Pinkshuchan: LALIHO! Hey there! It's Pinkshuchan! Last chapter, Eiri, along with Ayaka, left the others to go to Kyoto. What will await them there? Here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 35

Kyoto

Eiri had walked for days heading to Kyoto and he wasn't even close to getting there yet. Lots of yokai tried to attack him while he travelled by foot but he was lucky that Ayaka was able to protect him within the Holy Staff. Apparently, it seemed like the yokai were growing stronger. It made him worry if, possibly, Yuki was going to be stronger too.

After walking for a bit, he decided to have a rest. There was still a bit of distance between where he was and Kyoto. He began setting up camp for the night, making sure he got enough rest for tomorrow. Ayaka watched as the monk began setting everything up; a question she had been meaning to ask popping into her head. When Eiri was done, he sat down. This was when Ayaka asked him her question.

"Master Eiri," she began, I've been wondering about this ever since we left Master Genbu's temple. With all four of the Four Great Yokai's temples, they each gave you a bit of their power, yet I've noticed that you've never mentioned about using it. May I ask why, master?"

Eiri looked up at her. "I've never mentioned anything about it because I don't think there was really any means of mentioning. From the moment Genbu's powers went inside of me, I felt strength so powerful that it seemed like it was consuming my entire body. It was the same when the other three gave their powers to me. It's like it attached itself to my soul. From the moment I felt these powers, I knew that they would be too strong to control if I did use it. It may even be too powerful to the point that it may take away my own life. I don't plan on using these powers for a while. I plan to save them for when I face Yuki. I can tell that he's become stronger since the last time I fought him. It makes me wonder if I can handle fighting against him by myself."

"You are strong Master Eiri. Even if your strength is nothing compared to Yuki, you're not alone. All the others would be with you, especially Master Shuichi. I can see that his feelings for you are pure and his feelings are nothing more than a flame that will grow yet never burn out. That is what I think."

Eiri sat there for a moment before nodding his head and going to sleep. As he began to fall asleep, he began to wonder how Shuichi was doing. But he knew that he would be reunited with him soon enough as soon as he went to Kyoto.

Day had come fast and Eiri and Ayaka continued on their way to Kyoto. They travelled as far as they could until finally, they had made it. It looked exactly like Eiri remembered it to be. It looked so peaceful with its bamboo fountains and its glorious sakura blossom trees. However, the aura surrounding Kyoto felt dark to Eiri for some reason. He didn't know why. He decided to keep an eye out just in case. He kept walking until he reached the place he grew up.

He had reached the temple.

It was exactly like it was when Eiri left. The temple stood with all its glory and looked the most tranquil of it all. And yet for some reason, Eiri felt that it was also the darkest. He continued forward to see that he wasn't alone here. The monks had come out, surprised to see him return with how long he had been gone. He went up to one of them and asked where he could find his father. The monk he asked replied that Eiri's father was praying under the statue of Buddha. Eiri already knew where it was as part of his training involved him praying in front of Buddha and went on his way. And believe it or not, there he was, praying at the statue like he was told he was. Eiri's was an old man with a completely shaved head like all the monks but wearing a black and orange monk's robe. Noticing the golden haired monk's presence, he looked behind him and stood up; a smile making its way onto his face as he saw his son again.

"Eiri," he spoke up as he walked towards his son, "You have finally returned to Kyoto. I take it that means all of the yokai have been defeated?"

"Father," Eiri began, "When I left Kyoto, it was so I could defeat all the yokai in Japan. But during my travels, I had seen that it is not the yokai themselves that are trying to kill all the humans, but something else," He would've told him that it was Yuki but he didn't want to alert his father to thinking he was incompetent. "I came back here to Kyoto because of something important I need to know that had been interfering with what I was told to do.

"A few days ago, a man that came from an entirely different world far beyond the oceans that surround Japan came to me and tried to kill me. I managed to survive, but when I asked why he tried to kill me, he replied that monks that live here in Kyoto in the temple close to the lake told him to go after me and kill me. I want to know what is going on."

