Next chapter of Ryouzanpaku no Yami

"Talking"

'Thoughts'

"Techniques/extremely loud shouting/emphasis"

Last time

Tirawit was playing a game of chess with a man with an eye patch over his left eye and many scars over his visible body.

"Acha! You play a solid game Koukin!" the man said as Tirawit moved him into a check position. "It seems like the Ryouzanpaku disciple still lives, are you losing your touch?" he asked with a smirk.

Tirawit moved a piece as he listened to the man in front of him. The man smiled as he moved another piece "Ah ha! Checkmate!" he paused as he glanced at Tirawit "That last move was kind of half-hearted don't you think? You know I think you're getting even more half-heated than those guys." He trailed off when Koukin spoke for the first time.

"No according to my profile, Shirahama Kenichi died today…as a martial artist." His face remained impassive as he reset the game board.

Shock therapy

Yami sighed as he helped Apachai and Miu carry their groceries into the Ryouzanpaku dojo "It's been a week since then, I bet Kenichi is ready to start his training again."

Miu frowned as she used her Ki to push open the doors of the dojo. "I don't think he should be pushing himself too hard yet." She mumbled as she walked in followed closely by Apachai.

Yami shrugged his shoulders as he closed the gate "If you say so." He muttered as they walked into the main building.

"Ojii-sama how's Kenichi-san?" Miu called out as she walked into the dojo.

Hayato glanced at the three of them slightly before turning away "Well about that…" he moved over showing that Kenichi was furiously throwing punches forward shouting out

"Damn you Koukin!" as Honoka desperately tried too calm him down.

Yami smirked "Knew it, but now the real test…" he charged forward and shouted out "Kenichi!" turning around Kenichi immediately noticed the fist and instinctively closed his eyes. When he felt nothing he opened his eyes and fell into a ready position

"What are you waiting for? Let's continue!" he shouted out seemingly unaware that he had closed his eyes at all.

Yami frowned and relaxed "No, as you are now there would be no point." He sighed in frustration and walked into the garden. Presumably to train on his own.

Sakaki frowned as he sat in a meeting with the other masters as they discussed what to do about Kenichi. "Did you guys notice when Yami charged him?" he didn't bother waiting for an answer knowing they already knew but decided to say it anyways. "He closed his eyes the punk."

Kensei nodded his head in agreement "Physically he's fine thanks to Akisame-san and I but, that Yomi punk has placed the seed of terror in Ken-chan's heart." He paused as his eyes hardened. "This is lethal to martial artists."

"Apapa, Whenever Kenichi spars with Apachai he almost dies, but he was able to remain calm all the time, he will be fine this time too!" Apachai yelled enthusiastically.

Kensei shook his head. "Apachai you have never once had the intent to kill him, however when there is true killing intent you can destroy your opponent's heart."

Sakaki leaned forward and grinned evilly "So what should we do? The guy doesn't even know it himself and if we try all the tricks in the book he could suddenly disappear."

Akisame sighed before he spoke, his tone hard and unwavering, "Nothing, we can do nothing. This is a trauma that could last Kenichi-kun's whole life."

Kensei nodded in agreement "We definitely need to rehabilitate him soon, but…" he looked in the direction of Kenichi's room "How are we going to do this in such a short amount of time?"

They all paused to think each with a face of deep thought. The elder then began to laugh catching everyone's attention. "It's not as hard as you all think! To fight fears…use fear. He's always done so in the past."

Akisame rubbed his mustache in thought. "Well that is true but, this time it's a wound to the heart. To cure something like that in such a short amount of time is…" he didn't finish as the elder decided to interrupt him.

"Are you all forgetting that very capable person who is always training to conquer fear?" the elder shouted as everyone's expression gleamed in acknowledgement.

Laughing uproariously Sakaki slapped his knee "That's brilliant! We can even send Yami with them. That kid…he wasn't taught like the rest of us were. We need a scenario in which we can allow him to cut loose under the supervision of one of us anyways."

