Notes: here's the last chapter! it's very long! also, the character Takamura is introduced here; he will play a bigger part in the sequel. (i made him up, but he could be a relation of Tsubaki-chan's) please enjoy
Yamazaki had gone into a shaking fit, sweating and painfully clawing at the floor, "It's happening again... that feeling... it's so hot..." he gasped, as Ayame tried to hold onto him, "This seems to happen whenever the demons come close... does this mean... they're on their way...?"
"Shinguji-taisa has something similar." she replied, rubbing his shoulders, "Yamazaki-shousa, please hang on. I'll get the others to help and..."
"No," he uttered, taking hold of one of her hands, "Don't leave me alone, Ayame-kun." Ayame stared into his pleading face and slowly nodded. But at the same time, the sun was completely in the sky. Morning had come.
"W-What the??!" Ayame gasped as a light started to beam out of the floor. The light traced a circle around them and reached through the ceiling of the shrine, "Shousa! What's happening??!"
"Hah?" he uttered, realizing that a void was being created right before his eyes. "A-Ayame-kun!!" he gasped as a force was tearing him away from her, "AYAME!!"
"SHOUSAAAAA!!" Ayame cried as she watched him be thrown across the room. "Aaaa?? What's happening??!" A transparent black shell had formed around and was pushing her to the floor. Her eyes turning white, Ayame couldn't see anything anymore... but darkness.
"Ayame-kun..." Yamazaki uttered, struggling to his feet. He could barely move - the force was literally pushing him outside. Fighting against the currents, he tried to come closer but went flying once again, "Ayame-kun!! I'm coming!!"
"Yamazaki!!" Yoneda and Kazuma came running to the shrine. Kazuma then looked at what was happened. "Damn... I didn't expect something like this... All the spiritual energy... it as attracted to Ayame-kun... so..."
"What the hell are you getting at?!" Yoneda cried, frantically pleading for answer, "What's happening to Ayame-kun?!"
"The spiritual energy was to be awaken at sunrise... but, Ayame-kun... She's absorbing all of it..."
"W-What kind of spiritual energy are we talking about...?" Yoneda asked, "Y-You don't mean...!" Yamazaki immediately got on his feet and tried to run back into the void. "OI, YAMAZAKI!!!" Yoneda was going to go after him, but Kazuma stopped him. "You're right... the kid has already made up his mind..."
Kazuma nodded, but then felt a sharp pang. "HAAH?!" Behind them, an army of demons had arrived, "We've got trouble!!" he exclaimed, drawing his sword, "We must keep all of these demons from entering the shrine!!"
"Like hell!! There's too many!!" Yoneda cried, "Kazuma, Let do it!!"
While Kazuma and Yoneda ran towards the horde, Yamazaki continued to push his way through. "Ayame-kun!!" Bracing his head, he could feel sharp razors of wind ripping up his arms, "Aaag... I won't give up!!"
He came as close to the shell as he could and reached out his blood-soaked hands. When he touched, it burned. Biting back the pain, he sunk his fingertips inside and tore an opening in the shell. Once inside, he fell to his knees and put his arms around the glowing young woman.
"Ayame-kun!! Can't you hear me!?" he cried, burying his face into her hair that had come undone, "Ayame-kun... I'm here...! Don't give up! Ayame!!"
Outside, the demons pushed their way towards the shrine. Kazuma and Yoneda were doing their best, but the numbers kept on coming. "DAMMIT!!!" Yoneda exclaimed, as they were just outside and surrounded, "A dead end..."
"CHOTTO MATTA!!!" called out a voice. The two soldiers lifted their heads and saw a military regiment having just arrived. Then a scruffy man on a horse with machine guns came riding into the fray - with hound dogs chasing after him, "AHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
"Who the hell is that...?" Kazuma uttered, blinking in confusion and almost dropping his sword.
"Aa! It's our friends from the Ueno base - the ones with all the meat buns!!" Yoneda cried, "And that crazy guy on the horse - he's Takamura, an old buddy of mine!!"
