Chapter 18 – Migu Village

The group gathered their belongings the next day and prepared to make their venture to Migu Village. Mishu was especially anxious to get Ryu there. Not only could he finally get rid of Aileen leaving her in safe company, but he also had a surprise for Ryu as well. A surprise that he could only hope to gain more of his trust that he had already successfully attained.

As far as Ryu goes, the past few days he only pondered his own thoughts. His thoughts on the Black Spider Clan, Yung, Xia, Aisu, Dokon, Mishu, Mitsuri, Gamja, all of these new characters that have been introduced into this life so suddenly. And this Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi that Mishu spoke with such caution. A blade so powerful that it has become the sole purpose of this mission. Is it really that powerful?

Ayane stayed quiet throughout the travel. Basically, she had nothing to say, she was no longer afraid, but angry. Filled with hate to learn of the things that have happened to her. Raped, frozen under a lake, and all for Mishu to save her. She glanced at Mishu a few times just to study. This man has saved her life, and she was just beginning to notice his presence. The question still shrouds her on how exactly he saved her life, she never bothered to ask. The truth still stands, regardless if he is with the Black Spider Clan or not, she owed him her life.

Aileen was in an emotional torment of her own. First, she's was completely humiliated by the sexually active hierarch, Widow. Then, she has seen more dead bodies in one day than she has in her lifetime. Then, she is still trying to cope with the fact that it is her own lover that causing these bodies to become dead. More so, she witnessed Ayane's body possessed by a ghost and a man who says he is no longer a Black Spider Clan ninja fight for her honor. Her mind was going in twist and circles trying to answer her own mental questions.

It's hard to even realize that all of these events happened so suddenly after his final fight against Murai. And only within a matter of days, Ryu had undergone his own sense of mental torment, almost as harsh as his time on the Vigoor Empire. Now he stood with other obstacles in his path. Trusting Mishu, learning more about this Dokugumo-Ureeru, his encounter with Yung, and a possible battle against the mysterious Mitsuri.

It took a two day hike until they reached the outskirts of Migu Village, this put a smile on Aileen's face. The village she hasn't seen since she was a child was now in her presence no more than 100 feet away from her.

Ryu, who had his mask off at this time, walked to her. "Well, this is what we've been waiting for."

"Thank you, Ryu." She gleefully said jumping into his arms.

"Are you going to keep them waiting?" Mishu said with a smile towards Aileen.

Aileen only shook her head as the group headed for the village.

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Upon their arrival, it pleased Ryu to see little kids running along the open streets of the village laughing and playing and not bothering themselves to see the new guests walking within the village. That was until one of the children immediately recognized Mishu's Black Spider Clan uniform. The little boy froze in his tracks and stared at the former Spider ninja.

"So I guess it's true what the old man told us about the Spider Clan." Ryu spoke to Ayane.

Mishu overheard. "Yes it is true." He replied. "But there is something that I think that you three will like." Mishu then knelt to the child and began whispering in his ear.

Ryu looked on as he began to see the little boy's frightened expression began to turn into a smile.

"I promise." The little boy blurted out as he darted off out of sight.

"What was all of that about?" Ryu asked.

Mishu only turned with a smile. "You shall soon see."

Soon enough the group saw the kid return this time accompanied by an old man.

"I know him." Aileen said in an exciting whisper to Ryu.

"Who is he?"

But before she can answer the man spoke out. "Mishu? You have returned?"

"Kentaro." Mishu replied with a nod. "How are you?"

"Relieved to know you have returned. We have news that we must discuss and have been waiting anxiously on your arrival."

"You have?"

"Yes, come we must discuss." The old man anxiously signaled for the group to enter the village. It must have been extremely important, while the old man showed courtesy to the group, his primary concern seemed to be wrapped around what was to be said to Mishu.

But Mishu interrupted, "Wait, I have an announcement as well."

"You do?"

"Yes. First, inform your village that I have officially left the Black Spider Clan."

The old man gave a wide grin. "That's fantastic."

