#9: Night of Confrontation

It's been almost one month since Ren and Yukari arrived at Tsuchimikado Island.

Most of their time used for researching the various plants on Tsuchimikado Island.

But all of it was a ruse, their true objective is to find information about Satoshi Otomi death and his killer.

Night, Seigen's place. The two of them are in the same room, to converse between each other rather than talking or whispering, they write it, and exchange it between each other.

Yukari: Ren-chan do you found something?

Ren: No. But I found something interesting about Seigen

Yukari reading it become ecstatic, she always wants to know Seigen better. She quickly writes her reply, and give it to Ren.

Ren who watches her joyous expression can only sigh, he wants to reprimand Yukari that Seigen is a potential enemy, but he keeps it.

Yukari: What is it? What is?

Ren: It seems Seigen's family is pretty much hated

Yukari: Is that so? Why thou?

Ren: Based on what I get, they run some shady business

"Shady business?! Like selling drugs?!" Say Yukari loudly.

"Shhh!" Ren gesturing to Yukari to keep quiet.

She realized what she is doing, quickly block her mouth with her hands. Both of them then glance at the door of Seigen's room.

Ren sigh, he then writes in other words and give it to Yukari to read.

Ren: Maybe, maybe his house run assassination business, maybe they do an illegal human experiments, I don't know

Yukari: Should we ask Seigen-san?

Ren: Don't! Unless you want to be kicked out from the island, or worse executed! We in unknown territory after all.

"W- would they do that?!" Yukari then begin speaking. She then quickly holds her mouth realizing she speaks rather loud.

Ren: Shh! Maybe! We're outsider after all!

Ren: Yukari-nee san, honestly I can't believe him. I think-

Ren then cross out all the words he wants to write, and change it.

Ren: Let's do it again tomorrow, I want to sleep.

"Alright! Good night Ren-chan"

"Good night"

Ren go back to his sleeping bag, while Yukari is still writing about her discovery.

We need plans, and also chances! If we keep doing this, sooner or later that Dark Circles Bastard gonna realize it!!

........

They've gone to a lot of places, meeting a lot of new peoples, and experience new cultures, but the information they had gathers is insufficient.

Right now it's 4 a.m. the sun hasn't risen yet.

Yukari is still sleeping, Seigen that guy always lock up in his room only joining them when they're researching plants, and when it's time to eat.

Ren is outside doing his usual training. Just when it's time to finish the warm-up Ren speak

"Rather than watching, why don't join instead? Right... Seigen!?" Say Ren as he looks behind him.

Just like he says, Seigen is watching him.

"Perfect time! I need a sparring partner, doing training alone without an opponent it's not... effective"

Seigen casually ignoring Ren, then turn back inside the house, but that exact moment his step was stopped with one word.

"Ritsu" say Ren calmly.

Seigen turn back and facing Ren, his eyes narrowed and the sound of clicking tongue was heard by Ren.

Seigen who is alarmed and somewhat irritated, begin to speak

"As i though-"

"Wait! Let me explain!"

Seigen words was cut off, Ren then begin explaining

"I don't know what this 'Ritsu' thing is. But at least I can guess it is something that many peoples hates and feared"

"If you want to know why I know that, it is because during OUR visit and research some peoples were looking at you with disdain and I just happen to heard it. Frequently at that"

Ren finished explaining it to Seigen. His eyes looking at Seigen's expression and gesture.

Ren shakes his head, and show a smile "Don't worry 'I' won't pry. I just want to befriend you Seigen"

Yeah! Like I want to do THAT. Think Ren in his heart.

"So how about it? Do you mind becoming my sparring partner? Just 2-3 rounds would do"

Seigen who already knows Ren and Yukari objective, turn back again.

Unlike with Yukari, Seigen is more cautious against Ren, click his tongue in irritation. Looking at Ren's smiles, he felt disgusted.

Seigen then go inside the house, but before that he say "I refuse" to Ren.

After he went inside the house, Ren who still outside erase his smile and click his tongue, irritated.

"Tch! Damn you Dark Circles Bastard!"

.....

Nighttime.

Ren is helping with Yukari's research, he helps her with bringing the samples, writing some logs, and miscellaneous things like washing, and buying groceries.

Beside helping her research, and gathering information. Ren also hoped to at least experiencing the exorcism on Tsuchimikado Island.

