You maybe are wondering why I have been silent for the last 4-5 months. Well as I was writing the latest chapter for SRS. I noticed severally things I could change to make the story better. Things like how the characters thought and to try and keep them interesting was the hard part. I believe this entry is far better then the first draft I put out and I hope everyone will like the new changes. I wish I could say I would be updating on a periodical basis, but with work and constant changes to the story will be long. Nevertheless I will continue SRS and just to let the fans of SD know, I will be rewriting that story as well. Thanks to everyone that has shown such support for my works and I hope you will enjoy the new rewrites I will be presenting to you in the future.

-Dragon Shi

Prologue

The rain fell hard in the town of Yata filling the bare and silent streets with water as it ran down every nook and cranny of the cobble stones. Soft patters echoed along the sleeping town. However, a new sound slowly made its way into the quiet night, and it grew louder with each passing moment.

Luke ran through the puddles of water with his eyes looking behind him franticly. He turned into a alleyway, tossing a trashcan to the ground sending water up onto his already soaked legs. He rounded a corner then another, then another. The walls seemed endless as he continued to run feeling the cold air burn his lungs as he breathed it in. The water on his soaked pants started to take its toll on him as he felt his legs become numb from the coldness of the rain and the chilling wind that funnelled through the alleyways. He rounded another faithful corner and gasped to see nothing but a wall. He had reached a dead end. “Oh no…”

Suddenly, he heard a footstep between the gentle patters of the rain. He grasped his sword from his sheath, and pointed it in the direction from where he entered the dead end.

Thunder struck and lit up the alleyway sending a shiver down Luke’s spine for a moment his hand shaking as he continued to hold his sword. The sounds of the footsteps grew closer and closer. Luke gritted his teeth as he prepared himself for the worse, as the footsteps reached its highest tone, but unexpectedly it ended with only the sound of the rain left.

“I…I lost him…” he whispered with happiness hinting from his voice, “I lost him.” He repeated with a slight smile on his face lowering the sword in his hand. Lighting stuck again causing a flash of light to enter the alleyway once more. Luke could see his shadow on the ground, but his eyes went wide as he saw a second shadow with his own in front of him. He slowly turned around and blood started to leave his face as he stared into the hood of his pursuer. The rain poured heavy down on long dark hooded coat that covered his entire body. Slowly the figure rose its head up and unfolded his arms revealing a set of two dark blades in his hands that shimmered as the water flowed down its edges.

“No don’t! Please spare me!” he said backing away from the figure dropping his sword onto the ground…

The being coldly spoke deeply with an emotionless tone, “Spare you…how many other victims have asked the same of you as there lives were cut down by your blade…how many women screamed in terror as you laughed while taking their innocence?”

Luke felt the wall press against his back.

“I sense so much fear in you now…not like the confidence and arrogance you once held before when you thought of me as but a commoner; whose money you thought was yours.”

“I….I’m sorry. Please don’t kill me!” Luke stuttered as he stared at the dark figure with his hands held up.

The cold being shook his head, and spoke once more harshly, “Your sins must be atoned…”

Luke panted heavily and quickly reached into his robe in a panic pulling out his small knife. He swung it outward aiming for the being’s head, but missed and in a moment he felt an unnatural chill coarse through his chest. He looked down and found two black sword protruding from his chest; his blood seeping into his shirt. He dropped the knife in shock hesitantly and gasped feeling his heart race. He slowly looked up shaking with blood coming from his lips and looked into the glowing crimson eyes he had seen before.

“What a fool you are…” The figure said pulling his blades out of his chest and kicking his prey into the brick wall. Luke cried out as he felt the blades pierce into his wrist feeling his blood slowly drip down his arm. Between his cries and pain, Luke looked back into the cold red eyes of his attacker, “You’re….a Soul Reaper…” he said.

The crimson eyes narrowed with amusement, “You catch on fast…now…prepare for punishment.”

A blue flash burned from the blades into Luke’s wrist. Slowly he started to lose feeling in his fingers then his arms and legs. He looked to his limbs, and he saw bits and pieces of his flesh, and bones start to grumble into ash. He screamed loudly hoping someone would hear him and save him from this excruciating pain he felt. Soon he felt his heart stop, and his face vanished into the ashes leaving nothing but a glowing orb in his place.

He held out a three fingered claw and the orb slowly floated to him, and tried to pull but it came to him and slowly vanished into the palm of the dark one.

He reached up and pulled out his twin swords out of the brick wall and they dissolved into the shadows. The being adjusted his hood and walked out of the alleyway allowing the familiar sounds of the pouring rain to continue through the night.

The next day…

Chapter I

Sins and Introductions

Sophia woke with sweat along her brow, breathing heavily as she looked around to find herself in her small bedroom. There were dark empty streets nor cold rain, but just a simple bedroom floor with a nightstand beside her bed. The bright morning sun shone into her window causing her to squint a little as her eyes adjusted. She pulled the covers away from her legs and got out of bed making her way to the bathroom that was just outside her bedroom door.

She washed some water on her face looking into the mirror only finding her familiar hazel eyes. A soft sigh escaped her lips allowing herself to calm down. The fearful gaze of the man in her dream sent shivers down her back. She wanted to stop it. Stop the person she was embodied, but all she could do was watch him meet his end. The clock dinged on the window, snapping her out of her thought. It read ten o’clock am. She made her way back to her bedroom and got dressed into her usual garments of simple pair of blue pants and dark blue t-shirt that exposed her arms, but draped just short of her waist line exposing a little of her stomach. The smell of pancakes roamed into the air from downstairs, a good sign her adopted older sister was cooking again. She grabbed her brush and started to clean her hair up. It was doing its usual “bed head” thing when she slept in late.

