Chapter 3
The sun was beginning to set as Senji and Izayoi walked along the outskirts of the city. The peaceful atmosphere was suddenly shattered by the sound of a nearby explosion, followed by a cry of pain.
Izayoi reacted immediately. "That sounds like a fight! Let's go check it out."
"You always want to get involved in everything," Senji remarked, but followed her anyway.
In a nearby alley, they found a young woman with long black hair and hazel feline-like eyes. She had a pair of black cat ears and two black tails. Her black kimono was torn, indicating she had been fighting someone while fleeing.
"Hm…" Izayoi, with a finger on her chin, analyzed the girl and the extra limbs on her body. "She's a nekomata, right?"
She didn't need Senji's response to know she was right.
"W-Who are you?"
The girl asked between breaths, trying to calm her erratic breathing.
"…," Izayoi debated whether to give her name. "I'm Izayoi Saigou, and that old man is Senji Muramasa."
She pointed with her index finger at Senji, who was watching without much interest.
"Can we know your name? Or do you want to keep it a mystery?"
Senji spoke while kneeling to the wounded girl's level.
The girl looked away, unsure whether to reveal her name to these strangers.
As she thought it over seriously, she figured there was no harm in giving her name—she was no longer in the underworld, where she had been hunted for killing her master to protect her beloved little sister, Shirone, from that bastard demon.
"K-Kuroka, that's my name."
Senji looked into Kuroka's eyes, seeing no lie in her words.
"Alright, Kuroka. We're in China right now… Tell me, do you want to come with us?"
Kuroka's eyes widened in surprise at the sudden invitation.
"Why?!" she exclaimed, questioning the reason.
Senji glanced sideways at Izayoi.
"Wouldn't mind having a training partner, right?"
"Huh, I'm fine with it. But I doubt she'd be an interesting training partner."
Feeling devalued, Kuroka protested.
"I can teach you how to use ki!"
"What's that? Although I've read about ki, books aren't that useful. If you really know how to handle that energy, I'd like to see it."
Kuroka steadied her breath, closed her eyes, and a soft glowing energy surrounded her body. The wounds on her arms and sides began to close slowly, emitting a faint light.
Izayoi watched with interest, arms crossed and raising an eyebrow. 'So this is ki. Seems more useful than I thought… Maybe it's not a bad idea to learn it.'
"Ki isn't just for healing," Kuroka explained, her voice regaining some strength. "With practice, you can enhance your senses, strength, speed... even endurance."
Izayoi stepped forward, now evaluating Kuroka with more interest. "Well, that sounds worth trying. But I need proof you're not just bluffing."
She was intrigued by the healing potential of ki. She trusted her superhuman body not to get hurt easily, but it wouldn't hurt to have a way to recover when needed.
Senji observed Kuroka attentively. Though she no longer showed visible signs of injury thanks to the ki demonstration, her posture still showed fatigue. Her breathing was calm but irregular, and her torn kimono was evidence of her recent ordeal.
"Alright, before we move on, we need to get you something more suitable to wear," Senji said in his usual practical tone. "That torn kimono is no good for traveling or staying unnoticed."
Kuroka, who had remained silent while recovering, blinked in surprise. "…Thank you," she murmured, a hint of caution in her eyes.
"No need to thank me," Senji shrugged. "I was the one who invited you. Now come on, we don't have all day."
As they walked, Izayoi watched her with obvious curiosity. "So, nekomata-san," she began in a playful tone, "what kind of clothes do you prefer? Something simple or flashy?"
"Something… simple," Kuroka replied after a moment of thought. There was a touch of insecurity in her voice, but she tried to stay composed. "I don't want to attract too much attention."
Izayoi raised an eyebrow, a bit disappointed. "Simple, huh? Boring. But okay, I guess not everyone can be as cool as me."
"Please don't scare her more," Senji intervened with a tired look, though there was a hint of humor in his tone. "Let's find something quickly and move on."
They arrived at a small shop on a bustling street, lit by lanterns and glowing signs advertising all kinds of goods. People moved around absorbed in their own affairs, providing Kuroka with the anonymity she needed. Izayoi gently pushed her toward the store, her teasing smile intact.
"Go on, get in," Izayoi said, arms crossed. "Don't worry, we won't let you pick anything ugly... Well, at least I won't."
Kuroka hesitated for a moment, looking at them as if unsure whether to trust them. Finally, she stepped forward, disappearing among the shelves. Izayoi turned to Senji, who was leaning against a nearby pole, observing the crowd.
