Angelic: Hello readers this is Angelic Swordsman here to bring you chapter Sixteen of "My True Identity" A marvelous story that I've been weaving for the past 2 years now. Now I know it hasn't been updated in a long while, but just haven't found the time to get around to it. However, with only two more chapters to go I've decided to finish this story soon no matter what. Last chapter left us with Hitomi-chan promising to herself to not be weak anymore. So the question is will she stay true to her statement? Well let find find out in today's story.
Disclaimer: I Angelic Swordsman do not own anything that is Inuyasha except for this plot and the characters that I create. Anyways on with the story.
Meeting the Twins of Fate
The sun slowly begins to set in the horizons as Hitomi hold her right arm that is bleeding from a shallow cut on the upper part. Fallen on the ground is a small group of bandits with their weapons scattered about all around them. The small group had tried to catch Hitomi as a slave that they could sell later on, but the girl had quickly decimated the small group with little effort after launching their attack on her. The girl lets a small sigh leave her lips as she leave the group unconscious on the grounds continuing with her journey to Kaede's Village. Hitomi didn't know anymore how long she had been traveling but she was still determined to make it to the village no matter what. Since Kuroisou attack on her the girl had been practicing control of her spiritual power at every opportunity that she got. However, her efforts yielded no results as she could only erect and maintain barriers when she was mediating, and the spirit power she could channel through the Tessaiga sheath at will was barely anything compared to the amount that she could channel when her life was at risk. Twilight soon turns to dusk as Hitomi sets in a tree branch that was high up within the tree she had chosen to rest in, and soon enough the first star of the night appears in the night sky. However the moon isn't anywhere to be seen in the sky since it a new moon. A small yawn escapes the girl's mouths as she looks at the many stars slowly appearing in the sky as the sun disappears further beyond the horizon. How much longer must she travel before she reached her destination Hitomi did not know, but she would continue to travel no matter how long it took just as long as she found out the truth about herself and her parents. The last few moment of light completely vanish as Hitomi drift off into a deep slumber thinking about nothing but her unknown parents.
A small baby cries in the night as the crescent moon shine peacefully in the night sky. The raven haired girl is tucked in her bed, but is crying none the less wanting someone to hold her close. Not too far from her cradle rested her mother sound asleep, and unaware of the voice that is calling for her with all its might. The small child continues to cry on her voice unable to stir her mother from her peaceful dreams. Her throat is becoming strep as she cries wanting someone anyone to hear her call, but nothing happens and now she stares up at the moon with tears still falling from her eyes. Why won't her mother come get her she thinks? Why can't anyone hear her cries for attention? She wants someone to hear her but she doesn't have the energy or voice to cry anymore, and that is when he appears in front of her with his silver hair flowing down his back. His golden eyes stare into her mismatch ones as he gently picks her up from her comforting cradle. The two are then outside looking at the crescent moon and stars that are high up in the sky. The man simply says nothing as he holds the baby girl close to him, and in response the girl snuggle herself into his red shirt that is comfortable to touch.
"You don't have to cry Tsukiko your father is right here for you," whispers the man in a gentle voice as the tiny girl feels herself getting sleepy.
"Your mother and I aren't going anywhere so you don't have to cry so hard," continued the voice with her conscious slowly fading away into the dream world.
"That right you can rest your tired mind my sweet Tsukiko your mother and I will always be here. You'll never have to be alone I promise," said the voice as the small girl quietly drift off to sleep in the confines of her dreams.
The sun is beginning to peek over the horizon with Hitomi waking up from her peaceful sleep. She was however, quite puzzled over the dream she just saw as the man with silver hair and yellow eyes flashes through her waking mind. Why did she have such a weird dream and who was that man with silver hair and yellow eyes like hers? Not thinking too hardly on it Hitomi jumps down from her perch in the tree and begins searching for something to eat. It doesn't take her no more than a half hour to find a tree with fresh apples growing on the branch, and not too far from there she was able to dig up two yams that she was able to find in the ground nearby. Quickly washing the vegetable off in a stream that she found a good distance away. Hitomi start a small fire that she can roast the yams over for a few minutes, and while that was happening she take a small bite out of one of the apples she had picked out of the tree. Images of the Silver haired man flash through her mind once more. Along with the images of the raven haired girl she had saw in the vision she had when she lost all hope back in the Headman's dungeon cell.