Kensei agreed "Yes I would also like to see that boy's true ability. I can see even when he faces Apachai in spars he holds back as if afraid to strike."

Akisame rubbed his chin in thought "Perhaps…" he began. "Something happened in his past, a fatal strike dealt unwittingly to an enemy maybe?"

Sakaki leaned back and shrugged his shoulders. "Who knows? All I know is that that kid is stronger than he makes himself out to be. Maybe even master level." The others glanced at Sakaki and were surprised to note that he was serious.

The elder chuckled "We will just have to wait and see now won't we?" with that the elder stood and walked away to get the two youths. The other masters watched as he left silently wondering how this would turn out. They sweat dropped when they heard yelling.

"I am not going anywhere with her!" Yami's voice shouted out. "I don't care how uninterested she seems I'm not taking that risk!" there was a pause then more yelling "It's Kenichi's problem not mine! I don't need to find out how strong I really am!" then there was silence.

Kensei gulped and dared to poke his head into the hallway to see what was going on. What he saw was a rather disgruntled elder dragging a hog tied and gagged Yami towards Shigure's room with a nervous Kenichi in tow. Walking back to the others he sat down and pulled out a photo album.

Akisame the ever curious one decided to ask "What happened?"

Kensei glanced up at Akisame "The elder decided to force Yami to go whether he wanted to or not." He stated before going back to his album.

Sakaki, Apachai, and Akisame shared a glance before they shrugged and went off to do their own things.

Kenichi sighed as the elder told him to open the door seeing as the traps were released. When he did however Shigure stood there in all her glory. Kenichi flew back with a nosebleed, Yami looked away embarrassed and the elder muttered "Oh my."

"Eh? You need…something?" she asked in her usual slow tone of speech.

Kenichi quickly placed his back against the door outside her room and covered his eyes. "If you're changing please say so! I opened the door because the traps were released!"

Shigure turned around and sheathed the sword she had been working with "ah…sorry." She said as she walked up to a drawer. "But I was about to…go sword hunting." And with that she pulled out a drawer full of weapons one might find on a ninja.

Kenichi too freaked out to say what he had been told to say started babbling as he tried to look away. Yami who had no such problem sighed "We were told to go with you, Kenichi needs to get over his fear of death, and the others want to know the extent of my abilities."

Shigure spared him a side glance as she dressed herself. "That's…okay. And besides I can protect myself because the place I'm going… is really…a trap" by the time she was finished speaking she was fully dresses with an expressionless face.

Kenichi of course was cowering on the floor trying to sneak away as the elder smiled "It's okay I want you to take them." Yami sighed when he saw Shigure made a gesture of excitement or happiness, he couldn't really tell.

Both Kensei and Akisame stayed silent as they watched the scene in front of them. 'How reckless.' They both thought.

Yami silently began to wiggle out of his bindings as he inched away unenthusiastic at all about the little trip they were making him go on. He froze when he felt someone's foot step on him, "And where do you think you are…going?" Shigure asked monotonously with a dark gleam in her eyes.

Yami chuckled nervously "Nowhere at all…" he mumbled as she picked him up and began to carry him like a sack of rice. "I can walk on my own you know." He said in a flat tone of voice.

Everyone just sweat dropped as they watched, a moment later and Shigure turned around "Kenichi…hurry up" she said before continuing on her way.

Kenichi jumped and jogged to catch up with her "Hai Shigure-san." He called out as e caught up. "So how are we going to get there?" he asked after a while.

Shigure glanced at him once before shifting Yami on her shoulders seeing as he was still struggling to get out of his bindings. "We'll use a…train." She said quietly.

At the location

Yami stretched yawning lightly as they walked off of the train. "My god we were on that train for so long!" he whined as he fell into step with Kenichi and Shigure who, as usual, looked impassive.

The place was a very rural area and neither teen could see any modern buildings around. "What a great place!" Kenichi sighed in contentment as he stretched.

