The Will of Fire

30...Warriors Step Forth

*Hakuchō Village*
It is the next day, leaving six days left until the war. Jared, Tristin and Luisa along with Maxi, walked through the village of Hakuchō. However, they all are very hungry.
"You know, I love dango. But I am DYING for a meal." Luisa complained, holding her stomach.
"We could get ramen. With shrimp. An egg on top with narutomaki fish cake. My stomach's talking to me, let's do it!" said Jared.
"Leave it to ramen to always put you in better spirits, huh Jared?" Tristin joked.
"At least I know ramen would never let me down." Jared responded.
He quickly thought of Alisa. He tried to forget her, but it was nearly impossible to because of how he feels and how he thought she felt about him.
Stupid of me to think anything could come out of whatever the hell it was with me and her.
The siblings arrived at a ramen shop called "Sakura Ramen Shop". They all sat and ordered hot steaming bowls of ramen, and beef cuts for Maxi who loved them. Surprisingly, Jared was not satisfied.
"This really makes me miss Fukushima's ramen back in Kujaku." he said.
"I've never had it before. But this is good enough. You better get used to it, we live here now." Tristin said.
"Guys...can I vent?" Luisa asked.
Jared and Tristin grew looks of concern.
"Of course." Tristin answered.
"I know we are great warriors so far, and still have a lot to learn. But what if we aren't good enough for this war?" Asked Luisa intently. "I mean, we lived through our battles against members of the Sîwáng​, but I could've died. If it wasn't for Rei and The Kill Squad..."
"Luisa, you have to stop doubting yourself. Me and Jared face things with no fear. Having fear only makes you vulnerable." said Tristin.
Luisa sighed heavily, knowing her elder brother was right.
"If I could just shake all my nervousness, I know I'll be fine. But as long as I've got you two, I'll be even better." She said grabbing both of their shoulders as she sat between them.
"Anyone seen or heard from Karui?" Tristin asked.
"Hmm..no, not today." Jared replied.
"You mean your girlfriend? No, haven't seen her." Luisa said while laughing.
"She's not my girlfriend!" Tristin snapped.
"Yeah right, me and Jared aren't stupid! The way you look at the girl, it's all in your eyes!" Luisa said pointing at her eyes, acting silly.
"Oh, kinda like it was all in your eyes when we met Sesshomaru yesterday?" Tristin said sarcastically.
Luisa squealed and nearly fell out of the stool she sat on. She covered his mouth with her hand quickly.
"Shh! Shut up, idiot! It isn't true!" she whispered in a rushed tone.
Jared laughed softly as he sipped from his soda can. The siblings finished up their hanging session and walked through the village once more with Maxi at their side.
"We should use this time to train." Tristin said.
"Without Mai Sensei with me, I don't know. I need to learn more​ companion attacks with Maxi, but since yesterday, I haven't been able to get her to leave her room back at the palace." said Luisa.
"Mai hasn't been in the greatest moods these days if you've noticed" Tristin said. "Hanzo has her all in her feelings. It's obvious. Her feels are jacked up."
"Love is nothing to joke about, Tristin. Seems like Mai Sensei really cares for Hanzo. I overheard them talking yesterday while we were on our way to the Sky Villages." said Luisa.
"Well. She should let whatever she had with Hanzo go since he did" Tristin responded. "He has a family now and will eventually marry Kikyo. What Mai is doing will only ruin the friendship they have."
Luisa looked to her right and noticed Jared's facial expression.
"Jared, I hate to see you like this. Please, try to forget about Alisa." she said.
"I just hate a liar" Jared responded. "I love Japan, but I loved it more when I was with her. It's all stupid, forget my feelings. I'll just not care man."
Tristin and Luisa looked at eachother, both having looks of disdain towards Alisa.

*Hakuchō Palace, Courtyard*
Teikuya, along with Jin'ichi and Rei watched Itsumi and Santo train in the courtyard. Sesshomaru sat back in a lawn chair. Shirtless and only wearing black shorts, gold jewelry, and sunglasses.
"I don't think bringing him was a good idea. He lacks determination." Teikuya said.
"Have patience, my lady" Rei said. "He is only eighteen, and this is his first time on his own away from his parents and home. I'm sure he will get serious after today."
Teikuya curled her lip in irritation.
"He better." she responded.
Itsumi performed a hand sign in a praying manner, bringing clouds from the sky and hover close above the ground. Santo jumped on each cloud back and forth, performing many flips, spins and turns while kicking and striking through the air.
"My lady, incoming visitors in the distance." Jin'ichi said, pointing at the road in the distance.
Two figures walked slowly up the road.
"This scent. It smells quite feral." Said Jin'ichi.
"Meaning they may not be from here. Chinese. Damn it! Itsumi and Santo, check that out!" Teikuya said, pointing.
"Yes!" Santo and Itsumi replied.
Itsumi and Santo performed a hand sign and in unison said "Release."
The two stood still as they sent their spirits into the clouds in the sky.
"What do you think, Santo? Look suspicious? Look Chinese?" Itsumi said.
"I don't think so, but we could never be too sure. Quick, let's return our spirits back to our bodies and report to Queen Teikuya." said Santo.
Two white foggy lines swirled down out the sky and made their way back to the bodies of Santo and Itsumi.
"They do not look Chinese, my lady. However, it is a young man with a tiger." Itsumi said.
"Thank you for using the Kumo no seishin saisei" Teikuya said. "A boy with a tiger, huh? Strange."
"My lady, what did they do?" Rei asked.
"The Kumo no seishin saisei means Cloud Spirit Regeneration. A strategic technique only used by Cloud Runners. It allows them to release their spirits into the nearby clouds and watch from above. They can even zoom in their eyesight while above to fully identify a person or object." Teikuya explained.
The boy and the tiger reached the palace, making everyone tense up.
"Who are you? State your business." Teikuya demanded.
"I am Hwan Seong. This is my tiger, Mi-Na. We are from Hallasan Village in Korea. We come in peace."
"Korea? You're alone? Where's King Taeyang and Queen Ye-Na?" Teikuya asked.