User blog:Akasha1908/Case of the Black Lotus: Part 5

Prologue:
http://ayakashi-ghost-guild.wikia.com/wiki/User_blog:Akasha1908/The_Adventures_of_Yokkun_%26_Kazu:_Case_of_the_Black_Lotus

Chapters:

 * Chapter 1 - http://ayakashi-ghost-guild.wikia.com/wiki/User_blog:Akasha1908/Case_of_the_Black_Lotus:_Part_1
 * Chapter 2 - http://ayakashi-ghost-guild.wikia.com/wiki/User_blog:Akasha1908/Case_of_the_Black_Lotus:_Part_2
 * Chapter 3 - http://ayakashi-ghost-guild.wikia.com/wiki/User_blog:Akasha1908/Case_of_the_Black_Lotus:_Part_3
 * Chapter 4 - This one.  Released 31 Jul 13

Right before Yokkun lifted the lid, there was earth-shattering explosion at the door. Lady Kuroki jumped back, releasing her hold on Kazu. He fell forward, choking and gasping for air.

“In here Master!”   A familiar fairy came buzzing into the room. “Pochi found them! Yes she did!”

“About time!”

Yokkun’s heart lifted at the sound of Master Daze’s voice. He turned around to find a massive hole where the entrance to the throne room should have been. When the dust settled, there stood Master Daze and Fera.

Well, actually, Master Daze was more bent over. His hands were on his knees, and he appeared to be breathing quite heavily.

“Stop!”   Fera shouted, drawing his sword. “Step away from the box boy, or I’ll kill you instead of rescue you!”

Fera started to run towards Yokkun and the box, but stopped short. Turning, he called out to Master Daze.

