Scene five

The meeting

Tatsumaru and his followers are gathering in the living room to begin the meeting. "Is Kimaru here?"

"I'm here Lord Tatsumaru."

"Is Seymour here?" asked the leader of the ShadowHearts.

"I'm here, my lord."

"Did Hatake come back yet?" asked Tatsumaru.

"No, he's still tracking down your brother, unfortunately," Seymour answered. Tatsumaru writes the information down on his list.

"I remember. Is Kai here?" asked Tatsumaru.

"I'm here, Tatsumaru."

"Did Takashi ever come in?" asked Tatsumaru.

"No, he's at a Go Tournament in Japan," Kimaru said. Tatsumaru writes down the information.

"Okay, where is Reigo?" Tatsumaru asked.

"Here, Tatsumaru."

"Is Vladislous here yet?" Tatsumaru asked.

"I'm here. When is this meeting going to start? I'm beginning to get impatient," Vladislous answered with his Romanian accent.

"The meeting will begin soon enough, now shut up and wait like everybody else!" Tatsumaru snapped in irritation. Then he takes a deep breath. "Where is Myotismaru?"

"I'm here… Lord Tatsumaru…" Myotismaru answered as he lifts his head sleepily.

"Where's Kurosawa?" Tatsumaru asked.

"He's not here…" Kai said slowly.

"Where is he?" the Dark Master asked.

"Hunting in the forest…" Kai answered. Tatsumaru writes down this information.

"Is Garland in yet?" Tatsumaru asked.

"I am here, Lord Tatsumaru."

"Is Donovan here yet?" Tatsumaru asked.

"He's training with his uncle," Yakatemaru answered with a yawn. Tatsumaru marks it on his list.

"Where is Taikiro?"

"He's here, but he's lying down in your coffin…" Garland answered slowly.

"WHAT?! GET HIM UP NOW!" Tatsumaru spat outraged. Garland exits the room quickly.

"Where is Saikiro?" Tatsumaru asked.

"He's with Takashi in Japan" Reigo answered. Tatsumaru writes that down.

"How about Jack, is he here?" Tatsumaru asked.

"I'm here."

"Where's Ayame?" Tatsumaru asked.

"Ayame's visiting his family in Okinawa," Kai answered. Tatsumaru writes that down.

"Where is Kuja?" the Dark master asked.

"I'm here, Lord Cousin!"

"Okay, where's Ricy?"

"He went to Avalon for some reason or the other," Kimaru answered. Tatsumaru writes that down.

"Abel Darkmoon?"

"I'm here, Tatsumaru."

"Hajime Shiranui?"

"He's in Avalon as well," Seymour answered. Tatsumaru writes down this information.

"Where's Masatsugu?"

"He's with Hatake," Orochimaru answered slowly. Tatsumaru writes it down.

"Itachi Sairuki?"

"Here, my love!"

"Orochimaru's here. Where's Yakatemaru?"

"I'm here."

"Paul?"

"I'm here."

"Taikiro's here," Tatsumaru said. Garland and Taikiro walk into the living room.

Tatsumaru's thoughts: What should I talk about first? Orochimaru has already fallen into disfavor with me. Right now there are only a few of my followers that I can trust.

"Start with your brother," Abel suggested gently.

"MY BROTHER, RIKIMARU, HAS STOLEN SOMEONE DEAR TO ME! I AM WONDERING HOW I CAN GET HER BACK WITHOUT ALERTING MY BROTHER. I AM OPEN TO ANY SUGGESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE, AND THAT MEANS OROCHIMARU SPEAKS LAST!" as his anger rushed over him suddenly.

"Yes, sire…" Orochimaru said as he lowers his head at the remark.

"You can go in your Human form. It has been a long time since Rikimaru has seen your Human body. It is possible that he has forgotten what you like as a Human," Myotismaru suggested slowly.

"I agree with Myotismaru," Reigo said. Tatsumaru looks at everybody else.

"We also agree with Myotismaru!" all of the ShadowHearts said though that did not include Orochimaru.

"What do you think, Orochimaru? Do you agree with Myotismaru's idea?" Tatsumaru said noticing Orochimaru's silence. Orochimaru lifts his head and shows the broad smile that has spread over his face.

"I agree, with what Myotismaru has suggested," Orochimaru said happily. I'm happy that Tatsumaru's not truly angry with me after all!

"Good! Now this is what I will do!" Tatsumaru said with an evil laugh.

End of Scene Five