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Chapter 4 – Koku

How in the world did I get myself into this mess? All I was supposed to do was find Kasumi, go back to Hayate, tell him her location, then tend to my squad. Now I'm chasing after one of the most stubborn, one of the most obnoxious females I have ever met in my life. In fact, I do not know any men that are as stubborn as Ayane. Sometimes I just wished Kasumi would take back her body, at least she was scared of me and I had control. Ayane? She's too blood-thirsty. Quick to kill and ask questions later.

How did I get myself into this? Oh yeah, I remember. I received some type of pleasure out of taunting the frightened Kasumi, that I decided to take her back to Hayate personally rather than following my original orders and return with her location. Damn you, Ryokai. Well, come to think of it, we did encounter the Mizu Doragon. If I didn't take Kasumi under my care then she would've been killed by them for sure.

Wait, why do I sound like I'm caring? I want her dead. Don't I? I can't explain what's going on with me; maybe Ayane is very close to getting to my last nerve. I have no idea where Ayane has run off to and I know she has no idea where she's going as well. I wish that sometimes she would just stop and think.

Enough of my arguing, I just had to get it off of my chest, but here I am; on Mugen-Tenshin territory, searching the forest all about looking for Ayane after she ran off when she noticed her body was missing from her own coffin. It is kind of weird when you think about it. Her grave plot looked untouched and I witnessed the body being buried into the ground, myself. How was it able to be removed without the ground being touched? Who would want a dead body? I thought about what the Elders said about the interesting story of the runaway shinobi that transferred his body to have his vengeance against his own clan. The Diamond of Kansai. I thought about its power and the effect it had on the avenging shinobi according to the story from Shiden. Has this mission taken a turn for the worst? I just have a feeling that if the body was somehow stolen, it was stolen for a reason, and if I know Ayane she'll do whatever it takes to make sure she comes out of the mission as the successor.

Well aside from my ranting, I guess it was about another hour or so before I found Ayane, of course still in Kasumi's form, sitting on a tree just staring into the wilderness afar. I gave a sigh of both relief and anguish. I was glad she was okay, but now that I found her, I knew that I was stuck with her. Through my jumping and I landed on a branch of a different tree not too far from her.

"So he sent the weakling to protect me?" She rhetorically asked.

There's that word again. "Weakling." She didn't even look at me to acknowledge my presence. She just kept her eyes fixed to the nature.

"Exactly, I'm here to protect you." Of course we all know I can't actually "protect" her, but I decided to have my own mocking and sarcastic tone to match hers.

She only glanced at me with a small chuckle then turned her eyes back to the forest, once again ignoring me. "Well go back to your master. I don't need your help nor your protection." She said that last word in sarcasm.

"You and I both know I can't do that." I told her.

"Sometimes you can be so stubborn, Ryokai."

I guess you wouldn't be surprised when I say my eyes popped open at that response. She calls me of all people stubborn? How dare she? Does she even realize the mess she has put me and the others through?

"Well, deal with it." I reluctantly said.

She gave a small chuckle without answer, but I knew that was her way of saying "Sure…" in another sarcastic tone. She stayed quiet and kept her eyes fixed to the trees afar. I was beginning to wonder what out there had her in so much attention that she could only glare at me once.

I looked out to the direction in where she was looking at. All I could see were the trees and leaves of the forest, but then I caught sight to what had her so preoccupied.

There was a fight going on. Five ninjas total, four against one. The four attacking ninjas wore the Mizu-Doragon colors. Not another encounter with these guys, also they were on our territory. They probably caught word to Ayane's actions and wanted to take revenge. But why were they attacking this sole individual?

Want to hear something astonishing? The lone ninja, whom wore no mask but had the outfit of the color green, was actually fending himself very well against the four ninjas. His single blade matched the power of numbers of the Mizu Doragon. That's something not even I can accomplish.

What made it more astonishing was that the man wore a thin scarf over his eyes. The man was blind and he fended himself very well against the attacks. I was stuck in awe to see this blind shinobi fight against ninjas with their full senses. In fact, there was already a dead Mizu Doragon ninja lying in a puddle of his own blood. That told me that this blind ninja is not only defending himself well, but has the ability to kill.

