Chapter 53 - He's back!

Shiro "While you were gone, I've been training with Jaken and Kenshi. My parents aren't really fighters and I needed the help."

Kame "I understand, you do not have to explain yourself. As long as you are keeping up with your training."

Shiro "Yeah, I been keeping up all right."

Kame and Shiro begin to spar. Asuna watches, he hopes to see real improvement.

Haruna "Which store did you want to go in?"

Kireina "It doesn't matter, I just need one thing."

Haruna "And what is that?"

Kireina "Some Pasta."

Haruna "Oh, then yeah we can go here first. They have that and more."

Kireina "Look! Its Shizuko!"

Haruna "What?!"

Kireina "Hey Shizuko!"

Shizuko "Damnit!"

Haruna "What are you doing here?"

Shizuko "Are you really asking me what I'm doing at a grocery store?"

Haruna "Ok Mr sarcasm."

Kireina "Yeah, it's kinda weird seeing you out in public."

Shizuko "How? I can't run errands like a normal human?"

Kireina "You just don't seem like the out in public type."

Shizuko "I'm not even gonna pretend I know what that means."

Clerk "Is this all?"

Kireina "Yeah, not really cooking a full course tonight."

Clerk "I see. Well did ya hear?"

Shizuko "Can you just ring her up?"

Clerk "I was just seeing if you guys heard what happened?"

Shizuko "No!"

Clerk "Well there's a new kid that attacked that young boy that yoy guys went to the academy with. The Nakamura."

Haruna "Ziku?"

Clerk "Yeah, that's it. For some reason he gog attacked by some new kid that arrived with the other boy."

Haruna "Other boy?"

Clerk "Yeah, he just came back. He brought him here and he's already causing problems."

Haruna "Wait, who came back?"

Clerk "The Chikara kid? What's his name? Kane? Kevin? Danzo?"

Kireina "Kame?!"

Clerk "Yeah, that's it! Heard he's back!"

Shizuko "Kame's back?"

Haruna "Wow! It's been so long!"

Kireina "I know. I'm glad he made it back safe."

Shizuko smirks, while his hands get engulfed in flames.

Shizuko "Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!"

He vanishes leaving behind a flame trail that burns all of his groceries.

Clerk "Hey! He didn't even pay for those!"

Haruna "I'll pay for it. How much?"

Clerk "30 Rouq!"

Haruna "Of course."

Kame "Wow Shiro you really did get stronger."

Shiro "Hmph you thought I was joking?"

Asuna "Does anyone feel that? It's getting hotter."

Kame "Now that you mention it yeah."

Shiro "Uh oh."

Flames surround the area and Shizuko appears.

Shizuko "Kame!"

As Shizuko dashes towards Kame throwing a punch. It gets caught.

Kame "Ready for round 2?"

Shizuko "Oh I've been waiting."

They begin fighting as Shiro and Asuna watch intensely. Haruna and Kireina arrive shortly after and begin watching as well. Shizuko's hands and feet are coverdd in fire as he strikes at Kame but doesn't land anything.

Shizuko "Is that all you trained?! How to dodge?!"

Kame "Hmph!"

Kame throws a kick, but Shizuko ducks under and leg sweeps Kame. Kame flips and lands on his feet, but then Shizuko is in front of him as his kicks him in the face and then kicks the top of his head down to the ground. Kame places his hands on the ground and then launches his body over Shizuko. Shizuko cuts off Kame's flip by grabbing his foot and then slamming him down to the ground. His flame fist heading for Kame's head. Before it lands Kame locks Shizuko's arm in between his legs and then throws him. Shizuko jumps off his arm and then unleashes a fire blast that Kame easily dodges. When he jumps in the air Shizuko rushes him again and throws a punch, but Kame dodges it grabs him and throws him back down to the ground. When Kame lands him and Shizuko just smile at each other.

Shiro "Those two are incredible!"

Asuna "Yeah, looks even."

They begin fighting again, going back and forth. Kame dodging both regular attacks and the flames. Until it gets to a point where he gets slighlty overwhelmed by the flames. Being hit several times by Shizuko. He falls to one knee and Shizuko stops in front of him just pointing his fist at him.

Shizuko "This round's mine."

Kame just looks up shocked. Shizuko's fist turns into an open palm reaching out to help Kame up. He helpz Kame back to his feet as they both just stare ay each other, with neither of then breaking eye contact. Kame smiles and then pounds hit fist on Shizuko's chest.

