Soulriders 5.0: Legend of the Unending Games

(Formerly referred to, and referenced as Sasami Arc)

A child set adrift in a world gone mad, Sasami follows her dreams and tries to survive....

http://dracos.anifics.com/COR/Sasami/

Fearless Leader

OOC: Well then...time to get this one back up.

IC:

Sasami bowed her head as she finished telling the Runaway Five her tale.

Anyone who would've walked in at that moment would've been presented with the strange tableau of a group of men staring at a twenty year old woman in varying degrees of surpise.

She hoped they'd believe her, but her hope was slowly dwindling as the silence began to get unbearable.

They probably thought she was nothing but a liar, and how could they not?

It wasn't like being aged by a card happened routinely.

Clenching her fists around her towel to keep her modesty intact, she sighed as she waited for their judgement.

Hina-Ohki sat in Sasami's lap, eyeing the men she was talking to. She did not like the way they were looking at her.

She sat back in Sasami's lap protectively, glaring at them.

The plane landed silently, in a hidden hanger outside of Greyelle, Japan.

The doors opened and a single man stepped out, a black case in hand.

"So this is Japan.  Not much to look at.", dressed in casual blue suit, he walked down the stairs from the small plane.

Fearless Leader

Hina-Ohki yawned suddenly, feeling drained from her exploring the grounds of the festival. She tried to continue glaring at the men Sasami was talking to, but the need for sleep overtook her.
One of the men looked as though they were about to speak as Hina-Ohki drifted off...

"So these are the best?"

"Yes sir.  Khrima built them himself.  Wishes you luck."

Fearless Leader

"Excellent Dude!  We are like  so going to ROCK THE HOUSE!" Garth finished tuning up.

"TOTALLY!" Wayne was ready to go.

Fearless Leader

Sasami angelically smiled down at Hina-ohki as she scratched the cabbit behind the ear.

At the moment the duo sat within the confines of Sasami's dressing room, a peaceful silence enveloping the two like a warm blanket.

Now clad in a simple white sundress with matching shoes, the Juraian Princess practically glowed with happiness as she looked into her closet.

A closet full of clothing bought by her fellow band members.

"They've done so much for me, Hina-chan." She softly murmured, "Now we have to win this contest." Placing her nose to Hina-ohki's own, she grinned.

"We'll win this for all of our family and friends, right?"

Hina-Ohki nodded, mewing cheerfully. "Kya!"

She then returned her attention to the apple she'd been given, attacking it with gusto.

Weary from having traveled through the endless seas of both time and space, the traveler was now at rest.

Silence descended on the traveler as she quietly contemplated her journey.

Truly, what had she accomplished in this trip?

Nothing really important, having been downgraded to a mere cook. My, how the mighty fell.

Getting up, the blue haired woman quietly left the room, and her friend, behind. Her soft steps carried her outside, where the stars brightly shone in defiance of the approaching morning sun.

Almost time...

There!

An expression of utmost happiness crossed her face as she spotted a very special star.

Her home planet...

She still remembered the days when she would dance and play amongst her people, the breath taking sounds of bards playing their hearts and souls out for the court...and of her loving family.

Uncle, I hope you are well. She sadly thought, remembering the man that had all but disappeared from her life. Not that he could recognize me like...this. She bitterly thought.

She now had Soul and Mind of a child....but the body of a woman...

The voice of doubt began to whisper at her...

Will the others ever truly accept her?

How could they? This body had all but committed her down a lonely road.

A trace of anger...no...hatred crossed her expression at that.

Curse this body! Curse those hungry...no...DIRTY stares she got in this form.

Suddenly feeling terribly alone, she turned soft pink eyes towards the West.

Brother....Olguin....

With a gasp, she suddenly collapsed to her knees, the moist grace staining her almost pristine clothing.

Kami...what had they gotten themselves into?

Hina-Ohki rubbed her head against Sasami's ankle, mewing softly.

Her friend had seemed out of sorts and anxious ever since she had come back inside.

What was the matter?

Sasami jolted as she felt Hina-Ohki's fur gently brush up against her. Feeling her heartbeat increase in pace, she desperately tried to still her nerves before kneeling down to address the cabbit.

"I'm so silly sometimes. Can you believe I'm afraid of a feeling?"

Hina-Ohki sat back on her hind legs and cocked her head.

"Kya?"

Sasami began to absently mindedly scratch Hina-Ohki beneath the chin as she continued.

"It's the oddest thing. I kept feeling like my heart was being squeezed all throughout the morning, but it's eased considerably now." She sighed as she reached over to the bowl of apples she kept in her room.

"Now I feel so silly when I look back at my actions." She slowly moved the apple in front of the cabbit's eyes.

"Want some Hina-chan?" She offered with a small smile.

Hina-Ohki's eyes lit up as Sasami offered her the apple.

"Kya!" She cheered, accepting the apple, and hugging it delightedly.

"Kya 'Ya Kyaaaaa!" She told Sasami cheerfully as she began to eat.

Sasami quietly giggled at Hina-Ohki's antics. Looking around, she softly sighed. Not much to do besides practice on her harp.

But she had already done that three times today. Logically she knew that she shouldn't be lax in her practice, but her spirit NEEDED a break.

Closing her eyes, she slowly raised her hands in front of her chest as if in prayer. Delicate milky white fingers twined together as she raised her head to the heavens.

It was as if bells softly chimmed as she began to softly sing a tuneless melody. Feeling her own spirit begin to ascend in concert, she gently smiled.

And poured all her heart into the song.

Closing her eyes, she allowed the song itself to guide her.

Focused as she was on the music, she never noticed the soft bluish green light pulsing in time to her voice.

Hina-Ohki was so startled, that her attention was drawn away from the apple. (A minor miracle to those that understand cabbits.)

She stared at the sphere of light in Sasami's hands, spellbound by the light as well as the sound. Her front paws still on the apple, she watched Sasami, entranced.

It was such a peaceful, beautiful sound...

Sasami's voice slowly, but inevitably rose as she followed the crescendo of light and life that she could feel all around her.

The light wrapped around her like an embrace, leaving her feeling safe and warm. Was this how the girls in her old shoujo manga felt like when they were with their loves?

She slowly lifted her hands above her head, ignoring the feel of blood flooding to her cheeks, giving them a rather rosy tint.

Something inside her practically begged her to finish, urging her on.

Finally...

Hands pointed towards the heavens, the soft light beginning to increase in intensity.

She had to...

Her eyes flew open in shock...her voice!

The sphere of light blindingly flared as her voice gained an underlining tone of etheral beauty. For a brief moment, she felt true fear course through her veins.

This wasn't her voice...make it stop...please....not yet....she couldn't give it up...

Not yet ready... The words were gentle, filling Sasami with the same warmth and love she had felt a few moments ago.

Tears of gratitude streamed from her eyes, yet her voice continued to sing with the same beautiful, but haunting duality.

Be at peace...daughter. Another day, perhaps.

She slumped to the ground, face flushed and breath ragged as she tried to recover.

And to think, she was BORED before.

The True Emblem on her brow faintly glowed before reshaping itself as two green spheres.

Hina-Ohki, her apple forgotten for the moment, padded over to her friend, gently bumping her head into Sasami's knee to get her attention, worried.

"Kya?"

Was she all right?

OOC: Intro from tourney

IC:

Stepping out of the airport, Olguin found a remarkably lively street outside.  Taxis and other cars zoomed in and out near the exits as they carried people into the slowly recovering Tokyo 3.  Swarms of people waited with their luggage as they fought for the attention of the various taxi drivers to take them into the city.

Fearless Leader

Leets eyes darted from the forest of legs, his hands clutching his belongings tightly. Voices rose all around as they called for various, small (Dear lord, they call these cars?) taxis. All around, vendors, signs, and voices had made Leets realized on particularly unfortunate thing.

He still couldn't speak the blasted language!

"...nutbunnies..." Came a quiet, annoyed voice among the sea of people.

"Heh. No worries, Leets. I'll guid you through." Olguin happily said, feeling most of his worries fade away as he saw familiar sights again.

To think...he was home again.

Taking both Leets' and Miyuki's hands, he slowly began leading them to the nearest subway.

"It's a bit more crowd, but it's faster to go by subway, for one." He explained as they moved off towards the west.

Miyuki looked around, smiling a little as she limped next to Olguin, holding his hand with one hand and using the crutch to propel herself along and almost a normal speed.

She was almost happy. She was with Olguin, and back home. Now, If she could just get back to her proper age...things would be wonderful.

Olguin gripped Miyuki's hand reassuringly as they continued down into the subway proper.

He looked to the side, expecting Miyuki's face to be as cheerful as his was...but he saw nothing but a middle aged man waving a hotdog around.

Looking down, he repressed the look of discomfort on his expression. And the pang of disappointment in his chest.

"I never told you where we're going next, did I?" Olguin quietly murmured to her in japanese.

Miyuki smiled. Or at least tried to. She'd seen his abortive glance up at her normal height.

She resisted the urge to hang her head. She would get nowhere doing that, and only uspet Olguin.

"No, you didn't," Miyuki murmured back. "I thought we were going to the temple you mentioned...?" She asked questioningly

"Well, my two friends are going to meet me at a...concert. Actually, the big Battle of the Bands that they are having over in Greylle this year." Olguin closed his eyes in preparation for the question that he was bound to get.

Why, oh why, did his Miyuki have to be such a...FANGIRL!?

And especially to such a CRAPPY band.

Miyuki blinked.

"A concert?" She asked curiously, trying to surpress the rising excitement. She knew Olguin hated them, but she couldn't help herself.

"Is Spearhead going to be there?" She asked, her eyes lighting up. She had few hobbies, but her CDs were among her prized possessions. The chance to see them in person had a dramatic effect on her rather subdued mood.

"I would hope not." Olguin sharply retorted, all but growling out. "They'd lower the collective intelligence of the crowd."

He victoriously grinned down at her.

"Besides, this is a Battle for the GOOD bands."

Miyuki frowned.

"There's nothing wrong with them!" she protested. She was about to continue, when a thought struck her. She slowly smiled.

"Olchan...you aren't still mad about getting caught the time we took the car to go see them, are you? It wasn't their fault security pulled us over. Twelve-year olds aren't supposed to be driving, after all." she giggled slightly at the memory.

Olguin now allowed himself to growl, a little vein popping up on his right temple in response to the action.

"No I'm not! Besides, you were the one that was begging me to drive you! I'd never dream of stealing the car!" He forcefully said, the memories of him being punished for being a good friend adding a little edge to his voice.

Miyuki blushed a little, remembering.

"You're right." She admitted. "I did have to talk you into it."

She smiled to herself a bit more as they walked. "But, I seem to remember that you were going to take the blame all by yourself."

She frowned, remembering her mother's furious accusations. "You didn't say a word. If I hadn't admitted it was my fault, you would have been..." She trailed off, looking slightly angry at the memory.

Olguin sighed as his own memories came gushing to the surface.

"Whatever. Isn't like I wasn't used to those kinda accusations." He casually shrugged as they had to momentarily stopped to pay for fare.

Leading them into the subway proper, he faintly grinned as he finished.

"Besides, it was a rather stupid move, in retrospect. I really should stop listening to you, Michan."

Miyuki swatted him idly, grinning as they entered the subway, looking a little surprised when she was allowed through without charge.

"You'd better not." She warned, smiling a little. "If you hadn't listened to me when we were at that abandoned shrine, you would have had the roof drop on your head..."

She frowned. "Whatever possessed Tessai-san to challenge you in there, anyway?"

As soon as the trio were inside the crowded subway cart, he made room for the two children on one of the seats.

Taking hold of a pole near to the two, Olguin finally commented.

"The big lug probably wanted the roof to fall on me, but I showed him, didn't I?" His tone was chilling as he finished. "The chi surge stopped him in his tracks."

"Unfortunately, he survived." This was not ordinary for her, as Miyuki was kind to nearly everyone she met. However, being on the recieving end of Tessai's abuse for the mere fact of her father's genetics had long since exhausted her formidable reserves of patience.

Miyuki said, smiling briefly. "I was SO jealous that you'd figured out how to do that..."

She looked thoughtful for a moment. "That was while our parents were at the Kung-Fu film festival, wasn't it? Did we ever tell them what happened?"

Over Greyelle, Japan...

"Here we are..." Raya smiled as Flammie flew down through the large clouds, a speck of white against the starry sky.  With silent strokes of it's large wings, Flammie carried them safely down over the mountains.

Landing in a small forest outside the city limits, Flammie slowly lowered it's neck, allowing Yosho and Raya to depart.

Raya leapt off happily, smiling as she stood with her long staff up at Yosho.

Fearless Leader

Olguin smirked at Miyuki. "In retrospect we should've. I almost died when I tried to repeat that chi flare in practice."

His face grew solemn as the subway lurched to a start. "If Elder Cologne hadn't been there...best not to think of it."

Yosho took a deep breath before beaming at Raya. Finally...

The wind, the feel of the ground, and all the sights around him comforted his tired spirit as he tried to drink it all in with his gaze.

He shifted the pack to a slightly more comfortable location on his back before following after Raya at a leisurely pace.

And it was time for a family reunion, as well.

"Next stop...downtown Tokyo  3."  The calm operator voice rang over the  subway.

Fearless leader

OOC: Gimme some...

IC:

Poking out of yosho's pack, the black bunny leapt on his head.  sliently it watched Raya from atop Yosho's head.

Fearless Leader

Olguin looked up from his quiet musings at the operator's voice, and let it drop down again.

No...no more cowardice.

He'd go back...and tell them about Genryu...

He owed his family that much, at least.

"Miyuki, would...would you be alright with us going to Nerima? I know it'll be hard for you, but you can stay with us." He tentatively offered.

"I...have to tell them about Genryu." His knuckles whitened around their grip on the steel pole as he stared at her beggingly.

Miyuki nodded slowly, a pensive expression on her face.

"I-I guess..." she said finally. "I can't go home, though...But, you're right. They should know."

She looked up at him, her eyes clear, though somewhat anxious. "Let's go back."

Olguin watched through half lidded eyes as they stopped for enough time to drop off the other passengers before going through.

Nerima...

He tiredly leaned his head on the pole before him as they were engulfed by the darkness.

Hours later....

"Next Stop...Nerima distract, Tokyo 3.  This will be the last stop of the night.  Please depart here."

Fearless Leader

Olguin's whole body jolted as he found himself dozing off. Now sure that he had throughly examined the ground, he looked back up to the others.

"C'mon you two. Rise and groan in annoyance." Moving away from the pole/support for his body, he took the two children in his arms and shuffled off the train.

Maybe he'd get some rest when they got home. Maybe.

Miyuki protested, yawning.

"Y'don't need to carry me, Olchan...I c'n walk..." she muttered, leaning against his shoulder.

Olguin's eyes briefly flickered with some unknown emotion as he looked at Miyuki. He faintly smiled as he turned away from her.

"You don't seem to be capable of walking, Michan." The loose gravel underneath his feet crunched with his steps as he started away from the station.

Miyuki bapped him sleepily. "Silly. You're tired too. Put me down...or you'll collapse..."

She rubbed at her eyes. "I don't want to ever be a burden to you..."

The gleaming lights of the city shined as the trio continued through the thin crowds. Looking around with awe struck eyes, Olguin finally commented.

"I'm not tired. I'm too nervous to be tired." He babbled.

Miyuki's eyes slowly began to clear of drowsyness.

"Olchan...You need to calm down..." she said quietly. "Akane-basan and Ranma-jisan will be glad to see you. "

She bit her lip. "It'll be ok, You'll see."

Olguin took in a noisy gulp of air, trying to fight down the growing need to  hyperventilate. She couldn't understand, or could she?

He winced as he looked at Leets. They had dragged him on this fool's quest, and he hadn't even complained yet. His voice was quiet as he continued.

"I ran away, and I don't think they'd forgive my cowardness."

Miyuki instinctively wrapped her small arms around his neck.

"Olchan...They would not. You were only fourteen...and it's been YEARS. And...Genryu-niichan recovered," she said softly. "You saw him, before..." she trailed off.

"They won't...they CAN'T hold it against you!"

Olguin's expression lost some of the anxiety it held at Miyuki's hug.

"Yeah, before he vanished...most likely dead at the hands of that freak." His reply sounded clipped to even his own ears.

Miyuki shook her head vigourously.

"You can't think like that! We didn't see it...He might still be alive..." Miyuki wiped at her eyes.

"Can't give up hope...If we give up...we might not ever get the chance to save him..."

"What if it's already too late? Grahf was...too powerful. It was a demon." Olguin's eyes were hooded as he finished. Slowly, the lights from the homes around them dimmed, before going off.

