Hole In the Sky

I shivered slightly as the wind picked up and blew my hair about my face. I sighed as I realized it blew the leaves out of the trees as well. I watched silently as the Sakura petals gently floated to the ground before settling themselves across the yard of my family's shrine.

"Cecelia, will you be a dear and sweep the yard?"

I heard my mother ask and turned to see her and my father standing by the outer wall leading to the steps outside.

"You guys going somewhere?"

I asked and my father smiled at me.

"Yes. Muokoshi asked for me to help him at a diner party in four days. We'll be gone for about two weeks. You think you can look after the shrine till we get back?"

My dad asked and I glared at him.

"I'm not a little girl anymore dad, I'll be fine."

I said crossing my arms over my chest.

"I know, I just worry."

He said and I rolled my eyes at him.

"Honey, if we don't leave soon we'll miss our flight."

My mom said getting my dad's attention. He looked at her before looking back at me.

"Don't talk to strangers, don't destroy the shrine, and-"

"Don't let any boys in the house, I know."

I said cutting him off and he opened his mouth to say something else when my mom placed her hand over his mouth and pulled him along with her towards the gate.

"Be sure to do your chores. Bye sweetie!"

I heard my mom yell over her shoulder as she all but dragged my father down the steps of the shrine to the taxi that was waiting for them. Sometimes my mom really scares me.

I turned to look back at the yard and sighed.

'Fat lot of good sweeping the yard's gonna do when the wind is just gonna blow more leaves to the ground, but if I don't I have a feeling that my mom will know.'

I thought and shivered at the thought as I grabbed the bamboo broom and started sweeping up the Sakura leaves from the stone walkways in the main yard.

'You know, sometimes I wish just once that something exciting would happen in my life.'

I thought as I swept all the petals up into a nice, neat pile. Suddenly the wind picked up and blew the petals everywhere.

"Fucking A-hey, what's that?"

I asked aloud as I saw what looked like a hole in the sky. I looked up at it and saw it was just that, a hole in the middle of the sky. I watched as three things fell from the hole down to the ground to my front yard.

'What the hell?'

I wondered as I watched the hole close up and disappear, then the wind died down and everything returned to normal like nothing even happened. That's when I remembered three things had just fallen out of the sky into my front yard. It was moments like this when I cursed my curiosity since I found myself walking through the main gate and down the small set of steps to the front yard. I looked around and saw that the bushes to my left seem to be broken and the ground around them was destroyed.

'Great, just great. I'm going to have to fix that.'

I thought as I made my way over to the bush. I pushed the leaves apart to see what had landed in my yard and froze at the three figures tangled up with each other sitting in the middle of a giant crater. My eyes widened when I realized they were three boys around my age. One had black hair cut to his neck with light, sun kissed skin and what looked to be bright yellow eyes. He was tangled up with a boy with grey colored hair cut the same way, but he was wearing a hat and part of his hair hung down into his face to hide his left eye. The other, visible one looked to be light brown and it looked like he had three cuts on each of his cheeks that looked like whiskers. They were both sitting ontop of a boy with rich, dark red hair to about his midback. He was facedown so I couldn't see what his face looked like.

"Will you two get the fuck off of me!"

I heard him yell as he pushed himself off of the ground, taking the two on top of him with him. They instantly jumped off of him and got to their feet.

"Hehe, sorry 'bout that Katsume."

The grey haired boy said as he scratched the back of his head. The red head stood up and dusted himself off. Now that they were all standing I could see what they were wearing. The one with grey hair covering one of his eyes was wearing just a light brown jacket with a tall collar, but it was open to reveal pale, toned skin beneath and he was ripped. He had on a pair of low hanging light blue jeans and I saw a necklace with a star hanging from his neck. I noticed a wrist band on his left wrist with a chain of black beads wrapped around it. And his hat was a mix of white and grey and it was overtop a red bandana tied in the back. The boy with black hair had on a crumpled white button up t-shirt with the top two buttons undone, revealing a bit of his upper body. He was wearing light blue jeans as well. I looked over at the red head that the grey haired one called Katsume. He had on a dark blue long sleeve shirt with a hood and pockets in the front and a pair of black jeans that had cuts along the thighs and legs. I could see his face and saw piercing golden colored eyes somewhat hidden by his red hair. All three of them were gorgeous, but they had trashed my yard and just fallen out of the sky and didn't have a scratch on them.

"What the fuck were you two doing in the palace anyways?"

Katsume asked the other two and I noticed they flinched at his tone, I would too he sounded pissed.

"Well, Hikaru here wanted to see what you were doing and I couldn't let him go by himself."

The gray haired boy said motioning towards the black haired boy.

"Whatever Daiki. I still can't believe that bastard resorted to this."

Katsume said motioning around him and the two others looked at him confused.

"Hey Katsume, where are we?"

The black haired boy, Hikaru, asked and that made the other two freeze.

"I don't know. I was sucked into that stupid vortex just like you two idiots."

Katsume snapped and Hikaru moved to stand behind Daiki as if looking for protection.

'Just who are

these guys?'

I wondered.

"Maybe we should look around. See if we can find anyone."

