"Ngn...."
The sound of ragged panting was heard in the darkened alleyway, the red moon shining above like an unholy beacon for creatures of the night. The Crimson Sky was indeed a cruel place to dwell in as the girl with the red dress and black parasol had quickly found out. She was leaning on the brick wall behind her, parasol held out like a weapon. Blood seeped out from her side, coating the floor in thick red. Even so, a determined grin was set on her face, despite the possibility that she would pass out soon enough.
She eyed the creature with fiery defiance, holding out her weapon with trembling hands. The beast looked something out of a child's twisted nightmare. The body of a jackal and yet it walked like a man. Bandages stained black and red snaked around its furry, lean arms as elongated claws scraped across the floor. Its face was that of a hideous deer skull, horns bridging out of its head while twin black pits of nothingness stared back at the desperate girl.
The creature was a Youkai, a Stray one at that. Thought and meaning had no impact on it for all it knew was the driving desire to hunt, kill, and feed. It held in its hand a mighty staff with curled, scythe-like blades crescent on each opposite side. But perhaps most menancing were its eyes. One large and red pupil blinked on the front side of its matted chest, the other squirming around on its back side. The hellish Youkai gave a low screech that sounded like flesh being scraped together as it approached its wounded prey.
All of this occurred on the outskirts of the real world, right on the border. In fact, the incident was happening not too close from the Dangeki Cafe. Perhaps this was the malicious presence Shiina had sensed? With a Stray so close to their base of operations, it needed to be taken out soon.
Ikkime turned to see Shiina appear instantly next to them. She leaned in close and asked her for a perimeter check, meaning something was off to her. Leaning her head back she nodded "I'll go get those for boss, make sure this one doesn't get into to much trouble" she joked and pointed to Amiti. Taking off her apron, she reached into her pocket, pulling a key out "Here, my room is the second door on your left, upstairs. Just find something you like and leave my key with Shiina for me" she grabbed the girls hand and put the key in her palm.
THe old man approached her and she smirked amused "Alright pops, i await the talk."
Patting Amiti on the head, she looked back at Shiina momentarily, thinking to say something but waved it off as it wasn't worth bringing up in front of everyone. Once outside she looked up and down the road, it being completely barren which wasn't so odd, but it was off putting. Going into alley, her aura ears sprouted instantly. going back and forward and she listened for a moment "What could possibly be dum-" the ears got something and her ears shown purple. Her tails formed and she quickly got on all fours, bounding, she followed her ears as they sensed a presence.
Turning into another alley, she saw a stray standing in front of a bloody girl. Her four tails quickly grew from behind her and instantly bounded towards the youkai from behind.
Upon closer inspection, Ikkime would find the Youkai to be a subset of Inugami. Which in itself was strange since Inugami were usually intelligent in their own right. Thus, to see a Stray was quite odd. Regardless, it was obvious to see what it wanted to do and it needed to be stopped.
The creature turned to Ikkime with a slow gait, raking its claws on the ground and letting out a yowl right at the charging fox girl. Behind it, the girl with the parasol slid a little further to the ground, clutching her side as help had finally arrived.
Her tails quickly passed him, aimming for the girl behind and she picked up the girl with care. Quickly lifting her up and pulling her behind her, Ikkime let out a deafning howl and looked at the Inugami. Her tails waved back and forward waiting for the stray to make a move towards either her or the girl.
"Wha...What are you doing?" the girl asked weakly before her expression turned to a gritted frown. "You...You're one of them, right? A Youkai? Stay back from me, I'm warning you! I just got done teaching this guy a, ngn, lesson...."
Despite her words, it was evident that the girl was losing her strength. The mistrust in her eyes did not waver in spite of this. In front of them, the Inugami's front eye blinked rapidly as it charged at the two girl with an ear-splitting yowl. Moving its arm up, it lashed downward with bloodied claws aimed straight for the girl with the parasol.
"Shush, put pressure on your wound or you will bleed out, I will not argue with your distrust, but do not be stupid" she didn't looked back but she wasn't going to take her eyes off the Youkai. The Inugami charged them and slashed towards the girl.
"Heh, I'm not just some weakling to write off about," the girl commented with a smirk. Nevertheless, she did as Ikkime told her, putting pressure onto the wound on her side.
In one swift motion, one of Ikkime's tails parried the slash, and two came at him from both above and behind.
The blows from Ikkime's tail made the beast stagger back though it wasn't enough to draw blood. It reared its ugly maw at her now, pausing for the briefest of moments, as if considering something. Then it gripped its weapon in hand, twirling it around and lunging forward at a speed that suggested it was holding back until now. Now it was out for the kill, for the blood of this fox who stood before its meal.
Ikkime quickly retracted her tails and they disappeared, looking at the inugami as it lunged towards her. Her eyes glowed suddenly and she raised her hand, it suddenly being engulfed with aura and what stood in it's place was a pure purple claw like aura hand that stopped at her elbow.
She moved the left slightly and pulled the Youkai forward, quickly using her other similar aura clawed hand, she sent her hand towards it's quickly approaching chest.
