Heart of Shadows
Chapter 51: Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
"Are you sure it was wise letting her go so freely?" Storm asked the first question. No response though came from her partner; he remained completely silent. "I honestly expected you to chase and dispose of her before she made it to the other side."
Her partner still gave no response. It had been silent for them ever since the big defection. Kai just wouldn't say a word. But, there really was no need; he released an aura of rage so potent that he opted to sleep downstairs where the others won't feel it as much, but after what happened, Kai doesn't expect any of them to sleep right away.
"Are you mad because of who she chose, or are you angry because this could've been avoided had you acted differently?"
Storm once again received no response. Kai was not sleeping, not by a long shot. He was wide awake, formulating plan after plan. It was over with now; he's had enough. There needed to be retribution for the shit that happened and a slash marking off the names sitting pretty on his list. He didn't want revenge. No, that was not what he desired. It was more along the lines of settling the score, but with the thoughts swarming and swelling in his head, it might as well be considered revenge.
His thoughts were much darker than normal, filled to the brim with heated ideas that boiled beyond the third degree. In his mind, he started listing off people that he wrote on his list. He recalled them in any order he pleased, but they were there regardless; and it was high time to start marking them off. He wasn't going on a murderous rampage; that wasn't like him. No matter what, Kai would never resort to killing just to kill. There would always be a reason.
"Are you thinking about the reaper too?" Storm continued to speak. She knew Kai would be silent for a while, but she felt that talking would do him a little good. It definitely did her good. She's been feeling a little strange recently, more tired than anything, but she couldn't determine why. Kai also felt the same way, but after the events that happened a couple of hours ago, he would not be feeling tired any time soon.
"She's not coming back," Kai finally responded, but Storm could tell he tried to keep his anger from snapping at her. "Yomi made it clear she didn't want anything else to do with me."
"But she was mainly angry at the veiled one; I do think she would hear you out if you approached her directly and alone," Storm suggested. Kai shook his head.
"It wouldn't do any good," he said. "The moment I even look in her direction she would be quick to tell me to back off and go away. Not only that, but she has the best protection where she's at."
"You mean the inn where my brother Leonidas is?" Storm inquired.
"The very same; I know Yomi is smart and cunning. She would want to hide someplace where I wouldn't think to look while at the same time staying close by. The inn fits all that," Kai explained it to her.
"But isn't that literally the first place you would look?" Kai nodded back.
"Exactly why she would go there; she knew I would first consider the inn. However, that would be too easy and it would make me second guess it and try somewhere else. She wanted me to think the inn was her first place to go so I'll overcomplicate things and believe it was just a ploy to look somewhere else. So while I'm off wasting time and energy trying to find her, she would be at the inn being protected by Miya, Takehito, and their tenants."
"I see, but what do you intend to about her? Surely you can't just leave her," Storm pointed out next.
"If I try to go there, I'm only going to be sent away by the landlords. They won't let me step one foot past the gate," Kai let out a sigh. "I'm one hundred percent sure she's there though. With the damages she suffered from me, she would not be able to travel very far. The closest place she could go to get bandaged up is the inn."
"And the veiled one? Are you going to stick with what you told the others?" Storm waited for a response, but silence was the only thing she received. Storm knew Uzume's name of course, but she didn't say it out of respect for her partner.
"I meant what I said," Kai replied. "I tried to warn her, but she chose to go to the other side. I tried to convince her, but she left anyway."
"I'm sorry to say this, but it's your own fault," Storm stated. "I'm your partner and everything, but you really screwed things up, royally."
"Yes, I am aware of that," Kai opened his eyes in the darkness of his living room. He sat on the couch the entire time, resting his legs on the ottoman. His blade was set across his lap; he felt better with her in his lap. "I know I screwed up, but still, I tried my best to keep things calm. You can't say I just sat by and let chaos ensue."
"No, but you didn't let your group in when you should've," Storm shook her head. "And before you ask, since when have you really ever listened to me? I could've told you this and pulled your ear until I ripped it off, but you still wouldn't listen. Stubbornness has become your undoing."
"I don't think you're allowed to call me stubborn when you have a temper to match," Kai retorted. "This is why I call you Firestorm and not Leyna."
The blade remained silent for a minute. It's been a long time since Kai mentioned her real name. As he just said, Firestorm is a name he himself gave her, but Leyna is her real name. When he first heard it, Kai thought it was beautiful like her, but she had a temper that rivaled Tsukiumi. Thus, the name Firestorm was born.
