"...Mmm..."
Kaira mumbled to herself slowly throughout the night. Though
most people might not have expected it, she slept like a baby
last night. In fact, she had slept better last night than she
did most nights. Not that she remembered much. Her dreams were
infested with images of fire and smoke. Warm night air and
burning embers. But rather than see this as destruction or a
violent event, Kaira saw it all in a rather different light. It
gave her a distinct feeling of warmth and security. She could
tell as much when she began to awaken. The young girl's eyes
fluttered open and her arms stretched from one side of her to
the other. She yawned, clad only in a set of pink pyjamas that
she wore to sleep in the nights. The girl blinked and looked
over at the alarm clock on her nightstand. 7.45 in the morning.
A Tuesday. She had school today. But for some reason... she
didn't feel very nervous about it. Not nervous at all, actually.
Which was surprising, especially since she would probably have
to deal with Motoko and her little ultimatum.
But thinking about that issue made Kaira strike on other ones.
"Hmm..." She mused, "Now that I think about it... what happened
since yesterday? I remember going to my Grandpa's Shrine and I
remember him telling me about becoming his successor. But
weirdly... I can't remember anything else. I wonder what that's
about?"
Still, she was feeling good this morning. No matter how she had
gotten home last night. The blonde-brunette ambled out of the
bed of her room and began scrambling for some clothes.
Thankfully Hajime Seimei High School allowed personal dress. She
would have hated to claw into a monotonous school uniform every
weekday morning. Eventually she decided on something that she
didn't always wear. Mostly because it attracted too much
attention from the opposite sex (and on occasion, the same sex).
It was a small white tank top, printed with the kanji for the
rabbit (Usagi). Around her legs was a very small pair of denim
jeans shorts. They were sheared at the leg holes. The typical
and sexy car wash look was beamed from them. On her feet her a
pair of sand-straw sandals. She had picked them up in Okinawa
when she went there for a holiday last year. And they still
fitted her like a dream. Before putting all that on she skipped
out into the bathroom and ran herself a shower. A good thirty
minutes later she reappeared from the bathroom with a spring in
her step and a smile on her face. Fully dressed and ready to go.
Kaira strode to the stairs from the upper floor and made her way
downstairs. From there she could smell her mother's cooking like
never before. For some reason she felt like she was more aware
of the things going on around her.
Kaira walked over to the kitchen to see her mom, Reina, cooking
over the hob of her stove.
"Morning, Mom!" Kaira said cheerfully.
Reina looked over her shoulder. "...Kaira? You sound quite
cheery this morning. I was surprised about that. After all, your
grandfather told me that he worked you pretty hard yesterday.
I'm glad to hear that."
Kaira walked into the dining room attached to the kitchen and
took a seat around the table at the corner. While she sat she
took the time to think about what her mom said. It was strange.
She didn't actually remember doing any real work yesterday. But
Kaira just shrugged it off and waited for her mom to come on
over. The first thing that Reina did was to bring in a pot of
warm tea. Not much of a western mother was our Reina, but she
did have a fondness for the hot beverage. Reina poured some for
Kaira into a cup and then did the same for herself.
"Kaira," The older woman started, "You do seem a little happier
than you were before. Is there something you want to tell me?
You know we never got to finish our little chat yesterday
morning. Does this have anything to do with that?"
Again Reina pointed to Kaira's cheek. To the bruise. But to the
mother's surprise, the bruise was almost gone. It looked as
vivid as a melon yesterday but today it was all but gone.
"Did you put some sort of make up on it?" Reina asked.
Kaira blinked, sipping her tea. "Make up on what?"
"The bruise I pointed out yesterday," The older woman sipped her
tea also, "You must have used something to cover it up."
Then Kaira's memory returned a bit. The bruise she had gotten
from Motoko, the schoolgirl gang-banger. Though she felt a
little more relaxed about the Motoko issue, she still didn't
want to worry her mom with the truth about the origins of the
bruise. Even if it was healing up quickly. "Uh... I guess I must
have put on some blush or something last night. Worked wonders,
don't you think?"
