Chapter 4

I awake to see that the dusk is rapidly approaching... the nights in my homeland are so beautiful, it would be a shamed to not take the time to enjoy it again.

Walking out into the hall, after getting myself prepared with a small bag slung over shoulder, I look to see Minako talking with one of the chefs as he hands her a basket. His eyes move to spot me coming up to her. Seeing that the man had turned his attention, she then turns to look into the same direction and then immediately spotting me, she smiles.

"Akio, glad to see your are awake. I take it you had the same idea as I did?"

Nodding I turn to her, returning her smile, and reply, "Yes, I take it I awoke at the right moment?"

" I was just about to wake you, yes."

Turning to the chef, also smiling at me, I nod my head in respect, "I thank you for preparing a mobile dinner for our trip."

"It was not a hardship in the least, Shinigami." He chuckles slightly, "but may I ask if I should prepare a meal for the Madam and her... 'counter part'?"

Waving my hand, I chuckle, "No there won't be a need, after having to deal with their arguments I think you have deserved a night of relaxation, they were sent to fend for themselves tonight."

"So that basically means I'm free to return to my family tonight?"

Smiling, again, I wave my hand to him except this time in a goodbye gesture, "Yes may your night be pleasant."

"Thank you, Master." He calls as Minako and I walk out of the front door.

After closing it and turning to one another, we nod and make our way to the front gate. Just as we arrive a while later a guard looks to me. "Oh master shinigami, a quick word please."

We walk up and I address him, "What is it you wish to speak about?"

"If your planning on going into the lands, I have heard rumors that some rogues are roaming about..."

"Thank you, now I need you to do something for me," I reply as I quickly give him a small scroll. "Make sure to send a bloodraven to my sisters location and deliver that scroll."

He salutes and then moves to retrieve and send a bloodraven to Amaya.

We walk out the gates and then Minako turns to me, "what did you send your sister?"

Still walking I keep looking ahead, "I letter of warning... the Spirit showed me a vision about this very event."

"When?"

"When I was in a deep slumber, induced by her magic..."

"What did she show you," she asks with a hint of concern.

Still looking, and moving forward, I reply with an emotionless face, "my next target."

Minako breaths a heavy sigh and gets herself ready for the forward events. After a few minutes later I feel Hisoka coming closer, a black cloud swarms around Minako and I, keeping pace it chuckles. After a couple of laps she fabricates herself walking next to us grinning sadistically and slightly chuckling, "time for the Shinigami to get to work."

A portal appears in the air just next to Minako and Amaya comes through it glaring sternly ahead and keeping pace just behind Minako and in time with Hisoka, whom is just behind me slightly but aligned with Amaya.

"What are the details Oniisan," Amaya asks with no emotion in her tone.

"You will find out when I come to collect."

Coming to the screamwood forest, we look in and decide on what we should do.

"I say we should just go and find the 'special one'." Hisoka chuckles, still grinning as she did on the way here.

"We can't just do that, you should know that the lands prey on those not prepared," Amaya retorts calmly, "Going without rest will cloud our judgment and that could be fatale. Things lurk with a hunters patience to make sure even the deadliest prey will go down without much effort. Plus that rogue group will definitely be looking for anyone in this wood."

"The target is apart of the group roaming these lands, leaving blood soaked dirt and sand in their wake, whether its outsiders or brethren caught in their games, they destroy them without remorse or mercy." Minako adds in, "Akio has dealt with these types of targets before, he will make the final call."

As they were weighing the options I placed my hand on one of the closer trees and use it to channel my energy a head over a longer distance, to search for anything inhospitable to travelers. Creatures, plants, cannibals, and lesser rogues fill this forest. Being cautious would be the most advisable thing to do right now.

Returning my energy to the tree, I try to use it to communicate with it, the tree is not very old, and shows me a vision of a much older kin. It's got broken branches, yet still remains tall and strong with signs of burning and carvings all over the trunk, it is the oldest of this part of the forest and has seen most of the dangers. The tree sends a feeling of direction as if telling me to learn from this wiser kin. Then I hear it speak in my mind.

'Seek out this vision and prepare camp under its branches, you must commit yourself to the Ritual of Leaves. After staying in permanent meditation for a night and a half, my wiser brethren will speak with you.'

'What must I do to complete this task laid before me?'

"There is a branch that will be given to you, it will fall on the ground containing a black flower, with branch in your arms you must use your energy to change the flower to a white flower with bloodied tears, only then will a rare bird, the hallowed trush arrive to feed from the flower, it will command a blood willingly given to quench it's thirst, once you have the trush's trust, will you then have the acquired ability to eat a fruit of vision. My kindred will not talk but show you what you need to know about the task you have laid before you."

I nod and the pull my hand away from the trunk. Turning back to the others, I announce my plan, "we're are moving onward, but we shall set up camp soon. Amaya is right we have to keep cautious about this land. No matter where we are, this lovely place will try to kill us all."

After having walked through forest for about an hour or two, we come to the small clearing in my vision and I turn to see the tree there on the left. As we walk to it I witness a tree branch fall down and land on the ground before us, a black rose sitting on it as if presenting itself to me.

"We will camp here for the next couple of days," I say whilst looking at the flower.

"The next two days?" Hisoka asks incredulously. "That band would be several days ahead of us!"

Turning to her and glaring into her eyes, I say with a smooth, however firm, tone, "we will camp here for the next two days, and I will not take no for an answer I have to do something."

"And what reason could you have, that explains why we must sit on our asses and do nothing."

"Onii-san is about to perform the Ritual of Leaves," Amaya interjects before I could counter Hisoka, then she turns to me, "Isn't that right Onii-san?"

Nodding to her I then go and grab the small branch, the thorns gash into my hands and I feel small roots dig into my wounds, starting to feed and absorb the blood from my veins into the branch... it is extremely painful, but through a strong focus, I withhold the urge to cry out thus enforcing why we call these trees screamwood.

Sitting down in meditation, I feel the branch feed more of my blood it is at this point I infuse some of my energy into the branch allowing it to use it to change the flower, this process will take an amount of time, how long depends on the energy you forfeit and the strength of it.

"What is the Ritual of Leaves?" Hisoka looks at me, yet asks Amaya.

"It is a way for our race to communicate with the trees, this is gaining the trust of the elder screamwood you see him sitting under."

"What does it require?" Hisoka inquires turning to her.

"Judging by the flower, I would say he has to give the plant you see on the branch both blood and energy, thus allowing it to change into an extremely beautiful thing, thus sending a scent to the surrounding woods."

"And just what is this scent going to attract?" Hisoka shakes her head.

"Its known as a hallowed thrush." Amaya replies, " It is a ghostly thing, caught in the ethereal plain, once in a while when these flowers bloom they come to the comforting scent, thus manifesting into our plain of existence."

"And what happens when that is completed?" Hisoka asks jumping onto a branch leaning against the trunk.

"He will then be granted a vision granting fruit. And with that answers to questions he asked the tree through the scent of the flower that will bloom."