"Fascinating, isn't it?" Ayane broke my daydream.

I only nodded, and like Ayane, I couldn't take my eyes off of the fight.

"He's been like this for a good ten minutes now. Not wanting to give up."

At least I know how I found Ayane. Ten minutes is a very long time to battle against blades. Being a squad leader, I have good tracking skills. If a person rests for five minutes at the most, I could find them easily. Ayane has been sitting here watching this battle for far too long.

"How do you think he's doing it?" I asked still watching the fight; still watching the blind man dodge another swinging sword which barely missed piercing into his flesh.

"Probably his other senses have excelled to a matter where his eyes are no longer needed." Ayane replied still keeping her focus on the fight.

I gave her a wondering stare, "How do you know that?" Was she gaining her memory already?

"Common sense, Ryokai." She replied. "How else can a blind man fight?"

We kept quiet but only watched. The blind man managed to slay another Mizu Doragon victim, but all was brought to end when after the killing, the man left himself vulnerable and a kick smashed into his back forcing him to the ground. Then the remaining ninjas stood over him with one readying himself to deliver the final blow.

"Oh well, it was fun while it lasted." Ayane said about to relieve herself from the perch.

"What? What do you mean? You're not going to help him?"

"I can't get involved in another man's affairs."

Ayane was remembering. Her memory was slowly, but surely, returning to her and she didn't even know it. She didn't say it in the exact words but her comment did resemble one of our closest rules. A ninja must never get involved in another ninja's affairs. But something about this guy told me for him to die wasn't right. He was blind. I'm not demeaning his character due to his handicap; actually I was attracted to his level of skills and his mastery of his physical handicap. I felt that I needed him alive, not for this mission or anything else, but for myself. I think I can learn a lot from him.

I readied my sword and Ayane already predicted my next action.

"Don't tell me the weakling is going to try to fight again." She said with a chuckle.

There's that word again. Now I knew I had to do it, not only for myself or the blind man, but maybe once and for all I can prove to Ayane that I'm not a weakling.

"I'm going, are you coming?"

She shook her head then said. "You shouldn't either."

It was my turn to be stubborn as I only turned away and jumped into the air. In mid-air I could hear Ayane, "Don't get involved." But even if I decided to change my mind in mid-air it was too late.

I had already planned out my attack. Slash and killed the attacker from behind, kick away the remaining ninjas and hope I get some assistance from the blind man. I'm grateful to say, my plan worked out perfectly.

I had my sword readied in the air ready to make the final blow. As I began to land I could see the figure that stood over the blind man ready to shove his sword into his victim's body. I figured the ninja would hear and just as he turned around to view me, it was already too late as I drove my blade into his chest and slashed as hard as I could. I could feel my blade cutting through his chestplate and sawing through of his ribs on his left side. His blood spurted onto my outfit and he fell dead.

The remaining ninjas startled attacked me as quickly as they could, but I already predicted this as I immediately went on the defense. It's not easy defending yourself against two highly skilled opponents, which makes me wonder how can Ayane, Hayate, Kasumi, and all of the other top ninjas fend themselves against larger numbers. Nevertheless, on this battlefield, I proved I was no weakling and successfully handed myself against my two attackers.

Soon enough, the blind man assisted me in the battle, able to lure one of the ninjas away which heavily relieved a lot of the pressure in my fight. I didn't pay attention to his fight, because I was too focused on my own. The last ninja and I stood toe-to-toe in an all out sword fight brawl as each of us seemed to be familiar with the other's fighting style. When he swung, I blocked. When I kicked, he dodged. It wasn't a battle of the physical, but rather a battle of wits, up until the point when I found my opening and my blade found its way to enter into his stomach. He grunted loudly before falling to the ground to his death.

I quickly looked to the blind man to see if he needed any assistance, but he had already finished off his opponent and was wiping the blood from his blade as he smiled at me stating. "I win." Referring to making the kill before I did.

I gave a slight chuckle. "Only by a few seconds."

"Thank you for your help. I would've never expected assistance from another ninja."

I graciously bowed in thanks my head to the wise fighter.

"My name is Koku, my life is yours." He said in thanks and then he began to turn and walk towards the depths of the forest.

