Chapter 10
A Wedding Disaster: Kushiro’s Unfortunate Fate

The day of Ayame wedding is at hand, as she stands there with the man she would soon marry. A man with other plans then just a peaceful life with his brand new spouse. Everyone soon takes a seat as the pastor begins the ceremony.

Pastor: Dearly beloved, we are here today to join the bond of two families in holy matrimony. If there is any reason why these two shouldn’t be together, please speak now, or forever hold your peace.
Suzuki: I object!
Ayame: Suzuki?
Suzuki: I have a reason why Ayame shouldn’t marry.
Pastor: Okay then?
Suzuki: Ayame has someone else.
Vince: Who?
Suzuki: He’s not here though.
Pastor: Then where is he?
Suzuki: He’s . . . out there, somewhere, a million miles away from here.
Pastor: That’s not a very good reason why these two shouldn’t marry.
Suzuki: Hold on, I got some others. . . Did you know Ayame has a lesbian relationship with Miwa?!
[everyone gasps]
Vince: What?!
Kushiro: [thinking] Leave it to Suzuki to buy time.
Ayano: Oh, my.
Hitomi: Turned out to be more than just an experiment.
Dash: This is better than television.
Miwa: [mumbles] I’m going to kill you after this.
Suzuki: It’s true. I couldn’t get any sleep with these two making out all night.
Ayame: Suzuki!
Suzuki: Don’t worry, I won’t go into detail. Although for a testimony I have to, right?
Pastor: Uh, . . . I don’t think this is an appropriate place to discuss such a matter.
Suzuki: Anyway, there I was sleeping in my sleeping bag when all of a sudden I saw Miwa and Ayame bundled up kissing each other.
Vince: Stop spreading this slanderous filth at my daughter’s wedding!
Suzuki: Hey, I’m just saying. Okay, so there I was sleeping right, and then I think I saw their hands going down each others’ pants or something. I don’t know, just ask her, she nailed your daughter.
Yukio: Whoa.
Hajji: Uh . . .
Dash: [laughing hysterically] Oh my God! Is someone taping this or what?! I’m so getting a copy!
Ayano: Sit your bottom down Dashu.
Miwa: [eye twitching with her fists balled up]
Kumori: Is this true Ayame?
Ayame: [blushes] No! None of this is true!
Suzuki: Oh please, you kept telling her to go faster. What were you two doing at that time anyhow?
Miwa: [covers Suzuki’s mouth] You said enough for today.
Suzuki: [mumbles] I’m not finished yet.
Pastor: [wipes his forehead with his handkerchief] Well, does anyone else object? Besides such sexual content.
Miwa: I do.
Pastor: And yours is?
Miwa: Ayame has a right to choose who she wants to marry, regardless of what her family says.
Vince: I have you know the Chiba tradition is that every female of the age sixteen is to wed someone by the parents’ choice.
Miwa: You need to let her think for herself.
Vince: We do, as parents we promised her the best man we could find.
Miwa: You don’t even know what she likes in a man.
Vince: Of course I do.
Miwa: And this is coming from the man who just realized his daughter was missing over a year.

Everyone was shocked by Miwa’s remark, clamoring about all the humorous and conceptual motives of why Ayame shouldn’t marry. With time nearly running out, Kushiro struggles to break out of his shell to speak. His heart racing tremendously, sweat dripping from his pores, and his hands shaking in his grasp.

Kushiro: [thinking] Okay, bad time to get stage fright Kushiro. Come on, you can do this. Just jump up and say you love Ayame. . . I can’t! Not since I had that accident in the third grade with that play! Oooooh, I couldn’t get over that for months!
Vince: For your information, we knew she was missing ever since!
Miwa: Right, right. Not to mention the fact she was in the exact same spot where her grandmother was, and entered into the academy with the same name. Talk about clueless.
Vince: This has nothing to do with her getting married!
Ayame: Would you guys stop it?!
Miwa: [gasps]
Suzuki: [stops mumbling]
Ayame: . . . I just . . . I just want to marry. . . So stop treating me like a little girl, I can think for myself you guys. I know what I’m doing.
Miwa: Ayame.
Suzuki: But Ayame.
Ayame: Please, don’t make me escort you guys out.
Miwa: . . . We’re sorry.
Suzuki: Yeah, it won’t happen again.
Ayame: Thank you. Please continue sir.
Pastor: Very well, if there is anyone else, besides these two, who believe this couple today should not be wedded, please speak now, or forever hold your peace.
Yukio: I object!
Vince: For crying out loud! What’s your excuse?!
Ayano: Yukio, what the hell are you doing?
Yukio: [whispers] Look at Kushiro.
Ayano: Huh?

Ayano and the others examine Kushiro in his nervous state, and soon realize why the girls were irrupting the wedding with their silly testimonies.

Ayano: . . . I see. . . I too also object!
Hitomi: So as I!
Dash: Eh, what the hell, better than sitting here looking pretty.
Ayame: You guys!
Yukio: Relax Ayame, we all have good, reasonable, adult explanations.
Ayano: Your hair is a mess.
Hitomi: And you have a little too much makeup on.
Yukio: And someone in this very chapel, is a murderer!
[everyone gasps]
Vince: What’s your excuse?
Dash: Hold on give me a sec. . . . . I had . . . Sexual relations with your daughter.
Vince: What?!
Dash: Yeah, you’re right, too dramatic and overused.
Vince: You think this is a joke?!
Dash: Well I’m bored and I didn’t get to smoke a drag.
Vince: How about I smoke you from your job?!
Dash: You can’t fire me, you don’t work there.
Vince: But I fund the school!
Dash: Maybe so, but still you have no jurisdiction over any of the teachers.
Vince: Then I’ll get Airi to fire you!
Dash: Fat chance, last I checked she hated your guts.

With all her friends and teachers ruining her wedding, Ayame stands there in all the chaos filled with tears. They broke the last straw with her and soon she gives out a large outburst which silences everyone.

