As we approach the gates of the city she stops me and holds me back.

"What the hell are you-" I start.

"Shhh!" She interjects, "Not so loud, something's going on in the main street."

We stop and look and see an old woman bent over holding a twisted looking staff, she's wearing a black velvet cloak. We look beside her to see my sister bound in chains.

"What in the world is going-"

"Oh my- Akio look up." She whispers.

I look up to see Minako held in the air and wrists and angles wrapped by dark energy.

"I have heard that the Shinigami is in the vicinity." She calls out in a surprisingly booming voice.

"You hag you will never be leader while he is around," Minako shouts at her, "He will not stand for a traitor!"

"Me, the traitor?" She laughs turning to her. "I hardly think I'm the traitor. If anything that brat is!"

"That's a lie!"

She chuckles. "So you're the famed Minako."

"What do you mean." Minako asks in fright.

"There were rumors that only one person actually tamed the mighty Shinigami, a young girl named Minako."

"He's not an animal, you can't tame him, you witch!"

The old woman looks angry at her, "You should learn to respect your elders!"

Dark lighting shoots from the bands and surround Minako, she screams in pain and I start to move."

"No!" Hisoka calls stopping me, "It's a complete ruse she's trying to lure you out. Haven't you noticed your guards are attacking yet?"

"What are you talking about?" I hiss.

"The undead army you brought with you, don't they run off of your feelings and commands?"

"yeah why?"

"Well," she starts, "Minako is getting hurt and you dedicate your entire heart, whatever's left, to saving her, so those feelings should command your guards to protect her."

"You don't think that she took control of them somehow do you? And what do you mean by 'whatever's left'?"

She shakes her head, " I've no idea what she did with them but it's not looking good... you really need to think about getting to her without giving yourself away... I can sense her powers are mighty and that's going to be a challenge even for you."

"What makes you say that?"

"She's had more years to completely perfect all of her techniques and powers. You haven't yet, you really need to think this trough."

"I'm calling for you Shinigami, is my grandson so disrespectful to even say hello?" She mocks.

I get irritated but hold my position, thinking of ways to sneak behind her.

"Well if you don't care enough for me then you obviously don't care for her!" She screams laughing manically.

I look up and see the entire undead horde I created move to her climbing on top of one another to get to her.

One makes it to her leg and immediately takes a bite, as she screams in pain, I become furious. I watch as the person I love fall victim to a creation I made.

"How did you ever get to be the Shinigami, Akio. You and your father are both weak!"

I slowly feel my anger drive black flames around my being and I slowly walk out with a twisted demonic scythe forming from the smoke in my hand. I hear Hisoka call me back but I blow her off.

As I move through the gates the undead army tackles me, hundreds on hundreds start biting at what ever skin I have and finally a black explosion destroys the army and the gate, I slowly bleed and keep walking closer to where my grandmother is.

"Oh Akio, that is why you cant have any pets." She laughs, "did you finally come to say hi?"

"Release her now..." I growl.

"No Minako is probably making better use of herself this way than she ever did helping you."

The black fire surrounding me shoots to the mass of undead and burn all of them away from Minako, then encase her in a flaming ball. She is still breathing but slowly... massive wounds cover her.

"Your sister was going to be next." She laughs.

Amaya stares at her shocked.

"You will die." I say to her. "But first you will suffer."

She smirks and then starts to laugh. "don't you even know who your up against."

"Your right I do know. I fought you so many times but back then I was weak."

"Was?!" She laughs.

"Yes, was." I reply. "You miss the point, I have seen most of your moves, felt most of your power, and I feel myself matching the power amount you used on me."

"Oh you do, do you?" She snickers. She aims her staff at me and shoots a bolt of energy, I bat it away as I continue to walk forward. She growls and sends another one, I bat it away like the last. I then summon a dark orb in my hands and throw it at her. She jumps out of the way and it blows up where she was.

"So my little grandchild has gotten stronger," She sneers at me, "it's about time. I wouldn't want this to be boring like those times were in the past."

