Author's notes: Phew. Had some surprise!stumbles I had to work out before I felt comfortable posting again.

Warning: Umm... politics!

It's amazing, it's amazing all that you can do
It's amazing, it makes my heart sing
Now it's up to you

Patience, now, frustration's in the air
And people who don't care
Well it's gonna get you down
And you'll fall (fall)
Yes you will hit a wall
But get back on your feet
And you'll be stronger and smarter

—Excerpt from "It's Amazing" by Jem

Kneeling on aching joints, Wakaba was shaking from the effort to maintain the powerful wards on Watari's lab. Enma's Enforcers were so close to breaking through…

If only she could have reached Kotaro and Kojiro. They would have helped her even if her access codes no longer worked.

A bright flash of a Gate opening and closing and the creak of Watari moving from the chair caused Wakaba's concentration to falter, and that was enough for Enma's Enforcers to finish off her seal and pour in through the door.

She fell forward onto her hands, drenched in sweat. A simple paper charm keyed to her signature easily sealed what was left of her power.

"Stop," A baritone voice commanded.

Nobody moved or breathed, other than Watari who crouched next to her. "Wakaba-chan, are you alright?"

She couldn't move.

"I don't think he meant you, Wakaba-chan."

Immediately she sucked down air and looked at Watari shakily. He didn't realize just who he'd brought back as he smiled at her and said, "It's going to be alright."

"Tell your master that I have returned," the man said to Enma's servants as he stepped forward. He wore only a pair of form-fitting pants, his rich black hair coiled and braided to keep from touching the ground.

"Tou-touda," Wakaba stuttered in amazement, staring at the man with barely contained dread.

"Touda?!" Watari exclaimed, his head whipping up.

The man paused and turned his crimson gaze on her. With a simple gesture, the seal on her shoulder lifted and burned away. "Your service as Gatekeeper has ended, Wakaba Kannuki. I would advise against acting rashly."

Dropping her eyes to the floor, she nodded.

"Watari Yutaka, I have an old dispute to settle. If you value your existence, do not follow me."

Watari swallowed his questions down, taking the warning to heart as the man-shaped Hell-Serpent exited.

The scientist bent down to help his fellow shikigami up. "If he's Touda, why isn't he in his shikigami form?"

"He's not a shikigami. He…he has to be summoned to take the form, and then once summoned it was only at your peril." Wakaba exhaled a shudder. "I don't know what he is. Some other Gatekeeper was in charge of that secret."

"Do you know what he meant by 'old dispute'?"

"He was tricked out of the Mantle of Judgment and cast into Gensoukai. Now that Touda's back…" She looked pointedly at the computer screen, remembering how he returned. "There's no telling what will become of us."

"Are you saying there was a successful coup against Enma?!"

Looking at Watari uneasily, Wakaba nodded. "Whoever wears the Mantle becomes Enma. That was my secret to safeguard."

"How long ago… No, I already know that." Watari mused, "… So, if Touda was the Enma up to the Kamakura Age, then who replaced him and why?"

"It was never confirmed, but the legend goes that there was a demon that was once his lover. This demon stole his Mantle and cast him into Gensoukai."

Watari sat back heavily on the ground, not understanding why the imposter Enma had allowed Mother's existence and all those experiments on human souls. But now it made sense why the current Enma would make deals with minions of hell being demon as well.

"Tell me anything else you know," he demanded.

Tatsumi stood in the doorway of the Summons Section, watching Enma's servants scurry from Watari's lab, notably without Watari or Wakaba. Not long after, a tanned, well-built man strolled out.

Tatsumi frowned. There was something very familiar about the abnormal heat that filled the hallway. He reached up to loosen his tie.

The shirtless stranger stopped and turned towards him, scrutinizing the Shadow User as one would a horse.

"I beg your pardon?" With his best stony expression, Tatsumi managed a civil tone. He was infinitely glad that the rookie had wandered into the general office and hadn't seen the intense inspection Tatsumi had just suffered through. "I don't believe you're authorized to be here."

