New Life, Old Bonds

By Babbling Brook42

Rating: R – for language

Warnings:  Foul language ahead but I am sure it is no worse than many of you hear on a daily basis.  Long chapter - I may have gotten long winded.

Disclaimer: See Prologue

I think I have covered everything….

Japanese words uses:

Hai - Yes

As I wrote Tasuki's chapter, it just got longer and longer… much longer than Chichiri's.  [Ok it is only longer by a few pages.]  I think that will be the case for the first few rounds.  Chichiri's chapters should get longer later in the story. 

I found it fun to write from Tasuki's POV. hee hee hee  Since I am not one to throw profanity around in my own speech, I have never written a character who does.  So this is a first, and I rather enjoyed it.  Must be the little devil in me.  J

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Chapter 2 – Conundrums (Tasuki's POV)

At the sound of the teacher's voice I nonchalantly look up, the rebellious grin already on my lips.  I am sure to make eye contact so he will know I won't be pushed around easily.  He looks back undaunted, yet his eyes… his eyes hold me.  They are familiar and oddly comforting.  I internally chuckle at the peeved expression on his face.  Sure, I enjoy ticking off my teachers, but there is a deeper satisfaction with this one.  The sudden urge to enter this classroom late every time just to annoy him washes over me.  

Kouji breaks our staring contest and shoves me into a seat toward the middle of the row.  Ri-sensei starts the lecture by introducing himself and going over the course overview.  My eyes seem to follow his every movement.  There is an odd comfort in doing so. 

Damn it, why do I find myself so obsessed with this bastard? 

I can't call him that.  I don't know why, but something forbids me from thinking of him in such derogatory terms.  There is an insistence for a warmer attitude.

  Suzaku, what's gotten inta me?

Yeah, I know "Suzaku" is an odd swear word, but I have always had it in my vocabulary.  It gets interesting reactions, so I continue to uses it freely in my profane speech patterns.

I let out a light irritated growl.  That gets me a questioning look from Kouji.  I shrug it off and focus on the blue haired teacher once more.

Have I met him before?  I would surly 'member someone with such a unique hair style.

I prop my chin in my hand in a bored manner and jot down a few notes while my mind insists that I know my teacher.

He lets class out a few minuets early.  I close my notebook and lean over to shove it into my bag.  In the process, I secretly glance at him once more.  He is gathering his notes.  He taps them against the desk to organize them and puts them away.  I secure my bag and hoist it over my shoulder.  The students around us are gathered at the end of the rows waiting to merge into the exiting river.  Kouji and I shuffle to the end of the queue and wait to get out.  I survey the classroom once more anxious to leave.  I try not looking at the front of the room, but my eyes revolt and alight once more on Ri-sensei.  He looks back.  A warm pleased flame lights inside me, and I grin with one canine poking over my lower lip.  He suddenly looks away at being caught and strides out of the room through the door at the front of the room.

My satisfied smirk catches Kouji's eye.

"Man, what's up?  You look like the cat that ate the canary."

"Just a passin idea," I shrug off.

"Care to share?" he prods.

"Ya wouldn't find it interesting," I say pushing him into the aisle. 

We walk out of the room, and I push thoughts of the history prof out of my mind.

"That's my last class fer th' day," Kouji announces proudly.

"I've one more," I grumble not excited about my writing class.

"I'll see ya back at the dorm," he says before an arm wraps around each of our necks and starts choking us.  It is accompanied by a banshee shriek.

"Kouji!  Gen-chan!"

"Meru," I manage to croak out.  Shit, she found us.  Knew I should've tried to see what her schedule was.

"Whatcha doing here, Meru?" Kouji asks while I squirm myself free from my sister's death grip muttering curses the entire time.

"Taking classes, silly," she says brushing her fingertip across the tip of Kouji's nose.

I think I'll fucking puke. 

"What class ya taking?" he asks.  He grins at my obvious irritation at being around my sister.

"Comparative religions," she shrugs with the most aggravating dingbat smile on her face.  "I'm looking forward to it.  Hear there is a new sensei this year," she prattles on.

"Don't ya need to get to class, Genrou?" Kouji said.

