Sacred Scroll ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Kakugame Jinja Yui's eyes fluttered open slowly. She felt light being cast on her. Over her cheeks and eyelids. So the girl looked over to the side with her freshly opened eyes. She squinted a little. It was light for sure. Light peering from between the curtains of this room she happened to be in. So when she realized that she was nowhere near knowing where the hell she was, she panicked. Yui launched herself upward from the waist and realized that she was in bed. That made her panic a little less. If someone had taken the trouble to do this... they probably weren't one of her enemies. Then she looked over herself. Over her right shoulder was a white bandage. It held a soft pad close to her shoulder blade. And she could feel something similar on her lower back. Not only that... but there was a curious waft in the air. And what was coming from her. Yui knew the scent to be of a very unique form of medicinal balm. Made by certain shinobi clans as treatment for wounds and gashes. Some of it must have been placed over her cuts. It smelt a little different from Yui's own 'recipe' for ninja treatment oils. It had a stronger scent. Which usually meant better results. Yui was surprised. Someone had been treating her. But who? The girl searched her memory. Thinking back to how she got this way. All paths of memory led toward Yagami. Her mind grew focused and her breath shallow. All from thinking of him. Of how powerful he was. And of that ancient family he apparently belonged to. The Kagayaku. And the power that he put on display for her. Yagami was so skilled. He owed it all to his DNA but his mastery was astounding. Now Yagami was bound to use it again to protect his master; Hirotsugu. And while he was doing that...Yui did not stand a chance against him. Could she ever defeat Yagami? But first... she had to figure out what she was doing here and who it was that had treated her wounds. Could it have been Hibuki? She did remember him taking her out of the National Diet Building with him. But wasn't he a member of the Six Orochi? Why would he help her? Yui tried to ask herself this but couldn't come up with an answer. The Morioka girl looked over to the far side of the small room. He heard the door crack open a little. It swung open very slowly. To reveal Hibuki. He was dressed in his Kimagure Gakuen school uniform. That made Yui reflect on school. Not to mention Haruko. Yui watched the calm Hibuki as he walked up to her bed and stopped. He crossed his arms and smiled a little. He had some bandages and plasters over his body as well. It must have been him who brought her here. After a little pause, Hibuki was the first to speak. "So. You're awake. You've been asleep for half a day, you know that? Those fights must have drained you as much as they did me." Yui didn't spare him a smile in reply. "...I can't believe I trusted you. If I'd have known that you were one of the Orochi... I would have never..." "...Started liking me?" The taller youth laughed a little, "People can't help who they like, Yui-san. I suspect that the same goes for you and Haruko-chan. You've only known each other for a few days but you still care about each other. When you didn't turn up for school all she did was worry about you." Yui blinked. "...Haruko-san was worried about me? What did you tell her?" "I didn't tell her anything," Hibuki said, "But I faked a sick note for you. That should give you a few days of peace before you have to go back to school. Haruko-chan was a little worried when she heard of it. She would have probably gone around to your place to look after you if she knew where you lived." "I didn't want to tell her... in case Hirotsugu-san's ninja came around..." The girl admitted. Hibuki nodded to her. "I suspected as much. But Haruko-chan will ease up. And you'll be back to full strength in about four days. Genryukai-sama applied some powerful balm he created himself to your wounds. They will heal soon. But for now you need to keep a low profile." "...Low profile?" It was now that Yui remembered how much she didn't understand about this boy. It was time for some answers, "I've had about enough of this. You have explaining to do. Lots of it. Why are you working for Hirotsugu-san? Why are you one of the Orochi? Why did you save me? Why-" "Take it easy!" Hibuki said, stopping her, "...You do deserve answers. I'm sure you must be confused. So I guess I'll start right now. I'm on a mission. To kill the Honshu Koga." Yui tilted her head curiously. "...Like me?" "Yep," Hibuki nodded to her, "Although my family don't know anything about it. I've been training for most of my life with an old master of Ninjutsu called Genryukai. I met him when I was around five. He saw that I had potential so he secretly trained me for the purpose of killing Hirotsugu-san. At first I wanted nothing to do with it. After all I was just a child. But I did want some of the power he showed me. When I got old enough... I began to see the evil that Hirotsugu had intended for Japan. I knew that I had to follow Genryukai-sama's wishes and kill the Honshu Koga. But... unlike you, who went on a damn-near suicidal kamikaze mission to finish Hirotsugu-san; I made an effort to win his trust. That way I could watch his every move and learn of his plans in secret. Which I did." Yui looked on at the eldest of