Chapter Two
In the more suburban part of the city, near a small park, the Litch appears with Nana on a set of stone stairs. He balances on the hand rail, invisible to anyone who might walk by.
"So you remember what to look for, Nana?"
The blue-violet haired girl beams at him. "Yep, I remember how you described them!"
"Good. Find Madara and his new friends."
She smiles innocently. "I won't let any of you down!"
The Litch puts a hand on her shoulder. "I know you won't, Nana. And, um, remember what Shadus told you about that Blade guy, ok?"
Looking slightly confused but very assured, Nana nods with one of her fists clenched determinately against her chest.
"One more thing. Do not tell anyone about me. That goes for Shadus, and Itami as well. Got it?"
She nods again very quickly.
"Good. Now scram!"
Nana giggles and sprints off. The Litch breathes in deeply and looks up at the white, marshmallow clouds lazily rolling on the wind above him. He exhales, chuckling.
"Fufufufu... she has no idea that 'Lucy' is with Madara as well..."
Madara Uchiha walks out of a forest, the rest of the crew close behind him. Suddenly, he back flips over the others (still in the form of a beautiful woman) and points his fingers to his mouth. Blowing gently, he shoots a small stream of fire into the forest he created not so long ago, setting it on fire as he carefully burns down all of the unnatural wood he grew.
Starkiller shakes his head, "Is that really necessary?" He looks back to where Nyu is fast asleep, riding on Blade's back, "How are you holding up back there?"
"I couldn't be better." Somewhat of a devious smile forms across his face. "Not to be in a rush but do we know what the plan for ahead is? Because it better involve finding somewhere to live."
The forest continues to burn down. Madara turns and raises an eyebrow.
"A forest fire is relatively easy to explain. However, a giant forest sprouting out of nowhere in the span of a half hour... that may attract some unwanted attention. And don't worry Blade, I'm sure we'll figure something out..."
He turns and claps his slender, feminine hands together. A single tree trunk sprouts from the ground. "Everyone hold on to my hands."
They all gather in a circle, Blade purposely edging away from Madara to hold hands with Nyu, who he has set down in the grass. Madara begins to step into the tree trunk, his body is merging with it. He completely disappears into the trunk and the others start to get sucked into it as well. Suddenly, they are emerging from a tree in a discreet part of the city, near a small park.
"Here we are... ah, shit! What do you know, it's those kids from the beach..."
Walking in their direction are two familiar teenagers, the pretty young brunette now wearing a plain green sweater, her short hair bouncing slightly against her shoulders, walking next to black haired boy. They stop walking, and the boy approaches Starkiller.
"Um... Hi! Have I met you before somewhere? You look too familiar..." He stares at the Jedi, puzzled, with a single hand on his chin. Was this an old friend, maybe? No, not that familiar. Something in his head refuses to remember.
Starkiller waves a hand, "I'm someone else, you're mistaken."
A dreamy look comes over the boy's eyes, "My bad, I mistook you for someone else."
Starkiller pauses, and then waves his hand again, "We're your new friends."
The boy smiles widely, "You guys are alright, lets be friends!"
Starkiller waves his hand yet again, "You'll help us in any way you can."
"I'll help you guys out, we're friends after all." The boy looks up at the sky, "It's kinda late now, need a place to stay?"
Starkiller smiles, "Yeah, would you mind? We wouldn't want to intrude..."
The boy scoffs, "It's fine, I have more space than I need anyways."
Starkiller smiles, "Thanks." He gestures at the others, "The wandering priest over there is Adam, and the sleeping girl is Nyu. He- she is Madara, and you can call me Starkiller."
The boy nods, "I'm Kouta, and that's my cousin Yuka." He jerks a thumb over his shoulder at the girl a few yards back.
Yuka closes her eyes peacefully and smiles with a wave. "Are you guys hungry? Kouta and I were just on the way back from the store, you should all come eat! We're having Donburi with Gyudonnn!"
Madara licks his lips and quickly explains to Blade and Starkiller. "That's basically a rice bowl topped with stewed beef. It's delicious, not as good as sushi of course, but I'll probably be able go out and buy us some of that later. Luckily, it seems this world is very similar to mine in culture- minus the ninjas, of course..."
