Chapter 3 - Consolidation

Suboshi stalked away from the scene of the impending battle, his vision clouded with rage. That bastard! How could he just hit me like that? Don't I have the right to speak too? What makes him so great, anyway.

"Well, fuck him then." He broke into a run. He had many reasons not to want to go back to Nakago. It had been mostly habit and the lack of any alternatives that had caused him to look to the Shogun for leadership when they had awakened in the temple, anyway. Suboshi couldn't forgive Tomo for trying to kill his brother, and he knew that Tomo wasn't leaving Nakago. Besides, Nakago had hurt Yui-sama...

He didn't see the figure in front of him until it was too late to stop, and they collided, both falling to the ground with twin cries. Suboshi found himself suddenly flat on his back. He pushed himself up, an angry exclamation on his lips - which died suddenly as he found himself face to face with... himself.

"Aniki!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms around Amiboshi. "What are you doing here?"

"W-wakaranai..." Amiboshi responded, confusedly, hesitantly returning Suboshi's hug. After a moment, he whispered. "Why do I feel as though I know you?"

Suboshi's breath caught in his throat as he remembered. The drug...Amiboshi doesn't remember me. "Uh, wakaranai. Gomen nasai, I thought you were someone else," he said hurriedly, getting to his feet and dusting himself off.

Amiboshi rose to his feet, clutching his flute in both hands so tightly that his knuckles were white. He shook his head. "Iie, I know you. You called me aniki..."

"It... it was a mistake." Suboshi turned and started walking away, feeling the tears threaten, but unwilling to let them spill until he was far away.

"Matte, onegai, matte." The plea in Amiboshi's voice was too much for Suboshi and he stopped. He heard Amiboshi take a step towards him and he squeezed his eyes shut. "I'm so confused."

Suboshi turned, forcing a smile to his face. "Don't be, you have a wonderful family that you can go to. They love you, that's all you need to know."

"Demo..."

Suboshi turned away again. "Look for the Suzaku Seishi, they'll be dressed like people from Konan. They're around somewhere, and will help you get home. Don't worry."

"Demo, onegai..."

"I can't help you, gomen nasai." Suboshi started to walk away, but was halted again by a sharp cry from his brother. He turned to see his brother drop to the ground, clutching his head and screaming. Suboshi ran over to him. "Amiboshi!" He cradled his twin brother in his arms and looked around frantically for something that could help. He ran down the street, his head turning this way and that. There must be a doctor around here, somewhere!

Before he got more than a block, however, Amiboshi stopped screaming. He raised his arms and encircled Suboshi's neck. "Shun...Suboshi." Suboshi stopped in his tracks, looking down at his brother in amazement.

"You remember?"

"Doushite? You didn't come with me. We could have had a family, together..." Suboshi dropped to his knees, the tears finally spilling over. He laid his brother on the ground again, heedless of the stares they were attracting, heedless of the fact that they were sitting in the middle of the street.

"Gomen nasai, Amiboshi. I...I just couldn't. I wasn't ready." Amiboshi sat up and hugged his brother.

"I forgive you, Suboshi. It's all right."

A voice intruded suddenly from several feet away. "Hotohori-sama? Look at that!"

Suboshi looked up through tears to see Nuriko and Hotohori standing across the street. He didn't have time to react, though, before Amiboshi placed his hand at the back of Suboshi's head and drew him down against his chest. He tensed for a moment, then acquiesced. "Don't worry, Suboshi. They won't hurt you."

"Amiboshi-kun! Suboshi-kun!" cried Nuriko.

Amiboshi looked up at the purple-haired bishounen and smiled. "He'll be all right now."

From the shadows of a nearby side street, Miboshi watched as the Suzaku Seishi helped the twins to their feet and began leading them away. "Che."

No one moved until Fujita Goro had disappeared around a corner, then Soi and Tomo attacked Nakago from either side.

