Disclaimer: I do not own Ikkitousen or its characters. My OC of course belongs to me, and like my other fics, I always say the same thing right at the beginning. This is my first attempt at writing an Ikkitousen fic, so please forgive me if I make any mistakes along the way, thank you. As with my stories, expect a non to semi-canon version of Ikki Tousen to be served up to you in my story. Chers!

A Soldier's Loyalty

Chapter 1

Ryuubi Gentoku flushed slightly, since she too saw how good looking Kan'U's friend was. Nevertheless, she nodded and said. "It is good to have you with us too, Ro'ka-san… but if I remembered correctly, Kan'U said that you would be joining Seito… but how is this possible? After all… Seito is an all-girl's school is it not?"

Ro'Ka just chuckled and then said. "Kan'U-san… did you hear what your Leader had said? She is right you know that I would really look out of place around here. Besides… who ever said that I was going to study here?"

There was a short silence following his announcement, before Kan'U had an inquisitive expression on her face as she said. "Would you terribly mind if you explain yourself, Bun'ken? Especially that statement you just made. In your letter that you sent to me, you specifically mentioned to me that you would join Seito."

Ro'ka nodded and said carefully, noticing that Kan'U was slowly fingering the bundle that held her guan dao. "So I did… but I did some research about Seitou, and like your Leader, Ryuubi-sama had mentioned, I do not think, even with special concessions, I would be able to enter Seito as a student, though I am joining its Toushi Ranks in an unofficial capacity. A wild card option for your school if you will."

Chouhi looked at Ro'ka with some measure of respect, and of course a bit of skepticism, though she had to admit that the young man's words made a lot of sense. Ryuubi was beaming slightly with joy, a slight flush on her cheeks as the cute, if a bit handsome young man agreed with her.

Chou'un was… Chou'un, as she had her usual serene expression on her face, though she did feel the hidden power that Kan'U-san's friend possesses. It is as Kan'u had said; he had the capacity and ki reserves that match the ranking that she had mentioned about. Though she was a bit reserved as to why he was joining Seito in an unofficial capacity.

After all, being Kan'U-san's friend, it would not be difficult for Ryuubi to allow him into the school, awkward as it is, on special concessions, which would boost Seito's ranks with one more powerful Toushi, and an additional bodyguard for Ryuubi as well. There should be some kind of reason why he had made that decision, and she was going to find out sooner or later, either from Kan'U or Ro'ka himself in a later date.

Kan'U nodded and then said. "All right… I will accept that part of your apology… but the question remains is… what school do you intend to join on an official capacity? It had not be Rakuyo, Bun'ken… or we might find ourselves at odds with each other… not to mention all of us here, especially me would not forgive you for joining up with that madman and a mutual enemy, known as Toutaku Chuei."

Ro'ka just snorted and then said. "Come on, Kan'u… do you think I would be that stupid to join up with that school with that tyrant in it? Not likely at all, though it isn't Kyosho either, though I did manage to get myself in a little friendly spar with both Kakuka Houko and Kakouton Genjou just yesterday."

He paused for a moment, and said. "It's not Gogun or even Nan'you…. Or even Youshuu… though I have heard things about Enjutsu and Ryuyou that aren't too complimentary, so no thanks as well." He took some time to compose himself before saying. "I'm going to Ryoshuu Gakuen officially."

There was a soft murmur that rippled through the crowd, before Kan'u turned to her three friends and said. "Chou'Un-san, Chouhi-san, and Ryuubi-sama… could you go on ahead first without me? I need to talk alone to Bun'ken over here for just a moment."

Both Chouhi and Chou'un looked skeptical and even wary for a moment, and Chou'un even fingered her katana for a moment, until she heard Ryuubi say in her usual gentle voice. "Alright then… Chou'un-san… Chouhi-san… let's go inside the school then… first period is going to take place in an hour's time…"

She then paused for a moment before saying. "That goes for you too, Kan'U-san… please be on time as well, I don't want you to be late for your first period as well. I will see you later in class, alright?"

Kan'u nodded and said. "Hai, Ryuubi-sama."

Ryuubi nodded and then turned to her two companions and said. "Let's go, Chouhi-san, Chou'un-san." The two girls quickly followed their leader, though there was a soft enigmatic smile on Chou'un's face. Ryoshuu Gakuen, eh? I see where you are coming from, Ro'ka-san… that is a most brilliant move you have just made. With some clever maneuvering, we should probably see an alliance between Ryoshuu and Seito… as well as bringing three moderately powerful Toushi on our side, and prevent a part of history from coming true. I must say that you earned my respect even more, Ro'ka-san… more than you think right now. Kan'U-san was right in bringing you to us, even if you decided to join us in an unofficial capacity. This should prove to be interesting times for all of Kanto… now that your allegiance is set on both Seito and Ryoshuu… yes, most interesting indeed.

As soon as the rest of the students left for their classes, and they were alone, Kan'u crossed her arms across her chest and then looked at Ro'ka with an inquisitive look, and said. "Now that we are alone, Ro'ka… I expect that you come clean with me, and tell me your reason for joining Ryoshuu instead of Seito. Contrary to what you think, old friend… just being an old friend of mine would guarantee you a special concession to join Seito on an official position, even though you would be the first boy to be in an all-girl's school."

She paused for a moment and then smirked at him. "Most guys would literally kill to be in your current position, you know. You do know that, don't you Bun'ken?"

