〄Hᴀʟғ-Bʟᴏᴏᴅs' Lᴇɢᴀᴄʏ〄 [Ch. 4 Up!]

[scmarshtacky]

Wow, this is really good c: I can't wait for the next chapter!

I'm so glad you like it! Next chapter will be up in a couple of days. ^^

[scmarshtacky]

bump

[Duskpond]

Really great chapter! I can't wait for the next one :3
Also, I've been considering posting my own story, Spiritual.

[scmarshtacky]

Really great chapter! I can't wait for the next one :3
Also, I've been considering posting my own story, Spiritual.

I'm glad you like it, and cool! If you want to pm me the link when you do post it, I'll definitely read it.

[Duskpond]

Thanks!

[Muse.]

-comes out of hiding-

Randomly stumbled upon this. Usually I don't read stories posted on CS since some tend to be a little eye-killing in the grammar department. xD

Anyway, wanted to post to say that I'm bookmarking this, and wish you luck.

(And also to say that I <3 Ao no Exorcist as well. xD)

[scmarshtacky]

-comes out of hiding-

Randomly stumbled upon this. Usually I don't read stories posted on CS since some tend to be a little eye-killing in the grammar department. xD

Anyway, wanted to post to say that I'm bookmarking this, and wish you luck.

(And also to say that I <3 Ao no Exorcist as well. xD)

I'm glad you came out of hiding to join us! And I do hope that I'm not so eye-killing with my grammar. I try, and I know I miss some things, but everyone is more than welcome to correct a mistake anytime.

New chapter coming out in a couple of hours!

[scmarshtacky]

Chapter 6 – Club Chaos

Mika shifted and rolled over. It was bright, too bright. She felt herself beginning to wake up but resisted and shifted again hoping to fall back asleep. When she did open her eyes, she sat up quickly. A bit too quickly she decided because her head spun and her vision went blurry for a moment.

She put a hand to her throbbing head and took in her surroundings. She was in a larger room. The sunlight was shining directly through a window located to her right. Below the window was a small desk with a lamp and several papers on it. The door to the stairs was located on the wall right in front of her, a dresser was situated in the corner on the left, and the door to the bathroom was on the left.

Mika slowly got up and wandered to the bathroom. It was fairly large for a simple apartment room. She noted that she was still in the T-shirt and pants she had been wearing the previous day. As she finger-combed her hair she began to think about the events from last night.

Kaito is actually a demon... He isn’t human at all. Somehow this hit her a little bit harder than it had early this morning. Speaking of Kaito, where is he? She wondered. It also hit her that she had slept in his apartment. In his bed! Mika felt her face quickly go red.

When she had somewhat gotten herself mentally back together, she headed out the door and down the stairs that immediately followed. She glanced around for Kaito and noticed the top of his head visible above the back of the couch.

She walked quietly over. She positioned herself so she could see him, but still not get too close. Is he asleep? His eyes were closed and he had himself propped up against the arm and back of the couch. Mika crept slightly closer to him. Wow... he is handsome when he’s sleeping... She felt the blush slowly creeping it's way back onto her face.

“Is it time to get up already..?” he muttered slowly opening his eyes.

Mika jumped back, startled by the sudden noise. Kaito looked her over, and smirked at her reaction. “Did you sleep alright?”
Mika couldn’t seem to find words so she simply nodded.

“I see. That’s good then.”

“Were... you asleep?” Mika finally managed to ask.

“I was before you woke up,” he stated.

“Ah! Gomenasai!¹ Did I wake you up?” Mika bowed an apology. “I’m really sorry.”

“Don’t be concerned about it. There’s not much you could’ve have done to prevent it. I’m quite a light sleeper.” He stopped for a moment and then continued. “I could hear your breathing change when you woke up. I just really didn’t want to get up yet...”

“You... could hear my breath change? From all the way down here with the door closed?!” she exclaimed.

“Mhm,” he mumbled in response.

He left Mika to mutter in astonishment and headed over to the kitchenette, and began to make tea. It only took a couple of minutes before he had settled himself at the little table with a cup of tea for the both of them.

“What time did you get to sleep?” Mika asked quietly.

