3.05

Moving past the dark mirror of a building's marble façade, Katsuhito paused to regard himself. Then, for perhaps the hundredth time tugged at the collar of his suit. Wishing for perhaps the thousandth time all this was unnecessary. More by far angrier at fate than the lovely and overly inquisitive Miss Andarka Moi who'd made this trip an imperative! Wondering as he had many times, if the world was finally about to catch up with him. If the day fast approached when the unblinking eye of some computer at last revealed one walking among mankind who was also truly inhuman. It was really ironic, he'd seen a movie on TV only last week where almost this exact same thing had occurred! Dryly he glanced at his reflection musing that he too carried a sword.

"There can be only one!" He muttered sarcastically. Of course that fictitious immortal wouldn't be caught dead wearing this! With or without his noggin! Straitening the tie of his brown suit yet again. Katsuhito had to admit it had weathered well. The last time he could remember wearing it was during Tenchi's middle school's graduation. Of course it was older than that. In fact, if the truth were told over thirty years! Having been purchased for Achika's grade school production of Romeo and Juliet. His wife had been hounding him that he should at lest try to look trendy and wool was the rage that year! Sadly, little Achika did not play Juliet not, that it mattered. She made a perfectly fetching apothecary.

Katsuhito sighed, he had so little use for such thing as suits and fashion in his humble life style. Maybe it was time to break down and buy a new wardrobe. Perhaps something in basic black? He shook his head sadly. He was kidding himself and knew it! As far back as he could remember and honestly he didn't want to. He'd had to ask someone to help him.

"You have no taste!" He sniffed gruffly at his reflection. "Or a sense of style!"

"Face it papa!" A voice lilted to his right. "You're a fashion disaster!" Glancing to that side of his reflection Katsuhito caught sight of his daughter grinning at him from out of the building's marble. Still dressed as he always saw her in her black school girl sailor suit.

"You ok old fella?" Katsuhito barely heard the voice in his ear. Centuries of training reacted to the touch lightly settling on to his shoulder. Hand falling to his boken where it rode in a special sheath atop his brief case Katsuhito whirled. He had half drawn his sword when the startled look in the young man's eye formerly behind him, made him halt. Realizing he was in no danger forcing himself to relax.

"I'm fine." He told the stranger slowly. "Thank you." Looking the young man up and down it was obvious he startled the youth, who now stared back eyes the size of tea cups. One weight gloved hand still hovering in the location formally occupied by Katsuhito's shoulder. His 'would be Samaritan' was dressed in the current uniform of youth, jeans and T-shirt. With a red bandana tied around his forehead. He looked like your typical street punk, his apparent concern for Katsuhito however said otherwise.

"Y-You were standing there a long time sir." The young man stammered.

"Was I?" Katsuhito mused, glancing back at the marble out of the corner of his eye.

"I was concerned you might be lost." The young man continued.

"You must be patient my young friend." Katsuhito told him. "Old men like me need to just stand and mutter some times."

"Well, if you're sure?" The young man offered. Secretly relieved. This 'old man' had whirled like a cornered tiger! He'd seen few his age who could spin like that!

"Yes." Katsuhito told him gently. "Be at ease, and many thanks for your kind concern." As the young man nodded then moved cautiously away Katsuhito wondered if there were many youths with such exceptional manners here bout.

"If you really stuck on what kind of clothes to buy Papa," Achika told him from behind. "Why not ask that pretty little Washu? She seems like a snappy dresser!" Stiffening Katsuhito turned, again facing the wall and his daughter.

"That will be enough of your match making for today!" He gruffed not caring at that moment who might be listening. "What would your mother think of your saucy mouth?"

"Mom's just fine with it!" Achicka smiled at him fondly. "Or did you forget were both dead?" The only response she got from him was a long scowl. "She just never had the courage to tell you which way to go!" Appearing to lean against her side of the reflection Achika grinned. "And back on the subject of little Washu," She gave her father twin victory signs. "WAY TO GO!"

Tiredly Katsuhito turned away from his conference with the spirit realm. His daughter always loved a good scandal even when she was alive and he had more important things to attend at the moment! Moments later at the front desk of the ministry of finance a small man in very thick glasses eyed Katsuhito in a fashion, which reminded him of a fish.

"May I help you?" The be-speckled desk minder sniffed.

"Domo, I am Katsuhito Masaki!" He told the man. "I believe I have an appointment?"