An animal can sense a storm coming before a man and flees. But a wolf can sense it and face it.

Chapter 29

Damn that infuriating woman and her stubborn ways. The Sekhmet wasn't too hard to find. But once we did find it smaller Aragami entered into the fray. Okami tried to get the small fries out of the way but as soon as she stopped focusing her attacks on the Sekhmet it charged right at her, getting into her face.

Okami even tested this theory by running away from the battle and just as predicted the Sekhmet came charging after her. After a few more fireballs Okami was getting infuriated with the Aragami.

"Freak'n attention whore!" She shot at the thing and the mumble in the back of my mind told me she Resonated the message to the Aragami as well. "Can't you give me a moment to myself?!"

"Okami!" Sakuya said shocked at her misuse of the language.

"Where the hell did you learn that word?!" I said in disgust, but her anger caused her not to notice it.

"Shun." Dammit, I'm going to kick his ass when I get back to the Den. "He said it means someone who craves too much of something that it turns bad for their well being!" She jumps over the Sekhmet as it tries to smack her.

This Aragami frustrated Okami as she would strike it in a wild rage, only pausing when she heard one of us cry out in pain to shot us a recovery bullet and the occasional team-bullet. But we noticed that she didn't shot team-bullets out as much as she usually did and in her anger she didn't calmly shoot recovery bullet like she normally did. She was aggressive and didn't tell us which bullet she was shooting at us, the only warning we got was a 'take it!'

By the time the Aragami fell she was still fuming.

"That was a formidable enemy." Sakuya commented.

"Let's get the hell out of here." Okami said as she stormed off.

"What's gotten into you? Will you calm down already." I said disappointed in her attitude. But then again, perhaps I'm being a hypocrite when comparing the way I behaved in the past.

"Well, I'm sorry. You're right, it's not right for me to lash out on you guys. I'm just a little agitated that 'that little shit on the floor over there' had the nerve to call me a bitch! Declare herself the alpha female in that fight! And was trying to impress me as if I was inferior to her! Be a sport and let me vent out my rage, would you?"

"Hey, you okay? I think your Arc has been in use for a long time too. I've noticed it acts up sometimes when your switching styles."

"I know that Kota!" Then she stopped and took a deep breath. "I know but there's nothing I can do about it until the parts from HQ come in. Until then, we just have to hang in there."

"If it makes you feel better, mines been acting up too. But with things getting busy lately I'm not sure when I can get an overhaul..." She just smiled at Kota in understanding. But then her head phone went off.

"Okami here... yes, mission cleared... nothing's wrong, just hate this place... What?!... Yes, understood. We're heading back now, Hibari." With that she turned off her head phone and looked at us. "We got to go, an unknown Aragami has appeared and has been giving the 2nd and 3rd unit trouble. Sakuya, you're a little more banged up than the rest of us so you're sitting this one out, we'll head back to the Den to get information and pick up Alisa."

"Since your God Arc isn't in the best condition, I'd stop you by force if it were up to me... But it's also a fact that without you, jobs can't be done. So just make sure you know when to call the retreat, okay?" Sakuya said in concern.

"Don't worry, with everyone by my side, we'll be alright."

****** Entrance ******

This unknown Aragami must be something fierce if both Brendan and Gina were panicking after fighting it. But it must have been strong if it kept getting up again. Grabbing Alisa we headed out again to face this unknown enemy they called... Hannibal.

"I just heard your God Arc is not doing well. Are you okay?" Oh no, not Alisa too. "If you feel anything strange out there, make sure to say something. Unexpected happenings can create tragedy..."

I gently held her shoulder. "Don't worry, with guys like you having my back I'll be alright. But if it makes you feel better after this mission I'll take a break."

"Yes, I'd like that very much." She smiled at me as I withdrew my hand.

"Hey, let's go." Soma called out by the Hanger.

"Right!"

****** Wailing Plains ******

The Wailing Plains greeted us with a storm as always. But out of the tornado came out a giant lizard or more like a wingless dragon Aragami. It had two horns on its head, whitish-blue scales all over its body with the exception where its fire colored fur came out and the tender spot on its chest. Claws like golden gauntlets and a shield on its left arm. Like any other Aragami it roared at us and jumped into the battlefield.

But unlike the others, a scream of fright was created for the beast as it came down. Turning to see where it came from, with fear of a possible civilian who slipped into the area. But to my even worse fears, it was Okami. Her face expressed unchecked horror as her body shook like she had hypothermia.

"It's... it's him!" She cried out.

"Leader?!" Alisa came to her side in concern.

Okami just gripped her body and continued to shake. "Why... why is he here? Why is the Ruthless King here?!" To see her in such a state even before the battle started was lowering everyones moral. And caused my protective instincts to heighten. I had to get her to pull it together.

"What are you, scared?" I said jokingly to her, I knew she was the type a never back-down from a challenge. I just needed her to take the bait.

"Yes, Soma! I am scared!" Her admittance to the truth actually startled me. "He's the reason why me and Death have become close friends!"

