Disclaimer: Disclaimers stay the same as before, though it still sucks that I don't own any of the Flame of Recca female referees…oh, well.
ShardclawK: I did say before I was going to do a special chapter for the Flame of Recca characters in this story, so here it is for everyone to enjoy. However, I had to read over the bits of manga before actually finishing it, as not to miss anything or anyone important to the anime/manga in terms of references before I completed this chapter. Anyway, hope you all enjoy this offering of an update, as there are surprises abound for all to love.
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Metal Gear: Soldier X
Bonus Chapter 3: Ninja Gathering
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The night somehow passed like average for everyone at the Uruha mansion, though the members of Team WARRIOR were still a bit angsty over what has happened to Greg, especially Rio. When last she saw Greg earlier that even, he had somehow let his powers took a change of his appearance slightly. Getting herself ready to sleep, she wondered what's going to happen now to him in his state as she slipped into her pajamas, letting loose her long, golden blonde hair.
(Aw, man…just when things can't get any worst for Greg.) Rio thought to herself as she lied back on her bed. (Greg's power is shifting his looks as well, I've never thought it would be this bad…but as Riku and his family had promised us earlier, they would do something to help Greg soon. The biggest worry I have right now is that Michiko broad who showed up earlier and visited Greg. Bright and early tomorrow, I'm going to ask him what was it that went on in his room earlier to make him call off his duties like that…it's just not so clear that he would do this so sudden, especially with all that's happening.)
Shaking her head, she pulled the covers over her and rested her head. (Well, tomorrow's a new day and I have all the time then to interrogate those two. I do hope Greg's okay as of now…) Rio thought to herself as she closed her eyes to sleep.
Meanwhile, in the VR simulator room, Greg was maintaining his meditating posture, but he couldn't maintain the effects of his growing power. He was covered in cold sweat and his body shivered as the vision kept coming back to him in flashes and his evil counterpart in the background of them.
"Ha! Look at you; do you think things will be different now because of a warning?" Violent Greg mocked him. "In the end, you're just a failure who's just going to murder everyone who he claims he cares about. Face it, Greg…this is your true calling!"
"That's not true!" Greg shouted back at his evil counterpart.
"Yes, it is. My, how conceited you've become." Violent Greg said. "And that Michiko claims things won't work with the way you operate. Whether you obstinate from fighting or not, it's not going to be any different for the situation you're in."
"Leave me alone, damn you!" Greg shouted back at him.
"Sorry, can't do that. I'm part of your mind, remember?" Violent Greg smirked. "Try to deny me if you want, you're just making this more enjoyable for me to participate in, especially if that Michiko claims she can even try to help you."
"You…leave her out of this!" Greg growled at him.
"What's this, are you defending her, even after what she did to make things worst for you right now?" Violent Greg said. "No matter, the more, the merrier, I guess. Well, as much as I would like to spend the rest of the evening tormenting you, my time to depart for now has come. I hope to see you again soon, failure…very soon."
Soon, a bright flash soon enveloped Greg's sight as he woke up in the VR room, panting heavily for breath. Clutching his chest, he looked at the ground as tears welled up in his eyes.
(No matter how hard I try, my actions are just going to haunt me because of what Michiko showed me…how could I have not seen this coming?) Greg thought to himself as he pounded the ground with both fists. His strength sapped, he was too tired to try any further attempts to challenge his own power. Rising up from the ground, he made his way to his quarters with a miserable look on his face.
(Man, at least Linn isn't here or else things could get out of hand if she found out what has happened to me…) Greg thought to himself as he went to bed. (In any case, its best she never finds out, so I won't have her get a heart attack out of worry because of this…I wonder how she is going through this right now while I'm not with her?)
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"You want to go and visit Greg at the Uruha mansion?" Michael Hansen asked seated as he was playing chess with Garland Durev at NERV's recreation room. Standing at the side next to them was Linn Aramaki, already dressed in casual clothing and holding a gym bag at her side with Naomi Hunter behind her.
"That's right. I've already packed the necessary essentials for the journey, as well as the things Greg may need later for that Virtuous Mission he's going on to deal with later." Linn replied seriously. "Also, I think I would surprise him and everyone else at the Uruha when I show up, it's been almost an eternity that I've seen Riku's family and friends from that place."
"As much as it would ease us that you're going to check up on Greg now, Linn, you are aware about the situation, aren't you?" Michael asked sternly.
"Yes, I've already considered that…the Patriots would be looking for any movements on our part if we try to find Greg, but I can't let that stop me." Linn spoke. "You have to understand how it is when I'm away from him for so long…"
"We can share your concerns for him and I'm just as worried for Greg, Riku and the others with him, Linn. But you got to be extra careful about this." Garland said, moving his chess piece as he spoke and waited on Michael's turn. "As you said, the enemy can be even looking to see if anyone close to him will be moving in his direction and you could place yourself at danger if you make yourself an easy target for them."
"Right, that's why I and Naomi would want you two to take us halfway out of the city, you know…just until we get on a route that will take us to the mansion's area and let us take things from there, that's all." Linn said.
"So, you're asking for an escort out of the city limits?" Michael asked.
"That's basically it." Naomi answered. "We did wish you could have come along with us, but…"
"We know, Naomi. We got responsibilities not with just the terrorists and looking after this base, but with the rest of the younger FOXHOUND recruits as well." Michael spoke, as he took a second to think as he moved his own chess piece. "We're just making sure you and Linn don't end up getting into a situation because you're worried about Greg and have to visit him. Is it that important that you personally have to go as well to see him?"
Naomi's expression changed a bit as she spoke. "Yes, I need to make extra sure about how his progress with his powers are going for now. I have to confirm if he is still psychically fit as his powers had been forcefully augmented some time back."
Michael stayed quiet a bit as he noted Naomi's look as he asked this, as Garland spoke, breaking his thought.
"Well, it is natural that you do have to check up on him about that, so I wouldn't have any objections to it." Garland said. "You just do us a favor and let Greg know that we got his back still and that to come back to us when he's done with his business. The team's not really the same without him these days, especially to use as a good punching bag like the old times…"
"Hey, you're lucky that he wasn't here to hear that!" Linn playfully punched Garland's shoulder as he smirked a bit. "But we'll make sure to give the message to him once we get there, that's a promise."
"By the way, Linn…I have a good friend of mine who should be staying with where Greg is right now, his name is Masanori Sanada." Michael spoke to her. "In any case that should arrive while you're with Greg, he can be of good help to you, and he's really a good person to rely on in times of trouble."
"Okay, I'll remember that too. Thanks for letting me know that you're a step in helping Greg out as well, Michael." Linn said as she nodded at him as she appreciated his concern. "Well, shall we say we get ready to leave soon, Naomi?"
"Yes, I already have packed my luggage and equipment, so everything's set." Naomi replied. "You'll be meeting us when you two are done with preparations yourselves, Michael and Garland?"
"Sure, Naomi, we'll join you in a minute. Let us finish this game first before we meet you both and its time to leave, alright?" Michael said to her.
"Fine then…come on, Linn." Naomi said as she and Linn both walked out of the room, as Michael continued making his chess movements with a serious look on his face, more different than the one he had before when Naomi stepped in. Garland can see this and suspected something he was thinking about bothered him.
"What is it, Michael?" Garland asked suddenly.
"Naomi's hiding something, I could see that." Michael replied. "It's most surely about Greg's powers at this time and she won't reveal to us what it's about."
