Another chapter done, but this one is a little shorter in comparison to
the others.
Chapter 9: The ominous shadow he saw...
Although the sky wore the moon as its pendant, the night was just beginning at the Silver-eyed star. It's been 3 hours since Nick began running tests, all Soujiro and Misao could do at the moment was wait in the hallway and see what would come of it. Just as they looked at each other, the door opened and Nick came out, looking very tired.
"Soujiro, could you boil some water, please?" the sorcerer asked.
"How much?" the latter asked.
"About a whole pitcher's worth. And Misao, could you come in here?"
While Soujiro went to stoke a fire, Misao entered the make shift laboratory.
"What is it?" she asked curiously.
Nick wiped the sweat off his brow. "How is Juno?"
"He's tired." Misao answered. "I carried him to his room and put him to bed."
Nick sighed in relief. "That's good. I don't like the way my tests are going."
"Is it bad?" The ninja girl asked.
"Either my readings are off because of expired monkshood," Nick elaborated. "Or something really strange is going on here."
Just then Soujiro came in with a steaming pitcher. "Here's your water, Mister Nick. Is it for your tests?"
"Partly." The sorcerer answered. Then he produced a mug out of his coat and put in various powders and liquids.
"What else is it for?" Soujiro watched in curiosity.
"A miracle in perking up the tired soul who must toil no matter what the hour." Nick elaborated as he took a swig. "Coffee."
The streets were empty save for a lone officer. Saitou was out on a late night patrol. And when the Wolf of Mibu is out on patrol, the pickpockets are looking for a place to hide.
"It sure is quiet tonight." Saitou thought to himself as loosened his grip on his katana. Even though no one would think of doing anything sneaky at this hour, the police were on alert in case someone was looking to cause trouble. Saitou was about to continue his rounds when he was walking by the Silver-eyed Star. He stopped, almost as if something was hiding...
************************************************************************ Clutching Tsubame in his grasp, Gohei vaulted out of the Akebeko's restaurant with a furious Yahiko in pursuit.
"Give it up, little boy! You can never catch me!" The despicable brute shouted over his shoulder.
"We'll see about that!" Yahiko growled.
"Help!" Tsubame screamed. "This guy hasn't had a bath in ages!"
The chase drove on. Around the area and back again. Until they both ran out of breath.
"Let..... 'huff' ..her.. 'huff' go, you jerk.." Yahiko threatened wearily.
"Not in your life, little brat." Gohei gritted through his teeth. But that wasn't the only thing. He slowly reached for his umbrella and drew out his hidden sword. "Last time you were lucky, little boy. But now I'm going to butcher you like the brat you are!"
Yahiko felt a smug grin coming on. He reached behind his back and unsheathed his new katana.
"Ooh! You've got a real sword this time." Gohei taunted. "Which loser did you steal that from? I'll be sure to give them your head when I see them!"
With that, Gohei brought his sword down, but Yahiko blocked the attack, soon the streets rang with the clashing of steel as Yahiko and Gohei locked their swords in fierce combat.
Half an hour and soon people were gathering to witness the spectacle. Gohei, even though thumb less was sneaky and brutal. But mighty was Yahiko's resolve and flawless were his skills. Yes, this was a battle not seen since the days of the revolution. At the end of the conflict, Yahiko smote the evil giant with a patented shoulder-dodge-into-groin kick. The crowd cheered wildly as the scourge that was once a wicked Gohei Hiruma limped out of the area vainly cursing revenge in spite of dreadful pain revisited.
Tsubame ran up to Yahiko and began smothering him in a hug. Long after the crowd dispersed, the two retired at the restaurant. Yahiko felt his weariness melt away as he watched her carrying orders most cheerfully. The more he stared, the more he felt at ease... until something heavy crashed down on his head.
"Just what do you think you're doing here, Yahiko??" A voice like a rusty chainsaw thundered.
Yahiko turned around and his eyes shrunk two sizes. It was Kaoru, but not the normally sensei irritated over who didn't do their chores, this one wore robes like a conqueror and had a menacing glare to boot. Everyone in the room dropped to the ground, groveling. Yahiko looked around blankly; he understood the temper, but not the groveling. "It's just Busu lady. Why are you all on your knees?"
"All hair Empress Kaoru!" the congregation proclaimed.
