Ichi stood with his long sword held straight out toward Rei and the others, the sword as long as he was tall. From the way he held it Rei and the others could tell that it had taken many lives. It was well kept, as flawless as the sword Rei held. Ichi still looked as though he was bored and did truly not want to fight. Even if that were true both parties knew that this battle could not be avoided, it would be the battle that decided the fate of the world. Despite the true meaning of this battle each person had their own reasons to win, none so noble as to save the world.

"This is almost sad Ichi." said Shinji.

"Oh? What is?"

"The fact that you are fighting for something a silly as eternal life."

"The want of a creature to maintain its existence is odd? It is hard to believe one who calls himself a scientist is saying that."

"I'm not. What I'm saying is that it's odd that a warrior such as yourself is so afraid of dieing. I thought samurai understood that they could die any day?"

"Do you believe that there is a life after this one?" Ichi asked. "I don't. despite what all the stories say, I don't believe that there is a world of gods or Buddha's that humans can enter into. Death is the end. Now why would I want my life to end before I am finished with what I must do?"

"Your just a coward." said Shinji. "So what if dieing is the end?"

"From someone like you who's so young, what do you know about dieing yourself?"

"Well I just did a little while ago. Shinigami killed me and Rei brought me back."

"I see. And, was there anything beyond this life?"

"No. Rei brought me back just before my soul faded away. I don't think that fading was bringing me to another life. Death is death. Whenever I killed something I realized that I was ending there existence. This is it."

"So you understand my feelings then? How could there be anything after death? A world of joy or one of punishment? Humans were gifted with to much knowledge and talent, too much free thought to be able to abide by the good path that others claim they must. That is why there is sorrow. Why would gods give this too us and then punish us for using it?"

"I agree, but I still think you are a coward. Dieing wasn't all that bad. Since your just dead there's nothing to feel, no pain, sorrow or regret, your just dead. To think your are that scared of dieing, yet you send so many to their grave. You are not worthy to carry a sword."

"We shall see."

"Forget this." Asuka said as she appeared behind Ichi, crouched down, here spear held out to her side. She swung her spear across at Ichi, but effortlessly he turned his sword behind him and blocked the attack.

"Your speed isn't bad, but you leave yourself too open." Ichi said and kicked back hitting Asuka in the chest.

Asuka flew back a few feet and landed on her back. She easily rebounded back onto her feet and smiled. Ichi, who looked over his shoulder slightly to kick was surprised by the smile. He turned back toward Rei and Shinji just in time to see Rei summon her final demon.

"I see, a distraction. You are quite good to work this out without speaking."

Rei sent her demon in to attack Ichi. As it charged it opened its mouth and began to ready a blast. Before it could fire Ichi lifted his sword and, with one powerful swing, cleaved the demon in half. The demon broke apart and faded away.

"You cannot defeat me." Ichi said.

Just as Ichi spoke Asuka attacked again from behind Ichi. This time she charged in with a thrust at his back. Ichi side stepped and swung his sword back at Asuka's head. Asuka's eyes widened as she was unable to dodge. Ichi swung through, but Asuka had vanished. Asuka was off to Ichi's left with Shinji standing next to her, his hand on her shoulder. Rei then attacked from above, but was blocked by Ichi.

"You three are quite good. Your skill as a team is far above what I expected. But if your spending this much time helping each other can you even hope to win?"

"Yes." said Rei. She flashed behind Ichi and swung at his back. Her sword went through him, but hit nothing. "An after image?"

"Yes." Ichi replied standing over Rei his sword pointed down. He thrust down, trying to stab Rei through the chest from behind, but a wall formed between Ichi and Rei. The wall slowed his stab enough that it did not reach Rei.

From the side Shinji appeared and swung at Ichi. Ichi pulled his sword from the wall, destroying it, and blocked Shinji's attack. Shinji attacked Ichi with very rapid strikes. He moved around Ichi attacking from multiple angles trying to find an opening. He flashed to different sides of his body throwing accurate definitive strikes.

"Too bad I'm out of needles or I'd try this trick on you." he said with a smile.

"You joke a lot for a man about to loose his life." replied Ichi.

Just then Rei and Asuka attacked from either side of Ichi. Ichi struck back at Shinji knocking him back enough so a counted would be delayed. He then moved his sword and blocked the attack from Rei on his left and grabbed the blade of Asuka's spear on his right. Taking a step he spun around forcing Rei's sword back and sending Asuka around into Rei. They flew back but were able to gain control of themselves and land without great harm. Rei, Asuka and Shinji stood defensively after that exchange.

