Welcome to another chapter of Senran Kagura New World. Today we're going deeper into the stories lore as well as a minor call back to Chapter 1 opening. I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Senran Kagura series or any of their characters. I do however own the original plot which has been amended by my beta here and there.

Warning: More strong sexual content and language but hey it's Senran Kagura, it's to be expected.

Chapter 19 - The Shadow Mark

I could only smile as Kat proclaimed her relief, but how hard was Kat hugging me? My chest started to hurt because of whatever she had against it, "Kat, you're hurting my chest with whatever you have against it."

Kat backed up a bit and I saw that nothing was in between us, "Sorry Renka-Honey. I must've squeezed them together."

That thought sent my mind to dirty places, but I soon heard Mirai speak up from behind us, "Hey you two! The match may be over but we have a bigger situation on our hand!"

The next thing I heard was all the boos from the crowd! I looked around at all the scowling faces, "Wait, what?"

Kat immediately started to flip a few of them off, "What the hell!? What's their problem!?"

Mirai sighed, "It was the finishing move your friend used back there blondie! So stop flipping off the crowd!"

I looked at Mirai, "What about my finishing move?"

Mirai looked to me but her expression was unreadable, "You probably didn't see it cause you were too in the moment, but people are starting to suspect foul play right now. Go to the waiting room and rewatch that last moment. Maybe then you'll be able to see it, but right now your victory is being called into question."

I was so confused but I did as she said and went into the waiting room. My mother was there and when she saw me, she gave me this look that said she was torn, "What the hell Renka!? Have these always been your powers!?"

I just started at her, still pretty confused as to what was going on, "What's wrong with them?"

My mom looked at me like I was joking and that she didn't find it amusing at all, "You just displayed the same powers as someone with a Shadow Mark, don't give me 'what's wrong with them' bullshit!"

My brow furrowed, 'Shadow Mark!?'

Kat was the one to inquire, "What the hell is a Shadow Mark!?"

My mom soon rubbed her temples, most likely fighting an oncoming migraine, "You girl's cannot be this stupid! I used to tell you about this all the time as a child Renka!"

I tried to recall but came up blank, "Sorry. I don't remember any of that." I've been so stressed about the match that I barely remember what I had for dinner yesterday, let alone what my mom would tell me as a kid.

My mom let out a breath of sheer frustration, "Honestly Renka! About the time of Grand Councilwoman Miyabi's proposal of the Shinobi Barrier, the Grand Council has been worried about a certain group of shinobi. They were the type of shinobi that would murder anyone who would get in their way innocent or not! They each bear a mark on their body known as a Shadow Mark! Five shinobi in all, they call themselves the Crimson Shadows!"

I tilted my head, "Crimson Shadows!? Well, how does all that tie in with what you used to tell me?!"

Mom put her hands on my shoulders which sent me into a mini-state of panic, "I used to tell you the story about the bearers of the Shadow Mark cause it was an old children's story! That's why a lot of us were surprised when we found out it was real!"

I nodded, "Oh, okay. Sorry, but I don't remember any of that."

The Tv came in super loud, Miss R was onscreen, "Well, it's been crazy after the conclusion of the first match of the Kohana Tournament, with many calling Miss Renka Mikagura's victory questionable due to the fact that she displayed the same powers as someone from the Crimson Shadows!"

Mister K came out onto the screen, "Uh-oh, Crimson Shadows!? Do you mean the very same group with all those assassins in them!?"

Miss R nodded, "The very same! It seems some people are suspecting poor Renka of being a member! Especially after that final move, the Violet Lightning!"

After that my last move came on screen. After I struck Hanabi with my lightning from my foot, which was still normal color, I saw myself shouting. I could see Hanabi staggering and then I quickly ran up to her and I saw myself declaring my victory but then I saw the weirdest thing.

My eyes turned purple and this didn't go unnoticed, Miss R pointed straight to my eyes, "As you can see Mikagura's eyes here go purple as she is about to unleash her Violet Lightning, which is a clear sign of someone bearing a Shadow Mark!"

I just stared at the screen dumbfounded, "I-It is?"

The footage moved forward and I saw my hand go into what looked like one of Minori's portals and pulled out my taiko drums. I stared dumbfounded, "H-How did I do that? I don't have that kind of power!"

I saw myself bounce the drums into place around Hanabi and my sis realized too late. When I started pounding the drums I saw my eyes go a deep violet color. I had watched the whole attack over again and saw myself and the new powers I had displayed. I looked to Kat, "I-Is this what I looked like?"

