Hey everyone, update at last! My apologies for leaving you in suspense for the second half of this sequence, but with university assignments breathing down my back, I can only dedicate so much energy here before I gotta divert back to the real world for school and work.
Anyway, just wanna make a quick blurb that there will be another reference from the TMNT 2003-verse, so once again, the rights and ownership to any such mentionings belong to Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird (original creators), Mirage Studios, 4Kids TV and Dong Woo Animation.
That's all I got. Enjoy :)
Chapter 140: Hikiji's Revenge, Part Two
Recap:
...Naraku has certainly proven time and time again that something so evil, always finds a way to return. And with one more ally out of the picture, our ragtag group of souls found themselves at an all-time low...
But regarding the old proverb "In like a lion, out like a lamb", that dark cloud of depression would not linger for very long. Working through their negativity, the friends from Edo and Tokyo have managed to come through stronger than ever...especially Inuyasha and Coraline, consummating their romance and completing their mating bond, which would be put under its first test when an agent of the antagonistic spider demon tried terrorizing the Aura Reader's soul to madness...
Once that event reached the end of its course, focus would then shift to resting mind, body and spirit...
Of course, Coraline and her brothers would be returning to their birth era during a time of excitement: the local highschool cultural festival. They're quickly recruited by their martial arts instructor and fellow students to perform in an exhibition, catching Inuyasha's attention when he arrives through the well to visit the modern Higurashi shrine. When the day arrives, the dog demon would see his girl and twin friends off as they hurry down the steps to meet with the dojo...
Little do they realize that while Naraku might not be able to touch them in this era...danger, would still find a way to sneak up on them.
Now...
Returning to where we last left off, the revealed-to-be ninja Mikuru had only just arrived on the education institution's property, watching her rival-turned-full-on-enemy and her brothers doing some stretches with the rest of their fellow dojo classmates from inside the thick foliage of a maple tree near the stage where the martial arts exhibition would soon take place.
The heat of the rising morning sun can't hope to compete with the boiling disdain inside the skulking girl's gut, she turning away to hop down the other side of the protruding bark. She speeds over to a shadowed area behind a few booths to meet with several other fellow Kage no Tsume warriors, about a baker's dozen. Currently, they are dressed in different-coloured atsuitas/karaoris and hakamas over their own ninja uniforms, the cloth masks dragged down to look like collar attachments...
"Alright, listen up, my fellow ninja. Our main targets have arrived, setup is almost complete and people are starting to pool in. You all know the mission: we are to take them down by whatever means are deemed necessary, but without any needless casualties. If we must disrupt the flow of the festival, so be it. Until then, maintain shadow distance and do not draw attention to yourselves until I pass the signal. Understood?"
The others nod firmly, slipping on near-matching cypress noh masks depicting the following traditional character types: a few Otoku, Kagekiyo, Kumasaka, Onna, Onryō, a couple Kinshin, Yakan, and Jō...Slipping on her own deep purple and green karaori and hakama over her ninja garbs, Mikuru reaches to pick up her own choice of mask, disguising her face to that of Yase-onna.
...Don't worry, uncle. I will deliver your vengeance against the ones who marred your face.
At that, she signals her small army to disperse and blend into the growing crowd.
Small Time Skip, Inuyasha's POV
Huh. This place does look like the 'it spot' to have some fun...
After a few hours, I left the shrine with the Higurashis to make our way down to the school where that cultural festival's taking place. We're just entering under the entrance arch now, and I can see several of these colourful stalls displaying those 'carnival games' Coraline mentioned the other day or selling trinkets and food, kind-of reminding me of the market stalls back in my era. Most of the people are recognizable enough as this time's everyday humans, but some of them are dressed in traditional clothing and the craziest depictions of demons I've ever seen.
Is that guy supposed to be a nine-tailed kitsune? Heha, man are they way off; Shippo would throw a fit if he saw that...
Maybe I can get Missus Higurashi to take a picture with the 'cam-era' she brought.
"Hey mom, where are Cora and the guys suppose to be?"
"I believe she said the tournament stage is set near the back of the festival grounds...Goodness, they really went all out this year..."
The old man who thinks he still has strong priest powers scoffs lightheartedly,
"Well what do we expect from a large gathering of creative minds?...Oh! Sekihan!"
He darts off to get some of that red bean rice, one dish I haven't seen for a long while, drawing the attention of the other two with me. I chose to stay back and continue people-watching, trying to get a sense of how to navigate...
Feels kind-of weird being in a setting like this without my friends beside me...almost wrong.
...Hm?
My nose picks up on one scent that's a distant sort-of familiar, in a neither good nor bad way.
Hmm...I know that food from somewhere...
Glancing around my left, I lock onto one booth selling the source of the smell...revealed to be that one food I've developed a disliking to, made to be contained in these bread buns.
"Gh! Aw man, there's curry here?"
Sooo not going anywhere near that stall...
"Hey, Inuyasha."
Jumping out of my thoughts with a small yelp, I whirl around to see Souta looking up at me while holding two cups of the Sekihan.
"Oh sorry, man; didn't mean to startle you...I just wanted to give you this."
He holds one of the samples to me, and I slowly take it from him while muttering in half-embarrassment,
"Uhm, thanks..."
Kami, barely a day in this era and I'm already losing my edge...
"Hey! There's that strong man game with the mallet! You should give it a try, Inuyasha; it'd be easy with your muscles."
I'm not sure what he's talking about, but I decide to let the kid drag me over to the game in question...I'm soon looking the thing up and down, then glance at the wooden mallet in my hand...
"So I just smack this thing on the target as hard as I can? That's it?"
The student running the game nods with a smile.
"That's all, my friend. Think you can ring the bell and win a prize?"
...Keh, oh I'll ring the bell alright.
Smirking, I grip the mallet with both hands and raise it above my head at the ready.
"Does this answer your question? Haaaa-ah!"
(Swing, BONK...Ding-ding-diiing)
By no surprise to me, my own strength was a little much for this game, and as soon as the mallet head slams onto the target, the little sphere at the bottom of this giant measuring stick shot up like a root to crash against the bell, hard enough to knock it off the board and onto the ground, leaving a ring to echo through the air...The kid running the show drops his jaw in disbelief alongside some other observers, and for a split second, I got worried a scene was gonna erupt...But thanks to Souta's next cheer, the atmosphere dialed back to a somewhat calmer acceptance.