"why did those people flash through my mind? Is it a memory from when I was a baby?" though Hitomi as she carefully take the Yams off the sticks she was using to roast them with.
"Could those two that I saw be my parents, a memory of them from when I was a baby?" continued the girl as she ate the yams at a moderate pace.
"You don't have to cry Tsukiko..." ranged the voice from her dreams as Hitomi paused in the middle of chewing her yam for a split second.
"Tsukiko..." whispered Hitomi as if the name was a natural thing for her to say. The image of the two people she saw in her dreams flashes through her mind once more. Hitomi herself was completely lost within her own mind as she didn't know what to think.
"Don't cry Tsukiko Mommy is here for you. I'll never leave you alone my precious dear," whispered the voice of the woman as the girl put a hand to her head as if trying to remember something from days long gone.
"Mother, Father... Are those people that I see in my dreams Inuyasha and Kagome-san?" thought Hitomi while keeping a hand on the top of her forehead however, who is the person they call Tsukiko? Was the child they called Tsukiko Hitomi's real name?
"Tsukiko is that my real name? Is the child I see in these dreams my past self?" uttered Hitomi in her mind as she continues to contemplate on the matter, but it does her little good and decide that the only way to get answers was to ask the priestess in the village she was heading to.
Thus with her need for food needs satisfied Hitomi treks onward with her destination Kaede's Village the only thing on her mind. The sun is high in the sky and the summer breeze blows on the girl's raven colored hair. After traveling for what seem like hours the girl come to a moderate size town that has various shop and vendors lined up on the dirt path. In all honesty this was probably the biggest town Hitomi had ever seen, and there were lots of things that fascinated the girl on many scales. All the different shops and vendors really caught her attention but now wasn't the time for sightseeing as she needed to get information on her destination. Quickly thinking about where to attain such info she deemed the local tavern as the best place to find such a thing. After walking around for a few minutes Hitomi soon enters the place she was looking for. The the tavern is quite roomy as there are lots of open space with tables and chairs littered everywhere in the room. Quickly sitting at one of the table a waitress holding a round plate soon comes up to her asking to take her order. Hitomi politely sends her away saying that she doesn't need anything at all. Letting a sigh escape her lips the girl had no idea who she should ask about information related to her desired location.
"Hey there young lady hiccup... What such a feeble looking girl like yourself doing here all alone," slurred a man who looked around in his late forties to early fifties. The man simply takes a seat next to the young girl as she tries remain indifferent at the current predicament.
"Sorry sir but I see no reason to answer your question. So please don't disturb my thinking," answered Hitomi hoping that the drunk would leave her be, but it would seem that was not an option as he snakes one arm around her shoulders.
"Hiccup ah come now little lady no need to hiccup be so harsh. You look so lonely that I thought I might come give you some companionship," said the man with his voice slurring every few words. The girl says nothing as she remove his arm from her shoulder and get up to leave.
"Hey where you going!?" shouted the drunk as he grabs Hitomi's wrist before she could walk always from the table. Now it wouldn't be too hard for her to knock such a person out cold, but because she was in such a populated place she couldn't afford to reveal her demon strength.
"I'm sorry sir but may I ask that you please..." she never finished her sentence as the man instantly attacks Hitomi's mouth with a kiss. The girl was completely surprised by this act as she taste the alcohol on the man's mouth, but it didn't end there as he tries to force his tongue into her mouth. Before that could happen though Hitomi instantly pushes the man off her as she wipes her mouth on her right wrist.
"Hiccup hiccup... Wow your small mouth certainly taste wonderful young miss. Hiccup how about you become my woman I promise to treat you nice," slurred the man in a delusional state as he get up to approach the fleeing Hitomi. However, before he could grab Hitomi's arm the girl instantly punches the drunken bastard sending him to the ground with a hard thud.