"Empress Kaoru??" Yahiko repeated confused. "I though the the old Shogunate system was over."
"That was once true." Karou exclaimed. "But the Meiji Government proved itself no better. I'm the one in charge now. And anyone who says otherwise will suffer pain most horrible."
"Kaoru, we all said you were a little psycho, but you didn't have to do this."
Kaoru snapped her finger and a small troop of armed soldiers came to her side. "Don't I? It's because of the government officials that men like Jeni Kurogasa and Makoto Shishio still roam the land unchecked. I merely remedied that stagnant poison." The despot pointed to her freeloading student and sharply thundered "take him to the dungeons!"
Yahiko didn't find the march any more encouraging. The streets were cold and abandoned, not lively like in times past. "No slacking!" one of the soldiers barked. He prodded Yahiko with the butt of his spear. "You should be grateful Yahiko." Kaoru taunted to her student. "You shall be the first to see the inside of my new palace."
"'Palace?'" Yahiko thought to himself. They approached the grounds where one would find the Kamiya Dojo. But instead of a school, Yahiko saw a tower reaching towards the skies. Many people were toiling like slaves to construct the edifice as quickly as possible.
"This tower will become the symbol of a new world order." The power mad empress continued. "Soon all will bow down to me or die like cringing dogs."
"You're mad, Kaoru!" Yahiko shouted indignantly. "You were never like this!" That was then the last thread of Kaoru's withered sanity snapped. "I've had enough of your attitude. You've called me 'Busu' for the last time: Take him to be executed immediately!"
Just as the guards began to advance on their target, everything vanished: the tower, the despot Kaoru, everything vanished into nothing. Yahiko found himself alone in darkness. He looked around for something familiar but to little avail. Just then something moved. Yahiko turned around but found nothing. After what seemed like an eternity, Yahiko allowed himself a sigh of relief. The moment however was shattered as something evil sped out from the darkness towards him. It was at that moment Yahiko shot up from his bed screaming. It took a moment for him to register it, but he was in his room, cold and dark as it was, there were no dark hands trying to grab him.
************************************************************************
Saitou idly gripped his katana as he continued his watch. Normally it would a quiet, boring night, but something was getting on Saitou's nerves. Something was lurking in the night, but as soon as he noticed, the creature disappeared as if to tease him.
Something was lurking in the shadows indeed. It would be complete shadow to the normal eye, but Saitou saw what looked like clothing shifting in the shadows. The narrow-eyed manslayer continued to search the perimeter acting as if he saw nothing. Hiding in the black shadows of one of the buildings, a dark stranger skillfully advanced through the streets. In the dull street lamps his form was barely visible as he cautiously slinked towards the Akebeko's restaurant. A great violet cape covering his robes billowed in the breeze as he walked, making it look as if gliding down the road. His face hidden by a great helm, topaz eyes burned with focus like a tiger stalking its prey. The mystery specter receded back to the shadows as Saitou headed down his direction.
Saitou was now starting to get on the trail, when a blood-curdling scream pierced the silence. Spurred to action, the officer dashes into the house wherein the scream originated. Inside he found a family huddled together, shivering.
"What's going on here?" Saitou asked.
"Demon..." the mother mumbled. "H-horrible, couldn't get. ..-AAH!"
Saitou covered his ears as more screaming ensued. "Demons? This must be a mistake; demons don't exist."
That didn't help matters any. The family got even more frightened at the word 'demon'. Feeling a little regret for his choice of words, Saitou began to examine the household. By the end of it, he was perplexed. Not a sign of break in anywhere. But something was strange: with the exception of the den, Saitou found tiny bits of a strange kind of slime. But before, he could examine it, another series of screams resounded in the area. Saitou left quickly to investigate; the neighbors there too saw something like a demon in their dreams that scared them witless. Then another household, and another. Needless to say, something really strange is going on in Tokyo tonight.
Back at the Kamiya Dojo, Yahiko was slowly coming to grips with reality back at the dojo. "That was a scary." Yahiko spoke to himself. "What can cause something so horrible?" Imagining Kaoru as a power hungry dictator was enough to get him jumpy but now the scraping of his door spurred him to draw out his sword. Thankfully the latter had no need to use it; Sano was at the door.