"Nakago-sama, daijoubu?" asked Tomo

"Nakago-sama, you're bleeding!" wailed Soi, pressing her hand against the wound on his chest, trying to staunch the flow of blood.

"Nani?" Nakago looked down at the cut in amazement, which was only now beginning to hurt. The slash ran horizontally along the right side of his chest for about three inches, just below the nipple. It was superficial, but it could have been a lot worse. "He cut me."

"Do you want me to kill him?" asked Tomo, narrowing his eyes in the direction Fujita had gone.

"Iie. Don't bother. When he comes back to fight me, I want that pleasure." Nakago growled. He brushed Soi's hands away and took one in his own. "Don't worry, Soi-chan. I'll be fine," he assured her. He saw Tomo wince at the '-chan' and cursed inwardly. He would have to find time to talk to the man...later. "We must go find Suboshi. Let's go."

The three Seiryuu Seishi walked slowly in the direction Suboshi had gone. Nakago found himself wondering if Suboshi would come back, even if he did find him. Suddenly, the air in front of him shimmered and Miboshi appeared.

"Did you lose him?" Nakago asked him, a note of incredulity entering his voice.

"Iie, not exactly, but we've lost him."

"What do you mean?"

"He ran into his brother, Amiboshi. They've left with Nuriko and Hotohori. It didn't seem as though they were taking Suboshi prisoner, which means that he's gone over to their side."

"Yare yare," Nakago commented, shrugging. Then, with sudden urgency. "Where are Nuriko and Hotohori? We must follow them quickly."

Miboshi began floating away, with the other Seiryuu Seishi following just behind. "I don't know exactly where they are, but I saw which way they went. We'll find them."

Kenshin was attacked the moment he reentered the courtyard of the dojo by a pair of excited little girls.

"Ken-nii! Where did you go?"

"Ken-nii! You didn't finish washing!" The high piping voices warred for Kenshin's attention.

"Oro!" he exclaimed as they latched onto his legs, one on each side, then, "Yare yare, I have to make lunch now."

"Wai!" they cried. "I'm hungry, Ken-nii!"

Kenshin turned towards Chichiri. "If you'll wait outside Chichiri-dono, I'll have lunch ready in a few minutes de gozaru." Chichiri nodded and Kenshin walked into the house, albeit hampered by clutching female hands. The girl - no, Chichiri noted, she was a woman - and boy had stopped practicing and were looking at him. Chichiri headed towards them.

"Oira wa Chichiri na no da," he said.

"Watashi wa Kamiya Kaoru, and this is Myojin Yahiko," the woman responded with a smile. "Do you know Kenshin?"

Chichiri shook his head. "Anou, I guess I do now no da." Kaoru laughed, but Chichiri was suddenly distracted by a tug on his staff. He looked down to see Yahiko prodding the metal shaft.

"What is this thing? A weapon?"

Chichiri gently pulled the incredibly powerful magical item out of Yahiko's reach before answering. "It's a staff no da. It helps me focus my magic na no da."

Kaoru and Yahiko looked up at him incredulously. "Magic?!"

"Hai no da. I'm a monk no da."

Yahiko scratched his head. "I didn't know monks knew magic."

Chichiri shrugged. "Well, I do no da." To turn the conversation along a safer path, Chichiri turned to Kaoru. "Is this your dojo no da? I saw you teaching Yahiko budo."

"Hai, this is the Kamiya-Katsushin-Ryu dojo. Yahiko will inherit the budo."

Chichiri bowed to Yahiko. "Congratulations no da, Yahiko-kun." Yahiko literally puffed up with pride. "And Kenshin? What does he do here no da?"

"He, uh, basically just lives here. He's a rurouni, so he needs a place to stay while he's in Tokyo."

"Soka no da." Chichiri looked in the direction the rurouni had gone. "He looks as though he is a good fighter no da."

Kaoru looked suddenly uncomfortable, but Yahiko cried out excitedly. "Kenshin is the greatest sword-fighter in Japan! No one can beat his Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu."

"Is that so?"