"I would also like to introduce you to the my new clan." He first pointed at Ryu. "Ryu Hayabusa of the Hayabusa Clan." Then at Ayane. "Ayane of the Hajinmon Mugen-Tenshin clan." Then at Aileen. "And do you recognize this female?"

Aileen was already blushing as she watched the man stare her down trying to find any remembrance of the female that stood before him. Then his eyes widened, "Aileen?"

"Yes, Kentaro. It is me." She replied as her eyes began to water.

"My goodness!" The old man yelped as he raced towards her embracing her in a strong hold.

Ryu could hear the sniffles from Aileen and smiled as he knew they were tears of joy as she embraced the man from her childhood. "I'm so sorry." He heard her say.

"Sorry? For what, my child?"

"For leaving. I never should have left." The old man pulled her away and wiped the tears from eyes. "I know you must hate me." She finished.

"Nonsense. The last thing we would ever do is hate you. We've missed you, but never hated you." The old man chuckled. "All of the years, I thought you were dead."

"I'm sorry."

"Do not apologize, my child. We all have reasons for the actions we take. Migu Village will not judge you on your actions, but will embrace you upon you're return."

Aileen then embraced the man again letting out of strong sigh of relief. "Thank you."

The others just stared on and even Ayane had a slight smile on her face as Aileen and old man Kentaro embraced once again.

Just then Mishu cleared his throat loud enough to garner the attention. The others looked to him. "You said there are matters we must discuss?"

"Yes, Mishu." The man released Aileen. "We mustn't waste anytime." He said as he led the group into the village.

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"So how do you know the old man?" Ryu's first question to Mishu as they followed Kentaro to a leaded destination.

"The day the Black Spider Clan took over the Migu Village, I begged Mitsuri to allow myself to accompany the hierarchs and other clan members to assist them in taking over Migu Village and assist in recovering the Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi." Mishu explained. "I informed Kentaro and a few selected members of the Migu Village that I wanted to retrieve the Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi to keep it out of the Black Spider Clan's grasps."

"And they believed you?" Ryu asked.

Then Kentaro interrupted with a chuckle. "Of course not. We thought it was a trick. Another mind game by the Black Spider Clan to get us to find their precious sword so that they can continue to wreak their havoc."

"Well, apparently you trust him now."

"It was the little things Mishu did that won our trust. But there was one incident that stood out the most that made us realize that maybe this Black Spider ninja was real to his words." Kentaro kept his eyes forward as he spoke his story. "One day a hierarch named Yung was about to kill a little boy for coming within too close of a distance with his lover named, Xia. It was Mishu that stood between the boy and the hierarch and told him, 'You will have to kill me if you want to kill him'."

Ryu gave Mishu an astonished look. "I thought you couldn't beat him."

Mishu gave a slight smile. "I can't. But wouldn't you have done the same?"

Kentaro continued, "We still didn't immediately trust him from that point. But there were still little things Mishu would do to help keep us out of danger as much as he could. Many of our people still were slain by the Black Spider Clan and its hierarchs, but so many more would have died if it wasn't for the help of Mishu." Kentaro gave Mishu a pleasing look, "He has definitely been a blessing to our village."

Ryu gave Mishu an approving nod for his actions toward the help of the Migu Village, and just then Mishu knew that his tasks was accomplished on gaining more of Ryu's trust. If he was able to protect the village where Ryu's lover was born and raised, the Hayabusa ninja would have no choice but to trust and thank him for his actions. But Mishu was only looking for the trust, not the thanks, and the approving nod from Ryu was all the thanks he needed.

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Kentaro led the group to a small cottage he announced as his home. He introduced the group to his family, a wife and three kids. After the short introductions, he led them to the underground basement of his home. Ryu examined the surroundings of the basement. It was self-done, the architecture looked as if it was a fast-paced job. Probably created upon the arrival of the Black Spider Clan.

Everyone sat around a table as the wife provided them with drinks as the meeting commenced.

Mishu asked. "What news do you have for me this time, Kentaro?"

