Samurai Princesses: No way out (Part 2) [ON HIATUS]

[atsukojiyuu_C]

You got me well with Yuko-sama's past (●̮̮﹏●̮̮) horrible feelings...
Wondering how about Yuko's kage? She haven't use it before, rite?

Seriously Tomochin has changed side? For real? Okay then, she could tell the Kaguya's gang anything about demons and their plan..

So interesting! Omg I love the characters so far 2nd gen + SayaMilky + Haruna + Jurina and all, woah

Waiting for the next happening thankyou~

(p.s.: I'm waiting for the continuation of Yuko's grad story too, Cometerz-san hihihi)

[Ruka Kikuchi]

Chapter 15 - A long awaited, short rest (Part 1)

Sayaka's POV

After settling Ayaka down to Natsumi’s bed, I joined the others at the living room. Everyone was sitting around the dining table discussing. Natsumi was smashing some herbs with some help from Yuka who seemed to be recovering better after her ultimate form.

I settled myself to a chair next to Sae, “Today was really something..” I began.

Yuko coughed a little before looking at Itano who was being silent the whole time, “So.. Tell us exactly who you really are, Itano. How on earth did you get yourself involved with the demons?”

Itano sighed, “Well.. to begin with, I used to be an apprentice in the capital ages ago before I left and became interested in something else, which is dark sorcery.”

“Dark Sorcery?” asked Sae.

“Black magic.” Explained Yuko. “Curses and hexes mostly.”

Itano nodded regrettably, “I went back to my village which was very far from the capital. But when I got there, my village was already destroyed by the troops that stopped by at the village. I was very angry and saddened to see my home destroyed by the war.”

“What did you do then?”

“I tried to seek for any ways to find the leader of the troops who destroyed my village. I went back to the capital to look for any scrolls regarding mass curse of dark magic in the royal library.”

“Wait a sec…” I butted in. “The royal Library was closed for public! Only the royal family or exclusive scholars!”

“It is, and I used to be one before I left. Somehow they still let me in and when I was fumbling around I found a scroll that interest me more. Something much more sufficient than casting curses in mass amount.. It is an extremely rare scroll.”

“Demon summoning scroll.” Said Yuko straight forward. “I’ve heard of it from Amateratsu that Maou made some scrolls centuries ago in the first war. It is said to be used by demons and it’s alliance to make it easier to travel instead of using the dark mist they used now.”

Itano nodded, “I stole it and went back to the ruins of my village. I prepared what it needs to summon the demons; some dark stones and a drop of my own blood. Once I read the mantra, the demon appeared just as the scroll fell into dust. She was tall and her eyes were cold as limestone as she asked me why did I summoned her.”

“Mariko.” I whispered instantly.

Itano nodded again, “Then I begged the demon to cast my revenges on the troops. She did it for me then but in exchange she saw me as a worthy ally. She told me Maou used to trust dark sorcerers, they were strong and able to do some dark magic that demons can’t.”

“So then you get yourself involved with the demons..” said Natsumi. “Then what were your jobs there?”

“Vary. But first she gave me to Sayanee and Mieko, since they both possessed a lot of knowledge. The two led me to a library inside their hideout, filled with thousands of scrolls.” Itano took a deep breath, “I was enlightened with the place instantly and the two of them said that I can come anytime to read and study all the scrolls, but when I read the first one I touched.. “

“Yes..?”

Itano gulped, “They were completely dark stuff. There were scrolls about the worse curses you can ever imagine, knowledge of hell, the darkest magic mist that dries you out to dust… But I was pleased all about it to become the first human sorcerer to master all that, so I read them all one by one..”

"Sounds like a lot of work..." Sae whispered under her breath.

“As spent my days there, they set my jobs out. I was tasked to learn some dark healing technique, a technique to heal but very dark and can only be used on demons. If human gets in contact with it, it only gets their wound worse. Once I mastered it, I was tasked to heal the demons when they got wounded up.”

“That’s a very dark version of healing you got there.” Said Natsumi. “What else?”

“I was also got tasked under Sayanee’s order. She has a lab filled with many prisoners, either screaming their lives out or silently frozen.”

“Onee-chan!” said Jurina. “Did you.. see my sister..?”

“Can you tell me what she looks like?” asked Itano. “Sayanee kept lot’s of them for her insane experiments.”

“I-I….” shook Jurina. “I can only remember she was thin.. and has this very kind smile.. I was four when she was taken away by the demons.”

Itano curled her lips, “Well, Sayanee certainly keeps a lot of thin woman who were mostly on their edge of insanity. Sorry, kid.”

“Do you have any ideas what the demons are planning?” I asked.

“They have a major plan involving Maou’s revival is all I can guess. They didn’t tell me any of their it except some minor plans of getting rid of you guys, Samurai Princesses.” Said Itano.

I looked over to Jurina and saw her fist clenching hard in frustration. I knew it must have been frustrating to experience everything at such young age.

“Then can you tell us where their hideout is?” asked Yuko.

“I’m not sure. When I met Mariko at first, she told me to follow her into the mist and then before I knew it I was in a different place, the hideout. I guess the mist was directed to the hideout instantly.”

“But..” stumbled Jurina, “Is there any of it’s surroundings that seemed familiar..?”

“It’s an underground place, no sun or breeze can get into the place and I never been allowed to get out. But...”

“But?”

“Deep in the hideout, there’s hole. Each time I approached it, I felt like it tried to suck me inside. I hear voices of my family I left in the village before it was destroyed, calling me to join in with them..”

“Sounded like some kind of a place where dead souls goes to.” Said Sae. “Kinda creeps me out a bit..”

“Hmm.. I guess Sae’s right. It must’ve been a place where dead souls goes to. But how come it can be inside the demon’s realm?” asked Yuko.

“Do you hear his voice?” asked Jurina.

“Whose..?” asked Itano.

“Maou’s voice.” Answered Jurina. “Kaguya told me that Maou was sealed in a place where it connects with another dimension where it most likely to be hell. And hell has a lot of souls tortured down there, fooling the living ones to join them.”

“Could it be some kind of a hell’s gateway to the world?” asked Yuka. “Wouldn’t there be some kind of guardians guarding the gate if it is?”

“There are some spells casted to keep the anything coming out of the gate, so strong that it can contained Maou.” Said Yuka.

“Who casted it?” asked Natsumi.

“The God of Death of course.” said Yuko grimly. “Shinigami himself.”

“So.. if we can find this gate, then maybe we can find where their hideout is!” pronounced Sae.

“How do we find the gate?” I asked Yuko.

“We have to ask Shinigami, of course.” Said Yuko. “He’s in charge of dead souls and where they goes to afterlife. But since he’s a God, he’ll be hard to meet.”

“But before that…” said Jurina looking back at Itano. “I need to know what they are planning with my sister.”

“What’s your last name, kid?” asked Itano.

“Matsui. I’m Matsui Jurina.”

“Matsui…” mumbled Itano as she looked like trying to remember something. “   You said that all your family were killed that night, right?”

“That’s right.” Said Jurina straight forward.

Itano smiled, her smile was as sly as a fox somehow. “Say, I have an acquaintance goes by the name Matsui. We both were apprentices in the capital when we were young, and the last time I heard of her was five years ago.”

“Impossible.” Said Jurina. “All of members of Matsui were killed that night!”

Itano shrugged, “It’s up to you. I’ll take you to her place if you want to go to see her, see if she’s your relative or not. If you’re not, I still encourage you to meet her.” 

“Why would you?” asked Natsumi suspiciously.

“I’ll tell you, we both shared the same interest in dark powers. Except, she was more into the demons herself. She might be able to give a clue to what the demons were planning to your sister.”

“Your choice, Samurai.”

-----------------------------------------------

After hearing Itano’s explanations, we all have a quiet discussions as the sorcerer excused herself to the bathroom.

“What do you think? You think she’s telling the truth?” I asked Jurina and Yuko.

“Hmm.. All her reasons are making sense but still I smell something fishy about her..” said Yuko.

“Is there a way for Natsumi to try and seek inside Itano?” asked Yuka. “She might have another soul like us.”

“I’m not really sure..” said Natsumi. “If she does have one, I should have felt it by now. But I can’t feel anything from her, she seems to be normal.”

“How about the Matsui she mentioned?” asked Sae.

“All members of Matsui family were meant to stay in the household on the day the demons came, because it was a special occasion.” Said Jurina. “But this Matsui… If she knows about demons, maybe she can help us.”

“How about Itano?” I asked. “Should we trust her words?”

“We’ll keep an eye on her for now.” Said Yuko. “Let her take us to the Matsui she mentioned. If she’s correct, I’ll start trusting her then.”

“Agreed.”

-----------------------------------------------

After the discussions, everyone dismissed themselves. Yuko and Jurina went to the guest room while Yuka and Natsumi decided to start nursing Ayaka who was still unconscious. I looked around to find Sae and found her sitting at the front porch.

“Hey..” I greeted as I closed the door. “What are you doing here by yourself?”

“Oh, hey..” said Sae weakly and patted the space next to her for me to sit. “Just looking up the stars. Reminds me of Mayuyu and Haru when we spent hours just looking at the stars from the mansion garden.”

“You’re missing them?” I asked settling down beside her.

“I guess I am.” Shrugged Sae. “My mother died years ago when I was little. My dad is away at war with my other brothers, Haru was the one staying to take care of our land.”

“I also have a brother and his at the war too.” I said. “He’s the only person I have now in the world. Despite I was adopted in to his family, he’s really kind to me. He’s so cool that fancy him so much as a sister.”

“There’s actually someone cooler than you, Sayaka?” giggled Sae. “Man, the way you bend those water tentacles was amazing.”

“Thanks.”

"Ano, Sayaka..." I heard a small voice from Sae beside me. When I turned to look at her, I saw her worried expression.

"What's wrong?"

"I was thinking... you're a trained Samurai, right? That's why you're so good at fighting the demons."

"Yeah."

"W-would it be alright if you train me?" she said before bowing down low.

"Eh?!"

"It's just because... when they attacked the last time, I couldn't do anything and was completely useless."

"Sae, you're not useless. You're a Samurai Princess, just like me, Yuka, and Ayaka. We're important."

"I know, but you guys have been training longer than I have. Well, actually, I've never gone through training. And even after I made contact with Kuu, I haven't unlocked any powers or memories. The three of you have been able to do things I haven't even begun to learn."

"Is that why?"

"Un..."

"It'd be a good idea, Sayaka." Kai said in my head. "Before me and the others met Kaguya, we had to train ourselves, so it wouldn't hurt to help Sae since she's had her and Kuu's memories repressed for so long."

"So, will you?" I saw Sae bowing again, her eyes closed.

I smiled and patted her head, causing her to blush a bit.

"Alright, if that's what you want, I'll train you."

Meanwhile...

Yuka's POV


“She still got the fever.” Sighed Natsumi as she replaced the wet towel from Ayaka’s forehead with a new one.

“Will she be fine? I mean after the Earth controlling her and she’s gone berserk..”

“If you are fine, then she should be too.” Said Natsumi sitting down at the edge of the bed.

“Nee, Natsumi..” I began.

“Un?”

“It’s your job as the Priest of Soul to sustain balances between the vessel’s soul and the previous Samurai’s soul, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Well.. I was wondering if you can like help me out with Hinata. I mean I kinda thing I was too overboard following her that I turned berserk. I don’t want to accidentally hurt anybody if that ever happens again.”

"Yuka…"

After a few moments of silence, she nodded and sat beside me.

“There is something called a ‘Contract’. It’s to sustain balances between the vessel’s soul and the previous ones so that none of them gets to overpower the body and controls it without the other one’s permission.” Explained Natsumi. “It also opens up to a new level of the element power since the previous one’s energy and it’s techniques flows better once the contract is done.”

"And the others have already made their contracts?"

“From what I heard, Sayaka made her contract with Kai when she defended you off Sasshi before.” Said Natsumi. “I don’t know how she did it, but she managed to work with Kai hand in hand over her attacks. As for Sae, since Kuu was repressed inside her mind, she will have to wait until she recovers--”

“Then please let me do the contract with Hinata!” I pleaded.

“Alright, but first we need to meet her.” Said Natsumi offering her two hands for me to hold. “We’ll be travelling to the depths of your mind where she is. Close your eyes, when I tell you to open them, do it.”

“Wakatta.” I closed off my eyes. I heard Natsumi whispered some kind of spell as I felt some winds gathering around us.

“Open up.”

I opened my eyes and saw a cage infront of me. Natsumi still holding my hands, let go off it as she approach the cage.

“Kono Hinata.” Called Natsumi. “We are here.”

A figure shifted behind the bars before I recognized it’s face of Hinata looking rather ashamed. Her braids were flowing on her shoulders to bellow, her eyes were puffed as if she’s been spending the last hours crying out.

“Hinata..”

“Yuka.. I’m so sorry..” she burst into tears and slumped down. “It’s just that Sasshi would eventually killed Osamu hurts me so badly. She already killed my whole family and burnt down my village.. I should have make sure I killed her before I pushed her into the cliff.” She whimpered.

“Oh, Hinata…” I whined and approached the bar and held it’s cold bars.  “It’s okay.. I understand. You lost your precious ones in life and even afterlife. It’s okay..”

“Yuka..”  sniffed Hinata. “You must finish Sasshi off no matter what. I don’t want you to feel the same as I am if.. if you died..”

“I will.” I promised as she reached out for Hinata behind the bars. “I won’t let her touch any of my precious ones.”

“Masuda Yuka,”  pronounced Hinata. “I am offering you everything I have as the previous Samurai of Fire. My power, my elements, my soul, in order to lit the world away from the darkness.”

“Would you accept her offer?” asked Natsumi kneeling between the two.

“I do.”

“Will you accept her as your partner in fighting side by side, sharing body, mind, power, and soul?”

“I do.”

I felt a sudden warmness on my chest and saw the gem on my locket glowed in red. Hinata’s hand felt warm on mine and it felt real as if we were holding each other in bodies. As if a gentle breeze blew to her, giving a new energy, she opened her eyes and I saw the light brown eyes filled with energy.

“Thank you.” She whispered then the red faded out along with the cage. Nothing separates us now.

“The procession is finished.” Pronounced Natsumi. “The Stone of Fire has accepted the Contract between you two.”

“Yatta~” I exclaimed and hugged Hinata in impulse. “We’re partners now~”

“Erm.. I guess we are.” Said Hinata awkwardly. “Sorry it’s just been a long time since I ever get hug from anyone.”

“Hee?” I asked pulling back. “Have you ever date in your life?”

Hinata shook her head shyly, “I never loved anyone dearly like Kai and Kuu or Riku and Kanata.” She confessed. “I just like taking care of little kids and play with them at the orphanage before I became the Samurai Princess.”

“Heee??! How about Osamu?”

“Ah.. I like him as a little brother.” Smiled Hinata. “Before I was sent to the orphanage, my mother died when she tried to give birth to my brother. But then they both died in the process, so Osamu is like a little brother that I always wait for..”

“Ah.. Sou nee..”

“Yuka..” said Hinata lowly. “If you are going to the capital later to meet the other Matsui, can you stop by at Ao’s cave?”

“EH?? You mean that dragon, Ao??!”

“Yes.” She nodded. “When I lost control and took over your body, I used a part of his soul, causing the blue fire to engulf me in his form. Part of his soul was inside the Stone of Fire while it’s other half is still in his body.”

“So.. You want me to visit Ao, making sure if he’s alright?” I asked.

“Yep.” She nodded again. “Ao lived in a cave at the Mountain of Moon, around a day trip from the capital. I think he’s eager for an explanation on why suddenly someone beside me is using his power, you have to introduce yourself to him, Yuka.”

“Maji suka??!” I asked horrified.

“Maji desu.” Smiled Hinata confidently. “We’ll talk again.”

She waved me again and all the sudden I was pulled back into the room, holding Natsumi’s hand.

“You seemed to be getting along well with Hinata.” Smiled Natsumi.

“She’s pretty cool I guess.” I shrugged. “How about you and Kanata?”

“Well, truthfully I never seen Kanata with my very own eyes like you did before. Her voice always ring in my head when I needed guidance. But I can feel all her feelings being conveyed when Ayaka protected me, I think she remembered her memories with Riku when that happened.”

“How about yourself?” I asked. “Do you have feelings for Ayaka?”

“What??!” she exclaimed. Even in dim light, I could see her face blushed a little. “No way. She’s too young and too repulsive. Besides, there’s no way we’re getting along well.”

“But she protected you.”

“That’s what she meant to do!” declined Natsumi. “If I died who would hold the seals to seal Maou?”

I smiled to myself, teasing Natsumi was kinda fun. “You might not know it, but she might be the one you know~”

“Yuka!!!!” Natsumi threw a pillow at me just in time before I get out of the room with a huge grin.

To Be Continued

[luvsidney]

I love to see those tk gals gathered and just like Yuka tease natsumi the feeling is so good haha   

[Cometerz48]

Chapter 16 - A long awaited, short rest (Part 2)

Ayaka’s POV

I opened my eyes weakly and tried to sat up. My surroundings were all white and endless, I knew I was inside my own mind.

"Hey." I turned and saw Riku standing behind me with my kage.

“You guys..”

“Listen, kid we have to talk.” Said my kage, she clicked her finger and all the sudden three couches appeared out nowhere. “Have a seat.”

I got up and sat on one of the couch, followed by the other two. Awkwardly, I raised my eyebrows in question to what are they going to talk about.

"How did you feel? Like before you woke up just then?" questioned Riku.

I tilted my head, “Slightly tipsy. My head does hurt honestly.”

"It'll wear off soon." Said Riku. "Now, do you remember why you’re a special case, right?" I nodded.

“Do you remember anything after Rabutan got you out?” asked the kage.

I tried to think, “I.. I remembered I was in a forest, a bamboo forest and voices calling me out.”

“Then?”

“I followed the voices and it led me to this giant tree. It called me to reach out to it… and the next thing I knew was that I woke up just then.” I told my story. Riku and the kage looked at each other, “What happened?”

"Ayaka... The voices that called you was The Earth. And what you did there, when you touched the tree… You’re making a direct contract to it." Said Riku. "Then what happened next was that the Earth took control of you instead of balancing it out with your soul too."

My eyes widened, “Then what happened?”

“You went out of control.”

I turned and saw Natsumi standing behind me. Judging from her expression, she was exhausted.

“Natsumi...”

“Just in time.” Smiled my kage. “Have a seat and you can tell her the rest.”

“When Earth took control of you, it created a huge earthquake. Frightening everyone in the festival, I heard.” Sighed Natsumi as she sat on a couch. “Then nobody could stop you unless I can come close and get into your mind. But you were rampaging, Kaguya and Yuko was already worn out from Yuka’s early rampage-“

“Wait, what happened to Yuka?” I cut in.

“Similar case as yours I heard.” Said Natsumi. “Sasshi was there to distract them all and somehow she gets into Hinata’s nerve, causing her to take control of Yuka and went rampaging.”

“Oh God..”

“I know.. But then Sayanee came out of nowhere and-“

“Sayanee?! What is she doing? Are you alright? Did she hurt you?”

Natsumi sighed, “I’m fine. She didn’t hurt me at all, in fact she helped us.”

“Helped you?”

“She used a freezing pentagram to get you frozen just for a moment, enough to give me time to get inside you. Then I found you on that tree where the Earth took control of you.”

“What happened then?”

“The tree attacked me and strangled me, but then Riku saved me and asked the Earth to give you more time.”

“More time for what?”

"The contract." Said Riku. "Before you can even contact the earth and lets it core to lend you power, you have to make a contract me first, The previous Samurai of Earth. My job is to be your connector and the Earth, I can sustain the balance the power given by the Earth and into you."

“Balance?”

“If you received it too much, the Earth can influence your mind and like what happened before, taking over you.” Pointed out my kage. ”It’s not a pleasing situation to see your mind turned into a bamboo forest.”

“How about your power then?” I asked. “The power of Samurai of Earth doesn’t just come from the earth, right?”

"Now that’s what I’m about to tell you next.” Smiled Riku. “Do have the mirror that your mother gave you?"

“Mirror..?”

“I got it.” Said Natsumi holding out the familiar small mirror. “Went through your stuff, sorry.”

"You see the orange gem over there?" I nodded as I held it. "That’s the gem of Bumi, the spirit of Earth. It is where my life lines were connects to and created the tread to make Maou’s seal one hundred years ago."

“Each Samurai Princess has their own gems, inside it were the spirit of each elements and contains part of the previous Samurai Princesses’s soul.” Explained Natsumi.

“When the gem flew into you and eventually sticks to your mirror, that was when I met Riku for the first time.” Said the Kage.

"As long as you keep it close to you and not breaking it, I’m here to lend you my power." Said Riku. "That is every knowledge and every earth techniques with its theories I have."

I nodded, and watched the gem gleaming on the mirror. “Then what about the other one, the spirit of Earth?”

"Glad you asked that." Smiled Riku again. "But that would be for the next time. You’ll meet her soon enough."

“Her?”

Riku winked, "I’ll explain it to you when that happens, you have my words."

“Wakatta..” I nodded slowly.

Natsumi coughed a bit, “Now the contract?”

"Ah, sou..." said Riku. "Remember your situation?"

I nodded, “That’s why it’s complicated, right?”

"Unfortunately, yes." Said Riku grimly before she turned to Natsumi. "Have you consult this with Kanata?"

Natsumi nodded slowly, “She said that there is a way to make things not as complicated as this.. But..”

“But?”

“You two have to come as one.” Pointed Natsumi to the kage and Riku. “It’s the only way to make another room for the earth in her mind.”

“You’ve got to be joking, priest.” Growled the Kage with a disgusted expression.

"NO WAY!" yelled Riku with a freaked out expression.

I watched Natsumi sighed again, “I know this is going to happen..” she muttered.

“Why do they have to become as one? They already like to argue a lot just being themselves.” I asked.

“There was never been a case that a kage and a past soul being in one body.” Began Natsumi. “The only record of it that I saw with Kanata was when we encounter Sae’s brother, Haru.”

“He has a kage? And a previous soul?” I asked.

Natsumi nodded, “As you know before, Haru’s kage was triggered when Nakanishi put a puppeting spell on his souls, his kage, and his previous soul. In the same time as it triggered, the kage and his previous soul became one and took control of him.”

"Who’s previous soul he has?" wondered Riku.

“Someone named Ruka.” I answered her question.

"Yikes!" grimanced Riku. "Why on earth the world have to be so small?"

“Anyway….” Cuts in Natsumi. “Since there is no way in the world that I will be using a puppeting spell like Nakanishi did, you two have to come out of it yourself.”

I looked at the two figure, Riku and my own kage. The two of them showed displeased in each of their faces.

"What happens when we become one?" asked Riku.

“Which one of us will disappear?” asked the kage.

“None.” Shrugged Natsumi. “If Kanata and my theories are correct you two should become as one and if you have the same aim, your thoughts should be one too.”

"What if it’s not?" asked Riku.

“Let’s just be positive.” Eyed Natsumi dangerously to the previous samurai of earth.

Riku gulped, "You are so like Kanata in one way."

“Maybe I am.” Stared Natsumi as she grabbed Riku’s hand and the kage’s hand and forced them hold each other.

They looked at each other intensely.

"You know this is nothing like I want."

“Neither mine.”

“Then would you two just do it for me?” I pleaded as the two glanced at me. “Please?”

The two of them looked at each other again, this time a bit more regretful.

“I guess there’s no other way.”

Riku nodded, "Let’s get this right, Kage."

Then a blinding light came out of their hands. I closed my eyes and opened it up once the light goes down. I looked up and saw Riku standing by herself, but somehow her appearance has changed.

"I guess it works." Whispered Riku as she looked at her new appearance.

Her face was still the Riku that I know, but her hair style was no longer short and bushy. Instead, it was long and straight like mine. There’s a slight black shading on each of her eyelids like my kage. To sums it up, she’s a mixture of herself and my kage.

“Wow..” I gawked at her. “You’re actually prettier like this.”

"Really?" asked Riku. "Well--"

“I missed your messy hair though, Riku.”

I looked over to Natsumi and saw her smiling at Riku. But it wasn’t like hers at all, it was warmer and kinder in some way.. The sparkling eyes looks familiar..

"Kanata?" asked Riku in disbelieve. "Did you just..?"

“Take control of her? I guess I did.” She smiled naughtily. So different than the normal Natsumi that it almost choke me up in disbelieve. “Anyhow…”

She approached Riku and slapped her hard, like real hard on the cheek that it produced such sound.

I looked over to Natsumi’s face and saw it blushed in red and in the same time, tearful.

“YOU HAVE NO IDEA DO YOU HOW MUCH I HAVE TO GET THROUGH AFTER YOU DIED??!!” she yelled loudly and sobbed in tears.

"Kanata..."

“YOU STUPID MORO-“

My eyes widened when I saw Riku pulled Natsumi’s arm and kissed her on the lips, silencing her yell as she embrace her tightly.

What the…

"I’m sorry I left you alone after this time." whispered Riku once Kanata fell silence. "I missed you Kanata. I missed your smile, your laughs, your love. I missed it all of you."

“Riku, you..” Then Riku kissed her again.

“Erm.. guys?” I cut in and found the two staring at me. “What about the contract?”

“Ah sou ne!” exclaimed Kanata pulling herself back from Riku, flustered. “Well the thing is, it’s better to do it once you’re recovered enough though. I think your fever still made you weak and the connections after the contract would definitely knock you out completely if you’re not strong enough.”

