Fire's gone…everyone's okay…except for my old teacher in middle school. She died in the fire. R.I.P.
My internet's still being a bitch. It's because there's something up with either my router, modem, or Cox cable company. Ether way, I'm getting really frustrated cuz the internet's practically my life. There's not one day in my life where I don't go on or myspace. :P
Well…almost done with the story. Oh, btw, Hikaru's older brother is gonna have a name. It just won't be revealed until next chapter. Let's go!!
Chapter 16
They finally made it out of the Aquis gate once they saw Himeko and Souma, unharmed and alive.
"Chikane!!" Himeko ran up to the lunar priestess with worried eyes. Isamu and Hikaru allowed her to support Chikane by herself as she slid beneath an arm and held on tight. "Do you need medical assistance?"
She smiled and shook her head. "N-No…I'll be fine." Once she looked around, Chikane's expression turned into concern. "Where are Aisu and Ikazuchi?"
Souma became worried as well. "Hold on…" He turned towards the gate of Solum, the earth realm and Raido's training dimension. "I'll go look for—"
But as he tuned to dash towards his destination, he saw none other except Raido himself. With little exhaustion, he carried no serious injuries and was able to stand tall.
"Don't worry about me," he assured. "I handled my side of the field." Raido gestured his head towards Volca, and Souma got the message.
"Right," Souma nodded. "Now it's Aisu."
The team rushed towards Volca, despite their stinging injuries. Chikane continued to recollect her strength, but deep down, she felt that something was wrong in the realm of fire.
Hikaru rushed up to the gateway of Volca and waited for it to automatically open. He kept his cool while his eyes were fixated on the gate…but nothing happened.
"What's going on?" he finally asked. The wind ninja placed a hand on the gate and checked for any flaws. Finding none, Hikaru fitted his fingers between the doors and tried to open it.
But nothing happened.
"Is Aisu still in there?" Raido went up to his side and assisted in prying open the sealed gates. They tried forcing them open simultaneously, but the ninjas had no avail.
Chikane dreaded the worst. "No…"
All boys turned towards her. They expressed looks of doubt and worry.
"What is it?" Souma dared to ask.
Himeko quivered before giving a hard explanation. "…A realm responds to its ninja's life force. If the ninja dies…it stays closed."
Their faces dropped. Eyes kept switching from the priestesses to the gate. The concept kept reeling in their heads…until, finally, Isamu took action.
"No!!"
His hands clasped onto the small crack of the door. Tugging and pulling, Isamu used all his efforts t gain access into Volca; he grunted and pushed on the ground with his feet while the other just stood watch.
"Aisu's not dead! He's too strong to lose to only 2 tails! He doesn't deserve this!!"
Raido and Hikaru were amazed by his unbreakable will. After years, of loneliness, Isamu found a place where he belongs among the priestesses and the others. It was only a short while since they were revealed their destinies, but within that time…the shinobis, along with Souma and the priestesses, became his family.
And Isamu couldn't afford to lose Katashi.
The ninja of water felt all his energy atrophy. For all he knew Katashi could be dead. But he had to see with his own eyes. Isamu felt something warm near his knuckles and looked up; it surprised only a little to see Raido help pull the other door. His purple orbs brimmed with determination as he gave Isamu a comforting smile.
It was then that Hikaru got between them and tried to push the doors apart. His days of being laid-back were over as sweat dripped down their faces. His pranks weren't gonna help anyone live.
Chikane admired their efforts, but the truth was that they alone couldn't open the gate. The only way for it to even slide a millimeter was if Katashi was alive. She closed her eyes, praying to the gods to help the ninjas understand.
Until they heard a small creak.
Her eyes snapped open and saw bright rays leak out from between the doors. The ninjas grunted and flexed their muscles, giving their heart, body, and soul into getting through to Volca. Raido gritted his teeth as he clung tightly onto the door.
'Come on…COME ON!!'
Hikaru screamed out as the stone doors were finally pushed aside. Heat and blinding light attacked their faces; it didn't help cool down their exhaustion. They dropped and knelt while taking deep breaths, but the ninjas knew one thing for sure.
'Aisu's alive!!'
