I'm back! Good to be here. Glad you're here, too!
Enjoy.
-Victory in the Mountain Stronghold-
Genrou, while appreciative that he doesn't have to approach the compound alone, is currently out-of-sorts. A bit cheesed. After all, where did that little kid get off suddenly contradicting his plan to confront Eiken, anyway? He accidentally pulled a tree branch forward and it swung back to hit the brat smack in the face. Like a spark was lit, he made them stop!
"We're on Mount Reikaku, right?" he had asked. "Given our circumstances and your intimate knowledge of the bandits, we should attempt an approach from higher ground."
And this other guy, Hotohori, didn't really question it. Was a bit taken aback by the suddenness of the kid's lurch into well-spoken intelligence, sure, but he actually smiled. Hotohori and Chiriko, looking to rescue their priestess and Nuriko. They were determined to get the job done, and he had to respect them for that.
But for the love of all that's good, did he have to suggest that? Of course he knows a way up the mountain, and even a hideaway they can use until the time is right to strike! But to hoof it like they are now when he wants to get it done with and get his gang back under control…!
Genrou hopes that Chiriko and Hotohori can't sense his chi. He's pretty sure they can't. They would've brought it up already if they could, given how much he's let it spike around them. He'll have to be careful once he's more around that priestess though. He's got the gang to think about, and lots of responsibilities! He's not the true leader for nothin'.
To make matters even better, out of his own impatience he backed himself into a stupid corner. Chiriko couldn't keep up fast enough. Hotohori suggested that he carry the youngster, as "You are sturdy enough and owe Chiriko for attacking us." He could've argued, but something about this Hotohori guy makes him shut up and listen. Maybe it's because he's almost too pretty to be real?
The bandit blanches and shakes his head of the very thought. He never, ever, ever wants to think of another man as "pretty" again. Blech. Even so, now he's stuck carrying the kid and one of their packs (which is on the kid's back). Chiriko shifts a bit to look around at his face.
"Are you alright? Surely it would be better in the end to rest if you're growing tired," he mentions, innocent as can be. Hotohori suppresses a laugh and resettles the pack he carries when Genrou readjusts his arms to keep Chiriko up.
"No, I ain't near tired at all! C'mon, we're nearly there," he grouses, pushing forward with renewed vigor. It only takes a couple of minutes for him to realize he's been duped (again) into going faster.
On a brief glance through the canopy to check the position of the sun, Hotohori spots something. He pauses. He spots it again. It isn't a normal bird, it can't be.
"Hey, what's up man, we gotta keep goin'!" Genrou wheezes, stomping over because Chiriko wants to talk easier.
"Up there, there's… It must be a kite," Hotohori points out, gesturing upward. Genrou and Chiriko peer up to see, and sure enough, a wheeling yellow bird with a long tail is soaring through the air. Genrou curses and starts up the mountain again.
"What is it? What does the kite mean?" Hotohori asks, hastening after him with newfound worry.
"That's a signal from… my buddy Koji… Somethin's happened an'... he's at the hideaway," Genrou says through breaths, and keeps pressing on. His companions infer that whatever happened must be dramatic and bad, as these bandits are wont to be.
At last, they're on more level ground, but Genrou signals that they should be quiet. He lets Chiriko down in case he needs to fight. They're here, at the forested, forgotten edge of the stone wall that guards the main campus of the bandit stronghold. Shuffling forward through the brush, Genrou begins searching the wall. Chiriko and Hotohori can only observe in wonder, coming to separate conclusions about his sanity.
"Oh hey, I think this might be it," he mumbles, but when his companions are going to ask he suddenly pitches downward with an unmanly squawk. Dashing up to see what happened, they find that Genrou is in a well-reinforced hole that stretches into a tunnel under the wall.
"Fuckin'... Why'd he build it that way…?" Genrou curses under his breath, getting up carefully to stand with his chest now even with the ground.
"This is our way in, new pals o' mine," he states, attempting to brush off the ridiculousness of the past few minutes. Chiriko eyes the passage warily for safety reasons, while Hotohori shifts.
"You can't expect me to crawl through there," he protests, glancing at his somehow completely immaculate clothing as proof that he shouldn't have to be dirty. At least, that's what Genrou may have thought it was.