Closing my eyes after half of that conversation I drown out into deep meditation. Felling my energy begin to gain strength in the flower I feel the flower become less thirsty. It is starting to bloom.

After what feels like an eternity in my mind I feel the small wing beats of a bird, the energy is pure and very lucid. Opening my eyes I see the bird flying over the flower which has now become more of a lily, white with bloodied tears on the petals. The bird lands on the branch and then sticks its beak into the flower... after that I see the flower grow small sharp teeth and quickly clasp over the bird then reopen with a glow in its center, slowly moving outward toward the petal tips. As it did I noticed a small bulb quickly turn into a pale and luminescent fruit.

Picking it off the branch, after placing the branch on the ground, I look at it enthralled by its alluring glow, then taking a bite I feel immense pain shoot all through out my body, I then feel a vision start to form into my mind. I see a tall young man sitting in a throne with a small child under his foot on his hands and knees, propping his foot, as the vision pans out I see a crowd of hooded silhouettes raising glasses. The young man glares with a sadistic smile with red eyes glowing with rage and madness. The young child is my target... but I feel a challenge from the obvious leader of this crowd. He wants me to find them, and he then throws his hands out past the crowd... they then turn and rush out on horses away, cheering and raising blades, chains, clubs, and axes into the nights air. He's looking for us... then I turn to see his eyes glowing with a figure in them, a lust for this beings presence comes overflowing from them. The figure then forms to be me... he wants me. Not the others.

It was at that moment that I hear horses off in the distance and feel the energy of the riders.

"Wake up" I demand loudly.

They wake up and I look to Minako and Amaya, "You need to leave now Minako, and take Amaya with you."

"What is it Akio," Minako asks.

"We don't have time for explanations, please just do as I asked."

"But Onii-san," Amaya retorts, "I want to stay with you."

"No!" I snap back to her, "If anything happens to you, then who will lead our people in the war against the Kyuuketsuki?"

"But why must I go?" Minako asks urgently.

"Because this land is capable of killing anything no matter the power or strength, she will need protecting and your the only one I trust to do that, so please do not delay any longer and go!"

They look at each other and then start running off into the trees behind us.

Exhaling, I start getting myself ready. Then I see Hisoka stand next to me her hand holding a black dagger, and a small black orb in the other. Turning to see me she nods and then gets ready.

As the thundering sound of the horses comes closer and the energy of the riders comes closer, we prepare to brace to what ever comes. And just as soon as I started to focus on my task, the energy disappeared, and the sounds ceased in an instant.

Looking around I try to get a trace of something to show what is going on... but I can sense nothing. I then turn to Hisoka whom also looks back at me confused. About the time she was about to speak a rope darts through the air like an arrow and binds her, struggling she falls to the ground. Before I can go to assist, another coil comes and wraps its self around my hands, and then another binds my legs, and I too, am cast to the ground.

Rushing from the trees, the riders shout out with victorious screams with weapons raised in the air. One then steps to me as two others haul me to my knees, with the hood shadowing his face he looks me over.

"This is him!" He yells with anticipation. The others then shout their excitement into the air.

Then their cries cease as I feel an immense power arrive walking throw the line the crowd formed for him.

I look to see the man from my vision staring at me with the same intense eyes burning with madness, and the smile, the sadistic grin growing wider as he approaches. Stopping right in front of me he lifts my head with his cupped hand under my chin, then he speaks.

"You must be Akio," he says, his pitch revealing youth in his voice, but his tone was cold and scathing.

He then forces my head down and turns to his followers, "Pathetic!" he roars.

Looking at him, I see him turn back to me, his smile replaced but a disgusted scowl. He continues, "This is the great Shinigami? Pathetic!"

"Watch your tongue!" Hisoka yells. "Do you have any idea to whom your speaking to?!"

He walks over to her and slams his boot on her side, "Yes you majo filth!" He growls, pressing down harder. She tries to smile but her face reveals the agony she is in.

Moving his boot from her, turns to his men, "This is the once great Shinigami, a poor excuse of his former self."

Turning back to me, he begins again. "We want to know what happened to the old you! You were darker than the blackest night, ruthless even! And yet here you sit with the thing that made you feared locked away!"

"I have good reason," I reply glaring at him.

He nods, turning back to his riders, "Yes he did."

"You see," he continues mockingly, "He found a lover, and thus wanted to change for her sake, so he cast the real Shinigami into a cage! And there he has stayed!"

Roaring with anger his followers shook fists and weapons, he continued over them. "I wanted to fight the Shinigami to live eternity as I see fit! Through fear did I wish this, but then I started to admire him! Like all of you, I admire the once proud monstrosity that came through the land. The Shinigami, was dark, sadistic, ruthless, borderline evil! This enjoyer and connoisseur of souls and blood, is who I wanted to fight!"

Again this men screamed with thrill and excitement, "We scoured the lands, read books, and hunted for a way to bring back the one we admire! AND WE FOUND IT!"

Staring at him as he turns back to me, shocked by his words, he holds up a vial with a pink glowing liquid and glares at me with that sick smile he had before.

"This vial holds the key to the cage!" Looking at it, he continues, "this is from a flower known as the Demon's Thirst, it will give the real Shinigami the power to return!"

At the sight of the vial I feel a deep power grow excited, so much so that half of my face turns to a sadistic smile, with my eye glaring with lustful anticipation. As I look toward the vial, he notices my smile and comes closer a black aura surrounding this hand. Lifting me in the air he uses that hand to force my mouth open still smiling, "thirsty."

After that he pours the liquid into my mouth, and with no control over it, I gulp it down. Instantly, a pain fills my body and then the feeling of being dragged into a void.

Awaking, I see a pair of legs standing before me.

"Get up!" I hear an all too familiar voice command.

I stand slowly, and then turn to see myself, only with eyes bright glowing red burning with rage and insanity, his smile wide only adding to the mans terrifying glare.

"You need to become one with me Akio," he hisses, "We need to become whole again."

"And why would I ever allow that." I ask him.

"Because your powers are deteriorating, and becoming the same being will stop it and bring your strength back to its peek!"

"And why should I-"

"BECAUSE YOU CAN'T DEFEAT HIM AKIO!" He booms, kuroki hi flaring around him, "We need to be one to become the ultimate power, without equal! If you truly want to save Minako from every fate worse than death... then you need to become death again!"

I stare at him now with eyes of desire, and he catches onto them slowly pacing around me. This flower is giving me the keys to your body but only together can we have the power truly given to us. With it we could do a lot to this world... think about it Akio. You wont have to worry about whether your strong enough anymore."

Slowly I feel my mouth start to match his sadistic smile, again seeing this change he keeps pressing, " Come Akio, you would be death. Non would dare touch your sister, your companion, or your lover.... all would give the fearful respect you command!"

My eyes start to burn with the fires of madness and lust. Desires I only dreamed of achieving now no longer needing to give a care in the world... it almost sounds.... too good to be true.