Kouta laughs. "You guys talk about the craziest things... well go ahead and follow us, and we'll take you to Kaede House."
Madara freezes. When he had hypnotized Nyu, back in the forest while Starkiller and Blade had their hands full with his clone, she had mumbled something along the lines of "Kaede... Bad Kaede..."
He masks the concerned expression, deciding to discuss this later with the others. "All right, then." He follows as they begin to walk out of the park.
Finally they arrive at a large Japanese inn, with sliding screen doors and a curved, very traditional looking roof. A sign is posted in large, red kanji that Madara notices translate to "Kaede House". Kouta smiles and slides open the door for Yuka.
"Well damn, this is certainly a hell of a lot better than where I used to live. Then again this entire city is a hell of a lot better than where I lived." Blade notes as he walks through the door he spends a few minutes gazing at the house.
Starkiller looks around, and nods to himself. It has a comfortable feeling that he doesn't come across that often, even with the low-tech, almost primal, surroundings.
Madara feels right at home. Although this was more futuristic than what he was used to, the clearly Japanese architecture calmed him down somewhat.
"Kaede House, huh? Why is it called that?" Madara furrows his brow.
Kouta places a finger on his chin and he looks somewhat confused. "I don't really know, I guess. It means 'Maple house' in Japanese; of course, I suppose they just thought that sounded nice."
Madara is annoyed. The translation had already come across his mind and was quite obvious... but what was the connection between Maple and Nyu?
He beckons to Blade and Starkiller, slowly walking down the hall and out of earshot from the other two. They follow him outside to a small, peaceful garden, and he speaks quietly as his female figure disappears with a poof and he returns to his normal form
"There is something going on here behind the scenes. That boy subconsciously recognizes Nyu- this much I can tell. She also reacted on a subconscious level to him, so the two have met... but here's the unsettling part. She mumbled something when I was hypnotizing her out of her murderous self- (Madara snickers) her true self, I should say... she was saying 'Kaede! Bad Kaede!' As if she were scolding someone. And now here we are in 'Kaede' House... coincidence? I don't think so."
He turns around, looking into the reflection of his crimson eyes in a small pool of water in the ground.
"So... I want to ask you two, do you realize we are being toyed with?"
"Well obviously since I am no longer in a wasteland that something has brought me here and since mister mind fuck uses some strange moves and weapons he obviously isn't from world."
Starkiller nods, "It makes sense… But have either of you ever heard of a power capable of doing this? What worries me is that, assuming Madara is right, that anyone who has been through this before us…"
He takes a deep breath, "Either they didn't come from our worlds, or none of them ever made it back."
Madara nods, and continues to stare into his reflection. "There very well may be more like us out there, Starkiller. Who knows the grudges our new Enemy carries."
His eyes shifted right and narrowed. "I know of techniques that allow one to rend the fabric of time and space itself, allowing for a very versatile ability that can be used to create portals to teleport people and objects to other dimensions. It originally belonged to people who had the Sharingan, like me." He points at his crimson eyes. "I think it is quite possible an entity even stronger than I has used a power like this to warp us to this world."
He finally turns and looks at them. "Things will unravel and reveal themselves soon enough. Lets go help those guys cook dinner- I'll show you how to, if need be."
Meanwhile, a pretty girl with long, dark black hair in a school girl uniform scurries down the steps by the park. In her rush, she smacks into Nana. Nana falls flat on her face in the concrete.
"Hey! What's the big idea? Why'd you have to knock me over like that!?"
The girl in the school uniform flies back as well and her skirt flaps up showing a pair of adult diapers. She blushed deep red, pushing it down and almost immediately began to apologize. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Ohh, are you ok?"
Nanas expression softens. Despite being six years old, she is actually incredibly tough, and recognizes that this girl is innocent and vulnerable. "I'm fine- I'm a lot sturdier than I look, ya know. What's your name?"
"I'm… Nozomi." She is still blushing. "I'm on the way to meet an old friend from school at a place called Kaede House… oh, and I'm supposed to deliver something too but I got a little lost…"
Nana beamed. "That's amazinggg! I am the one called Nana, and I'm on the way to meet a friend who resides at Kaede House as well! I need to return something to him." Nozomi suddenly realizes that Nana is carrying a large, strange looking "gunbai" fan strapped to her back, which she points at and winks.
