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.

6. Council

CHAPTER SIX: Council

Shuutai approaches Gakushuu who stands firmly in place. Gakushuu then squints his eyes and merely a second later, he then lunges in with a powerful punch. Shuutai blocks, not budging at all to Gakushuu's power. Gakushuu punches several more times, each being blocked by Shuutai. He then cocks his arm back to throw a heavy haymaker Shuutai parries him sending him backwards. He then goes hard elbow to the stomach.

Meanwhile back at her house, Kakouen wakes up, only to doddle herself to the thought of Kaji.

Gakushuu is knocked back. He doubles over to the impact of the elbow. Shuutai begins drawing on his Ki as he pursues Gakushuu. His foot begins to illuminate with green energy. Gakushuu looks on and grumbles to himself. "Shit." He meanwhile thinks. (He got me. Heh. Good one, Youhei. Heh, we DON'T need Ryuken now that we got him.)

Shuutai then belts out his attack. "Jinpuu Kyaku Ken! (Gale Blade Kick.)" He stops the kick prior to hitting him in the face. The force of the kick shreds Gakushuu's shirt leaving his chest bare. There is loud clapping that can be heard. Shuutai and Gakushuu then turn towards the sound of the clapping.

Saji then walks up to the group, clapping obviously pleased with what he's seen. "Good. Good. It looks like you're in, kid."

Kouhiko then returns home to find Anna sleeping nude on the couch, as she and Murasame had left earlier before Kouhiko and Chou'un's second romp. He covers his eyes as Chou'un enters, she moves Anna to the upstairs bedroom and returns downstairs and sighs to herself. "I swear, that girl has no manners... Hah. But I know that's just how she is."

Kouhiko then sighs as well and speaks. "Yeah..." He then commiserates in his mind. (Damn it, Master Murasame. Why did you tell her to 'go for it.' Or is this Dante's doing? I've heard that he sleeps in the buff as well.)

Ryomou then walks up to the three boys and speaks in an authoritative tone. "Welcome to our ranks..."

Shuutai then bows in Ryomou's presence. "Thank you, Master Ryomou."

Ryomou then nods appreciatively at that. "Hm. We're expecting big things from you, Shuutai Youhei. Also, just Ryomou is fine."

Rikuson who walked up with Ryomou had then began to speak. "I guess we have to fill you in on all that's happened so far..."

Shuutai nods at that and she then begins telling him about the Yellow Scarf Rebellion and the Toutaku conflict. She then furrowed her brows when she gets to the most recent events. "Most recently, Nanban High has risen to become a most dangerous foe. They assaulted Seito last week and nearly kidnapped their leader Ryuubi Gentoku."

Saji then speaks. "Because of that, their facility got totaled."

Ryomou then speaks. "For now some of Seito's students have transferred here until their school is restored." Ryomou then points over to where Ryofu and Kan'u were standing off to the distance.

Ryofu observes the the new student from a distance. "Hm. The new boy seems strong. What are they up to?" She looks over to Kan'u who stands leaning on the other side of the tree. Both are dressed in Nanyo uniforms.

Meanwhile at Kyosho, Ryuubi sits on a table outside reading. She is quite enjoying herself alone. She looks around and thinks to herself. (It's so quiet here... It's kinda eerie, yet nice at the same time. Weird...)

She is then encountered by Kyocho, who for a second glowers at her but manages to catch herself and dons a professional tone and demeanor in her speech. "Oh, hello Lady Ryuubi Gentoku..." She then glowers as her real thoughts come out. (Tch. Why can't I just snap her neck already? She's not a particularly worthwhile threat to anyone. Dragon or not. Why do you have to seduce her, Mou-kun? Why can't it be me that you're...)

Ryuubi then puts her book down and then looks up at the imposing figure of Kyocho. "Hi... Um, Kyocho was it?"

Kyocho then nods at her and answers stiffly. "Yes. I am Kyocho. Kyocho Chuukou." She then looks down at the book that Ryuubi is reading and becomes intrigued by it. "What are you reading?"

Ryuubi then beams at that and answers. "To Kill a Mocking Bird. You know about this book?"

Kyocho then nods her head at her inquiry. "Nice." She then thinks to herself. (…That is a good book. Nothing changes how I feel about you though.)

Ryuubi then smiles at that. "It's one of my favorites. Hey, would you like to read it together? Or for me to read it to you? Ehehe, sorry if it seems that I'm pushy, but it's really lonesome by myself. All my friends are off exploring the campus."

Kyocho then hums to herself. "Hm. I'm fine. But I'll stay here with you for a little bit until your friends come back." She then sits down and pulls out her sewing kit and begins to sew.

Ryuubi then notices her beginning to sew. "You know how to sew?"

Kyocho then nods and lets a small smile break on her face. "It's my favorite hobby."

"Could you teach me?" Ryuubi says as she puts the book down. "I-if that would b-be okay with you? My uniforms always getting torn or I'm outgrowing them and I always feel bad when I have to order new uniforms. I hate having to 'break in' a new uniform, it takes so long. I honestly would like to add to this one."

Kan'u then pulls on her uniform and growls to herself. (I hate this damned vest... It's so itchy. Why can't they get breathable material like Seito's uniform? And damn I feel hot with this covering my midriff. Why do they wear vests in the freaking Spring, it's so damn humid already.) She looks over at Ryofu and speaks. "Meh. Things could be worse..."

Ryofu then frowns at that and speaks. "It will probably get that way. You know who still hasn't arrived for the meeting. He's three hours late. Also, I agree Kan'u."

Kan'u then looks at Ryofu inquisitively. "Agree about what, Ryofu?"

"These uniforms fucking suck. They are kind of itchy. I do find Seito's uniform to be unilaterally better." Ryofu chimed.

"See. I knew being friends with you was worth it. You just get it, Ryofu." Kan'u said as she chuckled to herself. Ryofu then smirks at her as well.

Soon a familiar face strolls into the courtyard after being dropped off by Kouhiko. Out of uniform as always, Kaji walks in cigarette hanging from his mouth. He then does a preemptive look-around and doesn't see anything out of the ordinary and shrugs his shoulders. "Alright then. Let's get this shit over with. I hope they got some good food in the Cafeteria today."

Kan'u then sees Kaji pull up and has a wistful look on her face. "Kaji..."

Upon his second look-around, Kaji then looks over to the tree spotting Kan'u and Ryofu. He squints his eyes to see if his eyes were playing tricks on him but when the two girls waved to him, he figured that they were actually there and then put two and two together and figured that they had temporarily transferred due to the Nanban attack. He then nods to acknowledge them but continues on his way.

Ryofu then says as she gets closer to the situation. "Let's go see what's going on."

Kaji arrives at field and walks over to the group of generals, fist bumping with his brother Shin. "What's up, bro."

Shin then reciprocates the fist bump and then shrugs his shoulders. "Nothin' much. By the way, you're kind of late."

Kaji then shrugs his shoulders. "Yeah, I know..."

Keijuu then frowns slightly at that and softly chides. "Mr. Kaji..."

Shuuyu just shakes his head as his girlfriend tightens her hold on his arm. Rikuson then cuts in and chides him. "You know better than that, Kaji."

Kaji ignores her and instead looks at Shokatsuryou. "What's up, Koumei?"

Shokatsuryou then smiles at Kaji. "Not much, Kaji."

Kan'u does what Ryofu suggests and gets closer to listens to the conversation currently happening.

Rikuson is temporarily upset that Kaji ignored her but schools her emotions and continues on. "Alright, let's begin. Kaji Ryuken, you have been summoned here because we have some questions about some of your activities as of late."

Kaji then raises an eyebrow at Rikuson and asks. "Activities?"

Gakushuu then steps up to clarify her point. "Mainly about what happened at the Nanban hideout yesterday."

Ryomou then asks as well. "I want to know, why did you go there?"

Kaji then hardened his gaze and answered. "I got tired of waiting. Besides they tried to kidnap Ryuubi. They would have done God knows what if I hadn't been wandering around the Seito area. You guys were taking too long to make a move so I made one myself."

