Karenai Hana Ch 5

Darkness.

Setsuna looked around and could see nothing but darkness.
She could hear nothing but her own footsteps and labored breathing.
She continued to walk forward, venturing deeper into the darkness.

Until she heard a faint sound of metal hitting against metal. She turned.

A small child stood before her clothed in loose robes. Her wrists were cuffed, and chains were wrapped around her in various places.

Setsuna’s gaze trailed upward. The child’s hair curtained the right side of her face, completely covering it, while a single scar cut across her expressionless face. Her visible eye, looking dull and dead, locked with Setsuna’s own.

I’m interested…

Setsuna fell on her knees, with a pained expression on her face; a sudden sharp pain invaded her chest area. The child’s arms reached for Setsuna. Every inch she gained closer to Setsuna seemed to cause her more and more pain. The child continued onwards, floating closer to Setsuna’s pained form as she spoke.

Does your soul taste as tasty? Is your heretic existence as bitter-sweet?

The child asked, as her arms reached up to Setsuna’s face. Setsuna clutched herself tighter, before letting out a groan. She collapsed onto the ground, barely conscious. Setsuna painstakingly looked up to the nearing child.

What do you want?

Another figure appeared beside Setsuna. Her features were dark and unrecognizable, and steely red eyes glowed as she stole a quick glance down Setsuna. She advanced forward to the child.

---
Chapter 5: Himitsu
---

“YATSUKA-SAN!!”

Setsuna managed to shout despite the growing pain that was ripping in her chest. She struggled to free her wrists, but Aoki’s grasp only became tighter …and tighter. Blood that had already soaked the bed sheets and had begun to pool on the floor below.

The translucent arm plunged deeper into her, causing Setsuna to cough up blood and making it even harder to breathe.

C’Ch—Kuso!

Setsuna heaved, trying to force air and oxygen to her lungs. Her eyes scanned up to Aoki's face. Setsuna's eyes widened as a translucent image of a child with a scar across its face began to materialize behind Aoki. Its other ghostly hand was covering Aoki's eyes.

"---Y---TSUKA---SA---!!" Setsuna managed only to blurt out a few syllables, as she continued her struggle.

I-I have to free my arms! Setsuna thought while trailing her gaze on the scarred arms that had taken captive of her own. She knew she didn’t have much time. She began to hallucinate as she felt something being tugged out of her chest. Frantically, she tried to find some sort of escape route.

And finally she did. Setsuna hastily outstretched her arms, knocking Aoki out of balance and falling forward. Setsuna took the opportunity to brace herself and move her head back, hitting Aoki’s head with her own in full force.

Aoki’s head was thrown back along with a muffled sound of pain, but instead of completely falling backwards, Aoki stopped her fall half-way. The translucent child’s face was surprised.

Setsuna felt another tug on her chest as she recovered from the head-butt, and as Aoki’s head flew backwards. She gasped. The arm didn’t remove itself off Setsuna. She extended her hands to grab the arm, but her hands went through it. Setsuna grimaced and looked up, only to see the child’s face looking, staring at her with all its dullness.

How dare you…

Aoki’s voice sounded, making Setsuna advert her gaze towards her. Her tone was low and dangerous.

Her head was still facing up; left on its position after Setsuna had hit her. Aoki’s left hand made its way to her face while she bent forward, and her other hand reached to grasp the arm that had penetrated Setsuna’s chest.

Aoki’s hand tightened around the arm that Setsuna had previously had not been able to grab. Setsuna gasped as she felt the pressure in her chest and the tugging slowly diminish. Still clutching her own face, Aoki slowly opened one visible eye and glared sharply at the translucent child. The eye was marred and blood red. Whether from smudged blood or something else entirely, the visible side of Aoki’s face was full of slashes and crimson cut marks.

Kieru.

And with that single word, the child motioned back, somehow managing to look with scorn even with her blank expression before completely vanishing to thin air. Yet after the child had disappeared, something hit Aoki’s face and sent her falling down the blood-soaked floor. Recovering slightly with her hand still covering her face, Aoki looked, surprised, at Setsuna’s  heaving form on the bed. Setsuna’s ki-enhanced punch, had made her mouth bleed.

