To Love a Killer

Demons

"Natalia, are you here? Can you hear me?" asked Sakura. She was standing outside my yard, waving. I didn't want to let her in, but I opened the gate. 

"I just wanted to ask if you know Gantetsu's technique," she said. When I looked at her, confused, she said, "Look, Gantetsu uses a mix of both physical and magical attacks," she said.

"Look, Sakura, I know I can defeat him. I just need to practice," I said. I couldn't help but look at her, her pale hair blowing in the wind and her turquoise dress shimmering. That must have been what attracted Gantetsu's attention. 

"No, you don't understand! You need balance. Counter the physical with magic. That's what class is all about, isn't it?" Sakura asked. 

"So what are you saying? That I need to learn your flimsy magic? If you want, I can use you as a target!" I snapped back. Sakura was just disrespecting me now. Thinking her stupid magic was so much better than my fighting skills. I sighted, and then thought of a certain weapon. A weapon that was infused with deadly magic. I thought about making my way to the temple, but I had one more question.

"So, Sakura, I have a question. Since you are an expert about magic and spirituality and all that," I started. 

"Yes?" 

"I was wondering...you know, what it meant if you see a world of color. A rush of heat toward someone. Like...a thread connecting you to them," I said. I must have sounded like a sappy lovesick dog by then. But surprisingly, Sakura did not poke fun at me.

"Oh, Natalia. You are meeting your soulmate right there," she said, laughing gently. Her angry voice suddenly became sweet and soft. "You are meeting the one who you loved a past life."

"No...what? Why?" I said, heartbroken. I was fated to kill my soulmate, or him me. 

"Natalia, you must understand that this is a very beautiful thing. To meet your soulmate. Your fate is intertwined," she said. 

"All right, then. Thank you, Sakura," I said. 

Sakura bowed her head in a good-bye and walked out the gate. I watched her turquoise dress disappear down the hill and started to form a plan. Never mind the soulmate thing, I neede magic to counted Gantetsu's. There was one thing that could help, and it was located in the temple. 

When I stood outside the door, I stared at the statues looking back down at me. The doors were locked, which wasn't unusual. Inside was the forbidden weapon. I scaled the building and snuck in through the circular hole in the roof. Landing on the dusty floor, I reached the case in the middle of the room. Inside that case was the weapon that most called the Tsubaki. A violet disk-shaped weapon. This type of weapon was used to throw at the enemy, but the Tsubaki was different. It could shoot "petals" from the blade. It is fabled to have a flower demon sealed inside. And a flower demon like this one is no laughing matter. 

It may have just been my imagination, but I could hear voices and hisses coming from the Tsubaki. It started glowing a poisonous violet. This was dangerous. To have a demon's attention on you is wishing to get killed. After all, a demon was what made the Order's traitor turn his back. But the Tsubaki's demon magic, it could surely counter Gantetsu's. 

"Is this enough, Sakura?" I muttered. I wanted to steal this weapon, but I had to see what Gantetsu could do first. Would the Tsubaki's power be too much? After all, it was the forbidden weapon of the Sect. Because the Sangria's champion won the last match, the Tsubaki was trusted with the Sangria Sect. 

Just then, I heard the demon screaming, shouting, and I rushed out of there. I didn't want a curse from such a ancient weapon. For the first time in my life, I was afraid.