Reina pulled an eyebrow. Her lie radar was flickering. And Kaira
could tell that her mother was far more perceptive than she gave
her credit for. Which made her think that she better hurry and
get to school before Reina could drill her anymore about the
obvious little details that cropped up from time to time. The
teen ran a hand through her blonde bangs and gave off a little
nervous giggle, staring over to the door.
"...Uh... sorry I can't stay longer Mom, but I have to be going
to school now. I think that I might catch up with Yuki if I
hurry. Seeya!"
As soon as she set down that cup of tea she had taken a sip of
and made a light stride for the door which came out as more of a
dash. Before Reina even knew what was happening, her daughter
was out of the door and gone. But the elder of the Yatagami
women didn't make a move to stop her. She simply sat and took
another sip of her tea, and mouthed a quick little statement,
"I think that daughter of mine... is hiding something from me?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"There's a girl with cinnamon eyes. Bake me in butter, eat me
with cream, cinnamon eyes,
more than a dream. La, la, la..."
The innocent Kaira bounded down the street towards Hajime Seimei
School with great pride and happiness as she sung a little
Gentatsu Boys song to herself. She felt so uplifted this
morning. Even if she had to dodge a few of her mom's question.
Questions that didn't need to be addressed in Kaira's opinion.
But none of it got her down. Though she couldn't quite place her
finger on the reason why, Kaira was feeling great. Better than
ever really. Now worries were hassling her, no thoughts about
school or the Phoenix Hill Shrine. Just this. And for some
reason... Kaira was looking forward to seeing Yuki more than
ever today. She had been aware of her feelings for the martial
artist for so long now... and she was starting to believe that
Yuki might be feeling the same way about her... but Kaira had
yet to muster the courage to actually open her heart to Yuki.
Maybe she'd feel the same way... maybe they would start
something from that. It seemed so possible now. Far more
feasible now than it would looked before. However, before Kaira
had a chance to properly ponder the possibilities in her head,
she turned a corner around the fenced parking lot that she just
happened to be walking around.
The second she did so, she bumped into someone.
Kaira rebounded with a questioning glimpse, and her eyes with
graced (or cursed) with the sight of one of Motoko's usual
cronies. By the name of Mari (real name Mariko). Then Kaira
looked over to the right, behind Mari. She caught sight of
Motoko's other major stomping partner, Kuki (real name Kumiko).
Kuki and Mari were known as the 'Chick Muscle' of Hajime Seimei
School. Neither of them were as skilled as the likes of Motoko
or Yuki, but they were pretty strong for such normal-looking
girls. But the worst of the pack was taking up the rear. It was
the teen bully herself, Motoko. Looking just as rough and
disagreeable as she always did.
Mari stepped back and scowled at Kaira. "Stupid girl! Can't you
look where you're going? Bash into me like that again and you're
dead meat!"
Kaira remained still for a second. Then burst out with laughter.
"Ha, ha, ha! That's funny, Mari! You're so funny! Now just buzz
off before someone gets hurt, okay?"
That was an unexpected reply. Normally Kaira was so demure and
submissive. Motoko said nothing but her eyes showed a lingering
tint of concern. That wasn't like Kaira at all. Kuki was up next
with the threats. She strode straight up to Kaira and sneered at
her, saying,
"So! Baby Kaira gets a little backbone, eh? I suppose there's a
first time for everything in this world. But you better watch
who you run your mouth off too. Yuki Kuragama isn't here to save
your bacon this time, girl."
And still, Kaira just waved that off. "Oh, you guys are so
clueless! Yuki is far too good to be dirtying her fists with
your blood! She's got more important things to do!"
For Kuki and Mari, that was just one comment too far. Kuki
arrogantly cracked her knuckles in front of the seemingly
helpless Kaira. "That does it. I don't know who you think you're
dealing with but you're gonna regret ever talking to me like
that!"
