Soukei Baku Episode 9: The Gathering

Moments after the tournament ended, the clinic had already bandaged Soukei's wounds. The sunset dawned through the window to Soukei's room. Naoki was there holding Soukei's hand as the boy was asleep. She cursed herself for allowing that to happen to him. She didn't know what was going on with Jai-Po...He injured Soukei critically and almost left him to die. Luckily the doctors was able to patch him up in time of his final breath. Tears formed in her eyes as she stared at Soukei. "Soukei...I-I'am sorry...Please...don't die..." she said. Even though the doctors told her he would be fine, Naoki was still worried. Moments later, Wu-Shin had entered Soukei's room. He looked at his son in the clinic bed and sighed. He walked toward the bed and placed his hand on Naoki's shoulder. She looked at him with watered eyes. "Sensei..." she whispered. As of now she was speechless. "I know..." replied Wu-Shin. He sat down in a chair beside Naoki and looked at his son. Naoki looked at Wu-Shin and noticed her sensei did not shed any tears. He was indeed strong, but she knew he had much faith in his son. "I have seen your fight with Katsumi and noticed you inherit some of the Makato's personal fighting techniques. You and Katsumi were training together without the approval of neither myself or Xaohu. What you did was illegal, Naoki." he said. Naoki gulped and lowered her head. That was the last thing she wanted to hear right now. Wu-Shin didn't want to think about the possibility of his son dying from that dangerous wound...so he kept on that subject. He couldn't believe Xaohu and Osagawa would teach Jai-Po those types of techniques. Only a few people used those techniques...and so far, Jai-Po was the only student at the academy who used them in the tournament. "......Sensei...I..." yet again she was speechless. "There is a clear reason why it is forbidden to fight as the Makato does, Naoki. They represent corrupt power from within. Their technique symbolize power and implements power. We are different than them, for we see honor. You must remember that, Naoki." She nodded her head gently and just had to ask... "Sensei...why is that there so much segregation between us and them?" Wu-Shin sighed and knew this day would come. The day when he would need to tell the reason why segregation was so important at the academy. Little did they know, Soukei heard everything they were saying...pretending that he was asleep. "For years...our clans have been at war with the Makato. They decided to try and take over all they deemed worthy. Our clans wanted to suppress them, and chased them back to their very own temple. There...we did battle. It was the final battle between Takamori Amaretsu and Hsou-Saijin. After Hsou killed our Takamori, he killed his wife. From then on, the clans have been in a constant struggle. Until a treaty had been forged by our clan to stop the fighting. When it was passed, both clans agreed to withdraw from teaching any of you the true reason behind the segregation. It was to forever cease our clans from killing again...But it seems...that Xaohu and Osagawa wishes to continue what their ancestors had been set out to do...which was a clan takeover." Naoki gasped. Listening to the true reason behind the segregation was frightening for her. She didn't know Jai-Po was surrounding by such influence. After turning her eyes over at Soukei, she continued... "...And...Jai-Po...?" Wu-Shin closed his eyes. He knew Naoki and Jai-Po were seeing each other, it showed in her voice. He sighed and shook his head. "They will use him to do it. To take over our clan through mental strategies. It will be unstoppable once their plan is in motion...unless we do something." He then turned glanced back at her. "I know you and Jai-Po are together." Naoki yelped and covered her mouth. At one moment, she started to get up and walk out, but she knew she would have to face it one day or another. "From here on out, Naoki, if you truly care for Jai-Po you need to let him go. The more attached he is to you, the closer he will be to our clan. The closer he is to our clan...the easier it would be for Osagawa and Xaohu's plan to succeed. I don't want to see neither you or Soukei to be dragged into this. It is best if you leave Jai-Po alone, and never speak to him