A/N: Sup Y'all. How's everyone doing? Good I hope as for me I am doing good, it looks like work has finally stabilized and shit is going back to normal. Anyways I hope that everyone has some holiday plans and if not... Hang out with friends, go out and explore, and do anything that gets you out of your funk. Reason being for this is because the Holidays are rough on people who don't have family or friends to spend them with and well...I have to deal with aftermath of the outcomes with people who take their own lives. I say this because I want you guys to know that I appreciate your time and input as well as the encouragement. So keep that chin up and live the life you can be proud of, your life and fate is your own to control.
Well Aside from that PSA, I got plans for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. So I'll be out of commission and off the grid until next year since I got vacation and other stuff planned but I hope to release chapters and I guess I'll do a poll so see if guys want me to work on another project to spice things up for the new year.
DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING BUT THESE BRAIN ROTTED ZOOMERS WHO KEEP SAYING THING I DON'T UNDERSTAND. ALL PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERS BELONG TO LILITH SOFT AND OTHER CORPOS.
Part II
Chapter 8
Bust'n Makes Me Feel...Post Bust Clarity.
***The Next Day***
Gosha Academy
Kotaro was back at the Academy with Hebiko and Shikanosuke as Kaiser went off to do his own thing. After the Recon Mission with Kotaro and Sakura, Kaiser had taken some time off to seclude himself in his room and made regular trips to the T.T.F database room and library. It had seem that whatever had happen at the ruins changed the young and wild Taimanin into a more serious and reserved person that he was once when he was a child. This shocked many people but none more than Asagi and Shiranui who both knew him before he started his rebellious phase and were concerned about what was happening. Even though Kaiser kept saying he was fine, they knew that he was not telling them everything and that worried them greatly.
Outside of Gosha Academy
"Looking for ghost? Sounds like a fun mission." Hebiko said as her preppy and cheerful mood was infectious... except for one.
"A ghost ruin, huh...?" Shikanosuke said as he was bit unsure about the mission.
Both of them were expecting one more voice to join them that was Haughty and Confident but Kaiser was off with his own thoughts.
Kaiser had been like this since he came back from the ruins after Kotaro returned with Sakura-Sensei. He had lock himself in his room and was visiting the Library on base very often. He had gather an absurd amount of books and scrolls on demons, ruins, and ancient history. He even picked up some materials from other countries to add to his collection as he looked tired and exhausted whenever he left his room. But whenever anyone asked him about what was wrong, he would just brush them it off or told them it was nothing. Kotaro and the team knew something was up but even they couldn't get anything out of Kaiser.
It also didn't help that he kept asking about the whereabouts of Rinko Akiyama and to his frustration there nothing new as to what happened to her. This made him on edge as he was warned by Asagi and his Superiors that if he tried to pull off another unauthorized Rescue Mission like the one he did 5 years ago then nothing will stop the Elders from executing him, not even his mother or Kotaro will be save him if he so chooses to disobey orders. Asagi assured him that she had her best trackers looking for Rinko and will inform him once they find her.
This did little to put him or Yukikaze at ease.
Regardless Kaiser was dead set on keeping his promises as he first had to deal with his current mission with Kotaro after which he would go looking for Rinko, whether or not if Asagi or the Elders approved. This did not sit well with Kotaro who voiced his opinion about how Kaiser was acting, but Kaiser simply brush him off saying that he has no right to interfere in his personal business and that he would focus on their mission until it was done.
Kotaro dropped the subject as he knew needed to focus on mission, but he would keep an eye on Kaiser to make sure he didn't do anything reckless.
"Kai-kun... is everything alright?" Hebiko asked as she looked at him with concern.
"I'm fine," Kaiser replied as he chewed on a piece of jerky he had on his person.
"You've been acting strange ever since you came back." Hebiko said as she narrowed her eyes.
"It's nothing you should be worried about," Kaiser said as he threw away the jerky he was chewing on.
"But it's not nothing," Hebiko argued.
"Look, Hebiko. I promise you that nothing is wrong with me. So, just drop it!" Kaiser shouted.
"What is wrong with you, Kaiser? Did something happen?" Hebiko asked.
"... It's nothing that you should worry about." Kaiser said as he was not going talk about the subject anymore.
Hebiko watched him walked away as she wondered what was going on with Kaiser as he has been acting strange since he came back from the Ruins with Kotaro. She knew Kaiser well enough to know that he wasn't telling them everything as he always keeps some secrets to himself. Hebiko hopes that it's not something that would jeopardize the mission or affect their friendship.
"Do we really have to go at night...?" Shikanosuke complained but was mostly ignored as Kaiser didn't even chastise the femboy's cowardice.
Hebiko decided that now was a good time to intervene and try to change the mood as it was becoming too gloomy with Kaiser Brooding and Kotaro being stressed out.
"What are you talking about? By going at night, we can set the mood for the investigation." She said with a wink and Kotaro grinned, getting what she was trying to do.
"Not to mention that we're a lot less likely to get noticed under the cover of darkness." Kotaro said as he began to relax.
"But still...the idea of going at night to a place like that gives me the creeps...uehhh... I think I need to use the bathroom." Shikanosuke said in fear, shaking in his boots.
"Just think of this as a test of courage. We're close to the academy, and with the five of us here, including Kaiser, we'll be fine." Kotaro said bluntly as he patted him on the back, causing Shikanosuke to whine loudly.
"Are you really scared of some stupid ruins?" Kaiser asked as he glared at Shikanosuke who began to sweat bullets, looking like a small mouse under a cat's paw.
"I-I'm not scared!... you said five but there are only four of us?" Shikanosuke protested while still cowering in fear. "Hiiiii! Come on man don't say stuff like that!"
