Chapter 60

"Don't you recognize me Sakaki?" asked the man. "Don't you know who I am?" he asked with great vitriol.

"N-no I don't" said Sakaki with a quivering voice. "I really don't."

"Look me in the eyes and say that Sakaki. Look me in the eyes! DO IT!"

He stepped forward into the fading sun, allowing Sakaki to see his face again. The cloak worn down below had been removed, leaving him in a pristine suit. His hands had slight scars on the top of them, the palms largely untouched. But it was not the hands or clothing that was seriously damaged.

Much of his face was crinkled and a shade of red-brown, scar tissue from a serious burn having healed and formed over a period of time. A triangle of flesh on the left side of the man's face retained its normal white complexion, the left cheek, eye socket and most of the nose free from the uneven scar tissue. He seemed to have a permanent snarl on his face, his teeth constantly revealed as his lips had long been burnt away. Despite the serious burns, his hair remained on the top of his head, the black hair slicked back.

"Don't you recognize your own handiwork Sakaki?" he asked angrily. "Don't you recognize your cruelty?"

"I'm sorry but I don't know you" said Sakaki tearfully, inching backwards. "I don't know you…"

"The name is Kagesaki" said the man. "Does it sound familiar? Does it remind you of your village almost two years ago? Does it remind you of when you blew up three men?"

"I-I."

"Three people" said Kagesaki holding up three fingers. He lowered two of them. "But only two actually died. I'm still here."

"I-I was protecting my home" said Sakaki. "And…my friends."

"And now you can greet the consequences" replied Kagesaki. The dry skin around his mouth drew up over his gums, in what must have been a sneer. Sakaki found her legs shaking slightly.

"I'm sorry about hurting you…about doing that to your face…"

"My face? You think I care about this?" he asked pointing to his burnt face. "I don't even have to speak to intimidate people! It keeps unwanted attention from petty females away. No no Sakaki, it's the fact that you dared to attack me. The fact that you injured me, not the injury itself. A little bitch like you has no right!"

"I'm sor-" said Sakaki.

"Stop saying that! No matter how many times you say it, I won't change my mind. GET IT?" He definitely seemed crazed, yet at the same time, it was almost as though a childish tantrum. He reached into an inside pocket of his suit and withdrew a small object.

"This is for you" he said. He held it up in the fading light for Sakaki to see. A marked metal shuriken with a 'K' engraved into it. "I lost all the others when you tried to vaporise me. This one will slit your little throat wide open."

Sakaki backed away again, bumping into the railings of the boat. Kagesaki's eyes were wide open now, the man excited about getting vengeance, about spilling the young ninja's blood. He gripped part of the bladed weapon tightly as he stepped forward. Sakaki looked into the man's eyes as he looked distastefully at her. She wasn't going to die like this. She felt a strange feeling within her, some sort of disagreement, almost anger. She was not going to die like this! She was going to rejoin her friends and go on another adventure.

"Any last words?" asked Kagesaki.

"I don't need any" said Sakaki in an almost cocky tone. She raised up one hand and gripped the man's hand, biting her lip as part of the blade sliced into her palm. Without even moving her lips a bright flame appeared just above her hand and superheated the metal.

Kagesaki yelled out as the metal burnt the flesh of his hand. But more then that, Sakaki could see fear in his eyes when he saw the fire. He was scared. Almost being burnt to death must do that to you.

"What now? Burn me again?" he asked as he stumbled back, still holding the shuriken.

"Nope" said Sakaki who suddenly found her mind going into overdrive, feeling dizzy. "Just…a Tomo special."

"A what?" asked Kagesaki as Sakaki kicked him forcefully in the groin. He slumped down slightly and with all the force she could muster punched Kagesaki in the side of the face. She felt and saw some of the burnt skin split apart as she hit, and with a howl of pain Kagesaki fell over the railings and into the river below.

"Heh…eh…" said Sakaki in disbelief as she fell to her knees.

"But the village is interesting" stated Takino as he poured the drink Tomo had selected. "Many people completely believe that the actions involving a demon creature are complete fact. Some even state that a child carries the power and spirit of the demon within them."

"Oh really?" asked Tomo as flashbacks of the sense of bloodlust returned. "I guess…I heard something like that, but I always thought it was…erm…just a story" she stated in an unconvincing manner.

