Ninja Gaiden Koibito

Beta Build: Kokoro


When morning came, Ryu and Hayate could find no sign of the sniper. They both rushed from cover in opposite directions, but no bullets followed. Once they were certain the sniper was no longer watching them, the two ninjas regrouped and made their way further into the heart of the expansive city.

“Who could that shooter have been working for?” Hayate wondered aloud as they were swept up in the endless crowds. “DOATEC, perhaps?”

“That seems doubtful.” Ryu shook his head. “I have doubts that the sniper was a foe at all. Not that I trust whoever it was either.”

“Indeed.” Hayate nodded in agreement. His eyes focused on something in the distance. “Ryu, look.”

Ryu followed his friend’s gaze and immediately understood what had caught Hayate’s attention. Less than a block ahead was a twenty foot tall gate, behind which was what appeared to be a military base, possibly a training facility. The gate was cast iron, surrounded on either side by thick stone walls that were smaller cousins to the massive barrier that Ryu and Hayate had scaled to enter the city. Just to the right of the gate, a squad of heavily armed soldiers was standing guard over a team of engineers as they worked on the wall. The men were setting new stone into what had apparently been a sizeable hole in the wall next to the gate.

“Just as we saw on this city’s outer wall.” Hayate breathed.

“That breach was covered long before our arrival.” Ryu watched the men work. They seemed to be in a hurry, and the troops shifted uncomfortably in their heavy body-armor. “This one is fresh.”

“We go in tonight.” Hayate nodded.


* * *


To their mild surprise, the military patrols increased around the wall as evening came. Troops began arriving in trucks from other parts of the city, filing in through the gate. They were all armed to the teeth with assault rifles, some even hefted rocket launchers. Ryu was quietly thrilled. Whatever had made that hole in the wall was still inside somewhere.

The sun finally set. Ryu and Hayate stowed away their disguises and donned their ninja masks.

“This could be it, Ryu.” Hayate clapped his friend on the shoulder. “We may end this tonight.”

“We stop at nothing.” Ryu’s eyes were hard and resolute. “No one stands in our way.”

“No one.” Hayate’s voice was cold as death.

The two ninjas raced toward the gate, their swords shimmered in the starlight. A group of ten guards stood watch in front of the iron bars. Six of them were dead before they knew they were being attacked. The remaining four managed to raise their rifles just as a flurry of shuriken sliced through their throats. Ryu and Hayate ran up and over the wall, landing on the other side and gliding across the ground like wraiths. A small army awaited them.

Ryu and Hayate’s assault on the base would have been legend had any of the soldiers lived to tell the tale. Bullets fell around the ninjas like rain but were unable to find their mark. The cold blades of the ninjas began to warm with every slash and slice. The ground ran red with the blood of their foes, soldiers dropped like blades of grass under their blades.

The troops had established a perimeter surrounding a hardened domed bunker of some sort at the center of the base. The troops had erected several high caliber artillery batteries around the large dome shaped cement structure. Every one of the cannons was pointed toward the bunker.

“There!” Ryu shouted, pointing Hayate toward their goal.

The bunker’s surface was seamless with one exception. Ryu could see a lone hatch set into the sloping curve of the bunker’s roof nearly twenty meters above them. The bunker must have had a subterranean entrance, perhaps a tunnel leading out from underneath. The two ninjas did not have time to search it out, however, and scrambled up the high grade of the cement dome. Behind them, the corpse riddled ground dropped further and further away as they reached the hatch. Hayate’s sword sliced through the locking mechanism with ease and he threw the solid steel hatch away as if it were nothing more than wrapping paper. Ryu could see the hate burning in his friend’s eyes, giving him strength. Ryu felt the same rage coursing through his own body as well. The two ninjas dropped into the darkness inside the bunker.

Time to end things.

Ryu spotted a shimmering light and spun towards it as did Hayate. A blue apparition stood a dozen meters away, glimmering with unholy light. The technological demon’s glowing body was the perfect female form.

“Alpha-152!” Ryu hissed. Memories of his last encounter with Kasumi’s clone flashed before him along with a hundred conflicting emotions. He remembered pain and fear and anger, but worst of all…

He remembered pleasure.

“You foul blasphemy!” Hayate roared. “You desecrate the very image of my sister!”

Alpha-152 stood silent and impassive, simply starring at them with her vacant and unreadable face. Ryu felt another presence behind them and spun around, bringing the Dragon Sword up in a defensive guard. His eyes focused on another being of cyan energy, but this one…

This one was…him.

The specter stood before him, casting a cool blue hue in the utter darkness inside the bunker. The clone’s form was a perfect match of Ryu’s, and as with Alpha-152, appeared nude. Ryu had believed that Alpha-152 had been a nightmare to behold, looking at a perverted copy of his love, Kasumi. But to look at an evil reflection of himself… It was as if his very identity had been violated.

“Beta-117.” Ryu spoke softly, a listless unease rising inside him.

Ryu shook his head, clearing his mind of confusion and doubt. It was then that he noticed that Beta-117 was holding something in his hand. The enormous serrated length of the Dark Dragon Blade had been difficult to spot in the near total darkness, but as Ryu focused on the cursed weapon, he could discern a web of faintly glowing cracks all along its surface. As he watched, blue energy pulsed from Beta-117’s arm into the Dark Dragon Blade, and the cracks glowed more brightly.

“Beta-117 is using his own energy to hold together the Dark Dragon!” Ryu spoke over his shoulder to Hayate who was keeping an eye on Alpha-152.

“Why don’t they attack?” Hayate asked.

“Perhaps the Dark Dragon Blade is not yet powerful enough to…” Ryu trailed off, feeling an enormous sense of dread wash over him. “By the Ancestors, how could I be so foolish?”

Hundreds of soldiers lay dead outside the bunker, each of them having died by the ninjas’ blades. Each one’s death granting the Dark Dragon Blade power. The clones were not hiding in this bunker, they had been waiting for Ryu and Hayate to fight their way in, feeding the Dark Dragon the energy it needed.

