When the next morning came Rei, Asuka and Shinji were wished off by the abbot and a few of the masters of the temple. Seiryuu and Futoshi in particular were there to wish them off. After a necessary round of goodbyes and good lucks the team went on their way. After a short walk away from the temple Asuka spoke up.

"Where was that guy that trained you? What did you call him Takuji? Why wouldn't he see us off?"

"I'm sure he had other important things to do." responded Rei.

"What could be more important than saying goodbye to someone he trained, someone that is going on a dangerous journey?"

"Probably saying hello to someone more important, Someone he hasn't seen in a long time."

Asuka was slightly confused with this answer. If the person showed up to the temple they weren't going away that soon. Before she could ask any other questions Shinji put his hand on her shoulder. Shaking his head Asuka understood that she should stop asking.

After a short walk of only half a day Rei, Asuka and Shinji reached the harbor that had the boat Takuji mentioned. Surprisingly the harbor was in perfect condition. When they got closer several men appeared from a building near the water. They were all dressed like members of the temple.

"You you three must be the ones Takuji sent here." said one of the three men.

"Yes we are. How did you know that?"

"They sent a messenger hawk." said another. "It flies high enough to escape the mist and then drops a weighted message. It arrived a short while ago."

"So that's what that was." said Shinji.

"You noticed it but didn't mention anything." replied Asuka.

"Well it didn't seem like a threat so it was no concern."

"So where is this boat we are taking?" Rei asked.

"You waste no time do you? Just like someone who was trained by the temple. Follow me."

The three men lead Rei, Asuka and Shinji to a dock that stuck out into the ocean. Asuka gasped at the sight of everything. She looked around like a small child being brought somewhere new. Since she had never seen the ocean or a boat everything was amazing. Shinji had never seen either as well, but he held his amazement at bay. Rei was still able to tell how excited he was.

The boat was much larger than they expected and even larger than Rei thought a boat could be. It was a grand ship with massive sails that stood about twenty feet high and the boat was at least twice that long. Rei, Asuka and Shinji stopped and gazed at the magnificent ship one of the three men stopped as well.

"It is amazing isn't it? That a ship like this can still exist. Long before the mist we were avid sailors a lot of trade was done via water ways. The only reason this ship has survived is because we have been here to care for it all this time and it is far enough out in the water that the mist can't get to it."

"Why would people guard a boat for over a hundred years?" asked Asuka.

"This ship is a symbol of the past, of what we once had. The mist took our lives and our freedom so we had to keep something. This way, if the mist ever vanishes, we still have it. We can sail to other towns and trade again. We can build more and revive the great past we had on the sea."

"What a great purpose you have for fighting." said Rei.

"Thank you. There are a few more of us on the ship preparing it. It will be a full job so you will just be able to sit and relax on the trip. Thee are rooms below deck for you. And again thank you for trying to destroy the mist. If you succeed we will have of dream realized."

"Your welcome, we will do our best."

Everyone got onto the ship and Rei, Asuka and Shinji were lead down below deck to their room. Even though this ship was very old it was in perfect condition. Every board was strong an had no wear or mold. As the crew worked to ready their first trip out to sea Rei, Asuka and Shinji waited down below.

"So this is it huh?" said Shinji. "We are finally going to get Shinigami and his men. We can finally free the world from this mist."

"Yeah!" exclaimed Asuka. "We can save everyone and set my home town free."

"As soon as we do I can go back and visit my sister. It has been almost a year since I left, I', sure she misses me."

"Why can't you just go back?" asked Shinji.

"I'm not sure if my village would let me back. And besides, after seeing just how big this world is, I think it would be fun to live somewhere else."

"We'll live together in that place right Rei?"

"Yeah."

"What are you going to do about the heritage associated with those item you carry?"

"Nothing. If there are enough Shinpishugisha left to even bother ruling over I'm sure that someone is actually in the bloodline of the royal family. If he or she comes forward I will hand over the artifacts to them so they can take your place."

"But I thought the necklace belonged to your mother."

"It did, but that doesn't mean that she was royalty. My father had the sword and he definitely was not the strongest warrior of a Shinpishugisha family."

"Good point."

Asuka stood up and lightly patted the dirt off of her. "I'll be back. The rocking of the ship is starting to get to me. I need more time to get used to it." Asuka said as she walked out of the room.

Rei and Shinji sat there silent for a moment or two before speaking again.

"You seem better Rei."

"Huh, what do you mean?"

"Ever since you came back from your training there is something different about you that just seems better. You seem more confident and focused. There is no more turmoil with the evil part of you. It just seems as though you lost an doubts you had about yourself and what your doing since you gained full control of yourself. I like it."