Daiki offered and it looked like Katsume was thinking it over before turning around.

"You two can do whatever you want, just don't drag me into it."

He said and Daiki smiled at him before turning to Hikaru.

"Come on Hika, let's see if we can't find someone."

Daiki said and Hikaru nodded before they jumped out of the six foot crater and landed lightly on their feet.

"You go that way and I'll go this way. Holler if you find something."

Daiki said before walking off in the opposite direction. Hikaru nodded to himself before walking in the direction that I was hiding.

'Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!'

I thought before scrambling backwards until my back hit the trunk of a tree and I had nowhere else to go. Hikaru looked over in my direction before walking towards me. He crouched down infront of the bush hiding me and pushed the leaves apart and stared at me in surprise. I didn't think, I just swung out with the bamboo broom in my hand with my eyes squeezed shut.

"Hey! What was that for?"

I heard him say and opened my eyes to see I had whacked him with the end of the broom.

"You just fell from the sky! And there's nothing wrong with you!"

I shouted at him and he flinched at the tone of my voice and covered his ears that I noticed were pointed.

"Alright, alright. Quit yelling."

He said and I instantly shut my mouth.

"Do you know where we are?"

He asked as he lowered his hands from his head. I just stared at him, how was I suppose to react? Simply tell him he's in my front yard after having seen him and the other two fall from the sky and act like there was absolutely nothing wrong with that? Yeah, that was gonna happen.

He moved closer to me and I whacked him with the broom again.

"Will you stop that!"

He snapped at me and I squeaked and got to my feet and backed away from him. He followed holding his hands up so I wouldn't hit him with the broom again.

"Hey, take it easy. I'm not going to hurt you."

He said and I glared at him.

'Why is it I don't believe that? Oh yeah, it's 'cuz he just fell from the sky and doesn't have a scratch on him!'

I thought as I watched his every move warily.

"Look, I just want to find out where me and my friends wound up."

He said as he walked closer. I swung out with the broom, but he caught it and smiled at me.

"Ha!"

He said and I acted on instinct. I planted my feet, squared my shoulders and socked him right in the jaw. I hadn't expected him to react and attack back. I ducked when he swung the broom at me and swung out with my leg and knocked him off his feet. I was about to pull one of my friend Naka's favorite moves when I saw the black haired boy staring up at me in complete shock.

"Woah, I give."

He said and I looked at him confused, but relaxed my stance.

'Ha, and my dad said I'd never have to use my martial arts skills.'

I thought as the boy slowly got to his feet.

"That was unexpected."

He said as he rubbed his jaw.

"Let's try this again. My name's Hikaru Donoshii, what's yours?"

He asked and I looked at him confused before realizing he'd asked me a question.

"Cecelia Teez."

I said uncertainly and he smiled at me.

"Well Cecelia, those were some pretty good moves. You train a lot?"

He asked and I felt myself relaxing around him. If he looked like he was going to do something I could always just lay him out again.

"Yeah. Who are you and how did you survive that fall?"

I asked as I completely relaxed.

"Oh that little fall? That wouldn't hurt me."

He said and I looked at him confused.

"And why not?"

I asked, thought I wasn't so sure I wanted to know the answer.

"Because, I'm a wolf demon."

He said and I blinked in surprise for a minute before bursting out laughing.

"What's so funny?"

He asked as I doubled over and held my sides. He'd said that with such a straight face as if he really believed it.

"Sorry, but you expect me to believe that you're an actual demon?"

I asked in between my giggles.

"Hmph. I'll have you know I'm a very powerful wolf demon."

He said crossing his arms and looking away from me which only made me laugh harder.

"Aww come on, do I have to prove it to you?"

He asked and I stopped laughing long enough to look at him before bursting out laughing again.

"Fine."

He said before he got down on all fours. I stopped laughing when I felt the wind pick up and a wave of some sort of energy come from the boy before me. I watched in disbelief as his nails grew to claws, then his hair grew before wrapping around his body and his face lengthened to that of a snout. I watched as the boy before me turned into a wolf before my very eyes.

"Holy shit!"

I screamed as I fell back on my ass and stared wide eyed at the 5'4" black haired wolf before me.

"Told you."

He said and my jaw dropped.

"You can even talk."

I said and he cocked his head to the side and I couldn't help but think how cute that looked.

"Aww, that's adorable!"

I screamed before rushing forward and wrapping my arms around his neck. I'd always loved animals, wolves and panthers were my absolute favorite.

"Hey, what are you doing!"

He cried out, but I just hugged him and ran my hands through his fur. He suddenly jumped out of my reached and growled at me.

"Don't do that!"

He snapped at me and I blinked in surprise a moment before standing up.

"Sorry, I love wolves."

I said with a smile and he stopped growling at me for a minute before straightening back up. I watched as another wave of energy picked up, then he transformed back into the boy he'd been before.

"Alright, you've convinced me. You're a wolf demon. But that doesn't really explain what you and you're friends are doing here."

I said crossing my arms over my chest as he walked back towards me.

"We don't know either. Heck, we don't even know where here is."

He said and I blinked in surprise.

"Seriously? You don't know where Tokyo is?"