The table down stairs had already been set with two plates, and utensils nestled nicely beside one another.

“Oh I see you’re up finally.” Karin said as she walked from the kitchen with a frying pan in hand. Her black hair neatly rounding her human like face with her tail swaying slightly as it protruded from her black dress.

“I made some breakfast. Would you like some?” She said putting one of the pancakes on a plate smiling as she twitched one of her cat-like ears that nestled on top of her head.

Sophia sat down at the table with her hand rubbing her forehead. “Thanks, but I don’t feel that well for pancakes today.”

Karin frowned slightly with her amber eyes. “Alright, what’s wrong?” she said putting down the plate of pancakes and sitting near Sophia.

“I’m fine just had a really bad dream.” Sophia said looking up from the table and smiling softly.

“Well it must have been pretty bad to make you not want my nutmeg flavoured pancakes. Why don’t you tell me about it?”

Sophia rolled her eyes slightly, “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

Karin leaned back in her chair brushing her black hair slightly with one of her short-fur hands, “Well, at least have something to eat. Tonight is a big night at the bar, and I doubt Eddie would like it if he saw you waiting on tables with your stomach growling.”

Sophia giggled, “I suppose not.”

She grabbed a pancake from the stack, and started to cut it up, “So what are you going to do for tonight? Have you picked a song?’

“I’m not sure. I tried to pick one last night, but nothing hit me. I can only imagine it will come to me when we go in tonight.”

“Cutting it close again?”

Karin grinned, “That’s always part of the fun of being a dancer. Always keep the audience wondering what your next performance will be.”

The two laughed as they ate some more Nutmeg pancake when the sudden knock at the door surprised the two. Sophia got up and opened the door to see a young man with a short-cut brown hair waiting at the doorway.

“Oh, good morning, Matza.” Sophia said with a smile seeing him in his usual suit and tie attire that he wore as a bouncer at the bar.

“Uhm yes good morning Sophia. Is Karin around?”

“I’m back here.” Karin called out, “Come on in and have some breakfast.”

Matza coughed a little as he walked through the door and came to the table seeing the set of plates neatly placed with a stack of pancakes in the center. “Thanks, but I won’t be staying long.”

“Oh come on Matza, I won’t tell Eddie.” Karin said with a wink as she disappeared into the kitchen.

“Wait uhhh…darn.”

“Guess she caught you again.” Sophia said sitting down at the table once more enjoying her pancakes. “So what’s up?”

Matza sat down with a sigh escaping him as Karin came back with a plate in hand.

“I just came to tell you a message.” He said, but Karin placed a pancake on the plate before he could stop her.

“Tell me as you eat. I bet you didn’t have any breakfast if Eddie has you up at this time of the day.” She handed him a fork and knife, and gave him a smile. “Enjoy.”

The young man looked at the plate and felt his stomach groan a little. It was true he hadn’t eaten all morning with Eddie calling on him at home to run around town to have things ready for the big show at the bar tonight. He cut a slice and started to eat a piece.

“This is…hmph really…hmm…good.”

“Glad you like it.” Karin said sitting down to eat a few slices of her own.

Sophia giggled as she watched Matza stuff his mouth full of pancakes, “So what message did you want to bring?”

Matza nearly choked as he swallowed a good amount of pancakes down his mouth, “Oh sorry, Eddie wants to know what song you’ll perform tonight for the soldier’s gathering.”

Karin froze for a moment, “Oh yeah that’s tonight…”

“You do have a song picked out right?”

“Well sort of.” Karin smiled innocently.

“Sort of?”

“She hasn’t come up with a song yet.” Sophia added eating a few pieces of her pancakes as she saw Karin look at her with a “Thanks a lot.” Gaze she often gave to her.

“Oh no not again…” Matza said with a moan rubbing his forehead.

“Hey, we have done it before.” Karin said with another innocent grin.

“Yeah, but it’s always a rush to get things organized, the sheet music, the stage, Eddie hates it when we do that and I am the one to hear about it.”

“It won’t be a rush, I’ll think of a song and just put on a nice sexy dress that the soldiers will like and we are in business.”

Matza held a finger up nervously, “Uhm about your wardrobe.”

Karin’s looked over to him with a raised eyebrow, “What about my wardrobe?”

“Well it seems the new cleaning lady that has your dresses is going to be late getting them back.”

“How late?”

“A week.” Matza mumbled looking down.

Karin stood up hastily, “What!!! That means I have nothing to wear for tonight!”

“Uhm yes, that’s why Eddie said to bring your own dresses for the show tonight.”

“Aggggh does he think I have a closet full of dresses? I don’t have anything for a performance.”

Sophia quickly glanced up at the clock seeing the arms till to 10am, “The market place is opening up soon sis. I bet if you hurry you can be the first to grab some of the new clothing from the merchants.

“Of all the things,” Karin quickly ran to the coat, which hung on the wall close to the door. “he had to use a new cleaning lady. Eddie is going to hear this till dawn.”

“I’m sorry.” Matza said rubbing his forehead, “I wish I could do something to help you out.”

“Oh there is something.” Karin grabbed the young man’s collar, “You’re going to come with me and tell me what looks good on me.”

Matza’s face blushed, “Huh? But…but shouldn’t Sophia-”

Karin interrupted, “I need a guy’s opinion so come on let’s go shopping.”

