《To Heaven and Hell》


 Prologue

    For as long as humans have been around, so have the stories that came along with it. The stories of demons, Supernatural entities that can be summoned through certain artifacts or rituals that bypass the border between worlds. When a Demon enters the living realm, it gains the ability to possess anyone. Demons can possess anything they want, but the most suitable possessions are humans, since they carry complex emotions.

    Demons can manipulate people to do inhuman deeds, and in time, complete the possession process and live among other humans. To apprehend the demons that live within the human realm, three spirits that roamed among limbo proposed an idea. Choose individuals they deem fit, to hunt down these demons, and thus stop the demon overflow. These three spirits reside within three shrines across japan, finding those they deem fit to fight off the demon hordes that live among the living realm.

    Akio jumped over his school fence and ran towards the entrance, hearing shouting behind him "Sorry!" Akio shouted behind him as he dashed through the hallway. "Almost there!" Akio thought to himself as he slammed the door open saying "I''m here!!" breathing heavily from running. Akio''s hair is half charcoal black and snow white, with his eyes being heterochromatic of blue and brown. "Well you made it in time, take your seat Akio" the teacher said to him as he walked over and sat down leaning on his chair a bit, trying to relax.

    Akio took deep breaths and sighing in relief, sitting back up and listening to what the teacher had to lecture about. 10 minutes into the class, Akio was sketching out his idea for a manga, thinking to himself "The plot... What should the plot be..." as Akio looked up, to make sure what the teacher was saying.

    Akio''s eyes were skimming over some mathematical equations as he looked back down and wrote down in his notebook "Plot: Demon hunting? No no no, that sounds way too dumb..." Akio thought to himself. He shook his head and somewhat erased it. 20 more minutes passed, with the bell ringing and the students getting ready for lunch, Akio took out his bento box.

    Akio''s bento box was in a plain blue base color with a wooden top cover, opening and seeing homemade orange chicken, white rice, and some sushi rolls. "Thank you mom, you''re a real lifesaver!" he thought to himself as he said "Thank you for the food!" praying for a bit before digging in to eat. While eating, Akio looked at his notebook, thinking of a better plot when the door was then opened. "Hayashi!" A voice shouted out from the doorway as Akio looked over. "Not them again.." Akio thought to himself as he sighed and closed his bento box.

    A group of delinquents walked over to Akio, with their group leader standing face to face with him. "What do you want, Morikawa?" Akio asked him with Morikawa replying "You should know already" with his buddies popping their knuckles. Akio sighed, replying "not in the class.." with Morikawa replying "Front of the school then" as Morikawa and Akio glared at each other.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    At the front of the school, Akio sighed as he dropped his bag onto the floor, taking off his jacket and taking off his tie. Morikawa did the same with Morikawa saying to his friends "I want a fair fight alright" as they looked at him confused but nodded in agreement. Other students were looking from the classrooms, doorway and around the front of the school as Morikawa and Akio began to circle each other. "You''re going to regret it Morikawa" Akio said as he replied "Nah, you''re going to regret it Hayashi".

    Akio loosened up his footing as Morikawa rushed in, throwing a punch. Akio quickly dodged around his punch as a flurry of punches were thrown towards Akio. Dodging his punches, Akio sidestepped around Morikawas punches and threw a counter hook into his face. Morikawa stumbled back a bit as Akio switched up his style.

    Akio rushed in and straight punched his face, making Morikawa flinch as Akio roundhouse kicked Morikawa on the neck. Morikawa then dropped to the floor knocked out, he then looked around as Morikawas friends rushed in to initiate towards Akio. Akio puts up his guard blocking hits from one of them as Akio then parries a left hook, spinning around and elbowing the delinquent on the side of the head. Akio catches the delinquent and sets him down looking at the other one and walks up to him.

    The delinquent was shivering out of fear as Akio flicked his forehead saying "Don''t hang out with these idiots alright" as the delinquent looked at him stuttering "o-oh.. Okay..". Akio fixed his collar as he heard the sound of running footsteps turning to look. Akio was then drop-kicked away and fell onto his back. "So it was Hayashi again!" A shouting voice said as Akio looked and sighed heavily at the person saying "You gotta be kidding me Shiratori".

    Shiratori is a blonde girl with reddish-orange tipped hair into a ponytail, She has green eyes and is part of the student council. Akio got up patting his shirt saying "Good job of getting it dirty Shiratori" with Shiratori replying "Well it was your fault for starting the fight". Akio''s eye twitched a bit out of anger saying "Excuse me.. but it wasn''t my fault they wanted to fight!" as Shiratori walked up to him shouting in his face "WELL DON''T FIGHT THEM THEN!".

    Akio gritted his teeth but regained his composure and said "Fine, I can''t hit a girl either way.." turning away from her. Shiratori grabbed him and turned him around, "What-" Akio said before his sentence was cut off with her headbutting him.

    Akio was unfazed from it as she held her forehead saying "ow ow ow!!". Akio sighed saying "that''s on you shortie" patting her on the head as she was just a couple inches shorter than Akio. he then picked up his bag and put his tie back on. Akio walks back into his class as the bell rings for them to leave.

    "Coincidence..." Akio thought to himself as he began to walk back to the front. Akio opened up his phone to look at the time, putting his phone away and putting away his school shoes. Akio walked out of the school building and out of the school gate, walking downtown.

 [Volume 1] Chapter 1 - Where things began

    Akio looked up from his phone and saw a person bolting it, bumping past him as someone shouted "Hey! Someone stop him!". Akio was quick to respond by putting his phone away and began to run after the person running.

    He ran into an alleyway as Akio caught up, "Just give back what you took." Akio said as he dropped his bag onto the ground. The man began to chuckle and laugh hysterically, looking at Akio as his eyes looked demonic, bloodshot color red pupils and looked almost dragon-like.

    Akio felt fear run down his spine, but tried to keep his composure, putting up his guard. The Possessed man then said "A Ripe meal..." as he laughed hysterically. "Just give back what you stole!" Akio shouted, standing his ground and trying to stall it until the police got here.

    but the Possessed man rushed towards him at incredible speeds. Akio puts his guard up as the possessed man throws a punch at him, the punch sent Akio back.

    Akio stumbled back from the punch, "Shit... what kind of punch was that..?!" As Akio was forced to put his guard down. The man smirked as he grabbed Akio by the neck and held him by his neck. "Ack!!" Akio said when his neck was grabbed, Akio couldn''t move his arms as his arms were swelling up, he then saw that the possessed man was looking for something.

    "I know I saw a shard of glass here somewhere..." The man said as he found it and picked it up, He then slammed Akio onto a wall, pinning him there with his grip on him. Akio''s vision began to blur from the lack of oxygen as Akio felt the shard of glass stab straight into his stomach.

    "This should kill you quickly" the possessed man said as he pulled the glass shard out. A kick then launched at the possessed man to the dead end wall, dropping Akio as Akio began to gasp for air. "You''re low for picking on a teenager" A voice said as Akio passed out.

    A person in a black hoodie and wearing a kitsune mask then picked up Akio as they ran off carrying Akio. "You people are always interrupting my meals!" The man said as he rushed towards the person, being easily kicked down by the mysterious person.

    More people come out from behind the figure, hold the possessed man down as one of them pulls out a piece of paper. Putting it on the forehead of the man as the demon within began to roar out, being released from the body and cut in half using a special dagger, sending it back to hell. Akio then woke up in the middle of nowhere, he looked around standing up and looked around confused.

    "Where am I?" Akio said out into the white void-like space, Looking around and began walking aimlessly. "Where the f*ck am I?" Akio said out to the void hoping someone would reply. "You''re in Limbo" a voice said from behind, "Ah!" Akio shouted, jumping a bit.

    "Who are you?" Akio said to the mysterious figure. "I am one of three spirits that reside in limbo Akio" the spirit said to him, Akio looked surprised saying "How did-" as his sentence was cut off saying "I know every living thing, every name they have or what name was given to them. What I do not know are intentions or emotions".This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Akio was speechless, looking around again and taking in the bigger picture. "Am I dead..?" Akio asked the spirit, with the spirit replying "Yes, and No". The spirit then floated over to Akio saying "I have a proposal for you" as Akio looked at them confused.

    The spirit then said "That person you met back there, was possessed by a demon, I''m sure you saw the eyes" as Akio remembered the eyes and replied "Yeah..". The Spirit then asked "Well now you''ve first hand, I want to propose a job for you", Akio replied "What kind of job?". The spirit asked him "Do you want to hunt demons?" as Akio looked at the spirit confused, replying "What? Why would I want to fight those things".

    The Spirit then explained "The Demons are like a disease, they feed off hosts and use their hosts to do inhuman deeds like murder." as the spirit looked at Akio then asked him again "Do you want to hunt demons".

    Akio looked down and began to think about it, saying the same line over and over in his head. The Spirit waited for his answer patiently, reminding him "The demons were the ones who put you into limbo, did they not?".

    Akio looked at the spirit and said "They put me in here?" as The spirit nodded saying "Your body is in the hospital and in a comatose state, it''s only been an hour in here but it could be days outside." Akio takes some thought about it before making his final decision saying "What are my benefits then..".

    The spirit smiles saying "so you will take this job" as Akio nodded with determination. The spirit then explained "Your benefits are that your physical and mental strength will be amplified, most fit with your personality and your physique, Your abilities however will be known once you have taken one of two paths.", The spirit then asked "can you lend your hand out?" as Akio seemed confused at the request but did it either way. The spirit then etched a Kanji into his forearm. "That''s all for now" the spirit said as Akio began to wake up in the hospital, Tired but alive.

    "Where..." Akio thought to himself as his eyes fully opened and looked around, Akio then remembered about the spirit and their conversation, checking his right forearm. He then saw that the Kanji for Reaper was written onto his forearm, Akio sat up from the bed and saw a shiroibara in a flower pot. He then looked out the window and thought to himself "So.. What now..".

    Akio stayed in the hospital for a day before being released from the hospital, Akio''s older brother, Kazuki Hayashi, was there to pick him up and take him home. Kazuki is a 20 Year-old college student that has black hair and brown eyes. Akio arrives at his house and is found laying down on his bed, looking at the Kanji written onto his arm.

