Welcome ladies and ghouls! For this Halloween season, I will give a two in one chapter special! But beware, for there is always a price. These two chapters and so on is why this is the reason why this is rated T. So if you aren't comfortable with blood, guts, or glory, I suggest that you find another story. Well, that's all and enjoy the story!

...

Chapter 3: The Norisu Nine

Nomi wandered through the cold shadows of the night. The only light source he had was the moon shining over him, which was never enough.

"Why didn't I bring a lantern with me," Nomi asked himself as he began to shiver, "It might have been useful by now."

Suddenly a pair of green glowing eyes, appeared behind him. He turned around and found nothing in his tracks. With worry, Nomi continued to walk the same trail, but this time with a faster pace. The glowing eyes faded back into place as Nomi walked away. It's male silhouette stood still as Nomi's foot steps grew quiet.

"At this point I would be spotted in no time flat," the male voice spoke in a deep and serious tone, his smirk reflected the dim moonlight, "Looks like it's time for my little monsters to play..."

Suddenly dim-green, demon-faced shadow monsters appeared from his shadow and eagerly ran towards Nomi's shadow blending in with the dark atmosphere around them in the process. Nomi turned around for one last time and the man's silhouette had disappeared once again. Nomi blinked constantly before running towards his destination.

"Nothings there! Nothings there!" Nomi thought to himself, shunning the fact that someone was truly watching him.

Suddenly a hand from behind grabbed him. Nomi darted behind him and made a surprised reaction.

"Greetings Nomi-san," his Sensei greeted, "So you actually came?"

"Yes," Nomi answered as Sensei let go of his kimono, "And what did you want to teach me here."

"Follow me," Sensei answered as he swiftly went past him.

Nomi looked behind him for one last time before following Sensei.

...

After a long walk through shrubs and twigs, Sensei made a stop and faced Nomi behind him.

"We're here," He said in a calm tone.

Nomi looked at the atmosphere around them and only saw tall trees and the night sky.

"Are you sure," Nomi asked, "All that is here, is just trees and shrubs."

His Sensei chuckled and said, "Don't let your eyes deceive you, Nomi-san."

He crowtched to the floor as Nomi arched an eyebrow. Sensei touched the ground and finally found a handle. He made a smirk and pulled the handle, making a loud creak.

"Crrreeeeeeecckkkk..."

Nomi glared under the panel and found an underground stairway.

"Well," Sensei said as he patted his back and began to go down the long dark stairway, "what are we waiting for? Many are waiting for us."

Nomi followed the old man ,once again, and sealed the doorway behind them. It was dark and he could barely see the steps down.

"Hold on to the rail, Nomi-san," his sensei ordered as he moved his hand to a smooth, round surface on the right, "We wouldn't want you to fall and land on me."

...

At the last step, Nomi's feet landed on a wooden floor. He felt a slight wind as his sensei moved ahead.

"Welcome Nomi-san," Akemi's voice echoed.

The sound of a lighten match broke the silence. Lanterns light, reveling familiar faces around him, such as Yumi, James, the chef, and Akemi. They all cheered as Nomi stood still and surprised like a statue.

"Congrats, Nomi,"James said as he rapidly shook his hand, "Ya, made it in the Norisu Nine!"

"I...I what," Nomi stuttered as he stared at him.

"Oh come on Nomi," Yumi said with a happy look on her face ,"We all know about that ninja mask you got in your pocket!"

"Oh, you mean this one," Nomi said as he grabbed the black and red mask.

"Yup!", All of them cheered as everyone but, Yumi, Sensei, and Akemi showed their masks in the air.

James had a black mask with orange stripes with a circle right between the eyes while the chef had a grey mask with green lights that formed a cross. All the masks were different and pretty in a certain way.

"Why don't you and Akemi have masks two," Nomi asked Yumi.

"I'm still in training," Yumi explained, "And Akemi makes the masks."

"But wasn't there a blue ninja here too," Nomi asked.

"Well she likes to keep her identity a secret, Nomi-san," Akemi answered,"Some of us don't like to revel their secrets as much as others. Now, I was instructed to give you the tour around the place so shall we?"

Nomi and Yumi nodded at Akemi and began the tour.

...

Meanwhile, the silhouette glared at a stank crystal ball in a place unknown.

"So, the Norisu Nine hide in an underground cave in the center of the forest," the male spoke, "and the ninja's housecarl crafts the masks. How interesting..."

The man formed his hands like a puppeteer's and moved the angles of view in the stank ball.

