Shiro Den Gaiden One

by kiriel

The first gaiden for the series, Fushigi Yuugi: The Next Generation. As some of my readers requested. This is the 1st of four, and it's about the Suzaku group. A civil war is about to break out in Konan. Only one of the Suzaku seishi can stop it, but

11. Interlude

Shiro Den – Gaiden One

Chapter Ten: Interlude

Disclaimer: As you might already know, I don't own Fushigi Yuugi. Yuu Watase owns Fushigi Yuugi, but this story is mine. ^­_^

Author's Note: The last part was a little slow, but it's all set up. I need it for the next parts that are coming up. My apologies for the lack of updates, but school's keeping me from my free time. I can't help, but be amazed at the complexity of Shiro's character. I never thought I could get that much depth and emotion into one character. I think he's rising in my list of favorite characters. Someone said that he's like Heero Yuy from Gundamn Wing. I didn't realize it until she mentioned it. Wow…but, I think Shiro's more emotional than Heero is. He's wearing a mask, and it isn't as obvious as Chichiri's. I imagine Pei Pei looking like Naru's sister, Mei, in Love Hina. ^_^

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Hono'o was sitting on her bed in a fetal position: her head was on her knees, which were pulled up in front of her tightly, and her arms were around her lower legs. She just left the breakfast table downstairs and was preparing herself to face Mariko and the other seishi. Hono'o wasn't lying when she said that she couldn't find Shiro because he had changed so much that he wasn't the same person he was two years ago. 'Why am I letting him get to me like this? Why is it bothering me? He didn't want to come, and I couldn't force him to come with me. That's all. I should just say what happened,' thought Hono'o as she closed her amber eyes. She heard a soft knock on the door. "Come in," she whispered hoarsely.

"Are you alright, Lei?" asked Ling with a worried look on her face.

"I'm just tired, Mother," answered Hono'o avoiding Ling's gaze.

"It's just that you looked…sad. Is there anything wrong? Your father and I are worried," admitted Ling.

"Have you ever failed at something that you thought you could do, Mother?" asked Hono'o in a whisper.

"I can't really say. Well, yes, I can. I've failed at one thing that I set out to do: hating your father," answered Ling truthfully.

"What?" asked Hono'o in a very surprised voice. Ling smiled as she sat down next to her on the bed and placed her arm around her shoulders. Hono'o leaned her head on her mother's shoulder just close enough to hear Ling's heartbeat, which was always a comforting sound.

"Your grandfather forced me to marry your father, and I wasn't willing. On the day of the wedding, I locked myself my room and refused to come out until your grandfather made me come out. Your father had no idea how I felt until after the wedding. Did you know that this house was bought for me? It was the first gift your father ever gave me. I won't talk about the wedding night because that's not appropriate for you to hear about. Anyway, the next morning I made it very clear that I didn't love him and that I never wanted to get married. Your father looked absolutely dumbfounded, and he was furious because he felt like he was lied to. I went out of my way to make him angry even with his temper I knew that he wouldn't hurt a woman. I was prepared to hate your father, and I went out of my way to disobey or not to listen to anything he said. Your father had to build some tolerance as a result. He can be very sweet when he wants to be. I remember the day I really fell in love with him despite myself. I went to market after another verbal spat with your father, and he went to work. The stand that I went to was surrounded by a bunch of dirty men; one of them grabbed me and held me down. I heard, 'LEKKA SHINEN!', and there was a burst of flame that sent those awful men running. I looked up to see your father standing above me, and he said 'I can't leave you alone for a moment, can I? Women always need men to help them.' I was so happy to see him that I didn't care about what he had said. He helped me up, and we went back home together. From that day on, I realized that I loved your father very much. That's the time I failed at something that I really wanted to succeed at. My love, when we fail, sometimes there are other reasons why. I'm sure that no one will be upset with you. Lei, you were up against some pretty large odds of finding him. Shitsu wasn't very successful either. It's nothing to be ashamed about. Don't worry about it," said Ling as she rubbed Hono'o shoulder. She wanted to tell her mother what was wrong, but the words wouldn't come to her throat, and she had no idea why. Hono'o nodded numbly instead.