Blood splattered on the walls of the alleyway and a pained screech echoed all around them. Snarling viciously, the Youkai raised its arm down to slice through the arm gripping it with its weapon. Landing on solid ground once again, it chose a different tactic this time by clinging to the walls and striking with its claws.
It jumped between the left and the right at rapid speeds, moving almost like a blur. Its roars indicated its growing rage and it moved with such a nimble movement to avoid the slow build up of Ikkime's claws.
Ikkime felt her arm receive cuts and she held her arm back, letting it start to heal from the aura. Using her other hand, she made an upward motion and aura like arms began to expand out of her now engulfed arm.
Two of the five arms expanded and blocked Ikkime and the girl from the barrage, while the three other arms attacked the youkai from right, left and underneath it.
The creature snarled angrily now as more and more blood began to splatter out of it. It was a bit concerning and it suggested the Inugami was already wounded before its dual with Ikkime. Perhaps the parasol girl had put up a defense after all? She had to in order to survive this long. But now it was getting all the more dangerous for a dying Youkai, especially a Stray, was nothing more than a feral, corned animal.
Barking, it leapt up to the sky using the walls to climb up. Pushing off, it swung its staff-scythe overhead and launched itself downward. With a final howl, it twisted around so that the blade would make contact, the strike made to slash through all barriers with the assistance of its trajectory and momentum.
Ikkime smiled an almost bloodthirsty grin that would unsettle even the most evil of people. Moving the girl to the side with intense speed. She removed the aura arms and it appeared as if she wasn't there anymore. As the youkai's blade hit the ground, Ikkime appeared beside the stray. She kicked the youkai in it's side, with enough force to break anything inside it's body.
It was sent flying in the ally, only to be smashed into the ground by one of Ikkime's tails. Picking up the smashed body of the youkai, she held her hands out and another tail appeared and wrapped around stray's body. She paused "I'd ask if you had any last words, but I forgot...I couldn't careless..."
In that moment, the single eye seen on the Inugami's front chest blinked and remained wide open. It was almost as if it was evoking some silent plea to her. Or it could have been a dying trick. One could never know with a Stray. With its skull smashed into pieces, its only source of output was through the eye.
Ikkime closed her hands and the tails that were wrapped around it's body crushed the stray's body in seconds. Dropping the remains of the now very very dead youkai, she smirked for a second, then reverted to her straight face. Blood splashed everywhere and Ikkime released her power, breathing out she closed her eyes and opened them.
Her eyes returned to it's normal purple, turning she looked at the girl "There is a place not to far from here that others can help you, humans if that's what you want, or you cannot trust me and bleed out" she looked at the girl "If you choose to believe me, then allow me to assist you so that we can get back faster, as much as I enjoy fighting, I'm not to big on blood, and theres...alot" she looked at the now completely splattered walls of the alley.
"Really," the girl said sarcastically. "Are Youkai battles always this...messy? Honestly, it's like there's no taste or honor."
The girl took a step forward now, only to stumble and falter her step. She flashed Ikkime a look suggesting that she only wanted minimal assistance. It seemed like pride was a running theme with this girl.
"Seeing as you saved me, I might as well know the name of my knight in shining armor. May I ask who you are Youkai?"
"Depends on who's fighting, youkai dont play fair, theres no honor in monsters fighting..." she said back with a bit of a smile. Watching the girl stumble, she quickly helped the smaller girl and used one of her aura tails to help the girl, seeing as she was shorter.
She started walking towards the street and sighed, she and the girl were gunna get looks from the amount of blood both of them had on them, her arm had healed which was good, but more scars and a ripped shirt were left.
She contemplated for a second telling the stranger her name, for one it was odd that the girl was even fighting a youkai, let alone an inugami, not only that but survived long enough. It was off putting but Ikkime mentally shrugged, whats the worse that could happen "Ikkime, Ikkime Oi, how about you? Damsel in distress got a name?" she looked down at the girl and joked.
"Ha ha, hilarious. My name is...Lucille Ferris," the girl said, giving in with a sigh. "Truth be told, I don't even know what this place is. I woke up all of a sudden in this hell hole and was wandering the streets before that Youkai attacked me. Aren't those things supposed to only be myths? Anyway, I'm guessing you're Japanese due to your name? I'm sort of from America if you hadn't noticed yet."
That would definitely explain the girl's Western-styled name and it looked like she was just another victim of the Crimson Sky's random selection of victims. To say that she knew about Youkai though spoke that she had some knowledge of Eastern culture.
"Is this like some sort of gift I have? To even be in this world I mean?"
"Pleasure to meet you" she looked around and her aura fox ears appeared again, listening for an attack. "Trust me, this area is nothing compared to what hell you thinking of. What happened to you most likely is happening to others as we speak right now" she stopped for a moment and looked around "This is what youkai call the Crimson Sky, kind of a second alternate world so to speak. People like you end up getting, well taken and end up here. Myths most of the time end up being true in some form."