the Uchida Siblings. "...What are his plans...?" "...He wants to close Japan from the rest of the world," Hibuki said, his tone more stern, "He actually wishes to return to the old Tokugawa policy of a Closed Country. All foreign trade and import will be banned. None will be allowed to leave nor enter this country. That is his intention. To break the symbiotic attachment that Japan has on the world." "Isn't that a little senseless?" The Morioka girl claimed, "It was because of a lack of foreign influence that Japan suffered such a huge economic recession all those years back. My family in Morioka never stop talking about it." Hibuki looked over to the curtained window. "Don't forget one thing. It was because of that economic crisis that the Four Koga were able to take control over Japan. There may not seem to be much sense in Hirotsugu-san's plan, but trust me. He is devious. And he is not stupid. This Closed Country policy is just one step in his future plans. I can feel it. He has an even deeper agenda in mind. But I blew my cover too soon to find out just what that hidden agenda is. Gathering information on Hirotsugu-san is going to be a lot tougher now. The only thing left... is to finish him off. I have to kill him. To amend his crimes and to protect my family. That is why I fight. That is why I worked for the Six Orochi as a spy. And... why I had to... force myself to kill Sakamoto-san. I'm not... proud of it. Not at all. But my mission comes first. The peaceful lives of millions of people are at stake." Yui looked downwards, pressing her palms into her blanket-covered lap. She now felt sort of embarrassed. "...Um... Hibuki-san...?" "Yeah?" The boy said, looking at the country girl. "I'm sorry... I said... such mean stuff... to you..." Yui offered apologetically, "Back in the National Diet Building. I should have known that you could be trusted." Hibuki chuckled to himself and pressed his palm into the younger girl's mop of un-brushed auburn hair. "Hey. No need for that. You felt betrayed and you were worried about Haruko-chan. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact... I'm really glad you're looking out for her. Besides. What happened to that fiery-headstrong kunoichi whom had called me an 'intelligent bastard'...? You seem completely different from the way you were when you fought Yagami-san and I." "...I can't really explain it, Hibuki-san. But when I put on my shinobi gear and fight... I feel like a whole new person. Like there is another personality inside of me that takes over when my life is at risk. I know that might sound odd, but..." Hibuki waved it off. "Not at all. Your powers make up for it. With the big exception of Yagami-san; I have never seen someone as powerful or as skilled as you. I actually had no idea that you were the kunoichi that Hirotsugu-san was so afraid of. I thought that you might be able to help me against him. Which was why I had to test you. Because I wasn't the only one caught up in your power." Yui didn't quite understand what Hibuki was talking about. Until he nodded at the door. She looked over there to see who it was. And saw a new figure enter the room. A tall, muscular and yet elderly man. Holding a long wooden staff in one hand and wearing a straw basin hat. The kind that travelling Shinto priests tended to wear in the older days of Japan. But on his hairy brow was a healthy and defiant smile. Breaking his own age, it seemed. Hibuki smiled at the far older man. "This is the man who taught me my arts. Genryukai-sama." "...Hajime mashite" Yui nodded quickly. "Hajime mashite," Genryukai said, grinning in an un-masterly manner, "Any girl who can threaten to burst the veins of Hirotsugu-san is someone whom I wish to meet. You might not believe this, Yui-san, but I have been waiting for a long time for someone like you. Someone with the power to stop Hirotsugu-san and his plans. Hibuki-kun is strong... but alone he cannot stand against the likes of the Mizuryu Clan. Nor... the likes of Yagami-kun..." Yui blinked. "...You know about... that Yagami guy...?" "Yes, I know him," A sad look passed through Genryukai's eyes, "That boy is my grandson." That was a bit overwhelming. Yagami was the grandson of Genryukai? The two looked so... different. They even acted differently. And yet they were family. Then again, Genryukai was not the only who had issues with his family. But something else occurred to Yui. If Yagami was Genryukai's grandson; then that meant that... "...Does that mean that you are member of the Kagayaku Family?" Genryukai nodded to the girl. "Yes. I possess the great powers of Kagayaku. Though I did not follow in their footsteps and use Kuro-houhou-jutsu. Such power would have corrupted my soul. Just like it has with Yagami-kun. My intention was to train him in the same arts as Hibuki-kun. I wanted them to be the partnership that would bring Hirotsugu-san to an end. But when Yagami-kun learned of his bloodline... and of the dark powers I had hoped to keep from him... he reacted in a way I hoped would never happen. He joined forces with the one other person who could bring out Yagami-kun's hidden potential. That man was Hirotsugu-san. In exchange for drawing out his hidden powers; Hirotsugu-san made Yagami-kun one of his Six Orochi. The super-trained ninja team that Hirotsugu-san uses to handle his more delicate affairs." Yui looked on. "So that's why