"Thank you. I think your right. I'm not questioning myself anymore. There is nothing in my head that says I might loose. Everything I had floating around in my head without a clear answer has settled. I know what I think now."

"And?"

"Shinji, Takuji said that when a person mastered both sides of themselves they became a lot stronger. You are always happy and don't ever seem to be bothered with conflicting thoughts. Did you already have a trial with yourself like mine?"

"I guess so. When I was learning to fight I was told outright it was about killing. I never thought about it because I was young and that's what I was told. No evil appeared like your because I calmed myself down to deal with the world. I guess in my act of emotion control I dealt with that issue at the same time. You never answered my question."

"I know." Rei said smiling.

"So your just messing with me? You know that my curiosity is going to bug me until I find out."

"Yup."

"Come on don't do that."

"Why not, it's fun."

Shinji and Rei were going back and forth like that for a short while. Between every exchange they laughed and their smiles grew. For the first time in a while they were truly laughing completely carefree. Eventually Asuka walked back into the room and quietly at back down. Asuka looked at the floor and didn't say anything to either Rei or Shinji.

"I'm going to ask one of the crew members if they know how to cure sea sickness." Shinji said standing up and walking out of the room.

After Shinji left Rei put her hand on Asuka's shoulder. "Are you alright Asuka?"

"There's nothing wrong with me and Shinji knows it."

"Then why are you acting like this?"

"How do you feel about Shinji?"

"What's this about all of a sudden?"

"I heard how you two were laughing and talking in here. What do you think of him? Do you love him?"

"Asuka I've told you before.."

"Don't lie to me!" Asuka interrupted. "You are going to be with Shinji when this is all over. You are going to leave me alone, break your promise to live together."

"Asuka I said we would live in the same town and I meant it. I would never break a promise to someone I care about."

"Do you really care about me or do you care about Shinji?"

"Asuka I care about both of you. The feelings I have for you and Shinji are completely different."

"Why Rei what's different?"

Rei sat silent for a moment and looked away from Asuka.

"You are the first and only friend I ever had Rei. Before you came along I had no one to talk to, no one to even see. I was alone. Then Shinji came and it seems like you are drifting away. I want to stay with you Rei and I don't want anyone to come between us."

"Asuka I.."

Rei was stopped mid sentence by Asuka who had thrown herself at Rei and kissed her. Rei's eyes widened in shock as Asuka hugged Rei tightly and held a strong kiss. Rei could feel Asuka's true emotions through it. Asuka not only viewed Rei as a dear friend but as someone that she truly loved. Asuka could not stand Shinji because he was on obstacle for her. Asuka held the kiss for a short while and then released it.

"I'm sorry Rei." she said quietly. "I know I shouldn't have done that, and I know you don't feel the same way, but I had to tell you how I felt. I needed to tell you before we went into our last fight. If when this is all done you want to be with Shinji I won't stop you. I will settle with living near you. Please just don't leave me completely."

"Asuka. I'm sorry I made you feel bad. I had no idea that you felt like that. I'm sorry I let that stir inside you for so long. If I had only been a better friend than I would have noticed. I hope you forgive me for what I've done."

Asuka hugged Rei again and cried into her chest. She was unable to say it, but she did not blame Rei for anything. Rei understood her friends thought and Asuka understood hers. The two girls stayed embraced like that for a while. Both were glad that they knew exactly how the other felt and that any and all tension or misgivings about the other were gone. Shinji stood outside the room leaning on the wall. His smile was as strong as always and he let out a small laugh.

"I'm glad she finally told her. Congratulations Asuka, you gust proved yourself stronger than me."

It took several days to travel down the coast from the temple harbor to Kyushu. Once there they we unable to find a place to go ashore.

"We have been in the right spot for days." complained Asuka to one of the crew members. "Why haven't we gotten off?"

"There is not a yet a good place to land. There are too many rocks and the mist is very powerful. I don't know if we can get you to the shore."

"Damn this sucks."

"I thank you all for your help." said Rei. "I can get us to the shore so please, take care of yourselves."

"You can? But how?"

"I am a Shinpishugisha remember? I have powers."

Rei summoned her ice demon and used it to form a massive bridge between them and the shore. The crew members gazed in awe at what thy had just seen. Asuka and Shinji jumped over board onto the ice path without a moments hesitation.

"Thank you again." said Rei.

"You just go and win alright?"

"Of course." Rei said and then jumped onto the ice.

Rei, Asuka and Shinji walked on the ice bridge over to the main island of Kyushu and looked around. The mist was much denser than what the had seen before. The land was barren and dead from the years of the mist lessening the amount of sunlight that reached the ground. They could tell that many demons had traveled by that spot in the past.