“Then in short terms..” I raised my eyebrows. “I’m not ready yet am I?”

“No you’re not.” Said Kanata.

“Glad to hear that.” I muttered.

Riku smiled at me, "Don’t rush yourself Ayaka, get yourself recovered first. We’ll get our contract soon enough. I’ll talk to you more later."

Then she clicked her fingers, I felt my self pulled back into a new world. When I blinked my eyes open, I found myself on the bed with a heavy weight on my chest. Hazily, I tried to see who it is and froze when I realized it was Natsumi.

Natsumi..?

“Riku… I missed you, moron…” she mumbled in her sleep. Her face looked so peacefully sleeping tight on my chest.

Oi, Riku help me out here! I mentally yelled.

"Sorry Ayaka, just stay like that for a moment would you mind?"

I imagined myself strangling Riku so badly if I meet her again. But then I felt Natsumi’s hand embraced me tighter and eventually pinning me on the bed.

“Oi, Natsumi! Wake up!!” I hissed at the girl. But she seemed to be unable to wake herself up.

Riku! Tell me that Kanata is not controlling her!

"Not exactly her actually. More like Kanata’s memory triggered her body to be moving as it is in the memory."

How the hell did that happened??!

"She probably has the same feelings as Kanata I suppose."

Masaka.. She’s…

"I think she has feelings for you, Ayaka."

I stared at her, struggling as to that she let go off me. But she’s so strong and her face is getting closer and..

We kissed.

====================

Sayaka's POV

"Alright, Sae, are you ready?"

"H-hai!" Sae was dressed into her training outfit, which she had borrowed from her brother to take with her while she was here. I was changed into my old gi from when I took aikido classes.

"OK, let's start!"

I readied myself and waited before Sae prepared and said she was ready.

"Yosh! OK!"

I nodded and waited, until...

"Hajime!"

I made the first move and directed my attack towards her, however, she moved back swiftly and dodged. Her jumps and ducks were very swift and well timed; I'm impressed.

"Sae, hold your guard! Try to attack me back!"

"Hai."

I decided I needed to give her a good chance to let out her strength. I focused my energy from my body and waited for her to make her move. She immediately ran forward, letting out a loud scream, and threw her leg forward to kick me.

I caught it with both of my hands, spun around her, and chopped the back of her neck, knocking her down.

"You still got a lot to learn."

"I-itai..."

Suddenly, I felt a pain at my chest. It pulsed so hard, I could already feel tears growing in my eyes.

"I'm sorry, Kuu..." I heard Kai crying in my head. I know I had done the wrong thing. I slowly helped Sae up and suddenly, my body acted on its own and hugged her.

"S-Sayaka?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to--"

"It's okay. I'm not hurt."

"But, I..."

She broke the hug and smiled, readying herself. "Come on, let's keep training. This time, I'm NOT losing!"

I smiled and readied my position. "Alright then."

"Hajime!"

====================

Third Person's POV

Ayaka couldn’t feel a thing except the soft moving lips and her own heart pounding loudly against her ribcage. She never felt like this before honestly, not a single time in eighteen years of her life.

Yet she didn’t stop the priest of soul dominating her until the she ran out of air in her lungs. Ayaka pushed off the unconscious Natsumi off her and eventually woke her up.

Still on top of her, Natsumi’s eyes widened in shock and back out to the edge of the bed.

“Oh my God.. Did I just..?”

Unable to say a thing, Ayaka stared at the priest and nodded her head slightly.

Natsumi’s face went truly red in embarrassment as she cover her mouth in shock. “I-I..”

“I think I know now that Kanata is quite an aggressive girl, now.” Said Ayaka awkwardly.

"Yes she is." Chimed in Riku.

Natsumi opened her mouth in disbelieve but no sound came out of her mouth, she was extremely embarrassed realizing what happened. Her face was totally red under the lamp lights from the window beside the bed.

The priest cursed herself and the previous soul mentally before eventually grabbing both of the samurai’s wrist and pinned it above her head.

“What the-"

“Not a word to anyone about this.” She threatened the young girl with deadly tone.

Ayaka was on the edge of releasing her laughs when she saw Natsumi’s red face so close to hers and now threatening her. But she force herself to look as normal as she can and nodded awkwardly to the threat.

“Good.” She hissed lowly before landing a peck on the young girl’s forehead then released her wrists.

“What was that for?” asked Ayaka as she looked at the priest in disbelieve at the door.

“What? Your mother never kiss you like that so you get well soon?” asked Natsumi back before she left the room.

Still feeling her cheek extremely warm and possibly red, she looked around for one certain girl. She owes her an explanation no matter what.

“Yuka, where’s Jurina?”

“Probably outside, watching Sae and Sayaka training.” Pointed out Yuka at the door. “How’s Ayaka and why on earth is your face so red?”

“She’s fine and nothing happened.” Answered Natsumi straight forward while cursing Kanata repeatedly deep down.

Yuka grinned, “Really?”

Natsumi threw her hands up and marched to the door, “I have no time for this!!”

Natsumi slammed the door shut as she still heard Yuka burst out laughing behind her back. She finally found Jurina and Itano sitting on the porch as she watched two figures practice hand combats.

“Kaguya, you there?” asked Natsumi.

Jurina turned her head, the brown eyes turned straight into a pair of silver irises. Jurina has automatically turned to Kaguya.

“What’s wrong? Is Ayaka alri-“

Natsumi grabbed the goddess’s wrist and dragged her to a tree nearby, leaving Itano by herself on the porch.

“Natsumi, what’s wrong?” asked Kaguya once they stopped.

“Kaguya, why on earth Kanata was able control me?!?!” exclaimed Natsumi straight forward. “I thought it was only for the samurai princesses that previous soul can take over their body!”

Kaguya narrowed her eyes, “Kanata? Was she able to do that?”

“Yes!” said Natsumi frustrated. “She put me into a sleep and the next thing I knew I was on top of Ayaka and-“

“Whoa, whoa! You what?!?!”

Natsumi shut her mouth again realizing what she just said before eventually put her head down and sobbed quietly.

“Oh dear…” whimpered Kaguya before approaching the girl. “Natsumi, tell me what’s wrong. I promised not to tell anybody..”

“Why does it have to be like this..?” sniffed Natsumi before sobbing quietly in Kaguya’s arm. “Why do I have to feel all these feelings that aren’t even mine? Why do I have to feel all this pounding heart each time I’m around Ayaka even know I never like her?”

“Previous souls tends to influence feelings of the vessel’s souls.” Began Kaguya. “Kanata and Riku were lovers in the past life and it was extremely saddening when Kanata have no choice but to let go off Riku in order to seal Maou.”

“But why do I have to feel the same as her?”

“Kanata was shocked by the fact she has let go off Riku and the other Samurai Princesses forever and fell into a deep mourning for the rest of her life. She really loved Riku all her heart and I think that’s what caused her overflowing feelings to effect yours too on Ayaka since she’s the “next” Riku. She reminded Kanata of Riku herself.” Explained Kaguya.

“But why is it me? Why do I have to be the priest of soul?”

“Listen, fate chose whoever it is wisely. If fate chose you as the next priest of soul, then you are the one that will make the prophecy come true. You and the princesses will be the ones destined to seal Maou, without you no one can fulfill the destiny perfectly.”

“Oh Kaguya… is there any other way to make her stop doing this to me?”

“Well the thing is, she won’t do any of this if you and her don’t have the same thoughts.”

“WHAT?”

“Natsumi, do you have feelings for Ayaka?” asked Kaguya this time. “One hundred years ago, Riku and Kanata were in trouble with Sayanee and on that day, Riku swore she would protect Kanata forever from Sayanee’s grasps. Did she do the same with you?”

Silenced, Natsumi nodded slowly. “But I never thought of loving Ayaka, I just care for her somehow.. and the thoughts she would protect me just made my heart pound, my lady..”

Kaguya smiled, “It’s alright for you to fell for her dear. But make sure it’s not from Kanata’s feelings, make sure it is yourself that likes Ayaka.”

“But what about Kai and Kuu?” asked Natsumi. “Would Sayaka and Sae be falling for each other too? Like earnestly falling, not forced?”

Kaguya smiled, “I believe they would. They create their own destiny with an ancient spell, written off on the book fate that will last for eternity.”

====================

Later that night...

Sayaka's POV

After a long day of training, it was easy to tell Sae had tired herself out. Maybe I pushed her too hard, even though she seemed fine. The next thing I knew, she was already passed out on the couch, peacefully asleep. Every so often, I always looked back to see her sleeping face...

"You think it's cute." Kai said, surprising me.

"K-Kai..!" I hissed in a low voice so Sae wouldn't hear. Kai just giggled a bit.

"Gomen, Sayaka. I couldn't help but notice how you were looking at Sae-chan."

Why did you suddenly come in?

"Because, you think she's cute. You keep looking over just to see her sleeping face, don't you?"

Wha.. No! I'm just looking out for her. If something happens, then...

"Sayaka..."

"Eh?" I looked and saw Sae's hand reaching out to something, maybe in her dream.

"Sayaka... don't leave..."

"Sae." I quickly ran over to her and grabbed her hand.

As I grasped it tightly, I suddenly felt myself become pulled in by something. I looked up and saw Sae standing in front of me, holding my hand.

"Come on, Kai!"

"Wait, Kuu!" My body and mind were no longer in control. I could just watch.

Is this... Kuu's memory?

"This way! I have something to show you~" She guided me through a cave and passed the waterfall. Under it was a beautiful view of the large river, lily pads drifting down the path under the full moon. "Isn't it beautiful, Kai?"

"Yeah..."

"Yokatta~ I knew you'd like it."

"Un." My heart is pounding... Was Kai like this?

"Nee, Kai... I have something to tell you." Kuu held my hand and I felt my heart pound. I looked deeply into her eyes as she did mine. "I love you, Kai. I want to be yours... forever."

"Kuu..."

She silenced me and held my chin as her lips met mine in a sweet kiss.

As she parted fro me, I saw her smile and couldn't help but feel my heart pounding so much.

"Please? Be mine, Kai..."

"Kuu... I--"

I instantly pulled myself away and saw I was lying on top of Sae, who was still sleeping like a baby. I turned behind me and saw Jurina's hand on my shoulder, her eyes glowing silver indicated she was Kaguya.

"Kaguya-sama..."

"You both shared a vision."

"Y-yes."

She smiled as she held my cheek.

"It's hot," she said. "Have you already fallen for Sae?"

"I..."

"Hehe, just kidding."

Huh... I never knew Kaguya could be so laid back. Or maybe that's because Jurina is her vessel.

"Anyways, I talked to Itano. She said we'll be heading to the capital, the location of the other Matsui. We're leaving tomorrow."

"Then how about Ayaka? Has she-"

"She's already awake. Natsumi said she'll manage for tomorrow's journey, but she can't ride alone."

"I'll ride with her." I offered.

Kaguya shook her head, "You can ride with Sae. Jurina agreed to ride with her."

"Understood. Um, is Jurina..?"

"She knows already. Although, I think she's still suspicious about the other Matsui. Let's keep an eye on her. I don't want anything to happen."

What does that mean?

Even though I didn't understand what she meant, I answered "yes" and dismissed myself for the night. As I started falling asleep, visions of me and Sae together filled my mind.

Am I really... falling for her?

====================

Meanwhile in the Demon’s Realm…

Sayanee opened her eyes as she heard the rustling noise by her side. She tilted her head slightly to see Milky still sleeping peacefully beside her between the bed sheets, she could see faintly the red marks from the previous battle she went through a couple hours ago. It’s getting better after she took her to Mieko to get it all heal up.

“Great, now it’s just me isn’t it?” complained Mieko as she healed up Milky.

“You’ll manage, Mieko.” Smiled Sayanee as she watched the dark maiden healed up Milky.

Mieko sighed, “I just don’t like where this is going though.. I’ve got a feeling that Mariko got something to hide from us. You know it, right?”

Sayanee pursed her lips and nodded. She knew the eldest was right about Mariko, she’s hiding something from them.

“I believe in her. She’ll reveal it sooner or later to us probably, whatever she has in her head.”

Sayanee sighed and got off the bed. Her hand reached out for a simple robe and covered her slender figure before willing dark mists to swallow her. She arrived upon a place where all her collections are, thousands of scrolls and binded papers, the library.

She was expecting it to be quiet since usually it’s either her, Mieko or Tomochin that comes down there. But she sensed another presence nearby, and reading off her collections.

“Mariko-sama, such a strange moment to see you here.”

Just in a blink, she’s already standing beside Mariko who’s reading off one of the tall selves. The eldest wasn’t surprised by Sayanee’s sudden greetings as she continued off reading a scroll.

“Hello, Sayanee. I hope you don’t mind I take a look at your collections.” Said Mariko simply.

“Not at all.” Shrugged Sayanee. “But how strange it is for me to see you reading off in the Souls and Death section.” Pointed out Sayanee.

Mariko nods and just kept on reading.

“Mariko-sama, what are you hiding from us?” asked Sayanee.

“What makes you think I’m hiding something from you, may I ask?” asked Mariko coldly not taking her eyes from the book.

“You wouldn’t let go off the person you like to spend your nights with on the bed easily, would you? Yet you did.” Said Sayanee. “You would only do something like that when you have something to aim for, Mariko-sama.”

“I told you my plans already, Sayanee.” Said Mariko dryly.

“And that doesn’t stop where you finished explaining to us.” Said Sayanee. “There’s a continuation to that, correct?”

Mariko pursed her lips, “You’d understand what I’m doing if you ever lost Milky, Sayanee.” Then she clicked her fingers and disappear in instant with the scroll.

Sayanee cursed mentally and looked at shelf. Her eyes wondered on each one, wondering which scroll did Mariko took. However her eyes widened once she realized it, she has taken one of her rarest spell scroll.

“Mariko-sama, you…”

To Be Continued

[Ruka Kikuchi]

Chapter 17: Underground Water Drain (Part 1)

Third Person POV

The group of seven were sitting around the table that morning, eating breakfast as keeping eyes on a map spread out on the dining table.

“We can take this route if it’s still available.” pointed Itano on a place in the map.

Yuko nodded, “I think we can avoid the main roads just in case the demons send a monster for us. We can’t risk anybody in danger.”

“Wait, isn’t that place cautious of landslides?” asked Sayaka. “How about this one?”

“I’ll avoid forest if I were you.” Said Natsumi. “Sinister things can be hidden there. Beasts and robbers are lurking in it, too dangerous.”

“What’s this?” asked Jurina pointing on a thing path line alongside of a lake. “This one seems to be leading us straight to the capital.”

“But it’s a bit far if we calculated that road, longer than the main road. And her place isn’t exactly in the capital though.” Said Itano. “It’s near it, in this forest.” She pointed a shaded area no far from the capital.

“Forest of despair?” asked Yuka with raised eyebrows. “Why does everything have to be so gloomy around?”

Itano shrugged, “Only doing my job here.”

Yuko watched the map intently, “What if we used the main road for a few hours until we can reach this point.” She pointed out an intersection of the lake path and the main road. “Then we can use the lake path that can take us to the forest of despair.”

“So we’re not going to the capital?” asked Ayaka.

Yuko shook her head, “I don’t think we’ll make it there in time though I’m afraid.”

“Oh..”

Sae looked at Ayaka, “What’s wrong? Are you missing your mother?”

Ayaka smiled thinly, “I guess I am. But if I go back there now.. I’d probably be arrested.”

“Why?” asked Sae.

“I left the capital over a miscommunication you can say.” Said Ayaka. “My mother can’t do much about it because the royal priests and minister assumed I was a dangerous outcast and it’ll bring danger to the capital. They have more control on people’s trust than my mother does..”

“Oh..”

Itano smiled grimly, “Those priests probably are my colleagues in the capital, snobby enough to be the royal priests.”

“Snobby?!”

“They always stick to text books and stuff, never be brave enough to take interest of things outside the text books that humans make. As for I and the person we’re going to meet, we both believed of new knowledge somewhere out there and agreed that they are much more interesting than the ones that humans already know of.”

“Wow, I can’t believe you’re such a learner, Miss Itano.” Whistled Yuko.

Itano smiled, “Call me Tomochin. I guess it’s such a contrast of my appearance, eh?”

“How did you get your hair colored like that?” wondered Yuka as she pointed out the golden hair.

“A spell I learnt out of Sayanee’s scrolls.” Answered Tomochin. “She doesn’t just keep scrolls of dark spells in her library. I’ll teach you if you want once we took breaks on the journey.”

So then we left after the discussion with our packs strapped to the horses.  After making sure her hut is locked properly, Natsumi hopped on one of the three horses she has. Jurina was riding on one with Ayaka on the back and Sayaka on one with Sae. The priest’s eyes however pinched when she saw Yuko, Yuka and Tomochin got their own horses.

“Where did you get the extra three horses?” asked Natsumi to the demigod.

“Stole it off this morning.” Grinned Yuko, earning glares from Sayaka, Natsumi, and Jurina. “What?! It’s her idea!” she pointed out to Tomochin.

“Hypnotism spell.” shrugged Tomochin. “Not exactly stealing but more convincing the casted one to do what we ask.”

“That just reminds me of Milky’s ability.” Shivered Yuka a bit.

“It’s her power after all. Her power last longer than the ones I have, so that’s why we hurried back here.” Smiled Tomochin. “Let’s go.” So then Tomochin dashed to the road on her horse, followed by the others.

"Kai.. Do you think she can be trusted?" Asked Sayaka mentally to her previous. "She looks pretty dangerous with all the dark spells she mastered."

"So far she’s been showing her loyalties to us, accept it for now. But like Yuko said, keep an eye on her."

"Wakatta."

“What’s wrong Sayaka?” asked Sae as she tilted her head to look at her.

“It’s nothing.” Smiled Sayaka as she pull on the control and ride behind everyone else.

They rode from morning till dusk for the next two days. Stopping their horses and make a camp as soon as it gets dark. Sleep underneath the stars and shared food on the campfire before packing and leaving as soon as dawn struck. Finally, they come to a stop for a quick dip on the road alongside the lake that they talked about.

“Such a good day today to take a dip.” Said Yuka stripping herself into shorts and a simple sleeveless shirt before getting into the water. “The water is pretty cool you know.”

Jurina, Yuko, Ayaka, and Sayaka nodded before doing the same and enjoying their time in the lake. Yuko went over to a tall rock and jumped to the water from it, screaming in enjoyment. Then soon everybody followed her and had fun splashing and swimming.

However the ones that weren’t joining them were Tomochin and Sae who chose to be guarding the scattered clothes and watch the fun from the riverside. As for Natsumi, she’s hobbling around to collect some herbs just in case needed.

“Why aren’t you swimming?” asked Tomochin at Sae who’s sitting beside her.

“I can’t swim.” Confessed Sae with a red face. “Kind of phobiatic because once I nearly drowned when I was little.”

“Oh..” nodded Tomochin.

“But I still can play some splashing in the water though.” Said Sae. “Just can’t play in the deep water.”

"How about you, Kuu?"

"Well, I can actually swim in the waters. Ruka and I used to spend some time in a lake a bit far off from the mansion and just splashing each other for fun. He said it was memorable for him because it reminded him of his moments with Maria."

"Ah…" nodded Sae.

“How about you?” she asked Tomochin.

Tomochin shook her head, “I don’t feel like it for now. Swimming in hot days like this can cause a certain effect on your blood streams if I am not mistaken which then will effect the color of my hair.”

“Speaking of your hair..” wondered Sae. “How about if you teach me how to change hair color like yours?”

“Eh?”

“Onegaishimasu!!” begged Sae as she grasped both of Tomochin’s hand and showed her best puppy face she always make. Even Haru and Yukirin can’t resist it at all if she does that.

Stunned in awe, Tomochin nodded in the end. “Alright. I’ll teach you.”

“Yay!!” celebrated Sae jumping in joy.

Tomochin watched the girl celebrates in giggle before she asked her, “What color would you like it to be?”

“Hmmm.. That’s a good question..” muttered Sae before her mind started to spin trying to figure out the best color. “Something that would look good for me.. Ah! I know!”

She took of her hairclip and showed the item to Tomochin. The blue rose was gleaming beautifully on the iron clip as well as a green crystal shaped like a leaf under the blue rose.

“Such a nice hair piece you got there.”

Sae nodded, “I’d like to change my hair color to this one.” She pointed at the green crystal.

“Okay.” Said Tomochin. “But since you’re still learning, let’s not color your hair entirely okay?”

“What happens if I do? Yours look pretty.”

“The possibility for beginners to try it out and experience malfunction is high and you wouldn’t want to have a mass hair loss would you?” asked Tomochin.

“No, thank you.” Said Sae scared. Imagining herself being bald and Haru laughing his guts out at her.

“Of course not.” Said Tomochin. “Just pick up a bit of your hair like this.” She showed the girl a small bunch of her own hair.

Sae nodded and followed her action, “Then?”

“Imagine the color you want as you closed your eyes. Will the thoughts to flow into your hands and eventually to your hair, try it.”

“Wakatta.”

Sayaka’s POV

I finally gave in to my lungs and decided to end my ‘holding breath underwater contest’ with Yuko. As I rub off my face, I saw Yuko fisting the air with a victorious smile.

"Oh come on Sayaka. You’re the samurai of water, why would you lost to a demigod like her?"

Well I’m a human, Kai. She’s a half–God.

I heard Kai chuckled, "Wait until I teach you all the techniques needed for it."

How last can you last Kai?

"About half an hour."

How did you do that?!!

"I'll tell you sooner or later, Sayaka." I imagined Kai grinning at me.

“That was one contest.” Whistled Jurina. “I can only last for a minute down there.”

“A third of Sayaka’s.” said Yuka. “Not bad, kid.”

“Just wait until it’s the swimming contest.” I said. “I’ll definitely not be losing to you. Yuko.”

“Oi, I don’t want to lose to her too!” said Jurina.

Yuko laughed in victorious, “Beat me and I’ll be in charge of collecting fish for dinner.”

“DEAL!” said Jurina and I in sync.

“Okay than, that settles that.” Said Ayaka as the referee. “Hey, speaking of which why don’t we ask them to join us?” she pointed out to Tomochin and Sae on the lakeside.

"Ah I just remembered.." Said Kai.

Eh?

"You should ask Sae, Sayaka. Kuu can swim really well you know, despite being a land lord’s daughter."

Really? I’ll go ask her then.

So then I approached them followed by Yuka. The two of them seemed to be having fun talking somehow which was strange to me since Tomochin seemed to be the exact opposite of Sae.

“Hey what are you guys doing?” asked Yuka.

“Look!” pointed Sae at her hair. A gleaming green bunch of her hair was pointed by her to us. “Don’t you think it’s pretty? Tomochin taught me to do it!”

“Ah!” exclaimed Yuka. “You went on without me! I want to learn it too!!”

“You guys..” I shook my head in amusement as Yuka fussing on Tomochin to teach her.

Well, it’s kinda pretty..

"How about you try it, Sayaka?"

Eh? Me?

Third Person’s POV

In short that night then, they enjoyed their dinner of fish with Sayaka and Jurina in charge with since they lost to Yuko. But it was a chatty dinner since Sae and Yuka fusses over their new hair to everyone.

Yuka got herself the same as Sae but hers was flaming red like the gem on her locket. She said Hinata agreed on the color as it suited her elements.

As for Sayaka, she went along with Yuka’s decisions to color it the same as her element, water. So then a part of her hair is in dark blue shading.

“How long will this spell last for?” asked Jurina.

“Beginners’ can last for a month as for mine, I can deactivate it anytime I want and make it permanent.” Answered Tomochin.

“I want one too!” said Ayaka pouting. “Riku said orange suits me.”

“We’ll do that later then.” Winked Sae. “Right, Tomo?”

“Tomo?” asked Tomochin back.

“I think calling you in short is very cute.” Said Sae. “What you don’t like it?”

“I think Tomochin is cute enough.” Pronounced Tomochin. “Just don’t call me other thing than that.”

“Mou..” pouted Sae.

Tomochin sighed and she knew she done the right thing. She dared not to look at Sayaka however who somehow produced an intense aura when Sae called her cutely.

But the one who was completely silence that night was Natsumi. In fact the whole trip she was silent other than excusing herself for collecting herbs and a slight talk with others.

“She’s trying to adapt to Kanata.” Said Kaguya on one night when Sayaka asked what’s wrong with her.

“Is it hard to be the priest of soul?” asked Sayaka.

“A bit complicated than yours.” Commented her. “Has Kai ever told you anything about Kanata?”

“Nothing so far.”

“She should, they both have an interesting story to share.”

“They?”

"Riku and Kanata." Chimed in Kai as Sayaka snapped out of the flash back.

"Riku and Kanata?" Sayaka asked mentally as she looked at Natsumi and Ayaka who’s snoozing separately from each other.

"They’re both lovers like Kuu and I."

"Ah sou..." she nodded. "Then?"

"Many interesting happened to them. And Kanata was a very strong person I have to say."

"Strong?"

"Do you remember how we died? She didn’t have a choice but to cut our life lines including Riku’s who she really loved. I can almost imagined her crying her eyes out when she lost her and all of us."

Sayaka’s eyes widened, "So she... killed all of you?"

"Don’t say kill Sayaka. She has no choice but to do that in order to seal Maou."

"Then when it comes to the moment then.. Would Natsumi do the same to us?"

