Opening Song: "Until The World Goes Cold" by: Trivium
The temperature out here is a lot colder than it was back at the train station. The wind lets out a mighty howl and kicks up a cloud of white dust that pelts against the metal within my gauntlets. All this power, and yoma blood still can't keep my fingertips warm.
The only light we have to go by is the reflection of the moon. Colors of blue mix with the white ground and give it a sea foam shade. It looks like we are walking on polished glass, and underneath is an endless sea of crystal green water. Octavian pulls his hood over his head, and the silky, cream colored wolf fur swallows his face. Yagyu has her arms wrapped around herself and is shaking vigorously.
"Emittunt calidum (Emit heat)."
A tiny ball of orange flame sparks in my hand and wraps around my wrist. The numbness that's been eating at my hands fade away as I ease over to Yagyu and hold the ball of fire close to her. Her chattering teeth slow down, and she starts to absorb the heat.
"Thank you, Alan…" She states as she breathes a sigh of relief.
"You're welcome Yagyu."
"So earlier, that girl mentioned something about old damage, what is it?" Yagyu asks as she takes my hand and holds it where she needs heat.
"It's a unique form of damage hunters used to fight yoma. They would bathe their weapons in mercury to give them a more potent effect on beasts." I reply.
"So why does nothing happen if I bathe this sword in mercury?" Octavian asks as he pulls out Roger's broken sword.
"Your weapon already deals old damage, but it's sealed. Since it was a gift from Kagura, the sword was created for killing yoma."
In reality, Jonathan and I put seals on it because we didn't want the true power of that sword corrupting Octavian's mind. By no means would he ever get consumed from using it, but the sheer power of Roger's sword has the ability to twist fate and bend reality to the will of the user.
It contains more than enough power to kill Kagura, and if the sword were at full strength, it could topple both Heaven and Hell. If Octavian were to ever learn about the sword's true power before getting a grasp on the responsibility that comes with wielding it, then he could use it to obtain whatever he wanted.
"I remember Hibari would borrow books from Jonathan regarding stuff relating to the era between now, and the time of the ones called the Honored Elders. Supposedly, there was a place that contained a cure to those tainted by yoma blood. It was also where the hunters would imbed their weapons in old damage."
"Come on Yagyu, that place is nothing more than an old maiden's tale. A story families would tell their children to get them to behave. I know because my mom and dad told me and Roger that if we didn't behave, then these guys with bags would take us away to that cursed city, and we'd never see them again. If it actually existed, then why hasn't anyone found it?" Octavian asks.
"Amber told her about it, and that's what sparked her interest. Then when Hibari read something about a cure, she has diligently been searching because she wants to free Alan from that curse." Yagyu looks at me, "what do you think? I mean, you are a hunter. Surely you've heard something about it." Yagyu asks.
"I'm with Octavian. It's nothing more than a fairy tale, but in every fairy tale, there is a small hint of truth. What that truth is? We may never know, but enough with the stories, let's keep on."
Octavian and Yagyu continue to argue back and forth over the concept of a place like that existing. There could be a location of the world where the hunters used to craft weapons. It would have to be an area rich in mercury though, but that could be anywhere with mountain ranges or hot springs.
Up ahead is a small tree line. As we get closer, I can see that several trees have had bark clawed off by something. I know for a fact that these weren't made by something normal. Shreds of fresh pine form small strings that dangle down from the jagged remains of a stump and multiple tree branches have been snapped off.
I can smell it from the distance, and I already know what we are going up against. I place my hands on both Octavian and Yagyu and push them behind me as I take my kopis out.
"I got a bad feeling about this." Yagyu says.
"It's the wasteland. There's always a bad feeling." Octavian replies as he draws his sword.
Laying on the ground are a group of shinobi. Both good and evil. They must have came out here to settle a score, but something bigger had other plans. Some of the shinobi are fully intact, but many lie in pieces with red completely staining the speckles of white powder below.
I crouch down and look the body of an evil male shinobi over. He's got multiple lacerations across his chest that are deep enough to expose parts of his rib cage. As for his female friend, she's had her throat cut open.
This attack must have happened less than an hour ago. Off to the side of a nearby tree that's been scratched to hell is a blood trail that leads into a small patch of forest. There is also a set of shoeprints that rest right beside the footprints of our perpetrator.
"Octavian. Come here."
"Yes Alan."
"Tell me what did this."
Octavian crouches down and looks the wounds over. He walks over to another corpse of a shinobi and touches the area surrounding the wound. The next thing he examines is the claw marks on the nearby trees.
"Judging by the evidence gathered from here, these people were ambushed by a razorback." Octavian states.
"Good observation."
"What's a razorback?" Yagyu asks as she tries to keep a clear mind.