"Ugh hiccup what was that for you bitch I was just trying to be nice," whined the man as he picks himself up off the ground. Hitomi deciding that this wasn't the place to gather info instantly leave the tavern, but she could of sworn she saw a murderous look on the drunk's face but waves the intent off as nothing serious.
Outside once more the girl continues walking around the large town trying to figure out the best way to gather info. The tavern was a lost cost and judged it as not a safe place for women to go to for future reference. Hitomi then decide that it was probably best to ask someone at one of the local vendors, but the girl soon bumps into someone while she wasn't looking as they both look at each other for a few moment. The Person that Hitomi had bumped into had long silk black hair that was well kept along with beautiful amber colored eyes. She wore a simple yellow kosode which had pink butterfly pattern on it, along with a yellow hadagi, and green mo-bakama that followed the same pattern as her kosode. Hitomi quickly shakes her initial shock off as she quickly apologies to the girl before moving on. The mysterious girl however, simply watch as Hitomi disappears into the crowd of people with the shock look still written on her face. Suddenly she snaps out of her daze as another girl identical to herself is standing in front of her. However, unlike her hair is short and only stretches to the middle of her neck. Plus she was wearing an attire similar to a Buddhist monk. It consisted of black koromo( a wide sleeve robe) along with a pink kesa which was a sash that wrapped around her entire body. The other girl let out a sigh as she looks at the girl with long black hair with an annoyed look.
"Kaori what are you doing here gasping like a fish out of water?" asked the girl's annoyed voice while waiting for the girl called Kaori to recover from her shocked state. The long haired girl simply looks at the short hair one with her eyes showing a bewildered look.
"I think I saw a ghost or something Kaoru. I saw a young girl who looked like Kagome-san!" cried Kaori as the girl name Kaoru looked at her with a dumbfound look. She quickly however, get over it judging that the girl was seeing things.
"I leave you alone for five minutes then you run off on me, and on top of that now your claiming you saw someone that looked like Kagome-san!?" shouted Kaoru while the other girl tried to explain what she had seen to her sister.
"I'm not kidding Nee-san this girl looked exactly like Kagome, and on top of that she had the same heterochromia eyes as Tsukiko. I'm not lying about this Kaoru what I'm saying is really true since I got a decent look at her," whined Kaori as she wanted to go find and talk to the girl even if it was a for a minute.
"Let me guess your going to drag me all over town now to find this mysterious look-a-like girl to prove me wrong right," sighed Kaoru as she really wanted to get home as soon as possible, and just like that the girl's sister instantly grabs her arms as they start their pursue of finding Hitomi.
Elsewhere Hitomi was simply walking around the massive town as she was trying to find information on her current destination. However, no matter who she asked it seem that no one knew where actually Kaede's Village was located. All that she had learned was that the village was somewhere beyond a forest called "The Forest of Inuyasha". This made her wonder though why a forest was named after the person who could possibly be her father? Although now she knew that the village was beyond this forest the question was where was this forest located? Thus the girl continues her hunt for info on Kaede's Village, but couldn't help but feel that she was being watched as she could sense that she was being followed for some time now. Hitomi quickly takes a quick glance behind her, but find that there is no one noticeable that is following her. Concluding that she was being a little bit too cautious the girl continues on her way. Completely unaware of the two girl that were following her in secrecy.
"See I told you Kaoru! Doesn't she look just like Kagome-san?" said the girl in a mocking tone of voice. While Kaoru herself was watching the girl very closely as they continued to tail her from the safety of the shadows.
"Well I admit that you weren't completely lying when you said she looked like Kagome-san. Even her Heterochromia are the same as Tsukiko's," whispered Kaoru who believed that they had stumbled on to something huge.
"She seem to be looking for information on something in particular," commented Kaori as the two continue to tail Hitomi from one vendor to another. Noticing that with each vendor the girl went to she would look a little bit down after leaving it.
