Kitsune no Ken GAIDEN Chronicles

by Neon Majestic

During the periods of time skipped over by official records, people did not sit in a vacuum. They continued living their lives, being who they were, doing what they were best able to do. These chronicles tell tales of people who lived at the same time as the Kyuushingai. SUPPLEMENT to "Kitsune no Ken: Fist of the Fox." GAIDEN 41, "Justice vs. Punishment," now up!

37. Teachers Off the Clock

Kitsune no Ken GAIDEN Chronicles

Written by Neon Majestic

(DISCLAIMER: The Naruto franchise and the characters therein belong to and were originally created by Masashi Kishimoto.)

OoOoO

GAIDEN 37 – Teachers Off the Clock

(N.B. This Gaiden begins immediately following Gaiden 36.)

Naruto and Yurika were en route back to Konoha Town in the latter's car, the city looming just ahead of them. "Home sweet home, just a little further," Naruto remarked.

Yurika glanced at him out of the corner of her eye before refocusing on the road. "You seem to be taking it rather well, this whole issue with the Tiger Dragons and these Purple Storm guys."

"I've had run-ins with the Purple Storm gang before, so I know what to expect," said Naruto. "As for the Tiger Dragon gang, I know things may be a little different now that there's new management, but they shouldn't pose too much of a problem if we nip them in the bud fast enough."

"'We,' huh?" Yurika shook her head. "Honestly, I don't like the idea of a civilian, much less a Kyuushingai, getting involved in what's essentially a police matter. The only reason I'm going along with this is because it's the only way I can get a foothold in order to work out reconciliation between Yukata and her mother."

"Yeah, well, I haven't interacted with Yukata that much, so I don't know the whole story behind her situation," Naruto admitted. "I do know enough to believe her version, though. The guys in Konoha High's Hall Monitors' Guild, they were all a set of douchebags when I met them—it wouldn't surprise me that they'd pull a frame-up on Yukata just because she wouldn't go on a date with one of them."

"All the same…to hold a grudge to such an extent that she'd include her own mother in it…I realize it's a sensitive issue for her, but still, overkill much?" Yurika remarked.

Naruto looked at the detective. "I'm going to guess you've never held a grudge in your life, right?"

"Well, yeah, but not over things like this," Yurika answered. "I think if I were going to hold a grudge, it would be over something much more long-lasting…like, say, my fellow officers dying during the 365 days."

"Do you?" Naruto was blunt.

Yurika's grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly. "They died in the line of duty. It's the kind of hazard that comes with being a cop. They all knew the risks and weren't afraid to take them." She slowed the car down as they approached a stoplight. "Least, that's what my rational mind always reminds me. But some of those guys…they were good friends of mine. A few of them had families—husbands, wives, kids, siblings. It's hard to know that my friends and colleagues are down in the ground…" Again she glanced Naruto's way. "…while the ones responsible for the circumstances that caused their deaths are roaming free without being accountable."

Naruto sighed. "I've tried to be."

"Yes, I remember you telling Maito Guy on his radio show about how you've been working with the government," Yurika conceded. "But that's going to be cold comfort to a lot of people who were affected by the 365 days' happenings. Some might even see it as just another way for you to escape true justice."

"Hmm, yeah…can't argue with that. I've met some people first-hand who think that way," said Naruto.

The stoplight changed from red to green, and Yurika began driving again. "You mean the Akatsuki group?"

"Them, too…and a few others…" Naruto briefly thought of Kaiza, the police chief of Whirl City. "I definitely know the folks in Whirl City won't be throwing me any parades any time ever."

"That city was one of the worst hit in the 365 days. You can hardly blame them," said Yurika. "All right, which way to get you home?"

"Hmm…turn right here," Naruto guided her. "Then stick straight on the main road…left at the next intersection…and I'll keep guiding from there."

Yurika's car whooshed smoothly along the roadway as she complied with his directions. By and by they reached the intersection, turned left, headed down the street, turned right, kept going, reached another intersection… "And coming up is the street where I live—make a left at the corner," Naruto announced.

Said corner happened to include three guys in black jackets lounging around, and Yurika casually glanced at them as she turned onto the next street. Her voice, however, showed the hardness her face didn't. "Those three guys we just passed…I recognize one of them. He's one of the Tiger Dragons, just missing their trademark jacket," she informed her passenger.

