Kenzoku — Blood and Tears in Tao Manor!
Take what you want.
That was the lesson that Yura learned from being born into the Tao family.
There were no rewards for complacency and patience.
Being born into the branch families meant that you were either doomed to a life of misery, or you had to fight for your happiness. It was more complex than simply clawing your way to the top. To live was to fight and to fight was to live. The moment that your neck could support your head, you were seen as another tool—no better than the corpses that they mobilized as soldiers.
That's why if anyone simplified Yura's life as a mere struggle for recognition, she'd slit their throats without hesitation. She likened her climbing the ranks to scaling a cliff-face with nothing but her bare hands. Steep and perilous did her thriving no justice. By the time she reached her destination, Yura realized that she was standing on top of a mountain of corpses.
Out of the countless assassinations and slaughters that she committed, she could proudly proclaim that she regretted none. This was her life because she defied her destiny. And she wouldn't pretend to feel remorse. It was their lives, or hers. She could prove herself as a huntress, or she could wallow in the mud like other branch members.
Yura was seventeen now. And in hindsight, she realized that she was born to kill. She claimed her first life when she was only five years old. And even back then, she felt a peaceful quiet inside of herself afterward. The pounding in her chest stopped the moment that the light drained from her victim's eyes.
It was the first time that she ever felt in control, so powerful.
"Heh," Hiten chuckled as his eyes took in her handiwork. Her victim was slumped against his bed. The front of his shirt was dyed deep crimson as his head hung loose from his neck. "You did a pretty good job, rookie," He praised with a smirk.
Back then, Hiten was only seven years old and Manten was her own age. But the brothers were already experienced assassins. They were instructed to shadow Yura on her first mission to appraise her potential. Before they departed the branch houses, the brothers made a point of her telling her that if she made a mistake, it would be her error to bear alone. They were merely there to observe and if she found herself in a situation that meant her life would be forfeit, they'd let her die.
Yura was only irked by their disclaimer and scoffed, "As if I'd need your help."
She could remember those words vividly.
So it was somewhat irritating to remember how wrong she was.
Yura was tasked with eliminating the head of a crime syndicate that betrayed their family. Despite the man being an ordinary human, he proved to be more difficult than she expected. The middle-aged man was a light-sleeper and stashed a handgun beneath his pillow, even at the high-end hotel where he stayed for the night.
Two shots staggered Yura's kyonshi and the child found herself staring into the gun's barrel. But before the man could eliminate her, Hiten swooped in from the shadows and used his weapon to knock the gun out of the man's hand. It was her cousin's interference that sealed her target's fate. And that was a secret that she and the brothers kept to themselves all of these years.
It was also Hiten's interference that made Yura fall in love for the first time.
She didn't show it in conventional childish ways like blushing, giggling, or fidgeting. But Yura wasn't a typical little girl. No one child born into the Tao family was anything close to normal. Instead of bubbly expressions of her affections, Yura strived, even more, to be worthy of fighting along Hiten's side.
Yura never bat an eyelash every time she was summoned to claim another life.
Her eyes only glinted when she was paired with Hiten or rewarded for her success.
It was Hiten and Manten who introduced her to the bliss of sadism. The acknowledgment and benefits of being an assassin weren't enough to make the brothers feel alive or keep them entertained. It wasn't long after that Yura joined their team that the siblings showed her one of their favorite past-times. The other branch members who were satisfied with living a life of servitude made for the ideal targets of their boredom. The trio delighted in trampling over the labor of the others.
The tight-lipped adults and screeching children only amused them. Yura felt no guilt when she'd kick over their mop buckets. As far as she was concerned, if they didn't have the guts to challenge her then they deserved to be treated like third-class humans.
There was only one servant who stood out amongst the rest.
The ones who merely glared or requested mercy didn't catch their attention.
But Sango, the one and only servant who raised a hand against them, was on another level. It was a week after Sango single-handedly fought them off that Yura clandestinely pulled the girl aside and encouraged her to pursue the life of an assassin with her and the brothers. "You've got something that the others don't," Yura told her. "We could use someone like you in our ranks."
At the time, Yura's brain didn't comprehend what Sango's furrowed brows meant back then. "If you want a better life, just talk to Uncle Yúan. I'll even vouch for you. What do you say~?" The assassin extended her hand toward her cousin, only for her eyes to widen when Sango slapped it away.
"I'll never become like you," Sango declared in a snarl. "Killing is evil. And I refuse to become a monster."
Yura didn't show it but the rejection brought her blood to a simmer. She stuck her nose up and scoffed, "I see. Don't say I never tried to help you." And she left it at that. Yura wasn't one for sticking her neck out for anyone so that experience cemented that the only people she trusted were herself and the brothers.
Thus, the trio continued their harassment of the branch servants, though they focused their efforts on Sango and Kohaku.
It was after years and years of killing and abuse that Yura made the mistake of a lifetime: she became complacent. She became comfortable with being the only girl by Hiten's side. She knew for a fact that his opportunities to interact with girls were scarce. That's why his decision came as a shock to her.
At age thirteen, Hiten was summoned for a private audience with the family head. Considering their history and track record, it was a rare occurrence for one of the trio to be singled out for anything. That was why Yura and Manten decided to eavesdrop on the conversation from the other side of the door.
That was the day that everything changed.
Yúan began the brief meeting by praising Hiten for his immaculate record and indisputable devotion to serving the Tao family. "Of course, Uncle," Yura could hear the smirk in Hiten's voice as he spoke. "The moment that you allowed me to prove my worth, I pledged my mind, body, and soul to your cause."
Yúan's laughter thundered boisterously.
After a few more morbid pleasantries between the two, Yúan finally moved to the purpose of the meeting.