"I am suddenly very glad that the ship was not able to land." said Shinji.

"Why is that?" asked Asuka.

"The mist here may have been enough to kill them. They may have choked in the amount of it and all the evil that permeates the air."

"Yeah." responded Rei. "The mist must definitely be coming from near here. I can't imagine any other reason for it so be so much worse down here."

"Well now that we know that where do we go? Does Kenji's map say anything about down here?"

Rei pulled out the map and looked for anything that would help. "It doesn't look like he was here himself, but there is mention of a castle down here."

"Only mention?" questioned Shinji.

"He only wrote castle. He left out a small illustration like with all the other towns. All I can guess is that there was a castle down here and he was unsure if it still stood so he just wrote it."

"Well lets heads towards that then." said Asuka.

"It's the only clue we've got." agreed Shinji.

"Alright then, toward the castle it is. It looks like it is in the center of the main island so, that way." Rei pointed and began walking.

"Shinigami-sama," said Shi. "The three humans have made it to Kyushu. They are headed to the castle as we speak."

"GOOD. NOW WE CAN FINALLY GET RID OF THEM."

"Do you actually think they will make it to the castle?" Ichi said calmly. "The demons around here are so powerful that they may die before reaching us."

"That would work but it would be a little disappointing." said Ni. "I would love to take a swing at these guys since they seem so strong."

"AS LONG AS THEY ARE DEAD IT MATTERS NOT. IF THEY MAKE IT TO THE CASTLE INFORM ME AT ONCE."

"Yes Shinigami-sama."

A short time after they started walking Rei, Shinji and Asuka were attacked by a small group of demons. While there were only four of them they were quite powerful. The demons were very large, about twice the size of a human in height with gigantic limbs. Their fangs were as large as Shinji's knives and their claws only a little shorter. The four demons circled around the group to attack from all angles.

"Man this is a pain." said Asuka.

"Yeah I know." responded Shinji. "Now we have to decide who get to kill the odd demon out."

"Hpmh. As calm as always."

One of the demons attacked by swinging its massive claws at Asuka. She effortlessly flashed out of the way. When she reappeared behind it a large gash opened up on its body between the shoulder and neck. The demon roared out in pain as it fell to the ground. The other demons, angered by this action, attacked Rei and Shinji at the same time. Shinji attacked faster than the demon and sliced it many times in a lightning fast array of cuts. The demon dies without making a sound. Rei dodged one demon and killed the other by cutting it up the middle. The remaining demon tried to attack Rei again, but as it did its hand was cut off.

"Stupid thing, it forgot about me." said Asuka.

The demon cried out in pain as it bled profusely. Shinji silently severed the demons spin at the base of the head silencing the demon for good.

"Man that thing was loud."

"Do I really need to fight anymore?" asked Rei. "I should just let you guys do it."

"But then you'll get bored."

"True."

"Ok you two lets stop joking around and keep moving. We've got some evil guys to beat."

"Asuka's right let's go."

Rei, Shinji and Asuka continue to journey towards the suspected location of the castle. The trip would take only a few days as the terrain was mostly flat. The rate at which they were attacked was constant. For the three days that they journeyed there was almost no time when they were not fighting. In order to rest Rei used her snake demon to build a wall and her ice demon to complete it. While, due to the nature of their situation, they did not sleep fully, the sleep they got was much needed and allowed them to continue at such a pace. All during the day they ran toward their final destination they ate as they ran stopping only for brief moments if it were truly necessary.

On the morning of the fourth day Rei was beginning to wonder if the castle was really where they were headed.

"Damn, I hope I'm not wrong about where is castle is." She said as they ran.

"I don't think you are." said Shinji. "I think I see something just a short ways ahead of us."

Shinji was correct. After a few more minutes of running a large castle appeared from the mist. It was unlike anything they had ever seen. It was as if the castle itself was being controlled by a demon. The castle was constructed of the same crystal substance that their enemies were. With the size and shape of the castle it did not look as though it could have been built by humans.

"My god." said Asuka. "That thing is fricken huge."

"Yeah I can only imagine what is inside it." responded Rei.

When they got closer to the castle the group slowed to a walk and proceeded toward the main gate. As they got closer they began to ponder about how they would enter.

"Do you think we should just walk in through the main gate?" asked Rei.

"We could sneak in." said Shinji.

"Or we could break down the damn wall and run in, swords swinging." said Asuka.

"I like that plan." said Shinji.

"Who else thinks that they know we are here."

"We do." Shinji and Asuka replied in unison.

"Then I guess we will go through the front gate."

