The inner city was bustling as usual. The shouts of hawkers and street vendors mingled with the general babble of the people walking around the main square.

Koutoku sat down a wooden crate beside one of the numerous stalls while Shunkaku craned his neck this way and that.

"I don’t understand it! They’re supposed to be here! Was there some change of plans?"

Koutoku frowned. "Maybe we should have gone back to your camp with Touka then."

Shunkaku shook his head. "No. Tetsusou won’t hear of it. No one is allowed to leave Basara. No one. Don’t worry, Touka will keep her word." He let out a breath of irritation. "Dammit! Where the hell are they?"

"Maybe they’ll attack from behind. Why don’t we go to the palace’s south gate?"

"No. It’s not like Tetsusou to suddenly change plans. Besides, we’ve been planning this for months. There shouldn’t be any problem."

Koutoku shrugged. "Well I guess there’s no choice. We’ll just have to go directly to the palace."

Shunkaku tensed. He knew it was inevitable. He nodded slowly in agreement. "Alright."

His brother made his way to through the crowd and he followed reluctantly, lagging a short distance behind.

This has got the be the most goddamn stupid thing I ever did in my life! he thought as his eyes went to the great walls that separate the palace from the city. His eyes went to his brother. But I don’t care…just as long as I’m with aniki…

As if reading his thoughts, Koutoku turned to look back at him. He motioned for Shunkaku to hurry up. The palace gates were right in front of them.

"Stop right there!" barked one of the palace guards as they approached the gate. Shunkaku stopped but Koutoku walked right up to the man.

"Please sir, you need to let us through. We need to speak to the Shogun."

The guard gave eyed him with a scowl . "Are you playing stupid or just plain foolish? You think the Shogun would just see anybody, let alone two scraggly kids?"

Shunkaku’s hands tightened into fists. "Don’t talk to my brother like that you moron!" he said hotly. Koutoku quickly turned to him giving him a look which begged for him to be quiet.

The guard’s face clouded over for a moment. Koutoku held his breath. Then to his surprise, the man burst out laughing.

"Well, aren’t you a plucky one?" the man said to Shunkaku. "Do you know I could gut you like a fish, just like that?" the soldier snapped his finger for emphasis. "You better watch your mouth around here."

Shunkaku just glared at him.

The man turned to Koutoku. "You better keep a leash on your brother or he’ll get you two into big trouble."

Koutoku bowed apologetically. "Gomenasai. But please sir, it’s important. We’re not here to ask a favor from the Shogun. Actually we bring an important message."

The guard shot his companion a look. The other guard shrugged his shoulder in response and leaned back against the wall, disinterested.

The guard sighed. "Alright kid, but I’m not promising you anything. I doubt if he’ll see you. But it won’t hurt to try. Follow me."

"Arigatou!" said Koutoku. He looked back at his brother and grinned.

Shunkaku just muttered something incoherent and shot the man’s back an evil look.

"You’re so antagonistic!" Koutoku whispered to his brother as he fell into step beside him. Shunkaku just shrugged. Being inside the palace made him uneasy. They followed the guard in silence.

They were led into what appears to be a maze of gardens, with Koutoku looking around, eyes big as saucers while Shunkaku sulked.

They passed a huge temple with an image of a dragon carved on the two giant pillars in front of it’s huge double doors.

"Seiryuu’s Temple…" Shunkaku heard his brother whisper. He glanced over at Koutoku who was staring at the fearsome images with a look of reverence.

Shunkaku shivered. "Hurry up, aniki," he said pointing to the guard who was already some distance ahead of them.

Koutoku snapped out of his trance. "Ah, yes. Gomen," he said as caught up with his brother. "Did you feel than Shun-kun? That rush of energy. It’s amazing! I can’t believe we were actually standing outside the shrine of Seiryuu. This is so unbelievable!" he stopped gushing long enough to look at his brother’s face which was set in a grim expression.

"Oh," he said suddenly growing quiet. "You didn’t feel it?"

Shunkaku didn’t answer.

Koutoku patted him on the back. "Hey, cheer up! You’ll get there soon enough. You just need to develop your powers. Don’t worry about it."

"Hai, hai…" Shunkaku said unhappily. He glanced up to see the guard step up into a wide corridor and stop in front of a door with two sentries standing at both sides. The palace guard turned to look at them, motioning for them to hurry up.

"Stay here," the guard said. He nodded to the two other guards and they opened the door for him.

As the guard disappeared inside the room, Shunkaku turned to his brother. "Aniki, what do you plan to do?" he said, a trace of apprehension in his voice.

"Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything. Just leave it to me," said Koutoku. They both turned as the guard suddenly walked out the door. There was a look of amazement in his face.

"The Shogun wishes to see the Seiryuu seishi, Amiboshi, immediately."

Koutoku gaped at the man. "How did…how did he know?"

"Go on, aniki," said Shunkaku giving his brother a little push. "I’ll wait for you here."

"Hai," said Koutoku quickly following the guard as he entered the room once again. Then he stopped. "What about you, Shun-kun? Come in with me. You’re also a…"

"Iie…" said Shunkaku shaking his head frantically. He eyed the two guards by the door trying to see whether they caught the gist of his brother’s words. He made shooing motions to his brother. "Go in!"

Koutoku gave him a long, measuring look, nodded then disappeared inside the room.

Shunkaku let out a small sigh of relief.

Damn stupid complications! He thought as he leaned back against a pillar and began to wait for his brother.

