Calling The Reaper

A Family's Chilling Discovery

It had been only a couple of hours after Shichi disappeared. Mon and Tsukiko had told Aito what had happened and he was in shock. They all rallied together at the cafe they had been to before and sat at the same table near the front. Mon was shaking her head in disbelief and frustration. 

Mon:How could I let this happen?! I could have stopped Zenaku and saved Shichi! 

Aito:Its not your fault. Zenaku is just too powerful for any of us. And now that he has Shichi and the shard, I'm afraid he's even more powerful. 

They just put their heads down and tried to think of a way to get Shichi back. They were quickly snapped out of their deep thinking when a sudden bang on the table made their heads snap up. They all stared in terror to see Shichi's brother Shoukku who didn't seem too happy. 

Shoukku:Where is Shichi? And don't tell me you don't know her because I saw her hanging out with you people at this very spot in this cafe. Now tell me the truth about where she is. 

Tsukiko was about to say something when Mon quickly put her hand over her mouth to keep her from telling him about Zenaku. She looked at the table then at Shoukku. 

Mon:She's at my house. Asleep. She had ran there because I asked her to come over yesterday. When she got there, she was completely worn out. 

Shoukku:Then why aren't you with her? 

Mon:Because we decided to step out for a bit and didn't want to wake her. 

Shoukku was hesitant at believing her story. He didn't know who she was and how she was connected to his sister. He just nodded and began to walk out of the cafe when he turned to Mon. 

Shoukku:Tell her to come home as soon as you see her. 

With that, he walked out of the cafe leaving an uneasy Mon at the table. She let out a sigh she had been holding in and placed her head on the table. She never thought she would get away with telling Shoukku a lie but how would she be able to tell him that his sister was taken by a power hungry maniac that wants to steal her powers? He might not have even believed her. But now there was another problem. How would Shichi get home when she was gone?! Mon thought for a moment then had an idea. She would trick Shoukku and Yoroshii into believing that she was ok. Mon quickly got up, startling both Aito and Tsukiko. Mon got up and left the cafe with Aito and Tsukiko following. She ran as fast as she could to Shichi's house and stopped near the door. Aito and Tsukiko had followed and were worn out. Tsukiko looked at the house then at Mon.

Tsukiko:Why are we here?

Mon:I'm going to make them believe that Shichi is ok.

Aito:How are you going to do that?

Mon:Just watch. Spirit of illusion!

Mon concentrated hard and a fuzzy image began to form in front of her. It took the shape of a girl and the details slowly appeared. Aito and Tsukiko looked at it to see a fake Shichi standing before them. Aito looked at it then put his hand on the illusion's shoulder, making sure it was a real enough illusion. It felt real to the touch and also looked real but they had yet to know if it sounded real.

Aito:Make her say something.

Mon:Hold on.

Mon closed her eyes and imagined the words flowing from Shichi's mouth. The illusion then opened its mouth and talked.

Shichi:I'm fine Shoukku. I was at Mon's house, asleep.

The words sounded real and Mon was confident that it would work. She made Shichi walk up to the door and open it only to have an angry Shoukku stare at her.

Shoukku:Where have you been? I've been worried.

Mon concentrated again and made the fake Shichi say the words it said earlier.

Shichi:I'm fine Shoukku. I was at Mon's house, asleep.

Shouuku:I heard. Just get in here.

Mon made the fake walk into the house, run up the stairs, and close the door. She released the illusion and held in the tiring breath she wanted to let out from using her powers. Shoukku shook his head then looked back at Mon.

Shoukku:Thank you for looking after her. You can go now.

Aito:You're welcome. Bye.

They turned and began to leave when Tsukiko looked back only to see Yoroshii run up the stairs and knock on Shichi's door. She began to panic as Yoroshii knocked more, waiting for his sister's approval so he could walk into her room. Tsukiko tugged on Mon's arm and whispered to her.

Tsukiko:Shichi's brother is about to find out that she's not in her room!

Mon looked at Tsukiko in horror then at Yoroshii who was still knocking. She was about to create the illusion again but didn't have time to because of Yoroshii suddenly opening the door and asking Shichi where she was. He was looking around the room and screamed when he opened up the closet to see a giant snake. He ran over to Shoukku and began crying, saying that Shichi was turned into a scary snake. Shoukku was trying to calm him as they ran out of the house and slammed the door. Shoukku was telling Yoroshii that its not possible for people to become animals. Shoukku then looked at Mon who stared at him, her mouth open and a sense of dread overcoming her. She realized there was no way to trick them at this point so she just sighed and opened the door to the house. Shouuku grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the door. He looked at her like she was crazy.

Shoukku:What are you doing?! There's a snake in there!

Mon:I know. It won't hurt us.

She didn't give him any time to protest and walked in and made her way to the edge of the stairs. Henshin made his way to her and began to slither up her leg and made his way to her face, wrapping his body around hers. She looked at Shoukku who looked like he was scared beyond belief. Mon petted Henshin on the head and looked at Shoukku. She took a deep breath, knowing that what she was about to tell Shichi's brothers would upset them.

Mon:This is Henshin, Shichi's pet.

Shoukku:Shichi doesn't have any pets.

Aito:Yes she does. Henshin has been with her for a long time now.

Mon:4 years to be exact. Shoukku, Yoroshii. I need you to sit. You won't like what I tell you.

Shoukku looked at Mon then did what she said. He kept his eyes on Henshin as he made his was to the couch with Yoroshii clinging to his arm. Mon and Tsukiko sat on the floor while Aito sat down in the chair. Henshin slithered off of Mon and transformed into a kitten before climbing on Tsukiko's lap and falling asleep. Shoukku and Yoroshii looked at Henshin, unable to believe they had just seen a snake become a kitten. Shoukku looked at Mon, waiting for the answers to his questions. She took another deep breath and told them everything she knew from the spirits. After a few minutes, she finished and looked at the stunned brothers. Shoukku shook his head and laid it on his hands. He was shocked at all the information he was still trying to take in. He looked at Mon.

Shoukku:Is that all true? That Shichi fights demons and can change form? That she's your leader?  And that that... thing is her pet?

Henshin looked up and hissed at Shoukku then went back to sleep. Mon nodded her head.

Mon:Yes. Its all true.

Shoukku took a deep breath, scared for the answer to his next question.

Shoukku:And its also true that Zenaku took her?

Mon nodded again. Shouku couldn't believe that the man they had allowed into their house took his sister. No wonder she was acting strange. He banged his fists on the table, scaring everyone in the room.

Shoukku:Its my fault! If only I had known!

Mon:Its not your fault. Zenaku had attacked her before you even met him but we were able to stop him last time. This time, however, he ambushed us... and took Shichi.

The room fell quiet. Everyone hated the fact that Shichi was gone and they didn't know where she was. Shoukku stood up and everyone looked at him.

Shoukku:We have to find her. I don't care how long it takes. We're going to find Shichi.