Eros. (Benimaru Shinmon)

四十一❊

I was upset, lost, and annoyed. I didn't want him to find out about me and now he did. But I can tell from his attitude that he had changed. Regardless of him, I needed to finish this mission so I could leave this town once again. 

I left the building and noticed the people of Asakusa were fighting with one another. So rear to see, an uproar amongst the citizens of Asakusa, with several people accusing each other of crimes they have no recollection on.

"There you are you bitch!"

I turned to see the same woman who I had "slain" earlier and declared years back that she was Benimaru's girlfriend, Aimi. I sighed as she walked up towards me, "You would come back and mess with my husband."

"Husband..." I thought with an eyebrow quirked as I rolled my eyes and walked away from her foolishness. Perhaps she and Benimaru did get married and if they did, great for them and it would explain the kids I heard in the background. 

"Hey!" Aimi yelled as she reached to touch my shoulder only to freeze when she felt my cold blade at her neck.

"Listen, and listen good," I muttered, "You touch me, keep talking to me, or even breath within 6 feet of me, I'll kill you."

She held her breath in shock and remained frozen, unsure of what she should do causing me to slightly smirk at her predicament. It did confirm that the corpse I had killed to save that man I turned around and continued on my way and observing the behavior in the town. 

Everyone was arguing with one another. Yet through all this arguing, it was clear that there are several mysterious cases of mistaken identity. It was a complete mess. I leaned against the wall of an alleyway and began to think about everything that happened so far. The enemy probably did all this to cause chaos in Asakusa and probably did the same thing to the individuals who plagued Benimaru's mind with the idea that Akitaru and his lieutenant were responsible for the bar owner's internalization. But what would be their next move...

Suddenly, a fire erupted from an explosion. Soon another and then another erupted. A series of explosions chained off around Asakusa. The explosions start spreading and heat everything within the building and burns everything. In the general area. Déjà vu.

Was I meant to relive these experiences as before?

"It's an Infernal!"

"There's an infernal here, too!"

"Someone call the Fire Force!"

"Talk about hands being tied," I mumbled. I could only imagine what Benimaru was going through with this mess escalating every second with each explosion. This is his jurisdiction after all and since he didn't request our help-we won't help him. 

Soon my phone rang as I picked it up and held it to my ear.

"Are you seeing this?!" Akira yelled.

"I am but even though Asakusa is/was our home-we can't do anything," I replied, "Refrain from acting on your emotion and follow Akitaru's orders. I am still investigating and it is clear that this confusion of the fires and people arguing is a distraction. The enemy most likely will come to you guys so be prepare."

"Will do."

"Also, make sure to protect Ichijiro," I ordered.

"Yes."

"What a mess," I groaned as I remained in the alleyway and looked up at the catastrophe happening before my eyes. Everyone was in a panic and running. Loud snarls could be heard around the alley as I turned and noticed two Infernals running towards me as I pulled my blade out and slashed at their core instantly causing their bodies to separate and disintegrate. I looked up and notice more heading my way. I quickly ran out of the area and towards the 

Looking back I noticed that more had found their way towards me as if they were attracted to me in some kind of way but I knew I couldn't act on them considering that there were still civilians around the area.

I turned as they followed. 

When I noticed I was close enough to the river, I immediately pulled out my blade and took a deep breath and slashed towards the horde of Infernals. Using that concentrated slash, my flames burned each infernal that came in contact with it.

All that was left was charred ground and smoldering smoke where they once stood. I sheathed my sword and proceeded to make myself hidden and to observe anything peculiar and yet I couldn't. 

I heard a low snarl and looked up to see an Infernal only this one was different from the batch that had followed me.  This one was horned and had a stronger heat signature compared to normal infernals.  My body grows cold, and I can't feel a thing. My eyes are wide, and my breath is shallow and choppy.

Everything about that night in Asakusa rushes through my mind.

"Benimaru, help Akira and let me fight the Infernal..." I remembered.

"Not a chance in hell I am letting you fight them!"

I blinked and looked at the demon Infernal as it made its way closer towards me. Without warning, my rage exploded inside of me, smoke emits from my mouth, and I use the heat of my pyrokinetic abilities to zip through the air, flying toward the Infernal. 

My blades cut through its cheek, and it howls. Stumbling around, its head whips back and forth, searching for me. Again, I come down on it hard, bringing my blades through its hard molten skin. Though I didn't make a scratch or dent on it, I wasn't holding back on it. With a bit more strength, I brought my blade down and sliced the Infernal, again and again, leaving it no time to react.

I swiftly went my way underneath it and kicked the beast higher into the air at an increasingly greater speed. I knew considering the durability and strength of this Infernal it would be impossible to defeat it on the ground and with the amount of firepower needed to put an end to it, it could annihilate Asakusa. Even though I left this town-Asakusa was my first home.

It roared out loud catching the attention of those in the area. I don't know why these Infernals were coming after me and why those members of the White-Clad were targeting me and forcing me to come out of hiding. Since this what they wanted, I'll give them just that.

"Inori!" 

"That sound..."

I couldn't stop now! No, not when I had an audience especially with the man who prevented me from joining the Hikeshi Brigade watching. I closed my eyes and continued to kick higher and higher. Considering the altitude of the air, I knew this would be a safe distance from the town's people of Asakusa.

"Watch closely Benimaru..."

I opened my eyes as they glowed a pristine white. The energy around me grew stronger and there were streaks of lightning already forming around me.

Soon a loud boom sound echoed through Asakusa. Everyone looked around out of confusion on the event and turned their head upwards to see the Demon Infernal immobilized in the air-not moving-as if he was simply frozen. I quickly reappeared on the ground beneath the Demon Infernal and disappeared again, causing another loud sound. 

When I reappeared once again, I glanced down to see that the upper torso of the Demon Infernal was cleaved off. I soon looked upwards at my blade and noticed that it had broken off causing me to smile-even though I broke it, Asakusa was somewhat safe. The Demon Infernal exploded.

I started to fall from the air. My perception of time distorted, everything slowed down until there were nothing, only me and the sky above, the sky that seemed to swallow me whole. My hand reached out towards my sides, kissing the sky, grasping the endless crevasse of dark blue. Everything was a blur, Asakusa on fire... Asakusa burning... was all a blur that swirled out of existence.

Even though I left this town I was glad that I had made that choice...because I wouldn't have been able to prove to you that I can fight and protect Asakusa just like you...Benimaru.