The revolutionaries had further endeared themselves to the populace of Onwya and the neighboring state of Kuwan by aiding with the harvest. While the fields were filled with haystacks and bundles of grain the citadel had become an anthill of activity. Farmers came by to thank the rebels for their assistance and travelers stopped in to see what the fuss was about. One man became a favorite among the natives by relating rebel exploits to anyone who would listen. Rizu pointed the storyteller out to Kiisan who was somewhat surprised to learn that the tall, thin man was a former imperial soldier. He had been part of the battalion that had been scattered by Sanada's offensive tactics for defending the citadel and had been injured during that battle.

"Yes, yes, my name's Kenta, sir," the man in question responded to Kiisan's inquiry. He wore a marigold orange scarf on his head and had a blue and white revolutionary flag thrown over his shoulder like a cape. Kiisan smiled at him asking, "What got you to stay here so peacefully?"

Kenta scratched his head and responded sincerely, "Nicer people and better food."

Kiisan laughed and shook the large hand of the content rebel recruit, "Thank you Mr. Kenta! I appreciate you dedication!"

As Kiisan headed around the east side of the wall towards the curling staircase that would lead him back to the main buildings of the citadel Han Li leaped off the wall above in Kiisan's path. The mysterious man landed lightly like a cat, crouched down slightly, but with perfect balance. His jump was nearly silent- the swish of his cloak, the clink of the supplies in his bag, and the sound of his boots touching the ground. He stood up and looked at Kiisan with worry expressed clearly in his eyes. "Are you forgetting?

"Forgetting what?" Kiisan inquired.

"You are growing so peaceful...so calm...the stars are stagnate Kiisan!" He took the young man by the shoulders are shook him, "Don't do this to me!"

"Oww! That hurts! Cut it out!" Kiisan squeaked indignantly, pushing Han Li away. "Whatever you're talking about is too confusing for me. Explain more clearly or I won't be able to fix anything."

Han Li stood aside with his head hung down and his bangs falling over his eyes for a few silent moments. Kiisan waited awkwardly for his friend to do something. Suddenly Han Li's head snapped back up. He threw off his heavy brown cloak and tossed his dirk and bag aside. He pulled the tie out of his hair, allowing it to stream down over his shoulders as he threw himself down on his knees before Kiisan.

"I cannot take anymore of this! I cannot take it! What I am seeing will rip me to pieces!"

Kiisan nearly jumped with shock. Han Li was usually very much in control of his thoughts and feelings and his outbursts always seemed angry. Instead the dark man was radiating a desperate sorrow. Kiisan knelt down to be at Han Li's level and saw that he was beginning to cry.

"D-don't cry..." the younger man mumbled.

"I need to be on the road again," the distressed warrior stated plainly, "I need to be free...this- this thing is tearing me up!" He clenched his left fist and slammed his right palm, bearing the True Wind Rune, into the dirt. "Let's get out of here...please...I...I just..." he began again, before beginning to shake. The travel-stained man bit his lip and closed his eyes tightly, trying to hold back his tears.

Kiisan sat before his crying friend, unable to find the right words to say. He could feel himself starting to reawaken to the world. Han Li was correct. The undetectable stagnation that had nearly engulfed him after the assassination attempt in Serif City had been creeping back. It was like the tide. It pushed its way further and further and no force could stop it, save its on decision to turn back.

Han Li lost control and broke down sobbing. He made a dismal sight with his gear tossed haphazardly away on the ground behind him and his well cared for hair hanging messily around his face. Kiisan reached for his friend's hand and squeezed it comfortingly.

"Don't give up yet. You can find harmony too."

Murasaki Fuji no Shita ni Kuni

"The Country Under the Purple Wisteria"

Chapter 31- Can you Shoot, Gunner?

Kiisan was exhausted. Han Li's outburst that morning had been chafing at his mind the entire day. Hoping to get some rest he wandered along the small dirt path through one of the last remaining fields of corn. Kiisan was not very tall and the sturdy green stalks rose above him, obscuring his view of anything but the clear blue sky. Everything was still aside from the rustling of leaves in the wind. The cool breeze warned of autumn's approach. Soon the rebels would head down across the Central Plains States and over the mountains into the Dunan Lake States. Sanada wanted them to make into Dunan and back before any snow had fallen in the mountains. Louis Abdul had thought it would be wiser not to pull back out of Dunan at any point after they had crossed the mountains, but Mio sided with Sanada and Louis Abdul gave in to the two strategists.

A crow cawed ominously in the distance. Kiisan looked up to see a flock of the black birds pass overhead in the direction of the faraway ocean. For a few minutes the silence returned, but this time it was more awkward. The wind had stopped. The beating of his heart was the only sound Kiisan could hear. As he listened to its rhythmic beat his anxiety increased and he could feel sweat slide down his brow. Kiisan removed his hat and knelt down close to the ground, listening for any movement through the rows of corn.

And then came the calls of more birds. A loud sound, unlike anything he had ever heard before rang out. It seemed cold and harsh. It reminded him somewhat of fireworks or a smith flattening a piece of metal. A moment later he could smelt a whiff of smoke.

