Author's Rant: In first paragraph I mention that a day has passed since Tsuruko lost. Now I don't know the time it takes to get from Kyoto to Tokyo via train but I will assume that the time to leave the Shinmeiryu grounds to the time of arriving at Hinata-Sou took a whole day. One more thing, I hold no credit to the Star Wars franchise. They belong to George Lucas. Also this chapter isn't the best and it does feel rushed in the end.

Chapter 3: The Encounter

Key:

"----" - someone is talking

'----' - someone is mumbling

Italics – someone is thinking

---- - setting

"Capitalized words" someone is screaming or talking louder than normal.

It had been one whole day since Keitaro and Motoko challenged Tsuruko. With the help of Naru, they had defeated her. The three of them finally made it back to Hinata-Sou, late in the afternoon, and in high spirits. The tenants who were left behind congratulated them for their victory and prepared to party. The travelers turned down the offer and decided to put partying off for the next night, seeing that they were exhausted from their travels. Not only that, Shinobu mentioned that they were low on food supplies so they couldn't party even if they wanted to. Kitsune seemed okay with this delay, seeing that she would be able to plan a much better party with the increased time.

Instead of a night filled with sake, story-swaps, dancing, and horrible karaoke, it was a grand dinner that Shinobu created with whatever supplies they had left. Everyone feasted till their hunger was satisfied. Yes, life at Hinata-Sou couldn't get any better. After dinner and cleaning up what remained of the food, the residents dispersed into their rooms after saying goodnight to each other.

Scene Change: Motoko's room

Motoko headed into her room and began to unpack the belongings she brought with her. After she put away her clothes, toiletries, and other various items needed for a trip, she turned around to pay attention to two long objects covered in brown paper, tied with simple string.

Motoko unwrapped one and marveled at the gift that her sister gave her, along with a letter.

To my loving sister Motoko-chan,

Congratulations for realizing where you are weak. I have become impressed with what you have done by sealing that demon in his proper place. Even I must admit that I had my doubts that you would be able to clear your mind. Truth be told, you were in a far worse state than you realize. Had I not come and meddled in your affairs, you would have deviated from your path and lose all your focus. From what I gather, you have certain feelings for a certain manager. Now don't deny it. This was what kept you losing focus. By concentrating on two things, skills as a swordsman and suppressing your feelings as a woman, you were not able to attain maximum efficiency. What you shown me back at home is that you still have capability to focus on one subject at time. Be it your sword or a male. I do not really care. As long you give attention and focus that area, you will make me proud. What I have enclosed with you is a sword that was forged by a close relative. Though it is new and untamed, it perfect to match your situation. As you mature into an expert swordsman and woman, it too will mature and become apart of you. The sword I have given it is the Shouten (Focus). Use this sword to remind yourself the trials and executions you had to go through when you and Urashima went through. I wish you the best of luck dear sister and I know that you will make me proud when you mature.

From your loving sister and teacher,

Tsuruko Aoyama

Sis, replied Motoko, as tears began to form around her eyes. I won't let you down sister. I will wield this sword and it will remind me daily on what I must do.

Motoko grabbed the sword and unsheathed it. As the blade was brought from its home, it shimmered with intensity as the light from her room reflected in its polished surface. Motoko knew just by holding it that it yearns to be used. To cut, slash, and impale whatever its opponent is.

Motoko sheathed the sword and set it against her wall. She glanced at the other object. She ripped off the brown paper and saw that it was covering the Hina Blade. She grabbed the weapon and a chill is sent down her spine. Though I've sealed the evil from within, it doesn't mean I haven't destroyed it and that bothers me. Normally that kind of attack purifies a person or an object. Whatever evil was contained is destroyed but this…this evil seems to be there but just barely. As if something else is preventing its destruction. No matter, it can no longer possess people but just to be safe. I will guard it and leave it in my room until I know how to handle it properly.