It struck me as odd as a man that would thank me in such a manner would just turn and walk away.

"Wait, where are you going?"

He turned to my direction. Even though the scarf was over his eyes it looked as if he was looking directly at me. "Off to train, eat, live my life another day anew."

"You mean, that's it?" I questioned. I mean, I saved his life, you would think there would be a lot more in order.

"I apologize." He said bowing in a sympathetic manner. "Is there something you wanted of me?"

He made a good point. There wasn't anything in particular I wanted in return, but still, a simple "Thank you" and leave? "Well, no"

He bowed his head again, "Then I shall be on my way." He said turn for the forest again.

"I told you not to interfere." I heard Ayane comment just a few feet behind me. "He's not even grateful for your efforts."

I didn't look back to glance at Ayane, but still kept my attention posted on the blind man, Koku. Here, something odd happened. When he heard Ayane's voice, he stopped and turned.

"Kasumi?" He said.

What? He knows Kasumi?

"Kasumi? Is that you?" Koku said turning around.

Then Ayane stated in a grunted voice. "I am not that traitor."

Then the man started to walk back towards us his face filled with curiosity. "You sound like her and I can feel her spirits amongst me, but yet it is so different." He now stood in front of Ayane. "Why is it so different?"

I couldn't tell what Ayane was thinking but she looked at me. "Let's get away from this nut."

She said as she turned. I began to follow but I was curious to know what he knew about Kasumi.

"You knew Kasumi?" I asked.

Ayane interrupted. "Don't get too attached to the blind man, Ryokai. We have other matters."

"Just give me a second." I told her. Then I looked back to Koku. "You knew Kasumi?"

Koku smiled. "'Knew' is a past tense word. She isn't dead or gone from us. I can still feel her spirit as if she's telling me she's still alive right now. What puzzles me that though I can feel her spirit, hear voice, and sense her body, it's as if all that is missing is her soul. Her soul replaced by another. Am I right?"

"Ryokai, let's go." Ayane was determined on leaving for some odd reason.

"In a minute, Ayane." To be honest, I said her name on purpose to see if it would strike some clue in Koku's head. Fortunately, it worked.

"Ayane?" He asked. "The soul of Ayane is in Kasumi's body."

I mentally smiled. Awestruck that this ninja knows of the two sisters.

"Please, may I?" He said holding his hands up to Ayane.

I knew what he wanted. Very common for the blind, but I didn't know it was common among blind ninjas. Hell, I didn't even know blind ninjas existed. Koku wanted to place his hands on Ayane's face to draw the picture in his mind of what he's feeling. The problem was that, I wasn't for sure if Ayane would let him.

"Sure." She surprisingly said.

Koku slowly placed his fingers onto Ayane's cheeks and slowly began to inspect the body which belong to Kasumi. He touched on every aspect, her lips, her eyes, nose, chin, eyebrows, hair. By the time he was done he gave a pleasant smile.

"Kasumi." He said in a type of enchanting voice.

"I am not, Kasumi." Ayane repeated.

Koku felt her eyebrows lowering through his fingers. First, he smiled. Then oddly, he began to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Ayane asked.

Koku answered. "Irony is cruel demon. The soul of a jealous kinoichi is embedded in her enemy sister." He laughed aloud again.

Apparently, Koku knew of their history. I wasn't for sure how, at least not yet. Personally, I wanted to laugh as well. Instead I was able to control myself only letting off a small chuckle.

Ayane was becoming furious, "You find this funny, as well?"

I looked back at her. "Sorry, but you have to admit. It is pretty ironic."

Ayane rolled her eyes angrily turning her back to us.

I was getting used to that gesture from her, so I turned my attention back to Koku. "How do you know Kasumi?"

"We are both runaway shinobis; the so-called 'traitors to our clans'. Our paths would cross while we traveled and we spent many days and nights assisting each other with regular duties. Hunting, collecting, fishing, even fought in many battles against our reluctant clans."

"So you were part of the Mizu-Doragon?" I asked.

"No, I wasn't."

"So why did they attack you?"

He first gave a smile then answered. "Let's just say that even though I'm blind. I saw something I wasn't supposed to witness."

"Which was?"