Hisoka comes near me and my grandmother gasps.

"What is that majo doing here?!"

"Sadly she leached on my little journey," I reply staring at Hisoka.

"Okay really?" Hisoka says, "Nevermind, how many times did you fight her in the past?"

"593, no four, that time in her villa counts." I reply.

"And you neglected to tell me why?"

"More importantly why are you here?"

"Oh your sister vanished." She whispers.

"What?"

I look and find that indeed she's right, Amaya is not in her chains.

"Becareful Akio, I'm going to find her."

"Thank you." I reply.

She disappears and I'm left with my grandmother.

"You're father was a fool to give you the title of Shinigami."

"Are you really that scared of death?" I ask.

She stares at me like I grew a third arm, "What are you talking about."

"You hid from my father when he came near, you trembled at his feet, and then you attacked him when he was vulnerable from an attack from kyuuketsuki, and then you tried to kill me when I just got the title," I inform, "A healthy observation suggests you're afraid to die."

"You are completely mental!"

She turns her staff into a sword and swings it at me. I raise my scythe and block the attack, but in one instant I see her, another she's gone. I feel several agonizing cuts in my body. My body feels weak, and I see blood spill from my sides chest and arm. I move my scythe to my good hand and feel the blood, burning, spilling faster than normal. I sense my anger rising as I see her appear next to Minako, my blood moving to her, it touches her feet and looks to be sucked into her skin, as I watch I notice her skin getting more colorful and firmer.

'Is she getting younger?'

I look at her face and her wrinkles aren't as predominant. Her skin slowly getting more radiant.

"What the hell?"

"You never knew how long I stayed around huh, great, great, great, grandchild."

"What?!"

She takes off her robes to show an elegant body instead of a frail one.

"Succubus!" I scream at her.

"Oh now, how do you men expect a woman to stay pretty these days?"

I feel myself getting weaker and notice that my blood loss is heavy. I summon a Kirohi hi around my hand and place my hand on my wounds burning my skin and cauterizing the wounds. She sucks the last of the blood that spilled and laughs.

"You are clever Akio, Ill give you that." She laughs. "But don't you know that blood takes longer to reverse the aging effects than actual life?"

"What do want me to do hang myself?" I reply sneering.

"Well yes, but since you would never do that. I have to turn to Minako here." She smiles.

"What?!"

"Oh yes that lighting I sent wasn't to kill her, but its in her wrapped around her spirit, so every so often it will take her life and add it to me reversing my bodies age!"

I get extremely mad. In a blur I send my scythe in to her abdomen, her legs, and cut off one of her arms. She jumps back and fires lighting at me. I dodge and send another orb at her. She dodges it and tries again, this one hit and through the smoke of the small explosion I walk out and send a ball of fire. She dodges it again.

"This will get me no where!" She cries.

"Then give up." I say quietly, which is a very bad sign.

"Oh no. I know how to end you Akio, the Shinigami's downfall!"

She holds to lightning bolts in the air and shows a grin that is nothing more than lost sanity.

"I will not loose this fight, I can't!"

She aims them both at minako and releases them. They fly through the air. I jump in front of her and take both attacks. The force pushed me back into the ball of fire around her and it engulfs me. I land on the ground below her both burnt and immortalized... my blood rushing out of my body. I look up at my grandmother and she walks up with a very recognizable object.

"Does this look familiar Akio?" She says. "Cause it should, I mean after all it isyour soul."

"What do you plan on doing with it?" I gasp.

"Devouring it!" She laughs. "You're soul could keep me alive for a millennia!"

I see someone come up from behind her and my blade, not my scythe, goes through her chest.

She stops for a second and looks at it and falls forward. Behind her is Minako glaring at her corpse.

"That is not yours to take," She growls.

I look at her as she picks it up. And walks over to me.

"Are you okay?" I ask her.

"I believe it is I who should be asking that." She chuckles.

I stare at her and then at my soul in her hands. And then I hear a small groan and turn to my grandmother.

