Chapter 64

Gripping the blade in her hands Fuka felt her leg muscles tense up as she prepared to jump. She wasn't quite sure what to do after this, but she couldn't shake the feeling that taking down the leader would help Tomo greatly. Without pausing to explain her plan she suddenly jumped forward, out of the forest…and met resistance.

The blade clanged against the long sword of an armoured man. Despite his armour he had somehow appeared unseen and unheard. Fuka held the small knife tight against the long blade, looking through the slits of the helmet but only seeing darkness. She was confused- with the element of surprise the person could have slashed at her legs or stomach with ease. Instead he (unless it was a very tall woman) had targeted the small knife without even scratching her hands.

"I'm afraid this one cannot allow you to attack that man" said the swordsman in a tranquil voice.

Back in the section of forest that overlooked the pathway Sakaki held up a hand towards Kaorin, while taking out a knife with the other.

"Stay here" said Sakaki quietly, glancing down as Kaorin's injured leg.

Ohhhhhhh! That was what Kaorin wanted to yell out in deep frustration. Just getting in the way again, injured unable to help. Injured once again, causing worries for Sakaki.

The young female ninja were not the only ones who found themselves engaged in battle within the forest. Deeper within its depths, underground in a murky cavern the disfigured man known as Kagesaki also found himself fighting. However he had chosen to fight this battle.

His Lord had once spoken of this place, of the great power that could be obtained. The Lord had chosen Kagesaki to attempt to gain the power, but ultimately he had been sent to keep an eye on the brother, to aid Kuraigu. And since then so much had happened, so much that could have killed him. But despite his appearance Kagesaki was still very much alive. The want and need to kill Sakaki was not the only thing that interested him. In time he also wished to return to his master, to be given direction again, a purpose.

But first he wanted strength. If what he had been told was true, if he survived this he would be given a power of unexpected greatness. He did not plan to use that on Sakaki- he wanted to cut her to death, slice her up, strangle her…whatever it would be, he wanted to kill her with his own two hands. But this power would allow him to get past her companions with ease. Even if he was certain that his Lord wanted one of them to live, needed one of them. When Kagesaki gained the power, his Lord would see that what he had needed all along was right in front of him.

Without so much as a sound he sliced through the throat of another of the guards. He didn't know how many more would be waiting for him. He'd never heard of anyone else possessing this power, so he guessed he would have a lot more trouble ahead of him.

Fuka struck out with the knife once more, the man blocking it with ease. She was surprised as Sakaki emerged, directing a strike at the man. With surprising grace he lifted up his armoured arm and blocked the blow, the blade screeching across polished steel, Fuka's hair standing on edge.

With the man momentarily distracted by Sakaki Fuka went for the man's legs, attempting to take him down to the ground. She kicked out, hitting true and square. She gasped out in pain as her foot hit the armoured leg. She knew the armour would cause some pain, but kicking at his legs was like kicking a tree trunk!

The man pushed Sakaki away and then swept his arm towards Fuka. She closed her eyes as the arm closed on her, waiting to be smacked across the face and fly backwards. Instead she was surprised as nothing happened, and she cautiously opened one eye. The man stood, and slowly pushed her over.

"Hey don't play around with me!" said Fuka in an annoyed tone. "Attack me properly!"

The man didn't reply.

Fuka jumped back to her feet and gave a quick look to Sakaki who nodded. They both charged the man at the same time, holding the blades high and towards the man. He'd have to divide his defences, Fuka was certain they could get a hit on him. As both knives lowered the man held up his arms, the blades harmlessly bouncing off of them with a cling. Then he swung around, and with the blunt side of the sword took the two girls legs out from beneath them, both falling to the floor.

Fuka glanced up at the man, surprised to see he had yet to attack. They were both open to attack and weren't as protected as he. Why did the man just stand there? Was he toying with them?

"I don't think this is going too well" said Fuka, rubbing her back.

"I agree" said Sakaki.

"You may retreat if you wish" came the tranquil voice from behind the helmet. "I have no particular interest in killing you. However I cannot allow you to attack that man."

"Shut up!" said Fuka. Tomo was in trouble and she needed help. Even though they had only known each other for a short while she felt attached to the group. Attached to her new friends who had accepted her. She couldn't just leave Tomo like that, turn tail and run. She climbed to her feet once more.