"Woo-hoo; that was awesome!"
Breathing outward, I turn to the person running the show and ask him,
"So what's my prize?"
"U-Uh! M-cm...congratulations; you win our grand prize of a plate of Takoyaki and any choice of the trinkets or plushies."
He rushes away to grab the food while pointing to the collection of other trinkets I could choose...I wander over to pick something out, staring at several of these stuffed animal toys, a few foldable fans, necklaces with a single magatama bead stringed at the ends, and a couple hairpins.
Tch, most of these are somethin' girls would like...
Souta comes up beside me when he notices my lack of enthusiasm.
"...Havin' trouble deciding?"
"Yeah. There ain't anything on this table for guys..."
"Mm, that does happen with some of the games. I think they do it on purpose for the couples that come around...Say~, that's it: you could pick out an item for Cora!"
Coraline?...Hm...
Looking over the items again with my girl on the brain...I stop on one hairpin that doesn't look like it comes from here originally, styled with a red and gold bird on it.
Wait...I know that bird: that's a Phoenix!...Just like the ones on Coraline's family crest...
Decision made, I pick up the accessory, much to the surprise of the student returning with the other edible half of my prize.
"Aah, went for that one, did you? I was wondering who'd get that hairpin first. Lemme guess, it's for someone special?"
Taking the plate of takoyaki from him, I answer,
"Keh, you could say that," and wander away without another word...
Coraline's POV
God, I feel nervous. Okay, breathe in, block out...focus...
It's getting close to when the exhibition would get under way, and I'm currently in lotus position trying to meditate and alleviate some mild stress build-up. The kata demonstrations isn't what worries me...It's the mini tournament near the end that's got me a bit jumpy. I'm basically the only student from our dojo going up against nine other quote 'star fighters' from their own respected martial arts schools (I'd say who's who, but I've lost track of the names), so I have to bring my A-Game after the break.
I just hope I can give it my all...
"You ready, sis?"
Opening my eyes, I see my brothers dressed and ready in their own karate gi, just as I'm wearing my own. Smiling slightly, I reply to Freeman,
"As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose."
"Lemme guess: you're already humming and hawing about the tournament?"
"Kind-of...It's just, alot of pressure, you know?"
Helping me up with a hand in mine, Besa assures me,
"Maybe, but we're all sharing eachother's pressures today...This is the day our dojo shines, and do our sensei proud by giving our best with every amount of skill we can deliver."
Right. Give our best if nothing else.
My smile grows a little more, and we reach out our hands to form a palm pile-up just as Mokoto and Shuji come by.
"Hey."
"It's time to get ready up on stage, you three. Master Yoshi's orders."
We nod and follow the pair to the back steps where our fellow students - which by now has reached a good sixteen including us - were lined up and waiting...Up on the stage already was Sensei and several other teachers, plus the referee who would come later in this exhibition...
"Attention! Attention! The cultural festival's martial arts exhibition will now begin!...Entering the stage are the young warriors from the Lotus Dojo of the Gyokko-ryū, led by rokudan shihan, Yamamoto Yoshi!"
A round of applause graces the atmosphere, and I suck in a quiet breath.
Here we go.
...As I walk up onto the performance area with my brothers and fellow students, I couldn't help but glance over the crowd in front of us, trying to see if I can spot my family and boyfriend...
I'd find them standing around the second row of regular folk, about five from the left. Souta, Akari-sama and Grandfather each had encouraging smiles on their faces, while Inuyasha reflects a smirk, growing slightly when his amber eyes lock onto my blue.
Inuyasha...
A swell of pride rises in my chest alongside a small blush on my cheeks, and I smile back, feeling much more at ease than before.
Heh, whaddo I have to worry about? I've got all the support in the world.
Expelling a cleansing breath, I form a more serious expression as sensei gets into position in front of us.
"...Hajime! Embusen, Kaimen!"
We fall to attention in first kata position, the style being Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, one of many variety of martial arts we've tasted under Master Yoshi's direction. It's also not a style you see alot in Japan even among other mixed martial artists, so this makes our school that much more unique. The moves which flow afterward were rhythmic in a way which always reminds me of a slightly aggressive mix of dancing and Tai Chi. There's plenty of kicks and punches, for sure, but sensei teaches us this style in a more defensive manner, mostly to help get our blood pumping and stretch our muscles for later training.
Even so, learning Shaolin Kung Fu's been no easy task, and in the beginning most of us felt like we were tripping on air. But sensei discourages any negativity, and always implores us to never give up and just keep trying...Eventually, our entire class was moving with incredible synchrony, and right now, it's definitely paying off. None of the other teams here are using mixed traditions like we are, which is evident based on the gaping mouths of some of our rival student warriors, including Kazuma...
Oh, right. Did I forget to mention that he recently transferred to a different dojo?...Well, that's what he did. My guess is that he felt he wasn't getting the teaching he craved, and decided to ditch our little school for another one. I believe their name is the Chōchinbi School of Karate, which is a bit of an odd name if you ask me. Why would anyone name their school after demonic flames that appear in rice fields?
...But I digress. Moving on, our demonstration of the Kung Fu style reaches its end after another two minutes, the final move being a front spin kick, which morphs into a rightward bow stance to perform a palm thrust, then empty stance, and finally snap back to face frontward to drop down into rest stance. Basically, your butt is sitting on one of your legs, in our cases, the right one with the left bent over the knee, back straight and palms pressed together like one does to bow respectfully.
...
There's a pause in the air as everyone soaks in our performance, before an excitable and polite applause slowly waves through the crowd, the judging officials nodding in approval at our demonstration. Up here, my ears focus on the sound of the collective deep breathing from myself, my brothers and our fellow classmates, the air of emotion being accomplishment and a healthy amount of nerves.
Hah...wasn' as bad as I thought it'd be...
"Domo Arigato."
Sensei is the first to stand up as we hurry to join him, and we all punch our left fists into our right palms before bowing, then exit the stage in two lines with he in lead to allow the next dojo to do their thing...My brothers and I walk with Mokoto and Shuji to sit down at a corner near one of the two back tents, each of us letting out our own sighs of relief.
"Well, that was intense..."
"You said it."
"And that was only the opening..."
"Once the other schools are through, it's crunch time."
"Better enjoy the rest while we can..."