It was always interesting to hear abductees like her who had questions more then just panicing, the girl might just be an interesting soul after all. She shrugged to her comment about being japanese "I guess i would if it was just from my name, i'm not not quite sure what my race is, i've forgotten if you want me to be honest, an I did, your name only helped with my assumption" very interesting indeed for a westerner to be here and on top of that know what youkai were.
She looked down at the girl "I wouldn't call something like coming here a gift, more a curse. And to answer that question, it might be or you might be a victim of the Crimson World selection. You might even be developing something as we speak, it's best if I get you out of here before another fight breaks out, being here is making me...yeah lets just keep moving" she blinked hard for a moment to keep her power from being released. She could feel it coming back and she was not going to let this girl witness "that".
Lucille glanced up at her new companion, curious as to what could have been bothering her. But seeing the Youkai in action, it was probably best not to press her luck any further. So instead she limped off without another word until the duo managed to reach the corner which turned into the Dangeki Cosplay Cafe Club. The surrounding area began to fade away, the sounds of early evening buzzing all around.
"Wait...this isn't my home," Lucille said with a frown, looking around. "I don't recognize any of these streets and...I can't even read them. Is that Japanese?"
Obviously the girl had been expecting to arrive in the area she was taken but the didn't seem to be the case. It was yet another mystery of how the Crimson Sky actually worked and functioned as the space of the worlds seemed to be distorted. One corner could easily lead to one place while the other seemed to lead to somewhere else. Given that the area was always shifting, always changing, it was imperative that one know their way in the perilous world.
The girl with the parasol frowned, suddenly feeling much out of her territory. Here she was with a complete stranger, albeit a helpful stranger and hundreds of miles from her home, if not more. It was a little overwhelming to take in and she couldn't help but tremble as her mind tried to wrap around it all.
"S-Sorry. Um, you said you were taking me to someplace safe?"
Ikkime sighed as they made it out of Crimson World and she felt instantly relief knowing "she" was left behind. Looking back, she saw purple eyes, but they quickly disappeared "Way to fucking close...." tuning back into the real world, she looked down and saw the girls face, hearing her words and feeling her tremble "That it is, it's not uncommon for you to be somewhere you aren't from when you come back from the Crimson World, often the people we rescue we end up sending back on planes" she lowered herself a little.
"I'll have to explain everything once we get there, but it's very safe, I promise" her fox ears sprouted and her trademark look appeared, one ear up the other down.
"There's nothing to be afraid of, I swear no one will hurt or take advantage of you, alright?" she held her pinky finger out and held it towards the girl "it's cheesy but it's how I promise things and I wont break it."
"Let's get one thing straight here...Ikkime-san? Is that how you say it? I'm not just some child for you to treat, alright," Lucille said with that same spark of defiance before sighing and taking the other girl's pinky. "But...thank you for what you've done so far. And you're right, that line is cheesy."
As the two fully exited the realm of the Crimson Sky, the girl known as Lucille Ferris took one look back. The expression in her crimson eyes revealed nothing.
Needless to say, Shiina sniffed them out first before sensing them. When the two entered the Cafe's front doors the vampire found out why. They were coated in red, blood wafting in the air. Shiina held back a sigh and it was a good thing she was as old as she was; otherwise, she'd waste no time in trying to consume some of that blood.
"I take it you dealt with our problem then, Ikkime-san?" Shiina asked, dashing to meet them first before smiling down at Lucille. The parasol girl tensed as she caught the glint of fangs and couldn't help but press closer to Ikkime.
Ikkime released her aura power and held her arm around Lucille "Yeah it was taken care of, pain in the ass" she showed her left arm that had fresh scars among others "but taken care of" she patted Lucille's shoulder reassuringly.
"This one has some serious spunk, took on an Inugami with just the parasol in her hand, she might have some potential" she lead the girl over to a counter and got her the healing drink "It taste horrible but that will heal much fast" she passed her the drink and looked at Shiina "She's from america, what do you wanna do?"
"An Inugami?"
Shiina looked at the girl with a raised eye. That was certainly surprising, more so than the fact that an Inugami had turned stray which was weird in on itself. Lucille looked at Ikkime hesitantly before taking a sip of her drink. She immediately coughed and wiped her mouth with her sleeve, the blood dry by now.
"You said it was horrible, not atrocious," she commented with a mutter.
"You slayed the Inugami then?" Shiina asked to Ikkime. "I don't need to remind you that Inugami aren't prone to bouts of bloodlust like that...maybe something set it off...as for the girl, we'll take care of her for now before sending her back when we can. At this moment, we're caught up in this Yellow Jacket business, not to mention the threat of our rival group. As much as she may not like it, it's easier and safer for her to stay with us for the moment."
"Oh hush and take it like a grown up" she joked at the girl and looked at Shinna seriously "I know, not only that but..." she leaned in closer so that only Shiina could hear " "She" is back, I saw her Shiina, after all these years, she's alive and she almost caught me..." she leaned back "But yes the Inugami, I would have investigated but....well you know."