"Perhaps. It’s her job."

"But I promised Sae that none of us will die like you guys once we sealed Maou!" Screamed Sayaka mentally. "We will be alive!"

Kai did not answer her statement and gone silent. Sayaka pulled on her blankets and looked at Sae who’s sleeping peacefully beside her.

She caressed her hair softly and closed her eyes.

"Sae, I promise you we’ll be alive once all of this are done."

---------------------------

It was then by noon that the group finally entered the Forest of Despair. Even it was noon, there were white mists everywhere covering the forest.

“This place gave me goosebumps.” Complained Yuka.

“I can feel some souls around here.” Whispered Natsumi. “Like those who were so trapped in deep despairs.”

“Now we get it why it is named for.” Said Jurina impatiently. “Show us the way, Tomochin.”

“Stay close, don’t get lost in the mist.” Said Tomochin leading the way.

After a few minutes of walking our horses, they arrived upon a wooden hut. A bit bigger from Natsumi’s but there was no colorful garden around it. Instead, there were statues made out of lime stones and bushes that grows wildly surrounding it.

“That is one creepy hut.” Commented Yuka. “I hope the person who lives here isn’t as creepy as her hut.”

“Hush it.” Said Tomochin putting her finger on her lips before knocking on the door.

A small eye hole slid open with a pair of thin eyes, eying all of them. “Who are you?”

“It’s been five years since we met, Matsui.” Spoke Tomochin smugly.

“You..” The young woman pinched the thin eyes eying the girl before she saw the eye hole closed and unlocked the door.

The door opened and revealed a slender tall figure with black outfit and curly raven hair tied up into a bun. However, despite having visitors, she doesn’t seemed to be pleased.

“Well well.. Itano Tomomi.” She began. “What’s with knocking my door after five years and suddenly bringing all of these..” she eyed us. “Tough looking ladies.”

“Tough looking ladies? I like that.” Nodded Yuko.

Then Matsui eyed Yuko, “You’re not a mortal aren’t you?”

“How did you know?” asked Yuko.

“There are things that us humans can do other than just watching presence of their own race.” Smugged Matsui. “Living in this forest has teach me to see things that normal people don’t see.”

“Anyway..” cuts in Tomochin before jerking her thumb to Jurina. “This girl has something to settle with you.”

“I never met you before, how come you look for me?” asked Matsui as she looked at Jurina.

“Because I never met you that I look for you.” Said Jurina. “My name is Matsui Jurina, I am looking for anyone goes by the same name as mine and I heard you are.”

Matsui raised her eyebrows, “I thought the mass killing of a Matsui clan happened thirteen years ago.”

“Then how come you’re still alive?” asked Jurina intently.

“Even if we’re both Matsui, it doesn’t mean we’re related.” Hissed Matsui. “You’re wasting your time here.”

But before she closed the door in front of them, Jurina held the handle. “Wait!”

“Yes?”

“My mother’s name is Matsui Shiori, are you familiar with the name?” asked Jurina.

Matsui froze, her face went slack all the sudden. “Shi-shiori?”

“Do you know her?” asked Jurina.

“She’s my sister...” muttered Matsui. “Does that mean you’re my..”

“Niece.” Finished off Tomochin.

Matsui opened the door wider for them before she looks at Jurina intently. “You are her daughter.. Gods, you eyes.. Shiorin’s eyes and that faceline.. Your father’s..”

“So you’re my aunt then?” asked Jurina.

Matsui nodded and embraced the girl, “My dear.. I never thought that I’ll ever meet my family again..”

“Aunt.. “ stumbled Jurina trying not to get teary. “You’re the only one I have left now.”

Matsui pulled back and nodded, “Come inside and we’ll talk further.”

So then the group went inside the hut, it was cozy with fur couches near the fireplace and many selves filled with scrolls and pathology.

“You collect these things?” pointed out Sae at a pathology of an eyeball in disgusted.

“I do researches of animals and beasts in this forest and that’s a wolf’s eyeballs.” Said Matsui.

“Yikes!”

“So then..” began Jurina after settling down on the couches as she looked at her aunt on a rocking chair. “How come you’re still alive?”

“I left the Matsui House twenty five years ago.” Began Matsui. “My family were very strict on their children, what the eldest decides, we have to obey them. My sister was obligated to marry a man and soon she was pregnant with a child.”

“Is it Jurina’s sister?” asked Yuko.

Matsui nodded, “As my sister and her husband was waiting happily for her birth, I experienced horrible nightmares as months passes. I saw massive fire and darkness revolving in the land, killing humans and animals. Then I saw huge shadows hovering the sky and a figure being hailed by demons. Then I saw it was someone similar to my sister and I thought it was it might be her child.”

"Onee-chan!" Jurina said. "She's my... older sister."

“I assumed it was just a nightmare at first but it keeps haunting me every nights. Can’t hold it anymore, I tried to tell everyone. My sister, her husband, my father, my mother, the elders.. one of them believed me and thought I was crazy. I was slowly being rejected by the whole family and I can’t hold it anymore that I left about a week before your sister was born. I was only sixteen then.”

“Then you went to the capital and studied with Tomochin?” asked Sayaka. “What makes you eager to learn about demons then?”

“That nightmare keeps haunting me until I heard that my sister gave birth to her child. I knew my nightmare isn’t something usual and it has got to be something to do with demons. I studied hard in order to stop the nightmare if it would be real. But further on I realized that the capital has no records of demons, only a few descriptions but nothing deeper.”

“So then you left again, looking for the knowledge. Why this forest though?” asked Natsumi.

“The Forest of Despair has been rumored for being a popular place for suicides.” Said Matsui. “Deaths would not happen if Shinigami doesn’t appear. And Shinigami knows where demons are mostly to be because he always keep his eyes on them and Maou’s gate.”

“Maou’s gate?” asked Sayaka. “You know about the legends of Samurai Princesses then?”

“Of course, it has descriptions of demons especially Maou.” Said Matsui. “But I never meet Shinigami eventually after all these years, thus makes me never be able to meet demons directly.”

“I have.” Gulped Tomochin. “In fact I’ve been living with them for the last five years.”

“You did? How?” asked Matsui as her eyes opened widely in shock.

“Long story but I’ll tell you.” Said Tomochin quickly. “Jurina needs an explanations.”

“Thirteen years ago, when all the Matsui were killed except me. They kidnapped my sister in front of my eyes.”

“They?”

“Demons.” Said Jurina. “They killed all our family, aunt.”

“Oh dear..” muttered Matsui with a sigh. There was a saddened expression in her face for the first time, but she managed to take control of it. “How did you survive?”

“Kaguya saved her.” Said Yuko. “Kaguya hime–sama is inside Jurina and saved her from death.”

“Kaguya?!”

“Yes.” Spoke Jurina. She opened her eyes and showed the silver irises to Matsui. “I have been inside your niece for the last thirteen years, I am sorry to do this.”

Matsui shook her head as her mouth widely open. “No it’s alright. Thank you for being able to save her..”

Kaguya smiled before she closed her eyes again and revealed brown irises that Jurina has.

“Wow..” said Matsui. “I never thought in my life I would..”

“I know, aunt.” Nodded Jurina and gave her aunt a warm smile.

Matsui replied the smile, “Then what explanations would you need?”

“Do you know what the demons are planning to my sister?” asked Jurina. “Why would they specially kidnapped her? The only thing I remembered that they said she’s an important asset for their master.”

“If we’re talking about their ‘master’, it must have been Maou.” Said Matsui slowly then she widened her eyes. “Oh Gods..”

“What is it?” asked Natsumi.

“Now I remember..” said Matsui. “It’ll be Maou’s awakening soon.. the legend repeats again.. The Samurai Princesses..”

“We are the Samurai Princesses.” Said Sayaka.

“Oh dear…” whispered Matsui again in shock unable to say anything else.

“Matsui, I know you have about shocks attack already for today.” Interrupt Tomochin. “But please focus.”

“Alright…” she nodded. “Could it be the realization of my dream..?”

“The nightmare, you mean?” asked Ayaka.

Matsui nodded, “If my theories are right my dear…” she looked at Jurina. “I think your sister is being prepared for Maou.”

“Prepared?”

Matsui nodded again, “I think she will be Maou’s vessel once he truly awakened. It was her destiny.”

"What? No! Ugh.." Jurina suddenly held her head with both hands and backed away. "N-no! No..! NO!"

"Jurina?"

"What's wrong with her?"

"I think it's Kaguya. She's fighting with her."

"I told you, Jurina, it's too late for her!"

"No! I'm going to save onee-chan!"

"Jurina, I'm sorry. But you have to let her go!"

"I'm going to save her, and there's nothing you can do to stop me!"

Yuka nudged at Yuko. "Hey, this is getting pretty intense, don't you think?"

"There's no way they'd... y'know, right?"

Yuko's eyes widened. "Oh no..."

"...Get out."

"Eh?"

"Jurina, no!"

"Get out! GET OUT RIGHT NOW!!!"

Just then, a huge wind burst out and surrounded everyone, causing them to shield their eyes. As it calmed down, they looked back and saw Jurina collapsed on the ground. Standing behind her was a young girl who looked exactly like her, but her clothes were different and her black hair was cut short.

"Kaguya?"

"No..."

Kaguya pulled her hood up and ran out, jumping up on the tree branches and flying away.

"No, come back! Don't leave! Kaguya-sama!" Yuko screamed out, but it was too late. She held her head, leaning against the wall. "This can't be happening..."

"Jurina! Wake up!"

"Mm..." Jurina slowly got up, rubbing her eyes. She yawned loudly and looked up at the Matsui, her eyes widening. "Onee-chan..?"

"Eh?"

Jurina smiled widely and hugged her aunt around the neck. "Onee-chan!"

"Onee-chan?!"

To Be Continued

[luvsidney]

it's really interesting story~!!!! for all the story lines abt the princess the war and the love love between them. somehow~ Kanata's yellow color is too sharp(?) and very hard to be read....

long for more rabu rabu moment for saeyaka~ \^o^/

[Ruka Kikuchi]

Chapter 18 - Underground Water drain (Part 2)

Third Person POV

"Onee-chan~" Jurina hugged the elder Matsui tight as she purred softly like a kitten into her chest.

"Onee-chan?"

"Yuko, what's going on here?" asked Natsumi.

Yuko facepalmed. "I was afraid this would happen."

"Can someone just explain this to me?" said Jurina's aunt as the younger girl clung onto her. “Why is my niece acting like a toddler?”

"Kaguya's soul separated from Jurina's body and made them two beings once again. But the safe process should be done properly or otherwise…”

“Otherwise..?” Tomochin raised her eyebrows.

Yuko gulped, “A malfunction, causing memory loss for the main soul. Because Jurina made a contract with her when she was four, the only memories her current brain has retained are the ones of when she was a child, before meeting Kaguya."

“Not cool.” Said Sae.

“Definitely not cool.”

"That explains why she thinks I'm her sister." Nodded Matsui as she caressed Jurina’s hair.

Jurina wasn't even following the conversation everyone around her was having. She just smiled in ignorance, as if nothing was happening.

"This is bad... This is VERY bad..." muttered Yuko. “Oh God.. Where could she be going? We have to find her..”

"Don't worry, Yuko," Sayaka said reassuringly. "We’ll find Kaguya and have her make up with Jurina."

"But... Where could she be..?”

“How about the Kaguya’s Palace?” suggested Natsumi. “It’s the sacred place where the holy water fountain is. I’ve been there before!”

“Ah sou…” nodded Matsui. “I’ve heard about the place, located on top of the Mountain of Moon and only opens up it’s gate without the guardians at full moon.”

“What happens if you come there at times that are not full moon?” asked Ayaka.

“The Guardians will test you.” Answered Natsumi. “It was a horrible test..”

“Who are the guardians?”

“The Stone Golem of Moon.” Said Tomochin. “I heard the legends that after the first war with Maou, Kaguya made some stone golems to protect the palace so that nobody could get their hands on the fountain unless they are worthy.”

“I guess you know where you have to go now, Yuko.” Said Sayaka at the worried looking demigod.

"Hey, it'll be fine." Sae patted her shoulder. "You go out and look for her. We'll take care of Jurina-chan."

"Are you sure? I'm just worried; what if--"

"You can trust us, Yuko. Now hurry." Yuka said as she pushed the demi-God out the door.

"Thanks, girls. I'll be back as soon as I can. Take care of Jurina." Yuko said before hopped on a horse and dash into the mist.

The four princesses turned and saw Jurina was staring at them, seeming completely out of touch with reality.

"Jurina-chan~" Sae was the first to jump in and knelt down beside her. "Don't you worry, we're gonna take good care of you until Kaguya-nee-san comes back. OK?"

Jurina just tilted her head and smiled, not a care in the world.

-----------------------------------------

The kitchen goes busy by minutes later then. Matsui as the owner of the hut has responsibility to take care of her guest including her teenage niece who’s acting like a four year old. In the kitchen, she exchanged conversations with Tomochin and Yukaregarding their stories that fascinates her.

“God, I never thought in my life I would hear such stories..” she muttered after listening Yuka’s story of encountering demons. “And eventually meet the legends itself..”

“Trust me, being the legends is much more difficult than just hearing it.” Assured Yuka.

In the living room, Jurina was having some fun of her life as she played horses with Sae who has much more experience than the others when it comes to little kids as to been playing with Mayuyu for about a quarter of her life.

"Jurina-chan, hang on, we're climbing the mountains!!!" Sae said as she jumped up on the couch and walked around it.

"Oi! Don't break my couch!" they heard the Matsui say.

Jurina just smiled and cheered as she hugged Sae, dancing with her and spinning around. However, she suddenly stopped her a moment and started coughing.

"Are you okay, Jurina-chan?"

"..U-un. I'm okay, nee-chan!"

Sae couldn't help but feel her worry lingering. She felt something was terribly wrong with Jurina.

Meanwhile...

“You sure have a lot to learn, Ayaka.” Said Sayaka as they walked through the forest.

“I supposed so. I can’t bear to do the same as you.” Pointed out Ayaka to some rabbits hanging on Sayaka’s belt as to being trapped by some snares.

“Why?”

“I used to have a rabbit when I was little.” Said the princess grimly.

“Oh…” nodded Sayaka. “Hey what if we exchanged some stories?”

“Stories?”

“Yeah. I know you’re the next one in throne before you became a Samurai Princess.” Said Sayaka. “I’m sure you have a lot to tell.”

“I don’t think I really do, Sayaka.” Said Ayaka. “You heard about the king’s death right?”

“Yes.”

“Well the thing is.. Ever since his death, I can’t stop worrying about what he left behind. My mother, the kingdom.. Before he left, I promised him that whatever will happen later, I’ll take care of those two things.” Confessed Ayaka. “Now look at me, unable to do all that and worse, an exile of my own kingdom..”

“Ayaka it’s not your fault.” Said Sayaka. “You’re one of us now, we are the Samurai Princesses. Yours and our destiny are much more big now, saving the world from Maou’s darkness.”

“I know.” She nodded with a saddened expression. “Oh Sayaka, I still think I left my mother alone was bad enough.. I really missed her and looking at Jurina finally reunited with her only family just makes me missed my own mother too..”

Sayaka couldn’t help to approached the girl and gave her a gentle hug as the younger girl cried in her arms.

“Listen, you and Jurina are not the only one with a person left in their family.” I said. “I have a step brother fighting somewhere in the war. I love him all across my heart as a big brother who took care of me so well..”

“Did he left anything to you to remind you of him?” sniffed Ayaka.

Sayaka nodded and pulled out her necklace, “He left a letter and this necklace before he left. I received it just before I left my duty in the imperial army from my boss.”

“It’s beautiful..” smiled Ayaka. “I also have this from my mother.” She pulled out the small mirror, the orange gem gleamed beautifully on the handle.

"Ah! I know that mirror!!" Screamed Kai inside Sayaka's head. "It’s the Mirror of Truth!"

“Mirror of Truth?” asked Sayaka loudly.

“Eh? You know this thing?” asked Ayaka stunned.

“I don’t know, but Kai is trying to tell me something..” said Sayaka. “Tell me more Kai.”

"It’s an ancient artifact, mended from the Holy Crystal of Snow Goddess. Only a few people can use it since it choses who gets to own it and when it is in the right hand, it can show you anything. And what I mean anything is that EVERYTHING from hidden enemies to future!"

"Whoa! That’s amazing!" Screamed Sayaka mentally before she explained to Ayaka what Kai just said.

“Masaka..” muttered Ayaka as she looked at the mirror again. “I-I’ve seen my self in this mirror, Sayaka. Like I was totally different, not knowing that it was myself as a Samurai Princess!”

"It only shows some random but truth things to other people, but only shows the whole story to those who are worthy of it." Spoke Riku suddenly.

"Does anybody you know able to use this mirror?" Asked Ayaka.

"There was one person we know from ages ago.. Without her, Kai would have gotten executed."

"What?! Did someone accused her?"

"Yes. Get Sayaka to come close and I’ll show you both a memory of it."

“Sayaka.” Called Ayaka. “Hold my hand, Riku said she wants to show us a memory of the mirror.”

"Ah, that…" nodded Kai. "Yes, I think you two should know about it.."

"What is it about?"

"You’ll know it."

Sayaka took Ayaka’s hand and all the sudden they were standing in a different place, like a small house.

“We’ll be safe here..” the two of them heard an exhausted voice.

They turned and saw Kuu was bending her knees as she gasped for air. She wasn’t the only one though, there was a girl in long braids watching the outside from a small hole on the curtains.

“Kai..” said Kuu looking up at Sayaka. “Tell me those are lies right? You wouldn’t do such things!”

“W-what..?"

“Crap, they’re coming!” hissed the girl that’s looking at the window. “Kai, you have to run for the woods we’ll meet you there!”

“What’s going o-"

Then the sound of a loud knocking followed by yells of men came from the door. Ayaka knew it won’t take long for them to take the wooden door down.

“Kai please! You have to get out from here!” pleaded Kuu. “I swear I’ll meet you at the woods.”

Sayaka didn't seem to know what was going on, so she took her sword and ran into the woods.

Ayaka looked around anxiously as to look for the others. “Where’s Kaguya and Kanata?”

“We split up.” Explained Kuu as she tried to block the doors as to try containing the forces to break the door.

“OPEN UP THIS INSTANT OR WE WILL TEAR THIS DOOR APART!”

“HAND IN THE MURDERER!”

“Murderer?!” yelped Ayaka in instant. Riku.. What’s going on?!

"Kai was an officer back in the days before she’s a samurai princess, just like Sayaka." Explained Riku briefly in my mind. "She left the army with some rumors going around that she and her boss had a relationship, thus when she left it looks like to the others that the two had issues and she decided to quit."

"That’s awful! Then was the one murdered.."

"It was her boss that got murdered. Kai and her boss was pretty good commanders but never something like couple. She asked to for all of us to comeback to accompany her back as to find some information from her boss regarding strange cases that demons has been causing. But then we knocked the door at the wrong time and saw her boss already dead in a blood bath."

"So you guys are accused as to that too?!"

"We are. But there’s chances that they’ll be accusing Kai worse than us because she has the motives as to that while we aren’t. That’s why we let her escape while we try to handl-"

Ayaka glanced as to the door breaks opened forcefully, causing Kuu fallen back to the floor. Ayaka and Hinata pulled their swords in instant and pointed at the guards who are mostly or all man.

“Surrender yourself this instant!” yelled one of them. “You all are accused as to the murder of the General!”

“How many times we have to told you that we didn’t do any-“ Just then before Kuu could finish her sentence, Kuu gotten herself a kick right on the cheek by one of the guards.

“KUU!” yelled Hinata. She tried to give back the favor to the officer but then two of them expertly grabbed her hands and forced her to drop the sword down and made her knelt down forcefully on the floor with her hands bounded. “LET GO OFF ME!!”

“Hinata!” Ayaka yelled. But then suddenly someone pulled her hands back and forced her to knelt to as her hands bounded in the same chains as Hinata. “Gahh!!”

Kuu looked up in absolute hatred to the guards who kicked her as she held her swollen cheek, “You did not just kicked a lady!”

“SILENCE!” yelled the officer who seemed to be the leader of them all. “There is another one of you, our old friend, Shizaki Kai.”

Kuu who was struggling on the chains bared her teeth to the leader just to get herself another hit on the cheek, producing such a loud slap.

“STOP IT!” yelled Hinata but then one of the officers pulled her braids back forcefully and caused her to struggle in a dangerously backwards angle. “Ack!”

“Now tell me where she is.” Said the officer kneeling infront of Ayaka as she grabbed her chin to forcefully look at him in the eyes.

Ayaka could feel her heart pounding, but a sentence slipped through her mouth without her control.

“Somewhere to figure out the truth.” She said smugly and spit to the officer’s face.

The officer pulled back in disgusted before whacked her in the stomach, causing the taste of iron in her mouth. “Bitch! TAKE THEM ALL!”

----------------------------------

Yuka’s POV

*DUARRR*

“Dear Lord!” I yelped accidentally dropped the potatoes straight to a pot of boiling water. Splashing my self in the arm with it, “Itte!”

“Are you alright?” asked Matsui as she hand me a wet towel to compress the red patches from the splash.

“I’m good.” I smiled thinly as I compressed the burnt. “The thunder surprised me though..”

“The Forest of Despair has no certain weather. It’s either cool and foggy or thunder storm.” Said Matsui. “You’re friends aren’t back yet, Samurai. Where are they?”

“The name is Masuda Yuka, but you can call me just Yuka.” I introduced myself. “Gosh, you’re right Matsui-san.. I wonder if they’ll be okay..”

“Call me Sakiko.” Smiled Matsui. “I hope they’ll be back soon before it gets worse. The storm here is pretty bad, and it’s very often for hails to appear in this thunder storm.”

“HAIL?!” I widened my eyes. “We have to find them!”

I rushed out from the kitchen into the living room and saw Jurina was crying in Sae’s arm. It was weird though to see a big teenager like Jurina crying like a toddler in Sae’s arm.

“What’s going on here?” asked Sakiko before she bends down beside Jurina and caressed her back softly. “Why is she crying?”

“I think she’s scared of the thunder from before.” Said Natsumi looking at the windows. “It’s seems pretty dark out there..”

“We have to find Sayaka and Ayaka! Sakiko said that there’s possibility of hails coming in this storm and if they’re not back in time they could get killed!”

“MAJI KA?!” exclaimed Sae. “I’m coming with you, Yuka!”

“Me too!” said Natsumi before following me outside into the rain.

“I’ll take care of Jurina with Tomochin, please hurry back!” yelled Sakiko as we dashed off into the rain.

“SAYAKA! AYAKA!”

“WHERE ARE YOU GUYS?!”

“COME BACK YOU TWO, IT’S FREAKIN STORMING HERE!!”

I glanced around in the rain, not a care in the world that my clothings are totally soaked. The three of us ran in the rain together until we see two faint glows, an orange and blue light.

“There!” pointed Sae.

I pinched my eyes to finally caught the sight of Ayaka and Sayaka standing holding hands together in the rain. I could see the two of them radiating different auras of their elements.

"They’re sharing memories!" Said Hinata. "Riku and Kai are interacting with them about the same memories."

What memories are they sharing?

"I don’t know but when this thing happens, they’re like dolls while their soul is traveling deep in memories."

Then we got no choice to carry them before the hail attacks then!

“Sae, have to carry them. They’re unconscious!”

“Unconcious?” she asked. “Like what are they doing?”

“Sharing memories. I’ll tell you later, but we need to get them out of here!” I ran up to them and helped Sae carried Sayaka on her back while Natsumi carried Ayaka. The three of us ran as fast as we can with our friends in the rain to the hut with the thunders rolling above.

What are you two sharing…?

Sayaka's POV

As soon as I dashed towards the woods, my surroundings swirled weirdly and before I knew it I was held back.

What the-? I looked at my wrist and felt the cold chains bounding it and tied into a wooden post. What’s going on?!

I looked around and saw my self in a completely different place. Like a plaza where many people gathered and on my feet was piles of dried sticks. On a platform, some officers were standing around a guy in robe who looks like the imperial judge.

“Shizaki Kai, I hereby to pronounce you are guilty in the Murder of General-”

"Murderer! Murderer!" That was the only thing I heard clear in my ears. The citizens gathered in the plaza stomp their feet as they yelled the words, echoing to my very own brain.

“The sentence will be carried out today will be your death sentence of being burned live at stake.” pronounced the judge. “Your friends will be joining after you.”

“NO!!!” I heard Kuu’s yell. I turned to a small wooden cage just under the platform and saw her grasping the bars with her wrist shackled in chains. “STOP IT!!”

Then I saw familiar images of the other previous Samurai Princess, the messy haired Riku yelling at the guards, and a hair braided figure knocked out on the cage’s floor.

"Stop! I didn't do anything, I swear!" I felt my voice say.

"SILENCE!” yelled an officer who seemed to be the leader of them all. “LIGHT THE FIRE!”

I saw them raise a torch and walked towards me. I felt my heart pounding harder than ever as my eyes watched the fire coming close to me. The chains were so tight on my wrist that it hurts every time I struggled on it.

"Hold it!" Suddenly, a voice rose and a hooded figure walked towards the judge. It opened it’s hood and revealed a beautiful face with a pair of silver eyes.

Kaguya!

“Shizaki Kai didn’t kill the general!” yelled another hooded figure coming in and opened her hood, a girl with curled lips. “We have the proof! Show it!”