Suddenly and arrow flew towards Rei's head. Without batting an eye Rei caught the arrow from the air. Then a large cloud of arrows fell from the sky. Rei summoned her bat demon and used its wind powers to blow away all the arrows. The demon then flapped its wings again and sent out wind to cut whom ever had launched the attack. There were screams from many demons.

"They taught demons how to work human weapons." said Shinji slightly intrigued.

"Doesn't matter lets just get in." said Rei and they charged off to the gate.

Despite the gate being made out of the crystal demon armor they broke through rather easily. Rei, Asuka and Shinji all jumped into the air and did flying kicks to the gate at the same time. The gate fell down and without missing a step they all continued running. They charged through the yard where there was a large group of demons. Instead of fighting they simply cut down the demons directly in their path. Whether they killed them or not was not a concern, they only needed to get into the castle where their real opponents would be.

Eventually they did reach the main castle and Rei cut down the door to get in. As soon as they entered they noticed that the castle was composed of a single room floor with a large staircase at one end. In the center of the room on the first floor was Shi, standing as perfectly still and calm as ever.

"You have made it I see. Very good. To continue toward Shinigami-sama you will have to beat me and head underground."

"This will be a piece of cake." said Asuka confidently. "Rei let me take this guy."

"No." said Shinji. "Asuka you go with Rei further into the castle. I'll take Shi."

"But Shinji you.."

"Rei will need your help with the stronger enemies so please, leave this one to me."

"Ok Shinji. Let's go Rei."

Rei and Asuka ran past Shi without him moving. As they reached the stairs Rei called back, "Don't die Shinji." And they proceeded down the stairs and out of sight.

"It seems odd that you would send one weaker than yourself to stronger opponents. You have already beaten San but you still think your power is necessary to beat me. Why?"

"Because, your name is wrong."

"Oh?"

"If you names were given in order of strength like they have been you should either be much weaker than you are or San should have been stronger. The way you were able to dispatch Nana and destroy Oshu's windmills without trying, it was truly fascinating. What level are you really?"

"You are very observant. Yes I am stronger than San. I am also stronger than Ni. I hold enough strength to hid her of that name. I should be number two. Shinigami kept me number four to create a ace on his part. If any of the members of his team were to ever go against him other than Ichi than I could dispatch them. With my rank being lower than three others they would be falsely confident in a fight, and easily defeated."

"I figured it was something like that. So you are really Ni then huh? I was right to stay here, if I left Asuka, she would have been killed."

As Rei and Asuka descended into the castles basement they realized that it must go as deep into the earth as it rises up into the sky. After going down about five levels they saw someone in the center of the room. It was a woman dressed like the rest of Shinigami's men. She had long black hair that was pulled back into a pony tail and large breasts. Her demon armor was half of a mask that covered only the left side of her face. In front of her, stuck in the ground, was a large sword. It was slightly longer than a normal sword and was quite a bit winder. It would have been very difficult, if impossible, for an ordinary human to lift it.

"Good day, I'm Ni, the second of Shinigami-sama's henchmen. You are the Shinpishugisha girl and the human. I'm surprised you are here, I expected Shi to last longer. His orders were to stop anyone who stands against him."

"He's fighting Shinji. He was the only one who actually stood against him."

"So that guy is following the orders exactly as spoke. That's why he's weak." Ni stood up and pulled her sword from the ground. "I on the other hand am strong and wont let either of you pass alive."

Shinji and Shi stood facing each other without moving for several minutes. Shi's face was empty and Shinji kept his smile. After their stand off Shinji moved first and flashed toward Shi. Shinji attacked at his shoulder with a kick and Shi easily blocked it. Shinji's attack was very slow and weak. Shinji continued to attack in that manner. He would flash to a different side of Shi and throw one weak strike. Shi blocked each attack without moving anything but an arm, his feet never left their spot o the ground. After about twenty or so attacks like this Shinji flashed a few feet away from Shi and again stopped moving.

"That was pointless." said Shi flatly. "If you thought those attacks would hurt me than you are more of a fool than I thought."

"Hurt you? Oh god no. Defeat you, that I thought would happen. And I am right too. Look at your arm."

Shi moved his eyes down at his arm and noticed small needles in various spots in it.

"What is this?"

"Those are acupuncture needles. It will be hard to notice but they are all over your body. I attacked softly so I could place them properly. Where they are located a normal person would not only be unable to move but would have died by now."

"Since that has not occurred it means your plan was ineffective."

"No its just slow." Shinji said pausing for a moment. "Each of those needles is coated with a powerful paralytic that, under normal circumstances, would paralyze a person with only one small prick. Since you are much stronger and have that demon it's just taking longer. Since the placement of the needles will paralyze you combined with the poison you too will die from this."

"Is that so?"

