Chapter 4: Yami's assassins! Kenichi's iron clad resolve.

Sorry for the delay guys, here is the next chapter

It's been a long and treacherous couple of days for the young disciple of Ryouzanpaku. A jam packed schedule of intense training, with little time to rest.

The exhausted teen felt that this was due to the happy accident that occurred the other day, the elder's constant presence almost confirming it.

"I'm going to die." He muttered as he collapsed onto his bedroom floor.

Kenichi Shirahama rested his tired and aching wounds on the tatami mats, removing his chain mail after it he heard a strange rattling noise.

To Kenichi's dismay, his protective vest was split down the middle.

A surge of panic raced through Kenichi's brain, this vest having saved him in so many close calls.

However, Kenichi wasn't too surprised that it was broken.

After all, he's donned this protective chain mail for quite some time now, defending against blades, fists, and even a bullet on one occasion.

The young disciple's immediate plan of action was to ask Shigure the weapon master to mend his broken attire.

Sadly, Kenichi's day full of bad news wasn't over yet….

Shigure was in fact still on her sword hunting escapade, and there was no telling how long she would be, let alone when she would be back at the dojo.

Kenichi accepting this was just another day at the dojo, put his vest back on and collapsed back onto the floor.

Nevertheless, Kenichi couldn't relax for long, his heart hammering inside of his chest.

Haunting images projected through Kenichi's mind.

However, they were not images of himself in danger at all, it was much worse…

Images of Miu being kidnapped, shot and even stabbed plagued Kenichi's thoughts.

The young disciple leaped to his feet, his body practically revitalised, and his resolve burning strong within his chest.

"I won't let that happen, I will protect her." Kenichi said to himself to fight away the unfair omens that infested inside his brain.

A silent knock on Kenichi's room brought him back to his senses.

"Who is it?" Kenichi said not exactly expecting any visitors.

"Kenichi, it's me… Can I come in?" A silent but audible voice said.

A huge overwhelming feeling of relief and pure joy suddenly swept over Kenichi.

Miu has been room bound since the incident in the bath. The frightened girl was spooked by the sudden arrival of the forbidden mask. How her body refused to listen to her and how she attacked Kenichi with no holds barred.

So it brought Kenichi so much joy, knowing that Miu had finally mustered the courage to leave her enclosed space.

Kenichi raced to his door sliding it open.

"Hey Miu, what's up?" Kenichi said acting as normal as possible.

"I was thinking of getting some groceries, could you give me a hand with the bags?" Miu asked looking like her old self again.

"Of course! I'd be happy to." Kenichi said showing no effort to mask his enthusiasm.

This would normally be a perfect outing for a man who gets to go shopping with the woman he loves…

But Kenichi's experience of a simple outing to the supermarket…. Is never simple.

Kenichi joyfully walked by Miu's side, rattling chains echoing as they scraped along the floor.

After all, every opportunity for the young teen, was an opportunity to train.

Dragging along ball and chains attached to each of his ankles, Kenichi accompanied Miu Furinji to the supermarket.

He didn't even care about the prowling eyes as they walked. He was with Miu again.

Kenichi looked to his side, hoping to gaze at her intoxicating beauty, and her cascading golden hair.

But she was nowhere to be seen!

A huge panic rushed over Kenichi the second he realised Miu wasn't there.

"Miu! Where did she…" Kenichi's full on panic only lasted a few seconds making it look bizarre and ridiculous.

Miu wasn't even far away. She had merely fallen behind, her gaze seeming to be glued to a shop window.

"Miu, what are you looking at?" Kenichi said as he followed Miu's line of sight.

Miu's eyes began to twinkle as they locked onto the window shops TV screen.

A screen filled with cats, cat buildings and many other cat memorabilia.

The captivating title now filled the screen.

Cat world! Coming soon to an area near you!

An image of disappointment was imprinted on Miu's face the second the advert was over.

A gentle tap on Miu's shoulder brought her back to reality.

"Kenichi?"

"Want to go?" Kenichi asked with a sincere smile.

"Really? We can?" Miu asked suddenly perking up again.