Shigure turned her head ever so slightly "Don't let your guard…down, nitwit. We are not here for…fun." The tense atmosphere was ruin however, when both Yami and Kenichi noticed her 'Not bad I did a great speech' hand sign

Yami sighed as Kenichi began to question whether or not she walked into traps on purpose. 'Our lives are in the hands of a crazy lady.' He thought with a sweat drop as she answered 'Yes'

"Shigure-san why are we here again?" Yami asked after a while seeing as Kenichi was beginning to calm down.

Shigure pulled out a photo and showed it to them "Someone wants to hand over…the sword otou-san made…to me." She paused to put the photo away "But it's only a bait to get me…here. The real objective…is my head."

Yami only raised an eyebrow in interest as Kenichi began to freak out and curse the elder's name. "Well now this is interesting." Yami mumbled to himself as they continued to follow Shigure.

"We'll spend a night here preparing for the battle tomorrow." Kenichi and Yami nodded their heads as they continued walking.

Shigure stopped and looked at an old run down building. "We're…here." She said slowly before she walked in. Glancing at each other Yami and Kenichi shrugged and followed her inside.

"One room please." Shigure requested of the attendant.

Kenichi immediately began to protest as Yami fell to the floor twitching. "We're siblings, sir!" he shouted out to clear up any misconceptions the man may have had.

The man smiled "Ah a couple of lovers and their toy eh?" his eyes twinkled with mirth as Yami groaned in embarrassment. Shigure just stared and waited for the keys to the room.

When all was said and done they ended up in a single room anyways. "Really now Shigure-san I'm your toy?" Yami asked in mock hurt.

"Yes…you are my…toy." She replied as her eyes seemed to gleam ominously. She wrapped an arm around him and pulled him close to her. "Do not forget that Kensei has…evidence that could mess up your…life if your Okaa-san ever found…it."

Yami gulped nervously and allowed Shigure to keep her arm there despite the discomfort it caused him. Kenichi however did not let it drop. "But still for all of us to stay in one room?"

Shigure looked forward "Do not forget to take the Ryouzanpaku's financial situation." She stated as she pumped her fist.

Kenichi was about to step forward when Shigure's voice stopped him cold "Kenichi what are you doing?" Kenichi placed his foot back where it was and stayed there frozen in fear. "Do not step on the edges of the tatamis…spears will pop out!" she let out a breath of relief at having been able to stop him.

"What kind of dangerous place is this?" Kenichi shouted out as Yami walked over to the futon cabinet.

Glancing over his shoulder Yami called back "It's got nothing to do with the place. It's an old fashioned trap to set up spears to pop out when someone steps on the edge of a tatami mat. From most martial artists' perspective it's common sense not to step on the edges."

Kenichi looked at Yami's feet and frowned. "Then…why are you standing on the edges?" he asked in confusion as Yami's words and actions were contradicting each other.

Shigure nodded her head curious as well. "I'm not most martial artists, with the way I was trained; the spears usually came of if I touched the center of the Tatami mat. So, I'm used to staying on the edges of the mats, or even off of them all together." To prove his point he flipped up and hung from the rafters. "Sometimes I'd be forced to move through an entire building without ever touching the floor."

Shigure seemed interested as Kenichi looked disbelieving as he walked over to the futons and pulled his into away from the setup of having all three of them connected.

Yami shrugged his shoulders "Miu avoids the edges as well, haven't you noticed?" he asked as he jumped down.

"Now that you mention it she does." Kenichi said as he thought it over.

"Excuse me." The waitress said as she opened the door only to shiver as three shuriken embedded themselves in the wood next to her head. "Before dinner I will bring you to the Onsen please follow me."

Kenichi began to shout only to be stopped by Yami who held his hand over Kenichi's mouth. "Kenichi just drop it, it was only a scare tactic anyways. In this situation it was a good thing to do."

Kenichi of course wanted to argue against it but Yami held his hand there and dragged Kenichi along with him as the trio followed the old woman.

Yami trough Kenichi into the changing room and began to strip himself of his clothes. "Better clean yourself Kenichi; this could be your last bath ever." Yami smirked evilly sending a shiver down Kenichi's spine.