"You think something is wrong with Greg and she's not telling us everything, huh?" Garland asked simply. "Would Linn know about this that would make her go in the first place?"
"I would suspect so…" Michael replied. "Even if that's the case, Linn wouldn't know about it, but I guess this can be pretty convenient for us and Greg if that ever comes that way. But we can't be too relaxed about it, I'm sure the enemy would continue to pressure Greg from a point where he wouldn't see coming, even at a time like this."
"Yeah, that can be true…they can use this as an advantage." Garland said when he moved his white chess piece once more. He was certainly Michael's rival when it came to playing chess as this was a tight game with neither men knowing the outcome of this match unless they played their pieces right. "But if you say that your sensei is there with Greg, we should worry less about it."
"I was also wondering if it would be right for Linn and Greg to really know the truth about him while they are staying with Riku and his family…" Michael said as he pondered his next move.
"It would be too soon for them to know anyway, Michael. You should give them some time for Greg to get used to being around that guy." Garland said. "Though, I do hope Yukimura is prepared himself to handle Greg…"
"Yukimura has heard enough tales about him to know him well before; I've made sure of that in cases like these, so it would be easier for him to study Greg and be set to deal with any problems he may have." Michael replied. "I just hope Greg is willing to accept the facts about him eventually."
"I'm sure Greg is prepared to, so you really shouldn't worry." Garland said. But before he can realize it, he soon found his chess piece of the king being cornered off by Michael's pawns as his king gets caught.
"Checkmate." Michael said with a grin.
"Damn, good game as always, man." Garland replied as he scratched his head.
"Want a rematch later?"
"Yeah, but for now, let's go meet the girls and escort them out of the city. We can't keep them waiting." Garland said as he and Michael left the room to meet Linn and Naomi at the NERV car parking lot.
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The next morning came bright as usual, despite the prior events of the day before. Riku Hanabishi and his partners Nagi Naoe and Tot were there in the kitchen area having their breakfast meals.
"It's good to be still alive to have a meal, with all that's happening recently…" Nagi said.
"Yeah, that was really a scary fight yesterday, wasn't it, guys?" Tot asked, still having the chills from the horrid experience of facing Orochi Shade.
"Really, I swore we weren't able to get out of there alive." Riku spoke as he chewed on his breakfast. "Thankfully for us, both Yukimura and Kenshin-san were both around to save our necks."
"That reminds me, Riku…does our ever so troubled psychic friend need to know the truth about Yukimura?" Nagi asked suddenly.
"I was told by Michael over the Codec that it has to be kept a secret from him for now. I can understand why he suggested it." Riku said. "In any case, the same has to go to the two of you about addressing Yukimura when Greg's around. And thinking about the history Greg has during his stay in Japan, I doubt a name like that would give him clues about him."
"Yeah, you're right about that." Nagi answered. "In any case, we should be more thoughtful about pitching in to help Greg as he is right now."
"That has been bugging me too up to now, Nagi. You're not the only one who's worried about him." Riku said. "And I'm sure everyone dear to him, ranging from WARRIOR to Yuina share the sentiment as well."
"Yuina…I wonder how she's taking all of this in…" Nagi said in a low tone. "The poor girl must be sad about not being able to do much for Greg during that fight, not to mention as of now with his powers."
Before any other words were said, Rio Kinezono, Yuina Hattori, and Seraph had just stepped into the room.
"Yo. Good morning, Yuina." Riku called out, hoping she didn't hear the conversation that was taking place. "I see that you're doing more fine with all that's happening recently."
"Yeah, I just needed a long sleep, that's all." Yuina said, rubbing her head through her long pale, pink hair. "Actually, I was worried about sempai, since he acted in such a weird way last night…"
"Oh, that. When he announced he's calling off the fighting business?" Rio asked, drinking from a cup of coffee. "I still can't believe he would do that…"
"Is something wrong with that, Rio?" Seraph asked.
"Very…something was totally different about him and it's not just his looks." Rio said with lowered eyes as she thought about Michiko. "And if Greg is going to do what I think he's going to do, there's not much I can do to help his attitude when it happens."
"And what is that suppose to mean?" a stern voice said as Greg himself suddenly stepped in, with a tired look on his face.
"Ah, sempai!" Yuina said as she saw him.
"Yo, good morning everyone." Greg simply said, with a seldom look on his face. Greg stood close to Rio and spoke to her. "Mom, what gives you the idea that something's wrong with me because I made one simple decision to not to after the Patriots anymore?"
"This was not the first time that you tried not to fight for a time, Greg. And knowing what can happen, you're willing to do this?" Rio asked, knowing him more than anyone else and what he is capable of at cases like this.
"At least I won't be endangering myself or anyone any longer if I go on, picking a fight with our enemies." Greg simply replied. "Isn't that what everyone wants?"
"Greggie…it's not that we want…" Rio said as Greg placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Look, let's not dwell too much about it, okay?" Greg simply shook his head. "I got a whole day of reorganizing my stuff and resting, I only came here for breakfast."
Rio only stared at her son for a few seconds in silence as she then looked at Riku and now noticed something, as had Greg, Yuina and Seraph as well.
"Hey, Riku…your wounds from yesterday…" Yuina said as she observed the grave wounds he had, were all gone now, leaving him practically scarless, as if he never had gotten into battle.
"Ah, there's nothing like a good breakfast." Riku said as he started to eat. He then stopped when he noticed that Greg and the others were looking at him strangely. "Oh, good morning."
"Uh, Riku…how did you manage to look like that as if…?" Greg asked as now took notice of Riku in his state.
"Well, its kind of hard to put it into words, but in a nutshell, I somehow inherited some of my mother's healing power." Riku replied with a smile. "If I get to sleep a lot, most of the wounds I get can heal rather quickly, and this is just from a hint that power from my mom."
"I guess that explains why you sleep alot." Yuina said.
"No not really." Riku replied. "I just enjoy resting."
"It's almost the same with me and Seraph." Yuina said.
"Yes, a biodroid like me is capable of healing their master of any psychical wounds, but it has limits." Seraph said seriously and in monotone. "I'm afraid I won't be able to go as far as repairing damage to certain mortal wounds if the battle becomes too serious."
"That's okay, Seraph…" Yuina said, patting her. "At least you're doing a good job of protecting me, and the same goes to everyone here at the Uruha mansion, sempai mostly included."
"Yeah, thanks, Yuina." Greg said, knowing she was trying to make him feel a bit better, but it couldn't work. He then focused his sight to Riku and his partners.
"So, Riku…what plan have you cooked up in helping me out with my powers, hmm?" Greg asked, leaning forward. "I know everyone is doing what they can to help me, but I get the feeling it's going to take a lot of effort to make it happen."
"Actually, Greg, the way you're worried about how your powers are affecting you reminds me of something, or rather someone..." Riku paused suddenly and looked over at Nagi, who immediately figured out what Riku was thinking.
(I know what you're thinking...that the situation with Greg almost reminds you of what happened to Shiso...) Nagi said to him telepathically.
(I admit it's not exactly like it, but I'm sure even you can see some similarities.) Riku replied.
(Yeah, I see your point.) Nagi agreed. (Still, I'm not entirely sure telling Greg that particular story will do much to help Greg, if you know what I mean.)
(No duh.) Riku replied. (Actually, I had another idea in mind, though I need to confirm something first...)
"Uh, Riku…was there something you were going to tell me?" Greg asked, breaking Riku's thought.
