Heart of Shadows
Chapter 50: Is This Goodbye?
She sat on the roof of the Sasaki house, completely absorbed in her thoughts. Her hands rested behind her head while her eyes remained staring blankly at the orange-yellow sky, which slowly morphed into a midnight black. The sun slowly descended, and pretty soon, the moon would rise and take its opposite's place. However, the sun descending was like an hourglass running out of sand on the top half. Time was running out.
She wished time would stop so it would never come to this. If she could stop time, she could take care of everything before it went awry. She could've stopped her sister from being experimented on in the first place, but that would still be a long shot. And would it really work in her favor? If she did try to make things right, would things eventually return to normal? Her heart knew the answer, but her mind couldn't even begin to imagine the possibilities. Her heart on the other hand, already knew the answer. And it scared them. It frightened them to no end, but who could she blame? James? Higa? Minaka? Who could she really blame for everything that happened? Destiny? Karma? Who?
In her mind, she had very good reasons to blame those three aforementioned men. James attacked her sister and brought her to Higa, who in turn, forced the veiled brunette under his reign. It was their fault things escalated to the point of Yomi's departure. The beautiful reaper is one of Uzume's best friends. But now, it seemed their friendship ended when Yomi left. It broke her heart too, seeing her friend leave like that in a fit of pure rage so volcanic that not even the coldest water could douse it. Minaka is one of the main problems; he managed to steal Chiho when Higa was most distracted and carry out his wicked experiments. Needless to say, it started the pain and suffering that soon followed.
Uzume blinked once. Twice. She remained silent, focusing entirely on her thoughts. Things were looking up for her when she saw Kai take down those thugs on his way back home. She was so amazed by his skills that she could not just sit back and watch. She had to meet him, get to know him, and she did exactly that. She remembered it like it was yesterday. Going on a little stroll to relax, the busty brunette heard metal sounds and screams of pain close by and decided to check it out. It was then her life changed once she saw him.
She remembered it perfectly; his flawless movements, precise strikes, calm demeanor through it all. It was like watching someone glide across the ground without a single sound of their footsteps being heard. Kai completely sparked her interest and she needed to know more about the human that effortlessly took down a group of thugs without breaking a sweat.
He was so mysterious too; the air around him screamed mystery. She wanted to uncover it, but as she did, she learned things that didn't sit well with her. The same ashikabi she bonded with had a lot of secrets hid under his belt. Well, they're alike in that regard. Both have their fair share of secrets.
She had faith in him. For the first time in a long time, she felt hopeful about the situation. She knew that if anyone could do it, Kai would be that person. However, was it safe to say that now? Was it safe to put more faith in the plan? Kai took the team starting to fall apart the hardest. He doesn't want to show it, but he's the most affected by the recent turn of events.
Uzume shielded her eyes with her arm and released a heavy sigh. This isn't how things were supposed to turn out, but it did. Things escalated into this and now those involved are getting what they deserve.
Her phone started to vibrate, but she didn't care about who called. She already had an idea who.
"What do you want?" she interrogated. "Yes, I know…If you called to say stuff I already know, just hang up. I have enough to think about without you getting on my case…Of course I know who I'm doing this for…I still have until tonight."
She hung up and took a deep breath.
"Stupid secretary acting like he knows everything," she whispered venomously.
"Was that your employer?"
Uzume uncovered her eyes and met Yahan, who appeared from the shadows. The ebony sekirei had her hands placed on her hips.
"You heard all that?" the veiled sekirei asked back. There was no point in hiding any more. Everyone knew her secret now.
"Every word," Yahan nodded. "What's happening tonight?"
Uzume spread her arms out.
"I have to make a decision. However, certain things will happen depending on what I choose," she informed the shadow sekirei.
"And what are these choices you have to ponder?" Yahan took a seat next to the brunette. Uzume remained silent for a moment. She didn't know how any of the sekirei would respond. She had a pretty good idea how Kai will respond.