Kazuma rubbed his chin. "Those were some pretty good meat buns... Takamura has spiritual powers because his attacks are actually doing damage to the demons..."
Just then some soldiers came by them with some cannons. "Sumimasen," said one young cadet as he had them lit and fired. The cannons' beams pushed the wave of demons back far enough. "Please precede, Gentlemen."
"Daijoubu da!" Yoneda said, pulling Kazuma along, "These guys are on our side!!"
With that, they went off and finished all of the demons at once. While the air became clear of gun smoke and demon debris, Takamura rode up to them. "YO!! What's up?!"
But before proper introductions could be made, the ground shook and the shrine collapsed.
"AYAME-KUN!! YAMAXAKI!!" Kazuma cried, running over to the wreckage. He skidded to a stop to see a sword, mirror, and jewel floating in midair, "Ma...saka..."
Yoneda ran past him and frantically started digging in the rubble. He finally uncovered the two buried underneath. Yamazaki, bleeding profusely, was still holding onto the lifeless Ayame, whose eyes were open without any pupils. "Ayame-kun!" Yoneda cried, "What happened to her?"
They all stopped to hear the sharp sound of a sword being drawn. Kazuma started to walk towards them. "She has absorbed all of the dark energy of this shrine. As we speak, demons are eating away at her soul..." he uttered, eyes glassy as he took a step at a time, "We've got to put an end..."
"Kazuma, what are you thinking?!?" Yoneda exclaimed, standing up and coming between them, "This is Ayame-kun you're talking about... OUR Ayame...!!"
Kazuma's eyes flashed red. He then knocked Yoneda out of the way with the saya and lunged towards the fallen girl. Yamazaki quickly moved in the way. "T-Taisa...!"
Kazuma slid to a stop and stared at the struggling young man before him. "It's already too late... Even if she somehow survives, there is still a risk that there will be some remains left in her that could activate at anytime... Do you really want her to become a demon?"
"Do you really want to kill her, Taisa?" Yamazaki said, putting his hand on the blade, "Didn't you choose this mission to protect human life? Ayame-kun... she's still there - I feel it. We can't give up on her."
"Yamazaki..." Kazuma uttered, his face softening. Slowly the sword dropped from his hand and he bowed his head. "I'm sorry..."
The wind had died down and the majinki fell to the ground. Takamura went and picked up them, letting his dogs sniff them. "What the hell is this stuff??"
* * * *
Afterwards, they returned back to their headquarters in Tokyo. Ayame still hadn't woken up. Yamazaki diligently sat by her side and held her hand, but didn't feel well himself. "You better get some rest,"
Yoneda told him, "You lost a lot of blood today and need to let your body heal. I'll look after Ayame-kun for now."
"Arigatou, Shirei." he weakly replied, slowly leaving the room.
Yoneda turned towards the wide-eyed girl and touched her cheek briefly. "Ayame-kun... wake up, please... What's going on in there...? We're with you, so please..."
But Ayame couldn't hear his voice. She could hear anything or see anything. 'What's going on?' she wondered, walking in a dark terrain, 'What happened to the shrine... to everyone... to Yamazaki-shousa...'
Ayame stopped. She felt like someone was coming. Slowly turning around, she saw red forms coming closer and closer. "AA!?" There were a crowd of people dressed in red cloaks and with skeleton masks, "W- Who are you all?!?"
The masked men started circling her. Scared out of her mind, Ayame watched as they continued to march around her, coming closer and closer at each step. They were chanting something. She felt dizzy and weak - everything was getting blurry.
'What are you doing to me...?' she thought, clutching her head, 'Are these the caretakers of the talismans... Are they angry because I was in the shrine? But it's not like I was there to take the talismans... I don't even know what they're used for... Uugg... I don't know how much more I can take...'