He hesitated before answering. "Some things are better left unsaid."

I wanted to argue. And say something along the lines of "Hey I saved you life", but I didn't want to disrespect him in any fashion, especially when I was just learning more about him. "Do you know Ayane?"

"Not personally. We never met nor fought, but I have learned about her through the stories of Kasumi."

Then Ayane finally turned and spoke. "And I bet my name was tarnished in every way by that woman."

"Surprisingly, no, you're wrong. Of all the years I've known her she has spoken very highly of you, Ayane."

"She has?" Ayane asked.

I, too, was surprised to hear the words.

"The jealously comment I mentioned earlier were from my own interpretations from her stories; but her best memories, she would always speak on were the days of her childhood."

"What happened during my childhood?" Ayane asked. She was beginning to gain more of an interest to Koku.

"Don't you know? You two were the best of friends."

That's where I intervened. It was the "too much information" rule that kicked in and told me that I should stop this conversation. Hiroshi was nowhere around so I didn't have anyone to tell me what was and was not appropriate for Ayane to know at this time.

"Koku, "I stopped him. "An accident happen to which Ayane's soul now controls Kasumi's body. Also, as a result, Ayane remembers nothing from her past. I would respect if too much information wasn't revealed to her all at once."

Then Ayane blurted. "Stay out of this." She looked at Koku. "Tell me about my childhood."

Koku hesitated before answering. His head turned to my direction, and then spoke. "Ryokai is right. It would be best if we limit the information revealed to you at this time."

Ayane turned mumbling to herself. I hated doing it to her. I don't even know about her childhood, but to learn that her and Kasumi was once best friends and are now enemies would be a lot for anyone to emotionally handle if the information was planted on them in a matter of seconds. I wanted to assure her that we were taking the best route for her own safety, and then I realized who I was referring to trying to comfort. The stubborn and obnoxious Ayane.

Koku and I continued our own conversation while an angry Ayane stayed off to the side pretending as if she wasn't listening to our conversation. I learned a lot about Koku. He became blind at the age of 8 when he gouged his own eyes out to learn a secret art of a ninjutsu style that was only taught by a blind master and could only be learned by a blind student. Even at his age now, not only does he not regret his action at his young, but rather boast on it. When he wasn't training, he dedicated the rest of his time using his blindness as a strength rather than a weakness. He used his hands to see and developed a sixth sense to notice his near surroundings. Now he is a master of his skills and his physical senses.

I guess I don't have to tell you how amazed I was to see a ninja overcome such a self-caused disability. I wanted to speak more on how he became a runaway shinobi and also what clan did he belong to. He wanted to keep the information secrecy but he assured me he has no associations with the Mugen-Tenshin at all. Of course I believed him. Of all of my years, we never hunted for a blind shinobi; in fact of the very few runaway shinobis my squad and I hunted, Kasumi was the only to dodge our blades for sometime.

Speaking of Kasumi, the more we talked about her, the more I began to see a different side to the kunoichi I never seen before. Maybe she wasn't a bloodthirsty traitor. Koku only spoke of Kasumi as a kind gentleman would a respected lady. Sometimes I would think that maybe Koku is protecting one of his own kind, so I used that theory as well as other mental questions to keep myself from succumbing to the blind man's words. If she's so innocent, why has my clan chased her for so long? If she so sweet, why did my brothers have to die by her blade? If she's so kind, why does Ayane hate her with every vein in her system?

"Don't you think it's time we started to leave?" Ayane blurted.

Actually, I completely forgot all about Ayane. She could've retreated from our presence and I wouldn't have been the wiser. I was so caught up in the stories of Koku and his adventures and expeditions as a blind man and his fights alongside Kasumi, I was hooked to every word he spoke.

One thing about Koku, for a conversation that could've last for hours, if it wasn't for Ayane's blurting, he still remained very mysterious. He never said the name of his secret art, he never said the name of his clan, he never spoke of what he witnessed from the Mizu Doragon, and as much as he spoke about Kasumi, he never spoke her past.

"Yes, sure, Ayane, we'll be leaving." I then turned to Koku and shook his hand. "It was an honor meeting you, but we must be going."

