A/N - I have a feeling this chapter will be slightly controversial. Just remember, there are no heroes here. And nobody's hands are ever clean. There is a theme to this story that I have maintained from the beginning. Nobody is perfect - nobody is completely good or completely bad. There is a reason this fic is M rated. Even though the beginning of the story was light-hearted, it was always meant to slowly descend. Anyway, enjoy. I've been having some inspiration lately.
If you don't feel comfortable with the direction I'm taking, you don't have to read - although I would be sad to lose faithful readers. I just ask that you be patient. It's a process of character development.
Chapter 22
"Dawn I"
Koryou - Ragnarok Base
Ryuuto quietly sat before the remains of what his 'Fists' had dwindled to. A pitiful sight from what it had been before. All that remained now were Loki, Berserker, Freya and himself. Thor had been forced to retire by Shirahama Kenichi, Kisara had deserted along with Fenrir, and Siegfried had turned his cloak apparently. Hermit, he wasn't so sure, but Ryuuto did not count on him to rejoin after recent events.
It had happened very slowly - but surely, over time, their grip over the city of Koryou was finally loosening. Ryuuto knew that many factors had contributed to this. One recent factor was the Shimpaku Alliance who all but challenged them outright in the open and another was the activities of the masked enforcer 'Xinku' who had disappeared lately. Xinku's targeting of Ragnarok affiliated strongholds over the years had hindered them gradually - causing weaker gangs to rise up from beneath their roots.
Perhaps the greatest factor of all was himself, Asamiya Ryuuto AKA Odin. He would confess privately that he did not care for the overall structure of Ragnarok - he only wished to round up as many talented fighters as he could. And so far, he could call it a success. A grand one even. His second in command, Shogo Kitsukawa AKA Berserker, was perhaps one of the most talented fighters in the city - perhaps the country. All he needed was a Master to guide him and show him how to fully utilize the talent.
Two other great finds were Kaname Kugatachi AKA Freya and Hibiki Kugenin AKA Siegfried. Kaname was born to be a martial artist - it also helped that her grandfather was once a Master before having gone senile. She was talented, ambitious and driven - the perfect attributes for an up and coming martial artist.
The only shame was her inclination to bo-jutsu (Staff Techniques). More then likely, she would lean towards Katsujinken in the future. Ryuuto was not sure how Kensei-sama would convert that possible problem - but Ryuuto decided to have trust in his Master.
Siegfried leaned more along the lines of Berserker, if he was honest. A thrilling prodigy, having invented his countering style all on his own - from scratch. He had never seen anything like it in his life. Unfortunately, the prodigy defected from Ragnarok - claiming to have been inspired by Niijima Haruo in some strange musical manner. Ryuuto couldn't care less, it's not like he planned on being in charge of Ragnarok forever. Not while Yomi was still out there - the greatest threat of them all.
Ragnarok had many great 'prospects', he admitted. But Yomi had established fighters. Warriors who were born, bred and molded into killers. They were not thugs - they were real martial artists. He had met their leader once before.
Shou Kanou was not a man he could imagine fighting. At least, not right now.
"Odin." Freya spoke all of a sudden. "When are you ever going to allow us to meet with this, Kensei-sama?"
Ah yes, he had promised that, hadn't he? Her Grandfather going senile had effected the girl in more ways then one. There were not many true bo-jutsu masters in the world for her to learn from.
It had been quite easy to convince the girl to join Ragnarok once promising a meet with this Master. She was so easily manipulated. Even after a few years, all he had to do was prove his own strength, and pass on a few words of guidance - and the Valkyries remained by his side. Easy pickings, he thought.
"In time." He began. "Not very long I imagine. He has sent me a missive. Kensei-sama is coming to Koryou very soon. Before then, I'd like to take care of the Shimpaku Alliance. Certainly, the losses we have been taking recently are less then impressive."
"And who's at fault for that?!" Loki growled. "At least I've tried. You haven't done a damn thing since they've shown up!"
Odin wasn't sure how to react to that accusation. Frankly, he had better things to do then get involved in gang related matters, and Loki's accusations couldn't have bothered him even less. He didn't care. Plain and simple. All he cared about was finding good prospects for Kensei-sama.
That was it. If a few people were hurt along the way, what did he care? He knew Kensei-sama purposely had contacts in the police stay out of gang fights. He knew his Master had purposely made the city of Koryou into his own personal show of chaos. What was the purpose of all of that? To seek out the warriors who would rise to the occasion. Whether they be the self-righteous do-gooders or the sadistic-kind - what mattered was that they were unearthed.
He had succeeded. Xinku, whoever she/he was, had risen like a meteor. Nobody knew of Shogo Kitsukawa, but they did know The Berserker. Nanjou Kisara ascended from the Valkryies and molded into her own. Siegfried, Hermit, the Shirahama siblings - they would not have been unearthed had Koryou remained at peace.