"By tonight, I have to decide whether or not I stay here with you guys," she said softly but still loud enough for Yahan to hear. The ebony sekirei narrowed her eyes. "I can either choose to stay here with you guys and Kai. However, by doing so, my sister will either be killed or forced to join Higa's faction. But if I choose to leave and go to her side, Kai will be furious with me and I'll have to suffer his wrath. Those are my two choices and I have until midnight tonight to make up my mind."
"I see," Yahan sighed. She didn't know what to do anymore. Everything was still new to her, still fresh in her mind. What could she do? The very best seemed to just talk, but it will take so much more to come up with a good solution. Is there a solution? If so, Yahan wished someone would tell her. "And so far, what side are you leaning to?"
Uzume bit her bottom lip. Everyone was asking important questions that she didn't want to respond to. But there was no point in staying quiet any more.
"I really want to stay here Yahan," she said, her beautiful hair covering her eyes. "I consider this place my home and I can't bear the thought of leaving it. But my sister is over there suffering and all I can do is make sure no harm comes to her."
"What do you intend to do then?" Yahan peered down at the brunette. Uzume shook her head.
"I don't know. I don't know what to do. Everything is coming apart and it's my fault; I can't deny the truth Yomi stated. I should've fess up, but I was so terrified by what you all would think. I thought you would consider me a traitor like Yomi and try to kill me in order to save the others, but it's too late now. You all know my secret and look what's happening. Yomi despises me and Kai now. Kai isn't feeling like himself, you all had to witness something that shouldn't have happened, and now I'm faced with choices that will only make me suffer more."
Yahan didn't have a comeback. She and Hibiki had a chat so the ebony sekirei was caught up to speed on everyone's story.
"Do you think I'm a traitor?"
Silence washed over them. Yahan had no idea how to respond. It was a sudden question, but an important one nonetheless.
"Uzume," the shadow sekirei responded. "I'm going to be one hundred percent with you. I'm very wary of you now."
"…Oh," was Uzume's response. "I guess I can't blame you though."
"I do want to know. Is that all you've been doing?" the ebony sekirei asked one more question.
"I just do what they want," Uzume hesitated to answer. "It all depends on the sekirei, but I either eliminate the weak ones or capture the strong ones. I don't really question the orders, because you know."
"I see," Yahan rose to her feet, drawing a blank look on Uzume's face.
"Yahan?" she called out.
"I'm going to leave you alone now Uzume," came the ebony sekirei's response. "I suggest you think really hard about your decisions. When midnight rolls around, I'll be expecting something positive, but just know, that if Kai orders it, I'll try not to hesitate to kill you."
Silence filled the air again. Yahan began sinking into the shadows, but before she vanished, she gave Uzume a pleading look. "Don't make things worse than they already are, please," her expression said.
Uzume was left alone once again, only her thoughts offering company. She looked at the sun, which was finally setting over the horizon. It won't be long until midnight, not much longer until she must make a choice. But, should she go with the safe choice and remain with her ashikabi? Or should she chose to go to her sister and risk Kai's wrath to help save her? Uzume knew without a doubt Kai will come for Higa's head if she left. But…could she bring herself to do so?
Their swords glided through the air effortlessly, cutting the space around them as the metal smashed into each other vehemently. Sparks sprinkled to the floor, fire mixing together into a stronger flame, which burned intensely with each slash. The enemies locked eyes, the same colored eyes staring deeply into each other's soul, but with opposite expressions and emotions. One had the glare filled with the burning rage of a thousand suns, blazing robustly as he put more power into his grip and attempted to push his enemy back. The other wasn't filled with rage at all. Unlike his adversary, he found everything thrilling and joyful, especially this moment in particular.
"You won't save your girls at this rate," James bounced back and unleashed a barrage of fire arrows. Jacob, in retaliation, gave Destros a good twirl and struck back against the arrow, swinging and slashing his blade in rapid succession. The ashikabi barred his fangs with a menacing growl. He tried his absolute best to hold back the rage spewing from his body, but the situation was too critical to let it slide.