["Hiten, as a reward for your work, I'm giving you the first pick of your generation. Name any girl. Any girl who isn't my daughter, and she'll be yours. When you come of age, she'll become your future wife."]
Yura smirked as Hiten went silent on the other side of the door.
She felt victorious and self-assured.
However, those feelings were fleeting.
Because it wasn't long before Hiten breathed those two syllables:
"Sango."
That single utterance shattered Yura's world.
And it was then that Yura realized that she had become as complacent as the servants who she loathed so much. She had spent so many years convinced that Hiten reciprocated her feelings—only for him to choose Sango as his future bride. And she couldn't fathom why Hiten chose someone who scorned his presence over the person who was faithfully by his side all along.
"Y-You don't have to worry about being lonely, Yura!" Manten awkwardly offered her comfort with flushed cheeks. "When it's my turn to choose a bride, you'll be my first choice!"
Yura went from biting her thumb to scoffing at the insinuation, "As if you're worthy of being my husband." The younger brother shrunk beneath his cousin's glower, "You're but an insect to me, and don't you forget it." She leaned in close to the cowering boy and murmured with faux cordiality, "And we don't speak a word of this to Hiten, do we?"
Years flew by and finally, she was met with this day: the day that she was permitted to punish Sango. The torment that she inflicted on her during their younger years wasn't a command, but at the same time, it wasn't frowned upon. It was accepted as child's play.
But today would be different.
"Hmph," Yura half-smiled as she arrived in a room with copious amounts of space. The expansive area was the auditorium that was normally reserved for live entertainment for the main family and their guests. Rows of plush chairs aligned the room from wall to wall. On the far wall was a stage constructed of waxed cherry wood, complete with stairs on either side and crimson curtains. Towering above the rows of lower seats were a pair of balconies that protruded on parallel walls. To Yura, it was the perfect place for the revenge that she longed for.
With inhuman acrobatics, Yura backflipped onto the stage as Sango immediately skidded across the main aisle's rug.
"It's been a long time since we've had our alone time, huh, Sango?" Yura queried with faux sentimentalism.
Sango's eyes narrowed as her grip on Hiraikotsu tightened, "I'm not here to play nice! Where's Kohaku?!"
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Keiko wasn't sure what to make of the malevolent force that had been plaguing the globe for weeks. Days before its first strike, there had been whispers amongst shamans and prophets worldwide. Many performed divinations and received visions about the advent of the evil. Despite predicting its emergence, not a soul on the Earth knew how to proceed to intercept its malice. As the Asakura kneeled before her sacred pyre, she quickly discovered why the force proved evasive.
Despite the assistance of the human world's analytics and statistics, there still wasn't much that the protectors of the Earth could do to prevent more disappearances. It was only when Keiko meditated and performed her divination that she confirmed the suspicions of the shamanist world.
The tens of thousands of souls around the world were spirited away by a being, not of this world.
The roaring flames reflected in the rivulets flowing down Keiko's forehead.
They crackled as minute embers were carried by the air.
The priestess stared into the flames as they lashed out in a tantrum.
'...I see...' She thought as her drenched hands remained in their ritualistic pose. 'This creature is something ancient, most likely sleeping dormant up until now,' she could surmise that but still, she had to wonder, 'But where did it come from so suddenly? And why now?'
That wasn't the only mystery that she couldn't solve.
After hours of calling to the gods for answers, Keiko still didn't receive the key to identifying the force. Her eyes closed as she told herself, 'Keiko. You are an Asakura priestess. Focus.'
Within seconds, the woman felt her tension and frustrations melt away. She knew that she needed a clear mind to break through the veil of fog over her mind. 'Now... Think,' Her inner voice instructed. 'What events align with the dawn of this tragedy...?'
When Keiko first caught wind of the disappearances, she was still in Paris with her Women's Club. She and the other esteemed ladies religiously watched the morning news over glasses of wine while she was there. Nothing significant occurred on a global scale back then. 'So perhaps, we're thinking about it too broadly. What if we narrowed our scope of vision...?' Information, words, images, and memories floated around the priestess' brain until—.
Keiko gasped as her eyes shot open.
The sacred inferno bellowed.
Within the blazing flickers, a silhouette appeared.
'Who is that...?!' Keiko was shocked by the sudden breakthrough. Her finger pose tightened and she focused on the image within the flames. The silhouette grew larger as colors and features faded in. After a few moments, the priestess gasped as she received the revelation.
It was smeared like a watercolor painting—but Keiko's eyes didn't deceive her.
The sacred inferno offered her a critical clue: the image of a battered Kagome holding a bundle.
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Yoh's mouth was slightly ajar as he watched ebony strands free-fall to the floor. Kagome's watery sounds silenced at the sound of her friends' gasps. She released Ren to half-face the source of surprise, but without removing her hands from his chest. It was her turn to gasp at the sight of Bankotsu grinning widely and scratching his flushed cheeks.
It wasn't just how rare it was to see Bankotsu blush or show any form of humility. It was the sight of his choppy hair that stopped abruptly at the nape of his neck. Her eyes lowered to the braid that laid near his feet on the floor, then lifted back to his eyes. But she was unable to meet them because Bankotsu's were shut closed with his toothy smile.
"W-Wah! Isn't something like kinda reckless to do so suddenly?!" Manta queried.
Bankotsu chuckled and replied nonchalantly, "Eh, yeah, I did it on a whim but it's no biggie. I just felt like it."
Kagome swallowed the guilty bubble in her throat. 'Ban-kun...' Her hands finally fell to her sides, 'I'm sorry.' She took a half step away from Ren, unaware of her touch was instantly missed. "Now that we've rescued Ren and Jun-neesan, I want to go check on Sango-chan."