Kat shrugged, "Not too sure. Was too far away when I was watching."

I nodded gently and looked back at the screen. I watched as I saw myself shout Violet Lightning and finish the attack. Then mom pointed to the screen, "See what I mean!? Did you ever have these powers before!?"

I shook my head, "No, when I displayed my powers the first time they weren't like that. I barely remember how I won in the first place."

Mom put her hand to her chin, "I see. So something must've happened in between the time of then and now. Maybe we oughta have Nurse Haruka examine you." She lets out a huff and I see age lines creasing her forehead.

I flinched at my mom's words, "E-Examine!? Why!?"

Mom looks to me again, face completely serious, "One: to check out what caused the irregularity on your powers. And two: to check your body so you don't have any Shadow Marks on you."

I flinched once more, "Shadow Marks!? You think I might have a Shadow Mark on me!?"

Mom looked at me seriously, "It pays to be careful darling."

Kat, however, was getting worried, "Wait, Renka-Honey are you sure you're gonna be okay!? I mean, they're not gonna strap you to some table and experiment, are they!?"

I nodded, "I'm sure. I don't think my mom would let them do anything like that to me."

Mom shook her head, "Hell no!"

Kat breathed a sigh of relief, "Well, alright. If you need me, I'll be in there in a flash."

I nodded to Kat, "Alright. Thank you."

Soon my mom took me to a room where Nurse Haruka was waiting. Haruka noticed our arrival, "Miss Mikagura, I've been expecting you."

I just smiled and waved sheepishly. Mom crosses her arms, "I hate to have to ask you this Haruka, but can you examine my daughter's body for a Shadow Mark."

The smile the spread across Haruka's face was frightening, "All right. I don't have a problem with this."

Mom saw the smile and quickly added, "Just examine, got it!?"

Haruka just nodded gleefully, "Don't worry Mrs. Mikagura. Your daughter will be in good hands."

Mom sighed, "That's what I'm worried about. Just don't do anything weird to her."

Haruka's next smirk was even more frightening, "Now whatever would give you the idea that I'd do something weird to your daughter, ma'am?"

Mom looked to me, "She touches you any place you are uncomfortable with, just scream, dear."

I nodded, "Got it."

Mom left and Haruka started to read through some flies, "Now Renka, if you can, be a dear and strip down till you're fully nude, dear."

I looked at her with this shocked look and remained perfectly still. Hakura rolled her eyes and made this motion with her hand, "The Shadow Mark can appear anywhere on your body dear. That's why it's necessary for you to strip down." She spoke deadpanned, almost like a real doctor who just had to explain to a child for the 10th time why they were getting a shot… bad thought. No needles, please.

I sighed, but only took off the outfit mom gave me and left everything else on, "This is all you'll get off of me! The private parts will stay private, got it!?"

Haruka massaged her temples, "I can't give you the complete examination if you keep something's covered up, Mikagura."

I pouted, "Well, tough. I doubt these kinds of marks would appear in those locations anyway."

Haruka looked skeptically at me, "How can you be sure, Mikagura?"

I smirked, "I'm like ninety percent sure."

Haruka frowned, "Fine." Later after the examination, Haruka put her hand to her chin, "Well, the entirety of your body is clear from what I can tell." After writing something down, Haruka looked to me, "People are still gonna be unconvinced since you won't fully strip, but that's gonna be your problem, not mine."

I crossed my arms, "I'll deal with it."

Haruka shook her head in disappointment and continued writing, "I cannot find what caused this irregularity in your powers, however."

I nodded and put back on the clothes that I got from mom and went back outside to Kat and mom went into the room to discuss with Haruka. Kat was waiting patiently and smiled wide when she saw me, "Renka-Honey, how did it go?"

I gave her a thumbs up, "I'm a-okay, Kat-baby!"

Kat got up and threw her arms around me hugging me tightly after that. I blushed and felt my chest starting to hurt again, "C-Come on, Kat! You're hurting me again!"

Kat backed up rubbing the back of her head awkwardly, "S-Sorry."

I shook my head, "It's not like I don't like it. You're just a bit forceful is all."

Kat's eyes went wide for a second, but soon a smile spread across her lips and her face went red, "O-Okay!"

Mom came out looking disappointed at me, "Really Renka? Don't disgrace yourself and our family name!"

I looked to mom, "What?"

Mom walked a bit forward, "You're on the fast track to success right now! You passed your first match, don't disgrace your efforts now by refusing to comply with Haruka's instructions!"

