14 Green Acre Valley 4.2

Ben parks on the outskirts of town so that we would be prepared the second we enter the city limits. I decided to climb into the back seat of the car to change into my robes. I hadn't really thought about which I know is stupid. However witnessing Ben's shocked expression before he quickly jumped out of the car was priceless. I can't help feeling his reactions over the top and funny as hell when it comes to me being partly naked around him. I can't stifle my laughter, I hunch over in the back seat laughing so hard my sides hurt. I see him glace over scowling at me. Was it that hard for a man who regularly practices abstinence to be around temptation. Heaven knows with a body like mine there was little to tempt anyway. I try to calm myself thinking about it. Briggs never reacted like that. Maybe it was because he saw me change everyday ever since I was eight and treated me like his child. I got so use to him refusing to leave me alone even as I got older when changing when on a mission for so long that that with Ben I hadn't even crossed my mind that I should be cautious.

Both of us dressed we proceeded to walk into town to look around. Ben kept glancing over giving me this embarrassed, skeptical look.

"Is it that bad? I ask giggling a little thought now that I ask it's a little embarrassing. I had nearly gotten naked in front of this man again. Sure the first time he was healing my wounds but this time was all on me.

He glances down at me. "You know when I said you could change in the car a few days ago I was joking. I mean at least if your going to. You could let me know before you start stripping. Damn woman, you weren't even wearing your wrap."

Feeling embarrassed at his would I mumble an apology. "I got use to looking and being treated so much like a guy with master Briggs." I say looking up at the sky. "I forget that for anyone else that knows my secret it probably isn't normal behavior." I say glancing over at Ben. He glances from the corner of his eye meeting mine for a second.

"Have to say master Briggs and you had one weird relationship." He holds up a hand stopping me dead in my tracks. "Something not right here."

The streets where empty and the air was still and dry as if walking into a ghost town.

"Where is everyone? it's about noon, shouldn't there be people be rushing around getting to lunch for work breaks or something." Ben added to his first statement. He had a point; where was everyone.

Looking around we walk up to a door and knock. No answer came. Down the entire street; door after door we knocked, but was met with silence. Reaching the center of town; fog had fallen all around us. Spinning around I saw a figure walking into a building across the way. I grabbed at Ben's robe at the shoulder and silently pointed him in the direction of the figure disappearing through the fog into a building. We chase after hoping to get some answers. When we get closer there is a sign reading Casper's Inn. The figure had disappeared into this inn. Pushing the creaking door open I notice the cobwebs that looked as if they had settled long time ago. Dust was everywhere taken home on shelves, counters, and furniture and seeped in that it would take a lot of work to get it out. I look at a mirror on a shelf while Ben looks at the counter. I blow the dust of the mirror. It tickles my nose and I let out a sneeze which echos in the room.

"If I didn't know better. I'd swear this town had been abandoned for a while. So how could they have call for help today?" Ben said looking around with puzzlement and concern on his face.

"You look a little slow Mr. Monk." Says an almost hissing sounding voice. A woman's voice came from a hallway covered by a wooden beaded curtain behind the register counter. She stepped out from behind the curtain. Her face was grey and pasty looking as if she was dead. Her eyes were moving in all directions never focusing on one of us. She wore an amoeba patterned long skirt and a woven sweat shirt. Her skin looked loose and floppy like a snake about to shed its skin.

Ben watches her closely, His bodies poster tense.

"Still confused young man? It's simple." She hissed. Everyone here has been dead for a long time. She crackled as if something was amusing.

"Then do tell me. Why are you here, and why were we summoned?" Ben asked putting up his guard.

The woman's hissing laugh grew louder. We watched as she came walking out from behind the counter. Her skin began to tear like a costume being ripped off. It had begun to grow with each flake of skin that fell to the ground. Her eyes became one and glowed red with several blue tentacles wiggling all around her round oval body. She was an S class Shikigami the same that killed Master Briggs. Suddenly I couldn't help feeling tense myself at the site of the demon.

"You both smell delicious. It's been a while since they sent me such a tasty meal and here I thought they had no more use for me after I was summoned here. I will enjoy eating your life force. I just love eating handsome men and I think I will start with you first." She had turned to Ben. She was taunting him; playing with him like a toy.

A spear of blue light flew into the ugly Demons big eye. She shrieked and howled like a wild creature as she flailed around; grabbing at her eye.

"You little brat how dare you hurt my beautiful face." The giant eye ball turned toward Jarret. "Fine you look eager to die I'll kill you first, and then take my time and enjoy your friend."

"I will not let you hurt him. I'll die before I watch someone I care about get hurt again" I scream rage filling in me.

"Good I couldn't have said it better myself." The creature hissed.

It charges after me now that I have it's attention, I turns tail and runs out the inn doors. It had forgotten about Ben for the moment. That's what I wanted.

"More space won't save you little boy." It called as it crashes through the building.

Rolling to dodge as the creature's tentacles come flying out to at me like long spears. Left and Right The Attacks came making it hard to focus and think of anything else but to keep moving and dodging. I needed to find an opening before I could release my spirit energy. That took time and time was now not on my side. Static filled the air I spun around looking at the direction it was coming from expecting another shikigami. In front of the inn Ben had begin to chant. The power I felt was his.

