Thanks to my reviewers for their ideas and comments. I love them and live for them...sort of. Okay, I don't, but I still like getting them. Anyway, just so you all know I have plans for all the characters mentioned in my reviews. I haven't forgotten about them but there is an order to this madness so to speak.


Disclaimer: Konami owns Suikoden, not I.


Chapter 7: The Little Bishounen

The morning at Budehuc castle was fairly normal. Cecile was guarding the entrance. Merchants were bargaining. Thomas was walking the grounds pretending to be important. Geddoe's mercenary group (minus Jacque and Ace) were scratching their heads trying to figure out exactly when and how their captain disappeared…And an ever familiar Girl was walking around with an increasing number of former castle residents, once again on the prowl. The residents were not completely sure how her entourage kept growing but since they obviously followed Her willingly they didn't pay them that much attention.

"Are you certain he's considered bishounen?" Nash asked Her as they walked through Budehuc's courtyard.

She glared at him balefully. "Of course he's bishounen. He's just a young bishounen, that's all."

"Why can't we have Percival and Borus help us again?" Fred asked.

Rico gazed up at her beloved master. "Because they're on their own secret mission. Remember, Master?"

"Oh yeah," Fred scratched his head, remembering how excited the two knights had been upon receiving their assignment.

Caesar sighed. "And so this is what I'm left to work with." He gestured dramatically towards the Maximillian knight.

She smiled sarcastically. "I'm sure you're capable of meeting this challenge, Caesar."

"Of course I am! It's just that it would be much…easier if I had better resources to work with."

"Of course, Caesar." Nash rolled his eyes demeaningly at the strategist and promptly flashed a charming smile at Her while offering Her his arm.

"Don't push it Nash."

"Whatever do you mean?" He looked at Her mock-innocently before withdrawing his arm with a shrug.

Caesar snorted. "Some ladies' man."

Nash smiled slyly before quickly smoothing his features back to nonchalance. "I hope this plan is better than your last one, Caesar. Geddoe was unconscious for three whole days."

"Shhh! Do you want the whole castle to mob us!" Caesar flushed. "Besides, that was a minor miscalculation. I assure you, this plan is flawless."

"I hope so," Nash retorted sarcastically. "I don't think it would be diplomatically wise for us to permanently disable the Flame Champion."

She smiled. "I don't think even Caesar's talented enough to take out someone who holds a true rune."

Nash looked at the strategist doubtfully and shrugged. "If you say so."

"I think what's more shocking is that what's left of his mercenary team hasn't been to the bar in three whole days."

"No way," Nash mocked. "Geddoe's team abstaining from alcohol? Impossible!"

"I think it's quite understandable," Caesar commented lazily. "I mean, their leader disappears out of thin air without warning…"

"I was being sarcastic," Nash sneered, interrupting the strategist.

Caesar drew himself up defensively.

She eyed the boys sideways and snorted. "Poor Hugo. With no one to moderate Aila's soda intake she's been on such a sugar high that she hasn't slept since his disappearance, Been driving Hugo crazy, or so I hear."

"Here's the fearless leader now!" Caesar exclaimed, as the very flamboyantly dressed Hugo stalked towards them, Sharon hot on his heels.

"YOU!" he shouted, causing the castle residents to turn towards him in surprise.

She looked from side to side then back at Hugo and pointed at Herself quizzically in affected surprise.

"I was just at the Tablet of the Stars and I'm down by 17 members!" He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. "And this informant tells me that you're to blame!"

"I can explain!" She broke in quickly. "See. I'm gathering a small army of bishounen."

Hugo looked at Her in puzzlement. Franz, who was guarding the door to the dungeons pretended not to eavesdrop on the conversation.

"And just let me say that I would be really honored if you would join my group."

"I'll join your group!" shouted Franz. "It's been really boring not having Fred and Futch to train with." He glared at Fred suspiciously. "You should have told me you joined a fighter's club!"

Fred looked at the angry mantor trainer in befuddlement.

She looked at Caesar doubtfully. "Umm Franz. I don't know how to tell you this, but my group….It's for bishounen only."

"I'm bishounen!" he shouted, his eyes narrowing determinedly. "Uhhh…What is a bishounen?"

She smiled dreamily. "Oh, you know. Young, hot men, usually with a somewhat pointy chin."

"I'm all that!" the mantor trainer shouted, daring them to argue.