The two quickly made it to the door with Matza being pulled by the collar of Karin, “Sorry Sophia, do you mind cleaning up the kitchen? I’ll see you later tonight.” She said before the door closed leaving Sophia alone in the house. She chuckled slightly, and gathered the dishes from the table taking them into the sink so they could be washed. She tossed the left over pancakes outside so the birds could have their own morning feast. As she tried to wash the dishes she thought back to the dream. The cold rain, the dark alleyway, and the fearful gaze the man had given. She felt her hand shake slightly as she remembered that gaze. She breathed deeply allowing herself to be calm, “Relax Sophia, it was just a dream. A really bad dream.” She said to no one in particular. However, something told her it wasn’t just a dream. That what she saw couldn’t have been her imagination at work, but if it was real; then what kind of person or thing would do that to someone?

The sun burned brightly as it reached its peak in the blue sky, shining its gentle glow down on the streets of Yata as its people carried on their tasks for the day. The traders shouted hard in attempt to sell their items to the waiting customers that filled the main streets with their pouches of money in hand. Today was a good day for business, and a good time to be out in the warm sun.

Hidden along the shadows of the tall clock tower atop the city hall of Yata sat a lonely being covered in a black cloaked with only a hood hiding most of his face. He watched the people below scurrying about with his crimson eyes seeing nothing but rats in maze of life. He ran a clawed hand down the stone, which he sat upon listening to the noises of the crowd. The cool summer breeze blew along his hood causing it to ripple as he sat back taking his eyes off the worthless crowd below. Stalking prey all of last night were taking its toll on the Soul Reaper’s body as he rested his head against the stone wall of the clock tower. His eyes slowly closed as he reluctantly waited for sleep to come to him. Suddenly the clock tower’s bell rang causing the birds along the ledges below him to fly up past him awaking him slightly. A groan escaped his throat, and his eyes son came onto a lone black bird that perched it self on the corner ledge looking back at the reaper with hollowed eyes.

The reaper spoke with annoyance, “What do you want Poe?”

The bird fluffed its feathers before hopping down from its perch and approaching the cloaked one. Bowing his wings he spoke softly with a hint of sombre. “I have a message for you Master Shi.”

Shi inclined his head slightly so his eyes met the Raven’s.

“Lord Prime and the council have summoned you to appear in the Assembly Hall before sunset of the next day.”

Shi replied dryly, “What is the reason for being summoned?”

“I cannot say Master Shi. I am but a lowly spirit messenger.”

Shi groaned, running a three fingered leathery hand along the stone work once more, “How typical of the council.”

Poe ruffled his feathers once more as he moved his crow head about before looking back to the Reaper with uneasiness, “Uhm…does Master Shi wish me to send a reply back to Lord Prime?”

The black cloaked reaper rested his head back to the stone.

“Tell him that I have received the message and will appear in time. Now leave me Poe. I wish to be alone.” He replied in a low voice.

Poe nodded deeply and flapped his wings as he flew into the air leaving Shi alone on the clock tower. The reaper folded his arms across his chest as he took one more glance down to the humans below, and slightly grinned muttering to him self, “They all sin eventually.”

Soon exhaustion retook his body and his crimson eyes closed and sleep took him into its arms.

A voice shouted deafeningly in the bar, “Hey, get that table over there! Whoa don’t break that light, we need that. Damnit what do I pay you idiots for?” Eddie, the bartender and owner of “Heaven’s Gate”, sluggishly walked along the tables carrying his round frame as he continued to bellow orders to his crew. Sophia kept cleaning her tables not wanting to bring the owner’s wraith her way. It was close to 5 o’clock now, only three hours until the doors would open for day one of the annual two day Soldiers Gathering, and still no sign of Karin. She adjusted her apron and fixed her hair; making sure the knot didn’t come loose.

Eddie breathed deeply and sat down on a barstool hearing it creak from his massive weight. He wiped his forehead and took a deep breath shouting once more, “Where the hell is Karin and that worthless Matza?” The many workers cringed quickly moving behind the stage or the bar in an attempt to not be noticed by the large boss; sadly Sophia wasn’t so lucky.

“Sophia!” Eddie bellowed causing Sophia to jump nearly dropping her bucket of soap she was using to clean the tables. “Where is that sister of yours?”

She spoke hesitantly, “I don’t know. She left with Matza to gets some dresses for tonight’s show.”

Eddie grumbled, “Bah, dam her.” He grabbed a bottle of liquor that sat on the counter top near him and tipped it back pouring its content down his large throat gulping loudly. Sophia cringed in disgust as he down the last droplet of liquor from the bottle. It was unreal how the owner could drink so much, but then again the blobed-like Sllorts were well known to hold their liquor, and Eddie seemed to just reinforce that statistic. As far as Sophia could remember, she had never seen the slimy Sllort sober.

“Ahh…That’s better.” He said placing the large bottle back down on the bar, wiping his lips before belching in satisfaction. He turned his protruding eyes towards Sophia and shouted, “And what are you looking at Sophia?! Get to work you wench!”

“Yes sir, right away.” She said hesitantly as she quickly grabbed her rag from the bucket and soaped up one of the wooden tables thanking herself that she could work and not be at the center of Eddie’s attention. She scrubbed the table hard getting all the sickening pieces of dried up food from previous nights. She had seen it before many nights, but still it was hard to keep her stomach still as she pushed her rag over the crusted morsels. She glanced up once more from her table, seeing if Eddie was watching her, but for now he seemed calm his orange eyes glazed over slightly. Most would assume that he was passing out from the amount of drinks had, but it wasn’t uncommon for him to snap awake and somewhat alert when someone broke a plate, a bottle, or anything that he could deduct from a person’s wage later.

Suddenly the front doors of the bar opened with a start and Sophia looked up with a relief sigh as she saw Karin walked in with a set of bags in her soft cat like hands

Eddie glared up from his stool, and spoke harshly “Where have you been?”

