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Chapter 10 – Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi

Ryu and Ayane walked quietly back to their campsite, neither of the two saying a word to each other about their lost fights, but it could easily be seen with the faces that it was a hard pain to endure. Especially for Ryu, all he could picture on his walk back to camp was Yung's foot on his forehead as he once again stared at the blade of the Black Spider hierarch and hearing the haunting words. "And that's three." Then Ryu remembered Yung removing his foot and proceeded out of the forest without even giving a second glance back to his opponent.

Those images haunted him until he made it back to the campsite, then new images began to fill his head when he saw Mishu gone and the knots of the ropes that tied him were burnt and laid on the ground next to the roaring fire. His first thought was Aileen.

"Where's Mishu?" He blankly asked Ayane.

Ayane too realized their sudden situation. "I don't know." She said in shock. "I was too busy with Xia to pay attention."

"Aileen!" He called out as he ran across the campsite looking for his love and the so-called betraying ninja of the Black Spider Clan.

All that went through Ryu's mind was the head of Mishu Nguyen if anything were to happen to his lady love.

His panic was quickly put to ease when he finally heard her voice, "In here."

He quickly ran to the direction of the voice which came from inside the tent. When he entered, there he saw Aileen and Mishu sitting not too far away from her. Suspicions immediately began to fill his mind.

"What are you doing in here?" He coldly asked Mishu.

"It's okay, Ryu." Aileen tried to confirm, but Ryu wanted his question answered.

"What are you doing in here?" He repeated.

"I came here to protect Aileen, there were other ninjas crawling the forest watching your battles."

"It's true." Aileen interrupted. "I saw them, myself, when I peeked to make sure you were okay."

"The fight is over. You are free to make your leave from my tent." Ryu replied to Mishu.

Mishu only stood as high as the tent would allow. "Very well." He said as he made his exit. Just as he stood outside he warned Ryu. "There are still very important matters that we must discuss."

"I have nothing to discuss with you."

"Oh really?" He sarcastically said. "What about Yung and Xia? What about Gamja and Mitsuri? What about the Migu Village? What about the Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi?"

Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi. Ryu remembered the gold-plated masked man speak those words, and yet he didn't know of what it was that the Clan was searching for. As much as he wanted to know the information, Ryu was too tired to listen to any more nonsense concerning the Black Spider Clan, he had his own thoughts he had to ponder, particularly his loss against Yung.

"Very well," Ryu replied. "We will commence with a meeting in the morning."

"Understood." Mishu gave a bow then suggested. "But we mustn't stay here. We will be attacked each day by ninjas and hierarchs until we flee or are killed."

"What do you suggest?"

"We leave Shadow's Temptation. I know of a hotel with luxurious living accommodations just outside of the Clan's territory." He said. "We could head there and commence with our meeting in the morning."

Luxurious living? Ryu contemplated against the idea, but he couldn't turn it down when he saw the sparkle in Aileen's eyes. He remembered the stories of how Aileen always wanted to live a fancy life, but the life of Ryu prevented her from living out her dreams. With the fact that Mishu was right about the dangers of staying in the forest, he agreed to Mishu's request with Aileen in mind, giving her a sample of the life she wanted while taking her away from the dangers of the Black Spider Clan, simultaneously.

When the morning sun rose, the four ventured off to the location as described by Mishu. Ryu and Ayane still kept a very watchful eye on their new "ally" Mishu Nguyen. Due to the actions of Yung, Xia, and Gamja, they were still unable to completely learn about his past, and were unable to complete their interrogation to learn if what he spoke was true or not.

It didn't take them as long as they expected to reach their destination. Unfortunately, the hotel Mishu spoke of wasn't as luxurious as Ryu may have hoped. In fact, the hotel lied at the shore of a small nearby lake. Aside from the mossy exterior, even the hotel itself was small, the entire business may have had at most, six to ten one-bedroom rooms for their customers. This was definitely a lodge for travelers. To add some taste of luxury to the run-down building, there was a lovely Jacuzzi and a special exhibit of painted arts supplied by the owner of the building.

