DISCLAIMER: I don't own Evangelion, Legend of Legaia or any thing else I make reference to because heaven knows there will be a lot and I don't want to wrote them all down. I should get a lawyer to write this, then the first chapter can all be legal stuff.

Long ago there existed several groups of creatures that walked the earth. There were animals, demons, humans, and Shinpishugisha. There were two types of demon; ones that fought for themselves and ones that fought for humans. The demons that worked for humans could merge themselves with humans and give them power. These powers ranged from super strength to flying to magic. The humans used these demons to build their cities and fend off the evil demons. Eventually there were very few evil demons left.

The Shinpishugisha on the other hand were humans who already had powers like demons; however, their powers could only manifest in one form as were the humans could use one demon and its power and than switch as needed. The Shinpishugisha could bring forth energy from the planet and use it for a specific skill. Some could sprout wings and fly, others heal any wound, and still others could command elements. Their power was greater than the humans because it was not dependant on other creatures.

One day, as if from nowhere, a terrible mist drifted across the land. This mist changed all demons, good or evil into mindless creatures that attacked humans on sight. Humans who already were fused with a demon were completely taken over by them. In a hurry to save themselves the humans did two things; the protected themselves from the mist by walling their cities(or any other method), and killing the Shinpishugisha. The Shinpishugisha were believed to have created the mist and take the world from the humans. Despite the Shinpishugisha having greater power than humans, they were vastly fewer in number. Most were wiped out, only a few escaped with their lives.

It has been over a century since the mist came into the world and humans still hide in fear, unable to travel due to the danger. If Shinpishugisha created the mist than only they could stop it. No one has seen one for a hundred years. If there are any left, they are hidden and will not help the humans.

One morning in a small village one the southern shores a young girl woke up just after dawn and silently stretched herself awake. As she got up she looked around her house. It was relatively small, one room with a fire place at the far side, a table with a few books in one corner, a larger table in the center and a few baskets. Next to her were two futons, one with her younger sister and the other with her father. The girl left her futon on the floor and silently walked out of the house.

Her village was small with only a hand full of houses holding no more than a hundred people. There was a large wall on three sides of the village with a large steel gate in the northern side. On the south side of town there was no wall. There was no need since there was only ocean. The wall extended all the way to the water. Their town was protected from the terrors of the outside.

That morning it was the beach the girl was headed to. Most mornings she went there, but never this early. Today she had a test and was told to arrive as early as possible. Upon arriving the girl walked up behind the man who was sitting on the beach meditating. This man was much older than her. Easily in is fifties this man was extremely muscular and his shaggy hair was pulled back into a ponytail. If he had been standing, he would also have towered over her at a height of six four were she was only five nine. The girl stood behind the man, brought her arms and legs together and bowed. With her head down she said,

"Good morning master."

The man, still sitting replied, "morning Rei." he stood up and turned to look at her. It was only then that Rei raised her head. "I see you are prepared for today. Good. We shall begin with a review of yesterday."

"But master, you said that I had mastered that skill."

"Rei you will do as I instruct and we will review yesterdays lesson." he said firmly.

"Yes sir."

Rei brought her right foot behind her and adopted a fighting posture. Her right hand was clenched and up by her face while her left was down at he waist.

"Good stance, very basic." said the man. Than he adopted his own stance. Also bringing his right foot behind him he brought his right fist to this right hip and put his left hand open in front of him. "Rei, there shall be one difference from yesterday. Today we don't stop until you hit me, no matter how long that takes."

"Understood."

The man charged at Rei with blinding speed and struck at Rei's face with his left hand. Rei blocked with her right and delivered a kick to the man knee. He moved his leg and stopped the blow. He followed with another strike to Rei's face which she again blocked and parried. This continued for a few minutes until Rei jumped back to make room between them.

"Good." said the man. "I can't hit you with suck pathetic attacks."

Rei stood silent and focused.