* * *

Pei Pei and Kanghui were having a staring contest from across the table, while Hakurou sat at the head of the table, they sat on either side of him. Hakurou sighed because they weren't getting along. Pei Pei was immediately threatened by Kanghui's presence, and he was jealous of the attention she had received from Hakurou.

"I see we're all getting along like family," commented Hakurou to break the silence. Pei Pei and Kanghui merely narrowed their eyes at the same time and continued their staring contest. Hakurou sweatdropped and sighed.

"He's my oniichan!" declared Pei Pei.

"Well, he was mine first!" Kanghui fired back.

"Please, please stop fighting," pleaded Hakurou feeble because he wasn't prepared for such hostility among his younger siblings.

"You're older and already grown up! You don't need him anymore! He's my oniichan now!" shouted Pei Pei ignoring what Hakurou had just said.

"Why you little brat!" sneered Kanghui.

"Um…I said please stop. I'm oniichan for both of you. I'm asking nicely…" pleaded Hakurou as he looked back and forth at them; he notice they were building up battle auras.

"Grr…" they growled at each other at the same time.

* * *

"It's time for us to go to the palace everyone is waiting," said Tasuki as gently as possible because Hono'o wasn't moving very fast.

"I don't want to go to the palace today, Papa," mumbled Hono'o without looking at him directly.

"Lei, what's wrong?" asked Tasuki with a sigh. He was noticing how sad she was, and he couldn't understand why.

"Because I'll have to explain what happened. I feel so stupid, Papa. I thought that I could find Shiro, and I didn't. I practically promised it! I'm lucky Tiaowo isn't making fun of me because of it," gasped Hono'o.

"It's not that bad. Shitsu couldn't find her either," said Tasuki in an effort to comfort her.

"I don't want to face them and admit that I couldn't do something. Mariko will be there. I didn't want to disappoint her even though she wasn't here to begin with in the first place," admitted Hono'o. There was another reason why she didn't want to face Mariko; she would know in an instant that Hono'o wasn't telling the truth about Shiro's whereabouts.

"I see. I understand, but Mariko is like her mother, especially at times like these. I'm sure she understands and doesn't blame you for not being able to find Shiro," said Tasuki as he noticed her face fall a bit more, "But, if you don't want to come to the palace…I'll explain. It's simply that you couldn't find him. That's all."

"Really, Papa?" asked Hono'o with a grateful look on her face as her amber eyes sparkled.

"Yes, but you'll have to help out your grandfather. He's a little low on help with a large shipment coming into the port, and he'll be at the port. Your brother will be at the main shop. At least your mother won't have to help out," said Tasuki thoughtfully.

"Alright. I'll do it. Thank you, Papa," said Hono'o with relief as she kissed his cheek. Tasuki smiled and placed his hand on her shoulder, and he gave her a kiss on her forehead.

"Just make sure to keep your brother out of trouble since your mother and grandfather aren't there," he warned her. Tiaowo had been working for the family business for about a year. At first, Rong, their maternal grandfather, had placed him at the front of the main shop to greet customers and to help them. On his first day, Tiaowo quickly lost his temper and cussed out a customer, which resulted in frightening the other customers out of the store. Rong and Ling agreed that Tiaowo wasn't a people person, and it was probably a better idea to place him in the back room and put him in charge of the bookkeeping. Everyone had found out that Tiaowo had skill when it came to numbers, and soon he found out how to maximize profits in for the business. Hono'o rarely helped out in the store because she had to go to the palace for seishi business. Her grandfather said that with her sweetness and delicate looks she could attract more customers, and people wanted to talk to a Suzaku seishi.

"I try…but, you know, he'll make trouble if he wants to," said Hono'o with a smile.

"Yes, I know," agreed Tasuki with a grin because Tiaowo was so much like him.

"I could help out at the shop, too," offered Shumi when she had walked into the sitting room where Tasuki and Hono'o were.

"That would be great, but we'll be looking at the other shops. There are just so many things to see in Eiyou these days," said Ling. The two women were very close friends, and Shumi didn't visit Eiyou that often.

"Well, look like I'll be puttering around and doing nothing," said Kouji with a sigh.

"Come with me to the palace. We'll be discussing your son because he's become a very popular topic," said Tasuki with a smirk playing on his lips.