Mishu took the liberty of paying for the rooms, since the others did not carry currency on them. They purchased two rooms, one for the women and one for the men, and before they even settled, Ryu was ready to have his questions answered as he called a meeting to order in his room.

"First off tell me about Yung & Xia." Ryu was still enraged by their loss against his former opponent while in Shadow's Temptation.

"Yung and Xia are the 1st hierarchs. They work directly under Gamja and they have received this special treatment all of their lives."

"Why is that?" Ayane asked.

"Because they are his children." He blatantly stated. "They do not converse with the rest of the Black Spider Clan, only amongst themselves. Yung is all Xia knows and Xia is all Yung knows. Everything else inside and outside of the clan does not matter as long as they are with each other."

"Something doesn't sound right." Ayane spoke. "You say they are Gamja's children, but they gave me the impression that they are lovers."

Mishu stared at her. "They are. They have bared their first love child soon to undergo Gamja's tutelage."

Ayane gave Ryu a slightly shocked looked. "It does explain how they are so strong."

Mishu continued. "And what makes them even stronger is the Black Magic Gamja has blessed them with."

"What type of Black Magic?" Ryu then spoke.

"For one, they are immune to other Black Magic attacks. This is what puts them as first hierarchs. Aisu cannot beat them, nor Widow." He stated. "There are no fancy projectiles with their magic and there are no special tricks, either. Only their skill has been enhanced considerably, giving them an overall advantage upon any enemy that faces them." Mishu then said. "That is how he beat you. I told you that you would not win."

Ryu heard enough. It was bad enough that he sulked in the misery of his own lost, but to have another individual rub it in his face, only made his emotions worse.

"What of the Dokugumo-Ureeru?"

"That is the story of ages and legends. Give me your ears, each word I speak is vital." He said as he commenced into telling the story of the evil powerful blade The blade that enslaved the souls of many armies of the past Japanese wars. The blade that enslaved the young girl and an evil man, elevated criminal emotions, and fed off of the many mixed and elevated emotions of the two. The blade that granted immortality to the beholder only while the blade stays in possession. He told Ryu of the many lives the blade has taken with his own eyes. He told him of the results of their leader, Mitsuri, who now lies as an eldery paralyzed man who cannot die, but only suffer the tortures of an immortal life. His story lasted to what may have seemed forever, when he was done, he already predicted the petrified faces he viewed before him.

"Oh my," Aileen was the first to speak in utter shock in almost of a whisper.

"They have been wreaking havoc with the sword since their existence." Mishu concluded.

Then Ryu. "I, now, understand the true meaning for the lust of the Dark Dragon Blade."

"The Black Spider Clan desired to attack your clan to steal the blade, Ryu; but the number of the powerful ninjas in your clan scared them from doing so. Since the loss of the Dokugumo-Ureeru, much of the confidence and pride within the rest of the ninja, slipped away along with the sword."

Ryu then realized, "That is why they went after it when they learned of the massacre."

Mishu nodded.

Ryu then thought quietly upon his own thoughts as the conversation progressed around the other three. Doku, Murai, and now Mitsuri. All of whom played a part in the massacre of his clan only to retrieve the evil Dark Dragon Blade. Ryu broke from his thoughts when he saw Ayane stand from the table.

"Well this has been fun, but I'm going to retire for the night."

Ryu arched his eyebrow at her. "We're still in a meeting, Ayane."

"What else is left to be said? We, now, know our mission. I, myself, have grown tired of depressing horror stories."

Ryu was beginning to grow annoyed of Ayane's obnoxiousness. Fortunately, Mishu saw Ryu's expression and took the liberty of interrupting before emotions flared too brightly.

"Have a good night, young Ayane."

"She isn't going anywhere." Ryu demanded.

Mishu then whispered, "Let her go and rest. We may need her energy in our upcoming battles."