"The ugliest bitch you'll ever see. I say that about a lot of yoma, but razorbacks really take the cake. Crafty little fuckers, mean as hell. Not to mention this one is going to be a little blood starved." I reply as I stand up.
Snow crunches underneath someone's weight. I remain looking the other way while Octavian and Yagyu turn their head towards the direction of the sound. A man around my age is whimpering, and his crying bounces off the trees and fills our ears with his anguish.
"Oh my god, are you okay?" Yagyu asks as she tries to walk towards him. I grab a hold of Yagyu's jacket and pull her back. She tries to break free but I continue holding onto her as I stare in the other direction.
"Let me go Alan! That man needs our help!"
"He isn't even hurt." I reply as I ready my kopis.
Out of the corner of my eye, the man is crawling towards Octavian, but Octavian isn't falling for it. He flips the sword upside down and stabs right for the back of his head. The man dodges the incoming blow and leaps to the top of a nearby tree. I shove Yagyu out of the way and jump forward. The sound of an object slicing through the air lands right where Yagyu and I were standing.
It isn't the man that suddenly grew in strength and leaped to the tree tops. No. This is something else. I slash behind me. The blade catches something fleshy and cuts through. Something howls in agony and backs off. Yagyu turns around and gasps in utter disgust.
Standing in front of us is the razorback, and a shinobi that's been consumed. Octavian walks over to where we are and keeps his sword at the ready. Huge tusks jut down the side of its twisted face. One eye rests right beside its mouth while the other sits directly in the middle of its forehead. Rows of broken spikes line the back of its spine, giving the abomination its name. Countless talons erupt from all four of its mangled paws. Each breath it takes is laced with the desire to kill.
The man that stands in front of us must have been the leader of the group fighting the evil shinobi. The unfortunate one that had to eat a bleeding yoma soul for the shinobi council. During the encounter with the razorback, he more than likely lost control of his humanity as he witnessed these people being torn to shreds. Once he changed, he couldn't revert back because there was no motivation to go back. Nothing to snap him out of his frenzy.
The flesh from his face has completely melted off. It's only being held together by tattered muscle and stringy sinew. His lips are gone and his bony yellow teeth barely fit in the squishy pink that was once his jaws.
The fingernails on his hands sprout into long claws stained with wickedness. He stands up and towers over Octavian in height. Octavian remains strong as he readies his sword and revolver.
"Octavian, you deal with the shinobi." I say.
"What about Yagyu?"
"We're going to take fido here for a walk."
Octavian engages with the shinobi as I stand still and pretend I'm not interested in anything. As of now, the razorback is just circling around the both of us, waiting for an opportunity to strike. I put my handgun away and causally twirl my kopis around while Yagyu keeps her eye on the thing. Crackling flames travel up the right side of the blade while bolts of blue electricity slither all around the left side.
"Now!"
Yagyu slams her fortified umbrella into the ground and pulls her sword out of the handle. I dash forward and roll. A malformed claw barely rakes the back of my armor. I turn around and stab the creature in the side while Yagyu drives her sword right into the underbelly.
The creature bellows in pain as her sword buries itself deep into its stomach as I plant my feet and let the kopis rip the creature open. It turns around and bites Yagyu's umbrella. The creature picks it up and hoists her up into the air. She spins around and balances herself on the handle.
As it's distracted, I break my kopis apart and stab both blades into its left foot, twist and slice several of its toes off. Yagyu feels the creature react to the pain and jumps off. It spits her umbrella out.
Yagyu pulls her eyepatch off and throws it to the ground. My yoma senses go ballistic as a black arm bursts from her eye and catches the umbrella as she lands in a nearby tree. Intense hatred fills my heart as I clasp my hands around my swords to the point my knuckles turn white. Hate directed, not towards Yagyu, but the thing that did this to her. The razorback swipes at her, but Yagyu's eye catches the incoming attack and directs it at me.
I step to the side and ram my blades directly in the back of its neck. Both puncture all the way though its jugular. The creature's attention is entirely on me. It snaps around and tries to bite me. I stab the top part of its jaw with the shock blade, stomp on the bottom half with my foot and forcefully hold the creature's mouth open as I relentlessly split the cheeks open.
The creature staggers around and wonders over to where Yagyu is. She's got both hands on her umbrella as well as her demon arm. With everything she's got, Yagyu screams from pure power as she drags her umbrella across the snow and slings it underhanded. The brim of the umbrella connects with the bottom of the creature's mouth.
I feel the bottom jaw snap like a stick as Yagyu's impact flings me up into the air. I put my kopis back together. The weapon hisses as it forces both sides to rapidly cascade with energy as I twist my legs around and spiral downward like a drill. Yagyu brings her umbrella around and slams it directly into one of the razorback's legs.
