Well, this particular chapter is quite long. And most of the content that I'd originally intended to put down was too lengthy for one chapter. So, I decided to split it into two, The Great Battle of Shikyo-I and II. Again, this chapter is initially suppose to cover up the past of our Ryuunosuke and so it is suppose to be another huge chapter. So again, it is split up into two. Well, the original intention was to lessen my load because of the hectic school schedule but then again, now that I look at it, it was too big as well. Plus, I realised that I'd skipped many facts in haste. God! Story writing is so darn hard!

And please do note: this chapter for Ryuunosuke's part is a continuation of the previous chapter, where he arrived at the Mori's during the afternoon. Also, it goes without saying that everything in italics is his flashbacks.

STANDARD DISCLAIMER APPLIED

CHAPTER TEN

The Great Battle of Shikyo Part1

The Reflections of the Cursed Man – I

(Four hundred years ago…)

The whole sky was covered with the smoke of the gun powder and the ashes of the people burnt alive. And below this grayish sky stood people of the two sides fighting with each other for victory.

"Argh!" screamed the man who just got burnt by the flame caster with a scar on his left eyebrow.

"Ouka look out!" Just then a young handsome man clasped his hands and murmured an incantation, creating a barrier around the flame caster shattering the cannon ball that was headed towards him.

"Thank you." smiled the flame caster at his saviour. The young man walked out of the smoke exposing his long burnt amber hair to the sun. He ran towards Ouka, the Hokage leader, and faced his back towards Ouka's back and took out his long sword.

"Be careful next time. We wouldn't want to lose a leader at the time of crisis, now do we?"

"Huh. I won't die as long as I've you watching my back. Right, Ryuu?"

Ryuu chuckled, "Guess I still have to baby-sit you." and just then he clasped his hand and murmured an incantation and then stretching his right hand out he brought out a yellow energy ball. He threw it towards the enemy.

"Sir"

The scared man opened his eyes and looked at the person in front of him.

"Yes, tell me Takeshi. Why have you come here?"

"Sir, I've found them."

Name: Takeshi

Nationality: Japanese

Power: Teleportation and Mind wave.

Psychic device: Mind (can teleport the wielder to any place at will and send mind waves to detect the desired person or thing.)

Classification: The spirit

Other Ability: Hypnosis at will without the requirement of the psychic device.

"Very good, tell me something, is she with them?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. Then let them enjoy another day. I want you to send two low rank wielders to test their ability, tomorrow at the sun's hour. Now go."

"Yes sir." Takeshi bowed to show his respect and exited.

'Ouka watch as I finally take my revenge on your sons.'

"I see that you're in a hurry. But they've Kurei with them and not to mention Raiha and Joker." spoke Mori.

"I've waited so far for this moment. Six days later will be a new moon and the sacred hour of the snake. I shall be able to venture into the sun, during that hour. Since it'll last only for forty eight hours, I'll have to reach the holy spring by then to remove my curse."

"What about me?"

"I shall keep my word."

"How am I to be sure?"

Ryuunosuke chuckled, "Is it me or is it that you have forgotten who has brought you from the other world. The fact that you are still alive is all thanks to my power. Have you forgotten the feeling of getting burnt by the flame? Or perhaps I should remind you of it."

"No wait!"

"Killing you will not serve my purpose and hence I don't see why you should be worried. Like I said I shall kill Kurei for you and when you'll drink the sacred water of the holy spring you shall be able to revive to your human self. Now leave."

Mori glared at the scared man and walked out of the room.

"Ridiculous man, I'm now having my second thoughts in reviving him." murmured Ryuu as he closed his eyes.

The sound of the crickets was heard outside the cave and the stars were shining in the black sky. Throughout the place the smell of rusting iron in blood was being accompanied by the call of the wolves feeding on the dead body lying across the battle ground outside the cave.

"This battle, it has turned out to be far worse than I'd anticipated."

"Well the enemies are strong, Ouka"

"Yes, but just take a look outside. This battle has to stop."

"And the only way to stop it is by wining it."

"Victory?" letting out a sarcastic laugh, "Tell me Ryuu, what's the use of wining this war? What's the point when so many lives are perishing?"

The young burnt amber haired man sighed.

"You can't think of this now. What lies in front of us is the battle, and win- we must for the sake of all those who have died for its cause. Not to mention Kagerou and Reina are waiting for you."

"Maybe you should have been the leader. After all you can too use your powers without the use of any device. Not to mention you're much wiser than me."

"Well nothing can be done about that. But since you're the leader you've to lead us to victory."

Ouka gave a weak smile and looked at the stars, "You know I'm glad that you're my friend."

Ryuunosuke came out of the room and made his way to a corridor heading towards a room filled with scrolls. He suddenly felt a presence just before opening the door.

"Victor. I see you've done your job."

Name: Victor

Nationality: American

Psychic device: The String Animator (an orb capable of infusing the string with the aura of its user.)

Classification: The spirit

Other ability: Unknown (a student of Ryuunosuke)

"Yes I've the girl's mother. She is in the room in the top room of the tower."

"Good."

"But I don't see why we need her."

"Do you know who she is?"

"Yes I do. Isn't she the wife of Kouhei Kirisawa?"

"I see your memories are clear as ever."

"But, sensei…"

"After all, Tsubame's daughter holds the key."

"I see…"

"Send a word that I shall be meeting her right now."

"Yes of course, sensei."

Just then Victor disappeared and Ryuu made his way to the towers. He opened the door, revealing a brunette in her forties.

"Ryuu…"

A/N

Yup, Tsubame Kirisawa - w/o Kouhei Kirisawa and the m/o Fuuko Kirisawa. Why the sudden change? Er, well because, Megumi is such a common name. Plus, Tsubame means Swallow (bird) in Japanese. :D