Saved but Condemned

I started to hear things and at first I thought I was hearing gods voice but then the voice got clearer and I realized with a start that it was Asaki's voice.

" I am so sorry, there isn't any other way to give back what he stole. " He said.

' What do you mean no other way? What are you going to do? ' I screamed but knew he didn't hear me.

Suddenly a hand brushed against the bare skin of my shoulder and a burning sensation brought me back to reality. I thrashed but strong hands held me down. I screamed as the burning got worse and worse.

" You're gonna get your powers back, I promise. " Tsubasa said.

I finnaly slumped onto the bed as the burning stopped.

I looked up to see Asaki gasping and sweating.

His hands were on my shoulder, where the burning was. Once he slumped into the chair and his hand slid off my shoulder and I finnaly saw what was there.

Instead of the mark Jaakuna sliced into my skin, the japanese symbol meaning " protected" was tattooed into my skin. I was bewildered for a second then I realized what it meant.

" You placed a brand on me!? " I screamed.

" No I would never mean it like that..." he said.

" It was the only way to get your powers somewhat back. " Tsubasa said firmly.

" So now what? I just go on living like a normal hashira? " I snapped suprised by my own anger.

" Yes, Actually. " A voice said behind the bed.

I sat up to find Kiri and Bosu leaning up against the wall beside my bed.

" You can live normally but you won't be as strong as before. " Bosu replied.

" I want to kill him. I want to kill Jaakuna! " I hissed through clenched teeth.

Bosu went ridged and the others just stared at me.

" What did you just say? Nikku? " He asked with a weird edge.

" I said I want to kill Jaakuna. You know the demon who lords over all the others? " I said confused.

" This makes things complicated. " he murmurred deep in thought.

" What are you talking about, Bosu? " I asked.

" I mean you just went head to head with the Demon King. You will not be going demon slaying for a good while. "

" WHAT?! " I screamed.

" Don't argue with me, Nikku. You need to practice more and you need to get your full powers back before you ever go out again. " He said walking out of the room.

" I will not be stuck in this damn place while demons are out slaughtering innocents! " I said getting up and pacing back and forth.

" He's right, Nikku. You should focus on getting better. " Kiri said softly touching my arm.

I flinched back, thankfully getting away from his touch. Then I was overwhelmed with a wave of nausea. I rushed to the bathroom and emptied my stomach.

" I am sorry about the mark, Nikku. " Asaki said.

" You should've found another way first. " I groaned.

He handed me a paper towel and I snatched it from him.

" There wasn't another way. I hope you don't hate me. " He said.

" I don't hate you. I hate your father and your brother. " I snapped.

" So, you know. " he sighed.

" Don't go thinking I hate you just because of your family. Your family fucking sucks. You father said that your his favorite. " I said turning around.

Asaki flinched and I wondered why that was.

" Yeah, I really wish he would favor my brother instead of me. " he said angrily.

" I told him I loved you. " I said flatly.

" God damn, Nikku. Fuck, why did you say that to him. How am I going to explain this. Damn you Nikku!. " he yelled at me.

" What? Are you ashamed of it? Are you ashamed to be loved by a human hashira? " I said jumping up.

" I can't talk to you, right now. Goodbye Nikku " He said through clenched teeth. He walked out of the room and I numbly walked to my bed and sat there until I cried.

I was so weak and I admitted something to a demon that would someday condemn me. I was fucked. I sat there questioning whether I would sit here and waste away or train til I could train no more.

I decided on the latter. I practically ran to my room and grabbed a pair of shorts and a black tank top. I grabbed my boots, sword and gloves, then headed to the basement arena.

I got there and found the mechanical dummy and put two real blades in its hands and switched it on. The dummy began to swing violently almost slicing my ear off. I met the swords with only one sword. The machine lunged and jabbed the swords at my stomach. I back flipped landing in a crouch before it connected with my skin. The dummy was getting quicker with each swing.

I circled around the dummy while dodging every one of its blows. I countered its attacks while administering my own which was almost blocked. I got faster as the dummy got faster. I swung and dodged as it swung for my throat. I parried and feinted avoiding the fatal swings. Each attack got more brutal and I got a few slices and gashes. I was sweating so hard when I was at least an hour into the fight. Losing most of my energy was making me slower than usual.

Finally it caught me in a corner and my hashira sense came to life.

" Phoenix breathing 1st form Flames Fury! " I roared swinging my sword making a giant arrow shape flame dart towards the machine making it explode sending sparks on me. I yelped as the sparks stung me.

" Maybe I should have thought about doing that to a robot made of electric wiring. " I mumbled.

" Your right, you should've " a voice said behind me.

I knew that voice, it was the voice I grew up with and loved so much. I whirled and sure enough their she sat alive on the bleachers

" Asika? " I choked.

" Its been a while, Asahi. " Asika said with a smile.