- TOH SHIN DEN II: Thicker Than Water -

a Battle Arena Toshinden 2 fanfiction by Athena Asamiya and Kasumi Todoh


CHAPTER THREE: Return



Translations:
nan demo nai - nothing
oi, Kayin-chan, matte yo! - Hey, Kayin, wait up!
honto - really


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Running was not of his nature. Yet he had been running for quite a while.
Running from them, of course. Anyone else in the same situation would have given up, surrendered to their will, a long time ago. But not him. He kept eluding, escaping, and even the two angels could not find him yet. Though undoubtly, someday they would. And then it would be all over.
He shook his head. He shouldn't have started the Toshindaibukais again last year. It had been a risk. Though it had not been without its rewards. Uranus was now destroyed...but that still left Master to deal with. And of course, the group of allied fighters from last year would return, and perhaps even end up challenging the Himitsu Kessha again. Only this time, they may not win...
Looking at the Toshindaibukai invitation in his hand, signed by the Master herself, he sighed deeply while picking up his enormous, polished sword. Then it would be his job to help them win.
Kaede...
He moved on.
One choice was clear.
He was not running anymore.

***************

"What the hell--?" was Kayin's immediate reaction upon seeing the tall, gold-coloured skyscraper-type building that now loomed over most of the tournament grounds. The mid-afternoon sun glinted off it brightly, though the building looked more ominous than cheerful.
Eiji shaded his eyes against the sun to look up at it. "That definately wasn't here last year. I wonder...could it be--"
"The Himitsu Kessha!" Eiji and Kayin both concluded in unison. Kayin shook his head in disbelief. "Why did they move their headquarters here?"
"Probably to watch over the tournaments closer. And anyway, maybe the new leader, that 'Master' guy, decided to move." Eiji shrugged. "It still looks creepy to me. Hey, wait..." Eiji took another, closer look at the skyscraper. "I can make out some kanji...Hi-mitsu...Kes-sha...Shitennou?"
"What's a Shitennou?" Kayin questioned.
Eiji looked thoughful for a moment. "It's an old Japanese myth. The Shitennou were the Four Heavenly Kings who guarded the four corners of the Earth--I believe, if I can remember right, their names were...anou...Jikoku for the east, Komoku for the south, Zocho for the west, and Tamon for the north. But I don't get it...why would the Himitsu have the names of gods on their building?
"Some kind of religious meaning?" suggested Kayin. Eiji shook his head. "No, I doubt there's any religions who primarily worship the Shitennou...I find it all odd. It gives me a bad feeling."
"Got that right." Kayin and Eiji entered through the stone doors to the tournament grounds, flashing their invitations to the guard posted at the doorway. Pausing to stand again inside the grounds as the doors slammed shut behind them almost ominously, the site seemed so familiar to Eiji, almost welcoming in a strange sort of way. Here was where he had met Ellis, and been attacked by the henchmen of the Himitsu Kessha, first figuring out that there was something going on behind the scenes. Here was where he fought in the great tournament, the Toshindaibukai, and gained victory. He had found his niisan...only to be left with even more questions than before. Eiji shook his head, sighing sadly. Kayin looked over at his friend curiously. "What's up, Eiji?"
Eiji picked his bag up off the ground and flung it over his shoulder again, brushing away the thoughts. "Nan demo nai."
Kayin took a breath, then exhaled sharply. "You haven't gotten over it, have you?"
"No."
"Dammit, that was a year ago, Eiji. Get over it. It's done and gone. You can't force yourself to keep remembering it. Your brother's not here anymore."
Eiji hung his head. "No...I suppose he isn't." But why... he silently mused, why can I still feel his spirit? It presides here, I know he's here somewhere...watching... Eiji looked up in time to see Kayin heading towards the dormitories. "Oi, Kayin-chan, matte yo!"
"If you'd get your spiky-haired head out of the past for a minute, maybe you would have seen that I was leaving," was the careless-sounding answer. Eiji sighed, then ran to catch up with his friend.
Examining the premises, the two found the tournament grounds to be almost deserted, with only a few people walking around, who were probably maintenance workers.
"Looks like we're one of the first ones here again," Eiji remarked.
"No kidding."