In that single moment, Kuki dropped all the bravado and just
thrust her right fist straight at Kaira's face. The girl stood
silent and still for one moment. Then a brilliant flash of
alertness passed through her. Her left hand moved like greased
lightning and flashed straight for Kuki's attacking wrist. The
punch was stopped seconds before it landed. Causing both Mari
and Motoko to gasp with shock. Kuki scowled and struggled to
pull her wrist free. But the grip of Kaira was like iron. She
couldn't get free. And what was worse? The fact that Kaira
didn't even seem to be trying. The girl held that same sweet,
cheerful facial expression she always did. Kuki couldn't
understand it. But her concerns grew more urgent after that.
From the point at which Kaira held her, the right wrist,
something felt hot. Very hot in fact. Kuki squirmed
uncomfortably and with great urgency as Kaira's hand changed
from lukewarm heat to burning in seconds.
Kuki screamed a second later. "Aaahhh!"
When smoke began to rise, Kaira released Kuki's wrist and let
her stumble backwards. The injured bully sobbed a little and
then looked down at her wrist. Burn marks were there. In the
shape of Kaira's hand encircling her arm. All three of the
bullies cast frightened and confused glances at the younger
girl. Then Kaira's expression changed from happy to battle
thirsty. Then in another split-second movement she rushed
forwards and ruthlessly punched Mari across the jaw. The taller
girl screeched with agony and fell backwards, holding her mouth
in pain. And Kaira recoiled, locking eyes with a startled
Motoko.
Kaira's eyes thinned out as she spoke. Or rather, as something
spoke for her. "...Pervert. I know what you've been doing to
Kaira. I have all her memories. You fed off her shame and her
fear... like a leech. Because you knew... that Kaira would never
accept your attraction to her. Thus you forced yourself on her
so that she would never have a choice in the matter. I normally
wouldn't bother to deal with scum like you. But Kaira deserves
the kind of revenge that only I can give her."
Motoko stepped back in shock. "...What are... you talking
about...?"
No more words needed to be said. Kaira (heavily under the subtle
influence of Jann Mei) rushed forwards toward the stunned bully.
There was one hell of a loud thud as Kaira struck the girl in
the stomach. Vibrations from the strength of the punch flooded
through the body of Motoko. So strong that her eyes widened with
the pain in one brutal moment. The pair of them froze in
motion... then Kaira stepped back, withdrawing her fist from
Motoko's gut. The bully fell to her knees groaned. Seconds
later... chunky white cream started pouring out of her mouth by
the bucket full. Motoko threw up all over the street pavement,
groaning, coughing and spluttering. The young thug then
collapsed on the ground next to her puddle of regurgitation.
Leaving Kaira with a satisfied smile on her face. The
blonde-brunette grabbed Motoko by the collar and pulled her up
to her face.
"Take this warning," Kaira yelled at her, "If you ever come near
me again, I'll make sure that you regret it. Next time I'll let
Yuki have you. And I'd love to see if you could come out of that
alive."
Motoko was then thrown back into the pavement. Kaira stood back
and looked down at her hands. Flames began to surround them. But
not a single tongue of them burned her. It felt as natural to
her as bathing in water. "Kami-sama... what's happening to
me...?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Kaira... is everything alright...?"
School was over.
As soon as the first period came in Hajime Seimei High, the last
period came around just as quickly. The day had gone before for
Kaira with the speed of a cat. But Yuki was far less concerned
with that and more with Kaira. She had been acting strangely
today. Not strange in a bad way; just very different from the
way that Kaira normally acted. She was far more outgoing and
bold right now. She was answering questions in class, humouring
the many men who sent her love letters rather than ignoring
them, standing up for herself, doing things in a generally
confident way. It was, in some respects, a welcomed change from
the way Kaira acted in the past. She was taking better care of
herself; demanding that she be treated in the way that she
should have been. As a young woman, not just some quiet little
mouse in the corner. But in other respects, it was worrying. As
much as the old Kaira needed to stick up for herself more, the
change was too... sudden. Something was up. It might not
necessarily have been a bad thing... but it was catching Yuki's
attentions in more ways than one.
