Fan Fiction ❯ New Dawn Of The Heart ❯ The Lost Truth Known Only To The Jin Uni Ki ( Chapter 4 )

Taki slammed the smithing hammer down hard on to the beautiful glowing blade, Rekki-Maru shone in all it glory. She pulled it up looking at it with pride, her newly forged weapon would be her greatest asset in demon hunts. She breathed wiping the sweat of her head then put the weapon on the anvil.

She turned hearing Suzuka cough she shook her shoulders slightly ignoring her step sister. She wished the woman would just leave her alone at times she could be very annoying. She watched the tall woman lean against one of the sword racks both turquoise eyes glinting.

Suzuka pulled up her blade looking at it, she turned both eyes looking over at Taki "You've finished the blade, impressive." She put her hand out to touch the hilt but Taki's hand slammed down before she could reach it. She gave Taki a menacing stare "You are so touchy Taki, father will be most displeased when he hears about you using the forge with out asking him!"

Taki narrowed her gaze "Be quite Suzuka I asked fathers permission he said I was allowed." She ran her fingers across Rekki-Maru hilt "Besides if you want to use the forge just ask him, he let Rei use it two days ago."

Suzuka laughed at her remark "Taki he only let Rei use it because he's supervising her in the art of sword making. The little girl can't lift the hammer yet she's not strong enough to pound the metal." She grinned widely putting a hand on her chest " You see poor little Rei needs big Ryoko and Nagmo to use the hammer for her. She's so weak and feeble."

Taki turned seeing Suzuka burst in to a fit of laughter over her own comment, she growled eyeing her "I couldn't lift the hammer once upon a time and neither could you, so don't be so cruel to Rei." Suzuka stopped her laughter, her face turned to a sneer "Oh you just love to kill my fun don't you?"

Taki slammed the smithing hammer down full force on the anvil "I wouldn't call being cruel to little Rei fun!"

Suzuka snarled putting a hand on her chest "It is fun, problem with you is your such a cold bitch you don't see it." Taki turned looking at her "Suzuka do me a favour and piss off you nasty jokes really don't impress me!"

Suzuka put a hand up in annoyance "Impress you, don't flatter yourself Taki I'm not trying to impress you." She paused then clicked her finger "Oh- wait that's right, I'm Taki daddies favourite. Everyone has to lead by my example and be impressed every time I speak." Taki gazed at the woman in annoyance "I'm not fathers favourite you know that as well as I do Suzuka!"

"Your also delusional if you think that, father loves as all he's said many times how proud he is off as." She smiled turning back at Suzuka "You ought to listen to him sometime instead of playing with your weapon when he talks to as."

Suzuka grinned strolling up behind Taki she leaned on the table "Don't you ever get tried of him giving speeches? I mean the old man is so full of crap. Wouldn't you rather be in charge than take orders from some deluded old fool?"

Suzuka slowly pulled up her hand "Imagine it, you and me in change off all this temple and no old fool giving as orders to kill demons." Taki turned sharply she gritted her teeth together "How dear you say such things, father is no old fool! Plus I'd die before I sat by your side, you're the most annoying person I've had to spend time with. Your jokes aren't funny and you have a crude humour disgusts me!"

She paused breathing in sharply "Oh and the demons around here are better looking than you Suzuka!"

Suzuka pulled back snarling she put her hand on her chest "Ouch that hurt." she flicked her weapon then smiled "So you don't like my humour well that's fine, I don't like your face. I hate your goody, goody attitude and your cold bitch persona and I despise the fact father is always dribbling on about you, making you out to be his favourite!"

Taki clenched her fist turning around she shrugged her armoured shoulders slightly "Well its better to a cold bitch than a low life scum bag like you Suzuka. I bet when you kill Jumo demons you probably ask them to have sex with you first before you take their heads off." Taki sniggered at her own comment " A bit of demon loving here and there ha Suzuka!"

Suzuka scolded at her sister in disgust "Take that back bitch!"

Taki folded her arms then grinned at her enraged sister "Oh did I hurt you ah… poor Suzuka can't take her own medicine, how pitiful!"

Suzuka snarled pulling her weapon back "I'll give you medicine, how's about I cut you open and give your insides to the Uni So An Ki?"

Taki sneered then pulled up a hand "Come on then Suzuka if you think you can take me on, give me your best shot!"

Taki leapt forward grabbing her weapon from the anvil, she watched Suzuka pull up her own. Her younger sister paced for a moment flicking her weapon in a mocking fashion. Taki spun her in Ninjatou inannoyance. She wasn't going to back down to her mocking sister, Suzuka had, had this coming for a long time.

She leapt forward her weapon half clashing with her sister's double edged blade. The sparks flew through the air, Taki leapt to one side as her sister tried to round kick her. She leapt up trying to punch the woman in the face.

"Stop this now!"