he works for Hirotsugu-san." "Yes," Genryukai tapped his straw hat upwards, "...Yagami-kun, like most other members of our family; was seduced by his own hidden powers. He has fallen so deep into their web... that I fear it will be hopeless to make him see sense. His father... my son... died because of them. Because he tried to master that power... he lost his humanity. His feelings and emotions. He went so far as to abandon his wife and child. When my son finally died from exhaustion of the Kagayaku power, Yagami-kun's mother also passed on from her grief. Events that I am sure my grandson has not forgotten. And Hirotsugu-san used Yagami-kun's insecurities and lust for his own biological power as tools of manipulation. Shaping a once innocent boy into the mindless killer you encountered in the National Diet. I fear that if Yagami-kun is allowed to further discover those dark secrets bound to his family... nothing will be able to stop him. If the power does not kill him first, that is." Yui sighed, looking downwards. "Well he might not be the most charming ninja I've ever met. But he is very powerful, Genryukai-san. Even if Hibuki-san was there with me... I don't think I would stand a chance against him. It was only because Hibuki-san helped me that I was even able to survive against Yagami-san." A cunning and sly expression crossed Genryukai's face. "...Do not be so sure of that, my dear. The power of the Kagayaku Family is legendary. But my ancestors were not invincible. The leading family of the Tengu Kokomaru... invented something. A technique. Said to give the user the power to stand against forbidden arts like Kuro-houhou-jutsu. It is said that only bloodline members of that family can use it. The Mizuryu Family." Hibuki finally spoke up, shocked. "Wait a minute! Mizuryu? But what's that got to do with Yui-san? That's Hirotsugu's bloodline family. There's no way she could..." Yui closed up like a clam, while Hibuki turned his stunned gaze to her. Genryukai nodded to no one in particular. Yui gripped the blanket of her bed into small balls in between her lithe fingers. She had wanted to block that all out of her head. From the time she first found herself in Morioka and ever since. Genryukai's smile became more sympathetic. "...You don't have to tell us anything you don't want to, Yui-san. But I know the truth. I figured it out after I heard that you defeated one of the Six Orochi. And after learning that Hirotsugu-san wished you dead long before you came into contact with the Orochi. It would mean a lot to me if you would read the Scroll of Mizuryu. I think you are worthy enough. The technique that can fight Kuro-houhou-jutsu exists within it. Will you do this...?" Yui looked up again. This Scroll of Mizuryu might be her only chance at defeating Yagami. If she couldn't beat him then there was no way she could get near enough to kill Hirotsugu. He had to die. And to make him die, Yagami had to be defeated. And the only way to overcome the dark strength of Yagami might be to unlock the powers of this Mizuryu Scroll. "...I'll do it." Yui said, quietly. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Shinrin Jinja The Room of Fates was more quiet that usual. The vacancy of noise was the same. But that silence seemed to take on a new feeling. A new meaning. Aside from the odd crackle of the flame torches and wisp of the moths that flocked around them; nothing could be heard. There was a chill in the air. Hirotsugu was not ignorant of it. It was the kind of climate that came to this room when new fates were about to be born. The Honshu Koga sat silently on the cold floorboards of the Room. His legs folded under him. But his attention was not for the air of his room of meditation. The attention of Hirotsugu was locked on something else. A scroll. Unlike his others; which had been written by hand, this was not of his own making. It was older. Something that had been passed down through the generations. It was glowing a bright blue colour. Holding the kind of power that those without great intuition would be blinded to. This was the Scroll of the Kokomaru. "Soon," Hirotsugu said to himself, "...The 800-year wish of the of the Tengu Kokomaru ... the pride of the Mizuryu Family... it will all be realized. Soon..." A small wind took form in the Room of Fates. Followed by the blurred image of a ninja. That just happened to be Yagami. The young man landed upon the pine wood floorboards of the room, with his powerful Mikazuki Satsujinki glaive attached to his back. He did not exert himself much in his battle with Shiki. But the little energy he lost was back and he was ready to deal out more damage than before. A lot more. Yagami kneeled down before his master, Hirotsugu, even though the older man's back was turned. Truth be told, Yagami felt that he had much to be apologetic about. "Master," Yagami said, bowing, "...I have searched for Hibuki-san and the girl of Morioka. But I have found nothing of them." Hirotsugu nodded with closed eyes. "I understand. Hibuki-kun was clever. And so talented. I needed him as a member of the Six Orochi. But... it seems that he hasn't quite abandoned his ties to Genryukai-dono. Your Grandfather is a pesky gnat, Yagami-kun. But he is nothing to us now. And Hibuki-kun will pay for his treachery with his life. Because as things stand as they are now... the only hope that Genryukai-dono and