EPISODE 21: THE STAR FESTIVAL

EPISODE 21: THE STAR FESTIVAL

OUTDOOR SPACE, IN THE FOREST IN A CLEARING-DAY

(Yūto with a look of surprise looks at itachi and with his eyes twinkling while tears roll, says)

YŪTO

No, no, you can't, you can't be alive, you can't survive so many days alone in this hell. Without a support next to you, without a team to protect you, without, without... it's not possible, you're not real! No, no…

(Itachi embraces yūto abruptly and whispers in his ear)

ITACHI

I know, I abandoned you for many years. You, aiko, I abandoned you and never told you why I disappeared like a ghost, like a thief. Sorry, sorry, forgive me yūto. But that's in the past, right?

(Yūto also embraces this itachi and with tears rolling down his cheeks asks)

YŪTO

It doesn't matter to me, as long as you're back with me. That's all that matters.

(Itachi with a serious gaze lets yūto out of his arms and ton looks on as the leaves from the trees are picked up by a light breeze)

ITACHI

Unfortunately, I can't reveal it to you yet. When I feel ready, you'll be the first to know everything. I just, I just still haven't found myself. I still don't know where I'm going, I don't know who I am or what I am, and now I'm starting to walk the path of knowledge. Now I begin to discover the lost parts of myself. All I can tell you is that. Sorry! I'M REALLY SORRY, FORGIVE ME FOR MY HORRIBLE BEHAVIOR! FORGIVE ME.

(With these words itachi falls to the ground and "prostrates" yūto as tears begin to flow from his cheek)

ITACHI

Because of me, I couldn't protect you! If, if I hadn't gone away from you, none of this would have happened! I, I killed aiko, it's my fault! DAMN ME! I'm sorry, I'm really sorry! But all the "sorry" and say nothing comes back! Nothing!

(Yūto kneels down on the ground listening to itachi speak)

ITACHI

It was the day everything burned down. After the battle with the demons I ran to your house, there I saw your mother and aiko down on the ground in blood. I ran and grabbed your sister's hand and that's when I realized she was dead! She wasn't breathing unlike your mother. Your mother was still alive. I tried to save her, but I couldn't. Before she left us she said, with a smile on her lips, "protect yūto, stand by him no matter what happens."

(itachi cries fiercely)

ITACHI

That's why I didn't die! To keep that promise, to stand by you again as before! But also to, to, to kill any demon I encounter in my passage! I will avenge aiko, I promise you yūto! I promise, I promise!

(Yūto caresses itachi's head, itachi raises his head and faces yūto. Yūto wipes away the tears that are on itachi's face and tells him in a hushed voice)

YŪTO

Itachi, you're not responsible for my sister's death. Don't fill yourself with remorse and sadness. I know how hard it is for you to react and make the decision that we will never face her again. I know you loved her more than anything, any of us. I know the feelings you had for her, for that beautiful girl. It's okay, get all the hate and grief out of you. Get them out to me, I'm next to you.

(Itachi starts crying and hugs yūto. After a while, when itachi calms down, yūto lets him out of his arms)

YŪTO

Feeling better?

(Itachi wiping away tears with his hands says)

ITACHI

I can't believe I'm older than you and I cry like a little kid, it's a great irony.

YŪTO

Crying doesn't show weakness, on the contrary it shows that you have the strength inside you. It shows you've been through a lot of bad times in your life and yet, and yet you don't give up. You cry and keep walking. When you cry it means that you channel out all the negative and positive emotions that choke you, that way you do not turn into a "demon". When you cry it means you have feelings and that's what it implies by being human. You cry because you're happy, you cry because you're sorry, you cry because you're sorry, you cry because you're angry but because you cry you'll never take it out on people who care about you and love you. On the contrary, it clears the mind and you feel free to start all over again to create the world that you choose to create. You're a fragile man like the rest of us! None of us are God, none of us are perfect! We are only human, and one thing unites us. We are united by the survival and betterment of this world! So come with me, itachi!

(And he stretches out his hand to help itachi get up, it looks like he's giving his hand to viewers)

YŪTO

Fight by my side as you wish and act accordingly on every occasion. The journey is long filled with experiences and rich emotions! Deal with them! Because in the end, in the end... in the end, even if we die, we will fight! We'll live! We'll feel free!

