Hey, guys. Sorry about the wait. It's been what, about three weeks since I've updated? Well, maybe not that long, but it seems like forever. I had to work for my parents in selling cattle. So when I got home, I was way to tired and dirty to work on a computer. And plus our psycho band/choir teacher was having a concert so I had to be in that. So now I have all the time in the world. Like anyone cares (sighs). Anyway, here's the next chapter.

Shachihoko's True Master

As Ayame woke up, she tried to focus everything in. When she finally did this, she found herself in an elaborate room made of stone. Red strips of silk hung from the ceiling along the walls. Torches lighted the room. At the front of the room sat a marble throne with cushions on the seat. Next to it was a bowl of water. Statues of demons were lined against the walls. Lord Gohda's throne room could never compare to this magnificent room.

Ayame noticed that she was upright. But she couldn't move, for she had been bound to a cross-shaped statue. She was also weak from her battle with Mai. She could feel her stomach wound bleed down her legs. But she didn't think about the pain. All she could think about is how she let Rikimaru and Mai down, how she watched her partner, leader, and lover die, how she failed to save Mai from the horrid fate. She let a small whimper out.

Just then, she heard footsteps approaching from behind her. A lady in a silk red kimono stepped from behind. Her hair was tied in two low ponytails with black ribbon. She smiled as she greeted Ayame.

"I'm sorry about the way you were brought here. You must know that we had no choice since you wouldn't cooperate with us. My name is Lady Hiroko. I have been waiting for you…so you can watch the end of the world. Father will be very pleased to see you again."

"What are you talking about?" Ayame asked.

"My dear, Lord Mei-Oh is my father. I've been looking for a way to bring him back to this world so we may rule together. I have what I need. The Shachihoko, the Shichishito, the Izayoi, and your twin blades combined will bring Lord Mei-Oh forth so he can take over this pathetic realm. All I have to do is fuse them. Then he will test his powers on you." She held up the Izayoi. "Too bad Rikimaru won't be able to see his whore slaughtered."

"You bitch! You will pay for what you did to Rikimaru! I swear I will kill you, you ugly who…" Ayame was cut off by Hiroko when she sent bolts of lightning through the ninja's body. She screamed in pain as Mai stepped forward to watch. "Mai, snap out of it. You can defeat her." Hiroko stopped to laugh.

"You fool, she belongs to me now. She will watch as you are ripped to pieces by my father." She grabbed the twin swords from Ayame's sheaths. "Soon, father, you will live. Mai, where is Onikage?"

"He is retrieving Rikimaru's head as we speak." Just as Mai said this, the doors opened to show Onikage between them.

"Onikage, come join me as we welcome our Lord." Hiroko's face had changed from cockiness to fear when she saw blood at his feet. "Onikage, what happened?"

"I am sorry, Lord Mei-Oh," he uttered. "Please forgive me…for my…failure." He fell to the ground, dead as a doorknob. Behind him stood Rikimaru with the Fugako in his hands.

"This can't be!" Hiroko yelled as Rikimaru approached her. "It doesn't matter. I will fuse the swords together and bring Lord Mei-Oh forth. Mai, kill them both." Mai drew her sword and ran towards Ayame. Ayame closed her eyes as she listened to the sword make the contacts. She opened them when she felt herself hit the ground. She saw that she was not hurt. In fact, Mai only cut the chains holding her. "Mai, what is the meaning of this?" Mai turned around slowly to face Hiroko. Only this time, her eyes were not red. They had returned to her beautiful dark brown eyes.

"You lost your control of me along time ago. I gave Rikimaru a ninja rebirth before I threw him over the cliff. I made sure he would land on a ledge. You can't control me anymore. I won't let you hurt my friends." As Mai said this, Hiroko threw lightning at her.

"Then you will die, you traitor!" She did it again and again until Rikimaru sliced threw her. She fell to the ground and started to whisper. Mai then collapsed. Ayame immediately ran to her side and held her up. "Ayame, I'm so sorry. I betrayed you."

"It's ok, Mai," Ayame sobbed. "I'm here now. We're going to take care of you." Mai laughed lightly.

"You're so stupid. You should take care of yourself. I'm so glad that I have a sister like you." Ayame's eyes opened. "Yes, I figured it out. I had a feeling that you were the one. That's why we are connected. I love you so much, Ayame." She held her sword up and handed it to Ayame. "Here, take this. Use it to defeat that psycho. Then we can go home to Kiku." Her breath started to slow down. Ayame started to cry harder.

"Please, Mai, hang on. We're going to make it."