Kaito thought for a moment. “It was about an hour after I carried you to the bed... So around five I guess.”

’Carried me!?’ Mika hadn’t thought much about how she had actually gotten on the bed in the first place. She suddenly became very interested in her tea, and didn’t look up.

Kaito glanced sideways at her, but said nothing. When he had finished his tea, he stood up and stretched. “Well, I suppose you are ready to go home?”

“Huh? Oh yeah! I am.” Mika said suddenly returning from her thoughts.

Kaito accompanied her as they headed toward her house. Mika wasn’t entirely sure where they were, so she let Kaito be the guide while she was immersed in her thoughts. This will probably be the last time for a while that I can ask questions, so I should as a few more and see if he’ll answer them. What should I ask though? There are so many things still unanswered... But what to ask first... Mika contemplated for a moment and then decided on a question.

“So...” she hesitated. “Why did you do what you did yesterday?” She asked quietly.

Kaito didn’t answer at first. Mika thought he might not answer any more questions after all. “You’ll have to be more specific,” he finally said. “I did a lot of things yesterday.”

“Why did you give me over to them? I thought you were going to protect me and then...” she trailed off not wanted to remember the events that occurred.

“Do you really want to know? You might hate me after I tell you,” his voice wasn’t exactly serious, but it wasn’t very light either.

“I want to know,” she insisted.

Kaito stopped and then turned to face her. “The truth of it is, I couldn’t find it on my own. It hid its presence and covered up its scent using the gang members that lurked around that area. I’d been after that thing for a couple weeks, but hadn't been able to track it down,” Kaito began walking again as he continued. “When I stopped Hatori in the hallway that day, I could smell its scent on him, and when I realized that the demon was using the members of that gang to track you down, I decided that giving you to them would be the only way to track it down. I could track your scent and you would lead me right to him.”

Kaito stopped talking and looked at Mika. “You used me as bait...” She stopped walking for a moment. “Well,” Mika looked up at him and plastered a smile on her face, “thanks for telling me. I really did want to know.” And she began to walk again.

This time Kaito fell in slightly behind her. “You know you don’t have to put that fake smile on your face...” he said quietly, but loud enough for her to hear.

Mika looked down her smile faded quickly. “I am sort of mad, but I’m not going to hold what you did against you. I guess... you did what you had to. And things would have been a lot worse had you not found it right?”

Kaito nodded in assent, still watching her closely, but she didn’t say anything else for some time.

“I’ve thought of another,” Mika announced suddenly. Her sudden outburst startled Kaito, but he was glad that she seemed to be more or less back to normal.

“I was unaware we were playing twenty questions.”

Mika ignored his comment and continued, “Why did you decide to protect me after all? I was just a stranger that transferred into your class, so why would you care what happened to me?”

“It’s like I said, I needed you to find what I was looking for. However, I do find you to be a somewhat amusing, for a human at least.”

“Well I guess I’ll take that as a compliment,” she paused for a moment and then thought of another. “How old are you?”

“Sixteen,” Kaito answered promptly without giving thought to the question.

“Oh, I thought demons lived longer than humans, is that incorrect?”

“They do... as far as a matter of age as numbers is concerned, I’d be considered as much older; however, in human years I’d be around 16 years of age.”

“Huh? Can you repeat that?”

Kaito sighed and began again. “You know how seven years of a dog is about equivalent to around one human year right?”
Mika nodded. She had heard that somewhere before. “Well, it’s sort of the same. Around twenty years for a demon, is equal to about one year for a human. Although, the rate of maturity is fairly quick through infancy and young childhood. For example, a young demon may only spend five to ten years in infancy, but the growth slows down quickly once they pass the stage of a young child.”

Mika stayed quiet trying to work out all he had just said. So, demons are older than humans, technically, but they mature more slowly than humans after they pass a young childhood stage... She was still a little confused, but most of it made sense. “You haven’t answered my question,” she realized out loud. “How old are you?”

“Um...” he thought for a moment and then answered. “I guess I’m around three hundred and fifteen years old technically... I’m not really sure of the exact number though. We tend not to keep track of exact ages.”