Beta-117 lifted the evil blade high into the air, then jabbed it into the concrete at his feet. A low rumble began to shake the ground beneath their feet and Ryu could feel a horribly familiar tingling in the air.

“What is this?” Hayate pressed his back against Ryu, tightening their defensive stance.

Suddenly there was a deafening crash as something burst through the roof of the bunker. Three flaming boulders dug into the ground several meters from the ninjas. The three rocks burst apart, revealing the demonic forms of three Nightmare Fiends. The horned, hulking devilish beasts each brandished an enormous blade.

“These Fiends are mine!” Hayate rushed toward the imposing demons. He vaulted over the first of them, drawing their attention away from Ryu. Hayate ducked and weaved around their blades as they pursued him, tempting fate.

Ryu squared himself, setting his feet and staring down Beta-117. The phantom returned his gaze with lifeless eyes of cyan light, no discernable emotion behind them. Beta-117 hefted the Dark Dragon, bringing the vicious blade up into an attack posture.

The True Dragon Sword had once shattered the Dark Dragon Blade effortlessly, but Ryu’s sword no longer held the Dragon Eye within its hilt, and thus no longer possessed its legendary power. Ryu surmised that the Dark Dragon Blade was not at full strength either, and that it was dependent on Beta-117’s energy to hold it together. Ryu needed to separate the Dark Dragon from his clone, and for that he needed raw, brute force.

Ryu sheathed the Dragon Sword behind his back and concentrated, focusing his chi. The Dragon Sword scabbard on his back vanished in a flash of light and was replaced by an enormous golden blade; its serrated edge and size not unlike that of the Dark Dragon Blade. Ryu reached behind him and drew the enormous weapon, his arm bulging with effort as he brought the Dabilahro around in an attack stance mirroring his clone adversary. Ryu sensed no movement from Alpha-152, who seemed content to watch Ryu and Beta-117 battle.

Ryu charged forward and Beta-117 did the same, the two combatants hurtling toward one another bearing their massive weaponry. Ryu spun, swinging the Dabilahro around his body and connecting with the Dark Dragon Blade as Beta-117 blocked the blow. The two swords met with a thunderous crash, sending shockwaves rippling out from the epicenter of their contact. Cracks spread through the ceiling of the dome, letting a maze of moonlight beams filter through the dust ridden air.

Ryu heaved the Dabilahro with incredible speed, slashing at Beta-117 who kept pace with the Dark Dragon. Each blow resounded like a cannon blast, shaking the ground. Chunks of the dome began to fall around them as the bunker’s integrity was compromised. The two foes rolled and spun, heaving their colossal weapons at one another with inhuman speed and seemingly endless endurance. Ryu felt sweat pour from his body as his all out attack continued on and on without a moment’s respite. Beta-117 showed no signs of fatigue, but Ryu’s sharp eyes noticed that the pulses of energy between his clone’s arm and the Dark Dragon Blade were becoming more random and frequent as the battle wore on.

Beta-117 was a nigh perfect replica of Ryu, with uncanny reflexes and superb form, just as Alpha-152 was a nightmarish mirror image of Kasumi’s brilliant skill. However, Ryu took note that Beta-117 did not make use of the teleporting ability that the female clone used so vexingly well. The Dark Dragon Blade was anchoring Ryu’s doppelganger, keeping him tangible and inhibiting any teleportation. For all its evil power, the Dark Dragon had given Ryu the edge that he required.

Ryu rolled away, gaining some distance and quickly hooked the Dabilahro on his back. He centered himself and focused his chi, folding his arms in the ceremonial custom. Fire leapt up around him, scorching the very air. Beta-117 brought the Dark Dragon up in a guard even as Ryu’s hands shot out. Ryu’s hands let loose a storm of fire, a blindingly bright globe of searing fire blasted toward his enemy. The ninpo fireball smashed against the Dark Dragon Blade, exploding in a ferocious maelstrom of flame. The clone was knocked form his feet, landing on the near molten floor, his arms outstretched to either side, but his right hand still clutched the Dark Dragon.

Ryu unleashed the Dabilahro once more, running toward the recovering Beta-117. The golden length of the Dabilahro slashed down into the ground in front of Ryu. The young ninja leapt up and vaulted up over the weapon, using his grip on the sword as a fulcrum to build momentum. Ryu landed in front of his clone, bringing the Dabilahro up over his head with blistering speed and irresistible force. The blade crashed down onto the handle of the Dark Dragon, and the resulting explosion of force blasted Ryu back a dozen meters, skidding across the ground on his feet, barely holding onto the Dabilahro.

The Dark Dragon Blade spun through the air, the spider web of lines glowing red and brighter still. Beta-117 sprang to his feet, still clutching the broken hilt of his weapon and watched as the cursed blade exploded in midair. When Ryu had first destroyed the Dark Dragon, it had shattered into a thousand shards; now the blade disintegrated entirely, exploding into dust that itself burned away into nothingness.

Ryu stood holding the Dabilahro in front of him, his breathing heavy and his arms aching from the intensity of the battle. Beta-117 stared at him, yet Ryu could still see no sign of the rage that he would have expected from him. There was a flash of turquoise light and Alpha-152 appeared next to Beta-117. They both set their feet, assuming fighting stances.

Ryu swallowed hard. He had barely survived his encounter with Alpha-152, and now Beta-117 would no longer be handicapped by the Dark Dragon’s presence. Ryu never thought he would regret destroying that evil blade, but in a way he was in far greater danger now that it was gone.

“Ryu!” Hayate’s voice called out from behind him.

Ryu turned and saw Hayate’s sword slice the head from the final Devil Fiend. Its massive corpse joining its two brothers in a heap of demonic flesh at his friend’s feet. Ryu understood Hayate’s intention at once. Ryu braced the Dabilahro at his side and focused his inner strength and energies once again. The freshly released immortal essence of the three Fiends leaped into the Dabilahro’s blade, igniting a frightening power within the sword. Ryu leaped high into the air, roaring aloud as he plunged the Dabilahro into the earth.

