Jijitsu

Jijitsu

Link stared at the glowing objects in his palm. So, this is what these medallions could really do. Link was impressed. Hopefully, this would help him. "Staring at those things won't help you train harder." Link turned around to see his sensei, who tapped his staff onto the ground. "There is still much training you need to do."

"You mean it's not over?"

"The prophecies tell of yin and yang. Light and dark fighting together for the balance of the universe. Your task is still incomplete."

Link sighed as he readied himself for another sparring match. Suddenly, he sensed something coming toward his direction. Link pushed his master away as a shruiken whizzed by and hit a post. Link searched for the owner as Gounomono observed the note jammed in the center. Link cursed as he failed to see the attacker when Gounomono handed him the note. "She wants to meet with you." Link snatched the note and read it for himself:

It is time we settle this. There is a small house in the forest. I'll be waiting.

Link stared at the non-existence figure in the trees. This was it. Link thanked his sensei before he took his pack and gathered his weapons. He would need all he could handle if he were to defeat Mitsukai again. Before he left, his master gave him one last piece of advice, "You may have all you need, but you must control your emotions. It could cost more than you'll ever know." Link turned around for the last time before setting off for his final bout.

~*~

Link rushed into the woods, following the directions in the note. He was never one to turn down a fight. This time, it ends. Link skimmed the trees until finally finding what he'd been looking for. Forgetting his common courtesy, he marched up the door and barged in. Expecting the ninja to come down and fight to the bitter end, Link drew his sword. Instead, he saw Mitsukai in the shadows, sitting calmly by a dining table. She wore a beautiful looking kimono and held a fan close to her face. Her eyes remained an icy blue, but they did not have the fury that normally appears in combat. "Irasshai," she greeted in her native tongue, "chakuseki kudasai?"

"Is that a threat?"

"I merely asked that you please sit for me." Link acknowledged this and sat across from her. Link could only stare as Mitsukai mixed a batch of fresh tea. The sweet fragrance of her perfume seemed to fill the air around her. "I can see that you do not trust me."

"After trying to kill me twice? I wouldn't trust you so easily. If you want to kill me now, then just do it!"

"Did I say I wanted to kill you? No. I wanted you to come to me."

Link carefully sipped his tea, hoping it wasn't poisoned. "If you didn't want to kill me, then why am I here?"

Mitsukai stood up and walked towards Link. "Because I hate the bondage that my master has given me." Link stood eye level to the woman as she continued, "I have no memory of my past. All I can remember is how I was taken against my will and possessed. Now I am being used as a pawn for the Oni." Her eyes watered as that horrible event replayed in her mind.

Link let Mitsukai fall onto his shoulders as she quietly wept to herself. Now he saw her not as a heartless assassin, but as a victim of Oni Ryuujin's curse. Link lifted her chin and gazed at her powdered porcelain face covering her identity. "Who are you?"

"I do not even remember that. All I know is that Oni is the only one that kept me alive. Although he is an ancient demon, he was like a father to me. The only one I've ever known."

Link's heart sunk after hearing this. He wished that there was something he could do. "I don't know what to say…"

"But I do." Mitsukai slowly let her outer robe fall, revealing an outfit that seemed to be nothing but bandage cloths covering her body. "I felt so different about you ever since you defeated me. You had the chance to kill me, but your mercy is nothing I've ever seen before." The woman wrapped herself around Link's body, "Not only that, but you are courageous and strong. Oni was the only one in my life until I met…you."

Link froze as he felt his body being pressed against the wall. He looked toward Mitsukai as her slender arms caressed his hair. Normally, Link would have found a way to escape this, but there was something about this woman that seemed so…inviting. Her silky skin brushing against his. Her breath blowing in his ears. Her lips so close to his. It all felt…right. As if it wouldn't matter if any of this happened. Stop it! Link told himself, Remember why you are in Japan. You have to save your loyalty. She is not the one you love. Resist. Don't…succumb…

Too late. Link allowed Mitsukai to remove his shirt as she pressed her lips against his. He responded by removing her outfit strip by strip until they only covered her breasts and her virginity. The warmth grew as Link felt his bare body caressing Mitsukai. He was hopelessly lost in emotion, just as Mitsukai has planned. Slowly, she slid her arms off Link shoulders and onto his back, producing a small dagger. Her plan: drive the blade down his spine while seducing him. When she was sure that Link was lost in confusion, she brought the blade to his spine. Before she could complete her task, she felt her hand stop and force itself open. I…won't…let…you. Mitsukai dropped her dagger and kissed Link passionately. She slowly pulled away and muttered weakly, "Link…" Link opened his eyes and gazed into hers, which now had changed from a grayish ice to a deep, beautiful azure. "Go…now…" Link was surprised at her sudden change, but disregarded it. "Please…I…feel…weak…" Mitsukai shook her head as she stared at the boy all over her. Kuso, she cursed, I'll have to do this another way. Mitsukai carefully placed her hands onto Link's shoulders and quickly thrust her fingers into his neck, rendering him unconscious. Mitsukai took his body and thrashed in onto her shoulders. After slipping on her normal clothes, she pressed her hands together and chanted a teleportation spell: "kigyoushin, tsurekomo nushi Oni." The room flashed, and they were gone.

