Work Text:
The activity of the demons had finally been stopped. At least they weren't buzzing around like mosquitoes in front of a lamp. It was amazing how people didn't understand anything. Or maybe they did. There were always paranoids and conspiracy theorists. Mira could have sworn she saw the same journalist outside the cafe where they often went for lunch.
But it didn't matter. That wasn't what was bothering Mira right now. She was squinting at one of the demonic posters, trying to make sense of it.
What the hell shade of lipstick did this skinny romantic use? What was his hame? She don't remember. She went through a lot of options, a little bit sorry that she let this guy escape without getting this important detail out of him.
"Fuck off, freak."
She tears up the poster, destroying the remnants of these ugly creatures' existence in her life.
It was quiet.
Mira knows that Rumi is used to moving quietly, they're hunters, and it's literally the first thing they learn.This silence felt different. Rumi could sneak up and playfully scare her from behind, but Mira couldn't hear anything, even though she could sense Rumi's presence somewhere.
"Rumi, for crying out loud. Get down from there."
Something had changed in the nervous workaholic. No, she's still a nervous workaholic, even though she's learned to relax in the company of girls. Her braid hung down in a funny way, and she walked carelessly along the wall as if it were the floor. At least she was wearing socks. Mira resisted the urge to throw the TV remote at her, as the image puzzled her. Rumi didn't seem concerned, as if she had discovered this ability herself.
"Rumi, how do you do that?"
Mira was impressed. She would like to be able to do the same, who wouldn't?
"I don't know, I don't know, but it's so cool."
Rumi let out a chuckle, but she still descended, landing gracefully. Not a single sound. Mira thought about it. Either her hearing was failing her, or Rumi had become even quieter.
"How about a little inspection? I want to stretch my legs."
Rumi suggested, sounding cheerful. Gone was the manic smile with which she mercilessly unloaded album after album. Mira shrugged indifferently. Almost a month had passed, and they hadn't found any demons.
"Is there a point?"
Mira pursed her lips, and Rumi nodded.
"There's always a point."
"Whatever."
Demons, demons, demons. Devils, demons, and other hellish creatures. It's kind of peaceful in the night city. They look around the corner, every subway station, shops. Nothing. Who are they looking for? There aren't even any criminals here.
"Are you warming up? Let's go already. You're the only demon left here."
"Oh yeah? You can't beat me."
Rumi didn't take it seriously. Mira could already start counting the minutes she had left, because she didn't think she said it out loud, but she liked the challenge in Rumi's voice.
"Rumi, we both know that's not true."
Mira crossed her arms, resting her shoulder on the hilt of her weapon. Rumi shook her head.
"No, you can't. You can only try to, of course."
Oh that gesture. Nails. Was it a provocation? Well, it works great. That confident tone, the light movements. Mira recognizes this Rumi, even though she feels the changes.
"Oh, do you want me to kick your ass in front of everyone?"
Mira grabbed her weapon, there was no threat in it, it was a game. Rumi didn't pick up her sword. She stood there, pleased with herself. As she should be, damn it.
How much time had passed? Rumi remembered that Mira was the one who took the first swing, missing and slightly damaging a sign advertising instant noodles. With her grace and speed, Rumi could keep up with her, moving from rooftop to rooftop, sometimes even scaling walls. She enjoyed the chase.
Mira was tenacious, she trusted her instincts, and she easily avoided the retaliatory strikes.
However.
Rumi finally hit her in the shoulder, knocking her away, and a victorious grin almost escaped her lips when the retaliatory strikes were launched at her, one of which cut her sleeve. Not just her sleeve. The pain was intense, and Rumi let out a low hiss, but it would be too easy to stop there.
When Mira says kick butt, she means knock the life out of the opponent, and by the look in her eyes, she didn't intend to give Rumi a second to breathe.
With a strong kick, Rumi sent her on a long journey straight off the roof, knowing that she wouldn't cause any harm and that it would challenge Mira's self-will. She landed like a cat, gracefully, as if she hadn't been flying but had jumped lightly.
Rumi was pleased. And impressed.
It didn't last long, though. She experienced firsthand what it was like to be the prey of a hunter. Mira tracked her down, even when Rumi was genuinely trying to do so. She was starting to get tired. Hiding in a dark alley, she climbed up the wall, wincing at the small cuts they had inflicted on each other, and Mira was in no better shape.
"Rumi, where are you? Hiding like a coward?"
Mira seemed to have difficulty finding her and resorted to an obvious solution.There she was, by the lantern, looking around. Rumi climbed higher, her eyes narrowed in a sly way, and as she crept closer, she jumped, knocking her to the ground.
"Who are... you calling a coward, huh?"
Mira fell, her face wrinkled in annoyance and surprise, and her weapon rolled away, forcing her to struggle on her hands. Rumi's eyes flashed amber, and her patterns were clearly illuminated, but she only smiled, pleased that she had caught her off guard.
"Agh! Get off me, you."
Mira pushes forward and they start to switch places. Rumi, then Mira, they try to tire each other out.With a thud, Rumi found herself on her back, feeling the familiar but unpleasant taste of salt. She grabs her by the collar with her hands, but discovers that her nails are only tearing at the fabric, rather than deterring her from further attacks.
Maybe they've gone a little too far? Mira watches as Rumi closes her eyes and... She finds it funny. She has seen her in demonic form many times, and now she cannot determine if Rumi is afraid. Fool. She's so naive, but she's also damn smart.
Then, she asked.
"Rumi?"
"Yes?"
"What are you doing right now?"
There was a silence. It was only now that Mira realized how tired she was and how she looked. Rumi sighed.
"Waiting."
"What are you waiting for?"
"I don't know."
"Are you serious?"
That's a sneaky move. Mira can't just hit her, she's too charming. Mira might have her own definition of charming, but she likes the sight of Rumi, who is tired, weak, but not afraid and trusts her completely.
"Yes."
"So what's next?"
Mira has been sitting on her for a while now, and she's not bothered by it. Rumi is also comfortable in this position. A minute, two minutes, three minutes pass. Silence and breathing.
"You lost, I kicked your ass."
Mira declared, poking her in the stomach. Rumi jumped up abruptly and bumped her forehead against Mira's nose. Maybe it was a draw.