Here's the next one. I had to pry myself from Skyrim to finish the chapter. Enjoy!
Seiji was in bed when he heard the phone go off. Assuming it was Touma about to torment him, he ignored it. Then the phone went off again, he got up and was ready to yell at his friend.
"Touma, stop calling me at three in the morning."
"Is this Seiji Date?" the voice was female and in English. She sounded afraid.
Realizing his mistake, he spoke softer, "It is."
"Um, this is Carla, Touma's girlfriend. He just was attacked by these men who turned into snakes. He said to call you before he passed out. And what's with the armor?"
Seiji stood there dumbstruck. So what Kayura was talking about is happening. He didn't like that these people or things were attacking randomly though.
"Just stay calm. When he wakes up, he'll know what to do. Are you okay?"
"I have a few cuts, and my car is wrecked." She responded.
At this time, Nasuti had gotten up. Seiji gave her a look to wait.
"Okay, thanks." He said before the call was ended, "Touma was just attacked."
"By who?"
"Those men that we've been having problems with." Seiji sighed, "I'm calling the others"
When he talked to Shu, he found out that the same group also attacked Shin's family. Shin's mother was in the hospital for a heart attack and the pottery shop was burned down.
"Dude, I'm about to get Ryo and Jun. Do you want us to meet at Nasuti's big house?"
"Yeah, we'll be there shortly." Seiji said before putting the phone down.
"I'll get the bags packed." Nasuti said.
Seiji jumped when Yayoi showed up.
"What's going on?"
"Armor problems again." Seiji said, "You might have to go back to Yamaguchi."
"Why, what's wrong?"
"They're attacking family. Shin's mother is in the hospital."
"Oh no. He's not going to find out about it is he?"
Seiji sighed, "I don't know. Right know, Nasuti and I are about to leave."
The normal four hour drive to outside of Tokyo became a two hour drive. Nasuti was holding onto the handgrip of her red jeep the entire way.
"What if they attack the dojo?" Nasuti asked.
"Let's hope they don't."
"Is Touma going to be fine?"
"Besides having to deal with a frantic woman who has never heard about the armor, I think he'll be fine. It's Shin and our families I'm worried about." Seiji swerved around another car, "I hope Kayura is paying attention, because I have no idea what these guys are."
As they walked into the house, the others were already talking. Ryo was trying to calm an angry Shu as Jun sat quietly. Shortly, the Masho and Kayura showed up.
"Shu, come help me make some coffee. We may need it." Nasuti said, heading into the kitchen.
The warrior of stone agreed.
It was late into the night on the third of October. Shin and a few others were awaiting word about the American soldiers stuck in the city and the two shot down helicopters. Standing outside with a cigarette in his hand, he could hear the fighting. Even though he was told to stay, his nerves were going crazy. He had tried to listen to the tapes Touma gave him. Then he tried the magazines. Even working out with a broom stick as a bo staff failed. The cancer stick was the answer he found. If only his mother could see him now.
"Shin." He heard a female's voice from behind him.
He turned to see Lady Kayura standing in the shadows.
"Wha-what are you doing here?" the cigarette fell to the ground.
"Ryo sent me here. The others wanted me to tell you that your mother's in the hospital."
Sounding sad, he spoke, "I'm not surprised. Her health isn't getting any better."
"Well, that and part of it was caused by the snake-men."
Shin looked up at her, "The same guys that have been following me here?"
"Yes. I wish you didn't have to tell me that they're following you."
"They have. What else has happened?"
"You mother's pottery shop was destroyed and Touma was attacked in America."
Shin sat on the ground, "I should be home."
"We're doing what we can without you. Jun's quite the fast learner."
"That's not what I meant. I should be home taking care of my mother and the shop, not here where the people aren't caring if I help them or not."
Kayura sighed, "Shin."
"Let the other's know I'm fine." He said, stepping on the old cigarette, then lighting another, "Has Naaza found anything else on these guys?"
"No, but he's starting to think that they may be related to his people." Kayura paused, "Have you noticed any difference not having Suiko?"
Shin frowned, "Yes. Suiko used to clear my mind after something traumatic. Now everything that has happened, even when we fought Arago five years ago, is coming back to haunt me. Sleeping has been hard, and these nasty things are the only thing keeping me from losing my temper or sanity."
Kayura nodded, "I will let them know you what you have seen. Jun said to give you this. I will take my leave then. Take care, Shin. The others need you more than you think."
"Yeah." Shin said taking the object from her.
What he had in his hand was the Jewel of Life. He looked up with surprise, but Kayura was not there to see it.
"Ameen." He heard from behind, "You should be getting some sleep. I will come and get you when they come."
Hearing Younis, Shin nodded. Finishing the cigarette he was currently using, he headed towards his cot.
It was mid November when the sky darkened. Everyone around Shin thought it was a weird weather change, but the former warrior of water knew better. Kayura came when she could to update him about what was going on back in Japan. Last time she came by, Touma and the Masho were looking for leads in California, while the troopers were doing the same in Japan. Neither group could find out who the men with the tattoos were.
As they were unloading a truckload of rice, Shin noticed they were being watched again by the men with the tattoos. He could see the man signal him to come over. Looking around to make sure no one else saw, Shin took off towards the man. Seeing him come, the tattooed man took off. Feeling that he was going into a trap, Shin made sure he had the Jewel of Life on him. Satisfied, he began to run after the man. The run ended quickly, when a snake head crashed upon the walls of a building, causing Shin to react. He jumped back out of the way, tripping over debris. Coming back to his feet, Shin brought his weapon up. As quickly as he brought it up, another man grabbed it, and pulled it from him as Shin felt his head go in the other direction. He found himself pinned by a wall and the man.
"How does it feel, Suiko, to know that death is right around the corner?" the man spoke with a heavy accent.
Trying to loosen his knife, Shin responded, "Can you answer one question then? Who sent you?"
"That's two questions." The man said, revealing snake-like fangs, "And we of the Snake-men are not in the mood to answer silly questions."
The man went for Shin's throat as the warrior slammed his helmet into the man. Feeling a bit of pain from head butting the guy, Shin brought his now loosened knife across the man's face. He about to bring it down to finish the man when the other snake grabbed his arm. Shin turned away as the snake came, fangs showing. When nothing happened, Shin looked to see the Jewel shining brightly. The snake turned back into a man. Both of the snake-men were in pain from the sight of the Jewel. Grabbing the one still standing, Shin pushed him towards the wall. This one was younger than the other, and Shin hoped to get something out of him.
"Alright, what's going on? Who are you two working for?" Shin said, bringing the knife to the man's throat.
"He calls himself Masafumi Naotoki. He's some powerful demon-man."
"What does he want?" Shin toned his anger down.
"Some kind of snake armor. He's also looking for his brother Yamanouchi. I think they had some fight in the past."
"Then why are you targeting me?"
"He said that the Samurai Troopers may know. You're marked by a fellow Snake-man. We were told to 'follow the water, and you'll find the snake.'"
"What about your group working with Donn?"
"Donn, the Lord of the Dead?"
"Yeah that one."
"He was just another spirit who helped us find you."
Letting him go, Shin put his knife back. He picked his weapon up. The man on the ground gave him a look. Running back to the armored vehicle, Shin received a few looks from the Pakistani soldiers.
"Are you alright Ameen?" Younis asked.
"I've never felt better."