Taki turned sharply stopping in mid flow, she saw Suzuka do much the same, her sister turned spiting close to her feet. Taki sneered at her but turned standing up straight as her father entered in to the room. She watched him fold his arms in anger before turning to look at her.

Toki eyed his two children he could feel his anger boiling up. He slowly turned to Suzuka "What the hell do you think your doing?"

Suzuka shrugged her shoulder eyeing Taki she pointed to the dark haired woman "That bitch started it!"

Toki groaned how many times had he heard this from Suzuka he pulled his hand up "Suzuka I'm sick of this, your always fighting with Taki, I'd advice you stop this behaviour or I'll throw you in the demon maze!"

Suzuka eyed Toki "You know father that excuse is lame, you've never had the heart to throw any off as in that maze of yours." Her fathers face met her own it was full of rage "Don't test me Suzuka!"

Suzuka growled at him "Don't test you, oh please you're a weak fool." Taki turned eyeing her sister "And you're a pathetic excuse for a ninja." Suzuka turned sharply gazing at Taki "Pathetic hardly, your just jealous of my skills ice bitch."

Taki laughed slightly at her sisters remark "Jealous of your skills you must be joking. I mean you're a total and utter moron who has no skills."

Suzuka slowly folded her arms "And you're a loser who can't get a boyfriend or a girlfriend, everyone else around here has someone to sleep with except you." She paused noticing her sister's enraged face. She grinned pulling up a hand "Guess you must be a loser between the sheets as well on the demon hunts."

Taki sneered she slowly raised her weapon "How's about I make it so you can't breed ever again!"

Suzuka put out her hand smiling "Oh did I hit a soft spot? Oh I must have broken a bit of the ice of your frozen heart, what a shame." Taki glared at her sister " How's about I rip out your heart Suzuka and make you eat it!"

Toki eyed the two women he turned to them finding his own enraged voice hitting the air "Shut up both of you!"

Taki turned sharply her father looked like he was about to totally loose it. She slowly pulled her weapon away from Suzuka then slowly lowered her head "I'm sorry father." Suzuka turned folding her arms "Well I'm not sorry!"

Taki looked up slightly "Suzuka play nice and say sorry to father." She flicked her blade "Now!"

Suzuka slowly grinned then leaned back on her heels looking at Toki "By ninja right I demand your place, I demand your blood and your leadership old man!"

Taki shot her head up she turned to Suzuka " Are you insane?" She pulled her hand up "You have no right to demand leadership!"

Suzuka smiled breathing in deeply "Loser go read the clan laws sometime, if you can read that is." She twirled her weapon grinning, "My right stands, by ninja law I've come of age and I can demand leader ship of this clan!"

Toki took at step back how foolish was his daughter? Had she totally lost her mind?

He turned slowly to her "Don't be so foolish Suzuka you know full well I will not allow this challenge." Suzuka turned eyeing him "It's my challenge old man you can't deny my right. By ninja law you have to go through with my challenge!"

Toki pulled out both hands "You foolish girl think about what you're doing, this isn't a game you could die!" Suzuka turned on her heels "I have thought about it. I've been thinking about it for months and my conclusion is the same every time. This clan is weak because it has a weak leader. It needs a stronger and more forceful leader who will bring it out of the shadows!"

Toki slowly eased his weapon from his scabbard he slowly pushed his hand against the blade until the blood began to flow through his fingers "I disagree with this Suzuka but I realize there is no talking you out of this madness, your mind is set on power which disappoints me. Your also correct about the fact I can not challenge your right of leadership."

He sighed aloud pulling his bloody hand away from the sword "With my drawing of blood I give you your right to challenge the leadership." Taki turned sharply gazing at her father "Father please you can't be serious? I mean this is stupid Suzuka has no right to challenge you!"

Toki turned sharply "She has every right Taki, it's the law I can not go against that." He turned shrugging his shoulders "I don't agree with this any more than you do."

Suzuka calmly stepped past Toki then turned grinning at Taki "You know Taki if I win maybe I'll considered not stripping you of your rank of second in command." She laughed slightly "But then again I'd get such a kick out watching all the ninja's strip you off your armour then throw you out of the temple."

Taki slowly narrowed her gaze "I can assure you Suzuka that will never happen!" She grinned widely " Personally I'd love to watch you get your ass kicked out in to the cold. Hey may be when you loose your ninja rank you can go join General Mitsurugi's army as a weapon sharpener."

Suzuka calmly folded her arms "That about as likely as you getting someone to sleep with Taki" she watched her sister raise her weapon in anger. She found herself smiling "That really is a soft spot isn't it Taki, you just can't stand the fact you suck in bed."

Toki turned sharply "Be quite both of you!" He watched both young women go quite. He slowly opened the door then turned to them " Now go to the central platform both of you!"

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Taki gazed up at the huge gold Buddha it rose above her its seven arms raised high over the platform. She turned slowly watching as her brothers and sisters entered the room. All seemed to glance below them then take there positions on the raised platform above.

