Chapter 2 - Meeting

Nakago couldn't feel the pain anymore. Though he could see the look of boyish shock on Tamahome's face; though he knew he'd been skewered by the child's fist; he couldn't feel it. He couldn't feel his blood pumping out over Tamahome's hand and arm. He couldn't feel his strong heart struggling to keep him alive a little longer... just a little longer. He felt the blackness overtake him, soon superseded by a bright red glow that warmed and comforted him. Detachedly, he wondered if he was going to hell.

The red light faded.

"Nakago-sama!" Soi's throaty voice startled him and he felt slender hands clutch at him, felt his lover's soft body in contact with his own. Oh good, Soi's here, he thought, I'll have a chance to say... what? He didn't know. No matter. He opened his eyes.

He was in Seiryuu's temple. Soi was crouched over him, clutching at the breastplate of his armour and sobbing. Absently, he raised his hands and encircled her, pulling her into his lap as he sat up. Suboshi, Miboshi, Tomo, and Ashitare were also in the process of sitting up, looking around and taking stock of the situation. Nakago felt a smile curve his lips. Ashitare's alive too. He made an amused sound. Oh well. At his sound, the other four Seiryuu Seishi turned to look at him. Ashitare's eyes flashed red with a sudden rage. Nakago just smiled at him, then he stood up, cradling Soi against his chest as he had when... when... he wouldn't think of that now.

"Nakago-sama, what is going on?" Suboshi asked, also getting to his feet.

"Wakaranai," Nakago said simply.

Against his shoulder, Soi whispered. "I saw you die. From the afterlife, I saw you die."

"Shhh..." he hushed her, "not now, Soi-chan." At the -chan, Soi's breath caught in her throat. Nakago turned towards the door of the temple and began walking out. He heard a growl behind him.

"Nakago-sama..." Nakago stopped.

"Yes, Ashitare?" Ashitare moved, silently as the wolf he was, to interpose himself between the Shogun and the doors. Deliberately, he turned his scarred face to the side and spat.

"You killed me."

Nakago smiled. "Yes, Ashitare."

"I will not forgive you for that!"

"No, Ashitare." He paused, then. "What are you going to do about it?"

"I will kill you!"

Nakago couldn't repress a chuckle. "As you wish." He eyed the splatter of spittle on the floor. "But you have desecrated this temple enough. If you wish to fight me, you will do it outside of the temple to our god."

That gave the wolf-man pause and he followed the Shogun's gaze to the floor. Repressing his rage with a visible effort, he nodded and went out of the room. Tomo chuckled.

"This won't take long."

Nakago shrugged and followed Ashitare out of the room, accompanied by the other Seishi. Once outside the temple, Ashitare turned to face him again.

"Now you will fight me."

Nakago's smile still hadn't faded. "Could you give me a moment, Ashitare-kun? I'd like to change out of this armour. It's somewhat uncomfortable." He walked past the wolf-man in the direction of his quarters.

Ashitare was struck silent for a moment, then he yelled after him. "You're not taking me seriously!"

Nakago didn't even slow down. "No. I'm not."

He went to his quarters and laid Soi down on the bed. "Are you feeling a little better, Soi-chan?"

"Hai, Nakago-sama," she said softly.

He turned away and begin stripping off his armour. It seemed as though he'd been wearing it his whole life. It was a relief to divest himself of the heavy steel plates.

"Soi..."

"Hai, Nakago-sama." He'd finished taking off the armour, though his sword was still strapped to his waist, and he turned to face her.

"I wanted to say... arigatou, for saving my life."

Soi bowed her head. "Dou itashimashite, Nakago-sama. Though, it doesn't seem as though it did any good, in the end. Tamahome still killed you."

"Iie, it made a difference." He approached her and took her chin in his fingers, tilting her head up to look at him. "You see... I learned something." He took a breath. "Ai... ai shiteru."

Soi stared at him, her eyes wide with shock. "Ai shiteru, Nakago-sama."

He knelt in front of her and hugged her tightly. "Gomen nasai."

Soi whispered. "Daijoubu..."

When they emerged from the room, Tomo, Miboshi, and Suboshi were standing outside.

"Where's Ashitare."

