Ark 21 Episode 25: Dusk Before Dawn: Beginning

Participants

 * Leon Ryoji
 * Domini Fudo

The Dawn
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRGITUpqKfc&list=PLYNBny7IRlVkbiSVlrNHnbXbgZBIdU3Pl&index=322     ) Leon’s eyes shot open, as he’d been feeling good and rested. He’d stretch his arms, and yawn, not able to move one of his arms though. He’d look over and see domini laying against his arm. He smiled. The night before, was…amazing. So much so he couldn’t get any part of it off of his mind. Not for a single second. Leon wanted to….mmmf. He wanted to do more so much more, but he stopped himself. Closing his eyes and focusing. Realizing the addictive properties of the endorphins and pheromones that get released during the process and the thoughts that stay with you. Leon loved it, but he did want to focus on the mission today…He’d lean in. Planting a kiss on her forehead, he’d timidly stroke his thumb along her cheek. “Hey Domini. Let’s go ahead and get up and go alright?” I’m going to make some preparations for the trip…I’m gonna call taka and get things set up..Also I’m going to put in a word to my grandfather for some aid. Don’t want to go into this unprepared that I don’t.” He’d bump foreheads with her for a moment, planting a kiss on her lips this time, before pulling away, and heading down stairs. He’d put on his usual combat gear, his vest over his tank top. His combat pants and his swords in his holster. His gear was a tad dirty, but he knew he’d be okay in the long run. He’d step outside, the brisk morning air hitting him like a brick. His hair instantly futtered in the wind, as his mind was set on getting the job done, and as such he’d call his grandfather really quickly. The private Ryoji line rang a few times, before Ochigi finally answered. “Leon, pleasant to hear from you. What can I do for you?” “I need a suit.” Ochigi furrowed his brow, sipping on his morning cup of brew. “Ah….no? you’re off probation, but don’t get ahead of yourself. You still have to work up in the ranks, and your father is very specific about his suits.” Leon sighed. “I know, which is why I was hoping you woudn’t tell him. it’s important. It’s a mission that’ll require more than what I’m currently equipped with…” Ochigi sighed. “Give me the briefing and I’ll consider it….nothing more nothing less.” Leon nodded. “Basically in short summary, we’ve got a group of stragglers form the old Osoremaru Clan. Ex chairmen Ginsei Yanazuka, had possessed a magical blade which I am now in possession of. The blade has chi conductive properties, and he’d been sharing it with another oni by the name of Von. Ginsei consumed von, and asked me to help make him and his son bond as Oni and Onihoruda, in which I did.” “You’re making yourself look really bad here Leon.” “Noted. Continuing on,   the plan went astray. The Yanazuka remants of the clan, want his son, Taka Yanazuka, to become their new leader. In doing so, they want to ensure the clan’s furture by feeding him their chi, and keeping him captive, training him to be something he doesn’t want to be. I have a partner who’s going to help me prevent the entire thing, but I hear tell their equipment is not of averge Yakuza. They’re well noted chi users, and I feel extra padding would be adiquite.” Ochigi would type in some keys on the keyboard, being infront of the computer. “Well you’re right about one thing. They’re not ordinary. Says here..on the information gathered through rouge and anayomous KPD reports, their canibals that feed on Satsui No Hadou. They’ve been doing so to physically empower themselves. To what degree? It’s not known….you might need a suit after all. It’ll take a while. I can’t give you one that isn’t fitted for you. Give me an hour, I’ll have you something. “ “Can you make it thirty minutes….we have a preemptive strike planned, and I don’t want to skip a beat.” Ochigi nodded. “Can do. When you reach your destination, send me your coordinates and I’ll air drop it. You like black right?” “Indeed.” Leon would hang up, and step back inside, hoping to see Domini. “I’ve got some assisted gear coming my way in a bit. This next part should be easy, but after the info I just got, we’ll have to bring our A-game. These guys aren’t exactly your average physical Yakuza…”