“W-What the hell are you???” Setsuna questioned between heaves, moving closer to the other edge of the bed to grab Yuunagi.

She almost jumped when a sudden loud knocking on the door was heard.

“Secchan!!?”

“Setsuna-san!!”

“Setsuna-san!!”

The mixed voices of Konoka, Negi and Asuna echoed behind the door.

“Setsuna-san!!? What’s going on in there??!” Negi asked, worry evident in his voice.

“Secchan! Open the door!”

Setsuna’s eyes widened as she heard Konoka’s voice, “O-ojousama!?”

“Secchan!? Secchan!! What happened???! Open the door!!!”


As the ruckus on the door continued, Aoki inwardly winced. She scrambled to stand up, grabbed her jacket, and jumped out the window.

“AH!!” Setsuna grabbed Yuunagi and tried to chase after Aoki, but was held back as the door opened. Konoka, Asuna and Negi rushed inside. Asuna quickly covered her nose as the smell of blood invaded her senses.

“S-Setsuna-san, what happened here???”

“Secchan!!” Konoka ran towards Setsuna the moment she sees her, grabbing Setsuna’s hand as the half demon tried to follow Aoki‘s suit.

“O-Ojousama----! Cho—“

“Secchan! You’re bleeding!”

Setsuna’s head turned, only to see Konoka’s worried expression. Setsuna immediately flushed, yet didn’t attempt to move.

“N-no ojousama, this isn’t my blood…”

Konoka grabbed a handkerchief and tried to wipe the blood off Setsuna’s mouth, but Setsuna had moved away towards the window, only to find that Aoki was nowhere to be seen.

---

A few more hours passed.

Silent footsteps were heard in between serrated breaths. A sudden dead and deafening sound of crashing broke the silence. It was still dark.

“N-no! P-pu-please leave me alone!” a man pleaded, scurrying backwards on his fallen position.

“Gomen nasai.” A shadow loomed over him, its voice sounding broken.

“I-I’ll do anything! J-Just ---please!!”

An arm went through the man’s chest; the man no longer was able to scream out as blood started to quickly fill his lungs.

“Naraba, shindekurenai?” the voice spoke again, sounding as if it doesn’t want to do what it was doing. Afterwhich, the sick sound of flesh being torn and devoured echoed throughout the place.

The slight hint of sunrise could then be seen.

“Gomen nasai.”

---

Morning.

The school bell rang as a signal that classes had started and homeroom had begun. Uncommon as it was, Asuna, Konoka and Setsuna had arrived in the classroom earlier than usual. A slight gloomy mood was present throughout the classroom.

Negi started the role call, only to find that the exchange student wasn’t there. Haruna glanced at Setsuna’s direction. The hanyou’s forehead was still quite swollen from what happened last night. Konoka had insisted that Setsuna rest in their dorm room for the day, unconvinced by Setsuna’s words that she was fine. But half demon was stubborn, saying that she has to report the matter to the headmaster as soon as possible.

“N-Negi-kun?? What happened here??” Haruna, Yue, Nodoka and Kaede had rushed into the room, just after Aoki disappeared.

“We heard Setsuna-san scream, so we rushed here, de gozaru.”

Nodoka squeaked, seeing blood all over the room, their sights then moving to Setsuna, who was also drenched with blood. They began to panic.

“S-Setsuna-san?!! Are you alright?? You’re bleeding!” Haruna exclaimed.

Setsuna snapped from her current reverie, her features evidently showing how disoriented she was.

“E-Eh. I’m not wounded, Saotome-san.” Setsuna blurted out, looking at the window and grasping her chest. The sensation of the arm that had penetrated her chest hadn’t been relieved yet.

“What are you saying, Secchan! You’re bleeding!” Konoka fussed, and grabbed Setsuna’s arm. She was about to drag the hanyou away, but then suddenly stopped and turned to Negi.  “Negi-kun, is there anything we can do about the blood?”

Asuna took a towel from one of the drawers and placed it over Setsuna’s arm over the blood patches.

“A-Asuna-san, it’s not needed! I’m fine!” Setsuna stammered as she tried to get away from Asuna.

Konoka held Setsuna in place as she tried to distance herself from Asuna and the towel.

“O-Ojousama!”