"And I recognized the other two—both members of the Purple Storms, both smart-asses whose asses I had to kick for bullying a little girl I know," said Naruto, recalling the time he rescued Hanabi's lemonade stand from said Purple Storms. "And both also not wearing their gang colors. What do you recommend?"

"There's no way to tell if any of them looked at us, or if they did, whether they might recognize one of us," said Yurika. "I'd suggest not doing anything that will unnecessarily draw their attention. Just act cool."

OoOoO

"Oi…" the thug handling his dice got his companions' attention. "That car that just passed us…I'm sure I saw a cop from Sound City at the wheel. And the passenger in the front—that was Uzumaki, for sure."

The thug with the cigarette took a deep puff of his nicotine-stick. "You saw the kid, too?" he asked.

The other thug, the one leaning on the lamppost, eyed the car as it stopped a few houses away from their current position. "Hmm…definitely Uzumaki, all right," he reported as he saw one of the car's occupants come out and head inside the house where the vehicle had stopped. "Our job just got harder."

"Call it in—see what Nigai and Karyu want us to do," the dice-thug suggested. "If Uzumaki's there, we won't be able to nab that teacher-lady as a hostage without him seeing us right there."

"I'm calling," the cigarette-thug replied, pulling out his cell-phone.

OoOoO

"So Mr. Kyuushingai's home now, huh?" Karyu spoke into his phone. "And there's a cop from Sound City with him…hmm…well, that throws a wrench in that little plan. Ah, well, I guess it can't be helped. Come on back to the hangout, guys. We'll just have to go ahead with the other part of the plan tomorrow."

Sitting nearby, Nigai gave Karyu a disapproving look as the other man hung up the call. "You want to tell me that three guys wouldn't be able to take on one kid and one cop?" he asked.

"A kid who happens to be a Kyuushingai and a cop who's likely packing heat," Karyu answered. "We have to do this smart, if we're going to get it done right."

"…I guess so," Nigai conceded, though he still didn't look happy. "But I'm curious—what are the cops up to, driving around with Uzumaki like that?"

"We can worry about that later. Right now, let's run back through our plan for tomorrow," said Karyu. "By this time tomorrow, that Spiral Reaper bastard will be so much dead meat. Then we can get our sights on killing the Kyuushingai kid."

"Cool." Nigai nodded.

OoOoO

Still sitting in her car, Yurika eyed her rearview mirror as, in the distance from its point of view, the three suspicious characters straightened up and walked off in a different direction. Now she alighted from the car and walked up to Naruto's front porch. "They're heading off," she reported.

"You sure you don't want to chase after them?" Naruto asked.

"Let's not tip our hand too early. We don't want to give them any idea that we know what they're planning, especially concerning Yamato," said Yurika. "Talking of which, I need to see Detective Morino…hopefully he'll have an update for me concerning any security arrangements that need to be made to secure Yamato's safety at court tomorrow."

"All right—you do that, then," said Naruto.

"Right. See you around, then, kid." With that, Yurika turned and headed back to her car, and in a moment she was driving back up the road, Naruto watching her departure.

OoOoO

While Naruto and Yurika were having their talk, over at the Ichiraku Ramen restaurant at that moment…

"Itadakimasu!" Yumi announced as she split her chopsticks apart. "Dig in, everyone!"

Seated at the round table in the booth with her were Kakashi, Kurenai, Terumi Mei, Shiranui Genma, and Mitarashi Anko, all with various dishes in front of them. "Itadakimasu," they all chorused, taking up their respective utensils and proceeding to partake.

"Are you sure it's really okay for you to be treating us like this? Especially since you're basically the new kid on the block," Mei remarked.

"Like I told Kakashi-sensei and Kurenai-sensei earlier, I'd like to be able to know you all a little better, beyond casual greetings in the staffroom at school," said Yumi.

"Or you showing us up in everything we do," Anko muttered under her breath.

"Anko, be nice," Kakashi warned her.

"No…as crass as it might've sounded from her, Anko has a point—and don't try to weasel your way out of it, Kakashi, you and the others have felt the same way," said Genma. "Look, Yumi-sensei. It's great that you're part of Konoha High's faculty now, and I at least can appreciate what you're trying to do here, but you've kind of stepped on a few toes in the past month since your arrival, even if you didn't intend to."

Yumi frowned. "Have I?"

