K: Konnichiwa! Well, I bet you've all been trembling in anticipation and whatnot in wait for this next chapter! (oh, gee… that's modest… --; I've turned into Takao… XP) Anyhoo, here it is! Chapter 5!! ^_^ (Gomen it took so long to post! I was finishing my book… It's pretty good, but the guy had 3 typos… ; I have no idea how and why I kept track of that…)
Disclaimer: Just because I pretty much get as much sleep as the animators doesn't mean I own it like they do.
Dedications:
- Anime the Fallen Angel (*smiles and blushes* Aa~ I'm glad you liked the fighting part! *toothy grin* Just one more chapter till Kai comes! ^_~)
- Asa-chan (Your sugar-high fic was hilarious! ^_^ Here's the update, just like you wanted!)
- PinkDevil (*glomps 2002 Max plushie* Arigato! *places it next to the 01 vers. plushie Darkspider gave her* ^_^ As for little Harry-chan, I think he's already been corrupted… *grins and points to her fic 'Double Take'* I don't mind Rei/Takao all that much- it's actually my 3rd fave, so go for it, girl! ^_~ BTW, which dojo did you go to before it closed? [also, I know it's spelled 'okay', but I always use 'okei', since that's how the hiragana/katakana would be spelled in Japanese. ^_~])
- Ran (No one else remembered because… ^_~ I'm not telling! You'll just have to read this chapter! XP)
- Virginia Choir (Actually… *sweatdrops* I've never held a bokken in my life! *laughs* That's why I said I had to use an arnise stick… *smiles* I do take karate, though, so that's how I managed to write those scenes. Demo, demo- even then, it's all made up off the top of my head! ^_^; I just think of useable moves and the relative range of motion they have when they fight, then leave the rest up to imagination…)
- Bloody Mary (And it'll get even more interesting as time goes on! ^_~ Especially when we reach chapters 8 and 9…. Those ones are a real trip… *laughs*)
- ChibiKai (*blushes* Nice to know you have so much confidence in me… ^_^ Glad you like it! Here's the next chappie!)
- Sapphire of Light (Maaaaaaaybe… XP You'll just have to read the chappie! ^_~)
- Darkspider (Ah-ah! Hiwatari come in next chapter- Rune 6. ^_~ I'm sure you can wait for just a bit longer, ne? *laughs and cuddles Wolborg plushie* Domo for Wolborg-chan! ^_^ *places it on the shelf next to Tala, Draciel, the Tyka kissin' plushie, and her 2 Max plushies* Heh heh… I've got quite a collection, now! There's barely enough room for the Yami Yuugi and Sora plushies I made! *laughs again* Good thing my Naruto, Sasuke, and Shindo Hikaru ones are all chibi keychains! ^_^; As for some Talakao, I'll see what I can do… ^_~ [I was actually thinking of putting some in myself, but it might have to wait and be in a sequel or something…])
- Rumi-chan (*huggles Kai and Takao plushies* ARIGATO!! ^_^ *puts plushies next to her Tala one* Bwa ha ha ha ha ha!!! I shall act out yaoi dramas with them later… XP)
- Weeping Angel (How would that ruin it? *blink blink* Ah well, I have it all planned out anyways, and the way I wrote it, their finding out wouldn't bother anything. *shrugs* But that's just me… You're welcome for the dedication. All who review the past chapter get one so I can answer their questions and respond to their comments… ^_^; Still, you're all special to me, since you'd actually take the time to come and read stuff by lil' ol' me. ^_^ Thanks.)
- Mieco (*laughs* Yeah, it is! Especially when you have to go back and fix your name on your fics whenever you do! XP On my first account, I had so many names, people were wondering why the hell I was posting "other people's" work! *laughs again*)
- Jyun (Kai's coming in Rune 6. Don't you just adore the fanclub thing?! ^_^ It's so cute!)
AND ESPECIALLY
- Kuro (Thank you!! I got the chappies, and am in the middle of re-reading them to get a feel for the story. Hopefully, I'll be able to figure out where I wanna go with it by doing so… ^^; Thanks SOOO MUCH for letting me do this! ^_^ *hands you a full set of Blade Breakers, Demolition Boys, White Tigers, Majestics, and All Stars team plushies, complete with all their bit beast plushie counterparts*)
Mujaki na Youkai Rune V: HakkenDiscovery
~Show me…~
The words echoed in Takao's head, and he couldn't help but sneak a glance at the boy following diligently after him. That expression was still on his face… How could anyone be so serious? Certainly, it was a beautiful and well-made blade, but it was still just a sword, right? Even if it was ancient enough to have myths surrounding its name….