Eventually, the only sounds on the now desolate street were his quiet steps.

Miyuki looked into his eyes seriously, the eighteen year old that she really was showing through the six-year-old exterior.

"Olchan. What if it ISN'T too late? It would be way worse, if he was captured or something, and we just assumed there was nothing we could do, right? We can't give up hope!" She insisted.

She glanced up briefly as they arrived at their destination, walking slowly up the walk to the Ono Chiropratic clinic.

Happy memories, and some not so happy began to surface in her mind...but always, the same feeling of refuge surfaced, whenever she thought of this place...or the many times she or a young Olguin had come here to get themselves repaired after fights, or sparring...

Olguin fought to hide the faint smile on his face at Miyuki's words.

Now of all times he really wished he had been able to stay with her. To never leave her alone like he did.

"Michan...thank you." He softly murmured to his friend, an expression of affection crossing his features.

Walking up to the entrance, he confidentally rang the doorbell. If only she knew how much she had really helped him.

Leets woke up, slightly startled, what time was it now? He glanced around his surroundings, his slightly muddled mind trying to comprehend what was happening, when everything came back to him.

"Uhm, you can let me down now," said Leets, making sure he still had his stuff with him. Darn jetlag, he overslept.

Olguin blinked a few times before doing as asked, taking the opportunity to put Miyuki down as well.

"Okay. How are you feeling now?" He asked, noting that the lights up on the second floor of the clinic were lighting up.

"Feeling better than yesterday." Leets looked up at the slightly imposing building. "You live here?" he asked curiously as he noticed the universal symbol for a medical center. Must be handy to have a doctor in the family, he thought, remembering that the others were some fighters.

Miyuki smiled tiredly at Leets.

"No. His...Um, what's the word? Oh! His Aunt and Uncle live here. They're a friend of my family, too." She explained, using the crutch to limp slowly up the walk.

Leets followed the two, frowning slightly as he suddenly had the nagging feeling he forgot something. "So, uhm, about this music festival. Who are we meeting, exactly?"

"We're meeting a friend of mine. I originally went to London to help him find some clues as to where a man by the name of Khrima is located. Seems he knew about me, though." Olguin added in a whisper.

His fists clenched tightly as he remembered how easily he was duped into believing that Meck and Kemitt were just obsessed incompetents.

Just as he was about to continue, the door slowly opened, revealing a weary looking individual. The man didn't look anymore than thirty by most guesstimates, but deep lines of anxiety of depression seemingly added years to the man's expression.

The man looked at the assembled group in confusion for a few moments before his eyes locked onto Olguin's. An uncomfortable silence descended on the ground as the older gentleman gazed deep into Olguin's eyes, searching for something only he knew.

"Hello, my tragic boy." The elderly man softly started in Japanese.

"Hello...Uncle Tofu." Olguin timidly replied, looking for all the world like fragile china.

Tofu's serious expression slowly changed into a tired smile of acceptance, and he stood aside, allowing the trio entrance.

"Please, all of you come in. The night is not for people such as yourselves." Turning towards Olguin, he suddenly gasped as he saw the little girl that was firmly gripping Olguin's left hand.

"And so much to talk about." He sadly murmured.

Miyuki felt as though she wanted to crawl into a hole. She stared at the ground, her cheeks flaming.

"Hello, Sensei...it's been awhile," she stammered.

Only the cast on her leg kept her from fleeing in humilation.

"Come on in, please." Tofu's gentle urgings left nothing more for Olguin to do. Slowly leading the two children into the building, he took a moment to look at the surroundings.

Over by the far right corner there was an impressive collection of bookcases, stacked full of books with titles that made Olguin's head spin.

Over by the far left corner of the room was a staircase, leading up to the Ono family's true home.

Currently where they were standing in a plush reception/waiting area, a door straight ahead of them leading to where the patients would be tended to.

"Yes, and what exactly happened to you, little one?" Tofu asked.

Miyuki didn't meet Tofu's gaze.

"Ano...a lot has happened...I'm not sure where to start..." she admitted.

"How about you tell me how you managed to break your leg?" Tofu gently insisted.

Miyuki smiled uneasily, still not meeting Tofu's eyes.

"It was a demon...I got too careless." she mumbled.

"And did that demon turn you into a little girl too?" The doctor continued.

Off to the side, Leets and Olguin were examining an anatomy poster, trying not to bother the two.

"Sorry about all this." Olguin started in english, "But he has a soft spot for her."

Miyuki flushed. "No...I ran into a magic deck of cards."

She sighed, peeking up at him through her bangs. "I couldn't stop myself...And I ended up like this."

She smiled a little. "At least Olchan was there...I don't know what would have happened to me if he wasn't..."

"It's all right," said Leets, feigning disinterest. Though, inwardly, he felt a bit of envy that she'd have so many people caring for her. Sighing, Leets looked up at the poster, pondering.

"...back there in London. Were you really considering to leave me behind?" Leets asked suddenly, not showing any emotion.

Olguin felt a brief pang of panic at the boy's words, now ignoring the quiet conversation between his uncle and Miyuki.

"I won't lie to you, I was, even if it was for a single moment." He calmly looked at the poster.

"Do you know what 'chi' is?" He suddenly asked.

****

A matronly woman in her mid thirties awoke from her troubled slumber, and began to frantically look around, her long chocolate hair swishing from side to side.

Where was Tofu?

Brown doe-like eyes finally clearing, she noticed the sounds of conversation coming from the clinic.

Getting to her feet, she hurriedly put on a thick cotton robe and started downstairs.

Her heavy steps unfortunately woke another up.

"Olguin..." The young girl whispered in an hushed voice, her brown eyes flickering with some deep emotion.

He was back.

Sadness seemed to cloud his eyes for a fleeting moment, barely noticeable by anyone. "Chi? I think I heard some of the tourist say something about it," he said. "Even though I couldn't understand a word they said."

Olguin uncomfortably sighed, but steeled himself. He had to make the boy understand, or he wouldn't trust him anymore.

"Chi is the power inherent in all beings. It changes depending on the being, but its all basically the same. I, and the other high ranking martial artists, know how to harness it."

A dully glowing sphere of icy blue light briefly flickered around his right fist, drawing in Leets' attention. Chilling winds swirled around his hand, covering his exposed skin with a thin layer of ice.

"If you want to know what made me consider abandoning you, even if it was for a brief moment, touch the sphere. Touch the ultimate manifestation of the Soul of Ice."

Leets studied the glowing sphere, eyes slightly wide in shock. His hand reached out warily, feeling the cold draft emanating from the sphere. As his hand was about to touch the sphere's surface though, he suddenly drew his hand away.

"I think I'll take your word for it," he said, casting a cautious glance at the sphere.

"Heh. You once again demonstrate that you're wiser than you appear, just like any reasonable person." Olguin selfmockingly said.

"Some weren't as wise as you, and they took this power. This terrible, terrible power." He clenched his hand, the sphere of icy energy fading away.

"Some need this power to survive." He sadly finished.

Leets blinked, looking at Olguin in slight confusion. "Really? What did you need to survive against?" he asked curiously.

"My own power. At one point in time it was feeding upon itself, and this was the only way out of being killed." Olguin indifferently shrugged.

****

"Magic appears to be the bane of all the people that live here." Tofu sighed as he lead Miyuki into his office and up onto the examination table.

Peering closely at her, he began to expertly examine her.

Yui silently slipped out of bed, pulling on a robe to ward off the chill of the night.

Using methods she had practiced for years, she made her way behind her mother once she was past her doorway. Hoping the faint click of her door latch was lost amongst her mother's steps.

She couldn't wait to see him again.

Olguin breathed a heavy sigh of regret as he turned away from the anatomy chart.

"Something's off with the feel of the night, or it could be something is off with the clinic itself."

What could it be?

****

"Hmm...excellent. That leg will heal in no time at all." Tofu looked pensive. "Although that curse..."

Miyuki nodded...and, despite her own worries, did her best to put on a cheerful face.

"Don't worry, Sensei. Daddy talked about some mushrooms that could undo this...or I could try and find Jusenkyo, or something." she assured Tofu...or was she trying to convince herself?

The words sounded hollow and afraid, even to her own ears.

"Well, the forest that had those mushrooms may never be found again. You must also consider that it may have been destroyed." Tofu's expression grew grim as he remembered something he had read in the paper recently.

"And the entirety of China is in the grip of a bloody war, so Jusenkyo is not a safe place to go at this point in time."

"Perhaps visiting a temple may also help." Tofu suggested. "In these times, many gifted and powerful individuals have gone into the priesthood."

***

Kasumi descended the stairs in time for Olguin to turn towards the entrance. She felt her heart skip a beat as she considered his profile, then happily burst out.

"Olguin!"

Yui silently descended behind her mother, her eyes searching for him.

She blushed only barely at the sight of Olguin. He looked...almost cold...

Blinking curiously, she waited in the background, smiling warmly. She wouldn't want to go in uninformed.

Olguin was just turning when he was engulfed by his aunt's giant, bonecrushing hug. The thing that raised his hackles was that there was a note of...desperation in it?

"Ack!" Olguin brilliantly responded as Kasumi started firing off rapid fire questions.

A few moments later, Kasumi finally noticed the distressed state of her nephew and slowly let him go with a firery red blush on her cheeks.

"I'm so sorry Olguin-chan." She murmured, "It's been entirely too long."

Olguin felt like an absolute ass when he saw the glimmer of tears in Kasumi's eyes. Which was doubled when he saw...Yui?

"We...we need to get reacquainted, yes!" She forced cheer into her tone as she turned towards Leets, "I'll make you two something to eat, yes."

With that, she slowly padded backupstairs.

"Um...Leets, just follow my aunt to the kitchen, okay? I'll join you in a bit."

Miyuki's control over herself nearly cracked, but she smiled a little as Tofu suggested an alternative.

She nodded. "I'll try, sensei. I don't want to have to go through this all over again."

She hesitated, chewing her bottom lip, and suddenly sounded every bit as vulerable as she looked.

"Ano...Sensei. Has-Has my mother mentioned me at all?"

She gripped the table she was sitting on tightly to disguise the sudden trembling of her hands.

Yui hesitantly walked up to Olguin and looked into his eyes for a moment before hugging him, remaining silent for only a moment, "Welcom back, Olguin-kun..." Her voice was soft, slightly thick with emotion.

Leets looked curiously as his older companion was apparently being choked twice. Shrugging it off as some japanese custom, he followed the older woman upstairs as instructed.

Tofu carefully hid the wince that would've marred his features with every bit of his professionalism.

He had dearly wished he didn't have to tell her, but it wouldn't be right to hide the truth from her either.

"She has Miyuki-chan, but you won't like what kinds of things she has to say at all."

Olguin felt his worries ease slightly, and easily returned Yui's hug.

"Thank you, Yui-chan." Pulling back slightly, he fondly smiled at her.

"How are you?" He softly questioned, before a grinned crossed his features. "I hope my favorite cousin has been doing well."

Miyuki's face sank. She managed a shaky smile at Tofu, and a half-hearted mumble. "Oh."

She bowed her head, letting her hair obscure her eyes. Moments later, a trickle made it's way down the visible part of her cheek.

Yui smiled sadly, "I have been well, in some ways. How are you?" She softly smiled back, still a little hesitant.

'He must not know about Ranma-jisan and Akane-basaan...' She sighed internally, 'And it's not my place to tell him.'

Tofu placed a consoling hand on her left shoulder, and internally fought a debate.

To let the girl know or not. Was it his place to tell her?

"Miyuki, do you want to know why?" He muttered in a strained voice. "Why she's even worse than usual?"

***

"Um, been better myself. I came to see Mother and Father, have to tell them about Genryu..." Olguin trailed off, feeling something in his gut wrench at something indescrible feeling.

Yui blinked back the tears that threatened to well up in her eyes, he really didn't know. She hugged him slightly tighter, "I'm so sorry, Olguin-kun..."

"What for? You don't have anything to do with what happened in London." Olguin innocently countered, looking slightly lost about the whole matter.

Yui shook her head, her voice thicker with emotions than before, "I'm sorry about Genryu, but that's not what I meant..."

"What? I thought all of you knew that he..." Olguin sadly trailed off. "I had to talk to Mother and Father before they found out from any other source. It's only right, you know?"

Miyuki looked up.

"Sensei?" She had a cold feeling from the doctor. Something was wrong...

"What's happened?" She asked, not sure at all she wanted to know the answer...

Yui nodded, thankful for the change of subject, "I know...but you should talk to my mother sometime soon. Please. "

Tofu deeply sighed, but forced himself to go on.

"This recently showed up in the paper. Rome...never stood a chance."

He passed the article in question to Miyuki with trembling hands.

***

"What's wrong?" Concern was thick in Olguin's voice as he peered at his cousin.

Miyuki took the newspaper, suddenly sick with dread.

She read it wordlessly...and when she stopped, the paper fell to the ground from her suddenly nerveless fingers.

A single whimper escaped her throat...

Olguin felt a pang of agony erupt in his chest. Holding his hand up to his chest, he looked around with frantic eyes.

What the HELL was that?

Yui saw the expression on Olguin's face and dropped his question, it wasn't her place to tell him anyway...

"What's wrong, Olguin-kun?" Her voice was concerned, hoping to help him as much as she could.

"I...I don't know...it felt...felt like my heart was being squeezed tight." Olguin mumbled in a dull tone as a haunted expression crossed his face.

His eyes wandered over to the door that his uncle and Miyuki had gone through.

***

Tofu felt absolutely disgusted in himself at his actions, but brutely shoved it aside with mechanical ease.

"Miyuki...please..." He started.

One would've thought he'd been used to seeing this expression on countless victims during Second Impact, when all manner of medical personnel were needed.

But it never got any better.

Never.

Miyuki shook her head violently, scooting back on the table. She bowed her head, and the tears started again.  

This time, there were far more than one. In no time at all, Miyuki's cheeks were soaked with tears, although the girl was crying her heart out, she was eerily silent, keeping the worst of a soul wrenching pain locked deeply away...

Olguin felt his vision begin to swim as his head began to pulse violently in time to the squeezing of his heart. He swayed as he tried his best to reach uncle...and Miyuki.

But it was getting too....

Vision darking, he reached out towards the door with a trembling arm.

Too tired....so tired....

He felt himself bonelessly flop to the unforgiving tile below. A meter seperated him from his goal.

How predictable. You're such a Weakling. A quiet voice sneered in his mind as he felt himself leave the world of the conscious.

OOC: Graveyard Revisited.

She sadly smiled as she watched him reappear. The fact that he didn't even know what all this truly represented made her heart ache even more for the poor child.

Even now he was heading deeper and deeper into the heart of Darkness itself, and he wouldn't realize it until it was too late.

Her poor, poor baby.

The slamming of the Graveyard's gate behind him echoed in her ears with a tone of closure.

She closed her eyes to block off the flow of tears, and steeled herself.

She'd be with him up to the very end.

She owed her son that much.

And with a flutter of cloth and raven hair, she vanished.

***

Olguin sighed as he waved his arm in front of him irritably, hoping that he could force this damnable fog out of his face.

His expression grew infuriated as he petulantly kicked the dirt in front of him.

"Dammit! I want out now!"

Every damn time he thought he was reaching the exit, this damn fog just had to do that freaky glowing thing. And he was growing sick and tired of it!

"Finally! Some progress!" He gleefully cried out, before finally noticing where his blind wandering had gotten him to.

A mausolem...a blasted and desolate mausolem...

Just peachy.

***

Yesss....

Come closer boy...

Then....you....are....mine.

Within the darkness, twin spheres of amethyst power blazed like two small stars.

The Weak would perish....their blood would stain the deadened earth below.

And pave way to their God.

The God of Death.

***

A sudden blast of frigid air rustled Olguin's clothing as he looked on the mausolem. And left him feeling cold and alone in its wake.

What the...?

Any further musings were immediately shelved as the mausolem itself glew a bright red. He watched through eye eyes as he felt all his strength pour out of his frame. Collapsing to his hands and knees, his breath began to come out in shallow gasps.

"No..." It couldn't be...

But his eyes couldn't help but be glued on the rusted gate of the mausolem. And the four kanji on four corner of the iron gate.

Hate...

Lust...

Envy...

Fear...

His body convulsed as he desperately tried to force himself up, whimpers of terror escaping his throat as his every move failed.

Whimpers turned into gibbers of raw fear as the iron gate began to pulse, his own heartbeat providing the key for it.

The world grew hazy as he began to openly weep. For deep in his heart he knew...

He knew he damned.

Flecks of rust started flaking off the gate.

Moments later, the gate looked as if it had been recently made. Its dark metal glistened in the foggy night.

Click...