The old monk's smiling face became stern once he heard everything Eiri had to say. "That is preposterous," he replied, "Why would my monks send some foreigner to kill the only one who can save us from extinction? He may have been lying to you Eiri. That way you would turn on your own family." He began walking away to his favourite sakura tree while Eiri followed.

"But how can a man who has no idea of the world he's in know to actually kill someone here let alone a specific person?"

"He may have been possessed by a yokai. You know that there are some that can do that."

"If he was really possessed by a yokai I would've sensed it by his aura. But I find that the aura here seems to be… darker than usual. Did something happen?"

Eiri's father froze in place for a moment before looking back at him. "It must be your imagination. Yokai are known to pull tricks on us humans."

"Not all yokai are after humans. Some of them want to help us."

"Eiri!" the old monk raised his voice as he turned around and glared at his son, "I've told you once and I'll tell you again; no yokai would want to help humans!"

"You don't know that!" Eiri began raising his own voice, "You've never even left the temple. There are yokai that want to help us. They're just afraid to show themselves. They hide away from us because of people like you who believe that all of them are responsible for what's happening."

"EIRI!" Now he was furious. "I DIDN'T TEACH YOU TO CORRECT MY TEACHINGS! EITHER YOU COOPERATE TO EVERYTHING I SAY OR LEAVE."

Eiri stood there glaring at the old monk for a while before saying one more thing. "You're nothing but a stubborn old bastard." He then walked away, knowing that he wasn't going to be of any help.

That night, Eiri stayed at one of the houses outside of the temple. The owner that lived in that house didn't mind him staying there at all until he was ready to leave. Throughout the night, he was in the room provided for him, preparing in case something was to happen. Ayaka was still in the staff, unsure if anyone would come in to see Eiri.

"I have a really bad feeling," Ayaka told him truthfully, "There are yokai possessed by the Dark Venom here. Their strength had grown here. They may be too powerful for you alone."

Eiri nodded. "I know," he replied, "The aura around Kyoto is strong. It may even be strong enough to wipe out the entire village. We'll need to hurry," He picked up the staff and walked out of the room. He encountered the owner of the house, who was an elderly man with a long white beard, and bowed. "I thank you for letting me stay here. I shall return shortly once I deal with something."

"You mustn't young monk," the old man cried out, "Those who exit out of their homes when the moon rises deal with dire consequences."

This piqued Eiri's curiosity. "What kind of consequences?"

"Apparently, 20 days ago, yokai began attacking people as soon as the moon rises. They were really unusual looking yokai though. They look like humans with demonic features. Anyways, since they came no one dared to go outside at night. Those that did… well, let's just say that they were never seen again."

"And they've been roaming around for 20 days? Didn't the monks try to stop it?"

"Now that I think about it, they didn't. One day I went to see them about it and asked for their help on the matter. They didn't believe me, saying that they never saw any yokai attack Kyoto. They thought I was crazy. I know I'm not crazy. There were innocent lives taken because of those yokai and I want to see it stopped. No one is safe because of them."

This was when Eiri pieced everything together. He knew what was going on. He ran out the door and was about to run to the temple until he saw the yokai the old man was talking about. He was right when he said that they looked like they were humans with demonic features. The yokai had dark grey skin and pointed ears. They had claws and fangs and they were fully naked. But what had interested Eiri about the yokai was that they were all male and they had some hair on their arms, their legs, and the privates, but they didn't have any on their head. Upon seeing Eiri, they jumped at him and tried to eat him. But using the Holy Staff, he managed to push them back. He ran as fast as he could to the temple as the blood red full moon glowed above the village, knowing that that was where everything was taking place. He ran through the temple grounds until he reached the Buddhist statue and there, kneeling before it, was Eiri's father. He stood up.

"I see you returned Eiri," the old monk spoke up, "Have you finally reconsidered what I said?"