Domini Fudo: Domini stirred quietly some against him having been awake for quite sometime now just lost in thought. The night before having been one for the ages in her mind in light of the latter events that transpired in wee morning hours between herself and a man by the name of Michelotto Romanov, who on behalf of an organization wished to procure the clans help against a group of onihorudas, that were kids no less. She'd take in a deep breath of air through her nose before exhaling it through her lips in a sigh remembering verbatim just what she and Michelotto discussed the uneasiness once again settling in her breast as something still didnt seem right about any of it her eyes looking up in Leon's direction just once she feels his lips carefully being brush against her forehead. Another terrible reminder to the pretty little redhead why she hated her profession at times, always having to protect those who cared for her from the truth even if it ment lying to them. A trait Domini never could do. His voice speaking to her would pull her from these thoughts as he told her that it would best if they got up now to prepare for mission at hand to which she replied, "Well good morning to you too sleepy head and no need to wake me I've been up for a while now, its habitual from my training I guess." She smiles softly turning over onto her side in order for him to have use of his arms again as Leon went on to state that he would call Taka to get everything ready before making another call to his grandfather for some more aid. "Alright then, give me just a few minutes and i'll be right down I need to rouse Ryu so that he can run something down to the main house for me." She explains softly her poker face remaining absolute at the moment as she didn't wish to give off any perceptions that she was seriously not feeling this new assignment that had been given to the clan even if it was just being considered. Their foreheads bumping into the others slightly as Leon leaned in to kiss her lips in which she happily accepted pressing her own back again his in contentment, before pulling away herself in order to get dressed as she makes her way towards the massive walk in closet her eyes catching a brief glimpse of him getting dressed a smile plastered on her face as she reminisces on transpired the night before then exiting the room. Domini swore under her breath really hating that all of this came down at the worst possible time. "It never fails, the moment I find happiness who am I always destroys it." "It comes with the territory Domini. " Ryu states allowing his wolf form to project itself into room having picked up on his mistress' distress. "I know, I know Ryu its just...I keep having feelings that somethings bad is about to happen and it will end up hurting Leon in the long run. And thats the last thing I want, I'd die first." His mistress' response surprised him as it became apparent through their bond what had transpired while he remained dormant inside of Kagura's blade. "I see, you have grown rather fond of this one. I understand I and the others will do all that we can to ensure that he remains safe." the wolf replies motioning its body onto his butt to sit. "Arigato old friend, where is Yasha?" Domini asks moving through her closet in order to find a dark red cami top with sleeves, black pair of jeans assorcessized by a chain link belt, and pair of matching boots before starting to change out into them. "Yasha is here mistress. What your will?" The form of a hone-onna a skeleton woman dressed in a kimono almost similar to that of Sayuri's appears at Ryu's side in a formal bow. Domini smiles seeing her tossing her top to floor exposing her creamy flesh to both briefly moving for a bra that was in her top drawer along with the envelope too that placed inside. "Take this to the main house and present it to Tomasaburo-sensei, inside of you I will plant the details of last eves events and give her my apologies in regards to the greenhouse as well." She explains to the oni under her command as Yasha takes the envelope from her mistress' hand allowing herself to be filled with imprint needed from in order to do as instructed before leaving as quickly as she had come, leaving Ryu with Domini to finish getting ready. Domini soon emerged from the room wearing the slightly revealing fit her red hair bound into to Asian buns at the sides of her head with her glasses perched up high on her nose with Ryu at her side just in time to see that Leon was done with his business matters as well telling her that he'd managed to get what he needed and that they'd needed to be on point with the guys they were facing as they weren't gonna be push overs. "Sounds like my type of crowd, any word from Taka yet?"

Infiltration
Leon would shake his head no. ‘Not yet…I’m still waiting form him,   that I am.” Leon would close his eyes and smile at Domini. “You look rather lovely for a battle based mission, that you do…you smell nice to.” Leon was about to walk over to her and cascade his arms around her, and plant   kiss, but he got   a call and immediately his entire demeanor shifted. He’d place his watch to his mouth and speak. “this is Leon.” “Leon, it’s taka. Can you trace this call? I’m right outside of the Yanazuka hide out…sort of. It’s weird, but you’ll see when you get here.” Leon nodded. “Affirmative.” Leon would tap his watch, switching from one call, to making another one, nodding to Domini to follow him outside towards his hoverbike. “Grandfather, how’s it going?” “Going good. It’ll be done by the time you arrive. Send me your coordinates when you arrive and I’ll air drop it using the black byrd.” Leon nodded. By this time they’d be at his hoverbike, and he’d hop on, looking to domini. “Let’s end this..together.” If she’d hoped on, Leon would rev his hoverbike up and take off! The air exhaust kicking out air as he zoomed! The morning air crisp against them, as he followed taka’s phone call, tracing it quickly and efficiently, and making his way over to the location he’d seen. “I need to get the know the city more than what I do. Might benefit me in the long run.” He thought to himself as they arrived at the area….it was a construction sight, right underneath the shit storm of after math that had been left by a battle between Connor and Kin….they city immediately began reconstruction of the area. Leon was pretty pissed that his   brother would go through such heights just to fight one cop. Then again Leon had seen the change in Kin, and he wasn’t oblivious to it, not for one second. He knew kind had made some drastic personality change…but it was also he who put leon on the code of bushido. And it’s perks….taught leon it was better to have a cool head. Unless you’re Connor and for some reason hitting shit, just works for you. The thought made Leon smirk a bit as they landed, Leon hoping off of his bike and helping Domini also if she needed it. Taka would point to the ground underneath the metallic beans arranged for the reconstruction. “There. They have an underground shrine. Not deep underground, but more like one big labyrinth of a basement. I remember this place form my childhood..” Leon stuffed his hands in his pockets, and frowned a bit. “Did you get the hang of your abilities yet?” Taka rubed the back of his neck. “Yeah….a bit quick though. My father and I foguth for control,but he conceded you have to kill the oni and that’s just what I did. In doing so, I’ve achieved my full onihoruda hood. We’re one being now.” Taka’s purple eyes glowed for a second. “Congradulations. You two go on ahead…my care package should be arriving at anytime now. Domini, scout the area when you go in..” Leon used h is electronic contact lenses to try and get an X-Ray feed, but no dice. “Lead….I can’t see through to the bottom. We’re all going in blind. Here taka. Take the blade, and use it for the time being. I’ll join you both shortly….be careful Domini.” Leon would reach out to her hand, and plant a tender kiss on the back side of it, before taking off, to a high rooftop, to get the package coming for him.