Karin placed the two bags down on the ground, and strolled down the small stairs near the door towards the boss her eyes narrowed. “Where do you think I have been? I have had to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe all because you had to save a buck by changing cleaners.” She said sternly, but Eddie only ginned, showing off his darkened teeth. “Whadda I say, that’s business.” He chuckled causing Karin’s ears to go back, but soon soften as a sly smile came over her. “Business hmmm well….then maybe I should not perform.”

Eddie choked, “What?” his slimy skin flaring out slightly, a clear sign of shock for a Sllrot.

“Well as I recall my contract says if I was to not have any wardrobe provided by my said employer, then I would have right to refuse to go on stage unless paid in compensation.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” He snorted as he grabbed another bottle from the bar. “You need the money.”

Sophia watched Karin look over to glance at her sister before she looked back to Eddie with her intense amber eyes. “Maybe, but I doubt the soldiers would like it if the main dancer was suddenly unavailable. I would hate to think about all the profits you would miss out.” She said softly pulling her face back and watching how Eddie’s eyes shifted from side to side. Sophia stopped for a moment in her wash and watched waiting for the boss to say something.

Eddie looked up with a forced smile. “Now now,” he grunted clearing his throat, “it would be a shame to have those hard working soldiers to not have the chance to see your…beautiful dancing on account of a simple business misunderstanding.”

Karin folded her arms as she listened.

“I’ll pay for those new costumes you have for all the trouble, and…” he snorted, and grumbled, “I’ll add 2 to your salary for tonight.”

A soft gasp could be heard throughout the bar as the crew listened in. Eddie was known to be the stingiest being in all of Yara. An increase in a person’s wage was unheard of coming from the Sllort. The staff stayed silent waiting for Karin’s response. She could only smile, “That’s very generous of you Eddie.”

The bartender smiled again showing off his yellow teeth once more with his left eye twitching slightly, and blob of a body buffed out in silent anger.

“Well since we have that agreement,” she added, “I’ll go get changed.”

Eddie nodded still smiling widely with another twitch to his left eye.” Marvellous…”

As Sophia watched her sister pick up her bags and walk to the back, she followed not wanting to be in the room when Eddie started to lash out. As the two made it into the back stage area she could hear the shouts from Eddie ringing across the bar.

“You really got him this time.” Sophia said with amusement.

Karin giggled, and placed the bags down near her dressing room, “He deserved it, and you know how cheap he is. He would kill his own mother for profit if given the chance.”

Sophia nodded, “Yeah, I saw that twitch of his. He was mad that he would be paying for those new clothes for you.”

A mischievous smiled crept onto Karin as she picked up the bags, “That’s not all the wardrobe. These will only cover the first two dances.”

Sophia blinked, “There’s more?”

Suddenly a knock came from the back door. Sophia glanced to the door and back to her sister who only smiled innocently. “We should answer that door.’

The door opened to a site of a wall of bags, boxes and hangers of clothing with only a set of legs underneath the pile to be seen.

“Ugh…where do you want this?” Matza said as he kept trying to keep the big pile balanced.

“Just inside my room, would be fine. Thanks Matza.” Karin said opening the door and stepping away from it. The young man breathed deeply as he made his way through the door, but failed to notice a small notch in the old floor boards.

“Whoa ahhhh!” Boxes, and clothing flew into the air as Matza fell into the room.

Sophia quickly went into the room pulling the boxes off him, “Oh my, you alright?”

Matza rubbed his head, “Ouch…” he muttered, “That hurt.”

“Nasty fall you took there.” Karin added, “Did you cut yourself?”

“I don’t think so, but sorry for dropping every-.” He stopped as Karin grabbed his head and looked over him only seeing a slight redness on the corner of his forehead.

“Don’t worry about it. At least you’re not hurt from that dam notch in the floor. That’s another thing that blubber needs to fix. At least you’re alright.”

Matza blushed for a moment before coughing and picking himself up.

“Well there you are.” He said proudly placing the last box into the changing room.

“Did you tell the merchant to send the bill to Eddie?”

“Yeah…but I still think that wasn’t a good idea.”

Sophia’s eyes went wide, “You’re going to bill Eddie for all of this? Karin this has to be at least twelve-hundred dollars in costumes.”

Karin smiled and rubbed the back of her head. “Hehe I know, but he’ll have more things to worry about.”

Matza groaned, “I still think I am going to get yelled at anyways.”

“Don’t worry you two; right now that whale is more concerned about his profits for tonight then this.” Karin glanced up at the clock seeing it was five after six. “Whoa, I better get set, only two hours till Showtime. Thanks for your help Matza.”

The young man’s face lit up and smiled widely. “Oh no problem, glad to have been some help.”

Karin smiled, and looked to Sophia, “I’ll see you after the show.”

She nodded, and smiled “Yeah, knock-um dead.”

“Oh I plan to sis.” She said with a wink before closing the door.

As she was about to leave she noticed that had a redness blush around his cheek with his eyes casting down slightly as though he was in deep thought.

“Uhm Matza why is your face red?”

“Huh? Oh?” he touched his cheek hesitantly, “well it’s a little hot in here I guess. My face tends to go red you know.”

“Uh-huh…” she replied tilting her head slightly with a smile along her face.

“Kind of a lame excuse isn’t it?”

“Not really,” She added as she giggled slightly, “its better then, “your room allergies”.”

His arms slumped slightly looking at the door of Karin’s room. “Yeah…”

“Why don’t you tell her?”

Matza sighed “Nah…she doesn’t even see me in that light. It would just make things weird between us if I said anything.”

“Maybe or maybe not you won’t know till you tell her how you feel.”

He tilted his head up his voice almost to a whisper. “Yeah, if I can ever keep my tongue from twisting up.”