She's crawling toward a small dagger she's dropped.

"Grandmother please just stop this madness." I softly ask her.

I walk closer to her and she turns over dagger in hand and raised to throw into my chest. I don't look at her in rage, nor hatred, more pity than anything else.

"Please obaasan, can we just stop the hatred between us."

"What is this?!" She stares at me in shock. "You haven't called me that obaasan since the first time you met me.... what is the meaning of this."

"The meaning is that okaasan would never want us to kill each other..." I reply, "She would not want this hatred, she wanted love between our family... she's dead now and I want to honor her memory and wishes. Please don't make this hard for me."

"What is this trickery?!"

"There's no tricks obaasan, please?"

She stares at me and a hint of love returns to her eyes.

"My dear child... I would love to..."

I slightly smile and look toward minako. Her face shows happiness and then turns to fear.

"... KILL YOU WHERE YOU STAND!"

I feel a small blade pierce my body and I turn back to my foe.

"You should have honored your daughter." I say to her softly. I pull out the dagger she's thrown at me and then raise my scythe.

"You said don't make this harder!" She screams.

"Yes," I reply with a sneer, "but you made it a hell of a lot easier."

I slam my scythe into her body and watch her die as the blade stabs her heart and slices her lungs.

"Go to hell where you belong witch."

I turn away from her as the scythe disappears as a mist, and to Minako. She stares at me as the blood of my mother's mother, which has now cover half my face in small droplets.

"I tried to honor her..." I say to her.

She walks up to me and places a hand on the side that isn't covered in blood. "I know Akio."

We see Hisoka return with Amaya.

"She was hidden in the torture dungeons," Hisoka huffs. She then looks around, "Where's the grandmother?"

I move aside to show her the body and she stares at me in concern. "Why do you look like you failed?"
"You tried to honor okaasan," Amaya says.

I slightly nod. "I even called her 'obaasan' in respect... let me make this very clear," I say to all of them. "That witch is never to be mentioned again, ever."

They nod but do not speak. I glare at them in turn. "She was a disgrace to mine and Amaya's family. She will suffer for it eternally. But she is never to be mentioned."

Again they nod, but for some reason my anger only grows. "Is that understood?"

"Yes Akio, we understand... please calm down." Minako says to me.

I turn to Amaya. "Gather the towns people. Tell them that the Shinigami has an important announcement."

"Yes, oniisan."

Amaya then wanders off to spread the message through the guards and then they spread it to the civilians.

I then lead Minako and Hisoka to the main gardens,then into the front gates of the giant manor, and into the grand hall. As we patiently wait for the guards to come in and tell us the audience has arrived, the three girls chat about recent events. Hisoka is headstrong about staying the traveling course, while Amaya is fixated on keeping me in the city, Minako is more concerned about my well being. Even though I don't react I do eavesdrop on their conversation.

"We need to keep moving, there's so much more that he needs to do and learn." Hisoka starts.

"That's foolish," Amaya retaliates, "his people need him here to help with the incoming attack."

"None of that is his problem," Hisoka hisses, "his people treated him and his father like shit before you came into power. They took care of themselves fine this long, they can do so again."

"He'll die out there and our people will have nothing."

"He will die if he stays, he will fail at his job and the job will kill him."

Both turn to Minako and say, "what do you think?"

"I look into Akio's eyes and see a longingness to cease the travels. I do not want him to die, so he must travel to continue his duty... but when he travels I can see parts of him dying inside..." She sighs, "It is not our decisions to make... but I do fear for him as both of you should too. Amaya he is your brother, you should be just as worried as I am. And Hisoka I can see that you are worried for him too. Both of you need to trust his decision for it is not made lightly. And if I know Akio... the answer to our questions will be made in this announcement."

At that moment a guard opens the door and stares at me. "My master, the audience has arrived."

"Good, lets not keep them waiting." I reply nodding.

He nods back and all of us walk out into the gardens and see the entire city's people are standing patiently waiting for the news.

I stand before them and sigh.

"Are you okay Akio," Minako says to me.