"Stop talking shit!" Jacob exclaimed. "My girls will be fine, and I'll make sure of it when I get past you."
"Oh? You just want to get past me? I thought you wanted to kill me," his older twin pointed out with a wicked grin.
"Killing you would be icing on the cake," Jacob spat back, the venom blatantly etched in his tone. "But this time, I actually have more important things to worry about besides cutting off your head."
"Hmm, then let's see if the pup's babies can last long enough," James dashed forward, almost becoming a blur, and swiped his sword horizontally. Jacob blocked with his pointed vertically and retaliated with an overhead strike, forcefully bringing his sword down with vehemence, but missed his target. Fire was the only element in play, its crackling melody tuned out by the vigorous clang, clack, and screech of metal constantly striking each other.
The brothers fought intensely, twisting on the balls of their feet to maneuver, skillfully swinging their blades while the strong vibrations made their hands numb, and unleashing barrage after barrage of fire attacks. Thankfully, no other person was around, allowing Jacob to fight without worry. Screw the buildings and places around them; they were most likely abandoned.
The fight lasted for a long time and Jacob's rage skyrocketed throughout the bout. He really tried to bypass his brother, but the fellow Licothian warrior cut the wolf ashikabi off at every turn. James made it his sole mission to keep his little brother from escaping. Pissing him of every time worked wonders, as it messed up Jacob's thoughts and hindered his movements. No matter how many times Minato advised him about his temper, James always find a way to break through the wolf. This is no exception.
"Damn… YOU!" Jacob panted, shouting angrily at his brother. He couldn't escape, he couldn't get past his brother, and so many things were happening at the same time of his bout with his brother. "I don't have time for your shit! Get out of my way!"
"You should know how things are run by now, brother," James canceled the fire and let the dark energy from Stormbringer make its appearance. "If you want to get past me, you're gonna have to fight me. There's no way I'm letting you get through, not until everything is taken care of."
Another growl escaped Jacob's lips as he gripped Destros tighter. Time was of the essence and he was stuck in place. Would he make it? He had to, no question about it; he absolutely had to make it.
"I won't let that happen," Jacob declared. 'But I really can't waste time here. I need to get back home. Taki, girls, Drake; please be okay.'
The brothers' fight continued post haste, their respective blades whizzing back through the air as a mixture of fire and dark energy collided with each other, power radiating with each clash, and destruction following. It was Fire versus Darkness, Destros versus his father Stormbringer, Jacob versus James; and the time limit continued to get smaller and smaller.
"Face facts brother; it's over for your faction," James blocked the thrust with his blade, pivoted, and retaliated with a diagonal slash. Jacob raised Destros to defend, holding his ground against the counterstrike.
"You're a broken record," Jacob was pushed back, but he unleashed a multitude of quick strikes as a counter. Dodging effortlessly, James delivered a strong kick to his brother's gut. The breath fled from his lungs as he hunched forward, vulnerable to the vehement punch that soon followed.
"And you're simply wasting your time," James approached the fallen Jacob. "I keep telling you it's pointless, but then again, listening was never your strong suit."
Jacob quickly resurfaced and put some distance between him and his brother. He had to think of another plan of escape, even though it made him sick to his stomach. Running from his brother was the most retched strategy that ever crossed his mind. Even calling it a strategic retreat sounded downright disgusting, but his priorities came first.
"What do you hope to gain by doing this?" Jacob questioned. "The only thing you could possibly gain is amusement, but why? Why would you, someone who can take out most of Higa's faction, resort to following him like an obedient slave?"
"Aww, you do care," James replied tauntingly.
"I don't care you psychotic bastard," Jacob retorted fiercely, growling predatorily.
"Oh I'm sorry," James suddenly appeared before Jacob. "Let me show you my gratitude though."