"Hai!" The boy struck a pose with his bokken. "One day I hope to be as strong as Kenshin!"

Kaoru struck him on the head with her shinai. "That's enough, Yahiko!"

"Hey! What did you do that for?!"

"Because you were being arrogant and boasting again!"

"I was talking about Kenshin!!"

"But Kenshin doesn't need you telling the whole world all about him!" They growled and seemed about to launch into a tussle when Kenshin emerged from the dojo.

"Yahiko exaggerates," he said, smiling. Kaoru and Yahiko turned to look at him, their fight forgotten.

"I wonder no da," Chichiri responded. Kenshin seemed about to speak when a voice sounded from the front gate.

"Oi, Kenshin. Is lunch ready? I'm starving."

Kaoru yelled at the newcomer. "Sano no baka! You don't have any right to demand anything from Kenshin, so long as you eat for free." A trio entered the courtyard. The man who'd spoken was tall and muscular wearing a red headband and a gi. He was accompanied by a beautiful woman with dark green hair down to her waist, and... Chichiri blinked in surprise.

"Tasuki-kun no da!"

Tasuki looked as surprised as he was. "Chichiri! Looks like you beat me to him." He looked around. "So where this best-fighter?" Chichiri pointed at Kenshin who was still standing on the stoop, holding a tray.

"Oro?"

"Him?!" Tasuki went over to Kenshin and started looking him over. "Demo, he's shorter than I am! How can he be the best fighter in Tokyo?"

"In Japan na no da!"

Kenshin frowned. "If you can say that, Tasuki-dono, you must be admitting that you're not a good fighter either."

Tasuki stopped and thought. "Oh yeah. Well, you might be good, then."

"Arigatou de gozaru." Kenshin brightened. "Yare yare, we might as well eat, and then our guests can tell us why they've come."

Introductions were made, and then they tore into the food. They had just finished the excellent meal when Chichiri sensed a presence outside the gate. He turned automatically to see who it was, and noticed that Kenshin had gotten to his feet, and that his hand was on the hilt of his katana.

"Kenshin?" questioned Kaoru.

"Chichiri? What is it?" asked Tasuki at the same moment. The gate slid open to reveal a man in a police uniform, accompanied by Chiriko and Mitsukake.

"Saitou, what are you doing here de gozaru?" Kenshin's voice had a dangerous edge to it. Behind Saitou, Chiriko turned to look up at Mitsukake.

"Saitou?" he said. Mitsukake shook his head and shrugged. Saitou smiled.

"I was just bringing these two to find their friends. I figured they'd be here." He entered the courtyard. "You don't need to look so tense. As I said, I'm not here for you. You should know what they want by now. I've agreed to help them, so don't worry, you don't have to bother."

"I don't know what they want, Saitou. They haven't had the chance to tell me."

Saitou leaned against the wall of the courtyard and lit a cigarette. "You should ask them, it's a fantastic story."

Kenshin looked at Chichiri, who sighed. "This is as good a time as any to tell you no da." Chichiri related the story - interrupted frequently by Tasuki who objected to some of the details, particularly about events involving boats and water - while the others listened. When he finished, Kenshin remained silent for a long time.

"Kenshin! This Nakago-san seems dangerous. You're not thinking of doing this, are you?" Kaoru pleaded.

"You say this man tried to rape the Suzaku no Miko?"

"Hai no da."

"And he killed most of you, simply to further his own revenge against the people who oppressed his people?"

"Hai no da."

Saitou smirked. "I guess you can't let that happen, can you, Himura?"

"Saitou, can you handle him yourself?"

"I don't see why not."

Kenshin thought for a moment. "Iie, I can't let you fight him yourself. Before, it took all of the Shichiseishi to fight him, and even then they couldn't win without sealing his magic. This time it will be even harder, since his magic may not be sealed."

"It's not sealed!" Chiriko piped up. "I saw Nakago-san nearly kill Saitou-san with one of his ki attacks. Saitou-san almost got hit by it." Saitou's face twisted in irritation.