"Hmm, so the servant and the chef are ninjas two," the man said in a calm tone, "And whats this... Sensei is there too, well this is interesting. I'm at the edge of my seat!"

...

Akemi slid the door open to a crafting room filled with needles, threads, fabric, and Tengu feathers.

"This is where the masks are created and enchanted for the ninja's needs," Akemi said as the entered the room.

A small boy ,about seven years old with orange, fluffy hair, fair skin, and blue eyes rush towards them. He had a red bandana, an orange kimono,saddles, and a necklace with a stone covered in red carvings that form the mark of the Norisu Nine.

"Hi there," the boy said as he shook Nomi's hand, "Are you the one with the new ninja mask?"

"This Jame's younger brother, Billy," Akemi greeted, "He helps gather supplies for the masks and eavesdrop for us sometimes."

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Nomi," Nomi greeted, "And yes I have the ninja mask."

"That's so Bruce!" Billy yelled, showing his buck teeth and eyes of amazement, "Some day I'm gonna be a ninja just like you!"

"Alright I think that's enough Billy," Akemi said as he dragged him beside her, "Why don't you go check on your older brother before he gets in trouble with his boss again?"

"Ok!," Billy yelled as he rushed out of the room.

"Alright," Akemi said as she watched him rush out, "Let me show you the dojo at the side of the hall."

As they went to the dojo, the demon-faced shadow monsters left Nomi's shadow and searched the room.

"Come on you fools," the man's voice angrily ordered, "Find those masks before they return!"

...

Akemi halted at a door with Norisu craving and a text that says,"Training Room," in Japanese. She reached into her pockets, to only find them empty.

"Well this is surprising," Akemi said with a puzzled tone, "It appears that I may have left my keys in the crafts room."

"Then, let's go check," Nomi said as they began to walk back.

As they walked towards the room, a loud noise of clutter and shuffles echoed the hall. They leaned on the wall as Akemi grabbed her knife in her sleeve. She gave them a nod as Nomi grabbed his ninja mask and Yumi grab a broom from behind.

"Alright," Akemi whispered as she for the door with her leg, "Three...Two...ONE!"

They glanced at the room and stood still as they met eye to eye with the shadow monsters.

"Eh, oh well," the man said, "After them!"

The monsters charged at them with a hiss and released their sharp,long claws. Nomi put the mask on again and felt the sashes wrap around him once again. After Akemi made a long, fatal scratch on of the monster's under belly and faded to stank.

"It's just a bunch of stank formed together," Akemi told them, "Just aim for their weak spots!"

Suddenly a sound of sashes wrapping echoed the hall and a clash of Ninjas rushed towards the monsters, with their weapons raised. The hall became a battle field of monsters and ninjas and sounds of the monsters last breath or scream created a symphony.

After the last monster was crushed by Nomi's blade, everyone took off their masks and returned to their daily lives.

"Well looks like we won't need that key anymore," Akemi said as she slid her blade back in her sleeve, "I think we had enough training for today."

"Yes, but the enemy is rising," Sensei said as he walked towards them, "This is the first ambush and I think they plan another, but more challenging. We should prepare."

"Ok, but no matter what happens," Yumi began, "We'll be able to concur anything! Right, Nomi!"

"Sure,"Nomi said with a twist of doubt as they walked away.

A slip of stank rose from the ground and fled.

...

"No!" The man screamed revealing himself as he pounded the table and stepped out of the shadows. It was Shin, but both of this eyes were black with white pupils and his voice was followed by a sinister one and a rat rested upon his shoulder, "How could this possibly happen? I had every thing planned out! And it would have been filled if it wasn't for those stupid ninjas!"

The rat squeaked into Shin's ear and made him make a twisted plan.

"How brilliant," Shin said as he glanced at the rat at his shoulder, "we shall eliminate the Norisu Nine, one by one until each and every one are demolished. Then the world will belong to me again. This, my friend, is a start of a beautiful friendship!"

The Sorcerer took over and squeezed the mouse tight as he began to begin an evil laugh. A worried look grew in the rats face as it watches a man turn into a power-hungry monster and all the blood that will be spilled in the not-so-distant future.

Chapter 4: A World of Blood and Secrets

The morning light spreaded across the land and every thing had seemed so peaceful. But something was off. A worker from The Tengu's Nest went to one of the rooms with a tray with tea and a few warm towels. As she walked towards the room, the door creaked open. She caught a glimpse inside the room and let out a shriek. The tray crashed to the ground and tea spilled. James rushed towards the horrified worker.

