2 The Poison that Sought Us

"Over here!"

Tojiro ran through the forest to the sound of the voice, after dodging several trees he came about a clearing in the vegetation. There stood four of his comrades, at their feet lay a mangled heap of blood, flesh, and bone. Tojiro slowly approached. "Boten and Maru…" Tojiro gasped. One of his companions looked at him. His white hair was long and danced with a passing breeze, his eyes were full of fury. "Saito, your son's…who would do this?" Tojiro asked. Saito's gaze shifted from Tojiro's shocked face to the vast forest before him.

"Not man, nor beast…" Saito stated in a low voice.

"Nothing from this world." A young man next to Saito added, his name was Okita. He was the elder brother to the two boys who lay in a pool of their own blood, and now he was the only child to Saito the Silver Swordsman.

"What do you mean?" Tojiro asked confused. Okita's eyes flashed with anger as he prepared to shout his reply, but was cut off by his father.

"He means we hunt." Saito stated as he began to walk into the forest, Okita looked away from Tojiro then picked up his spear from the ground and made after his father. Tojiro's two other companions; the village's blacksmith, Ishida, who was a huge, muscular man with a bald head, gave Tojiro a nod then headed after the two. The final companion was Tojiro's older brother, Nobushige. He patted his young brother on the shoulder. Tojiro was inexperienced in these matters, however after the long war with the Northerners the village was low on manpower so he was necessary for this "hunt." Tojiro nodded nervously then followed his brother to catch up with the rest of the group.

"Wake up." Namikasha demanded. Sakon's eyes slowly opened, his brother stood over him looking towards the east. Sakon climbed to his feet then took his blade and stuffed it in his waist sash; the sound of the sheath sliding against his armor was shrill yet pleasant. "We have not the time to dawdle, we journey to the eastern shores." Namikasha stated as he looked at his brother, who briefly scratched his hair before placing on his helmet.

"What of those?" Sakon asked as he nodded towards the slain men, Namikasha turned his gaze towards the bodies.

"Leave them, nature will deal with them as she sees fit." Namikasha stated as he began to walk away. Sakon watched his brother then turned to the bodies one last time.

"Why didn't you just leave us be?" Sakon mumbled as he shook his head then followed his brother.

Tojiro and Nobushige held up the rear of the formation. They had been walking for hours through the forest tracking whatever had slain Saito's sons. Every so often they would find a trail of blood with liquid that Saito himself identified as poison. "Whatever we now follow must be truly terrifying." Nobushige stated with concern as Tojiro looked to him. Nobushige was renowned for his archery skills and during the war with the Northerner's he established a band of elite all-purpose bowmen; seeing his brother dismay discouraged Tojiro immensely. Suddenly Saito held the signal to halt and immediately all five men were crouching, after a while Saito turned and gestured everyone to form on him. As Tojiro drew near he heard a terrible sound, and as he and the others peeked through the tree line they witnessed a frightening obstacle on their path.

Namikasha dodged a strike by sidestepping out of the way then spinning and cutting all in one move; in a blur of lightning fast movement a rogue warrior was falling to the ground in two pieces. The sound of Sakon twirling Darkness was a high pitched noise and Sakon flipped and spun sideways with the blade to build momentum. He landed on a knee as he completely cut vertically through another rogue. In one brief move of dodging and counterattacking Namikasha had killed the twelfth and final assailant. The two young swordmasters stood then sheathed their blades.

Sakon walked over then sat on a tree stump. He pulled down the black cloth that covered his lower face as he reached for a bamboo canteen. Namikasha looked over to the tree line fifty paces away from them. "You there, come out." He called out blandly. Sakon gulped down some water then tugged his mask back over his face.

Out of the tree line emerged five men, at their lead was a swordsman with long white hair. Sakon and Namikasha glanced to one another briefly. Long white hair and a nimble grey blade could belong to only one man, The Silver Swordsman. Sakon stood then moved so he flanked his brother's left arm and was a distance of two strides from him. This was one of many defensive formations the two created to help turn battles to their favor, five men would be nothing to the two while they stood in the Sun God's Spear.

