Hello! It are be chapter seven. Hooray. Thank you to all my lovely reviewers. You make my terrible, terrible review addiction simmer. XD

Results thus far (I looked up the flowers meanings for you)

Yamashina Risaki: didn't tell me D:

Apri-Chan: an Iris because they are purple and they mean faith and wisdom

Lorylily: A pink lily (calla lily?) because he/she likes them. It means majestic beauty.

Sadistprincess: A carnation because they are her (?) favourite, means fascination

Wolf puppy-chans: Roses, because they like roses. Lotsa meanings there, a colour would help.

Wings of Wind: A chrysanthemum, their birth flower, means friendship

AyameRose: An iris or a rose (Ayame means iris, rose means rose) iris means faith + wisdom; roses mean a hell of a lot of stuff, gimme a colour to work with

GrossGirl18: Is undecided.

Thank you very, very much for the answers! If at any point you change your mind or anything, feel free to let me know and I will change it in the next available chapter.

Oh, I don't know how school in Japan runs so don't get angry at me for it, I can't remember what Kurogane's swords moves are spelt like, and if my pairings are off, keep in mind that I am writing this as I see the characters, and they may conflict with your own translations. I thank you for your understanding.

Normally, I love Mondays.

Mondays are the marker, the starting point of seven hours for five days, when I am no one noticeable, when I am hidden from the eyes of everyone looking for a way to undermine the Black Bouquet. When Touya must leave me alone, or face our mother's unholy wrath (and seeing as she almost never gets angry, let me tell you, IT'S SCARY!)

Monday marks the start of a new week of school.

When the squad, Kero-chan, and I met up with Touya and Yukito-san again after they had returned the two children home from the incident, I could tell with a glance that Touya was going to make sure I couldn't leave the house for a week unless I absolutely had to. This wouldn't be the first time he's done it so I knew what to expect, and wasn't disappointed.

"I don't care what Mum and Dad say, I don't care who wants you to go, I don't care how you try to persuade me otherwise; you are not leaving the house for a month unless you are with Mum, Dad or me. If you do go out, even if you are with us, you must have Ceroberus with you, and if you even try to fight me on this runt you're goin' down!"

The two of them were glaring so fiercely you could almost see the sparks of electricity and tongues of fire leaping between their eyes. Touya was glaring because he expected Kero-chan to complain. Kero-chan was glaring at my brother for even thinking that he leave me unguarded after this incident. I sighed and broke the contest

"Will that be all Waka-dono?"

Touya started to glare at me, but if there is one thing I know about my big brother it is that he can't stay angry at me for long. Touya can do pretty much anything and has survived the roughest of tortures from the one time he was captured by the Dragons (he was only captured because he had fallen asleep at school after their field day had ended) without a whimper of betrayal, but whenever I am involved I always seem to get the better end of the deal.

"Touya, I will stay at home for the month excluding my school hours, and matters relating to the gang." I could tell he was going to object but I cut him off before he began "You know as well as I that the Tomoeda School is one of the most protected buildings in the Black Bouquet's boundaries. Not only that, I am enjoying being at school where I am completely unrecognizable, and if you even try to cut a month out of my schooling, do you even want to imagine mother's reaction? Or what she would do if you, Yukito-san or Kero-chan were to accompany me?"

I saw all three of them gulp and allowed the tiniest of smirks to cross my features. I turned away before I ended up with a full blown smile. I linked arms with Tomoyo-chan and Chiharu-chan and started heading for home, with Rika-chan and Naoko-chan following behind us. As we reached my home, the squad and Tomoyo-chan started talking about how much fun today had been, and that we needed to do a proper shopping run next time. I agreed and ran into the house before Touya could object. Touya followed me in, bidding his farewells to Yukito-san, while Yukito-san and Kero-chan started off towards their own house. The Squad had made sleepover plans with Tomoyo-chan a while back and so I didn't even try to intrude when they started walking off in the direction of her house. I went straight to my room, making sure to lock my door, and then collapsed on my bed. I had appeared brave, strong and in control during the incident. But here, hidden behind a locked door, tears muffled by fabric, I could shake, worry and weep in the fear I had refused to let myself show. I had been lucky not to actually have shot the guys hand; it was a fluke that I had shot the gun, even if it turned out to be the best thing to have happened. I was glad that Touya and Kero-chan were able to protect me from the second gun he had hidden. I would be dead without them. I started shaking again and tried to think of something, anything, to calm me down. A pair of eyes the colour of golden honey appeared in my mind and a voice as smooth as the breeze flowed to my ears, lulling me into the world of dreams.