"So she was right." Shokatsuryou stated. Kaji realizes Shokatsuryou is probably going to take part of the conversation and that she knew of what he had done at Seito. Despite that, he remains serious but calm.

Shuutai interjects moving closer to Kaji. "No one gave you an order to attack Nanban. Or to go to Seito in the first place."

Kaji nearly scoffs at Shuutai but catches himself. He does tersely question him. "Who the fuc-" He then shakes his head and stays (or attempts to stay) calm as he answers. "This meeting doesn't involve you. Whoever you are. I suggest you get out of my face before I break yours. Don't step up to me like that again."

Shuutai then openly scoffs at Kaji's threat. "Hmph. Pathetic. You're uncomfortable with the situation so you resort to violence. That's general material right there."

Sonsaku then steps in before the situation can escalate any further. She chides both of them. "Stop it both of you." She then looks at Kaji and introduces the two. "This is our newest general, Shuutai Youhei." She then looks at Shuutai and does the same. "Tai-kun, this is Kaji."

Gakushuu then interjects as well. "He is one of us, so he has every right to ask questions of you."

Kaji then rolls his eyes and balks at that. "Of course he is! He kisses a little ass and all of a sudden is made one of you. So how do you take it you brown-nosing shit?"

Shuutai then turns his nose up at Kaji. "A humorous one you are, Ryuken! Vulgar remarks is all you got going for you. You're far too overrated of a Martial Artist to be acting all high and mighty like you do. See, I've heard of you from before. All you've done is get lucky. So what you beat Choumei of the Yellow Scarves. So what you made an ass out of yourself at the Martial Arts demo. Hell the only thing to your record so far that amounts to any fucking thing is that you managed to tie with Ryofu Housen. Good for you. You've not done anything actually worthwhile. It's actually beyond me why people let you act the way you do, when you've not done anything worth a shit." Shuuyu merely looks at Shuutai like he has a second head as does Ryomou and Saji.

Kaji then squints his eyes as he balls up his fists preparing to scrap with Shuutai. "Is that so? You wanna test me to see how "overrated" I really am?"

Shuutai then cracks his knuckles. "Gladly. I've actually done things worthwhile that doesn't involve me being a man whore!"

Before the two can come to blows, Sonsaku steps in between them once again and chides with a bit more authority to her voice. "Seriously, be nice!"

Shuutai then clicks his tongue and decides to back down. "Yes, leader."

Sonsaku nods and smiles at Shuutai. "I think that you two should shake hands and let this, whatever this is, just drop. We don't need all of this. We're just asking about Kaji's whereabouts as we're worried about him and with this Nanban thing going on and whatever Sousou's got going on, we need all the help we can get. And fighting amongst ourselves isn't going to accomplish anything except make us weak when that time comes."

Shuutai nods back before reluctantly extending his hand to Kaji. Kaji doesn't accept the handshake and instead he flips him off. Shuutai squints his eyes at the disrespect and growls at that, but he concedes to Sonsaku's point and decides to move on. Kaji meanwhile looks to Saji and asks. "Is there anything else that I need to know about? Or answer? If not, I'm going to get to class."

Shuutai then steps in again and interjects before anyone else could. "Hold it right there, Kaji Ryuken. We've heard that you had a private conversation with Moukaku, Nanban's leader. What pray tell were you two talking about?"

Kaji then actually looks perplexed. "...How? How did you even know me and Houken went to Nanban in the first place?"

Gakushuu then answers that. "We had spies scoping out various Nanban hideouts, just in case they were to attack from any of them. They're the most vicious southern school in Kanto. Perhaps even more so than what Kyosho's become or Toutaku at his worst."

Kaji then turns his head towards Gakushuu and looks at him incredulously. "If you knew, then why in the FUCK didn't any of you assholes do anything to stop them from destroying Seito."

Gakushuu then answers. "Because they, as well as Kyosho will become our enemies. Why stick our necks out for people who wouldn't do the same for us?"

Kaji then rebuts him. "They literally did it with the whole Toutaku thing. The fuck are you talking about?"

Kan'u just squinted her visible eye at the conversation going on. "..." She then thinks to herself. (This could end up very ugly with how aggressive they're being towards him.)

Shuutai then takes the conversation back over. "It seems I struck a nerve with that question. What do you have to hide?"

He gets close again as Kaji goes on the defensive. "I didn't betray you! Is that what all of this bullshit's leading to?"

Kaji then looks Sonsaku in the eyes who just turned her head away from him and looked at the ground softly. Kaji was hurt by that and so his gaze softened as he followed that by looking at Ryomou and then Saji, then Shuuyu and Keijuu, then finally Gakushuu.

Rikuson then cuts in as well. "We don't know that. You expect us to take your word for it. As flighty as you've been especially since this year started. What have you done to earn said privilege?"

Kaji then turns towards Rikuson and glares at her hotly which does cause her to take a step back. "It's called trust. I believe that is required for an army to function properly. Hell, you fuckers been on my ass SINCE I came back."

Saji who has had enough decides to jump in and question Kaji as well. "Oh, you want to talk about trust, Kaji? Why don't you trust the system? I know you and Houken got this whole Martial Arts chivalry bullshit going on, but there are rules and protocols to EVERYTHING we do. Rules and protocols that we must follow. Is it fair? No. Is it useful? Most of the time no, but we have to follow it regardless. That or face the punishments for not doing so. The country of Japan doesn't exactly take too kindly to us to begin with and you've been skating by for far too long with your 'Devil May Care' bullshit. Worst of all, you have drug us. Hell, you've even drug Sonsaku and Shin down with you. When will you stop being so goddamn selfish?!"

Kaji then turns towards Saji and becomes extremely defensive. "Selfish?! Motherfucker, I did all of that for Ryuubi!"

Saji then refutes him. "Yeah, that's exactly what I'm talking about. For Ryuubi! Not, oh I don't know, the ACTUAL school you go to or your ACTUAL leader! You're not only throwing yourself and Houken into this shit, but us as well. Think before you fucking act! This affects all of us! But what I'm struggling to understand, is why. Why are you doing this? Why for her? A woman who let me remind you, told you to "Crawl under a fuckin' rock and Die!""

Kaji then huffs as he tries to calm himself down as he feels himself becoming lost to his own rising anger. "... Just because we broke up in the way we did, doesn't change the fact that I worry about her!"

Shuutai then cuts in once more. "And I've heard that you're currently cohabitating with a woman named Kakouen Myousai from Kyosho."

Kaji just glared at Saji in rage. Saji just shrugs at him. "Saji!" Kaji then turns to Shuutai. "And you fucking leave her out of this, shithead."

Saji then cuts in again. "Like I've said, you've been reckless. Why wouldn't I tell them? Friend or not, Nanyo comes first. You're putting all of us in danger. Do you really think that Kakouen will suddenly forget her assassin's background now that you're dicking her down? Or that Sousou wouldn't be devious enough to use her to get to you? Think about it with your head. He then points to Kaji's actual head and accentuates his point. "Your first one, for more than a second."

Kaji then asks tersely. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

Saji then spells it out for him. "Seriously... Kakouen's an assassin by trade. A damn good one at that and yet and still, you continue to prove that you're weak against women. Ryuubi's made you defy us and because of that, you've dragged us into a war with the Nanban. And considering how both you and Houken got your asses kicked and Ryofu barely escaped alive. That says to us that we just aren't ready for them. As you should know, we're still recovering our resources from Toutaku, not that you'd care about that though."

Ryofu then scowls at that. "...Dickhead. What's changed him so much? He was never like this before."

Kan'u then frowns but does try to rationalize things. "Maybe it's the responsibility of it all. I'm not sure. But the way they're going at Kaji... This had to be more than just the Nanban thing. This has all the classic signs of growing ire towards Kaji."

Ryofu then turns towards Kan'u and looks at her in shock. "You mean..."

Kan'u then stiffly nods her head and responds. "Yes... They've just found their excuse to get rid of him. They probably thought he was problematic but they couldn't get anything concrete. Even with him killing Kin seeing as how that didn't affect anyone other than them and me. And they knew that I wouldn't implicate Nanyo in Kaji doing what he did."