Tomo sniffed. "He ran away with his tail between his legs."

Nakago nodded. "Yoshi. We can't be wasting time on unimportant things like that. We need to find out what's going on. You all died, correct?" The others nodded. "Then we must discover by what mechanism we are now alive, and how much time has passed."

"Could Yui-sama have done this?" asked Suboshi, a note of wistfulness entering his voice.

"I doubt it. When I last saw her, she was unconscious and, I think, quite happy to be rid of us. I doubt she would have shown us such kindness." Soi squeezed his hand.

Miboshi, now back in the body he'd been in before taking over Chiriko, cleared his throat. "I noticed, just before waking up here, that I was surrounded by a red glow. Did everyone else see that?" Again, there was general agreement. "That would seem to indicate the intervention of Suzaku."

"What?!" exclaimed Tomo and Suboshi.

"Why would Suzaku bring us back to life?" asked Soi.

"I don't know. Perhaps we should ask him," responded Miboshi, a sardonic smile on his youthful face.

"How do we do that?" asked Suboshi.

"We would have to go to Suzaku's temple in Konan." Nakago commented. "Even if Suzaku himself will not speak to us, perhaps one of the surviving Suzaku Seishi will know. We shouldn't have any trouble getting in and speaking to them. My powers are no longer sealed, are any of yours?"

"Iie, Nakago-sama," responded the mages.

"Then we will travel to Konan and discover what's happened. Make preparations to leave immediately."

The Seiryuu Seishi were about to disperse when a red glow lit up the air. "What's happening now?" Soi exclaimed.

Nakago's eyes widened as he felt a familiar tugging sensation. "The Suzaku Seishi are leaving this world. We must follow them. Quickly!"

He felt Tomo grasp his left hand as he closed his eyes and willed himself to follow the mystical energy out of this world, and into another one. What are they up to now? he wondered as he was enveloped in Suzaku's red glow, again.

The red glow faded, revealing an empty alley between squat brick buildings. Shaken, Chichiri slipped the crystal into a pouch on his belt. The other Seishi looked around themselves, by all appearances as shocked as he was.

"Where are we?" wondered Chiriko.

"Only one way to find out," announced Tasuki as he began walking towards the exit to the alley. At the end they could see a busy street with people rushing back and forth.

"Matte!" the other Seishi yelled.

"Tasuki-kun, do you think it's safe to just walk out there no da?" Tasuki ignored them and they ran to catch up. He waltzed out into the bright sunshine, leaving the other Seishi skulking in the alley and walked up to the first person he saw. The man looked at him in shock as the orange-haired bandit with the big metal fan strapped to his back stepped in his way.

"Sumimasen," Tasuki said loudly. "Could you tell me where I am?"

"Uh... this is Tokyo."

Five voices sounded from the alleyway. "Nani?!"

"Arigatou," said the bandit and he sauntered back towards the alley. The man looked at his companion in confusion, then they both shrugged and continued on their way. Their friend was waiting for them.

When Tasuki got back to the alley, the other Seishi were deep in discussion.

"Wasn't Tokyo the city where we fought Nakago?" asked Nuriko.

"I think so no da."

"Well this isn't Tokyo!"

"Evidently, it is," intoned Hotohori.

"Why would that man lie?" asked Chiriko.

"Well, what do we do now?"

Everyone looked at Chichiri.

"Anou... I guess we split up no da, and look for someone to help us fight Nakago no da. We'll all meet back here at sunset na no da!"

"Right." The Seishi left the alley and split up, all going in different directions.

"Anou... I wish I knew what we were looking for no da..."

The characters on the sign were unfamiliar to Chichiri, except for the last one: "dojo". The others probably indicated the fighting style that was taught there. The important thing was, this was a dojo, and dojos were usually good places to find fighters. The wall that surrounded the little place was too high for Chichiri to see what was going on inside, but there were large trees all around that should give him the chance to see what he was dealing with. He leapt up into a sturdy-looking one and hid in the shadows of the boughs. Kneeling and bracing himself with one hand on the branch, and the other, holding his staff, against the trunk of the tree, he looked down into the courtyard.

A red-haired man with a deep, cross-shaped scar on his left cheek was doing laundry, with two small children helping him. He raised up a white sheet, snapping it between his hand to dry it. "Masshiro!" he said with a smile.