(Tears flow from itachi's eyes, he smiles, grasps yūto's hand and says)

ITACHI

I am ready to follow you wherever you go, however long this journey may be! We will stay together until death or deliverance! Go for the victory, yūto!

(And he rises from the ground with the aid of yūto. Then yūto looks him in the eyes and with a smile says)

YŪTO

Glad to have you with us, itachi.

ITACHI

And you, yūto, I wish that at some time you would tell me all your experiences that you have experienced since you left the village until now.

(Yūto smiles and starts walking towards the river saying with joy)

YŪTO

Mmm, I'd love itachi.

(Itachi lifts from the ground his katana with the black blade and puts it in its sheath. Before they leave that place itachi asks yūto)

ITACHI

Yūto, did you say that you are glad to have me with you or I heard wrong because I do not see others-

(Before itachi completes his sentence an axe is suddenly seen coming towards him. The axe is nailed to the trunk of a tree beside him. Sora and aiko emerge from the forest. Aiko tries to stop sora, but sora screams angry and menacingly approaches itachi)

SORA

DAMN AIKO, I DIDN'T GET IT! You! GET AWAY FROM YŪTO! I'M GONNA KILL YOU, YOU SON OF A BITCH, YOU SON OF A BITCH! I'LL SLAUGHTER YOU ALIVE, I'LL RIP YOUR HEAD OFF! Ahhh!

(Aiko trying to stop him pulls him)

AIKO

Stop sora! Your shoulder could crack again and we could have problems again! STUPID KID, LISTEN TO ME!

(Sora though trying to get close to itachi keeps yelling)

SORA

LET ME KILL HIM! AIKO LET ME GO! YOU WON'T GET AWAY FROM ME THIS TIME! I'LL BURY YOU UNDER THE GROUND! YOU'LL NEVER SEE THE LIGHT OF THE SUN AGAIN, I PROMISE YOU! AAH!AAH! AAH!

(Itachi grasps the grip of his katana and takes a stand ready to attack, brings his body forward and his left leg stretched backward to get momentum. Yūto with a smile on his lips grasps the hand and at the same time the handle of itachi's katana. Itachi looks at him in wonder without doing anything. Yūto then looks at sora and with a smile says)

YŪTO

Calm down sora, he's not an enemy.

(But sora angry yells)

SORA

HOW IS HE NOT AN ENEMY? THE IDIOT TRIED TO KILL ME! HE WAS GONNA KILL ME, YOU UNDERSTAND THAT?! I WOULD LOSE MY WORTHLESS LIFE TO A WRETCHED MAN LIKE THAT, THOUGH MORE TO ME IT SEEMS TO BE! HE DOESN'T DESERVE TO LIVE, I'LL KILL HIM! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DEMON DUEL TO GET MY HONOR BACK! BUT THIS TIME JUSTLY, ONE TO ONE AND NO DIRTY GAMES BEFITTING A TRUE DEMON HUNTER LIKE YOU! FIGHT WITH A PATHETIC WORM! AAH! AAH! AAH!

(Itachi stands next to yūto, pays no attention to sora and asks yūto)

ITACHI

Yūto, who is it that challenges me to a duel? Did he hit his head anywhere and behave like that?

(Sora when he sees itachi next to yūto cries and gets more angry)

SORA

YOU, YOU PATHETIC BASTARD! I SAID SOMETHING, STAY AWAY FROM YŪTO! I WON'T LET YOU HURT HIM!

(Yūto says to sora)

YŪTO

Sora! He's our friend, not our enemy, be quiet and understand!

(But sora keeps yelling at yūto and trying to get closer to itachi)

SORA

SHUT UP, YOU IDIOT, YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING! I'M HERE TO PROTECT YOU FROM TRASH LIKE HIM!

YŪTO

Stop it, sora!

(For a while silence prevails)

YŪTO

You don't know, this kid who's with US has been through difficult times and you treat him like this! You should be ashamed of yourself.

(Aiko while yūto is speaking leaves sora and looks at him. Then he says:)

AIKO

Yūto, what are you talking about?