"I wasn't expecting the attack!"

"Nevertheless," said Kenshin, "he is powerful, and if he isn't stopped, it could have dire consequences for Japan. Besides," he glanced sidelong at Saitou. "If you die, who will stop Shishio?"

"We all know who that will be, Battousai," Saitou growled. Kenshin shrugged, then turned to Chichiri.

"I will help you de gozaru."

Chichiri bowed. "Arigatou, Kenshin-san."

"Kenshin!" Kaoru exclaimed, stricken. Sanosuke grinned.

"I can't very well let you have all the fun. I'm coming too."

Saitou sniffed. "Ahou ga."

Sanosuke bared one arm, drawing it back into a fist. "What did you say?!"

"Oh, so your shoulder is feeling better, is it? Want to make the same mistake again, Sano-kun?"

"Matte de gozaru yo! Both of you," Kenshin cried.

Chichiri and Tasuki exchanged worried glances "What have we done no da?"

Nuriko watched the young Seiryuu Seishi trudging along beside him with more than a little concern. While Amiboshi was gaily playing his flute as they walked along, Suboshi walked with his head down, staring at the dust he kicked up with his feet.

"Oi, well this was an interesting coincidence." Nuriko said brightly, trying to attract the kid's attention. Amiboshi stopped playing and looked at him. Suboshi grunted.

"How did you two get to Tokyo?" asked Hotohori gravely. Suboshi looked up at him, his eyes widening in shock and amazement.

"T-Tokyo?"

Amiboshi looked at his brother curiously. "What is Tokyo?"

"It's..." a look of pain spasmed across his face. "It's where I last saw Yui-sama, in the Miko's world. That's where Tamahome and I fought the last time."

Nuriko sighed. "Don't worry, Suboshi-kun-"

Suboshi rounded on the Seishi with sudden ferocity. "Don't tell me not to worry! How am I supposed to make up for all of this? Tamahome is just going to kill me for what I've done to him, and you know, he'd be right to do it!" He smacked himself sharply in the face with the palms of both hands. "This is all Nakago's fault!"

Amiboshi put his hand on his brother's shoulder, but Suboshi threw it off. Nuriko spoke calmly and kindly, trying to calm him down. "Suboshi-kun, onegai, calm down. Tamahome isn't here, and even if he were, we wouldn't let him hurt you. Calm down."

"Tamahome's not here? Then it's just the two of you then?" Amiboshi asked. His brother was slowly clenching and unclenching his hands, and breathing deeply, clearly attempting to do what Nuriko told him, and not having much success.

"Tamahome is the only Suzaku Seishi that isn't here, actually," said Hotohori. "He is, uh, with Miaka on her world, presumably. The rest of us are alive because of Miaka's wish for Suzaku to put everything back the way it was before. That's why Suboshi is alive as well."

"Nani!?" Amiboshi looked at his brother, then back to Hotohori. "S-Suboshi, d-d-d-"

"Hai, Amiboshi, I died. Fighting Tamahome." Amiboshi swayed on his feet, tightening his grip on his brother's shoulder, this time seeking support. Suboshi stared at the ground, tears beginning to drip slowly off his nose and chin. "Gomen nasai. I should have come with you."

Amiboshi didn't say anything for a long moment, then he raised his head to look at his brother. His eyes were clear of grief and they looked at Suboshi with a kind of rapture. "No, you said you weren't ready to come, and you weren't. But now Suzaku has given us both a new chance, by bringing you back to life, and transporting us both here so we could be reunited. Do you realize what a gift Suzaku has given us?"

Suboshi smiled uncertainly, but genuinely. "Hai, now I do."

Nuriko looked up at Hotohori, seeing the tears in his eyes mirrored in the emperor's. He released Hotohori's arm and reached out, one hand squeezing the shoulder of each twin. Both smiled in response. Then, the foursome turned to continue on their way, when a voice stopped them.

