A Glimpse of Power
Ayame was thinking to herself about the new situation. It had be about six months since she had figured out why she felt so close to Mai. She still hadn't told Mai that they were sisters. How could she? She knew how Mai would react. Mai would want to stay by her side no matter what. She would do anything to protect her big sister from all danger. And if she fought against a dangerous foe, Mai would most certainly be distracted by the thought of her elder sister being hurt. "No way," Ayame decided. "I can't tell her, not until we defeat Lord Mei-Oh."
She was brought out of thought when she heard the sound of a violin playing. She decided to follow the sound. The music was so beautiful yet so sad. It almost made her cry. But that's not why she followed it. She had heard that tune before. She just couldn't remember where. (Try thinking about the violin solo played in the ending theme of Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven. It's very pretty.) She finally jumped into the palace garden. There she saw Mai playing a violin to Kiku. Mai looked so pretty with her pink kimono and green skirt to match. The cherry blossoms played against her body and long black hair. Mai finally stopped playing and turned to Ayame.
"I see you have found us," she said as she put her violin away.
"You protect the innocent. You are a lord's daughter. You fight demons. You play violin. Is there anything you can't do?" Ayame asked.
"Well, if it makes you feel better, I can't cook worth a damn." They all laughed at Mai's comment. Kiku had become extremely close to Mai in the past months, just as she was with Ayame. She spent more and more time with Mai which left Ayame and Rikimaru to their missions. But Mai had to carry out missions of her own. Lord Gohda was constantly sending her on errands to find anything about Jinnai and Mei-Oh. This was the first time in a long time she was able to rest with Kiku.
"That song is so pretty, Mai," Kiku commented. "Where did you pick it up?"
"My older sister used to hum it to me when I was sad. It always cheered me up." Ayame looked down at her feet with a smirk. She always was caught humming that tune. Ayame coughed and spoke up.
"Mai, Lord Gohda would like to see you." Mai stood up and hugged Kiku.
"I'll be back soon." Mai walked out of the garden and straight to Gohda's main room. As she walked in, she could feel the anxiety in the room. She sat on her knees and bowed before Gohda. "I imagine that you have business with me."
"Mai, with the information that we have gathered about Jinnai, we have concluded that he is trying to resurrect Lord Mei-Oh. We need you to go to the Limestone caverns and retrieve the Shichishito. This sword belonged to Mei-Oh. It is very powerful and could be destructive if it falls into the wrong hands. The caverns will probably be swarming with Jinnai's men so be careful." Mai bowed and left. As she did, Rikimaru and Ayame walked in from behind Gohda. "I want you two to follow her and help her if necessary."
"Lord Gohda," Ayame began. "I think Mai can take care of herself."
"It's not that I am worried about Ayame," Gohda continued. "Mai's sword is very powerful. I don't want it in the wrong hands."
"Understood," Rikimaru and Ayame said together. After they bowed, they left and started their pursuit. Little did they know that they were being watched.
In a giant castle miles away, a giant bowl of water showed Mai running into the Limestone caverns. The woman watching the scene was amused by how the girl dealt with her enemies. 'She uses a reverse-blade sword.' She was distracted when she heard multiple moans and turned to the pale man kicking Jinnai. "That's enough, Onikage." As Jinnai tried to catch his breath, the woman walked towards him. Jinnai looked up to her.
"Please, Lady Hiroko. I tried to get it from her. She is very strong. She might even be the chosen one." Hiroko smiled at the samurai leader. She was dressed in a red kimono with gold trimming. She had her black long hair tied in two long ponytails at the bottom of the back of her head. Her eyes were fiery red to match her thin lips. When she snapped her fingers, Jinnai's body erupted in flames.
"I do not tolerate weaklings. Now, Onikage, what should we do about this Mai? She seems very powerful. She is also very pretty. You're a lonely man. Would you like to have a shot at her?"
"She can't be that strong. Just because she has a powerful sword doesn't mean she knows how to use it right. She could be of great help to us."
"Then go to the Limestone caverns. We need the Shichishito to revive Mei-Oh." Onikage bowed and disappeared. Hiroko watched Mai as she fought of the ninjas. "Soon, father, we will rule the world."