A smile curled those lips, and the stranger lifted his splayed hand towards the floor.

Almost immediately, the shadows responded to this man, humming. They seeped from their dark nooks and hidden crannies, pressing against the man's hand like an earnest cat looking for a good backrub.

The man examined Tatsumi's features again, petting the shadows. "I assure you, Shadow User, I rightfully belong here," the deep voice answered, "And it is most pleasing to me that you've remembered your oath of service."

Something inside of Tatsumi unwound, and he blinked feeling heat creep to his ears as if he'd drunk an entire bottle of saké.

Harrumphing, Tatsumi adjusted his glasses, silently calling the reluctant shadows—shadows that were tied to his soul—to return to him. He was greatly unnerved by their reluctance to return to him and his general reaction to this… person. It was unlikely that he could win a fight over the shadows if they preferred this stranger's touch.

"Who's that I heard, Tatsumi?" The rookie's bright voice asked cheerfully, reappearing by his shoulder. "Oo! Eye candy!" Before Tatsumi could stop him, Sachiya had taken multiple pictures in rapid succession. He cried out when his newest camera began to melt and smoke, dropping it on the ground. "What the—"

The stranger flicked his red eyes at Sachiya, giving him a far briefer look-over. With a dismissive snort, he continued down the hall towards the Audience Chambers.

"Well, that wasn't very nice," Sachiya said uneasily glancing at his camera, and then looked up at Tatsumi. "So, I suppose Enma is real cozy with demons? I mean, I'm here because of a demon-deal…"

Tatsumi felt a little dazed. "Demon? Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I got to see them all the time when I was… you know, in Hell. It's a good thing you didn't try to fight him. I can tell that that guy's definitely on par with Lucifer. Could be a nephew or cousin, but I don't recognize him." Sachiya trailed off from the blanched look on Tatsumi's face. "Are you okay, Tatsumi?"

Brushing past the clueless rookie, Tatsumi grabbed the office phone from the desk, pressing the emergency speed-dial. "Level 1 alert. We have a breach from an unknown demon. Dispatch any available Demon Slayers." Tatsumi hardly listened to the operator on the other end say that most of them were on missions. "Get them here. Now."

The next day, after the long, ritualistic Wake, Nagare was quite ready to return home. He was saddened by the loss of life, but he hadn't felt so physically well in ages and wished to do more than remain cooped up in this world.

Katsujin Kenichi seemed just as eager to be gone if the way he had shifted foot to foot during the ceremony was any indication of his impatience.

Now, they were enjoying one last feast before the shinigami accompanied them back to the real world.

The door banged open.

The hall quieted to see who had entered. A strange, glasses-wearing man in elaborate robes held a bundle carefully with his hands.

"Rikugo!" His son's partner wearing green called out, hopping to his feet to greet the new shikigami in their midst.

"That guy's supposed to be able to see time-space as it truly is, when all six of his eyes are open," Katsujin commented.

Nagare nodded to acknowledge the remark, but was curious as to why the shikigami had made such a showy entrance.

"What's this?" Tsuzuki asked plaintively as the bundle was pushed into his hands. He made a noise as he unwrapped the moving, red shape. "It's adorable!"

Immediately, every single one of Tsuzuki's Summons removed themselves from the large long-table and crowded around him and the red creature.

"Hand him to me, Tsuzuki," Sohryuu demanded with a rough voice.

With a confused expression, Tsuzuki passed the red salamander to Sohryuu. "Is he dangerous?"

"No, he's too young," Suzaku answered firmly.

"Then…" Tsuzuki asked questioningly to his shikigami.

"I'm glad you're back," Byakko cooed at the tiny bundle.

"You mean, this is Kurikara?" Hisoka's curious voice sounded out.

"Kurikara?!" Katsujin squawked out, suddenly on his feet. "Let me see!"

Kouchin and Hisoka parted, so one more could gawk at the brilliantly frilled fire salamander.

"Right now he's cute, but in a few weeks that will change," Kouchin stated, remembering the epic poems of trouble from the Dragon King's youth.