"You are making me quite happy." said Ichi. "So far I have thwarted your every attempt to injure me regardless of what you do. I also beat your demon, the same demon Shinigami claimed as his greatest power and used as the one possibility to his superiority over me. You say my immortality is cowardice, but it has made me more powerful that anyone who has ever walked the earth. Some fools would probably compare me to a god."

"You don't think you're a god?" asked Shinji.

"If I reject the idea of gods and their realm then I also reject the notion that I can be one. If I was a god it would mean that they exist."

"And that you were wrong." interrupted Rei.

"You still speak with such confidence even after what you have seen? You are wither a fool or are hiding something." Ichi paused for a moment. "No your not hiding anything. A warrior such as yourself would not hold back like that, you are too driven by your cause to hold on to such pride. You are just a foolish human who think she can win no matter what odds are against her."

"You talk like you aren't human." said Asuka. "You are just a coward. It's not just that your are that afraid of dieing, you also are afraid of being human."

"Humans are weak. They let their decisions get clouded by their emotions. Most humans spend their short lives dealing with things of no use. They spend all their time on survival and worry about their offspring so they do not die out. The only difference between a human and an animal is you can speak."

"And your prolonged life makes you any different?" replied Rei. "Your just one step off. You worry entirely about your own survival and no one else's. It is because of people like you that humans live how they do. If the world were free of this mist than survival would not dominate our minds. We could be like the people of Oshu who spent the last hundred years doing research. The world could prosper if surviving was not the only thing necessary."

"Are you trying to say that humans live for others over themselves? You are wrong. If that were the case the Shinpishugisha would not have been almost completely wiped out, you would not have been banished from your village out of fear, and Shinigami would not have acquired his numbers to work for him."

"Yes humans are guided by fear, but they do care for others a great deal. That is how towns and villages form. People come together and work with one another for prosperity. One such as you could never understand how people think."

"You think the birth of a town is for prosperity and to help another human? No, it is still out of fear and self protection. A predator will not attack a group because it will have to work harder for its meal. Humans banded together in towns to escape that fear. It is for safety in numbers sake only."

"As interesting as this is," Shinji said flashing in at Ichi, "I really don't care why people act how they do." Shinji's blade was stopped by Ichi. He retracted and thrust again at Ichi. Ichi flashed behind him with incredible speed at thrust at Shinji from behind. In an instant unseen be all Shinji was behind Ichi and a wound appeared on Ichi's side.

"Shinji." Rei said shocked at the attack. Asuka was left speechless.

"Now that was a good strike." said Ichi. "Nearly perfect in its execution. Tell me, why was it off slightly?"

"I had the slightest desire not to use this move. I never wanted Rei or Asuka to see it."

Rei was in shock, Shinji had a technique that he did not show to them? Why would he hide a skill he held? They had been in battle together many times and each had done terrible things. Killing was not something that bothered any of them, but still Shinji hid. Something about the technique must have bothered Shinji. What could it have been.

"You hide an ability like the Shukuchi, one that you think you could beat me with, why?"

"The skill with a blade is made for no other purpose than to kill. Anyone who wishes to hold a sword must know this. The Shukuchi however is made to kill legions at a time. It is the technique that maintains the superiority of the shadow warriors." Shinji paused for a moment. "I once saw my master kill thirty-one demons in a single instant with this technique. When mastery of this style was passed on to me my master gave me one final test. I was to fight him and win. The difference between this and any other training match I had with him was what he said prior to the fight. I intend to kill you. Those were his words. The only way I was going to master the way of the shadows was to fight the man who taught me and obtain a power beyond his. This is how our strength is kept. A master may train many but only one master exists at a time. The Shukuchi, is a technique of a demon. The Shukuchi makes me nothing but a demon in human form."

"You think killing your master with this technique made you stronger than him? He must have let you win when he noticed that you obtained the Shukuchi."

"If that is what you want to believe, than by all means underestimate me."

"You don't get it do you boy?" Ichi said and then was in front of Shinji, their swords together. "I too know the Shukuchi."

"Now this is unexpected."

"Do you think someone that has lived as long as I would not master speed to its highest?"

"Well that does make sense. But now I must kill you too keep our move out of anyone else's hands. Your haven't aught this to anyone have you? I'd hate to have to kill him as well."