I had woken up Sunday afternoon, twenty minutes before it would be considered evening and decided to just get some food and sleep some more. Whenever anything happens, I always become exhausted and need so much sleep. It's bad enough that I sleep as much as I do already! I made my way down to the kitchen and found my father there. When he saw me, he looked a little panicked, and started looking me over to see if I had any injuries. Once he was convinced I was fine, he gave me a huge hug, and I felt so safe in his embrace. I felt protected, and respected. But most of all, I felt loved. Very little compares to a loving father's hug when the world seems pitted against you.

After eating some food I did indeed return to my bedroom, and slept again. But sleep is not a true refuge. Lies can be laid, Truths twisted and turned. Nothing is bad, nothing is good. There is no right or wrong, there is no correct or false. Everything simply is when you sleep; your subconscious takes control, but believes itself a spectator. That night, my dreams were haunted, my conjured visions a fright. I dreamt of everything that could have happened. My aim was off. I was too late. Touya and Kero-chan were unable to react in time. I was there alone. I died alone. My dreams kept making frightening turns, and every twist made it harder to watch, harder to see, but made it impossible, impossible, to look away. Just as my dreams began to terrify me, with images of my brother and friends dead, a sudden calm shattered the fear and apprehension. I looked up at my surroundings and found myself in the park, with mist surrounding me.

"There, there Sakura-chan. You know that we would never allow you to see something so scary."

I could not help but to cry when Yukito-san's voice rang through the air and his arms enclosed my small frame in an embrace. Yukito-san, born under the moon's alignment, was blessed with the moons powers; the strongest one being the ability to walk through dreams. Whenever I have had nightmares, Yukito-san always appears to calm my mind, and clear my soul. Some how, he always knows when I need his help, and he has always come to my aid.

Yukito-san asks me to tell him why I am dreaming such scary things and I explain to him that so much could have gone wrong when I suddenly took charge. So much could have been lost, and so much blood could have been shed. I start crying as Yukito-san speaks to comfort me.

"All of that could have happened, but none of it did." I looked up to his face, as he wiped the tears from my cheeks "Never doubt your own ability little Cherry Blossom. When you have doubt in yourself, you are preparing yourself to fail. Yesterday, when everything was going on, you had complete confidence in your abilities, and everything turned out well. You said to that little girl, with out a hint of hesitation in your voice, 'Let's go get your brother' and that is exactly what you did. When you are confident in yourself, Sakura-chan, you are able to move mountains and part the oceans."

Even though he went of into the land of cliché, Yukito-san's words kept my heart calm and my mind from the terrors from moments before. This is why I had the crush on him for so long; he made me feel at ease. Yukito-san eventually departed, with strict orders that I was to dream of happy things. I wished him a good night, and settled myself down upon the dreamscape. The park had vanished as soon as Yukito-san did, but the soothing mist remained. I watched the mist, as it billowed up and down, to and fro, with a breeze that never existed. I was calm.

Maybe that's why the presence of another surprised me so.

It was a man, and he was quite tall, even taller than my brother. I could see his silhouette through the mist, and I knew he was aware of my presence as much as I was his.

"Who are you, little one, that you have wandered upon the dreamscape?"

His voice was calm and controlled but I could hear the concern in it. Normally, ordinary people are unable to enter the dreamscape; even attempting it can cause them tremendous pain. Yukito-san and I found out by chance that he was able to speak with me when we were both asleep, so long as he initiated our conversations.

"I was called, sir dream walker, by a member of your kin."

The man's shoulders relaxed as I told him this. If I had forced my way into this realm, it was a dream walker's duty to escort me out, though his face would never be revealed from behind the wall of mist.