"No," Eiri replied, glaring at him, "And I don't need to, especially since a yokai possessed by the Dark Venom is already in front of me."

The old monk began to chuckle and it grew and grew until it became full out maniacal laughter. Then, his head began turning 180 degrees until it was directly facing Eiri. His laughter did not cease. Soon, his skin began changing into a dark grey and he began gaining claws and fangs. Soon enough, he became one of the yokai. His head turned back to the front as it began facing Eiri, an evil grin stretching across his entire face.

Eiri's eyes narrowed. "So it was you," he growled, "What happened to my father and the other monks? Where did you take them?"

The yokai laughed. "I didn't take them anywhere. These bodies are the real deal. Makes it seem… more realistic… like they are really with you but not."

"YOU BASTARD!" Eiri was ready to charge right at him but the yokai was quicker. Before he knew it, he crashed right into the statue. He didn't break it, but he looked back to see the yokai laughing at him.

"You cannot defeat me that easily Eiri," he laughed, "I'm far more superior than you."

"SHUT UP!" Eiri's anger was getting the best of him. Sure, the monks made his life miserable and they tried to kill Shuichi, but they still raised him. He would be damned if he would let the yokai defeat him. He went after the yokai and chased him around the temple grounds until they found all of the other yokai. The yokai grabbed Eiri and restrained him, causing him to accidentally throw the Holy Staff and make himself completely defenceless.

The yokai that took over Eiri's father, who Eiri guessed to be the leader, laughed. "You really are pathetic right now Eiri. The fact that you let your anger take over your power. However," He raised Eiri's head so he looked up at him. "You do have quite a remarkable power. Master Yuki will be filled with joy once you become a yokai and join his side."

Eiri's eyes widened. "What the hell? How can you turn me into a yokai? It's not possible."

"Oh but it is. It's a little thing I like to call 'possession'. The stronger the power the yokai has over you, the more you become a yokai. Soon, you'll become just like us, serving Yuki and destroying all the humans," Eiri tried to break free but the yokai holding him were too powerful. The yokai leader had the monk's head held so he looked straight at him. "Now look closely in my eyes and we shall give you a yokai of your own to take over you."

Eiri tried to look away, close his eyes, anything to prevent himself from being possessed, but the power was too great for him. He soon found himself being pulled into the yokai's control. He kept trying to resist but it was no use. He was about to become one of them soon.

At least, he was almost about to.

Before the yokai managed to fully control Eiri, some of the yokai began falling one by one, wounds made right where their hearts were. Eiri was free, but how was he saved? He then saw Ayaka flying back to him followed by a few more familiar faces.

There following Ayaka was Shuichi and the others.

Shuichi was flying in his kitsune form with K on his back and Hiro flying beside him with Suguru and Tatsuha riding on his back flying behind them. Eiri was glad to see them. He noticed that Tatsuha was crying about something. Eiri guessed it was because he didn't want to join battle. It was understandable considering how big a coward he was. As they flew towards him, they fought any of the yokai in front of them. K used his rifle and his grenades, Shuichi used his kitsune fire, Hiro would swoop down and slash the enemies, and Suguru couldn't do anything because of Tatsuha. K and Shuichi flew down to Eiri.

Eiri couldn't believe it. "You're here!"

"You didn't really think I was going to let you go without me here did you?" asked Shuichi.

"But what about our deal? I said that-"

"You said that you didn't want to see me follow you. You never told me to not follow you."

Eiri looked at him for a bit before sighing. "Well, I guess it's better that you found a loophole and followed in time to help save me than to not follow me at all and lose myself to the Dark Venom.

They looked at the yokai leader who looked like he was furious. "Why you! You ruined my plans! Doesn't matter! If I can't have you join us, I'll have you all destroyed!" His rage caused him to grow until he was ten times Eiri's height. This was going to be a hard battle.

K jumped off of Shuichi's back. "I believe this is your ride." K replied.