Tears streamed down his face as he watched the gate slowly swing open.

This was the end.

***

The darkness quivered in glee before erupting forth from the Judgement Gate.

A high pitched shriek announced its glorious return to the land of the living.

Once again free to maim, rape, and pillage.

And kill.

But first.

It would bring its God back to Earth.

Oh, it would be GLORIOUS.

Its shrieking reached a crescendo as it descended upon the mortal.

***

Malice.

No!

She wouldn't lose him to Malice!

The power came to her hand easily, her Will shaping her Spirit with experience that belayed her apparent youth.

"Go!"

A sphere of the purest white light streaked from her outstretched hand, tearing through both land and sky as it flew forth.

Please...

Don't let it be too late.

***

Olguin sobbed as a seemingly endless sea of darkness loomed above his prone form momentarily.

Only to descend on him like a tidal wave, hoping in its hunger to shallow him whole.

A sphere of Light halted its plans though.

Darkness and Light met in an explosion of colors, blinding the soul they were fighting over.

When it faded, it revealed...

Miyuki's silent weeping was suddenly interrupted, by a violent mental shove... and a flare of pain.

She sat bolt upright, crying out, and promptly fell over, unconscious, tears still flowing from her eyes...

OOC: Sorry, Wen. I SUCK at typing up a thick accent, so...too bad, so sad. *flees*

A familiar ceiling greeted Olguin's brutal wake up call to the world of the living. Rolling onto his back he chose to stare at the tiles for a few moments in contemplation.

"Dreams suck." He announced his findings to the world before groaning again.

***

"Miyuki!" Tofu rushed up to the prone girl and began to quickly and effectively check her.

He pulled back a few moments later, and breathed a deep sigh of regret.

The poor child needed sleep.

Picking her up, he opened the door, and stared at the scene presented.

Olguin lying prostrate on his back in front of Yui.

O-kay...he HAD known about her crush on him, but to THIS extent.

"Um...well...Olguin IS adopted, but could you two chose a more...REMOTE location?" He added with a twitching eyebrow.

***

Kasumi smiled down at the boy serenely, but a touch of sadness lay beneath her eyes.

"I'm sorry we don't have much else for you besides that sandwich, but I wasn't expecting any guests...let alone so many at once." She flushed at her thick accent, but hoped the boy understood her english.

Yui blushed absolutely crimson, "DAAAAD, nothing like that happened..."

She kneeled down, offering a hand up to Olguin, "Olguin-kun just fainted..."

Olguin ignored his own blush in favor of taking Yui's hand to pull himself up.

That's when he noticed Miyuki.

"What happened to Michan!" He cried out as he rushed his uncle.

"Hold on, Olguin. She's just resting from the various shocks to her system. That's all."

"But what shocked her so much?"

Tofu sighed as he started heading towards the stairs.

"Uncle..?"

"I'll tell you, as soon as I place this young one to bed."

Olguin turned towards Yui, a pleading expression on his face.

"Do you know ANYTHING about this?"

Leets blinked, spending a moment to decifer the nice lady's accent. "It's okay," he said. "It's better than what I usually scavenge."

After taking a bit though, his eyes widened slightly at the bombardment of flavor, more rich then he was use to. "MUCH better!" he added, savoring the sandwich.

Yui looked down, a small blush still suffusing her cheeks.

She meekly nodded, "It's not really my place to tell you..."

Kasumi smiled at the youth before him, trying to hide the pang of anger she felt when she heard that the poor boy had to scavenge to find food.

"You can have more when you finish that one." Kasumi sighed, "I hope the others get here soon."

***

Olguin patted Yui on the shoulder understandingly. "Alright, let's go upstairs, then. I'll find out from your parents."

He started upstairs, feeling a shadow of the fear he felt in his dream begin to grow stronger.

***

Tofu sighed as he tucked Miyuki into the guest room's bed.

If she took it this badly...

How would his nephew take it.

This wasn't going to end well, not by a long shot.

Yui nodded sadly, following Olguin closely up the stairs and letting her silent movements relax.

Kasumi smiled at her husband brightly, but it quickly died a painful and agonizing death when she noticed his expression.

"Did you...?"

Tofu nodded, a solemn expression on his features. Which quickly became one of calm when Olguin and Yui entered the kitchen.

"Please, take a seat Olguin." Tofu softly asked.

"Um..alright." Olguin quickly did as told, and took a seat next to Yui. "But can you all tell me one thing? Why doesn't anyone give me a straight answer about my parents."

Silence descended on the group as a whole at that.

Yui gently reached out and took Olguin's hand, softly squeezing it. Her eyes offering what comfort she could for what she knew was about to happen...

Olguin blinked at Yui's gesture, still feeling some residual surprise at what Tofu had said. Really..it was too much.

That's when his aunt and uncle started telling him the tale...

The tale of the destruction of Rome. And of Ranma and Akane Saotome's final day.

***

The loud clattering of a chair, and the shattering of several plates heralded Olguin's reaction to the story.

"Olguin!" Tofu cried out, dashing forwards to restrain the howling youth.

"IT ISN'T TRUE, IT ISN'T!" Olguin hoarsely screamed as his aura manifested itself in the worst way possible.

A crimson nimbus of power surged to life around his form, searing into the ground deeply as it blasted the room's occupants far away from him, slamming them into the unforgiving environment.

Fuel was added to the fire when it appeared.

Malice.

Lacing through his aura, the midnight black shards of energy trembled with glee as they manifested for the second time since the tragedy in London.

With another inarticulate howl of agony, he burned up the ground below him in his mad dash out of the clinic.

Had to get away!

Had to!

HAD TO!

Yui groaned as she tried to move her bruised body, managing to roll away from the site of her impact and catch a bare glimpse of Olguin running back towards the old dojo...

Wincing and groaning as she pulled herself up, pain flaring in her body while she checked everyone else in the room.

***

Once having attended to the others, Yui tried to calm herself, only marginally succeeding once she came back to the kitchen and saw the burns left by Olguin's aura.

'No...we have to go after him. We HAVE to go after him...'

She shook her head softly, violently repressing her thoughts of doubt. Mother always said if you try hard enough you can accomplish anything...

She forcefully kept those thoughts in mind as she slipped outside and into the night, moving as swiftly as she could with her battered body and still remain silent. He had been heading to the dojo, and she would follow...

Olguin ran as fast and far as possible. He had to get away from this nightmare. Only way to escape this horrible, horrible lie..

Speed...

Power...

He needed MORE, dammit!

A nimbus of crimson and obsidian power streaked through the deserted streets.

Home...

Yes...

Home is safe and warm.

With that thought in mind it continued onwards to a home it had not seen in a decade.

The Saotome Dojo.

***

Ten minutes later, the red and black comet faded from existence, energy dissipating like mist to reveal a heavily breathing Olguin.

He looked at the complex before him in slight naustolegia, breathing a sigh of exhausation as happier memories battered his conscience.

But he refused to believe what they had told him.

Never.

With a powerful leap, he bounded into the complex proper, making a beeline into the two story tall house sitting smack dab in the middle of the property.

Moments later, the door exploded inwards as Olguin applied his own brand of lock picking to the stubborn thing. Stepping into the house, he only had one thought running through his mind.

He was home.

Yui ghosted through the streets of Nerima, blending into her surroundings almost completely as she snuck towards the Saotome Dojo.

No way in hell was she going to let Olguin-kun stick this out alone. She'd help him dammit! Just like he'd helped her...

***

Many minutes later she finally came into sight of it, straining her eyes to see if anything was happening or had happened...

A weakly flickering amethyst light could be faintly seen from one of the windows on the second floor of the Saotome Dojo, adding an sense of despair to the solemn juggernaut.

Yui carefully walked over the smashed door, relaxing the stealth technique as she picked through the mess of overturned contemporary furniture.

She sighed softly, older and happier memories surfacing as she idly putting a few chairs back on their legs before heading up the stairs, praying that in this state he wouldn't hurt the bearers of bad news...

A throbbing amethyst light could be seen slipping underneath the crack of the farthest room in the upstairs hallway.

Occasionally, the light would either dramatically increase or decrease in its luminance, but the constant aura of depress...and more darker emotions was a constant in the air.

Yui drifted down the hallway, wincing every time a floorboard creaked.

Shivering for a moment outside the door, she gently knocked, "Olguin-kun? It's Yui..."

"...yui?" A quiet voice asked in a tired and haunted toned. "is that really you?"

The light that had been flickering from within the room suddenly went dead, the crackle of electricity surging through the air as it was pulled into the room, leaving nothing but a dead silence and a lack of...life in its wake.

"come in yui-chan."

Yui shivered again and hesitantly opened the door, carefully stepping in and looking around for but a moment before her eyes locked onto Olguin.

"Olguin-kun...?"

"..they're all gone..and now i'm alone."

Lying in the middle of a completely destroyed bedroom was a kneeling figure, who would occasionally shiver as a nimbus of amethyst energy crackled across his form.

Patches of ice covered random portions of the scarcely furnished room, and the smell of ozone was thick in the air. The figure didn't even seem to mind, though, chosing to stare at the burnt ground underneath him.

The ground beneath Olguin chose this moment to ominously groan.

"...genryu died in london...he couldn't of survived...no one could've."

The sharp crack of wood splitting rent the air.

Yui reached out to Olguin, the look on her face almost desperate, momentarily ignoring the stench of ozone and cold environment in favor of Him. "Olguin-kun!"

She couldn't let him go, she wouldn't.

"...go on yui-chan, just let me go join them." Olguin looked up with blank eyes. Moments later a spark of life entered them, voice strengthening, he continued.

"You have it all, just forget me and move on."

Another sharp crack of wood splitting

Tears welled up in Yui's eyes, the little hazel pebbles shimmering, "Please, Olguin-kun..." She fell to her knees as close as she could safely sit to him.

"Please...I don't want to have anything without you around..."

"...why do you want to be around me? don't you know that i just bring tragedy to everyone around me?" Olguin dully whispered, but a flicker of concern lit his eyes when he looked at her face.

"Because you also bring us happiness...you protected me when we were kids...I just wouldn't want to be able to enjoy that without you..." Yui's hand tremblingly reached for Olguin's, tears still held back...

Olguin's eyes snapped back into focus, but the spark was much dimmer than it originally was.

"I...can't let it end like this, can I?"

His right hand firmly grasped hers.

Above the dojo, a blue robed figure landed softly.

It had been many years since he first came here.  When he first met the boy...



"So...is that all?  Who's next?  What about you lad?" Behind the white mask he taunted them.  Somewhere out there one with the proper spirit and destiny lived.  Maybe it was here.

No...  that boy standing up wouldn't be the one.  Too ingrained in life he was.  Lifting his hands once more he smiled under the mask, another polished stone beneath his feet.

The boy had come here.  His student.  Something was wrong though.  His spirit was unbalanced...uncontrolled.  He shook his head.  There was simply no time to fool around.  If he'd found the boy the first time, then he would have had the time but...

With those demons on the loose, there was no time for fooling around.

lifting a silver flute to his lips, he played his sad melody to the stars above...

Fearless Leader

"No, you can't." Yui smiled a bit as she pulled him off the burned and cracking wood, leaning back to offset her lack of general strength.

"Wah? Ahh!" Yui cried out in surprise as she leaned to far back, tipping on her heels and thumping down against the more solid wood behind her, accidentally also pulling Olguin down on top of her. A bright blush suffused her cheeks at the situation, slight shock impairing her speech.

Olguin yelped as he was pulled down on top of Yui, and finally let himself shiver for another reason besides the cold or his own emotional turmoil.

Bad thoughts!

Scurrying off her body, he hung his head when he heard the soft melody of the flute.

He HAD been wondering where Shair-sensei had been off to lately, but he was never as glad to hear that flute as he was now.

"Um...gomen Yui-chan." He blurted, as he started getting to his feet.

Yui stood as he did, still blushing slightly, "I-it's alright, Olguin-kun..."

She blinked at the sad melody of a flute, it must've been nearby... "What a beautiful song..."

Olguin's senses extended to their limits as he absently nodded.

"He's back. How ironic." He muttered as he brushed soot off his pant legs.

He extended his hand to Yui, smiling warmly at her.

"C'mon, time for you to head off. I have one last bit of business to deal with."

Yui blinked and took his hand, smiling back slightly, "Um..." She blinked again at the sudden change.

"Are you alright, Olguin-kun?" Her voice was filled with concern, a hint of deeper emotions creeping through.

Olguin flinched as he pulled her up, wanting to turn away from her kindness. She had helped him, and he wasn't about to heap more of his troubles on her.

"I'm alright." Hurriedly turning away from her, he starting heading out of the ruins of his bedroom.

Yui watched his back, quietly whispering, "I...I'm so sorry I failed..."

Slumping slightly onto the cold wood, she struggled to keep the grief from breaking her. She'd tried, but was it hard enough? Obviously not.

But could she try again? Would it work? What would he think?

So many questions...

"...olguin..." She breathed out his name, wishing he would understand, wishing to help him, wishing so much it hurt.

"Please Yui-chan, go home. I'll be back, I promise."

Olguin hurried his pace, not wanting to look at Yui's expression. Nothing good would come about it, he kept telling himself.

Especially if she saw his own expression.

Yui's whisper was almost inaudible, but it managed to reach Olguin's ears, a soft silvery shimmer of sound rippling through the air. "As you wish, cousin..."

Her head was hung low as she left, barely managing to control herself while she walked away, tears already welling in her eyes.

Olguin stopped in his tracks, but didn't turn towards his cousin as she started leaving.

"Yui-chan...? Words can't describe how much I appreciate what you did for me. And when I'm done here, I'll go back to the others...and you. I swear."

Yui shivered almost imperceptibly, "Thank you, Olguin-kun...I'll be waiting..."

And with that, she began walking out. Her tears were still held back, but the emotions behind them shifted, lightening her dark mood a little.

"I promise that I'll be waiting for you..." Her whisper was nearly silent as she reached the stairs, a hand twitching towards Olguin as the other reached for the railing.

Olguin's expression lightened somewhat for a moment, before it quickly steeled itself.

Shair was going to talk.

Now.

With that thought in mind he continued walking down the hallway. A brief flicker of amethyst light dully glowed behind his brown eyes before dying.

***

He slowly slid the window open, and took a deep breath of the fresh night air.

Moments later, a dark blur leapt out of the second story window, lightly landing on the moist grass below, before bouncing off the ground and rocketing towards Shair.

Olguin's boots made a hollow echoing sound as he landed on the roof of the dojo, before sliding into the correct position for his battle stance.

"Hello...Wiseman."

"Hello student.", Shair stood up, his flute disappearing into a blue sleeve.  Turning his blue eyes drilled into Olguin intently.  "I see that you've taken the first step...survival."

Fearless Leader

"So much for this first step." Olguin bitterly said, "It took the utter annihilation of a city in order for me to increase in skill."

"And where did you vanish off to? If anything, I would've thought you...knew about this." His eyes narrowed, matching Shair's stare evenly.

"I battled against the fiend behind the mask.  In mockery he had chosen the name Dark Wiseman.  He is a powerful opponent.  Whatever you do, do not fight him.  He is far beyond your capabilities."

muttered low... "And perhaps...beyond my own..."


"heh...heh...heh...  Did you really think that would kill me?  This is but a doll...  to be disgarded as necessary."  The glowing spirit laughed, it's body torn and cut.  It's mask shattered revealing a wrinkled and old face.

"It matters not.  I will hunt you down until you are destroyed."  Shair stood resolute...  his own wounds of no concern.  Victory or death.  That was the path of a weaponsmaster.  There could be no other option.

"I'll see you in hell...  traveler of the worlds..."  the fiend vanished even as the glowing blade passed through his form.

Shair shook his head, clearing the memory.  "But, you did well.  Surviving what happened.  It was a tragedy, but...  learning from tragedy...gives one the strength to survive what will come."

Fearless Leader

"Wait...that thing that was fighting in the tournament? Did it say anything about why it was there?" Olguin tightly asked, hands trembling as it gripped the air before him.

"Or for that matter, what the hell was that thing attacking London?"

"That...creature.  I do not know it...but yet I do.  I could tell from battling it.  It lives merely to destroy.  Traveling...across dimensions even.  Itself...  and it's spawn.  All it bore was hatred...  hatred for everything."



~Fool...~

Shair fell to his knee, spent.  Blood ran down his face as he coughed painfully.  The demon had escaped him...  this time.



"And that thing which was attacking London...  I do not know, save that it too was powerful... and not truly of this world."

Fearless Leader

Olguin deeply sighed as his eye darted to the side, looking at the darkened house beyond. "Well, I find this rather out of my depth."

Running his hand through his auburn hair, he wearily continued.