Sensing my doubtful conflictions, he stops in front of me. "Akio it wouldn't be a body dealing with two souls. If we become one. You and I will think, feel, and desire the same things. Your desires for their safety would become mine with the same determination as you give. But my blood lust will be yours to feel and quench at the same time. There is no more you and me... if we become one, there will only be one."

I look at my hands and see blood droplets on them, then noticing the blood tears flowing from my eyes. I look up and glare at him. His smile reflects mine as I start to chuckle maniacally.

"I have but one condition." I seethe.

"And what is that Akio?"

"We get to devour that rogue!" I say as my chuckle turns to a horrifying laugh.

"As you wish Akio," he smiles wider as he stretches his and out to me.

As I grab him, he moves into me as we absorb one another and molding the one being destined to combine.

With the rush of power forcing me back into consciousness, I hear the rogue leader talking to his men and open my eyes to see my body keeled over my head planted in the grass.

" I guess I forgot to mention that it was also highly toxic!" He laughs as his men join him.

"What, did you say?" I cackle as I sit up leering at him with the same burning eyes as I had in the void, my voice is dark with hints of murderous intent. "Toxic you say? That wasn't even close to being potent enough to make me feel discomfort."

Turning toward me his eyes burn with the same passion mine do, his smiling gleaming. "It looks like you've finally return... well then I'll make this interesting." He laughs under his breath placing his hand under my chin. "I will let you go for now, let you regain your strength Shinigami."

"How generously selfish of you... but also stupid, and ill witted." I hiss my words sharp like a blade. "Before you go, blood sack."

He looks into my eyes and then replies, "yes?"

"What is your name?"

"Zeno, why do you ask?"

"I need it to hunt you down again, blood bag."

His smile disappears just for a second as I see the expression change for naught but a moment, and then comes back as he stands to leave slowly fading away, "I look forward to it."

I look past him to see his followers have done the same, after they have completely vanished the ropes turn to ash and Hisoka stands up, as I do as well.

"Akio?" She asks hesitantly.

Losing the smile I turn to her my eyes still glowing, "yes?"

"Have you become your inner demon?" She inquires?

I turn to her my smile returned. "I have become one with it. And as the first order of business as a new reformed me, I plan to kill Zeno!"

She stares at me for a second, then starts to grin herself, "Great plan."

After a while I feel my bloodlust calm a bit, still burning embers of its longing for. I then rest against the tree and summon my sword besides me.

"How do you plan to go after him," She finally speaks.

"I have his name, and I can track a target even if they are many days away from me. It give's a slight pull, as it does for wolves hunting their prey."

"Last I checked, wolves used more of their senses and instincts to guide their hunt... you don't have those luxuries." She scoffs.

Looking at her with a dead face, she sees the intensity in my eyes, whilst I have her gaze I continue with my point, "It is a tug at my energy that lets me follow the paths that my target has taken. And as long as he is with Zeno, I can track both of them."

"If Zeno is smart, he will drop the target off or execute him." She replies looking off into the distance she thinks they went.

Shaking my head I look into the same direction, feeling the energy of the boy pull me from a ways beyond. "He isn't looking to play this safe... he has power, a lust for conflict with beings of great power, and is completely mad. He wants me to find him, and he wants me to wait until the time is right."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Sighing I look into my hand and summon a small ball of kuroki hi, "when I swallowed the tonic from the vial I was pulled into the place where I had locked the more sadistic side of my being, and he revealed to me that our powers were deteriorating. As a result we became the one again. Both him and I are now no longer separate from each other, we are now in unison."

"You're smile gives me fear, and your eyes glow with hatred..." Hisoka says turning to me again.

Smiling I turn my eyes upward to her, "I haven't felt like this in a long time... it feels so invigorating. My strength is swiftly returning to me, as my thirst and hunger comes flooding the void of uncertainty. I crave it again, and I lust for the rush of battle."

Staring into my eyes her chestier grin comes back and her soft chuckles are followed by words, "it is good to have the Reaper back, may you continue to spread fear to those around you."

Getting up I walk past her into the center of the clearing, my sword disappearing into my hidden armory. I look into the sky and take in a deep breath, letting my energy's strength show itself and rise. The shadows sprout mists and fogs that come toward me and begin circling around. The kuroki hi in my hand begins to encase my entire body, forming a pillar of fire that grows larger, taller, and stronger. The fire then forms a coat of black around me and the mists form the scythe I carried around before. The coat is infused with the kuroki hi, with black flames shifting and sprouting randomly for seconds, and the scythe has take a new form. The shaft is crooked in a few points of the length, and the blade with a jagged fire splitting the middle to the tip, and the blade itself sharper than ever before.

I pause for few seconds looking it over as the fire and mists recedes into the new items I have, finishing them and adding the final touches to the effects of its majutsu. I then pull up the hood and with it the shadow covers over my eyes and nose... but the smile is left revealed.

Standing in awe of what she has just been witness to, Hisoka stares at me. "I have never dreamed of feeling that much power."

"It is the true power I have hidden away, but no longer. If Zeno wants to fight the Shinigami... then I would hate to disappoint him." I laugh with an evil cackle.

Composing herself, she continues, "What shall we do? Do we summon Minako and Amaya-"

"No!" I snap instantly, causing Hisoka to flinch a little, "Amaya needs to stay and lead her people. And Minako is there to protect her, she is the only one I would trust with the task."

"Then what shall I do?"

Grinning I walk closer to her and place my curved finger under her chin and my thumb upon it's front, "You did want to see the real Shinigami, did you not? Is that not what you longed for?"

She returns my smile with one of her own her lust of bearing witness returning to her gaze.

"Now you have the privilege of fighting with him," I coo. "Does that make up for making you wait to see me truly, with no restraints?"

"Yes," she hisses, excitement filling her tone, "yes that would do nicely."

"Then don't hold back either," I say removing my hand and returning it to my side. "I want to see you full power when we fight, if you don't...."

She loses her grin and I raise my scythe to her throat, I laugh deeply and maniacally "I will kill you where you stand, and end your pathetic excuses."

She understands the challenge she was issued and chuckles back bringing forth the chestier grin again, "Oh I don't think we'll have a problem about that concern."

Turning from her and starting to walk toward my targets direction, I call to her, "then let's go. If luck is with me, this should be fun."

Hisoka and I arrive at a small village days away from the forest that we encountered Zeno and his riders. Moving toward an inn, a few people spot me and look over in a bit of confusion, fear, and some disgust... none clearly know that I am the Shinigami.

'Probably for the better that they don't. I really don't think we need the attention drawn to us.'

"You're hiding your identity again?" Hisoka hisses in my thoughts.

'Oh yeah I forgot you had that power...'

"You forgot?!" Hisoka starts then sighs again within the confines of my head, "rrgh, never mind, but why stay hidden."

'I don't want to people to know I'm the Shinigami, because I want to hold a meeting here.'

"A meeting," she asks, "with who?"

'Minako. Amaya and maybe a couple of other allies.'

Confused, she blinks at me for a couple of seconds and then we enter the tavern. After the door swung open, people stop and turn to look at Hisoka and me. We move past them and sit in a small corner booth, round screamwood table, and black rounded sofa against a window.

