...After school, around 11 at night, I was waiting in the clubroom for Menma-kun. I haven't been able to talk to him as of late. Even during lunch, he didn't have time as he was having lunch with… Akeno-san. I gave him the bento beforehand in class but he ate lunch with her so I… Well, I was alone during lunch but I didn't mind.
Everyone else has gone… somewhere. No one would tell me where they went but they went somewhere in a hurry. Menma-kun left to do a contract ages ago and now they left so abruptly.
Suddenly, a magic circle flashed in the room. When I looked, silhouettes appeared. The… Menma-kun! He's injured!
"W-What happened!?"
I became frantic and rushed to his side! I put him down on the couch and looked him over!
"D-Don't worry Naruko-chan. Listen..."
So he started telling me what happened. While on a contract, he came across a murder scene at a house. A funky priest was there, and killed the person for associating with Devils. Then the priest caused these injuries to him. And the nun Asia-san was there with the priest and found out that Menma-kun is a Devil. Poor girl, I could've seen something happen with Menma-kun and her. They just shared that look, that says they were into one another.
Then I listened to Rias-senpai explain about exorcists as they use some demonic power to lessen the pain of Menma-kun's wounds.
"There are two types of exorcists. The first are the exorcists who receive the blessing from God to perform exorcism in the name of justice. This group of exorcists borrows its power from God and Angels to eliminate Devils. And there is another one. Stray exorcists."
"Stray?"Menma-kun asked. She nodded.
"Exorcism is a holy ceremony that is performed in the name of God. But sometimes, there are exorcists who start to enjoy the act of killing Devils. They are beings who have found killing Devils as joy and as their purpose of life. So they get kicked out from the Church without exception. Or they get erased for being found guilty."
"Erased… so they get killed."
"But there are those who survive. What do you think happens to those exorcists? It's simple. They go to the Fallen Angels."
"Fallen Angels are the ones with black wings, right?"
Menma-kun, I'm shocked you asked a question like that. You already know that silly idiot. You really need to stop worrying me. I knew being a Devil was no good. Since he became a Devil, he's been going on hunts, being attacked by mental priests and that's only the beginning.
"Yes. Even though Fallen Angels are beings that were kicked out from the Heaven, they still have the power of light, the power to eliminate Devils. The Fallen Angels also lost a lot of their comrades and their men in the previous war. That's why they started to collect servants, just like us."
"So the Fallen Angels who find the Devils a nuisance and the exorcists who want to kill Devils have the same objective, right?"
"Yes. That's why they are called stray exorcists. So the dangerous exorcists who became addicted to Devil-hunts started to attack Devils and the humans with connections to Devils by borrowing powers from the Fallen Angels. The boy priest from earlier is exactly that. He's a stray exorcist who belongs to an organisation with the support of the Fallen Angels. They are not proper exorcists, but they are still dangerous like the proper ones. No, since they have no restrictions on them, they are much harder to deal with than the actual exorcists. It's not smart to deal with them. So, the Church you went to before does not belong to God but to the Fallen Angels."
Menma-kun then stood up to my confusion.
"Buchou, I need to save that girl, Asia!"
"It's impossible. How will you fight them? You are a Devil. And she is a servant of Fallen Angels. It's the two kinds that cannot coexist. Saving her means making the Fallen Angels your enemies. …If that happened, we would also have to fight."
"She's right, Menma-kun. You don't know what your Sacred Gear does, and neither do I. Please don't put yourself in such a dangerous position, ok? Just… go home for now and rest. You've had it pretty hard. Want me to walk you home?"
As he was about to say something, Rias-senpai stood up and wrapped an arm around him.
"I'll walk him home, Uzumaki. Don't worry about him."
I nodded and they left. I could've done that stupid gorilla. Why do I feel jealous all of a sudden? Ugh! Stupid people like her annoy me! But it is late, so I'm going to head home also. Akeno-san and Koneko-chan have just left… so once again, it is Kiba-kun and I.