(Itachi grasps yūto's shoulder saying to him with a smile)

ITACHI

Never mind yūto. I see that they can not accept me in the team and with their right after all. You have already developed a relationship of trust and togetherness between you and now that I intervene is like destroying those qualities of yours.

(Yūto thinks disappointed and ironic)

YŪTO

Yeah, yeah, yeah, you talking about it? As you say, itachi. Us and no other team, the understanding we have is on another level. What Are We, third or fourth? I have lived to hear this, now I can die in peace.

(Aiko tells itachi to reassure him)

AIKO

No, no, no, what are you talking about? You're not right.

ITACHI

So I better go anyway, as long as I've seen you and found out you're okay. Yūto. This can keep me alive forever.

(Itachi turns his back towards yūto and starts walking. Then yūto's voice is heard saying)

YŪTO

Are you sure you want to leave? Why?

(Itachi turns to yūto and with raised head says)

ITACHI

I spent many days in the woods all alone, helpless. I relied on the powers I possess and no one else. Remember? These words I used to say even when I was a little child until now, good grief. I am trying to find myself, as I told you before, my team, the meaning of wandering through the woods slaughtering a brother or an enemy for many. What I noticed most yūto is that every animal in the forest belongs to a group. The group consists of the same animals as birds or foxes, and not of different animals from each other.

(And he looks up at the sky, then some birds fly above them. Itachi turns his back again and says as he goes to take the first step)

ITACHI

That's why I'm leaving you, I'm a different animal than you are, I don't belong in your group.

(But before he has time to take a step to leave yūto catches him by the hand saying to him)

YŪTO

You're wrong! We're different!

(Itachi looks him in the eyes, then yūto lets go of his hand and goes on saying)

YŪTO

All of us are human and that's why all of us are different, none of us are like anyone else. Each of us has different views, ideas, habits and way of thinking. But, but the common stories we've lived are the ones that unite us and make us a team. So stay with me!

ITACHI

Yūto, but I, I am not human! I don't-

(Yūto interrupts itachi and smiles, telling him)

YŪTO

I understand itachi. Savvy. But you are my friend, and friends you never part from.

(Aiko standing with sora a little further away from yūto and itachi says Happy)

AIKO

Another demon hunter on our team, what do you say sora?

(And he looks at sora. Sora does not respond, only stands upright and looks with hatred at itachi. So aiko again tells sora)

AIKO

Sora?

(Sora in a serious tone and a little angry says to aiko)

SORA

What do you want from me, damn it?! "Sora and sora" you keep yelling! Leave me alone, you rotten carcass.

(Something troubles sora, and he thinks)

SORA

There's something I don't like about this man. Where he met yūto and knows him better than I do. Tsk, consider him and his gender, that we will see, but it will not pass your plan. Instead, I'll do anything to get you out of here and expose you, you son of a bitch.

(While sora thinks about all this, at the same time aiko introduces herself with itachi. Then comes yūto with Itachi sora. Yūto with a smile tells itachi pointing with his hand at sora)

YŪTO

This is sora yamashiro, a very talented Hunter as he owns blind technic. He was the first of the group I met and he helps me even now when I need his valuable help.

(Itachi stretches out his hand towards sora saying to him)

ITACHI

Mmm, very interesting technique you possess, sora yamashiro. Nice to meet you, my name is Itachi tashiro, you can call me simple itachi. Hechee, forgive me, by the way, for some time I will explain to you what has happened and my story. However, now let's shake hands since we will be on the same team and make peace. What do you say, Do you accept my apology?

(Sora looks at itachi's hand, then turns his head deprecatingly and walks towards the apple tree saying at the same time)

SORA

I got hungry so we could eat some.

(Yūto grasps itachi's shoulder with a mock smile and raises the thumb of his left hand)

YŪTO

Hehehehee, pay no attention, you two will get along very well. I believe ... I hope so, heheehee. If he didn't attack you, it means he needs you.

(Yūto and itachi look at sora who hardly climbs the tree to catch even an Apple. Then itachi asks yuto)

ITACHI

What do you mean by that?