I asked and he cocked his head to the side like he'd done before.

"To…ky…o?"

He asked confused and I sighed.

"Tokyo, you know, in Japan."

I said and he just continued to look at me like I'd lost my mind.

"Japan. Asia. Earth!"

I said and noticed that once I said Earth his eyes got wide.

"Say what! We're on Earth!"

He yelled and I looked at him confused.

"Yeah, where else would you be? Mars?"

I asked and he didn't seem to hear me.

"Oh this is not good. This is not good."

He said talking to himself as he paced back and forth.

"What's not good? Hey, are you listening to me?"

I asked, but he just kept pacing.

"I've got to tell Daiki and Katsume. Ooh, Katsume's not gonna be happy about this."

"Hey!"

I snapped as I grabbed him by the shoulders and forced him to look at me.

"Why is you being on Earth not good?"

I asked and he blinked before meeting my gaze.

"Because we're from a completely different Dimension and we have no idea how to get back."

He said and I blinked in surprise before letting him go.

"Oh, that is bad."

I said and he nodded.

"What did you mean when you said you had to tell the others?"

I asked and he smiled at me.

"The other two who came here with me, they're demons just like me."

He said and I smiled at the thought of more wolf demons.

"So they're wolf demons too?"

I asked excitedly, but frowned when he shook his head.

"No."

He said laughing.

"Daiki is a panther demon and Katsume is a phoenix demon."

He said and I jumped up and down at the thought of seeing a panther demon. I loved wolves sure, but panthers were just so majestic.

"Well what are you waiting for? Call them over."

I said and he looked at me surprised.

"Are you sure? I mean, they are demons after all."

He said and I sighed.

"Look, if I'm not afraid of you then I'm not going to be afraid of them alright?"

I asked and he looked at me for a minute before nodding.

"Alright."

He said before he turned around and cupped his hands around his mouth before taking a deep breath.

"DAIKI! KATSUME! COME HERE, I FOUND SOMETHING!"

He screamed and I flinched at how loud he was, he even made the birds nesting in a nearby tree fly off.

"They'll be here in a minute."

He said with a smile turning back to me. I wiggled a finger in my ear to make sure I hadn't lost my hearing.

"You can be quite loud when you want to can't you?"

I asked and he just smiled at me.

I suddenly felt a change in the wind, but knew that nothing had really changed. I looked up and blinked in shock when I suddenly saw the gray haired boy and the red haired boy from earlier. They hadn't been there before.

"Hikaru, who's this?"

The red head asked and I could hear the distain in his voice.

"Oh, sorry. Daiki, Katsume, this is Cecelia. Cecelia, this is my friend Daiki and Katsume."

Hikaru said pointing to each in turn.

"It's a pleasure to meet you."

I said with a smile. I noticed that Daiki returned it and I gasped when I saw his fangs. Katsume simply glared at me.

"So, what did you find out?"

Katsume asked turning to Hikaru, completely ignoring me.

'Asshole.'

I thought with a frown. I noticed Daiki was looking intently at me and blushed a bit.

"You're not afraid of me."

He stated and I shook my head at him.

"No. Are you the phoenix or the panther?"

I asked and he looked at me in shock for a minute before laughing.

"I'm the panther demon. The redhead there is the phoenix demon."

He said as he wiped his visible eye.

"So, can you transform too?"

I asked and the two of them froze before I heard Katsume start to yell at Hikaru.

"You changed infront of a human! Are you stupid?"

He asked and I frowned when I saw Hikaru shrink away from Katsume.

"N-No, it's just she didn't believe me when I said I was a wolf demon so I showed her."

"What made you think it was a good idea to tell her you were a demon? Kami you're an idiot!"

Katsume yelled and I heard Hikaru whimper and my anger flared, which is never a good thing.

"Hey!"

I yelled and they all turned to look at me.

"Don't yell at him like that you asshole! Just what gives you the right to call people names like that!"

I yelled and his golden eyes widened just a bit before narrowing and he walked over to me.

"You, little human, should learn your place."

He said through clenched teeth and that only pissed me off more.

"And what place is that? I'm not some low life piece of shit you can order around just because you feel like it. I haven't even known you for five fucking minutes and you're already pissing me the fuck off. Do you get off on picking on those younger than you? Is that why you're suck an ass!"

I yelled and heard Daiki try to cover up his laughter.

"Why you…"

Katsume said and I felt the air around him change and knew I'd done something I shouldn't have.

'Aw shit. Why did I have to go and open my big mouth?'

I wondered as I saw his eyes start to go red. I started to take a step back, but then remembered something I'd read about animals seeing that as a sign of weakness and when they saw weakness they striked. So I squared my shoulders and stared him straight in the eye.

"If you're going to do something do it, don't just stand there all pissed off in the middle of my fucking yard you big ass bird."

I said and his eyes returned to normal and he stared at me in shock before turning to glare at Daiki who was full out laughing his ass off while rolling around on the ground.

"Shut up!"

He snapped and Daiki instantly stood up and coughed a few times to get himself under control.

"At any rate, could you be so kind as to tell us where we are?"

He asked, all traces of humor gone.

