The Girl in Red

Sylvia, Klint, Shino and I are in the streets of Kyoto, browsing through every sweets shop we can find. My childhood friends are given a break time from all the study they have been doing while Shino is with me to act his duties as my bodyguard.

Nicco on the other hand is somewhere else for reasons he never told me.

So much for his duties as my observer…

I do know he'll still know what I'm doing as well as my whereabouts even if he's not here. As for how he does that, I still have no idea.

Anyway…

Haaaa! The feeling of being outside is still the most fulfilling feeling of all!

I can't help but stretch my arms upward as I look around the city. I'm still quite amazed as to how modern skyscrapers coexist with ancient buildings in the city, and I love it!

Ever since I became stuck in the body of a child, my love for sweets, and obsession with history and architecture has shown itself rather obviously. In fact, whenever I see desserts and historical places, I couldn't help but stop and marvel, my eyes sparkling while looking at them. Or at least that's what others told me. It's something I avoided to do in my life as April Nera.

I was in the mafia, a candidate to be the successor, I couldn't show weakness that can be plotted by my enemies. That's how I was taught.

I still ended up dying though. That damn Lloyd!

Ehem!

Back to the current situation.

We continue roaming around the streets of Kyoto, pointing out stores and stuff on the way. It's really exciting! I haven't felt this carefree in-

*CRASH!*

*THUD!*

Ow! Bullocks! Who the hell runs around blind and crashes on innocent people?!

I massage my aching butt, which hurts after falling harshly to the pavement, as well as my head. Something crashed in it and it's hurting a little.

Who said my head was hard? They're wrong!

Geez! I've been wandering around Kyoto for quite some time, but this is the first time someone crashes into me out of nowhere! I mean I have the skill which makes me sensitive to the presence around me. It's the reason I can evade things and people easily! It's-

Wait… How did someone crash into me without me being aware of their presence? My skill literally makes me aware of such things!

"Ow." I groan and try standing up, planning to see whoever crashed into me and give them a piece of my mind.

I look beside me and see a golden-haired girl sporting a red cloak. She looks about Sylvia's age with piercing amber eyes, but that's not the most surprising thing about her, it's the fact that she crashed into me without me sensing her in advance, and that she's bleeding o her stomach.

Well damn!

While trying to stabilize myself from my fall as I stand up straight, my wrist is suddenly harshly pulled behind my back and I a blade on my throat. Golden strands of hair flutter on my shoulder as my captor, who's taller than me, holds me firmly in place.

Am I seriously being held hostage by a teenage girl?

Around us, people start crowding. Some are taking videos or pictures of what's happening while others are calling the police.

The latter are obviously the more sensible ones.

*SIGH*

I don't really appreciate being held against my will with a knife on my throat. I should probably do something about this soon. But how will people react once they see a thirteen year old overpower a teenage girl? Even if she's bleeding, she looks like someone who can still kill.

"April!" I hear Klint call. My eyes dart to where he is, being held back by Sylvia who looks as worried as him.

Hmm… Where's Shino?

"Shi-san!" I hear someone call.

'Shi-san'? Only people from Akatsuki-gumi call me that.

From the crowd, a familiar black haired middle aged man in a black suit comes rushing in, a few more in the same outfit behind him.

Banri-san!

Banri-san works for Ryuuji-san in the Dawn Union. He's a squadron leader or something I think, I'm not really sure how the yakuza works. He's human and handles affairs concerning humans for the union. Of course, he is aware of the supernatural side as well, all high-ranking members do.

Wait, what is he doing here?

"Jaeger!" he shouts. He sounds a little strange to be honest. "Let go of the kid! He's innocent!"

"Shut up!" retorts my captor.

Hmm? They're definitely speaking in a different language. The question is what language?

[Answer. They're speaking in Danish.]

Oh. Thanks Slayer.

Now from the snippets of their conversation, it's safe to assume that this girl in red is part of an enemy of Akatsuki-gumi or something. However, Kyoto is Akatsuki-gumi's turf, so why is she here? Is that the reason Banri-san and his men are after her?

Wait, Banri-san can speak Danish?

That's not really what I should be worried about…

*SIGH*

Focus April. You're being held hostage right now.

To be honest, I wanted to break free and get this over with, but I'm interested about the girl with the red cloak. I want to know how she's able to slip past my detection.

So patience. Patience is a virtue.

"Stay away from me!" she screams which cuts me off from my thoughts, as well as wince at the volume of her voice. "I'm just passing through! So please, just let me be!"

Just what happened to her? Banri-san seems to know her, but she doesn't look like someone who's part of Akatsuki-gumi. I'd know at least that much considering I live in the Minamoto Estate where Plum Blossom Mansion is located.

Does that mean, she's part of an enemy organization? The mafia perhaps? Or a syndicate trying to make a move on Japan?

Sure doesn't sound like it though. She sounds more like someone who's running away from someone.

"Then we'll let you pass, but you know you can't just come to Kyoto without doing the proper procedures! So please, let the boy go and let us escort you somewhere to clear this misunderstanding."

My suddenly starts ringing. Shino's presence is coming closer, from behind us. He's trying to do a sneak attack!

"Look, why not let them do their job?" I say to her.

She looks shocked. I guess it can't be helped. She probably did not think I can speak the language she was using just now.

"I'm pretty sure they can protect you from whoever's chasing you until you get out of the city." I continue. "I mean, you were the one who trespassed you know. It's a normal reaction when there's a trespasser in your turf."

"How did you… know about that? I- No, if I stay here, this city and everyone in it will be in danger." she replies, shock evident on her face. "I'm really sorry about this little guy, but I think I'll be holding unto you until I get out of here."

"That's not a good idea. My guardian will go ballistic if she finds out about this. Plus, you're bleeding. You're not going anywhere far with that." I argue.

"Shut it. Now be an obedient hostage and obey me."

I only huff in annoyance. There's no changing her mind. She's too cornered with whatever's plaguing her to actually listen.

"Suit yourself. I did warn you though."

I sense Shino already close. I hear a groan and the knife on my throat clattered to the ground. My previous captor slowly falls to the ground but Shino catches her and carries her in a bridal style.

"Shi-san! Are you okay?" Banri-san asks as he makes his way towards me. "We'll take it from here. Please return to Plum Blossom Mansion. I'll send a detailed report to Hime-sama[1] so you will not get into trouble."

"Very well, but I'll be there to see how you deal with her."

"But-"

"I won't accept a 'no' Banri-san."

"Very well." he says after moments of hesitation. "I'll talk to Ryuuji-sama."

"By the way, who is she? You call her Jaeger. Isn't that the name of an anime character or something?" I ask.

"No Shi-san. Jaeger in Danish means hunter. This is Clara Jaeger. She's Sceptre's reaper."

Well shit!