The man changed his stance and charged in at Rei. This time he jumped toward her and used his knee. Rei ducked underneath him and moved to his back. Rei came in for an attack as the man landed. He instantly threw a kick straight back. Rei avoided it and continued he attack. Again this continued, Rei stayed on the ground while the man used more aerial attacks.

After a while Rei had decided to take the first offensive and attack the man. She ran straight toward him, her hands down. The man had seen her try this before. Rei would charge in and duck the strike attacking his legs. It was a good plan, but one he had seen to many times. When Rei was in close enough to strike the man jumped into the air. Rei did the same without hesitation.

"Good, your ability to alter strategy as improved."

At the top of his jump the man was ten feet in the air, Rei was slightly higher using her jump she flipped forward and sent a kick down at the mans head. It was blocked and they both fell back to the beach. Rei continued to attack in a similar fashion, using large movement of her arms and legs. Striking at his head, body and legs with no rhythm or reason. Exaggerated movements to confuse the opponent was the idea behind this method attack. Unfortunately, with all her flips, spins, kicks and strikes she was unable to hit her master. Even after dodging one attack and falling on to her hands she brought her feet over her head and kicked at him in a hand stand. This still did not work.

About an hour had passed since this match of theirs started and neither had hit the other despite best attempts by each. Rei's face was serious and focused until she noticed the stance her master was in. He was standing square at her leaning on his left foot. His right foot was out in front with only a little bit of his weight on it. His right hand was up and away from his body while his left was in close. His hands were bent in and his fingers slightly curled but not clenched. This was his stance. The old man had mastered offense and defense from this position and was almost completely invulnerable once he had adopted it. Rei had to beat him now or she never would.

Rei stood straight up and stood normally. She put her right foot only slight of line with her left and brought her hands up in front of her. She left them open and relaxed. The expression on her face had changed from a serious one to one of complete calm. They both stood completely still for about three minutes and then the man charged at Rei. His speed was amazing. No Human should have been able to move that fast but he did. To cover the four feet between them and attack took no more than half a second. Rei lightly stepped to the side and from that lose posture she sprang her hand out toward her master and struck him in the rips with her palm. The mans leg gave way and he fell into the sand.

"Good work." he said. "You hit me. You have mastered the art of fighting with your hands." He stood back up and bowed at Rei who did the same. "Now that that's finished lets have some tea."

"Yes master."

While a small fire was started and water was heated Rei looked around at the rest of the village as they worked. Everyone had brought their bedding out to dry and was starting with various other chores. Some cut wood from trees that had been chopped down yesterday. Others gathered eggs from the few chickens that they had. The fisherman had already left and just went around the pair as they fought. The entire town worked together in small groups, men doing their chores and women did theirs. Rei looked at the women who wore badly beaten kimonos. The men wore kimonos and hakama pants. All the clothes of the village were torn and sowed together with patches all over them. Most people had one thing to wear and would just fix it until it could no longer be fixed.

Rei on the other hand wore a brown shirt with sleeves that ended at her elbows. Her pants were also brown and stopped at the ankles. She had split toe socks and sandals that wrapped around her foot. Her clothes were plain, training clothes supplied by her master. His were the same.

There were two people in the village that did not help with daily chores, they were the village elder because he was busy trying to find the best way for the village to survive and attempting to ration the supplies so everyone, including himself, had exactly the same amount as everyone else. The other was Rei. Rei did not join with the other groups because of her appearance. Her skin was pale white, her eyes crimson and her hair blue. The rest of the village had black hair, brown eyes and normal skin tones. Rei was different and the other villagers were scared of her. To alleviate this she was taught a variety of skills. Of course she could read, write and speak, but she also knew all the woman's skills. She could cook, sew, clean, tend animals, and knew some medicine. She had also learned men's skills of fishing, hunting, trapping, and of course fighting. She could learn all these skills because she had an amazing ability to retain information. After being shown something only once she could repeat it perfectly.

While Rei and her master enjoyed their tea her father walked over toward them. He was a normal man in green clothes and a cane in his right hand. He had injured his leg many years ago and had trouble walking since.

"Master Kenji, is my daughter doing well today?"