YŪTO

I still remember the first day I met sora. He was a talented warrior, but what I remember most clearly are his words. If you're a good warrior, he accepts you in his team just because it means you had a good teacher and a lot of knowledge, as he told me. But I don't believe a word he says, hehe. You know itachi, we all fear death. Each of us in our own special, different way. That's why sora loathes every new member of this team and looks for better Warriors than himself. He's not afraid to die, but the rest of us. So do not misunderstand his strange behavior towards you, he does not behave like this normally.

ITACHI

Then I, in turn, will try not to be the first of the group to die, you have my word, hehe.

(Then Aiko approaches yūto and itachi holding some apples in her hands)

AIKO

Here, must you be hungry?

(Aiko gives him the apples and itachi and yuto with a smile take them)

ITACHI, YŪTO

Thank.

(They sit down on the ground and eat apples)

AIKO

Itachi, where did you come from and get in our way?

(Itachi squints and aiko with anxiety in her gaze says)

AIKO

Are you okay itachi? You want some water?

ITACHI

No, no, I'm fine.

(With yūto we grew up together, we were from the same village, from there I come and my destination unknown. I don't put too much emphasis on where I started, but where we're all going to get together since from now on we're a team.

(Aiko looks at him admiringly. After sora manages to catch an Apple and descends from the tree approaches the three children sitting on the ground and chatting. As he approaches them he bites the Apple he holds in his hand and with his mouth full of the Apple he bit says)

SORA

You grew up with yūto.

(He says ironically, itachi turns and looks at sora)

SORA

So how did you two meet?

ITACHI

I can't say we met amicably.

(Yūto sitting next to him starts laughing trying to stop. Sora looks at yuto and then at itachi. (Itachi takes a deep breath and with a smile on his lips says)

ITACHI

He came after me for stealing a loaf of bread.

(Yūto starts laughing loudly and tears run down his cheeks saying at the same time)

YŪTO

Hahahahahahaha! I still remember it as happening yesterday, Hahahahahahahahahaha!

(Sora is pissed)

ITACHI

I lost my parents when I was very young, I could not survive in the forest all alone, so I moved from village to village stealing to live and satisfy my hunger. One day yūto saw me stealing, chased me, and after catching me he and his sister bound my hands and feet.

(Yūto next to him laughs softly)

AIKO

So we met because of a piece of bread?

(Itachi shakes his head affirmatively biting his Apple)

SORA

Didn't you notice he's a demi man?

ITACHI

I didn't care what he was or who he was. All I could see at that moment was a child brave and kind, who knows how to help his fellow man no matter how different he looks. That was enough for me, actually ... it was like I found all the gold in the world that day. From nothing to acquire something like yūto is everything, it is the sky with the stars together. It inspired me to keep going and have faith in myself, because now, as we speak, is a lot. But tomorrow is more than that. Why not explore it?

(Sora thinks up images of the past: shu, his teacher, his father, yuto. He is ready to cry but he has time and turns his back to the children saying)

SORA

We're not eating all day here! We also have a long journey ahead of us that you need to explore, with the logic of itachi. Isn't that right, itachi?

(Itachi smiles)

YŪTO

Mmm, I totally agree with sora, we need to start walking to the next town before it gets dark. If evening will be much more dangerous, but the joy of sora.

(Yūto, aiko, and itachi get up from the ground and sora starts walking, but something stops him. They are the words of yūto)

YŪTO

And itachi will lead us, of course.

(Sora gets angry, clenches his teeth and fists and turns his head. Itachi with anxiety in his gaze says)

ITACHI

Me! No, no, I don't know, I'm not sure, you better lead us, yūto. Yeah, you, you're the leader.

(Yūto passes his arm around itachi's neck and tells him with a smile)

YŪTO

Do you know the way?

(Itachi nervously and shyly says)

ITACHI

I've only seen the alley leading to the next town, nothing else. From this forest I have not left for years, I am not sure of all that I tell you. I don't-

(Yūto steps forward leaving itachi and approaching sora)

YŪTO

Great, since you know the alley they'll lead us. we will all follow itachi.

(Itachi yells angrily)

ITACHI

BUT I'M TELLING YOU I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S THE RIGHT WAY! WE MIGHT GET LOST! YŪTO! YŪTO LISTEN TO ME!

