Updated at long last! I don't even know if anyone is reading this but for those of you who are reading this I had to double check through this chapter and fix all spelling and grammar mistakes. Hopefully its better now =)

Alright so in this chapter I'm bringing Dante and Hideyoshi (Soki) together. How will they cope? haha well you'll have to read and find out!
Enjoy guys!

As the sunrise came over the city of Tokyo; Sawayama Castle seemed to become more and more distant in the morning mist.

As the dark and looming shadows of Sawayama Castle dwindled further behind the sunrise the city of Tokyo lit up like a beacon. Dew seeped from the cracks in buildings and slipped down off of trees and their leaves.

The streets were quiet this early morning as many of the men in the city would soon need to awaken to attend their daily jobs in order to bring food, money and wealth to their homes and families. Many of the streets were poorly with disease and the dreaded Genma insects patrolling the streets looking for people to prey on to fill their bellies.

The Genma insects were created from mutilated people almost as though they were zombie like. They often grew from the 'cherry trees' that were contained under tarp and inside the parameters of Sawayama and most of the major forts and strongholds in Japan.

There was a time in the not too distant past when these 'cherry trees' were destroyed and good triumphed over evil. When a mere few fought back to resist the darkness consuming Japan that was soon to consume the entire world.

A young girl with the demon eye that could slow down time for her fast and flurry like attacks with her trusted Katana. Jubei Yagyu who set out to destroy the man who had betrayed the Yagyu name for the sake of power and greed.

A beautiful young woman who previously served under the orders of Hideyoshi Toyotomi; the crazed and possessed man who wanted to claim the world with the power of light, had betrayed them to follow after her heart. Ohatsu relied on her knowledge of explosives and firearms to aid her comrades on the battle field and inside the forts and strongholds.

A Spanish import who was used for terrible experiments by the man who had taken him in and raised him; Louis Frois desired to observe the human anatomy and create a super human capable of inhuman activity. Roberto was sadly the only one of the experiments to survive. His arms were given extra human strength so he could punch through walls and move heavy objects; which came in handy when he was defending Japan with his friends.

The eldest and wisest of the gang was a monk who often kept many secrets and knew too much and often proved it whilst explaining to his comrades about particular points in the forts and strongholds. He never revealed his age but everyone suspected he was older than he appeared. Tenkai was a wise old monk who relied immensely on his staff and spiritual power to combat against the evil forces.

A handsome young man with an outgoing attitude took upon the role as the leader of the little gang they had formed. Although, this was no ordinary man. He possessed the dark powers of the Black Oni. A dangerous and powerful force if the powers were to get out of control. Hideyasu, or rather Soki, disowned himself as part of the Toyotomi clan once he discovered what the 'cherry trees' were really used for. He had done everything in his power to defeat it and all the while trying to tame the beast within himself. In the end he had to pay the ultimate sacrifice. In order to defeat Fortinbras, the God of Light, Soki needed to use his dark powers to overthrow the light.

The world was at peace again with the light destroyed. Each member went their separate ways. Jubei continued to watch over Japan, Ohatsu married a Lord, Roberto went back to his home town and Tenkai continued to keep watch over Japan from the temple at Mt. Hiei with his student, Arin.

And what became of Soki? As though by the power of the Gods he was released back to Japan where he continued to keep watch over the people of Japan. He went back to his hideout in Tokyo so he had a better observation of Sawayama Castle.

As the sun sat nicely in the tired blue sky the rays of the sun became warm as they grew and expanded over the streets. From within a hideaway behind a broken fence was a closed sliding door that led into a hideout.

Soki groaned as the rays of the sun seeped through the rice-paper-like windows and felt warm against his face. He lay comfortably on his futon with his blanket covering his lower torso and his pillow half under his head with his rye blonde hair strewn everywhere.

He opened his eyes slowly; an ocean blue colour set in sunlight shone and sparkled. He sat up and stretched his toned arms up, his chest following the movements of his arms. He yawned loudly tears forming in his eyes as he clenched them shut. "Oh man. Well time to get up." He said to himself and stood up, his baggy white pants clinging to his legs as he walked to get himself dressed and ready for the day.

Soki never quite understood why he was given this extra chance to change the streets of Tokyo once more. He figured the Gods had wanted further peace and prosperity from the land and people living in it. He had understood where he stood from the people of Japan, Half or more of the population never realised what had happened and never knew of Soki's existence.

Oh sure there were stories and even legends of the Black Oni. But to the people this was merely an old folk tale that had been passed down through generations, Almost to keep the spirit of the story alive.