    "Why did the spirit write this on my arm.." Akio thought to himself as he heard his brother call him "Akio! can you come down here for a second?". Akio replied shouting "Alright!, I''m coming!" as he got up and walked out of his room and into the living room.

    "What is it?" Akio asks as his Kazuki replies "I''m going to be out next week, I have a field trip to attend for college" as Akio replies "You want me to do what about it?". he then asks "are you alright being alone for the week?" with Akio nodding.

    Akio then says "I''m fine doing stuff by myself Kazuki" as Kazuki rustles his hair saying "Alright then, don''t cry for me to come home". both Akio and Kazuki laugh from it and see the sunset from sliding door.

 [Volume 1] Chapter 2 - Taste of Experience

    At school, Akio stood under a tree near the entrance of the school, checking his phone and looking around. "She said she was going to be here..." Akio thought to himself and looked up to see her running. Nishiyama came running around the corner saying "Sorry i''m late!!" as she stopped to catch her breath. Nishiyama is a girl the same height as Akio, with a slim fit build, having snow white hair and blue eyes.

    "Well hurry up, I''m not going to stand around forever Nishiyama." Akio said as he began to walk towards the school building. She then looked and said "Wait for me!" as she began to run but slipped and fell down, hitting her knee onto the concrete floor.

    "Ow!" Nishiyama shouted at people and Akio looked back, to see her sitting up holding her knee. Akio looked around to see if people were going to do anything about it as he saw no one doing anything about it. Nishiyama looked at Akio as he walked over and kneeled down, showing his back at her saying "get on". Nishiyama looked surprised as she laid onto his back, with her chest squeezed up onto his back.

    Akio was a little flustered but got past the flusteredness and helped her up with a piggy back ride. "Ow ow ow.." Nishiyama said repeatedly, as her knee was bleeding, "You''re going to be okay Nishiyama." Akio said front up as she looked at him and said "You''re... more humble today Hayashi" as Akio turned his head to look at her confused.

    "I''m always humble, it''s just..." as Nishiyama looked at him confused, asking "Just what?". He stayed silent for a bit and replied "We''re almost there", dropping that conversation entirely and arriving at the nurses office.

    Akio sets Nishiyama down onto her feet as her bleeding knee gave out for a second, Akio caught her and said "maybe it''s best if I carry you in there" with Nishiyama shaking her head saying "I''m strong, you don''t have to worry" as she took her bag from him and limped into the nurses office.

    "Sheesh, she''s more confident than usual" Akio thought to himself and smiled a little, before feeling a tense pain on his forearm. "What was that!" Akio thought to himself, holding his forearm before moving up his sleeve, seeing the kanji move begin to move up to his hand.

    Akio moved his sleeve back down and saw that the Kanji began to glow, shining a white light and setting up a barrier. "Man, you''re unprepared" A voice said from behind as Akio turned around, seeing the same person that saved him. "You''re the same person from the alleyway." Akio said to the Dragon masked person, as they said "here, you''ll need a mask" as they handed a mask to him.

    Akio grabbed the mask as he said "Wait, can I at least get a name?" as the Masked person said "It''s Tani" as they explained to Akio "There''s a Tier 3 around this area, get your mask on and come outside with your Shinwateki" as Tani rushed outside.

    "My what?" Akio said as Tani was long gone, Akio looked down at his mask as his mask was a half broken oni mask. Akio puts on the one strap it has as Akio ran outside and looked for Tani.

    "Tani!" Akio shouted out as Tani smacked his head from behind saying "Don''t shout our names out-loud!" as Tani suggested to him "Just call us by our Kanji, Mine is Ryujin" as she showed her kanji on her hand saying Ryujin

    "Tani!" Akio shouted out as Tani smacked his head from behind saying "Don''t shout our names out-loud!" as Tani suggested to him "Just call us by our Kanji, Mine is Ryujin" as she showed her kanji on her hand saying Ryujin.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Tani then opened her hand with her kanji on it, seeing a Shinogi Zukuri Katana materialize as they grip the katana. Tani asked Akio "Have you seen the demon?" Akio then replied, "What Demon?!?!" as the Demon made itself known by walking out from behind a tree.

    "A Shinigami... I guess those damn spirits are getting desperate..." as Akio shouted "What are you talking about!" As Akio then noticed, the kanji on his hand changed to Shinigami. "Is this person really a shinigami... he doesn''t seem like one... unlike the dragon over here.." the Demon said as the demon can feel Ryujin''s tense presence.

    The demon then added on "I don''t want to have my fun ruined either way..." as the Demon bolted towards Akio, Akio''s fear gets the better of him of what happened last time, making him tense up and freeze in place. "Shinigami!" Tani shouted out, knocking them both out of the way as the demon crashed into the school building.

    Akio begins to hyperventilate a bit as Tani smacks him, saying "Snap out of it!" as they look up and drop Akio, rushing towards the demon and swinging their sword. Tani began swinging as the Demon dodged the swings commenting "All bark, no bite.. dragon" as the Demon swung a punch, hitting Tani on the face and sending them flying into a wall. Akio got up just in time to see the demon suck the soul out of the nurse, Akio realized the part of the building they were at as Akio shouted "Nishiyama!" as he rushed towards the building.

    "Ah ah ah.., I wouldn''t do that if I were you, Shinigami.." the demon said, getting out of the destroyed part of the building and holding Nishiyama by the neck. Akio was forced to stay where he was as the demon threw out Tani, bruised and beaten with her weapon shattered in half.

    "I want you to know this shinigami..." The demon said harshly, dropping Nishiyama down but dragging her by the collar, walking towards Akio and towering over him. "Everyone you love and respect will die before you can even call yourself a man.." the demon said mockingly, the demon then added on "How about this, give me your best shot before you die by my hands.." dropping Nishiyama to the ground and opening his arms.

    Akio stood there shivering in fear thinking to himself "Everyone....?" as the Demon begins to smile. "It''s getting to the shinigami, once his guard is down i can eat and gain the soul of a shinigami" Akio begins to enter a mental crisis as Akio thinks to himself "Everyone...I love and Respect..." gripping his hand into a fist.

    Akio thinks to himself "If that''s true... Then I might as well go out in a bang.." as Akio clenches his fist hard, twisting his body and releasing that tension onto his fist, throwing a straight punch onto the demon''s face.

    The Demon began to chuckle and then laugh, Akio was speechless, as the Demon turned to him, saying "Is that all you got..?". Akio''s face was in terror, as Akio felt a cut onto his body, coughing out blood.

    The demon had used the sharp end of Tani''s sword to slash at Akio''s chest at a close range. An arrow then strikes into the demon''s shoulder, making the demon stumble back before a needle pierces through an acupuncture spot. "Shinigami snap out of it" a voice said as two other masked personnels make themselves known as they placed a piece of paper onto the vessel''s face and the demon comes back out.

    One of them pulls out a dagger and cuts the released demon in half, sending it back to hell. Akio looks at them as he falls onto his knees, both of the masked people looked at him, as Akio said "Thank you..." crying beneath his mask. "What a waste for a shinigami.." One of them said as the other scolded them saying "He''s still new, you shouldn''t be talking like that.." as the one making the harsh statement carried Tani away.

    The other one, wearing a Smiley face with the bottom part being broken off says to Akio "When you''re Physically, Mentally and Spiritually stable, come to the udon shop downtown and near 42nd Kobayashi Street" as they stood up and left. Akio''s mask then vanished as Akio forced himself to get up and walk to Nishiyamas unconscious body. Akio''s tears ran down his face as he carried her on his back, Akio''s body began moving on its own as Akio was carrying Nishiyama to his apartment.

    Akio and Nishiyama reached Akio''s apartment, where Kazuki would hear a doorbell ring then a drop onto the floor. Akio remained conscious slightly as he heard his brother shouting his name, ringing in his ear before blacking out.

 [Volume 1] Chapter 3 - Mysteries of a hunter

    Nishiyama woke up on their couch, sitting up and thinking to herself "What happened..?", confused at her surroundings. Kazuki walked in from exiting the hallway and saw that she was awake, "You want something to eat?" as Nishiyama nodded. She then asked him "Where am I?" as Kazuki replied while cooking "You''re in my apartment, My little brother dragged you here" as Nishiyama jumped a bit covering herself stuttering "W-What?! S-So I was Kidnapped!!".

    Kazuki looked at her with a confused face before explaining "My little brother Akio brought you here all bloodied up and with a cut across his chest.". Nishiyama calmed down as she asked "Akio is here? Then you must be-" as Kazuki then said "I''m his older brother, Kazuki Hayashi".

    Nishiyama sat on the couch as Kazuki puts her plate of food onto the coffee table saying "I''m going to check up on my brother, eat up so you''re not hungry later." with Nishiyama nodding and Kazuki leaving the room.

    Nishiyama got off the couch and sat on the floor, looking at the food and then began to eat, she began to think "So... Akio lives in an apartment then.. Rather than a house he keeps telling me about...". Kazuki sits on a chair beside Akios bed.

    Beside him is a secondary chair with a medical kit opened and messy with bloody bandages and used alcohol packets. Kazuki puts his hand on Akios head, checking his temperature as Akio''s condition seems to be stable.

    "Thank god you''re staying strong Akio.." Kazuki thought to himself as Akio began to wake up. Akio sat up rubbing his eyes and saw Kazuki sitting on a chair "How long was I sleeping..?" Akio said as Kazuki replied "For about an hour or so" he then looked down onto his chest and saw bandages wrapped on him.

    "Why do I have bandages wrapped on me?" Akio said to Kazuki "You were bleeding when you got here so I patched you up" as Akio then remembers what happened an hour before saying to Kazuki in a panic "Is Nishiyama okay!".

    "So her last name is Nishiyama" Kazuki said to Akio as Akio replied "Just tell me if she''s okay" in an angrier tone as Kazuki laughed a bit. "What''s so funny?" Akio said to Kazuki as he replied "Nothing, it''s just that I didn''t expect for you to bring a girl back home with you, let alone being on your back".

    Akio became a little flustered as he shouted "THAT''S IT!" getting out of bed and putting on a shirt. "Aww, little brothers got a crush" Kazuki teased Akio for it as Akio shouted again "SHUT IT FLAPJACK!" as he stormed out the room and into the living room. Akio then noticed Nishiyama cleaning her dishes, using the apron that Akio uses.

