Disclaimer: I hate to break it to ya.. but I don't own rk… I know d truth hurts.. :(
"The First Mission" chapter 7
-Next Morning, outside the cave-
"Li-san? What are you doing here? You are not allowed to be here" said the guard blocking the cave entrance
"Nonsense, Hino. I only wanted to visit my grandchildren. I haven't seen them in a while…" explained the old lady.
"But… You know it's dangerous out here. Shura specifically gave me orders to keep you away from this place. How bout this? I will tell Shura and Aya that you came by and maybe they can visit you later"
"That's our signal. Let's go" whispered Misao as she and Aoshi snuck up and entered the cave.
Hino; who was still explaining Shura's orders to Li; did not see or sense anybody pass through him.
"Fine, I will be back later. And you better tell my grandchildren I came by" said Li finally and left the cave
-Meanwhile, inside the cave-
The interior of the cave greatly differed in appearance from its exterior. Inside, it was dark and gloomy. Aside from the occasional bat shrieks, the only sounds that could be heard are water drops hitting the cave's solid ground. The two Oniwabanshuu members used their torches to light their way into the cave.
"We passed the first guard but keep an eye out for hidden traps." advised Aoshi
"Right! We have to be extra careful so that they won't find out we have entered their base" replied Misao
Silence reigned as Misao and Aoshi continued walking for about a few minutes until they stopped in their tracks; awed at what they saw.
"Clever..." said Aoshi; mostly to himself
"What's so clever about that Aoshi? Dangerous is more like it," said Misao; her eyes still cast forward.
What made the two Oniwabanshuu members stop was that the cave's road separated and formed into two separate hallways; each leading to a different direction.
"We should go different ways. That way, we can find Shura and Aya much faster. Also, if what you've heard is true, then we need to find them both before Satoshi can execute his plans." said Misao.
Aoshi's lips thinned; signifying that he wasn't that all pleased with the suggestion.
"Alright," He finally said; though a bit reluctantly. "But just be careful Misao."
And with those words; the two Oniwabanshuu members went their separate ways. Misao taking the right path, leaving Aoshi to go left.
-After a few minutes of walking-
'Great! Good job Misao! How can you be lost? You only need to follow this road and everything will be ok.' thought Misao.
She stilled for a moment as her ears picked up the sound of something moving.
'What's that?!'
The young woman quickened her pace; repeating the same words over and over her head as she walked.
'Think happy thoughts…Think happy thoughts…'
The dark-haired girl kept this up for a few minutes until she saw some sort of light at the end of the road she has been traveling.
'Good! I've found them.'
The young Okashira carefully and cautiously peeked around the edge of what looked like the stony entrance to a small cavern; looking for any sign of enemies.
"Jiya!" yelled Misao as she spotted Okina trapped inside a cage at the corner.
"Misao-chan! What are you doing here? Get out while you still can!"
However, Okina's warning was interrupted by a female voice.
"Is this the best the Oniwabanshuu can offer? Sending a child to rescue their leaders? And here I heard the Oniwabanshuu are the greatest of all Ninja groups…"
Misao's face took in a red hue. "I am not a child! I am the Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu."
Misao's eyes surveyed the room; she spotted a lone figure hiding amongst the shadows.
"You're the one who's a child. You talk big but you hide like a coward!" Misao voiced out.
There was a pause before the female finally replied. "Who are you calling a coward?"
A small scuffle could be heard as the figure moved forward and into the light.
It was a young woman. An eerily familiar young woman…
Misao racked her brain; thinking where she'd seen this woman before. Then an image of Li formed itself into her mind and Misao would've dropped her mouth open in shock if the situation wasn't serious.
"Are you…Aya?" She asked.
The young woman frowned deeply and her eyes narrowed in suspicsion.
"How did you know my name?"
Her frown was soon replaced by a sneer.
"Nevertheless, I must fight you."
Misao shook her head vigorously.
"No! I can't do that!" Misao clumped her mouth with her hands; her eyes wide.
"Then…get ready to die…"
Immediately; Aya took out her poisoned shurikens and got into a defensive stance.
"Fight me if you want to live." Her voice was cold and merciless.
Aya then quickly switch into an offensive position and started to throw her shurikens at the our young Okashira
"Aya, I don't want to fight you" said Misao as she dodged Aya' poison-tipped shurikens.