He inwardly sighed. //I just don't get what's so great about it… Don't get me wrong- I love that sword, but he's acting like he's going to church or something, the way he's so reserved…//
Turning his gaze ahead once more, he sweatdropped. //Honestly, it really creeps me out….//
Shaking his head and leading his companion into the family dojo, he gestured to the ancient weapon sitting on its pedestal. Rei's eyes widened, and he locked eyes with the bluenette, silently asking permission to handle it. Takao nodded, and the Chinese boy rushed forward, coming to a halt before the artifact of Japanese history. In awe of it, he reached down to pick it up carefully, only to quickly drop it in surprise.
The swordsman gasped and darted to it, catching it before it clattered to the floor. Sighing in relief, he shot a quizzical look at the now deathly pale boy.
"What's up, Rei? Why'd you go and freak out like that?" he asked, frowning in confusion.
The other simply stared at the katana in his neighbor's hands, his eyes narrowed. Once Takao spoke, he looked up at him, his eyes hard. "You can bear to touch it?"
The bluenette's brows furrowed. "Yeah…. Why wouldn't I? It's just a sword…"
"Not that one. Can't you feel it? That sword is blood-thirsty; it's meant to kill…" Rei glared down at the katana, sensing the waves of anger and hate rolling off it. "I don't know who told you it was the Masamune, but it was a lie. The serene Masamune would never feel anything like that…"
Takao snorted, gripping his heirloom tightly and tearing his gaze from the boy before him. "I don't know what you're talking about… We'd know if it wasn't Masamune…"
"Maybe so… But I assure you- that blade isn't what you think it is."
With that, the raven-haired foreigner left the room, only stopping to cast a worried look over his shoulder before returning to his own home. The bluenette remained, however, hugging the malevolent sword to his chest and wondering why his new friend would say such things.
Still, despite his slight anger toward him for his accusations, he couldn't help but wonder if what he said was true…
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The door jingled, signaling that someone had entered the store. Kyojyu looked up from where he was modifying a customer's attack ring, a bit surprised to find Takao. It was rather late in the day, and the store would be closing soon, so why would the swordsman come? He was usually at home getting ready for bed by now…
"Takao-sempai, what brings you here?" he questioned, setting down the disassembled beyblade so he could focus on the conversation instead.
The boy seemed uneasy about something, and unconsciously hugged a tightly wrapped package in his arms. It was long and skinny, and, knowing Takao, it could only be one thing. But why on Earth would he bring it here? And wrapped up like that, to boot…?
"Ano… Kyojyu-kun… Can I… ask you a favor?"
His voice was shaky- uncertain. Quite unlike the confident, loud-mouthed Kinomiya he knew… Yes- something was definitely troubling him.
"Of course, so long as I can help… What is it?"
He embraced the package tighter, as if he never wanted to part with it. He noticed his actions, however, and withdrew from it, placing it on the table and stepping back a bit. His eyes cast a longing glance over it for a moment before ripping themselves away and catching the brunette's gaze.
"I… I need you to analyze this for me… See if you can date it… It's supposed to be from around the Thirteenth Century, but I just want to make sure…"
"Why?"
Maroon eyes hardened, and the young Professor K. couldn't help but gulp in fear of his idol.
"I have to know if this sword is really what he says it is…"
Kyojyu frowned. "What who says?"
But his words fell upon deaf ears- Takao was already gone.
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(I was tempted to just leave it there, but after waiting so long, I think you deserve this… ^_~)
Takao, Rei, and Max sat in the Kinomiya dojo, waiting for Kyojyu to announce his findings. The room was deathly silent, and Max couldn't help but wonder at the tension in the air. They were all friends, right? Then why did he feel as if his idol and the cute 'new guy' would rip each other apart any minute now?
Sighing inwardly, he leaned back against the wall, trying to ignore the heated glares passing by as the 2 scowled around him at each other. Why oh why did he have to sit in the middle? Any reason he had before, he thought, was definitely more trouble than it was worth.
Just as he thought he wouldn't be able to take much more of it, Kyojyu came to the rescue by walking in the door, Takao's sword carefully wrapped and tucked under the crook of his arm while his hands held his open laptop. Takao and Rei immediately stiffened to attention, and, after they had shot him an annoyed look, Max followed suit. The brunette sat across from them, setting the laptop to one side and the katana at the other. Finally, he cleared his throat and stared intently at the 3 before him.
"Well, I conducted the tests, as Takao-sempai had asked me to, and just now the results have come to my attention…"
"And…?" the bluenette pressed, only to have Rei hush him.
Kyojyu nodded at the raven-haired boy in thanks, and continued, "I've found the sword to have been crafted in the early Thirteenth Century, just as Kinomiya had predicted."
Takao breathed a sigh of relief, then shot a smug look over at the Chinese boy, who fumed silently. His moment of triumph was short-lived, however, when Kyojyu opened his mouth to say more.
"Datte… There was something else I found, as well…"
The swordsman blinked, then sat back, returning to a more attentive position. What more was there to say? It was as old as Masamune, and crafted in the same style, and that was enough evidence for him.