“Arigato, you’re not looking too shabby there yourself though the suit could use a good wash. I’ll have to take care of that when we get back in. We can also settle some other matters as well too, don’t worry its nothing super serious.” Domini replied back letting Leon into her personal space much to the shock of the wolf that stood near her as move his arms around her body accepting yet another kiss from him, her lips creasing into a pleasant smile once she did so, still getting used to the whole ideal of this… being able to embrace happiness like she is…and them too. Which yet another matter that she was still unclear of as much needed to be discussed especially after last night. Domini would move out from his grasp the moment she heard an alarm of sorts go off, quickly shifting her own demeanor from being so care free into that of a more serious nature her foot steps going off in the direction of being down the hall in order to procure her blade Kagura from its stand in front of the ancestral armor using the chain link belt which in truth was a sheath of sorts to tote it instead of her back harness as she would have need to access it much quicker than normal today if Leon was indeed right. From where she stood she could briefly hear the conversation between he and Taka, turning on her heels as she opted to skip breakfast before heading down the hallway towards the door giving her right leg two simple taps in order to let Ryu know to follow her in which the oni wolf did obediently without so much as a word once Leon confirmed that it indeed time to go. She’d grab a simple jacket from the coat rack throwing it on with ease before stepping out into the morning air, her lavender eyes peering around aimlessly at the surrounding area taking note of the other onis and spirits who called the grounds that were beginning to rouse or return from the other side, a sight Domini was sure that Leon would have surprised at seeing as how his own spiritual powers were maturing just by being here, catching briefly the conversation between him and his grandfather while following him back through the grounds towards his bike. Not really wanting to ease drop on the entire chat and by the time the call ended they were at their destination. Dom would allow Leon to board first before taking her usual seat in back behind him, her breast pressing up against the small of his back as she wraps her arms around his waist ensuring that her sword was at a safe distance from the ground before hearing him say, “Let’s end this…together.” Her face lighting up in surprise before smiling again from cheek to cheek wanting to believe that this was a sign that perhaps things were heading in the direction in which she wanted them to go nodding her head in agreement as they took off. On the way to Taka’s location, the two past several construction sites each with an amassing size of debris and damage among them and chi signatures that were completely off the scales still imprinted upon them, all of which pointed to two very powerful onihorudas that if Domini had to wager quite possibly could be one of the targets that Michelotto had indicated that would be inside of the envelope that she’d given to Yasha to pass along to Tomasaburo-sensei this morning. The 18yr also took note of who all was there at the sight too as she soon caught sight of a familiar face standing there incognito amongst the workers checking things out for himself rocking his hard core gothic styled clothing and trademark piercings (http://data2.whicdn.com/images/24134621/large.jpg what he looks like ) before looking up as if on instinct to give her a sadistic smile and a wave with his right hand. That smile made Domini jerk her head back away from his image cringing just a bit the moment she saw that smile, “That was Landon Remoire…Leadon-sama’s son…just what the fuck is he doing here? Did Tomasaburo-sensei summon him after reading the files?? And if so why hasn’t Yasha returned to me yet???”   taking note that Ryu was still running behind them in his wolf form while Kagura itself remained empty of its second guest not really wanting to know the answers to both of her questions at least not right now any how. But if indeed the chi signatures in this place did in fact belong to any of the persons that were in Michelotto’s file the young hunter concluded with a dim expression on her face, that the Takageuchi would most certainly need all the help they could get from the Executioners to least take them down as the two sped further off past the site into the city, only to land several minutes later at the coordinates Leon had traced Taka’s call to. Giving the area a quick scan as she hopped off as was her usual habit Domini began to using a latter gift known as Soul Sense, a radar if you will that can pick up any kinds of spiritual or soul energies within a certain mile radius of the user depending on their own usage of it. For Domini this range was within a 10 mile radius above ground and at least 20ft below this abilities of course picking up on Leon and their accomplice Taka’s first before which didn’t surprised her in the least except for something seemed…off when came to Taka. But being that she didn’t get a chance to take his specs originally after his merger with his father, she’d just assume it was apart of the changes listening carefully as both males spoke to one another and taking into account of what transpired between father and son just hours after becoming one. “So you killed Ginsei? …..Well I can’t say it’s a totally lost at least I don’t have to worry about him hurting you any more, Congrats on a job well done.” Domini states shifting her gaze to the ground beneath their feet once Taka begins to point downwards at the mentioning of an underground shrine and Leon telling them that he wasn’t getting get a reading on what was below them and that they were going in blind. “Speak for yourself hun I can, apparently theses bastards are Satsui no Hadou users.” She’d let out a long lingering whistle. “It appears to be about 7 no maybe 8 below quite possibly more I can only take this power so far at the moment so yeaa I’m gonna need the big boys for this.” Commenting to Ryu who more overly would bow his head once she looked back at him



before looking up as if on instinct to give her a sadistic smile and a wave with his right hand. That smile made Domini jerk her head back away from his image cringing just a bit the moment she saw that smile, “That was Landon Remoire…Leadon-sama’s son…just what the fuck is he doing here? Did Tomasaburo-sensei summon him after reading the files?? And if so why hasn’t Yasha returned to me yet???”   taking note that Ryu was still running behind them in his wolf form while Kagura itself remained empty of its second guest not really wanting to know the answers to both of her questions at least not right now any how. But if indeed the chi signatures in this place did in fact belong to any of the persons that were in Michelotto’s file the young hunter concluded with a dim expression on her face, that the Takageuchi would most certainly need all the help they could get from the Executioners to least take them down as the two sped further off past the site into the city, only to land several minutes later at the coordinates Leon had traced Taka’s call to. Giving the area a quick scan as she hopped off as was her usual habit Domini began to using a latter gift known as Soul Sense, a radar if you will that can pick up any kinds of spiritual or soul energies within a certain mile radius of the user depending on their own usage of it. For Domini this range was within a 10 mile radius above ground and at least 20ft below this abilities of course picking up on Leon and their accomplice Taka’s first before which didn’t surprised her in the least except for something seemed…off when came to Taka. But being that she didn’t get a chance to take his specs originally after his merger with his father, she’d just assume it was apart of the changes listening carefully as both males spoke to one another and taking into account of what transpired between father and son just hours after becoming one. “So you killed Ginsei? …..Well I can’t say it’s a totally lost at least I don’t have to worry about him hurting you any more, Congrats on a job well done.” Domini states shifting her gaze to the ground beneath their feet once Taka begins to point downwards at the mentioning of an underground shrine and Leon telling them that he wasn’t getting get a reading on what was below them and that they were going in blind. “Speak for yourself hun I can, apparently theses bastards are Satsui no Hadou users.” She’d let out a long lingering whistle. “It appears to be about 7 no maybe 8 below quite possibly more I can only take this power so far at the moment so yeaa I’m gonna need the big boys for this.” Commenting to Ryu who more overly would bow his head once she looked back at him then to Leon as he past the sword given him from Ginsei to Taka after being told to scout the area upon entering and to be care also as he took her hand into his own and places a tender kiss onto the back of it then taking off towards the roof. Despite how her heart was fluttering on in her chest Domini maintained her cool in front of Taka not wanting to give him any indications that Leon was a weakness to her as she turns to the left some what, “Lead away Taka.” She asks him with Ryu close by his mistress’ heels.