Shouting out Kenichi through his hands up and stripped down. "Gah! I don't care anymore I'm going to enjoy myself!" wrapping a towel around his waist he walked out followed by a chuckling Yami.

Yami removed the towel and slid into the onsen with a sigh of contentment "This feels good." He muttered as he noticed Kenichi looking around before he too entered.

"The towel cannot be soaked in onsen water." He mumbled happily to himself. Yami watched in amusement as Shigure made a noise of annoyance.

"I was going to remind you…of that." She mumbled in disappointment. Causing Kenichi to jump up in surprise and cover himself.

"Kenichi the towel…" Yami stated with a chuckle. His eyes focused on something in the distance as Shigure explained about the onsen being co-ed. "Hmm?" he mumbled.

Apparently Shigure also noticed as she stood up at the same time he did, as something gleamed in the sunlight. "What's wrong?" Kenichi asked as he covered his eyes.

Shigure suddenly moved her head as a ball on the end of a chain smashed into the rock behind her. Following soon after were three men in black one with a sword, another with a spear, and the third with a Kusari-gama. "No matter how powerful the weapon prodigy, being attacked without a weapon…you will still die!" the Kusari-gama user shouted.

Kenichi covered his head and screamed "Are we done for?"

Yami merely took up a stance as Shigure mumbled "Little Shigure… big~ crisis…" Yami glanced at her as if asking 'you're joking right?'

Yami toned out the Kusari-gama user as he began to boast about how Shigure was as good as dead without her weapons. 'Man this guy is annoying.' He thought to himself as he waited for someone to make a move.

Both Kenichi and Shigure repeated what they had said before the opponent's monologue. Yami who was quickly getting annoyed lowered his head so that his bangs covered his eyes.

"Just…" She began as she undid the ribbon in her hair. "Kidding!" she yelled as she used her ribbon as a whip and struck the spear and sword wielders with one quick motion. Yami taking advantage of their distraction immediately got behind the spear user and wrapped his arm around the man's neck. Pulling him down so that he held him while in a kneeling position Yami put pressure on the man's arteries until he lost consciousness due to lack of oxygen.

Shigure nodded in approval as she jumped up to avoid the chain. "Did you really think I would put my weapon more than five meters away from me?" she asked as she lashed out with her ribbon and pulled her Katana to her.

Kenichi watched in amazement as she landed "When did you hide the sword in the tree?" he asked in wonder. Yami took the moment's distraction and got behind the swordsman wrapping an arm around the man's neck Yami punched him three times in the kidney before dragging the man down onto the ground and cut off his air supply with a perfect choke. When he was sure that the man was unconscious he released him and stood up.

"Too easy, these guys are amateurs allowing themselves to be caught from behind in a fight." Yami ran a hand through his hair and sighed as he watched Shigure fight the leader of the trio.

Yami smirked as the two broke away from a weapon's lock. "Kenichi don't blink, this fight will be over in an instant." Yami's voice held the tone of master fighter lecturing his pupil.

"Shigure-san, please wear something." Kenichi mumbled as he watched through the gap of his fingers.

Shigure merely mumbled "You pervert…" the man lashed out and yanked back in hopes of disarming her, however he only got the scabbard of her weapon. "That was only the scabbard…" she muttered under her breath "I consider you as…strong." He stated aloud.

She rushed forward and hit him on the head with the back of her blade. The man stumbled a bit before speaking. "Prodigy of swords and weapons huh? I've lost." With his piece said he fell forward, unconscious.

Yami nodded his head and got out of the onsen. "It seems we will not be able to wait much longer. Come on Kenichi we must get ready for the night ahead of us." Offering no other explanation Yami walked out of the onsen.

As the trio walked up a mountain path Kenichi was beginning to panic…again. "Why have me wear my protective vest?" he screamed "It's…it's over right? Can we go back?" Yami rolled his eyes as he adjusted his clothing which consisted of nothing more than a pair of pants and an open vest.

"Stop whining Kenichi." He muttered as they walked.