"Looks like you're gunna be stuck here for a little while, but if that's the case you're little demsel in distress ass is gunna be put to work and no if , ands, or buts missy" she smiled half jokingly half serious.
"W-Wait, you're joking right? You can't be serious?" Lucille asked indignantly.
To the addition of more distressing news, Shiina narrowed her eyes. Of all the things, now it looked like the Chasers would have more to deal with than she thought. Too bad Chikage couldn't warn them about this in advance.
"Noted. Well then, I'll leave you two at it. It's almost time for me to patrol with Master Yamato. Until later," she said with a nod to both of them before moving away.
"No, im not joking at all, this is the tough world we live in missy, now march and we'll find you work clothes that work for you" she pointed towards the door leading to the back and the hallway full doors.
Looking at Shiina "Be...careful out there, it was quiet out there. The fact that "she" came back is not good..." she put a hand on Shiina's shoulder before turning to Lucille "Get a move on missy, the costume aint gunna put itself on" she started off towards the uniform room.
Shiina nodded to the warning. Despite her age and experience, the Youkai always seemed to evolve and become more and more deadly with each generation. She left then to meet Yamato, leaving a grumbling Lucille to head into the back and pick out a uniform. By now her wounds had healed though they would have to do something about her bloodied garnments.
"Do I really have to wear this?" she asked with a frown, scanning over the multitude of maid uniforms. "What kind of cafe makes its staff degrade themselves like this?"
"Quit your damn bitchen, you are to small for anyone else's cloths and you cant stay in bloody ones either" she shifted through maid outfits until she got to Lucille's size.
Pulling out one that she knew Lucille would have words for, she threw it at the girl "because you complained, you have to wear one of the special ones" she smirked and waited for the girl to change.
Lucille stared at one of these "special" uniforms, eyes narrowing. All sorts of humiliating feelings coursed in her and she turned away into a spare room to change. When she emerged, she immediately set Ikkime with an icy death glare.
"Not a single word from you," she hissed.
"Ooooo sexy sexy!" she teased and she went to go change into her uniform. Coming back, she helped Lucille tie on her apron and lead her back into the main cafe "You know how to make tea and coffee right?" she tied on her appron and stretched for a moment before putting up her hair in a pony tail.
"Of course not," Lucille said brashly, cheeks flushing at the other girl's compliments. "I've never had a use to serve others before, especially with such lack luster beverages. What, we can't give them soda or something from the fridge?"
She followed Ikkime back into the main, trying to keep her head down and avoid the gazes of the Chasers. No doubt they would notice the new addition to their cafe staff and she tried to follow Ikkime with eyes averted, trying not to trip over her own feet.
"Well Mrs.High Society, this isn't any western restaurant nor is it open for a bunch of normal people. This is a cosplay cafe and specifically for Chasers, one of the main bases in this city in fact. We have soda's but it's different from anything like that, and tea or coffee is much desired here. I'm a bit insulted, but none the less you are a forienger so I cant blame you for your opinion."
She went over to the counter and pulled out a pot for tea and another for coffee, putting them on "You dont have to do much here, just pour into these" she pointed to the tea and coffee cups "make sure a plate is under the cup so they dont burn themselves and dont burn yourself, i'll be next to you so ill help you when I can, but burns aren't that fun" she joked.
"Compared to an encounter with that thing from before, I don't think a little burn will mean much to me," Lucille said drily. "And it's not like I came from a rich family or anything. People just don't drink tea where I come from."
She did as she was instructed, pouring the liquids delicately into each glass and placing them gently on the plate tray. As she did so, she couldn't help but notice the creepy old man that seemed to be hitting on all of the girls present, especially Ikkime for some reason. Not only that, but there was a...a kid?
"Don't tell me you're actually hiring before school age," said Lucille with disbelief. "And I'm pretty sure you should call the cops on that man over there."
Ikkime watched the girl and worked on cutting food when she spoke, not stopping "Eh, that's not so benign, but he's not here for work, he's here cause we saved him yesterday, little guy was getting attacked by some youkai that ended up having some strong enemies using the kid as a decoy" she looked up and watched as Amiti was simply being a kid and enjoying life, making her smile.
Reaching under the counter, she pulled out more strawberry stick candies and took one herself before giving the little boy some "Dont tell that one" she nodded off towards his grandfather who was busy with harassing the other workers.
"Eh the other maids know how to handle themselves extremely well, and he's...an old timer chaser, it's expected from him, he's been a pervert old guy for a long time, but he wont cross the line if you make sure to set it" she looked back down and her tails appeared again, picking up supplies and making food behind her as she started preparing the already finished food.
"So the boy's another Crimson Sky victim then?"
Lucille set her scarlet-eyed gaze on Amiti for just a moment longer with interest in her expression. Maybe he too was a lost soul like her in some way? Probably not but it couldn't hurt to make more friends other than Ikkime. After all, she'd be staying for quite some time as things turned out.
Ikkime shook her head "yes and no, it's complicated..." she went on to explain to Lucille the situation that happened.