The bone within its leg sounds like glass shattering as I descend and drive my sword right into the gut of the creature. The sides of the monster split apart, and a massive wave of warm crimson and rotting muscle swallow me completely. A thick mucus coats my entire body and blinds me in a sea of red.
I ram my sword forward and cut down. Blood drains out the open wound and nearly sweeps me off my feet as it surges out. Sticky fluid coats every inch of my body and gives me an overwhelming feeling of satisfaction.
I step out of the opening and into the wasteland. A gust of wind hits the fluid on my body and instantly causes me to shiver. I wipe my eyes and see that Yagyu is whining. The demon arm grabs hold of her hand and attempts to come out. Purple corruption leaks out of her body as she desperately fights to reclaim her humanity.
"Yagyu!" I grab her up in my arms.
She relentlessly squirms around and tries to bite me. I spin the kopis around, deflect the hand's attack and drive the sword into it. Purple goo flows out the hole as the sword pins the demon hand to the ground. Yagyu cries and struggles to break free.
"Yagyu…Yagyu listen to me, I know I'm an arrogant asshole at times, but I know you're still in there, and I want you to know that I love you like a little sister. Everyone at Hanzo Academy does. The parasite within you wants more, but we're not going to give it more. We are only going to give it enough to go away."
I cup my hand and let the razorback's blood puddle within my palm, "I can't believe, that when I breathe, there's something good inside of me. Just one good thing inside of me." I sing as I tightly press my hand up to Yagyu's mouth and form a seal.
She grabs hold of my hand and tries to pull it away. The human side of her body doesn't want this, but the parasite side welcomes it. As much as this pains me, there isn't any other way. Yagyu shouldn't be using this power in the first place, and if I could have it my way, I'd take that power away, but I can't tell her how to live her own life. This is the path she wants to walk, and I have no choice but to help her along the way.
All the blood flows into her mouth and Yagyu stops struggling. She tips my hand up to get the last drop. I remove the kopis out of the demon hand and it fazes out of existence. The corruption that was flowing out turns to dust and Yagyu's eye returns to normal. I pull my hand away from her mouth and her breathing stabilizes.
I reach over and yank her sword out of the razorback's gut, "Squid girl?"
"Thank… you." Yagyu replies with a burdened heart.
She takes the weapon, wipes the blood off her mouth and re-sheathes the sword. I sit down and let my weapons and armor absorb the dripping blood that coats my body. Octavian is still fighting with the shinobi. Even though he almost has it killed.
As of now, he has cut both of its arms off and is on the offensive right now. For someone who's just started hunting, he's pretty good.
Octavian dodges an incoming attack from the head and slices at the knee. His sword cuts all the way through, and the consumed shinobi hits the ground. It attempts to get back up, but it can't. With no arms and a missing leg, it's done.
The shinobi let's out a raspy whimper from trapped misery as it attempts to get back up. Yagyu looks away in sorrow as Octavian takes one of his revolvers and pulls the hammer back. Before he fires, Octavian looks back at me.
I put my hand on Yagyu's back for moral support, and she covers her ears. I nod that it's okay and Octavian pulls the trigger. Yagyu flinches from the thundering gunshot. The hollow point hellshot round hits the back of the shinobi's head. The sound of the bullet quickly fades away, and all that's left is the screeching of the wind blowing through the trees.
Skull fragments, black fluid and parts of his mutated brain scatter over a 2-foot (0.6 meter) radius. Whatever bleeding soul he was forced to eat, it was bad because his brain started to develop tumors that look like little eyes. Once those things form, there's nothing anyone can do.
Yagyu deploys her umbrella and sits on the other side. Octavian knocks a couple trees down with his sword and cuts them up while I arrange the bodies of the slain shinobi in rows. Good on one side, evil on the other. As for the one that was consumed, he can have a pyre all for himself. In honor of trying to save his friends, or everyone depending on his outlook on life.
I roll an evil shinobi over, and a silver locket falls off her mutilated neck. The hinge has been broken off and inside is a blood-stained picture of her holding a child. I put the broken locket back in her hand and close it, "Requiescet in pace (Rest in peace)."
I move to the next body and say my blessing before Octavian lays the wood down. The only reason these people are allowed any kind of proper sendoff is because we happened to stumble upon them. I'm sure there were way more shinobi out there who didn't get anything. No one to show them honor of any kind. The deaths of these people didn't go unavenged and right now, I'm about to put that razorback to good use.
Octavian stacks the wood while I head over to the razorback and break its bottom jaw completely off. The tusks can fetch a good price, or be used to upgrade equipment. That's if none of its destroyed when I use the soul to get us back home. I break the spines off of the back and store everything within my gold talisman.
