Gohan and Luke were both laid out on the grass as they were drenched in sweat. The sun rose over the world has daybreak began. Kise laughed loudly and smiled at the two.

"I didn't think you two would stick with it all night, but you exceeded my expectations., especially you Luke."

"I've been ready to do this Kise. I just needed you to give me a chance." Luke said sitting up.

"I saw that determination last night. You're right, I should've trained you sooner. Maybe I didn't think you were ready, but with some help, I realized that I was wrong."

"It's okay. I'm just glad you're finally seeing me as a man."

"Woah woah woah let's not get ahead of ourselves here. You'll need some hair on your chest before you're considered a man."

"Hair on my chest?" Luke looked in the inside of his shirt and found no chest hair. "How long will that take?"

"As long as it needs to. Now go get some rest. You've worked hard for your first time."

"Alright." Luke stretched his body and went inside Kise's home. Kise smirked and looked at Gohan who was still out on the grass.

"You gonna get up anytime soon," Kise asked, nudging him with his foot.

"I didn't wanna interrupt the conversation you guys were having. I'm glad you're finally training Luke."

"Yeah well…" Kise looked down almost in embarrassment.

"Hey Gohan, I was wondering where you went!" Asuka came out of Hanako's home, accompanied by Miroku.

"Were you out doing some training with Kise," Miroku asked.

"Yeah, I finally got through to him and now he's decided to teach me and Luke."

"Well isn't that nice. You look grumpy and a bui scruffy, but you're pretty alright old timer," Asuka said giving him a thumbs up.

"Those were one too many insults but alright," Kise said with a vein popping out his forehead.

"We have to come up with a plan about these serpents before they destroy the village. Ms. Hanako said a seal was placed to keep the serpents from leaving the cave. I'll go and have a look at it. Asuka, would you accompany me as my bodyguard?"

Miroku looked at Asuka with a serious expression on his face. Asuka put her hands on her hips. "With that stern look on your face you look sincere,, but seeing how you like to get handsy with me I have a hard time believing you."

Miroku's face fell at the accusation. "That's just absurd. You're clearly developed in the martial arts so I felt safe in your presence is all."

"Says the guy with a hole in his hand. Hmmm…" Asuka squinted her eyes and leaned in to Miroku's face. Miroku started to sweat but still tried keeping a positive smile on his face.

"Alright, I'll believe you monk." Asuka stepped away from Miroku.

He breathed a sigh of relief. "With that said shall we be off?"

"Let's go. We won't be long Gohan."

"If it gets to be too dangerous come back to the village okay?" Gohan said.

"Oh please." Asuka flexed her arm. "I'm strong enough to handle a couple of snakes. Plus, I have this guy with me. I think we'll be okay."

Asuka and Miroku left and ventured into the forest.

"So is she your girlfriend or something," Kise asked.

"Huh?!" Gohan exclaimed. No no she's just a good friend."

"A good friend is all she is?"

"Yeah, she's someone who helped me find the strength I needed to overcome myself. I'm grateful to her for that. I need to get stronger in order to repay her."

"That's a good reason as any in my book. Alright, I'm sure you're ready for more training. I'll go inside and grab my sword."

"I'm glad you're finally taking this seriously."

"I'm just showing you enough so that you can leave faster. Be right back."

Kise went inside his home and grabbed his sword from the corner. He looked over and saw Luke sleeping on the couch. He smiled and put his hand on his shoulder.

The strength to overcome… Leim is the reason I'm still alive. To honor him, I'll protect you no matter what. I'll overcome my former self. When I do, I'll tell you what really happened on that day…

Asuka and Miroku made their way to Serpent's Cove. Miroku treaded carefully, trying to sense any serpent activity in the area.

"I'm impressed monk. I thought you've would've made a move on me by now," Asuka snorted with her hands behind her head.

"Do you really think so little of me? I was only trying to make sure nothing happened to you."

"By copping a feel. You sure like to be thorough."

"It's the hand I promise."

"Hey, I got a question for ya. Why do you have a full head of hair?"

"I beg your pardon?" Miroku said confused.

"I assumed all monks were bald."

Miroku stuck his staff in the ground and pointed his finger at Asuka.

"Now that is enough! You have no idea how many times I've heard that ridiculous stereotype! Just because I'm a monk, doesn't mean I have to go and shave off all my luscious hair! This is- OUCH!"

Asuka tugged at the little ponytail in the back of his hair.

"This is some pretty nice hair. Do you have to move up in rank then have it shaven off? You aren't old though. We seem to be roughly the same age. I'm 17."

"Well, I'm a year older than you. Now, would you be so kind as to let go of my hair?"

Asuka freed Miroku from her grip on his ponytail. Miroku sighed and picked up his staff.

"It's a choice on whether you'd like to get your hair shaved. It has nothing to do with your position. The ladies in my life would be disappointed if I ever did that."

"Oh please, what kind of women like being womanized by you?"

"I'll have you know that-" Suddenly, Miroku's eyes shot open wide. He looked in the direction of Serpent's Cove which was just up ahead.

"What's up monk?" Asuka asked.

"No time to lose. Follow me!" With no hesitation, Miroku ran ahead of her. Asuka quickly followed.

Standing before the two was a giant cave at the edge of the forest. Miroku stared at the entrance of the cave.

"The demonic energy is overpowering the seal placed here. It's just as I thought. This won't last long." Miroku stretched his hand out to the cave.

"What are you doing?" Asuka asked.