However, Kaoru is a little cautious she see two suspicious looking men watching the girl they were tailing from one of the vendors nearby. Predicting that they might have a fight on their hands later on Kaoru warns her sister be ready for a struggle which came off as a little cryptic to Kaori. The two watch Hitomi from an alley nearby as the girl props herself against the town's wall while thinking about what to do next. The two girls watch carefully waiting for her to go on to her next destination, but that isn't the case as two men instantly ambush the girl from both her right and left side. Hitomi herself sees them coming and instantly jumps on the roof of the tall wall effectively avoiding the two men. However, a shadowy figure catches her from behind rendering her unconscious after forcing a white cloth against the girl's noise and mouth. Hitomi not being able to handle the smell coming from the cloth immediately go limp as the shadowy figure sling the small girl over his shoulder. The three then leave the scene with Hitomi as Kaoru and Kaori watch with stunned looks plaster on their faces at the current situation.
"Ah this is bad Nee-san she been up-ducted by some thugs!?" cried Kaori unlike her sister who had anticipated the up-duction from the very moment she noticed the two strange men watching Hitomi. The question was what did they want with a girl as fragile and small as Hitomi?
"I was afraid this was going to happen. Kaori can you sense that girl's Yoki and pinpoint its location?" asked Kaoru who didn't really need to ask as she could see her sister already at work trying to find the girl's Yoki energy.
"It faint but I should be able to find it with no problems," answered Kaori as she concentrated her mind on finding Hitomi Yoki energy. However, instead of finding the Yoki Kaori was able to sense a decent size amount of spirit energy leaking from the girl instead, with her Yoki energy being barely noticeable compared to her Spiritual energy.
"That strange I'm sensing more of a Spiritual type energy coming from her than a Yoki," uttered Kaori who was puzzled by the energy that she was sensing. Kaoru on the other hand didn't think much of as she was more worried about the girl's well being then the type of power that she had.
"We can worry about that later right now we need to save that girl as soon as possible. I don't like the idea of leaving her with those men for even a few minutes," said Kaoru as she started to head in the direction of the inn that she was at before Kaori had disappeared on her.
"You go locate the place their holding her at, I'm going to back to the inn to retrieve my staff and whatever you do don't reveal yourself to the enemy. No matter what they do to her don't try to save her until I get there understand?" warned Kaoru with her sister nodding her head in response to her question.
"Alright lets get this over with as soon as possible. I just hope she'll be alright until we get there..." whispered Kaoru as the two sister split up to complete their separate tasks, and as Kaori runs through the town's streets she hope that girl that look like their parent's friend would be alright until they arrived to save her.
Warning M rated Content ahead, reader discretion advised. You have been warned so read at your own risk.
It was dark when Hitomi regained conscious once again, and felt lightheaded when her mind came into complete function. The first thing that she noticed upon waking was that her hands were bond behind her back by a tight rope, with the same thing for her ankles as well effectively rendering her motionless to move. However, what was more apparent was that she felt weak and that she could not channel a sufficient amount of strength to her limbs to break her bonds. Third thing that caught her attention was that she is completely naked as her clothes weren't on her or anywhere in sight for that matter. This worried her a bit since the sheath that she cherished was concealed in her kosode which was also missing as well. Knowing that worrying about its location would have to come later. Hitomi decide to take a look around her surrounding to get a grasp at her situation. The area seem to be some basement of sort since it was dark, and humid with a small fire burning dimly in the center of the room's fire place. Hitomi could smell the scent of blood as it literally permeated the entire air around her. Going by how strong the smell was she could tell that people were killed here frequently, and that there was a killing committed here quite recently. There was a single door on the other side of the room that appeared to be the only exit out of this holding place. The door then suddenly open as the three men that had ambushed her casually walk into the holding place, but what surprise her the most is that the drunk that she had encountered at the tavern earlier was the last one to walk in.
"Ah so your finally awake Hime-san it so good of you join us on this lovely day," said the drunk in a sarcastic tone of voice mocking Hitomi and her current situation. The man then slowly strolls over towards her, and looks at her with a deranged smile planted on his face.
"Aw you look a little uncomfortable there Hime-san but don't worry I'll make sure that your treated nicely," mocked the man as he put a hand underneath her back hosting her into a sitting position. The girl desperately try to channel strength to her limb, but it feels as if her arm and legs are made out taffy at the moment.
