The Samurai

The Samurai Episode 7 A Trap!

-Touka, your whole world is about to change! This Demon is undoubtedly gathering its numbers its strength and will soon reveal itself as it attempts to once again unleash its kind onto the world of men...

..This is bad really bad.

Touka whispers,

-Ok, I get the picture, can you please stop talking like that your really scaring me! What do we do now Kenshin?

Kenshin answers her back,

-I need you to find out if there has been a rise in missing persons around the area and surrounding areas. We need to know how far there reach has spread. 

But do it quietly Touka. Don’t mention anything about Demons to any one. We don’t know who we can trust, we don’t know who the Demons have already enslaved, how much power they’ve already gained, who there manipulating. 

We don’t know how far they’ve already dug there claws into your world. You can’t trust anyone. Do you understand? 

-Ok, but now what do we do Kenshin?

-For now we head back into the city work the allies. Dig up clues and look for trails. Trails only Demons leave behind. Tonight Touka you will learn how to track and hunt Demons. 

-Track Demons? Touka ask, But how? 

-Yes track Demons I will show you. It’s very different from tracking humans or animals. They can hide their life force and they are excellent at hiding their own tracks as they hunt down there human prey. 

They are dangerous and deadly. They seem to vanish, it’s almost like there invisible up until the moment they willingly expose themselves. 

This won’t be easy! But with your skillset and amazing strength, I have all the confidence in the world you’ll quickly become a great Demon hunter. I couldn’t ask for a better pupil or companion! So believe in yourself just as I do.

-Rea.. Really? Touka says while blushing, Yeah your right I am a well trained highly skilled Tracker Ninja!

-That’s right, Kenshin tells her, Your amazing Touka!

 She blushes again and hides her smiling face.

-Let’s go, he tells Touka.

The two start to head out, Touka stops and says,

-What about team of Ninja my Commander sent after us? 

Kenshin respond,

- Well aren’t they Tracker Ninja like you? Let’s test their abilities, see if they as good as you are. 

Touka hurries to Kenshin’s side and the two set off back making there way back to the city. 

-Its gonna be dark soon, so we won’t have time to stop and rest. I’m sorry Touka, but we want to make it back to the city while it’s still dark.

Touka you will have to learn how to the master your sense of smell. Your nose is already as keen as a wolf, but you need to learn how to sniff out smells you weren’t taught to track. 

-What? What kind of smells? I’m a Tracker Ninja Kenshin! My nose is sharp and I can catch the scent of any prey. So what exactly am I sniffing around for? I can assure you I’m more familiar with it, then you think...

..Hmph! Touka shouts out, Showing her disapproval of Kenshin’s lack of faith in her with her sharp tone of voice and body posture.

Kenshin notices her anger. He laughs then tells her,

-Come down Touka! I’ve already told you I believe in you and your abilities. Demons are different far different from anything you have ever encountered and without knowledge and training passed down from another Demon Hunter learning to hunt them is impossible.

There is always two scents present whenever there is a Demon lurking nearby.

One scent you know all to well. The scent of blood. The other you’ve already been exposed to but you didn’t realize it...

-Huh what scent? When?, Touka ask curiously. 

-It's sulfur. There is always a strong presence of sulfur when Demons and Demi-Demons are around. I don’t know why but its said it’s something to do with there powers and the way they can transform. 

-Is that why there blood smells different from humans, is that why it smells rotted? Touka ask, Wow so really go around just sniffing the air Kenshin? 

-Quiet Touka! I smell blood... Human blood and it's fresh... There is also the scent of sulfur, but it’s getting weaker, it's fading we have to hurry! This way! Hurry Touka!

The two rush through the trees with great haste. Touka can smell the blood now too. 

They break out of the forest back onto the trail. It’s a horrid scene of death. The Tracker Ninja that were sent to meet up with Touka lay before her butchered. It’s a gruesome scene of c*****e.

-Oh, oh no! Touka shouts out.

Kenshin surveys the horrific scene of dismembered ninja laying scattered all over the trail. Some of the Ninja have been partially eaten. Devoured by A Demon. 