Her brother Hitoshi slowly came to stand next to her, his face was one of concern and confusion. Taki slowly backed away as her father came through the double doors he slowly walked across the bridge stepping calmly on to the platform floor. His face was one of calmness and confidence, although deep down Taki felt worried about his calmness. He seemed far to calm almost to the point that its seemed like the situation didn't bother him.

She sighed shaking her head she just hoped he could win this fight against Suzuka. Her gaze moved as the doors swung open she watched as Suzuka walked out. She was still shocked that it had come to this, it didn't seem right but then none of this seemed right.

Suzuka slowly paced forward she could feel the stares of her other clan members, not that she really cared they were all weak fools. She turned eyeing Ryoko who was standing by the bridge her elder sister stared at her then shook her head "Suzuka you really are being very foolish."

Suzuka stopped still slowly turning to her "If I want your option I'll give it to you big sister!" Ryoko gave a look then stepped back "I'd advice you reconsider Suzuka." Suzuka put up a hand "Please spear me your ranting you foolish woman, you know when I become leader maybe I should cut out your tongue."

Suzuka watched her growl and then step back. She walked across the bridge coming to halt in front of Toki. She leaned forward then pulled out her weapon spinning it "I see you've got balls old man your still going to challenge me." Toki slowly paced he put a hand on his chin " Yes I'm here but I see no reason to challenge you."

Suzuka pulled up sharply "What the fuck are you talking about? You must challenge me it's the law!" Toki grinned putting both hands behind his back "Your right Suzuka but the law also reads that I can call up a warrior of my choice to fight you." Suzuka pulled back in surprise. She pulled up her weapon "That's not true!"

Toki slowly turned to the upper platform his youngest daughter Rei was looking through the scrolls. The little red eyed girl smiled pulling up one showing it to Suzuka. He watched Suzuka's face turn to a scowl as she read the lines. She turned growling at him, he slowly shook his head "Suzuka you must never skim read it cause's you to miss out important information."

He pulled up a hand "So as my warrior I choose Taki to fight you, as she is the most well trained of all the ninja's in this clan!"

Taki turned sharply in both shock and surprise, she shook her head "Father please." She watched her father turn he slowly put a hand on her shoulder a smile slowly crossed his lips. Toki leaned over his daughter smiling down at her "You're my finest warrior Taki and I know you can beat her."

Taki eyed Suzuka then turned back to her farther "But she's my sister!" She watched Toki shake his head "Taki sometimes we all have to do things which we don't want to do. I know now is one of those times." He paused then breathed out heavily "Suzuka must not rule this clan, we both know what will happen if she gains power here. I know what I'm asking is hard Taki but do it for your brothers and sisters if not for me."

Taki eyed her weapon for a moment then turned to the stadium. If anything she didn't want to do this, it so felt so wrong. As much as she couldn't stand Suzuka facing her in battle was a terrible thing to have to do. She eyed Suzuka her younger sister was grinning evilly at her, she watched her twirl her curved blade between her fingers.

She turned looking at her newly forged weapon, her father was right though if Suzuka took over her clan it would be bring only devastation and cruelty to a very proud clan of warriors. She closed her eyes she couldn't let that happen it was her duty as her fathers second to protect her clan from any threat that dared to lift its ugly head.

She slowly pulled away from her farther then calmly stepped forward to face Suzuka. The woman glared at her then moved slightly to one side a wide grin spread across her features "Well, well I get to fight you Taki how convenient!"

Suzuka twirled her weapon eyeing her sister "Guess I get to settle the score between as don't I?"

Taki tuned slightly she watched her brother and her father step back across the across the bridge. She watched the huge bridges on ether side revolve back in to the lower platform leaving only the black pit of the Labyrinths abyss bellow. The huge drop that could kill any one who fell and even if they did live the demons below would smell there blood for miles and home in from the tunnels to finish them off.

She turned slowly back to Suzuka "I guess we do." She spun her own weapon "What can I say, I pity your sad sorry ass for being pitted against me." Suzuka eyed the higher platforms all the ninja where waiting in silence for them to start. She put a hand on her chest "I pity you Taki your such a loser, it's a shame you'll never amount to anything!"

Taki narrowed her gaze she'd had enough of this she'd heard enough insults from this bitch to last a lifetime. She jumped forward swinging her weapon Suzuka dodged her automatically. Her sister flew underneath her kicking her in the shin she found herself hopping slightly on one foot. She eyed the smiling woman who twirled on her heels.

She turned sharply only to be kicked painfully in the face. The blow sent her stumbling back, she ground her teeth together tasting blood.

Suzuka turned sharply eyeing her sister "My, my you are slow I'm disappointed." She thrust her weapon forward Taki's blade met it full force. Both weapon clashed with tremendous force causing sparks to fly. Suzuka pulled back dodging as Taki tried to slice at her, the woman was fast, very fast but she wasn't focused.