Motoko set the Hina Blade on mantle and got ready to change. Discarding her hakama and gi, she began to unwrap her bandages that…suppressed her womanly side. After the bandages are loosened enough, her breasts began to increase in size, being 2-3 times bigger than her chest size when she wore the bindings. Consciously she would never admit it but sub-consciously Motoko knows that she will become a voluptuous woman in her early twenties. Wearing nothing but cotton fabric panties she grabbed her oversized t-shirt and slipped it on. The t-shirt covered everything but her arms and the lower part of her thighs and below. She unrolled her futon, turned off the light, and let sleep overtake her.

The next morning, the normal routine of Hinata-Sou began its course. Motoko rose up with the sun and began her training with a renewed spirit. The rest of the tenants slowly got up and got ready for breakfast that Shinobu made. After breakfast, everyone dispersed and followed their routine schedules. Shinobu and Naru headed to the supermarket to buy more groceries for the week and for the party. Su and Sarah explored the former Inn. Kitsune lounged around, drinking sake, and betting on horses. Motoko (feeling refreshed and inspired) went back to the roof to train some more. Mutsumi headed back to the Tea Shop to work. Keitaro did his various duties as manager. Of these, he is retrieving the laundry for Naru, Motoko, and himself from their trip at Kyoto. He began distributing the articles of clothing by heading to Motoko's room…

Well that was an action packed week, thought Keitaro as he entered Motoko's room after he knocked, I can't believe what we went through. It went from a very pathetic battle to something life threatening. It was all because of that sword. But if it wasn't because of that sword, I might be finding myself getting laid by Motoko.

Keitaro began to scratch his chin in amusement as he thought about that fantasy. He caught his wits and shook it off. He set down Motoko's clothing next to her rolled futon and began to head out. I shouldn't let my mind wander around. It might land me a serious blow to the head by Motoko. I guess I should be thankful that the Hina Blade "saved" us. It wasn't a useless sword…useless sword…sword.

Keitaro stopped in his tracks as he caught of glimpse of the Hina Blade. He stared at the blade. For some odd reason he felt compelled to unsheathe the blade. Heh heh. I shouldn't worry, thought a nervous Keitaro as he grabbed the blade and began to unsheathe it, Motoko destroyed whatever was in it. It is nothing more than a normal…

Scene Change: The Black Void. Both eyes open up again.

He has come.

A white silhouette formed around the creature and he expanded it like his previous experience. The black void filled with darkness became the white void filled with light. A mental projection Keitaro materialized. He went through the motions just like his first time. First being shock, then begging for his life, and then regretting for not getting laid with Motoko. The humanoid stood in amusement as he revisited déjà vu. Before Keitaro could do anything else, the humanoid reached through holes in the cage and placed his hand on Keitaro's head. Small shocks of lighting from the cripple tried to defy him, but the humanoid ignored it.

A beam of clear-like white energy was emitted from the hand and was transferred to the manager. His forgotten memory surfaced and a rage begins to form within.

The manager backed away a bit and lashed at the creature without looking at his eyes. "Who are you!" demanded an angered Keitaro, "What do you want! Why did you control my body! I thought Motoko destroyed you!"

Keitaro was shooting off random interrogative questions left and right about his experience with the creature (hey if someone controlled you and you know who did it, wouldn't you be angry at them?). The creature just smiled behind his cage. "Easy there Urashima," replied the humanoid, as he raised his hands to his head, "Calm down. I'll will explain everything in due time. But first, how about I make myself more presentable?"

The creature sank into a fetal position and clenched his eyes. Keitaro just stared what was happening. A field of clear-like white energy wrapped around the creature. His body began to shrink as did his muscles. His hair shortened from that wild foot long hairstyle that was silver to a simple inch long spiked hair that is also silver. His skin changed from a pale green-white complexion to a pale peach-white complexion. His teeth regressed from pearl like wolf fangs to white human teeth. Even the pants and loincloth he wore shrank.