"Sure do.  Don't want ta be late," I say while silently blessing Kouji for my path of escape.  "Later!"

I trot away hurriedly to my next class.

It was not as bad as I though it would be.  The teacher is one of those who wants us to express our fucking feelings in our writing. – A bunch of crap if you ask me, but hey, it will make the class easy.  The hardest thing for it will be the twenty page original story due toward the end of the semester.  I am one of the least creative people I know.  Hell, if I wanted to be creative I would be majoring in art or something like that instead of business and accounting.  But, with a bit of sake and input from Kouji, I can pull something passable out of my ass, and I'll not have to worry about this creative writing crap again.

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~ 

After I drop my satchel in my room, Kouji and I head down to eat dinner.  I glance over the selection and curse under my breath.  Nothing good.  I choose the lesser of the evils and put it on my plate.  I select a few other items that look edible and find a table.  Kouji plops down in front of me. 

Looking up, I groan and try to shrink into my seat.  Kouji looks at me questioningly.

"Meru" I answer hoping she doesn't see me as she exits the cafeteria with her tray of food.

"Shit!" I utter as she grins at me.  My damned life is so fucked up.

She sets her tray down beside me and ruffles my hair.

"Greetings, Gen-chan," she bubbles.

Her horde of girlfriends settles in around her.

 "Fuck off," I growl at her.

She only twitters in amusement before telling her friends how un-civilized her brother is.

"I'm sure that he will change with the touch of the right woman.  Don't you agree, Airi-chan?" she says to the girl across from her.

I shove a piece of meat into my mouth and glare at Airi through my bangs.  She looks flushed and flustered as she agrees.  Her eyes shyly watch me the entire time.

Fucking shit!  The bitch is trying to set me up again.  Y'd think she would've learned from last time.

I ignore them hopping they will go away.  That does not detour my sister and her matchmaking.

Thank Suzaku for Kouji.  He manages to direct the conversation from me to school work.  His flirting with them makes it easier.  They are soon tittering under his attention.  I roll my eyes at him but say nothing.  I can hopefully eat my dinner in relative peace.

"Did you see the new teacher for religious studies?" one of the girls giggles.

"The one with the light blue hair that make you want to run your fingers through it," another purrs.

"I think he is just dreamy," Meru adds.

This topic of conversation catches my attention.  Could it be Ri-sensei?

"I think I saw him.  He is teaching history too," the pink haired girl says. 

"His name is Ri Houjun," Meru leans forward to share her gossip.  "He's in his mid-twenties, and this is his first teaching job.  I haven't learned much more than that.  Give me some time, and I'll know more."  She leans back confident in her gossip gathering abilities.

By this time I have finished my dinner and make my exit.

 ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~ 

I wrack my brain for a story idea.  My creative writing teacher wants our basic story ideas turned in by the end of the week, which is today.  I run my hand through my hair and sigh as we walk to class.

"Still trying to come up with a story idea?" Kouji asks.

"Yeah," I growl frustrated.  "Noth'en appeals to me."

"Remember when we're little and played bandits?" Kouji asks.

I nod I do.

We pretended my tree fort was a mountain bandit hideout.  We even named the mountain.  It was … Mt. Reikaku.  I'd forgotten all that. 

I chuckle as I remember the hours planning raids on my sisters' rooms.  We would take their things – often holding them for ransom or till Mom forced us to give them back.  Diaries were the best.

"Why don't ya write about that?  We practically had our own little world build around that."

"That's a great idea," I enthusiastically thump Kouji on the back.  "I could kiss ya for it."

"If ya do, especially in public, I'll deck ya," he good naturally laughs.

I smirk.  It's not like I had never kissed him before.  It was in our younger days.  Kouji was questioning his sexuality.  We were curious and experimenting.  It was never anything too serious.  A few heated kisses, a bit of exploration, nothing more.  Our little make-out sessions stopped when he got his first girlfriend.

He decided that he was bi.  Men were enjoyable, but he definitely liked girls too.  I, on the other hand, have known I prefer guys since puberty, maybe even before.  I had been spouting I hated girls my entire life.  My sisters being the freaking thorns in my side they are quickly drove me to that opinion.  Still, very few think to question if I like men.  They laugh and say it is something I will grow out of or the right "girl" will come along and change my mind.  Kouji is the only one that knows which way I swing. 