the others will have is a last ditch assault upon the Shinrin Jinja. You must be ready for them. As Setsuki-kun must be. With the others gone... the Orochi must be on top of everything if my plans are to be successful." Yagami nodded. "Yes sir. I will make sure that Setsuki-san is prepared for Hibuki-san's attack with the Morioka girl. But... I must wonder. With the Orochi as depleted as this... the arrival of the Sixth Orochi would help us greatly. Do you have any idea when he will reach the Shinrin Jinja...?" A vivid and shadowy chuckle rang in Hirotsugu's throat. "...Heh, heh, heh. The Sixth Orochi will arrive soon. Do not worry about that little matter. You are more than enough to handle the others with your great power. I leave the security of the Shinrin Jinja in your hands." Again, Yagami nodded to his Master's orders. "Understood." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Kakugame Jinja A few hours had passed since Yui had woken up from her long sleep. Once she had gotten herself together with a makeshift shower (she had to watch those bandages) she then had something to eat. This was one of the places that Hibuki had been going to without telling Haruko about it. Because of this they weren't short on food. Though Yui had to prepare it all for herself since Genryukai didn't eat all that much. She quickly whipped from rice and fried vegetables; then filled herself. She couldn't very well do what Genryukai wanted on an empty stomach. Once than was then taken care of she was presented with the Scroll of the Mizuryu. She didn't take much time to admire it from an outside view. She simply took the scroll and went into something that Genryukai called the 'Mediation Room'. A sort of hall built into the side of the Kakugame Jinja; Genryukai's small but well hidden shrine home on the outskirts of Tokyo. Yui had locked the door behind her and not come out since. The Mediation Room was across the inner garden from the pantry. Hibuki stood at the glass window of the pantry looking out at the room. It was quite silent. Obviously Yui hadn't attempted anything yet. But the Scroll of Mizuryu was said to hold a great technique. Just like Genryukai had explained. Could Yui really learn to tap into that power? And what chance did they stand against the Honshu Koga if she couldn't? Hibuki couldn't help but ask himself these questions. He had his family to think about. They were at risk now that his cover was blown. As soon as things were done here; he would be going straight home to protect Haruko and his parents. But he had to see what became of Yui before he left. Genryukai stood across from Hibuki on the other side of the pantry. In his hands was the long wooden stick he always walked with. But he had abandoned the straw hat for now. "Hibuki-kun," The old master said, "Give her some time. The Scroll possesses many secrets. And you know now that she is no ordinary kunoichi. She possesses deeper ties to this scenario than either of us had imagined possible. And I feel... that whether she learns of the sacred skill hidden in the scroll or not... she will still go to the Shinrin Jinja. And meet her fate." Hibuki fixed his eyes on the Meditation Room through the window. "I know. I can't explain it. But I feel like... that girl will have an impact on all our lives in some way. She's already made so many waves in this thing since she came to Tokyo. I wonder what future lies ahead of her...?" Neither of them really knew. But both noticed huge burst of Chi energy. A Chi that felt both fiery and willowy. A kind of tranquil yet burning force. Something that caught both the student and master off guard. Genryukai hurried over to the window beside Hibuki and then looked out across into the garden. The slight gaps in the doorway leading into the Mediation Room were lit up with a bright green energy. Strong and silent. Making a clear twinge pass through the stomachs of Hibuki and Genryukai. Was that Yui's Chi Force? Yet who else could it have belonged to? While both of them debated that; the door the Meditation Room swung open in one instant. The brilliant emerald luminosity shone to an even more radiant degree as it was fully revealed. That light came from a direct source. Yui. The girl stood in the doorway of Meditation Room, her jade-colour spirit fire burning at full strength. Surrounding her young body with its flickering tongues. Yui pressed a hand into the frame of the doorway, leaning on it, while the Scroll of Mizuryu was tucked under her other arm. Her body looked as nothing more than a dark silhouette as it was bombarded with her awakened spirit flames. But those eyes of hers parted and opened. Revealing a very determined set of eyes that were much more communicative than the sweltering green flames that blazed up from her. Those eyes demonstrated an even stronger resolve to kill Hirotsugu than before. Hibuki & Genryukai looked on at the girl as she uttered her first words since entering the Mediation Room. "...I understand now. About the Tengu Kokomaru... the Mizuryu... the Kagayaku... my duty... my blood... and my destiny..." While watching the burning woman, Genryukai laughed heartily. "Heh, heh, heh! So I was right all along! That girl is a blood member of the Mizuryu Family! Now it looks is if those fatal inner wars of the Tengu Kokomaru... will begin anew."
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