A fierce column of pure energy shot out, cutting a swath of destruction toward the two clones before him. The pillar of power struck the spectral beings, and then the universe went white.

When Ryu regained consciousness he was laying outside under a clear starlit sky. He quickly realized that he had not left the domed bunker, but that the dome had simply ceased to be. He sat up, feeling a whole new spectrum of aches and pains shoot through his body. Willing the pain into silence, Ryu stood to his feet.

“Is it done?” Hayate spoke hoarsely from a few feet away, his ninja garb torn and tattered.

Ryu scanned the scene but could see no sign of the two ethereal clones. He turned back and walked to Hayate, placing his hand on his friend’s shoulder. He nodded, smiling a rare smile.

“It is done.” Ryu sighed. “At least for now.”

“DIE!!!” A crazed cry caught them both by surprise.

A lone soldier, his uniform covered with the blood of his fellow troops, ran toward them screaming. He held a grenade in his hand, the pin already pulled. Ryu knew at once that he and Hayate were going to die. At this range the grenade would kill them. They could kill the man, but the grenade would kill them anyway. They could turn and run, but not even a ninja could outrun the blast, certainly not in such an exhausted state. Ryu found it slightly insulting that he would meet his end at the hands of a blithering suicidal stranger.

There was a loud crack and suddenly the soldier’s grenade was spinning off into the air. Three more deafening cracks resounded and the grenade shot far into the sky, exploding a split second later with enough force to knock the ninjas to the ground. The soldier was worse off and was slammed against a pile of rubble. Bleeding profusely, he struggled to his feet, reaching into his bandolier for another grenade. A final crack split the air and the man dropped to the ground with a gaping hole where his left eye had been a moment before.

Ryu and Hayate got to their feet, their keen ears leading their eyes toward the source of the sounds. A large muscular, dark haired man stood on the roof of a troop barracks more than a hundred meters away, holding an impressive sniper rifle in his burly arms and wearing dark military fatigues. Standing next to him was a woman wearing similarly dark clothing. She wore a black beret at a jaunty angle, contrasting with her brilliant silver hair.

“Christie?” Ryu and Hayate both gasped aloud.

“Hello, gents!” Christie called back, yelling over the considerable distance. “I have someone I want you to meet!”

* * *

Ryu, Hayate, Christie and Bayman walked together toward a relatively pristine residential area within the vast city. Confident that they had not been followed nor could be identified by the authorities, Christie had made introductions and brought the ninjas up to speed.

“When Lisa and Rachel rendezvoused with us and reported that the clones had claimed and reconstituted the Dark Dragon Blade… that worried us enough. After we received Leifang’s transmission, I decided it was time to meet up with you two.” Christie explained as they walked past an ornate yet dilapidated shrine. “Kasumi, Ayane and I have been interrogating the surviving members of DOATEC’s Epsilon team, trying to glean any information we could.”

“Project Epsilon?” Hayate shook his head. “My former captors have something to do with the creation of the clones?”

“Of course.” Christie cocked her eyebrow. “Project Epsilon, it would seem, was a precursor for the cloning process. Your escape and subsequent recovery convinced them that conscripting ninjas were too risky. However, the initial success in restructuring your mind gave DOATEC the experience it needed to safely create a wholly loyal living artificial life form. Or so they thought.”

“Why join us now?” Ryu asked. “You might have been killed in the battle with the clones.”

“Thanks for the concern, Ryu, but I can handle myself.” Christie winked. “I wanted to observe the clone’s behavior; try to get a handle on what is driving them.”

“What WAS driving them, you mean.” Hayate interjected. “They’re dead.”

“All the same,” Christie waved away the point. “I want to know what caused those things to go rogue and retrieve the Dark Dragon Blade. Don’t you?”

Ryu nodded reluctantly. Many things still did not make sense, and even in the wake of his enemies’ destruction he did not feel at peace. Victory was more than killing your foe. Understanding why the battle was fought in the first place was just as important.

“I need to send a message from Leifang’s apartment.” Christie nodded toward a beautifully ornate building just ahead. “There’s someone I need to meet with.”

“Who?” Ryu asked.

“I think you know, Ryu.” Christie locked gazes with him. “Someone we both should see.”

Ryu nodded, dropping the subject. They reached the apartment building and proceeded inside. Bayman and Hayate stood guard just inside the front door in case they had somehow been followed. Ryu and Christie climbed a long circular staircase and at last arrived on the fifteenth floor.

Christie stopped just in front of Leifang’s apartment and motioned for Ryu to pause as well. Ryu opened his mouth to ask what was wrong when his ears picked up the muffled moans coming from behind the door. Ryu swallowed and motioned that they should back away and return later. Christie gave him a wicked grin and moved to the door, picking the lock in a matter of seconds, not making a sound. She stealthily opened the door and slipped inside. Ryu would later wonder what caused him to follow her into Leifang’s apartment.

The living area was a shambles. Shredded pillows and cushions were everywhere. A small coffee table was missing two legs. The moans were drifting in from the bedroom beyond a small arched doorway that was still open. Christie moved silently around behind a plush couch for cover and gazed in, her eyes glowing with lewd amusement. She motioned Ryu to her and he reluctantly joined her behind the couch, looking in on the spectacle beyond.

Leifang’s bedroom was utterly destroyed. Pictures and other knickknacks were strewn across the floor. A dresser had fallen sideways and was now leaning precariously against the adjoining wall. The bed was listing to the left, missing at least one leg. The bed sheets themselves were shredded, and several springs were poking out through the mattress’s sides at odd angles.

A completely nude Jann Lee walked into view carrying Leifang aloft. Leifang was turned around, straddling his shoulders while Jann Lee’s hands supported her buttocks, his face buried between Leifang’s creamy legs. The Chinese girl’s flushed cheeks and impassioned moans made it obvious what Jann Lee was doing.

“Not bad, Leifang.” Christie whispered under her breath as her eyes crawled over Jann Lee’s superb physique. “Not bad at all.”