Now comes the true gems, the soul and heart. I reach into the slit I burst out of and feel around for the heart. Since it has been dead for a couple of minutes, the heart has stopped beating, so it's going to be more difficult to find. My finger brushes over something radiating with power. I close my hand, yank the soul out and put it in my gold talisman. If that's where the soul was, the heart can't be far away. I reach back in and feel around.
"There it is!"
I rip the fleshy matter out and walk around to the other side where no one can see me. Octavian has started the fire and is keeping watch. I grab my respirator and pull it off. Blood and corruption speckle my face as I viciously bite into the organ. The muscle itself taste like steak, and the blood and corruption is like a honey-walnut glaze that marinates it.
The fact that woman had a child to go home to forces me to swell up with anger, and I eat faster. What if all these people had children back at home? If not children, they certainly had families that will never know the truth of what happened here.
I finish the heart and wipe my face clean. That was really good. For some reason, yoma tastes so much better when it's slaughtered for killing someone. It provides a certain feeling of satisfaction and equity. Steam is funneling out the back end of the razorback's neck where my sword managed to pierce all the way through. I hold the respirator underneath and fill the mouthpiece up until it's flowing over the sides.
Hot blood rolls down my throat and gives me a huge rush of energy. Small streams of burgundy trickle down my face and shoulders as the respirator seals itself back to my mouth. I walk around and sit in front of the magic blue flames that chip away at the burning bodies. Yagyu is softly sobbing behind her umbrella. The smell of burning flesh and hair is nothing new to me, but it's making Octavian cough to the point he's got his hand over his mouth.
"Octavian?"
"Yes Alan?"
"You doing okay?"
"I'm doing fine." Octavian quietly points towards Yagyu and silently asks is she okay. I shrug my shoulders and peek over the umbrella. She's got her face buried between her legs, and her arms are caressing her head.
I ease around and sit down in the open. Something should be said, but what? I know what's eating at her. Damnit. If only Roger were here. He was always better at explaining stuff like this to someone than I was.
Maybe the best thing is to say nothing. She turns her head sideways and looks at me with her glassy eyes. The sclera of her right eye has turned black and her iris is bright red again. I don't think she realizes it though. Puddles of tears fill the bottom of both eyes.
"Alan… Will that…will that…"
"What is it Yagyu?"
"Will that ever happen to Hibari or…?"
"Don't think like that."
"I can't help it. I don't want that to happen to Hibari…" Yagyu sniffles as she wipes the side of her face.
I move to the front of her and place my hands on the side of her face. That way we are looking into each other's eyes. I forcefully change the color of my eyes to black and red. That way Yagyu knows I'm being serious. Wet tears drip on my wrist and fingers as I wipe the streams away, "I will never let anything like that happen to you, or Hibari, or any of the others. Venator juarmento (a hunter's promise)."
Yagyu acts like she wants to say something, but she's at a loss for words because of the situation. I understand why Yagyu is so scared right now. I do my best to remain strong and confident, but I'm having problems of my own because I've constantly been thinking about Minori.
I fucked up and Minori almost died, and even though I solved that problem, it doesn't change the fact that it was my fault, and I constantly deny myself of being able to protect Minori, or anyone for that matter.
The black that fills Yagyu's eye slowly dissipates and her iris stops glowing. She's getting a grip on herself. I look over the umbrella and see that all the bodies are nothing but cinders right now, and Octavian is scattering the ash with his sword.
"It's over Yagyu."
I help her stand and she folds up her umbrella. Faint embers from the people sway back and forth in the small turrets of wind and begin traveling the wasteland. Octavian and I kneel and give a small moment of silence before we close our eyes and deliver the Requiem:
"Ex factum pulvis sumus. Et revertetur ad nos pariter. Nelius est enim mori, quam mori credens quod credens nihil. Sit fatigas invenietis requiem animabus. (From dust we came. To dust we shall return. For it is better to die believing in something, than to die believing in nothing. May you weary souls find rest)." Octavian and I recite.
Octavian stands up and re-sheathes his sword while Yagyu unfolds her hands.
"Alright you two. Gather around." I say as I pull out my gold talisman and burn part of the razorback's soul to open a portal home. The talisman shoots out a fountain of bloody fire that rains down, and a rift of swirling green color opens up. On the other side is the back side of Hanzo Academy. Good. That means they will both be inside the school by the time I go and see Yumi.
However, I have to do so in a manner that doesn't clue her in on what's going on. Just in case she happened to be the one that orchestrated the plan to steal the stone Oliviera wants back. However, I can't just tell Oliveria she stole it.
Plus Yumi saved me a couple years back. She also nursed me, Hikage and Haruka back to health, gave me a place to stay when I killed Roger. Yumi even gave me her father's horse as a means to save Asuka.