"And it seems that Rome has been destroyed as well...along with my family."

Shair closed his eyes for a moment.  "I...know.  I felt it as I traveled away from London.  This is a time of troubles.  Of great change."

Shair's eyes opened.  "This is the time the world needs men like us.  Those who will work to protect it from those who would see it destroyed."

Fearless Leader

"But I'm not powerful or skilled enough to make any sort of lasting change...people that could've saved the world, people like my Father, are too rare these days." Olguin muttered, brow creasing at the memory.

"And he's gone...what can I do?"

OOC: Okay, fuck it...this is hellsing influenced and you know it.

IC:

"If that is your decision...than I may as well leave now.  You have survived, where they have not.  You live on to carry the fight.  But if you have already died in heart, than you cannot slay a monster.  Only humans...can slay monsters.  And humans live...", Shair looks intently, his eyes never moving, boring straight into Olguin, appearing analyze his being and soul.

Fearless Leader

"Only humans can kill monsters?" Olguin muttered in shock, but something trickled into his mind.

Even as a child...Miyuki had utterly annihilated the pig monster that had mowed down countless innocents in the Tournament Arena.

And he had...

He looked at the saya that he had hurriedly strapped to his side before coming back onto the roof.

"My sword...it killed them."

The wind blew cold as the moon shone brightly in the night sky.  The clouds absent, nothing obscuring it's shining eye.

Two men stood facing each other on the roof of a dojo.

The younger one, barely more than a boy.  His face marked with sorrow.  Streaks of tears shed recently ran down his skin.  His auburn hair blew slightly in the cold breeze of the darkness.  His leanly muscled form tense from stress as he stared uncertain at down at his sword.
A soul adrift...

"Your sword?  A tool, nothing more.  Lacking a soul it cannot kill anything.  It is the human spirit that is dangerous.  That bears the seeds of destruction within it's heart.  The power to slay monsters."  The older man recited.

His eyes stared darkly, artic blue.  His blue robes obscuring his own form.  A sense of unstoppable power and ancient wisdom flowed off the elder warrior as he stood on the green roof of the family dojo of the Saotome Clan.  Looking on the remaining clansman, he waited.  A mountain unto himself...

Fearless Leader

"Would I...be able to get enough strength to avenge them and all those innocents?" Olguin quietly questioned as his finger ran along the hilt of his weapon.

"Is achieving that kind of power even possible without losing one's soul? Like that...thing that called itself Dark Wiseman."

OOC: Gatekeepers wai!

IC:

"Do you believe you can?  Are you willing to toss away the limits you have learned and become a weaponsmaster?  A normal man cannot defeat such foes.  Even the most talented martial artist could not.  You fear for your soul..."

A slight smile crossed Shair's face.  The world around them felt abnormally quiet, as if the universe was standing still around them.  No sounds of beeping cars or quarelling fiancees reached them.  No alley cats came near, perhaps frightened by something beyond their comprehension...

"Then you are wise.  But can you afford not to take the chance?  To trust in the strength of your friends to give you something to hold onto?  To keep your sanity in the darkness?  Are you going to lay wimpering as others take up the blade...  or are you going to train?"

Fearless Leader

Olguin's head was bowed as he thought about what Shair had just told him.

Was he cowering, he dully thought, was he nothing more than just another bump in the road for all of these demons that were even now ravaging his planet?

His thread was special, right?

But he didn't feel particularly special at the moment. He just felt scared, and lonely.

And tired.

"I promise that I'll be waiting for you..."

Yui...

He had promised her that he'd go back to her...

He had promised Miyuki that he'd help her find a cure...

He had promised Leets to help him discover his past...

He had promised Yosho...Sasami...Reiko...Canal...

So many promises.

He was a man of his word.

Looking up with clear eyes, his voice rang in the silence.

"I will train, and I will become a Weaponsmaster."

If he couldn't live for himself...

He'd live to avenge his family.

He'd live to protect the others.

"That's the spirit lad.  Now, show me what you've learned."  Shair stood, apparently unprepared, a smile on his face.

Fearless Leader

Olguin crouched low before springing towards Shair, fists and feet screaming through the air as they flew at his Sensei.

"Gladly." He whispered.

Not even stopping to see if his attack had hit or not, he threw himself deep into his attack run, spinning around and snapping out a set of high speed and vicious kicks.

Shair smiled as he shifted around the blows, a shadow just out of Olguin's reach.  "Good, you're improving.  No more thought, strike."

Fearless Leader

Olguin grinned as he starting spinning, form blurring as he continued to press Shair. His whole body was in motion as he lashed out with quick bursts of controlled violence.

"Put your soul in your fist..."

Lashing out with one strike after another, he felt his blood roar through his very being. If he didn't know better...he would've thought that the dojo was singing in time to his dance.

"And it'll never steer you wrong."

But that was silly...right?

OOC: Fatal Tragedy...  Dreamtheater thy art nifty

IC:

"Do you hear them, my student?" Shair smiled as he weaved through olguin yet again, moving just beyond the blurring speeds that olguin struck at.  His blue robes shifting with his movement as he appeared behind Olguin, ducking the reflexive backward strikes Olguin followed with.

Fearless Leader

OOC: Gatekeepers Opening Theme was meant for these kinds of things. At least, on my side. =D

IC:

"What are they?" The winds howled as they were tamed by the tragic child, swirling around his form as they lent their assistance to his gentle prodding.

Taking a mighty leap, air displacing underneath his feet and giving him the added momentum needed. Olguin spun and contorted in the air, hands lashing out as he sailed over Shair.

Why was he getting such a overwhelming feeling of joy...

It couldn't be...

"Raised of fighters..."  Shair spun as he rose into the air, sweeping past his student once more and lashing out this time in a series of blows sending Olguin towards the ground as they crossed paths in the air.

"Trained in a homeland of war."  Shair turned landing with flawless grace on the ground in his non-stance.

"Is it any wonder that the spirits of fighters sing in joy at one of their own taking the path of a true warrior?"

Fearless Leader

Olguin's breath exploded out of his mouth as Shair passed him, wincing as he tumbled to the ground. He rushed to be beaten so easily, though!

Lashing out with his arms, he landed on the roof...hand first. His body trembled as he forced his arms to keep the rest of his body up, and finally pushed off the roof with effort.

The world spun briefly before his eyes before he landed on the other side of the roof, opposite Shair. Moments later, he coughed as he body forced him to drop into a crouch.

"I...can't...disappoint them...now can I?" So focused on forcing himself to his feet and watching Shair's every movement that he didn't notice how the wood beneath his feet began to dully glow.

His legs trembled as he tried to rise...

"Done already student?  Surely you can go farther than that."  Shair's eyes gleamed in the moonlight.

Fearless Leader

"I won't...give up now."

Olguin's eyes flared with anger as his whole body shook as he tried to, but failed to, rise.

NO!

He WOULDN'T let that dream prove itself to be prophetic, he wasn't!

For a split second the world rent itself as he pictured the Graveyard.

It's awful, terrible coldness.

And the wave of Malice...and how it had swallowed him up.

But had it?

The ground beneath his feet brightly flared.

He remembered.

He wasn't...couldn't afford that...not anymore.

"I'll fight, both within and without..."

Motes of light slowly rose from the ground, giving his ascension an otherworld feeling to it. Soon afterwards, the spiritual power from the dojo faded away, leaving a chill in the air.

"Up until my dying breath." Almost flying towards Shair, before continuing his attack.

He owed her that much.

"Good."

Shair shifted letting the first blow fly past him, wasted effort.  "Fight."

Ducking Shair passed under the spinning strike that followed and then up to dodge another.  "Fight with all your might and heart."

Twisting in midair Shair danced among Olguin's strikes.  "Fight and Survive.  Fight for the pride of your blood.  For your honor.  Fight...to Fight."

Landing behind Olguin.  "Enough for tonight.  I presume you saved your friends?"  Left unspoken was the duty.

Fearless Leader

"I did." Olguin's let his hands drop to his sides as he stepped away from Shair, face shining with his exertions, and body luxuriating in pleasurable exhaustion.

"But I still haven't come up with any ideas about how to help break my friend's curse." He finished with a deep frown. "I'm not a mage, nor am I in possession of any high end technology, so I can't offer her anything besides protection."

Shair looked deep in thought.

"The restoration of your friend, this is truly important to you?"

Fearless Leader

"Of course it is." Olguin easily said, "And I promised her that I'd help her, and I never back out of promises."

OOC: WOOT!

IC:

Shair rubbed his chin thinking.  "Dracos would have the equipment to help her.  It would be getting to him that would be a problem.  Well, not really a problem, but it would take time..."

Fearless Leader

"Dracos?" Olguin quietly asked, something about that name, it sounded...familiar?

His brow started pulsing as he stumbled backwards slightly.

Dracos-sama, I have a request...may I please have time to go investigate a rumor about my brother?

What was this!? These memories aren't mine!

Yes, you'll do fine. You'll help further along our ideals, boy. After all, it is your 'duty' to help your masters. With you, the Cabal shall arise!

Stop it! Stop laughing!

Collapsing to his knees, Olguin's breath was shallow as the flood of memories finally subsided.

"What...what have I done?"

Shair was by his side in an instant, catching Olguin.  "What is it my student?"  Eyes' shining with..compassion?

Fearless Leader

"I...they...used me...Cabal...attack Geofront." Olguin barely got out, forcing the words out as his breath started growing ragged.

Shair's eyes suddenly grew cold.  "Cabal?  What is this?  You were involved in that disaster at Geofront?"

Fearless Leader

Olguin bowed his head, knowing that he was a goner either way. If Shair didn't finish him off...

COR would.

Gleefully.

"They took advantage of me...took advantage of my weakness...they wanted a spy...and they caught me."

OOC: *Thumbs up*

IC:

Shair lifted Olguin up, lifting his head and looking him in the eyes.  "You could not help yourself.  This is not a shame.  Only not becoming stronger so it never happens again would be a shame.  Psionic attacks are dangerous.  As soon as possible we should get you to a healer to help you.  Dracos himself was once struck down by a mage in such a manner."



A cold moon shone in the dark sky, framed by the black clouds.  Watching below as two friends came to blows.

"What are you doing?" Shair's eyes narrowed.

"Simple.  I'm destroying you."  Dracos lifted his clawed hand, twisted by dark magics and summoned the lightning, flashing out.



"There is no shame in being felled by dark magicks.  Only shame in not learning from the experience."

Fearless Leader

Olguin began to raggedly cough as he tried to remember all the details of his assault on the Geofront.

"But how can I learn how to defend myself against that power...about the only one I could turn to would be..."

He suddenly went rigid with fright as he dazedly murmured.

"One of the Rei alternates....died....because of me and the other people that were with me."

OOC: So slow

IC:

"You must deal with your own demons.  Death is part of life.  Particularly for a weaponsmaster.  You cannot afford to stay paralyzed in the past.  Whatever decision you make, some will die.  This is life.  Will you allow yourself to live, nothing more than a tool to these...Cabal...or will you do something about it?"

Shair suddenly blinks.  "Don't try and force past whatever mind blocks they put in.  It only makes it worse.  Wait until we get you to a healer."

Fearless Leader

Olguin quietly sighed. "I understand what you mean, and I'm not going to place the blame on myself. Not this time. I know that it was their fault, and I'll pay them back in kind."

Forcing himself back to his feet, he sighed.

"That girl's blood is on their hands, and I'm going to avenge her. But what if Dracos doesn't see it that way?"

OOC: Oi Vey ^_^;;

IC:



The morning sun shone over the young draconian, tied firmly to the ground as he awoke.  "What...have I done..."

"Nothing that could be helped friend." A voice called from behind him.  Shair's face looked grim as his tone.



"Dracos...has seen a lot in his travels of the universe.  I think he'll be more receptive than you might believe."

Fearless Leader

"I see, but who can help me?" Olguin groaned as his head began to throb in response to even thinking about anything relating to the mind blocks.

OOC: Mou?!

IC:

Shair appeared to hestiate a moment considering...



"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH...Everyone's GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE!"  Raya cried in a tree.  The village below her a ghost town.  The sun shone brightly above...   Her friends abandoned her.  Old...Grey...Dying.  Leaving her alone.

Only her and flammie remained.  Huh...what was that?

"Someone's watching us Dracos.  You may be right.  There may still be someone here."



"I remember a young child with remarkable skills.  A lost spriteling of the forest who's ability to channel mana was unparalleled.  Dracos adopted the young spriteling.  She would be able to help you."

Fearless Leader

"I don't think I deserve to go back to the base, Shair-sensei. I have much to think about, and repent." Olguin said as he leapt down the roof of the dojo.

"I'm not deserving of any help, but my friend does. How do I reach them?" He called up.

"The only way I know to get there...  would be to take Flare."

Fearless leader

"How long would it take you to bring it to Greylle?" Olguin looked up at Shair, shielding his eyes from the glare of the moon.

"I have to join up with some friends of mine there, and compare notes about that terrorist named Khrima."

"Khrima?"  Shair shakes his head.  "Hum...the terrorist leader of France?  It will take me a day or two.  Return here when you are done.  And..."

Shair smiled paternally.

"Take care of yourself lad, keep sharp, the world be moving.  Those who do not adapt, will be crushed in it's wake."

And with that he was gone...  his form fading as his words died on the winds...

The moon beginning it's descent in the late night sky.

Fearless Leader

"Right." Olguin rubbed his head as it once again began to painfully throb. Turning towards the dojo, he winced. How long was it since he had been within its walls?

Too long, in his estimation.

Sliding open the door to the dojo, he softly padded in. He had much to think about.

***

Yosho looked up at the lightening skies above, and softly sighed.

Times were changing too quickly, it seemed.

And the world was becoming a dark place.

But he wouldn't give up. Not yet.

Holding Tenchi-ken up in a salute to the moon, he softly quoted.

"My blade shines with a pure light, it tells me to fight the injustices of the world."

Turning his head towards the slumbering form of Raya, he softly finished.

"And protect the innocent."

***

Sasami dreamed the dreams of the innocent.

She dreamt of being one day reunited with her brother and friends.

She dreamt of light and darkness battling in an endless spiral of life and death. Neither could ever truly defeat the other, though. For the Balance would be lost.

And she dreamt of looking at the Earth through the eyes of a supreme force.

And she mourned as the darkness began to slowly, but surely engulf the planet.

And the moon set...  The sky beginning to brighten as the sun burst over the horizon, shining oh so brightly.  In Nerima, Japan it shone, bringing light to the land of the rising sun, rejecting the tragedy that had touched this small city.

In a medium sized dojo, the first rays of light glanced off the green roof, filtering through the light rice paper doors.


Fearless Leader

Olguin stumbled out of the dojo, hair and clothes in disarray as he stretched out in the middle of the backyard. But if one were to look into his eyes, they'd note that they had lost quite a bit of their haunted look.

In favor of one of determination.

Looking at the three scrolls he was protectively holding in his right hand he decided then and there.

He'd fight not only for his own redemption.

But for the world.

"Here's to Fate...and Destiny." He salutated the heavens with the Heart of the Saotome and Anything Goes School and began to slowly walk away from his past.

And into the future.

Yui yawned as she awoke, didn't want to sleep too long until Olguin-kun walked through the door.

Silently shuffling throughout the clinic, Yui made sure he hadn't arrived in the few hours she had slept.

She readied herself for the day ahead, bathing and smiling a bit to her already awake mother as she peeked into the kitchen.

A soft sigh escaped her lips, her eyes shimmering slightly as she padded into the lobby of the clinic, determined to wait for Olguin.

It wasn't a long wait before Yui spotted him shuffling through the doors. Barely a moment went by before she rushed him, her arms enveloping him in a warm and desperate hug.

Her eyes brimmed with tears as she spoke, "Thank you, Olguin-kun...thank you so much for coming back..."

Olguin faintly smiled as his free arm wrapped around Yui's waist, pulling her closer to himself.

"I never break my promises, Yui-chan."

Out of all the times, IT had to happen, though.

The rumbling of his stomache.

Which heralded the scrambling arrival of Tofu, who had taken the stairs two at a time to get downstairs.

"Olguin!" Tofu's approach was halted dead in its tracks when he saw what his nephew was carrying.

"You were in the dojo all during the night, weren't you?" Tofu pensively asked, "It's the only way you could've found those scrolls."

Olguin tiredly nodded, "I didn't get much sleep, but I couldn't...wouldn't let these scrolls stay behind in that empty house."

Tofu sighed, "I respect your decision, Olguin. Always know that. But you may have inadvertently unleashed something that you can't handle."

Olguin broke the embrace that he had his cousin in, turning towards his uncle.