"Yes. She has succeeded in mastering hand to hand combat. We will begin her final test shortly."

"Thank you. When you agreed to train her all those year ago I was very relieved. She needed something challenging to occupy her time since she could learn everything else so quickly."

"Yes. And since she is not accepted by the rest of the village she did have to take up someone's craft."

"Rei. When you finish today come back to the house. I have something to give you."

"Yes father."

Rei and Kenji finished their tea and stood up. He walked over to a box at the top of the beach and opened it. He took out two swords. He belted his and threw his at Rei. It flew straight at her and she side stepped and caught it with her left hand just before the guard..

"Rei. This will be your final test. In the ten years I have trained you, you have grown into a fine woman. Never before has someone been given the title of master at sixteen. A woman has never held it. You will be the first and strongest. Are you ready?"

"Yes." she said and then took a stance. She put her left foot behind her and held the sword at her hip. She then gently placed her right hand on the handle.

Kenji smirked and drew his blade from its sheath and held it in his right hand down at his side. They both stood ready for several minutes. Rei initiated the fight. She charged at Kenji in the motion to unsheathe her sword at him. When she was I range she jumped into the air and swung down at him. He easily blocked it but then noticed that Rei had not taken her sword out of the scabbard. Her right hand was on the handle and her left on the sheath just above the guard. While still in the air she pulled the sword from the sheath and thrust it at Kenji. He spun away avoiding the blow. Rei landed and belted the sheath.

"That was impressive. I've never seen that attack before."

"I figured that it might work." she said calmly. "It was my best shot for a quick match."

"That attack would work on most others. Improve its speed and only masters such as myself will be able to avoid it."

"Understood."

Again she ran at Kenji this time using the same speed he had in their final exchange of hand to hand combat. Speed that no human should have. Kenji blocked with matching quickness. The entire battle continued at this speed. Even when Kenji jumped and attacked with a downward swing the speed was amazing. To any other person in the village, they were moving by magic.

It had reached noon and the battle continued between them. Rei was calm and relaxed like when she won her last fight. She stood in a basic stance with her weight even on both feet and held her blade out straight in font of her. Kenji held his pointing down toward the ground. They held their ground for only a moment and then attacked. They were faster this time than before. To anyone watching they disappeared. When they attack they were facing the other way both going past their targets and using a spin to build force. When their blades hit there was a massive shock that caused wind to blow and the sand beneath them to shift away. Several of their attacks did this.

The rest of the village had stopped for a noon meal while Rei and Kenji kept fighting. It was here that everyone witnessed Rei's victory over this great master. The man that, as if an act of the gods, walked through the mist from the far east and into their town without a scratch on him. He who could kill the demons with his blade and bare hands. Kenji sheathed his sword and flew at Rei pulling it out with blinding speed and force. Rei holding the sword in both hands thrust at Kenji. When their swords met Rei's went across Kenji's as it swung. The force of her thrust and speed of her thrust and the equal power of his swing caused enough wind to shake the boats at the dock some ten meters away. Rei's thrust cut Kenji's sword and ended at his throat. Kenji's swing went right past doing nothing, half of his sword in a tree above the beach.

"You have bested me. You now have the title master."

The town stood in aw at this sight. This girl, a teenager had beaten a man who seemed unbeatable by all creatures of god.

Rei stood back up and put her sword in its sheath. She handed it to Kenji and said, "Thank you master, but I have not. I beat your sword, not you. Please let me find you another."

"Is my apprentice really this stupid?" he said. "A sword is an extension of a fighters body and soul. You broke mind. You beat me on all levels. If you had continued I would have died, you are the victor."

There was a small cracking sound from inside Rei's Sheath. She pulled out the sword only to see that it had shattered.

"I guess it was a draw. My sword is broken too."

"No, your sword broke because it has done all it can for you. A human sword such as this was never meant to handle the kind of strain that we put on it. It only broke because you have succeeded."

"Thank you master."

"Now go. Stop being so sentimental and get something to eat. After this long you must be starving."

"Right." she said cheerfully and ran off to her home.