"You do that," Ren told her as he headed for the door. "I'm going to challenge my father." His eyes hardened when a grip on his wrist prevented another step. He turned to glare at the offender—only for his agitation to instantly melt from Kagome's eyes. Despite the admonishing look on her face, his stomach still felt like a marshmallow near a flame.
"I'm not going to tell you not to, but you're going to let me heal you first!" The priestess asserted. Jun smiled softly when Ren crossed his arms and grumbled, "Fine. Hurry up."
Meanwhile, Manta watched as Yoh slapped Bankotsu's back and flashed a chummy smile, "Maybe we should get banged up like that, heh?"
The grimace that Bankotsu didn't know he was wearing became a lopsided but appreciative smile, "Maybe we should."
Meanwhile, Kagome scowled as Ren's wounds began sealing, "Don't rush me! You're still on thin ice for leaving me behind!"
"Hah?" Ren scoffed with disbelief. "What are you on about? Why would I take you with me?"
The spectators winced as Kagome exploded, "Because you're not allowed to do stuff like this without me, that's why!"
"You're not involved so it's none of your business," Ren was probably unaware of how cold his blunt response sounded. While Jun understood that her brother meant 'I don't want you to be mixed up in this mess', she also knew that it sounded like 'Mind your own business.'
"Eh..." Jun took a half-step towards the pair, wanting to defuse the situation before it escalated.
But to her surprise, Kagome resigned to a sigh as she lowered her hand. "Don't treat me like I'm a stranger, Ren." She smiled at her friends, "We're all here to help you because we care."
Bankotsu nodded and pointed down at Ren, "Yeah, but you still owe me one for this."
"Alright, Ren," Yoh smiled, "Bankotsu and I will go with you to see your father."
"Tch," Ren hid his gratitude behind a scowl. "Just don't get it my way. Nee-san, you shoul—."
Everyone froze as Jun's aura flared up, "Don't even think of telling me to stay safe and hide." Her eyes became stony as she hissed, "I'll make him pay."
While trembling in his boots, Manta still managed to address Kagome, "D-Do you still want me to go with you...?"
The priestess nodded affirmatively, "Yeah. I'll keep you safe, Manta-kun."
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Pirika's internal sulking drowned out Sota's indignant, pouty cries. "Stop using the same move! It's lame!" was muffled as her cheeks filled with air and lower lip protruded.
'Hmph! I know that I'm not strong or anything but why did I have to stay while Manta-san went...?!' She was stewing. At the moment, Bankotsu dazzled her with his charm but now, those stinging thoughts returned. 'Because I'm Piririn?! What is that supposed to mean?! Piririn can be useful!'
Her fingers pressed the same sequence of buttons religiously.
Her kick-boxer character responded with a spinning kick that knocked Sota's character to the ground.
As Sota's character rose, Pirika's fingers performed the same sequence of buttons.
Her character executed a spinning kick that once again knock Sota's to the ground.
The child threw his arms to the ceiling and bellowed, "Oh my GOD! This is so stupid!" He was unaware of how the girl couldn't hear his insult, "Pirika-san, you're boring!"
The boy only deflated and quickly buried his frustration when his mother walked into his bedroom, carrying a tray of snacks and tea. "Now, now, Sota, mind your manners," Higurashi-san instructed gently as she set the tray on his nightstand. "Pirika-chan was gracious enough to play with you." Her eyes softened when her son pursed his lips. "You should be a good sport."
The woman then sat on the bed next to Pirika and placed a hand on her shoulder, snapping her from her thoughts. "Pirika-chan, are you alright?" She inquired.
Pirika's surprise quickly became embarrassed as her cheeks flushed and she averted her eyes. "Y-Yes, thank you for asking..." the girl answered half-heartedly. Finally, she offered Sota an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that, Sota-chan. I was kinda spaced out for a while." She held up her controller, "How about a rematch?"
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
HoroHoro could tell that Manten was, by far, the weakest of the Tao trio that confronted them. So after Sango and Ryu chased after their opponents and left him with the remaining Tao, HoroHoro expected that he would have been neutralized by now. But despite his appearance and demeanor, he learned that he couldn't take Manten as lightly as he thought.
Manten used Hyoi Gattai, physically integrating with the lightning demon, instead of channeling an OverSoul. Despite his unrefined shamanist technique, the Tao's sheer amount of strength was a force to be reckoned with. HoroHoro was almost caught off guard when Manten suddenly opened his mouth wide and spat a blast of crackling lightning at him.
HoroHoro was just as fast and twisted to the right.
His back hugged the wall as the lightning narrowly missed impact.
It roared and sizzled down the passageway until it crashed into a far wall.
"Oopsie," Manten chuckled after seeing the interior damage. "I'll just tell Uncle that you did it," the Tao spoke more to himself than HoroHoro. He then grinned widely, "I bet you never fought a shaman who integrated with a demon, have you?"
HoroHoro returned to standing in the middle of the corridor. He scoffed then smirked at the Tao, "The type of spirit doesn't matter to me and Kororo here." His breath became visible as the temperature began steadily dropping. "We'll show you that our bond and finesse are stronger than your demon."
That's what the Usui said minutes ago.
However, he presently found himself ducking beneath a wall of ice. He grunted and covered his head with his hands as Manten's lightning approached. It barreled through the top half of his barrier, cracking through like a bullet through glass. Shards of ice crackled and shattered into smaller shards. HoroHoro's spiky hair was peppered with powders of his ice.
"Damn it..." HoroHoro growled as he peered around the remaining wall and spotted Manten's saunter. The Tao's steps were calculated, like a predator closing in on a certain kill.
But HoroHoro was no one's prey.
The blunette vaulted over the wall and into the air. "San-tan needs me so I'm not holding back anymore!" He exclaimed as he unleashed a storm of icicles.