Kame "Great fight!"

Shizuko "Yeah, you too."

Kireina and Haruna both stunned. Shizuko looks down at his hands and begins to shake. His body shakes from pure joy. He's excited, ecstatic, and elated.

Shizuko "I won!"

Asuna "You two really have been training."

Kame "Yeah, how about we go a round? I am ready to beat you!"

Asuna "Come."

Kame "Ah, nevermind. Not there yet."

Asuna "You definitely grown far stronger than anticipated. Especially in short time."

Kame "Thank you."

Kireina "Your hair is longer."

Kame "Oh, yeah, I guess it is."

Kireina "Are you still going to train with me like you said?"

Kame "Of course. We can start whenever you want."

Kireina "Cool!"

Haruna "And how have you been Shizuko? Aside from seeing you at the shop today, it's been almosg two months since I last saw you. You know it's funny, I was thinking about you the other day and then boom there you go at the shop. Oh and you burnt the stuff you were going to buy, don't worry I paid for it. You don't have to pay me back or anything."

Shizuko "Did you say something?"

Haruna "I-"

Shizuko "Hey Kame, that was a good fight. It let's me know that my training has been paying off."

Kame "Yeah, seems like I gotta train harder. Just give me some time. This will not end the same way next time."

Shizuko "It might."

Shizuko and Kame both smile at each other as Shizuko leaves. Asuna feels a bit off and then looks in a certain direction just staring.

Asuna "Looks like it's time for me to leave as well. Glad you're back Kame. All of you keep it up!"

Asuna leaves in a hurry and everyone else just watches questioning why he left so fast.

Haruna "So how was it? Being gone for a year?"

Kame "It was something for sure. I learned a lot. More about life than fighting. A journey like that really opens your eyes."

Haruna "I see. It sounds interesting."

Kireina "Well I missed you."

Kame "You did?"

Kireina "I mean yeah, we all did. Not just me of course. Right Haruna!? You missed him too!?"

Haruna "Yes, I did. It really isn't the same when all of us aren't here."

Kireina "We try training, but it really isn't the same."

Haruna "Oh I know! Let's throw a comeback party for you Kame?!"

Kame "Is it not supposed to be a surprise?"

Haruna "Not if you already know about it duh."

Kame just looks at her.

Haruna "Anyways this is how we can reunite everyone!"

Kireina "Not everyone."

Haruna "What you mean?"

Kireina "Well the whole thing with Shizuko and Hiroyuki, Ziku's mom being sick. Omoi's mom as well. I also believe Yumi is still dealing with her issues."

Haruna "Oh yeah. I mean that still leaves everyone else. Yeah it won't be all of us, but I think it would be good."

Kireina "I don't know."

Kame "Yeah, I appreciate the gesture. Just does not seem like the right time."

Haruna "Yeah, you guys are right."

Kame "Just hold on to that idea, we can try some other time."

Haruna "Ok."

Kenshi "Kame, the food is ready. You two can stay and eat if you're hungry."

Kireina "Thank you."

Haruna "Yay! Food!"

Ziku asleep on his moms bed. He gets woken up by a voice in his head.

Mettanica "Ziku! Ziku!"

Ziku "What? Who's there?"

Mettanica "Come to the outskirts."

Ziku "But I-"

Mettanica "Just hurry! It's important! Come alone!"

Ziku looks over at his mom who is asleep. He tucks her in, places his hand on her forehead and then grabs her hand.

Ziku "I will be right back."

Habi "So how long will it take for him to get here?"

Dante "Well."

Ziku "What is it?"

Dante "Not that long."

Habi "So fast."

Desir "That damn speed."

Obnimi "Let's race after?"

Ziku "Why are you guys here?"

Mettanica "Nevermind them, I need to talk to you.

Ziku "Talk."

Mettanica "There is a powerful enemy coming. As of now this village is safe because Asuna's presence keeps them away. Along with August and his. Most villages aren't as fortunate. He plans to destroy everything in his wake and absorb all he can in order to kill Asuna."

Ziku "What?"

Mettanica "His abilities make me question my own. Their group has grown to three. The other two aren't as strong, but they can't be taken lightly. I believe as it stands they all are stronger than me. If our group were to fight them, we would for sure lose. Our trump card is Dante."

Ziku "Are you telling me this because you need my help again?"

Mettanica "I'm telling this to warn you. We will be alright. They won't come for us, so for the time being we will be fine. It's about the other villages we need to tell them, they deserve to know what's coming so they can at least prepare."