When Rei arrived her father and sister were both working. Her sister was finishing fixing some clothes and her father was at his table with a book. What ever he was studying was important because the village never complained about him doing it.

"I'm back." she said.

"Onee-chan welcome home."

"Hey Saori."

"I trust you have completed your training than." said her father firmly.

"Yes father Master Kenji has bestowed the title of Master upon me. I have bested him in both types of fighting."

"Than you have earned this." he pulled on a floor board and it came out of the floor. From the space he pulled out something wrapped in a cloth. He replaced the floor board and turned toward Rei motioning her to come and sit. Saori watched in silence. "Rei this gift does not come lightly. This is proof of your achievement today as well as a guarded secret that you must carry. Are you prepared?"

"Yes father."

"Good." he unwrapped the cloth and reveled a sword of great beauty.

There was nothing special about the exterior. The handle was basic, wrapped in black cloth, the guard gold with no design, and the sheath black ray skin. It was the most unnoticeable sword put everything about it was perfect, without flaw. He drew the sword from it sheath and it gleamed as if the sun had shined right off it. The blade had a perfect curve and the edge had no faults. This blade had either never been used in combat or was expertly forged. He returned to sword to its sheath and handed it to Rei who accepted it with a bow. She drew it herself and felt the weight of the sword. Its balance was perfect it felt as thought the sword was a perfect extension of her arm and it fit perfectly in her hand.

"This sword is amazing father." Rei said in aw.

"This sword is of mystic origin. It is said to have been crafted by a Shinpishugisha a thousand years ago and was the first of its kind. All other swords were modeled off of its design and none can compare to it. It will never break and can cut anything. You must keep it safe and secret from the rest of the village. Items of the Shinpishugisha are forbidden."

"Than why do we have one?"

"A year before the mist covered the world it was given to my ancestor to protect. This Shinpishugisha had the power to see the future. He knew that a genocide of their kind was going to occur and that all of their artifacts would be destroyed. He wanted this one protected by our family. I am not sure why."

"So we must keep it hidden to save it from the village. But father are the Shinpishugisha not the reason for the mist and why we are stuck behind this wall, hiding like mice?"

"I do not believe so Rei. Someone else created the mist and blamed the Shinpishugisha. Eventually we will find out why and how and stop this hell."

"I understand father." Rei said and bowed.

Later that night when everyone was asleep there was a loud crash from outside the wall. Noises from outside were common at night because the wind stopped. There was always a gentle breeze during the day that kept the mist from thickening too much, but at night the mist and the demons could do all they wanted. That is why there was the wall and why nothing was outside, no one wanted to go out if there was a problem. Besides the usual noises from outside there was a loud hit on the gate. The metallic sound echoed through the town and woke everyone up.

Rei looked around when she was awoken and turned to her father.

"This does not sound good." he said. "I'll go check it out, you stay here with your sister."

"But father…"

"Just do it."

"Yes." she said as her father left the house. "Idiot. You only have one good leg. If something goes wrong than you can't do anything."

"Onee-chan is something happening?" Saori asked sleepily.

"Probably, but I'm not sure. I'm going to go out and look. Keep the door locked ok."

"Ok."

Rei walked to the other side of the room and grabbed the sword from its hiding spot. "Why do I think I will need this?" Rei asked and left the house.

When Rei got outside she saw many village men standing at the gate including Kenji and the elder. As she walked over there was another strike on the gate.

"What ever is hitting that is very large, wouldn't you say Rei?" asked Kenji.

"Ahh, y-yes I would."

"Rei why are you here? I told you to stay with your sister."

"You can't help or run if something goes wrong because of your leg so I came to take your place. The one who should stay in the house is you. With your daughter."

"Why did you bring a sword?" asked Kenji.

"I don't know actually. I just thought I might need it."

"You wont need a blade child," said the village elder, "This gate and wall have held for one hundred years without fail and they will continue to do so."

"It's their age I'm worried about." Rei replied.

