The Purity of White Seems To Be Red - ShiMayu fanfiction | Sousei no Onmyouji

Chapter 3

A/N: This story is facing a rough start or so it seems. XD What did you like so far and more importantly, what didn't you like?

Chapter 3

The Heavenly Commanders were the strongest exorcists in the world, having inherited the titles and powers of Abe no Seimei's shikigami. In this moment and at one point, the best exorcists were gathered and with them was Mayura. Intimated did not quite catch the way Mayura felt. She had met most of them in the last months, separately and on meetings of the noble families. She had joined them at the ceremony that was held when she became an official Heavenly Commander (1). But being surrounded by all eleven made her so nervous, that her hands quivered. Holding both in front of her chest, she hoped nobody saw her anxiety. Swallowing harshly her eyes passed that of those strange people with their strange appearances and habits. She felt eyes on her and turned around. Her gaze came to rest on the fuchsia haired man with eyes as blue as the sky on a summer's day. Among those people he seemed rather normal and young. But if one looked into his eyes, you could see the power and strength held in them. She was feeling less nervous watching him, knowing a private side of him. A side that cared deeply for his sister, a side that adored her own father and was determined to fight to protect. But it would appear strange if she looked only at him the whole meeting. She couldn't do that, could she?

While she was still weighing the advantages and disadvantages of starring at Shimon the whole meeting, the head of the exorcists Tsuchimikado Arima entered the room. He seemed cheerful as most of the time she saw him but Mayura knew better than to trust that look. She had seen a very dark look in his face in the aftermath of the fight against the two Basaras. Since then she was careful about him, she had a natural dislike towards people who put on an act. He had saved her but had put the life of her friends on the line although he could have stopped the conflict.

The people around her started to move forming a circle leaving just enough space for her to enter. Shyly she walked to that spot when Tsuchimikado-sama rose his voice. "Mayura-chan, can you step forward for a second?"

She froze as the twelve pairs of eyes rested on her. Swallowing down her fears, she nodded quickly and crossed the circle so she stood in its middle before the Exorcists' Head.

Tsuchimikado-sama smiled at her rather friendly and grabbed her by the shoulders, turning her around like he wanted to present her to the others. "Otomi Mayura is only 16 years old and the newest addition to the rank of the Heavenly Commanders. After two years Byakko demanded for a substitute and in the battle against number four and nine of the Basara he gave Otomi his powers. Otomi will therefore take the seat of her father. Congratulations again."

"Eh... Arigato." Hadn't they done that already at the Ceremony of Accession a few weeks ago?

"Welcome to the rank of the Heavenly Commanders, Byakko."

'That title still feels strange,' Mayura thought.

He leaned towards her and whispered with a much colder voice. "You may return to your spot."

Mayura turned around, questions ran through her head as her gaze was glued to the floor. 'What was that for?'

As she crossed the circle again, someone cleared his throat in a very obviously matter.

Her steps faulted only once. But still Mayura kept on walking to her spot which was between the blue haired Inanaki Arata (2) and the rather short Zeze Miku (3). When she looked up she saw last person mustering her. "I know she is Seigen-san's daughter but is she really powerful enough?"

That weird grinning guy with glasses – he was called Ujii Kengo (4), if she remembered correctly – voiced his opinion directly. "Agreed. Just because she is his daughter does not qualify her to be an Heavenly Commander."