"Little one, you appear to be versed enough in my kinfolk's lore; are you aware of the dream walker's claim?"

"Indeed sir dream walker." And versed I was. The dream walker's claim was the name by which they referred to themself. Names hold great power, so after their first walk in the dreamscape, the dream walkers would 'claim' a title for other beings of power to know them by. As such, dream walkers hold no fear of letting themselves be called, or having their titles given out. "The dream walker's claim is Snow Rabbit, sir dream walker."

The man hidden before me seemed to be considering what I had said. Eventually he nodded, and turned to leave before speaking a final time.

"I have made my claim little one, and it is The Judge. Should you meet with him again, I ask you to inform the Snow Rabbit that I would wish to meet with him myself."

This was not an odd or unusual request; Dream walkers are a rarity, so they often try to meet with the remaining members of their tribe. Yukito-san himself had tried to meet with others but, it never went well. I could help with that this time.

"I shall inform him when next we speak, and arrange for you to meet within this path."

'The Judge' observed our surroundings, before bowing gently to me, and fading through the mist. As the mist dispersed from the path way and I too, faded from the dreamscape, the scent of the night-blooming cereus filled my senses, before I fell into the sea of dreams.

I awoke on Monday at around the fifth hour. Not, however, by my own power, but by the ringing of the phone downstairs. I was not the only one to awaken, and after convincing my brother not to destroy the phone, my father gently picked it up, and answered. After a few minutes of quiet conversation my father replaced the phone in its cradle and sighed gently, as though a weight had been placed upon his shoulders.

"Fujitaka? Whatever is the matter?"

Mother's eyes had been full of concern until father returned her gaze. Her concern for my father turned into fear and worry, and she asked Touya and me to go upstairs until she called for us. Normally Touya would have objected, as would have I, but for some reason, we both knew that we did not want to partake in the conversation that our parents were about to follow.

Around an hour and a half later, mother called Touya and I downstairs. Touya was already heading down the stairs by the time I had opened my door and I saw that he had changed from his pj's into a pair of black jeans, a white long sleeved turtle neck, with a black jacket over it, normal clothes for a day intending to be spent with Yukito-san. As I quickly descended the stairs, I struggled to pull my maroon blazer over the shoulders of my black, knee-high school dress. I was just doing up the buttons when I reached the living room, and quickly took a seat on the window bay. Mother and Father were sitting on the sofa and Touya had placed himself upon the piano stool. Mother waited until we were both settled, before taking a deep steadying breath.

"I understand that both of you had things that you had to do today," mother began, and already I felt my breath hasten, as my pulse thrummed with renewed vigour "but I would really like you both to consider staying home for ..." mother trailed off, and I could feel myself panicking more and more. Mother appeared unable to continue so father did.

"The next few days. A week at most."

I felt my jaw drop and immediately went to protest, when Touya cut me off.

"If the both of you feel it is necessary, then both Sakura and I will stay home, but don't you feel an explanation is warranted?"

While I would find out why our parents were so suddenly freaked, I hated it how Touya decided that I would definitely stay home. I clenched my jaw shut, and willed my fists to unball from their self induced coils. Father sighed, and looked to mother for support but she just slowly nodded her head. Father returned his gaze to Touya and myself, and finally answered; his voice threaded with trepidation.

"Last night, we transported a rather dangerous man to one of our holding facilities. He has managed, however, to escape, severely injuring many of the guardians. Your mother and I are greatly worried that he will make an attempt on your lives, to greatly undermine the Black Bouquet. We have already sent some of the stronger guardians to hopefully restrain him and return him to a capable holding facility."

I love it how father can't bring himself to say prison or jailer. But that didn't make me feel any better with the proposition of staying home instead of going to school and being Touya-free for seven blissful hours.

"I understand that this guy is dangerous, but I would honestly feel just as safe at school as I would at home, seeing as how this guy would have little idea what I look like. I'll go to school and if anything happens, anything at all, I will come right home, okay?"