Manten took a deep breath before spouting a searing bolt at the lances. He smirked and huffed when his lightning shattered the icicles on impact. But his victory was short-lived as HoroHoro disappeared from the lightning's path. He reappeared behind Manten. His expression darkened.
Manten's heart felt heavy.
The seconds it took to turn felt like eons.
And HoroHoro's grim face was not a sight for sore eyes.
'W-What's with his eyes...!?' Manten stumbled back with the instinct to separate himself. 'They're just like Hiten-nii's!'
The glint of HoroHoro's rime OverSoul snapped Manten back to his senses. 'You're fast but not even you can escape at point-blank range!' He reeled his head back then snapped forward. He bellowed out a burst of lightning.
HoroHoro was shy of a meter away.
But again, he disappeared and reappeared behind Manten.
"I'm getting bored of the same ATTACK!" HoroHoro fortified his arm with a block of ice then rammed it into Manten's back. The lightning fizzled out as the air was knocked from Manten's chest.
The Tao fell face-first to the floor. He scrambled to turn over so that he could face HoroHoro, who was towering above him. The Usui's arms were crossed as he grinned. "As much as I'd like to wipe your ass from the census, I'm gonna refrain 'cause you're my friends' family," He disclaimed.
Manten croaked when HoroHoro stomped his heel into his belly. "You truly are scum, aren't you...?" He seethed as he twisted and ground his foot into Manten's tender parts. "I could see your sin just from the way San-tan looked at you..." His eyes narrowed when the trapped Tao suddenly cackled.
"Y-you really think you defeated me so easily...?" Manten's voice strained beneath HoroHoro's weight. "Whoever said I was a one-trick pony...?" His lips parted. His thunderous voice erupted into shockwaves that made the ground tremble.
HoroHoro staggered back as his hands rose to cover his ears.
His drums were on the verge of rupture.
The positions were shifted as HoroHoro was reduced to his knees and Manten regained his footing. His maw remained wide as he battered his opponent with the pressure of his roar. The Tao's capacity for wind was astounding. Seconds dragged by as HoroHoro struggled to muffle the waves.
Sixty agonizing seconds later, HoroHoro was finally given a reprieve by Manten's need to breathe.
Both shamans panted heavily as they glared each other down.
"L-Looks like you tired yourself out..." HoroHoro observed aloud between huffs as he removed his hands from his ears. His fingers pushed himself off the floor as he struggled to his feet.
Manten managed a challenging grin between his pants, "Y-you're in no better shape." The spread of his lips quickly disappeared from HoroHoro's response.
"That's where you're wrong," His smirk darkened as the hallway rumbled and shook. The Usui kept his balance and composure as Manten's head snapped back and forth in panic.
"W-What is this?!" The Tao questioned before throwing an accusatory glare at HoroHoro, "An earthquake?!"
HoroHoro raised a finger to point behind Manten, "Try again." With those words, he turned and headed down the opposite end of the corridor. "Let's find San-tan, Kororo."
Manten was left with his fate. He promptly turned to find a tsunami of snow bounding and crashing towards him. The waves of frost crystals rolled as they stormed the hall. He turned heel, his only thought was to outrun the avalanche. But before he knew it, Manten was bludgeoned, immersed, and immobilized.
Meanwhile, Ryu was caught in a battle of life and death in a spacious room that was free of furniture and decorations, as if it was specially prepared for damage. From the very beginning, Hiten demonstrated his blood-lust for Ryu. Initially, the pair exchanged brief words and formed OverSouls, Ryu with Tokageroh and Hiten was a lightning demon. And from the beginning, Ryu knew something was off about Hiten.
The depths of the Tao's rage were uncanny.
His eyes took on a frightening crimson glow as his aura flared.
"Normally, I would quickly dispatch weaklings like you," Hiten stated as he spun his glowing halberd. "But because of that mouth of yours, I'm going to take my time with you."
"Careful," Tokageroh warned his partner. "I can smell that he's one of my kind—a killer."
"What...?!" Ryu hissed as Hiten swung a wave of lightning at him. The speed of light was unrivaled. So instead of trying to avoid the wave, the shaman met it with his glowing sword. 'D-Damn, he's strong...!' He noted as the lightning threatened to knock him off his feet.
Ryu spread his legs and tightened his form to hold his ground.
He sucked in air through his teeth. It was his body's attempt at soothing the nerves in his hands. They were screaming from their proximity to Hiten's scorching attack. Despite his OverSoul holding the lightning at bay, Ryu's skin was still inflamed and blistering.
"Pay attention, idiot!" Tokageroh warned, lifting Ryu's eyes from his reddening wrists to the path in front of him.
But it was too late.
Ryu was already staring into Hiten's eyes; they were bright and jubilant.
'H-He really is a killer...!' For a split second, the two shamans were chest to chest.
But that fraction was all it took. Hiten's eyes almost rolled into the back of his head from a rush of dopamine. He felt the familiar resistance of flesh and muscle against his blade. But he was an expert and effortlessly forced his weapon deeper, not caring for anything and everything that he pierced along the way.
Ryu's eyes were wide as his brain struggled to process what was happening.
The only sensation that he felt was a burning sting in the pit of his stomach.
But when he craned his neck down to inspect his body, Ryu saw the pole enter his belly. A warm mess pooled around the intrusive object. Only when he realized that he had been impaled that Ryu opened his mouth to scream. But he ended up gurgling on a spew of blood.
Hiten smirked as he tightened his grip on his weapon. He jumped backward and yanked his halberd. The blade and pole both exited from Ryu's person. The Tao flicked the weapon to the side, flinging and splattering the blood onto the floor. "Don't look so scared," He told the trembling Ryu. "I've been doing this for years. I know for a fact that wound won't kill you right away."
"W-Who's scared?!" Ryu's hands were trembling despite himself. "I'm just getting started!"