"You alright, squirt?" He asked with a whit of confusion. "You look like as nervous as a crook in the Government buildings."
Yahiko dropped the sword and sighed heavily. "You could say that."
Usually, Sano would be compelled to poke fun at this kind of ritual, but something about the frightened look in Yahiko's eyes told him not to. " You... not okay, are you?"
Yahiko nodded slowly and told him about the dream, but it was the last part that had Sano very curious. "Something tried to grab you?"
"I have no idea what it was," Yahiko answered "But it makes Busu Lady pale in comparison."
"You're joking right?" Sano blurted out "Something so scary it makes the little missy look a saint? I think we might need to talk to that fortuneteller in the morning."
"You think so?"
"It's either that or watch the missy throw another fit around here." Sano joked.
After about five minutes, Yahiko uneasily went back to sleep. As for Sano, he decided to go do a little late-night gambling with his friends. On the way though, he found something on his shoe, something like a kind of piece of goo...
At the Silver-eyed Star, Nick was carefully studying his results with Misao completely lost in the lava-lamp like glow of many colorful and bubbling kinds of liquids.
"Hmm. This is weird..." the sorcerer spoke.
"What is it?" Misao asked
Nick poured a dull violet liquid into a beaker and mixed it slowly. "A few minutes ago, this sample was as hard as cement. But now it's flexible." He gave it a squeeze to demonstrate.
Before Misao could say anything, Soujiro came in and sat himself down. "Is he alright?" Nick asked the former-Juupongatana leader.
"Mister Juno isn't looking too good." Soujiro said with a hint of melancholy. "It's like he has a fever or something."
Misao felt something cold run down her back while Nick was starting to become aware of what may be coming. "This is no coincidence. Whatever's causing this goop to become active isn't just hot flashes." Nick corked the beaker and started to leave. "Misao, can you and Soujiro keep on eye on Juno?"
The two assistants nodded, but Soujiro knew something was amiss. "Do you want me to go with you?" the latter asked.
"No." Nick answered. He reached out his hand towards the ceiling and through a bit of magic materialized a black staff where once was nothing. "If something happens, I want you to keep him safe." With that, the sorcerer exited the house and made towards the street. Nick didn't get too far away when a narrow-eyed policeman blocked his path.
"I take it that you're not from around here?" Saitou asked the dark-clad youth before him. "I'll have to ask you to come with me."
"Since when is it police business to pester travelers with midnight duels?" Nick questioned the cop, his eyes turned to the sword on Saitou's belt. "I'm fully aware that your laws forbid carrying swords in this new Meiji Era."
Saitou allowed himself a slight grin. He could tell this boy was no ordinary cream puff. "Policemen are exempt from that law as a measure to maintain peace. But recently the people have been in distress." Saitou's hand idly gripped the handle of his katana. "There's something I can sense from you that's similar to the incidents. You wouldn't have anything to do with that, would you?"
Nick began to tighten his grip on his staff as he watched the officer drawing his blade. "Funny you should mention it; I came here to investigate for myself. I can tell that there's something about you as well, but I would expect no less to from the former Shinsengumi leader, Hajime Saitou!"
Saitou's eyes narrowed slightly. "You must be bold to speak to me like that, many others trembled just at the mention of my name." He got into an offensive stance with the point of the blade pointed towards Nick's heart. "If you expect me to believe such a poor alibi, than you are a fool who shall perish tonight. I only hope you've prepared yourself"
In the shadows of the houses, something was slithering its way down the streets when it saw the confrontation between the sorcerer and the Wolf of Mibu. It morphed into a crow and perched itself on the roof, watching the processions below.
"It seems you found me out, young Blackwyvern." The crow thought to itself. "But you're in over your head this time. Though I never expected your end to be wrought by a mere swordsman, you were a fool to oppose me. And once my revenge is complete, I, Mekros ,will dance upon your grave!!"
Strange goop is oozing in the houses of terror-struck innocents and the dark lord Mekros has descended upon Tokyo. Not to mention the fact that Nick must throw down with Saitou, one of the most feared manslayers or perish. Will something give before these two cross swords? The murky skies blot out any signs of hope as old enemies will soon clash. Plus the mystery behind Juno's curse deepens to reveal a dark secret.
Coming soon:
Kamiya Dojo Insomniacs, Chapter 10
You don't want to miss it...