Leifang ran her fingers through Jann Lee’s thick hair while her other hand kneaded her own breast, her eyes closed as she luxuriated in the pleasure. Jann Lee’s mouth worked on her intimate folds, licking and kissing her nether lips with loving affection one moment and wild lust the next. Leifang’s thighs started to spasm as she came, her breasts jostling as she sucked in air, then letting loose a long cry of ecstasy.

“Jann… LEEEEEE!!!” Leifang called out.

Jann Lee fell to his knees, and then lay on his back as Leifang continued to straddle his face. Leifang cooed, setting her feet on either side of his head as Jann Lee craned his neck up to once more seek her crevice. Leifang leaned back, arching her spine at an extraordinary angle, the top of her head now resting against Jann Lee’s belly. Leifang reached up and grasped her lover’s manhood in her hands, bringing the stiff length of flesh to her mouth and engulfing it. Jann Lee moaned into Leifang’s slit as her tongue slid around his cock while it pulsed inside her warm mouth.

“God save the Queen!” Christie gasped quietly. Her serpentine eyes glittered as she admired Leifang’s astonishing flexibility. “Just look at her! He won’t last long against that!”

As if on cue, Jann Lee’s pelvis bucked up into Leifang’s mouth. His head whipped back from between her legs and he let loose a wild howl. Leifang’s legs flew up and over as she flipped her body up, pivoting on her hands with the ease of an Olympic gymnast, and somehow managed to impale herself on Jann Lee’s still quivering shaft in one smooth movement. Her hips began churning against his groin, but Jann Lee began shaking his head.

“No…wait…” His voice was strained. “We have to…to stop, Leifang.”

“You do not enjoy this?” Leifang grinned down at him over the swell of her breasts. Her usually tidy hair dangled over her face.

“Oh…nnngh!...of course I enjoy it!” Jann Lee retorted. Despite his verbal protests, his hips thrust up into Leifang. “But how long have we been doing this?”

“I don’t know.” Leifang giggled, running her hands down Jann Lee’s hard, chiseled chest. “Does it matter?”

“I…oh…oh, yes, Leifang…” Jann Lee’s eyes started to roll back. He shook his head, trying to keep his train of thought. “But we’ve done every position I know. I…I don’t want to bore you.”

“Oh, Jann Lee.” Leifang cupped his face in her hands. Her eyes filled with an affection that she had suppressed and denied for far too long. Her voice was hushed with a pure resolve. “I will never tire of you.”

Jann Lee leaned up and their lips met in a tender, lingering kiss as their hips moved together in a leisurely rhythm. When their lips finally parted, Leifang smiled down at her lover with a mischievous sparkle in her dark eyes.

“And we haven’t tried every position that I know.” Leifang cooed. “We have yet to scratch the surface.”

“Then let the lessons begin.” Jann Lee returned her lustful smile.

“Knock-knock!” Christie called as she stood up from behind the couch. Ryu leaped to his feet, hoping that neither of the two Chinese lovers would notice the fact that he and Christie had been watching them for the past minute or so.

As hoped, the two lovers were taken by surprise.

“Waaah!” Jann Lee howled a challenge, sitting up straight.

“Stay back!” Leifang shouted.

Leifang and Jann Lee both brought up their arms up in defensive guards, ready for battle. Their sudden deadly focus lay in absurd contrast to the fact that their naked bodies were still intimately joined together. For a long moment they simply stared at Ryu and Christie. Then a sudden and awkward realization came over Leifang’s face.

“Oh…my.” She whispered.

“Wait… Ryu?” Jann Lee squinted at the ninja as if he were hoping Ryu was some illusion that would vanish under scrutiny.

“Oh, good lord!” Christie put on an air of shocked surprise. “We heard a commotion and raised voices. You didn’t answer when we knocked. We had no idea you two were…” She gestured toward their entwined bodies.

“Our…apologies.” Ryu bowed stiffly, wishing desperately to be someplace else.

“I hate to impose, but I need to send a message straightaway.” Christie’s tone was emphatic. “I’m afraid it cannot wait.”

“Certainly.” Leifang nodded soberly. She climbed off of Jann Lee who gave a quick gasp as his shaft slipped out of her. Leifang strode across the room toward a small computer console in the corner. She sat down in front of a keyboard and began typing away, oblivious of her nudity.

Christie’s eyes glittered as she watched Jann Lee stand up and gather what remained of his clothing. He placed a hand over his crotch, doing his best to maintain his dignity as he picked up his scattered garments. Christie gazed up and down his body, drinking in every detail of his hardened physique.

Ryu cleared his throat.

“Hmm?” Christie half-turned her head toward Ryu, her eyes still fixed on Jann Lee’s buttocks as he bent to pick up the last of his clothes.

“The message?” Ryu prodded, trying not to give away his quiet amusement at Christie’s apparently insatiable libido. “I’m sure you are eager to finish our business here.”

“Oh…yes…yes, of course.” Christie turned resolutely and they both moved to stand behind Leifang while Jann Lee wrapped himself in a dark blue robe. “I’ll send a status update to the rest. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them want to regroup here to compare notes.”

“We do not wish to inconvenience you, Leifang.” Ryu placed a hand on Leifang’s shoulder. His hands, he remembered, had been over every inch of her. He also realized that it would be best if Jann Lee remained unaware of that fact.

“Nonsense, Ryu.” Leifang smiled up at him. “It will be…what is the phrase? Just like old times!”

“What?” Jann Lee asked as he walked up, carrying another robe for Leifang. “What about old times?”

“It would be best to tidy up this apartment, what do you say?” Christie broke in, clapping her hands. “To work, men!”


* * *

By mid afternoon of the next day, the first visitors arrived.

“Hitomi!” Leifang ran to embrace her friend in the doorway. Ryu could not help but remember his first encounter with these two girls. Their guileless friendship and passion for fighting had endeared them to Ryu faster than he had thought possible. Their carnal skills did not hurt either.

“Oh, Leifang! I’ve missed you!” Hitomi returned her hug fiercely. Ryu realized that the two girls had now been apart for quite some time. They had traveled together for years and their connection had become extremely important to them. She finally pulled back and gestured behind her. “I’m not alone, though.”

