SPIRITS CHAPTER PART 3: YABUKI

"You're looking well rested," observed Shion.

"Finally got some sleep, huh, Shin-chan?" asked Mion.

"Yup!" Shinichi answered. He didn't look anywhere near exhausted as he'd been the past couple of weeks. He looked absolutely refreshed. Unlike the others, he didn't have an early bed time. He always went on patrol to fight Darklings and Darkloids at night. Fortunately, with the NEO-NUMBERS around, he didn't have to work so hard. However, old habits were difficult to change. Between school, his part time job, training, and going out on patrols, he didn't have much time to sleep and the training he had to go through while sleeping had been quite draining. "And I get a week off from those guys too."

"Rena was getting worried," said Rena, her arm looped around his.

When Chie-sensei came in, the students all went to their desks before Mion greeted, "Stand, Bow, Sit."

Chie-sensei smiled and looked at Shinichi and in a playful tone, warned, "Banabara-kun, don't fall asleep today." The class laughed as Shinichi rubbed the back of his head, looking sheepish.

"Now, please pass up your homework assignments," Chie-sensei instructed.

"I made extra lunch, Shin-kun," said Rena. She had brought two bento lunch boxes and was handing one to Shinichi. He rarely had time to prepare his own at times and his mom tended to forget. His mom was busy working on her new novel so a few things slipped her mind. He didn't blame her. She was a single mother trying to care for a teenage son and making ends meet. Of course, as a famous writer, she had a lot of many stashed away so they wouldn't go poor. Also, with Shinichi's job in ARMOR, they were financially secure.

"Thank you," said Shinichi as he took the lunch box. He opened it up and licked his lips. He then pecked Rena on the cheek, making her blush.

"Smooth, man," said Keiichi. He looked to Mion and kissed her cheek as well. Mion blushed and playfully punched his shoulder.

"Kei-chan, not in class!" she scolded, but still with a blush.

"Oh, Onee," Shion giggled, "He's just trying to be romantic." When a pair of lips pressed onto her cheek, she also blushed. She looked to Satoshi who smiled.

"Didn't want you to feel left out," he said.

"Thank you, Satoshi-kun," said Shion.

"Shinichi, have you learnt anything new about these spirits?" Rika asked her 'older brother'.

"Well, I learnt about the three treasures," Shinichi answered, picking up a fried tempura shrimp and popping it in his mouth. "Considering they are magical, it wouldn't be unusual for them to be alive. I just never thought they'd have souls inside."

"Tsukumogami," Hanyuu clarified. "These spirits are Tsukumogami."

"My Japanese mythology is a bit rusty here," said Shinichi, confused, "Mind explaining?"

"When items or artifacts reach their 100th birthday, they gain souls and a life of their own," said Hanyuu.

"Oh, like those lantern and umbrella ghosts," Keiichi added. Hanyuu nodded.

"Well, that makes sense. When I call them they do come. They've just never spoken to me before," said Shinichi.

"So, you have a week off training with them," Satoko said. "What happens after?"

"I'll meet and train under the spirit of the Higurashi no Yaiba," Shinichi frowned. "Gokuaku and Zennin said that guy's strict. I don't know what to expect."

"At least you've been given a week to rest," said Mion, "We've missed having you play in the club, Shin-chan. It's not as fun without you."

"Well, my schedule's free after school," said Shinichi. "What's the game?"

Mion's face broke into an ear-to-ear grin as she said, "Hope your mind is sharp today, Shin-chan! We'll be playing Trivial Pursuit!"

While out on patrol that night, Shinichi encountered a Darkloid in Rena's junkyard. He shone the headlights of his bike at it and it screeched out.

"Yuck!" he uttered in disgust once he got a good look at it. It was a humanoid cockroach with black skin and wings that had holes in them. It had thin arms and legs, the latter being covered up in torn boots. Its eyes were green but the left one was human-like while the right one was bug-like. The mere sight of it made Shinichi's skin crawl and he absently scratched his neck. When he realized what he was doing he stopped. "Don't let it get to you," he said to himself before he said to the Roach Darkloid, "You're definitely one of the ugly ones." He dismounted off his bike.

