Chapter 29

The van came to a stop at the side of a dirt road. Both Douma and Shinobu got out and dragged the three sleeping men out of the vehicle. This area was further away from the city the only sign of life being the plants and trees. There were a few houses nearby but not that many.

Douma continued dragging the trio towards a small abandoned hut that was deeper in the forest Shinobu following closely behind him keeping an eye on their surroundings. 

"Make it quick Douma anyone could be watching us right now."

"Relax Shinobu you're not afraid of the wilderness are you?"

This response made Shinobu furious she was sick and tired of being treated like the timid friend in the group. She never expected encountering the most dangerous things a human could ever come across. The number of times she almost lost her life during these events.

"I'm concerned about our safety I don't want to get into trouble because of something stupid."

"This is stupid? I'm trying to make things easier for us."

A moment of silence dawned over them. Shinobu didn't even look at Douma she just crossed her arms and continued walking with an angry expression. The blonde could tell something was off Shinobu was alright a few minutes ago.

"Look Shinobu we don't have much time." Douma stood in front of her trying to get her attention.

"I know and I'm starting to regret coming all the way here with you. It's not like you care about me at all."

"What? That's not true!"

Shinobu's gaze turned sharp. You and Atashi talk to me with the same tone.

"Really? You and Atashi are always belittling me it doesn't matter when or why everything that I do is never good enough I'm troubling you guys."

Opening the door, Douma got in and placed the three men against the wall. If they get reinforcements these three gotta hope they have trackers on them getting around this forest isn't gonna be easy that's for sure. Douma shut the door of the hut and glanced at Shinobu who was staring at a grasshopper on a leaf.

"I'm sorry Shinobu I didn't mean to sound that way. Sometimes you're a little serious I'm just trying to cheer you up." Douma responded calmly. "As for Atashi that's something he's going to have to work on himself. I've known him for a longtime too, the guy's hotheaded and ignorant sometimes don't take it too hard I'm honestly disappointed with him. Our friend betrayed us for his own benefit."

 Shinobu looked up and met Douma's rainbow gaze. You're not the only one Douma, I'm upset and the pain his family has to bear because of his selfishness. Why are people like this.

"I don't get why he would talk to me like that... What did I do wrong I was just trying to help..."

"If Atashi doesn't appreciate your help, then so be it. We're fine without him that's one problem gone. He doesn't deserve a friend like you who would do anything to make sure he's OK."

"Am I too serious? Is that why he doesn't want to have anything to do with me?"

Oh great. She's overthinking now. When humans start doing that they give off this depressing vibe. Douma could hear Shinobu's heartbeat her stress levels were rising rapidly. If this goes on she might collapse, worst of all, she hasn't eaten much for the whole day.

"That's completely understandable. You see, if I were in your position right now I'd worry day and night about Eiko's condition for example or what I'm getting myself into..." The last words him like a brick, what I'm getting myself into.

Was it a good idea to drag Shinobu into this? The original plan was to track down that organization himself, as the wise leader of the Hasu Mountains it was his responsibility and he would finish the job alone. Finding Atashi and this organization would be easier for him since humans had limitations. So far Shinobu has been helpful she has no reason to be feeling down.

Shinobu's purple gaze met his again, this time with a sparkle in her eyes. Hearing those words made her feel a little better but there was still a reminiscent of despair in her chest. She wasn't sure if Douma was telling the truth.

Before Shinobu could ask another question regarding his sincerity, they both heard a rustling noise coming from one of the bushes ahead of them.

"Whatever you do stay here, don't go anywhere." At that very instant, Douma got his fan out in case the person or thing hiding ambushed them.

"I-I-I w-won't-" Shinobu held the side of her head weakly while struggling to keep herself steady on the ground. As she was about to fall to the ground, Douma grabbed her and sat her down on the forest floor.

"Shinobu!" Placing his palm against her forehead, the heat radiated to his skin raising alarm. "I'm so sorry Shinobu this is my fault." Douma recalled that one time when Shinobu was complaining about not having any food and breaktimes. He should've listened.

The person hiding in the bush fired a familiar purple flame towards them. 

That flame! One of those things is here! Douma blocked the attack with his fan and then threw it at the bush like a boomerang, holding onto Shinobu tightly.

The creature jumped out of its hiding spot in an attempt to dodge the fan that struck it directly in the face causing it to let out an agitated hiss.

"What's going on..." This was bad, Shinobu was getting too stressed, if she sees what's happening her headache could worsen Douma didn't want anything bad to happen to her the young founder had enough to deal with. He needed to find a safe spot where he could heal her but with his opponent opting for another challenge Shinobu unfortunately had to wait. The thought of it made Douma despise his opponent to the core.