“Yeah, I guess that would be kind of hard after a while.”

“We’re here,” Kaito interrupted her thoughts.

Mika looked up and saw the familiar house. She was almost disappointed that they were here already. “I guess I’ll see you on Monday at school then,” she said slowly.

Kaito nodded and then turned around and began to leave. It was then that another thought occured to her. "Kaito!" she called after him, "about Hatori..."

"I wouldn't worry about him," he said glancing at her. When Mika didn't look convinced, he elaborated. "The moment I killed that demon, all the memories of those involved with it were erased. The only thing Hatori will remember about you, is that you sit across the room from him in school." With that, he moved off down the street.

Mika stared after him for a while, and then finally moved through the gate and into the empty house.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The rest of the weekend was extremely uneventful for Mika, and she found herself glad when Monday finally rolled around. School would give her something to occupy herself with. She met up with Kana and Ayako on the way to school like usual, and they had their usual light conversations on the way. She let them talk away, and when asked about her weekend, she simply said it was boring and that she hadn’t done much.

I don’t want to get them involved in the mess I had this weekend, plus there’s no way to explain what happened without bringing him in. And he made me promise to keep it a secret... she thought to herself. It’s so nice to think that things are back to normal. Hopefully nothing crazy will happen from now on...

Homeroom started and the teacher began going on about upcoming events. “Oh and Minamoto-san,” the teacher called out.
Mika raised her head in astonishment and replied, “Yes Sensei²?”

“Have you chosen a club to participate in yet?” he continued.

Mika shook her head. “No Sensei, I haven’t thought about it yet.” She hadn’t even considered a club yet. With so many things going on a school club was the last thing on her mind.

“I see. Well please decide soon and let me know your choice.” Mika nodded and with that homeroom ended.
It didn’t seem like much time had passed until they were out for lunch. The classes had flown by, much to Mika’s surprise.

“So what club are you thinking about joining?” Ayako asked as she walked up.

“I really have no idea,” Mika replied. “It’d be nice if there was one that only met once a week or so...” she muttered to herself. “What club are you all in?” she asked addressing Ayako, Kana, and Kaito, who was still lazily sitting at his desk leaning against the window.

“I’m in track,” Ayako said. “But we just finished up the season, so I don’t have to go for a while.”

“I’m a member of the Literature club,” Kana stated. “You can join it if you want,” she offered smiling at Mika.

“And you?” Mika asked turning to Kaito.

“I’m in no club. Takes too much of my time,” he said in a bored manor.

“He says that,” began Ayako somewhat resentfully, “but the truth is, that just about all the athletic clubs want him in them. If he joined one, all the rest of the clubs would be in an uproar.”

“I still think you should join the Kendo club Kaito!” a voice chided from behind them. All four of them turned to look at who had spoken.

Kaito was the first to respond. “But I don’t want to Daisuke. Besides, I’d be so far above everyone.”

“You arrogant little –” Ayako began mumbling.

“Are you sure you could beat the club leader? He’s pretty strong.” Daisuke retorted.

“Why do you want him to join so badly?” Mika asked quietly.

“This little punk is in the Kendo club,” Kaito responded for him. “He just wants someone he knows in it I guess. Isn’t that right?”

Daisuke didn’t respond for a moment. “I have an idea!” he said abruptly. “What if you sparred with Takashi-san, our club leader? If you win, you can do as you please, and if you lose, you promise to join! Takashi-san will be fine with it I’m sure!” Daisuke said with a big smile on his face.

“But why would I even want to do that?” Kaito responded.

“Because you should have pride as a man!” Ayako responded enthusiastically.

“You should do it Kaito! It’ll be fun,” Mika said.

“It won’t be fun for me,” Kaito muttered.

“A duel would be interesting for us to watch as well,” Kana also replied.

“Then it’s settled!” Daisuke said happily. “I’ll go get Takashi-san, and you two can work out the details together.”

Kaito scratched the back of his head in annoyance. “Why did I get sucked into this...?” They waited in silence until Daisuke returned dragging Takashi.