“Secchan, hold still.”

Setsuna turned and placed both of her hands over Konoka’s shoulder, ignoring Asuna’s protests that she should hold still.

“Ojousama, I’m fine, really!”

“Secchan! How could you say that?? You’re covered in blood and your forehead is all red! How can you say that you’re fine??” Konoka snapped back at Setsuna worriedly.

“Ojousama, I---“ Setsuna’s grasps on Konoka’s shoulders suddenly loosened, and she fell limp unto Konoka.

“Secchan?? Secchan!!”


A few hours later Setsuna woke up in Konoka’s bed, with and the said healer kneeling by the side of the bed.

---

Aoki didn’t appear for the rest of the day. Not a single trace could be found. Setsuna clasped her hands tight together; the fact that the said exchange student hadn’t appeared made her and the others more and more suspicious. For Setsuna’s case, also anxious and worried.

Finally, the last bell rang, signaling the end of classes for the day. Setsuna hurriedly stood up, fixing her things.

“Secchan.”

The hanyou suddenly jumped as she heard her childhood nickname.

“H-hai, ojousama?”

“You’re going to meet with Ojiichan, right? I’ll go with you.” Konoka walked beside Setsuna.

“O-ojousama, you don’t need to.” Setsuna smiled at Konoka, but only succeeding to make Konoka frown. The Konoe heir grabbed her guardian’s arm and leaned closer, pouting. Setsuna’s trademark blush appeared.

“Secchan. I’m going with you. I need to talk to Ojiichan about Yatsuka-kun too.”

Setsuna’s blush colored deeper, yet she removed Konoka’s arm on hers. “Gomen Ojousama. But I promise it won’t take long.”

“B-But Seccha—“ Konoka tried to convince Setsuna, yet the hanyou had already sped out of the classroom.

---

Setsuna opened the door carefully and slowly. She hadn’t wanted to leave Konoka like that, yet she didn’t want to scare Konoka on what really happened that night, nor would she want to recognize her failure over Aoki. She had failed in even protecting herself.

“Ah, Setsuna-kun. You’re just in time.” The headmaster, Konoemon’s voice could eventually be heard as Setsuna entered.
Her gaze scanned around the room to find the said room mate in the room, looking at her. Setsuna winced.

“Why are you here?” Setsuna questioned Aoki. The headmaster raised an eyebrow at the two.

“Because I was called here by the headmaster to report of Springfield-sensei’s evaluation as of now—and other things.” Her expression changed to a small smile, and she continued, “But you did sure take your time into coming here, Sakurazaki-san.” Setsuna frowned at Aoki’s smile.

Konoemon caught the sight, and his gaze traveled between the two. “Did something happen between the two of you, Yatsuka-kun?” Konoemon queried, noticing the way Setsuna looked at Aoki. She faced Konoemon and smiled. “None at all, Konoe-san.”

“Since we’re here already, shall we start?” Konoemon motioned and swiveled his chair to the left.

“As we all know, there had been an increase on the number of demons that had broken into the academy’s magical barrier.” He paused, waiting for some reaction but finding none. He continued. “But it seems like it’s getting out of hand. Just this morning, two people were murdered--- and it seems to be that they have been consumed.”

Aoki’s eyes hardened as she heard what Konoemon said. Whether Konoemon noticed it or not, he made no indication. Setsuna wore a shocked expression on her face. Konoemon acknowledged this as his point was understood, and continued on.

“I want everyone to be vigilant and fully alert. We don’t know what these demons are after, but we cannot risk more casualties.” Konoemon’s voice rose a bit, then he looked at Aoki. “Yatsuka-kun.”

“Hai?”

“I know that you agreed that you will not bother Setsuna-kun. But now I want you to help the guard force in fending off these demons.”

“Hai. Leave it to me, Konoe-san.” Aoki replied, her gaze hard on the floor. “Though, Konoe-san…”

“Hm?”

“… no, nevermind. Please continue.”

“So, you knew it all along… Headmaster?” Setsuna suddenly spoke, her voice sounding incredulous and low. Konoemon turned to Setsuna and spoke, “That Yatsuka-kun is not helping at the demon slaying, Setsuna-kun? Yes I do know about it. And I actually told her not to.” Konoemon replied.

