Chapter 9 - Kabukicho showdown
Norio Tsuda took a final bite from his MOS Rice Burger, crumpled the wrap paper, and threw it onto the dinnerplate on the table in front of him. He adjusted the leather guitarcase resting against his right leg, and glanced across the table, where Shinobu sat eating her Teriyaki Chicken Burger. The Theurge was staring through the window, at the traffic outside, probably trying to spot her packmate. Miyoko was accompanying the injured Daniella to the GlassWalker hideout in Shinjuku, after which she would join them here. The three of them would then enter Kabukicho, and head for the nightclub that Goro Shobo used as his base of operations. Tonight they would hunt down the influential Kuei-jin and kill him as a service to Mother Gaia.
Norio watched Shinobu in silence. When Miyoko had first introduced her to him, he didn't really know what to expect from the young woman. Despite the small scar under her left eye, nothing gave him the impression that this Garou could actually stand her ground in battle. Sure, she too had fought those Werespider assassins in the underground shoppingmall. But could he trust her to guard his back when they would face Kuei-jin? Unlike an Ahroun, a Theurge was not a fighter, but a spirit conjurer. The primary mission in Norio's life was hunting Kuei-jin and Vampires, which had become a routine job he managed to handle best on his own. Other Garou didn't understand his reasons for the hunt, or despised the vigor with which he hunted down Vampires. Other Stargazers saw him and his camp as fanatics, who were too violent and too hard to control to be useful to a Sept. Only other Heavenly Successors of the Deamon Eater, like Miyoko, could understand him and his motives. Deamon Eaters, from the legendary Atsushi Bloodgazer to contemporary ones like Yamei Sunbeam or Mouko Egami, all had Ahroun as their Auspice. They were warriors, proud of their role in Gaia's war against the Wyrm. Moreover he had always had his doubts about non-Deamon-Eaters joining a hunt. They often lacked the sword, which was the traditional and surely most effective weapon against any leech. What could a Theurge do to fight a powerful Akuma? Spawn a spirit or two? Talk to a spirit while he was fighting Vampires? Garou like her would just be in the way, wasting his time and endangering a hunt.
Shinobu seemed to have noticed his glance, and turned her attention to him. She took another bite of her burger and gestured at his empty dinner plate. "Did you finish your meal already? You must like the food here." Norio shook his head and his eyes drifted toward the crumpled wrap paper. "I prefer noodles, but they don't serve that kind of food in a place like this. And when it comes to eating burgers, I prefer grilled pork and ginger rice over the other options. I always pick the same, because that way I know what I can expect." The Theurge smiled at him, and casually touched the small scar under her left eye with the fingers of her right hand. "Sometimes it's nice to try something different, you know? You will be surprised how well some other things taste. Please take a bite of my Teriyaki Burger.", she said, while offering him her meal. He shook his head and grinned. "Thank you for the offer, but I will stick with what I know, miss Tanaka." Shinobu glanced towards the entrance and smiled as she noticed her packmate had arrived.
Miyoko sat down in the empty seat to his right, smiling back at Shinobu and nodding at him. "Daniella is now safe with Ainesh Goshal at the LAN gaming center. She will try to get more information about the woman in white through him. Shall we get going?" Shinobu seemed in deep thought, but then responded. "Are you sure you want to do this now. Shouldn't we wait a day or two until Daniella has recovered from her wounds?", she asked, while glancing from Miyoko to him. Norio surpressed a growl, glanced down at his belt, and started rubbing it's collection of vampire teeth.
Miyoko was silent for a moment, but then she shook her head. "If we want to bring down this Goro Shobo, this is the right moment. His position has been weakened by the loss of his second in command, and he won't expect a direct attack on his base this soon. If we wait a few days, we will loose the momentum. It won't matter if we attack with four Garou instead of three when they are prepared." Shinobu nodded thoughtfully.