"It wouldn't be right for them to be left alone like that."

Tofu smiled as he turned back and headed upstairs.

"Come eat, nephew. Miyuki and that boy are already done and getting ready to leave with you."

Yui smiled warmly, "I agree with Otousan, Olguin-kun...go eat, you need it."

Her expression fell slightly at the prospect of Olguin leaving soon, but she forced those feelings down. He needed support now. And she would give all she could.

Miyuki sat in the chair next to the table, fidgeting slightly. She couldn't help but feel like Everyone was staring at her...she felt alienated in a place that used to be a safe haven.

For some reason, that made her want to cry. But after last night, and finding out her father was dead...She didn't have the strength left...

Moments later, Olguin shuffled into the kitchen. He took a look at Miyuki, and tiredly smiled at her when as he took a chair.

"You know, we make quite a set, don't we?"

Anything else was immediately halted by Kasumi giving Olguin a warm hug.

"Both you and Miyuki are always part of our family, Olguin-chan. No matter what." Smiling down at her nephew's weary face, she placed a plate of food in front of him.

"Go on, eat up. You need to recover your strength, especially if you spent the night in the dojo like Tofu told me."

The good doctor in question was no where to be seen, though.

Olguin wondered where Uncle Tofu was.

***

Tofu seriously looked at his daughter. Both of them were still standing a good distance from the kitchen, out of ear shot of the group at large.

"Yui, I must ask you to something important, child." He solemnly started.

"Both of us know it, but I must ask. How much do you care about Olguin?"

I hate having to do this, but he may not survive long out in the world without this. He thought.

Miyuki looked up at Olguin and smiled weakly before returning to her staring at the tabletop, feeling drained and tired...

Yui sighed softly, blushing as she looked down at her fidgeting feet, "I...I'm not quite sure, Otosan...I know I care for him a great deal...and I like him almost as much. But I really don't know how far it goes..."

"I'm sorry about what happened to you, Michan. I really am." Olguin quietly started.

Kasumi, noting the atmosphere of the room, quickly decided to go speak to her daughter.

***

Tofu nervously ran a hand through his hair as he continued.

"He...isn't well, Yui-chan. What I've seen of his aura deeply troubles me."

Kasumi quietly made her way to her husband and daughter, nervously wringing her apron between her hands.

"Yes, and Miyuki-chan...she's going down that same path, I'm afraid."

Tofu and Kasumi's eyes met, silently communicating their next words.

"We...we would like to ask you if you could go with your cousin, and Miyuki-chan." Kasumi softly started, her hands reaching out to grasp her husbands in a familiar gesture born out their many years together.

"I'm sorry to say this, but their survival may depend on this." Tofu looked disgusted in himself as he finished, but Kasumi's gentle squeeze on his hands quickly calmed his own self doubts.

Yui nodded, her blush darkening slightly, "I'll go...if He wants me to..."

Both of her parents nodded at their daughter's words.

Giving her daughter a peck on the forehead, she happily continued. "He'll let you go, I'm sure of it."

Tofu smiled, "I suggest you go ask now, then. I have to go get some things ready when they leave."

Kasumi sighed, and reluctantly added. "I should go tidy up the guest room as well."

Both of Yui's parents scattered as they went to hurriedly finish their respective jobs.

Yui blushed and nodded, suppressing the blush down to a sakura petal tint on her cheeks by the time she walked into the kitchen. She waved slightly to Miyuki, her eyes sympathetic to her plight.

Miyuki looked up as Olguin spoke, smiling wanly, "Thank you, Olchan. I hope we can find a cure soon..." Miyuki's smile warmed a little as Yui entered, another friend that didn't seem to pitty her or stare. "Morning, Yui-chan..."

Olguin tiredly sighed, "I...may have found a way to cure you, Michan."

He faintly smiled at Yui as she entered, "Hiya Yui-chan. What's up?"

Yui bowed, "Well...mother and father suggested it, so I would like to ask if I can come with you; Olguin-kun, Miyuki-chan..."

Miyuki's eyes were slightly wide with amazement. Olguin knew of a possible cure?! Yui wanted to COME WITH?!

"But, if you came along with us to Greylle, you may be in terrible danger Yui-chan." Olguin sadly countered, "Why would you even want to follow us?"

Yui shook her head, her voice carrying a tone of iron as she spoke, "I don't care if I'll be in danger, I can take care of myself."

Her entire posture softened for a moment, "And I want to help you two...please?"

Miyuki blinked, still in a moment of shock.

"I...I don't know if you should." Olguin turned towards Miyuki. "What do you think about all this? Yui-chan IS good at what she does."

Miyuki looked up, her eyes finally lightening a bit, "Ara...well...I don't want to put Yui-chan in danger...but it's her decision...and she WOULD be useful to have with us, Olchan...not to mention Yui-chan's a friend."

Yui blushed softly, staying silent as they talked.

"I...alright...you can come with us, Yui-chan." Olguin shook his head, "You should get ready, then."

He lightly fingered the hilt of his katana as he finished.

"We'll wait for you."

Yui nodded, "Thank you, Olguin-kun, Miyuki-chan..." Quickly turning, Yui smiled as she left the rooms silently. Hurrying to her room, she took out the pack she'd prepared when she got back, adding a few last minute things.

***

Miyuki's eyes turned back to Olguin, hope shimmering in their violet depths, "So what's this about a cure, Olchan?" Her voice trembled slightly, hope and fear leaking through it for a bare moment

Olguin smiled at Miyuki, "It's about time I tell you, anyhow. I used to be a soldier for the COR organization, was one of the higher classed fighters before I left to go after Genryu."

"I recently ran across another individual from that organization, and he told me that they would be able to help you." He confidentally smirked at her, "In just a few more days, we'll take you to the Lunar Base, and you'll get cured."

***

Kasumi softly knocked on Yui's door, smiling softly at her daughter. "I do hope you were planning on telling us goodbye, daughter."

Tofu stood next to his wife with a goodnatured smile on his face and a small leather bag in his right hand. "You know how they are. They'd drop their parents as soon as possible if they could."

"Cor is it?" asked Leets, some how having snuck up on Olguin and Miyuki. "Is that where you're going to check for my past too?"

"That's right, Leets. They have all sorts of resources we can use to find out a lot about you, from records all the way to even testing out your genes for any kinds of information."

"These are the labs, children. When we hang up signs to stay out, you stay out!" A preadolescent girl with pale blue hair barked out. "If not...you people can be our latest test subjects." She cackled as she finished.

He shivered.

What was that!?

Far away from the city of Tokyo-3, a trio of...unique individuals slowly began to enter the bustling streets of Greylle. In the lead, an elderly man in the cloth of a holyman lead the way, a weathered saya attached to his hip and a backpack easily resting on his back.

Yosho took a deep breath, and let it all out in a goodnatured sigh of regret. If South America had one thing going for it, it had been the fact that the majority of the country had been covered by beautiful plants, and the air was clean.

"Well then, how do you like Japan so far, Raya-chan?" He curiously asked, turning back to his two companions.

Raya giggled happily.  "The forests are so beautiful and full of life."  Raya hopped near the trees, a strange yet happy look in her eyes.

Fearless leader

Yosho kindly smiled at her. "South America had even greater forests, Raya-chan. Japan has become too much of an industrial nation these days."

His expression briefly turned into one of deep loss.

"The forest where I originally came from, they were truly magnificent."

Raya turned towards Yosho, her eyes strangely serious.  "All forests are beautiful.  They are the heartsource of life."

Fearless Leader

Yosho quirked his head at Raya, his own taking a decidedly somber look. "Yes, they are. If they were gone...best not to think about that horrible event."

Raya smiled back, "They'll never all be gone...  there's always another forest...just over the horizon."

Fearless Leader
Hope Springs eternal

"Raya...one day...I hope others begin to take up your point of view. The world would clearly be a beautiful place." Yosho quietly murmured, eyes suddenly looking tired.

"But for now, I'll fight for that dream. I'll defend my small patch of earth, so it may remain pristine for ages to come." He sadly smiled at her, before turning away from her and slowly shuffling towards the distant town of Greylle.

Raya petted the sleeping black rabite she carried on her head before hopping on to keep up with Yosho's longer strides.  "Mou, what were the forests in your homeland like Yosho?"

Fearless Leader

Yosho slowed his pace. He certainly didn't want to leave Raya behind.

"Back in my homeland, people and nature lived in complete harmony. Water was more than abundent in my homeland, so the forest was vibrent, completely dominating the land."

"My people lived in the trunks of the trees that were dead, or we found other methods of coexisting with the land, never destroying, but always nurturing." A smile graced Yosho's wrinkled, and tired face at the memory. It quickly faded away, though.

"That's why I fight, to protect the innocents of the world. Mother Earth included."

Turning his head towards Raya, he quietly asked.

"And you, Raya? Where do you hail from?"

Raya looks sad for a second.  "I was born in the village of the sprites...  in the forest of seasons."

Fearless Leader

Yosho, noticing Raya's change in mood, quickly commented. "If you're uncomfortable with the memory, you don't have to share it, Raya-chan."

"One could travel...through all the seasons...  The leaves were of every color of the rainbow... It was truly beautiful.  So full of life of all different kinds."

Fearless Leader

Yosho winced as he noticed that her eyes had gained a faraway look to them, and he quickly kneeled down in front of her.

Placing his hands firmly on her shoulders, he looked deep into her amethyst eyes in concern.

"Raya-chan, please snap out of it."

Raya blinked, her eyes growing bright once more as she smiled reassuringly at Yosho.  "It's okay, Yosho."

Fearless leader

"As you wish, Raya." Yosho softly murmured, feeling that it'd be terribly improper to look down at her at the moment.

Something seemed amiss with the whole situation, and his senses were crying out in alarm. But...he just couldn't put it past him to not trust her.

With a smile on her face, Raya hopped onwards, the fairy child at home in the woods...

The sun rising behind them as they entered the outskirts of Greyelle.

Fearless Leader

Miyuki's eyes lit up, "Thank kami-sama..." She seemed to slump in relief, she wouldn't be confined in this body anymore...

***

Smiling, Yui stood up and embraced her parents in a warm hug, "You know I would've said goodbye..."

Olguin fairly beamed at Miyuki. "Just wait a few days more, and I'll fulfill my promise to you."

Getting to his feet, Olguin walked out of the kitchen and returned with his dusty backpack.

"Okay, we'll wait for Yui downstairs." Putting it on his back, he began to lead the two downstairs.

***

Tofu and Kasumi traded secretive smiles before Tofu pointedly said.

"We know, but we didn't know if you would take this with you."

Handing it to Yui, Kasumi smiled.

"You need these if you'll be able to help them effectively."

Inside were all manner of herbs and medical equipment that Yui was familiar with.

"Now, I think you should hurry and join the others before they get impatient."

Miyuki smiled softly, following Olguin quietly as she slipped her small hand into his once she had shouldered her own smaller pack.

***

Yui smiled warmly, "Arigato..." Carefully attaching the bag to her pack, she stepped out of her room and into the hall. She checked the kitchen for Olguin and Miyuki before descending to the clinic...

Olguin felt his spirits lift slightly as he saw Yui descend the stairs towards them, his uncle and aunt following closely behind.

"Remember, all of you have a home you can all come back to." Kasumi softly said in a trembling voice, "And please, never forget this."

She quickly walked up to Leets, and before he could protest, gently kissed him on the forehead.

"Leets, always remember one thing. There's always someone there for you as well." Kasumi murmured in her thick english accent, slipping a bag of food into the boy's hands.

Tofu softly squeezed his wife's hand as she returned to his side, adding his own farewells to the group. "All of you, please take care out there. The world has become too dark of a place, and I don't want it becoming even darker if all of your lights were to fade away."

Olguin's tiredly smiled at his relatives, before replying. "Don't worry, I'll make sure they make it. On my name, I swear it."

He spun and walked out of the Clinic with a purposeful stride.

Greylle...then COR Headquarters...

Onwards to the future.

The sun was getting high when Olguin arrived at the ticket counter.  The sounds of rock n roll filtering through the air as the concert was well on it's way.  The thrilling sounds of Metallica as they dominated the stage with style and flare, fans roaring in glee at the performance.

The ticket booths were rather large, designed to accomodate nearly a dozen people at once.  Lucky enough, a few gates were still open with ticket collectors.

Fearless leader

Yosho calmly pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, and shook his head at the general mayhem of the crowd.

Raya, the rabbit, and he had been wandering for seemingly hours now, but all they had been able to find were...punks. Punks with colorful hair...and tattoo.

The swordsman wondered how that woman could have so many piercings.

He sighed. "Well, what do you think about all this Raya?"

"Mou..." her nose twitches, "It smells...  who were you looking for here anyway?"

Fearless Leader

"My sister." Yosho mumbled. "She joined...a band."

He shook his head.

"Fate...I suppose."

Raya's eyes twinkled, "You're searching for your sister?  It must be great having a sister!"

Fearless leader

"Yes, it's one of the most wonderful things in the world." Yosho softly mumbled, a gleam of humor in his eyes.

"But one of the worst, too. Older brothers are always worrying about their baby sisters, afterall."

Raya smiles happily, hopping onto yosho's shoulders smiling.  The bunny hopping off her head to land on yosho's.  "Don't worry Yosho, she'll be fine!  I know it!"

Fearless Leader

Yosho smiled up at Raya. "I hope you're right, Raya."

Looking around, he breathed a sigh of goodnatured annoyance.

"I wonder where Olguin is at. He was also supposed to meet me here, we were supposed to compare notes on Khrima, you see."

Half an hour later...

Having given up on finding Olguin in such a thick crowd, Yosho had decided to just go ahead to the ticket taker/clerk.

Now he regretted it.

He sighed as they finally walked up to the ticket register, exhausation on his face. It seemed the boy hadn't...or couldn't meet up with him.

"I'd like to buy a ticket. Here's mine." He blandly said, handing the clerk the ticket he had gotten from the Runaway Five.

The sudden movement caused the crowd around them to back away. They certainly weren't going to be getting near that crazy man.

In the crowd Olguin was experiencing something quite altogether new to him...

"Hey...Put me DOWN!"  Some of the rowdier elements of the crowd had decided to use him to show their appriciation of the music...tossing him into the air before he realized what was going on.

Fearless Leader

Yosho was just entering the concert area with Raya. Ignoring the rabite on his head for a moment, he scanned the crowd.

"Where could that boy b...oh."

His eyes widened as he saw Olguin descend from the sky.

"Well...at least he's enjoying himself. I think. C'mon Raya." The Juraian swordsman was faintly chuckling all the way, though.

***

Olguin wanted to fry the whole crowd. He could feel his hand twitch as they grabbed him and used him like some sort of human equivalent of a beach ball.

No...Olguin was not amused.

His colorful stream of vocabulary was quickly cut when he landed in the toned arms of one of the crowd. Snapping his head to the side, Olguin glared.

Into the amused eyes of Yosho.

"Well, we just keep meeting under strange circumstances." His glasses got a particular glint to them as he continued. "I think we need to talk. Now."

Olguin didn't have any other option but to listen.

***

A half hour later, the two groups were lounging around towards the edge of the crowd. Apart from the two mingling groups of friends and allies, Yosho and Olguin quietly conversed.

"And our next performers...  Straight from Africa.  A group that's reputably left no audience unshocked by their performance...  The One-eyed One-horned Flying Purple People eaters."

The lights dimmed to a purple glow over the arena as the beast stepped out on stage.  It's hypnotized band members following it.  Without further adieu they began to play, a jazzy horn by the monster taking front and center.

Fearless Leader

Leets blinked, staring at what was on stage. "That costume looks pretty real, doesn't it?" he asked, wondering about the nervous apprehension he was getting from the band.

Yosho's eyes narrowed as he walked up besides Leets. Noticing the rather...dazed expressions on the band members, he drily commented.

"I think it's something more than a custome." He began to ready himself for battle, something was wrong with this whole scene.

The crowds began slowly, but soon swayed to the melody, a dazed look on their face.  The purple people eater smiled toothily as it rose into the air.  Both Olguin and Yosho felt something pulling at their minds...telling them to relax...enjoy the show.

Fearless Leader

Yosho began to feel the inklings of a psionic assault. That's when he instinctively used the training that had been drilled into him from birth, bringing up the full strength of his mental shield up to bare.

*Funaho! Trace the origin of that psionic technique. Focus on that creature up on the stage.* He commanded, already in the midst of drawing his katana from its saya.

*Right away, Yosho!* Funaho crisply replied, scanners already weaving through the air.

***

Olguin breathed a sigh of relief as the music began to start.

Wait...

Something was wrong.

He felt the gentle, yet insistent tug on his mind. Psionics. Had to be.