"What?"

"We can't fight him. He's the real deal. The true monster that lurks in the dark! An immortal king that will never stay down!"

"Okami!" With that I did something that had my hand stinging with guilt but needed to be done as she was falling into hysteria. I slapped her hard on the cheek, the ringing of the impact echoed out in the area leaving a mark on her cheek. Alisa and Kota gasped at this while Okami paused in shock. "Pull yourself together! Your pact needs you, this is no time to panic!"

She finally looked at me, the shock and hurt on her face as she touched her bruised cheek made my heart feel like it was being ripped in two. Calming my voice to a gentle tone I continued on. "From what you're saying you've faced this Aragami before. With your knowledge and our skill, we have more of a chance of taking him down. You're stronger than you use to be... please don't give up."

She lowered her head hiding her face from us, her hand falling to her side. We waited a few seconds for her response, dread weighing heavy on our hearts at her possible answer. Then she looked up at us again with determination as the wild fire returned to her eyes.

"Let's begin." Was all she said as she jumped into the battlefield with us right behind her. We charged at the thing as it noticed us. "It's weak in the face and arm shield! Also in the back, but avoid that or it will screw us over!"

I ran up to strike it in its head but it did a back flip on one arm to avoid me. Then it leaned its head back a bit, "Soma! It's charging a fire ball, dodge!" With that I dashed out of the way, barely missing from getting singed.

With that me and Okami came at it, while Alisa and Kota fired shots. It tried striking us with its claws as we dodged, getting angry it wrapped it's tail around itself. "Get back! Tail Attack!" At the last second I put up my shield as the tail came impacting with it, pushing me back.

As I was about to put my shield down it started charging something in its arm that took the form of a spear. "Keep your shield up!" Was all Okami said as it leaped into the air to thrust its spear into the ground next to me causing an infernal blast to rise up and impact with my shield. Then it jumped back, noticing its attack was unsuccessful and roared at me.

We continued to strike at its 'said' weak points, when suddenly it thrust its arm on the ground. With that my feet started to get warmer, "Soma, move!" What? A fire came from the ground punching me in the face while knocking me, that did more damage than I expected. "Soma!" Okami cried out, shooting me some recovery bullets.

"Thanks," with a couple more strikes we broke its arm guard.

"Let's finish him off!" Alisa cried shooting Aragami bullets at it along with Kota.

"Wait, no! Not the back!" Okami cried out in warning too late. As the last shot broke off its back-scale it caused fire wings and a halo to grow from it's back, making it let out a roar of rage.

It charged at Alisa, tackling her to the ground as it rose up on two legs, crossing its arms. "Kota get back! Everyone shields up now!" As soon as she gave out the command fire swords came out of its arms while it did a wild dance of blades around us. When it was done it disperse its blade and come back down on all fours.

"Is that why you didn't want us to take out it's back-scale?" I asked Okami.

"No" She answered as the Aragami started to get up on two legs again. But this time crossing its arms as it flew on its wings. "I didn't want you to break it because of THAT! Everyone, shields up now! Kota, get behind us!" It spread its limbs as three bursts of fire waves came from its body, pushing us back. Then it slowly came back down to the ground giving us time to devour it. When it came to, it tried to blade dance again.

As it tried to slice at Kota, Okami threw a flash grenade at the last second. "No you don't!" She charged at it doing a combo to break its face armor, taking out one of it's horns.

With that we started to notice it wearing down. "We're going to make it!" I said in excitement as the Aragami started to clumsily fall down trying to do attacks. "Get'em!"

Finally with a few more strikes it fell to its knees to lye flat on the ground in defeat.

"It's over." Okami said out of breath, looking up to the sky as the rain washed away the blood from her body.

I tapped her shoulder as I passed her. "You did good." Then continued to approach the Aragami to devour its core.

"Ah, we managed to survive today too." Kota seemed out of breath too. But he still approached the Aragami to crotch down and poke at it.

As I took out the core I notice how powerful it was. "Hey, it's a rare one."

"Man... that was a tough opponent. Still, for our first time facing it, we did pretty good." Said Kota as he continued to poke the thing.

"Let's not do more than we have to. Come on, let's head back now." Alisa said turning to leave with Okami already heading to the starting point.

"Seconded..." I agreed following behind. As we started to walk off Kota got up to follow us.

"Hey, hold up guys! This is a New-Type for crying out loud!"

"Seriously." Alisa said turning around to berate Kota for his antics, but stopped in fear of something. "Ah! Kota, behind you!"

"What the?!" I looked back in shock. That thing was still alive?!

"Huh? WHOA!" Kota screamed as he noticed the Hannibal behind him. Frozen in fear he did nothing as the thing went to strike him with its claw. I was about to act when Okami zoomed pass me to get in front of Kota to block him with her shield. But I heard the clank, her shield didn't form right. As the Hannibal struck the impact hit her. Smacking her away like a rag doll.