The two girls, Kaira Yatagami and Yuki Kuragama, walked together
from the outer gates of Hajime Seimei School. Down their road,
following the same path that led them towards the Phoenix Hill
Temple.
Kaira looked up at Yuki as she was asked that. "Is everything
alright? Of course it is! I feel great. Better than I ever have
in a long time, really. I feel... free somehow. Like I've just
dawned on something that's given me a whole new set of choices
in life."
"Choices in life?" The Kuragama-girl repeated, blinking.
"Yeah," Kaira nodded to the taller girl, "Things feel great. I
feel great. It's like that moment when you finally put a key
into a lock and see what's inside. Everything is clear now. Ever
since I went to my grandfather's shrine yesterday afternoon,
I've been feeling this way."
Yuki probed again. "...Has this 'new feeling' you have got
anything to do with Motoko being absent from school today?"
"She got what she deserved."
"...Kaira..." Yuki finally stopped walking, "...You don't
actually mean to tell me that you took care of Motoko yourself
do you?"
"Is that so hard to believe?"
Well, truth be told, Yuki's answer to that question was yes.
Kaira wasn't really a strong girl in any sense of the term
(aside from emotionally). And as far as Yuki knew; Kaira hadn't
studied any real forms of martial arts before. She knew that
Kaira's grandfather Oburo was a powerful fighter in his day. And
was the consummate master of Yatagami-style Japanese Karate. But
that had never reflected on Kaira to her knowledge. The
blonde-brunette looked up at Yuki again and could see that
sceptical look in her eye. The taller girl didn't believe that
she had been the one to take care of Motoko and her gang.
Well... there was something that Kaira could do to amend that.
The shorter girl looked down the street both ways to make sure
that no one was watching any of this. Then she dragged Motoko
into a narrow alleyway they had just walked past.
Yuki blinked. "What's going on?"
"Just watch, Yuki."
Kaira stopped with the newfound solitude and then brought up one
of her hands. She clutched it into a fist and smiled. Then
focused her thoughts and energy. Her sweet sky blue eyes slipped
shut and her fist began to shake a little. Yuki watched this
intently. But a gasp escaped her lips when Kaira's fist suddenly
burst with bright flames. They coursed around Kaira's hand and
wrist but did not burn her. Adding a bright new glow to that
dark alley.
{Spirit Fire?} Yuki thought, astounded, {That's impossible!
Martial Artists have to train for years in order to produce
spirit fire of that strength! How could Kaira master something
like that when she hasn't even had any training?}
"Pretty cool, eh?" Kaira jabbed, "I discovered it this morning.
I bumped into Motoko and her gang and they were throwing their
weight around as usual. Something just clicked inside me and I
acted. I defeated each one of them, Yuki. Motoko, Mari and Kuki.
I don't know how or why... but something has 'awakened' inside
me. I feel almost invincible now."
"Have you told anyone else about this?" Yuki asked.
Kaira shook her head. "No. I couldn't tell my Mom because it
might frighten her. But I'm going to talk with my Grandpa about
it when I get to the Phoenix Hill Shrine. I have a hunch that he
might understand what's going on with me. Not that I'm
begrudging it. I love the power I'm feeling right now. I feel so
warm and loose and confident."
Yuki blinked again. "...Confident?"
"Yeah..." And at that point, Kaira's expression switched from
charmed by her own powers to charmed by Yuki. The shorter woman
looked up with bright blue eyes of vivid emotion and caring. If
Kaira would have wished for this level of confidence in the past
then it would have been for this very moment. The flames around
her fist receded swiftly. Almost out of a reflex action. And
Kaira's warm hands found themselves against Yuki's colder
cheeks. The taller woman froze with surprise at Kaira's sudden
closeness and display of affection. But that freezing shock
melted into a wave of lustful passion as Kaira, standing on her
gentle tip-toes, pressed their lips together. Both girls moaned
into each other and suddenly lost their sense of surroundings.
While their kiss grew in fervour, Yuki's hands wound around her
girl's back and Kaira's did the same. And just as Yuki began to
settle into it, their kiss ended. Kaira pulled back and smiled.
