It has been sometime huh. Honestly I finished writing these several weeks ago, but my beta reader needed time for his own work and he has a life too. However thanks to all the time I had, I managed to get xtenchix for beta and Fateion for some upgrade. These two has yet to fail me and they came through with a bang!
I like to thanks them both for their and works and Fateion, you rock!
I am now going to tease the reader with this news…I am already up to the part where my version of Ichika gets into an epic fight with Silver Gospel and loses in an epic way…No kidding.
Only way for your ladies and gents to read them is for xtenchix to beta as fast as he can and accurately as he can!
SO GAVE THE MAN A LOT OF SUPPORT!
I think I rant enough, enjoy and reveal.
IS 18 The Banquet of the King part3
Oda Oichi, the Dai Goten Majou…As the sister of Dai Rokuten Maoh, she received a title as the Demon Queen of the 5th Heaven much like her brother's tittle of Demon King of the 6th Heaven. A heavy name to inherit.
She never actively played that role in our side of the world before, but since her brother's forced retirement she stepped in to fill the abyss that was her brother's reign. It caused her to…grow up fast.
And now she stands before me…The one who destroyed her brother. However I do not regret my action…Nobuyuki was a friend and I am sad that I had to be the one to crush him…however all I did was hasten his already determined defeat.
Why you ask?
Well…It was because Nobuyuki was ruling with borrowed time.
You see…While Nobuyuki had the body and mind that surpassed all other strategists and warriors in the modern day, he had a critical weakness. When God gifted him with his body and mind…He didn't give him the gift of time.
Nobuyuki has a heart condition…The problem was that it was determined that he would be unable to fight by the time he reached the age of 22. A curse that will slowly eat away his power and skills as his body can no longer keep up with the mind.
That was the reason why…The reason Nobu-NO! Oda Nobunaga started the second attempt to take over all the gangs with ruthless means and hasty battles because he was running out of time. As time ticked away, his chance to face all of us with his calm, gentle method of a noble warrior was impossible. For he knew that as time passed he would not get stronger, but weaker.
He wanted to fight all of us, while he still could.
"Ichika…This was the only way to live my life as a general…a warlord."
He looked up to me with fierce determination.
"COME ICHIKA! DEFEAT THIS DEMON KING IF YOU DARE!"
A sad tale…Some might call me a hero for defeating Nobuyuki, however I was just a puppet…A glorified executioner that Nobuyuki entrusted to close the curtains for the Demon Lord of 6th Heaven.
(Flash Back)
I was running through the rain and wind as I ran to the destination I needed to reach.
I was heading for the Azuchi High School, the private High that Oda family funded. It was a prestigious school that many rich and talented kids attended, but it was mainly used by Nobuyuki as the base of his power.
This was where the Owari Fraction, the Gang that Nobuyuki made was originated until it spilled to the street as one of the big players in the gang world.
However recently their method changed.
True, in a gang war we have many fights that go ugly, however Oda's group were becoming excessively aggressive and ruthless these days. The number of critical injuries and permanent damages increased dramatically. The authorities wouldn't dare to question the Oda family with their bribing and threats, so the law was useless.
Nobuyuki…He wouldn't do this! He is honorable as one could get. He values pride and fairness. It is almost stupid how he seeks such thing is a fight, but he does! All this violence can't be from him!
However I was wrong.
Not too long ago, I heard from Yukihana who came to me crying and begging to help her. According to her Takeda Shime was attacked, but not in battle.
"Shime-Neesama…Nee-sama was in a car accident. But I am sure it was no accident! I was there! The car chased us! Nee-sama…In order to protect me, she pushed me away! She is in the hospital now and I don't know what to do!"
I never saw Waka Tora like this before….
Not long before that I received words that many other big time leaders are dropping like flies. All local Yakuza gangs were being hunted like animals and all kind of methods were being used to bring them down…Permanently.
Normal gangs were being wiped out and I even heard how Nobuyuki amassed a lot of his followers to destroy the lower part of Japan. Great deals of well-known leaders were forced to retire…
Makiri Jin, the man who once led a gang of biker with the title of Imakawa Yoshimoto.
Jubaku Hadamaru, an old Yakuza boss that led his group with the title of Hojo Ujimasa
Chiba Haruka, the girl who once led the gang girl delinquents named Kuzakura, the girl who was called the Otomo Sorin.
Lastly, Kazo Suu, the man who once led the Gang named Sons of Kyushu, the man who was called Shimazu Yoshihiro.
These four were the most noticeable leaders who were crippled to the point of never to fight again.
A few other leaders were luckier, their injuries didn't warren any retirement.
Those who were lucky were Kiriyama Kazuo, the current Mouri Motonari and Hongou Maki, the current Chosokabe Motochika. However even they called me and told me the violence used by Oda was unnecessary and cruel.
After all these blood baths, Nobuyuki's group was unchallenged by the half of the gangs held in Japan. Those that were yet to be attacked were all shaking in fear. Urahana Kenshin, the current Uesugi Kenshin, the War God of Echigo went far as standing guard for her rival Takeda Shime's hospital room personally.
The tension was all time high and it was thought that Oda might even openly attack Toyotomi Hideyoshi, AKA Yoshida Hide and Tokugawa's little princess…I had to stop this before it reach that far.
"Nobuyuki...Wait for me damn it. Don;t you fuck'n do do somethign stupid you Fool of Owari!"
I reached Azuchi High and saw that the front gate was open. I walked into the building expecting all kinds of traps or ambushes.
The sound of rain was echoing through the building, but my instinct didn't feel any hostility…It only felt another presence above me…If I remember correctly Nobuyuki enjoyed staying at the roof.
I walked up to the roof, expecting my friend to be there.
Some part of me hoped that he wasn't there.
The door to the roof is normally locked by the janitors, but the lock in front me was destroyed…By the look of it, it was kicked. I took a deep breath as I pushed the door open with my katana sheathed.
…There he was. His long black hair was wet as the rain was sticking the hair to his back and shoulder. It was down pouring, but the man by the rail didn't seem to care. I stood there…waiting, but Nobuyuki said nothing as he stared into space…I decided to break the ice.
"Why…"
"Huh?"
My friend…My friend Oda Nobuyuki turned to me. His face was as it was always. He had not a nervous bone or expression on his face. His postures are calm and relaxed…No tension at all.
"I am asking you why you are suddenly attacking all and any groups in sight?"
"What are you saying Ichika? In a war, it is expected to attack right?"
His expression was still very calm, but I saw a small glimpse of…guilt? No, it was more like resignation. I need to push him more to see more.
"But why so aggressively? You are using accidents and all other kinds of bullshit to attack any leader with dishonorable tactics! You even ganged up on a leader with a massive army! What happened to duel and general battle! You always ranted about fairness so what the hell happened to it?" My tone was that of scolding and anger. I was honestly confused and disappointed in my friend's choice.
"…Ichika, why not aggressively? Why no dishonorably? My method got the jobs done right?" said Noubuyuki as he stretched his arms as if he was talking about the weather. He still refused to face me, but I saw the subtle sign of tension building in his shoulder.
"…Do you realize what you are saying? Nobuyuki! What is your path? Was this your so called grand path of the king? You always told me that you are a man of honor, but how is any of this honorable? You are making a mockery out of your path of the king!"
Nobuyuki turned to me in a frightening speed as scorn and hate filled his tone.
"IF YOU DON'T LIKE MY PATH AS A KING, THEN DO SOMETHING ABOUT!"
He turned to face me directly and got into a fighting stance. It was not a formal stance or sport Karate stance. The stance was that of an older version…A style that was more based on killing and ending the enemy's life in a swift attack. The Ancient Karate.
I noticed that Nobuyuki was wearing his Tenkou, the arm guard. It was a smooth and dark colored gauntlet that he favors. It had many metal plates and joins that it allows flexible movement. It starts from the back of the hand to the end of the elbow. It has two small blades on the center that was made to lock and break weapons. It was also made to slash as he swings his arms. The Oda Nobunaga favored gun over sword, but this Nobunaga favors his fist over sword.