Ro'ka just let out a snort, and smirked back at her. "You are right, Un'chou… but like I said, I am no ordinary person. But coming back to the topic… I am joining Ryoshuu for a few reasons. First of them all is to prevent Toutaku from launching a pre-emptive strike and converting them to his side, even though the odds are unlikely. Secondly, even if Toutaku falls somewhere along the way, I just have to make sure that Sousou doesn't do the same… I am sure you are aware of what happened back then. Thirdly, I want to keep a close eye on one person there. I think you are aware of who I am talking about, don't you, Un'Chou-san?"

Kan'U looked thoughtful for a moment, and her eyes widened for a moment before saying. "You mean… you are going there to keep an eye on her… are you not, Bun'ken? You are talking about Bachou Mouki, I presume?"

Ro'ka nodded and said. "Indeed, Unchou… I am indeed talking about Bachou Mouki. I think you know, that she is different than the rest of us… the spirit of Bachou himself reside within her magatama, and I am sure you are well aware of what transpired when the previous holder of Ryofu Housen's magatama , Ritsuu Buntatsu pissed the girl off."

Kan'U nodded having heard rumors of what happened at Ryoshuu back then. Apparently, the spirit of Kin Bachou himself possessed the body of Bachou Mouki and brutally devastated Ritsuu Buntatsu, and almost killed him, were it not the intervention of Kan'sui Bunyaku and Houtou Reimei who woke her to her senses.

"I can see what you mean, Bun'ken… that is indeed a troublesome thought… I suppose that is indeed a good reason for you to be around Ryoshuu. At least there would be one more fighter than can help keep her in check just in case that Kin Bachou possesses her once again."

"Exactly, Un'chou-san… but another reason is that I hope to keep the three of them alive and well, to fight against Toutaku… and Sousou, should the events of history unfold again as it is written. I want to make sure that Houtoku Reimei would not be in Sousou's camp. Her fate to die in your hands can be averted, and from what I know about her, she is a strong ki user as well as a person with some minor onmyou jutsu, which I believe would be beneficial to our side, should an alliance between them and us become a reality."

"Indeed… now that you put it that way, an alliance between Ryoshuu and Seito does seem even more promising. Tell you what, Bun'ken… you go ahead and join Ryoshuu. If there are any matches that require your presence as a wild card option for option for Seito… you would be the first to know about it."

Ro'ka nodded and then said. "Will do, Kan-san… now if you would excuse me, I have to get my entrance papers to be finalized, so that I can get to school tomorrow, so I had better go there as soon as I can. That is if you don't have anything more to discuss with me, of course."

Kan'U just chuckled and said. "Of course I don't, Bun'ken… though I do have one question for you, out of curiosity's sake of course. There are those who, despite living in this present era, choose only to follow the so called 'fate'… that these magatama that we wear had planned out for them. What I want to know is, Bun'ken… is what is your take on this particular trend, and how are your own views regarding this so called 'fate' that we are doomed to follow."

Ro'ka looked thoughtful for a moment, and then shrugged. "You know Kan-san… I think those people who blindly follow the so called 'fate' that these magatama that we wear are fools. What transpired 1800 years ago in China should have no bearing in what we do today in the modern era."

He paused for a moment and said. "And as for me… I don't care about this fate that the magatama will bring. True, I can say that, because maybe the spirit inside my magatama is one of the more fortunate ones, living long enough to see the prime era of Shu in that time. But that does not concern me the least… what I believe is this. I wear the magatama, and not the other way round. I intend to defy the so called fate that these jewels will bring, Kan-san… and I will fight them to the end, tooth and nail all the way."

Kan'U just smirked and said. "Like I said, Bun'ken… you really did not change much after all this time. Do you think that you really have the ability to change the fates of those who were destined to perish 1800 years ago?"

Ro'ka just smirked back at her and said. "I don't know if I can change the fates of every Toushi, Kan-san… but I have to try my best, don't I? After all, there were many people who might have changed the course of history had they survived. That includes you, Ryuubi-sama, and Chouhi-san, and many more. I intend to do just that, Kan-san… mark my words."

"Somehow, I will not surprised if you managed to do just that, Bun'ken… you always have a flair about you that sometimes make people believe that you can make something impossible, possible." She smiled softly and said. "Well, it was nice to meet you again, old friend… I have to get to class for a moment… but I will call you when we can have a friendly spar again, just like old times. Until then… take care of yourself now, alright?"

She then turned and walked towards the school, unconsciously adding a slight sway in her steps, making Ro'ka's eyebrow raise slightly as he was slightly captivated by the sway of her hips and the view of his old friend's shapely derriere slowly wiggling from side to side.

Sighing at his friend's antics, he just shook his head as he turned around and slowly walked away, making his way towards the direction of the train station. After all, he had a school to go to, and finalize his entrance papers. Wouldn't do to mess that up… then perhaps he could stop by either areas that either Gogun or Youshuu controlled to look for some friendly spars. Not that he had any problems going to those two places… after all…. He had a distant cousin in both places, and it would be rude not to visit them after his long absence from Kanto.

With that pleasant note in his mind, he quickened his steps towards the train station. He had a school to enroll into and cousins to visit… all in all, a good day for him to be alive and well.

End of Chapter 1

Please Read and Review

Authors Note: Well then this is the end of Chapter 1. Finally finished this chapter… and I hope you guys that reads this fic will enjoy this chapter, as much as I enjoy writing it. And for fun's sake, why don't you guys try and guess who are the distant cousins of Bun'ken? Cheers and hope to see you guys reviewing this chapter, and many more that is sure to come. Tootles!