Then I saw another hooded figure coming in, another girl with tattoos on her beautiful face almost mythical for me to see.

“Behold, I see the truth in this Mirror of Truth!” She held up an object in her hand and it shined brightly.

The mirror!

"Look." The mirror showed what had happened. None of the girls killed the General, they were framed by the time they knocked on the door he was already dead and the culprit escaped through the back window.

“Lies!” yelled the officer leader. He turned to the judge, “These girls must’ve been using some tricks!”

“If we are using tricks, mind telling the judge where were you at the time of the crime?” asked Kaguya simply. She raised her eyebrows in enjoyable as she watched the officer leader’s expression, “You can’t, eh?”

“Simple. He’s the murderer.” Said the girl with curled lips. “I bet this is his.” She raised an emblem in her hand. My eyes widened recognizing the emblem of the imperial Vice general.

“Seize him!!” yelled the judge immediately as he pointed the leader of officer who is trying to get away.

The girl with curled lips raised her bow instantly and shot two arrows, pinning the true murderer by the shoulders on the wall. She looked at me and nodded in relieve as she approached to help me off the chains.

“Thank you, Kanata.” My mouth spoke the name by itself as I quickly slumped to her just as the chains broke off my wrist.

“I’m glad you’re alive, Kai.” she said.

“Who is she?”

“A new ally with an amazing artifact.” I heard her voice sounded in my ears before everything turned hazy and white.

Ayaka’s POV

I opened my eyes slowly as I felt the warm air around me and finally sat up. I saw Riku kneeling next to me with another figure, beautiful lady in blue kimono.

“Kai..?” I croaked.

"Hello, Umeda Ayaka. I see you have found the artifact we used one hundred years ago." She smiled. "And for some reasons, you and Sayaka received a memory of it."

“Sayaka?!” I yelped realizing the older girl is not here. “Where is she?!”

Riku pointed a limp figure just beside me and I saw her still sleeping peacefully on the ground.

“Wow, she really does looks like you, Kai. In some way.”

“Really?” asked Kai amusedly.

Riku nodded, “The sleeping habit is particularly the same.” Before she yelped in pain when Kai nudged her on the ribs, “Itte!”

“Thanks a lot.” Grumbled Kai. "Seems like joining with a kage affected your sense of humor a bit."

I couldn’t help but to giggle watching the two acted buddies.

“So…” I tried to reconstruct the conversation. “Do you think the Mirror could help us find the demons?”

“I most certainly do, Ayaka.” Said Kai. “However, you need to find the true chosen one that’s able to use the Mirror to it’s full potential.”

“How are we going to find her?” I asked.

“Similarities.” Stated Riku. “The previous user of the Mirror was from the capital, a witch named Nala who roamed around telling fortunes with her Mirror, not knowing that it’s an artifact.”

“Usually, the similarities of the previous and the future reincarnation are not that far away.” Said Kai. “For example, I was an officer for the imperial army before I knew my fate as the samurai princess. The same also goes for Sayaka, since she’s my future reincarnation."

“How about Riku and I?” I asked. “We’re totally different.”

“We both have fear. A strong one that can make us break very hard and as if world have gone dark for us." said Riku. “Yours was from fear of being burdens which then developed your Kage well. As for mine, I was afraid of losing people that I love, you have no idea how much I break down when Sayanee kidnapped Kanata from me easily..”

“What happened then?” I asked.

Riku shook her head, “Not now, darling I’ll tell you later. You and Sayaka have too much memories coming in already, it’ll effect your mental if we plunged you into another one.”

My tongue felt like arguing to what Riku said but she was right, stuffing the two of them with memories won’t help at all. Only making them worsened up mentally.

“So then we have to look for her in the capital?” I asked. “My kingdom? My home?”

“Yes.” Said Kai. “Riku has told me about you. Be careful in there, keep your eyes open and your ears up. You are a wanted person, Ayaka.”

“I don’t like being a wanted person especially in my own home.” I grumbled.

Riku smiled, “Heroes are the ones that came from the very bottom and they reached the highest level of all. You will be one.”

“If I don’t die like you guys.” I added.  The two of them looked at each other sadly and sighed as if they agreed on that.

“Even if you die..” said Kai slowly as she looked at me straight in the eyes with those piercing irises. “Die in honor, not defeat.”

“See you soon, Ayaka.” Smiled Riku before she clicked her finger. With a blink, I found my self back at Matsui’s house with everyone gathering around me.

“Thank goodness, you’re alive!” sighed Natsumi. “Kanata said you’re sharing memories with Sayaka, what is it about?”

I looked at Sayaka who’s groaning slowly in Sae’s arms as she tried to regain her consciousness.

“We found a way to find the demons.” I began.

--------------------------------------

Meanwhile, in another place...

Third person POV

It doesn’t take long for a demon to quickly appear from one place to another with their dark mist. It certainly doesn’t for the eldest of demons to travel from the hideout into the edges of a volcano pit.

Mariko looked down at the pit and saw the boiling lava bellow, bubbling in anticipation to whatever got thrown in there. She does enjoy some treatments involving the heat when hell was their home, but not this intense however.

“Fancy some beauty treatment by the lava, Mariko-sama?” Mariko doesn’t need to turned her head to see who’s talking. Sasshi in two piece relaxing on giant boiling rock, for a demon like her especially specialized in fire, this heat is nothing.

“I have a job for you.” said Mariko shortly.

“I’m listening to you.” Nodded Sasshi as she folded her legs together.

Mariko smiled, “How do you like to go for a hunt?”

Sasshi frowned, “What kind of hunting?”

Mariko smiled and explained what she has in her mind to the young demon. Once she finished it, she watched Sasshi’s reactions which was somewhere in the middle of ‘are you insane?!’ and ‘nice challenge!’

“Oh Dear Maou..” whistled Sasshi. “Ameratsu is going to kill me if I do this.. But count me in.”

To Be Continued

[luvsidney]

support =P and ganbatte~!! is sae jealous sayaka and ayaka share memory? haha

[Ruka Kikuchi]

Chapter 19 - Underground Water Drain (Part 3)

Sae's POV

After listening to the whole story from Ayaka, the seven of us fell silence around the fireplace except for Jurina who’s fiddling with her aunt’s curly hair on her lap.

"We have to go to the capital.” Said Ayaka. “Our first chance to find the user is to go to the capital.”

"Hang on there," Sayaka suddenly stopped her. "I don’t think it’s a good idea to go to the capital right now. I mean look at our condition!” she pointed at Jurina who somehow gave an innocent look.

“I think Sayaka’s right there.” Nodded Sakiko as she caressed Jurina’s head. “You’ll have to wait for the demigod to comeback with Kaguya, you’ll find the user quicklier with her.”

“But at the same point, won’t be going to the capital would be better than staying here for who knows how long?” asked Ayaka again a frown. “We don’t know how long would it takes for Yuko to arrive at the temple and what if Kaguya isn’t there? It’s gonna take weeks!”

“Listen, I know you’re anxious about it. But we possibly can’t go at this state.” Pronounced Sayaka. “If you mind, you’re wanted, remember?”

“I’ll keep my hoods on all the time.” Replied Ayaka instantly.

“It’s not going to help you much, young lady.” Said Sayaka coldly. “You know that everybody in the capital recognized your face.”

"Of course, it's my home."

"Exactly!” said Sayaka. “Start considering about safety would you? If anybody knows you’re in the town, they’ll report it straight away to the officers then they’ll start hunting you down in the town. With if they captured you?”

“Then I’ll fight them all.” Argued back Ayaka.

“Then they’ll just take you for a serious outlaw.” Said Natsumi grimly. “If you fight them back, they’ll take it as a serious offence and before you know it you’re the enemy of the capital.”

“Then I’ll go by myself.” Answered back Ayaka as she stand up angrily. “I’ll find the user myself!”

She walked passed me, but I quickly caught her wrist. “Ayaka, you can’t go there alone. What if something bad happened to you?”

“Nothing will happen! I’ll manage by myself! I don’t need anybody’s help!” yelled Ayaka. Then she eyed Sayaka, “Stop telling me what to do, you’re not my mother!”

“Who says I am?!” asked Sayaka offensively. “Yuka, say something!” she urged as gave a pleading look to the girl. However, Yuka looked unsure as if she has something in her mind.

"Actually..." Yuka stepped forward a bit. "Actually, there's somewhere I need to go, too."

"Eh?"

"I promised Hinata I would meet Ao." Confessed Yuka. “But I think I have to do this one alone too.”

Sayaka retorted again. "You can't go! Nobody goes alone! We all need to wait for Yuko to come back."

“Tell me how long are we planning to wait, Madame Officer?” mocked Ayaka. “Open your eyes, time is ticking away until Maou’s out of his prison. We have no time to waste!”

Sayaka stood down angrily as she eyed Ayaka, “Stop being a hasty princess and sit down! You are nothing more than an outcast of your own home!”

Ayaka’s eyes widened in shock on the last bit of Sayaka’s sentence, even I also widened my eyes as well with everyone else. Realizing her mistake, Sayaka closed her mouth and shook her head.

“Ayaka, I didn’t mea-”

Ayaka laughed lighly, but her eyes was beyond forgiving as she stared at the older girl. “No you’re right, Officer. I’m nothing more of an outcast, a trash of my own people. Does that make you happy, now?”

“Ayaka-” but Ayaka put up her hand to stop her talking and shook her head.

“That’s it, I’ll go by myself. I’ll find the user myself, don’t follow me.” She pulled her hand from my grasp and shut the door loudly.

“AYAKA!”

“Okay, this is just beyond silly.” Said Natsumi before she got up and went out at the door. My guess is that she’s going to stop Ayaka.

“Oh God…” sighed Sayaka settling down on the couch. “You guys are unbelievable!”

“Oh you’re blaming us now?” asked Yuka. “It was you who start it with her! She has a point you know.”

“But it’s too risky for any of us to split up or even going anywhere!  Besides, what if something happens to either of you?"

“Nothing will happen!” said Yuka. “How old do you think we are, huh?”

"What if it DOES though?!"

“Okay that’s it you two!!” I yelled, shuts up the two of them. “Fighting like this isn’t going to get us anywhere. Ayaka’s right, we’re running on time until Maou’s revival and therefore we have to find the demons to stop them before they completely get Maou awakened.”

"But--" I put my hands up just in time when Sayaka opened her mouth to argue.

“You also have the right point that it’s dangerous for any of us to get separated in this time, remembering our states. So let’s just get a middle resolution so the three of you happy and the world happy from Maou.”

“You made it sound like a joke, you know.” Said Tomochin flatly.

Sayaka crossed her arm, “What do you suggest?”

“We’ll split up. - Let me finish!” I said eying Sayaka who’s about to argue again. “We’ll split up, Ayaka and Sayaka can go to the capital together and find the user. You can protect her from any suspiciousness and the danger of her cover being blown.”

"But what about-"

“As for Yuka,” I eyed at Yuka, “I’ll go with Yuka to meet Ao. I’ll stay away from your business but mind the fact it’s dangerous to go by yourself, we can’t confirm what happened to you if something were to happen.”

"Maji?! You’re going with me?” asked Yuka.

I nodded. “But keep in mind that the two groups will only have five day limit at their own businesses. We don’t know when Yuko is coming back, but it’s better to get it all done as quickly as possible.”

"But, Sae..." I stopped Sayaka and hugged her, surprising her and myself. My body just acted on its own. I can feel her heart beating along with mine.

"It'll be okay."

Sakiko coughed, “So then.. Natsumi, Tomochin and I will be staying and take care of Jurina then?”

I pulled back from Sayaka and nodded, “If Yuko and Kaguya comes back, at least one of you could explain the whole thing. And besides,” I looked at Jurina who’s smiling at me as she held her aunt’s arm, “I think you two deserved a quality time together as a family.”

“Family?” pronounced Jurina. “What is that, Sae Onee-chan?”

“It means someone close to you.” Said Sakiko smiling at her niece. “So close that I can tickle you like, THIS!!” she grinned and tickled Jurina. The girl roared in laughter as her aunt’s slender finger tickled the right spots of her ticklish nerves.

I couldn’t help but to smile at the sight, but I quickly turned again to Sayaka and Yuka. “So will that be fine?”

“I guess I can agree with that.” Said Yuka tilting her head.

“Great.” I sighed. “Now where is Ayaka and Natsumi?”

Third Person’s POV

It was storming outside, but luckily no hails. Ayaka dashed off to the horse stable, not a care in the world that her clothes are soaked in the rain. She can still the echoes of Sayaka’s words in her brain, engulfing her in anger.

"Ayaka-"

"Don’t lecture me Riku!" Snapped Ayaka. Surprising Riku since never once she heard her host gets this mad at someone or something.

"Ayaka listen, I’m sure Sayaka didn’t mean to say it a-"

"Oh you’re on her side now?!"

The thunder clapped in the sky, stunning Ayaka a bit. Remembering herself she used to be scared of this kind of thunder when she was little and would hide behind her parents, frightened. Now somehow she wished she could do that again.

Unconsciously, a tear came out of the corner of her eyes. She rubbed it off, hoping for her face to be dry but in this kind of storm it’s just useless. She can’t lie anymore about the main reason she insist to go to the capital, she just missed the only family she has left apart from the Maeda's; her own mother.

She felt a hand holding her hand from the back, she glanced back and saw Natsumi eying her grimly.

“You said it yourself that I don’t have to be alone. I think it’s time to say the same to you too.” She said. “I’m here.”

As if her body moved by itself, Ayaka let herself slumped to the other girl and cried in her arms. Her tears and the rainwater soaked Natsumi’s clothes together as the princess poured all of her emotions into her sobs.

“Listen to me.” said Natsumi bending down to looked at Ayaka’s eyes. “I know you missed your mother but please think straight. You can’t go there alone to the capital, imperial guards and spies lurks everywhere within the capital. They’ll find you easily if you let your guard down just one bit and you know there is no guarantee that you can do that.”

"..Wakatta..." Ayaka said in between her sniffles.

“Now let’s go back to the hut and talk it straight with everyone, I’m sure we’ll find a way.” Encourage Natsumi. “You can’t always run away like this Ayaka.”

Ayaka nodded and yet still let her head rest on Natsumi’s shoulder, sniffing her last bit of tears.

She hated to admit Natsumi was right, she needed to think straight. She’s not a princess anymore, Noro is not around to protect her anymore, thus she’s on her own now with the other samurai princesses, Kaguya, Yuko, and Natsumi.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Said Natsumi. “Let’s go, you’ll catch a fever again if we stay in this place.” She stood up and took the girl’s hand before directing her back to the hut.

-----------------------------------

As soon as the two were back in, Sakiko welcomed them with a light scolding about getting her house wet from the two soaking figure before eventually told them to sit around the fireplace and get themselves dried.

Ayaka looked up when she saw Sayaka stood from the couch as she gets closer, the two stood infront of each other awkwardly.

“Sayaka, I-"

“I’m sorry for hurting your feelings, Ayaka.” Said Sayaka shamefully. “I guess I lost control of my tongue and eventually said those things. I swear I didn’t mean to though!”

Ayaka smiled weakly, “It’s fine really. I should be the one apologizing for being such a jerk, not thinking about the consequence and so on..”

The two them smiled at each other before breaking into a laugh. Looking at the two, Sae couldn’t help not to smile.

"I guess they’re back together now." Thoughts Sae. She looked at the dark sky from the window. "Kaguya, Yuko… I hope you guys are back soon..."

--------------------------------------

In another place, far away...

A figure was dashing on the rocky path of a mountain in the middle of the raging storm, despite it’s dangerous condition of slippy roads and strong winds, the figure kept going and going. It raised it’s head to look up at a rolling boulder coming towards her, but in a flash she quickly avoid it and watched it tumbled down.

Taking a breath, she looked up to see her destination; a huge building on the mountain. She pursed her lips as she is getting closer to it before dashing off again. She finally arrived upon a gate guarded by two statues of golem at the front. She took a step forward and the two gollems’s eyes glowed in silver.

“Who dares to come to such sacred place?!”

“Address yourself!”

The figure lowered her hoods, revealing her silver irises and the similar glow as the two golems. “I am Kaguya-Hime of the Moon, Goddess of Night.”

The two statue nodded and bowed briefly at the figure, “Welcome, Kaguya-sama.”

The figure nodded and stepped in to the gate and found herself in a huge ground with a giant fountain with glowing clear liquid water flowing into a pond and eventually unlimited. A huge roof covered the ground and the fountain, protecting it from the raging storm and rainwater. Behind the ground was a huge temple made out of pure white stone, raging with such aura.

The figure stepped closer and eventually sat on the pond’s edge. She took of her dark hood and her boots before dipping her feet into the water, it felt relieving enough after hours of running with no stopping. Not only that, the water felt like seeping into her mind, calming her after the rough moments.

She closed her eyes and maintained her breathings as the magic water cools her body and soul, she tried to remember what has happened. Jurina’s request to get out of her body was probably her only choice to do before the kid herself might turn insane. Of course she knows that it may caused some serious issues, but she’s just too mad at the young girl to even think about her.

She scrunched her eyebrows as she decided to take a dip herself into the water, groaning in relieve as it does the work. The magic doesn’t just work on humans too, it works on her too as a God.

“Rough day, Sis?”

Kaguya opened her eyes upon feeling a new presence appeared not far from her. She doesn’t raised her weapon, she knew enough who it was.

“Ameratsu.”

"It's been a while," Amaterasu said as walking casually closer. Kaguya still recognized him, even in his human form. The man he's spirit is hosting, Furukawa, looked like something he would've really been like before he turned into a wolf.

"What are you doing here?" asked Kaguya grumpily. She hated that goofy smile from his brother, even if he was in another body.

Ameratsu shrugged, “I heard my sister is not in the mood to come out in such storm. So I guess something‘s wrong with you .”  he sat on the edge of the fountain. “Beside, I miss you~”

Kaguya pursed her lips, “Oh boy..”

"OK, what happened?" he said, bluntly. "I know something's on your mind. You've always been a stubborn little sister."

"It's none of your business." Said Kaguya shortly.

"It's Jurina-chan, isn't it? I can tell, you two aren't bonded together anymore."

Kaguya's eyes widened a bit.

"What happened to you two?"

Kaguya sighed and explained everything to her older brother. She honestly hated being a little sister, because it meant, there was always something that her brother was able to do that she couldn't. In this case, he was able to read her like a book.

"So that's it... Yes, I heard about the Matsui bloodline. It seems the elder sister of Jurina has been marked."

"She thinks she can save her... But I know it's too late."

"How?"

"Eh... because..." Kaguya tried to turn her brain. “You know why, Ameratsu!”

"Sis, I think you should consider what Jurina is feeling. You should know, as you, yourself, are also a little sister."

"Yes, but..!"

"Jurina-chan obviously cares about her deeply cares about her sister. She's willing to risk everything, even her own life, just to save her. Right now, Jurina is out there, alone in the world, and she doesn't have anyone left to turn to!"

Kaguya felt tears fighting their way out of her eyes. Amaterasu patted her head.

"Sis... I get it. You just need to trust Jurina, okay?"

Kaguya wiped off her tears and took her feet out of the pool. "But she needs to get herself grow up. I can’t stand her being so stubborn on times.”

Ameratsu rolled his eyes, “Oh come on! She’s still a teenager, not a thousand year old Goddess like you are. Give her a break already!”

Kaguya pouted, “Then I should have picked someone older..”

“Hey, don’t start again.” Warned Ameratsu. “You know what you did was right, you saved her life. You knew she was the one, stop denying Kaguya. Regretting like that won’t help.”

“Fine.” Sighed Kaguya. “Thanks Ameratsu.”

“Wow it’s the first time my tsundere sister actually thank me well.” Whistled Ameratsu.

Kaguya raised her eyebrows and willed her holy water to make a thin tentacle and wrapped around her brother’s ankle and pull him into the pool, all happened in a such quick motion that Ameratsu found himself splashing into the water.

“OI!”

Kaguya laughed, her laugh was light but very youthful despite being a thousand year old goddess. Ameratsu couldn’t help not to smile watching her sister laughing before the two of them eventually start splashing each other in the holy water.

After hours of enjoying the holy water, the two of them relaxed on the edge of the pond. Ameratsu was the first to pick up a slight sound coming from the gate.

“We have a visitor, sis.”

“Then they’d have to go through the two golems.” Replied Kaguya simply. However, she finally look up to the gate once she heard it open.

Her eyes widened upon a small figure running towards them, no other than Yuko.

"Kaguya!" Yuko's voice rang in their ears as the demi-God ran into the palace. "Kaguya, you need to come back! We--DAD?!"

"Hey, how's my baby girl?!" waved Ameratsu with another one of his goofy smile.

"I AM NOT A BABY!!!" Yuko ran past her father and cast him aside and held Kaguya's hand. "We need to go, NOW!"

“How’s Jurina, Yuko?” asked Kaguya. “I’m afraid I think I did something to her.”

“You kinda did, actually sis.” Answered Ameratsu before creating a reflection image on the pond.

Kaguya widened her eyes when she saw Jurina clinging to Sakiko and Sae before eventually start piggy back on the two of them. Of course it should be fine if she has a body of a toddler, but the main problem was that the girl is in her full original size.

“Why didn’t you tell me this?!”

“You’re too hard to talk to, then you’d start a whole conversation of arguments on how this girl deserves it. I can tell it would be useless to talked about it without me lecturing you first.” Said Ameratsu. He nodded to his daughter. “You know what will happen don’t you?”

Yuko nodded, “After her memories, her soul would start to disappear as her body rejects it since it’s not in the normal circumstances anymore.”

Kaguya covered her face with her hands, “This is not happening...”

“Then I guess you better hurry, sis.” Said Ameratsu hurrying the two. “Ah and one more thing!” he called out before they left.

“What is it?” asked Yuko.

Ameratsu frowned, “I have a bad feeling coming to me, Yuko. I think the demons are plotting more things than just using Jurina-chan's sister for the Maou, I want you to visit some of our old friends after you get Kaguya back.”

“Dad, you mean THEM?” asked Yuko in horrified voice. Just imagining her father’s old friends truly raised her goosebumps.

Ameratsu nodded, “I want to make sure they are alright, they’ll respect you dear as long as you act appropriate.” She looked at Kaguya then, “Kaguya,”

“Yes?”

“Take care of yourself, sis. We’ll meet again when the time comes.”

“Un.” Nodded Kaguya before dashing off with Yuko to the dark forest. Ameratsu looked up the sky, looking at the dark night after the storm.

He still clearly remembered everything a hundred years ago, he witness the four legendary Samurai Princesses sealed Maou along with the Priest. Fighting alongside with them was amazing, but the most amazing of all was to be able to combine power with the past Samurai of Fire, Hinata. Combining his power as the sun God has created great power within the girl, enough to defeat Sasshi.

He sighed, wondering what the next samurai of fire will be like. So far he has watched her from the distances, a strong girl that loves her family well enough. But is she worthy enough for him to combine forces with her?

“Ao, I’ll leave that to you.” Whispered Ameratsu to the wind, willing the words to carry out passing the land till it reached the dragon himself.

--------------------------------------

After the discussions and dinner, everyone finally dismissed themselves out with agreements. Ayaka and Sayaka to the capital and Yuka with Sae to Ao’s place. Since Sakiko’s hut was small, there was only two bedrooms, one is hers and the other one has been abandoned for such long time that cobwebs were everywhere.

“Okay so which one of you will be sleeping in the other room?” asked Sakiko as she handed a pile of bedsheets. “Jurina and I will be sleeping in one room.”

“Will you be okay taking care of her?” asked Sae. “Remembering her conditions..” she eyed the toddler acting girl rolling happily on the floor.

“I’ll manage.” Sighed Sakiko. “Even if she’s not herself, she’s my only family left. And I think it’s time for me to take over my sister’s job over her.”

“Okay then..” said Natsumi. “I don’t mind sleeping on the couch honestly.”

“So am I.” said Tomochin hopping on a couch.

“How about you Ayaka?” asked Sayaka.

“I guess I’ll be following Sakiko’s words of staying around the fire to keep warm so I’ll probably sleep on the carpet.” She pointed at the furry carpet infront of the fire.

“I’ll join Ayaka too.” Chimed in Yuka.

"Can me and Sayaka have the spare room?" Sae asked suddenly, startling the older girl.

"Eh? Is that really okay?"

"Un. Anything is fine for me."

"Uh, okay." Sakiko guided the two to the spare room. Even though it was dusty and old, the bed seemed to be in good condition...

"Wait, there's only one bed?"

"Yeah, sorry, the other one broke down. You both don't mind sharing a bed, do you?"

"Uh..."

"It's okay!"

Sakiko left the two to get ready for bed. Sayaka tried to hide her embarrassment and started getting undressed. Sae suddenly turned to the wall, blushing heavily.

"What's wrong?"

"Uh, I... I'm just not used to changing in front of other people."

"But, you're a princess, right? Don't you have maids who dress you?"

"When I was a kid, yes. But, I am perfectly capable of dressing myself. B-besides..." Sae looked over at Sayaka through her bangs, but snapped her head back as she started seeing her bare back. "I've never seen you naked before."

"Being naked isn't that bad, is it?"

"W-well..."

Although, actually, Sayaka was feeling her heart pounding more than ever. She's never been ashamed of her body. But now, being with Sae is...

"Kai... have you and Kuu ever been naked together?"

"There were a few circumstances. But yes, we have."