Just then a creature appeared in front of them laughing. It came through the gate like a ghost and than materialized itself there. It was wearing a black cloak with a hood, no one could see its face.

"YOU REALLY THINK THIS WALL WILL SAVE YOU?" the creature said in an evil voice. "THIS WALL WILL DO NOTHING MORE THAN BURRIE YOU WHEN WE TAKE IT DOWN. THE TIME OF HUMANS HAS ENDED AND THE TIME OF DEMONS HAS COME. NOW PATHETIC HUMANS, SURRENDED YOURSELVES TO THE MIST AND TO THESE DEMONS AND BE SPARED YOUR LIVES."

"Who are you?" asked the village elder.

"MY NAME IS OF NO CONCERN TO THE DEAD. ONLY AFTER YOU HAVE ASSIMILATED WITH THE DEMONS WILL IT HAVE ANY MEANING. IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO COOPERATE THAN I AM SIMPLY A SHINIGAMI."

"Shinigami?" gasped the villagers.

"NOW WRECHED HUMANS, YOUR WALL COMES DOWN." he said as he faded back out of the town.

"What did he mean by that?" asked a villager.

"Everyone get back to your homes!" yelled the elder. But as he yelled a large demon appeared just outside the wall. It toward over the wall and looked almost human. The demon bent over on all fours and opened its mouth toward the wall. Out of the mouth shot a blue blast of energy which went effortlessly through the wall and out to sea wrecking a few houses that were in the way.

As the blast subsided demons poured into the town. Everyone ran to try and escape into there homes and while some did others were killed before the could get away. While everyone else was running Rei and Kenji stood ready to fight.

"Spread out!" yelled Kenji to Rei. "You takes the ones on the west, save as many people as you can!"

"Yes sir!" and Rei ran to fight the demons.

Without thinking she drew her sword and attacked the demons. She was able to cut them with ease despite their bodies being hard like crystal. She ran through the town cutting down any demon that was in her way. Despite the best attempt of Rei and Kenji to stop the demon threat it was no use. More and more kept coming into town through the broken wall. After three hours of fighting Rei and Kenji met back up in the town square.

"How many have you killed?" asked Kenji.

"I wasn't counting." Rei replied.

"Too bad I was trying to see if I could still best you."

"They wont stop and we can't fight till morning. What are we going to do?"

"Nothing, your going to do something Rei."

"Huh, what? What are you talking about? I've been doing something for hours, so unless you have a new trick to teach me I don't know what to do."

"I have no new tricks, but you do."

"What are you talking about?"

"You never wondered about your hair or eyes, why they were that color?"

"No I scared everyone away from me why would I want to think about it?"

"Rei you are a Shinpishugisha." Kenji said calmly.

"What!?" exclaimed Rei. "How can I be? No one else in my family is one."

"Your mother was. She kept it hidden very well. Her power was actually sensory manipulation. To everyone else she looked normal, but in reality she looked very much like you."

"And you know this how?"

"You think a master such as myself could be fooled by such tricks. I was able to see through it. When your father came and explained to me your situation I knew that you had inherited your mothers powers. That is why I agreed to train you."

"But what can I do? I don't have any powers."

"You do, but you must find them. Shinpishugisha acquire their power by communing with the energy of the earth and channeling it through themselves. You already know how to do this because of your blood and my training will make it easier. Rei go to a safe place and awaken your power, save us all."

"Alright." Rei said with a nod and ran to find a safe spot.

Rei ran to an alley between two buildings and stopped running. "Can I really do this?" she asked herself. "How am I supposed to channel the power of the planet? And not all of the Shinpishugisha had powers for battle. What if I can just fly or heal people? What then?" Rei shook her head. "Enough, I have to try." Rei sat down and meditated on the planet and its energy.

After what seemed like forever Rei had still not discovered anything. She could find no power and could hear her town being destroyed while she did nothing. Just then a demon came down the alleyway. It was a small one, it had a round head with a beak like mouth on it. Its body was long and thing and at the bottom were two triangular blades pointing straight off. It had no arms and no face, just the two blades a the bottom. It floated at Rei.