Maybe if Yumi is behind it, I can steal the stone back without making too much of a fuss. Oliveria would probably like to know who stole it so she can kill them, but knowing her, as long as she gets the stone back, she will let it slide.
We make it to the other side, and I close the rift behind us. Yagyu and Octavian have taken their masks off, and the both of them hop over the wall. My respirator turns to black dust and floats away in the snowy wind.
"You coming Alan?" Octavian asks.
"Not right now. I think I have a lead for the mission. I'll catch up though."
"Okay, well be careful out there." Yagyu says.
"I will, and hey… You two did a good job tonight."
"Thank you, Alan." Yagyu softly smiles.
"We'll leave the door unlocked for you." Octavian states.
I wave them both goodbye and head to the front of the academy. Now all that's left to do is track Yumi down. If I was the leader of the Gessen elites, and I was staying in a different town, where would I go? A thought comes to my mind, then I remember what Shiryo told me. Murakumo's parents own a hotel downtown.
Of course, if my friend just happened to own a hotel, then I'd use it to my advantage. I know. I did it all the time because Murakumo was Roger's bride, and I got to stay in the hotel when I didn't have anywhere left to go. With Jonathan's family crest ingrained into my palm, I can just flash that and no one will ask any questions.
The streets are surprisingly quiet again. Just like the other night when Alice was stalking me and Asuka. Hopefully I'm not trapped in another kekai Alice threw up. Across the street, I can see some people walking around. Thank God.
I can't sense her right now, so hopefully she's catering to Oliveria and the Hebijo girls. The last thing we need is that thing trying to but in on my investigation then whistleblowing to Oliveria about how Gessen could possibly be responsible for the theft.
The hotel Murakumo's parents own is completely covered in Christmas lights of every color. Green, red, blue, even a very pretty violet color. The stairs leading up to the front entrance have glistening gold garland elegantly wrapped around the railing.
I take my gauntlet off and show the valet my clan marking. He wastes no time in letting me inside. These people still remember me, so getting around won't be that difficult. In the main lobby, there's a huge Christmas tree sitting in the lounging area. Vibrant colors of orange from the nearby rock fireplace reflect off the polished floor.
It has been awhile since I've been here. Last time was nearly three years ago. Back when Minori's parents were still alive. Before Roger came along, Lawrence and I ran with a group of hunters for a couple months. We weren't in the clan, nor did we want to be, but they paid us for our contributions. That was until the assholes double-crossed us. Lawrence and I would have been dead too if it weren't for Yumi.
Jonathan spared Lawrence's life as well as my own in exchange that we helped him and Roger stomp out the evil hunters terrorizing the country. Lawrence and I knew the wasteland better than anyone, and getting the money those dickhead hunters stole from us was our priority, so it was an offer we couldn't refuse.
I still remember watching Minori open presents with her family around that fireplace. Roger, Octavian and Jonathan were celebrating with Murakumo's parents. Lawrence still had his mother and his old friend Thomas.
"Sir, can I help you?" The female concierge walks up and asks.
"Oh yeah, I was wondering if I could see a young woman named Yumi." I say as I show her the marking on my hand.
"Sure thing. She's on the top floor. I'll let her know you are coming." The concierge says as she walks over to the desk and gives me a special key card that has access to the top floor.
The concierge picks up the phone and dials the penthouse while I put the key card in the slot and push the last button on top. The doors close, and the elevator starts to ascend up. In terms of how to go about this, I'll just ask if she knows someone named Gekko.
If Octavian had a fierce rivalry with Senko back at Gessen, then that could raise a flag in Yumi's mind because she might know about that. Whereas Gekko, Yumi may not know anything about her. Other than the girl's name and maybe enough information to get another lead. The elevator opens up to a huge room that has one door.
Knock! Knock!
"Who is it?" A familiar voice giggles.
"Santa Clause, and I'm going to give all your presents to Alan because he's been a good little boy!"
The door flings open and Minori jumps in my arms. She buries her head deep into my chest and her small arms crush me with everything she has, "I'm so glad you're back!"
"And I'm so glad to see you." I say as I pick Minori up and carry her into the penthouse.
All of Yumi's group is here. Yozakura, Shiki, Minori and Murakumo. Shiki is playing on her phone while Murakumo is drawing on a piece of paper. All of them are dressed in nighttime robes. I sit Minori down and she runs over to the table Murakumo is sitting at. Pencils, paper, and glass beads used to make bracelets and necklaces are scattered all over the cluttered table.
"I made this for you!" Minori says as she holds out a Christmas colored necklace.
"What did you make?" I answer as I sit down next to her.
"A necklace! Shiryo showed me how to make them, and I made one for you when you got back!"