The two girls raised up small sheet in imitation "Masshiro! Masshiro!" they cried in unison, their laughter rising clearly to the tops of the trees. Chichiri smiled under his mask and his eye continued to scan the courtyard. In another corner, a pretty black-haired woman was demonstrating a sword strike with a shinai while a young boy watched. The boy looked as though he was trying to seem bored, even though he was quite interested.

Suddenly, Chichiri sensed someone's ki being focused on him; he looked back at the cross-scarred man. The man seemed to have forgotten about the laundry and he was staring straight at Chichiri! The mage could sense the man's ki form into a protective pattern as he got to his feet.

Daaa... he looks mad! thought Chichiri. He leapt down from the tree and headed away from the dojo. "Perhaps I should come back later no da," he muttered to himself. There was something... disturbing about the strength of that man's ki.

Suddenly he felt a presence behind him and he whirled. The cross-scarred man was standing in the lane, hand on the hilt of his katana. "Why were you watching us de gozaru?"

"Anou... it's hard to explain no da." At the monk's tone, the man seemed to relax. He removed his hand from the sword's hilt and smiled. The smile seemed to light up his whole face, and made his violet eyes soften. Suddenly, Chichiri felt foolish for having been frightened. He's not scary no da. He seems so friendly na no da. "I didn't mean to seem suspicious no da."

The man laughed, flushing slightly in embarrassment. "Ahh, Gomen, gomen. This dojo has had many troubles in the past. I'm afraid that I tend to assume the worst de gozaru. I was about to make lunch, would you like to join us?"

Chichiri smiled. "Hai no da. I'd like that no da." Then, "Anou... my name is Chichiri no da."

"Himura Kenshin," the man responded, bowing.

As they walked back to the dojo, Chichiri couldn't help but notice how smooth each of Kenshin's movements were. Though he was short and seemed, at first glance, to be unassuming, he obviously had superb command of every muscle in his body. He talks like a rurouni, but could he be the one no da...?

"Hey, pretty girls! Why don't you come over here?"

Hotohori turned to look at the drunks lounging near the entrance to the alley. At his side, Nuriko sniffed derisively. "Even when we dress as men, people think we're female."

"You're the only one who ever dressed as a woman, Nuriko-san, in case you've forgotten."

"It's just because you're so bishounen, Hotohori-sama." Hotohori smiled, the drunks he was about to chew out forgotten in the wake of the compliment. He turned to look at the other Seishi, but whatever he was about to say was cut off by a sudden shout from down the street.

"Hey, you're not allowed to wear a sword here!"

The policeman approached them, hand on the hilt of his sword. Hotohori glanced down at the one he wore, the sword that Taiitsu-kun had given him, then looked back at the police officer in confusion.

"Are you speaking to me?"

"Hai I'm speaking to you. Swords are illegal now, hand yours over, girl." He held his hand out, clearly expecting the Seishi to just give him the sword.

"But you're wearing a sword," Nuriko pointed out.

The policeman stopped, momentarily stunned, then he went back to blustering. "Police officers are allowed to wear swords, just not anyone else."

"What about foreign dignitaries?" Asked Hotohori.

The police officer's jaw dropped. "N-nani?!"

Hotohori drew himself up to the limits of his considerable height. "I am neither a 'girl' nor an ordinary citizen. I am Seishuku Saihitei, Suzaku Shichiseishi Hotohori, fourth emperor of Konan, on official business to this country. Now stand aside." The policeman dove to get out of the way as the emperor, with Nuriko on his arm, strode past him. Nuriko gave him a wink and a shrug as they passed, and the man was left staring after them, speechless.

As they walked away, Nuriko chuckled. "Good one, Hotohori-sama. Way to keep a low profile."

"What would you have had me do? I couldn't very well have let him take my sword."

"Good point." Nuriko thought for a moment, then brightened. "Well, if you're going to be the emperor, you'll need a beautiful escort, and that'll have to be me!" Hotohori looked down Nuriko and opened his mouth to answer, but the purple-haired bishounen wasn't listening. "And if I'm to be Hotohori-sama's beautiful escort, I'll need one of those silk dresses," he continued, pointing at a store in whose window was hanging outfits like the ones all of the women were wearing. "Let's go SHOPPING!"