"We come not to hurt you!" Saito called out as he walked forward with his hands raised. Tojiro walked nervously at the end of the formation, everyone was on edge and rightfully so. Before them stood the Setaki brothers, war gods who called no one master nor followed anyone's word. These were two men who killed constantly, these were two demons. They were clad head to toe in heavy black armor. There faces were concealed by black clothes so that only their eyes were visible, and atop their heads rested black helmets with large crests adorned on the fronts. The two were a menacing sight.

"I'm not sure you could if you wanted to." Namikasha replied calmly as the five men neared he and his brother.

"We are simply tracking a murderer, we wish not for conflict." Saito explained in a calm tone. Tojiro watched as the man nearest them stood in silence. His hair was jet black and incredibly long, his eyes were an intense shade of blue that gleamed under the light of the midday sun. Within those eyes Tojiro could sense danger.

"Very well, be on your way then." Namikasha said as the atmosphere suddenly loosened. Sakon slouched his stance as he turned to a slain man.

Tojiro was caught off guard by the sight of Saito bowing slightly to the blue eyed Setaki; as Saito and Okita moved past the young man Tojiro soon followed. They all filed past the second brother, his hair was long but not to the length of his brothers. This one possessed grey eyes that appeared dead and absent of emotion. Yes, these men were truly demons; or so Tojiro thought.

"Swordsman." Namikasha called out as he turned to the man with white hair, the five men stopped and the Silver Swordsman turned to look at him. "You might find your murderer amongst the lot here." Namikasha stated with a hint of sincerity in his voice; he gestured towards the pile of slain warriors.

"Our murderer is not of this realm, Kishin." Saito stated. Namikasha's eyes narrowed, frustration and sorrow were written all over the Silver Swordsman's face.

Namikasha nodded then said, "I wish you luck, and pray you bring justice unto this murderer."

Saito's eyes widened. He then bowed again, however this time it was lower and he waited longer before standing and turning. The five men then disappeared back into the forest and out of sight.

Sakon turned to his brother. "Not of this realm, huh?" Sakon pondered as his brother returned his gaze.

"Does that mean something to you?" Namikasha asked. Sakon looked at the direction the men had left.

"Nothing at all." Sakon replied as Namikasha neared him. Namikasha was preparing to speak but was caught off by a loud scream, the brothers exchanged wide-eyed looks.

"A woman."

"Come on."

The two were then running full stride in the direction of the scream.

Tojiro and his group heard the scream. "It came from this direction!" Okita blared as he shot through the tree line. Tojiro grasped his bow as he followed behind Nobushige, who also had his bow in his left hand and an arrow in his right. The four then came across a small house made of wicker, the five formed around the edge of the tree line as they yet again witnessed a terrifying sight.

There it stood a menacing seven feet from the ground. Its armor thick and long, a deep purple that glinted under the sunlight. Its helmet was massive, its face guard in the fashion of a dragon's mouth. Suddenly the teeth opened, making visible to the five a dark void within absent of life. Steam exited its mouth and blew around the body of a young woman. Her body was limp in the grasp of the monstrous warrior. It held her by the neck in its left hand, within the firm grip of its right hand was a massive blade decorated in black and purple. It sank its teeth into the woman's chest as it tore flesh from her body.

Tojiro looked away in horror towards his companions. All of them held the same look in their eyes, terror. Quickly Saito's eyes narrowed. "Nobushige, you and Tojiro support our assault. Ishida, Okita, let's go." Saito commanded in a whisper. Before the five stood to take action, the monster's head turned to them. Its face a dark void, its eyes a glaring purple that held no resemblance to a human's.

Okita led the charge as he brought up his spear and hurled it at the monster, which sidestepped out of the way. As it did, it was immediately met by Ishida and his giant two-handed hammer. Ishida brought his hammer high as he swung down with tremendous force. The monster brought up its massive blade as it blocked the hammer, the monster stood like an immovable fortress. The monster moved in a fast blur as it disengaged Ishida. It stomped down its hind leg as it brought its left fist forward into Ishida's chest. Ishida's eyes shot wide as the sharp sound of bones cracking screamed around the men, Ishida went flying to the ground.

