Ikki Tousen - Eternal Evolution Part II

by MakeBelieve0914

This is Part Two of Ikki Tousen Eternal Evolution. Let's follow Kaji and the gang as they deal with the fallout from all of the issues from Part One including Sousou's increased aggression, Seuq's meddling and Rikaku's quest to save Chinkyuu. On top of that, new enemies are also lurking from behind the scenes ready to throw the fragile world into chaos.

1. A New Year Begins

CHAPTER ONE: The New School Year Brings New Resolutions

The summer has passed in Kanto giving way to the autumn season which marks the beginning of another year within the Han school district. The previous year marked the resurgence of an age old conflict within the district. And now the saga continues.

At some location away from virtually anything happening. Surrounded by nothing but a sea of dark purple clouds stands (rather floats) a smirking Kuroyuri who then monologues to herself. "So, to recap. Toutaku Chuuei has fallen and my dear Sonshi sent that stupid boy on a fool's errand. As well, Lord Seuq is nowhere to be seen nor is his little pet project, Rikaku Chizen. I wonder if that fool has managed to leave Kanto yet or not. Oh well, it's not like he'll be missed by anyone. Although, the fact that he, Han's daughter and Lord Toutaku's incompetent younger brother have managed to survive Sousou's street sweepers this long is rather impressive. I can somewhat see why Lord Seuq has interest in him." She then looked out towards the horizon and smirks to herself. "But enough of the side-show freaks and on to the main event. Let us see how you'll do this year, Sousou Moutoku. You and that abominable woman of yours. Let's see how those foolish Martial Artists will overcome you." She sees two demons standing behind her who then began reforming into the fallen Shion and Shiyou, she notices how quickly they're 'morphing' and smiles. "Ah, Shiyo, Shion. It seems that you've reforming quite nicely. I'm glad. Rest for now, because I'll be needing you soon enough. Keijuu's doing nicely at Nanyo and Koshaji's now playing housemaid to the Unchou wench. Hmph, whatever. I can still use that to my advantage. Anyways, let us go." Kuroyuri then vanishes in her dark miasma.

On the outskirts of Kanto, we see Rikaku and his group which has now expanded to forty people (including Chousen) riding along in a giant bus that they were borrowing from a unknown donor from another region. It is the dead of night as such, nearly everyone on the bus is asleep, outside of Rikaku, another student and the bus driver. This donor had also loaned out a bus driver, a portly older man with wispy black hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a white button shirt and plaid pants. He had looked through the Driver's rear mirror to see Rikaku looking at a gold and black embled envelope and he decided to speak to him.

The Bus Driver then speaks to him. "Hey youngin', is the envelope THAT interesting?" This of course got Rikaku to focus on the bus driver.

Rikaku then looks up at the bus driver and speaks. "Huh? Oh... This thing? Well, yeah. I mean we were just moving through Kanto in the dead of night and suddenly some chick just throws this at us before teleporting away. The the next thing I know, I was told to go to a specific parking lot and bam, there you were. Willing to give us a ride out of here..."

The Bus Driver then smirks at him. "Well, don't think too hard about this. I just think that you might have worked up a good amount of good karma that someone wants to help you out. That or this person wants to use you for something. "

Rikaku just squinted his eyes at that. "Hm. Doesn't that sound suspicious, though."

The Bus Driver then shrugs his shoulders and continues. "Yeah, but at this point. What can you do? Kanto's going to hell in a handbasket and fast. Hell, once I drop you guys off in Chubu, I'm planning on getting on the first flight out of here."

Rikaku then looked at him inquisitively. "Oh. So where will you go?"

The Bus Driver then smiles as he recounts his story. "My wife's family is currently in Seoul and I plan on heading there. My wife passed about five years ago, you see. And my oldest daughter went there as well. She said something about being a popular K-Pop talent manager or something. She's practically insisting on me coming to live with her and her producer husband. She said she wanted me to see my grandson. Heh, so that's my life story. What about you?"

Rikaku had to think for a second, but he was able to think of something. "Well, I don't have any overarching goals like that. Hell, I don't even want to leave the country to be perfectly honest. I don't even want to leave Kanto, but I know that if I want to accomplish what I want to then I'll have to."

The Bus Driver then asks. "Why?"

Rikaku then looks down at his hands and balls them into fists. "I-I have to get stronger. I have to protect this girl that I know and have fallen in love with. I-I was too weak to protect her from getting taken by some cloaked asshole. So, I decided that if I'm going to be strong enough to save her, then I need to get stronger. But I was apart of a bad group and I even did some foul shit in the name of my former leader. As a result, I couldn't link up with any other group and even became kill on sight. And so, me and my group decided to just leave. Maybe we can get stronger from travelling throughout Japan. And then when the time comes, we'll come back to Kanto and take the fight to that bastard and save her."

The Bus Driver then nods his head in understanding. "I see. Well, I hope everything works out well for you."

Rikaku then calms down and looks back up at the Bus Driver. "Same to you. So, do you know who or what kind of emblem this is?" Rikaku then walked up and showed the Bus Driver his envelope to which the bus driver's eyes just widened.

The Bus Driver then nods his head. "Interesting. It seems that you have somehow gotten the attention of one of the members of the House of Nobunaga in Chubu. Okay, that's interesting. So, who exactly sent you this message?"

Rikaku answers. "I don't know her specifically, but she was some ninja girl who was wearing all green. She was kind of annoying, but we didn't have to fight as she just threw the message at us and just teleported off saying that she'll see us in Chubu and wished us good luck."

[Flashback]

Rikaku and his crew walking around in a crowded Tokyo street, when something happens to catch Chousen's eyes. A flashing light kept hitting her in her right eye.

"Hah! W-what the hell is that!" Chousen said as she then began looking around.

"W-what is it, Chousen?" Toujin asked as he turned towards her.

Chousen then answers as she kept looking around. "I-I don't know. Some light keeps hitting me in the face. And it's starting to piss me off."

Ou Sei then enters the conversation. "And you don't think that it's just your imagination Lady Chousen? I mean we HAVE been walking around for the last couple of days. Every time we try to stop and rest, more of those accursed Street Sweepers keep finding us. I mean honestly!" He complained and felt himself getting hot, but before he could continue on You Hou had merely grabbed his hand and had consoled him, calming him down.

Kayuu then agreed with what he was saying and added. "Yeah, I agree. I guess Sousou's wanting to be thorough so we don't oppose him or something? But to go through all this effort when he knows we can't exactly oppose him."

"Yeah. I guess with he's afraid of whatever connections that Chousen might still have? Either way, we'll have to leave soon if we want to truly get away from the Street Sweepers. I've heard that they've managed to quash another rather large contingent of students trying to stand up to Sousou." Toujin said as he was looking at his phone.

"Bah! We're doing the best we can." Rikaku complained. "Whatever ground we cover, Sousou seems to know our every move. Those Street Sweepers are always there. No matter how far South we go." Then suddenly the light hits Chousen's right eye once again setting her off.

"Argh! Alright, whoever's doing that light shit, c'mon out! I'm going to fuck you up. I don't have the time for this shit!" Chousen said as she had whipped out her Dragon Buster and began scowering the area looking for the light source. The terrified looks on the Tokyo denizens who are now seeing some blonde-haired girl lugging around a giant sword, yelling profanities had caused Rikaku to turn around.

"D-damn it Chousen! Stop drawing attention to us, just calm down. The last thing we need is the Police on our asses, put the damn sword away." Rikaku ordered.

"Fuck you Chizen! I wouldn't have Dragon Buster out if whoever was messing with me would stop! I've had enough of this shit! It pisses me off that we even have to fucking run from OUR HOME with our tails tucked in between our legs, pissing and shitting ourselves. And for fucking what! The idea that we MIGHT get stronger somewhere else?" Chousen complained.

"L-Lady Chousen-" Ou Sei began softly.

"No! Shut up, Tubs. I know you feel the same way I do! The same way I know you do as well, Chizen! This is some fucking bullshit! We're just going to let Sousou Moutoku bully us out of here?!" Chousen continues. "And worst of all, you just want us to leave this in the hands of Nanyo and Seito and those fucking Martial Artists of all people?! Them?!"

Rikaku had rubbed his temples, as yes he is just as frustrated as Chousen is, but his patience has worn thin with Chousen's bellyaching and he lets her know as such. "Listen! I know how you feel. I don't like this either, but damn it Chousen. If we want to get even even a tenth as strong as the Martial Artists are currently then we NEED to go elsewhere and train. We aren't getting shit done here!"

"And why not!" Chousen demanded.

"Because we're kill-on-sight, remember?! If anyone was caught helping us, the Street Sweepers would kill them as well!" Rikaku retorted.

"We've been taking out the Street Sweepers since they first attacked us, why can't we just take the fight to Sousou now?" Chousen fired back.

"Yeah, about that... They've been weak-ass D-ranks, Chousen." Kayuu responded. "Have you noticed that everytime we fight them, they get stronger? We've barely survived the last batch and they were on the lower spectrum of C-rank. Do you REALLY want to get into a war with them? With our paltry forces?"

"What! We have forty-people now. They should be good for SOMETHING other than just menial labor, goddamnit!" Chousen complained once again.

"Yeah. She's right!" One of the grunts, a burly male, said. "Yeah, this is our home too. You said that we'd fight to protect it. And now you want us to run. From that twig Sousou Moutoku? Pah."

"I agree with Lady Chousen. Running away isn't going to do anything. At least Lord Toutaku would have stood his ground. Why are you running, Rikaku? Don't you have any Rakuyo pride?" Another male grunt chastised.

"We're in this mess BECAUSE of Lord Toutaku! Had he stayed in his lane, this bullshit wouldn't have happened in the first place. At least Lord Rikaku is TRYING to keep us alive. Be grateful." A female grunt argued back.

"Yeah. Taking us OUT of Kanto is a great idea. If you guys want to stay and test your luck against Sousou and his street sweepers then go ahead. But don't shit on the person trying to help us stay alive." Another male grunt argued. Little did anyone notice, there was an aroma wafting throughout the area and a nearly invisible pink aura was circling around the group.

A slender, short man in a hoodie was watching things transpire and had thought to himself. (Hm. It seems that Lord Rikaku doesn't have full control over these people. But strangely enough, it seems like he really doesn't want it either. Nor are his generals really trying to quell these feelings. But what's surprising is the fact that the students themselves are trying to keep the peace. I wonder just how long he'll be able to keep this group together before the inevitable splitting of the "factions". On to other news, it seems that Mouri-chan is on the move. This aroma and aura are dead giveaways. How long will it be before anyone notices?)

It wasn't long before someone DID notice. It was Rikaku himself who noticed that his hand was randomly shaking. He looks down to confirm it. (Huh? What's going on? Why's my hand shaking? And what the hell is that smell?)

"Hm. Anyone else smell that?" Toujin asked as he looked around.

"Smell what, Lord Toujin?" You Hou asked.

"Yeah, what are you talking about, Jinjin?" Chousen asked, she then felt her left hand shake for no apparent reason. "Huh? M-my hand! W-what the hell?!"

"Huh? What is it, Chousen?" Kayuu asked, before his hand started shaking as well. "Huh? W-what's going on? I feel a strong presence somewhere nearby, b-but I don't see anything." Kayuu then thinks to himself. (Hm. My hand is shaking, as if I'm unnerved by something. B-but what is it? Huh!) Kayuu then looked down at the ground and noticed a pink aura circling around them. He then pulls out his pike and stabs the ground, triggering a minor explosion around them. This of course, scares the absolute crap out of the students.

"A-AH!" One of the female grunts screamed.

"A-attack! W-we're under attack!" One of the male grunts screamed out. Ou Sei then looked around and for a time, he didn't see something. It was a whizzing sound that then alerted him to the fact that someone WAS attacking them. He then threw up a barrier to deflect a series of bullets and kunai from reaching anyone in the crew. Rikaku heard this and gritted his teeth.

"F-fuck! Street Sweepers?" Rikaku asked as he then erected Earthen Claws around his hands.

"I-I don't think so." Toujin answered as he put on his Ice Brass Knuckles. "This is way too organized for their tactics." Toujin then froze a series of bullets that were heading for him, then he punched the frozen blocks causing the bullets to shatter.

"Then who the hell is it?" Chousen said as she swung her Dragon Buster at a suited musclehead who then encroached on the group's area.

"Ufufu~" Said a soft, feminine voice full of mirth and excitement.

"Who's there?" Kayuu demanded to know.

"Hmhmhm. Beat my guards and I'll tell ya~" The voice said.

"What the fuck do you want with us?" Chousen demanded.

"Hmhmhm. I want to see if you're actually good enough to cross over the Kanto-Chubu border. That's what!" The voice said with a bit of an edge to her voice.

"Huh?" Toujin asked.

"I want to see if you'll survive Chubu. Nothing worse than letting weak-ass Kanto filth into our sacred Chubu. You see, my lady wants ONLY the best in our land and judging by your conversation, none of you seem to be that. So, pray tell, why do you want to crossover to our land?" The voice repeated.

"I have something I need to do. A person that I need to protect, and I know that I can't become strong enough to face that person if I only skulk around here in Kanto. I know I'll need to get stronger by travelling throughout Japan itself." Rikaku explained.

"Hmhm. I see, cutie. But don't you think that going north towards Kansai or going by sea towards Hokkaido would be better suited for that? I'm not sure what Chubu would offer you in terms to that lofty goal. Also, there seems to be some strong people here in Kanto. Why not seek them out?" The voice retorted.

"If we weren't kill on sight, I'd might do that. But because of the guy that we followed and the shit he had us do, we're pretty much fucked. So, yeah. It's not like I'm playing around." Rikaku explained a second time.

"Hmhm. I see. Toutaku Chuuei DID a lot of messed up shit here in Kanto. And he was quite the problem for quite a bit of time, yes. Hell, some of his grime managed to spread to Chubu, yes. So, I'm not sure you'd be even safer in Chubu. Rikaku Chizen." The voice said, with an edge to her voice.

"Huh? H-How did you know who I was?" Rikaku asked, taken aback by her knowledge.

"Fufu~ Well, I keep tabs on everyone in Kanto. As is my job. I know about the Martial Artists as well as all of the important generals of all of the armies. We've kept tracks on ALL of you. Han Chousen, Kayuu, Toujin, the Yellow Scarves consultants Ou Sei and You Hou and of course, you, the leader of this ragtag group of misfits, Rikaku Chizen. I'm actually impressed that you managed to live this long. I have a feeling that something has caused a change within you. I can't say whether it's a good one or not, but I can see that you at least somewhat care about the people around you. So, as I said. If you can defeat my guards, I'll reveal myself to you." The voice said, gaining her happy tone back.