"Shut up!" she repeated, and then found herself charging at the man, not hearing what Sakaki said. She found herself unthinking, no idea of a plan, just a need to protect her friend.

She gasped in shock and dropped the knife as the foes hand clenched shut around her throat and lifted her up above the ground. The helmet looked up, the eyes deep within studying her. Even as he held her he blocked another attack from Sakaki with his arm. The sword had been placed into the ground as Fuka charged.

"I have no interest in killing you, but if you stop me from carrying out my duties I will have no choice" said the man.

Fuka found herself gasping, choking for air as she tried to place her feet back on the ground. She was scared, she didn't know what would happen. His hand could tighten, from his strength she guessed he could crush her windpipe with ease. She didn't know what to do.

"Sakaki…get out of here" she gasped out, her tall companion looking up at her in surprise.

The quiet girl shook her head and muttered the word no to herself. Lifting up her hand she clicked and produced a flame, gripping down on the armoured arm and superheating the metal. The man yelled out in pain and dropped Fuka to the ground, turning once more to face Sakaki.

The tall girl gasped in pain. Though her hands were protected from the flames she produced, her arms weren't, and as the man turned the heated metal brushed across her bare arm. She stepped away, holding her injured arm, looking up at the man, unsure of what to do. As she stood staring at the figure she found herself wishing that Kimura was here to help. That Tomo was here to help, instead of a short distance away, completely unaware of their battle.

"Fuka…run" said Sakaki, holding her red arm. "Go."

"But Sakaki!" said the girl. The man didn't bother to turn to her. She looked once more at Sakaki who stood expressionless. Reluctantly Fuka bowed her head and returned into the forest.

"You won't…won't follow them" said Sakaki, ignoring the burning pain in her arm to produce a series of hand signs. She directed her hands at the ground and then lifted them up, flames shooting up from the ground. The grass around the fire did not ignite while the man leapt backwards, narrowly avoiding the attack. He groaned as he clanged against his armour.

Already Sakaki was performing her next move, and directed a thin stream of superheated flame towards the man. He leapt forward, grabbing hold of the sword and lifted it up, smashing the fire away as though he held a baseball bat. Despite being suited in armour he was fast, and even as Sakaki started her next attack he responded with his own.

Sakaki didn't have time to complete her move, and leapt back as he swung out with an arm. With another click of her fingers she produced a small flame in her hand and tried to grab the man's hand which pulled back. Even as it didn't make contact, the other hand, clenched into a fist swung forward and smacked into Sakaki's face.

Gasping in shock she suddenly found herself upon the ground, stunned. The armoured figure stepped forward, resting the sword over his shoulder. He looked down at her.

"I have no intention of killing you. But I'm afraid I can no longer be against temporarily disabling you" said the man.

Sakaki held up her hand, a weak flame generated but the fist was already swinging downwards. She faintly heard the man say sorry as she was suddenly engulfed in darkness.

"Tomo wait!" called out Takino as the girl smashed through another creature and charged towards Botan. The man stood with a smirk and as she leapt through the air he moved to defend himself.

He was surprised as the girl suddenly transformed into a section of wood. From behind him Tomo smirked herself as she leapt towards him, a blade held in her hands, and her teeth bared. Her eyes widened in surprise as the blond haired man suddenly turned and smashed a kick into her stomach. With a faint yelp she went flying backwards. She landed heavily on the ground and groggily pushed herself up onto her knees. She could smell blood, from both herself and those things. Yet she could also smell something else, something familiar.

"Please try again" said Botan, standing, waiting with that damn smirk.

Tomo stood up and charged again, at the last moment producing two clones of herself, converging on the man who looked faintly surprised. He ducked under the first clones punch and smashed into it with one fist, while powerful kicking the other away. Even as the clones were falling he turned and delivered a powerful spinning kick into the midriff of Tomo who was sent flying back once more.

As she landed hard again, she turned her head to see more of the creatures converging on her. She tried to stand up and was surprised as her legs gave out beneath her.

"I'm bored of this now" said Botan dismissively, turning away from the girl. "I'm not meant to kill you, so I'll just let my puppets disfigure you a bit."

"Damn it" hissed Tomo trying to stand up. "Damn it."

"I thought you had more stamina then that!" called a voice from the forest.

"Who the hell?" asked Botan, turning sharply. With her strength fading Tomo turned her head. It couldn't be? Surely not him…