Heaven's Crossing (Working Title)

The eight of them arrived at an overhang where they could see the bandits but the bandits couldn’t see them, “How many are there?” Mikuro asked. “According to my data, there is around eighty bandits gathered here, so that is ten-to-one.” Kuzo estimated. “Can you handle that Salie?” Mikuro asked the young Yuki, Salie nodded. “Yes, sir!” Salie said enthusiastically. Mikuro motioned for them to move in, the eight of them dropped down from the overhang, a bandit rushed Salie with a saber, Salie deflected his thrust with a downward motion of his hand then using the same hand brought his wrist up and popped the bandit on the chin essentially rendering him flying through the air, another lunged at his with a spear, Salie sidestepped and grabbed the spear and using his opponent’s momentum against them flung them hard into the ground, eight decided to rush him at once, one tried to kick his side he grabbed his leg against his side and slide his foot behind the bandit’s he pulled his foot back towards him will pushing the bandit with his free hand, forcing the bandit to lose balance landing on his head, the remaining seven circled him cautiously, “This kid is skilled, be careful.” one bandit said aloud. Two of the bandits lunged with their swords, Salie ducked and turned, their arms over his shoulders he locked arms in his own and threw them into each other, “Five to go.” Salie said to himself. “Attack him at once!” a bandit shouted, they all thrust their blades at once, Salie managed to block three of the blades but two managed to find their way into his shoulder. He winced for a second then grabbed their wrists and snapped them quickly to the side snapping their bones. The two bandits fell to the ground gripping their broken wrists and screaming. He pulled out the two swords and painfully brandished them with a flourish.

The bandit trio thrust but this time Salie had swords too. So he deflected the first two and caught the third between his swords, he twisted sharply to the side letting his Yuki strength snap his opponent’s sword at the hilt. He rushed forward and hooked his swords into his opponents clothes and pulled their heads down as he jumped up bringing his knees to their faces. “And that makes ten!” Salie said celebrating a little at his victory. “Not bad kid.” Azul praised Salie. “Thanks, so what do we do with them now?” Salie asked. “We gather them up in a pile and Mikuro will handle the rest.” Azul said picking up a bandit and started putting them in a pile. The group managed to pile the eighty bandits together. Mikuro stepped forward, he cut his thumb on his fang, and dragged it against his hand, he clapped his hands together then pressed them to the ground, “Summoning! Snake’s Gullet!!” Mikuro said, a large fleshy hole opened in the ground the bandits fell in and then it disappeared. “Where did they go?” Salie asked. “That technique forms a sort of prison out of the lining of a snake’s throat they are being stored in a different dimension, when Mikuro gets back to the village he will summon them again and hand them over to the guards.” Azul said. “Oh ok.” Salie said, satisfied knowing that the guards would know what to do with the raid party.

“Well Salie do you want to join the Fighter’s Guild now?” Mikuro asked, “You can help keep the village and the entire empire safe.” “If I really can help by working with you guys then I am in.” Salie said. “Good, there is just the matter of initiation now.” Mikuro said. “Initiation?” Salie asked a bit of worry in his voice. “Do not worry, we just do a ritual that will strengthen you.” Mikuro assured the young Yuki. Mikuro and the others led Salie to a cave a little east of the bandit camp, strange symbols were drawn in blood all over the walls, Mikuro had Salie sit in the center of the chamber and take off his shirt. “Now to perform the ritual of the Venom Cursed Seal.” Mikuro said, nipping his finger to draw blood again, he drew three tomoe marks flanked by a spike marking a little to the right of Salie’s collar bone, “Venom Curse Mark Sealing Art!” Mikuro said then he placed his hand on the mark, the room’s marking lit up violently and energy transferred into the marking on Salie’s back, the process was very painful and Salie screamed in agony. “It is alright Salie it will only hurt for a little while.” Mikuro assured him with a serpentine smile. Salie’s body pulsed and he could feel his body surge with new power with each wave of increasing pain. “AGHHH! It hurts! Stop it!” Salie screamed. He lashed out and a torrent of water blasted from his hand with such force it made a deep hole in the floor where it hit. The pain continued as Salie stared blankly at the hole, then at his hand and then finally at Mikuro. “What did… you do… to me?” Salie asked still out of breath.