Their bodies look like they were attacked and mauled by a large wild animal. There is bloody dismembered body parts everywhere. 

Touka can’t believe her eyes,

-How? How can this be? How can they all be dead? There all highly skilled top ranked Ninja!

Some of them don’t even have there swords drawn. This wasn’t a battle it was a slaughter! But that’s impossible! 

-Touka! Kenshin shouts out, I’m very sorry about your men. And I’m sorry we can’t give them a proper burial...

..I can still pick up the scent of sulfur and for it to be lingering here this long after the Demon left can only mean it’s a strong Demon... Touka, its heading to the city! If you don’t want this to happen to more innocent people we have to go now!

Touka still in disbelief looking around at the scene of c*****e, 

-How? How come there aren’t any track signs of the Demon on any of the terrain. Its like... It’s like they were slayed by a ghost! Other than the marks on the Ninja they left no trace of any kind. How is that even possible? 

And if they eat humans then why did it only eat pieces of only some of the Ninja? Why didn’t it devour all of them? Why did it kill them if not to devour them? Why did it just butcher them then run off leaving behind its bloody mess?

I thought they tried to keep themselves hidden...

-I don’t know Touka, Kenshin replies, Touka your gonna have to try to let go of what you know in regards to tracking. 

Hunting Demons is nothing like tracking a person. Your gonna have to cut loose, don’t hold anything back.

You can’t its kill or be killed when facing a Demon. Your gonna have to uncaged your inner beast if you ever hope to slay one.

Demons have powers they can do things like shapeshift transforming right before your very eyes. 

They are a beast in human form. But it’s when they let that beast out, transforming into the monster hidden inside. That’s when they are truly terrifying. Each one has it own unique powers and abilities.

With a little practice you’ll be able to recognize the signs they leave behind. You’ll become come more in tune with your senses start tallying on your instincts more. 

I have no doubt you will quickly mature into a great Demon Hunter Touka! 

Touka quickly puts her head down to hide her face from Kenshin. She really likes when Kenshin talks so highly of her. She cares about what he thinks about her probably more then anyone else. And when he’s bragging about her, she feels this sensation.

The two make there way back to the city. The sun has already begun to rise. 

-Touka! Kenshin shouts out, I think it’s best we stop and get some rest.

-What! Touka shouts back, No we can’t! You saw what that thing did to the Ninja! Those are highly trained men and that thing butchered them like livestock. 

Can you imagine what its gonna to the town’s people? They don’t stand a chance! There not even aware of what’s coming for them. They have no idea about the horror….

-Touka! Kenshin answers back while cutting her off,

I know it’s hard, but we’ve been on the move for over 24 hours already. Were gonna need to be at full strength when we find this thing.

Besides Demons like to hunt under the cover of night. They do most of there moving around when it’s dark. It's when their powers are at there strongest.

If you really wanna help these people, then let’s stop for couple of hours get something to eat and prepare.

-But if they are stronger at night, well wouldn’t it be better if we tracked it down and attacked it during the day? Touka asks Kenshin.

Kenshin quickly answers back,

-It’s almost impossible to track a Demon once it goes into hiding during the daylight hours. It’s almost as if they turn off stop living entirely. Even the greatest Demon Hunter has trouble trying to hunt Demons once they go into this state.

Then he thinks to himself, "Plus I’m half Demon myself. So I’m stronger at too. But it’s when there is no moon. That’s when I’m at my best. I don’t know why, but during a moonless night I get this incredible surge of power. But its radical, dangerous. I could easily end up hurting Touka by mistake.

Thankfully the night of no moon already passed a few nights ago. I can’t risk going berserk with Touka around. Aside from hurting her she can’t know about my half Demon blood".

-Hey! Are you gonna eat or what? Touka yells, We don’t have time for you to be spacing out. We can only afford to stop for a moment. So we need to eat then rest for a little. Are you ok Kenshin?

She looks at him worried. Kenshin snaps out of it,

-Yeah, yeah I’m fine Touka, then in one motion he devours the entire bowl of food. 

Touka quickly starts eating hers. As she does she’s thinking to herself about the Ninja. About everything Kenshin told her about hunting. About the scent of sulfur.

