(Hmm… I wonder why I'm updating this. I don't think anyone reads this anymore, but I played Shinobi yesterday, and I suck so much because I couldn't beat the flaming helicopter in hard mode. Least it wasn't Hiruko, he's Satan!!!!)

CHAPTER THREE: SECOND CHANCE

Atsuko yawned loudly before laying down on the small bed. Yasuko merely inspected one of her daggers as she sat by the room window.

The landslide made it impossible to leave the city by train, so they had decided to stay in the city for a longer time. Being the only male, Ryo obtained his own hotel room, and much to Yasuko's dismay, she was forced to share a room with Atsuko.

"Those Hellspawn made a mess of things, didn't they?" Atsuko asked. Yasuko shrugged. "I don't know."

"Oh, come on, you don't think this city was almost destroyed?"

"I don't know."

"Stop it!"

"Why should I?"

Atsuko quieted and leaned her head back on the pillow. "Thinking about this makes me wonder about Namiko, I hope she's okay."

Yasuko rubbed her forehead as she placed her dagger away. "Is there not a moment when you can shut up?! I'm trying to think, but your constant rambling is starting to irritate me!"

The other girl was about to respond, but a small knock at the door interrupted her. "Come in!" they both exclaimed in unison as Ryo opened the door and entered the room.

"Is something wrong?" he asked casually as Yasuko glared at him. "We're just dandy, what do you want?"

He scratched his nose. "Do any of you want anything while I'm down at the bar? A drink?"

They both shook their heads. "I don't drink," Yasuko stated while Atsuko stood up. "I'm trying to purify my body," she stated.

Ryo shrugged. "Suit yourselves." He then strode out of the room.

"There must be a way I can return to Kaya," Hotsuma stated. Naomi shook her head slightly. "No such way is possible; Kise is an inescapable domain."

Hotsuma sighed. "No, I have to!" he exclaimed as the surrounding darkness began to lift.

"What is this?!" Naomi hissed as dark red beams of light shot from underneath them. Light began to seep from above as the darkness was torn apart.

Hotsuma nodded slightly and began to run opposite the direction he had been facing. He ran quickly, attempting to reach the boundary between Kaya and Kise. The light became larger and began to illuminate everything. Hotsuma closed his eyes and leapt through a tear in the darkness.

Namiko rubbed her eyes as the train rode slowly through the countryside. During the night, the city had taken care of most of the landslide, allowing accessible train tracks.

"So, Miss Namiko, where are you headed?" Sanko asked. The girl shrugged. "I don't have a destination, really. I feel like I've lived through my purpose."

Sanko sighed. "If you had lived through your true purpose, you would most likely be dead right now."

Namiko glanced at him. "I suppose you're right, but I don't have anything left. My mother put me in the care of my late sensei when I was much younger and he passed away a few weeks ago."

Sanko shrugged. "Well, it was nice to meet you, but I'm afrais this is my stop," he stated as the train halted. Giving a slight wave and smile, he stood up from his seat next to her and walked away along with a few other passengers.

Namiko sighed and kicked at the sheath and sword she had hid under the seat. After a few moments, the train continued.

Hotsuma awoke slowly, his chest burned in pain. Once his eyes adjusted to the light, he sat up and examined his surroundings. He was lying beside a small stream, presumably located in the small forest north of Shinjuku.

Hotsuma winced as he began to stand up.

However, there was a slight rustle, which alerted the man. A strange growling noise could be heard as several wolf- like Hellspawn surrounded him. He grasped for his sword, but held only hair.

Cursing under his breath, he broke out in a run, darting past the creatures. He ran for what seemed like an eternity, but stopped suddenly when he noticed a wall of red energy. A strange crest was imprinted on it, similar to that of Hiruko's, but the aura felt much different.

"What now?" he muttered as a sharp item suddenly punctured his left leg.

Hotsuma fell on his right knee, feeling for the item and jerking it out. A dart, and by the small droplets of pink liquid falling from the tip, it was a poison dart.

Hotsuma cursed once more as three black- clad figures walked out from under the trees, surrounding him on all sides.

He turned to face them, and the one directly in front of him removed a small sword from the sheath strapped to its left side.

The ninjas held the same crest upon their masks, but they did not breathe, and nor did they make slight movements; they were like statues.

Hotsuma readied himself as the ninja dashed forward. Anticipating the move, Hotsuma turned around and kicked, but the ninja moved slightly to the right, avoiding the attack.

"How could he have predicted that? It was sure to make contact!" Hotsuma thought in amazement as the ninja landed in back of him and slashed, knocking him down.