Koryou had been Kensei-sama's experiment. Nothing more. And soon, it would be just data before moving on to the next.
"I grow tired of your complaining, Loki." Odin responded flippantly. "Very well, I will take care of Shirahama myself. Seeing as how you cannot. In the time I've left you to deal with this matter, over half of the Fists have either been defeated or turned. Berserker, you are tasked with taking down the remains of Thor's group and the Shimpaku Alliance."
"Understood." He had very few people in his 'command' but they were enough to take out the former Seventh Fist with relative ease.
"Freya, you are to take out Kisara's group. That shouldn't be a problem." She nodded.
"What about me?" Loki asked.
Odin scoffed. "You've done enough."
And with that, he stood and left, the three of cards leaving together as one. Loki merely sat there seething.
xxx
From a distance, none of them saw the twinkling eyes of a certain masked vigilante spying on them a couple buildings away.
Honoka put down her binoculars and adjusted her black robes. "This thing is uncomfortable. Guess I'm still getting used to it again."
She had to bring it to a private tailor one day. Fighting in this robe was simply not within reason - and it would be an issue against skilled opponents who would have no qualms with using loose clothing. Honoka didn't know why her Master had worn these colors on that faithful day - but she was inspired. He looked ridiculously cool and badass wearing it while fighting a horde of ninja.
A smirk adorned her face once she caught sight of Loki, the real Loki, leaving the building through a back door. "Your night's not over yet, Loki. Not by a long shot."
Honoka stealthily jumped building to building, remaining out of his sight. She watched as he opened the trunk of his van only to find a tied up girl in there - eyes filled with fear. The brunette vigilante had easily disposed of Loki's personal assistant a couple hours ago.
"What the hell?! Who did this to you Number 20?!" Her eyes were filled with tears and she began shaking her head vigorously.
Number 20 could only give a mumbled scream as she saw Honoka, garbed as Xinku, drop behind Loki. Xinku made for a menacing figure - her black hood up partially covering the white kaonashi mask she wore.
"Hello handsome. You and I are going to have a chat." She hit him in the neck with her sansetsukon, knocking him out. Small whimpers led her eyes back to the tied up girl, Number 20, who looked like she was on the verge of peeing herself while watching what just went down.
"Don't think I've forgotten about you." Honoka lifted the mask to reveal half of her face - not enough for a full identification - but enough to show a sadistic gleam on her shadow-covered face. A smirk and narrowed eyes. "Loki will be my prisoner for a bit. And you? Well..."
She then covered her face once again.
"...I'll have an example made of you."
And with that comment, the girl could no longer hold her bladder.
Honoka rolled her eyes. Yeah, Haku's father was definitely rubbing off on her.
"You're afraid." Xinku whispered into her ear. "Remember this feeling the next time you blackmail somebody, the next time you decide to hold somebody's loved one hostage, the next time you decide to hurt someone. You brought this on yourself."
Yokohama Chinatown - Pier 6 - The Infinity
Renka gritted her teeth with impatience. "When are you two going to move it!?"
"Quiet down!" Koan hushed her, much to the girl's annoyance. "This isn't just any regular task, alright? There are some tough people here."
"Clearly." Renka said with a deadpan - eyeing the sword wound on his arm. Beside them was the third member of the party, Genson, who was breathing harshly. "Why did Hakubi send you two on such a dangerous mission?"
"More then likely, he didn't know." Genson sighed. "Sometimes, we are out here in the dark, you know."
Renka nodded solemnly. She was aware that sometimes, others in the alliance took safe missions for granted. It was easy to pick a mission with a clear enemy. Recon however was different - Hakubi had gotten wind of strange activities on his pier. It was so close to base that he couldn't afford to ignore it.
"I understand." She nodded. "What are we looking for?"
"Anything-" He quieted when the main door on the ship, the Infinity, opened all of a sudden. Walking out were two figures wearing cloaks. One of them was far shorter then the other - but they both felt like threats. At least to Renka. She eyed the short one with nothing less then hostility.
As experienced as she was, it was easy to pick out the who's who.
Genson put a single finger to his lip, motioning them to stay silent, while he tried to slip behind a few crates that were closer. Renka looked on nervously - something just wasn't feeling right.
He got close enough to hear the first tidbits of conversation.
"What a waste of time." The taller of the two grumbled. "Shou didn't even show up. Some leader."
"..." The shorter one did not respond. But she did turn her head towards Genson's location. Renka widened her eyes. "We're not alone."
"Hm?" The other one straightened. "Oh. A few rats."
"Fuck!" Renka mentally screamed. "Get out of there! Koan, you take the taller one! The short stuff is mine!"
And then they moved. Koan and Genson met up to face the taller of the two cloaked individuals. They stood side by side. "We don't know who you are, but we got word of illegal trade happening here."
