YESSS! Once again I've found a way around my limitations! Am I a genius or what! Well, I'm an idiot actually. For my method is extremely dangerous (metaphorically speaking) and my updates will mostly likely be few and far in-between. Plus there is the fact that I'm now limited to an hour on the computer and I'm living on my own now. But please enjoy and rejoice with me!

Unleashing Valor

By: Tellemicus Sundance

Easily Forgotten

It was a very good thing that it was the weekend for Yumi. It didn't bother her parents that she was late to rise, or that she was very cranky when she finally did. After a measly meal of poptarts and juice, she had locked herself in her room.

It was late in the morning and Yumi was studying her new evidence. The katana was a more than just a mere sword she realized. It was a piece of art. The hilt was composed of black leather strips strapped tightly around it. The bronze hand guard had a wonderfully crafted battle scene etched into it. The scabbard was missing but she could guess it was made of the same black leather and bronze linings.

The blade itself had a beautiful curve to it and was as long as her arm. Engraved into the blade was an inscription of ancient Japanese. Though it was different than what she was used to, she could still translate it.

Samurai of the West? Dark Lord? Greatest Warrior of all Legends? These phrases opened up a whole new can of worms for her. Could the boy be from Japan? Or was he only trained in Japanese taijutsu? Was the sword only an heirloom that he was trying to live up to? Yumi toyed with these possibilities but none of them really seemed logical.

Lying on her bed, Yumi studied the katana's beautiful and deadly craftsmanship. She turned the sword over and watched the reflections of the sun glittering on the wall. Remembering the encounter as vividly as it had just happened, Yumi watched as the boy pranced around the floor. His moves were so fluid, so natural. It was as though he were dancing. His skills were far superior to her abilities.

With that thought in mind, she thanked all divine forces that be for her managing to gain possession of this single katana. It held several vital clues that she intended to investigate thoroughly.

Turning to her computer, she opened up the Internet. Each keyword she could use she searched for. Yukito Takei was the first. Several names came up. Scanning through them, she realized that all were either dead or their histories didn't match up. She could only get vague references to samurai, western civilization, dark lords of movies, and other useless trash that couldn't help her.

Just as she was about to quit, she found a small site in the history of Japan. Though it didn't give any information that she could use, it held a few lines of interest.

It is said that the remnants of an ancient dynasty settled in the far reaches of Japan. Their dynasty had been thoroughly crushed and they'd been banished by the ninja that conquered them. They swore to return when a warrior greater than any of legend appeared and would reclaim their lost honor.

"Yumi dear?" called her mother from behind the door.

Returning to reality, Yumi quickly rose and snatched the katana. Leaning it next to her dresser, she pulled the curtains back over it. It was hidden from sight. With the window closed, the curtains wouldn't even twitch. To disguise any strange noise that she may have made, Yumi said, "Yes, Mom?"

"William's here," she said.

Smiling slowly, Yumi left room once she tucked her phone into her pocket. She found William standing outside the front door. When she opened the door, William's dazzling smile caused her to put aside all her thoughts and fears, but not hopes.

"Hey," he said softly when she walked out. "What happened? I thought we were going to the carnival at one."

"Huh?" Yumi's mind raced as she tried to remember what he was talking about. Then it slapped her in the face. In all the excitement during the past week, she'd forgotten all about her planned date with William today!

"Sorry," she said feebly. "I…I had some things I had to check out."

William watched her, as if trying to coax more information. But when none was forthcoming, he nodded and gently took her hand. Hand in hand, they walked to fairgrounds.

"Odd!" Jeremy called out, his irritation showing in his voice. "Hold it up a little higher. I can't see what I'm doing."

Adjusting the electric torchlight he held, Odd grumbled. "As exciting as it is for me to stand here holding this, my arm's getting tired, Einstein."

"Isn't that true for all of us?" Ulrich said quietly as he loaded crates with the trashed hard-drives.

Soft footsteps went almost unheard among them as Aelita walked into the room. Glancing up, Ulrich gave her a small smile as she stopped next to him. Setting down the bag she carried, she called out, "Odd, Jeremy, I brought you some snacks."

Head snapping around, Odd's smile was the largest they'd seen it in a while. Gasping happily, he cried out, "Goody!" Glancing down at the light he held, he grinned evilly as he said to it. "Later!"

Tossing it over his shoulder, he made a mad dash for the pair. He never heard Jeremy's angry shout or the shattering of the light as he snatched up the bag.

Extracting himself from the panel he'd buried himself in, Jeremy's anger dwindled as he spotted Aelita. She was smiling at him and he was willing to bet billions it was because he was covered in small scratches and a light layer of soot. Setting his tools down, he made his way over to them.

"Do you think you could take a break for today?" Aelita asked. "The carnival is—"

Odd gasped, despite the sandwich in his mouth. Glancing instinctively at his watch, he realized she was right. "I completely forgot! That's it! I'm gone!" Taking his meal, he dashed for the elevator.

"Why didn't I hear about this sooner?" Ulrich asked quietly once Odd had left.

"Uh," Aelita tried not to smile feverishly. "So much has been happening lately, we forgot."

Looking at the floor for a moment, Ulrich chewed quietly on his sandwich. Jeremy and Aelita quickly struck up a conversation. So they failed to notice for several minutes that Ulrich had left.