"Uh, yeah—duh!" Anko snapped. "I mean, where do you get off on looking sexier in P.E. gear than me? And you're not even a P.E. teacher—you're a Spanish teacher! Your area of expertise is supposed to be language arts, not athletics!"

"Well, I can't really help it…I've always been told I look good in athletic gear, ever since my own days as a high school student," said Yumi.

"Yumi-sensei, we're not looking to embarrass or upset you…at least, that shouldn't be our intention," said Kakashi, giving Anko a withering glare as he emphasized the last few words, before refocusing on Yumi. "We're all adults here, so we should be able to address this like adults. It may seem petty or unrealistic to be jealous of you, but the truth is, that feeling is here amongst us, it's real to us, and if it continues it'll poison our ability to effectively work together as colleagues, and by extension it'll poison our efforts to see to the welfare of the students we oversee."

Recalling her own words from earlier, Yumi sucked on her lower lip for a moment. "So…what do you suggest, then?" she asked. "I mean, it's not like I can just stop being the best I can be…"

"How about, maybe, not being so obvious that you're as good at stuff as you are?" said Genma. "I mean, you totally outpaced me that time when we ran laps around the school track…do you have any idea how that made me look as the boys' P.E. teacher? It was like I was lazy compared to you—and I work hard enough with them on a daily basis as it is!"

"Oh…I didn't even know about that. I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to upstage you," Yumi apologized.

"What're you apologizing for? Genma could use the competition—he's been getting a big tummy from all that greasy stuff he chows down on at Burger Castle," Kurenai deadpanned.

"I work hard enough to burn the calories!" Genma growled at her. "And besides, Anko gives me more than enough competition as the girls' P.E. teacher!"

"Maybe you'll get better competition from Yumi-sensei here," Anko muttered.

"How about this—suppose we swap classes for a day, would that even things out?" asked Yumi.

"Even things out, how? I don't know how to speak Spanish!" Anko said angrily.

"Neither do I know how to gauge the students' physical needs and limits. I may be athletic, myself, but I'm not versed on the exact whys and wherefores of physical health as applied to sports—and that is your area of expertise," Yumi pointed out.

"Ugh…okay, fine, you have a point there…" Anko glanced at Mei and Kurenai. "But some people still don't like you because you're more gifted than they are."

In the process of sipping some of her soup at that moment, Mei nearly choked. "Anko!" she screeched.

"Ah, yes, I got an inkling about that…" Yumi smiled a little.

"Only because certain loudmouthed individuals couldn't shut their pie-holes," and Kurenai threw a glare Kakashi's way as she said it.

"Well, ladies, for what it's worth, I was a real late-bloomer…I only got to do my milestone shopping trip when I was halfway through age 17," said Yumi.

"…milestone shopping trip?" Genma looked clueless.

"She means 'shopping for a bra,' dumb-ass," Kakashi snorted.

"And how exactly would you immediately know that was what she meant?" Kurenai challenged him.

"What? The girl students tend to talk about that with each other pretty frequently. It's difficult not to hear them gossip, you know!" said Kakashi.

"Oh, it's easy, all right…as long as you're not eavesdropping near the girls' locker room," Anko said acidly.

"Ummm…" Kakashi suddenly found the restaurant's ceiling-lights looked very interesting.

"In any event, as it stands…" Yumi nodded. "I'd really like to be able to get along with you all as my fellow teachers, now that I've settled in at Konoha High. In terms of your experience, you're technically my seniors, so…please help me to learn how to excel as a Konoha High teacher while not accidentally doing anything that might cause any hard feelings."

The other five teachers looked at her for a long moment, then at each other. "Hmm…well, when she phrases it like that…" Mei said slowly.

"In any case…Yumi-sensei."

Everyone looked at Kakashi; gone was his bashfulness of a moment ago, and in its place was the expression of the veteran teacher he was. "I won't deny that you have a passion for teaching, and the students are your first priority. Keep it that way, and even if there's a little jealousy here or there, your caliber as an educator will never be called into question. As far as jealousy itself is concerned regarding your talents and abilities…all we ask of you is to bear people's feelings into account, and work with us to reconcile those differences so our ability to cooperate as members of the same faculty won't go to waste."

Yumi cocked her head slightly to one side. "Well, I know of all your discomforts because all of you have been upfront about it…" She looked down at her meal. "But what if someone else keeps it hidden inside?"