again." "...B..But..." "I said no! You dare disobey me?! If you do not understand then you endanger all of us. I will never allow such horror to devour this clan! Do you understand, Naoki?" Naoki lowered her head as she wiped the tears that formed in her eyes. "...Yes...sensei...I understand..." "Good." Afterwards, they turned back to Soukei and continued to give him support. Meanwhile... Xaohu and Osagawa sat in front of Jai-Po, who stood wanting answers. Earlier, Wu-Shin mentioned something about forbidden techniques and treaties. He needed to know what they knew...or else he would be confused for a long time. His hand that Wu-Shin nearly crushed had been wrapped and bandaged. With that hand at his side, he looked onward at the two people who meant the most to him. "Master Xaohu...Uncle Tenaku...please, tell me what is going on! Master Wu-Shin said that I had been taught forbidden techniques; and he also mentioned something about a treaty...I need to know...please..." Xaohu and Osagawa turned to each other. Jai-Po's uncle nodded at Xaohu as the man turned back to Jai-Po. "Very well. Do you remember Hsou-Saijin in your lesson?" "He was a legendary assassin who led both clans during the war with the Izumi tribes, right?" Both Xaohu and Osagawa turned to look at each other. They smirked and then turned back to face Jai-Po. It was time for him to fully understand. "That is wrong. You see, Jai-Po, Hsou-Saijin was the legendary assassin who conquered the Amaretsu clan generations ago. He killed one of the best samurai of legend, Takamori; and killed his wife, Yhemae. Hsou-Saijin was different. His techniques were deadly and very unique. And as of now, only us three know of these deadly techniques. Your uncle passed them on to me, as I did to you. That is why, Wu-Shin finds your ability to be disturbing. He fears you, Jai-Po, as he fears the rest of our clan. He will stop at nothing from trying to tear us apart, but we won't let him." Jai-Po was a bit speechless. Unsure of whether to take his mentors seriously. Outside of Xaohu's quarters stood Reiji as he listened in on their conversation. He was a bit bewildered; and curious about what they were telling Jai-Po. Moments later, Katsumi appeared just down the hall from Reiji. He looked glanced over at her as she began walking towards him. "What is it, Reiji?" Katsumi asked. Reiji held up two fingers as a way of telling her to stay where she were while he continued to listen in. Osagawa stood to his feet and approached his nephew. He placed a hand on his shoulder and grinned. "In order to prevent this, young Jai-Po, I think it will be fitting if we strike first, yes?" said Osagawa. "...But how...?" replied Jai-Po. "That girl you are affiliated with...what was her name? Naoki is it?" Osagawa said as Xaohu nodded his head. "She is our key to infiltrate their clan. Do not mix your destiny with personal emotion. It is not the way of the Makato. If you wish to keep our clan alive, you must complete this assignment, young Jai-Po. Remember, do not trust them...as their master will probably instruct them to do the same. When the time comes, they will attack us...but if you succeed... they will fail. First, use the girl to get into the Amaretsu's skin. Take the advantage and deplenish their reputation from within. Once that is done, they will have no more morale to fight. Then we will strike and our clan will stay alive. Do you accept, young Jai-Po?" Osagawa continued. "...Yes, uncle Tenaku...I accept. I don't want to see our clan fall to the hands of Wu-Shin. If Naoki and Soukei are instructed to remove us...then I will retaliate!" Xaohu and Osagawa grinned. "Good. Let us proceed with your training. Tommorow, the plan will ensue." Outside, Reiji leaned up off of Xaohu's door and slowly walked down the hall approaching Katsumi. Her eyes looked worried as she watched him. "What is wrong, Reiji...? I-It's Jai-Po...isn't it?" she asked. "I think the Amaretsu clan are going to attack us." Reiji replied. "What?" "Talk to Jai-Po, he will tell you more about it. In the meantime, if they are really going to attack us...then I will be ready for them." With that, Reiji walked off leaving Katsumi behind. Tension rose in the air as Katsumi turned and looked at Xaohu's tainted door to his quarters. She had to confront Jai-Po... she just had too...