Without a moment's hesitation Saito flew past the fallen Ishida. His silver blade glinting with uncontrollable anger, sliced through the air three times in the span of a second. Two hits cut the monster's chest armor, the last glanced off the monster's blade. Saito backed off as he brought his blade into both hands, his eyes glared at the monster before him. "What are you?" Saito demanded in frustration.

"Demon." The monster muttered in an otherworldly voice. It was sharp and brittle, falling upon the men's ears like needles. The Demon stepped forward to strike, two arrows soared through the air. The first planted itself within the Demon's shoulder armor, the second flew past him and dug its way into the earth.

"Focus." Nobushige muttered as he pulled an arrow, fired, and then pulled another and fired that one. Tojiro closed his eyes then slowed his breathing, when he opened them he drew an arrow and sent it screaming towards the head of the Demon. The arrow flew true and proud, however, like his brother's last two it sank into the Demon's armor without phasing the mighty foe.

Saito dashed in to engage the Demon; five cuts, now nine, seventeen. His blade moved like lightning, his arms a blur of movement. Most strikes met their mark, however, despite the vicious assault, the Demon stood unyielding. Saito quickly rolled out past the Demon as it brought its blade around in a wide swoop.

"Go to Ishida!" Nobushige yelled to his brother as he himself stood up, drawing and firing arrows with equivalent speed to Saito's blade strikes. He walked forward with a steady gait. Tojiro clumsily got to his feet then dashed towards his fallen comrade, he slid on his knees next to Ishida. Ishida laid wheezing and coughing blood.

"It broke me." Ishida muttered as he pointed towards his torso. Tojiro quickly unwrapped cloth from his waist belt then began to bandage Ishida. Glancing up, Tojiro watched as Okita now engaged the Demon alongside his father and Nobushige. The three were holding their ground, however Tojiro was unsure as to how long they would.

The Demon was perplexed by its current situation. It was feeding on the soul of the woman when this group of men attacked it and, much to the Demon's surprise, they were skilled in the arts of war. The Demon had a strict quota of souls it needed to devour, not to mention a certain type. Only one of these men had an acceptable soul. The boy with the spear would be devoured, his comrades would either disperse or the Demon would simply withdraw into the vast forest. The Demon looked over towards the young man that knelt beside the man already injured. He was the weak link within their formation, he was the liability.

The Demon swung his massive blade around, sending Saito backpedaling to avoid the strike. Nobushige fired off several arrows as Okita charged in with his spear tip aimed for the back of the Demon's neck. Okita, his skill compelled him to strike; but he was too slow. Arrows sank into the Demon's armor as, with lightning quick movements undisplayed by the Demon previously, it spun on its heels as it brought the tip of its massive blade through Okita's abdomen.

Saito stood in shock, his throat dried and his stomach tightened. "Okita!" He shouted at the top of his lungs as he charged towards the Demon. His eyes a gleaming fury and his blade slicing through the air, cutting through the Demon's armor. As Saito and the Demon locked blades, Nobushige slung his bow over his shoulder then dove in to catch Okita. He picked up the spearman's limp body as he shot out of range of the two combatants.

Tojiro looked on as Saito moved with godlike speed as he engaged the Demon. Who was now actually parrying every strike, compared to simply receiving the blows. "Okita…" Ishida muttered; Tojiro looked down towards his comrade, his condition had stabled but if he wasn't seen by a shaman soon, he would lose his life. Tojiro looked back up towards the two titans who clashed blades in metal sparks of fury. In an instant the Demon had spun around and landed a reverse kick to Saito's abdomen, sending the Silver Swordsman flying out of range. The Demon then faced Tojiro as it presented its blade into a two handed stance and charged towards the young man.

Tojiro's eyes widened as the Demon's figure approached him, then out of the corner of his eye he saw two armor clad warriors approach from the tree line. Soon Tojiro's ears were filled with the distinct sound of Darkness spiraling through the air, the blade dug its way into the Demons right arm with tremendous force. The Demon went flying as the blade dug itself into a tree behind Tojiro, pinning the Demon. Tojiro looked up at the Demon as its purple eyes glowered down at him.