The Snake's Den
Taka would nod and speak. “C’mon, I know the way by the heart.” Taka would begin jogging along towards the middle of the construction sight, before squatting down and placing his hand on the trap door….he could feel it. He’d dig his hand around and feel for the handle of the door and pull it up. dust flying from the opening of it. “Let’s go.” Taka would dive down, and wait for Domini. The hallways were lit by candles…some sinister type shit. The walls were a stone like texture with swirls inside of it’s design torches aligned.



“Man dad they really had an obsession with Hebi….” The hallway behind them became louder with footsteps abroad. The men came through the door wearing black suits and carrying samurai swords in their hands, one in each make it so bad. They all looked like well built Asian men and women, but….their eyes were pitch black. Iike a demons or something…the whites of heir eyes were gone, replaced with a raven black hue

Placing one foot in front of the other Domini allows herself to be guided through the construction site occasionally glancing back to see if Ryu was indeed following her while also while attempting to access her companion's new specs. But for some reason every time she tried, she couldn't it was as if something or other were blocking her soul seeing gift and that within itself was strange to the red headed beauty as stopped short in mist of the site with Taka her lavender eyes watching him stoop low to the ground in order to allow his hands to caress to the surface for moment as if in search of something before finally grasping it his hands pulling what appeared to be a trap door that lead down into a labyrinth of some kind. She'd hear her comrade say, "let's go." As he dove into the tunnels first, Domini senses however being overtaken by such a large out pour of Satsui no Hadou that was pouring out from the opening alone was making her hesitate just bit. "Mistress...." her oni guide began to say. "I know......I have the same feeling too old friend. Best to be on guard at all times then." The wolf agreed nodding its head as both he and the girl jumped down joining Taka in the depths below. Once inside Domini took note of massive like labyrinth with its spiral like cravings etched finely into the stone walls all aligned with torches that were lit making the place literally look like something out of Indiana Jones and temple of doom. Some seriously creepy type shit! Moving along the endless corridors behind Taka Domini would listen to the boy speak about his childhood playing in this place although for the life of given the emission of dark energy in it the pretty little red head could understand why anyone oni or not would want to be here in the first place, even she was having her bouts on whether to run for the hills or not atm but all and all it was just idol chatter to her it wasn't until he brought up her and Leon being a "couple" that Domini went on the defense the shrewness of the Akagi tongue speaking for her in reply,   "I don't know and in truth I hadn't even noticed." Continuing to walk onward behind the boy stopping on a dimeonly when he did before glancing back at Ryu who'd begun to snarl lowly. Domini suddenly hear, "huh....they know we're here....Come on! We have to get going! There's a clearing not to far from us! If we get there in time we can get to a room, with space! They can swarm us shirtless in the hallway!" Now this Domini had to agree with despite the size of the place turning on the heels of her boot in order take off behind the boy doing her best to keep up with his own pace without exposing the unnatural speed of her own as they darted and weaved their way in the direction of two rather large stone doors. With a jump and kick she watched the doors get kicked in with ease most of them barely on their hinges once Taka was finished with it. "Not bad you've gotten the of the strength part down of being an onihoruda rather nicely." Domini would rather impressed with kid at the moment in spite of being chased down and then begging backed   corner like this. Gazing around she'd see that the room was about as big as at least a high gym and about as long as several football fields but what stood out the most to her was the massive carving of the snake with glowing eyes that was meant to be the representation of the Oni Hebi herself spewing out a dark aura of energy the likes that even Dom herself had never seen before as those that perused drew ever closer to their location. Her attention on the statue Domini made her way towards it first caring not for thosed that entered her lavender eyes seeing what no other could not even taka or so it would seem. In her line of visual Dom would see a woman with scales of a snake eyes glowing red with fangs that appeared more like large horns coming from her lips. "I think know why they are so obsessed with Hebi, Taka-san its cause this statue is the oni itself." Domini would turn around just in time see the line of men and women who like the corpse she encountered when she first met Leon were covered by the same evil energy as the statue behind her prompting the samurai to motion her right hand to the hilt of the divine blade which was on her hip causeing her to draw it quickly her spiritual energy wrapping itself around the wooden blade of Kagura by a technique known to those as soul bound weapon   transmodify the entire weapon from its wooden state into that a fully functional dual bladed sword. "And they're being controlled by her and from the looks of it this might be only a handful of those under that control." As she was starting to pick on several more that were starting to gather in various directions just the ones before them drew their swords and prepared an all out offensive attack towards them. "Taka you take the left and ill take the right, the moment I see an opportunity ill cast a cleansing sutra to try and free them from Hebi's hold but the moment its cast I need you get clear of it as quickly as you can or else you'll be killed got it?" She'd explain suddenly taking off in the direction she'd mentioned before her blade becoming entangled with its first attacker's and then the next each strike the girl made being hard and made on a defensive like stance as she used the unnatural like speeds of her heritage in order duck and dodge several blows before repealing others backwards into a nearby wall shattering it as each body was embedded. In doing this Domini began to gather the remaining parts of her power in order to perform the   banishing ritual needed to free these poor souls.