"Poor girl you look so cute in this helpless state that it beautiful just to look at you," hummed the drunk as he licks Hitomi left cheeks sending a shiver down the girl's spine. This though doesn't go unpunished as the girl rams her forehead literally into the man face causing him to drop her on the floor to hold is hurting face.
"Aah that wasn't very nice Hime-san I think some punishment is in order," barked the drunk as one of the man next to him handed him a sword. However, unlike a normal sword this one looked like it had been tempered just moments ago making the blade extremely hot.
The smile on the drunk's face widen further as he places the tip of the blade on the girl's shoulder, causing her to cringe her teeth from the sting of the heat coming off the blade. Hitomi then screams out in agonizing pain as the blade is slowly press into her shoulder causing the burning/stinging sensation to intensify tenfolds. Sure she had been stab by a blade before but this was far worse then those times since the blade was tempered to extreme heats. Happy with his work the drunk remove the blade from the girl's shoulder leaving a burning mark where she was stabbed. A sick glint appears in his eyes as he watch the blood trickle from the wound lefted on her shoulder. Hitomi herself just lays there breathing heavy as she tries to bear with the pain as best she could. The drunk found it fascinating that she was still trying to break her bonds even though she had just been stabbed with a tempered sword. The other girls he had done this to would normally pass out from the sheering pain or cry for the remainder of the section.
"Aw poor Hime-san I hope that didn't hurt too much. I was trying to be as gentle as possible," said the drunk as he lift Hitomi up into a sitting position once again so that she could look at him. Supporting her with one arm the man kisses her on the cheek while one hand went to fondle one the her breast.
Seeing the blood still oozing from the girl's shoulder wound the man slowly dips his head towards her shoulder, licking the blood off Hitomi's shoulder. Her face instantly convulse in disgust as the man continues to touch her left breast while licking the flowing blood. Done with that the man then orders the two that were watching to hold the girl up in a standing position. Smiling like a madman the drunk swing his sword at her side making a deep slice on the left side of her stomach. Hitomi lets out another agonizing cry as the sword cuts into her leaving another burning wound. She begins panting hard as she swallows the unbearable pain with the man looking at her with a smile on his face. He had killed many women in the same fashion, but he had never seen such a woman with a defying look in her eyes as Hitomi's had right now. It not only amused him but pissed him off at the same time. As if the girl was saying that no matter what he did she would not submit to this torture. He then begins to giggle to himself which soon breaks out into a full blown laugh as the two who were holding the girl wondered what was so funny.
"Wow Hime-san I must say that your bearing with this pain quite well. Maybe this isn't your first time being cut by a sword," taunted the drunk as he pinched one of Hitomi nipples while the she continued to fight her urge to scream or cry.
"Heh well that ok it make it that much more amusing to play with you," whispered the drunk as he slowly started to suck on the girl's left nipple causing her to let out a slight moan. That must of done it as the man went from her chest to her mouth seizing it in a rough kiss.
Hitomi could feel the man trying to force his way into her mouth, but the girl even in this predicament would not summit to his will. As she tries to turn her head away one of the men that was holding her up grabbed the top of her scarf along with a fist full of her hair, holding her head in place as drunk continued to kiss her, and finally being able to force his way inside the girl's mouth. Hitomi could feel his tongue ravaging through her mouth tasting every part it could possibly touch. She couldn't help but feel disgusted not only with the man, but with herself from letting these things happen to her. Its at that moment she could hear that voice calling out to her. The same one that had possessed her to carry out that massacre at the manor that day. Fighting the voice with whatever willpower she had left. Hitomi's eyes go completely void as she is in a struggle to control her demonic Yoki. Her mind did not register anything at the time neither the drunk's foul tongue moving through her mouth, nor his hand that was massaging her right breast which was causing her nipples to go stiff. No she had no time to worry about such things for if her powers were to go out of control the whole town could be destroyed in an instant. Satisfy with his kiss the drunk looks at the girl's eyes that have gone completely blank at the moment.