"C'mon man, yer oneathem Warriors of Suzaku, and yer priestess is in danger! Show some balls an' get down 'ere!" Genrou chastises, smacking the dirt before turning and entering the tunnel for no further argument. Chiriko looks between Hotohori and the tunnel before taking the words to heart. He wants to rescue Tia, his priestess and good friend! He'll do whatever it takes! Hotohori, whose mouth dropped open indignantly at the offensive remark, is now alone. But…
"What am I doing, hesitating like this? I am Hotohori before I am emperor!" he says to himself, bracing for the dark and dirty tunnel ahead.
Chiriko and Genrou are waiting for him on the other side, with helping hands for him to get out. He climbs, gladly, with a bit too much speed in his step. Once standing properly on level ground again, he coughs slightly and brushes his front.
"Let us carry on, gentlemen."
Genrou raises an eyebrow but takes the lead again. Chiriko smiles knowingly and traipses after, leaving Hotohori to follow. He does, of course, while keeping a wary eye out for any wayward bandits. His mind is a bit preoccupied with the fact that he now looks rumpled but he reminds himself that there are more important things than that! And besides, perhaps now he will at last have stories to tell Houki when he sees her back at the palace!
There are a few tense moments when Genrou signals for them all to keep low and silent in bushes. The sneaking by goes slowly, and on second glance by Chiriko, the kite is now gone from the sky.
But after few close calls, lying flat against walls and kneeling silently in shrubs, they turn into a cleverly hidden staircase set into a cliffside.
"Whew, now we're inna better spot," Genrou breathes, relief dragging his shoulders down as they top the stairs. That's when they hear…
"Help! Koji, it's Nuriko!"
Hotohori dashes past, toward the sound of the woman, toward Tia's voice. Nearby is a small building, where her pleas can be heard. The door is still open, and without hesitation he flings himself inside. Chiriko lags behind, hoping that it isn't a trap. Genrou pats him on the shoulder, sensing his wariness.
"S'alright. My buddy Koji musta got yer people up here, but I better go look for 'im," he says, directing the youth to the building and heading off in a different direction. Chiriko tips his head in wonder, but hurries in anyway. Tia comes first.
What awaits them is a harrowing sight. Tia and Nuriko are at a low table, the former with a knife jutting from her left arm, and the latter with a terrible wound on his back bleeding through the bandaging. Nuriko is slumped over, with Hotohori at Tia's side attempting to calm her down.
"Nuriko can't die, he did so much and I was a completely useless dumbass," she splutters, her former calm crumbling away. Tears streak down her cheeks and her right hand clenches the hair at the side of her face. Chiriko processes the scene before joining her side.
"It's okay Tia, the celestial warriors are more resilient than normal people. Now that Nuriko is resting, once the wound is cleaned and bandaged I don't believe he'll be in danger," he says, keeping his voice unwavering to instill confidence. He's no medical expert, but he's read over a few scrolls throughout the years. Tia sniffles, her normally warm and cheerful dark brown eyes bleary and reddened.
"You're sure…?"
"Yes." He nods. Hotohori smiles a bit, but it's short-lived as his eyes land on the knife.
"That is the most pressing issue for now, as you could damage your arm permanently should you keep it in for much longer. Chiriko, where did Genrou run off to?" he asks, peering around to the door.
"He went to check on his friend, who must be the one that helped Tia and Nuriko," Chiriko answers, but a small commotion outside alerts them. Fortunately, Genrou's voice is so distinctive that they know they're not in danger.
"... -can't go in there, y'know what I am!"
"Shaddup Genrou, we got bigger problems right now. Get in there or I'll tell the old boss yer a big coward at his grave!"
There's an annoyed growl, but the two bandits enter the safehouse afterward, Genrou lagging noticeably. Koji understands the issue right off and darts to a back corner to rifle through some crates. Genrou approaches the group at the table gingerly, a stoic look on his face as he stares at Tia.
She notices, taking a big ugly snort before saying, "What's up?"
He blinks, then scowls.
"Aw, nothin'. Girls are always causin' trouble n' bein' overdramatic, can't believe ya got away from that pig Eiken," he says, covering up his real thoughts. Her expression flattens as she gestures to her arm.
"He didn't exactly let me go unscathed."
Hotohori also directs a dirty look his way.
"You are in no position to chastise Lady Trianna when you are the reason she was captured in the first place," he argues, much to Tia's interest. She looks between her warrior and the suddenly-has-better-places-to-look Genrou and then sneers.
"You're the one who attacked us? You jackass."
Genrou glares, ready to fight back when Koji returns and shoves bandages and medicines in his arms.