"Very well, I didn't think I was going to enjoy puttering around here anyway, Genrou," agreed Kouji.

Hono'o let out a quiet sigh, but she tried to hide any emotion that went through her face. Her brother had been quiet the entire time he was there, he had learned that being quiet allowed for more observation. Tiaowo knew that there was something wrong with his sister, and he knew it had something to do with Shiro. 'I'll just keep an eye on her until I know everything is all right,' he thought.

* * *

Kanghui went out with Hakurou and Pei Pei to make the rounds in the village. He watched his brother work quietly and only assisted when Hakurou specifically asked him to. Admiration went through Kanghui's mind as he watched his older brother work. 'He's so compassionate and caring. He's changed a lot. He's so selfless now, not like before. No wonder he doesn't want to come home: these people need him,' thought Kanghui.

"I am sorry, Lord Hakurou, but we won't be able to pay our taxes on time this season. It's been bad. Father got sick and couldn't work, so we had nothing to sell in the village," explained a young woman who was holding her son in her arms. She was a young widow.

"There is no need to apologize. The only thing that angers me is that you didn't come to me sooner when your father was taken ill. As for the taxes, I'll pay them on your behalf for the season. I'm sure the Emperor won't mind," said Hakurou. Pei Pei smiled at her older brother, and then she shot a glare at Kanghui behind their oniichan's back.

"Thank you! Thank you, Lord Hakurou!" cried the woman as she smiled in relief.

Hakurou diagnosed the young woman's father and checked out the baby. He was happy to see that her father would recover and that the baby was in excellent health. The three of them were treated to tea and cakes, but Hakurou declined. The three of them went home to the Su Estate. Pei Pei settled in for the night and the two brothers decided to go on an evening tour of the property because the contrast of how the estate looked like during the day time was drastic from the nighttime.

"It's beautiful. There are fireflies out here," said Kanghui in awe.

"Yes, I can say that this is one of my favorite places that I've been in all my travels," agreed Hakurou.

"You should go to Eiyou. Lei said that you were needed," said Kanghui cautiously and softly.

"I don't want to go to Eiyou. My responsibilities are here, Kanghui. I made promises, and I am a man of my word," said Hakurou solemnly.

"I didn't think you were, Oniichan," said Kanghui trying to hide the surprise in his voice.

"I never stayed long enough to make promises, Kanghui. I suppose that makes a coward as well," said Hakurou.

"You're harder on yourself than everyone else is, Oniichan. I've already forgiven you…and I've been mad at you for years. Three years. I said I hated you. I'm sorry…I don't hate you. I wasn't thinking when I said it out loud before," apologized Kanghui with a desperate tone in his voice.

"I forgive. You're a good person, and a kindhearted soul. I wish I could say the same thing about myself. For all the things that I have done, I don't deserve any mercy from anyone, especially myself," said Hakurou honestly.

"But you can't forgive yourself, can you, Oniichan? You can't come home until you can do that. You can't call this place home until you forgive yourself. What did you do that was so terrible and unforgivable?" asked Kanghui.

"You and Lei are very much alike. You can look at the world through eyes of a child. I wish I could do that, but I can't because I'm not innocent anymore. I gave that up a long time ago. You don't want to know what I've done. I don't want you to think any less of me than you do now," whispered Hakurou. They were now up to a cliff, the same cliff where he had meet Jilun and Suzaku. The wind was whipping around them. The two brothers looked so much alike, but Kanghui still had the mother's softer features. They could almost see eye to eye with each other. The last time they saw each other, Kanghui was barely up to Kuairong's chest. Kuairong didn't have the same spark he once had in his eyes. He was so full of life, and now he was full of untold sorrow and heartache. Kanghui want nothing more, but to help his older brother.

"You killed someone…more than one person…oniichan…" ventured Kanghui carefully because he suddenly remembered the way Kuairong had stopped him earlier against those bandits. Hakurou's eyes dimmed under the moonlight in pain and shame. Kanghui could feel his throat constrict because of the pain that was in his brother's eyes. "Oniichan…you have done so much good. Don't stop now."

"That doesn't make up for the pain I feel everyday, Kanghui. Do you know what my powers really are?" asked Hakurou.

"I thought that you were an expert fighter," answered Kanghui shaking his head.