“I really wish I could tell you that she feels the same way, but Karin has never said anything to me about romances in her life.”

A small grin came over Matza, “That’s alright. Maybe she doesn’t want anyone close to her right now.” His grin faded as he looked back to the door. “Even if she doesn’t think of me that way, I don’t mind being her friend. I’ve been doing it since we were all little right?”

A soft smile crept onto Sophia’s round face, and approached him, “Someday Matza, you’ll be able to tell her, and when that happens I bet she’ll feel the same way.”

“Someday…” he added with a smile, “will have to see.”

Suddenly the voice of Eddie echoed from the bar, “Hey open the doors! Let our customers come in!”

Sophia’s eye went wide, “Oh I better get back to my tables.” She worriedly grabbed some extra towels and tucked them in her apron and walked to the curtain which led to the main floor, but turned back to Matza. “I’ll see you after the show. I’ll talk to Karin maybe all of us can have dinner later.”

For a moment the young man hesitated, but nodded slowly, “Sure, just let me know, and have a good night.”

“You too.” She replied as she walked into the bar floor. She grabbed a tray from the bar and made her way out to the awaiting soldiers that came in. Tonight she thought was going to be a regular night. If only she knew what this day would do to her in the end.

The clock tower tolled loudly through the center square as its big hand reached eight o’clock with the sun slowly setting on the horizon. Shi’s eyes opened slowly as the clock tolled a final time echoing into the town courtyard below him. Shi stood up from his resting spot and gazed down to grounds below watching the many inhabitants make their ways to their warm homes or to the darken dumps of the bars that lined near the edge of the town courtyard. It seemed like any other late evening day in Yata, but suddenly Shi noticed something different as he saw a large group of men walk down the side streets laughing.

“What’s this…” he muttered to himself as he crouched focusing his eyes.

“Not Yata police uniforms…” he looked closely noticing the uniforms the men wore were navy blue and not the grey-blue that Yata police force wore, but soon his vision came upon the rifle that one of the men held in his arms. He smirked beneath his hood. “KV-709 rifle…Yukotia Infantry standard issued.” His eyes shifted noticing one of the men point a finger to a neon sign that was buring into the night with the words of “Heaven’s Gate.”

There was a smaller banner below the large sign that was draped above the entrance. However, even with his heighten vision, Shi couldn’t read it. He stood up from his crouching position and sighed to himself happily as he glanced down one final time before allowing the weight of his body tilt him forward. He felt the cold wind start to blow hard onto his chest and face as he watched the courtyard quickly came rushing to him as he fell from the tall tower. He breathed in the cold air once more and just as the cobblestones of the courtyard were about to meet him his body became enveloped in darkness and vanished to only land on top of another building he pushed his legs hard as he ran along the shingles of the rooftop.

His cloak pressed against his body as he jumped up to grab a pole that was mounted on the side of building. He spun upward and landed the roof of the Yara police department. If only they knew who was on their roof now. Shi continued to run till he got to the edge and jumped off falling several feet landing on top of a small shop. Fortunately, it was closed for the night otherwise the occupants would hear the creak of Shi’s claws digging into the roof shingles.

A deep breath came into the cloaked being as he approached the edge of the roof crouching down with red eyes focusing on the bar entrance, which the soldiers strolled into. The banner read “Soldier’s Gathering Tonight!” in bright red lettering on a white background.

An amusing huff escaped Shi, “So that’s what brings the soldiers of fortune to this lowly town. The sins of battle aren’t enough when the sins of lust and drink present themselves.”

The sound of music started to echo through the bar with howls of joy and laughter which in turn could be heard out in the streets. He rested a clawed three-fingered hand on the roof, carefully to remain hidden in the shadows as to not gain the attention of an ‘innocent’ who may accidentally catch him in the glare of the coming moonlight. A frown came over the cloaked being as one sword appeared in his hand then another in the other. Each one gleamed with a darken metal with only a sliver of silver that lined their edges.

He whispered to himself, “Once the party is over, no doubt they will sin, and then those sins will be atoned for.” He gripped his swords tightly, “Tonight will be a good night to take the trash out.”

Suddenly music started to play in the bar, and Shi, watching through the window, saw the soldiers sat down at their tables to enjoy a night of pleasure. If only they knew who awaited them outside just to wait till they made the ‘last sin’ that would make them his.

“Hey, more beer over here.” A shout came from Sophia’s right. “Don’t forget over here too. We’re drinking till daybreak.” Another shouted on her left.

“Just give me a minute.” She handed out the drinks from her tray to the awaiting hands of the many soldiers that surrounded her. They lift their glasses to their lips, drinking with delight as Sophia walked away with an empty tray in hand and an annoyed look on her face.

She eagerly walked up to the bar wanting to place her tray down so she could slip to the back and get a break from serving the perverted men, but suddenly another shout came out.

“Hey, waitress.”

She looked over with a false smile along her face, and saw a young soldier sitting at a far table; his hand held up with a smirk along his squared face. “A few drinks over here will you?” he said indicating to the other two soldiers that sat beside him.

She nodded and turned to the bartender holding up three fingers to him since the shouts from the many soldiers would have covered her own voice. The bartender placed three beers onto her tray, and she made her way to the far table. It was difficult to make it through the endless sea of soldiers watching for some that either tried to grab the beers off her tray thinking it was their while in a drunken thought.

Eventually she got to the table sighing to her self in relief, but held that feeling when she faced the man that had called for the drinks; his penetrating brown eyes gazing at her, with a creepy smirk that seemed to only magnify his predator-like impression. She kept her eyes downward to avoid his gaze as she slid the tray onto the table.