“The Seal of Venom allows you to access your true power. If you try to use the power, the seal activates and will forcibly pull out your power. Think of it as a power-up. Be thankful.” Mikuro said. “Thank you… Mikuro.” Salie said, he was unsure of his motives and the mark. “You are free to head back to the village if you want, when we have another mission I will have someone come get you. This organization is secret so tell no one of what we do or what happens when we are together.” Mikuro said. “Alright, Salie said, placing his hand on the mark which ached fiercely, he turned and exited the cave. “Observe him carefully Hinarie. Let me know if he survives and if he shows any other abilities.” Mikuro said to his second-in-command. Hinarie nodded and ran out after Salie. “What do you all think?” Mikuro asked his other followers. “I like the feel of his power, but there is more to it than water, I am sure.” Azul said with a shark-like grin. “I had no clue he had that much power, and if that was only a sample then how much will the mark really pull out.” Gin commented. “I really wish you would not do this father.” Kuzo said. Kinto said nothing. “If we can harness that power it would prove very useful to your cause.” Yoh said. “Indeed Yoh, he will be.” Mikuro said.

Chapter 6 Salie headed home and was surprised to see he had company. Kaylee and Shadilos were waiting on him. “Hello Sly. I like your house.” Kaylee said sitting in one of his handmade wooden chair as Shadilos leaned against the wall, his twin short swords were placed on the table. “Oh hello Kay… I mean sister.” Salie said. “You believe me?” Kaylee asked. “For now I choose to believe you.” Salie answered. The mark ached and he reached to soothe it. “Is something wrong Salie?” Kaylee asked seeing the look of discomfort on her brother’s face. “It is nothing. Really.” Salie assured his sister, “I am still thinking about coming to live with you but I still need a little more time to make a decision.” “Take your time little brother, I just want you happy and safe.” Kaylee said, her ears perked up as she sensed something, “Shade.” Shadilos had already begun moving. He grabbed his swords and unsheathed them, cautiously approaching the door. “Salie get behind me.” Kaylee ordered, ushering Salie behind her. The door blew open and two flashes of silver moved swiftly through the air. Shadilos blocked them and came face-to-face with the source, a blue haired female Kitsune. She had locked swords with him, and as she smiled viciously, she chuckled a little, “Hello brother.” she said. “What are you doing here, Aven?” Shadilos asked his little sister as she took her twin long swords and sheathed them. “This must be your mistress. Hello, I am Shadilos’ little sister, Aven Youko.” she said smiling brightly up at the young Yuki woman. “Nice to meet you. My name is Kaylee and this is my younger brother Salie.” Kaylee said introducing Salie and herself.

She frowned at Salie. He did not seem all that special to her. Rumor was he was the one that Kaylee and Shadilos had been spending years searching for, but this guy did not really seem worth the effort to the seventeen year old Kitsune. “So this is the guy you were looking for, brother? He’s nothing special.” Aven stated, tapping him with the end of one of her swords. “Wow, that is some quality work you have there. Looks like one of Vilars’.” Salie said examining Aven’s swords. “It sure is. But what would you know about it?” Aven said rudely. “I was there the day he made this. I was the one who helped him gather ore for the Twin Fox Tails’ you have there.” Salie pointed out. “Well, I suppose I should thank you for that then. These swords mean a lot to me.” she said bowing her head momentarily. “Well, now that you have him, can you come home brother?” Aven asked. Kaylee shook her head. “I am afraid I will have to keep Shade around a while longer. Salie is not ready to come back with me.” Kaylee said. “I do not want to leave lady Kaylee’s side.” Shadilos told his sister sternly. “Fine, I will keep trying to convince you.” Aven said, “And I will be helping you watch him.” She motioned to Salie. Salie sighed, “I do not need to be watched.” Salie told the Kitsune. “Yeah right. A weakling like you does not need to be watched.” Aven scoffed. “That is not fair, Aven.” Shadilos scolded his sister, “You just met him, give him a chance.” “Fine.” Aven said with a frown, “But I am still going to follow him and keep an eye on him.”

“Alright that is fine, I guess.” Salie said. Kaylee and Shadilos walked to the door, “We are headed back to the cottage, are you coming?” Kaylee asked. “No, I am going to stay in the village and train for the rest of the day.” Salie said waving them off. They left but Aven stayed behind. “Are you not going with them?” Salie asked. “No. I told you I am following you and keeping an eye on you.” Aven said. “Like a bodyguard?” Salie pointed out. “More like a babysitter.” Aven corrected him. “But you are younger than…” Salie started. Aven’s glare stopped him mid-sentence, “Never mind.” “That is what I thought,” Aven said with a smirk. “You had better not try to insult me, otherwise I would have to deal with you as a threat.” “Do you hate all men, or do you just hate me?” Salie asked. He was genuinely curious as to what her answer would be. “I just do not like you,” she replied with a shrug. Salie let out a sigh and began to walk away. He could feel Aven behind him, but at this point, he did not care. He was just about ready to get rid of her. “So, where are we going again?” Aven asked. “I am going to train with a friend,” Salie reminded her. Salie walked back to Xishi’s house. She was waiting with Kitsuno, in the sparring ring. She was giving him a vigorous workout as he weaved and dodged palm thrusts and kicks, finding it difficult to get a chance to return the favor. “Whoa, Salie, who are they?!” Aven said, blocking Salie’s path with a sword.