One of them finally stopped in front of her and put their hand at her chin. Ayame blinked and realized that she couldn't breathe anymore. Pulling away from the red-colored man, she fell to her knees, clutching at her throat. A tide of red blood started to rise around her.
'NOOOOOO!' she gasped as the tide started to lift over her head, 'This can't be happening... I can't die... I promised my parents and Kaede-san that I'd protect Teito - when I haven't really done anything yet... I want to protect my loved ones... Kaede-sab... soshite...' But Ayame was lost in the ocean of blood and started to drown. 'NO!! NOT YET!!'
There was a sound like glass breaking. Ayame's eyes blinked. She was lying in bed at home, sweating and shaking. Turning to her side, she saw Yoneda holding onto her hand with concern. "A-Ayame... kun...?"
"Shirei!!" she cried, as he pulled her into a hug, "I thought I was going to die...!!"
"It's all right," he uttered, soothing her, "Everything is all right. I'm here for you... all of us are." Suddenly the door came sliding open. Panting from running all the way back here, Yamazaki stumbled forward and gazed towards her. Yoneda released the girl and moved aside. "Come on over! She's all yours!"
Ayame blinked and clutched at her robe. Her long hair fell around her blushing face as Yamazaki came and knelt in front of her. "Are you all right?" he uttered breathlessly. She nodded, still speechless and staring into his face. Yamazaki had many bandages, on his arms, legs, chest, and head. Despite his injuries, he sorely lifted his arms and put them around her, nuzzling his face with hers, "Y-Yokkata..."
"Yamazaki-shousa..." she gasped, as the brushing lips reached to kiss her, "H-Hah, m-m-matte...!" Her eyes wide, she saw Yoneda over his shoulder making a very peculiar face. "D-dame desu...!" she stammered, her face very, very red.
Suddenly Yamazaki was yanked backwards by the suspenders and went crashing into the wall. "Didn't you hear the lady?!" snapped Takamura, "Honestly! Teenage boys can't control themselves!!" He worriedly leaned over to Ayame, "Daijoubu kai??"
"H-Hai..." Ayame stammered, wondering whom this scruffy guy was. She then worriedly watched as Kazuma and Yoneda tried to help the suffering boy lying on the floor, "Shousa!!"
* * * * *
Soon Ayame was able to get out of bed. They had lunch downstairs in the sitting room, while Yoneda and Takamura shared war stories. Ayame slowly sipped her tea, trying to comprehend what had happened to
her. 'Everyone said not to worry about it. Demo... I can't help but feel uneasy.'
"Ayame-kun," Kazuma suddenly appeared at her elbow. "I'm glad you're better now. We were all so worried about you." He then bowed his head. "I'm really sorry..."
"Hah? Taisa...?" Ayame uttered, putting aside her teacup and moving closer, "For what?" He just silently kept his head bowed. Ayame put her hands on his shoulders and got him to lift his head and look at her. "I'm fine. That frightening incident is over with, so please don't worry about me..."
"No," All eyes turned towards Takamura. He then pointed over to the three talismans that were resting on the table. "If those things are the Majinki, then your troubles have only begun..."
Yoneda sharply replied, "I believe Hanakoji told us that these treasures were only brought out of the shrine every fifty years..."
"Do you really believe in everything you hear? This is the majinki - and those who hold the majinki win the battle! How do you think those before you fought off the demons? They used the majinki - that's how! Of course, the price is your lives and your sanity... You, my friends, have set into motion some unstoppable events."
The room filled with silence. Not sure what to do, Ayame looked around at her comrades. Yoneda was gazing into his sake while Kazuma clenched his fists and stared to the floor. Her hands on her knees, she too stared down, feeling uneasiness again.
'My parents... my grandparents... all of them died fighting the demons... protecting Teito... and there was always the Majinki... demo... will I... will all of us...?'
"NO!" Everything lifted their heads and looked towards Yamazaki, who had got up on his feet. "No... I won't let anyone die... not by the demons or the Majinki... I'll find a way! I won't fail! I WILL find a way!"