"Nothing, Greg. Just a thought I had." Riku waved it off. "But in any case, in light of what you just said, there may be a way we can help you."
"Really? Well, what is it?" Greg simply asked.
"Actually, it revolves the people you met just awhile back, the ones me, Nagi and Tot helped sometime ago." Riku spoke.
"Hey, are you talking about Chidori and the others, Riku?" Rio asked, knowing well what Riku meant.
"The same ones." Riku said. "I think they may have what it takes to help sort out the problems you're having with your powers. And the sooner we do this, the better we can to continue organize plans we may have for the future as well.
Greg placed a hand under his chin as he remembered meeting Aya Mikage and her twin brother, Aki, along with Chidori Kuruma, Suzumi Aogiri, Maya Hirobe, Toya and Shuro Tsukasa some time ago. These individuals were victims of the C-Project which were run by the now deceased Kagami Mikage. This project was focused on exposing the hidden, dreadful powers of the tennyo, which originated from the legendary hagoromo relic, dated back to ancient history.
Greg was told of the consequences that surrounded the lives of these people because of the project and he felt disgusted towards Kagami for ruining innocent people's lives. It then struck him that he felt Michiko was right about other people than him suffering in the world, but it was not the time to focus on her harsh, yet strict warnings, especially with his powers at a time like this. At least the mention of these people from Riku can give Greg a chance to meet Shota Kuruma once more.
"So what's so important that I need to see Aya, Toya, Yuhi, Chidori, and everyone else so suddenly?" Greg asked. "Not that I'm complaining, mind you. I wouldn't mind seeing those guys again, not to mention this would be a good opportunity to introduce them to Yuina and everyone else."
"Actually Greg, Yuhi and Chidori have met Rio, Lilica, Nanvel, and Maya before, sort of." Riku said, smiling at the memory of it.
Greg suddenly twitched his left eye and looked at Rio. "Moooommmm…" he called out.
"Heh, come on, Greg. You know as Riku says: 'You never asked." Rio put up both her hands in defeat.
"Bah, whatever. I'll let you slide on this one…"
"Anyway, the real reason we're going is so I can introduce you to a couple of people you didn't meet before." Riku continued. "In particular, you'll meet quite an interesting if not pretty lady. Don't tell her I said that though."
"This woman isn't another precognitive, is she?" Greg asked, wincing a little at the memory of how things went with Michiko recently.
"Oh, don't worry about 'that'." Riku answered. "This woman is quite different from Tachibana-san. She's someone who's as old as forgotten dreams and as deadly as death's shadow."
"Huh?" Greg sweat dropped as that last part didn't sound like something Riku would usually say.
"You'll understand." Riku grinned.
"That doesn't still feel reassuring a bit to Greg, Riku." Nagi said to him.
"Riku, if there are any more people that revolved around the C-Project, you should really let Greg know now." Rio said to him.
"Ah, yes. He didn't meet Ms. Q while we were there the last time, didn't he?" Tot suddenly asked.
"Nani?" Greg simply asked. "Ms. Q? Is that supposed to be another woman I haven't met?"
"She was on vacation when I called up Yuhi to tell him we were coming over the first time you met them." Riku said with a sly grin. "I bet she would be quite interested in knowing much about you the next time you visit them, Greg."
"Well, with a name as elusive and scandalous as 'Ms. Q', it sounds tempting." Greg simply grinned at Riku now. He was certainly planning to flirt with her, since it was part of his rebellious nature. "Well, how soon can you get them ready?"
"I can call them right away and tell them about the next arrival, if you're so eager to meet Ms. Q." Riku said.
"You don't need to rush yourself, Riku. I need to rest a bit first before I'm set for any more crazy adventures." Greg said as he took his breakfast tray, full of nourishing foodstuff. "Well, if that's everything, I got to be going back to my room now and start my so called vacation. And what better way than to start it off with an all day zombie horror movie festival I accessed on one of the cable channels on TV. It's been awhile since I saw, 'Shawn of the Dead'…."
Rio looked at Greg as he stepped up as she walked over to him. "Hey, Greggie…if there's anything you want, or just want someone to talk to…"
"I know, mom. You don't need to sound too worried about me. I'll be fine." Greg said as he kissed her forehead. "All I'm going to do is lock myself in my room and watch horror movies all day as a form of recreation…I'll be back for lunch. See you all then."
As Greg left the room, Rio looked at him stunned as she started to think to herself that what's happening to Greg was all due to Michiko's intervention.
(That's it…I'm going to have a talk with that girl about this and get some answers….Greg is acting more strangely than before than last night.) Rio thought to herself as she then looked at Riku. "Hey, Riku….you think Aya can help Greg as he is?"
"That's the best option I have in mind right now, Rio." Riku said. "I really can't say what Ceres can do for him, but I know she will try to help and guide Greg in some way when they meet eventually."
"I do hope so…" Rio said as she got up to leave the room. "Can you excuse me?"
Rio then stepped out of the room, leaving Yuina and Seraph with Riku and his partners.
"So, Riku, these people that you and sempai talked about…what are they like?" Yuina asked.
"Well, they're all great people." Riku answered. "I'm sure that you'll get along well with everyone, especially Aya, Chidori, and Shuro. They're great singers as well. In fact, I think maybe if the four of you ever did a quartet or something like that, it would be great."
"Really!" Yuina suddenly asked in surprise. Everyone around her by now knows how well she sings, though it's on rare occasions. When she does, people stop to listen to her. "Sounds so far like really good people to me."
"Yeah, considering all that they've been through, but we'll know for sure when you get to meet them." Nagi said.
"As long they are trustful enough to help sempai out, it's good enough for me." Yuina said with a smile. "Well, I got to be going to go and train now, but I'll go look for Amber first to keep her company."
"Yeah, it's best you do that, Yuina. She needs someone to be with right now and always." Riku said. As Yuina and Seraph left the room, Riku got up to make some calls from his Codec as he walked to the mansion's garden. The first frequency he selected was Aya Mikage's own, as her face appeared on the other screen.
"Hey, Riku…it's been awhile since we last seen each other." Aya said.
"Hi, Aya, sorry if I caught you at a bad timing…" Riku apologetically said.
"It's not a problem. I was just dressing Miku up for the day." Aya spoke. "Anyway, while you're calling, how's that friend you introduced to from before is doing?"
"Oh, you mean Greg?" Riku was hesitant in answering right away. "Well, he's…doing just fine. Actually, he's kind of eager of meeting up with you guys again soon."
"Funny you'd said that, because I was just over at Yuhi and Chidori's yesterday and you should have seen Shota." Aya said. "That kid is still ecstatic about meeting Greg once more when I mentioned your name."
"Really? I have to tell Greg that Shota wants to see him again badly." Riku said with a light grin. "So anyway, Aya, I need to ask you something. Can you still talk to Ceres?"
"I...why do you need to know that?" Aya asked in reply.
"I can't exactly explain it right now, but it is important." Riku answered. "I'll explain to the best of my abilities after you answer my question."
After a few minutes of silence, Aya answered him.
"If I try, I can contact her." She answered. "But I'm not sure I want to disturb her and Shiso's eternal rest unless it's important."
"I understand that, Aya, but really, this is important enough that I had to ask." Riku said.
"Why did you ask in the first place about it?"
"Well, this important matter does involve Greg in some way." Riku said.
"Is something the matter with him, Riku?"
"In some terms…" Riku said, shaking his head. "Look, I really can't put into details how this is happening, all I know Greg is in some kind of jam and I was wondering if Ceres can pitch in to help him out."