I wasn't proud to be begging my parents, especially in front of Touya, but if it meant I would get to go to school, I would fall to my knees with tears in my eyes, almighty prayer falling from my lips. I didn't have to go that far however, for mother's eyes lit up in thought; I WAS pretty much unknown outside of the Black Bouquet, and even then, I was only known as 'Hime' to outside ears. Mother agreed and Touya immediately started protesting. Father quickly removed himself to the kitchen away from the battle field. Mother and Touya were arguing so much, that neither noticed when I slipped out the front door; unescorted.

Freedom never felt so good.


The seven hours of bliss sadly ended, and as I left the building with Tomoyo-chan at my side, I prepared to be chewed out by Touya. A glance around, however, told me that my brother wasn't here, and I couldn't stop the smile that crawled up my lips. Tomoyo-chan was being picked up so I bid her a farewell, and then began the walk back to my home.

The street was oddly empty, seeing as school had just let out; normally the street was flooded with throngs of student running to wherever they wanted. Another gaze around my surroundings brought me to notice that no one was around, not even the elderly who lived in the area, and their visiting families.

I started getting a little creeped, and gently picked up my pace; I just wanted to be home now, Touya being there or not. There was a requirement that the Matriarchs home be magically protected from harm, and they work unless there is too much damage being done. Right now, I would feel really good to be behind those protected walls.

I heard footsteps behind me and nearly stopped, but training commanded I keep walking. The falls were heavy, and not too far apart, meaning my follower was likely male, slightly shorter than most, and had a defining body mass; bulk or muscle, either one could be bad. My mind flickered to the conversation this morning. I said that I would come right home, but if this guy was dangerous, he wouldn't stop at hurting me, he would try to hurt anyone at the house, Mother, Father, Touya, Yukito-san, Kero-chan, any visitors my parents might have been receiving. My house was on the street left of the fork. I had turned left every day of school for ten years.

This day, however, I turned right.

As I turned the corner, I began running, throwing all caution to the wind, and I heard my follower increase his pace. He lagged behind, his mass slowing him down compared to the speed my lissom form allowed, but this man had stamina, and though he was unable to match my pace, he was always at the edges of my senses, always close enough to still be a threat. I would have run forever if I could, and I have a feeling that this man would do so as well, but sprinting from an essential standstill was taking its toll; my muscles screaming in blind fury, my limbs feeling as heavy as lead. I had to stop, even for just a single moment to catch my breath. I felt that I should be able to do so before the man was upon me.

Alas, that I had been right.

The instant I stopped, hands with a grip of iron enclosed upon my neck. The breath I had been trying to catch was forced from my lungs immediately, with no air to replace it.

"Such a pretty little thing. And so pure, and strong. Why on earth would any one let you out alone?" The man's voice dripped with venom, his words coated in acid. His grip loosened just long enough for me to take a deep, soothing breath, before their hold on my neck returned and he spoke again "I should take you home, cutie, or else some thing terrible may happen. You never know when someone dangerous can appear on the streets."

The man chuckled at his own wit and applied just the smallest amount to pressure to my throat to make me cough; expelling the precious air I had gained moments earlier. His grip kept growing stronger, as he spoke more and more about how he would protect me, and make sure I was safe from the dangers of the world. My body began shutting down and my head was spinning, I was so deprived of air. The man loosened his grip a mere fraction, air sliding cool down my throat before he once again resumed his strangulation, robbing me of my breath.

Just as my vision began to darken, the grip upon my throat was totally removed, and I gulped greedily at the resource my lungs so desperately craved. By the time I was able to look up, a voice, new to the scene but well-known to my heart, was rousing my mind from the fog that was covering it.

"There, there Hime." The voice lulled "Just take deep breaths and relax. We've got the situation under control."

I couldn't help the smile that crossed my features, nor the grateful tone in my voice but I had no desire to stop either. "Thank you Fai-san. Thank you so much."

