Sora headed into the dimly lighted room and glanced around.

“May you do me a favor?” Kouta said as he slid down the wall by the window. Sora took a seat by her bedspread. There was a warm fire between them.

“Sure. What is it?” her eyes darted over his face. It was hard to read, but it looked serious.

“What was that song you were singing?” he asked.

“It an old song my mom used to sing to me when I was little. When I’d get hurt, or couldn’t sleep at night, she would sing it to me and all of the sudden I’d feel better. Why does it bother you?” Sora asked. She smiled when she thought of her mom again.

“I want to hear it,” Kouta said. “Will you sing it to me?”

“No way!” Sora shouted. She blushed. “I can’t sing!”

Kouta sighed. “Okay,” he surrendered. “Get some sleep.” Sora nodded as he left the room.

—X—

Sora awoke to the smell of food being cooked. Sora smiled, but kept her eyes closed. I haven’t woken up to that smell in a while. Is that Kouta?

Sora opened her eyes at the sound of snoring. Kouta was sleeping against the window where he was sitting the night before.

Was he watching me sleep? That pervert! Sora’s eyebrow twitched as she refrained herself from hitting him.

“Your breakfast, lady Sora,” a woman came into the room with a large tray of freshly cooked food. She glanced at Kouta and mumbled something under her breath as she left the room.

Sora’s stomach growled as she finally realized how hungry she was. Kouta sniffed the air as he was starting to wake up.

“Good morning,” she said crossly. He laughed.

“Hi there!” he said.

“Were you watching me sleep?” she growled.

“No,” he said simply.

“Then what were you doing in here?” Sora bellowed.

“Sleeping,” Kouta stood and walked over to her. He reached down to the tray of food and picked up a cup of hot tea.

“You got some nerve lying to a half demon,” Sora showed her teeth dangerously.

“But I’m not lying,” he said oh so calmly.

“How do I know?” Sora demanded.

“You are so short tempered,” he took a sip. “Trust?”

“I don’t ‘trust,’” Sora narrowed her eyes.

“So tell me,” Kouta said. He paused. Sora glanced at him with curiosity. “What was that song you were singing?”

“Your not going to give up on that, are you?” Sora said. She was a little irked that he had changed the subject, but she sighed anyways. She glanced around making sure no one was listening then began to sing. Her tongue twisted and turned to form the foreign words that poured from her mouth sweetly.

“Its called aiseki,” Sora explained when she was done. “I don’t know what language or anything, but mother said when the time came I’d know what it means. I don’t know what that means.”

Kouta was silent for a moment. “Tell me about your mother.”

Sora wondered what was going through the monk’s mind. “I don’t remember much about her,” Sora admitted. “But she was one of the greatest priestess and nurse anyone had ever met. She was also a great demon slayer. That’s how she met my dad. And how she died.”

Mixed emotions swept over Kouta’s face. “I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s fine!” Sora said with a reassuring smile. “I’m not sad anymore.”

“Is it because you’re a half demon?” Kouta asked, studying her face.

Sora was annoyed. “What is that supposed to mean?!” she demanded.

“Maybe you feel because you are not full demon. Perhaps you have killed all emotions to feel stronger?” Kouta suggested calmly. He was careful not to push Sora too far. He raised an eyebrow.

“Shut up!” Sora threatened, reaching for her double-edge sword. “It’s not like that anymore!” she gasped when her weapon wasn’t were it was supposed to be. Panic swept over her. It left as soon as it came when she realized she had taken it out for school.

“Anymore?” Kouta repeated.

Sora stood up with a sigh. “I have to go,” she said crossly.

“Let me walk you to the gate then,” Kouta stood up as well. He smiled warmly. Sora nodded.

As they walked in silence towards the gate, Sora kept shooting glances at Kouta. She hoped he didn’t notice, but he most likely did. I wonder if I’ll ever see him again, She thought. She frowned as she glanced at him. He caught her eye and smiled again. Sora quickly looked away with a scowl. He’s so cheerful!

Kika was waiting at the gate when they got there. A few of the kids were there, too.

Kouta slid in front of her before she could leave. “When will you be back?” he asked.

Winter break is coming up. I’ll come here then, Sora thought. “Two weeks at the most,” she said, petting down Kika’s body. She looked up at Kouta’s face.

“Then I will wait here for you,” he declared.

“What?” his words caught her off guard because they didn’t match his face.

“I will wait for your return,” he repeated. “So we may travel together.”

Sora smiled. “Sure,” she nodded. Sora made her way up the hill to pass through to the human world. She glanced back before she slipped through. Kika was standing on Kouta’s shoulder. She waved largely for them to see.

—X—

“Welcome back,” Kiuko chirped as he watched Sora replace the medicines with schoolbooks.

“Yeah,” Sora said blankly. Thoughts raced across her mind, then disappeared and replaced before they could sink in.

“School just ended,” Kiuko informed.

“Yeah,” Sora said again. She finished unpacking, and sat on the ground motionless, looking ahead.

“You okay?” Kiuko waved in front of her face. Sora squeaked as she blinked into reality. “What’s on your mind?”

Sora looked down. “Kiuko,” she started. “Do you know an ‘Akio?’”

Kiuko’s eyes drowned in fear for an instant. “What did you do over there?” he asked, mostly to himself. Sora looked up at his face. “No, I have no idea.” He said quickly.

Sora looked disappointed. “Oh.”

“Sora,” Kiuko said, pointing to the hill. “You’re friend’s here.” Sora followed her finger to find Tyler walking causally over the knoll. Sora stood up. Kiuko waved. “See ya.”

“Wait!” she called before he took off. He glanced back, catching her eye. “…Never mind.” She shook her head.

Kiuko shrugged. “Be careful around that one.” With that he took off. Sora brought her attention back to Tyler. She gasped. I don’t have time to transform! She glanced around franticly. Finding a shadowed tree, she jumped up and hid.

“Sora!” Tyler called. “Sora, are you here?” he glanced around. He pouted as his attempt to find the half-demon was futile. He sighed and plopped down before the lake.

Sora inwardly groaned when she realized he wasn’t leaving for a while. She repositioned herself in a more comfortable position on her branch. The branch waved under her moving weight. Tyler glanced back at the noise. The branch snapped. Sora jumped to a less bushy branch as the other one fell to the ground. The new thin branch snapped as well. Tyler was standing up by now. Sora made sure she found a thick branch before bounded to it.

“Who’s there?” Tyler stammered, his voice was shaking. He walked to the tree Sora was in now. He glimpsed at the two branches on the ground before peering up in the tree.

Sora cursed aloud as she realized her branch wasn’t as shady as the first. She leaned back to hide herself better. She placed her hand behind her to support her. She was jerked backwards as her hand found nothing but air. She cried in defeat as she fell from her safety in the tree.

She landed on her stomach in front of Tyler’s feet, knocking the wind out of her. She tried to cover her face with her hair, but she knew it was too late. Tyler stammered backwards. Sora looked up into his horror filled eyes.