Moonlight Waltz (COMPLETED)

Episode 1

- So... I'm listening.- said Hidoi when he and Meijin were in his room.

- First of all, I am happy that you are safe and sound. I can also see that you are doing well. You are the best among hunters. They call you 'Oni' which means devil because you are great in dealing with demons. I'm very impressed.- Meijin admitted, looking at his pupil.

- Thank you very much, but you are unlikely to win my sympathy this way.- Hidoi answered, looking at him with gaze full of grief and resentment.

- I understand your behavior. You have the right to be angry with me.- Meijin said calmly.- I just wanted to teach you the last lesson, that is, how to live alone.- he explained looking at his former pupil with almost begging eyes.

- And? How was it? Did I pass?- Hidoi asked sarcastically.

- Yes of course. You are doing great.- Meijin smiled faintly, though sadness could be seen in his eyes.- That is why I would like us to join our forces again.- he suggested, looking hopefully at him.

- I enjoy living with Miko. She is my only friend and cares for me like a mother.- answered Hidoi.- I won't leave her for someone who just abandoned me.- he added contemptuously, then passed him and left the room, slamming the door.

                                ~~~~~~~

Seeing the enraged Hidoi leaving the room, Miko immediately jumped from the couch.

- What happened?- she asked, clearly worried.

- Never let this man into our apartament again.- he answered straight into her face dryly, then fastened belt with weapon around his waist, put on a coat and headed for the door.

- Hidoi, where are you going in this state?- she stood in his way, looking at him angrily.

- I'm going out to hunt some demons.- he grunted, pushing her aside brutally, then left.

Miko ran after him into the staircase, but he managed to disappear already. Resigned, she returned to the apartment. Meijin was in the living room, looking out the window at the bustling city.

- He ran away.- he said suddenly, looking at her sadly.

- We must look for him before he hurts himself.- Miko said, approaching him.

- There's no need to do it.- Meijin calmed her, and his eyes said he was wandering into some distant memories.- Every time Hidoi was angry he would run away. At the beginning I was reacting just like you and looking, but it turned out that when I chasing after him, Hidoi was already coming back home.- he explained, smiling lightly.- Don't worry so much about him, Miko. He always comes back.- Meijin assured her, moving toward the exit door, but then he stood right next to them and turned to her.- Besides, as he told me, he would not leave you because you are like a mother to him.- he added and walked out.

Miko stood in the middle of the living room, staring at the door. Tears flowed from her eyes, quite involuntarily. Meijin's last words caused something to touch her heart. The thought that she was so important to Hidoi was really moving for her.

- He will come back.- she told herself, going to her room.

                               ~~~~~~~  

As evening approached, Hikari has returned to the sky again, starting her daily journey. She started from Tokyo, of course. The larger streets were still busy, but the smaller ones became terribly empty and quiet.

However, this evening brought a surprise. On one of these dark streets Hikari saw dynamic movement. Descending lower, she recognized two silhouettes in the dark - one was a nasty demon figure, and the other seemed to be a human, probably a man. Both figures fought fiercely but after a short time the demon, knocked down with a pistol shot, broke up from another one aimed directly at the heart. The winner stood over the ashes for a moment hiding the gun under his coat and then walked away, dissolving into the darkness.

- "Now the demons, no matter if they are good or bad, are hunted down by merciless hunters." - Hikari remembered her mother's words. A lonely tear flowed from her eye. She did not know if the demon killed by this man was evil but his death saddened her. She moved away from this place as fast as she could, no longer able to look at the ashes of, after all, one of her kind. Besides, the rest of the night's sky journey still awaited her.

                               ~~~~~~~  

When Hidoi returned home, he found Miko dressed in pajamas, sleeping on the sofa in the living room. He took off his coat and unfastened the belt with the weapon, leaving it on the armchair next to the couch.

- Eh, why did you waited so long for me...- he whispered, looking at her. Then he gently took Miko in his arms, carried her into the room and laid on the bed, carefully wrapping with the quilt.

- Good night.- he said and closed the room door, heading back to the living room. Then Hidoi hung his coat in the hallway and took the belt with him to his bedroom just to toss it later carelessly on the floor, next to the bed. Just as he was dressed, in a shirt and pants, he lied down, taking off only his shoes.

He felt much better than he did a few hours ago after talking to Meijin. All anger and sorrow seem to have escaped from him during the battles with demons.

He could not forgive just how he behaved towards Miko before leaving. He decided to do something to compensate her. He didn't want to lose his mother again.

                               ~~~~~~~  

The door of the huge, dark room opened slowly. A tall, slim man with dark eyes and dark blond, almost red hair dressed in a white suit entered through them.