The ugly orchestra of metal screeched yet again.
"What the hell is going on?" Drake interrogated with a threatening snarl. He couldn't make sense of anything, the chaos erupting around him exploding vehemently. He had no idea where everyone else was, who was attacking, or who was currently winning. Drake focused more on surviving rather than the leader, but he knew Jacob would have his head if he didn't protect his faction.
"Your death!" his attacker dove down with a mighty swing of her staff. Drake bounced back, nearly avoiding a strike to his cranium, and retreated around the battlefield, which seemed to stretch on forever. The battleground was Jacob's abode, yard and all, but Drake never recalled it being so massive. The current situation most likely affected his mind into conjuring up a bigger battlefield to fight in.
"I have no time for you!" Drake looked left and right, trying to find the sekirei. However, the amount of chaos exploding in his face mask their presence. He could hear their war cries and weapons clashing furiously against the enemies' but finding them remained a mystery.
"Forget it runt," Toyotama burst from the cloak masking the others' presence and slammed her staff down on the ground where Drake once stood. "You're in this too."
"But I'm not one of the girls you're after," Drake told her. "I don't know what you girls are, but you're nothing like the ones I've seen."
"Ha, then this will be even more fun," Toyotama gave her staff an expert twirl. Her orders from Higa went as followed; attack Jacob's house and eliminate as many as his party as possible. A simple task, one Toyotama and her teammates were happy to comply with. It would've been better if it was Kai and his group, but one must start somewhere.
"You're a persistent chick," Drake commented. He didn't have abilities like Jacob or James, but what he lacked in abilities; he made up for it physically. But he didn't want to fight yet, not without getting Jacob's girls out of the red. "But I don't time to fight you."
"Make some," Toyotama demanded, her voice getting cold and serious. "I have my orders and you're involved with this guy's faction."
The green haired amazon made the first move, dashing forward in a blur, and slamming her staff on the ground. Drake leaped out of the way, but found himself on the receiving end of another strike from Toyotama.
"You can run away all you want. I will find you," she declared as she walked to the rising Drake. "And when I do, I will not hurt you," she grinned wickedly. Drake raised a brow. She won't hurt him? "I will kill you."
"So that's it," Drake popped his neck, clenching his fists tightly as his shoulders began to relax. "Well let me ask you this. What makes you think you can actually accomplish that?"
Drake raised his fists in a typical street brawl manner. He couldn't help Jacob's girls without dealing with Toyotama first, but if they're anything like her, there shouldn't be anything to worry about.
"You really think a human has what it takes to defeat someone like me?" Toyotama questioned back. "You're stupider than I thought."
Drake felt a smirk curling his lips upward.
"You're the stupid one," he retorted, watching the green haired beauty's face turn into a scowl. He shook his head. "I'm not human," he stepped forward and suddenly took off in a burst of speed. In seconds, he closed the distance between him and Toyotama, his fist cocked back. "I'm Licothian."
Drake snapped his fist forward, slamming into the staff Toyotama raised to defend. She felt herself sliding back several feet, completely taken aback by the amount of strength Drake exhibited.
"And a damn strong one at that," the smugly smiling Drake cracked his knuckles. "I have no abilities like Jacob or James, but I do have the strength that puts them to shame."
Toyotama studied Drake carefully, cautiously walking back across from him. She didn't expect such strength, but now that the affects have subsided, the staff wielder managed a wide smile.
"So you have the physical aspects, but a melee fighter's strength is about ten times stronger than yours," she pointed out tauntingly. But she didn't receive the response she hoped.
"And?" Drake shrugged his shoulders. "I don't need any more strength to take you down, so your taunts are useless."
He and Toyotama readied for combat once more. They could hear the screams of battle surround them, washing over them. The combatants weren't distracted however; they couldn't let the surrounding cries distract them.