"We can go together!"
The shy Nozomi nods and begins to follow the small, brazen Nana to Kaede House, but a ladybug along the way distracts Nana and she bends over to pick it up. Nozomi stands behind her, and begins to smile as she watches Nana stare at the bug seeming utterly fascinated by it.
Back at Kaede House, Madara has pulled off the samurai armor, wearing black pants and a simple black high-collared cloak that has a large blue and red symbol on the back that resembles a round fishing lure. He dashes past Yuka and Kouta through the steamy kitchen stacking, cleaning, pouring, seasoning and chopping with blinding speed.
Kouta looks at him confused. "Wait… weren't you a girl before?"
Madaras head spins halfway around while he is cooking rice and stewing Gyudon beef simultaneously. His Sharingan appears, crimson red as the three commas begin to spin slowly. "Silence, boy! You see things!"
Kouta's eyes glass over. "Haha… of course… so silly…"
Madara calls out. "Tch! STARKILLER, BLADE, wherever you are, dinner is almost ready, you fools!" He notices Starkiller's chakras clearly visible standing in the front hall, as if staring out the window.
His eyes glint, and he pulls a ladle from the Gyudon and smacks it against his palm. "Ignoring your elders, eh? You little shit." He walks toward the front hall to bash Starkiller up a bit, and immediately notices why Starkiller is ignoring him... because there are outlines of two human chakras walking toward Kaede House, both female, and one of them had frighteningly similar chakras to Nyu. The other had chakras that were faint and weak, like a normal human.
Starkiller nods, "So you sense it too. I think Blade is off trying to put cameras in the bathroom. I'll take care of the strangers." He fingers the gray hoodie that Kouta gave him, and steps towards the two approaching figures.
Nozomi follows Nana to the front of Kaede house. Nervous, she asks Nana to knock for her, but the door opens before she can. A slender man wearing a gray hoodie steps outside, staring intently. Nozomi is instantly terrified of him.
Nana walks up to him bravely. "I am here to meet Madara, and his friends Adam and Starkiller? I think we are at the right place…" She struggles to read the sign on the house.
Starkiller blinks, "I'm Starkiller, and you …" His eyes widen at the sight of Madara's fan. He clears his throat, "You're in the right place, please follow me."
Starkiller turns back into the house, and presses two fingers to his head. He finds Madara's mind, and sends him a thought message, Meet me in the back garden, and bring Adam. Drag him out by his balls if you have to, this is urgent.
Starkiller takes them to the back garden, and waits.
Meanwhile in the bath house Yuka and Nyu were bathing. Yuka was washing Nyu's back.
"Nyu, after today to learn how to bathe yourself okay."
"Nyu!" After Yuka finishes washing Nyu's back, Yuka hands Nyu the soapy sponge.
"Could you please do my back?" Nyu just stares at sponge clearly not knowing what to do.
"Nyu?" Nyu approaches Yuka and waves the sponge in front her face. "Nyu?" Clearly seeing that washed some ones back before, Yuka decides to guide the hand the sponge was in to her back. Yuka moves Nyu's hand in a circular motion. When she felt that Nyu understood what she was doing she let go.
"There you go, you got it."
In the door way of the exit half a pair of glasses was peeping over the corner. Blade kneeling on all fours was watching the two bathe. His nose was bleeding and if he were a dog he would be panting and wagging his tail back and forth. He whispers, "Woooohoooo." Before trying to get a better peek.
"HAVING FUN, ADAM?"
Madara's crimson eyes appear behind Blade. He jumps and turns, but before he can speak there is a loud whoosh and a silver streak as Madara's ladle connects with the side of his head.
"Gyuhhhhh…What the hell! I was just keeping an eye on them to make sure they were safe. (And then some.)" Blade grabs the side of his head trying to act as if it didn't hurt.
Madara lifts him to his feet. "No kidding. At least you were looking and not touching- you wouldn't have much blood left in your body by now if that had been the case."
He gestures with a single finger, and Blade follows him to the garden chuckling sheepishly.