"It is. As the poison slowly moves through your body everything will stop. Your skeletal muscles and then your involuntary ones. You will be unable to breath and then your heart will stop. I'm sure that even one such as yourself will die from that. It's quite the underhanded trick, but whatever gets the job done." Shinji smiled again. "You, like all the others, will die without making a sound."

"Hmph." Shi said calmly. "Your assumption would be correct if I were truly at the level of four, but I am not." Shi paused for a moment and closed his eyes. Upon reopening them he said, "Demon armor transfer, true form."

The crystal armor that Shi wore, glowed and changed. It shrunk from its size of the entire right arm to only covering the forearm. When this happened all the needles Shinji placed on Shi's body fell off and a powerful gust of wind emanated from Shi. Shinji stood is ground during Shi's change in power and his smile did not change.

"So, your hiding power too." said Shinji calmly.

Ni flashed toward Rei and Asuka and swung her massive sword down at them. Asuka intercepted the attack with her spear and Rei attacked Ni while she was engaged. Ni dodged Rei's attack and swung her sword at her. Asuka used that time to attack Ni. This battle continued for several exchanges with no injuries of either side. Eventually Ni jumped back from Rei and Asuka.

"So that's your plan is it? Use your ability to work as a team against a single opponent. How cute and totally useless. When you guys fought Nana Shi recorded everything. I know how you two fight and how to defend against it. You can't win."

"Funny," said Asuka, "San said the same thing."

Ni attacked Asuka again, but this time much faster. Asuka was able to block, but was fighting back the weight and force of Ni's attack with all her strength.

"You think you can beat me because you beat San? You are sadly mistaken."

"Are we?" Rei asked.

Ni looked around to see Rei and almost missed her. Rei had ducked in front of Asuka between her and Ni. Rei thrust her sword up at Ni's stomach. Ni was able to avoid the full attack but did receive a deep cut on her side as she dodged.

"Damn you!" Ni yelled as she backed away in pain. "Have to use this then don't I?"

"Use what?" asked Asuka.

"Hehe." Ni laughed. "This."

Ni put her left hand over the mask she wore. AS she closed her hand into a fist a jewel appeared in the eye of the mask and glowed red. A sudden weight was felt by Rei and Asuka. It was as if the air had become heavy and was pushing down on them. Ni again began to laugh.

"You idiots thought there was nothing special about us?" Ni said in between laughs. "All of Shinigami's men rank four and above have powers that come from special demons. You've seen in before right? San's wings and all his devices, Shi's ability to destroy, and now mine." Ni stood up fully. "The all seeing eye."

"The all seeing eye?" Rei asked.

"Yes. This eye of mine allows me to into your minds. With it I can see what you are thinking and how you will attack. Now there is no way to win. I will know your moves before you do."

"Hiding power too?" questioned Shi. "So you say you are also hiding power? I think you are lying. If you had more power you would have used it by now, especially in you fight with San. You would not have let the Shinpishugisha use her power if you did not have to."

"And why is that?"

"Because you are human, and humans would not purposely let someone close to them experience pain."

"Wow, I was unaware that you still knew what it was like to be human."

"I don't and never did. This I information gained from years of observation."

"I see. Well in most cases you'd be right. A person would not want someone they care about to be in pain. Unfortunately for you I am not normal. I have not been since I become a warrior of the shadows. We will sacrifice anything to maintain or deception."

"Interesting. So you are as inhuman as I am."

"No. I just never wanted them to have to see this."

At the exact moment the last sound escaped Shinji's lips he was behind Shi. He stood like he was talking to him, his arms t his side, knives drawn. Shi had his arms up in an X as if blocking and large cuts appeared down his arms. The blood sprayed a few seconds after the cuts opened delayed by the speed at which they were formed. There was no blood in Shinji's blade, no evidence that he had even moved other than his change in position. His movement and Shi's wound were like magic.

"This is what my true power is. The skill I have been suppressing all this time. The Shukuchi. I am actually surprised, that you were able to block my attack at that speed."

Ni attacked Rei and Asuka with increased speed. Even with this Rei and Asuka were able to counter attack, but as soon as they moved Ni struck back stopping their counter. They were being pushed around like dolls, never able to do than block and attempt an attack.

"Damn!" said Asuka. "We can't move because of her damn eye. What are we gonna do?"

"Asuka's right." Rei said to herself. "If that power of hers is true than she knows what I'm thinking right now. There has to be a way there just has to."

"No. Your out of luck." Ni said in response to Rei's though. She thrust her sword at Rei with one hand and held the sword out. Rei and Asuka jumper back. "There is nothing you can do. My eye can see the moves of ten people at once. You cannot win. You will die and I will know exactly when. Would you like me to tell you when you will die? Not like I have been but exactly when. I'll be nice and I'll even stop to tell you. What do you say?"