"Hmm." Ichi chuckled.

Ichi and Shinji vanished. Rei and Asuka stood motionless. The air was still and silent. There were no clash of blades, no bursts of force, no indication that Shinji and Ichi were fighting. No trace of their existence.

When Shinji and Ichi appeared a few moments later they were several feet apart. Neither were injured. A moment after they stopped a huge just of wind came from nowhere and blew around the room. Asuka and Rei had to put up their hands to block the wind from their faces. The wind ended and Shinji and Ichi were still standing as before.

"Impressive." said Ichi. "It seems you are my equal in speed, and the Shinpishugisha is my equal in power. This will be a challenge for us all, but since you cannot fight as one person I have the advantage."

Asuka attacked Ichi this time. As Ichi turned to kill Asuka before he strike was finished Rei flashed in, her sword in her sheath. Evaluating the risk Ichi changed to block Rei's attack. The force in which Rei drew her sword met with the force of Ichi's blade forced a large shockwave pushing back all the air surrounding them. Asuka was pushed back and Shinji flashed out of harms way. Ichi was not prepared for this attack and was also pushed back by the force. Rei flashed away as the air came back to its original location.

"What the hell was that?" gasped Ichi. He landed on the ground and noticed Rei. She had re-sheathed her sword and charged back in for a second attack. Ichi countered with one of equal force.

Again the force of their attacks pushed back the air forming a vacuum. The force in which the air escaped caused damage to the surrounding room much like Shi's Izuna. Rei and Ichi continued to try and push through the others strike. As they held the air came back in as before and Rei flashed away at the last second. Ichi also tried to move but was a instant behind due to the shift in balance caused by Rei leaving. The air collapsing in caused some crushing damage to Ichi's body. When he reappeared his right arm was bleeding.

"No that is impressive." Ichi said again. "I never thought you had that much strength. What is more surprising is that you were able to do one right after the other."

Rei stood, breathing heavily, her strength drained from those two attacks.

"I see, you can barley stand now. You were thinking that one of those two strikes would have killed me either by contact or by the subsequent vacuum pressure. It seems you were wrong and no are out of options."

"Rei!" Asuka yelled in concern.

"Don't worry about me. I can still fight. As long as we win nothing else matters."

"Is that what you think? You are indeed a fool." said Ichi and flashed in toward Rei. He used the Shukuchi, a speed Rei could not get away from.

Rei suddenly realized that she was standing next to Asuka and Shinji was holding onto her. Shinji had used the Shukuchi to move Rei from the attack just in time.

"We aren't doing so hot guys." said Shinji still holding his smile. "We have to do something."

"Like what!?" exclaimed Asuka. "You guys are way out of my league, I know that, but even you two cant seem to do enough."

"Well so far we cut his torso and damaged his right arm." said Rei. "It makes sense that we can continue causing damage until he dies."

"Except for the fact that be blocked two of your attacks and is not breathing any differently than normal. He also has my Shukuchi so making direct contact will be difficult."

"What are you suggesting Shinji?"

Shinji stayed silent for a moment. "Rei, how long do you need to get your strength back?"

"Just a couple of minutes."

"Ok, Asuka we have to hold Ichi off until Rei can fight again."

"Right."

"Rei, we will hold him back for about five minutes but after that we need you. Watch him closely, there will be a small instant where he is off guard. Hit him then. If this doesn't work I think were done for."

"How are you going to get an opening, I have yet to see a real one?"

"Don't worry about that, it will be there."

"Are you done planning?" Ichi called from across the room. "As soon as your ready I'll get back to fighting you. I hate killing people when they aren't fighting. That's more a tactic for a shadow like you boy."

"Your right it is." replied Shinji.

Shinji and Asuka flashed in at Ichi. Shinji reached him first so he began the attack. After a few strikes he stepped back slightly and Asuka began to attack. Shinji and Asuka continued this, each come in from a different angle as the other was attacking and then moved to a different location. There hope was to confuse Ichi and make more of an opening and cause more damage to him. After several exchanges Ichi swung with such force that Shinji and Asuka were pushed back.

"Damn it didn't work." said Asuka.

"You thought it would?"

"No but I was hoping."

"Rei still needs more time lets go again."