Kumori: Ayame.
Ayame: What’s wrong with you people?! Can’t you get it?! I’m in love! . . . How can you act this way, and at my own wedding?!
Ayano: . . . Well.
Kushiro: Ayame?
Ayame: [gasps] . . . Not you too . . . Kushiro I thought you had more sense then that. But apparently you’ve lowered your comprehension like the rest of them! So what is it?! What lame brained excuse could you possibly have to talk me out of marriage?! Something that I have been waiting for all my life when I was a little!

Then Kushiro jumps out of his seat and interrupts her explosive temper by grabbing her by the waist and kissing her in front of the entire audience. Ayame stands there with her eyes broaden by surprise, as Kushiro’s grip was tightly secured around her waist. Everyone was soon thrown into udder confusion in what was going on.

Kumori: . . . Ayame.
Suzuki: Whoa, go Kushi.
Miwa: Oh God.
Ayame: . . . . . [softly] Kushiro.
Kushiro: . . . I had no other way of saying it. . . So I reacted.
Ayame: . . . So you do love me.
Kushiro: Yes . . . But.
Vince: This is outrageous! I will not tolerate this kind of behavior at my daughter’s wedding!
Ayame: But dad.
Vince: No buts! I want them all out of here now!

Then a thunderous sound of the doors slamming wide open as they hit the walls shouts, grabbing everyone’s attention as they find Airi standing at the entrance.

Airi: Now what’s all this noise about?
Ayame: Grandma!
Dash: Airi! How’s my wonderful, most beloved headmaster doing?!
Airi: Stop it Dash, no one likes a kiss up.
Dash: Well I tried.
Airi: Is this suppose to be my granddaughter’s wedding? Ha, my daughter must be sick if she left you charge of the decorations!
Vince: Well . . . You see mother.
Airi: Ayame dear, look at you, you’re so gorgeous. You remind me of your mother when she was your age.
Ayame: Thanks?
Airi: Anyway, what’s with all the yelling? I can hear you guys a mile away.
Vince: These hooligans are disrupting Ayame’s wedding, and now this boy claims that he has feelings for my daughter!
Airi: Kushiro?
Kushiro: Hi. [nervous chuckle]
Airi: So you have feelings for my granddaughter do you?
Kushiro: Well, . . . Yeah, but.
Airi: But what?
Ayame: Kushiro, what‘s going on?
Kushiro: Uh, well, I.
Kisuke: May I interrupt for a minute?
Vince: Why not? Hell, why don’t everyone say something!
Pastor: [sits down in the pool pit] Out of all of the weddings, I get the one with problems.
Kisuke: How about we settle this like men? We fight for Ms. Ayame’s heart.
Kushiro: Me go against pretty boy?
Kisuke: Against me.
Kushiro: Hey, no fair! He should fight, since he has so much compassion for her.
Kisuke: Attacking the emperor is a grave offense against our kingdom. Would you rather deal with over a thousand men, armed with swords to take you on?
Kushiro: Now that you mention it.
Ayame: Kushiro you don’t have to do this.
Kushiro: . . . No Ayame, I have to.
Ayame: Uh?
Kushiro: You deserve more than this. . . Not just your dreams but someone who really loves you.
Ayame: . . . Kushiro.
Vince: Fine, but if you two are going to fight, we‘re going to take this somewhere else.
Airi: Hmm?
Vince: Everyone, I have an announcement to make! Because of, certain unnoticeable events, the wedding will be delayed! I’m sorry for the inconvenience everyone, but as you can see, another boy claims to have feelings for my daughter, and both are willing to fight for her affection! This battle will be held at the colosseum, to the far right of this chapel!
Ayame: Kushiro, I think you should stop. I have a bad feeling about this.
Suzuki: Yeah, who knows what that guy has up his sleeve.
Kushiro: No, I’m going to fight.
Ayame: . . . Why are you doing this for me?
Kushiro: Are you deaf? I said you deserve better now shut up and let me handle this. [walks away]
Suzuki: That was mean. He didn’t have to say it like that.
Kumori: Don’t worry my dear, this will be over soon. [places ring on Ayame’s finger]
Ayame: Uh.
Kumori: Soon Ayame, you will become my lovely wife.
Ayame: . . . Yeah.

Kushiro finally opens his heart to Ayame, and confesses his hidden feelings. Feelings that Ayame wanted to hear, but for some reason made her feel a bit upset and angry. With the wedding put on delay, everyone travels to the large colosseum; a marvelous ice built replica of an actual colosseum constructed in Rome, but the arena itself was entirely different. A oval shaped arena where Kisuke and Kushiro stand, made of ice floated in the center of an icy lake, along with icebergs and broken pieces of ice floating in the vicinity. Ayame sat with her father and Kumori in the highest stand, the maenianum primum, a seating place where the non-senatorial noble class or knights took their seats. The families and friends sat in the lower part, or the immum, where the rich and wealthy sat, but for some reason, Kumori’s family sat in the immum, while the Chiba family settled themselves in the summum, where the poor citizens sat. As for the teachers and the girls, they soon take their seats with Kumori’s family.

Miwa: I’m so glad to get out of that dress.
Suzuki: I don’t know why. After this you’re getting back in it.
Miwa: And after this you’re dead for that little lesbian fib.
Suzuki: Oh come on, you have to admit that was a pretty good one. Aside from her being an ex-con, or a drug dealer who produces opium.
Dash: Come on, start already!
Ayano: Dashu are you nuts?
Dash: How many times did I tell you not to call me that?
Suzuki: Why do I get the feeling we forgot someone?
Hitomi: . . . Hmm?

Hitomi then looks around, finding the family to gaze at them with hatefulness. Pondering why their behavior changed dramatically, Airi approaches them looking for Yukio.

Airi: Yukio, we need to talk.
Yukio: Now? My nephew is about to fight.
Airi: This is important.
Yukio: [sighs] Fine.
Airi: And you guys might want to sit upstairs.
Ayano: Why?
Airi: Well, let’s just say customs need to be uphold, and right now you’re crossing that line.
Miwa: They’re just seats, I don’t see the problem.
Hitomi: . . . [thinking] I see. Sure Airi, we’ll move. No telling how violent this battle is going to get.
Suzuki: But Ms. Sochi.
Hitomi: Move it kids, we don’t have all day.