"Good to hear," Hiten smirked, "I'd hate for you to die on me before I teach you a lesson."
Ryu double-handed his sword and growled, "No. I'm going to make you take back what you said about Sango-chama."
"Tch, sappy guys like you are pathetic," Hiten replied calmly before leaping towards Ryu. Their blades and eyes snagged on each other. "The truth is, everything that you want in life, you have to take it by force." His magenta eyes hardened as he added, "That includes women."
"You're disgusting!" Ryu roared. His energy surged with his flared temper. His glowing sword unleashed a barrage of hissing serpents. Their gaping mouths bore their fangs as the heads latched onto Hiten. Teeth jaws clenched around the Tao's hands, shoulders, and knees. "What kind of man are you?! You think women are just objects for you to claim?!"
"Hmph, when their blood is as worthless as Sango's they are," Hiten responded nonchalantly.
A spurt of energy disintegrated Ryu's snakes.
"Worthless blood?! There's no such thing!"
Hiten parried Ryu's blade.
"An outsider like you wouldn't understand!" The Tao countered. Their weapons met again and again in deadlocks. "Sango and I were both born as branch family members!" The shamans' arms continued their motions. "The difference between us is that I chose to soar while she was content to be the lowest of the low!"
Again, Ryu's katana caught the end of Hiten's halberd. Swirling purple energy clashed with brilliant electricity. "You're just jealous that Sango-chama isn't as weak you are!" Ryu could tell that the comment crawled beneath the other shaman's skin as his teeth visibly ground.
"Me?! WEAK?!" Hiten's eyes were set ablaze. His halberd's energy latched onto Ryu's blade and skittered across the metal. The electrified energy transferred from Hiten's weapon to Ryu's, snuffing out the purple energy like a blanket over a flame. Ryu's hands were paralyzed as lightning branched through his veins like sizzling, pulsing webs. Hiten growled beneath Ryu's agonized screams, "I'm Tao Hiten—the greatest assassin of my generation!"
The Tao lowered his weapon and watched as Ryu's body convulsed as it endured the voltages of Hiten's rage. "You're sorrily mistaken if you think that I'm a weakling like you." The intensity of the lightning illuminated the room like a lightning bulb in the darkness. Seconds later, the energy burned out, taking sapping the remainder of Ryu's strength.
Ryu dropped to his knees.
Then to his stomach.
His vision was darkening at the edges, but he still spotted Hiten's pointy shoes approaching. The Tao's voice sounded muffled and baritone as if it was being played in slow motion. "Heh... So this is all you're capable of..." He heard Hiten say as his eyes struggled to stay open.
The darkness spread as the last thing that he heard was an agitated, "You! Who the hell are you?!"
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
The theater's double doors slammed shut behind her but Sango didn't flinch. Her eyes were fixed on Yura's features. "Oh, yes, Kohaku~" Her smile was saccharine but it didn't reach her eyes. "You came all this way to see him again, didn't you~?"
"Enough games!" Sango threw her flaming boomerang at her cousin. Yura didn't bat an eyelash as she propelled herself off the weapon and onto the railing of the balcony.
As Sango caught Hiraikotsu, Yura's hand landed on her hip. "I almost forgot how much of a fuddy-duddy you are, Sango," she pouted as her toes balanced on the banister. "Fine, your beautiful, kind cousin was going to be the opening act but since you're impatient. We'll move to the main act~" Yura clapped twice, prompting the lights to shut off.
Sango braced herself, but a moment later, two spotlights tore through the darkness. One was centered on Yura and the other aimed at an empty spot on the stage. Yura gestured for the unoccupied light pillar, "If you want to see Kohaku again, take your spot there."
Sango tensed and scoffed but begrudgingly complied with a leap onto the stage. Her eyes squinted as she raised her hand to gaze up at Yura, "I've done what you've asked so show me Kohaku!"
Yura giggled.
In one swift, fluid motion, the Tao situated herself in a sitting position on the balcony railing. "As you wish~" She purred as she pulled a decorative comb from the back of her hair. Sango bristled as Yura began massaging her scalp with the grooming tool.
Another spotlight broke through like the sun through stormy clouds.
Sango's heart skipped a beat when she found her younger brother standing several meters away. His tiny form made the light almost ethereal. He looked even smaller than he did years ago. His body remained in early childhood as Sango grew into a young woman. She was easily twice his height and over twice his age now.
"K...Kohaku..." The sight of him alone obscured him as his form was blurred by a layer of hot moisture. The moment her foot made a motion towards him, the child took an offensive stance and revealed a chained sickle. Sango blinked the tears away as she glared up at Yura. "Of course, you would...you're a Tao after all."
Yura pouted as Kohaku began twirling his chain, "How hurtful, Sango. I requested to use Kohaku after I heard you were arriving today." She crossed her arms and huffed as her legs that hung over the banister bounced, "You really ought to learn some gratitude."
"What's there to be grateful for again?!" Sango snarled. "You're using Kohaku to hurt me!"
"Well, of course, I am," Yura confirmed nonchalantly. "But I thought you'd at least be happy to see him after all this time. He's just been sitting there useless with the other worthless tools."
Sango growled as Kohaku hurled his sickle at her. She vaulted above the weapon as it impacted the stage. "I'm not playing this game!" She proclaimed, mid-air as she launched Hiraikotsu at Yura.
"Hmph," Yura closed her eyes and smiled.
Sango's heart skipped a beat when Kohaku bounded into the air.
Hiraikotsu pounded the child's torso and singed his blue skin.
"K-Kohaku!" Sango called as she landed and caught her boomerang on its rebound. She scrambled to where her brother's body fell motionless. "Kohaku, I'm so sorry!" She couldn't hear Yura's hysterical laughter over her cries.