"Right now? You're standing in my front yard after you fell several feet from the sky and created a giant ass crater in the middle of my garden which I'll have to fix later. But if you're looking for a less technical answer, you're in Tokyo Japan on the planet Earth."

I said and noticed that his and Katsume's eyes widened a bit.

I heard the phone ring from within the house and cursed under my breath before bending to pick up the bamboo broom that had been forgotten when Hikaru transformed and turned to go through the main gate to the house.

"Hey, where are you going?"

I heard Hikaru ask and stopped long enough to look back at him and the other two still staring blankly at the ground.

"To answer the phone. You guys can come inside if you promise to behave."

I said before walking through the gate and going into the house to answer the phone. I heard them walking inside as I was talking with my mother. I heard them go into the kitchen and tried to listen to what my mother was saying.

"Did you sweep the front yard like I asked?"

She asked and I almost laughed at how irrelevant that seemed right now.

"Yes."

"Did you finish the rest of your chores?"

She asked and I sighed as I leaned against the wall.

"Yes."

"Alright then, I was just calling to let you know we got here alright. I love you Cecelia."

She said and I sighed to myself.

"I love you too mom, bye."

I said before hanging up and walking into the kitchen. I stopped when I saw Daiki holding one of my mother's priceless fine china plates and looking at it, Katsume was sitting at the island looking bored, and Hikaru was literally sniffing at the fridge.

"What the hell are you all doing?"

I asked and they all looked up at me. Daiki dropped the plate in surprise and I screamed as I dived for it. I caught it, but slid across the hardwood floor. I clenched my teeth when I felt the friction burn the skin on my side. When I finally stopped sliding I stood up and walked back to the kitchen.

"Nice catch."

Daiki said and I glared at him as I gently put the plate back in it's place.

"Don't touch anything."

I said slowly as I made my way over to the kitchen sink. I pulled out a first aid kit and lifted my shirt and looked down at my side. I winced when I saw the red skin and growled when I saw I was bleeding.

"Dammit."

I said to myself as I let my shirt fall back down and rummaged through the first aid kit for the band aids. When I found one I peeled off the paper, lifted my shirt and put it on my wound before throwing away the trash and putting away the first aid kit. I turned around to find three demons looking at me intently.

"What?"

I asked and they all blinked as if coming out of a daze.

'Weirdos.'

I thought to myself before taking a seat at the island across from Katsume.

"Are you alright Cecelia?"

Hikaru asked coming over to me and I looked at him confused before I realized he was talking about my side.

"Oh yeah, I'm fine. I've had worse."

I said and that caught the attention of the other two.

"You have?"

Daiki asked and I blinked at the surprise in his voice.

"Enough about me, you guys seem to be in some sort of bind right?"

I asked and they all nodded.

"Hikaru here said you were all from a different dimension, is that right?"

I asked and noticed that Katsume glared at Hikaru before answering me.

"Yes. We are from the Demonic Republic. It is a dimension that exists next to your own."

He said and I nodded.

"Okay, so you three came here through that hole in the sky. Any idea why?"

I asked and noticed they all looked away from me.

"Katsume here pissed off the wrong person and they sent him here. Hikaru and I just happened to be in the palace when it happened and got caught up in it and came with him."

Daiki said and I looked at Katsume wondering briefly who he pissed off.

"Any idea how to get back?"

I asked.

"None."

Daiki said and I sighed.

'Wonderful.'

"Well, if you want you guys can stay here. We've got plenty of rooms in this place and my parents won't be back until two weeks from now. You can stay here until they get back."

I said and they all nodded in thanks. My watched started to beep and I sighed as I realized it was seven o'clock already.

"Well, pick any of the rooms you like."

I said as I headed for the door and sat down at the stoop. I pulled on my tennis shoes before pulling my hair up into a high pony tail.

"Don't go out of the house, don't answer the phone, don't let anyone else inside…."

I said as I grabbed my gym bag from under the bench.

"And if I get back and see my house is destroyed then I will personally make sure all three of you wish you had never been born."

I said seriously which made all three of them look at me.

"Now, if you'll excuse me."

I said turning towards the door and opening it.

"Where are you going?"

Hikaru asked and I stopped. I thought about not telling them, but it's not like it'd hurt to tell them.

"Training."

I said before slipping out the door and closing it after me. I slung my bag over my shoulder, made sure my hair was pulled back, then took off for the gym.

Unexpected Challenger

-Hikaru-

I watched as Cecelia left. I waited until her aura disappeared before turning to look at Daiki and Katsume.

"So, what do you guys think we should do? Should we take her up on her offer?"

I asked and heard Katsume scoff.

"I don't see why not. This place seems rather nice considering humans live here."

He said as he got to his feet and disappeared down the hall.

"I like her. She has quite the temper."

Daiki said and I smiled when I remembered when she snapped at Katsume.

"I don't think I've ever met someone brave enough to stand up to Katsume."

I said and Daiki nodded.

"That's because no one has. I'm surprised he didn't kill her."

He said and I shuddered at the thought of Cecelia dead. In the small time I've known her I've grown fond of her.