"Heh." The figured lowered his cloak, revealing the handsome face of a dark haired boy. His black locks were carefully tied in a pony tail with bangs reach the sides of his face. "The Phoenix Alliance, I'm assuming?"
"Chou Enshin." Genson breathed, recognition filling him. Now knowing that they were indeed in trouble - and who exactly it was they were dealing with, he yelled out with urgency. "Renka! Get out of here now!"
"Like hell!" She bit back. "I've finally found some good opponents!"
"That's not the point!" Genson said back. "If they came from a meeting, then the others must be around as well..."
"Kind of." Chou shrugged. "But they won't be needed. We'll be more then enough to deal with you three. Hell, I think I can down all three of you myself."
"Cocky brat!" Koan snarled but was held back by Genson.
"No. You get Renka out of here! I'll hold him off."
And in a flitting moment, a white cloak appeared between the two of them, simultaneous palm strikes launching them both in opposite directions. "Keh!" Koan spat out of mouthful of blood.
"Don't think it'll be that easy." Chou scoffed. "So this town belongs to the Phoenix Alliance, eh? For how much longer, I wonder."
"As long as we're here, this town will never fall to the likes of Yomi!"
Chou let out a musical laughter. "We'll see." He then began a slow stroll towards Koan, arms still down at his side. Waiting just as Genson appeared behind Chou, Koan threw an elbow strike at his face while Genson launched a knee at his stomach.
Chou promptly diverted Koan's elbow with a flip of the hand. "Damn, he can use Kakei!" Genson thought quickly.
"Why do you look so surprised? Kakei isn't exactly a secret technique." Chou asked with amusement. "The 'righteous' do not have exclusive rights to these techniques." He followed up with a mocking tone.
Chou then feinted a strike with his right at Koan, only to grab him by the waist with his left hand. "Sei Shin Ko!" Using a waist bump, he knocked the elder chinese disciple off balance, stumbling about. Chou ducked and allowed a hay-maker to pass by his head by the barest of margins. Using this momentum, the Yomi member dropped to the ground and took the other man off his legs with his own sweeping kick.
He deflected another attack from Koan, who had regained his balance. With every intention of ending the fight quickly, Enshin swerved his arms in a uni-cycling manner, and drove a double palm strike into Koan again with fierce intensity - this time, send him flying into craters behind him, knocking him out for good.
Genson could only look on with a shocked expression. "It's can't be..." He uttered.
xxx
"That's..." Renka breathed in uncertain awe and fear, having caught a glimpse at the move Chou Enshin had just used. "Kàng Lóng You Hui (The Proud Dragon Repents). But how? Who taught him that technique?"
"You underestimate Yami's resources." The short cloaked figure uttered quietly. "Enough. You wished to fight me?"
Renka gritted her teeth. "Okay. So we're in some serious shit right now." The tall one was definitely not as strong as the short one, she still believed. But seeing as how the tall one, Chou Enshin, was easily dispatching her comrades like nothing - Renka's confidence was taking a blow. Even she could not fight those two with such nonchalance.
It seemed like the only way to get away was to defeat the short one and deal with Enshin. Renka only hoped Genson could hold out until then. "I'm taking you down!"
The cloak was casually thrown off by the figure, revealing a very-young Japanese girl with beautiful dark hair. She had apathetic violet eyes and wore a standard ju-jitsu gi.
"I'll have your name before I take your life." She said without a single layer of emotion. Renka's eye twitched. In the past, she would have been annoyed by how young the girl was but Renka knew better then to underestimate a younger opponent.
"I am Ma Renka." She responded before getting into a basic stance, both hands -palms open- in front guarding. "Ma Style Kenpo!"
"My name is Kushinada Chikage." The girl responded. "I am of the Kushinada School of Jujitsu."
Renka, without a single moment of hesitation, shot forward with all of her speed - only to redirect at the last moment with a side-ways crossover. She dipped forward and launched a backwards kick, "Xiàng Hòu Tī (Backwards Kick)!"
Chikage dodged the attack with ease. "Naming such basic maneuvers." Renka heard her scoff in an apathetic tone, if such a thing was possible. Renka twitched again. This arrogant little girl reminded her of yet another infuriating younger girl. They even seemed to be of the same age.
The fight went on as Renka unleashed another furious blitz of punches. "Ma Style-" The chinese girl then found herself cut off as she felt her center of gravity shift without any warning.
Chikage easily stepped behind the girl and with a single push of the hand, and subtle foot sweep, she threw her opponent down face first with a natural force. "Kushinada Style: Kage-Nage (Shadow Throw)."
Renka, not wanting to get captured by a Ju-jitsu expert on the ground, rolled sideways immediately despite the immediate damage sustained on her face. The chinese girl spat out blood as she maintained a distant. "Good one, kid."
"I try." She deadpanned. "You're fast."