A blond boy followed Hitomi inside, hefting a small traveling bag.

“Eliot.” Leifang’s voice faltered for a brief moment. She moved as if to embrace him, but stopped short. Jann Lee stood just behind her. Ryu held his breath, as this was a potentially crucial moment.

After Eliot’s return to Gen Fu’s dojo, he and Ryu had reached an understanding fairly quickly. Ryu’s previous escapades with Hitomi had weighed heavily on Eliot’s mind. He had expressed his fear that Hitomi would always compare him with Ryu. Ryu did his best to assure Eliot that Hitomi’s love was Eliot’s and Eliot’s alone.

Ryu was unsure that Jann Lee would be as understanding about Leifang’s multitude of encounters with the super-ninja, but he was prepared to deal with any problems. He was less comfortable with the prospect of Eliot having to deal with a furious Jann Lee.

“Jann Lee?” Hitomi’s eyes bulged as she noticed the shirtless man standing just behind Leifang. “It’s been forever! But what are you…doing…no way! Wait! Did you guys finally…”

Leifang’s blush and shy nod sent Hitomi into a craze. Jann Lee looked away, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

“Finally!” The German girl jumped up and down. “Mein GOTT, it’s about time!”

“Let us get you unpacked.” Leifang gracefully snatched the travel bag from Eliot’s grasp. “If you will excuse us, gentlemen.”

Hitomi followed Leifang into the bedroom and promptly shut the door behind them, leaving Eliot, Jann Lee and Ryu alone in the foyer. Ryu bowed to the boy.

“Good to see you again, Eliot.”

“My honor, master Ryu.” Eliot returned the bow.

“Jann Lee and I have been sparring in the common room, if you would like to join us.” Ryu motioned toward the space they had cleared that morning. A large rug served as the arena, and all breakable items had been safely stored away.

“Please, continue.” Eliot nodded. “The journey has been long, and I will need to stretch first. It would be an honor to observe two masters at work.”

“Heh.” Jann Lee harrumphed. “That’s nice, kid, but I’m no one’s master. I’m just a fighter.”

“An excellent one at that.” Ryu inclined his head as they assumed fighting stances.

“I would say you talk too much, Ryu.” Jann Lee grinned as he crouched down. “But I know better.”

The next moment the two of them were a blur of fists and feet. Despite his flippant dismissal of Eliot’s compliment, Jann Lee was indeed a master of Jeet Kune Do. His strikes were powerful and precise, but never followed a set pattern that could be predicted. He flowed in the fight like water; calm and still one moment and crashing with power the next. Ryu was reminded of the basic philosophy of his instructors in Jann Lee’s pragmatic fighting style. He was enjoying the fight. It had been far too long since he had been able to spar with anyone outside the shinobi discipline.

Eliot followed the fight with wide eyed amazement as he limbered up. By the time he was ready, he was practically jumping up and down with anticipation. Ryu stepped past him and motioned for Eliot to join Jann Lee on the rug.

“Alright, kid.” Jann Lee steadied himself. His torso rippled with power. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Eliot’s attacks were disciplined and powerful, keeping Jann Lee busy as Ryu watched in quiet amusement. He had feared that Jann Lee might try to humiliate Eliot, but now saw that the young boy’s fighting spirit was impressing the older martial artist. A strange, almost brotherly light began to glow in Jann Lee’s eyes as he parried and returned Eliot’s impressive attacks. Eliot and Jann Lee laughed several times as one of them would land a strong but reserved punch or kick. Ryu relaxed, and allowed himself to enjoy the match, keeping track of Eliot’s few mistakes so that he could advise him later.

Then they heard the crash.

Jann Lee and Eliot both froze mid fight. Ryu’s hand went to the hilt of the Dragon Sword. No one moved for a handful of heartbeats.

Then they heard the moan.

“Ohhhh!” Hitomi’s voice came to them, muffled by the bedroom wall.

Ryu swallowed hard. Without a word, Jann Lee and Eliot resumed their sparring. Their faces were now blank masks. Ryu concentrated on the fight once again, putting any other thoughts out of his mind.

“Oh, Leifang…yes!”

Jann Lee and Eliot faltered slightly. Eliot’s cheeks turned a deep red and Jann Lee began sweating far more than he had earlier.

“Nnnghaaa!” Leifang’s squeal split the air. “It has been too long since I last tasted your lips!”

Eliot and Jann Lee’s fight became horrendously sloppy. Their punches and kicks slowed to a crawl as the cries of pleasure drifted in from the bedroom. Soon both fighters were reduced to little more than maintaining their defensive guards while their brows trickled with cold sweat. Ryu regretted not joining Hayate and Christie in their daily rounds of the city. He even wished he was keeping watch on the apartment roof with Bayman.

There was a knock on the door and all three men rushed to answer.

“Oh. Well, hello.” A very surprised Kokoro blinked at the three of them standing in rapt attention. The slender Japanese girl wore a flowing pink and white dress.

“Please, Kokoro, come in.” Ryu gestured for her to enter.

“It’s good to see you, Ryu.” Kokoro smiled, kissing the ninja on the cheek. “And Eliot, you too!” She kissed the young boy.

Ryu introduced Jann Lee quickly, who bowed respectfully.

“I’m not really sure why I’m here, Ryu.” Kokoro sighed heavily. “I would say I’m here to help, but I know you’ve already destroyed those two clones. The truth is I just had to get away from home for a while. It seems my rebellious nature has not been cured just yet.”

“I would hope it never is.” Ryu inclined his head. “Servitude does not become you, Kokoro.”

“Thank you, Ryu.” Kokoro blinked back a tear, then took a deep breath, looking around the apartment. “But where are Hitomi and Leifang? Aren’t they…”

“Oh! OH! More!” Hitomi’s squeal of delight cut off Kokoro’s question. “That’s the spot…yes….yes….ahhhh….”