A smirk of irritation forms on Freeman's lips as he says to me,
"Tch, yeah, and you get to enjoy a longer period than we do, miss lucky."
"Heha, I wouldn't exactly call playing star warrior lucky...but at least I can spend some time with Inuyasha before I really gotta fight."
Shuji says to me with a knowing smile,
"In that case, you better go get changed out of your gi and not keep your man waiting."
Blushing slightly at his indication, I shake my head amusingly and reply,
"Right. See you guys later," before getting up to find my special bundle...
Thankfully, it didn't take me quite as long as I thought it would to put on my second set of clothing, which meant the only thing I had left to apply was a little bit of eyeliner, just to help make my eyes pop out more for today. Instead of my karate gi, I'm now wearing a beautiful deep blue edo komon kimono with the suzume pattern decorating the garment in white, the traditional nagajuban worn underneath, a bright red obi, white tabi, and rice straw zōri for my feet.
Readjusting the sleeves of my main outfit, I muse to myself with furrowed eyebrows,
I don't think I'll ever understand how women in this country deal with this kind of maintenance...
Once I'm done, I tuck my sport uniform away in its name-tagged cloth wrap, setting it on top of the bundles belonging to my brothers and our two pals before exiting the back tent. I'm greeted by the sights and smells of the school festival, the sounds of carnival games and laughter gently echoing into my ears...
Now...where did my favourite dog demon get to...?
"Cora!"
I turn my head right to the sound of my kid brother's voice, spotting him running towards me through a small crowd of passers. Though he isn't who I'm looking for, I smile nonetheless.
"Ah, Souta. How's-oof!"
He stops his speedy trek by nearly crashing into my form, forcing me to catch him before either of us fell over.
"Whoa, easy there, little bro; I just got dressed in this number and don't wanna ruin it."
"Heheh, sorry. It's just you and the guys were so awesome up there! It was like your whole class was of one mind."
My smile becomes a little prideful on the compliment, and I reply,
"I'm glad to know our practicing has impressed."
"What was that style you did up there? It didn't look like karate..."
"It's one of the Chinese martial arts known as Shaolin Kung Fu, a style sensei had learned in his many years of travel and study."
"Aaah...So what're you doin' now that you're on break?"
My smile softens as I answer,
"I'll be checking out as much of the festival as I can, maybe fuel up with some of the food offered...and of course spend some time with Inuyasha."
"Ha! I knew it. (Turns and points) You'll find him over that way near where the choir performance is."
"Thanks. If you want to, you might be able to find Freeman and Besa in the back tents. I'm sure no one will mind you hanging about in the back."
That brought a smile of excitement to the boy's lips.
"Really? Cool! Thanks, sis!"
So while he darts off to find my brothers, I steadily make my way through the sea of people for the area he directed me to...It wouldn't take long before my eyes catch the familiar form of my boyfriend/mate, standing a few rows back from the choir stage and watching the performance with an odd interest in his expression.
Huh, never took 'im as someone that highly invested in the musical arts...
"That's quite an attentiveness you're displaying."
"Hm?"
He turns around to me, and nearly doubles back in surprise when he fully soaks in my image.
"Uh!...Coraline..."
My expression grows a touch shy as I properly greet him.
"Hey."
"...Wow...You look, different."
"I'm hoping different as in good. Heh, I realize this is the first you're seeing me in such, traditional attire, but Akari-sama insisted that this would be the year I wore this edo komon. It's actually one the Higurashis have had for quite a number of generations...I, was a little reluctant to wear it since I'm technically not a member of the clan, but Grandfather was persistent...I just hope I'm doing the family proud in how I wear it..."
Even though I feel so much like a duck trying to wear the feathers of a swan...
"Well if it helps, I think you're wearing it great."
I feel a familiar set of clawed fingers tip my chin up so I meet with the smile/smirk of the love of my life.
"It's true that up 'til now, I've never really seen you wear clothes that I'm more familiar with, but that's 'cause your era's fashion is more diverse and you like those western styles better...Even so, you always look pretty to me."
"Inuyasha..."
His cheeks suddenly get a little rosy when he reevaluates his word choice, releasing his gentle hold on my jaw and looking away a bit sheepishly.
"Keh, now I know you've softened me if I can say mushy stuff like that and not stutter..."
I sense none of that callous crudeness he still uses sometimes, so I knew he said that from a good place. Giggling, I peck his cheek and inquire almost slyly,
"Is that your way of saying that I've dug my way into your heart?"
"Careful, woman, your words might start something that shouldn't be seen in public...Oh, right; before I forget."
Inuyasha steps back a bit and reaches into his right sleeve to rummage for something.
"The kid dragged me to this weird strongest man game or whatever the heck it's called, and I won a few prizes. The first one was a plate of takoyaki, which is already gone..."
O~f course it is...
"But the second prize, I got for you."
"For me?"
"Mhm...Ahm, here."
Next thing I knew, he's presenting me with this very beautiful hairpin of gold and ruby, shaped to look like a phoenix...!
"Hah!...Oh, Inuyasha, this is beautiful..."
I take it into my own hands to look at before sending a smile his way.
"I love it. Thank you."
"Glad to know you like it...Turn your hair towards me a sec."
Curious and confused, I do as he says as he gently takes back my gift...I feel his claws gently brush my neck and the strands of my simple updo, before the cool metal of the hairpin glides its way between elastic and hair to lock into the knot.
"There."
He guides me to turn back to his line of vision, his face reflecting a new pride and adoration.
"Keh, now that looks much better."
My cheeks heat up considerably under those handsome amber irises of his, and he pulls me close so we're standing hip to hip with his arm around my waist...
"So, what exactly drew you to the choir here? No offense, but I find it hard to believe you're a fan of this kind of music..."
"Hey, I can enjoy the arts if I want to; I just choose not to invest in 'em so heavy...But don't tell me you don't find this song a little odd too."
"Huh? Whaddo you mean odd?"
He points to the choir group and says,
"Just listen a minute and you'll see what I mean."
Shrugging to myself, I once again follow Inuyasha's direction and perk up my ears to the performance...That's when I clue into what he was referring to.
Huh?...Is that Beethoven's Ode To Joy?
Note: The song referenced belongs to whomever currently controls the composer's infamous works.
"And the words...They're, singing about...the jewel...!"