"I'm not going to get anywhere by just blitzing her." Renka evaluated so far. "Her speed is just slightly inferior to Honoka's. It's more of a flowing agile quickness, compared to Honoka's explosive razor-sharp straight-line cuts."
The smaller of the two merely stood still in place, waiting for Renka to make a move. "She's good. Much better then I thought at first. Much smarter too." Chikage mused mentally. The initial reckless style almost turned her off from the fight but Renka smartened up and made it interesting.
A grin then emerged from Renka's lips, prompting some curiosity from Chikage. But she chose not to ask. It was moments later when Renka switched up her form. The younger girl recognized it immediately. Or at least she thought she did.
"Bajiquan (Eight Extremities Fist). Is this your answer?" Chikage asked. Renka's grin did not leave her face. "Ignorant girl."
However, another voice had a different input. "Not exactly." Enshin walked in their direction, wiping blood off of his hands. Renka tried not to show the despair on her face - now worried that her comrades were now dead.
"That is Tiě Xiàn Quán (Iron Wire Fist)." Enshin acknowledged mentally, looking at the girl who was of similar age to himself. "She means to neutralize Chikage's weight-less throwing technique. That style is based on a very strong foundation. This should be interesting."
"..." The youngest of the three was unsure of how to respond. But she was annoyed that he didn't continue his observations. "Did you dispatch the other two already?"
"Yes. Which just leaves her." Enshin sat on a crate and lifted both his legs to relax. "I will not interfere. It's been a while since I've seen a decent fight."
Renka sighed in relief before inching forwards to Chikage who eyed her from a distance. Just as the older girl was in striking distance, she thrusted her palm forward. Chikage tilted her head and dodged by the barest of margins before moving to her side. However, to the girl's slight frustration, Renka would not budge even an inch from her spot. Chikage dodged another few flurries of punches before back-tracking.
"I see." The Ju-jitsu user realized. "She's pretty much rooted herself to the ground. The horse stance never fails in the end." Her Master had taught her to become emotionless in battle - but this opponent was proving to be quite worthy.
"Scared?" Renka taunted from a far.
"Of your slow punches and kicks? They couldn't scare off a pigeon."
The fight went on so for five more minutes without any advancement in positions. Renka could not land a single blow on Chikage, and Chikage could not find an opening to toss Renka. It seemed destined to be a stand-still for a while longer, much to both girl's annoyance.
Enshin merely watch entranced. "Ma Renka was it? Ah, I see. She is the daughter of Ma Kensei. It is little wonder why she is so skilled. She could push any member of Yomi."
He was cut off from his thoughts as another voice cut through the piers clearing.
"What's all of this?"
Renka grinded her teeth at hearing the arrival of more enemies.
"A show." Enshin replied to the top.
"A waste of time." Sighed another teenager with an aristocratic look. "You've got her outnumbered two to one. Just capture her."
"As if. Maybe you have better things to do, Raden, but I certainly don't! We can't all be Kings."
"How dare-" The aristocratic teen was cut off with a wave of the hand from another of their companions.
Stepping forward from the ship's deck was someone wearing gray camouflage with black lines. His hair was of pure white and held in spikes by a thin head garb.
"This is not a part of our mission." He uttered coldly. "Let her go. We do not want to risk the ire of our Masters for doing something stupid."
"How is capturing an enemy operative, stupid? Boris, are you an idiot?" Enshin quipped back. "Do you have a thing for chinese-" He was cut off by a glare from Boris. A Russian if his accent is anything to go by, Renka thought.
"Silence, fool." He grounded out. "Capturing the daughter of Ma Kensei? The Grand General of the Phoenix Alliance AND a Master of Ryouzanpaku? You'd crush our operation before it started."
"She would be great leverage."
"A false leverage." Boris scoffed. "If we keep her, they attack. If we kill her, they attack. Our Masters aren't even in the country. So let her walk. She has no information that could damage us."
"Just knowing that we're up to something is knowing too much, Boris." Raden, the royal looking teen, pointed out. Boris narrowed his eyes at him.
"Ryouzanpaku are not mindless idiots. Neither are the Phoenix Alliance. I'm not sure if the same can be said for you." He replied to Raden in a heavily condescending tone. As if he were talking to a brainless child. "They're going to assume we're up to something no matter what we do. Even if our plan was to steal all the chocolate cakes in Japan. Why do you think they are even here in the first place? We weren't stealthy. We held a meeting on a marked ship."
"..." Chikage sighed and dropped her fighting stance. "He has a point."
Renka narrowed her eyes but reluctantly dropped her's as well.
"You may go." Boris told her as if it were a command. He could tell from the silence that the others were now in agreement with his thoughts, thought reluctant. "The next time you meet anyone of us, it may well be the end of you. So live the rest of your life well."
