Act Four

Scene Ten

Help Arrives

Outside the manor there are two brothers hiding deep within a tree, their names are Sasori and Tetsuya Azuma. Sasori is a Ninja from SnowClan, where he trained since he was ten. He has long red hair that falls down to his waist. His headband is on his left upper arm. He is dressed in a light blue shirt and dark blue sweat pants. Sasori is also wearing blue fingerless gloves and dark blue Ninja sandals. Finally, he has a dark blue pouch on his left thigh.

"Tetsuya, do you suppose, Tatsumaru is within the manor?" Tetsuya is a black haired young man that loves tracking down Tatsumaru's enemies. He is dressed in a black long-sleeve shirt and sweat pants, black Ninja sandals. He has black fingerless gloves on. In his hands is a Dart Shooter. Tetsuya is also from SnowClan.

"He most likely is just listening to the commotion going on inside the manor. Therefore I would say yes."

"So let us go help him," said Sasori as he jumps out of the tree and runs towards the manor.

"Yes, let us go." Tetsuya follows Sasori as he puts the Dart Shooter away.

Inumaru's Room

Tatsumaru is dodging every attack that is aimed at him. After a second blast from,

Cain's Aura Sphere his power, sizzles out. Kurama draws his sword and points it at it at Tatsumaru without flinching.

"I will prove my worth to Inumaru!" Kurama said with confidence. Tatsumaru dodges Kurama's attack as Sasori and Tetsuya charge into the room.

"Lord Tatsumaru, we thought you could use some extra help," said Sasori. Tetsuya nods his head in agreement.

"Sasori and Tetsuya, long time no see what brings you two here anyway?" asked Tatsumaru.

"Well, since we were here tracking down Master Darkmoon over there, we figured you would journey here sooner or later," answered Sasori.

"I see Tetsuya are you ready to fight alongside me once more?" asked the Dark Master. Tetsuya nods his head in answer. Just then Kikiro contacts Tatsumaru through telepathy.

"Lord Tatsumaru, Inumaru knows about the Prophecy, so be careful." Tatsumaru replies to Kikiro through telepathy."

"As you wish my young Prophet." Kikiro breaks the connection Tatsumaru looks at Inumaru's Five Generals.

Shinomori's thoughts: Should I risk talking to Lord Tatsumaru through Telepathy?

"Inumaru, where is Virgil? Is he dead? Did Myotismaru actually kill the Demon Lord?" asked the Dark Master.

"I will not have you talk to my Master that way, Tatsumaru!" shouted Cain. Cain takes out a shotgun and points it at Tatsumaru's chest.

"Shoot me all you want. The man that bears my heart is not here, or have you not noticed that Tatsumaru only has two of his followers with him today."

Shinomori's thoughts: I have to talk to Tatsumaru before it is too late. Cain lowers the gun and then he puts it away. Kurama attacks Tatsumaru again. Tatsumaru dodges the blade easily. Sasori starts fighting Shinomori and Cain. Tetsuya starts fighting Jidai and Shinta. Sasori and Tetsuya protect each other now and then.

Everybody ignores the injured Inumaru and the frightened Matt behind the damaged door. Sasori blocks the continuous attacks armed at him by Shinomori and Cain. Tetsuya blocks all attacks aimed at him by Jidai and Shinta, who attack as one. Tatsumaru is watching Kurama carefully. Without drawing either of his swords, he dodges Kuama's every strike with great agility.

Kurama's thoughts: How is Tatsumaru able to dodge my every attack with the simplest of ease while in Human form? Tatsumaru reads Kurama's mind.

"You are wondering how I am dodging your every attack while in Human form."

"That is correct. How did you know? Moreover, how are you able to move so very quickly?" asked Kurama amused.

"I can read your mind even if you close it to me," said Tatsumaru with a smirk.

"That was not my actual question! How are you dodging my attacks so easily?" asked Kurama.

"You mean you cannot feel his power?" asked the Dark Master.

"KURAMA, DO NOT LISTEN TO ANYTHING TATSUMARU SAYS!" yelled Inumaru but Kurama ignores him.

"Whose power?" asked Kurama.

"The Nine-Tailed Fox Demon's power," came the answer.

"TATSUMARU SHUT THE FUCK UP, YOU BASTARD!" yelled Inumaru. Tatsumaru releases the seal on the Demon Fox and transforms to his Demon form. When the light fades, Kurama just stares at the infamous Fox Demon Tatsumaru wide-eyed and open mouthed. He finally manages to gain his ability to speak again.

"So the rumors are true…" Kurama said slowly.

"KURAMA DO NOT TALK TO TATSUMARU. I WANT YOU TO FIGHT HIM! NOTHING MORE!" Inumaru yells. Sasori, Shinomori, Jidai, Cain, Tetsuya, and Shinta stop fighting to watch the proceedings between Tatsumaru and Kurama. Matt pokes his head out from behind the open door cautiously watching as things unfold. Tatsumaru replaces the Seal on the Fox Demon and turns Human again.

"Now, that I have your attention I need to ask you something."

"What is that, Tatsumaru?" asked Kurama.

"KURAMA, IF YOU DO NOT DO AS YOU ARE TOLD, I WILL END YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW!" Inumaru yells and again he is ignored.

"Will you join the ShadowHearts and fight alongside Avalon, Cecil and Tatsumaru against Inumaru?" asked Tatsumaru.

"KURAMA, IF YOU SWITCH SIDES YOU WILL SURELY DIE!" Inumaru yells at Kurama who seems not to be listening.

"I do not know I mean if I join the ShadowHearts, Inumaru will hunt me down until I am dead. Moreover, if I stay with the PureOnes, your followers will eventually kill me anyway."

"That is wrong. If you join the ShadowHearts I will personally protect you no matter what happens. Your brothers are the ones that asked me to make sure that you survive the Final Battle."

"Still…"

"KURAMA, YOU ARE ONE OF MY GENERALS! YOU CAN NOT JUST GO AROUND SWITCHING SIDES!" Inumaru yells and then he speaks in a calmer voice, "and besides that, Kurama, your life is in my hands. So you should be careful on what you do from now on!" Inumaru grunts in pain as he reopens his wound which Suikomaru rewraps.

"Now, Kurama, what is your final decision?" asked Tatsumaru.

"I decide to…" Kurama started. Tatsumaru looks at Inumaru. Inumaru just stares back at him. Tatsumaru laughs slightly as Kurama finishes speaking. "…to join the ShadowHearts." Tatsumaru and Kurama disappear leaving the PureOnes in a state of shock.

End of Scene Ten