Ira was strange. Though, then again, he's just Masai's shadow so I guess that means Masai is strange too. But, while I can see the similarities between those two there was still quite a few differences.

When I first met him, Ira seemed very protective of something. Which, I can imagine Masai doing as well. But what really gets me is how strange he acted to do this "protection" of who knows what. That just didn't seem like... well, him.

He was violent. Way too violent. And the worse part? It almost seemed like he enjoyed it.

Though what really got me was his voice. It sounded similar, sure, but you could still tell the difference. As if, it was actually two different people...

***

A shiver went down my spine in reaction to hearing the voice. It's hasn't been like this since I first met him. So why now?

Slowly I turned around to meet a man I recognized. But it wasn't Ira.

He wasn't all that tall, only a few inches taller than myself. Then again, he had a slouched posture as he leaned carelessly on a nearby tree, making him look like those ridiculous bad boys in highschool every girl fonds over. Yuck.

He had ruffled hair that was a deep purple with light lavender eyes to complement. His eyes stood out the most though, being almost silver like and glowing almost.

The man was a demon, that part was certain. He had whitish silvery wolf ears and tail. Though I couldn't recognize what demon he was. I didn't recognize any that would look like him. Unless he was a Shōbō-shi. Though I swear I've seen him before.

"Oh, didn't see you there. Didn't expect anyone to be out here. Do you need something?" I asked with a smile, pretending as if I didn't see him as a demon. I can be a pretty good actor when it comes to this kind of stuff.

"You've been to the Omin, haven't you Kai?" The stranger asked, ignoring my question.

I swallowed, quickly thinking of a way to dodge the question while getting more info about him.

"Can't say I have. Is it out of state?" I asked and I hated myself for how clueless I sounded but I wasn't giving away.

The demon smiled. "Remarkable. I didn't think it was possible to dodge that question with such a perfected answer within that time span."

I tilted my head. "Did I say something wrong?"

I'm sure any other person would have been fooled by my act. And yet... This stupid demon was able to see through.

"Not only that was remarkable but to see through that illusion! Even for the Tokubetsu I must applaud," the demon laughed.

I narrowed my eyes. Guess there was no point in pretending anymore.

"Who are you, wolf?" I growled.

"Ouch. Such hatred. And we just met too," the demon smirked.

"No. I recognize you just fine. Your voice too. Now are you going to talk or should I just leave?" I said bluntly.

The demon looked taken aback when I said I recognized him but he quickly recovered.

The demon stopped propping himself on a tree and bowed. "The names Mehki," he said happily.

"Ok, Mehki. Now what do you want?" I snapped.

You would think that dating a demon, the Lord of demons, that I would trust demons more but no. I'm still edgy.

"Do I must have a reason to want to meet you?" Mehki said, fake offense in his voice.

Sure, someone could want to just meet me. I mean it's unlikely, but I guess everyone knows I'm the Tokubetsu now. But for some reason I don't think that was his real reasoning.

"So what's this illusion, wolf?" I asked.

"Mehki."

"I know. Now are you going to answer the question?"

Mehki smirked. "This one," he said. Instantly the perfectly sliced tree stump vanished and the clearing shrank in size, no longer perfectly rounded.

"At least it was harmless," I mumbled to myself.

"Always so perfect. Sorry for doubting you," Mehki said.

Instantly I recognized him, a voice ringing in my head. A voice that belonged to him.

"You don't get how I feel! You're perfect. I'm sorry but I can't stay here. And I can't have you following me."

My eyes widened as I remembered the dream-ish state I've entered twice now. The first being him. The second being something in the past that came true in the future.

Suddenly I wished my dagger hadn't disappeared along with my clothes upon coming here. I don't know who he is and he could be dangerous.

I started recalling the exact image of him I had saw in my dream. The body shape matched. Voice too. And the ears and tail seemed to pair up to. But... Wings. In my vision he was an Akumu.

It's easy to pull off that he was in human form and that is why he didn't have wings right now. But what really tripped me up were his ears and tail. White.

"How is that possible?" I muttered to myself. Unfortunately though, Mehki, or whoever this demon was, seemed to hear.

"After all this demon stuff and there's still stuff you believed is impossible?" Mehki teased, probably not actually knowing what I was talking about.

"It's because of all this demon stuff that I know this is impossible," I said plainly.

Mehki tilted his head slightly, reminding me of Masai. His face was scrunched up in confusion as he tried to depict what I was talking about.

"What kind of demon are you again?" I said bluntly. He never said. And I didn't recognize his demon type. Maybe Shōbō-shi. Unless he's a strange Akumu, like my dream or whatever showed me.

"That, you do not need to know," Mehki replied kinda quickly. Suspiciously.

I shrugged. "Ok then. Bye," I said and started to walk past Mehki.

Mehki looked shocked as I completely ignored him and kept walking. If he wasn't going to tell me what I need to know then I'm out of here.

Mehki sighed. "Wait," he said, turning around and grabbing my wrist to stop me from walking past.

Within an instant light magic spiked around me and Mehki. A memory circled around us. One I knew all too well.

We were back in the dream-ish place. At least the members of one. The first one I had. The one of Mehki.

Instantly I felt uneasy. Of what, I'm not really that sure. Maybe it was just being back here again. Even if it was just a memory.

It seemed like the memory was slightly different. There was no sign of me anywhere. Just the place. And the white light orb that had just appeared.

Just as I remembered, the orb of light transformed into a silhoutte of Mehki. Mehki was quiet, just staring at the light form of himself.

I waited for the words I knew but heart to echo through the dreamy area though they never came. Instead there was a loud screeching noise that reminded me of a blood curtling scream.

Instantly I covered my ears to try and block out the sound, but it only seemed to her louder. The noise echoed through my ears loudly.

My eyes were slowly squinting from pain. I was biting my lip to prevent me from screaming. The pain throbbed through my body.

Mehki I don't think was affected. He stood there stiffly, staring at the light version of himself. His back was turned to me so I wasn't able to see his face.

Seconds went by, the screaming sound unwavering. As much pain as I was in, I kept an eye on Mehki.

Suddenly the dream place just vanished. Nothing more remained to even show it had existed. Only me and Mehki stood in the forest now.

I slowly pulled my hands away from my ears. The screaming sound had stopped, though I still could hear ringing.

Mehki turned to me, his face filled with anger. And guilt. Though for whom, I wouldn't be able to tell. Probably to the one he had said those words to.

"How is it possible? It was like she was a half blood. But who? Unless... Catherine," Mehki mumbled to himself, just loud enough for me to hear.

Mehki looked at me, the hate kinda being smothered. "Until next time, Tokubetsu," he said and vanished within the shadows.

I stared at the spot of which he stood with confusion. If he was able to enter the Umbre... Then my dream thing was right. He was an Akumu. But those ears and tail... White.

Catherine. What had he said about her? And a half blood? Was he talking about the same Catherine who was Ominia's daughter? The first Tokubetsu?

I had so many questions but I shrugged most off to really get to the one question that truly unnerved me.

It was no secret we got back to that dream place thanks to light magic. I could feel it as soon as Mehki touched me. But the thing is...

That wasn't my own magic.