The Dusk
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm6abJMUN04&list=PLYNBny7IRlVkbiSVlrNHnbXbgZBIdU3Pl&index=95 ) Taka would’ve nodded in agreement with Domni. “So the stature…it’s sealed in there and it’s conroling them huh?” “ssssssssssssmart boy you are.” Taka could hear the voice of hebi in his had. As he began to combat the men coming at him, he’d throw parry after   parry, dodging some of their blows, and deflecting their attacks with the blade! Taka would parry a vertical strike with a   horizontal sweep, before jumping and turning his body to deliver a spinning heel kick and snapping his jaw on impact! Taka would’ve then ducked to the ground, blocking a vertical strike from above, with a loud “CLANG!” Taka would’ve taken a look back to see that the jaw he’d just broken wasn’t even fully broken! It was healing up…just like any other Onihoruda’s would if they didn’t keep their healing factors in tact! “Damn!” Take would’ve rolled off wards to the side, only to receive a made slash to his back! A tad of blood did make it’s way from his back,   but his new found durability was also aiding him in his resistance, as he’d turn around and back hand the Yanazkua clans man with a ferocious might! His body tumbling through about 4 more men, but they too would get up and come right back towards them. “I’ms till new to this fighting thing dammit! I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up!” Taka would duck a strike, before   jumping over another sword strike, before backflipng multiple times, backwards and a sword stance. “Have to focus…remember one of father’s techniques…Tsuyasu Yami Mikaduki.” the improved version of the original YamiMikaduki. This move is able to be used with the Satsui No Hadou aura which covers the entire blade of Yuuyaiba or whatever weapon Ginsei is using at the time to make it completely black. Ginsei is now able to cover his fingers in the aura but instead of solidifying, it flows ovr his straightened fingers which he has to keep together to keep the aura on his hands. The dark black shadow like aura flows onto the blade, now solidifying, covering it completely. While the aura is covering the entirety of the blade it becomes sharper and adds a tearing effect to slashes that are made, causing cuts to become deeper and longer by four inches now instead of two. Taka would start slashing like a literal mad man! an amateur at best. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sll4b_hFT4Y&list=PLYNBny7IRlVkbiSVlrNHnbXbgZBIdU3Pl&index=168 ) Suddenly a long black shadow could be seen trailing the area above where everyone was. A man in a black and grey suit flipping through the air, before tossing and throwing what looked to be black painted shuriken, right at the shoulders and achelies tendons of he yanazuka men, putting down at least 6 of them at once.. Their healing factors were kicking in just as quick, until Leon would then throw 6 pellets on each side of them and freezing their torso’s to the ground, and preventing their movement further. The black and grey suited man would stand there, flailing his cape outwards, and separating Domini & Taka, and the Yanazuka men, stopping them in their tracks. “At ease….” The Yanazuka men were clearly not going to listen, but Leon did stall them for the time being. He’d speak to domini. “Go ahead and start your sutra. Taka, take refuge and go alert the police of the whereabouts of this place. The quicker the better. I will hold them off, until Domini finishes the ritual. Maybe even get some answers from a front man….sorry Taka, but I had to place a bug on you. I’m fully aware of the situation, and more than prepared. Take the blade, and secure it to my bike….I don’t want to risk it’s worth in this place.” Leon would’ve fluffed his cape back, and dived head first into the crowd of men! Leon would’ve leapt forward, and spun his body In a 360, dodging 2 horizantal slashes coming towards his knees and his neck. Once landed, he’d preform a 360 spin kick, basing his booted foot into the heels of two of the yanazuka clansman, sending them face first into the ground, and Leon would toss 2 more cryopellets at their torso’s freezing   them effectively. “Immobilization is the best way to take them down..they’re skilled.” Leon would turn around use his gauntlet to block a sword attack, only to have a series of them coming his way from one of the yanazuka men!



”It’s not all about skill though. With skill comes timing.” Leon would grip the man’s hand, bending his wrist back and disarming him, only to take a step backwards, and bring him down to the ground, placing his right boot into his shoulder, and breaking the man’s shoulder blde and ripping the cartilidge out of place. Leon would block two more sword strikes, only to grip their blades and apply every bit of his natural strength, snapping their blades in two, before tossing the broken blades at their feet! They shouted out but Leon would’ve give them the time as he’d headbutt the man on the left, and he’d rebound, to elbow the one on the opposite side, hitting him right in the bridge of his nose. Leon would spin and look to the crowd, seeing them men get right back up and grab what was left of their weapons. Hebi’s voice broke the air as it projected it’s will through it’s stone prison. “You feeble minded humansssssssss! You know not what you are dealing with! You will fall to the Yanazuka, you will fall TO ME!”   Leon would narrow his eyes and ball his fist. “C’mon Domini….I believe in you.” Leon would do his best to fend them off for the time being.

