'Hello. I'm so glad u you've decided to read this tale I've weaved for you. You can call me the Narrator. You don't have to pay any attention to me. Just sit back, relax grab some popcorn and enjoy the story.'

"Journal entry 312:

No serious activity anywhere around the kingdom. Although there were some bandits that were causing some trouble in the northern areas, they were easily dealt with and won't cause further problems. There was also some movement from that small cult in the east but nothing that warrant much of our concern. As for demons, there still has been close to no incidents of any kind. Only the weaker ones stealing food and the occasional pranksters but other than that, nothing. Even so, I still feel as if something big is coming. I will remain vigilant and continue further investigation into the situation.

Ichigo."

The man named Ichigo put down his pen and journal.

"Damn, Emperor Julius has been working me to the bone these past couple months. I guess its only natural seeing as the disappearance of the demons' is quite unsettling. I will give my report on the situation tomorrow. I wonder what the king will-" Ichigo's thoughts were cut off by the yell of a female voice.

"Ichi, come inside and eat! The food will get cold," the voice called out.

"Alright, I'm coming," said Ichigo.

The man with spiky black hair partially covering his calm yet kind obsidian eye's then jumped down from the tree he was sitting on then went inside the small brick house. He proceeded to take off his high collar cloak revealing his black shirt and pants and hung it above his sword. He then sat at the table and started to eat.

"Soooo….how does it taste," asked the woman.

"Your cooking gets better and better everyday Mei," Ichigo said with a slight smile.

The woman now identified as Mei had a bright red color on her face.

"Y..you really think so. It's the first time I've cooked fish and chips so I was unsure," she said sofly.

She then looked at him with a bright smile which then quickly turned into a look of disappointment.

"Ichi, why does your face look like that?"

"Oh uhhh…no real reason. Why'd you ask?"

"You don't like the food do you?"

"No, I was being serious. You really are an excellent cook. You should really consider doing this to make mon-"

Mei ignored Ichigo and took some of the food from his, plate to check the taste and promptly spit it out.

"Eghh…this is way to salty. It's basically inedible. Damn it, I got so excited to give you your food that I forgot to taste check. Now I've ruined your meal."

"It's okay Mei, there is no need to get upset about it. I'll just buy some food at the markets in town so there is no problem."

"That's not the problem Ichigo. You're always going out on missions and risking your life for this nation which doesn't even want to acknowledge your existence. I just feel like I should do a little more for you, especially for all that you have done for me."

Ichigo's expression turned somber when hearing Mei's kind words.

"Huh…whats the matter Ichi. Did I say something that upset you?"

"Oh…uhh…it's nothing to worry about really. I was just in my thoughts. Anyways you don't have to worry about the food, it's really not a problem. The fact that you would even think of doing any of this makes me feel grateful, so thank you Mei. "

Mei turned a bright shade of red and moved her auburn hair to the side revealing her bright sea green eyes.

"S..shut up. You're embarrassing me."

Ichigo only chuckled at Mei's remark.

"Anyway, I'll go buy some food at the market close by. You can wait here and rest, okay Mei."

"Alright."

Ichigo then walked out of the small house and instead of making the turn toward the highly populated market he went to a more secluded area in the forest where an old man with his shop was found.

"Ahh well if it isn't my favorite customer. Welcome Ichigo."

"Good evening Ben, I hope it's not an inconvenience if I can get some food."

"Of course you can, the food would be rotting on the shelves without you. What would you like."

"Eight potatoes and two fish would be good."

"Alright, just give me one minute."

Ben then went to the back of his shop retrieve the items.

"Here ya go kid."

"Thank you Ben."

Ichigo was just about to walk out of the shop when he stopped and called out to the old man.

"Hey Ben, why do you decide to have a shop way out here where there are so few people."

"What, now that question crosses your mind?"

"No, its just I thought I would be prying into your business if I asked and I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable."

"Well, it's because of you Ichigo."

"W..what, how is that?"

"It's obvious that the people of our kingdom are not very fond of you. So, I decided to make this shop so you don't have to deal with the harassment."

