Kalik lay on his mat, the sun shining in through his window. It's been a week since Mei left, and his anger kept rising every time he thought about it. The only one who didn't show anything was Soushi, who actually seemed sad Mei was gone, and extremely frustrated about something else. Kalik closed his eyes and pictured Mei the night she awakened. Everything about her changed that night; her attitude, personality, skills and looks. Kalik gritted his teeth as he saw Kazuma's confident face appear in his mind. If they think they can challenge the Empire, then they are out of their damn minds. Kalik got to his feet, strapped on his sword and walked out of his room angrily. As he walked towards the infirmary where Takashi and Mizuki were, a dark thought crossed his mind. What if Mei started attacking people and we were ordered to kill her? After leaving them for some random demon cause, Kalik believed he could. Kalik did feel a bit guilty though. Not once did he give Mei a chance to explain what she wanted to see or what she wanted to confirm. His anger blew everything out of proportion, and now none of the samurai even mentioned her name. But Kalik could tell they were thinking about her and could see small signs of sadness, but they were immediately replaced with anger. As long as he wasn't the only one furious with Mei, then he could live with it.
Kalik walked into the infirmary and saw Mizuki was practicing with his right arm. A wooden sword was in his hand and he was practicing against Takashi, who looked incredibly bored as he defended himself against Mizuki's blows. Kalik half-smiled and walked over there.
"How is it coming?" he asked.
"Not so well," Takashi said with a yawn.
"Give me a chance!" yelled Mizuki. "It's not my fault some damn demon decided to take my arm. Too bad I can't grow mine back or I'd use it to strangle him."
"No, be lucky you can't grow it back. It would mean you're a worthless demon if you could," Takashi said irritably. "I'd love to heal random body parts. I bet that's really attractive."
Laughing under his breath, Kalik continued to watch as Mizuki practiced. He was hoping even with Mizuki's disadvantage he could continue being a samurai. It would break Mizuki if he could no longer be a samurai because he was missing an arm. Kalik gritted his teeth and cursed Kazuma for taking Mizuki's arm. I'll kill that bastard next time I see him. For Mizuki, and for taking Mei. Kalik turned at the sound of running feet and saw Kaito burst into the room, sweat coming down his face. Mizuki and Takashi froze as they too saw the look of fear on Kaito's face.
"Kaito, what's wrong?" Kalik asked, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
"We have a serious problem. Soushi is talking to people from the capital. One of them...is a Pureblood."
All three of them narrowed their eyes and they followed Kaito as he led them towards the courtyard. Everything seems to happen here, Kalik thought. As they reached the courtyard, they saw samurai with the emperors logo on their on their belt. They stood in a straight line and their heads were facing the ground. Elites, Kalik thought angrily. Kalik heard commotion going on inside the Soushi's room, which was right in front of the main gate. What are the emperor's men doing here? Do we have another order? Is it for Mei? Thousands of questions were circling in Kalik's brain. He looked over and saw Takashi had the same expression on his face, and Kalik wondered if they were thinking the same thing. The doors slammed open, and Soushi and another man came out. Soushi had a grim look on his face, and there were beads of sweat on his brow. The swordsman that came out behind him wore a bored expression on his face and he held his head high. Kalik's stomach tightened as he knew he was looking at the Pureblood. He had on a sleeveless shirt on and baggy pants like Kazuma's. He had spikey orange hair that went into a small pony tail. His eyes were red and his fangs were visible without even baring them. Soushi spotted Kalik and went over to him. Kalik was about to ask him what was going on when Soushi held up his hand to him, stopping him from speaking.
"Gather the clan up and meet in the courtyard." Kalik was taken aback by the seriousness in Soushi's voice. Nevertheless, Kalik obeyed and sent Takashi and Kaito to gather up the clan. Once the entire clan gathered, Kalik, Kaito, Kalas, Takashi and Mizuki went up towards the front and stood behind Soushi as they faced the Pureblood and the Emperor's men. The Pureblood scanned the area, looking at the Shin Clan.
"Is this all of you?" he asked coldly.
"Yes," Soushi replied with an edge to his tone. The Pureblood cocked his head from side to side, as if preparing for a battle. His red eyes scanned the clan again, looking irritated about something. I wonder what he's planning, thought Kalik as he watched the Pureblood. Kalik couldn't help but notice he seemed strained, like he was expecting something else entirely.