"I love you, Yuki."
These two had known each other for a while. And Yuki had been
longing to hear those words for as long as she could remember.
When Kaira saw the sudden wetness in Yuki's eyes she could see
that this was the case. But she didn't mind at all. She just
held the Kuragama-girl tight and thanked whatever it was that
was giving her these new powers and abilities.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaira has a new spring in her step.
No one could blame her.
In one short day she had put her overbearing, perverted bully
Motoko in her place and declared her love for the one true woman
her heart. Yuki. So many things were going her way now. But it
made her wonder. Just what was causing it? As the girl walked
down the quiet residential road that led to the Phoenix Hill
Shrine, she had to ask herself this. What was the secret behind
her newfound strengths of body and character? In some weird way,
she felt that it was connected to the Phoenix Hill Shrine and
her grandfather. Ever since she had gone to the shrine
yesterday, she had been feeling like this. And although her
memories of what happened at the shrine were hazing, something
inside was telling her that if she wanted an explanation for all
that was happening to her, she would find it at the shrine.
Though Kaira would have much preferred to spend some more time
with Yuki and talk about what they had on their minds, this
issue probably couldn't wait.
Before she knew it, Kaira's sandals were clicking against the
tall set of stone steps leading up to the imposing Phoenix Hill
Shrine. She hopped up to the main clearing of the place and
looked around for Oburo, her grandfather, who could normally be
found sweeping up the place in that drab way he always did.
"Grandpa!?" Kaira yelled, hands to her mouth, "Are you home?"
No answer.
That was odd. As Kaira recalled last time, he was always around.
In fact Oburo had actually snuck up on her. Though the
blonde-brunette doubted she would fall for that again. Kaira
walked forwards and looked around the shrine. He had to be here.
It was agreed that they would meet with each other at this time
during the day. So where was he? Kaira strode over to the shrine
innards at the middle of the precinct. She climbed the
three-step flight of stairs and put her hand to the sliding
wooden door. She slid it to one side and then walked inside, her
eyes widening with utter urgency at the sight she was seeing.
"Grandpa!"
It was Oburo. Face down and battered. His kimono was shredded in
over eight places, his pasty grey hair was in disarray, and his
body was trembling vividly. Trembling was good. Trembling meant
alive. But Kaira didn't show any of that relief in her face. She
was too shocked by seeing her grandfather in this state. The
Yatagami-girl ran over to the old man and quickly crouched down
to inspect the damage done to him.
"Grandpa?" She spoke, "Are you okay? Say something! Grandpa!"
...Of course, the condition of her grandfather was about to be
one of the least important issues to deal with. As the voice of
a dark shadowy figure soon took the fold...
"The old man didn't provide much sport," Spoke the voice,
"Japanese Fighters tend to be more skill than brawn. But in the
case of the old guy... he possessed a lack of both."
Kaira's shaking blue eyes looked up to the corner of the room.
Just where that chilly voice was coming from. And she saw a
Chinese man. He was tall and muscular; but in most ways
lithe-looking. He was dressed in rich Chinese fighting garments,
beaming the great colours of green, gold and purple. With his
arms crossed and a superior smirk on his cunning face, this
arrogant fighter jerked his head around, tossing his braided
ponytail over his shoulder.
One new power Kaira had was the ability to sense the aura of
fighters. And this power was showing itself to her now. Because
she could plainly see the smouldering strength of this man. It
was amazing. He was no ordinary fighter. His dark gold Chi was
so thick and strong that Kaira could feel its power deep in her
heart.
"Who are you?" She asked swiftly.
"In Japan they call me 'Kuroichi' (Black One)," He responded,
"But in my native homeland of China, I go by the name Shen Lee."
So that was his name. "Why have you done this? What on earth
could my grandfather have done to deserve this? Tell me now!"
Shen Lee smirked at the girl, tilting his head to one side. "You
are in no fit position to be barking out the orders, little
woman. My presence here is my own business. But considering that
I'd like to carryout my orders with little fuss, I'll make one
of my intentions known. I'm looking for a certain statue. A
statue of a phoenix."
