Ch.1~Part 1: Halloween Casualties & Double Blood Oath

Naomi's P.O.V.

`October 14, 2020- North Hollywood 9 PM`

Jake Phillips, The Play Boy

-J: Hey! How have you been Naomi?

-N: Oh hey! I have been pretty busy & thank goodness it's October. How about you?

-J: I've been doing good, I'm kind of sad that my Halloween plans got canceled though :-(

-N: Not mine :-) Since my brother & his family are visiting us <3

-J: Oh? So what's the plan for this year then :3

-N: My sister-in-law & I try to have backup plans for such occasions as the one we're in not ^_^ haha! We're still decorating our house, facetime with our family & friends, and the Halloween recipes we're making together <3

-J: That sounds so wholesome, I hate to admit it but I'm jealous x'D The best I can do this year is to dress up and pass out candy. I'm actually jealous x'D How is your October going? Besides the Halloween prep?

-N: That's one of the benefits of growing up in a family of creatives ;D

-J: You sound like you're too busy for any downtime x_x

-N: I may be lively productive and on the go most of the time, but I still manage to chill in the midst of the craziness and then be home on Sundays.

-J: Damn, you go girl! I'm amazed. Is there nothing you can't do? Your boyfriend must be proud of you.

-N: Jake, I'm not even dating anyone... At least not until after the worldwide lockdown///

-J: Really? But you're honestly a keeper!

-N: Yes really/// do I seriously have to go over it again with you? Or is it that you wish I were dating you?

-J: As I know anyone would be lucky to have you. You're amazing, I'm just a little surprised, you know? XD Maybe I haven't given up on winning you over. Who knows really?

-N: Surprised at what? that I seem to find a lot of ways to keep busy and positive.

-J: No I'm surprised that someone like you isn't in a relationship... I honestly feel as if someone has already caught your attention by now... Now, don't get me wrong, I think you are remarkable and that's why I'm having a hard time accepting the fact you're not dating anyone x'D

-N: Well, for now, I'm not but maybe after the lockdown... I just don't feel it's the right time yet.. and in all honesty, I think you're a great guy and all. I just have this feeling that we might not have been a good match-up together. Definitely as friends, but not as far as dating goes...

-J: No I get where you're coming from, I'm also willing to bet that there are a lot of suitors waiting for that opportunity with you as well.

-N: I dunno///... Oh shoot, sorry Jake but I have to get off now. It's getting late, let's talk in school!! I'll see you tomorrow, goodnight!!

-J: Alright, see you during lunch?

"Finally. I didn't think I would hear the end of it or get enough sleep," I sigh, flopping down flat on my back.

"Meow," my happily-contented furry feline purred, nestling up to me as I roll onto my side, settling for the night not bothering with pulling on my bedsheets.

"Oh, Luna. I tell you, Jake is so relenting as if he's hoping that I'll come crawling to him and ask for a date or something," I yawn, stroking the pretty white fur on her back affectionately.

"Meoo-." Luna yawns back, stretching her legs only to roll onto her back exposing her midline to me for a belly rub.

"You're right, let's just get some sleep," I giggle, and reach for my night light before allowing exhaustion to fully overtake me.

~Prophetic Dream Begins~

It's, a dream... Those floating lanterns sure a pretty in the sky. But what's this long dark shroud of energy overcasting all of Shinto? Can't even see the stars of the night sky or the shining moon. Wait, what am I wearing, and what's with the weapons I'm holding?

`Shinto Shrine, near Tokyo Tower`

It's the afternoon following the Supermoon & a festival at the Shinto Shrine draws near with colorful paper slip-attached balloons being released into the cloudless, sunny blue sky. Before the balloons could get any more than 50 feet high, the sky darkens when a shroud of dark energy spreads throughout the festival grounds to beyond Tokyo Tower, and the only light source provided comes from the balloons implanted with LED lights from within. Those amongst the festival staff who have thought to prepare for such a predicament created electronic jumbo-sized neon flies and came prepared with bubble machines with strong glow-in-the-dark bubbles to have them blown into the air, followed by unleashing brightly lit fairy orbs within the perimeter of the festival grounds. The crowd murmurs in awe & enjoyment at the brightly lit delights. In the midst of the crowd's distraction, a middle-aged man working undercover as a vendor owner pulls over his hoodie and raises his right hand up in a fist above his head, and on cue, a silhouette on the highest rooftop appears with a jumbo-sized shuriken strapped to his back and his trusted shadow katana and accompanied by a kitsune engulfing them both in bright light.