~*~

"You are a clever woman. Well done, my pet."

"Only for you, master."

Link's blurred vision started to clear up. When he fully recovered, he found himself in a dark room, bound and gagged. He looked in front of him to see Mitsukai kneeling before a fearsome warlord sitting in a horned throne. "Ah, he's awake. Good." Mitsukai stood aside as Oni forced Link to his feet, "So, you are the great Hero of Time? Hard to believe that you were brought here so easily." Oni laughed as he smacked Link back onto the ground. "You remind me so much of that other woman I captured. Yes, I remember it now. Taking her from Jokomachi was no easy task."

Link's eyes filled with rage, "You bastard! Where is she?!"

Oni Ryuujin completely ignored Link as he went on, "She did put up a good fight. I had to tear at her hair just to get her to stay still." Oni then started to grin, feeling absolute power, "The prophecies foretold of a foreigner that will one day stop me. Well, I guess the prophecies were wrong."

"You're not getting away with this. I'll stop you. I'll make sure you pay for what you've done!" Link struggled uselessly in his bonds.

"You are very brave, boy. I'm afraid, however, bravery is not going to be enough." Oni Ryuujin summoned a small fire and burned Link's bonds. "I'll give you a chance to attack me. Then from there, your fate is sealed." Freed from bondage, Link drew his sword and slashed at the demon. "Too slow!" An invisible shield repelled Link, sending him flying across the room. Oni laughed as the pathetic weakling struggled upwards and clumsily attacked again. "Fool. Is that the best you've got?" Link yelled as he missed his target.

I'm not done with you yet. Link produced a red medallion and chanted from memory, "Seika Hageshiikaze!" The Fire Medallion glowed and a fiery whirlwind engulfed Oni.

"Migotae. Impressive. But it's going to take more than that." A blast of wind extinguished the flames, but not before it left a mark. Oni sent a bolt of lightning at the hero, but Link repelled it with his sword before casting another spell.

"Suigai Fuuha!" The Water Medallion clattered onto the ground as a massive pillar of water rushed forth and pounded onto the demon. Knowing he wasn't going to win this battle, Link pulled out the Shadow Medallion. "Kage An'ya…" a massive shadow clouded the entire room, leaving Link enough time to escape.

"KUSO!" Oni cursed once the darkness faded, "He got away!" Enraged, Oni hurled energy towards the sky. He turned to see that Mitsukai drew her katana.

"I shall capture him master. I will not fail you." Mitsukai darted out of the cavern's entrance. The forests were large, but nothing she could handle. There was no way he could hide.

~*~

Link didn't know where he was running. He didn't care. All he felt was disgust, hatred, and betrayal. How could I have fallen for that? I'm such an idiot. Link ran further, angry tears flowing from his eyes. He finally stopped of exhaustion, kneeling onto the ruined streets of a nearby town. He was lost in thought, trying to compile from the shock. Why did I believe her lies? Why? Link suddenly remembered the kiss that stood out during his seduction. That one actually came from within. What was that supposed to mean? Link's head jerked up as he sensed a presence. "Mitsukai."

"So you know. It is useless to hide from me now." Mitsukai walked to the kneeling figure, disgusted by his self-pity. "You're weaker than I thought. Sobbing to yourself because of your own mistakes."

Link glared at the ninja and grasped his blade. "You betrayed me! You said that you hated the bondage to your master!" Link swung at Mitsukai, but she effortlessly flipped into the air and landed on the broad side of the Master Sword.

"I lied. You are such a funny creature. You'd believe anything from a woman." Mitsukai spun around and threw a kick, jumping gracefully into the air and landing onto her feet. "Now I can kill you, just like I kill all the other village scum."

Link was now enraged as he swung his blade. Mitsukai dodged and countered every swing with katana. Link pulled out his shield and prepared to ram this metal into her body, "Those were innocent people! They had done nothing to deserve this! Do you not feel any remorse for what you've done?!"

Mitsukai timed her jump just as Link came charging, "They were weak. They had no place in Oni Ryuujin's empire. I have no regrets." Link completely missed her as Mitsukai flipped over him and countered with a cartwheel kick to his back. Link put his shield away and faced the ninja, his sword ready to clash. "Now I can finally kill you, hero. Just like I killed Zelda."

Link froze with shock as he started to absorb what Mitsukai just said. "Surprised? I'm shocked. You knew it was coming, didn't you?"

"Shut up."

"I've killed twenty men, seventeen women, and fifteen young children. Your precious Zelda is nothing more than a statistic to me."

"Shut up!"

"If only you could have seen what I've done. The way their blood drew patterns in the air. The way they screamed and feared the power of my master. The way my katana could slice through several men like paper. And how can I ever forget Zelda's suffering?"

