Ch. 3: Maneuvering the Pieces

"Xion?" Uriko asked. "You mean that white-haired mama's boy that Yugo beat up? How can you tell?"

"I just... know somehow. I guess you would call it intuition."

"All my intuition ever tells me is when Yugo's feeding me a bunch of bullshit," Alice grumbled to herself.

"OK, so if Xion's behind my clone, then what? Its not like we can look him up under white-haired pansies."

"Maybe I can help you with that," a strong male voice said from the doorway. Uriko quickly turned her head to the source of the voice, and let out a veritable squeel of delight.

"Master Long!"

Uranus looked cynically at the Kenpo master. "You're presence is awfully convenient," she snapped.

"Perhaps, but grave forces are at work. It would be unwise to look a gift horse in the mouth."

---

"All the pieces are coming into play. Soon, we will rise and take our place among the dwellers of Earth," Mariko gleamed.

"Yes, Mariko. Our time has come at last. Those strong enough to stand at our side will help us to forge a new world order, one in which the unborn will thrive. The weak, they will fall to the wayside. We have our champion, we have a messenger. Now, we await the right time." Xion said in exposition. "Tomorrow, we'll send your plaything to deliver the word, and the game will begin."

Bakuryu nodded as he knelt before Mariko's feet.

"Sleep well, my champion. For tomorrow, our destiny begins." Xion turned his back and walked away.

Mariko pressed herself against Bakuryu and let out a seductive laugh. "C'mon Bakuryu, we have some time to kill, lets have a little fun."

"No," he replied coldly.

"C'mon! Don't tell me you still have feelings for that little bitch Uriko? What does she have that I don't?"

"I don't have any feelings. All has gone according to plan, but I still cannot afford distractions if my mistress's ambitions are to succeed," He replied in his velvety monotone.

"Aw poo. I guess I can wait." Mariko walked away, swinging her hips. "But you're gonna regret it- boy-toy." She opened the door to her room, slid in, and closed it. When she was gone, Bakuryu smiled. All was going according to plan all right. His plan. The moment would soon be right, for sure. But it would be his moment, not theirs.

---

"So, what brings you, Master Long?" Uriko asked, filled with renewed hope at the sight of her former master.

Long took a sip of his tea, and sighed. "Like I said, there are grave forces at work. Mariko's creation, Uranus's arrival at your door, Kenji reverting to Bakuryu, all these did not happen by mere chance. There is one, working behind the scenes, pulling the string of fate, entwining strands that were meant to be separate."

"Xion..." Uranus uttered.

"Yes, and no. He is at the top at one level, but the bottom of another."

"So, can you find him?" Uriko asked.

"No," Long replied. "But I will not need to. If Xion and his masters are planning what I believe they to be, it shall not be long until they come to us. Until then, we wait."

"But... they have Kenji! We have to save him!" Uriko cried out.

"I understand you are concerned for Kenji's safety. But let me assure you, he is in no danger," Long explained.

"But..." Uriko choked out. The thought of that witch Mariko, her hands all over her Kenji, it was too much for her to bear.

"Be strong Uriko. We'll have Kenji back soon. Trust me," Long rose and walked to the door. "I have some friends I need to look up, but I'll stay in touch."

As soon as Long was out the door and Alice had gone to bed, Uriko buried her head in her arms. Her Kenji was gone, and nobody seemed concerned. She was willing to bet that right now, Mariko had her filthy hands all over him... damn it that was her Kenji!

Uriko felt a hand rest upon her sholder. She looked up, and saw Uranus. "The boy... Kenji... why does he mean so much to you?"

"I... its something you wouldn't understand."

"Is it because you love him?"

Uriko's eyes widened. She sat stunned for a moment. "Y... yes..."

"Then you are right, I do not understand. But I will try and help you save him. That is... gratitude, correct?"

"Yeah! We'll get him back!"

---

Long walked down the darkened streets, to the meeting point already agreed upon. He looked over the horizon, to possibly catch a glimpse of him.

"You are early," a voice said from behind. Long chuckled. Of course he wouldn't see him coming, he is a ninja after all.

"How are things going on their end?"

"Xion and Mariko are moving exactly as you've predicted."

"Good. Keep close to them, and report everything you find."

The ninja nodded, and turned to leave. "Oh, and I'm sorry I have to do this to you."

"It must be done, Master Long. Only I have the power to do it."

Long sighed as the ninja sped away.