"Uh, as you wish, Nuriko-san..." was all Hotohori was able to get out before he was dragged into the shop.

Moments later, Nuriko was admiring himself in a mirror as a starry-eyed shopkeeper was trying to bring up the subject of payment. Finally, the stuttering man got through to the purple-haired bishounen and he looked at him, turning the full power of his pout on the poor shop owner.

"You mean we, as visiting dignitaries, have to pay for this?" Behind the shopkeeper, Hotohori closed his eyes in momentary pain. Of course, money. I don't think these people will accept foreign currency!

"Uh, Hai, madam... I'm afraid these kimonos are..."

Nuriko batted his long eyelashes and tittered at the flush of colour that suddenly rose in the man's cheeks. "But, I don't have to pay for this lovely kimono, do I?" He licked his lips and smiled.

"Uh...uh..."

"Sugoi!" Nuriko gave the shopkeeper a kiss on the cheek which sent him into even more frantic stutters, then grabbed Hotohori's arm, hurrying him out of the shop. "Arigatou, good sir. I'll be sure to tell all of my friends of your store!"

The man looked around his suddenly empty store with a forlorn expression. "Arigatou de gozaimasu, come again..."

Tasuki wandered the streets, trying to ignore the curious stares of the passersby. Yes, his orange hair stood out vividly against the mostly uniform black of the passersby. Yes, he was carrying around a huge metal fan. Why couldn't they just accept that? And on top of that, the injuries he had gotten in the fight with Nakago were starting to irritate him. His eye was snagged by the sight of a tall, long-haired girl entering a building, carrying a bag. The building seemed to be some sort of doctor's office. Hmm... maybe I could just stop in there. They probably know a lot of fighters that live around here too. He turned and walked into the building.

The girl he'd seen before looked up from where she was arranging some bottles of what looked like herbs in jars. "Can I help you?"

"Uh, yeah. I've got a few cuts and scrapes that I was wondering if you could take care of..." he said, suddenly feeling stupid. Oh, big deal, macho man. It's not like you've lost a limb or anything, have you? "And, I wanted to ask you a few questions." There, that's better.

The woman nodded, though her eyes had widened with momentary fear at his mention of 'questions'. "All right, well, why don't you just sit down here," she patted a table covered with a sheet, "and I'll see if I can answer your, uh, questions. Now, where does it hurt?"

He allowed her to examine him for a little while, grinning slightly at her exclamations at the burns and cuts she found all over his body. She began spreading some kind of salve over the worse of them and the pain began to fade immediately.

"Arigatou, uh..."

"Megumi."

"Megumi-sensei," he said. "I'm Tasuki, by the way. Would I be able to ask you those questions now?"

"I, I suppose. What is it about?" she seemed to cringe slightly and he wondered what she was afraid of.

"I guess, as a doctor, you would know a lot of the good fighters in the area, since they need to come in here and get patched up and stuff." She blinked.

"Uh, Hai, I would."

"Well," he leaned forward. "Who's the best one?"

"B-best fighter?" She took a step back and glared at him. "Why do you want to know?"

Tasuki was taken aback. What was wrong with this girl? "Well... that's kinda hard to explain," he paused, then grinned at her. "Look, it's pretty obvious that you know who he is. Could you just tell me who, and I'll explain it to him? It's kinda between us, you know?"

Her glare deepened, along with Tasuki's confusion. "Look, he doesn't need any more of your type sniffing around. Why doesn't everyone just leave him alone?!"

"M-my type? What the fuck are you talking about?"

"All of you horrible people who just want to fight him for whatever reason. Why can't you just leave him alone?"

Tasuki jumped down from the table, sensing tears in Megumi's voice and having no idea what he should do about it. "uh, gomen... look girl, I don't want to fucking fight him. Don't fucking jump to conclusions!"

"You don't?"

"Iie, I need his help, that's all."

"Oh." She paused. "Well, I was about to close up for lunch when you arrived. I was going over to his place to eat. I guess you can come with me."

"That's great! Arigatou, you won't regret this!" Tasuki grabbed his tessen and followed her out the door.