Kaji then defends himself hotly. "I do care! I just couldn't let them hurt Ryuubi like they were planning to. I'm sorry that I can't just forget about a woman when she leaves me like you can, oh so great Ouin Shishi."

Saji then smirks at that. "You know what... Heh, you're right. I was a shit boyfriend, to both Ryomou and Ryofu. But please don't throw stones from your glass house, Ryuken. Cause let me remind you of how you treated your leader."

Kaji then growls at him. "...Grr."

It was at this point Sonsaku jumped in, obviously uncomfortable with how Kaji was getting dressed down and so she asked in a nervous tone of voice. "Kaji... Is it true that you're dating En-chan? And why did you run into danger for Ryuu-chan but when I need you, you're never around. And when you are, you act like I'm some sort of nuisance. Why? Why Kaji, why?" Kaji bristles at that question when he sees that Sonsaku's crying at his douchiness towards her.

Kaji then frowns as it hit him like a champion's punch to the gut just how bad he had done Sonsaku, regardless of whether he thought she was girlfriend material or not. "Hakufu... I..."

Ryomou then cuts in, sadly. "Just... Please don't make this any harder, Kaji."

"..." Shin, Shokatsuryou, Keijuu nor Shuuyu had anything to add.

Sonsaku then continued on in a broken voice. "I really do want to trust you... but... I'm just tired. I'm tired of waiting for you to come back to us. To actually be one of us. T-to be by my side. I know now that it'll never be."

"..." Kaji begins tearing up at hearing Sonsaku's heartbreak.

Saji then continues on in his professional voice. "As such, we cannot blindly put faith in someone who has been as reckless as you've been."

Kaji looks stunned. His mouth widens. The hurt in his heart shows in his face. However, Shuutai who is uncaring of Kaji's anguish decides to press on. "Answer the question, Ryuken."

Kaji then thinks to himself. (This is what they really think of me, huh?)

Shokatsuryou just looks on worried about her brother-in-law. "..."

"Guys..." Shin tried to interject but was stopped by Shokatsuryou who then grabbed his hand. Shin then looked back at her and saw that she had shaken her head. He then backs down.

Shuuyu then frowns at seeing how his compatriots were going at Kaji. Sure Kaji's been reckless, but Shuuyu never thought that he was being as malicious as they were acting like he was. "Kaji..." He says with a frown. Keijuu notices this and softly hugs him. Shuuyu then turns to her and smiles as he kisses her.

Kan'u's heart aches as she watches Kaji like this. (Be strong...)

Shuutai then interjects even more harshly again. "Answer the damn question!"

Kaji then gets upset and answers back with the same intensity. "No... If I had betrayed Nanyo, we would be fighting to the death instead of talking right now."

Gakushuu then squints his eyes at him. "What! That's it? That's your great defense, Ryuken!? We're not as weak as you seem to think we are. We've handled ourselves before you and will do so after you."

Rikuson then fixes her glasses and continues. "Then you leave us no other choice... Kaji Ryuken, you are hereby suspended indefinitely."

Sonsaku then looked at Rikuson in despair and began trying to sputter out a defense for Kaji. "No... It doesn't have to be like this. We...we still-"

Gakushuu puts his hand on her shoulder and speaks firmly, but consolingly. "Regardless of your feelings for him, you are our leader. You cannot continue to let him do whatever he pleases. That is weakness on your part. You must stand strong and lend your support to us in this matter."

Ryomou then shifts around uncomfortably as she had come to like Kaji despite his personality faults. "How about we take a vote on it, at least attempt to make this fair."

Saji then shrugs his shoulders. "Sounds fair. He does deserve that. All in favor of suspending Kaji raise your hands now."

Shuutai raises his hand first followed by Rikuson. Gakushuu is next. Saji then reluctantly raises his hand. While Saji did chew him out for his recklessness, he wanted to hammer in just how serious things got for everyone and that he couldn't continue to act like he did in his freshman year. He never really wanted to kick him out even though he rationalized that Kaji wouldn't change. Saji did still like him, and on top of that, losing their strongest student to Moukaku or even worse, Sousou, isn't something that Saji, or Ouin Shishi as he is known really wants to deal with.

Sonsaku then looks around and sees the people who wanted him gone and it further broke her heart. "..."

Gakushuu and the others that voted stare at her. She slowly struggles to raise her hand. She has a look of utter despair on her face, but at the last second she can't go through with it and puts her hand back down. Gakushuu nods in an understanding disappointment, knowing that this was a hard thing for her to do knowing of her feelings for him. Ryomou then pats her on the back knowing this was extremely hard for her and hard on her.

Saji then looks around and speaks. "Okay. And all who oppose..."

Ryomou then takes up Sonsaku's cross and raises her hand as the lone general in support of Kaji. The others look at Sonsaku to give the order. Shin abstains as he couldn't vote either way due to his familial ties. Keijuu and Shuuyu also abstains as well to not pick a side.

"Kaji Ryuken..." Sonsaku struggles to get the words out as she's actually in tears now. "Urk... You are hereby suspended from this academy indefinitely... You are stripped of all rank and authority until further notice..."

Kaji then shifted his emotions from barely contained sadness to cold indifference. He was obviously destroyed by this, but he reasoned that he won't give them the satisfaction of seeing him break. "Alright..."

He turns his back and begins to walk away held still high, showing no emotion. Ryofu stares angrily at the Nanyo crowd, he however turns back around to say one final thing. He begins. "If I may say one final thing before I go..."

Shuutai then cuts him off, rudely. "What else can you possibly say, Ryu-" Ryomou puts her hand on his shoulder to silence him. He does so, then Ryomou nods to Kaji allowing him to continue.

Kaji then nods at Ryomou who nods back. "Thank you, Ryomou." He then gets angry as he opens his mouth again. "How dare any of you question Houken's resolve. He's fought alongside us twice in the past year. You absolute worthless cowardly pieces of shit. And final thing, if any of you do ANYTHING to Shin, Koumei, Kan'u or Ryofu now that I'm not here, you'll wish you had pretty-boy..." He points to Shuutai who glares at him but doesn't move. "Off me when you had the chance. Now, do what you gotta go, I'm out. Maybe you'll find your spines sooner now that I'm gone."

He turned back around and walked off while the Nanyo generals just stared at him with a mixture of emotions on their faces. Sonsaku is mortified by the fact that she was cowed into suspending Kaji.

Kan'u who had watched everything and had felt anger welling up for how that meeting went. "You thinking what I'm thinking, Ryofu?"

She looks at Ryofu who nods at her, but asks. "What are you thinking, Kan'u?"

Kan'u then continues. "These bastards deserve to get attacked."

Ryofu then nods her head. "While I do agree with you, Kan'u. We are guests on their turf. It wouldn't be wise to do that. They still outnumber us."

Kan'u then takes a breath to calm down. "While you're right, I wasn't meaning that we do it. Not now anyways..."

Ryofu then sighs as well and continues on in a neutral tone. "Anyway, despite how he's carrying himself, I know he's hurting..."

Kan'u then reasons. "He is upset that they don't trust him. He was doing the right thing..."

Ryofu then looks thoughtfully before looking at the scenery as she knows how Kan'u feels about Kaji and she wanted to help both of her friends out. "Kan'u, if you're going to try and talk to him, now would be the best time."

Kan'u then looks at Ryofu incredulously as Ryofu then smirks and nods to her, then shoos her off. Kan'u then smiles as she goes after Kaji. Kaji walks alone in the parking lot.

Kaji then clenches his right hand. (Goddamn it, she was right.)

He flashes back to Moukaku talking and hugging him. After that quick flashback was over, he then looks up at the sky and thinks to himself. (Maybe it is my path to aid Nanban? What could it hurt? Nanyo isn't trustworthy. And why do I feel so concerned around Kakouen? Is Ouin right about her? Was she who Sonshi was referring to? Damn it all... Why can't I get my head straight?)

Kan'u catches up and yells out to him. "KAJI!"

Kaji then looks over his shoulder. He then turns around and sees it's Kan'u. "Huh- Oh, what's up, Kan'u?"