She huffed and looked for the bodies of Koan and Genson. They both looked to be in bad shape. Very bad. Koan looked almost dead with all the bruising on his body. Renka picked them up gingerly. She then looked up at the white-haired Russian, and nodded before leaping away.
Renka knew that she had gotten incredibly lucky. So she would not take this chance for granted. A part of her shook. Just what kind of storm was coming to Japan?
Koryou - Kisara's Base
Loki woke up from a splash of ice water that dropped on his head. "Shit!" He awoke to find himself in a chair.
"Language." Kisara hissed mockingly - kicking him in the temple and knocking the tied up Fist down on the ground, chair intact. "I must thank you for bringing me this bastard, Xinku."
The cloaked figure sat quietly by the open window of the base, brooding. Shiratori, Kisara's top lieutenant, found herself unnerved by Xinku's presence. None could blame her though. It was not long ago when they could have been considered enemies.
"Ragnarok's planning something. Do with him as you wish." Honoka replied in a growling tone, trying to hide her girlish voice. "Note to self, install a voice changer on this thing. Or learn a voice changing technique."
"Valkyrie, your traitor!" Loki spat at her feet. "You hired Xinku to capture me? Where's Number 20? And my men?!"
"Your men are all at home, free from your blackmail, and ready to go to school like regular students." Xinku replied calmly with a wave of her hand. "Number 20 though...well, I sent her to Freya's base. In a manner of speaking."
"What did you do...?" He asked, horrified. "Why...?"
"Do not act like a victim. You've caused a lot of harm in my city. I'm merely exacting punishment." Xinku shrugged before tossing some apparel at Loki's face. It was Number 20's clothing, minus her undergarments. "Let's just say she won't be a nuisance to this city anymore. I've sent her to the Valkyries, naked, and with a message."
Even the rest of Kisara's group were looking slightly horrified at Number 20's current dilemma. "This...thing, it's a monster. Why are we even teaming up with it right now...?" Shiratori thought, face completely white, sympathetic to Loki's poor assistant. The enthusiastic girl would never find the courage to leave the safety of her home ever again.
"The message is simple. 'Disband, or I will end you.'"
"You're a fucking monster!" Loki raged on the floor. "You will pay! You. Will. PAY!"
Kisara kicked him in the face again. Her face was also blanched but kept her opinions private.
"You hardly have any room to talk. Didn't you kidnap Shirahama's sister not too long ago?"
"That is no where near as bad!"
"You mean, no where near as successful." Xinku shook her head at him - readjusting her kaonashi mask. "If you could do the things I could, we would be in opposite places. It is not the place of the weak to judge the strong. Isn't that your philosophy?"
"We're getting off topic." Kisara spat on Loki. "Tell us of Ragnarok's plans! Or Xinku will undoubtedly have something up her sleeve for you as well."
Loki whimpered after Kisara landed another kick on his stomach.
"B-berserker. Odin is sending him to deal with Thor's group and the main body of the Shimpaku Alliance! And the Valkyries are supposed to ambush your men again - but this time, for real. I know their favorite ambush spots! Please...please just let me go."
"You're gonna have to give us more then that, Loki!" Kisara snarled. "I'm a former Valkyrie! I know Reo's favorite spots too. I was careless last time and didn't inform my men. But that won't happen again."
"Fine! Odin! He plans on taking down Shirahama Kenichi himself..." Loki wheezed out. "And his sister. The Valkyrie's plan on ambushing her on the way from school. It won't be a standard style. They're putting four battalions on the girl. Two ranged groups - some decent archers-"
"Why so much for one girl?" Shiratori asked, "That's a ridiculous waste of resources by Ragnarok's standards!"
"They're tired of losing." Loki confided. "And the girl made it personal when she put Haruka Yuu in the hospital."
Honoka mentally sighed. "That is coming back to bite me in the ass."
"I see." Kisara muttered. "We'll have to inform the girl quickly. Sounds like Ragnarok is about to try to end this war."
"I'll be going now." Honoka, as Xinku, spoke. "I trust you will handle the Valkyries yourselves?"
Kisara smirked. "My team is more then enough for those pansies. We'll have to cut them off from Shirahama though. She'll be in danger."
"No need." Xinku waved off Kisara's concern. "Attack the Valkyries from their flank. And pincer them in between the alleys between 9th and 5th block. Weapon users can't fight in closed spaces."
Kisara narrowed her eyes.
"Hmph. Fine then. And where will you be?"
"This isn't my fight. My job is done."
And with that, she left via window.
A couple minutes after the vigilante's departure, Shiratori approached Kisara, who seemed to be getting off the phone with somebody. "We're not really allying with that monster, are we?"
"Xinku?" Shiratori nodded. Kisara maintained a strong outlook. "She's the lesser of two evils here. Yes, she is a monster. But she has never hurt an innocent. That may not mean much to you, to us, but it still means that she still has some morals. After we finish Ragnarok, we'll have to keep an eye on her."