"No, I didn't mean it like that after all Sensei will be coming with us...isn't that right Sakura-Sensei?" Kotaro said as Shikanosuke's shadow began to move as Sakura appeared behind him.
"Wow! So you found out!" Sakura said with a smile on her face as she gave Kotaro a couple of head pats.
"Uhyaaaa!Sakurai-Sensei?!" Shikanosuke cried out in surprise as the small femboy was just about to wet himself.
"(Sigh) Using your Ninja Arts just to tag along. You really like spiritual stuff, don't you?" Kotaro sighs as he knew that Sakura wouldn't let thing end so easily.
"Nyahahaha! Keep this a secret from Sis... I mean, the school's principal, okay guys " Sakura laughs innocently as she teases Hebiko and Shikanosuke as she pulls them to her chest causing both of them to blush.
"A-Ah, Sensei? C-Can you please let me go... nyaaa" Shikanosuke pleaded as he was practically being suffocated by Sakura's large breasts.
"(Sigh) Seriously, Sensei...fine whatever. Let's just get going on." Kaiser said as the young Taimanin went on ahead.
At least with Sakura joining them, Kotaro felt more comfortable as having a veteran watch their back did put him at ease but also... it would help them keep an eye on Kaiser.
Sakura also had an ulterior motive for joining the Independent Rangers on their mission as she was worried that her favorite student Kaiser, had been acting strange for the past few days as he seemed restless. Gone was the Wild and Loud Boy and instead was replaced by a Quiet and Reserved young man who was looking up old case files, reading books on Demonology and researching stuff that Sakura could barely understand. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was going on and she wanted to investigate for herself. She knew that Asagi wouldn't approve of her sneaking around behind her back, but Sakura hoped she would understand once everything was over. She did all this to keep Kaiser from doing something that he might regret as she...actually like the young man who was rough on the outside but was kind and selfless to those close to him.
*** Mountain Range Surrounding Gasha Village***
With Kotaro and Hebiko on the other side, Sakura found herself staying close to Kaiser as they made their way back to the ruins in the mountains. The Team arrived near the ruins around sunset as the ruins were silent except for the rustling of leaves as the wind blew through the trees, it was creepy, to say the least. The path was totally dark and weird noises were carried out by the wind.
"Zaa...te...Ri...zaaz"
"Did someone say something ?" Kotaro asks as he looked back to his team.
"Aah. Sorry, my radio sounded." Hebiko said as she turned off her radio.
"Radio?" Kotaro asks in confusion as he wondered why Hebiko would bring one on this mission.
"There's no problem, right? I borrowed it from Shikanosuke-chan." Hebiko said as she showed her friends a small radio that had an antenna attached to it.
"Why are you carrying a radio any way?" Kotaro asks as he kept walking on the path while keeping his eyes out for any danger in the darkness.
"For the weather forecast." Hebiko responded.
"Can't you do that with your smart phone?" Kotaro asks, knowing that Hebiko has a smart phone on her.
"Ehehe, Your getting soft. Phone signals don't reach deep in the mountains. So in times like this, you have to stick to the old ways. My grandmother say so!" Hebiko retorted with a smug expression on her face.
"She's right. If it ain't broke don't fix." Kaiser said agreeing with Hebiko as he was always values Function over Form and often hated the unnecessary complexity of modern technology, this led to many calling him an old man when it came to tech. "Seriously how can you not know this, One Eye?".
"Oh shut up Kaiser. Don't you always say to embrace change as well?" Kotaro said.
"Don't try to butter me up with my own words." Kaiser argued back.
Before the Two boys could argue even more a cold wet sensation hit their heads as Sakura looked up to the sky and saw dark clouds gathering.
"Oh...Rain."
"Look like we didn't have to check the radio, huh?" Hebiko said awkwardly as the down pour soaks the team.
"Fuck my life..." Kaiser grumbled.
"This really sets the mood~ But somehow, this rain feels like bad news." Sakura said as she was trying to keep a positive attitude.
Kotaro having a unsettling feeling agreed with his teacher as the he looked over at Hebiko.
"Your right... Something feels bad about this rain...Hebiko, you like the rain, right?" Kotaro asks as he too was trying to keep his team spirits up but one look at Kaiser said anything otherwise.
"Oh yeah! Hebiko's beast transformation is an octopus, so you have no problems with rain... that's pretty interesting." Sakura said with a happy tone as she too noticed Kaiser's mood get even more sour.
Unbeknownst to the group, Kaiser hated the rain. When he first woke up in the forest with no memories or even clothes for that matter, the young boy at the time was wandering in the cold rain in the forest, cold and hungry before he met Shiranui. This was his first memories he had of his life when he woke up and ever since Kaiser has always hated the rain as it reminded him out hollow and empty he was before he had a family.
"Hmm. Well, I remember crying at first because I wanted a cool ninja skill like Sakura-Sensei. I guess I like this much more now." Hebiko said as she was not bothered by the cold rain.
"Well it's always been One Taimanin. One Ability. This is the one thing we can't choose." Sakura explained as Kotaro looked down in disappointment.
It was no secret that the Fuma Clan had a special clan Bloodline ex-elemental Ninja art that was tied directly to their eyes as this ability was called the 'Evil-Eye' was not just one but a multitude of subtype abilities which are connected to their own eyes.
The 'Evil-Eye' is not a single Ninja Art, but an umbrella term for multiple different abilities with similar activation, often shared by the Fuma clan. They act as a status and legitimacy symbol for clan members. They are activated by gazing with an evil looking glowing eye at their target.
In some cases the eye will change its color, glowing red or gold, in other cases additional eye symbols appear on the forehead. Some versions require the user to close their normal eyes, but that is not the norm for some. In order to use the effect, often vision can't be broken or is required at least to be activated. However, otherwise, the Evil-Eye abilities are often varied different between each other.