"A statue?" Such a thought reminded Kaira of something. That
rang a bell. She could recall that when she came to the shrine
yesterday, there was a statue involved. But something had
happened with that statue. Something that was connected to her
powers now. But what was it? What had happened with that statue?
Shen Lee sneered. "That's right. You must know something about
it. Speak up. Because I have no qualms about doing to you what I
did to your old man. Now talk."
"I'd never tell you anything!" Kaira shouted in return, "Not
after what you've done to my Grandpa!"
The Chinese martial artist heaved a sigh and untangled his arms.
He shortly after cracked his knuckles aggressively. Looked like
he wasn't kidding about the extremes of his will to find the
Phoenix Statue. Something Kaira was about to discover for
herself. Shen gave her one quick sneaky smile and acted. His leg
extended from his hips like a bullet, and nailed Kaira straight
across the face. The girl screamed as she was thrown backwards;
her body smashing through the wood of the far wall. It shattered
into splinters and Kaira was hurled into the outside with a kind
of brutality that came only to those who walked willingly upon
the edge of madness. He torso rolled backwards until it came to
a stop. Kaira opened her eyes and took a deep breath, feeling
blood rush down from her cheek. That kick was so fast she could
barely register it.
Shen Lee somersaulted through the jagged hole that Kaira had
made through the wall and flipped out into the courtyard along
with her. He landed poised, with great polish and skill. But his
devious intent prevented Kaira from respecting that strength.
The girl wiped the blood from her face and frowned. She then
stood upright and assumed a fighting stance. Not from knowledge.
She hadn't had a day of martial arts training in her whole life.
But the more she acted the more she felt like she was beginning
to understand her new powers.
Shen Lee watched this with amusement. "Stupid girl. Even if you
are trained in martial arts, what good could a feeble girl like
you do? I am Shen Lee. The ultimate master of Yin-Li Style Kung
Fu. The Kuroichi. Challenging me is a one-way ticket to the
underworld."
But by now Kaira was too angry about what had been done to her
grandfather to care about the warnings and the dangers. The
blonde-brunette pulled one hand to her side and lunged ahead at
the taller Chinese man. Zeroing in on him. Kaira shot a punch at
him. Shen Lee smirked and dodged to one side of the punch. Kaira
then followed up with a sharp kick, snapping from the knees.
Shen Lee ducked under it before it could even strike his head.
And then made a little reprisal. The Chinese man thrust his fist
straight into Kaira's stomach. The girl jerked in motion and
gasped with the shock and force of the punch. Shen Lee swiftly
pulled back that hand and spun his body around with split-second
timing. His leg rose with him during the motion. And rammed
straight into Kaira's jaw again. The teen was knocked up from
her feet like a leaf. She then tumbled backwards and rolled into
the flagstones of the shrine courtyard again. With his right leg
still outstretched and his arms crossed behind his back,
Kuroichi smirked at the downed woman.
"Amateur!" He remarked.
Blood stained the ground again in drips. But not from the first
gash. A second cut was made at the bottom of her jaw. Kaira
groaned and struggled back up to her feet. Suddenly she was
worried about what she might have gotten herself into. Even
though all of her senses and strengths had been enhanced since
yesterday, Shen Lee was still faster and stronger than her. But
there was no turning back now. Before she knew it she was back
onto two solid feet. Kaira wiped the blood away from her face
again and looked over at Shen Lee. Maybe she could attack him
from a different angle to get a better shot at him. Kaira
confirmed the plan and then began the motions. She ran ahead
again. But stopped before she even got into an attacking range.