- I'm on your call. - he said and then in the darkness flashed the light of a small lamp, revealing a huge table standing in the middle and next to it a swivel chair facing the huge window from which you could see the beautiful panorama of Tokyo. The back of the chair was enormous so no one could see if anyone was sitting on it if it wasn't for someone's voice that spoke up:

- Well. Tell me then how you are doing the task. - said the mysterious person, not even showing the face.

- Unfortunately, I don't have any good news.- the man in a white suit replied staring at the floor.- Another hunter failed. I think it's time to hire some of my brothers.- he suggested, still not looking up.

- Do you mean Gaijin?- the voice laughed bitterly.- Do you trust him that much? He is from the last circle, a Devourer of Souls. Do you think he would not be tempted by the soul of the demon we are about to catch? - the voice continued with a note of contempt.

- We have no choice.- replied the man.- No other prominent hunter managed to complete the task.- he added.

- Koe, I think you forgot about one hunter who beats the others with the number of killed demons. - said voice.- Is the word 'Oni' saying anything to you?

- It means the devil ... And so they call a certain hunter, half demon, half man.- he answered resignedly. Like almost every flesh-and-blood demon he despised the hybrids.

- Exactly.- the voice noted.- His name is Hidoi Honou and he lives in a block of flats in the center of Tokyo, on the fourth floor. The place itself belongs to his friend, priestess and guardian of the Elements, Miko Negai.-

- I understand that I should hire him, right? - asked Koe, hoping that he would receive a negative answer.

- No, you shouldn't. You must. This is my command, even an order, do you understand?- the voice replied in in a non-objectionable tone.

- It will be as you wish.- Koe bowed, cursing in his thoughts.

- You can leave.- said the voice. The man bowed again and left the room.

                               ~~~~~~~  

Hidoi woke up especially early in the morning to make breakfast for Miko. He knew that this was not enough for an apology but he thought it was a good start. Today he wanted to make Miko's day nicest possible. He prepared what she liked best - cheese pancakes, covered with chocolate, and a cup of hot milk. He put it all on a tray and carried it to her room.

Awakened by the smell of breakfast, Miko rose on the bed.

- Hidoi? Did you made a breakfast for me?- she asked surprised, looking at him.

- Yes.- he replied, placing the tray on the bedside table. - I treated you very badly yesterday. I don't know how could I push you, Miko... I know that breakfast alone will not be sufficient reparation, so today I will be cleaning and cooking... - Hidoi offered.

- But there is no need... - she denied. - Breakfast is enough. As for housekeeping, leave it to me. You have to hunt demons.- she added, sitting on the edge of the bed and slowly eating.

Hidoi sighed, but he had to agree with her. Most importantly, Miko forgave him. He went to his room and calmly cleaned the weapon.

                               ~~~~~~~  

Meijin stood on the sidewalk, near the block where Miko lived. He looked sadly at the window of her apartment.

- Hidoi, will you ever be able to forgive me?- he said to himself and lonely tear appeared in his eye. Meijin wiped it quickly because he had not cried for a long time. He couldn't afford it, being an immortal warrior, Master and a teacher of generations of hunters. Feelings complicated life, influenced decisions. Meijin knew he should first and foremost be guided by reason and common sense. However, he had to admit to himself that he became very attached to Hidoi. This boy awakened fatherly feelings in him. Meeting this boy, Meijin understood how much he needed a loved one, a family, a son like Hidoi.

Finally, he turned and headed for the subway station, as duties called him.

                               ~~~~~~~  

Hikari was sitting in her room sketching yesterday's scene of a fight between a demon and a hunter. She remembered every detail well. When the drawing was ready, her eyes stopped on the figure of the mysterious man who killed the demon. He was tall, solid, with black hair, wearing a long black coat. Hikari couldn't see his face because of looking at everything from a bird's eye view, so she didn't capture it in the drawing. She remembered the stranger's movements - so smooth, nimble, almost cat-like. He was holding large silver pistols in both hands. There was also something unusual about him, some darkness lurking around. In addition, the color and structure of his aura indicated that he was not an ordinary person at all.

Although he killed one of her's, Hikari felt an unexplained desire to meet him again. Perhaps she was driven by curiosity - just wanted to see his face, look into his eyes. She knew, however, that it wasn't the only thing that fascinated her in him. But what was that? She had no idea.

Lost in thoughts, she did not notice how her mother entered her room.

- And who does this drawing represent?- she asked, leaning over her.

- Nobody.- replied Hikari, immediately crumbling the paper, then dropped it on the floor.

Megami picked up the crumpled drawing and stretched it out, looking at the figures.

- Have you seen it somewhere or did you come up with it?- she asked another question, turning eyes to her daughter.