"Come on, let's find rooms for us to stay in."

Daiki said and I nodded before following him down the hallway. We passed by a room that had Katsume's scent.

"Looks like he's found his room."

I said and Daiki nodded as we kept going. I noticed Cecelia's scent and followed it upstairs to a room at the end of the hall.

"Don't be rude Hika."

Daiki said and I turned to look at him.

"I wasn't gonna go in, I'm just seeing which room was hers."

I said and he smiled at me before going into a room and shutting the door after him.

'So he's found his room. Wonder which one I'll take?'

I wondered to myself as I walked down the hall. I stopped at the first door I came to. I was still close to Daiki and Cecelia's room. I opened the door and smiled. It had a bed and the necessities.

"This will do fine."

I said as I sat down on the bed.

"But now what am I suppose to do?"

I wondered aloud as I looked out the window. I saw a flash of red and ran to the window to see Katsume walking calmly towards the gate. I jumped out and followed him.

"She said to stay inside."

I said and he turned to glare at me.

"And you really expect me to listen to a human?"

He asked and I shuddered at the tone in his voice.

"I'm personally curious as to what kind of 'training' this human is doing."

He said before disappearing. I looked back at the house before looking at where Katsume had disappeared. I sighed before using my nose to follow Cecelia's scent. I wasn't even five feet from the outside gate when Daiki came to join me.

"You curious too?"

I asked and he just smiled at me as we ran. We didn't stop until we got to a building with a big window with white letters painted on the front saying 'Algo's Gym'. I looked at Daiki who just shrugged before walking inside. I followed him and looked around. It was just like any other kind of gym, but there was a crowd of male humans around the ring in the middle. I saw Daiki amongst them and made my way through the crowd to stand beside him. I saw Katsume a few feet away, his eyes were glued to the ring. I followed his gaze and my jaw dropped with what I saw, or more accurately who. Cecelia was in a white tank top and a red pair of shorts. Her hair was still up in her ponytail, but she seemed completely different from earlier. Earlier she seemed so nice, now she seemed downright scary. I watched in awe as I saw her dodge the attacks of her opponent who was a man twice her size.

"She's fast."

Daiki said and I turned to look at him to see his eyes were trained on Cecelia. I looked back just in time to see her lay the guy out. The crowd cheered and Cecelia brushed a strand of her hair back before straightening up.

"Any other challengers!"

A man yelled as he got up onto the stage. He was bald and in his late thirties wearing a black t-shirt and jeans.

"I'll go!"

A man yelled as he climbed up onto the stage. He threw his jacket to two other men who caught it and cheered him on.

"What's your name?"

The bald man asked.

"Hirokoshii."

The man said and I growled at him. I could smell booze and sex on him. He was in his early twenties with brown hair to his shoulders and coal black eyes.

"Alright then, you know the rules. Loser coughs up the dough, winner gets the dough. No shots below the belt, no weapons. Anything else goes."

The bald man said as he stepped back from Cecelia and the Hirokoshii guy.

"One….two….three….START!"

The bald man yelled and he jumped off the stage and merged in with the crowd as the match began.

"Hirokoshii is gonna mop the floor with her."

One of the guy's friends said and I growled at them.

"Easy Hikaru."

Daiki said and I looked up at him to see he didn't like those guys either.

"You can think that all you want, but Cece has been fighting in my gym since she was ten."

The bald man said and everyone turned to look at him.

"Algo!"

They all said in unison.

"Just watch. Mr. Hirokoshii won't even last two minutes."

Algo said and they all scoffed at him and turned back to the match. I had personally been attacked by Cecelia, but it didn't really hurt since she was a human. But I couldn't deny she had some power.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Cecelia-

I wasn't too surprised that the men watching underestimated me. It just happened because I was a girl.

"Well? You just gonna stand there or you gonna fight me?"

I asked Hirokoshii with a smirk. I could see he got angry at my comment and that was just what I was hoping for. He charged at me blindly and I easily side stepped him. I swept out with my feet and he stumbled. I used that to my advantage and kicked him in the chest and sent him flying clear off the ring.

"Cecelia wins!"

I heard Algo yell and smiled.

"Any other challengers!"

He asked as he climbed back onto the ring. At this rate, I'd be able to make my rent and some.

"I'll fight her."

I heard a deep voice say and froze.

'That sounded like, but it couldn't be…..I told them to stay home.'

I thought as I looked up at the person walking to the ring.

'Fuck me.'

I thought as I saw Katsume walk to the ring and jump up. I looked around and saw Daiki and Hikaru among the crowd.

"What the hell are you three doing here! I told you to stay inside!"

I snapped and he just smirked at me.

"I don't take orders from a little human, especially not a woman."

He said and I glared at him.

"What's your name?"

Algo asked and Katsume turned to look at him.

"Katsume."

He said and Algo nodded before moving between me and Katsume.

"Alright, one….two….thr-"

"Wait a minute Algo, he doesn't know the rules. He's new round here."

I said and Algo blinked in surprise before looking at Katsume.

"Alright. This is a paid fight. You both fight for fifty dollars. The winner gets the money, the loser coughs up the dough. You can't use weapons, and you can't hit below the belt. Other than that, it's all up to how well you can fight."