"You're pretty good... but not good enough." said Aya as she threw another one of her shuriken stars at Misao.
'I have to do something aside from dodging. But what? I don't want to hurt her. I promised Li I would bring her grandchildren back to her safe...'
Misao continued to try to talk and explain to Aya the real reason she was there while dodging Aya's attacks. Little did she know that she is slowly being cornered into a crook in the cave.
'Great' sarcastically thought Misao as she felt the cave wall against her back
"This is the end of the line for you…Now… Die!" said Aya as she aimed her shuriken at our young Okashira.
While in flight, the shuriken was hit by an opposing object causing it to change its trajectory and land far away from Misao
"What the…" said a surprised Aya
"I hate to use my kunai's but I had no choice. I don't want to hurt you Aya. I promised Li that I would bring you and your brother back safe and sound."
"How did you know Li?" asked a now confused Aya
"I told you before but you wouldn't listen. You keep throwing those shurikens at me with such concentration that you couldn't hear a word I said." explained the young Okashira
"I am not here to fight you but to rescue you. Satoshi is the one we need to stop. All along, he has been using you and your brother just as he had used Katsuo. He was the one who led your father to his death. I know you love your father but killing innocent people is not the right way to honor him."
"….."
Aya was lost in her thoughts.
She was still young to have remembered anything about her father but Aya knew one thing; that she loved him…and still do.
If what this girl is telling is the truth then…She'd lived her whole life in a world full of lies and manipulation.
Not knowing how to cope with these painful thoughts; Aya dropped down the ground and cried.
"Don't worry! Everything will be clear and alright." said Misao warmly as she comforted the young girl.
"But we need to get going and find your brother. Satoshi plans to kill him."
Aya nodded her head; her body felt too heavy and numb for her to make a comment.
"Don't worry about me and Kazuma. You two go ahead and rescue Shura. We're not going anywhere as you can see" said Okina jokingly.
"Hai! Come on Aya, we need to hurry!" said Misao.
The two veteran members of the Oniwabanshuu watched as Aya nodded her head and got up before she sprinted out of the cavern with Misao not too far.
A soft snuffle emitted before it became a full-blown cry.
"Now, Now Okina…There's no need to cry." said Kazuma as he reached over from his corner of the cage to pat his old partner at the back.
"Its' just that...my dear Misao…is all grown up…sniff…and saving Japan…"
Okina took out a white handkerchief from his pocket and gave a great big blow.
-Meanwhile-
Aoshi was arriving at the end of the road he had taken after a few minutes of walking.
The tall man quickly concealed his presence by hiding in the shadows when he saw Satoshi and Shura talking.
"What is the meaning of this Satoshi?" asked Shura
"What do you mean? Surely, you know what I'm doing"
"….."
"Hahahaha that look on your face is priceless. It reminds me of your father when he was begging me to help him after Okina and Kazuma injured him badly." said Satoshi as he pointed his gun to Shura
"You traitorous bastard!...You have led me and my sister into believing all of your lies. Now I know why Li has been consistently warning me against you. I was wrong to have trusted a man like you. You will pay for my father's death" said Shura as he rushed irrationally towards Satoshi wielding his katana.
(BANG)
Shura felt a pressure on his shoulders. 'Did Satoshi miss?' thought the young man.
Just as then, Shura also noticed someone holding him up. It is then that he realized that Satoshi didn't miss. This stranger, in fact, saved him.
"Huh?"
"Don't worry, I am here to save you." calmly explained the tall bishouhen
"Who are you?" angrily exclaimed the older man.
'Wait.. That move…can it be the Oniwabanshuu?'
"Hahahaha.. I have been waiting for this day for more than two decades. I can finally take revenge for what your group did to me in the past." sinisterly said Satoshi
Aoshi didn't even comment on what the Satoshi had just said. He instead, unsheathed his kodachis and took on his famous battle stance.
Satoshi, on the other hand, also took out his weapon known as the Jitte.
Aoshi cocked an eyebrow but otherwise remained serious. He didn't want Satoshi to know that he was surprised.
The Jitte is a versatile weapon mainly used by the police to uphold justice throughout Japan. Thus; it's ironic to see that a man whose plans are the exact opposite would even think to wield such a weapon.
It was Satoshi who made the first move. Even though he was older than our dark-haired Bishouhen, he still seemed to be in tip-top shape to fight.