"The situation must really be dire if you have to use my real name," Storm, now called Leyna, said. "I also see that you're thinking about that list of yours. It isn't like you to just kill someone out of anger."
"I never said I was," the lightning ashikabi shook his head. "I'm not going to kill anyone, but I do want information."
"About?" Kai narrowed his eyes and looked towards the staircase.
"Anything related to that bastard snake," he stated. "I'm surprised you're still awake Kochou," he said aloud. The brain-type approached her ashikabi with her trusty tablet in hand.
"I never went to sleep," she told him. "I was doing one more scan of the area when I spotted some old faces sneaking around."
"How familiar?" Kai stretched his arms.
"Do you remember those two ashikabi we encountered when you and I first bonded?" the brain-type sat on the arm rest next to Kai, who narrowed his eyes dangerously. "They're here, both ashikabi and their sekirei. They still have one it seems."
"I see," Kai placed his hand over his sword. "Disable the alarms; I'll deal with them should they actually get in. You head back upstairs and get some sleep."
"No, I'm staying right here," his brain-type nuzzled in beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. "You're lucky the rest are asleep; I would've called on them to see to the issue, but I'll give you this one."
"Seriously," he sighed. No use in arguing; he would lose for sure.
"It would be more ideal if I stick around, because knowing you, there would be blood and four dead bodies all over the floor and walls. I will prevent that," Kochou checked her tablet. She could see the burglars clearly. Four in total stalking around the perimeter with the two males definitely dressed for stealth. "Disabling the alarms, but I want to know, what do you intend to do with them?"
"I doubt you'll believe me, but now, I want to know some things," he responded, calling his assumption. The look on Kochou's face proved that she was skeptical of his reasons. "There's a reason why they're here; I'm going to find out. If I don't like it, I ask that you cover your eyes," he set her in his spot and took Storm as he got into position.
"You don't want a little kiss good luck?" his brain-type requested.
"We can save that for the bedroom, but I know you are too focused on other things," Kai leaned his back against the wall and peeked around to see the backdoor entrance. Doing so prevented him from seeing Kochou shake her head.
"You're right about that," Kochou whispered softly. "Still, you need someone to comfort you right now."
"I think you all need comfort," her ashikabi whispered back. "I wouldn't worry about me."
"Says the one who makes us worried the most," his brain-type countered. Her eyes went back and forth from her tablet to her ashikabi. It didn't take a very observant eye to see just how these recent events wore down the lightning ashikabi. But not even Kochou had an answer for it, and as she watched her ashikabi, the unyielding urge to use her ruler swelled up in the pit of her stomach. She knew his stubbornness would make it nearly impossible for him to listen to reason, but if she had to break out the ruler, then so be it, but she can't do it now. He was on high alert.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Jake asked his comrade.
"I'm absolutely sure," Nathan smirked. "The moon is out and everyone should be asleep. All we have to do is sneak in and do what the boss man wanted us to do."
"Still, I'm not comfortable with this," Jake commented. "I mean, you remember what happened last time we messed with him, right?" Jake gripped his shoulder. It was the same shoulder that he stabbed with his sword.
How can either of them forget what happened? It was a while ago, back when they first got used to being sekirei and ashikabi. Back then, they were still naïve and confident when they encountered him again after such a long time, because after all, they had more power over him way back then. But now, the tides have changed. Instead of staying in power, theirs were stripped away and crushed underneath his foot as he established who really had the power. He showed them how powerful he had become, how he wouldn't let anyone else walk over him, and he made sure to leave a new impression.
"Oh I remember all right," Nathan gritted his teeth. "I remember every aching detail."
"Then you understand how scared I am," Jake shuddered. His sekirei shuddered along with him, for neither wanted to be here, even though it was a mission given to them. Three of the group wanted no part of it, but unfortunately, the 'voice' of their group didn't feel the same way. The images of that day were permanently burned in their minds. They knew he was getting stronger too so the chances of them eventually overpowering him were dead zero. Scratch that, the day they encountered him again proved that they had absolutely no chances of beating him, not even on his worst days.
"We'll be fine," Nathan reassured them. "The guy is asleep and no alarms have been tripped. I think we're in the clear. Besides, our boss said that he would be too distracted to put up any resistance. If we act now, we can do this without much trouble."