Not liking the fact that she wasn't paying him any attention the man swings his sword once more leaving a long diagonal slash across Hitomi's abdominal. However, there is no reaction from the girl herself not even a change in expression. Did the girl merely give up or was it an iron will that was preventing her from crying out? Whatever the case was it was frustrating to the drunk as he stabs his sword into the girl's right side causing blood flow rapidly from the wound. There is no response angering the man even more. Deeming her mind completely broken the man move in deciding that he would use the girl's body to pleasure himself just for a bit.
End of M rated Material it save to read pass this point.
Kaori was witnessing the entire event, and it was becoming quite hard to control her urge to go help the girl who wasn't showing any signs of fighting back. What was taking her sister so long to get here? If they did not hurry the girl that they thought might be Tsukiko would be killed soon before they could do anything to help her. The torturing of the girl was driving Kaori anger to a boil, but her sister had said not to intervene no matter what. The girl is stabbed in the right side as the drunk was getting frustrated with the her lack of response, and Kaori was getting more and more concerned as she could see that the man was tired with these mere actions. It didn't take her a second to figure out what would come next, and she rather die before she let the next act take place.
"Stop it that enough!" shouted Kaori as she emerged from the stair well with anger written all over her face. Everyone except for Hitomi stare at the girl in front of them as she looks at the drunk with a fury that would make any normal man think twice before approaching her.
"Ahahahaha Hahahaha! What do we have here!? A lone girl has come here to die all on her own!? How hilarious today must be my lucky day Ahahahahahaha!" laughed the drunk while Kaori looked at him with no sense of fear at all.
"Ohhh what a fearless look you have on your face Hime-san. I think I'll wipe it off for you," uttered the drunk as he snapped his finger causing the two men to drop Hitomi, and rush the girl who had barged in on them.
"Jeez you just never listen to a word I say do you Kaori," sighed a voice as something quickly rush past her demolishing the two men that were going to harm her in an instant. Standing there in the middle of the two who were rendered unconscious was her sister Kaoru with her trusty staff in her left hand.
"What took you so long to get here Kaoru," muttered Kaori as her sister looked behind her to see the drunken man hovering over Hitomi. His face was twisted with rage as he looked at the two girls who was interrupting his play time.
"How dare you meddling kids interrupt my fun! I'll make sure you two regret your choice when I'm threw with you!!!" roared the drunk as he charged towards Kaori in particular. Kaoru readies herself to move forward however, the man that had snuck behind Hitomi had swung his sword in arc attempting to lop Kaoru head off her shoulders.
"Heh guess you couldn't remain quiet forever huh," said Kaoru as the man stepped in front of her with his sword held in his right hand. A simple smile appears on his face as he readies himself for combat. Kaoru herself also get into a fighting stance as the two stare at each other waiting for the other to make the first move.
Sparks instantly start flying as the two start to exchange powerful blows with each other in rapid section. His sword arc downwards in an attempt to cut at the his enemy vital spot near near her liver, but she quickly defends with her staff parrying the blow gracefully with her body momentum. She then quickly swing her staff down on the enemy's head with the attack being deflected by the enemy sword. He then thrust his sword forward to impale the girl's head but she hastily jumps back avoiding the attack by a small margin. A satisfying smile appears on the man face as if he is savoring the battle they were having. Kaoru herself didn't like the odd though as she could tell that the man was a skilled sword users, which wasn't in her ability range to handle. Sure her mother and uncle had taught her how to defend herself against such opponents, but it wasn't enough to beat a person with skills of this level. The samurai charges forward swinging his sword horizontally to cut the girl's stomach open. However, she quickly block with her staff, and continues to trade blows with her mysterious assailant. Kaoru cringes in frustration with each blow that they exchange with her barely being able to avoid the blows that would otherwise be fatal. The sound of there weapons clashing rings throughout the damp holding place as they continue to fight one another. The man however, quickly arcs his sword downward intending to smash his enemy's skull in with his blade. Kaoru instantly holds her staff above her head with both hands, but the strike is insanely over powered sending the girl crashing on her backside with a thud. He then instantly follows up his attack by trying to stab Kaoru's heart but she hastily rolls to her right avoiding the fatal strike. Not giving up the samurai tries this once more, but the girl kicks the man in the stomach pushing him away a little. This give her time to spring off her hands and back on to her feet holding her staff in a defensive position.