"Well, work with what you do know," Kakashi answered. "If they keep it hidden, you can't help that—you're not a mind-reader. But whether you know or not, try and read the mood and be tactful, no matter what—and that applies not just to dealing with other faculty members, but also to your students. They're individuals, too, with their own personalities and quirks, and you have to know how to help each one as the need arises. And that applies likewise to anyone you'll meet in life."

"…well, well, well." Kurenai gave Kakashi a long look. "Who knew you had it in you to actually be a decent source of good knowledge and advice?"

Kakashi, in turn, gave her a knowing look. "Remember Komatsu Karui?"

Kurenai blinked. "…duly noted."

"Komatsu Karui?" Yumi looked at them. "Ah, yes, I know the name…a dark-skinned girl with red hair. She's in one of my classes. A bit withdrawn, but cooperative."

"One of our better students," Kakashi said quietly. "The kind of student we don't want slipping through our fingers. All our students have potential to be the way we want society to turn out—it's up to us to lead them the right way, to build them up instead of breaking them down."

Mei's lips were slightly parted as she took this in. "Wow…Kakashi-sensei, that's really deep of you."

"As they say, experience teaches," Kakashi said simply.

Anko rolled her eyes. "Too bad experience doesn't teach you to stop being a skirt-peeping pervert."

"Go sit on a bramble-bush!" Kakashi snapped, suddenly comically unhinged.

Genma shook his head. "Oy, just when I was starting to get used to wisdom-mode Kakashi…"

"Ha, ha, ha!" Yumi laughed. "I could get used to you guys, after all!"

OoOoO

"…so that's what you saw, huh?" Ibiki asked, his expression hard.

"No doubt about it—two of your local Purple Storm gangsters and one of the Tiger Dragons were hanging around on Uzumaki's street when we got there," Yurika informed him. "No idea why they were there, but they left shortly after we arrived."

"I don't like this. They were definitely there for some reason," said Ibiki. "And if they left because you and Uzumaki showed up, that likely means either you guys crashed whatever they were going to do…"

"Or Uzumaki is somehow important to what they were planning just then," Yurika put in. "What do you suggest we do at this juncture?"

"We know they've got plans to target Yamato tomorrow—fortunately, I managed to make contact with the clerk of the court, and additional security measures are going to be put in place under the quiet," Ibiki replied. "Right now, though, I'd love nothing more than to storm the Purple Storms and put every last one of them behind bars, along with the Tiger Dragons."

"But if we go in guns blazing, they'll know we're on to them—that much Uzumaki and I agreed on," said Yurika. "I'd much rather we nab them when they have their guard down."

"Easier said than done. The Purple Storms likely know my face already, and if you've interacted with the Tiger Dragons enough times in Sound City, they'll recognize you too," Ibiki pointed out. "And even if we were to ask Uzumaki to go confront them—which I'd much rather not do—they'll likely recognize him off the bat, too. That would ruin any element of surprise we have."

"Assuming they don't already suspect our knowledge after how we passed those guys earlier." Yurika sighed. "So how, exactly, are we going to deal with these punks in a way that doesn't tip them off?"

There was silence in the office as the two cops mulled over the question. Then Ibiki looked up. "Say…it just occurred to me…"

"Eh?" Yurika looked at him.

"The girl, Yukata…she said some of the Tiger Dragons gave her the heads-up on what their new leader's planning to do with the Purple Storms, right?" Ibiki fingered his chin. "That means not all of the Tiger Dragons are on board with the new management's plans. Maybe the pot could be stirred up a bit."

"So, what, start some infighting in the Tiger Dragons?" Yurika queried. "How? The only one I know for sure who's not on board with the new boss is Yukata herself, and that's because she got stabbed during their fight for leadership of the gang. And I'm pretty certain none of the others will willingly turn stool pigeon for any cops."

"What about Yukata doing the shaking?" asked Ibiki.

Yurika shook her head. "I doubt it…she doesn't strike me as the sort who'll rock the gang's boat, even with this situation now. She sees them as the only people who give a damn about her…"

"Even though she got stabbed in a leadership dispute?" Ibiki asked bluntly.

"It's a hazard of gang life. It's not that uncommon. And unfortunately, from what she's told me, I think she'd rather that than have to deal with her own mother." Yurika sighed sadly. "To think of it…a kid who prefers the violence of life in a street gang to the safety of being home with her mother just because of a falling out between the two of them…desperate for respect and acknowledgement to the point she'll set the standards bar as low as this…"

Ibiki regarded her. "Aren't you taking this a little personally, all of a sudden?"