Ziku "You're right, but how? It takes days for messages to be sent. Some places weeks. By the time the warning arrives, they might already be gone."

Dante "Ziku you are one of the fastest if not the fastest person here. Me and you can go deliver them ourselves."

Ziku "You think we can deliver them in time?"

Dante "Not all, but we can make a difference."

Asuna "You know this isn't what I expected when I sensed your energy."

Mettanica "Asuna?! How long have you?"

Asuna "I got here before Ziku."

Ziku "Really?"

Asuna "I heard everything, I like the plan. Your priorities should be delivering the warning to the weaker villages. August, Cinata, and Romi can handle their own. Not saying they are less important, but I strongly believe whoever is behind this will not attack any of them. Like you said he wants to get stronger to kill me, I feel he thinks the same for them as well."

Mettanica "I see, so the 4 emperors are outside his parameters."

Habi "Even if we deliver the warning to the others, it doesn't sound like that will be enough to stop him. Would it not just give them something to fear?"

Asuna "I will send reinforcements to help. I will remain, but everyone who is able will be sent."

Ziku "It can't just be you here!"

Asuna "It can and it will."

Ziku "But my mom!"

Asuna "She will be safe, trust me."

Dante "Ready when you are."

Ziku "I need my sword, let me grab it and then we can go."

Asuna "I will send the remaining Core members after you. Along with Ziku's class. We can do this."

Mettanica "Hope you're right."

Ziku grabs his sword and then looks around his house. He closes his eyes and then takes a deep breath. He goes back to his mom and then sits down next to her. She opens her eyes and he grabs her hand.

Ziku "I will be back."

Natsumi just smiles at him and then closes her eyes.

Natsumi "Be the difference."

Ziku puts her hands to his forehead feeling the warmth. When Ziku leaves the room, some time passes as a doctor walks in and tells Natsumi he has bad news.

Doctor "We ran out of treatment, of all the patients with the disease you are the only one who didn't heal or get better. We are sorry, but you don't have much time. We honestly don't know how you survived this long, but we fear this is it."

Natsumi "It's ok, I already knew. I won't die yet."

Doctor "Ma'am, I don't think you understand."

Natsumi "No! It's you who doesn't understand! My son needs me, and I will be here when he returns!"

Natsumi starts to cry

Doctor "Ma'am."

Natsumi "Just leave. Ziku, I promise to be here when you get back."

Ziku "I'm ready."

Dante "let's hurry."

Asuna "We have to hurry."

Zayn "Hurry? Why?"

Mettanica "Why are you here?!"

Zayn "For him."

Asuna "I didn't think you had it in you."

Zayn "Tch! I would say your arrogance will be your downfall, but power like ours is meant to be boasted."

Mettanica "You won't win this fight!"

Zayn "Ah Mettanica. How are ya? You know I didn't come here for Asuna ."

Mettanica "Then why?!"

Zayn dashes towards Mettanica and then gets behind her wrapping his arm around her neck. He cuts off her airway and then begins to walk backwards.

Habi "Mettanica!"

Desir "Let her go!"

Hirishoja "Or what?"

Obnimi "You will all die!"

Totsuki "I don't think so."

Zayn "Ah a reunion, lovely isn't it."

Asuna "Let her go."

Zayn "Why?! This is a demon! Demons deserve to die!"

Totsuki "Tch!"

Zayn "And they all will!"

Mettanica "H-help m-me!"

Asuna "If i'm being honest the better thing for my village would be if all of you left. We are in no position to fight and I would rather not have to squander any resources."

Desir "What are you saying?!"

Asuna "Take her and leave! Whatever you guys got going on is between you! Leave us out of it!"

Desir "So you won't help?!"

Asuna "I will not."

Zayn "Good, you and I will have a date soon. See ya!"

Zayn goes through a warp gate created by Totsuki with Hirishoja following. Before it closes, Obnimi goes in it.

Desir "Obnimi!"

Habi "No!"

Desir "Some emperor you are!"

Asuna "This is my village, you all are outsiders. I did what I saw as the best outcome."

Desir "Really?! That was the best outcome?! All you did was make him stronger! He will come back and when he does what do you think will happen to your village then?!"

Asuna "Something that will be dealt with."

Desir "Fuck you!"

Desir leaves, but not without grabbing Habi by the arm and yanking her along with him.

Asuna "Damnit, this one doesn't feel right."

Mettanica "You can't kill me!"