Looking a round I do my best to hide my energy's strength, after taking a few short breaths I feel like it can go no lower... however it still is more powerful then most here.

'Hopefully, this will be enough to make me look like a mercenary of some sorts, everyone knows this land has it's share full of them.'

It's enough for everyone to look away and go back to their drinks, slightly shrugging like they were mistaken about the sense in my energy. As I continue to look around I see that all but one have turned away from me... there is a female in the opposite side of the tavern in a corner much like ours who has not turned away. Underneath her black hood, I can see her armor, slightly gleaming in the candle light, her deep green eyes, haven't moved off of us from out entrance to the tavern. She almost looks likes a ryuujin. But that can't be right she has green eyes, most of their kind has bright red, even dark scarlet but the color never varies from the basic red. She also can't be a ryuujin, they would never come here... even more so... I don't feel any energy coming from a kokuryuu.

I look to see her weapon standing next to her resting against the circled sofa. Noticing that I have locked eyes with her, she starts to get up can come over... I look over to see my scythe is gone.

'Dammit, that's right I got rid of it to hide my identity... the scythe is a dead give away... But I do have something that might do the trick.'

I use the shadows underneath the table to form a long sword, pulling it out from underneath it I set it next to me on the sofa, placing it to show the sheath. A black metal with leather from the netherstags, a beautiful creature from the southern parts of my homeland. But those regions have fallen to bandit country... so it's rare to see it here.

She comes up to us and places a sheath on the table with sword inside it, the long curved shape screams katana... but the hand guard is a dead give away... but yet some how unique. It blackened but the metal that which was used to make isn't a normal ingot, its almost like a crystal..

"Mind if I join you?" She asks with a tone showing her entertainment. As if she knows something.

"Do not let her sit here..." Hisoka says in my mind, "I don't feel any harm coming from her but all the same I don't really think it's-"

"Please tell me that your not afraid of a girl, Akio Kirashoku." She says mocking me.

"Oh please let her sit here," Hisoka cries out laughing in my mind again. "Anyone who mocks you is definitely welcome to join us."

Ignoring Hisoka, I realized she knows my last name... the only other one of us besides me that knows that is Amaya.

'Who is this woman...' I ask myself as I turn to this stranger, "I don't have any trouble with it... just place katana on the other side of you."

"But what if someone wants to steal it," She asks toying with me.

"Then you wouldn't be a very good sword wielder now would you?" I reply trying to toy as well but only coming off as annoyed.

Laughing she takes a seat and then after she calms down a bit I ask her, "who are you, and have we met?"

Now looking at me with confusion behind the reason for the question, she shakes her head, "no we haven't met. But there isn't anyway I could forget your energy. I felt you coming before you even made it to town."

"How do you know my last name then?" I ask incredulously.

"Look a girl has to have some secrets." She chuckles, "all you need to worry about is that, your being hunted."

Looking around the tavern again I see a few head peek up but then return to their drinks. "And who exactly is hunting me?"

"I don't know any names, but I do know that a young man with orange hair had come in, raising hell about his success in getting to have a battle with the Shinigami."

I sigh and then place my head on my hand with it propped up on my arm, my eyes closed in boredom, "Oh, him."

"What do you mean, 'oh him'? Have you met him?"

"Yes a few nights ago as a matter of fact." I reply.

She glares at me, "Well geeze, lets not all panic at once..."

I open my eyes and glare at her with a dark, annoyed stare, the tone in my reply is dry and cold, "Why the hell should I panic about having someone hunt for me. Honestly I'm just looking for a fun fight. Why should I enter his lair with my head worrying about death? I want this to be interesting, because as death... there really hasn't been an interesting fight for a long time."

"Oh really?" She stares at me irked, "You sound like you have just been awakened from hibernation..."

"You could call it that," I say sighing and leaning back.

"How is that Akio," Hisoka asks, whom surprisingly has been quiet up till now. "You haven't locked away your powers for that long."

"You think that back in Momaru's castle was when you saw me at my pique? That the dark and twisted had been released?" I asks now turning my cold gaze onto her. She leans back slightly looking abit worried with memories of my little intrusion into her mind replaying in her eyes. As she slightly quivers, I continue. "I locked away this side of me a long, long, long time ago. Back before I found Minako again."

Just at that point I noticed a couple of cloak covered women walk in and then turned to look around, one spots me and then the two walk to a table on the far side of the tavern. I sense something familiar but I'm too distracted about my explanation that I don't investigate any further.

"I wasn't known as the Final Terror without reason," I start to explain. "I was given that name because back then I enjoyed the thrill of the chase, the taste of blood, and the exhilarating feeling of a soul being absorbed into my body. When they tried to fight I wouldn't forgive them if it wasn't interesting... and that meant torture, I could crystalize the kuroki hi within a person, and then slowly let it grow. Watching the impalement with a smile on my face. But that wasn't the only punishment. For those that actually gave me a thrill in battle, I would allow them to see me take their soul and eat it, after that I would give them permission to die. Depending on who they were and what they did in life I reserved my favorite for those whom thought themselves superior to me. And you should know all about that one Hisoka.

Her fearful eyes gives way to sheer terror as I chuckle sadistically, "I would do even more in there than I did to you. Terrifying them with they're dreams is one thing. But if I could terrify them with their desires, their darkest longings, and their lust! Now there you have control. Only to finally end it with a sudden realization, that what ever they desired in life was cut down in front of them. Beautiful women, chances for powers, authority, and wealth all within their grasp but never able to take it. The women would be a fabrication of my design and then cut down whilst they laugh, until I cut down the prey. The lust for power or authority would be burned, and then it would burn them as they tried desperately to save it. And the wealth would turn to greed eaters."

"What are greed eaters?" I hear this new stranger ask. Turning to her I reply. "They are a terrible hunter that resides in coins, gems, and jewelry. When you start to touch one they wait... for only a good portion of them can take down a man... that is why if you are greedy you are liable to take more and more of them not realizing that you have already brought a fate worse than death into your very hands."

Both look at me with concerned looks, thus finishing my answer I reply, "they will bite and tear into you burrowing deep starting with the side dishes first, you non life essential internal organs, such as the stomach your bladder, reproductive organs, etcetera. And then they start rip and feast on your flesh still saving the vitals for last. And if your alive through all of that they kill you and devour your heart, brain, and the other necessities to live."

"And you sent them to those things?" Hisoka asks starting to place her hand on her mouth...

"I watched them die, burn, and get devoured." I reply grinning sadistically, my eyes showing enjoyment of the memories, "I relished in it! I couldn't get enough!"

"What made you lock that away," again the stranger speaks.

Not knowing her name is getting on my nerves.

"First your going to tell me your name." I ask.

She blinks and then points to herself smiling, "I'm Tora."

"Tora, huh?" I sigh, "I got rid of it because I had one person reveal how terrifying I was..."