Shigure nodded her head as she redid her ribbon. "We can't leave…yet. Otou-san's sword has not appeared…yet. We will continue along this mountain path…to the meeting…point. Just be careful if the first wave was this strong…it could be dangerous."

Before Kenichi could shout again Yami smacked him in the back of the head. "Stop whining Kenichi, grow a backbone and just move on."

Kenichi glared at Yami but said nothing as Yami took his hand away from his mouth. 'Insensitive jerk.' He thought to himself.

"I heard those thought Kenichi!" Yami called back as Shigure motioned for both of them to be quiet. Nodding their heads both teens silently knelt down and moved over to Shigure's position. Kenichi although paying attention to what he was doing was also wondering how Yami had known his thoughts.

'Is he really psychic?' he thought worriedly, glancing at Yami he frowned. 'Nah couldn't be.'

As they gazed down into the valley below them Kenichi's eyes grew wide as he began to shake in fear. "Look Shigure-san they're having a festival down there! They look like they're having a lot of fun."

Shigure did not spare him a glance as she spoke "Face the truth~ they are all…my enemies!" she stated to which Yami nodded.

"Shigure-san how are we going to do this? Just let you deal with most of them and let Kenichi fight one? Or do we all jump down and fight whoever comes at us?" Yami asked as he massaged his wrists.

Shigure shrugged "Fight as the situation…demands."

Yami nodded his head as Kenichi took a few calming breaths. "Yosh I'm ready!"

Yami noticed a very tall man appear but paid him no attention as he honestly didn't care seeing as all of them were enemies. Shigure on the other hand lay down on her back and sighed. "If it's that guy…maybe I can't win." She muttered as the images of her childhood flashed before her eyes.

"That man…you could say he is my…zebra." Shigure said after a while as she sat up. Yami blinked in confusion.

"You mean Trauma?" he asked lightly.

Shigure nodded her head "You could say that. We're here to cure Kenichi of his…fear. But it seems like it's gotten really…dangerous." She said as she gazed down at the man who was sitting in the back.

Kenichi gripped the cloth above his heart. "I see if my heart has fear in it…I'll die the next time I face Tirawit Koukin, is that what everyone is saying?" he asked nervously as he began to shake.

Yami patted him on the shoulder. "If you do not conquer your fear…than yes you will die."

Shigure nodded her head. "Just don't panic, face your fear, like that time I taught you how to swim in the river."

Kenichi shivered and hid behind a rock, "I still don't think I need to accompany you, I'll wait right here."

Shigure said nothing as she stood up and threw a single shuriken at the bell behind the group sounding off a loud ringing noise.

Kenichi's face fell as he stared in shock "Eh…we're attacking first?" Everyone near the bell had prepared their weapons, and were looking around, all except the tall man who had sat down. "On the cliff!" he shouted as he pointed right at them.

As the various archers began to fire at them Kenichi had grabbed Shigure and began to shake her. "Oh…I missed" she said playfully." Kenichi began to shake harder as he freaked out. "You liar!"

"So what will you…do? There is no way back…you want to wait for them to kill you?" Shigure's voice was flat and unemotional as if this didn't concern her at all.

Yami sweat dropped as he idly ducked under an arrow. 'She's got to be the most wicked person in the dojo.' He mused to himself. "Shall we jump down there and meet them?" he asked after having to duck underneath another arrow.

Kenichi wiped away a few tears. "Let's…let's do it!" he shouted a fire burning in his eyes. Shigure nodded and handed him something.

"The elder told me to give this to you when you were determined." She stated.

Yami picked up a rock and hurled it with all of his might at one of the archers he frowned when the man merely jumped back and avoided it. He was however, happy to note that everyone was staring at the small crater created by the impact in shock. "Hurry up and open the damn thing Kenichi it's only a matter of time until they get up here."

Kenichi nodded his head and opened the package to reveal a set of arm guards. "Arm guards?" Kenichi asked as he put them on. He was happy to note that it protected his entire arm.

Shigure nodded her head in satisfaction "That used to be the elder's son's arm guard…I modified it to fit your size. It's a decent weapon."