"What's wrong Aina," James asked before he looked inside the room and covered his mouth to prevent himself from gagging, "Oh my Lord..."

The three men in the room had their throats sliced open and the room was filled with the sent of death. The place was trashed as if a hurricane had occurred, blood had covered every inch of the room, and flys flew across their dead bodies. James ran and took Aina with him.

"Boss," James yelled as he ran, "the Norisu Brothers have been murdered!"

...

Meanwhile Billy snoke throught the streets of the town, as he followed a certain man. Shin. Billy had been ordered to watch Shin's every move, but Billy did not see why they thought he had fallen to the Mist Followers, he seemed the same, but with a rat on his man looked behind him and Billy leaned against a wall. After Shin continued his walk, he followed and the cycle continued. Billy stopped and hid behind a bush as Shin Rieka under a cherry blossom tree with a couple of birds on her shoulder, chirping hello. Shin whispered something in Rieka's ear and she chuckled as they made smiles. Shin wrapped on arm around her shoulder as they walked together.

"Oh, no wonder Shin is always away," Billy whispered as he watched them walk together, "He's got a sweet heart!"

Billy followed Shin and Rieka eagerly. They led him to an abandon house, which scared the peeps out of Billy, and continued inside. Billy wondered inside with wide eyes of terror, as the door sealed by itself. A green light flashed in the corner as a creek echoed the house.

Shin opened a trap door in the basement and they entered. An army of cloaked beings with a variety of weapons on hold. Billy hid behind a curtain as he watched Shin and Rieka stand tall in front of the army, with fascinating eyes.

"Attention! My brothers and sisters!" Shin yelled with his arms wide and his one black and white left eyes showed, "Your champion has a mission that requires each and every soul in this meeting!"

"You shall all listen or face the wrath of the all mighty Sorcerer!" Rieka threatened as Billy ducked his head with since of fear.

"Each paper given to you is a background of a member of the Norisu Nine," Shin said in a serious tone, "You shall execute each one without failure. If not done so, the brother or sister shall face the ten thousand stages of torture till death, am I clear?"

"YES CHAMPION!" The army yelled as they pounded their weapons to the ground.

"Now, accomplish your mission, we have an alliance to execute," Shin ordered as the army marched away and Billy ran out of the house.

He ran as fast as he can and charged out the door.

"Billy, stop!" Shin yelled as he made it outside.

He paused and slowly turned with nervous eyes like a boy to an angry mother.

"Yes, Shin," He quietly peeped as he prepared himself for a world of pain.

"How impressive Billy," Shin said with a smirk as he began to pat his head,"you show some very excellent sneaking techniques which could lead you to be a fine warrior."

Billy eyes glowed with pride as a big smile grew on his face, ignoring the fact that Shin had just made a big speech to an army about his friends execution.

"Here have these," Shin said as he grabbed a large red berries from his pocket and gave them to Billy with a growing grin, "Only the brave and powerful warriors get it."

"Oh thanks, Shin," Billy thanked as he stared at Shin's left, mixed-matched eye," What happened to your eye?"

"Oh, that old thing," Shin continued as he tried to cover his lefty eye,"It got infected and I didn't Sensei to worry about it, it might lead him to a heart attack or think I got possessed by the devil or something else. Which could lead to the town turning my back on me and ruin the Tengu Fesitval, you wouldn't want that, would you? So will you keep my secret for everyone's sake?"

Billy glared to the side and thought for a second. It wouldn't hurt to keep this secret to himself, if he did, wouldn't Akemi think pity on him. But on the other hand, If he told everyone would go rogue on Shin and his sweet heart and ruin their future and the festival. All the kids would hate him for cancelling a festival that only comes once in a life time.

"O-ok," Billy said as he made eye contact with him again, "But only his time, ok?"

"That's great," Shin said with a smile, "I defentently ow you one Billy!"

"Well, see ya," Billy said as he left.

"See ya," Shin replied back as he watched him run home.

"You're becoming quite a liar Shin," Rieka said as the stepped into the house.

"I have haven't I," Shin said as he slowly closed the door.

...

"Hold on, you're telling me that the Norisu Brothers ,the ones that killed an entire bandit sicoty twice, was killed in one night," Akemi asked in disbelief.

"You heard me," James said, "and this just wasn't some robbery or bandit revenge! They've still got their masks and personal bellowings."

"But we did find this note on one of the brother's hands," The chef said as he handed a bloody note to Nomi.