As I was approaching a small house, I felt the life's energy of my target... I smiled. The thought of killing another was almost exciting. How would I do it, my scythe, my kuroki hi, drain their blood? Oh so many choices... I moved closer and I noticed a small child playing in the yard... a young boy. He looked up and saw me then ran back inside. After I moved to the door and was about to force myself in, the young boy had opened it for me as he smiled.

"Welcome mister," He chirped as he looked me over with his silver eyes, "momma said she was expecting you."

I glared down in slight confusion. This boys demeanor was confusing, he started bouncing a little bit his light black hair was bobbing despite it's lack in length. His smile was revealing both excitement and happiness.

'It's almost as if he doesn't know who I am?' I thought to myself. Then I spoke to him, "Your mother was expecting me?"

He nodded and kept smiling, "mmmmhmmm." He hummed with a playful tune. "Mommy said 'it was only a matter of time'."

"And your not afraid of me?"

He shook his head. "Nope, you look kinda cool, so I like you."

This child had to be no more than six, it was almost funny how little children could be friendlier to death only to fear it later in life as an adult.

The child's words made me smile, I patted his head and stepped inside. After I had a look around, I noticed that the small home was well made. A living room on the right, kitchen and dinning room on the left, and a hall was ahead of me that split both ways again, obviously the bedrooms. I look to see a woman about my height was cooking in the kitchen, she had turned around to me after I stepped in, her silver eyes showed no concern, no fear, only that of a welcoming smile.

"Hello," She said her tone smooth and soft. "I take it that you must be the Shinigami."

I was stunned, she called to me so calmly, and I can't sense a bit of fear on her. Was she really expecting me?

She giggles. "You look surprised. My name is Rose, my son there is Thorn. We're glad to welcome you to our home."

I nodded and then spoke, "my name is Akio, I thank you for allowing me in."

"It's not often one get's to meet death now is it, Akio." She smiled as the turned back to her cooking.

Her hair was also a light black, but her skin looked so pale, she was already wearing a pale skirt and blouse but her skin... almost seemed to reflect lighter than even her white apron.

"Would you mind if I talked to you, Akio," She said, her voice changed from tenderness to what I familiarized with fearful.

'She greeted me with such a calm tone, how is it now that she's scared?' Again I think to myself, I replied, "No, I wouldn't mind that at all Rose."

"Thorn please go to your room for mommy," She said turning to Thorn, whom was now playing in the living room with some wooden toys.

He stopped playing and looked up again smiling, "Okay, mommy!" And off he took to his room.

After pointing to the table close by she sat down at one of the chairs, I sat to her right.

"I want to ask you for a last request, since I know your here for my life." He tone shifted to a serious one.

"And what makes you think the Shinigami handles or even fulfills last requests?"

She shook her head, "nothing, but I have to try, for I am fearful of what will happen to Thorn."

Looking at her I could tell she was close to crying, "I will listen to your last request but I will not give an answer until after I've heard it and the reason for this irregular action I may or may not take."

She looked up at me with hope, but regained her composure and started to explain. "There's been a gang of thieves and thugs that have taken to coming here, robbing our crops, killing our livestock, taking advantage of me, but furthermost abusing Thorn... up until recently that's been the routine. But a few of them have taking a liking to his actions when they come and want to take him under their wing."

She shook her head, "I cannot as a mother allow this. So my last request Akio, is please grant me a few more days to watch over my son, as you kill those monsters."

'What should I do?' I thought to myself.

"Hunt those whom prey on the weaker, I want their blood, I want their souls, and I want to hear their screams! Those who cower behind assaulting those whom can't fight back is nothing more than a pathetic waste of life and flesh." my darker side thought. "And who knows... it could be fun!"

I smiled behind a mask of a thoughtful face to avoid showing my horrific thoughts to Rose, then I thought to myself, 'I can get behind that plan.'

"I might be able to change your planned demise," I look at her. She looked up again with a gleam of hope that only seemed to radiate more after I spoke.

"What did you say?"

"If I go after these thieves and if there are enough, I could use their souls as an exchange for yours. Thus extending your time in this world..."

"Thank you-"

"Don't thank me just yet." I spoke with a commanding tone. I then thought to myself. "This is going to be dangerous... if there isn't enough and I sign the contract with her in my blood, then what ever is left will be taken from my soul... and if that's the case I could only do it a number of times... and last I checked the spirit was very unforgiving about this transaction... she will take more than expected as punishment for my insolence.'

"It should work, but I have to sign this with you." I spoke as I summoned a parchment, and inkwell with feather. "This is the contract that both you and I have to sign saying that I have allowed this exchange. It reads, 'After coming to terms with whom walks the path of the reaper, I have agreed to allow my soul be exchanged for others, so I may live while they face oblivion. I have also agreed to only allow this during a time when needed most and cannot seek this out again for any reasons what so ever. Thus my soul will be taken when it is time for the reaper to appear again by my side, not as enemies, but as two whom understand that a debt must be paid for the life time I was given. With my mark, I swear to uphold this other of repayment, until my final breath be taken.'."

I sat it down on the table and then handed her the inkwell and feather, "You sign there," I said pointing to the first blank line near the bottom of the page.

After taking the feather, she dipped it into the inkwell and then wrote her name, the letters turned a bright red and then went to black as she finished. I then took the parchment and formed in my hand a jagged black dagger that looked like it had seen hundreds of uses. I then form another inkwell and hold my empty wrist over it.

"What are you doing?" Rose asked.

"I have to sign with my blood or the contract won't be viable. Anyone can forged a signed paper, however there is only one Shinigami and that being me. It's kinda hard to prove you are when the blood isn't the same."

I then used to knife to slit my wrist, the majutsu in this blade made the cut a bit deeper so the blood flowed better. After enough had drained into the inkwell, I then used the kuroki hi to cauterize the wound and stopped the blood from flowing more. Then I took the same feather she used, licked it to clean, and then dipped into the inkwell filled with my blood. I then signed my signature on the bottom line, and it turned a glowing read as well but with the kuroki hi rising from the letters, then it settled down.

I placed the parchment into my robes, to which the shadows took, and absorbed it. After I had done so I looked up to see her skin returning to its warm color that it must have been before... the signs of death were leaving her.

She noticed and then looked at me, "you look alive," I said smiling.

She reached over the table embracing me, as tears fell from her eyes she said, "Thank you so much Akio... I will not squander this gift."

After had been around for about a month, I had slowly taken down small patrols of those thieves. They would stalk the woods near by, or watch the roads for opportunity. Always having come back and receiving injuries, Rose would dress the wounds and take care of them... if I wasn't intwined with Minako, I can not say with doubt that I would have fallen for her. And Thorn was coming to me more and more as a father than that of a friend to his mother. I would be lying if I said that I hadn't thought of myself taking him in. But I was there for a job and that just wasn't meant to be.

I was arriving back at the house, I looked toward the door with a feeling of comfort. I saw Rose working in her garden, Thorn just beside her resting in the grass. The sight was enough to make me feel like I had finally come home after a long trip away. I came to the gate and opened it, walking through I allow it to shut behind me. And I that I felt a familiarity with this scene.