The weapon hit her own again both blades grinded as they pushed against each other. Suzuka slowly met Taki's brown eyes she narrowed her own. She would not let this woman stand between her and her destiny!

Taki found herself gritting her teeth in agony as she was kicked in the face again, she felt Suzuka's fist as it impacted with her stomach the blow almost knocked her clean of her feet. She only half recovered to be hit again the arm. She stepped back trying to avoid Suzuka's blows by dodging them.

Suzuka watched Taki back off she grinned then she brought her fist around before Taki could block. The impact caught her in the jaw, she watched a spay of blood fly through the other woman's teeth. She slammed her leg around tripping her sister over, she smiled as Taki hit the floor full force on her back.

Taki back flipped back on to her feet kicking her sisters weapon hand before it came down. She grabbed Suzuka's fist before it could hit her again twisting her wrist back. The painful shriek her sister let out made her smile. She brought her foot up kicking Suzuka's in the upper left leg. The blow brought her to her knees. Taki didn't let go of her wrist though, she continued to bend it back.

She leaned over her until she was close to her ear "Your very foolish Suzuka." She heard the cracking as the bones in her sister's wrist broke under her grip, it was followed by Suzuka scream. Suzuka closed her eyes painfully, Taki was leaning over her like some beast about to make a kill. She slammed her weapon hand up full force it hit Taki's stomach drawing blood on impact.

Taki's cry followed the woman let go automatically Suzuka turned thumping her in the chest. She watched her sister fall back again clutching her stomach. She smiled watched the blood run through Taki's fingers. The wound was deep that was obvious, it was the type that needed healing attention immediately.

She eyed her bloody blade then grinned "Pitifully Taki you look so weak." She pulled her weapon hand up "You really ought to get that wound looked at, it looks serious." Taki didn't answer her brown eyes just seemed to narrow. Suzuka pulled up her other arm her hand wasn't moving, she tried to twitch the fingers but with little luck.

Taki breathed in heavily her stomach hurt so much it was like a thousand daggers poking her all at once. She could feel the blood running down her chin she was sure Suzuka had broken at least one of her teeth. She put a hand to her jaw groaning painfully. She could see her clan staring quietly down at them from above.

She pulled up Rekki-Maru she watched it shine for a second then slammed the blade forward ready to attack. Despite the pain she stepped forward trying to remember every lesson Toki had taught her since childhood. Suzuka turned sharply to face her, she grinned slightly taking up her defensive position.

Taki moved as fast as possible trying to avoid the double edged dagger as it came towards her. She moved back sharply as Suzuka tried to kick her again although this time she was ready. She leaped forward grabbing the woman's foot and bending it back, her other foot came down lightning fast kicking Suzuka in her other leg. The blow sent her in a full blown barrel causing her to hit the floor side first.

Taki jumped on her sisters back before she could stand she threw herself in to a front flip coming down full force on to her shoulders. The woman let out an agonizing scream her hands grabbed the floor as she tried to get up again. Taki grinned watching her, she slammed her foot down on Suzuka's upper back then brought her fist down across her face before she could rise up to her feet. The impact sent her flying forward causing her to hit the floor on her front.

Suzuka struggled to get up despite the pain in her back she felt the shearing pain as Taki kicked her in the stomach she groaned painfully. Another blow hit her full force in the back causing her to hit the ground again. She clutched her weapon desperately trying to crawl away, she was no longer winning. Taki had gained the upper hand, which seemed impossible considering how badly she'd managed to wound her.

Taki slammed her foot down on Suzuka's back causing her to hit the floor once again. She spun her weapon slightly then grabbed Suzuka's hair pulling her head back by it "Never call me a loser you scumbag! I'll always be twice the person you are or could ever hope to be." She pushed her foot down further into Suzuka's spine "Just like a coward you crawl away it's pathetic. What's wrong not brave enough to admit defeat?"

Suzuka growled turning her head slightly despite the painful position she was in " That rich coming from someone who doesn't understand anything." She felt Taki pull her head further up the woman's confused voice hit her ear "What do mean I don't understand anything?"

Suzuka grinned, "There are greater and more powerful things in the chain than you Taki. There are evil's beyond your imagination you think if you finish me off today that I wont come back to hunt you? Your have such a one track mind it's pitiful."

Taki grabbed Suzuka's hair tighter she was replied with a laugh from the woman beneath her who turned to look at her smile widening "Poor stupid simple Taki!"

Taki didn't get a chance to move Suzuka's body flung itself clean out of her grip she heard the ripping as some of the woman's hair was left in her hand. He next moment were agonizing a ball of lightning hit close to her feet the bolts shot up slamming her all over her body. She hit the floor clutching her stomach trying to control the pain that was sweeping through her insides.

She looked around sharply but wasn't quick enough to move Suzuka's hand found her throat she was slowly lifted up, her feet almost leaving the floor. She waved one hand out trying desperately to grab something only to find herself clutching Suzuka's arm. Her air slowly began to dissipate as Suzuka's hand tightened like iron around her throat. She found her feet slowly drawing in wards while her toes began to twitch.