Flaring his aura, he grimaced as he stayed rooted to the spot. Spotting Katsuhito begin to move from where he was, he internally cursed.

It was taking all he had just to keep from being affected!

Leets frowned as the feeling intensified. Not to a point that he should be afraid, but to where he would feel uncomfortable. He looked to the other people in the crowd, noticing the rather dazed look upon their faces. Looking back to the stage, he stared in shock, taking a step back, as the "costumed" person began to rise into the air, smiling toothily.

Another one?! he thought frantically. He felt some relief in noticing the rest of the group resist, though it seemed like they were putting in all their resources to not fall under the monster's power.

"All right, Leets. Looks like it's time to do something stupid," he muttered, taking the packed lunch Mrs. Ono gave him. Using his scarf as a slingshot, he aimed the heavy box at the creature's head, hoping to disrupt it.

At worst, he'll annoy it enough to chase him.

The winged monstrousity began to slowly grow, it's jaw opening wide...as the bento flew right in.  Gagging for a second it crunched on the box, devouring it.  An appitizer before the main course.  Continuing to increase in size the purple creature became fearful in appearance, it's hypnotic music increasing in power.

Fearless Leader

*Attack now, Yosho!* Feeling a surge of energy roar through his shared link with Funaho, Yosho went in low as he almost flew along the ground.

His blade chimed as he easily slid his katana from the saya, closing the distance between himself and the demon.

Feeling his blood sing as energy crackled along his katana's blade, he roared out a battle cry as he took a mighty leap.

Looking down at the stage, he unleashed a vicious triad of vacuum blades. Edges crackling with electricity, they hungrily descended on their prey.

The monster smiled, here was a feast like no other.  They were all helpless before his musical power.  Huh...what...

The monster screamed in pain as the glowing blades of energy impacted it's form, cleaving through its soft flesh and rending its bones apart.  With a frightful wail of pain, its hold on the audience fell apart.  Collapsing dead, the fearsome purple people eater was no more.

The loud speakers flicked on seconds later.  "Due to unexpected technical difficulties, it will be ten minutes before the next performance.  We thank you for your patience in this."

Several maintaince people swarmed onto the stage, swiftly trying to clean the beast off of it so the next performer could go on.

Meanwhile...

"Mou...  you acted fast, Yosho." Raya smiled up at him childishly.  Uneffected strangely by the whole proceedings.

Fearless Leader

Yosho slowly slid his blade back into its saya, looking a touch pale in the aftermath. Quickly running his hand thorugh his gray hair, he smiled at Raya.

"Well, psionics should never be given enough time to full assert their control over a crowd." He mumbled.

Olguin groaned pitieously from his seat on the ground, and looked up at the duo. "You two and Leets were very impressive." He begrudgingly started, "All I could do was stand and watch." A tone of bitterness creeped into his words in the end.

Yosho's amethyst eyes developed a hint of concern as he looked down at Olguin, "What's wrong, lad. You tried your best, and managed to hold off the effects for a good long while."

"But...I FAILED. Another psionic attack brought me low!"

"Psionics?  Is that what you call this?" Raya looked up cheurbishly at olguin.

Fearless Leader

"Um...yeah." Olguin sighed as he rubbed his head in agony. "Oh, we haven't really met, have we? My name's Olguin."

He faintly smiled at the girl before another lance of pure agony lanced through his brain, causing him to stiffen up and crash to the ground on his back.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch Runaway Five's dressing room.

Sasami began to do what is known simply as...

The Mad Dash (TM).

Sasami madly dashed through her dressing room. Sparing only a moment to glare at the evil alarm clock, she continued to grab clothing.

The blasted thing hadn't woken her up from her nap! Quite a colorful assortment of words ran through her mind that would've shocked anyone that had roomed with her before.

Dashing into the bathroom, she slammed the door shut behind her.

The sounds of water running and soft humming could be heard within the small dressing room. Sasami's soft humming abruptly cut off a few moments later.

Silence filled the room.

Then a noise could be faintly heard from within the bathroom. Something that was halfway between a squeak and a gasp.

The water abruptly cut off then. Followed by the sounds of rapid footsteps.

Sasami burst into the dressing room, towel wrapped tightly around her body to protect her modesty, another one wrapped around her hair.

Curiously enough, her skin was darkly flushed. That...and she seemed to be breathing rather deeply.

"O-oh my..." She quietly murmured. Who knew this body could do THAT.

Sasami shook her head, dispelling the little ball of heat that had been settling down in her tummy. Sighing as she lost that sense of languid relaxation, she began to undress.

...she really should've dried up first.

Cold air met wet skin....

Her loud shriek of surprise briefly hung in the air. Sounds of muffled thumps and squeals managed to make it past the thick (and locked, fortunately) wooden door to the hallway.

Two minutes later, she practically bolted out of her room, Hina-ohki lazily perched on her head. Practically bowling over anyone unfortunate enough in her way, Sasami struggled with the jacket of her black business suit.

She flushed when another person stared at her, forcing her arms to block her chest.

"Not a great way to start the day, Sasami." She muttered. Still struggling to put on her jacket while guarding her chest from oogling eyes that wanted to look at her chest through her white buttoned up shirt, all while running towards the stage.

Nope, not a very good start indeed.

Raya's eyes narrowed.  "Olguin?  What...  Jinn...show me the wisdom of the skies, what ails Olguin!"  Gesturing with her staff, green energy followed her line of motion.  An aura of magical power briefly flared around her as Jinn appeared before her in all it's blue skinned glory.

The pudgy floating blue genie appeared, dancing in the air above Olguin, wind spinning around it.  Glowing with energy it blew towards the young man.  Olguin glowed for a few seconds before going back to normal.

Fearless Leader

Miyuki watched the proceedings interestedly, but gasped in surprise and alarm when Olguin fell to the ground.

She darted over to his side, and leaned over, about to check his vitals when the little girl called down what looked like a blue genie, from a storybook her father used to read to her.

She looked at the little girl, blinking in surprise.

Raya gasped as Jinn relayed back to her the truth of the matter, unhidden from his sight.  Her eyes suddenly grew very serious.  No longer was there any sense of a child there, she suddenly seeming far older than she looked as she held her small staff up.
 "Stand back please.  He's been sincerely damaged by an intense psionic attack.  I have to heal him immediately, the longer he remains unhealed the worse the potential for permanent memory loss."

Fearless Leader

Miyuki blinked again and wordlessly stepped back, tensing. The words rang true...but she wasn't going to leave Olguin in someone else's hands without keeping a VERY careful eye on the proceedings.

He needed someone to look after him sometines too, after all...

Getting some space around Olguin, the spriteling raised her staff high.  No earthly force would work here.  Even the healing powers of Undine, that which restores the soul and the body, were useless against such a cruel attack of the mind.  But, she could heal him with the power of Luna, mana spirit of the moon.

A golden circle appeared around her as she began to channel the mana, symbols of change and rebirth marking the ground beneath her feet.  "Spirit of the heavens, holy mistress of change...  come to my call, I, Raya, Summon thee!"

A soft and healing light appeared before Raya's staff, growing in size and form to become a sphere of several feet in diameter.  Inside a young angelic woman appeared, completely formed of light.  Golden wings streched from her back as a matronly smile graced her face.

Fearless Leader

Olguin groaned as he felt another surge of pain roar through his head. Feeling dizzy and weak in the aftermath, he weakly tried to get away from that surge of incredible power.

That's when Yosho's words rang through his mind.

"Olguin, stop." His voice was filled with iron as he addressed the Saotome body, "Raya won't hurt you. If you won't trust her, then trust my words. She won't hurt you."

Yosho, on the other hand, was incredibly angry at the moment. The boy had every right to be terrified of such large amounts of power, but he wouldn't let the boy's fear stop him from being healed.

"A-alright..." Olguin voice was trembling and weak as he lay still, body occasionally shaking with each surge of pain that assaulted his mind.

OOC: The nature of the lady of the moon, curious that.

IC:

The glowing angel flowed over Olguin, floating above him.  A loving voice spoke into his mind.  -Be calm...for I have come to help you at the behest of the last child of mana.-

The pain began to lessen as it was blocked off.

Fearless Leader

Yui watched, concern written on every feature of her face. She whispered softly, trying to keep her voice unheard, "I wonder...can that kind of healing be taught?"

Olguin let out a quiet sigh of relief as the pain finally completely faded away. His eyes squinted slightly as he tried to make out the form of the angel before him, but all he could tell was that it female.

But he still couldn't help but be intimidated by the sheer power. Wait...mana?

"Magic..." He whispered, eyes widening. Then his eyes narrowed.

That power...no wonder it was so intense.

-Lost child of tragedy, thy mind is open before me...Fear not, for I seek not to harm.  Merely to restore to you what was once freely yours.-  A sense of sadness flowed from the glowing spirit as Olguin felt a great weight left from his mind, the mental chains about his memories shattered by the comforting power of the lunar spirit.

With a smile she burst into motes of light, vanishing before their eyes.

Fearless leader

Olguin stared up at the sky as soon as the angel had healed him. That power...

Shair had told him.

"I..." Scrabbling to his feet, Olguin stared at his hands in shock.

Seconds later, he began to madly dash away from the others.

Raya blinked in shock at the response to her healing.

Fearless Leader

Miyuki blinked, and started limping after Olguin, an alarmed expression on her face.

Yui blinked repeatedly, still slightly awed from the healing and shocked from Olguin's rapid retreat.

'What the...why would he run after bring healed?'

She unconsciously followed Miyuki, her steps slightly dazed.

Raya sighed.  Her eyes no longer the childish orbs of light they had been.  Darkly she watched through ages of experience as the two younger girls followed Olguin.

Fearless Leader

That's when Yosho went into action. A slight breeze marked when he dashed towards the two, body lightly blurring as he appeared before the duo with arms held out to bar their passage.

"Don't go after him." His voice was authorative as he spoke. However, his expression was one of understanding and sympathy as he continued.

"I want to go after him as well, but I understand the fact that whatever caused that much damage must have been severely traumatic." He sighed as he lowered his arms to his sides.

"He'll just shut out whoever goes after him, and he won't deal with his problem. Please, I beg of you two not to go."

Miyuki looked up at Yosho, her eyes filled with concern. She bit her lip nervously.

"Ano, Oshou-sama...Are you sure? Olchan is...well, I worry about him..."

"Don't worry child, I doubt he'll take the coward's way and leave. He's stronger than that." Kneeling down in front of Miyuki, he smiled.

"And I'm glad he has people that worry about him now," Yosho's eyes caught Yui in their gaze as well, "Back when we were traveling alone, he was so depressed. It's good for him to have people around."

Miyuki blushed a little and nodded, sighing slightly. She was getting a little tired of being treated like a child, but she could hardly blame the priest for that, could she?

The black bunny rabite hopped onto Miyuki's head.  It's nose twitched as it sniffed about.

Fearless Leader

Though he was still confused by what had just happened, Leets shelved his questions, recognizing the look of tired despair. A look he had seen often back home. "Are you feeling all right?" he asked Raya, a bit of worry in his voice.

Rising to his feet, Yosho breathed his own sigh of exhausation. Noticing the rabite, he faintly smiled.

"Found yourself a more comfortable perch, eh?"

"Mou..." Raya turned and smiled, her purple eyes lighting up once as she looked at Leets.  "I'm just worried about Olguin."

Fearless Leader

Olguin's breath came out in loud gasps as he ran away from the others, feet pouding on the payment.

Running away again, eh?

Trying to put as much distance between himself and the others as possible, he ignored the cries and shouts of the crowd around him as he surged deeper into their midst.

You seem very good at that, at least.

Leaping over a stroller that a couple were pushing along, he growled in response to the various curses thrown at him.

Be proud, you mastered the Saotome Secret Attack. That's one thing you can hold above your brother's head.

Lowering himself, he blurred along the ground.

Can't take the fact you were turned into a glorified puppet, heh. So you run away, typical. So very typical. Trying to run away from the memories, lessee how far it takes you this time.

So, he ran.

Now, what are you going to do?

Sasami sighed, and tried her best to ignore her inner voice. Slipping the jacket on, she continued dashing towards the stage.

Do you even think you're ready?

She was afraid, but she knew the material! Blue hair billowing around her form as she ran, she grit her teeth as her inner voice persisted.

Knowing the material isn't enough. And you know that, don't you?

Her furious pace caused her to stumble slightly when her biggest doubt was stabbed right in the heart.

You don't feel what the music is trying to say.

Darn inner voice.

Why did it have to be right all the time?

Reaching a hand upwards to steady Hina-ohki, she continued onwards into the crowd.

Olguin gave you the harp, but do you have what it takes to move people? Can you move them like he moved you. Can you?

She felt her anger begin to boil over at the memory of being abandoned. Her cheeks grew red with rage when she remembered those first nights of being alone. Memories of crying herself to sleep.

Oh, but you don't blame them, do you?

No, she didn't. They had done it for her own good. She had been a hindrance before, but now...

Pushing through the surging, throbbing crowd of people, she continued on her trip.

A sly smile crossed her features.

If I win, then I'd show the world that I'm not just a bothersome little girl.

Her smile flickered slightly.

Big if.

Both were so deep in their own respective thoughts, that they weren't completely paying attention to their surroundings.

In Sasami's case, she was turning to smile and wave at a group of well wishers that had come out to give their regards to the underdog in the competition.

In Olguin's case...

Would you want to be in the way of a boy that was plowing through anything in the way.

One person rocketting towards another at high speeds...

You can see where this is heading, right?

CRASH!

The crowd that had been 'privileged' to see this spectacle covered their eyes. One even squeaked out 'the horror, the absolute horror.'

Sasami winced as she saw the little pile of humanity near her feet. To arrest one's own speed in that fashion looked painful.

Kneeling down next to the boy, Sasami carefully turned him so his face was facing towards her eyes.

"O-Olguin!" She managed to squeak out, but the boy didn't even twitch at her shocked exclaimation. Looking around her, she spotted a nearby bench.

A minute later, she had managed to move the boy on top of the bench with a bit of help from two people. Dabbing a wet towel on Olguin's forehead and wondering where her brother may be. And why Olguin looked so...sad in the glimpse she had gotten of his face.

Olguin groaned as he felt cool water trickle along his face. With a gasp, his eyes opened wide.

Causing the blue haired woman that had been gently rubbing his face with a white cloth to start. An expression of surprise crossed her face when she started falling backwards.

Arms lashing out, he grasped her by her arms. Fall quickly arrested by the action, the woman let out a quiet sigh of relief as he righted her.

"Thank you." The woman's soothing tone of voice caused Olguin to relax. Good, at least she wasn't going to yell at him for scaring her.

Swinging his legs outwards, he righted himself on the bench. "I'm the one that should give my thanks. Not many would help a guy that nearly ran them over."

The woman's pink lips quirked upwards as she smiled at him. "Well, you didn't exactly run me over, did you?"

Olguin winced, "Please, don't remind me." He rubbed his bruised cheek irriatiably in remembrance.

The woman's eyes gleamed with mirth, looking like she'd burst out laughing on the spot. She managed to hold it in remarkably well, though.

Something about those eyes...hell, something about this woman was causing his memory to tingle. But what was it?

***

He didn't know!

Sasami was both shocked and highly amused by this latest turn of events. Here she had been, feeling depressed over the fact that everyone would leave her alone once they found out.

And one of the people she was afraid of meeting didn't know!

Noticing the way he was looked at her, she flushed in embarrassment. It was weird, to be sure. She wondered if she'd ever get used to be stared at in that fashion.

But, his wasn't an intent stare of lust. No, she had been getting them all too often lately to know the difference. He's seemed more like one of curiousity.

She felt a shiver run down her spine. Maybe he did know, but he was trying to figure out what to do to her!?

Sasami bowed her head, and quietly mumbled. "I'm late to the stage, it's been a pleasure meeting you sir."

Standing up, she picked up her best friend and began to quickly walk away.

"WAIT!"

She tensed as Olguin ran up to her side, still staring at her face intently. "You're one of the performers, right? You're dressed like the Runaway Five. Do you know where Sasami is?"

Another surge of dread ran down her spine at that, but she held the emotion back remarkably well. "I do know, but I have to go to the stage. I'm late."

"Well...can I come along with you? I want to see how she's doing." He insisted.

"Um...alright."

***

The duo began to walk back to the stage area. One of them just recovering from a great trauma.

And the other getting ready to face hers.

OOC:  The Axe Returns...