    "What are you doing Nishiyama?" Akio said as Nishiyama jumped a bit and turned around seeing Akio, She replied saying "Just cleaning the dishes..that''s all" as she laughed a bit nervously. Akio then said straight at her "Then why are you wearing my apron?" as Nishiyama took some thought with a blank face saying "Your..Apron..?" with Akio nodding.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Nishiyama''s face began to turn red a bit as she stuttered, "I-i-i didn''t know it was yours! I-I-I just wanted to use the apron so I wouldn''t get my clothes wet!" Nishiyama said as she added on "H-H-Here let me take it off" as she turned off the sink and began to take off the apron.

    "At least dry your hands first," Akio said as she took off her apron and hung the apron back up. Akio handed her a towel saying "Dry your hands here" as Nishiyama seemed a little enlightened and dried her hands with the towel. "So are you staying here or are you leaving?" Akio asked Nishiyama as she replied "I think I''ll stay here a bit longer.." saying it confidently as Akio replied saying "Alright then".

    Kazuki walked out of the hallway saying "Akio c''mere for a second" as Akio looked confused and both Akio and Kazuki walked back into his room. Kazuki then held up the mask saying "Where did you get this..." with a serious tone, Akio then said "A person gave it to me, why-" as Kazuki cuts off his sentence saying "Do you realize what kind of consequences you could have done!".

    Akio seemed a little scared towards Kazuki, seeing his seriousness towards him for something that was handed to him, Kazuki sighs saying "You''re a shinigami aren''t you.." as Akio seemed shocked a bit.

    "How did-" as Kazuki held up his hand and showed him his Kanji, with Kazuki''s kanji saying Shinigami Cardinal 2. Kazuki then explained "Akio we are descendants of Shinigami hunters, you should be more careful about which demons you encounter.." as Akio took some thought about it from hearing about this.

    Akio was still trying to take in all this information of Being more careful but also knowing that Kazuki is a hunter as well. "I-I guess.." Akio said to Kazuki.

    Kazuki sighing saying "Your friend doesn''t need to know this knowledge about us alright." as Akio nodded and he patted his back. Akio then walked out to the living room to find that Nishiyama was watching the tv, Akio then walked towards the door, remembering what the other hunter said to him. Akio then said "I''m going to get some stuff from the store" as Nishiyama wasn''t paying attention, Akio looked back smiling before leaving the apartment.

    He then took a taxi over to 42nd Kobayashi Street, looking for a udon shop. He eventually found the udon shop exactly near 42nd Kobayashi Street, and walked into the udon shop. A bell rang as the chef greeted him saying "Welcome, would you like to eat anything?" as Akio checked his wallet. The chef looked like he was in his mid to late 40s, Akio saw he had enough for himself and said "I''ll have a bowl please.".

    Akio sat down waiting for his udon bowl and looked around thinking to himself "This place looks like a normal udon shop." as the chef asked him "So what brings you here?" trying to start a conversation.

    Akio replied to the chef politely "Someone recommended me to your shop" as the chef chuckled saying "Oh really now? That''s rare" as Akio looked at his hand and saw that his kanji had appeared. "Here you go sir" the chef said as Akio spaced out a bit before snapping out of it.

    "Sorry, it''s been a long day" Akio said to the chef as he took his udon bowl and began to eat. "Say here youngster, did you get that tattoo on your hand?" as Akio slightly choked on his food, coughing a bit as he replied wiping his mouth on a napkin "N-No, not really.".

    "You don''t have to be private about it Shinigami, Akiyama told you about the udon shop didn''t he?" the chef said as Akiyama looked confused and asked "Who''s Akiyama?" with the chef replying "You have a mask don''t you?". Akio was completely freaked out as he said "H-How did you know?!" with the chef laughing slightly, saying "Akiyama, come down here real quick.". Both of them heard footsteps coming downstairs as a delinquent came downstairs.

 [Volume 1] Chapter 4 - Differences

    Akiyama and Akio looked and stared at each other, Akiyama is a delinquent that has gold eyes and brown hair. "So you did come, Shinigami" Akiyama said to Akio as Akio replied "You can stop calling me Shinigami for one, my name is Hayashi Akio.". Akiyama then said "Whatever, come outside when you''re ready" as Akiyama began to walk outside.

    Akio felt rudely offended as he grabbed his shoulder "Hey wait-" as Akio''s sentence was cut off with Akiyama pulling his shoulder forward and jolting back, turning his shoulder and elbowing Akio''s head on the side.

    Akio dropped to the floor dazed a bit from it as Akiyama Stared down at him saying "Pitiful..." before walking outside. The Chef ran over to Akio asking "Are you alright?" as Akio nodded and got up without saying a word. "H-here''s the change.." Akio said, setting the money on the counter before leaving outside the door.

    Akiyama was leaning on the wall vaping as he put it away in his pocket, looking at Akio and saying "You done licking the floor clean..".

    Akio replied in a harsher tone "You done throwing a tantrum..". Akiyama then stood up saying "I''m going to test you, you''re gonna get your ass kicked again, just letting you know", Akio replied "Don''t come crying to me after your ass is put on the floor..." putting up a full guard.

    "Boxing huh.." Akiyama thought to himself as he added onto his train of thought "Full guard.. I think that elbow kicked in his adrenaline" as Akio rushed in. Akio then threw a jab as Akiyama dodged easily, seeing that he threw out more jabs.

    Dodging easily, Akiyama thought to himself "Random Jabs? No, he''s testing.." as Akiyama threw a left punch himself, missing Akio as he glided across his punch.

    "Eat this you fucking bitch!" Akio thought to himself, hitting a clean punch onto Akiyama''s face. Akiyama stumbled back with Akio closing the gap between them and threw a gut punch towards Akiyama.

    "I told you I''m setting your ass on the floor!" Akio thought to himself as he received a knee up onto his jaw, sending Akio onto the ground and on his back. "You got a lucky hit in.." Akiyama said as Akio stood up, rubbing the underside of his jaw.

    Both Akiyama and Akio rushed in towards each other, readying a hit between each other, suddenly a voice shouted "That''s enough you two!!" as both Akio and Akiyama stopped.

    Akio''s right hook stopped right at Akiyama''s temple as Akiyama''s fist stopped right at Akio''s neck. The voice came from a girl shouting "Geez, you''re both so serious about a sparring match that you''ll go as far as to kill each other".

    The girl has golden blonde hair with ruby colored eyes, Both Akiyama and Akio look at each other before they stop their fight completely, Akio then says to Akiyama "We should call this a draw then" as Akiyama nods in agreement. The girl then turned her attention around as both of them looked at her.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    Akiyama then said "Did you sense something?". "Tier 1, not far from here" she said as Akiyama pulled out his fingerless gloves from his pockets, Akiyama then said to Akio "We should get going then, don''t fall behind Hayashi". Akiyama and the girl then ran off as Akio followed closely behind, slowly being left in the dust.

    Akiyama and the girl reached the destination as Akiyama compliments her "Good job Kazama, I''ll take it from here" as Kazama replies "What about the other guy?". "He''ll get here, he can stand a couple punches" as Akiyama puts on his facemask and goes into an apartment building. Akiyama then hears a voice in his head coming from Kazama, "Second floor, Akiyama" as Akiyama heads up to the second floor.

    He then stopped and saw blood on the floor, looking at the hallway of the apartment, he saw the victim dead on the floor. "Must be heading up or still around.." Akiyama thought to himself, walking over and passing over the body.

    He then opened the broken apartment door, seeing inside and seeing no one within. He then heard footsteps on the floor above and ran over to the stairways to get up to the upper floor. "Akiyama they''re just around the corner" Kazama said to Akiyama as he turned the corner and saw the demon.

    Meanwhile, Akio just arrived as he was out of breath a bit. "You need to go help him up there," Kazama said to Akio as took some deep breaths. "I''m heading up then" Akio thought to himself as Akio ran in the building and up the stairs. "Akiyama, The new guy is here and is coming up!" Kazama said to Akio as he heard footsteps coming up.

    "Good timing at least" Akiyama thought to himself and threw the demon more into the hallway. Akio showed up as Akiyama said to Akio "Tag in" tagging him and going up the staircase, Akio looked confused saying "Shouldn''t we be doing this together?".

    "Lookout!!" Kazama''s voice said to Akio as the demon got the jump on Akio, biting onto his shoulder. "You should have said that earlier!" Akio responded which surprised Kazama as Akio slammed the Demon down and off him.

    "This one isn''t as bad as the last one I fought..." Akio thought to himself as Kazama shouted "Catch!" throwing a paper towards the floor Akio was on, Akio looked out the balcony hallway and caught the paper. The Demon got dazed a bit as Akio Ax-Kicked the Demon straight down into the concrete, sending the demon down a floor. Akio ran down the stairs and applied the paper onto the demon, sending the demon out of the body it possessed.

    Hearing its gut wrenching screams, Akio covered his ears as a knife boomeranged over and cut the demon in half. It screamed more before being sent back to hell, Akio uncovered his ears and heard a voice say "Good job Akio", turning around and seeing it was Akiyama."Why did you leave me to fight it alone?" Akio said to Akiyama as he replied "Well you needed some experience right? Well there you go then".

    Akio looked at him saying "What kind of teammate does that.." as Akiyama replied "it''s how we congratulate on your first exorcism" with Akiyama walking out of the building. Akio walked out shortly after as Akio looked at the time, "I think I should just head home..." Akio thought to himself, walking through downtown to get to his apartment. "Do you know his name?" Kazama asked Akiyama as he replied "Hayashi, Hayashi Akio" with both Akiyama and Kazama leaving the area.

 [Volume 1] Chapter 5 - Heavy responsibilities

    Akio sat down at his desk, sighing in relief thinking to himself "Finally some peace and quiet" looking out the window. Akio then sees Nishiyama walking towards the school building, quietly staring as Akio then looks away. Class then begins as Akio was listening in on the teacher''s lecture but wasn''t paying attention.

    Laying his head on the desk and fidgeting with his pencil, Akio thinks to himself "I have always been her friend.. But.." as Akio then starts applying pressure onto his pencil with a concentrated thinking process but with a blank expression.