Every single evil eye is inherited, but advanced abilities can be achieved within the special type. As such, a hypnotic ability which causes paralyzes might physically freeze a target in an advanced state of mastery or a limitation which existed before might be removed. Most abilities are of a cognitive nature, but there is no unifying element beyond their activation and general look.
Some of the unique abilities are for example, the ability to steal other Ninja Arts, the ability to stop movements store it and release it, the ability to control metal, the ability to control the vision of the target, the ability to make a harmless cut feel deadly causing a target to break down, an ability causing fear and confusion, an ability creating a snowstorm of the underworld, an ability to move their own vision freely outside the body, an ability to transform others into demons by absorbing life force, an ability which reads thoughts, an ability that sees past all illusions, an ability that creates illusions or the ability to control other evil eyes themselves. These techniques are only individually inherited as the Fuuma clan contains a number of these abilities, one might awaken from the possible genetic pool almost at random. Though certain subfamilies of the Fuuma might have more consistent awakenings as they are less intermixed.
Like other Ninja Arts, some users might be less skilled and overuse can be taxing on the body.
Unfortunately for Kotaro, he was never able to awaken his 'Evil Eye' that caused his right eye to remain permanently closed. This has always bother Kotaro as without his Evil Eye, many of the branch families and vassal clans of the Fuma questioned his legitimacy as the Head of the Clan. If only he could've awaken his ability then maybe Gaiza...
'One Taimanin, one ability huh? I thought about dreaming where I could awaken my mystic eye. Maybe I'm just being a sore loser but what am I talking about? I can't even open my right eye, If only I could've awaken then maybe Gaiza wouldn't have had to take such extreme...' Kotaro thought to himself as the others saw the look of unworthiness on his face.
"Um, Sakura-sensei..." Hebiko utter out as she knew this topic of Ninja-Art was a sore subject for her Childhood crush.
"Achaaa, that's right. Sorry, Fuma-kun..." Sakura realized her mistake as she tried to apologize for her lack of consideration for her student who knew he was weak and was not bless as others.
"Hmph...Who gives a shit." Kaiser added as he had a look of irritation on his face. "I don't have a Ninja Art and will never have one since I am a Outsider... so who gives a shit if you have one or not because either way it doesn't take way from the fact that I Am A... Taimanin."
Kotaro and the rest of the team looked at Kaiser with awe as he was right that he was born with no chance of a Ninja Art or the ability to use the Taima Particles as neither one of those stopped him from becoming the Strongest Rookie within the Academy.
"If you lack in something then make up for it with something else, if you are weak in one area then greatly improve at what you are good at, if you are lacking or found wanting from others then... Make Them Eat Shit and Show Them What You Are Made Of."
Kaiser's words seemed to have done the trick as Kotaro remembered their fight they back on the Training grounds and their talk on the rooftop where the Kaiser gave him his support because Kaiser believed in him to rise above his own self doubts and stand as his equal.
"Hehehe...Hahaha!" Kotaro was laughing out loud as toppled over from the absurdity of his right hand man's speech. " Your right, Kai-kun! Your absolutly right!"
"Of Course I'm right, One-Eye. Since when have I ever been Wrong."
"Well there was that one time when you..." Hebiko said as Kaiser shot her a dirty look.
"Irrelevant, anyways we should keep moving, this rain is already putting me in a foul mood." Kaiser said as he continue forwards as he went back to brooding and grumpy mood.
"Kaiser, right. We should keep moving less we catch our death's cold in this rain. Right Shikanosuke...Shikanosuke?" Kotaro said looking around for his friend who was nowhere to be found.
"Where's Shika-chan?" Hebiko asks looking for the dimitutive femboy.
"Are you Fucking kidding me! God Damn that stupid idiot..." Kaiser growled out as he looked angry but in reality was actually worried for his friend as this place was easy to get lost in especially at night if one wasn't careful.
"(Sigh) That guy (?)... I told him not to spilt up." Kotaro said worry that his one of his best friends was missing.
'Maybe he got scared and ran back." Sakura added hoping for the best case scenario.
"Did he(?) go to the bathroom and get lost?" Hebiko added.
"No way, that little pussy would have said something especially with how scared he is. There's no way he would risk getting separate from the group on a mountain at night with Gonza and his goons running about. Hell I would bet that Shikan-chan would piss his pants before going off on his own...(sigh) fuck." Kaiser sighs as he knew he would have to go and look for the femboy Taimanin even if he wanted to finish this mission quickly as he had other things he needed to take care of.
"Kai is right..." Kotaro said.
"We're going to look for him, right Fuma-chan?" Hebiko smiled as she too was ready to look for their missing mascot.
"Nope. Just Leave him be." Kotaro said off handedly as he continue on forward.
"Eeh? Shikanosuke-chan's going to panic so much that he might die, you know!" Hebiko lectured Kotaro for disregarding their mascot's disappearance.
"He won't die from that. Shikanosuke's got a good sense of direction. He'll be fine." Kotaro dismiss as though it was a common thing for Shikanosuke to up and go Houdini.
"Your making him sound like some kind of Urban Legend ya know." Kaiser quipped in as he too was getting tired of all this shit.
"Maybe he might get eaten by wild animals and stuff." Hebiko said not really believing in what she was saying.
"Now that's a funny joke Hebiko." Kaiser scoffed as he could hardly imagine the small femboy barely register as a snack to any would be predator out there.
"What a cruel and unamusing thing to say Kaiser!" Hebiko gasped in mock horror at the comment.
"We've Never had an incident where a Taimanin got eaten around here, right Sakura-sensei?" Kotaro stated as he rationalize his argument.