Sango dropped her weapon and knelt beside Kohaku.
Her hands were shaking as she cupped his cheeks.
'Ice cold...' The feel of his skin and his hollow eyes reminded her of his fate. "Kohaku..." One arm snaked beneath his back and hoisted his upper half into an upright position. She pulled his head beneath her chin. "I'm sorry, Kohaku. Did it hurt...?"
Yura finally composed herself enough to give her kyonshi a silent command. "You're such a fool..."
"ARGH!" Sango's mouth shot open as Kohaku's sickle plunged into her back. 'D-Damn you, Yura...!' She didn't wince as she reached behind her and pulled the offender from her flesh. She released her brother and jumped to her feet, feeling guilt as he fell to the ground motionless. She had to tell herself that it was alright—that he was nothing but a puppet now. But those thoughts didn't soothe her. No matter how she looked at it, this was her brother.
Yura was calmly combing her hair as Sango stepped back to catch her eye. "Yura, come down here and fight me!" She demanded.
"Huh?" Yura blinked as she briefly paused in her preening, "But that wouldn't be any fun for me. Besides..." Sango cautiously took a step back as Kohaku suddenly rose. "You know that I'm a dàoshì. I wouldn't stand a chance against you on my own."
"Damn it..." Sango whispered as Kohaku's spotlight suddenly disappeared. She felt like a lone island in a sea of darkness. Her eyes darted left and right, searching for motion shifts in the void surrounding her.
[Clack.]
Sango turned, unsheathed her dagger to catch Kohaku's chain on the blade.
"Kohaku, stop! It's me!" The elder sibling aimed her voice towards the darkness from where the shaky chain originated. The kyonshi merely yanked on the other end, dragging his sickle and Sango's dagger into the abyss.
The spotlight followed Sango as she dove for her boomerang. One hand was planted on the floor and the other gripped Hiraikotsu as she remained in a low, guarded position.
She waited motionless for the next attack.
Seconds later, her ears detected a blade slicing through the air.
Sango pushed Hiraikotsu before her, shielding her chest from the projectile dagger.
It fell limp from the force of her flaming energy.
Sango took the chance to regain her footing.
"Yura, what do I have to do to make you release Kohaku?!"
Her cousin's combing abruptly stopped.
She was silent as she took in Sango's face.
It reflected resentment, fury, and desperation.
"Well~" Yura's smile widened into a smirk. One leg crossed over the other. "I'll consider it, if you do exactly as I say."
"Fine!" Sango readily agreed then made a grand arm gesture. "But you better not cross me!"
"I wouldn't dream of it, Sango," Yura responded. She made a shooing motion with one hand and instructed, "You can start by dropping that weapon of yours." Sango looked reluctant but she promptly released her grip on Hiraikotsu's strap. "Drop your OverSoul," She added after the boomerang hit the floor.
Sango trembled, despite the calming breath that she took.
"Kirara..." She whispered to her partner. A growl resounded from within Hiraikotsu before the enlarged nekomata emerged from the weapon. "You're on standby," Kirara growled and anxiously circled her mistress as her slitted gaze eyed Yura.
"Now..." Yura looked pleased. Kohaku was illuminated once again, revealing that he was several meters to the right of Sango. He was swinging his chain as his mistress told Sango, "You're going to stand there as Kohaku tears you into little pieces."
Sango's eyes immediately flashed from Yura's sadistic delight to Kohaku's face. 'K-Kohaku...!'
Despite no blood warming his skin...
Despite no heart beating in his chest...
Despite no light shining in his eyes...
Tears were streaming down his cheeks.
Kohaku's face was devoid of emotion—but he was weeping.
'That means, he's still in there!' Sango realized as her feet grew roots to the stage. It meant that even if she wanted to, Sango wouldn't be able to fight him. Damaging his body crushed her with an incomprehensible amount of guilt. Knowing that his mind was trapped somewhere in his body was the nail in the coffin.
"Hmph," Yura stifled a chuckle as she groomed her tresses. "Kohaku, take care of this for me."
Wordless and robotically, Kohaku launched his sickle toward his sister.
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Even after being on the receiving end of Kagome's powers, Manta was still awed when he watched her. Watching ghastly wounds seal up at an accelerated rate was both medically fascinating and a tiny miracle. Ryu's eyelids fluttered and he groaned as the light from Kagome's hand subsided. She leaned back from her position leaning over the older shaman. "There. He should be fine now," She stated softly.
A few moments later, Ryu's eyelids finally parted. But it was a mere fraction as his upper lids remained hooded. Manta promptly leaned closer and smiled widely, "Ryu, I'm so glad that you're alright!"
"Manta and Kagome-sama...?" He still seemed dazed. Ryu was visibly collecting his thoughts as Kagome nodded affirmatively. "What happened...?" He asked. Before the pair could answer, his eyes doubled in size. He scrambled to his feet, grabbing his sword along the way. "Where is he?!"
Manta and Kagome rose from the ground as Tokageroh appeared. The spirit looked irked as he poked Ryu's shoulder and pointed behind him, "Yeah, the little missy already took care of him."
"What?!" Ryu twisted around and paled into a statue.
Hiten lay in a crumpled heap on the floor. His arms were spread straight to his sides, his eyes wide but unreactive, and his mouth ajar. If it weren't for the rises and falls of his chest, Ryu would have mistaken him for dead.
Manta sweatdropped when Ryu collapsed to his hands and knees. His pompadour bent as his head hung low. "D-Damn it... It was up to Kagome-sama to defeat this bastard..."
"It's okay, Ryu. I'm sure Sango-san would be proud to know you fought hard," the blond offered a sympathetic smile and pats to his shoulder.
Kagome nodded in agreement then gestured to the silent demon lord hovering nearby. "Don't be so hard on yourself," She told him. "I'm only able to defeat guys like because of Sesshomaru."