“Here you are gentlemen.” She spoke hesitantly. She turned her back to the three, but suddenly felt a firm hand grip her forearm. She twisted her head only to see it was the creepy solider who held her.

He leaned in closely to her, the smell of alcohol along his breath as he spoke.

“What’s the big hurry? Why don’t you come and sit down for a bit.”

She wanted to move away from him and just get back to the bar, but he still held her forearm as he brought her closer.

“These are my friends Lenny and Nate.”

The one called Lenny raised a big bear like paw to her with a smile while Nate, who was much smaller, smirked with devious glance as he drank part of his beer.

“And my name is Maxwell.” The squared jawed young man said running his hand down from her forearm to her wrist. She slowly moved back from him her eyes going to the bar.

“Uhm it’s nice to meet you, but my boss will be wondering were I have gone so I’ll-“

He interrupted her as he moved closer to her allowing her to smell the stench smell of alcohol run from his words. “You look very beautiful tonight.”

“Thanks…but I should be going.” She said moving back once more.

“Come on girl. This soldier has been on the front lines for five months without release. Why don’t you help me out?”

Suddenly he rushed her and grabbed her left buttock giving it a squeeze causing Sophia to gasp in shock. “Let go of me!”

He gripped her wrist firmer causing her to winch in pain as she looked into the eyes of Maxwell seeing nothing but a lustful stare back at her.

“Playing hard to get? I like it when a woman is like that.”

She quickly pulled her right wrist back sharply causing Maxwell to loose his hold. “I said let go of me!” she shouted slapping her hand into the soldier’s face.

A look of rage came over Maxwell, “You little bitch.”

Sophia backed up from him, as he approached her, but before he could grab her again another group of soldiers stumbled between them. She quickly made her way back to the bar rushing behind the curtain and into the back. Her heart was racing as she closed her eyes hoping that he didn’t see where she went. After a minute she slowly opened her eyes and peeked around the curtain.

There was no sign of Maxwell around the bar, and not even at the far table that his other friends were sitting at. A sigh of relief came over her as she felt her heart start to calm down from the ordeal. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder causing her to jump and turn around to find one of the crew staff behind her. His hand pulled back as he looked at her in surprise.

“Hey, Sophia did I scare you?”

She spoke nervously, “Oh no just….I didn’t expect you to grab me…it just caught me off guard that’s all.”

He raised an eyebrow,”Oh, alright.”

“Uhm by the way is Karin out yet?”

“I think she’s still in the changing room.” The staff crew replied as he looked at some of the ropes of the curtains. Checking they were taught.

“Oh okay, thanks.” She muttered rushing past the crewman, and knocking on the door.

“It’s open.” Karin’s voice spoke from behind the door.

Sophia opened it, and closed it behind her and turned to see her sister silhouette behind a curtain as she was still getting dressed.

“Karin?”

“Oh Sophia, sorry for not coming to the door I’m still trying to pick out an outfit for tonight. How is it going on the floor?”

She touched her forearm slightly her face becoming worried, “Good until…”

“Until what?” Karin spoke pushing the curtains aside and walking out in a yellow and black kimono that draped along her shoulders. It wasn’t fully tucked in allowing anyone to see parts of her neck and her tightly fitted leotard that showed off her firm figure.

“Whoa, that looks so nice on you.”

The half kitrin smiled, “Thanks sis. I thought so too. It’s too bad you didn’t see how much Matza blushed when I showed it to him. Anyways, what’s wrong?”

“Well uhm…” she hesitated for the moment, and realized that it wouldn’t be long till Karin had to be on stage. Did she really want her sister to be worried about what some drunken soldier did when she had to be focused for the dance coming up for tonight? She brushed a strain of her brown hair softly.

“The soldiers, they’re starting to become restless about waiting.”

Karin frowned as she approached her slighter smaller sister; her yellow cat-like eyes gazing into her. Most would think of Karin’s eyes as being creepy and predatory since her pupils were narrowed vertically rather then oval like most would be. However, Sophia always found comfort in those eyes ever since she was little. Her father had died from an illness when she was only five years old, and it was Karin, her adopted sister, who raised her. Karin was a child herself, only being twelve, when she was placed in the position of raising Sophia. Those always made Sophia really admire her strength because, even though Karin wouldn’t admit it, she was always fighting the prejudice of being a “Half-breed” while watching over someone so small.

“Why do I have feeling there was something else you wanted to tell me about?” Karin asked.

“No nothing.” She said trying to do one of her fake smiles.

“Don’t give me one of those fake smiles of yours Sophia. You don’t usually come to my dressing room before a performance unless something is bothering you.”

“Really…it’s nothing for you to worry about.” She muttered glancing away slightly.

“Sophia you can tell me-“suddenly a knock came from the dressing room door interrupting Karin. “Yes, who is it?”

“We need you on stage in five minutes.” A rough voice spoke from the other side of door no doubt being one of the stage hands.

A groan came from the half-Kitrin, “I’ll be right out.” she replied glancing back to her with a kitrin ear twitch slightly. “Sophia, I know your thinking that I shouldn’t worry about you, but you’re wrong.” The half-Kitrin placed her large paw like hands onto Sophia’s shoulders. ‘You can tell me anything alright?”

“Right…” The nineteen year old replied. Suddenly, music began to play with another knock coming from the dressing room door.

“We need you on stage now!” the crewman shouted.

“After the show we’ll go out and have a nice dinner and you talk to me okay?” Karin said with a smile showing off her cat like fangs making Sophia smile in return. Karin walked to the door, and turned back for a moment. “Dinner after the performance, okay?”