"That's quite a request…are you sure Greg is willing to even meet Ceres face to face, even knowing in some details what she really is capable of?" Aya asked.
"Well, that's a chance he's willing to take if it has to help him." Riku replied. "So, please, Aya…you think you can do it?"
"I can see how you're determined to help Greg, but even I'm not sure that it will work." Aya sighed. "But, if Greg is brave enough to face Ceres and accept her help, I guess we can give this a shot."
"Thanks, Aya. You really came through with good timing for us." Riku said.
"Hey, it's the best I can do to start having to help your friend, Riku." Aya smiled. "You call back in a couple of days and I let you know when its okay for Greg to come back to visit us."
"Oh, yeah…it's not just him you'll be meeting again, but he's also bringing Yuina with him as well."
"Yuina Hatori, that girl who you mentioned the last time?" Aya asked. "From what you told me about her the last time we met, I think she can relate to me and Chidori after all that has happened to her…"
"Yeah, she was just told about you guys, but not in too many details. I'll be sure to fill her in about you guys some more, especially Shuro. I know she will go crazy when she gets to meet her."
"I guess I should tell Shuro to come back as well to visit…" Aya said. "Anyway, Riku, I'll do what I can on my end, you don't worry too much. I'm sure Ceres should be able to help Greg in some way with this problem he has…"
"You and I both, Aya." Riku said. "Be seeing you soon."
With that, Riku logged off his Codec and sighed to himself.
(With that out of the way, I can focus on the other happenings around here…maybe I can get myself more acquainted with Greg's second surrogate mother, Aika Sumeragi.) Riku thought to himself as he made his way to look for her. When he did find her, she was in the living room area, watching television with Rion Aida.
"Excuse me, Sumeragi-san, but I need to ask you a couple of questions if you don't mind." Riku spoke.
"I don't mind at all, and you can just call me Aika you know." Aika replied with a friendly smile. "Well, ask away."
"Alright, Aika." Riku nodded. "Anyway, you and Rion are salvagers, meaning you recover artifacts and stuff like that, right?"
"Along the lines, yes." Aika replied simply. "Though our line of business can be seen more than just salvagers these days…anyway, why did you ask?"
"Well, here's my main question, throughout any of your jobs have you ever come across something like this?" Riku then took a picture out of his pocket and showed it to her. It was a picture of a strange looking object that appeared to be some sort of fossil, held inside a glass container.
Aika took the picture and studied it for a few minutes before handing it back to Riku and then answered him.
"No, I can't say that I have." She answered. "But from how you looked when you asked me about whatever it is in the photo, I can assume it's important, right?"
"You've got that right." Riku replied. "Anyway, I was wondering if you and your group could keep an eye out for any of the things like what I showed you in the picture the next time you do some salvage jobs."
"Well, I'll make sure to keep an eye out for any of them." Aika said.
"Thanks a lot. It would make things for us FOXHOUNDers easier if these things weren't in the enemy's hands." Riku said. "In case you didn't know, that kind of artifact is the kind even a mere human isn't meant to mess around with, trust me. I know some people who had experiences with that, bad ones mostly."
"I'm curious; you guys are going to pay us if we find these things, right?" Rion asked hopefully.
"Of course." Riku nodded. "My family, some good friends of mine, and I have discussed this before, and here's what we're willing to pay for one of the items in question."
Riku then handed a piece of paper to Rion, who took and read it. As soon as she did, her eyes widened in complete shock.
"Are...are you sure this isn't your phone number?" She asked, not believing the amount offered.
"Let me see." Riku took the paper back and looked at it. "Oh yeah, thanks. Looks like we nearly made a big mistake with payment amount."
(I knew it; I knew it was too good to be true!) Rion thought as her head drooped in disappointment. (Me and my big mouth...)
"So what's the real payment amount?" Rion asked hesitantly.
"Oh it's not very different from the original amount; we were just missing one extra digit." Riku answered.
Rion nearly fainted over as she heard Riku said that, as Aika looked on with a puzzled look on her face.
"Sigh…cut it out, Rion." Aika said. "He is giving us money's worth for hunting something like this, you know."
"In any case, aside from that…what plans you got to help Greg out?" Riku asked.
"Oh, I already discussed that with Geese, Kyo, Iori and Chizuru just yesterday." Aika simply replied. "The best thing we can do for Greg right now is trying to limit his power, so it can exist within tolerable levels within his system. I have yet to administer the nano-gauntlets to do this, but it's important he takes his rest for now before he wears them."
"Is it guaranteed to work?"
"It's a long shot, but for now, we can trust science to help him, along with your help as well." Aika said. "You know that, Riku…I have to commend your observation about this situation up to this point."
"Why do you say that, Aika?" Riku asked curiously.
"Your face says 'ignore me, I'm a fool', but I see through it." Aika said to Riku.
"What makes you say that?" Riku asked.
"There's a clue in the casual way you carry yourself." Aika answered. "And the look in your eyes just gave me that impression."
"I just have that way with people, but you can say it's an added bonus for being a ninja of the Hokage." Riku replied with a grin. "In any case, I'm sure Greg has some faith in us to turn this around for him, so we should keep the faith, huh?"
"Do you think that would get him through this?"
"Well, he is counting on us to help out with his problems from now after all, so we really can't let him down." Riku said as Rion got up to speak to him.
"Don't get me wrong, I appreciate how you and your entire clan are helping us, Riku." Rion said. "But I'm starting to get worried about how the Patriots may retaliate against all of you for doing all of this."
"Like we aren't prepared for that." Riku smirked confidentially. "And even if they do make it through our security defenses, we members of Uruha and the Hokage clan are far from pushovers."
"You should tell that to those three idiots who picked a fight with Aika." Rion spoke, showing a thumb at Aika's direction.
"They're an exception." Riku replied. "Besides, for most of my family you've just seen them on their good side. Enemies who get on their wrong side, especially in the case of my father and uncle...well, let's say chances of survival are minimal at best."
"Scary." Rion simply said as Riku left the room. As he did, Rion looked up at Aika as she thought of something.
"Hey, Aika….maybe we should contact Gust, Bandora and Shuntaro to let them know what's happening, huh?" Rion asked.
"Now's like the good time for their help as well…" Aika said as she got up. "I'm going to see Maypia to make the call, you coming?"
Rion simply nodded her head as she and Aika went together to see their accomplice, while Riku stepped back near the kitchen area where Nagi and Tot were still there.
"We saw what that was just about, Riku." Tot said.
"Oh, you mean the thing about the hagoromo?" Riku asked innocently. "I thought since they are close to Greg, sooner or later, they would get curious about what he has been learning about the C-Project recently. Also, knowing as much as I can about their business, I thought I can help promote their business a bit by letting see what a real hagoromo looks like."
"Still, why did you ask Aika to keep an eye out for any hagoromo fossils?" Nagi asked.
"Ceres is gone, so there's no way they can be restored."
"Don't forget, Nagi, the Patriots got those C-Genome embryos, thanks to our old buddy Crawford." Riku answered. "Chances are any children born from those could have the abilities of a C-Genome regardless of whether Ceres is still around or not, meaning they'd probably have the ability to make any of those fossils back into mana. You remember how powerful Ceres was when she got her hagoromo back; now imagine what could happen if the Patriots manage to get their slimy claws on it."
"Hmmm….good point, Riku." Nagi nodded his head. "Its better to be safe than sorry and let Aika take care of finding the remainder of the hagoromo for us than the enemy could."