She pulled up her fist trying to hit Suzuka's arm but her blows were little use. She choked painfully trying to think she brought her weapon hand up. She had to do some thing, anything! She could hardly breath!

Suzuka smiled watching Taki's body shudder desperately trying to breath. She slowly tightened her grip another few minutes and it would all be over. Taki would die from lack of air and she would be in control of the clan. She watched Taki's weapon hand rise up the gleaming blade shone for a moment then burst in to white flames it literality began to spin in Taki's hand.

The lightning flew from the blades edges Taki's hand came towards her. Suzuka didn't get a chance to move as the blade impacted with her face. She found herself screaming at the top of her lungs. She could feel the horrible splintering pains as they went through her right eye. She let go of Taki stumbling back dazed and disorientated she could see stars clouding her vision. She managed to regain some of her balance literally by standing still for a few seconds.

She slowly opened her left eye looking around everything was blurred she blinked a couple of times. Then tried to open her other eye but nothing seemed to happen her good eye moved to the floor. There was blood dripping from somewhere she eyed her body suit the whole of her chest was soaked in it. Her hand moved slowly up to her face she felt the coldness as she ran her hand across an open cut, which ran down across her eye.

She felt her eye closed eye open but she couldn't see anything with it. She felt her eye move but still nothing. She looked up slowly she could just about make out Taki the woman was near by spinning her blade. She tried to move away from her, she felt weak and ill she knew she was losing blood she slowly eased herself down so she was on her knees.

Taki would finish her off for sure if she didn't try to get away. She tried desperately to find her weapon but with little luck. She felt Taki slam her foot down on her back the woman's heel dug in painfully. She felt her head get pulled back while the cold blade slowly rested against her throat.

Taki eyed the pitifully sight in front of her Suzuka's face was bleeding heavily. One of her eyes was know white and unseeing it moved around slightly. Her body suit was covered in blood. She slowly pulled the dagger away from her sisters throat she wasn't even worth killing. She grabbed hold of Suzuka's hair pulling her head back ignoring the pain her stomach at the same time " Yield or die coward!"

Suzuka's one white eye turned looking at her, the woman's voice was full of contempt "I yield bitch, now get off me!"

Taki slowly stepped back she grabbed the woman by the back of her body suit dragging her half way to her feet "Guess you lose Suzuka, I'm so unimpressed that you couldn't back up your egotistic ranting. Just goes to show how much of a loser you really are!"

Taki watched as the bridges on both sides of the platform came down again. Her clan slowly took up their positions in a circle around her. Toki slowly stepped through the circle with Hitoshi by his side the young man smiled nodding at her. She flicked her blade back then threw Suzuka to the floor in front of Toki. The ninja master eyed her shaking his head. He slowly pulled up his sword "This battle is won!"

He slowly leaned down grabbing Suzuka's shoulder then pulling her to her feet "Suzuka you have lost and the ninja law dictates that you will be banished from this clan. Your armour shall be stripped from you, your dragon tattoo on your lower right arm will be taken out of your body. And you will loose all rights associated with this clan."

"You will have your wounds washed and dressed then you will leave though the great doors and the silver dragons will watch you go. If you ever return you will be killed on sight by any ninja who's on the premise."

Suzuka eyed Toki she put a hand on her face over her sightless eye "You bastard I'll be back for you mark my words." She turned eyeing Taki "One of these day ice bitch I'm gonna come back and get you! Your gonna pay for blinding me!"

Taki folded her arms she eyed Suzuka "Shut up you coward! Take your defeat like a true ninja and stop throwing threats!" She watched as the woman was grabbed by the shoulders and tugged away.

She turned painfully then sat her self down on the stadiums floor, She watched as Rei ran up to her the young girl had some water and bandages for her wound. The little girl pulled her ripped body suit back looking at the deep cash, she smiled slightly "She got you badly Taki but I think I can clean this up." Taki nodded slightly she ground her teeth together feeling the pain as the water touched her wound.

She slowly put a hand through the small girls short black hair ruffling it slightly "What would I do with out you Rei?" She ground her teeth together again feeling the sharp bursts of pain. Her other Sister Ryoko slowly kneeled down pulling her head around opening her mouth " I believe Suzuka's broken one of your back teeth, unfortunately I'll have to give you a silver cap in its place."

Taki pulled away putting a hand on her jaw "Great just what I need a shining tooth that people will want to kill me for." Ryoko grinned " Would you prefer gold then?" Taki eyed her "I don't care silver's good enough just get the get the broken part out of my mouth it hurts like hell."

Rei looked up slightly "You know you did the right thing Taki, Suzuka's a bad person, she scares me." Taki smiled slightly she turned gazing to Toki for a moment then turned back "Thank you Rei." She put her hand on her youngest sister's face "No one should be allowed to scare you Rei."