When Kenichi was ready he nodded his head as did Yami who cracked his knuckles. "Finally some real challengers."

"Both of you…just survive until the end." Shigure said as she began to twirl around a Kusari-gama. Both boys nodded their heads. "Let's go Kenichi, Yami!" she shouted as she began to slide down the side of the mountain.

Kenichi and Yami shouted their agreement as they followed her. "Prepare yourselves head hunters!" Yami shouted out as he jumped off the cliff face and landed in the middle of the mob. Sidestepping a downward slash Yami stepped onto the blade as the man tried to pull it free. He looked up only to be met with a foot as Yami kicked him hard in the face.

When there was a small lull in the battle everyone stood on guard and watched everyone else's movements. "Kenichi 'If I sword has been properly polished you can…reflect your enemy's image into your heart'."

One of the men grunted "A direct teaching? How pathetic. That doesn't work in a real battle."

Kenichi and Yami glanced around before Kenichi began to think 'No that's not it. This isn't teaching…Shigure-san is asking for my help?' glancing around he confirmed his thoughts. 'She wants me to cover her dead angle.' He looked at the only opponent in her dead angel and nearly fell over in fright. 'HIM?' Kenichi silently screamed.

Yami watched the whole thing in amusement as he sidestepped around an attack from behind. "Shigure-san I'll handle the amateurs you worry about the big fish." He called out as he sent his elbow into an attacker's stomach doubling him over, only to receive a blow to the back of the neck knocking him out. "What a bunch of weaklings, I'm not even armed." Yami muttered as the enemy surrounded him.

Kenichi watched Yami in amazement before shaking his head and focusing on his opponent. 'No time to worry about others.' He thought to himself. As the samurai in front of him began to charge. The first attack was a spear thrust which Kenichi spun around gaining only a bit of torn clothing. 'If I get in close he can't use his spear…' "Whoa!" he shouted out in surprise as he ducked underneath the samurai's katana. 'That was close. Must not close my eyes I need to get used to that.' He thought as he brought his arm guards to block a downwards strike.

"That's interesting equipment you got there, but to fight me bare handed…you're insane!" the samurai declared as he reset his stance.

Kenichi clenched his fists and shouted out. "My fists are my weapons!" Koukin's words came to mind as he said this. 'You're fists are already a deadly weapon.' "Wrong!" he placed his hands on the samurai's armor as if to pierce it.

"Mubyoshi!" Kenichi shouted as he struck his opponent.

The samurai was sent flying back in a cloud of dust as Kenichi made another declaration "My fists are my Master's gifts…they are…the signs for my own path!"

The man began to rise shakily only for Shigure to hit him with the back of her blade knocking him unconscious. "I always had the impression that your fear is not only…the fear of your own death…you are afraid of killing someone else…you have the fear of death…in general." She said in the tone someone may use when they confirmed something they had thought about for a long time.

Yami dusted his hands off and watched the interaction in slight interest. "Kenichi when your opponent it wearing armor then you can do your best right?" he asked causing Shigure to glare at him clearly implying that she had been about to say that. Chuckling nervously Yami backed away from her.

Shigure stared for a moment longer before she turned back to Kenichi "Anyway, thanks for the…help." She said playfully.

Kenichi's eyes widened as he looked around. "Eh? You guys finished them all already?" he shouted out in shock.

Shigure stepped away from him and turned away. "No there is one more…the most important one." Looking at the man who had yet to move se prepped herself for battle. Yami who saw no reason to get involved in what he assumed was a personal fight jumped onto the rooftop and lay down to watch as the two master level fighters talked about something he didn't quite hear.

Kenichi glanced at the mouse sitting next to him 'She dropped Touchumaru…she must be serious. When the mouse patted the ground next to it Kenichi got the hint and sat down next to it.

"Your head is very valuable. Plus that katana, secret of the steel…even though it's not as good as my Setsunamaru, I will treat it well." The man who had introduced himself as Tsubanari no Kagerou Sai stated.