'Almost like how you came home, isn't it, Otousan.'

Later in the kitchen I had taken off my robes to allow Rose to take care of more injuries. The scars of my past still visible after many years.

"Akio," She said, "how do you do it?"

"Do what?" I replied.

"Live as the Shinigami. Not to be rude but after seeing these scars, it just seems amazing that you have endured for so long."

I sighed, closed my eyes, and then responded, "I just take it day by day. Not really anything else to it, I guess."

After tying the bandage she wraps her arms over my chest and leans against me. "I can't imagine how you do it."

Shocked, I placed my hand on her arm and then looked to the floor. "I'm not sure how I do it either, Rose."

She then went past me and sat on the chair, "it's been about a month since you've been here, and yet you've done more than most whom travel by here. I want to thank you."

I looked at her and then turned away, "You don't have to thank me. I won't be staying to much longer."

She looked at me with a hint of sorrow and surprise. I think she wanted me to stay for much longer. "Is something wrong?"

"No," I replied, and then I looked back to her. "I'm ready to make my strike against the thieves tomorrow."

"And then what will happen?" She asked.

"Then, I have to keep moving on. I won't be staying here anymore." I sighed, "I thank you very much for your hospitality. But I have my own reasons for moving on."

"I can understand that..." She chuckled as she looked at the table. "Thorn will miss you though. As will I."

I looked at her and saw her eyes slightly glistening as if she was crushed. But she regained as soon as she heard Thorn come in.

He looked at me and smiled. "Akio, your back!"

I laughed as I patted his head, "yeah I got here a while back as you were sleeping in the grass."

"Are you going to stay this time for good?"

Rose and me looked at each other and then she said, "Thorn go to your room and play a while."

He rushed off as he smiled and then she turned back to me. "Let me tell him after you've gone Akio, he would be crushed now and might go with you tomorrow. He has taken a liking to you."

I nodded as I slowly started to stand up, and moved to the chair in the room across from me. It was getting dark.

"Akio," she said leaning against the wall of the room.

I turned to her, "yes?"

"Come with me."

I followed her and she said without turning back, "I'd like to talk a while longer before bed."

I stared up at her ceiling as I lied there next to her. She had fallen asleep with her head on my chest her hand slightly in front of it. As I stared into the roof with thought's flying through my mind, she had woken up and looked at me. "Have you not fallen asleep yet?"

I shook my head. "No. I can't sleep."

"What's wrong?"

"I keep thinking about how I will deal with the thieves."

She moved closer and leaned up slightly, "Day light nears, but we have a few moments yet."

"I should get ready." I replied.

"You lost someone haven't you?" She asked.

I sighed and closed my eyes, I'd had rather not have gotten into it but I replied. "Yes."

"Who was she?"

"She was a young woman I fell in love with a long time ago, her village was attacked and she was taken... though other's had rumored she was dead."

"Yet you remain optimistic?" She inquired.

"I'm not sure what to think. I pray she is alive... but its been years."

"I see." She nodded.

"How could you tell?" I asked as I looked to her as I leaned up as well.

"You're eyes, they show a pain from the heart."

I nodded and then looked to her.

"You'll keep looking won't you?"

Again I nodded.

"I'm not going to lie Akio," She said with a hint of pain but acceptance. "I have fallen for you. You've done more for me and Thorn than anyone else has ever tried. And many suitors have always fell short... but you... While I admit I didn't want to... I have fallen for you."

"I'm sorry to say that I do not feel the same way."

"I know, so that's why I want you to make me a promise." She said sitting up fully. "If you can't find her, or if she is not alive. Please come live with me again. I know as a woman she wouldn't want you to suffer. And even if you still love her. Allow me to at least provide a home within the world."

I nodded, as I understood what she meant. But she continued. "Also please come back to visit and stay for a while. We would love to have you, with or without your love if you've found her."

"I promise," I said.

Much later that day I was in the guild hall of the thieves. Battle wounded with thirty men dead on the floor I feel my darkness rise. My power taking hold as I continued to slaughter the rest, my bloodlust at it's pique.

The only ones left were the head guards of the leader and the fat leader in the back. I rushed the five and cut them down. Moving to the leader I froze him with my majutsu casting. As the thieve leader looked at me I leaned down to him gleaming with a sadistic smile. I then waved my hand and watch as the coins in his pocket chew their way out and start to rip into his flesh. I laughed as I the thrusted my hand into his chest and pulled out his soul. I pulled him up off the ground and took a bite into his jugular and then lifted his neck over my head and let the blood drain onto my mouth, as I continued to gulp his blood I could feel a small presence. I looked over and tossed him down to the ground letting the greed eaters finish his corps. I saw Thorn at the door looking at me with sheer terror, I then lifted the soul to my lips and dropped it into my mouth swallowing it whole. As I turned back to Thorn he was frozen in terror.

I went to pat his head but he immediately jumped back and then screamed.

"You monster! You're not Akio, your just a monster pretending to be Akio! Akio would never do that!"

After that he stared at me for a second with my face stricken with shock.

"And what happened after that?" Tora asks.

I look up to her my flash back and explanation now nearing it's end.

"He ran. When I came back to the house he resented me and didn't even come out of his room." I reply.

I look around and then notice the two hooded females at the other side of the inn. The taller of the two is looking my way. When she notices me looking at her she quickly looks away. But before I can fully pinpoint who it is, Tora asks me another question distracting me.

"So after that you hid your true love for battle and blood?"

Turning back, I look her in the eyes again and then nod, "yes. After seeing the child be fearful of me. I wondered about my children and how they would react to something like that. So I decided to hide it."

"What brought it back?"

"A mixture concocted by the 'devil's thirst'." I reply.

She is shocked. After regaining her words she asks, "You know those flowers can only come from-"

"The Siren Peaks," I finish for her. "Yes I know."

"But not even my people dare go toward those mountains... the north side of my lands have always been known for leaving but few survivors, but those mountains? You may as well impale yourself and save you the trouble."

"Apparently those mountains are traversable because Zeno managed to get his hands on some." I add.

"What mountains are you two talking about?" Hisoka asks.

"The mountains are known as the Devouring Hills." Tora replies.

"Then I think I know whom he had help him retrieve then flower." Hisoka adds her eyes lowering in thought.

"Then tell us Hisoka," I demand. "If you know who it was that aided him."

"I don't know their individual names, but I know they last reported heading to the Devouring Hills." She says still looking at the table. "They're known as the Kuro no Shizen no Majos."

"Who are they?" I ask.

"They are three majos whom in the last couple of centuries have been wandering to the most inhospitable places and then try to master them... so far they have never failed." She informs. "They are extremely talented in the arts of majutsu that dwells within nature. But beyond all that they love to drive anyone whom comes to them into a downward spiral into madness. To which they then become their mindless slaves."

"So you think that Zeno has contacted them?" Tora asks.

"If he did and managed to get past their tricks and illusions, then he is a far greater threat than anyone of us realizes. These majos aren't just abnormal majos in our society. They have the power to what ever they want. My people's leaders including our queen will not delve into the affairs of these three."