She turned around, mid-stride, and then vaulted upwards into the
warm afternoon air. Shen Lee's dark eyes followed the action
keenly. Kaira rotated midair and came back down with one leg
aimed for Shen Lee's head again. The Chinese man grinned at this
and pushed back a little. Kaira blinked with urgency as Shen Lee
drifted backwards like a flower in the wind. Then rushed back
ahead with all the strength of that wind. The girl was knocked
out of the aerial attack with one vicious punch into the
stomach. The gust in Kaira's tank was bombarded again with
another kick across the face. Then Shen Lee thrust another fist
straight across Kaira's cheek. Then again with the other. Five
more blows were delivered before Kaira was sent straight back
into the stone of the shrine courtyard again. The teen coughed
on the dust that was awaken as she slid over the worn
flagstones. And Shen Lee just laughed at her efforts, both arms
crossed behind her back in that intimidating way.
He smirked at the downed girl. "...Your techniques are similar
to the old man's. But you have none of endurance. He needed a
good twenty more blows before he was reduced to that state."
"I'm... not... done... yet..." Kaira retorted, now breathing
heavily.
"I guess I should finish this off before I end up killing you."
Claimed the arrogant Shen Lee. He smiled once more and pulled
his hands away from his back. Then he began gathering some
strength into them. His demeanour remained stoic... but his
hands started to shake a little. An energy of great ancient
significance began to encircle them. Then sparks of thin blue
lightning surrounded that energy. He was about to do something
bigger than what Kaira had seen so far. But what could she do
about it? Attacking Shen Lee was not getting her anywhere. His
skills definitely equalled his audacity and bravado. Even with
all her new powers... she stood no chance against the likes of
him. But it was at this point that Kaira began to remember
things. She remembered about what happened yesterday. The
phoenix statue. She touched it... and it broke. And then there
was this huge gust of flames that rose up from the wreckage.
Those flames. The flames of the Phoenix.
...Jann Mei...
Shen Lee watched the now silent Kaira as she started to stand
up. But his attack was ready now. Time to put the little woman
in her place. The Chinese fighter pulled his hands apart and
then thrust them both forwards, his body sliding back a little
from the action.
"Hasuhanasenko!"
(Lotus Blossom Flash!)
Though the attack was beautiful in both name and action, it held
ruthless powers. An energy blast was cast flashing the colours
of red, green and yellow with brilliant speed and light. It
zoomed over the flagstones and closed the gap between Shen and
Kaira. The girl looked up as the blast encroached and went for
the last escape. Kaira jumped straight upwards into that sky
again. The Hasuhanasenko flew under her airborne feet with the
escape. And the blast continued until it smashed into one of the
surrounding stone walls of the shrine. There was a loud and
vibrant explosion. Flames shot up from that battered wall. But
Shen Lee's looks turned to the girl in the air. Something was
wrong. In that condition, she could not have been able to dodge
that attack. But when he looked up at her he began to understand
just what was going on. Kaira floated in the air now, gravity
was not bringing her back down. And a bestial howl broke out of
her throat. One so loud it could be heard throughout all the
shrine. Her normally blue eyes turned the colour of complete
pearl white. Then hot burning flames burst all over her hands.
Kaira descended back to ground level and landed in another
fighting stance.
Finally, Shen Lee lost his composure. "Now I see why the old man
wouldn't tell me the location of the statue! It's already
broken! You possess Jann Mei!"
But Kaira said nothing. Now she was aware of what was giving her
these powers. The great phoenix spirit, Jann Mei. She could hear
the voice of the warm, motherly entity deep inside her. And knew
that Jann Mei wanted her to defeat Shen Lee. They had to fully
integrate their powers into one. To work together fully by means
of that sacred technique. The Phoenix Dance. Kaira's body heat
grew to enormous levels as she began a small and composed dance
of elegant strides. Her steps were quick and her movements were
smooth, leaving Shen Lee with more questions than he had
answers. And when that dance came to a end, a huge surge of
force was spread outward from Kaira. It took on the form of a
gust. Which blew dust off the surface of the flagstones and
forced Shen Lee backwards. The Chinese fighter forced his feet
into the ground and stopped himself from being blown back. His
focus on standing his ground made him unaware of the
bullet-speed charge that Kaira made. She came into his defences
and caught him right off guard. Shen Lee gasped as one of
Kaira's flaming hands swung by her in the form of a fist. He
just about managed to avoid it and stepped away for a better
grasp on the situation. Kaira followed him along a threw another
punch his way. Shen avoided this as best as he could. But it
left him right open for a third strike. Kaira grinned and shot a
kick straight upwards, tilting her body back. Shen Lee's head
jerked back violently from the kick and for the first time, was
sent straight into the ground. The Chinese man skidded back and
he clawed his fingers into the ground to stop himself.
