Chapter 8: Showdown
Hitomi's eyes shot open with a gasp, noting her reposed body covered in a blanket of leaves. The shoulder wounds made from last night seemed to have healed a little. There was not so much pain felt as she moved about. Foliage fell off her upper rift as she rose to sit upon her knees. With that, she observed the jaunty, bright milieu of the morning woods. She had caught the streaked sunrays leaking trough the thin tree leaves, hitting her ruffled clothes from high above.
She thought of her father, his radiant smile and snow white hair, hopeful to see him again soon. By now, he should have made a full recovery while expecting her return. He was strong yet stable, a man unwilling to allow any injury to slow him down. Hitomi always admired him for that, hoping that one day she could inherit such prowess. No doubt, she would have a major story to tell him once the hunt was over.
Hitomi then sighed, looking at the stagnant Chinese pair. Lei Fang and Jann Lee still wandered in slumber, quiet, and mild as they had ever been. To disturb them now might not be wise. After all, the two needed as much rest as possible for today. Purging Tengu would be quite a challenge for all of them.
Air shot up from Hitomi's lungs in the form of a dry cough. Her throat had begged for a cold drink, fighting hard to obtain enough saliva to even swallow. It had been that way since last night. Water seemed nonexistent in this part of the woods, but there had to be a stream located somewhere.
She traveled forward, avoiding the feeble twigs that would snap under her feet and awake the others if stepped on. A trip past a few decayed trees and bug-infested bushes only half a mile away from camp ended her search. There it was, a clear stream of water flowing in front of her as if it had appeared out of nowhere.
Grateful, she bent over to reach down and splashed a couple palmfuls onto her soiled visage. The water was soothing, just how she had wanted it as she took in a few sips. "Oh man, does that feel good. I needed that." She stood up and wiped the residue off her lips. "Now all I need is some food, a warm bath, and I'm set."
She looked over her shoulder to which she came from, her mind set on heading back. Perhaps the others were awake and ready by now. A few minutes longer and they might start worrying.
Hitomi shook her hands dry, proceeding back to the camp sight. If Lei Fang and Jann Lee were thirsty, they had a place to which they could help themselves.
The moment Hitomi left the stream, an abnormal sound buzzed within her ear. She paused. A strong force then smashed into her back and sent her tumbling forward until she made contact with a large tree.
Her eyes pointed up while coming to stand, seeing Tengu perched on a tree branch before her. She was a little unprepared not expecting to run into him this quick. He leapt off from the stem, gliding toward the ground, frowning. "I can't believe you killed my precious children. How…how dare you. How could you be so cruel?"
Hitomi's eyebrows slanted as she kept distance between them. "Cruel? You've got some nerve. After everything you've done you call us cruel?"
He held up his bubbled belly, adverting his head away from her. "I have no sympathy for you humans at all. And it wont change either after what you three buffoons have done. It motivates me to want to kill you even more. That's bad news for you, considering how you're… alone now." His frown shifted into a crooked smile. "Now, how exactly do you wish to die? Quick, or painfully slow?"
Hitomi's opened hands formed into fists, tension boiling within her as she exhaled. "I may be alone, but I'm not afraid. You thrive on fear, and I'm not feeding any of it to you."
"Ha, this is new, a human with some backbone." Tengu spread his wings and jolted forward, butting Hitomi's form into the trunk of a tree positioned behind her. A few leaves fluttered down as she leaned back, constructing a plan. Pain developing within her spine had caused her to hiss aloud. She dived out of the way upon witnessing his next charge. A loud crash sounded with Hitomi crouched to the ground. Wood splinters fell from above like rain after the earth trembled.
She looked up, eyes widening at what she saw. The tree from which she once stood against had fallen over. Then she saw Tengu kneeling close to another tree, hands placed around the base as he uprooted it from the soil. He hauled it back and swung forward, missing her by a few inches as she jumped the opposite way to avoid the blow. Another swing, a couple steps forward and his hit was successful this time.
Hitomi grunted, kneeling down before him as if bowing in submission. She stared into the lit fire within his eyes as he neared her. It was like staring into the eyes of death itself. There was nothing left she could do, but await the worst as she struggled to recover.
A sudden quake erupting from beneath shook Lei Fang, evicting her from her fogged dreams. She frowned, gaze scattering around as she noticed Hitomi's abrupt absence. She trudged through the twig piles to Jann Lee and shook him. "Hey! Wake up!"