The Roach Darkloid hissed and lunged at him. Shinichi, however, jumped up and bounded off the Darkloid's head, sending it crashing painfully into a pile of garbage as he landed gracefully on the ground. He turned around to stare at the Darkloid as it was digging its way out. "Ugly and stupid. This is going to be easy." He prepared to transform, observing the monster as it finally got out. "Alright. Henshin! Let's Ride-"

"CANNONBALL!" All of a sudden, a huge ball dropped on top of the Darkloid, flattening it.

"Yokoshima!" Shinichi shouted, annoyed that his cool transformation was interrupted. The ball unrolled itself into Kamen Rider Armadillo. "I had it covered!"

"Sorry, but I thought you were distracting it," said Armadillo as he walked over to Shinichi. "My bad."

Shinichi sighed and looked towards the Darkloid who was struggling up back to its feet, looking dazed by the impact. It probably got a concussion from Armadillo dropping on it like that. "My turn," said Shinichi sternly, "Henshin! Let's Ride: Showa!" His armor came onto him in the form of puzzle pieces. Briefly, the astral forms of Gokuaku and Zennin could be seen standing behind him as his transformation was completed.

Hanyuu knew what she had to do. She needed to communicate with the spirits contained within the Higurashi no Yaiba, Oni no Hone and Kago no Hoshi. She needed to know what their attentions were. She knew for a fact they wanted to help Shinichi, but there had to be a hidden motive. As a former spirit herself she knew how to summon them. With her was Rika in their room.

"Are you sure you can do this?" asked Rika.

"Of course," Hanyuu confirmed.

"So, are turning off the lights and the candles really necessary?" Rika asked. They were in the Saiguden. In the middle of the floor was a sheet of paper with candles arranged in a circle upon an ancient symbol which had been drawn on it.

"Ambience," Hanyuu answered simply. "Now, I call upon the spirits of the Three Great Treasures of the Three Great Houses of Onigafuchi…"

A fierce wind blew, blowing out the candles.

"Hyah!" both Armadillo and Showa cried out as they slammed their feet into the Darkloid, causing it to double over. They then bashed their fists down on the back of its head, knocking it down to the ground. Armadillo then grabbed it by the antennae as it struggled to break free.

"Do it," Showa said and Armadillo tossed the Darkloid into the air. "Give me a boost!" Showa ordered as he jumped up. Armadillo put his arms up and Showa landed on his partner's forearms before Armadillo swung up, tossing Showa high into the air after the Roach Darkloid.

"RYUUSEI PUNCH!" Showa called out as he slammed an explosive punch through the Darkloid, destroying it completely as it blew up in the night's sky.

Rika lit up and oil lamp. She frowned and looked to Hanyuu. "Hanyuu!"

"Sorry!" the purple-haired girl apologized.

"Alright, where are these spirits?" asked Rika.

"Right here, girlie," said Gokuaku and Rika nearly cried out in shock. Sitting before her were Gokuaku and Zennin. "Hi," Gokuaku waved.

"Nice to meet you!" added Zennin cheerfully.

Rika looked at the two artifact spirits. 'When Shinichi said they looked like the Hulk and a Ninja Mummy he wasn't kidding,' thought Rika.

"So, Oyashiro-sama," said Gokuaku, "You called us here."

"Yes," nodded Hanyuu. Oyashiro was the name given to her when she became a deity. She really didn't like it since it was associated with death, torture and curses.

"So, what is this about?" asked Zennin.

"Shouldn't there be three of you?" asked Rika.

"Oh, you mean the Higurashi no Yaiba's spirit," said Gokuaku. "Oh, he heard you. He just didn't answer."

"He's just not the type to answer a summons except by his master," said Zennin.

"Shinichi," Hanyuu and Rika reasoned.

"That's right. That guy only answers to his master and no one else," said Zennin. "Sorry, but even if you are a descendant of his original master, he didn't choose you so he has no obligation to you. The only obligation he has is to the village and his master."

"He's way too serious if you ask me," said Gokuaku.

"Alright, we get it," said Rika. "Now, can you tell us why you've been visiting Shinichi in his sleep?"

"Hasn't be been telling you? We've been training him," answered Gokuaku.

"What I want to know is why," Rika added.

"It's because we want him to wield our weapon forms at full power," answered Zennin. "Just because he can activate us, doesn't mean he knows all about our abilities. Granted, he's getting better, but there's a lot about us he doesn't fully know or understand."