I quickly countered, "I wasn't gonna let a stranger see me like that! I don't even let you see me like that anymore, you know that!"

Mom places her hands on her hips, I could see her patience running thin, "Yes I know, but this is very important Renka! The judges are getting ready to declare Hanabi the winner, and I know for a fact that if Hanabi hears of this, she'll forfeit the next match cause she'll think she doesn't deserve it!"

I quickly shook my head, "I'm sticking by my decision mother! If they disqualify me, then so be it!"

"Just swallow your pride young lady and do it! You're risking your entire future because you're refusing to cooperate with us! We just want to help you!"

"Well, I don't want your help! I shouldn't be accused in the first place! If everyone would stop acting like paranoid idiots and hounding me then maybe I'd-"

The look of fury my mom gave was the last thing I could focus on at that moment, because the next thing I knew, I was looking towards the right with my cheek stinging and a sharp sound hitting my ears.

My mom just hit me… Tears fell from my eyes while my brain went numb and Kat jumps in-between us, "I don't care who you are, if you do that to Renka again, I won't show you any mercy, understand?" Her voice was low, filled with venom and I swear it looked like she was about to kill my mother at that moment.

My mom scoffed at Kat's threat and left the room.

Kat quickly turned around and touched my cheek gently, which didn't hurt anymore, but I could still feel my moms hand on my face. She massages it gently and I place my hand on top of hers. Tears continue to fall down my face as Kat spoke to me, "Renka-Honey, I'm so sorry that happened. If I knew she was gonna do that, I would've stopped her. Some friend I am, can't even protect the one that matters the most to me."

I looked into Kat's eyes, "K-Kat…"

Tears fell from her eyes as well, indicating it was hurting her a lot too. At that point, I saw Kat's face inching closer and closer to mine. I noticed this but did not back away. Kat even went the extra step and pulled me closer to her. I didn't even fight when she did this. Putting her arms around me with her face very close to mine I put my hands on her hips, "This is your chance to object, Renka-Honey. I think you know what I'm about to do."

I shook my head, "Kat, I don't want to object."

Kat smirked, "Alright."

Kat's face inched closer and closer to mine, I felt my cheeks heat up as I drew my own face closer too. As our lips brushed each others' Minori came into the room, "Guys the second match…. is… ove-... um?"

We both froze, stuck on that position like deer in headlights. Kind of forgot there was an outside world happening all around us.

Minori stared, eyes very wide, "Tell me you guys are just playing a game right now. I seriously can't deal with this right now."

My mind was overwhelmed, 'Please don't let anyone else come now. Please don't let anyone else come now. Please don't let anyone else come now!'

Without any warning whatsoever Minori falls to the ground and I break away from Kat and pick up Minori, "Minori, are you okay? Minori!" I shook her shoulder, but all we got was a weak whimper.

Minori groaned a bit, and Kat kneeled down next to me, "It must be that fever you and I had the other day, Renka-Honey!"

I looked to Kat, "So what does this mean!? Minori won't be able to attend her match!?"

Kat nodded, "I'm afraid so, Renka-Honey."

More tears fell from my eyes, "Damn it! Why is everyone else always paying the price for my stupid mistakes! Why can't I just stop being a goddamn burden to everyone!"

Kat shook her head immediately, "No, Renka-Honey you aren't a burden. You're not stupid either. Everyone makes mistakes. You can't control an illness from spreading either."

I pounded the ground, "Kat, I'm useless! I'm so weak, I can't even fight my own battles unless your help or some supposed Shadow Mark intervenes!"

Kat placed her hand on my shoulders, "Renka-Honey listen, you don't have a Shadow Mark! I'd bet my life on it. That's how much I believe in you."

I shook my head, "Ugh! You don't know that, Kat! Not entirely!"

Kat then shook me, "Then let your mom or someone else close to you examine your body Renka-Honey! Nothing is gonna get done if all we do is whine about it!"

I looked at Kat, "Whine!? My mom hasn't seen me like that in years, Kat! I prefer to keep all that to myself!"

I heard the Tv go off, Miss R's voice boomed through the halls, "What an intense match, but the winner is Murasaki Yahagi!"

Mister K then appeared onscreen next to her, "We've also got some more news regarding that first match! It seems the judges are allowing Renka Mikagura to keep her victory, but on the grounds of not using those strange powers anymore!"

Miss R nodded, "Renka can avoid this by getting the full body examination before Wednesday, where she'll be facing off against Murasaki Yahagi!"

