The Kitchen is Always Open: A Tale of the Planes: (Book 1)

Chapter 40

The door opened slowly as if loath to reveal the new arrival. Mitsuhide stood framed in the doorway. The hall went quiet at the anger rolling off the devil. He was the patient one, the one who laid in wait. Anger and impatience were not traits anyone would equate to him. Gold eyes swept the hall dismissing the occupants one after another.

"Where is Masamune?" his tone was cold and measured.

"Behind you." The chipper answer was a stark contrast to the cold cruelty radiating from Mitsuhide. "What do you need?"

Mitsuhide spun and growled an answer. "You. Come."

The rest of the residents watched the two devils leave before Shingen let out a low whistle.

"Someone pushed his hot button." He announced with a smirk.

"Who would be foolish enough to do that," Yukimura asked.

"Your guess is as good as mine. I only hope he stops before he receives the same judgment Enki did."

"Prime is worse off for Enki's banishment," Nobunaga grumbled. No one disagreed with him.

###

"What do you need me for?" Masamune asked, his curiosity causing him to fall into step with his comrade.

"Bait." Was the clipped reply.

The playful glint in Masa's eye dies instantly. "He's made his move." When the other man didn't reply, Masa nodded. "Where do you need me?"

"Get your bike. You're going to be a decoy."

As the two devils walked through the halls, their forms shimmered. Masa was suddenly wearing his black leather motorcycle jacket, jeans, engineer boots, gloves, with his helmet in his hand. Mitsuhide's clothing changed to white flowing robes trimmed with crimson accents over loose pants. Red outlined his eyes and blue glowing orbs danced around him.

When Mitsuhide finally spoke, his tone was that of a general issuing orders. "I'm going to Sadie's."

"You didn't tell me she was in danger!" Masa growled back, ready for a fight.

"Because she isn't. I'll be there." a teasing smile spread on Mistuhide's face. "Besides, you like things a little on the rough side. This setup is best for both of us."

Masa slid his helmet on, muffling his next comment. "And if I'm late?"

"Then you're not half the devil I think you are. And Masa?" Mitsu grabbed the other devil's arm.

"What now?" He didn't like the plan, but Mitsu was right. Masa wasn't one for subtlety.

"Do try not to break The Pact."

Masa growled and stepped through the gate.

~

The sound of the motorcycle engine carried through the streets of Fremont. It echoed off the businesses and the buildings and floated over the lake. He'd been riding for a few hours. It was normally an activity he loved, especially since they found their gate. He found no pleasure in it tonight. Every nerve in his body was waiting for something to happen.

"Damn it Mitsuhide! How long do I have to wait? Are you sure it's supposed to be tonight?"

The unmistakable sibilant voice echoed in his head. "If everything I read was correct, yes. It's going to happen tonight. His time is running out."

Masa sighed and pulled into a park by the lake. "I should be there."

He could hear the mental sigh when Mitsuhide replied. "And do what? Terrify her as you beat someone to a pulp in her house? No. You are where you need to be."

Masa was going to make a pithy reply but something hit him square across the back and he fell. "Mitsuhide, I have friends. How much time do you need?"

A chuckle echoed across the miles. "Not long. I hear my visitor now."

Two sets of hands grab Masamune and pull him roughly to his feet. Someone else slammed a fist into his jaw. In the back of his mind, Masa was keeping count. "Remind me, is the pact broken if we defend ourselves?"

"Pact?" Masa could visualize the look of offended innocence on the other devil's face. It would match the tone in his voice. "Why Masamune, you know as well as I, in matters of self-defense, The Pact does not apply."

Masamune smiled a moment before Mitsu's voice came back to him. "Just try not to kill them. The cleanup and trial are hell."

The men holding him let him go and Masa fell into a ball, hands over his head to protect it. "You're enjoying this." Masa tossed back, stifling a mad giggle. The joy of the hunt was flowing through his veins and getting the better of him.

"Not half as much as you are. I knew you liked it rough. Gotta go. Sadie's guest is here."

"Tell me when you're clear," Masa replied. "I'll keep a rein on myself for that long."