Kokoro’s eyes widened. “I see.” She looked longingly at the bedroom door, then looked back at the strained expressions on the three men’s faces. “I saw a street fighting competition just down the street. Would anyone care to join me?”

“Yes!” Eliot and Jann Lee exclaimed.

“I suppose,” Ryu cleared his throat. “I suppose I shall remain here should anyone else arrive.”

Kokoro and Eliot both nodded silently and walked out the door. Jann Lee followed, but stopped to lean in close to Ryu’s ear first.

“You are a brave man, Ryu Hayabusa.” Jann Lee glanced back toward the bedroom door as another round of rapturous moans pierced the air. He patted Ryu’s shoulder consolingly. “Good luck, my friend.”

Ryu nodded, swallowing hard. Jann Lee closed the door behind them, leaving the ninja by himself.

“Rub it harder! Schnell!” Hitomi squawked. “GOTT! Ja! Ich komme!”

There was a loud thud as something or someone slammed against the bedroom wall. A picture frame came loose, but Ryu caught it easily. He set the picture down on the floor and sat down himself, folding his legs in a meditative position. He centered himself, blocking out the impassioned vocalizations of Leifang and Hitomi’s lovemaking. Ryu began to clear his mind for rest and meditation.

Ryu’s brow furrowed in effort, but his mind resisted. Perhaps the noise of Hitomi and Leifang were more a distraction than he had anticipated. He found himself thinking that it was not so long ago that he would have joined the two girls. Now they were both spoken for, or at least so far as men were concerned. He doubted those two would ever relinquish their attraction for one another, regardless of how much they loved their men. Ryu quietly wondered how Jann Lee and Eliot would handle knowing that both their lovers were themselves lovers.

At last Ryu was able to settle his mind, but before he drifted into deep mediation, his thoughts drifted to his own loved ones. How long would it be before he could at last hold them in his arms again?


* * *

“That’s the spirit, Eliot!” Kokoro shouted proudly. “Watch that guy behind you, Jann Lee!”

Eliot and Jann Lee were in the middle of a dozen burly looking street fighters. They had entered the tournament no more than twenty minutes ago, but their profound fighting skills had garnered attention in no time. Eliot and Jann Lee were now the undisputed center of attention, and there was a clamor of fighters who all wanted their shot at the two warriors. Good sports as they were, Eliot and Jann Lee were taking all comers all at once.

Kokoro sat on a stone bench at the edge of the makeshift sparring arena. After years of geisha training, she was savoring the anonymity of being a simple spectator.

“Care for a drink?” A low, smooth voice murmured from beside her.

Kokoro jumped, startled. She turned to see a disheveled man wrapped in motley clothing sitting right next to her. His long silver hair, gathered in a ponytail, seemed at odds with his face. He was surely not yet out of his thirties. His handsome face smiled, his charm somehow enhanced by the stubble that wrapped around his jaw. Kokoro had not sensed anyone had sat down next to her, yet here he was.

“Excuse me?” Kokoro arched her eyebrow, stalling for time. Her heart was beating quickly, and she doubted it was from simple surprise.

“Can I offer you a drink?” The man repeated calmly. His posture was completely lax, and Kokoro could almost hear her mother screaming about how badly his shoulders were hunched and how lazily he slouched.

“Oh, I don’t drink, thank you, sir.” Kokoro shook her head.

“Brad.” The man flashed a dazzlingly white smile. “If you call me ‘sir’, I’ll feel old and feeble. Brad Wong, if you have to get formal.”

“My apologies…Brad.” Kokoro nodded.

“You sure about that drink?” Brad asked, lifting a small wooden gourd, tilting it back and forth alluringly. “I don’t have a whole lot left.”

“I’m very sure.” Kokoro assured him. “But thank you for the offer.”

“Care to fight, then?” Brad rested his chin in his palm, gazing at her.

“Do you take rejection that badly?” Kokoro giggled, certain that this Brad Wong was a charming yet harmless drunk.

“I’m serious.” Brad hiccupped lightly. “I can tell you know your way around the martial arts. You arrived with those two guys that are laying out every street fighter in the district.”

“Yes, yes I did.” Kokoro grinned. “And they wouldn’t be too happy with anyone who mistreated me, either.”

“Oh, goodness!” Brad slouched back in faux shock. “You wouldn’t think I would take advantage of a beautiful girl like you, would you?”

“Well, you could try.” Kokoro got to her feet. “But then that depends on how much you value your life.”

“So we’re good for the fight?” Brad raised an eyebrow hopefully.

“Where to?” Kokoro smiled.

* * *

Brad led Kokoro a block and a half away from the street fighting tournament and down a suspiciously dark alley. Kokoro kept one eye on Brad, but his leisurely pace and totally relaxed demeanor never changed. They finally came to a small plaza. Kokoro’s eyes were immediately drawn to a magnificent fountain in the center. It resembled an enormous chalice; a seven-meter diameter dish was set atop a ten meter tall pillar. Water poured down from around the edge of the dish, cascading down into a wide pool around the base of the fountain. Several dozen tables were set around the plaza where people sat, enjoying the soothing sound of the falling water.

“Where exactly are we supposed to fight?” Kokoro asked.

“Up there.” Brad pointed to the dish towering over them.

“I’m sorry, but won’t these people mind?” Kokoro laughed. “And how do we even get up there?”

“You can’t be seen on top of the fountain from below, not so long as you don’t gawk over the edge.” Brad explained in his resonant laid-back tone. “We jump to the fountain from the roof of that building, there.”

“Jump?” Kokoro giggled with amusement. “Really. And how do we get down afterwards?”

“You always have to plan everything out?” Brad asked evenly. “I’m going up.”

Kokoro watched as Brad entered the building beside them. She was ready to turn around and head back to Eliot and Jann Lee when she heard her mother’s voice in her mind, telling her she had made the right decision.

“It’s my life, mother.” Kokoro whispered to the mental specter of her mother. “MY life.”

She quickly followed Brad up to the building’s roof. She caught up with him just as the shoddily dressed man was sprinting toward the roof’s edge. He leaped into the air and landed on the large dish with a shallow splash.

