Flash Fiction Friday

Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place
have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday.

And here is the twelfth picture prompt:

 

 

 

And my story:

Duty before Dishonor
By Michelle Greathouse

The snow was thick upon the ground as Tsukiko tracked her prey.  She shivered and tried to knock some of the snow out of her ankle boots, but gave up when she realized it was a waste of time.

Tsukiko was eating lunch at one of Japan’s many street vendors when she spotted Ryu talking to a young woman at the corner.  When Ryu and the young woman began walking north, Tsukiko followed.

Ryu led the woman passed the vendors and into a more secluded, less populated area.  When the pair entered an alley Tsukiko knew she had to get to them before Ryu drained the woman’s soul energy.

Pulling her sword from the sheath at her back, Kiko crept along the alley, careful to stay in the shadows.  When she was within striking distance, she crouched, preparing for attack.  

Ryu removed the woman’s bag from her shoulder and placed it on the ground, turning the woman to face him, he eased her head back and encouraged her to look at him.

Kiko leapt from the shadows, sword singing - and Ryu shimmered away.

“Damn.”  Giving a quick glance to the woman to make sure she was safe, Kiko followed Ryu’s shimmer - and arrived in the middle of a snow covered forest.

Kiko rounded a huge tree, entering a clearing, and found Ryu standing, hands at his sides, as if he had all the time in the world, and no worries.

“My dear Kiko, I am pleased to see you.”  Ryu bowed, his dark hair vibrant in the snow covered forest.  “How long has it been?”
 
Kiko did her best to disregard the feeling in the pit of her stomach.  After three years, she felt the feeling of betrayal should have passed - but it was still as fresh as the day it happened.

She and Ryu grew up together, trained together and loved together.  He was her heart - and she thought she was his - thought they would one day marry and have a family.  Sure, that was years away - they had a job to do now - a duty to hunt and kill the demons that plagued mankind.

Then Ryu did the unthinkable - he allowed a demon, no - he invited a demon - to dwell inside him.  For what?  Money, luxury, comfort?  And all he had to do in return was take the souls of the unsuspecting.  Souls of the people he had vowed to protect.

Ryu came to Kiko - happy to tell her about the home he had purchased for them.  A home that would house them and their children.  He urged Kiko to give up her job - forgo her duty - and come away with him.  

Kiko was sickened.

And now they were here: and she had to kill him.  

Only one person would leave this forest.

Without taking time to think about what she was about to do, Kiko launched herself at Ryu - sword in hand.  She feinted right, ducked Ryu’s blade and came up swinging.  

Catching Ryu with a left cross, Kiko thrust her blade deep into his heart - and twisted.  Ryu flung his head back and the demon exited his mouth.  Kiko removed her sword and Ryu fell, landing face down in the snow.

Kiko recited the ancient words that would send the demon back to hell - and watched as both the demon, and Ryu began to fade.
 
Kiko wiped the tear from her cheek - she vowed it was the last tear she would shed for Ryu - and shimmered home.

The End
Word Count: 591

That is this weeks flash - I hope you enjoyed it.  :)  

M