"Oh my it probably is" said Takino. Despite his words he gave Tomo a look. "But it seems the closer one gets to the village, the more people have heard of it- and believe in it. Of course I guess it all depends on whether you can accept the existence of demons in this world. And more then that, if you could believe a mere man would be able to take on one of these creatures."

"Well he died didn't he?" asked Tomo.

"Indeed. Passed on beyond this world. I wonder if he left anyone behind. If he died to protect anyone in particular. If he had any family in the village. Oh who knows" stated Takino, leaning back in his chair.

"Let us in!" yelled someone, slamming against the door.

Tomo looked up from her glass as the door shook.

"Wow, these ship workers are really enthusiastic" she stated before taking a sip of her drink. She had chosen the strongest alcohol there and made a face as she tasted the first drop. She looked across at Takino, drooling from the strength of the alcohol.

"Let us in and I promise we won't hurt you…much" yelled the corridor person.

"Tomo, I don't think that those are employees of the ship" replied Takino.

"'Den ooh are dey?" asked the still drooling Tomo.

"Occasionally the pirate and bandit scum around these parts get enough courage to attack a ship of this size. It would appear you don't have much luck when it comes to boat trips."

"Oh" groaned Tomo standing up. "Better get ready…"

"No" said Takino.

"No?" asked Tomo.

"You can escape through the window. It isn't rough out, so you can get out of here. Do you have other friends with you? Other ninja?" asked the man.

"Yeah" said Tomo.

"You go then. I can take care of myself. I've learnt a few things in my life" said the man. "You go get the others and help repel these bastards!"

"Ok…I guess" said Tomo pushing open the luxury decorated window.

"Good luck finding Sakaki and the others" said Takino as Tomo climbed out the window. As Tomo pushed the glass pane back, she wondered to herself if she had ever mentioned Sakaki to the man.

All alone, no one to help. Alone with these vicious brutes who had forced their way into the room. Kaorin stood alone, wondering what would happen next...

"Oh ya look adorable with dat' bow!" said one of the men as Kaorin did a turn. Reduced to trying on various things they had looted?

Why do I have to get stuck with a bunch of idiots?

"Try dis" suggested the tall man, holding up an expensive looking hat he had stolen on his way along the corridor.

"Nah, try this one on" said the other, holding up some lace pyjamas. Kaorin blushed and turned away. She hoped they didn't force her to. So far she'd been trying on clothes for ten minutes, but if they made her do this, she'd have to take off some of her clothes. Why did these creeps have to like her? Perhaps they were related to Kimura.

"Come on" insisted the man.

"Ya idiot!" said the tall man slapping his companion across the back of the head. "Ya cannae ask 'er to wear dat! She'll haf ta strip t' try it."

"What's wrong with that?" asked the man, getting another slap.

"Ya cannae ask a maiden like 'er t' do somefing like dat! It's rude!"

"Is everything ok in there?" asked Fuka from the opposite room, knocking on the wall.

"Just the room service" called back the slapped pirate. He shot a look at Kaorin who didn't say a word.

"Try da hat" said the tall man, who turned as his fellow pirate gave him a tap on the shoulder.

The shorter man pointed at the window. Kaorin turned and looked as shadow passed across the glass and suddenly it shattered. Tomo's face appeared, passing through the new entrance. Kaorin groaned as Tomo got no more then above her shoulder through before being unable to move again. Stuck.

"Hi" said Tomo grinning. "I don't suppose any of you want to help?"

It happened quickly as the men suddenly got over their shock and went to move. Kaorin stepped forward and held up both hands, uttering a chant under her breath. She closed her eyes and Tomo yelled out as a bright white light flashed from Kaorin's hands, momentarily blinding both Tomo and the pirates. As the dazed pirates lumbered around, Kaorin marched forwards and picked the taller man's club up, knocking both over the head, knocking them out. Kaorin grumbled as she felt the pain in her hands- these people had thick skulls.

By the time Tomo's vision returned the two men were down.

"Nice work Kaorin!" said Tomo. "I don't suppose you could help me? I'm stuck!"

"What happened to my screen time?" groaned Fuka to herself.