"Don't look away from me kid." The creature hissed as its tentacle whip hard into my I feel my body weightless as I fly for second then slam and skid across the hard ground mixed with dirt and gravel..

Crap I struggle to stand after that hit. I start to fall as I put pressure on arm to get up off the ground. My head was spinning probably hit it on the ground. Managing to stand I catch a glimpse of the last thing I wanted to see as I closed my eyes holding up my arms across my chest waiting for impact, but it doesn't come. Opening my eyes I see Ben standing in front of me. His staff raised holding back the attack. "Ben," I call out I notice his feet slipping as he is slowly pushed back. Memories of Master Briggs Protecting me just before he was killed flash before my eyes. The images of Briggs, and Ben fuse together and all I can see is Ben dying before my eyes. My brain screams out for him to run and save himself. I can't watch this again.

I scream out as if I was possessed and was slowly loosing my mind. Blue flames rupture from my body into the sky as if someone was pouring fuel into the flames. I feel the tears streak down my face. Watching Ben holding the creatures attack back still I step forward standing by his side. "It will be okay Master I won't fail you too." I say placing my hand on his shoulder his eyes meeting mine. "Obice Cavea: Obfirmo" A blue box forms around Ben, breaking the contact between him and the creature. I hear him holler behind me as I step out toward the shikigami.

****

" What the hell are you doing Stacy we're a team! I holler after her but it's pointless . Those eyes I watched as she spoke and had walked away her eyes where different. She was different. Her eyes pure black like death and emptiness. I couldn't shake the uneasiness I felt. I thrust myself against the barrier repeatedly with all the force I could muster, but it wouldn't break. "What the hell is this?" I holler out in frustration. "Why the hell did she lock me away, and look at me with such pain." I punch at the wall.

"If you really want to know I'll tell you." A raspy voice cackles beside me, I swing to my side surprised. The rotten corpse of the creature that spoke simply Disappears and reappears making a clicking noise of annoyance with it's tongue.

"Who are you." I say getting a good look at the thing. It's body looks as if it was a decaying demon. It wore two swords strapped to its back. Ben tightened his hands on his staff Watching it's movements. The thing smiled mischievously.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you or I won't tell you why she's doing this and how to get free." It's vile crackling voice said almost tauntingly. More like it was secretly saying it would kill me between the lines.

"Who are you" I asked again glaring down at the demon.

"Not a good memory I see." It turned looking out at Stacy. I didn't care for how it's eyes looked upon her. "She misjudges your power it would seem. Even I can feel your not as week as her last master. Thought your still not on her level. Though in all fairness no one will ever be on her level." I laughed at its own crack.

Finally it hit me. "You're that demon from the day of master Briggs funeral." It turned and bows low before me.

"I am Kakuya, a humble demon who serves my lady until our contract is fulfilled. It is a pleasure to meet you Master Ben Alastar. Many of us in the underworld have heard of the half breed, not quiet demon, not quiet angel forced to live with the humans such as her. Though she's not completely human either. The demon grins wickedly as he watches Stacy create a sword with her aura and slicing away at the tentacles that slice at her. The creature howling enraged at each one sliced off and regrown. I frown at it. This demon knew far to much.

"Fine she underestimates me. Get me out of here before..." I begin to growl impatiently obviously it can come and go as it wants, When I hear her scream in pain. I look out to see Stacy laying still on the cold ground.

"I don't think I like you attitude half breed maybe it be more fun to just let you watch. It's smile wicked and mischievous as if it was having fun. It enjoyed torturing others.

Taking a deep breath I try to control my emotions, feelings where the angel part of me that could burden my ability to think rationally. "Please release me from this cage." I kneel before the demon begging for it's help.

"I'll free you but first you will watch and wait or you will never understand her."

Pissed now I grab the demon by the torn rags at it's collar shaking it. What the hell does it mean I had to wait and watch.

****

"I miss judged you little boy you're a lot braver, and noble then I gave you credit for. To think you're willing to sacrifice yourself to save your friend. However; it will be in vain. When I'm done with you; I will still eat him." The creature jumped at me as I danced around dodging attack after attack. Creating a second sword I slashed back and forth blocking and slicing through many attacks, but the monster looked as if she was having fun with me. I was becoming tired, and was running out of breath from having to move constantly. I need a few seconds where I don't move to release my spirit so that I'm not anchored to my body. I need my scythe. The attacks won't stop though, and the creature doesn't show signs of slowing down. There an opening. I launch myself jumping forward to attack, but it was a trap to lure me in close. Damn I was careless. The monster turns as I got close, and it's tentacle becomes a spear and stabs through my body connecting into his soul core. I scream out from the pain but it was drowned out from the creature high pitch hissing laughters.