Chapter 9: The ominous shadow he saw...
Although the sky wore the moon as its pendant, the night was just beginning at the Silver-eyed star. It's been 3 hours since Nick began running tests, all Soujiro and Misao could do at the moment was wait in the hallway and see what would come of it. Just as they looked at each other, the door opened and Nick came out, looking very tired.
"Soujiro, could you boil some water, please?" the sorcerer asked.
"How much?" the latter asked.
"About a whole pitcher's worth. And Misao, could you come in here?"
While Soujiro went to stoke a fire, Misao entered the make shift laboratory.
"What is it?" she asked curiously.
Nick wiped the sweat off his brow. "How is Juno?"
"He's tired." Misao answered. "I carried him to his room and put him to bed."
Nick sighed in relief. "That's good. I don't like the way my tests are going."
"Is it bad?" The ninja girl asked.
"Either my readings are off because of expired monkshood," Nick elaborated. "Or something really strange is going on here."
Just then Soujiro came in with a steaming pitcher. "Here's your water, Mister Nick. Is it for your tests?"
"Partly." The sorcerer answered. Then he produced a mug out of his coat and put in various powders and liquids.
"What else is it for?" Soujiro watched in curiosity.
"A miracle in perking up the tired soul who must toil no matter what the hour." Nick elaborated as he took a swig. "Coffee."
The streets were empty save for a lone officer. Saitou was out on a late night patrol. And when the Wolf of Mibu is out on patrol, the pickpockets are looking for a place to hide.
"It sure is quiet tonight." Saitou thought to himself as loosened his grip on his katana. Even though no one would think of doing anything sneaky at this hour, the police were on alert in case someone was looking to cause trouble. Saitou was about to continue his rounds when he was walking by the Silver-eyed Star. He stopped, almost as if something was hiding...
************************************************************************ Clutching Tsubame in his grasp, Gohei vaulted out of the Akebeko's restaurant with a furious Yahiko in pursuit.
"Give it up, little boy! You can never catch me!" The despicable brute shouted over his shoulder.
"We'll see about that!" Yahiko growled.
"Help!" Tsubame screamed. "This guy hasn't had a bath in ages!"
The chase drove on. Around the area and back again. Until they both ran out of breath.
"Let..... 'huff' ..her.. 'huff' go, you jerk.." Yahiko threatened wearily.
"Not in your life, little brat." Gohei gritted through his teeth. But that wasn't the only thing. He slowly reached for his umbrella and drew out his hidden sword. "Last time you were lucky, little boy. But now I'm going to butcher you like the brat you are!"
Yahiko felt a smug grin coming on. He reached behind his back and unsheathed his new katana.
"Ooh! You've got a real sword this time." Gohei taunted. "Which loser did you steal that from? I'll be sure to give them your head when I see them!"
With that, Gohei brought his sword down, but Yahiko blocked the attack, soon the streets rang with the clashing of steel as Yahiko and Gohei locked their swords in fierce combat.
Half an hour and soon people were gathering to witness the spectacle. Gohei, even though thumb less was sneaky and brutal. But mighty was Yahiko's resolve and flawless were his skills. Yes, this was a battle not seen since the days of the revolution. At the end of the conflict, Yahiko smote the evil giant with a patented shoulder-dodge-into-groin kick. The crowd cheered wildly as the scourge that was once a wicked Gohei Hiruma limped out of the area vainly cursing revenge in spite of dreadful pain revisited.
Tsubame ran up to Yahiko and began smothering him in a hug. Long after the crowd dispersed, the two retired at the restaurant. Yahiko felt his weariness melt away as he watched her carrying orders most cheerfully. The more he stared, the more he felt at ease... until something heavy crashed down on his head.
"Just what do you think you're doing here, Yahiko??" A voice like a rusty chainsaw thundered.
Yahiko turned around and his eyes shrunk two sizes. It was Kaoru, but not the normally sensei irritated over who didn't do their chores, this one wore robes like a conqueror and had a menacing glare to boot. Everyone in the room dropped to the ground, groveling. Yahiko looked around blankly; he understood the temper, but not the groveling. "It's just Busu lady. Why are you all on your knees?"
"All hair Empress Kaoru!" the congregation proclaimed.