“Easy as anything.” Brad shrugged.

Without a second thought, Kokoro threw herself after him, flying across the gap and landing in the ankle deep water atop the fountain. The top of the fountain was strangely tranquil. It was a wide, circular pool only a few inches deep. Water was fed up through a pipe in the center of the stone dish. Except for the very roof they had just leaped from, the surrounding buildings were all at least a floor shorter than the fountain. The closest buildings that were taller were at least two blocks away in any direction.

“Let’s get to the fighting, then.” Brad waved her on, tilting on his feet even as he did so.

“I’ll try not to hurt you too badly.” Kokoro sighed. She felt an odd sense of pity for Brad considering how far out of his league he was fighting her. Kokoro ran toward him, her feet slipping a little in the shallow water. That could prove to be trouble.

Brad fell back before she reached him, landing on his rump and laying back on his elbow as she passed over him. Kokoro’s foot caught on Brad’s outstretched leg and she went sprawling to the ground with a splash. Kokoro sprang to her feet, dripping wet. She turned back to Brad, slowly trying to master her anger.

“What kind of clown do you think…” Kokoro stopped short as she saw Brad still stretched out, seemingly relaxed a few feet away. He had his head propped up on his right hand, his eyes gazing up and down Kokoro. She looked down and realized that the water had plastered her white and pink dress to her torso. The thin material had become somewhat transparent. “I suppose you planned that?”

“Who, me?” Brad hiccupped. “I was just feeling sleepy.”

“See if this doesn’t wake you up a little.” Kokoro rushed toward him, bringing her foot down toward his stomach.

Brad sprang to his feet suddenly, and Kokoro’s foot met only water. She brought her fist up, swinging at his face, but Brad teetered back drunkenly, and her fist breezed past his cheek. Kokoro’s feet and fists flew with brilliant style, yet Brad’s seemingly random trips and falls let him dodge each of her strikes.

Then it hit her. His shambling and tripping was anything but random. Kokoro’s eyes widened as she at last realized she was battling a Zui Ba Xian Quan master. She finally managed to land two blows to his chest, knocking Brad to his back in the water. His feet flew out comically but managed to knock Kokoro’s legs out from under her, sending to fall on top of him.

“Drunken Fist.” Kokoro breathed heavily, starring down into Brad’s weathered face. “I never thought it was real.”

“Never thought a proper girl like you would know about it.” Brad nodded approvingly. “But then I never thought a proper girl would be lying on top of me, dripping wet.”

“Does the drunken scoundrel routine usually work?” Kokoro grinned, a strand of her dark hair hanging down over one eye.

“Not a routine.” Brad shook his head. “It’s just me. Is it working?”

“Let’s find out.” Kokoro leaned in and covered Brad’s lips with her own. His stubble tickled her chin and nose. She giggled into his mouth, then pulled back and licked her lips. “You know, I may not be as proper as I might seem.”

“That’s all right.” Brad winked at her. “I’m not as drunk as I look. Not yet, anyway.”

Brad rolled, bringing Kokoro under him. Kokoro gasped as his hands roamed down over her body, passing over her breasts and across her flat stomach. Brad began hiking her dress up, revealing her naked legs and waist. His hand ran up her smooth thighs, and Kokoro moaned as she felt his calloused hands slide up her waist and then down past her navel.

With uncanny tenderness, Brad began massaging the crevice between her legs. Kokoro took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She grasped his other hand in hers and brought it to her mouth, kissing and licking the fingers of his left hand as the fingers of his right continued to caress and pleasure her. Cool water lapped around her body, amplifying every sensation.

Kokoro reached up and unfastened Brad’s ponytail, letting his long hair cascade around his head. Kokoro ran her hand through the silvery strands as her breath began to hasten with each stroke of his fingers. Brad came up on his knees and gently pulled Kokoro’s legs up to rest on his shoulders. His lips covered Kokoro’s slit in a luxurious and intimate kiss that made her eyes roll over with ecstasy. His tongue slipped into her, tasting her like a fine wine. Kokoro bit down on her lower lip as her lower body tensed with pleasure, her hair streaming out around her in the shallow water.

Kokoro reached up and peeled her dress up over her breasts, letting the sun beat down on the glistening mounds of youthful flesh. She wiggled the dress past her head and flung it down next to her just as Brad’s tongue brought her to the precipice.

“Ohh….yes…Ahhhh!…” Kokoro’s orgasm blossomed up her body, a flowing tide of ecstasy that washed over her. “Oh, Brad…nnngh! Ah! Ahhh….”

Brad let Kokoro’s legs slip from his shoulders as the girl tried to catch her breath. He reached down and pulled his patched shirt up over his head, revealing his muscled torso, a smattering of scars covering his chiseled body. Kokoro sat up and climbed onto Brad’s lap, straddling his hips and resting her toned butt on his thighs as he knelt on his knees. Kokoro pressed herself against him, rubbing her soft, warm breasts against Brad’s hard chest.

Brad gazed into her eyes. “I…uh…I don’t know your name.”

“Kokoro.” She let her tongue play along Brad’s lips. “Kokoro.”

“Kokoro,” Brad’s deep voice brought shivers down her spine. “Do you want this?”

“Yes.” Kokoro reached down and grasped the hardening organ beneath his trousers. “I want this.”

Kokoro’s fingers unbound the fabric at his crotch, allowing Brad’s manhood to spring forth. Kokoro lifted herself over him and came down on the firm staff of flesh, letting out a moan as he filled her.

“Oh…god…” Brad growled as he felt Kokoro’s hot flesh envelope his cock. “That’s…that’s it…easy does it…”

Kokoro began churning her hips and Brad started a leisurely rhythm of circular thrusts. They both held each other tightly as their groins ground together, sending pleasure coursing through their loins. For several minutes they made gentle love beneath the sun, breathing in the scent of one another while the fountain water flowed around them, masking their soft panting and moans.