Their attack was less successful the second time. Asuka attacked first and Shinji followed. On Asuka's second attacked Ichi countered the blow and cut Asuka's shoulder. With the mobility in her arm lessened she was unable to fight as well. Shinji fought Ichi solo for a moment. He was in no way thinking that Asuka would continue, not out of weakness on Asuka's part, but because it was not necessary. They were not going to win, not without Rei. Suddenly Shinji moved and Asuka's spear came straight in at Ichi's face. The thrust had limited power as Asuka was holding onto her wound as she attacked. Ichi avoided the attack and Asuka's shoulder caused her great pain. Shinji attacked Ichi one more time as he dodged.

"We wont let up."

"You are very persistent." Ichi said knocking Shinji back. "It matters not how much time you give her to recover. She will not be able to defeat me. All you can do is prolong your lives a short while."

"And that's all we need to do." said Asuka panting on the ground. "Rei will win, the mist will be destroyed and you will die. If we die in the process so be it." Asuka was in full confidence. This statement was not a lie to bolster her fighting, she truly meant what she said. She cared not of her own life, only about the sake of the world.

"You are all fools, fighting for something such as freedom from the mist. There will still be evil and suffering without it. It will only be in a different form."

"We know." said Rei recovered. "We don't care about that. We just want people to live openly in the world that they have been given."

Shinji attacked Ichi one more time. Ichi grabbed the blade and threw Shinji back. As he was about to strike his eyes widened slightly. Rei flashed in to attack.

Ichi threw Shinji back and moved to strike. When he did the room went black. From the direction he threw Shinji a figure appeared from the darkness. The figure was cloaked in black, its face hidden. In its left hand there was a lantern, a hand of bone holding it up. Its right held a scythe. It motioned slowly at Ichi. Ichi's eyes widened, his greatest fear stood before him. Death, a true Shinigami, had come to claim him. Then through the darkness tore another figure, one that Ichi could stop.

Rei swung down at Ichi from above and Ichi regained his composure in time to stop it. Lifting his sword with his left hand and reinforcing it with his right he blocked Rei's strike. The force of the strike caused the ground around Ichi to crumble and break forming a large depression. Rei pushed with all her might to break through Ichi's defense. After a moment of fighting Rei saw a small flash in the crystal armor on Ichi's right hand.

"BREAK!" Rei yelled.

The crystal on Ichi's hand cracked apart and off his hand. Rei's sword went through Ichi's and cut from the base of the neck on his right side down his entire body, almost cutting him in half. Ichi fell back on the ground his body in a pool of blood.

"Why, why did you abandon me?" Ichi gasped. "Or rather, how did you break from my control? That Death, was it false or foresight? To think that with this power, and all my years I was still not the strongest, and Death still came for me." Ichi lay silent, the last bit of life drained from his body.

"Ok, what they hell happened?" Asuka said staggering over to where Rei was.

"Asuka are you alright? Don't move we'll get you fixed up."

"I'll be fine, just tell me what happened."

"Don't be dumb." said Shinji. "Let us at least bandage up that wound."

"Fine. But turn away I don't want you looking at me while Rei patches me up."

"Ok."

Asuka slipped her kimono down past her shoulders and Rei began to bandage the cut. "So how come I'm the only one with an injury?"

"Your not Asuka." said Rei. "Yes you're the only one with a large wound, but I'm having trouble standing. I used all the strength I had in those last few attacks. I'm surprised I haven't collapsed from exhaustion."

"That small rest we gave you must have really helped." said Shinji.

"Well then please explain how exactly we just won because I have no idea what happened."

"Yeah Shinji, how do you make an opening? What did you do to him that made him loose focus?"

"It is another technique that I never wanted you two to see. Full sensory manipulation. I can cast an illusion so strong on a person that every part of their brain thinks something is happening when its not. In this case I cast Ichi's worst fear on him. I think he saw Death."

"So in that instant he was distracted by that fear Rei attacked. Ok that makes sense, but what did Rei do, OW!" Asuka exclaimed.

"Sorry. Your wounds all patched up. As soon as we get out of here we'll take actual care of it."

"That's fine, just what did you do."

"Nothing. It was his demons."

"His demons?"

"The demons in the armor of his right hand. The spoke to me, like when I take control of one or they purify the mist. They spoke and all asked to be released. I set them free which destroyed the power Ichi had. If it weren't for that we would have lost."

"Good thing you're a demon whisperer."

"Yeah."

"So now we have to destroy the source of the mist right? Lets get to it. That damn thing has been an eye sore since we got down here."

"Yeah. I wonder how to do it." Rei said.