Norio turned his attention to Shinobu again. "Are you sure you want to do this, Theurge? You are no Deamon Eater after all?" Miyoko's glance met Norio's, and her eyes radiated anger. "Shinobu's place is with us, if she wants to come, Quickblade. You might not have changed since the last time we worked together here in Tokyo, but you must realize that I have. I am part of a pack now, named the Silver Lotus, and Shinobu is my packmate and best friend. When we make a decision, she will have a say in it as much as you and I do. Do not underestimate this Theurge, my friend. She has saved my life multiple times. There might come a moment that you will thank Gaia and Luna we brought her to guard our backs!" Norio swallowed and realized he had gone too far. He got up, lifted his guitar case, and hung it across his shoulder. "I didn't mean to offend you in any way, Shinobu. If you are willing to join us in this hunt, please do. The Theurge got up and smiled at him. "No offence taken. I understand your reason to be sceptical. I lack your passion to kill Vampires. But since my best friend needs me, I will join you two in this endeavour!"
The three of them left the restaurant and made their way along the busy road. Then they took a left turn, entering the Kabukicho area. Norio led the way through the small but crowded pedestrian street. The hostess bars, small restaurants and nightclubs they passed were illuminated with bright red and yellow lights, and customers were walking in and out. Finally they arrived at the location he had fled with the Black Furie earlier that day. The building that had seemed so quiet and deserted during the daytime, had changed into a busy nightclub at this late hour. The main entrance, which was crowned with a flashy bloodred neonsign, was guarded by two bouncers in black suits. They were inspecting every guest entering the nightclub. A third bouncer opened the door from the inside every few minutes to let someone in or out. Norio noticed the earpiece and microphone each of them was wearing, and the camera above the entrance door. "Well, this is the place. Are you ready?", he said, while rubbing the buttoned flap at the bottom of his leather guitarcase. Miyoko took of her jacket and lifted a hand to adjusting the Wakizashi on her back. "Yes, I am ready." Norio glanced across his shoulder at Shinobu, when the confirmation he wanted from her seemed to take its precious time. He clenched both fists and surpressed another growl.
Shinobu frowned while she stared at the guards in front of the entrance of the nightclub. "Am I the only one who is wondering about how we are going to enter without attracting the attention of all the Yakuza in the area? I mean, whatever we do, we still have a duty to protect the Veil according to the Litany, right?". Miyoko nodded, while she felt her chain of Vampire teeth. "You are right, Shin. There are too many innocent people passing through this street to allow us to fight our way in. I will take you with me and enter the building through the Umbra. You can use your necklace and remain invisible once we are inside, so we can surprise the bouncers and clear the hall. Norio will keep those two guards outside occupied until we open the door for him. " The Ahroun raised a hand towards her, and she hesitated, but then nodded in agreement and took it. Miyoko then glanced at Norio, waiting for his confirmation. "Quickblade. Remember to stay inconspicuous until we get you inside. After that we can sweep the building and clear it of Kuei-jin." Shinobu moved a hand to the red scaled necklace she wore around her neck. "Ok, let's do it.", she said, and rubbed the red scales. From Norio's surprised expression she could conclude that the gift of her Fetish necklace had indeed turned her invisible. A moment later Miyoko put an arm around her and the surroundings began to fade gradually. The two of them were passing the Gauntlet and entering the Spirit World. The entrance to the building was still there, but the two guards as well as Norio and the other people in the street had disappeared.
Shinobu tried to keep up with Miyoko, while Norio led them through a narrow corridor of the nightclub. This part of the building was in a pretty bad condition. Multiple lamps on the ceiling were broken, causing the corridor to be only partly illuminated. Electricity wires and central heating pipes were hanging from the ceiling or sticking out of the walls. Piles of old magazines, with a layer of dust on the top issue, were lined up against the walls now and again. Some of the piles had been toppled, covering the floor like a colourful, uneven carpet. It figured that such household chores were not part of the Yakuza's core business. But still she tried to comprehend how even a criminal organization like Goro Shobo's could function in this chaos.