"Nathan we are no match for Kai, regardless of how 'distracted' he is. Why on earth would we be sent here to the Devil's home with just our own sekirei for protection?" Jake was very afraid. His sekirei Nanami was also afraid of Kai and his team. The first time she laid eyes on him, she could feel something dark about him. She and her friend Yashima questioned why their respective ashikabi behaved so nonchalantly about Kai, but then they realized that they didn't see the same thing they saw. Jake and Nathan didn't feel what they felt. Where the ashikabi saw Kai as a weakling and easy target, the sekirei saw their worst nightmare.
The intruders finally managed to get the door unlocked, but immediately, all four froze and trembled in fright at the everlasting darkness inviting them inside.
"A-Are you still sure a-about th-this?" Jake hugged Nanami tightly. She hugged him back, frozen in place like a statue. Nathan's sekirei, Yashima, gripped the back of his shirt; she was tempted to convince her teammates to pin Nathan down long enough to press her hammer on his clothing. There's no way he would free himself, as Yashima is the only one who can move her hammer. To her, it's as light as a feather, but to everyone else, it weighs a megaton.
"Y-Yeah, we still have a ch-chance," Nathan gulped and took the first step inside. Darkness was calling out to them, but Jake and the two sekirei were too afraid to accept the invitation. Nathan, despite his obvious frights with the situation as well, took another hesitate step inside. So far, everything proceeded smoothly, somewhat; he was still alive. However, when he fully emerged in the Sasaki household, the temperature dropped way below zero. His breathing intensified as he found it hard to inhale.
Nathan felt weak. He tried to stay on his feet, but his legs wobbled violently and he found himself falling to his knees.
"Nathan, you okay?" Jake asked him, but there was no response. Nathan was trying to get his breathing under control. It felt so cold, so heavy, and the darkness was still inviting him further in. "I-I…I think we should go," Jake continued in a panicked state. "Let's just get out of here."
"You're too late," a wicked voice spoke up behind them, causing their hairs to stand on end. "You've already entered Hell."
Jake and the two sekirei let out a terrified shriek. They were thrown back, landing in Kai's abode with the door slamming shut. All four were trapped inside the Sasaki household with no way out. Jake reached for the door, wanting nothing else to do with this mission; however,
"H-How?" he gasped softly.
"What?" Nathan managed to get out. Jake felt the door from top to bottom, but he couldn't find it. He even touched the wall and then the door to know that it was right object, but it still wasn't there. The doorknob suddenly vanished.
"There's no doorknob," he responded. "It's gone."
"What? You're not serious," Nathan said back.
"I'm not kidding," Jake wanted to leave immediately. He couldn't handle it anymore. "The doorknob is gone; we're trapped inside."
"And there's no escape," the same wicked voice spoke up. Suddenly, the lights came on and the intruders were met by a familiar face. "So, we meet again; I must say I'm rather surprised you had to nerve to sneak in here. You do know who my ashikabi is, correct?" Kochou crossed her legs as she fixed the intruders with a calm glare.
A brain type. Physically, they are not that durable or as strong as other sekirei. It was their highly developed brain power that really made them a threat, but even so, the way Kochou was seated with her beautiful legs crossed over one another gave her an air of power.
"H-How did you know we were here?" Jake was the first to respond.
Kochou fixed her glasses, keeping her eyes solely on the four intruders. She noticed their mistake of getting more comfortable around her, meaning they didn't see her as a threat.
"I am a brain-type sekirei; and as such, I have taken the liberty of installing alarms and security around my home," she raised her tablet. "I have been watching you four through my trusty device here. I even disabled the alarms to let you in quietly."
"And why would you do something like that?" Nathan questioned. Second mistake, stepping forward like he was about to overthrow her.
"I have my reasons," Kochou remained calm. "I should be asking why you four decided to break into my house. Oh, and Nathan; I suggest you stay where you are," she warned him sternly.
"Hmm, I don't see why I should," Nathan grinned. His confidence was returning rapidly. Kai wasn't around from the looks of it, and Kochou had no protection of her own. "Your ashikabi isn't here and I highly doubt you can defend yourself against two sekirei who can fight."
Kochou didn't say anything at first. She studied the four intruders one more time.
"You underestimate me," she spoke up. "And that is your third and final mistake. Your first is sneaking in here despite knowing who lives here, your second is acting like you're safe, and your final is thinking I didn't come prepared."