Out in the middle of the field, Kisuke stands there, still as he meditates before the battle. Remembering part of the conversation he had with Kumori, that Kushiro must die in order to accomplish one of their vital tasks. As for Kushiro, he shivers from the cool, breezy winds, holding himself to keep warm.

Kushiro: darn it. It wasn’t so cold out there. Maybe it’s because where I am. Either way I’m freezing my bottom off.
Kisuke: [thinking] My goal right now is to somehow put him within that realm, by death.

Meanwhile, Ayame sits there, wishing for all of this to stop before something goes wrong.

Vince: I’m sorry you have to go through this Ayame.
Ayame: . . . This needs to stop.
Vince: Hmm?
Ayame: Father . . . I want this to stop.
Vince: . . . I wish I could but it is out of my hands.
Ayame: But what if something happens to him?
Kumori: I ensure you Ayame, nothing horrible will happen to Kushiro.
Ayame: . . . I hope you’re right.

Meanwhile, Airi and Yukio step outside of the colosseum to discuss an important matter.

Yukio: So, what do you want?
Airi: Why didn’t you stop him?
Yukio: Well I figured since his Nao-Kai training has been lagging, this would be some good experience for him.
Airi: Did you forget what you promised Hiro? . . . You’re supposed to protect him not send him into a fight where it could cost him his life!
Yukio: [sighs] That’s one thing about you women, you want to smoother a child so much where they can’t do a thing for themselves.
Airi: He is not gifted like he was.
Yukio: I know that, but this is what he would want.
Airi: Hiro would not want his sons on the battlefield!
Yukio: . . . That boy you see is turning into a man. All I’m trying to do is help him defend for himself. I’m not going to be able to just jump in and save him every once in awhile.
Airi: [silent]
Yukio: He’s the man of the family now, he has to take care of his little brother and his mother, even if it means his life. Even though at first I didn’t want him to come here in the first place, he has learned some new things. So if you don’t like my methods then buzz off. I don’t need lectures from you on how to take care of my nephew.
Airi: That’s pretty gutsy talking to me like that. I could wring that neck of yours if you talk to me like that again.
Yukio: [chuckles] Well you should know me by now. I’m not just some teacher who obeys his superiors like a dog, I‘m a person with a life. I’m sure you have some more “obedient dogs” at the old kettle, so don’t feel too bad. [walks away]
Airi: . . . If that boy dies it’s your fault.
Yukio: [stops] I’m prepared for that situation, so don’t you worry about me. [walks away]
Airi: . . . [sighs] Men.

As Yukio takes his seat with the others at the higher stands, the match between Kushiro and Kisuke was underway.

Vince: Here are the rules of the match! There will be only one round, you can either force your opponent into submission, cast your opponent off the ring, or even so, death.
Ayame: [gasps]
Kumori: Don’t worry Ayame, I talked it over with Kisuke so he won’t land a fatal hit.
Ayame: . . . Kushiro.
Kushiro: Man, I got two swords but I only know how to use one.

Then Kisuke walks up to Kushiro, startling him as he grabs the hilt of his sword, ready to counter at any moment. Kisuke then stops and holds out his hand, showing sportsmanship to Kushiro before the match began.

Kisuke: Before a match, the opponents must shake hands as a sign of sportsmanship and to never let up.
Kushiro: . . . Oh. Here I thought you were trying to get the drop on me.

Kisuke then heads back to his original position and offers Kushiro a chance to attack him.

Kisuke: Also, I’ll give you the honor of attacking me first, but I doubt you‘ll even land a hit on me.
Kushiro: All right then, let‘s give it a try!

Kushiro then draws his new sword Yukio gave him and charges with full speed. Yukio then panics as he yells out to Kushiro telling him to halt his attack, but his shouts of advance fell on deaf ears. Soon it was too late as Kushiro leaps into the air and brings his sword down, but was caught in a powerful force that pushed back on him, holding him in midair. Kisuke then takes his sword and with a swipe, sends Kushiro away as he crashes on the cold arena ground.

Yukio: darn it.
Suzuki: What happened?
Miwa: Spirit force, Kushiro’s too weak to push through his aura, thus he lost the struggle and was overpowered.
Suzuki: Kushi never had a problem with that before.
Yukio: That’s because he was using the other sword I gave him. I knew Kushiro was weak and could never force his way through an opponent’s spirit force, so I gave it to him. Not only does it repels energy based attacks but it can also cut through an opponent’s spirit force, without forcing the sword back.
Dash: Did you tell him that?
Yukio: Well . . . I thought since he knew it could repel energy attacks, he could go through the spirit force with ease.
Miwa: What made you think Kushiro could think?
Kushiro: What the hell?!
Kisuke: Just as I thought.
Kushiro: Huh?!
Kisuke: Your spirit force is extremely weak, that you were suspended in midair leaving you open for a deadly attack. This won’t be much of a match.
Kushiro: Spirit force? . . . Oh that thing.
Kisuke: You hold a sword yet you know nothing about spirit force. Even if my sword is not a tsunagari, my own spirit force is enough to overpower you.
Kushiro: Okay, new plan.

Kushiro then unsheathes his other sword and frantically swings his swords in every direction like a madman. Kisuke stands there in disbelief of his method, and dodges his attack with ease. He then prepares to strike him down, but then Kushiro lets go of his other sword and swings with full force. Kisuke quickly dodges finding out his sword was not being repelled by his spirit force, and quickly draws his sword blocking another swipe from Kushiro’s sword. Kisuke questions his method on his spirit force holding Kushiro back, as their swords press against each other trying to hold each other off.

Kisuke: How are you able to clash swords with me?
Kushiro: I’m just full of surprises pal.
Kisuke: No matter, because you forgot one thing.

Kisuke then leaps on to Kushiro’s head, and jumps off to capture his other sword. Kushiro stands there embarrassed by his little tactic, as he picks it up and throws it away into the freezing waters.