The grey haired Stargazer kept a steady pace, pushing a bouncer in front of him. His left hand kept the heavy build man's arm in a tight grip on his back. The edge of Goji's blade against the bouncer's throat, forced the man to follow his directions meekly. Miyoko held Seigi close to her body. Shinobu was glad she did not have to wield a sword in this tiny space. Her hand grabbed the red- scaled necklace when they neared a door at the end of the corridor. Norio led go of the bouncer, and pushed him toward it. "Open this door for us, inconspicuously!" The man, who was much taller then Norio, cursed and gave them a foul look. The next moment the end of Miyoko's Wakizashi was pressed against his nose. Her pack-mate leaned across Norio's shoulder, and gave the bouncer a furious glance. "Open the fucking door, or loose your sense of smell, tough-guy." The man complied, knocked on the door once, and waited. Then he knocked twice.
When the door opened, things happened really fast. The bouncer suddenly turned and swung his arm up, pushing Miyoko's blade against Norio and forcing both of them against the left wall. Another tall Yakuza, his upper body decorated with beautiful tattoos, appeared in the doorway. He raised a submachine gun and commenced firing in their direction. Shinobu dropped to the floor of the corridor, and mumbled an ancient Japanese chant. In a bright flash of energy a Kirin spirit spawned from her necklace. The creature burst forward, passing a struggling Miyoko and Norio, bullets passing right through it. Seconds later it collided with the Yakuza shooter, causing sparks of bright light. The impact launched the man backward through the air and made him land awkwardly on the floor at the far end of the room. Shinobu tore off her necklace, and at the same moment the spirit disappeared into oblivion. The room was too small to control the spirit, while so many people were present. The risk of it attacking either Miyoko or Norio by accident was just too big. It was time for her friends to take over. The impact of the submachine gun on the tiled floor was followed by a cry of pain from the bouncer, as Norio's Katana cut off his arm. A second swing of Goji finished the man off. Both Miyoko and him retook their positions in front of Shinobu, their blades close to their bodies, ready to strike or parry. Shinobu glanced through the doorway into the round hall-shaped room. She saw four men taking a defensive stance toward them, all of them wielding a Katana.
Norio entered the room, and moved to the right side of it. Miyoko followed just behind him, taking position near the left wall. "Shin, stay back in the corridor and sit this one out, if you will. This will be a brawl off swords. A short one, I hope!" Shinobu nodded, although she knew her pack-mate's eyes were focussed on the Yakuza swordsmen. Norio cleared his throat. She wondered if the sound was in any way meant for her? The next few moments nothing happened and the room became dead-silent. Then two of the Yakuza stormed forward, swinging their Katana. Both Miyoko and Norio swiftly parried and counter-attacked. The other two Yakuza joined the fray, and a short but fierce battle ensued. A loud clang of steel against steel and a scream of death ended the brawl moments later. Miyoko stood in the middle of the room, glancing back at her. Norio, standing next to her, was staring down at Goji, while he cleaned the weapon of blood. At their feet lay four corpses now.
As Shinobu entered the round hall-shaped room, the door at the far end of it opened. A young, slender man calmly walked in. He wore a short jacket and a knitted cap with glasses. His glance shifted from Miyoko to Norio, and stuck to their swords for a moment. Then it passed from the bodies on the floor up to Shinobu. His face showed a mocking grin, and he took a nonchalant pose in the doorway. "My name is Daisuke. I see you have come prepared. None have ever made it through this guardroom alive without my master's permission." The man then turned his attention to Norio, and his grin became an angry smirk. "But you I have seen twice today! You must have made it out alive this afternoon, after killing Eri in our headquarters? Maybe with the help of those two? And now you fight your way back in? You beat my Yakuza guards twice today, which is…impressive." Norio stood straight, holding Goji, his left hand clenching its scabbard, his right hand touching the end of the tsuka. "I was not the one to kill that girl, but that is not important now. We came here to face Goro Shobo." "Your blades have granted you access to my master, who is waiting in the next room. I will stand aside and let you pass, but only on the condition that she stays here to fight me!", the Kuei-jin said, while he raised his arm to point at her. Shinobu swallowed and it took her a moment to realize that her fingers were touching the small scar under her left eye. She forced her hand down. Norio soon nodded in agreement, and, after Daisuke had moved aside, he passed the Kuei-jin to enter the next room.