Smiling sadistically, I lean back and place my arms behind my head leaning it against them, "if this guys has had a run in with these three and made it through. He might be worth taking my time fighting after all."

Hisoka get's irked by comment, "I don't care if you are back to your true self. If you think that this means the fight will be easy then you are dumber than you look."

"It's not that he thinks the fight will be easy," Tora replies chuckling. I see her looking at me with familiarity. "It's just the opposite, he's excited that the fight will be hard."

'Who is this woman and why does she act as if she knows me?'

"I'm starting to wonder that myself." Hisoka says from inside my head.

Tora then finishes. "If what Akio said is true. Then he's itching to see if he's still as powerful as he used to be."

Closing my eyes, I smirk and then tilt my head down. "You and I need to have a little chat, Tora."

Looking at me confused, her eyes never avert from me. After getting up, we both go outside and behind the inn. After walking a little ways from in near a wood splitters stump, I finally turn to her and glare at her with serious and interrogative eyes.

"You said earlier that we never met," I start with a low tone. "You lied, didn't you?"

She smiles at me with her face showing a slightly agitated look but then fueled a hit of determination, as if she was addressing a rival. "Yeah I lied."

"So who are you?" I ask, "and how do you know me?"

"I'm slightly hurt Akio," She replies, "You really don't remember me, or do you just not want to?"

Staring at her my expression not swayed, I reply. "Enough of these damn riddles, jokes, or this beating around the bush. Since it's obvious we have a history, you might as well remind me of where and how we met."

"We met when your father brought you to the Ryuujin lands with him. He went to talk to our king about something. Of course then you and I were both little kids."

"Go on."

She looks at me then closes her eyes, "You were there next to your father when you first spotted me in the crowd of people that came to see the Shinigami, I was shy then so I dared not look at you when your eyes found me."

"If your counting on that to bring life my memory then your clearly wasting your time."

"We used to play around the Kokuryuu fields when I first found that egg."

Those words breath fire into my mind and my memory comes back. Back to a small girl in a black dress with scarlet eyes, with her dark red hair in a pony tail. She looked as if she wanted to play but thought I was a higher class then her. But I eventually found her at an old tree overlooking the fields the Kokuryuu rested in. And we played.

That same girl was there when we had grown a little, her scarlet eyes glared at mine as we practiced fighting. She was fierce with a Katana, and despite it looking thin and fragile, it held up will against my long sword, and even my great sword. She was of course training to be a rider, while I was training for normal life as the Shinigami.

The last time I saw her was when I was leaving the castle after Momuruu and I had a talk. She looked at me with excitement, her eyes now the green tint they are now, she looked at me and I stared at her coldly. At this time, Minako had already been lost. And scares had already left their mark on most of my body.

We just stared at each other, her face no long showed the excitement of seeing a friend, but instead showed concern for the dark and serious look of the man who had replaced her childhood memory. After a few moment's of staring, we both turned away and never spoke.

"You look as if you remembered." She says chuckling her expression before had not changed in the slightest.

"I might have," I reply looking at her still with my expression remaining the same, but with my eyes revealing the appreciation of having an old friend at my side once more.

"I have a proposition for you Akio."

"And that is?" I ask.

"I get to come with you, it's been near on a century, and I want to see how you come with your fighting skills."

"Normally propositions include a profit for party offered the proposition, not the person giving it."

"What I'm not enough?"

"I have several others who can fight," I smirk. "As nice as it would be having you watch my back. I can't help but feel lacking in profits when comparing yours to mine."

"And what do I get out of this?" She laughs.

I point my thumb to myself and smirk. "You get the Shinigami of course. And what better gift than to be on his good side."

She stares at me and then bursts out laughing harder. "Oh wow, I didn't know that I was taking in some being with power. Man if only I had you before now not like I don't need you or anything, considering I've been fine without you."

Smirking, I glare at her with slight anger and annoyance rising. "You would be wise to not under estimate me."

She then reaches over and places her fist on my head and then rubs it around vigorously still smirking, "Oh is that so?"

Fighting my way out of it I use my majutsu to summon dark hands from the ground to pin her to the ground on her stomach and then having one do the same to her head as she just did to mine only harder.

"HEY NO FAIR USING MAJUTSU TO GET THE ADVANTAGE!"

"I'm the Shinigami, I can use what ever means necessary to win." I laugh.

I hear her whistle, and then turn to look at her smiling.

"If that's the case then allow me to add an addition to my proposal."

I hear a loud crash behind me and turn to see a white crystal scaled dragon staring at me with a giant green eye. His head cocked to the side to get a better look at me.

I stand there slightly sweating as I glare back at the beast smiling with nervous determination.

Then I feel a pat on my shoulder and look to see her moving beside me staring at the kokuryuu.

"You remember that egg we found as kids?" She asks no longer holding a smirk to her smile, but one of caring as she stares at the dragon.

"Yes I remember it."

"This is what became of it," she smiles. "Meet Gin."

I turn and look at the Kokuryuu and smile hidden concern, my blade at the ready...

'I can take this thing but it will take a lot out of me.'

At that point I feel a hand place in my shoulder and turn to see Tora smiling at the beast. Moving to the crystal scaled giant, the Gin lowers his head down and she embraces what she can as they both close their eyes.

She then turns back to me with her arm resting on its head, which from the base of its jaw to the top of its skull is just under her arm, smiling boldly as she looks at me.

"What do you think now Shinigami?" She mocks, "Still think you can win?"

"Yes." I reply in a dry, cold tone sheathing my sword.

She laughs, "It's okay do admit defeat Akio, no shame in-"

"Yes I could win," I say again in the same tone looking away from them zoned out.

Gawking she starts to get annoyed, "You could never beat me and Gin-"

"It wouldn't be easy, but I have fought rider and mount before... more than a few times, and I have won." I reply with a dark tone now glaring at her, "don't get over confident."

"Don't make that face at me," She says. "I'm not your enemy nor have I ever been."

I sigh and look back toward the distance, "You're right. I apologize."

"So who is coming to this 'meeting'?" She asks.

Sighing, I turn to her and meet her eyes with mine, "We have to have a talk with Amaya, Minako, Hisoka, Momaru, and a couple others."

"What?!" She shouts quickly, as I look at her shocked for the unprovoked yell, she regains composure and then quickly finishes, "Why are the other two unnamed?"

"Because they don't like being identified unless they are the ones giving the introductions. It's a precaution they have to take."

"So Minako and Amaya... who are they?"

"You will meet them when the meeting will be held."

Hisoka comes around and sees us, "You know being with another woman alone starts to make people have assumptions about you Akio," She chuckles.

"What?!" Tora gawks looking at me and then her.

"And I didn't even get her to myself for very long." I say with my dry tone once again, looking back at Hisoka.

"Oh yeah was just about to take you into those bushes and give you the time you deserved" Tora scoffs rolling her eyes, she then turns to me, "Stop fantasizing Akio. You're cute but not that cute."