Mister K soon points, "Since the first two matches have been decided, the third will take place shortly!"

The Tv soon goes back to commercials and I sighed, "So my victory is safe for now..."

Kat took my hands into hers, "See!? There ya go! Now all you have to do is let someone examine you and you'll be all set to use your full power against Murasaki!"

My face heats up upon hearing these words, "Kat, no one has seen me without clothes on for years."

Kat shook her head, "That's kind of untrue, Renka-Honey! Remember this morning!? Both Minori and I. I especially got a good look! So your mom shouldn't be that much of a problem!"

I shook my head, "But that was different. You guys both knew to look away, but for this examination, someone will be purposely looking at me. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this..."

Kat sighed, clearly she wanted me to continue in this tournament more than anything, but I just didn't want to continue anymore. Not if it meant facing my friends up the brackets. I gave Kat one of my best smiles, "Don't worry about it, Kat. It's my problem, not yours."

Kat shook her head, "But Renka-Honey, I only want you to continue in this cause I want us to both become Elites together because you're what matters to me the most right now."

My smile grew even bigger which strained to work with my sore cheek, "I know Kat, but there will be somethings that are out of my control."

Kat looked away, "I know." The hurt in her voice was clearly evident.

I saw Yagyu staring us down. I separated from Kat and Yagyu looked straight at me and was even eyeing me up and down. I was a little bit embarrassed but cleared my throat, "Do you need something?"

All Yagyu did was a smirk, "So people think you have the Shadow Mark, do they?"

I stomped my foot, "They can think that all they want! They're all wrong, every single one of them!"

Yagyu chuckled, "Is that what you think? How funny."

I've been having a really sucky day and this girl running her mouth wasn't making it any easier, "Funny!? Why is it funny!?"

Yagyu smirked, tilting her chin up, "Cause your Powers are very similar to one that bears a Shadow Mark."

"Everyone says that." I said defensively, "Doesn't mean that it's true though."

Yagyu nodded, "Yes but not everyone has seen an actual Shadow Mark, unlike me. So when I say it's very similar, it truly is."

"Bullshit Yagyu!" I screamed out, "I don't have a Shadow Mark! Even if you say my powers are similar, I won't believe it until an actual mark appears on my body!"

Yagyu scoffed, "If you say so, but remember you won't be able to use your full powers until you prove to everyone else that you have no Shadow Mark."

Yagyu laughed as she walked away. It was kind of creepy now that I think about it. I shout at her after her, "Oh yeah? Well you know you're not allowed to wear your uniform like that in the matches!"

After Yagyu was gone, I sighed, "God Damn it. Why is everyone always suspecting me? I don't have a Shadow Mark, do I?"

Kat shook her head, "No, you don't Renka-Honey. I'd stake my only chance of becoming an Elite on it. If you really do, then I'll forfeit my upcoming match tomorrow."

I stared at Kat in surprise, and she nodded with a big grin on her face, "That's how much I believe in you, Renka-Honey"

I didn't want Kat doing this but the moment I tried to protest Ikaruga-Sensei comes running in. She stops for a second to catch her breath and looked up to see us, "Mikagura? And Kobayashi? What're you two doing here?"

Kat put her arms behind her, "Nothing, Ikaruga-Sensei. Just discussing something important."

I nodded, "But what're you doing here? And why are you in such a hurry Sensei?"

Ikaruga looked pretty flustered to answer, but all her composure dropped when we heard, "Oh, Sssiiitttttteeeerrrr!~"

Poor Ikaruga sighed, "For Pete's sake!"

In came a very tall man with raven black hair. Ikaruga wipes the sweat off her brow as the man spoke, "Ikaruga, how can you just run away from your brother like that!?"

My eyebrow raised as this man looked strangely familiar. With a loud and audible "Oh!", the man froze as he looked at me.

Ikaruga became concerned as she looked to her brother, "M-Murasame!? What is it!?"

He just continued to stare, so my face heated up from embarrassment, "W-What!? What the hell are you looking at me like that for!?"

The man, named Murasame finally, laughed, "I finally found you, you bitch!"

Murasame then pointed to me, and my anger rose up quickly, "What did you just call me!?"

Murasame brought out his weapon, which looked to be a chain and sickle, "It's payback time for kicking my ass over a month ago!"

It all came flooding back to me all at once. I had seen this man before. He was that guy whose ass I kicked cause he was harassing that little girl!