"And what's in it for us?" Kayuu asked.

"If you win, I'll help you get to Chubu and will even help you get to where you can train and get stronger. Hell, I'll even help you get money for your journey." The voice said.

"And what makes you think we need money?" Chousen haughtily asked, to which Toujin just sighed at that.

"Well, it's a hunch. BUT, from what I'm gathering, the fact that you're on foot travelling from Kanto trying to get to Chubu is a dead giveaway. Then you took the job to clear out the Kappa from the City of Demons from the old mystic is another reason. I figured that whatever happened to Toutaku caused you to lose whatever financial backing you might of had. Am I right? Am I right?" The voice said.

Ou Sei then sighed as he responded. "You would be correct. Unfortunately, we've been having to take on odd jobs in order to have enough money to feed our troops."

"Then why did you take on all these people? Just for extra hands for whatever tasks you have to do? Because if that's the case, you're quite bad at it. Because if you were going to be a slavemaster, then you wouldn't get in the dirt with your slaves, you know." The voice said in a teasing manner.

"That's because they're NOT my slaves. Hell, I barely see them as my underlings. Although, I can't say that I know them well enough to say they're my friends, but I DO care about them. And they also deserve to be able to have a place to sleep at night without having to worry about any nutjob tripping on his or her own power trying to kill them just because they were forced to follow some unsavory character." Rikaku said, clenching his fists as he was unknowingly looking at the voice face to face.

The female voice then smirked to herself and spoke. "Well. You certainly seem like a good guy, but..."

"But?" Rikaku asked.

"But, you've still not proven yourself to me. My lady will have my head if I were to bring weak Kanto students into Chubu." The voice's voice hardened again.

"Why do you guys dislike us so much?" You Hou asked.

"You lot have the ear of the Imperial Capital, but instead of using that to better the relationship between the Toushi and the Non-Toushi denizens, you've used it to further widen the divide with your pointless wars. Yeah, NOW you guys are destroying yourselves. But about twenty-five years ago, you had attacked some of the other prefectures. Your force was relentless. Many people had died because of it." The voice explained.

"H-Huh? D-dad didn't start a war! He was protecting us!" Chousen defended.

"Your dad, huh? Hah! He was one of the major parties starting all of this bullshit! Or rather, he allowed the bullshit to start." The voice retorted.

"No, he didn't! He had tried to protect his students. It's not his fault some of his students went rogue! He created the Toushi Court Guard Squadron to try and combat those rogue students." Chousen explained.

"No. No, he didn't. He didn't create shit! He had created some mythical cauldrons that he was going to use to create the Philosopher's Stone Magatama." The voice continues.

"Huh? Cauldrons? Philosopher's Stone Magatama? What is that?" Kayuu asked.

"The "cauldron" is a giant Soul Capturing cell that will hold up to twenty-five thousand souls. There are four here in Kanto that he had created. From what my lady has told me, you need to completely fill those four cauldrons in order to begin the smelting process to create the Philosopher's Stone Magatama. And that is the ultimate power. It's said that the Philosopher's Stone Magatama can grant any one wish regardless of what the contents of said wish is. Anything from unlimited wealth to God-like power. Anything!" The voice explained.

"And so if what you're saying is true... Then... Oh no." Kayuu said. Everyone else turned towards him.

"What? What is it, Lord Kayuu?" Ou Sei asked in concern.

"That Great Toushi Collision... Was a ploy to get people killed in order to create this Magatama thing. Hey Rikaku-" Kayuu said.

Rikaku then asked. "Huh? What is it, Bro? What's up? Did you figure something out?"

"Yeah. I think. I think I might know what Seuq is trying to do." Kayuu said which caused Rikaku's eyes to narrow.

"What is it! What's he trying to do? What's he doing with Chinkyuu?" Rikaku said in a panic.

"He's going to sacrifice her and these other captures of his to this cauldron thing. Hm. B-But what I'm wondering is. If that's so... Then why didn't he just kill her right then and there. Why didn't he kill you and Ryofu when you guys fought him? Why did he take Chinkyuu and some other girl hostage?" Kayuu asked.

"Hm? What's this about taking hostages?" The voice said as her aura was weakening, due to her losing her focus. She was made visible as well. She was a busty girl of around 5'0", she had a fair-skin complexion, light-green eyes, medium-length brown hair and was wearing a green kunoichi's outfit with assorted weaponry on a belt that had covered her waist. And beside her, was about ten or so suited goons wearing green business suits carrying weapons on their persons. This had temporarily caught Rikaku and his forces off-guard, but Kayuu had shaken it off to continue his theory. Rikaku had squinted his eyes at her as if he knew her from somewhere, but shook it off and went back to "business" mode. Saving Chinkyuu came first, whatever had to do with his personal life, he would figure out later on. He had hoped that by sharing his thoughts, he could try to dissuade the girl from sending her forces after them. For some reason, Kayuu had a bad feeling about them. Like they were significantly stronger than they currently were or even the Kappa demons that they faced previously.

"Yeah, he had her and some other girl taken hostage. I got a brief look at them back at the Constructiuon site, but they looked almost hypnotized or something." Kayuu said.

"Huh?" Chousen asked as she turned towards Kayuu.

"I can't really explain it well, but yeah. They looked like they weren't all there. But my question would be, what exactly does Seuq need with them?" Kayuu reiterated.

"Whatever it is, it can't be good. If we're to believe you, Miss. Then we need to hurry up and get the hell out of Kanto." Toujin said as he tightened his brass knuckles around his hands and glared at where he felt that the girl's location is based on her voice.

"Oh ho. I see, I see. So you want to fight me after all?" The Kunoichi asked.

Kayuu then sighs seeing as how it was Toujin who then got serious (which normally it would be the opposite, but being worn down by the constant fighting, has kind of gotten to Kayuu, while it just made Toujin hair-trigger happy.) "No. Not really. But I don't think you'll just move aside, will you?"

The Kunoichi then grinned at him. "Heh. Of course not. I'm here to prevent you Kanto bastards from getting to Chubu."

Rikaku then hardened his eyes at her. "And I need to get stronger to protect her! If you won't move, I'll move you." Rikaku then encased his hands in Earth Ki.

The kunoichi then licked her lips and let a small blush overtake her cheeks. (Oh my. He's become quite the cutie. And so focused, I can also tell that he's gotten stronger and a bit less braggadocious. Ehe. Well then, Rikky let's see what you've got. Heh, it's been a while anyways.) She then hardened her eyes and let the blush drop as she got serious as well. "Really now, Rikky?! You?! Force ME aside?! Hehen! Well, if you're going to get serious, then so am I!" She said with her voice hardening. "Boys! Come forth!" From there the girl then summoned some men in black suits to assist the green-suited men who all came prepared with different weapons. She then intentionally further weakened the pink aura and the aroma so Rikaku's force can see their challengers. All of them this time. From what Rikaku's force could see, there were about fifty or so men altogether.

"Tch." Was all You Hou said. All of the generals of Rikaku's force then squared off against the mysterious kunoichi's goons. The kunoichi then spoke. "Okay. I know. I've brought a lot of men, but we're not going to have a gang battle here. I don't want to mess with those disgusting "Street Sweepers" and I'm sure you don't either. And on top of that, I AM on a schedule, I don't have all day to play with you and I can tell that most of you will be worthless as combatants. So, in all fairness, we'll have a series of one-on-one fights, generals vs. generals. My elite Green Warriors versus your generals. Whoever is left standing is the winner. If you win, I'll help you leave Kanto. If you lose, you're stuck here. Do we have a deal?"

Rikaku then spoke up. "Alright then. Since we really don't have a choice. I guess so."

The kunoichi then spoke up again. "Alright a couple of rules: Because we're on a schedule, first knockdown will constitute a loss. Second, we're not going to go all out. You can feel free to do so, however. We're not going to kill you, nor are we going to have a full out battle. This isn't the place for that. Understand?" Rikaku then nodded at that.

The kunoichi nodded and looked towards one of the green suits who nodded back to her. The first green suit steps forward and had smashed his pickaxe against the ground before pulling it back up. Rikaku then looked at his group and then back at the kunochi and then the first green suit with a pickaxe and had stepped forward. The first green-suit did the same. When they locked eyes, Rikaku had immediately initiated the fight when he rushed at him with his Earthen claws. The green suit had swung his pickaxe at him, but had missed his side when Rikaku jumped out of the way. He then rushed at him again, but Rikaku had then encased his entire right hand in Earth ki and had merely punched the axe out of his hand. The first suit looked at his hand in shock before seeing Rikaku smirk at him. The first suit then let his head drop in defeat. Rikaku then powered down and went back to his group.

The kunoichi then nodded at that. "Hm. Not bad. Not bad at all. But- That won't be enough! Go." Then a second goon showed up and Kayuu had stood up to the plate. This green suit had a stun baton and he had tapped it on the ground a couple of times to activate it. Kayuu had then brought out his halberd, Eiryuuzen which is a blackened, shorter version of Kan'u's Seiryuutou. This time it was the stun-baton having suit who rushed at Kayuu and he had tried to jab him several times but found that Kayuu was evading him, rather easily. Kayuu had thought to himself. (Alright, remember what Kan'u did when you fought her and replicate that. Avoid those prongs at ALL costs and win.) Kayuu continued to do so until the second green suit had overextended himself and lunged his body forward uncontrollably which caused Kayuu to perform a downward swipe at the suit's back slamming him to the ground.

"Hmhm. Okay okay, despite the restrictions I put on my men, I have to say this: You lot seem pretty good." The Kunoichi said as she called forth another green suit to go up against Chousen who had Dragon Buster at the ready.

"You're going to regret that cockiness. Let's see just what you got then." Chousen taunted as the third green suit then walked forward with a pair of nunchaku at the ready. He then did a couple of kata with the nunchaku and then moved his hand forward gesturing that Chousen comes forward. She did and had immediately rushed at the suit and had jabbed Dragon Buster at him to only be pushed back by his nunchaku. The suit then took a swipe at Chousen who had ducked under his immediate line of sight causing the nunchaku to miss her face entirely.

Chousen then smirked at him. "Heh. Is that it? C'mon, show me something!" She said as she then swung Dragon Buster at him once more, but she missed him as well. She did notice that he was putting some amount of power into his movements.

The nunchakued suit then taunted her. "Is that that? C'mon now! All that bragging and this is what you've got. C'mon now, Daughter of Han!"

Chousen then yelled back at him. "Fuck you asshole!" She then rushed at him again and managed to hit his nunchaku with Dragon Buster and had began pushing him back. The nunchaku suit then pulled out a blade hidden in the bottom of his shoe and had kicked at Chousen, cutting the bottom of her shirt open. CHousen had to draw back lest he got another free shot on her.

"Damn it! Cheap-shotting bastard! Alright then, let's see how you deal with this!" Chousen then tapped into her Demon Inversion and her hair became black and her eyes became a dull pink as her speed and strength doubled. She then blitzed the nunchaku suit, who had charged up Dragon Ki into his nunchaku and had fired a Dragon blast at Chousen who had expelled a deafening roar and caused the energy to dissipate. Before she could make contact, the green Kunoichi had appeared in front of him and had blocked Chousen's strike. She then chopoped Chousen in the neck, knocking her out instantly. Then when Toujin then prepared to strike with his Ice Ki surrounding him, the Kunoichi then took an envelope out of her breast pocket of her uniform and had thrown it at Rikaku's feet. She then looked at her goons and swiped at the air signifying for them to stop. Rikaku had noticeed that, but what really caught his attention was the envelope sticking it right between his legs in the ground.

"Huh? What the hell-" Was all Rikaku could say as the Kunoichi had gestured him to pick it up.

"Hehen, okay you lot are more impressive than I thought. Take that envelope and make way to Chubu. Hand it off to the first Oda Imperial Retainer you see. Tell them these three code-words. Oda. Is. Eternal. In that order." The Kunoichi said.

"Why?" Kayuu asked.

"You'll find out once you do it. Alright boys, let's go back. I think I've had enough of this stagnant Kanto air for one day, don't you think?" The green Kunoichi said as a gray-suited man with short white hair, red eyes, and has a fair skin complexion, then stepped up beside her.

"Mistress, do you think that would suffice for Lady Nobunaga?" The Suit said.

"Hehen, of course it is Joshua. She didn't want us to ACTUALLY fight them. Just test how far they came along. This seems satisfactory enough. Besides, if we did. This wouldn't be any fun, don't you think?" She argues back and the now named Joshua just shrugs his shoulders.

"As you wish Mistress. I'll take it that Ranmaru will lead them there without issue correct?" Joshua asked. To which the Kunoichi just grinned at the hooded man.

"He had better, if he wants to stay on Lady Nobunaga's good side. Anyways, bye Rikky. I'll see you soon. Bye Ran-chan. You know what to do, right?" She then winked at Rikaku before blowing a raspberry at the hooded man who just sweatdrops at that.

(Hah. You're such a child, Lady Motonari. But fine, I get it. I'll get them there safe and sound.) The hooded man just shook his head at that before the now named Motonari Mouri then casted another Ninjutsu to kick back up that sweet aroma and the pink aura before causing it to explode all at once forcing all of Rikaku's forces to cover their eyes lest they be blinded by the flash. Once they uncover their eyes, Motonari and her force are nowhere to be seen. Before she had left, she had snuck past Rikaku and had stuck something in his back pocket and had slapped his butt, but had ducked when he had tried to swing on her. She then licked her fingers and leave with a flirty laugh. Rikaku had stayed in place, with his back turned towards everyone else. Knowing that whoever had 'attacked' him is long gone by now, he had calmed down and had relaxed his stance and had turned around and picked up the envelope.

"Huh? They're gone?" Kayuu said.

"Tch. So, we're going to see Oda Nobunaga, huh?" Toujin asked.

"Yep. Seems that way, c'mon. If we're going to leave, then let's fucking leave." Chousen said as she came to and was a bit irritable at how she was incapacitated so quickly by Motonari.

"Yeah." Rikaku droned as he had stared at the envelope intensely.

"Lord Rikaku?" Ou Sei said as he and You Hou both approached him.