They step outside. Madara looks startled, and points a finger at Nana. "Where did you find that, young one?"
"That's a secret, Madara!"
He turns to Starkiller so quickly his hair whips around his head.
"She knew us all by name," he tells the ninja. His eyes wander over the two of them, his stare intent, "She claims she came looking for us, but overall I don't think they're a threat."
Blades jaw drops and his eyes turn to hearts. He springs over to the little girl with purple hair. With one hand over her head and the other reaching almost halfway to her mid drift he starts twitching his hands in a groping motion. 'Well what is your name little girl? I think we should get to know each other a little." A very devious smile draws itself across his face and his eyes turn into nothing but white.
Madara smiles politely, and taps Adam on the shoulder. He turns around, obviously annoyed that Madara is distracting him. "What?"
He looks into Adams eyes, and his Sharingan begins to spin slowly. In Adams field of vision, Madaras eyes begin to "leak" into reality, staining the air red around him. Suddenly everything but Madara is red, and black lines begin to spiral out of his eyeballs. They grow and become a massive, swirling vortex of fluid demonic figures, with bleeding eyes and jagged fangs and horns that stretch outwards. Adam can hear the screams of the dead and large black spikes pop out of the red ground, stabbing through his body in multiple places. Blood spurts out as Adam feels mind-numbing pain.
In reality, Madara is simply standing and gazing into Blades eyes, and everyone is awkwardly staring at them and wondering what is going on. His Sharingan slowly spinning, all is silent.
Starkiller nods in approval, and then turns to Nana, "Why were you looking for us?"
Nana looks displeased. "I can't… tell you that. But I can give Madara his fan, and Nozomi has something for one of you as well! Um, is Adam ok? I know everyone thinks he's 'weird' but to me he seems nice! You aren't hurting him are you? He looks sick!"
Madara releases Blade from the illusion, and turns to smile at Nana. "Of course not! I was just, talking to him in his mind. And all you need to know is that Adam is… a bit of a creep." She holds out the fan and he takes it. "Thank you, little girl," he says. What is your name?"
"I'm Nana! And this is my friend Nozomi!"
Nozomi blushes. "I have something… for Starkiller." She holds out a manila envelope labeled "Starkiller: Diatuim Power cells."
She walks over to Starkiller, and Madaras voice begins to sound in the other two men's heads. "They won't tell us who sent them, but I think it's quite obvious… luckily, they seem to be helping more than hindering… leading me to further believe this is nothing but someone's game!" His voice becomes enraged with the last few words.
Starkiller looks down at the power cells in the envelope, and narrows his eyes. Finally he throws them to the ground, and shouts at the sky, "Enough! I know you're watching from someplace! Quit hiding, and face me, you coward!"
"Calm down…" a slightly bored voice from the shadow of a tree says. Shadus steps from shade, "You know Starkiller, if you wanted to see us then all you had to do was ask, ain't no need for name-calling."
One of Madaras eyes twitches. He points at Shadus but before he can ask anything another figure appears, now dressed in black hooded robes with red, a vein like design running over it. He chuckles at Madara's dumbstruck face and turns lazily to Shadus. "Kukukuuuu. They are even smarter than I would have guessed. Shall we inform them of the game, then?"
Shadus looks around, "We should wait for our last friend. We can always wipe their memories later if we want."
"Aw no fun, I at least want to some kind of stain on reality everywhere I go" A hooded figure appears on the furthermost wall sitting on the edge facing the inside. Wearing a solid black cloak with matching pants and boots he sits with hooded face held up by his hand. "What's the point of telling them if were just going to make them forget later."
The Litch shrugs. "I agree with Itami."
Madaras almost screams. "Who the Hell are you? Why don't I sense any chakra from any of you? What the fuck…" He speaks into Starkillers mind. I cannot sense these beings. It's as if they don't exist. Could their power be on such an advanced level that we simply can't sense I-
"You shouldn't assume that we can't hear your thoughts, young Madara." The Litch smiles. "But yes, you are correct. We are too far above you for you to sense us- after all, a normal human couldn't sense something millions of feet above their own head, right?"