"Ah, Leader!" Alisa screamed out. Everything went in slow motion for me as Okami made contact with the floor with her busted God Arc, falling unconscious. Looking at her motionless body filled me with rage, everything was starting to turn red.

"What's up with that? I know we extracted the core!" Is that what she meant when she said 'immortal king?'"

"Let's worry about that later." Alisa said covering Okami. "Kota, backup our Leader!"

"Gotcha!" Kota said, finally coming out of his shock. Running toward the girls. Alisa was right, we needed to get Okami out of there. With her out for the count, I needed to take charge.

"Everyone, retreat! Move!" With that I grabbed Okami as we ran for the Starting Point. With the 'Ruthless King' roaring behind us.

****** The Darkness ******

It was dark, I was floating on nothingness. Where was I- oh... I know... so I've come here again.

"Ah, I see you have returned to this place again, young one." A deep voice spoke to me. "As much as I enjoy your visits, I must say I'm tired of seeing you here."

I looked up to my side to see a tall thin, but still well built, man standing above me. He wore no shirt, but boots and baggy pants that had a ripped up cloth wrapped around it like a waist scarf that didn't cover the front. Once upon a time it must have been part of a robe.

He wore leather gauntlets on his muscled arms that had fingerless glows which were crossed at his chest. His hair was a sleek raven color, and his eyes were solid green that glowed like neon. He had no pupils nor irises, just green eyes. But that wasn't the strangest of things about him. He was deadly pale and had no nose or a mouth.

But I didn't fear him, over the times I've come to visit this place. I've come to know him, and looked upon him as a friend. With that I smiled at him.

"Hello, Death. It's been a while."

"Yes, it has." Then he slanted his eyes. "Why are you here?"

"I was... protecting a friend."

"Ah, I see. That kind heart of yours always leads you to this place."

"So, how have you been?"

"Busy, the foolish actions of man has given me more work loads than necessary."

"I have a friend that for a while thought he was you." He chuckled at this.

"Ah yes, Soma. He knows nothing of my work. And yet he would still try to come up with his own conclusion and hates me for some unfounded reason."

"I can't see why. You're actually a nice guy once someone gets to know you."

"You are too kind child. Perhaps that's why I am so fond of you."

"So is this the time when I shall cross to the other side to see mother?"

"You seem disappointed child?"

"Don't get me wrong Death. If it is my time I'll go with you with no trouble. But... I'm not ready. There are so many people waiting for me to return; I cannot part with them yet."

"You once said it was your brothers that kept you going. Has the number of people depending upon you increased?"

"Yes... my pact continues to grow." I say with endearment.

"Well, this is not your appointed time to die." Great black bat wings sprung from his back to engulf me in a greater darkness.

"Well then, goodbye. Until we our next meeting." I smiled back at him.

"Don't take offense child, but I pray that 'that' will not happen for a long time." He said with his body slowly fading into the darkness. "Oh, about that boy Soma we were talking about. Can you hit him for me, I grow tired of him blaming me for my job."

"I'll work right on that." I jumped up to life, noticing that I was in the Sick Bay of the Den. Someone must have carried me back, but what happened to the others?

"... Oh... Thank goodness... you've come to?" Alisa? Looking to my left I noticed her with Kota who was taking a nap on the side of my bed.

"Oh right... so you survived." Turning to the front of me, I saw Soma leaning on the sick bed in front of me with a grin on his face. He pulled himself off the bed to look down at the snoring Kota then back at me. "Sure, risk your life for your subordinates. But don't end up like out former Leader." With that he left.

"Really... thank goodness you're alright..." Alisa said gaining back my attention while Kota continued to sleep. "Oh... please wait a minute."

She whacked Kota on the of his head. "Wake up for Heavens sake!

"Ouch!" Kota was awake, wiping the droll off his face. Then he noticed me, "Oh, you're awake! Thank God... My bad, your God Arc got busted... because I messed up, huh?"

"That doesn't matter... what matters is that you're alright."

"Yes, although... the Aragami's attack damaged the core... it will take some time to repair it." Alisa filled in.

"Will I... be able to visit him?" They shook their heads.

"Tsubaki says you should take some time off since you can't go into battle anyway."

"Does that mean I can go visit my brothers?"

"I'm afraid not." Alisa answered. "Tsubaki confiscated your spear and knife while you were unconscious so you wouldn't try to go into battle in your condition when you came to. With those gone you have no means to defend yourself outside the Anti-Aragami Wall. Thus, you have been grounded to the Den. Try not to wear yourself out and get some rest, alright."

"Hey! Since I broke your God Arc I'll lend you the whole Bugurally series!" Kota was trying his best to cheer me up so I smiled and nodded my head.

Then an announcement came on about a Hannibal briefing meeting for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd units.

"Oh... We should be going now..." said Alisa getting up along with Kota. "Please try to take it easy..."

"Alright, see you later! Email me if you need anything." With that Kota and Alisa left.

While I laid back down to fall asleep, contemplating how I was going to punch Soma.