Sigh, It's been a long week. Because I am taking classes I can no longer update every day. So the days I update will be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and weekends if I'm home. No updates on Monday and Friday…..Ok? Good, on with the story.

Chapter 27--Warnings

Food was brought and eaten while Qui talked. Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn found the food a little unusual, but it was delicious. Finally Qui finished the whole story. No one spoke for a long thoughtful moment, each lost in their own thoughts.

Nikito sipped his tea then nodded. "It sounds as if you have done great things even among barbaric westerners," he said.

Aragorn didn't care much for being called barbaric, but he remembered Qui's warnings about talking, and kept silent.

"I have seen many strange and wonderful things in my travels with Syri. She has married and recently given birth to twin daughters. She is most happy," Qui said.

"You have not picked the best time to come here, Qui. There has been trouble," Nikito said.

"What sort of trouble?" Qui asked, immediately concerned.

"Several rebellions and an attempt to assassinate the Emperor. The rebels were beheaded and the assassin killed by the emperor's samurai, but it is causing much unrest," Nikito said. "You made a mistake allowing that one to go about openly. Strangers will be considered a possible threat right now, but of course you did not know." He gave Legolas a long, rather disapproving look.

"No, I did not. It is a shame all is so tense," Qui said.

"You should not stay here. It may not be safe," Nikito said.

"I had not planned to. I have friends among the peasant farmers. I will take them there. It will be much safer for them while I seek out Mei," Qui said.

Nikito looked surprised. "I thought you were no longer speaking to each other," he said.

"That rift between us has been settled for some time," Qui said, "we should go. We are endangering you by being here."

"I would be an inconsiderate host if I allowed you to leave now. I offer you my home for the night," Nikito said.

Qui knew it would be an insult to his host to refuse. "You honor us. We accept," Qui said.

"Good, Makiko will show you to a room that you may use," Nikito said. He clapped and the woman hurried in. "Show our guest where they may sleep."

Makiko bowed to them. "Please follow me, honorable guest of my Lord husband," she said and led them form the room.

After they were alone Aragorn turned to Qui and raised an eyebrow in question.

"It is alright to talk now, Aragorn," Qui said.

"It seems that we may be close to a bee's nest. Are you sure it is safe to remain?" Aragorn asked.

"We will be fine once we reach my friends. Tomorrow I will fetch you something that will help conceal your race. We do not want you or anyone else to be taken for questioning. The interrogators are not lenient when questioning a person," Qui said.

"Perhaps we should leave if it is so dangerous. We do not want the poor baby Elf to get hurt," Gimli said.

Legolas gave him a venomous look for the baby Elf comment, but didn't say anything. He just gave Aragorn a pleading look.

Aragorn shook his head. "No, we came here so Legolas can solve a mystery. We will just have to be very cautious while we are here," he said.

Gimli snorted and took off the kimono, leaving him just in his new breeches. "Whatever, but we better mind our tongues and watch where we spit. That means you got to stay out of trouble, baby Elf," he said. He chuckled at the look Legolas gave him.

"We should try to rest. We will leave tomorrow before dawn, so there is less chance of being stopped." Qui said.

Each of them chose a cushion and soon all of them fell asleep. Tomorrow they would continue on their way….

Hmmm, could be trouble because of the unrest in the land right now…..R/R please!