He also wants to experience adventuring Tsuchimikado Island.

The adventures he does while helping Yukari is insufficient. Whenever he wants to separate Seigen always stop and reprimand him.

So like it or not, he must always follow them both.

But Ren think this won't be long, and maybe he can experience the exorcism battle and also adventuring on Tsuchimikado Island, and he was right.

Because right now, Yukari and Ren's ruse are exposed by Seigen.

"Answer me, the true reason why you both are here!"

Hearing Seigen, cold sweats are forming behind Ren's back. The same also happen to Yukari, there's a cold sweat forming on her cheek.

What should I do?! I've already known sooner or later he would notice.

Should I lie, or maybe...

Ren clench his hand, his expression hasn't changed yet, he quickly thinks how to reply to Seigen, and prepare for the worst.

But before he can decide, Yukari already speaking

"A- ahaha as expected from Seigen-san.... yeah, that is true my- OUR objective isn't studying the flora here, but-"

"TO FIND OUR BROTHER'S MURDERER!!!"

Say Ren cutting off Yukari's speech.

Both Yukari and Seigen looking at Ren. Seigen was shocked hearing his words, even though deep down he already knows.

"A month before, our brother Satoshi Otomi was killed by an exorcist. Based on the reports we received, he was killed by impurity back on Tsuchimikado Island"

"Even though our father didn't know it, and accept his death, but we both know"

"That day, Yukari-nee san remember he was killed... right in front of her, and I fought the murderer and"

Ren pause his words, remembering what happen next made Ren angry. He clenches his fists and gritting his teeth, he began to continue

"And... I remember The Oldman prostrate himself in front of the murderer"

Yukari looking back at Seigen worriedly, she then affirms Ren's words.

"Yeah... it's just like what Ren-chan said. We've come here to unravel who, and why just... WHY onii-chan is killed" say Yukari shedding a tear.

She quickly swept her eye to erase the tear.

"I just- we just want to know why, that's all we want..."

Seigen lowering his head, he remembers the night he killed him.

That night, he killed Satoshi Otomi right in front of his sister, and erase her memory to protect her well-being, and secrecy of Tsuchimikado Island.

That night, he also fought her two brothers, Satoshi who is willing to die quickly fell on his hand, but Ren is the most troublesome.

Not only he managed to reveal his face, he also managed to harm his subordinate.

By Ritsu 'LAW' Ren must be executed, but Zenkichi Otomi prostate and begging him to stop killing Ren.

Just like Yukari, Seigen decided to erase both of their memory. Specially Ren, who memory he personally and more thoroughly erased.

So... both of them resisted the spell

Then I'm sure they want me-

Just when Seigen think they want him dead, Yukari continue her words

"Unfortunately... we don't know who it is, both our memory regarding the killer is so vague and blurry"

"I-"

Hearing her, Seigen want to speak regarding Satoshi. Alas, he was stopped because he noticed a figure behind the window.

Seigen didn't speak further, and nonchalantly get out of the house.

Yukari who saw Seigen's figure lowered her head, she worried that Seigen would report them.

Like Seigen, Ren also noticed a presence outside. He focused his hearing, and carefully eavesdropping on their conversation.

Sei- sama- here- list- jugo

List? ... Jyuugo (15)? W-what are they talking about?!

A moment later Seigen came inside the house, he's ignoring Ren and Yukari altogether and quickly take his equipments and gone outside.

Ren noticed that equipments is for exorcism, and decide to tailing Seigen.

"Nee-san I'm going out for a walk"

Ren grab his attachment and talismans, just when he was going outside Yukari grab his hand.

"Where are you going?" Ask Yukari worriedly

Ren turn back and answer Yukari with a smile "Just going outside, you know.... training"

Yukari clench her hand tightly, squeezing Ren's hand "You're lying" said Yukari.

Ren eyes met with hers, from her moist glassy eyes he knows what she's worried about.

"Don't worry nee-san, I won't fight him" say Ren released his hand from Yukari grip.

"Ren-chan!

"Ren! Ren!" Shout Yukari.

He quickly gets out, and chase Seigen hastily. Yukari also chase after him, but she was no match for Ren speed.

"Ren-chan... Seigen-san..."

Leaving her behind all alone, she prays that Ren and Seigen won't fight each other.

...

In some district on Tsuchimikado Island. Two man confront each other.

