AN: Back again, and hopefully still capable of entertaining the mind!

As always, Love Hina and its characters belong to Ken Akamatsu. Original characters belong to me and may be used with permission.

Bloodstained Heritage

Chapter 13: Duel

Michael Blade sat silently in the middle of a dark chamber, with four figures standing against the walls watching him in silence. Slowly, the Chairman of the Syndicate opened his eyes, revealing two pools of darkness that were devoid of emotion.

"Welcome back, Master." One of the figures against the walls spoke, his face a remarkable replica of Blade's. "I trust your journey into the spirit realms was successful?" The speaker smiled, his white business suit reflecting what little light was in the chamber.

"Indeed..." The Chairman nodded, cracking his neck audibly. "What news from our agents overseeing the Hinata-Sou?"

"The Giovanni sisters have stopped reporting in." Another figure spoke, a large trenchcoat covering most of his body. "It is safe to assume that whatever reasoning they have, the two have defected to the other side..." He too, sported the same appearance as Blade as he narrowed calculating eyes at the thought of traitors in the ranks.

"That will not do." Michael Blade sighed, rubbing his forehead as if in deep thought. "Send Tsunari to deal with them permanently." Seeing the figure nod, he turned to the remaining two. "Anything else?"

"Yes, Master." One of the figures nodded, his face hidden under a baseball cap. "Marik has placed the sleeper agent within proximity of the inn, and has taken the precaution of implanting false memories to bridge the gap between her kidnapping and programming to the current time."

"Excellent." The chairman nodded in approval, then stood and combed back his hair. "If all goes according to plan, this whole fiasco will be put behind us in two day's worth of time." He then regarded the last figure, who appeared every inch a Shinto monk but with Blade's face. "Assist Tsunari only if necessary, but let them learn to fear the Syndicate firsthand."

"By your will, Master." The monk bowed, his eyes gleaming an icy blue.

"Hey, are you okay...?"

Blinking as she rose from the ground with a confused expression, the woman brushed away bangs of her brown hair from her eyes to look up at Keitaro and Naru. The Toudai students watched on with concern as the woman stood and dusted off her dress, but seemed to wobble on her feet before the landlord steadied her.

"I'm sorry..." The woman replied weakily. "I must've fainted again..."

"Again, you say?" Naru blinked, then turned to the landlord. "We'd better get her back to the dorm, especially with things going the way they are now..." Nodding in agreement, the two helped the young woman up the stairway towards the Hinata-Sou.

Walking into the lab, Michael Blade and his minions was surprised to find wrecked machinery scattered everywhere, and fires being extingushed by employees and scientists. The group was further surprised to find Marik being tended to by his brother and medics for what appeared to be a broken jaw, and despite her injuries, Fang glared at everyone before her, refusing medical treatment despite barely being able to stand.

You're in no condition to return to duty, Lady Fang... Marik spoke telepathically, as they bound his jaws with bandages. Now please listen to me and return to your rest..

"I. Will. Not!" Fang emphasised each word loudly, and the medics knew better than to approach her after hearing tales of her temper. "Chairman, I'm requesting permission to return to active duty immediately!" She looked towards Blade with a pleading expression. "I know I can crush them!"

"I'm afraid I agree with Marik on this, Fang." Blade shook his head as he walked towards the pit fighter. "You're barely able to breathe right now, let alone stand." He then tapped a nerve in her neck with a finger, causing her to collapse into a waiting chair as her legs failed her. "I will not risk your life when you're not fit to fight..."

"Damn you, Blade..." Fang snarled. "How can you insult my pride as a fighter like this!"

"Do not let your hatred cloud your judgement, child." The pit fighter stiffened as the old mentor spoke, as no one had seen or sensed him appear behind her. "Young Blade cares enough for you that he does not wish to see you injured further, despite his plans being set back." The hooded figure then walked between the two. "You should be flattered, not insulted, young Fang."

Sighing, Fang nodded. "You're right, sensei... My apologies to you both."