“Oh, the girl is Xishi Sai-Huon, we have been good friends for a long time. I trained alongside her under the four masters of the village. Her mom and dad are really famous.” Salie said pointing to Xishi, the dueling duo had not noticed their audience yet. Aven’s face turned a subtle shade of red, “And the guy?” she asked, her voice accidentally a few octaves higher. “That is my best friend Kitsuno Takarashi. He guards the bridge into the village. His family is supposed to be really important around here but I have never figured out why.” Salie explained. Salie could hear Aven mumbling Kitsuno’s name under her breath. “Are you ok, your face is red?” Salie pointed out. Aven glared at him then at her feet. “I am fine.” she assured him. Kitsuno noticed the pair at this point. He stopped his match with Xishi. “Salie, who is your friend?” Kitsuno asked, a hint of interest in his voice. Salie’s eyebrow arched, at this and a subtle smile spread across his face. “What is that smile for?” Aven and Kitsuno questioned at the Yuki. “Nothing. So Xishi, you and Kitsuno feel like a two-on-one match against me?” Salie redirected the conversation. “I am up for it.” Kitsuno said, with a tone that showed his eagerness to show off to the new kitsune girl. “S-sure.” Xishi said, “Are you sure the both of us Salie, you have only taken one of us at a time before.” “Yeah, Aven here thinks I am a weakling. Perhaps a demonstration will convince her that I am not.” Salie said. Salie stood in the middle of the circular sparring ring, Xishi to his right, and Kitsuno to his left. Aven took a seat on a low wall next to the sparring ring. “You ready?” Kitsuno asked, he crouched down and brought his hands together to concentrate, then nodded.

Kitsuno charged first swiping both his claws down in an X pattern. Salie stepped back making Kitsuno miss his strike and pushed against his chest throwing him off balance long enough for him to notice Xishi’s assault. She pushed forward with a double palm thrust towards Salie’s chest. He pushed her hands from the side away from him, he then gave her a tap on the hips which sent her tumbling into Kitsuno. Rina appeared from the villa. “Not bad Salie.” she said clapping. Aven took Rina’s arrival as the appearance of a new enemy. She had her blades already drawn and both of them racing towards Rina’s head from her blind spot. Rina’s silver eyes shimmered for a second then she deflected the blades away with a pair of fans, and she blew strongly on Aven, her breath turning into a gale, blowing Aven clear across the circle. “Who is the rude kitsune girl?” Rina asked, her silver eyes falling on Salie. She seemed, for the most part, unfazed by the attack. “Shadilos’ little sister, and my self-appointed bodyguard.” Salie explained. “Shadilos, your sister’s bodyguard?” Rina questioned. “Yeah. She is a little odd. Attacking people who just pop up and all.” Salie pointed out. “Salie who is that woman?!” Aven said getting to her feet. “Well if you had given me a chance to explain I would have told you that she is Xishi’s mother, Rina Sai. She was a famous ninja back in the Yukis’ Empire. Not to be messed with.” Salie explained. “Very well put Salie.” Rina cooed, her eyes shimmered again, her gaze fell on the spot where Salie’s Curse mark was hidden, “Salie you seem different today, did something happen?”

Remembering what Mikuro said, Salie chose not to tell her about the experience earlier in the day. “No ma’am nothing too odd today.” Salie said. She frowned for a second, “Alright, well, Xishi, Xion and I will be here if you need to talk about anything.” Rina said. Salie felt bad lying to her but he didn’t know what to do about the Fighters’ Guild. He smiled and nodded. It gave him great comfort knowing he had people who cared about him so much. Aven had inched her way over to Kitsuno during Rina’s interrogation, and they had begun to chat. Xishi made her way to Salie’s side. “So mom tells me you met your sister today.” she said avoiding eye contact at first. “Yeah, her name is Kaylee, she seems nice.” Salie said. “Seems nice?” Xishi inquired. “It is just… I do not know about her and if she is really telling the truth. I mean we have the same hair color, she knew my name and claims I look like her lost brother but it is still a long shot.” Salie fumed. “Well, do you want her to be your sister?” Xishi asked. “Yes, even to learn about my past a little would make me happy.” Salie said. Xishi smiled, “Then you have to trust yourself and make a decision. If she is not really your sister then you can decide how to handle that, but if she is then that is wonderful.” Xishi said encouragingly. “Yeah. Thanks Xishi.” Salie smiled at her, she blushed looked away then back at him. “Does she want you to leave with her?” Xishi asked, Salie’s heart skipped a beat and his body tightened. Does she know about me being a prince? “What do you mean?” Salie asked. “Back to where you came from with her, you know, back to your family.” Xishi answered.