Sakura knew a lot about the mountain animals as she was in charge in training and checking on them as they become ninja beasts.
"You know it's weird but a lot of the animals around here avoid me like the plague... why is that?" Kaiser said as he remembered when ever he went into the mountain to train most of the ninja beasts and local wildlife cleared out...it was as though they were acknowledging a Apex Predator moving in.
"Eh?" Sakura gave a unsure look as she was put on the spot.
"Eh...? Meaning What?" Hebiko ask as she was worried about what she was about to hear from their teacher.
"I...it's okay. If I'm around, they're very friendly!" Sakura said trying to reassure her students that she was reliable... but none of them believed it.
"And if you are not there?" Kotaro asked as he poked holes in his teacher's self confidence.
Sakura paused, as she avoided eye contact. Luckily she was rescued by her most favorite student.
"Then they'll fuck off if they know what's good for them." Kaiser jumped in as he cracked his knuckles in a threatening manner.
"See, with Kai-kun and myself here we'll be safe. They'll think twice before attacking!" Sakura said as she once more regain her peppy cheery attitude.
As the team continue walking they faced a pack of animals However unlike what Sakura said, they were filled with killing intent. From wolves to boars and snakes, there was even a bear as they were all infused with the Taima Particles that made them highly intelligent, and their physical ability has been scaled up considerably due to the infusion. Most of them have been trained by the Taimanin since birth but in this case they seem more feral if not wild.
One of the boars charges at Hebiko as she jumped out of the way only to be attacked by a hawk in the air while Kotaro tired to fight off a group of snakes and spiders. Sakura avoid a swiped from the bear as she had a shocked look on her face.
"You guys... did you guys really forget about me?!" Sakura said with disappointment.
"You said they'll be friendly around you, right!?" Kotaro yelled as he avoided from being bitten from a large snake.
"Uuuuu..." Sakura started sobbing silently as her shoulder droop down as she face the floor. She was still in shock that the supposedly friendly animals had started chasing them.
"They've totally turned wild! Is Shikanosuke-chan going to be alright?" Hebiko asks worringly dodging some Ohgama toads whip like tongues.
"B...but everyone listen! There's something wrong with those animals" Sakura said trying to keep the situation under control.
A boar charge into Kaiser who faced it head-on as he grabbed it's tusk as he stopped the boar's charge in it's tracks.
"I'm pretty sure this how animals normally act, Sakura! Except these bastards are on that Taima Particle Roid Rage!"
"No! It feels like they're being manipulated..." Sakura reasoned as she knew most of these animals since brith and couldn't think that they would attack her of all people.
"Manipulated or not they are trying to make late night snack out of us!" Kaiser shouted as a bear snuck up behind him and knocked him down as it was trying to maul his face off. "FUCK IT! I HAVE HAD IT WITH ALL THIS BULLSHIT!"
Kaiser roars out as he have had enough of all these inconveniences and stress that he lost his patience. He let loose all of his blood lust and anger out that it practically washed over the animals that they suddenly stop their attack. They froze as they as felt the most primal and instinctual feeling that they were born with...Fear. Even with the Taima Particle infusion and increase intelligence they were still beast who understood when they were in the presence with something that was a force of nature, an Apex Predator that must be avoided at all cost and so that is what they did. The boars, wolves, toads, hawks and birds, even the Bear, all ran away in fear as they wouldn't risk facing the Wrath of this monster that had enter their mountain.
*** The Ruins***
Sakura and the rest of the team stood dumbfound as Kaiser got up from the muddy ground as he wiped the mud off himself as the young man had a look of a short fuse ready to go off at any moment.
"...If we are done playing around, we need to push on head and finish this fucking mission... I fucking hate this rain." Kaiser growled out as he once again became moody and disgruntled.
Everyone was quiet as they were worried about their teammate who was usually not this bad tempered as though something was eating away at him...
The team continue up the mountain until they stopped in front of a gate that belongs to a nearby castle.
"Whoa... What's This?" Kotaro asks as he had a dumbfounded look on his face. The team stood in front of the gate of a castle that had appeared out of nowhere.
"Didn't you and Kai-chan say that there was only gravestone at the ruins?" Hebiko questioned as she remembered the report that Kotaro and Kaiser made when they scouted out this area with Sakura-sensei.
"Yeah... I'm certain. We didn't see this before, right Sakura-sensei?" Kotaro confirmed as his gaze turned over to his teacher.
Infront of the Team were the grand gates of a Japanese style Castle with the path that lead deeper inside.
"No fucking way... wait... could that voice be behind this?!" Kaiser whispered to himself as he wondered if all this was tied to his lost past.
"So the rumors were true." Hebiko said with surprise as Sakura had a grin on her face.
"Guuu!" Sakura's smile had mischief and energy behind it as she was once again excited for the prospect of ghost hunting. "Amazing! It's a real mystery! A Ghost Castle!"
"No way... there must be something...right Kai...Kai?" Kotaro called out to his friend who was lost in his thoughts as Kaiser was not even listening to the conversation but instead was focused on the Castle.
"... I'm gonna go in and investigate." Kaiser said as he head into the Castle without waiting for anyone as he head towards the gate alone.
"Kai-chan! Wait for us!" Hebiko called out to Kaiser as the young man ignored her.
Kaiser needed answers and this was probably his best chance at finding out who he is and more importantly...what his purpose was.
"Damnit, Kai. Come on, let's get inside before those animals find their nerve and attack us again." Kotaro ordered as the team followed behind Kaiser.
There was not enough time to for them to ponder as they enter the through the gate as they heard a squeaking sound from behind. The massive gate doors closed behind them trapping the team inside the castle.
"Well this is quite the welcome they laid out for. " Hebiko commented as she at the gates with a serious expression on her face.
