Ch. 1

Again, this story will follow the new musical's continuity. I highly recommend checking out the synopsis and soundtrack.

Ladahlord knelt and plunged the empty flask into the stream. Drawing it out, the sorcerer inserted a cork and shook the flask a few times. Perfect! Clear water from a Japanese stream was just what his next spell called for. Stowing the flask into one of his many pockets, Ladahlord gave the lapels of his red velvet jacket a tug and straightened his black silk top hat. He was about to leave when the bushes behind him rustled. Ladahlord paused, sighed, then turned to face the vibrating greenery.

"I know you're there," he called. "Go on, clear off, or I'll turn you into flowers for some doe-eyed maiden to come along and pluck!"

Hissing laughter came from the bushes. "Bold old sorcerer or foolish young sorcerer?" a raspy voice questioned.

"Young or old, I wasn't told," Ladahlord answered. And in truth, he had no idea of his exact age. His current appearance was a cross between a young man just beginning to get old and an old man with quite a few traces of youth. His physical traits, like his current attire- ruffled white shirt, red velvet jacket, tan trousers, black boots, fingerless grey gloves, and top hat- could be changed at will. Still, Ladahlord preferred his slightly scruffy look to any other.

At the very least, the sorcerer mused, he looked better than the runty demons emerging from the bushes. There were five of them in total, all of them clothed in scraps of ragged cloths knotted about their navels. All five of the demons boasted one eye apiece and a single stubby horn atop their pointed heads. Their large mouths hung open, displaying rotted teeth and thick mottled tongues. The smell oozing from their purple skin and slackened jaws made Ladahlord wrinkle his nose in disgust.

"Ugh, must you stand there killing the grass? I said clear off!" The largest among the demons pointed a chipped claw at him.

"Surrender to us now, magic man, and we will kill you quickly before we drain the power from your blood." In response, Ladahlord plucked a blade of fresh grass by his foot and stuck it in his mouth.

"No," he said, chewing, "I don't think I will. And forget about being flowers. I think I'll turn you into stones for children to skim across the water. How does that sound?"

The lead demon growled. "Get him," he snarled. The demons charged, but before they got more than a few steps, a deafening screech split the air. Ladahlord, who had been prepared to turn his attackers into pebbles, quickly switched the words on his tongue to a spell of protection. Instantly, an iridescent globe formed around the sorcerer. From within the glowing shield, he watched the five demons utter screams of their own and clutch their heads in agony. In seconds, blood gushed from the demons' eyes, ears, and noses before they collapsed to the ground, twitching weakly before going completely still.

Dissolving the shield, Ladahlord walked over to the lead demon and nudged the corpse with the toe of his boot. "Well," he said, "at least they died in battle."

"If you could call it that." Ladahlord turned to face his rescuer. Or rather, rescuers as two young men stepped into view. With one glance, Ladahlord was able to determine two important facts about the young men. First of all, they were identical twins.

Secondly, they were very powerful demons.

The two demons scrutinized Ladahlord carefully as the sorcerer stared boldly back at them. The young men looked to be in their early twenties, but, as Ladahlord was well aware, trying to gauge the age of a magical creature by appearance was hardly accurate. Still, their angular faces were unmarked by age and their long fawn colored hair was thick and glossy with health. Both brothers wore dark blue kimonos and loose blue pants tucked into black slippers. Atop their shoulders, both demons also sported a leathery black cloak.

One of the demons caught Ladahlord's eyeing his cloak. With a sudden snap, the cloak seemed to spring off his shoulders, unfolding into a pair of large black bat wings.

"Ahhh, I see," Ladahlord said with a nod. "I should have guessed you were bat demons from the screech attack you used."

The demon's golden eyes hardened. "And just what does a magic man like you want in Kurosaki territory?" As he spoke, the demon bared his deadly fangs at Ladahlord.

"Hold, Takashi." The second demon, whose face and eyes held a gentleness the other lacked, stepped forward and placed a clawed hand on his brother's shoulder. "This man has done nothing wrong."

"Perhaps not yet, but I should like to know his intentions," Takashi growled, flexing his own claws.

"Then ask him," Takashi's brother said mildly He turned to Ladahlord and gave him a calm smile. "I am Tomoko Kurosaki and this is my elder brother Takashi. We are the sons of Haruki Kurosaki, Lord of these lands."

"An honor," Ladahlord said, bowing to the two. Chuckling, Tomoko bowed back.

"You know our language and customs, I see," he said approvingly.

"I know many customs, my lord," Ladahlord replied. "Considering all the traveling I do, it is necessary."

"You are a nomad?" Takashi asked, his brow still furrowed in suspicion.

"Something like that. I go where I am needed."

"You give aid to those who need you, then?" Tomoko asked.

"Quite so, my lord."

Tomoko smiled. "No need for that. Just Tomoko will suffice. And you are?"

"I am called Ladahlord," the sorcerer answered, feeling a smile of his own steal over his face.

"Odd name, but then, you are clearly not from any of the surrounding territories," Takashi noted.

"No I'm not. And I do apologize for intruding."

"No need. We do not punish those who enter our territory unless they break our laws," Tomoko said.

"Although you have yet to tell us why you are here, sorcerer," Takashi added.

"I needed this." Ladahlord drew the flask of river water from his coat.

"You needed water?"

"Clear river water from a Japanese stream," Ladahlord clarified. "An ingredient for my next potion."

"And who will be receiving this potion?" Takashi asked.

"Whoever needs it. I'm not certain yet, but it will be someone in need."

"I think that should suffice, Takashi," Tomoko said. "Ladahlord's business is his own, but he clearly means no harm."

Takashi glanced at his brother, gave a sigh, and nodded.

"Hai, Tomoko, I think you are correct. Besides, I doubt even a sorcerer as powerful as Ladahlord would dare attack true demons." Takashi cast a disdainful glance a the rapidly decaying corpses of the purple demons.

"I assure you, my lord, I have no intention of doing anyone in your family harm," Ladahlord said.

"Very well. We shall leave you to your business, sorcerer. Good fortune to you. Come, Tomoko. Father will be expecting us."

Takashi spread his wings and gave them a powerful sweep. Instantly, the demons was borne aloft and vanished into the evening sky. Tomoko turned back to Ladahlord.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Ladahlord. Whatever your endeavors are, I wish you well."

"Thank you, Tomoko. I hope I haven't caused you any trouble."

Tomoko laughed. "Oh, not at all. Takashi can be fierce, but he merely wishes to keep our home safe. He is our father's heir, after all. And truth be told, he still considers it his job to look after me."

Ladahlord grinned. "Of course. He is your older brother. Speaking of which, you probably shouldn't keep him or your father waiting, Tomoko."

"True. Be well, Ladahlord. I hope our paths cross again."

Tomoko's powerful wings unfurled and, like his brother, he was soaring through the sky in the time it took Ladahlord to draw a breath. The sorcerer watched the bat demon fly off until he was lost to sight.

"Tomoko Kurosaki," Ladahlord murmured. "Yes, I think we will be seeing each other again soon."