Sae was also talking to her inner personal.

"Kuu, were you and Kai ever like this..?"

"Actually, yes. There are plenty of times I've seen Kai naked."

Sae looked over at Sayaka, slowly gaining her courage to look. When she saw her back, she noticed there was a bold, black tattoo edged in her skin. It was a butterfly, with what looked like lily flowers on the right side of her back shoulder.

"Sayaka..."

Sayaka looked back and saw Sae staring at her, blushing.

"Uh, oh... I should get undressed," she said, pretending not to notice.

Just as Sayaka put down her kimono and was about to change, she looked and saw there were scars on Sae's body.

"Sae, what happened to you?"

"Eh..."

Sayaka walked over, trying to look, but Sae covered herself. The elder forcefully pushed the latter against the wall and removed her kimono, observing her scars.

"Why didn't you tell me about these?"

"I-I..." She couldn't do anything as Sayaka turned to look at her back and saw a scar which looked very recent. "It's fine, Sayaka... I was..."

"How did this happen?"

"I was just... training."

“Training?”

Sae nodded awkwardly, “Like on the journeys at night time. I got up suddenly and can’t go back to sleep, so I trained.”

“By yourself?”

Sae tilted her head, “Sometimes if Kaguya or Ayaka caught me, they give an extra hand.”

Sayaka summoned some water in her hand and placed it on Sae's scar, causing the younger girl to wince in pain.

"Hold still..." Sayaka held onto Sae's shoulder as the water seeped into her skin and healed the scar. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want you to worry about me... I wanted to be strong..."

"Baka..."muttered Sayaka.

"Eh?" Sae was suddenly taken aback when Sayaka gently kissed her forehead, almost like a mother.

"I don't want you getting hurt if it's just for me. And I don't want you to become strong like me. You be your own person, Sae. You're beautiful as you are."

"But... Sayaka is.. m-more beautiful. More than me, more than anyone! And I..."

"You what?"

Sae never saw this coming. She never imagined, if she was going to say that, it would be THIS awkward. But, now that she's about made herself clear, it seems like the best time.

"I... I really love you, Sayaka." She blurted out.

"Eh..."

"I do... I love you... Ever since I first met you, I've felt this... connection. I HAVE to be with you..."

"Sae... I--" Sayaka was silenced when Sae suddenly captured her lips in a sweet kiss. Time seemed to stop as both of their hearts were pounding. Sayaka's eyes slowly closed, enjoying the moment, and her body went limp.

Sae finally parted for air, her face completely flushed.

"Um... We should.. get some rest."

"Ah... un."

The two changed into their pajamas and climbed into bed. Sayaka blew out the candle, darkness surrounding them. The younger girl hugged her shoulders, feeling the cold air against her skin. She turned over and saw the elder girl, her back facing her.

Thinking the girl was asleep, she slowly moved closer to Sayaka and hugged her, laying her head against her shoulder. Sae closed her eyes, feeling her warm body against hers. Sayaka looked back at the sleeping princess, a smile drawn on her lips. She turned over to face the girl and placed her forehead against hers.

"I love you too, Sae."

In the other room…

“Jurina! Come back here!!”

“Mweeeh, yadaaa~”

Sakiko sighed as she leaned on the wall, she looked at her grown up niece cuddling the pillow as she refused to let her aunt to wipe a warm wet towel to her face to clean her face. The woman isn’t used to moving this actively but she could imagine simply her sister being in the same situation as her right now on taking care of Jurina.
 
After wrestling the girl, tackling her, pinning her, she finally was able to wipe off the dirt, sweat, and grime, off Jurina’s face. Putting her into the night gown was easier however and so does getting her tucked in next to her.

“Auntie~” muttered Jurina in her aunt’s arm as she cradled her niece. “Tell me a bed time story, nee~”

“Eeh??” Sakiko tried to turned her brains around. For years she hasn’t been reading any stories or legends accept stuff regarding to her studies. Telling her niece those things, are probably not the best idea for a bed time story.

She looked down to her niece who’s looking at her innocently with a wide pair of eyes. Unable to resist such charm, the woman sighed.

“What if I sing you a lullaby?” offered Sakiko. She remembered a few lines from her own mother when she and her sister were little.

“What’s a lullaby, auntie?”

“It’s a song, Jurina. Here, let me sing one for you.” she took a deep breath and hopefully her voice isn't that bad for the girl.



Sakiko sang softly as she caressed the girl's hair. She looked below and smiled upon her niece's sleeping face, cuddling to her thin figure. Sakiko was never good with kids since she left her home, she never date or even interact enough to be in relationship thus children never was something in her mind until she met Jurina.

From what she heard before, all of the Matsui are dead except her and her older sister, Rena. and of course, herself as the addition. She looked at Jurina's face, slightly resembled like her sister. She couldn't help not to let a tear to drop as to remember her dearest sister is dead along with the other Matsui clan, she loved them all despite her desicion to left them ages ago. She would've say sorry one day once she learnt something from the capital, but now she knew it was too late to do so.

As if her dead sister sent her a signal, Jurina came. Then there was Kaguya, separating with her niece, causing malfunctions to her soul. Trapping her old memories away and let the toddler soul to replace her. It was as if her sister given Sakiko a chance to get close to the remaining family, a chance which to take care the next generation of Matsui.

Jurina coughed slightly while she was sleeping, Sakiko patted her back carefully. However, her eyes widened upon a small red patch on her nightgown where Jurina coughed earlier.

"Jurina?"

Meanwhile in the living room...

Ayaka couldn’t sleep that night. She’s been shifting her sleeping positions for the last hours, still can’t get herself to comfortably sleep. Yuka in the other hand was snoring loud enough to cover the sound of storm outside.

Ayaka sighed and sat up, watching the fire place still lit with some coals left. The glowing coal was beautiful in her eyes, as the fire left still burning it slowly.

“Can’t sleep, huh?” Natsumi sat herself beside the girl. “I didn’t know you like watching coals glowing.”

“It’s beautiful.” Shrugged Ayaka. “How about you? Why can’t you sleep?”

“Did you know I never met Kanata? Like you and Riku usually do?” she looked at Ayaka’s widened eyes, “I guess you don’t. Well, she would always speak in mind however and somehow that also effects my sleeping mind.”

“Nightmares?”

“Memories. You can call the bad ones nightmares, well it is horrible.”

“Oh..” said Ayaka. “How long have you been having it?”

“A few times since Kaguya made me realized I’m the Priest of Soul.” answered Natsumi. “How about you? Too excited you finally going back to the capital?”

“You wouldn’t call it exciting though.” Said Ayaka. “Actually I don’t even know what I’m feeling.”

“Tell me what’s on your mind.”

Ayaka sighed, “I missed my mother, Natsumi. I missed my teacher, and I missed my whole life being just a normal princess again. I guess some of the reasons I urged you guys to go to the capital and find the user were the fact that I missed them all. I wanted to go back and at least tell my mother I’m fine and said a proper goodbye.” Then she told her everything, from the failed coronations to the her status as fugitive.

“But in the same time, I knew that if I come back I would endangered myself with the imperial guards and spies lurks everywhere recognizing my face in sight. I don’t want to endangered any of you, I never would forgive myself if any of you gets into danger because of my fault.”

“Hey listen to me,” Said Natsumi, holding the princess’s shoulders. “hang on to your feelings. I know it’s hard but when you reach the capital with Sayaka don’t act reckless. Keep your hoods all the time and remember your limit time that Sae gave to each group. Once you’re done, come back here safely. I’ll be waiting for you.”

“Will you be fine while I’m gone?”

Natsumi froze upon the question but smiled, “Of course I’ll be fine. You should be the one I’m worried about.” She flicked Ayaka’s forehead.

“Itte!”

Natsumi giggled before eventually Ayaka giggled too. Once they were done giggling, they looked at each other in the eyes. Natsumi realized how beautiful Ayaka’s eyes were, rich shade of chocolate color that just gets you locked. The two fell into silence before letting their inner feelings take over, shifting their face closer for a soft kiss.

The two hearts pounded in rhyme as the lips moving slow and softly on each other. They broke the kiss slightly to breath each other’s warm air then kissed again. They repeat it again and again under the stormy night, only witnessed by the glowing amber lit coal in the fireplace.

“Do you…” breathed Ayaka. Even in slight darkness, Natsumi knew she was blushing. Her palm on the girl’s cheek felt the warmth radiating. “Like me..?”

“I-I…I don’t know.. I’m not sure.” said Natsumi looking at other direction, avoiding the girl’s gaze.

“Me neither..” whispered Ayaka. “But-“

“Yea..?”

“will we be together like this again?”

Natsumi’s eyes widened, “Maybe.. But we should get some sleep now, night.” She was about to get up and leave for the couch but Ayaka caught her hand, stopping her.

“Stay, Natsumi.. You said you’re having nightmares, maybe..” began Ayaka. “Maybe we can face it together.”

“We?”

Ayaka nodded, “yeah. You and I.”

Natsumi nor Ayaka knows which one has the fastest heart beats at this stage, but as soon as they lay next to each other on the furry carpet they vaguely heard each other’s over Yuka’s snore.

Natsumi felt the grasp of Ayaka’s hand on her palm, and saw the beady eyes looking at her. She doesn’t know if it is Riku or her eventually, but it all feels comfortable. She closed her eyes and soon drifted to sleep with her hand not letting go of Ayaka’s and so does the opposite.

--------------------------------------

Far, far away in the same moments…

“I couldn’t thank you enough, Sir!”

“Don’t worry, Miss! It’s us that has to thank you for taking care of our kids!”

In a restaurant that night, after the closing hour, a set of tables were set around the room with foods and drinks. Not many people were there but all of them looked happy, particularly one young woman. There were also children, chasing each other as they laughed of fun.

“This is too much , seriously Mr. and Mrs. Sato!” said the young woman as she bowed happily. For the last hours, she has been enjoying many delicious food provided by the family. “I’m not sure how to pay for all of these!”

“I told you stop talking about payment!” scolded Mrs. Sato. “You have done so much for us and this village, Miss Minegishi. Willing to come at such distances from your hometown to teach children, we’re the one that should be paying.”

The young woman bowed and bowed over again, she looked around happily looking at the children of Sato chasing each other in enjoyments with other children too in the party. She smiled at the waving Amina who’s trying to get away from her other friends that pretends to be a monster, such happy views just made her smile wider.

By the time the children stopped having fun and yawns for bed, the adults offered her alcohol but knowing her limits as a woman, she declined gracefully. Thanking the family and the community, she left the restaurant with some food packed from the family saying that they refused to let her go unless she brought home some.

She walked on the lonely village streets alone, she was already accustomed with it since a year ago. The fresh night air and the gentle breeze was much more suitable to her lungs than the air in the capital, just another reasons of leaving the city.

She closed her eyes and kept walking straight as to feel the wind. But did not realized that she was heading to another incoming figure before eventually crashing to it. She found herself stunned as to her body did not touch the ground at all with an arm wrapped around her waist, securing her from the fall.

“It’s not safe to walk with closed eyes.” Said the figure. Under the moonlights and some torches, Minegishi saw a face of absolute beauty with short cropped hair. Her eyes were beautifully onyx, as if carved from the stone itself and attached to her pupils.

“I’m sorry, I was enjoying the wind.” Said Minegishi as soon as the person let go off her waist and helped her picked up the packages which is still somehow secured.

“You should be at home now, it’s not safe to wonder out alone at night.”

“I’m fine, how about you? I’ve never seen you before.”

The figure looked at her, “Shinoda Mariko, I just arrived from the capital. I heard about your stories, Minegishi. Such a honorable thing to do to teach children far away from your home.”

“Wherever I am, as long as there are someone expecting me ,I can call it home.” Said Minegishi. “Then you are here to..?”

“Give you a hand?” suggest Mariko.

“Right..” nodded Minegishi. “We should get going now then, we can talk in my place if you’re going to give me a hand tomorrow.”

“I have to get going though,” smiled Mariko. “I have a place to stay already so don’t worry.”

“Okay then.. what if we meet again tomorrow morning at the congee stall at seven? We can talk the arrangements there as we eat breakfast.”

“Alright.” Nodded Mariko. “Walk safe, Minegishi-san.”

“Call me Minami.” Said Minegishi before waving goodbye and dash off. Once the young woman was out of sight, Mariko shifted her dark mist and disappeared.

In her arrival, she arrived upon her chamber where it was her most private room and nobody was allowed to enter except with her permission. However, she found another presence in the room.

“What are you doing here, Sayanee?”

The young demon glanced at the taller demon with curled lips, not expecting her turn up quicker than she thought. “I’m going to need an explanation on why are you taking one my rarest scroll, Mariko-sama.”

Mariko growled, “Mind your own business, Sayanee.”

“My scroll, my business.” Gritted Sayanee, baring her teeth at the older demon. Mariko stunned as she never seen Sayanee with such expression, unlike her usual calm self. “You do realize using this scroll can cause imbalance, right?”

“I know that. It has been done once, and it can be done again.”

“That’s not the point!” retorted Sayanee. “Mariko-sama I swear if you use this scroll, you’ll regret it yourself.”

“I will use it no matter what Sayanee.” Finished Mariko off before bashing Sayanee in a blink of an eye out of the room. The smart demon has no time to dodge and found her hitting the walls behind the door.

“At least let me see if I can help you later.” Croaked Sayanee as she wiped some blood of her lips. “Master used it once before and refused to let me witness the process. I want to see how it works if you do it.”

Mariko eyed the demon dangerously before approaching her, “In condition. Not a word to anyone of this.”

Sayanee nodded and slumped to the wall as Mariko closed her chamber door in front of her.

To Be Continued

[skylarkdragonstar]

Sae and Sayaka KISSED?!

 
At last they confessed their feelings!

And the scene where they sleep together is adorable. Oh how I wish I could see a picture of them sleeping together w/ Sae snuggling up against Sayaka like that in real life. But the closest thing I've seen about them sleeping together in real life is...

 


In the beginning I was worried when they argued with each other, but I'm relieved that they made up.

Ameratsu frowned, “I have a bad feeling coming to me, Yuko. I think the demons are plotting more things than just using Jurina-chan's sister for the Maou, I want you to visit some of our old friends after you get Kaguya back.”

“Dad, you mean THEM?” asked Yuko in horrified voice. Just imagining her father’s old friends truly raised her goosebumps.

I wonder who are these friends of Amaterasu?

And at the end...

Minegishi???

EHH?!?

Is she a reincarnation of Miichan perhaps? And what could Mariko be planning with that certain scroll Sayanee's serious about?

Guess I'll have to wait for the next chapter to get answers.

[kahem]

Eh??? Why did mariko get with tomochin if she plan to come to miichan??? Does she plan to become human or something?
Saeyaka is so cute!!!!!

[Minamiyuki]

Yo~! Ruka-san~!! 

I'm still waiting on this fic.. Please update as soon as possible.... 

*sitting beside the computer*

[Ruka Kikuchi]

Yo~! Ruka-san~!! 

I'm still waiting on this fic.. Please update as soon as possible.... 

*sitting beside the computer*

Y'know I'm not the ONLY one you should be thanking.

We're working on it now, we've just gotten busy is all. Don't worry.

[luvsidney]

Sae and Sayaka KISSED?!

 
At last they confessed their feelings!

And the scene where they sleep together is adorable. Oh how I wish I could see a picture of them sleeping together w/ Sae snuggling up against Sayaka like that in real life. But the closest thing I've seen about them sleeping together in real life is...

 

NO~~~~ you are wrong~~ in real life, they should be like THIS on the bed :



haha

[Ruka Kikuchi]

Chapter 20 - Underground Water Drain (Part 4)

Yuka’s POV

I couldn’t see a thing except the fire surrounding me.

The heat was intense and I was like in the middle of nowhere. No sunlights, trees, sky, nothing except the fire surrounding me and smokes that felt choking in my lungs. As if my eyes were adjusting to the surroundings, the color of the fire shifted from red to purple.

My eyes widened, recognizing the fire instantly.

As if someone can read my mind, I heard a chilling laughter echoing. I looked around and saw Sasshi laughing as she licked her blade, glazed with slick dark liquid.

The next thing I heard was a loud roar, so loud that it popped my ears. I saw a huge dark shadow rushing over towards Sasshi, running passed me before crashing to something that sounded like a boulder. I heard the laughter again and saw Sasshi standing in a completely different place, away from where she was before a moment ago.

“Demon, you shall not get what you desire.” Said a deep growling voice that seemed to be from the dark shadow.

Sasshi laughed again, “I have my order, and if it’s for master I shall have it..” she pointer her blade towards the shadow, “Even if it means to kill each of your kind.”

“Then you shall have Ameratsu’s wrath on you.” Answered the shadow before rushing again towards Sasshi. But the demon just dodged in a flash and stood beside the shadow. “How did yo-” 

The voice cuts off suddenly when Sasshi plunged her blade deep to the shadow. The shadow roared so loud that I felt the ground shaking.

“I have my own ways. If Ameratsu is setting his wrath on me, then I shall destroy that wrath one day.”

“You will never be able to defeat Gods, Demon!”

“Let me be the first then. If I can’t I’m sure my master can once he gets revived!” exclaimed Sasshi. “You disgusting creatures have no respect towards the master of Hell, our lord Maou! Where were you all when the war broke?!” she yelled before kicking the shadow away for a few feet.

Sasshi gave a dry laugh and walked towards the shadow as she twirled her blade.

“You were siding with Ameratsu, even know he was the one that locked your kind and mine in hell together. My lord broke both of us free and what did you do? You sided with him.”

“Maou was never our lord!” growled the shadow. “Our ancestors are ruthless just like him and accepted the eternal sealed in hell. Once they are freed, Maou was up to no good and intended to destroy everything!!”

“He destroys to create a new world! Where Gods and Humans will bow to us!!” yelled Sasshi. “Why would you take a pity of humans? Look at you all, hunted into remaining by them..”

“This is where you will never understand, Demons.” Growled the shadow. I can hear the heavy breathings, “You will never understand the balance you will ruin if you destroy the world. This is simply not our place to make a mess, it is the humans’s place. Our place is simply where we belong, Hell.”

Sasshi’s went cold as stone, peering down at the shadow. “I give you a last chance. Join us and we’ll destroy the Gods and Humans for once and all.”

“Never.”

“Fine.” Sasshi raised her blade and plunge deep again. This time not only just hearing the loud roar again, but also suddenly a huge fire erupted from the blade, eating out the shadow.

The shadow cried in pain, trashing it’s body everywhere. Destroying boulders of it’s surroundings, before eventually with a quick swipe, Sasshi cuts off the voice and send something rolling towards my feet.

I looked down and instantly felt my stomach contain swelling up to my throat. I screamed but no voice came out. The head was similar but somehow different than the ones I saw on my visions.

"This is unforgiveable..." I heard Hinata growled in anger in my head.

Hinata, is this…?

"Yuka, we have to find Ao quickly…"

I nodded and stared in horror at the creature’s head. The thin single mustache and it’s beady eyes are now dead. Not a single light is left on the eyes, all gone except for the purple fire..

I looked up unforgiving at Sasshi, my chest hurts from the swelling hatred. The demon stood alone as she ripped open the dragon’s carcasses with her blade. My anger raged when the demon pulled out all the stomach content of the creature before sighed in tiredness then tossed it all to the fire.

“Any results?” asked a new voice. I saw a figure appeared from darkness, she looked a bit different than normal demons with black feathery wings.

Sasshi shook her head, “This one doesn’t have it and refused to join.”

“Let’s look for the next one then.” Encourage the figure.

Sasshi shook her head, “I think I need a rest Mieko. I-I.. I never killed dragons before and this is very..”

“Tiresome?” Sasshi nodded. “Get yourself a rest. I’m sure Mariko-sama will understand. I’ll be just around here for a little longer.”

“Okay.” Sighed Sasshi. “There’s the head over there if you need it.” She pointed towards me or more likely what’s on my feet before disappearing.

I watched the figure named Mieko walked casually and knelt down beside the dragon’s head. My mouth was killing me into yelling to leave it alone, but no voice came out and I watched her caressing the muzzle gently. I remembered Kaguya’s story then about meeting Mieko at Miyazawa’s mansion. Didn’t she said something about Mieko was her lieutenant before..?

“I never like killing other creatures.” Mieko spoke suddenly. “All I ever want is to live in peace, not caring what am I. Humans, maidens, demons, dragons… All I ever want was somewhere I can be happy.”

Masaka..Can she-

"I don’t know.." said Hinata cautiously.

“But then things change, and mostly into things we hate. I hate everything and lost my way as to what I am. I don’t even know what I am now. Demons? I’ll never be one.” Laughed off Mieko drily as she pulls out a knife and cuts out the dragon’s teeth one by one.

I remembered what Ao said in my dream, Dragon’s tooth are great medicine substance along with Kaguya’s holy water and the Moon Lilies.

“And if I were to die, where will I go? Heaven or hell? Heaven for being Kaguya’s maiden before or hell for betraying her and helping demons? I am just a victim of fate.”

Listening to her words made me feel pity for the dark maiden. I heard that she was disappointed by Kaguya when she gave her power to the first Samurai Princesses, the humans to restore peace and balance from Maou.

“And Samurai Princesses, are they victims of fate too? Forced to be one with no idea how much they have to sacrifice, things they love and cherish.. All for the sake of peace in this world.”

I looked down, remembering Ayaka and Sae who has to leave their beloved ones behind. Especially Ayaka for being an outcast of her own country..  I remembered leaving my dad, my siblings, and Natsuki all the sudden. Imagining their faces made a tear drop from the corner of my eyes.

"Yuka…"

Hinata, do you feel it too..?  Feeling being a victim of fate…?

"I-I..." stammered Hinata. "I don’t know.. I never thought of it but.."

But?

I heard a sigh, "If it’s for the sake of my loved ones.. I would protect it by accepting my fate. I’ll do everything to make a safe place for them to live."

I nodded, I felt it too.. No I know what makes us the similar. I want to protect my loved ones Hinata.. Dad, my siblings, Natsuki..I want to protect them all.

“Thank you” I tried to whisper at Mieko. My eyes widened all the sudden when Mieko placed her index finger to her lips as if telling me to be quiet without looking.

“Miekoo~ You finish yet?” asked a new voice coming in. A new figure appeared, this time a masculine demon but I can see the traces of female side on her.

“I’m done, Nakanishi.” Spoke Mieko after she cuts off the last of dragon’s teeth then stood up. “Let’s go back.”

“Sasshi did a quite bang up job here..” said Nakanishi looking around. “Ugh is that..?”

“Yep.” Mieko nodded. Before the shadow shifted around her, I swear I saw her giving me a slight nod. It stunned my so much that the next time I blinked was that I was staring at the wooden ceiling of Sakiko’s house.

I sat up, breathing calmly. It was just a dream...

"No, it seems to real for a dream..." said Hinata. "More like a transferred vision."

Transferred vision?

"Un.. It’s a vision transferred by using someone else’s power to give a vision to target on what’s happening at the sender’s side."

Who sent it? Mieko?

"I don’t know.. But one thing for sure, we have to find Ao before the demons finds him."

Sayaka’s POV

I woke up upon the slight smell of something fragrant. Groaning, I felt my stomach grumbled in anticipation before I decided to roll off my bed and head for the door. I walked towards the kitchen and saw everyone sitting around the table with breakfast laid out on the table. I saw Tomochin and Yuka on the stove with a pot for each of them to stir.

The first one to notice me was Sae, she looked so bright as she smiled and pointed to the empty seat beside her.

“Good morning, we thought you sleep so well that disturbing you would be a pity.” Said Sae. “Anyway, Tomochin and Yuka are making breakfast now.”

“Whatever they got cooking, it smelt nice.” Nodded Natsumi.

“Glad you said that.” Smiled Tomochin handing each of us a glass of warm liquid. “Drink up, it’s a special dried fruit I got from a trader in the village before.”

“It’s good.” I said feeling the bitter liquid flowed to my mouth.

“You could’ve add some sugar, this is extremely bitter.” Gritted Ayaka. Jurina nodded in agreement as she started twirling with hair aunt’s hair again.

“I heard some ruckus last night, was that you two?” I asked the Matsui.

Sakiko nodded, “A little hard time with her, but I finally managed to tuck her in with efforts.” Said Sakiko. “This looks wonderful” she smiled when Yuka put down a plate of warm congee in front of us.

Yuka smiled, “Let’s dig in then~”

So all of us tuck into the meal except for Sakiko who’s feeding Jurina. I volunteered for the job, but the aunt declined it gracefully, saying that she needs a lesson on how to feed a child.

Just then, Jurina suddenly started coughing. She's been coughing before, but now it seemed worse. She held out her hand and we were all shocked to see blood covering her palm.

"Onee-chan... what is this..?" she asked innocently.

"Jurina..!"

"I feel.. dizzy..." She slowly got up, trying to walk, but then suddenly fell to her knees and collapsed.

"Jurina!" Sakiko and I both ran immediately to her side, everyone else joining her. Sakiko felt her forehead. "She's burning up. Her body's shaking too."

"Let's get her covered up." I carried her to the couch and wrapped a blanket around her. Natsumi came with a wet towel and placed it over her forehead to try and calm her fever.

How did this happen..? Is this because Kaguya separated from her?

"Natsumi-san..."

Natsumi touched her hand and closed her eyes, however, she opened them right back up, as if she had failed to enter her mind.

"Her soul... It's fading..!"

"Eh?!"

