| What of Jin and Touya? | |||
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CHAPTER EIGHT: A CLASH IN THE AIR Wings. Not those of a small bird, if anything like it, but those of something large. Large, swift, and above them. Looking up, Jin found he was correct. As well as secretly relieved he'd dove into a nearby bush. The clouds that had concealed the moon from view had long since passed, and moonlight flooded the clearing in brilliant contrast to the dark shadows of the night. The pale light outlined a slim, yet forbidding figure above. One with large wings and a long, whip-like tail. Long, violet hair shimmered down the figure's back, moonlight reflecting from it like light off a mirror, and Jin noticed the feathers of the wings were two different colors set in a color one, color two pattern: purple and silver. Judging by what he saw of the clothing, the unexpected "visitor" was in fact a female. Black, baggy pants scattered with rips appeared to be the new fashion statement for female fighters, since both Kaze and the intruder wore them. However, rather than the black tank-top he was accustomed to seeing on Kaze, the other girl was wearing a deep purple sweater. "Still alive, I see. I thought my little friend would have taken care of that." the floating female hovering over them said, forcing a shiver down the wind master's back. She allowed herself to land, a mere ten yards from Kaze. "Hmph...I thought we'd outgrown the B-class usage of Mystics of Death. If I'm not mistaken, the use of such primitive demons was considered low and disrespectful. You should know that by now, Taka." Kaze replied, obvious distaste of the name dripping like acid from the girl's mouth. In fact, Jin almost thought, as he also pondered where he'd heard of Taka before, that the girl really did have a mouthful of acid. Perhaps that's why what he heard next nearly caused him a heart attack. "Careful, Kaze. Your acid can still burn you as well. It would be wise for you to stop producing it." Taka stated coldly. In response, Kaze allowed the whirlwind of feathers to surround her again. This time, however, she made them spin so fast that she couldn't be seen in the twister, and trees were robbed of their leaves. After a minute, the winds died down around Kaze. Or rather, where Kaze had stood before. Instead of the girl, sitting, was a beast. And a strange beast at that. To the wind master, it appeared to be an over-sized silver cheetah with a pale blue underbelly that had been brutally mutated sat before the winged Taka. It had large, silver-feathered wings, black spots, sky blue eyes streaked with silver, black claws and a black nose. But what made it really unusual was a deadly arsenal of spikes covering its body. A small, black horn poked through the forehead, and strange spines of the same hue ran down the backbone. Two spikes grew from the collarbone, across the chest, and slanted backwards, resting snugly against the thin shoulder-blades. Another pair lay on the hips, rising vertically after running horizontally from the inner hip to the start of the tail. Small, hook-like blades, attached to the back of the elbows and back of the knees, curved upwards. Overall, a freak of nature. Yet Jin realized, after seeing the dripping of an acidic substance from the mouth, the loose skin over the ribcage, and the same scars criss-crossing the body, that it was really Kaze. She'd shape-shifted into this awkward creature before him, and now he recalled and understood; Taka was the other Shape-shifter of Darkness. She had to be to get Kaze to transform into such a well-armored oddity. Yet even the most guarded have a weak spot. "Oh, so its going to be that way. Don't worry. When I'm finished ripping you apart, I'll present your body to three fellow demons: Neko, your sister, and Jin, master of the winds. I'm sure Jin would like that, to see such a cold wind user fall. I'm sure you just hinder him anyways....Oh, what's this?" Taka giggled suddenly, before continuing, "Didn't you know? The prophecy states it loud and clear...." Jin leaned forward, listening intently. Obviously Kaze was just as confused, her ears twitching as she listened. The wind master had gotten over the shock of the odd form, and was beginning to appreciate the three colors of the shape-shifter. But curiosity was stronger, and he forced himself to pay attention. Which was harder for him than it was for Kaze. She had her entire attention focused on the intruding Taka. *PROPHECY*(As Taka recites it) "Shape-shifters, shape-shifters, rise once more. As demons once again try to settle the score. Aid who you will, but know this: Raging fire, dragon of lore, Remember your past, filled with gore. Cozy fire, dog of desire, Prove just, and find you're up higher. Deadly ice, tigress of strength, Halt the floods at ends length. Embracing ice, kitten of love, Find your heart light as a dove. Wild river, vixen of water, Seek your love, but do not falter. Sparkling rain, phoenix pure, Travel on, though unsure. Darkest shadow, ghost of past, Know well comfort does not last. Shining light, leader through and through, May your aim always be true. All-knowing psychic, hawk of fear, Kill foes without a tear. Warmest wind, beast of peace, Blow strong till battles cease. Coldest wind, beast of war, The battle's end will settle your score. And here shall lie the final score: Raging fire, darkest fire, Before you the deaths grow higher. Cozy fire, warmth and ease, Battle leaves you to do as you please. Deadly ice, strong and cold, Live well and die old. Embracing ice, love and care, The ice master will always be there. Wild river, water clear, Cry not a single tear. Sparkling rain, immortal pure, Fall not for death's tempting lure. Darkest shadow, hidden past, Step into the light at long last. Shining light, a leader true, Time for love is long since due. All-knowing psychic, see through all, Only to realize the cold wind's fall. Warmest wind, peace at heart, For sister's death means new start. Coldest wind, war and death, Know now the war will take your last breath. Shape-shifters, shape-shifters, Know where you stand. For blood soon will cover the land." END OF PROPHECY "Of course, you remember what the elders said. 