Mitsuko was walking to her school like normal dressed in her normal school uniform and bagpack. It's been a week since she and Akari had talked to each other, what once were late nights filled with joyous laughs and talks ended up turning into regretful silence. She knew she had to apologise very soon but she didn't know how to convey her feelings into words to express her shame but she knew she had to do it ASAP.

As she sees the entrance of the school she also notices the rather unusually large crowd hovering in front of the doors. She slowly makes her way towards the crowd and starts to barely hear whispers of concern and fear. She quietly makes her way to the front of the crowd and sees her lying there in a pool of her own blood. She doesn't know how to react or feel she's too shocked to react. Once she realises what was going on everyone around her fades away except for herself and the new corpse. She turns around frantically wondering what was going on. Suddenly she hears a familiar voice overridden with death.

'Why...' The corpse stood up when Mitsuko wasn't looking. She got horrified and tried to run but find she couldn't move her legs. She was paralysed and could only watch as the corpse of her friend shambled towards her with her face looking down at the floor aswell as her arms not moving from in front of her. Mitsuko's heart raced with fear as she got closer, she thought her heart was going to explode out of her chest. Moments later she was so close she could feel her deathly breath hit her face. She quickly raises her arms and pins her up against the school door that magically appeared behind her.

'Why... did you...' She raises her face to meet hers and reveals her bloody skull. Mitsuko turns her head as she got closer to her face.

'Abandon mee!?' She screams like a siren in her face as Mitsuko screams in fear.

Mitsuko woke up hyperventilating along with her heart still beating rapidly inside her chest. It takes her a few seconds to regain her bearings as she looks around her Spartan room.

'For fucks sake!' she whispers to herself with frustration as she gets up. There's no use in getting any more sleep she knows this. Her breathing after a short while got slower as well as her heart beat. After she calmed herself down she donned her armour and grabs her weapons. She faces the door closed and took one last breath before opening the door feeling that she needs to take a walk. As she opens she's surprised to see LingQi who looked like she was going to do the same thing on her side. On the horizon was the sun starting to rise, the golden light shines behind her making her at the exact angle similar to an angel to some. Mitsuko's heart skips a beat as she saw this rather magnificent sight in front of her. They both quickly regain their composure after being caught.

'Oh hello there.' Mitsuko greeted as she sheepishly looks to the side as LingQi did the same

'Ahh greetings Mitsuko, my apologies I thought I heard something and was going to check...now I see that there was no need for me to do so.'

'Ahh damnit I actually did scream out loud then and what's worse I must've woken LingQi up! Shit think Mitsuko get out of this situation!' She mentally shouts as herself as she rubs the back of her head in embarrassment.

'Oh yeah sorry about that I just realised I...erm...I had to train the new recruits some more. You know what they're like.' Mitsuko jested as LingQi chuckles.

'Quite, though if hate it that bad you don't have to do it if you don't want to.' She responds with some concern escaping with her words.

'Well its not like I really hate it it's just that...it can be a bit exhausting is all.' Mitsuko attempted to salvage the situation.

'Ha ha yes I can see why it would be in all honesty.' The two stood in there in awkward silence for a few seconds before LingQi bows apologetically.

'I should probably get going and prepare for my duties. I'll let you attend to yours.' She states as she starts to walk away. Some part of Mitsuko didn't want to stop talking to her, they didn't really have much of a chance to talk after their initial conversation. A part of her wanted to get to know her better somehow even though she's her temporary supervisor.

'Hey wait!' She calls out to her. LingQi is surprised and stops immediately to turn around. Mitsuko didn't expect to actually call out to her to stop, her mind went blank for a moment. She tries desperately to try and form at least a sentence as she sees LingQi tilts her head slightly in confusion.

'C'mon Mitsuko you kill people for a living now, why is this so hard?'

'Erm well...judging from the sun it seems we erm...have a bit of time to spare and I was thinking about going on a stroll and...I was wondering if you...wanted to come along if you had the time.' Mitsuko sheepishly looks away as embarrassment started to overcome her. LingQi looks at her with shock in her face but then quickly changes her expression to a genuine smile.

'Yes I think I would like that very much.' The sight of that made Mitsuko's heart skip a couple of beats as she mentally jumps for joy. Moments later she found herself having a stroll with her on the castle walls where occasionally they would see a soldier on patrol who bows respectfully as they saw them. Though the stroll along the walls was nice there was silence between the two of them as neither of them could bring about a small topic of conversation.