“Are you coming?!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Master Daze straightened, holding onto the wall for support.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “You go ahead.”   He said, waving Fera on. “I’ll be there in a second.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “But we have to hurry!”   Pochi said, flying to Master Daze’s side. “The little masters are in trouble!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “I said I’m coming! I just ran down 150 flights of stairs! Give me a bloody minute!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “H-how?”   Lady Kuroki stammered, backing up towards her throne. “There’s no way you could have found us! There isn’t a location spell strong enough to break through the barrier I set!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “You’re absolutely right, Kuro.”   Master Daze said, hobbling forward. “Except I have a secret weapon.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “What weapon?”   She asked, a sneer on her face. “This baboon?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             She pointed to Fera, who was staring at her strangely. His eyes were full of turmoil, as if all his emotions were at war with one another.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Pochi!”   The little fairy exclaimed happily. “Your magic doesn’t work on Pochi. No it doesn’t! She found the little masters and brought help!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Master Daze stopped when he reached Kazu. He gently waved his hand over his chains, causing them to fall free. Yokkun ran to his brother, embracing him in a tight hug.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Are you okay?!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “I’m fine.”   Kazu replied, coughing a few more times.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Yokkun pushed Kazu away from him, quickly checking to make sure he was telling the truth.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Are you sure?!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “I’m sure, Nii-san.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Yokkun pulled him in for another tight hug.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “I thought you were going to die. I’ve never been so scared in my life! I can’t lose you. You’re the only family I’ve got.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “I’m not going anywhere, Nii-san. I promise.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Yokkun helped Kazu to his feet, trying to get him to safety. By the looks of it, things were about to get out of control.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Ren-kun and Rin-chan both stood in fighting stance behind their mistress, while #404 moved to stand between Lady Kuroki and Master Daze. Fera inched his way over to Master Daze’s side his sword ready to strike the next enemy that moved.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Kuro, please you don’t have to do this.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Master Daze reached out to Lady Kuroki, his voice full of sadness.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Don’t call me that!”   She shouted.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             With a wave of her hand, she threw Master Daze across the room. Fera lunged towards Lady Kuroki with his sword, but the clang of metal stopped him short. #404 blocked the strike with his massive claymore sword.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “We meet again, Fera. Happy to see me?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Not particularly. I’m still trying to forget the last time.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Fera spun his blade knocking #404’s sword out of the way.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “I will handle this traitor, my lady.”   #404 said to his mistress. “Please get yourself to safety.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Move out of my way!”   Fera shouted.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Fera rained down blow after blow onto #404’s sword. His movements were fluid and natural; his form and accuracy absolutely perfect. He fought with a lethal grace that was terrifying to watch, yet impossible to turn away from. Yokkun silently prayed to never be on the wrong side of his blade…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">#404 was the exact opposite. Though he also fought like a trained soldier, his movements were more vicious and brutal. It was clear his only goal was to destroy the man in front of him. While Fera fought to survive, #404 fought to kill.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Of the two, Fera seemed to have the advantage. And with each passing minute, you could see #404’s strength beginning to falter. But at the moment victory was certain, and Fera’s sword rose to strike it’s last and fatal blow, #404 blasted Fera with a powerful shot of magic.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Fera flew backwards, tumbling several feet across the ground. He landed awkwardly on his right side, sliding a few more feet before finally coming to a stop. Fera groaned in pain as he tried to stand. As he struggled to his, #404 slowly approached; his eyes full of rage and blood –thirsty excitement.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Why isn’t Fera using his magic?”   Kazu asked his brother.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“I don’t, maybe something is wrong.”   Yokkun replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Nii-san we have to do something! Fera will be killed if we don’t!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Yokkun looked around for Master Daze. He found him and Lady Kuroki slowly circling each other; his eyes burning blue and hers a scorching red. Exhausting his magic, he used one hand to hold off the two cat siths, and the other to battle Lady Kuroki.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Back and forth they cast spells…   Lady Kuroki conjured a ball of fire, launching it at Master Daze. With a wave of his hand, he turned the sphere to ice, shattering it with a blast of magic. Using the shards of ice, Master Daze launched the thousand tiny daggers straight back at Lady Kuroki. But right before they hit her, she turned them all into a great cloud of steam.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">They were at stalemate, their powers evenly managed. But if Yokkun had to guess, Master Daze was holding back. Perhaps it was the burden of having three opponents instead of one.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Listen, Ka. We can’t just sit here. I’ll help Fera. Do you think you can handle the twins on your own?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Without a doubt. There’s no amount of cuteness in the world that could distract me from teaching those two brats a lesson.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“We don’t have any weapons, so we’ll have to do this the old-fashioned way.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“No worries.”   Kazu replied nonchalantly. “Good ole’ hand-to-hand combat never hurt anyone—well, not too badly.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Alright, let’s go.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Yokkun ran towards #404, while Kazu made a beeline for the twins.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“You know Fera, I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long. I want to savor it, so I can relive it over and over.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As #404 raised his sword to strike Fera, Yokkun slammed into him, tackling him to the floor. #404’s sword slid out of reach, but before he could move to get it, Yokkun slammed into him again. They wrestled for several minutes, until Yokkun finally got the upper hand. Pinning him to the floor, Yokkun threw punch after punch to #404’s face.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As Yokkun pulled his fist back for another blow, #404 used the opening to hit Yokkun with a blast of his magic. Yokkun flew backwards, colliding right into Fera who had somehow managed to stand. Fera held his right arm awkwardly to his side, and he was hunched over as if in a great deal of pain.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Fetch my sword, boy. I’ll take it from here.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“But your arm, it’s…”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Yokkun’s sentence was cut off by the loud pop of Fera’s dislocated shoulder being put back into place.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“I said fetch my sword!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">   Yokkun leapt into action, retrieving the blade.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Get up.”   Fera said to #404. “I won’t kill a man while he’s down.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">#404 spit the blood from his mouth, wiping his chin on his sleeve.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“You always were so bloody noble.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“And you were always a coward who resorted to cheap shots. How about this time you fight me like a man? Without magic.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Gladly.”   #404 said, picking up his sword.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Once again they engaged in battle, and once again Fera gained the upper hand. Both men were at their limits, and both were bleeding from several open wounds. Again, Fera raised his sword to strike the final blow. And again, #404 raised his hand to blast Fera with his magic. But this time, he was too slow. Fera dodged the would be blast, grabbing #404’s arm and slicing it off in the same movement. #404 let out a guttural cry, falling to his knees before Fera.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“I made the mistake of letting you live the last time we crossed blades, brother. I will not make the same mistake again.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Fera thrust his sword straight through the man’s chest. #404 coughed involuntarily, blood sputtering from his lips. Fera pushed the blade through all the way to the hilt, before ripping it back out.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The last signs of life faded from #404 eyes; his body falling at Fera’a feet. For a moment, it looked as though Fera regretted killing the man. But the emotion was gone from his face before Yokkun could be sure.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“He was your bro…”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Fera’s eyes narrowed menacingly; a silent warning for Yokkun to shut his mouth.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“I think you should go and help your brother. I’ll assist Master Daze.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Right, of course.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Yokkun ran to where Kazu fought the two cat siths. His little brother had managed to fend of the two mad cats, but he was covered in cuts and cat scratches. Pochi assisted him, flying around wildly and zapping the twins with little bursts of magic. Her blows were like being stung by a bee; more annoying than painful. But when done repeatedly, even the toughest opponent would start to feel the stress of her tiny little onslaught.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Yokkun dived into the battle. He engaged Rin-chan, since Kazu currently had Ren-kun in a headlock of death. She charged towards him, scythe raised. At the last moment, she leapt into the air, the same move she’d used in their first fight. This time, Yokkun was ready. He ducked, grabbing Rin-chan’s tail and snatching her out of the air.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             She crashed to the ground, her weapon clattering to the floor several feet away. Rin-chan scrambled to reach it, but Yokkun yanked her back by her tail. She yelped loudly, turning and hissing at him. She dropped to all fours, preparing to strike. Yokkun eyed her warily, waiting for her to pounce.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">   Yokkun’s aim and timing was perfect. As she leapt, he swung his fist connecting right with her face. He hit her so hard; she spun around landing face first back onto the ground. Her tail twitched a few times, but other than that, she didn’t move.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">   Yokkun turned to help Kazu, but there was no need. Ren-kun’s struggles slowed to a stop; his eyes drooping shut. When his head finally slumped forward, Kazu released him from the headlock, and Ren-kun dropped to the ground unmoving.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“You okay?”   Yokkun asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Yeah, you?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Yokkun nodded his head, holding out his hand for Pochi to land in