“B-but why, headmaster??” Setsuna questioned.

The headmaster only laughed and dismissed Setsuna’s question, then moved to Aoki. “Yatsuka-kun, please move on to your report.”

Aoki fumbled some sheets of paper in her jacket and raised them, “Hai, Konoe-san.” She glanced at the pieces of paper momentarily. Setsuna noticed that Aoki was wearing the same outfit she had worn and had held on last night, though she can’t help but grow more suspicious. What happened to all the blood?

“Negi Springfield-sensei’s performance as of now is satisfactory.” Aoki started. “However, there are times that he can’t control his class, and ------ or it becomes too rowdy at times. But that doesn’t seem to be his fault. Instead…thanks to his class and students.” Aoki paused and looked at the headmaster, waiting for a reply. Konoemon nodded.

“And the other things?” the old man inquired and proceeded to his usual beard pulling.

Aoki hid the pieces of paper back in her jacket, and replied half way the task. “Same with Springfield-sensei, I rather say that it is satisfactory so far...” She finished putting away the paper and stared onto the floor. Her face looked strained over something. Then she cast a quick scrutinizing look at Setsuna, which made the hanyou stepped back in surprise.

Seeing Setsuna’s reaction, Aoki softened her glance and flashed a slight smile at Setsuna, then turned back to Konoemon.
“However, Konoe-san… I’m slightly disappointed at some of the aspects.”

“Hmn? What aspects, Yatsuka-kun?”

Aoki motioned and pointed to her chest, just above her heart, “Here,” and then moved her finger to her forehead, “…and here, Konoe-san. It’s being controlled and pulled down by what those two dictates. Thus, it fails but it does not at the same time.”

Setsuna’s brows knitted. What are they talking about??

“Then why satisfactory then, Yatsuka-kun?”

“Because still --- because of these two, its will strengthens.”

“And the thing I asked of you?”

“I haven’t proven it yet Konoe-san. But your suspicions might be right. I’m still at it.”

“Understood, Yatsuka-kun.”  The headmaster eased himself on his chair and continued, “Anymore questions?”

“Headmaster.” Setsuna finally stepped up.

“Yes, Setsuna-kun?”

“I want to report----“ Setsuna suddenly some huge force pushing her down, and making her stop in mid-sentence.

W-What???!

Setsuna looked beside her and saw Aoki staring at her, un-amused.  

I would prefer that you shut up about it, Sakurazaki-san.

Aoki’s voice rang into Setsuna’s mind. It was an accident, I assure you.

“What is it, Setsuna-kun?” the old man asked.

“…”

“Setsuna-kun?”

“… It’s nothing, Headmaster. I’m sorry.”

Konoemon raised an eyebrow then glanced at Aoki, who still wore that un-amused expression. Aoki caught the old man’s gaze and smiled. Konoemon shook his head and proceeded.

“Very well then, you are dismissed.”

Setsuna’s eye widened at Konoka’s grandfather. Didn’t he sense that??? And just as sudden, the force holding Setsuna on her place vanished. A tap could be felt afterwards.

“Sakurazaki-san.”

Setsuna jumped, and saw Aoki in front of her, looking up and staring into her eyes.

“I wish to speak to you.” Aoki straight-forwardly spoke, not removing her eyes on Setsuna. Setsuna stared back, trying to search the other girl’s motives, but to no avail. Aoki broke the eye contact and walked passed her. “Come with me.”

---


“How farther away do you plan to go, Yatsuka-san?” Setsuna asked. They have been walking out of the school building for quite a while. Yet no reply could be heard.

A few more minutes past, and suddenly Aoki stopped.

“You saw it didn’t you?” Aoki spoke, her voice sounded low. Setsuna was taken aback at her tone. She sounded scared.

However, the hanyou didn’t reply.

A few more minutes of silence past.

Finally Aoki turned, casting her gaze down and walked beside Setsuna. Aoki whispered.

“Be careful.”

“Eh?”

Ignoring the swordswoman’s reaction, Aoki looked up and spoke again in a louder manner.

“Your ojousama is pretty nosy, isn’t she?”

“E-eh?”

“She’s coming.”

