"I have no other uncles," faltered Yuna.
The redhead paused and blinked. "He said his name was Ryu."
"Rings no bells."
Ayumi glanced back over her shoulder up the stairs. "He's a big guy with black hair. Also has red eyes like you. Seems to be a rock musician. He and Wataru were talking about bands." An oppressive feeling came over the blue-haired. "Everything okay? You look a little pale," observed the hostess.
"Yes ... yes ..." The huntress looked up the stairs. She heard this high, cackling laugh, which pursued her in her dreams. "How did he find me?" moaned the girl.
"Yuna-chan?"
The huntress stared at the redhead. "This is the murderer of my family."
The tray slid out of Ayumi's hand, but Yuna grabbed it within a fraction of a second from the air before it could hit the floor and cause a noise.
"Oh God. Oh God. Oh no." Panic came upon the young woman and she climbed carefully down another step.
"Shh!" Ayumi nodded anxiously. "Listen. I lure him into my room. You have to get Wataru and then run away."
A tremor seized the hostess as she paled. "What will become of you?"
"If he wanted to kill me, he would've come directly to me. He's up to something."
Uncertain kneaded the older one her fingers. "Should I call the police?"
Yuna stared at her flabbergasted. "What good should that do?"
"They will arrest him?"
Shaking her head, the girl explained, "Ayumi-san. He tears people apart with his bare hands. He is bulletproof and almost invulnerable."
"Ohgodohgodohgod ..."
"You have to get you guys to safety. I'll take care of him." The redhead nodded hastily.
Yuna looked up the stairs. She pressed the tray in her roommate's hand, took a deep breath, stretched her back and began to climb the stairs. At the top, she walked slowly down the hall. She should notify Yoshiro. No. He couldn't help her. No one could help her. She had the devil in her home, so it appeared as if she would have to make a deal with him.
She entered the living room and discovered Tirr and Wataru, who sat side by side on the sofa and saw a music video on the Internet. A blasphemous noise came from the speakers.
"Pretty hard, Ryu-san," rated Wataru.
"I know. I simply love that shit."
"Hey," she greeted the two. The men looked over at her.
"Hey, Yuna-chan," they chorused.
"Good to see you ... uncle."
His hideous grin jumped at her. "I came as fast as I could. Terrible what happened to my brother." Tirr stood up and came over to her. He leaned toward her. "Give your uncle from the States a kiss, sweetie."
Yuna shook with anger. Since Wataru couldn't see her completely, she didn't hide the expression of pure hatred on her face. She stood on her tiptoe and blew a kiss on his cheek.
"I see, you're doing quite well. I was totally worried about you," said Tirr.
The girl snorted, "I bet."
"You look great. Not a bit ... burned."
Wataru wondered about this statement, but he suspected it was because Ryu lived in America. Probably his Japanese was a little rusty.
"Want to see my room, uncle?"
Tirr glanced at Wataru. "Do you mind Wata-kun?"
"No. Go on."
"Come." Yuna went ahead, opened the door and held it open.
Tirr grinned as complacent as ever. He entered her room and looked around. "Pretty."
She closed the door behind him. "What do you want?"
"I couldn't believe when I heard that you're still alive. I wanted to convince myself."
She swallowed hard. "Will you kill me now?"
Tirr chuckled. "Don't make a fool of yourself. If I wanted that, you would already be dead."
"What is it that you want?!"
He folded his arms behind his back, went to her window and peered out. His gaze wandered up to the oni-fog which hovered unswervingly through the air.
"I want you to contact Yoshiro for me."
"Forget it." He turned back to her and saw her determined expression.
"I could kill your little friends outside within seconds. Or better yet, I'll break your arms and legs and then skin them alive, while you have to watch. Then I'll wrap your body in their skins."
Yuna winced at the thought. "How do you do that? Do you watch deviant movies that inspire you?"
"I beg you. I'm an artist. I can come up with my own ideas. Plagiarism is so ... lame."
"I can't help you. He comes to me when he needs something." She tried to smile at him innocently.
Tirr grinned broadly. "Of course. I'm sorry that I've wasted your time." He marched up to her door. "Then I'll go massacre the other two now."
"Wait!"
He put his hand on the doorknob. "Yes?"
"You win."
"Good girl."
She glared at him angrily, then she went to her closet and began rummaging in it. She took the oni-knife, which she had placed in the closet, because it was smaller than the combat knife and pushed it in front of her belly in her panties. Then she fished her cell phone from her skirt pocket. She turned to face him.
"Here." She held it out to him.
"A cell phone. If I would have one, you could just give me his number."
"Take it."
Tirr chuckled. "Nope. I will take you both. I need a hostage, if he should meet with me."
"Will you promise me that you won't harm my friends?"
The oni lifted his left eyebrow. "Do I look like someone who keeps his promises?"
Pleadingly looked the girl at the monster. "Please. I cooperate with you. It's not necessary that you hurt someone."
"It's fun."
"I'm begging you."
Tirr shrugged. "Was of no use to your dear sisters."
Yuna gritted her teeth and swallowed her comment. "Please."
"All right. But stop with the whining."
"Thank you."
"Let's go."
"Okay." The girl opened her bedroom door and peered into the living room. Thankfully, they were gone. Relieved, she stepped out and turned to the stairs.
"Hey, Wata-kun. We ..." Tirr's red eyes scanned the living room. "Where is he?"
"Maybe on the toilet?" mused the huntress.
The oni looked at her angrily. "For that I should kill him. Nobody leaves me behind. But I have you, and soon we meet Yoshi and then we can play together and eat cake." Yuna looked at him silently. "Hurry up. I want to put on my boots, before we get started."
They went down the hallway and down the stairs. Tirr grabbed his boots, sat on the stairs and stuffed his feet into them. The girl also put on her shoes. The monster checked her from head to toe.
"You look really cute in your school uniform. Like a real schoolgirl."
"I am a real schoolgirl," she told him.
He laughed. "Oh. I thought that would be a cosplay."
"Hm."
The monster opened his portal. "Ladies first."
"Thank you." The huntress disappeared through the portal, while Tirr followed her.