"Now ya see what I mean by odd?"
"I do...I never expected the Shikon-no-Tama would be this well-known after all this time, other than the family shrine...Hm, but the lyrics sound rather general and, current to our own affairs..."
I turn my blue eyes to my man's amber and ask him,
"Do you think once everything's said and done in Edo, this song might change?"
"No idea. Maybe..."
"...Well, anyway, I've got about an hour and a half or so before I need to head back for the mini tourney."
A smile curves onto my lips as I then ask,
"Shall we wander around and see what draws us?"
"Sure."
So at that, we leave the choir area and head for the direction of a couple food stands...But somewhere around halfway to a stand selling rice balls, Inuyasha suddenly pauses his steps with an alert expression.
"Hm!"
Stopping with him, I watch as he turns his head to stare over his shoulder with a narrowed suspicion...
"What's wrong?"
He doesn't answer for a minute...
"Inuyasha?"
"Sorry...I thought I felt someone starin' our way...We can keep going now."
"Um, okay."
No POV
Though a little unsettled by her boyfriend/mate's behaviour, Coraline decides to shake the feeling off and focus on enjoying her time of rest. The young couple turn to keep moving along...though the dog demon steals another searching glance over his shoulder, locking his vision on the source of his disquiet: a single theater performer dressed as a Kagekiyo, from the colourful atsuita kimono to the striking white noh mask with red markings.
Inuyasha narrows his eyes slightly, thinking to himself,
That human's watching us...I know they are. Question is why?
Despite his unease, the half-human knew that acting without knowing the full intent wouldn't be wise, so all he can do is keep his senses sharp for any appending threats as he follows after his redheaded mate...
Little did he know was that the person dressed in the Kagekiyo attire really was staring in the pair's direction, waiting until their backs were turned before reporting their location to their leader via a wrist communicator.
"Mistress Mikuru. The dog demon and Croft are on the move for the southeast region of the fair grounds."
"And the Brownlee's?"
"They remain with Yamamoto and his other student warriors...Your orders?"
"...We strike during the tournament. For now, continue to monitor, and prevent any movement off the school property."
"Understood."
...
...
Come a long while later, we catch up with Coraline and Inuyasha as they hurry back to the martial arts exhibition stage, meeting with Akari and her father about halfway...
"Hmph! Disappearing shortly after the opening demonstration to fool around with the demon? How irresponsible; you could have at least said hello to us beforehand, young lady."
The teenage girl's cheeks colour with embarrassment at her elder's implications.
"Grandfather, please! We were just wandering the festival, nothing more!"
Laughing a little, Akari chides,
"Come now, dad, let the kids enjoy themselves. They deserve some time to relax without the pressures of duty weighing them down...Anyway, Coraline, you look lovely in the edo komon. I'm glad to see you wearing it before you have to change back into your karate gi."
"Thank you, Akari-sama."
"I especially love that hairpin; so exquisite. (Knowing smile) I imagine it was a recent gift from you, Inuyasha?"
Said male with long silver hair forms a sheepish expression and murmurs while avoiding eye contact,
"Ah-cm, yeah, I, won it for her at one of the games..."
"Well you made an excellent choice, dear...But I suppose you'll have to remove it before you back to Master Yoshi, won't you, Coraline? It'd be terrible if it fell off and broke during one of your matches."
"Oh, yes, that is a possibility..."
Reaching to the back of her head, Coraline carefully removes the phoenix-shaped accessory and holds it to her for a moment before turning to her mother figure.
"Could you..."
"Say no more, dear. I'll keep it safe until the end of the tourney."
"Thanks...Well, I better hurry to the tents before they send the search party. I'll see you all in a bit."
She quickly pivots on her heel to peck her lover's cheek.
"Wish me luck."
"Keh, you don't need luck with your skills. Now get in there and kick some butt."
"Heh, right."
With that, the young Aura Reader starts jogging away, catching the last call from her grandfather of,
"And send Souta back to us while you're at it! We haven't seen the boy since he disappeared to find the twins!"
"Haha, sure thing!"
She quickly reaches the tents set up to the rear of the staging area, spotting her three brothers laughing away with Makoto and Shuji. Shaking her head in light amusement, the young lady wanders over to tap her youngest sibling on the shoulder.
"Mm? (Turns around) Oh! Sis!"
"Hey you. Grandfather and Akari-sama are looking for you. The tourney's gonna begin shortly."
"Oh, right. I'll go find 'em. See you guys later!"
Watching him go for a moment, Freeman snaps his sister out of her headspace with a clap on the shoulder.
"Uh!"
"Better go get your uniform on, sis, unless you wanna give people a show by fighting in your edo komon."
"Ha! Certainly not. I'll be behind the post, and no peeping, boys."
They respond with mirth as Coraline scoops up my karate gi,
"Yeah, right."
"Whaddo you take us for, perverts?"
"I don' even swing that way; you know that."
"We'll be guarding more than anything."
She carefully and speedily slips off her fancier robes and slides on the uniform, then uses a cleaning cloth to wash away her eyeliner, knowing it wouldn't last long once her body really begins to perspire.
As nice as it is to wear a touch of makeup for a change, a warrior can't expect to fight and remain dolled up...
"Coraline-san. Are you ready?"
Oh! Sensei!
Folding up her borrowed kimono away for later, Coraline pops back out to the main area of the back tents to see Master Yoshi and the rest of the class gathered. Readjusting her brown belt, she then bows to her teacher.
"Hai, sensei. I'm ready."
"Good...Know that we are all with you as you fight."
"Hm?"
She straightens up to see everyone of the dojo smiling at her encouragingly.
"Every move you make will be driven by the collective spirits of your fellow students and myself. We support one another."
"Yeah!" "What sensei said."
"We're with you all the way, Croft-san!"
Everyone...
A new smile curves onto Coraline's face, and she bows again while replying gratefully,
"Thank you all. I swear I will do you each proud."
"...Attention, attention! The martial arts exhibition tournament will now commence! All participants standby!"
The girl's smile falls into a more serious frown, and she wanders over to the side stairs beside her master at ready.
Alright, shape up and focus, girl. Spotlight's on you...
"Welcome all to the final event of the cultural festival's martial arts exhibition: the grand tournament! The ten dojos competing today will send a single student each to fight another rival dojo, and the contest shall end when one champion remains!...The first competitors, are Croft-Higurashi Coraline from the Lotus Dojo of Gyokko-ryū, versus Kumo Hinata from the Tengu Dojo of Chitō-ryū!"