"Uzumaki-san… I can't walk you home tonight. Buchou wants me to do some work for her."
"O-Oh, I see. That's fine. Don't worry. If you want to come over later, then please do. If not then… I will see you tomorrow."
"Coming over sounds good. I'll only be about an hour."
"Ok! See you then!"
We bid farewell to one another. He's coming over later huh, that's great!
I walked home in anticipation and when I finally got to my apartment, I opened the door and switched on my lights. I went into my kitchen to make something to eat...
"Heee, what a pretty girl."
...! W-What was that!? I turned around… my eyes met a boy. A boy is in my apartment! B-But I don't know this guy. He has white hair, and a sadistic look in his eyes. I-I...
"What are you doing in my home!?"
I demanded from this person. He jumps up in an excited manner! What is he going to do to me? I-I don't want him to be here… I'm kind of scared right now. He is going to kill me… with that sword of light he is holding! He's wearing priest's clothes… is this the man who attacked Menma-kun?
"Oi! Bastard! Did you attack a boy named Namikaze Menma!?"
"Hohohohohohoh! Menma-kun huh!? Yeah, I attacked him. He screamed like a bitch as I shot him in the legs~!"
He shot Menma-kun in the legs. Yes, I saw those type of wounds on him. The guy starts moving closer to me. Shit! What am I going to do!? I looked around for something to use against this guy!
"W-Why are you here!?"
"Arararara! I've come to take you to the Fallen Angel-sama's! They have become interested in your Sacred Gear. That bitch Raynare thinks it's worth extracting it from you for her leader-sama."
Extracting my Sacred Gear? Why? It's only a barrier type Sacred Gear! There's got to be more better Sacred Gears out there! If they extract a Sacred Gear… wouldn't it kill me? I-I don't want to die!
He got to the counter and leaned against it with one hand. I need to escape. B-But, how can I? If this person beats Menma-kun in a fight when he is a Devil… what can I do? I'm just an average girl now. If I been attacked back then… but now I'm just normal. I'm plain… and my Sacred Gear isn't for attacking. I could use it to defend myself but I need to escape from here.
"Got any last words sweetheart?"
"A-Are you going to kill me now?"
"Not yet. First let's take a trip to those Fallen Angel-sama's. So, as a naughty priest boy, I wanted to ask you if there's anything you'd like to say in your defence? Ooh wait, this isn't court! But I'm arresting you so to speak!"
My hands went all over the counter. My back is to the counter and his eyes are focused on my face. If I can find something sharp then...
"Yes, I do have some last words. Will you be nice and listen to them?"
He smirks like a Devil and gets really close to my face. I can feel his stale breath hitting my face. It is making me feel sick to the pit of my stomach. I resist the urge to gag at the staleness of his breath.
"Sure sweet thing. So, what's the last words of a soon to be dead girl?"
My hands came into contract with a handle of some kind. I ran my fingers up the handle and felt cold steel. It's a knife! His guard is down. Alright then you fucker. Let's dance you bastard!
"My last words are… FUCK YOU!"
STAB!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!"
I plunged the knife deep into his hand on that counter! I then grabbed him by the shoulders and brought my knee up strongly!
BANG!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! YOU FUCKING CRAZY BITCH! YOU KNEED ME IN THE BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLS!"
"How can you call anyone crazy, fucker!"
I turned and saw a pan on my counter! Perfect! This will do some damage! I grabbed it, and turned to him! He was reaching for his light sword with his other hand so I twisted then pulled out the knife that was still in his hand!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! SHIT!"
The pain from his hand distracted him, so I swung the pan with as much force as I could muster!
"Take this!"
BANG!
With a banging sound, I smashed the pan across his face! It sent him to the floor! He's a trained exorcist, or I presume anyway. That's not going to hold him long!
"Bye, you sick fucker!"