"I saw the fight, children..." The old mentor continued. "Heal up quickly, you both have much training to undergo if you with to defeat them."

"I have already sent a sleeper agent, as well as Tsunari to deal with them." Blade smiled evily. "They won't stand a chance..."

"On the contrary." The old mentor replied, causing the Chairman to raise an eyebrow. "You've sent them both to die, you just don't realize it yet..."

"Come, you worthless excuses for samurai." The spirit smiled as his silver hair flowed in the morning breeze. "Or are you afraid of death like the rest of your ancestors that I've carved up?" His eyes blazed into emerald green flames as two swordsmen from the Shinmei-ryu drew their swords with enraged looks. Settling into a relaxed stance, the spirit glared at his opponents as he settled his hand palm up on top of the hilt of his sword - In a gesture like offering a gift to his foes.

Recognizing the stance, the two swordsmen faltered in their resolve for only a critical - but lethal second. In a blur of motion, the malevolent spirit was already behind them, and flicked blood from his weapon in the ancient shiburi action. As Tsunari sheathed his sword, the two swordsmen crumpled to the ground in multiple pieces, as one had been cut through his neck and midsection, while the other had his right arm severed along with a cut from left shoulder to right hip.

"Useless..." The spirit snorted, then continued along through the forests. His destination clear as the massive structure of the Hinata-Sou stood atop a hill in the distance. His eyes narrowed as he remembered the unrelenting will and skill of Motoko Aoyoma.

"I'm coming for you, Aoyoma..." The spirit whispered as he clenched the hilt of his sword tightly. "And then our fates will be sealed for eternity..."

"Hyah!"

Motoko's battlecry echoed from the balcony of the dorm as her katana clicked back into its saya, just as a log landed behind her in four pieces. Shinobu's eyes were open wide in amazement as she held another log in her hands, while Kaolla stood beside the blue haired girl, whistling in awe at the pile of split logs which had built up.

"Motoko, you should take a break from practicing..." Shinobu spoke with a worried look, seeing the swordswoman's labored breathing.

"No." Motoko replied firmly, shaking her head. "I faltered in the face of my clan's greatest enemy in existance when we last met..." Her grip tightened as she gritted her teeth. "I must train to rid myself of weaknesses!"

"Shinobu's right, Motoko." Kaolla sighed, her voice still full of youth despite her mature appearance. "All the practice in the world isn't going to help if you're burnt out in the end." The swordswoman was about to argue the point, but saw sense in their words and rested against the balcony railing.

"You're both right..." Motoko sighed, watching the forests that surrounded the dorm. "It's a shame that I didn't get a chance to learn from that man Seta..." She stopped in mid-sentence and turned to the direction of the stairs leading back inside the dorm, and seconds later Kitsune appeared, breathing hard as though she had been running.

"Motoko!" Kitsune gasped for air before continuing. "Keitaro and Naru brought back some lady who seems sick, and they're asking for your help!" Raising an eyebrow, the swordswoman quickly made her way inside towards the living room, with the other three tenants following closely behind.

Tsunari knelt at the base of the stone steps leading up to the Hinata-sou, and was tracing his fingers along the hard stone when he sensed two energy signatures behind him. Raising an eyebrow in mild annoyance, he looked up and over his shoulder to find Hakon and Marik watching him.

"Yes, gentlemen?" The spirit asked, turning his attention back to studying the ground.

"The Sensei visited." Hakon spoke calmly, his crimson eyes vigilant for eavesdroppers.

"I know." Tsunari replied, his emerald green eyes narrowing as he began sniffing the air carefully.

Then you should also know the advice he gave to the Chairman. Marik spoke telepatically, all while straightening his tie and suit. Let the sleeper agent do her job, we'll go in once the damage is done.

"It's a matter of pride and honor, Marik." The spirit grinned as he stood, facing the two brothers. "I can feel it... It's the destined time."

The two vampires regarded Tsunari for several long moments before Hakon sighed. "There's nothing we can say to change your mind, is there?"