"No. That's not my real powers. During the restoration of the Four Gods, Suzaku took the liberty of activating my real powers. My senses are heightened. I can feel things in the air that most people can't see. I can see far off distances. I can taste things more accurately and my hearing is exceptional. With my senses being the way that they are…I can also feel other people's pain by touching them, Kanghui. I felt your pain last night when I held you back from hurting those men. I can't fight people under these conditions, let alone kill anyone else. If I kill someone, it would most likely kill me. I can feel the pain of the men I've killed. I can also see into the minds of other men by holding objects in my hands and closing my eyes. Every night, I see my victims in my dreams. I can't seem to block the pain out with the training I've received from the different temples. I don't have the discipline for my powers…I'm not strong enough," finished Hakurou as he choked on the last part.

"Oniichan…I'm sorry…I didn't understand. I thought that your powers were a gift. Why would Suzaku give you something that hurts you?" asked Kanghui.

"I don't know. I don't understand it myself. I used to know who I was…I took Hakurou because I've tainted my other names, and I needed a fresh start," answered Hakurou.

"You have to go back to Eiyou. You can't spend the rest of your life hiding here! I think that's why your powers are over active, Oniichan. Think about it, if a seishi's abilities lay in his chi, then there's too much force building up in you. You have to dispel it by serving your miko, fellow seishi, and the people of Konan. I'm not saying this to sound idealistic, but it's true. That is your duty as a seishi: Suzaku saw something in you that made you different from everyone else, Oniichan. You can't stay here when people need you. If you can feel all the pain in the world, then you should want to stop. That's why you're a healer. You want to stop the pain. Imagine the pain you'll be inflicting on others if you don't do something about this warlord. A civil war will breakout if the capital is destroy because all the nobles will fight for the position. How long do you think things will stay peaceful and safe here?! If you can't stand the pain now, how will you be able to live with yourself later on?!" shouted Kanghui as he tried to reach him. Hakurou had his back turned away from him, but he could hear and feel everything, and he was frozen in his place.

"I need to think some more about this," said Hakurou softly.

"No, the time to think is over, Oniichan, but I can't make you do anything. No one can. You're fate is in your hands," said Kanghui as he walked back to the house alone, leaving Hakurou to think about everything with the new insight that he had just given him.

* * *

"There are so many things about Shiro that I learned when I went to Sailo and Hokkan. We should set up the timeline though," suggested Shitsu. Everyone was gather at a large table for a long discussion about Shiro. Present were: Odayaka, Mariko, Ryu, Sei, Taki, Kawa, Tasuki, Chichiri, Kouji and, of course, Shitsu. Ryu nodded and looked around at the different faces around the table, and he realized that talking about how the Seiryuu group had found him in Kutou would alarm Kouji, whose face was expressionless.

"I think that Kutou would be the last place to go, if one is going to go on a journey around the world. Sailo would be a wiser place to go first, if you don't want to cross the ocean to go to Hokkan. Besides, it wouldn't make much sense to go to the North first. I'll go last and explain what happened in Kuto," said Ryu thoughtfully. Everyone's collective glance turned back to Shitsu, who let out a sigh and began.

"Shiro went to the West first. That much we know. He trained in temples all over the West. His fight tournament, he was just fourteen years old, was in an arena in the middle of Sailo. He won the tournament without any problems. As far as I can tell, he goes to various places that to train, and not just temples. But, the temples teach the discipline that one would require to be a world champion. The temples had different philosophies, but still had some of the same requirements. For example, abstinence from liquor and sex. So, Shiro isn't as undisciplined as we think he is. He's also smarter than we think he is," reported Shitsu who had to stop because Mariko had her hand up.

"Of course, he would be intelligent. I mean he's Chiriko's counterpart, and he's successfully kept himself hidden. How many temples do you estimate he trained at?" asked Mariko.

"It's hard to say. The only person who can answer that for sure is Shiro, but I think it's around twenty, maybe more," replied Shitsu.

"No wonder, his skills are so diverse," commented Odayaka.

"If there is one thing, that people should know by now it's that no one should ever underestimate a Suzaku seishi," said Ryu, which gathered smiles from the Suzaku seishi in the room.