Oddly enough, even though I am attracted to men, there aren't many that catch my fancy.

I take my seat and watch Ri-sensei enter from the lower door.  He nods to a few of the students up front.  I unconsciously run my tongue over my lower lip as he slips out of his suit jacket.

"Looks like your sis ain't the only one in your family with the hots for Ri-sensei," Kouji leans over and whispers to me.             

"Ya don't know what y'r fucking talking about," I hiss back punching him in the arm.

He chuckles and winks.

Ri-sensei starts teaching the class, and I am once more captivated.

Deep down I know Kouji is right.  Ri-sensei has definitely caught my fancy.  Shit, what do I do now?  It's not like I can just go up to him and ask him out on a date.  I know nothing about him.  He could be married.  I check for a ring.  There is none, but that is no guarantee.  Maybe he's seeing someone.  Fucking hell, he's probably not into guys.

I tap my pen against my cheek in irritation. 

Kouji clucks his tongue in a tisk-tisk manner.  I glare at him.  It does nothing to arrest his teasing.  He scribbles something on the bottom of his paper, tears it off, and hands it to me.

"Ya probably will want to wait till after the semester to jump him if ya want him to keep his job.  His predecessor was canned for sleeping with several of his students for 'extra credit.'"

"How'd ya know?" I write back.

"Y'r sister" he replied.  

I should've known.  Meru has become the source for all things concerning Ri-sensei.

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~ 

I avoid my sister after history and settle down in my writing class.

Shit, I almost forgot.

I pull out a sheet of paper and write down my story idea.

"Story Title: The adventures of Mt. Reikaku bandit leader"

Crappy title I know, but I can change it later.  I tap my pen against my canines as I try to remember what else she wanted.  She wanted a story summary.  What is my story line?

"Plot: The story follows the exploits of the daring bandit leader…" I pause there searching for a name for my story's hero.  Genrou would be too obvious even if I do plan on casting myself as the lead character.  "… Huan-Langi."  That should be good enough.

Sanoko-sensei enters and collects our papers.

"During class today, I want you to examine the poem on page 23 of your books and write a minimum of a half page on your interpretation of it.  It is to be turned in before you leave.  While you do that, I will be calling each of you up to discuss your story ideas.  I want to help fine tune and get you excited about the project," she bubbles enthusiastically at the prospect.

I roll my eyes but pull out my book.  I read the flowery poem and want to puke. 

The writer sounds plain horny and anxious ta get inta someone's pants.

That's my interpretation but know I can't put that down.  I read it again trying to assign some sort of grander meaning to the words in the poem.*

Come Unto Me *

Author: Shawn Mikula

Harmony of our being,
Reflections of each other.
I can't put into words,
My addiction to you, Lover.

Ethereal bliss,
Vertiginous emotional heights.
I'm spinning round and round in you,
Effusing euphoric delights.

Minds fluctuate,
But you are a constant in mine.
Center of my universe,
Inspiring beauty divine.

Come unto me,
Consummation of dreams sweet.
Rapture setting me afire,
Let me engulf you in my heat.

[* Poem is from http :// mind-brain . com / poems_romantic / mik1 . html since I can not write poetry.  (remove spaces from address to visit.  They are there to keep from being edited out by ffnet)]

Damn, still sounds like she wants to get laid.

I run my fingers through my hair contemplating. 

So how do I put it in not so vulgar terms and at least half a page.

I groan softly at the prospect.  I re-read the first stanza.

So she's connected to her bastard lover and needs him like a fucking drug.  OK. That's a start.

I jot down a few more notes before the teacher calls me up.  I stuff my papers in my book before letting it fall closed.  I settle into the seat beside her desk.  She pulls out my hastily scrawled story idea.

"A story about a bandit," she cheerfully says.

I hate how fricken' cheerful she is all the time.

"I'm glad to see you picked a non-traditional hero for your story.  Do you have anything else planed out than what you have here?"

"No," I admit.  "I only settled on the idea today."