She can't stop running, and ends up tackling him at full force. She ends up on top of him. He just lays on his back looking up at Kan'u.

Kaji then decides to crack a joke despite hurting. "I guess you're what's up now?"

He laughs and Kan'u blushes and decides to play along. "Yeah... I am." It is now made apparent to her that Kan'u is straddling Kaji's waist. Kaji just lays there.

Kaji then continues on. "So, um... How is your day going?"

He is somewhat aware that Kan'u potentially saw what happened. He acts as if nothing is bothering him.

Kan'u then frowns as she answers him. "Horrible. I saw the way those bastards treated you and I had to see if you were okay."

"I'm fine." Kaji then fake smiles. But he then notices the crotch of his jeans are wet. His crotch happens to be pressed up against Kan'u's panties. He then puts two and two together and realizes that she's aroused but says nothing.

Kan'u then rebuts him out of concern. "No you're not. It was written all over your face earlier."

He then pats her leg and she reluctantly gets up so he could himself. Kaji then continues speaking while dusting himself off. "No really, I'm fine. I didn't want to hang out with them anyway... Or go to this school."

Kaji attempts to walk to his car, but struggles and stumbles. He then falls to his knees, unable to keep his equilibrium. He looks very dizzied and dazed on his hands and knees. Kan'u is able to see blood on the back of his shirt and neck. A spot on the back of his head is badly cut and swollen. He struggles to make it to his feet but falls again, his face about to plant into the concrete before Kan'u pulls him back up.

"Kaji!" Kan'u helps him situate himself and gets him into the passenger seat of the car. She then swiped his eyes from his pocket.

Kaji then frowns at her, feeling unnerved by what he feels is going to happen next. "Hey, give me my keys... I'm going home."

Kan'u then rebuts again. "You're not driving, not in this state."

Kaji then shakes his head in pain. "Just take me over to Houken's house... He'll fix me right up."

Kan'u doesn't respond and instead of honoring his request, she takes him to her house instead. Once there, she helps Kaji out of the car and aids his entrance to the house. Still groggy, he doesn't know what's going on.

Kaji then looks at Kan'u and asks. "W-Where are we?"

Kan'u then answers with a comforting smile on her face. "My house. I have some medical supplies to fix you up with."

Kaji then glowers at her to which she ignores. "Damn it Kan'u, I said take me to Houken's. We can't do this. I can't be here."

Kan'u then frowns but then sits him down on her couch in the front yard. "..."

She grabs the medical kit and gets to work, swiftly fixing Kaji's wounds. She then takes him upstairs and lays him down on the bed in her room and gives him some water to drink along with an ice pack to reduce swelling.

Kaji then sighs but is grateful to her. "...Thanks."

Kan'u then apologizes. "I'm sorry for causing this. I just couldn't stand to see you like that."

Kaji then speaks again to assuage her concerns. "Really, I'm fine..."

While he looks out of the window obviously not fine as he sighs sadly, Kan'u holds Kaji's hand and consoles him. "Listen to me. If you need to talk to someone, I'm all ears."

Kaji then grits is teeth before relenting. "I'll take you up on that. Kan'u, I have to tell you something. Something serious."

Kan'u then raises an eyebrow at him and questions. "And what is that?"

Kaji then begins, somberly. "Last year, after I killed Kin and everyone abandoned me, I was approached by a guy named Sonshi who mentioned some things to me..."

Kan'u then asks. "And what are those... "Things"?"

Kaji then looks at her seriously. "... Well, I might know a way to bring Kin back."

Kan'u then squints her eyes and becomes rather serious. "And how would you do this? I assume this plays into whatever this Sonshi character has to say?"

Kaji then nods his head stiffly and continues. "Yes. He told wanted me to do a couple of things before he'd have someone bring Kin back."

Kan'u then asks. "And what would those things be?"

Kaji then continues. "First, I'd have to help the Han, especially Nanyo, defeat Sousou Moutoku and after that I would have to help repel these Kansai forces? Do you know anything about them?"

Kan'u then shakes her head. "Not much really, I do know of a few people there."

Kaji then asks. "How strong are they?"

Kan'u then continues with a frown on her face. "You know how it's said that Ryofu and I can be considered the strongest Toushi here in Kanto? How we're Special A-Ranks?"

Kaji then nods his head. "Yeah."

Kan'u then continues. "There's a rank even above that. The S-Rank."

Kaji then looks at her wide-eyed. "And you're saying there's Toushi who've reached that rank?"

Kan'u then looks thoughtful and speaks. "I'm not sure, but rumors are. Yes. One such Toushi is named Takezou Shinmen, the best swordswoman in all of Kansai. I've also heard of their leader, Himiko. Now, why pray tell would Sonshi think we should attack them? Or that they would even be interested in attacking us?"

Kaji then asks. "I'm not sure to be honest, but there has to be a reason why they just don't cross over here now and fight us."

Kan'u then shrugs her shoulders. "Not sure to be honest. I've heard of another armistice that prevents another army from invading once a region is already at war. You see, Kaji. We're not all united as you can see, but we do have to follow these guidelines. Or we'll face punishment from the country of Japan itself."

Kaji then squints his eyes. "I see." He thinks to himself. (Hm. Houken and Anna mentioned something like that.)

Kan'u then redirects the conversation back to what Kaji had previously said. "Now, for what purpose would he want to bring Kin back? I doubt he knows anything about or cares about me and Hakkin."

Kaji then explained. "He said that Kin's power would be needed when these Ten Attendants or whatever attack us after the Kansai thing. He also said that the founder of our fighting style, the Mizongyi, was with them. Her name is Gakuhi."

Kan'u then hums in understanding. "Interesting. But how do you know if he's telling the truth?"

Kaji then speaks. "He's correctly predicted Seito's downfall." Kan'u once again squints her eyes and glares (not at Kaji, but at the situation.) Kaji puts his hands up in surrender, hoping not to piss off Kan'u as he continues. "Woah, Woah- I didn't believe him at first though."

Kan'u then looks at Kaji in confusion but quickly catches on to what Kaji WASN'T saying and decided to fix her face. "Huh? Oh, I wasn't mad at you. I don't know if I would believe someone who told me the future myself."

"He might not care about Hakkin or you, but I wonder if you... Hey, I have a question for you Kan'u." Kaji says.

Kan'u then asks. "And what is that?"

Kaji then voices his thoughts. "Hey do you ever have any sort of feeling like someone from the dead is trying to communicate with you? Through using whatever they had?"

Kan'u then asks. "Like using Ki?"

Kaji then nods his head and speaks. "Yes. Have you ever had that happen to you? Even if it's hostile in nature?"

Kan'u then shakes her head, but does piece together what Kaji is saying. "No. Not that I know of, why? Wait, it's Kin isn't it?"

Kaji then looks down and speaks. "Yeah..."

Kan'u then speaks. "... That is certainly interesting. But I want to know, who are you doing all of this for?"

Kaji then looks up at Kan'u and voices his confusion. "Huh?"

Kan'u then continues a bit more seriously than before. "I'll say this. I forgive you for what you've done. Hakkin's far too young to even know Kin, even if your Ki communication theory is true. If this is for yourself, you'll just find something else to beat yourself up other with. You should really learn to forgive yourself for what happened and move on. Whether this Sonshi guy is telling the truth or not, we can't know. If this is just going to make you sad, well, even sadder than the Nanyo thing, then I'd rather you just abort his mission now. You being sad is making me sad. And yes, I do see it."

Kaji then gets misty-eyed as he looks away from her and clenches his fists. "Hah, sadness? You think I'm sad. As if... Sadness is a weak emotion. I will not show it for the likes of them. I don't care that they don't trust me. I don't even care if you don't think I can do this. I will. I have to, Kan'u! You didn't deserve that, you deserve a good man in your life. Hakkin deserves to have a real dad in his life."

Kan'u then frowns as she goes to hold Kaji from behind. He doesn't fight her off as her warmth is comforting to him. "Hm, I never said that you couldn't do this, but I thank you for trying anyways. Really. But it's okay to show weakness, Kaji. But I want you to know that sadness is not always weak. It can be strong like a roaring wave."

