TA: ^____^ New evil fic idea no da! This is the prologue to what I hope shall be a very fruitful one (review wise) And no, I did NOT have any coke while thinking this one up! *glomps Nuriko for being a good lil muse* Oh, and PLEASE R&R my other fic, Wolf. It's only got one review no da.

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"Ahhh…" Tasuki sighed happily, leaning back in his chair. Finally, everyone had been returned the their appropriate places. Boushin was going to grow into a fine emperor now he'd opened his mouth a few times. Houki's health was returning. Chichiri had decided to stay at the palace for a year or two to get the crown prince on his way. He had only hoped, he told Tasuki, that the advisors wouldn't ask him to stay longer than he was needed. The spirits of the others were at Mt. Taikyoku, waiting to be reincarnated at their desired times. He had been told he could visit Chiriko and Nuriko and the others as long as they weren't reborn, or in the process of being. Tasuki didn't want to think about THAT! Miaka and Taka were happily back in their own world, and he was back at home. Mount Reikaku. The others had taken him back in as their leader. Life couldn't get any better.

"Knock knock! Who's there? Kouji with a letter for his pal Genrou! Oh, a letter? Come on in, Kouji! Thank you!"

Tasuki and the others STILL hadn't broken the bandit of THAT habit. Tasuki sat up at the mention of a letter. It was probably news from Chichiri. Although he'd never admit it to anyone but Kouji, the king of thieves enjoyed getting letters from his remaining chosen brother. Especially when they regarded the munchkin, Boushin. The past letter, Chiriko had said his greetings as well. Hotohori had already been reincarnated, but the others were still there, he said. He also reminded Tasuki to visit. How silly. He'd visit whenever he could. The letter being stuffed in his face brought him out of the fond recollection.

"Ain't nobody's handwritin' I've ever seen. Juuken brought it back from a village not far down the east."

Tasuki froze. East? No way…Cautiously, he pulled open the carefully sealed letter, fearing the contents. His eyes quickly scanned over the words.

Kids to the far north in Hokkan were asking their parents where that loud yell had come from and what "shit" meant.

A little short of an hour later, the door to Chichiri's room was thrown open, slamming into the wall with a bang.

"DAAAAA!! I DIDN'T DO IT NO DA!!" the monk sat up straight in his bed.

"CHICHIRI!! YA GOTTA SAVE ME!!"

Chichiri blinked. Tasuki didn't usually come barging in like this. Especially at the time of night it was.

"Tasuki-kun, are you alright no da? Is someone after you?"

"They wanna fuckin KILL ME!!"

"Who does no da?!" Worry filled the unmasked monk's good eye. He never slept with his mask on unless there were others around. Also, he had taken to sleeping without a shirt in the summertime (which it is because the authoress wants it that way dammit!!)

Tasuki scurried over to his friend and stuffed the letter into his hand before finding his way to a corner and huddling in it.

"I am feeling very, very vulnerable right now."

"Tasuki-kun…" Chichiri raised an eyebrow. "This is just a letter from your mother about a family reunion no da."

"EXACTLY!!"

Chichiri paused and looked at the letter again, scratching his head.

"How many relatives do you have no da?"

"Five sisters, four of 'em married, three with kids, one pregnant, seven aunts and uncles with cousins to go along."

Chichiri paused and smirked.

"I'll see you at your funeral no da!"

Tasuki glared.

"Chichiri, I didn't run all the way here fer nothin'."

"You wanted to show me the letter, right no da?"

"Nope." Here, Tasuki grinned. "Read the last line."

Chichiri glanced back at the letter.

"Feel free to bring a friend if you want…oh……shit no da." His hand automatically found his way to his mouth. Tasuki grinned a fanged smirk.

"Well I'll be! Yer fuckin turning into me!"

"I AM NOT DAMMIT NO DA!"
SMACK!

"Yes you are." ^__^

"No, I'm not," came the muffled reply.