"Why would I ever dream of something like that over you?" I reply.

Tora glares at me and we are broken up by Hisoka.

"I know Akio wouldn't" Hisoka laughs. "Though he does to seem to attract sizable women."

Turning toward and moving closer to Hisoka, I look at her and speak. "Was there something you wanted?"

"Minako and Amaya just arrived... the lower dining hall is cleared, and we're completing the preparations. How many more are we expecting?"

"Three," I reply, "to associates of mine, and Momaru."

She gasps, "But he's dead."

"I don't want to go into too much detail about the past, but with someone like Momaru being the shogun of the entire Ryuujin. He has to understand the multiple enemies waiting for the opportunity to assassinate him at a moments notice, so with devoted followers, he made duplicates of himself out of them. Each are named Momaru, each have the same amount of power just under Momaru, and all able to perform leader roles in place or Momaru."

"So the one we killed wasn't the Momaru you knew?" She asks.

"Of course not," I reply looking at her confused. "Me and Momaru go further back than most realize. He would never try to kill me."

"Then why did you call the double by Momaru's name?"

"Did you not listen?" I sigh. "When they take the name Momaru, they aren't just using it over theirs. They embody it and take the name as their own."

"Ryuujin  are confusing."

"Hey!" Tora shouts.

"No offence," she calls back shrugging.

"Don't apologize," I add, my tone cold. "Ryuujin are confusing."

As we go to move back to the inn, Tora calls out to me, "Hey, Akio!"

I turn back to her and reply. "What is it now?"

"What the hell do you mean 'what is it now'?!" She steams, she then sighs shakes her head as Hisoka and I start to walk back to her. She then addresses Hisoka, "Do you mind waiting at the front corner of the inn please?"

Hisoka, although a tad confused, does what she says and moves back to the front corner of the inn still in view of us.

"Okay," I start, "what is it?"

She looks at the ground with a small smile but a slightly troubled look, as if she wants something to happen but doesn't know if she truly wants it.

"Do you know when Momaru will be here?" She asks.

"The last time I heard from him, he was close to the border off to the south, and that was three days ago."

"So he should be here any day now?"

"If he is not here tomorrow, he's lazier than I thought." I reply smirking and shaking my head. "He should be here today actually but knowing him... fashionably late is not just a phrase for him... its a code he lives by."

She laughs at that comment and then looks back to me with that same determined smirk she's had all day.

"Your probably right." She says finally.

"Why do you inquire about him?" I ask before turning around to walk away. "Is there history between you two?"

She then gets this guilty smiles and waves her hand, "well I guess you could call it that, but its  nothing serious at all."

I was about to speak when I hear a distant noise. After looking around for a second I hear it start to get closer, then I grasp my sheath and my sword hand takes the hilt holding till I can tell what the noise is, Tora has done the same. Both of us are looking around  then finally to each other.

"Is that coming from the-" She starts to ask but doesn't finish her sentence, we slowly look up to see a dark haired man in obsidian armor falling to the ground at a frightening speed, his words now understandable, he was screaming Tora's name.

Tora releases her sword and stands there screaming herself as the man lands face first on her breast plate knocking her to the ground.

I look away for a second just as soon as he makes impact, and then turn back to see him pinning her to the ground by her hands and then starts kissing her, she sits there in complete shock and then starts to struggle. He moves his lips back allowing her to take a deep breath but before she can start yelling, he crashes them against hers again. As she struggles she makes him unbalanced as he instinctively tries to regain control by bracing his hand on the ground, Tora takes the advantage given to her and then slams her fist into his jaw, as he is nocked further off balance she then rams her elbow into him, casting him off of her.

Scrambling to her feet she glares at him and then kicks him onto his side, "You stupid, crazy, rapist! I will beat you into oblivion!"

He turns onto his back and looks up laughing, his scarlet eyes looking up at her green ones.

"Tora how is it that you expect me to restrain myself when your so beautiful." He starts smiling, "Your eyes are like a beautiful-"

"SHUT UP!" She yells kicking him again, "you nearly killed me you imbecile!"

The man laughs and then stands up turning to me, his face has a fresh wound in stitches under his right eye. As he turns to Tora, she groans...

"Was that not the best kiss you ever had?" He beams while flamboyantly turning around to her, his hand on his chest.

"I've had better..." she replies with a cold turn.

He stares at her and in shock and then quickly beams again, "a good jest my darling, but both you and I know you would never kiss anoth-"

As he speaks Tora comes over to me and presses her lips to mine kissing me deeply, the man looks and stares in horror as she continues, after a second she parts and rubs her index finger across her bottom lip looking at me.

"Damn Akio," She smiles, "have experience kissing girls do you?"

She then turns to him moving my arm around her waist as she smiles back with an evil smile. This was obviously a stunt to get back at him... and it is working.

The man looks to me and screams, "Akio how could you betray me?!"

I smile back at him with a victorious smirk and say nothing. After a few moments he then sees Hisoka walking toward us, no doubt curious as to what's going on.

"Hey what's all the commotion?" She asks.

But before anyone can stop her, the man rushes to her and then slams his lips against hers. As he's kissing her, she glares at him and then uses her majutsu to force him to the ground a couple feet away. Dark vines wrap around his ankles and wrists pinning him to the ground. Hisoka approaches him smiling with murderous intent, as he struggles to get out.

"How dare you think you can just steal a kiss from me!" She says laughing forming a spell in her hand, "Did you enjoy it little man?"

"Eh it would have helped if you had kissed back." He says slightly panicking.

She kneels down besides him and then brushes her fingers over his forehead, "I'm sorry, would you like to try again? I'm sure I'll make you feel warm and fuzzy inside."

After brushing her fingers over him, she raises the her hand and summons tendrils from a gash in the orb as it starts to move over his face he turns to Tora, Hisoka finishes, "After that I'll make you feel deathly cold."

"HISOKA!" Tora shouts at her.

Looking to see Tora glaring at her, Hisoka gets up and makes the spell disappear. "Alright Tora, I'll let your lover live."

"Thank your Tora," the man says gasping as he gets up after the vines slide back into the ground. As he his trying a small dagger shaped, black mist flies at him and then stops at his throat its point pressing against it.

Hisoka is looking back over her shoulder with the same murderous eyes, "for now." She then looks ahead and snaps her fingers, to which the dagger dissipates.

He sits up and sighs in relief. Then he looks at Tora and me, which we have now separated a bit so my arm is no longer around her, and says, "She wouldn't have actually killed me right?" 

Tora shakes her head and starts to walk back to the inn. "I'll see you inside, Akio."

The guy looks at me again as Tora disappears behind the corner and asks again, "right?"

"Oh yes," I reply with a sadistic smile, "she would have."

"You keep very strange friends Akio." He says look at me holding his hand up.

I take it and help him to his feet. Looking at me, he brushes himself off and smiles.

"You count as one of them Momaru." I smile again.

As we walk back to the inn together, he pats my shoulder and says, "you must tell me of your travels Akio, even the part where my double tried to kill you."

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