"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU KNOW? WHAT THE HELL DO YOU UNDERSTAND! HOW CAN YOU KNOW OF THE FEELING OF YOUR LIFE'S DREAM CRUMMBLING TO PIECES, BEFORE YOU EVEN GET TO FIGHT FOR IT? YOU KNOW NOTHING! ICHIKA!"
He roared at me, but I refuse to be intimidated by loud noise.
"THEN TELL ME WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT!"
"SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP ICHIKA!" shouted Nobuyuki as he madly shook his body as if beating back invisible attackers. His usually calm aura was replaced by the frenzy aura of a wild animal. His eyes were filled with desperation as his nerves were tense as if he will launch into a slaughter at any moment.
Nobuyuki shifted his stance to that of a charging stance that allows him to dash in easily. It was clear that thanks to whatever is wrong with him, talking is no use.
"BETWEEN TWO WARLORDS WORDS HOLD NO VALUE! IF YOU WANT TO STOP ME THAN STOP ME! COME ICHIKA! DEFEAT THIS DEMON KING IF YOU DARE!"
"DON'T LOOK DOWN ON ME! NOBUYUKI!" I roared as I drew one of the six katana strapped to my hips. It was the Rokuso no Tendo, The Heaven of the Six Claws.
My six swords, the claws that represent my power are each named after the six realms of Buddha's teaching of Samsara. The Cycle of life and death, rebirth and redeath, of delusion and suffering. A endless cycle that one will be forever ensnared unless one can break the cycle.
Six blades that hold the characters that represents them. Among them, I favored my Tendo(天道) greatly.
We charged at one another and our final duel began…It was as fierce as a true battle between generals.
Our bodies cut through the rain as our weapons of choice clashed.
Sparks flew as my blade grinded against his gauntlet. Oda spun around my attack as he aimed for a backhand to my head, but I ducked to avoid the blow and the blades that came with it. I in return drew my second sword from the sheath and aimed to impale Nobuyuki's head, but the dark haired teen bent backward and slipped away from my range.
I held the Tendo(天道) on my right and saw that I drew the Gakido(餓鬼道) of Hungry Ghost on my left. The mark, the characters for both realms inscribed on the blade reflected the poor light on the rooftop, but I didn't mind.
In this rain and cloud, neither of us can use our sight to make the right choice. We have been using our other senses to determine our next attack.
Splash!
I heard the sound of splashing water on my right.
I swung at that direction and saw Nobuyuki blocking the attack with his gauntlet and slide for a round house kick. I used my left sword, the Hungry Ghost to slice at the offending limb and Nobuyuki abandoned his attack and stepped back.
"That was close…" muttered the current Demon King of 6th Heaven as he got into a stance…It seems he got a plan.
Suddenly Nobuyuki released a torrent of his 'Sei' ki and dashed toward me. His presence now cold as ice sliced into my senses as he used a sword stance to stab at me with his hand in a 'chop' form. Each of his strikes were sharp and fast, that I had barely time using the small space between us to block. Nobuyuki used my disadvantage with the blades by shortening our distance to extreme close combat, however…I have a few tricks myself.
I switched my grip on Tendo into a reverse gripe and spun around to do an upper cut, which directed my sword from my elbow to above. The slash caught Nobuyuki by a hair as it sliced of several strand of his hairs in a slow motion.
Nobuyuki realizing the threat slid backward and did a back kick to nail me as my posture was open from hips down. I grinded my teeth as I got nailed in the stomach and tumbled down.
Nobuyuki got the first solid blow. He smirked as his success as he taunted me.
"Is that it? I am disappointed Ichika!"
I sneered as I got up. I decide then that there was no more holding back. If Nobuyuki is using his Tenkou and his karate to the fullest, then I must use my art to the fullest.
I drew all of my Rokuso and got into a stance.
Tendo(天道) of Heaven.
Gakido(餓鬼道) of Hungry Ghost
Chikushodo(畜生道) of Animal
Asurado(阿修羅道) of Demon
Nindo(人道) of Human
Jigokudo(地獄道) of Hell.
Six paths of Samsara, the path of reincarnation, existence, and life.
Only when I hold all of these swords will I be able to fight to the fullest.
"Nobuyuki…"
I held three specially made thin handle katanas in each hand.
"Don't regret this."
Now I was about to fight for real.
Nobuyuki smirked as he got into his stance.
We clashed again, leaving sparks in the air. The rain clouded our sense, but we both felt each other's battle aura to find each other. We exchanged fierce blows of punches and slashes as the sound of metal meeting metal rang across the roof.
My claws were dancing like a soaring dragon as it tried to dig into the turtle shell like guard Nobuyuki was using. I was taking the offensive as I rained down with blow after blow, but Nobuyuki nimbly dodged and blocked my attacks. However, it didn't mean that my attacks were useless as it was slowly tearing into the thick protection of the Tenkou and Oda was getting tired as well.
"ORA!" I yelled as I slashed from the side with three blades and one of them nearly went through the flesh on Nobuyuki's arm; however the Demon Lord managed to redirect the blade and return attack with a barrage of fists.
I didn't hesitate to stop the barrage before it begun by smashing down Nobuyuki's fist with the other half of the Rokuso. We were in a dead lock.
"Giving up already?"
"Not even close."
We disengaged as we took a deep breath and started to circle around each other. This is taking too long; I need to use more powerful techniques.
I sheathed my blades, however bent low in a stance to draw them back anytime. On the other hand Nobuyuki was in Tenchi Jouge stance, which meant Heaven and Earth Upside Down stance. He raised his left hand above his head and right hand low. His stance favored his left feet and centered with his right. This is an offensive karate stance that focuses on annihilating one's enemy with a powerful charge.
With a battle cry we started to charge again.
This time I jumped up to slash with all six blades at the same time hoping to trap Nobuyuki's movement. However Nobuyuki dashed to the left and jumped onto the wall there and jumped off to do a flying kick at my side, where it was opened. The technique he used just now! That is…
"Kyuuchuu Sankaku Tobi!(Mid-Air Three Direction Leap!)!" Roared Oda as he aimed his kick to my head, however I too have a neat trick.
"WAR DANCE!" I declared as I spun around to slash wildly into Nobuyuki's open chest. Nobuyuki used his gantlet to block, but the blades managed to dig into the armor this time. I didn't hesitate to jump to the side to avoid the kick completely and this time raised my claws into the air.
I slashed down right on to Nobuyuki's raised guard.
"PHANTOM DRIVE!"
I roared as my slash with my Rokuso passed through the guard…The gauntlet broke into pieces.
"Ksh!"
Nobuyuki looked annoyed as his weapon was destroyed, but I was more surprised than him.
While others might miss it, my sharp eye caught Nobuyukis spinning his arm the moment the swords hit the guard. The rotation managed to negate the blow just enough to avoid any harm to the arm…Only the armor got destroyed.
"Impressive…" I praised him.
Nobuyuki snorted as he got into his Tenchi Jouge stance again…IS he seriously planning to face me unarmed?
I sighed as I throw my six swords to the side nailing the wall as they slice into the hard wall.
"…do you pity me? You are too soft Ichika." Nobuyuki was putting up a brave face, but I noticed that his breathing is haggard and his face is pale. I know that we are fighting in the middle of a rain, but it seems…Unnatural.
"Nothing of sort. I simply wished to disarm you in our last exchange so we can fight unarmed."
"Is a martial artist ever truly disarmed?" asked Nobuyuki with an amused look.
I smirked back.
"Of course not."
Nobuyuki got into Shuto no Kamae (Swordhand Stand) a stance that has right hand in the front in a sword hand form and the left hand around the chest level. This is a stance that allows one to use sword hands, claw hands, and palms easier.
He came at me with a Kumade(Bear Hand) attack toward my throat. The claw hand strike nearly got me until I parried the strike with an outside block and launched a middle punch to his stomach. The scion of Oda shifted his body to make the punch slide off his stomach doing no damage.
"Jineikin-Nejiri Nukite!(God's fist, Spinning hand!)"