But before they could rush in to check, a sudden figure flew out and knocked them to the ground. The ninjas sprawled back to their feet as they along with the other teens watched the mysterious figure made its way to the center of the Nexus.
"What was that!?" Himeko asked frantically.
"Kitsuna…"
They wheeled back to Volca before their eyes widened. His shinobi uniform was torn everywhere; blood oozed all around; along the curve of his cheek was four deep slashes.
But Katashi still stood in one piece.
"Aisu!!"
He almost stumbled out, but Raido and Isamu caught him just in time.
"Kitsuna…" he said in a low tone. "She's aiming to control the Nexus…Get to the control…!!"
Everyone nodded and understood what to do. His arms slung over Raido and Isamu's shoulders as they supported him back to the hall.
Power surged like madness. They did their best to avoid the lashes of energy as Chikane and Himeko gave worried looks.
Balance between the primal forces was disrupted…and chaos was about to ensue throughout the universe.
A sheer cackle was heard above as they jerked their heads up. Kitsuna was engulfed by four different energies, making her and unstoppable being.
"You'll all burn in hell!!"
"She's lost it," Katashi muttered. He looked down and shook with anger. 'Is this the legacy of the Aisu Clan!?'
Hikaru slowly walked up as he accepted defeat. "We've lost."
"No, we haven't."
The boys turned to Chikane and Himeko, seeing the determination and concern.
"We have a chance," the lunar priestess assured. "But only Himeko and I can do it. You guys need to get back to Mortalis."
"Himemiya…" There was a quiver in Souma's throat. "We can't just leave you two behind! Once the Nexus explodes, it will kill you!!"
But she just shook her head. "We can handle it! If the ninjas die, we may not have a chance to survive!!"
They didn't like the idea, but Himeko and Chikane had to do it. Souma had no choice but to agree.
Chikane finale finally found strength within her and eased herself off of Himeko. They clasped their hands together and chanted a prayer.
"With the powers of the eight million gods, we wish for the primal forces to transfer to the rightful shinobi!!"
And with that, the four different energies spiraled in the air, entwined with each other. They swerved and curved all around…until they finally collided with the ninjas. The power coursed through their veins, endowing them with great strength and great responsibility.
Katashi still feared for their safety. "Miss Himemiya…"
Souma gripped Tsubasa's sword, unable to accept their terms. "Himeko…"
"Go!!" Himeko ordered.
The priestesses looked up at Kitsuna's meager form. It was only a matter of time before she lost control and destroyed the Nexus. Souma and the others slowly backed away, waiting to change their minds and stay.
But Chikane looked desperate and angry.
"Get out of here!! As long as you're alive, the balance between the elements will hold! Leave, NOW!!"
They turned their heels and fled. Souma felt like blaming himself, but it wouldn't help Chikane and Himeko: someone had to look over the ninjas.
'Goodbye, Himemiya…Himeko…'
A portal for Mortalis was automatically created. He lunged forward and landed on the other side with sword in hand. Hikaru tumbled out right after him and landed hard on the ground. Raido and Isamu struggled to keep Katashi up, dragging his feet when they had to. Together, the three of them jumped through the portal and landed next to Hikaru.
And then the portal closed up.
Souma stared at where the portal opened. Himeko and Chikane were still in the Nexus. Life at the Ohgami Shrine wasn't going to be the same.
Their garments washed away and the solar & lunar symbols appeared. Hands still clasped together, Chikane and Himeko prayed with all that their spirits could give.
'Solar priestess…lunar priestess…You have completed your mission.'
"Yes," Chikane nodded.
'You have sacrificed so much. In return, one wish will be granted.'
"Really?" Himeko's visage brightened.
'Hurry and state your desire.'
They looked into each other's eyes. They could wish for life and survive the destruction of the Nexus…but their other desire for Earth's benefit got in the way. One had to be chosen over the other; either way, the decision was hard.
But they didn't care. As long as they were together, that was all that mattered. Himeko needed to be with Chikane, and Chikane needed to be with Himeko.
In life or death, they would be together.
And so the priestesses made their decision.
"We wish for the Kyuubi tails to be given a second chance: a life without the desire for power."
Yeah. The choice was: either they lived or the tails are reincarnated, given a second chance in life. Keep reading!!
FINAL CHAPTER NEXT.