Far away from the city Raioten was attending school, Kagura was traveling through the forest. He had been trudging through the wilderness for days on end.

  Kagura: I have no idea where I'm going. . .

  He carried a massive bag on his back, filled with snacks for his trip. He would restock in each town he came across, doing odd jobs in exchange for food. Periodically, Kagura would be found by the vicious monsters that roamed the wild. With his raw strength, he typically didn't have any difficulties defending himself.

  After weeks of travel and searching, he came by a large city. Enamored by the tall skyscrapers and bright lights, Kagura decided to take a short break. The city was full of friendly people, all willing to lend aid and the owner of a small restaurant even offered up a meal, few of charge.

  Kagura: Thanks so much man! I've only really been eating Graham crackers and beef jerkey.

  ?: Thats no way to live on your own. A growing boy needs balanced nutrition.

  Kagura: I just need protein and I'll be fine.

  ?: Ha! Wait until you're my age and then tell me how that works for ya. You said you came from out of town right?

  Kagura: Oh yeah! I've been travesty the lands for almost a month now.

  ?: (traveling?) Oh, the group you're with must be a real tough crowd.

  Kagura: Group?

  ?: There's no way. Are you traveling around on your own?

  Kagura: Yeah, I'm looking for someone.

  ?: That's dangerous, you could've been killed out there!

  Kagura: I'll be fine, I'm plenty strong.

  ?: I see. You must be to have survived, and with hardly a scratch on you. What's your name young man?

  Kagura: I'm Kagura!

  Gene: Kagura... I see. Nice to meet you son, you can call me Gene.

  Kagura: Well thanks for the grub mister. I really should go ahead and head out now.

  Gene: NO! You should rest here for at least a night.

  Kagura: I'm fine sleeping outside, it's no problem.

  Gene: But I insist. I have a spare bedroom you can take for the night.

  Kagura: Seriously, I'm fine. I need to get moving.

  Gene: *sigh* you didn't pay for your food, consider your rest that payment.

  Kagura: What?! You said I could have it!

  Gene: Only if you rest properly.

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  Kagura groaned and reluctantly went upstairs. After dropping his heavy bag down, Kagura let his shoulders drop in relaxation. After the weeks of living outside and fighting monsters daily, he had become accustomed to being tense. As soon as his body touched the bed, Kagura passed out immediately. In the middle of the night, Kagura heard a quick scream from downstairs that woke him up. The scream was almost immediately muffled but Kagura could tell it meant nothing good.

  He rushed downstairs to see Gene, tied up ans held at gunpoint in the bright dining area of his restaurant. There were two men standing behind him.

  Kagura: What's going on?

  Leader: Don't you worry about that kid. I've got your buddy here and I'll blow his head off in a heartbeat unless you stand down.

  Kagura raised his hands in surrender and one of the men went over to tie him up.

  Kagura: You guys are making a mistake.

  ?: Shut up!

  The henchman hit Kagura on the side of the head with his gun. The impact on the man's hands caused him to drop the gun in pain.

  Leader: The hell are you doing?

  ?: Sorry boss, it felt like I hit a brick wall with a baseball bat.

  Leader: Whatever. . . You're a hard man to track down, Kagura.

  Kagura: Why would anyone be looking for me?

  Leader: Apparently, you made some real powerful enemies. You'll be coming with us.

  Kagura: (looks like I'll get a chance to try out my new moves) Have you guys ever had a nightmare before...

  Leader: Hey! Shut up kid. Get him in the car.

  In an instant, the entire room went dark. The Leader turned and couldn't see his subordinate.

  Leader: What the fuck? Where is he?

  Kagura: ... a dark scenario where you were completely powerless?

  Leader: Enough of your shit! He dies if you-

  Gene had also disappeared into thin air. Kagura snapped his binds and slowly rose to his feet.

  Kagura: Ever been in a situation where you just wanted to wake up? Pinch yourself, go on, see what happens.

  The leader opened fire on Kagura. The boy's body fell back, riddled with bullet holes. Before the leader could walk over to celebrate, he noticed his feet were bound.

  Leader: What the fuck?

  There was a growing black swirl climbing up his legs. They wrapped themselves around all of his limbs, immobilizing him. He looked for Kagura but the boy too, had vanished.

  Kagura: I am one with the shadows, I am darkness.

  Leader: No no no no no! This isn't real!

  Kagura: Oh I assure you, this is very real. You came looking for me, and now you're going to suffer your worst nightmares.

  Leader: It wasn't me! I didn't even know who you were until about a week ago I swear!

  The shadow bindings squeezed tighter on his body.

  Kagura: I don't believe you... What made you track me down?

  Leader: It was Gene! He found you and called me to bring you in! All I did was ask him to keep you here for a few hours! Please you gotta believe me, he's the one you want!

  Kagura: Gene has already been dealt with as you can see. You're all that's left. There's no one else in your little operation except you, so you have to be dealt with.

  Leader: No! Boss, boss, MY BOSS! All of the Futurists' soldiers were warned about you guys.

  Kagura: Guys?

  Leader: Yes, I swear! There's three of you specifically we were told to capture if we found them and the name 'Kagura' was one.

  Kagura: What?! Who are the other 2?

  Leader: A girl nicknamed Red and a man, Jugo. We were told to bring them to Gnarod[Nair-ud]on the other side of the country if we found them.

  Kagura: Hmmm... Give me a map to Gnarod. Or die, up to you.

  The Leader complied to save his own skin. As soon as Kagura received the map, all of the shadows surrounding the room disappeared. The subordinate and Gene were shown to have just been covered by a layer of Kagura's shadows.

  Gene: Kid! I'm so sorry please! Spare me. It was my job, I had to.

  Kagura: What? I couldn't care less. But if I come back here and you don't have good barbecue for me again, I'm raising hell.

  Kagura walked upstairs to grab his bookbag. The men were in shock that he was riddled with bullets but still walking around just fine. Kagura simply exited the restaurant without another word, leaving everyone inside speechless. Kagura turned the corner and walked out of view. The men on the inside were traumatized and remained motionless for a few moments.

  As Kagura made his way out of the other side of town, he finally dropped his tough guy act. He fell over from the pain of being shot repeatedly by the enhanced gun the man had. Placing his hand on his stomach, Kagura looked at the blood that coated his palm and smiled softly.

  Kagura: I don't stand a chance against that guy yet. I can still get stronger, much stronger. Just you wait Warden, I'll see you real soon.