"Huh? Ou Sei?" Rikaku said as his attention refocused to Ou Sei.

"What was that envelope that woman threw at you?" Ou Sei asked.

" I don't know, I guess whatever is in this is our ticket out of here." Rikaku deduced.

"So. How ARE we going to get out of here?" Kayuu said as he walked over towards his bro.

"Good question. At this time, I don't think that there are any running busses that can take us out of here. And I'm SURE that our fight with those Chubu forces probably attracted the Street Sweepers so hoofing it is out of the question." Kayuu said.

"Well, whatever that girl put into my back pocket might be a clue." Rikaku said as he then pulled something out of his back left pocket. It was a note and some yen.

The note said. [From where you are, head down the street and turn right. There should be a person in a trench coat. Don't be alarmed, he's friendly. Tell him the same code that I told you and he'll call the person who will be picking you up. You might want to hurry up, I saw some people in white clothes carrying weapons heading this way. Since we're dignitaries in this region, they left us alone. However, you aren't so lucky. That envelope won't save you from them. Anyways. The guy will be there for another thirty minutes, if you miss him. That'll be it and Chubu will be closed off to you forever more. So, move your cute little ass there, Rikky. ^_-, Love Mouri. P.S., When I see you in Chubu, I need to speak to you alone. I think you'll like what I have to say. Bye for now. It was then Rikaku's eyes bugged out and he had let the shock of the name of the envelope finally surprise him.

(M-M-Mouri? T-that was Mouri?! Nah, it couldn't be. She wasn't that damn crafty the last time I saw her. But if she was, it's no wonder she sounded like we were familiar with each other. But to have all that power at her command. Those suits were following her every word and even held themselves back against us. W-what's going on? Is this the result of whatever training she's went through?) Rikaku thought to himself as he continued staring at the note. He then crunched up the letter and shoved it in his pocket before walking towards the bus stop. Still thinking to himself about everything, being off in his own world while everyone else just followed him.

"What's up with him?" Chousen whispered to Toujin.

"Dunno. I mean we have been running around like chickens with our heads cut off since the whole Kappa thing a month or so ago. Was it me, or did that girl seem really familiar with Rikaku?" Toujin whispered back.

"Yeah. She seemed REAL familiar with him, I wonder what gives?" Chousen responded.

"I don't know, but I do know that it's going to be a huge pain in the ass though. Ugh..." Toujin complained. Chousen then slapped him on the arm and then linked arms with him and drug him along. Toujin's face was as red as a beet, being so close to her. Kayuu who had watched the scene unfold had just shrugged his shoulders as he followed Rikaku as well.

[Flashback Ends]

"And that's how we've ended up where we are." Rikaku said, ending his tale.

The Bus Driver then scratched his chin. "I see. Well, that was Mouri Motonari. She's one of the strongest kunoichi in the region. Heh, I don't know what you did, but you're about to have an interesting time, young'in."

(So it was, Mouri... Just what happened to you. You weren't like that when we last met. I mean yes, we were significantly younger than before, but...) He thought to himself. "Is that so?" Rikaku asked. While Rikaku and the Bus Driver were conversing, little did they know. The slender student who was wearing the hoodie was observing the group doing their various things for quite some time. Now, this student was specifically watching Rikaku as he was talking to the (unknown to Rikaku and his group) personal driver to Oda Nobunaga. The slender student then nodded their head as they jotted something down.

The slender student then mutters to himself. "Hm, we should be arriving in Chubu in a few hours. I would like to see just how Lord Rikaku survives in another region. Kanto is one thing, but much stronger awaits you in Chubu."

[At Nanyo, a few hours later]

Students are pouring in off of the bus, cars and even on foot. Among them the always cheerful Sonsaku Hakufu. She meets up with some of the other Nanyo students. "Hi guys! I'm baaaaack."

"Hello Hakufu, I see you haven't changed." Saji looks closer at her breasts. "Huh, well maybe you did. Your boobs look bigger than before. What have you been doing over the summer?"

He attempts to reach out and grab one of them but a gloved hand reaches out and slaps Saji's hand away. Saji looks to his side to see Ryomou and sighs. "Oh hi there, Mou-chan..."

Ryomou raises her eyebrow and glowers at Saji. "I'll pretend I didn't see that. Don't start this again Saji. Not after you begged me all summer to take you back."

Gakushuu laughs and then speaks. "The great Saji Genpo on his knees begging, and for a woman no less, I wish I could have seen that."

Saji then jokes as well. "Haha, fuck you Gaku. Get you a girl first, then talk."

Shuuyu then smiles and greets them as he approaches the group. "Hey guys, it's been-"

"Koukin!" Sonsaku hugs him and squeezes, unintentionally lodging his face in her cleavage smothering him.

"mmmpf nef lo uz zeem" Shuuyu says in a muffled voice.

"What?" Sonsaku said, stopping her ministrations.

Keijuu then looks around and smiles as she's back at Nanyo. "Ah, school... Huh? Is that-" She then stops once she sees Sonsaku glomping Shuuyu.

Shuuyu then regrettably pushes Sonsaku away from him. "I said let go of me... I couldn't breathe, Hakufu."

"Hehe, sorry." Sonsaku embarrasedly apologized as she then notices Keijuu coming closer and beams at her. "Oh, hi there Kei-chan."

Keijuu responded in kind. "Hello, Miss Sonsaku. Hello everyone else."

Saji then winks at her. "Ah, the ever bright Keijuu-chan appears. So, how was summer?"

Keijuu then continues smiling as she explains. "It was pretty cool. Kinda boring 'cause you guys weren't around, but whatever. I just hung out at my house, y'know. Teenager-y stuff, aha."

Ryomou then raised an eyebrow at that. "Is that so?"

Keijuu then nods her head at her. "Yup. All I did was hang out with some family, cleaned the house a couple of times and lazed about. So Mr. Gakushuu, did you undergo some kind of monster training? You look even more ripped than you did last year."

Gakushu then flexes his biceps. "So you've noticed. Good eye, Keijuu. Yep. While that was fun, man am I glad the band's back together."

Everyone nods in agreement. A girl with short black hair and glasses steps forward. She is dressed in a red sweatsuit. She then stops in front of Ryomou and then turns to the scene in front of her. The girl then speaks to her. "Big Sis, is it always like this?"

Ryomou then turns towards her. "Yeah pretty much, Rikuson."

Rikuson then looks at everyone and introduces herself to them. "Hello all. I'm Rikuson Hakugen... I'm your new strategist. It's a pleasure to meet you especially, Sonsaku Hakufu." She looks at Sonsaku specifically as she says that last part.

"Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Sonsaku Hakufu!" Sonsaku beamed.

"I think she already knows who you are." Shuuyu then facepalms.

"Oh..." Sonsaku said stupidly.

Ryomou looks at Rikuson and frowns. "Rikuson, you're out of uniform you know."

Rikuson then looks down at herself and then shrugs her shoulders. "I like these though. I'm not changing it, big sister."

Ryomou sighs, meanwhile a new student approaches the group. He's wearing a Nanyo uniform with a yellow baseball cap on his head. The hat obscures his face from view. A long black ponytail hangs from the back of his head. He walks with his hands in his pockets and up to the Nanyo contingent and greets them. "Yo! What's up people?"

"S-Shin?!" Sonsaku runs up and and hugs him. The force of her forward advance knocks him down. Sonsaku now has him mounted.

Saji sees this and jokes. "Haha, she's going through the Ryuken family tree now."

Everyone laughs. Sonsaku continues to mount him and excitedly greet him all the while being unaware of Saji's comment.

Shin who does notice decides to say something about it. "Uh, maybe you should get up. Koumei wouldn't like this if she saw."

"Oh yeah. Eh, she knows I don't mean anything by this. I'm just being friendly." Sonsaku complained which got Shin to facepalm.

"Still..." Shin reasoned.

"Maybe you're right Shin, hehe sorry." Sonsaku gets up, Shin does as well and they walk over towards everyone else.

Keijuu then turns towards Saji and asks him. "Is he Mr. Kaji's younger brother?"

Saji nods at that. "Yeah, Kei-chan that's him." He then speaks louder to get Shin's attention. "You're in the major leagues now. I hope you're ready for this, Shin."

Shin then tightens his cap to his head and cracks his knuckles. "I'm always ready."

Meanwhile. A long, stretch limo drives through the busy streets heading toward another location. Inside, Sousou Moutoku, along with several of his generals. He sits calmly, laying back in his seat.

Sousou then speaks. "Well? What do you all have on your minds? Inquiring minds would like to know."

Kyocho then speaks with a blush on her face. "S-serving you, Mou-kun."

Kakuka then chuckles at that. "Good luck with that, Kyocho. As for me, I'll just be having fun this year... Too many fucking close calls last year. We can't go out like Toutaku or the Yellow Scarves did."

Shiba'i grabs Sousou's hand and speaks consolingly. "And we won't Kakuka. My penultimate goal is to win the upcoming battles and uniting the Han once more."

Kyocho huffs jealously at Shibai's actions but remains impassive looking despite that. Or she attempts to, but her eyebrows betrays her.

Kaku the nods her head at that. "Very well, we can do all of that... All we need to do is now get caught up in any of our own schemes and make sure that we're all a united front when that time comes." Kakuka rubs her hair at that.

"Indeed we do, Bunwa. Indeed we do." Kakuka said.

Meanwhile Ryuubi drives with Chouhi, who turns towards Ryuubi and begins conversing with her. "Gentoku."

"Yes, Chouhi?" Ryuubi asked.

Chouhi continues. "When did you get this new truck? And what's with everyone all of a sudden driving foreign cars. I blame Houken, hah."

Ryuubi's driving a navy blue nissan armada. She smiles as she recalls how she obtained this car. "Last week my parents bought it as a gift for my grades last year. And they also kinda like foreign cars as well. Although that was more Kaji's fault than Houken's..."

Chouhi then chuckles at that. "Hm, you're right. Anyways, let's focus on not crashing or hitting anything this time, ok?"

Ryuubi looks at Chouhi and scowls. "Hey! I've been practicing all week... I won't..." She swerves avoiding hitting a black kitten that she had just seen in the nick of time and almost hits a stop sign. She brakes hard before hitting the stopsign. After being jerked forward, Chouhi then turns towards her.

Chouhi then deadpans. "Uh huh. Mind keeping your eyes on the road this time, Gentoku!"

Ryuubi then hangs her head low for a couple of seconds as she reflects upon her blunder. "Uu~, Sorry Chouhi..."

Ryuubi refocuses on the road and pulls up to a house. She then honks the horn. Meanwhile inside the house. Kanpei finishes putting on her shoes.

Kanpei then yells upstairs. "Hey sis, are you ready? Gentoku is outside..."

Kan'u comes down the stairs, the infant Hakkin with her in her arms just happily sputtering about uncaring of the world around him. Before leaving, Kan'u moves closer to Kanpei and answers. "Now I am... Kanpei." She says her name in seriousness, causing Kanpei to look at her.

Kanpei then asks, becoming slightly confused by Kan'u's personality shift. "Yes sis?"

Kan'u then continues. "I need you to understand something important. As of now, you're now Ryuubi's bodyguard in my stead. You are to protect her with your life, understand? This is an important duty you must fulfill."

Sousou then smiles, finding the answers acceptable. "And with those two annoyances out of the way, we can move on to phase two..."

Kakuka then nods and cautions. "Yeah, but we should see what's going on at Nanyo and Seito before we act. I'm sure there have been changes made there."

Meanwhile in Kan'u and Kanpei's house. Kanpei then becomes serious as well as she responds. "I understand sis. I won't fail you or Gentoku." Then Kanpei puts a smile back on her face. "Now let's go! I can't wait to see the cute guys from Nanyo and Kyosho! And maybe I can actually snag one this year."

Kan'u chuckles at that and lets the seriousness fade. "That a girl, little sis. You'll definitely get one this year, Pei. I just know it." She gives Kanpei a headpat before they hear a sudden sound. That sound of course is Ryuubi honking her horn which causes them to walk out of the door and then they get in the truck.

Kanpei then greets Chouhi and Ryuubi once she's situated in the car. "Hey guys."

Chouhi then smirks at her. "So you're gonna be my new partner, eh Pei?"

Kanpei then becomes giddy at that. "Yeah, I am Hi. Now let's kick ass!" She boisterously yells out.

Chouhi recoiled and cleaned out her ears, signifying that Kanpei was yelling in her ear. "You don't have be so loud, I'm right in front of you. Calm down a bit, Pei."

"Uu~ Ahaha. I'm just excited is all. Sorry." Kanpei then looks sheepish about that and manages to calm herself down once she takes a breath.

Chouhi nods at that. "Well, at least she's proactive about it. Unlike some people..." She then side-eyes Ryuubi who sees this.

Ryuubi then pouts at that. "You don't have to be so rude Chouhi... Y-you know I don't like fighting."

Sousou ponders that and speaks. "Agreed..."

Kan'u then enters the car. "Hello, Ryuubi, Chouhi. I thought I'd bring Hakkin with me for the first day of school."

Kanpei then smirks at her nephew. "He is gonna be a lady killer, heh."

Chouhi then raises an eyebrow at that. "You're getting him started early, huh?"

Ryuubi then gushes at that. "Aw, he's so cute." The three tickle and play with him. He coos and giggles with approval.

Ryuubi then stops playing with Hakkin and looks to Kan'u. "What do you think the administration will say about this?"

Kan'u then frowns at that. "I don't care what they'll have to say. Ryuhyo told me to bring him. She said that she wanted to see him. Also, I want him to grow up knowing everyone."

At a Starbucks nearby, Kouhiko, Chou'un, Kakouton and Kakouen sit down for a cup of coffee (in Kouhiko's case, taken black.) Kouhiko then looks at Kakouton and asks. "How is your eye feeling?"

Kakouton then grins at him. "Better, thanks. I'm glad you were there, Houken. You and Kakuka. You guys saved my life. Oh, hey Chou'un, where's the kids?"

"There's nothing to thank me for. And I'm sure Kakuka feels the same way. You're our friend." Kouhiko said.

Chou'un then smiles at Kakouton. "Hello Ton. And to answer your question, I had someone look after the kids for a few hours while we go to school."

Kakouen then chimes in. "How are they, by the way?"

Kouhiko answers. "Good, all three are little bundles of joy."