Ryu stared at Mishu. There was something about him that he admired, as well as something about him he despised. The despise came from Mishu's long-time involvement with the Black Spider Clan, or course; but the amicable? Mishu expressed leadership while at the same time respecting Ryu. It was hard for the ninja to trust the Black Spider traitor. Yet, his words were true.

He kept his eyes on Mishu, still trying to study him. "Very well."

Mishu gave a smile. "Thanks." He looked to Ayane. "I would suggest the Jacuzzi, it is very relaxing for your muscles."

Ayane looked at Mishu with disgust in her eyes, she, in contrast to Ryu, didn't not trust Mishu at all and made no attempt in finding the good out of him. "Whatever." She told him. Then gave Ryu a slight head bow. "I'll see you in the morning." She then gave Mishu one last look of disgust before she made her leave.

In the dark night, a ninja of the Black Spider Clan darted through the forest at an extremely quick pace. His black ninja outfit perfectly matched and camouflaged him with the darkness of the night scenery. He was definitely heading for a location with urgency at his extreme speed, nothing slowed his pace, until he saw the mark of his destination. A small campfire within Shadow's Temptation.

He jumped down from his tree branch and landed in front of five individuals who stood around the campfire awaiting his arrival.

His head stayed bowed not daring to look up at the hierarchs in his presence.

"Raise your head, ninja. Announce your news." He heard a voice stare at him.

The ninja looked up and in front of him, he saw Gamja, Yung, Xia, Aisu, and a samurai heavily coated in armor of warriors of Japanese ancient times. Even the face of the man looked ancient, actually, more dead than ancient. His skin was bluish pale, and parts of his flesh were holy as if something was eating on his face or probably decaying. The green radiant glow from the mysterious figure's eyes haunted the ninja as his voice trembled when he announced. "I-I have spotted the trespassers and the traitor."

"Where are they?" The ninja then recognized the voice before was Gamja's when he spoke.

"Outside of Shadow's Temptation, beyond our boundaries, at a traveler's lodge, possibly resting for the night."

"Father," Yung spoke. "Please let me finish off the ninja."

Then Xia, "My business is still unfinished with the kunoichi."

Then Aisu as she clenched a fist with a swirl of ice wind surrounding her hand. "I want the traitor for myself."

"Enough!" Gamja's voice boomed silencing his followers. He walked away from the group and stared up into the dark night sky. "It seems the ninjas have not heaved to my warnings." He turned to his four hierarchs. "Our only concern is retrieving the Dokugumo-Ureeru. The ninjas are no where near as powerful as our force."

"What of the traitor?" Aisu asked.

"Aisu, your issues with the traitor will only cause you to lose if I send you after him." He gave her a piercing look. "We both know it, and I will not lose you to ignorance." He said. "He will be dealt with. He will be dealt with tonight, as well." He then called out to the mysterious warrior. "Maindokontorooru!"

The warrior answered back. "Yes, sire."

Gamja turned his head to the warrior's direction. "Kill the traitor, bring me the head."

Maindokontorooru mischievously smiled. "Yes, sire. And the others?"

"Have your fun with them. Just bring me back that head."

With that said and with unexplained words, the green glow faded away from the body of the samurai warrior and hovered into the air. The body of the warrior fell lifeless to the ground and, now, what hovered in the air was the form of a ghost. The evil spirit acquired his target as he looked at the messaging ninja. The ghost flew from the air and attacked his fellow clan member, allowing his spirit to insert itself within the body of its victim.

The ninja struggled and held his throat choking on what seemed to be the air itself, soon after he fell to the ground. Then the body rose to its feet eyeing at Gamja with the same radiant green eyes which once possessed the ancient samurai warrior and the same mischevious smile. The ninja then spoke out, "His head shall be yours, sire." And the ninja quickly departed and disappeared into his surroundings above.

Chapter 11 – Maindokontorooru

COMING SOON