"Do you think she'll stay with us for long?" Izayoi asked, leaning beside him.
Senji shrugged. "That's up to her. We can't force her to stay, but if she does, she'll have to follow our rules."
"Always so strict," Izayoi said with a grin. "Well, I think I can convince her we're fun. You know, to balance out your boring seriousness."
Senji let out a short laugh and shook his head. "I trust you'll do the impossible to make that happen."
When Kuroka emerged from the store, she wore a new, simple black-and-white kimono that fit her well. Though her face still showed some fatigue, she looked more comfortable. She might not have fully trusted her new companions yet, but the tension in her expression had eased.
"How do I look?" Kuroka asked, a hint of curiosity in her feline eyes.
Izayoi looked her over and nodded approvingly. "Decent. Now you look ready to travel with us."
Senji nodded as well. "It's an improvement. Let's move before it gets too late."
As they walked together through the crowded street, Kuroka began to relax, though she still kept a slight distance. She watched Izayoi and Senji from the corner of her eye, wondering what kind of life awaited her if she chose to stay with them.
═ ═ ═══ • ═══ ═ ═ •
Underworld
In the vast and majestic Gremory residence, a private room lay in shadows, lit only by a faint magical glow emanating from the walls. The air was heavy, as if the words spoken there were too important to take lightly.
Rias Gremory entered the room with a slight nervousness in her step, guided by the urgent summons of her older brother, Sirzechs Lucifer. The young princess of the Gremory clan didn't know exactly what to expect, but Sirzechs' serious expression—usually cheerful and carefree—put her on alert.
"What is this about, Onii-sama?" she asked curiously as she stepped into the center of the room.
In a corner, under the dim light, she saw something that stopped her in her tracks: a small cage. Inside, curled up and hugging her knees, was a disheveled white-haired girl.
The little girl wore a white kimono, now dirty and worn, barely covering her fragile figure. Her hazel feline eyes were fixed on the floor, empty, as if she had given up on everything.
"Hm… Onii-sama, who is she?"
Rias asked innocently as she approached the cage, wondering why the little girl was locked inside.
"…," Sirzechs turned his gaze toward the child. "Her name is Shirone. She's a nekoshou, an extremely rare variant of nekomata. Her older sister killed her master, and now she's being hunted as a criminal. A letter arrived stating that this girl must be executed… I called you here for one simple reason, Rias."
Rias shifted her gaze from the girl to her older brother, gesturing for him to continue.
Sirzechs continued, his eyes now fixed on Rias. "I called you because you have a choice to make. You know it's time to start forming your own peerage. If you choose to recruit her, her life will be protected under your name. But the decision isn't mine—it's yours."
Rias turned her gaze back to the small figure in the cage. She slowly approached, her steps echoing softly in the room, until she was close enough to see her more clearly.
Shirone's eyes remained fixed on the ground. She didn't react to Rias' presence, not even when she knelt down to her level. The girl wasn't just physically imprisoned—she was emotionally trapped behind a wall that seemed impenetrable.
'Does she want to be saved?' Rias wondered as she studied the lifeless eyes of Shirone.
"Hey…" the girl continued hugging her knees, not looking at Rias, who had spoken gently. "It seems like you don't want to see me… but that's okay. I just want to ask you this—do you want to be saved?"
There was no response. She retreated further into herself.
Rias remained on her knees in front of the cage, staring at the small figure who seemed to have given up all hope. Her own words echoed in her mind: "She doesn't want to be saved." And yet, something stopped her from walking away. That fragile, broken girl awakened a deep desire in her to protect—though Shirone couldn't see it yet.
Sirzechs watched silently, letting Rias process the situation. His little sister wasn't one to give up easily, and he knew this decision would be crucial, both for Rias and for the young nekoshou.
At last, Rias broke the silence. Her gaze hardened as she stood and faced Sirzechs. "It doesn't matter if she doesn't want to be saved right now, Onii-sama. Sometimes, someone needs to be saved even if they don't ask for it. If no one else will protect her, then I will. I'll make her part of my peerage."
Sirzechs gave a faint smile, though his eyes reflected a mix of relief and concern. "It's a noble decision, Rias. But it won't be easy. Her heart is shattered, and her powers—though dormant—are immense. Controlling them will be a challenge. Gaining her trust, even more so."
"I know," Rias replied firmly. "But I can't ignore someone who's suffering like this. Whatever the cost, I'll protect her."