The sound of ragged panting was heard in the darkened alleyway, the red moon shining above like an unholy beacon for creatures of the night. The Crimson Sky was indeed a cruel place to dwell in as the girl with the red dress and black parasol had quickly found out. She was leaning on the brick wall behind her, parasol held out like a weapon. Blood seeped out from her side, coating the floor in thick red. Even so, a determined grin was set on her face, despite the possibility that she would pass out soon enough.
She eyed the creature with fiery defiance, holding out her weapon with trembling hands. The beast looked something out of a child's twisted nightmare. The body of a jackal and yet it walked like a man. Bandages stained black and red snaked around its furry, lean arms as elongated claws scraped across the floor. Its face was that of a hideous deer skull, horns bridging out of its head while twin black pits of nothingness stared back at the desperate girl.
The creature was a Youkai, a Stray one at that. Thought and meaning had no impact on it for all it knew was the driving desire to hunt, kill, and feed. It held in its hand a mighty staff with curled, scythe-like blades crescent on each opposite side. But perhaps most menancing were its eyes. One large and red pupil blinked on the front side of its matted chest, the other squirming around on its back side. The hellish Youkai gave a low screech that sounded like flesh being scraped together as it approached its wounded prey.
All of this occurred on the outskirts of the real world, right on the border. In fact, the incident was happening not too close from the Dangeki Cafe. Perhaps this was the malicious presence Shiina had sensed? With a Stray so close to their base of operations, it needed to be taken out soon.
Ikkime turned to see Shiina appear instantly next to them. She leaned in close and asked her for a perimeter check, meaning something was off to her. Leaning her head back she nodded "I'll go get those for boss, make sure this one doesn't get into to much trouble" she joked and pointed to Amiti. Taking off her apron, she reached into her pocket, pulling a key out "Here, my room is the second door on your left, upstairs. Just find something you like and leave my key with Shiina for me" she grabbed the girls hand and put the key in her palm.
THe old man approached her and she smirked amused "Alright pops, i await the talk."
Patting Amiti on the head, she looked back at Shiina momentarily, thinking to say something but waved it off as it wasn't worth bringing up in front of everyone. Once outside she looked up and down the road, it being completely barren which wasn't so odd, but it was off putting. Going into alley, her aura ears sprouted instantly. going back and forward and she listened for a moment "What could possibly be dum-" the ears got something and her ears shown purple. Her tails formed and she quickly got on all fours, bounding, she followed her ears as they sensed a presence.
Turning into another alley, she saw a stray standing in front of a bloody girl. Her four tails quickly grew from behind her and instantly bounded towards the youkai from behind.
Upon closer inspection, Ikkime would find the Youkai to be a subset of Inugami. Which in itself was strange since Inugami were usually intelligent in their own right. Thus, to see a Stray was quite odd. Regardless, it was obvious to see what it wanted to do and it needed to be stopped.
The creature turned to Ikkime with a slow gait, raking its claws on the ground and letting out a yowl right at the charging fox girl. Behind it, the girl with the parasol slid a little further to the ground, clutching her side as help had finally arrived.
Her tails quickly passed him, aimming for the girl behind and she picked up the girl with care. Quickly lifting her up and pulling her behind her, Ikkime let out a deafning howl and looked at the Inugami. Her tails waved back and forward waiting for the stray to make a move towards either her or the girl.
"Wha...What are you doing?" the girl asked weakly before her expression turned to a gritted frown. "You...You're one of them, right? A Youkai? Stay back from me, I'm warning you! I just got done teaching this guy a, ngn, lesson...."
Despite her words, it was evident that the girl was losing her strength. The mistrust in her eyes did not waver in spite of this. In front of them, the Inugami's front eye blinked rapidly as it charged at the two girl with an ear-splitting yowl. Moving its arm up, it lashed downward with bloodied claws aimed straight for the girl with the parasol.
"Shush, put pressure on your wound or you will bleed out, I will not argue with your distrust, but do not be stupid" she didn't looked back but she wasn't going to take her eyes off the Youkai. The Inugami charged them and slashed towards the girl.
"Heh, I'm not just some weakling to write off about," the girl commented with a smirk. Nevertheless, she did as Ikkime told her, putting pressure onto the wound on her side.
In one swift motion, one of Ikkime's tails parried the slash, and two came at him from both above and behind.
The blows from Ikkime's tail made the beast stagger back though it wasn't enough to draw blood. It reared its ugly maw at her now, pausing for the briefest of moments, as if considering something. Then it gripped its weapon in hand, twirling it around and lunging forward at a speed that suggested it was holding back until now. Now it was out for the kill, for the blood of this fox who stood before its meal.
Ikkime quickly retracted her tails and they disappeared, looking at the inugami as it lunged towards her. Her eyes glowed suddenly and she raised her hand, it suddenly being engulfed with aura and what stood in it's place was a pure purple claw like aura hand that stopped at her elbow.
She moved the left slightly and pulled the Youkai forward, quickly using her other similar aura clawed hand, she sent her hand towards it's quickly approaching chest.