"Absolutely! I don't think the elder would mind as long as we stick together." Kenichi reassured her, noticing the joyful smile that it had created.

"Hooray! An amusement park all about cats! I'm so excited!" Miu cheered feeling happy again.

"Then it's settled, we'll visit the second that it opens." Kenichi said certifying his resolve to Keep Miu safe and happy.

"Oh that's right, we still have to get the groceries. Let's go Kenichi!" Miu said grabbing Kenichi's hand and taking off down the street.

"Miu! Hold on! My ankles!" Kenichi said as both he and the training weights were mercilessly dragged by the charismatic Miu Furinji.

After a brief break of untangling the chains wrapped around Kenichi's legs….

Miu and the chained teen exited the supermarket their bags of shopping successfully acquired.

"We got quite the haul didn't we?" Kenichi said with a cheerful grin.

"We sure did. It's been so long since we last went shopping together! I just hope we can continue to have days like this." Miu said feeling pessimistic once again.

"Don't you worry about a thing Miu! I promise that I will protect you and your happiness. Leave it to me okay?" Kenichi said making Miu smile again.

"Okay, I'll leave it all to you then Kenichi." Miu replied hugging her bag close to her chest.

All of a sudden, Miu dropped the bag she held so close to her chest.

Trembling, she held her hands on both sides of her head.

"Miu! What's wrong?!" Kenichi said rushing to her side.

"I can feel it…. So much blood lust!" Miu said alerting Kenichi to their ambushers.

"Now's our chance, capture her!" A voice bellowed as two assassins fell from above, their swords ready to pierce through the man shielding Miu.

"Let hell you will!" Kenichi yelled slamming his foot with tremendous force onto the pavement.

The force behind Kenichi's stomp was so strong, that as a result the ball and chain around his ankle ricocheted off of the ground and into the air. Blocking the surprise attack from the assassin's blades.

"Not bad disciple of Ryouzanpaku. I guess we'll have to settle this up close and personal." One of the assassins said brandishing his katana.

"Damn it, why did it have to be swords. Are you freaking kidding me?!" Kenichi said suddenly getting weak in the knees.

"Kenichi, here." Miu said silently handing him the key.

"Thanks Miu, I'm glad you always have this with you." Kenichi said after removing the chains from his ankles.

"Die!" The assassin said striking kenichi with a vertical slash.

As the weapon is swung, Kenichi begins a punch with the palm of his hand, the clenched fist facing upwards. Before his fist hits the weapon, he turns it counter-clockwise using his right hand, which allows his thumb to face up and the weapon to pass along the back of his hand without touching him.

"Shiraha Nagashi! (Drawn sword sink) " Kenichi bellowed as his fist repelled the enemy's sword and struck his opponent directly in his unguarded face.

The swordsman unaware of this karate technique, falls victim to Kenichi's mighty counter and takes a nap on the pavement.

His comrade, leapt once again into the air, trying to stab Kenichi whilst his back was turned away.

Little did this simpleton know, that Kenichi had a powerful, almost deadly technique to hit an airborne opponent.

Kenichi focuses all of his power into his legs, completely dropping his guard.

The assassins seeing this, gets arrogant and proceeds to pierce kenichi like a needle through a balloon.

"I found it." Kenichi says as he launches himself into the air. One foot is placed firmly onto the ground, whilst his other positions for a thunderous blow.

"Korui nuki! (Isolated stronghold strike) " Kenichi yelled as his kick found his targets weak point and drove its way in.

The assassin flew back into the air as if he had hit a powerful springboard.

He too like the other assassin, fell unconscious after another deadly counter strike from Kenichi.

"Is that all? I was just starting to get warmed up." Kenichi said readying himself into a fighting stance.

"Not bad, you are impressive, just like the great sage fist said." A voice said alerting Kenichi's senses.

"Who's there? Show yourself." Kenichi said keeping his cool as tried to sense his hidden opponent.

Kenichi's eyes began to widen the second he saw his next opponent.

"I'll give you one chance kid. Give us the girl, and I'll let you live." The female yami assassin said as she exited a vehicle in full combat gear.