"Shut up you annoying bitch!" yelled Asuka. "I can't stand you and your cocky ass attitude."

"My my what a foul mouth she has."

Rei paused for a moment and smiled. "I think we can beat her Asuka."

Shi dropped his hands, the wounds ceasing to bleed. He spoke to Shinji without turning his head or changing his inflection.

"Very impressive human, that speed is unlike anything I have seen in a long time but," Shi flashed in front of Shinji as fast as Shinji flashed behind him, "it is hardly a Shukuchi."

Shinji blocked the attack thrown by Shi. The moved around the room using the heightened flash. At each connection of attacks they would stop for the briefest of moments and a large pulse of wind would be released. If a person were watching all they would notice was the wind emanating from nowhere.

"I must say human," Shi said at one of their exchanges, "you are much more powerful than I expected."

Shi stopped suddenly on the ground and Shinji did the same. The stared each other down for a few moments before Shi spoke again.

"I must kill you now. Do not worry, it will be quick."

"Oh really?"

"Yes."

Shi swung his right hand horizontally as Shinji. Remembering what Shi did last time with that motion Shinji flashed out of the way, off to the right side of Shi. A large cut appeared in the wall of the room in front of Shi. The cut was level with Shinji's chest.

"Very good." said Shi. "You have amazing reflexes to be able to dodge that. Unfortunately that was the power of me at level four. Now you will level two of my Izuna."

"Izuna. I see. You can channel your energy into your fingers and force it out through the air. This forces a rapid expansion of gasses that cuts through objects. Very nice. By the angles of the cuts to the wind mills in Oshu I can determine that you can control precisely when the expansion occurs and what it cuts and I correct?"

"You power of deduction is quite advanced. Even Ichi could not figure it out so quickly. Unfortunately knowing this will not save you. You will only know exactly what kills you."

"So you think you can beat me?" asked Ni. "And how would that be? Oh come on now say something, think it. Either way it doesn't matter, you can't tell your friend or even think of telling your friend because I'll know. If you did have an idea there is nothing you can do with it."

"We'll see." Rei said and charged at Ni.

"Flash straight in an strike for her throat." were Rei's thoughts that echoed in Ni's head. She easily blocked the attack. "Flash from the block and deliver a thrust to her kidney."

"I think not." said Ni in response to Rei's thoughts. When she turned around expecting to block a strike she saw Asuka swinging were spear from the right towards her. Ni blocked it but again heard a thought from Rei.

"While she's distracted attack from the air."

Ni looked up and motioned to block an attack, but Rei was not there. Instead Rei was behind her and attacking her from behind. Ni flashed across the room to avoid the strike. Asuka joined the attack strategy. They thought openly about things different than what they were actually going to do. Ni was thrown off slightly by this tactic. Her responses were for the thoughts of her foes and she almost failed to block or avoid the real attacks. Eventually Rei and Asuka attacked Ni at the same time and Ni blocked them both. With a strong swing Ni threw them both off and across the room.

"You think that will work do you? Disguising your actions with other thoughts? Well it wont." Ni put her hand over her face again. "Try this, all seeing eye level two." The mask on the left side of Ni's face grew and spread over her entire face. Both eyes glowed red and Ni laughed behind the mask. "Now you can't win. Even if you think something different than what you are doing it wont work."

"What?" gasped Asuka. "What is this?"

"This is the second level of my all seeing eye. With this I will know what you are really up to."

"How?" asked Rei.

"To move you have to use your brain to stimulate your muscles. Since your attacks are voluntary there has to be a message sent by the brain. My true all seeing eye can hear them and filter it out from you open thoughts. Now I will know everything you think even if you are unaware that you are really thinking it."

"Damn." cursed Asuka.

"If you don't mind me asking," said Ni, "how did you two match your attack styles without communication? There are too may things about your group that we were not able to answer."

"That's easy." said Rei.

"If it' someone you love you know what they are thinking." continued Asuka.

"Love? Ha. Don't make me laugh. What a stupid idea. As if a arbitrary construct like that could really allow you to do anything."

"You'd be surprised." said Rei.

"No matter. I will have to finish killing you now that I've got my answer."

Ni flashed at Rei and struck at her with a downward diagonal swing from the right. Rei did not move. Ni stopped, a sword pierced flesh and blood sprayed. Asuka gasped at the sight before her with no idea what had just happened. She could not believe what she was seeing.

The room was covered in large gashes made by Shi's Izuna. Shinji was barley able to avoid the attacks. Shi was able to cast this attack with both of his hands, and switched back and forth between a large cutting motion and a focused point of damage like what he used to kill Nana. Shinji was only able to avoid being hit as well as he was by watching Shi's hands. Since Shi's Izuna traveled in relation to his fingers Shinji could stay out of the way by know how they were moving and in what direction.