Back in Ryuubi's Car; The four girls converse. Chouhi then thinks of something and voices it to the rest of them. "You know, I just thought of something. Seeing as you are the leader of the school, and Ryuhyo's little cousin. I'm sure that you have some influence over the administration, don't ya think?"

Ryuubi then has a lightbulb go off in her head as she responds to Chouhi. "Oh yeah. I guess that I do. Well, I'll talk to them for you Kan'u."

Meanwhile at a lavish apartment an alarm clock goes off for the twelfth time. Kaji rolls over and unplugs the clock from the wall and returns to sleep.

A female voice can be heard as she gets nearer to Kaji. "Wake up sunshine!" The female voice is Ryofu who steps out of the bathroom in nothing but a towel.

Kaji groggily responds. "Ugh. W-what is it, Ryofu?"

Ryofu then continues on in her jovial tone. "It's time to get ready for school. You know that you're late, right."

Kaji then growls at that and responds in a crabbier manner. "I told you I'm not going..."

Ryofu then becomes incensed by that and responds accordingly. "Do you think I'm gonna let you sit around and playing Street Fighter all day?"

Kaji then retorts. "Uh, yeah..."

Ryofu then responds cheekily. "Well then, think again. We've had this conversation once before. You have to go to school and face everyone. And besides school is important. Heh, Chinkyuu would always get on my case about that. Damn I miss her." She then grits her teeth as she remembers just what happened to Chinkyuu that fateful day and clenches a fist. (Seuq! I will kill you!)

Kaji speaks again, as he doesn't notice Ryofu temporarily scowling about something. He huffs then he actually speaks. "Not really... Sleep is important... I can live without school but not without sleep."

Ryofu then smirks at him, before she chides him. "You remind me of what I used to be. Know what that was? A slacker, just like you."

Kaji then sighs again. "Ugh. Not this again, c'mon Ryofu. Come lay back down with me. You know you want to." Kaji pats the bed to which Ryofu then gets legitimately angry at his laziness.

Ryofu then yells at him. "Kaji! Get up! You're going!"

Kaji then sits up and is crabby at Ryofu's insistence as he returns in kind. "And I told you, no I'm fucking not! Fuck them! And fuck school!"

Ryofu then huffs herself at wit's end with him. "Fine then, if you don't get up for school you can get up and get out of my house! Pick one!"

Kaji then squints his eyes at her. "Damn it... Fucking fine, I'll go! You happy now!" Kaji gets up and stomps his way to the shower like a petulant child. He showers and brush his teeth. About fifteen minutes, he later emerges from the bathroom with a scowl on his face. Ryofu is now sitting on the bed, still in a towel watching TV.

Kaji then calms himself down at seeing Ryofu being calm. He also is admiring the scenery in front of him which further calms him down. "You know, I just thought of something. Rakuyo fell when Toutaku died right?"

Ryofu then raises an eyebrow at that. "Yes. What of it?"

Kaji then is stumped by that. "Uh, then what school are you going to?"

Ryofu then winks at him and says slyly. "Heh, wouldn't you like to know."

"Whatever... Be that way then. Oh and you're late as well, you know." Kaji retorts, then quickly gets dressed and lazily walks outside as Ryofu yawns. About a minute later, Ryofu then goes into the closet to get her uniform.

Ryofu absentmindedly resumes the conversation as if Kaji was still there. "Don't sweat that. Oh... He left already. How did I not notice him leaving? Usually he'd have some retort for me. Hah, moron. Anyways, this is for the best... my love... You'll see."

She begins to get dressed as Kaji walks to his car. He mutters to himself as he's getting in. "Damn... She talks about me being late and she's still sitting on her ass right now... I need a wake up."

Kaji begins to drive. While doing so, he spots Starbucks and drives towards it. He smirks as he talks to himself again. "Heh, they're fucking everywhere. Just like TGI Fridays'. But, an iced coffee sounds good right now, not going to lie."

He parks his car and walks into the Starbucks. He walks up to the counter. He sports a new hairstyle. Having cut off his long locks in favor of short spikes but this time they're slicked back with a single spiked bang hanging down.

Also, instead of the traditional Nanyo sweater vest he is wearing an unauthorized Ralph Lauren polo down vest with a large horse logo emblazoned near the collar. Underneath that, he has a white t-shirt on. On his lower body, he is wearing baggy polo brand khaki cargo pants. Which is also unauthorized for wear at school. Lastly, on his feet he's wearing all white Nike Air-Force One sneakers.

Kaji then speaks to the bartender. "Hey there. I'll take the usual... Times four today, buddy."

The Cashier, a male wearing the Starbucks logo and outfit looks up at Kaji with his eyebrow raised. "Four iced french vanilla caramel cappuccinos. It looks like you're having a rough morning, Kaji."

Kaji nods his head stiffly. "Yeah."

The cashier hand him his drinks and smiles consolingly at him. "I hope it gets better for you, partner."

Kaji nods his head at that. "Thanks, man." He then walks to an empty booth in the back of the Starbucks and puts his tray down. Looking around the store, Kouhiko notices Kaji and moves in towards him. Once he is near the turned around Kaji, Kouhiko then speaks to get his attention. "Kaji..."

Kaji then turns around and sees Kouhiko. "Oh. Hey there, Houken. What's up?"

Kouhiko then examines him and notices something peculiar on him. "What's with the glasses?" He shakes his head finding that to be rather unimportant as to what he really wants to ask him. "More importantly, where have you been? it's been a minute since I last saw you."

Kaji then sighs and answers that question. "I took a break for a while. My mind needed to recuperate. It's only been a couple of months since I last saw you. Where are you sitting at?"

Kouhiko points to his table, where Chou'un waves slowly. He picks up his tray and follows Kouhiko who is walking back to his table. Once there he sees Kouhiko's guests and ponders something out loud. "Shouldn't you guys be at school already?"

Kouhiko then shrugs his shoulders and answers nonchalantly. "Probably. But I could say the same of you."

Kakouton looks at Kaji and speaks amicably. "It's been a while, Kaji. You've changed, man."

Kaji then nods his head back and speaks as well. "And so have you, Ton... What happened to your eye?"

Kaji sits down in the empty seat. Kakouton then closes his remaining eye and rubs a hand over the eyepatch before iopening his eye and asnwering Kaji's question. "I lost it protecting Moutoku... An assassin got me."

Kaji has sat next to Kakouen. The latter blushes even though the former doesn't catch it. Kaji then frowns once he hears that. "Man, that sucks... I hope you got whoever did it..." He then looks over and notices Kakouen who is unusually demure around him. He decides to bring attention to it. "Hello there Kakouen. Still very shy I see."

Then Kaji suddenly feels a pang in his stomach for a split second. Nothing physical, but something like a "Hey, don't do whatever it is you're going to do, man..." type of preminitious feeling. To which he ignores completely as he continues conversing with Kakouen. Kakouen meanwhile has the "I'm caught" expression on her face.

Kouhiko chuckles and jokes with the two. "It seems that she moved on to another now that I'm committed."

Kaji then continues flirting with Kakouen. "Hey, you look cute when you blush. Although it would be nice to hear you speak every once in a while."

Kakouen's face turns bright red. While Kouhiko then buts in seeing Kakouen becoming flustered. "Hey, let her cool down for a bit."

Chou'un then piles it on. "After all, what's a poor girl to do when she hasn't spoken with a good friend in a long time?"

"Heh, very well." Kaji chuckles at that and then begins pounding his coffee, finishing his first two in a matter of seconds. He then resumes his conversation with Chou'un and Kouhiko. "So how have you two been Mr. and Mrs. Paladino? And I did hear that you two tied the knot over the summer. Good on you."

Chou'un then smiles at that. "Thank you Kaji. Also, we're doing quite wonderful, thank you."

Kouhiko then continues. "Raising the kids has been interesting. An old friend or two stopped by over the summer, but you know about that, don't you?" Kouhiko then inquisitively raises his eyebrow. Kakouen looks at Kaji while poking him at random intervals, finally settling on resting her chin on the table like a dog.

"Yeah." Kaji starts to giggle as someone (Kakouen) pokes him. "H-hey..." He then looks at her and can't help but be amused. He attempts to resist smiling but can't. That pang from before returns and yet Kaji ignores it again. Kakouen then places her chin on his arm while pushing it with her nose.

"Just like a pug, she is." Kouhiko says in jest as Kaji then lightly pets her and waves his hand through her hair.

"Heh, such a good girl." Kaji says as Kakouen rubs against him as Kakouton interrupts.

Kakouton then says. "In regards to the assassin thing I mentioned earlier. That assassin was saved by Kin and is living with Kan'u now. So... Where have you been living? I heard that you just disassociated with everyone."

Kakouen growls at him. Kakouton rolls his eye but goes silent. Kaji shrugs and continues on. "Meh, I've been living out of hotels, and I've been travelling the country. And I have been thinking some things through..." Kaji looks serious and remorseful.

"Was Kin one of those things?" Kakouton clenches his fist in the anger of knowing that there was nothing any of them could have done to stop Kaji from kiling Kin.

Kaji then looks at the table sadly. "Yes..."

Kakouton sees that and relaxes, feeling bad for his Nanyo buddy. "I'm not angry. For what it's worth, I forgive you. You look like you've been through some shit. I don't need to pile it on."

Kaji then sadly looks up at Kakouton and smiles. "It's been very difficult to deal with the past few months..."

Kaji then turns his head and looks out of a window. "But it could have easily gone either way. I don't know if there was really a way to get out of a confrontation with him. I mean we were destined enemies after all. If I hadn't challenged him that day, something else would have eventually caused it later. Despite that, it... It isn't me that has suffered that much in the grand scheme of things. Kan'u is the one bearing the weight of my actions, I essentially made her a widow and a single mother. On top of that, there's now a young boy won't know his father because of me."

Kaji lowers his head in shame. "So I have decided. I've decided that I will do all that I can for her. I know there is no way I can atone for such a crime but damn it, I will try. E-even if it's the last thing I do."

Kakouen quits the "cute" act and hugs Kaji, she speaks softly as to calm him. "Kaji... I-I want to help you bear that sadness..."

Kaji doesn't know what to say. That pang gets even stronger which causes Kaji to temporarily flinch, but, either out of unwillingness or being unable to, he doesn't break Kakouen's hug. "..." He then thinks to himself. (Seriously, what the hell is wrong with me today? Did I eat something foul last night? No... Ryofu's Stir Fry was alright.)

She holds on tight as Kouhiko and Kakouton remember something. Kouhiko is the one who voices it. "Hey... We gotta get to school. Pronto."

Kakouton then continues his train of thought. "Yeah. Moutoku is probably waiting for us. He said that today's assembly was quite important."

Kaji then rubs his chin. "Yeah... I've realized that I'm already VERY late for Nanyo. Ugh." He looks at his watch. He then unwillingly breaks the hug and stands up. Kakouen frowns at that but relents.

"Well, we should all get going. C'mon Chou'un." Kouhiko and Chou'un kiss before parting ways. Kakouen and Kakouton also follows Kouhiko. Before he completely departs from the store, he turns around to Kaji and says. "It was nice to actually see you again. Later Kaji."

Kaji nods at that. "Nice to see you too, Houken. Later guys."

Kaji walks away to his car and drives off. Meanwhile a new student is on the Kyosho campus. He is a tall, handsome man standing at 6'5". He has a slender yet muscular body. His long brown locks hang down to his legs in a single braid. He is casually dressed in slacks dress shoes and a ruffled white shirt with an open collar. He looks around and speaks to no one in particular. "So this is the place... I must find him."

He walks around the campus in search of someone. Kouhiko and the the two Kakou's make their way to Kyosho, where Sousou lies in the same tree that Kouhiko had used on his first day there. He is not asleep as Kakuka stands nearby smoking a cigarette.

Kakuka then looks up at his buddy and leader and speaks. "It seems like last year all over again." He then looks over his shoulder to see Kouhiko, Kakouton and Kakouen and grins as he speaks. "Yo, you guys are tardy." Kakuka then laughs at that as if he would care about their being promptness when it comes to school.

Kouhiko shrugs his shoulders and speaks nonchalantly. "Needed some time with the wife before heading out."

Kakouton just shrugs at that. "..."

Kakouen just stars at Kakuka with a blush on her face, as she reminiscies over her interactions with Kaji from earlier in the day. "..."

Kakuka then raises an eyebrow at that and calls her out on that. "What's up with you, En? Found a man you like or something?"

Kakuka laughs at that as Kakouen once again has the "I'm caught" look, but tries not to make it obvious.

Sousou chuckles at that and speaks in her defense. "Little Kakouen could find anyone she wished... Quite frankly, I'm not surprised Kakuka."

Kakuka then turns to Sousou and questions him. "Even with the..."

Kyocho then squints her eyes at him. "Don't say it."

Sousou nods at that. "Yes, even with "that"."

Kakouen then looks down bashfully knowing full well what her felow generals were talking about. "Ummm, Moutoku... I've been taking medicine... f-for "that"."

Kyocho then walks up to Kakouen and whispers to her. "Tell me, Kakouen. Who's the man you seek?"

Kakouen whispers back. "...Kaji Ryuken..."

Kyocho holds in her surprise as not to alert the others. They step off to the side and Kyocho then questions her. "I thought you had a beef with him. He did kill one of our own...but I guess you have your reasons. I'm assuming Mou-kun had something to do with this." Kakouen just nods at her, Kyocho then sighs but smiles at her usually silent friend. "Good luck."

Kakuka then looks at Sousou and asks. "What are they talking about over there? They didn't have to leave us, you know."

Kakouen then smiles at her and says. "Thank you, Kyocho. Good luck with "Mou-kun"."

Kyocho blushes and looks away embarrassed. "Ah, I don't know what you're talking about."

Kakouen then smiles smugly at her. "Sure... Well, don't worry about it. Good luck anyway."

Meanwhile the unknown individual wanders around into the area where Sousou and the others are. He then speaks. "Hello all, I'm looking for someone. I was wondering if you guys could help me find him?"

Shiba'i then raises an eyebrow at that. "Who is it that you're looking for?"

The individual then speaks seriously. "Sousou Moutoku..."

Sousou wakes up and looks up, noticing a Ki spike. He then lazily speaks. "And who would you be?"

The voice then continues. "That all depends on who you are..."

Sousou then answers in a matter-of-fact tone. "Sousou... Now answer."

"The name's Chouro Kouchi... Thanks." The now named Chouro says dropping his Ki back down to what it was beforehand.