Soki never tried to reveal himself as the Black Oni or even felt that it was a great necessity. For what would others have to say if he decided to rant about his great power if he wasn't prepared to prove it? That's how he always saw it. More of a curse than a gift.

Soki looked himself over in his make-shift mirror as he combed through his thick rye blonde hair and tied it back in a half bun behind his head, his thick bangs falling forward to cover his forehead as he placed his head piece just underneath his bangs to support them. On his blue head piece were two demon-like horns, since he had been given then nickname 'The Blue Demon'.

He glanced over and saw his two broadswords resting against the back wall. Lamentation, a blue broadsword, which was given to him by his mother who was taken from him. It was patterned with swirls of blue water, cream like colours, cherry blossoms and a single coy fish. He treasured it dearly and never went anywhere without it... especially if he was going to kill the Genma insects.

The other sword was red with glowing golden circles and dark lines down its surface. This sword was used to purify demons and the Genma insects sending their souls to rest in the afterlife. But in order to properly use this sword Soki needed to obtain the Oni Orb from the other side of the spiritual gate. With this orb in possession he released Ohatsu from the Genma larvae eating at her body.

Soki looked at his reflection once more thinking back to his adventures with his old comrades. He knew Tenkai knew of his reincarnation but aside from the monk none of his old comrades knew he had returned. He smiled at the thought of his old comrades... his old friends who he treasured so much he had to keep them safe at any cost.

He looked to the east and noticed the sunlight boring through the windows. He nodded to himself. "Time to start I guess." He fixed up his clothes and picked up his blue slatted armour attaching it to his chest, arms, front and legs. He slung his two broadswords over his right shoulder and pulled on his samurai sandals. Once he was content, Soki walked outside and looked down both sides of the street before jumping over the fence and out onto the main road of Tokyo.

He glanced up at the castle and narrowed his eyebrows slightly. It seemed too quiet from his memory of the castle. He shook his head and turned his back to the castle to carry on with his patrolling duties. He had heard rumours of the Genma insects growing once again. He didn't quite understand why it was happening but he was determined to put a stop to the Genma and whoever was behind this.

"It can't be Fortinbras... I kicked him back to the light and I'm fairly certain all of his minions followed suit." He looked up in thought as he strolled along the road. He hummed to himself and stopped outside of a ramen stand. He raised an eyebrow suddenly when movement came from within the stand. "Ramen at this hour?" He reached back for his Lamentation and readied himself.

He waited for a few seconds with his sword at the ready. He gritted his teeth. "Come on!" He shouted. After he shouted; a Genma insect stepped out from behind the curtain. It wobbled as it walked to him with its sword drawn. Soki narrowed his eyebrows angrily and swung at the Genma. It screamed and collapsed to the ground, red foam escaping from the deep slash.

Soki looked it over. "Something isn't right." He whispered to himself and turned as he found himself surrounded by the Genma. He smirked and readied himself. "Don't hurry for my sake." He waited as a few ran forward. He slashed at them, yelling a battle cry as they fell to the ground. "HAH! Too easy!" He exclaimed as more rushed at him only to be hacked at by his sword.

The Genma hissed and circled Soki. He growled as more and more emerged. He was severely outnumbered as he continued to hack and slash at them. He exhaled and stood back. "Where are they all coming from!" He then yelped as he was slashed from behind. "DAMMIT!" He turned and slashed two more. Lamentation glistened in the sunlight as he readied it for another attack. "Alright... ready? One... Two..." He counted calmly to himself and prepared to run through the mass of Genma.

"THREE!" Came a new voice. Soki looked up for a second and saw nothing but a red blur. Gunshots flew from everywhere as the blur bounced from building to building, running along the fences and finally jumping into the air; spinning to make the bullets fly everywhere. "WOOHOO!"

The Genma fell one by one. Soki growled and hacked at the last few and put his sword to his side. He turned a little as the figure landed on the ground and began to walk towards him slowly, his boot buckles clanging with each step. Soki froze as he felt something touch the side of his head.

"So, demon, mind telling me why you're dressed as a human?" The figure was male from what Soki could tell from his low voice. "Demons don't just lurk around killing their own kind without a reason... So what's yours?"

Soki clenched his broadsword and flung it knocking the man back. "I could say the same for you!" He shouted and knocked back each bullet that was fired. He bolted, running for the man as a sword was exposed. "You'll run out of steam sooner or later!" He parried each blow with Lamentation that the man threw at him. Soki took in his features quickly; white hair with vibrant and striking blue eyes, a
biggish nose and a pale complexion. His jacket was long with three tails; maroon leather with buckles and straps everywhere.