Mai yawned as she finished the last man in the caverns. 'This is getting old,' she thought. She finally made her way into a circular cave with water covering the floor. Then she saw it. Wrenched in between two rocks was the sword of Mei-Oh. "It's about time. I thought I'd never find it. So, which one of you two wants to carry it home?" Rikimaru and Ayame jumped into the water.
"How did you know it was us?" Rikimaru asked. "We kept our ki down to the point that we couldn't sense each other."
"When I retraced my steps, I noticed that the guards I face were dead. Since I didn't kill them, I thought you did. Let's get this bad boy home." But before Mai could grab it, Ayame yelled at her. "What is wrong with you? We found the sword. Let's grab it and get out of here."
"This doesn't feel right. Rikimaru fused the Izayoi and the Shichishito together. Why is it here?"
"She's right," Rikimaru commented. "Unless Mei-Oh had another one made." Suddenly, laughter filled the air. Onikage dropped down into the pit right in front of the Shichishito. Mai started laughing at him.
"Who's the ghost with cherries for eyes?" Onikage smiled at her.
"I am Onikage. It is nice to see you two again. I believe you haven't introduced me to your new pet. What's your name, little brat?" Mai took an offensive stance.
"I'm Mai, and I think it's time that I cut that tongue out of your mouth."
"Not so fast. I need to take the Shichishito to resurrect Lord Mei-Oh." As he turned around, Mai jumped between him and the sword.
"Not so fast, pretty eyes." Mai growled.
"You are going to fight me with a reverse-blade sword? Fine, I'll fight with my fists."
"Sure, wouldn't want this to be unfair. If I use my sharp side, I might cut that pale hand off. But that arm is so weak that I'll probably cut it off with the dull side." Mai charged at Onikage and aimed at his right hand. She was sure it would separate, but he actually blocked the blow. "What the hell?" His hand now had a purple haze around it. He smiled and punched her, sending her flying into a wall. As rocks pummeled her, Onikage walked towards her.
"Not bad. That blow actually stung." Mai stood up and starred at him. She then stretched her sword out, opening herself to attack. "You stupid girl. You are making this too easy." He charged at her and punched. He gasped as he went right through her. Mai came right behind him and swung down. Unfortunately, Onikage caught the sword at the last second. He smiled and sent a strange vibration through the sword. Mai went flying into another wall, this time she didn't get up. Ayame stepped towards her but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder.
"This is her battle," Rikimaru said. "She needs to defend herself." Onikage picked Mai off the ground and started strangling her.
"How are you going to fight me with a broken arm?" He was right. The vibration had completely shattered all the bones in Mai's right arm. How was she going to defeat him? She wouldn't give up. Onikage threw her to the ground and laughed. As he was about to make the final blow, Mai felt the sword pulse. Then it started to glow.
"What happening?" she asked. Mai could feel her energy return. She stood up and concentrated her energy on the sword. She swung her sword. The wave of energy hit Onikage in ten places: the head, the neck, the chest, the torso, the right arm, the left arm, the right shoulder, the left shoulder, the right leg, and the left leg. Onikage fell to the ground and laid there motionless. Rikimaru and Ayame stood in awe.
"What happened?" Ayame asked. When the sword stopped glowing, Mai dropped it and fell to the ground. Ayame ran to her side and checked her. "She's still alive, but just barely."
"She isn't the chosen one. The chosen one should be able to use the sword with unlimited power. As you can see, she doesn't have that." Suddenly, the two Azumas were blinded by a bright light. When they looked up, they saw a laughing Onikage holding the unconscious Mai in his arms. They tried to run to him, but they couldn't move.
"Let her go!" Ayame yelled.
"I may have not gotten the Shichishito, but the girl and her sword is a good consolation. Lady Hiroko will be pleased." His laughs died as he ran through the caverns.
"Mai, no." Ayame pounded her fists in the water. Rikimaru grabbed the Shichishito and looked at Ayame.
"Let's get this sword back to Lord Gohda. We have only seen a glimpse of the Shachihoko's power." The two Azuma ninjas headed back to their lord in defeat.
Hey, sorry if this was too long. Thanks for all the reviews. Keep reading. If you have any suggestions on where I should go with the story, don't be afraid to yell. Cya.