Act Three

Scene Seven

The Demon Fox Released

Tatsumaru and Rikimaru are walking among the small group of ShadowHearts. Rikimaru looks around the room and sees two very familiar faces. Rikimaru recognizes Reigo and Seymour.

The Past

Rikimaru is a lot younger at this time. He was seven years old at the time of his brother's disappearance. Young Rikimaru is standing by his window while his younger brother and parents are getting ready for bed. His elder brother is still outside. Rikimaru is watching his elder brother closely and notices a shadow move closer to Tatsumaru. Then he notices the Shadow is a middle aged man. Rikimaru sees the man talking to Tatsumaru, who is listening intently. Rikimaru looks at Reigo with hatred in his eyes, because he stole the innocent brother he once knew. Rikimaru notices that Reigo and Tatsumaru are no longer standing under his window. That night he had gone to bed with a bad feeling in his gut.

The Present

Rikimaru looks at the man that is now his brother. "Tatsu, who are your friends?" he asked. Tatsumaru points them out as he says their names.

"Kimaru, Seymour, Kai, Reigo," Tatsumaru started as Rikimaru glares at his grandfather. "Vladislous, Myotismaru, Yakatemaru, Garland, Taikiro, Donovan, Jack, Kuja, Abel, Itachi, Orochimaru, and Paul," he finished. They bow to the newest member of the ShadowHearts.

"Why are they bowing to me?" Rikimaru asked as he uses magic to grow his nails.

"Because you are the newest member to the ShadowHearts," Tatsumaru answered as he walks passed Rikimaru.

"Really? Why?" His nails finish growing.

"Because you are working for me…!"

Rikimaru attacks from behind dragging his claws down his brother's back, Tatsumaru turns to face Rikimaru. Rikimaru makes for a second attack and drives his hand right into his brother's chest, he can feel the area where Tatsumaru's heart is supposed to be, which is full of poison. The Ninja goes to remove his hand from his brother's chest, but someone grabs his hand. Rikimaru looks up to see who did. This is when everybody comes face-to-face with the true beast within Tatsumaru's body.

Rikimaru pulls his right hand out of his brother's chest. There is a clear look of pain on Tatsumaru's face. Something is forcing its way out of his body. Tatsumaru falls to his knees gasping in pain. He allows a sob to escape him; he feels his body begin to change; to transform into something else.

"What's happening to him?" Rikimaru asked without fear as he looks at the blood on his right hand.

"The TRUE DEMON is coming…" Reigo said calmly.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN? I THOUGHT THE DOG DEMON WAS THE TRUE DEMON…!" Rikimaru said loudly.

"The Dog Demon is second to the Fox Demon…" said Yakatemaru.

"The Nine Tailed Fox Demon… to be precise…" said Kai.

"I don't understand what's going on!" said Rikimaru.

"You woke the Fox Demon that resides within my love's body. You brought chaos and destruction!" said Itachi quietly, "though that is Tatsumaru's intention anyway."

"Is this a good thing?" asked Rikimaru.

"UMM… NO! MOVE NOW!" Reigo said. Everybody leaves the area in which Tatsumaru is kneeling down. Little by little Tatsumaru's body begins to change. He grows Fox ears on the top of his head, which twitch slightly. His nails grow long and pointed, he grows long, sharp fangs. His normally black eyes turn bright yellow, and finally Tatsumaru grows a Fox's tail. And also his black hair turns stark white with red tips.

"What's happening to me?" the white haired demon said as he looks at his body.

"You're changing form. Is this what you have to live with every day?" asked Rikimaru.

"Yes. This is why I am the way I am…" the demon lied. Tatsumaru looks at Reigo who nods his head to Tatsumaru's unasked question.

"Let Rikimaru stay with us, so you will have some more of your family with you to give you some comfort…" Reigo said. Rikimaru looks at his brother pleadingly. Tatsumaru thinks for a moment then he nods his head in answer.

"Rikimaru, as long as you spare me my life you are allowed to stay here with me and my other followers," said Tatsumaru.

"Very well," Rikimaru said to his older brother. I wonder why I'm doing this, but if it continues this way, I will gain my brother's trust, and then I can put an end to him at last.

"I want you guys to keep an eye on my brother no matter where he goes, understood?" Tatsumaru said telepathically to his followers.

"Yes Sir!" came the telepathic reply from the ShadowHearts.

End of Scene Seven