The pair continued on to where the cabins were. Eiji and Kayin each chose one, right near each other, and an intensive search of both turned up no suspicious objects, cameras or the like. It appeared that they had all been removed since last year. By the time they had unpacked and settled in as much as they could, it was gaining on five o'clock. With nothing else to do, Eiji & Kayin sat down outside their cabins to wait for their friends to show, as it was obvious they would. The two didn't have to wait long. Sofia and Tracy arrived together, engrossed in a heavy conversation with each other already. Tracy was dressed comfortably in a pair of denim jeans and a navy-blue camisole top that showed off her excellent tan, high-top sneakers and her POLICE ball cap turned backwards on her blue hair. Sofia was wearing her typical black leather costume, but with her leather gold-buckled jacket overtop, so as not to look indecent in public. Kayin grinned at Eiji and bellowed out, "HEYYYYY!!! What two lovely ladies do we have here!!" This immediately got the two girls' attentions, as they turned to see Eiji grinning weakly and Kayin winking at them jokingly. Tracy hollered back, "No more, Kayin, or I'll put ya under `rrest for harassment!" The group of friends exchanged hugs, handshakes and greetings, and then started to fill each other on what was going on in their lives and their reasons for returning.
"Tracy and I ran each other at the airport," Sofia explained. "Our planes landed within fifteen minutes of each other."
"We also saw Rungo, Duke and some of the other fighters on our way over here," Tracy piped up. "Looks ta me like all the fighters that took part in last year's tourney are back and rarin' to kick ass." She grinned a held up a fist. "Like me!"
Eiji laughed. "You're always out for a good fight, Tracy-san."
"Damn straight, Shinjo, damn straight. And quit with the fancy-ass Japanese stuff. Just Tracy, Trae or nothin'."
"So, why are you two here?" Sofia asked.
"You mean you don't believe we're here just for the thrill of fighting in a tournament?" Kayin questioned innocently.
"Oh, please," she replied, waving a hand in the air. "I do like to think I know you better than that. We all have a reason for being here, am I right? Regardless of that less-than-flattering invitation. And I am just curious to see why everyone else has decided to return."
"As I was tellin' Sofi, I'm here cuz I needed some more evidence about the Himitsu Kessha before I can start an investigation," Tracy started off.
"And I came to this tournament," Sofia said next, "for almost the same reason. I have rejoined the KGB, and they wish for me to attempt infiltration of the Himitsu Kessha for more information on how to, how you say, take them down." Smirking, she slyly asked, "So then, why did you come, Kayin? You distinctly said you were not going to fight anymore."
Kayin looked at Eiji helplessly, who nodded solemnly, before quietly replying. "I came to find Naru."
"Who's that?" Tracy questioned curiously.
"She's my daughter."
"YOU have a daughter?"
"Um, yeah. And she..."
"Who's the mother?"
"Tracy, is that really relevant? Actually, I adopted her, so..."
"How come you never told us you had a daughter?"
"Would you please quit interrupting?"
"Sorry."
"Anyway," Kayin managed to continue, "after the last tournament I decided never to take part in another Toshindaibukai. But apparently the Himitsu Kessha really wanted me to fight in this year's tournament. So they took Naru, as insurance that I would."
Sofia gasped, and Tracy gripped her tonfas even tighter.
"We believe the Himitsu Kessha is holding Naru hostage somewhere," Eiji added. "Probably on or near the tournament grounds. Now we have to find out exactly where."
"I'll help you look for it," suggested Tracy. "I've have plenty of experience in this sorta thing."
"As do I," Sofia agreed.
Kayin sighed, but smiled weakly. "Thanks, guys. I'm worried to death over her."
Deciding it would be best to change the subject again, Sofia pointed out, "Eiji, we haven't heard your reason yet."
"Oh, uh..." Eiji hadn't expected to be called on. "Well...I, um...I'm here...to try and find my brother."
"Well, this day's just full of surprises," grumbled Tracy. "Since when do you have a brother?"
Eiji looked puzzled, then laughed, embarassed. "Oh, yeah...I didn't tell you two last year, did I?"
"No, you didn't."
"My brother, Sho, taught Kayin-chan and I swordsplay. That's why we have almost the same techniques."
Kayin nodded. "Exactly. And Eiji's been going loony looking for him, trying to get him to come back."
"I WAS looking for him," Eiji corrected in annoyance. "He was here last year." The girls looked confused. "Oh, um...well...remember that night at the end of the tourney when Kayin-chan and I were all beat up? Before we fought Uranus? Well..." Eiji paused here for a second, and then continued. "We fought my brother."