"If he were to fully master us, he needs to unlock his true potential," added Gokuaku.

"His true potential?" Rika asked.

"What do you mean, Gokuaku-sama?" asked Hanyuu.

"That kid has a power that can make him a great hero or a terrible villain. That power is something he has to discover on his own and master," Gokuaku said cryptically.

"Is it his ability to reverse time?" Rika commented.

"Oh, it involves time, but not in that way," said Zennin mysteriously.

Rika was losing patience, "Look, I just want to know what kind power you intend to give him."

"Sorry, but we can't tell you," answered Gokuaku.

Rika's eyes narrowed in annoyance, "Can't or won't?"

"Both," the two artifact spirits answered.

Rika could only grit her teeth in frustration.

A week can go by in an instant without anybody realizing it. 7 days is a short time. In those 7 days Shinichi's dreams had not been visited by Gokuaku or Zennin. He was, however, going to get another guest in his dreams.

When he arrived in his dream world, he did not end up in the field like always. "Where am I?" he asked himself, scratching his head. It looked like a training dojo. He looked down to see himself wearing a white gi and black hakama, "And what am I wearing?"

"Your training garb," a deep and stern voice spoke. Shinichi spun around to see a man in green samurai armor with short black hair. His eyes were deep indigo. He wore a pair of swords at his hip. Under the armor he wore a long sleeved brown shirt and matching pants. Shinichi knew who this was.

"Spirit of the Higurashi no Yaiba," said Shinichi. It was just a feeling.

"Yes, that is I," confirmed the man. He bowed and Shinichi returned the bow. "I am Yabuki, Master."

Shinichi blinked, "Master?"

"Of course you are my master. Only my master can summon me," Yabuki said.

"Alright, so you were the one who brought me here?" asked Shinichi. Yabuki nodded.

"That is correct, Master."

'Why couldn't Gokuaku and Zennin be as polite as this guy?' Shinichi wondered.

Yabuki approached Shinichi and handed him one of his two swords. "Here, take it. We start training now."

Shinichi knew the drill. Yabuki was going to be a strict taskmaster like Zennin and Gokuaku. They had the best of intentions, for sure, but they did get a little crazy. Shinichi looked at Yabuki. It was only a matter of time before this artifact spirit went psycho on him too.

"Now, remember that this is a dream so you won't be injured," Yabuki reminded as he removed his armor, leaving him in his brown shirt and pants. "It would not be fair if I wore armor, seeing as you had none."

'At least he's a good sport,' Shinichi admired.

Yabuki held his weapon horizontally before him and slowly slid the blade out fluidly. Shinichi did as he, also drawing the sword out of its scabbard.

"Remember, Master, that a sword is not just a weapon for killing. It is an extension of your being and a tool for protection. However, you cannot protect without destroying the threat," said Yabuki.

Shinichi understood that. While he did not want to kill the NUMBERS, they left him little choice in the matter. They would've gone after his friends if he hadn't finished them.

"You are a warrior," Yabuki added, "It is how a warrior fights."

"I understand," nodded Shinichi. He took a stance as did Yabuki.

And then they charged at each other. In a flash their swords connected and sparks flew. Shinichi looked at Yabuki's face and saw a huge grin plastered on his face and manic eyes. "Should've known," Shinichi muttered. Yabuki was just as crazy as the other two.

"Defend yourself, Master! You cannot wake up until you've defeated me!" declared Yabuki.

"Alright!" Shinichi grinned right back, "Let me show you what I can do!"

And all throughout the night Shinichi tossed and turned in bed, but wearing a huge grin as he fought with Yabuki in his dreams. Hovering above him, in spirit form, were Gokuaku and Zennin.

"Want to see what's going on?" Zennin asked.

"Might as well. It's been a week and I'm bored," said Gokuaku.

The two then entered Shinichi's body and into his dream world to watch the fight.

Kamen Rider Chrome: And so Shinichi meets all three of the artifact spirits of the three weapons he's come to wield. Wonder what more they can teach him? Hope they don't exhaust him to death. Hinamizawa still needs him at tip-top fighting condition and he can't be allowed to collapse in mid-battle. Well, hope you enjoyed this arc.

BTW, Snake Screamer gave me the idea for these artifact spirits. Give him applause.