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“What about you Po Po? You okay?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The little fairy, dropped into Yokkun’s palm, her breaths coming out in tiny little puffs.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Pochi’s okay!”   She said excitedly. “That was the most fun Pochi’s had since… since…   Hmm? Pochi can’t remember, but that was definitely fun!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The two brothers couldn’t help but laugh, bumping fists like they always did after a battle won or a mission complete. Yokkun gently placed Pochi on his shoulder, giving the little fairy time to make herself comfortable.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Come on, Ka,”   Yokkun said. “Let’s tie these two up before they wake up.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As the two worked to secure the two henchmen, things between Master Daze and Lady Kuroki began to escalate…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Kuro, listen to me!”   Master Daze shouted. “We don’t have to do this. Fighting you is the last thing I wanted to do!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“I told you to stop calling me that!”   She screamed. “How dare you show your face to me! How dare you call me by that name!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             The air around Lady Kuroki stirred, spinning around her like a small vortex. Her hair had long since come undone and it was now swirling wildly around her. Her eyes burned red, her whole body seeming to vibrate as she drew more and more magic into her body.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Kuro, please!”   Master Daze begged. “It’s not too late to end this!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Never!”   She shrieked hysterically. “The Black Lotus will rule this world and there is nothing you can do to stop it!

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Master Daze sighed as if the weight of the world had descended upon his shoulders

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“I warned you, Kuro. I gave you the chance to give up this foolish plan and come home. But now I have no choice. I will destroy your evil before you use it to destroy this world.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Master Daze’s pressed the palms of his hands together, the light in his eyes turning from blue to white as he gathered his true power.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">They released their magic at the same time, the two energies colliding violently.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             The two powers struggled against each other several moments, each trying to consume the other. But as the seconds ticked by, Lady Kuroki’s magic slowly started to wane. She shook with the effort of trying to fend off Master Daze’s attack, until finally she could take no more. The blast went straight through her. There was a look of shock and betrayal on her face as she collapsed to the floor.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Silence fell over the room. No spoke. No one even breathed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Fera quietly walked to where Lady Kuroki’s lifeless and unmoving body lay. He fell to his knees beside her, pulling her into his arms. He cradled her against his chest, whispering her name over and over. Tears poured from his eyes as silent sobs racked his body.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Master Daze turned his back on the scene, grabbing Kazu’s arm for support.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Are you okay, master?”   Yokkun asked.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Master Daze said nothing. Pochi flew over to his shoulder, using her tiny little arms to hug his neck.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “I feel like we missed something very important.”   Kazu said, looking at Yokkun in confusion.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Master Daze, what’s wrong?”   Yokkun asked. “We’ve won. Our enemy is defeated.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “She was never my enemy.”   He replied, his voice heavy with sadness. “ She was my daughter.”