"Well I think you should deal with it like any other Shinpishugisha thing and do what ever comes to you." said Shinji.

Rei nodded and stood up. She walked over to the crystal and placed her hand on it. It had a cold and distant feeling like something inside it was retreating from the touch. Rei tried to understand the energy coming from the crystal. After a moment she closed her eyes.

"Please." she said quietly.

From Rei's body spirits of all her demons formed and moved into the crystal. Once her last demon had entered the crystal glowed blue. A large crack formed down the crystal and the color faded. Mist stopped flowing and the crystal cracked again. The mist in the castle vanished and the crystal cracked a final time. When Rei opened her eyes the crystal broke apart and faded into dust.

"Wow, that was amazing." said Shinji.

"I'm not even going to ask what happened this time." said Asuka. "I'm sure it will be too confusing."

"Yeah, I'm not sure if I could explain it anyway. Come on, lets get out of here."

Rei, Shinji and Asuka walked the steppes of the underground castle back up to the surface. All remnants of demons and mist had been cleared. When they reached the room that Shinji fought Shi in Rei was shocked by the amount of damage. She looked at Shinji and he answered before she spoke.

"I'll explain later, it's kind of a long story."

Eventually Rei, Shinji and Asuka reached the surface. It was dark but clear. The once, mist dense island was void of anything. It was mostly open field. They walked through the night back toward their boat. Slowly but surely they traveled, none with the strength to move fast. It was almost morning when the reached the beach. The ship had come closer to shore when they noticed the mist vanish. They signaled the crew and they sent out a boat. The crew member in the boat greeted them.

"You guy's did it!" he exclaimed. "As soon as we saw the mist clearing we started to cheer. I'm so glad that all of you are alive and well."

"Thank you very much." said Rei. "Now I don't mean to seem rude but can you take us back as soon as possible?"

"Of course they were prepping the ship for departure as I set out to get you. If I may ask, why did you not simple use magic like last time?"

"If I use anymore energy now I don't think I'd be able to walk."

"I understand. Come on then, get in and enjoy the ride back."

Once Rei, Shinji and Asuka were back on the ship they were greeted by a joyous crew who all cheered at their accomplishment. Without being rude the slipped down below deck into their room and all fell asleep the instant they sat down. When they finally awoke the were back at the dock. It was about midday. Exactly which midday was unknown, but they did not care if they slept only a few hours or a whole week, their fight was over, they could relax.

Back at Kenji's temple a feast was held in their honor. After a night of congratulations and praise Rei, Shinji and Asuka retired again for even more sleep. The next morning they were given supplies for their travels and left the temple.

"So, where do we want to go now?" asked Asuka. "We really don't have a place we need to go do we?"

"Did you want to go back to Oshu Shinji and see everyone?"

"No more than you do. I'm sure you want to see Hikari again, but I have no desire to go back there. That town in boring, I would rather see other places."

"I have a request." said Rei. "I'd like to visit my home village. While I am not allowed to live there I wish to go back and see my father and sister. If you two wouldn't mind I'd like to see them first."

"That sounds great." said Asuka. "I'd love to meet your sister."

"And we probably should talk to your father huh Rei?"

"Yeah. Alright then, time to go see my family."

The trip back to Rei's village was a slow one. Without the worry of attack or demons, which there still were but far fewer, they could relax a bit more than before. Rei did not need to rush back, while she missed her family that place was no longer her home so she was not returning there. A slightly sad though but one Rei could deal with having her friends with her.

On the trip back Rei and Shinji thought about how her father and sister would react to their request. Rei and Asuka thought about where they might live and looked at Kenji's map constantly. Shinji barley had input on that matter saying he didn't really care about where he lived. Rei wondered if the village would even let her stay there for the short time she needed, if they would let her in. She also wondered what it looked like now and if they had torn down the destroyed wall or rebuilt it. So many thing ran thought everyone's head, now that they had time to think about something other than their quest.

After the trip was complete, which took a few months, Rei, Shinji and Asuka arrived at the village. The wall around the village had been taken down, but not entirely. The wall was much smaller that before, only about the height of an average person and was decorated. The gate had been replaced with one that was less foreboding and everything seemed to be going well. As they walked closer to the gate Rei wondered more and more if they wet her in.

"Come on Rei what's wrong?" asked Asuka. "This is your village right? Shouldn't you be happy to be home?"

"They banished me remember. This is not my home anymore. But my family is still her so yeah I'm happy."