"Hmph I have always wanted to kick your…ass. Stop the talking…come." Shigure's voice had an edge to it that Kenichi had never heard in the swordswoman's voice before. Sai made a noise of annoyance

"Know your place, super sonic slash!" countless strikes followed his voice causing Kenichi's jaw to drop and Yami to raise an eyebrow.

Shigure's face remained impassive as her trench coat was torn to shreds. "What's wrong…flatfish-face? You couldn't slice me…even once." Yami chuckled at her taunt thoroughly enjoying the show as he liked to call it.

Sai began to laugh hysterically as he did a weird dance that Yami was sure was from some cartoon show. "This is great you prevented me from reading your movements!" he shouted with glee as he stopped dancing. "I did the same!"

His attacks suddenly picked up speed sending a wave a wind at Kenichi. "Amazing…when the sound arrives, the sword is already back in his sheath." Kenichi turned his gaze onto the only female master of the Ryouzanpaku "Yet…Shigure-san is blocking them all with her bare-hands?" he thought in shock.

Yami watched this with the calm calculations of a mere observer as the fight began to move near one of the buildings, he didn't so much as blink when Shigure got the first hit in, he merely smiled. "So this is her true ability?" he asked himself. "If so then I don't stand a chance against her." He lazily moved to a better spot and watched in interest as Shigure suddenly launched a barrage of shuriken at Sai when he idly slashed a falling tile.

Sai seemed surprised at her actions but it quickly passed "It's a shame, but I have the ability to cut everything approaching me with my Iai draw!"

Shigure appeared behind him katana raised above her head. "You're overconfident…the sound and sparks made you lose sight of your…opponent. Even if your blade is supersonic…from this position I am still…faster!"

Sai did not move as his arm twisted in an unnatural fashion to block her attack. Yami who had by now taken a much larger interest in the fight sat upright and placed his chin in his right hand as a smirk played across his face. "Interesting, this is oh so interesting." He said to himself. When the mouse Touchumaru got knocked away Yami watched impressed as Shigure became even more serious. "I see…she's the type who fights to protect." He mumbled aloud.

When it came down to it the fight was settled with one final clash that sliced off a good chunk of Shigure's clothing leaving her left breast hanging out to be viewed by the world.

Ignoring whatever the two were saying Yami hopped down and walked over to where Kenichi was standing. "It seems we're done here, am I right?" he asked as Shigure knelt down to pick up the katana.

"For easier transportation…I will take your scabbard as well"

Ryouzanpaku dojo

When they returned back to the dojo Miu came rushing out and tackled Kenichi to the floor. "Kenichi-san you're safe! I thought I wouldn't see you anymore." She said with tears forming in her eyes.

Shigure and Yami both continued walking and muttered "How…rude."

Apachai followed shortly after and began to toss Kenichi into the air. "WELCOME BACK! YOUR LIMBS ARE STILL THERE! HOW LUCKY!" he cheered.

Shigure and Yami both continued walking and muttered a little louder than before "How…rude."

Akisame and Sakaki who both suffered from lack of sleep greeted them next. "Ah welcome back Kenichi-kun." Akisame said as he coughed into his hand.

"Hey what's this, your back." Sakaki tried to sound nonchalant and failed…miserably.

Kensei laughed and pointed at both of the other masters. "Heh these two were so worried about Ken-chan's survival that they stayed up all night."

Shigure and Yami both continued walking stated quite loudly "How…rude."

Akisame coughed and looked away "Ahem…well then…how is your mental injury?" he asked right before the four masters all shouted as they projected killing intent towards Kenichi.

Yami merely sweat dropped as the masters all began to talk amongst themselves as Miu went into the kitchen to prepare tea. He smiled as he watched the playful banter between the other masters mixed in with the banter between masters and disciple. "I wonder…was this how it was for me and my masters?" he asked himself aloud. If anyone heard him they made no comments.

Kenichi knocked on Shigure's door "Are the traps disabled?" she answered yes. "Are you clothed?" she answered yes. "I wanted to show you my appreciation. Thank you very much!"