"Not a chance! I won't hand Miu over to anyone!" Kenichi said trying to stay strong in the presence of a female opponent.

"You've got fire in your eyes kid, I like that. Okay, I guess I can play with you for a while." The assassin said as she released two katana's from the scabbards on her back.

The fighter that Kenichi was about to face, was dressed in a khaki green ensemble. She wore her blonde hair in a platted pony tail and her eyes were both a different colour. One green, one blue.

Kenichi equipped his gauntlets which he hid in his gi for safekeeping.

"My name is Cia and I will be taking your life! Here I come disciple of Ryouzanpaku!" The fighter stated as she horizontally sliced at Kenichi.

The young disciple guarded against his opponents attack, positioning his arms in a vertical position, protecting his vitals.

However, the force was so strong and sudden, that he was pushed back slightly by the sudden strike.

"Kenichi!" Miu said as she continued to hold the sides of her head.

"It's okay Miu, I'll protect you!" Kenichi said, his guard solid and compact.

"Not bad kid, but how about this?!" The dual wielding swordswomen declared as she continued to strike against kenichi's iron defence.

Kenichi gritted his teeth and held his position.

"What's wrong brat, can't fight back?" His attacker said making Kenichi almost instantly reply.

"I swore to myself that I would never hit a girl. I'm not planning on breaking that principle any time soon!" Kenichi said after blocking another ferocious slash from the yami assassin.

"Aww, that's cute. But guess what kid, stuff like that, will just make you die faster!" The yami swordswomen said as she continued her assault.

"Kenichi run away! Don't worry about me!" Miu said noticing her friend's turmoil.

"No chance in hell Miu. I'm not leaving you!" Kenichi after taking another tenacious attack.

Kenichi suffered in silence, his forearms constantly throbbing in pain.

"I guess these swords won't break that formidable guard of yours. How about we try these instead?" The yami assassin said as she attached the metal claws to her hands.

The fighter's expression began to change, expressing a much more fitting style wearing these weapons.

"Here she comes." Kenichi thought to himself as she re-initiated her assault.

This time though, his attacker didn't just strike with her weapon, she threw a powerful side kick against Kenichi's gauntlets.

The pain was too much, and forced Kenichi to temporarily lower his guard.

"You're mine!" She boldly declared as she brought down a vicious slash upon Kenichi's chest.

The jagged claws tore through the front of Kenichi's gi and sliced directly into Kenichi's flesh.

Forming a bloody trinity scar upon his chest.

"Kenichi!" Miu screamed seeing the blood right before her eyes.

Kenichi began to stagger, but immediately corrected his stance.

A wave of nostalgia flowed through Kenichi as he corrected his stance and stared down his opponent.

"So you still haven't given up…. Oh well, I guess I will just have to kill you then!" She said charging Kenichi once again.

Kenichi blocked his assailant's strikes repelling them one by one.

"Let's just see, how long you can keep this up shall we?!" She said attacking faster and swifter.

The echoed sound of Kenichi's gauntlets being struck resonated throughout the empty streets.

Regardless, Kenichi's guard and his gauntlets refused to fall.

"Just die already!" She said after pointlessly attacking Kenichi intense guard constantly.

Kenichi stared down his opponent with intense resolve, refusing to back down until he was dead or defeated.

"I've had enough!" The yami assassin said as she moved in for another strike.

"Yeah! You and me both!" Said a sudden intruder as they came from out of nowhere and kicked Kenichi's attacker away.

"I've had enough of just watching you beat up Kenichi like this. I'm your opponent now!" The passionate saviour declared as she stood in front of the worn down Kenichi.

Kenichi and Miu both looked over to their mystery saviour and both recognised her immediately.

"Kisara!" Kenichi and Miu both said as the fellow cat lover got into her Tae-kwon-do stance.

And that's the end of chapter 4 :D. Kisara has swooped in to help Kenichi in a huge crisis. Will Kisara be able to defeat Cia? And what of Miu? Will she be able to help protect Kenichi? Or will she remain paralysed in fear of her inner darkness? Chapter 5: I'm disappointed in you! Miu's realization.