Fai-san chuckled, and gently brushed off my gratitude. "That thanks belongs to Kuro-myuu, Hime. He's the one who noticed the absence spell covering the street and demanded that we investigate. It's a good thing too; I didn't even sense the spell, and I almost convinced him to just pass the street by. He'll never tell you this though, because he's so shy an-"

Fai-san was suddenly cut off, because Kurogane-san had hit him on the back of his head, telling him not to spout such rubbish. I couldn't help but chuckle at the two of them. Fai-san is tall, very thin, pale and longish blond hair with pretty blue eyes. He joined the Black Bouquet a few years ago, and was marked with a Freesia bloom; they represent innocence, and Fai-san took it because he wanted to be part of the gang's innocence. Fai-san is another special case where an outsider male chose their own flower and did not have a previous tattoo covered; Fai-san and his brother Yui-san are both part of a family that marks the children as soon as they are five. Fai-san had an elaborate phoenix imparted on his back, and I heard that Yui-san had a tiger. Yui-san married into the gang and had his flower marked on the tiger's forehead. He introduced Fai-san to the gang, and Fai-san wanted in, getting his flower marked into the phoenix's beak. My mother decided to make an exception to the tattoo rule, because neither got their tattoo from another gang.

Kurogane-san is taller than Fai-san and has short, black hair that naturally spikes on the top of his head. His eyes are cinnamon red, a hereditary thing from his family, and he has dark tanned skin for all his time out in the sun. Kurogane-san has been with us since birth, and was marked with a Gladiolus, which represent the strength of a warrior. Kurogane-san is a master of the sword, and he has a few in his collection; Ginryuu the silver dragon and remnant of his father, Ryuuga the Dragon Fang a gift from a training friend, and Sohi the Blue Ice, purchased during his travels, are three that I know of. Right now, Kurogane-san was wearing Ginryuu at his waist and was dragging the man who attacked me by the unconscious man's ear.

The two of them continued arguing and my chuckles turned into laughter; you'd never know, looking at the two of them, that they're an item of two years. When my laughter broke out, the two of them stopped arguing, and Fai-san picked me up and gave me a piggy-back, saying it was time to take me home. I liked that idea very much.


As we came into view of my house, we saw Touya leaning against the fence with Yukito-san. Yukito-san saw me first and immediately ran to where we were before helping me off of Fai-san's back. Touya wondered what was going on before seeing Kurogane-san dragging a man behind him.

"What happened?"

Fai-san started chuckling and Kurogane-san growled slightly before answering.

"This freak here accosted the princess." Kurogane-san lifted the man by his ear indicating who he was talking about "So we brought her home, Waka."

Kurogane-san, Yukito-san and I are the only ones who can call Touya 'Waka' without him trying to hurt us. Yukito-san because they are partners, me because we are siblings, and Kurogane-san because he would tear Touya apart without breaking a sweat. Waka, the Japanese word for prince, was applied to Touya for a while, but people started making fun of him with it and it made Touya angry, so it had to be stopped altogether before Touya hurt someone. Yukito-san some times calls Touya that just because it gets my brothers attention without fail, I say it to show my brother that he is being annoying, and Kurogane-san calls my brother prince because he knows that Touya wants to strike, but will not do so.

This time however, Touya had stopped listening after hearing I was attacked. He immediately started checking me for injuries and cursed when he found a bruise adorning my neck, where the man had gripped tightly. Father came out at that exact moment and literally whisked me inside to my mother; it happened so fast that one instant I was outside, the next I was being hugged to death by my mother. Father had also sent Touya and Yukito-san in so that he could talk to Kurogane-san and Fai-san alone about what had happened. Yukito-san had managed to get into the kitchen and made me some tea, and I told him about the Judge wanting to meet him. Yukito-san was excited by the prospect of meeting another dream walker, and started smiling. As I was sipping the bitter-sweet liquid that had a wonderful numbing effect on my sore, aching oesophagus, Touya started banging his head on the wall. Mother was surprised by his sudden act and demanded an explanation.

"I was going to pick Kaiju up from school today, but I totally forgot and she got hurt because of it! Because I forgot, Sakura could have been hurt way worse then she was! What if Kurogane-san and Fai-san hadn't passed by? What if they had just kept walking past? Sakura could be in any number of troubles and pains! And it would all be my fault because-!"

A sharp kick to the shins shut Touya up, and I could feel myself growl at his stupidity. Remembering how I had been feeling last night and watching my brother put that on himself made me irritated, so I gave him a swat on his head before I started speaking.