"Young? I am over a hundred years old, and how could you hear-?" He stops, realizing there is no point in arguing. The difference between his own power and these new beings is enormous.
"Hm… perhaps Shadus is right. These guys might not be ready to meet us- maybe we should just have a little fun with them then wipe their memories. If they know about the game, after all, it might affect the way they play."
"Well I least want some kind of memento of our visit. I already have mines in mind. Shadus do you have one?"
Shadus shrugs, "Well if there are no arguments I would like to trade out my champion. I swear by my right as a Realm Lord he would be more fun. SON OF A-!"
Shadus smacks himself in the forehead, "We haven't even introduced ourselves, how rude can one get?"
He straightens, "I am Shadus, my friend in the red and black robe is known as The Lich, and the one in the black is Lord Itami. We are Realm Lords, beings of omnipotent power, capable of changing reality with a single thought. And yes, it was us that brought you to this world."
Shadus steps forward, "We know everything of this world's destiny, and let me say, we are not pleased."
The Lich nods in agreement. "This world is tragic, almost beautifully so, but we inject you into it in hopes you will improve the sad story. 'Nyu' as you call her will eventually melt, and die from overuse of her powers, and even as we speak there is a horrific research facility on an island that houses hundreds of girls like her, and they live in only the most nightmarish of conditions under the responsibility of one 'Chief Kakuzawa'. A scientist called 'Nousou' and an unnamed man with black hair and glasses are only some of the major offenders. We want you to just do what comes naturally, and kill those guys. That's the real point of this."
He cocks his head thoughtfully and looks at Lord Itami. "Would you like to say or do anything before Shadus switches out his Champion and I wipe their memories of us? I think I will leave in the parts about Kakuzawa and 'Nyu' melting."
"Well it's more of a personal thing for Blade." Itami flicks the hand is head wasn't resting revealing a small envelope white between his index and middle fingers. He flings it in the general direction of the three. Blade catches and observes it intensely. "Well go on open it. I guarantee you'll like what you'll see." Reluctantly opens the envelope and pulls out a picture of young girl with dark blue hair wearing a black a lack buttoned up jacket with a white undershirt, a red skirt with yellow square patterns, and a cross around her neck. Blades eyes growing wide in shock stares at the picture and then at Itami.
"How do you know about her?"
"I guess you weren't listening earlier, but don't worry she is perfectly safe."
Shadus nods, "I'll send Starkiller home, but perhaps we should let them remember this encounter. It will be interesting to see how they will react. Besides, it worst comes to worst we can rewind time, and wipe their memories later."
Starkiller blinks, "Home?"
Shadus nods again, "I'll send you home with no memory of having ever been a part of this. No time will have passed, and you can be with Juno again."
Starkiler flinches in surprise, and then turns to his companions.
Madaras fists shake. "You think you can just play with our lives? You shit!" He charges forward and outstretches a palm, summoning a large sickle with the same handle as the Gunbai. He sails at Shadus, slashing the sickle.
The Litch rolls his eyes and calls out in warning. "You are trying to attack the only person in the universe more stubborn than yourself, Madara. I would suggest you stop…!"
Shadus calmly raises a hand, and Madara stops all movement. He makes it so the Ninja is aware of what is being done, but is helpless to stop it. Shadus crooks a finger at Madara, and streams of blue smoke billow from Madara's body.
"Your Chakara is impressive," Shadus smiles sadistically, and the Chakara condenses into a marble in his hand. "Mine now."
With a wave of his hand Marada is reanimated, and drops to the ground as if tasered. The marble flies from Shadus's hand, and he makes it hover in front of Litch, "Have I overstepped my boundaries?"
The Litches closes his eyes, touching his temple and shaking his head as he chuckles quietly. "Of course not, but Madara will sooner die than give up…" He waves a hand and Madara loses consciousness completely
Starkiller looks at Madara, and then glances at Adam. "It's for the best," he tells the preist. "I doubt I could ever trust either of you, and they seem to know someone who could work better with you."
He turns to Shadus, "I want to go home." With a wave of Shadus's hand Starkiller vanishes in a cloud of black smoke.