"You can run very well human." said Shi. "But soon you will miss a step. You will tire out and I will kill you."

Shi flashed behind Shinji and grabbed his shoulder. He then pointed at Shinji trying to stab him in the back with his Izuna. Shinji pushed Shi's hand just far enough to move the attack past his body, it missed by less than a centimeter. Shinji then spun out of the hold and struck at Shi who avoided the attack effortlessly.

"Damn." Shinji said still smiling. "You almost had me there."

"You should cease smiling human. You wont be able to evade me any longer."

"Is that so? And why is that?"

"I have one last power you have yet to see."

Blood dripped onto the floor that had made its cut. Ni stood in front of Rei her sword blocked by her snake demon. Rei had her sword stabbed through Ni's abdomen and out her back. Asuka was shocked at how Rei was able to accomplish this and Ni was just as frustrated.

"How did you do that?" Ni asked angrily. "There was no thought in your mind at all. It was completely blank."

"Self preservation." replied Rei.

"What?"

"A while ago when I said that we would be able to beat you, it wasn't because of a cleaver plan but of a small observation. When Asuka yelled at you, you reacted ever so slightly. There was a small facial movement that most people would have missed, you probably didn't even realize it. It told me you were surprised."

"What?"

"Now why would you be surprised if you could read out minds? The only answer was of how Asuka reacted. Asuka's anger and outburst were reflexive. Reflexes have no brain involvement and therefore nothing for you to hear."

"But that doesn't explain how you summoned a demon without thinking."

"You haven't been listening have you? It was a reflex, but not mine. It was the demons reflex. The demon is a part of me so if I die it dies. It acted reflexively out of self preservation, the same way a human will put up its hands when something comes at its face."

"Are you saying you knew the demon would respond like that and used it?"

"Of course. I was worried at first when you activated your true all seeing eye, but apparently for no reason. Now have made the first serious wound of the battle. Even if I don't hit you again the damage to your kidney I caused will kill you. We've won, just like I said."

"Yeah Rei nice job!"

Ni grabbed Rei's sword and pulled it out of her. She stepped back from Rei and the demon wall disappeared.

"You think a small injury like this will stop me? I am the second strongest under Shinigami. I cannot be killed by humans."

Ni charged in at Rei again and swung her sword at her body. Rei jumped back to avoid. Ni charged further in at Rei. Asuka flashed by in front of Ni causing her to stop suddenly. Asuka smiled and tapped her spear on the ground. Ni's mask shattered and fell onto the floor in pieces. Ni's eyes widened in horror.

"I was tired of that whole, you can read our minds, crap. Now you can't. we don't need anymore tricks and sleights like Rei used. We can win by sheer power now."

"But, but how?" Ni asked in fear. "How did I not notice your intensions? The all seeing eye is perfect."

"You idiot! You can read our minds but you have a single clue about what yours does. You were to focused on Rei since she stabbed you and you forgot about me. All of you mind reading was directed at her and I was free to do what I wanted. No your mine."

Asuka turned around and attacked Ni who was able to block her attack. Rei attacked her while she was engaged with Asuka. Ni was still able to block her attack as well. After those two attacks Ni fell to one knee and thrust her sword into the ground to stay up. She began shaking violently and she grabbed the left side of her face. Her breathing rate increased and her heart pounded. Then, she coughed up blood.

"What is happening?" asked Asuka.

"I think, she's dieing." replied Rei.

Ni trembled more and more and started gasping for air. Her body started to age right there. She started as what looked like a twenty something and in under a minute went to the appearance of an old woman. The aging continued and her body deteriorated. Unable to hold onto the sword Ni fell to the ground and her body collapsed into dust. Only her clothes and her sword were left.

"What happened? Why did she..?"

"It was because you destroyed her armor." replied Rei. "That armor is the demons that were keeping them alive. When you destroyed it there was nothing there to stop her from aging for the past hundred years or so. In your act to stop her power, you ended the battle. Nice going Asuka."

"Wow, thanks. I had no idea that would happen."

Rei put her hand on Asuka's shoulder. "Stop thinking about it and come on. We have to keep going and get to Shinigami."

"But what about Shinji? If he's not here yet that means he still fighting and.."

"We can't go back for him. He can take care of himself and would want us to keep going. When he finishes he'll come join us." Rei paused for a moment. "And he wouldn't want us to stop for him anyway, so lets go."