"No... It's not about my ego or anything..." Ryu told them, his voice low. He raised a fist and pounded it into the floor. Kagome and Manta winced at the sickening crunch of knuckles fracturing. "I just...I couldn't afford to lose to scum like him. I was supposed to win and show him that my ideals are stronger. I was fighting for Sango-chama's dignity..." He spat through his grinding teeth. "But I still lost. I failed her..."
Kagome and Manta exchanged concerned looks.
The priestess then squatted next to Ryu's form. She placed her hand on his back and smiled, "I know that you feel like a failure. But believe me when I say that Sango-chan wouldn't see you that way." She rubbed a small circle as she added, "Now, the others might have been reached Tao Yúan by now. You should go help them out."
Ryu looked as if he would sigh, but he settled on a fragile smile. He nodded, mentally telling himself that now wasn't the time to wallow in self-pity, "I will." He stood once again and asked Kagome as she followed suit, "But what will you be doing, Kagome-sama?"
Kagome clapped her hands, a bit too cutely, and told him, "There's something I want to check on~." She then looked at Manta, "Ready to go?"
Manta fist pumped and nodded, "Yeah. Let's go."
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Ran straightened the leg that had been crossed over her other knee. It was the second time that she had shifted her position in that past hour. It was her cue that she truly had grown bored with being a mere observer. She glanced at her husband's profile from her throne next to his. The edges of his mouth were still upturned in a giddy smile. he leaned closer to the projection of his children and their friends. They defeated another wave of kyonshi as they ascended the winding staircase. "Ohoho, at this rate, those kids will be here very soon," He commented. A wave of his hand beckoned the projection of Kagome and Manta to widen. "I hope that Ren will be able to handle this little hell-kitten. She looks like the domineering type."
"Domineering is much too boarish for her," Ran stated. "She's morally upstanding to the point of being volatile."
Yúan looked between the projection and his wife, "Just look at her. She's exorcising her kyonshi reserves instead of helping her friends."
Manta was sweatdropping and smiling awkwardly as he spoke to his friend.
"She's not even listening to the little one."
"You're just upset that she's singlehandedly trampling on generations worth of work," Ran pointed out.
"And you're not?!" Yúan queried incredulously. "Future bride or not, that girl is going to eradicate our entire army at this rate."
"As of right now, that isn't my concern," Ran said as she rose from her chair. "Ren's coming of age will be here before we know it. The future operations of this family will be in his hands."
"You're thinking that far ahead?!" The Head Tao's jaw dropped. "He's still just a child, that's why I'm still taking the time to discipline him!"
"You do that," the woman replied impassively. "I'm going to enact my duty as the Tao matriarch."
True to her words, Ran headed for the door. The projections told her where she needed to go so there was no reason to linger or hesitate.
Yúan almost deadpanned at his wife's empty seat, "...women."
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
A spike of ice shot from the floor and intercepted the sickle. Kohaku was unfazed and used his chain to reclaim his weapon. Sango looked towards the open doors. Light flooded inside, casting a shadow over HoroHoro's familiar form.
Yura huffed and glared at the intruder, "And what are you supposed to be?! I didn't cast a hero for this play!" The doors slammed shut as HoroHoro walked down the main aisle silently. A spotlight followed him as he moved with a blatant, heavy silence. His only response was the clacks of his boots against the floor.
"H-HoroHoro...!" Sango whispered as he climbed onto the stage and stole her gaze. She couldn't find her voice afterward. She had never seen such a frightening expression on his face before. Ever since they first met, HoroHoro had been nothing but grins and laughs. Her mind couldn't comprehend that the person who lovingly dubbed her "San-tan" was capable of such a disposition.
HoroHoro's eyes traveled from Hiraikotu to Kohaku, then Yura.
The Tao's bravado faltered.
Even amongst the countless people who she slaughtered and tormented, no one ever gazed upon her with unadulterated loathing before.
The young man separated Sango and Kohaku with his body.
"San-tan..." HoroHoro's voice was like an arctic wind. "What's the meaning of this?"
"He's my little brother..." Sango answered weakly as her hand rose to her chest. "I can't fight him. And, if I let Yura have her way, she'll set him free."
"That's right." Yura finally found her voice as she shooed at HoroHoro, "Sango and I have a deal going on so you should mind your own business."
Sango didn't know if it was more terrifying seeing his face, or not knowing his expression as his timbre plummeted. "Deal...? What deal?" He questioned, "It looks like you're going to let him kill you."
The hand over her heart tightened as her fingers curled. Her nails dug into her skin. "If that's what it takes..."
"Ridiculous!" HoroHoro bellowed as he formed his Nipopo Oversoul. The giant gauntlet alone made Sango shiver with its frigid aura. "I don't care if they're family or not! I'm not going to stand here and watch you die!"
'Not again...' He told himself as he remembered the last time he neglected someone who he loved. 'I'm not making the same mistake—.' Yura gasped when HoroHoro raced across the stage like a bullet, his movement invisible to her eyes. He drew back his arm as Kohaku was in range. 'EVER AGAIN!'
It would have been so easy.
The boy was a mere doll with no true reflexes.
Only Sango's pleas were strong enough to stop him in his tracks. "HoroHoro, PLEASE!" Her cries were sincere, desperation from the bottom of her heart.
HoroHoro's heart stopped.
His OverSoul dropped.
Only Sango could break his concentration.
He looked over his shoulder and took in her misty eyes and trembling lips.
"P-Please, don't hurt him...!" Sango's voice bubbled as her shoulders bounced with each hiccup. She dropped to her knees and barely supported herself with shaking arms. "Kohaku is..." She shut out the world out with her eyelids. "K-Kohaku is still in there! I'm begging you...!"
