The Samurai

The Samurai Episode 9 The Commanders Dark Secret

The two vanish dashing through the woods until they reach a lone cabin right at the bottom of the mountains. 

Touka knells down and examines the ground,

-Its here, just up ahead. It’s near the house! 

She rushes on forward, Kenshin hangs back following her lead. 

-It’s a Demi-Demon, she tells Kenshin, It doesn’t appear to be very strong, she continues on as she surveys the area. 

-Lead the way, Kenshin tells Touka as the two make there way to the cabin.

Touka sees a figure, a body laying on the ground right in front of the house. 

She kneels down closes the man’s eyes and says,

-We were too late. 

She quickly gets up and flings 4 daggers into a tree right by the house.

-AAAGGHHHH! 

The Demi-Demon shouts as it jumps down pulling one of the daggers out of its eye. The others are embedded in its chest and shoulder.

-Your gonna pay for that you rotten human b***h! It shouts out. 

The Demon notices Kenshin standing off to the side and instead charges straight for him. Kenshin takes his hand off his sword and points up to the air behind the Demon. The Demon stops and turns around.

 Touka drops from the sky hits the ground then lunges forward unsheathing the small sword, she is now wears on her back, tucked into her skirts belt. 

And in an instant she slices off the Demons head creating a gust of wind. The Demons body falls to the ground as she’s sheathing her sword. 

She smiles then says, 

-Way too slow!

She walks toward Kenshin dusting her hands off. 

-Well our work here is done, she says confidently.

-Well let’s go then! Good work Touka! Kenshin tells her. 

Then he thinks to himself, "She’s amazing! A month ago she hardly knew anything about Demons just learning of their existence. And now she can hunt them down and slay them all on her own. It’s like she’s a full fledged Demon Hunter. It’s like she’s an Uchiha! She’s incredible!".

-Hey Kenshin! Are you coming or what? I’m hungry. 

He looks at her and answers back,

-Yeah, I’m coming, I’m coming!

The two vanish into the night back into the forest. 

They head off into the forest while looking for possible leads on other Demons in the area. It’s been a month since they set off alone. A month since they had there encounter with the Relic Demon. Though his trail has went silent, the two have been hard at work slaying Demi-Demons gathering up what ever Intel they could dig up. 

But most importantly Touka has been undergoing Kenshin’s strict and demanding Demon Hunting training. And she has absorbed it like a sponge!

She’s different now. She can sense them, track them. She relies on her instinct now. She now carries a short sword on her back, its Kenshin’s short sword so it resembles the katana Kenshin wears on his belt.

She carries it now, because she has been training learning Kenshin’s sword technique. She can now slice through the air creating blades of wind that can slice far beyond the reach of her and her blade. She’s faster, smarter, deadlier.

Kenshin is amazed at how fast she progressed, "She’s a natural she picked up everything instantly. Maybe it’s from all the hard training she’s undergone through her life as a ninja. She’s an amazing woman!".

He looks over at her and smiles. Touka looks up and sees Kenshin smiling at her.

She blushes then ask, 

-What are you gawking at with that dirty smile!

He quickly turns the other direction and as he does he smiles again,

-It’s nothing Touka, I was just thinking about something. And do you always have to be so rude! He shouts. 

-Excuse me! Touka shouts out back at him, You’re the one looking at me like…..

-Touka! Don’t you dare finish that sentence! Kenshin yells while cutting her off. 

Touka giggles then answers back,

-Ok, ok fine. I’ll let it go. This Time… I know it must be hard containing yourself. Holding back all that lust for this amazing beautiful woman all the time has to be hard. But you better keep your thoughts and your Hands to yourself! Got it Kenshin?!

Kenshin rolls his eyes then replies, 

-Whatever you say Touka. 

Then he thinks to himself, "How can she be so cute at times and then just so rude and bratty?!".

The two make their way back to there camp hidden deep in the woods.

-Well I guess hunting is over for the night. I’ll prepare us something to eat, Kenshin says. 

Touka suddenly appears beside Kenshin, she puts her arms around his waist then shouts, 

-Really! Yay! I’m starved. Yay, Kenny! 

-Hey! Kenshin shouts, Didn’t I tell you not to call me….. Ah, nevermind! Let’s get ready to eat Touka!.....