Kisuke: Now you only have one sword.
Kushiro: Hey, my uncle gave me that sword! It’s priceless!
Dash: Man, how dumb can he get?
Hitomi: You’re not supposed to let go of your weapon no matter what the situation is.
Miwa: Dumbass.
Yukio: Phew, I’m glad that wasn’t the sword sensei gave me. If it was, I’ll make him dive down there and get it.
Ayame: Kushiro.
Vince: [laughs] The boy doesn’t even know how to use two swords! What was he doing with them in the first place?!
Kumori: Though it was foolish for him to sacrifice his sword, I must admit it was quite ingenious, if only it had landed.
Kushiro: Well, it’s not like it benefited me in anyway.
Kisuke: Maybe so, but what will you defend with when that sword is gone?

Kisuke then rushes towards him and attacks Kushiro, but he quickly blocks it as they enter into yet another submission. Kisuke then twirls his sword around Kushiro’s and parries it out of his hands, leaving him armless with no weapon to defend him. Kushiro quickly runs for his blade as it tumbles in the air towards the open waters, leaving the crowd dumbfounded by what he was doing. Kisuke then flings his sword as it connects with Kushiro’s blade, sending it flying into the waters as Kisuke leaps into the sky to retrieve his sword. After retrieving his sword, he lands and swings his sword at Kushiro’s neck, and nearly stopping with a bare touch to his flesh halting his progress. Left with no weapon but the Izento, Kushiro’s defeat was soon near if he didn‘t utilize it to his advantage.

Kisuke: Give up, I don’t want to take your life if it comes to it.
Kushiro: Damn.
Ayano: Aw, I thought he could do it.
Dash: I’m starting to wonder was that whole mission a fluke for him.
Miwa: I think it was a fluke.
Suzuki: The only weapon he has is that weird sword.
Miwa: He wouldn’t use that, he may hit the crowd.
Kisuke: So Kushiro, what is your answer?
Kushiro: . . . I’ll keep fighting even if you kill me. . . No one shouldn’t have to go through this, especially on their wedding day.
Kisuke: The reason why she’s going through this is because you intervened.
Kushiro: Even so, she’s putting up with a lot of mess, just to make her parents happy. She doesn’t give a rat’s bottom about him, she’s only doing this for them.
Kisuke: . . . Then I’m sorry.

Kisuke then takes his sword and thrusts the sword behind him, leaving everyone to think of a fatal blow to his internal organs. Then, Kisuke starts to feel a heavy stress on his body, as he turns around to see Kushiro still standing.

Kisuke: What is this?
Kushiro: Thanks for reminding me about spirit force, because now I can do this!

Kushiro then punches Kisuke in the face, sending him flying outside the ring to fall into the water, but he then regains control and lands on the tip of an iceberg.

Kushiro: Yes! He’s out the ring baby!
Kisuke: On the contrary, I’m still in.
Kushiro: . . . You’re lying.
Kisuke: This iceberg was once part of the ring, therefore counts as another region of the arena.
Kushiro: Give me a break! If I would have landed on that everyone would’ve been on my ass!
Vince: He is right Kushiro, therefore the match will continue!
Kushiro: [screams in anger] Finally come up with a plan and . . . [screams]!
Dash: Nice one, Kushiro may take some hits but he always has an interesting attack after another.
Yukio: Yeah, the only problem is, he can’t move.
Hitomi: What?
Yukio: The spirit force from that sword is so overwhelming in close range that it freezes him and anyone in it on that spot until he puts it away.
Suzuki: Kushi, start cutting some icebergs down or something!!
Kushiro: That’s not a bad idea.
Kisuke: [thinking] That’s right, attack me with it.

Kushiro then unsheathes and slashes the whip of fire at the iceberg Kisuke was standing on. He soon leaps from it and lands on a nearby iceberg, causing the fire to quickly melt it away. The mix of heat and cool water began to cause a chemical reaction, causing steam and splashing waters each time Kushiro released a blast of fire. As Kisuke dodged each of the failed attacks, he studies Kushiro noticing that he hasn’t moved ever since the sword was summoned by his side.
Soon the entire arena was filled with a cloud of steam, affecting everyone’s vision and Kushiro’s from attacking even further, in fear of striking the crowd. Then all of a sudden, he started to notice that he was cut away from the arena as Kisuke turns over the sliced piece of ice, sending Kushiro underwater. Since the Izento was by his side, he was glued to the floor as he started to drown. He soon puts it away and tries to swim to the surface, but then a blade pierced through the water and stabs him directly in the chest, as blood pours and mixes with the water. Kisuke draws his sword out of his chest, as Kushiro slowly sinks to the bottom of the arena. The pain in his chest, combined with the chilling waters, made it feel like he was immobilized. Unable to swim to the surface, and soon facing death, Kushiro peacefully says his goodbyes to his Hamaru, Ume, Kunoichi, his friends, and Ayame. The blinding steam soon lets up, as everyone finds Kisuke, alone on the arena with Kushiro missing.

Ayano: He’s gone.
Suzuki: Where’d Kushi go?

Yukio, shocked and stunned with fear, sees a shallow pool of blood floating to the surface, along with bubbles slowly depleting.

Yukio: . . . No.
Hitomi: Is that blood?
Suzuki: What?!
Hajji: . . . Oh dear.
Ayame: . . . . . [weakly] Kushiro.
Vince: What kind of technique was he using?! I knew he was no good, it was probably demon magic.
Kumori: He was attacking recklessly and jeopardized the lives of everyone, he had to be stopped Ayame.
Ayame: . . . . You promised. . . You promised nothing will happen . . . . Kushiro!!!

Ayame then flees from her seat, and runs through the halls to the lower sanctum to leap into the water to save him before her father could stop her. Each passing second Kushiro sank deeper and deeper into the seemingly bottomless arena. She could only put all of this on herself, feeling as if she didn’t tell him how affectionate she was to him, he wouldn’t put such risk for her own life. She didn’t want to lose another friend because of her problems, and because of who she loved. She soon reaches the lower sanctum, and leaps into the water to save him. Everyone was soon thrown into shock and peril as Ayame risked her own life before everyone’s eyes. Then Airi soon returned with her daughter carried on her shoulders to see Vince.