(Itachi makes a long exhalation by bowing his head to the ground. Aiko approaches him by telling him)

AIKO

Don't worry, for yūto to trust you means you know. Rely on your strength and everything will be fine, okay?

(Itachi raises his head and looks at aiko)

ITACHI

Maybe you're right aiko, but…

(Before he has time to finish his sentence, aiko starts running after yūto and sora shouting)

AIKO

WAIT FOR US, YOU TWO!

(Itachi smiles saying to himself)

ITACHI

That's what I'm going to do, I'm going to believe in my potential. All right, here we go. We're starting a new life!

(As itachi and aiko approach yuto and sora, sora says angry at yūto)

SORA

Why did you tell him to lead us?

(Yūto with a serious look and looking ahead says to sora)

YŪTO

Because he knows the way.

SORA

And you who know that he knows the way, are you in his mind, huh?! And if we get lost in the woods what are we gonna do next, What are we gonna do?

YŪTO

We won't get lost.

(Sora gets angrier)

SORA

How can you be so sure? You trust him because he's your friend! When Will you trust me?

YŪTO

SORA! Stop, make up your mind and accept one more person on the team. It won't do us any harm, only good! He's going to help us and we're going to help him as an organized group of demon hunters or something more if you're in your right mind. Like a family, you idiot.

(Yūto continues to walk while sora stops, thinking.

YŪTO

And I'll trust you, sora. If you act the way you do to a demon hunter, here we go.

(Yūto continues to walk while sora does not, he thinks)

SORA

And you who know the behavior of a demon hunter? Because he trusts itachi more than me, why? Accursed.

(He starts walking with aiko while yūto and itachi are a few steps ahead of them. As they walk in the woods past the beautiful trees and the singing of the birds is not omitted. Evening has come, so the children face the city, yūto rubs itachi's hair saying to him)

OUTDOOR SPACE, ON A HILL NEAR THE CITY TO-NIGHT

YŪTO

Well done, good job.

(Itachi smiles saying)

ITACHI

I didn't do much, I just helped my team.

(He approaches and aiko, with a smile on her lips says)

AIKO

Wow! It looks like a beautiful city. Let's go, let's go see what it's like up close, I can't help it.

(So they enter the city, they see people running in panic but with a smile on their lips, while families with children and couples and young children are dressed in the traditional costume of yukata and go to the celebration. The city is filled with people. As the four children walk through the city, aiko says)

OUTSIDE, INSIDE THE DECORATED STREETS OF THE CITY-NIGHT

AIKO

Wow! Unbelievable, Look What a beautiful city it is! Ha ha ha.

(Yūto with a smile on his lips says looking around the city and the lanterns that people have hung on ropes throughout the city as well as the cherry blossoms that the wind blows in the city)

YŪTO

Indeed, she is beautiful.

(Yūto's look changes and he wonders)

YŪTO

But why is everyone in a hurry? It's like someone or something is after them.

(Sora advances with his hands behind his head looking around at the beautiful Japanese city. Then as they walk all together they hear a man say:)

MAN OF THE CITY

Quick, quick! We have to be ready for the star festival!

(Tanabata" たなばた "or star festival"星祭". Yūto wonders again)

YŪTO

Star festival?

(Sora full of joy on his face looks at yūto, itachi and aiko saying their)

SORA

Great! THE STAR FESTIVAL, YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?

AIKO

No.

(Sora approaches aiko too close with a mad look and tells her)

SORA

It means there'll be demons to kill, lol!

ITACHI

Sora's right.

(Sora and aiko look at itachi)

ITACHI

Take a look around, you won't see a single demon hunter here. So we have to protect this city ourselves before there are any casualties.

(Yūto stretches his body and arms)

YŪTO

I'm tired of fighting demons for so long. I think a little break won't hurt us, what do you say?

(Sora gushes with joy like a madman saying)

SORA

Yes! Let's get a drink and... and... and then eat and... and... and... and then kill some useless demons. We're gonna have a great time! Hahahahahahahaha!

(Yūto and aiko and itachi laugh slyly as sora speaks)

YŪTO

Nice. Let's go have some fun. Here we go!

(And back sora, itachi and Aiko with a smile all together shout at the same time)

SORA, ITACHI, AIKO

Let's go!

