Chapter 16

Inner-youma

Danzo walked in solitary silence as thought about Miyabi's suffering. He continued calmly through the corridors until he reached the God-cube chamber. He carefully jumped from cube to cube reaching upwards to get to the highest point of the Tower of Darkness.

Outside the dark library, Asuka and the others soon held a meeting about their next move.

"We gotta help by slowing down the youma long enough for everyone in Asakusa to get to a safer haven," she suggested.

"Don't worry Asuka. Rin, Daidouji, and Kiriya sensei are doing their part by helping guide the troops below to fend of the oncoming swarm of Youma," Hibari assured her.

Yagyuu and Haruka looked at each other in confusion. They didn't know Hibari was speaking like a true warrior to her. Asuka smiled and thanked Hibari for her kind words. Everyone nodded at once. Ryoki and Ayame then spoke up.

"We may have arrived late for the party, but at least we can help your friend Danzo by giving him time to get to Akira so he can free him from his ambition," Ayame said to Asuka.

"It would be a great pleasure to finally meet the son of a legend who I met after my unfortunate passing," added Ryoki.

Ryona paused for moment, then smiled brightly.

"I agree with big sis Ryoki," she said, "It would be pretty sweet for her to meet Danzo."

"I'd like that too Ryona," Ryobi agreed.

The matter was settled with high acclimation from the other Kunoichi.

"Alright Ayame and Ryoki, you guys can find Danzo and help him out as far as the the portal to the Youma Realm. The rest of us will stay here and hold back any youma that might come for him when enters the portal," said Homura.

"Be careful you two, those youma will know your coming," warned Katsuragi.

Then her hands gently touched her apprentice's shoulders

"Besides I'd hate to see my fan getting killed removed by a youma at anytime, it would make pretty upset," she added.

"I agree Katsu," Asuka said.

Then they set off to take care of their new objectives.

As he neared the top of the tower, Danzo could see the portal as he continued to his final goal. Before he could get any further he saw two girls rushing towards him from behind. One had a halo above her head carrying a shotgun and a shield, while the other wore gauntlets, and boots that seemed to make him think she was trained for kung fu.

"You two missed a big show while the others were around," Danzo said turning o face them.

"Yeah, but at least I got here just in time to help out," the first girl said.

"We wanted to make sure that we help you at for a while," added the second girl.

"Well, two babes willing to help me out," he chuckled, making the two girls giggle.

"My name is Ayame," Ayame said.

"And My name is Ryoki. It's a great pleasure to meet you Danzo," Ryoki said talking his hand in her own.

"The feelings mutual, but this gig is gonna end real soon," replied Danzo.

They soon entered a chamber that began to light up brightly. Danzo looked to see his Shadow extending before him. It's eyes suddenly began to glow bright red as if it were looking at him. Then it slowly moved forward. The lights flickered on and off again as Ryoki and Ayame covered their eyes.

I know why you're here. You're here to ask me more questions. Well too bad. I've already answered them myself. I don't need you anymore," he said, chuckling at his dark self.

Dark Danzo soon drew his sword and prepared to face his opponent. Danzo brushed at his boot, then raised his hand upwards.

"Come on you poser," he beckoned.

Ryoki and Ayame also prepared themselves as Dark Danzo lunged at them with a mighty swing. They jumped clear of the attack landing safely behind him. Ayame soon began attacking the lighting fixtures furiously, causing the surrounding area to be as bright as the sun. Dark Danzo screamed in pain and Agony as Ryoki began to open fire. Dark Danzo felt himself being pelleted by a full volley of ammunition from the Ryobi and Ryona's sister who was determined to bring him down. Then lights went out and Danzo quickly jumped back as his dark self engulfed the room in darkness.

"Attack the lights in this room, they'll stagger him and we can hit him with everything we got," called Danzo.

Ayame and Ryoki nodded and attacked the lighting fixtures as Dark Danzo charged at them. Danzo quickly leapt in between them as he blocked the strike from his dark self.

"Sorry but if you want to get to these babes, you'll have to go through me," he said holding him back long enough for his new friends to completely engulf the room in light. Then Danzo did something that neither of Ryoki's sisters warned him about. He touched her halo and it changed from gold to red. Quickly Danzo grabbed Ayame by the waist and jumped clear of her wild frenzied attack. To a higher location above them.

"Why would you touch Ryoki's halo?" Ayame asked.

"No idea, but I thought it would be interesting to see what would happen," replied Danzo.

Ayame shook her head slowly.

"Ryobi and Ryona said that anyone who thinks of touching Ryoki's halo will regret seeing her go berserk on her enemies," she explained briefly.

Dark Danzo was soon being royally ravaged by Ryoki's furious onslaught, and was unable to darken the room. Then Danzo leapt down with Ayame still in his arms as he watched Ryoki finally stop and click her fingers transforming her halo from red to gold. Dark Danzo nearly escaped yet again, but this time he was attacked by Danzo who unleashed a full flurry of strikes from his own sword finally beating his doppleganger. As it faded away into the ground, it's darkness returned to Danzo who observed it then saw his shadow once again in his possession.

"Huh, thought I lost my shadow for a sec," he said feeling relieved.

He was struck by a strange energy that made him flinch, but he steadied himself as he saw before his very eyes himself. The two Danzo's struck each others fists. They began performing some martial arts moves, then jumped backwards flipping sideways. Then the doppelganger walked right into Danzo becoming a part of him with purple energy surrounding his body as Danzo chuckled to himself.

"Well now, isn't this a big surprise? Another me to help me take on my enemies," Danzo said to his new friends.

"Yeah, It looks like you got a doppelganger of yourself who's willing to help you," replied Ayame.

"Interesting, might even give you an edge against the youma," added Ryoki.

A beam of light shot upwards, and the three friends soon walked into it with a penchant for becoming ready for the struggles ahead. At last they had arrived at the top of the tower and Danzo knew that this was where they would have to part ways.

"Well then, let's wrap up this crazy party, shall we?" he asked.

Ryoki and Ayame nodded. Then they both raced to Danzo and hugged him.

"Good luck Danzo," Ayame said.

"And please be careful," added Ryoki.

"I will. I gotta clean up the mess my father left behind," he replied.

They stepped back as Danzo slowly rose up towards the portal to the Youma Realm. Once he was gone, the rest of the kunoichi saw the portal as more youma poured through. Both human and Youma charged at each other in a violent clash of weapons and wills.

_
Author's notes

This is it everyone, the final showdown is getting closer for Danzo and his friends. This time there will be no retreat and no surrender. Asuka and her friends will be fending off the Youma from the city streets with their friends, but it looks like Miyabi won't be joining them for the final battle. or so you would think.

Ryuki may still be alive somewhere in the human world, but I find it won't be easy for him to know that he and Danzo may have to join forces after they temporarily set their differences aside in order to put a stop to their common foe.

Get ready for Chapter 17 in the near future everybody.

Peace.