"Aiden," the kitsune kneeled.

"We're on. Let's go," Aiden acknowledges, unsheathing his weapon and ninja ninja-streaked in a flash like nothing, and the kitsune follows suit.

Retrieving back deep in the center of the Shinto Shrine, Master Shiroma sets down a white cloth on a pedestal and places a dish of heavy rock salt in the middle of the black-painted circle before putting 5 candles in a pentagon formation. He slips his hand into his right sleeve and pulls out a small vial of Aiden's blood. With a single drop, he begins to chant the words of the incantation Through the Wave of Darkness.

"We call to the Mother of Demons Ririsu. In the name of the Amachi Clan's shadow katana, We ask for absolute bravery, courage & strength bestowed onto Thee."

Outside, leading the unknown ominous energy away from the festival grounds to a clearing in the woods, two more silhouettes await in position from the shadows. Using the ninja streak, Aiden takes his position on a tree stump. He closes his eyes momentarily to channel his blue-colored spiritual energy to one of his weapons with deep focus. With enough channelled energy, he throws his jumbo-sized shuriken at what the darkness seems to form as an entity---hitting what looked to be the focal point, on target. Taking the shuriken as their signal, the two figures' ninja streak out of the shadows, they launch their lighting-triple-wind-mill-shuriken attack followed by silver bell-attached kunai knives trapping the entity tangled in thunder-channeled threads and stopping it in its tracks. The entity collapses to its knees due to the sound of the bells as if it were confused and losing its mind.

Stepping out from behind a tree, a horned female casually walks up to the entity as it shrinks down in size. She kneels at his level, seductively cups its face in her hands, and whispers, "Come back with me, my love. Let's go home and make love." Then, she brings her lips to the entity's lips. As if the demon were under her spell, it seizes all signs of agony and struggles and surrenders to her as the demon takes shape into a smokey-like great bull demon.

"That's better. There's a good boy," she coos, caressing the entity.

Out of nowhere, an arrow enhanced with purple energy hits the entity in the back piercing through the heart. Shocked, she backs away, Aiden has his hand gripped at the hilt of his katana ready to strike if need be, and the demon goes up in black smoke, leaving the arrow still manifested with purple energy. Unsure of what just transpired, Aiden examines the position of the arrow and looks in the general direction of the mountains.

"This wasn't part of our blood negotiation. What will you do to redeem yourself?" she demands, displeased.

At that moment, the two figures flashed and appeared at Aiden's side also inspecting the arrow and the purple energy.

"This is definitely not one of our arrows in the family collection or the temples, and neither is the energy one of our own," Aiden confirms, turning his attention back to Ririsu.

"We will still proceed with the blood oath as agreed, and if it makes you feel any better, we can extend our agreement unless a certain turn of events arises," he adds, taking a slice to his palm with a family dagger and extending his hand out to her.

"You do realize that this extension is enough to meet the blood-bound contract requirements, do you not? Have you really thought about the consequences once the contract has been breached?" Ririsu forewarns, licking her lips as she smirks deviously.

"Master Aiden, is this really necessary? What about Hallow Eve's ceremony?" Mochi protests, shifting from his six-tailed fox form and kneeling before Aiden.

"We'll discuss it back at the Amachi Clan's estate with the clan leader," Aiden raises a hand before his familiar could say another word.

"I'm prepared to handle anything necessary and that's my final word," Aiden affirms, any and all traces of emotion, and hesitation undetectable, looking at Ririsu in the eye unblinking.

"Very well. But remember this moment coming from you, and believe me, if and when I say that it's nothing personal," Ririsu clasps her hands, disappearing in hell smoke.

"That's quite a risk you've taken upon yourself, Aiden," Master Shiroma comments, arriving on the scene.

"Maybe and maybe not. I've already begun a game theory put to the test. Hopefully, my suspicions will be confirmed. You know what we've discussed back at the temple," Aiden assures, looking back at the mountains.