The cover of night has fallen over our two heroes again. The two are making there way through the forest with great haste. The smell of smoke is thick in the air and off in the distance the bright orange glow if a large flames fill the sky.

The two quicken there pace. There’s blood in the air two. They make it to the end of the forest line and can now see the source of the flames. It’s a small village burning. Flames dancing around the buildings, the town is destroyed with no signs of life.

The two get in closer, there’s blood everywhere. 

-Oh God! Touka says. Were too late, these people didn’t stand a chance. 

-They had no idea! Touka! Kenshin yells out, Get ahold of yourself! You need to stay calm and focused. This is what Demons do and unless we stop them. They will continue doing it, but worst on a larger scale.

Now focus. Are the Demons still here? How many where there? If there not here, where did they go? More importantly where will they attack next? Don’t fall apart on me!

Touka shakes her head then stands back up.

The two start to walk down the empty bloody road through the village, buildings burning on both sides of them.

-It’s nothing but ruins now. I can smell sulfur, but its weak. Touka tells Kenshin. The Demons are already gone. 

-Yes. Very good Touka! Unfortunate but they have already fled, Kenshin answers back to Touka, What else can you sense Touka?

-Right! She says confidently, Well, I’m picking up more than one scent trail of sulfur, so it was a group of Demons hunting like a pack. And it grows stronger heading towards the back, leading out of the village. Its it’s that way! Towards… 

-Towards the hills, Kenshin finishes her sentence and smiles, Very good Touka, very, very good! I’m impressed! So then shall we? He ask.

-Right! Let’s go! Touka shouts out. 

-By all means you lead the way! Kenshin says as he smiles with approval.

The two make there way up to the hills as there moving Kenshin senses movement and in the same instance Touka reacts to rustling in the grass. 

She quickly puts her hand on her sword as she readies herself. She then springs into action.

To her surprise it’s her Commander,

-Co... Commander? She shouts.

-Whoa! He shouts out, Touka? Why, what on earth are you and that samurai doing here? Touka where have you been? You’re a Tracker Ninja you can’t just vanish… 

Kenshin cuts him off with his hand still gripping the hilt of his sword as he walks towards him. 

-What are you doing out here and alone at that! Kenshin demands. 

-What am I? Boy you have some nerve! How dare you presume you can... 

Touka interrupts the Commander, 

-Answer the question. Please Commander. 

-WHAT! I’ll be asking the questions. 

Kenshin now standing right in front of the Commander. 

He shouts out again in an aggressive voice, 

-What are you doing out here all alone! Choose your words carefully for they will judge your fate. NOW SPEAK! 

-You dare threaten me you lowly samurai scum! 

Touka shouts out,

-Commander! Answer the question! I need you to answer the question!

The Commander replies,

-I can’t believe this, it's absurd! I’ll indulge you this time. Come let’s find somewhere safe to talk.

They begin to make there way back down, as they walk Kenshin sticks to the rear watching the Commander closely, never taking his hand from his sword. 

They finally make there way down. 

The Commander begins to speak,

-As of recent there has been a lot of disappearances reported in this area. There has also been rumors of mysterious sightings of some kind of animal or something unnatural. 

At first we just assumed it was stories nothing to be taken serious. But then the report’s of missing people increased. People just disappearing like they were vanishing into the night. 

-They were vanishing? Touka ask. 

-Yes Touka, vanishing! It started off as one boy, we thought he had just gotten himself lost. But then it was two, three, six and it just kept going up. Accompanied by the rumors of something sinister being reported.

The town’s people speaking about some dark mysterious shadow sometimes seen at the same time the disappearances would occur. I could no longer chalk it up as lost people and bigfoot sightings. 

So I sent in a team. Two of my very own to investigate. But a week go I lost contact with them. With no one to spare I took it upon myself to come in and get to the bottom of things. 

But by the time I got here the village was already engulfed in flame, empty like a ghost town. 

Kenshin interrupts, 

-Why weren’t you at the village then? And furthermore why were you heading up into those hills?

-You have a lot of nerve, I’ll give you that. The Commander says back. 

-Just, just answer him, Touka tells her Commander. 

-As I was saying Boy, maybe this time I can finish without rudely being interrupted. I Was investigating the village looking for clues leads survivors. For anything. 