"Round two," he quips, and snaps his fingers. A young man of about nineteen appears beside him. He's dressed in blue dress pants with a matching jacket. Under the jacket he wears a black button-up shirt, and wears a pair of expensive-looking shoes. His eyes are a burnt orange, almost red, and he raises an eyebrow at his surroundings.
Shadus smiles at him, "Mr. Yagami, thank you for joining us."
"Hm?" The man turns to Shadus, hands in pockets, "And who the hell are you?"
"Your latest client," Shadus bows at the waist. "The dumbass on the ground, and the priest over there… I am willing to pay you a minimum of 300,000,000 Yen to travel with, and aid them."
The young man blinks, and then grins. He extends his hand, "Kazuma Yagami at your service, Sir."
Shadus shakes his hand, and turns to the other Realm Lords, "I believe that's everything? Did I forget anything?"
"Well I did all I wanted. Blade keep that picture close, also someone make sure the dumbass wakes up."
Laughing out loud, The Litch grins competitively at the other Lords. "Now now, no need to be rude, maybe you guys are jealous mine is the strongest…?" He laughs again. "Things have changed now. I agree, we should leave these memories with them, as now Madara will be filled with more hatred. In fact, I don't think the evil of this universe is enough for him…"
He smiles peacefully. "Later I think I will send him a little challenge. For now, we should let them re-group."
Shadus nods, "Then let's be off! You warriors won't see us again until it's time to head to the next world."
Shadus takes Nozomi's hand, "And thank you so much for delivering my package. It's not your fault it was ill received."
And with that Shadus vanishes in a wisp of black mist.
"Oh Litch, If I were truly jealous I would say so. He's just a dumbass for trying." The space around Itami cracks and shatters.
The Litch whispers to Itami as they walk into the abyss. "Now this is going to be interesting…" Out of the others sight, he grabs Itamis head and gives him a noogie.
Kazuma yawns, and looks down at Madara. He then turns to Blade, "Should we leave him here while we find some food, or drag him inside?" His tone suggests he could care less.
Madara's unconscious body cracks and becomes wood, falling to pieces and sinking into the earth. He appears behind Kazuma, an indescribably horrifying, psychotic smile spreading across his face. He observes the new young mans energy.
"Don't get smart, wind-element user. I'm in a bloodthirsty mood now, and I'd hate for it to be my new friend who gets all the backlash." His smile widens across his teeth as he stares murderously at Blade.
"Adam, I think I'm going to go scout out this 'island'. Don't worry, I'll save the fun for you…"
Kazuma raises an eyebrow at Madara, "That's a face not even Mother could love…"
Madara chuckles, too quietly for anyone to hear, "As I said, whelp, watch your mouth. I think I will leave after dinner…"
Suddenly, Nyu comes out into the garden beaming happily. She cocks her head at Kazuma as if wondering who we was and where Starkiller had gone.
"L-lucy!" Nana speaks up, pointing openly at Nyu. "What the… damn!" She decides to take action. Jumping forward with inhuman speed she flies at Nyu with a hand balled into a fist.
A sudden burst of wind pushes her to the ground, and Kazuma watches with his hands in his pockets, "Easy there girl, she didn't do anything."
Blade tucking the picture in his jacket turns around to see Nyu standing in garden and Nana on the ground. "Did I miss something?"
Madara looks bored. "Nana just tried to plant a fist down Nyu's throat. Looks like they obviously know each other, but I don't feel like sifting through their minds right now… that would be an activity better suited for tonight. Eh… have fun, guys. I'm hungry as hell." With that, he walks solemnly into Kaede house.
Kazuma lets Nana up, "Well, this explains why the price was so high. Is he always like that?"
"I haven't known him personally for long, but I know all about him thanks to The Litch!" Nana cries happily, as her expression changes from childish joy to one of utmost sadness. "All of his brothers were killed, when they were just kids! He really loved them, I think that's why he's so mean… he's had a bad life. And so has Nana, but now it will be better that she has found all these new friends!"
Kazuma raises an eyebrow, and smiles while rubbing her head, "You keep telling yourself that, and maybe someday it'll come true." Kazuma heads for the house, smelling dinner.
She seems actually determined by his harsh words. "I will, Kazuma-chan!" she cries clenching a fist to her chest.