Author's Note : Whew, it's been a while! I know, I'm a horrible person to keep you waiting. I think I'll be a bit quicker with updating from now on. Inspiration hit me like a nail. Enjoy!

Chapter Three : Hope for the Hopeless

The greenish liquid slowly poured back into the vial from Shaolin's mouth, dripping from her bottom lip. After every last drop was safely back in the vial, she placed it amongst the many that stood in rows on the shelf in front of her, many more surrounding her, filling both the library and her view.

It was once again one of those days that she chose to spend in the memory library, studying about the now almost extinct clan of the Shihouins. The chinese girl was genuinely interested in the history of this clan, seeing as the leader of her city, and of the Shadowridge clan was THE Shihouin Yoruichi, the head of the Shihouins, as well as the last known to be still alive. She was a hero, a bloody icon, not to mention a living legend for her deeds during the Demon Wars.

But now was not the time to think about her. It was time for Shaolin to go back to her room. It was her day off from guard duty.

Shaolin was one of the young ones who weren't yet strong enough to have a rank in their city. They were called initiates, and fulfilled guarding duties when not in training while the more experienced were sent to deal with more important matters. Thanks to that, she had more time off duty to spend with family or any close friends than most of the rest. She was but a recruit from the Fon clan, one of the old neutral clans back in the day when the Whites led crusades against the Great Clans. Now that all clans, both neutral and most of the Great Clans merged into several bigger clans with different purposes, it was clear that no matter where you came from, you belonged somewhere. And it was to Shadowridge that she belonged, unlike her brothers, who allied themselves with the Bloodfists, only to find their deaths during the War.

Shaolin walked the streets of the Second City deep in her thoughts. Since she was relatively new to the clan, she only got access to the memory library a few days ago, when she passed her test as a recruit. There was so much she needed to see, to learn for herself. The vials held memories of the distant past, knowledge and view that soon replaced even the best description any book or written memory could offer. It was one of the major changes ever since the Merge of Clans.

As someone bumped into her, Shaolin realized that she had been daydreaming… again. That thought only occurred to her, however, when she saw where she was. Apparently, the chinese woman's legs carried her to the training grounds, where the strongest and bravest of warriors fought in melee combat. Most of the time however, the last Shihouin would watch the fights while meditating. She wished nothing more than to become the new second in command under her idol.

Shaking her head, she walked away with a sad smile on her face. That was still a long way, if it was actually possible. Ranks were achieved through power. The stronger you were, the higher your rank was. It was an easy system, and it worked almost flawlessly so far.

Upon reaching her room, she observed the small space which has so far served as her own. It had a small table, a dresser and no bed. It was just like any other room. No personal items or decoration, just plain white walls, and a window opposite to the door. It almost looked like a prison cell… and in a way, it was.

The past changed everything to Yoruichi. After all this time, she still didn't trust anybody, and with good reasons. Whatever memories she had given to the library were nothing but fragments of the past, and the higher ranked officers knew that. Whatever happened between the Shihouins is for her to know, her and her own clan, not those that she accepted as brothers and sisters by need rather then will.

She could never betray her origins, unlike a few others. Her pride was all that she had left.

While her thoughts were still pondering over past betrayals and battles, a shadow wraith materialized from fast moving black smoke, whispering it's silent message into her ear for only her to hear. She knew these wraiths from her days back in the Shihouin days. They were soulless messengers, fragments of a person, traveling through the Void in order to deliver orders to their target.

Shadowridge learned some of the traditions and techniques that her clan used, like shadow stepping, the usage shadow wraiths, and hand-to-hand combat. Entering the Void was the biggest step towards the absolute dominance that the clan now possessed in the lands.

But for the last Shihouin, this caused nothing but a severe headache. What if these techniques and all the knowledge would end up in the wrong hands? She found it hard to believe that her uncle would have wanted that. Even though he was the one to share these secrets, not her.

'Enough' she told herself. She thought too much. This was all probably nothing to worry about, but she could never be sure.

Since the wraith has delivered its message, it waited silently for an order. Yoruichi signaled for it to come closer before whispering into it's ear.

"By the orders of Lady Shihouin and the Shadowridge Captains, the neutrals shall receive one weapon each and take part in the training for recruits. All Shadowridge warriors must report to their respective stations in each city, and await further orders."

Standing at her station up on the wall, Shaolin remembered the same words told to her and her fellow initiates years ago. By tradition, children with a strong enough will were recruited to one of the Great Clans. The message was meant for everyone, but few failed to answer the call. This was one of the only time of the year when the Shadowridge Captains would show themselves publicly. In order to decide who was strong enough to become one with the Void, each year a tournament was held. The winners would become the new recruits and those who were defeated can try again the next year. They were the ones called the Hopeless. But after all, hope was all that the neutrals had.

"The tournament will be held in the next season. Those willing and brave enough should write their names down with the Faithful in their respective line."

And that's exactly how it went. The hopeful stood rows upon rows, waiting to give their names to one of the Faithful. The Faithful were part of the difficult society of the Clans. They were the librarians, priests and priestesses, guardians and writers of history. They were also the ones holding the names of all clan members. For one to enter the Clan, he or she must enter his or her name into the archives.

"As a reminder, the Clan asks that before the tournament, none enters the Clan Grounds unless in possession of a permission from the Faithful, or the Captains. Those found upon the Clan Grounds will be dealt with severely."

The tall, well built man stepped down from the wall, and headed back towards the Grounds. His short black hair remained untouched by the wind as he walked confidently.

Shaolin knew him, but only by sight. He was the second in command of the last Shihouin. He was said to be powerful beyond his original clan. An enigma of kinds.

Shaolin also knew that the ambition to surpass him was foolish. Yet... she couldn't find herself less wanting.

AN : Hope you enjoyed that one. Reviews are both wanted and welcome! And once again, sorry for being horrible. I'll try not to make it happen again.