****

"I won't kill you yet" it hissed in laughter. Ben watched feeling frantic as the creature twists it's tentacle that pierced Stacys body she cried out in pain then fell silent. Her body wasn't moving as it lay over the tentacle limp. I I could only watch in horror as the creature lifted her into the air and slammed her motionless body down into the ground. Her head was tilted back when picked up again blood dripping from my mouth from the impact of hitting the ground. Never had a shikigami been as ruthless as this. Least there had never been records of an attack like as far as Ben knew.

"Stacy," I holler out for her. How was this happening and why was this damn barrier intact still after all the damage she had taken it should have faded.

"Are you going to let her die just to keep you secret of what you are?" The demon looks at me wickedly. That's what this piece of shit was waiting for. For me to reveal myself. I glare are him wanting to rip him to pieces. The demon smiles it's sharp teeth looking as if they were ready to rip into something. "I am only allowed to go to her when she calls to me, she knows this. but you only thing stopping you is this cage," It's smiled so wide as it watched as I still pounding on the barrier. "Show her you won't die so easily."

"I'd break this barrier if I could." I growl back at his bullshit. I don't know what this is but it bound me I felt powerless inside.

"Pathetic excuse for a demon." It placed a hand on my shoulder and push me hard. I expected to meet resistance and braced myself, instead I stumbled forward landing on the road outside the barrier.

"Seems she put a lock on the barrier meaning it couldn't be broken by the person inside it. Kakuya shrugged. I didn't have time to deal with this demon any more they where tricksters, and con-artists and always had a hidden agenda. I don't know his and Stacy's story but I sure as hell was going to find out what it had planned for her. First thing first.

Red flaming arrows began shooting, three, then six, and they kept coming. The monster stumbled backwards confused on the unexpected attack. It had been to immerse in the boy. It drops Stacy's body as it tries to block the rain fall of red burning arrows. My hands glowed red one hand held a spirit bow that had formed, the other hand drew back the sting creating another arrow shooting into the sky. The Shikigami stumbling back I took the chance to rush to Stacy's side. The she was crumpled on the ground motionless. The rain of arrows stopped as I searched for her pulse. The creature howls into the stiff air. It's eyes now on me. I launched another arrow into the sky a summoning circle appeared under the creature. Another wave of arrows rained down again. I was desperate to end this quick but I didn't want to leave Stacy's side, she was barely alive. Her heart rate felt weak. she was unconscious laying on the road. I fall back I growl out from the shock of pain. The shikigami pierced through the shoulder of my left arm when I was distracted checking out Stacy. I hadn't noticed the arrows had faded as I inspected how bad the wounds are on Stacy. It picks me up slamming me back into the wall of a building I cough caught of guard. This god damn demon. My breath was getting heavy and fast my heart racking at lightening speed as if it was to explode. I shout out not from pain, but the rage I now felt. My right fist became a glove of red fire as I punched through the shikigami's tentacle that speared through my shoulder. Disintegrating the part of the tentacle I touched. Staggering to keep standing I rip out the rest of the tactical from my shoulder. I can't help laughing hysterically.

"You officially Pissed off the wrong being monster." A smile spread across my face as I charge the now shaken creature. It was screeching in pain. The rush I felt with each attack excited me. Frightened the monster jumped at Stacy who lay motionless on the ground hoping to get an advantage. "Over my dead body I moved quicker.

"What Are you?" It narrowed it's eye hissing. Frantically it shot out another tentacle Again it disintegrated as I touched it. It howled shooting another at Stacy. It didn't have time to pull back. It hissed a howl of pain.

"Learn your place monster." I growl I charged straight in time to end this shit.

"You damn monk I will tear your soul into pieces." It screamed taking another blow, Ben began laughing loudly at her words.

"I won't die so easily! I WILL PUT AN END TO YOU. YOU WILL NEVER KILL AGAIN, AND WHOEVER ALLOWED YOUR EXISTENCE ON THIS PLAN WILL DIE TOO!!!!!" I shout my vow.

running toward the creature fist pulled back to strike. I dodge the incoming tentacles before they strike. As if all senses in my body awoken I could feel where the tentacles would strike next. I jump up on one of them, the creature threw me up into the air. I would punch through the monster's center. The demon launched all its tentacles up as fell down toward it. Fist first I threw my body toward the monster. Blue light ruptures from the tentacles. They had been cut off in one go as I plunged closer.

"Finish it Ben!" A women's voice shouts out.

Barley able to look around as I was diving head first I try to adjust catching a glimpse of what looked like a blue spirit holding a scythe for a second then disappeared. The body of Stacy was still on the ground. Feeling relieved my mind became clear as I gave his final blow punching through the creature's body. Going right through into the stomach striking a crystal blue heart in the center of the enraged and hungry demon. Destroying the core; the demon ignited in red flame and turned to ash. Stacy had given him the opening subconsciously she trusted him. Walking through the flames as I wobble to her side. My arms were shaking as I bent down tears cool my burning eyes as I gently place my arm under her knees and neck, and pick her up cradling her close for a second time since they met. Tears fell as he walked out of the city my heart heavy. A hand Gently brushed my cheek wiping away the tears as we reached the car startling me. I look down, Stacy was looking up smiling I returned the smile without a word. I don't care what she is I'm going to protect her this time.