Yurika shrugged. "Maybe. Or maybe…maybe I'm just tired of having to see kids who haven't even reached age 20, getting zipped up in body-bags while I or my fellow cops have to break the news to their parents." She looked at Ibiki. "Kids should do what kids do. Dying isn't supposed to be one of those things."

"Hmm." Ibiki looked away. "It's a different life we live these days."

OoOoO

Nigai paced back and forth, his hands clasped behind his back, a scowl on his face. Karyu sat at a table nearby, watching him. "What're you getting so worked up for? We've gone through the plan for tomorrow already, haven't we?" Karyu remarked. "Relax and chill for a while, man."

"Yeah…yeah." Nigai stopped pacing, but his scowl didn't vanish. "It's just…those guys who were watching Uzumaki's place—shouldn't they be back here by now?"

"Eh, they probably stopped to get food somewhere," Karyu answered. "Don't be so paranoid. Even if they don't make it back here on time, we can still go right ahead as planned—nothing's going to get in our way from here on out, you dig?"

"I just don't want anything messing up everything, is all," Nigai said stoutly. "Not at this point."

"Sheesh, you're an uptight one," Karyu sighed. "You know what you need? You need to loosen up. And I know just how to make that happen."

"Say what now?" Nigai gave him a flat look.

"Just roll with me for one hour. If you take things too seriously, you'll be too stressed when it comes time to get things done tomorrow!" Karyu declared. "Now come on!" and he headed for the door.

"And where exactly are we going?" Nigai wanted to know.

"You'll see, man! Now stop yammering and get your ass in gear!" Karyu flung over his shoulder.

"Tch…" Nevertheless, Nigai followed after the Purple Storm gangster.

OoOoO

"…and then Kakashi sang out 'Bluuuuue Moooooon!' and the whole bar erupted!" Anko roared out her laughter as her cheeks flamed bright red from the alcohol she'd consumed. "Of course, now he's not allowed to go back to that club, by order of the manager's wife…"

"R-really?" Yumi, her cheeks also bright red, giggled like she was twenty years younger. "Oh, Kakashi-sensei, you're such a naughty boy!"

"Oh, gimme a break, how was I s'posed to know?" Kakashi growled, his cheeks also burning bright drunken red as he clutched the wine bottle in the middle of the table. "She said she wasn't—"

"You'd try even if she said she WAS, baka," Genma cut in, his own cheeks not as red but still not quite clear either as he held up his shot glass.

"Shaddap, you!" Kakashi snapped.

The teachers' booth was quite lively compared to the other booths nearby; other restaurant patrons were staring with bewilderment in their direction. Kurenai, the only one without a blush on her cheeks, looked around and took note of the watching eyes on them. "Ah, guys, can't we keep it down? People are staring," she said uneasily.

"Oh, don't be such a stick in the mud, Kurenai," Kakashi said carelessly. "Or, wait, wait, wait, maybe that's your real birth name, isn't it—Stick-in-the-Mud?" and he suddenly hiccupped.

"Kakashi-senseeeeeiiii, don't be so meeeeeeaaaaan," Mei said with a cute little pout. "We're supposed to just be workmates having fun with our newest addition, right? So let's all loosen up a bit!" and she grabbed the wine bottle and lifted it triumphantly. "C'mon, Kurenai-sensei, have a drink with us!"

"Mei-sensei, I think you've had enough," Kurenai said firmly, taking the bottle from her.

"If she's had enough, that just means more for us! More ramen, more rice, more meat, more drink, more everything!" Anko cheered, before downing her glass of beverage. "Whew! That hit the spot!"

Yumi grabbed the wine bottle from Kurenai and refilled her glass. "Hey, Anko-sensei, impromptu drinking contest! She who barfs first loses!"

"You're on!" Anko promptly refilled her own glass and began drinking again.

"Heh, heh, heh." Genma couldn't help but chuckle. "Yumi-sensei wanted to treat us, and now we've corrupted her."

"Ugh…you're all hopeless…" Kurenai groaned. "Well, I don't know about you, but I need to get home. At least I still remember I have classes to teach tomorrow."

"Bye-bye, Stick-in-the-Mud!" Kakashi waved mockingly at her.

"Whatever, mask-bastard," Kurenai grunted, before then grabbing Yumi by the arm. "C'mon, Yumi-sensei, I'm taking you home to your husband before you embarrass yourself in public."