Kaji then unclenches his fists as he continues to listening to her. "..."

Kan'u then continues as she nuzzles up to his neck. "And if you cannot be sad, then I will be strong for you... No matter what."

At that, Kaji begins to break down. Turning his face away from Kan'u so she doesn't see him losing it. Kan'u notices this and holds Kaji tighter to her body. "It's okay... I feel your pain."

Kaji then speaks while trying to stop the sniffling. "D-damn it, Kan'u. Why do you have to be so... so... understanding?" He then hiccups trying to stop himself from crying. "A-After everything I've done for them. A-all... of my loyalty... it... means... n-nothing to them...They treat as if I'm their enemy..."

He then wipes his eyes and turns around to face her and rests his head on her soft bosom. Kan'u who smiles at this, begins to rub the back of his head to further soothe him.

Kan'u then speaks. "It's okay. Now you know who your true friends are."

Kaji then looks up at her, their eyes locking with one another. Kan'u stares back at Kaji, going in for a kiss. Kaji finishes the kiss. He puts his arms around her, slipping his tongue into Kan'u's mouth. Kan'u also returns with tongue. She slips her hand into his pants and rubs his member. He slips her sweater and shirt off, relieving her of her earlier itch. He begins to suck on her nipples. One of his hands makes it down her panties and he begins to rub her vagina. Kan'u rubs Kaji's member with a swifter motion than before, obviously enjoying this moment. Kaji grins as he slides her panties off he allows Kan'u to unbuckle his belt so that she can access his member easier. He then removes his shirt and lays her down gently. He begins to kiss her in all her sensitive zones, working his way down her nude body until he disappears under the covers.

"K-Kaji!" Kan'u moans as she grips the bed sheets, breathing heavily. Her body heats up and begins to sweat lightly. The movement under the covers continues as his tongue strokes become faster, heavier and more potent. Kan'u begins to leak out, she cannot take the pleasure for much longer. Kaji emerges from the covers, his Johnson in hand as he mounts Kan'u. He looks her in the eyes as he gently inserts himself. He has a little difficulty due to tightness but gets all the way into the orifice. He begins to thrust slowly.

Kaji then smirks at her. "Hah. Just like old times, huh?"

Kan'u is filled with pleasure at the mere thought of having Kaji inside her once again. Kan'u moans as she speaks. "It feels so good! So... Good..."

"I know..." Kaji agreed.

He picks up his pace, melodically pumping her insides. He then nibbles on her neck. Kan'u holds on to Kaji's back as he works on her. The pumping quickly evolves into pounding he then feels her soft legs wrap around him encouraging him to pound faster rhythms into Kan'u. "Holy shit... I think I L..."

Kan'u then tries to coax him into saying what she's been wanting to hear. "Say it! You lo... Mm~"

She says as he pounds her moist pussy. Every stroke touching deeper and deeper inside her. Before he can get the words out the door opens.

"Hey sis." Kanpei says ecstatically as she walked into the room and looks at Kaji working her sister over and arches an eyebrow. She has Kan'u's young son in her arms, she decides to close his eyes so he wouldn't see the scene in front of him. He looks over his shoulder and his mouth open in shock. He then pulls out and rolls off of Kan'u. He looks at Hakkin and seeing the image of his father superimposed on him.

"..." Kaji says. (Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! W-what the fuck are you doing, Bryan! Y-you're fucking the dude's girl. G-get the fuck out of here. Now!) He yelled at himself in his mind.

Kan'u then covers up and glowers at her younger sister. "Pei... Ever hear of knocking?"

Kanpei then smarts-off. "Nu... Ever heard of locking the door?"

Kan'u then rolls her visible eye and sighs. "Whatever, bring him over."

Kan'u wants to feed Hakkin and so she beckons Kanpei over. Kaji sits there putting his boxers back on under the covers. Kanpei brings Hakkin to Kan'u and while there, she smirks at Kaji and speaks. "Hello Kaji, what's up? Other than sis a few seconds ago. Sorry about that, by the way."

Kaji then nervously speaks. "Ahaha. I-It's okay... Uh, nothing much... Haha, you seem to be doing well Kanpei. Y-You l-look s-stronger, haha."

Kan'u then takes the conversation over and speaks to her younger sister. "He suffered a little injury in the Nanyo parking lot due to my clumsiness. So I brought him back here."

Kan'u then suckles little Hakkin, who drinks deep of her breast milk.

"Well, from what I saw he's doing just fine. What about you? What'd you see, big sis?" Kanpei then laughs at her own statement. Kaji's face reddens as he is embarrassed by this.

Kan'u then jokes as well. "He's still a little dizzy and can't maintain his balance while standing. But he's still good when on me."

Kanpei then raises an eyebrow at that. "Is that so? Well then, I'll leave you guys alone. Have fun. Bye Kaji."

Kan'u then stops her. "Pei, wait. I think Hakkin's almost done."

Kanpei does so as Kaji looks the other way. Hakkin meanwhile finishes and reaches up to touch his mother's face. She tickles him before handing him back to Kanpei. As Kan'u begins to hand him over, he touches Kaji's face and coos.

Kan'u then smiles as she speaks. "Hm. Well now, he seems to like you, Kaji."

"Yeah, it seems so..." Kaji nervously agreed.

Kan'u then smiles back at Hakkin and instructs him. "I know you can say "momma", but my little sunshine, can you say "Kaji"?"

Hakkin then begins trying to form the words and after a few tries, does. "Ka...ji?" He says looking for confirmation that he did right.

Kaji just stares at the scene, somewhat uncomfortable with what's going on as he would have rather Hakkin not get attached to him. "..."

Kan'u praises the young boy for his work. "That's a good boy, Hakkin! You're such a fast learner." She tickles him again and Hakkin coos happily at that.

Kanpei then smiles at the scene in front of her as she then turns around to walk out of the room. "You three seem to be having fun... I'll leave you alone... Later."

She walks out, as Kan'u takes the infant in her arms again and kisses him. Kaji then asks her. "Kan'u. Why is that you like me? Even after what I've taken from you?"

Kan'u then looks thoughtful as Hakkin continues laughing as his mother continues to tickle him. Kan'u then answers. "I. Don't know to be honest. You seemed genuinely sorry back then... I could feel all the pain that you had from even earlier than that moment."

Kaji then smiles as he looks away from her. "Thanks for your help..."

Kan'u then smiles back at him. "There's no need to thank me. You looked like you needed a friend."

Kaji then looks down and speaks. "I almost..."

Kan'u puts her hand on Kaji's shoulder and smiles. "Don't worry about it. You've got me... You'll always have-"

Kaji then looks back at her and speaks seriously, cutting her off. "We cannot ever do this again..."

Kan'u then looks perplexed as she looked at him. "Huh- Why not?"

Kaji then stumbles his way into a statement. "B-because... Do you have thought about what "he" thinks?"

Kan'u then frowns as she's piecing what he's saying. "Kin... Right?"

Kaji then stiffly nods and speaks. "Yeah."

Kan'u then reasons. "Well, I'm sure he'd be mad. But, I'm the one making the decision, not him. And I'm fine with you. With this. C'mon, don't fight this."

Kaji then shakes his head and looks resolute. "I-I still have to deal with him..."

Kan'u then raises an eyebrow at him. "How so?" Then something comes to her. "Wait, that Ki thing from before?"

Kaji then nods his head. "Yeah. He and I are linked eternally... The rivalry goes beyond death... I am capable of seeing and hearing him."

Kan'u then frowns once again. "Well tell him Kan'u says "Piss off". You have enough problems as is."

Kaji then looks at his hand and studies it while talking. "I'm no longer a Martial Artist. And I have nothing to do with the Toushi. What goes on from here on isn't my problem, anymore."

Kan'u then claps his hand with her own. "It is your problem, because doing nothing won't help the situation. And I know you're upset, but I know you know what the right thing to do and will do it without much prompting. Just know this though. I'll always be by your side."

Kaji then looks at Kan'u and smiles serenely. "Thank you..."