    "But... What if someone just..." as his imagination shows her dead in his arms, " takes her away from me.." Akio thinks as his pencil snaps and his train of thought ends. everyone looked at him, "S-sorry.." Akio said politely as the teacher asked "Is everything alright Hayashi?" with Akio unknowingly having some tears. "Everything''s alright, sorry about that.." Akio said, trying to play it off cool, 10 minutes passed with Akio doodling in his notebook.

    After the first bell rang, everyone was getting ready for lunch, Akio walked around school looking for Nishiyama. "Where is she?" Akio thought to himself a little anxious and saw her in her homeroom, "Ah, there she-" as his train of thought was cut off with the sight of her sitting with her friends. "I guess I can leave them be." Akio thought to himself as he turned around.

    "Akio!!" Nishiyama said as Akio turned around to listen in "Why don''t you join me and my friends?" as Akio smiled a bit and nodded. Akio sat down and began to eat his food, Nishiyama then introduced her friends "Akio these are my friends, Miura and Chiba" as Akio looked at the both of them.

    Miura is a shorter girl than Nishiyama but she wears their spring school outfit, with black hair with red strands, and cyan eyes. Chiba was a slightly taller girl than both Nishiyama and Akio, but she has Emerald Green eyes and short hair. "Nice to meet you two, I''m Akio" he said to Chiba and Miura, Both of them replied back politely.

    As Akio ate his food and somewhat listened to Nishiyamas conversation with her friends, Akio then noticed something move swiftly away from the room. Akio quickly got up to see where it went as Akio said to Nishiyama "I''ll be right back!" as he rushed after what he saw. Nishiyama was confused a bit by what just happened.

    "What was that thing floating just now?" Akio thought as he ran through the hallway and chased the floating orb-like entity outside. "Crap where did it go!" Akio shouted as he looked at his hand, seeing his kanji appeared. "A demon''s around!" Akio thought, looking around and patting for his bag, Akio kept patting as he looked.

    Akio then realized that he forgot his bag in Nishiyamas classroom. "Shit.." Akio thought to himself as he then saw the demon standing at the entrance. "Shinigami..." The Demon said as he pulled out a Tanto, Akio guarded himself as the Demon rushed towards him.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    Akio noticed a significant difference that he was able to see the demon''s movements better than his last two fights. He threw a punch and felt a harder impact, seeing that the demon was dazed a bit, "It.. It wasn''t always this easy was it..?" Akio thought as he threw another punch at the demon. The demon caught itself from falling as it thrusted the blade forward, akio sidestepped and shattered the blade with an elbow to the side of the blade.

    Akio was surprised thinking to himself "When did.. I don''t remember being this strong!" as he then took a punch to the gut. Akio then looked at the demon saying "is that the hardest you can punch?" as the demon surprised themself. Akio then threw a Gut punch in return, dropping the demon onto its knees.

    A voice then said "Write purify on their head with your blood.." as Akio then looked around. Trying to figure out where the voice came from but looked at the demon, kicking him down onto their back.

    Akio then ripped off a piece of his skin on his index finger, writing �� the kanji for purify on the demons forehead. Suddenly, the demon screamed out in agony as the body went limp for a bit. The person then opened their eyes, tired slightly, "Where... Where am I.." the woman said as Akio was very surprised.

    "You''re at Hino Private High School.." Akio said as she sat up saying "Oh... how did I get here..?" as the police arrived, taking the woman away.

    "What... Just happened now?" Akio thought as he looked at his bleeding finger and kept his train of thought going thinking to himself "Is... Is there a difference between Purifying someone... and exercising them..?". Later that day, Akio and Kazuki were eating as Akio asked Kazuki "Is there a difference between purifying someone and exercising someone?" as Kazuki looked at Akio speechless. "Did... Did you say Purify.?" Kazuki said as Akio nodded saying "I heard someone say-" as Kazuki shouted "you can purify someone?!".

    Akio was confused, stuttering "W-what? I-Is it bad?" as Kazuki shook his head saying "Only a few Shinigami can purify the possessed! This is amazing Akio!!" as Akio was confused even more. "Did he already tell you about what advantages and disadvantages we as hunters have?" Kazuki said as Akio replied "Who?" with him replying "Akiyama of course." as Akio shook his head.

    Kazuki then explained "There are some benefits to being a Hunter, we are physically stronger, faster, mentally trained to deal with trauma, and perceive things that most people can''t see. The downside however, is that we are constantly connected to the Spirit realm, half of our souls are connected to that realm, so we see ghosts, creatures that shouldn''t exist, and mythological creatures.", But Akio didn''t catch that entire thing.

    Kazuki then said "TL;DR, we are connected to the spirit realm until we die." as Akio finally understood it. Akio then said "what about us, since we''re Shinigamis?" as he replied "as a shinigami our job is to release the humans that have been possessed. We get stronger and endure more pain the more we encounter fights and get into fights ourselves." as Kazuki stood up. Akio also stood up as Kazuki said "Punch me" with Akio replying "Are you sure?" Kazuki then said "Just punch me" with Akio getting ready and threw a right hook.

    Akio''s punch didn''t faze Kazuki, as Kazuki said "See? That didn''t hurt me a single bit, it felt like a tickle" Akio was amazed by this as Akio said "So that''s why it didn''t feel like I got hurt in that fight." with Kazuki nodding and patting his head. "I''m going to bed, clean the dishes" with Akio seemingly triggered shouting "These are your dishes!!".

 [Volume 1] Chapter 6 - Truthless Judgement

    Akio walked to school thinking to himself "Spring exams are a few weeks away.." as Akio heard footsteps behind him, turning around. He then saw Nishiyama as Nishiyama ran up to him, saying "How are you today Hayashi??" and being curious. "I''m doing well I guess" Akio replied as both of them walked towards the school.

    "It''s nice to walk by Nishiyama.." Akio thought to himself as he looked over his shoulder, "What is it?" Nishiyama asked him as he replied "oh it''s nothing" as Akio kept his eye behind them. "I swore I saw someone following us.." Akio thought to himself as he remembered what Kazuki told him.

    <u>We are connected to the spirit realm...</u>

    Akio realized that the thing tailing them was either a ghost or something else entirely, as both of them reached the school gate entrance. "Nishiyama, can you go ahead first?" Akio asked her as she looked at him saying "You sure?" as he nodded. "Alright then Hayashi" she said as she went ahead of him.

    "you can stop hiding now.." Akio said as a spirit came out of the ground saying "I didn''t think you''d notice me" as Akio looked at the spirit. "Why did you follow me?" Akio questioned the spirit as it replied "I wanted you to send me to the afterlife.." with Akio seeming confused at the answer. "Why me?" Akio questioned it again as the spirit replied "I sensed your spiritual energy that of a shinigami, so I thought you were able to help me pass on and leave this world..".

    "I can try to help, but I don''t know how to do that.." Akio said in a lower tone as the spirit replied to him "Oh, well I guess you can try to find out how to do it here" as the ghost seemed more cooperative. "Alright then, Lets see..." Akio said as the Kanji on his hand formed with Akio trying to think of a way to send the spirit to the afterlife. "Purifying won''t work since it''s not a demon, exorcisms don''t work either since that''s forcing a demon out.." as Akio then thought of an idea.

    Akio ripped a piece of his skin off and wrote ��Ԯ or aid on the spirit. Suddenly, a bright light shot up into the air. The spirit was being lifted up as the spirit said "Thank you shinigami, I can rest peacefully now.." as the light went away after the spirit was brought above the clouds. Akio then looked at his bleeding finger and thought to himself "So I have to aid them towards the afterlife..." as Akio then walked through the gate and towards the school building.

    He then opened the door to his homeroom class, everyone looked at him as Akio said "Sorry for being late, I got caught up in something." as the teacher then said "just sit down Hayashi" as he walked over to his seat and sat down.

    Akio''s kanji formed on his hand, with Akio noticing it. "A demons nearby.." he thought to himself, scanning around. He felt a cold breath down his neck, hearing a growling behind him as Akio didn''t move a single bit.

    "What...What is that behind me..." as Akio was frozen in terror. "Hayashi, What is the answer?" As Akio looked up. "It''s..." as another student answered for him, "It''s the battle of Okehazama." as the teacher nodded saying to Akio "Stay after class Akio" as Akio sighed, laying his head down onto his desk. The bell rang for lunchtime, Akio stayed in class as the teacher asked him "Is something on your mind Hayashi?".

    Akio then nodded, with the teacher looking at him and said to him "You''re a good student Hayashi, Your grades are passing but I can''t have you look away while class is happening..". She then said "Spring exams are coming soon, I want you to write a personal journal about yourself." as Akio looked at her confused.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    "My job is to pass my students, not hold them back another year, not hold back the potential of the next generation. If you write this journal, I''ll take it as extra credit, the extra credit will be more than most other works.".

    She puts out her hand saying to him "Deal Hayashi?" as Akio looked at her hand and thought to himself "I can''t tell her.." as Akio became hesitant. His teacher sat there and waited patiently, as she sighed then said "I''ll give you tomorrow to think it over alright?" as Akio nodded. He then said "I''ll..I''ll think about it.." as Akio picked up his bag and left the homeroom.

    Akio walked down the hallway, thinking to himself "I..I didn''t think this was the price..." regretting his decision to become a hunter. "Hey watch out!" a voice shouted as Akio turned around and Nishiyama bumped into him and fell down with him. Nishiyama looked at the person she bumped into as she said to him "Akio, You need to protect me!" as Akio was confused at what was going on.

    Both of them got up as they heard a shout "Get back here Nishiyama!!" as Nishiyama hid behind him. Akio stood his ground as a delinquent from another school walked in and saw Akio and Nishiyama behind her. "Hey get out of the way" the delinquent said as Akio replied "No" as he stared them down.

    "What do you have with Nishiyama.." Akio asked the delinquent as they replied "She has a date to go on, but it seems like she has a last minute boyfriend!" as Akio was shocked by this information.

    Akio looked at her as she looked away, ashamed. "Is that true.." Akio said as she quietly said to herself "It...It''s you...". "Is it true, answer me Nishiyama!" as she shouted "Yes! Yes it''s true!!" as Akio''s heart dropped a bit. "Enough of this!" the delinquent shouted as he punched Akio out of the way and grabbed Nishiyama by the arm.