'So I just received news from my father, they won their battle and will come home within the week.' LingQi announced out of the blue.

'Oh that's good news. You must be a bit sad though not being in charge anymore.' Mitsuko responded.

'Actually the day they arrive cannot really come soon enough.' LingQi admits which surprises Mitsuko.

'Really? I would've thought you enjoyed your time being in charge. Being able to tell everyone what to do and all that.'

'I can see why some people would like to be in a position of power and I don't really hate the position itself. However I don't think its for me, I mean I trained to be a warrior not a caretaker.'

'Yeah I can understand that, It can be nerve wracking being thrust into a position you're not familiar with. Oh and thanks for doing that to me with the recruits.' Mitsuko joked.

'Well I thought to myself it wouldn't be fair if I was the only one to experience that feeling.' LingQi jested as Mitsuko laughed.

'Fair enough, fair enough.'

'You seem to handle your position quite well though.'

'Really? Thanks I must admit at first I didn't know what I was supposed to do, but now I think you got the hang of it you know? Also if it makes you feel better I think you're doing a good job yourself.' She complimented as she locks her hands at the back of her head. LingQi shakes her head.

'I think many people would've done a better job than me but thank you for your kind words.' She smiled as they continue to stroll along the wall.

'Still though, I wish we were on the frontlines it can get kind of boring here.' Mitsuko stated out loud when she didn't mean to.

'Ha ha I know what you mean. I may do whatever is necessary to help achieve my father's dream, however that doesn't mean I don't have my own occasional desires.' She stopped and leaned on the wall looking out at the sunrise, Mitsuko joined in next to her.

'So what's your dream then? What do you want?' Mitsuko asked as she turns her head towards her. LingQi frowns as she looks towards the horizon.

'I-I don't really know to be honest. I haven't really thought about it. I guess to support my father anyway I can.' Mitsuko understood all too well about not having any dreams.

'Yeah I get that. Just going through the motions at the moment not really looking towards the future. Everyday is the same old thing leading a monotonous life so you do the only thing you know how to do. Do the same thing you've always done.' Mitsuko frowns the same way as LingQi looks at her. She never saw her have sadness in her eyes and voice, she was usually more cheerful. Mitsuko shakes her head in frustration after realising what she just said to her.

'Ahh sorry just ignore my ramblings I'm all over the place today. First by waking you up and now I'm just spouting nonsense.'

'Erm...you didn't really wake me up, I was training and was going to rest for a while until the time has come to attend to my duties. l just heard something coming from your room as I walked past it.' LingQi responded.

'Wait training? That early? Damn you really need to relax sometime you know.'

'If that's the case then you really need some discipline instead of sleeping in.' LingQi chuckles.

'Oh that's not fair it's not my fault the damn sun comes up early.' Mitsuko jested. As silence between to form between the two of them again LingQi inquires Mitsuko on something.

'Mind if I ask you something Mitsuko?'

'Sure.'

'What do you fight for?'

'I...' Mitsuko hesitated to answer because she didn't know what she fought for still. She knows she enjoys the fighting a lot but that's about isn't at the time a goal for her to do so. Though lately there's something slowly brewing up inside her that she felt but couldn't explain. Like a spark of some kind growing ever so slightly to become a small flame that will eventually become unstoppable. But she didn't understand why this was, why was something there and more importantly what is she supposed to do with it?

'Well I-'

'My lady!' A soldier in a hurry interrupted the two ladies as he went on one knee.

'What is it?' LingQi asks.

'Someone has arrived for you. A mysterious stranger has called upon the lord of the castle, he says its urgent.' LingQi and Mitsuko looks at each with confusion before turning back to the soldier,

'Understood we'll meet him immediately tell him to wait a few minutes.'

'Yes my lady!' The soldier replied as he made his back to the mysterious stranger as LingQi sighs.

'Looks like we have something to attend to.'

'Yeah...still it sounds important I wonder what he wants.'

'Probably to just waste our time or want to rob us.'

'Well if that's the case you could always present his head to your father maybe he might reward you with your own castle or something.'

'haha maybe, well nevertheless I should at least hear what he wants. Shall we go then?' LingQi asks Mitsuko who nods.