"Goo... Ka-jiii... Haha." Hakkin says as he reaches for him once again.

Kaji then smiles as he returns that and reaches for Hakkin as well. "Hey there, little man..." He grabs him and begins playing with him. The boy giggles nonstop.

Kan'u then smiles as she sees the scene unfolding in front of her. "He really does like you."

Kaji then speaks in a more relaxed tone as he looks between Kan'u and Hakkin. "I guess I'll go along with it. He's a sweetheart after all. I wouldn't want to break his heart. However, it is quite unusual. Usually the son usually avenges the father in situations like this. Especially if Hakkin can see him even from beyond the grave."

Kan'u then frowns once more at that as she chides him. "Stop it, Kaji. He's too young to even know his father or even what he looks like. I'm sure he won't be "avenging" anyone."

Hakkin then yawns as he's gotten tired. Kaji holds him lightly as he is cradling his head. Kaji begins to rock him to sleep. As though he has never had a child. He puts Hakkin to sleep like he is a veteran father.

Kaji then makes an off-handed comment to himself. "This could be good practice." (Why don't I actually feel that way? Like I'm missing something... I mean that I did that Ki transfer thing Mom taught me earlier, but... Damn it! Why am I so on guard with Kakouen?) Kaji ruminated in his mind.

Kan'u then compliments him. "I don't think you need practice, you're handling him well."

Kaji then looks off to the side and speaks. "I'm expecting soon..."

Kan'u then looks happy for Kaji as she asked. "With who?"

Kaji then answers, rather unsure of himself. "Myousai... Apparently."

"Awww, congratulations. Wait, did you say apparently?" Kan'u then looks at him confusedly. Meanwhile, Sousou approaches Ryuubi and Kyocho.

Sousou then speaks. "Hello, ladies."

Kaji then speaks again, letting his unease show on his face. "Yeah, I'd hold off on congratulating me yet. I'm not even sure she's, ya know..."

Kan'u then refutes that train of thought. "Pregnant? I highly doubt that she'd fake something of that magnitude. Even if it's for Sousou. Also, how could she even do that? I mean I know that there are drugs that can simulate pregnancy-like symptoms but I- I think that's far too drastic for any sort of war advantage."

Kaji then looks at the wall as he answers. "I-I guess so. Houken said the same thing. But I don't know... If she is, then that alongside her being with me is going to complicate her situation at school. People are beginning to ask questions about her association with me. She can't remain silent forever."

Ryuubi then beams as she sees Sousou. "Hello Sousou."

Kyocho then blushes as she meets gazes with Sousou. "Mou-kun..."

Kan'u then frowns in sympathy for Kakouen. "Poor girl."

Sousou then asks as he then sits with the girls. "How have you two been?"

Kaji then offers his opinion. "The time will come when she can no longer hide it." He then thinks to himself. (If she's telling the truth that is.)

Ryuubi then smiles mirthlessly as she speaks. "I'm fine. But all my friends seem to have a different lunch than me though. I feel myself kind of lonely these days. N-not that you guys haven't been accommodating to me and my students."

Kan'u then agreed with Kaji's point. "I dread that day."

Sousou then nods his head and asks. "Is that so? Then, why don't you have lunch with us? Right, Kyo-chan?"

Kyocho then squints her eyes as she looks at the ground. "S-Sure..."

Kaji then grits his teeth as he's starting to feel something other than pity or self-loathing, a righteous anger taking hold. "I don't... T-they won't cause her any problems. Even if I'm questioning her, I can do that much for her. I won't allow them to."

Ryuubi then smiles at him. "Okay, that's cool."

Kan'u then smiles at him seeing the Kaji she feel in love with start to come back. "I'm sure they'll feel your wrath. But what about Houken? Actually, I'm sure he'd join you in helping her."

Sousou then nods and then gets up wanting the other two to follow him. "Let's go." He heads to a special place for the three to eat.

Kaji then speaks again. "I don't like Kyosho... I don't understand why you guys align with him when you all know the history."

Ryuubi and Kyocho then gets up and follows Sousou to the new area.

Kan'u then shakes her head. "Our destiny is not us. We can change the outcome."

Kaji then looks at her again. "Is that so?" (I mean Joka and Fukki as well as Sonshi kept mentioning this Infinite Magatama that me and Houken have. Let's then put that to the test.) Kaji thought to himself before he voiced another concern he's been harboring. "Anyway, what do you know about the history of Nanban?"

Kan'u then squints her visible eye and it was her turn to look away as she answered. "Well, they've never held such power like this. Nor had as much hate for us as they currently do. I know that much. The secret to their defeat is Koumei, who's strategies have defeated their leader several times."

Kaji then spoke again. "I fought their leader briefly..."

Kan'u then asked a question. "So. What's your verdict? Do you think she's strong?"

Kaji then answered, sounding a bit unsure of himself again. "I'm not sure what to make of her. She didn't want to fight. She tried to recruit me. Everything she predicted has come true so far."

Kan'u then smirked at that. "Well, I'm sure she may have feelings for you as well. You do seem to make some women unable to fight against you seriously."

Kaji then chuckled at that as he continued speaking. "I don't think I've seen the last of her. Word will spread that I'm on suspension. Though I'm no longer with Nanyo, I won't fight against them either. It seems the other Devas were already planning to replace me... I met the guy today."

Kan'u then looks angry as he said that. "Hmph! There is no one can replace you. Whoever they chose will not be able to fill the position."

Kaji then growls before calming himself down as he continued. "He's an asshole. I think he has a thing for Hakufu."

Kan'u then nods her head and speaks. "Well even Koukin had a thing for her, and they're cousins."

Kaji then chuckles at that again and speaks. "Yeah, that was weird. Glad he's with that Keijuu girl though. They seem kind of cute together." He then gets up and puts the sleeping Hakkin in his crib. He then sits back on the bed. Kan'u begins to lay down, hoping Kaji will too.

Kan'u then speaks on that point. "Keijuu? You mean that short-haired, blonde girl that was at that 'meeting' today?"

Kaji then sets Hakkin down in his crib. "Yeah, that's her. She's a good girl, kinda skittish but good at heart." Kaji then lays back down, putting his hands behind his head. He is now partially dressed, his shirt is still off, thrown to the side. His lower half covered by his boxer shorts. He begins staring at the ceiling in thought.

"So, when did she enroll at Nanyo?' Kan'u asked as she began messing with him. He doesn't notice as he's lost in thought.

Kaji then answers. "Not sure to be honest. I just came back and next thing I know, she's there."

"I see. That could be suspicious." Kan'u said as she was trying to wrack her brain as to who Keijuu was and why no one knew about her prior to this point in time. (I did hear that there were new students who were enrolled at Yoshuu with Enshou Honshou. But didn't they get killed when Sousou attacked him? If so, then why... Hm. Kaji seems to have a lot on his plate, I won't trouble him with that. I just hope that nothing comes of that feeling. I actually like seeing Shuuyu happy and more confident with himself.)

Kaji didn't respond to that as he is stuck in his own world. (Argh... I don't know what to do. War will soon break out. I can feel it. And the whole Kakouen thing. Damn it... And this nagging feeling, just what is it?) That feeling is actually Kan'u rubbing his member with her hand. She lays on him as soon as he lays back down. He notices that Kan'u is laying on him with a smirk on her face and he rolls his eyes.

Kaji then questions in a flat tone. "What are you doing Kan'u?"

Kan'u then looks shifty as she answers. "Oh... nothing. Just a massage technique. I noticed that you've been bothered by something since mentioning Kakouen. I just wanted to clear your mind." She feigns innocence, but lets her real thoughts come out.

Kaji then pulls her hand away from him and chides. "I already told you that we can't..."

Kan'u then frowns but doesn't move, instead she lays flat on him. His erection doesn't recede however, suggesting that his body and mind are not in agreement. Kan'u then goes back to rubbing his member and saucily jokes. "I think you still want it."

Kaji then rebukes her half-heartedly. "Uhhhhh... No."

Kan'u then 'argues' back. "Your "friend" here is saying "yes"."