“Okay, good luck.” She said with a soft smile towards Karin who returned the smile before leaving the room. Sophia soon followed, walking into the dim corridor with only the dim red stage lights to illuminate the way. She cautiously looked around as she made her way down the corridor. She wasn’t only worried about the possibility of running into that soldier, but if Eddie knew she was backstage rather then serving drinks, the Sllort would probably fire here and take her pay away. She couldn’t allow that to happen with the low income she and Karin were pulling in to just pay for food, and the other necessities to living. Then again he would never notice her missing during the times she went hiding in the past; mostly because he was drunk. She moved passed the stage hands that worked on the lights, and found a small dark place near some discarded boxes of music equipment. She slowly peeked through a slit in the curtain, smiling to herself as she could see the stage clearly.

The band played their instruments with great enthusiasm as the two guitarists and drummer picked up the beat of the music. The lights dimmed and Sophia watched as a spotlight focused onto the middle of the stage. She moved close to one of the boxes so she could see the spotlight better. As the song reached the end of its intro, Karin stepped out into the spotlight. The yellow marks of her kimono shined vibrantly off the spotlight with her amber eyes catching the attention of the soldiers who cheered and whistled in joy.

Sophia saw her sister smile with a coy look in her eyes, she would always do that to melt the audience’s heart, which of course worked as the men had a smile come over their many faces. The band played faster, and Karin suddenly pulled out a set of fans from the sleeve of her kimono, flaring them out as she followed the beat of the music. She moved around the stage carefully, but quickly, as though she herself was part of the song; that the song commanded her in every way. She pulled her arms back allowing her kimono to expose her leotard covered chest to the crowd causing them to hoot and holler in excitement, and suddenly she closed herself with a fake smile across her half-kitrin face.

Sophia never told her sister, but deep down she wanted to be part of that world someday. Of course not dancing to the masses of drunken soldiers and perverted men, but to sing and dance in front of people. To fill their world with joy even with the war that hung in the air of the land. However, she wasn’t brave like Karin…deep down she wished she was though.

The song moved even faster, and Karin tossed her kimono off revealing her slender body that was covered by the black leotard she wore. Another brush with her hand caused her to untie her long black hair allowing it to flow down her back nearly touching her bottom. Her long cat like tail followed her, moving in rhythm with her body as the song started to reach its climax.

She tossed the fan in her right hand into the air fluttering the left one spinning round and round, the tempo of the music getting higher and higher. Sophia swore she could feel her heart rise up with the tempo almost like it wanted to fly away. As the tempo reached its highest tone, and Karin was spinning so fast, the music suddenly stopped with Karin bowing to the ground, and the fan lying in front of her. A moment of silence touched the room as the music died down with only the half-kitrin gazing up with a smile crossing her lips. The soldiers started to applauded and cheer for Karin, who stood up and bowed to them.

Sophia beamed proudly as she watched from the boxes. Deep down, she wanted to be in that spot light someday. Not in front of soldiers, and drunks, but in front of elegant, and well-mannered people. She wanted to sing for those people, but she could get the nerve to. She wasn’t like Karin. She wasn’t brave enough to try.

Suddenly, a hand reached around her grabbing Sophia. She tried to scream, but a hand covered her mouth. She tried with all her might to shout, but all could be heard were muffles as she watched herself being dragged away from the curtain.

She struggled with her attacker, trying to free her arms, but the grip on her was too strong. She managed to get her leg free and kicked her assailant in the shin causing a painful yell to escape from him realizing his hold on her mouth. She was about to scream when she felt a cold knife touch her neck causing her to stop.

“You god dam bitch.” A familiar voice said. “Do that again and I will make this worse for you.” Maxwell added as he pulled her through the backstage area, and towards the exit door.

She was pushed through the doorway and into the back alley turning around only to see Maxwell brandishing a small knife that he had held on her neck before. “Now you’re going to pay for that little slap you gave me.”

Sophia’s eyes went wide, and she turned to run out of the alleyway, but she was grabbed by someone else.

“Not so fast Missy.”

The man that grabbed her now was much larger, his bulky arms holding her down. She looked up as she fought with him only to realize it was the same large soldier that had been sitting with Maxwell earlier, Lenny. His smirk sent a shiver of fear through her.

“Yeah, Maxwell promised us a good show of you.” The smaller man named Nate sneered as he walked around Lenny. His smile crooked up widely emphasising his rather large nose.

“So now all the men are here, it’s about time we start the show.” Maxwell said holding the knife close to Sophia. She tried to fight once more against Lenny’s hold, but she couldn’t as Maxwell slit the strap on her apron causing it to fall to the ground.

A cold chuckle came from the group as the knife came close to her shirt. Sophia’s eyes filled with tears as she watched the knife touch her shirt when suddenly a loud clanging sound came down the alleyway.

The three turned towards the sound only to find a soda can slowly roll towards them. They watched continued to roll and stop at their feet.

Sophia looked up from the ground, and felt her heart race as she sighted a figure that was slumped against the wall. His face was hidden in the shadows of the hood he wore, but it was aimed at them.

Maxwell grumbled, “Just a bum. Hey, beat it this isn’t a peep show.” However the figure didn’t move at all. His gaze still locked onto the group. Sophia wanted to cry out to the person, but something was off. She felt a coldness radiating from this mysterious figure, a feeling that sent a chill through her causing her to be silent.

“Hey! Didn’t you hear me? Piss off!” Maxwell shouted now holding the knife out to the cloaked being. Still the being didn’t look away, but instead stood up from his leaning stance.

“What the hell is with this guy?” Nate said.

“Guess he wants to mess with us.” Lenny added.

“So trying to be a hero, bum?” Maxwell said with a chuckle, “We are Yukotia soldiers, and we can mess you up pretty good.” He raised the knife up and waved his two fingers towards himself. “Come on.”

