Haurutsuki: Beautiful Snow

19. Civil War

Meanwhile, Kaguya Shinobi had heard the commotions coming from Ryuu's earlier battle. When their men were nowhere to be seen, they headed back to the Compound to find out why.

Ryuu whizzed by, from tree to roof tops, trying his best not to lose focus. He needed to get to the frontlines of this war. He stopped midway, feeling a sudden tug at his chest. A gut feeling overwhelmed him, and is heart whispered that something had gone terribly wrong. He looked back at the direction he came, and narrowed his eyes, "I don't care what they say. No one should get left behind." And with that, he burst forth in purple-lightning speed, 'Hang in there, sis. I'm coming!'

As she continued to cling to Akio's dead body, ten Kaguya men approached. "Well, what do we have here..." One said. "A Hidden Mist brat." Another grinned. She ignored them, continuing her silent sobs as they neared. "Aww, looks like she's crying over the dead." Another teased. Her sobs halted, and her grip tightened on Akio's chest. "Serves her right after what she's done to those men." Another snarled. "You really think this peony brat did all this?" One inquired. "Go away." She firmly instructed, still muffled in his chest. "Yeah, right. That dead guy must've done all the dirty work." Another answered. They began chuckling as they surround her. She growled, clenching her teeth harsh in anger. "Poor girl thinks she's a ninja?" One chuckled out. "This sucker died protecting her for nothing!" And they all burst out in laughter. She snapped, "I said go away!" Suddenly, blood burst out and sprayed everywhere...

Meanwhile, Ryuu hopped from one spot to the next. Pursuing his gut feeling at such a speed, that he seemed like sudden bursts of purple lightning. He arrived back at the Compound to see the burnt and electrocuted remains of Kaguya corpses. He heard nothing but the swirling wind of a ghost town. Lightning flashed from the dark clouds above, and he felt a sudden chill. As he gave off a slight shiver from the cold, he realised something. 'Wait... It's summer and the air is this cold??' With that thought, he ran on, only to slow to a stop. He snarled in disgust.

'Blood...'

There was a silhouette breathing heavily through what looked like a large, spikey sphere. The wind brushed passed his face again, "Ice?" He cautiously approached it. Taking a closer look, he became mortified. Frozen bodies were littering its surroundings. All of them pierced and torn up some way, shape or form. The figure crawled out the large volume of ice. Ryuu deadpanned, paralyzed with fear. The figure slid out the gaps of ice, and disappeared from its reflection. He regained his composure and drew out his sword, ready for a fight. When the figure rounded the ice and tried to stand tall, she fell back. She leaned against the spikey ice pillar in exhaustion. "Miyuki..." He lowered his guard. "R... Ryuu." She hoarsely managed. She collapsed to her knees, an ice spike holding her up under her arms. She panted heavily from her tiredness.

He ran up and knelt in front of her. "What happened to you??" He anxiously asked. Her eyes were red and puffy. She shook her head, unable to answer him. Suddenly, 'Miyuki. The Sabotage Squad is almost there. Ryuu's combat skills are needed to hold off the enemy while our team boxes them in. Now!' Katsu commanded from inside her head.

She flinched and held a hand to her aching head. 'Alright, Katsu. I have Ryuu secured. We'll be ready for you.' Even her mental communication was weary. 'What's wrong? You sound terrible.' He insensitively inquired. 'Katsu, not now.' She replied, firm with irritation. 'Alright. I'll have Kaiyo-Sensei inform the Assault Squad. Hurry!' And with that, the channel died down. She sighed and looked to Ryuu, "Was it Katsu?" He asked, concerned for her well-being. She muffled her groans of pain and forced herself to her feet. "Sis, what's going on? Are you alright?" He asked, slinging his arm beneath her. "I'm fine. But you need to get to the frontlines. They're struggling to keep the situation contained in the perimeter. Get me to the roof rendezvous for my squad, and you can continue on from there." She calmly explained. "And Akio?" She snarled, looking away in regret. "Miyuki..." He trailed off. "Let's just go. We have a war to fight." With a worried look and reluctant nod, he agreed and helped her leap off to the rendezvous point. It was a high rooftop, at the edge of the Kaguya District.