Algo said and Katsume seemed to be thinking about something.

"Can we make the stakes higher?"

He asked and I looked at him like he was nuts.

"How much higher?"

Algo asked and Katsume reached into his pocket and pulled out some money.

'Where the hell did he get that? He fell out of the sky from another dimension not even thirty minutes ago.'

I thought as I saw him hand Algo the money.

"Alright, the stakes have been raised to two hundred thirty dollars. Cece, do you have it?"

Algo asked and I blanked.

'Fuck, that's all the money I have to pay my rent. But I'll be damned if I throw a match because of this asshole.'

I sighed before walking over to Algo and handing him all the money I'd earned from the past week and today.

"Here."

I said and Algo looked at me sympathetically, he knew my situation.

"Alright then. One….two….three….START!"

Algo yelled before he got off the stage. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before opening them and looking at Katsume who was looking at me boredly.

"Any time you're ready."

He said and I glared at him.

"Whenever you are, princess."

I said with a smirk and almost laughed when I saw it ticked him off. He charged at me and I waited patiently until he suddenly disappeared.

"What the…?"

I asked before I was suddenly force forward. I turned around and saw Katsume as he lowered his leg.

'He just kicked me? But how?'

I thought before shaking my head and standing up.

'Focus Cece. Don't let him get to you, your rent depends on this fight.'

I thought to myself before squaring my shoulders. I lifted my hand and curled my finger three times, beckoning him to come at me. I smiled when he did. I watched him, I wasn't letting him out of my sight. He disappeared again, but I closed my eyes and let my other senses take over. I usually never had to rely on the training my grandmother taught me as a little girl, but then again I usually never fought demons. I felt Katsume's aura behind me and ducked as he went to kick me again. I turned on him and smirked up at the look of shock on his face before I swept out with my feet and knocked him on his backside. I moved to pin him down, but he backflipped and landed on his feet on the opposite side of the ring.

"Not bad, for a human."

He said and I smirked at him as I stood up too.

"You're not too bad yourself, for an asshole."

I said and heard him growl before he charged at me. I laughed before charging at him myself. He went to hit me, but I ducked and swung out with my leg and landed a blow on his side. He whirled around and hit me in the side that I'd hurt when I slid along the floor in my house. I cried out and instantly put distance between us.

"That was a dirty trick."

I said and he simply smirked at me.

'Oh I'm going to kick his ass and kick it good.'

I thought before charging at him.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Hikaru-

I can't believe what I'm seeing. Katsume never fights anyone that's weaker than him and to fight a human, that's just not like him.

"Why is he fighting her?"

I asked Daiki as we continued to watch the fight. I flinched when I saw Katsume land a punch to Cecelia's side, but smiled when she kicked him in the stomach.

"Because of how she acted earlier."

He said and I looked at him confused.

"What? When?"

I asked and Daiki sighed.

"When she stood up for you and yelled at Katsume. He didn't like the fact that a human would talk to him like that so he's getting back at her. Though I have to admit, I never would have thought someone as small as Cecelia would be able to hold their own against someone like Katsume. Just look at them. They're almost evenly matched."

He said and I looked up just as Cecelia sent Katsume flying.

"Holy shit!"

I yelled in surprise, but Katsume flipped midair and landed on the edge of the ring before glaring at Cecelia and charging at her. She blocked most of his attacks, but he landed some vital hits on her stomach. I saw blood come out of the corner of her mouth.

"Katsume stop! You'll kill her!"

I yelled, but he ignored me. Everyone did.

"Hold up Hikaru, watch."

Daiki said as I moved to get towards the ring. I saw Cecelia wipe the blood off her chin and smirk at Katsume.

"Alright then, I guess I'll get serious."

She said and my eyes widened. She hadn't been taking this fight seriously? I saw as she all but vanished, a feat considering a demon's sight was better than a human's. When I saw her she was behind Katsume. She wrapped her arms around him as if giving him a hug from behind, before she planted her feet and flipped him over her shoulder. He landed on his back and she moved quickly to pin him down. I could feel shock in Katsume's aura though it didn't show on his face. He struck upwards and hit her in the chest making her cough, but she hit him back and landed a blow on his face. I flinched as I remembered how it felt when she hit me, but she had been holding back. Katsume grabbed her arms and flipped them so he was ontop pinning her down. She tried to get up, but he wouldn't let her. He raised his hand and went to hit her in the face, but stopped inches before her nose.

"I win."

He said before getting up and jumping off of the stage and landing next to me and Daiki. I noticed he had the money in his hand.

"Dammit!"

I heard Cecelia say as she hit the stage as she got to her feet. I looked back at her as Algo helped her to the ground and watched as she pushed off from him and headed to the locker room.

Daiki, Katsume, and I waited as everyone else left. We waited until Cecelia finally came out of the locker room. Her hair was wet and slightly curly and she was in a black sleeveless t-shirt and a yellow skirt.

"Thanks Algo, I'll see you tomorrow."

She said as she walked towards us. I noticed instantly that she winced every time she breathed.

"That's alright Cece, you can rest a couple of days."