The Final Countdown!
Her grace with a blade was apparent, her fluid motions would almost make her appear to those who were looking on as if she were in a dance rather than a fight as she used it as an extension of her own body rather as a weapon used to evidently kill others, the blade being turned left then back into a counter clock wise measure then made to thrust inwards into the chest of one of the men who came at her in a blood lust rage with his own. His wound was not fatal to say the least and he would in fact live if help was granted to him in the nick of time, the holy properties of the sword expelling the oni’s influence that controlled him by way of a dark smoke rising up from his body leaving him to lay limp and semi-unconscious on the floor at Domini’s feet before she moved on to do similar to the others that made there advance towards her. While others she simply used the hilt to knocked them out cold or the chain like accessory that was around her was which in fact was a sword’s sheath in order trip them up her lavender eyes keeping sight of Taka who surprisingly was doing alright even though this was his first fight. She wagered that some how though gone completely now his father’s combat experience with the blade was lodged somewhere deep in the sub-conscious of the boy this of course making him a dangerous foe even in the eyes the beautiful samurai who did a quarter turn towards her left drawing the sword down in a horizontal fashion over the back side of a woman who didn’t even see her dart to the left in order to avoid the next blow of her weapon. As for Ryu, the wolf was having the time of his life his dark fur covered in blood with eyes the purest of red pouncing like wild from one target to another between the two, aided the two teens as much as he could without being struck down himself in the mist of the wails of groans of those who were defeated the screams of those that were still coming at them who were managing to heal themselves. Some even managing to land as many hits back on her as she gave to her in the mist of her concentration. “Shit, its no use…they just keep on coming!” Domini mutters underneath her breath. “At this rate they won’t need to over power us we’ll be too exhausted to even put up a fight or me to even perform the sutra itself.” Ascertaining that could possibly be the enemy’s plan along but even it was she wasn’t about to give the fuck up just yet there just had to be a way for her to break through this devil’s trap in order to land a hit she kept on thinking to herself the reishi in her body starting to reach its maximum peak so much that the holy blue aura that usually encompasses her body was beginning to run hot over her 5’5 frame causing it to appear as a flame that wouldn’t consume or burn her. “Ryu come.” She’d bark at her oni companion, the wolf’s jaw managing to lock onto the arm of its lastest victim causing blood to gush out just as the person screamed out in horror at his unknown assailant before jumping back onto all fours to rear his head back to let out a howl of victory over his latest conquest before bolting back towards his mistress’ side his form vanishing into thin air but just as Domini was preparing to tell Taka to get clear of the place in the mist of him wildly slashing all over the place her eyes spied a shadow moving through the room at rates that could rival those of Taka and herself, several shuriken suddenly being tossed through the air in the direction of the Yanazukas who were still on the attack against them. Most of them were hit in points of the body that would normally put a person down for the count but then again these people weren’t normal at least not now any way. It wasn’t until the pellets were thrown and they were frozen to the ground that Domini herself realized just who it was in the black and grey suit in front of her, based on the fluid movements of the attacks in order to separate Taka and her from the men and the sound of their voice. It was Leon. Almost immediately she let out a sigh of relief as he began to tell Taka to leave in order to contact the police and for Domini to finish up what needed to be done in order to get rid of Hebi’s influence once and for all while he was to remain the diversion for her to do this. If Taka had in fact done as Leon asked she’d tell him, “We’re a team remember, Don’t you dare go and get kill on me.” As part of the redhead didn’t like that the half of this plan of Leon being the bait but in truth she had no other choice, it was kill or be killed and with those words in mind she drew Kagura back from her hands, re-placing into its hilt using all the spiritual power she has gather in order to gather it all into one place and into one physical form a charm with a powerful spell placed upon it written in ancient kanji infused with the spiritual essence of herself and those that came before her each ones power either equaling or rivaling the next. “Power of the ancestors hear, me I ask that you lead me your strength so that I may vanquish this foe!” she chides the flames that were around her form starting to move and matriculate themselves in matter that made them seem unreal, her fiery red hair dancing passionately inside of them as she drew her left hand forward in order to clasp the charm between her index and middle fingers the moment it solidified itself. It was then that precise moment that Hebi made itself known bellowing out just how feeble minded they were before declaring how they were fail to the clan or rather how they would fall to it inside. “NO! That’s where you’re wrong demon, YOU WILL FALL TO ME! Akuryo Taisan!!” Domini declares her eyes opening with a smirk, her fingers grasping the spiritually infused sutra, before turning around in the direction the massive likeness of the oni in question, and launching it through the air at full force not but at those that were being controlled by the oni, but the massive likeness of it that stood behind them as she had figured out during the earlier most parts of the fight that the only way to stop them was by getting rid of the oni itself. “EVIL SPIRIT BE GONE!!!” Anticipating that either the boy or Domini would attempt the expel it from this world the oni came prepared immediately counterstriking with an attack of its own in an attempt to evade destruction by summoning all of it power into one fatal blow, “You FOOL!” the creature hissed literally baring its fangs against domini, pushing its form of a king cobra out of the monolith striking the girl at the heart in attempt to drain her of all the power she possessed in order to render sutra useless the moment it landed between the glowing eyes of the statue. All any would hear was the young girl scream in the mist of her fighting back once she became entangled in a battle for her life against it, as parts of her body began to show just who was winning especially her hair which was turning white completely at the front. Yet and still she fought back giving the charm she’d used everything even if it meant her last breath in this place, the statue starting crack a bit but not break under the strain of the force. It was in that very moment she’d hear a voice so sweet and dear to her speaking to her almost as if in an embrace, “You can do this Domini, remember who you are.” It told her and immediately something awoke inside of her causing the aura of radiant blue to turn an immensely pure fiery hot white her lips parting again utter the words, “BE GONE NOW FROM MY SIGHTS DEMON!!!” causing the entire labyrinth to shake as the charm itself began to intensify with the same aura forcing the cracks already made into the statue to crumble and break at a rapidly alarming rate as its power ran wild through the pagan imagine. “No…no this cannot be!! I won’t succumb to the likes of…” Hebi shrieked its aura around Domini suddenly starting to be. in the flames around her while its shrine was being render into nothing but shapeless dust and rumble by young samurai leaving it no where to go or hide except to the depths of hell itself as she simply fell to her knees completely out of breathe the rapid flow of spiritual energy slowly subsiding back into the depths from hence it came as she’d watch those along who quite possibly were still alive after the order deal fall to the ground as well that is if they all weren’t completely knocked out cold on the floor thanks to Leon, herself or Taka already.

