Now, I have to confess, I completely knew Tomoe was joking about being drunk at our failure of a wedding. This is because of what occurred next, finally getting back to the 'present time' of the story.

I'm not much for descriptions, but I'll try my best to describe what she looked like, top to bottom, before giving my first impression. Ombrée black to light green hair, like the tips were dyed a while ago and they never got around to redyeing it, styled into a flamboyant sweep. It was short, and pretty uneven, with the sort of length that any guy could have pulled off.
Dark eyes, bouncing from person to person, that even landed on me a couple dozen times. Laced choker, that matched her outfit, and olive skin with a not so faint tan.

My eyes traced back up to her mouth. Her lips painted a glossy pink, but awful scars swirled around her face, like an extended smile was forced into her skull. A Glasgow smile, I think. Sinisterly, it was perfectly carved, almost like a clown's makeup. Except, the corners were stitched shut with wire that seemed long overdue being taken out. It was a bit messy at the ends, like she had tugged at them for a while. I didn't stare at her face for much longer, just looking at it made me want to cry out of sympathy.

Now, bare with me here, because her attire was a tad bit out of place. A slim fitting trained dress with a cuirassed bodice of all things. I only know this because I distinctively remember reading about it in an old storybook. Her dress was vibrant blue and green, but it had the same style all the same.
Lastly, white silk gloves, similar to what Tomoe always wore, except one of the ring fingers were ripped off,

I was lucky enough to find a page out of the very book I read among my things later on. It's not in the best condition, but it's still understandable, I think.

She stretched out her arms, "Ten thouuuusand years can give you such a creak in the neck!"

It was, without a doubt, Kaosu.

Hibiki started to argue, but was already cut off before he could even say a word.

"And go back into some shitty rock, like a genie in a lamp? No thanks, pal." With a vividly quirky smile, she made her away around to Hibiki, her gown trailing through the grass as she did, stopping to throw an arm around him.
I couldn't help but stare at her gloves, knowing that the missing finger had to have had some significance. "Anyway, how's life been kiddo? Meet any girls? Guys? Or have you been too busy with work?" Kaosu chuckled, and giggled. Somewhere in between that I've never really heard anyone try before.

Finally, he said, "Can you shut up for just a moment?"

Her language was admittedly pretty wild, and I detested every moment of it, so despite my even bigger irritation towards rudeness, I kept my mouth shut. Besides, talking during the situation didn't seem like a good idea

Alas, she must have been like Hibiki some manners in the very least, because she flashed me the same goofy smile. Hibiki followed, but with a glare that told me to shut up too. I recall a sinking feeling when I remembered those few could read thoughts at times. I'm not too sure about Kaosu though, and I wasn't then either.

"So this is your girlfriend? Does your dad know you've been cheatin' 'round with some ingrate? I thought you were stuck in one of those cliche arranged marriages. Am I too late for your wedding?" She pulled at Hibiki's curled horn, forcing him to her height.

I swear, I have never seen Hibiki scowl so exasperatedly.

"Oh, right, I'm mixing your stories up." Kaosu's pupils decreased in size, as if she was fearful, but it was certain that she was far from it. Then, she let go of Hibiki, but not without whispering, "I'll get back to you later," holding out the 'r' on her last word.

Today was a day for a lot of firsts. Along with the shock that came with seeing such an unusual person, escaped the burning mansion of what, when you came down to it, was practically my babysitter's house, and confronted Tomoe's alcoholism. I had also confronted that sickly wench, but she was long gone now. Lastly, but not at all the least shocking, Kaosu was the most sarcastic person I had ever met. It could have made me ashamed for being the reincarnation of the... actually, I'll leave that thought for another day.

"Haruka, you complicit little devil, why haven't you returned to your masters yet? I thought a dog returns when you play fetch."

"I don't understand," Haruka stated monotonously.

"You should get that on a t-shirt, useless drone. You were built for a reason. What happened to fulfilling it?"

"I... still don't understand."

"And that, of course, should be on the back of the t- shirt."

Kaosu moved on to Tomoe, looking at him with her head slanted, like a confused puppy. "You've done some naughty things, young prince. Too much considering how young you are. You're getting coal fro Christmas, you hear?"

"What?" said Tomoe, and I couldn't decipher if he was just drunk or really couldn't hear what she said.

"You've killed six people. Why do you think they've sent an assassin droid after you? They plan to replace you with a more persuadable, and less violent ruler before you become a genocidal maniac like this one." She gestured to Hibiki.

"Wait, genocide?" I questioned aloud.

She nodded. "Don't wait, yes, genocide."

Tomoe's left hand dropped to the hilt of the elegantly curved sword at his hip.

"Now, sweetie, since it's obvious you've gotten tangled in this mess through my dear--" she paused, "--relative, I want you to know something. The quickest way to a man's heart is not through his stomach, or the fourth and fifth rib, but actually if you just plunge a knife in anywhere with enough force, you'll probably find it sooner or later." Her dark eyes, spotted with navy blue flecks like paint splattered on a sheet of color, lit up with freakish amusement.

I felt my entire body cringe in horror.

And Kaosu laughed, and it must've been the first time Hibiki even touched Tomoe, because I saw him holding him back. "Now, why is it that no one will give me the time of day? I'm here, standing before you, and not a violent peep out of anyone. I've even given you all some attention. Pay me some back, 'ey? I thought we were all gonna fight to the death."

Hibiki tried to speak again, but Kaosu quickly went "Shush," before she spun around, stopping at Kotone, and raising a hand to point at her.

"You."

"Me?" Kotone squeaked. Her brother was lying a dash away, she had likely dragged him there amidst the confusion.

Kaosu's smile Widened, and I really do mean widened. First, his mouth twitched, until he bore his teeth like a snarling dog. The wire that pulled together his mouth snapped out of place, and may the gods forbid I was right, but I swear I could see a second set of teeth before a true smile formed, and every tooth seemed sharpened to a point. Like a shark. It was then that I realized that the girl in front of me was an illusion, to mask a horror behind a facade. Her smile was much too big for her face.

She took a step towards Kotone. Blue and green dress trailing through the grass.

Tomoe placed both hands on his sword. He was sweating, like I was. Drunk as he might have been, it all likely spooked him into solemnity. Haruka tensely watched, probably recording everything that was going on. Hibiki was just displeased, but studying Kotone, rather then the monstrosity. I felt like screaming. Daichi snored on the grass.

She was going to harm her. I couldn't let that happen. Maybe I was too nice, or maybe the sheer innocence of the girl reminded me of myself before all these happenings.

I know it may sound absurd, but I overwhelmed with curiosity at that point, along with that sense of protectiveness. I had to know what was Kaosu's deal. Not at all like Hibiki, with horns to accentuate, but with a personality like this, and not to mention, the power she held that pushed everyone to silence, all had to add up to some big thing, whatever it was, I thought. Besides, if I could save Kotone from whatever she was about to do, it would be all the better. What we saw in the forest on our way there was proof enough that she isn't to be handled so lightly.

"Kaosu, can y-you take off your glove?"

All eyes went to me.