Hello and thanks for coming back. I'm almost done with this semester break fic.

Disclaimer: This is all from my crazy head, as a gearhead fan still denying the obvious.

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I return to that little restaurant in Kougakyo at the appointed time. I am now armed with a voice recorder and a real camera, which I rig to the window inconspicuously. I sit at the same place. I watch the three men enter the restaurant after I have been there for an hour, and they sit at the same place as before. They obviously did not notice me, or if they did, they think I'm of no concern to them.

"The best time to strike Kanna is tomorrow. The day is near enough to be remembered, yet far enough to be linked to you, don't you think?" the informant says.

"And the best time to strike Kougakyo is the day after the attack on Kanna," the samurai bodyguard added. "Close enough to be linked and to make the leaders spring to action."

It's annoying to me how heartlessly they are talking about this.

"How many Nobuseri can we deploy?" the manager asks the other two.

"Fifty at each village, and three hundred here. If they are not noticed, these numbers should be necessary. If they are, we have backups in a Honmaru we can keep hidden in the desert, ready upon quick call."

The informant then takes out a map of Kougakyo, and he points up the most probable attack points. He also takes out a general layout of the farming villages around and near Kougakyo, pointing out the likely attack areas. Of course, I take the necessary pictures and keep the recorder running.

But my head is refusing to register all this. I can't believe humans can actually think like this, real humans. Because I had suspicions that Ukyo was a half-alien, from the way Kirara and the others described him.

"And none of this will be connected to you or me?" the manager finally asks.

"None, sir, we made sure of that," the informant says.

But if they're dealing with Nobuseri….hehe….I think I know a way they haven't checked.

All the same, as the three leave the restaurant, I can't help but be really, REALLY concerned. Kougakyo and Kanna and the other villages will really be blasted by this politician and his henchmen. Damn them. Why me? Of all the people that had to know, why ME?

I dismantle my recorder and camera from off the window, take deep breaths to calm by pulsing heart, and start the scooter again. I drive through the main streets, not sure where I'm going, not sure what I should do.

I'm too preoccupied with my thoughts, and I don't notice the man in front of me. I just see a bright red staff over my eyes, before I fall over, scooter and all, onto the ground. Ow….Ow….Ow.

"I tried to miss you but you won't let me," the man chuckles over me. And as I look up, he offers a hand. He pulls me up (me trying hard not to scream from the pain), and finally we get a good look at each other.

Shichiroji-san.

I look at him, and he looks at me, for the longest time. I don't know what's going on in his head, but I know what's going on in my own head. I wonder why I even thought he would be sorry to see me alive. I shouldn't have kept it from him. He lets me get back onto the scooter, and I give my thanks.

His lips widen in his unique way, a cross between a smile and a smirk. "Long time no see, Hei-san," is all he says to me.

"Likewise, Momotaro-san," I grin and reply.

"You're looking well, someone's been feeding you right," he gives a wide smile and pats me on the shoulder.

But I get to my point, glad that someone would actually listen to me. "I need your help."

"Nobuseri again?" he chuckles.

"Actually, yes," I lower my head.

"That was a joke!"

"I'm being serious," and I quickly tell him the rest of what I know.

"Ah, that IS a problem," he nods and grins. "What do you plan to do?"

"I really don't know, Shichi-san. That's why I need your help."

"Yare-yare." He rubs his chin. "Times like this I wish Kyuzo were still with us, so he could end this at the source. But since he isn't, we'll make the man fall some other way. Do you have some idea where they will strike in Kougakyo?"

I nod, and give him the details.

"Good, good. I'll take care of things here. You of course will take care of Kanna village?"

I scratch my head. "Looks that way. Save the cores of the robots, please. They should have the model numbers. We can use that for evidence."

He gives me a final grin. "So, I'll see you around. Glad you're fine."

"Thanks a lot, Shichi-san," but I couldn't smile at him. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."

He shakes his head. "Why do you think I stayed at Hotaruya, Hei-san, all those years? Because I couldn't tell anyone else sooner, either." He turns his back on me, and walks away whistling.

Oh, yeah, I forgot. He's a tenshi, too. Someone who was allowed to live, when he should have died. I should have remembered.