ZATSU!

With just one swing, one of them was killed. The killer walk away after looking at his victim corpse.

The man released his enchanted weapons, and then his mask. With empty eyes lije dead fish, The man look at his own mask.

Mask shaped like a tiger with red color and black lining. Personally, rather than a tiger it's more like a demon mask.

How many... do I need to kill?

The man contemplate about his duty, he noticed a bloodstain on his mask make his expression sour, he quickly wipe it off.

Just when he finished wiping it off, the man felt another presence and look ahead.

There, a boy is standing before him.

With eyes devoid of light, sharp and fierce the boy glaring at him full of spite like a dagger piercing one's heart.

The man, Seigen, a bit shocked narrowed his eyes and eyebrows.

The boy, Ren, begin talking to him.

"I know... it was you"

Seigen a bit shocked, grind his teeth and begin asking "Did she also knew?"

Seigen ask him, Ren reply by shaking his head. Seigen then asks another question "Then... since when did you know?"

Ren begin to draw a talisman from his attachment. With menacing smile he said

"Since the beginning"

...

...

......

"Since the beginning"

With menacing smile Ren begin to draw a talisman from his attachment.

Seigen alert when he saw Ren draw his talisman. He put his tiger mask again, and prepare to enchant his gloves.

"You know..." say Ren while he scratches his head, then he also continues

"Back then when WE'VE met, I had this... what you called it? Ah! Guts! Whenever I see you I got angry"

"I thought it at first... MAYBE he is the one who killed Satoshi-nii san, but hey! That bloody tiger mask, enchanted weapon shape like a beast claws, and of course... your Dark Circle!"

"Seeing your previous action, I was Right!"

"My enemy is right in front of me, heck! I even eat and sleep under the same roof at him"

Seigen with his emotionless face then begin to speak casually "So, you want to kill me then?"

Ren who heard his words show a smile "Yeah... i really, REALLY want to kill you!"

Seigen close his eyes, and let out a deep sigh.

Sure enough he wants ven-

"But! After hearing your conversations with that oldman... I decided I won't kill you and won't tell Yukari-nee san"

Seigen surprised at Ren's speech.

Ren erase his menacing smile, and let out a sigh "Just... tell me Seigen that Jugon Monoimi thing... is my brother had it to?" Ask Ren with begging look.

Ren watch Seigen execute an oldman, before he dies the oldman was crying, he and Seigen also mentioning Jugon Monoimi.

Seigen nod answering Ren question "Yeah"

Ren now had sour expression on his face.

"Seigen! Can- can you tell me what Jugon Monoimi is?" Beg Ren

Seigen lowered his head, hearing Ren's words he wants to tell him about it, but again he is hesitant.

He was unsure to follow and uphold his duty and "LAW", or just told Ren about it and violating the "LAW".

"I can't" reply Seigen

"I see..., so the only thing to make you talk is only by force... heh! I guess we've fated to fought one another after all"

Ren frown his eyebrows, but then he remembers something and showing a grinning smile.

"Right... beside avenging Satoshi-nii san, I also had a grudge for you making Zenkichi Oldman prostrate!"

The night breeze swept through them, the winds it makes the leafs rattles. One, two, many leafs fall from the surrounding trees.

Seigen and Ren completely immobile and staring fiercely at each other.

"Gouken-fu! Kuroboshi!"

"Kokuren Shukō!"

Both equip their enchanted weapons and rush toward each other.

Seigen swing his right hand to slash Ren with his talons, but Ren who's much faster counter it by punching Seigen's forearm, pushing his hand.

Ren didn't miss this opportunity and releasing a barrage of punch to Seigen.

Even showered by a barrage of punches, Seigen calmly block and dodges it. Finally adapted to Ren's pace and striking speed, he start counter attacking by thrust his hand forward, wounding Ren.

Blood gushes out from his side neck, Ren grits his teeth.

Seigen didn't stop attacking and swings his hand creating a kamaitachi (wind slash) with his talons toward Ren.

Ren who noticed the crescent wind slash, dodges and run avoiding it by circling Seigen.

The ground and the surrounding trees filled with claw marks.

Ren successfully dodge all of the kamaitachi make Seigen stop his attack, and quickly rush toward Ren to beat him at close range.

Ren who noticed him also rush toward him. Ren who is much faster than Seigen already close the distance, and prepare to uppercut him in the chin.