"Relax Shinobu I'll take care of this. You deserve a rest after everything that's happened today."

Shinobu looked at Douma appearing sickly from the constant ringing and pain in her head. It was unbearable but she had to fight it the heaviness she felt rising from her chest to her throat was slowly consuming her thoughts. She just wanted to sit down on the forest floor without any worries for these next few minutes. Throwing up definitely wasn't on her bucket list.

"T-thank you, Douma."

The giant silverfish dashed towards the blonde and raised its mandibles getting ready to land a bite on him. Douma ducked to the side and kicked its neck sending it backwards towards a large boulder. He immediately caught his fan that flew back to him. The next thing Douma was going to do involved some extreme butchering.

Summoning large ice lotus petals in front of him, Douma aimed them at the silverfish that got up and started charging towards him with its sharp tail pointed up. Once it got closer, the petals flew towards the creature freezing the grass beneath them.

But this time, the monster was a lot sharper. Instead of running through it like most of its comrades it flicked the petals to a tree with its claw that caught them on its trunk and appeared behind Douma.

"Lookout he's behind you!" Shinobu cried.

"Don't worry he can't hit me." Douma watched the alien creature's failed attempt at stabbing him with its tail. Pieces of its spikes and skin fell to the ground. The grass soaked with its blood.

Screeching in distress, the silverfish slammed itself on the ground causing it to shake violently. Douma moved to the back, raising his fan as he sliced the alien creature leaving a deep gash on its torso.

The silverfish transformed into its bipedal aquatic form with the long claws and ragged clothing. Both Douma and Shinobu watched as it got into a fighting stance. This one was different from the other monsters they encountered it knew how to fight and defend itself.

"I see you've gotten better." Douma fanned himself, a grin formed behind his lethal weapon. "But you're still no match for me and my powers."

"Here we go again he's back to his relaxed self." Rolling her eyes, Shinobu sat back and observed both Douma and the creature battling it out in the snow.

Douma got ready his opponent clenched its fist directing it at him. With the fan in the way, the creature's punch was blocked. The blonde used this chance to sneak up behind it and knock it with its fan. The impact left a bruising pain on the side of the creature's neck it held onto that spot gasping.

A spiral of frost formed in front of Douma. With the wave of his fan, the spiral went through the creature's chest. Every muscle and tissue in its body froze.

"Time to finish this." Douma's eyes turned to slits seeing this creature right in front of him was getting on his nerves.

The sound of ice shattering made both Douma and Shinobu froze. How did it break out there was no way it could've done that. At the corner of his vision, the creature threw a punch at his fan stunning Douma as he slowly saw himself moving away from his target in shock.

 "Douma you idiot now he's gonna get away stop spinning around like that!" Shinobu yelled at him despite having a terrible headache she still had some hidden energy in her waiting to be unleashed. Douma took that as a form of encouragement.

But sadly he fell to the ground face first. Shinobu sighed in disappointment this was such an easy battle for Douma how could he screw up?

The creature landed beside Shinobu looking for an exit. The purple-haired girl screamed and pointed her finger at it accusingly. "YOU'RE GONNA REGRET THIS!"

Raising its hands the alien creature backed away. Shinobu was terrifying.

 "Don't touch her!" Shinobu got out of the way as Douma dizzily ran towards where she and the alien creature stood falling in the snow again.

"What are you doing he's right here!" Signaling to her friend Shinobu felt her blood pressure rising. Fine I'll take care of this myself!

"HEY YOU! TAKE THIS!" Shinobu swung her foot at the alien creature but it was just too fast for her.

The alien creature ran towards the stream. It took one last look at the now spinning Shinobu. Douma got up and stood there watching the outcome of his friend's failed attempt at kicking his opponent helplessly she just kept spinning in circles with her foot still out.

 "Um Shinobu- this isn't good." 

"SLAM!" Her foot knocked the tree trunk sending large piles of snow downwards.

The mini avalanche landed on the two friends covering them in snow. The alien creature quickly jumped into the stream and swam in the direction of the current.

Moments later Douma emerged from the pile and shook his head vigorously followed by Shinobu who was brushing the snow off her clothes in embarrassment. "That was such a bad idea." 

The alien creature was nowhere to be seen. To their dismay it got away. Shinobu sighed the effects of her headache started kicking in again, Douma caught her in his arms he had to find a spot. It was a good thing she was shielded by his forcefield that way the cold won't add on to her condition. 

Carrying her bridal style, Douma took off into the forest keeping an eye out for any hut or cavern close by.