I fired off my spinning sword hand drill at Nobuyuki's right side, but Nobuyuki spun his right arm against my approaching attack to weaken it and launched a Shotei(Bottom Palm) at my exposed side.
We exposed into a storm of hand techniques and stuck close to one another.
If one attacks another parries and returns the punch.
This exchange repeated for few more blows, until I managed to nail a Yamazuki , (a technique that first aims for the head, but when the opponent goes to block it throw another punch at same time toward the exposed stomach and nail them. It is a double attack that has two targets. If one is defended, the other is exposed. ) on him.
He slid back because of the blow and glared at me.
"Mada mada! Ichika!"
He rushed at me again and we got into a deadly exchange of pure Karate attacks. We throw punches and kicks, but we both managed to remain equal footing…Equal huh…That is wrong!
I hate to admit it, but Nobuyuki was a batter Karate user then I, but now I can match him easily. I was actually planned to us Karate as an opening move and change to Chinese kenpo or Muay Thai, however Nobuyuki was aiming for all my vital parts with a real killing intent and yet I can match him….There is something wrong.
"Come on Ichika! Where is your killing intent that you are so proud of? Kill me!"
I grinded my teeth as I flared my killing intent as I roared to increase the power of my blows. Our flesh and bones smashed against each other as we tried to land more solid blows, but our mastery of this skill was too even. Neither could get a clear shot as we sparred and trained together for too long to forget about each other's pattern and style.
In the middle of our storming blows I noticed a small opening. I took advantage of it. I thrust my hand in a chop form with a powerful spin like a drill into it.
"Jineikin-Nejiri Nukite!(God's fist, Spinning hand!)"
As the drilling hand approached Nobuyuki's exposed side, I thought my victory was secured, however…
"Kyouha Kumikuzushi!(Mirror Crushing Interception!)!"
Nobuyuki cried out as he locked my arm with his own and managed to not only to stop my attack, but locked my arm to his own. The two of us immediately used our free limbs and punched each other in the gut, which separated us.
I landed on my knee and so did he. We glared into each other's eyes.
"You are good." I muttered.
"…so are you."
We exchanged blows again. We kicked at the same time, but we both twisted our bodies to dodge. We punched over and over again, but we both parried, redirected and outright blocked the damn punches. We both stuck to karate and used any skills that came to mind, but we each countered one another flawlessly.
"HAHHH!" cried out Nobuyuki as he used his right leg to kick up and suddenly twisted his hips to throw another kick from horizontal line for form a cross with the last kick. This was Doumawashi Juuji Geri( the Waist Rotation Cross kick.)
However I grabbed the second kick and threw him to the side and followed up with a palm thrust to the head, but the Demon Lord of the 6th Heaven chart wheeled away using my throw as the momentum. I followed him, but he unleashed a barrage of kicks which forced me back.
Nobuyuki dropped his foot down as he finished his barrage, but he suddenly lost his balance and I saw him clenching his chest with his hand.
"…Nobu..yuki? What is wrong?"
Oda said nothing as he closed his eyes in pain, however he suddenly clenched his hand into a fist and smacked himself on the chest with a powerful hammer stick. With that blow Nobuyuki started to breathe easier.
At that moment I understood…Nobuyuki was ill.
The proud lord of Oda turned to face me properly.
"Come on Ichika…I don't have much time left." Said Nobuyuki with a true smile on his face. The smile he always had when we trained together…Before this horrible war broke out by him.
I guess in a way…Nobuyuki did this to find his own ending.
"Nobu…Damn it…"
I was sure it was the rain's fault…Because a man doesn't cry.
In the middle of a rain I lowered my head as my hair covered my eye. My fist clenched and turned pale white as I contempt myself for not noticing it. Nobuyuki was sick to the point of having hard time breathing. It could mean lung or heart problem. If that is the case…Nobuyuki's goal can't be achieved slowly. This might be the reason why he made so many aggressive move…He wanted to conquer Japan when he still can.
"Nobu…You…"
"Don't say it!"
His voice cut into my mind as his eyes were filled with conviction.
"A martial artist needs no emotions…In a death match where two men risk their lives…Words are not needed."
I silently thought over his words…This is a resolve of a man whose time is running out.
There are so much I want to say to him. Why…Why didn't he tell anyone? Did Oichi know? Ranmaru? Nouhime? One of them should have noticed right? Why…Why hold such a burden on your own?
There are thousands of words I want to say to him, but…For two of us…Before we are people, we are warriors.
There is no need for words.
"Very well Nobuyuki…I'll take… the weight of your life. "
Nee-chan…Only you told me that weight of a life…and the weight of the tool that can take away a life is heavy…Ever since I killed those three men years ago I thought that the weight of a human life is cheap and light…However…
This little brother once again…felt the heaviness of a life.
"That burden…I shall take it."
I looked him in the eye with a sad smile.
"Just for today…I'll be your Akechi Mitsuhide."
Oda never named anyone of his group Akiechi Mitsuhide, for that is a title of betrayal and misfortune. For the sake of morale, Nobuyuki never assigned that tittle, but here I am…Taking it for today.
I am a friend that shall slay his friend.
I slowly raised both hands in front of me and shift my stance into a defensive stance.
This stance is called Maeba no Kamae(Front of a Wing).
A traditional Karate technique that is an iron defense that concentrates in the users hands to cross guard the opponents attacks. It is a stance of absolute defense. Despite being a Dou fighter with a highly aggressive fighting nature I am able to use this form. While I do prefer the Tenchi Jouge…This is more fitting now.
Nobuyuki smiled for the first time today and got into Tenchi Jouge again.
"Well don't get ahead of ourselves now. I might take your life instead you know." He replied.
We smirked as we both felt a weight in our chest vanish, but a new weight settled in. It was just that I wouldn't be able to feel it until the duel was settled.
"Nuah!" cried out Nobuyuki as he suddenly increased his speed by a large margin and circled around me. As he now had me in his field he threw rapid combos of thrust, palm, sword hand, and claws to tear me into pieces. I shift into the Maeba stance, the defensive stand based on Front Wing. It was a stance where one raised both hands in front of him with one leg on the front and other in the back. In this stance I blocked and parried the oncoming blows, but a few managed to break though and nailed me all over my body.
"You bastard! Since when were you this fast? I thought you were sick?"
"I am not fast." He suddenly broke into my guard and aimed for my eyes. I had to duck backward which exposed my lower chest area.
"I just don't do useless movements." Replied Nobuyuki as he kicked me away with a powerful side kick.
I doubled backward, but stood firm as Nobuyuki came at me with vigor that he didn't have before. His blows were full of life, but…
Punch!
Kick!
Pow!
'sounds of flesh smashing flesh!'
Block! Block! Parry! Duck!
Kick! Spin! Dodge! Slide! Punch! Stomp!
Voosh!
Duck! Punch! Kick! Kick! Smash!
…I can feel his power dropping bit by bit.
Voosh!
POW!
POW!
He nailed me on my cheek with a claw hand and punched me in my guts. The saliva flew out of my mouth by the blow, but before I could recover he elbowed me in the right side and palmed me on my face directly which caused a cut to appear on the side on my head. The blood spilled out slowly, but I didn't care as I returned the favor with a punch to the cheek and a jumping spin kick to the body.
Nobuyuki was sent flying, but he rolled along the blow to negate the worse of the damage.
"Come one come one come on! Attack with more killing intent Ichika…I am running out of time." Wheezed out Nobuyuki as he suddenly started to cough. I watched as red liquid was covering his hand…He was spitting blood.
"…I might have taken a dishonorable path as a man, however!" He turned to look into my single remaining left eye. His dark eyes were filled with fire…Fire that will consume everything in its path. It were not the eye of a dying man, but a fierce warrior.
"I do not regret this moment as a warrior! Not one bit! As a martial artist this is an ending that is most honorable! So…FIGHT ME WITH ALL YOUR POWER! SHOW ME THE POWER OF YOUR SATSUJINKEN(Killing Fist)!"
Nobuyuki shakily got back into the Tenchi Jouge stance again. He thrown aside all thoughts of defending himself and tuned all this remaining power into his offensive technique.