Seigen thrust his hand forward, but Ren dodge it under underway. Seigen's eyes noticed Ren is under him, and he prepare to attack him.

But before Ren uppercut Seigen, Seigen kick Ren's head on the right side. The kick he received make him dizzy, and make him fall and rolls on the ground.

"O- oww- wha?!"

When he gets up, Seigen already in front of him. He releases a flurry of slash from his talons, and finally kick Ren in the stomach launching him and making him fall to the ground again.

Ren touch his stomach, tries to stand up.

I knew it won't be easy

Even though he covered in wounds, his clothes filled with cut marks and bloodstains, Ren shows a smile.

"Hehe"

Unlike the menacing smile before, his smile now filled with joy and excitement.

"Yeah! He's strong alright!!"

That's right, he was excited of battling a strong opponent.

He's mad...

Seigen who's a bit confused by his smile, launch another kamaitachi attack.

"Not so fast!"

Ren quickly reequip his enchanted weapons again, and swing his arm creating a kamaitachi like Seigen does.

"Sakuikazuchi!"

The two attacks collide and explode, creating a smoke of dust that obscure them both.

When the dust gradually dissipate "Is that?!" Seigen finally saw Ren's figure, he was a bit shocked to see Ren's new enchanted weapons.

Enchantments are the materialization of one's enchanted power. In addition to enchanted power, stamina, knowledge, and exorcist also require the power of imagination (creation).

His previous black gauntlets now received an addition of white claws and had white lining on it.

"Good right? It was inspired by your gauntlets" Say Ren showing his gauntlets.

Even though his claws are very short it is enough to cut and slash away objects, but more importantly Ren still can clench his hand and make a fist.

"Sakuikazuchi!"

"Kozan Kagutsuchi!"

Ren swing his hand creating a kamaitachi, Seigen also swing his creating kamaitachi.

Like before, the two attack collide and the shock wave creating a smoke of dust.

Then from inside the dust a black silhouette rush in.

Ren appear in front of Seigen shocking him, and uppercut him so hard, it throws him in the air.

Ren turn around making a spinning move, and kick Seigen in the stomach.

"Kah!" Seigen was launched, and fell to the ground.

"By means of the great weapon, Indestructible primordial wakeful awareness, May the void life-force of samsara and nirvana both be severed, at once!" Ren begin to chant, didn't want to give Seigen more opportunities.

An enchanted seal with lotus symbol appears in front of Ren, and many more surrounding Seigen in dome array.

This chant!!

Seigen who hears the chant quickly get up to run from the technique, but he was seconds late.

"Honoikazuchi!"

Ren fire off a blue energy from his fist to the enchanted seal in front of him, the energy then transferred to another seals.

Sh*t!!

Seigen was late, Ren already excecute his technique. Seigen then bend and pulled his body trying to dodge Ren's Honoikazuchi.

BOOM!

Unfortunately, the blast manage to hit him, creating an explosion upon impact.

Even though Seigen is not dead, Ren's Honoikazuchi successfully wounding him and deplete him of his strength.

Blood drips from his body, some part of his body is burned, smoke arise from the burned part and if you hears closely a crisp sounds can be heard.

Just like his body, some part of his Kariginu also destroyed.

"Ha... Ha..." with bated and rough breaths Seigen tries to get up, but when he does that Seigen throw out a mouthful of blood.

Ren rush toward Seigen whi tries to get up and kick him in the face making Seigen spouts blood from his mouth again.

Seigen laying on the ground, his eyes looking at the night sky. On the sky a bright crescent moon shone like a silver claw surrounded by the twinkling stars that stretched to the horizon.

The bright moon he's looking at now obscured. In front of him appear a boy with a midnight hair and pale blue eyes with pupil like that of a cat looking down at him.

He then sat atop Seigen then repeatedly pummeling his face. Blood sprouts from his nose and mouth.

Seigen unequip his enchanted weapons, quickly grabs Ren's collar and headbutt Ren.

Ren who momentarily fazed, snap out off it and also grab Seigen's collar and headbutting him back.

Still mounted, Seigen were punched repeatedly until it made Seigen unconscious.

Ren's enchanted weapons disappear, and he let go of mounting Seigen and laying beside him exhausted.

"Ha... Ha..." With bated breaths Ren finally say

"It's... My Loss"