"Touya, you forgot; get over it! There is no telling what could have happened today! This guy may have come after me even if you were there, maybe he was armed; I don't know I was almost unconscious when Fai-san and Kurogane-san saved me. There is no telling what could have happened if you were there and there is no telling what else may have happened before I got rescued, or even if I was rescued at all!"

I could tell that my words were deeply affecting Touya as his face became more distraught, but I had a point to make, and damn it, I was going to make it!

"There is no telling what sort of risks we all face every single day, just because we are alive! People get murdered as they sleep; others are killed by a car as they cross the road! If this guy didn't come after me today, would that stop him from coming tomorrow? You face the same risks as I do every single day, Touya! You know as well as I that there is no way to prevent the risks from being there! All we can do is our best, and pray that we are strong enough to pull through whatever pain we fall under."

Touya had raised his head to look me straight in the eyes, but I could barely see him because I had started crying. I hated it when my brother decided that my foolishness was his fault; Mother and Father had asked that I stay home today, and I had declined. Yet here was my brother blaming himself. I swatted the back of his head again before I went upstairs to my room. I heard him come after me and I locked my door; ignoring it as he pounded on the wood that protected my sanctuary. I went to my bed and cried further.


A while later, I was not aware of the time, I heard a gentle knocking at my door, and Kurogane-san's gruff voice asking admittance. Kurogane-san was one of the few people I know who would speak completely honestly with everyone, while still keeping a complete level of respect with everyone of a higher status to himself. I unlocked my door and opened it wide enough for him to enter. Kurogane-san walked over to my window as I re-seated myself on my bed, and he began speaking.

"Fujitaka-dono has told me that you were informed of the escapee?" I nodded my head in confirmation "The man who escaped was recaptured about two hours ago, and is not the same who attacked you; that guy is a wanted serial pervert who makes his attacks after essentially stalking a victim for a week and then casting spells to ensure he has privacy, which is why he has only just been captured." I nodded again, this time in understanding that I had been incredibly lucky today not to have been raped or killed by that man. "I was voted to be the one to tell you; no clue why."

"Because you don't mince words, and don't pull punches with anyone for any reason." I couldn't help but smile at that fact. "Touya would just tell me that everything's been taken care of, Yukito-san would tell me that the ordeal is being looked after. Fai-san would tell me that the bad man is being sent some where to become good with his random sweet kiddie voice and mother and father would just tell me not to worry. Kurogane-san, you tell me the truth as you understand it."

Kurogane-san blushed a little at my comment but kept his face as stoic as normal.

"Meh, I wasn't raised a liar or a manipulator. Speaking of Waka, however" a malicious little smirk crossed Kurogane-san's features and he looked at me in amusement "what's this I hear about you totally chewing him out?"

I couldn't help the smirk from rising onto my own face so I told him what had happened. Kurogane-san burst out laughing; clearly enjoying the idea of Touya being lectured by his junior of seven years, and I joined him in laughter. After we had both calmed down, Kurogane invited me to his next sword exhibition, and I immediately responded that I would go. Kurogane-san is among the best when it comes to sword skills, and I love watching him practice. He had even trained me in sword play for a while, before I had trouble keeping up with the lessons. Kurogane-san's exhibitions happened once a month, and were always highly looked upon; he would display his talents, and explain how simple moves and combinations are done. At the very end, he would invite anyone from the audience to challenge him. Sword masters from all over the land mass came, Chinese or Japanese origin meant nothing in the realm of the blade.

Kurogane-san gentle nodded his head before taking his leave with a pat on my head. He closed the door behind him and I spread out on top of my sheets. I was looking forward to the next exhibition.


The exhibition was on the Friday of the week. Touya had diligently been there to both drop me off and pick me up from school. While I was vocally annoyed that he was being so protective, I was internally grateful to have his presence at my side, and was not going to complain because he was allowing me to go to the exhibition. On Friday, before he dropped me off, Touya told me that Kero-chan would be picking me up and would be taking me straight to the dojo Kurogane-san would be demonstrating at. I packed some extra clothes in my schoolbag and texted Kero-chan to let him know I would change before I left school.