"No, my friend." Tsunari replied, his human disguise blurring before fading completely. "I have haunted this world long enough. Ending the last of the damned Aoyoma line will allow me to finally rest." He then smiled at the two, a green inferno surrounding his samurai form. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have enemies of the Syndicate to slaughter." He then turned and began climbing the great steps.

Goodbye, my friend. Marik nodded. Fortunes and winds be with you.

"That's a Shinmei-ryu blessing, Marik." The spirit chuckled, not turning as he continued towards the dorm. "The only things that are constant with me are hatred and death..."

"Mmm..."

Her eyes opening slowly, the brown haired woman blinked as she looked up into the concerned faces of the tenants of Hinata-sou. Motoko stood from the couch where the woman laid to speak with Keitaro, where they could have a private conversation. The landlord nodded to the swordswoman, who raised an eyebrow at seeing him holding the Hina blade as a precaution.

"The poor lady seems to have had just a fainting spell." Motoko whispered. "I don't sense any injuries nor demonic trickery, but something about her unsettles me..."

"We're all on edge these days, Motoko." Keitaro replied quietly. "We should make sure she rests up before sending her on her way." He then sighed. "No sense in getting her in danger as well..."

"Where... am I?" The woman blinked, sitting up and looking at her surroundings.

"You're at Hinata-sou." Naru replied, as Keitaro and Motoko made their way back to the group. "We found you near here passed out, and were worried about you."

"Oh, that..." The woman smiled. "I was born anemic, so I'm kinda prone to fainting spells." This brought a few looks of disbelief to the tenants. "Wait, did you say Hinata-sou?" Seeing Naru nod cautiously, the woman beamed and clapped her hands. "That's good, because I was looking for this place! I get lost so easily..."

Frowning, both sword wielders of the dorm inched their weapons slightly from their sayas. The woman then blinked before cupping her hands around Naru's face, surprising everyone present. "Wait... I know you..." The woman narrowed her eyes as if in deep thought, then brightened again. "Oh my goodness... Is that you, Naru?"

15 years ago...

"Toudai?"

"Yeah!" A brown haired girl smiled as she clapped her hands, her pink overalls as bright as her smile. "They say that if you go to Toudai, you get to live happily ever after!"

"Like in the fairytales?" A black haired boy asked, sitting in a sandbox.

"Tou... dai?"

The two looked over to an auburn haired girl, wearing a cute kimono with cherry blossom petals. The older girl laughed as she hugged the younger one. "How cute! See? Even Naru wants to go!"

"I don't know, Mutsumi..." The boy raised an eyebrow, then smiled. "But since we're best friends, I'll go with you if it means we can play together all the time!"

"Yay! Pinky promise me, Keitaro!" Mutsumi smiled as she held out a pinky, which Keitaro smiled and linked with hers. A third pinky joined theirs, as the older kids looked down to see the young Naru imitating them. With laughs all around, the three continued to play in the sandbox...

Two items dropped to the ground at the same time, as a shocked Naru dropped the damp towel that she was using on the woman, while the Hina blade fell from a equally surprised Keitaro.

"Mutsumi...?" Both of the Hinata-sou residents asked at the same time, and seeing the woman nod the trio laughed and held each other in a group hug which drew smiles from everyone else present and relaxed Motoko somewhat.

"Oh my goodness, it really is you!" Naru smiled, giving her childhood friend a lookover. "I haven't seen you since we were kids, look at you!" The two laughed as they hugged again.

"Well, Keitaro..." The landlord jumped as he turned to his childhood friend, who smiled at him. "Aren't you the handsome one now?" Blushing slightly, Keitaro hugged the woman happily.

Ugh, such disgusting human sentiments...

Motoko and Keitaro shot each other looks of surprise at the voice, just as the living room was engulfed in an explosion of green flames and collapsed in on itself...

Tsunari stood in the open on the stone path leading to the dorm, an evil smile on the spirit's face forming as both Motoko and Keitaro burst from under the debris of the living room, charging towards him with murder in their eyes and their weapons drawn.