Eiri looked up at the yokai leader. This yokai had taken his father's body and claimed it as his own. He didn't know if he could fight a yokai that had possessed his father's body. But this yokai also killed the other monks and took the lives of innocent people. Who knows how many lives this yokai would take if they didn't stop him. Knowing his decision, he jumped onto Shuichi's back.

"Let's go!" he told Shuichi, "Let's get that bastard!"

Shuichi nodded before he began to fly and headed towards the yokai leader. Because of his great height, the yokai leader had an advantage in strength. However, Shuichi was swift and every attack that the yokai tried to pull the kitsune hanyou would be able to dodge it. Shuichi tried to use his kitsune fire on him but the yokai was so big the flames had no effect on him.

"I don't get it!" Shuichi gasped, "How do we beat him?"

Eiri tried to think. He looked over at Shuichi and began remembering something he learned about kitsune. Kitsune, as a rule, increase spiritual energy. Eiri, as a monk, uses spiritual energy to fight. This gave him an idea. There was a powerful sutra Eiri knew about that could defeat a yokai like the yokai leader easily. Eiri never used it though because it required a lot of spiritual energy. But with Shuichi beside him, he began to believe he could pull it off.

"Shuichi, I need you to get closer to him." Eiri told him.

The kitsune looked back at him. "You got a plan?"

"I'm not sure if it will really work but it's worth a try. Get closer to him!"

Shuichi nodded and flew closer to the yokai. This was Eiri's chance to defeat the yokai leader. He pulled out a paper scroll and began pouring all of his energy into the scroll. Shuichi looked at him. "What are you doing?"

"There is a sutra that's far powerful than anything I have ever used before. It's too powerful for me to use alone, but with you I can do it."

Shuichi's eyes sparkled at what the monk said. "Aww Yuki!" he sighed dreamily, "Is it because our love conquers all?"

"No, because as a kitsune you can raise spiritual energy and I need that extra boost."

The sparkles in his eyes were gone but his smile didn't. "Close enough. Here we go!" Shuichi helped give some of his energy to Eiri while the monk poured all his energy into the paper scroll. Once he had put it all in, he threw the paper scroll at the yokai leader. The yokai began feeling an exfoliating pain and he began to shrink back to normal size, changing back into human form. Shuichi lowered himself to the ground and Eiri jumped off, heading to where his father laid. He opened his eyes and they were the eyes of the old monk. He looked up at his son.

"Eiri," he called to him weakly, "I don't think I'll make it. The yokai's power was… too great for me to fight," He looked over at Shuichi who had walked beside the golden haired monk. "This is…!"

"Yes," Shuichi replied, "I'm the kitsune you and the other monks here tried to kill. You ended up killing my mother instead, even though she and I did nothing to hurt you."

"I am sorry. I guess Eiri was right. I guess there are yokai that are trying to help us. I realize this… as I lay on my death bed."

Eiri shook his head. "Don't die you old man!" he snapped at him, "You're too important in Kyoto to die now. The people need you."

The old monk looked over at his son. "Eiri… there's no point. I've lived long enough… I knew this day would come… the day when a yokai takes my life. I'm… really sorry Eiri. But… I still have something important to tell you… before I die… Yuki… he had created powerful yokai to serve him and try to kill you… They are tough… but I'm sure you can defeat them… Please… save all of us from Yuki… not just humans… but yokai too…then… … everyone… will be… at peace… … … …" As he breathed his last words, his head tilted to the side and his eyes and mouth remained open as his chest and heart remained still.

The old monk had died in front of them.

Eiri lowered his head, hiding the pain on his face. And to think that before this battle happened, the golden haired monk called him a stubborn old bastard. Shuichi moved closer to him and nuzzled his head against Eiri's. The latter looked up and wrapped his arms around the kitsune's neck, hiding his tears in his chest. Shuichi wrapped one paw around his beloved monk and held him close. The old monk would not be forgotten.

Pinkshuchan: Poor Eiri. It's hard losing someone you love, especially if you said words you regret you ever said to them before they died. I'm sure we all might have been there. Read and Review everyone!