Without another word, Kochou kicked the ottoman towards Nathan as hard as she could. To everyone's surprise, Nathan fell forward after the ottoman slammed into his legs with vehement force. As he fell, Kochou hopped from the chair and grabbed the guy by his wrist. Pushing her weight forward, Kochou threw Nathan over her shoulder and slammed him on the tiled floor, back first.
Everyone, including Kai, who stayed in the shadows, stared at the brain-type in absolute shock. There were no words that could accurately justify the amount of shock expressed on their faces. Nathan was floored, figuratively and literally, Jake and the other sekirei were unable to move, and Kai just couldn't say anything.
"Don't step into enemy territory without assessing the enemy yourself," Kochou placed a hand on her hip. "With an ashikabi like Kai, did you really think I wouldn't learn a thing or two from watching him? And speaking of Kai, how long are you going to ogle me?"
"I didn't know you could flip someone," the man in question emerged from the shadows. "How long was this possible?"
"Not the time hun," Kochou responded. "Didn't you say you wanted answers?"
"And miss out on the opportunity to see more?" Kai drew his sword and let the lightning gather. His aim went to Jake and the other two sekirei. Kochou had Nathan under control.
"You were here the entire time?" Jake questioned, backing away cautiously.
"Of course I was; it's my house you broke into," he pointed out. "And as Kochou said, there's no escape. So, let's get down to business shall we?"
The three were pushed into a corner. Their executioner was standing before them and the only person able to stop said execution was currently sitting on the chair with her legs crossed again and tablet out in the open.
"I'll do the interrogation and I'll let you handle the punishment for failure to comply," Kochou's fingers glided across the tablet.
"Agreed," Kai sheathed his sword, but kept a hand on the hilt for a swift end. Nathan couldn't find the energy to move, mainly because he was the victim of two heavy glares. Kochou kept an eye on him, and even though Kai had his back turn, he didn't let the intruder out of his peripherals.
"We're going to ask you some questions," Kochou told the intruders. "Comply and answer with the utmost truth and we may just let you go. Failure to do so will result in... dire consequences."
To prove her point, Kai drew just an inch of his blade and let the bloodlust wash over them. Now Nathan was frozen to the floor and didn't think twice about moving. Jake nearly wet himself while the two sekirei held onto each other for dear life.
He didn't release much bloodlust, just enough to get his sekirei's point across while not disturbing his other sekirei's slumber. There was enough drama already between them and causing more would not be a good thing.
"Now then, first question; who sent you?" Kochou inquired.
"M-M-M-Master Higa," the hammer sekirei spoke up immediately. She didn't want to die. But she had to ask, who was more dangerous? Was it the guy with infinite connections and the eyes of a hawk, or was it the guy with lightning fast speed and refined swordsman skills that can match even the strongest sekirei? It was a hard choice to make.
"I figured as much," Kai responded. He was still in position for a swift strike and end, but his sword remained completely sheathed. His attempt at proving Kochou's point was successful, but Kai always made good on his threats and wouldn't let the intruders off easily.
"As did I," Kochou agreed. "Now for the second question; why did he send you here? And don't just give me some vague answer; I want details."
The three couldn't find the right words. They were all thinking the same thing now, but knew if they didn't talk, they would die. They were going to die regardless, as Higa disposes of those not of use, in his way, or disobeys him. If Kai didn't kill them from here on out, Higa would find out and finish the job himself.
They're thoughts were instantly shattered by the many volts surging through their systems. Even Nathan was electrocuted, no one was safe from Kai's punishment.
"The lady asked you a question," Kai stated. "Either answer, or I'll make this intervention short and far from sweet," his glare became more menacing and the amount of metal he raised from his sheath increased by half an inch.
"I know why they're hesitating," Kochou spoke up. The intruders focused on her. "They're in hot water regardless of their answer. If they don't accomplish their task here, Higa will dispose of them instead. I already told you I would prevent you from spilling blood here, but out there, it is free game."
"All the more reason to make them talk," Kai responded.
"Quite," Kochou gave a short nod. "My guess is Higa intends to inflict more damage on us now that Uzume left, kick us down while we're distracted," she looked towards the intruders for confirmation. She received none.
"So now he's mocking me," her ashikabi gritted her teeth.
"It would seem so," Kochou agreed. "Or maybe he's egging you on into attacking him. He knows that since Uzume is fully under his reign now, he can reel you in after her. What he would do then I am still processing."
"Is that true?" Kai asked the trembling intruders.
"Y-Y-Yes," Jake responded. "H-He just t-told us to attack while you were in a state of weakness."
