HERO TEAM:
Chizuru Kagura had met with Kyo Kusanagi thirty minutes ago. Kyo brought along his long time friend Benimaru Nikaido. The two are just now leaving for the train station to take them to the airport.

Kyo stayed silent. Benimaru has been trying to speak to Kyo for some time, but Kyo is just too wrapped up in his thoughts to respond.

"What do you think is going to happen?" Benimaru is concerned. "He's going to try to kill you, isn't he?"

Kyo was silent.

"Don't worry man, I've got your back. If he's going to try to take you, he's going to have to go through me!" Benimaru raises a fist in triumph. "I'm good like that, you know? I mean, it's me, Benimaru!"

Silence, still.

"Chizuru didn't seem too worried though. You should take that as a sign to relax. I think she has confidence in us as a team."

No response.

"Say something! I hate talking to walls. Geez. If only Daimon weren't tied up, the three of us could enter this tournament. We wouldn't have to rely on... him. I bet then you'd be cheery."

Meanwhile, 20 feet away, a man with blood red hair and black jacket was walking toward Kyo and Benimaru. His head was down the whole time. The three pass each other--

"!"

Suddenly, with surprise, the man with the red hair spun around fast, drawn clenched fists... but saw no one.

"Damn," he thought to himself. "I wasn't fast enough. They must have ducked into one of the train cars."

He checked the nearest car, which just started to move.

"I'll never catch up to him now. I'll have to wait until the tournament. Mark my words Kyo Kusanagi, I will rip your head off. Your end is very near."

The man turned and continued on his way.

15 minutes later, he showed up outside a large house, where a black-haired woman waited for him.

"Welcome Iori. Please, follow--"

"Let's cut right to it Chizuru. What's going on? Start talking!"

"Very well. Kyo and his friend Benimaru were here earlier--"

"So it WAS Kyo! I was so close--"

"Please let me finish. This is important. Before I tell you what's going on, please promiss me you wont hurt Kyo."

Iori's eyes were wide and filled with fire. He clenched his fists with rage. How could Chizuru ask this of Iori, when Iori's family and Kyo's family have been feuding for so long? How could Chizuru expect Iori to become allies with a Kusanagi?

"Please Iori. The fate of the world may rest on it. I'm begging you, please help Kyo and Benimaru."

Iori reluctantly gave in. Chizuru knew what she was talking about, and if the fate of the world rests in his joining with his bitter enemy, he must do so if Chizuru forsee's it. Chizuru was right before when she, Kyo, and Iori sealed Orochi away back in 1996. What if Chizuru's vision is correct again? What if something does happen to the world? Iori would lose his chance to kill Kyo himself.

"Make it quick."

"Thank you Iori. Kyo and Benimaru were here earlier. I told them what I'm about to tell you. The world is in danger. Otherworldly forces are planning on appearing at the Mark of the Millennium 2001 tournament in Osaka, Japan. One appears in my vision as an innocent white light. Another appears as a black shadow. They come toghether to battle each other, each choosing fighters from all over the world as their pawns for this battle. I'm uncertain as to what their ambitions are, but you, Kyo, and Benimaru were chosen to fight for the side of light. This is why I wish for you three to join forces. Please, put a stop to this battle, for the world, and for the safty of every fighter called into this battle."

"... Alright. Is that all?"

"No... I also forsaw that even the dark shadow is forcing innocent fighters to fight for--"

"So that's all." Iori begins to walk away.

Chizuru let's out a light sigh and shakes her head. "Thank you Iori. I know this is hard on you. It's hard on Kyo too. But if there's anyone I can trust to save us, it's you three."

Chizuru watches as Iori walks further away, then turns and heads back into her house.