(As they go to the store to eat they also take from some small shops. Sora looks at something she had never seen before like a camera, itachi smells some flowers from a flower shop, aiko looks at some necklaces and various jewelry. Yūto looks at aiko with the corner of his eye and smiles as he continues to walk. In a moment they are walking over a bridge which flows from below a little stream. Sora does not miss the opportunity and climbs on the wooden protectors of the bridge so that people do not fall, then starts walking with his hands on the protectors of the bridge while his legs are raised high. When they get to the store they go in without saying anything. The people who are in the shop from the noise they made are quiet and all eyes are turned on them. Yūto says smiling)

INSIDE THE OLD JAPANESE SHOP TO-NIGHT

YŪTO

Good evening, gentlemen. We are travelers and come from far away. Maybe we could sit down and rest a little bit, you know, it would be a big help?

(The shopkeeper says with irony)

SHOPKEEPER

Tsk. To demi people we give nothing, they are not welcome in our places, kid.

(Sora clenches his fists and is ready to take out his axes. Then Itachi stopping sora grasping his hands says)

ITACHI

I got it, sora. Leave it to me.

ITACHI

I want a table to eat and rest.

(Itachi looks at the shopkeeper with irony and continues)

ITACHI

Well, I can have one.

(The shopkeeper looks at itachi and with sweat on his face says)

SHOPKEEPER

Of-of-of course, as you wish, Sir.

ITACHI

Thank you very much.

(So he leads him to the table where they will sit, behind Itachi he is followed by sora, yūto and aiko. Before they reach the table sora sees all the people around him looking at him with hatred. Sora at that moment gets angry and yells by taking the two axes out of his sheath that has it placed back on his back)

SORA

DON'T LOOK AT ME, YOU USELESS, PATHETIC VERMIN! I FIGHT SAVING YOUR ASS!

(Yūto who is closer to sora catches him by the back of the blouse and pulling him tells with a fake smile to people)

YŪTO

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for the inconvenience we've caused you. Excuse us, continue your meal.

(So she laughs mockingly while continuing to pull sora. After the shopkeeper arrives at the table he shows Itachi saying)

SHOPKEEPER

This way, this is your table.

ITACHI

Thank you for the service you had to do us in the first place without my interfering.

(The kids are sitting at the table, sora though still looking at those people saying angry)

SORA

I'll kill them all, damn you pathetic people.

(Yūto sitting next to sora tells him with a smile)

YŪTO

We're not here to open a fight, sora. But let's get some rest, don't you think? So forget everything and relax, have a pleasant time with your friends.

(Sora turns forward in his seat and half smiles saying)

SORA

Maybe you're right yūto, we can break up with the worms later.

(Then a man arrives at the table with four cakes (Japanese rice wine) along with various appetizers)

MAN

Enjoy your meal.

(Yūto takes the glass with the Sake (japanese rice wine) and raises it high)

YŪTO

For a new life, for the long journey that will begin tomorrow. Good power to us all!

(From around him aiko, itachi and sora smile, then shout all together)

YŪTO, AIKO, SORA, ITACHI

ON THE LONG JOURNEY, TO OUR HEALTH!

(Everyone drinks the Sake (japanese rice wine) without taking a breath. So itachi cries while his cheeks blush)

ITACHI

FILL THEM UP! WE WANT MORE!

(After several glasses of Sake (japanese rice wine) on the table a group of 5 people approaches them. Yūto laughs until he feels that someone is behind him. He stops laughing and looks behind him and sees the men. His laughter is cut but the smile on his lips remains)

YŪTO

Hello, gentlemen, how can I help you?

(The leader of the men says angry)

CHIEF

Who do you think you are?!

(Yūto sipping the last sip of sake (japanese rice wine) says)

YŪTO

Excuse me?

CHIEF

Don't play crazy with me, you're gonna pay for this. Monster Bonds, who do you think you are?!

YŪTO

We're a demon hunters team, I think it's obvious.

(The team leader clenches his fists, one against the other, a hand is heard breaking and preparing for battle. Then again he says angry)

CHIEF

Are you playing with me, kid?! You better get out of here, or you'll be dealing with us!

(He hits his hand hard on the table)

CHIEF

Here are not allowed demi people and your pathetic company!