"Yes, he'll be running around setting things on fire before you know it," Genbu chortled out.

"Our little resident arsonist," Rikugo agreed.

"Tenkuu will have to be fire-proofed," Suzaku groused.

The building grumbled at that.

Ken couldn't help snickering. "Is he really that much of a hellion?"

"Worse, much worse," Genbu answered gravely, "However, so long as he is acclimated to water at this stage, KurikaraRyuOh will be manageable later on. Sohryuu will make sure of that."

They turned to see how gently the Blue Dragon managed the salamander, who squeaked in protest to be held in the Dragon's chilly hands.

"Here, I'll hold him," Byakko offered.

Sohryuu shot the White Tiger a nasty look as he continued to carefully hold the squirming, biting bundle.

"Master," Tenkuu quickly interjected, "Pardon the interruption. Three delegations are seeking admittance for a formal audience with the four Guardians. They also politely asked for the attendance of both yourself and Kurosaki Hisoka."

"Business calls then," Tsuzuki looped an arm around his smaller partner.

"Riko, standing orders, got it?" Hisoka barked out over his shoulder.

"Aye, aye, Master!" She giggled and re-attached herself to both Humans.

Ken groaned, having quite enjoyed not being the center of her world for the morning. It had been horrifying enough when she'd followed them into their bath last night.

"You are aware that we're fully grown men!" He yelled after the diminutive blond shikigami who disappeared out the door after the four Guardians.

"You don't like my company?" Riko whined unhappily.

Ken witnessed the most pathetic look he'd ever seen, but before he could apologize Nagare said, "That was a barb towards my overprotective son, little one, though a little space would be appreciated."

"Oh!" She hopped over the bench and took a step back. "Is that far enough?"

Ken almost pointed at the vase about ten feet away and told her to move there, but Nagare answered first.

"Yes, thank you," Nagare said graciously.

Leaning against his hand, Ken sighed, wishing he had been invited to these delegations. He was so bored.

Two Elders of the Tengu, Sojobo and Houkibo, with their trademark hooked noses awaited them at a long table set before Sohryuu's throne. Adjacent to them sat a large, white-and-gray hei hei resplendent in purple and blue silks lined with silver sequins. Beside the winged cat sat a tall woman with furry ears, familiar face markings, and black, braided hair. By her sat…

"Terazuma!" Tsuzuki exclaimed in surprise. "You're back to normal!"

Their coworker grinned with his crooked teeth, sticking a finger in his totally normal ears as if to clean it. "'Course I am." Terazuma gave Hisoka a long look. "You've changed too, kid. Where'd you get the fancy weapons?"

Flushing, Hisoka with his nail-free hands lightly touched the harness that held his arrows and the sheath for the knife. He'd learned from sleeping last night that if he stopped cradling the bow in the crook of his arm it'd turn back into cumbersome fingernails. "I've learned some techniques."

Tsuzuki clapped his shoulder. "Hisoka's part shikigami."

Terazuma's eyebrows raised. "I had heard dragons had a thing for long hair."

Overhearing this, Sohryuu snorted, but did not intervene in his Master's conversation.

Self-consciously, Hisoka reached back to the carefully tied ponytail and scowled. "I'm not part-dragon. I just haven't gotten around to cutting it."

The shikigami beside Terazuma chuffed.

Hisoka blinked at her.

"Hey, I'm not jealous of the kid's hair!" Terazuma growled at the woman.

"Are you Kuro-chan?" Tsuzuki asked curiously.

She waved a quick salute with a throaty 'aah!' sound.

"Who else would she be, dog-brain?" Terazuma asked nastily.

"It was an honest—!" Tsuzuki raised his voice before he was cut short.

"Let us stay to the matter at hand, Shinigami. We are here for business," the hei hei spoke loudly. She, for the voice of the growly hei hei was feminine, gestured a purple-sleeved white paw towards Sohryuu. "Has the Hei Hei King's predictions come to fruition then?"

