We Are Fighters

Episode 9: Through The Warp Zone Of The Past

Somewhere, within the mountains, there was a hot springs. Inside the water, Naotora was relaxing. Somehow, she managed to find some time and relieve some stress.

Naotora: Ahh...That's so good...I'm so looking forward to handing over control of the family to Toramatsu, and retiring. Then I could become just a normal girl…

Just as Naotora was resting in the hot water, she noticed something…a shadow, within the water. She turned around and saw that it was Yokoshi, standing over her.

Yokoshi: So this is where you were.

There was a certain pause between him and Naotora. Out of nowhere, she screamed, diving into the water, trying to hide her body.

Naotora: Wha-What are you doing? Didn't you realize I was relaxing here?

Yokoshi: Would you relax? It's not like your body is completely exposed.

Naotora: …

Yokoshi: Besides, I was looking for you so we could talk.

Naotora: Talk? Talk about what?

Yokoshi: Remember, when you woke up in Hitomi's house? You said that before you came into our timeline, you remember right here, with those two other girls.

Naotora: Yes. I remember…

Yokoshi: Don't you think it's weird that you are in the same place, right before you left?

Naotora thought about it and noticed that Yokoshi was right. Before being brought to the future, she was in the hot springs with her friends.

Naotora: Y-Yes, you are right. This is where I remember being.

Yokoshi: It seems like Damion set the machine to just before you were thrown in time.

Naotora: Then, if that is true…where is…

Boom!

Before Naotora could finish her question, someone came dashing towards the hot springs and knocked themselves and Yokoshi, into the water.

Hello, Naotora!

Naotora: Er…Uh…What do you mean, "boom"…?

I hope you don't mind me dropping in. But I was looking for you.

Naotora: Looking for me? But why?

Because, I'm here on a mission.

Naotora: A mission?

I'm out to seek those who want what they desire the most and grant it. Now tell me, what do you desire?

Naotora thought about it, trying to decide what it was that she wanted, more than anything. Then, she finally was able to come up with an answer.

Naotora: I want to be…prettier…I really do!

BAM! I will make that wish come true!

Naotora: Wha…What?

Out of nowhere, Yokoshi came splashing out of the water, gasping for air.

Yokoshi: Just what in the hell is your deal? Did you have any idea that I was still down there!?

Who are you?

Yokoshi: I could ask you the same thing!

Naotora: Oh! Yokoshi, this is one of my friends that I mentioned. This is Gracia.

Gracia: Hello, Yomomi! It's nice to meet you.

Yokoshi: …It's Yokoshi!

Come on, now.

From behind Naotora, another woman was in the hot springs. As to how she ended up in there at all, was a mystery.

Be gentle, my protégé…This girl can't handle it…I'm sorry, I'm sure you were surprised.

Naotora: Very…

Yokoshi: Another friend of yours?

Naotora: Yes, this is…Koshosho

Yokoshi: What a mouthful…I take it, you two are friends?

Koshosho: This is my protégé. She grew up sheltered, and then went on a journey to find herself. She got a bit lost, on the way, I'm afraid.

Yokoshi: You don't say…

While Yokoshi and Naotora were listening to Koshosho talk, Gracia kneeled down and grabbed Naotora's hand. Witnessing this, Yokoshi struggled in trying to release her grip.

Yokoshi: Hey! Ko…ho…whatever! You mind telling your "protégé" to let Naotora go?

Koshosho: I am Koshosho, her mentor.

Yokoshi: Yo, lady! Are you even listening to me!?

Koshosho: And you…

Finally finishing her speech, Koshosho moved towards Yokoshi, who was still trying to remove Gracia's grip from Naotora. Koshosho began tugging at Yokoshi's jacket, trying to remove it. The boy took noticed and backed away, in a flash.

Yokoshi: Are you crazy!? What're you doing?

Gracia: And what about you?

Yokoshi: Wha…Me?

Gracia: What do you desire?

Yokoshi: To return to my home and keep my distance from you freaks!

Gracia: Very well then!

Yokoshi: Huh?

Gracia: Leave that magnificent body in my capable hands!

Yokoshi: Please tell me she's talking to you…

Naotora: Huh?

Somewhere, from the hot springs, Damion was with Hitomi, Eliot, Honoka and Marie Rose, waiting for Yokoshi to arrive, with Naotora.

Marie Rose: What is taking him so long?

Damion: Who knows? He was supposed to be back, by now.

Hitomi: You think something happened?

Honoka: I sure hope not.

Eliot: You think we should go after him?

Marie Rose: We can't. Naotora said to stay here, until she returns.

Damion: Yeah but she took too long and even Yokoshi got tired of waiting.

Hitomi: So then…what do we do?

Damion: The only thing we can do…we wait.

Outside of the tent (that Damion and the others were hiding in), some kind of commotion was going on.

Eliot: You hear that?

Marie Rose: Of course we do.

Honoka: What's going on out there?

Damion: Let's find out.

Damion walked out of the tent and examined the outside. There were warriors in some heated battle. Eliot and the girls joined Damion outside, examining the situation.

Eliot: What's going on?

Damion: No idea…

Honoka: Looks like a fight is going on.

Damion: This is no fight. It's a slaughter.

Eliot: Should we do something?

Damion: Absolutely!

Damion dashed into the battlefield and stood beside the two warriors. They seemed to be defending this older man wearing a blue samurai outfit.

Who…Who are you?

Damion: Your knight in shining armor.

This is no place for a child. Go now.

Damion: And miss this? No way!

Is that the best you can do, youngster?