"Well that sure was nice of you! Would you?" I ask as I lean over.
Minori reaches around my neck with the necklace and clips it. Some may think this thing is hideous outside of the Christmas scene, but personally, I think it's beautiful, and I intend on wearing it as much as I can.
"Thank you Minori."
"Do you like it?"
"I don't like it, I love it because you made it for me!"
"Shiryo made one for all the girls! Lawrence and Homura's group don't have a lot of money, so Shiryo used her allowance money to buy material for glass jewelry so they could have something for Christmas! Then when we were playing, Shiryo showed me how to make them!"
"Well that sure was nice of Shiryo. Did you thank her for showing you?"
"Yes Alan!"
Yozakura walks over and bows, "Yumi is ready to see you Alan."
"There's no need for Gessen hospitality. I just came to ask Yumi a quick question." I give Minori a hug and kiss the top of her head, "Love you!"
"I love you too Alan!"
Yozakura takes me into another room that appears to be a study. Books from all around the world completely line the shelves. In the middle room sits three chairs, and a leather sofa. Yumi is sitting in one of those chairs and sipping on a cup of coffee. She's got a white bathrobe on that bears a blue spider hovering over the school's marking. Gessen's insignia.
"Welcome Alan." Yumi says as she stands up and bows.
"Pleased to be in the presence of the Ice Queen herself." I reply as I give a small bow.
Yozakura and Yumi both sit down. That's a sign I can sit down. The seat of my pants touch the leather, and the entire chair tries to swallow me as I sink back. Holy damn, this thing is comfortable! If I didn't have to go back to Hanzo Academy, I'd just sleep in this thing tonight!
"Yozakura and I made you some coffee."
"Thank you." I reply as I take the coffee and sip on it.
It's just been brewed and poured from the pot so it's hot. I lick my lips to try and soothe some of the burn that eats at my lips.
"This is quite a set up you got here." I say as I look around the room and observe the lavash oil paintings and elegant decorations.
"Yes. The girls have been training hard here lately, so I decided to treat them to something nice. Maybe see if we could find you because Minori said you would be returning from war."
"Yeah. I got back about two days ago. How have you been?" I reply.
"I've been good. You?"
"Better now."
How did the war go?" Yumi asks.
"War, I guess. Nothing too glamorous." I shrug my shoulders and sheepishly laugh.
"Any issues?"
"Not really. Just glad to be back."
Yumi smiles while she takes another sip of her coffee, "I saw Asuka this morning, and we spent the day together. She was really glad you made it back."
"Well, being away from someone you love for nine months, it's a killer."
I look at my reflection in the coffee and remember what happened just a couple hours ago.
"You look troubled Alan. What's the matter, and what are you doing out this late?" Yumi asks.
"I've been sent on an errand so I'm a little upset I'm not getting to spend any time with Asuka right now." I halfheartedly say.
"Well what can I help you with?" Yumi asks.
"Would you happen to know a girl named Gekko? She used to attend Gessen academy. As of now, she's went missing, and I've been given a contract from a private contributor to find her."
"Where did the contract come from?"
"Someone from the council." I lie.
Yumi sits back in her chair and thinks to herself. The puzzled look on her face tells me that she's trying, but nothing is coming to her mind. Yozakura searches her mind as well, but all she does is sigh, "Sorry Alan. I've never heard of a Gekko."
Yumi is still trying though, "Gekko…Gekko… No Alan. Sorry. I don't know anyone named Gekko. What's the description?"
"Well she's got grey hair, dull green eyes. About fourteen years old, around five foot tall. The last thing she was wearing was a Gessen uniform." That last statement isn't true, but Yumi doesn't need to know.
"Sorry Alan, but I don't think I know anyone that fits that description. If she's fourteen, then she'd be part of the middle school, and I have no control over that." Yumi states.
"Okay. Well thank you Yumi for your time. If you do happen to come across anything, call Hanzo Academy and ask for me or Mr. Kiyira."
"Do you need a place to stay?" Yumi asks.
"No, I'm just going to head back to Hanzo." I reply as I finish my coffee.
"Well if you need a place to stay, you are welcome here. It gets dangerous at night, and I don't want you getting hurt."
"Yumi, I spent six months of my fifteen-year-old life out in the wasteland. I don't think it can get any worse than that." I playfully tease.
"That maybe true, but still. Just be careful."
"I will. Goodnight Yumi."
"Goodnight Alan."
Yumi excuses me and I leave the study and tell the other girls' bye. As I head out the door, I hear Shiki say my name. Her feet slap the wooden floor as she approaches me.
"Could you do me a favor Alan?" Shiki asks as she twirls her blonde hair around with her fingers.
"Sure thing. What is it?"