The audience erupts with applause and minor cheers as the respected students step onto the stage from opposite ends with their senseis at their sides. In the case of Coraline's opposite, they would be a boy at least a year younger than she with short black hair in the flatcut style, dark brown irises, pale olive skin, and wore a near-exact replica of her karate gi uniform but with the iconic crest of the Chitō-ryū martial art stamped above his left breast. His teacher - a man around his early forties with tanned beige skin, green irises and short dark brown hair styled into a topknot - is dressed in the same garbs, but with a black belt tied around his waist rather than a brown one.
...Everyone watches as the senseis move to stand on either side of the referee appointed for this competition, he a man in his late forties dressed in the elaborate of the gyōji, he being of makushita-gyōji rank. Not a type of referee one would expect they'd see outside of sumo wrestling, but given that this is a mixed martial arts tournament, one should see as many aspects as possible of the various fighting styles found in this country and beyond.
Moving forward, Coraline and Hinata step to the center of the stage where a fighting circle is traced, bow to one another in respect and form the appropriate fighting stances at ready.
"...Hajime!"
...
...
Jumping ahead, battles come and go as the tournament progresses, each school's champion giving it their all and displaying the skills taught by their senseis. Styles varied from the several different forms of Karate, to the more defensive styles of Jujutsu and even Japanese Kickboxing. Throughout each battle, Coraline gave her all, coordinating each punch, kick and block so they flow with grace...
"Kyh!"
And power, leaving her opponents with just as short of breath as she...
Pretty soon, the final round arrives.
"Alright! The moment we've all been waiting for!...This, shall be the match to decide who is champion! The warriors competing: Croft-Higurashi Coraline from Lotus Dojo of Gyokko-ryū, and Kazuma Reo from the Chōchinbi Dojo of Karate!...May the both of you do your schools well!"
Quickly zooming below the stage, Souta watches from atop Inuyasha's shoulder - hard to say how the younger male convinced the dog demon to do this - as his sister steps to the plate from the left side, grinning in anticipation for the action that's to unfold.
"Awww man, I can't believe it; just one more fight and Cora will take the top! I'm so psyched!"
Tapping one of the human boy's legs, Inuyasha quirks with a half-annoyed smirk,
"You say that any louder and everyone will stare, now quit wriggling around before you fall off."
"Sorry...Thanks for letting me sit on your shoulder."
"Whatever keeps you from whining about the view..."
"...Huh?"
That's when Souta spots something odd near the left center of the crowd.
What the...Is that a noh performer?...What're they doing all the way over here?
...And why are they talking into their wrist?
He'd only feel his suspicions rise higher when his eyes catch sight of another two noh-masked performers planted within the small sea of people, their attention fixated between the student warriors on stage...and in his direction.
"Uh-h!"
Hoooh boy, I'm getting a bad feeling...
"What's wrong, kid? You're tensing."
Darting his eyes downward to meet Inuyasha's, the young Higurashi quietly informs him with a nervous tone,
"U-Uhm, there's a few weird people in noh masks staring up at sis, and at us. It's creeping me out."
"Huh? Noh masks? Where?"
The boy points in the directions of the costumed individuals, and the dog demon peers overhead with his own sharp vision...
Uh! It's the Kagekiyo from before!...And a Kinshin, and Otoku.
...I knew there was something off about the one earlier. But what do they want?
That's when he spots the second mentioned noh-masked person slip out a shuriken from under their robes.
Uh! That's a-They're not theater performers!
"Grrrh, they're shinobi...!"
"What's that? What'd you say? Whoa!"
Souta's forced down off of Inuyasha's shoulder to stand on the concrete again, and the latter shushes him while warning,
"Stay here with your mom and grandfather, and be ready to get 'em outta here."
"Huh?! But why?"
"Don't ask questions; just be ready."
The dog demon then leaves the confused school boy behind, slinking through the crowd of other humans to silently stalk one of the disguised ninja closest to him, they being the Otoku standing near the far right of the stage's edge.
No, way, in, hell I'm letting anyone sneak up on my mate...!
What he didn't know is that his movement had been detected by another warrior hidden in the way back of the crowd, they watching from atop the roof of a booth. Slipping her sleeve down, the 'Onna' sends the following message to her leader.
"Mistress. The dog demon has spotted our men near the stage and is heading their way."
"Copy. Prepare to strike on my mark."
Back up with the unsuspecting warrior about to compete, Coraline readies her body for the last fight of the day, despite the wavered strength in her bones.
"Hah...hah..."
It's strange...I should, feel more tired than this...but at the same time, I'm reveling in this rigorous workout.
...I guess after all this time between eras, my body's become that used to it.
"Hah...Don't think, 'cause we were once fellow students, that I'll be going easy on you, Croft."
Glancing up to meet with Kazuma's eyes with her own, the redhead smirks and replies under her breath,
"And I shan't be going easy on you, Kazuma...Maybe this'll finally settle whatev'r grudges you hold against me."
"Tch, right...To the end, then."
"To the end."
...Then just as the student warriors bow to one another...
(Swipe, TOK)
"Uh-h!"
An eight-tine shuriken suddenly swoops through the air to land directly between their feet! Several gasps sound, followed by an enraged growl from a familiar male from the Sengoku era.
"Why you conniving sneak! Hrh!"
A side drive of his claws forces the perpetrator out of hiding as well as a couple innocent bystanders to scramble back with startled expressions.
"Thought you could fool everyone with your Otoku get-up? Think again! (Lunge) Let's see your true face!"
His next strike would hit true, ripping away the noh performer costume as the Kage no Tsume ninja tries to evade the blunt force, revealing their black-clad outfit underneath! They land on the edge of the stage, barely deterred in being found out as they slip their balaclava back on over their face...
Near the back center, Yoshi recognizes the symbol on the antagonistic warrior's outfit above their heart.
Uh! The Kage no Tsume!...So you seek vengeance at last, do you, Hikiji?
"Aaah!"