"Ok Rei." Asuka replied and they ran off toward the stairs. Asuka understood what Rei just went thought uttering those words. She knew her friend wanted to go back for Shinji but they couldn't. Rei made that decision from a tactical stand point of the battle, not with her feeling. This was something Asuka could not do, she knew just how hard it was.

"One more power huh?" said Shinji. "Now what could that be?"

Shi appeared in front of Shinji in an instant and thrust his hand into Shinji's chest. Shinji coughed from the blow.

"This. My speed is greater than yours. Did you really think that a human could be faster than me? Now die."

Shi sent out an Izuna straight through Shinji making a large hole in his chest. Shinji coughed up blood and his head slumped forward. Shi stood there without moving. In that instant Shi noticed that Shinji's body had vanished and only his kimono was present. Shi's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Damn, I didn't think I would have to use that trick." Shinji said behind Shi.

"What was that just now?" Shi asked. "I was sure I hit you. I felt the impact. I did not strike an illusion."

"Well apparently you did because I'm right here and I have no hole in my chest."

"Yet your kimono is still here which means you were. What did you really do?"

"Fine I'll let you know. It was full sensory manipulation. It the instant before your hand hit my body I cast this illusion on you. It let your mind think that it hit me because that is what it thought would happen and it did feel a contact with something, just not me. Using speed I moved fast enough to get out of the kimono and behind you. Since your attack was so fast the kimono had no time to change position so everything seemed right to you. I am a warrior of the shadows, the largest shadows are inside someone's own mind. That is what being a master allows you to do."

"I saw your speed. You were not fast enough to move away as you described. There must be something missing from your explanation."

"Yes there is. Your calculation was off. You said what I did was not Shukuchi but a very powerful flash and you were half right. What I did was two steps short of the Shukuchi, that's why your were able to see it. The real Shukuchi is something I never wanted to use, but you leave me no choice."

Shinji was in front of Shi the instant he finished his sentence, it was hard to tell if it was truly after he finished. An onlooker may have thought that Shinji was truly in two places at once. Shi had cuts on the left side of his neck severing the carotid artery and a cut on his left side cutting the kidney. He also had a stab wound in the center of his back severing the spin and one between the ribs puncturing the liver. Shi's body relaxed slightly and the disintegrated into dust, his arm band of demon armor falling to the ground a breaking in half.

"That is the true Shukuchi. A technique to fast that it is untraceable by anyone except its master. It can literally cover a distance in less than an instant. That combined with the speed and accuracy of my attacks, were you even aware that you had died Shi?" Shinji said looking up at the ceiling still smiling. "I'm just glad Rei and Asuka never had to see me like that. They don't need to know the full extent of my abilities." Shinji looked over at his kimono that was on the ground. "Now I'm gonna need a new one. Oh well."

Shinji walked over to his kimono and put it back on. After adjusting it properly he glanced at the hole in the back.

"No, I can just patch it." he said.

Shinji sat down in the room and again tiled his head up at the ceiling. "I should catch up with Rei and Asuka. Since they won that means only Ichi and Shinigami are left. Shinigami will have to be taken down by Rei and Ichi? He's stronger than Shi so I'll have to use the Shukuchi again. I hope Rei and Asuka aren't to frightened by it."

Rei and Asuka continued to run through rooms and down stairs. Thirty minutes had passed since they defeated Ni and still they had seen no other enemies or any sign of a target.

"How far have we gone?" asked Asuka as they ran.

"In total since we started I say we've gone down about thirty flights of stairs."

"Damn how deep is this place?"

"No idea. I think we should just keep moving until we find something. Since there aren't any side paths we have to run into Ichi or Shinigami eventually."

"Do you think Shinji will catch up soon?"

"I'm sure he will yeah. Lets not worry about that and just worry about our goal ok."

"Right."

Rei and Asuka continued to descend the underground castle for another thirty minutes. After that time they found themselves in a room that was different that the others. It was well lit like the room that Rei trained with Takuji in. On the other was a figure dress entirely in black with a hood so no one could see its face.

"YOU HAVE MADE IT I SEE. MY SOULDERS WERE SO INCOMPITANT. NO MATTER, I WILL SIMPLY CREATE MORE ONCE I KILL YOU."

"Shinigami." Rei said with a serious tone. "I've finally found you again. You will pay for what you did to my village and to the rest of the world. I will kill you and destroy the mist."

Rei drew her sword and took her attack stance. Shinigami smiled and pulled back his hood.

AUTHORS NOTE: Oh cliff hanger. I know a pain but there's nothing I can do. A lot of important things are going to be reviled in the next chapter and I can't cram them into this one. I know there must be a lot of questions right now concerning everything from the background of this story to where the heck is Ichi? All will be answered soon I promise. Next time the truth reviled, the final battle with Shinigami.