Sirzechs nodded and raised his hand toward the cage. A soft magical glow enveloped the bars, and they disappeared in an instant, leaving Shirone physically free, though still imprisoned within her own mind.
Rias knelt once more, this time with no barrier between them. Slowly, she extended her hand toward the little nekoshou. "Shirone, I'm Rias Gremory. From now on, you'll be under my protection. You don't have to fear anyone anymore."
Shirone's hazel eyes finally moved, lifting just enough to meet Rias'. There was something there—a spark of doubt or curiosity—but also deep distrust. She said nothing, but she didn't pull away from the outstretched hand.
Rias chose not to push further. Instead, she stood and looked at Sirzechs. "I'll prepare a room for her in the mansion. And I'll personally make sure she regains her strength… and her will."
Rias knew it wouldn't be easy. But for her, there was no turning back.
That same night, Rias took Shirone to a room in the Gremory mansion. The room she chose was warm, with a soft bed and a décor that exuded tranquility.
However, Shirone remained in a corner, hugging her knees as if the cage still surrounded her.
Rias sighed as she sat nearby, careful not to invade her space. "It'll be a long road… but we'll make it," she murmured to herself.
Just as she stood to let the girl rest, a faint voice broke the silence.
"Why…?"
Rias froze, turning around immediately. Shirone wasn't looking at her, but her trembling lips formed the question.
"Why did you save me…? I don't deserve it…"
Rias' heart tightened at those words. She moved closer again, kneeling in front of the nekoshou, careful not to startle her.
"Why do you think you don't deserve it, Shirone?" she asked gently.
The girl barely lifted her eyes, revealing a glint of pain. "Because of me… my sister… left. All of this happened because I'm weak… She abandoned me…"
Rias felt a knot in her chest as she listened. Slowly, she took Shirone's small hands in hers.
"You're not weak, Shirone. You're strong—much stronger than you think. What your sister did isn't your fault. It's not fair for you to carry that burden alone."
Shirone pressed her lips together, trying to hold back tears. "She left me… And because of her… they want to kill me."
Rias gently squeezed her hands, radiating warmth that clashed with the emotional cold Shirone had built around herself. "I can't speak for your sister or her choices. But what I can say is this: you're not alone anymore. I'm here. And I won't let anyone hurt you."
Shirone didn't respond, but her eyes began to fill with tears that finally rolled down her cheeks. Rias didn't let go, staying by her side in silence, letting her cry as much as she needed.
After a while, Shirone murmured with a trembling voice, "…I don't trust you."
Rias nodded, unfazed. "I don't expect you to trust me now, Shirone. But I'll show you that you can. In time. Okay?"
Shirone didn't reply, but Rias noticed a slight change in her gaze. It wasn't trust, but it wasn't rejection either. It was a small step toward hope.
That night, as Rias left the room, she knew it wouldn't be easy to win Shirone over. But she also knew she'd made the right decision. Shirone deserved a second chance—and as Rias Gremory, she would make sure she got it.
A remote area of the Gremory territory. The sounds of impact echoed loudly, mixing with grunts of effort and the metallic clashing of collisions. A makeshift training field stretched between green hills, where Alexander, Esdeath, and Sairaorg were exchanging blows and testing their limits.
The atmosphere buzzed with palpable energy. Alexander, katana drawn, faced off against Sairaorg, whose muscular body was wrapped in a layer of magical aura. Meanwhile, Esdeath observed from the side, arms crossed—not entirely still, though, as she launched occasional ice blasts toward both of them, forcing them to remain on guard.
"Watch out, Alexander!" shouted Sairaorg as he charged forward with a fist glowing with energy. Alexander spun, deflecting the blow with his katana, though the force sent him sliding several meters back, leaving deep marks in the dirt.
"Tsk! Your strength is unmatched, Sairaorg," Alexander said, regaining his footing. "But you lack precision."
"And you can't take a hit," Sairaorg replied with a challenging grin, charging in again.
From her spot, Esdeath raised an eyebrow. "Are you training only your muscles? If you don't learn to anticipate movements, you'll be dead before touching the enemy."
"Then come here and show us how it's done," Sairaorg shot back, glancing at her.
"I don't need to prove anything," she said coolly, though a playful smile appeared on her lips. "I'm here to supervise… and remind you I'm not as soft as you."
Before Sairaorg could reply, a familiar voice interrupted the scene.
"Well, always so competitive."