"She?"
"It's become obvious by this point." Kisara said. "I caught her voice slip-ups a couple times. We may not be part of Ragnarok anymore Shiratori, but I have never forgotten what Xinku has done in these past few years. She can justify it however she likes - but her methods are dangerous."
Valkyrie's Base
Usami opened the crate and promptly screamed, catching Freya's attention. She ran over and saw what was within. Her face whitened.
It was Loki's personal assistant, the second in command. Freya never got her name - and now, it was likely that she never would. Perhaps out of sheer trauma. The girl was a shivering mess of tears, urine and other unsavory things leaking from her. It was cold in Koryou and she had nothing but her undergarments on, stuffed tightly into a small crate box like an object. And all of a sudden, Freya felt a fire light up within her heart, a roaring anger that made her shake all over.
"Carefully take her out. Make sure she's un-harmed." She whispered, the beginning of wisps forming at the corner of her own eyes. Freya held strong though. "And get her some clothes for Kami's sake!" She yelled at someone in the back, ignoring a puking Valkyrie to the right of her.
It took her a few moments for Usami, her lieutenant, to carefully break down the crate - so instead of carrying her out, she would be released from within. The girl broke down as she gain space to move. "Shh..." Freya held her close. "...What happened to you? Where is Loki? I know he's a bastard...but he would never do this."
"S-s-sh-sh-" Freya cradled the shaking girl who desperately tried to answer.
"Hey, hey...I'm right here." Very few had seen Freya act so warmly, so compassionately. "Calm down. I'm right here. I won't leave you."
"O-o-ok-okay." She wheezed. And took a few minutes to gather her wits - and after some more sobbing into the elder girl's arms, she finally gained some sense of calm.
"S-she told me t-to tell you all..." Freya narrowed her eyes. "'Disband, or I will end you.' That's what she said."
There was nothing but silence in the wide training room.
Kaname Kugatachi simply held the young girl who once again burst into another round of intense sobbing. She was about to say something before a loud thunk was heard - somebody had dropped their weapon.
"I-I don't know if I can do this." One of the Valks said. "J-just who are we dealing with?! Who would d-do something like this?"
Many others also muttered along the same lines. "This isn't fun anymore." Somebody said from the back, getting some nods in return.
And for the first time in a long time, the leader of the Valkyries began to wonder if she deserved all of this. For so many years of just hurting people, taking advantage of people, just for the chance at having a Master again - was it all worth it?
"X-" Number 20 began but coughed. "Xin-"
Anger. Pure, anger filled Kaname's heart. The girl hadn't need to finish her statement - but she did anyway.
"XINKU!" Number 20 finally screamed. "S-she did this to me." And with that, she finally passed out from exhaustion.
Kaname stood up holding the girl bridle style. She looked at every single one of her Valks.
"Somebody take her to the hospital." Kaname said, looking to a girl in the back, who promptly took the knocked out girl from her arms.
Freya then looked at all of her comrades, her companions, friends.
"We're standing down tomorrow." They all looked surprised. "We are no longer a part of Ragnarok."
"B-but! Are we just going to let her get away with this?!" Usami roared in outrage. "Xinku traumatized that poor, poor girl! And she put Haruka in the hospital! Why are we the ones stepping down!?"
And Kaname understood her completely. She truly did. But that was not the point.
She should have realized it years ago - that Xinku was not playing a game. They had been, but Xinku was not. They were out of their league.
"None of you are to ever engage Xinku in combat. I'm issuing a flee-on sight, do not disobey me on this. Focus on your training. I will challenge Xinku personally." She whispered. "The honor of the Valkyries depend on it."
She then walked out in a hurry - her hand gripping the staff in her jacket so hard that it turned white.
Yokohama Chinatown - Hakubi's Headquarters
Honoka, still dressed as her alter-ego, dropped in on the back porch of the restaurant. With a sigh, she removed her mask and set it down on the bench. "Was it wrong, what I did?" She sat down.
"No." A part of her said. "They'll never learn their lesson if you were soft."
"But what I did. It was horrible. I wouldn't want anyone doing that to me." She acknowledged. "Do I?"
"What would Master think?" Honoka flinched. Surely, he'd be disappointed by her cruelness. He was a good man. Wasn't he?
But then, another part of her rebelled.
"He would hardly have any room to accuse us of being cruel." The snarky, rebellious self said. "He murdered an entire clan of people. Hundreds that one night alone - and thousands overall, Renka said. Genson said that there were even older teens that got caught in it. It was one of the worst acts of genocide known to our realm. Maybe that's where we get it from. You wanted to follow in his footsteps, right? Well, this is a decent start."
But there could have been justification. Hadn't he been avenging his wife? "Good deeds do not absolve the bad. Nor bad the good." Master had said in a joint lesson with Haku. But at the time, she didn't understand.
