Blah Blah Blah...Konami own Suikoden, I do not. I own the created characters, Konami do not. So ha!

---

Kahri's Story - Chapter Seventeen & Andrew's Story - Chapter Nine

Action, Angst and Lady Anabelle

(Location – Muse City)

---

It happened so swiftly. He had been charging towards the lady holding Lord Riou hostage when he saw her take down Kahri in a few seconds. She hadn't even turned her head when he shouted "Lord Riou!!!" She was still staring down the man in the black cloak. He had nearly reached her...

Then she fired the strange looking crossbow...it went off with a bang...

---

Kahri lay face down on the ground after the woman had caught him off guard with a swift kick and a nasty elbow to the back of his neck. He had just woken back up, not knowing what was happening. Then he heard some sort of explosion.

Kahri managed to lift his head to see what had happened...

---

She had fired at the man in the black cloak, who had rolled out of the way milliseconds before she shot at him. Andrew realised what it was...

A distraction shot!

He ran towards her, but she had already ran off out of the city. The man in the black cloak was following her. Figuring he would catch her, Andrew stopped chasing her and went over to Riou.

---

Kahri couldn't believe his eyes. She had shot that...that thing at that guy and ran off. Kahri managed to stagger to his knees, in time to see Andrew running towards them. Kahri looked up at Riou, who had turned pale. He was shaking a bit.

Kahri managed to get back his footing as Andrew reached them. Both of them turned to Riou, and at the same time said...

"Are you okay?"

Riou was definitely shaken at what had just happened. Andrew turned to Kahri.

"What happened here?"

Kahri put on a thoughtful look: "Well...that girl was being chased by that guy...so she held Riou hostage to make sure she'd get away...I think. I could be totally wrong though...we should get Riou a seat or something."

Riou looked up at Kahri and Andrew, and then shook his head: "No...the others...waiting for me at the Town Hall..."

Andrew pointed up the main street: "It's just up there...maybe you should rest a while first Lord Riou."

Riou shook his head again: "No...they're waiting for me."

Riou headed towards the Town Hall. He stumbled a bit, before falling down on one knee. Kahri and Andrew ran up to him.

Kahri put one of Riou's arms over his shoulder: "Well, if you have to go..."

Andrew got the other arm over his shoulder: "Come on, let's help him. At least he can get a rest there. Why IS he going to the Town Hall anyway?"

Kahri blinked...then realisation dawned: "Oh yeah, you didn't hear this bit...where were you anyway?"

Andrew coughed, not wishing to bring up the fact he was asleep in the Inn the whole time, simply said: "That's not important..."

Kahri shrugged: "If you say so...anyway, we're going to the Town Hall because Viktor said Lady Anabelle wanted to see them...I kinda tagged along."

Andrew simply nodded: "Guess I'm tagging along as well now."

Kahri looked around the Town Square: "Wonder where Nanami and Jowy got to..."

Andrew looked too: "Oh look...there they are over there...running straight towards us..."

Nanami was first to reach them: "What happened to Riou? What was that loud noise..."

Forgoing the obvious "your shrieking" joke, Andrew simply responded: "He's a little shaken up...he was just used as a hostage."

Jowy went over to Riou, as Nanami walked over to Kahri: "Why did you let that happen!?!?"

Kahri rubbed the back of his neck: "I don't call being knocked unconscious 'letting it happen!'"

Andrew butted in before Nanami could counter: "Come on, let's just get him to the Town Hall. Viktor's waiting for you guys, remember?"

Jowy and Nanami took over the "hold Riou up" routine. Kahri looked up at Andrew with an apologetic look on his face. Kahri had turned just as pale as Riou, and he was just as shaken up.

"She's right...I shouldn't have let it happen..."

Andrew walked after the others, leaving Kahri on his own...

You're supposed to say something comforting you jerk...Kahri thought.

Andrew turned back to look at Kahri: "You coming or what?"

Kahri hung his head in shame: "No...I'll just go back to the bar."

Andrew turned back again, before running to catch up to Riou and the others. Leaving Kahri on his own again.

I shouldn't have let it happen...I'm no good to Riou now...and Nanami's never gonna forgive me...and Jowy, I couldn't live with him being disappointed in me...same for Riou...I feel so...so useless.

Kahri looked wistfully at the retreating figures, and he sighed as they entered the Town Hall.

Good luck in your journey Lord Riou. But I can no longer be a part of it. You don't need me anymore with Andrew and Elaine around to protect you. I'll just get you into more trouble.

Without a word, Kahri put his Spatula in the holder on his back.