"Suboshi, Amiboshi, Suzaku Shichiseishi..." Nuriko, Hotohori, and the twins turned to see Nakago, Soi, Tomo, and Miboshi some distance away, heading in their direction.

"Nakago..." Nuriko breathed. Hotohori's entire body tensed, and he released Nuriko's arm as he stepped forward, drawing his sword.

"Nakago-san! Don't come any closer!"

Nakago and the other Seiryuu stopped their advance. Nakago's lips curved in a smile. "As you wish, Hotohori-sama. I'm glad to see you're looking well."

Hotohori growled, holding his sword out at the Seishi with both hands. "What are you doing here?"

"I had hoped to ask you the same question."

"That is none of your concern."

Nakago's smile widened. "I sincerely doubt that, Hotohori-sama. What you do with my people is always my concern."

"Your people..." Hotohori frowned, then looked down at Amiboshi and Suboshi.

"They are no more 'your people' then they are mine, Nakago-sama. It is not either of our place to say what they can and cannot do."

Nakago frowned. "Amiboshi and Suboshi are Seiryuu Seishi-"

Amiboshi cried out. "No, we're not. Not anymore. Why won't you just leave the Suzaku Seishi - and us - alone, Nakago-sama? Go back to Kutou and rule, or whatever you want to do and leave us out of it!"

Nuriko nodded. "We never had any interest in what the Seiryuu were doing, until you tried to invade us! You've got your title, why don't you enjoy it and stop assuming that everything we do is intended to thwart your plans, you egocentric little man!" Nuriko turned his back on Nakago and the Seishi. "Come along, Hotohori dear," he said primly. She heard the metal snick as Hotohori sheathed his sword and the four began walking away. There was a long pause, and then they heard Nakago shout after them.

"Matte!"

"Ignore him," counseled Nuriko, as they kept walking.

They were walking away from him. Nakago couldn't believe it. He hadn't intended for the conversation to go the way it had; they had just assumed what it was he wanted. Admittedly, that jab at Hotohori had been a little cruel, but that was no excuse for them to treat him the way they had! And now they were walking away.

"Matte!" he shouted after them, but they pretended not to hear. All except Suboshi, who shot a look of unadulterated hatred over his shoulder. Nakago turned to Tomo. "Put them in an illusion, quickly! We can't afford to lose them. Make the illusion look like here, so they don't suspect, but make sure they don't get away. We must get them to talk to us."

"Hai, Nakago-sama," Tomo pulled out a clam shell and opened it. On a projected image, they could see the four Seishi, calmly walking down the street, now a street purely in Tomo's imagination. It was real enough to them.

"Now, guide them in such a way that their bodies will leave the city. We'll set up camp there and bring them out when they've had a chance to calm down," he clenched one fist. "If they won't talk to us willingly, we'll make them answer our questions."

Leaving the rest of the Seishi and Kenshin-gumi outside, Chichiri, Kenshin, and Saitou retired to the dojo to talk. Though Chichiri wanted everyone to know what was going on, he had to admit that the group was too large for an effective planning session to take place. One good thing about all this, however, was how well everyone seemed to be getting along. Sanosuke and Tasuki were already engaged in a friendly sparring session on the lawn, though Chichiri could hear Kaoru's exclamations of rage and supplications to Tasuki to stop burning down her trees. Megumi and Mitsukake were deep in discussion, and though Chichiri couldn't hear their conversation, since the woman had been introduced as a doctor, the monk was pretty sure what they were talking about. Though Chichiri had hoped to include Chiriko in their discussion, the child seemed to be having too much fun playing with Suzume and Ayame. Even Chiriko needs to be a kid sometimes, I forget that, he thought, smiling under his mask.

