Wicked Yokai Prince

Back home

By the time Rin and Shintaro made it back to the edge of the castle, they could there was a battle that went on. Fallen trees and ragged garden, there were parts of the manor that had been broken and ripped, fallen beams and pillars on the ground. The manor looked like it's been torn apart.

Rin wondered what happened when she was gone. She was worried the demon was going to seduce Jiro using her face, but it turned out to be further than her worries. Still it didn't make it any better that the demon tried to hurt Jiro.

"This way Rin-san." Called Shintaro running up ahead.

Rin followed Shintaro as they neared the gates, halting just as she was stopped right at the barrier.

Shintaro paused to allow himself a glimpe of Rin. White mask sitting intact on her face. "What's the matter? Why are you stopping?"

Rin shook her head, fret claimed the way she moved. "I can't. The barrier would not let me go through."

Shintaro wheeled around and stalk back to her, he leaned as to examine her closer. "It must be because of the oni then, you must have signature of his energy that's why the manor would not let you in."

"That must be it." Said Rin agreeing. "What should we do?"

Shintaro gave it a moment of thought. "What if I summon one of the servants to come here at the gate? Will any of them able to vouch for you?"

He knew the servants would not take likely to another faceless spirit trying to make entry. So it has to be someone who knew her well.

But Rin hasn't been a resident of the manor long enough to make good friends with everyone. She hesitated but thought of one spirit that she spent most of her time with.

"Koanashi?"

"Okay, how does this Koanashi looked like?"

"He's a shadow spirit. He lurks around the manor blending in the darkness."

"Fine! I'll go get him!"

Shintaro barely made it a few feet when a silver lightning struck out from above. Good thing his reflex and his attention were fast enough that he was able to evade the strike before it hit him.

Shintaro leaped fast like a breeze, light and quick, out of the way and positioned himself higher to the trees for heigh leverage.

Kurama soon landed, gentle and nimble on his feet. He wasn't wearing his baby blue robe, kurama wore a white sleeveless shirt and loose pants instead. His hair fanned around his shoulders as his feet touched the ground and cast an observant gaze on both Rin and Shintaro.

"State your business here, strangers!" He demanded; his voice was like a knife. Sharp and deadly.

"Kurama!" Rin called from where she stood, flailing her arms to him. "It's Rin! I had my face stolen."

Kurama narrowed his electric blue eyes to a slit. He recognized her voice and her figure, putting things together immediately. It didn't take long for him to let his guard down and ran over to Rin.

He saw the white mask she wore. Her face had been stolen. Now it all made sense to him, how a demon he had to help Jiro chase out of the red castle had the same face.

"Where have you been?" He scolded! "Do you know what happened here? How can you be so careless after all the precaution we warned you about, you stupid girl!"

Rin held herself nearly kneeling on the ground. Each time Kurama yelled at her, she sunk in lower and lower. "I'm sorry! I didn't know the demon was going to steal my face."

Kurama soon willed himself to calm down. It was not in his nature to lose his temper.

"How's Jiro?" Asked Rin immediately as soon as Kurama was within arms reach.

"Jiro is fine." He responded, "But he's worried about you." Kurama offered his hand to Rin. "Common, I should take you back to him."

Rin tried to place her hand inside his but the sting of Jiro's magic prevented her, making her yank her hand away. "I can't."

Kurama looked making sense of the barrier. "Hmm, looks like Jiro's magic doesn't like you."

Shintaro hopped on the ground, he casually made his way beside Rin. A little too comfortably for Kurama's assessment. "Who's this fool, Rin? Why is he with you?"

"The name is Shintaro!" He greeted and barred his teeth with a handsome grin. "I am a spirit world detective. I came to escort Rin-san back to the red castle."

Kurama held up his hand and blew on the surface of his palm aiming it at Rin. "You should be able to cross now."

Rin felt a gust of air lifted around her and stepped in front of the barrier no problem. Shintaro followed behind.

"Spirit world detective, huh? What's a fancy government folk like you doing in a place like this?" Spoke Kurama.

"Yes, I need to have a word with Lord Jiro. I've been on the trail of the face stealing demon for weeks now." Answered Shintaro.

Kurama breathe. It may not be so easy to do. Jiro has since been recuperating and asleep in his chamber. "I'm afraid you may have to wait, Lord Jiro is currently resting."

Rin gasped. "Is he okay?"

Kurama reached for her hand, his bright blue eyes filled with worry. "Jiro will be happy to see you back home." He looked at her mask, her face inexistent behind it. "But be prepared to be scolded."