Koku gave a head bow. "Very well. Please, don't fight the winds if they bring you back to me."

I smiled. "Never. I wish the gods to watch over you."

"And you as well."

Koku wasn't much for goodbye. Let's not forget his "Thank you" and leave action, so I decided not to turn a goodbye into another conversation.

We both gave one final bow before our departure.

I turned to Ayane. "Ready?" Even though I had no idea where we were going to go.

She only scoffed and turned to make her own leave.

"Typical Ayane." I heard Koku say from behind me. From those words, if I didn't know any better, I would say he knew Hiroshi as well.

Ayane turned. "What did you just say?" She said in a bit of anger.

I really hoped Koku didn't intend to provoke Ayane. While he's a master at his style, Ayane is still one of the greatest Mugen-Tenshin Hajinmon ninjas; and with me being a Mugen-Tenshin as well, I would have no choice but to back Ayane. I really didn't want to fight a great friend like Koku.

But unfortunately, Koku insisted, "My predictions were correct all along." He said with a smile. "You are the jealous and stubborn type."

Ayane's eyes flamed as she drew her katana. "Want to repeat yourself again?"

I interrupted the two, the last thing I wanted were for them to fight each other. "Koku, please do not tempt her."

"I apologize to you, Ryokai, but this is something she needs to hear. Regardless of the 'too much information' rule." He then said. "Ayane, you are jealous of your half-sister, and you have always been jealous of her ever since she was chosen to be ordained as the 19th leader of the Mugen-Tenshin."

My eyes popped open to Koku's words. Was his words true? That means Kasumi was supposed to be my leader.

"That's what feeds your anger and your strength," Koku continued. "Your jealousy, your hatred, your stubbornness to your own half-sister. What you will never realize is that it is also your weakness."

"Ryokai, let's go." Ayane said to me as she turned and began to walk.

I, of course, followed her giving one last bow to Koku, and strangely he decided to follow us. He kept a distance behind us as he continued to taunt Ayane.

"So is that your answer, Ayane?" He said. "You will just continue to walk away from me as if I'm not speaking to you at all? Are you afraid to realize the truth? Do you not want to come into terms that Kasumi is indeed better than you?"

Here, I thought Ayane would turn around and make Koku her victim. I kept a close eye on her and she only continued to walk. She looked as if she was ignoring the blind man, but her eyes spoke different words. I glanced back to see Koku perched on the tree branches. This time keeping his distance in the branches above.

"Maybe the reason you don't remember your past is because you don't want to remember it." He continued. "All the shinobi has done for you was to make sure that you lived in her luxury and yet you still never seemed pleased until you saw her head." He jumped to another branch. "Why is that, Ayane? What brings about your jealousy? What brings about your rage and hatred to someone so innocent?"

That's when Ayane exploded. "YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MY LIFE HAS BEEN LIKE!" She yelled.

And it made me think, Ayane was remembering. Did she choose to keep it secret?

"You hear are tales which are possibly more false than they are true. I have listened to your praising of a traitor when I stand here full-fledge Mugen-Tenshin, and yet you take it upon yourself to say I'm the one in rage." Ayane forcefully told the blind man in the trees. "You know nothing of my life. You know nothing of Kasumi's life. You know nothing of our quarrel."

With that said, she and began to storm off again, but Koku stayed relentless.

"So is that my role in this?" Koku stated. "I'm just the dumb blind ninja, am I?"

He continued to try to gather Ayane's attention but the female ninja was focused on not giving him what he wanted.

"I may not know of your life of the life of which you claim to be a shinobi. I may not know your past, and frankly don't care to know it." Then he said, "But there is one thing, that I do know Ayane."

Of course, Ayane didn't care to listen to anymore of Koku's rants. She was only content on leaving the forest and the irritating blind man behind. I, myself, was still stunned by the actions of Ayane and Koku. Koku, more so, because of his wild antics to purposely etch at the nerves of Ayane. Ayane, because she was remembering her past, and even more surprisingly, she kept her cool when a man taunted her.

She definitely tried hard to ignore Koku, but the next statement Koku spoke not only caught her attention but mine, as well.

He said in somewhat of a singing ridiculing tone. "I know where your body's at."