When the day had ended, I changed from my dress and blazer into a pair of black jeans with flares covering some black boots with an inch high heel (that Tomoyo-chan bought for me) and a black long-sleeved shirt that had pastel pink cherry blossoms on it. As I exited the school building, I heard a lot of the girls fawning, and most of the guys grumbling; everyone of them forming a crowd by the school gate.

Forcing my way through so I could see what was going on, I couldn't help but smirk when I was suddenly hugged, causing every nearby girl to be shocked into silence. Kero-chan had come to pick me up as promised, and had done so in style.

A two seater motorcycle stood slightly to my right, and I could tell that Kero-chan was going to treat his baby well. The bike's body was black with gold runes littering the surface. Kero-chan loved motorcycles second only to food, and only ever accepted the best when it came to either. Kero-chan had also dressed for the occasion, wearing black slacks and shoes, with a golden Chinese robe over his shoulders, black runes to match those on the bike. Kero-chan had pulled his shoulder-length hair into a slick pony tail at his nape. After detaching himself from me, Kero-chan walked over to his bike and pulled two helmets out of its storage space under the seat. As expected, Kero-chan's helmet was black with gold runes for the bike; mine however, was black with pale pink cherry blossoms.

I think Kero-chan may have briefly obtained precognition.

After earning a few glares and jealous looks from the members of my school, I pulled the helmet over my head and fastened it properly, before hoisting myself over the seat of the bike and cuddled up to Kero-chan; we needed to leave soon as we were drawing a crowd.

"You ready back there, Hime?" Kero-chan hadn't yet pulled his own helmet on, but proceeded when I nodded in assent. Strangers were starting to watch on the streets and Kero-chan had finally noticed, so as soon as his helmet was on, Kero-chan's bike roared to life, and we hastily exited the grounds with Kero-chan lifting the bike into a wheelie, simply for amusements sake.

As we tore through the streets, I felt a nagging sensation at the edges of my senses; something I should have noticed or something. But I hadn't a clue what it may have been.

Kero-chan slowed the bike as we began to get near the dojo, and had stopped it literally outside the dojo's doors. I slid of the bike seat and headed inside while Kero-chan went to properly park his bike otherwise it would be towed. As I entered the hall I took off my helmet, and looked around the hall; it was among the larger venues Kurogane-san had chosen to demonstrate at, and it was nicely lit. I could already see the seating for the audience though I was a bit early, and was earning a few curious glances from the dojo's students. Before I could start panicking, however, Fai-san suddenly appeared and attached himself to me in his rendition of a hug; the draping quality that really only worked with the height difference between him and Kurogane-san.

The dojo's students seemed to relax about my presence, after all, Kurogane-san was among the strongest men alive, and many would do anything to be in Fai-san's position. If Fai-san was willing to essentially glomp someone, then it must be someone that Kurogane-san approved of. I ended up meeting up with Kurogane-san too, and we talked about what he would be showing today, which sword he would use. Kero-chan caught up with us, and chatted a bit too, before we all noticed the time, and the huge audience waiting to see Kurogane-san's techniques.

Kurogane-san started off how he normally does, basic technique and form, before he started delving into the deeper and more complex moves that a true swordsman could use with ease; his favourite being the Hama ryu ojin. After showing several more techniques, Kurogane-san finally called out.

"Are there any challengers? I promise that I won't intentionally kill anyone unless they are trying to kill me"

Several members of the audience looked greatly tempted, but the effects of the Hama ryu ojin was blatantly clear in the cleaved tree outside, and all turned down.

All except one.

"If it's a challenge you're after, I guarantee that this ought to be fun."

The challenger was a tall man, only slightly taller than Kurogane-san himself. He, too, was tanned but not as heavily. The challenger had deep blue eyes and very long black hair that was left completely unbound, as if he gave no thought to its existence, and was wearing a traditional brown travellers robe with a black cloth wrap. He was carrying a long sword, and much like Kurogane-san, he looked to be itching for a fight.

Kurogane-san took a look at the stranger and his eyes seemed to light up, as a smirk danced across his lips.