"You mean he sent you to your deaths," Kai clarified.
"Quite," Kochou nodded. "I didn't detect anyone else with them. Is it just you four?"
They gave a nod, but Nathan was strategizing. He wasn't pushed against the wall like his comrades and the only one really keeping an eye on him is Kochou. However, he could feel Kai glaring right him. Even though his back was facing him, Nathan felt as if his sword was pressed against him anyway.
Nathan thought that if he can reach Kochou before she and Kai react, he will gain the upper hand and turn the tables. Although, that was a very big if. The chances of it succeeding was abysmal to say the least, but should Nathan actually pull it off, he will be able to use Kochou to stop Kai. After all, there was no way Kai would strike Kochou.
"Then why would he send just four people to deal with Kai and not more?" Kochou continued. "It sounds ridiculous honestly, but surely there is a reason for it."
"We don't know, honest," Jake spoke up quickly. Kai drew more of his blade, making three inches of Leyna's blade visible. He was stuck on the idea that Higa was mocking and/or challenging him. "We were just told to infiltrate and take out as many of Kai's sekirei as we can while he was weakened."
"I've been meaning to ask," Kai's voice made the three in front of him turn paler. Hostility filled his tone to the brim, malice lacing venom inside each syllable that left his lips. "How did you four come to work for Higa? I doubt he's blackmailing you. So maybe money? I can see him promising money, but I want it straight from you."
To show that he wasn't in the mood for games, Kai drew Leyna entirely, exposing her lustrous blade for the intruders and his sekirei to see. Kochou watched the four intruders tense up as Kai's blade shined with blue lightning. A light blue glow outlined the blade and everyone could feel electricity begin to surge around them.
Nathan gave Jake a look that told him to answer while he attempted to put his plan into action. He, Nathan that is, hoped that Kai would be more focused on Jake and the other sekirei to notice his presence. If he acted quickly enough, he might be able to catch Kochou off guard and prevent her from calling for help.
"M-Money did have a part in this," Jake spoke up. He was frightened beyond belief, and his fear transferred to his sekirei. "It sounds disappointing I know, but one would have to be stupid not to reap the benefits."
"And what are these so called benefits?" Kai questioned. While he did, Nathan fixed Kochou with a calculating stare while she fiddled with her device. It was perfect for setting his plan in action. Kai would be too distracted with Jake and the rest while Kochou is too engrossed with her electronics to save herself. He had to move quietly but relatively quickly to not rouse suspicion.
Nathan heard Jake tell Kai what the benefits of working for Higa were. Mainly, it was just money, protection, and whatever nonsense Kai thought Jake was spewing. He didn't care to be honest; it was all bullshit to him anyway.
It was then Nathan sprang into action. Even he was surprised by how fast he rolled on his front and got up. A smile curled his lips upward as he made a mad dash for Kochou. A sigh escaped her lips as her eyes closed and head shook left and right. She tried to warn him, but stubbornness consumed another victim.
Nathan was fast, but Kai was much, much faster. No one even saw him move from his spot to deal with the attacker. Kochou had her eyes closed on purpose while Jake, Nathan, Nanami, and Yashima's eyes practically bulged out of their sockets. The intruders, sans Nathan, were frozen in shock, mouths open agape as words failed to come. The girls wanted to scream, only to find out that their voices were gone. They tried to speak, but silence was their response. Yashima in particular wanted to bawl her eyes out. She wanted to scream at that top of her lungs, but once again, she was only greeted with silence.
"You just made a big mistake," Kai's voice was cold and merciless, malice and venom dripping at waterfall rates. Like the rest, Nathan found himself unable to speak. Words failed everyone except Kai and Kochou, who finally opened her eyes to see Kai's blade lodged deep in Nathan's chest and protruding out the other side. The brain type could tell by the dull color in Nathan's eyes that he and the other intruders were stuck in Kai's illusion work. No wonder it was silent.
"What about," Kochou never got a chance to finish, as Kai forcibly pushed Leyna deeper in Nathan's chest and then yanked her out with even more power. But he didn't stop there; he turned his sights on Yashima and chucked his blade perfectly towards her cranium.
Heads refused to move, but tears were another story. Eyes remained fixated on the crimson liquid spreading over the tiled floor and wall. Some of the blood belonging to Yashima dripped them, making their skin crawl and heat up. They were frozen stiff as waterfall of tears descended down their faces. It felt like their hearts were about to explode, breathes quickening as time slowed down twice for them. The first when Kai struck Nathan and the second when Kai's blade embedded itself deep in Yashima's head. As quickly as it happened, Nathan and Yashima died just as swiftly.