"The note says," Nomi began as his eyes scrolled down the paper, "Be prepared for nights of bloodshed and fear. Please don't weep for your dead comdrads, you will reunite with them soon. The Mist Followers."

Nomi's widened eyes glared at Akemi. A face of hatred stained her face and her hands were in fists.

"What kind of sick basterd would write such a threat like that," Akemi snarled, "When I get my hands on that basterd I'm gonna kick his..."

Akemi paused in the middle of her sentence as Billy entered.

"Oh, hey Billy," Akemi greeted,"Any reports about Shin."

"Well, nope, he was just walking through town for no reason," Billy lied.

"That's surprising," Akemi muttered to herself, "Well tell the gang to sharpen their weapons. The Norisu Brothers were f-"

A whooping cough from Billy interrupted her.

"Hey Billy, are you alright, buddy," Akemi said with a worried look on her face.

Suddenly, Billy began to cough blood and collapsed.

"Billy!", Yumi and Akemi yelled as Akemi caught him before he could hit the ground.

"I'll get the doctor," James yelled as he rushed out the door and tears began tom form in Akemi's eyes.

"What happened to you," Billy asked as he reached into Billy's pockets and found a half eaten berry.

"Wait, those are used to make poison!," Akemi yelled, "Who gave you these?!"

"Sh-Shin," Billy stuttered as bloody began to flow out of his mouth.

Nomi stood still and silent as the healers rushed through the door and went to Billy's side.

"How...How could Shin do this to a little boy," Nomi thought as they rushed Billy out of the Tengu's Nest, "What happened to the brother and best friend?"

...

They stood, quiet, as they waited for one of them to speak. They were in the medic's room, in the Norisu Nine hide out, and Billy layed unconscious on one of the beds. Akemi clung to his stone necklace in her hands, tears still flowing down her face, A woman with red hair, blue eyes, and a pink kimono and sandles walked towards them with a sorrowful look.

"We tried the best we could Akemi," the woman quietly said, "But were not sure if he'll recover from the poison."

"Thanks Misaki," Akemi said as her tearful eyes glared at her," At least you tried your best right?"

"Chef and I will go tell the others about the Norisu Brothers and the note," James said as he walked toward the exit, "Will you be ok while I'm gone?"

"Of course I will, I can take care of myself," Akemi answered.

"I'm coming too," Yumi said as she followed James out the door.

"Shouldn't you be going too," Akemi asked Nomi.

"No, I think I'll stay here just in case anything happens to Billy," Nomi answered as he glared at Billy.

"Thanks," Akemi said as she wiped her tears away.

"Do you have any emotional attachment to Billy," Nomi asked, "I mean, you made quite a show when Billy collapsed."

"Let's lets just say I treated Billy like a son," Akemi answered, "I helped Billy with every problem and somehow he found a way through a rock tough heart. If he had a problem I would deal with it. If he got interested in a girl, I would have the talk with him. And if he had a bully, I WOULD KICK THEIR ASS LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW! But now he's in a situation like this and I don't know what to do..."

"Well maybe you could take care of the ones who did this," Nomi suggested.

"What," Akemi asked.

"Like you did with the bully's," Nomi answered, "You did say that you were going to beat up who ever wrote that sick note right? Well maybe you could take care of that basted while we face the Mist Followers."

"Hm, I did say that didn't I," Akemi asked as a smirk grew on her face," Well looks like we got some work to do don't we? Go check on Sensei. His rooms down the hall to your left. I'll stay here to check on Billy."

"Got it," Nomi said as he exited the room.

...

Meanwhile, Sensei let out a happy toon as he watered his plants. As he continued to hum his toon a black figure rushed right past him. Sensei stopped his toon and looked back, silently grabbing his katana from under the table.

"Well hello grandfather, what a pleasure to see you here," Shin's voice echoed behind him.

"What, how did you," Sensei asked in shock as he glanced behind Shin in a black cloak and his mix-matched eye met his.

"I love what you done with the place, fits that old relaxing background right after you face a monster doesn't it," Shin mocked as a smirk grew in his face.

"How could you become such a monster Shin," Sensei asked as Shin's uninterested eyes glared at him like a boy listening to his mother nag,"First you break an innocent man's spine then turn him into a monster, sent Stank Demons to eavesdrop and attack us, kill the Norisu Brothers, and then poison a helpless child."