"I must praise you for your battle instincts. It not often that I get to fight an adversary of your caliber. Although your young you have a good understanding of your weapon sou-san," proclaimed the man with one eye open waiting for the girl's next move.
"Thank you kind sir but flattery will get you nowhere," answered Kaoru in a sarcastic voice waiting for the samurai next attack to come. He on the other lets his smile become more apparent while watching the girl look at him with the eyes of a hawk.
"I apologize if I've offended you sou-san it just that your skill level is amazing for one so young. I doubt that some of your age could have faced powerful demons to get to level that your at now," commented the man while keeping his one eye on his prey.
"I can't believe someone of your skill would take orders from a guy as twisted at that," countered Kaoru while the samurai let out as small laugh. The man just simply nods his head as if agreeing with what the girl had just said.
"True sou-san but as long as my employer pays me. I don't really care what kind of orders or what kind of man my employer may be at all," replied the man while Kaoru looks at him with a disgust look on her face.
"My what people would stoop to make money. You even throw away your honor and commit such atrocious crimes to make money. My how your soul has fallen Mr. Samurai," muttered Kaoru while the samurai nods in agreement once again.
"To be fair miss sou-san I my soul had already fallen to the point of no return once I made contact with that man," rebutted the man as Kaoru could sense that he wasn't not referring to the drunk, but to someone else entirely different.
"Come let us continue are bout sou-san!" declared the samurai as he attacks Kaoru once again. The girl simply says nothing as she rushes forward to meet her enemy in combat. True the man had more skill than her, but she knew she had to win if she wanted to learn anything about the girl unconscious on the ground.
Sparks fly as the metal mantle of Kaoru's staff crashes into the samurai's blade. However, the girl is force to play more defensively as every time she attacks the man. He would parry her blow, and follow up with a swift counterattack forcing the girl back. The two continue to exchange blows with the samurai continuing to push back the girl's assault. For every counterattack the man launches against her Kaoru would barely be able to avoid getting hit in a vital spot. The sword arcs once more after she parry the initial strike with the counterattack aimed at her neck. Kaoru bites her lower lip in frustration as the she once again is forced to retreat to avoid a fatal blow. What could she do against the man that attack her with complete grace? Every attack that the girl launches at him is completely parried and followed up with a fatal counterattack. A normal man would've been killed at this point, but then again Kaoru wasn't a normal girl. Being trained by parents that had fought impossible opponents. Kaoru obviously had honed her skills hoping to match her parents level of skill. However, she was beginning to wonder if even they could beat the enemy that was now in front of her... Blows are exchanged once again as Kaoru is pushed back further and closer to the approaching wall behind her. If she get cornered then it would be all over for her as there be no chance to escape the man blinding attacks.
"Kaoru!?" cried Kaori as she could see that her sister was being cornered by her opponent. She could tell that if she gets pinned against the wall it would be all over for her sister. The girl quickly parry the drunk clumsy sword swing once again which was mere child's play for someone like her.
"Kuu... Ahh!!!" cried Kaoru as she rushes her opponent in an attempt to use the length of her staff to her advantage. The attack is once again however, parried and the counterattack arcs upwards to split the girl's face open. Kaoru hastily retreat back barely avoiding the blade by a margin. A small cut appears on the girl's cheek as blood start to seep from the wound.
"Hahaha. That the spirit sou-san keep your instinct sharp," applauded her opponent as he increased the speed of his attacks once again. Kaoru wasn't even sure anymore if it was the man skill or something completely unknown that was making him difficult to battle. Sure her body and reflexes were enhanced by her spiritual power, but that alone wouldn't make up for the gap of skill between the two of them.