" I think it's because Kaguya has been outside her body for too long. In this state, her soul is rejecting her body. If Kaguya doesn't come back and reunite with her soon...!"

"What’s gonna happen?” asked Sakiko grasping her niece tightly.

"I don’t know…” the priest shook her head. “Kanata said that if this keeps going Jurina’s soul is going to disappear and leave her with only a body with beating heart but no soul at all..”

“As if she’s dead..” whispered Tomochin.

Sakiko shook her head, “There has to be a way!!”

I looked worriedly at Natsumi, “how much time she has left?”

Natsumi shook her head, “I don’t know. Kanata warned me that we have five days best, she doesn’t dare to know what’s late than that.”

“Can’t you do any healings?” asked Yuka to Tomochin.

Tomochin rolled her eyes, “Hey, dark healing remember? Only makes worst for humans~” she said sarcastically.

“What do we do…?” asked Ayaka as she squeezed Jurina’s hand gently. I looked over to Sakiko who’s caressing her niece’s head gently off the sweat, her face was beyond worried.

"There may be one way..." Tomochin spoke up. "Yuka, you said you and Sae were going to the Mountain of Moon is, right?"

"Yea.."

"I heard rumors that there are special flowers that can be made into medicine."

Yuka’s eyes widened instantly as if she just remembered, “Ah! I’ve had a dream about it! It was Ao that’s guarding the flowers. Just let me remember what’s the na-“

"Ah, I've heard it too," Natsumi said. "The Moon Lilies. They're used for healing spells and potions."

Yuka clapped her hands, “That’s the one. Hinata was seeking for it once when everyone was sick and she’s the only one that can. That’s how she met Ao for the first time.”

"And this lily flower can save Jurina?" asked Ayaka.

"It just might, but you'll have to hurry." Said Tomochin. “They grow in the cave where Ao is currently living in, so Yuka, you may be able to talk him into giving one to you."

"Wakatta." Nodded Yuka. “Then do you think you guys can hold off Jurina’s soul disappearing?”

“We’ll try some potions and remedies from herbal plants around.” Said Natsumi. “I’ve been looking around and saw some plants growing not far from here that we can use.”

“Okay then.” Nodded Sae. “Come on Yuka, let’s go now.”

"Wait..." I held Sae's shoulder and turned her to face me.

"Eh? Wha..."

I hugged her, not wanting to let her go. I could feel her heart pounding, and mine as well.

"Was what you said last night... true?" I said softly in her ear, so the others wouldn't hear. I didn't want them to know what happened last night.

Sae clutched onto my back and whispered, "Yes... Every word. I love you. I'll be okay, I promise. Don't worry. All I want is for you to come back alive. I don't wanna be alone... or at least, I don't want you to leave me."

"Sae..."

She parted from me and went with Yuka out the door.

“Please hurry back!” pleaded Sakiko. “I’m not losing another of my family again..”

“You won’t.” I patted Sakiko’s back as I watched the two figure disappear from the door. However I’m worried with letting Sae go with Yuka. What if-

"They’ll be fine, Sayaka." said Kai

I’m worried, Kai. What if-

"Sae has changed now. She’s no longer that princess we saw in the household anymore, I’m sure Kuu has work with her to at least teach her how to bend her elements."

Still, I-

"Sayaka, you have to trust her. You have to trust Kuu and her."

I looked down, I still felt a pang of worried overwhelming on my chest. The promises I made with her that we won’t die after it’s all over, the kiss last night..

I guess I really have fallen for Miyazawa Sae...

Ayaka’s light tap on my shoulder brought me back, “We should get going to then.”

I nodded and caressed Jurina’s warm cheek softly, praying for her to get well soon. I watched Ayaka clenching Natsumi’s hands tightly as she whispered something to the priest’s ear. What are they talking about I wonder?

“Remember, you only have five days Sayaka.” Reminded Tomochin as she straightened my robe. “’As soon as you find the user, come back with her.” She pointed her head to Ayaka.

“I will.” I nodded off.
 
“Is there anything else you want? Maybe something from the capital?” asked Ayaka as she held the door open.

“Just get yourself back here, midget princess.” Grinned Natsumi. I thought that the priest might have annoyed the throne princess, but she seemed to be doing fine and smiled back at her.

“I will. Let’s go.” She walked off to her horse and hopped on it.

“Don’t forget to put on your hood.” I said as I got on mine.

Ayaka gave me a sly smile, “You’re already acting like my mom now.” But she put on it anyway.

“Don’t start with me, princess.” I scolded her half joking before dashing off to the woods with her following me.

----------------------------

Meanwhile, in another place...

Third person’s POV      

“So… You’re actually finished off before me?” asked Minami as she looked through some papers of Mariko that she gave.

“Yes. I mostly helped the imperial library after I graduated.” Said Mariko as she sipped a cup of tea in front of her. “But I have a few backgrounds on taking care of children in orphanage.”

Minami nodded, “Well then I guess I will accept your help then.” She put down the papers. “You’ve heard about me mostly, I guess. I ran a little school for children in this village, just to teach them how to read and write. I guess I could really use an extra hand like you, Mariko.”

Mariko smiled, “What time do we start?”

“Soon. We usually start in the afternoon, begins with a meditation in the forest patch near the building.” Said Minami as she sipped her tea.

“Meditation?”

“Yes. I believe it helps them calming off their repulsive behavior, just hearing the sound of rustling winds, the sound of cicadas, and practically the whole forest, I think it helps them understanding more of their surroundings.”

Mariko simply made a note on her little bind book, “what else then?”

“Then we go for a bit bush tucker. It means that we look for things to eat in the forest like berries and such.”

“Hunting?” asked Mariko.

“Nah,” shook off Minami. “I made a messy job with that and it’s teaching them violence. So I won’t do that..”

“Okay.. Then?”

“After that we go back to the school hut and learn how to write the characters we see in the forest. Pretty much I teach them so they know their surroundings better.”

“What can I do to help?”

“To start off with, you can be my assistant.” Said Minami. “I hope you don’t mind though…”

“No of course.” Said Mariko politely. “I’m just a volunteer, so don’t mind to pay me anything.”

“Seriously?!” asked Minami impressed. “Wow… Never met one teacher like that…”

“Just at least everyday we should eat like this.” Said Mariko. “This porridge is quiet nice.”

“The bill is on me.” Smiled Minami. “That’s a deal then!”

So the two of them left the porridge stall and headed to the edge of the village where a small wooden house was standing, behind it was the forest. From far, Mariko can see small figures standing by the house.

“Minami-sensei~”

The two adults turned their head around and saw three incoming figures, two small ones and an adult. The two kids ran up to Minami and hugged her legs as to not able to reach higher place to hug her.

“Hello there, Amina and Suuchan~” greeted Minami happily as she caressed the two small girls. She glanced to the other adult and smiled politely to her. “Good morning, Natsuki-san.”

“Morning, miss.” Saluted the tired looking girl. “I can’t believe these two are so energetic since you’re around.”

“Well, girl’s can’t lose to boys right?” asked Minami happily to the two girls and smiled widely to them.

“Yeah! Girl’s rule!!” yelled Amina happily.

Minami laughed, “Now that’s one spirit!” then she bent down beside the two, “Can you get the others to line in properly in front of the door? I will be there in a minute to open it, okay?”

Amina nodded, “Un. Let’s go Suu~”

The smallest of the two, Suuchan waved at Natsuki-san, “Bye nee-chan~”

“Don’t forget to eat your bento!!” yelled Natsuki as the two walked away. Then she finally recognized Mariko, “Well, hello there. Are you new here?”

“Ah, I nearly forgotten.” Said Minami. “This is Shinoda Mariko, my senior in the capital. She graduated first before me.”

“Shinoda Mariko desu.” Bowed Mariko briefly to the girl.

“Sato Natsuki.” Bowed Natsuki too. “Well I guess then you won’t be alone handling the kids now, Miss.” She said to Minami.

“I hope it will continue like this.” Smiled Minami. “Ah, Natsuki-san.. You’re handling Shiro-kun and Sanae-chan now, right?”

“Yes I do.” Nodded Natsuki. “Their sister left weeks ago for some reason and asked me to take care of the two when their father is working. They’re pretty good children and helps us sometimes in the restaurant.”

“I’m glad.” Smiled Minami. “I was worried since the two were a bit concerned when I asked everyone to bring their parents for fun visit next week. They said that their father is busy in the market these days since their sister left and they don’t have anyone else.”

“I talked to their dad yesterday and he agreed to let me take the role.” Smiled Natsuki.

“Yokatta, nee.. You are such a kind person, Natsuki-san.”

“You’re making me embarrass, Minami-sensei.” Retorted Natsuki. “Ah I probably should go now. You teachers have your children waiting for you there.” Then she excused herself.

“I guess you’re pretty capable of exchanging conversations with the children’s family too.” Said Mariko as they walked towards the hut.

“It’s important to let their family know what I do to their kids are good. You should’ve been here when I first arrived, it takes effort to convince their parents that early educations are important.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, no.. It’s not your fault, really.” Smiled Minami. “But in the end I managed and my family supported the idea and sent some stuff needed like scrolls, papers, paintbrush, books, and other stuff.”

“You really are a kind teacher, Minegishi Minami.” Smiled Mariko.

 Minami smiled to the woman as they approached the group of kids already standing neatly near the door as they chatted with each other. Upon noticing their teacher, some greeted her and even gave a hug to her.

The welcoming sight made Mariko remembered her childhood days somehow, back in hell. There are demons who teach younger ones on strategies, black magic, controlling demon’s fire, and many more. And they are never this kind to the younger ones, it was as if there is no love and if you don’t survive it, you just won’t become a strong demon.

After Minami unlocked the door, the kids quickly sprang in to the hut. Inside there are shelves with neatly arranged scrolls and books, boxes of paint brush, ink bottles, all leaned against the wall. While small chairs and tables were arranged and lined up in front of a huge board for the kids. The kids sat on their own desk as they chatted happily to each other.

“Come on, I’ll introduce you to them.” Smiled Minami then walked with her to the front of the class. "Ohayou, minna~"

"OHAYOU~~~"

"We have a guest here today, so please be nice and play with her, okay?"

"HAAAAAI~~~"

“Mii-sensei~” called a boy suddenly as he put his hands up. “I think Masao is having nosebleed again~” he pointed to the other boy beside him.

“Oh dear…” said Minami as she saw the blood dripping from the boy’s nose. “Mariko-san, can you take care of that please. It’s not as bad as it seems, just need the boy to get it all out then wipe it once it stopped coming out.” She whispered to the older woman.

You've GOT to be kidding me... thought Mariko haughtily looking at the nasty bleeding boy.

--------------------------------------

Few hours later...

"Mariko-san~ Come here~~~"

"Oi, oi, Mariko-san, check it out!"

"Mariko-san~ I've got you."

Mariko was completely cornered. To her, these kids were like wild animals. She couldn't control them.

"Alright, kids. Let's calm down and get ready for lunch."

"HAAAAI~~~" All the kids separated from Mariko and went over to their tables, each divided in little groups.

"How do you control all these kids?" Mariko asked Minami as the kids started eating their bento.

"It's easy once you get used to it."

"I see. I might not be that kind of person, though..."

"Mou~ don't look so down, Mari-chan." Smiled Minami as she patted her back.

"Eh? That name, just now..."

"Mari-chan? Is it okay If I call you that?” asked Minami. “Or should I call you Mariko-san?”

“Ah…” Mariko paused her words as the thought. “It’s fine.. you can call me that..”

"Only Miichan... called me that name..." thought Mariko as she watched Minami start to eat her bento. The human is awfully identical as Miichan that Mariko know. The eyes, round face, that weird mouth.. only her hair was a bit different, shorter than Miichan’s..

Noticing Mariko is eying her, Minami glanced up from her bento. “Would you like some of mine?” asked her.

Mariko shook her head, “Oh no. I’m fine thanks.” Smiled Mariko. Even how she eats nearly looks like Miichan….

"Minegishi-sensei~" approached one girl to their table.

"Yes? What's wrong?"

"Amina-chan and Sumire-chan aren't back yet."

"Eh~? Where did those two go?" Minami rubbed her head, and then had a thought. "Mari-chan, come with me to help look for them."

"Huh? Un, okay..”

So the two head out to where they had their activities before. Minami looked through the bushes nearby while Mariko search the woods.

“AMINA~ SUU~ WHERE ARE YOU GUYS?!”

“SUU~ COME ON NOW, IT’S LUNCH TIME!!”

“Any sign?” asked Mariko. Minami shook her head, “Where could they be..?”

“Oh the Sato are going to kill me if anything happens to them…” groaned Minami bopping her head down. “Where are they..?”

“Hey, don’t give up yet.” Said Mariko lifting the woman’s head by the chin. “I’m sure those kids are somewhere around. They wouldn’t go far..”

Minami sighed, ”But where could they be..?”

Mariko gave a bit of thought. Humans especially girls are known to be liking beautiful things and it kept them captivated enough to forget anything…

“Is there any beautiful place around here?” asked Mariko. “Like not far from the hut.”

“There’s a vast field in the middle of the woods if you go a bit deeper.” Said Minami.

“Maybe they’re over there.” Said Mariko. “Take me there! I’m sure we’ll find them!”

So the two walked a little deeper into the forest, passing the woods and bushes. It just take a few minutes for them to finally see a vast green field in front of their eyes.

Minami’s eyes widened upon the sight of the two children sitting on the grass, “There they are! AMINA~ SUUCHAN~” she called before running up to them.

“I told you we’ll find them” chuckled Mariko as she followed Minami.

"Suuchan!" Minami ran up to the small child and hugged her. "There you are."

"Minegishi-san~” hugged Suuchan back.

"Suu, I found more flowers~" Sumire's cousin, Amina, walked over and handed her a small bouquet of daisies. “Minegishi–sensei~”

"Is this what you were doing?" asked Mariko kneeling next to them.

"Un! Here!" Sumire handed her teacher a big flower bouquet, making her smile. She then took a smaller bouquet and walked over to Mariko. "Here’s for you too, Mariko-san~"

"Sumire, going off without telling someone is bad." Scolded Minami gently.

Mariko nodded and caressed the cute girl’s head, “What if something happens to you?”

"But, I did it because I love Minegishi-san." Blinked Suuchan innocently.

"Eh..?"

“I would do anything for the people I love the most. Mum, Dad, Nacchi-nee, Amina~ and of course you, Mii-sensei.” Answered Suuchan tightening the hug around Minami.

"I like you, too, Mii~" Amina hugged the older girl's leg, giggling.

Mariko looked at the flowers in her hands, her mind went frozen hearing Sumire’s answer.

“I would do anything for the people I love the most….”

“I will use it no matter what, Sayanee…” her conversation with Sayanee rings through her mind.

If it’s for her, I will do so….

After thousands of years living, Mariko finally experienced to be touched by a four year old human. Sato Sumire seemed to touch a soft spot in her she never have realized.

To Be Continued

[Cometerz48]

Sae and Sayaka KISSED?!

 
At last they confessed their feelings!

And the scene where they sleep together is adorable. Oh how I wish I could see a picture of them sleeping together w/ Sae snuggling up against Sayaka like that in real life. But the closest thing I've seen about them sleeping together in real life is...

 


In the beginning I was worried when they argued with each other, but I'm relieved that they made up.

Ameratsu frowned, “I have a bad feeling coming to me, Yuko. I think the demons are plotting more things than just using Jurina-chan's sister for the Maou, I want you to visit some of our old friends after you get Kaguya back.”

“Dad, you mean THEM?” asked Yuko in horrified voice. Just imagining her father’s old friends truly raised her goosebumps.

I wonder who are these friends of Amaterasu?

And at the end...

Minegishi???

EHH?!?

Is she a reincarnation of Miichan perhaps? And what could Mariko be planning with that certain scroll Sayanee's serious about?

Guess I'll have to wait for the next chapter to get answers.

You know, I laughed hard at that.. Reminding me of mummies lining up in their tomb *just watched Mummy 2*

Oh, you'll find out soon enough...

One clue: You will be shocked by whatever we have for it

Eh??? Why did mariko get with tomochin if she plan to come to miichan??? Does she plan to become human or something?
Saeyaka is so cute!!!!!

Again, You will be shocked by whatever we have for it 

Yo~! Ruka-san~!! 

I'm still waiting on this fic.. Please update as soon as possible.... 

*sitting beside the computer*

Y'know I'm not the ONLY one you should be thanking.

We're working on it now, we've just gotten busy is all. Don't worry.

*coughing lightly*

Please keep an eye for the next updates. Yoroshiku...

*dark aura*

You got me well with Yuko-sama's past (●̮̮﹏●̮̮) horrible feelings...
Wondering how about Yuko's kage? She haven't use it before, rite?

Seriously Tomochin has changed side? For real? Okay then, she could tell the Kaguya's gang anything about demons and their plan..

So interesting! Omg I love the characters so far 2nd gen + SayaMilky + Haruna + Jurina and all, woah

Waiting for the next happening thankyou~

(p.s.: I'm waiting for the continuation of Yuko's grad story too, Cometerz-san hihihi)

Thank you, please keep supporting us 

Gomen for that one, I've been EXTREMELY busy as hell for the last few months. Preparation for college I guess...
I'll try my best to update it and get it over and done with.

Chapter 21 - No way out (Part 1)

Yuka’s POV

We’ve been riding our horses for hours with no stop at all. I couldn’t stop worrying about Ao since the transferred vision I had of the dragon massacre. I couldn’t stop myself to grit my teeth and clenched the saddle tight each time I thought about it.

"Now we know what the demons are planning..." said Hinata. "They want the dragons to join back with them."

What’s the history that dragons and demons had?

"Long time ago, before Maou unleash all the demons into the earth, there are many things locked up in hell but the two big races were demons and dragons. You can say the two early ancestors worked together well in hell, the first controller of demon fire was actually taught by the dragons."

Then what happened?

"Although Maou opened the hell’s gate to the world, the dragons realized that it was not their place to make ruckus. Unlike the demons, dragons are much more into peace and harmony. Once Maou asked the dragons to take his side to bring down the Gods and humans, they refused and chose not to interfere with any of the sides."

Then how come they’re on Ameratsu’s side?

"Dragons needed strong reasons to fight. After their refusals, Maou sent his elites to steal their most precious item; Dragon Eggs."

Dr-dragon.. Eggs?

"Sou. Dragon Eggs are known to have special powers for the tiny soul inside it. Consuming it will give a tremendous amount of power to simply split a mountain in half with just a finger, the demons got their hands on a few and consumed them afterwards..."

That’s cruel!! I yelled mentally. I imagined those tiny unborn creatures, simply consumed for the purpose of consuming the world in chaos.

"It is. The dragons were outraged once they found out that the demons hunted most of the female dragons and gutting them out for the eggs. But then Ameratsu saved some of the female dragons before any demons can lay their hands to them. Ameratsu respected the dragons well and so does the dragons once Ameratsu returned the ones he could save to them."

And the dragons returned the favor. I simplified. They decided to help Ameratsu against Maou.

"Correct. Most of their total populations died during the first battle against Maou which they sided up with Ameratsu and the first Samurai Princess. Once it was over, the dragons sworn to never help out against Maou ever again because of the shocking mass death of their kind. Ameratsu respected their wishes and let them roam through the earth to find their own place to live."

Then how come Ao helped you?

"Ao is among the young generations of the dragons that time. The ones that sworn not to help anymore were the elders of the dragons and the ones that already mated. Ao never met his mate and chose to live alone on the Mountain Range of the Moon. He accepted the job from the Gods to guard the Moon Lilies there for a peaceful life. Every time he saw a human entering his cave, he killed them because they provoked him so they could get through to the Moon Lilies."

Then?

"He was fond to the first Samurai of Fire, he liked her a lot since she saved him once from the demons ambush. She was the first one to call him Ao because of his blue fire which is different than any dragons possessed, thus he gave her his power on the last days of the war against Maou. He saw the same thing inside me when I sacrificed myself to face his fire when I saved Osamu. I was the second Samurai of Fire he met ever since the first battle against Maou."

Then I’d be the third one then. I sighed.

"Don’t worry, just be yourself Yuka but just try to be a bit sensible."

Wakatta...

“Yuka..”

I looked back and stopped my horse. I saw Sae’s horse already stopped to not that far away from me, I was able to see Sae’s weariness. We’ve been riding for almost the whole day and the sky above looked beautiful in a shade of oranges and purple, signaling the sunset.

“Can we just take a break now?” asked Sae, she looked completely tired and so does her horse. “We’ve been riding for hours with no stop unless for toilet and a quick stretch. Besides it’s going to be sunset soon. It’s dangerous to travel in the dark.”

I bit my lips, my horse looked also as weary as Sae’s. But I really wished to get to Ao as soon as possible before Sasshi does…

"Take a break Yuka. She’s right, travelling in the dark is dangerous." Said Hinata.

I guess you’re right…

I hopped off my horse. “Okay, let’s make a camp here then.”

We tried to settle down and get a fire to start building up. It doesn’t take long for us to finally sit and eat our dinner around the fire. I opened up the map and made a small sign to where we are. The next time I looked to Sae to ask for some thoughts, I already found her sleeping against a rock.

I guess I can’t blame her. She’s not use to this kind of situations yet. I thought that as I smiled down upon the lightly snoring girl. I took her robe and made it like a blanket all over her and made her lied down on a patch of thick grass for comfort.

"You’re like a mother, you know, Yuka."

I have two siblings at home, my mother died when she gave birth to the third one. I have to take care of them while working in the market. I explained.

I sat down and looked up to the starry sky. Hundreds, thousands or maybe millions of them scattered across the sky. I started to wonder if Natsuki and my family is seeing the same sky as I am.

I missed them, I guess.

"Not blaming you, Yuka." Sighed Hinata. "I missed people too.."

Osamu, right? I could tell Hinata was nodding silently to that.

"Yuka.. Would you avenged him for me?"

Hinata... I was stunned to hear such request from her.

"I want you to completely kill Sasshi. Crush and burn her to ashes!"

HINATA!! I yelled mentally. She’s at it again.. her hatred, it’s consuming her again… Cut it out Hinata!!! Ao wouldn’t want you to act like this if he knows what you’re using his power for!

"Who cares he’s ju-"

I CARE!! I yelled. He gave you this power and it was handed down to me through you, but it’s still his in some way! He gave you this power because he knew you would protect people from dangers, like he saw you saving Osamu!

"I am using it to prote-"

No you’re not! Right now, you asked me to avenged for Osamu by using this power that Ao gave. It’s not to protect but to destroy! You have to let go off him, Hinata..

"I..."

Please… I know you really loved him, but you need to let go now. I will defeat Sasshi, I promise you that but not for Osamu’s sake, no.. I’ll be doing it for everyone that’s still living in this land, for peace.

Hinata fell silence for a while after that, I let her be. Still gazing upon the sky, I fiddled with my locket and rubbed the red gem on it. It felt warm against my thumb, like how it felt when I first felt it’s power when I fight against the giant snake.
 
"I’m sorry..." I heard her whisper.

It’s okay. I reassured her. It takes time for pain to heal...

I could tell Hinata nodded to that.

"Y'know, all of you have animal guardians, like how we have Ao."

Maji?! I asked to the sudden change of topic.

"Yeah."

Sugoi~ What are they?

"Hm... I think Riku's was a lion. Or maybe a tiger...?  And Kai was a water serpent."

Dang... I imagined myself looking at Ayaka riding a lion or a tiger and Sayaka riding a giant serpent. It looked cool in some way…

"Kuu was... um... actually, I can't remember Kuu's. All I know was it had wings."

Wings? I asked. Ah.. Air, right?

"Yep."

Just then, I heard a small voice coming from Sae. I looked and saw her still asleep, but she was moving around as if something was bothering her. I moved towards her and my hand touched the orb on her hairpiece she clutched.

"Kill her!"

"No!"

"You will do it! You will kill her!"

"No, Father, I won't!"

"Kuu, you listen to me! I demand you kill her!"

"No, I won't do it!"

I suddenly pulled back from the voices filling my head.

What are these voices? Are these from Kuu's memories?

"No..." I heard Sae mumbling in her sleep. Was it because of those voices in her head?

She started panicking as her breaths became rapid and her expression contorted to one of pain.

"No..! No! No, I won't do it..!! I won't!!! NO!!!"

I saw her gem glowing intensely as a strong wind formed around us. I tried to wake her up, but she kept screaming at her nightmares. As it got more intense, eventually, a huge tornado formed and circled us. I screamed as loud as I could, no longer able to hear even my own voice.

I shut my eyes and covered my ears, thinking this was the end, then I felt someone take my hands and uncover both of my ears. Behind me, there was Hinata.

"Hinata…?"

She pointed in front of me and there was a young woman who looked vaguely like Sae, kneeling beside the girl. She placed her hand on her head and soon, her breathing started to calm and her screaming subsided. The tornado disappeared and I looked to find myself in an unfamiliar place.

Masaka... I'm sharing a memory..?

I then heard a loud caw and a large bird flew down to the woman's side. It was the biggest bird I’ve even seen in my entire life, something like it only exist in myths.

"Woah..."

"He is my guardian." the girl answered.

"So, you're... Kuu?"

"Yes."

"Is Sae.. okay?"

"She was having a nightmare triggered by one of my memories. I was able to calm her down by replacing it with another."

"I bet I know what~" Hinata giggled as she got up and hugged the girl.

"Hinata.."