She thinks how she was able to pick up that scent off of one of the dead ninja. And how after she did she started to pick it up on all the dead Ninja and even off the terrain around the area of the attack.

"Now that my nose has become familiar with it. I will be able to pick it up with ease", she tells herself.

The two warriors eat then lay down for a little while.

-It’s a good thing I kept our room! Huh Kenshin!?

-Yeah it sure is! Kenshin answers Touka back, Let’s get us a little shut eye ok Tou…

..Kenshin pulls the covers over the fast asleep Touka. He smiles and brushes her hair from her face. Then he lays back and closes his eyes.

-Come on let’s go!! Come on Kenshin! Are you coming or what?

-I’m coming, I’m coming already. What’s the rush Saya? I’m right behind you.. Gees why does she always want to go to the stupid market anyways!?!

Kenshin and Saya get down to the market.

-What? What is going on?! Kenshin’s eyes are open wide as he looks around in amazement at the scene in front of him. 

-Surprise!! Saya giggles, It’s the Cherry Blossom festival Kenshin! Isn’t it amazing! 

-Wow! Kenshin looks at the parade going on in front of him. 

Then he sniffs into the air. His sharp nose picks up a familiar scent. His eyes get serious he quickly grabs Saya throws her over his shoulder and takes off running at full speed weaving through the crowd heading in the direction of the scent.

-CAKEEEE!!!!

He rushes over to a stand where they are cooking and serving fresh cake,

-FESTIVAL CAKES! Kenshin shouts as he starts stuffing his face trying all the cakes. 

THUD!

-HEY! Saya shouts out while hitting Kenshin on top of his head, Hey! Put me down! What’s wrong with you?!

-Oh sorry!!

(Crunch! Crunch!}

I forgot I was holding you! Kenshin tells Saya while stuffing his face with the cake.

-Forgot me! You jerk! And all for cake! Dam that nose of yours! You can sniff out anything and I can’t believe you forgot you were toting me around like some rag doll... 

..You never forget your carrying that stupid sword. Why are you always carrying that thing around anyways? You don’t even use it now that the war is over? 

-What?!..

(Crunch! Gulp!) 

..This thing? 

Kenshin ask while stuffing his face he grabs his sword with his free hand. With his other hand he continually shoves cake into his mouth,

-I always have my sword... 

(Gulp! Gulp!)

 ..You know that Saya. 

Saya goes to try a piece of the cake for herself.  

-HHUUUUHHHH! YOU ATE IT ALL! Saya screams out angrily.

-Wait, wait he, he can make some more Saya. No reason to get upset!

-He!! KEEENSHINN!!!!!!

Later that night Kenshin and Saya are walking through the falling cherry blossoms. Kenshin holds out his hand to catch some of the falling pedals.

-It’s almost like snow! He tells Saya. 

-Yeah but it’s so much prettier and it smells so pretty, Saya replies back as she dances around in the pedals falling like snow. 

Kenshin grabs her hand and pulls her to him.

-But you know what? he ask her right before kissing her. 

She kisses him smiles than ask him,

-What?

-He smiles and replies you smell and look so so much prettier. You’re the most beautiful sight in the whole world. 

Saya blushes then runs over and grabs Kenshin holding his hand as they make there way through the falling pedals.

-Hey! Kenshin! Get up, it’s late. We have to get going. Touka whispers as she gently shakes Kenshin to wake him. 

Kenshin opens his eyes, 

-Saya... 

And the falling cherry blossom pedals fade away. 

-No! No! He cries out. 

Touka looks at Kenshin she notices his eyes are watering. 

-I’m, I’m sorry, says as she gets up rushing to the door with a sad expression on her face, I’m sorry. I’ll wait for you outside, she closes the door behind her.

Kenshin closes his eyes to try and make Saya come back, but it’s too late she’s already gone gone back into the shadows she hides in during the day. Back with everything Kenshin holds dear.

-Please, please don’t go, please... I miss you,  please don't leave me. Please, I’m so alone. I love you Saya, please don’t go, He weeps as he realizes the dream is over.

