A Shadow From The Past

Yuu's P.O.V.

Yoichi and Kimizuki stood next to me on either side, steeling themselves for what came next. Yoichi was visibly trembling, though I could tell that he was straining not to. On my other side I caught a glimpse of Kimizuki's eager, sly smile. He couldn't stand waiting around. He wanted to rush right into the task ahead of us. As for me, I was simmering. I couldn't believe that Guren had chosen now, of all times, to train us in the art of using a demon sword. I knew deep down that it was better than the alternative-- getting ripped to shreds by Ferid and his puppets-- but still, I was furious. And how dare he say what he had said, especially to my face?! "Shinoa, take them belowgrouyds and give them their demon swords. Make sure you tell Mitsuba to gather some support; we're going to need as many people as possible to kill Mika and the others." The very thought made me shake with rage. He knew that Mika and I were joined at the hip, and he still had the nerves--!

A trio of guards stepped aside after a brief exchange with Shinoa. An imposing door was left unblocked. The words:" Imperial Demon Army students only. Violators will be prosecuted" were stamped on the door in bold letters. Shine pushed it open deliberately and motioned for the three of us to follow her. Her face was passive and unsympathetic in the darkness; gone was the playful grin that I had come to despise.  She stood in front of three weapons that glinted faintly and dove into a lecture about controlling the demons in each weapon. I listened intently, aware of the importance of her words. Shine preached self-control and courage, strength and resolve.  Most importantly, she warned us that the demons lying dormant in each weapon would refer to our greatest desires, and that we were not, under any circumstances, to give in.

Finally, Shinoa let us choose our weapons. One immediately stood out. It was a long, straight-bladed sword with a black sheath. The handle was black and gold and a glow emanated from the blade. I knew that this was the one that I wanted and rushed toward it. The moment my outstretched fingers curled around around the sword's hilt, my surroundings vanished.

I was standing in midair, a few feet away from an indigo-haired demon. He was balanced precariously on the tip of the sword's sheath, which was odd, seeing as how, technically speaking, the sword wasn't actually present. The demon's long hair flowed around him and he was clothed in a white dress that made him look convincingly feminine.

"I am Asuramaru." He greeted me with an outlaw's smile.

"I'm Yuu," I replied uncomfortably.

"Yes, I know," he replied honestly. "I know all about you. I know about your current problems, and how you want to avenge the deaths of your family. I can help you with that. I'm powerful." Asuramaru's eyes were sparkling. He held out a hand to me and added, "Join me, and I can help you get revenge. It's what your family would want."

 I almost shook his hand. Almost. But I held back, thinking of my family and remembering Shinoa's words. Asuramaru was just manipulating me, using my emotions to his advantage. Besides, I knew that my family would never want me to get revenge for them. That much I knew.

"No," I responded, shaking my head. "You're lying to me. I know how this works. You're trying to possess me." I took a step back, feeling a bit skittish, but also simultaneously brave.

Asuramaru gave a tinkling laugh. "You are correct. I can see that you are well-informed. I like you, Yuu, and I agree to work for you." The demon emitted another laugh and vanished.