The quiet returned. Kiisan tucked his hat underneath his arm as he stood up and continued along the path. "If I stay calm and keep on walking I am sure that everything will be fine. I just shouldn't get involved in anything strange going on out here. It'll be okay," he mentally reassured himself.

Step after step the silence grew heavier and the sun dropped slowly over the horizon. Kiisan closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Hey Father," a soft, accented voice called from behind him. "Can you stay right there and not move an inch?"

*********

Mitsu Riyahd, the younger of the two Imperial strategists, sipped his tea quietly. Kiyon de Silverburg was by many years his senior, but the Imperial family had employed him since he was only thirteen, giving him more time in their service. He sat in a large chair, propped up by a large white pillow. The brown-eyed man was waiting for General Tej K'aan's arrival. Waiting was a daily part of Mitsu's routine. He could barely walk or stand for long, so he was mostly confined to the White Hall, where he lived and worked. His face was pale and he was terribly underweight. Last time he had heard his thirteen-year-old niece weighed more than him. Some days he could not hold a brush to write. Sometimes he could not get out of bed in the morning. Other days someone he had asked to stop by would forget to visit and he would wait in this chair for hours, hoping they would recall. Mitsu took most things calmly. His face looked saintly to the Imperial general as he opened the door to find Mitsu sleeping with his cup of tea, now cold, still clasped in his hands.

"If I am sleeping, please do not hesitate to awaken me," the note on the table read. Tej placed it back down and walked over to Mitsu's side. "Sir Riyahd...Sir Riyahd...I'm here," he whispered, placing a heavy hand on the strategist's shoulder.

"W-wha? Huh?" he blinked sleepily and rubbed his eyes. "General...good to see you."

Tej smiled and sat down opposite from the sick man, "So, what did you want to tell me about this new movement that you aren't telling Cuaran?"

"General, please answer me right out. You have strong feelings for Sanada Morin, am I correct?"

Tej shook his head slowly with a silly smile on his face, "That's correct. Remember the New Year's party? I fell asleep on the balcony and she put my cloak over me so I wouldn't get too cold."

Mitsu's eyes twinkled, recalling the incident; "She also painted your face lime green."

Tej laughed heartily and almost put his feet up on the table before catching himself. It seemed important to show good manners with the elegant invalid; however, teasing was not out of the question. "That was when she taught you to dance, right?"

Mitsu threw his yellow and white hat across the table at Tej, missing by a large margin, but making himself feel a little better. "That was nothing at all General! Is just convinced me to try out my feet a bit more than I usually do that night."

"Whatever you say, Sir. I'm just glad you feel better about her than Cuaran does."

He placed his teacup back onto the table and looked at Tej more seriously, "...Actually, this request relates to Miss Sanada. General...I'm going to ask you to do something that might be very difficult for you for the sake of Miss Sanada and her cause. If you refuse, please don't bring me to His Majesty and charge me with treason. Please, kill me here and take my correspondence with Miss Sanada as proof. I would like not to tremble before those who have done much for me. I fear my own heart. I wish not to lie to Leo Maximillian to protect my life. I fear I would." At this his eyes grew distant and he seemed to be testing his own will. After a moment, he emerged from his struggle with himself victorious and continued to speak, "Go with General Raecliff to the place you have been directed to travel to. Set up as though everything were the same as always, but when the rebels arrive...switch sides."

Tej looked down at his heavy boots, reflecting on Mitsu's words, "I don't understand why you're doing this, but...I...I'll take my chances with this." He turned his glance upward to meet Mitsu's gaze, "Give me all the details you have. I want to do this."

*********

Kiisan heeded the words of the unseen person behind him. To turn and see the face of the person was tempting, but there had been urgency in those words. He took a deep breath. "It could be worse. At least it's not another attempt on my life..." Kiisan thought, trying to reassure himself.

Another figure slid through the corn, onto the path ahead. It was a man with very dark skin wearing a white coat. In his hands he held what looked to Kiisan like an elaborate metal fishing pole with a heavy handle. "Caio...you cheat...I've got you now...you're not getting away again so easily..." he growled.

The person who stood behind Kiisan, obviously Caio, responded with a hint of a grin in his voice, "Ah, come on, why can't you all just let bygones be bygones? Stubborn, aren't you, Yel?"

Yel, the man in the coat, raised the odd contraption and peered along its length over Kiisan's shoulder. "I followed you all the way from the state of Kesten, and I'd be fool to let you off so easily now..." His grip around the metal object tightened and he yelled to Kiisan, "Out of the way, kid!"

"Don't move!" was Caio's call.

Kiisan did not have time to even think. Two things whizzed through the air faster than arrows. The man before him fell to the ground, blood staining his coat. Kiisan looked about in panic. Behind him stood a hazel-eyed man, holding a similar metal object in his hand. A thin trail of smoke streamed from its mouth. The man, Caio, grinned and shrugged; "I really didn't want to have to do that. Maybe you can say a prayer for him Father."

He tossed his arm back, leaning the metal object on his shoulder, and walked off through the cornfield north towards the citadel.

*The title, "Can you Shoot, Gunner?" is a reference to Suikoden II. Elza asks Clive this when you first encounter them in Muse before she escapes.