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Taki sighed aloud she felt Sophitia's hand on her arm the younger woman gently kissed the side of her face "She was so horrible to you." Taki shook her head "Maybe Sophitia but I made her in to the monster who almost killed you." Sophitia put her hand on Taki's "You can't blame yourself for how she turned out Taki, it's not your fault she became power hungry."

Taki pulled up Sophitia's hand kissing it gently "I only fought her because I believed that I was fighting for my clan. Now I'm fighting her because I have no choice." She pulled up her hand clenching it in to a fist "I can't wait to get my hands on her again. I'll make her suffer for what she did to those children. I'll make her regret the day she broke ninja law!"

She growled aloud then swung her head around eyeing the corridor "I just hope the Jin Uni Ki know what her sick ritual was all about. Because I sure as hell don't." She felt her self tensing in anger. She felt Sophitia's hands gently stroking her arms she breathed in deeply trying to control her rage. She closed her eyes for a second then opened them turning to Sophitia.

She slowly ran her hand through the blonde hair then put her other hand on Sophitia's face "I'm just sorry that you had to run in to her. You didn't deserve that." Sophitia shook her head slightly "If I hadn't met her I wouldn't have become a warrior. I guess some things are just meant to be." Taki eyed the younger woman "And if you hadn't become a warrior then you wouldn't have met me."

She smiled slightly" That's so ironic." Sophitia slowly eased her arms around Taki's waist "Ironic yes but I don't regret it for a second." She shook her head then put her hand gently on Taki's face running her fingers through her long roughish fridge "I like the way things have turned out. I like being here with you I wouldn't want to change that for anything."

Taki smiled widely "Same here." She ran her fingers over the wall then turned to meet Sophitia's green gaze " We really must start moving the rooms around here are going to start changing soon." Sophitia looked down the corridor then turned back to her girlfriend "The rooms change?"

Taki grinned then turned her head to look down the corridor " Unfortunately they do Toki made it so the rooms move around and change places with each other. It's very infuriating." She shook her head " Last thing I need is to end up in a room I don't know how to get out off." Sophitia wrapped her arm around the ninja's "No offence but your father's maze is nasty."

Taki laughed slightly at Sophitia's remark she turned putting her free hand through the blonde hair "You know Toki would pat you on the back for saying that. To him that would a compliment." Sophitia flicked her fridge back then pulled up her hand "Which way?"

Taki slowly stepped forward "I believe it's this way" she turned her head eyeing the corridor behind her she hated this area of the maze. Why did the Jin Uni Ki always have to set up home in the hardest places to get to?

The puzzle and trap rooms were no fun at all. She'd always hated them ever since the last time she'd been in the maze. She turned watching Sophitia, the younger woman was making her way slowly up the corridor. She smiled to herself at least this time around she was with someone who she cared about, it was making the whole maze seem far less of a hassle. She breathed in deeply then followed her.

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Seung Mina breathed out sharply she felt Kilik pull her on to his back she grabbed his shoulders holding on tightly. She could hear Kilik laughing a little. She fidgeted trying to get her self more comfortable. She felt her boyfriend tap her leg " Mina you comfortable?"

Mina looked around her at the blackness "Comfortable as I'm ever going to be." Kilik pulled himself up straight smiling "I'm going to jump from pole to pole I need you to hang on to my shoulder and keep both our weapons balanced so we don't fall over." The young woman on his back slowly pulled out both weapons smiling. She threw her hair back "I got it kilik I balance you, very time you jump."

Kilik eyed her grinning, "You got it, no sudden moves ok." He watched Mina nod his gaze turned to Aeon the brown haired Greek was looking at the poles. He shrugged his shoulder in annoyance "This stinks I hate pole jumping!"

Kilik turned slightly "It could be worse I mean you could be in Lizard man form. I mean those huge clawed feet of yours would find it hard to balance your body." Aeon turned sharply to meet his gaze "Actually it would be easier I'd just jump the whole thing in two leaps." He eyed his feet "Instead I have to jump every pole and balance on it."

Kilik raised an eyebrow "Please tell me you don't have problems as well I can't carry you and Mina." The dark haired Greek scowled at him "No I don't need you to carry me I can do this by myself." He gazed the boiling water "Why'd it have to be boiling water? Couldn't it be spikes or something that's not going to cause me a really slow and painful death if I fall."

Kilik shook his head "Well look on the bright side at least there's no demons in this area trying to go after as." He shook one of his feet slightly " Think of that pole jumping while having a bunch of demons trying to bite our ass's." Aeon breathed out heavily "You have a point there that would be even worse."

Mina folded her arms looking down "Can you guys start moving this isn't very comfortable for me!"

Kilik smiled inwardly "Are you saying I'm not comfortable Mina?"

