8A few things before we get started on the new chapter:
The Spawn in this story is NOT Al Simmons. Al has actually appeared in the last chapter, but his role will be minimized aside from some references.
Enjoy!
Chapter 2: Meetings pt. 1
"How do you know that name, Hellspawn?" The mysterious woman demanded again.
Our hero narrowed his eyes and entered a stance, ready to fight.
"How do YOU know what I am, Onryo?" He replied.
The woman spied the child and her hair rose up.
"Erma. Get behind me."
The little girl obeyed her and the Hellspawn strenched his hands.
"What are you doing in Blairwood?" the woman asked. "Who sent you?"
"None of your business and no idea. Look, the kid did nothing wrong, and while I can, I still don't like hitting women. So, you can go back in the TV and to where ever it is you come from..."
Unknown to him, his cape began to wave and sharpen. This caused the child to cringe and the woman, noticing this, did what many a parent would:
She leapt forward.
The Hellspawn did the same and a fight began: The floor and walls were soon littered with scracthes and the woman's exposed face made something in the Hellspawn's form began to etch out of his body. He double-kicked her away and grabbed some wood to knock her back, but she kicked him down and they grappled.
The little Onryo watched in in uncertainty.
A knock on the door suddenly paused the battle in an almost comedic tone: The woman was pushing the Hellspawn backwards by his chin and he was he trying to push her head onto the ground.
For a full minute, no one moved, their eyes on the door.
Another knock.
"...C-come in, it's open!" The Hellspawn said in spit of the awkward situation.
A man walked into the room; a younger adult with brown hair, glasses and a goate with a lanky frame. His eyes widened at the scene in front of him, but his smile took on a smile when the tiny onryo dashed over and hugged his legs.
"There you are, sweetie." The man beamed, picking the child up before finally realizing what was going on. He put the girl down and dashed forward.
"SAM, STAY BACK!" The woman commanded. "Get Erma out!"
The man paused but stood firm.
"Would you please let my wife go and explain what is going on here?" He asked.
The Hellspawn's eyes widened and his form loosened. The woman was about to strike and attempt tp put space between herself, her family and her supposed foe...but she then took a look at his face:
Shocked and hopeful.
He had remembered his mission: A child of natrual and supernatural worlds. Was...was this the one?
"Is he another Yokai, Emiko?" The man asked. "He...doesn't seem to match anyting I'm aware of. If anything he kinda looks like a mix of Superman, Freddy Kruger and a Metallica album."
"He's no Yokai." Emiko said. "A Hellspawn. A demonic foot-solider from the pits of hell."
"That WOULD be accurate..." The Hellspawn said. "But, Hell is under new management. Sides, I never have served anyone before and I[m only doing this to see Yori again."
"How do you..?" Emiko started, only for Sam to cut her off.
"What's your name?"
"My name?" The Hellspawn asked. "I..."
He paused, racking his brain for some clue. Nothing came up...but he could read the lips of people wh flashed in his mind.
"...I think my name is...or was...Shiro?"
"Any last name?" Sam asked.
"Nothing yet."
"You still haven't answered my question." Emiko asked, not wanting this to be delayed anymore. "How do you know my sister's name?"
Shiro's eyes widened.
"S-sister?" He asked in confusion, before a sharp pain filled his head and he grasped it in pain.
Bits of a memory came to him suddenly:
Melodic, calming and yet teasing laughter of a beautiful girl with shorter hair and eyes like Emiko and Erma.
Handing the girl a prize from a festival.
Watcing the fireworks under a Sakura tree.
The single greatest night of his life; arms tracing each other's forms as their lips locked and they whispered sweet vows to each other.
A tear-stained yet accepting look as he wrapped her in a jacket and then handed her a prized possession befpre hoisting a duffer bag over his shoulder.
Finally, a vow that carried all of his soul:
"When I'm worthy and able to give all you deserve and more...I'll come back and make you the happiest being in all the cosmos. I swear on my soul,Watashi no ai."
The pain suddenly stopped and Shiro gasped for air. He then looked up.
"T-thought your name sounded familiar..." He chuckled. "She mentioned you a lot; Emiko. The sister who got away. And to answer your question...Your sister Yori? She was...No. She IS the love of my life. The whole reason I even became a Hellspawn was for the chance to see her one more time."
Emiko had covered her mouth with her hands. Which only happened more when Shiro began to grovel, laying his head on the ground.
"I am so sorry for my actions. They have wronged you, the family of my love and the one who I was trusted to protect."
This got Sam and Emiko's attention.
"Apparently, your daughter will do something amazing, and my boss thought I was the best choice to look after her. Please, state your demand to make up for this and I will fulfill it!"