As I was looking someone maybe something I’m not sure ran off. I shouted, but they kept running so I pursued them as they fled into the hills and that’s when I heard someone coming up on my six. 

So I readied myself and too my surprise it was the two of you...

..Now I hope your satisfied because I have my own questions. Where in earth have you been Touka?

Kenshin answers back in Toukas place, 

-We were tracking bandits. We believe it may be the bandits that did this. 

-Bandits you say? Then where are the towns people? The Commander ask. This isn’t the work of some bandits!

Then Touka ask,

-Well what of the person you were chasing? Where did they go? Who was it?

-I don’t know Touka, they slipped away when I heard the two of you coming. To be honest I’m not even sure it was a person. They were fast maybe a wild animal, The Commander replies. 

-Then why did you pursue them? Kenshin ask, And again why are you alone? 

The Commander quickly replies,

-I could be asking the two of you the same thing! A lot has been going on. We could have used your help Touka, but instead your out here playing samurai with this one. 

-You are wrong, Touka responds, I can’t give you any details but just know we are still carrying on my mission. Were just taking necessary precautions. 

The Commander snaps back, 

-Precautions! You left unannounced... just disappeared! What necessary precautions do you speak of?

Kenshin speaks out,

-It’s better if we keep the nature of our mission to ourselves. 

-What! The Commander shouts, And what of the team of Ninja I sent to aid you? 

-They are dead, Touka answers with her face to the ground. 

-It seems someone is trying to keep all of this a secret. They don’t want anyone digging around looking for clues. It seems they don’t want anyone getting to the bottom of what’s really going on. 

Kenshin speaks out,

-It Seems there is a mole hiding amongst your men. 

-A Mole! The Commander shouts. 

-Yes! A Mole! Kenshin quickly replies, and they tried to have me and Touka killed!

-It’s true! Touka says, The Tracker Ninja were killed and whoever’s had them killed also set a trap for me and Kenshin ambushing us. We barely made it out alive. That’s why we set off alone. 

-Wow! I had no idea! The Commander replies, so the two of you have been chasing leads this entire time?

Touka answers back,

-I’m sorry, but I have no information to give you at this time. 

-Touka! It’s time to go! Were losing the night! Were going alone, bid farewell to your commander and let’s go while we still time! Kenshin shouts out. 

Touka looks to her Commander and she bows while saying, 

-I’m sorry sir. I wish I had more to give you but I don’t. Just stay on high alert and refrain from wondering around alone at night. Sorry but I have to go now sir. 

-Let’s go Touka, Kenshin shouts again. 

She bids The Commander farewell one last time and the two vanish into the night.

The Commander now standing there alone with a bewildered expression on his face says to himself, "Now that was odd!".

Touka and Kenshin make their way back up into the hills. 

As they get closer Touka picks up the scent of sulfur again,

-Kenshin! She shouts.

-I know Touka, I smell it too, He replies, were heading in the right direction. 

As they make their way over the first hill they notice a hole down in the bottom of the hill side, a cave. 

-Do you see that? Kenshin shouts over to Touka. 

She looks down at the cave and replies,

-I do, yes I see it!

-Do you think that’s where there hiding? Kenshin replies.

-I don’t know? But it definitely looks like a good place to start. Right! Touka shouts back. 

Kenshin turns around and starts heading off onto the other direction. 

-Hey! What, where are you going Kenshin? Touka shouts out. 

Kenshin turns around and replies, 

-The night is almost up. We will strike during the day. Their power’s will be some what weaker. However there probably deep enough under ground to where they won’t feel the effects of the sun. So we need to prepare for a full on battle. We need to be ready Touka!

Touka rushes over to Kenshin,

-Right she replies, I’m ready Kenshin!

-Good! He answers her back. Let’s get a little rest. When the sun comes out Touka, we will put all your training to the test!

The two find themselves a spot to rest and prepare for battle.

-I can’t believe we ran into My Commander way out here like that, Touka tells Kenshin. 

-Yeah, I’m still trying to put that together Kenshin answers her back. 

Then he thinks to himself, "Something just doesn’t sit right with his story. Is it possible he’s already in league with the Demons?".

Touka speaks out almost as if she was sensing the doubt in Kenshins thoughts,

-I know it seems suspicious, but I’ve been knowing the Commander. There’s got to be some kind of logical explanation for him being out here. I’m sure of it! It’s not like he’s a Demon or anything. 