“BOOM-BAP-BIP!” Leon had just hit a three piece on the bridge of the nose, a jaw line, and a forehead, of another one of these other worldly Yakuza men! Surprisingly Leon was as tired ash probably should’ve been! His body moving from one point to the next, in a surprisingly peak human esuque fitness, combined with his own natural talent! Leon would flip over one of them, using their shoulder as a mount and drop kick a Yanazuka in the chest, sending his body tumbling. Leon would then kick up off of his back and return to his feet, only to preform a 360 sweep kick, knocking one man off of his feet, an sending him temple first into the cement. “I can be rough with these guys since they can regenerative….hmph.” Leon would let out small smirk, before pulling out a grapple gun and shooting it, snagging one of the men by the collar and hoisting him towards him! Leon would then clothesline the man as he came soaring towards him, sending him back first into the ground! One of the Yanazuka men would hop onto leon’s back, only to be met with an elbow to the solar plexus! Leon would then grip the man by the back of his shirt, and tossing him to the ground, before Leon would flip backwards, 3 times, landing on the ground in a squat, his cape flowing over his shoulders. He could turn and see Domini battling for the sake of everything going on here, but the funny thing is as she launched the sutra, the men would stop I n place! Their bodies convulsing as if they were stuck or locked in place or something of the   sort “the battle must be taking some kind of interference on their functioning….i’m going to have to get some kind of chi based tech if I want to start reading these things the way I want to in this suit.” Leon would turn and hear Domini screaming.! This made him angry, but he knew if he interrupted the process itself, it would’ve been more so a negative aid than a positive one. as such Leon would make sure to keep these guys busy, by hitting the rest of them with batarangs and pinning them against the Stoney surface to prevent their movement. He’d turn around, and look upon her as she shouted for the Demon to be gone! With a bust of what felt to be spiritual energy, the stature exploded! Turning and reducing itself into rubble and pitter pattering on the ground. The men’s eyes returned to their normal colorations and they were passed out. Leon would rush to Domini’s side, pulling his cowl, from his head and revealing his face to her, letting her lean back against him, as he’d cradle her in his arms. He studied her features…she had a white streak in her hair, and all be it, it had a darker tone and tinge to it but it was still her. He’d move some hair out of her face and smile. “You okay?..” Leon looked at her wound, and was hesitant to touch it. “Let’s get you back…it’s over. Hebi’s gone. Ginsei’s conquered and all is well.” Taka would rush down the hall way shouting. “The cops are here! We need to go now!” Leon would look back to Domini. “Can you walk?” if she coudlnt’ Leon would carry her wedding style and follow taka out of the back way. Once out there Taka would look to Leon and hand him his sword. “Thanks Leon. Domini. For everything you two did for me these past few days.” Leon would nod. “You’re welcome just don’t tell anyone who’s under the mask.” Taka nodded. “Well I’m heading off anyway. I’m going to new California. Starting over. Doing what I want to do and living my life. Besides, kasaihana can’t be the only place in the world with heroes.” Leon nodded. “That is true indeed. At ease and have a good life.” Taka would’ve made his way onwards, and ran at a frightening speed down the streets, heading for a new life. Leon would look back to Domini, and spread his arms out. “Like the get up? present from my grandfather. I think he’s finally starting to trust me, that he is…” Leon would walk up to Domini, as his cape folded over his arms, and he’d look passionately at her. “I don’t know why, but during this entire ordeal….i kept wondering what we were. I…hope we’re more than friends at this point…maybe..maybe something more.” Sirens could be heard, but luckily they were out of sight from them. Leon’s emerald eyes would   reflect into her own as he’d look down at her, only focusing on her for this moment in time. Right now that’s all that mattered.