Vince: Uh . . . Dear?
Airi: I heard explosions, is everything okay?
Aimi: Vince, what’s going on? Why is everyone here at the colosseum?
Vince: I uh . . . [sighs] . . . The boy is dying.
Airi: What?!
Vince: Kumori, didn’t you tell Kisuke not to kill him?!
Kumori: I did, but as a warrior of my kingdom, my people were in danger, and as every warrior, he dealt with the situation, sadly with the only possible solution. I’m sorry for all of this everyone.
Airi: This is why I shouldn’t put you in charge of anything.
Aimi: Where’s Ayame?
Vince: She went after him in the waters.
Aimi: What?!

While everyone awaits for Ayame to arise from the surface, she desperately tries with all of her might, but her dress creates a drag in the speed. She soon spots Kushiro’s lifeless body, still falling and losing blood at a alarming rate. After a couple of minutes, everyone begins to worry if Ayame reached him in time, or is she suffering from a watery grave as well. Then, Ayame bursts from the water with Kushiro in her other hand, soaked with watery blood in her dress, struggling to bring his body to the surface of the arena. Kisuke holds out his hand and pulls her in with Kushiro’s body in hand. Ayame then checks his body, and finds the wound in Kushiro chest still bleeding. Confused and frightened, she performs CPR and tries to get him to breath. Everyone soon begins to think Kushiro died, as Ayame continues to bring him back to life. Sadden by her futile efforts, Kisuke stops her from continuing, and accept another death of someone she loved so dear.

Kisuke: I’m sorry.
Ayame: . . . . You promised you wouldn’t hurt him.
Kisuke: I had no choice.
Ayame: You liar! . . . Kushiro would never hurt anyone else. . . No one as long as they didn’t brought harm to him or anyone else he loved. . . So don’t tell me you had no choice.
Kisuke: [silent]
Ayame: I never wanted to marry Kumori in the first place.
Kumori: [silent]
Ayame: I only did it just to see my parents happy. . . Nothing more. I cherish them and my friends more than my own life. . . And now, I lost another one of my friends, because I didn’t do or said anything to defend myself.
Kisuke: Are you saying you would throw away your family name?
Ayame: . . . If it came to my friends’ life, I would gladly toss my name away to bring them back, but, that’s only a fool’s dream. . . Right now,. . . I’m only focused on killing you!!

Ayame then summons her tsunagari, then in a violent rage, swings her sword at him. Kisuke blocks the attack, but only to have his arm and sword incased in ice. He drags himself away from her as her spirit energy starts to increase in strength; her blue aura swirling around her body, causing gusts of wind to blow wildly into the air.

Kisuke: Stop! Do you wish to bring war to your family?!
Ayame: They won’t be fighting, because you will have to go through me. . . You didn’t have to kill him!
Kisuke: He endangered lives!
Ayame: There is no excuse for your actions!!

Off in the far distance of the arena, Hisako stands alone under a snow covered tree filing her nails as Kamisori appears out of his camouflage, hanging from the bark of the tree. She then notices the raw force of spirit energy emitting from the arena, already knowing of Ayame’s uncontrollable strength.

Hisako: No control whatsoever.
Kamisori: . . . . [chuckles]
Hisako: Last I checked a certain Rikotsu is supposed to be watching someone.
Kamisori: [laughs]
Hisako: What’s so funny?
Kamisori: . . . He dead. [laughs manically]
Hisako: . . . You idiot! You were supposed to protect him!
Kamisori: [blows raspberry]
Hisako: [growls] You call yourself a pet!!

While Ayame runs berserk, Kushiro awakens in a strange, dark realm, stranded in the mitts of darkness. Though in darkness, his body felt overheated as if he was standing inside a furnace. Then, a low, rumbling voice calls out his name, as he turns around to find a tall, evil, dark armor. On the right side of its helmet, its eye glared deeply at Kushiro, staring coldly at him sending chills down his spine, yet something familiar to him.

Kushiro: Who are you?
???: [silent]
Kushiro: Okay then?
???: . . . [chuckles] I see why something so weak couldn’t survive even with help.
Kushiro: Hey!
???: So, you’re the one I’m stuck with. That darn girl has the most indescribable mind.
Kushiro: Wait, who are you talking about?
???: If I am going to be a part of you, you have to be able to defend for yourself.
Kushiro: Sorry, but no one is sharing my body. Understand that bucket head?
???: You best watch your tongue foolish child, or you will face my wrath!!!!
Kushiro: . . . Wait a minute, you said you’re sharing a body with me?
???: Precisely, with me as your host, everything that you have hope to accomplish will be fulfilled, and no being will ever raise their sword against you.
Kushiro: No thanks, but I’ll pass.
???: I can even help you crush that rat, Irimaru.
Kushiro: How do you know him?
???: [chuckles] You can say, we had some confrontations back in the past.
Kushiro: Wait a minute . . . You can’t be. . . . You’re supposed to be dead!
???: Finally figured it out.
Kushiro: You’re the reason my dad is missing. . . You’re Chaos. . . You ruined my family’s life you bastard!!
Chaos: And what are you going to do about it brat? You have no sword.
Kushiro: . . .You stay out of my head you pile of rust! I don’t need some weird deadbeat ghost to help me!
Chaos: For what I’ve seen, you need all the help you can get. Each time you’ve entered battle, all your tactics failed, and what did you turn to, to deliver the crushing blow to gain your victory?
Kushiro: The sword. It’s yours isn’t it?
Chaos: [chuckles] So do we have a deal?
Kushiro: Never you bastard! Now get the hell out of my face before I show you what I can do!

Then in an instant, Kushiro found his neck in the mysterious armor’s massive grip, wedged tightly within his grasp as he lifts him up off the ground. He begins to crush Kushiro’s esophagus, with each bone crushing force taking his life away. His eye aggravated with anger, with red blood veins coursing through its eye, continues to torture Kushiro to the last drop of his life.