I took the pan and knife and ran out of my apartment! I need to escape this place! Even in my own home, I'm not safe from the stupid supernatural!
But where do I go!? Who's the closest? Menma-kun's house is about ten minutes away if I run at full speed. The school is about five minutes at full speed. Kiba-kun should still be at the school… I will go to the school! If I get there, then he will protect me from these people!
However, before I could even attempt to make a break for it down the hallway to the stairs at the end of my second story apartment building… there were a bunch of guys wearing priest's clothes and they all had light swords… I don't like my chances right now.
The stairway is blocked by the priests. Why are they so interested in me!? I'm just an average girl now! I don't want to be connected to the supernatural! Please! Someone tell me what's going on!?
"You fucking bitch! Get her, you idiots!"
That guy's voice! He came out of my apartment building spitting blood on the floor. In there, it did kind of look… like a horror scene. There's nothing I can do… I could jump. That's the only thing I can do. But if I jump from this height, would I break my leg? Even if I jumped, I wouldn't be able to get away.
[Jump! Make a barrier around yourself to cushion your fall! Geez, you are stupid sometimes! No, make that all the time!]
That voice is back! I'm not stupid all the time... To make a barrier to cushion my fall? Would that work, mysterious voice?
[Yes. If you erect a dome, or a bubble around you then it will be able to cushion your fall then you can run. As you are, you can't fight against this many.]
I know that. So how do I do it again? Imagination, right?
[Yes. Activate your Sacred Gear, and imagine a bubble or dome or what have you around yourself. As you are, you can't make very strong barriers but it will be enough to cushion your fall and run to that Knight of Rias Gremory.]
You even know about Kiba-kun? And Rias-senpai? Well whatever! As long as I can get to Kiba-kun, he can protect me!
As they charge at me, I stab one of the priests in the face, killing him and I throw the pan at someone else, knocking him over! I'm not bothered about killing if it means survival. And these people aren't on my Christmas list. And never will be. They are evil. I feel it inside this body of mine.
"Here goes nothing! Geronimooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"
I jumped off the balcony type place and activated my Sacred Gear! I then imagined hard about a bubble-like barrier surrounding me!
As I thought that, the aura around me grew and extended around my body! Then, a bubble barrier appeared around me! Hey, that's pretty cool!
I went to the ground and as I hit the ground, the bubble burst and I landed on my butt safely. Phew, looks like the voice was right after all. Thank you mysterious voice!
[Run now, thank me later idiot girl!]
Ok! Geez! Stop yelling at me all the time! And stop calling me idiot girl! But thank you for the assistance!
I stood up and ran as fast as I could for the school! If I run at full speed and don't look back, they won't be able to catch me, maybe. I don't want to be caught! I might not like the supernatural stuff and the idea of a Sacred Gear isn't exactly fun for me but if I have it extracted… wont I die? I don't want to die! I-I need to live a strong life and fill it with happiness, just like Kaa-chan and Tou-chan would want me to do.
I ran for at least two minutes, before I had to stop. The reason was, four Fallen Angels appeared in front of me! This isn't fair! I haven't done anything wrong!
"My oh my. Remember me, tomato head?"
"Bitch that killed Menma-kun. I remember you well. Well, you can fuck off! Leave us alone! We didn't do anything to you, so just leave me and him alone!"
As I said that, people surrounded us… the priests from before. Even that boy priest is here.
"My, Freed, what happened?"
Freed? She talked to that bastard I stabbed. He gave me a sneer.
"That little bitch stabbed me, kneed me in the balls and whacked me with a pan."
The Fallen Angels laughed at that. Using this chance, I tried to run in a place that they weren't but...they moved to that place. A loli Fallen Angel pointed at me.
"Nahaha! You can't go yet, tomato head. You'll miss all the fun."
"I'd rather die than have fun with freaks like you, little bitch."
I spat at her. She narrowed her eyes.
"Hah! She begged you Mittelt."