I will not let anyone lay a finger on Lord Leyasu!

Damion: Then allow me to help out.

Hitomi: Us as well.

The two samurai warriors looked at each other and simply brushed off the fact that children were assisting in a fierce battle. Working together, they managed to take out all the enemies that they came across. Just as the fight ended, Naotora had returned, along with Yokoshi.

Yokoshi: Whoa, what happened here?

Naotora: It looks as though a battle has taken place.

Yokoshi: Look, there's the others?

Catching the attention of the others, Naotora and Yokoshi dashed over to join their friends.

What do you want? Is there something stuck to my face?

No. I'm just impressed you made it through that alive. When someone rushes off on their own like that, they normally die. And as for you, throwing your lives in a battle like that is rash.

Damion: We got the job done, didn't we? Besides, you needed our help.

Marie Rose: A "thank you" would be appreciated.

So long as the Tokugawa wins, that's all that matters. A few wounds to my body are no consequence.

I don't care about that either. Causing trouble for those around you as a result, however, is something else entirely.

Marie Rose: What are you trying to say?

What good would it do to those you are trying to save, if you yourself were killed? Well boy?

Damion: Why don't you take it easy, huh? He helped you saved the old man. The least you can do is show him a little appreciation. Same with us! If we never jumped in, you probably would've failed.

This is no good, no good at all.

Naotora: T-Tadakatsu, I'm sorry! I'm sorry about this! Tora…Naomasa! You're being very rude to Tadakatsu!

Naomasa: those who die in battle do so because of their lack of devotion. Because they are weak!

Yokoshi: That's what you think, huh?

Naomasa: When I fight, I am always thinking about what is best for the Tokugawa. There's no need for you to lecture me like this.

The group just watched, as the man in the red samurai gear walked off.

Naotora: Waaah! T-Tadakatsu. I'm so sorry!

Damion: …

While Naotora was talking to this other man, he slipped out and went after the red samurai warrior. After the discussion, Yokoshi was talking to Naotora.

Naotora: I am sorry you had to see that.

Yokoshi: It's fine. Who was that guy anyway?

Naotora: That was Naomasa. My son.

Yokoshi: Your son? You had a son!?

Naotora: Yes. I never did tell you and the others…only Eliot.

Yokoshi: You told Eliot?

Naotora: We were in the same class, during that time.

Yokoshi: Your son has quite the attitude.

Naotora: I-I am sorry about that.

Yokoshi: How can you let him act like that?

Naotora: It is who he is. He has his own beliefs and holds them with great honor.

Yokoshi: A little too much honor. He sees weakness as a liability.

Naotora: It is who he is. I cannot change that.

Yokoshi: You could change that act of his. It's pretty nasty.

Naotora: One day, you might understand. When you become a parent.

Yokoshi: Fat chance at that. I won't ever have kids.

Naotora: Do you not like children?

Yokoshi: They're too much hard work…just ask Marie.

Back in the future, Helena and Stryker took a trip to someone's house to have a quick discussion.

Helena: Please, we need your help with this.

No way, in hell! That isn't her kind of work anymore.

Stryker: You don't understand, our kids are trapped inside the past.

And I'd like to help, I really do but, going back, as a scientist.

Stryker: She's the only one who's had that type of training, within the field.

No, I…I just can't do it. I'm sorry.

Stryker: So you wouldn't do it? Not even if your son was on the other side?

What? What do you mean?

Stryker: I mean that Yokoshi is stuck in the past as well.

No…no, that ain't true!

Stryker: Open your eyes, old man!

You…you mean, it is true?

Stryker: I wouldn't make this up, man.

Well, even if I wanted to bring my son back, there would be no way.

Helena: Why not?

Because she's lost her memories.

Helena: What do you mean by that?

I mean that she doesn't remember anything about herself or her past.

Stryker: Hrm…so much for that.

Helena: There must be someone who can help.

Well, there is someone.

Stryker: Who?

She was an old ally of Ryu. She might help y'all out.

Back within the past, Yokoshi pulled out his cell phone and tried calling to the future. Within a small shack, a phone was ringing. Luckily, someone had picked up.

Hello?

Yokoshi: Hello?

Yokoshi? Is that you?

Yokoshi: Holy shit…I can't believe someone picked up.

Where are you? Your parents are worried sick about you.

Yokoshi: Do they know that I'm stuck in the past?

What? You're stuck in the past?

Yokoshi: Unfortunately, yes…with Damion, Marie, Honoka, Hitomi and Naotora.

What happened?

Yokoshi: We were trying to help Naotora return to her original timeline…and things didn't work out.

Tell me what to do, so I can help you.

Yokoshi: You know that's not a good idea.

Please, I have to do something. Me and Phoebe can do something.

Yokoshi: You know you're supposed to stay on the islands. You and Phoebe.

But…I can't stand the thought of something…

Yokoshi: You really do worry too much. I promise that I'll be fine.

You mean it?

Yokoshi: Yes. I'll be home soon.

But what if you…

Yokoshi: Nothing is gonna happen to me, alright? I'll see you soon…I promise.

Yokoshi had hung up the phone and began walking back to the others. However, he caught sight of something. Some strange light show, behind a few trees. When he went to check it out, the boy couldn't believe what he witnessed…it was a vortex that had opened. Out popped a woman. She beared steely-gray eyes and her hair was a shocking shade of white. She had pale skin, steel-gray eyes and was wearing the strangest outfit. It was a black/white bodysuit with an orange glow. There was no doubt in Yokoshi's mind…she had come from the future.