"Quit goofin' around and get that knife outta her arm. I'll work on Nuriko," he orders. Genrou cusses colorfully under his breath at the spot he's been put in and trudges over to sit next to the woman who is now leeching venom into the air. She keeps it squared directly on him as he avoids her eyes.
"Well, gonna pull out slow, stitch 'er up n' hope fer the best," he says, laying out the supplies and scrunching his face in thought.
Tia huffs. "Just get it over with."
Chichiri sits in a creaky inn that has a terribly leaky roof to boot. He has a cup of tea and much to think about. He's seen them already. The spies, training and heading out to Konan with one sole purpose: Find and assassinate the Priestess of Suzaku. Every inch of his being, his heart and soul, wants to stop them. The thought of Tia coming to her demise because he didn't stop even one of those assassins plagues him.
But the other warriors are with her. His mission comes first. She will call for him.
He's heard nothing.
For now, he's still making his way toward the capital. The whispers of the Priestess of Seiryu are getting more frequent as he goes. He doesn't dare ask outright. He knows better than doing something to draw attention to himself on such a controversial topic. After all, some of Hotohori's ministers weren't sold on Tia way back when, and who knows what the reception is like at the Kutou palace for their own priestess. He can't imagine it would be bad, but political people mystify him.
"I could swear by it, you doubting girl, they was here! My liddle place was graced by the presence of the Priestess of Seiryu, strike me down if I lie!" The innkeeper bellows, only to be shushed by the young woman he's talking to. He calms down, but Chichiri keeps his ears honed on him without changing his behavior.
"She was beautiful, I tell ya, tan skin, head of curly black hair that ya just don't see here! Her clothes were weird too. She was traveling with a coupla twin boys, going for the capital," he continues, moving about the room to refill teacups for the few patrons he has. The young woman follows, listening in disbelief.
"Papa, this was a couple months ago. Don't you think if she was the priestess, it would've been announced? Especially after Konan practically sang to the hills about their priestess," she points out, carefully stepping around broken and rotten floorboards. Her old father swipes his hand through the air.
"They got some reason or another for it. It hadda be her. Helped me fix the evenin' dinner too, couldna believe it. Oneathem boys played the flute real nice, too."
His daughter shakes her head and swerves the conversation somewhere else. Chichiri soaks in the information and briefly wonders when he should report back on it. It certainly seems plausible. A boy who plays flute could be a celestial warrior.
"I should get to the city and try to confirm with more sightings. Then maybe I'll at least drop in to see Tia," he reasons, sipping at his tea casually. The teas of Kutou are less spicy and aromatic than Konan's, and this one in particular is weak. Even so, it provides some warmth that he's been missing.
He closes his eye and breathes in the light, floral steam.
"Tia might know her, and if she does, keeping her from trying to fix everything will be difficult no da. She'll feel responsible, I just know it…" he thinks, picturing his priestess on the day she returned to them. The idea that Tia could possibly bridge the gap and bring about a peace for both empires with the cooperation of the Priestess of Seiryu is…
"If anyone could do it, it's her no da. Even if all odds are stacked against her."
He smiles, and then sees two figures move in his vicinity. He looks up to acknowledge them, realizing that the innkeeper and his daughter have gotten around to him to refill his tea. The innkeeper squints at him.
"You're an interesting man. Not many men, even priests, travel alone in this country," he says, unimpressed with what he sees altogether. Chichiri laughs.
"You're right, you're right! The companions I was traveling with had to be left behind, couldn't be helped, no da," he replies, his words as truthful as they are vague. The innkeeper cackles after refilling the offered cup.
"Oooh, I getcha. You have a young lass back home that you're keepin' safe. Must be going to the capital's temple to rid yourself of your holy titles, eh?"
Chichiri chuckles nervously, scratching the back of his head, thinking, "Tia's not even here and they make that insinuation! Guess she wasn't the start of those rumors back home no da."
"Something like that, no da. It will be worth it in the end, though," he says, deciding that playing along would be best. It doesn't feel so wrong to say. The innkeeper beams.
"She must be quite a lass! I'm sure the Buddha will understand. My daughter here is good to me, got all married and still comes to help around the inn. I used to offer her hand to wandering travelers who looked well enough," he boasts, to the immediate complaint of his daughter behind him. He laughs, a full, boisterous, belly laugh that fills the room. Some of the other travelers lift their cups and smile, weary, weathered smiles that are grateful for this moment of peace.