"Yes," I reply. I then turn back to the crowd. "My brothers and sisters! The oldest grand elder has committed treason against you all by trying to cease my existent... she now lays dead. All things stated by her, and all laws made by her, are to be both nullified and forgotten.

"However, you shall still listen to mayor Amaya until her time comes and an heir is to take her place. Now to more pressing matters..."

The crowd looks concerned and chats softly and then turns back to me.

"The Kyuukestuki is coming to our home, and the bring with them mercenaries from the Ryuujin. We shall not be afraid when they come... but instead meet them head on into battle and kill them till the soil of our lands has had its fill of their blood."

The crowd cheers, and then stare at me again.

"You shall not be alone, for I will call the Ryuujin leader and tell him of the treason in his people, his army shall aid us."

"But my master, what shall you do?" One civilian asks.

I stare at them and then back to Amaya, Hisoka, and Minako, they too are wondering the same question.

I turn back to the town people. "You all know the duty I have for all kinds, but I shall give aid in the battle when the time comes. For now I need men to volunteer to serve for their families, their people, and their home. It is not a demand for all men to serve. However, I do expect for those who don't to help serve in anyway they can, whether it be food, armor and weapons, or goods, all should be done to help the cause of defending our home. That is all and that is my announcement. Return to your homes and await further instructions in the next few days from the guards, if any of you need sever assistance do not hesitate to ask for me. Farewell."

The crowd applauds and I turn back to my companions and see them staring at me.

"Lets be away, we have much to plan."

We walk in the main halls and Hisoka turns to me a little angered, "What the hell was that?!"

"That was an announcement, or don't your people know what those are?"

"No not that you sniveling pup," She growls closing her eyes and gritting her teeth, "this is not your damned war."

I glare at her and Amaya interjects before me, "It is too his war. You heard his decision he is staying to help his kind."

"His kind treated you and him like dirt, or did you forget that Kyuukestuki queen?" Hisoka hisses.

"That was of my choosing do not begin to think that was their fault."

"What about him running around as a petty thief trying to provide for his little sister, and the reason why he couldn't get a job to earn it was because your kind would kill him and you when they laid eyes on either of you."

I start to close my eyes now starting to doubt the judgment of my decision. Minako sees this and turns to me. "Akio?"

I don't answer, I just continue to listen.

Amaya starts to tear up but this makes her angrier. "That was before. This is now, they love us... we're accepted for once, and we can't abandon the people now. We wouldn't be accepted... we'd live in fear again."

"If he doesn't leave to fulfill his duties requirements... then he won't be around to embrace that love!"

I turn and start to walk away... the fight has lead to more anger and confusion than I wished to have...

"You two have officially done it," Minako calls to them. "I've never heard such distaste and selfishness at all in my life. Let me help mend the wounds of confusion you have severed into his mind..."

I walk into the shadows of the hall and use them to teleport to the shadows of my room.

After I manifest from them I walk out to the balcony to look down at the statue, the soul was returned to it to make sure it didn't kill me. Sighing a resigned breath, I look out to the wastes of my kinds lands. Knowing the dangers that come and the choice I now... again have to make.

The door opens behind me and I sense Minako drawing near after I hear the door close. She walks up and starts to reach a hand out for me... but withdraws it as she feels the energy of my emotions.

"You are not easy to keep up with when you travel by shadows... you know that right?"

I nod slowly but remaining silent so she can continue onto her point.

"I know the road is filled with many cross roads... and that many paths may not be able to be traveled once a choice is made."

"Some of those choices are made for me... you should know this better than anyone."

She nods and then turns to me. "But remember this, even in the shadows between paths... answers will lie in wait. All you have to do is look and traverse."

I stop and start to get an idea... a very good idea. I turn to Minako and smile then kiss her cheek.

"Thank you."

She nods and then smiles, "You need to separate your sister and Hisoka."

I give a very resigned sigh and moan, "Are they still arguing of my stupid announcement?"