"Ayame, could you sing that song to me, my favorite one? I want to play it on my violin for you." She sighed and fell into unconsciousness. Ayame hugged her sister and yelled out her name.

"Stupid ninjas, you will all die. I have fused the other four swords. Their power alone is enough to bring father back to defeat you." The sword raised into the air. There was a sudden flash of light. When the light disappeared, Mei-Oh greeted the Azuma ninjas. "Father, welcome. I brought you this powerful sword." She gasped as the sword cut threw her. "Father…why?"

"I need all the souls I can get. They make me more powerful." He turned to Rikimaru and Ayame. "It's been awhile, hasn't it? You sent me to hell and back. I will repay the favor." Ayame stood up with the Shachihoko.

"Rikimaru, get Mai out of here. I'm going to send this bastard back to hell for good." Rikimaru opened his mouth to argue, but Ayame stopped him. "Rikimaru, I'm doing this no matter what. I don't want Mai to get hurt. Just get her to safety." Rikimaru nodded and picked Mai up.

"Be careful, my love." With that, he ran out the door. Ayame pointed her sword at the evil lord.

"I will kill you, Mei-Oh. You have taken everything away from her. I won't let you get away with it." She charged at him and gave him everything she had. It was different fighting with a regular sword, especially a reverse-blade. She wasn't as fast as with her two small blades. Mei-Oh laughed at her attempts and cut her stomach. He then pierced her right shoulder and sent her flying across the room.

"You're pathetic. You can't even hit me. You have nothing left. You are alone in the world. I will send you to your sister in hell." He swung down on her. Just then, Ayame started to have flashbacks of her and Mai playing together when they were young, when they first met and Ayame save her from killing herself, when they trained together, Mai playing her violin to Kiku, and the kiss Ayame shared with Rikimaru.

The last one was when they were younger. Ayame was singing and Mai was playing her violin to her. Mai suddenly stopped playing. "What's wrong, Mai?" Ayame asked.

"Ayame, will we always be together?" she asked.

"What kind of question is that?"

"Will you always protect me?" Ayame smiled and hugged her younger sister.

"I will always be there for you, Mai. I will always love you.

"I will never let you go, Ayame."

Mei-Oh gasped. His sword had met with Ayame's. "I have family. I will never let them down. I will always be there." She sent him flying across the room against a wall. Ayame's sword started to glow. "I will make sure you pay for every life you have ruined." Ayame moved like lightning. As she swung down, her sword hit Mei-Oh 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. Lord Mei-Oh screamed in pain as he disappeared. When his sword fell to the ground, it split into the Izayoi, the Shichishito, and Ayame's twin blades. It was finally over. He was dead.

Ayame dropped the Shachihoko and fell to the ground. She was bleeding badly. She could see everything getting fuzzier. She smiled as she lay on the ground. "I'm sorry, Rikimaru. I guess I won't be able to stay with you." Everything suddenly went black.

Ayame woke up in her room the next morning. She was all bandaged up and dressed. She felt a pain in her abdomen as she sat up. When she looked to her right she saw Mai unconscious next to her. She crawled over to feel her pulse. "I'm glad you are alright."

"I'm happy, too." Ayame whipped around. Rikimaru was standing against the wall. "How do you feel?"

"A little sore. What happened?"

"You saved us all. You destroyed Mei-Oh with the Shachihoko. You are its true master." Ayame looked at Mai's sword on the shelf.

"Is she going to be alright?"

"It'll take some time, but the doctor said she'll be just fine." Rikimaru started to walk away but stopped at Ayame's voice.

"Rikimaru?"

"Yes?"

"Did you mean it…when you said you loved me?" Rikimaru turned around and pulled his mask off. A smiled appeared from beneath it.

"I would never lie to you, Ayame. I love you too much." He kissed her and walked out. Ayame smiled and looked down at Mai. She jumped when she saw Mai's open eyes and smile.

"When's the wedding?" Mai asked.

"How long have you been awake?" Ayame asked.

"Long enough." She sat up. "Is it over?"

"If you mean Lord Mei-Oh, then yes. We still have to protect Lord Gohda."

"That's ok. I kind of enjoy it." She grabbed her sword and handed it to Ayame. "I think this is yours now." Ayame pushed it back.

"No, it's yours. You should be the protector." Mai pulled it back.

"So, can I be the maid of honor?" Ayame glared at her sister.

"Don't push your luck."

Don't worry. There's still one more chapter. I hope you guys still like it. This is probably the longest chapter. Keep reviewing.