"Why can't it be simpler? They are bad. I am good. Why is this so..."
"Nobody is clean." Hakubi had told her once. Followed by other words of advice. "Yes, I do follow Katsujinken. But that doesn't mean that I haven't killed. Sometimes, it is unavoidable. War is war, darling. Our hands are not clean. Not since the day we decided to stand and fight. But that doesn't mean we don't try our best. Our path is not the easy one."
And then, she remembered the promise her Master had given her on that night, all those years ago.
"I do not care what what path you choose to walk. You are my disciple and no matter what path it is, whether it is Satsujinken or Katsujinken, I will always support you, Honoka."
Honoka put her mask back on and curled into a small ball on the bench, wishing not for the first time that he was here. To guide her. Because she desperately needed him. "I know you're coming back soon. I can feel it. Don't make me wait too long."
She closed her eyes and slept. Shirahama Honoka would not take part in this Ragnarok trifle - she had done enough.
Kathmandu - Capital of Nepal
They had tracked her down to a temple like building - closed off from more public eyes. Senju Tsunade was typically difficult to find but between Naruto and Hanabi, it was quite a simple job. They were professionals, after all.
"She's here." Naruto said with certainty.
"Because it's her MO." Hanabi assumed. Naruto shook his head, prompting confusion.
"No. I saw her walking by the window on the second floor." He deadpanned. "You were busy looking at the food stands."
She blushed in embarrassment. It had been a long journey. And who could deny that heavenly wafting smell.
They walked through the temple doors, knowing likely that someone would probably try to shoo them out - Naruto didn't care. He had been all but invited. Hanabi whistled in appreciation at the architecture.
"It's beautiful." A hall of white and gold it was. In the very front was a statue of Vishnu in all it's glory - the carving was beyond first rate. As were the other carvings on the walls around. Intricately done.
Naruto merely stepped forward and called out in a light voice.
"I've come by the request of the Grand Master."
And as if heard instantly, twin doors opened on both sides of Vishnu. Walking out of the right was an incredibly beautiful woman - looking nothing like what her age was supposed to suggest. Senju Tsunade looked to be in her mid forties, completely hiding her actual age which should be nearing seventy or so. It was almost intimidating in a way.
She widened her eyes upon catching sight of him. "Naruto."
"Godmother." He bowed. "I'm sorry. I've made you wait a long time."
Tsunade merely stood still before moving to embrace him.
"Welcome home. Brat." She eyed Hanabi. "Impossible. I buried y-"
"No, I'm her sister." Hanabi waved off quickly before anything got awkward. She did have a strong resemblance to her sister. "Hyuuga Hanabi. At your service. I'm known as the White Dragon in the Underworld."
"Ah." Tsunade breathed before narrowing her eyes. "You're his old student. He's told me about you."
"Yes." She nodded gracefully. "We met up recently. He thought I was dead."
Tsunade studied her for a moment before sighing. A smile now reaching her lips.
"Come to my quarters. I have a guest coming soon - but I'd like to spend some time with you as well. I'm not sure how long you've been off the grid but Jiraiya has sent me a missive to give you."
Naruto hardly seemed surprised. His Godfather's spy network was bordering ridiculous. Especially in this modern era with technology at his disposal.
"What does it say?"
"Konoha has decided to back off on Koryou for the moment. They're focusing their eyes elsewhere for now. Even you have taken a back-seat."
That was a shock. But not an unwelcome one. "Then the time to return home has come."
It was time Hanabi met Honoka. And for Honoka to meet Hanabi.
He wondered how that would go.
"What's prompted this change?"
"They were invaded recently. Their resources were taken, many of their fighters have fallen, and it looks like they're hobbling at best." She reported. "Nobody is completely sure - but they say it was because of the Snake."
Hanabi let out a small breath of surprise.
"Orochimaru, the Serpent Sage?"
Tsunade nodded for them to sit down and enjoy some tea. They agreed immediately.
"When they came out to hunt you down, it left their resources exposed. Supposedly, Konoha has been keeping some of his crucial data from the past locked up. We don't know if Orochimaru has recovered them - but this is the word on the streets, so to speak. A small, personal army led by Orochimaru himself was rumored to have led the attack."
"That's surprising." Naruto admitted. He hated to say it, but perhaps he owed the Serpent Whip Master a favor when they next met. "Maybe I just won't bring it up."
"Konoha is getting decimated by their own deserters. Serves them right." Hanabi growled. She wished she had gotten in on that operation. "Traitorous filth."
"Any other news?"
"Well..." Tsunade scratched her head, a wry smirk on her face. "They say that somebody fought and embarrassed Edeltraft von Schiller. His unconscious body was found somewhere in China by a passerby. Yami's Armed Division isn't happy."
Naruto kept a straight face. "Fascinating."
Hanabi giggled from beside him. "Must have been dumb luck." She ignored his pretend glare.