"So how long do you need to stay?" asked Shinji. "I don't ask because I want to leave I ask because I'm curious."

"Not long we can probably leave tomorrow, if they let us stay that long."

Rei walked to the town gate and pulled it open. As she suspected it was not locked, since there was no danger her town would be as open as possible. She entered the town, Shinji and Asuka followed close behind. They walked in and a few of the towns people looked up from what they were doing and noticed them. Whispers began to spread about the town. After a few minutes Rei and the others had almost made there way to her old house when a voice came over everyone else's.

"So you finally came back did you?"

"Master Kenji!" Rei replied. "How have you been master? It has been so very long since we.."

Kenji swung at Rei's face and Rei grabbed it.

"I'm sure I've told you to stop referring to me so formally. You shouldn't call me master, we are equals now. We have been for a long time. Talk to me as an equal."

"Alright Kenji. By they way these are my friends Shinji and Asuka."

"Your friends huh? These people helped you stop the mist?"

"Yes they did. I couldn't have done it without them."

"So this guy is the one you love is he? And she is your friend, you consider her a part of our family?"

"I never could hide anything from you. Yes your right on both accounts."

"This master of yours is so interesting." said Shinji. He is quite skilled at deduction and he looks much younger than her really is. The instant you saw Asuka and I you measured up what our approximate skill was didn't you? Out of sheer reflex?"

"You are also quite skilled Shinji. Though you are a hard man to judge. You can hide your skill quite well."

"I am a warrior of the shadows, hiding everything about ourselves is one skill we must learn at an early stage of or training."

"Shadows huh? Then your skills are very much like mine and Rei's."

"On a few things I am superior to Rei, but I do believe she could beat me in battle."

"Really Shinji I think you would win after I saw those last two technique's of yours."

"Now you have me interested." said Kenji.

"Techniques only taught to shadow masters, full sensory manipulation and Shukuchi."

"You know the Shukuchi? That means your master was…"

"So you are aware of him are you? I'm surprised, I didn't think people outside of the shadows knew about him."

"I know many things I shouldn't. Either way I don't want to keep you from seeing you family so go."

"Alright I'll see you late Kenji."

Rei, Shinji and Asuka turned and continued to walk to Rei's old house. When they reached the door Rei knocked and opened the door. As soon as the door opened Rei saw her sister. When Saori realized that it was Rei at the door she burst into tears.

"Onee-chan your home!" she cried in joy as she ran over and hugged her sister. "I missed you so much." She said crying into Rei's chest.

"I missed you too." Rei looked up and saw her father sitting at his table looking over at the happy reunion. "Hello father. I've done what I needed to. The mist is gone. The world is free."

"Very good. I am so glad to learn that you are safe." he said with a straight face. Rei's father was never one to make large displays of emotion.

"So Onee-chan I want to year about your travels. What is the world like? Did you see anyone interesting? What's out there beyond the village?"

"On that note I have some people I want you to meet. Saori these are my friends, Shinji and Asuka."

Saori looked up at Asuka and smiled. "Hello, I'm Saori." she said with a smile. "You're my new sister are you? I think I'll like having another Onee-chan."

"You like me already and you make me your sister? I'm so glad you like me. I guess you're a good person." Asuka walked over to Saori and Rei and hugger them. "Thank you so much. I've never had a family."

"That's awful." said Saori. "Why don't you have a family?"

"We'll tell you later." said Rei. "Saori this is Shinji at least say hi to him."

"Hi." said Saori.

"Hello there." Shinji said with his usual smile.

Saori looked at Shinji for a while and Shinji looked back. Eventually Saori scrunched her face and looked harder at him. Shinji kept his trademark smile. Saori continued to stare at Shinji for several more minutes before she finally gave up and spoke.

"Why does Oniichan never stop smiling?"

"Another long story." replied Rei.

"Does my smiling bother you Saori?" asked Shinji.

"No its just weird. I've never seen someone that does nothing but smile."

"Wow it's like talking to Asuka, but several years younger."

"Hey!" replied Asuka.

"Relax you two. Father," Rei said turning her attention toward him, "I have a question for you. May we speak?"

"Of course." he replied and stood up. He walked toward the door and just before he left he turned back to Saori. "Saori stay here for a while and get to know your new family members. We'll be back shortly and then Rei can tell us all about her travels."

"Ok." she replied happily.