Epilouge
"Damnit that son of bitch took a bigger bite out of me than i even knew" she mutters weakly as blood started to pour from the marks on chest Domini tried her best to focus her line of vision using the breathing techniques taught her in order slow down her heart to try to minimize the lost even more at least until she was able to be healed by the high elder herself. She felt her just how heavy her body had become to her indicating that not only had the oni managed to successfully drain her of spiritual power but some of her physical strength as well. Both of course could be recovered in time but until she was purified her power would kill her if she tried to use it. Such was risk of fighting one of Hebi's caliber but of course this was something that Domini hadn't considered when attack it. Feeling her body being shifted the redhead would look up slightly maintaining her gaze allowing her body to be cradled in the arms of Leon who she saw no longer covered by the mask asking her was she alright. "About as good as anyone who just got a chunk taken out of them by an oni." She replies trying to make light of the situation by cracking a joke but the wound made it hard for her to even laugh. "Yeah it is finally...and I agree let's." From a distance she could hear Taka's voice calling to them informing them that the cops were there and they needed to leave with haste being asked by Leon if she could walk. Domini shook her head, "I'll need a bit of help but I'll try." Attempting to push up from the floor as slowly as she could the pain of course being excruciating to say the least but at least she was on her feet with her left arm about Leon's waist the three friends proceeded out of tunnels and back towards the surface. Once back outside in the light of day Domini would listen to Taka thank them for all they'd done in regards to him and his situation. The 18 year old smiling slightly. "You're welcome but now that its over what now, you kinda did promise your dad you'd rebuilt the clan?" It didn't take long for her to get the answer as Taka announced he was leaving town for new California to start over. Even commenting that Kasaihana couldn't be the only place where heros thrived. Domini thought to herself, "haha he has no ideal." Before stating, "if you managed to make it to 2nd Soul Tokyo one day feel free to drop me a line, and be careful too as I'll have the clan watching you" domini teases as the boy turn on his heels to make like a bat outta hell hopefully out of the city limits. "Think he'll be alright on his own?" She asks Leon looking back to him in wonder at the new get up he was in. "I do. It adds a bit of flare to the mystery that already surrounds you. You fell in that deep with that issue regarding your brother huh?" She asks curious when he spoke of his grandfather trusting him as he walks towards her folding the cape back his eyes reflecting in truth the feelings that he had for which of course made Domini uncomfortable now out of all times as the blasting of sirens could be heard from where they stood out of sight and out of mind. The words he spoke touching her in places past the discomfort as they meant she and he both felt the same about one another even if they were too afraid just yet to wanna acknowledge it. She'd lower her lashes her lips cressed into a smile before opening them once more allowing him to see the same affection he held in his own through hers as she sighed answering him “honestly, I've been wondering that very same thing too....and I don't know where we both are going to go from here or what we're going to do, all I do know is that I wanna to be with you and all that that entails. That is if you will have me." Her voice was shakey at best but the conviction in her heart was firm while looking to him in the hopes that what she felt the night before in his arms wasn't in fact just a delusion for wanting to be loved by a man who'd managed to take her world by storm.

<p class="MsoNormal">“honestly, I've been wondering that very same thing too....and I don't know where we both are going to go from here or what we're going to do, all I do know is that I wanna to be with you and all that that entails. That is if you will have me." Leon would have a look of content on his face, as he’d place his head against hers for a moment, before leaning in tilting his head to the right and planting a tender kiss on her lips. He let his lips linger against hers for a moment, before embracing her arms with his hands and pulling her in just a bit more. He’d hoped his kiss would’ve answered her question, but even then he’d know that she’d want to hear it aloud. As such, he’d part their lips and speak with conviction. “I will have you. As my girlfriend. My partner. You’ll be special to me always, that you will.” Leon would smile, sliding some of her hair behind her ear with his black gloved hands. He’d then pull her over to his hover bike, as he’d hop onto the front of it and look back at her, putting the cowl back over his face. “Let’s go..we never got to finish your home cooked meal, and I’m sure starving right about now. Plus I wanna get that wound looked at. Well, away we go.” Leon would rev the bike and silently fly them into the air space above that of hover traffic, so they could head off and back towards the direction of Domini’s oriental style home, after a hard days work and a job well done.

<p class="MsoNormal">The look upon his face said it all for her, she didn't many words to prove this as Leon rested his forehead against hers before tilting it towards the right in order to place a kiss on her soft pink colored lips in which Domini welcomed returning it back to him allowing her eyes close for a moment their lips lingering against the other's for second her body coming closer to his once pulled. Leon's kiss had indeed answered her question and most definitely she was thrilled but alas the woman in her still yearned to hear as much from his own lips. And hear it she did the moment their lips parted ways. "I will have you. As my girlfriend.   My partner. You'll be special to always, that you will." Was enough to make any girl's heart go pitter patter in their chest but luckily for Domini that right was reserved for her and her alone now. A smile moved over her lips as she felt his fingertips brush against her ear the white strands of her hair holding their place as Leon helped her over towards his bike getting on first, then replacing the cowl back onto face. She'd hear his state how they'd best get going as to they never really got to enjoy dinner last night, how hungry he was, and his concern from the wound she'd gotten as Domini got into the bike on behind him. Her injury too worried her as well as she was unaware of the changes it had done to her just yet. Domini took another look around her body resting against his back completely as her arms head onto his waist tightly before finally nodding "Yes let's go home." The sounds of the engine roaring to life entering her ears as the made off back towards the clan grounds where she was sure Tomasaburo was waiting for them.

<p class="MsoNormal">The look upon his face said it all for her, she didn't many words to prove this as Leon rested his forehead against hers before tilting it towards the right in order to place a kiss on her soft pink colored lips in which Domini welcomed returning it back to him allowing her eyes close for a moment their lips lingering against the other's for second her body coming closer to his once pulled. Leon's kiss had indeed answered her question and most definitely she was thrilled but alas the woman in her still yearned to hear as much from his own lips. And hear it she did the moment their lips parted ways. "I will have you. As my girlfriend.   My partner. You'll be special to always, that you will." Was enough to make any girl's heart go pitter patter in their chest but luckily for Domini that right was reserved for her and her alone now. A smile moved over her lips as she felt his fingertips brush against her ear the white strands of her hair holding their place as Leon helped her over towards his bike getting on first, then replacing the cowl back onto face. She'd hear his state how they'd best get going as to they never really got to enjoy dinner last night, how hungry he was, and his concern from the wound she'd gotten as Domini got into the bike on behind him. Her injury too worried her as well as she was unaware of the changes it had done to her just yet. Domini took another look around her body resting against his back completely as her arms head onto his waist tightly before finally nodding "Yes let's go home." The sounds of the engine roaring to life entering her ears as the made off back towards the clan grounds where she was sure Tomasaburo was waiting for them.