When he finally finished this transformation, he stood up. He was no longer the behemoth that he projected but now he was at Keitaro's size and build. Though his eyes didn't change color his intensity subsided. It was more…tolerable. In ways, this humanoid looked more human than his other form.

"Wh-Who no what are you?" responded the shocked Keitaro. Never in his entire life had he seen such…oddities.

"Ah there will be plenty of time for that," as the creature evaded that question, "What we should be worried about is you. I have looked at your memories and they aren't the most pleasant ones. You are a clumsy nit-wit who barely got himself in an upper class trade. Though you claim you are innocent, which you are by the way, no one believes you. Instead, people abuse you around. And yet, you get up as if it was a sucker punch from the local bully. Oh I now know more about you than you realize after I…borrowed your body for that small amount of time. But enough evasion, I believe you deserve some sort of answer. After all, I did summon you here."

"Allow me to introduce myself," said the creature as he took a courteous bow with a wicked smile, "They call me Ojike. Jin 'Ojike' Takashi. A half-breed demon."

"Huh?" reacted the confused man, "Ojike? Your name means Fear? Half-breed. Wh-What are you talking about?"

"Whether you understand or not is not my concern Descendant," answers the half-breed, "What I'm going to say is important. You are a Descendant. It is vital for you spend time with me so that you may…fulfill your role."

"Descendant?" queries Keitaro, "I don't know what you are talking about."

The half-breed grunts, "Oh, of course you don't. But surely, don't you think that the Hina Blade has to do with this? Haven't you yet realized why your sub-conscious retaliates when I approach you?"

Keitaro just stared dumbfounded.

Ojike sighed. "Let me try this. I am a half-breed. And because of that, I inherit some properties from my demonic father, while I also inherit some properties from my human mother. As you can see, I have two different types of forms that I can switch though both forms are imperfect. Well, as I matured and developed this form, I came to find a wife and produced kids. These kids grew up and mated. As did their kids. And as did their kids as well. This has continued from then until now. And with each passing generation my traits that posses my demonic side get thinner and thinner to the point where it is too weak to be considered demonic. This human interbreeding has spread my traits everywhere on this land but more importantly this eventually leads to the woman known as Hina who passed my traits her son who passed it to his child."

"Wh-What do you mean…" replied Keitaro as the pieces are slowly being put in place.

"Keitaro…" responded Ojike, "…I am your Ancestor!"

Keitaro stood gawking at what he just heard. Tears began to develop, "No….No….NO!"

"Look inside yourself," countered the half-breed, "You know it to true!"

"NOOOOOOOO!" sobbed Keitaro as he fought dearly that he isn't related to this creature, "Noooooooo...That can't be true. That's impossible! It just can't…"

"Oh but it is," remarked the creature as he assured his descendant, "And I can prove it. You are from the long line of extinct samurai that delved from me. This line was strong. They were mentally sharp and physically built to endure any hardship. Their bulk of their powers relied on my capabilities which I received from my father. As time grew, the number of samurais dwindled one by one as each generation wasn't strong or pure enough to summon a certain attack. It never occurred to them that interbreeding would save it. All lost access to my traits because the blood was too impure save one: your family line. Through out the millenniums your ancestors maintained the bloodline to me by marrying those who were capable of accessing my power. Those who weren't able, weren't allowed to marry anyone within the family line. This prevented the family from being too impure for a long time. That time, however, is getting nearer. I can sense it."

"I-I-I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!" yelled Keitaro, "YOUR JUST A DEMON! DEMONS DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO GET WHAT THEY WANT! THERE IS NO WAY YOU CAN PROVE THAT I AM YOUR DESCENDANT!"

Ojike chuckled. "Let me put it this way. Have you ever wondered why you are still alive?"

Keitaro hesitates.