"Even more mystery! I can brag to my sister about this!" Sakura cheerfully said as her excitement was visible for all to see.
Kotaro let out a sigh as he figured that at this point there was no turning back as the only way through this mess was to move forward. He walked forward cautiously when suddenly... something jumped out of the darkness at them.
"Waaaaaa?!" Kotaro screamed out as Kaiser quickly on reflex took out his double barrel shotgun, Chaosbringer, and pulled the trigger. The 20 gauge buckshot tore through at what seems to be ninjas, more specifically Ninjas of the Nisha Clan as they were Gonza's subordinates.
"Huh...figure these rodents would be hanging out here. I guess that Old Mud Flinger has some vested interested in this place or ..." Kaiser commented as Kotaro regained his composure and bearings.
"Or the rumor Ghost Lady of these ruins..." Kotaro added as he tried to regain his dignity after his unsightly display.
More of Gonza's forces appeared from the shadows as they converge on the Independent Rangers position.
"I fucking swear to... it's one pain in the ass after another..." Kaiser before he could prepare himself for battle one of the Nisha ninja fell face first in front of them.
"Ugg...ugggghh..."
Was all the Rebel Ninja were able to say as they collapsed before the team that stood in front of them with a a dumbfounded.
"What the fuck?" Kaiser said in confusion.
"W... what happened to them!?" Kotaro asks as he got closer to the fallen ninja's to investigate the bodies. Kotaro examined the bodies as Hebiko and Sakura check to see if any of them could tell them what had happened. Kaiser kept watch as he reloaded his shotgun.
"This one is dripping wet. Doesn't seem like there's any bruises. He probably got attack by some ability user..." Hebiko concluded as she signs of a struggle but no weapon injuries or bruising.
"Huhuuuun... The mystery has been solved! Apart from that old man and us there are other enemies out there. I'm sure they're ghosts!" Sakura concluded as cheerfully explained.
"Fat chance... no there is something else at work here...?" Kaiser gloomily added as he never more at ill at ease than inside this cursed castle. Something kept nagging at the back of his head as it was the same feeling he had when the voice at the ruins whispered to him the secrets of his past that seem to be buried here.
"Kaiser's right. There is more at play here than meets the eye. Everyone keep a close eye out and do not wander off. " Kotaro ordered as he saw his friend on edge.
"Aiyo!" Hebiko saluted as she understood as she changed into her half octopus form which would allow her to have some access to some of her special characteristics and abilities of an octopus especially her tentacles. The suctions on them are sensitive to smell which can act as a sensor even better than Kaiser's nose since their current radar sensor had decided to be lost and missing.
Hebiko immediately moved her tentacle legs around, trying to sense the surroundings as Kaiser closed his eyes and heighten his senses.
"...! Something's approaching from the darkness in front of us!" Hebiko alerted everyone as Kaiser confirmed her report.
"I can hear them! They're heading right towards us!" Kaiser said as he growled in anger.
"Is it what I'm thinking it is!?" Sakura said with excitement as she hoping there were ghost around the corner.
"Uhmm... I don't think it's a ghost. My octopus sense can't detect spiritual beings after all. Even so, I can't guarantee that it's human!" Hebiko warned as she prepared herself for combat.
"Shorty is right... it's definitely not a ghost... it's demons." Kaiser confirmed as he had always had the ability to sense demons even when they were in disguise but it was only recently that he confirm this ability of his with Fürst.
It was at that moment, a beautifully bewitching maid appeared from the shadows.
"Oh. Looks like we have more guests." The maid said as there was a ghostly air around her. One thing was for sure, she wasn't human. "So. you didn't immediately fall for the illusions. So many hard -headed humans today... how troublesome."
"That's because your bullshit weakass illusions ain't got shit on me, demon scum." Kaiser spit out with hatred towards the demoness maid.
Another figure appeared. A beautiful lady with pale white skin and demon horns as this one also didn't appear to be human either.
"Great more roaches coming out of the woodwork." Kaiser said as this day was getting worse by the second.
"Well I can safely say that they are not ghosts..." Kotaro said as he felt that this mission was going to be one big headache for everyone involved.
"Tch... Not ghosts but demons huh?" Sakura commented with disappointment as her cheerful and giddy demeanor was replace with annoyance upon discovering that there were no ghosts.
Kotaro turned to face the demons hoping to get some information from them.
"Umm... So, what are you demons doing here?" Kotaro asks hooing that they weren't demon.
"What!? Why the fuck are we wasting time asking these roaches anything! If anything they can eat shit and die for all I care." Kaiser said out loud as the demon had a look of disgust on their face hearing this insolent human talk down to them.
"Kai (sigh) please remain calm and let me handle this. They might have information that is crucial to the mission." Kotaro tried to calm down his friend as he was already to burst. " They might not even be Enemies..."
"You be a dumbass retard to trust a Demon, One Eye." Kaiser said as he never once trusted a demon as he had a personal vendetta against them as he believe that there were no 'Good' demons just one only opportunistic ones who waited until they can betray you.
"What a cute little boys. You both look like you've got lots of energy." The horned demoness said as she licked her lips at Kaiser and Kotaro.
"How about we kill the girls and keep the young men for some energy later?" The Maid suggested while adjusted her glasses.
Kaiser gave Kotaro a 'I told you so" look as the one-eye clan heir sigh at his misjudgement as he knew there was a reason for Kaiser's distrust towards demons but hey... maybe he could get it right someday.
"Fuuma-chan and Wrath-kun sure are popular~" Hebiko joke as she took out her four ninjato as Sakura took out her dual wield
"Damnit Kai... I right it when your right." Kotaro whined as he also took out his sword while Kaiser readied his shotgun and short sword.