That takes care of Kougakyo. The Shikimoribito could probably take care of themselves, I only have to warn them. But someone has to warn the neighboring villages around Kanna, too. If I do that, someone has to go to Kanna already in my place.

But I'm too exhausted and too hurting to think any farther than that. I find a quiet, deserted spot, and rest for a while.

Maybe for a long while. When I wake up, the sun is almost gone, and it's getting dark. Where are my comrades? Why haven't they looked for me? Or have they, and I didn't notice? Oh, no!

I get back onto the main streets, and speed back to our transport vehicle.

That's when I see him.

The proud topknot, the fancy clothes, the sobered young face. I couldn't believe he is still around here. I would've thought he wandered far from Kanna already by now. But he knows me, and I hope he is willing to help.

He walks fast, so I don't get off the scooter, and just tap him on the shoulder then stop the scooter in front of him.

He gives me a quick glance, his eyes bulge out, his jaw drops, and he steps back from me. Then he puts on his practiced warrior face. "Who….Who are you?" the stern tenor voice snaps.

I don't care. I need help. So I talk fast. "There is going to be an attack on Kanna village and all the neighboring villages. Could you please just keep an eye and a sword ready at Kanna, whatever happens?"

The mention of Kanna village makes him look at me intently, wondering why I am talking to him about it. "I repeat," the boy frowns at me. "Who are you?"

I sigh. I guess I'm asking too much of him. "Could you at least tell the police about a plot to destroy parts of Kougakyo before the general assembly?"

"You're not answering my question," the boy's frown gets deeper.

"But don't you recognize me, Katsushiro-kun?" This is insane! I take off goggles and ponytail, and beg him to look again.

Instead, he takes out his sword. But it shakes in his hand, as he tries to stop a few tears from falling. "You are taking a terrible joke too far, good sir. Heihachi-dono is dead, and I saw him die. How dare you pose as he! I will ask you one last time. Who are you, really, and whom do you work for? If I do not get a straight answer, I will kill you here."

I tie back my messy red hair again, and smile sadly. "Heaven had other plans, Katsushiro-kun. Heaven wills it for Heihachi-dono to continue to live. So here I am."

"It's a lie!" he screams. "A lie!"

"No lie, Katsushiro-kun."

"Prove it."

I talk desperately, earnestly, memories flowing, coming hard and fast. "Kanna village has a banner, one with a triangle, six circles, and the symbol for rice. The triangle stands for Kikuchiyo, the circles for the rest of us, and the symbol for the village. Kanbei-sama considered you one of his seven when we were at the Shikimoribito community. I was in a kettle when I saved you from falling to your death after riding that log. There are seven deities for rice……"

"Enough, enough." He has fallen on his knees, weeping. "No more, Heihachi-dono."

"It was not your fault, Katsushiro-kun, it never was," I try to console him as best as I can. "I do not blame anyone."

Still he continues to weep. "Why couldn't I save you then? Why didn't I do more?"

"At that time, no one could."

"But I…."

"Hora-hora, that's enough crying for one day, okay?" I put on my happy face for him. "Look, if you can help me this once, we're even, how's that?"

He wipes off the tears, gives a final sniffle, and becomes all serious again. "What do you need done?"

I give him the details, asking him to go to the police with the information, and hopefully find Shichiroji-san and help him out as well. I could not make myself again to ask him to return to Kanna village.

"Understood." Then he becomes a 17-year-old little boy again. "Will I ever see you again?"

"Whenever you visit the underground caves, why not, Katsushiro-kun?" I answer gladly.

He holds me by the shoulder, and cries, and cries. "Heihachi-dono…..I didn't help you……and Kyuzo-dono……I'm sorry……I'm sorry……"

It is no use telling him that it was a war, and he did what he could, and that to live was an achievement of itself. "Katsushiro-kun, didn't you hear what I said? I forgive you, and I don't blame you. I don't know what you did to Kyuzo-dono, and I don't want to know. But I'm pretty sure he forgives you and doesn't blame you either."

My Shikimoribito comrades are still not done. So I offer to take the boy for some dinner. We continue talking. About Kanna village, about Kirara, about those who lived, and those who died. I tell him how the Shikimoribito found me, about Honoka, about giving her a hard time the first few days, about accepting what I am now.