"Ah, humans..." Tsunari chuckled. "So easy to anger, so easy to kill..."

"Silence, demon!" Motoko roared, her sword gleaming brightly in the afternoon sun. "The only one getting killed today is you!"

The spirit leaned forward with a grin as he drew both of his swords, before leaping towards his two attackers in a flurry of steel. Even as the other tenants began climbing free from the wreakage of the living room, they saw that Motoko and Keitaro could not get near the spirit and was even hard pressed to defend themselves from Tsunari's swordwork.

Parrying strikes from both of his opponents, Tsunari roared as he pushed them away with inhuman strength. With a swift backwards kick, the spirit connected with Motoko's chin, sending her sprawling to the ground. At the same time Tsunari delivered a savage blow with his sword pommel to Keitaro's chin, causing the landlord to stumble back in pain. Continuing in his momentum, the spirit stepped in and ran both his swords through Keitaro, one through his chest and the other through his stomach.

"Nooo!" Motoko cried, scrambling off the ground as she watched the spirit run Keitaro through with his swords. "This is between you and me, traitor!" She then pointed her sword at Tsunari's back with a look of hatred. "I challenge you, fallen one. Back away from him now!"

"You dare, little one?" Tsunari grinned as he turned to regard her with an evil grin. He then twisted his swords, causing Keitaro to cry out in agony and making Shinobu faint from the sight of blood. "You realize your soul is forfeit should you lose..."

"I understand the consequences." Motoko replied, then narrowed her eyes. "And I also know that despite being an abomination to humanity, you're still bound by samurai traditions." She then sheathed her sword and shifted into a dueling stance. "Face me, traitor. Or you'll be banished back to hell for dishonoring what's left of your honor."

Snarling, the spirit kicked Keitaro off his swords and sent him flying towards the other tenants. The move caught everyone unprepared, and the injured landlord knocked Kaolla out as he crash landed into her. Tsunari shook the blood off his weapons in the ancient shiburai manner and sheathed them, before settling into a similar stance across from Motoko.

"Your sister was no match for me." Tsunari smiled. "And now as the last Aoyoma by name, you will die by my blade!"

"Deeds, not words." Motoko replied calmly, reciting one of her dojo's lessons.

Snarling, the spirit tightened his grip on the hilts of his swords. Both swordmasters watched each other with a near inhuman calm as they waited for the right time. The world around them disappeared as the two suddenly lunged forward, the steel of their weapons gleaming brighter than the sun itself...

"Run, everyone!" A young man wearing the white and red uniform of the Shinmei-ryu yelled as he shielded several younger students from what appeared to be a storm of chaotic energy unleashed within the temple training grounds itself. Even as he spoke, several students were struck down by arcs of lightning or sucked into the eye of the storm.

"Run?" A young woman asked with a look of disbelief, her long raven black hair being blown wildly as she looked up at the taller man. "What about you, brother?"

"Don't question me, sister!" The man replied, cutting down the first of several demons which began spawning from the portal with precision swordwork. He then whispered something in her ear, and the woman seemed ready to object, but conceded to his order when he shot a glare at her.

Nearly at tears, the woman clung to her brother for a moment. As they seperated, the young man smiled and switched the weapon he held - the family katana, with her regular katana. The woman seemed ready to object again when a demon appeared between them, and the two cut it down without hesitation.

"Go!" The man commanded, then smiled. "Remember, I'm only letting you hold the family katana because you need to clean it for me!" This brought a sad smile to the woman, who nodded before leading the students out of the temple as the man coutinued cutting down the growing number of demons.

As the group stumbled out of the temple, the woman looked up and gasped in shock as she saw that the temple was in flames and has begun collapsing on itself. As she cradled her family's katana, several senior students and elders rushed up to her side, weapons ready.

"Sensei Aoyoma!" One of the students bowed slightly. "We're ready to retake the temple at your command." He then turned and raised his sword. "Let's kill some demon spawn!" This drew a round of cheers from all the other students, as they prepared to rush the temple.