"Yes! Reveal FuDouMyou's reincarnation to us!" Houkibo demanded.

Kagan KokuShungei's ears perked up with deep interest as well.

Sohryuu raised his hand showing the salamander to them, before covering it again with his sleeve. "Why were the Four Guardians not told of the Hei Hei King's vision?"

"Would you really have believed that the sons of Hosogyokumon would knit the factions dividing us?" Sojobo asked rhetorically, glancing towards Hisoka.

Sohryuu's face soured, but did not reply the obvious.

"So," Genbu said gruffly, "the Hei Hei Royalty and Clergy finally agree to let bygones be bygones and become the Four Guardians' allies against Chaos."

"What are your terms for such a harmonious arrangement, Holy Mother?" Suzaku asked directly.

"Release the prisoners of war from the Desert Prison," the hei hei responded easily, "and provide a sponsor who can return the Kagan tribe to their glory in the Ephemeral Forest."

"The first will be done, since I believe no others object," The Blue Dragon answered, looking to the other three Guardians, who nodded their approval. "For the second proposition… I am unavailable."

Genbu chortled. "I'm too old for this mission, and Suzaku will be useful in teaching the fire-breather some control." He pointed the knot of his stick at Byakko. "Byakko will go."

Unhappy with this sudden announcement at becoming responsible for KurikaraRyuOh'seducation, Suzaku ground her teeth well aware of the sensitive negotiations they were currently in and unable to vent her discontent.

Not bothered at all that he'd been volunteered without his permission, Byakko broke out into a grin, "That sounds like fun!"

"Will that suffice?" Sohryuu asked the hei hei.

She nodded sagely. "On behalf of my Queen and King, I accept these arrangements."

"Then, the sole representative of the Kagan tribe was here initially to petition Kurikara's pardon?" Genbu mused.

The furry-eared woman nodded.

"She wants permission to seek evidence in Kurikara's innocence in the murder of Byakko's former incarnation even if the deaths caused by his rage cannot be pardoned," Terazuma said in a professional tone.

Having moved towards the Lioness, Genbu raised his gnarled hand. "That I can provide. Tenkuu, show the evidence that Kagan KokuShungei desires."

The lights dimmed and a projection appeared on the wall. Sound emanated from the stone as the fighting scene between Kurikara and Kijin replayed from thousands of years ago.

Stunned silence filled the room once the projection had ended. It was about this time that Hisoka wondered why they'd been invited to this gathering.

"Still," Sojobo murmured, "Kurikara was responsible for the death of our loved ones and the destruction of our precious lands and sacred knowledge when his rage grew out of control."

"But has he not paid the ultimate price in protecting our world from the First King's nefarious plots and the blood-traitor Kijin's madness?" The Holy Mother asked softly.

Houkibo snorted. "Our wounds are not so easily healed, my lady. It may take eons for us to forget our grudge. However, we will drop our charges of war reparations against FuDouMyou's newest incarnation, so long as he is taught tight control."

The three delegations looked to Sohryuu and then pointedly to Sohryuu's robes which had begun to smoke.

Terazuma snickered before he controlled himself.

Shooting the shinigami an annoyed look, Sohryuu summoned a mist to soak into the fabric before it could catch fire.

"So, the most esteemed Sojobo and Houkibo, you are here to end your neutrality with the Four Guardians, are you not?" Genbu's eyes gleamed mischievously.

"Our terms," Sojobo said slowly, "will require a more difficult request. We need your Master's cooperation."

Having also wondered what they were doing there, Tsuzuki exchanged a glance with Hisoka.

"What could Tsuzuki offer to you that we Four could not?" Suzaku asked curiously.

Sojobo raised a trailing eyebrow. "We will no longer cooperate as liaisons between Meifu and our world…"

"Until the link between our world and the mortal's living realm is restored," Houkibo finished gruffly.

"I see," Byakko grinned, "that's not something we can fix." Clapping a hand on Tsuzuki's shoulder, Byakko grinned. "Count on Tsuzuki to get it done!"