"Tell me Ichika…Was it selfish of me to force you like this? Was it unfair for me to turn the nation into a blood bath for my ambition…To relive the horror of Oda Nobunaga?"
I closed my eyes as I got into the Maeba stance.
"Yeah…You are surprisingly a selfish man, but…I don't regret being your friend at all Nobuyuki."
I slowly changed from my defensive stance to the absolute offensive stance of Tenchi Jouge, mirroring Nobuyuki's own stance.
"Since this is what you wanted isn't it?" I asked him.
Nobuyuki his eyes widened with a surprised look at my willingness and smiled.
He wiped the blood off his lips and smiled brightly.
"This is our farewell as martial artists, Ichika. My dream of conquest…The Land of Rising Sun…I'll leave it in your hands!"
I too smirked at my friend.
"Ah…This is a farewell as a martial artist; however…Don't mistake my dream with yours. I aim for a higher place than Japan after all."
Nobuyuki shook his head side to side.
"If I am selfish then you are greedy."
"You don't hear me denying it."
"We were friends who stood across another as a rival, but we still had a bond of friendship."
Nobuyuki charged toward me and jumped high into the air and landed on the side of the wall again. It was the kyuuchuu Sankaku Tobi!
"We both chased power to obtain something normal mortal men could never dream of."
He was above and behind me now!
"In a way I am envious of you Ichika…You who have a body and mind that rivaled mine, but to also be gifted with time…I blamed fate that this is far as I go."
"Here I go Ichika! Hishouen Piotoshi(Flying Monkey Elbow Drop!)!" yelled out Nobuyuki as he fell toward me with both of his hands above his head in a double hammer form.
"Your dream was so much grander than mine…While I saw Japan, you stared at the world."
He was in my blind spot, however I could feel him.
"You are my friend and rival. We both compete and strive to reach higher and to go further…Tell me Ichika…"
My 'Dou' Ki flared like a forest fire as I concentrated all my power on to my right hand.
"Who is Oda Nobuyuki to you? A rival? A disappointment? An opportunity?"
Souma Washiuke(Full Rotation Defense!)!" I roared as I spun around.
"Hey Ichika…"
Souma Washiuke …With this skill I spun around like a lightning and positioned myself into the opening exposed by Nobuyuki's final attack. My hand posed like a drill and spin with a mighty roar.
"…What am I to you?"
"Jinenken-Nejiri Nukite (God's Fist-Spinning Hand!)!"
"…You are a friend…You dumb ass."
My final blow dug into Nobuyuki's chest…This attack signaled his defeat and end of his career as a martial artist.
His body fell on the ground with a 'Thud.' From his mouth he was spilling blood as my sword hand strike pierced into his inner flesh and messed him up from inside.
He somehow rolled to his back and twitched in pain…Refusing to make a noise of pain.
It was clear as a crystal however…He was hurt.
But…That jerk…
… Even till the end had a small satisfied smile on his face.
…That…Stupid rival of mine.
That day the sky and heaven above cried for me, for I have destroyed my own friend's life as a warrior…and his empire.
"ONI-SAMA!" I turned back to the door and see Oichi.
"Oichi"
(End Flash Back)
And that was it.
Shaken by the fact that his illness would rob him of all his skill in time Nobuyuki start off a war path that nearly took control of half Japan. With his sudden aggressive method, he was for the first time truly feared as the Demon King of Sixth Heaven, Oda Nobunaga.
The gangsters all over the world were surprised when they heard a powerful fighter fought and defeated Oda's reign forever…And that name was Doukugan Ryu of Oshu. Orimura Ichika.
Since then many groups retired because their head was retiring and some groups where absorbed by the other remaining groups like myself, Hide, and Ieyasu. In my honor the title SanShogun was demolished and was replaced by ShitenOh. My standing among the gangster world improved to shogun class and the ShinDateGun was held as one of the top class biker gang.
Soon after several injured leader came back and the Kai no Tora was among them. Since the destruction of Owari, news about Ranmaru, Toshiie, and Nouhime vanished. All I learned was that Nobuyuki was admitted into a hospital as he started to receive a very long treatment to fight his illness.
He might get to live, but he will never again be able to fight as he once did.
Oda's defeat caused a vacuum in power balance so the remaining two shogun and I tried our best to absorb them. Right before I was forced to attend IS Gakuen, I got rid of the last of the rouge from Oda's time. A powerful Yakuza group that Kojuro and I finished off. (Check ch1)
Few days after that I was in class with over two dozens of girls and Houki and I reunited.
Looking back now it feels like ages ago, but it was barely a year old.
Now Oichi stands in front of me for revenge.
(Oichi's POV)
Orimura Ichika
My brother best friend and the person I most respected after my brother is standing in front of me.
However, that was in the past….
The first time I met him is when my brother bring him to our home.
To be honest, I was shocked when Oni-sama told me that he invited his friend to came. After all, my brother rarely brings someone to our home, and that spoke the trust that my brother had for Ichika-san. Since many people trying to approach us for their own selfish greed and purpose, which make us to be careful to we associated our self to. This problem makes it hard for us to have a friend, a true friend that won't exploit us and our family influence. A very sad story for us, we have everything from money to power but we don't have someone that we can trust completely…
Well there are a few exceptions like Ranmaru, Toshiie, and Nouhime, but they are not someone that we can call friend. For the lack better word, they are only a loyal subordinate; they only see Oni-sama as a leader and me as his sister that they must protect from Oni-sama enemy. They not see us for what we are truly are….
To be honest, I was a little bit wary when Oni-sama mentioned this. I had heard about Ichika-san before but never met him in person so I only know little about him and even with Oni-sama stories about him, I still…. Nevertheless, I hold out my judgment for Ichika-san because I know that my brother have good eyes to judge a person character.
When that faithful day came, I immediately know why my brother holds Ichika-san in high regard.
The way Ichika-san hold himself…
The aura that surrounded him….
The intense gaze that he had in his eye….
It almost the same as Oni-sama have…
The first thing I thought back then is 'Ah, if it is him there is nothing to be worry for….'
And that was true. The more time we spend together, I become sure that Ichika-san is the one that we can trust, a true friend that will stand beside us no matter what happen.
It is too bad that Ichika-san already has his own faction, if not, my brother will without doubt will extended an invitation to Ichika-san to join us. With Ichika-san skill and power, it will be a matter of time before he becomes Oni-sama second in command.
With Ichika-san beside my brother, nothing is impossible for us...
We cannot only take over Japan but we can take over the world….
It is truly a shame…. If only my brother met Ichika-san first….
I also know that my brother, even though he won't say a loud think Ichika-san as Akiechi Mitsuhide. My brother always though that Ichika-san could redeem the tittle of Akiechi Mitsuhide, to show everyone that it's not a cursed title…. However…. The tittle is indeed a cursed one…. Or perhaps… it was a fate that the one with the tittle of Nobunaga Oda will always betrayed by the one that he trusted…..
I should have seen this… and perhaps I can prevent that….
(Flashback)
'Lately Oni-sama seem changed….' I thought as I remembered the phone call from Ichika-san asking about my brother recent behavior.
Truly, it doesn't like my brother at all to use such tactics…. But who I am to doubt my brother decision.
Looking outside, I can see it was raining and there is some uneasy feeling inside me. A foreboding feeling, like something bad will happen soon and it became much stronger as time passed by.
'I hope nothing wrong will happening….' I prayed as Ichika-san is currently heading to where my brother is right now to gain answer from him directly. Still, I cannot shake this feeling….
However, something in the rooftop gained my attention. I cannot see it clearly from my classroom because the rain and the distant but it seems someone is fighting… at this, my blood run cold as I know that where Oni-sama and Ichika-san are.
Many thought running in my head, whether they been ambushed or attacked by another faction? Though I doubt it but it could be an assassin. Still, I cannot just stand here and watch. Therefore, I decided to go to there, to aid Ichika-san and my brother.
Imagine my surprise when I opened the door to the rooftop. What greets me is Ichika-san with his back to me and my brother lie down on the floor unmoving.
"ONI-SAMA!"