"Glad you saw through my plan. And I'm sure Greg would understand why Aika agreed when he hears this." Riku said.
"Anyway, since Greg is upstairs, having the twisted time of his life, I'd better go and do some self training before Yuina joins me." Nagi said, as he walked out of the kitchen. As he stepped out, he was greeted by one of the Noir assassins, Mirelle Bouquet. She was carrying an old, silver pocket-watch that was cracked, but it can still play a mellow tune.
"Oh, good morning, Mirelle." Nagi simply said.
"And a good morning to you too, Nagi." Mirelle replied with a light smile. It was almost hard to believe that this French blonde was a natural assassin with a face of a common woman. Kirika Yuumura was almost the opposite of Mirelle before, having being torn between her own personal memories as a child, trained by the Soldats and her emotions.
"Good morning, Nagi." Mirelle stopped to speak to greet him, as Nagi returned the greeting.
"Good morning to you too, Mirelle." Nagi replied.
"How's your friend, Greg Kinezono, going?" Mirelle asked. "I was told by his surrogate aunts that he was in need for a long rest because of what's going on with his powers, am I right?"
"Well, he did show up earlier, but only for breakfast. He's back in his room for the rest of the day." Nagi said. "I'm sure he will be okay…"
"I see. There were some things I wanted to ask him, but it will have to wait until he gets better." Mirelle shrugged her shoulders, only to focus her eyes on Nagi. "Actually, there was something I wanted to ask you, now that it came to mind."
"Really? What is it then?" Nagi asked.
"I was just thinking back to when this all started, you know, when we first met because of Schwartz and Dead Cell attacking us." Mirelle spoke, causing Nagi to gulp a bit. "I had known about Schwartz's activities from the time I became an assassin and had heard rumors about a younger psychic of the group who originated from Japan. Can you say coincidence?"
"Are you certain that information is accurate, Miss Bouquet?" Nagi asked, staying cool.
"Just curious if the possibility I have in mind is true. So, what is your connection to this assassin group anyway?" Mirelle asked some suspicion in her voice. "More to the point, what was it about their leader Brad Crawford that got you so riled up when we first met?"
"I'm a member of FOXHOUND; people like him are my natural enemy." Nagi answered simply.
"Kid, you're deliberately avoiding the subject." Mirelle said.
Nagi was silent for a moment and then spoke.
"Tell me...what's the significance of that pocket watch you're always carrying with you?" He asked in reply.
Mirelle stiffened up at that, since that was a sensitive subject for her.
"What does that have to do with anything?" She asked.
"Nothing at all. I just remember seeing that symbol somewhere before so it's probably important." Nagi answered with a shrug.
"So when will you answer my question?" Mirelle asked seriously.
"When you answer mine." Nagi answered. The French assassin simply grinned and nodded her head.
"Fine then…if its answers that you need, there's quite the tale behind this watch, but in reality, I can just consider this as a bad luck charm." Mirelle spoke. "A lot of bad memories happened in my life, as well as Kirika's, because of where this watch came from."
"I'm willing to listen. I've been through almost the same thing as an assassin as well." Nagi said. "At least we can use this as a chance to share some 'secrets of the trade' as well."
Mirelle only grinned at the young Japanese psychic and sat down alongside him to begin speaking about her past with the pocket watch. Eventually, Nagi got to learn more than he expected about Mirelle when she explained how much the watch was connected with her past, as well as Kirika's.
He got to learn about how much she and her partner has learnt about the existence of the Soldats, a worldly organization which had been in existence since ancient times. They had been secretly ruled the underworld of crime and had been selecting candidates to become 'Black Maidens', highly trained and professional assassins faithful to the Soldats. Mirelle was to become one of the next Noir, since her family's name was known to be among the highest in the underworld ranks of assassins.
Her parents didn't want their daughter to follow in the Soldats direction and were killed for denying them. What shocked Nagi even more was that the one who killed her parents was Kirika herself, trained at a young age by the Soldats. She had her memories of the time she was with the Soldats taken by them. Nagi felt almost sad as he heard this for the two female assassins.
"That must really be hard for the two of you to know that the Soldats were capable of ruining your lives like that…it's not any different with the Patriots." Nagi said as he shook his head.
"You got that right…"
"And Chloe? How would you explain her?" Nagi said. "If you said she's the most faithful to the Soldats and their beliefs, why let her join up with you?"
"It's kind of funny when you think about it, but you can say after Kirika killed her, we felt Chloe was just another pawn used by the Soldats for their own needs and we took pity for her." Mirelle said. "We were all manipulated by the same woman who was in charge of the Soldats' activities at the time, her name was Althena. She was quite the delusional one, if you ask me, one of the most psychotic people I've ever met."
"So this Althena controlled everything that led up to finding out about Kirika being involved in your past, huh?" Nagi asked.
"Yes, it was all because of Althena that everything regarding me, Kirika and Chloe came about today." Mirelle said. "But I'm certain that the Soldats are far from finished with the rest of the world. I wouldn't be surprised if they were in cahoots with your enemy who ally themselves with the Patriots."
"Same with me…we may have more common enemies soon, with how things are going." Nagi said.
"You said it." Mirelle replied. "At least now, before they came into our lives, Kirika and I had made sure to give Chloe a second of sorts of living past the Soldats wishes and she was quite happy for that. My only wish is that those Schwartz and Dead Cell psychos don't take what Chloe has managed to gain for her own away from her…"
"We won't let that happen, Mirelle. I can give you my word on that." Nagi replied sternly.
"Thanks for letting me know." She said with a grin. "Kirika and I aren't going to give up on Chloe ourselves."
Nagi got up and left Mirelle by herself, only to run into Tot who suddenly kissed his cheek as he entered the next room.
"Hey, what was that for?" Nagi asked, a bit in surprise.
"How nice of you as always, trying to help out a fellow assassin, even though she thinks that you're connected to Schwartz." Tot said with a smile.
"I felt like telling her then about Crawford and the others, but it would be unwise of me to do so, especially with all that's happening around here." Nagi spoke.
"Yeah, we should wait until they get to know us a bit better." Tot replied. "Maybe then when they do, they can trust us with helping out their Chloe friend when we get to that part eventually."
"By the mean time, we just got to take it a step at a time…" Nagi said as he and Tot started to walk together. They had quite an eventful day to be braced for as they have been overhearing that some of Recca's old buddies are arriving soon.
"We'd better go and help Riku with the preparations for the next set of guests coming here…" Tot suggested.
"Good idea." Nagi agreed, as they went to look on for Riku to join him.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
By the time it was nearing lunchtime, most of the occupants in the mansion were busy getting preparations finished for the arrival of the fellow allies to the Uruha and Hokage ninja clans that were formed during the Urabutousatusjin tournament many years ago. There were even rumors about that spoke of a big reunion party of sorts for the important, new guests, so the place was quite busy and hectic as Kagero, Kurei, Masanori and Kenshin were in charge of having the maids of the mansion get the feasts and the rooms for the guests prepared.
"It's almost that time now…Kenshin, you should go and get Riku ready to greet some of the guests." Kagero said. "Some of the closest ones are already on the way here."
"Certainly, I will do just that." Kenshin said as he left the room to join Riku on the outside of the mansion, where the young ninja was attired casually for the occasion.
"So, who's to arrive first?" Kenshin asked his cousin.