Satoshi used his weapon to try and slash Aoshi.
But Aoshi knew better, he used one of his kodachis to block Satoshi's attack; using his other kodachi to attack the older man at the same time.
However, Satoshi did not seem so surprised at what Aoshi did. Instead, he shifted his body to avoid being hit by Aoshi's blade. It was then that he landed a punch on Aoshi's face.
"Hahahaha... Foolish young man.. I wonder why they choose you to stop me.. Perhaps they couldn't find any one better.. Hmm… People in your generation are getting soft just because we are experiencing peace now… But that will all change once I'm done with you"
Aoshi wiped away the small trail of blood that begun to travel from his mouth down to his chin.
"Humph. Is that the best you can do?" was Aoshi's reply.
"What are you saying.. take this.." yelled Satoshi as he rushed towards Aoshi once more.
-Just a few meters from where the two men are fighting-
(Huff Huff)
"I see we have made it in time. There's Shura" pointed out Misao
"Go help him Aya.. I will see if I can help Aoshi"
"Aoshi!!!" yelled Misao
Aoshi smiled a little as he heard Misao's voice. He was glad that the young woman was safe.
"This is it Satoshi.." calmly said aoshi as he rushed towards the older man; using his 'Kaiten Kenbu' move.
Satoshi took on Aoshi's attack head on and collapsed in the ground
"Serves you right Satoshi" said Misao as she made her way besides Aoshi.
"I'm glad your ok, Aoshi.." warmly said our young Okashira
"I've beaten much tougher enemies than him…" coldly responded the tall man
Misao just nodded her head in reply before she went to check up on the 'unconscious' villain.
She let out a sudden gasp as she was quickly grabbed and pulled by Satoshi. The bleeding older man hooked his arm around Misao's shoulder; trapping her in place. With his free hand; Satoshi pointed the gun at Misao's temple.
"Don't you dare come near me or I'll shoot her" threatened the old man
Aoshi frowned and his eyes brightened in anger.
"Let her go or else…"
The young man took a step forward.
"I said stop moving!" angirily yelled Satoshi as he pressed his gun harder against Misao's head
Misao saw this as an opportunity to act and stepped on Satoshi's feet and bit his hand at the same time; causing him to cry out loud in pain and release her.
Misao dropped into the ground and rolled herself away into safety.
"You bitch…"
But before Satoshi could finish his sentence; Aoshi already sprang into action. Using his god-like speed that could rival that one of the Battosai; he hit Satoshi at the back of his neck. This time Aoshi made sure Satoshi isn't going to try anything.
"Are you ok Misao?" asked the tall bishouhen.
"Hai, thanks for asking. Let's go see how Aya and Shura are doing"
"Misao-chan!!!" yelled an old familiar voice
"Jiya?" asked Misao as she turned her head back
"How did you escape the cage?"
"I freed them.." said a figure in the dark as he slowly made his way towards the lighted part of the cave to be seen by all
"Taka!"
"Yep, save the praises later.." said a boastful Taka
"But…HAHAHAHA! As always, the day is saved once again… by me!!!"
Misao merely let out a sigh in reply while Aoshi smirked.
"It is true… You really can't teach an old dog new tricks." callously said Aoshi
"Who are you calling a dog.. Why you.." said the brown-haired young man.
The rest; aside from Misao; sweat dropped as they watched as Taka tried to tackle Aoshi only to have the much taller young man dodge easily away from him.
"I'm glad this is all done" said Misao; oblivious to the scene happening in front of her.
End Chp 7
A/N: Just to let everyone know, Kaiten Kenbu : means revolving sword dance. It is the move where Aoshi spins three times and gives his opponents three slashes to the chest.
Thanks to all my reviewers!!! I luv u guys sooo much!
LegolasEstelstar: hugs you back!! I really appreciate all the things you've said. I hope you enjoy this chap. And yes, I like Taka too..
White Ninja Spy: Thanks! And plz don't whither away.. I know my update comes so slow.. that's coz I try to make them as 'perfect' as I can.. so I can give my readers the best chp for their.. um, review? :P
Dan: What will I do w/o u…. btw, I love your fics!! n thanks for all!
So that's bout it for today.. nxt chp is halfway done.. n dats gona be d last chp.. so get ur reviews comin.. lol! Ja!