Blood splattered on the walls of the alleyway and a pained screech echoed all around them. Snarling viciously, the Youkai raised its arm down to slice through the arm gripping it with its weapon. Landing on solid ground once again, it chose a different tactic this time by clinging to the walls and striking with its claws.
It jumped between the left and the right at rapid speeds, moving almost like a blur. Its roars indicated its growing rage and it moved with such a nimble movement to avoid the slow build up of Ikkime's claws.
Ikkime felt her arm receive cuts and she held her arm back, letting it start to heal from the aura. Using her other hand, she made an upward motion and aura like arms began to expand out of her now engulfed arm.
Two of the five arms expanded and blocked Ikkime and the girl from the barrage, while the three other arms attacked the youkai from right, left and underneath it.
The creature snarled angrily now as more and more blood began to splatter out of it. It was a bit concerning and it suggested the Inugami was already wounded before its dual with Ikkime. Perhaps the parasol girl had put up a defense after all? She had to in order to survive this long. But now it was getting all the more dangerous for a dying Youkai, especially a Stray, was nothing more than a feral, corned animal.
Barking, it leapt up to the sky using the walls to climb up. Pushing off, it swung its staff-scythe overhead and launched itself downward. With a final howl, it twisted around so that the blade would make contact, the strike made to slash through all barriers with the assistance of its trajectory and momentum.
Ikkime smiled an almost bloodthirsty grin that would unsettle even the most evil of people. Moving the girl to the side with intense speed. She removed the aura arms and it appeared as if she wasn't there anymore. As the youkai's blade hit the ground, Ikkime appeared beside the stray. She kicked the youkai in it's side, with enough force to break anything inside it's body.
It was sent flying in the ally, only to be smashed into the ground by one of Ikkime's tails. Picking up the smashed body of the youkai, she held her hands out and another tail appeared and wrapped around stray's body. She paused "I'd ask if you had any last words, but I forgot...I couldn't careless..."
In that moment, the single eye seen on the Inugami's front chest blinked and remained wide open. It was almost as if it was evoking some silent plea to her. Or it could have been a dying trick. One could never know with a Stray. With its skull smashed into pieces, its only source of output was through the eye.
Ikkime closed her hands and the tails that were wrapped around it's body crushed the stray's body in seconds. Dropping the remains of the now very very dead youkai, she smirked for a second, then reverted to her straight face. Blood splashed everywhere and Ikkime released her power, breathing out she closed her eyes and opened them.
Her eyes returned to it's normal purple, turning she looked at the girl "There is a place not to far from here that others can help you, humans if that's what you want, or you cannot trust me and bleed out" she looked at the girl "If you choose to believe me, then allow me to assist you so that we can get back faster, as much as I enjoy fighting, I'm not to big on blood, and theres...alot" she looked at the now completely splattered walls of the alley.
"Really," the girl said sarcastically. "Are Youkai battles always this...messy? Honestly, it's like there's no taste or honor."
The girl took a step forward now, only to stumble and falter her step. She flashed Ikkime a look suggesting that she only wanted minimal assistance. It seemed like pride was a running theme with this girl.
"Seeing as you saved me, I might as well know the name of my knight in shining armor. May I ask who you are Youkai?"
"Depends on who's fighting, youkai dont play fair, theres no honor in monsters fighting..." she said back with a bit of a smile. Watching the girl stumble, she quickly helped the smaller girl and used one of her aura tails to help the girl, seeing as she was shorter.
She started walking towards the street and sighed, she and the girl were gunna get looks from the amount of blood both of them had on them, her arm had healed which was good, but more scars and a ripped shirt were left.
She contemplated for a second telling the stranger her name, for one it was odd that the girl was even fighting a youkai, let alone an inugami, not only that but survived long enough. It was off putting but Ikkime mentally shrugged, whats the worse that could happen "Ikkime, Ikkime Oi, how about you? Damsel in distress got a name?" she looked down at the girl and joked.
"Ha ha, hilarious. My name is...Lucille Ferris," the girl said, giving in with a sigh. "Truth be told, I don't even know what this place is. I woke up all of a sudden in this hell hole and was wandering the streets before that Youkai attacked me. Aren't those things supposed to only be myths? Anyway, I'm guessing you're Japanese due to your name? I'm sort of from America if you hadn't noticed yet."
That would definitely explain the girl's Western-styled name and it looked like she was just another victim of the Crimson Sky's random selection of victims. To say that she knew about Youkai though spoke that she had some knowledge of Eastern culture.
"Is this like some sort of gift I have? To even be in this world I mean?"
"Pleasure to meet you" she looked around and her aura fox ears appeared again, listening for an attack. "Trust me, this area is nothing compared to what hell you thinking of. What happened to you most likely is happening to others as we speak right now" she stopped for a moment and looked around "This is what youkai call the Crimson Sky, kind of a second alternate world so to speak. People like you end up getting, well taken and end up here. Myths most of the time end up being true in some form."