"My name is Taichi, the Pureblood who serves under...Emperor Osamu. It has come to the capital's attention the Shin Clan was harboring a girl who is a fugitive of the Empire and who is also a Pureblood. I will ask this once, Captain Soushi. Where is she?"
"She left days ago. We do not know her location as of today," Soushi said, straightening his back. Smiling slightly, the Purebloods eyes started to glow a fearsome red.
"So, you have no idea where she is?" Taichi asked again.
"I believe I have already said we do not know of her location," Soushi said angrily.
"Did it ever occur to you she is planning on taking our dear Emperors life? Aren't you supposed to be loyal to the Emperor?"
"We are loyal," Takashi growled. "She got up and left without reason. We have no idea of what she plans to do."
"Then where did your loyalty go?" Taichi pressured further. "You knew she was younger than the women who are usually released from the Empire, yet you kept her. Don't tell me you humans have sided with the rebel demons now?"
"Never," Mizuki growled.
The Pureblood smiled, revealing his fangs clearly. "The Emperor has given me orders, that if I find any disloyalty, I need to send a clear message. You with the stubbed arm, come here."
Mizuki narrowed his eyes and didn't budge. "I will not take orders from you, bastard." The Pureblood narrowed his eyes and held up his hand. Mizuki was suddenly thrown forwards and was grabbed and hauled to his feet by the elites.
"That girl is a valuable item to our Emperor and you let her slip right through your fingers," Taichi spat in Mizuki's face. "To ensure all of you get my message, I believe a little persuasion is in order." Drawing his sword, Taichi faced Mizuki who was forced to his knees and the elites held his arms out. Taichi put the tip of his blade to Mizuki's head and Mizuki's eyes widened with fear.
"Stop it! This isn't necessary!!" Soushi shouted. Kalik and the others had already drawn their blades. Taichi smirked at them and then leaned down toward Mizuki's ear, whispering something that made Mizuki furious. His eyes flared at Taichi, then something like guilt touched his face and he looked at the ground.
"Out of the courtesy of my heart, I'll give you one last statement," Taichi said, bringing his sword back into an arch. Mizuki glared up at him and then faced the clan.
"I have nothing to say. Mei knows what she's doing, so I have no regrets here. I wish I could aid her. Soushi, make sure it ends accordingly."
"You have my word," Soushi said, his voice cracking.
"Mizuki, wait!" Kalik cried as he tried to shove past Soushi. Smiling evilly, Taichi brought his sword down and sliced off Mizuki's head. Kalik stopped dead in his tracks as he saw Mizuki's head roll to a couple feet away from his body. Rage engulfed Kalik as he turned to look at the Pureblood, who was smiling and wiping the blood from his blade.
"The Shin Clan has orders straight from the Emperor," Taichi continued as if nothing happened. "You are to hunt down this girl and bring her to the capital. You will be with the Yura Clan on this one. Fail to do this and your entire clan will have the death penalty. Do I make myself clear, Captain Soushi? Any more mess ups, and the Shin Clan will cease to exist." Soushi said nothing but simply nodded his head. Taichi smiled, and then turned to leave through the gate, followed by the rest of the elites. Once they were out of sight, Kalik and Takashi went over to Mizuki's body, sadness filling inside them. Kaito and Kalas had brought out a funeral pyre stand. They gently laid Mizuki's body on it, then placed his head beside his body. Soushi stood off to the side, completely overcome with grief. When the preparations were complete, Takashi ignited the stand and all of the Shin Clan took a knee, honoring Mizuki. Kalik watched gravely as the flames consumed Mizuki's body.
"What did Taichi tell him that made him happy to die for this cause?" Takashi whispered. Kalik's face twisted with anger.
"Mizuki died for nothing, and it is all because of Mei."
"I don't think Mei foresaw this happening," Soushi said. "I don't think she'll be seeing what's going to happen in the future either."
"It doesn't matter now does it?" Kalik said. He stood up and the others watched him. "Mei caused Mizuki's death. I will be the one who will bring her to justice to avenge Mizuki. Tomorrow morning, we head out to find her. The time has come for her to repay a debt."
Kalik walked away from the pyre, a shadow of despair crossing his face as he left.