"I see," she beams.  "So you have a bandit leader.  What sort of adventures will he get into?"

"Well," I ponder.  A few moments of silence slip by while my mind grasps at what a bandit leader will do.  How do you become a bandit leader?  "I guess I will start with how he becomes the leader."

"That's an excellent idea," she clasps her hands together.  "It will be a good opportunity to develop you character and define who he is."  She jots down "How Huan-Langi becomes leader" on my paper.  "Other people in the story?"

"His best friend Kouji," I pipe up immediately.

She grins and jots that down too.

"Villains?"

"Whoever the hell Huan-Langi has to fight for leadership."

More notations.

"Hai, Hai," she says agreeing with the obvious choice.

"Love interests?"

My face wrinkles up at that idea.  She laughs lightly.

"I'll put that one down with a question mark.  Something for you to think about as you plan out your story."  More writing.  "You think about fleshing out these ideas and you have the beginnings of a story."

She hands my paper to me and dismisses me with a smile.  She calls the next student as I stand.  I glance at the wall clock as I return to my seat.  Fifteen minutes to go.  I take my seat and jot down some crap about the poem.

"For next Tuesday, I want you to write your own romantic poem.  And a week from that, I want to see initial outlines for you story and character biographies for at least your main character.  To make the characters real, they have to be real and detailed for you.  So, if you don't know what kind of ice cream he or she likes you need to work on the character more."

The class groans at the news and quickly turned in their assignments so they could escape.

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~ 

"Shit!  Shit!  Fucking damn shit!" I exclaim as Kouji and I walk to class.

"What'd ya forget to do this time?" Kouji asks knowing me so well.

"I never finished the damn romantic poem for class," I grip.  "I tried to work on it Saturday, but that shit is harder to do than ya think."

I kick at imaginary pebbles as we walk.

"Ya could write it in history," Kouji points out.

"How the fuck am I to do that, when I just told ya I tried over the weekend and couldn't?" agitated I yell at him.

He grins, and I know I don't want to hear his response.

"Ah, but in history you will have a muse, an inspiration in the form of one blue haired sensei."

He laughs and runs toward class.

"I'm gona murder ya," I say jogging after him. 

I could have caught him if I truly wanted to.  I'm fast.  Always have been.  In fact, the reason I got to live in the dorms with Kouji was my track scholarship.  Without it, I would have had to live at home.  I thought it was my ticket away from my family even if Meru attended the same school.  I was wrong.  Since I was in the dorms, Meru talked Mom and Dad into letting her live in the dorms too.  Said that way someone could keep an eye on me. 

I dodge the people along the sidewalk and yank the door open.  I can here Kouji laughing down the hallway.  I run after him.  I am close on his heels by the time we enter the classroom.  Class has not started yet, but we are loud enough to draw attention to ourselves.    Kouji tumbles into his seat still laughing.  I kick him as I pass.  He lets out a satisfying yelp, and I grin menacingly at him.

Dropping my book bag, I sink into my seat.  Ri-sensei, as well as a third of the class, is watching our little exchange.  I feel a blush wanting to rise to my face, but I can't let that happen.  I flash everyone a toothy grin, especially Ri-sensei, before crossing my arms over my chest and leaning back in my chair.

Class begins, and I try to work on my poem.  What could it hurt?  My mind starts following the same circles from earlier and still got me no where. 

How am I to write a romance poem when I don't have a frekin romantic bone in my body?  Might help if I had been in love once.

I watch Ri-san teaching.  I ponder what it is that draws me to him. 

He's downright fucking gorgeous. 

Right, but there has to be more to it than that.  I've seen many damn fine looking men and never felt what I do toward Ri-san.  Sort of a connection….

Like soul mates?

Na, I don't believe in that shit.

I start writing.

"What is it you do to me

when I stand in your presence?

What is this power you hold over me

that says I am yours?"

Not very romantic but a good start.

I chew on the end of my pen and watch the way his shirt moves as he writes on the board.  The way his pulled back hair drifts down his back calls to be touched. 

More lines flow about wanting to feel his touch and exploring his body.  I even surprise myself with a line about wanting to love him through all time.  I read through it once more.  I make a few corrections.  It's passable. 

