here's my newest chapter! took a lot longer due to various distractions but its done, anyway, this chapter will include a new character! Enjoy! and hope you like him!

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Chapter 11: Separated

The sound of dripping water was the first thing I could hear, followed by a drop of water hitting my face. The cold impact made me wake up, but with some difficulty. I struggled to get up, a blistering pain on my side, probably from where I landed. I looked around and saw I was located in a cave tunnel. 'This must've been below where I fell…' I thought then realized about what happened, 'Oh man, Ammy and the others are probably worried about me, I better find a way out,' I thought and began to find a way out of this cave.

I walked on for what seemed like hours, passing by the same cave tunnel until I realized I was hopelessly lost. I sighed and slumped to the wall, shivering a bit from the cold. Man, I wish I had my jacket, or at the very least Amaterasu to help keep me warm…wait, what? I shook my head, 'Ammy and I are just traveling together…but still…' I thought about how she screamed out my name as I fell into the darkness and hoped she was okay. I took a deep breath and got up; I only took a few steps forward when I saw another glowing symbol.

I looked at the symbol and touched it. Suddenly I was surrounded by the same scenery I had when I met Hoteigami. Except what was before me was a deer with brown fur and green dots, it also carried a staff on its back.

"Greetings Master Saruta, I am Gamagami, one of the three Ancients, long have I awaited your return, I sense Hoteigami is with you, excellent, I now give you my power, use it to defeat the enemies who will try and hurt you," Gamagami said.

He soon transformed into the symbol again and flew into me. I felt the same sensation when I met Hoteigami. I was soon back in the tunnel and then saw something glowing in front of me. I walked towards it and then saw it was Suzaku standing before a pool of water. He looked like he was talking to it, or rather someone.

"…The plan is still going as promised, Amaterasu did prove a good adversary, but remind me never to get her mad," Suzaku stated with a little nervousness.

"Still, keep an eye out for Saruta, I suspect he might still be alive, in the meantime take care of Amaterasu and the other one, if Saruta is still alive, bring him here," the voice Suzaku was talking to ordered coldly.

"At once master," Suzaku said before taking off.

I waited a bit before coming out of my hiding spot; I looked at the pool of water and saw it was just a regular pool of water. I wondered who Suzaku was talking to when I heard a noise and saw the wall in front of me slid back, revealing a stairwell that lead upstairs and possibly out of this damn cave. I began to walk towards the stairs when I thought I heard someone behind me.

I pulled out Howling Scar and Roaring Fang and turned to behind me.

"Alright, who's there?" I asked.

"Whoa, take it easy, I won't bite," a voice said as I saw someone come out of the shadows.

The person before me was a man; he looked to be around Waka's age but looked a little taller than him, maybe around an inch or two. He had the same golden hair as Waka, but it looked like he got his cut since it reached past his neck. He had piercing blue eyes and he was wearing a blue and yellow trimmed Happi, the crest was that of a moon. I then saw two katanas at his hips and a flute as well.

"You're one of the Moon Clan," I stated.

"Yep, I'm a Moon Clan member, my name is Rashamaru," he said to me.

I looked at him; I wondered how a person from the same clan as Waka was still alive, as Waka told me himself that his clan was killed by an evil force. I wondered if I should tell Waka about this but I looked to Rashamaru to find he was gone.

"Huh?!" I said with surprise.

"You know, Suzaku's going to probably kill your girlfriend, you'd better get up those stairs before he does," Rahamaru's voice echoed mockingly.

I was about to retort but stalled, wait…girlfriend? Then it suddenly hit me, he must've thought me and Amaterasu were--.

"Hey! First off: Amaterasu and I are just traveling together! Secondly: Are you working for them?" I half-asked, half-yelled into the air.

"Right…and for the record, I won't tell you," Rashamaru said.

I growled and stood there before leaving up the stairs. I soon found myself in a large grand hall with pillars all around in a circle and a bizarre temple in front of them, or rather, located just parallel to the door to the right. I walked towards the pillars and when I was in the center of the room I could see the torches were lit, but no sign of the others.

I felt disappointed a bit and sighed. Just then I could hear the sounds of paws and turned around happily, only to be tackled to the ground by a white blur and covered in wolf slobber. I laughed as Amaterasu's tongue licked my face, even going into my nose.

"Ammy, I know you missed me too but please get off," I laughed.

"Say Ammy, I think you're crushing his gut." Issun said from Shinji's shoulder.

Amaterasu stopped licking me and allowed me to get up.

"Ishimaru…I was so worried about you, after you fell I…"Amaterasu looked away a bit and scratched her nose.

"When you fell she got all pissed and literally lashed out at Suzaku, then she got all worried and kept wondering if you were okay, I told her you'd be fine," Issun said to me.

I looked at him then at Amaterasu, who had now been staring at me and wagging her tail. She then proceeded to rub her head against my chest (I was sitting up at the time) and growling affectionately. I smiled softly and started to pet her head. I could tell Shinji was grinning and Issun was watching with a flushed expression, but the moment was interrupted by a certain phoenix swooping in on us.

"Well, well, looks like you've fallen for her Saruta," Suzaku said with a chuckle.

I turned to look at the bird, "We're just traveling damn it!" I yelled.

"It won't matter, I'll kill her first then deal with you next," Suzaku said.

I put on my mask and let out a growl, "Try it" I yelled.

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Ishimaru has now awoken another power and reunited with the gang, but now must face Suzaku. Can they beat him? And what about Rashamaru, and the mysterious 'Master' Suzaku serves, who are they? stay tuned to find out.