It was always interesting to hear abductees like her who had questions more then just panicing, the girl might just be an interesting soul after all. She shrugged to her comment about being japanese "I guess i would if it was just from my name, i'm not not quite sure what my race is, i've forgotten if you want me to be honest, an I did, your name only helped with my assumption" very interesting indeed for a westerner to be here and on top of that know what youkai were.
She looked down at the girl "I wouldn't call something like coming here a gift, more a curse. And to answer that question, it might be or you might be a victim of the Crimson World selection. You might even be developing something as we speak, it's best if I get you out of here before another fight breaks out, being here is making me...yeah lets just keep moving" she blinked hard for a moment to keep her power from being released. She could feel it coming back and she was not going to let this girl witness "that".
Lucille glanced up at her new companion, curious as to what could have been bothering her. But seeing the Youkai in action, it was probably best not to press her luck any further. So instead she limped off without another word until the duo managed to reach the corner which turned into the Dangeki Cosplay Cafe Club. The surrounding area began to fade away, the sounds of early evening buzzing all around.
"Wait...this isn't my home," Lucille said with a frown, looking around. "I don't recognize any of these streets and...I can't even read them. Is that Japanese?"
Obviously the girl had been expecting to arrive in the area she was taken but the didn't seem to be the case. It was yet another mystery of how the Crimson Sky actually worked and functioned as the space of the worlds seemed to be distorted. One corner could easily lead to one place while the other seemed to lead to somewhere else. Given that the area was always shifting, always changing, it was imperative that one know their way in the perilous world.
The girl with the parasol frowned, suddenly feeling much out of her territory. Here she was with a complete stranger, albeit a helpful stranger and hundreds of miles from her home, if not more. It was a little overwhelming to take in and she couldn't help but tremble as her mind tried to wrap around it all.
"S-Sorry. Um, you said you were taking me to someplace safe?"
Ikkime sighed as they made it out of Crimson World and she felt instantly relief knowing "she" was left behind. Looking back, she saw purple eyes, but they quickly disappeared "Way to fucking close...." tuning back into the real world, she looked down and saw the girls face, hearing her words and feeling her tremble "That it is, it's not uncommon for you to be somewhere you aren't from when you come back from the Crimson World, often the people we rescue we end up sending back on planes" she lowered herself a little.
"I'll have to explain everything once we get there, but it's very safe, I promise" her fox ears sprouted and her trademark look appeared, one ear up the other down.
"There's nothing to be afraid of, I swear no one will hurt or take advantage of you, alright?" she held her pinky finger out and held it towards the girl "it's cheesy but it's how I promise things and I wont break it."
"Let's get one thing straight here...Ikkime-san? Is that how you say it? I'm not just some child for you to treat, alright," Lucille said with that same spark of defiance before sighing and taking the other girl's pinky. "But...thank you for what you've done so far. And you're right, that line is cheesy."
As the two fully exited the realm of the Crimson Sky, the girl known as Lucille Ferris took one look back. The expression in her crimson eyes revealed nothing.
Needless to say, Shiina sniffed them out first before sensing them. When the two entered the Cafe's front doors the vampire found out why. They were coated in red, blood wafting in the air. Shiina held back a sigh and it was a good thing she was as old as she was; otherwise, she'd waste no time in trying to consume some of that blood.
"I take it you dealt with our problem then, Ikkime-san?" Shiina asked, dashing to meet them first before smiling down at Lucille. The parasol girl tensed as she caught the glint of fangs and couldn't help but press closer to Ikkime.
Ikkime released her aura power and held her arm around Lucille "Yeah it was taken care of, pain in the ass" she showed her left arm that had fresh scars among others "but taken care of" she patted Lucille's shoulder reassuringly.
"This one has some serious spunk, took on an Inugami with just the parasol in her hand, she might have some potential" she lead the girl over to a counter and got her the healing drink "It taste horrible but that will heal much fast" she passed her the drink and looked at Shiina "She's from america, what do you wanna do?"
"An Inugami?"
Shiina looked at the girl with a raised eye. That was certainly surprising, more so than the fact that an Inugami had turned stray which was weird in on itself. Lucille looked at Ikkime hesitantly before taking a sip of her drink. She immediately coughed and wiped her mouth with her sleeve, the blood dry by now.
"You said it was horrible, not atrocious," she commented with a mutter.
"You slayed the Inugami then?" Shiina asked to Ikkime. "I don't need to remind you that Inugami aren't prone to bouts of bloodlust like that...maybe something set it off...as for the girl, we'll take care of her for now before sending her back when we can. At this moment, we're caught up in this Yellow Jacket business, not to mention the threat of our rival group. As much as she may not like it, it's easier and safer for her to stay with us for the moment."
"Oh hush and take it like a grown up" she joked at the girl and looked at Shinna seriously "I know, not only that but..." she leaned in closer so that only Shiina could hear " "She" is back, I saw her Shiina, after all these years, she's alive and she almost caught me..." she leaned back "But yes the Inugami, I would have investigated but....well you know."