    Nishiyama broke into tears trying desperately to get out shouting "Stop!!" as Akio got up and ran towards them. "Hey Jackass!!" Akio shouted as the Delinquent turned and Akio knee''d his face in. He let go of Nishiyama as Akio threw consecutive punches out of rage and mixed emotions. Akio wasn''t holding back as his punches somewhat cracked the ground.

    "Hayashi STOP!!" Nishiyama shouted as Akio stopped, seeing the delinquent''s face bloody, broken, and barely alive. Akio got up as he looked at his bloodied hands, horrified at the thing he did, running out of the school at top speeds, zipping out. Akio sat at the top of the school rooftop, looking up at the dark and cloudy skies. The atmosphere got a whole lot darker from Akio''s outrage, as Akio thought to himself "I really Fucked up..." as he heard footsteps come up the stairs.

    Akio then hid behind a wall, hearing the footsteps stop and someone sitting down, "It''s all my fault.." the person said as Akio recognized the voice as Nishiyama. "Only if I told him... None of this would have happened.." Nishiyama said as Akio sat there, listening and regretting his choices as Nishiyama went on.

    I should have told him I loved him since Primary school... If I did, then maybe I could be happier than I am today. Instead of dealing with Depression, I could be laughing with him... I can''t keep this a secret anymore...

    Nishiyama cried as Akio sat there crying as well, but keeping quiet. Nishiyama then wiped her tears, got up and then left back downstairs. Akio then cried out in frustration and in sadness at the rooftop, as the dark clouds got even worse.

    Akiyama, Tani, and Kazama stood at the front of the school gate as Tani said to Akiayma "Is he going to be alright?" as Akiyama replied "This is normal, We all have to deal with balancing our normal lives with our part-time job. Eventually he''s going to choose one or the other.." as Akiyama left the front and Tani followed behind.

    Kazama stood there looking and thought to herself "Please... Find that hope you need to push forward, Hayashi.." as Kazama also left with Akiyama and Tani.

 [Volume 1] Chapter 7 - Harsh Realities

    Akio gets up and walks downstairs, wiping his tears away and thinking to himself "I can do this...". But his inner motivational talk didn''t help him, as he sighed in grief. Akio then picks up on a disturbance and hears screaming outside, running to the window to check on what was the scream about.

    A Tier 3 Demon had arrived as the vessel''s body was altered, with horns being visible on the person''s forehead. "This should be a snack.." the Demon said as Akio then ran towards the entrance. "I need to stop this now!" Akio thought to himself as Nishiyama sees Akio running and asks him "Akio wait!" as Akio stops.

    Nishiyama looked at him as Akio also looked at her, both of them having a moment of silence. That silence was then broken by Kazama telepathically telling him "Hayashi, we need you out here now!" as Akio took some thought.

    "Akio..I.." Nishiyama said as her conversation cut off with screams coming from the hallway nearby. Akio then said to Nishiyama "Go hide" as she shook her head saying "I''m not leaving you again". Akio shouted at her "JUST GO NOW!!" as Nishiyama was scared from him shouting, backing up and then running the other way.

    Akio puts on his mask as he sees the demon walk out of the other hallway, holding a dead student by the neck.

    "A shinigami.. I haven''t seen one since that day..." The demon said as they dropped the body on the floor and appeared behind him. "You seem new.. Are you a recent one?" the demon said as Akio turned around and threw a punch, but missed entirely.

    "Where did they-" as Akio''s sentence was cut off with the demon saying "Too slow.." as the demon grabs and throws Akio outside of the school building. He lands on the ground, rolling as he coughed and got back up.

    Akio then hears Tani''s voice as she says "Took you long enough.." as Akio turns around to see them on the ground and injured.

    "Tani!" Akio said as he rushed over but was grabbed by the collar, "You can''t join them just yet.." the demon said as they threw him back. Akio landed on the ground but got up quickly, putting up his guard.

    The demon wasted no time and rushed towards him and threw several punches towards him. Akio stood his ground as his arms began to tire out as he had to let down his guard, taking a punch straight to the face and sent flying towards the school building entrance.

    "You''re no fun shinigami, show me that power of yours at least.." The demon said towards Akio as he got up, his arms were bleeding. "I need to make sure she gets out of here.." Akio thought to himself as he rushed towards the demon.

    He slammed his head straight onto the demon''s head, breaking off a horn. The demon stumbled back as Akio then roundhouse kicked the demon straight into a tree.

    Akio began to exhale heavily as the demon laughed maniacally, getting back up and saying "Man that one was one hell of a combo!!". Akio seemed confused as the demon said "I wasn''t expecting a headbutt into a kick, I have to give you props shinigami!" as they then added on "But, I didn''t like you breaking off my horn, in return, i get to see your face..".

    Akio''s mask began to crack as Akio realized what was going to happen, as the mask shattered and Akio''s face was shown. "Not bad for a shinigami.." The demon said as Akio''s face was shown to them. "Were your eyes always red and blue.." as Akio was confused about his eyes being red and blue.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    The demon then felt a rock hit their head, turning to see who threw it. Nishiyama stood there shouting "Get away from them!" as Akio looked and shouted "Get away from them!!" with Akio coughing blood out from his adrenaline beginning to fade.

    "That''s new.. I haven''t seen a non-hunter act like this before.." Nishiyama then threw another rock at them as they rushed towards Nishiyama, stopping in front of her as the wind gusted towards them.

    Nishiyama was then grabbed by the neck as Akio struggled to stand up and saw them. "Let...Go.." Nishiyama said as she struggled. Akio shouted "LET HER GO!!" as Akio got back up but was shaking a bit to stay standing. "You have a lot of courage Shinigami.." The demon said as he let go of Nishiyama but dragged her by the collar towards Akio.

    Nishiyama saw a shard of glass and quietly picked it up, stabbing the demon in the leg. The demon screamed out in pain as Akio kneed the demon''s lower jaw and drop-kicked the demon straight into the building, causing one side of the building to collapse on them.

    Akio fell back onto his knees as he was beginning to slowly lose consciousness. Nishiyama patted his face saying "Stay with me!" as she heard the Demon get back up from under the rubble.

    The demon looked furious, as it rushed towards Akio and Nishiyama. Suddenly, a person got in the way and caught the punch aimed at Akio, they then threw a punch that sent the demon going back a bit.

    "I''ll take it from here.." the person said as his kanji read Shinigami Cardinal 2, Akio realized who it was. The person then opened their hand out as their weapon formed and it was a sickle head connected onto a chain with a handle at the end. The person was wearing a dark gray coat, with bandages wrapped on his face covering his nose and mouth down to his neck.

    "Tch.. You again.." The demon said as both of them rushed towards each other, clashing at the middle and causing a shock wave.

    The hunter swung his weapon towards the demon, as the demon began dodging it and taking some hits, little by little. The demon then punched the chain as the hunter moved the same way as the impact and slashed at the demon, sending its own hit back at them.

    "The second shinigami will become a problem if he recovers.." The demon thought to themselves as they rushed around the rubble looking for a weapon. The Demon then picked up an iron rod out of a broken pillar and threw it. "You missed!" the hunter said, kicking them down as the demon laughed.

    "I wasn''t aiming for you..." as the hunter realized and looked where they threw it, heading straight towards Akio. "Akio!!" The Hunter shouted out as Akio looked. He saw blood but not his as Nishiyama jumped in the way and fell onto his shoulder. "No no no no!!" Akio said as he forcefully moved his arm to the iron rod.

    The rod was stuck in Nishiyama''s liver, as blood was gushing out. "No no..." Akio said, trying to stop the bleeding. "Don''t go no no..." he said bursting into tears as Nishiyama was also teary on his shoulder.

    "I''m...I''m...sorry..." Nishiyama said weakly as she added on "I...I should...have confessed...when...When I...had the...chance..." as her body limped down. Akio then caught her as he began calling her name "Airi..! Airi!!". He began shaking her crying as he was sobbing in tears, seeing her soul come out of her body.

    "No..nononono..." Akio said as her spirit said "It''s okay.." as it floated towards her and imitated a hug, Akio then felt like he was being hugged by her as she said "It''s okay... you can send me to heaven...".

    Akio then wrote ��Ԯ or aid on her soul and sent her to heaven, Akio looked up as he saw a visualization of her lending one last motivational talk to him.

    I may not be with you in this lifetime, but there will be a lifetime where we will meet once again... as normal people and have normal lives... Don''t give up just yet... Akio...

    Akio then saw the soul go above the clouds as the beam of light left the cloudy skies. Akio took a deep breath and got up, putting his hand out as his scythe manifested into his hand, gripping on the scythe as his mask manifested back onto his face.

 [Volume 1] Chapter 8 - Dispair in the air

    Akio rushed towards the fight as fast as he could, meanwhile the hunter was thrown down and pinned down with a stomp to the chest. The demon smirked as they were then kicked away from the hunter, landing in-front of the now collapsed school building.

    "Thanks for that Akio.." The hunter said as he got up with Akio replying "It''s just normal to help out Kazuki" as both of them then rushed towards the demon.

    "Now this is a fight I''ve been waiting for!!" The demon shouted in excitement, as they began running towards them as well.

    Kazuki threw a punch as the demon blocked it and moved their head just out of the scythe''s range, with Akio swinging the scythe and missing their head. The demon then kicked Kazuki back and dodged scythe slashes.

    Akio then threw his scythe point blank, having the demon sidestep as Akio caught him off guard and threw a clean right hook at the demon.

    Feeling their cheekbone crack, the demon was sent flying towards the rubble as Kazuki spins his sickle-chain and throws it.

    The blade went flying towards them as The demon tried to deflect the blade, but the chains moved along the attempted deflection. It then wrapped around their arm as the sickle slammed itself into their arm.

    The demon screamed out as Akio ran in and began pummeling their face down, with each hit getting stronger, the demon then dodged and threw a counterpunch towards Akio''s gut. Akio took the punch and stopped his pummeling just enough for the demon to punch him again in the same spot.

    The second punch was harder than last time as Akio stumbled back a bit trying to stay up on his feet, as the demon pulled out the sickle and took the chain off.

    Kazuki came out from behind Akio as he caught the demon by surprise and threw a punch to it''s chest knocking it back and trading a punch with the demon.