(As he says all this, yūto looks at him but a shadow falls on his face not being able to see the expression on yūto's face. At the same time yuto thinks)

YŪTO

Tsk, I remember that somewhere. Somewhere this event has happened before, perhaps in the past.

(And images appear in yuto's mind. Pictures like: with those kids who bullied him when he was a little kid. At this quick recollection yūto laughs ironically. Then he turns his face towards sora, aiko and itachi saying to them in a louder voice for everyone to hear)

YŪTO

Come on, guys, we're wasting our precious time here. Besides, we have jobs to do, not like those people who came to sell us false strength and courage.

(Straightway the chief stretches his fist going to strike yūto's face and yells)

CHIEF

YOU DARE IGNORE ME?! YOU BRAT, YOU'LL PAY ME FOR IT, YOU USELESS ANIMAL!

(Yūto looks at the person's Fist coming towards him, grasps his wrist and throws it on the table. The table is broken, and all persons freeze. Then all the people inside the shop attack the four children. Sora makes a jump, steps the face while human and climbs onto a table, excitedly says then)

SORA

Finally some action! It's about time we beat up those bastards so they know who they're dealing with! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

(And he makes a leap to attack the atoms. Aiko taking out her fans begins to repel all the blows from the people who have pulled out small knives to kill them. At that moment itachi has grasped with his right hand the handle of katana and with his left hand grasps his black case, stretches his left leg backwards and brings his whole body forward, he says in a low voice)

ITACHI

Black eye.

(And he starts fighting the various people inside the shop. First he runs towards aiko hitting the individuals with the handle that has his katana back on the neck to faint and not kill them. Yūto opens the palms of his hands and closes them again so that the fire spreads up to the elbows of his two hands. They attack three people attack him, so yūto puts his hands down and lifts his legs up shouting)

YŪTO

FIRE CYCLE!

(He makes a semicircle of fire to dislodge them, then with the force of his hands he rushes forward and begins to strike them with fists. After the fight all the people from the store are down on the ground. Yūto approaches the shopkeeper and tells him as he leaves)

YŪTO

I'm sorry for the inconvenience we've caused you.

(So Aiko and itachi follow him, finally sora throws some quid and comes out of the shop. While the four children are removed, sora puts his hands behind his head and with a look of thanks says)

SORA

How nice it feels to beat up some Society parasites. Eazy money. I don't think they'll bother us again after all the punches they took, lol. Pathetic worms, pathetic Warriors.

(Yūto and itachi laugh, then aiko asks Itachi questioningly)

AIKO

What kind of move did you make in there?

(Itachi turns to aiko to look at her and says unaware)

ITACHI

What do you mean, what move? Hechee, I can't understand your question.

(And laughs falsely, but aiko continues)

AIKO

Your eyes were as black as those of demons, how did this happen?

(Sora and yūto look at itachi with curiosity. Itachi without wanting to reveal his secret says)

ITACHI

Heheehe, you must have thought heheehe. Inside the store there wasn't good lighting and you probably saw something that wasn't true. Yet a man cannot be a demon. What are you talking about now, aiko? Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh.

(Sora quickly pulls out one of his two small axes from behind the sheath and with his right hand grasps itachi's neck. He pushes him against a wall by putting an axe in his throat, he says.)

SORA

I knew it! I knew from the beginning that you were hiding something, something I didn't like from the beginning with you!

(Yūto says with anxiety in his gaze)

YŪTO

Sora, what are you doing there?!

(Sora only turns his head towards yūto, while the rest of his body and arms do not shake them. So in a wild voice he says:)

SORA

Shut up yūto! Can't you see he's hiding something, too?! Maybe he's a demon, you want him to kill us all! Answer me, you useless Fox, is that what you want?! All you're thinking right now is that I don't kill him because he's your friend! Bullshit! Look at your team, don't just look at yourself, wake up yūto and face reality!

(Sora turns his head towards itachi and again says shouting to him)

SORA

Tell us what you're hiding, who are you really?! WHAT ARE YOU HIDING, MONSTER?!