'May the cold wind die before her master.' You do realize that had you not escaped the Demon Slave Trade, you would have been sold to Jin. Sound familiar? Risho and Bakken would have given you to the wind master as a little 'gift'. An awful gift to give some one, now that I see you grown." Taka continued, a sly smirk set on her lips. "Funny. I distinctly remember the elders also saying that you would end up sleeping with either Risho or Bakken if I were sold to Jin. Recall that?" Kaze replied coldly, causing Taka to frown. ' I did not need ta hear any of tha'.' Jin thought, beginning to understand why Kaze was the way she was. The Slave Trade, a promise to be sold to a Shinobi as a play toy, the guarantee to spend her life with Risho and Bakken, and now the certain knowledge that she would die when this war happened. Not something some one would like to hear. "Anyhow," Taka said, causing Jin to snap back to attention, "you know why I am here, and you know what must happen." "Yeah. You came back for another fight, and this time, I kick your scrawny hide back to Demon World." the other responded, and through the brush Jin could see the white glint of her teeth as she snarled. Taka spread her wings and hopped lightly into the air, becoming instantly airborne. Kaze hot on her heels. Even though she was in a serious fight that could end with her death, Kaze was quite content. She didn't take to the air often anymore, since demons were still looking for more to add to the Demon Slave Trade, and it was a rare opportunity for her with her weak energy. The wind gliding over her sleek fur was delightful; cold and swift as she rose upward. Yet even in her contentment, she knew better than to let pleasure come before a task. If she survived, after the battle, and wasn't terribly injured, she'd fly for a bit more. Right then, however, was not the time to goof around like some ninny on a sugar high. Jin watched from the cover of the brush, amazed. He could only guess what Kaze was probably feeling; perhaps like she was in heaven. Maybe it was the way she continued to fly for a few seconds after Taka had halted, or the way the air began to rustle through the trees as she rose skyward. He knew the feeling. He himself had a particular liking of making leaves rustle when he was happy; a pleasurable secret he didn't think Touya even knew. There was just something about trees swaying in the wind, their leaves jingling like chimes on a summer day. Yet it was something he didn't think Kaze capable of. Pleasure? Was that what she felt? Or was it more like a power surge to try and scare Taka? 'Doubt that....girl....could ever feel pleasure. Hmph....She couldn't feel any warm emotions....could she?' Jin thought, reflecting on his past encounters with Kaze. Even though she was very temper mental, she had to have some good. She'd stuck around with Neko for some reason. She knew it was time to stop fooling around, and came to a halt a few yards above Taka. Kaze also knew what the psychic was capable of. Her opponent could read one's mind, evade attacks, then slice some one up with her talons. A deadly combination. Yet the promise of a strong foe and a good, healthy fight was a wonderful reason to loosen up. She was exhausted from a lot of things: one being the fact that the Shinobi she would've been sold to was sleeping in the same house. Her home. It was time to drop her other burdens for a while, and just be what she was; the beast of cold winds. Upon seeing that her foe was ready for their fight, Taka revealed her desired weapon; a black whip. Since Kaze was another Shape-shifter of Darkness, it was almost required that she allow her energy to flow to her weapon. As she did, her energy covered the weapon in a purple aura. She was tense; as tense as she could be. This would be the second battle with the arctic wind's cold beast that week she'd fought, something that most would never see after a first encounter with either combatant. Yet there they both were, floating in the same domain. Jin could see it clearly now; like a ring master and lion. Kaze was already weakened by the week's events, and even more so when her weight was taken into consideration. Battered and recently healed, she was not at her peak power and strength. Taka, however, was healthy, strong, able to read thoughts and armed with a good weapon. To him, it appeared Kaze was in a pinch. A rather tight one at that. Taka was tense, perhaps scared. Being the Shape-shifter of Darkness that controlled cold winds, Kaze could smell it. It was a lovely scent; one that could cause one to try to sink their teeth into another's neck. Yes, Taka was unstable. That she was sure of. Now she only had to figure out how to force the psychic to back down. Sure, she liked to fight as much as the next demon. But she also wanted to get it over with so she could try to get some rest before morning came. She herself began to tense, eager for the fight to begin. A swift move sent her whip sailing through the air, too quick for Kaze to react. The tip sunk into her side, one of the only unprotected spots on her body. It hit with a sharp crack, drawing a stream of blood as well. Yet it wasn't blood as Jin knew it. A few days before, the blood had been red. That night, however, the blood was an odd mixture of black, blue, and silver. Taka brought the whip back, readying for another attack, when she saw this. Her dark eyes widened in surprise, and she let her guard down for a second too long. Taka was pre-occupied by the color of her combatant's blood, a deadly mistake. Seizing the chance, Kaze shot forward, catching Taka's wrist in her fanged jaws. Warm blood filled her mouth, as well as another liquid; her acid. As access blood and acid dripped down her mouth, Kaze became aware of instant pain where the toxic concoction she created touched her. Taka was right; her acid burned her as well as her foe. The psycic cringed as the canine teeth sank deep into her wrist, and gasped in agony as toxic acid seeped slowly into the open areas the teeth left. Her blood quickly went to work staining her purple sweater's sleeve, while the acid continued seeking the peirced areas. She felt as though her arm had been set on fire as the liquid's strength sent pounding waves coursing through a punctured vein, and failed to stifle a horrible scream. Taka's scream peirced Kaze's ears immediately, causing her to clamp her jaws even tighter about the thin wrist clenched in her bite while she pressed her cat ears flat against her head to block the sound. As she did so, two more sounds reached her ears: the snapping of a bone and something that sounded remarkably like a cannon or some type of firearm. A blinding blue light and the force it created, accompanied by pain in her side, forced her quite suddenly into a nearby tree. After that, everything went dark and silent. |
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