I find Kouji reading over my arm.  He gives me a thumbs up.  I roll my eyes and start to recopy my poem into a cleaner format to hand in

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~ 

 "Gen-chan," my sister sing-songs as she enters my dorm room.  "I need you to do something for me," she says waving a thin stack of papers in her hand.

"What makes ya think I'll help ya?" I growl at her.

As always, she ignores my threat.  She places on hand on her hip and locks her trumpet look on me.

"If you don't, I will make your life a living hell," she sweetly promised.

I snort at the threat.

"Like ya already don't," I point out.

"I can make it fucking worse," she says leaning across my desk and staring me in the face.  "And I will tell Mom it is your fault if I fail my assignment."

I can't help it, fingers of dread run up and down my spin causing me to cringe.  Only my family can produce such a reaction from me.

"Alright, I'll do it as long as it's not interfering with my classes," I concede.

She triumphantly drops the report she is carrying on my desk.

"Give this to Ri-sensei for me.  I have to miss class today, and I forgot to turn it in."

I mumble that I will do it.  With a punch to my arm she leaves brushing past Kouji as he enters.

"What'ch sister want?" he asks as he gathers his books.

"Me ta turn in an assignment to Ri-sensei for her."

"Ohh, ya get to talk to Ri-sensei," Kouji teases fluttering his eyelids. 

Suzaku help me.  The world is out to fucking get me.

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~ 

I finger Meru's paper as we enter the classroom.

Should I give him it before or after class?

I immediately scan the front of the room.  He is not in yet so I take my seat.  He enters only a few minutes before class so it will have to be afterwards.

I fidget through the lecture.  I curse at myself as to why I should be so nervous.  All I am doing is handing a paper to him.  Then it hits me, I have never been that close to him.  I have always admired him from the safety of afar.  This will actually require that I talk to him.  I'll just rely on Genrou bravado.

The class ends.  I tell Kouji good-bye and force my way against the exiting flow.  As I take the last few steps to the lower level, he is disappearing out the door.

"Shit," I hiss and pick up my pace to catch him.  "Ri-sensei," I call after the retreating blue head.

He stops at my call and turns around.  He looks at me calmly with one thin eyebrow arched over a red brown eye.  I halt before him and thrust Meru's paper at him before I can freeze under his scrutiny.

"My sister can't make it to y'r class and wanted me to turn this in for her," I say and end with an impish smile. 

He plucks the report from my hand.  He glances over it.

"She did tell me she would be out today," he acknowledges.  "Thank you, Kou-kun."

"Genrou," I supply.  "Later, I've another class to get to," I say dashing away.

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~ 

It's Thursday evening, and I head to the dojo to teach a class of seven to ten year olds.  Surprising, huh.  Contrary to popular belief, I like kids.  As for teaching a class, it is part of a deal I made long ago.  One I've never regretted making.

Kouji got to take classes at a local dojo when we were seven.  I was so jealous.  I begged Mom to let me take lessons too.  I whined and pleaded for days, but she said we couldn't afford it.  I stomped off to my room ready to explode.  All my sisters got lessons of some sort – dance, music, whatever, but when I want to do something it's squashed like a bothersome mosquito.

I decided I would learn anyway and went with Kouji to his classes.  I stood in the back and watched engrossed.  Then I would practice in my room or with Kouji.  Occasionally, I would try the movements at the dojo when I thought no one was looking.     

One day, Hakurou, the head of the dojo, sat down beside me.

"You're really into this," he comments.

I give him a fanged smirk and nod.

"Why don't you take lessons?"

"Mom says we don't have da money," I answer hanging my head.

He ponders for a bit.  He places a hand on my shoulder, and I look at him.

"How about a deal," he says.

I look at him wary of a trap.

"You can take classes without paying if you promise to teach a class for each one you take once I deem you are at the appropriate still level."

The offer was too good to be true, and when it looks that way, it often is.

"Really?  No other strings?" I wearily ask.

"Nope," he assures.

"What if I quite before I get good enough to teach?"

"If you don't like it after a year, you get those classes free," he answers.