Chichiri wonders at the atmosphere of these people. There aren't many able-bodied young men around, due to the various burgeoning military factions, but all the rest struggle. They pray, and they work, and they shrug off the tragedy that happens all around them. But perhaps… It's time for such a strong-willed, battle-worn nation to lay down its sword. It would be up to the two priestesses for that to happen.
The bickering! Even after having a light evening meal, tempers continued to rise between Tia and Genrou. Nuriko, rebandaged and sporting a spare, baggy green shirt, is awake now and watching alongside his fellow warriors and Koji. They were attempting a strategy meeting about how to take back control of the bandits from Eiken, but it broke when Genrou snubbed Tia's pledge to help.
It devolved from there.
"At least I don't look like an overcompensating douchebag who has to smell feet to get off!"
"Some hoity-toity Priestess of Suzaku yer s'pposed ta be with a mouth like that, 's all slander to hide what a whiney lil girl ya really are!
"SUCK A TROLL DICK YOU ANNOYING ORANGE!"
"YOU FIRST, BIT—"
Nuriko and Koji stand at the same time. A cushion collides with Genrou's head, while Tia is smacked with one of her own shirts, thrown well enough to wrap around her head.
"O-kaaay, now that the children are done, we can continue. Chiriko, do you have any ideas?" Nuriko grumbles, sitting back down and leaning his head against his hand. Koji scoffs at the two and also returns to his seat. Chiriko smiles briefly, still surprised that Tia is acting so juvenile.
"You mentioned that almost none of the bandits truly follow the current leader, and only do so out of fear of the enchanted harisen?" he asks, to which he gets confirmation. Genrou scowls and grips the cushion, bothered. Chiriko continues.
"Hmmm… Nuriko and Tia are injured, but after the events of today, the bandits will be tense waiting for something to happen. Given the fragile allegiances of those in the compound, I would assume that once the harisen is in the hands of a person of our group, the fight would be won. The best case scenario would be for Genrou to steal it while diversions keep our adversary occupied," he says, glancing at the grumpy redhead in question.
"Aw fine, I'll let ya help if yer that hard pressed," he mutters. Tia folds up her shirt with a sniff.
"The idiot sees reason at last."
Genrou shoots her a venomous look but it's brushed off as she keeps her nose snootily in the air.
"Will you two cut it out an' join us? This'll take forever othawise," Koji says, and a further, rather firm look from Hotohori gets them both at the table again.
...
An hour later, Tia is crouched outside the building she and Nuriko were in before. Guards mull about, but there aren't any extra posted and they aren't on high alert. The general guess between Koji and Chiriko is that no one knows that Genrou is around, which plays to their advantage. Tia sighs, twiddling her thumbs. She and Nuriko are on backup, and only because they refused to wait at the safehouse.
"What's up? You were pretty nasty up there earlier," Nuriko whispers, tearing a leaf from a bush and examining it.
"I guess maybe I was a bit harsh, but I was expecting someone else. And now that I know he isn't here it sucks," she admits, watching the toes of her shoes move as she taps them quietly in boredom.
"Huh. Be up front with me Tia, what happened at that lake?"
Tia stops fidgeting. The air grows tense between them as she stares at her lap, thinking about how to answer. Nuriko keeps watch, but doesn't push for her to hurry. He can tell she won't brush him off.
"It was… Most of the time it was just the two of us being the way we are, y'know." She smiles, lost in the pure memory of it. It fades fast when she continues. "Then he told me he was going to Kutou. And about why he is the way he is, and it sort of felt like he was just pushing me away but with what he said I can't blame him."
Nuriko keeps quiet. The vague reply means that something important was said, but he noticed that there was a lack of definitive action on either side mentioned. Nothing… resembling outright rejection. Nothing final. If there were, Tia would be more of an emotional nightmare.
"Ha," Nuriko huffs, poking the side of her head. She swats and misses.
"Whaddayou mean, 'ha?'"
"'Ha', because you weren't completely rejected and you know it. He'll come around, he was a spaced-out mess when you were gone. No matter what he believes of himself, no one escapes what they really feel, Tia. I mean, in my case…" he trails, drawing a contemplative finger over his chin. Tia looks over, face already pink at the revelation she was presented with. Nuriko's face turns sly when he notices her attention.
A yell from the building in front of them interrupts the moment right as he opens his mouth to speak, breaking the moment apart and drawing their immediate focus.