~Back to Naomi's Dream~

What just happened...? Whoa-- How did these vixens find me so fast?! Hey, where in Japan is this place??

~End of Naomi's Prophetic Dream~

I sit up abruptly as I awaken covered in sweat from my head down to my knees and take deep breaths to calm my nerves. Luna nestles closer to me on my pillow, but I can't stand the feeling of sweating while trying to get some sleep. I felt around for my phone, switched it on, and saw the time read 4:25 am.

"No, it's too early," I moan, turning onto my side yoga-style situp, massaging my neck and forehead as I reach for my night light, and my room is revealed. The color royal purple of my bedroom walls helps bring me back to steady breathing. A sudden wave of sleepiness overcomes me followed by the urge to just lay down is so tempting but I groggily resist reminding myself that unless I get into the tub of herbal essence, I'll only be putting up with a headache later on during school and take it out on everyone else. So, I drag myself to my private bathroom half awake yet quietly as I can, I start running the water while allowing it to warm up. Two to three minutes later before pushing down the plug to allow the tub to fill up, I gather my Bath & BodyWorks essentials, and my favorite skincare and haircare products from Function of Beauty and NectarBath Treats. I don't typically wake at this ungoddessly hour, but this throbbing is killing me. Luckily, looks like I've got more than enough time for a stress-relief ritual bath. Might as well use this time to my advantage. Once the tub is filled at a desirable amount, I drop a Nectar Bath Treat bath bomb (*mmm Citrus Sunrise*), swiftly scroll through my phone, and instantly play the instrumental background music of Inuyasha to enhance the relaxation vibes. After I hit play, I carefully step into the now heavenly warm, citrus-scented water of my bath, settle in, and allow myself to get lost in this healing bath to an autumn fantasy.

Rose's P.O.V.

"Lastly, the Sun Salutation," my cousin exhales just as the morning sun is rising, and we bring our hands to prayer.

As much as I love spending every possible moment with my favorite cousin and look up to her, is it really necessary to be doing yoga ten minutes before six in the morning? How does she even manage to pull it off like this every morning and not hit the snooze button?

"Deep breath in, as we raise our arms above," she breathes in bringing our arms above our heads.

"And exhale going into the Swan Dive," she lets a gradual breath as she bends down as gracefully as a swan herself, something I wish I could do.

"Is all of this morning yoga really necessary, or is it all you?" I ask, exhaling as I touch the ground following her lead.

"And from here, extend the right leg back going into a low lunge and, breathe in as we bring our arms above our heads for Warrior 1," she inhales. Again, I follow her lead, as I focus on my breathing while pushing through the burning of my muscles.

I see how it is. Well then, I guess I'll just have to wait until we finish with the sun salutation. Hopefully, I'll still have enough time to get ready for school.

Beck's P.O.V.

I'm sitting outside on my private balcony just basking in the early rising sun as I sketch out images I saw in my dream last night, and ever so casually toying with my family's angelic heirloom.

I hope I can give Rose and Naomi these friendship charm bracelets on Hallow's Eve I thought, gazing into the distant rising sun that was now coming out, and taking a break from drawing. The sound of my bedroom door being opened accompanied by approaching footsteps captures my attention as I turn to see our faithful housekeeper coming towards me.

"Good morning Ms.Acama. Sorry to disturb your morning ritual, but your aunt requests your presence in the formal living room as breakfast is ready," she starts on a light note, curtseying.

"Thank you, Ms.Pierce," I sigh, setting down my sketchpad on my artist stand by my garden window and proceed to make my way downstairs to our family formal living room to be greeted with smells of chocolate flavored waffles and hot pumpkin spiced latte (my favorite), and to an uncomforting presence of my least favorite drama king of an uncle..?

What is he doing here..? Why is he here after all these months right when I should be enjoying my breakfast with my favorite aunt and focusing on school..? I can feel my body tense at the sight of him and the first minor throbbing of an anxiety attack coming. But for the sake of my aunt who is like my second mom since I was pretty young, I quietly take a side step behind the wall of the doorway, take some deep silent breaths, and internally repeat some self-positive affirmations attempting to calm myself; hoping that I'm not taking too long.