The three turned toward the voice, seeing Rias approach the training field. Her long crimson hair swayed gently, and though her expression was calm, there was something in her demeanor that reflected determination.
"Rias," Alexander greeted, relaxing his stance. "What brings you here?"
Rias gave a small smile, crossing her arms. "I just came to see what you were doing. But as usual, it's all about brute strength around here."
Esdeath let out a light laugh, raising her hand to conjure a small ice crystal. "What did you expect? Some of us don't settle for strategy debates like Sona does."
The mention of her close friend made Rias raise an eyebrow, but she kept her composure. "Not everyone has to rely on muscles, Esdeath. Sona prefers to train her mind, and that's fine. I doubt she'd come here just to play with you."
Sairaorg laughed, leaning against a nearby tree. "You say that like it's a bad thing, Rias. Though I won't deny Sona could use a bit more physical action now and then."
"Maybe," Rias conceded, then looked at her brother. "But I didn't come here to talk about Sona. I want to train."
The air tensed for a moment. Alexander looked at Rias curiously, while Esdeath tilted her head, intrigued.
"Train?" Alexander repeated, making sure he heard right.
"Yes," Rias affirmed with conviction. "I want to improve. If I'm going to lead my peerage someday, I can't rely solely on my current abilities. I need to get stronger."
Esdeath whistled quietly, clearly impressed by Rias' determination. "So little Rias finally wants to get her hands dirty? This will be fun."
"If you want to train with us, it'll be tough," Sairaorg added with a grin. "But I like that attitude. Honestly, I thought you just came to watch."
Rias gave him a sideways look, unbothered. "Don't underestimate me, Sairaorg. I may not be as strong as you, but I'm not weak either."
Alexander studied his sister seriously, then nodded. "Alright. If that's what you want, you're starting now."
Rias blinked, surprised. "Right now?"
"Yes," Alexander said, turning to Esdeath. "You'll warm her up. And don't go easy on her—she's not a child."
Esdeath showed a sharp smile, almost dangerous. "Oh, don't worry, Alexander. I'll make sure she's ready… if she survives."
Rias swallowed hard but didn't back down. Deep down, she knew this was the only way to grow.
Esdeath stepped forward, while Rias took a defensive stance, though her lack of physical combat experience was clear.
"First, I want to see how you move," said Esdeath, raising her hand. A series of small ice crystals formed around her, floating in the air. "Dodge this."
Without warning, Esdeath launched the crystals at her. Rias leapt to the side to dodge the first, but the next ones came from multiple angles, and though she tried, some grazed her.
"Too slow," Esdeath said coldly. "If this were real combat, you'd be out."
"I won't give up that easily!" Rias exclaimed, adjusting her stance and trying to anticipate Esdeath's moves.
From a distance, Sairaorg watched with interest, while Alexander crossed his arms, silently evaluating his sister's performance.
Rias panted as she dodged another ice shard. Each step reminded her how far behind she was compared to her peers. But instead of discouraging her, the pressure drove her. 'I can't fall behind,' she thought, readjusting again.
Little by little, Rias improved. Though she was still hit by a few crystals, her movements became sharper, more calculated.
"That's better," Esdeath admitted, though her tone remained critical. "But you still have a lot to learn."
When training ended, Rias was drenched in sweat, but a new spark of confidence shone in her eyes.
"Giving up already?" Sairaorg teased.
Rias shook her head, breathing hard, but her voice steady. "Not a chance. This is just the beginning."
Alexander gave a rare, faint smile—clearly proud. "That's what I wanted to hear. See you here tomorrow, Rias. Be ready for something tougher."
As Rias left, she heard Esdeath's voice behind her.
"Rias."
"Yes?"
Esdeath offered a small, sincere smile—less cruel than usual. "You've got guts. I like that. Maybe you're not so useless after all."
Rias couldn't help but smile back. "Thanks, Esdeath. Though I'm not sure if that was a compliment."
As she walked away, Rias felt something shift inside her. This was just the first step on her path to becoming stronger—but with people like Alexander, Esdeath, and Sairaorg at her side, she knew she wouldn't walk it alone.
Side Story: First Date?
Japan, 1982
The streets of Kyoto were quiet that spring night. A light breeze brushed through the cherry trees, scattering petals through the air before they settled on the ground. The atmosphere had a touch of melancholy, but for Senji Muramasa, it was exactly what he needed.