"I don't know who or what you are," Drake spoke up. "But I could care less at this point. I just want you gone," Drake attacked first with Toyotama following up. Their spot on the battlefield erupted in swift punches and precise strikes. Drake's fists flew through the air in rapid succession, but the smooth flow of Toyotama's strikes deflected them. In retaliation, the green haired amazon orbited her staff all around her form, effectively blocking and countering Drake's attacks. A counter shield she started to call it.
"And I want you dead," she responded to Drake's last sentence. Drake proved to be a skilled fighter in close combat, but the advantage overall went to Toyotama. With her staff, her reach was better and she could easily keep Drake away, but the last part proved quite difficult. The guy didn't use a weapon except his fists, but his smaller stature and lower sense of gravity allowed him to bypass Toyotama's defenses and get in a couple of strikes.
Toyotama made it her goal to avoid Drake's punches. Like she said, a fist-type had the better strength, but that didn't mean Drake wasn't lacking in that department. His attacks were fierce and swift; he could attack six times when his opponents assumed he did three. His speed complimented his swift strikes, but Toyotama knew someone who was even faster than him.
"Your skills are impressive despite your size," Toyotama panted hard. It was quite the workout and the sekirei was having a thrill. "But," her tone turned serious again. "You're not as fast as him."
"I don't need to be," Drake wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. He had his fair share of received hits. Toyotama's staff is made of very strong and durable material, making damage received from it extremely painful. "Whoever you're referring to, I'm not him."
"Tch, no shit, but I'll deal with him some other time," Toyotama spun her staff and launched it at her opponent as it continued to spin.
"Throwing your weapon away?" Drake dodged the thrown weapon, but kept his eye on it. Even he found it odd that Toyotama would throw her weapon away in the middle of a fight. However, he was not paying attention to the real problem, which ended with him square on his back after receiving a powerful blow to the jaw, via Toyotama's second staff.
"What the?" he didn't have the chance to continue his words as Toyotama stomped down on his chest, wheezing the Licothian.
"Don't you know the main rule of combat is to keep your eyes on your opponent?" the sekirei caught her first staff and proceeded to whack Drake's body with both. All her might went into the swings as she pummeled Drake's body mercilessly, laughing manically as Drake squirmed and grunted agonizingly with each strike. The barrage happened too swiftly to counter and her strikes landed on areas that prevented movement. "I thought you would at least remember that."
Drake could only respond in the agonizing grunts Toyotama forced out of his lips. She enjoyed every bit of beating Drake repeatedly with her staff, relishing in his squirming and screams. Everything else in the background became invisible as she continued her assault, whacking, beating, and pummeling Drake. She beat his shoulders, arms, body, legs, and even his hands. Every part of him was sore and throbbing in pain, but the moment she stomped his chest once more, Drake let out a full scream. The cry echoed through air and became music to Toyotama's ears.
"Ahh, such a wonderful cry. I didn't think you would break so easily," the ambidextrous staff holder raised her weapons. "But as good as a punching bag you make, I have other matters to attend to."
"I… won't… let you." Drake stared past her and into the darkening sky. Only a slither of light remained over them, a pillar that shined down on Drake and Toyotama.
"You don't have much of a choice," the sekirei twisted her staffs and ejected two sharp blades. "Say hello to your friend's faction when you see them in the afterlife."
Drake tried to muster the strength to defend himself, but he couldn't. Toyotama's never-ending assault damaged him too much; he could feel his consciousness fading, everything slowly turning black. All he could see before things went dark was Toyotama bringing her weapons down.
It wasn't exactly midnight, but a good bit has passed in the night. Not everyone was asleep either, but they were distracted well enough for her to sneak away quietly. She didn't take anything except the clothes on her back and stepped outside, letting the blackness of the night bathe her in lunar light. The soft night wind blew through her hair, which covered her eyes from people's sights. She took one look at the house and began walking away, the thumping in her chest growing heavier and heavier with each step. The coast was clear, making it just a clear shot ahead. She came to her decision. She thought about it long and hard, but now, now it came down to it.
