Yokai Hunters

Chapter 2 - Abnormal Activity

  "Heeeey, Julie!" Julius sighs. "Greetings, Travis." Ivory steps out of her room while tying her black and blonde hair into a messy bun. A male around his 20s with wavy, long locks of gold swayed behind his ears entered the room. His crisp green eyes faces Ivory. "Ivory! I've missed you!" He goes over to her and hugs her tightly. "My baby's about to go to school in a few weeks!" Travis cooed while pulling Ivory's cheeks. "Mr. Travis, can you stop doing that? It hurts." Ivory whimpered. "I'm sorry, Ivy." Travis giggled. He begins wiping away the tears that dangled on is eyelashes. "They grow up so fast!" Travis exclaimed. "You failed at babysitting her when she was a baby." Julius muttered. "Wow, the shade, Julie." Travis places a hand on his hips. "Don't call me that." Julius barked. "I, I mean, we, should at least take Ivory shopping. I want my baby looking like the highest flying bird in school on the first day."

  "You act like you're her mother." Julius walks into the kitchen and starts preparing dinner. "I mean, when ever you went on your missions, I was changing her diapers, feeding her, and playing with her. "  Travis exclaimed. "Whenever your friends aren't partying at District 16." Ivory adds. "Ivory!" Travis whines. "You're suppose to be on my side!" Ivory laughs and walks into the kitchen. "Hey, father. Do you need any help?" Ivory starts digging through the refrigerator and pulls out an energy drink. "If you could cut up the onions for me, that'll be nice." Julius slides a cutting board and kitchen knife on the counter towards Ivory. She takes out two onions and begins to chop away. "Any who, Ivory and I will go to the mall tomorrow." Travis states. "Okay. What time?" Ivory transports to the sink to wash off the onions chemicals off her hands. "I don't know. Whenever you're ready, let Julie know." Travis slouches on their couch and starts rampaging through the channels. "I said not to call me that." Julius growled. "You know I won't stop." Travis snickered.

  Ivory passes the minced onions and heads to her room once more. She lays on her mattress and starts gazing into the ceiling. A low growl is heard from inside of Ivory's closet, which makes her glance around the room. She faces towards the closet and notices her new weapon is positioned differently. The scythe is standing on its own staff while the goat skulls hollow eyes pierces into her soul. She walks over to it and opens the door completely. She grabs a hold of the staff and swirls her fingers around the orb, seeing if the same thing from earlier would happen. "You don't scare me." Ivory says in a mocking voice. She places it back inside of her closet and walks over to her bookshelf. Ivory pulls out a bronze book with golden paint designed on the edges labeled "Happy Ravens". She sits back on her bed and begins to skim throughout her family photos. "Pictures do seem to be more powerful than words." Ivory smiles to herself. 

  After some time of looking through the captured memories, a wave of sleep begins to take over. She sluggishly places the book back on the shelf. Ivory lazily slides onto a beanbag as her eyelids begin to become heavy. Before she could let herself sleep, her door opens with a loud squeak. "Ivory, it's time for dinner." Julius proposed. Ivory lets out a short whine before forcing herself onto her feet. She makes her way to the kitchen table, only to be greeted by the smell of Shepard's Pie. Ivory's senses awaken as she sits in her seat. Travis walks to the table holding a tall bottle of white wine. "Thanks for buying this, Julie." he cooed. Ivory faced her father with stern eyes. "Father, I thought you were going to stop drinking. Since you're a priest and all." she whispered. "It's only for special occasions." Julius said while handing out the forks. "Yeah right." Travis snickered while pouring himself a tall glass. Ivory goes back into the fridge to grab two bottles of water for herself and Julius. When she turns around, she sees Julius also pouring a glass for himself. Ivory places one hand on her hip. "What special occasion is this for?" Ivory mocked. Julius began to look around the room, searching for an excuse. "This is for...um...an early celebration of you going to the academy." Ivory lets out a low growl. "Okay, okay. I'll drink the water after." Julius sighed. She places the waters on top of the table and they begin to feast. 