They weren't more than twenty feet out of the door when a tall man wearing a red bandana emerged from a small hovel on a side street and waved to them. "Hey, Fox-lady. You going to Kenshin's?"

"Don't call me Fox-lady, Sanosuke," Megumi growled as the man walked towards them. He simply grinned, and she sighed. "And yes, I am going to Ken-san's."

"Great, you don't mind if I walk with you then?"

She sighed again, though this time it seemed mostly feigned. "If you must."

Two men emerged from the hovel. "Oi, Sano-san, you're going to pay us back next week, right?"

"Of course!" he called back. The two men waved at him, then caught sight of Tasuki.

"Hey, is that the same guy that asked us where he was?" said one to the other.

"I think so. What's that weirdo doing with Megumi?" The first shrugged, and they went back into the house.

The others had continued down the street and didn't see this exchange, but it was at this time that Sanosuke noticed Tasuki.

"Oi, Megumi-san. Who's the fang-boy?" Tasuki glared at him.

"Who're you calling fang-boy, chicken-head?!"

"Who're you calling chicken-head?!" Megumi barely interposed herself between them in time to stop a scuffle.

"Stop that will you? Tasuki-san asked me to take him to Ken-san because he needs his help."

Sano glanced down at the Seishi. "You need Kenshin's help? For what?"

"It's complicated." Tasuki bared his teeth at Sanosuke, then pointedly looked away. "And I don't think it's anything you could help me with anyway."

Sanosuke laughed. "We'll see about that. Oi, Megumi, do you have any idea what it's about?"

"Iie."

He looked at her in sudden seriousness that Tasuki, walking a little ahead of them didn't see. "Do you think it could be about..." he asked.

Megumi shot a look at the orange-haired man and shook her head. "I don't know."

The four men and one woman walked the streets, their outlandish dress attracting much attention, but, in particular, attracting the attention of a man dressed in a blue uniform and carrying a katana. A police officer. The man's hair was short, except for a few strands of his bangs which hung down to his chin. These people have got to be the oddest collection of human beings I've ever seen, he thought. It was difficult to decide who was the strangest-looking. Either the kid or the freak, he decided. The 'freak' was dressed in one of the most incredible costumes the policeman had ever seen, and his face was painted in a pattern of white, black, and blue. The 'kid' looked to be about ten years old, if that, and was floating after the group, about five feet off the ground. How does he do that? The other three in the group were a little more normal; another kid wearing a blue headband, a woman who was quite possibly the most beautiful female in Tokyo, and a tall, powerfully built man, dressed in something a Shogun or Emperor from ancient China might wear. His hair was a pale blonde, and his skin was even paler. From the way the others were reacting to him, he seemed to be the leader of the group.

As the policeman followed the group, he casually smoked, waiting to see what they would do. After about fifteen minutes of this, the leader raised the hand the woman wasn't holding, and the group halted. The blonde one turned, fixing a blue-eyed stare on the policeman that would have frozen anyone. Anyone, that is, but him.

The man's followers turned around to see what he was looking at, staring first at the police officer, then up at their leader. The blonde one addressed him with a sneer in his voice that matched the one on his face.

"Why are you following us?"

Saitou took one last drag on his cigarette, then flicked it away with studied nonchalance. "I notice," he said, "that you are carrying a sword."

"Your point being?"

"I'm afraid that's illegal. And, since I'm a police officer, that means I'm going to have to confiscate that sword."

The blonde man paused, his eyes narrowing at Saitou. "And how do you intend to do that?"

Saitou smiled and lit another cigarette, waiting. Finally, the second youngest of the group, a kid wearing a blue headband, spoke up in desperation. "He's not going to just give it to you, so why don't you just fuck off?" The blonde man tried to silence him, unsuccessfully, by raising his hand. When that failed, he struck the boy sharply on the shoulder. The kid stumbled back with a cry.

"Be quiet, Suboshi," he said tersely, glaring at Saitou. Saitou smiled and leaned against the nearest wall, still smoking.

"Do you usually strike children in front of police officers?"

Suboshi growled. "I'm not a child!"