"I heard that Tokiya and Fuuko are just about to arrive with their son." Riku replied as on timing, a vehicle of a grey SUV drove up to the front door. "Ah, good timing, they have arrived."
Out of the vehicle, a woman in her thirties with short, purple hair and a male with long flowing brown hair that was tied into a long single ponytail, who was in his thirties as well, stepped out holding a two year old boy with green eyes and short brown hair.
"Welcome back to the Uruha mansion, Fuuko and Tokiya." Kenshin welcomed them as they exchanged hugs between them and Riku.
"It's good to be back, even if it's on short notice." Fuuko Kirisawa, the master of the Fuujin, the wind madogu, spoke with a grin. She is known to be an externally rough and aggressive person, but she is actually caring and kind. She also possesses the Oni Tsume, a self created attack that creates blades of wind and is also the holder of the Shinryoshintou, a madogu capable of growing and shrinking. Most of these relics were seen in special cases in the backseat areas of the SUV that they came in.
"And how's Tetsunosuke going?" Riku asked.
"He's growing up quite well, thanks for asking." Tokiya Kirisawa Mikagami said. This man was known to be unbalanced and unstable at times, due to the hardships of losing his parents, then his older sister some time after, though he is known to be a rather intelligent figure in battle. His madogu is the Ensui, a water element relic that normally takes the form of a handle, but can shift to a blade to his liking. He was a major player among the Hokage clan in the Urabutousatusjin tournament, but had lacked team spirit.
"Hey, don't tell me that you're forgetting us now, aren't you guys?" a young male's voice said as two other individuals stepped out. It was another couple of a male and female in their twenties, holding the hand of a three year old girl who had blonde hair and blue eyes. The male's hair style was spiky and he had a fang like smile, while the girl with him has long blonde hair.
"I don't believe it…Kaoru and Ganko came with you guys as well?" Riku exclaimed.
"You'd better believe it, Riku." Kaoru Koganei said with a smile. This orphan who was rescued and recruited by Kurei is the most resourceful of the Uruha clan, as being a genius and a warrior at the age of 13 who has mastered the Kougan Anki, a madogu weapon consisting of six forms that can be used as a puzzle. This came as a natural ability to him, as he was a genius who would be seen with a Rubix cube. He is known to be among one of the Hokage's best allies who has never let his dark past let him down. He was among the most confident of the ninjas in the group.
Ganko Morikawa, who was holding on to their daughter, Miyu Koganei, smiled at Riku and Kenshin. Ganko is known to be the holder of the Kata Kugutsu, a madogu capable of animating lifeless objects. Founded and taken care of by Kurei as well, Ganko had a fondness for Fuuko and ended up becoming an ally of the Hokage after her defeat by her hands when Recca, Domon and Fuuko infiltrated Kurei's mansion years ago to rescue Yanagi. It was after everything had calmed down, Kaoru and Ganko settled down with one another.
"We had to come along as well, guys." Ganko said with a smile. "It's good to be back at this place, even if it does have some bad memories here."
"Now, now, Ganko…it's all in the past." Kaoru said. "Kurei's a changed and better man than he was years ago; we might as well accept the invitation for this little reunion and get together."
"You're right." Ganko replied, nodding at Kaoru.
"Well, we won't be keeping you guys waiting. Recca and everyone else are waiting to see you." Kenshin said as he let the guests enter the mansion. When they did, they got an unexpected surprise, when they saw a tall, muscular male in his thirties with a Mohawk hairstyle on his head.
"Domon!" Fuuko exclaimed, rushing to greet an old friend, by slapping his shoulder before hugging him. "You came here as well?"
Domon Ishijima simply grinned at the people in the room as his wife, Aki entered to stand at his side. Probably known to everyone as the strongest of the Team Hokage in both raw strength and spirit, Domon is also Recca's old time rival, though having failed many times to defeat him and always ends up falling for one of his tricks in battle. His madogu is the Dosei no Wa, or Saturn's Ring, which amplifies the wearer's strength when worn. He has two other madogu under his name, one of them is Kuchibashi, which was once an accessory for the Three Nincompoops and is now Tot's weapon. The next madogu he has is the Tetsu Gan which can its masters body into iron after being ingested.
"Like old times, huh, Fuuko?" Domon grinned. "Recca had to pull me away from training to be here, saying it was important. So, I just had to show up and see how everyone's going."
"You just came for the bouquet that this gathering is supposed to have, didn't you?" Fuuko asked, as Domon rubbed his head.
"Yeah, that too." He admitted with a grin.
"Seems like a certain gorilla had never changed." Tokiya said simply, causing Domon to flare up.
"What was that, pretty boy?" Domon growled at Tokiya, as Kaoru and Riku had to hold Domon back from hurting someone. Tokiya simply sighed, yet enjoying troubling this old friend of his for what it seems to have been a long while.
"That's enough, you two." Riku warned them. "If you want to battle it out, do it another time, but not today when we got other guests coming over."
"Riku's right, you're not the only guests that will be staying here. Team Ku is supposed to show up as well in a while, so try to keep things orderly till the reunion begins." Kenshin said.
"I got ya." Domon said as he focused on Aki now. "Anyway, Aki, lets say we get going and meet up with some of the new faces that are staying here. I heard a lot from Recca we got some interesting guests."
"Miki should be with some of the WARRIOR members, so we should meet her and Neon with them." Aki smiled as she and Domon walked out of the living room, leaving the rest of the old Hokage team in the room.
"We should go to our rooms as well and get prepared for the other guests to arrive as well." Fuuko said to Tokiya.
"Certainly." He replied, taking his wife and child to their rooms, while Ganko and Kaoru did the same and went to theirs, while Kenshin and Riku looked at the time.
"We only have about an hour apart before the others can get here soon, so we should continue on with the preparations, Riku." Kenshin said.
"I'm with you…this party hasn't started yet." Riku grinned back to Kenshin. This was to become an eventful day here at the Uruha mansion with the extra set of guests arriving.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Almost an hour later, the members of Team Kuu showed up, having been received warm welcome by both Hokage and Uruha team members. Team Kuu was one of the rival teams that participated in the Urabutousatusjin tournament years ago. They were a team of assassins who would target after corrupt politicians.
"Hey, Daikoku…it's been awhile since we've been in touch." Recca said, as he embraced the team's leader, Daikoku. He was a tall, muscular man with short, cut hair who is an expert with the Bo staff, which his most powerful attack is known as the Kyukyoku Senbon Geki, or, "Ultimate 1,000 Strikes." After he was defeated by Tokiya during the tournament, he still managed to maintain friendship with the Hokage team.
"Yes, it's been too long. I hope life has treated you well." Daikoku said with a smile on his face. Next to his side, was a man in his thirties with long dark hair that covered the right side of his face.
"I can see that it has treated you as well, Saicho." Recca said, turning to the man next to Daikoku. Saicho simply grinned at this old time friend, as he remembered the good times he had during the tournament when he went one on one with Recca. His madogu is the Shikigami, which controls paper, and is an expert in origami, which attributes in battle. He is a confident fighter who rarely gives up with quite a history. He once defeated one thousand men single-handedly at his dojo, when they rebelled due to the students trying to recruit other students into taking up positions as hit men and using their fighting skills for evil. Saicho was entrusted with the duty to bring order to the dojo and enforce its principles. However, he was wounded during his fight, affecting his consequent stamina, which leads to heart failure if he fights more than ten minutes.