"Ummmmmm…." Tsuzuki winced. "I don't know what I could do…"

"Where do you think Touda has gone? Surely, you don't think he needed time away from you?" Genbu chortled.

"What do you mean he's gone?" Hisoka blurted out before Tsuzuki could say anything.

"He's escaped, when we were all busy with Hosogyokumon," Suzaku said with dawning horror, "with the restraints gone and his ability to connect with Tenkuu's mainframe, it would be easy for him to depart from this dimension…"

Slamming his cane down to stop the inevitable panic, Genbu tsked once. "As KurikaraRyuOh once said, Touda did not belong here. It was only a matter of time after he lost the shackles on his memory and power that he would escape."

"But the Golden Emperor said—" Suzaku started glancing towards Sohryuu.

"The Golden Emperor is no longer an ally of mine," Sohryuu stated evenly. "Though it's true he stopped Kurikara's fiery rampage when all seemed lost, the Golden Emperor is responsible for starting the War that has torn our world apart in the first place. He only saved us to keep another world's criminal here."

Since Tsuzuki seemed lost, Hisoka looked at Terazuma questioningly. He shrugged, not really following the conversation either.

"Another world's criminal…?" Tsuzuki repeated quietly. "What do you mean? I thought Touda was locked up for siding with Kurikara…"

Sohryuu shook his head. "It was partly that, but we were told he was cast into the Imaginary World to protect the living realm from his machinations. He had tried to overthrow the god of Judgment and failed despite his obscene amount of power."

A fist slammed down as the remaining member of the Kagan tribe shook her head firmly, growling.

Terazuma cocked his head. "Shit. She says that Touda was overthrown and cast into the Imaginary World to keep from retaking the Throne of Judgment."

The Holy Mother nodded. "That is what my people were told to explain the Hell-Serpent's presence in our world."

"We are talking about the Lord EnmaDaiOh, correct?" Hisoka queried to a suddenly quiet table. "Tsuzuki, did you ever hear about Enma being overthrown?"

"I…" Tsuzuki hesitated. "I wasn't aware of that being possible. The Gatekeepers would know, but I've only ever talked to Wakaba. The others live in deep seclusion."

"Shit," Terazuma swore again.

"Will you act on our behalf, Shinigami Tsuzuki?" Sojobo inquired.

"I will do my best to change Enma's mind, but it will be difficult." Tsuzuki frowned. "Hisoka, Terazuma, and I should head to Meifu as soon as possible. Because of the danger, I think it's best if Ken and Kurosaki-san remain here."

"They're not going to like that," Hisoka brought up.

"No kidding," Byakko agreed.

"Sohryuu, will you make sure they're protected until we are sure they can be safely brought to the living realm?"

"Of course, Tsuzuki. I will tell little Riko that she is to remain as their bodyguards, until such a time as it is safe for them to travel. So long as her master doesn't mind," Sohryuu said inclining his head towards the blond.

"She'd love that," Hisoka said dryly, "but I think Katsujin might go stir-crazy."

Byakko nudged Suzaku with his elbow.

"I can practice swordplay with Katsujin should he want it," Suzaku offered reluctantly.

Hisoka nodded, thinking that might help.

Genbu cleared his throat and all eyes were focused once again on him. "Is everyone satisfied with the decisions of this assembly?"

The two Tengu and Hei hei murmured their assent, while the Black Lioness nodded.

The Four Guardians exchanged looks.

"Hisoka," Genbu began seriously, "as a show of good faith and will of the Four Guardians' promises, would you consider healing Koku Shungei of the Kagan tribe?"

The woman's furry black ears quirked up, and she grinned expectantly at Hisoka.

"You could do that?" Terazuma asked incredulously.

"Told you Hisoka's learned some techniques," Tsuzuki bragged.

Stepping closer to her, Hisoka blinked, looking for any missing limbs or appendages, and didn't see anything amiss. "I apologize if this sounds uninformed, but heal what exactly?"

She opened her mouth, showing off her nubby tongue.