"Sounds like they were found out. Look, the guards are heading in," he points out, shifting to get a better look. Tia also peeks her head above the shrubs.
"Coast is clear. Let's go," she announces, moving to stand. She's met with resistance.
"What? Tia, the plan is for us to stay here! Your arm is in a sling, you dunce," Nuriko argues, pointing to the limb as proof positive that they should stay put.
"Yeah but I have a feeling they're going to need our help. Besides, 'Ladies don't start fights, but they can finish them,'" she says, voice jokingly snooty as she places a delicate hand on her chest. Nuriko lifts an eyebrow but stands up to follow. He can't deny her instincts.
"We never taught you that," he remarks, alluding to their time in the harem. Tia snickers.
"Nope, that one's from a movie about kittens."
"... I don't think I wanna know."
The two move in, creeping along a dim outside wall toward the abandoned entrance. Nuriko makes Tia sit tight before strafing along to check the inside of the door.
"What do you see?!" Tia whisper-yells. Nuriko waves for her to come along.
"Coast is clear. Let's go!"
They tiptoe along, listening for the telltale sounds of struggle or battle. It doesn't take them long to notice the abundance of dirty footprints leading in one specific direction, on a path farther into the building. Following along, the smell of burning and unhygienic men creeps up into their noses. Scrunching their faces at the gross scent, they share a look and agree that they must be getting close to the action.
"—thought those puny wolves would work?! I've got the harisen now, Genrou, so what I say goes!"
Nuriko and Tia pause to listen, figuring immediately that at least Genrou and probably Koji have been caught. No telling where Hotohori and Chiriko are. Eiken's voice just now had come through the wall next to them. A wave of muted, nervous chuckles had followed his declaration.
"Okay Tia, what do you want to do? Doesn't sound like anyone we would need to save is in there."
Tia bites her lip anxiously.
"That's just it, Nuriko. Genrou is one of us. I put two and two together earlier when Chichiri wasn't here and Genrou was with Hori-sama. I felt three other than you. It has to be him. Wish it was Koji…" she trails, going off into a whirl of her own stewing while her warrior companion makes several frustrated hand gestures because he can't yell.
"Why didn't you say anything earlier?!"
"Huh? Oh, cuz I was mad. And he didn't say anything either, so, yeah." She shrugs and goes back to brainstorming over their situation. Nuriko deadpans, and grumbles a few unintelligible words under his breath.
"You feel like breaking open the wall again?" Tia asks, ignoring that he's miffed at her. He rolls his shoulders delicately and pops his knuckles.
"Fine."
... ... ...
In fact, Hotohori and Chiriko are in the room. The plan had been to act as distractions for the main bulk of the bandits so Genrou could face Eiken. It failed! The bandits scuttled off to their boss at the first sign of trouble. Koji whispered to them that it "musta been orders."
Now they're surrounded and Eiken has proven that the harisen does indeed spew fire with proper spell incantation. Genrou's wolves, created with illusion spellcards, were no match. Chiriko stands in the middle of a protective circle, made instinctively because he's young and tiny. Hotohori has his sword drawn and at the ready, as much good as it will do him.
"At least Tia is outside and safe for now. If she were in here I dread to think what would happen," he muses, adjusting his stance slightly so his knees don't lock.
It is precisely after thinking this, after being grateful to Suzaku that his priestess is safe, that a muffled yell comes from somewhere nearby. It's followed by an immense burst of plaster and stone from the wall. Dust clouds the room, distracting everyone as their eyes water and lungs cough and struggle for clean air. Choked questions about what happened splutter through. Then, all watery eyes turn to the new hole in the wall.
Footsteps. Light, but confident. Hotohori suddenly despises the universe a little. The timing was impeccable, and now he feels rather put out about it! Tia is striding through the room, with Nuriko not far behind her.
"Alright you guys, enough is enough! You hate the way this Eiken dude operates, and now is the time to take action about it. So what if he's got a big scary fan? I'll prove to you that he doesn't really have the nuts to use it."
Her announcement shakes them all. Even Nuriko gapes in alarm. But, natural as can be, she keeps up her pace through the throng of men. Her warriors call out to her, but she pretends not to hear. Their concern compounds the closer she gets, and Genrou stares dumbfounded at her.
"This chick is crazy," he mutters, and Koji laughs shortly, breathlessly. Despite their fears, the bandits watch. They're not stopping her! Eiken is recovering slower than the rest from the dusty deluge, but he's noticed the stark amount of inaction.