"Yamazaki-shousa..." Ayame uttered. Before she could say anything, Kazuma stood and walked over to the emotional boy, putting his hand on his shoulder. Their eyes met shortly after, sharing a look that said more than words. 'Shinguji-taisa... Yamazaki-shousa...?'
"Taisa, promise me... that the Majinki will be the last resort."
"Aa... it's a promise. From here on, we'll do things our way."
"Yoshi!!" Yoneda leapt up, trying to break up the seriousness by pouring his friends some drinks. "Daijoubu daijoubu da! You worry too much, Yamazaki! The Tai Kouma Butai will be protecting this town for a looooong time! Now if only those bastards would stop getting in our way..."
"You mean that elite army moving to the lines every time there's an attack?" Takamura asked, after gulping down more sake, "Those big-shots think they're heroes, when they ain't doing anything at all! Next time, call us along and we'll clear those losers out of there! Heheheh, there'll be a biiiig brawl, but those sissies won't get any credit for you guys' work anymore!"
Kazuma chuckled. "Arigatou, Takamura. But you have a great amount of spiritual energy - why don't you join our ranks?"
"EEH?!" he exclaimed, "Hell no! I love my boys too much to leave them behind! Besides, the wife is having a baby so I can't put another pile of worry on her. I'll still try to help you out as much as I can!"
"Yosssssshi!" Yoneda happily said, already drunk as he put his arms around his friends shoulders, "All this talk is giving me a good feeling!! To Teito - To friendship... KANPAI!!!"
The others raised their glasses. "Kanpai!"
* * * * * *
That night, Ayame walked out onto the balcony to think about all the things they had talked about. Gazing out at the darkened city, she remembered the red-masked men and wondered if someday she would meet them again. While she was deep in thought about this, someone tapped her on the shoulder, making her entire body jump. "Aa... d-dare desu ka...?"
Yamazaki chuckled and leaned against the railing. "Don't let your guard down. The enemy could attack at any moment."
"I know that, but..." Ayame frowned and turned away. 'Now how am I supposed to act around him? After what he's told me... what has happened... there's no way we can go back to the way things were.' She spied at him from the corner of her eye, holding her breath. 'I'm already...'
"Shizuka na..." Yamazaki suddenly said, "Your precious Teito looks so peaceful tonight. Sometimes I'm not sure why I'm protecting such a shameless place that invites corruption... demo, on nights like this, I have some sentiments. Still, if I was a wiser man, I would move far away from here..."
Ayame closed her eyes and felt the soft breeze against her face, listening to the bustle of the streets below. "I don't want to ever leave here... Tokyo is where I belong... I was born here and I would like to die here."
"Baka..." Yamazaki sighed, "Don't be so stupid as to talk about dying... I intend to live the rest of my life without thinking about where or when I'm going to die... especially for a place such as Tokyo."
"Yamazaki-shousa..." Ayame turned towards him, recognizing that scornful tone he usually used when he wanted people to leave him alone. Reaching out her hand, she touched his cheek and uttered, "Watashi wa..."
"Yamero," he said, moving away from her, "I'm not asking anything from you. Just because I told you my feelings, you don't have to reply. You don't have to change your answer for my sake."
"Datte!" she cried, grabbing hold of his hands, "I want to! Shousa, I've realized how much you mean to me and I'm sorry for being stubborn not to admit it. Demo right now, I want you to know - to feel how much I care for you. Please let me! Please don't shut me out!"
"Ayame..."
"Yamazaki-shousa..."
The two of them moved closer, staring intensely into each other's face. But as they leaned over to kiss, the sound of bells erupted in the distance. Yoneda then came running onto the scene, "OI! Time to get going!! There's an attack!!"
A very annoyed Yamazaki and Ayame glared back at him. "SHIREI..."
Yoneda coyly backed away, waving his hands. "Sorry about the bad timing! You don't have to stop on my account - BWAHAHAHAHA!"