Chaos: The day that I’m bossed around by some reprobated teenager, is the day the afterlife would have meaning! Be sure of this boy, if I become a part of you, that does not prevent me from taking your life! I would rather be imprisoned, with my flesh ripped from my bones everyday, fed moldy substances, and forced to fight for my life with only my bare hands than to be commanded by a simple child!!
Kushiro: [gasping for air]
Chaos: And here you are, struggling within my mighty hands, begging for mercy when you’re already dead! What possible reason do you have, to make you want to live again?
Kushiro: . . . Le . . . Go. [choking]
Chaos: Wrong answer!

He then constricts even more pressure, nearly snapping Kushiro neck off until he gasped out his last words of surrender. The demon’s grip soon loosens, as he falls down to the unseen floor beneath him, gasping for air as he collects little bits of oxygen.

Chaos: Take that as an example, if you ever get on my bad side. Next time I’ll make sure your head pops off.
Kushiro: [thinking] That was close! . . . He wasn’t kidding when he said he’d kill me! . . . That’s the last time I use anime demons as a reference. He’s different . . . There’s no sign of weakness in him, just pure darkness.
Chaos: Now, I’ll ask you once and only once, do we have a deal?
Kushiro: [raspy] What if I don’t accept?
Chaos: [chuckles] Then you can leave.
Kushiro: Huh? After all that mess?
Chaos: No skin off my bones boy, but with the situation you‘re in, you would crawl back to me, begging me to help you.
Kushiro: Y-you’re letting me go?
Chaos: Is that what you wish?
Kushiro: . . . . Yeah, and I hope I never see you again.
Chaos: I wouldn’t be too sure about that. If you ever need me, just meditate and picture me in your mind. Go back to your, life.

Then Kushiro’s vision was immediately blinded by the darkness of the flames that consumed him, and castrated in total darkness of the void with Chaos‘ laughter echoing around him. Back at the arena, her loved ones gather around to calm her down from her emergent sorrow.

Suzuki: Ayame, stop this!
Miwa: This isn’t worth it Ayame! If you kill him you’ll only end up with more circumstances!
Ayame: I don’t care! . . . He shouldn’t have killed Kushiro! . . . It wasn’t called for!! . . . It’s all my fault that he’s dead.
Ayano: Listen dear, I know things are not working out, but think of your family! Think of what you will put them through if you kill him!
Ayame: [sobbing] But . . . Kushiro won’t be able to. . . His life is ruined because of me.

Then Kushiro walks pass the others, shocking all who watched him as he boldly approaches Ayame from behind. Fighting through the thick currents of her spirit force, he finally makes it as he rests his hands on her shoulders. Ayame swiftly reacts to his touch and swings her sword, but he soon grabs her arm before the sword could reach him. With him in the corner of her eye, her heart nearly sinks and her breathing ceases.

Kushiro: Hi.
Ayame: . . . You’re back.
Kushiro: More than you know it.

Ayame’s raging spirit force slowly depletes, as the violent streams of spirit energy soon subsides.

Suzuki: Kushi is okay!
Miwa: . . . Yeah, but how will we break it to him?
Ayame: Kushiro I’m so sorry. . . Forgive me.
Kushiro: You’re really stubborn aren’t you? I try to help you yet you keep fighting me away.
Ayame: . . . I don’t know what to say.
Aimi: Ayame! My baby!
Ayame: Mom.
Aimi: [squeezes Ayame tightly] I’m so sorry you had to go through all this!
Ayame: Mom, I did this all for you and father.
Vince: Excuse me?
Aimi: Ayame, our happiness is none of your concern, because we are proud of you no matter what.
Ayame: But, if I didn’t marry, my powers and family name will be stripped from me. I take my family’s name with pride and honor.
Vince: So, you don’t love Emperor Kumori?
Ayame: . . . No dad, not really.
Vince: Ayame why didn’t you tell us?
Ayame: Because I . . . I need that power to become useful. When I was little, I asked you could I go to Soul Academy to develop my powers and skills, but you said it wasn’t a place for me to be. Before I had a conversation with Hajji, I was all for marrying whoever you paired me up with, but then I realized I had to live life to the fullest. I figured if I married I wouldn’t be able to accomplish my dreams, my life would be devoted to him always, and I would never experience that life.
Aimi: Ayame, there’s something I have to tell you. . . Your father wasn’t the one your grandmother chose for me to marry.
Ayame: What?
Aimi: Vince was my true love, and I denied your grandmother’s choice. She had a weird taste in men.
Airi: Speak for yourself, I’m still trying to figure out why do you love him.
Vince: Mother.
Airi: Don’t call me that!
Ayame: So you’re powerless?
Aimi: No, you’re never powerless as long as you believe in yourself and your friends.
Ayame: But . . . That means your family name was taken from you as well.
Suzuki: If her family name and powers were taken away, then would that mean Ayame doesn’t have a last name?
Aimi: A name is just a name, what really shapes you is your beliefs and doings.
Ayame: I see.
Aimi: Just speak what’s in your heart Ayame, you don‘t always have to follow the rules.
Ayame: . . . Then I don’t want to marry.
Airi: Well, if you’re not going to get married, I have no choice but to take you to the Underground Burial.
Ayame: Underground Burial?
Airi: Our ancestors will be the ones who will drain you of your powers.
Ayame: But they’re dead are they not?
Aimi: You’ll see soon enough dear.
Airi: Vince, tell these people to leave, now.
Vince: What about the wedding?
Airi: Didn’t you hear your daughter?! She doesn’t want to marry him! Sorry Emperor Kumori for wasting your time, I’m sure there is another lucky lady out there.
Kumori: I understand, I wish you all happiness.
Airi: That goes for you guys as well.
Suzuki: We can’t stay?
Airi: It’s sacred ground sweetie, can’t have just anyone treading there.
Ayano: Come on kids, this is family business.

With the fight over, and Kushiro’s mysterious meeting with Chaos, everyone is escorted by Hajji and Vince, leaving just Ayame, her mother, and grandmother. She will soon face punishment from the ancestors of her family, but even so, Ayame didn’t care less what happened to her. She knew someway, somehow, her dreams will come true, even without the aid of her family’s power.

