Asagi Wakes Up

Asagi lightly gripped her bandage-wrapped head as it pounded in discomforting pain, remembering what had happened.

"K-Kyosuke, where is he?" She asked Yamamoto, who lowered his head solemnly.

"Buried in the Virgin Forest, where Sakura found you. You were heavily wounded and bruised before we recovered you before the worse should come.

And as for his corpse, he had sustained several dozens of bullet wounds, and a long claw mark on his chest. We suspect that demons attacked the both of you."

Asagi began to realize that something else happened after Kyosuke's death, and her one-sided loss from that man.

But, it did seem like something else happened to them on their way back, and while she hated him after what he did, she had to control her emotions.

She was weak, and she needed to become stronger. Simply doing that was a horrible thing to do.

"Sister, why didn't you tell me you'd be looking for Kyosuke, I could have helped and maybe called for reinforcements!"

Judging by Sakura's tone, she was very worried indeed.

"I only left because I thought I could handle the threat alone. Then he came, Shadow, killing Kyosuke right before my eyes."

With that explanation out, Yamamoto reached several conclusions with a calm mind. So he allowed Asagi to explain what happened to her.

It was soon that he realized that the powerhouse lurking in the shadows was none other than him.

"So that explains it. We already know he is the 'Super Elite Ninja' we've been finding out on the news outside, and for now, we need to avoid contacting him directly." The general of Section Three concluded, scratching his chin as he briefly thought about him.

"I suppose I'll leave you here, Asagi. The Elder is here and I still have an important meeting to have with the recently elected prime minister."

Soon after Yamamoto left, the Igawa Elder entered, his emotions unable to be read. A few women who she recognized were the servants of the Igawa clan followed, carrying a few trays that contained food and drinks just for her.

Upon the sight of the old man, Sakura immediately let go of Asagi and bowed towards him.

"Ohoho, acting as selfish as always, Asagi. Just like your father who passed away seven years ago." He harshly spoke, staring right towards her.

"...."

Asagi silently looked away, not knowing what to say. There was nothing to be said that could possibly rebuke against the elder.

"Are you here just to talk?" She asked.

"Why, of course not. I am just here to check up on you and ensure that you're healthy. As the head of the Igawa Clan, you are a massive priority, and without you, the clan might attack each other for your position. You understand that already, right?"

The elder's words reminded Asagi of her current position, something that was also important for her to keep.

Other than a part of what she considered her family, whom she just recently lost.

Guilt washed over her body, and it took her stoicness to stop it from being seen by anybody, even the elder.

The only things they talked about were simply about what events happened in the past days, nothing much.

Shortly after, the elder left Asagi to be tended by her servants.

"Lady Asagi, it would be better for you to rest for a while. You will fully recover in the coming morning." One of her servants said, and she agreed with that request.

With an aching body and a wide range of free time, it won't trouble her to rest. However, she had decided that in the beginning of the next day, she will have to begin her training with the sole purpose of preparing to fight against Shadow again.

So the next day, she had done just that.

She considered going to the former old Gosha Academy to train using simulated combat, but something else had to be done first.

Her training included manipulating Taima Particles, as it helps her in gaining an extended usage of her Ninja Art.

Remembering a part of the Virgin Forest which had a waterfall, she moved to the general direction of the area.

"Asagi! Where are you going?!" Sakura yelled out as she seemingly appeared right behind her.

If it were any other person, she would have ignored the voice. But because it was Sakura, she briefly stopped by landing on the ground, turning towards her sister.

".... To the waterfall to practice my focus, why?"

"I'm going with you this time, any complaint will be ignored by me!" Sakura replied with a smile, giving a peace sign towards Asagi.

She had been so worried that she thought that Asagi might suddenly leave this early, that she hid under her shadows using her Shadow Art.

The art was self explanatory, allowing her to control shadows and do many things with it like creating Shadow Familiars she could control.

"I see, it would be better if we trained together then, you still have training to do." Asagi replied, gesturing her sister to follow her.

The two then began to walk to the edge of the forest, approaching a river connected to a waterfall nearby.

This was where she had practiced with her late father, the former head of the Igawa Clan. 

"We'll train here, for 3 hours."

3 hours was enough for the two. And 2 hours is spent by Asagi sitting in the lotus position right below the waterfall, focusing on manipulating Taima Particles to keep her focus from dissipating.

While Sakura found some generic demons from the forest approaching them, she had defeated them easily.

This training, to them was brief.

But the meditation Asagi had made her mind clear enough to temporarily push away the notion of revenge.

'Ah. That's right, Shadow was a Taimanin, and based on his powers.... He might be related to my clan.

Father said something to me before he died. Something along the lines of a younger brother.... But I never met him.

No matter where I search for him, there is no way I could find him. So I had given up my search. Until now.'

Asagi began to remember what could become important to her in the long run: clues about who Shadow might be and her clan's secrets that never reached her ears.

More importantly, everyone seemed to forget about this boy, her supposed brother.

Opening her eyes, she stood up and left her former position.

"Sakura, I'm done."

"So am I!" Sakura replied, wiping her forehead to remove the sweat created by the battle between her and several demons.

After tossing off a long tentacle from a dead demon that had wrapped around her waist, she gave Asagi a peace sign.

Asagi's investigation would commence the moment she returned to her village, starting off by asking different clan members, even those who were servants, stewards, and even the Fuuma clan.

So far, nobody came up with a good answer. Yamamoto wasn't even present because of political reasons, leaving her with no choice but to seek the elder.

When asked, he was silent for a moment.

"You have a long-lost blood-related brother? Why didn't you tell me sooner?" The elder asked, speculating who this brother of hers was.

Perhaps her mind had become jumbled to the point where she thinks she had a brother? It's strange, really.

"Do you remember his name?"

".... Shidou Igawa. That's his name, and I just wanted to know what happened to him."

The elder became silent as his eyes widened. He could barely remember someone as insignificant as that boy, who was completely below average.

".... He's long dead. Forgotten by many. Why do you even ask that insignificant question?"

".... What did you say? Explain it to me, old man, you're definitely hiding secrets from me!"

Asagi approached the elder, and with swiftness, her sword had now become close to the elder's neck, surprising him.

"..."

The elder sighed, not moving and inch away from her blade.

"I'll admit. That was a foolish act on my part. It was necessary because he was too weak, a disgrace of the clan." He admitted thoughtfully, without a single lie. This short realization was, however too late.

So Asagi clicked her tongue, and shook her head before turning around.

"He's not dead, I know it. He's somewhere out there, and I believe Shadow has something to do with him. It was your mistake that made him leave the village."

Then, Asagi left, her sword sheathed again, with nothing else left to be said, she left the elder alone.

There was much for her to do, like managing her clan, and managing the Gosha Academy, training was once again a part of what she currently does.

The elder could not speak a word, and chose to be silent.

Meanwhile, Cid began sneezing as he practiced tossing his kunai.

"Huh, I think I really am sick. Guess I'll... Just keep continuing this."

[ ~ TO = BE = CONTINUED ~ ]

NOTE: Igawa Asagi is currently 26 years old, and I based Sakura's abilities with her Action Taimanin self.

Second Note: I am atomic is way later. Maybe after a short arc and the John Smith arc.