Ichigo felt warmth engulf his heart when he heard the old man's words but then…

"Wow, you have my gratitude for doing such a thing but you don't have to worry about me at all. I don't deserve such kindness."

"Oh please, stop with that nonsense. It's not good for kids like you to saying such nonsense. Plus, I have enough treasure to sell from my time over seas, so money is no issue."

"Well, if your sure then I suppose it's fine."

"Yeah well, even if I didn't I still wouldn't leave."

"You are one stubborn man Ben. Well, I guess I'll see you another time. Have a nice day."

"You too kid. And tell your girlfriend I said hi."

Ichigo's cheeks flared with heat.

"W…w…wait a minute….why would you think….that's not at all….," Ichigo said while waving his hands.

Ben just began to laugh hysterically at the flustered young man.

"I'm just messin' with ya kid. Now git outta here and go have some fun. I can tell the king has been workin' ya like a slave."

"Yeah, I will. Thank you again Ben."

Ichigo then walked the way back to his house.

"I know you don't think to highly of yourself Ichigo. I don't know what happened in your past but you're a good kid, whether you think that or not."

When Ichigo entered the house he found Mei laying down on the couch reading her book.

"Ichi, your back. What took ya."

"Oh, there was quite a lot of people at the market, so it took a while before it was my turn."

"You went to the old man didn't you," Mei said with a irritated look.

Ichigo just scratched the back of his head.

"Am I that bad and at lying? That's the second time today."

"Ichi, I know you don't like going there but how are the peoples opinion on you change if you never show them why it should?"

Ichigo looked down as his eyes softened.

"It's not that I'm afraid of what the people might say. I'm already used to that. It's the thought of being seen as a good person that I don't want."

Mei shot up after hearing Ichigo's words.

"WHAT?! Why wouldn't you want people to think of you as a good person. Is it something you did in your past. Is that why your still working for that bastard king," Mei asked sternly.

"Mei. This is not something I wish to speak about. Another time."

"C'mon, we've been living with each other for two years now. Don't you trust me?"

"Of course I do."

"Then? You can't keep bottling up your feelings like this Ichigo. You can at least tell Ben about it. What are you afraid of."

"I….I just don't want to lose the only people that I can call my friends."

Mei's eyes widened in shock by what Ichigo had said.

"I know. Quite the contradiction right?"

"What are you talking about Ichi. You saved my life and allowed me to live with you when everyone else had no one else to look after me. You were the one who gave me a reason to live. I can not even begin imagine repaying the debt I owe for everything that you have done for me. There is nothing you could've done that will make either Ben or me want to leave you."

Mei then stood up and walked to Ichigo and cupped her hands around his cheek.

"I don't care about what you did in your past, I just want you to share your burden with me, " Mei said with her voice beginning to soften.

Ichigo stood there unsure of what to say, until he finally let it out.

"I….I've-,"

At that moment the air chilled. Mei started to shiver and her face became pale. Her knees became weak than she and almost collapsed.

"Hey Ichi, w…whats going on."

"Something is wrong with you ki. It's draining out of you."

"Not to mention the sudden drop of the temperature. Could it be-"

Then out of nowhere a wave of malicious killing intent filled the air making Ichigo freeze up and Mei to collapse.

"MEI! MEI!" Ichigo screamed.

Mei fell into Ichigo's arms panting with widened eyes, body convulsing and foam coming out over mouth.

"What the hell is this. Such an evil aura. It's so large and dense. How can something like this even exist. I have never felt anything like this. It must the…." before Ichigo could finish his thought, the sound of explosions sounded. He then quickly took Mei to his basement and left her there.

After leaving Mei, Ichigo took his cloak and sword then dashed towards the nearest village at blistering speeds to try and see what had caused the explosions and what that aura was. But when he got there, no village remained. Only a sea of black flames and the scattered corpses of the villagers.

"Just as I thought. Hell Blaze. It drained the ki out of the villagers. That can only mean one thing-"

Before he could finish that thought a demonic roar could be heard behind him. Ichigo turned around to see what it was. There stood a humanoid figure with a single horn on its head, black skin, glowing maroon devilish eyes, and black flames around its hand's. There was only one word that came to Ichigo's mind.

"DEMONS!"