"Is this it?" his voice broke the silence. Uzume stopped and gripped the fence tightly. Her eyes opened wider in surprise; she didn't know he was there. She thought the coast was clear, but apparently not. She didn't even have to look in order to feel Kai leaning against the fence, standing directly beside Uzume. She couldn't tell if there was any malice in his voice, but his presence alone terrified her. The veiled sekirei trembled from the silence that befell her. She was scared to turn around, scared to see his face, and Kai could tell she was frightened. "I saw you sneaking out and decided to stop you. Care to explain yourself?"
Uzume managed to put her hands behind her back and intertwine her fingers. She bit her bottom lips, contemplating a way out of her situation. But, she knew nothing would work.
"I…I had to make a choice," she whispered. It was only loud enough for Kai to hear. He remained in the same position, leaning against the fence with his arms folded over his chest and his eyes closed thoughtfully as he took in everything Uzume had to say. "I could either stay with you like I want, or leave and go to Higa. But if I stay, my sister will be killed or forced to join Higa's team. However, I do leave, I know you'll never forgive me and possibly storm Higa's building to murder him, me, and everyone else you demand blood from, while going to save my sister."
Silence befell her again, as Kai didn't respond at first. He let the words sink into his brain.
"And is this your choice?" he came out and said it. "After all your thinking, is this your final choice?"
Uzume could feel the tears filling up her eyes, but resisted the urge to let them out. She started to choke on her words.
"I…I didn't want things to be this way," she stated, gripping the metal fence tighter. "I didn't mean for it to come down to this. I just wanted to protect my sister. I just wanted us to find our ashikabi and live happily, but they came along and made our lives a living hell. None of this shouldn't have happened, but it did anyway."
"I understand that you've been through a lot Uzume," Kai breathed a lot through his nose. "I know that you're hurting a lot, but none of what you said answered my question. So I'll ask again; is this your final choice? Have you decided to leave as well?"
Uzume could feel his stare pouring into her back. Every part of her was screaming vociferously, but she couldn't decide which part was right.
"I don't know," she choked on the words, lowering her head to hide the tears falling down her face. "I don't know what to do. I just don't know!" she stomped her foot in a sudden burst of rage. "I keep thinking what I should, but every outcome terrifies me and I'm left hoping for more time. I've run out of it though; it has to be now."
"And this is the path you've chosen?" Kai asked once more. He wanted a direct answer, no extra details. He waited for Uzume to respond, but she was too hung up on the tears and her thoughts that words failed her. Instead, she stepped forward, away from the Sasaki residence. "Then you know what that means, right?"
Uzume stopped again. Kai was standing directly behind her; it didn't even seem like he moved at all, and yet, he was staring at Uzume's trembling back.
"I'm not going to beg you. I'm not going to get on my hands and knees and beg you to stay. If you leave Uzume, there is nothing I will be able to do. I will no longer be able to protect you."
The veiled sekirei covered her mouth to stifle the sobs, but her sniffles continued. And it was what Kai just said that made her cry harder.
"Even after… everything… that… happened, you're still…try to… protect me?" she wiped the tears, but fresh ones cascaded down her face. "Why? Just why Kai?!" she finally faced him, showing her tear filled face and reddening eyes. "Why are you constantly going out of your way to protect me when you know it's pointless? Why are you wasting time with me when you can try to get Yomi back? It's because of me she left in the first place! How can you stand there and say you'll protect me when I'm the driving factor in our group being torn apart? What's going on in that head of yours?"
"Ways I can bring us all back together and put an end to two monster's life," Kai responded without hesitation. "The things that go on in my head are complicated and unexplainable, but this isn't about me Uzume. I can't explain my ways, nor can I tell you why I behave and think the way I do, but this is your last chance Uzume. You can turn on your heels and leave, but just know that if you do, all bets are off. It's done; and don't think I'll hesitate to settle matters should our paths cross again; this is your one and only warning."