  "So, Ivory, are you thinking about having a boyfriend while you're going to school?" Julius asks with a cheek full of mashed potatoes. "Not really, if it doesn't benefit my studies, the it's not important." Ivory answered. "That's my girl." Julius smiles. Ivory shares a similar smile in response. "You know, you can't spend your life alone. Like a certain somebody I know." Travis averts his eyes towards Julius with a cocky grin on his face. "Don't give me that look." Ivory laughs and finishes her plate. She takes it to the sink and begins to clean it. "Is it okay if I can help Ms. Temple after dinner?" Ivory puts away the plate, waiting for her fathers permission. "Sure, just be here before..."

  "8:30, I know." Ivory interrupted.

  "And take your weapon with you, just to show it off." Julius adds. "Okay, thank you." She heads into her room and sees her scythe placed across her bed. "I know it put I in my closet." Ivory said to herself. She grabs it and walks out of her home. She walks down the stairs, being cautious of taking the elevator after dark. Ivory begins to walk toward a classroom with large doors. She knocks on the door only to be greeted by a tall female with pitch black hair and eyes. The lens in her glasses reflected the light bulb in the hallway, causing Ivory to automatically close them. "Hi, Ms. Temple. Do you need help with anything?" Ivory asks. "Actually, no. Not today, anyways. Let your father know that we'll  be leaving for a mission in about ten minutes." Ms. Temple responds harshly. Ms. Temple glances at Ivory's weapon. "I see that you've picked out your weapon early. Julius must really want you to succeed. But I'm telling you this now. If you're gonna be attending this school, we don't need any tomfoolery. You better be serious about this, Ivory." Ivory nods in agreement. "Also, don't worry about Mr. Tony. He seems to be better than to cheat on you like that." Ivory smiles and continues to walk down the hall, leaving Ms. Temple in a state of surprise. "How did you know?" Ms. Temple mumbled to herself. After a swift twitch of Ivory's ear, she responds with, "I can read anyone like a book."

  Ivory travels around the schools halls in boredom. She was used to helping the other teachers grade papers, sharpen or shine their weapons or help clean. But most of the teachers and staff were home. She didn't dare bother the principal, due to the rumors she hears the teachers laughing at. The scythe continues to send small shocks through her hands. She ignores it. Near the top floor, she stares at goat's skull once more. "You're a special case, aren't you?" Ivory giggled and continues to make her way home. She quietly enters the penthouse of the school, only to see a drunk Travis' lips inching closer to a drunk Julius'. Ivory walks past, covering her eyes. "Bleh, get a room." Ivory playfully whispers, letting them know she's in the house now. "Oh hush and go to bed." Travis giggles. Ivory heads to her room and places her scythe on the side of the room as she scavenges through her closet. She pulls out a blue oversized shirt and black feminine sports shorts. She goes into her private bathroom and starts her shower. Getting her feminine products all together, she starts the shower water and locks her door. Ivory takes off her clothes and steps into the shower.

  Being distracted by humming songs to herself, she cleanses her body and hair. After washing, rinsing, and repeating, she turns off the water and reaches for towel. Once she steps out of the shower with herself covered, she slips on a puddle that was made outside of the tub. Thankfully, she lands inside of the tub instead of a fatal blow to back of her head. She looks up to see her scythe, staring down at her menacingly. "I know I left you in my bedroom, I know I'm not crazy." Ivory rolls her eyes and starts to change into her sleeping clothes. She plugs in her blow-dryer and starts fixing her hair. Once finished, she ties a scarf over her hair and takes the scythe back in her room. Ivory starts thinking about the chances of the scythe moving by itself. "Well, that card did say the God or spirit was unknown." She looks at the blade and presses her whole hand on it. "Who is in you?" She places the scythe back inside of her closet. "You stay in there, or I'm gonna make my father bless you or something!" She closes the door and walks towards her bed, but a sharp pain migrates though her shoulder. "Ow!" Ivory whimpers and starts massaging her shoulder. She looks at the door where the scythe is hidden behind. "Jerk." she mumbles.

  She lays down on her mattress and begins to fall asleep faster than she usually does. Her body lays limp as the demons continue to roar through the night, and the moon shines its bitter light upon the last few pieces of civilization.