(Flashback End)
I shake my head trying to erase that though from me. Now, is not the time to reminiscing that….
However, I cannot erase the guilt that I have. If only I accompanied Ichika-san or not informed him about where is my brother…maybe right now we will be still together right now, the three of us…
Still, it just my wishful thinking….
Since that day everything gone downhill for us….
Ichika-san refused to tell me what really happened back then and avoid me….
Even so, my brother wound speaks more than enough….
The wounds that my brother has… only one person can inflicted that kind of wounds… and that is Ichika-san ….
Why….
Why you do this to Oni-sama, Ichika-san?
Why you betrayed Oni-sama?
Why you hurt Oni-sama?
So many questions but no answer, but the most important one are…
Why you broke your promise to me that you will be my brother friend?
Why you betray me….and crush my heart, Ichika-san?
Why you avoided me?
Why you left me alone?
You hurt me so much Ichika-san, more that you ever though….
That day, I lost two important people to me and what left is my hatred for Ichika-san.
I swear that I would have my revenge…
For my brother…. Moreover, for myself…
That's my only purpose… because I am an avenger….and you are the one who made me like this Ichika-san….
"Do you hate me?"
(Ichika POV)
"Do you hate me?" I asked the sister of my fallen friend.
Oichi glared hard at me as she sneered.
"I once respected you…I have once admired you…But now I hate you unlike any other. DOUKUGAN RYU! I, ODA OICHI HEREBY DECLARE THAT I WILL BE THE ONE TO END YOUR DREAMS AND HOPES JUST AS HOW YOU DESTROYED MY BROTHER'S!"
That is good…Let her hate me.
That is the burden of victory. A chain of hatred that follows me. I have accepted its burden the moment I decided to take the weight of Nobuyuki's dream. However…I don't plan to give this girl the weight of my dream so easily.
"Then do it."
"Huh?" she seemed confused.
"My life…Take it if you can."
I turned my back to her.
"However…Don't expect that the weight of my life will be easy to obtain!"
I released a torrent of battle aura. It should be noted that I didn't unleashed any killing intent. I only used battle aura to make myself look bigger and released a shadow…An image of my fighting spirit to be seen by those who can use ki to a certain degree.
The massive dragon roared behind me as it slowly faded.
"If you are Nobuyuki's sister and have his will to conquer, than come at me with all your might!"
Oichi sneered as she held out her hand. Next to her one of her underling handed her a long object covered in a cloth. The Demon Queen of 5th Heaven pulled off the cloth and revealed the item within.
"…A Naginata?"
In her hand was the Japanese pole sword. A pole arm that focus on slashing and swinging.
Oichi with surprising speed came at me with her naginata and jumped into the air. From mid-air she slashed down at me and forced me to dodge, however the long reach of the weapon was lightning fast as it tore away a part of my shirt.
She skillfully spun her weapon in circles as she slashed at me, but I side step the slash and ducked under the horizontal attacks. I back flipped away as I tried to make some space between us.
"…It seems your skill improved. Last time I saw when you wielded a Naginata your skill was poor."
"Revenge can do that to you!"
She increased her speed as she closed in on me…I need to pull a fast one.
I summoned my Rokuso from my equalizer within Masurao and pulled out Jigokudo(地獄道) of Hell. The characters (地獄) on the blade glowed slightly as I swung the blade to parry against the Naginata. I pushed back against the pole sword and started to retaliate. My swings gotten faster as I started to force the younger girl into defensive.
Klank!
Klang!
Clank!
"What is wrong? I thought you would avenge Nobuyuki? Is this what you have to show for it?"
I clashed down against her weapon again, however my blow was stronger.
"What a tasteless joke…Nobuyuki must be disappointed…The ghost of his life as a martial artist will be flipping in his grave!"
I lazily slashed her away and got into a loose, but guarded stance.
"Nobuyuki may be alive, but I killed him as a fighter…Is your brother's dream and his life as a warrior this pathetic to you? Did you think such level of mediocre skills will be able to match same level as Nobuyuki? Against strength that out matched Nobuyuki's years ago? DON'T BE CONCEITED!"
I pointed the Jigokudo(地獄道) of Hell to her face.
"Listen well! An ambition of a warlord in this era will never be satisfied! Even if I am cut down, there will be others who will strive for it! In such an era of chaos…POWER IS NECESSARY TO RULE!"
I summoned out Nindo(人道) of Human with my free hand and slash down both of my swords down of Oichi's guard and pushed her to the ground.
"…A small fish in a well…You have yet to see the sight your brother once saw and are nowhere near the sight I am seeing…If you want to cut me down, then you better aim to be the most powerful woman in this world! Aim to reach the very top! To reach not only Japan, but the world! If you become the strongest woman in the world, then you may have a chance to cut me down!"
I pulled out all six of them.
Tendo(天道) of Heaven.
Gakido(餓鬼道) of Hungry Ghost
Chikushodo(畜生道) of Animal
Asurado(阿修羅道) of Demon
Nindo(人道) of Human
Jigokudo(地獄道) of Hell.
Six swords style…SENSOU NO MAI!(War Dance).
In a flash of blade I cut the opposing Naginata into pieces as a single slash with my mighty claw turned it into trash.
I lift my hand up.
"If you don't have such resolve…Might as well as gave up now…ODA OICHI!"
I swung down…and it was blocked.
KLANK! KLANK! KLANK! KLANK! KLANK! KLANK!
"!"
…That is?
In her sleeve of her battle modified kimono was armor…It seemed smaller and shaper, but I recognized that armor anywhere.
"Nobuyuki's Tenkou…He gave it to you?"
Oichi grind out as she slowly got up. Her arms above her head to block my slashes.
"Oh…amusing…Do you think you will fare better in hand to hand?"
I lightly pushed against her guard, but she refused to bend down again. I smirked at her will power.
"Nobuyuki…That dream of yours…I think your sister may want it. I wonder if she will do it for you? I never planned to do it in your place for you, but if it is her…giving it to her is fine right?"
I lifted my swords up once again.
"Last chance Oichi…Give up."
"NEVER! I AM GOING TO DEFEAT YOU! I'LL BE THE ONE TO BEAT YOU!"
"That bothersome attitude…reminds me of your brother."
"!"
"This is the…(Swords are angled toward her)…End!"
The swords fell toward her in a peerless slash.
Woooosh!
At that one moment Oichi's world slowed down.
"This guy…Only this guy…" she muttered.
Clinch fist.
"YOU ALONE I WILL DEFEAT AT ALL COST!" She roared as her eyes glow in defiance.
I smirked as I altered the target and…
SLASH!
KLANG!
…nailed on her left guard.
"HHHYYYYAAAAAA!"
With that battle cry Oichi nailed a punch right into my stomach.
It was superb.
(Oichi's POV)
Did I do it? I don't know.
I felt the feeling on my fist…It was a solid blow right at his stomach!
He has to feel that! HE has to!
That was a simple parry and punch…the first technique Nobuyuki nii-sama taught me.
With hopeful feeling Iooked up…
A single dark eye glared down at me. His eye-patch and his fierce eye making the man look bigger and scarier than normal.
"…Are you done?"
His words crushed my sense of victory…That bastard doesn't seems hurt at all!
Why?
Why that he doesn't hurt at all? I put all my strength in that attack and he feel nothing.
"It was a simple punch…I guess I should praise you for hitting me with something so simple."
I felt my world falling on me…I failed.
All of the training that I had done is for nothing….
"That kind of punch is something even a beginner know. It is so simple I forgot to block."
His taunts tore what was remaining of my pride.
How I hate you, Ichika-san….Is not enough for you to crush my heart that you choose to destroy my pride also?
"A punch like that can't beat me…However…"
For one second his eye soften and it looked like my brother's.
It made me remembered something unnecessary.
Something in the distant past…
Something that I thought I have forgot….but that can't be.
Please…don't look at me like that…
How could you look at me like that after what have you done?
"It resembled Nobuyuki's punch…Weaker by large margin, but it is a start."
The Doukugan Ryu turned away from me and walked away. He walked toward his friend and walked over the sea of bodies that were still out cold.