"I see. These girls are succbi. A type of demon who lives by stealing men's spirits and life energy." Sakura analyzed the two demoness.
"Men's spirits...?" Kotaro questioned.
"Seriously One-Eye? Man your a fucking numbskull. These Demons are a type of spirit thieves that uses human men to gain power. " Kaiser explained.
"Oh, I see." Kotaro replied, sounding surprised by this. " So that means they steal and live on spiritual energy. Their offer doesn't sound bad though.."
Kotaro had a charmed expression as Kaiser knocked him backside of his head. "You moron, they are deceiving and charming you. They want to consume you and eat your soul until your nothing but an empty husk of a shell, which would make them stronger!"
"Huh? EEK! No thanks! I prefer my life energy being my own, not theirs." Kotaro shuddered as he shook his head to get rid of the bad...and suggestive thoughts.
"Geez, your such a virgin dude." Kaiser rolled his eyes.
"Shut up!" Kotaro retorted while feeling more heat than usual in his cheeks. " Can you please stop calling me a..."
"Virgin?" Kaiser snorted "What a dumb question. Dude, I can pretty much tell with one glance that your nothing more than a prev with some questionable fetishes."
"Kaiser..." Kotaro growled as he move to grab him. The two boys butted heads with each other as Hebiko sighs at their antic while Sakura giggled.
The two demoness started to get annoyed that they weren't being taken seriously as they were ignored. The maid succubus coughed into her hand delicately as she tried to the get the groups attention.
"Ahem...We are still here." The Maid demon asked as the team turn their attention back to the demonesses.
"Oh right...so why are lust demons here ?" Kotaro asks again.
The horned succubus laughs as she gave the team a condescending look before speaking, " Well...I wonder why. Maybe we're here to see you."
"If you surrender yourself to us, we'll give you a taste of pleasure that you'd never experience in this world forever." The maid demon suggested as she gave Kotaro and Kaiser bedroom eyes.
"... Are you fucking stupid or were you dropped as a baby." Kaiser said rudely giving the two succubi a Bloodthirsty look.
"Stop trying to seduce Fuma-chan." Hebiko said with jealousy as she didn't need any more rivals to compete for her crush.
"It's fine Hebiko. I'm the type who enjoys making other submit that rather than submitting myself." Kotaro said confidently.
"Virgin..." Kaiser not so subtly snickered out as the Fuma Heir flinched before kicking his second-in-command on the shin. "Oww! That hurt you son of a..."
"With that being said, We're forcing our way through." Kotaro cut off kaiser as he got into his battle stance.
Kaiser was the first to act as he pulled the trigger to his shotgun was the double barrel roars out 20 gauge buckshot as the two succubi quickly moved out of the way as the demon maid fired out magic missles at Kaiser while the horned succubus brought a whip and lashed out at Kotaro.
The young Taimanin gritted his teeth as the whip came in contact with his body, not enough to injure him, but enough to get his attention.
"I have not been one for the arts of seduction but even I can see your true desire." The whip retracted as the horned succubus circled her prey.
"S-Shut up." Kotaro growled, trying not to give the demoness the satisfaction of his reaction. "Why don't we take a break, and talk this over. It would be better with some tea or some...coffee."
The demoness was silent as she watched the Fuuma's attempt to calm down. It was quite odd for the demon to just sit and watch. Normally, she would attack immediately and try to distract her opponent until their guard was down. Was she trying to get him to lower his defenses?
Kotaro tried to relax, to let go of his thoughts of escape for now and instead focus on the situation around him. He remembered his fight with Kaiser so long ago wanting to be worthy of being his equal. Kaiser had always praised Kotaro for using his head and not just using brute strength like he does as power was power no matter what form it took. Kotaro utilize his mind as he cooked up plan to defeat this horned succubus before him.
The horned succubus readied her whip as she enjoyed tormenting humans and enslaving men. She figured that this young blood Taimanin would be just another man who she will drain and break. As the horned succubus lashes out her whip Kotaro with his quick thinking pulled out two shuriken as he dodge the whip from the succubus. Kotaro threw the shurikens as the horned succubus deflecting them with ease but her line of sight was clouded as smoke bombs blocked her view of the One-Eye Taimanin. Kotaro takes out his sword as the horned succubus eyes widen in surprise. "How did he move so fast."
Kotaro charges at the horned succubus as the demoness is shocked that a man would charge at her like an idiot. She slashes out with her claws as Kotaro ducks as he slices out with his sword as blood oozes out from a wound on her arm.
The horned succubus didn't have much time to react as Kotaro swings at her with the sword as she barely dodge it.
"Damn... I need to be faster...hmm." Kotaro was strategizing his next moves as idea pop in his head. He grabs a shurikan out of his sleeve and tosses it at the succubus as it stuck on her shoulder. The succubus jumps back in pain as she didn't even feel it go in but could feel something strange about it. She yanked it out as she tossed it back to Kotaro who caught it with one hand. The succubus was pissed now as her face twisted into a demonic mask as her body grew.
"Pretty clever human but I will make you pay for that..." The Horned Succubus readied her whip once again as she lashes out at Kotaro who proceeded to dodge and jump out of the way but this time he noticed something was different as the whip glowed with magical energy as wave of magic hit him knocking the air out of his lungs.
"Ugh!" Kotaro grunted out as he was knocked back. He could feel the demon aura flow through him draining his life force. "It can't be! What's this feeling?! My body..."
It felt like he was losing himself and getting weak. The succubus knew that he was cornered now as she looked down on her prey that laid on the ground as he struggled to get back on his feet.