"That's not all. I think that Shiro reminded the same pretty much before the summoning of Suzaku. The changes happened on his second trip through Sailo. Remember, Shiro didn't travel to Hokkan and Kuto until his second departure. Um…what I am about to say is a little disturbing. I meet Kokoro along the way to Hokkan," said Shitsu slowly.

"The Genbu seishi?" asked Taki with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes. Shiro and he had a match that lasted for hours on end, from sundown to sun up. They fought until Shiro managed to disarm him at dawn. Kokoro said that Shiro looked like he was going to kill him," Shitsu paused with a gulp.

"Go no," urged Kouji without any expression on his face.

"Shiro was above Kokoro when he came down with his sword towards his head, but when Kokoro opened his eyes he saw that the sword's pointed end was buried into the ground, and Shiro just left without saying a word and his sword," finished Shitsu with a deep breath. Kouji closed his eyes in deep thought as he tried to imagine his son doing something like that.

"Well, Kokoro obviously survived, if he lived to tell you about it, Shitsu," commented Sei.

"Yes, Kokoro said that Shiro almost chopped off his ear, but he did get some of his hair," remarked Shitsu. As a weapons maker, she was more concerned about Shiro abandoning his weapon at the end of the match like that.

"Well, I guess this leads up to my story, but I wasn't there. Actually, it's what Hoseki, Iwa, and Mori reported back to me about the warlord who might becoming to this city. Hoseki said that they found Shiro in Kutou tied to ground with four stakes. It looked like he was in a fight…and lost. There was a lot of blood loss, and it's a wonder how he lived long enough to be saved; perhaps, it was discipline and endurance from the temples. Or something else entirely. There were deep cuts on his torse and his entire body was bruised. The cuts were deep like they were done with claws. When Shiro had regained consciousness, he told them that there was a warlord who had decimated villages; whenever he had come upon a village he had to bury bodies. Hoseki said that he was in a lot of pain, but wouldn't say anything about the fight. We stopped the warlord in Kutou, but I didn't know he would raise an army here in Konan," said the Seiryuu seishi apologetically.

"It's alright, oniichan. It's not your fault. Now, I'm more worried about Shiro. It's been so long since I've seen him. Two years," said Mariko quietly.

"I knew something like this was going to happened to him. I've always worried about something like that happening to him," said Kouji in a frustrated and angry voice.

"Look, Kouji, I know that you've always worried about him, but he's a man now," said Tasuki.

"Shut up, Genrou. At least, you know where all your children are!" yelled back Kouji.

"Hey! It's not my fault yer boys are gone! Where do you come off saying something like that to me?! F**K YOU! YOU DON'T HAVE A F**KIN' RIGHT TO TELL ME TO SHUT UP WHEN I'M TRYING TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER!" Tasuki fired back.

"ARE YOU SAYING THAT I'M A BAD FATHER?! WHERE THE F**K DO YOU COME OFF SAYING THAT TO ME?!" shouted back Kouji.

"Stop!" ordered Mariko forcefully. Kouji realized that Tasuki was only trying to help, and that he had just totally exposed a fear that he had ever since Kuairong was born. He knew that Kuairong was a very special and different boy. He wondered if he had done a good enough job raising him, and wondered if he was he's fault that Kuairong had left home in the first place. They glared at the each other and moved their chairs away from each other.

"I think it's more important that we find him. There's something wrong with him," concluded Shitsu.

* * *

Hakurou was outside again, and Yoku was up in the air flying in circles. He watched as the falcon made several circles, and his younger sibling were watching Yoku from the house.

"Where'd he get that bird?" asked Kanghui as he watched.

"He got Yoku when he fell out of his nest as a chick. Oniichan raised him," answered Pei Pei as they continued to watch. Hakurou watch Yoku dive down for a long time and come back up into the sky again. He whistled, and bird of prey swooped down to him dropping an arrow into his hand before landing on his shoulder. 'An arrow. What could this mean?' he thought as he closed his eyes. The bird sensed that his master was about to do something, and flew to a nearby tree branch.