    The demon and Kazuki began trading punches to the face as Kazuki then parried a hit and punched under the demon''s arpit, cracking a rib.

    Akiyama then came out of nowhere as Akiyama grabbed one of the demon''s arms as well as Tani grabbing the other. Kazuki then puts the demon into a headlock.

    "Akio! The paper! it now!" as Akio got up and pulled out the paper, putting it onto the demon''s forehead. Everyone lets go as the demon is forced out of the vessel.

    Akio puts his hand out as the scythe manifests into his hand and slashes the demon into pieces, destroying the demon entirely instead of sending it into hell.

    Akiyama, Tani, and Kazama began cheering as Akiyama looked at Kazuki, who wasn''t cheering as the cheering stopped. Everyone looked at Akio who walked over to Nishiyama''s corpse, picking up her body as the rain began to settle in.

    Kazuki walked over saying "We need to go now, the police will be here soon" as Akio walked over to a cherry tree. Akio sets her body down, taking out the Iron rod and disposes of it. "Akio we need to go now" Kazuki said to him again as Akio looked and nodded.

    Kazuki begins to head out as Akio looks down at Nishiyama''s corpse and takes off his mask, setting it beside her and says "Goodbye...Nishiyama..." as Akio then runs off, leaving his mask behind with a photo of them smiling at a arcade photo booth beneath the mask and out of the rain.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    The First responders then arrive at the scene as they search for survivors. Akio watches them find Nishiyama''s body from a distance as he finally leaves back to his apartment with Kazuki.

    A few days after the incident, the casualties of the demon incident were confirmed to be 27 students were killed with 13 survivors, 7 of the survivors being in critical condition in hospitals. The Media then described this event to be "An unreal and worst event in Japan history" as Akio turned off his phone.

    Akio got into dress clothing as Kazuki asked him "Going to her funeral?" as Akio replied saying "Yeah... It''s just...been hard for me last night...". Akio then left the apartment as he walked towards Nishiyama''s funeral home, visualizing them walking to school in-front of him.

    Akio reached over to her funeral home as his visualization ended, walking into the funeral home and thought to himself "I never wanted this day to come..." as Akio looked at the photos, keeping his tears back as her parents avoided him.

    <u>The Day after the Incident</u>

    Akio went over to Nishiyama''s home, ringing the bell as her mother answered the door. "Hayashi?" as Akio nodded saying "I... Can I come in..?" as she lets him in. Both Nishiyama''s mother and her father were in the living room with him.

    Nishiyama''s mother, Marin Shimizu, and Nishiyama''s father, Hiraku Nishiyama sat patiently to hear what Akio had to say.

    Akio then thought to himself "I can''t tell the truth of what happened... All I can do now is take the blame... so they have something to take their anger out on..." as Akio lied to them, saying "I...I was there when Nishiyama was hit..." as Akio made up the story.

    I ran outside when it happened, trying to find a safe place to be at but I saw Nishiyama helping a girl, so I ran over to help but I just got in her way as we ran away from what was happening. The girl tripped and so I ran back to help, I was spotted and they threw something. I thought I was going to get hit but Nishiyama jumped in the way.. I should have pushed her out of the way and got hit instead... I''m sorry...

    As Akio puts his head down, wanting an apology for it as Akio hears "Get out..." from Shimizu, Akio looked up as Hiraku shouted "GET OUT!! " seeing that her mother was in tears again. Akio nodded and got up, walking out.

    Akio then heard "I DON''T WANT TO SEE YOU NEAR OUR PROPERTY AGAIN HAYASHI!!" as he left outside and closed the door behind him. A single tear dropped down as he walked home.

    <u>Present Day</u>

    Akio left the building and walked to a playground, sitting down on a swing, carrying a bottle of soda. "I''m sorry to hear what happened to Nishiyama Airi, Akio.." a voice said as Akio looked around saying "Who''s there?!".

    "It''s just me, the spirit.." as the spirit took on the form of a male teenager in a kimono and sat on the swing beside him. "Hayashi.. I truly am sorry about Nishiyama.." as Akio looked over surprised saying "You know her name..?".

    The spirit then replied "I know every person''s name, remember.." as Akio nodded, forgetting that piece of information again. Akio then asked the spirit "What''s your name?" as the spirit looked at him.

    "I go by Present, there are two like me, called Past and Future" as Akio was fond of hearing his name. He then asked Present "So, why are there demons around?" as Present smiled. They then said "Glad you asked.." as they went on to explain it to Akio.

    Demons are spirits, like me, but they interfere with the living to get what they want. Most demons are the same but some are... Different... smarter, faster, or even stronger than the average ones. We have been at war with these demons since the Heian period. Some from different eras and their vessels are still alive to this day..

    Akio was speechless, asking Present "Then how did you guys manage to figure out that we were the solution?" as Present replied "That I do not know of, However the first humans that did fight against the demons are long gone, reincarnated into different people throughout the Millenniums.".

    Present then said "I must go now, no one will know of our talk except you and me.." as Present began to fade back to limbo. "Wait but why me?" Akio asked one more question as Present replied "You will find out during your journey..." as Present faded out into limbo.

 [Volume 1] Chapter 9 - A Burden deeper than death

    Akio tries to sleep in bed as he twists and turns, remembering Nishiyama''s death over and over as he jolted up sweating. Ventilating a bit as he calms down thinking to himself "It was just a dream..." as he lays back down in bed.

    "Great.. I can''t sleep anymore.." he thought to himself as he just couldn''t fall back asleep again. It became morning after some hours had passed, Kazuki got up from his bed and walked out to the living room.

    Kazuki sees Akio getting ready for a school he transferred to, with Kazuki says to Akio "Don''t fluke okay?" as he nodded. Akio left the apartment as Akio was drowsy, he arrived at his new school as it was closer to his apartment house than his old school.

    Akio wiped his eyes a bit and drank coffee to keep himself awake, walking in and sighing. Akio walked into his new class as he saw a familiar hairstyle in the room, but didn''t recognize the person''s face. "Class this is your new classmate, he will be here with us until the end of the year." The teacher said as Akio stood there.

    "Go on and introduce yourself" The teacher said as Akio said "My name is Hayashi Akio, I didn''t really get a whole lot of sleep last night." as he bowed. "Now go find an empty seat Hayashi" the teacher said as Akio walked over to an empty seat and sat down near the back.

    Akio lays his head down on the desk and closes his eyes. Akio then wakes up a few seconds later, unable to sleep again. Akio sits back up but doesn''t pay attention to class, looking out the window and sighs.

    The bell rang as Akio looked up a bit before getting up, a female student then walked up to him saying "Follow me up to the roof" as she left towards the roof. Akio followed shortly after as he got to the rooftop and saw the girl waiting.

    "Hayashi, what''s going on with you?" the girl said as Akio replied confused and unamused "Should I know who you are..?". The girl then shouted "You don''t remember the person that gave you your mask! It''s Me! TANI!", she then walked up and shook him saying "What''s going on with you!".

    "If you can stop shaking me I can tell you.." Akio said to Tani as she stopped and let go of him. Akio then sighed and then explained it,

    I don''t want to do this job anymore.. I didn''t want Nishiyama to die because of me and I didn''t want her life to end literally in my arms... I heard her confession literally minutes before they showed up... I want a normal life... a normal day, something that''s just normal!!

    Akio then stopped his rant after that as Akio was then slapped across the face by Tani. he looked at Tani as she shouted at him "DO YOU THINK WE CHOSE TO DO THIS FUCKING JOB! NONE OF US WANTED IT BUT NOW WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT!!". She then grabbed him by his jacket and said "DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE I HAVE SEEN DIE IN-FRONT OF ME BOTH CIVILIAN AND HUNTER ALIKE! TOO MANY!!".Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    Tani''s tears then began going down her face as Akio looked and was surprised as she began to have a breakdown. "I''ve seen so many people die in front of me... You''re not the only one who doesn''t want this fucking job..!" Tani said as she began crying.

    Akio was surprised, he didn''t know how to respond to it as he handed her a napkin, saying "You need to wipe your face Tani...". Tani looked at the napkin and took it, wiping her eyes and blowing her nose into the napkin and throwing it away.

    "Tani... I''m sorry... okay..?" Akio tried to apologize to her as she shook her head saying "don''t apologize.. I was just worried about your health... walking in with some baggy eyes isn''t always a good sign.." as both of them walked downstairs to the second floor.

    Akio was walking with Tani and bumped into a small group of guys, Akio then said "Sorry" as he wanted to move on. One of the boys grabbed his shoulder saying "Who''s the girl beside you" as Akio looked over his shoulder.

    "Say again...?" Akio said as Tani looked back. "Who''s the short girl?" the guy said as Akio said "That''s none of your business.." as he pulled his shoulder and began to walk away. "Akio Watch out!" Tani shouted as Akio turned around to be greeted with a punch to the face.

    Akio stumbled back a bit as he rubbed the spot he got hit on saying "Lucky Hit.." as the guy ran in for another punch. Akio sidestepped saying "You missed.." as he kept dodging punches thrown at him.

    Akio then caught the punch as he said "I''m warning you one last time, you don''t want this fight.." as he let go of the fist and ducked under a kick. Akio then saw Tani knee the guy in the face saying "That''s enough!" as the guy dropped to the floor and his friends helped him up. Akio was surprised but also expected of it as Akio says to Tani "Thanks" as she just storms off the other way.

    Akio follows shortly behind her as they walk into their homeroom, Akio sits down at his desk as the bell then rings. Akio tries to pay attention in class as his thoughts become jumbled up and a mess, "Just calm down Hayashi.." A voice said to him as he looked around.

    Tani looked back at him as she thought to himself "something''s not right.." as Akio tried to find out where it came from. Akio then noticed the mark on his hand had appeared, thinking to himself "Something just came up.." as Akio raised his hand.

    "What is it, Hayashi?" the teacher said as he replied "May I use the restroom!" as the teacher waved him off to go. Akio then got up and ran down the hallway, trying to find where that voice came from.

    It''s here! I know it''s here!" as he rushed upstairs and found what were paw-like marks on the ground. Akio''s eye color shifted from brown to red as he saw the marks and followed it. He then reached back up to the school''s roof, seeing a Bakeneko as the cat turned around and jumped.