Uzume opened and closed her mouth like a fish, trying to find a response to Kai's words and threats. The way he didn't move from his spot while holding his stance didn't help her; he was watching her every move.
"You're bluffing," she stated with as much confidence as she could muster. Kai's expression didn't change. "You're trying to psyche me out, make me think you'll harm me, but you won't. You don't have the nerve to hurt me, let along kill me."
She turned her back again. "I love you, but I have to go; it's better this way."
Before she could depart, she heard lightning chirp behind her and gasped.
"Wanna bet?" Kai inquired. His sword was drawn and pointed at Uzume's back with lightning chirping around it like always. "As you know, I have a small list of people I intend to kill. I implore you Uzume to not make that list, because I do intend to mark off everyone on said list."
Uzume swallowed the lump in her throat. She could feel the malice this time, the anger laced in Kai's words. Along with the power she felt from Kai's abilities stinging her backside, Uzume found herself paralyzed to the spot.
"Yomi isn't coming back," Kai stated. "She walked out because she felt betrayed and lied to. Why would she come back to a team with elements such as that? Even if you were gone, Yomi wouldn't trust me in the slightest. Nothing I say or do will bring her back, but YOU? You DO have a choice Uzume."
"I know that! Do you think I want to do this?" she interrogated, her back still facing Kai.
"Then why do you want to keep getting your hands dirty?" Kai asked back. "You think Higa will just return Chiho if you play by his rules? He won't; he'll use you until you're no longer of use him. As soon as he deems you useless, he'll leave you for dead. And you know this. You know what I'm saying is true, but you're choosing to murder your kin for an endeavor you will never accomplish. What is that going to settle Uzume? How is murdering your kin going to save Chico? Tell me that."
No response. There was nothing Uzume could say to defend herself. Even now, the tears continued to fall down her cheeks.
"You're a fool if you think things will be resolved this way," Kai continued to rant. "Higa's goal is to eliminate any and all competition until he is number one. It doesn't matter how he does it, so long as he stands at the top; and he'll use any means to do so, even going as far as blackmail and persuasion. He's blackmailing you to do his bidding. But did you know he tried to do the same to me?"
Uzume raised her head slowly. No, she did not know about that. She didn't know that detail from Kai's date with Hikari.
"He did?" she faced him halfway. Even now, Kai still his sword drawn and pointed at Uzume.
"He tried to, but do you know what happened? I stabbed his secretary in the shoulder," Kai didn't bat an eyelash. "Do you want to know how he tried to blackmail me?"
He used his blade as a pointer. "He tried to use you in order to convince me, but I looked his secretary dead in the eye and told hime flat out no. Even though you were the means of blackmailing me, I wasn't going to let his tricks sway me. So if I can do it, you can too; don't be a fool and think you're helping Chiho by doing his bidding. It won't help either of you."
"So I'm just supposed to let him kill or force wing her?!" Uzume protested in outrage, glaring furiously at her ashikabi. "Are you telling me to abandon Chiho and pray that nothing bad happens to her? I can place bets on your safety, but I can't do the same to her."
"I never said anything about abandoning her," Kai shook his head. "And if you haven't noticed by now Uzume, Chiho will be safe regardless of what side you pick."
"You're lying," the veiled sekirei stated back. "There's no way they'd lie about harming her."
"Is that what you really think? How do you know they're not just saying that to persuade you? They can say anything regarding Chiho and you would do anything to make sure nothing happened. Higa knows without Chiho he would have no hold over you and James' main characteristics are trickster and cunningness," Kai retorted, watching Uzume open and close her mouth like a fish. She had no more arguments to make.
"You don't know them like I do," she spoke up. "You have no idea what goes on in that building."
"I know them well enough, I have a pretty good idea what, and I've been inside that building before. I snuck in there a while back to gather some data for Jacob. I even met Chiho and got to know her a little; she's a really sweet girl, very affectionate too, which I do like."
