Hotohori struggled again in the ropes he was bound in. The warriors drew closer to him, drawing their swords out, ready to spill his blood onto the hard, cold floor. The warriors' faces were emotionless, like they were zombies, following commands from their master. Hotohori's heart stopped as they raised their swords in the air, ready to strike him down. Just then, the sound of breaking glass could be heard. The warriors stopped in their tracks and looked behind them. Jumping from a window onto the ground was Tasuki, metal tessen in hand. As he landed perfectly on his feet, he opened his fan. He grinned. Hotohori, seeing Tasuki, breathed a sigh of relief. Mitsaugu, angry at Tasuki's entrance, yells at the other warriors.

"Get him!" The warriors draw their swords and run towards Tasuki. Tasuki, who was prepared, held up his fan and yelled out his attack. "Rekka Shinen!" A blaze of fire circled around his fan and flew towards the warriors.

The warriors stopped in their tracks, surprised by the sudden attack. The fireball hit them with such force that it melted their armor and burned them to a crisp. Seeing Hotohori tied up in ropes, he takes his fan and threw it a certain way, making it curve up, cutting the ropes of his feet and his hands. Hotohori leaped up, did a few front handsprings and picked up his sword, which was lying on the ground near a fallen warrior. Mitsaugu growled with anger as he saw the two young men stand, ready to fight. Hotohori pulled his sword out of its sheath and Tasuki held his metal tessen, ready for action. Then, Mitsaugu grinned.

"Well, I guess the emperor got away from death for a moment, but not for long. His fan-wielding friend will also join him soon enough, heh heh heh."

Mitsaugu stood tall and superior to Hotohori and Tasuki. Then, before their very eyes, Mitsaugu's eyes began to glow red and his body began to morph into a super deformed monster. Extra crooked limbs began to grow out of his sides and wings sprouted from his back. Hotohori and Tasuki watched in horror as the man changed into the most terrifying creature they have ever seen. Tasuki help up his fan again and yelled out his attack.

"Rekka Shinen!" Another fireball formed and he threw it at the demonic creature. As the fireball came towards the creature, it took its claw-hand and blocked it. The fireball had no effect at all. Tasuki stood there, open-mouthed.

"Damn it!" Tasuki yelled. Tasuki then charged at the demon and jumped in the air, doing a karate kick. The demon caught his foot in mid-air and flung him into a wall. Tasuki cried out in pain as he came in contact with the wall. Hotohori called out.

"Tasuki!" Hotohori looked at his hurt friend slumped on the ground in pain. He began to run towards Tasuki, but the demon flew between them stopping Hotohori. Hotohori eyed the demon, fearing the end was apon him. Hotohori stood ready to fight the demon with all his power.

"Hehehehe, you think that you will beat me? Hahahahaha!" The demon raised his arms and opened his mouth, drool spilling out the sides and showing his many jagged edged teeth. Hotohori gulped and waited for the demon to attack. The demon creature held the mirror in one of his many claw hands and held it tightly.

"You will die you evil incarnation of darkness!" Hotohori yelled viciously. He charged at the beast and sliced one of its arms. The monster cried out in pain, but then recovered.

"You will not win! I will make it to the Other World!"

The demon screeched. Hotohori's eyes flamed with anger and hate. His long dark brown hair cascaded past his face, slightly covering his young handsome features. Having enough of this creature's torment, he attacked vigorously, using all of his strength in his attack. Hotohori took his sword and sliced the arm that held the mirror. The arm fell to the ground, shattering the mirror to small fragments. The blood of the creature spilled onto the floor and covered Hotohori is the process. The demon cried out in agony.

"No! The mirror! Ahhhhhh!" The demon was now very angry with Hotohori for destroying his chances in going over to the next world. Hotohori, dripping in the demon's newly spilt blood, charged at the monster again, slicing his chest, creating a large gash. More blood poured everywhere. The monster cried out again in anguish. Seeing that the monster is weakening, Hotohori slashes it again, and again, more blood spilling everywhere and onto Hotohori, covering his clothes completely. Hotohori, taking his sword, she stabs the beast one final time through it's chest. The creature screamed in absolute pain. Then, Hotohori pulled his sword out of the demon and let it slump to the ground dead. The body began to disintegrate and become nothingness. Hotohori stood there, drenched in blood, breathing hard from the fight. He sheathed his sword and turned back to Tasuki, who was now starting to recover from the encounter with the wall. Hotohori ran to him.

"Tasuki! You alright?" Hotohori kneeled down to him, helping him up. Tasuki coughed and smiled a bit.

"Yeah, no sweat. Don't worry so much. What are ya, my mom?" Tasuki laughed a bit. Hotohori just smiled lightheartedly.

"It's good to see that you are alright." Hotohori patted his shoulder lightly. Tasuki grabbed his fan and put it back in its sling. He then looked to the broken mirror that was on the ground. Hotohori looks as well, and sighs slightly, seeing the mirror he loved very much destroyed. He walked over to the remains and knelt down. Hotohori picked up one of the shards of mirror and looked at it. Tasuki walks over to him.

"Sorry about the mirror. I guess there was no other way." Tasuki patted his shoulder. Hotohori sighed again.

"Yes, you are right. That mirror must have been destroyed for the best. If I had known that it le to the Other World, I would have protected it more carefully." Hotohori stood again, dropping the piece of mirror and looked at Tasuki. Suddenly, Hotohori's stomach growl loudly.

"Um, heh heh, want to go get some food?" Hotohori suggested. Tasuki grinned.

"Sure, lets go." Tasuki led the way out and Hotohori followed, his stomach growling all the way.

~The End~