Miyoko, however, turned to glance back at her, her eyes showing confusion. "Norio, where are you going? We can't just leave Shinobu alone to deal with this leech here?", she called after the grey-haired Stargazer. Norio stopped and turned his head to adress Miyoko. "Watanabe, we are on a hunt and our target is Goro Shobo. He has become a major threat to Gaia in this city, and our priority is to kill him. I am not interested in his minion here. Since Shinobu insisted on joining us here, let here deal with him!", he responded. Miyoko cursed, and turned to walk over to her. "I cannot leave my packmate and best friend behind, Quickblade! Why do you force me to choose between you two at a moment like this? Norio didn't reply, and Miyoko's eyes showed a mixture of fury and despair. Shinobu smiled at her. "Miyoko, just go to him and help him defeat the Kuei-jin Oyabun. I can handle Daisuke by myself! Don't worry about me." Miyoko trembled and the despair seemed to dominate now. "I cannot abandon you Shin!" Shinobu had trouble to keep her smile up. "Yes, you can! We have a duty to Gaia, like Norio said. Go now, shoo, shoo... The one who defeats her opponent first will come back to help the other, deal?" Miyoko's eyes gradually filled up with confidence, and finally she smiled. "Ok, I am off than...but I will beat up that grey-haired echoist after this, I promise you that!" Shinobu felt cold and lonely, while watching Miyoko pass through the doorway, leaving her with the grinning Kuei-jin.
Miyoko Watanabe studied Goro Shobo, while she took position near the left wall of the room. The Kuei-jin did not show any sign of being intimidated by his two opponents. He stood straight, his left hand firmly holding a blue-and-gold Katana by its scabbard. Behind him above the sofa hung at least 5 more gleaming swords. Goro Shobo shook his long blondish-dyed hair, and a mocking grin formed on his lips.
"Two Kuei-jin hunters, I presume. I always find it amusing how you show off the teeth of your victims. I've seen many collections; chains, belts, sleeves, ornaments… I will be honest with you. They are the first thing I destroy, after I kill a hunter. They disgust me. Your false pride disgusts me!" The fingers of Miyoko's left hand touched her necklace, as if she wanted to make sure her enemy had not yet taken it away. To an average Garou these broken teeth might not mean a thing, but to her they represented her solace. They had become an inseparable part of her, as much as Seigi had too, these past few years.
The Kuei-jin mumbled on. "But your swords, they are something completely different!" The Kuei-jin glanced from Seigi to Goji, studying both weapons with his red eyes. Norio, who stood near the right wall, held his Katana firmly in both hands, pointing its blade downward. The grey haired Stargazer made an abrupt shake with his front wrist, causing the blade to twirl slightly and cut air. It seemed as if he attempted to get rid of the filth Goro Shobo's glance might have left on it…
"You must realize I am a collector of swords myself. Tell me, do they have names? This one for example is called Makoto." Goro Shobo raised his Katana in front of him, as if to give both of them a better look at it. Miyoko noticed the beautiful Kirin carved on the scabbard and tsuba. The figures of the mystical creature had been designed in such a way that they seemed to break free from the sword to engage her and Norio. Of course that was just an illusion, but the artistic weapon could surely be compared to both Seigi and Goji.
Norio seemed to recognize the weapon, and his confused glance met hers for a moment. "Miyoko. That is Mouko's weapon.", he whispered. She shivered as she realized what must have happened to the rightful owner. Mouko Egami was another Deamon Eater, a Stargazer from the Heavenly Successors of the Deamon Eater camp, and a friend of Norio. He was widely known by Stargazers and Hengeyokai in Japan, and recognized as the most reknown Deamon Eater alive. Miyoko had met him once or twice before. The sword in Goro Shobo's hands could only mean the demise of the proud Garou.
She raised Seiji, and pointed it at the Kuei-jin. "I see that you are not only a senior minion of the Wyrm, spreading its corruption through this beautiful city. You are also a thief of the precious swords of Gaia's most dedicated. That is only one more reason to justify your punishment tonight." Miyoko had not even finished her sentence, when Goro Shobo suddenly rushed straight at her, drawing Makoto in the process. She quickly took a defensive stance and parried the first attack. But it was followed immediately by a second and a third. The third attack forced her to retreat between the left wall and one of the desks, giving her less room to wield her Wakizashi. The Kuei-jin, however, was forced to block the attack of an engaging Norio, and she used the moment to stumble away behind the desk. This opponent knew how to wield a Katana. Killing him would not be easy at all, eventough it was two against one. She glanced at Norio. The grey haired Stargazer had managed to stay on the offensive, and his final attack forced Goro Shobo back to his original spot in front of the sofa.