Mina gave him a look she grinned slightly "Your very comfortable, it's just my arms holding both our weapons aren't." Kilik shrugged slightly " Well ready when you are." He turned Aeon "Ready?" Aeon glanced at the water for a second then turned to him "Ready as I'm ever going to be."

Aeon watched Kilik run forward the young man leaped in to mid air landing on the first pole. He watched Mina pull out both staffs putting them in a raised position. He smiled slightly Mina was really good at this something of a natural by the looks of it. He smiled thinking of the Alexandra household. Sophitia would go to the Greek gardens and practice her balancing.

It had always been odd to watch her standing on one foot on the of the Greek walls eyes closed with her weapons out at ether side. The funny part was watching Cassandra trying to mimic her by jumping on the wall and falling of due to her total lack of balance. It didn't stop her trying again though she was as stubborn as her sister when it came to trying to do something.

He grinned to himself he hoped he'd beable to return to Greece again once all this was over and done with. He just wanted to walk though the huge golden fields his clawed fingers feeling the golden waves of wheat as he passed by. He loved sitting under the tree in the Alexandra households garden and writhing poetry some thing he was only just rediscovering that he could do.

He sighed shaking away his thoughts, now was not the time for them. He breathed in deeply looking at the boiling pit bellow. He flung himself forward full force he hit the pole heavily with his foot. He quickly pulled out his shield and sword balancing himself, he found himself growling as his foot slipped slightly.

Kilik turned slightly eyeing the Greek "You okay?"

Aeon looked up slowly "Never better now can you move quicker so I can get out of this room." Kilik shook his head he quickly jumped to the next pole he felt Mina lean slightly so he kept his balance after the landing. She looked down at him " How many poles?"

Kilik moved his shoulders slightly "Another five and then where home free." He looked around him "I hope." Mina sighed deeply "Is Aeon doing okay?" Kilik smiled turned to look at the Greek man who was trying to balance on the next pole "He's doing okay Mina." He gazed at the woman above him "I'm surprised you'd ask about him. I thought you didn't like him?"

Mina breath sharpen as Kilik leapt on to the next pole the young woman pulled out both staffs then turned to meet his gaze "Yeah well I was wrong not to like him. His appearance may not be human but his hearts in the right place." Kilik laughed slightly "So Sophitia's judgement wasn't naive then?"

Mina turned her head sharply "No it wasn't she was right. I was wrong I ought to listen to her more often." Kilik looked up meeting her sightless gaze "Hey don't be so down sometimes it's hard to see things the way others do." He swung his tail over his shoulder "I mean from what you told me even Taki thought her judgement was insane."

Mina looked up slightly "Taki thinks everyone's judgement is insane." She shook her head "Personally I think she's insane sometimes. It's almost like the word risk means nothing to her." She breathed out heavily " Do you have any idea how many risks she took the last time we went on a mission?"

Kilik leaped landing on the next pole her heard Aeon curse as he landed on the pole behind him. He smiled glancing up at Mina "I'm guessing a lot by the sound of your voice." Mina pulled out both weapons again balancing them both " To many for my liking." Kilik raised an eyebrow "You always came through though. I mean you're here today."

Mina flicked her long blade around "That I am but I'll never get used to Taki's risk taking." She was about to say more when she heard laugher. She turned sharply in Aeons direction "What's so funny?"

Aeon looked up sharply Mina's sightless eyes were gazing at him " What? I didn't say anything." He watched as Mina flicked her staff around pointing it at him " What's so funny Aeon? Come on tell me." Aeon pulled up his shield hand "I wasn't laughing at you Mina!"

Mina turned to kilik "Was that you?" Kilik looked at his girlfriend "I didn't laugh Mina. Are you sure your not hearing things?" Mina narrowed her gaze "I'm not hearing things someone was laughing over in Aeon's direction, I heard it!"

Aeon shook his head "I believe you Mina." He turned looking at the room behind them "I bet it was an echo from behind as, the corridors tend to carry the sound." He was about to turn around again when something caught his eye.

A knee high creature was sitting on the edge of the room behind them. It stood up on two legs like any human. It's long arms hung down and its stumpy legs tapped the floor playfully. Its yellows eyes with their dark slits watched him curiously. Two huge bat like ears were coming out from ether side of its head.

It had greenish skin with brown patches only four clawed fingers were on each of its hands and toes. It opened its small mouth showing off its full mouth of razor edged teeth and laughed again. Its mouth slowly formed a smile as it turned putting both its clawed hand on one of the levers. It kicked the other lever with its foot but found it couldn't move it. It turned to the corridor behind letting out a high pitched screech.

Aeon turned sharply back to Mina and Kilik "Both of you move now!"

Kilik eyed the creature "What is that ugly little thing?"

Aeon growled turning to the younger man " A Shoju and there's going to be hundreds more of them if you don't move!"

Kilik didn't think he jumped to the next pole he turned just in time to see the floor in the room behind him flood with huge numbers of the demons all where laughing hysterically in a high pitched screeching tone that hurt his ears. Mina shuffled uncomfortably on his back his girl friend eyed him "I told you I heard laugher. I knew I wasn't hearing things."