He said, but she shook her head.

"That's fine, I'll be here. Seven o'clock on the dot."

She said before walking straight past us and out the door. I looked at Daiki and Katsume before getting up and following her.

"Are you okay?"

I asked and she ignored me and kept walking.

"Hey."

I said as I grabbed her shoulder and turned her around so she was looking at me. I noticed she winced and let her go.

"I'm fine."

She said and noticed she refused to look me in the eyes.

"No you're not human. You're bruised and you'll barely be able to get out of bed tomorrow."

Katsume said as he walked towards us and I noticed that Cecelia glared at him.

"Screw you asshole. You have no idea what you just cost me!"

She snapped at him and he scoffed as he brushed past her.

"What are you talking about Cecelia?"

Daiki asked, but she sighed before turning around and walking back towards her house. She walked past Katsume and didn't look back.

"Did anyone else notice she seemed a little pissed off?"

I asked and Daiki nodded in agreement while Katsume just kept walking silently.

"Wonder why?"

I said more to myself than to the others as I followed them back to Cecelia's house.

You Should Be Grateful

-Cecelia-

I tried not to wince as I walked through the main gate of my family's shrine. I could tell that Daiki, Hikaru, and the asshole were following, but I didn't care. I threw my bag down, kicked off my shoes and headed straight for the bathroom right next to my room on the second level.

"Cecelia, where are you-"

Hikaru started to ask, but I just slammed the bathroom door and started running the hot water. It didn't take long for the tub to fill so I stripped and gently lowered myself into the water. I'd already taken a shower, but soaking my body in the mineral water would help them ease back up and heal. I sighed as I laid my head back against the ring of the tub.

'Just what the hell was that guy's problem anyway? He acted like he genuinely wanted to kill me.'

I thought then sighed as I remembered what losing that fight meant for me.

'Fucking dickwad. Now I'm going to have to beg Mr. Akuto to give me an extension on my rent. Fuck.'

I thought as I opened my eyes and stared up at the white ceiling of the bathroom.

'I could always move back here, but I hate staying in big places it makes me feel alone. And I mean come on, who the fuck has thirteen rooms in a house when only two of them are actually being used?'

I thought and sighed again. I moved so I was laying on my stomach in the water and put my arms up on the ring of the tub and laid my chin on the back of my hands.

"I suppose it wouldn't be so bad moving back here, but I like the independence of living on my own. And this place won't be so empty now that Daiki, Hikaru, and that asshole are staying here. But I really don't want to lose my apartment."

I said and groaned as I closed my eyes.

'It's settled then, I'll just have to beg Mr. Akuto to give me a couple more days to get the rent money I need. If I can't get it, then I'll move back here til I can get the money.'

I decided then got out of the tub and let the water out. I pulled on the light blue bathrobe before walking out of the bathroom and headed towards my room. I passed by Katsume and glared at him.

"Quit glaring at me human. It's not my fault you lost."

He said with a smirk as he crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.

"No, but it is your fault that I won't be able to-agh! Just forget it!"

I screamed before walking past him and going into my room.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Katsume-

It was slightly amusing to see this little human get so upset over losing a match. I'd gone upstairs to wait for her when she came out of the bathroom. I hadn't expected her to be in such a flimsy robe though. I could clearly see the outline of her body and I had to admit she had a very nice one, but I noticed she was glaring at me and smirked at her.

"Quit glaring at me human. It's not my fault you lost."

I said as I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned against the wall.

"No, but it is your fault that I won't be able to-agh! Just forget it!"

She screamed at me before going into her room and shutting the door. I blinked, momentarily surprised at her anger and frustration.

'What won't she be able to do?'

I wondered, then frowned when I realized I was starting to care about this human.

'It doesn't matter to me if she is incompetent of doing something, but she shouldn't blame me.'

I thought before heading downstairs and going into my own room.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Cecelia-

I walked into the kitchen after having changed into a light blue tank top and a pair of blue cut off jeans. I was hungry and I'm sure the three demons living with me were too, though I personally couldn't care if that phoenix fucking starved.

"Hey Cecelia…."

Hikaru said as I pulled out things for tacos.

"Yeah? What is it?"

I asked as I turned on the eye of the stove and started to cook the hamburger meat.

"I'm sorry if I pissed you off somehow."

He said and I turned to see him bowing to me in apology.

"Oh, now Hikaru, you didn't do anything."

I said and he straightened up and looked at me in shock.

"I didn't? Then why were you so-"

"It's just that I lost a lot more than just money in that match with Katsume."

I said and he blinked in surprise.

"What else did you lose?"

Daiki asked as he came into the room.

"Umm…"

I said, debating whether or not to tell them. It wasn't really any of their business and besides, I didn't want their pity.

"Just forget about it, okay?"

I said and they both looked at me before letting it go.

"Hey, do either of you two know how to cook?"

I asked and Daiki looked up.

"I do, why?"

He asked and I motioned him to come over.

"Just make sure you keep stirring this until all the meat turns brown okay?"

I asked as I handed him the wooden spatula.

"Alright, but where are you going?"

He asked as I made my way to the hallway where the phone was.