As if he were a bolt of lightning, Namikasha dashed in towards the Demon with Eclipse held at his midsection. He struck across the Demon's chest as he shot past him. Sakon took the opportunity to dash in, crouch as he grabbed Darkness, tug it out of the Demon's arm, and then finally bunt the Demon's chest hard with the backside of his blade handle. The Demon stumbled backwards as Sakon stood upright, twirling Darkness. Namikasha brought his blade low as he dashed back in towards the Demon, sparks flew as the young swordmaster brought his blade in an upwards cut to the Demons back. He backed away on light feet as the Demon turned, blade held high in both hands.

Then they stood in stalemate, the Setaki brothers with the Demon in between the two. Namikasha and Sakon exchanged several quick glances. Tojiro watched the two as they mentally prepared a plan of attack. The ringing of Sakon's blade echoed around Tojiro as a chill went up his spine. What was he now witnessing? Each of the three steel armor clad warriors had an immense dominating presence, the Setaki brothers displayed no signs of worry or dismay as they faced the mighty foe that had turned Tojiro's formation in on itself. Would they truly be able to overcome the Demon?

Tojiro's eyes widened as he watched in anticipation. This battle, it would be the likes of none other previously fought.

Slowly the Demon turned its head to assess the current situation. The white haired swordsman and the archer knelt over the boy with the damned soul. The wounded strongman was in stable condition with the young bowman at his side. And now two warriors appeared. There auras were dark and immense, they were…dangerous. As much as the Demon disliked the thought, it would have to retreat. It received too much damage from the old swordsman. Its armor would not withstand combat with these two new warriors.

Namikasha lowered his blade ever so slightly as he dug his back leg into the ground, Sakon nodded to his brother as he caught on to his movements. Namikasha would dash in, Sakon would strike after Namikasha made an opening; the Twin Sparrows Technique. Before the two could act, the Demon let out a loud, terrifying shrill scream. The noise was sharp and pierced the men's ears, then suddenly the noise resided. Namikasha's eyes widened as he looked around. "It vanished?" He asked as he and Sakon scoured the surrounding area with their eyes.

"He is long gone." Sakon stated as he and his brother sheathed their blades. Tojiro looked over to Saito and Nobushige as they frantically went about tending to Okita's wounds. The young spearmen himself had already passed out due to blood loss. Namikasha and Sakon approached Tojiro and Ishida.

"Thank you, I thought I would surely had lose my life." Tojiro said to the two brothers. Namikasha nodded to the young bowman then slowly headed towards Saito, Sakon watched his brother then turned back to Tojiro.

"We were glad to help, but what exactly was that?" Sakon replied then inquired as Ishida shifted so that his eyes locked with the young Setaki.

"He told us Demon, and his voice sounded not of this realm." Ishida muttered as he looked over towards his massive hammer that was sprawled far from his reach. Sakon walked over to the weapon then carried it over to the blacksmith.

"No!"

The three men turned to see Saito stumble towards a tree. He laid his forehead upon the trunk then pounded his fist against it. Nobushige walked over to Saito and placed his hand on his shoulder. Saito simply tucked his head and wept. Namikasha knelt down over Okita's body, he touched his right hand to his opposite shoulder then outstretched it towards the deceased spearman...

Tojiro walked forward on one side of Ishida, supporting the wounded strongman. On the opposite side was Sakon. Before the two Namikasha and Saito walked at point with Nobushige slightly behind them. The three seemed to be discussing something in hushed tones.

"Whatever that thing was it needs to be found, and dealt with." Sakon stated with intensity, breaking the silence.

"I suppose you will have to do so without me. Take care of this pup for me, kishin." Ishida requested in a playful tone, Sakon chuckled in reply.

"My name is Sakon; that one up there, my brother, is Namikasha." Sakon introduced.

"I am Ishida."

"Tojiro." The young bowman spoke as his eyes wandered ahead of the path. Sakon noticed this and as his eyes followed Tojiro's, they narrowed. Smoke rose up from the horizon...