Eros. (Benimaru Shinmon)

十四 ✾

I was still lost in thought and it has been four hours since he left and three hours since the vendors dropped off their son, Ichijiro. I knew I should be more focused on the 4-year-old in front of me but Benimaru confused me with his words and actions.

The sound of a ball slapping against something caused me to snap out of it as I watched Ichijiro play with his kendama. It was cute to see him attempt to pull the ken up and balance the Tama somewhere on the ken. For a four-year-old he sure was bright.

"Good job Ichi~" I praised as I clapped at him and he smiled as he walked up towards me and gave me a closer look.

"I did it!" he cheered.

"That you did!" I praised.

Soon the attempted to do it again only this time the ball hit his hand and the toy flew out of his hand. I was expected him to cry, but he only got up and went to get his toy considering it went outside and was pretty far. But it would only take him at least a minute to get the toy and come back...what was taking him so long. I walked over outside to see he was in pure shock as he turned his head to the left and remained still. I followed the direction of his gaze and noticed A pitch-black face slowly turning our direction, flames outlining the charcoal vessel actively. It was indistinguishable, almost anonymous.

It was the Infernal!

Soon an evil grin was plastered on his face as he turned to look at us and then focused his direction towards the kid. He continued to stare at him with blank orange eye sockets and soon he charged at him. He immediately dropped the toy.

His hands tremble and his eyes water as the beast was coming closer to him. I swiftly ran out of my home and threw myself to shield him from the blast the beast threw his way. We both rolled and tumbled into the wall of another home.

The beast just laughed and went to attack us one again. All I could do was dodge us from the blows. The buildings around us were going ablaze and were marked with burns. Where was the peacekeeper's brigade, I thought they were supposed to put the infernals in this town to rest? What the hell was happening.

A monstrous screech sounded from deep within the monster was emitted. The surge of heatwaves danced around my kneeled form. It was no use waiting for them right now. I needed to protect this kid. My eyes glowed to radiate with power in front of this being. My white blank irises bored its color reflected that of snow.

"I must protect this kid!"

My eyes focused on the darkness, looking, searching, trying to find the reason for me to kill this thing. Without my sword, I can only rely on what was around me. An abandoned rod pole would so well. I quickly ran to grab the rod while holding Ichijiro close to me in my arms as the anger within me grew.

I closed my eyes concentrating on the monster's movements, listening to everything. I listened to its hoarse breath as it grunted, its overgrown limbs that almost dragging across the ground as it ran. The sound of the flickering flames across its body as it rushed towards me, most importantly I listed for when I could strike...a weakness in its movement.

'hmmm...' a smirk spread across my face as I noticed the flaw.

"Ichi~ can you close your eyes and hold on tight?" I asked.

The kid did exactly what I did and buried himself at the crook of my neck.

My eyes darted open as I sprinted into action taking only a few steps before bringing my finely dense weapon along with my pyrokinetic ability down through the Infernal's body slicing it in half. Taking a few steps backward as the Infernal regenerated before me.

With quick movements, I brought the hot piece of metal to my face in an almost protective stance. I placed one finely carved hand over the top of the rod and clasped around it as if to test the rod's quality. My flames seeped through the rod creating lines of deep bluish-white running through the rod. A long intake of breath signaled my frustration as I waited. My clothes stuck to my skin from the sweat that dripped from my face and arms. Soot and dirt were covered all over my clothing. I tilted the rod in the direction of the monster.

The beast was now crazy with bloodlust as he knew he really wanted to put an end towards us. Its body quivered with rapture as it got ready to ambush us. Its eyes were crazy with desire as it ran towards me, not moving to dodge. Basking in the sight of his greatest pray being offered to him unafraid, and untouched it jumped readying its claws to dig into my soft almost translucent white skin. I watched in anticipation as the Infernal bolted towards me full of hunger and demand.

"Inori!" someone yelled out as they ran towards my aid but given the distance, they wouldn't have made it in time. I needed to put an end to this. I leaped from my stance, directing my now flaming-hot rod at the Infernal. Blinking would have meant missing the movement for those around, but to me, it was fluid, almost like breathing. With one leap into the air and one final slice towards the earth, I punctured the Infernals body with my rod, impaled through its heart that was located in the chest. Sending a reeling scream through the night as my rod came to contact with the monster's chest, I had accomplished my goal.

Shrieks of agony filled the town as the rod I had used to put an end to the Infernal caused it to go to ash and to rest in peace without the proper prayer but given that another Infernal came and houses in this area were burned, it received the proper Asakusa ceremony.

Putting an end to this infernal made on thing clear, this was the only way to get rid of these damn demons and the fact that I had fought one was fun as she brought myself to calm my self down and focus my attention towards the child who remained at the crook of my neck.

"Ichi~ you can lift your head up now," I responded, and yet there was no movement.

I put my hand around him to feel him breathing slightly almost rhythmically which caused me to smile. He felt that safe to actually fall asleep in my arms when we both could have been killed.

The rod now lying on the ground, abandoned in a pile of ashes where the Infernal was taken out.

"Inori?"

I turned my attention towards the two guys who witnessed everything that happened. I guess my secret was out now as I looked into Konro and Benimaru that cast such heart-breaking sadness, shock, and confusion, rendering me completely immobile. How was it possible that the Gentle Maiden of Asakusa was in fact a Beautiful Blaze of Force to be reckoned with ?