The Kuei-jin took a leisure posture, and slid Makoto back in its scabbard in one fluent motion. His face showed a mocking grin. "Young girl, you are no match for me! This man's attack, however, is quick and strong, but it lacks passion and determination. I want both your swords, and nothing can stand in my way." Miyoko spit on the floor, and met the Kuei-jin's blood-red eyes more determined then ever. "I do not know how you managed to steal Mouko Egami's blade, but you won't get mine. The moment you touch Seigi will be the moment of your demise!" Goro Shobo laughed out loud, and pointed Makoto towards her Wakazishi. "If you will not hand them to me, I will just have to take them myself!"
Again the Kuei-jin rushed forward with great speed. This time his attack was aimed at Norio, who only just managed to parry the blue-and-gold blade of his assailant. The Kuei-jin's fierce attacks forced the grey-haired Stargazer to gradually retreat. Every step Norio took backwards seemed to cause Goro Shobo to intensify his assault. Miyoko rushed forward to join the skirmish, in an attempt to break the Kuei-jin's dominance. But when she intercepted a strike aimed at Norio, Goro Shobo managed to change the direction of it toward her. Makoto slid down along Seigi's blade, causing sparks as folded metal scraped folded metal. The next moment she felt an intense pain, as the Kuei-jin's Katana pierced her left breast. Goro Shobo immediately pulled his weapon free of her, to parry the next attack of an enraged Norio.
Miyoko stumbled on her legs for a moment, trying to overcome a sudden daze. The fingers of her left hand could hardly feel Seigi's handle anymore. She moved her right hand to her breast, and looked down at the blood that covered her palm. She felt Rage building in her stomach, gradually spreading to her legs, arms and head. As she bit her teeth, the daze finally disappeared, and with her right hand she clenched her weapon, firmly. She searched the room for Norio and their enemy. The grey-haired Stargazer was on the defensive now, blocking one fierce attack after another. However quick he could wield a blade, he was clearly the underdog against Goro Shobo. A sudden feint followed by a swift thrust eventually broke through his defense. She heard him curse as a deep cut through his wrist forced him to drop Goji. Goro Shobo's face showed a satisfied grin as he heaved his Katana to deal the death blow. Miyoko screamed and, fighting the pain in her chest, she rushed at the Kuei-jin. He turned his attention toward her and made what seemed like a downward swing with his empty left hand in front of him. The next moment Miyoko was launched through the air and made a hard landing on the floor behind her. When she tried to get up she was forced to lie down again because of heavy pain from the middle of her chest, down her belly all the way to her right knee. Something seemed to have wounded her just now? But how could the Kuei-jin have struck her from that distance? They had been meters apart. She made an effort to look up and search Norio. Her friend used the moment to stretch his arm toward his opponents body, and touch him with his fingertips. His gift called Falling Touch caused the Kuei-jin to oddly loose his balance and instantly collapse to the floor. A loud roar of anger came from the latter. Norio used the moment to retreat to her position. He lifted her on his back and carried her to the far end of the room. There the two of them hid behind a desk, pondering on a way to beat their opponent.
Shinobu stared at her giant opponent, the fingers of her right hand touching the cold steel of the closed door behind her. The demon form Daisuke had changed into, was truly dreadful. His size had increased to the size of an Oni, forcing him to bend his head down to avoid bumping against the high ceiling. The Kuei-jin's arms spanned the hall-shaped room, his huge hands able to reach the left and right walls simultanuously. The transformation had torn his clothes to shreds, and she could see his thick, greyish skin. Only the face of the monster had not changed, and reminded her of the young man with the knitted cap.