"There's no use in stalling, Becky. Just get over here, so we can all get on with our day, and you can get on with your dull teenage life and your little friends," my uncle becons me in a raspy voice, evident of heavy smoking. As much as my uncle tries to mask the smell with expensive men's cologne and disguise the fact of him being a heavy-smoking gambler under the facade of a high-paying absent receptionist for a five-star agency, it doesn't fool me for even a moment.

Quickly getting my phone out, I text both Rose and Naomi to be ready within the hour, as to prepare a fast getaway plan should things get unpleasant. Then, usher to my aunt and uncle who were helping themselves to coffee and toast. My waffles and pumpkin-spiced latte still wait for me, warm and untouched.

"Morning Aunt Roxanne, Uncle," I greeted with as much composure and brightness as I could muster, taking my place beside my aunt and raising my favorite mug decorated in white with autumn leaves.

"Morning, girlie. Catching the morning rays, were you?" she smiles warmly, raising her coffee mug to me in return.

"What are you two, sister, or aunt and niece?" my uncle interjects as if our bright-up vibes were clouded by dark rain clouds. Even from where I'm sitting, I can tell that he had been smoking a puff two last night.

"Not now Jared. Too early for that," Aunt Roxanne cuts him off, gesturing at him with a pointed look as if to say 'be nice now.'

"Whatever, just asking an innocent question," he waves his hand and proceeds to reach for one of my cut-up waffles pieces. Before I could do or say anything, Aunt Roxanne beats me to slapping his hand halfway to my plate.

"Nice try. If you wanted some yourself, you should've asked Ms.Pierce to make some for you instead of going after Beck's food," she scolds, a smirk in her voice.

Thank you, Aunt Roxanne! I silently sigh in relief and began to quickly wolf down my food to leave not a single crumb for my uncle to tease me with. I knew there was a reason I'm closer to my Aunt than my uncle.

Checking the time and for text messages on my IPhone6+, I saw that I have less than 15 minutes to get going. I guess I'll have to take my pumpkin-spiced latte to go. "Sorry Aunt Roxanne, Uncle, but I have to get going for school," I stand up from my seat, and quickly gather up my now clean plate and silverware.

"Ms.Pierce, can you pour my pumkin-spiced latte to any one of my tall Starbucks coffee cups, please?" I'll be heading out shortly!" I call out as I hurry upstairs to my bedroom to retrieve my backpack.

"Yes, Ms. Acama. Would you like me to add some ice cubes to your latte?!" Ms.Pierce inquires from the kitchen.

"Yes please!!" I respond back, nearing my room.

`7:45am, in the school hallways full of students at their lockers (sort of like Beacon Hills High School from Teen Wolf)`

"Thank goodness we've got 15 minutes to spare, especially for you Beck. Did something happened?" Naomi asks, concern written all over her face.

Before I could tell her about unexpected reappearance of my uncle, "Hey ladies, how's it going?" an all too familiar voice cuts in at a rude timing. Yup, you guessed him, the Player himself.

"Hey Naomi. Are we still on for lunch?"he unnecessarily urges to Naomi.

"Good morning to you to, Jake. Don't worry, I'll text you in between classes, okay?" Naomi reassure Jake, casually never breaking eye contact with me.

"Sweet, see you during lunch," he salute waves, going in the opposite direction to assumingly his class.

"Well this is new. What's up with you and Jake meeting up during lunch? You know that he plays around with every girl's heart, right?" Rose inquires quizly, raising a brow closing her locker shut.

"Ladies, nothing is going on. Besides, he gets the hints where I stand," Naomi reassures us, leading the way to our first class of the day. Just when either Rose or I could get another word in, the bell rings for first period. Saved by the bell Naomi, but this isn't over yet since all three of us have first period together. Fine arts class, let's get to it.

"Okay class, I'm sure some of you are not even fully awake as yet," Ms.Yoshia greets us all followed by a couple of mumbles of hellos and good mornings in return.

"So, to get into the spirit of Halloween," she continues, and adds, "on the table in far back of the room lined up are Halloween themed breakfast and beverage treat ingredients at your disposal. The only trick is, it's up to you to create your treat however you choose before we proceed with today's lesson. You all have 20 minutes starting now." As if someone had released magic in the air, the entire class seem more alert and immediately rush over to table and start to put together their morning goodies.