The demon attacked and as it was about to hit Rei and energy surged from within her. Rei's hair and clothes rustled and a blue light came from seemingly nowhere. The demon was engulfed in the light and disappeared. When the light faded only an image of the demon was left, like a ghost. The ghost gently flew at Rei and merged with her.

Alarmed Rei looked at her self wondering what was going on. Than she heard a voice from inside her head.

Excellent my child you have awaken you powers. Do not be alarmed by this or by what you hear. You are Shinpishugisha and you have inherited their greatest power. The power to control the demons themselves. When a demon who was meant to help humans is killed by you its spirit my stay on this plane of existence to serve you. If it does except it and you will gain its power and be able to summon it at will. This is your power. This is the power given to you by your mother. The power that can rid the world of this horrible mist.

"What the hell was that? Who was just talking to me?" But no one answered. Rei looked around and saw no one. She decided to believe the voice and use her power.

Rei ran out to the town square and saw that her master was surrounded by demons. In an instant she was by his side, sword in hand, fighting the demons. After the majority of them had been killed Kenji asked, "Did you acquire your power?"

"Yes."

"Than what are you doing? Use it!"

"Right, but, I don't know how."

"You should be able to feel your power and summon it on command."

Rei closed her eyes and focused. When she opened them the demon that she saw as a ghost formed in front of her and sat there. When more demons came she thought that it should attack and it did. It charged at the demons and killed them. When more came the blades on its body glowed red with heat and the demon threw fire at its enemies. Rei stood in aw at her own power.

Fighting continued for several more hours. Rei and Kenji were both becoming exhausted. Even with Rei's new power, they would not last until morning.

"I'm not sure what we're going to do master. I don't think we can keep going."

"Probably not. This may be our end. At least we go down fighting."

"I guess so."

Just then Rei slashed a demon to her left by holding the sword in her left hand. The moment she cut it another demon attacked her from the front. She motioned to strike it with her right palm and just before she made contact her red eyes glowed. There was a flash of light.

Rei stood in a endless blackness with only enough light to see three feet in front of her. She looked around confused. She was just fighting. Did she die? Was it that bad that she could not remember? Where was kanji and everyone else? Then in front of her appeared a demon like the one she commanded. It spoke.

"Kill. Kill. Kill."

"It only wants to kill? That can't be true. They were meant to help humans."

"Kill. Kill. Kill."

"You don't want to kill us." she said to it in a gentle voice.

"Kill. Kill. Kil."

"You want to help us, not kill us."

"Kill. Kill."

"It is the mist that makes you this way. Please remember what you purpose is."

"Kill. K"

"Please."

" "

"Do you remember your purpose?" Rei asked with a gentle voice.

"I must assist humans as the most physically weak creatures on this earth."

"Right. What makes you want to kill us?"

"Mist. The mist is poison. A toxin that clouds are thoughts and purpose."

"Than please, can you resist the mist? Can you help me stop it?"

"Yes."

The flash of light faded as quickly as lightning and Rei's hand was on the demon. Rei nodded and the demon floated into the center of town. Other demons followed until they were all present there. Kenji moved to attack them but Rei stopped him. The demons paused and after a moment started to glow. Instead of the evil energy that had been coming from them there was now a gentle warmth. This warmth filled the village and the mist dissipated. The demons melded together and their energy radiated outward lighting up the whole village. The mist and all the demons were gone.

"What was that?" asked Kenji, stunned from the sight.

"I cleared the mind of the demon, made it remember its purpose. And then, I think it sacrificed its self to destroy the mist."

"You can do that?"

"I guess so."

"Rei," Kenji said putting his hand on her shoulder, "you are a demons whisperer. You can command them through their very soul. I think you are the one who can free us from the mist."

"Yes master. Thank you."

"Now, go back home. Tell our father and sister that everything is ok."

"Understood." she said and walked back to he house.

Rei didn't sleep that night. Many of the other villagers did not either. How could they after an attack on their town that had been safe for so long. Just after dawn the village elder called a meeting of the entire town to discuss what had happened.