“I heard you challenged me to a duel,” he said. His voice was deep and seemed to resonate around the lightly crowded room. Everyone left in the classroom turned to see what was going on. His mouth was curved upward slightly showing his teeth.
It seemed to Mika less like a grin and more like he had just vowed to eat Kaito alive.

“That is incorrect,” Kaito explained. “This guy,” he gestured to Daisuke, “and these idiots over here,” he gestured to the three girls, “seemed to have forced a duel upon the two of us.”

“Well however it was arranged,” he said, “the point is, we are having a duel to make you join the Kendo club.”

“I suppose that’s the gist of it,” Kaito replied.

“We can have it outside in the open lot behind the school right after school ends. Make sure you’re there,” he said.

Something about him made Mika uneasy. He seemed so confident that he would win. I hope Kaito will be alright. I’ll feel so bad if I pushed him into this and he gets hurt... Mika looked down absorbed in her thoughts. It took Ayako’s exclamation of ‘lunch is almost over’ to knock Mika out of her thoughts.

The trio sat at their separate desks and scarfed down what they could of their lunch before the period was over. Although Mika wasn’t really focusing on her food, her mind was elsewhere, or more precisely, she was thinking of all the ways Kaito might get hurt in this.

Kaito of course, noticed this change in her behavior. “You worried about me?” he asked with that arrogant tone he often used.
Mika looked up at him, and started to say something but closed her mouth and looked away.

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll crush him,” he added more quietly. “Don’t go forgetting who I am. I’m capable of a lot more that you seem to think.” He winked at her and then turned back around ask the bell to end lunch rang.

The rest of the day passed quickly, just as Mika expected that it would, and the end bell rang long before she was ready for it to. The classes rushed out into the halls and began to exit the school. “Well, shall we go?” Kaito asked as the other two made their way over.

“Yeah!” Ayako said ecstatically. “It’s time to see you lose for once.

“If that’s why you’re coming to watch, you’d better go home,” Kaito stated as they walked out.

When they got to the designated spot, Mika halted in surprise. There was a huge mass of people all gathered around a center point.

“Hm... seems like the news of this event spread rather quickly,” Kaito commented. He headed toward the crowd and they parted for him. Ayako, Mika, and Kana rushed behind him hoping to get near the front for a better view. Using this, they got front spots to watch the little skirmish between Kaito and Takashi.

“Here,” Takashi said throwing Kaito a wooden sword. “I brought extra protective gear for you to use. You’ll need it,” he threatened.

The crowd grew quiet quickly, so they could hear the two. All focus had shifted to the center.

“Oh I don’t need it,” Kaito said lightly. “If you want it, don’t be afraid to use it though.”

Takashi didn’t reply after this. He grabbed his wooden sword, and took his stance. Kaito gripped the sword he had been given, moving it around very slightly testing its weight and length. There was a moment of intense silence. All the people gathered held their breaths, and even the birds ceased to chirp. The tension hung in the air like a disease. The moment lasted endlessly.

Then, Takashi charged with a shout. He seemed to fly through the air, and reach Kaito faster than what seemed humanly possible, but Kaito saw all his movements and brought up the wooden sword to block.

The swords hit hard. It seemed like the sound could travel for kilometers. Takashi withdrew his sword and switched almost instantly to a side slash. Kaito was ready for this as well and held the sword perpendicular to the ground blocking once again.

Takashi gritted his teeth, and took a quick step to get behind Kaito. He swung directly down toward the back of Kaito’s head. For a moment the movements were a blur, and it almost seemed that Kaito had gotten hit. But when Mika blinked, she saw that Kaito had sidestepped and the sword was thrust into the ground throwing up dust and dirt.

Then Kaito moved, and he did so, so fast, that everyone in the crowd thought he had simply disappeared. When their eyes adjusted, it could be seen that Kaito had gotten behind Takashi. He stood a little off to the left of Takashi’s back. Kaito held the hilt of his sword in both hands, and it was poised at Takashi’s throat.

Takashi paused for a moment. This isn’t over yet! He thought. It can’t be. I will win!

Kaito, seeming to sense his intentions, stayed on his guard. Takashi gripped the hilt hard, and then thrust his arm backwards aiming to hit Kaito with the hilt. However, Kaito dodged to the side.