"No..." The command surprised everyone as all eyes turned to the young woman, who was now weeping over her katana. "My brother knew that we couldn't stop the demons in the long run, that's why he gave this to me..." Wiping the tears from her eyes, she looked up with a steel resolve. "All students, shut and bar the gates to the temple." She spoke with a commanding voice. "Elders, prepare for the ritual of sealing."

"But, Sensei..." One of the students asked with a confused look. "Sensei Tsunari is still inside! He..."

"My brother is as good as dead." The woman replied coldly as she glared at the student, who backed down. "I am the head of the clan now, and I will honor his last wishes. Now do as I ask, or my brother's sacrifice will be for nothing!"

As Everyone scrambled to carry out her orders, the woman looked up at the burning temple and cried silently.

'Forgive me, my brother...'

Motoko stood behind Tsunari, their backs toward each other and their weapons drawn. Her face was pale and her eyes carried a haunted look as the front of her training gi split open from two distinct cuts, but no injuries appeared on her body anywhere.

Tsunari choked back a scream as he fell to his knees, black blood splattered onto the ground from a giant cut across his stomach and his mouth as he struggled to remain upright by leaning against his katana. "Well done, Motoko..." The spirit chuckled, but in a warmer voice than usual. "My damned existence is finally at an end, I figure you deserved the truth..."

Blinking as if coming out of a trance, the swordswoman scrambled to Tsunari as he collapsed face first and cradled him in her lap. "You should have been a hero to the clan and school..." Motoko choked back tears, not noticing that the tortured spirits and green flames surrounding the spirit began disappearing.

Chuckling, the spirit looked up at Motoko with deep brown eyes, the emerald fires having died out as the demons possessing him were banished. "I'm no hero, little one... I only did what I must." He then coughed up more blood, which were now red instead of black. "Besides, my records were struck from the history records when the demons possessed me and began murdering our kin..."

"No!" Motoko shook her head. "I know the truth now! We can get you healed up, then we'll go to the elders to explain every..." She was cut off as the spirit shook his head, his once silver hair now back to a raven black color.

"You and I know well enough that my wound is lethal..." Tsunari then rose to a kneeling position with a pained expression. "But knowing the truth, I ask only one thing in return..." Seeing Motoko nod eagerly, he lowered his head, baring his neck. "I ask you then, please let me die with dignity and honor..."

Motoko was about to object, then realized to say anything at this point would be an insult to both parties. With one swift stroke, Motoko finally crumpled to her knees and wept as the sun's rays dispersed the last of Tsunari's body and carried it away in the winds...

Unaware of the titanic struggle between the two swordmasters, Naru, Mutsumi and Kitsune were at a loss as to treating Keitaro. Having gotten used to his abnormal healing, they were surprised to see that his wounds hasn't closed up and was appearing to get worse.

"This isn't good..." Naru shook her head, then stood. "Kit, I need you to go to Haruka's teashop and call the twins, they'll know of good doctors we can go to. I'm going to see if I can fish out some bandages to slow Keitaro's bleeding." She then turned to Mutsumi. "I'm so sorry, but could you watch him while we're gone?" The new arrival nodded quietly, and watched as the two ran off to their duties before looking back down at the unmoving landlord.

Mission directive: Terminate Keitaro Urashima

Blinking in coufusion, Mutsumi shook her head and continued watching Keitaro.

All obstacles currently occupied. Chance of discovery less than 15 percent

Blinking again, Mutusmi was unaware that she had picked up a shard of glass and was holding it like a dagger in her hand.

Target's defense value at 0. Maximum lethal effiency at jugular - 99.95 percent

Raising the shard over Keitaro's neck, Mutusmi's eyes narrowed in murderous intent...

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I know, you folks have waited ages... Work ties up most of my time, hopefully this pathetic excuse of a chapter will satisfy some of you until I get the next one up. Thanks for your continued support!