"Looks like you're gunna be stuck here for a little while, but if that's the case you're little demsel in distress ass is gunna be put to work and no if , ands, or buts missy" she smiled half jokingly half serious.
"W-Wait, you're joking right? You can't be serious?" Lucille asked indignantly.
To the addition of more distressing news, Shiina narrowed her eyes. Of all the things, now it looked like the Chasers would have more to deal with than she thought. Too bad Chikage couldn't warn them about this in advance.
"Noted. Well then, I'll leave you two at it. It's almost time for me to patrol with Master Yamato. Until later," she said with a nod to both of them before moving away.
"No, im not joking at all, this is the tough world we live in missy, now march and we'll find you work clothes that work for you" she pointed towards the door leading to the back and the hallway full doors.
Looking at Shiina "Be...careful out there, it was quiet out there. The fact that "she" came back is not good..." she put a hand on Shiina's shoulder before turning to Lucille "Get a move on missy, the costume aint gunna put itself on" she started off towards the uniform room.
Shiina nodded to the warning. Despite her age and experience, the Youkai always seemed to evolve and become more and more deadly with each generation. She left then to meet Yamato, leaving a grumbling Lucille to head into the back and pick out a uniform. By now her wounds had healed though they would have to do something about her bloodied garnments.
"Do I really have to wear this?" she asked with a frown, scanning over the multitude of maid uniforms. "What kind of cafe makes its staff degrade themselves like this?"
"Quit your damn bitchen, you are to small for anyone else's cloths and you cant stay in bloody ones either" she shifted through maid outfits until she got to Lucille's size.
Pulling out one that she knew Lucille would have words for, she threw it at the girl "because you complained, you have to wear one of the special ones" she smirked and waited for the girl to change.
Lucille stared at one of these "special" uniforms, eyes narrowing. All sorts of humiliating feelings coursed in her and she turned away into a spare room to change. When she emerged, she immediately set Ikkime with an icy death glare.
"Not a single word from you," she hissed.
"Ooooo sexy sexy!" she teased and she went to go change into her uniform. Coming back, she helped Lucille tie on her apron and lead her back into the main cafe "You know how to make tea and coffee right?" she tied on her appron and stretched for a moment before putting up her hair in a pony tail.
"Of course not," Lucille said brashly, cheeks flushing at the other girl's compliments. "I've never had a use to serve others before, especially with such lack luster beverages. What, we can't give them soda or something from the fridge?"
She followed Ikkime back into the main, trying to keep her head down and avoid the gazes of the Chasers. No doubt they would notice the new addition to their cafe staff and she tried to follow Ikkime with eyes averted, trying not to trip over her own feet.
"Well Mrs.High Society, this isn't any western restaurant nor is it open for a bunch of normal people. This is a cosplay cafe and specifically for Chasers, one of the main bases in this city in fact. We have soda's but it's different from anything like that, and tea or coffee is much desired here. I'm a bit insulted, but none the less you are a forienger so I cant blame you for your opinion."
She went over to the counter and pulled out a pot for tea and another for coffee, putting them on "You dont have to do much here, just pour into these" she pointed to the tea and coffee cups "make sure a plate is under the cup so they dont burn themselves and dont burn yourself, i'll be next to you so ill help you when I can, but burns aren't that fun" she joked.
"Compared to an encounter with that thing from before, I don't think a little burn will mean much to me," Lucille said drily. "And it's not like I came from a rich family or anything. People just don't drink tea where I come from."
She did as she was instructed, pouring the liquids delicately into each glass and placing them gently on the plate tray. As she did so, she couldn't help but notice the creepy old man that seemed to be hitting on all of the girls present, especially Ikkime for some reason. Not only that, but there was a...a kid?
"Don't tell me you're actually hiring before school age," said Lucille with disbelief. "And I'm pretty sure you should call the cops on that man over there."
Ikkime watched the girl and worked on cutting food when she spoke, not stopping "Eh, that's not so benign, but he's not here for work, he's here cause we saved him yesterday, little guy was getting attacked by some youkai that ended up having some strong enemies using the kid as a decoy" she looked up and watched as Amiti was simply being a kid and enjoying life, making her smile.
Reaching under the counter, she pulled out more strawberry stick candies and took one herself before giving the little boy some "Dont tell that one" she nodded off towards his grandfather who was busy with harassing the other workers.
"Eh the other maids know how to handle themselves extremely well, and he's...an old timer chaser, it's expected from him, he's been a pervert old guy for a long time, but he wont cross the line if you make sure to set it" she looked back down and her tails appeared again, picking up supplies and making food behind her as she started preparing the already finished food.
"So the boy's another Crimson Sky victim then?"
Lucille set her scarlet-eyed gaze on Amiti for just a moment longer with interest in her expression. Maybe he too was a lost soul like her in some way? Probably not but it couldn't hurt to make more friends other than Ikkime. After all, she'd be staying for quite some time as things turned out.
Ikkime shook her head "yes and no, it's complicated..." she went on to explain to Lucille the situation that happened.
