Kira
~
I was up by five in the morning.
My new exercise regime would start immediately. Lucifer had told me I had to train my body as well as my powers.
If I trained my powers too much, my body would lack the strength to endure the strain.
I took the elevator down and stepped out, ready to breathe in the morning air and start the day.
What I wasn't expecting was to meet two guys waiting at the door for me.
"What the hell are you guys doing here?"
"We were about to go up and invite you down to join us on our jog but it's nice to see you had the same idea yourself." Kuro beamed.
"How do you know where I live?"
"It's a testimony to how weak you are that you didn't sense us following." God's Angel said.
Did he just roll his eyes at me? I think he did. Rude.
'I noticed them but said nothing. About time you start learning.' Lucifer hummed.
"I mean, I know Troy said you're weak but I didn't think you'd be that weak." Kuro laughed, "I kept expecting you to turn back and check or something but you just kept walking."
I felt the heat crawl into my cheeks, this guy was about a foot and a half shorter than me but he had the audacity to be so cheeky. I was beginning to see why God's Angel disliked him.
Speaking of which, I turned to the blond, "Troy?"
"It's my real name."
"And yours?"
"It's still Kuro," Kuro replied with a shrug.
They were both dressed in plain street clothes. Troy's hair was now short and his eyes were a pale blue. A golden cross hung from a string around his neck and not his ear.
Kuro had a blue scarf draped around his neck and his red eyes shone brightly in the morning light.
I sighed, remembering I was the one who suggested that they both team up with me.
"Isn't it suspicious that your fake name and real name are the same?" I asked as we began our jog.
"It's a pretty common name, and besides...I have no family to protect. Unlike you two." He replied simply like he was stating a fact.
The way he'd said it, I wasn't sure whether I should be sorry for him or just apathetic. I turned to Troy who gave me a subtle head shake.
Okay, not going to ask.
"Which school do you go to?" Troy asked.
"Hamada High, why do you need to know?"
"So I can transfer there to keep an eye on you." He shot back icily, "I just moved from China with my master, I've been waiting to come here since I learned about Nightmare and the spirit world. He finally conceded." He locked eyes with mine, "I meant what I said about my job being to rid this city of Demonic influence. Spirits are nothing but trouble, keeping them on their plane of existence is a top priority."
"Nightmare wants to do the opposite," Kuro informed. He led us down a turn, "If he gets his way, humanity has no chance of surviving, it'll be worse than the old days when spirits just lounged about in forests or old homes. We can't let that happen, which is why..."
He stopped. I got a few more steps ahead before I noticed. I faced them again. They were standing together, they had obviously discussed this ahead of time.
"Kira right?" He looked dead serious now, "Troy and I know each other's stories, we might not get along but we're willing to put our differences aside to focus on our hatred for Nightmare."
"What he's trying to say is that we trust each other but we don't trust you. How do we know you won't run into his arms the moment he takes someone you love captive?" Troy was straightforward, no words minced.
I didn't have to think of an answer, "That's because I would run into his arms." I watched as their looks became guarded, I wasn't going to lie, if they wouldn't work with me then fine but I needed them to know my stand.
"My family is the most important thing to me, if razing the world was the one thing that would keep them by my side I would do it. There's nothing you can say that'll change my mind. Which is why you should stay by my side, help me become stronger, and let's grow as a team so that I can protect my family, as long as they're out of his grasp, I'll keep fighting with both of you to get your vengeance."
I paused, remembering, Hikari and the child from last night, "I'm getting revenge on behalf of others as well, his presence has affected the lives of other innocent people as well but their lives are second to my happiness."
I could see the gears turning in their heads, an internal debate on whether they should trust me or not.
I turned around and continued the jog. I wasn't going to lie to anyone. Especially strangers, even if they did save me.
Soon, I heard footsteps to my left. Kuro appeared at my side, "Your old man seems okay, I guess that's why you love him so much. I respect that."
Troy easily caught up, "Keep a straight head and we'll get along fine." That was all he said to me.
I nodded, inwardly glad that I wouldn't be doing this alone.
***
The school day went much better than the previous one. All I had to do was ignore Lucifer's constant nagging and not think too much about anything outside school.
Jade and Moriko were walking to the gate with me, discussing where we should go.
"Kira! Over here!"
"Shut up brat, you're drawing attention."
"Oh, I think I see her, I should scream louder."
"No!" I yelled before Kuro could scream my name. My enhanced hearing had picked out their discussion. I wasn't about to let them embarrass me. I rushed to the gate, "I thought we were meeting at midnight?"
"I got bored," Kuro explained.
"How old are you? Seven?" I asked irritated.
"Thirteen actually."
"Awn! Who's cute little brother is this?" Moriko squealed pushing past me to Kuro. "Kira, is he yours?"
"Blondie quit talking like he's a pet," Jade said pulling her back before she could start pinching Kuro's cheeks. "Wasn't talking to you by the way," She said to Troy, then to me, "Friends of yours?"
I gave a slow tentative nod because what else was there for me to do?
"Awesome. We were just talking about getting ramen. You guys wanna come?" Moriko asked.
"Yes!" Kuro exclaimed.
"We don't even know their names yet, brat." Troy snapped.
"But the food." The shorter whined.
"Call me Momo."
"The name's Jade."
"Kuro!"
"Zhao Troy, it's nice meeting you."
I watched their exchange in wonder. I had intended to keep the magic aspect of my life separate from the regular part of it but here they both were, heading to bond over ramen.
"Hey Kira, quit falling behind," Kuro called.
"She mustn't be hungry yet." Momo joked.
Troy rolled his eyes, "Let's get going before it's too late Vermillion."
I couldn't hold back the sigh that escaped me. This surely wasn't going to end well for me, but I guess things to be worse.
I ran after them, hooking an arm around Jade's shoulder.
Friends and a team. Not too bad.
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