This is an original song.  Written by dracos.  It's probably not good at all.  But I'm trying ^_^
Part 1 of X

IC:

Four robed figures walked onto the darkened stage.  Clad in a purple robe, hood covering his face, the leader walked to the front of the stage.  Behind him a slow drum beat began, glowing green eyes shining beneath the hooded cowl of the drummer.  The lead standing in front of a mike began a slow rhythmic chant in time with the beat his form completely hidden in the darkness.

o/In the darkness I was born,/o
o/brought unto this plane/o
o/a young ma~n, seeking of his fortune/o

To his side, the swift rhythm of guitar strings began to sing.  The soft voice continued...

o/I traveled far and wide,/o
o/coming to the darkness...finding of the light/o
o/I did come among the greatest artists of the world/o
o/studied of the music of life! Of living!/o
o/I did come alone!!/o

a mechanical voice chimed in suddenly from the guitarist, eyes gleaming red.

o/Direlend, Bard of Shadows,/o
o/Greatest of the dark bards,/o
o/he did roam among the world/o
o/singing his song of doom/o

Cutting in again, the lead continued, telling of his tale...

o/My music moved all it touched,/o
o/brought tears to all men's eyes,/o
o/a melody most sweet did stem,/o
o/from my fearsome mind/o

Suddenly twin red lights from above stabbed down on the singer, head bowed low, knee to the stage.  A second guitar joined the first as the black robed figures stood beside the lead.

o/But then he came/o, howled the red eyed one to the left.
o/Stronger than the strongest bards/o, returned the blue eyed fiend to the right.
Red:o/A voice most melodious/o
Blue:o/A golden harp within his hands/o
Together: o/A Hero to all men./o

A hint of anger entered the voice of the lead singer as he began again.

o/how dare he.../o
o/survive the darkness did I/o
o/I would destroy him, that foul golden boy/o
o/And then again I would claim, strongest of the bard.../o
o/Dark lute sing, for your master calls once again!/o

Lifting from his robes, the one called Direlend brought forth a large lute and began to strum, a beautiful, though incredibly sad melody flying from his agile fingers.  His face still covered.

Backstage...a golden harp began to resonate, softly glowing.

Fearless Leader

Olguin looked apologetic when he and his companion snuck into the backstage area. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't let certain people see me."

The blue haired woman softly shrugged, looking unconcerned over the whole affair. "Don't worry, sir. I'm not bothered in the least. It makes things...eas.."

That's when the music began.

Olguin's eyes narrowed at the familiar voice...something about the day just seemed to be inspiring nostalgia. His eyes flickered over to the woman that was standing to his left side.

Hmm...

***

Sasami's eyes trembled as she heard the music. She could feel the darkness increase.

"Something is wrong here." She noticed Olguin's nod, and let out a trembling breath.

Maybe it was the stress from having him so close. Maybe.

Yui sighed and nodded, this was why her parents had suggested she come along...and why she had wanted to herself.

To help him as he had helped her.

Another sigh escaped her lips as she held a hand out to Miyuki.

Miyuki blinked in surprise as she glanced up at the rabite, nearly going cross-eyed in the process.

"Ara?"

After a moments surprise she noticed Yui's hand. A little embarrassed, she took it, and smiled thankfully up at her, surpressing the not so slight twinge of jealousy when she looked up.

Yui-chan was definitely growing up...

OOC: I continue.  I can do this, methinks.  Please don't laugh at Dracos.  He might bite you!  -.- ^_^;;

IC:

Falling from the kneeling bard, the two robed figures, grew quiet at his solo, even the drum slowly fading out as Direland's skilled fingers stole the stage.  The crowd began swaying to the dark melody.

o/I met him underground/o
o/in the prisons of antinoch/o
o/Dueled him there, my lute against his harp/o

The twin black robed figures chimed in...

o/Battling darkness against the light./o
o/Darkness to the light, they did duel/o

The drum began to beat once more....

Axe: o/but.../o

Black Robes:o/it wasn't enough.../o

Axe: o/I was too weak./o

Black Robes: o/He couldn't beat him.../o

Axe:o/So fell, did I that day./o
Axe:o/A broken man...  A nameless villain./o

Suddenly both guitars started playing as the black robed figures sung in unison...

o/And then he came/o
o/Darker than the darkest night/o
o/bringing hope.../o
o/FORTUNEEEE....and oranges..../o

Head bowed the lead continued singing... the crowd oddly moved to silence by the song.

o/he came...to me then.../o
o/in the darkness of the prison cell I lay, dying now./o
o/He came before me then./o


Black Robes:
o/lifted him up, stood his broken body high he did.... And then he sa~id.../o

The purple robed lead figure, slowly stood, as they continued singing in duet.

o/Come, Direlend, Do not despair my friend./o
o/  I shall rise ye up unto the dark, and show ye yet again./o
o/  Do not turn unto the light, do not fall unto the death...  /o
o/Standing tall show the world, the power of your heart./o

Direlend:
o/And then I rose...  My face bleeding, my body shattered.  None of these compared to the wounds of my soul.  I looked up to his smiling face, his crimson eyes gleaming...and took the devil of his soul!/o

Black Robes:
o/Throw away the teachings, become strong on your own/o
o/Stand against the light... no more the bard of shadows.../o

Direlend stood, a mighty red axe in his hand, his face unveiled before the crowd, a smile on his wicked face, his purple robes falling to the ground.

o/Now...I am The Axe!/o

Backstage the harp flashed golden light, rising by its own power into the air, a sense of peace surrounding it.  One last time it would be played by the loving hands of its master.

Fearless Leader

"What the!?" Sasami spun around to face the brightly glowing flare of light. Her eyes widened when she saw the harp that Olguin himself had given her begin to float.

"My harp!" She blurted out, only to cover her mouth with both hands.

Turning around, she came face to face with Olguin.

An Olguin who was staring slack jawed at her.

Oh my.

Yui blinked at the man on stage, growing slightly alarmed and gently squeezing Miyuki's hand.

Her body tensed slightly, after the Purple People Eater, she couldn't be too cautious...

Hina-Ohki sniffed at the stranger's foot. She didn't like the way he was staring at her friend...She debated biting his ankle, but decided to wait to see what Sasami did...

"Yeah, I can understand that." Leets nodded, then noticed everyone seemed to have left. Looking mildly embarrassed for almost losing the group, he said, "Oh dear, come on, before we get left behind."

*turns to yosho questioningly*  "Are we staying here Yosho?"

Fearless Leader

"Lets move closer to the stage. There seems to be something disturbance in the air I can't finger." Yosho mumbled, already walking closer to the stage.

"Mou...okay, Yosho." *Raya smiled childishly, following his lead*

Fearless Leader

Post 3:

OOC: Well so far I haven't been told I suck ass.  ^_^  Thanks, I try some more, this scene gets harder.

IC:

With a gleam in his eyes he began to play, metal fingers strumming across his mighty axe, the band swiftly joining in behind him as he played his evil tune.

o/Rising from my shadows/o
o/ I was reborn from his dark hand/o
o/Made of steel and flesh/o
o/No longer mortal man/o

o/I was the Axe, Master of the Dark Arts/o
o/wielder of the mighty Odinsbur,/o
o/born to rule the bards/o

Black robed figure 1:
o/Go forth my Axe and Conquer where you could not stand before/o
o/With your magic and your music and your guns.../o
o/match him note for note... /o
o/ Leave him in the dust/o
o/You are the Axe, the greatest of the Bards/o

Black Robed figure 2:
o/And so he traveled cross the world/o
o/A darkened figure of vengeance/o
o/Hunting his foul nemesis/o
o/He traveled cross the lands/o

The Axe:
o/Finding him I lifted my cowl off and revealed I was alive,/o
o/no broken man, no shattered soul./o

Duet of black robes:
o/Lifting his dark axe, The axe began to play/o
o/No power now, would stop his music from the soul/o

As the Axe's fearsome rock n roll careened across the stadium, people cheered loudly, the music carrying on.

Suddenly from the back stage, the glowing harp floated it's way out onto the stage, to the gasps of the audience around.

Fearless Leader

"Sasami..." Olguin dazedly mumbled as he saw the harp he had given her float out on stage. The same harp that this woman had declared hers.

Reaching out with his senses, he began to probe the woman's aura, and gasped at what he found.

Familiarity struck him in between the eyes with all the subtlety of a rampaging rhino.

"What...happened to you?" His voice sounded painfully weak compared to the loud rock n' roll blaring out from the stage.

It was Sasami.

***

Sasami felt her heart clench at the look of horror. She...knew this was going to happen.

She staggered backwards from him, not wanting to see his expression twist to one of disgust.

Tears streamed from her eyes, blurring the world all around her. In her daze, she couldn't even manage to scrape up enough strength of will to even look up.

That's when she felt a hand land squarely on her shoulder, causing her to let out a terrified squeak of surprise.

"Look at me."

Her body trembled in fear, but she followed Olguin's command.

He wanted her to see his face before he called her a freak.

It had to be.

***

Olguin sighed as the blue haired woman...no, he chastized himself, Sasami looked up with her luminous pink eyes. Seeing her body tense, he flinched at what must be going through her mind.

"Please, don't be afraid. I won't hurt you." His made sure to make his voice as reassuring as possible. He almost succeeded too, but that little lingering doubt made it sound almost painfully fake to his ears.

"You...won't?" He silently shook his head, thanking the kami she hadn't picked it up.

"What happened to you?"

***

Sasami sniffled as she rubbed her face clean of the tears. Hiccuping, she halting started.

"I was just in my dressing room! And...! I saw...this...this...deck!" She began to sob at this point, body quaking with all the pain she had been holding in up to now.

She was a freak and no one would....

"No wait...you can't." Despite her words, Sasami only weakly pushed his body away when Olguin pulled her into a hug that slowly began to calm her.

"C'mon, you can tell me. I think I know what may have happened, but I need you to tell me everything."

She softly shook her head, arms clenching around his chest as she desperately hung onto him.

"Please."

Sasami sighed, "I will...but please...don't let me go."

"I won't...I swear." Looking into his clear and honest eyes, she faintly smiled.

And began to tell him her story.

Yui nodded to Yosho and followed him, holding onto Miyuki's small hand gently.

They should be safe with Yosho-san, Olguin-kun seemed to respect his abilities...

Yosho's voice quietly floated up to Raya's ears, "Go back, Raya. I don't want them to put themselves in harm's way."

The they in question was pretty obvious.

Continuing to walk, his eyes were entirely focused on the 'Axe'. And his gaze was anything but friendly. His left hand painfully clenched around the hilt of his katana.

"This is something I have to handle on my own."

Raya stared at Yosho.  "What about Sasami?  Aren't you going to find her?".  Raya suddenly moved getting between the intent Yosho and his way.  "Your eyes..."

Fearless Leader

OOC: Gah  -.- what have I done what have I done -.-

IC:

The floating harp paused on the stage, glowing brightly, a shining star of energy.  The crowd grew silent at this mystic event.  The band slowed to a stop as the Axe looked on with horror...

As he appeared...  Standing calmly, a ghostly presence.  The great bard Gildward had risen to meet his longtime rival.  Dressed as he was in life, he carried his most precious harp in his hands, a peaceful melody strumming from it as played without words.

Fearless Leader

Yosho's eyes narrowed as he watched the spirit appear on stage, and almost shoved Raya out of his way to get at Axe.

Almost...

"Raya...he's the reason why this all happened...please don't be talking about my eyes at a time like this." He tightly grounded out.

"Don't become like him Yosho.  Do you really think killing him will bring them back." Raya responded, her eyes strangely serious, making her seem far older than she appeared.  "Live for those who are still here...protect them... don't throw your life away for vengeance."

Fearless Leader

Sasami and Olguin spun around to face the flare of energy, both of them putting aside what they had been talking about in favor of the more immediate issue.

"It's him!" Olguin barked out, a sphere of energy rapidly appearing around his right fist at the sight of the bard. Now it all clicked into place...that man!

"Stop!" Sasami grasped at his arm, and he winced at the fear on her face. "I know you want to hurt him, to make him pay for what he did."

Her eyes turned serious as she looked at the sphere of life energy in his hands. "The audience could get hurt..."

"But, he's one of the men who destroyed your home." He instantly regretted his words when she softly closed her eyes, and took in a sharp breath of air.

"I...still can't let you." Her eyes snapped open, and the intensity he saw in them and the force in her words caused him to jolt in surprise. The sphere of energy in his hands quickly returned to the world around them.

He looked away from Sasami, and glared murderously at Axe. Soft hands cradled his face and gently pulled his sight away from him and back towards Sasami.

"Because...if we kill...only for the sake of hatred," Her eyes lost their innocence for but a moment, and he could've sworn he saw something besides her in them, "We will not be any better. And we will just continue to add to the cycle of darkness."

Yui's eyes widened as she watched the ghost appear and begin to play. Only in Ranma-jisan's stories had things like this come up...

Her eyes flickered to Yosho, she wanted to help Raya out, but somehow...she didn't think she'd be a help.

So much she couldn't do.

*She's right, you know.* Funaho's voice was delicate as she finally spoke. *And you know it, Yosho. Have you truly lost so much of your control that you'll go into a situation where any number of unknowns could cost you your life?*

Yosho's face twisted into a grotesque mask of hatred at both of their words, but his body relaxed. Letting go of his katana's hilt, he began to walk away from the group at large.

Plopping down on the grassy ground, he closed his eyes as his body trembled with the effort of holding back his rage.

Raya shed a silent tear for the old man as he turned away from her.  So much pain he carried inside of him.

Fearless Leader

As the Golden haired Ghost finished his short tune, a sense of peace spread out over the audience, a calming feeling brought about by his mastery of music.

Fearless Leader

Yosho fairly growled at the fact that he could feel his mind being toyed with once again. With the mental shielding up, he drew his katana and a sharpening stone and went to work.

The sounds of metal chiming as stone was dragged across it helped him ignore the world, and his partner's own frantic voice was just as quietly muted when he hung his head.

And remembered happier times.

Olguin shrugged Sasami's hands off his face, and turned away from her shocked visage. "Whatever, I'm not associated with you, so why should I bother?"

His form faintly glew with dark emotions as he raised a makeshift barrier to keep that damn ghost's music from affecting his mind.

Walking away from the light, and into the gloom of the backstage area.

Sasami's eyes watered at the sight.

OOC: Write write write write write
channel rage
IC:

The Axe rose from a knee, his face scarred with rage.  He lifted his metal axe and began a fearsome tune, his music entering the void the bard of light left behind.  His hands were like lightning as they strummed across his axe, a powerful rhythm of darkness leaving his instrument.

Fearless Leader

Yui blinked and sighed as she watched Yosho, trying to tune out the dark music.

Turning from the brooding priest, she looked to Miyuki, trying to guage how she was doing.

Sasami's breath caught in her throat as she turned away from Olguin. Wiping at her eyes, she turned back to the musical battle before her.

Her eyes narrowed as she watched the golden spirit.

Was this the person who the harp had belonged to before? It had to be...

Concentrating on the two bards before her, she tried to put the image of Olguin walking away from the light. And her.

OOC: THe Man in the Machine...

METAL MACHINE

IC:

A kind yet determined look rose upon the young blond bard's face.  His image bolstered with the power of the harp he played in response, his music forming a duet as the two bards played.  A sense of majesty flowed from the stage as the background band began to join in as well, twin masters of the art matching wits in a duel of song.

Fearless Leader

Is this...it?  Sasami thought in wonder, breathlessly staring at the two dueling bards. What I lack, the drive to make something truly special?

She knew in her heart that it was true, though. With a quiet sigh she continued to watch the show.

As concentrated on the bards was she that she didn't notice as the twin green spheres on her brow softly glew and merged together.

OOC: Power Power Power

IC:

No...  how could this be.  Even in Death he matches my skill and surpasses me.  No matter what I do his skill is the greater.  Even turning to the dark arts has left me weaker than his power.  Could...no, this couldn't be wrong.  I will defeat him.  I will be the greatest bard in the world no matter what the cost.

The intensity of Axe's song increased as he poured his heart and soul into his instrument, all that he had learned over the years.  A melody forged of his dark memories flowing in the air.  This...his bardic spirit would not falter here before Gildward's harp.

His eyes glowed with passion, there was no longer any stage.  No band in the background.  No crowd silent in awe of the two.  There was only him and Gildward.

Here, the strongest would conquer...

Fearless Leader

Sasami's body shook like a leaf in a storm as she gazed at the Axe and Gildward in shock. Nothing else could simply describe it.

Was this passion?

But...no, she didn't want this. She didn't want to frighten with her song. No, never.

Her spirit tried its hardest to latch onto Gildward's song, and turn away from the darkness.

"Passion...without kindness..."

OOC: Beautiful
Future Shock
IC:

He never understood...



"Come on Direlend...  let's play."  A young blond child smiled at his friend as he held his small wood harp in his hands.



never understood at all...