Sousou then hums to himself. "Lemme guess, you are joining us?"

"Who knows? But, I just came to thank you for getting rid off that asshole Honsho...I'm free from servitude to that ungrateful bastard now..." Chouro then gives a insincere bow and grins.

Sousou then grins back. "Well, you're now free to serve me."

Chouro then drops his grin and arches an eyebrow at him. "Oh. And what makes you think I will choose to do so? You're quite the arrogant one, Sousou Moutoku."

Sousou then rolls his eyes at that and scoffs. "Okay then. Tell me something, Taoist? If not me, then where do you think you will go? Can't go to Seito for obvious reasons, and in Nanyo your talents will fall on deaf ears..."

Chouro then clocks his tongue in disapproval at being outmaneuvered. "Then maybe I won't leave here. I'm interested in a few things, and I feel that you can get me to where I need to go. And not attacking you for some piece of land is always preferable to me."

Sousou then shrugs his shoulders. "Whatever. Make your decision, man. I feel too tired to care anymore. Night."

Sousou then heads back to sleep.

Kakouton then tilts his head in confusion. "Looks like that's all he wanted to hear."

Chouro then gnashes his teeth. "Ahaha... H-have a nice nap, Sousou." He then actually thinks to himself. (Asshole!)

"He'll be out for a while." Kouhiko said to Chouro in a semi-apologetic voice.

Chouro then turns around and takes in all of the Kyosho generals and asks. "And who are you all?" He does this nearly sarcastically as he already know who each of them are due to his intel networks.

"Kouhiko Houken."

"Kakouton Genjou."

"Kakouen Myousai."

"Kyocho Chuukou."

Shiba'i then introduces herself. "I'm the Master Strategist. Shiba'i Chuutatsu."

Chouro then smirks again. "Now aren't I in distinguished company? And a Western Martial Artist as well, very interesting."

Kakouen then responds briskly. "Clearly."

Chouro then glares at the uncaring Kakouen. "You have quite the smart mouth woman... Maybe you should stick to being a silent bodyguard. You should know your role and remain silent. People in my sect that talk out of turn get put down. Maybe you'll do wise to remember that, Kakouen Myousai."

"..." Kakouen having been offended by what Chouro just said, readies her jade shot but is stopped by Kouhiko who stands in front of her.

He looks back at her and speaks. "Don't do it, Myou-chan. No need to lash out at his bidding..."

Chouro then further taunts her again. "And you're ill tempered too. What kind of man will want you? Probably one that isn't worth shit, just like you." He then turns his taunt towards Kouhiko. "And you didn't have to stop her, hombre!"

Chouro then smirks and continues taunting Kouhiko. "You must be all about your chivalry huh, Martial Artist? Nice guys finish last, ya know."

Kouhiko smirks back and says. "Funny, because I'm married."

"And his wife's hot." Kakouton needlessly added to get a nod from Kouhiko.

Chouro then turns his nose up and chuckles. "Married already, huh? She must have have heaven itself between her thighs."

Kouhiko pats his crotch. "Indeed she does."

Chouro then looks over to Kakuka. "Hm... I've forgotten that Sousou Moutoku had two OTHER strategists. I've heard of you especially, Kakuka Houkou. And now that I'm looking at you, I've got to say that I'm surprised you're not bald yet, or maybe that's just a wig. I heard that's what happens to cancer victims? Which one is it, Leukemia? Lymphoma? C'mon, tell me man. How long you got?"

Kakuka then squints his eyes at him. "What did you say to me, punk?!"

Chouro then mockingly cleans out his ears with his right pinkie finger. "I guess that cancer is taking it's toll on your hearing as well."

Kakuka clinches his fist and walks up. "I don't know who you think you are but I will give you one chance to leave before I break you. And your worthless religion ain't gonna save you either, you lanky bitch."

Chouro stand unfazed by Kakuka's threat nor his words. He instead retorts. "I don't take any chances, and Taoism could benefit you, cancer boy. But if you want me to put you in the ground sooner, I'd be happy to."

Kouhiko then turns towards Kakuka and speaks. "Kakuka, don't fall for it... He's just trying to bait you into fighting him."

Kaku pulls him away. "He's right, dear. J-just let it go."

Chouro then frowns at that. "Hmph. You all and your worthless cameraderie. You've even got Toutaku's cum dumpster going along with it." Kaku just glares at him for that comment but remains silent. Chouro continues. "Hahah, truly hilarious. But oh so boring as well."

Chouro then looks toward Kyocho who is silent. "Huh... I see that you're the strong and silent type, huh?" He then walks up to her. "Wow, now that I see you up close. I've got to say, you're a big gorilla of a woman..."

She doesn't respond, which makes Kouhiko smirk at that anbd think to himself. (He won't get anywhere with Kyocho.)

Chouro waves his hand in front of her face but she still doesn't react. He then goes back to taunting her. "Or maybe I should say you're an ogre. Stupid and strong, that's all you are."

Kyocho continues looking past Chouro, unflinching. "..."

Kouhiko then legitimately smiles at her. (Wow, she's doing good. Really good. That kind of discipline.)

Sousou says "Kyocho, knock his block off" in his sleep as he then turns over to his side and snores loudly. Chouro then looks toward Sousou and starts to deliver an energy blast via kicking a Ki blast from his leg. Having seen enough and to protect him, she moves in front of Sousou and catches Chouro's leg. She then attempts to lift him up to slam. He does get popped up but he lands on his hands and swings his leg over, firing the energy blast at Kyocho who moves out of the way. Kyocho then jumps back once more and lands on her feet, meanwhile Chouro safely lands on the ground. A stand off ensues between the two. Kyocho's expression as went from soft and mellow to angry.

(Dammit, Sousou...) Kouhiko then turns to Sousou and deadpans at that.

"You tried to hurt Mou-kun... I can't let that stand..." Kyocho said as a green aura begins radiating from her body as she powers up.

Chouro then smirks at that. "So thats what it is, I can tell by your tone... This is more than professional for you isnt it? Hah, I should tell you that whatever worthless fantasy you're concocting in your head. Kill that shit now." He then begins powering up, surrounding himself with a dark blue Ki aura.

"And why's that!" Kyocho angrily snarled at him.

Chouro then "explains". "Because you'll never be with him. Your station and his are too far apart for anything meaningful to ever come between you two. Hell, if I was to hazard a guess, he's probably fucking that cripple strategist right?" He points to Shiba'i as he is cackling at Kyocho. "Right? Right!?"

Shiba'i doesn't even acknowledge his insult instead looking at Sousou who's still sleeping. He gets in Kyocho's face with the most shit-eating grin he could muster. Kyocho actually starts gritting her teeth at Chouro's words and him throwing up her insecurities in her face as well as the fact that Sousou is courting Shiba'i and not her, despite she knowing him for far longer.

Kyocho then sputters out. "I'll- I'll-"

Chouro then finishes the thought for her. "Do absolutely nothing. Like you have been doing. Like you'll continue to do. Sit there and continue to get cucked by that cripple. Haha, how does it feel? How does it feel to know that you'll only be so close, but you'll never break through that horizon. That the best you'll ever get to him is watching him fuck everyone else and not..." He then points in her face as he continues. "You!"

Kyocho growls at him which causes him to take a step back. She then attacks first with a right hand, Chouro flips and bounces of a tree, she springs forward with a thrusting punch...at the same time Kyocho leaps into the air with a kick of her own. Kyocho then yells at him. "Chouro Kouchi!"

Chouro then laughs maniacally as he taunts her further. "You should get used to screaming that name, because you'll never get to scream Sousou Moutoku's in any meaningful fashion. Hyahahaha!"

Kakouen then watches Kyocho with concern on her face. (Don't overdo it, Kyocho. Don't let him win.)

Sudddenly a voice can be heard from somewhere nearby. But the voice doesn't belong to anyone the generals already know. "CUT THE BULLSHIT, Chouro Kouchi!"

Chouro and Kyocho both stop at the sound of the voice. A young man standing at 6'0", fair-skinned dressed in baggy white sweats and a blue Nike t-shirt steps from behind another tree. He has a blue bandana tie around his head. His name is Shouyou Gensho [Zhong Yao].

Kakouton then turns towards the man. "Gensho? You're just in time..."

Kakouen then acknowledges Kakouton's statement. "It seems that all we need are Chouryou, Joukou, Ukin and Gakushin and the group would be complete."

"Aren't they sick?" Kouhiko asked.

Kakouton then nodded his head. "Yep..."

Shouyou then rubbed his head in disappointed embarrassment. "Er, I see he's been screwing around again?"

He looks at Chouro who just shrugs at him. Chouro then responds. "What! I had to put your word to the test, Counciler Gensho."

Kakouen goes over to Kyocho and pats her on the back. This calms her down. Kakouen then whispers to her. "Good job defending Moutoku. You good, now?"

Chouro then wipes his hands off and cracks his neck as he speaks to Shouyou. "Well my assessment's complete now. You're right, they are tighter than thieves, Counciler. But so damn easy to rile up. Well most of them. They could stand to work on that if they want to conquer Kanto, much less Japan itself." He then looks at Kouhiko before turning back to Shouyou. "I'll see you guys around then. Have a good day." Chouro begins to walk away nonchantly as if he didn't instigate a fight with a bunch of people. Kouhiko then raised an eyebrow at Chouro.

Shouyou then sighs as he begins. "I apologize for his conduct... He, uh, has a way with words... So... How bad was it?"

Sousou snores, still sleeping in the tree. Kouhiko just shrugs his shoulders. "It's fine. Although, you might want to tell him to watch what he says from now on. The Celestial Troupe, I heard were fairly peaceful and respectful. What gives with him?"

Shouyou then defends his Troupe. "We are. It's just that, he... Uh, well really doesn't trust the Three Kingdoms is all. I deeply apologize for his actions." Shouyou then gets down on his hands and knees and bows before the offended Kyosho crowd. Kouhiko then pulls him up and shakes his hand in a gesture that apologizing is unnecessary. Shouyou nods his head.

Kakuka then grits his teeth. "That fucking asshole... The next time I see him!" He's still angry about Chouro's words. Kakouton pats Kakuka on the shoulder.

Kakouton then consoles his friend. "Look man, don't let him get to ya. I know it sucks, but you're stronger than that."

Meanwhile Ryuubi arrives at Seito without crashing surprisingly. The five of them get out of the car and hit the campus. Ryuubi then gets out of the car and smells the natural pine in the air. "Ah! I missed this place so much."

Kan'u then shakes her head at him. "Heh, you never change Gentoku."

Kanpei then looks at Kan'u in confusion. "Is she serious?"

Chouhi then sighs and responds. "Like yeast infection."

Ryuubi just looks at Chouhi, mouth agape. "..."

Kanpei does the same thing as Ryuubi. "..."

Kan'u also does the same thing as Ryuubi. "..."

"..." Hakkin just mimicks what everyone else does as he doesn't understand what's going on.

Chouhi then facepalms herself. "Ugh. Damn it Kan'u, you got me doin' these medical references shit as well."

There is brief silence within the group. Ryuubi changes the subject. "So did you guys get your schedules yet?"

Kan'u shakes her head. "No, not yet. Though I hope I'm in the same classes you are."

Chouhi spots a sign at the front of the school. 'Schedule pick up, July 26th. All day.' Chouhi then facepalms herself once again and groans. "We were supposed to pick them up last week..."

Kanpei then turns towards Chouhi with an inquisitive look on her face. "Really? When did they stop mailing them to us? It looks like we're gonna be late..."

Chouhi then turns towards Kanpei and nods her head. "Yeah... We have to get our schedules and then find out where the classrooms are."

Chou'un who arrived shortly after the other girls did, walks over to the girls and speaks. "Ryuubi, Kanpei, Chouhi, Kan'u. Hello."

Kan'u then smiles at Chou'un. "Chou'un. Hey."

Ryuubi then smiles brightly at her as well. "Shi-chan."

Kanpei then nods towards Chou'un. "It's been a while, Chou'un."

Chouhi then jokes while catching her attention. "How ya been Batwoman."

Chou'un tickles Hakkin who coos at her. "Awww, he's so cute. And to answer your question, Chouhi. I've been good. Just taking care of the kids with Houken all summer."

Kan'u then asks. "Speaking of your kids, where are they?"

Chou'un then turns towards Kan'u while she's still playing with Hakkin. "I left them at someone we've become close to's house."

Kan'u then raises an eyebrow in intrigue and slight confusion. "What? Who is it? I couldn't bear the thought of leaving him with anyone."

Chou'un then asks. "Why not? I brought my kids to Goei's place and leave them there while we attend school. And that's the person I was referencing, Kan'u."

Kan'u then furrows her brows and looks pensive at Chou'un. "Because I'm Kan'u Unchou and I know that I have a lot of enemies. And they'll stop at nothing to get any advantages against me that they can. And Hakkin's far too young to even know that he wants to fight. And honestly, I want him to avoid as much bloodshed as humanly possible. That includes him being a target because of the life I live."

Chou'un then frowns at Kan'u. "While you have a point, you're far too paranoid, Kan'u. I highly doubt that you need to worry about that. In case you've forgotten, I'm Chou'un Shiryuu and I have my dedicated group of people who want me dead as well. We can't live in fear forever, however. And we do have to trust people, what lessons are we imparting to our children if we don't."

Kan'u then cracks a smile at her fellow warrior and friend. "Heh, you have a point, Chou'un."

Chou'un then continues on. "Besides, Goei is still known as the Purple Tyrant after all, and she's a trustworthy woman. So don't worry about that. I think having Hakkin around the other kids will make him even happier. You know, to grow up around people his own age and all."

Kan'u nods her head at her. "I'm so glad we're great friends. You've never steered me wrong before."

Chou'un then smiles again. "And I won't either."

Goei rushes around trying to please the three infants, nearly collapsing from exhaustion. Goei then complains loudly. "Argh. D-damn it, why won't you three stay quiet. Can't you make it easy for an old lady?" The triplets kept crying as Goei tried to find more formula for them. "Ugh, where the hell did Hakufu put the damn formula at?"

Hakkin's continued giggling and soon this attracts a crowd. Dozens of students surround the group anxious to get a look at Kan'u's son. Hakkin soon becomes annoyed by the crowd around him and starts to cry.

"Get back! Give my nephew some damn space!" Kanpei's roar instills fear in the other students. Hakkin's cries stop and he smiles at Kanpei.

