Chapter 6 :-
The quiet peace of Taihei Sati village was slowly being disturbed by the illness of its revered leader, Ryuu Sati. Once a man of great strength and presence, Ryuu now lay weak, his breath heavy, and his eyes pale with time.
Inside his dimly lit home, the fire crackled faintly.
"Ryuu, are you alright?" asked Yama-da, kneeling beside him with worry etched deep in his voice. "I'm doing everything I can. Please hold on."
Ryuu coughed weakly, each breath rattling with effort. "Yes... thank you... huh... huh..." he managed, a faint smile forming even through the pain.
Meanwhile, far across in Sayuri Village, the winter wind whispered of something darker.
"It'll be nightfall soon, Takeo. Are you ready?" asked Keedo, tightening his coat and glancing at the forest path ahead.
"Always, Keedo!" grinned Takeo. "Lead the way."
Keedo turned back to the shadows of the trees. "Hana, Hanako, Kahori — don't make a sound."
A soft response came from the girls hiding nearby. "Understood."
Midnight ❄️🌌
The air was crisp and biting. Takeo and Keedo stood beneath a wooden window, alert. The snow muffled all sound, but Hana's eyes were filled with fear.
"Keedo... I'm scared... can we go now?" she whispered, clutching his arm tightly.
Suddenly, the faint crunch of footsteps echoed through the silence — slow, deliberate, creeping closer.
Takeo's senses kicked in. In one swift motion, he leapt through the window, landing hard on someone who was just inches away.
"Ha! Got you, night mosquito!" he laughed, pinning the figure down.
Keedo narrowed his eyes. "Who are you? Why are you following us?"
The figure was dressed in black — their face hidden beneath a hood. A shadow without a name. Their silence was more chilling than the snow.
Before either of them could move, the figure struck out — a powerful punch aimed at Keedo. But Keedo dodged swiftly, stepping back just in time.
"Are you from Tarumaki?!" Keedo and Takeo shouted together, trying to catch a glimpse beneath the hood.
But the figure responded with a swift kick, knocking both of them to the ground.
"Ah!" Takeo winced. "Keedo! Whoever finishes this mosquito first wins! You've always been ahead of me... not this time!"
Keedo smirked. "Never."
The two of them lunged at the shadow. Keedo's powerful kicks pushed the figure back several feet, while Takeo punched from the side. Their teamwork was chaotic, but effective.
With one final strike, Keedo knocked the shadowed figure down a small snowy slope. The figure rolled and vanished into the woods.
"So, Takeo-sa, who won?" Keedo asked, panting slightly, brushing snow from his sleeves.
Takeo chuckled. "You were good, but not better than me."
Keedo grinned. "Was that really someone from Tarumaki? If yes, this might not be the last attack."
"Don't worry," Takeo said, slapping his shoulder. "If these mosquitoes come again, I'll be ready."
Keedo laughed and pulled him into a sudden hug, grateful for his friend's spirit.
Back at the safehouse, Hana came running out, her face pale with worry and her voice trembling.
"Please, Keedo… let's go back. Please, or I'll start crying…"
Keedo turned, startled by her sudden desperation. Before he could reply, she grabbed his hand and pulled him into the room. Tears welled in her eyes as she threw her arms around him, holding him tight.
"Don't leave me again… please. I can't take it…" she sobbed.
Keedo froze. Then slowly, gently, he placed his arms around her, returning the embrace.
"Alright… I won't." he whispered, cheeks flushing.
Meanwhile in Tarumaki Village...
Fear gripped the air like frost on dead leaves.
In a distant, darkened chamber, Azal, the ruthless leader of Tarumaki, paced like a wolf.
"W-Where is he? I told you to find him!" he shouted into the cold silence. "Where has he gone iii!!!"
His rage echoed through the hollow stone halls, unsettling even the shadows that clung to the corners.
To be continued...
End of chapter 6 --