"Come on human, let's play some more. This time, I will tear you into tiny little pieces..." The demon licked her lips as she chuckled to herself. As her claws got closer to Kotaro left eye to pluck it out she suddenly felt sick as felt her stomach churn. She felt her own breath being taken away. She staggered backwards trying to find the strength to keep herself going. The demon felt a sharp pain in her head as she clutched her head in agony.
"Huh!?"
Kotaro got back on his feet as the succubus was clutching her head as she fell to her knees. She could feel a sharp pain coming from the right side of her head.
"It can't be...you're the one that's doing this to me?!"
"Yeah... the poison took awhile for it to take effect but everything went according to plan." Kotaro said confidently as he got back up to his feet. " The mandrake venom sure does work wonders even on demons."
"Mandrake Poison!" The Horned succubus gasps in shock.
"Yup and now...to finish this." Kotaro raised his sword as the horned succubus gave him a look of fear.
"Wait! I can't be killed by you! I still have things to do and people who want to play with me!" She yelled in desperation, "Let me live and I will teach you how to escape."
"We've heard enough, there's no point in listening to anything you have to say." Kotaro swings his sword and slices off the head of the demon. The demon's head was still wriggling as it's head went flying through the air, spitting blood all over the place, the horned succubus body was completely lifeless as it collapsed on cold wet ground.
"Phew...that was tough but...I can do it... I can fight...it's just like Kai said. I Am Strong." Kotaro said to himself as he felt pride, pride in the fact that even without a Ninja Art or being able to fully manipulate the Taima Particles he was not weak nor helpless...He Was Strong just like his friend.
Meanwhile Kaiser was dealing with the Succubus Maid as she fire bolts of magic from her hand as he dodged and return fire from his shotgun. The Maid was undaunted as she continued her attacks, hoping to either put down the enemy or force him to flee. Kaiser did not show signs of pain nor any discomfort, but a Succubus would know when a man was either too strong or too weak, but this one showed no such signs.
"Strange...this man...he has already been marked...he is no normal human...I need to end this quickly" she thought to herself as she was now shooting with blades of energy. The man kept dodging as he continued to return fire, his shots seeming to grow more accurate as he reloads his shotgun.
Kaiser was not in his usually battle frenzy nor in his bloodlust if anything he felt... Cold. Kaiser felt no rush nor rage but indifference, indifference to the demon before him, indifference to his friends around him, indifference to even his own life as the only thing that seem to occupied was what the voice from the ruins told him.
'The Pact...'
That word repeated itself in his mind as Kaiser was trying to figure out why he was obsessed with the word. Memories that weren't his, nightmares that haunted him, and ghosts who knew who he was but not who he is. All of this was driving the usual wild Taimanin frustrated as he wanted answers to questions that have plagued him since childhood.
As the Maid Succubus fired a magical blade at Kaiser who was too distracted as it made contact with his chest. A Powerful explosion engulfed KAiser as his friends watch in horror.
"Kai-kun/Kaiser-kun!" Sakura and hebiko shouted as they witness their friend and subordinate be consumed by the magical blast.
As the pair stood and watched in silence the maid succubus adjusted her glasses as she wipes her hands clean while maintaining a her grace and composure.
"Hmm... It seems I was worried over nothing. He was just a human after all...what a waste." The Maid Succubus scoffs as she walks towards SAkura and Hebiko as two prepared themselves for battle.
The Succubus Maid attention was so focused on the two female Taimanin that she failed to notice a presences behind her as two rough and large hands placed themselves under chin and the top of her head as the world was suddenly turned sideways as she felt her body refuse to move on command. It was then that the maid realized that her neck was snapped as last thing she saw was the familiar back of a human she thought she had killed.
Kaiser had survived the magical attack as the pain of the blast was enough to knock him back to reality as he shook his head and berated himself for not having his head in the fight.
"Fuck...god dammit...I'm fucking slipping . Need to get my shit together and have my focus in the fight." Kaiser murmurs to himself. as he approaches Sakura and Hebiko. "The fuck has got you guys looking like you've seen a ghost?"
Sakura clapped her hands together as had her Buddhist prayer beads wrap around her hand as she began to, rather poorly, recite a couple of Buddhist mantras.
"Kaiser-kun?... Is that really you?" Hebiko asks hesitantly as her hand was shakingly reaching out to touch Kaiser to confirm that he was real.
"Be at rest, Oh Spirit! May you, cross over to the afterlife with all your regrets washed away in the Sanzu River." Sakura shouted as she continued to recite, her rather horribly recited, mantra.
"...If you two are done goofing off, we got bigger things to focus on. " Kaiser said as he walked past the two girls towards Kotaro.
The Independent Rangers fought their way through the castle as they pushed into deeper parts of the mysterious castle.
"Doesn't feel like we're making any progress towards the keep." Hebiko commented as the team made their way through the castle.
"Muuun, even though we can see it from here, right ?" Sakura complained as the Castle was so close yet no matter how much the team walked towards it they were not getting any closer.
"If only Shikanosuke-chan was here... He's good with directions and can even use his electric sonar." Hebiko said as she was getting tired from all the walking.
Kotaro nodded in agreement as he was wondering if his friend made to the castle like they did. Kotaro knew they were lost and thought that maybe they should've looked for him first.
Small drizzle of rain wash over the team as though the Heavens mocked them.
"...Something is not right." Kaiser said as he stopped. "Look...that mark on that wall...I scratched it with my sword a while ago...we've been going around in circles for a while now."
"Wait a minute... the succubus we defeated earlier said we were hard-headed people who didn't fall for illusions." Kotaro said as he was slowly putting together the pieces.
"Now that you mention it..." Sakura said while looking around her surroundings as she noticed that they were familiar if not the same as they were before.