Airi: Well, seems like everyone is gone. Ayame, do you have that necklace I gave you?
Ayame: Yeah, surprisingly it didn’t stop me this time like before.
Airi: Give it to me.
Ayame: But, I thought it was mine to keep?
Airi: You’ll get it back, I promise.
Ayame: Okay.

Ayame then unhooks the hidden necklace around her neck and hands it to Airi. She then walks off into the middle of the arena, then prays upon the jewel, causing the jewel to react as a low rumble shakes from underneath them. The waters around them start to crash violently against the walls, splashing into the stadium’s lower seats. Suddenly the water begins to rise from the arena, towering over them and forming into a sphere like dome that covered the top and entrances. Outside the stadium, the families and friends were amazed by the display of rising water forming over the colosseum. Then the ground beneath them starts to split apart, revealing a secret staircase leading down into the depths of the arena. Ayame was shocked and bewildered by the strange phenomenon, as her mother gently holds her hand to reinsure her.

Ayame: The stone is hidden here?
Aimi: And the only way to access it is by using the family heirloom passed down from generations. [coughs roughly]
Ayame: Mom!
Aimi: I’m okay sweetie.
Airi: . . . Let’s go Ayame.

Airi then leads them down the hidden path, after a few feet, they come across the corridor walls brimming with blue crystal shards, lighting the rest of the way with their dazzling, radiant colors of light. With each step they took, the temperature around them continued to drop, and affected Ayame regardless of her family’s blood, but Airi and Aimi were not bothered by the bone chilling temperatures. Finally they reach the end of the stairs, and there rest the Touketsu Stone in the hands of one of the three statues in the middle of a large body of water, dampened by a mist over the water.

Ayame: [thinking] Wait, what’s this sudden numbness I have? . . . I am actually shivering from the cold.
Aimi: Cold dear?
Ayame: [shivering] Yeah, I never knew what the cold felt like.
Aimi: Well we won’t be long dear.
Ayame: These are my ancestors?
Airi: Misu Chiba, Kaiyate Chiba, and Aisu Chiba, three of the seven creators of The Touketsu Stone.
Ayame: But, I don’t see any graves.
Airi: Look closer behind the mist dear.

Ayame then tries to pierce her sight through the mist, as it slowly starts to dissipate, escaping from the underground cavern. She soon gasps at the sight of floating coffins in the water, where every Chiba member was either floating on the surface, or sunken to the depths of the water.

Ayame: There’s coffins in the water!
Airi: Precisely, every family member of the Chiba family that dies, is sent here, to become part of the Touketsu Stone.
Ayame: So the stone’s power is measured by the deaths of the Chiba family.
Airi: Something like that. Misu, Kaiyate, Aisu!

Then the statues begin to shimmer with a bright light, as three ghostly apparitions appear in front of the statues, dressed in white garbs. Misu and Kaiyate with long, locks of brunette hair, chestnut eyes, while Aisu had blonde, short, frilly hair with blue eyes.

Misu: Who awakens us from our slumber?
Airi: I, Airi Chiba madam. Forgive me from intruding you all from your peaceful slumber, but there is a family matter that needs to be discussed.
Aisu: [sighs] Twenty years of resting and doing nothing, and yet another family matter to attend to.
Ayame: Is one of them a guy?
Aisu: You got a problem with that sister?
Airi: Can we get on with this Aisu?
Aisu: Airi Chiba! How are you darling?!
Airi: [irritated] Very fine Aisu.
Aisu: Oh you look so darling honey.
Kaiyate: Aisu, will you mind?
Aisu: Well we haven’t seen those two ever since. It’s been years.
Ayame: Mom, are they dead?
Aimi: No honey, you see, they’ve sealed their souls within carved statues of themselves as a second defense to protect the stone.
Misu: What is it Airi?
Airi: [sighs] She decided not to marry.
Aisu: Again? You have got to find some better choices next time.
Misu: Okay, let’s go ahead and do this.

As Misu and the others began to recite an incantation, to drain her of her powers, Ayame works up the courage to speak on her behalf to try and reason with the ancestors.

Ayame: Wait, there’s something I need to say.
Aimi: Ayame.
Misu: What is it?
Ayame: . . . You don’t have the authority to decide what’s best for me.
Kaiyate: Excuse me?
Aimi: Ayame! Excuse her, she didn’t mean a word.
Ayame: Mom, let me speak.
Aimi: But Ayame!
Ayame: You said speak from the heart, now let me do that mom.
Aimi: Ayame, just choose your words carefully.
Aisu: Well honey, this is a family tradition that has been going on for centuries. You don’t have much of a say in this.
Ayame: But what will benefit me from marrying some stranger?!
Kaiyate: By marrying early, your physical needs that cloud your mind will be satisfied, and guarding the Touketsu Stone will be a little easier for you.
Ayame: That still doesn’t make any sense! So what if I marry early?! I’ll be married to someone I don’t love!
Aisu: In time you would learn to love your husband, and that turned out just fine, until you and your mother that is.
Ayame: But it’s my life!
Misu: Silence!!
Ayame: Uh.
Misu: You do not question the methods of your family’s traditions! Nor the decisions and choices from the wisdom of your parents! To disobey them is a sin far beyond any other.
Ayame: I know it is . . . But is it wrong to decide for your child? What if I wanted to do something different? What if I wasn’t for the idea of marriage?
Misu: Then the same principle will apply.
Ayame: . . . Then you can take your power back.
Airi: I’m sorry Ayame, but it is by their decision.
Ayame: I don’t care. They can take my power, and strip me of my family name, but I am who I am. I was born of Chiba blood, and that’s something you can never take away. I won’t live by your standards, I will choose what I want and I will choose who I can marry!
Misu: Silence!
Aimi: Ayame please.
Ayame: You’re not family, you’re just a bully that misuses power! If you even care for you own blood you would end this meaningless tradition!
Misu: Why you little! I will not tolerate your insolence!

With a mighty swipe of her hand, the waters collide into Ayame, and soon freeze her against the rough surface of the caverns. Then Misu commands the water to form a spike shaped ice spear to run through her exposed neck. Ayame braces herself for the impact, but then an ice shield forms from the pillar incasing her and blocks the spear barely as the tip of the spear nearly touches her throat.