Ayane and I stopped in our tracks and turned to look at Koku who was perched on a tree branch not too far away from us. It was as if he could sense that he caught our attention as all he did was smile and say. "Bye bye." And he dashed deep into the forest amongst the tree with his feet never touching the ground.

"AFTER HIM!" Ayane yelled and immediately it was a pursuit after the blind ninja.

First off, I should say I was amazed at the blind shinobi's sense of direction. As we darted into the forest, we could see the blind man jumping from limb to limb as if his eyes worked perfectly and wasn't hidden by the scarf. He jumped the braches, swung on the vines, repelled off the logs as if it was a regular exercise for him. In all honesty, even Ayane had trouble keeping up with him, but I was glad to see her sense of nature was coming back to her as she continued to pounce of the trees in the forest.

All that stirred in my mind was Koku's knowledge of Ayane's body. Was he telling the truth? Probably so, if that's what the Mizu Doragon was after. At that, what would the Mizu Doragon want with a dead body? I didn't know the answer to questions and whether if they were true or false. I even began to wonder if Koku truly was a member of the Mizu Doragon at one time. The only thing that kept me from believing that was that he did not wear their colors.

It wasn't long after until Koku vanished from our sight. He made a quick turn, too sharp for us to follow. Without stopping or hesitation, we retraced our steps to Koku's direction that led us to a lake. A lake where Koku stood as if he was waiting for us. Ayane and I both jumped out of trees to land at the little lakes shore not too far away from the blind ninja.

"WHERE IS MY BODY!" Ayane quickly asked in an angered tone.

Koku was hold several rocks in his hand, he took one and threw it against the water's bed as it skipped across until it landed on the dirt land on the other side of the lake.

"A man falls six feet from the air and he will splash into this pond." He spoke. "If he falls six hundred feet from the air, a massive wave of the pond will cover the land; but if he falls six thousand feet, there will be no splash. His body will crash against the water as if it were pure concrete." He skipped another rock across the water. "Why am I able to skip this rock across the soft water, no more than three feet from the ground and treat the water as if it's concrete?" As we know he didn't have eyes, but his head turned to Ayane looking for an answer. When he noticed that she wouldn't respond, he answered for her. "It's all in the mind."

"I don't have time for your mind games blind man."

"No time for games?" He said teasingly. "Everyone should have time for games."

With that said, he performed another ninja athletic feat as he dashed across water. His feet lightly tapped across the water's bed and each step only gave off a small splash as like the rock, he skipped himself across the water's bed until he reached the other side. He looked back to us with a smile and darted back into the forest's trees.

This was a trait all ninjas learned, including myself. I knew I could easily perform as well, my only gripe is that I was unsure if Ayane remembered how to.

I looked to her. "Do you remember how to do this?"

She gave me a blank look. "No." Was all she said as she dashed across the water in the same fashion as Koku.

Am I missing something? Did I ask the question wrong? Did she really say 'No'? I asked myself those questions astonished by Ayane. She really was remembering whether if she wanted to admit it or not. By this time, I had to snap out of my brief daydream when I noticed Koku was only getting further and further away from me.

I hurriedly dashed across the water and when I jumped into the trees to search of Koku, he and Ayane were, both, gone. I searched everywhere, but to my dismay, that 10-second head start was more than enough to lose the two to the wilderness. Now I was starting to become frustrated. It seemed like everything that was going on, I was the one that was always left in the dark. Remember, I didn't want to take this mission in the first place. If I'm going to be treated like I'm invisible, I could just worked as the Elder's council rather than being stuck out here.

At first, Koku was a subtle human being, but his actions toward Ayane suddenly began to aggravate me. Not that I was protecting Ayane, but I knew how quick tempered she was. I knew that a clever being like Koku would have something up his sleeve to make a comment as to knowing the location of Ayane's body without having something else planned for us. Plus, being that I was by Ayane's side, I too, was forced to search this forest holding the well-talented blind ninja.

At this point, my blood was beginning to boil. Not of anger, but of annoyance and frustration which later turned itself into anger. I didn't have murderous intent but I did want to yell at Koku. I wanted to yell at him loudly. So loudly, he would lose another physical trait and become deaf. It was only minutes later when I saw Koku alone with Ayane no where in sight. I made my landing safely and drew my sword; again not kill, but to scare.