"It's been a while, Kuu."

"Quite energetic, as usual."

"You too. You've gotten prettier. Haha."

I smiled seeing how they've interacted after so long.

"So... what happened to..?"

"It was because of me," Kuu said. "I accidentally showed her a terrible memory from my past. You heard them, right? When you touched her hairpiece."

"Yes..." I said softly, remembering how fearful the man's voice sound. "Kuu, did someone try to make you..?"

"My father." she answered quickly. "He didn't see me or the other Samurai Princess as saviors. He believed we were nothing but rebels, traitors. He also had trouble controlling his attitude. He wanted to prove to the town I was bad by trying to force me to kill my Mother. But I wouldn't."

"Oh God..."

"Back when we were alive, each one of us had to face our inner darkness. It was like a test. No matter how cruel or twisted we were on the inside, we had to face it. Me, Riku, even Kai... And even now, the four of you are facing them. My anger has made you almost kill people, Ayaka and her kage, and Sayaka..."

I don't believe it. To think, all of this was some sick mental test for all of us. And I didn't even realize...

"What did you do..?"

"I refused. And I kept refusing until he had finally gotten tired of torturing me..." Her voice cracked a bit. I could see tears welling in her eyes. "I even considered killing that damn bastard..."

"Come here, Kuu..." Hinata hugged the other princess as she started crying into her hands.

"It was awful, that man was just heartless..! I couldn't bring myself to tell the others what happened..."

"So, how did..?"

"Kai was eventually able to persuade her to tell her, and then she told us."

"I didn't know what I could say to you."

"It's okay. It wasn't your fault..."

I held my pendant, feeling my heart pound. I never knew...

I looked down and saw Sae was still sleeping peacefully, tears running down her face.

"What is she dreaming now?"

"Want to see?" Kuu said with a smile.

She took my hand and had me touch the orb in her hairpiece once more. The memory that flashed before me was her, and another woman, she was beautiful with a familiar strong looking eyes. The two of them were...

Eh? Is this..? Is that…Kai-san?

"Kai, I'm sorry... This is all my fault. I..."

"Kuu..."

I blushed heavily when I saw the two kiss and pulled away.

"You and Kai were.. lovers?" I asked Kuu.

Kuu nodded.

"Yeah, about time you found out..."

"Hinata, you knew?"

She stuck her tongue out at me shyly, giggling.

"Sorry, Yuka... I didn't know what you all would think."

"So, does Sayaka and Sae..?"

"Yes..."

"And, does that mean that they're..?"

"Yup."

Maji ka? This was news. No wonder they've been acting weird lately...

"I had no idea... I'm so sorry..."

"It's okay, Yuka," said Kuu with a smile. "My only regret was leaving her alone for so long..."

"I wasn't alone. I never was." A voice rose. I saw the same beautiful young woman before who looked almost exactly like Sayaka. But the form wasn’t as clear as Kuu and Hinata’s, more like a mirage.

"K-Kai..?!"

"I could always feel you were with me. Even now, I can feel our hearts are connected." Whispered the woman. She glanced to Hinata, “Hello, Hinata.”

“Kai-chan..” smiled Hinata. “Ohisashiburi.”

"That's why you're here." Smiled Kuu in relief. She tried to grasped Kai’s hand but it just went through like a mist.

Kai nodded. "Ever since I bonded our souls with the Red Thread of Fate, we would always have a spiritual connection, no matter how far apart we were. But unfortunately, I don’t think it could give more than just a vision like this."

“It’s alright..” smiled Kuu, looking up at Kai. “As long as I can see you right here, I’m the happiest human I can be.”

"That's so sweet..." pouted Hinata. Kai and Kuu couldn’t help a smile seeing her like that, even I also smiled.

I wonder... If it's like that, did Sayaka and Sae truly fall in love with each other?

"I think you should get some rest, Yuka. We need to be ready to meet Ao." Said Hinata tapping my shoulder.

"Right. It was great meeting both of you..” I said to the two lovers.

"Of course."

"Anytime."

Meanwhile...

Sayaka’s POV

It was dawn when we finally reach the outskirts of the forest and saw the giant gate of the capital. We both stopped our horses and got off the main road, making sure no one is around too.

“We need to figure a plan to get pass the guards at the gate.” I said. “They would be reporting back for sure if they saw you coming back to the capital.”

“I know.” Said Ayaka as she pulled down her hood. My eyes widened upon the sight of her hair. It was no longer dark as it used to be, instead it was golden with shades of orange and brown. Totally different…

“How did you..”

“I asked Tomochin to teach me the spell for coloring hair.”” Confessed Ayaka. “I tried to make it different colors to reduce the possibility of hair loss. Is it nice?”

“Yeah I guess…” I nodded awkwardly. “But wouldn’t it be attracting attentions?”

“I’ll put on my hoods too and besides..” she pointed to her cheek. I saw a long mark across her cheek, it was healed a long time ago but still there. “Sayanee cut me in our first encounter. Riku told me getting hit by demon’s irons will take a longer time to heal and it leaves out a mark. I think this should do for my disguise.”

"Well I suppose that’s safe enough…"  said Kai inside my head.

I nodded, “Okay then but then how are we going to get through that security? I bet they will be asking questions.”

“They will. I’m going to use another way to get in.”

“Another way?” I asked the princess.

“Yes.” She said. “Trust me, I know a few weak spots of the gate.”

“Why don’t we both take it?” I asked Ayaka. “Wouldn’t it be safer for the two of us to stick together?”

“I’m worried of our horses.” Said Ayaka as she stroke her horse’s muzzle gently. “If we’re going to use this way, we can’t bring our horses at all and-“

“We need them to get away quickly if anything happens.” I continued as I know where her mind is going. “Wakatta.. Then once inside?”

“Go straight to the Himawari Tea House once you’re inside.” Said Ayaka.

“Himawari Tea House?” I asked. Wait we arrived then drink tea, honestly?

“Yes. I want you to seek for someone there, she was my teacher’s partner. I met her in some occasions and I think we can trust her.” Said Ayaka.

“You think?” I raised my eyebrows.

“She has some grudges against the priests that controls the capital now, I’m sure she’ll be on our side.” Said Ayaka.

“How am I going to identify her?” I asked.

“Go inside and look for a table at the very corner of the room, near the windows. She sits there alone every night.” Said Ayaka. “Tell her that you know Noro’s flower and she needs help on the basement.”

“Noro?”

“She’s my teacher, the woman’s partner.” explained Ayaka. “I’ll see you later.”

“Wait!” I grasped her wrist before she left. “How are we going to meet then? How do I know you’ll be safe?”

“We will, trust me.” Smiled Ayaka. “Ja nee, Sayaka.” She ran deep into the forest.

-----------------------------------

By the time I arrived at the gate, the guards signaled me to stop and get off my horse.

“May I see your personal papers, please ma'am.” Said one of the guards.  I flashed him my officer badge, stunning him and his mates.

“I am here on a vacation; the front lines have worn me down.” I pronounced.

The guards nodded, “And the horses?” he pointed out the two horses.

“One of them is a gift for someone in the capital.” I lied. “Much more of an offering if you know what I mean.”

The guard flashed a quick sincere smile before he stepped aside, “Enjoy your time, ma'am.”

“Thank you.” I nodded and heads inside.

The capital was still crowded even at night, many vendors on the side of the road offers hot food with such cheap price that people from all layers would line up for it. There’s also small rest house scattered on the roads with drunk man heads in with bunches of ladies. The lantern lit the road through the night, helps everyone to still do their activities at night.

It’s grown bigger than the last time I’m here… I thought as I recalled my last visit here with General Takahashi to give some reports to the emperor.

"It’s definitely has grown way bigger than the last time I’m here..." Agreed Kai.

Do you think we’ll find her? The user?

"I don’t know but the capital is a good start to find her for sure." said Kai. "Everybody loves good fortunes, and I think she’ll find this place as a chance to boost her income. We’ll start by asking if they knew any fortune tellers around."

Okay… I remembered Ayaka’s instructions to look for the teahouse she mentioned. I stopped at a stall as I asked the guy to fill my water skin with water and paid him with a coin.

“Do you know where the Himawari Teahouse is?” I asked him. The guy was kind he pointed out to me  the directions, easy enough to get me there in a few minutes time.

I went in to the building, it wasn’t big but it is quiet crowded for a teahouse. The warm atmosphere simply from the talks and chats of the customers sitting together in tables and sipping warm tea. I looked at the far corner near the windows and saw a woman reading books on her tables. There were papers scattered across the table as if she’s studying.

"I think that’s the one Ayaka mentioned." Said Kai.

One way to find out. I walked towards her and take a seat in front of her.

She looked up from her book with a slight frown, she’s way older than Ayaka and I. She has a particular look of a capital apprentice, those that buries their noses on knowledge.

“May I help you?” she asked me with a raised eyebrow.

I leaned in and whispered, “I know Noro’s flower and she needs help on the basement.”

“I beg your pardon?”

I leaned in closer until I can smell her sweet fragrant, “I know Noro’s flower and she needs help on the basement.”

She looked at me for a few seconds, I can see she was scanning me quickly through her thin eyes. She bit her lips and threw aside her face, “What on earth is she thinking?”

She quickly stuffed in her papers and books into a sling bag beside her and took a gulp of her tea, “She better have a good reason to show her face here. Is she your friend?”

“Yes.” I said.

Sighing, the woman raised from her seat and yelled to the cashier, “I’m in hurry, just add to my tab!”

“Okay!”

“Come.” she signaled me to follow her out of the teahouse. “You have a horse?”

“Got two.” I pointed to my horses that I tied on a post.

“Good. Follow me.” she accepted one of my horse and hopped on it. The two of us dashed into the streets, avoiding people as  careful as we can. We finally come to a stop in an outskirt area of the capital, a big house stand in front of us.

She pulled out her keys and went in, signaling me to lock the door before closing the curtains. Next, she led me inside, it was just like normal houses except for a big table piled up with papers and huge bookshelf filled with books and scrolls.

She grabbed a candle and lit it quickly before signaling me to hold it and followed her. We went further inside the house, facing a wooden door. She unlocked it and revealed a staircase going down, we went down quickly before finally coming to a stop in front of a small iron door on the floor.

“What is that?” I dared to ask.

“Something that I thought she wouldn’t try to use.” Said the woman. She punched in her key into the keyhole and opened it. “You better have a good explanation to come back, your majesty.”

I heard a small cough which was very similar to Ayaka’s, “I do, Megumi-san..”

“Ayaka!” I exclaimed when I saw her face come to a few from the iron door. I pulled her out of the hole, and noticed that she was drenched and smelt horrible. “What happened to you?”

“The capital’s sewer.” Said Ayaka. “Noro puts in a map of it inside my traveling pack, just incase I needed to come ba-“ her voice was cut off by a sudden slap on her cheek, causing her to fell back.

"Don’t." I heard Kai when I was about to help Ayaka. I get the feeling that she needs to settle things with the woman.

I watched Ayaka glanced up to the woman standing in front of her as she caressed her swollen cheek, the woman standing in front of her clenched her fist as she stared down at the princess.

“ARE YOU INSANE TO ACTUALLY COME BACK HERE?!” yelled the woman.

“Megumi-san, let me-“

“Don’t even think about it princess.” She snapped as she clenched Ayaka by the collar, “It was your coronation day and the next thing I heard was that Noro saying goodbye and knocked me out with a sleeping potion. And the next thing I knew, you, Noro, and the Maeda children are on the wanted list!”

“Megumi-san, I-“ Ayaka tried to struggled on the woman’s grasp. “LET ME EXPLAIN!!”

“Let her explain, mam.” I said.

“Don’t interfere.” Eyed the woman before she pushed Ayaka to the wall and splashed her with a bucket of water.

“That’s enough ma'am!” I yelled seeing Ayaka being treated by the woman. Ayaka held her hand up, signaling me to stop. Her eyes telling me to let her take care of this.

"Let her do it, Sayaka." Said Kai. I gritted my teeth, trying to calm my anger down.

Ayaka panted, “Megumi-san, it was tight situation. My mother instructed Noro to get the Maeda and I quickly from the capital as possible.”

The woman named Megumi crossed her arms, “Why?”

“I-I…” stammered Ayaka. “I-I can’t tell you. But I-“

“Then get out of here before I called the imperial guards.” Said Megumi coldly. “You’re giving me no choice, your majesty.”

“I-I…” gulped Ayaka. “Please swore to me you won’t tell anyone, Megumi-san.. I’m one of the Samurai Princess.”

“What kind of joke are you on, your majesty?”

“I’m serious!” said Ayaka. She pulled out three small pebbles out of her pocket and made it float in circle above her head as her finger moved in the similar circular motion.

Megumi’s hands dropped to her side, I could tell she was shocked to hear that the Princess of Edo is a destined to be a Samurai Princess. “Y-you.. are?”

“Yes.” Said Ayaka. “Please let me explain to you…”

-------------------------------------------

Third Person’s POV

Meanwhile, in another place….

“Jurina, be still already!!”

“Mou~ Yadaa!!”

“Natsumi, Tomochin help me!!”

Natsumi smiled as she watched Sakiko tackling down her niece on the bathroom floor. The woman’s hair was wet already from the splashing of the struggling girl that refuses to take a bath. The tub was still filled with the warm water for the girl, but she refused to what so ever to made any further contact with it.

Jurina was getting a bit better after Natsumi gave her a bit of potion to soothed down her fever, but the bloody coughed is what worries her the most. It’s still come up in some occasions which then she and Tomochin would make her coughed as much as she can before she comes to a stop. But she’s worried on how long will the girl last until she ran out of blood to cough.

"Jurina, get in the BATH!!!"

"NO!!!!"

"Hey, I got an idea," said Tomochin with a grin. She leaned over towards Jurina. "Hey, if you don't get in the bath, you aren't getting any candies."

With that, Jurina's eyes widened and she pouted.

"Fine..."

She took off her towel and stepped into the warm bath. Her child mind actually found it soothing and giggled on how the water felt against her skin. Sakiko, Tomochin, and Natsumi stepped in with her. The three adults sighed in relieve upon the warmth touching their skin.
“Nothing can beat the relieves of a warm tub of water…” muttered Natsumi. The three others nod in agreement.

"See, it's not so bad, right?" asked Sakiko caressing her niece’s head.

"Un." Nodded Jurina. She dipped her head in and start making bubbles in the water.

Natsumi took some shampoo in her hands and started scrubbing into Jurina's head. She giggled more at the ticklish feeling in her scalp.

"We'll get you clean~." Natsumi giggled as well.

She handed the bottle to Sakiko and the woman starts to pour some to a small bucket of water. She stirred it and formed a small circle from her thumb and index finger before dipping it in.

“Look here.” She winked to her niece and blew the circle, forming a huge bubble as Jurina’s eyes widened in excitement before eventually popped.

“Auntie, I want to try!!~” said Jurina loudly.

“Hai hai~”

After a few hours of playing with bubbles and cleaning themselves up, the four dried themselves and get dressed for dinner. The stew on the pot was ready since hours ago, just needed to be heated up to serve. Natsumi walked in to the kitchen and turned on the stove as she stirred up the stew.

“Hmm… Needs a bit more salt..” she mumbled after a quick lick from the spoon. She reached to the cupboard to get a jar of it, however she felt something furry instead when she grabs a hold of what she thought was where the salt jar was. “Hmm?”

She pulled it out and found herself grasping on a small white mouse which was struggling in her grasp.

It took a moment for her to realize what it was and eventually dropped it upon realizing.

"GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!" Natsumi let out a loud scream. Sakiko, Jurina, and Tomochin rushed into the kitchen.

"What's wrong?"

"It's a MOUSE!!!!!!!"

They looked and saw a small white mouse in the corner of the room. Saskiko, Natsumi, and Tomochin all screamed and climbed on top of the table. There was no doubt the three were scared of the small creature.

“Mou YADA!!!!”

“GET IT OUT!!!!”

Meanwhile, Jurina was...

"Kawaii~" She picked up the little mouse and petted its head with her thumb. "Auntie, can I keep it?"

"Eh?!" Sakiko’s eyes widened upon her niece being fine with the small creature.

"Pweaze~" Jurina made the most adorable puppy eyes that she couldn't resist.

Natsumi and Tomochin looked over to the mistress of the house with looks of; "DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT."

Sakiko realizing the looks on her guest and her niece at the same time made her sighed. After overcoming the shock, Sakiko got off the table and walked over to her niece.

"You promise to take care of it?"

"Yes." nodded Jurina as she offered the mouse to her aunt.

"Hm..." Sakiko looked at the mouse and took it in her hands carefully with a little  disgusted face. "I'll find a place to keep it."

"Yay~ Thank you, auntie~"

"Jurina..." She never saw such sparkle, such love in her eyes. Jurina was truly like her mother. She loved everything and everyone, big or small, no matter who they were.

"Thank... y--" Jurina suddenly felt light headed again and collapsed.

"Jurina!" rushed over Tomochin. “Her fever is back.” She announced when she touched the girl’s forehead.

“We have to move her to the bed.” Said Natsumi.

"Right!"

“Sakiko-san can you he-“ she suddenly slumped down to her knees as holding her head.

“Natsumi-san!” Sakiko puts down the mice to a bowl and knelt down beside the priest. “Are you okay?”

“I-I..”  Natsumi felt her head suddenly in an execrating pain, as if her head was split into two. She tried to do what her grandfather said years ago to not panic and maintain normal breathing as she forced herself not to scream. After a moment or two she managed to stand up and hold on to the stool for support.

“I’m okay..” she mumbled. “Maybe just a headache. We have to get Jurina treated quickly..”

---------------------------------------------------

While in another place…

Deep down in the realm of the demon’s hideout, the hole leading towards where hell was darker than ever. Whatever inside it has been consumed completely by darkness and even with the protection seal to maintain it from coming out into the world, anyone close enough can still hear the a raspy cold voice stirring up slowly.

Sayanee watched the hole intently as she heard the chains above rattled to the soft vibration from the hole. She can feel Milky’s grip tightened around her bicep as the two demons stared together bellow.

Sasshi who was recovered enough sat on the one of the rock along with Rabutan fiddling with one of her mimions on her shoulder, while Nakanishi and Mieko were standing side by side not far from them.

They all glanced upon the sound of an arriving dark mist, stepping out of it was Mariko-sama herself.

“You’re late, Mariko-sama.” Said Nakanishi. “Where were you? Master was waiting for all of us to gather.”

Mariko did not respond and walk straight towards the hole before she knelt on one knee and lowered her head, the action was quickly followed by others.

“My Lord, I apologize for being late.” Spoke Mariko still in her position.

“It is a surprise for my first lieutenant to be late, my dear Mariko..” chuckled a deep raspy cold voice from the hole. “Very well, but next time it happens again…”

Mariko suddenly got tensed up and froze in instant, she looked down to where her heart is and felt as if an invisible hand grasped her inside, right at her heart. She dared not to breathe as she felt the hand teasingly ran it’s fingers on the surface of her heart inside, she knew just one squeeze or perhaps a crush could cost her life.

None of the demons dared to move or speak. Even the playful Sasshi was intense upon the view of Mariko being threatened by Maou, among all things she’s scared of; it is him.

“…I shall crush this fragile heart of yours or perhaps your entire form, Mariko. Do you understand?” he said before letting go of Mariko’s heart, leaving the demon to gasp her breath.

“Y-yes.. My Lord..”

“Good.. Now report to me.”

“Kaguya and Ameratu has formed back the Samurai Princess. The girls chosen were Akimoto Sayaka, Umeda Ayaka, Masuda Yuka, and Miyazawa Sae. All were accompanied by Kaguya herself and a daughter of Ameratsu, Oshima Yuko.” Spoke Mariko briefly.

“And the priest?”

“The Priest of Soul chosen was a girl named Matsubara Natsumi.” Said Sasshi. “Before her memories awakened, we tried to take custody of her but unfortunately, the Samurai Princess caught up with us.”

“Hmm.. Who was in charge of the operation?”

“I was, my Lord.” Confessed Sasshi.

“I can sense you act recklessly, didn’t you Sasshi?” asked the voice. Sasshi gulped and suddenly got tensed up, sensing something will come from her. When it did, Sasshi’s eyes widened upon feeling a sudden shock went through her body. She yelled in pain as she experienced the tremendous amount of shock force coming through her body.

“My Lord!” said Rabutan. “It wasn’t all her fault! Part of it was mine too!! Don’t take it all on her!!”

“No Rabutan!!” yelled Sasshi in pain, her eyes begging to Rabutan.

“Oh don’t worry, you get yours too, Rabutan.” Said the voice, followed by Rabutan screaming in pain all the sudden as the same shock went through her.

The other demons stayed still not moving a muscle until Maou stopped the shock for the two. The two crumpled down in instant, gasping for breath.

“I do not tolerate failure, may I remind you that?” asked the voice. “Now who else have failed? How about you, Nakanishi?”

This time it was Nakanishi who was frozen, “My Lord, I..”

“I see everything, Nakanishi. And I guess it’s partly yours too, is it?” said the voice referring to Mieko.

Mieko tensed up, upon realizing who Maou was referring too. Even know she turned sides to the demons and become a dark maiden for a long time already, she can never be comfortable when it comes to meet the Demon Lord with the others.

“What is it, Dark Maiden? Is there something in your mind?”

“N-no..”

“Really? Is it Kaguya?”

Mieko shook her head frantically but did not say a word. The scared expression was all over on her face, bigger than the others.

“My Lord.” Cut Sayanee loudly. “I think I also took part of the fault, it was me who failed to re-create the spell you told me.”

The voice chuckled, “Sayanee.. My favorite little pawn…”

Sayanee did not say another word and ignored Milky’s worried look to her.

“Please my Lord, let me deliver you a good news.” Said Sayanee politely, trying to change the subject.

“What is it?”

“Your vessel is almost ready, my Lord.” Said Sayanee. “I have preserved the one you requested thirteen years ago.”

“Excellent.. Who was in charge of it, Mariko?”

“It was Sayanee and the witch, Itano Tomomi.” Said Mariko.

“Ah speaking of the witch, how’s the plan going?”

“It’s currently in process, my Lord.” Said Mariko. “They won’t suspect a thing and we’ve sent something to watch over her.”

“Very good.” Said Maou. “Now, it won’t be long before I completely unlock all these seals. How about our planned allies?”

“They still refused to do it.” Said Mariko. “And we are still searching for more.”

“Hard headed creatures...” scoffed Maou. “You know what to do if they refused, right?”

“Yes, my Lord..” answered Mariko. “The ones in charge of the operation are Sasshi and Nakanishi.”

“And you, the Dark Maiden?” asked Maou.

“I serve as their back up.” Said Mieko.

“Hmm…” hummed the voice. “There’s something more wasn’t it, Dark Maiden?”

“I collected their teeth and scales for potions and remedies.” Said Mieko briefly.

“No, no… There is something more you have done, Sato Mieko. You cannot lie to me.”

Mariko glanced back to Mieko and found her trembling as she bit her lips.

“Mieko, what did you do?” hissed Nakanishi beside her. But Mieko did not answer and kept her lips closed by biting it with her teeth.

“Consider this as your first warning from me, Dark Maiden.” Cooed Maou before Mieko suddenly shrieked as grasping her head.

“MIEKO!” Nakanishi held Mieko’s body as the maiden shrieked out in pain, no longer on her knees. She didn’t know that Maou just sent the dark maiden a punishment, a very torturous one.

“No please…” begged Mieko in the middle of the punishment. Her eyes goes completely black as dark visions kept coming, torturing her. “I swore I won’t do it again…”

“Very well.” With a loud finger snap, Mieko slumped into Nakanishi’s arm gasping for air. Her eyes has gone back to normal, but definitely showing how the punishment given to her was a bit more than anyone else. If she could herself that time, she would rather than going through another one of that.

"Mieko..."

“Remember your place, Dark Maiden.” Said Maou coldly. “You are at my mercy and your service, your life, belongs to me now.”

"Y-y-yes...."

Mieko blinked weakly before slumping unconsciously in Nakanishi’s arm. The strong demon bit her lips as she looked at the dark maiden deeply in her arms. “Mieko…”

“Now, I suppose that’s all for now.” Said Maou. “Keep the plans going and get rid of the samurai princess as soon as possible. I sensed that not all of them has gained their full potential, it’s a big chance to strike them down.”

“Yes, My Lord!”

Maou chuckled, “March forward, my pawns. Soon I will rule back the earth in darkness once again!”

To Be Continued

[Cometerz48]

Ah, credits to MYJR for the logo. Thank you for making it for us

[ametakarano]

Senpaitachi... I'll be waiting for the update, Cometerz48-san and Ruka-san.

I've just recently read this fic and I really am hooked... 

Ayaka X Natsumi really makes me...

 

[Ruka Kikuchi]

Senpaitachi... I'll be waiting for the update, Cometerz48-san and Ruka-san.

I've just recently read this fic and I really am hooked... 

Ayaka X Natsumi really makes me...

 

Gald you like it, Ame-chan. :3 We will try to update asap!

[Ruka Kikuchi]

Chapter 22 - No way out (Part 2)

Yuka's POV

"Finally, we're here." Voiced out Hinata in my mind.

I halted my horse instantly in front of a small pebble path heading slightly up to a tall mountain. I can see vaguely a silver glow on the top as if there’s something mythical up there..

“That’s Kaguya’s palace.” Said Sae also halted her horse beside me. “Kuu said that’s probably where Kaguya has gone to.”