"This is a boring fight…Come back when you are stronger than your brother was…Then I might consider allowing a rematch."
I fell on my knee and lost all strength in my body.
Am I so insignificant for you Ichika-san?
The remains of my guards and followers came flocking to me in worry. I couldn't hear their words of worry and fear…I was too tired.
I took the first step to beat that man…The man that crushed her brother.
After what I had done and I still on the first step….
Just how long this must continue until I can avenge my brother?
Just how long I must suffer?
What should I do….
"Strongest woman…" I muttered as a realization hit me.
Is that what I need? To be the strongest woman in this world? Fine! I'll be the strongest woman this world has ever seen!
This I swear in the name of Oda!
And when the time comes, I hope you prepare yourself Ichika-san….
Because I won't show any mercy…
I will make you regret it….
(Ichika POV)
I walked to my fellow ShitenOh as they enjoyed the show.
"Hmmph! That was a pathetic show." Grounded out Hide as he turned away from the group.
"I am bored with this Doukugan Ryu…We will continue this conversation next time." Said the Giant as he walked away.
"Leaving so soon Hide?"
"There is no point of staying here anymore. Fighting you now will be worthless and fighting in this setting will only sour the spirit of battle…We will fight next time, when we are both ready."
The giant said no more as he left the café…In ruins mind you.
"Well? I guess Mi-chan and I will go too." Said Ieyasu as she grabbed on to Miya's hand and walked toward the exit.
"Oh! Ichi-chan."
I turned to her.
She had a small smile on her face as she looked at me.
"Ichi-chan is very kind even if he acts bad…If you fulfill your goal, then you will prove to me that kings can fight for another."
I narrowed my eye at her.
"I thought I told you my thoughts on this topic…Do you want to argue with me again?"
"No no no…But you know what I mean."
This little girl is so confusing. One moment she is a brat and another she is a warlord who knows and sees all.
"Oh! You should pick a girlfriend soon Ichi-chan…At this rate, you might really get ruined by women before your empire even gets to start."
Before I can say anything Miya and Ieyasu vanished.
"What does she mean?"
"…Even a little girls sees it master. How can you not see your situation?"
Ah! Here is a voice I haven't heard all day.
"Yo! Masurao…What's up?"
"Nothing master…Just tired from the stress you endured today."
It seems our mental link shown her the amount of difficulty I had today…oops.
"Never mind me for now my beloved master. You still have to deal with them."
"Huh?"
I turned to my side.
""""""ICHIKA(SAN)!""""""
The girls huddled around me as they began to talk at once, but I could help but to be overwhelmed.
"What the! One at a time."
As I was swimming in this torrent of sea, my danger senses picked up a subtle approach from my back.
"Ichika."
This voice is…Oh Shit.
"You have some nerve drinking in broad day light, getting into a large scaled fight, disturbing the mall, and you even went far as drawing weapon in the open...In front of me as a teacher and as your sister."
Oh shit…What do I do?
"Hi…Chifuyu-nee…About that…Well it is complicated you see…"
Her glare was so cold that I couldn't think of a good excuse to save my bacon.
If explanation doesn't work, there is bribe!
"How about this, I'll buy lunch! You can pick the place."
"Ho…bribing your teachers and sister…You got nerve my little brother."
It seems this isn't working. What a blunder…
"…I am sure we can get some lunch later…Yama-sensei."
"Hai."
"We still have yet to purchase all the stuff we wanted because of this fool's stupidity…I say we go and finish shopping.
"No…No problem."
"Ichika."
"Hai!"
"Carry the bags…All of them."
I seems I am commanded to be the pack mule for this trip…For seven ladies. Well it could have been worse.
"Very well."
Our group left the destroyed café behind us. I told the mall manager and the café's manager to contact the Oda family for payment. If that brat was willing to attack me in public the least she could do is to pay for the damage.
After that our group went around to find some swimsuits to buy.
We enter another new shop for more swim wears. While Charl got her outfit, it doesn't mean that everyone else got theirs yet.
The girls scattered to different directions as they searched for the best swim suits that fits them. Dan and I on the other hand were waiting for them on hands and feet.
"This is hell."
"Dan my friend, look at the bright side…At least we are not in the Victoria waiting for them to get their lingerie."
"So true…"
"Ichika!" my sister called me.
I walked to her and saw her pulled up two set of swim suit to me.
"Ichika, which swimsuit do you think is nicer?"
One is a black sporty type with web-parts that's showing a sexy look.
On the other side, in contrast, it's a white one that cuts a lot of the look and focuses on the functions.
Both of them are bikinis, and they both reveal quite a lot.
"If I must pick it will be the black one."
"How so like you master. You always did like the sexy clothing I wear for you." Teased my IS.
"No comment Masurao."
Considering this, I suddenly noticed something.
If she puts on this black swimsuit…She will most definitely attract unsavory trashes. Oh no, I am not dealing with that when I go to the sea side. Even if I can't get to see her in it, the white one is more tolerable…Who am I kidding I will kill them all for even glimpsing at Chifuyu-nee!
"Master…Your sister complex is getting worse…With no way to stop it."
"Silence! It is just the obligation of little brothers to protect the honor of their older sister!"
"…The white one"
I said it with neutral look with no wavering in my tone, but after hearing that, Chifuyu-nee's response has a bit of wryness to it.
"The black one, right?"
"No, I said the white-"
"Liar. You looked at the black one first! Ever since before, you would always look closely at the one you like, so I knew immediately."
Damn! As expected of my sister. She notices every small to big reaction or unconscious gestures I make. I still lack training!
"Really, there's no need to worry as a younger brother. Do I look like a woman who would succumb to those frivolous men?"
"No, of course not! As if I will let that happen! I rather pull out my other eye than to endure something like that…Why do you think I keep that rusty and jagged up katana in my room? It was meant for this kind of moment. The moment to rip brave, but stupid fools into bloody pieces."
"How sweet, But I am not planning to settle down yet so no worry."
"You actually planned to settle down?"
"I am a woman too you know…Why wouldn't I dream of settling down?"
Probably because you don't seem like the kind, but its ok…I...believe you…God it is hard to think like this!
"You just thought of something rude didn't you?"
"No I didn't."
"Sure…I'll believe you. I'll be taking this one." Said Chifuyu-nee as she walked to the cashier.
I simple watched her walked away and slowly followed her.
(Chifuyu POV)
"Settling down huh…As if there is a man that fits the bill, but Ichi-…I am a horrible sister." Thought Chifuyu as she paid for her swim suit.
Ichika is her brother that she raised since he was a baby. HE was the only one beside Tabane to stay with her without being hurt. When she was younger, she was even colder than she is now…She remembered how her presence alone made boys faint and adults to back away from her.
And yet , her little brother remained by her side. He never cried for mom or dad, he never asked her why he didn't have his parent…He was satisfied with her…Imperfect her who can't even express love correctly at the time.
Her harshness and strictness was his love and he embraced them all.
Her twisted love was all he cared for. Even if she can barely keep the house clean or cook, he took over for her and took care of her as much as she did for him. HE always smiled and he was so so kind…HE was her everything.
And she failed to protect him.
Years ago during that Mondo Grosso Tournament when Ichika was kidnapped. It was all her fault.
She should have known…She should have known that she made enemies…In the cold real world everyone beside Ichika was her enemy…She was careless and naïve.
He paid for her neglect with his eye…Forever hurt, forever scarred.
Nothing will be able to bring his eye back. He is now forever bound to where that black eye-patch…the symbol of her neglect.
The constant reminder of her mistake and weakness….
Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!
Her fault.
All her fault!
It made her scared that Ichika would leave her alone because of this….or look at her with a hateful look because of this….
She just cannot imagine living without Ichika or hated by him….
She is so afraid of that….
It is better to face entire world than be hated by Ichika.
And yet he still stands by her…Never left her…Always came back to her.
Looking at her with such warm and gentle eyes….
It made her so happy…
The happiest person in the world.
Hers! He was hers alone!