    "It s...a cat?" Akio thought confused as the cat shapeshifted into a girl saying "D-don''t hurt me shinigami..!" as she covered herself using her hands. The Bakeneko was now a short girl with cat ears, Akio then said "I''m not going to hurt you" as she looked at him.

    "Y-you''re not going to kill me..?" Bakeneko said as Akio replied "Why would I do that?". She then said "The past shinigami always killed our kind..." as Akio was shocked to hear this, he then asked "Why would they do that?".

    Bakeneko then explained "Well.. It''s because of our shapeshifting powers, we can shapeshift into most things but it uses up a lot of Spiritual Energy..". Akio was just confused about this Spiritual Energy he keeps hearing about, he then asked "What''s Spiritual Energy..?".

 [Volume 1] Chapter 10 - Sturdy relationships

    The Bakeneko said to Akio ��Put your hand out�� as Akio did just that, the Bakeneko then put her hand beneath his. A small orb of white and black began to form as Akio was amazed by this. ��This is your spiritual energy, It''s black and white since you are a shinigami�� the Bakeneko said as Akio asked ��What can I do with this?��.

    She then explained ��You can basically do anything with spiritual energy, but you need a good grip on your spiritual side to do anything. Right now, you don��t really have a good grip on your spiritual side, only in certain situations can you get a hold of your spiritual side.��

    She moves her hand away as the spiritual orb faded away and vanished from his hand. ��Thank you for teaching me this,�� Akio said and bowed, as the Bakeneko replied ��No problem.��. Akio then said ��Can I get your name?�� as the Bakeneko replied saying ��It��s Chinatsu.��.

    ��Thank you Chinatsu�� Akio said again before leaving and going back downstairs. Chinatsu sat at the roof and transformed back into her cat form, sleeping on the rooftop. He got back to his homeroom as it was lunchtime, Akio walked over to his desk and picked up his bag.

    ��There you are!�� A voice shouted as Akio looked over and it was Tani at the doorway. ��Tani?�� Akio said as Tani shouted ��Don��t Tani me!! Where were you!!�� as she grabbed his jacket again and pulled him in, Furious at him.

    Akio was up close at her face as he looked away a bit stuttering ��We-Well���� as Tani shouted ��SPIT IT OUT!��. Akio then said ��I was at the rooftop!�� as Tani looked at him. She then lets go as Akio pats down his jacket.

    ��Let��s get going���� Tani said as Akio asked ��Where to?��. Tani then said ��We��re going to the Udon shop at Kobayashi street.�� as she began walking with her bag. ��Hey wait up�� Akio said, picking up his bag and following shortly behind her.

    Akio and Tani began walking towards Kobayashi street, as they were walking side by side. Tani then asks him ��Did��Did she die in your arms..?�� as Akio looked over. ��The incident.. Did she die in your arms���� Tani said again as Akio took some thought.

    Akio then looked at his hands as his memory flashes back to Nishiyama in his arms, Akio then replied ��Yeah���� as Tani looked over at Akio. Akio was at the brink of breaking down into tears as Tani said ��I��m sorry for bringing it up!�� as she pulled out her handkerchief.

    ��I-It''s okay�� I don��t need it..�� Akio said with a little shaky voice as Tani became concerned. ��She must have been a big part of your life then, To see you this saddened by a single death���� Tani thought to herself as she looked at the teary Akio.

    They then arrived at the udon shop, both of them walked in as the Udon shop was closed. Akiyama was in a chair as he said ��Well now we wait on Kazama.��. Kazama arrived shortly after saying ��Sorry! My mom got lost in traffic while we were getting here!�� as Tani, Akio, and Akiyama looked at her confused.

    ��Well I have information for you guys.�� Akiyama said as they looked over at him. ��I was informed that there will be two raids on two of the three shrines. We need to get ready to fight at our fullest, we can��t let them destroy the shrines or we will lose all hope of fighting back the demons.�� Akiyama explained as Akio said ��Wait Raid? Why were we informed of this last?��.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    Akiyama then said ��Because since we��re the newest team, we get the information last or never at all to keep newer groups from dying quickly.�� as Kazama asked ��Who said we were a team?��. Akiyama flicked her forehead. he said ��Check your palms idiots�� as Tani, Akio, and Kazama checked their palms.

    On their palms, it shows the kanji for ��Ry��sh���� as Akiyama also has the kanji Ry��sh�� on his palm. ��Like it or not, we��re a team now�� Akiyama says to them as he adds on ��The raid is in a couple of days, so get ready you guys.��. Akio then thought to himself ��As if this day couldn��t get any worse..��, as he began walking home from the udon shop.

    Akio then looked beside him and visualized Nishiyama talking to him about school, as he then looked forward. He thought to himself ��Am I�� really this sad���� as he looked and stopped in-front of Nishiyama��s house. Again, Akio visualizes himself waiting for her outside of her house for them to go to school, as his visualization of himself and his actual self walking the opposite way.

    Akio then stops after a bit as he looks back, seeing that his visualization of Nishiyama was looking back and smiling at him. Akio broke into tears again as he turned and began running towards his apartment, Wiping his tears away.

    After wiping his tears and reaching his apartment, Akio then noticed that the door was left wide open. ��That��s not normal..�� He thought to himself, looking into the room and seeing it was messy. ��Oh Shit..!�� he thought to himself as he sneaked inside the living room. He then heard footsteps in the bedroom, stuff being thrown and hearing the door open.

    ��Here they come���� Akio thought to himself as the footsteps grew louder as they got closer. Akio then waited as the person walked out of the hallway, Akio then surprised punched the person and got a chokehold onto the person. ��I knew it was an intruder!��Akio thought to himself as he began to choke the person out.

    Akio then lets go of the person, checking their pulse and feeling the pulse. ��still alive at least..�� Akio thought to himself as he called 911. The police arrived half an hour later, being questioned about the robbery and self-defense.

    ��I just came home and I saw the door open�� he said as the police officer asked Akio ��don��t you think that you need supervision?��. Akio shook his head saying ��I was taught to live by myself by my brother, he should be out on his college trip this week.�� which surprised the officer. ��That��ll be all the questions for today�� as Akio nodded.

    ��Thank you for cooperating, Officer�� Akio said as the officer tipped his hat and left the scene. Akio looked at his apartment and thought to himself ��I think I should crash into someone else''s house for the week..�� as he looked at his contacts on his phone.

    Tani��s phone contact pulled up as he tapped his phone and called Tani. Tani was on her bed, wearing shorts and sporting a large but thin fabric hoodie. She was checking out social media as her phone rang with a number on it.

    ��Hello?�� Tani said as Akio then said ��Hey Tani, can I come by your place?�� with Tani surprised on the other side. ��Hayashi?!! How did you get my number!!�� Tani said as she was also a little scared he even got her number.

    Akio then said ��Well it was on the sticky note that Akiyama gave us�� as Tani was confused. ��What Sticky note? We never got any�� as Akio seemed genuinely confused, replying ��He handed us sticky notes of our numbers, I still don��t know how he got them though.�� as Tani sighed.

    ��I guess so, but alright then, come to 2831 Fushin Road, my house is there�� Tani suggested to him as Akio replied ��Thank you Tani�� as he hung up. Tani just layed in bed with her phone still on her ear as she quietly stared at the ceiling.

    She thought to herself ��This is the second time I''ve let a guy into my life���� as she grabs her pillow and puts it over her face, screaming into it with mixed emotions running through her head.

 [Volume 1] Chapter 11 - The Tani Residence

    The doorbell rang as Tani rushed over to open the door. She opened the door with Akio standing in-front of her, with the only thing keeping them apart is the door. ��Thanks for letting me stay here for the week�� Akio said to Tani as she slightly nodded.

    He stepped in and began to take off his shoes as Tani��s parents came over to look who came by. Tani��s mother and father were shocked that Tani had invited a guy into the house. Tani��s father is 5��7 ? with short black hair and blue eyes. Tani��s mother is a BEAUTY, being 5''6 and having a deep purple hair color with bangs that cover most of her forehead, she also has cloudy blue eyes and a single strand of yellow in her iris.

    ��A-ASUKA!! IS-IS THAT A GUY YOU INVITED HOME?!!�� Tani��s father shouting in excitement as she turned her attention to her parents.

    ��DAD HE��S A FRIEND!!�� Tani shouted back as her mother was squealing in excitement saying ��MY BABY GIRL HAS FOUND HERSELF ANOTHER MAN!!�� with Tani blushing in embarrassment. She then began pushing them back into the living room shouting ��JUST LEAVE ME ALONE FOR A FEW MINUTES MOM! DAD!!�� as Tani then rushed over to Akio, grabbing his wrist and taking him upstairs to her room.

    Akio chuckled a bit after things settled down, saying to Tani ��Man, your parents sure are excited�� saying it as a joke. Tani looked away saying ��It��s because it��s the second time I''ve brought a guy to my house..�� as Akio had a surprised look on his face.

    ��Oh really? I guess that explains the stalking.�� Akio said as she turned her attention back to him confused, ��what are you-�� Tani said as her sentence was cut off with him pointing to her mother peeking through the door.

    ��MOOOM!!!�� Tani shouted as she opened the door shouting ��GO AWAY FOR FIVE MINUTES!!�� as she began pushing her mom away and back downstairs. ��Aww, but it was just getting to the good part..�� Tani��s mother said as they got downstairs.

    ��Before you go back upstairs Asuka�� Tani��s mother said as Asuka looked at her mother. She then pulled on Asuka��s cheek as her mother said ��How in the hell did you manage to sway a shinigami...�� as she had an innocent smile but a deadly aura around it. ��Maahmm, staahhp..!�� Asuka tried to say as her mother then lets go, she then says ��sorry baby girl, but mother needs to knoowww!�� as she raced upstairs.

    ��MOM REALLY!!�� Asuka shouted as she chased after her and had the door slammed in her face. ��MOM OPEN UP!!�� Asuka shouted as banging on the door was heard, Akio looked at the door a little concerned as Tani��s mother turned his attention towards her.

    ��Now tell me all about yourself! I need details!�� Tani��s mother said as she was excited to hear things about him. ��W-well..�� Akio began as Tani shouted ��DON��T GIVE HER INFORMATION HAYASHI!!�� as she kept trying to open the door. ��Oh so your last name is Hayashi�� her mother said as Asuka realized what she said.