"Hey you lot! What're you doin'?!"
Tia smiles her best, calm, creepy smile. She says nothing and continues forward. Eiken panics.
"Y-ya stay away, now, or ya won' hear about the Suzaku Warrior 'round here!" He reaches for the harisen he dropped and hoists it up, but Tia remains undeterred.
"Tia!"
"Tia, please!" Hotohori and Chiriko each call out to her, believing it to be too late to reach her should the flame spell be chanted. Genrou's eyes narrow and he growls.
"I ain't about to let some girl show me up in front-a my own gang."
Tia's eyes widen and her eyebrows raise when she feels a definitive fourth Suzaku chi flare into her awareness. She doesn't even need to try to feel them when they're so close by. This one startles her; it's so strong.
"Rekka," Eiken starts, but a blur swoops past Tia. She vaguely recognizes the orange hair. Her expression turns triumphant both because she was right, and because she knew she could put her faith in him. Idiot or not, she knows he's got the right stuff. He has to if he's one of hers!
A struggle commences between Genrou and Eiken, one where the Suzaku Warrior has the clear advantage due to height, muscle, and general rage. He grapples for the harisen with a hand wrapped around Eiken's wrist. Soon enough, cheers for the clear favorite start up.
"Hell yeah! We got this!" Tia yells, jumping in to help without a second thought. Her friends in the background protest once again, and they fail to make any difference. This time though, they do move to assist.
Tia, with her tips and tricks from the palace guards, slams the toe of her shoe into Eiken's knee as hard as she can. His right leg buckles as he howls, and a raucous cheer erupts. The rest of the warriors have arrived on the scene, ready to help in the struggle. Nuriko wraps his arms in a stranglehold, careful not to squeeze too hard. Chiriko pulls Tia away, because in his mind she's definitely done enough and there's no need to endanger herself further. Hotohori, at last, ends the scuffle with a flashy twirl of his sword before he aims it at Eiken's arm.
"Release, or I take your arm and your life will follow!"
His command is succinct and deadly cold. The room quiets in anticipation…
Genrou holds up the harisen, turning around with a victorious grin stretched on his face. Eiken is immediately placed under guard, tied up and kept from whining. The bandits have their boss back, the true heir to their mountain skullduggery. Tia holds her hand out for a high-five to Chiriko, who only tips his head curiously at her. She mimes the hand motion she desires, and he complies.
"Yeah! It's all done with. Dude you were so terrifying Hori-sama, it was AWESOME!" she rants, having been surrounded by her group. Hotohori, sword now sheathed, swipes a stray strand of hair from his face.
"I have been frustrated, and must admit I was done with the foolishness of the situation. He is so ugly, he had no business making so much trouble," he responds, as if his reasoning is perfectly sound. Nuriko nods, as if his reasoning is perfectly sound. Chiriko and Tia only stare, expressions deadpan, pretty sure his reasoning isn't entirely sound.
The party atmosphere winds down, with Genrou situating the harisen on his back. Koji gets them all to sit so the rightful boss can address them better. Tia stares out over them, head buzzing from the high of the danger still, but slowly coming down. This is her life now!
"So who's the Suzaku Warrior in the gang?" Someone asks.
"Yeah, Eiken said he knew, that's why the priestess is here, yeah?"
"Is it you?! It's not you izzit? You'd'a told me if it was you right?!"
Rumors and questions and rabble start like a chainsaw in a peaceful forest. Tia and Nuriko share a knowing glance, while Genrou looks askance. Koji snaps at the crew to shut their yaps. Attention turns to the rapidly bruising, rope-bound Eiken.
"Ya said ya knew!"
His eyes droop to his feet.
"Pshaw, I dunno. Just knew there was one up here."
Tia sees that Genrou is about to say something and steps in front of him. She looks his way briefly to nod and he blanches. Despite this, he scrunches his face and waves for her to go ahead, giving up. Koji slings an arm around his shoulder, chortling at his pal's misery.
"At ease, gentlemen, I already know who the Suzaku Warrior is," she announces, then turns to Genrou. "So, who are you? What's your sign?"
The chorus of surprise that follows brings a gratifying end to the trial of mountain banditry.
I imagine they were all like "eeeehhh?!" but it's open to interpretation.
Doncha just love how I refused to name him yet? Ha!
Thanks to everyone following/faving/reviewing, it helps a bunch! All readers are precious to me.
Til Next Time,
-A