"What is this?!" Shen Lee yelled, "How can you have this much
control over it?!"
Kaira spoke but maintained her stance. "She's my guardian. My
partner. And now my friend. I'll never let you have Jann Mei. No
matter what your reason may be."
Shen Lee scowled. He could feel that Kaira was still a little
weaker than he was, but the odds would be far more even in this
battle. And he couldn't risk getting into a prolonged battle
with a civilian. He stood up and dusted his now scuffed
garments.
Kuroichi stepped back with an angry expression on his face.
"...I'll let you go for now. Now that the phoenix has joined
with a human... it's useless. But I have my own scores to settle
with you, little woman. You'd better expect to see me again
because this isn't the end! It's just the beginning!"
With that said, Shen jumped backwards with all his mighty
agility. And he kept doing so until he was over the left wall of
the shrine. Kaira lowered her hands. The flames began to fade
with them. Shen Lee was gone. But she now knew where her new
powers had come from. She had merged with the phoenix spirit,
Jann Mei.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"How are you feeling, Grandpa?"
Night had fallen on the Phoenix Hill Temple. As soon as Shen Lee
vanished to the darkness from which he had arisen, Kaira went to
tend to her grandfather. She carried him off to bed and let him
get a few hours sleep. While he rested, she went about the
shrine and set herself on cleaning up the mess that Shen Lee had
made of the place. They'd need a new wooden screen for the
damage done in certain places, but that shouldn't cost too much
or take too long. Soon enough, Kaira went back into her
grandfather's room to inspect his condition. He was now awake.
And looking a lot better than he did before.
Oburo held a hand to his head. "L-Little Kaira?"
"Yes," She nodded, "It's me, Kaira. How are you? Are you okay?
Do you need anything?"
Not much. "I don't think so, my dear. This old fool is tougher
than he looks. So when did you get here? You didn't come
across... him did you?"
"Do you mean that Chinese fighter, Shen Lee?" Kaira nodded to
her Grandpa, "I did. And I even fought with him. He would have
defeated me... but he ran off before he got the chance to do
so."
"...I see..."
Kaira looked downwards. "Grandpa. I have something to tell you.
Yesterday..."
"...You broke the phoenix statue," Oburo filled in, "then a huge
bird of flame arose from the shards of the statue and found a
solitude inside of you. This event gave you powers that you are
struggling to understand... but feel unnervingly comfortable
with."
He got it in one. "...I'm sorry. This is all my fault."
Oburo shook his head at the girl and places a firm hand upon her
shoulder as she sat next to him upon that thin bed of his.
"Never think that, Kaira. All things happen for a reason. You
were destined to break that statue. And the phoenix was destined
to find a home within you. It has been the way of the Yatagami
Family since ancient times. We are the guardians of the phoenix.
Our fighting style was created for the sole purpose of
protecting the spirit from the harms and ills of the world. Now
that duty has been passed to you. You must use your new powers
wisely. And use this power to avert... disaster."
"Disaster?" Kaira absently repeated.
"The man called Shen Lee was just a drone," Oburo answered, "A
tool for a higher power that has interests in the spirits for
unknown reasons. A friend of mine, Tetsuya, has told me
something that troubles me. You must help him and his daughter
to rectify these problems. With the power of Jann Mei."
Kaira blinked. "What are you talking about, Grandpa?"
"Kaira..." Oburo smiled at her, knowingly, "It's time for you to
go to Tokyo..."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
END OF RIVAL RAGE 2X: RISE OF THE PHOENIX
Back to Rival Rage 2x: Rise of the Phoenix Index - Back to Original Fiction Shoujo-Ai Fanfiction