    ��MOM YOU CAN��T DO THAT TO ME!!�� Asuka screamed as she began to try and get the door open. ��Y��know, I met someone with a last name Hayashi back at highschool, now I look at it. you look eerie similar to him�� Asuka��s mother said as she took a closer look.

    Akio blushed a little but stayed calm throughout, as Akio then noticed Asuka��s mother had a faint thunder birthmark underneath her bang and just above near her left eyebrow.

    Her mother then moved away from him as she said ��Nevermind, his eyes weren��t like that�� as Akio sighed in relief. ��Was your father��s name Isamu Hayashi?�� she said as Akio was seamlessly shocked about this information, Asuka then decided to kick the door open as her mother looked at her and said ��You��re paying for it�� in a casual way.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    ��GET��OUTT!!!!�� Asuka shouted at the top of her lungs. She then proceeded to slam her somewhat broken door on her mother after she got out of her room. ��Ah, young love these days�� her mother said as her kanji on her hand then appeared, reading Ryujin Cardinal 5.

    Asuka layed on her floor exhausted after screaming her lungs off. ��Give me a minute���� Asuka said to Akio as she was taking deep breaths in and out. Akio sat beside her and asked ��what should we do now? We have a couple of days to get ready for the raids.�� as Tani took some thought into it.

    She then sat up and told him ��We should get training then, We don��t want to be sluggish�� as she smiled at him, Akio smiled back a little as both of them got up and went outside. ��Mom, we��ll be back in time for lunch!�� Asuka said as her mother waved, saying ��Goodluck!��.

    Akio and Asuka ran over to a field that isn��t far from her home, ��Woah, this is a nice field..�� Akio said speechless at the view, the field was a green field that had hills and trees that were viewable from even the horizon. ��I use this place to train by myself.�� Asuka said as she ran over to a specific spot in the open field.

    Akio follows shortly behind as Asuka begins to warm up, ��Get ready Hayashi!�� she said as Akio said ��Don��t have to tell me twice!�� as he also starts warming up, taking off his jacket and his tie. Akio and Asuka��s kanji��s form on their hand, with both of them running at each other as they both said ��Go!��.

    Akio and Asuka clashed fists, causing a shockwave around them with Akio throwing a one two punch. Asuka quickly dodged underneath both punches, trying to go for a grab as Akio caught wind of this, catching Asuka off guard by backstepping.

    Asuka nearly stumbled to the ground as Akio caught her shirt, saying ��That��s a point for me�� as Asuka threw herself up and uppercutted Akio by surprise. He stumbled back as Asuka ran in, throwing two clean punches to Akio��s stomach and his chest. She then mocked him saying "that''s two points for me!".

    Akio coughed out a bit of blood chuckling at the mockery, he caught himself from falling and weaved around Asuka��s high kick and right hook��d her thigh, near her ankle. Asuka fell down to one knee, as she moved out of a kick from Akio.

    Asuka raised up her fists as she had to keep her injured leg up and limped around. Akio��s vision was blurring in and out from the stomach punch and the punch to the chest, and was trying to keep his ground. Akio ran in trying to get the first knockdown punch as he threw a roundhouse kick at her.

    She ducked and spun around the opposite way, hitting Akio with a counter roundhouse kick and hitting him straight onto the face. Akio dropped onto the floor as he raised his hand saying ��Alright��I call timeout���� as he let his arm drop down tired.

    Asuka also sat down as she said to him ��You punched my thigh��that really hurt���� as Akio replied ��You punched my stomach and my chest��I was going to pass out if we kept it up����. Both of them were breathing heavily from exhaustion, then they both laughed suddenly, as they were having fun sparring.

    An hour and 30 minutes have passed, both Asuka and Akio came back bruised from sparring. ��Oh my, You guys sure had fun�� Asuka��s mother said to them as Asuka laid down on her couch. Akio just quietly sat down as Akio��s injuries were somewhat healing from sparring.

    ��What do you two want to eat?�� Asuka��s mother said as Akio replied ��I��ll eat anything at this point...I��m just hungry..�� as Asuka asked ��How about something you suggest mom..?�� as she giggled a bit.

    ��Don��t tell me you have that recipe planned mom���� Asuka said as Akio asked ��What recipe?�� out of confusion. Asuka��s mother then said ��You can have my daughter if you want�� with a wink towards Akio. Asuka then shouted ��I��D EAT WHATEVER YOU��LL COOK BEFORE YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT TELLING HIM THAT AGAIN!!�� as her mother chuckled.

    Asuka��s mother gave them a plate of fried rice with some orange chicken accompanied by lettuce beneath the orange chicken. Both Asuka and Akio then said ��Thank you for the food!�� as both of them began to eat.

    Asuka��s mother and father watched them eat as Asuka was laughing and being cheerful with Akio around, She said to him ��Our little girl has really gotten out of her shell hasn��t she�� as Asuka��s father nodded saying ��I hope it stays that way for the rest of her life..�� with both of them smiling.

 [End of Volume 1] Chapter 12 - The Shrine Raid

    The next day, both Asuka and Akio walked over to their school, which was slightly farther than his apartment but he didn��t mind. ��Akiyama never specified it, did he?�� Akio said as Asuka looked over, replying ��No, but I��m sure he��ll call us when it��s needed�� as they just kept walking.

    Akio and Asuka arrived at school as Asuka asked Akio ��Why do you still wear your old school uniform?�� as he looked down at his uniform. ��I���� Akio stuttered, as he went on to say ��I keep it as a grim reminder, My life as a normal person is long gone now..��. He walked ahead with Asuka standing there with her face in shock.

    Akio then stopped in his tracks and turned around to look at her, saying ��Are you coming?�� As Tani came walking up to him. He thought to himself ��This is some really bad Deja Vu���� as Akiyama stood at the entrance.

    Akiyama then asked them ��Are you two ready to go?�� As both Akio and Asuka were confused, ��What do you mean?�� Akio said to Akiyama. He then said ��We��re leaving for the raid, the raid was much earlier than expected.�� as both Asuka and Akio weren��t prepared for this.

    ��Let��s get going then, we can��t have any one of us slack behind�� Akiyama said as he began walking off, Asuka had a bad feeling about this raid as Akio began to follow behind, Shortly after was Asuka and Kazama being late again.

    Asuka, Akio, Kazama and Akiyama got onto a bus with Akiyama saying something to the bus driver, Akio couldn��t get a good eavesdrop on the conversation and sat down in a seat. Kazama and Asuka sat down in a seat as well as Akiyama was the last one to sit, the bus was packed with other students from different schools.

    Asuka however, became more worried than she had before thinking up scenarios where she could lose someone again. The bus started up and began to leave for their destination, she began to fidget in her seat as she grew more and more worried. Kazama saw this and asked Akiyama sitting beside her ��Is she going to be alright? She never does this.�� as Akiyama looked over at Asuka and Akio.

    They��ll be fine�� Akiyama said as he put on his earbuds and tried to get some sleep on the bus. Kazama then became worried as well but for Asuka��s fidgeting behavior. Akio was looking out of the bus window and then looked back at the now fidgeting Asuka. ��Hey are you alright Asuka?�� as Asuka jumped a bit hearing her first name.

    Kazama was shocked by this as she thought ��Woah! He used her first name..! Does that mean���� as she looked at Akio and nodded. ��I-I��m fine..�� she said, stuttering as he thought ��She��s not alright..�� and asked ��Is there something worrying you?�� as she looked at him.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Asuka then looked away as she nodded saying ��I just have a bad feeling about this raid..�� as Akio then headpats her. Asuka��s face becomes slightly red as Akio says casually ��Don��t worry about it, it��ll just keep you down. Just look ahead alright?�� as Asuka felt enlightened by his words.

    After a 2 hour ride, The bus then stopped as Akiyama looked outside. ��Alright we��re here�� Akiyama said, turning off his music and taking out his earbuds. He then got up as well as the other students on the bus, getting off the bus. Kazama, Asuka and Akio followed behind as Akiyama stood out in the open waiting for them.

    Kazama ran first to Akiyama as Asuka and Akio followed behind, Kazama then said ��You really like to stand out from the crowd, literally!�� as Akiyama looked the other direction. Kazama then began to pout at him saying ��At least look at your team!�� as she lightly hits his back. Akio looked around as he looked at the entrance of the Fushimi Inari Shrine.

    ��The Fushimi Shrine?�� Akio thought to himself as Akiyama sighed. ��Alright listen up, team.�� Akiyama said as Akio, Kazama Asuka turned their attention to Akiyama. ��This shrine is one of the three shrines we must protect at all costs.�� Akiyama explained as the spirit, Present, showed up to greet them.

    ��Hello Ry��sh�� team, Thank you for participating in defending my shrine.�� as Akiyama and Akio both said at the same time ��No problem, we-�� as both of them stopped at the same time to look at each other. Present then chuckled a bit, saying ��You two remind me of two brothers from the Heian era.�� as both Akiyama and Akio looked at each other and back at present.

    ��That��s another story for another day. If you guys make it alive..�� Present said as his tone shifted, seeing the clouds block out the skies. Everyone there looked and noticed as Akiyama said ��It��s time we stand our ground then..�� as Present put his hands together. They then tell all of the Hunters and Oracle eyes,

    The raid is coming soon, I have given you all a blessing to stand your ground and fight to the bitter end, I cannot guarantee that all of you will make it out alive.. I wish you the best of luck, and may you all stand strong together��

    Present then chants a blessing saying ��Omamori!�� (����) as the blessing covers the shrine, the hunters, and the oracle eyes. Present then fades back into limbo as all the students there from different schools, put on their masks to cover their identities from the demons.

    A demon then steps up as a horde of demons are behind that one demon, waiting for the command. The leading demon was carrying a muramasa, wearing a dark gray kimono with blue waves and  flame markings above the waves. Some of the demons scan the 5 teams that stand in-front of the shrine, they notice and give a glance to Akio, the only shinigami there.

    The command was given by the demon as the rest of the demons began to charge, the teams then had their weapons formed by using spiritual energy. The hunters rushed in and the oracle eyes stayed behind. Akio ran in as the leader of the demon raid group also ran in, with both Akio��s scythe and the demon��s muramasa clashed.