into his throne and relaxed his stiff spine, pleased that his point had been made. "Very well, Daughter. Return in a week's time. The plans for your marriage to Masakado will proceed then." He waved a hand to dismiss her. And Shukumaru departed. --- Author's Notes: 1) 'oba' - this is an outer covering, similar to a kimono but heavier and designed for outside wear. 2) 'Raijin' - the Japanese God of Thunder. 3) 'kyubi-kitsune' - literally 'nine-tailed fox'; fox demons are ranked by the number of tails they have; the maximum being nine. 4) 'Club Yellow' - a real club in Roppongi. 5) 'Roppongi district' - a central district in Tokyo; part of Shibuya Ward and famous as the foreign nightlife playground of the capital. 6) 'Aoyama Cemetery', 'Aoyama Park' - Aoyama Cemetery is a large and fairly famous cemetery in Tokyo; Aoyama Park is situated on the southern end of the cemetery. Both are located in Aoyama, very close to the border between Aoyama and Roppongi. 7) 'Aoyama district' - a central district in Tokyo; part of Shibuya Ward and famous as a cosmopolitan locale. 7) 'Hatamei Hanzai' - roughly translates as 'obnoxious crime'. 8) 'Fukuzushi' - a real and expensive sushi restaurant in Roppongi though I have no idea whether it actually dates back to the 70s. 9) 'hakama' - formal men's trousers. --