Kaori can only look on as she continues to dodge the drunk's attacks while watching her sister fight a losing battle. Only a few more steps and her sister would be cornered against the wall. She was scared... scared that her sister would be mercilessly killed by the man fighting her. Kaori once again dodges her enemy's attack knowing full well that she could immobilize him with the weapon hidden beneath her sleeve. However, her instinct told her that if she tried such a thing the samurai's attack would be instantly shifted on her. If that happened she would be killed in mere seconds as she doesn't possess the skill to dodge such graceful attacks. Like her sister Kaori was also trained in self-defense, but unlike her was unrefined and on an even lower level than their little brother's fighting skills. Plus unlike Kaoru she couldn't use spirit energy to increase her physical abilities at all. Her sister had always told her to train harder to increase her skill saying that she had the potential to get better. Now she understood why she had pressed so much on the subject. Right now she was completely useless to help her sister, and if she attacked the samurai's contractor it would be all over for her. The sword arcs once more aiming to cut the girl's right arm off, but Kaoru avoids that attack once again but receives a cut on her left collarbone. The girl simply grits her teeth as she dodges the man next attack. She had never been cut by a blade before, and it was taking a lot of restraint for the girl not to cry out in pain.
"Kaoru!!!" shouted Kaori as she couldn't watch her sister losing battle any longer. The arm blade instantly snaps into its battle position as the twin sibling rushes to help her sister.
"Kaori you idiot behind you!!!" screamed Kaoru barely missing having her head cut off by a small margin. Kaori quickly turn around too late as she see the drunker sword coming down to cut her in two. The girl simply closes her eyes waiting for the pain to come.
Blood splatters all over the ground as the samurai and Kaoru watches the carnage in horror. Kaori not feeling any pain feel blood splatter all over her. She quickly opens her eyes to see that the drunk's upper body has been completely torn to pieces. The three just look at Hitomi who is standing there with her claws covered in blood, and her eyes hidden completely behind her black bangs. Kaori was paralyzed not from the girl's actions but from the terrifying Yoki admitting from her body. She then slowly starts to approach Kaori who could feel the killing intent coming off her. "I'm going to die," is all Kaori could think as Hitomi slowly walks towards her eyes hidden beneath her black bangs. However, she suddenly stops her advancement as she falls on her knee while her body quivers uncontrollably. Hitomi let out an agonizing scream as the she tries desperately to drive the demonic voice from her mind which urges her to kill. Kaori not wanting to see the girl in turmoil quickly rushes over to her, and wraps her arms tight around Hitomi's shaking frame. The older girl gently strokes the younger girl's hair trying her best to get her to calm down.
"It ok your save now just calm down! It alright you don't have to be afraid so please don't cry Tsukiko!!!" cried Kaori as Hitomi eyes dilated upon hearing the name Tsukiko. Her body then slowly stops shaking as she could feel the voice becoming distant.
"It ok Tsukiko you don't have to be afraid," whispered Kaori while rubbing the girl's back to calm her even further. Kaoru just watches her sister comfort the small girl letting out a breath that she was holding in the entire time.
"Well looks like my contractor is dead. So there no need for me to fight you anymore sou-san," stated the samurai as he sheath is sword in the sheath held at his waist. Kaoru just looks at the man with a dumbfound look as she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"I enjoyed our match sou-san I hope that we can cross blades in the future," commented the samurai as he leave the cell thus, leaving Kaoru and her sister alone with the girl that had just slaughtered his contractor in cold blood.
"Is she alright Kaori?" asked Kaoru after regaining her senses while slowly walking over to the pair that was on the ground. Kneeling next to her sister she could see that the wounds that the girl received were quite deep, and would have to be attended to immediately less the get worse.
"It seems she'll be alright. Her Yoki energy is fluctuating at random anymore, and her Spiritual energy seem to be stable now," uttered Kaori while holding Hitomi closely to her as if she would go wild the moment that she lets go of her.
"That good... Here cover her with this we need to attend to those wounds quickly before they get infected," stated Kaoru as she tossed her kesa to her sister so that she could cover the frail girl with it, and with that done the two leave the holding cell as Kaori carries an unconscious Htiomi on her back.
Angelic: Well that the end of chapter Sixteen just one more chapter to go then that will be the end of "My True Indentity". The title of the next book in this saga will be the "Warring Lands" as it'll focus on the four major demon territory along with our favorite Hanyo Inuyasha. Heh we might get to see some father/daughter pwnage if we're lucky so look foward to the next book until then cya next chapter.