Into Another World (The Lost Souls Trilogy)

-They Know-

Japan stayed at the school over the weekend, cleaning up his class room as he usually did, preparing it for the next week. Though it never got that dirty, he was just used to keeping a tidy work area. The task helped him take his mind off of things too, but one nagging thought wouldn't go away. Aku-no.

It bothered him. Japan knew of Aku-no, the creature had been around even longer than him, and Japan had even met him when he was younger, a lot younger. He could recognize those eyes anywhere, but why now, and why Aoi?

Japan finished cleaning up and left, heading for China's house instead of his own. He knocked on the door softly and seconds later the door opened.

"Nǐ dàodǐ xiǎng yào shénme-" China paused after he saw Japan. "Oh, I did not expect didi here. That is rare of you." He shielded his eyes from the glare of the sun.

"Ohayo niisan." Japan bowed to China, who returned the gesture. "Are you feeling well today?"

"I am fine, something is bothering you, huh?" China narrowed his eyes at him. "You only come here when you need something from me, ah such a bad brother you are," he joked.

"Yes, and no."

"Nà hǎo ba." China sighed as he led Japan inside of his home, sitting him down on the couch. "Would you like anything to eat? Drink? I did make some baozi, if you like."

"Ie ie, I am okay Yao."

"More for me then." He grabbed one of the buns and sat down across from Japan. "Alright then, say it. Why did you come here."

"Creatures, the ones from mythology, the ones that are real, I need to know if they can come back."

"Well of course they do, in one way or another. Surely you knew this too, Kiku."

"Hai, domo..." Japan paused, "I think a dangerous one has come back recently, one that we thought vanished a millennium ago."

China perked up in interest. "Is that so? Which one do you suspect?"

"The white snake, I believe."

"Báishé?"

"Hai, but his true name is Aku-no."

"Aku-no... it does sound familiar. Like that little boy that takes after you or Kuro. What's his name..." China took a bite into his food as he thought for a minute. "Akuyaku, correct?"

"Hai? I do not think there is much correlation between the two, though. I guess the names are similar."

"I think your judgment is wrong, didi. It is not about how the names are similar. You question how do creatures come back, duì ba? I think Báishé has taken the boy to be his host."

"Ie. Akuyaku is not his host," Japan argued, "at least, not anymore."

China narrowed his eyes. "Nǐ shì shén​​me yìsi not anymore?" He asked, quoting Japan.

"Yao, I think Aku-no's new host is Koharu Aoi."