Tsunade's amusement vanished quickly.
"Yami has their eyes on Koryou now. Must be because of History's Strongest Disciple." She scoffed. "That's gonna be one hell of a pissing contest." She laughed.
But Hanabi and Naruto caught each other's eyes. "Honoka." They thought simultaneously. She would get caught in that conflict without a doubt.
"I must return immediately." Naruto decided. "That's where I'll be headed then."
"Are you just looking for trouble?" Tsunade asked.
Naruto decided to confide his secret.
"I picked up another student. Shirahama Honoka."
The eldest woman widened her eyes and stared at him for a few moments.
"You don't do things half-way, do you?"
"It was coincidence. She became my disciple long before Ryouzanpaku got there's." He defended. "She's one of the most driven people I have ever met. And talented. She hates bullies, and wants to strive for greatness."
"I'm sure." Tsunade smirked. "She must idolize the hell out of you. Damn, the fantasies of a teenage girl can get-"
"Not like that!" He cut in quickly. "You are one perverted old lady."
"Just speaking the truth." Tsunade smirked at Hanabi who face-palmed. "I haven't seen you in more then a decade. I have a right to tease. You visited Jiraiya before me, for Kami's sake!"
He found himself feeling subdued by that truth. Tsunade then lightened up.
"How long will you be staying?"
Naruto tapped his finger lightly on the table.
"I need provisions first. But I want to acquire a plane ticket within the week. We must get there as soon as we can."
"Is that safe?" Tsunade asked. "If Konoha hears you booked a trip on a plane of all things, they'll sabotage the trip for sure."
Naruto grimaced. It had been one of the main reasons why he never booked flights often. It was dangerous for the people around him.
"Speed is of the essence. I must take the risk. Honoka needs me." He said, determined. "And Hanabi, I need you to come as well. From now on, we stick together."
"Always." Hanabi agreed. She felt some butterflies at the thought of meeting a fellow student. It had been a long time. She wondered how they would get along. "It's been a long time since I've been to Japan."
"...I've missed you." Tsunade admitted. "I wish you were staying longer but I understand your plight. If you ever need me, I will always welcome you."
They sat around and chat for half an hour more until one of Tsunade's servants entered the room.
"My Lady." She bowed deeply. "Your other guest has arrived."
"Very well." Tsunade sighed. "Oh and Hanabi, before you two leave, I'd like for you to come by later so I can properly patch up that wound. Don't try to hide it." She sighed at the reckless girl.
"Yes, Lady Tsunade. Thank you."
"Go then. And send my other guest up if you see her." She said before sipping on her tea.
Naruto nodded and bade her farewell. As he descended the stairs, his eyes caught the identity of his Godmother's next guest. Cold welled up within him but he merely ignored it while walking forward. Hanabi was bemused by that reaction - but by the look of the other woman's face, it was likely they recognized one another.
"Kushinada-sama." The servant bowed deeply. "Your appointment with Lady Tsunade has arrived."
"Thank you."
Kushinada Mikumo passed Uzumaki Naruto without another word. And that was the end of that. He didn't know what Yami wanted with his Godmother, but he knew for certain that she could take care of herself. "I'll have to send Jiraiya an inquiry. Just in case."
END
This might have been the longest chapter I've written in years.
Regarding my prior author's note - yes, this is an internal conflict years in the making. Since Chapter 6/7 - it's always been there. I know a lot of readers don't care for such things - but it's interesting for me to explore. Honoka is still the sweet girl you know, but her experiences have shaped her into what she is today.
Don't expect Naruto to come and make everything better. Remember the point I made - he's the biggest monster of them all. And Hanabi is Satsujinken - as you may have noticed. There are more gray areas now more then ever.
I decided to introduce Yomi today - and yes, I made Boris smarter. So you don't have to point that out. He's a military officer for goodness sake. I try to use logic.
I think I enjoyed this chapter because I'm finally writing what I've been waiting to write for years. Yomi's introduction (I desperately wanted to get to Chikage). Honoka's internal conflict. Naruto's journey finally coming to an end. I once made the mistake of leaning too heavily on Kenichi canon - I will still abide by it, but many things will diverge now. Kenichi will still be a character I use - but I love the other characters as well.
I've begun enjoying writing Freya's view. She kind of just becomes good in the manga after losing to Kisara. I will explore that briefly. I will be exploring the depths Ogata is willing to go to see his plans come to fruition. In this chapter, I mentioned that he was behind Koryou's blatant gang issues and the cop's unwillingness to step in. He created an environment of chaos to finds prospects. This will be a future aspect of this fic.
Oh, and I'm making use of characters that the manga kind of under-used. Chou Enshin? Heck yeah I'm using him. Even gave him one of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms. My wuxia readers will enjoy that reference.
Anyway, have a good one everyone.
- EnP