He walked with his hands in the pockets of his gray coat, his steps slow but steady. His mind was blank, enjoying the sound of distant murmurs and the crunch of stones beneath his feet. It was one of those nights where he felt especially grateful to have left behind the conflicts and chaos of the supernatural world.
A peaceful movie. Two hours of quiet. That's all I ask, he thought as he headed toward a local cinema. He had read about a foreign film that was causing a stir: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. He didn't have high expectations, but he wanted a distraction.
However, Senji wasn't the type to let his guard down, even in Kyoto's peace. As he walked, a strange tingling at the back of his neck made him frown. It wasn't anything supernatural, but... was someone following him?
He stopped for a moment, listening carefully. At first, he only heard the murmur of the wind—but then, something else: soft footsteps that stopped when he did.
With a sigh of resignation, he spoke aloud.
"You can come out now," he said, not even bothering to look behind.
A couple of seconds later, a familiar voice rang out.
"Senji-chaaaan~! So clever! How did you know I was here?"
He turned slowly, finding himself face-to-face with the energetic Serafall Leviathan, who looked at him with a huge smile and her hands clasped behind her back as if plotting something.
"Serafall…" he muttered, with a mix of exhaustion and resignation. "What are you doing here?"
She bounced toward him in a spring-white dress that highlighted her youthful aura. "What a coincidence running into you here! I was thinking of going to the movies, and it turns out you're headed the same way. It's destiny, Senji-chan!"
He raised an eyebrow. "Destiny? You've been following me for the last three blocks."
Serafall giggled nervously, scratching the back of her head. "Don't be paranoid, Senji-chan! Pure coincidence... Well, maybe a little curiosity too."
Senji sighed again, placing a hand on his forehead. "Look, I don't have the time or energy for your games. I just want to watch a movie in peace. That's all."
"Perfect!" Serafall exclaimed, ignoring his tone. "Because I want to watch a movie too. Let's go together! It'll be fun."
"This isn't a date."
"Of course not, of course not," she said airily, in a tone that only irritated him more.
The local theater was small but cozy. Neon lights flickered softly at the entrance, and movie posters covered the walls. The room wasn't even close to full—a fact Senji silently appreciated as he bought his ticket for E.T.
But just when he thought he'd finally get some peace, Serafall appeared beside him with her own ticket... and a huge bucket of popcorn.
"What a coincidence! I bought the same ticket as you!" she beamed, shaking the popcorn in front of his face.
"It's not a coincidence if you did it on purpose," he replied dryly, heading into the theater.
He chose a seat in a corner, far from the center, hoping Serafall would sit somewhere else. But of course, she settled right beside him.
"Want some popcorn, Senji-chan?" she offered, holding out the bucket.
"No," he snapped, staring straight at the screen as the trailers began to play.
At first, Senji managed to concentrate on the story. The idea of a lost alien trying to return home was curious. But every time he tried to immerse himself in the movie, Serafall found a way to interrupt.
"Aww, look at E.T.! He's so cute!" she whispered excitedly, leaning closer.
Senji clenched his jaw. "Can you watch the movie without talking?"
"Sorry, sorry," she replied quickly—but it didn't take long for her to speak again.
"Look! He's lifting the bike with his powers! Isn't that amazing?"
Senji closed his eyes and exhaled deeply. Clearly, peace was not an option tonight.
And yet, despite his internal complaints, he couldn't help but notice something strange. Serafall's energy—which normally exhausted him—seemed to match perfectly with the movie's magic. There was something... refreshing about her enthusiasm.
When they left the theater, Serafall was overflowing with emotion, talking nonstop about her favorite parts.
"That was amazing! The part where E.T. says 'Phone home' made me tear up a little. What about you, Senji-chan? What did you think?"
"It was fine," he replied in his usual dry tone.
"It was more than fine! I know you loved it!" she insisted, skipping in front of him, walking backward so she could look him in the face.
"If I say yes, will you stop talking for the rest of the night?"
"Hmm... maybe!" she replied with a mischievous grin.
Senji shook his head, but for the first time in a while, a faint smile crossed his face. Maybe, he thought, it wasn't so bad having her around… sometimes.
"Alright," he said at last. "It was a good movie. But don't follow me to the theater again."
"No promises~!" she sang cheerfully, bouncing ahead as they walked through the streets of Kyoto together.
That night, as Senji returned home, he realized that, as exhausting as she was, Serafall had a strange talent for making his days just a little less monotonous. Even if he'd never admit it… he didn't really mind seeing her again.