"Are you finished with your wild goose chases!" I yelled.

Koku had his back to me and kept it that way. "Ahh, Ryokai. You've found me."

I looked around again, still having the point of my blade pointing in his direction, hoping to catch a glimpse of Ayane. "Where's Ayane?"

He gave a slight chuckle. "Do you mean her or her body?"

"Let's start with 'her' first."

He shrugged. "Not too sure how to answer that. She was chasing me in the forest, a second later she was gone."

My heart skipped a beat. He better not have harmed her. "What did you do to her?"

He turned to me and raised his hands in a surrender fashion. "Nothing. Don't worry, she must've just lost me. She'll be here in a bit."

Okay, let's see how he answers the next question. "And her body?"

He gave a smile. "That is a question that can't be answered with words."

Now I was becoming furiated. "Koku, do not tempt me!"

"What are you going to do? Kill him?" A voice said from behind me.

I turned and there stood Ayane, in perfect condition and Koku answered her question.

"You took the words right out of my mouth." He said.

I ignored Koku. "And why shouldn't I kill him?" Even though it wasn't my intent, I was still curious.

"You kill him, and we'll never find my body."

Damn, she's right. "But what if he really doesn't know?"

"Then the Mizu Doragon attacked me for reason." Koku answered my question directed towards Ayane.

Then Ayane took control of the conversation. "Then where is it blind man?"

"As I told Ryokai, I cannot answer that question with words."

"Try to explain it in words, blind man. I don't want to be stuck in this body forever."

Koku only smirked. "Fine, it's in the caves located in the Red Forest. Does that help?"

"Plenty." Then she looked to me. "Let's go."

Before we even turned to leave, Koku laughed out loud. "Are you serious?" Ayane arched an eyebrow to him. "Do you realize how many caves lie within the Red Forest?"

"We'll just search them all." She replied.

"Good luck with that. By the time you do find your body, I can guarantee you it will be too late."

Then I interrupted. "What do you mean by that?"

"The Mizu Doragon stole Ayane's body. The only reason they attacked me was because I am the only one that knows of its exact location. Apparently, they don't want that information out. Apparently, they have specific plans for your body. Plans I would only guess they don't intend on waiting to carry out."

Ayane asked, "If you know the exact location of the caves, why can't you tell us?"

"You forget, I am blind. My sense of direction is very limited, Ayane. You need me to guide you to the caves. If you want your body, that is the only option."

"I will not carry another weakling by my side."

I think we all know what I want to say to that "word" again, so I'll just let the conversation continue.

"Weakling? Why do you think I had the two of you chase me?" He rhetorically asked. "While it may seem that my missing physical trait is a disadvantage, I used that chase to prove to you I have learned to use it to my advantage."

"So you've learned to run away and hide. Big deal."

"Do not tell me you not surprised of the way I fended myself against the Mizu Doragon earlier."

Ayane mockingly answered, "Yes I was impressed, up until the point another weakling had to come save you."

For the first time, I was not upset at the "weakling" word. Point is that she said I saved him. Plus, the look on disturbed look Koku's face was a classic.

"Very well then, Ayane. You take your leave and I wish you the best in your ventures. Do not be surprised if you find your body being used as a weapon against you." Koku turned and began to take his leave.

I looked at Ayane wondering if she was just going to let him leave. She had a devious smile on her face, the same smile before the killed the Mizu Doragon's squad leader. She was going to kill him.

"Koku." She called out to him.

He turned to view her.

Then she said with her red-eyed devious smile. "Eye for an eye."

She was only taunting. Teasing him the same way he taunted her before their chase. She knew all along that she needed his help to find her body. I guess, she only wanted that sense of payback for the way he treated her. Koku only gave a smile and the two silently agreed on Koku's assistance in our journey.

Honestly, I don't know if Ayane felt the same way, but I didn't trust Koku. I don't know if it was the aggravating chase, the Koku's sly-like personality, or just plain instinct. I just had this itching feeling that he and the Mizu-Doragon was somehow connected. I knew I would have to keep a close eye on him until my questions were answered.