The man grinned. "What's your name, demon?" He matched blow for blow seemingly impressed by his opponent's skill and power.

Soki grinned and caught their swords. "I have many names." He then pushed him back and backed the man against a fence. "But it is courtesy for a challenger to state his own name before asking the challenged."

The man smirked. "Clever. The demon has brains." He then put his sword down. "Dante. And you can take your sword away from my throat. I don't bite... much." He grinned and clamped his teeth together.

Soki brought his sword down. "Well nice to meet you, Dante." Soki then looked up. "As for a name... hmm I don't really have one. I get called many things." He turned back to Dante, "But if you are looking for a name; Soki is it. That's what everybody calls me."

Dante grinned. "Soki... Well Soki if you aren't a demon," he glanced at his armour, "what's up with your sense of fashion? This isn't the feudal ages." He looked up. "Nice setup by the way. How long did it take? A day?"

Soki raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me? You aren't exactly all up with fashion either. Where did that jacket come from? The dumpster behind the tavern?"

Dante gasped and looked down at his jacket, almost insulted, and looked up at Soki. "Never diss the jacket!" He pulled out his guns. "Unless you want to kiss Ebony and Ivory. Cos I'm in the mood for some demon ass kicking!" He readied the guns. "Well? Whaddya say demon? Ahem I mean Soki." He smirked and pointed the guns at his head.

Soki smiled baring his teeth. "I've never turned down a challenge and I'm not about to start now." He then held an arm up. "But why would you name your firearms Ebony and Ivory? Why not... Blackie and Whitey?" He smirked. "Oh I'm sorry did I hit a nerve? Here let me set it back in place!" He rushed forward with his Lamentation held ready. "YAAA!"

Dante loaded his guns. "You'll regret that you blue bastard!" He yelled and dashed forward. "HAAAA!" He jumped and started firing round after round, the bullets ricocheting off the walls and pelting into the dirt. "WOOOO!"

They hacked, slashed, beat, shot and carved into one another for what seemed like hours. They finally stood apart from one another for a finishing blow. Dante puffed and panted, his trigger fingers red and sore. His hands were sweaty underneath his black fingerless leather gloves. He was determined to knock Soki back. He shot one more round of bullets. "Eat metal demon!"

Soki yelled as one of the bullets finally penetrated through his slated armour on his right arm. He hissed and dropped Lamentation, a cloud of dirt and dust rising as he fell to his knees. "Ah." He hissed as the bullet moved. He was still uneducated about guns. The only guns he had seen were those of Ohatsu's. These guns appeared to be in a league of their own.

Dante twirled his guns on his fingers and put them back in their place on his back halter with his broadsword, Rebellion. He brushed himself off and walked to Soki. "Nice one. You just had to get shot didn't you?" He barked at him. "Now we have to settle this all over again." He sighed and put his hands behind his head.

Soki growled. "You shot me you asshole! Don't go saying that it was my intention to get shot when you clearly wanted to shoot me!" He cringed and stood up.
Dante rolled his eyes. "Oh here we go! Blame the random stranger with the vintage jacket who just happens to have guns." He put his hands to his hips. "You're not a very good host you know. Take me to you place. I need food." He stretched his sore arms. "And a bath. Don't want the ladies clinging to me while I'm still sweaty and gross."

Soki picked Lamentation up with his left hand and led Dante to his hideout. "Convinced I'm not a demon now? And if I'm such a bad host why are you following me?" He smirked when Dante rolled his eyes. "Just as I thought. A smartass with no brains." He led Dante to his hideout and removed his slatted armour hissing as the blood oozed from his wound.

Dante sighed. "Well since I shot you in the arm I'm expecting you to cut my throat during the night. Be warned I appear innocent and easy going." He then ran his finger up Soki's exposed back causing him to squirm and shiver. "But I fight back just like any other bastard getting a free meal." He then left Soki to have a bath.

Soki sighed and pulled a pair of chopsticks out from his food drawers and breathed slowly putting them in the small bullet wound and grabbing hold of the bullet with the ends of the chopsticks pulling it out slowly. He grunted and clenched his teeth tightly as his flesh squelched and pushed back. "FUCK!" He cursed as he pulled the bullet out and quickly placed a gauze to the bleeding wound; the bullet surrounded by a small pool of blood on the floorboards next to Soki.

"The sooner this bastard leaves, the better."

Well there's chapter 2! Soki and Dante decided to settle things the old fashioned way! With insults and slashing at each other! Now you're all probably wondering how they understand each other; since Dante is American and Soki is Japanese. Everything will be explained later in the story! You'll just have to read to find out. hehe!
Well thank you to everyone who is reading so far!

~SD