It wasn't bad right? Little brothers belong to their sister right? She took care of him! HE wants to be by her side! When no one else did he stood there with me! Even when she failed him he smiled for her. When she couldn't cry he cried for her! It's not wrong! He belongs to her!
Are these ideas wrong? Perhaps to ordinary people it is wrong, but Japan used to allow incest…it wasn't wrong. It simply fits one better than another.
We already live together…Alone…Only the two of us as family. A house? We have a great house what is there to worry? House works? Ichika may not look the part, but is a brilliant household husband material. In honest truth the way he treated her was better than how some of those newlyweds get from each other.
Their love may turn cold, but no us…Never Ichika.
She still remembered when Ichika formed his gang. Although in the outside, she is not happy but in the inside, she is happy.
Ichika was trying to become stronger for her…. to prove his worth for her….to become a man that deserve her…. it was so sweet for her.
Truly, no one deserves her than Ichika… She cannot find a perfect man other than Ichika.
"To settle down huh…I might already been settled down. No men is worthy…Only you. My body is only for you…Forever and ever Ichika Forever and ever. Everything that makes me belongs to you already…You don't have to get any stronger to have me, but it is the path you choose…I will not stop you from the path you took. I'll stay by your side forever brother…Forever, because that is how you did it for me."
Still, it is not only her body but also her soul….She will give Ichika everything, even her entire being….and Ichika only have to ask her.
She turned to see Ichika helping Charlotte and Rin to hold their bags for them. He smiled and laughed with them.
"Not good enough girls, but enough fire to burn me away…If you want him you better go over me to do so…You'll never get the crown girls,. That spot belongs to be. You guys can fight for the seat of number two, because seat of number one is mine and mine alone."
And that was something she won't let the other girl have. She will be always Ichika special person, always ranked first and she will be dammed if there was someone that replaces her. The eternal throne next to his…The golden throne that is reserved only for her.
However…
If by a chance of fate Ichika accepts them…She will be upset, but never argue. She will not deny him what he wishes. If he wants her she is his, if he wants them…She will hold her complaints back and let him enjoy them. But she knows he will be back. He will always come back to her.
Ichika will never leave her and so she ….
Settle down? She already did…No men can claim her. Even if she submitted which is no way in hell, but if she did…Ichika will not allow it. He will always watch her…HE lives for her sake, she knows it, he knows it.
Nothing could separate them… they are a match that made in heaven, the perfect couple. Tied not by the Red String of Fate, but by Crimson Chain of Heaven.
She would kill anyone who tries to do that or Ichika would….
I lift up my bag and saw the black sexy bikini…All for him, knowing the prize and all.
"No need to be jealous Ichika…Only you get to enjoy me in any cloth or no clothes…Only you."
Yes, only Ichika and no one else.
Though it seems that Ichika still doesn't realized that all of the clothes that she have, in fact chosen to suit Ichika taste….even the underwear…
After all, no one knows Ichika better than her….
"Hmm…Ah! Orimura sensei, are you done with your pick?" said Yamada as she walked to her with a green bikini in her hand.
"Ah, Yamada sensei, yes I am done. And you?"
"I bought mine too."
I nodded to her.
"Ichika!"
"Yeah?"
"Come here and hold these!"
"I got it nee-chan!"
Even if she loves him so much, punishment is punishment. Getting into a fight and drinking sake in the broad day light, needs to be punished after all.
"Move it! We are going to the next store!"
"""""Hai!"""""
Shouted all the students and Yamada.
Soon we all left for another store.
(Ichika POV)
"HA….Ha…This is overdoing it."
"I agree."
The two males of the group, myself and Dan could be seen carrying tens of bags in our hands and mouth as we followed the group of girls as they window shop.
"This…is hell…"
"And yet… we both know things could get very…very worse." said Dan as we both sighed even with a bag hanging on our mouth.
On our way a store caught my attention. It was a store selling wedding dresses of many cultures for men and women. For some reason I felt a pulling sensation toward the store so I decided to look around the display.
The girls noticed me stop moving so they came back to drag me.
"Ichika-san! We need to go to the next place-desu!"
"Yeah Ichika! You are the pack mule aren't you!"
"Onii! Stop keeping us waiting and hold Ichika-san back!"
"Do not be tardy! It is unbecoming as my wife."
"Like I said many times now Laura it should be 'husband'…Hmm? Ichika what are you looking at?"
The girls turned to see what I was staring at.
""""Wedding shop?""""
In front of us where display of white western wedding dresses and many other kinds like the Japanese wedding kimonos and Chinese red wedding dress. They were all fabulous and beautiful. Their beauty was very attracting.
"Beautiful…"
"""Huh?"""
"I am just thinking how beautiful she will look in it."
Wait did I said that out loud?
"""WHO?"""
The girls all thought that what if Ichika was thinking of them in a wedding dress.
(Everyone's favorite..Charl!)
"A wedding dress? Me? Oh my…Mother what should I do?" thought Charl as she laid her eyes on a nice wedding dress that was white as a snow with western design with beautiful veil.
"I want to try it…"
Her mother never really married her father…So she doesn't have a picture of her in a wedding dress, but she is sure her mother would have looked beautiful.
"Oh dear…Will I(Boku)…Will be…be doing the kiss and the cake pile? The long time tradition of France…The kiss before the croquembouche? "
The traditional French wedding celebration cake, known as croquembouche was made during the Middle Ages. Back then the wedding guests would bring small cakes and stacked in a pile, as high as possible, in the center of a table. If the bride and groom could kiss over them without knocking them over, it was thought to symbolize a lifetime of prosperity.
For a young French maiden…the thought alone was intoxicating.
"Ichika…and me kissing…successful marriage…."
It was clear Charl will be in the Lala land for a while.
(Rin)
"That…That Baka Ichika, what is he saying! Who! Who is he…Is it me?" thought Rin as she laid her eyes on a red Chinese traditional Wedding dress. It was shiny red with gold markings and picture of a dragon on it.
"I…Ichika…Could it be that he dreams about china dresses like other boys…Maybe I can use it! Oh my god what do I do?"
In China, color red symbolizes the power to ward off evil spirits and brings fortune. To imagine Ichika and her in a red china dress and to make the vow…Will he be aroused by china dress? Ichika no Baka!
And Rin too joins Charl in Lala land.
(Cecilia)
"Ichika-san is thinking of someone in a wedding dress? Could it be me? Of…OF course I Cecilia Alcott will create such thought in Ichika-san…Oh..ohoho…Oh dear how will I look? Should I try the white dress out later? Or should I call home to check on the wedding dress mother used? Oh mother what should I do?"
Cecilia paced back and forth in her mind as she went over all the dress she owes or kept from her mother. She has picture of her parent smiling in their wedding dress…If she and Ichika-san does it too…
She thought how Ichika-san will look in his and she blushed at how dashing he is…With or without it.
"Oh no! No dirty thoughts! A lady…A proper lady does not…Maybe a little…NO!'
Another joins the Lala land.
(Laura)
"Hooo…a wedding dress." As Laura was by all mean a test tube baby, she is still socially awkward, but she knows the significance.
"…How will I look in them?" she wondered. She looked around and saw a wedding dress that were little short on the bottom than the others…It almost seemed like a mini skirt!
"Who! Who will wear such thing!"
She needs help…She know what to do!
Ignoring the surroundings, Laura pressed her hand on her chest and closed her eyes. She gathered concentration that would normally be unrequired, and after misdialing a few times, she opened the IS private channel.
At the same time, in a German training facility, the IS special group 'Schwarzer Hase'-normally called 'Black Hares' were training.
There were ten IS in Germany, and this unit had three, which proved that they were the strongest squad.
The unit's seal was the 'Hare with an eye patch'. With Laura as the leader, all the members had nano machines inserted into their eye to improve IS computation. Though Laura's eye patch was a function control, right now, all the members wore eye patches to protect their eyes and for the pride of the unit.
"What are you doing! You're late by 37 seconds! Hurry up!"
Growling angrily was the assistant commander, Clarissa Harfouch, 22 years old, the oldest in the squad. With so many members who were in their teenage years, she was a 'reliable big sis' who was strict and yet could involve everyone appropriately.