The cloaked man lowered his head down slowly and Sophia could swear she heard chuckle come from him before he looked up at them with a set of glowing red eyes.

“Pride, arrogance, you low full sinners have made your last sin. It’s time to atone for them.”

Sophia’s eyes went wide as she watched the being reach outward with his hands, and with a quick flash of a blue aura, a pair of swords appeared in his grasps.

“A Soul Reaper!” Lenny shouted, but was silenced the reaper charged him using the sword to slice his arm off. Sophia fell to the ground as the grasp that held her let go, and she looked up to see Lenny stumble back, with his severed forearm on the ground. The Reaper stabbed a sword into the large man’s chest; his blood spilling onto the wall from the thrust. As Lenny fell to the ground, the dark one spun around and kicked Maxwell in the chest sending the Yuko soldier into the wall knocking him out.

She wanted to scream out in horror, but she couldn’t, and could only watch as the reaper turned towards Nate. He tried to run from the alleyway, but was caught by a single sweep of the twin blades effectively taking his head off his shoulders, and causing his corpse to stumble to the ground. The Reaper stood over the body, and she watched as the familiar blue glow formed along his hands. He touched the body, and it started to fade away into dust just like the dream she had before.

She slowly stood up, clinging what was left of her apron to her chest, not taking her eyes off him. The cloaked reaper’s head turned over his shoulder slightly, and a crimson eye gazed back at her. She expected him to charge her, but in those eyes she felt nothing behind them. No evil or good, just an uneasy calm that she couldn’t stop gazing into.

Suddenly, Maxwell grabbed her from behind, his knife placed against her neck.

“Try and take my soul now you filthy reaper. Just try while I have a hostage.”

A low chuckle came from the reaper as he turned towards the two,

“Do you think that makes a difference; another sin to add to your collection?”

“Please…” Sophia whimpered her eyes filling with tears. “Help me…I don’t want to die.”

The crimson eyes of the Soul Reaper gazed back into hers intently for a brief moment. She suddenly felt the knife push harder into her throat and felt Maxwell pull her close to him.

“Shut up bitch or the knife goes into your-“he was suddenly cut off, as he looked up to see the reaper was no longer in front of them. “What? Where is he?”

He frantically scanned the alleyway for the reaper, but all that was there was dark alleyway. Maxwell chuckled, “Ha! So the reaper ran away. So much for being the “Bringers of Death”.”

Suddenly, another chuckle came from behind the two causing Maxwell to look behind him and gasp seeing the dark reaper no more then a meter from him.

“Time’s up.” The cloaked one said.

In a desperate attempt, he tossed Sophia to the ground and lunged at the reaper with his knife. Sophia fell down hard hitting her head against the brick wall of the alleyway. She felt her head start to throb as she opened her eyes slowly only seeing a foggy image form of the two. Her vision slowly started to clear just as she saw the reaper knock the knife out of Maxwell’s hand and thrusting his two swords into the soldier’s stomach. The blue light ignited from the wound and started to flow up Maxwell’s body, who was screaming in pain. Sophia eyes moved to see the Reaper was looking away from her, but she could see that his hood was now off his head. Probably cut off by Maxwell’s knife in their struggle.

The reaper looked close into his prey’s eyes, his crimson eyes glowing brightly as Maxwell’s body decayed even faster. “Goodbye, sinner…” he muttered as Maxwell screamed one last time before vanishing into ashes before the reaper’s feet.

Sophia slowly rose from the ground holding onto the wall, her head was still throbbing from her fall. “Thank you…” she whimpered. The reaper turned his head towards her, and she gasped slightly only to see not the face of a man, but that of a draconic. His long pointed ears, and elongated snout were the traits of the rare species. His black skin almost matched his cloak almost making him invisible to the dark shadows that enveloped the alleyway. However, his eyes caught her harshly. They didn’t glow this time; instead she could see a pupil with a red iris that surrounded it.

He took a step to her, his clawed feet showing beneath his robe, along with a long tail that swayed slightly.

“Why are you thanking me?” he spoke harshly his eyes squinting at the young waitress.

As he drew closer to her, she could make out small curved markings around his eyes that appeared to be tribal in nature. They only seemed to enhance the intensity that was within them.

“You saved…my life.” Her words slipping out of her lips fearfully, “Maybe something worse then death…”

“Hmph, I know what I saved you from, but my question is-“suddenly he pointed one of his black swords to her. “Why are you thanking the one that is about you kill you?”

Sophia’s eyes went wide, “Wh-what?!” she barely said, her body trembling and her heart beating hard. “Why?”

His right brow slightly rose to her question, “I may not sense sins from you human, but sadly you have seen the face of a Soul Reaper. That is something that I can’t allow.” He pressed his sword along her neck.

“This isn’t personal. It’s just as you human say “Just as at the wrong place at the wrong time.”.”

A small weep came out of Sophia’s lips and she closed her eyes. She thought about Karin, how would she deal with her death? She didn’t want to die, but she couldn’t run from the dragon. She would be cut down before she could get to the streets. No she just hope the Reaper would make it painless just like her father’s death.

As she awaited her end, a cluster of voices could be heard.

“I heard a scream come from here.” One shouted.

“Down this alleyway, someone said they saw it.” Another one spoke.

She opened her eyes to see the reaper was gone along with the bodies of the soldiers. The only thing that remained was the blood that dripped down the walls.

“Look, someone is in there.” She twisted her head to the alleyway entrance only to see a group of uniformed Yata police force. There guns drawn at her.

“Remain still lady.” One said, but Sophia eye’s fluttered, and she fell to the ground. She felt her energy drain away from her, but before she blacked out she saw one of the police man kneel over her looking into her eyes before she closed them and blacking out.