Zayn "I know, but he can."

Mettanica "Totsuki?! You wouldn't!"

Totsuki "But I will."

Hirishoja "Look what I found."

Hirishoja throws Obnimi to the ground. He is beaten and injured.

Mettanica "Obnimi?!"

Obnimi "I w-won't let t-them hurt y-you."

Mettanica "Obnimi my dear, please just save yourself."

Obnimi "Whatever it is you need with her. Take me instead, kill me instead."

Mettanica "Obnimi no!"

Zayn "I will take you both."

Zayn stabs Obnimi through the chest. Obnimi screams in pain, it makes Zayn smile so he starts pulling the sword back and forth. More and more blood piles up on the ground.

Zayn "Oh? Your straight up human? I was under the impression you were at least half demon. The way you guys have feelings for each other. A demon and a human? Ew."

Mettanica "Leave him alone!"

Mosiah "Glad you all made it."

Hilda "What is this about anyway?"

Mosiah "I don't trust those elders or whatever they call themselves."

Hilda "And why is that?"

Mosiah "They just don't sit right with me. I really can't explain why just yet."

Akitsu "I think I know why. They just came out of nowhere. Their demands were weird, 4 emperors? And they chose the strongest."

Keni "Arguably."

Akitsu "Anyways, it's like they wanted to separate our powers."

Mosiah "What do you mean?"

Akitsu "It is hard to explain. Damnit! I just think they did it this way because later they plan on using us. Since not everyone agreed, that will fuel some anger and resentment towards the four that were chosen. What if somehow they use our emotions to start something?"

Mosiah "Like a war?!"

Akitsu "Exactly! What if they use us as a means to create more division? If a war starts, there will ne way too much death!"

Hilda "So then what can we do?"

Akitsu "Honestly, just not give in."

Mosiah "All we can do to be honest. Unless they end up putting the 4 they chose against each other! And the outcome of that would be devastating for everyone! I fear that means they would be able to control the winner and we would all be screwed if that's the case."

Akitsu "Between Asuna and August there's really no telling who would win that, but whoever does will definitely mean the end of all our homes. Those elders definitely have something brewing."

Keni "I see. Since we are aware of the potential mutiny of the elders what does that mean for us?"

Mosiah "We just have to be the balance between both."

Keni "The balance?"

Mosiah "Yes! I'm pretty sure the four emperors are also thinking the same. We already know how Maki and Jericho feel. We just have to be the neutral force in this."

Keni "I understand."

Hilda "We need a name!"

Keni "What?! Why?!"

Hilda "As like a code, something that when people head they have hope."

Akitsu "She's not wrong."

Hilda "How about The Black Sun?!"

Keni "I love it."

Akitsu "You agreed fast."

Keni "That name is amazing."

Mosiah "It is."

Akitsu "This group will have no leader, power distribution will be equal and decisions only made final if all agree. This way there is no shift."

Mosiah "I like it."

Keni "Hell yeah."

Hilda "Sounds good to me."

Keni "I can see this group being around even after we're gone. This world will always need an organization like The Black Sun."

Akitsu "You just wanted to say it again."

Keni " I did."

Akitsu "Well, I do believe you are right. We can also hope the world will no longer need it."

Ziku "Is this it?"

Dante "Yeah. You know you don't have to wait for me right?"

Ziku "What do you mean?"

Dante "Ziku, I'm fast, but I know you are way faster. You can go on ahead I'll be fine."

Ziku "It's more so for myself. I don't know where i'm going half the time. And I'm also scared, I don't know what's out here."

Dante "Scared? Haha! You really are just like him."

Jericho "What the hell are you doing here?!"

Dante "To warn you."

Jericho "About what? And where is it that you come from?"

Ziku "Asuna sent us."

Jericho "Tch! Asuna?!"

Ziku "Yes, there is..."

Jericho "Enough talking! Do you really think I need a warning from Asuna?! I've made myself pretty clear when I told them that my title will not be taken from me!"

Ziku "But.."

Jericho "You listen when I talk!

Ziku "Yes ma'am."

Jericho "I don't need Asuna! I don't need any of you! Whatever it is that comes to my village I can handle myself! There is a reason I'm the emperor, I worked too hard for this! I won't let anyone take this from me."

Dante "Ok, we hear you."

Jericho "Good, now leave!"

Ziku and Dante just leave without another word. But as they get further Ziku looks back as he feels weird about the whole thing.

Shizuko "I feel great. Feels like I'm almost there."