Rei and her father walked outside and sat down on a small bench. Her father looked up at the bright blue sky and tapped his cane on the ground. "I have missed you greatly." he said. "We both have. For a while Saori could not keep herself from crying if your name was mentioned. We worried about you daily."

"I'm sorry that I made you worry so much. At least now you know that I am safe."

"Will you be staying here now?"

"I don't think the elder would allow it and even if I did I don't think we should. Shinji, Asuka and I want to go back out into the world a little, be somewhere none of us have and enjoy the new world."

"I understand. You might have trouble explaining that to your sister though."

"Yeah." Rei and her father were silent for a moment. "I remember the day before the mist came and Kenji made me a master, the youngest and first female ever of this system. I felt so proud of myself and so strong. Then out in the world I learned that in many cases I was, and I also learned how weak I was. So much happened since I left. I think that now, if I fought with Kenji, I would outmatch him much faster."

"Things are always different outside. You never know what you really are until you experience other things."

"Yeah." Rei grabbed her sword and held it in her lap. "This sword is an artifact of the Shinpishugisha. An item given to the strongest of the first branch clan of the royal family. It signifies the leader of the royal guards. This necklace from mother is given either to the eldest female of the royal family or to the married queen, it signifies their power. The was a kimono of the kings but it was destroyed." Rei paused for a moment. "Father, did you know that mother was a Shinpishugisha?"

"Not when I met her, but she eventually told me. She was very nervous when she did. She let her spell down and showed me what she really looked like. It changed nothing of course, I still loved her and do to this day."

"This necklace belonged to her, was she royalty in some way or did she just acquire the necklace the way your acquired the sword?"

"She never said anything about that, but from your story it is possible that she was a descendant of royalty. She said that the necklace also belonged to her mother."

"So many things I didn't know. So many things that I didn't even know were out there for me to know. I am so glad that the world is free. Now we can learn more things about everything, Shinji will enjoy that."

"About that boy. Saori called him Oniichan, what inflection should I take from that?"

"Actually I also would like Shinji out her for this part."

"I'll talk with him later before I make my decision, but I don't feel that I have that much control over you anymore. You traveled the world, seen more than most people, saved the world. What kind of father would I be to deny you happiness?"

"I would still like your blessing father. At least speak with Shinji later and see if you like him."

"Of course. Now, how about we make some dinner and you can talk about your travels."

"That sounds great."

Rei and her father walked back into the houses and saw Asuka and Saori playing. Shinji was sitting down at the table with a cup of tea.

"Oh your back." said Shinji. "You have really good tea here by the way."

Rei's father looked at Shinji oddly. "You seem at home awfully quick."

"Oh Saori said I could have some. I am so glad for that too, like I said it is really good. The tea from Oshu is not nearly as good as from this area. I want to try mountain grown tea now that I can. Some that is grown in misty mountains, in half shade."

"You seem very focused on tea." replied Rei's father.

"Shinji gets like that." replied Asuka. "He's so easy going that he will just focus on something irrelevant like that when he can."

"How is tea irrelevant? Something so delicious cannot be irrelevant."

"Saori would you please prepare us some dinner?"

"Of course father."

"Here I'll help." said Rei.

When dinner was prepared they all sat down and ate together. Rei began to tell about their travels with help from Asuka and Shinji. After several hours Saori became very tired and went off to sleep. Everyone decided that was a good idea as it had grown quite late. Beds were laid out for everyone and they all went to sleep.

Later that night Rei's father went out side and took a small walk around town. Eventually he stood next to a large tree that was just above the beach. He looked out at the ocean with a quiet and serious face.

"What brings you out here so late father?" Shinji said from up in the tree. He was on a branch sleeping against the trunk. "I thought everyone else was sleeping inside."

"How did you get outside without making any noise? I'm not as good as I used to be, but I did not notice a thing."

"I'm very laid back but I am still a master shadow warrior remember. So I'm out here because it is a nice night and it would be a shame to spend it inside, you?"

"I was thinking about Rei's request."

"The one I have yet to actually express to you?"

"Yes."

"And, do you have an opinion?"

"Before I answer tell me one thing. You are very calm and controlled. From the stories Rei told you stay this way during most if not all situations and keep positive. What I want to know is, what is it that you fear? What breaks that composure of yours? You are still human so you must fear."

"I fear plenty." replied Shinji. "The last few battles e were in I was afraid I would loose and fail everyone. That the world would fall into worse darkness. That I would die before Rei told me how she felt about me. As for what breaks my composure, nothing does. This face of mine, how I carry myself will not go away ever. If you give your blessing for me and your daughter, she is doomed to everyday see a smile and listen to a very honest person."