"Well," She looked at Caesar, who seemed very amused at Her discomfiture. "Um. We'll all have to take a vote on it back at my mansion and then I'll come back here and tell you if you got in."

Franz glared at them all suspiciously. "Of course I'll get in. Both of my training partners are part of your group, aren't they? I heard about Futch and Bright. Of course, I'll have to bring my Ruby too."

"Hey guys!" Hugo was staring at them all, annoyed at being ignored. "All I want…is my Stars back."

Franz reluctantly went back to his post as She shot a bemused glance at Her strategist, who was fingering his chin thoughtfully.

"We might be able to arrange that," Caesar drawled. "But you have to give us something in return."

"What! Do you know who you're talking to! I'm…"

"I know who you are," Caesar interrupted. "The question is…do you remember who I am? I believe that would be the best strategist of your Fire Bringer army. I assure you that shouting will get you nowhere."

"Why you…" Hugo fingered his knife.

Caesar lazily turned to Her. "I think we should go now. He's obviously not ready to listen." He turned back to Hugo. "Whenever you're ready to negotiate…"

"Wait! Wait!" Hugo shouted, as the group started to leave. "All right, all right. I'm listening." He tightened his lips angrily.

Caesar smiled. "We'll give you your stars back…"

"What?" She cried. "Over my cold, dead body!"

"If you'll come with us," Caesar finished calmly.

Hugo's eyes narrowed in refusal.

"Only temporarily of course," Caesar smiled smugly.

She tapped Her foot in silent fury, causing Her bishounen to take a wary step away from Her.

"I don't know," Hugo glanced at Her guardedly.

"The Captain of the Zexen Knights will be there," Caesar commented enticingly. "Maybe she'll finally agree to give you that one-on-one duel you've been aching to have...I have a wonderful training arena."

The Karayan scratched the back of his neck uncertainly. "Chris'll be there?"

Caesar nodded.

"I suppose if it's only temporary…" His eyes narrowed again. "How long are we talking about here?"

She looked at Caesar pointedly. "Oh let's see…" he muttered under his breath. "It'll take Salome a couple of seconds to realize he's lost track of Chris and then a day or so to realize he doesn't know where the Flame Champion is. Then he's got to mass the army…" He counted quickly on his fingers. Nash smirked.

"Making sure they're all there Caesar?" Nash remarked snidely.

"D...Did you just say 'mass the army'?" Hugo looked a bit alarmed.

Caesar looked up at Hugo and smiled. "Well, there'll be some minor details he'll need to work out. I'd say we'll need you for about a week, tops."

Hugo looked around uncomfortably. "Maybe I'd better ask…"

Just then, Percival and Borus came around the corner of the castle, looking very pleased with themselves, their Captain right behind them. "Mission accomplished," Percival gloated. He looked about ready to burst with joy.

"Goood." She rolled Her eyes before directing an accepting look at Chris. "Hello again."

Hugo's eyes turned into slits as he stared at the arch enemy of his tribe. "Chris," he snarled.

The White Maiden smiled hesitantly. "H...hello." She looked at Her Knights in alarm. "This isn't going to involve me getting tied to a chair again, is it?"

"Of course not," She began, and noticed the devilish gleam in Sharon's eye. "Well, not here anyway. At the ranch, it's everyone for them self." She shrugged and smiled, while Chris looked even more worried.

"Don't worry, Lady Chris," Borus interjected. "I'll keep you safe."

Nash raised an eyebrow and snorted. "Borus you can't even protect yourself. How…"

"Why you...!" Borus put a hand on the hilt of his sword, or at least what would have been the hilt of the sword had She not disarmed him before coming to the castle. Percival hovered over his Captain protectively.

Caesar scoffed derisively. "Gentlemen, if we could focus please…"

Nash gave the knights a smug smirk while Borus crossed his arms defiantly, still glaring daggers at Nash. Percival snorted but slightly backed off the lady knight.

"All right," Hugo broke in. "I've decided to come with you after all. When do we leave?"

Caesar flashed a triumphant smile at Her. "That would be now," he quickly ushered the surprised boy to the blinking mirror, forcing the rest of the group into a fast trot to keep up. "The usual Viki!" he said in a rush.

With an empty smile and nod, the teleportress teleported the crew to the familiar wetness that was the moat.

"This is where you live?" Hugo looked decidedlu unimpressed.

"Not exactly," She couldn't quite keep the bitterness out of Her voice as She picked Herself out of the muck and trudged to the gate of the ranch.