The following afternoon, Danny and Maria are in the Magister's throne room, having delivered the Elemental Crystals and Captain Aquila Kawaguchi to the custody of the Shang Tu Royal Palace.

"For the second time within a year, a great evil has risen to threaten this world," the Magister speaks. "And for the second time, evil has been defeated and driven from our lands. On behalf of Shang Tu, I thank all five of you for all that you have done."

"We were simply correcting our earlier failure, Your Excellency," Danny humbly counters.

"That may be true, but it does not diminish your achievements; as promised, I have wiped your criminal records clean," the Magister assures. "Though I suspect it will not be long before they become dirty again," he adds with a trace of amusement.

"Stealing is fun!" Maria chirps. "Sorry," she adds a moment later in embarrassment.

"Apology accepted," the Magister nods.

"How's Sally?" Danny asks.

"Recovering well, all things considered," the Magister assures. "It'll be a while yet before she resumes her duties, but she's improving daily. If you wish, you can go see her; she's in the infirmary."

"Thank you, Your Excellency," Danny bows; he then turns and dashes out of the throne room without a moment's hesitation.

The Magister turns to Maria. "If I may inquire, where are Hanna, Rob, and Xander?"


In the Kasai-dojo's Grand Master's quarters, Rob paces fretfully, awaiting news of Hanna's condition.

"Please my friend, sit and relax," Hideyoshi requests softly. "I have my best medics working around the clock; your partner is in safe hands."

"I know," Rob sighs. "And I thank you for what you are doing for both of us."

"I am replaying the debt I accumulated while under Aquila's control," Hideyoshi explains. "It is the least I can do."

"It's a shame the other Grand Masters aren't so honourable," Rob mutters.

"Ryoichi is apathetic, Tsubaki vicious, and the less said about Kaede, the better," Hideyoshi agrees. "But you do Chika a grave disservice. In fact, she's the reason we brought Hanna here instead of Mizu-dojo; she recognises our medical facilities are better. Plus, it gives her some time alone with Xander; it seems they've developed quite the connection."

"Hmm."

"You don't approve?"

"Hm? No, it's not that, it's just… Well, they do say 'there's no such thing as a selfless act'."

"Very true," Hideyoshi chuckles politely. "But that does not diminish the honour she has shown."

"Agreed." Instinctively, Rob cocks the pistol he's holding. "Thanks for procuring this muscle relaxant for me," he remarks.

"My pleasure," Hideyoshi smiles. "Though you still haven't explained why you-"

Suddenly, the main door bursts open so hard it's torn from its hinges; immediately following is an incandescent vixen in a green hospital gown, teeth bared, claws at full extension, tail puffed out to twice its normal size. "Hideyoshi Takenaka, you have a lot of explaining to do!" Hanna bellows.

That's why. "Is she normally like this?" Hideyoshi nervously asks a very relieved Rob.

"Only with people that kidnap or try to kill her," Rob assures, placing himself between Hanna and Hideyoshi; he aims the pistol at the vixen. "Don't worry; while I'm here, you'll be safe. Just one question: do you have any sports tape?"

"As much as you need," Hideyoshi confirms. "Why?"

Rob fires the pistol; the dart strikes Hanna in the thigh; a few moments later, she collapses limp as the powerful muscle relaxant takes hold of her. "For when that wears off," Rob answers.


"And that is the whole story," Hideyoshi concludes. "I hope you can understand why we did what we did."

Hanna, laid on the sofa and wrapped shoulder to ankle in sports tape, thinks for a moment. "Yes, I understand. And if I'm honest, I don't blame you; given what I did when I let myself be seduced by the powers of the Fire Crystal…" Hanna pauses to gather herself. "I think we can put this all behind us. Now, can you please unwrap me?"

"Are you going to behave?" Rob asks, unable to hide a sly smile.

"I'll get myself out then!" Hanna declares. Her struggles are in vain however; her thrashing and twisting simply causes her to roll off the sofa and onto the floor, landing with a thump and a yelp. "OK, so I can't get myself out," she sighs. "Can I be put back on the sofa?"

"Are you going to fall off again?" Rob teases.

"Fine, I'll stay on the floor," Hanna sighs. "Can I have a pillow or a cushion at least?"

"Sure," Rob agrees; he fetches a cushion from the sofa and places it under Hanna's head. "Better?"

"A little. When are you going to unwrap me?"

"Soon enough."

"Are you sure you should be teasing her?" Hideyoshi asks Rob.

"You don't spend a lot of time around couples, do you?" Hanna asks Hideyoshi, smiling in amusement. "Anyway, I'm used to it. The teasing that is, not the wrapping. At least I'm comfortable now."

"It's all in good spirits," Rob adds, sitting on the sofa. "I was also going to propose the day she was kidnapped," he adds a moment later.

"And I was going to say 'yes'," Hanna smiles to Rob. "Though proposing on the fourth anniversary is a bit cheesy," she teases.

"Seemed like a good idea at the time," Rob smiles back.

"Well, now you two have put me in a rather interesting position," Hideyoshi remarks. "At first, I was going to insist you stay another couple of days to ensure Hanna is fully recovered. But now I have to insist you stay for a week so I can make up for being complicit in ruining your anniversary."

"I'll admit, taking time to relax and recharge sounds tempting; Hanna?" Rob asks.

"Do I have to spend the whole time wrapped up?" Hanna replies.

"That's up to you," Rob winks.

"I can always say 'no'…" Hanna teases.

"OK, I'll unwrap you," Rob chuckles; with the tip of his sai, he makes quick work of freeing Hanna.

"Ah, much better!" Hanna sighs in relief. "You'd be surprised how hot you get in that stuff," she adds as she stands. "And if we're having a romantic week for two, courtesy of our former enemy, I need a shower and proper clothes; green is so not my colour!"

"I think a skater dress in midnight blue would look good," Rob teases.

"Honey, take it from me, you ain't got the legs for it," Hanna flirts cheekily back.