Chapter 1 - New Beginnings

Reiku pulled out his sword and thrust it into the stomach of the closest assailant, slicing to the side and thoroughly cutting his opponent in half. This team of well-trained mercenaries stood before him and the one he sought to protect ever since all hell had broken loose again almost a week ago. "GIVE HER BACK" He screamed as he ran and charged at them
~flashback~
"Kiyasaki, Reiku?" A man in the front of Reiku's classroom called his name and looked up for some sign of his student. Reiku Kiyasaki was a 17 year old student in senior high school with a reputation and background for nothing but a torn and anguish-filled life. He had pure dark jet-black hair and dark brown eyes. He looked like anyone else attending the university, but he'd been through hell and back ever since the city was scourged by demons. His entire family and his friends all give one had died that day 7 years ago. Most people had totally forgotten about that incident, or just gone on living, Reiku was different. He relived that nightmarish hell every single day.
"Hai, i'm here Sensei." Reiku looked up from his little nap and gave his teacher a silencing deathly glare. Nothing had ever been the same since he had entered senior high school. He was young yet his life seemed to span the ages after the incident. Most people just tended to stay quiet about it, but no one could ever remove that terrible memory. Reiku had also chosen to stay quiet about it, but could never forget the pain of loss after his only friends, his siblings, and his parents had all perished in the scourging of the city. The memories of the bloodshed and the terrified anguished screams of his loved ones still remained fresh in his head as clear as day.
"Reiku, something wrong?" It was Mina Fukugawa, possibly the only friend Reiku had left. She had known Reiku since they were back in elementary and had befriended him back then as well. Mina was a black-haired athletic girl whom most people thought of as the drop-dead gorgeous schoolgirl that had always played hard-to-get. Mina never took a favorable liking to any of the boys in her classes, though she would always be seen close to or talking to Reiku, the only boy she was comfortable talking to after she too had lost her family to that incident 7 years ago.
"Ano...Mina? Everything's alright i'm okay" Reiku smiled with a weary expression on his face.
Mina gave him a worried look, "do you need to see a nurse?" she asked with a light tone.
"No, seriously i'll be okay" Reiku gave her the brightest smile he could muster up at that exact moment.
"Okay, as long as your sure..." Mina gave him one more quick stern look then turned back around to the teacher. School had just started again and this was their first year of senior high school. They had both been put into the same class and were both relieved when they found out. School had probably been the only thing to get that nightmare off of Reiku's mind. He had always gotten top marks in his classes, he never really had anything else to do during his down time.
Mina on the other hand, had her mind on extracurriculars instead of studies and often stayed over with Reiku to get a little tutoring. Nothing ever really happened between them, they had been best friends since they were little although more than once had they looked at each other differently. Mina would always let Reiku walk her home and she overly enjoyed the little talks they had about their own lives, as well as just plain life itself. She was happy when he was around. The school bell rang signaling the end of the day
"Don't forget, test next week over astrology" Their teacher reminded them. Their sensei was never punctual so it didn't matter
"Walk ya home again Mina?" Reiku asked with a modest tone, the first time he'd sounded cheery that day.
"Yeah, sure thing" Mina smiled at this gently boy who was always avoided by his peers and most teachers alike. They left the classroom in no hurry whatsoever and decided to stop by for coffee on the way to Mina's place. They enjoyed a chat like always, till it started raining and the two of them ran home. Reiku shielded Mina with his jacket as they ran as fast as they could through the streets of Tokyo, Japan. It seemed like ages they arrived at mina's house completely soaked and out-of-breath. This was just an ordinary rainy day to them.
Mina gave Reiku a quizzical look, "Thanks" she said as she walked in, "wanna come inside and dry off?"
"ummm sure" Reiku said without hesitation and followed Mina into her apartment. She didn't really live it up, there was a bedroom, kitchen, living room, and bathroom. It was just an average apartment. Reiku sat himself down on the couch and waiting. Mina walked in with nothing but a towel wrapped around her waist and tossed another towel to Reiku.
Mina sat next to him and looked at him "It's raining pretty hard ya know, and it doesn't look like it's gonna let up...would ya like to spend the night?" it was an honest question.
"Uh, only if you don't mind me here" Reiku said, not really understanding her true motives.
"Perfect" She smiled with a mischievous look on her face which didn't really sit well with Reiku. Little did he know the plans she had in store. They spent a few hours talking to each other about things with Reiku giving pass glances to more than just mina's eyes. It ended when Mina fell asleep on his shoulder. Reiku shifted slightly to take off his jacket and Mina yawned softly.
"G-gomen nasai Mina, i didn't mean to wake you" Reiku said flustered as she pressed up against him slightly.
Mina smirked yet again and pinned him down to the couch, "I wasn't sleeping." Reiku felt something graze his hip and the lights went dark.
~back to the present~
A demon had succeeded in easily crushing Reiku and beating him up pretty badly. Reiku still had some fight left in him though, he had taken out over half of the demons and would be damned if he'd let himself die right there.
"DAMMIT!" Reiku screamed to the skies as he swung his sword around with increased vigor. The demons had taken Mina away from him, and he was gonna get her back even if he had to walk through hell again. Two figures appeared behind him and suddenly everything went dark.