"That's my lil' red. All smiles, no sobs." Kanpei says softly as she then rubs his scalp and he coos.]

Ryuubi then smiles slightly at the scene unfolding in front of her and says softly to herself. "No one likes to be surrounded by strangers..."

Kan'u smiles and thanks Kanpei. "Thanks, Pei."

Kanpei then smiles back. "Anytime, Big Sis."

The bell then rings.

Ryuubi turns towards the school and begins speaking loudly to her generals. "We're later than I thought, we need to go get our schedules now."

Kan'u then nods at Ryuubi and speaks. "Then let's hurry and see if we can get our schedules still."

Ryuubi nods back. "Right."

Before they could go anywhere, suddenly a load roar of a motorcycle is coming from the parking lot.

Chouhi then looks towards the Parking Lot. "What the hell is that? Who's making all that racket?"

"Ditto. What the hell is that?" Chou'un agreed.

Kan'u then squints her visible eye at that. "I don't know... But, be on your guard."

A tanned and buxom female figure dressed in a Seito uniform steps off of the bike and walks onto the campus with her helmet still on. Everyone looks on wondering about the newcomer's identity.

Kan'u then turns her head towards everyone else. "Any ideas? That body figure is familiar though."

Chou'un shakes her head. "Nope."

The tanned intruder then approaches the group.

"It looks like she wants to meet us." Ryuubi said as the tanned intruder begins to unlatch her helmet as she gets closer.

Chou'un then takes a shallow breath before speaking. "Wait for it..."

She removes the helmet and shakes her head fluffing out her green pigtailed hair. Everyone stares without the words to say. The tanned intruder then speaks. "Hello Ryuubi, it's nice to finally meet you. Face to face that is."

She extends her hand to Ryuubi who is just shocked at what was transpiring. Kan'u is speechless, while Chou'un has a discerning look. "Well, that's a twist." Chou'un then said to noone in particular.

"I'm Ryofu Housen." Ryofu says in a friendly tone.

Ryuubi then stumbles over her words while being friendly towards Ryofu. "H-hello Ryofu... I-I know who you are. B-b-but... W-what are you doing here though?"

Ryofu then smiles at Ryuubi and decides to playfully mess with her. "You can't tell by the outfit? I've transferred here. But I don't know my way around here."

Ryuubi then quickly thinks to herself. (Cousin Ryuhyo, were you responsible for her being here? Hm, could be fun.) She then speaks. "Um, I-I can show you to all of your classes if you like?"

Ryofu then smiles once again. "I appreciate it Ryuubi..."

Ryuubi and Ryofu begin to walk away toward the office. Kan'u follows the two closely, not trusting Ryofu. Kanpei and the others also follow Ryofu and Ryuubi.

Kanpei then speaks to Chouhi, Chou'un and Kan'u in a hushed tone. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking about her?"

They head to the office and check their schedules. Kan'u and Chou'un nod. Chouhi also nods. They arrive at the office. Ryuubi and Ryofu get their schedules.

Ryuubi then smiles as she shows her schedule to Ryofu. "I have Chemistry first period..."

Ryofu then smiles at her. "Huh? Well how about that, so do I."

Kan'u gulps in nervousness. She hopes she has chemistry as well. She looks only to find that it's history. She then hangs her head in shame, to only have Chou'un pat her on the shoulder.

Chou'un then speaks consolingly. "Don't worry, Kan'u. I have chemistry with Ryuubi."

Kanpei then shows her schedule to the others. "Guys, look at this. Nothing."

Chouhi then takes a look at it and hands Kanpei back her schedule. "You're a first year, Pei. I'm not surprised you didn't."

Kanpei then turns towards Chouhi and questions that. "Not even the electives? I thought that all years participated in the electives together."

Chouhi then clicks her tongue. "Shit, you're right. Well, don't fret because I didn't get any classes with her either. What about you Kan'u?" Kan'u shakes her head at that. "No, no I didn't. Odd."

Ryofu then looks at Ryuubi. "We're already late. We should go. I still don't know where all these classes are."

Ryuubi nods at that. "You're right." She looks at the others. "Aha. Well, I gotta go... See ya later guys."

Kan'u and Chou'un wave to Ryuubi as they head to their classes as well. Hakkin begins crying. Meanwhile Kaji steps out of the car and walks onto the Nanyo campus. He gets a number of stares from almost everyone he walks past. He ignores everyone and moves to a tree by himself. He then lights a cigarette. Kan'u stops and heads for a bathroom. Hakkin soiled his diaper and needed a change. Kan'u cleans him up with several items she brought along in case of a situation like this. Finishing up, she kisses Hakkin on the forehead.

Kan'u then coos to him. "And there. All done." Hakkin then looks off to the right like he sees something. He then smiles at it and coos. Kan'u looks to the right as well. Kan'u can see nothing but Hakkin continues to coo as if he is interacting with something, or perhaps someone.

Kan'u then observes her son. "Hm!" She then thinks to herself. (Hakkin is clearly seeing something, and it must be friendly if he's acting like that. I guess he might be using Ki Perception. But...)

Back at Nanyo the Hakufu, Kaji is continuing walking through Nanyo Academy. The Four Devas spot him. Saji is the first to mention it. "Hey, look who it is over there. He snuck in right under our noses. The crafty bastard."

Rikuson looks over in Saji's direction and asks. "Who's that? Is he the other Martial Artist you were talking about, Big Sis?"

Ryomou nods to her. "Yeah, that's him... Kaji Ryuken. In fact, Kaji is Shin's older brother."

Sonsaku says nothing as her heart pounds faster in anxiety and nervousness. Shuuyu is the first to speak as they approach him. "Hey, what's up Kaji. It's been a while."

Kaji then smirks at Shuuyu as they shake hands. Kaji notices Shuuyu putting a bit more force behind his handshake. "What's up Shuuyu, I see you've gotten a little tougher than the last time I seen you. Keep up the good work, my man!"

They then fist bump as Shuuyu grins at the compliment. "Master Choushou's a real slave driver of a teacher. But she knows her shit, that's for sure. I think. No... I know I'll be a help to you guys this year."

Meanwhile at Seito, inside the bathroom with Kan'u and Hakkin. "Huh... That's weird... He shouldn't be able to develop any Ki sense THIS early. It's only been a few months since his birth. Whatever, let's get to class." Kan'u picks Hakkin up and straps him to her chest before leaving.

Back at Nanyo. Saji then fist bumps with Kaji. "Long time no see, Tianjin Dragon."

Kaji returns the fist bump and nods at him. "Yeah, same. I've been out doing some things. You know, thinking things through and all that."

Ryomou then cuts in and asks in a stern, but concerned manner. "So, are you ready to return to us? Ready to be a Nanyo fighter again, Kaji?"

Kaji then glares at her to no avail. "No..."

Ryomou then drops the glare and looks at his arm and realizes that a magatama isn't hanging from his wristband like always. Nor is it hanging from his necklace. She then looks at his ear for a third check. She then voices her inquiry. "Where's your..."

Kaji then finishes the sentence she was going to say. "Magatama? I left it at home. I'm a Martial Artist, it's not like I need it for identification like you guys do or for any other reason..."

Ryomou then glares at him again. "Why? Why would you do that? Whether you need it for identification or not, it's still a part of you. You can be killed by it being destroyed just like we can."

Kaji then looks at the ground and sighs. He then speaks with a heavy tone. "Trust me, I know that part. But... I don't want to do this shit anymore. It's not gotten me anything worthwhile. I mean yeah, I got laid a few times, but I've could have done that without ruining lives in the process. And then you guys left me alone after that night..."

Shin then speaks up. "Bro, you can't do this. You can't just leave things half-done like that. That's not your style. C'mon now."

Kaji then turns towards Shin and frowns, knowing that Shin does have a point. "It's too late for that, Cam. I already did. I want to focus on some other things for now. Like my grades for one. I barely passed last year, and I can't allow that to happen again. I've got other shit that depends on me graduating as well!"

They all look shocked at Kaji when he said the last part, and Ryomou files away Kaji's last comment noticing his hurried explanation as if something urgent needs to happen with him.

Chou'un arrives at her chemistry class to find no Ryuubi or Ryofu. She then facepalms herself. "Son of a bi..."

Back at Kyosho, we see that Sousou is still sleeping in the same spot.

Kaji then speaks. "If you guys don't mind, I'm going to class now. See ya later Cam, Shuuyu, Saji, Ryomou, new girl, everyone else."

Back to Seito... A montage of Ryuubi and Ryofu working together, laughing and eating lunch plays. Chouun's head hits her desk as she realizes that Ryuubi is alone with Ryofu. More time passes and the bell rings signifying the end of the school day. Ryuubi and Ryofu walk together on Seito's campus.

Ryofu then turns towards Ryuubi. "Hey, do you mind helping me with my homework?"

Ryuubi then smiles at her. "Not at all. Um, but first I want to have some fun. I haven't been doing any of that since I broke up with my boyfriend."

Ryofu then looks at Ryuubi in intrigue. "Oh, do you now? And wait, you had a boyfriend?"

Ryuubi then blushes at that, but stamps it out and continues to speak normally. "Yeah. It was fun being with him at times. And at times, he'd straight up ignore me. He always wanted to fight. Like all the time. And I think that his mother didn't like me either."

Ryofu then frowns at that. "Why's that? You're a wonderful person, Ryuubi."

Ryuubi then sighs at that. "I don't know. Maybe because I didn't fight all the time like he did. Or his first girlfriend did either!"

Ryofu then thinks to herself and notices that Ryuubi is perturbed by the memory. (Hm? Ryuubi's unusually angry about this. Is is embitterment? No-maybe. I want to pry, but maybe now's not a good time.) Ryofu then smiles at her to disarm her. "Okay, let's forget about that person. Have you ever been on a motorcycle before?"

Ryuubi then looks at Ryofu owlishly. "No."

Ryofu then wraps an arm around her and beams at her. "Let's give it a try. You might just like it."

Kanpei and Chouhi approaches them. Chouhi scowls at Ryofu but looks at Ryuubi. "How was class, Gentoku?"

Ryuubi them beams at Chouhi. "It was cool. Best first day EVER!"

Kanpei gives Ryofu an aggressive stare, Ryofu just rolls her eyes not even giving Kanpei the time of day. Kan'u and Chou'un join in as they arrive.

Kan'u then looks at Ryuubi in concern. "Ryuubi..."

Chou'un then speaks amicably to Ryuubi in an effort to try and dissuade a fight from coming. "Hey, Gentoku."

Ryuubi then smiles at the two. "Hey Shiryuu, Kan'u. Uh, is everything okay?" It's then that Ryuubi notices the hard stares from everyone.

Kan'u then speaks in a strained voice. "How has your day been?"

"It's been nice. I have a new friend now." Ryuubi looks at Ryofu who smirks at the others. Kanpei and Chouhi both scowl. Ryofu just smirks at them.

Ryofu sighs and rolls her eyes as she thinks to herself. (Seriously? They think I'm scheming shit? I just want to go to a nice school. Hell, if I was, none of those bitches could stop me. Just endure it Ryofu, they'll come around soon enough.)

Kan'u then squints her visible eye at Ryuubi and speaks. "Ryuubi... May I talk to you for a moment... Alone?"

"Uh, sure." Ryuubi steps off to the side.

Meanwhile at Nanyo, Kaji walks back to his car and is spotted by Sonsaku. Sonsaku then fidgets around while thinking to herself. (Maybe I should just play it cool and not even bring "It" up. Hm, but what do I say...)

She finally musters the courage to talk to him and smiles awkwardly at him. "Can you give me a ride home?"

Kaji looks at her and sighs. "Why?"

Sonsaku then fidgets around some more, obviously nervous but she soldiers on. "Um, well the bus routes changed over the summer and the bus doesn't take me to my house anymore. So it's either bum a ride from you or walk."

Kaji then rolls his eyes at that. "So then. Why not ask Ton?"

Sonsaku then looks at the ground and answers a bit mutedly. "Uh, we're on a "break" for now?"

Kaji then becomes serious as he responds. "What? Why?"

Sonsaku then scratched he back of her head while answering. "Eh, it just didn't work out between us." She then looks at Kaji seriously while her eyes were becoming misty. "I-I- I still care far too much for you."

Kaji then sighs at her. "Hakufu..."

Sonsaku then becomes animated when complaining about their relationship. "I mean, it's not fair! You didn't even give me a chance! You just dump me and a day later, you ran off to Ryuu-chan. Then that night at Houken's... I... I just couldn't do it to Ton. I can't string him along while my heart belongs to some other man. You were my first after all."

Kaji then looks down and sighs again. "Hakufu... Look I'm sorry. That was shitty of me, but we wouldn't have worked either. I felt like our mothers were trying to get us together, because of some stupid-ass promise made between them as kids or something."

Sonsaku then looks at him questioningly. "And what's wrong with that?"

Kaji then answers. "We'd be fulfilling something outside of our control. It wouldn't be us. And you know how I am."

Sonsaku then retorts angrily. "That's bullshit and you know it. That night at Houken's says otherwise. I felt the magic that night. I know you did too. I never regretted that night since. I do regret how me and Ton fell apart, but me and you. We were meant to be. Whether our mothers liked it or not. Ryuu-chan would have never-"

Kaji also fires back. "Stop that, Hakufu! Stop being petty! It wasn't going to work! Stop living in the past. Kakouton was a good fucking man, and you blew it. Goddamn it, stop Sonsaku! And honestly, I did regret that night at Houken's! I mean I was drunk and all, but fuck I knew what I was doing. Ryubi didn't deserve that or the snide glares both your mother and mine gave her. She was a good girl, and honestly you didn't deserve it either. You DO deserve to be with a man who will legitimately love you the way you should be. Maybe it'll be Ton, maybe it'll be Shuuyu. Maybe it'll be someone else, but I-I just didn't love you like that. I'm sorry that I was your first, but you'll do better. You'll have to! Because you and me will never be again!"

Sonsaku then quietly asks. "Oh... Really?" Kaji sadly nods at her. She begins tearing up.

Kaji then begins feeling bad and frowns at that while trying to calm her down. "Damn it, no! Don't cry, Hakufu! I didn't mean it like that. It's just... ugh. This shit so complicated. Hey, why don't we go now? You can get me up to date on what happened since that day, okay?"

Sonsaku then begins faking her happiness by plastering on an obviously fake smile for Kaji's sake. "O-okay!"