Startled, Setsuna looked at the direction where Aoki’s looking and saw Konoka running towards them.

“O-ojousama! What are you doing here???”

As Konoka stopped in front of the two to catch her breath, Aoki glanced down on her.

“Konoe-ojousam---“

SLAP!

Aoki suddenly felt her cheek begin to sting.

“O-OJOUSAMA!??” Setsuna shouted in horror.

“What did you do to Secchan last night??!? How could you hurt Secchan like that?!”

“Ojousama! Yamete kudasai!” Setsuna grabbed Konoka and pulled her away from Aoki. Aoki hadn’t reacted yet, and was still standing there, motionless. But Setsuna didn’t want Konoka to take any chances with her.

“Secchan! Hanashite!” Konoka struggled to get out of Setsuna’s grasps, but failed.

“That much, ne?” Aoki sounded off. She leaned forward and peered at Konoka’s angered face. “You’ll go that much for her? Am I mistaken that it was Konoe-ojousama that loves Sakurazaki-san and not vice-versa?”

Konoka stammered, then she was completely silenced, not knowing what’s next to say. Her face was marred with a tinge of red. Setsuna also blushed.

“N-Na—“Setsuna tried to say something out, but couldn’t.

“That hurt,” Aoki fingered her reddened cheek, while still staring at Konoka’s eyes. “Konoe-ojousama.”

Setsuna let go of Konoka and yelled, “O-Oi, Yatsuka-san! W-what are you doing???”

Aoki laughed straightened herself, “--- and you finally let her go. You guys are really like newly weds.”

“A-Ah---“The swordswoman’s blush got worse.


All of a sudden, the winds got stronger. Setsuna’s embarrassed expression was replaced with an alarmed one. Aoki stood there facing Setsuna and Konoka; quiet, her face became serious.

“Ojousama, please stay close.” Setsuna held Konoka protectively.

“They’re coming.” Aoki followed through Setsuna’s sentence.

And with that, birds flew out of the trees and demons started appearing.

Mattaku da. Aoki closed her eyes and sighed.


In a few more seconds, about ten demons, humanoid ones, appeared on the field with Setsuna, Konoka and Aoki’s back facing them. Three demons crouched down, preparing to attack. One demon grunted and was about to jump. Setsuna pulled Yuunagi out of its sheath, but Aoki raised her hand and spoke.

“Just wait.” Aoki whispered, her eyes still closed.

Setsuna looked at Aoki, then deciding that it was the right thing to do. If she rushed, Konoka might get hurt in the process. So she stood down, keeping her guard up.

The sounds of three or four demons could be heard as they leaped into the air, about to pounce the girls. Setsuna braced herself to attack, but before she can move, Aoki turned. A draft of cold air suddenly blew across the field.

“Konoe-ojousama, please close your eyes.” Aoki silently said, and walked forward with downcast eyes.

In an instant, the demons who had leaped were cut into pieces. Demon blood and innards came falling down the sky, and staining the ground.

Sounds of bells resonated in the air. Aoki now stood in front of the other demons, away from Setsuna and Konoka. Her right hand was welding a short, single kodachi. A single tussle hung at its end, adorned with two tiny bells. The bells resounded themselves again, caught in the strong wind.

“Y-Yatsuka-san! When did you--??” Setsuna was surprised to see a sword with Aoki, right when she never seemed to wield one.

Aoki looked up, making the demons see her face.

The demons gasped.

“A-Aoki-sama!!”

“N-Nani?!??” Now both Konoka and Setsuna were surprised.

Aoki ignored Konoka and Setsuna’s reactions and spoke, “What are you doing here?”

“W-we were looking all over for you!” The demon who spoke stuttered. Its voice sounded scared.

Aoki clenched her jaw and glared. “Didn’t I tell you to leave me alone?!”

All of them stepped back. The demon who spoke produced a bag, pulled something out and threw it over to Aoki. Konoka shrieked, while Setsuna tried to cover Konoka’s eyes from the sight before them. A dead, mangled human being.

“T-This is a peace offering, Aoki-sama. W-We were just ordered by your father to look for you!”

Aoki walked forward the dead man and closed his eyes. “Bakero.” She whispered and disappeared.

“That man was never my father ever since.”


---