"Oh shut up Kalawarner!"
"Fuck sake, shut up! Get her for fuck sake!"
The Fallen Angel man ordered. I then remembered, I have a barrier type Sacred Gear. I thought of a strong dome to appear around me! It formed and blocked their chances to get me… for the moment.
"Get in there!"
The Fallen Angel girl who killed Menma-kun ordered. The priests start shooting my dome as I slunk to the floor. I put my knees to my chest, and rested my head against my knees. There's no way I'm getting out of this now.
[Sorry girl. There's nothing you can do.]
I know. Thank you for helping me try to escape. Say, what is your name? You are being sealed in my Sacred Gear, right?
[Yes. That's right. Well, it's more accurate to say, a portion of me is sealed in here. The good portion.]
A portion? That means… just a fragment of your… soul?
[Right. It would take too long to explain. All you need to know is that I'm what is considered good by your terms.]
I don't really know what you mean but I want to say thank you for… tonight and when you saved me from the Stray Devil spear. You didn't tell me your name by the way. In case you didn't know mine, it's Uzumaki Naruko. Pleasured to… speak with you I guess.
[Pleasure indeed. If you live, I will tell you my name.]
Ok! You have a deal! If I live, you tell me your name!
[Deal.]
With that, the conversation stopped. The reason was because the barrier broke and lots of the exorcists rushed me. They grabbed me by my arms and pulled me to my feet!
"Kehehehehehe! It seems you lost bitch."
The priest bastard stroked my face. So vile. I narrowed my eyes at him and the rest of them. They aren't getting the better of me. He then said words that made me shiver to my very core.
"I'm going to rape you."
...Like that, my body went numb and I felt like I died. Kiba-kun...please save me before it's too late…
***
(Yuuto P.o.V)
Hmmmm, I wonder if Uzumaki-san will like this takeaway I got her? I thought that I should get her something since I did want to stay at hers again. She gave me the choice and I chose to stay. I don't know what it is, but I just want to be as close as possible to her. It's a strange feeling, yet I can't seem to understand it.
Whenever I see her, I just want to… be closer to her. Just to hold her hand, hug her, kiss her. I've never felt like this before. It happened a while ago, but I've not been able to talk to her until recently when Namikaze-kun became a Devil.
Before that, every time I saw her, she ran away from me and just looked nervously at me without speaking. I thought she might've hated me as she never seemed to want to be near me. She's just got this… whole amazing attitude. She's shy, yet fiery. Somehow, it works with her. Usually, combos like that don't work but she pulls it off quite nicely indeed.
Maybe I should thank Buchou for making Namikaze-kun a Devil. If he didn't, then Uzumaki-san wouldn't have an excuse to come to the clubroom everyday, and there's no way I would ever be able to approach her.
But I don't like it when she says things like how she isn't pretty. Or when I compliment her, it looks like she doesn't believe my words. Maybe she isn't used to it. From what I witness, some girls call her names and other things that are meant to be hurtful.
Well, that's going to stop. I won't let anyone hurt her anymore. She's strong, but also has a personality that makes you want to protect her… it's strange. Before her… I never even bothered looking at girls… now, I can't seem to get her off my mind.
As I neared her building, I felt holy power here. I've never felt holy power here before! I dropped the food I was holding and by using the speed of the Knight, I rushed through the street and used my wings to fly to her apartment level!
In the hallway, there's a priest who has been stabbed in the head, and is dead. Who killed him? Uzumaki-san? I looked to Uzumaki-san's apartment… to see that the door was wide open! I rushed inside...
"W-What is this?" I spoke feeling ill. There's blood everywhere! On the floor, the walls! What the hell happened here!? I scanned around… I can't see Uzumaki-san anywhere. There's so much blood...
"Uzumaki-san...?"
The priest outside… this has got to be related to the Fallen Angels! They have done something to her! If they have killed her, I'm going to exterminate every last one of those disgusting creatures!