"I see now... If we think about it with Kai markings as well as Sakura-sensei and Hebiko's strange feeling about this rain. Plus, the missing Shikanosuke... maybe this is all linked, then..." Kotaro was now beginning to see the clear picture.
"Are you saying that someone cast an illusion over us...with this rain?" Kaiser said as things began to click together. "Man... I fucking hate the Rain."
"Why is that Kaiser-kun?" Hebiko asked as she didn't know of Kaiser's circumstances.
"..." Kaiser didn't answer as Sakura had a sad but sympathetic look on her face.
"Hebiko-chan... ummm I don't think you should..." Sakura said as she was interrupted by Kaiser.
"It's fine Sensei...When I first came to Gosha Village...I was alone in the woods, naked with no memories as to who I am or was... It was cold and raining...I was... empty...hollow, as I didn't know where I was or happened to me that caused me to lose my memories, hell I couldn't even remember my own name." Kaiser said as his eyes were closed. "That's how I was found by Shiranui and taken in by the Taimanin..."
"Really? So you lost all of your memories when you woke up in the woods alone and you were found by the Mizuki Clan... That is so sad Kaiser-chan." Hebiko said as she moved closer to him. "I'm sorry... I didn't know."
"It's fine...Kaiser Wrath is who I am and who I will be...It's fine...I'm fine." Kaiser said to Hebiko but it was more to convince himself that he wasn't affected by his amnesia or lack of his original identity. "Anyways we're wasting time. Got any plans, Boss Man?"
Kaiser change the topic away from him as he tried to focus on the mission as a way to take his mind off his situation. A way to distract himself, something to keep him busy and to keep him from thinking too much about what Hebiko said.
Hebiko seemed to notice the change of topic and also dropped the subject but still kept a concerned expression on her face as she tried to comfort her friend in her own way.
"Hebiko do you still have that radio on you?" Kotaro asks he had a brief flash of inspiration.
"Oh You have an idea Fuma-chan?" Hebiko asks as she too wanted to shift the topic away from Kaiser.
"That's right ! Hebiko let borrow the radio!" Kotaro asks as Hebiko handed him her radio.
Kotaro messed around with the settings as adjusted the antenna as in random directions trying to pick up a signal.
"Uhh...One Eye, we're deep in the mountains and I doubt that radio has got enough juice to pick up any signal this far out." Kaiser said as he watch his friend fiddle with the radio more as static was all that came out of it.
"I know that Kai but if you can match certain frequencies, then you can hear anything nearby, right?" Kotaro responded as he was looking for a certain signal as he adjusted the radio until the sound changed as if reacting to something. " Bingo! I found you Shikanosuke!"
Kotaro grinned in triumph as the thought finally dawned on Kaiser.
"I see now... you clever bastard!" Kaiser smiled as he patted Kotaro on the back.
"Hey hey! What's that about?" Sakura asked as she was lost as to how the weird sound from the radio was able to locate one of the missing team members.
"When Shikanosuke is in trouble, he's not the type to do nothing. Not even when he panics." Kotaro explains as Kaiser nods his head to confirm the statement.
"Yup that's true,I've seen it myself but all he ever does is bitches and moans about the situation though..." Kaiser added.
"And he knows that Hebiko's carrying a radio, so it's not unlikely that he's sending out electric signals while crying somewhere." Kotaro finishes explaining as Kaiser shakes his head.
"(Sigh)...this is also true." Kaiser sighs out.
"I see! So this noise is from Shikanosuke-kun electrical waves right?" Sakura concluded as she had a happy expression on her face.
"More like his bitching made signal waves...Come on, let's go find our useless sonar device. I swear, I'm gonna rill that little..." Kaiser grumbles as he walks towards the signal with Kotaro.
"But even if we know the direction of the signal, this place is like a maze..." Hebiko brought up a good point as the the illusion that weaved into the castle made it easy for one to lose their sense of direction.
"I told you before. This rain, the maze-like castle, and Shikanosuke's disappearance are connected. right?" Kotaro said to everyone.
"Fuma-kun, please get to the point already." Sakura pointed out as she was not in the mood for a lecture.
"It's like this. This rain has some special properties. I'm still not a hundred percent on what's happening. But the result is that we're seeing illusions. We were drawn to this castle and have been walking around in the same place. Kaiser's markings confirm that we are going around in circles." Kotaro finishes explaining things began to make sense to Hebiko and Sakura.
"Illusions!?" Sakura gasps out in shock.
"If it's an illusion, then it coincides with the rumors of a castle appearing at night on a rainy day. And if you come in here at daytime, there's nothing here. Sakura-sensei, you should probably know this as well." Kotaro lectured as his teacher gave him a sheepish response.
"Muu...that's true."
"My mother , Shiranui Mizuki, is know as the Phantom of the Mist because of the Illusion she can weave using her Ninja Art: Water Art. Seriously, Sensei this something very basic that even I know." Kaiser added in disappointment.
"Moe~! Okay, enough! I was just so caught up in actual ghost hunting!" Sakura protested as she stomped her feet like a child would.
"And the Truth comes out now...anyways One Eye, lead the way." Kaiser said as the team began following Kotaro towards the signal that Shikanosuke was emitting.
A/N: Well now's that quite situation. Poor Shikanosuke, dude cannot catch a break and Kai is going through one of his emo phase again. Hopefully the team can pull through and their bonds with each will them through this dilemma. Well then I'll probably post the next project in december so that while I'm on Vaca, I can make a rough draft and hopefully improve it by the time we start the new year.
What is the mystery behind this Castle and how is it connected to Kaiser's past? Will Kotaro be able to keep his team together? Will Sakura find and bust the ghost that haunts these ruins? And Where is Shikanosuke? Find out in the next Chapter
Part II
Chapter 9
Lost and found on the right and Gate to another Dimension on your left.