Brad reached behind him and produced the wooden gourd he had offered her earlier. Kokoro grinned and leaned back as Brad poured the sake onto her chest, the liquid running over her firm breasts in warm rivulets. Brad licked at the dripping orbs, his tongue teasing her nipples.

“Yes, Brad… lick them…” Kokoro crooned. “Squeeze my… my breasts…please…ohhh!”

Brad’s rough hands came up and groped Kokoro’s bosom, bringing a sweet cry of appreciation from the Japanese beauty. The drunken master rolled Kokoro’s nipples under his thumbs and watched her cheeks flush and listened to her heavy breathing, feeling her breasts raise and lower in his grasp with every breath.

The sex went on for hours. Never had Kokoro known such leisurely lovemaking with a man. Her erotic contests with Leifang had been long and highly rewarding, but Kokoro had never expected such luxurious sex from a man. Brad did not rush a moment of their time. His thrusts were patient and tender, bringing her to climax again and again. Kokoro began losing herself to the easy pace of their bodies joining together.

“I’ll be coming soon, Kokoro.” Brad purred in her ear as he thrust into her from behind. He nipped her earlobe gently. “Mmmm…I’ll pull out in a moment.”

“No….ahhh…it’s…it’s fine.” Kokoro shook her head. She had taken a liking to Leifang’s herbal tea, and drank it regularly. “Come inside me. It’s safe.”

“I trust you.” Brad whispered in her ear. “Here it…ohhh….aargh!”

“Yes, Brad!” Kokoro felt his shaft begin to jerk within her vessel. “Come, darling!”

Kokoro’s breath left her as Brad’s seed flowed into her. There was no pause, no break in rhythm as they continued gyrating together atop the fountain. Hours passed and climax after climax brought the two lovers ever closer together in mind and body again and again. There was no strict structure, no schedule to be kept as their bodies coiled together, exchanging pleasure and tender affection.

By nightfall, Kokoro believed she was ready to express her feelings.

“Brad,” She whispered as she rode him slowly. “I think I love you.”

“Kokoro,” Brad Wong squinted up at her. His normally nonchalant expression replaced by confusion. “I’m not sure…I… I’ve never…”

“Shhh…” Kokoro placed a finger over his lips. She picked up his gourd and took a long draught, smacking her lips as the sake ran down her chin and dripped onto her heaving breasts. She offered Brad the gourd.

“Care for another drink?” She licked her lips.

“Never mind what I said.” Brad sat up, pulling Kokoro tight against his ripped chest. “I am in love.”

______________________________________________________________________________________

Writer Commentary:


Yikes, I totally forgot just how massive this chapter was. This is of course where everything seems to come to a head with the clones. I couldn’t think of a feasible erotic scene to start the chapter with, so we delve straight into the confrontation with the clones. There was actually supposed to be an erotic element to the showdown. Beta-117 was supposed to use the Dark Dragon Blade to summon Ishtaro and Nicchae. Since Ryu’s Dragon Sword would be missing the special jewel in it’s hilt, it would not be powerful enough to harm the Fiend sisters. This would lead to Ryu realizing that only his pure Ninja essence could exile the two Fiends back to where they came from. That meant, of course, that he had sex combat with them. It was very similar in theme to the hentai anime La Blue Girl. Ultimately it just didn’t work well since the both Nicchae and Ishtaro were both just inhuman enough to make them slightly repulsive, despite my best efforts. Despite having written a considerable amount of content, I eventually scrapped the entire concept and just stuck with a straight forward fight. Ryu “summoning” the giant Dabilahro sword was a small bit of contrivance that sort-of explains how Ryu can switch between a half-dozen enormous weapons without having any visible place to keep them on his person.

After Christie and Bayman meet up with Ryu and Hayate, we return to Leifang and Jann Lee. I was a bit conflicted about having Ryu more or less become a peeping tom, but I decided that Christie’s shamelessness was enough of an overriding factor that he would get swept along with her. Leifang and Jann Lee have been going for a very long time at this point, and Leifang’s apartment is taking the toll.

Hitomi and Eliot soon arrive after receiving Christie’s message. There’s an awkward moment as Ryu and the reader realize that Jann Lee has no knowledge of Leifang’s sexual relations with Ryu or Eliot. There’s also a bit of exposition that Eliot has come to terms with Ryu’s past experience with Hitomi. We’re just not sure how understanding Jann Lee would be.

This leads us to Hitomi and Leifang having a tryst in the bedroom while Eliot and Jann Lee are trying to spar in the living room. The Hitomi/Leifang pairing differs from Tina/Lisa in that Tina and Lisa are committed to one another and just have flings with the ninjas while Hitomi and Leifang are very much interested in permanent relationships with their men. Then again, Hitomi and Leifang are incredibly close, being the longest running pairing in the entire Koibito series. These two have been together since before Ryu even met them, and while they are totally in love with their men, they’re not about to give up their own connection. This makes for a pretty awkward situation for Eliot and Jann Lee who are hearing their women going at each other as if they didn’t exist.

Kokoro then arrives, offering a temporary distraction. I thought it was kind of neat that Kokoro really wanted to jump in with Hitomi and Leifang, but decided that she would cut the guys a break and get them out of the apartment. It seemed that Kokoro has almost become a member of the Hitomi/Leifang relationship, considering they spent so much time together on Zack’s island after the other women had left. It says something for Kokoro’s character that she sacrifices the chance for another orgy in favor of cheering up Jann Lee and Eliot.

Pairing up Kokoro and Brad was really the result of simple process of elimination. Luckily, the pairing had some nice thematic balance to it that I had not planned for. Kokoro’s introduction into the Bonus Level series had her motivation being that she wanted to rebel against her mother’s strict geisha training. Brad Wong’s drunken master persona seemed the ultimate expression of rebellion against formal tradition. Brad’s freedom and individuality appeals to the willful Kokoro. Their sex scene reflects Brad’s freeform and offbeat fighting style. They make love slowly, in contrast with Ryu’s normally aggressive approach. It might seem sudden, but Kokoro falls in love with Brad. He is at first reluctant, but Kokoro manages to bring him around.