She bit her lip, while she thought of a way to overcome her opponent. She surely could not match him in raw strenght. If he caught her, he would be able to crush her like a bug. Neither could she pass him and run to her packmates. After Miyoko left, Daisuke had closed the metal door behind her. Moreover he blocked the doorway with his enormous body. What was she to do? Shinobu touched her necklace, and looked at the floor in front of her. The dead bodies of the Yakuza guards and their swords seemed to form a horrible composition, almost like a distorted, mad work of art. She glanced at the Kuei-jin again, and nodded to herself confindently.
Once more Shinobu whispered the ancient Japanese chant. The moment the Kirin spirit spawned from her necklace, she rubbed the red scales. The Kuei-jin released a terrible roar, and stormed at the spirit. Now invicible to her opponent, Shinobu ran passed Daisuke, evading the huge hands. She bend to the ground next to one of the dead Yakuza, and picked up a Katana. While she turned towards her opponent, she felt the power of the Kirin spirit deminishing. The Kuei-jin was pounding it,his enormous hands slamming into the spirit with destructive force. She raised her Katana, and rushed at Daisuke. With a powerful swing she severed the monster's right arm. The Kuei-jin released another loud roar. Then her breath cought, as she felt the impact of something in her stomach, causing her body being lifted into the air.
Shinobu felt a cold spreading from her stomach all across her body, and she glanced down to notice the long spike that had just impaled her. The spike originated from her opponent. All across his body more long, sharp extensions were visible. It must have been some sort of defensive ability of his deamon form, since Daisuke could not have seen her. But her invicibility seemed to be of no use at the moment. Shinobu coughed blood, and raised her right hand with some effort, to tear off the red-scaled necklace. The moment it was not tied around her neck, the Kirin disappeared oncemore. No need for the severely weakened spirit to perish in vain. As a Theurge she cared for Gaia's spirits as much as the Deamon Eater's cared for their swords. The Kuei-jin turned his attention to her now, and while he turned his huge body, she was wildly swung through the air. Then she felt his remaining hand envelope her. The large fingers pulled her up, away from the long spike. As the round wound in her stomach came free of the bony spike, pain started increasing, clouding her mind. She started loosing the feeling in her limbs now, causing her arms to hang helpless along her body. She waited anxiously for seconds, unable to resist... Finally she felt Rage taking control. The cold and pain was replaced by a terrible fury. Her blurry vision seemed to clear somewhat, and she felt her body changing to her Crinos Form. The Kuei-jin lifted her into the air, and threw her to the far end of the room. When her body hit the opposite wall, she entered complete frenzy and lost all rational control of her actions...
When Shinobu regained conciousness, she shivered. The cold she had felt was quickly replaced by increasing pain from wounds she had taken. Her left shoulder seemed to suffer from a fracture, and her right leg hurt in a similar way. She lifted her muzzle and tried to sit up straight. Slowly she opened her eyes. She looked at her bloody paws, and tried to remember what had happened. She turned to her left and right, glancing across the room. All was quiet here. Nothing moved but her. She turned her attention to the massive corps underneath her. The Kuei-jin, still in his deamon form, lay dead, the thick greyish oni-like skin torn by her claws and fangs in multiple places. Carefully she stood up, and stumbled across the floor toward her red-scaled necklace. When she changed into her human Form to pick the Fetish up and put it around her neck, a surge of terrible pain from her belly made her collapse to her knees. With some effort she was able to fasten the necklace, and recite the ancient Japanese chant a final time. A Kirin spirit spawned in front of her, waiting for her command. In a final effort she managed to use the gift Command Spirit, and ordered the Kirin to heal her wounds. Then she fell to the floor, unconcious.
Miyoko glanced across the edge of the desk toward Goro Shobo, and bit her teeth. The increasing pain from her wounds had caused Rage to surge inside her. She surpressed it as best she could, since she preferred to stay in control of her thoughts and actions. If she would loose control now, she obviously would turn into a Frenzy. While in the state of Frenzy, a Garou was as much a hazard to herself and her allies as to her enemies. Especially now that her friend Norio sat right beside her. The grey-haired Stargazer was only slightly wounded, but he too had lost his sword in the previous fight. She looked at his face, trying to guess his thoughts. Two Long curls of greyish hair hung down in front of his dark eyes. Those dark eyes always harboured a twinkle of light, like a tiny flame that kept buring in honour of mother Gaia. Even in their current situation the Deamon Eater looked tough and determined. Miyoko wondered if she could inspire him as much as he could her. She must look like a complete mess. She sighed and turned her attention back to their opponent.