She lets out a strained breath that's laced with sadness and her red eyes form a glazy look. As if she's upset about something.
"Could… Could you tell Octavian… I'm sorry?"
"Sure. I'll tell him." I say as I pat her shoulder.
"Thank you…" Shiki wipes her eyes with her palm while Murakumo puts her arms around her for comfort.
I give a small gesture that I acknowledge her request and proceed into the elevator. Well that could have went better. Although I can't get too frustrated. I wasn't expecting much in the first place, but it didn't hurt to try. Not only that, I got to see Minori, and she gave me this necklace. I exit the hotel and head back in the direction Hanzo Academy is.
Judging by Yumi's reactions, she seemed to have absolutely no idea who I was talking about. Which is good, but what was the deal with Shiki? She wants me to tell Octavian sorry. Sorry for what? Shiki doesn't seem like she would have it in her to hurt Octavian in anyway.
I start to swell up with anger as I think Octavian might have done something to hurt her, but Octavian is a good kid, and I know Jonathan would have given him a beating if he mistreated Shiki, or any girl for that matter. Unless it was Senko because she's been trying to kill us. Could there be a connection between Senko and Shiki that had to do with Octavian leaving? A question for another day.
I hop the fence of Hanzo Academy and head around to the back while remaining in the shadows. The back door looks like it's shut. Fuck! And I thought Octavian and Yagyu said they would leave it open for me! I'm freezing my ass off! My eye happens to hover over a stop used to prop it open.
It looks like they did prop it open for me, but someone intentionally removed it to prevent me from getting in. Hmm… I wonder who that could have been? I'd like to say her name starts with an A, and ends with vowel, and I'm not talking about Ayame either.
That's okay though. Yumi offered me a place to stay so I'm not entirely out of luck. Back to the hotel it is. I hop back over the fence and head in the general direction of Yumi's hotel.
Off in the distance, I can see a man about my height walking my way. His jet-black hair and incredibly stupid outfit gives it away. I don't see how he's not freezing because he's not wearing a shirt underneath his coat.
He's got two brown paper sacks in both of his arms. I know exactly what he's doing out this late at night because I'm the one that taught him how to do it. He stole a bunch of liquor from one of the Shinobi council parties, and he's making off with it. Mainly because I told him he'd be a great shinobi one day if he helped me steal from them and get away with it. Good times.
"Excuse me sir, as a disciple of justice, I must confiscate all this and use it as evidence." I say as I playfully poke at one of the bags.
He immediately stops and locks up with fear like he's actually been caught. I pull the bags apart and look him in his dark blue eyes. He suddenly let's out a huge sigh of relief as I step back and laugh.
"You need any help carrying your legally obtained alcohol?"
"Damn you Alan, and yes please." Murasame says as he hands me a bag.
Several bottles of various liquor clink against each other as I follow him.
"You planning something big?" I ask.
"No, this is for mom and some of her friends since the council isn't keen on sharing with family members. I was in, out and gone like that. With dad being on the shinobi council, no one ever suspected a thing."
"You're turning out to be quite the shinobi master. I'm just glad things didn't turn violent. I wouldn't want you to show anyone why you took sixth place at the marital arts contest." I snicker.
"Go to hell Alan. No wait, you've been there, and I can't say fuck you because you have a response to that too. Damnit! What would you say?"
"I'd say go fall in a ditch personally." I state.
"Fine, go fall in a ditch you asshole, but aside from that, why are you out so late?"
"Ah, Asuka got pissed off at me and kicked me out of her bed for the night. So right now, I'm looking for a place to stay."
"That so? Well just so you know, dad is still at that party and won't be back until tomorrow morning, and no one is using Ikaruga's old room."
"If you don't mind."
"Nah. Mom isn't going to care. The only one that might have a problem is dad, but it's obvious you don't care what he thinks."
"Not one bit." I state.
"Well just behave yourself and you can stay."
"Can do. Speaking of which, can you do me a favor?" I ask.
"What is it?"
"Do you think you can get me a Gessen teacher's outfit with a low security badge, and a plain Gessen uniform?"
"Sure can. I'm assuming you are considering a career in cosplay?" Murasume pokes.
"Nah, my boobs aren't big enough." I reply.
Murasume lets out a trapped laugh and I join in with him. He's one of the few people I can sit down and joke with. At one time, Murasume was a total douche. By no means was I ever the perfect step-sibling, but I didn't treat Minori nearly as bad as Murasume treated Ikaruga.
He was downright terrible to her. All over a sword. Which in reality, isn't all that great because it isn't even augmented with yoma souls. I remember taking it from Ikaruga once before giving it back. By all means, it's a beautiful weapon of craftsmanship, and it has Ikaruga's guardian spirit in it, but it's not as effective as using a divine or occultic element.