Kenshin answers her back,

-I hope your right!

Touka continues on, 

-I would know if he was! I’ve been knowing the Commander my whole life! He’s a good man! I know he is!

And once again Kenshin replies,

-I hope your right.

The sun begins to rise. The two make there final preparations then set out making their way back to the cave. 

They approach the entrance. Kenshin stops he turns around and looks at Touka smiling. 

-Touka stay sharp! As sharp as your swords blade! If things get to dicey I want you to get away save yourself! Your strong the strongest person I ever met. I... I just would never forgive myself if I let you get hurt. 

Touka laughs, 

-Don’t worry about me! We stick together, I would never just leave you alone Kenshin! You've changed my whole world! Were a team! No matter what, we stick together for better or for worst!

He looks at her cheerful smile and he smiles, as he feels her words warm his heart.

Suddenly the strong scent of sulfur floods the air. They hear something behind them. Touka turns around as she draws her sword.

Suddenly a voice shouts out, 

-Good I’m not to late! 

-Co- Commander!? Touka shouts out, Wh... what are you doing here? You can't be here! You have to leave!

-Leave?! he replies, Nonsense! I knew you two were chasing a lead. Then I spotted y’all making your way into this cave. So I rushed over to aid you. 

-No! Touka yells out, No you cant be here, it’s not safe!

The Commander replies back,

-What! Just who do you take me for? I taught you everything you know! I can handle myself.

Kenshin shouts out, 

-Touka it’s ok. Let him be. Besides it’s too late to turn back now. He says he is strong. So maybe we can use him. 

The Commander smiles then says, 

-It stinks down here. What are we looking for anyway? 

-SHHH! Touka whisperers, We have to be quiet. 

Suddenly there’s commotion just up ahead of them.

Kenshin readies himself and starts forward. Touka and the Commander follow behind. 

In the darkness they can see 5 silhouettes moving around. 

-Bandits! the Commander says aloud, We found them! His voice carries out.

- Shh! Touka looks back saying angrily. 

But it’s too late... The 5 silhouettes begin to move reacting to the sound of the Commanders voice. They are Demi- Demons, Kenshin notices.

Not long after the Demons notice the presence of Touka and the others. 

One of them shouts out in a raspy voice,

-Who is there? 

-Ready yourself Touka! Kenshin shouts out.

The Commander shouts out,

-Bandits we know your there! Come now, peacefully! There is no need for a battle! He then tells Kenshin and Touka, get your hands off of your weapons! We arrest them, bring them in for questioning. Find out exactly…

Before he can finish his sentence one of the Demons appears before him. Its green eyes glowing and right in front of the Commander its claws and fangs grow longer sharper. 

The Commander slow to react from the shock of what he’s seeing goes to draw his sword. But he’s to late the Demon swats him into the cave wall. 

He hits the wall hard then falls to the ground. He looks up and to his amazement the Demon is already right there standing over him with its razor sharp claws in the air ready to deliver the death blow.

The Commander puts his hand up and as he does a gust of wind hits him. The Demons hand flies off into the air blood spraying from the Demons severed wrist. The Demon grabs his wrist and yells out.

The Commander looks up trying to piece together what just happened. He sees Touka off a distance away. She's re-sheathing her sword. 

-What? How? Was it... No it can’t be her! She is so far away and she only wields that short sword. That’s impossible! The Commander tells himself out loud, Just what is…. 

-AGGHH! The Demon screams out. 

The Commander once again turns his attention back to the Demon and just as he does the Creatures head falls to the ground. The blood sprays from its neck and as its body collapses to the ground.

The Commander sees Kenshin standing behind the Demon swinging the blood from his sword then re-sheathing it. The Commander is at a lost.

He goes to scream at Touka demanding some kind of explanation, but before the words can leave his mouth the two warriors suddenly appear to just vanish. 

The two turn there attention to the remaining four Demons who are now in a furious outrage. One of the Demons jumps and clings itself to the ceiling of the cave. Two more spring out and try to flank Kenshin and Touka. Leaving one more in front.

It suddenly grows in size then it and the one above it in the ceiling charge straight forward in a full head on assault from above and below.