Touka stands outside the door listening. She falls to her knees and begins to cry, 

"He, he still feels so alone. I’m, I’m so stupid. I woke him up. He was dreaming about her... About Saya and I woke him up. I can’t, I can’t compete with Saya. I can’t make him happy. I can't take his pain away. I can’t do anything. Even though I'm right there always right by his side he still feels alone". She cries putting her face into her arms.

Kenshin opens the door. He sees Touka,

-There you are. I’m sorry…. What? Touka why are you crying?

He kneels down and puts his hand on her shoulder. She grabs his hand and holds it for a brief moment then gently pushes it away. 

She wipes her eyes and forces out a fake smile,

-Its... it’s nothing Kenshin, just stupid girl stuff, she tells him with her eyes still watering, while trying to keep a smile on her face, Its it’s late she gets up. We need to get.. 

"What?", she thinks to herself, "I’m, I can smell sulfur. Sulfur like the sulfur you can smell on Demons. It's it’s coming from Kenshin. But why? Why does... ", she smells again there’s no mistake, it is faint but she can definitely smell sulfur on Kenshin. "Why does Kenshin smell like a Demon?".

-I’m sorry Touka, Kenshin says as he helps Touka to her feet, I really didn’t mean to...

She pushes Kenshin’s hand away again,

-It’s fine Kenshin. Don’t worry about it. 

-You sure? He ask, Well if your ok then let’s get moving!, Kenshin says and the two begin to walk.

"I’ll ask about this later, she tells herself, right now we have to find and stop that Demon!".

-We will head to the slums Touka. We will start our hunt in the allies where most of the homeless people hang around. 

-What why? Why there Kenshin? Touka ask. 

-Because Touka they will hunt in the alley ways preying on the homeless. Preying on humans no one will look for right away. Preying on humans that wont get noticed right away or at all when they go missing.

-That’s how they…. That’s how they can continue to hunt us without our knowledge Touka answers back.

-Exactly. Very good Touka. Now come on let’s go. We want to get there before dark.

The two make there way downtown. 

The sun has begun to set off in the distance. But before it can get dark. Before the night even sets in. Kenshin picks up the fresh scent of blood. 

-And… Touka shouts out to Kenshin, I smell blood! It’s over that way and and I can smell sulfur!

Touka in her excitement runs on ahead eager to show Kenshin she is quickly learning how to track Demons. The two zig zag in and out of the alley ways. Racing towards the scent. 

-This way Kenshin. The scent of sulfur is getting stronger where almost…

-Wait! Touk…. Oh no… its to late, it’s a trap!

Touka smiling looks at Kenshin it’s just up ahead…. She turns back around and stops dead in her tracks.

Right in front of her stands a large Demon. But it’s not the one she saw back at the hideout. No you can’t mistake this one for a human. 

Its massive. Its has two massive muscular legs. But it’s not wearing any shoes. It has large feet with long toes that have large sharp looking claws.

But that’s not the part that’s freaking Touka out. No what’s freaking Touka out is the fact that this Demon has 3 different torsos each with it’s own head and set of arms massive muscular animal looking arms.

The faces resemble that of a deformed vampire bat. There is blood, so much blood everywhere. Its human blood. 

Touka’s foot hits something. She looks down and gasp. It’s a head a human head.

The sound of the rolling head gets one of the Demon heads attention. It looks over blood all over its face, spilling from its gaping mouth. Its eerie green eyes fix towards the sound. 

And once it spots her the other two torsos drop the humans they were eating. And almost all at once all 3 face towards Touka. There green eyes lock onto her. 

She freezes in fear as she feels a cold shiver go down her spine. As her eyes focus on the unimaginable frightening sight. 

She looks at the six glowing green eyes now all staring straight at her. She gasp then swallows. She’s afraid paralyzed with fear. 

One of the torsos speak it has a hideous raspy voice. 

As it says, 

-Fish with the right bait...

The other torso speaks, 

-You end up landing...

The third torso speaks 

-A nice fish...

Then all 3 torsos speak at once,

-UCCCCHHIAAA!! DEVOURING YOU WILL GIVE US IMMENSE POWEEER!