Goro Shobo seemed to be waiting for them at the far end of the room, in front of the sofa with the pillows. He stood still, holding a sword in both hands now. Miyoko cursed wildly as she recognized the weapons to be Seigi and Goji, and she nearly gave into her fury. Norio's hands on her cheeks helped her regain her selfcontrol. "Miyoko, not all is lost yet! He has our swords, but we can still beat him." Miyoko tried to show a smile, but she was sure it came out as a painful smirk. "If you say so... But I am on the brink of Frenzy. Tell me what to do." Norio gave her a confident look and calmly pressed his forehead against hers. "I can still beat him with a sword. I am sure I can. I need an opening to get to one of the other swords!" Miyoko felt confused. She was not sure if it was caused by the terrible odds of this battle, or him being so close to her. "So you want me to Frenzy now to distract him?", she asked. Both of them turned their attention back to the Kuei-jin, when a sudden roar of laughter startled them.
"Come out, come out, whereever you are! You must have realized by now that your swordskills can't compare to mine? And your petty Garou gifts can't save you either! I am a master in the Soul Shintai arts.", the Kuei-jin shouted at them. Miyoko shook her head while she stared at Norio. The grey-haired Stargazer pointed at the long cut that crossed her chest, belly and upper leg. "He uses Distant death kata to hit us from a distance. It is a very powerful gift, but he can't use it in close combat. If we manage to disarm him, we can overcome him!", he whispered. Her attention was drawn toward the entrance door behind them by the sound of someone opening it.
She felt a surge of hapiness when she saw Shinobu appearing in the doorway, followed by a shining Kirin spirit. The Theurge's naked body showed injury and parts of it were covered with blood. Her stomach showed a large, partly healed wound. But the confidence in the young woman's eyes and the smile on her face boosted Miyoko's morale, despite the condition she was in. Her friend swiftly joined them, kneeling behind the wooden desk, while the spirit lay itself down next to them. Norio moved aside to give the Theurge more room, and turned his attention back to the Kuei-jin. Shinobu ignored him and immediatelly started examining her injuries. Miyoko felt her friend's hands carefully removing her torn shirt, jacket and pants. When she touched the wound in her left breast, she cried out in anguish. "This wound is aggravated. It must be healed quickly!", the Theurge whispered to her, her eyes showing worry. "But how can we heal it? I am no healer and Norio is neither. And you told me yourself you are very poor at healing for a Theurge...", she whispered in reply. Shinobu didn't answer, but only nodded toward the Kirin, while she lay her fingers across the wound. Miyoko felt a surge of energy enter her body, and the wound started to itch. A moment later the pain seemed to diminish, and Shinobu concentrated on the deep cut in her chest and upper leg. Finally Shinobu took away her hands and smiled. "Your wounds are only partly healed, just like mine are. But they are no longer critical or aggravated. After we kill the Kuei-jin, your Crinos body can heal up the rest." Miyoko nodded, and gave her friend a kiss on the cheek. Then the two of them turned to join Norio.
Goro Shobo raised the captured Tiger folded Wakizashi in the air in from of him, so he could study it better. The exquised short sword was at least as beautiful and surely as rare as the red-and-black Kami folded Katana in his other hand. He truly was lucky today! He only had to take care of these hunters now. The two he had fought had turned out to be no worthy advisaries. A third one had entered the room just now, and joined the other two. Her appearance here meant the death of Daisuke, which was as unfortunate as the loss of Eri, earlier today. He would miss their dedication and loyalty. But he would find others to replace them. There always were other corrupt souls to defile into ones service.