They both faced each other. Takashi was panting, but his eyes were hard and determined. In comparison, Kaito stood much as he had when they had begun, and wasn’t winded in the slightest. His emotionless gaze was set on his opponent.

Then he began to walk toward Takashi who stiffened. His walk was much like that of a large cat ready to make its kill. His cold blue eyes stared into Takashi’s and rendered him nearly motionless. Then Kaito disappeared from view, and the next thing everyone could see was Takashi lying flat his back. Kaito had his foot resting on his chest, and the point of his sword lightly pressed at Takashi’s neck.

Takashi thrust his sword upward with one last attempt. Kaito used his other foot to counter it, and then stepped down hard on Takashi’s wrist. Takashi yelped spontaneously in pain.

“Know your place,” Kaito growled, his voice deep. “Don’t think you could ever beat me.” Kaito released his weight from Takashi who continued to lay there in pain. There was one moment of intense silence and then all the people gathered roared in approval, and they all simultaneously rushed forward to congratulate him.

Mika released the breath she had unconsciously been holding, and allowed her balled up fist to relax. Looking at it, she realized that she had had it balled up so tight that her nails had cut into her skin slightly.

Now she focused on the flood of people rushing at Kaito. She had gotten separated from Ayako and Kana in the fray, and was being thrown around by the people. It was lucky for her that they began to disperse after only a few minutes of going crazy. A few had left when Takashi had been defeated, but not enough to make much of a difference.

Kaito really is popular among the students. Mika couldn't help thinking. I guess he just has that aura about him that makes people cling to him, which is kind of ironic since he isn’t even human... Although, watching him now, he seemed just as normal as everyone else.

Ayako, Kana, and Mika were able to meet up as soon as the crowd thinned out some, and then they slowly worked their way toward Kaito.

“That was really impressive!” Mika exclaimed as soon as they were close enough.

“I told you I’d crush him,” he said walking over. “There wasn’t any reason for you to get all worked up.”

Mika nodded in agreement. “You're right.” With that, they all headed off down the road toward home, as the sun began to lower in the sky.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

It was only when Mika awoke the next morning that she remembered what she had forgotten yesterday. She knew she had forgotten something, but for the life of her, she couldn't remember what it was after the excitement from the yesterday afternoon.I can't believe I forgot all about selecting a club! She thought as she trudged down the road.

“What’s the matter?” Kana asked as Mika neared her.

“I forgot about the club again...” she replied dejectedly.

“Will you join the Literature club then?”

“Oh yeah!” Mika exclaimed, “I had completely forgotten that you were a member.”

“I’m sure everyone will gladly accept you,” Kana said kindly.

“Thanks so much Kana!” Mika said happily, returning her smile, and they both continued down the road in good spirits.


¹ Gomenasai~ I'm sorry.
² Sensei~ Teacher

A/N~ A bit of a longer chapter for everyone after the two shorter ones. I hope you enjoy! Also, I'd like to thank all my commenters on the previous chapter. It set a record for the number of new commenters on one chapter release. You guys have no idea how much it means to me. Thanks again!

<== Chapter 5

Chapter 7 ==>

[Duskpond]

Another GREAT chapter! My only problem is that Kaito seems a little Gary-Stu-ish. I mean, I know he's a demon and all so he's obviously capable of things normal people aren't, but he seems "untouchable". Other than that, this chapter was really good!

[scmarshtacky]

Another GREAT chapter! My only problem is that Kaito seems a little Gary-Stu-ish. I mean, I know he's a demon and all so he's obviously capable of things normal people aren't, but he seems "untouchable". Other than that, this chapter was really good!

Well, he's ~315 years old, and he's gone through battle training every day of his life, would it not be odd if he were so easily touched? Takashi is one twentieth of Kaito's true age with very little actual experience, even if he is the captain of the Kendo club. But Kaito will get wounded some in upcoming chapters. I like to make my characters suffer a bit, although it isn't going to be a major hit to him. Not completely untouchable, but incredibly hard to lay a hand upon. Plus, don't think you know everything about him just yet.

Those are just the kind of male characters I fall in love with.