"They after Ken… The Demons know Kenshin’s name again. There hunting Kenshin. But, but why? What does it mean? What is Uchiha? Why are they after him. And why does he know so much about them? 

What is the connection between Demons and Kenshin. And the scent of sulfur on him. Even though it’s not the same repulsive smell the Demons have. The smell of sulfur is unmistakable. But why?".

-Touka! Snap out of it! Kenshin shouts out. 

Touka looks up and as she does the Demon reaches out two of its arms and as it does right before Toukas very eyes, the arms extend growing in length. It opens its claw like fingers. 

Kenshin yells out,

-Move Touka, fast! 

As the two jump the arms reach in and close missing them.

They then withdraw and return back to normal. 

"How can we fight this thing? Touka thinks, Its limbs can stretch and grow extending its range of reach indefinitely and it has 3 heads there are no openings, no blind-spot to mount an attack from".

Kenshin bounces dodging the arms hitting the wall with his feet using it to catapult high into the air.

 Touka stunned in amazement wondering how Kenshin moved like that doesn’t see the Demons arms coming her way. 

When she finally looks and notices them she realizes she’s caught. 

-Oh no! she shouts, I got caught off guard. It... it has me! There’s no time to evade. I’m... I’m caught! No!

Kenshin still in the air, draws his sword then angles himself downward facing towards the Demon. He pulls his sword drawn back beside his body and starts to descend rapidly. 

And almost instantly he drops from the air landing. As he hits the ground a gusty of wind emits from beneath his feet like he was a machine landing.

 All of a sudden the Demons arms fall into pieces. A gust of wind emits from the area of attack.

Torso screams out,

-AAAGGHH! 

As the rotten smelling blood rains from is cut arms. 

Touka is stunned,

-What! What just happened? she ask. 

She looks over at Kenshin as his sword already sheathed.

-What, what happened?

Suddenly Kenshin vanishes from sight. 

He appears again sheathing his sword and without hesitation springs back into action. This time exploding forward straight at the Demon that appears to now have a large gash on one of its Torsos.

As he lunges toward he quickly draws his sword again. The speed and force from which he draws the blade out creates a wind like layer around the blade, and with it he slices off one of the heads of the Torso.

 Kenshin lands behind the Demon sheathing his sword. The Demons head falls off followed by a gust of wind.

Touka is amazed, "Wow! He’s so fast and it’s like he can control the wind. My eyes can’t keep up!".

Without wasting any time Kenshin turns to the Demon drawing his sword. He rapidly slices into the air. Creating hundreds of blades of slicing wind then he stops and quickly sheaths his sword creating a vortex. 

The blades are drawn in forming a tornado of hundreds of slicing blades. It consumes the Demon slicing it hundreds of times from every direction. 

The Demon unable to escape is left to the mercy of…

-Razor Tornado, Kenshin calls out the name of the attack as he sheaths his sword.

The Demon falls to the ground beaten and bleeding. It screams a horrible scream as the tornado finally disperse.

-Incredible! Touka says as she looks in amazement. 

"He can control the air around him creating wind with the amazing speed of his sword technique. It’s amazing, he turns the very air around him into a deadly weapon. He’s so fast I didn’t even see his first attack. And I’m sure me or that demon never saw the last attacks either. It doesn’t even know what hit him. Kenshin is Amazing! That Demon didn’t even stand…".

-AAAAGGGHHHH! The Demon yells as it stand back up, It is sliced up like ribbons, 

-AAAGHHH! It yells again. 

-What? It’s not dead! Touka shouts out in disbelief. 

The Demons two Torsos that still have there heads begin cannibalizing on itself on the beheaded torso. It immediately begins to heal and change.

-Disgusting, Touka says as she looks at the horrid sight of the Demon eating itself.

-Its healing itself by feeding own it’s own flesh! Touka! Kenshin yells out, Get back now! Hurry Touka I can’t protect you at full strength. 

-What! No! No, I’m not just gonna leave and let you fight alone. No, No way!

She looks at Kenshin and sees the seriousness on his face. 

-Right, she says as she jumps away, I’ll watch your back! 

Kenshin looks at her and smiles. Then his eyes blaze into that white glowing flame and the sound of electricity fills the air.