"Hmmm? Umm…" came his dull mummer as his eyes opened in a squint.
"Hitomi's gone." Lei Fang shook harder, almost wanting to curse at him. "Come on, wake up!"
Jann Lee rubbed the sleep from his eyes and stood, looking away from her as he silenced a yawn. "The girl? She probably went to go search for Tengu on her own. How foolish."
Lei Fang grunted and gave him a soft shove. "I think something has happened to her. Just now I heard a noise from over there." She pointed a finger toward the north of the woods.
The scowl upon Jann Lee's head increased, as he looked in the same direction her finger pointed. "It might be him. If so I am going to make sure he does not get away this time. He won't have anywhere to run or anywhere to hide. He'll never harm the head of another human being again when I'm through with him."
Lei Fang faced him once more, silent for a moment. For once, she admired his words. He seemed just as anxious as she did to combat the wicked menace. "Jann Lee…"
"Hmm?"
Her stomach contracted as his eyes met hers, struggling to find something to say. "Lets make this day his last." She nodded, awaiting his reply.
"Of course." He jerked his head back.
They dashed to the north, hurdling over tree limbs, rocks, and anything else that lied within their path. Ahead, they found Hitomi lying on the ground, motionless. Lei Fang went to check on her, but Jann Lee yanked her arm back, stilling her pace.
A ruffled noise sounded from the trees and Tengu made his presence known as he jumped down in front of them. "You two are just in time." He looked down at Hitomi. "The little one here did not last very long. She's very courageous, but she is also weak and stupid."
Lei Fang's fist trembled, anger rising from within. "It ends today, Tengu. I shall have no more of this!"
"What ends here? The only thing that is going to end is your miserable lives." The chubby creature snorted.
Jann Lee stepped forth, cracking his knuckles aloud. "On the contrary, I think she's right."
A deep snicker and Tengu smiled. "Bah! You two can't kill me. I've already died and come back before." He stomped both of his feet into the ground and squatted, akin to a traditional sumo wrestler. "I've grown tired of you fools stalking me. Let's put your confidence to the test, shall we?"
His wings began to flap and he rushed at both of them. Lei Fang felt Jann Lee shove her aside with his hand before she could even get into a proper fighting stance. She fell on her knees, watching as Tengu collided with the spiky haired man into a scuffle. With his trademark battle cry, Jann Lee leapt off the ground and kicked Tengu's ribs. The beast ceased his arm before he could land, carrying him high into the air. When they reached a certain altitude, Tengu freed Jann Lee and allowed him to fall.
Lei Fang gasped as she saw her rival land onto a pair of branches that snapped under the harsh impact of his weight. He made contact with the ground seconds after, lying there, unmoving.
Lei Fang ran to him for an assist, but Tengu flew down and stood in her path. "You can't help him now. It is too late for him. You should have ran when you had the chance, not that you would have gotten away from me anyway."
"You…" Lei Fang swung a fist as hard as she could, but the blow never hit. Tengu's hand had reacted with quick reflex to block it. She tried for another swing, this time with the other hand. Tengu caught that as well before it could make contact.
Now he had both of her hands locked down, squeezing them hard. Lei Fang sunk down on both knees, feeling powerless to do anything. She refused to let it end like this, refused to die by this monster. All she could hear now was Tengu's voice mocking her.
"All your efforts to stop me have failed. You are pathetic. Since your asking for a death wish, I'll be glad to grant it for you."
He strengthened his squeeze, causing Lei Fang to scream as she closed her eyes. If only she could free herself and summon the strength to end this.
She then heard a voice fill her ears, a very familiar one. "Ahem!"
Tengu's grip on her loosened, turning his back to where the voice had came. She was now relieved for the moment, her pants soft while hunched in the dirt. Her eyes looked up and saw Gen Fu appear into the foreground from behind the trees. "So, attempting to eat children isn't enough for you?"
"Who are you, old man?" shouted Tengu, stepping toward him.
Gen Fu blinked and sniffled, a hand running across his nose. "Old man? If I'm not mistaken your over ten times my age."
Tengu let out an angry roar. "Have you come to die too? I'll squash you as well!"
Gen Fu formed a stance, waving his hand for the beast to come forth. "Come on then. Aint none of us getting any younger."
The two ran forward to attack. Perhaps this would give Lei Fang the time she needed.