Yottsu - Nature & Nurture

7 days prior. Ramon stopped walking, and looked at Nakijin, as he walked to Ramon. “The Halimaw yesterday, was that your doing?” Ramon asked. “A little thing I needed help with, a shame though. I had hoped for a different outcome.” Nakiijn said, his voice high pitched, and dripping with joy. “What exactly?” Ramon asked. “Let's talk about it, and maybe you’ll figure out. I have a proposition, friend.” Nakijin said, pressing his hand to Ramon's chest, and in an instant the two disappear. Nakijin took Ramon to another world. The Spirit World. It’s purple hue, and dark surfaces made it hard to see anything. “So what do you want?” Ramon asked. “Help. I need something from you. I need a curse. It’s an old thing, but it can only be found in one place. More accurately on a person. I need that person.” Nakijin said. “Why? What do I get out of it?” Ramon asked. “I can make you human. I can take out what makes you hate yourself.” Nakijin said, whispering in Ramon’s ear.

Ramon finds himself bound to a chair by chains. After five days of rest he wakes up. “You are awake. I wasn’t planning on that.” Riku said. “Rooh Hunter, just kill me. I'm a sneaky, no good, evil Ashlang. So just end it now.” Ramon said. “Not until you tell me about the Akuma.” Riku said. “What about it?” Ramon asked. “As another Yokai, I suspect you to be in cahoots with the Akuma. If so, what is it after?” Riku asked. “Halimaw. And I don’t know what it is after, only what it needs. A curse. The Shimazu curse. It bartered with me. I was to give it the curse, and it was supposed to make me human.” Ramon said. “So your target-.” Riku started. “Was a Rooh Medium named Yusuke. But, I don’t know what happened. He and the girl ended up undoing a possession, and I fought the Akuma to save Yusuke.” Ramon said. “Why did you do that?” Riku asked. “I haven’t a clue. Trust me, I should have not interfered, and I would get what I want. But no, I had to fight. Damn it, why am I so stupid.” Ramon said. “So what do you plan to do now?” Riku asked. “I don’t know, try to go about my day as normal. I’m not interested in your little tirade here. I already turned you guys down several times back in Pilipinas.” Ramon said. “Cool, I wasn’t offering.” Riku said. “Then kill me, and you’ll solve all of our problems.” Ramon said. “I don’t think I will.” Riku said. “Why not?” Ramon asked. “I am not thrilled with you targeting my brother, but you defied an Akuma and lived. You defied the Akuma, maybe not to keep him safe, but you did. So you want to know what comes next, I don’t care what you are, or who you are. Whether you are a Mardom Rooh, or a Yokai. I order you, protect my bother with your life. Do not let Shimazu’s curse fall into the Akuma’s hands. Or I will keep you here, and make you suffer.” Riku said. “Deal, just don’t make me suffer.” Ramon said quietly. The chains immediately were cut, releasing Ramon.

Yuna, Yusuke, and Hiroko were hanging out in Hiroko’s hospital room. “So what’s is with this?” Hiroko asked, running her hand through Yuna’s Ryusou. “Yusuke gave it to me.” Yuna said. “I bought it. I felt back that her sweater was destroyed.” Yusuke said. “Hiroko looked at Yuna. “Are you ok?” Hiroko asked. “I have no choice but to accept it.” Yuna said. Yusuke’s phone started to ring, and he grabbed it from his pocket. ‘Yeah.” He said, answering the phone. He stood in silence listening to the voice on the phone. “Cool. We can get out of here.” Yusuke said, hanging up. “I still don’t have any clothes. Did you only care about Yuna?” Hiroko asked. “No, where did I put that bag?.” Yusuke asked. “You didn’t have a bag.” Yuna said. “Give me a second.” Yusuke said before leaving. “He is an idiot.” Hiroko said, before sighing.

“Is everything ok with you? Do you wanna talk about what happened before in front of the mirror?” Yuna asked. “Not really. Just forget about it please.” Hiroko said. Yuna leaned her head on Hiroko’s shoulder. “I’m worried about you. I don’t know if everything will be ok or not, and all I can think of is keeping you safe.” Yuna said. “I’m fine.” Hiroko said. Yusuke returned with a bag of clothes for Hiroko. “Here, take it and change.” Yusuke said, giving the bag to Hiroko. He looked away from her, feeling tense. Hiroko hesitantly grabbed the bag. Yuna got off of Hiroko, letting her stand up. “I won’t do it again. Yuna. Just to let you know.” Hiroko said, before walking to the bathroom to change. “Did I miss something?” Yusuke asked. “A bit. It’s nothing.” Yuna said. Hiroko returned, wearing new clothes. At the core they weren’t any different than Yuna’s, black pants, and a colored shirt. But like the Ryusou, Hiroko was given a Haori. A red base, but blue and gold Ikat pattern. “Tacky.” Hiroko said. “Yeah well it cost a lot. Both the Ryusou, and Haori.” Yusuke said. “Thank you.” Yuna said. “Thanks.” Hiroko said quietly, looking at the ground, and fidgeting with her hair. “I can’t hear you.” Yusuke said. “I said thanks.” Hiroko said louder, standing up. “Ah, good. Let’s go and get out of here.” Yusuke said. Yuna grabbed Hiroko’s hand and noticed how flustered she was. “Come on, let’s get out of here.” Yuna said.

Yusuke led them through the hospital, however unbeknownst to Hiroko and Yuna, they weren’t in a hospital. They made their way through the building, and it turned from a hospital to a library, a gym, and a few other things. They reach some stairs, and climb up and into the outside. A layer of grass greeted them. Yuna looked around, seeing Mabui everywhere, gathering around a Torii Gate. She continues to look around seeing stone circles, caves, and a huge assortment of things. “What is this place?” Yuna asked. “The Heart. It’s how we stay connected to everywhere.” Yusuke said. “So no one is going to bring this up but the air is different colors. Why? It feels alive.” Hiroko said. “That’s Mabui.” Yuna said. “Kami.” Riku corrected, reaching the Heart, Ramon followed him from some stairs. “Mana. Get it right.” Ramon said. “So it’s like Qi?” Hiroko asked. “Pretty much.” Yusuke said. “What a gathering of people. Now all of you get out. I’m sick and tired of watching over you, shoo.” Riku said. “Who are you?” Hiroko asked. “Riku. My brother.” Yusuke said. “When did you get a brother?” Hiroko asked. “Born with one.” Yusuke said. “Look kids. I understand that all of you, with the exception of Yusuke, none of you want to join our organization. I’ve already gone through this. But, I ask that you reconsider your position with the Mardom Rooh. Especially with the Akuma on the loose. It would be wonderful to have such strong allies. An Ashwang who’s control of Kami can cause him to shapeshift into a Wendigo. A difficult feat to shapeshift into a Demi-Human. And a girl blessed by the Kami. With even a bit of training you will be able to use high level Majutsu with ease.” Riku said. “Sorry brother, but they won’t join. However, I'll worry about training the bunch myself.” Yusuke said, walking away into a forest of Torii Gates. “I’ll be in touch, I have a favor to ask when the time comes.” Riku said, turning around, walking the opposite direction of Yusuke.