"Empress Kaoru??" Yahiko repeated confused. "I though the the old Shogunate system was over."
"That was once true." Karou exclaimed. "But the Meiji Government proved itself no better. I'm the one in charge now. And anyone who says otherwise will suffer pain most horrible."
"Kaoru, we all said you were a little psycho, but you didn't have to do this."
Kaoru snapped her finger and a small troop of armed soldiers came to her side. "Don't I? It's because of the government officials that men like Jeni Kurogasa and Makoto Shishio still roam the land unchecked. I merely remedied that stagnant poison." The despot pointed to her freeloading student and sharply thundered "take him to the dungeons!"
Yahiko didn't find the march any more encouraging. The streets were cold and abandoned, not lively like in times past. "No slacking!" one of the soldiers barked. He prodded Yahiko with the butt of his spear. "You should be grateful Yahiko." Kaoru taunted to her student. "You shall be the first to see the inside of my new palace."
"'Palace?'" Yahiko thought to himself. They approached the grounds where one would find the Kamiya Dojo. But instead of a school, Yahiko saw a tower reaching towards the skies. Many people were toiling like slaves to construct the edifice as quickly as possible.
"This tower will become the symbol of a new world order." The power mad empress continued. "Soon all will bow down to me or die like cringing dogs."
"You're mad, Kaoru!" Yahiko shouted indignantly. "You were never like this!" That was then the last thread of Kaoru's withered sanity snapped. "I've had enough of your attitude. You've called me 'Busu' for the last time: Take him to be executed immediately!"
Just as the guards began to advance on their target, everything vanished: the tower, the despot Kaoru, everything vanished into nothing. Yahiko found himself alone in darkness. He looked around for something familiar but to little avail. Just then something moved. Yahiko turned around but found nothing. After what seemed like an eternity, Yahiko allowed himself a sigh of relief. The moment however was shattered as something evil sped out from the darkness towards him. It was at that moment Yahiko shot up from his bed screaming. It took a moment for him to register it, but he was in his room, cold and dark as it was, there were no dark hands trying to grab him.
************************************************************************
Saitou idly gripped his katana as he continued his watch. Normally it would a quiet, boring night, but something was getting on Saitou's nerves. Something was lurking in the night, but as soon as he noticed, the creature disappeared as if to tease him.
Something was lurking in the shadows indeed. It would be complete shadow to the normal eye, but Saitou saw what looked like clothing shifting in the shadows. The narrow-eyed manslayer continued to search the perimeter acting as if he saw nothing. Hiding in the black shadows of one of the buildings, a dark stranger skillfully advanced through the streets. In the dull street lamps his form was barely visible as he cautiously slinked towards the Akebeko's restaurant. A great violet cape covering his robes billowed in the breeze as he walked, making it look as if gliding down the road. His face hidden by a great helm, topaz eyes burned with focus like a tiger stalking its prey. The mystery specter receded back to the shadows as Saitou headed down his direction.
Saitou was now starting to get on the trail, when a blood-curdling scream pierced the silence. Spurred to action, the officer dashes into the house wherein the scream originated. Inside he found a family huddled together, shivering.
"What's going on here?" Saitou asked.
"Demon..." the mother mumbled. "H-horrible, couldn't get. ..-AAH!"
Saitou covered his ears as more screaming ensued. "Demons? This must be a mistake; demons don't exist."
That didn't help matters any. The family got even more frightened at the word 'demon'. Feeling a little regret for his choice of words, Saitou began to examine the household. By the end of it, he was perplexed. Not a sign of break in anywhere. But something was strange: with the exception of the den, Saitou found tiny bits of a strange kind of slime. But before, he could examine it, another series of screams resounded in the area. Saitou left quickly to investigate; the neighbors there too saw something like a demon in their dreams that scared them witless. Then another household, and another. Needless to say, something really strange is going on in Tokyo tonight.
Back at the Kamiya Dojo, Yahiko was slowly coming to grips with reality back at the dojo. "That was a scary." Yahiko spoke to himself. "What can cause something so horrible?" Imagining Kaoru as a power hungry dictator was enough to get him jumpy but now the scraping of his door spurred him to draw out his sword. Thankfully the latter had no need to use it; Sano was at the door.
"You alright, squirt?" He asked with a whit of confusion. "You look like as nervous as a crook in the Government buildings."