"Oh," Hisoka said dumbly. No wonder Terazuma had spoken for her during the audience. "Sure, I'll heal you." He stepped nearer to her.

When she reached out her hands towards him, Hisoka grasped them. He summoned his healing power with a word and, once the light faded, he moved away while she rolled her tongue around behind her cheeks.

"Thhh-anksss," Koku Shungei enunciated carefully.

"The King and Queen were right to trust in you. From the bottom of their hearts and mine, thank you for carrying your burden without faltering. Thank you for your kindnesses." The Holy Mother curtsied extravagantly, and Hisoka bowed in the style of a Westerner as he was taught from Teiko's servants.

"Thank you for the honor, Holy Mother," Hisoka said sincerely, raising himself.

"We all are grateful for your assistance and are indebted to you, Hisoka." Genbu said solemnly.

Suzaku, Byakko, Genbu, and Sohryuu bowed towards him respectfully without the slightest hesitation, as if they had planned to do so.

Hisoka bowed to them deeply in response, relieved to have finally earned the shikigamis' respect. It was a great feeling.

Then, Tsuzuki whooped, spoiling the serious moment, and gave him a thumb's up. "Nice job, Hisoka!"

"Yeah, good going, Kid," Terazuma said with an impressed tone.

Soujibo harrumphed to get their attention. "We will provide access to Meifu. So long as you uphold your end of the bargain, Shinigami will have access to our world. Are you all ready to travel?"

Terazuma glanced at his newly-healed summons who nodded quickly. "I am."

Tsuzuki grinned and wrapped a proud arm around Hisoka's shoulders. "We are!"

Standing, each of the old Tengu pulled a quarterstaff from their belts and stepped to an empty area about four meters away. Aware of their audience, the Tengu dramatically tapped the ends together and lightning streaked.

"May your travels—" Sojobo intoned.

"Be safe," Houkibo finished. Together they pulled the quarterstaffs apart, creating a wormhole.

"See you on the other side, dog-breath!" Terazuma and his summons stepped through side-by-side.

Tsuzuki almost retorted, but then looked back at the remaining half of his summons worriedly and stepped away from Hisoka.

"Don't take too long, Tsuzuki," Hisoka admonished.

"I won't," Tsuzuki promised. Hisoka nodded and left after Terazuma.

"You know we'll manage without you, Tsuzuki. We always did before you came before us," Genbu hummed.

Sohryuu nodded, stroking the damp, sleepy fire salamander in his hands.

"Don't be afraid to send a message if you need my help."

"We will!"

Byakko and Suzaku hugged Tsuzuki in spontaneous synchrony. Releasing Tsuzuki, Suzaku frowned at Byakko, who stepped away from their Master as well grinning at her.

Tsuzuki gave the both of them a puzzled look, before Tenkuu meanly pushed a tile up under him. With a yelp, the eldest shinigami fell through the swirling gateway backwards.

"You think he'll be alright going in the wrong way?" Byakko asked candidly to the Tengu.

Sojobo chortled, arm still outstretched with the quarterstaff in hand just like Houkibo to hold the gate open.

With a frown, Houkibo answered, "His orientation shouldn't matter. He would only be lost if we were to shut the gate before he traversed safely."

"Oh, good. It'd be a shame if we lost him," Byakko said sheepishly.

"Tsuzuki is a soft-hearted idiot," Sohryuu grumbled, stroking the baby salamander in his palm, "Bonding himself with a half-breed?"

"I imagine it's as unheard of as a half-breed Bodhi willingly selecting one of demon-flesh as his life companion," the hei hei said succinctly.

"Hisoka, a Bodhi?" Suzaku sounded surprised.

"No wonder I liked him at first sight." Byakko grinned.

"Hosogyokumon's original nature was a divine blessing before he grew corrupted with vanity and greed." Genbu's staff-end rapped against tile. "It was only a matter of time that the boy's true nature was revealed."

The Tengu lowered their staffs synchronously, and the tear in reality winked out of existence.

TBC...