Kaji doesn't respond. "..." Kan'u then kisses Kaji on the neck, proceeding to nibble at his ear. He doesn't resist. He smirks slightly because his ear is very sensitive to the touch. Kan'u rubs faster as she continues to nibble. Suddenly, Kaji sees a vision of Kin in his mind. He appears as a red humanoid being.

Kin then begins. " You! I hate you with all my being for what you've taken from me..."

Kaji just stares at him and doesn't respond. "..."

Kin then continues. "No response, huh? Good. It's about time you learned to shut up. Anyway, you have somehow gained the affection of my family..."

Kaji then squints his eyes at Kin. "..."

Kin then smirks mirthlessly, but continues. "Above all, I want to see them happy." He then balls his hands into fists. "And as I am now, I am unable to make that happen on my own."

Kan'u nuzzles against Kaji in the real world. Kaji then looks at Kin, wide-eyed. "My son won't be able to actually see, hear or even know me. And even if you're successful with this endeavor, I've still lost time with him that I'll never get back. I'll never be able to hear his first words, see his first steps or change his first diaper..."

Kaji then looks down, ashamed at what he did. Whether he was lied to or not, he still ended Kin's life. Kin notices this and then looks at Kaji sternly. "Even still, I want him to have a father..." He then walks over to Kaji and places a hand on his shoulder. "And unfortunately, for the time being. You are the closest being that."

Kan'u falls asleep, exhausted and strangely hungry. Kaji just looks at Kin wide-eyed and suddenly misty-eyed as Kin smirks at him. "Whatever. We're still going to be eternal rivals until the end of time. And I'm learning to forgive you for what you've done. I wouldn't be able to face them if I'm still holding onto my grudge. And if I'm to put my faith in you, then, I'll need to actually put my faith in you. Kakouen was right, this grudge was beneath me."

Kaji then tries to speak. "K-K-Ki-"

Kin cuts him off. "Don't get sentimental. We WILL fight again if I manage to come back. But... Until that time. Hah! Whatever! What I'm trying to say is that... Even you, Kaji Ryuken, are better than them having nothing at all. I'm giving you my blessing... Go make them happy. Give it your all to protect them, I know you have the power. And do try to make an attempt at bringing me back, Ryuken. I'll be watching."

Kin fades away while Kaji was still in the void of his mind space. "...Kin..." He then nods his head and gains a fiery look in his eyes. "Okay. I hear ya. Loud and clear. I'll do WHATEVER it takes to bring you back. And I WILL protect Kan'u, Kanpei and Hakkin until you can come back and do so yourself. On my honor as a Ryuken. On my honor as a Mizongyi practitioner. On my honor as a MAN!"

Kin's voice can be heard while Kaji's still staring at nothing. "Good. Make sure you do that."

Kaji then opens his eyes and he looks at Kan'u who is still sleeping on him. He smirks and begins to kiss her. He then moves to her neck in an attempt to wake her. Kan'u is woken by this.

Kan'u groggily asks. "H-huh? Kaji, what is it?"

He grabs her by her butt cheeks which jolted her awake. He then sits up, and then uses his strength to lift her up. He then lowers her down on his still erect meat. He enters her slowly stimulating her walls as he does so. Kan'u is shocked that Kaji changed his mind.

"K-Kaji?" Kan'u asked in astonishment.

Kaji then grins a mischievous grin and asks. "So. Are you just gonna sit there?" He then laughs. She then looks at him and smiles before slowly beginning to bounce up and down. He thrusts upward to match her movements. Kan'u begins to moan. Kaji sits up embracing her as he thrusts.

Kan'u then clasps onto him and squeezing him even tighter. "Oh! Kaji! Cum in me! Cum in me, Kaji!"

He lays her on her back and lifts her long, slender legs up in the mating press and he begins to ride her once more. He then thrusts in her repeatedly. He moves the hair that obscures her eye so that he can look into both of them. Kan'u blushes as she gets closer to Kaji's face for a kiss.

He kisses her with tongue while picking up speed and power with his thrusts. Kan'u's body shakes in inevitable orgasm. Her orifices grips him tight. Kaji's face reddens as he grits his teeth and strains to withhold his seed long enough to speak. "Kan'u Unchou... I... I... L... LO..."

Kan'u then holds their faces together and saucily whispers. "Say it! Come on. Say it! Say I. LOVE. YOU. KAN'U."

He looks over his shoulder at the door that is now locked. Then he looks her in the eyes and smiles. "I FUCKING LOVE YOU, KAN'U!"

He explodes, filling Kan'u with a heavy load of liquid life. Kan'u oozes with Kaji's fluids as well as her own. Kaji lays down on top of her using her breasts as pillows. He breathes heavily as he speaks. "I think I'll need your strength for a while."

Kan'u holds him and speaks coming down from her own sexual high. "You can have all of it."

"T-Thank you... Kan'u." Kaji says as they then kiss.

Kan'u then smiles at him and speaks. "You don't have to thank me, Kaji."

Kaji then asks. "Not to ruin the mood or whatever, but I've got to know. What does this make us?"

Kan'u then shrugs her shoulders. "It makes us whatever you want us to be. Although that could complicate things once you bring Kin back."

"Eh, let's burn that bridge when we cross it." Kaji closes his eyes and begins to rest. Meanwhile Ryuubi sits with Sousou and Kyocho.

Ryuubi then turns to Sousou and asks him. "Why are there so few teachers?"

Sousou then chuckles at that. "You're just chockful of questions today, huh?"

Ryuubi blushes at that and stammers. "Ah! S-S-S-S-Sorry. I-I was j-j-j-just curious is all. Ahaha."

Sousou then kisses Ryuubi on her forehead. "Heh, I was merely joking with you. But to answer your question. We have smaller class sizes than that of you guys or Nanyo, so as a result we have fewer teachers."

Ryuubi then nods her head. "Oh ok, that makes sense. So, semi random question but do you like to read?"

Sousou then does the sometimes handwave with his right hand and answers her. "Sometimes. I like to read particular books though."

Ryuubi then asks. "What kind of books do you like?"

Sousou answers as Kyocho is raptly paying attention as well. "The Prince, Leviathan, 1984, Battle Royale, etc."

Ryuubi then looks at Sousou quizzically and voices her thoughts. "Interesting choices, but I've never read Battle Royal or even heard of it."

She scoots closer to him as Kyocho raises her eyebrow but does show any other sign of irritation. (You!)

Sousou then shrugs and answers. "It's pretty popular amongst those our age, but it's good, nonetheless."

Ryuubi then looks thoughtful for a second before asking another question. "Okay, I think I get it now. So, what else do you like to do?"

Sousou then smiles at that as if this next thing is a personal pride of his. "I like to listen to music. If it's classical, I like Beethoven. His 9th in particular. Also..."

Sousou looks embarrassed but continues. "I don't tell people this, but I also sing the song "Singing in the Rain" while in the shower by compulsion."

Ryuubi then giggles at that and adds onto the conversation rather happily. "I sing that too!"

"Is that right? Well, I know I'm going to sing that a lot more often now." Sousou then holds Ryuubi's hand as Kyocho glowers at her.

Ryuubi then smiles at Sousou and is nearly swooning now. "I like this... You're different than my last boyfriend..."

Sousou then raises an eyebrow at that. "Well, I guess that's because we have a lot in common. I'm sure your last boyfriend wasn't so bad."

Ryuubi then frowns at that. "We didn't have much in common. He loved to fight, and I mean all the time. Just for it's own sake it seemed like. I didn't agree with that. His reckless nature and bad temper cost Kin his life."

Sousou then smirks to himself as he let his real thoughts bleed through. (Hah, that's was only a part of why Kin had to go, dear Ryuubi. But you don't need to know that little tidbit. Just focus on me. Only on me.) He then lays on the sweet words to her. "Well, I'll make sure that doesn't happen again. I promise."

Sousou then kisses her. Kyocho gets up and walks away in jealousy. She then bitterly thinks to herself. (First that damnable Shiba'i, now this Ryuubi woman. Why can't I be good enough for you, Mou-kun? Maybe that louse Chouro was right and I was chasing something that I can never have.)