Kilik eyed the demons who where starting to leap on to the poles while other jumped on their partners shoulders grabbing at the levers. He turned sharply to Mina "Mina we have big problems I need you to strike ether weapon in the direction I tell you." Mina flicked her head around hearing the scrabbling of clawed feet " How many are there?"

Kilik threw himself on to the next pole "More than I can count." He growled in frustration feeling his foot slip, he managed to lean forward stopping himself from falling. The clucking hit his ears as the levers were pulled down. He watched in horror as the holes in the room behind him filled with arrowheads ready to fire.

In what was almost panic he leapt to the last pole he turned just in time to see one of the creatures jump clean over Aeon it's claws aiming for his face. It seemed like a horrible second before a flash of silver shot past his face an ear spitting screech followed. He watched as the creature hit the wall on the far side, then fell in to the boiling pit bellow.

He looked up sharply eyeing Mina "How the hell did you know?" Mina shrugged slightly "I heard the sound of its feet on Aeon's back." She turned sharply hitting another creature with the butt of her staff "They also screech when there close."

Aeon turned sharply hitting the creatures with his shield he watched the green blood fly as his sword hacked their arms and limbs. He rushed forward jumping as quick as possible, they had to move the traps would go of any second. He howled in agony as one of the creature jumped on his shoulder sinking its teeth in to him.

He slammed his sword hilt in to its face sending it flying in to its companions causing them all to fall off in to the seething water below. He groaned painfully landing chest first against the edge of the next room. He tried desperately to grab on his fingers scratching at the stone for all his worth. He suddenly felt a hand grab him causing him to look up.

Mina grabbed Aeon she pulled quickly trying to heave him up on to the room's edge. Kilik grabbed his other arm pulling the Greek man up. He watched as more demons jumped on to the poles their companions helping them by making bridges with their bodies. Kilik watched as Aeon pulled himself on to the edge breathing in deeply.

He turned seeing Mina ready herself with her weapon. He grabbed his own from her back holder pulling it in to position. Aeon slowly stood up breathing in deeply "Little bastard took a chunk right out of my shoulder!"

Kilik turned sharply "These things are smart look at them they work together." He slammed out his staff as one leapt toward them it was sent rearing across the room. He turned giving the dark haired man a look "Do these things want to kill as and themselves by playing with the levers?"

Aeon looked at his bleeding shoulder then kicked one of the demons in the face sending it flying in to the pit below "They don't care! To them it's a race as to who gets to eats as first." He turned sharply looking at the corridor to the side of them "We got to run those bastards are going to set the traps off!"

Mina turned hearing the levers clamp down in the other room she was suddenly pushed forward by Kilik. The wiring of arrows hit her ears and the heat could be felt as fire burst fourth in to the pole room. She hit the ground she could feel kilik on top of her shielding her with his body. Her ears were filled with the screams of the many demons being hit by arrows or burning.

She grabbed her staff tighter until the horrible noise subsided. She opened her eyes expecting to see only darkness only to see the corridor to her right side. Its musty walls could be seen in the dim torchlight. She blinked a couple of times then looked around. Kilik was lying on top of her, her boyfriend was covered in black dust from the fire.

He looked down at her smiling, she looked up grinning then pulled herself up looking at Aeon. The dark haired man was coughing he was sitting cross legged on the other side of the corridor. She noticed the blood dripping from his unarmoured shoulder. He looked up at her a wide grin spreading across his face.

Arrows were imbedded in the walls around them and the stone walls looked slightly burnt from black smoke. She turned her gaze to the pole room it looked empty she watched one of the burning poles fall in to the water its fall causing two other to lean slightly on impact. She shook her head then pulled up her long blade "Did we kill them?"

Aeon turned slightly "I hope so" He put a hand on his bleeding shoulder then turned back to her "I'm glad you can see again Mina." Mina rubbed her eyes slightly "So am I." She turned looking at the ledge. Kilik slowly put his arm around Mina then leaned over nuzzling her brown hair "Those evil little bastards better be dead I'm not gonna go through that again!"

Aeon laughed slightly at the younger man's remark " I wouldn't worry I'm sure they are it's not like anything can survive flames like that." He turned looking at the ledge a horrible sight hit his eyes a bunch of clawed hands were trying to grab at the edge. He stood up sharply " Little bastards!"

Mina turned quickly seeing the bunch of hands grabbing at the edge "No bloody way! How'd they survive that?" Kilik grabbed her arm pulling her to her feet "I don't believe it they ducked out of the way!"

Mina stepped back sharply she grabbed Aeon's arm "You were saying something about getting out of here!" Aeon swung his head around then pointed at the corridor "It's this way now run!"

Kilik watched as Mina and Aeon leapt forward running after him. He could hear the screeching as the creatures pulled themselves up on to the ledge.

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