"Yes, you're quite correct on that, especially now that Misora is with me to make it so." Saicho said, holding unto the side of an attractive woman with short dark hair. She was known to have been engaged to Saicho during the time of the tournament and even made up to a thousand paper cranes to keep him safe, which he used in his final attack.
"Now, Saicho...there's no need to be open in front of everyone." Misora blushed as Saicho grinned. "But it is indeed good to be back with friends."
"Speaking of friends, where's Fujimaru?" Kenshin asked amongst the crowd.
"Last I saw of him, he's off on a training journey to be a better man. We made sure to send a message for him to come, so I'm sure he will be here eventually." Daikoku said.
"Actually, I already am and on time too." Fujimaru, a lean man with spiky hair stepped in and said. He is rarely liked by anyone, because in general, everyone thinks he's just a greasy slimeball who dishonors his team with underhanded tactics. He is also considered to be a sick pervert as well and he made sure not to get close to an already pissed off Fuuko when she found out he will be staying as one of the guests. Those two really need to stay away from one another for the time being for the sake of the gathering. His madogu is the Kagenui, a small needlelike weapon that is used to pin shadows of the opponent. His specialty in weapons is a pair of curved knives.
"Fujimaru, so you actually did come." Saicho spoke. "Even knowing that Fuuko's here?"
"That can be considered brave, I'll say." Recca said, causing Fujimaru to grin.
"Ha, things are a whole lot different now, Recca." Fujimaru said to him. "Say, how's you own son going? It's been years that we actually seen him."
"You called for me?" Riku suddenly appeared in a ninja style appearance, catching Fujimaru a bit off guard.
"Wahh!" Fujimaru leaped back as Recca and his old friends laughed.
"Seems that your son has learned well in the ninja arts." Saicho spoke.
"Nah, most of it is naturally from my dad, really." Riku said as he rubbed his head.
"Riku, I'm going to get Saicho and Daikoku introduced to some of the guests staying here and some of your friends." Recca said. "Why not help out and take Fujimaru with you around, huh?"
"Sure thing, dad." Riku said as he then faced Fujimaru.
"Wow, this place seems more filled with people than I remembered…" Fujimaru said.
"Didn't you know? We got some extra guests since you guys last talked to my dad." Riku said. "Anyway, first I got to introduce you to my partners, then some friends of the family. They are quite interesting, considering that the majority of them are women."
"Wow, I'm starting to like this reunion already." Fujimaru said even more joyfully.
"Oh one thing, before I introduce you to everyone." Riku then turned to Fujimaru. "Fujimaru, if you're stupid enough to try anything with the women I'm going to introduce you to, you're going to get your ass kicked by not just the women themselves, but my friend Greg as well and I'm not going to do anything to help you."
"Damn, you're cold..." Fujimaru grumbled. "And besides, you don't have to worry about that, after that training journey I've went on I've become a changed man."
"Really, then could you explain this?" Riku then took something out of his pocket and held up a dirty magazine that was part of Fujimaru's collection. "You really need to hide these better, man."
Riku then casually opened the magazine, at the same time easily dodging Fujimaru's attempt to snatch it from his hands.
"Hmm, no censorship, looks like you imported this one from the US." Riku commented as he took a look.
"Give me that!" Fujimaru shouted, finally succeeding in taking the magazine from Riku. "Do you have any clue what that mother of yours or Neon would do to me if they thought I was giving these things to you!"
"I guess you're training journey made you smarter at least." Riku smiled at Fujimaru's enraged expression.
(Don't blame him though, my mom and Aunt Neon are probably the scariest women I know when they get mad.) Riku thought to himself.
"Hey, I got to find Nagi and Tot first though." Riku said as he left the room. "I'll be back to introduce you to everyone, Fujimaru. By the meantime, stay out of trouble."
As Riku left the room, leaving Fujimaru to himself, he breathed a sigh as he watched the dirty magazine with a lecherous, gleeful grin on his face.
(I'd better make sure not to let prying eyes spot me with this…) Fujimaru thought, until his thought was broken by a male voice behind him.
"Hey, a dirty magazine. Been awhile since I laid eyes on an American one, of course this sort of stuff doesn't float my boat anymore." Greg's voice suddenly made Fujimaru leap and go into a fighting stance in front of Greg, who was dressed in a sleeping robe and holding unto a serving tray of food.
"Who…who the hell are you?" Fujimaru asked out of a tone of fright.
"Greg Kinezono…I'm one of Riku's buddies who happened to be staying at this place." Greg simply replied. "You must be one of the ninja folk I overheard was coming over to stay, huh?"
"Uh…that's right. I'm Fujimaru of Team Kuu." Fujimaru spoke as he extended a hand for a shake. Greg complied as he used his right hand to give it a firm shake.
"I really hope we could get acquainted soon, but not right now. There are some personal things that I need to clear up first…" Greg said as he thought about what was going on with him at the moment.
"You're not staying for the party?" Fujimaru asked. "It's going to be a blast, you know. Everyone in the mansion is going to get together and get to meet those who they haven't met in a long time, as well meet the new folk."
"I'm sure it will be fun." Greg said as he simply took a big bite of the sandwich that he made and kept on watching Fujimaru in silence before he spoke. "But not today, I'm sorry I that I got to turn down this invitation for now. My head is just a mess right now. But it was fun meeting you."
With that, he took his lunch with him to his room as Fujimaru let out a big sigh as he watched Greg left the room.
"Geez…what's his problem?" Fujimaru asked as Kenshin Mori entered the room to see what had just happened.
"You have to excuse Greg, he's one of the other important guests staying with us, but he's going through some issues at the moment." Kenshin spoke, waving an arm. "Don't worry, though, he's quite a nice person once he's on his good side."
"If you say so, but I think just by watching him, he's scary." Fujimaru said as he made sure to hide his pornographic material more properly this time as he left the room to join his teammates from Team Ku and old friends. To his surprise, two other men that weren't there before were now speaking with Daikoku. One of them was a tall, man with long dark hair, wielding a boomerang like weapon, the Kaigetsu, which was similar to Kaoru's Kougan Anki.
"Hey, Tsukeshiro! You actually made it." Fujimaru called to him.
"Yes, it's been troublesome a bit to get here, considering all that has happened to me in the past." Tsukeshiro spoke. He was known to be among the loyal of the Uruha members, but he was also part of a secret police for Kouran Mori to report any disloyalty to him. Tsukeshiro was also the master of the Oboro madogu.
"At least we made it for the party…" another voice spoke as a shorter male dressed in a full ninja's outfit stepped next to his friend. He had a big, scary grin on his face, while a copy of himself was eating away at the bouquet table.
"Kashemaru…you're here too?" Fujimaru asked.
"Yup. I wouldn't have missed this gathering for the world." Kashemaru said. The Uruha Ma ninja controls the copycat madogu, the Nisebi, which allows him to generate a false flame. He is a sneaky ninja of sorts who has an array of ninja techniques who arms himself with sleeping medicine induced sword. Like Tsukeshiro, he is loyal to the Uruha Ma and the Hokage clans.
"Hey, where's the boss?" Tsukeshiro asked.
"He's over there, talking to some of the ladies that we're now getting acquainted with…" Kashemaru replied, pointing over behind him, where a tall male, dressed in partial armor made of bone from the lower part of his body. By first look, he almost looked like a chimera, but here he was getting to meet Lilica, Maya and Seraph, along with some of the Urabutousatusjin referees.
"Gashakura-sama, you shouldn't hog all the ladies to yourself, you know." Kashemaru spoke.