"What? You… you were there?" Uzume clenched her fists tightly. She remembered that mission of his, but she didn't know the building he had to infiltrate was Higa's. "You were there… and you didn't save her?!"
"I couldn't," was all Kai said.
"Liar!" Uzume screamed. "You could've broken her out and carried her to the inn for treatment. Why didn't you?"
"You try sneaking into a heavily guarded building with cameras and other surveillance equipment watching your every move, not to mention the fact that James, who possesses a soul-stealing sword, was there and forced me to my knees without even being in the same room," her ashikabi retorted adamantly. "So if he was there, Higa definitely knew I was there, and what chance do you think Chiho and I would stand if I broke her out and tried to escape? We would be swarmed from all sides, shot down without so much as a second glance, and you all would die along with us. And there's no way a human such as I can survive a drop from whatever floor we were on. I had my reasons for leaving her behind and she understood that. I promised to set her free and that's what I intend to do, but a plan needs to be formed Uzume."
Higa is a ruthless man who wouldn't hesitate to leave his 'allies' behind to stay alive. There was no way of combating an enemy as slippery as him; a plan needed to be formulated. And not just any plan; it wasn't going to be so simple, that much is obvious.
Uzume and Kai had a stare down, their eyes locked together, but Uzume could the dullness in her ashikabi's. Even though he acted normal and adamant about the decision, there was still dullness in his eyes. None of his sekirei had an answer as to why his eyes became so lifeless. A dark void just formed in place of the usual gleam, but now, said gleam has disappeared. They, or Kochou rather, hypothesized that Yomi's departure had something to do with it, but they didn't know for sure.
"Now I'll go back to my main question," Kai broke the silence. "Are you going to leave? Is this where we say goodbye?"
Uzume opened her mouth to speak, but closed it after no words could form. She thought about everything they talked about, every fact, point thrown out, conclusions made, and questions asked. It was obvious to anyone else who made the stronger case and provided the better argument, but facts and evidence didn't ring in Uzume's mind. She couldn't deny how well Kai presented his case, but that still didn't help ease her mind.
The veiled sekirei gave Kai one last thoughtful stare, one long look before turning on her heels and taking off in the distance, leaving her ashikabi behind. She couldn't, she shouldn't, but she did, and each tear stung her already pained heart as she leaped through the sky. During the argument, she was starting to lean more towards Kai, but there was still part of her that couldn't accept it. A part of her continued to fight back against the temptation; and it won. She made her choice and there was no going back now, but she didn't want it to be this way.
Kai stared off in the direction where his sekirei ran off. He didn't say a word as he canceled the lightning glistening over his blade and leaned it again the shoulder.
"So that's it huh?" he let out a heavy sigh.
"Kai?"
The other sekirei were gathered with Kochou displaying a live feed of the conversation. They knew exactly what happened.
"Take a vote girls," the ashikabi turned to go back inside while the sekirei stared at him in confusion. Even Hikari was confused and she was the one boiling at the moment.
"Take a vote on what?" Kochou inquired hesitantly. She was afraid to ask. Kai stopped and angled his head upward.
"Well, don't include me on that vote, because I already know what I'm going to do. But the rest of you," he turned his head and revealed the vehement burst of rage pouring from his dull orbs. "Can decide on who stops me from marking her off my list. I warned her and tried to convince her to stay, but it seems that wasn't enough. Now it came down to this. I admit majority of is my fault for being so secretive, but I still gave her a chance, and she refused it. So now, for your sake and hers, you had better hope she and I never cross paths again, because Higa's blood won't be the only one being splattered."
He looked each sekirei in the eye. "When I see her, I won't hunt her down. Once our eyes meet, my sword will be the last thing she sees. If Uzume ever gets in my, I will kill her, no ands, ifs, or buts about it. I won't look for her, I won't try to find her, but I will kill her. And that's a guarantee."
MalevolentDarkness16 and Jacobthedarkone signing out. See you all in the next chapter.