- I noticed this scene last night... and I drew it.- confessed Hikari, playing with a pencil.

- Do you know who this is?- she asked again but came across silence, so continued her statement.- This is 'Oni', the best hunter in Tokyo.- Megami explained.

- How do you know mom? Most hunters look like this.- said Hikari, pointing to the drawing.

- Yes dear, but only 'Oni' have these guns. There is a sign of the five Elements engraved on them.- her mother pointed out that detail.

- Really? I didn't know... I was wondering why he had such a sign on his pistols, but I didn't think it could be 'Oni'... - said Hikari, looking at her drawing.

- By the way, you remember the details perfectly. I probably would have forgotten about these marks on the gun. - mother praised her.

- Mum, is that 'Oni'... Is he really such a good hunter, as they say?- she asked, thinking about the recent attacks on her. Hikari didn't mention about it to her parents wanting to spare them worries. She was afraid that someone who had sent hunters on her could also hire 'Oni'.

- He is very good at his job. No good or bad yokai has ever beat him.- answered Megami.- But he also stick to the principle that he won't kill a good yokai, no matter how much they pay him. Therefore, this hunter arouses my sympathy and respect.- she added with a gentle smile.

- Good hunter.- Hikari whispered to herself and breathed a sigh of relief.

- I'll go now and prepare something delicious for you before you go out onto the sky.- Megami suggested, looking at her daughter.

- I really would like to eat some tofu.- she said, smiling slightly.

- Ah, me too. Well, I'm going.- her mother said on her leave and walked out of the room.

Hikari looked at her drawing again.

- I can't believe I saw 'Oni'...- she said, looking at his figure.

                               ~~~~~~~  

In the afternoon, around 3 p.m., Koe stood in front of the door to the apartment of the priestess Miko Negai, where Hidoi Honou was staying. He couldn't bring himself to knock. If it wasn't for the explicit order, he probably wouldn't have come here at all. He trusted Gaijin, the soul eater, the demon from the last circle more than he trusted the half-breed. But having no choice, he finally knocked. A girl, probably a priestess, opened it.

- Yes? How can I help you?- she asked.

- I came to 'Oni', with an errand.- answered Koe.

Miko let him in and led to Hidoi's room.

- You have a guest.- she said, then left them both alone.

- Hello. You are 'Oni', right? - asked Koe.

- Yes, it's me.- Hidoi confirmed, scanning the stranger with his eyes.

- I have a job for you. It's a dangerous demon.- Koe continued, observing the reaction of his the hunter.

- Ordinary job. I will deal with it in a few minutes.- assured him Hidoi.- How's the pay?-

- Wait a minute, first let me finish.- Koe scolded him.- Your task will be to weaken the demon and bring him to someone who will punish it properly. I will lead you to the place where you will find the demon. I'll be nearby and immediately take you and the weakened demon to my supervisor who is ready to pay up to 500 000 yen.- he explained.

- This is a strange errand... Let me think about it.- replied Hidoi, thinking for a moment.

Koe stared at him, expecting a decision. After a while Hidoi sighed, looking up.

- Well, I'll do it...- he replied finally. - So where should I escort the weakened demon?-

- There will be no such need. During the fight I will be around, and I will take it with me immediately, then pay.- Koe explained, and a fleeting smile appeared on his face.

- Ah, I get it. Are you seriously paying me so much for just neutralizing the demon? He really must be strong.- said Hidoi.- Then where will I find my goal?- he asked.

- There is a meadow outside the city where, after sunset, a demon will appear.- Koe answered, slowly getting up.

- Well, then I'll be there on time.- Hidoi assured him, escorting the visitor to the door.

Miko was standing in the kitchen door, leaning against the frame.

- So? What did he wanted?- she asked, looking at Hidoi.

- I have to neutralize a demon and then give it to him. Apparently, his supervisor wants to personally punish the demon later.- he answered, coming closer to her.

- Strange... The demon orders the hunter to capture another demon.- Miko shook her head in disbelief.

- He was a demon?- asked Hidoi, surprised.

- Yes. Koe Hi means the Voice of Fire, the fire demon.- she explained, entering the kitchen and returning to making dinner.- I know all the demons wielding the power of the Elements. After all, I'm their guardian and priestess.- she added, cutting vegetables.

- Indeed, strange.- he agreed, leaning on the table top.- But maybe this demon just escaped from them, caused some trouble and they want to punish him.- he added, playing with the cloth.

- So what? They can't catch it by themselves?- Miko asked in surprise, turning to Hidoi for a moment.

- Maybe this demon is too strong?- he replied, raising his eyebrows slightly.

- If so, they could employ some demon from the 1st Circle.- she suggested.

