The Living Flame

Chapter 17: The 7th

Matchbox

Y/N POV:

All of us except for Iris were in the matchbox heading to Asakusa the home of the 7th. Our reasoning for going here was because after talking about the past of the 8th it was brought up that our first call was some infernal dressed in white robes. I remember putting it down without having any problems. However there were plenty of strange factors involving the incident. The business where it happened was still functioning to this day. And it just so happened to be located in Asakusa.

As we drove into Asakusa Shinra was amazed by all of the old architecture of the district. I explained to him that Asakusa followed the old traditions of Japan before the start of the sun calendar. Shinra was confused "you'd be surprised to know that before Sol many cultures across the world worshiped many gods" I told him. "Wow Y/N that's super cool" Shinra said. "My question is how do you know that you aren't that old?" Arthur asked.

"I am going to pretend that you didn't say that but let's just say I have an extensive amount of knowledge that not to many people have" I answered. Maki giggled a bit "what's so funny Maki?" I asked her. "Oh it's nothing Y/N, it's just weird seeing you be the one being made fun of" she answered. "Yeah very funny, it doesn't bother me I'm used to that stuff" I replied. "Arthur be careful what you say to Y/N his feelings get hurt easily" Maki said teasingly.

Time Skip

Asakusa

"He's not going to like us being here chief" I say to the captain "relax Y/N, we are playing it on his terms" chief says. "Besides it's not like he can refuse" sarge says. I let out a sigh "I'd rather not cause a problem though" chief says. "You don't think he'll have a problem with Y/N?" Shinra asked. "Why would he have a problem with Y/N?" Maki asked. Both the chief and Shinra look at me "what did you do?" Maki asks in stern tone. "Um nothing" I answered nervously "he totally threatened to beat up their captain" Shinra answered.

Maki gave me that look scolding me for my actions "not like I had a choice dude was being disrespectful and slowing the whole meeting down running his mouth" I said. Maki sighed "I better not catch you causing problems" Maki said to me. I could hear both Shinra, Arthur, Tamaki and chief silently laughing at me. "Okay dear I promise" I said sarcastically that made Maki nervously blush and start to lose her cool.

Finally we made it to the 7th's station it was a small building that looked like a bathhouse. It wasn't grand like the 1st's or a rundown church like ours. It was modest and fit well with the district's style and beliefs. "Well we're here" chief said going inside first. We all followed behind him, my hopes were that we could just go in and out and get our investigation.

As I expected Benimaru did not take to well to us being here in his district. "I don't care why you are here, I wasn't informed so leave" he told us with a clear sign of annoyance. "Sorry I was trying to avoid the formalities that you hate so much" chief said. "Got him there" I think to myself. "I do not care about this so-called Evangelist and don't want you to do anything to disrupt my turf" Benimaru tells us.

I could tell this guy was starting to get to Shinra, I was barely holding back my anger as it was. "I don't believe in the empire or this idea that there is a group turning people into infernals despite what that brat says" Benimaru says to use. That was it that was my breaking point Maki held my arm trying to hold me back. I couldn't let this guy just insult my captain and my underling like that. I stepped in front of the others and when Benimaru saw me things changed a bit.

"You do nothing but hide from the world's problems denying that anything is happening despite being called the mightiest hikeshi" I say to him with my arms crossed. "Your that fool that had the nerve to threaten me at the ridiculous meeting" Benimaru said. "So what if I am and besides it got you to shut up" I replied. I could tell that Benimaru was bothered a bit by what I said.

You could tell that things in the room were starting to heat up. Before things could escalate even further between Benimaru and I a loud bell began to ring. Things changed from there Benimaru's attention was elsewhere. He and the person he was with ran out of the building. Chief said that we should go and see what the problem was. We ran outside to hear that one of the citizens of Asakusa had went infernal.

Chief asked Benimaru if we could do anything to help. His answer was "this is my turf let me do this". The most interesting thing happened the people of Asakusa began to gather around and throw matoi into the air. It was like a festival in the sky Benimaru began to ride the matoi like a rocket. With his ability he ignited the matoi and used them as weapons to attack the infernal. The one named Konro explained to us that Benimaru is a compound soldier meaning he has the power of both a second and third generation.

While attacking the infernal Benimaru's matoi ended up destroying a lot of the city. Instead of being upset all of the people watching were cheering for him. Konro explains to us that the reason for the people not being upset was that the houses could be rebuilt. It made a lot of sense to us homes were just buildings that could be rebuilt. Apparently the buildings were offered up as offering to keep the plague away.

Things were starting to make sense now for the others I had an idea of how those who believed in the old ways lived but this was something else. "People are constantly afraid of the ways to die in this world but for us here we are looking for a way to die" Konro explained to us. The others were confused "they aren't afraid of death it's not a matter of how for them it's a matter of when" I said.

"In Asakusa when people turn infernal they want Benimaru to be the one to put their souls to rest" Konro told us. Seeing Benimaru put the infernal to rest finally and hearing how these people view him really changed my perspective of him. Maybe he wasn't only a rude a disrespectful person maybe he was something else a well respected person who was trusted by the people of his community. His name was Benimaru and to the people of Asakusa he was called the Demolition King.

Time Skip

After the infernal had been put to rest and the "festival was over the people of Asakusa began to rebuild the homes and buildings that were destroyed. It was amazing to see everyone here working together to rebuild all that was destroyed. Benimaru ordered that those who's homes were destroyed were to stay with those who's homes weren't destroyed. As everyone started to build chief suggested that we help them out.

All of us agreed to help rebuild instead of stand there watching. We were visitors here and it would be best to help these people out. Chief also figured that helping would show Benimaru that we weren't bad people and that we cared. I didn't bother me that we had to earn his trust because the old man always taught me trust is earned not given. Maki and I teamed up to help while Shinra and Arthur helped other some others. Chief and Sage were helping with clearing the rubble while Tamaki was helping these old ladies out.

I could see that Benimaru was suprised to see us helping his people rebuild. I could also see Konro talking to him. "Do keep an eye on him" Asmodeus whispered "he's very unpredictable" Kashgar whispered. They were right it would be best to keep an eye on him. Benimaru wasn't named the Demolition King for nothing and wasn't viewed as one of the strongest fire soldiers for no reason. Hopefully there wouldn't be any more problems between us from here on out.

A/N: Hello there readers I hope you all enjoyed this chapter I am sorry for the lack of action involving Y/N and the others. I do promise that there will be lots of action in the next chapter. This chapter was just supposed to start things off for what is about to happen ycoming soon. Trust me things are about to go down and you don't want to miss it. Now I am always answering any questions you readers may have about the story or anything else in general. If there is a question that you want answered either message me or comment on a chapter with your question. I will do your best to answer your question to the best of my ability. As usual the feedback helps me make sure that the next chapter is better than the last one. As always thank you for reading and I will see you all later