[center][h2][color=00aeef]Hikari Kana[/color][/h2][/center][hr]
The blue demon watched, bemused, as Hikari caught her breath for a few moments. When she was finished and breathing normally again, she fell to the ground with her legs crossed and simultaneously raised her hand as if she were sitting in school waiting to be called on. However, she didn't wait for that to happen, as the moment she hit the ground she asked her question. 

[color=00aeef]"Question! Why is your name 'Red' when you're blue?"[/color] There was genuine interest and slight confusion in her voice, but no trace of fear or malice. She didn't seem bothered by the blood on her shirt, nor the way that the two halves of the corpse that the other demon left behind were starting to fade away. To Hikari, this was like being a kid and meeting a new animal species for the first time, it was a moment of excitement! The demon just stared at her a moment before starting to laugh. When it stopped a few seconds later, it spoke up with amusement audible in its voice.

[color=92278f]"It's not really any of your business why my name is what it is. But I like the enthusiasm! I'm sure we'll be great partners. But if we're going to be partners, I'd better know your name too."[/color]

[color=00aeef]"It's 'Hikari.'"[/color] 

[color=92278f]"Heh. Alright, I've memorized it. But don't going telling it to anyone else, telling a demon your name is dangerous."[/color]

[color=00aeef]"You're a demon?"[/color]

[color=92278f]"Of course,"[/color] Akane said, putting a hand on her hip and showing her teeth in a grin. [color=92278f]"What did you think I am?"[/color]

[color=00aeef]"I dunno. I guess I figured you were a dragon, what with the 'Hei Long' and looking like one standing on two legs."[/color]

[color=92278f]"Don't get it twisted, dragons in myths are based on demons of the same name. But that-"[/color] She stopped talking for a moment as something caught her eye. Akane walked over to the last bit of the goblin(?)'s body before it dissipated entirely. She picked up a small piece of paper that had fallen out of its belt. After reading it, she grinned again and went over to Hikari, handing her the flier. [color=92278f]"Well, well. This oughta be fun, too!"[/color]

Hikari, who had been looking at her shirt when Akane had started walking, looked up from her now clean clothing to take the flier and read it. [color=00aeef]"The Messengers of Hope? What, was that thing a member?"[/color]

[color=92278f]"It's possible, but it's more likely it was summoned by a human in that group. What do you know about them?"[/color]

[color=00aeef]"I've only really heard about them in passing. It's not that interesting of a name so I never payed any attention."[/color]

[color=92278f]"Well start paying attention, because we're going to this meeting of theirs."[/color] Akane said after taking back the flier. [color=92278f]"Get prepared to go on quite a trip, just in case things go the fun way. We don't want you running out of supplies. Bring a weapon, too. You might have to fight on your own."[/color]

[color=00aeef]"Wouldn't you just protect me?"[/color] 

Akane laughed. [color=92278f]"That's a good one. I'll try to keep you alive, but that's not the same as 'protecting,' so don't put too much faith in my desire to keep you breathing."[/color]

[color=00aeef]"Yeah, that's fair."[/color] Hikari replied as she stood up. 

[color=92278f]"Oh, and don't worry about not being able to see me. I'll be nearby."[/color] With that, Akane waved twice at the human and faded away.

Hikari blinked in surprise, then dutifully went back inside to begin preparing. [color=00aeef][i]Quite a trip, huh?[/i][/color] 

[hr]
Sometime later, Hikari had packed a dufflebag with clothes and non-perishable food. She also had a courier's bag full of extra snacks, drinks, two charging cords for her phone, and a screwdriver and hammer alongside the fillet knife from her kitchen. Lastly, she had her pocket knife, phone, and a compass ready to put in her pockets. When she looked at the clock she found that she would still have plenty of time before she had to leave for Inokashira Park, so she ate a big dinner and took a quick shower before putting on her "trademark" outfit, filling it with the items she had set out and grabbing the two bags as she went outside. 

She arrived at the park some time after Miyuki, though Hikari didn't notice the other girl. She hadn't heard Akane's voice since earlier, had she really followed her here?