She shakes her head and starts to walk out, as I follow her she continues, "no... their arguing over what's going to be served for dinner."

"Oh for the love of me."

I walk out of my room and start to head to the grand dinning hall. I look around and see the black screamwood table and chairs, covering it is the banner of my people. I look at the end of the hall and stare into the eyes of the master chef, whom seems more than confused and scared at the two powerful mouths screaming at each other about the meal he is to be serving.

I happily place my hand on the ground and send two shadow hands to cover their mouths and wrap around them to pin them together. They both glare at me with disgust and hatred. The chef bows smiling and moves back to the kitchen.

"Enough arguing dammit!"

Both look at me gripping the hands that have clasped around their mouths.

"I have had it with you two and your stupid arguments!"

Amaya manages to squirm free from the grip and starts yelling at me.

"This is your fault you know, if you would just tell her that this is my city and my land, then we wouldn't be arguing."

"Silence!" I hiss and black wrappings cover her mouth tighter than the hand did making sure she stays quiet.

Walking toward them I turn to Hisoka. "To be completely honest, she has a point. She is the reigning power here, and you'll just have to live with that."

Amaya gets a smirk in her eyes with makes me turn to her, "you have to understand that even though you are the reigning authority here, she is still your guest. And you must treat your guests with the respect they deserve."

It is now Hisoka's turn to smirk, after seeing this I release them both. "Now to show me you two are indeed capable of working together I am demanding you both to go into the lands and collecting and making your own dinner!"

Both turn to me and start to protest. Hisoka first, "You mean I have to work with this child?"

"You wouldn't last a day out there on your own without the knowledge I have."

"She's right," I intervene. "Without Amaya's knowledge of the land here you will not last a day."

Again Amaya smirks toward Hisoka. To which I continue, "However, even with your knowledge you should know Amaya, that you cannot hope to survive alone out there to find food."

She sighs and nods, "Yes that is true..."

"Then it's settled. Now get going."

They walk past me and as I watch them leave Hisoka turns to Amaya and says, "what exactly are we getting into?"

"Where do I begin." Amaya replies.

After they leave, I turn to Minako, "and what are your plans?"

"To look around... and hopefully return to my village."

"You know that it was burned down, and the likely hood of rebuilding it was beyond hope." I sigh.

"Yes, Akio, I do, but is something I need to see." She replies with a depressed glance to the floor.

"In that case I will go with you."

She gets a bit of shock pass through her eyes, then turns to me, "Akio you don't have to-"

"It's fine Minako," I reply with a smile. "I don't mind..."

Smiling back, she comes to take my hand and then stops once she sees my eyes, "That's not all you want to look at is it?"

After a second or two, I shake my head and continue, "I want to go see the old house."

"Akio, are you sure that it would be okay for you?"

"I haven't been home in decades," I sigh as I look toward her. "It's just something I need to see."

Nodding she takes my hand and understands completely, and then turns to lead me out of the dining hall. She leads me to the room and then shuts the door behind us.

"Minako?"

"Yes."

Looking at her I ask her, "Why are we in here?"

"We aren't going anywhere just yet, as far as I remember you didn't rest last night... and you need to."

Shaking my head and looking to the ceiling, I smile and then close my eyes, "I agree..."

Turning to me, I hear Minako chuckle, "I won't leave until you are ready to go. But I do want to look around town for a bit."

Lying on the bed and resting my head on the pillows my hands over them, I turn my head from the ceiling to Minako. "Okay, please be careful."

"Don't worry," she smiles as she's leaving then she turns to me before walking through the door. "If I see Hisoka and Amaya, do you want me to bring them back?"

Turning my head back to the ceiling, I close my eyes and shake my head, "No, if anything this will be a good experience for them."

"Do you think they'll survive?"

"Yes," I nod. "Hisoka is a good fighter, and Amaya is a good tactician and can hold her own in a fight. They will survive if they work together."

Hearing the door shut, I turn away from it and look towards the window to look at the sky. After looking at the blood red horizon, my eyes shut and I drift to sleep.