"Never mind," Kochou sighed and fixed her glasses.
Kai slowly approached Yashima's dead body and removed his embedded sword. Her body slumped against the wall as her blood rolled down the surface. Next to her, Jake and Nanami remained frozen in place, their tears still falling down their faces at a rapid rate. They couldn't speak, move, or do anything except watch Kochou work on her tablet.
"He deserved it," Kai said to his brain-type.
"I could've handled it," was Kochou's response. "Well anyway, MBI should on their way to retrieve Yashima's body." She looked towards the remaining intruders. "What about th…really?"
"Hey, I did them a favor," Kai sheathed his sword after dealing with Jake and Nanami. "Higa would've killed them anyways. I saved him the trouble."
Kochou stood up from the chair and stepped over Nathan's dead body. The smell of blood was starting to become an annoyance and Kochou didn't like it. Kai carried her bridal style so she wouldn't step in any blood. "Higa is a cold bastard and knows that a sekirei's ashikabi is the quickest way of getting rid of them. I wouldn't put it pass him to eliminate them that way," he carried her upstairs.
"Are we going to tell the others?" Kochou refused to let go of her ashikabi. Like the rest, she had grown conflicted feelings towards everything that happened so far. But she hoped that things would conclude peacefully. However, as smart as Kochou is, even she couldn't find a way for that to happen.
"FUCKING, DAMN IT!" Drake punched the wall with vehement force. His chest heaved in and out as he seethed with unyielding rage. A while passed since he fell unconscious after that assault Higa ordered on Jacob's house. He and Toyotama were fighting for dominance, but he couldn't keep it together and slipped up, allowing the green haired vixen to strike him down. He probably would be dead if Jacob didn't appear when he did. Either way, Drake was less than pleased with the results.
"Drake, I would say calm down, but that won't be happening," Jacob spoke up.
"You damn right it won't. How can you be so calm about what happened? That whatever his name is, son of a bitch attacked your home, killed…Himeki was it?" Drake looked towards Taki for clarification.
"Himeko," she corrected.
"Right, that bastard came in and attacked your home, killed Himeko, and you're not going to do something about it?" the temperature around Drake started to rise as he clenched his fists tightly, teeth baring furiously as he recalled the last few hours. Out of the casualties, Himeko was the only one to perish. It tore at the flame ashikabi, break apart a piece of him, but it wasn't so bad that he would go ballistic. However, it was bad enough that he would definitely try to get revenge. No one attacks Jacob's home, his circle, and gets away with it. A cliché phrase, but highly appropriate.
"I never said that," Jacob narrowed his eyes. He crossed his arms and fixed Drake with a firm glare. "I have plenty to get back at him for anyway."
"I thought so; let's grab those two brothers of yours and strike back," the rage emanating from Drake started to subside for a little bit. He wanted to fight Toyotama again and settle the score. The look on Jacob's face told him that he wanted to get back at that Higa bastard too, but there was something else on his mind.
"They have their own agendas at the moment," Jacob replied. "The only one I can talk to is Minato, but even then, the only way he would help out is if Kai joined in, and as I said, he has his matters to deal with right now."
"What about us?" Ichiya spoke up. Her anger could only be matched by Drake's and even then, it was still rising to greater levels. "Do you expect us to stand here and simply let them get away with this?"
"I agree with Ichiya," Taki nodded, crossing her arms under breasts. "We can't sit here and let them get away with this."
"And we won't," Jacob stated. "However, the situation is simply too big for us to handle on our own. We're talking about a man with resources for days; it won't be so simple to go in and fight off his army. We'll need back up, and lots of it."
"And we'll get ready to crush them the next time we face each other," Ichiya cracked her knuckles.
"If that bastard wants a fight, we'll give him one," the sekirei agreed wholeheartedly. Their desire for battle exploded inside them, boiling over until the unyielding urge to fight began to consume them.
"Then let's get ready," Jacob stated.
A/N: Good news! I'm not dead, just had a hard time with the chapter. I haven't really been myself lately, and I need something to revitalize me. If anyone has any ideas, let me know because I could really use it. With nothing more to say, this has been MalevolentDarkness16 and Jacobthedarkone and we will see you all in the next chapter.