'Sure who knows it could be fun.' The two ladies concluded their conversation and head towards the East gate. Where they are met with a rather unusual man with a couple of Lu Bu's soldiers aswell as Zang Ba guarding him to make sure he didn't try anything funny. He was rather short and wore a black cloth over half of his face with only his eyes showing. He dressed in quite luxurious Viridian robes with the back of it having the art of a phoenix drawn on to expert quality with black ink. He also carried a large war fan of some kind and kept his head covered with a rather extravagant large hat that curled upwards in 4 directions equally split apart from each other.

'Aha good morning to you my ladies. Looks like it's going to be a fine day today isn't it?' He stated very casually.

'I am Lu LingQi daughter of Lu Bu who are you?' LingQi questioned getting right down to business.

'Wow daughter of the greatest warrior in the land huh? That's quite a name to live up to though judging from your appearance you already live up to it. Sorry, allow me to start again. I am Pang Tong just a wandering hermit no one of any real significance.' He casusally retorts as he bows respectfully. However Mitsuko knew full well who he was known as.

'Wait you're the fledgeling phoenix aren't you?' She asks as Pang Tong chuckles to himself.

'Ahh it seems my reputation precedes me. Might I know your name my lady?'

'Sorry I don't really have any grand title like anyone else so you can just call me Mitsuko.' She embarrassedly responds as she rubs the back of her head.

'Mitsuko eh? Hmm interesting.' Pang Tong walks closer to Mitsuko and examines her which makes her feel uncomfortable as it shows on her face.

'Hmm there's peculiar about you...not in a bad way but in an interesting way. There's a special...aura about you know what I mean?' He turns to LingQi who doesn't look amused by his actions.

'Could you please state your business or you'll have to leave, by force if necessary.

'Oh my apologies I tend to ramble quite a bit every now and again you could say its one of my flaws.' He laughs.

'Two days I managed to find something quite peculiar, a small yellow turban camp.I couldn't do much so I thought I would alert yourselves about it, however I saw a village not too far away from where they camped. I have a feeling they will attack by nightfall. I helped give the villagers some traps for them but I fear it may not be enough given that these are just ordinary people not warriors so I come asking for reinforcements for their sake.' Pang Tong explains.

'How large was this bandit camp?' LingQi asks.

'Hmm not large, pretty big for a bandit but nothing a squad of standard soldiers can't handle along with my traps.'

'Right then, can you lead us to the village in need of aid?'

'Oh most certainly my lady.' He respectfully bows.

'Ok Zang Ba you're in charge while I'm gone.' Zang Ba nodded with confusion present in his face but accepted the responsibility. LingQi then turns towards Mitsuko.

'Mitsuko you're with me lets go.' She orders as she starts to walk to the stables. It took Mitsuko a second to realise what was going on.

'Wait what? We're going on our own? Why?' She inquired as Pang Tong laughs casually.

'She must be suspicious about my information and doesn't want to waste her soldier's time considering the people are getting used to your lords rule, its either that or she's just bored. Well either way it seems she trusts in you and your abilities and so shall I.' Pang Tong explains as he grasps hold of his war fan and starts to follow her. Mitsuko stood there for a moment and processed what just happened.

'Does she really trust me that much?'

'Hey are you coming my lady?' Pang Tong calls out which snaps Mitsuko back into reality.

'Ahh yes of course wait up!' Mitsuko shouts as she sprints to his location. Overlooking everything Dodomeki and Gyuki started to wonder about the fledgeling phoenix's appearance.

'Is he supposed to be here Dodomeki?' Gyuki asks.

'No, I believe he's supposed to still be at XiangYang...I sense mystic involvement.' Dodomeki growls as he's getting infuriated at the mystics constant interruptions of Mitsuko's development.

'Hmm well in that case is he on their side or hers?'

'I honestly don't know...damnit I knew I should've done a more thorough job of scouting.' Dodomeki curses as he remembers a couple of weeks back when he heard a small noise.

'So what do we do? Eliminate him or?'

'No...not yet at least. Not until we have enough information to justify it since he already made contact with her. For all we know he knows nothing and this is a coincidence but I don't think so. Lets scout out the village ahead of them so we can verify it's not an ambush, if it is we'll eliminate every single one and have his head.' Dodomeki promises as he starts to sprint to the village with Gyuki closely following him.