I pin him with my gaze measuring him and his words.  I decide he is on the level and accept.

"Thought you would," he chuckled.  "There is something in you needing to be trained."  He reaches over and ruffles my hair.  "What's your name?"

"Shun'u, but I don't like it," I gripe making a sour face.

He chuckles again, and I grin childishly at him.

"Why don't I call you Genrou?  Means - 'Phantasm Wolf.'  I think you'll live up to it."

I liked it.  It was way cooler than my real name.  From then on that was all I would answer to.

Because of Hakurou-sensei's offer, I got to take the classes I so desperately wanted to and reaped the benefits of such a study.  He has kept me out of trouble and given me direction when even I did not realize I needed it.  Teaching one class a week is nothing compared to what he gives me in return.

I enter the dojo, and my students are already gathering.  I bark at them to line up, and we start class.  We are most of the way through when I hear the door behind me open.  I quickly glance back and see Hakurou-sensei enter.  It is not unusual for him to watch a class so I focus on the students.  I walk to the side to watch their form.  Gravity defying blue bangs catch my attention.  Looking up verifies who their owner is.  My heart is pounding so hard it will work its way out of my chest.

What the fuck is he do'en here?

My jaw is probably hitting the floor and my eyes bugging out.

I know he's your current object of affection, but y've a class to teach,

I turn my attention to my students and hope that they will leave before class ends.  They don't.  I dismiss the students, and Ri-san and my sensei are still there.

Yoji, one of my students, comes up to tell me about his new baby brother.  I can't help but smile at his excitement.  He soon dashes to his waiting mother.  The newborn sets in his carrier at her feet.

"Please come here, Genrou," my sensei calls.

I turn and approach the two men.  Anxiousness fills me.  Smiling daringly at him when you are twenty rows away is different than having a face to face conversation.  I just know I will do something to make him think I am an idiot.

"Hai, sensei," I say.

"I would like to introduce you to Ri Houjun.  I have agreed to take him on for advanced training and was showing him around."

We bow. 

Advanced training?  Sensei rarely takes on new personal students.  Ri-san must be something special.

That pushes him up higher in my admiration scale.  And to note, not many people even make it onto it.   

I wonder when he will be training and if I can watch?

Can't blame a guy for trying.

"Nice to see you again," he says.

"So you know each other?" Hakurou-sensei asks.

I realize that I am still acting like a scared shit and roll my shoulders to relax.

"Ri-san is my history teacher," I answer falling back into my normal character before Hakurou-sensei offers us tea.

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~ 

I sit pondering my story.  I know Huan-Langi ran away from home to get away from his five hellish sisters and became a bandit.  That's where he meets Kouji.  I'm not sure how he becomes leader yet, but I have come up with a cool weapon for him.  He has this fan that shoots flames.  How fucking awesome is that?  I think it is. 

The nifty weapon came to me in a dream.  In my dream I was surrounded by chibis, courtesy of Meru forcing me to watch some childish anime the night before.  They were driving me nuts, so I pull this thing from its holster on my back.  With a quick movement the item opens up to be a metal fan.  I call out "Rekka Shinen" as I wave the fan, actually a tessen, and flames shoot out burning the chibis to a crisp.  I find the whole process highly enjoyable.  

"Awe man, I lost again," Kouji exclaims and tosses the game controller to the floor.  "I've got'a quit for now."

He jumps off the floor and tumbled into his desk chair. 

"Whach'a so intently working on?" he asks and grabs the paper Sanoko-sensei had scribbled on.  "Y'r story, huh."  He glances over her notes.  "Cool, I'm in it," he grins.  He reads through the rest of the notes.  "Ya got to have a romantic interest going on.  Some girl the hero has to save and protect.

"I'd rather leave the damn romance out of it," I retort.

"How about a kawaii blue haired teacher?" he teases.

"Kouji!" I warn in a low growl.

"I still think ya need a girl in the story.  She could be the reason for Huan-Langi's misadventures."

"Maybe," I grudgingly give.  "I'll think about it."

"Thought of the villain yet?" he asks handing back the paper.