Kentaro gave a smile. "We found it."

Mishu's mouth dropped at Kentaro's response which made Ryu ask, "Found it? Found what?"

Kentaro gave Ryu the same smile. "The Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi."

"When? How long ago did you find it?" Mishu asked.

"Only a few days ago." Kentaro replied. "We followed your request and secured it while still pretending to work diligently within the caves."

"Are you sure it's the Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi?"

Kentaro lowered his eyes. "Unfortunately, yes." He looked up to Mishu. "Upon retrieving the sword, it was not in a secured case. Someone had to touch to retrieve it."

Ryu asked. "What happened?"

"The instant one of our diggers touched it, his mind went ablaze. He forced himself to secure the sword as others watched. According to their story, that man's sanity vanished."

"Can I see him?" Ryu spoke.

Kentaro only kept his eyes lowered as he spoke. "On the first day, we took him home to his family so he could receive the comfort of his loved ones. He didn't speak, was extremely silent, and his body twitched heavily throughout the night. On the second, he screamed in unknown pain and agony, spoke in a weird and unknown tongue, and mutilated parts of his own body. " Kentaro then gave a long sigh. "On the third day, his wife and kids were found dead and he was the one holding a bloody knife with drool dripping down his body." He looked at Ryu. "I had to take it upon myself to put him out of misery and pain."

Ryu's eyes lowered and looked back to Kentaro. "I'm sorry."

Kentaro gave a slight smile. "Don't be. Though it was a tragic end, he did us a great good by securing the sword to ensure no one else shared the same fate. He gave his life for the better of us."

"All of this happened by him just merely touching the sword?"

Kentaro only responded with a nod.

Then Mishu spoke with gritted teeth. "It is time we get rid of the Dokugumo-Ureeru now."

Ryu replied. "I agree. We cannot let the Black Spider Clan have this power any longer."

Mishu looked to Kentaro. "You've done well. Do you have the location of the sword?"

Kentaro nodded. "Yes. I can lead the way for you."

Mishu bowed. "Thank you, I only have one request."

"Anything, Mishu."

Mishu looked at Aileen. "This may be dangerous. I believe Ryu would agree if I were to ask you to stay here while we retrieved the sword."

Kentaro smiled. "I believe that's a fabulous idea." He looked at Aileen. "The wife was just as ecstatic as I was when she laid her eyes upon you."

Even Aileen blushed at the idea. "I would love to."

But it was Ryu who intervened. "No."

Everyone, including Ayane who has been quiet throughout this order gave Ryu a strange look. Ryu only stood wrapping the Dragon Sword around him, "She's coming with us."

Everyone still looked on in confusion. Mishu spoke. "She is? But why?"

Ryu looked to Kentaro. "No offense to you, but she'll be safer with me."

"Are you serious?" Mishu blurted. "That cave will most likely be crawling with Black Spider clan ninjas waiting on our arrival. It's too dangerous."

Then Aileen spoke. "I agree, Ryu. Maybe I should stay."

Ryu spoke. "Those caves are crawling with Black Spider ninjas just as, at anytime, the streets of Migu Village could be crawling with Black Spider ninjas. If they found Aileen, they could kill her or even hold her hostage just to get to me, they know who she is. At least with me, she'll have some type of safety. I would rather for her to be with me and die because I know I will have gave my life first to protect hers, than for her to stay here and to die without my protection." He gave Mishu a strong look. "She's coming."

Mishu replied. "I assure you Ryu, she will be safe here."

Then Aileen. "Yes, Ryu, I will be fine."

"There is no discussion on this." He looked to Aileen. "You are my strength, my love. I cannot take any risk on losing you. At least with me, my life will be given for yours. I will taste the metal of a swinging blade if it means for you to live another day."

Aileen's eyes became glassy at Ryu's remark as she approached him with a strong embrace. "I love you, Ryu Hayabusa."

And just then, Mishu knew that his plans on keeping Aileen in Migu Village were now thwarted.