"I-I'll go get ready now!" Ayame stammered, still in her house kimono. She ran past Yoneda and the arriving Kazuma, and went inside.
Yoneda then turned to Yamazaki. "You sly devil - working at it so late at night!!" he laughed, slapping the boy on the back. Yamazaki crumpled to floor in pain. "Aa, sumane!!"
"Yamazaki," Kazuma uttered, looking concerned, "Are you up to today's mission?"
"Aa," Yamazaki replied, lifting his head with a smile, "You can count on me, Taisa."
He gladly nodding his head, and then saw Ayame rushing back, already in uniform and holding Yamazaki's jacket, which she gave to him. Yamazaki shyly thanked her then turned to Yoneda for the order. Kazuma smiled and held up his fist. "Saa, ikuzo!"
"OH!"
* * * * *
The streets of Ginza were already filled with smoke and fallen soldiers by the time they arrived. Despite the many casualties, the commander refused to pull back. "Bring out the high-powered cannon! We'll blast everything!!"
"D-Demo..." stammered one of his cadets, "Lots of our injured soldiers are out there... and we haven't finished evacuating the area yet..."
"Uresai!! I'm calling the shots! And we are going to win this battle, dammit!"
"Oh, no you're not!" snapped a rough voice. Takamura arrived and socked the young man in the jaw. "You bastards are gonna get the hell out of here - we're taking over!"
"H-How dare you!! Teito's defense is in OUR hands!"
"How about I slice off those hands so you can shut up and behave." Takamura snarled, taking out his twin katana, "I have direct permission from Hanakoji. Don't get in our way."
"Ha... Hai..." stammered the commander as the swords appeared at his neck.
Takamura turned to his troops, "Evacuate the area and pick up the injured. We've got to make space for the Tai Kouma Butai." He then turned to his friends arriving in a jeep. "Omai-tachi, ganbaro yo!"
Yoneda nodded and led his army past the barricade. The street had been split from the several attempts the elite butai had made. None were successful as a great herd of demons were crawling out into the open, attacking and feeding on the fallen soldiers.
"HAJA KENSEI... OUKA HOSSHIN!!!"
Kazuma sent a bright light down the street and wiped out a good row. Yoneda turned to his right and slashed through a couple, scanning over the area. "Kazuma! The host is this way!"
"They're already spread out," Yamazaki noted, kneeling down to examine a soldier lying on the ground, his face eaten away. "We've got to hurry! Once they get past the barricade - they'll be more casualties."
"Shirei," Ayame said, stepping forward, "Let me go. I can do it."
Yoneda stared into her determined face. "Yoshi, I'm counting on you, Ayame-kun. Yamazaki and I will back you up. Kazuma, you try to keep as many of the demons from moving out of the barricade."
"Ryokai!"
Without another thought, the butai moved into action. Kazuma easily killed a handful that had leaped out to get them. The others made use of this opportunity and rushed down the street. Yoneda and Yamazaki went ahead, slashing every demon in sight. By the time Ayame made it up the street, there was nothing left but splattered remains.
'There it is...' she thought, looking ahead at the swirling black orb in the intersection. As she came closer and closer, the orb transformed into a larger demon. 'For Teito...' she thought, her hand on the hilt of her sword, 'For everyone...'
"Ayame-kun!" Yoneda called over his shoulder, "You can do it!"
"Ayame!" A warm look from Yamazaki was enough encouragement.
The sounds of her friends and the demon faded in the background as Ayame released the mighty blade. Leaping high in the air, she dodged an aerial attack of venom and claws. "HAAAAAAAAAAA!!!" She came crashing down onto the beast, the blade lodging into its head. Her feet on its face, she gave the sword one final thrust, giving it all of her strength. An enormous light emitted from her, erupting the host demons as well as all of the others left in the street.
The light surged all over the city, momentarily blinding everyone in it. As the white light started to fade away, a relieved Kazuma dropped his demon blood-soaked sword and smiled. "Good work, everyone..."