He grinned when he noticed the man and the two young women finally appearing behind the desk. Had they embraced their faith? Had they finally realized that the weapons were his, and that they had to die? Who should he kill first? The man with the grey hair? The woman that had wielded this Wakizashi? Or the slender one with the long hair, who didn't seem to carry a sword? How odd for a hunter... The latter suddenly changed into her Werewolf body and so did the other one. Both of them rushed at him now, claws shining and fangs reflecting the artificial light in the room. He concentrated to use Distant death kata to stop them in their tracks, but he was distracted by a flash of bright light. The spirit of a Kirin appeared behind them and joined the attack. He took a step back when he realized the first Garou had almost reached his position, and took a defensive stance. He raised his swords to engage her and cut her to pieces. But the Garou kept just outside of his range, and his attacks missed. Then he had to turn his attention to the second Garou and the spirit, both attacking him at once. He cut down the Kirin with his Katana, and managed to injure the Garou with his Wakizahi, but her claw cut open his left shoulder. With a quick turn and a dodge he escaped a new claw-attack of the first Garou, but a follow-up tore through his defense, and cut open his side. He cursed and fury overtook him. How dare you enter my den and defy me? I have never been defeated by any hunter, and your fate will be the same as that of countless of your predecessors. You will die by my blades!"
Goro Shobo frowned as both Garou retreated and retook their human shape. Then he noticed his left arm seperating from his body and falling to the floor. The hand of the limb was still holding the gleaming Wakizashi. He turned to meet the glance of the grey-haired man, who stood right behind him, wielding the blue-and-gold Katana Makoto. How could he have forgotten about him? He raised the Katana in his right hand and engaged his opponent. But the man was quick to parry, and a counterattack forced him to retreat. A surge of pain from his injuries hampered his defense. He screamed in anguish as the man finally broke through and cut of his right arm. He tried to keep his balance, swaying from left to right, as blood gushed out of his fresh wounds. He glanced from opponent to opponent, fighting a daze. The woman with the short hair bend down to pick up her Wakizashi. Then she stood in front of him, her bare skin shining with sweat and half-dried blood. "You should never have provoked us by taking our swords, Kuei-jin. It ends here!" With a fluent motion she swung her Wakizahi, and all was over...
Eri shook her head while she studied the lifeless body of Goro Shobo, laying at her feet. At first it had been awkward to find her former master utterly defeated. The ruthless Kuei-jin had been feared by friend and foe, regardless if they were servants of Gaia or Wyrm. From the moment he had picked her up on the street and adopted her, she had pictured him as her invincible champion. He had been her powerful dark prince who would protect her from danger and death. His protection had given her the opportunity to gain the influence to be able to do what she pleased. That's why Eri had followed and served him, having sex with his opponents in order to deceive or kill them, obeying his every command. She didn't care about abuse, and in turn she abused others as she liked. But she had been an ignorant mortal then. When, at the peak of her power, someone murdered her, it had changed everything.
Why had her master not been able to foresee and prevent her death? Moreover during her visit to the Kakuri Hell, her perception of power changed. Eri had witnessed things there that changed the Yakuza's violence into child's play. She was serving a new master now. Emma-o, had made her one of his honourable Shikome, and he had send her back to Tokyo with an important task. She had to sabotage the Tokyo operation, which was a crucial development the servants of Mikaboshi, another Yama King, were working on. Meanwhile she would complete two tasks of her own. She would try to find this Norio Tsuda, the Garou that had intrigued her so much. Death had literally freed him from her embrace. Secondly she would find the woman in white that had killed her right here in this room. Eri had only caught a glimpse of her, but it would be enough to recognize her.
The sound of someone entering the room from the corridor drew her attention. She recognized Susumu standing in the doorway, seemingly glancing at the corpse on the ground next to her. Eri realized the girl couldn't see her because of her Bone Shintai cloak, White Tiger Corpse. She ended her gift and appeared to her servant. The girl screamed, and took two steps away from her, trembling. "Eri, I thought you were dead? I have seen your dead body...your decapitated!" Eri smiled at the ignorant girl. "I was dead, true, but now I'm back and...in charge as you can see. I have a task for you, Susumu." She might still have to get used to the new powers she wielded as an Akuma, but not to her new role as leader. Goro Shobo was gone, and everyone would either do as she pleased now or die...