"And now the most talented in the class..." The Old bard smiled.  "Gildward.  Your work this year has been remarkable."

Direlend looked on, his purple hair hiding his eyes.  How..could he.



It was never about that...



"I challenge you.  Under the autumn leaves...  I'll defeat you Gildward.  I'll be the strongest bard!" The young teenager held his wood lute.  His instrument of choice since his childhood.

"But..."

"No buts, We will settle once and for all who is the best."



Never about being the best...



"Gildward, you have done it.  You have recovered the legendary harp musicallibur."  The old bard coughed, a bit of blood spitting out onto a cloth he held in front of his mouth.  His withered form looking proudly at his greatest student in his moment of glory, carrying the ultimate bardic tool, the golden harp of legend.  There was only one thing left to do.

"I have one last thing to teach you.  A song passed down by the greatest bards.  This song must not be forgotten...  from long ago it was handed down by heaven unto the greatest bard of that age.  Learn now...my final gift...  The Song of Finite."

The old bard began to play...a simple song of incredible power.  His fingers growing slowly in speed across his own metal harp as he passed on his final song.  Death waiting but a moment longer to claim his soul...

and in the shadows, a scarred and battered Direlend looked on...his eyes glowing with hate.  How...dare he...



It was merely about...



"Damn you Gildward.  Damn you to hell!"  Direlend lay on the floor.  His body broken by the ninja's attack.  His fated duel with his rival ruined.  He would die here certainly... in this miserable jail cell.

Damn him...Damn him!  What...

"Are you just going to lay there and die?  Or are you going to become stronger?"  A dark voice echoed deep in the blackened room.

"Who..." Direlend's one good eye opened weakly.

Standing before him was a black robed figure, a smirk on his face as his red eyes glowed.  "Well?  I can give you the power you need.  Why not give it one more go?"

A name he would soon know well...  Khrima.



the music.

Glowing with a golden aura, the ghost of gildward began his final song.  The last teaching of his master.  Knowing well his successor lay behind him watching from the shadows.   His hands streamed across the harp, a crystal melody flowing from them...  the song of finite.

Fearless Leader

"What...is this..." Sasami muttered in an awe whisper. Gildward's song...

Deep within her, a prescence stirred at the music. Waves of joy spread out from her very essence as she heard the song.

Something...

"This is it..."

OOC: FEEL IT FEEL IT RAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWR V^_^V

IC:

No...  even that song.  That damn song.  He would not be beaten.  Not by that Damn Song.

Axe's eyes calmed suddenly as his hands flew in time to the song.  His own memories giving him the song he needed.  He matched Gildward note for note.  The song becoming a matched duet...  yet a solo at the same time.  A beautiful melody of life and death flowing from them.  Lost in their melodies the two bards played...

Friends...
Rivals...
Enemies...

They were united once more in their music...

Fearless Leader

The True Emblem brightly flared as Sasami felt her mind suddenly gain a sense of duplicity.

She quirked her head to the side as she took in the scene. And a soft smile played over her features.

***

Yosho blinked awake, feeling himself being drawn out of his memory world he gazed on the stage.

Moments later his barrier dropped as he gazed at the scene in shock.

***

High above them all, Olguin watched through clear eyes.

"Well well...this will be interesting, that's for sure." He mumbled as he felt the surge of power.

Bounding off, he grinned as he swiftly made his way back to the stage.

And as suddenly as it began...it was over...

The song ended as Gildward vanished again into the harp.  Axe...no Direlend looking on, a strange sense of peace in his eyes.  He watched in silence as the harp floated off stage...straight to Sasami.

The crowd remained in stunned awe of the performance they had seen.

Fearless Leader

Sasami nervously gulped as she saw the harp float straight to her arms, and took a nervous step backwards.

She suddenly felt her mind expand as a warm, caring voice softly whispered in her ear.

Do not fear it, Child. It will never harm its new Mistress.

"What?" Her head turned from side to side frantically, but her nerves were quickly calmed.

Peace, Child, peace. I mean you no ill intent. I'm merely a spectactor, watching the story that is your life.

Sasami bowed her head as the harp crept ever closer, "I don't deserve it."

Oh, but you do, Child. The great bard Gildward has honored you not only with his skill, but with his mighty instrument. Musicallibur is now yours, and with it...

Her arms slowly rose towards the golden harp, fingers slowly extending.

The power and responsibility.

"Destiny." Fingers curled around the harp, and slowly pulled it to her chest.

Yes, good luck Sasami. I'll be watching...may your life be full of light.

"Wait!" Sasami cried out, "Who...are you?"

Call me...Tsunami. The duality of mind slowly faded away, leaving behind a lingering trace of amusement.

Shocked silence filled the air.

The Axe rose from the ground, following the harp slowly.  His heavy metal boots thudding as he walked right up to the young woman.

"You are his successor."  An intent look in the taller man's eyes.

Fearless Leader
3 seconds, sasami only

"Y-yes..." Sasami's voice shook as she backed away from Axe.

"I look forward to seeing your song.  And seeing you follow in Gildward's footsteps."  A sense of peace could be sensed from his eyes.  His lips quirked.  "Good luck kid."  And with that he was gone...  stepping past her and walking off into the backstage.  His band having disappeared as well into the backstage....

it was her moment...  The Runaway Six were next.

Fearless Leader

...and Sasami was panicking.

"What do I do!? What do I do!?" She ran around in a blind panic, startling the rest of the Runaway Five into silence. Amused silence, but silence none-the-less.

She had good reason to panic, too.

How were they going to compete with THAT!?

The soft rustling of cloth and the heavy foot falls of boots stepping on the wooden floor echoed within the still air.

"Hey! Stop right there, kiddo." An authoritive voice from behind her barked out, causing her to squeak in panic.

Rapidly spinning around, and dreading it was that Axe fellow, she briefed a sigh of relief as she spotted Olguin's curious face instead.

"What was that...light?" He asked, quirking his head ever so slightly.

Slightly disturbed by the way he was peering at her, she quickly mumbled. "The harp. But it ended just before you got back."

"Hmm...but I can still feel it. It's floating around you." Olguin persisted, causing Sasami to grit her teeth in annoyance.

"Please tell me you're here for more than a simple feeling." She archly ground out, hands clenched around the golden harp.

"Well...not really." Her eyebrow rose on its own accord, causing him to hurriedly add on. "I think you'll have an extremely hard time of beating Laughing Boy."

Only the fact that his expression was near murderous as he glared where Axe had departed through kept her from doing anything.

"Olguin..."

"He's good, I'll give him that much." He forged ahead. "But I heard what he said, you're his better's successor, right?"

Sasami slowly nodded, eyes slightly pleading to help.

"Then that means you may wind up better than him too, and your master's spirit is in that harp now..." Olguin ignored her look, words trailing off...

Sasami looked down at the harp...Her harp.

"If you give up without a fight..." His face was a mask of ice as he finished. "He'll win, in more ways than one. Do you want him to do that? Do you want him to spit in the memory of your family by beating you in the end?"

Her hands clenched around the golden harp in her delicate arms. Looking through eyes clouded by energy at a decidedly confident looking Olguin. "No, I don't want that to happen."

"I won't use the music in that way." Olguin's smile faded as she turned away from him, and marched off stage. "But I'll try my best. That's all I can do."

Moments later, the other members of the Runaway Six walked past the utterly confused Olguin. Scratching the back of his head, he slowly opened his mouth.

"What did she mean by that?"

OOC: Hikari...modified...sweet. @_@

The quiet murmurs of the crowd startled Sasami out of her brooding a few moments later. Turning to face the others, she received quiet nods of readiness.

Taking a deep breath, Sasami turned and began walking up to center stage. The weight of the crowd's gazes on her felt heavy, causing her footsteps to feel sluggish.

Upon reaching her position, she began to nervously fidget. It was just too much!

Going to give up?

The heat from the stage lights, the expectant stares of the audience, and the fact the she KNEW she couldn't follow up The Axe's performance.

That doesn't sound like what a Juraian Princess would say. They don't make excuses.

Her eyes squinted in the slight light, trying to make out her brother in the crowd. He couldn't of left her, could he? Not at this time.

You're now grasping at straws, Child. What about the other one, the boy that came back to see your performance? What about the fact that Gildward KNEW you were good enough to make an excellent successor?

Indeed, even now she could feel the familiar weight of the golden harp in her hands. Hefting it up experimentally, she smiled at the fact that it hadn't disappeared in her arms.

You have his legacy, Child.

"Okay, Sasami girl. It's time." Turning to face the crowd with a energetic grin, she lifted her hand to the harp and stood ready, eyes focused on the signpost erected to the left of the crowd.

5...4...3...2...1.

GO!

Bowing her head, her harp joined the other instruments of the band in a low, sweet melody.

Quietly,
Stand in the exit way,
And, in the pitch-black, take the light

The crowd and band collective gasped as a even dozen spheres of light erupted from the gloom on the left side of the stage, and began to swirl around the band.

Each of the spheres shone like a small star, and hummed a quiet melody of hope. Mere moments afterwards, each of the spheres stopped, two of the spheres flanking every band member.

Lifting her head in surprise, she turned her head ever slightly to the left. And had to stifle a giggle at the sight.

Wearing Hina-ohki like a cap, Olguin gave her a bright smile. Giving her a thumbs up with a glowing hand, he stepped backwards, fading into the darkness of the backstage area.

Her eyes misted slightly, but she continued her song. The spheres all dimmed down in time to her soft words.

And about the recent promises,
Is it just that I'm so anxious?
A wish that's wanting to be said, but shall be repressed
I'll introduce my family,
You'll surely get along well

The spheres of light that had flanked her breezily floated up next to her, and began to lazily follow her swaying movements.

The smooth sounds of the saxophone floated to the crowd's ears, as the twin spheres flankly him steadily rose above. One of the twins gained a distinctive blue hue and energetically pulsed in time to the musical notes, while the other gained a rosy hue. Unlike its twin, it gracefully twisted and writhed amongst the air currents, once in a while ever so slightly brushing along the blue sphere.

No matter what the time
We'll always be together
No matter what the time

Seemingly shoved away, the pink sphere of energy mournfully floated away from the blue sphere. As it floated away from the stage, it steadily began to lessen in both size and intensity, giving off a sense of utmost sadness to the crowd below.

Because you're by my side
The light known as "you" finds me,
In the middle of the night

The blue sphere of light seemed to hesistate for but a moment, before rocketting away from its position. Flying through the air, the blue sphere flew back to its mate's side, leaving a trail of energy in its wake. Energy which took on the form of small motes of light, which descended on the audience.

To a triumphant crescendo from the guitars, the twins joined. A flare of light erupted above the center of the crowd, filling them all with a sense of peace as motes of light filled the air.

Enter a noisy street
And put on the mask of destiny.

From backstage, a pair of brown eyes watched as the four spheres of light surrouding the twin guitarists began to rapidly spin around them. Eventually forming a solid ring of light which descended to the ground. As soon as the two rings touched down, they brightly flared bringing the crowd's attention to the duo.

Thinking too much about the future.
Stopping things that have no meaning.
The future is always before us,
Even I don't know it.

Sasami grinned as she stopped playing her harp, letting its sweet tune fade into the two guitarists' own energetic tune. Pulling the microphone off from its stand with her free right arm, she continued to softly sing as she began to stride towards the crowd, shortly followed by her own spheres of energy.

It's not necessary to go right to the end,
Just keep going.
It's okay if the scenes
Go on one by one.
The light known as "you"
reflects my scenario

Sparing a side glance at where Olguin had vanished for but a moment, she fought back a blush as her own spheres of light brushed up against her cheeks in an intimate gesture, leaving her feeling warm in the aftermath as they resumed dancing around her.

Let's talk more,
And about the tomorrow that's before your very eyes.
Turn off the television,
And look only at me.

The energies that had been lighting up the two guitarist's areas of the stage faded out of existance as they let their own portion of the song fade into the background. Taking his que, the drummer began to furiously pound out a high speed beat, now being highlighted by his own spheres of energy.

No matter how well we're doing,
I don't believe in us completely.
But at those sort of times,

Turning, she began to walk away from the crowd. She didn't even flinch as the other four spheres of light streaked past her, causing her hair and clothing to billow in the fierce wind they kicked up.

Because you're by my side,
The light known as "you" finds me,
In the middle of the night.

Sasami stood in the exact center of the stage as the lights all around her began to dim. Moments later, she stood in an oppressive gloom, with only her own spheres of light providing any sort of illumination.

Let's talk more,
And about the tomorrow that's before your very eyes.
And look only at me.

The two spheres of light guttered out of existance, and only Sasami's voice lingered in the aftermath.

OOC:  Here becomes the cut scene...  Fear Fear...

IC:
Standing near the stage a silver haired man in black gold trimmed armor smiled at the performance.  His eyes slowly grew serious though as the lights turned out...

Yosho and the others applauded young Sasami, distant but supporting of the young bardess.  The crowd cheering the final performance.

Towards the back though...

His suitcase was on the floor.  His black shades covered his eyes as he lifted his silver pistol targetting the forehead of the young Jurian as she sang...  Just as the lights turned off his weapon spoke once...  

A burst of thunder roared as the bullet blasted from the chamber into the cold night air, spinning as it traveled unerringly towards Sasami's head....

Yosho turned eyes widening in shock and fear as he moved....his hand quickly lifting as he summoned the green-blue energy shields of Jurai to guard his last remaining sister.

Olguin flew across the stage at Sasami the very second the gun fired....  a glowing barrier of energy erecting between her and the bullet as he funneled ki into a desperate distance shield technique.

Sasami's eyes were wide in fear, a deer in the headlights of unstoppable train...  the barriers of light meeting the bullet...only to be torn through by it's spinning silver form...  the strong energy fields not enough to stop it upon it's fatal mission...

Finis moved...  Suddenly in front of Sasami, his black armored form between her and the bullet as it impacted... slamming into his face....

the black armored form flew back across the stage...slamming into the drumset behind Sasami to lay still...his face covered by long silver hair...

Fearless Leader

Sasami's shook her head to try and dull the overwhelming amount of fear. Her head darted towards the person that had managed to save her, and she quickly dove next to him, shaking his shoulders to try and coax him up.

"Get up!" She cried, desperation and a bit of hysteria lacing her words.

"Are you safe...little one?" The man grunted...somehow still alive.  Finis slowly rose, his silver hair falling from his face...realing a large bruise on his head and a small metal chunk that fell down on the floor.  His blue eyes shone intently as he stood powerfully, his eyes fixed on the blue clad assassin.

The gunsman gaped in open shock, "No...way...That's impossible."  Tapping a communicator by his ear he shouted, "I need retrival.  Misson Failed.  Get me out of here."  Turning to flee he wrestled through the crowd running.

Fearless Leader

"I-I'm fine." Sasami sincerely said, blinking a bit as she tried to place the man's face. Something was off, but what was it...

"Sasami! Let's get you out of here now!" Olguin barked out, rushing up to the stage with Hina-ohki still perched on his head. Grasping her arm, he began to gently, but urgently pull her off stage. Turning, he spared a moment to stare at the man in rememberance.

"It's you..." He gritted his teeth as he looked at the man that nearly cost Yosho his life.

"Come on!" Hina-ohki and Olguin turned to look at Sasami, but she still kept gesturing at the silver haired man to follow.

***

Yosho's vision turned blood red as he spun towards the direction the shot had gone off from. Already having been assured that Sasami was alive by Funaho, he was about to chase down the assasin and slay him then and there.

*Hold! Yosho-sama!* Funaho commanded, causing the former prince to go stock still in shock. *You must assure that the First Princess is safe above all else.*

Nodding, Yosho decided to leave things as is, spinning around and shoving the crowd around him away from his body as he ran towards the stage.

Miyuki stared hard at the stage. Olguin's ki was there, and it was flaring brightly to her senses. And for some reason, in the back of her mind, she could feel a tense urgency tugging at her...

She tugged on Yui's hand. "Yui-chan...something's wrong...Olchan's over there. Let's follow Oshou-sama." she suggested urgently.

She had thought about following on her own, but with her leg still healing, and the crowd dense and panicked she didn't stand a chance of going two steps without getting lost...

Yui nodded, squeezing Miyuki's hand and whispering to herself, "They'll be alright...they don't need your worrying..."

Shoving her way a little more gently into Yosho's wake, she followed him, her nerves wound tightly despite her self-assurances.

She really needed to learn some more if she was going to help...

The blue clad assassin quickly was lost in the crowd as security attempted to hunt down this fiend.

Fearless Leader

Finis considered swiftly his path.  And strode after Olguin and Sasami, curious to what had befallen his favorite 'niece'.

Fearless Leader