Professor K. adjusted his glasses, a serious look on his face. "Blood. Not anything recent, mind you, but so many different kinds that I couldn't possibly discern one person's from another. This katana has been through a lot of savage battles…"
Rei was all over the situation. "There! You see?! Blood-thirsty!"
Takao growled. "So what if it's got blood on it?! The Masamune can still be used to kill if it's to save others' lives!!"
"It's not the Masamune! Why can't you see that?!"
"It is Masamune! Look at the style! The date it was made! It all fits!!"
"Then why does it radiate with nothing but anger and hatred?!"
"What the hell does that have to do with anything?! It's a sword!! A WEAPON!!"
Max frowned, looking from one to the other as they hurled insults at each other. It had always pained him to see people he cared about fighting amongst themselves- he'd had enough of that during the last few days before his parents had gotten divorced. To have to sit here and watch his 2 friends at each other's throats was too much.
"Stop! Stop fighting!! You're friends, for Kami's sake!!" he shouted, effectively startling them into silence.
The 2 boys looked down, ashamed of their behavior, and a lengthy pause reigned while Max calmed down. Kyojyu sent him a sympathetic look, knowing what he'd been going through, and nearly had a heart attack when Rei spoke up.
"There's only one way to settle this…. Is there a stream or something near here?"
Though he had been addressing Takao, Max was the first to reply. "I don't think so… There's a lake in the park, though! Would that work?"
Rei smiled at him in thanks, nodding. "Yeah- I'm pretty sure that'll work. If that thing's what I think it is, we'll be able to tell when we place the edge in the water…"
The blonde and brunette looked at him quizzically, wondering what on Earth he had planned, but Takao rose, picking up his blade and heading to the door without a word. He slid open the rice-paper frame, glancing over his shoulder at them and raising an eyebrow. Rei caught the question and smiled, getting to his feet and following after him. Kyojyu and Max shared a glance and shrugged, jumping to their feet and running to catch up with them.
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(At the Park)
"Are you sure about this, Kon-kun?" Max asked tentatively, still a bit doubtful about how this would solve anything.
"Of course. If it's really Masamune, the leaves will pass around it and not get cut. If it's just another sword, those near it will get cut and those that aren't will drift by harmlessly." His companions stared at him, wondering how he knew all this, and he blushed slightly. "It's all a part of the legend, that's all… Now, if it's what I think it is, the leaves will do something completely different…."
He turned to Takao, holding out his hand. "May I?"
The bluenette gave him a searching look. "Are you sure you want to touch it again? I mean, you know what happened last time…."
The Chinese boy nodded. "I'm sure. Don't worry- if I drop it, I promise you can kick my ass, okei?"
The young Kinomiya grinned. "Alright. Hai-"
Rei took the sword from Takao's outstretched hand, frowning a bit as he tried to ignore the sinister aura. Placing the tip of the blade in the crystal-clear water, he waited for a reaction. A reaction that was almost instantaneous….
As soon as the cool metal broke the water's surface, all the surrounding leaves made a beeline toward it, as if being pulled in by an attraction of some sort. One by one they sliced themselves in two on the razor edge, until all the leaves within a 5-foot radius were now in pieces.
Slowly pulling the katana from the water, Rei turned back to Takao, who was staring at it, wide-eyed. He knew what this meant. He knew that Rei had been right.
"This isn't the Masamune…. It's Murasame…satsujinken…." (It's Murasame, the sword that kills…)
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K: *leans back into her chair, a smile on her face* Well, that was long… To me, at least- I have no idea how it'll look once posted… ; *shakes her head and grins* Well, they know! And better yet- KAI IS COMING!!! *cackles insanely along with all the Kai fangirls who have been asking when the hell he'd show up* Also, there shall be another random appearance of TALA!!! (since we get to see what Voltaire's up to and stuff…. Which is how we meet Kai….)
Anyway, there you have it. Also, for all those who are wondering, YES, the whole part about the leaves IS a part of the legend of Masamune and Murasame. All of it so far has been true to the legend. However, the events pertaining to them from chapters 8 and on are completely fictional. ^_^; BUT, we haven't quite gotten there yet, so you'll just have to wait and see what it is I'm talking about. ^_~
I'll try to get the next part out as soon as I can, but I'm not exactly sure when that'll be. ^^; I've started another project (thanks to Kuro… *smiles* She was nice enough to let me finish her discontinued story "Up Where I Belong", so you'll be seeing it on my page soon…), and I also have to think about where to go with my Bakuten Shoot Vampire ficcy. ^_^; (I'm up to chapter 4 and know everyone's specific roles in it, but I'm not quite sure what to do for that chapter…. *frowns in thought*) Thus, I'll be really busy brainstorming for all that. Hopefully, I'll be able to pump out the next chapter of "Sukunai no Komori-Boi" soon, so I can get back to this one. ^_~
Well, gotta go cook dinner! Ja ne!