"S-San-tan..." HoroHoro's voice mirrored hers. But before he could tend to her, Yura interrupted them.
The Tao called down to him, "You see? Sango is completely committed to this child. She'd rather die than see him get hurt."
"You're disgusting!" HoroHoro barked, his fist shaking up at her. "I won't go easy on you just because you're a girl!"
Yura crossed her arms and smirked, "Oh~? So you're going to ignore poor Sango's feelings~?" She clicked her teeth and shook her head shamefully, "What kind of boyfriend are you? If you really love her, you'd do what makes her happy."
"Yeah, right!" HoroHoro turned to face Sango. "San-tan, get up and fight! Don't let her use your feelings against you!"
"I..." Sango shook her head, but she managed to lift her head and find HoroHoro's conflicted eyes. "I'm sorry... I can't. This is my decision, and..." He caught on to how she forced herself to look at the ground. "I don't need your help, so just go."
Her mouth said one thing, but her body said another.
That's all that he needed to know.
"Like hell, I'm leaving without yo—! URGH!" HoroHoro grunted when Kohaku suddenly swiped at his neck with his sickle. "What the hell, kid?!" Sango gasped and scrambled to her feet when HoroHoro uppercut Kohaku's chin.
"No! Kohaku!" Sango screamed as she dashed to the pair. She shoved HoroHoro to the side and knelt beside her brother's prone form. Her resentment barbed HoroHoro with her glare. "How could you?! I begged you!"
"Watch out!" HoroHoro suddenly dove, dragging Sango along with him, just before Kohaku could impale her again. The two crashed to the floor, their spotlights combined into one.
Yura giggled as she watched them untangle themselves, "I'm actually a fan of tragic love stories like this one. So I'll propose you a new deal, just for you, HoroHoro-kun." She was delighted as he stood and turned his full attention to her. "I'll uphold my end of my deal with Sango, if..." She relished the horrified look on Sango's face as she finished, "You take her place."
HoroHoro's mulling drowned out Sango's pleas to ignore the proposition. His brows furrowed as he searched for clarification, "Are you promising to let San-tan and her brother go if I let him kill me...?"
"Mmhm~" Yura beamed giddily. "You can take her place and both will get to walk away. Isn't that a generous offer?"
It took a mere second to decide.
"...deal."
"HoroHoro, NO!" Sango shook her head. "This isn't your problem! You don't get to—!"
"Just kidding~" Yura giggled as Kohaku unsheathed a hidden dagger and lurched at his sister.
Ribbons of crimson spewed and splattered across the stage.
And at that moment, Sango remembered what led her to this point.
'Treacherous, malicious creatures...' She remembered. 'That's what the Tao family is...'
Sango's strength felt all but drained as she collapsed to her knees.
HoroHoro's body had already dropped to the floor seconds prior.
"HoroHoro..." Sango pulled his head into her lap. "W-Why...?" The deep crimson stain on his shirt was spreading farther and farther. "Why would you do that for me...?" His eyes and face were scrunched. "I don't even... I don't even love you..."
His fluttered eyes opened, and Sango couldn't explain her instant regret.
He smiled weakly and managed a chuckle, "I know..." He told her. His wavering grin allowed a trail of blood to run down his chin. "B-But you don't need to."
"I..." Those words were lost on Sango. "I don't understand."
Despite his apparent pain, HoroHoro's smile was still so warm.
Sango couldn't make sense of the way he looked up at her.
"You know..." Before she knew it, HoroHoro's voice sucked her in. "Y-You're usually so guarded..." He told her, stifling a chuckle. "Even when you want to laugh or smile, you hide it behind your hand."
Everything.
Yura.
The stage.
Kohaku.
Everything faded away.
Sango never felt so misplaced before.
Was it raining in here...?
What were those shimmering globs falling on HoroHoro's cheeks?
"T-This is the first time...the first time you showed me your vulnerable side..." Against all odds, his smile spread. It was only after blinking that Sango realized that her vision had been blurry. "It's more beautiful than I could have imagined."
She didn't notice HoroHoro's shaking hand rising until it was cupping her cheek. Sango found herself leaning into his touch and gripping that hand. "HoroHoro, hang on! I'm going to get you out of here!"
Sango's heart skipped a beat as he gave her a closed-eye smile.
"I know."
With those words, HoroHoro's face relaxed and arm fell limp.
Authoress' Notes: This chapter took longer than I wanted to write, but it's 500% because I'm terrible at fight scenes. Writing them is complete misery for me but hopefully, it wasn't as bad reading them. Oop. Moving along, I thank everyone for their feedback! It's very encouraging to know that people still enjoy this story. I'm touched, truly. Because I know that this fanfic is probably a bit wild and confusing.
Feedback interact:
Jane - In regards to your inquiry from chapter 48 about Kagome's internal ['Ren...I've loved you for a long time.'], it is canon for this timeline and, yes, Kagome does realize that she loves Ren. That was this Kagome's innermost feelings. Forgive my inconsistent formatting. I'll eventually circle back around to that chapter and previous ones to make everything uniform to avoid further confusion, but to confirm, yes. Ren's feelings are reciprocated, and she is aware of that.
Yuu-chan - The harem is in full swing now, complete with an actual love triangle. It's messy, I know. Even after 50something chapters, I'm not giving Kagome a break just yet. She has a lot of feelings and meddlers to deal with now.
Kurama - Welcome to the story! Ren/Kagome fluff is imminent as it's a top contender against Yoh/Kagome and Hao/Kagome. I normally don't spoil endings but I'll be frank in saying that Miroku/Sango won't see the light of day in this fanfic. I'm slowly but surely working out things with Anna. The poor girl is heartbroken and it takes time for people to reconcile when it comes to things like that. As for your other questions, you all will find out in the next installment!