Kaji then rolls his eyes at her faking her complete 180 in emotions that rapidly. He has an annoyed expression on his face as they walk to the car. Both at her insistence in being a part of his "romantic" life and at himself for somehow still leading her on giving her false hope. Sonsaku just stands waiting for Kaji to open the door for her. While she waits Kaji opens the driver's door and gets in. He then looks at Sonsaku standing outside of the car.

Kaji then looks at Sonsaku confusedly. "What are you waiting for? Get in. I'm not obliged to open your door for you, if that was what you were waiting for."

She pouts and gets in the car. Kaji begins to drive. While he's driving, Sonsaku opts to start up another conversation with him. "So what have you been doing all summer?"

Kaji then answered. "I traveled and played video games. You?"

Sonsaku then smiled as she recalled what happened over the summer. "I worked at the cafe with Mou-chan. We had so much fun. We went to some amusement parks, shopping, concerts."

Kaji then cracks a smile at that. "It sounds like you had fun... I'm glad..."

Sonsaku then continues. "And you missed out on the BBQs at Houken's... His ribs are the bomb!"

Kaji then turns his head towards her. "Huh? What did you just say?"

Sonsaku then repeats herself but a little trepiditiously. "The ribs are the bomb..."

Kaji then laughs at that. "You know that term was outdated years ago. Like 5 years or so, haha." Sonsaku smiles at Kaji laughing at her faux paus.

Kan'u then begins to recap what happened to her today. "Ryuubi... Something odd happened while I was changing Hakkin. He looked to his side and laughed as if there was someone there... But there wasn't anyone there."

Ryuubi then looks thoughtfully before speaking. "Hm? Maybe it's "him"..."

Kan'u then looks down thoughtfully. "Kin..."

Ryuubi then shakes her head and slightly chuckles to herself. "Then again it maybe nothing... I don't believe in supernatural stuff like that. If there's no way to justify it scientifically."

Kan'u then deadpans at her. "Thanks Gentoku. Way to be a bitch! Also, you know that most of the shit we do classifies as "supernatural" right?"

Kaji and Sonsaku arrive at the Sons home. Sonsaku is the first to get out the car. Kaji walks her to her door. Sonsaku then turns towards Kaji and speaks excitedly. "Come on. Go in with me."

Kaji then frowns again. "Eh. I'll pass. Thanks though."

Sonsaku then pulls on his arm and begins begging. "Pleeeeeeeaaaaaasssssse... My mom hasn't seen you in ages."

Kaji becomes irritated again and sighs. "Why can't you just... Fine... But only a few minutes."

Kan'u has a jaded look on her face. Meanwhile, Goei opens the door, disheveled in her appearance.

Ryuubi then face-palms herself. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that... I was just saying that-"

Kaji then raises an eyebrow at Goei's appearance. "Having a rough day, Goei?"

Kan'u then huffs at that. "It's okay..."

Goei then speaks. "It's not easy taking care of kids when you yourself are pregnant..."

"Well see ya... I gotta go bye, haha." Ryuubi then awkwardly waves at Kan'u and Hakkin before heading off with Ryofu.

Kaji then speaks. "It seems I missed some things..." Then he let what Goei said matriculate into his brain and is appropriately surprised. "Wait a minute! You're still fertile? Damn, what the fuck happened?"

Goei slaps Kaji and huffs at his joke. "Of course I am, you asshole. Your mom probably is too."

Kouhiko then kicks Sousou in the side lightly, waking him up. Sousou then looks around and doesn't see Chouro, so he then gets up and looks at Kouhiko. "Damn, that guy left. So, what I miss?"

"A lot..." Kouhiko sighed.

Kakuka then answered in slightly more detail, but he was still crabby wth Chouro's comment. "All of class... And a near fight..."

Kaji then rubs his slapped cheek. "Okay. First off, that was uncalled for. Second, ew. Don't do that, Ms. Goei. Third, who's the un... Uh, I mean lucky man?"

Goei then smirks as she then speaks to Kaji. "I'll show you... X~!" She calls out to him.

Sousou then sighs and speaks. "Oh... Well, then, night night..." He lays back down and tries to fall back asleep, but is kicked harder by Kouhiko. He then rolls his eyes. "Okay, okay. I'll stay up. What a pain in the ass you are, Houken."

Kakuka then grins at the scene in front of him. "Moutoku, you know he's right though. You can't just sleep away the year... We should do something now that school is over. What do you think, Ton?"

X comes downstairs looking like he just woke up. He then looks at Goei and speaks. "Yeah? What's going on, babe?"

Kaji just stares at the scene in front of him. "..." He then thinks to himself. (Wow...)

Back at Seito, Ryuubi and Ryofu are preparing to leave when Ryofu pulls out a second helmet from her bike.

Kanpei turns to Chouhi and speaks. "I don't like this."

Chouhi then glowers as well. "Me either, Pei."

"Put this on." Ryofu hands the helmet to Ryuubi.

Ryuubi nods and puts on the helmet. "Right." Both get on the motorcycle.

"Okay, hold on to me tight." Ryofu places Ryuubi's hands on her hips. She then asks her. "Are you ready, Ryuubi?"

Ryuubi then excitedly yells. "Yeah!" The roar of the bike can be heard again as Ryofu and Ryuubi ride off on her motorcycle.

Bashoku just watches them leave. "And there they go..."

Kakouton just shrugs his shoulders. "Hell if I know... Might as well though."

Kakouen then makes her presence known as she and Kyocho comes back into the group. "I'm going with Houken..."

"And I'm heading to Goei's to pick up the kids." Kouhiko said.

Kakuka the nods at that. "Well. See ya around then. I'm going to get some beer and then to the cafe. Wanna come with me?"

X and Kaji look at each other. X is the first to speak. "What's up, Kaji?"

Kaji then responds, still perplexed as to why X was with Goei or even how he knew her in the first place. "Not much, X."

"Later." Kouhiko said as he and Kakouen leave Kyosho.

Kakouton then nods at Kakuka. "Sure, I'll come with. Come on Moutoku."

Sousou then shrugs his shoulders. "Sure. Lead the way."

Goei smiles. "Awww, you know each other."

X then chuckles at that. "We met a while back..."

Sonsaku then shuffles around nervously while quickly speaking. "Uh, well Mom, X. Kaji and I are going upstairs to watch a movie." She then grabs Kaji's arm and tries to move, but Kaji is stubborn and remains rooted in place.

Kaji then breaks the hold. "Uhh yeah, I don't think so."

Goei then smiles with her eyes full of mirth as she wanted to tease Kaji. "Oh? Someone is a bit stubborn. I bet you found a new girlfriend, Kaji."

Kaji thenrubs his head and lies. "Nah, I haven't..."

Sonsaku then nudges Goei. "Mom, can't you guys make him go upstairs with me?"

Goei then turns to her daughter and speaks to her. "Not really..." But feeling bad for her, Goei looks at Kaji and tries to persuade him. "Why don't you do it just for old time's sake?"

Kaji then shakes his head at her. "I'll pass... I know what that leads to..." He then turns towards Sonsaku and chides her. "Also Sonsaku, what did we talk about earlier."

Sonsaku then huffs, then pouts and stomps her way into the house and up the stairs to her room by herself.

X then frowns and chides him. "Now, aren't you such a polite guy? You said you didn't have a girlfriend right? You could have placated her, man."

Kaji ignores him and then changes the subject. "So, I guess Houken is coming soon huh..."

Goei then just looks at Kaji owlishly, not appreciating him ignoring her man, but answering his question anyways. "Yeah... Anyways, come on in Kaji."

Kaji does so as X also walks back in with her. From there, Goei then goes and gets the children of Kouhiko and Chou'un and holds the three infants in her arms as they sleep. "Ugh. These three are a handful. How can Houken and Chou'un be so calm?"

Kaji then shrugs his shoulders. "Hell if I know... I don't have kids."

Goei then sighs. "Well, I should be expecting the two soon enough. They usually come around this time, everyday they have school."

A knock at door is heard, and Kaji remarks. "It's probably them."

Goei heads for the door and opens it. Kaji looks and notices Kouhiko at the door.

Kaji then greets him. "Houken. What's up man?"

X greets him as well. "Hey Ciro!"

Kouhiko then walks in and greets the two guys. "Hey guys. I'm here for the little ones. Chou'un still needs a ride."

Goei then pouts at him. "These three are chaotic, how do you manage?"

Kouhiko then raises an eyebrow at her. "Huh? They seem out of character then, normally they're quiet."

X then notices something and brings it to Kouhiko's attention. "Who's your friend behind you?"

Kakouen waves as Kouhiko introduces her to him. "Kakouen Myousai, she goes to the same school as me."

Kakouen moves close to Kaji and speaks to him. "Hi... Kaji."

Kaji then looks at Kakouen questioningly. "Uhhh... Hello... Ungh." He then thinks to himself while temporarily holds his stomach which causes X to look at him with his brow raised, but he doesn't say anything. (That pang again. Seriously, why does this shit happen around her? Fuck it, I'm ignoring you now.)

X notices this and doesn't say anything. "..."

"So what's going on with you?" Kaji asks as he looks at Kouhiko.

Kouhiko answers. "Not much."

Kakouen then pokes Kaji in his side softly, then when he turns to her, she asks. "Kaji, can I use your phone for a sec?"

"I guess..." Kaji then gives her his phone. Kakouen 'dials' several numbers before handing it back. She was actually going through his phone.

Kakouen then frowns at that. "No games... Darn." (Hm. This should be useful for... that...)

Kaji puts the phone back in his pocket, he then asks either Kakouen or Kouhiko. "So. What happened around your way at school?"

Kouhiko sighed and answered. "Well, we found our Taoist."

Kaji puts his hands up as if he doesn't know what he's talking about. Kakouen cuts in and adds her thoughts. "The guy's a real dick."

Kaji then raises an eyebrow at her. "Are you sure this guy is an ass? You said that about me at one point..."

Kouhiko then answers. "Yeah, he's nothing like you were though. You might have been a bit standoffish, he was definitely trying to start shit. His introduction involved insulting all of us to prompt a fight. Something about testing our 'cameraderie' or some bullshit."

Kaji then hums at that. "I guess a fight didn't happen. If there had been it would be news at Nanyo already..."

"Almost was though. Kyocho nearly beat his ass." Kouhiko corrected.

Kaji then tilts his head at that. "Huh? She's usually a statue..."

"Yeah, but she's a good girl at heart. She was protecting Sousou." Kouhiko agreed.

"So he attacked first then?" Kaji asked.

Kakouen nodded her head. "Yes."

Kaji then frowns at that. "Don't think I'll like this guy..."

Kouhiko then sighed at that. "Yep..."

"..." Kaji thinks about what happened at his own school and frowns at that as well.

Kakouen then senses this and asks. "Um... How was your day, Kaji?"

"Pretty normal." Kaji looks somewhat annoyed at having to think about it or honestly, having to take Sonsaku back to her house.

Kakouen then worries about his mood and asks for clarification. "What's wrong?"

Kaji sighs and comes clean with her. "Well, it's just that the Nanyo guys just expect me to accept them after what happened last year. I told them otherwise. Although, I do feel somewhat conflicted about that."

Kakouen gets up close. "Kaji... I accept you... Do you accept me?"

Kouhiko is weirded out by her and moves her away. He thinks to himself for a second. (This is left field as all hell, what are you doing Kakouen?) He then voices how he feels. "Before things get creepy..."

Kaji then rubs the back of his neck. "I guess I'll be going now... I have homework to do... Bye all."

"Alright then. I'll be on my way as well." Kouhiko takes the infants and leaves with Kakouen.

Kaji checks his phone as he drives home. He notices a text which causes him to look through his contacts. But he doesn't find anyone who he recognizes the number of as the sender of the text. "Alright, what's this text say. Huh? "Slippery when wet?" Who the fuck is this? What the shit does that mean?"

He begins typing a text message. "Who is this?"

He sends the message. Kaji receives a message. The text says. "Meet me here..."

The message reveals the location of the sender. Kaji detours and goes to the address. He finds a house.. He then goes and knocks on the door. The door opens, but with no one at the door. Flower petals lead into a bedroom. Kaji follows the trail into the room. Through the open door is Kakouen, laying on her bed, surrounded by sakura petals in nothing but a white bra and thong.

Kakouen flirtily addresses him. "Hello, Kaji..."

Kaji takes pause for a second while he thinks to himself. (Huh? This is new? What is it with these assassins and doing weird shit to seduce me. First Bashoku, now her.) He then shakes the cobwebs from his head and puts on his game face. "Ms. Myousai, are you trying to seduce me?:

Kakouen giggles. "Yes... I am." She says as the panties and bra are quickly removed. Kaji then feels a pain in his stomach that causes him to double over while clutching his stomach. Kakouen sees this as she runs over to him and holds him up. "Kaji! A-are you okay? What happened?"

Kaji then growls at that. "I don't fucking know! This is relatively new." He then stands up and shakes himself off. "But who cares. We were in the middle of something."

Kakouen then asks in concern. "Are you sure?"

Kaji nods at her. "Yep. Now let's go."

Kakouen then skeptically says. "Okay." Afterwards, she then helps Kaji out of his clothes, to which Kaji notices that she was hurried in her approach.

Kaji then chuckles at that. "Heh. I guess you weren't joking earlier."

Kaji continues to watch her to take his clothes off with a lust in her eyes. His eyes widen at the sight of her curves. Kaji then thinks to himself and two comical versions of him appear. One represents an angel, or his conscience. The other represents a devil, or his desires. The Angel begins. "You have a girlfriend. And what about the mission Sonshi gave you? You don't have forever. The sooner the better, you know." The Devil then takes over the conversation and argues back. "But hey she has other people too. Even if all of them are other girls. Don't let this pass you by. Ryofu is probably seducing someone right now. And who said you couldn't take a little time to yourself to enjoy the female flesh. Two years is quite a longggggg time, man."

Meanwhile Ryofu is still joyriding with Ryuubi.

'No... I wasn't..." Kakouen then stands up and moves even closer to Kaji. He hesitantly puts his hands around her waist.

Kaji then hums at that. "Hm..."

Kakouen wraps her arms around Kaji's shoulders. He looks her in the eye. The pang returns but this time Kaji straight-up ignores it altogether. Kakouen prepares for a kiss. Kaji kisses her deeply as he "rises". Kakouen notices that and then traps his member betwixt her soft thighs and begins rubbing herself against him. Due to this, she is now near the point of orgasm already, being very sensitive. She enjoys the kiss and the ministrations.