"Just enjoying the moments we have now, Kashemaru…" Gashakura spoke with a grin on his face. He was a man opposite of his frightening appearance in battle, as he is kind, fair and only seeks to fight strong opponents in order to gain more strength. It's his rule to never take advantage of an opponent in a fight, even though his Magagumo madogu, the spider armor, is capable in both offense and defense areas. He always seeks a fair competition.
"You're right…it may be fun to get together like this now, but I sense dangerous times ahead for us." Daikoku said seriously.
"Okay, Recca…there must be a good reason why we're all called here at once." Fuuko asked with her arms folded.
"Yeah, it's kind of guilty that you start making us feel comfortable when you know there's a reason why all of those who stuck out with you through the tournament would be here." Domon said. "Start spilling the details."
"Well, in case you want to know, it involves a friend of the family and then some." Recca said.
"Someone we've met before?" Saicho asked.
"Not as yet, but he's a friend of Riku who's in big trouble." Recca said. "You'll get to meet him eventually, but its best you hear out what Riku and his partners, along with our friend's family has to say about it first."
"Yes, its best you hear it from them about everything that has happened up to now." Yanagi said.
"You'd better make this interesting for everyone of us to hear, Recca." Tokiya said.
"It's more than interesting, it's very important, really…" Recca said. "In any case, Riku should start telling everyone about the situation."
"With some required assistance from us, of course." Nagi said stepping out, alongside with Rio, Tot, and Yuina. "Rio and Yuina have their own tales to tell as well."
Yuina took a deep breath as Nagi nodded at her.
"It's going to be okay…you're among friends." He said to her as Yuina nodded back and faced the Uruha, Hokage and Team Kuu members.
"Everyone, my name is Yuina Hatori…" the sophomore said, with her hands clasped together. "All this began some time ago before I met Riku and his friends…"
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After the celebrations, everyone who came volunteered to help clean up alongside with the maids. Some members of the various teams can't get the details of the Patriots involvement in Greg and Yuina's lives.
"That poor girl…those Patriots really made a mess of her life." Saicho said as he cleared a table of leftovers.
"Yeah, I can sympathize with her in some ways. It's cruel that a girl her age has to lose everything because of the Patriots…" Menou, Joker's wife said.
"And this Greg guy is also targeted by them as well?" Domon asked.
"That's what Riku said." Tokiya said. "Sounds more like a call for help, if you ask me."
"It does, considering the enemy we're fighting." Daikoku said.
"Kurei and Recca are making sure to step up the security around the mansion, in case this place gets targeted by the Patriots." Aki said. "In the meantime, we also have to find a way to help Greg with his powers."
"I heard that's been taking care of." Recca said.
"Hope everything turns out alright for them. But for now, when we're done here, let's see if we still have our skills." Domon said. "You're up for a challenge, Recca?"
"You're on. We can duke it out at the VR hall in this mansion." Recca replied with a grin to his old rival.
"Boys will be boys…" both Yanagi and Aki said as they shrug their shoulders in unison.
"That Yuina girl…she still seemed troubled, even when assured that she's going to get the best of help though." Misora said.
"When I get the chance, I may go and have a talk to get to know her better." Fuuko said. "She seems nice enough to get along with and everything…"
"Yeah, so is that Team WARRIOR." Gashakura said. "I do pray for the recovery of their loved one, he seems quite important to them."
"To everyone in this mansion, he is, Gashakura-sama." Tsukeshiro said as the cleaning continued into the night.
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Night fell and after a hectic day of meetings and reunions in the Uruha mansion, Yuina stepped into Nanvel's workshop, where the WARRIOR tech head was busy servicing Nan-bot once more. She was dressed in her karate gi uniform.
"Hey, Nanvel…I see you're busy tinkering away as usual." Yuina said as she sat down to become a spectator of Nanvel's skills.
"Yuina…it's unusual of you to come on this side, unless its something that Greg sent you for." Nanvel said as she looked at Yuina and saw the concerned look on her face. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"I was thinking, Nanvel…" Yuina looked at her left palm and then back at her friend. "I was wondering if by chance you are finished fixing sempai's Codec?"
"Yes, I have. But why doesn't he come down for it?" Nanvel asked.
"Actually…I'm not asking for him, I'm asking if I can just borrow it for awhile." Yuina said. "I know it sounds weird, but I want to make sure what is it that he listens to that gets him in that state of mind, that's all."
"Oh, so you know about its MP3 capabilities, huh?" Nanvel asked. "But I need to warn you, Greg's got quite a selection and he can detect if any of his songs are deleted by someone else who uses it."
"Don't worry, its not like I would to that to upset sempai." Yuina smiled. "Since I don't have a Codec, I might as well start emulating him a bit and see what it that he listens to can affect my training."
"He has a very weird taste in music, Yuina. Some of it isn't even good for the ears, if you know what I mean." Nanvel warned her. "You sure you can handle it?"
"I'm old enough to handle it. I'll be fine." Yuina said.
"If you want me to, I can always make one just like it with your choices of music." Nanvel said.
"Okay, do just that. Let me decide which of sempai's I want, before I let you know what of my choice I need." Yuina said, as Nanvel simply sighed and handed over Greg's Codec. Yuina was accustomed to seeing Greg and Riku use them and knew how to put them on without any problems. As she did, she then stood up to walk out.
"Hey, Yuina…Greg won't need it anytime soon, so take good care of it. I won't tell him that you have it and by the time yours is ready, you should give it back to him, got it?" Nanvel said.
"Thanks a lot, Nanvel. Leave it to me." Yuina bowed to Nanvel as she left the room. All that the busty, tanned beauty of WARRIOR can think about was:
(What the hell was that all about?) Nanvel thought. (Oh, well…at least it shows how determined she is to help him…unlike those times before. Now that I think of it, they aren't any different now, aren't they, Naomi?)
And it was then Nanvel sat back and started to think back on the other times before when Greg first entered Team WARRIOR's lives…
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ShardclawK: Damn, this chapter was one of the most challenging to portray, especially with the amount of ideas I had while writing it, I just throw in every aspect to make a good update even better along with the promise of more Flame of Recca characters appearing in this story, so I do hoped everyone enjoyed it. Incorporating stuff like this almost makes all of us feel as if you're reading Lyrix's 'Capcom vs. SNK: Infiltration' fic, huh? Well, I doubt my work will be nearly as good or large as his, but at least this has a decent fanbase anyways.
In note to the last set of reviews from the last chapter, I was surprised to see the lot of you who are Full Metal Alchemist fans and I got to admit, it was one anime that got me hooked for as long as I can remember. And worry not, curious ones; I do have access to the manga, thanks to my good buddy, DarkFusion, though I got to say that it's far funnier than the anime is, despite its entertaining major and minor differences. Now if only I had more time to read out the remainder of the story, as I already begun chapter 30…
And yes, I'm a fan of Maes Hughes as well, a decent mix of a father figure, badass-ness and humor rolled into one, he was a lovable guy, but I never expected him to actually die. When they showed the funeral scene at the end of episode 25, I choked from crying when I saw his daughter calling out for him and shame on me, it happened at a public internet café! Ah, Hughes…you will be missed and noted as everyone's favorite.
Next Chapter: It's another bonus chapter festival, as we go back in time to reveal some secrets surrounding Greg's powers as Team WARRIOR gets a chance to shine in a special flashback chapter just for them. Hope you stay tuned for that one.
Collis aka ShardclawKusanagi.