"It's plain simple, actually," Shin carelessly answered as he leaned on his sword and glanced at his finger nails, "Lets face the facts gramps, you can tell those workers in that ditch were bored out of their minds so I just spiced up their day. Second, I just wanted to see whats you've been up to, and it isn't nice to call my friends demons. And for the Norisu Brothers, well, I couldn't help myself. Oh and that little brat-I mean boy,Billy, well he isn't that innocent and he drove me nuts, so I just told the boy to shut up the best I could."

"That's it Shin," Sensei snarled with anger as he made a battle stance, "I didn't want to do this, but you leave me no choice. In order to get that monster out of you, I will have to end your life. I'm sorry, my dearest grandson..."

"Who said my life's gonna end now," Shin said as he raised his sword and made a twisted smile.

They charged and a frenzy of grunts and slashes echoed the room. Sensei made agile jabs ,but were quickly dodged. As he made a jump attack and slashed Shin in half. A smile grew in his face but sunk as the cloaked figure was no longer there. Shin teleported behind him and made a long,slim cut on the old man's back. As Sensei landed, Shin lowered his sword and pinned him to the ground.

"Any last words old man," Shin asked with a demonic look.

"After all I've done," The old man stuttered with tears flowing down his cheek as he glared at the katana between his eyes, "after I raised you all these years and taught you the ways of the samurai, this is what you do to thank me. To show me what kind of monster you've become?!"

"I've only become what my father wanted me to become and your ways can never prevent that destiny," Shin yelled as Sensei glared at him with widened eyes,"You could have never cared for me like my real father would! I'm just a monster that you created! Under that warm smile and flesh is a boiling cauldron of lies just waiting to spill!Isn't that right, Sensei?"

Sensei watched as his right normal eye turned mix-matched. Sensei's eyes became red and his tears began to flow more. His one and only Shin was gone.

"Shin if you're still in there ,somewhere, just please say something, anything," Sensei begged with a sorrowful tone.

"Oh, isn't that sweet, trying to soften me just to stab me in the back," Shin said with the Sorcerer's voice combined with his, "Well, good bye, grand father.."

...

The sound of a jabbed body echoed Nomi's ears and his eyes widened as his hands touched his door. In a panic, he slid the door open, only to glance at Shin standing next to his grandfather's bleeding corpse. Shin's eyes met his and he reached a bloody hand to Nomi.

"Join me Nomi-san," Shin said as his smirk grew into a horrifying smile seen in voodoo dolls,"Join me and become share the throne of the world with me. A world of endless riches and fortune await you..."

Nomi glared at him with red eyes of hatred and got out his katana. Shin's eyes were filled with surprise and his smile shrunk.

"You monster," Nomi yelled as he charged at him.

Shin turned as Nomi's blade met his face. As Nomi glared as he sword his katana, his eyes were filled with surprise as remains of his cloak were found in his place.

"Coward!", Nomi yelled as his tears flowed down his cheek, "Come out and face your punishment!"

"Nomi...san," Sensei gasped as Nomi ran towards him.

"Sensei, don't worry everything is going to be ok," Nomi said as he tried to stop the bleeding, "Akemi! Yumi! Anyone ! Please help!"

"I'm not going- to- make- it," Sensei said as his eyes lids were half closed.

"Don't...don't say that," Nomi yelled as his eyes became red, "HELP, PLEASE!"

"Go, face the Mist Followers and avenge your mother and father and me," Sensei whispered as Nomi sat still, "I'm sorry..."

He closed his eyes and his head sunk.

"Sensei," Nomi whimpered as he shook him, "Sensei..Sensei!"

...

They sat quiet in the medics room as the healers covered Sensei's corps with a white blanket. Nomi sat with his hair covering his eyes and no words spoken.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Misaki said as she left the room.

Akemi walked up to Nomi, trying to process the words she was about to say. Nomi glared at her with tearful eyes, waiting for her to speak.

"Nomi, there a secret your grandfather and I were keeping for a long time," Akemi said as she glanced behind her, "It's about your mother and father.."

Nomi's eyes shot open and his eyes were filled with curiosity.

"What is it," Nomi asked as he turned to her.

"Remember when your mother and father went missing when they dropped you and Shin with Sensei while they left with me," Akemi asked with a worried look as Nomi nodded, "Well that wasn't what really happened...Just here, take this. It will explain everything."

Akemi gave Nomi a three page letter with letters covering every inch. Nomi left the room and scrolled the letter as he leaded on the door.

Dear beloved grandsons,

A terrible secret has haunted me for many years and my spirit can not rest until the truth has been shared. Please forgive my mistakes and lies as you finish this letter. Now it all began long ago, when we first met...