Shigure nodded "I am…happy too…let's bathe together again…sometime." Both Kensei and Miu screamed out "WHAT?" when they heard this.

Miu promptly threatened Kenichi with no food out of anger. Causing Shigure to smile "You two…get along…well." Kenichi stared a while longer as he thought. 'S-she smiled it's the first time I've seen her smile.'

Yami smiled from his place in the shadows. "Oh…You have a really pretty smile Shigure-san, I never knew." The only indication that he had been heard at all was a slight glance in his general direction from Shigure. Before she could speak however he disappeared from her sensory range."

End

Alright I know I haven't updated in a while but, well school is hard right now. I'm not doing so well in my AP Calculus class so I've been trying to get better. (Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be working as I seem to mess up on all of my tests.)

Anyways I want everyone to know that I am a very slow updater during the school year, for those who hadn't already figured it out yet.

I would also like to point out that Fanfiction has deleted my story Way of the Pervert I guess they didn't like me trying to redo that story despite the author having obviously abandoned it. I will try to modify what I had and repost at an unknown time.

There was a recent person who PMed me multiple times saying that no matter what I did my work is plagiarism. Well like I said a while ago in one of my stories…I don't care what the people who call this plagiarism think. The only people with the rights to complain are the original authors of the stories I have "stolen"

Future story ideas: (note: all of these won't be considered until after I actually finish one of my current stories.)

Flee to Shinjuku – a Ranma/Get Backers crossover sequel to 'With New Neighbors Come New Adventures'. After fleeing Nerima after certain events Senshi and Ranma befriend the Get Backers and form an agency of their own, the T.R.A.P corps, the Transportation, Retrieval, Assassination, and Protection Corporation.

Note: if anyone has a better idea for a title I'm all ears. Also if you want a different name for the corporation Ranma and Senshi create the restrictions are that it has to be an acronym; meaning that it has to form a word using the initials of the actual title like my T.R.A.P corps. And the words used should be job types that they can do like transporter, retriever and the like.

Summons one half – Naruto/Ranma multi crossover featuring the Naruto personality from my story Kitsune brothers. Happosai tries to summon a demon to put Ranma in his place; however he gets more than he bargained for when the demon he summons takes Ranma's side. It only gets weirder, when the Sailor Senshi get involved.

Note: I may need help with Sailor Senshi names (who is who) and their attack names, both for the Senshi and their enemies

A dragon's Summon – Naruto/Ikki Tousen crossover. The Naruto personality from my story Kitsune brothers somehow gets teleported into the Ikki Tousen world where fighters are called 'Toushi' having nothing else to do he hangs around and watches. Too bad chaos loves him as much as he loves Ramen

The killer, the protector, the negotiator – Rosario/ multi cross. Meet Naruto a Shinobi banished from his home for succeeding in his mission, meet his best friend Ranma a teen looking for a better life, meet Tsukune the only thing keeping the other two from ripping each other's throats out. "I am the sword" "I am the shield" "And I am the hand that guides them."

Note: if anyone has a cooler catch phrase the three of them can say together than I'm all ears.

Sensei's sensei – Negima/multi cross. To further Negi's training in the arts of combat. Konoemon Konoe asks two combat experts to come and teach at Mahora academy with Negi. Naruto, a millennia old demon, and Ranma a twenty-one year old martial arts instructor of the highest caliber. "You want me to jump three stories into the air?" "And you want me to work on silent casting?"

Do I have to? – One Piece/Naruto cross. Kami-sama calls in a favor Kaoru owes her. The favor? Make sure Luffy becomes king of the pirates. Unfortunately for him she sets a lot of restrictions on what he can and can't do. "Why do I have to hold myself back this much again?" he asked. "Because…it'll be funnier that way" was her simple response. Will start after meeting chopper but before Alabasta

Note: any one have a better idea for a title for this story? I couldn't think of one.

Officer Kitsune – Sequel to No Need for Summons Naruto/Tenchi muyo GxP it will follow the anime series closely with the added interactions of Naruto with the cast.