The humanoid continues, "When that girl punched you into the sky, shouldn't you have received fatal wounds from landing from that high? What of that swordsman? When she attacks shouldn't you have received wounds that would have incapacitated you for a while? This 'immortality' everyone talks about is a bit exaggerated but not far from the truth. Though all my descendants' blood has diluted to the point where it is non-existent, your family and their ancestors were able to delay that inevitable so that my abilities could be maintained for a while. YOU ARE LIVING PROOF OF IT! Keitaro…what you have is a much diluted form of my regenerative powers. Though you suffer damages such as cuts, wounds, and broken bones, you will heal at a faster rate than a normal human that didn't mix with my blood. Observe…"

Ojike extended his left hand to the bar of the energy cage. A bolt of energy emerged from the seal and burned his hand. A couple of fingers were disintegrated. He showed his left hand to Keitaro. The manager watched in awe as his hand healed and fingers regenerated at an incredible rate. "A gift from my father. Though I never met him, I have heard stories about him from my mom. She told me that he was near indestructible as he knew where everything was and when something did hurt him, he stalled long enough for his wounds to recover. You Urashima have that gift. At least the most apparent one. Though many millenniums have passed, you are barely pure enough to access my abilities for your use. This is where I come in. I will train your sub-conscious. In your current state where your body is physically weak and your mind is mentally dull, you can only regenerate at a slow passive rate. You can't even heal of your own free will. You have other passive abilities but they too need to be awakened. When I am through with you, you will be able to revive the traits of me within. It will become strong and you will be able to continue our family line."

"But how can I be sure?" asked a wary Keitaro, "How do I know you aren't lying to me and just using me just to escape this sword? Speaking of which, if you are my ancestor, then why are you here?"

Ojike chuckles, "That, young one, is for a different time. I've told you more than enough information. You should be grateful that the human side of me is compassionate. Now let us begin your training. Whether you believe me or not doesn't matter. You will learn what I am going to teach you whether you like it or not. Now come closer."

Keitaro approaches within caution. "Now touch these bars," orders the half-demon. Keitaro did only to feel a little jolt of heat going through. It wasn't scalding hot but it did catch him off guard. "See what I mean? Because I carry fifty percent of my father's blood, this new seal is able to destroy me. This is different in your case. Since you carry less than one percent of my father's blood all you will feel is an intense but tolerable heat. Now grab the bars and pull them towards you with all your might."

Keitaro looked at his eyes and was caught in some sort of trance. He complied with what Ojike says. He grabbed two bars. He felt a surge of heat traveling throughout his body. This caught him off guard. "Focus!" hissed the half-demon, "If you can't handle simple heat than how can you carry on your lineage be successor of my abilities. DO IT AGAIN!"

Keitaro tried again, expecting the heat. He grabbed the two bars and pulled. Nothing happened. He tried again. Still nothing. Keitaro gave it a third time, but with all his might. The spherical cage expanded a bit. "Goooooood," said the satisfied half-human, "Do this a couple more times till you are able to squeeze through one of the cage holes. Keitaro repeated this a couple more times until the cage was large enough for him to squeeze through and inside of the cage.

"Excellent," replies Ojike as he snapped his fingers. Keitaro broke from his trance.

"Wh-Wh-What am I doing here?" responds Keitaro as his anger rises, "Y-You tricked me. I knew it! Now I'm gonna pay! Stupid Keitaro! Stupid!"

'Tch! This is getting annoying,' muttered the humanoid, "Enough! I've told you from the beginning that I won't harm you. You have much potential and I aim to unleash it."

Keitaro, still wary of this 'ancestor,' stands and listens. Might as well listen seeing that I have no choice on leaving when I want. I guess only he can dismiss me.