Miroku said nothing, as he closed his eyes for a minute. The seal placed around the cave started to materialize and take shape.

"Woah, I didn't see that at all."

"Normally seals would push back any who try to enter or escape. The seal has gotten weaker however, and the serpents were able to slip through. It would take another monk to dispel the seal, but they don't last forever, and some years have passed since this was placed. It's only a matter of time."

"Can't you just replace the seal?"

"I very well could, but that's just like putting a band-aid on an open wound. It won't take care of the problem altogether. We need to defeat all that lies in this cave if the village is to be freed of the problem."

"You're right…"

Asuka and Miroku grew quiet. They both looked at each other, knowing what the other was feeling. A wave of demonic energy started to creep out from the inside. Serpents started to pour through, but the seal bounced them back. Miroku put up his staff sideways and planted his feet on the ground.

"The seal is still active, but I'll do my best to keep the serpents from escaping the cave. Run back to the village and bring Gohan here. Today's the day we destroy these demons!"

"I'm on it! Hold them back until then!" Asuka sped back to the village.

"Hurry back. Individually they aren't a problem but when they rush all at once it becomes increasingly difficult. I just need to hold out…"

Gohan and Kise were both locked in battle with their swords clashing with each other. Luke was working on his swings, occasionally glancing over at the two.

"For someone who just picked up a sword you're not half bad," Kise complimented.

"Well I do have a pretty capable teacher."

"Awww, you're making me blush."

"Gohan!" Asuka stumbled out of the forest a bit winded.

"Asuka what's wrong? Where's Miroku?"

"He's at the entrance to the cave. He's holding off the snakes that are trying to escape."

"Is the seal broken already," Kise asked.

"Pretty much. We felt some intense demonic energy inside the cave. We have to move now!"

"Right!"

"I'll go with you guys. I've dealt with them before so I can tell you the best way to handle them."

"Thanks Kise. Now let's go!"

"Can I come too?" They all turned to look at Luke. He had a fire burning on his eyes, ready for battle.

"Are you crazy? I just started teaching you, there's no way I would let you go inside that place."

"But there's strength in numbers, right? With the five of us, I'm sure we can win!"

Kise sighed and kneeled to Luke, so they were eye level. "You remind me a lot of your old man Luke. You both show courage I wish I had. It'll get you so far in life." Kise ruffled his hair and got back to his feet. "But courage won't be enough if you don't have power. Both are important for survival Do you have both?"

"I have courage but, I don't have the strength yet…"

"I have a mission for you Luke."

"What's that?"

"In case we don't make it back, you will be this village's protector. Who will protect them if we're all gone, ya know?"

"Don't say things like that! You guys won't die. You can't die!"

"It's always good to have a backup plan, right? Just in case we miss a few snakes and they get inside the village, it's up to you to protect everyone. Take care of the village while we handle this problem, okay?"

Luke was a tad frustrated but understood what he needed to do. He took a deep breath and smiled. "Okay, those snakes won't hurt anyone while I'm here. Just make sure you guys come back okay."

"Will do."

Kise, Asuka and Gohan made it back to Serpent's Cove. Miroku was sweating drastically as he kept the serpents from escaping the cave.

"Glad to see you all here. The seal has been destroyed so I've been keeping them away with my barrier. I'm at my limit!"

"Release the barrier Miroku. We can handle this!" Gohan raised his sword ready for battle.

"Alright, it's on you guys! Ergh!" Miroku released his barrier and Asuka quickly grabbed him to get him safely away from the fighting. She had him sitting down, leaning on a tree.

"Nice job Miroku. Rest up and we'll take care of the rest."

"Okay, I'll be here heh."

Asuka joined in the fight as the serpents all charged at them, but they were no match for the trio. As they were fighting, one serpent slipped by and tried attacking Miroku.

"Oh no you don't! Ha!" Asuka dashed at the serpent and kicked it high in the air.

"Gohan!"

"Ha!" Gohan threw a ki blast at the serpent and it's body exploded.

"That was a nice combo if I do say so myself." Asuka said giving him a thumbs up.

Their corpses laid dead and rotten at their feet after the battle was over. Kise gave Gohan a pat on the shoulder. "Nice work, but It's only gonna get worse from here. You ready for this?"

"I'm ready." Gohan turned toward Miroku who was still laying on the tree. "Will you be alright with us? Should we take you back to the village?"

Miroku shook his head no and stood up. "I just needed a short rest. I used quite a bit of energy holding the barrier."

"That reminds me," Asuka said. "Why didn't you just use your tunnel thingy and suck in all the snakes?"

"The Wind Tunnel can dramatically fatigue me. I'd rather not use it if I don't have to. Besides, I knew you all would come back. I was just doing my part."

"Wow look at you. You're a pretty okay guy!" Asuka slapped him on the back.

"I'm glad to be in your good graces." Miroku also went for a slap, unfortunately he aimed a little too low.

"MOTHER FU-" Asuka grabbed his staff and once again beat him with it.

"I'm still recovering why are you hitting me with my own staff," Miroku said covering his head with his hands.

"SHUT THE HELL UP PERVERT!"

Kise and Gohan sighed and entered Serpent's Cove.

Kise was right in telling you to stay Luke you know that.

You're right Ms. Hanako, but I have an uneasy feeling. Something is going to happen.

What do you mean?

I'm not too sure myself. I just wish I could be of use to him.

Just being by his side you've helped him so much, especially losing his best friend.

My dad… Alright I understand, I know what I need to do now! -Hanako & Luke