"SHUT UP!"

"Ah yes, the way she pleads for mercy even though she knows none shall be given. Her foolish idea that people can be content with peace and tranquility. How she made me sick. I did away with her slowly and painfully. Just like I'll do away with you." Mitsukai posed with her katana, waiting for Link's response.

"DAMN YOU!" Link charged at Mitsukai, rage and fury taking over. "YOU KILLED HER! I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU FOR THE LIVES YOU'VE TAKEN!" The Master Sword glowed as Link attacked the ninja. Mitsukai was hit as she flew further into the streets. Mitsukai jumped up as she blocked Link's second attack. Using his free arm, Link sank his fist into Mitsukai's gut, causing her to convulse. The pain only lasted a short while before she got back up and started using all her limbs to fight.

Mitsukai's legs had thrust at Link with inhuman speed. All of Link's training had paid off as he dodged and blocked all of her attacks and successfully connected a powerful blow. Mitsukai jumped back to her feet as she came in for another attack. She kicked him once, spun around for another kick, thrust her leg in his abdomen, and finished off with another heel kick. Link clutched his aching head as Mitsukai taunted him. "Are you the great hero everyone talks about? You are nothing more than a desperate man to me. No matter what you do, know that you have failed as a guardian."

That was it. Link couldn't take this anymore. There was only one way to ensure this woman would never kill again. Link reached into his bag and produced the most powerful object in his possession. Link place the mask onto his face, causing him to change form. His hair flailed into white as his clothes seeped with black armor. His eyes turned blank as war markings appeared all over his face. The Master Sword itself mutated from a single blade to a massive, double bladed sword. The transformation complete, Oni Link stood and faced his opponent. "You take pleasure in other's pain. Countless innocents lay dead because of your master's reign. I would normally let you go, but you do not deserve mercy. You killed the one I love! You will pay for her death!" Oni Link's sword glowed as a huge blast hit the ninja dead on. Mitsukai's eyes looked with fear as Oni Link picked up her recovering body and threw her into a burnt wall. Mitsukai grasped the dagger around her thigh and threw it at Link, but his massive sword slashed it into shards. Mitsukai knew that she was going to die, just as she had planned. Mitsukai drew her katana and prepared to die with honor. The blades clashed, putting them into a deadlock. The two glared into each other's eyes for one last time before Mitsukai was thrown back.

Mitsukai struggled upwards, using her katana as a crutch. She held the blade up high and ran towards Oni Link as he did the same. Both warriors leapt into the air and a loud clash echoed. Both of them landed opposite of each other, kneeling on one knee. Mitsukai's katana clattered onto the ground as her body landed with a soft thud, blood draining from her wound. Oni Link turned around and proceeded to finish the job. He forced the girl onto her feet and beat her. Mitsukai tried to fight back, but she was losing too much blood. When Oni Link bashed her head with the hilt of his sword, the icy glaze of her eyes disappeared for good. The ninja looked back and saw the fearsome shadow before her. "No…please…" Oni Link paid no heed to her begging as the edge of his sword met with her side. She screamed as tears of pain melted from her deep blue eyes. Oni Link looked at the convulsing figure as he noticed something. Mitsukai was not fighting back. She feared for her life. Her eyes were pleading for the mercy that she never showed. All the better for him. "Don't…kill…me…" Oni Link grabbed her by the neck and slowly pinned her limp body to another wall. "I…beg…for…your…mercy…"

"Mercy? Do you expect mercy after WHAT YOU HAVE DONE?!" Oni Link slowly enclosed his grip on her neck. "Do you see this?! This is what's left after your master was freed. This is what you have turned Jokomachi into when you killed all those people. And you expect me to let you off easily?! DO YOU?!"

"You…don't…understand…"

"You'll pay for what you have done. Starting…NOW!" Oni Link thrust the tip of his sword into Mitsukai's body as the energy surged into her body. A piercing screamed echoed before Oni Link withdrew and allowed Mitsukai to fall onto her back. Rain started to fall as Oni Link raised his sword high into the air, prepared to finish her off.

Mitsukai's eyes filled with tears. "Sayonara…koibito…"

Surprised at the familiar word, Oni Link withdrew his sword and knelt by her side, allowing Mitsukai to touch his face. Can it be…

"Ai…shi…te…ru…" Mitsukai kissed Oni Link, leaving the blood on her mask on his lips.

Oh God no…Mitsukai's chest sank, never to rise again. Link's hand trembled as it slowly removed her mask. I…killed…her…The demigod wept quietly as he wiped her blood from his lips. He cried out in anguish as his face laid on Mitsukai's body. Slowly, he lifted up her body and walked back to the shrine. The demigod held the precious body close to his to protect her from the crying rain. "Forgive me…" Now what the sensei said started to make sense. "Your emotions, if not controlled, can cost you more than you'll ever know." I'm sorry, my hime.