Chapter End

Side story 5 - Murasame The Bully

It was the first day back to school, my third year started soon. So I needed to be on time for my first day. Hanabi had to leave early due to some kind of Shinobi Sailor business. I'll never understand how she even caught that rapist anyway, the guy must've been a complete idiot.

I ran downstairs to see Kafuru still eating her breakfast, one leg crossed over and resting on her other. She paused when she saw me, pancake on her fork a mear inches from her mouth, "Do you need something Renka?"

Looking at her in the teachers' attire was so new to me. I still couldn't believe she was gonna be a teacher at New World Academy starting today. I shook my head, "Nothing. I'm just not used to seeing you in that get up. I'm used to you being my younger, smaller, sister."

Kafuru chuckled, "Well, get used to it! I am a mature lady after all."

I looked to the bust of her top and noticed that it was rather loose around Kafuru's chest due to a lack of… ahem, chest. I smirked and leaned forward, "Well you certainly don't fill out that outfit Miss Lady."

Kafuru's face turned red and she dropped her pancake back onto her plate, "Mom, Renka's making fun of my small frame again!"

Mom soon came downstairs, "Girls, girls. Please stop fighting. Tell me you guys aren't gonna do that at school today?"

I just crossed my arms, "As long as I don't get a class with her, that promise can be fulfilled easily."

Mom was fixing her hair into a ponytail, "Renka, you should get going, dear. You'll be late for school at this rate."

I quickly took some food out of the cupboard and stuffed it into my mouth, "Fey mom, luf fu!*"

"Don't talk with your mouth full, it's not ladylike!"

I quickly bolt out the door head out in the direction of New World Academy. Racing across a few crosswalks illegally, I was about to pass an alleyway when I heard sobbing. I stopped in my tracks and saw this tall man with Raven black hair and a small little girl crying below him.

I saw his hand filled with cash, as he chuckled, "Oh come on! If you don't wanna owe me, then pay me up front next time!"

I got in close and hid, 'Pay? Is he taking her money?' That was Murasame.

The girl just bawled her eyes out, "Please sir, I don't have the money to keep this up! How am I supposed to survive?"

Murasame laughed evilly, "Then you'd better work twice as hard to support the both of us little girl!" Another cold laugh echoed throughout the alley. Okay, this needed to stop.

I came out from my corner, "Hey, stupid! Just what do you think you're doing!?"

Murasame looked over to me with only a single eye, "What's this!? You brought back up, did you!?"

The poor girl shook her head frantically, "No."

I pointed to him, "Leave her alone, you big lug!"

Then Murasame looked over to me, "Pardon? Just what the hell do you think you're doing!? You don't actually think you can actually beat me do you, girlie!?"

'G-Girlie!?' I soon retorted, "I can! Why don't you shut up and come at me already! Then you'll see how strong I really am!"

Murasame let out a laugh, "You've got guts, girlie! I like that! Tell ya what, as a reward for standing up to me, I promise I won't damage your pretty looks! I'll just damage your worthless body instead!" Murasame brought out his chain and sickle and then shouted, "Super Speed!"

As he went all over the place trying to confuse me. I thought, 'I'll show him who's worthless! If he thinks super speed is gonna help him in this scenario, then he's got another think coming! This big lug is mistaken if he thinks he can defeat me with just that!'

I put my hands on my hips, "If that's all you got, this battle will end before I have had any time to get started!"

The big lug just laughs, "Speed is weight girlie! There's no way a girl like you can defeat a guy like me! It's a given!"

Now that pissed me off, most of the strongest Shinobi I know are all Kunoichi! Mistress Sayuri, Asuka, Homura, Yumi, Miyabi, Mom, Hikage, Ikaruga, Imu, Yozakura, even my own sister was strong… wow, that was a long list. My hand balled into a fist, "Well if you think you can defeat me just because I'm a girl, go ahead and try, you ugly sack of garbage!" He was in for a rude awakening!

He really got mad after that, "That's it! Now I'm gonna kill you, you bitch!"

I was even seeing red after that comment and after our exchange and me pounding his face straight to the dirt, it came to me. Ikaruga's brother, Murasame! He was the guy I had beaten up that day! He was picking on that little girl, so I pounded him into the ground! I had forgotten until now!

Huh… he really was a forgettable human, no wonder Ikaruga ran from him.

Side Story End

* "Key mom, love you!"

Well, that's all for now. Next time is Yomi's match and maybe a little extra bonus too. You never know! My beta could have a strange obsession with certain characters that I hadn't planned on exploring until she said something. So who knows what could happen. Anyway that's all for now, I bid you all farewell for now. Ayame out!