Yahiko dropped the sword and sighed heavily. "You could say that."
Usually, Sano would be compelled to poke fun at this kind of ritual, but something about the frightened look in Yahiko's eyes told him not to. " You... not okay, are you?"
Yahiko nodded slowly and told him about the dream, but it was the last part that had Sano very curious. "Something tried to grab you?"
"I have no idea what it was," Yahiko answered "But it makes Busu Lady pale in comparison."
"You're joking right?" Sano blurted out "Something so scary it makes the little missy look a saint? I think we might need to talk to that fortuneteller in the morning."
"You think so?"
"It's either that or watch the missy throw another fit around here." Sano joked.
After about five minutes, Yahiko uneasily went back to sleep. As for Sano, he decided to go do a little late-night gambling with his friends. On the way though, he found something on his shoe, something like a kind of piece of goo...
At the Silver-eyed Star, Nick was carefully studying his results with Misao completely lost in the lava-lamp like glow of many colorful and bubbling kinds of liquids.
"Hmm. This is weird..." the sorcerer spoke.
"What is it?" Misao asked
Nick poured a dull violet liquid into a beaker and mixed it slowly. "A few minutes ago, this sample was as hard as cement. But now it's flexible." He gave it a squeeze to demonstrate.
Before Misao could say anything, Soujiro came in and sat himself down. "Is he alright?" Nick asked the former-Juupongatana leader.
"Mister Juno isn't looking too good." Soujiro said with a hint of melancholy. "It's like he has a fever or something."
Misao felt something cold run down her back while Nick was starting to become aware of what may be coming. "This is no coincidence. Whatever's causing this goop to become active isn't just hot flashes." Nick corked the beaker and started to leave. "Misao, can you and Soujiro keep on eye on Juno?"
The two assistants nodded, but Soujiro knew something was amiss. "Do you want me to go with you?" the latter asked.
"No." Nick answered. He reached out his hand towards the ceiling and through a bit of magic materialized a black staff where once was nothing. "If something happens, I want you to keep him safe." With that, the sorcerer exited the house and made towards the street. Nick didn't get too far away when a narrow-eyed policeman blocked his path.
"I take it that you're not from around here?" Saitou asked the dark-clad youth before him. "I'll have to ask you to come with me."
"Since when is it police business to pester travelers with midnight duels?" Nick questioned the cop, his eyes turned to the sword on Saitou's belt. "I'm fully aware that your laws forbid carrying swords in this new Meiji Era."
Saitou allowed himself a slight grin. He could tell this boy was no ordinary cream puff. "Policemen are exempt from that law as a measure to maintain peace. But recently the people have been in distress." Saitou's hand idly gripped the handle of his katana. "There's something I can sense from you that's similar to the incidents. You wouldn't have anything to do with that, would you?"
Nick began to tighten his grip on his staff as he watched the officer drawing his blade. "Funny you should mention it; I came here to investigate for myself. I can tell that there's something about you as well, but I would expect no less to from the former Shinsengumi leader, Hajime Saitou!"
Saitou's eyes narrowed slightly. "You must be bold to speak to me like that, many others trembled just at the mention of my name." He got into an offensive stance with the point of the blade pointed towards Nick's heart. "If you expect me to believe such a poor alibi, than you are a fool who shall perish tonight. I only hope you've prepared yourself"
In the shadows of the houses, something was slithering its way down the streets when it saw the confrontation between the sorcerer and the Wolf of Mibu. It morphed into a crow and perched itself on the roof, watching the processions below.
"It seems you found me out, young Blackwyvern." The crow thought to itself. "But you're in over your head this time. Though I never expected your end to be wrought by a mere swordsman, you were a fool to oppose me. And once my revenge is complete, I, Mekros ,will dance upon your grave!!"
Strange goop is oozing in the houses of terror-struck innocents and the dark lord Mekros has descended upon Tokyo. Not to mention the fact that Nick must throw down with Saitou, one of the most feared manslayers or perish. Will something give before these two cross swords? The murky skies blot out any signs of hope as old enemies will soon clash. Plus the mystery behind Juno's curse deepens to reveal a dark secret.
Coming soon:
Kamiya Dojo Insomniacs, Chapter 10
You don't want to miss it...