Kisaiju "The hell you mumbling to yourself about?"

Shizuko "Tch! What do you want?"

Kisaiju "You know what I want, to show you that I'm the strongest here."

Shizuko "Is that so?"

Kisaiju "Don't want to scare you, but I beat Ziku and Hiroyuki at the samd time."

Shizuko's eyes widen and he clinches his fist.

Shizuko "Why would that scare me? They're weak."

Kisaiju "Oh? Someone is a little confident today."

Shizuko "Did you come here to talk or did you come to fight?"

Kisaiju "You know."

Kisaiju lifts his hand and huge blocks get thrown at Shizuko in abundance. Shizuko unleashes a wave of fire, but the blocks just go through and hit him.

Kisaiju "So predictable! I can make these cubes any material I want! Your fire can't burn my brick cubes!

Shizuko "Shut the hell up!"

Shizuko's body starts to emit extreme heat. He unleashes a huge wave of fire, the biggest he's ever conjured. When it gets to Kisaiju he places a huge brick in front of him and the fire just burns besides him. The heat burning some of his clothes. Kisaiju walks over to Shizuko who is extremely fatigued. The fight with Kame and then now this. Already has taken it's toll. Kisaiju kicks Shizuko and he ends up hitting a tree hard. When Shizuko opens his eyes everything is blurry and his body begins to shake.

Kisaiju "I won't kill you, but I'll put you in the hospital. That way you will be a broken scared man whenever you hear my name."

Kisaiju creates a block of concrete and hurls it at him. Shizuko's eyes widen again just before closing them tightly. He hears a breaking sound and when he opens his eyes he sees Kame standing in front of him with concrete pieces shattered all around them.

Kisaiju "Oh you're back?"

Kame "Kisaiju."

Kisaiju "Happy to see me?"

Kame "Something is not right."

Kisaiju "What does that mean?"

Kame "Your powere gives off this weird feeling. It does not feel like it is in the natural element of your abilities."

Kisaiju "Tch! The hell are you talking about?! I've been training! Even harder than you guys apparently!"

Kame "No, you have not."

Kisaiju "Tch! First Ziku and Hiroyuki, now you and Shizuko! I am the strongest!"

Kame "I already exerted myself. You gain nothing from this."

Kisaiju "Oh, but I do! Bragging rights!"

Kame just gets into his stance no other words uttered. Kisaiju hurls more blocks at him, while he keeps the distance he notices none of them are hitting him. Kame just breaks all the blocks that come at him and also keeps Shizuko from being hit by any debris. Kisaiju increases the amount and then makes them come from all directions. Kame starts to get overwhelmed as the many blocks eventually cut him down to his knee. When he falls, Kisaiju traps him a block prison. Shizuko struggles to stay conscious, his body gives out and he just falls to ground unconscious.

Kisaiju "There goes one."

Kame "No!"

Kame yells and the blocks that trapped him break into numerous pieces, shocking Kisaiju.

Kisaiju "What the hell?!"

Kame stands there for a second with that golden glow that was seen when he was in the temple. As he stands there just looking at Kisaiju, the golden aura begins to flicker. When it is completely gone Kame just stares at Kisaiju.

Kisaiju "As much as I want to continue, I actually probably have a million other things to do."

Kame "I did not want to fight."

Kisaiju "You know how surprising is it to hear that come from your mouth? Anyways you take care, I'll be on my way."

Kame "Shizuko?! Wake up!"

Shizuko slowly wakes up and is grimacing at the pain he's in.

Shizuko "Where did the asshole go?"

Kame "He left."

Shizuko "You beat him?"

Kame "Not really."

Shizuko "Damnit! How did he get so strong! I knew I should have been worried when he said he beat Ziku and Hiroyuki at the same time."

Kame "Yeah, whatever he did it was not training."

Shizuko "What?!"

Kame "I can not really explain it, but his whole body and mind felt off to me."

Shizuko "So what? You can sense bullshit now?"

Kame "I guess you can say that."

Shizuko "Hmph, well thanks."

Kame "No problem."

Shizuko "Get the hell off me now."

Kame "My bad, thought you needed help."

Shizuko "I'm not that helpless."

Kame "We could train together."

Shizuko "Alright, anything helps. If it means I get to deck his shit when I get the chance."

Kame "My place or yours?"

Shizuko "Yours. Mine isn't, well suited for visitors."

Kame "I get it."

Shizuko "See ya."

Kame "See ya."