“Well..” I got down from my horse. “Maybe we’ll see her on the way with Yuko. Hinata said that we have to walk from here.”

“How far?” asked Sae also getting down as she adjusted her sword strapping.

“Not that far, but keep your eyes open for demons..” I said before leading the path.

Sae walked beside me, “Yuka, why are you so eager to find this Dragon, Ao?”

“Hinata told me he was the one that made a contract with her over the blue flame.” I tried to explain. “Half of the power from my stone connects to him, making him attached to me spiritually.”

“So he’s your animal then?” asked Sae. “Cool, you got a dragon~”

“Wouldn’t call it that though.. It’s more like my elemental spirit creature. Ao’s power supports the Fire stone and my power in someway, I have to find him to balanced them all out.”

“Is that the only reason?” asked Sae. “When you said you suddenly needed to see Ao, you looked worried.”

I froze upon the statement, knowing myself that maybe I can’t fool Sae.

“You can tell her, Kuu will understand..” said Hinata.

So I began telling her about the transferred vision I had before, the killing that Sasshi did somehow printed freshly in my mind that I even know every little details of it. I watched Sae’s face turned to expressions as I told her the story.

“That’s why you need to find Ao..” nodded Sae. “Before the demon gets his hands on him..”

I stopped and leaned on a tree, “Sasshi knew that Hinata’s power and mine are from Ao, if she did something to Ao, then I…”

“Something will happen to your flame.” Finished off Sae. I nodded, unconsciously spilt a tear at the corner of my eye.  I tried to hide it from Sae, but she seemed to noticed it and hugged me tight.

“We’ll find him firsthand before Sasshi does, I promise.” Said Sae. “You’re ready to move?”

I nodded weakly and took Sae’s hand as she led the way this time. It takes time but eventually we came to an end of the path. Me and Sae stood in front of a large cave, the entrance to Ao's hideout.

"Sae, let's be careful."

"Okay."

I took hold of her hand as we walked down into the cave. I lit up the lantern so we could see our path and started deeper into the cave. I could feel Sae shivering because of how cold it was.

I suddenly stopped. There were more footsteps. Someone else is here. Sae and I hid behind a slab, so they wouldn't see us. I looked on the wall and saw two shadows walking forward, in our direction.

Hinata, what if its Nakanishi and Mieko?

"Then we'll have to stop them."

I nodded and set down the lantern, my hand at my sword. I waited for the right moment, and...

"Hiyaa!"

"GYAAAAH!!!"

The tip of my sword was barely touching a familiar Demi-god's nose.

"Y-Yuko?!" I drew back my sword and bowed to her. "I'm so sorry! I thought you were--"

"Masuda Yuka."

I looked up and saw a pair of silver eyes staring at me.

"Kayuga-hime..."

"You can come out, Sae, it's just us. Yuko and Kaguya."

Sae peered out from behind, picking up the lantern.

"Yuko... Kaguya-sama..." whispered Sae with a surprised face. “What are you doing here?”

Third Person’s POV

“My dad wants me to check on Ao.” Said Yuko. “He wants me to also check on other dragons as well..”

“Wait, you mean there is a lot more than just this Ao?” asked Sae with widened eyes.

“After the first war with Maou, the remaining dragons decided to find their own places to stay. Most stay in caves like Ao does, in an abandoned island, or in a volcano pit.” Said Kaguya. “My brother sensed something sinister being planned by Maou involving the dragons, that’s why her wants Yuko to check on the closest one; Ao.”

“You’re right about that.” Said Yuka seriously which was very rare somehow. Then she began telling the other two of the transferred vision she had on Sasshi’s doings.

“That bitch is going to pay.” Growled Yuko. “Who does she thinks she is?!”

“My brother was right indeed. Maou is on the move..” muttered Kaguya.”They’re hunting the dragon eggs. If they got their hands on one, it is not possible to completely wreck the remaining seals..”

“That’s why I’m here.” Said Yuka. “Hinata told me to warn Ao and clear things up. She said if I met him, he might balance out my abilities to control the blue flame.”

“What about the others? Are they o-“

“Natsumi said Jurina’s soul is slipping away. You have to come to her fast, Kaguya.” Said Sae. “Sakiko-san can’t lose her family again!”

“I’ll be heading there.” Nodded Kaguya. “The two of you, be very careful of what you are doing. Ao might be on our side, but still he will test you Yuka.”

“T-test?”

Yuko nodded, “I’ll drop Kaguya by Sakiko’s hut and drive off to check on other dragons near the areas.”

“Wait there’s more!” yelped Sae before the two left. “Sayaka and Ayaka, they left for the capital.”

“What?!” said Yuko. “I told you guys to stay in Sakiko’s hut!”

“The two shared a memory of something that can help find the demon’s hideout.” Said Sae. “The Mirror of Truth.”

Kaguya’s silver eyes widened, “That’s…”

Sae nodded, “Ayaka had it for the whole time, but she needs to find the one that can use it. They’re off to the capital to follow the first clue.”

“That’s dangerous!” exclaimed Yuko. “If Ayaka got caught, she may as well signed off her death.”

“That’s why Sayaka's also with her.” Said Yuka. “We split up so we could back each other up.”

“Sayaka herself won’t be enough.” Said Kaguya. “The Capital is a dangerous place, lurking with spies and guards, someone must back them up again. I will.”

“But then how about Jurina?”

“I will go after I settle down with the child.” Said Kaguya. “We’ll meet off in Matsui-san’s hut four from now. Good Luck you two.”

After they went off, only leaving Yuka and Sae together in the cave. Yuka turned forward.

“We have to keep moving. Ao’s big lair is inside this cave.” Said Yuka.

“Lead the way~” said Sae before she suddenly clutched her head. “Ugh!”

“Sae! You’re alright?” asked Yuka approaching the girl. “What happened?”

“I’m…” Sae blinked. “Something’s happening, I-“

Suddenly her hair piece shone brightly in green. Blinding the two with lights in their eyes..

Sae’s POV

I opened my eyes vaguely saw the familiar face in front of me.

“Ruka…”

The man smiled, “Hello Kuu. My, you are still pretty even after being tied up like that.”

I tug my hands, but they were tied very tightly behind my back to a wooden pose. “Ruka, what the hell?!! Let go off me this instant!!”

“Na ah~” he put his finger on my lips. “I’m not letting you get away again, Kuu. You are mine.”

“Where are the others?!! If you lay a hand on them, I swear I’ll rip that th-“

“No bad mouthing~” cooed Ruka as he put his finger again on my lips. I opened my mouth and bit hard his finger, causing him to pulled his bloodied finger. ”How insolent you have become, Kuu. But still…”

His other hand went to my chin and caressed it gently.

“You are flawless..”

He motioned me to look around, I was no longer in a cave, instead I was standing not far from a cliff with a huge canyon spread over the horizon. The wind blew hard my hair along with a few dusts.

“What-“

“Canyon of Dread.” Said Ruka proudly. “Such an amazing view right?”

“What have you done to them?” I asked.

“Ah, they’re just down there.” He pointed down lightly.

“WHAT?!!”

One of the guards let go off the rope attaching me to the pole and dragged me by the knot on my hands, he dragged me till I stood by Ruka’s side. I looked at the man beside me and saw his eyes insanely flickering like a mad person.

I looked down and what I saw was shocking enough.

Kanata, Riku, and Kai was tied up on topes separately and hung upside down with the canyon just bellow them by hundreds of feet. The three looked unconscious with bruises and dusts and messy clothes.

“KAI!! KANATA!! RIKU!!”

“Ugh..” I heard a slight groan of Riku opening her eyes. “What happened..?”

Kanata stirred up and when she realized what was going on she screamed loudly. “MOU, YADAAA!!!”

I saw Kai stirring up as well and her eyes caught mine instantly, “Kuu!!”

“Kai!!” I yelled. I looked at Ruka dangerously, “Ruka, let go of them right now.”

“Hmm?” hummed Ruka lightly. “But don’t you want to have some entertainment, dear? Well, I invited your friends here to give you some.”

"Huh? What the hell are you talking about..?"

*RAAAAAAAWR*

Oh God... what was that?!

"That's the sound of the Dread beast."

The WHAT?!?!

"It's the horrible monster that lives at the very bottom of the canyon."

"I see someone's hungry~" Ruka said with a chuckle.

"You... you're a mad man!"

He gave me a dark look, coming closer. His hand clasped around my neck. It reminded me of the cold feeling when Haru was possessed and he choked me.

"Now, now... I wouldn't speak, unless you don't care what happens to your friends. Now, I want you to be a good girl from now on, or else... I can't make any promises of your dear friends safety."

"Ruka, please, don't do this..." I pleaded. “This is not you at all!!”

He kept laughing. "Oh, Kuu... you are so naïve. Is that why you so easily fell for Kai?"

I felt anger boil inside me. He clicked his tongue, circling me.

"I knew she had changed you... please, let's just stop this immature little game and go home. It can be just the two of us~"

"No..." I shook my head. "I won't allow it..."

“Fine.” Spat Ruka. “Have it your way, Kuu.”

He then turned to one of his guards whose securing the chains.

“Released the noisy one.” He pointed at Kanata. “She should be a nice entrée.”

Kanata’s eyes bulged out, “YADAAA!!!” she yelled in fear.

Riku’s eyes were widened as well and she struggled on her binds, “No!! Don’t!!!”

“Iie~” smiled Ruka like a maniac.

Kanata screamed as the guards prepared to lower her chains and Riku started swearing at the guys. She caught my eyes with a pleading look and teary eyes.

“Last chance, Kuu or she goes.” Said Ruka with raised eyebrows.

I looked at Kai who’s eyes were on me the whole time. Her orbs were filled with worries, fear, and anxiousness, I couldn’t bear to look at her like that.

“You are mine and I am yours until eternity.”

Remembering the promise I made that day to her, I closed my eyes, trying to focus on my power. Concentrating, I bit my lips, gathering my thoughts together…….

*SQUACK!!!*

When I opened my eyes again, I looked down and saw the others still being hung over the cliff. I saw a pair of red glowing eyes in the darkness, making fear run up my body.

"Everyone!"

A large monster arose, bearing its large fangs. I saw Kanata was starting to panic, trying to shake herself out of the chains binding her. The sound of the chains was enticing the beast, and it roared loud.

I felt myself starting to shake in fear...

What do I do..?

"Kuu..."

Eh?

I looked up at the sky. I swear, I heard someone calling me. "Who..?"

"Relax your mind and focus. I shall lend you my strength."

“I-I..”

“Trust me.”

I breathe in as calm as I can, then I felt an incredible power flow into my veins. A strong wind began to blow, creating a cyclone. Ruka started to become blown away by the force, being driven to the edge of the cliff. He cursed under his breath before leaving. As the wind kept blowing, the chains that binded me broke and I was released.

The wind subsided and I looked down at the others, still being hung over the cliff with the monster still glowering at them with it’s eyes.

SNAP!!!

Kanata screamed as soon as her chains suddenly snapped out, Riku yelled in fear as well. It was as if time slowed down a bit that with a point of my hand, something rushed over to the falling Kanata and swooped her out of the air and into the sky.

I looked up at the sky, whistling a soft song in the breeze. The next moment, I heard the sound of a bird call. In the sky, a large bird flew down with Kanata on it’s back gawking in awe at the creature she’s riding. It landed my side. Its long neck curved down, my hands caressing its head.

"Let's go."

I climbed on top of the creature and flew down to where Riku and Kai were being held.

"Kuu..." I saw surprise in Kai's eyes and the Riku’s opened mouth in awe as she stared at Kanata and the bird. I simply smiled before creating a strong wind that released them from the chains.

They fell onto the large bird and we flew back up to the top, landing safely on the ground.

"Kuu, that was amazing."

"How did you..?" pointed Riku at the bird still in awe.

"I..." I felt my body grow weak and I collapsed, feeling a warm pair of arms catch me as I fell.

When my eyes opened again, I no longer felt the cold air of the cave. Instead, it was warm so warm like I was near the fireplace back at the mansion.

“You are awake.”

I looked over to the source of the voice and saw an old man sitting on a slab of rock with his eyes fixated on me in amusement. Despite the gray hair and the wrinkles, I could tell he’s not any ordinary grandpas.

“Who are you an where’s my friend?” I looked around to find Yuka. I finally saw her lying not far away from me with her necklace glowing in red.

“Your past memories interact with hers as well, triggering her past to come to her head as well.” Explained the old man walking down from the rock with a walking stick in his hand.

I frowned at him cautiously, “Who are you..?”

The old man chuckled, “You really are like your past life, Miyazawa Sae. Samurai of Wind really does resemble like you.. I still remembered clearly Hinata introduced me to her.”

My eyes widened, “Masaka, you are…”

--------------------------------------

Yuka’s POV

I remembered trying to help Sae, then the gem on her hairclip suddenly shone so brightly and engulfed us as well as blinding my eyes. The next thing I knew; I was sinking.

I felt the water swallowed me whole and gravity pulling me deeper. I tried to struggle or at least move my hands, but they were bound tightly around my back with what I suspected was a weight that’s been pulling me deeper into the water. The danger of drowning was dreadful enough with my mouth gagged, I was unable to breath at all and I can feel my hard pounding hard.

I struggled and struggled, trying to get to the surface, but the weight is so heavy for me to pull up and I can feel the need of air for my heart to beat was getting higher.

Suddenly I saw some familiar faces in my eyes. My family, Osamu, Kai, Kuu, Kanata, Riku… They all suddenly starting to fade away, leaving me alone to sink in the cold water.

“Gomen..” I mouthed as my eyes starts to blur. The water rushed into my mouth, gagging me until my view starts to darkened.

I was on the edge of Death. Sasshi doesn’t need to kill me at all.

Suddenly I felt a hand touching my bound and pulling on it. I was too weak to open my eyes and see who was it, but it was strong enough to pull me up into the surface and soon I was gasping for air. As I tried to sustain the air flow back in my body, my eyes were still blurry but I saw a dark shadow pulling me to the edge of the water and threw me to the edge to recover myself.

Still gasping for air, my visions starts to clear up and my hands are no longer bounded. I sat up as well as holding my hurting head, my chest felt so heaved up that I coughed pretty badly.

“Seems like I made it in time, Samurai of Fire.”

I looked up to the voice and saw a figure in completely black clothing standing in front of me. Her hair was short but straight, unlike Jurina’s short wavy hair. Her clothes were black but doesn’t look like what demons wear at all, more like a samurai but somehow she has an aura stronger than them. Her eyes and thin body indicates me that she was more than just a human. I looked at her eyes, it was black with white irises.

Who..?

“Shinigami.” Said Hinata. “The God of Death.”

She saw my widened eyes and flashed a quick thin smile. “I am the Shinigami, Sono Hinata. My job is basically to take people’s life not to save life honestly.”

“Then why did you saved me?” I gasped still trying to regain myself from the cold water, still coughing.

“Simple. Obviously it is not the time for your death, Samurai.” Said Shinigami. “When it is not for their schedule to die, I have a responsibility to save them until the time comes. That does not mean I will help you defeating Demons though.”

“What about my friends? Are they-“

“I shall not reveal what happened to your friend but all I can tell you they are still alive for now.” Said Shinigami. “Any other question?”

“Yes.” I swallowed. “My death. What will happen?”

“Ah.” She raised her eyebrows. “Deaths are not something I share to the ones that will experience it, Samurai. No one can escape from Death and it is no use to acquire the knowledge anyway. But I can assure you I will personally pluck out that soul myself out of your body.”

I shuddered, “That’s one scary threat..”

The shinigami flashed the smile again, “Basically without me saying it, it is already one. Death is a process, Samurai. The soul I take will leave a place for new soul to reborn on earth. Some souls may pass on to reborn without memories and a fresh way to start a new life, or they may as well be locked up in hell.”

“What are the requirement for Hell?” I asked. “Not that I wanted to get in.”

“It is not so hard.” Shrugged Shinigami. “Just piss off the Gods and be evil, I can secure you a place there.”

“No thank you.” I declined straight away.

I saw Shinigami’s eyes stared into me deeply, “Do not get yourself too full of yourself, Samurai. Your toughest opponent is ever to come yet and there will be things you have to let go off for a better future.”

“I know.” I said. “I must work together with the other samurai to defeat off Maou. I have to face that Demon, Sasshi.”

Shinigami shook her head, “Not only that. It may not happen anytime soon but by the time it does, you have to find a way back to substitute of what you have lost. You must get up from the loss that you will experience and moved on.”

“Huh? What do you mean?!”

Shinigami waved off her hand and I saw the God’s leg started to thin away, “I will see you again, Samurai. I get the feeling it will be very soon..”

“Are you saying I’m going to die soon?” I asked.

The Shinigami smiled mysteriously, “All living creatures will die anyway, Samurai. Only time tells off when will it be.” Then the God disappeared into the thin air.

Still trying to absorb the God’s last words, I tried voicing out to Hinata.

Hinata, did you…?

“Yes.” Voiced out Hinata. “She came in front of me again and all of us the samurai princess that night on the tower when we sealed Maou away with Kanata.”

“Then what happened to you all?” I asked.

“We’re exceptions.” Said Hinata. “Normal souls usually goes straight away to the process into the next stages of death. Which either it will be put in hell or heaven or maybe gets reborn. But for us, Samurai Princess we still have our duty to guide the next ones; You guys.”

“So then all these times, you haven’t actually died?”

“We died physically. By the time our soul was no longer in our body, Shinigami explained to us the circumstances for our souls. We were to slumber down for 100 years inside each of the element’s gems until it was the time for the new Princess Samurai.” Said Hinata.

“You were asleep the whole time inside the Gem.” I pointed out. “And the Gem.. It rushed into me while I was trying to fend of the giant snake.”

“It was the Gem that sensed your appearance as the next Samurai of Fire. My soul was awakened as soon as the Gem touched your body.”

“Then you start speaking to me a while later. But why not as soon as you were already inside me?”

“I have to understand you first, Yuka. I cannot just voiced out my thoughts to you without you knowing anything so in the end I tried to stimulate my power into yours by flowing it your emotions.”

“You burst that fire to the snake.” I simplified.

“It was me giving the power, but you’re the one that times it perfectly.” answered Hinata. “It was the two of us.”

I nodded, “So then, Sae, Sayaka, Ayaka and I… Will we experience the same thing as you guys? What will happen to you guys when it was the time for all of us to.. experience the same if we were to I mean..”

“I don’t know.” Confessed Hinata. “We’d probably moved on to the next stage of Death.”

I went silence before eventually remembering something, “It was Sae’s gem that was glowing but where is she?”

“Ah..” said Hinata as if she just realized something. “Remember that creep that loved Kuu so much? That Ruka?”

“Uh-huh.”

“He set a trap once on all of us while Kaguya went missing. I was separated from the others because I kept burning off the ropes and fights off his guards until then…”

“He decided to drown you like just then.” I finished off.

“His guards must not be far from here.” Said Hinata. “But I have to find Osamu first.”

“Where is he?”

“Ruka knew Osamu was close to me somehow. He must’ve want him to watch me drown.” Growled Hinata. “I think the guards that were sent to drown me must’ve brought him too.”

“They can’t be far then.” I said before standing up. “Do you remember which way they go?”

“Can you see the mountain range?” I nodded. “Ruka holds the rest of the group there, so the guards will be on their way back to their mast-“

Her voice trailed off as soon as the two of us could hear a loud yell of a boy.

“Osamu!!!”

--------------------------------------

Far away and back to the reality...

Sayaka’s POV

Megumi refused to hear any from Ayaka until she cleansed herself from the sewer trip. So there she goes to the bathroom while I helped Megumii preparing for the night.

“So you are…?” she raised her eyebrows as she handed me a bundle of bed sheets.

“I’m Akimoto Sayaka, I was a captain of the Imperial Army at the front line.” I introduced myself.

“Then what brings you and your majesty together?” she asked.

“We met together, guided by instinct. I happened to be the Samurai of Water.” I said proving to her by bending the water out of the jar into the pot on the stove.

“Ah I see…” she nodded approved. “Takahashi Minami must’ve been your boss then.”

“You knew the General?” I asked her.

Megumi chuckled, “She might be a general now, but the Takahashi I know ages ago was a complete cry baby. Not that I’m making a fun of her..”

“She, Noro, and Kojima Haruna the current Imperial Fortune Teller, and of course I.. We were together as apprentices ages ago.” Said Megumi smiling as if she’s remembering the old days.”You know that all Imperial staff needed basic educations before taking their path to somewhere else, that’s when we became friends.”

“You know Haruna?” I asked Megumi.

Megumi smirked, “Is she still an airhead? Well, despite that she’s good at predicting the future.” Shrugged Megumi arranging a bed.

“She was the one who sent me off.” I said. “She and the General were the first people to realize that I’m the Samurai of Water.”

“She must’ve been one of Kaguya’s Priest.” Said Megumi. “You know what I’m talking about don’t you?”

I nodded, “Then the who’s the Priest that sent Ayaka off?” Before Megumi could answer, somebody else answered it for her.

“It’s Noro isn’t it..?”

The two of us turned to the door and saw Ayaka standing by the door with damped hair and a new set of clothes. Her face looked strangely guilty somehow.

Megumi bit her lips, “Yea.. She is.”

Ayaka sighed and came in to the room, “Listen Ohori-san, I-“

Megumi raised her hand to stop the princess talking, “No more apologizing, Your Majesty. Just explain to me slowly and detailed.”

So then Ayaka tell the whole story to Megumi from the failed Coronations, her journey, until the part where the two of us decided to set foot on the Capital. I added in some extra informations and so on till we finished the story.

Megumi sighed as she looked as if thinking to swallow the whole thing slowly, “Itano and Matsui, eh? They’re our friends as well, Matsui, Noro, and I slightly older though.”

“Tell me, what happened after I left.” Said Ayaka.

Megumi looked over to a box sitting on a cupboard and approached it before bringing it back near us. She opened it and pulled out some letters.

“Noro left me with this box here on that day. Inside there’s a letter she sent to Kaguya by hawk. She regained a memory that she’s one of her Priest, she found you with the previous Samurai of Earth lurking in you.” Explained Megumi.

“Her main concern were how could she helped you adapting with the power as well as managing your Kage. Oh yes, she and I knew you have one, Your Majesty..” nodded Megumi before Ayaka could butt in. “She said it wasn’t wise to tell the whole Palace of your conditions, instead we only told your father; The Emperor.”

“Despite your conditions, your father still believing in you and the two of us. Then on the day before his death, Noro sent him a letter to claim you are the next Samurai of Earth.”

“H-he.. knew?” asked Ayaka in shock. “He knew before he died?”

Megumi nodded sadly, “On that day too before we received the news of his death, his reply to Noro was to keep you safe from any conspiracy that the Imperial Priests had in mind and to teach you everything to be a Samurai Princess.”

“Dad..” gasped Ayaka, cannot help her tears falling out to her cheek. I couldn’t help but to give her a light pat on the head.

“Then..?”

“After your disappearance, Noro sent me a letter that she’s taking the Maeda’s to her friend, General Takahashi who were stationed near the borders.” Said Megumi. “She knew it was risky, but that’s the only place as to not being suspected by the Imperial Priest.”

“So they’re with the General then..?” I asked. “The what happens here? I heard the queen take over the government then.”

Megumi nodded, “Yes. But not for long.”

“What happened to her??!!” asked Ayaka worriedly. “Don’t tell her sickness-“

“She’s still alive, Your Majesty.” said Megumi. “But the Priests has allied with Ministers for a possible plan to bring her down. This is her weakest point right now, Your Majesty. She has no one by her side and soon they will take over her with the whole Capital being convinced that you and the Maedas are criminals.”

“We can’t let that happen!!” shook Ayaka. “If they brought her down then…”

“They might as well kill her.” Said Megumi seriously. Ayaka slumped down and soon started sobbing. I hugged her tight and soon I could feel her tears soaking my fabrics.

“When are they planning to bring her down?” I asked still hugging the sobbing Ayaka.

“I’m not sure, but it’ll be around this month I bet with the conditions getting heated in the palace.” Said Megumi.

“Can’t you do something to prevent it?!” asked Ayaka emotionally.

Megumi tilted her head sadly, “I wish I can, Your Majesty. But I am only an Imperial Apprentice… “

“Ayaka…” I looked at her. “Remember, you can’t risk yourself into this. If the guards finds out you’re here, they’ll hunt you down..”

“She’s right.” Said Megumi. “The new security policy for the capital will be launched tomorrow; Patrol Guards will be roaming around the City to keep the place save. That would mean dangerous for you to even come out.”

“But we still have to find the user!!” protested Ayaka. “Or otherwise, we can never find the Demons and they’ll come for us.” I sighed and looked at Megumi for help, but the woman only bit her lips as she thought.

“What do you plan then..?” asked Megumi. “Your mother is a difficult situation and so were you. Which would you prioritize, Your Majesty?”

“I-i…”

“I would give a hand to you, but three of us against the whole palace would be a suicide.” Said Megumi.

“I knew someone who might help us..” I suddenly said. “The General is coming to the Capital tomorrow.”

“How did you know that?” asked Megumi.

“Every fourth day of each month, she’d go to the capital to deliver her reports on the front line as well as relaxing herself out in her favorite capital restaurant.” I said remembering my boss’s tradition each time she took me to the capital.

“Then?”

“I have a plan..” I told them what I have in mind then.

To Be Continued