She then punches a nearby wall leaving a sizeable crater in it. Sousou who had seen Kyocho's little bout of jealousy and isn't stupid as to WHY she's jealous in the first place then thinks to himself. (I'm sorry, Kyo-chan. Don't worry, this will benefit all of us. Just trust me on this.)

Ryuubi kisses him once more. Sousou brushes Ryuubi's cheek with his hand. Kakuka walks into the area and startles them. "Woah. You're not wasting any time, eh Moutoku?"

Sousou separates from Ryuubi as he sees Kakuka and Kakouton coming into his view. "Kakuka... Ton..."

Kakouton then adds on. "Yeah, you two seem to be getting along REAL well."

Kakuka then jokes further. "There's no use in hiding it now. We've already got a good look at the action."

Ryuubi blushes in embarrassment and Kakouton then jokes as well. "Yeah. I don't think we've seen half of what these two have done."

Sousou then yells at his two best friends. "SHUT UP!"

Kakuka then puts his hands up defensively. "Woah there. There's no need to get all angry, dude."

"Just leave us alone." Sousou says as he looks into Ryuubi's eyes.

"O-oh okay then. I know when I'm not wanted around here. Peace!" Kakuka leaves and Kakouton follows afterwards.

Ryuubi then only focuses on Sousou uncaring of the world around her. "..."

Meanwhile Shin sits at a table with Shokatsuryou as he barely even touched his food, still upset with how things went with his brother, Kaji. "I don't like this."

Shokatsuryou consoles him as she speaks. "Neither do I. But, if they aren't going to trust Kaji, then they don't deserve to have him."

Shin then looks at her with his emotions visible on his face. "That's what I'm worried about. Now that he's no longer with them. They could make an enemy out of him. That puts me in a difficult spot. Especially if they send Shuutai after him. Geez, that got unnecessarily aggressive. Even for Kaji standards."

Shokatsuryou nodded her head in agreement. "I agree with that sentiment. But I don't think it would put you in a bad spot, Shin. Family comes before allegiance."

Shin then sighs and continues. "I know that. However, what happens after that would cause the problem. I wonder if he's alright."

Meanwhile, back at Kyosho at their secret spot we see that Ryuubi is completely captivated by Sousou as she looks into his eyes.

"He must be. He's with Kan'u." Shokatsuryou then slyly smirks to herself.

Sousou then kisses Ryuubi again, and now rubs her right leg. "Hehe, you're so pretty Ryuubi-chan."

Shin then catches that and arches an eyebrow up as he questions her. "Why do you say that?"

Ryuubi giggles as she's ticklish there. "Hehe. S-Sousou..."

Shokatsuryou then reasons. "First, it's Kaji. Second, Kan'u went after him. And it's Kan'u. She's been harboring a slight crush on him since he's returned from his exile."

Sousou smiles as he rubs her stomach next. Ryuubi then lightly slaps at Sousou's hand. "Hey... Q-quit it. We're in public."

Shin then questions again. "Really now?"

Sousou then arches an eyebrow at her, nearly in defiance. "Why? We're not doing anything bad..." Sousou then rubs her lower back and thighs.

Ryuubi then whines and moans. "B-because. P-private eyes might be watching us... And I am a guest on your turf, I don't want to be seen as a louse."

"Did Kan'u ever come back?" Shin asked.

Sousou then smirks. "Then let them look... And you're no louse my dear. Your MY esteemed guest. If anyone says anything to you, I'll personally deal with them. And that's a promise." Sousou then tries to cop a feel as his hands were hovering over Ryuubi's buxom chest.

Shokatsuryou then shook her head and spoke. "Nope."

Ryuubi stops him. "I'm sorry but you will have to wait for that. I've only been here a couple of days. I don't feel comfortable moving this fast. I don't want to make the same mistake again. I-I'm sorry though."

Shin's eyes then widen as he's starting to put two and two together. "Are you saying that-"

Sousou smiles before kissing her on the forehead. "Heh. You are pure after all. Alright then, sorry for moving this fast. You have a point, Ryuubi-chan."

Shokatsuryou then smirks again as she answers him. "Yep, they're fucking."

Shin then questions her again. "And how do you know this?"

Shokatsuryou then sighs at him and answers. "C'mon Shin. Knowing those two and "disappearing", it's obvious. I'm not Seito's strategist for nothing, ya know? I have incredible foresight."

Shin then frowns as he remembers Kaji's mood. "I doubt he was in the mood for sex. Did you see his face? He was crushed by their decision."

"Desperation and despair is where many emotions can be created." Shokatsuryou said.

Shin then asked. "So Kan'u took advantage of him."

"I wouldn't call it that, but most likely." Shokatsuryou refuted.

Shin then looks towards the sky as he then begins eating his hamburger. "So. You think he's cuddling with her now?"

"If he's a softie like you then yeah, I do." Shokatsuryou teased as she then ate some of Shin's fries. This of course, got Shin to pout at his fiancée.

Shin then replied. "H-hey. Meh, whatever. I guess that's better than the alternative course he could have taken."

A student arrives with a message for Sousou. He then bows in front of Sousou and Ryuubi then gives his message. "Lord Sousou... I have news about recent events at Nanyo."

Sousou then nods his head at the student. "What is it?"

Student then continues. "Nanyo leader Sonsaku Hakufu has suspended their top student indefinitely."

Ryuubi thinks back to the Seito assault and remembers that she heard someone call her "Princess". She then realizes it was 'him' that saved her life. "Kaji! I-It had to be Kaji who they suspended."

Sousou then looked at Ryuubi quizzically. "Huh?" He turns to Ryuubi and questions her. "What? You worried about him or something?"

Ryuubi then nods at Sousou. "H-He is the one who killed the Nanban attackers, i-it has to be. T-That's the only thing that makes sense. Although, I wonder why Miss Sonsaku would suspend him."

The student then continues. "Apparently He and Houken paid Nanban a visit yesterday. I presume their attack was in response to the Nanban assault on Seito. They crossed fists with the leaders of Nanban. What happened after that is unknown. The Nanyo council wasn't happy about about it because it was done without permission."

Sousou then thinks to himself. (…So she still has some feelings for him. This could be problematic. Whatever. Just gotta work my magic even more so now and get rid of him once he's fulfilled his purpose for me.) Sousou then nods at the student. "I see. Give my congratulations to both on their valor."

The student then continues. "That isn't why they expelled him... They questioned him about what it was he and Moukaku were talking about during their battle. Kaji refused to answer any of the questions asked of him. They viewed that as disloyalty and handed down the suspension."

Ryuubi then thinks to herself. (So that's why- Wait! Oh no, Kaji! What will you do now? I-I know people will be after you.)

Sousou then shrugs his shoulders. "So? I still say congratulate them both on taking the initiative."

The student then nods at that. "Very well sir. I will inform them both. I'll be taking my leave now."

Sousou then smiles at the student. "Thank you. Have a safe travel."

Meanwhile, on the bus that is now travelling through Chubu on the secret pathway, we see the Bus Driver still driving noticing that there were some Oda retainers who were flagging him on. He nodded to them and kept driving. It was when he passed the second of four tolls that Rikaku then woke up.

"H-huh? W-where are we?" Rikaku groggily said.

The Bus Driver then noticed him and looked at him through the mirror. "Hm. You're in Chubu, young'in. It won't be too long now before you and your group are at the Oda Temple."

"Is that right?" Rikaku asked becoming more awake and aware of the fact that they AREN'T in Kanto anymore.

"Yep." The Bus Driver said.

"So. Can you tell me anything about this Nobunaga Oda person?" Rikaku inquired.

"Sure thing..." The Bus Driver said as they neared the Oda complex by passing through the third of the tolls. They begin talking as he kept driving towards their destination, which is a huge white Imperial castle with various students wearing black, purple and red uniforms. Of course all of these students were eyeing the bus.

Ranmaru who was also awake then looked around and thought to himself. (Hm. It shouldn't be much longer now. I hope that you impress Lady Nobunaga, Lord Rikaku. Because if not, then I fear for your safety and the safety of everyone else on this bus.)

-END OF CHAPTER