Her IS suit [Schwarzer Zweig] received a private channel signal from what amounted to a distress call.
"-Roger that. This is Lieutenant Clarissa Harfouch."
"It-It's me..."
Normally speaking, one has to report the name and rank, but as the other person's voice was wavering ridiculously, Clarissa inadvertently let out a stunned look.
"Commander Bodewig, have you encountered any other difficulties?"
Laura called before to ask for help with swim suit so the ever reliable(not) vice-commander given her the necessary advice, but it seems there is more problem.
"Ah, ahh...there's-there's another problem now..."
Listening to the tone of the speaker from the other side, Clarissa felt that things weren't that simple, and immediately used hand gestures to order 'end of training, emergency gathering'.
"What is the problem now?"
"Clarissa, well. Do-Do-Do you think I'd look good in a wedding dress?"
...
"What?"
During the first call Clarissa's voice, which was rhythmically flat, raised by half an octave. Now it was a shout. Facing the unknown sudden situation, the originally intense tone became what seemed to be dumbfounding words to them.
"I-Ichi-Ichika, he-he seemed to have said that, she will look beautiful in a wedding dress…No one knows who he is talking about, but now that I look at it…Do…Do you think…I'll look good…In a…Wedding dress?'
Hearing this, Clarissa immediately understood the situation.
Orimura Ichika…HE is dangerous as he is desirable! To think he can shake her ice cold commander unintentionally!
"Uu, well...wha-what should I do, Clarissa? What should I do in this situation?"
On a side note, Clarissa had been chatting with her using the private channel and using a pen to pass the message to the other members at the same time.
Commander is asking about wedding dress!
"NANI~!" More than 10 girls cried out.
-On a side note, Laura had a lot of interpersonal relationship problems with this squad, but after the Siegfried incident last month, she started discussing with Clarissa that 'I have someone I like', and all walls vanished. Such is the power of girls and their infinite bonds to achieve love.
There is no fortress that cannot be destroyed by female bonds it seems.
If there's a need to describe the situation-
"WHAAAT! THAT-THAT COMMANDER, IS GETTINGMARRIED?
"DON'T BE HASTY! WE NEED MORE INFO!"
"""KYAAAHHHH!"""
"VICE-COMMANDER! AN ADVICE FOR OUR COMMANDER IN HER QUEST FOR LOVE!'
"Of course, I didn't just read all those Japanese Shoujo manga just to put a front or because of curiosity! Wedding dress is it? Very well, to attract a man a sexy wedding dress is needed!"
"SO-SO COOL...!"
"I LOVE THIS COOL VICE-COMMANDER!"
"BUT I LIKE THE CUTE COMMANDER EVEN MORE!"
"THAT'S RIGHT! ME TOO! AHH, WHY COULDN'T WE LINK WITH HER WHEN SHE WAS IN THE COUNTRY!"
"SEXY WEDDING DRESS? AS A WHAT, SEE THROUGH? MINI SKIRT?"
"AS EXPECTED OF JAPAN, IT'S REALLY EXCITING!"
"IT'S WORTHY OF ADMIRATION!"
'LET SUPPORT OUR CUTE COMMANDER WITH ALL OUR WILL!"
"""YES! VICE-COMMANDER!"""
-It was that sort of feeling. As expected of girls in their teenager years (a small group of them are 20+). Everyone would argue because of trivial matters, and would patch up because of trivial matters.
"An-And then, I-I'm at, that-that place where they're selling, wedding dresses now...We are not buying anything mind you, but what kind of dress will Ichika like?"
"A wedding shop? Very well, what kind of dresses do you see?"
"I see some traditional white dress with veils…Maybe these are ok?"
"ARE YOU STUPID!"
"!"
"A traditional white dress…That may be the ones every girl's dream of wearing, however…however…That is…"
"That-That's...?"
Laura forcefully swallows her saliva.
"THAT'S NOT GOING TO BREAK THROUGH THE LINES OF EROTISM! YOU ARE NOT ANY NORMAL GIRL IN NORMAL LOVE! YOU ARE IN A WAR OF LOVE AGAINST MANY MANY WOMEN! YOU NEED LOLI POWERED EROTISM TO BREAK THROUGH THEM!"
"Wha...?"
"As I said before with the swim suit, that commander can't use voluptuous curves to trap men, but if you give up on this opportunity, you can't progress with 'that guy you have feelings for'! You need the power of Japanese fetishes to conquer your man!"
"The-Then...what should I do?"
"Fuu, You need to use…Sexy short mini skirted wedding dress that shows off your shoulder and legs to its MAX!."
As even her words were burning with passion, Clarissa let out a glint in her eye.
On the other end Laura could only nodded dumbfounded as she absorb the other good(ill) advices from her mistaken vice-commander…Even if the fact that sexy mini might win the war is true.
Laura is in…Negative Lala land with Clarissa.
(Ran)
"Who could it be? The one Ichika-san imagined…Is it me? Can it be? What kind is he looking at? The western…No wait he is staring at the wedding kimono! (In truth he was looking at the male kimono on the left, but who cares)" thought Ran as thousands of thoughts were flying in her little head.
In traditional Japanese wedding there is the white wedding kimono(Shiromuko), the veil, and of course the pale white make up and red eye lines and lip sticks. See dreamt of a western wedding before, but knowing Ichika-san a traditional wedding will be ok.
"Ichika-san fits better in a haori and hakama anyway. Oh he will look so handsome in that montsuki(Black formal kimono for men)" pondered Ran as she paced back and forth.
She imagined how they will be in a Shinto shrine with their family and friends around them…We will make the vow, drink the sake, and exchange the rings…Dear kami it will be like a dream.
"And everyone knows that pulling off the kimono is like every men's dream…Kyaahhhhh!"
Ran unknowing slapped the closest person to her which was her brother in the face in embarrassment and sent into Lala land.
"Why…Why was I hit?" muttered Dan as he felt the stinging sensation of his face.
"What are they all doing?"
"Hmmm…I think it is Youth in effect Orimura sensei."
"Hmph! Don't make yourself sound old Yamada-sensei, I am older than you, you know…Don't make me feel outdated."
"Don't worry Orimura-sensei, you don't have to worry about that at all, you got Ichika-san rooting for you don't you."
Chifuyu blushed at the implication and scowled.
"Yamada-sensei…"
"…H-Hai?"
"With you care to join me in a private conversation…by the alleyway?"
"…For my safety I'll be next to Orimura-kun now." Said Yamada as she rushed to join the kids…She escaped for now.
"…Mataku(Troublesome)," muttered Chifuyu as she too smiled and thought how she and Ichika may look in a wedding dress and suit. They will make a quite a pair.
Few hours later the group split up to head home and head back to school.
Dan the ever the loyal pack mule carried all his sister's stuff and crawled back home with his sister.
"BYE ICHIKA-SAN! I enjoyed spending time with you today!"
"See ya Ran! Go easy on Dan!"
"No promise!" shout the girl as she and her brother vanished from sight.
"Well…Today was a crazy ass day." I muttered as I picked up the bags belongs to 5 girls.
"Let's head home shall we?"
All my friends and teachers nodded as we left to catch the late train back home…We now face the Sea Side Lesson in few days.
Leaving behind them is a crazy day…that revealed more about their object of affection, the Dokugan Ryu Orimura Ichika.
End
And that's it for the 'The Banquet' Arc. Not bad for a complete original arc huh. I think I did rather well.(Puff out the chest and snorts with pride.) Some of you reader may feel I am going overboard with so many Ocs, but after how the Infinite Stratos's creator Izuru Yumizuru screwed up and the fate of IS is in the dark, I feel that having Ocs and plot like this may allow me some path to continue the story after I finish all the Light Novel Arcs….God Damn it I hope someone succeed Izuru Yumizuru, because Infinite Stratos is too much of a gem to let go like this.
Everyone Please review your thoughts, because I gain a lot of confidence and support from them. Every bit of your praise, ideas, thoughts, objection bring new views I can use. Bye bye now. (Ichimaru Ginbye bye wave)