"Give me vision," whispered Hakurou as a red aura built up around him. The energy dispelled, and Hakurou's eyes opened wide. The vision he had seen was of destruction ripping a path towards Eiyou; the army was coming. Hakurou knew who the leader was, and he had to stop him no matter what it took. He walked back to the house quietly and called on Renbiao and Kenren to make arrangements for the trip to the capital city of Eiyou. Kenren said that he would rent a place for Hakurou stay in that would insure his privacy, and that was Wang's house in Eiyou that would be used. Wang was supposed to travel to Eiyou to meet with another merchant, but decided to put the trip off because of the impeding attack, and he also wanted to be closer to home. Hakurou agreed to meet with the merchant on his behalf in exchange for the use of the house. Wang was grateful, but didn't directly communicate with Hakurou, and he didn't want to disagree with his requests either. Wang remembered his last encounter with Lord Hakurou as much as he understood the whole situation was his fault, he was still afraid of him; Hakurou didn't bother to apologize for any of his past actions towards Wang. Renbiao suggested the use of horses rather than carriages because they would attract a lot of attention. Wang said that the things that Hakurou would require would be at the house waiting for him. Finally, Hakurou had to break the news to his younger siblings.

"I have to go away on a trip for a few days. A fortnight at the most," said Hakurou during dinner, which snapped Kanghui and Pei Pei's attention and prevented them from fighting any more during the dinner.

"But, oniichan…" started Pei Pei.

"Where are you going?" interrupted Kanghui.

"To Eiyou," answered Hakurou.

"I see. Do you want me to take care of things while you're away?" asked Kanghui quietly.

"Yes. I'll return soon, but there's some business I have to handle there. I need you to make rounds around the village. As for estate business, Kenren will help you," answered Hakurou.

"I want to go to Eiyou, too, Oniichan. I've never been anywhere, but this valley," whined Pei Pei.

"No. Maybe, the next trip, but not now," said Hakurou firmly. Pei Pei could tell that all the whining in the world wasn't going to change his mind, so she gave up.

"Is there anything else I should take care of?" asked Kanghui, so that he would know his duties when Hakurou was gone.

"Yes, take care of Pei Pei. Make sure to keep up with her lessons. Pei Pei, please listen to everything Kanghui says," ordered Hakurou.

"Yes, oniichan," answered Pei Pei with a sigh as she glared at Kanghui.

"Watch it, gaki, I'm in charge while Oniichan is gone," taunted Kanghui. Pei Pei pouted and looked at Hakurou, and he just nodded to reinforce his order.

"Okay," agreed Pei Pei begrudgingly.

"Very well, I'll be leaving at dawn tomorrow. For now, let's just enjoy each other's company. I don't want to hear anymore fighting for the rest of the day. Do you promise?" asked Hakurou.

"We promised," agreed Pei Pei and Kanghui.

* * *

"I think there's something wrong with Lei," commented Shumi after dinner. Tasuki and Kouji were no longer sore at each other for what had happened earlier; they were better friends than to let an argument like that affect their friendship.

"I know what you mean. She's been rather quiet ever since she came back," agreed Ling with concern.

"I think she's upset about not being able to keep her promise," said Tasuki.

"No, it's more than that, Father. It's like something inside her is missing. Her spirit's broken," disagreed Tiaowo quietly. He was more in tune with Lei's feelings than any of his brothers, even though he made fun of her the most out of the three.

"It's like her heart's been broken," Ling whispered. Tasuki shook his head and looked upstairs, where Lei was. Lei was brushing out her hair and looking at her reflection in the mirror. 'Who am I really? Why do I do the things I do? I wonder what Shiro is doing right now…no, I wonder what Hakurou is doing right now. Why can't I stop thinking about him? He was just so sad…it's like I feel sad, too, thought Hono'o as she finished brushing her hair and tying it up. She bit her bottom lip, and wondered how long his parents were going to stay in Eiyou. With a sigh, she blew out the candle, and laid down in bed. She could hearing the worried mummers of everyone else downstairs as she went to sleep.