Kenshin draws his sword and in the same instant he dashes forward piercing the Demon charging at him from the ground. The two collide and the impact cracks the air. 

Kenshin with his blade embedded in the chest of his Demon twist his sword then slices downward cutting the Demon in half he pulls his sword out then slices the Demon in half again, but from the waist now. Blood rains out from the sky.

Meanwhile Touka takes to the air flipping beautifully throwing her daggers into the two Demons attempting to flank. Toukas attacks are much different from Kenshins, straight forward power house bring the fight to you style. 

Her movements are graceful beautiful like a well choreographed dance. Smooth like flowing water beautiful like the fall of cherry blossoms, but as fast and deadly as a viper.

The impact of Touka daggers hitting brings the Demons to an abrupt halt. Stopping them dead in there tracks. 

Touka still in the air spins while unsheathing her sword sending a slicing wind toward one of the Demons hitting it cutting it into ribbons.

-Scattered Cherry Blossoms! Touka calls out the name of her attack.

She then lands and instantly lunges towards the other Demon. 

It reaches for her in attempt to thwart her attack, but she vanishes behind it and kicks it into the air then appears above it plunges her sword into it and they both smash into the ground. She pulls her sword out and then cuts off the beast head.

Kenshin looks up to the last Demon still clinging to the ceiling and without leaving the ground he holds his sword pointing the blade up. 

One hand on the handle, the other hand held behind the blade almost palming it. His eyes flash white and at the same time a gust of wind and lightning shoot from his sword straight up hitting the Demon expanding as it travels.

(BOOM!)

 Then electricity echoes out as the Demon fries falling to the ground. The ceiling now scarred with this high gash. Kenshin swings his blade to clean it then sheathes his sword.

The Commander stands up. He’s in shock, he can’t comprehend what his eyes just saw,

-Wha..? Touk..? How did you..? And what were..? And how did he..? And what was that..? Wha..? What? Am, I Am LOSING MY MIND!! 

Touka appears before the Commander,

-It’s ok Commander! she says, as she try’s to calm him down. 

The Commander looks at her,

-Just just what on earth where those things Touka? And how did you grow do you move like that ? I’ve never saw you move like that. And I’ve never seen anyone or anything move like him! 

Touka replies,

-This won’t be easy for you to understand, but I need you to try to ok!? Those things are Demons. Well I don’t know how to explain but those were actually Demi-Demons created by Demons.

-De... DEMONS! The Commander shouts out hysterically. 

-Yes Commander! Touka replies, and Kenshin is a Demon Hunter. Its gonna be alright. It’s ok. She tells him again. 

-OK?! The Commander shouts out.

Kenshin still surveying the battlefield looks up at the two then continues looking around for anything any clues that might be of use to him and Toukas quest. 

Touka moves closer to the Commander. She puts her hand on him and tells him,

-Yes its gonna be ok! Kenshin can hunt Demons. He’s a Demon Hunter and he’s training me to become one too!

-Training you? Demons? The Commander shouts then starts laughing like he’s losing his composer.

Kenshin looks up then shakes his head. 

Touka tries to shake some sense into the Commander,

-It’s ok! I promise! She tells him.

-A Demon Hunter! The Commander cries out still laughing hysterically, A Demon Hunter! A DEMON HUNTER! His laugh becomes sinister sounding and his voice grows serious and angry, A Demon Hunter? Touka?

How do you think this Demon Hunter gained the power to hunt Demons? Your such a foolish girl!

-What? What do you mean? Touka questions the Commander.

The Commander speaks again,

-Silly little girl! Has the Uchiha not told you from where he got this power, the power to hunt and fight as an equal to Demons? Ha Ha Ha! 

Toukas face instantly becomes serious,

-What? What did you just? How do you know that…

The Commander cuts her off,

-A Demon hunting a Demon, Ha! It’s like some kind of bad joke. 

Touka looks over at Kenshin her eyes wide, 

-A Demon, she says. 

Kenshin looks away from her. 

-He’s a Demon? Kenshin is a, a Demon?

Kenshin holds his head down. 

The Commander laughs out loud again,

-Touka your so stupid, a silly girl playing ninja! But I never would have imagined you finding and leading me right to the last Uchiha. For that I'll grant you a quick death, The Commander shouts out while laughing.