"I need to make a phone call."

I said before leaving and going to call Mr. Akuto.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Daiki-

I blinked in surprise at Cecelia before turning back to what she'd asked me to do. I stirred the meat as she'd instructed as Hikaru leaned against the counter.

"Why'd you think you'd upset her?"

I asked and he looked up at me.

"It's just that when I was trying to talk to her earlier she slammed the door in my face."

He said and I smiled.

"Trust me, it's not you she's upset with."

I said and he just hmm'd in response.

"What! You've got to be kidding me!"

We both jumped when we heard Cecelia yell from the hallway.

"Aw come on! Please Mr. Akuto!"

Cecelia's voice sounded from the hallway, she sounded like she was begging.

"Well then fine! I'll have the money in two days. Thanks a lot you stuck up little bastard!"

I heard Cecelia yell before there was a loud chink of her slamming the phone down. I stared at the doorway until Cecelia walked in.

"Daiki, you burn my hamburger meat and I'll kill you."

She said and I instantly turned back to what I was doing.

"What was that just now? And who's Mr. Akuto?"

Hikaru asked and I listened, curious as well.

"Just some old guy who's renting out my house to me."

She said as she came over and took the spatula from me. She moved the pan from the stove and strained the meat before putting it back in the pan and cooking it again.

"House? Why do you need an apartment when you live here?"

I asked confused.

"I only stay here when my parents call me to look after the shrine when they plan on going somewhere or if they need some extra help. I haven't lived here for years."

She said and I looked at her as she cut up some tomato and put taco shells in the oven.

"So, what was that about getting the money in two days?"

Hikaru asked and I noticed her aura flared for a second before she reigned it in.

"My rent is due tomorrow morning, but I called Mr. Akuto to ask for an extension and the bastard only gave me two days. Two days to come up with two hundred and thirty dollars, that's practically impossible. I'm going to have to fight at least thirty people tomorrow just to get even half of that."

She said as she pulled the taco shells out of the oven and put everything on the counter before turning and going into her fridge and pulling out things I'd never seen before. I've seen humans cook before, but I'd never seen things like what Cecelia just pulled out of the fridge.

"You mean that's why you were fighting those guys?"

Hikaru asked and she nodded as she set the table.

"Yeah, but thanks to a certain red headed asshole I won't have the money unless I can make it in the next two days."

She said as she started to fix her plate.

"Enough about me, help yourselves."

She said and I looked at Hikaru before we both made tacos for ourselves.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Cecelia-

I was slightly surprised that demons from another realm knew how to make tacos, but I ignored it. I had more important things to worry about. Like if I was going to be able to get the money or not. I sighed as I bit into one of my tacos.

"Why don't you just ask Katsume for the money? He has no reason for it."

Daiki said and I looked up at him.

"Because, he won the money fair and square. And besides…."

I said as I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.

"I'd much rather gain the money on my own, you know?"

I asked with a smile and noticed Daiki and Hikaru were looking at me weird, but I shrugged it off and went back to eating my food. Katsume came in and sat next to Daiki and looked at the food warily. I shook my head before getting him a plate, then taking my seat again. I finished my food, put my plate in the dishwasher and headed up to my room. If I wanted to be able to fight for my rent money, then I'd need plenty of sleep to do it.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Hikaru-

"Daiki…"

I said as I watched Cecelia walk out of the room.

"I know Hika."

Daiki said before turning to Katsume.

"Why'd you do it?"

He asked and Katsume looked up at him in question.

"Why'd you fight her?"

He asked and I waited to see what Katsume had to say. I wanted to see if what Daiki had said earlier was true or not.

"She pissed me off. It's as simple as that."

He said and I mentally groaned. Sometimes Katsume could be a real asshole.

"You do realize what you cost her right?"

Daiki asked and I was shocked to hear a hint of anger in his voice. He was usually so laid back and calm.

"It doesn't matter to me if the little human can't pay for her house. She can simply stay here."

He said and I shook my head at him before leaving and heading to my own room. I felt bad for Cecelia. Her entire life has gotten tossed upside down because Daiki, Katsume, and I were thrown into her lap, but she was taking it all in stride. And she was even willing to help us out, though Katsume couldn't care less. I sighed as I laid down on my bed.

'I wonder if she'll be able to get the money in time?'

I thought before closing my eyes and falling asleep.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Daiki-

I stared at Katsume in disbelief. Cecelia opened her home to us, and was willing to put up with us until we found a way back to our dimension and Katsume was being a complete ass to her. Sure he was an ass before, but this was just ridiculous.

"Whatever Katsume, but think about this."

I said as I moved towards the doorway leading out of the kitchen.

"She didn't scream or call us monsters. She didn't try to get the army or any of the human military forces once she found out what we were. She opened her home to us and is trying to help us, and all you can do is make a complete ass of yourself. You may be the prince of one of the Demonic Provinces and not really care about others, but even you should know you should be grateful to the little human sleeping upstairs."

I said before walking out of the room and leaving Katsume to his thoughts.

Imprint

Images: Google
Publication Date: 11-10-2012

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
To those who allow their imaginations to run wild.