- Eh, I don't know. You're kind of right...- Hidoi began, hanging on this for a while. - But well... A job is a job. And they pay a lot, so...- he ended, going to the salon.

Miko returned to her occupation, thinking about this whole thing.

                               ~~~~~~~  

Hikari was sitting in her room, looking at the drawing of the hunter. She was often thinking about him lately. 'Oni', a great hunter, killing only evil demons - to her it sounded like a superhero from the comics.

- I wonder how he looks, whether he is handsome...- she said to herself. Hikari would give a lot for meeting him again.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

- Who's there?- she asked while tucking the drawing into her desk drawer.

- It's me, dad. The sun will set soon. Remember that you go out onto the sky.- said Fushigi, then walked away from the door.

Hikari quickly tidied the room, changed clothes and then went to fullfill her duty.

                               ~~~~~~~  

When the sun disappeared beyond the horizon, Hidoi set off to the place Koe had indicated. Miko gave him another protective amulet, which he clutched in his hand while going to the meadow. When he found the place, in the distance among the trees, he noticed his employer and nodded at him to say hello, then looked around for a demon.

Hikari went out into the sky, slowly wandering over the city, until she reached a nearby meadow. Pleasantly surprised, she saw the familiar figure of a hunter and came down to see him better. First noticing that he was an extremely handsome man, she then slowly began to approach him.

Hidoi saw a pretty girl dressed in a flimsy, white long-sleeved kimono with an innocent face walking toward him. He exchanged glances with Koe - his eyes said it was the demon they talked about.

- Innocent face, huh? I wonder what kind of creature is underneath..- Hidoi laughed slightly. He knew many dangerous monsters that masked themselves that way. He took one of the pistols from under his coat and headed for the demon.

Hikari stopped halfway, horrified to see that the hunter took out his weapon, preparing to attack. She backed away slightly.

- Don't hurt me! I just want to get to know you better!- she shouted in a pleading voice.

- You've got to be kidding.- he said.- My task is to weaken you and hand you over to your superiors, so that you would receive the punishment from them, demon.- he continued, measuring her with his eyes.- And you will either come with me voluntarily or I will have to use force.-

Hikari was completely surprised by his words. She had no idea what he meant. However, she suspected that he was employed by the same person who sent other hunters to her. But why? Who wanted to punish her and what for? She lowered her head, thinking.

- What is your decision?- Hidoi urged her, unlocking the weapon.

- I certainly won't give up without a fight.- she decided, raising her head. Her eyes glowed white, and a gale broke out, tugging the material of the kimono she had on.

Hidoi aimed straight at the girl's head and pulled the trigger, but she dodged the bullet with a nimble movement, so it smashed the bark of a nearby tree. Hikari started to attack, unrolling her kimono sleeves. One of them knocked a gun out of his hand, the other wrapped around his waist, pulled towards her, thereby knocking him to the ground.

Hidoi, unable to free himself by hand, reached under his coat and drew a silver sword. He cut off a large chunk of her kimono sleeve with one cut, freeing himself from half of the material, then threw himself at the girl with fury but she avoided his next cuts with the grace of the dancer. Finally he pressed her against the tree, locking hands. Then he put the sword up to her neck.

- I don't know who hired you, but I swear I've never hurt anyone. I'm yokai, my name is Hikari Tsuki.- she introduced herself.

- A Moon Light?- Hidoi wondered for a moment. Something wasn't right for him. Yokai of the Moon Light, like other nature demons, couldn't be dangerous. But why would anyone want to kill or even capture a good demon?

Hikari, taking the opportunity, freed her right hand, knocked his sword off with a sleeve of her kimono, knocked him down, then restrained his movement with sleeves and stood on his torso, leaning slightly over him.

- I am the daughter of a moon magic demon and star goddess. I illuminate the night sky with my light. How can I be dangerous? Who would I hurt?- she shouted at him outraged.

Hidoi, hearing Hikari's words, realized that he was about to break his basic principle - not to hunt good demons. The girl's words sounded very sincere. He also associated her appearance with the one in the book of demons.

- You are telling the truth... Someone wanted to deceive me.- he said in disbelief.

Hikari slowly freed him from her trap, but she was still vigilant.

- Don't worry, I won't attack you.- assured her Hidoi.- Forgive me for my behavior.- he bowed slightly.- You can come back onto the sky.- he picked up his sword and pistol from the ground, hiding them under his coat.

Hikari, however, did not want to part with him so quickly. Perhaps it was her last chance to get to know the great hunter better.

- But I thought we would talk... I want to get to know you better.- she said when Hidoi was about to leave.

- I don't think it's a good idea...- he began, slowly turning back into her direction.

- What are these chats for?- Koe interrupted Hidoi's words, appearing in front of him with an angry look.