He and several others lost in a daze snap back to reality when a teenage girl from the host school lets a cry of fright, courtesy of another two ninja shucking off their noh performer disguises to reveal themselves in all their dark glory, then using their own shuriken to cause a bit of mayhem by slicing down a few booth supports! The students running a goldfish game and two food stands hurry to run away before they become swallowed by the cloth roofs, just around the time the other members of the small Kage no Tsume division come springing out to scare.
A few more screams echo as people start to run in a panic, no one wanting to end up on the wrong end of a flying blade or worse...
"Amazing what a little fear can do to the general public, isn't it?"
"Mph!"
Coraline spins back to the stage just as the ringleader of these black-clad warriors comes leaping onto the raised hardwood, sweep-kicking away the unsuspecting karate student and sending him flying for the ground near the steps.
"Kazuma! Grh, (focuses on the shinobi) who are you and what's the meaning of this?!...Did Hikiji send you?"
"In a way, yes. My master's orders were to hunt you and your cohorts down..."
(Flap)
"And deal to you the same humiliation you did he when you marred his face with the Curse of Tengu."
...The redhead doesn't respond at first, recoiling in shock at the sight of the ninja's appearance without their balaclava mask on.
"...Mikuru...?"
No way. Not her! How is it-but she isn't-!
The pale-beige girl with medium-length, straight black hair currently tied into a short ponytail half-smirks, her sharp bottle green irises reflecting a new hatred different from the petty anger her enemy was used to seeing.
"Heh, surprised, I see. I should've expected as such, since you've only seen me as the other Mikuru, the personality I fake to fool others and make them believe I'm just another ditzy teen...But the time for charades is no more!"
Mikuru then pulls out the parts to create a yari, a pole weapon of about six and a half feet tall, including the attached blade with similar shape to that of a tantō.
"Today's the day when vengeance shall belong to the Kage no Tsume!"
"Like hell it will!"
"Hm?"
The ninja leader's arm lowers slightly as Freeman and Besa come running with the rest of the students of Lotus Dojo, cloistering as a unit behind Coraline with the twin boys closest to her sides.
"You've got an army to go through first."
"Yeah! Nobody disrupts the fun on our watch!"
The espresso coco-skinned young man with cornrows says to his sister,
"We'll leave Mikuru to you while the rest of us stop the other ninja."
"Guys...Hmph, (nod) alright. But be careful."
On that note, the other twin signals the thirteen fellow student warriors to disperse against the new threat.
"Let's get 'em, guys!"
"Hai!"
Splitting into a few groups, the fifteen teens rush to meet in combat against the ninja from the Kage no Tsume...Watching the allies of her main enemies work to dispatch her ninja as well as persuade students from the other dojos to help get the public out of danger made Mikuru's lip curl into a snarl.
"Rrrh, time to call reinforcements. Elite Guard, to me!"
(...Fwoooosh)
A small twister of smoky wind swirls its way in the middle of the area where the crowd used to be, dissipating to reveal six ninja dressed in dark purple garb rather than full black, face masks which left the rest of their shaven heads bare, black arm and knee guards, and had the Kage no Tsume symbol printed on their backs. Dividing them down, we see each pair of two carries one of three distinct weapons: the Tekkō, the Kyoketsu-Shoge, and the Chigiriki!
"Gy-uh!"
"Meet our ninja's Elite Guard, the toughest and most deadly of all our warriors. Those whom have dared to face them in combat are lucky to be defeated with their lives. (Glance) Warriors of which I'm sure your master is very familiar with."
The man with the medium-length black hair styled into flattop/ratail combination narrows his soft brown irises as he approaches the edge of the stage to scrutinize the venomous sextuplet, whose focus shifts to Inuyasha. Said dog demon shifts his footing the slightest into a defense-offense position, glaring at the strange humans.
"Tch, you lookin' for a fight with me?"
Neither higher-up shinobi answers him, instead using actions to communicate. In which case, one of the warriors using a pair of tekkō charges at Inuyasha head-on, swiping the lefthanded bladeduster sideways in an attempt to cut through the latter's robes.
"Hh!"
The young man with ankle-length silver hair is forced to leap back to dodge, reaching his right hand instinctively towards the hilt of his Tessaiga.
"Grrr, now you're askin' for it, pal!"
"One moment, Inuyasha-san."
"Huh?"
Yoshi suddenly does a front flip down off the staging area, landing on the hard ground near the dog demon's side before brandishing out his double katana.
"It would be best you don't fight these ones alone. They are the Kage no tsume's most lethal of assassins...Besides..."
The former turns to direct a teacher's smile at the 'visually younger' male.
"I have been meaning to observe your combatical skills in action, and find out just how far you've come in your journey as a young warrior."
"Uh...Mph, (shrug) whatever works with you."
Inuyasha draws out his dog fang blade to shine in the afternoon sun for all to witness.
"Least I get to see what you're about when you're armed."
"Heh, of course...Now come, my unofficial student: let's take this threat down!"
On that note, both men aim to take on three each of the Elite Guard...On Inuyasha's side, his first opponent is one of the ninjas with a kyoketsu-shoge when they whirl the chained end to lock around his sword. This gesture may strike some worry for others, but not the dog demon.
"Keh, nice try, but as you can, (yank) see...!"
He pulls the enemy fast to go soaring through the air on a straight collision course for his free fist.
(Whack)
"A-ch!"
"There's a reason why nobody touches my sword!"
Meanwhile, Yoshi found himself dodging shots from both the kyoketsu-shoge and the chigiriki with well-timed sways and downward drops of his body. He waits for the right moment to counter...until it presents itself when his third opponent lunges forward with their tekkō.
Aha...
The martial arts teacher ducks down before shooting his hands upward to grasp one of the Elite Guard's arms, and yanks them forward to get ensnared by the chain of the chigiriki!
"Uh!"
He then rolls out of the way and maneuvers himself behind the entrapped enemy to deliver a jump-kick to their back, sending them to go crashing into the other ninja they're inadvertently connected to. That just left the third ninja with their own kyoketsu-shoge to deal with, by way of a few sword deflections followed by a close-quarter kick to the chest...
"Hrrah!"
Returning to the battle between Coraline and Mikuru, the former continues to evade the strikes of the latter's yari, having little else of a plan considering she's unarmed besides her own fists.
"Rh!...Gyh!"
Dammit, this isn't getting me anywhere! I gotta get rid of that weapon somehow...
"Your efforts are in vain, Croft."