The half-demon began his lesson, "Now let's begin starting with your confidence. From what I gather from your memories you have no confidence. No mentality. You believe that since you can't do well using your mind than you are useless to everyone in everything. This is not the case. Failure in one area using your mind doesn't represent all areas that use your mind. We will start with the basics: women. The opposite sex is a tricky entity. I will admit the times have changed drastically and in your case not for the better. Back in my time the males chose his wife and the wife didn't have any say in the matter. In your time, it seems that both male and females work together. This may be a problem since you let yourself be walked over by everyone. The first rule of thumb is that you must be calm and in control. Judging by your memories, every time a female does something that makes you feel uncomfortable you panic and begin to say things what ever comes from your mouth. This results in you in situations where damage is inflicted upon you. If you didn't have regenerative properties then you would have suffered more strenuous conditions. As I've stated before, being calm in a situation is always the best approach. It helps further if you close your eyes, and take a deep breath. This clears your mind, and helps you formulate possible comebacks and say something smart."

"But…" Keitaro retorted, "isn't that flirting?"

The demon looked at him quizzically. Keitaro sighed, "I mean isn't that saying something to impress someone?"

Ojike shrugged, "Maybe it is but that isn't the point. The point is that doing that kind of method helps you in any situation when you battle an enemy in a game of wits. As your mind matures, your words become sharp and penetrating as you know what to say in order to turn things in your favor. Just remember to be calm and in control when something disturbs your mind. Now for the next step. Push cage even further back Urashima."

Keitaro complied with request and tried to expand the cage even further. The cage does expand, to room size. Meanwhile Ojike extended both hands out and into the air and concentrated. Two energy sticks, the size of swords, are formed from his hands. When Keitaro finished his task, Ojike tossed him a stick. "We will now brush up your skills as a swordsman. Doing this increases your physical performance such as strength and heightens your senses. Now prepare yourself!"

"WHA?" cries Keitaro as saw himself being charged at by the demon, "I-I-I don't know how to fight! I barely got by with Motoko alone! WAAAAAAAAAA!"

Keitaro tried to run away but his ancestor cut him off. "QUIT BEING SUCH A BABY AND DEFEND YOURSELF!"

Ojike raised his stick and attempted to slash his foe.

A panicked Keitaro fell on his butt and tried to defend, but was overpowered by the attack, "WAAA!"

Keitaro took the blow and pain erupted all over his head. He grabbed the top of his head trying to lessen the pain. The humanoid sighed, knowing that the boy has much to learn. "You are weak Urashima. We will start all over but after I teach you the basics."

And so Ojike showed Keitaro the basics of sword fighting. There was the high blocks, low blocks, vertical slash, diagonal slash, horizontal slash. He even taught the boy how to hold his ground when to swords meet and neither opponent relents on his attack or block.

After "hours" have passed, Keitaro was finally able to get the hang of basic swordsmanship. "Good," replied the content half-human, "You are making progress. You are learning to be calm under any situation when dealing with women. As you progress, this will expand to more complex situations. You now know the basics of using a sword. You are now becoming a bushido. You have one more lesson for our encounter before I release you to your realm. Every time you come here I will teach you on using your mind, body, and the use of the two together. This is technique and finesse. Technique and finesse are key in any battle. It heightens your accuracy to hit certain areas and heightens your speed to get done as fast as possible. The technique I will teach is a complex move in the art of sword fighting that is an asset. It is difficult to master at first but when once the mind and body began to work as one, it becomes fluid, and occurs before your opponent realize it. You will learn what all swordsmen learn the easy or hard way. You will learn the counter.

"Counter?" asked Keitaro, "You mean as in block and then attack immediately."

The creature nodded. "This type of counter I will teach is difficult and different. There are various kinds. Mine calls for a quick and decisive victory. You will learn the Hard Breath Counter. Now get up for you will learn the hard way. And the hard way is the best way. When I give the signal, attack me anyway you want."

Within the cage Ojike signaled Keitaro to attack. Using what he knows, Keitaro attacked the beast with a downward slash. The creature reacted with a high block using the stick in his left hand. Both contenders put pressure on their weapons, trying to overpower the other. And then without a moments notice, Ojike relented his and sidestepped to his left. The end result was Keitaro stumbling forward trying to keep his balance in check. Wha-what is he pulling? thought Keitaro as he began to fall forward. I don't see th—"OOOOOFFFFF…."