"Everyone." the elder called. "We have survived last nights attack, but I do not think we will survive another. We need to discuss what to so, where we should go."

"You don't need to go anywhere." Kenji said. "The mist is gone from our town for good. Isn't that right Rei?"

"Yes it is."

"What do you mean by this?" asked the elder.

"Rei." said Kenji hinting for her to explain.

"The demons sacrificed themselves to stop the mist. Our village and a small part of the surrounding area will never have mist or evil demons in it again. Any demon that enters this space will fulfill its original purpose, help humans."

"And how do you know this?"

"Well, because I was there. And, I spoke with the demons, they told me."

"What?!" exclaimed the elder. The rest of the village was gasping and whispering amongst themselves.

"I," Rei said loud enough to be heard over everyone, "I know you don't want to hear this, but, I am Shinpishugisha. Apparently I can talk to and command the demons. I asked them to help us last night."

The village people started to talk again and the elder raised his hand to silence them. In a very serious voice he said, "Rei, if it is true, if you are Shinpishugisha, than you must leave our village immediately."

"What!? But I helped you! I saved this village!"

"That may be true, but the Shinpishugisha are the ones that caused the mist. While it may not have been you, we cannot allow you to stay here as one of them. The same goes for your family."

"NO!" she exclaimed. "My father and sister are not Shinpishugisha. They are normal humans."

"You mean to tell me you were sired by human parents."

"No, my mother was like me, I have her blood. My sister does not, she is human. My father too."

"Very well." said the elder. "We mean no disrespect Rei. As the savior of this town you will always have are gratitude, but you understand our situation. One as dangerous as you cannot live here."

"Yes sir. I'll leave as soon as I have readied my things. Goodbye." Rei turned and stormed away.

Back at her house Rei grabbed a bag and filled it with the few things she had; a blanket and a necklace from her mother. She tied a rope around the sword and slung it over her shoulder. She turned to walk out of the house when her father and sister came through the door.

"Onee-chan." her sister said in tears as she hugged her. "Don't leave please."

"I have to Saori. The village does not want me. I frighten them to the point were they must banish me."

"But, but, you saved us."

"I know, I know. That doesn't change anything. I am Shinpishugisha, I have to leave." She put her hand on her sisters face and looked into her eyes. "I'm going to do the same thing I did here everywhere else. I will free this world of the mist. Then you can go and see the world and live a better life."

"Ok." Saori said sniffling." "But you'll come back home right?"

"I'll make sure to come back and see you, but this is no longer my home."

"Rei." said her father.

She looked up at him. "Thank you father for all you have done for me. I only wish I could have been a normal human. Been a good daughter to you. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. While I had no idea about you and your mother I still love you. You have given me everything I could have wanted in a child. I know you will do well on your journey."

"Thank you father."

"Find out the truth about the mist and stop it. Then you can clear your people's name. Saori!" he called.

"Yes?" she replied still in tears.

"Get you sister some food. Three days worth. We can't let her leave without that."

"Yes." she said and went to grab some food. "Here you go." she said when she returned a moment later."

"Thank you. Goodbye." Rei said and walked out the door.

Instead of leaving right then Rei walked out to the beach to see Kenji. He was standing on the beach looking out at the ocean.

"Master, I'm leaving now. Thank you for teaching me all that you have. I trust that you had not planned on their reaction or you would not have told me to speak."

"I knew exactly how they would respond. It didn't change the fact that you saved us. If they had thought we just weathered the storm they would have been worried about the next one. They would have been scared about what to do and maybe had done something stupid in response. Despite their reaction to you, at least now they know they are safe. That was my plan."

"Very wise master as always. I'll take my leave now, goodbye."

"Rei." Kenji called. "Take this with you. Read it later." he handed her a scroll.

"What is it?"

"If I wanted to tell you I wouldn't have wrapped it up and said read it later. You'll see."

"Right." she said with a chuckle and turned to walk out of town.

