[ ν ] – εуλ 0001: May

Aiko Shirakawa

Aiko spent much of her time helping her people rebuild their homes and their lives. She kept herself busy so that thoughts of her grandsons wouldn't invade her mind and cause her to worry about their welfare.

She feared Tseng had lost his way. His inability to procure the medicine his little sister, Mei-li had needed and her subsequent death. The falling out with his father and banishment from Wutai. The fact that he had now worked for Shin-Ra seemingly without reservation also saddened Aiko. On the other hand, it angered her that her son Jin, Tsengs' father had been so amendment about the banishment of his eldest; instead of trying to find a way to bridge the gap between them.

But her thoughts never strayed too far from her other grandson Shan. She still went daily to the temple to light a candle for him and pray for his safe return, but there had been no further words from the divine nor any word of him in the mortal plain either and this worried her greatly. Noe, her second eldest and Jins' twin; had always had a volatile relationship with his son but things had come to blows when Shan's mother had passed away and his father begun to drink heavily.

Shan had just reached adulthood, even though he had passed his trials of a warrior, Noe was unable to accept that his child did not want to follow the traditional path of becoming a Samurai but broaden his knowledge and skills in the art of war by learning other forms of combat. This caused a rift so great between the two, that Shan also left Wutai and no longer claimed his birth name of Shirakawa but took the maiden name of his mother.

But Aiko truly felt what had driven both her grandson to work for Shin-Ra was they believed that Wutai could benefit from modern conveniences that having and using Mako energy could provide. She did not blame them, for they were both young and full of ambition and their hearts had been in the right place. For no one could have foreseen the coming storm that Shin-Ra had brought down on the tiny nation.

But night time had descended on this day and she was tired. So she headed to her eldest son's house; where she now lived, now that her husband had passed on from this life. She sat on the tiny porch outside of her bedroom with some tea and cakes and let herself unwind.

Listening to the quiet sounds of the night she heard a strange rustling noise off to the side. Taking the lantern, she carefully went over to investigate. Lying in a fetal potion, whimpering in pain; lay her grandson. "Shan!" she cried horrified.

He looked up at the voice, his eyes unfocused but glowing a vivid violet color. "Gran? Is that you? Am I home?" he asked his voice barely more than a whisper.

Aiko quickly went to him and wrapped him in her arms. He was shivering hard; even though the air was quite warm. "Yes, dear child! It's me and you are home and safe!"

He looked up into the familiar comforting face and the tears began to run down his face. "Help me...please Gran! Something is wrong with me... I've become... I've become a Night Stalker!"

The old women stared, somewhat horrified, at his words because Night Stalkers where stories told to young children to keep them from going outside of the village at night and unsupervised. They were creatures of make-believe. Restless spirits who roamed the night looking for living people to feed on. They weren't real! But from the shape that Shan was in; something was wrong and they needed to find out what! "Come, child lets go to the temple. May the Great God show us guidance."

So the two made their slow and careful way to the Temple of Leviathan.

[ ν ] - εγλ 0008: February

Tseng Shirakawa

Tseng wanted to punch something out of sheer frustration. Lock and coded warehouses were being entered and supplies were being taken from them. People were starting to build homes and businesses on the east side of Midgar. There was no solid lead on Rufus whereabouts. And rumors that Shan had been seen the night of Meteor Fall but as of yet Tseng had not tracked him down. And this strange disease was running rampant through the population. He hated not being in control... He 'REALLY' wanted to punch something!

[ ν ] - εγλ 0008: Middle to end of January

Shan Akechi

He must have fallen asleep; for he felt his foot being nudged. Sensing no real threat though he slowly opened his eyes to see who was trying to get his attention. In front of him stood a man about 5" 5', medium build, jet black shortly cropped hair and eyes that were hazel. Shan was positive it was due to Mako enhancement. And although it wouldn't have been apparent to most, Shan could tell that this man was of Wutai decent.

"So the rumor of your death seems to be greatly exaggerated, Shan?" The younger man remarked with a slight smirk on his face. And confirmed Shan suspicion, as he spoke to him in perfect Wutai.

Shan raised an eyebrow and retorted with. "You seem to have me at a disadvantage. And you are?"

The younger man laughed "You don't recognize me out of uniform. I am Kunsel Nakamura formally SOLDIER 2nd class"

Shan couldn't help but stare and then he started to laugh. No wonder he hadn't recognized him; as Kunsel had always refused to leave his dorm unless he was in full uniform and that included his helmet. There even had been a standing joke that Kunsel slept in his uniform. And if Shan remembered his facts right; Kunsel had also been a firm friend of Zack Fair. But the way he had said 'formally' like it left a bad taste in his mouth, alerted Shan that something was wrong. "Formally of SOLDIER? Like because there is no standing military you are not a SOLDIER or is it something else?"

The expression on Kunsel face went from pain-filled to anger and then suspicion. "I don't know if I can trust a TURK!" He said flatly.

That brought Shan up abruptly. No one knew that he was alive, let alone he was now a TURK and Kunsel had just thrown this information out like it was common knowledge. Faster then the mortal eye could follow, Shan was up and lunged at the younger man; ready to choke the information out of him. But in that split second Kunsel drew twin Kodachi and had them crossed and pressed against Shan neck. "I wouldn't if I were you. Even you can not live without your head!"

Shan was taken aback but realized that it probably wasn't a good idea to push this man. So he tried a different approach. Taking one step back and letting the anger inside of him loose he snarls "What do you know about me! How do you know anything about me? And for the Goddess sake man PUT YOUR WEAPONS AWAY!" Shan motioned to the attention they where attracting. "Is there somewhere secure we can go to, to talk?"

Kunsel nodded "Follow me!" he headed towards sector five.

A/N: First of all I am trying very hard to stay true to the established timeline as events that occur for Tseng ARE CANNON (On The Way To A Smile) but write in his knowledge and secrecy of Shan. Second I love to incorporate characters whose stories are left hanging thus is why I have introduced Kunsel in this storyline. Hope you enjoy