The three men sat in the centre of the dojo, Kenshin leaning his katana against his shoulder, Saitou kneeling and sitting back on his heels, and Chichiri sitting cross-legged, his staff across his knees. "I want to thank you for agreeing to help us no da," Chichiri began. Kenshin and Saitou nodded, almost in concert, the former shooting a suspicious glare at the latter, who answered it with an enigmatic smile. Chichiri sighed. "Perhaps you could tell me something no da. What sort of history do you two have no da. I don't mean to pry, but it seems like there's bad feeling here, and I don't want it to affect our chances of success."

Saitou chuckled. "You could say there's bad feeling, Chichiri-san, but don't worry, it won't affect this."

Kenshin nodded. "The fight that began this happened a long time ago. It won't affect our judgment or ability to work together." He looked at Saitou, the suspicious glare gone but just under the surface. "I find myself wondering why you agreed to help, however, Saitou."

Saitou glared. "It shouldn't be that much of a mystery, Himura. First of all, I intend to finish the fight that Nakago and I began. Second, if he's a danger to Japan - which, if these people are to be believed, he is - then it's my business. I defended Japan at the Bakumatsu, and I don't intend to stop doing it now."

Kenshin nodded thoughtfully, the suspicion clearing from his face. "I understand."

"Well, if we've got that out of the way no da, perhaps we should start trying to figure out what we're going to do no da." He reached up and took off his mask, suddenly realizing that the mood was too serious to permit it. He placed it lovingly beside him on the floor and then looked up with his right eye to see twin looks of shock on Kenshin and Saitou's faces. Chichiri felt the colour rise in his cheeks. "Anou, gomen nasai, Kenshin-kun, Saitou-kun. I should have warned you first." He saw Kenshin's hand rise, as if of its own volition, to touch the scar on his left cheek, but it dropped back down to his lap almost as quickly. Saitou didn't seem to spot the motion, still absorbed in his own surprise. Suddenly, Saitou grinned.

"That must have hurt."

Kenshin shot him an angry look. "Saitou!" Chichiri stared at him, feeling his chest constrict as the statement brought the memories of how he received the scar flooding back. Suddenly, Chichiri understood something that had been bothering him about this man. He was a killer, unremorseful and unrepentant. Suzaku-sama, Chichiri found himself praying. Let this work out, even if we have his help. I don't think I could convince him not to help us now, even if I wanted to, demo onegai, let this work anyway. The monk was jerked out of his shocked reverie by Saitou bowing deeply before him, the wisps of hair that fell in front of his eyes brushing the floor.

"Gomen nasai, Chichiri-san. I spoke without thinking. It's obvious that that scar has a painful story. Gomen."

"Dou itashimashite," Chichiri said softly. "It happened a long time ago, you needn't worry about it. Perhaps we should get back to the business at hand, nee?"

"Hai, we should de gozaru," Kenshin replied. Saitou straightened, a smile still playing about his mouth, but otherwise to all appearances ready to cooperate.

"First of all, I think it would be a good idea if we got him out of the city," Chichiri said. "Given how much damage the last fight did to Tokyo, it seems prudent. Especially since we don't have any wishes to repair your city this time."

"Is there any way we could just transport them back to your world? At least then we'll be fighting there, and since China is so much larger than Japan, we can stage the battle somewhere far away from people, ensuring that no innocents are hurt." Kenshin suggested.

Chichiri sighed. "I don't think so. I don't even know how they got here in the first place. We'd pretty much have to capture them anyway in order to get them in the range of the jewel to take them back."

While Kenshin and Chichiri threw ideas back and forth, Saitou remained mostly silent, only making a statement when he noticed that the others were forgetting an important detail. He knew this part didn't matter much. Whatever they planned, something wouldn't go perfectly, and they'd have to improvise, anyway, so he wasn't too concerned. He was more interested in the strange, blue-haired monk. Where did he get that scar he wondered. Is there something this man isn't telling us, or is it really irrelevant? Every scar has a story...

Two hours later, they were just finalizing their plan, when a fist rapped sharply on the door. "Chichiri!" Tasuki yelled. All three warriors leapt to their feet, turning towards the sound. Chichiri held his staff tightly and headed for the door, he could feel the ki of the other two rise as they followed, both only a step behind.