"What??" Tracy exclaimed, peeved. "You told us you did that to each other, not that your bro kicked your asses!"
Kayin flinched here, responding, "Yeah, but he was a better fighter than both of us put together. Always has been. Eiji didn't see the meaning in telling you."
Sofia looked away thoughtfully, nodding. "I see what you mean." She looked over at Eiji. "But why would you want to find him again this time, if he made it clear that he does not want to go back?"
Eiji heaved a sigh. "It's kinda hard to explain. I know it may sound strange, but I still think there's a chance I can convince him to come back home. I have to give it another try, at least."
"You're either really stubborn or really nuts, after what happened to ya last year," was Tracy's flattering comment. "And in some really crazy way, I think I understand." She motioned behind her, at the gold building. "One thing I don't get already. Check out that wacked-out skyscraper. What the hell's up with that?"
Eiji shook his head and started seriously, "It's the Himitsu's new headquarters."
Sofia and Tracy exchanged looks. "We suspected as much," Sofia commented. "It would make sense."
"No more cameras, but they can still be watching us," Kayin added in. "Jesus. Is there no hope for a just normal tournament?"
Just then, an announcement came on from inside Eiji's cabin.
"Welcome back, to all returning participants of the last tournament, to this year's Toshindaibukai. We have invited all fighters from last year's tournament, and all have checked in, so this year looks to be as exciting as the last! This year the tournament is under new management, so you might find a few things slightly different. However, the rules for the scheduled matches remain the same. You must defeat your opponent, either by a knock out or a ring out, in two bouts, each lasting 99 seconds. Participants not fighting are welcome to come watch, but can not interfere in the match in progress. The tournament shall begin tomorrow morning. The matchups are posted by the main gate. Thank you for your time, and good luck to all!" The loudspeaker clicked off.
"I will go check the schedule," Sofia volunteered, heading off towards the gateway again. Eiji shook his head. "'New management'...the Master."
"Who?"
Kayin jumped in here. "The guy who runs the Himitsu Kessha now. We don't know anything about him other than his name."
"Never heard anything on `im myself," Tracy muttered. "Must be a real low-lying type."
Sofia came back just then, the gate having not been far from the dorm area where they were, and said simply, "I am to fight tomorrow, against one called Chaos. I believe you fought him last year, did you not, Tracy?"
"Yep, sure did! He's a pushover too, Sofi, you'll get some fun out of it."
Sofia smiled wryly. "That makes me feel much better. So what was that I heard about a new leader?"
"Master," Kayin said. "The supposed new head of the Himitsu. Think you can find anything on him?"
"Hmmm...I will try to see what I can dig up about him in the files I brought," she murmured. "But what shall we do in the meantime? Act like nothing is going on?"
"I think that's best course of action at the moment," Eiji replied. "Just until we find out what their plan is. Why else would they call us back instead of getting new competition? Trust me, I can tell they've got a plan."
"How'd I know you were going to say something like that?" Kayin groaned.
"Sounds like fun to me." Tracy straightened her police cap. "Anyway boys, we've gotta go get unpacked."
"Oh, sure," Eiji jumped in apologetically. "Sorry to keep you."
"It is all right," Sofia said. "We will be seeing you around then?"
Kayin winked again and made a thumbs-up. "You'd be so lucky."
Tracy snorted, and Sofia shook her head as the two girls headed off to find their cabins. Eiji glanced around a few more times after they had left, and pronounced while trying to hide his disappointment, "Ellis-chan isn't here."
Kayin flicked a few strands of strawberry-blond hair out of his face. "Bullshit. She's here; she just wasn't with them. They said on the announcement all checked in."
Eiji's eyes lit up. "Good idea." He quickly went inside his cabin, and hit a small red button on the intercom. Within seconds, a static voice replied, "Yes, sir?"
"Um, yeah, can I have the cabin number for Ellis-cha--uh, I mean Miss Ellis?"
"Just one moment, please...cabin number 21."
"Thanks." Eiji depressed the button and grinned goofily. Kayin peered over at him. "You look like an ass."
"Shut up. I'm going to go see Ellis-chan."