"I understand. I give my full blessing to you and Rei. Goodnight, I'm going back to sleep."

"Good night."

The next day Rei, Shinji and Asuka set off to leave town. As the packed their things Saori tugged on Rei's sleeve.

"Do you have to go? Why can't you stay here?"

"Because I don't live here anymore Saori remember? We are going to find a new place to live. Don't worry I'll be back to visit every now and again."

"You promise?"

"Yes I promise. Would I deprive you of seeing your family forever?"

"No. I'll miss you Onee-chan."

"I'll miss you too, but at least this time you don't have to worry about me getting hurt."

"Come on Rei lets get going. We don't even know where we want to live yet."

"Yeah. Goodbye father. I thank you so much for giving us your blessing."

"As long as it makes you happy. When I have a grand kid bring it back here for us to see. It would mean a lot to me, and your mother too."

"Yes father."

Rei, Shinji and Asuka walked out of town out toward an unknown destination.

Two years past Since the ending of the mist and the world was getting back on track. Rei, Shinji and Asuka decide to move to the village Asuka's people used to live in. They were the first inhabitants of that town and they did a decent job fixing it up. Everyone lived happily and propitiously. One day Rei decided to walk outside and simply walk around town. When he left she was wearing a nice kimono with a beautiful flower pattern. It was like she always dreamed, one of those kimono's from the stories. As she walked around town she carried her child in her arms. A small, sleeping, six month old boy. Rei walked into the town square and saw Asuka buying groceries.

"Hello Asuka." she said.

"Hi Rei how are you today?"

"I'm good thanks. I got bored of being inside to I decided to take a walk."

"I see and how is your son doing today?"

"Saito is doing just fine. He spends a lot of time sleeping, he seems about as relaxed as his father."

"Oh god do we really need two of them? Where is Shinji by the way?"

"I think he training people right about now. I was thinking about going to see how it was going, maybe offer my input on the students."

"We should go see him."

"Alright lets go."

Rei and Asuka walked across town and saw Shinji with several students training outside. There were several groups of students fighting and many others solo training. Shinji walked back and forth commenting on different things for each people.

"Hey Shinji!" Asuka called.

Shinji looked up at Asuka, Rei and his son. "Everyone stop!" he called out to his students. "We have guests today. Two other very strong martial artists. Master Rei would you like to observe or teach these students anything?"

"That depends, what have they been practicing?"

"How about a demonstration?" Shinji signaled to his students to begin training.

Two students stood up and began a raining match. One student was very skilled and easily defeated his opponent. This repeated several time and Rei saw the look in that students eyes. She did not like it.

"Asuka could hold Saito for a moment?"

"Sure."

Rei walked down to the area that the training matches were going on ad stood next to Shinji. "Why have you not dealt with this sooner?"

"Well so know you are much better at teaching that aspect of martial arts. Mine is only for killing so the actual combat is what I teach."

"You don't believe that. You just wanted me do it because you think I will enjoy it."

"Yeah."

Rei signaled to stop the match and she stepped in the ring. The pompous boy was about fifteen years old and slightly taller than Rei. "You have too much of an ego." said Rei. "Your skill has gone to your head."

"I am very good. No one here can beat me. I am the best here."

"You may be the best in this circle, but not the best here. I will show you that fact. Today's lesson, there is always someone better."

"You don't really think that a woman can…"

Rei was then behind the boy with her hand on his shoulder. Without even striking the boy fell to his knees in fear. The small projection of intent and her speed had scared the boy immensely.

"Wow Shinji you really aren't teaching them your art are you?"

"The ability to fight and kill at our level is not a skill that is needed by the masses. I am only teaching how to fight, not training another master of murder."

"Good. Maybe everything will be better that way." said Rei.

"Hey Rei Saito woke up."

Rei walked over to Asuka and her child and looked at his smiling face. He was such a beautiful baby with his crimson eyes and blue hair.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: There it is finally done. Wow, I never in all my dreams thought that I would finish while I was at school. Well I could write all day about this as it is the first fanfic that I have actually finished =), but overall I'm happy with it. I know some might think that I went a little long with the end, after story stuff but there was a lot to wrap up at the end and quite a few characters I wanted to bring back into the story. So to cut my rambling short I'll leave it as, if there are questions to what happened where or about my thought process, ask.