Rei left without looking back and went North until noon time. She found a tree and sat underneath it and looked at the sky through the leaves. She had no idea where she was going or what she should do. She ate a small meal that her sister had gathered for her and continued on her way.

Only a few demons attacked her while she walked. The ocean breeze kept most of the mist away and there were only the originally evil demons out. After each fight she worried more and more about what she would do that night. Night, when things were at their worst. How had Kenji made it around without injury? He couldn't have been lucky, or fought his whole trip. She had no idea.

As it grew darker and the daily winds started to lighten Rei noticed a cave in a small hill just ahead of her. She ran to the cave and studied it to see if it was being used by any other creatures. It was empty and Rei used it as shelter.

"At least on my first night a have a roof over my head." she said sarcastically. She found just enough wood in the cave to start a fire and sat by its light and ate a little more food. "This isn't going to work. I can't just walked around blindly." Then she remembered the scroll from Kenji. Surly it had some good information on it. She opened it and saw that he had written something on it.

Rei, you are my greatest student. The fact that I found you and knew of your powers was no accident. Far to the east there is a temple of warriors. They train in similar arts as I and have other skills much greater. Fifteen years ago I was there training and I was called by the Abbot. He had had a vision of a small village to the south would be in danger and that a Shinpishugisha girl would save it. In this vision he learned that this Shinpishugisha would save this world from the evil mist. Without telling anyone about this I left that place and searched for the village. I eventually came upon your home. They welcomed me in and there I saw you mother holding a small child. That child was you. It was then that I realized that you and your mother were Shinpishugisha. When I confronted her about it your mother was very scared that I would make her secret known. When I explained the prophecy that I had been given she said that she would have me train you to fulfill it. It was very unfortunate when your mother died. On that day when your father brought you to me and asked me to train you I knew that your mother was still there, guiding you to your destiny. Rei you were born to complete this task. In this scroll I have included a map that will tell you of all the major towns and castles of our country. Please, use it and free as many places as you can. Someone in these towns must know where the mist originates from. Find it and stop it. That is my last command to you as you master.

Rei put down the letter and cried. He had known since she was born that this would happen. She was sad that her mother was gone and had lived her whole life in hiding. She was mad that she was never told of this and that she had no home. Eventually the tears overtook her and she fell asleep.

During the night dreams came to Rei. First she dreamt of the stories she used to hear as a child. Stories of when there was no mist. Of when people could trade and travel the world. She dreamt of the things described to her from that time. The food people ate, the clothes they wore. She could see the beautiful kimonos with elegant designs. Clothes without tares and patches, something that had long been forgotten.

Next she dreamt of her earlier years with her master Kenji. In her dream she remembered one day that they were training on the beach. Rei was only six and was fighting with all her might against this master. Many times she tripped in the sand and fell over. One time she tripped and started to cry.

"STOP CRYING!" barked Kenji.

"Sorry master." Rei said tears still in her eyes. "Why are we fighting on the beach anyway? It's hard to move and I always fall."

"DON'T WHINE. YOU HAVE TO LEARN TO FIGHT WITHOUT YOUR FOOTING SO YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE IT." Kenji said sternly.

"But it's too hard. I can't fight like this. Can we at least take a break?"

"PATHETIC!" Kenji yelled. "HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN WHY YOU ARE HERE? YOU'RE HERE BECAUSE YOUR FATHER WANTED TO GIVE YOU A CHALLENGE AN TO GET STRONGGER. BREAKS ARE NOT CHALLENGING AND WILL NOT MAKE YOU STRONG. NOW, GET BACK UP AND ATTACK ONCE MORE."

"Yes sir." Rei said barley audible.

"WHAT WAS THAT?!"

"YES SIR!"

Rei awoke from her dream and it was morning. The fire had long since burnt out and she had somehow gone the night without incident. She sat and ate some more food and thought about her dreams from the night before. She realized that Kenji and her father had done the best for her. She had been adequately prepared for her journey and could complete it. She knew that she had to rid the world of the mist and restore the world to the peaceful state it had once been in. That way she might be able to have one of those beautiful kimonos.