Keitaro immediately dropped his energy weapon and grabbed his stomach. He violently breathed as hard as he could. He finally was able to say something when he had enough air. "Wh…What was…gasp…was that…?" panting hard

"That Urashima…," answered Ojike as he grinned, "…was a punch to your stomach just below that chest bone of yours. After trial and error and some luck I found out that various areas of the stomach can tolerate a certain amount of pain. What I found out was the area below the chest bone has zero tolerance to pain and causes the opponent to breathe very hard, trying to reduce the pain. By reflex he grabs his stomach shielding it from future attacks. This opens an opportunity for the attacker to make a finishing blow. In your case you would be dead if we truly fought blades."

"I—I see," reacted Keitaro as he finally was able to control his breathing.

"Well now that you know what the attack is," he chuckled as he stances himself in a fighting pose, "it is your turn to learn from the experience and apply it to this attack. On your feet Urashima. This your last lesson for the time being. You will not leave until I believe that you've grasped enough to master it."

The two went at it for another couple "hours." And every time they did it, Keitaro tripped, delayed too long, or hit the wrong place. Eventually he grasped the technique that was so hard to learn. Keitaro was panting real hard, exhausted after what he went through.

"Good job," rejoiced Ojike as he saw his pupil grasp the counter, "You have learnt what I given you. I have more to teach and to tell but that will be for another time."

"I don't know what is going on…" said Keitaro, "And I'm still uncertain whether I should trust you or not but if you are done may I now leave?"

The half-breed nodded. "Yes. Yes you may. But before you go I will need to take your conscious memories of this place. You won't remember this place or me but your sub-conscious and body will remember what I taught you. It is best to do this to conceal my survival in this sword. Now step out of the cage."

Keitaro did so. Ojike extended his hand through one of the holes from the cage and placed it on his head. A clear-like white energy was emitted from Keitaro and went into the hand of Ojike. Keitaro closed his eyes and nodded off, forgetting his experience in this dimension. The mental projection of him dematerializes. The white void began to shrinks back to the silhouette shape of Ojike and then disappeared. All that is left is Ojike, the spherical cage that prevents him from leaving the sword, and the black void that comforts him.

Heh Heh Heh Heh. Keitaro Urashima. I sense much potential in you. The question is, can you realize it, continue the family line, and break me from this place? I will look forward to our next meeting.

Ojike laughed as he closed his eyes as he meditated.

Scene Change: Motoko's room. One second after Keitaro unsheathed the blade.

Keitaro is in a little daze.

Huh? Was I just daydreaming? My mind must off wandered off. Oh well. Judging that I am still wielding the sword must mean Motoko did purge the evil from within.

And with that Keitaro sheathes the Hina Blade and places it back on the mantle. He picks up Naru's and his clothes and exits Motoko's.

Author's Rant: Well there you have it. You now have some background of Ojike the half-demon. He is indeed related to Keitaro and Keitaro slowly realizes how he is able to put up with so much abuse. If you confused on why Keitaro can only remember Ojike when he comes in contact with the Hina Blade, then let me brief you for a bit. I won't say how he came to the sword or all of his powers but Ojike's power revolves around the mind hence his possession and influence on Keitaro's memories. This chapter, like all the others, is crucial in building up the rest of the story. Oh and thanks to those who review and to Baretta, my proofreader. One more thing, I originally named the Hard Breath Counter as the Solar Plexus Counter. After reading some Hajime no Ippo manga I found out about the condition of the body when a person is hit in the solar plexus. That would explain why Keitaro wasn't able to retaliate immediately.

Proofreader's Rant: This was done well, but you GOTTA WRITE in past tense! All the time! Most of the time I spent on this chapter was fixing things like that. Well. Vegeto and I will see you soon! Ja ne!

Baretta of the Dark Icon Writers, signing off!