And he left Muse City. Leaving behind the best friends he had ever had.

For their own good...

---

Andrew caught up with the others at the main hall in the Town Hall. They all looked at him.

Riou spoke up: "Where's Kahri gone?"

Andrew shrugged: "Said he was going back to the bar. I think he's a little upset at what happened...I think he thinks it's his fault. And don't you say it was, Nanami."

Nanami's mouth closed over (Now that's a miracle) as Andrew led everyone up the stairs.

Andrew continued: "He'll be okay after he gets some rest. Then you can tell him it wasn't his fault...and yes I mean you too Nanami!"

Nanami's mouth once again closed. But she kept her angry look on her face anyway.

Jowy turned to face her: "Andrew's right. We can't blame Kahri for what happened. At least Riou's all right. That's the main thing, right?"

Nanami still looked angry, but consented a nod of her head in answer.

Riou looked up: "Oh look...there's Viktor."

Viktor waved them over: "Glad you could make it. What took you so long?"

Andrew stepped up: "I'll tell you everything after we've seen Lady Anabelle."

Viktor looked at Andrew: "Lemme guess...this is Andrew, right?"

Riou and Jowy nodded. Nanami was still too angry to respond. Something Viktor, somehow, picked up.

"What's up with the brat?"

Nanami said nothing. Viktor looked a bit confused...but continued anyway...

"Oh well...Anabelle's waiting for us. Let's go in."

Jowy looked at Andrew, before whispering: "Do you know Lady Anabelle?"

Andrew shook his head: "Only by reputation I'm afraid."

They approached the clerk, who nodded: "Lady Anabelle is waiting in her office. Please go in."

Nanami giggled: "So polite!"

They walked in, only hearing a snipped of a conversation...

"Send...Fitcher then. He won't fail us."

"At once Lady Anabelle."

Another clerk ran past them, in a hurry.

The woman everyone assumed to be Anabelle approached. She walked over to Viktor.

"I heard what happened at your fort. Sorry about that Viktor."

"Yeah, well I lost a lot more than the fort...anyway you got room for these three?"

Andrew looked confused, but before he could respond, Anabelle continued.

"Of course, we can't have these kids going out with the war on."

Riou looked dismayed, as did Nanami.

Jowy looked up at Anabelle: "So it's officially war?"

Anabelle, sadly, nodded. She walked over to Riou, Jowy and Nanami.

"So, what are your names then?"

They rattled off their names to Anabelle, who looked thoughtful afterwards.

"Jowy...Atriedes?"

Jowy looked shocked: "Yes! That's right...how did you know?"

Anabelle turned to speak to a person that nobody had noticed at first.

"There's a nobleman in Kyaro with a son named Jowy..."

"Yes, that is correct Lady Anabelle. He was recently accused of being a spy by Highland."

Anabelle nodded before turning to face Riou and Nanami.

"And...Riou and Nanami...I believe that Master Genkaku had two adopted children called Riou and Nanami..."

Nanami interrupted: "How do you know Grandpa Genkaku?"

Andrew turned to Riou: "Your Master Genkaku's adopted son? That explains a lot about you guys."

Anabelle sighed: "I hope he is in good health?"

Nanami's head dropped slightly: "Grandpa Genkaku...died last year."

Anabelle saddened: "Oh...then we were unable to atone for our crimes against him after all..."

Riou looked confused: "Atone for your crimes...?"

Andrew's curiousity got the better of him: "Sounds like a good story."

Anabelle walked back to her desk and looked straight at Riou: "Oh...I'll save that for later..."

Andrew noticed the disappointment emanating from Riou and Nanami. He wanted to know too, and he guessed Jowy did as well.

She turned to the person in the room again: "We have room for the kids, right Jess? Could you take care of them please?"

The man, now known as Jess, nodded: "Of course Lady Anabelle."

Jess led Riou, Jowy and Nanami out of the office.

Andrew turned to Viktor: "So...you're keeping them away from the war...I suppose that's for the best...but those kids can really fight, they want to help out...can't you see that?"

Viktor just shook his head: "I'm keeping them out of it for their own safety."

Andrew gave up and nodded: "You really must have a soft spot for those kids..."

Viktor simply nodded as he left. Andrew turned and nodded to Lady Anabelle before leaving.

Guess I'll go back to the bar and wait...oh! Kahri! I'd better head back to make sure he's okay...I'll catch up with Riou and the others later.

---

That was a more serious chapter...kinda angsty in a way - poor Kahri. Oh well, catch up with Andrew, Elaine and Avara in the next chapter - and what Kahri will do next in his own chapter afterwards.