The blonde man's voice was low and even, deadly cold. "I said, be quiet, Suboshi." Suboshi muttered something under his breath and stalked off, disappearing into a side street. The blonde man didn't seem concerned. The 'kid', still floating in the air, suddenly flickered and vanished. Despite himself, Saitou tensed at that, his hand falling on the hilt of his katana. He saw the blonde one smirk and he forced himself to relax. Whatever was going on, this man struck him as honourable; he would not send his freaks to attack him from behind. Despite himself, however, he found himself glad that he was leaning against a solid wall.

He finished his cigarette and flicked it away. Then straightened up , stretched, and leaned against the wall again. He could sense the other's patience beginning to wear thin.

Finally, the blonde man spoke. "If there is nothing else..."

"What is your name?" asked Saitou sharply. As calculated, he startled the other man into answering.

"Nakago." Saitou smiled inwardly. Despite his self-assurance, his adversary was young and inexperienced. He couldn't have been more than twenty.

"Fujita Goro. If you're going to be staying in Tokyo for a little while, I'm afraid I'm going to have to take that sword. I don't wish to be rude, Nakago-san, but your recalcitrance is taking me away from my official duties."

Nakago sneered again. "Well, if your official duties are so important, why don't you go back to them?"

Saitou straightened and continued as if the boy hadn't spoken. "However much I appreciate a smoke break, I cannot allow this to go on longer." He approached the group. Prudently, the female and the remaining man, the one with the painted face, drew away, leaving Nakago alone in the middle of the street. Strange, these are smart ones. Instead of drawing together for mutual protection, they're getting out of the way of flying blades, but leaving Nakago defenseless, except for any resources he has. I was right, he's a dangerous one. "Now," he said, holding out his right hand, his left on the hilt of his sword, in its sheath on his right hip. "Give me your sword."

Nakago took a step back, "If I fight for the right to this sword, will you let me keep it?"

Saitou smirked. "Iie."

Nakago glared at him. "And if I fight you and you cannot take it afterwards?"

Saitou shrugged. "If you force a fight and I die, you can keep your sword until someone else takes it away. But that means you have to beat me."

Now it was Nakago's turn to smirk. "That shouldn't be so hard."

"Never assume that. It'll get you killed some day. I'll forgive you this time, since you're so young, but you're going to have to learn it soon enough."

Nakago's eyes narrowed. "You're the one who's going to have to learn it."

"We'll see."

Saitou drew his katana, and languidly placed his body in the Gototsu stance, left hand holding his katana, right foot forward, right hand resting lightly on the end of the blade. Nakago stood where he was, making no move towards his sword. After a long moment, Saitou rushed forward, aiming his sword toward the boy's chest. Isn't he going to draw it? he thought. Then, Nakago raised his hands and a blue glowing ball of light began to form between them. Saitou sensed his danger a moment later and barely dodged out of the way of the blazing blue fireball. He rolled to his feet and regarded his opponent with new respect.

"Soka... and why do you need your sword again?"

"I just don't like to lose it. It's very valuable." Nakago smirked. "I would suggest you give up now, before you lose your life."

For a moment, Saitou considered the question seriously. It was technically against the Shinsen gumi code to retreat from an opponent, but he and the Battousai had fought to a standstill more than once. Just yesterday, he had ended a fight with the Battousai before its conclusion. Perhaps it would be wise to withdraw until he had a better idea of this man's abilities.

He sheathed his katana. "You may be right," he turned and began walking away. "However, Nakago-san, this fight is not over."

Briefly, Nakago considered frying the pest as he was walking away, but he restrained himself. Though he had stopped the man handily, he had to admit that he'd been startled for a moment by the man's level of ability, and by his fighting style. No matter. When Fujita decided he was ready to beat Nakago, it would be easy to destroy him. There was no point in doing it before then.

Unseen, in an alley not far from there, Chiriko looked up at Mitsukake. The big man looked down at him and ruffled the boy's hair comfortingly, bringing a finger to his lips. When Nakago, Soi, and Tomo had disappeared down the street, Chiriko whispered. "We've got to tell the others. Why would they be here?"

"I don't know, Chiriko-kun. I also wonder who that policeman was. He didn't seem like a normal man either."