Kaji then lays her on the bed and and releases his member from it's underwear-clad prison as he climbs on top of her. Kakouen is giddy at what's about to happen and coos at him. "Yes... Give it to me. You can come inside... After all, hehe, it's a cool afternoon, and it's nice and cozy."

He then pushes himself in with force and power. The loud clapping of skin reverberates through the home. Kakouen immediately shakes, and remembers something. Kakouen then panics inside of her head. (OH SHIT! I forgot to take the medicine! A-ahn! K-Kaji!)

Kaji continues to pound away while gently nibbling on her neck. Kakouen's face contorts in all different shaps, trying to hold back the yellow river. He increases the pace going in for the proverbial kill. Kakouen can't take anymore as she manages to pull him out of her at the crucial moment and slips away to run for the bathroom.

Kaji looks confused by that and voices his displeasure. "H-huh? What was that for? I didn't even get to finish. Ugh, total blue balls."

He turns on the TV as Kakouen stumbles out and lays on the bed. Kakouen then blushes in embarrassment at that episode. "Ehehe... I, uh, seemed to have forgotten to take my bladder pill..."

"Way to be prepared, Kakouen." Kaji then laughs at the mishap.

"Yeah..." Kakouen laughs as well, now that the moment has passed.

Kaji then calms down from his laughing fit and smiles at her. "I guess we'll have to redo this some other time, huh."

Kakouen then smiles at him. "Yes. I'm definitely looking forward to it..."

Kaji then gets serious and looks her in the face. "Now that's over with and we agree that we'll do this again. Tell me something. What did you mean by "accept me"? Remember when you said that while at Goei's?"

He leans back on the bed as Kakouen then lays on him. She then explains what she was talking about. "What I meant is that I want... I want to be your number one girl."

Kakouen turns to him with a smile. Meanwhile, Kaji looks out of the window and frowns at that. "T-That might not be possible... And if it was it won't be easy to do that. I'm living to die, now. It can happen anytime. And even if I don't, I have a mission to fulfill. I can't tell you about it right now, but know that it's very important. You probably shouldn't get involved with me."

He looks down which causes Kakouen to snuggle close to Kaji. Kakouen then holds him close to her. "You're going about it all wrong. You need to live for the sake of living, and think about death only when it comes. And we all have our secrets, Kaji. I want to get "involved" with you. Of my own accord."

Kaji then continues while frowning despite being wrapped up in Kakouen's warmth. "I-I stopped being a follower of the Toushi. I've stopped being a Martial Artist. Ever since that day my life has been..."

He looks down and is unable to finish the sentence. "..." Then he finds the strength to continue and does so in a more animated, and angry fashion. "Everyone deserts you once you make a mistake. They all turn against you. That's not a friend. That's not love. Fuck them and fuck the Toushi! Fuck everything!"

Kakouen holds him tight and also frowns at his outburst. "You forget that there are people who don't care, and still love you."

Kaji then rests his head on her breasts. "You think so?"

Kakouen holds Kaji gently. "I know so." He looks up at her and sees something in her eyes, something he can't quite put his finger on. So he slightly changes the topic. "Just curious, why are you so loyal to Sousou when you already know what will happen?"

Kakouen then frowns again. "Because..." She pauses temporarily before continuing. "He saved me..."

Kaji then looks at her in concern as she just abruptly stopped talking. "From what?"

Kakouen then becomes temporarily angry at herself, before quickly dashing those emotions. "War... And rape..."

Kaji is shocked by what he's hearing, but presses on. "And know you feel you owe your life to him?"

Kakouen then tersely nods her head at him and speaks. "Yes... I do owe my life to him."

Kaji then gets serious again and tries to dissaude her. "He will continue to hold that over your head..."

Kakouen then sighs at the conversation and where it's heading. "It's not my place to harm him... That is for another."

Kaji presses the issue onward. "He will eventually use that influence to force you to do something you disagree with..."

She thinks of all the possibilities, all of them sexual. Kakouen then shrugs her shoulders. "Eh... Not seeing anything yet... Or rather, anything I do already do."

Kaji then rolls his eyes at her. "That's not what I meant..." He looks serious and that was the indicator for Kakouen to take his comment seriously. "Oh, now I do see something..."

Kaji then presses on. "Well, what do you see?"

Kakouen then frowns once again and this time, she sighs at having to answer him. "H-Having to fight you..."

Kaji is stunned by the fact that she actually verbalized where he was getting at. "..." While he doesn't verbally say anything, he does conceptualize it in a thought. (I didn't think that she'd come right out and say it.)

He then looks at her with the utmost seriousness he can muster. Then Kaji shakes his head and tries to assauge her newfound fears. "Maybe it will and maybe it won't. You never know in this world."

Kakouen then responds seriously to him as if she was making a pledge of loyalty to him. "I-I'd rather fake my own death than even lay a hand on you in spite..." She then thinks to herself. (And that's a promise! Sousou, I...)

Kaji then frowns at that. "You know, we ARE on different sides. The day will come when you will have to make a choice... Is that something you can deal with?"

Kakouen then shakes her head and closes her eyes. "Unfortunately, yes. I can..."

Kaji then shaes his head and rids himself of the thoughts. "Meh, now is too early to be thinking of that anyway." He then thinks to himself. (Why don't I believe her? Is that what those stomach pains have been for? They were warning me of her. But why?)

Kakouen kisses him. "Of course..."

After he breaks the kiss, Kaji then sighs and goes to put his clothes back on. "Huh. Hey, you mind if I take a raincheck on this, Kakouen?"

Kakouen's eyes then widens as she looks at him incredulously. "W-what? W-why? D-did I do something wrong? A-Am I m-moving too fast?" She spoke in a slightly panicked tone that had Kaji take an involuntary step back before trying to assauge her fears.

"U-uh. N-No. I-It's just that I remembered that my Mom asked me to do something after I said my piece to Goei and dropped Sonsaku off. I-I just got carried away. Ahaha. I would love to contonue, but you know..." Kaji trailed off, hoping that she would buy his story.

Kakouen then takes a deep breath and calms herself down. "Ah. I-I see. You might want to take care of that, I'd hate for anything to happen to you because you were playing around with me. Just promise me that you'll see me again. Okay?"

Kaji then nods his head at her. "Yeah. Of course I will. I never did get to finish after all. Well, until next time." Kaji then walks out of her house, carefully shutting the door behind him as Kakouen watched his retreating form until she heard his car door slam and then she hears the revving of the engine and then hears him drive away. She just continued to look at where Kaji was standing and had gotten misty-eyed.

"D-damn it!" She cursed to noone in particular. "H-How could I have forgotten to take my damn pills. C'mon Kakouen old girl, you've got to be better than that. Especially if it's going to help out... N-No. T-that comes later. T-this is for you right now." She then goes to clean her apartment of the rose petals and locks her door as she sighs to herself once more at her missed opportunity. (I will get you, Kaji Ryuken. One way or another.)

With Kaji in his car. (Ah man, I hope that she bought that. I could have came up with something better. And I've really have got to get to the reason why I'm having these damn stomach pains around Kakouen of all people. I know that she goes to Kyosho and that Sousou has apparently been acting a bit more underhanded than before. B-but I still don't know why my body's doing this. It's not like I've not slept with enemy generals before. But Ryuubi nor Ryofu gave me this sort of reaction before though. Hm... Maybe I should talk to Houken about this. See what he thinks. But... I'll do that later. I'll just focus on me for right now.) He then feels a slight bulging of his pants and remembers Kakouen's fumble. "D-damn it. I've got to go back and get her to fix this. Fucking bladder issues, man. Greatest cockblock ever. Ugh." Kaji then drives off back to Ryofu's place.

Meanwhile with Rikaku and his troupe, all besides Ranmaru and the bus driver are asleep on the bus. Ranmaru then stealthily walks up to the bus driver and begins quietyle conversing with him.

"So. How do you think Lady Nobunaga will take to them?" Ranmaru asked.

"Bwaha! I'm not sure Lord Ranmaru. But from what I've seen, I think that she'll have her work cut out for her." The Bus Driver replied.

"Yes. I can tell that there's something there, but to be able to refine these Kanto Toushi to becoming warriors that she can depend on. Especially if that bastard Seuq's out there running amok like Lord Rikaku said." Ranmaru said which got the Bus Driver to squint his eyes.

"Indeed. I still haven't forgotten that day Twenty Years ago... That fucker really made a mess of Japan. Hah... I wish I could still fight." The Bus Driver gritted his teeth to which Ranmaru placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. "Yeah. I know! I know! But still- The fqact that we have to rely on other regions, especially Kanto in order to fix their problem."

"Yes. But I'm not holding it against Lord Rikaku. For some reason, I feel that he really wants to kill Seuq as much as we do." Ranmaru said.

"Even so... With that power level, how much use can they actually be towards that goal?" The Bus Driver quipped.

"I'm not sure. However, I'm willing to give it a shot. If it fails, Lady Nobunaga will just kill them. Mouri or no..." Ranmaru said as he then trailed off, causing the Bus Driver to sigh at that.

"I get it. I get it. No need to say anything unnecessary after all. Heh, it's not like I don't like the kid or whatever. I'm just concerned. And with Kanto heading towards it's Civil War, this might just be the best that we can get. We've just got to sure up just in case Kansai decides to get froggy." The Bus Driver said.

"Indeed. It is weird that Lady Himiko missed the last Great Daimyo War Council. Everyone else was there." Ranmaru said.

"Hmp. Indeed. Remind me young Ran, who's all the Great Daimyo's of Japan again?" The Bus Driver inquired.

"Are you sure that I should be divulging that information, what if they wake up." Ranmaru said trepiditiously.

"Bah. They're going to find out sooner or later anyways." The Bus Driver said as he looked past Ranmaru via his mirro and saw something that caught his attention but he didn't want to call attention to it yet. "Now, for my question."

"Right. First there's the daimyo of Kansai, Lady Himiko. Then we move west to Chuugoku where it's daimyo is the mystic, Lady Amakusa Shiro Tokisada. From there we go to the Kyushu and Okinawa region where then Kung-Fu Master, Fang Qinaing resides. Then the daimyo of the Shikoku region is the reincarnated patron Sarutahiko Okami. Then the daimyo of the Tohoku region is the samurai nun, Hasekura Tsunenaga. Then the daimyo of the Hokkaido region is the gun-totting commodore, Matthew Perry. Then our own daimyo of Chubu, Lady Nobunaga Oda, and lastly Kanto who currently have no daimyo as Kentei was assassinated by Seuq Boros Nosam during the Incident of Twenty Years ago." Ranmaru recollected for the Bus Driver.

"Thank you, Ranmaru. Did you get all of that, Rikaku?" He said as Ranamru snapped his head back and saw Rikaku staring at the two.

"L-L-Lord R-R-R-Rikaku?! W-What-" Ranmaru sputtered as Rikaku then begin to lightly chuckle to himself.

"While I WAS alseep, geezer's laugh woke me up. Then I got to wondering, just what you were talking about. So... Seuq's fucked up more than just Kanto huh?" Rikaku asked as he clenched a fist.

"Hah... Yes. He's done this over twenty years ago. He was the reason that the Toushi Court Guard Squadron was even erected in the first place." Ranmaru began to explain.

"And what was their original purpose?" Rikaku asked.

"Their purpose was to protect us from that asshole. Damn it Dad... H-How could you let him slip away like that!" Chousen said as she had come to to hear the conversation.

"L-Lady Chousen?" Ranmaru said, turnign his head towards her.

"Yeah. I wasn't actually asleep. And you know... I've was always wondering about you Twiggy. You have such an odd power for someone who 'can't fight'." Chousen added.

"Eh, well. I-" Ranmaru sputtered out, when the recently awakened Toujin noticed a huge sign and brought everyone's attention to it.

"Oh. So we've made it to Chubu, huh?" Toujin said which got everyone's attention. Ranmaru breathed a sigh of relief knowing that would take everyone's attention off of him.

"Huh? I see it's a bit more rural than I thought it would be." Ou Sei said.

"Yes. It does seem a bit more rustic. I think I'll like it here." You Hou added.

"So. How much farther do we need to go?" Rikaku asked.

"It's probably another two hours or so before we arrive at our destination. Provided nothing happens between now and then." The Bus Driver said. "I would suggest that you guys get some legit sleep this time. You're not going to like what the welcome committee has in store for you lot."

"Huh?" Rikaku said in confusion.

"No! No more backtalk, sleep!" The Bus Driver said with finality in his voice. This for some reason cowed the Rikaku force to doing just that. Unbeknownst to them, the Bus Driver had used his power of Subtle Hypnosis to get them to agree to his request as he didn't want them to find out the secret entrance to Nobunaga's personal domain. Ranmaru, having being aware of this had infused Ki into his breathing in order to break the supplanted "request".

"Alright. Alright. I get it. We'll comply... For now." Rikaku said as he yawned. "Guys take a nap." Rikau said as he then sat back in his seat qand then suddenly fell asleep. Before long, everyone else was asleep as well. Once Ranmaru confirmed that they were actually asleep, he then looked to the Bus Driver and spoke. "Why'd you say it would take them another two hours to get there, it would only take fifteen minutes on foot?"

"I was told to take them to Nobunaga herself who IS two hours away in another part of her castle." The Bus Driver said.

"I wonder why?" Ranmaru asked.

"I dunno. But i bet it'll be interesting what Nobunaga will have in store for them though. And speaking of sleep, I suggest that you get you some as well, Ranmaru." The Bus Driver said.

"Hm. I see. I was going to go to sleep as well. You didn't need to use your Hypnosis on them." Ranmaru complained as he went back to his seat.

"Yeah yeah. I know that eventually we'l have to tell them everything. But... I didn't want a fight on my bus and those Kanto hotheads would have tried to fight you." The Bus Driver replied in a smart-ass tone.

"Yeah... I-I guess so. Well, I'll see you later on. I guess." Ranamru said as he then laid back in his seat and then drifted off to sleep.

"Yeah, you will Ranmaru. Heh. Well..." The Bus Driver said as his grin then dropped and he got serious. "Well. Let's get to work, I guess." He then pressed his foot on the gas and drove even faster until he hit a "sweet spot" and vanished from regular eye of sight and entered a special road only those of Nobunaga's Imperial line knew about.

-END OF CHAPTER ONE