Chapter 91

With a grunt Curtis pushed Kagura away with his free arm. She stumbled back slightly but stayed on her feet. Curtis frowned as he took a step forwards to battle the girl. In his time he had taken part in many battles, it was a pretty major part of his job description. However only twice before had he fought the fairer sex, one a ninja, the other a fellow mercenary who wasn't on his side. He hadn't enjoyed either of the fights. He wanted this to be over quick. If he was kept engaged for too long, the more questionable members of his group might get a bit more…bloodthirsty.

Kagura eyed up the large figure striding towards her. She had fought larger people than him before in the past, but she didn't have a good feeling about this. She had a feeling this was going to hurt quite a bit before the end. An explosion in the distance unhelpfully reminded her that even if she won this particular duel, there were still dozens more people out there to fight before this would be over. The village had been badly damaged not too long ago in the past. She had a faint sense of dread when she wondered if there would be a village left at the end of this all.

"I don't like the idea of having to fight you," said Curtis, his voice surprisingly gentle for a man of his size. "But that doesn't mean I won't."

"And I really don't like the idea of fighting you," said Kagura, rubbing her sore arms. "But I don't have much of a choice do I?"

"I guess you don't," said Curtis.

"Chiyo stay back," said Kagura. The smaller girl nodded and scooted back along the ground. She glanced behind her and was surprised to find the small battle that had been going on was no longer present. She didn't look at the bodies on the floor. It was odd now- aside from Kagura and her opponent no one else seemed to be present. It was just her and the upcoming battle before her, surrounded on all sides by ransacked buildings.

Kagesaki was bored. Takino seemed both excited and worried about something, but all they seemed to be doing was walking through a poorly lit underground passageway. That had the occasional whiff of something truly horrible. He thought they had important plans, that something truly amazing was going to happen. Instead it was just more walking, constantly down steps, going deeper and deeper beneath the surface. The surface was where a battle was on-going, where he could actually have fun. But instead he was stuck on this duty.

The group came to a split in the passageway, and after a brief pause took the right option. For a moment the path levelled off, and then to Kagesaki's disbelief they started to go up!

"Where the hell are we going?" growled Kagesaki. "This better not be some long winded trip that takes up back to that bloody building."

"Have patience Kagesaki, in time we will arrive."

"What I'm interested to know is how much time," said Kagesaki, still unimpressed.

"Way back in the past this was one of the village's most important places," said Sen speaking for the first time as he carried Tomo behind him, the bandages seemingly not weighed down at all. "It was not a place to be idly entered. In days gone by there were several false routes designed to trap unwanted guests."

"But in time the great room fell into disuse," said Takino, continuing Sen's story. "Many of the false passageways collapsed and weren't repaired…with so little occurring down here, only the main passageway was truly maintained and that was only so outdated customs could still be performed if needed."

"So we're going to a dank underground room no one uses anymore?" asked Kagesaki.

"A room that for many generations was considered to be the most holy place in the village," said Sen.

"Whatever," said a disinterested Kagesaki, sticking a finger in his ear. "Whatever you're doing won't take long will it?"

"I doubt the ceremony should take very long," said Takino.

"I suspect that is true," said Kline.

"So he knows what is going to happen too?" asked Kagesaki.

"I should hope so," said Takino. "After all he helped me to research this."

"So how long is this going to take us?" asked Yukari as huffed slightly while running. Evidently years of teaching had cost her some of the stamina she had once possessed as a younger ninja. And it definitely had nothing to do with getting old.

"We don't know," said Fuka and Chidori in unison.

"Are we sure running is a good idea?" asked Yukari, trying to make it sound like it wasn't a suggestion due to her tiredness. "What if they're just ahead of us and we run right into them?"

"I doubt that would happen," said Fuka.

"Besides they'd probably hear Yukari huffing and puffing long before we came into view," said Kimura, Yukari's stare turning icy.

"Well could we maybe slow down a bit, we don't want to be out of breath when we get to them," said Yukari.

"What's the matter?" asked Chidori with a smirk as she continued to run. "Getting old?"

"I am not getting old!" said Yukari, kicking the wall beside her. Her mouth dropped open in horror as a loose brick was wedged free by the force, and fell, almost teasingly in slow motion to the floor. With a loud thump it landed on the floor, and to add insult to insult more brickwork suddenly followed it. The sound of the partially collapsing wall echoed out across the hallway.

"I…didn't do it," said Yukari as she felt a number of icy stares this time directed at her.

"They would have heard that wouldn't they?" asked Sakaki.

"Maybe we're in luck and we're dealing with a band of deaf villains," suggested Kimura sarcastically.

"Don't get so hung up on the details," said Yukari with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Whatever was going to happen, it would have ended up with me kicking their asses anyway."

Though nothing was said, with the exception of Sakaki, the others expressions told all that needed to be said (or not in this case).

"Well there's no point dwelling on mistakes we've made," said Yukari. "Better get going and stop these guys."

"Do you think you can keep up?" asked Chidori.

The sound of the collapsing wall instantly brought the others to a stop. Kagesaki peered from Kline to Takino and then back again, waiting for one of them to say something, waiting for one of them to acknowledge it.

"You did hear that right?" asked Kagesaki sticking a finger in one of his ears. Takino nodded.

"I can't recall going past any wall on the verge of collapsing," said Kline. "But this is a very old labyrinth. Who knows what shape the less used passageways could be in."

"And only an idiot would give their position away like that," said Shuzo.

"I wouldn't be so quick to judge it a piece of falling masonry," said Sen. "The ninja of this village can be very determined people, and I dare say you might have offended this young ninja's friends."

"But how would they know we are here?" asked Shuzo.

"To hell with the questions, just let me provide the solution," said Kagesaki, clenching his normal fist. "This is the only way to get to where you are going right?"

"That's correct," said Takino.

"Then let me stay here to take care of the bastards," said Kagesaki. "I could do with a little workout because this is bori-,"

"If that is what you want to do, then by all means go ahead," said Takino. "At this point I do not need anyone else to do anything for me…I merely thought it wise to bring those loyal to me, with me."

"Well then I guess that's that," said Kagesaki sounding excited. "Looks like I don't have to miss out on a battle after all."

"I would say try not to spill any blood, but I know it would be futile," said Takino. He just about held back the shiver as he saw Kagesaki give a smirk.

"Don't worry about that, I'll be done so quickly I'll have enough time to clean up before you get back here."

As Kagesaki finished speaking, Shuzo took a step forwards. Kline looked puzzled momentarily.

"We don't know how many people might be back there," said Shuzo. "Though he is gifted with two superior weapons, I think having two remain here would help to even the odds."

"Are you sure?" asked Kline, speaking before Takino could say anything, sounding almost agitated.

"I can handle myself," said Shuzo with a smile. "I would be glad to stay back here and help you succeed."

"Thank you," said Kline.

With no further words the group separated into two. Hoxha, curious to see what was about to happen had not offered to stay behind and help. As well as his curiosity, he suspected this Kagesaki person would be very opposed to him staying behind. And given his complete lack of trust in Kagesaki, and plentiful areas of shadow, Hoxha suspected it was in his best interests not to stay behind either.

As the others vanished from view, Kagesaki turned to stare down the dark passageway. Even though it pained him slightly, the burnt skin pulled taut as he smirked.