"Wait, no! Not yeeeeeeet!" Yumi protested.

Anko, in the middle of her latest drink, smirked. "Heh. Looks like I win by default."

"You do not!" Yumi snapped.

"All right, Spanish teacher, let the nice History teacher get you home in one piece," Kurenai said in a scolding tone. "Oi, Genma, you're coming too."

"What? Says who?" Genma demanded.

"Says me, idiot. Now come on and leave the immatures over here to themselves," and Kurenai got up, yanking Yumi with her.

"Nooooooo! Save me, guys!" Yumi besought the others.

"Don't worry, Genma the knight in P.E. armor will save you from Wicked Witch Kurenai," said Kakashi.

"Sigh…ah, well, I guess I'd better get outta here anyway. I've got to drill the boys in basketball tomorrow," and now Genma stood up. "All right, ladies, I'll walk you both home. Kakashi, mind Mei and Anko, would you?"

"Yeah, yeah, get on outta here," Kakashi waved him off.

"Aw, come on, you pansies! Stick around and drink some more!" Anko said boisterously.

"Oh, let 'em go. Just means more food and booze for us!" Mei grinned. "Fresh drinking contest?"

"Bring it, red!" Anko immediately refilled both their glasses. "Kakashi, you too!"

"Na, na, I'll referee," Kakashi said mildly.

"Whatever…" Kurenai pulled Yumi along behind her. "Yumi-sensei, Genma-sensei, we're leaving."

"Waaaaaah! I wanna staaaaaaay!" Yumi wailed.

"Forget it, Yumi-sensei. That'd be a losing battle." Genma shook his head with a resigned smile as he followed Kurenai and Yumi out of the restaurant.

OoOoO

"Woo-hoo! I'm on a roll! I got me another win!" the Purple Storm gangster cheered.

He, his fellow Purple Storm, and the Tiger Dragon member were at an arcade, and both Purple Storms were furiously mashing buttons at their respective game boxes while the Tiger Dragon looked on. "Oi, haven't you guys played enough by now? We ought to get back—Nigai and your boss will be pretty mad at us," the latter growled at them.

"Yeah, sure, just one more game," the second Purple Storm waved him off. "All right—here I come! C'mon, high kick, high kick, low punch—YES!"

"Damn it!" the first Purple Storm muttered.

"Pfft…whatever to you guys. I'm gonna head back by myself, then." The Tiger Dragon gangster turned and walked out of the arcade.

"Yeah, sure, enjoy getting lost in Konoha Town, dumbass," the second Purple Storm called after him.

"Whatever…" The Tiger Dragon stepped out of the arcade's front door—and almost got knocked over by somebody. "Ah—! Hey, watch it!" he snapped.

"Oh, oh, sorry, my bad," the other person apologized.

The Tiger Dragon glared at the offender—a woman leading another woman by the arm, with a man following close behind them. "'Sorry, my bad'? That's all you gotta say to me, lady?" the thug asked dangerously. "I'm in a bad enough mood already, and you're just making it worse!"

"Kurenai, careful," the woman's male companion addressed her even as he stepped forward. "Hey, listen man, we don't want any trouble."

"Well, too bad—trouble just found you!" The Tiger Dragon swung a fist at the man's head…

…and the man ducked and shot a fist up under the gangster's chin, knocking him flat on his back. "Just take it easy, okay?" the man commented.

"Genma-sensei, are you okay?" the second woman asked worriedly.

"Pshaw! This is nothing, Yumi-sensei—I'm a P.E. teacher, remember? Boxing is one of the many sports I teach about!" Genma boasted.

"Oi, oi, what's this?"

The Tiger Dragon, shaking his head to clear the cobwebs out of it, glared at the two Purple Storms as they came out of the arcade. "Nice to see you guys, too," he said with heavy sarcasm.

One of the Purple Storms glanced at the trio—then did a double-take. "Hey…what do you know…" He pointed right at Yumi. "You're the one we were looking out for earlier this evening! What a nice little coincidence…" and his mouth shifted into a devilish grin.

OoOoO

END GAIDEN 37

00000

NEON MAJESTIC: Uh-oh—trouble's found Genma, Kurenai and Yumi! And what exactly does Karyu (a villainous character and a member of the Dark Thunder Group in the original anime, by the way) plan to show Nigai? More to come in the next Gaiden—stay tuned!