I guess it's what he had wanted to have for quite a while, for he seems much calmer with himself and the world after we're done. I'm glad. I really am. And I guess, I needed it, too.

We part ways as the stars come out in the sky, with a promise to meet again.

…………………………

Momotaro gave his word to protect Kougakyo. Katsushiro-kun promised to report the conspiracy to the authorities. That leaves me to both protect Kanna village and inform the rest of the neighboring villages. This will definitely not be easy.

I guess I looked rather spacey and worried when I get home, because both Mizuki and Honoka stay clear of me tonight. I immediately go to my room, and sit back at my workbench, and think and think.

Then I remember Shino, and I pick up the communicator. "Shino-san, this is Tenshi-sama, over….Please, please respond….."

"Shino here, Tenshi-sama." I breathe a sigh of relief that Shino is there. "It's unusual that you call at this hour…."

"Shino-san, listen carefully. Go to Gisaku's house, tonight. Bring your father if you need to, but go tonight. Tell him this: a group of remote-controlled Nobuseri will be attacking tonight or tomorrow. You have to get ready."

"WHAT!"

"I will come over, I promise that, but make all the necessary preparations. Repeat what I said, Shino-san." I find the sternness in my voice a bit alarming. But I have to get my point across.

"Tell Gisaku that Nobuseri will be attacking tonight or tomorrow, we should prepare, and you're coming over." Shino's voice is shaking.

"Very good. Does the village have quick means to contact the villages beside yours?"

"We have runners, yes." Shino's voice is still shaking, but I like how calmly she's taking this.

"Good, tell them to go to the other villages with the same information." I can't believe how calm I am with this, myself.

"But, Hei-sama, why? Why us again?"

"I'm not sure why, just get ready. When something starts, contact here immediately."

"Yes, Hei-sama, and thank you." Shino cuts the line.

That takes care of that. But it does make me wonder if I should have gone to Kanna immediately after having that chat with Katsushiro-kun. What if something is already happening, if some Nobuseri are already mobilizing?

Honoka finds me staring up at the ceiling, trying to plan what I should do and when, and how things will turn out. I don't know what time it is already when she sees me.

"It's already past midnight, Heihachi." I guess from a whole winter of being with me, she has gotten comfortable to calling me without any titles. "What's the matter now?"

I smile at her sadly. "Kougakyo and Kanna will be attacked tomorrow. A conspiracy by one of the leaders who wants to be overall lord of the country. I have to go to Kanna."

She pales, and her mouth opens ever so slightly. "But haven't you paid enough for your crimes, Heihachi?" She says this so quietly, I almost don't hear it. "You don't have to go."

"It's not that I want to leave here. But I have to do this, Honoka. There is no one else."

"Once is enough. Do you want to die that badly?"

I think I know what she's driving at, but I don't want to believe what I'm hearing.

She takes up my hand, and places her head over it, like a cat asking for to be caressed. She is still Honoka, with her short sentences and calm voice, but I don't know this side of her. "Please don't leave. Please don't do this. I don't want to see you even close to dying. Never again. You are needed here, as well. We need you." She pauses, and looks up at me. "I need you."

"You're kidding, right?" Well, I didn't know what else to say!

She shakes her head.

It's scary when any woman is that frank with a guy, but it's worse when it's a woman like Honoka, who rarely speaks her mind. Does she have any idea how frightening to me her last three words were? I try to focus on the problem at hand. "But what about the village?"

"You are just one man."

"I know, how well I know. But if I don't do anything, no one will."

She sighs again. She raises her head and faces me with a smile. "At least, Heihachi, let me help."

"Help? You? Why? How?"

"For starters, Heihachi, can I help you think this through? And would you like some tea?"

I've already met and talked to three allies, and still I forget that I have friends, that I don't have to bear my fears alone now. "Sure, that would be nice, Honoka."

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One chapter left. I did say this story will be short. I made this over the one-week semester break. I apologize if the pacing is a little off, but I don't want to make it long. I want to get back to planning out the running GB and RK fics. Thanks and I hope you come back.