I'd be more than happy to take Ikaruga out on a hunt so she could stain it with yoma blood and embed it with some kind of element, but she's afraid that if she does that, then her step father will get mad. That's something beyond my control, and I can neither encourage or discourage Ikaruga on what she should do about the sword.
Murasame leads me around to the back of his mansion and opens the door. Most of the lights in the house have been turned off. All except the one in the living room. Murasame's mother is sitting on the couch in her sleeping clothes and watching tv.
"Mom! Alan doesn't have a place to stay for the night, so is it cool if he stays in Ikaruga's room?" Murasume asks as we put the booze on a granite table top.
"Yeah, it's fine!" She yells as she gets off the couch and walks into the kitchen.
"Miz." I say as I do a small gesture of respect.
"How are you Alan?"
"I'm doing fine, and thanks for letting me stay here. Yumi of Gessen Academy offered me a place to stay, but that might make Asuka jealous, and she's already mad enough as it is."
"What happened?"
"Oh, she's pissed off at me. I said something about her being under leveled, and she locked me out."
Murasame's mom chuckles, "Don't worry Alan. It should all be good by tomorrow. Now, let me show you to your room."
She leads me upstairs and opens a door. Inside the small room is a twin sized bed, and a bathroom.
"Thank you for giving me a place to stay." I say.
"You're welcome Alan."
Murasame's mother closes the door. I head into the bathroom and fill the tub with soapy water. Since I was completely covered in yoma blood about an hour ago, it would be best to clean myself and my armor up before getting in Ikaurga's old bed. Even though my body has absorbed all the essence, it's still the right thing to do.
I shed all my clothes off and get in the broiling hot water. The frothing bubbles wrap all around my body as I scrub my head. Crystalized yoma blood that's been frozen solid fall out of my hair and into the water. The steam unfreezes the blood and it travels back towards my body.
The combination of the hot water, and the soothing feeling of the rejuvenating yoma essence truly relaxes me as I reabsorb the blood. I grab my armor and clothes and give them a quick scrub before getting out. My new armor is pretty good at absorbing the essence that splatters against me relatively fast. Although my old hunter armor was a lot faster.
"Ignis tactus (Touch of fire)." My hand generates a weak flame, and I run it along my clothes. The fire chases the water out and evaporates it into a white vapor. It's still damp, but not to the point it's going to matter. I throw my clothes and armor back on and lay down.
As small as it is, it beats sleeping on that hard couch back at Hanzo academy. Certainly couldn't top that sofa in the Yumi's suite, but be thankful for what you get. I reach into my wallet and pull out a photo of me and Asuka. Every night I spent away from her, I did this because it brought me comfort, and I know Asuka did this too because she told me in her letters.
I get up from the bed and walk over to the window. The moon in the sky is bright blue and numerous yellow stars dot the sky. The night before I left, Asuka and I were laying under the stars on the top Hanzo school's rooftop before bed.
She made me swear by the stars I'd come back, so I did. What I thought was a joke turned out to be the real deal for her. Asuka told me in a letter that every night that I was gone, she would return to the same place and remember my promise. So, every night during my deployment, I would step outside my tent, look up at the stars and remember that she was waiting for my return.
I place my hands together, "To any gods willing to listen, I ask that you watch over my precious Asuka with an unsheathed sword, ready to strike down anyone that wishes to bring her harm. To my sisters, I ask that despite my dispute with Miyabi that you grant her the wisdom and protection she needs to live a meaningful life, and that Minori finds joy in everything she does."
"To my friends, Murasaki, Hibari, Yagyu, Ayame, Katsu, Ikaruga, Mr. K, Murasame, Jonathan and Octavian, I ask that you help them find their purpose in life, and to live according to their own will and beliefs rather than the standards set by others. To Ryoki, Astoreth and Daigon, I pray that they find a life of fulfilment and prosperity."
"Alan?" Murasame asks.
I turn around and see that he has a handful of blankets, "did I interrupt something?"
"No. I was just saying my prayers."
"Oh, was you asking Santa Clause to give you incredibly good looks like me?" Murasame states.
"With all the powers he has, I doubt Santa could make me look half as good as you." I joke as I unfold my hands. Murasame lets out a suppressed laugh as I put my picture back in my wallet, "To my friends and family, I prayed that they would find joy in everything they did. As for my prayer to Asuka, I can not tell you."
Murasame and I laugh as he lays the blankets on the bed and walks out the room, "Goodnight Alan."
"Good night Murasame."
He shuts the door and leaves as I cover myself up, "Goodnight Asuka…"
Ending Song: "Sleeping Dogs" by: Zack Wylde ft. Corey Taylor