He threw open the door, startling Tasuki, who gave a yell and threw himself backwards at the sight of the unmasked Seishi, flanked by two men with their hands on the hilts of their katanas. "What's wrong, Tasuki-kun?" Chichiri demanded, his eye scanning the yard with practiced skill. Nothing seemed immediately wrong, but the shadows created by the dimming light could be concealing anything.

"What the fuck is wrong with you, Chichiri?" Tasuki cried. Chichiri blinked.

"Nani no da?"

"I wasn't calling you because there was anything wrong, I just wanted to tell you that it's almost sunset and we have to go find Nuriko and Hotohori. Don't be so fucking jumpy."

At his words, Chichiri relaxed. "You yell too loudly no da, Tasuki-kun."

Kenshin laughed. "Your tone made it sound like there was something wrong, Tasuki-dono." Tasuki's eyes widened at the honourific.

"What did you call me?" The look of stunned shock on his face just succeeded in eliciting another laugh from the rurouni.

"Do you want to go get Nuriko and Hotohori and bring them here then no da, Tasuki-kun?"

"Uh, sure. That was the plan, I guess."

Kenshin addressed the tall gangster, who was sitting on the grass a few feet away. "Sano, do you mind going with him? We shouldn't let any of the Seishi out alone, just in case they encounter one of the Seiryuu, and you know your way around better, anyway de gozaru." Sanosuke nodded, getting to his feet.

"Sure, Kenshin." His gi, and basically every part of his body that could be seen from that angle looked singed, but he had a satisfied grin on his face. Chichiri suddenly noticed the shadow of a massive purple bruise forming on Tasuki's jaw, and a trail of dried blood ran from the corner of his mouth.

"Tasuki-kun! Daijoubu na no da!?" he exclaimed. Tasuki grinned, then winced as the motion obviously hurt.

"Hai, of course. That was one of the greatest sparring sessions I've ever had!" He and Sanosuke turned and walked out of the courtyard before anyone could comment. The others heard Tasuki's rough voice say something, and Sano's deep one answering, then both laughing like old buddies.

"They're crazy!" Kaoru exclaimed.

"Without a doubt," Kenshin said. Though he was behind Chichiri so the monk couldn't see him, he could hear the smile in his voice. Saitou was the next to speak up.

"I think we were just about finished anyway. Shall we separate for now and implement our plan tomorrow?"

Chichiri nodded. "Hai no da. We'll have to find them first, but we can start doing that tomorrow."

Saitou walked past Chichiri and out of the dojo, casually placing a cigarette in his mouth and lighting it. "When I go to work tomorrow, I'll make sure every police officer in the city is looking for them and get regular reports. We'll know exactly where they are by the time we're ready to begin, don't worry." As he walked past Kaoru he bowed to her, touching the brim of his hat, then straightened, looking back at Kenshin and Chichiri. He removed the cigarette from his mouth, and blew the smoke out through his nose. "I'll be here tomorrow at 6:30. Be ready by then."

"We will, Saitou," Kenshin responded. Saitou nodded and, replacing the cigarette in his mouth, he left. The sound of the dojo's gate sliding closed seemed to break a spell. Yahiko shook his small fist at the door.

"When this is over, I'm going to beat the shit out of that guy."

Kaoru shot him a dirty look. "What makes you think you could? Look what he did to Kenshin!" Kenshin passed Chichiri, dropping his mask into his hand, and walked over to the two of them, holding up his hands.

"Yahiko, Kaoru, don't fight again de gozaru."

Chichiri looked down at the mask in his hand for a moment before placing it on his face. He walked towards Chiriko, who was sitting on the ground with two young female heads in his lap. The girls were fast asleep, and Chiriko looked close to it himself, but in the absence of Hotohori or Tamahome, Chichiri felt he had to talk to someone he knew about their plan before he would feel comfortable with it. Why did I have to get stuck with this leadership thing no da?

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