(Yūto clenches his fists while sora clenches his teeth. So yūto says to itachi sad)

YŪTO

Tell us, please itachi. Tell us who you really are? What are you hiding? You can trust us, whatever the outcome of your story. We're in this together, remember? We're together from start to finish. Don't let him kill you, just speak up and release yourself from the shackles that keep you in the dark.

(Itachi lowers his head and says:)

ITACHI

I'm sorry yūto, I'm sorry but I can't answer you why ... why. Because I don't, I don't... I don't know who I am! I don't know either. I wish I knew, I wish I…

(Sora brings his axe from left to right, shouts)

SORA

Don't lie about getting away with it, because you're not going to get away with it so easily at my hands! If you don't want to talk or even if you tell us you don't know, you'll die anyway! DIE ONCE AND FOR ALL!

(At that moment through the dark narrow alley appears a woman with a smile on her lips as she wears a beautiful kimono with fish on it painted. She has beautiful black hair with a little pink color like her daughter's. He approaches the children and says in a calm voice)

WOMAN (33) YEARS OLD NAMED: SAKAKIBARA KODAMA

There must be some logical explanation for all this, I think. Not everything is solved by force, young blind fighter, hehe.

(Sora stops his axe a few inches away from itachi's throat. He sees the woman in front of him and says)

SORA

HUH? It's none of your business, don't bother with us! Get out of here, you weak woman, before I make you disappear in only one way!

(The woman looks at sora telling him with a smile on her lips)

SAKAKIBARA

It may not be my business to meddle unfairly, but what you are about to do you will suffer later in the near future. To lose a brave demon hunter because you thought he was a demon, heheehee. It's not fair, let me help you, please.

(Sora with nerves interrupts the woman by telling her)

SORA

Shut up! Shut your mouth! You don't know anything and you're not gonna help us! The problem will not be solved as you wish, but as it should be!

(Sora clenches his teeth and looks at itachi while simultaneously going to slit his throat. Yūto sees him and with a loud cry)

YŪTO

SORA~!

(The woman pulls out a Shamisen (三味線) and starts playing, Sora thinks at that moment while slowly his eyes close)

SORA

What, what, what's going on?! I can't move, I can't kill that son of a bitch, it's like my muscles are paralyzed and I can't move. Accursed.

(Sakakibara approaches sora as she plays her Shamisen (三味線) and says in a very low and sweet voice)

SAKAKIBARA

Sleep sora, sleep sweetly.

(Sora tries to keep his eyes open but the more the woman plays the more his eyes close. Then again says sakakibara to sora)

SAKAKIBARA

I know, you've been through a lot of difficult situations. But I'm here to help you. Let me help you, sora. Let me get close to you.

(As sora's eyes close and he falls to the ground thinking)

SORA

How come he knows my name? Because she knows it, I don't remember ever meeting before me, even if I met her I would definitely behead her at once. What is this woman really? And this beautiful melody she plays with her Shamisen. Something, something reminds me, something very familiar comes to mind, like I've heard it before, somewhere ... once before. Why, why all this?

(Sora falls to the ground hypnotized, yūto and aiko look at sora, startled, and aiko pulls out her fans ready for battle while yūto holds the handle of his katana with his right hand and the holster with his left hand)

AIKO

What are you a woman? What did you do to sora?!

(Sakakibara smiles sweetly with her eyes closed)

SAKAKIBARA

Don't worry my little girl, sora is safer than ever now that I am near you.

(Yūto lets the handle off his katana and says in a serious tone)

YŪTO

Who are you? What do you mean by all this? Clear your position, woman!

(Sakakibara turns her back saying to yūto)

SAKAKIBARA

All in good time, my little demi man. Yet you seem exceedingly tired. Let me give you a little rest in my poor house. Come with me to serve you a hot tea, I think you need it after all these experiences you've all had.

(Sakakibara starts walking but yūto doesn't budge from his seat, so he asks disbelief)

YŪTO

What's your name at least? I can't follow a stranger, forgive me.

(Sakakibara stops walking, turns her body to the children telling them with a smile on her lips)

SAKAKIBARA

My name is sakakibara, sakakibara kodama. Come on, Come on, this way, follow me.

(Itachi lifts sora from the ground and lays him upon his back carrying him. So the children start following sakakibara and head for her home)

21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21