Aimi: Ayame!
Airi: She warned you Ayame.
Misu: Who did that?
Aisu: I can’t allow you to do this to her.
Misu: Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t run her through with an ice spear?
Aisu: I think the little firecracker has potential, and last I recalled, Chiba women are independent, and choose their own path. Isn’t that right?
Misu: Yes, but!
Aisu: I’ve been thinking about this tradition and it is getting rather old. I mean look at her, such burning determination, strength, I see no reason of her marrying some stranger.
Kaiyate: I guess, the tradition was mainly used to better prepare them to guard the Touketsu Stone.
Ayame: Please Misu, trust me. I’ll protect the Touketsu Stone with my life, just let me live the way I want to live.
Aisu: Come on honey, you know you want to.
Misu: [sighs] I don’t know if I should do this.
Ayame: Misu, believe me, my family means everything to me, I went through all of this just to make them happy. But seeing how anything I went with was okay with them, it kind of lifted my spirits into saying something, for myself.
Misu: . . . Okay, the punishment will not be carried out.
Ayame: Really?!
Misu: But, the peak of your powers will never be realized.
Ayame: The peak of my powers?
Kaiyate: That information is what we cannot reveal to you.
Ayame: Fine then. Could you release me by any chance?
Misu: I will, but the next time you speak to me like that, I’ll make sure the others don’t interfere.

Misu then transforms the encasement of ice back into water, freeing Ayame from the wall. By standing up for herself, she was able to at least keep her powers, and hold her family name with pride.

Aisu: Well I guess we will be seeing you girlfriends some other time.
Aimi: Maybe.
Ayame: Thank you ancestors, I won’t let you down.
Kaiyate: We are sure you won’t. You are just like your mother when she was your age, rebellious.
Aimi: [nervous chuckle] Well, uh.
Ayame: Well she is my mom, and I love her very much.
Aimi: Ayame dear.
Airi: Okay you, let’s get you back to bed so you can get better.
Aimi: But I’m fine. [roughly coughs]
Ayame: Now mother, we can’t have you running around with a cold. You will only make yourself feel worse.
Misu: Let me ask you something Ayame.
Ayame: Yes?
Misu: What are your goals in life?
Ayame: Well, [blushes], one was to get married with the one I love, and my other goal is to change the way of the Reikai World.
Misu: Changing the afterlife? That sounds too big of a goal for you.
Ayame: Well it maybe, but something tells me it is something I must try. I want to make the afterlife a better place, an image to all beliefs, I want to make that world come true.
Aisu: So beautiful, this little Chiba is going places.
Misu: [thinking] Such an arrogant little thing, changing the Reikai World is nearly impossible. . . She will make a great leader, and maybe her dream will come true.

As the family leaves the hidden caverns, the frozen, towering frost begins to defrost, as the water gently floats back down to the arena. The night sky then sets in the north, as they head back to the manor where her friends await their presence. But there was more trouble ahead for Ayame, further complications that she may blame for her own doing. As Hajji prepares the chariot for their trip back home, Ayame stands on the balcony, in her school’s black kimono admiring the North’s bright stars before heading back to the academy. She then notices the wedding ring on her finger, and takes it off. Gazing at its beauty, she clasps the ring hard and flings it over the balcony into the blanket of snow.

Kushiro: Hi there princess.
Ayame: Kushiro.
Kushiro: You doing okay?
Ayame: I’m fine.
Kushiro: I’m sorry Ayame, you lost your powers because of me.
Ayame: I wouldn’t say that, I still have my powers.
Kushiro: Really?!
Ayame: Kushiro I should be saying sorry to you.
Kushiro: Why?
Ayame: I feel like I pushed you into this. I started to pour my emotions on you, despite Kunoichi and you. Believe it or not, I kind of feel envious of Kunoichi; she has such a wonderful, caring, handsome boyfriend.
Kushiro: [blushing] Well, I don’t know what to say.
Ayame: Can you promise me something?
Kushiro: Sure.
Ayame: Don’t ever tell me you love me, unless you are willing to spend your life with me.
Kushiro: Uh.
Ayame: Those words mean so much to me, I want those words to be special. To be repeated to me so many times, over and over, loses its meaning, and soon squandered of its purpose.
Kushiro: I’m sorry, I just wanted to be an example to you.
Ayame: An example? . . . Love isn’t supposed to be an example Kushiro.

The room becomes silent, as they stare at each other, unease by the silence. Then, Kushiro spots the aurora outside, as Ayame turns around to watch the spectacular display.

Ayame: The aurora.
Kushiro: That’s amazing.
Ayame: It truly is.
Suzuki: Ayame!!
Ayame: [looks down] Suzuki.
Suzuki: Let’s go!
Dash: Yeah, I’m freezing my bottom off out here and I need a smoke!
Ayano: You need to lay off the cigarettes.
Dash: [growls]
Ayame: It just started.
Kushiro: Maybe we can come back someday.
Ayame: Maybe.
Kushiro: Now let’s hurry back, it’s the weekend and I need to get a phone to call Kunoichi.
Ayame: [gasps] . . . Yeah.

Kushiro and Ayame soon join the others, as she says her farewell to her parents. They soon board the chariot, and head off into the night back to the academy. In the outskirts of the North, Emperor Kumori and Kisuke meet up with his family and friends. Strangely, all standing before them with blank faces and emotionless expressions.

Kisuke: What shall we do now? Without the Touketsu Stone in our possession, the others will be disappointed with our performance.
Kumori: Not really, we did manage to carry out part of our objective.
Kisuke: But there’s not much change in him.
Kumori: Just give it time Kisuke, as for you people, thank you for your assistance.
Kisuke: I wouldn’t actually call them people.
Kumori: Well Kisuke, though they are fake, they are part of life.

Then the mass of people begin to melt like wax figurines, dissolving into the ground leaving a pile of paint like substance behind. What could be their main objective for trying to steal the Touketsu Stone and killing Kushiro? Not only that, who are they working with?