He felt something tugging on his cape. Looking up, he saw Erma, just smiling and offering Shiro a cookie.
"Aww..." He parents cooed. "She wanted to welcome you to the neighbourhood."
Shiro tentatively took the cookie and ate it; a smile on his face.
"...She's a good kid, isn't she?"
"Bit of a troublemaker, but yes." Emiko teased, rustling her daughter's hair after taking her into her arms.
"Thank God my books sell so well..." Sam teased.
The family then left shortly after, Erma waving a goodbye and Shiro shylly returning it.
ES
A few hours later another knock came to the door. Shiro opened it tentativly until he saw Sam.
"Hey Shiro, how are you?"
Shiro shrugged.
"I'm undead, ugly as sin and look like that combination you mentioned. Otherwise fine. How's the kid doing?"
"Erma's about to go to bed." Sam said. "But befoere that...we went out for dinner, and...well, considering how you currently look and our less than affable first meeting..."
Sam produced three takeout boxes from behind him.
"Erma thought you might be hungry, so...Hope you enjoy! There's a burger, a steak and a chicken meal in there."
Shiro's eyes widened and his eyes softened.
"Arigato." He took the boxes, before pausing. "But, please don't...!"
"Oh no need to worry about money." Sam assured him, taking out a few books. "These are selling like hotcakes. So, we're good."
Shiro put the food down and thanked Sam again, wishing him a good night.
Well, not the best first day, he mused...but still, not too bad. He might actually like this...
CHOMP!
He tensed and turned around.
There, was Oni, helping himself to one of the meals.
"Mighty fine steak there. Fries are good too. Veggies a little overcooked, but..."
Shiro had been through a rollercoaster of emotions today: Coming back to life, being assigned to guard a little girl who turned out to be the niece of the woman he loved, and being treated decently in spite of what he currently was.
It was a miracle he had remained so calm...Until now.
"KAMI DAMMIT ONI!"
"Oh hey there Shounen!" The imp grinned. "How's...?"
He then saw the enraged look on his charge's face and reacted as any sane being would do:
"WHOOP-WHOOP-WHOOP-WHOOP-WHOOP-WHOOP-WHOOP!" The demon hollered as he began to run away while still scarfing the meal down, the Hell-spawn right behind him.
"GET BACK HERE!"
"AW COME ON SHOUNEN, YOU DON'T EVEN NEED TO EAT!" Oni chuckled
"NEITHER DO YOU!"
From Shiro's form erupted chains that swung at Oni, a few even oicking up discarded wood and flinging it towards the demon.
"...Huh. Usually it takes them a while." Oni musedm then tensed when he realized that Shiro was now behind him. "Oh cra..."
"MUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDA!" Shiro roared and he flung a flurry of clawed and spiked punches...that onlu created a hole in the floor.
"...You missed!" Oni smirked. "And really? A Jojo ref...?"
Shiro roared in rage as fire suddenly erupted from the chains and he and Oni raced outside.
"RETURN AND SPIT THAT OUT RIGHT NOW OR I'LL GAG YOU WITH A TOOTHBRUSH AND EAT EVERYTHING IN YOUR STOMACH AFTER I TEAR IT OUT OF THAT FESTERING HUNK OF FLESH YOU CALL A BODY!"
"GOTTA CATCH ME FIRST, ROOKIE!"
Miraculously, no one called the police of complained about the noises.
ES
Shiro lazed about the next day, half of out of losing his first meal back from the dead and the other half over not being able to go outside, due to looking as he currently did.
Oni had disappeared again, and for this the Hellspawn was grateful. The less he saw of that imp, the better.
This had left Shiro with time to try and meditate, hoping that he could clear his mind and remember everything about his life.
So, when the door suddenly opened on its own and several feet entered, he was pit on edge and leapt down to the entrace, ready for a fight.
"Who are you and...!?"
He paused when he saw a familar face and teh whole situation became clear to him:
Erma, an innocent smile on her face, had brought other children with her. Said other children where now looking at him in a mix of fear and awe.
'...And this here?' The Hellspawn mused. 'This here is why mama always said I'd never be good kids...aside from sis.'
ES
Meanwhile, across the sea in Japan, a woman and her two daughters sneezed.
What was odd about this was that they had black scalrea and white pupils..and the woman had short hair and a long neck.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Read and review, would ye kindly?
So...Thoughts? Concerns?
Major thanks the TheLeathalSpreg for all their help in this chapter; hope you liked it buddy.
Next chapter, Shiro has his first challenge as Erma's guardian. Its not a cursed puppet...Yet. Its not an underground society of rats...Yet. Its something all young men dread to some capacity...babysitting!
Keep warm and safe
