Author: I realised that I have made a number of mistakes in the past couple of chapters. I kept spelling out Satumo, when actually, it's Satomu. Sorry about that. I won't be changing it though. Maybe when I'm done with this whole thing i'll go through it, correct it and post it up properly. Sorry for all the grammatical errors too. My bad again. I didn't see it. And I, myself, got confused over Satumo and Satomu. hahaha. yeah well, It's Satomu. Sorry again.

Chapter Nine: Conflict

Empress Houki brought them to a room with a long table. The Empress seated herself at the head and gestured to the rest to take a seat.

"I have brought you all here, to discuss what we are going to do about Nakuto." She said in a grave tone. "General Nakuto is not only destroying Hokkan, but he is also threatening Konan. As a neighbouring country, I have to be cautious of him."

"Then what're we waiting for? Let's get going to Hokkan and I'll burn that ass to death." Tasuki stood.

"Sit down, you moron," Ryo sat with his arms crossed and his right ankle over his left knee. "Nakuto isn't just any ass. You ever heard of Sorcerers?"

"You're sitting next to one," Tasuki glared. "Moron."

Chichiri, who was sitting next to Ryo, chose to say nothing.

Ryo ignored Tasuki. "Nakuto isn't so easy to defeat. Now that he knows about the two of you, he'll be beefing up security. You can't just go waltzing into Hokkan anymore."

Chichiri nodded in agreement.

"We'll just have to try. See what happens, and we don't do it again." Tasuki suggested.

"Can't, no da. Too dangerous. who knows what Nakuto has planned out, no da."

"I was thinking.. No, no. We can't do that. 'Cos she can't.. so we can't.. we could try.. but it'll be hard.. not easy.. no harm trying though, but.. nahhh, can't.." Ryo was talking to himself.

All of them sweat dropped as Ryo argued with him self. Reiko knocked him on the head. "Who can't what??"

"OWW!" Ryo rubbed his head. "Nothing."

"Tell me, or else." Reiko gave him a menacing stare.

"Alright alright!" Ryo crouched away in fear. The Empress, Chichiri and Tasuki sweat dropped. "I was just thinking if you can See what Nakuto's up to. But you can't, 'cos you can't control your visions. So it's out of the question."

"Oh." Reiko backed off.

"Then we have no choice but to go waltzing into Hokkan now do we?" Tasuki brought his suggestion up again.

Chichiri knocked Tasuki on his head with his staff. "Have you been listening? I said it is too dangerous, no da."

"Then what are we supposed to do? Sit around and wait for Nakuto to come tell us his plans? If that's what yer thinking then call me when he comes, 'cos I'll be back at Leikaku rotting my ass off." Tasuki started for the door.

"Wait," Reiko stopped him. "I can try to See. I'll do everything I can. Then you wouldn't have to waltz to Hokkan, and you wouldn't need to rot your ass off at Mount Leikaku. You could stay here with me and help me See."

Ryo looked at his cousin. She's different, Ryo thought. She's different cos of this Tasuki.

Tasuki didn't know what to say to her. Reiko wanted him to stay with her. She didn't want him to go.

"How can I help you..?" Tasuki asked her.

"I don't know. We can try everything there is. We've got to. I don't want you to go to Hokkan and get hurt, so I can learn to See. It's safer." Reiko said.

"I may know a way," Chichiri sat, tapping his chin. "Taiitsu-kun will know a way."

"Taiitsu-kun?" Reiko asked.

"Yeah, Taiitsu-kun. At Mount Taikyoku, no da."

"Well, then what are we waiting for?" Reiko asked excitedly.

"We should wait until tomorrow," Chichiri said calmly. "It's late, no da. You need rest, princess."

"But Chichiri!"

"Tomorrow, Princess. I promise I'll bring you to Taiitsu-kun."

Reiko was so overjoyed she hugged Chichiri. "Thank you!" Chichiri laughed weakly and avoided looking at Tasuki. "Okok, there's no need for hugs, no da." He gently pushed her away.

"Tasuki! Ryo! I can learn to control my visions! Then we could kick Nakuto's fat ass!"

"Empress! When this is all over, you can come visit me in Hokkan! I'm sure everyone will welcome you!"

The Empress Houki smiled at Reiko's new sense of hope. All is not lost, she thought.

Tasuki had offered to help Reiko carry the sword back to her room. Ryo had gone to the bathing house so there wasn't any problem.

"This your sword?" Tasuki asked casually.

"It's my family heirloom. But father always kept it on my bedroom wall."

Tasuki was expecting her to bite her lip and cry again. But she had not. Tasuki was surprised at her new attitude, she had changed so much in the span of a couple of days.

"Ya know how to use it?"

"Not really. I only tried using swords a few times. Princesses aren't taught to fight you know."

"But would you want to learn to use it?"

"Yeah, sure. But I can't right now, can I? With my broken arm and all."

"I could wait til it's healed. Anyways, I think Taiitsu-kun could help speed up the healing."

"What do you mean you'll wait til it's healed? Are you gonna teach me?"

Tasuki blushed. He hated blushing. He had been blushing so much ever since he met Reiko. "Yeah, I mean if you want to."

"I'd love to." Reiko took the Katana under her arm and kissed him on his cheek before entering her room. Tasuki couldn't help but blush again. For ages he stood outside her door, touching his cheek. A stone hit his head.

"What the-" Tasuki turned. Ryo was sitting on the railing, throwing a small stone up, then catching it.

"What was that for?" Tasuki rubbed the back of his head.

"Don't know," Ryo shrugged. "I just felt like it."

"Felt like it??" Tasuki began to boil. "If you weren't Reiko's cousin you'd be burnt to the crisp right now." He started to walk away.

"Burn me. It won't make a difference to Reiko anyway," Ryo jumped down from the railing and dropped the stone on the grass. "She's got fang-boy."

Tasuki stood and watched the tall figure walk away, not knowing what to say.

Alrightyyyy then. Chapter nine. I was kinda struck with writer's block halfway.. so it took me longer to finish this chapter. I'm not too good with mushy stuff and all. But this should do right? haha. Conflict between Tasuki and Ryo.. yeah. Pretty amusing actually, the way they have squabbles with each other, if i say so myself. hahahah. anyways.. i'll update as soon as i can. reviews please!

p.s. i decided someone else should be gay. -winks-