* * *

Hakurou decided to do a little packing before he left for Eiyou the next day. He knew that his sword would have to come with him, but it was dull because he had refused to sharpen it for months. The next thing he wanted to pack was some scrolls in his writing desk; he decided that he could pick up an inkwell and quills in Eiyou when he arrive. While selecting scrolls, he found a velvet cloth in his desk, something that he had almost forgotten about. He opened the cloth, and found the amber amulet that he had won in his first match. He wanted for a very special or immature reason. Hakurou thought that the amber matched Hono'o's eyes perfectly, and he was going to give it to her as a gift. Just something to give her, he never expected anything from her because he loved her enough for the both of them. His feelings for her hadn't diminished since she had left, in fact his feelings had intensified. He packed with him, even though he didn't know why. Hakurou had plans when he reached the capital, he was going to find the warlord and take him down before the others had to do anything, and leave quietly afterwards. If everything went like he planned, then no one would have ever known that he was even in Eiyou. He wondered if Hono'o had reported back to them yet, and he thought about what she might have said about him. It didn't matter, he told himself, it was for her own good that she left. Kanghui later asked about Hakurou's trip, and he told him about the whole thing in case anything happened to him. Hakurou was resolved to take down the warlord even if he cost him his life. He felt that he had deserved his fate.

The next morning, Hakurou woke up just after dawn to find his younger sibling waiting for him. Pei Pei looked very sad, and Kanghui looked rather stoic. They ate breakfast quietly. Pei Pei was happy that Renbiao would be joining Hakurou on the trip because that would mean that someone would take care of him, and make sure that he ate and slept properly. Not that Renbiao had any control over his master. Kanghui was grateful that Renbiao was accompanying Hakurou because he would insure that someone would at report back his status in case anything happened to him.

"You promise to come back, Oniichan?" pleaded Pei Pei with tears brimming her brown, doe-like eyes.

"I can't make that promise, Pei Pei," answered Hakurou.

"Yes, you can," insisted Kanghui with a slight glare.

"Very well, I'll try my best. I love you both," amend Hakurou as he hugged both of them at the same time. Hakurou and Renbiao mounted their horses, the carriages had left the day before to set up Wang's house for Hakurou's comfort. The only thing that they had on they were the clothes on their back, swords, Hakurou's scrolls, and the amber necklace.

"Farewell, Oniichan. Come home soon!" Pei Pei called after them as they rode off to Eiyou.

"I hope you keep your promise, Kuairong," whispered Kanghui so softly, that Pei Pei didn't hear him. Right after they went into the house and continued Pei Pei's lessons.

* * *

Shi Mengxin was planning his attack on Eiyou and drinking some sake at the same time. He wondered how to take the capital of Konan. He was very careful the this time because he had learned something from his encounter with the Seiryuu seishi of Kutou. 'Jilun wasn't able to convince him to join us…," thought Mengxin as he looked at a map of Eiyou in front of him. He wanted the seventh Suzaku seishi on his side, so that the seishi couldn't attack. Mengxin put down his sake and walked over to a cabinet and opened the little doors. Unrolling the cloth around the object that he had taken out of the cabinet he smiled and place it on his hand.

It was an iron claw that could cut through human flesh. It had already tasted the flash of one of the Suzaku seishi, and soon it would taste the flesh of more. All Mengxin could do was smile and wait.

~*~ClareBear's Omake~*~

Miaka: Well, that was disturbing….

Tamahome: He's going to attack the city!

Hotohori: They have at least an idea that there's going to be an attack.

Chiriko: It would do them any good, if they don't know when it's going to be.

Nuriko: Or how it's going to be.

Mitsukake: We don't even know.

Miaka: I thought that there was going to be a Bad Play in this omake.

ClareBear: I do have some Bad Plays for Seiryuu Den. I've got a cast list…well a partial one. I think people are going to like Seiryuu Den even better than Shiro Den. Wouldn't you people like to know what I've got up my sleeve? Let's just say it's interesting.

Tamahome: What kind of torture do you have planned for my son? You've left Mariko alone for the time being….

ClareBear: Do you really think I'd tell you?

Hotohori: By royal order, you will give us some information right now.

ClareBear: Please! I'm a creator…I don't have to answer to you. ^_-

Tamahome: Do you take bribes?

ClareBear: I'm already not being paid for this. What makes you think money is going to work?

Tamahome: It would work on me.

ClareBear: It won't work on me. Later folks. By the way…should I give sneak peek of Seiryuu Den before Shiro Den is done? I work for my audience more than my little omake hands over here. (looks back at them because they've fallen over superdeformed and with swirls in their eyes). Until next time. Bye, bye.