"No, he didn't. I wonder if he's the man that Suzaku sent us to find." Chiriko nearly jumped up and down in his excitement.

"Yes! I'll bet he is! We should follow him."

Mitsukake nodded and the two Seishi crept out of the alleyway. They walked quickly over to the side street that they had seen Fujita Goro go down and they could see him sauntering down the street, nodding at passersby in a vaguely friendly manner. Chiriko glanced up at Mitsukake who nodded, then he darted after Fujita. The police officer heard him and turned quickly, hand straying to the hilt of his katana. Chiriko stopped short and smiled up at the man.

"Fujita Goro?" Saitou regarded the boy with the samurai topknot with a smile. What was going on today? It seems that half of Tokyo was dressed like they were from ancient China.

"Hai, that's me."

"Watashi wa Chiriko desu. May I speak to you for a moment?" the boy looked around. "In private."

"Certainly, Chiriko-kun." Saitou gestured towards the restaurant on the corner. "Is that private enough?"

The boy nodded and followed him to the restaurant. They sat in a corner booth, but neither ordered anything.

"What's this about?"

"I saw you fight with Nakago," Chiriko said, beaming. "It was sugoi. You did really well, considering you had no idea he was a mage. I don't know if even he realizes it yet, but you cut him."

Saitou was taken aback. Was no one what they seemed today? This child looked no more than thirteen, yet he was speaking like an experienced fighter, and if he was right about Saitou having cut Nakago, he was even more impressed. "You know this man?"

"Hai, he's from my world. He's one of the Seiryuu Seishi. My friends and I, the Suzaku Seishi, have come here to find someone who will help us fight him and the other Seiryuu Seishi."

"Soka..."

"This may be difficult for you to believe but..." Chiriko beamed again. Even Saitou had to agree that the kawaii kid's smile was infectious. The boy proceeded, in rapid-fire fashion, to outline the important events of the past few months, including the legend of the Mikos and the Four Gods Earth and Sky. Saitou waited through the story patiently, though he could understand why the kid had prefaced it the way he had. "...so that's how we came here, and why I'm talking to you."

"You want me to help you fight Nakago and the Seiryuu."

"Hai!"

"And why should I?" In defiance of Saitou's expectations, Chiriko seemed unfazed.

"What do you want in return?"

"Nothing. I will not be bought."

Chiriko cocked his head to one side. "I never said anything about money. I doubt if Konan currency would be useful here. However, you asked why you should, I'm asking you the same question."

"I am about to embark on an important mission that cannot wait for anything, particularly the problems of some world that is no concern of mine."

Chiriko laughed. "First of all, Nakago-san is as great a danger to Tokyo as any army, and he is here, not in our world. Secondly, when are you leaving on your mission? This seems to be the same world that the Mikos come from, only in the past. Even if this takes too long, we can probably use the crystal to bring you back in time so you don't miss your mission, just as we used it to move back in time this time." The kid paused to beam at him again. "If you don't want to do it, just say so."

"And if I say I don't want to do it?"

"Then, given that I've already given you several very good reasons why you should do it, I'd conclude that you are not the one Suzaku sent us to find."

Saitou stared at the boy for a long time. Is it possible that this boy is a military genius? He certainly seemed smart enough. Could any of this story be true? Only one way to find out. "I'll do it."

"Sugoi!" Chiriko cried. A tall man with a cat on his shoulder entered the restaurant and headed in their direction.

"I wasn't finished! If what you say is true - all of it - and if we can get this over with before I leave for Kyoto in six days, I'll do it."

"Agreed."

Saitou waited until the tall man was almost at his shoulder, then. "Mitsukake, I presume."

"Hai. You've agreed to do it, Fujita-san. Arigatou gozaimasu."

"Dou itashimasshite. Though I'm not promising you won't regret it by the end of this." He stood and stepped out of the booth. "Shall we go meet the other Suzaku Seishi?"

"Anou, we don't really know where they are right now..." admitted Chiriko.

"You say they were all looking for the same thing you were?"

"Hai..."

"Then I think I know where they are, unless they're very incompetent, which I doubt. Follow me."

|Chapter 1| |Chapter 2| |Chapter 3| |Chapter 4| |Chapter 5| |Chapter 6| |Chapter 7|

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