A sweep to the back of the redhead's knees forces her to fall on her spinal cord, sending an echo wave of pain to pulse through her muscles.
"Grh-hh!"
Crap!
Her troubles increase as she lifts herself back on her feet...
(TOK)
"Agh!"
Only to get pinned to one of the front corner posts with a kunai in the shoulder and right leg of her karate gi!
"Oh come on, really?!"
A snicker from Mikuru draws Coraline's attention to the former, bulging her irises as the yari's tantō blade gleams in the rays of the sun.
"None escape the blades of the Kage no Tsume, and any who believe they can are foolishly naïve. Prepare to meet your end."
No...!
Souta's POV
I've been watching the action from behind a half-broken booth that was selling mochi with my mom and grandpa, and I gotta say, this isn't what I had in mind for seeing my sister and the guys show off their skills. Sure, seeing them beat up bad guys was cool...but it also made me worry for them.
Is this the kind of stuff they do on the other side of the well?
No wonder sis and the twins always return so tired...They're basically fighting for their lives...
"Agh!"
One particular cry from Cora brings me back to reality, and I look over to the exhibition stage to see her trapped with two blades pinning her uniform!
"Oh no, sis!"
That ninja girl's gonna stab her, and the others are too busy to help. I gotta do something!
...But, what can I do? I don't know how to fight.
I look around frantically for something, anything that could inspire a brilliant idea...and that's when I saw it: an abandoned bō staff!
Someone from the other schools must've dropped it when they ran...
That's it!
Though part of me is still plenty scared, a new feeling of bravery fills my veins as I get up from my crouch and start running for the weapon. Mom and grandpa try to call me back:
"Souta!"
"Come back, my boy, or you'll get hurt!"
Ignoring them, I keep running and manage to snatch up the long weapon for my own hands without drawing too much attention.
Yes! Now to get to Cora...
Turning to the stage, I wait until one of the students from the Lotus dojo kicks away another ninja before breaking into a new sprint.
"Hah! Hah! I'm coming, sis! Hang on!"
...But I'd only get within a couple feet when another ninja suddenly blocks my path while holding a kama up! I screech to a stop on my heels, eyes wide with terror.
Aww no!
"...Hey! Get away from him!"
Thankfully, I'd be saved by Besa when he comes rushing in and disarms the ninja with a chop to the wrist, then basically putting them in a headlock.
"Hrrgh-gah-hh!"
"Rrrh-hh, k-keep moving, Souta!"
Besa...
Nodding, I run past him until I was close enough to sis that my throw would reach her.
"Hh, hh, Cora, catch!"
...
...
I cheer silently to the gods that all those sessions of playing soccer goalie paid off as soon as her hands touch wood...And just in time too, because that girl ninja had just started her charge to skewer sis, only to get blocked by the base of the bō!
(CLACK)
"G-Gh, what?! No!"
My sister sends a smirk at the other girl before calling to me,
"Thanks, Souta! Now head for cover while we get a leg over these ninja! Ee-ya!"
I grin as I watch her drive her enemy back with a shove before going into an all-out stick-to-stick brawl, feeling proud of myself for helping in even just a small way...
"Didn't cha hear the woman, kid?"
I whirl around to see Inuyasha land in a leap in front of me, then scoop me up to jump us all the way out of the battleground area. He sets me back on my feet before giving me a scolding for not doing what he ordered me to earlier.
"I told you to get outta here with your mom and grandfather, not run in headfirst with a bō staff!"
"I-I know, and I was hiding with 'em behind that booth, b-but when I saw what that girl was gonna do to sis, I couldn't just-..."
I didn't dare finish that sentence, because I knew no good comes out of bad thoughts...Anyway, Inuyasha sighs a little and gives me a look that isn't as stern while bending down to clap a hand on my shoulder.
"You could've gotten yourself killed, Souta. I get you wanna help, but this kind of fighting's not safe for someone your age in any era."
Inuyasha...
"But I'll let it slide this time since you gave Coraline some much-needed help."
He half-smirks and adds,
"You just wait here and watch as we give these shinobi a reason to cower."
"Uh. (Smiles and nods) Right. You go get 'em, Inuyasha."
"Count on it."
Coraline's POV
Now that I've got somethin' to use, let's even the odds, shall we?
Thanks to my little brother, I now have a wooden bō staff to wield in combat against Mikuru. True, this isn't a weapon I'm very familiar with, but I have been taught the basics on how to use this and similar by Master Yoshi and even Miroku. Plus, if there's one thing I've come to learn over the years, is that anything can be a weapon if you put your mind to it...
"Tch! How is this happening?!...You should be on the ground bleeding with your cohorts by now!"
My smirk doesn't waver as I block another blow from the revealed-to-be-ninja girl while retorting,
"You obviously didn't get the memo about our skills from Saki then. Either that, or your arrogance is the only thing that doesn't change between your guises."
That sends her into another tipsy of anger, which is exactly what I'm aiming for. I wait patiently for the right moment...before hooking the end of my bō staff under her yari, and yank it out of Mikuru's hands!
"Uh!"
I ditch my own weapon and let out a can of whoop-ass on the girl, giving her a taste of how it feels to not have anything but your own hands to defend yourself. I of course don't expect to defeat her that easily, as evident by the strength in her knuckles as I use my arms to block her fists, then throw my own back...
That's when an idea comes to me for a finisher: the katas!
Grinning internally, I do the same thing I did with the rest of the class not too long back in the opening performance. Waiting until she charges again, I then give Mikuru a front spin kick, quickly followed by a palm thrust from the rightward bow stance, sending her flying to the ground as I finish with empty stance, then face frontward to drop down into rest stance...
"Well done, Coraline-san!"
Opening my eyes, I look down to see my master and Inuyasha smiling proudly at me for my efforts. I smile back with a nod, and take note of the other enemy ninjas down for the count thanks to my brothers and our fellow classmates.
Looks like we take victory...
"Don't believe this is over by a long shot."
Snapping back to Mikuru, she lifts herself up on her feet again with a more tired glare on her face from all the fighting.
"Hrh, you may have won now, but my uncle will have his revenge someday!"
Uncle? Does she mean her master? (...Widens eyes) Then that would mean, she's a Hikiji as well!
"Kage no Tsume, fade to darkness!"
(...POOF)
"Auh! A-ch-koff!"