**************

Ellis was unpacking her bags quietly in her cabin, after hearing the announcement made. She slowly removed the small invitation, placing it on her bedspread, along with her pair of Dirks; silvery double-edged daggers, one for each hand, that worked perfectly with Ellis's swift, multi-hitting fighting style. Ellis looked at her reflection in a nearby mirror; she stared back at herself, not-so-replendent in her usual outfit of a white camisole and denim cutoffs. She fingered the small, silver heart locket sadly.
New management...what does that mean? And is my father here? Have they captured him already? Make no mistake, Father, I'll never let them. A knock at the door shook Ellis out of her thoughts, and after hastily flipping some of her emerald hair out of her face, she went to the door and opened it a crack.
Familiar red-gold eyes stared back at her.
"Hi," said Eiji Shinjo.
Ellis laughed and swung the door open, throwing her arms around Eiji. "Eiji-kun! I didn't think you came!!"
"Neither did I, we didn't see you with Tracy and Sofia," was Eiji's reply. Ellis's eyes shone happily. "'We'? Kayin's here too? We're all here again!"
Not sharing as exuberant a tone as Ellis, Eiji set her down gently. "Unfortunately, it's not as happy as you think, Ellis-chan. The Himitsu Kessha's up to something again."
Ellis turned away, going over to her bed and picking up the note she had received along with her invitation, holding it out to Eiji solemnly. "I believe I already know."
Eiji read the note quickly, looking more and more angry by the time he had finished the note. "First Naru-chan, now this."
"Naru?"
"Kayin-chan's daughter."
"KAYIN has a DAUGHTER??"
"It appears everyone finds it hard to believe."
Ellis giggled. "Well, you know...he doesn't look like a fatherly figure."
Eiji grinned. "Honto. Anyways, he got a note like this, same as you did. But it was because his adopted daughter Naru got kidnapped by them."
She sucked in her breath, looking quite concerned. "Oh no! How old is the poor girl?"
Eiji shrugged, thinking. "Only about six or so."
"God," Ellis murmured. "What monsters, going after a helpless little girl, and my father...to get us to come back. But why, instead of new fighters?"
"That's what we've been wondering. Kayin-chan, the other girls and I were just discussing it over at my cabin. Why go to all the trouble to bring us back? Something's not right."
Ellis picked at the fluff of the bedspread. "That's true. I doubt they're happy with us for ruining their plans last year. Remember all of Uranus's world-dominating schemes? They probably see us as a threat now."
"Bet you're right, Ellis-chan," said Eiji. "If so, then it looks like we're in for even more surprises than last year." He headed for the door. "I'd better get back to check the schedule. Um, see you later?"
"Of course!" Ellis saw Eiji off, waving at him from the front step. After he had left, Ellis paused, smiling bashfully to herself. Gradually, however, the smile wore off her face. She couldn't shake the feeling she was being watched the whole time. At one point, she thought she saw a dark shadow pass through the trees. Quickly, she took a stance and shouted, "Who's there?"
Nothing. At least, nothing that responded. Ellis waited a few minutes, but still heard no reply. Shaking her head, she muttered, "Cool it, Ellis. Your imagination's getting the best of you."
With that, she went into her cabin and closed the door. The reason that she didn't see someone really was following her was probably because of the way the person's brown hair and black outfit helped her blend into the darkness.
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