"I don't doubt that of the Greatest Guardian Warrior, Yasha of the North."

The man smirked and mumbled something about having to keep up with his reputation, causing many people in the audience to gaspand begin to clamour closer to get a better look. In China, the land is split into the north, south, east and west, and given a 'Guardian' to protect it. Yasha-san, one of the greatest members of the Lupine, was given the North to protect. It wasn't unusual that the guardians would go travelling and leave their duties to others, but very few had actually seen Yasha-san during his travels. We were among the few.

"It's not every day I get to have a bout with my favourite living legend, so do your best to keep up."

"I can only hope that the rumours about you ring true, Young Dragon of the Eastern Plain. I would hate to be disappointed by one I may call an adversary."

Several members of the audience fainted, because it is rare to see two great warriors together like this, it is rarer to see them fight, and it is rarer still to hear them give genuine compliments to one another. The fight began with baited breaths, and soon exploded into a dance of swords, sweat and skill. The match somehow ended up outside, and the audience was in a frenzy to see everything possible; I ended up being pushed out of the main path way and tripped, falling to the ground. I never hit the ground though, as at the last second, I was caught and held inches from the floor.

"That was close. Are you okay?"

I looked up towards the origin of the gentle voice, an octave lower than sweet, but higher than it being baritone and found myself staring at a beautiful young man with long, shiny black hair swept up into a pony tail sitting at the top of his head, and kind golden eyes that reminded me so much of Kero-chan's. I smiled in gratitude and thanked the young man for his assistance.

"Nah, no need to thank me. I saw you get pushed, and Yasha always says that if you can help someone innocent, then help someone innocent. My name is Ashura by the way; what is yours?"

"Thank you none-the-less for your help Ashura-chan, and I'm-"

I was cut off by the sudden clash of swords echoing throughout the hall, and then again by Kero-chan.

"Hime! You have got to come see this, it is so cool!"

"You're called Hime?"

I blushed at the question and was about to explain that it was a nickname, when Ashura-chan continued speaking.

"It suits you; you are as pretty, kind and loving as a princess."

I stuttered out a thank you while blushing heavily. Ashura-chan chuckled lightly before taking my hand and pulling me out to where the match continued. It truly was amazing and was as sword play was meant to be; play.

But all good things must come to an end.

The display ended with Ashura-chan glancing at the clock in the hall before suddenly gasping and calling out to his companion.

"YASHA! We're gonna be late!"

Yasha-san totally froze for about five seconds while his eyes suddenly grew very wide. He then lost his battle stance and bowed to Kurogane-san in a sign of respect while Kurogane-san (despite being confused) returned the gesture

"I am very sorry to have cut this challenge short, but duty calls, and if I wish to keep my head, I shall need to heed the call being made. We shall resume another day however."

"I look forward to it greatly."

Both men looked at each other with an evil smirk, before sheathing their swords. I couldn't help but notice that Yasha-san's sheath seemed to appear from a glow of fireflies, before it was attached to his waist.

"I'm really sorry, but we have to go now. I hope that we can talk again soon, Hime-chan!"

Ashura-chan gave me a quick hug before running after Yasha-san, who had already begun to leave. As the audience slowly began to depart after helping to clear a little bit of the damage the duel caused, I found my attention being drawn to that nagging feeling at the edges of my senses again. It wasn't dangerous but it was constantly there, like the buzz you get when your foot falls asleep. I knew that it didn't relate to Yasha-san or Ashura-chan because the feeling faded while they were there, but reappeared as soon as they departed. It had me worried.

What was I missing?

Finished. This one was a really long chapter. Fourteen pages in Word. It would have been up sooner but the login thing wasn't working so I had to wait for it to be fixed.

As previously mentioned, many of CLAMP's works will be integrated or made mention of, depending on my addictions at the time. Yasha-ou and Ashura-chan were supposed to appear last chapter but I instead brought them in here, and Kurogane and Fai featured here too. This chapter was under the heavy influences of CLAMP; containing trace amounts of Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle and RG Veda. Tell me if you like or dislike chapter and how I can improve upon further chapters okay?

Toodles and Love

Oky Verlo