Next thing I know, the area gets swallowed by a bunch of black powder thrown by multiple sources, blinding us and allowing the enemy to escape...Uncovering my eyes, I think to myself with a raised brow as I survey the damage,
...Well...this is one way to really end a festival.
Small Time Skip, No POV
Once the school grounds are cleared and any remaining visitors/student staff are checked for injuries, everyone would be sent on their way back home rather than attempt to continue the festivities amongst the uncertainties...
"Man, what a total letdown! I was lookin' forward to seeing you kick that Kazuma boy's ass after all that arrogance he kept releasing when he was in your class."
"You and me both, though I never really held alot of discontent towards him from the beginning. Just annoyance...Haaah, a part of me almost wishes those ninja had struck earlier before the final match. I'm exhausted..."
Zooming in on the Higurashi shrine, we see Inuyasha and Coraline - she having redressed herself in the edo komon outfit since her karate gi got ripped after freeing herself from the kunai - wandering the courtyard as they spoke about recent events. The twins would have joined them, but were busy resting inside the house with Souta keeping them company.
As the young couple near the Goshinboku Tree, the dog demon lightly scoffs,
"Keh, how can you be that tired if you're still able to walk? Besides, that whole battle was way easier than the fights we've had with Naraku and the Band of Seven."
"I suppose...yet I can't help but wonder over Mikuru's warning."
A delicate frown etches onto the redhead's lips.
"I was sure that after the Sword of Tengu incident we would see the last of Hikiji, but apparently I was wrong...I almost wonder if he'll become just as frequent an enemy as Naraku."
"If he does, we'll just send 'em back to whatever dark hole he's hiding in. No big deal."
"...Heehehee!"
That's when Inuyasha's ears pick up on a whisper of giggling on the gentle breeze, one that he's been hearing on and off a few times since a certain time he's come to visit this era...
"What's the matter?"
Growling a little in annoyance, he unwraps the arm he had around Coraline's shoulders and whirls his eyes over towards the ancient plant with a mood-matching glare.
"Alright that's it: who's there?...Who are you and why are ya giggling like an idiot?"
"Huh?"
Glancing back and forth between her man and the tree...the answer hits the human girl like a cloth sheet falling off a clothesline.
Oooh, I know what's going on. He must be hearing...her...
Laughing a little behind her hand, she places a hand on the dog demon's shoulder to get his attention.
"Take it easy, love; they're no one dangerous...She's actually a part of this place in a way."
"Whaddo you mean?"
"You'll see."
Focusing ahead at the Goshinboku Tree, Coraline calls,
"You might wanna show yourself before he becomes anymore suspicious, Kagome."
...
Heeding the call of the living, the young spirit fades into view, an innocent smile on her face all the while.
"Aw, I was kind-of hoping to see if he would figure it out himself, but then again, he has shown himself to be clueless..."
As the redhead hurries to stifle down another laugh, Inuyasha found himself staring at the little ghost girl with awe.
...So this is, Kagome...Wow.
She kind-of looks like a younger version of, Kikyō...
"I hope you're not comparing me to my past incarnation."
Snapping back to reality, the dog demon focuses on Kagome as she puts her hands on her hips with a stern sort of expression.
"While I'll admit we do share a similar look, I'm just as much my own person as she's her own. Remember that."
"U-Uh! Right, of course...So, how long have you been comin' around here?"
Softening back into a smile, the spirit replies,
"About as long as when I first met my death, sooo...little more than six years? I've watched over my baby brother, mom and grandpa, and then Coraline when she finally arrived. I imagine she's told you about our connection?"
"Uh, yeah. You're the one who passed on the jewel to her...Why'd you choose her, anyway? Not that I'm complaining after all this time, but, still...what made you choose her?"
"(Shrug) Hard to explain, really, but, let's just say I could sense her beyond reason, and felt she was the best girl for the job. Heh, I mean, her daddy already made a connection when he was helping grandpa with that scroll. It just made perfect sense."
Inuyasha hums to himself over what the little ghost's words.
Hm...I guess there are some things you just roll with and don't question...
Hang on. I wonder if-
"Uhm, Kagome, there's something else I wanna ask."
"Go ahead."
"...You wouldn't happen to know anything about, Kikyō's current whereabouts, would you, since you have a connection with her?"
A soft gasp escapes Coraline's lips before her face falls into a sad little frown.
I shouldn't be surprised he'd ask that...for I've been holding myself back from the question.
A similar expression curves onto Kagome's face as she replies,
"Afraid I can't tell you much about that either. My connections to her only run so deep, which doesn't include anything recent."
"...I see..."
"But there's no need to be sad."
"Hm?"
Inuyasha looks up to meet the deceased Higurashi's eyes as she forms a half-smile.
"The afterlife's actually alot nicer than some people will say. Once you let go of everything negative that's been weighing you down, there's this great lift of peace that stays with you for all eternity...I'm not sure if that's truly what's happened to Kikyō, but please know that when she does eventually part the earth, she'll be coming to somewhere with alot less stress...She'll be free."
"Kagome..."
"I'll leave you and Coraline to think on it, and enjoy some hugs, hehee! See you around!"
With that, the young spirit fades away...
"She is right."
The dog demon turns to face his mate as she says,
"As much as I'm in no way ready to die anytime soon, I also know that being afraid of the afterlife's not rational...Something I'm sure Kikyō knows as well..."
She leads him over to the stone bench near the tree to sit down, adding,
"But to ensure her parting won't be so sour, we'll need to track down and eradicate Naraku before he tracks down her body."
...Snaking an arm around the girl's waist, the young man with amber irises pulls her close as murmurs,
"Yeah...Naraku needs to die, so we can all find peace."
...
...
...
Returning to the Sengoku era, after waiting for a little over two days, the demon with the spider burn on his back would finally receive his answers regarding a certain jewel from Mimisenri, the latter rising out from the bubbling swamp water to meet eyes with the former...
"What took you so long?"
Ignoring Naraku's impatience, the demon with the large drooping ears reveals his findings.
"I heard it. It was very faint, but I'm certain that was it. Still, it won't be easy for you to lay your hands on it..."
"Don't stall, or I'll kill you...Tell me: where can I find the last shard of the jewel?"
"...The last of the Shikon-no-Tama...is at the border between this world, and the Netherworld."
The evil entity felt surprise caress his being.
...At the border of this world, and the Netherworld...