"Eiken," I answer and pull out the sheet with the few notes I jotted down about the man.  "He takes control of the bandits when Huan-Langi is away on a trip.  When he returns, he beats the shit out of Eiken."

"That makes for a short story," Kouji dryly comments.  "What other adventures ya have planed?"

"Don't know," I start doodling on the paper.

"Ya need a girl," he insists once more.

"Alright Mr. Know-it-all, help me create a girl," I say tossing my pen at him. 

He was not much help, but the next day in class Sanoko brings up other things we should consider in our story world.

"Don't forget to take into account political situations and religious believes in you world for they can play an important roll in the life of your characters," she says before we are dismissed.

Those were two things I had not considered.  I pondered them as I walked back to my dorm.

Definitely some level of the government in Konan would be interested in a group of bandits.  But, what about religion?

Religion had not even crossed my mind.  My country needed a god.

Suzaku, this is getting complicated.

I know my face shows my shock as realization hits me.

Make Suzaku Konan's god.  I utter the name often enough in curses and blessing for it to be my god.

I am pleased with the solution.  By the time I get to my room I have the girl that Kouji insisted I have.  She is Suzaku no Miko and will be the reason for Huan-Langi's adventures even if I have not figured out why yet.  I have also added a one eyes monk to the cast.  Not sure why, but it felt right so he is in.     

Slowly the story is taking shape.

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Author's Notes and Review Responses:

jumping up and down Thank you for all the reviews on the last chapter.  "They make me happy when skies are gray…."  giggle, giggle, giggle   I really appreciate your comments.

chibichibi386:

Yes, it is a long chapter.

Fier Pendant:

No, it would not be too good.

Lady Naria:

Thank you.

Keimei:

Yep, the fun is starting.  ^_^ 

Did this chapter clean up Genrou's history for you? 

Yes, yes it does look like Chiri. 

I might slip the teacher-lady in again.  Don't know how much though. 

No, Takee is not our favorite cross-dresser.  I have other plans for him.  ^_~  rubs hands together and laughs  Takee was given purple braided hair only to tickle Houjun's déjà vu sense.

Kitsuna-Ri:

Don't we all wish he was our teacher…  @_@  drool

Xellas:

That was my goal.  ^_^   Cool! -  that you found both parts equally good.

Flighting dreams:

Sssshhh… between you and me (and anyone else interested in reading this) …. It is up so fast because (drum roll) I had it already written when I posted the prologue.  In fact, I have large chunks of this story already written.  But, I have run into a few areas where I am stuck, and I keep tweaking what I have written, and getting ideas from reviews, and pondering over if a section should really be in the story. 

Kouran and Hikou will show up again, but only briefly. 

The wedding unnecessary… taps chin thoughtfully with finger  Maybe.  My main goal was to lay out Houjun's past, how it differed from the last time around, and where he stood with his two childhood friends, also introduce his inner chibi Chichiri with a pinch of faint remembrance wafting through.  I chose the wedding as a spring board for that – for what better event to bring back old memories of romance.  I might have been able to jump in when he returned home after the reception and still hit the points I wanted. 

I am babbling… but that is why I took this pen name.  ^_^

I have tried to portray both Chichiri and Tasuki in character.  Nice to know I succeeded with chapter one at least.  Did I do as well with Tasuki in this one?

I do appreciate your reviews.  You point out what you like and what could be worked on.  Thanks. 

Coronet:

Being inside another's mind is the fun part of writing first person stories.  ^_^

Moonraven

Thanks.  blushing

No, you did not offend me with the age thing.  Really you did not!  Rereading what I wrote, I did slip a bit into lecture mode.  ( @_@ )  All I wanted to do was explain why I chose that age.  When I started writing the chapter, I was going to make them older – like eighty – but changed it for my previously mentioned reasoning.

You can ramble all you want.  I do it often … along curved trains of thought.

Kouryou Sanomi:

I had originally planned to let the reader wonder through most of the wedding.  However, I decided that was too trite and only left the mystery for the first few paragraphs.  Nice to know it worked.   

Navei Ling:

Here is your new chapter.  And I look forward to hearing more from you.

Take care and hope to hear from you again,

Babbling Brook