"Tetsusou-san! Tetsusou-san!"

Tetsusou looked up from the map he was studying when Chama burst into the tent. It was three hours till they marched out of camp to head for the city’s main square and two hours since Shunkaku left to follow Touka.

"What is it Chama?"

Chama doubled over, hands on knees, trying to catch his breath. "There’s….there an…There’s an intruder! Some of the men are down!" he said, panting.

Tetsusou was quickly up on his feet. "Enemies? How many?"

Chama raised a finger. "One."

Tetsusou looked at him as if he were crazy. "What?! One?!"

"Hai, Tetsusou-san. And…and it’s a woman."

"A woman!" Tetsusou was out of the tent in a flash. He stopped after a couple of steps. In front of his tent were about a dozen men, swords drawn and bows cocked. They were all aimed at a tall, slim, auburn-haired girl wearing a low cut robe with high slits on the side. She was looking straight at him, head held high and unfazed by the predicament she has gotten herself into.

"Who are you! Speak up woman!" barked Tetsusou fiercely.

The girl gave him a long piercing look and took her time before she answered, "I am Haku Kaen," she said calmly.

Tetsusou looked at one of the older men in the crowd which surrounded her. "What happened here, Hiko?"

"That girl’s a bouttou witch!" Hiko snarled. The men raised cries of agreement and the circle closed in menacingly at Kaen.

"Stop!" said Setsusou. "How many men down?"

"Nearly half of the battalion, Setsusou-san," said one of the men. "All unconscious. We cannot wake them up. She has bewitched them!"

Setsusou’s eyes narrowed. He stepped closer to Kaen. "What are you? Who sent you."

She didn’t answer.

"Speak up!" he barked. Her face remained impassive. Tetsusou muttered a curse then turned to Hiko. "Are there anymore like her inside the camp?"

"No, there’s no one else, Tetsusou-san. We’ve checked," replied Hiko.

"Good," said Tetsusou. He jerked a thumb towards Kaen’s direction. "Tie her up and bring her inside my tent." He then walked in, trying his best to control his anger. He slammed a fist down the table making the scrolls on top of it jump.

"Half the battalion down! This ruins everything!" He turned as Kaen was roughly pushed inside the tent her hands bound behind her back.

Setsusou walked up to not stopping until her face was only inches from his. He grabbed her by the hair and jerked her head up so that her eyes were looking straight into his. Her eyes were shooting daggers into his.

"You won’t talk, eh? Well then, I’ll make you talk!" He shoved her down hard unto his bed. "Let’s see you try your magic on me, witch!"

"Tetsusou-kun!"

Tetsusou turned. Touka was standing by the door. Tetsusou straightened up, swallowing his anger.

"So you’re back, Touka. Where’s Shunkaku?"

Touka opened her mouth to speak, but then cast a glance at Kaen. "Setsusou-kun, I need to speak to you about Shunkaku in private."

Setsusou waved his hand dismissively. "Speak now. Don’t worry about her. She’s insignificant."

Touka bit her lip then entered the tent. Setsusou gave an impatient grunt. "Well? What is it?"

Touka fidgeted, eyes on the floor. "Well…Shun…Shun-kun has decided to leave the group."

"What!?" Tetsusou covered the distance between them and grabbed her roughly by the arm. "What do you mean?"

Touka winced. "He…he left! He…"

Tetsusou shook her. "Where is he?"

Touka looked at her brother with big round eyes. "Aniki…I don’t know!" Tears began to well up in her eyes.

Setsusou let go of her. "Gomen…gomen…" he started pacing about the room nervously. "What did he say? Where did he go! Dammit! Don’t you know what this means?"

Touka watched him, her knees weak. Her brother’s a very dangerous man when he’s angry. But she had to keep her promise.

"I truly don’t know…"

"Why didn’t you stop him!"

"I couldn’t. He just…"

"No! Stop it! Don’t say anything more!" Tetsusou barked. His hands were tightened into fists.

"Gomen…"

"You are such a fool, Touka! Get out! I don’t want to see you right now!"

Tears slid down Touka’s face. Then resentment began to simmer inside her. "Why are you so concerned, brother?" she asked quietly. There was a hard edge in her voice. "You’ve always preferred that boy over me, haven’t you?"

Tetsusou stopped pacing and looked at her.

"Tell me, brother," continued Touka. She raised her head and looked him straight in the eye. "Is it because he’s a Suzaku sei?"

Tetsusou paled. "Who told you that!" he demanded.

They both turned as Kaen gave a low laugh.

Touka gasped. The woman’s hands were now unbound and a soft blue light surrounded her.

"Kuso! Seiryuu seishi!" exclaimed Tetsusou, immediately grabbing his sword which was lying on the table.

Kaen smiled. "Yes. I am the Seiryuu seishi, Soi. Do you plan to fight me with that useless piece of metal?"

Touka was glued to where she stood, eyes wide with fear.

Kaen lifted a hand and blue light cracked in her palm. "You are lucky though. I’ve no time for this." She looked at Touka. "Thank you for that interesting piece of information."

Kaen lifted her hand and a streak of light shot up the tent roof. Then a loud explosion was heard outside. Men began shouting.

Tetsusou, rushed towards he, sword drawn.

"I said I’ve no time for this." Kaen raised her hand a bolt of light hit Tetsusou in the chest. Touka screamed when he crumpled to the ground.

"I’ll see you some other time," said Kaen and with that, she suddenly disappeared.

"Setsusou-kun!" cried Touka as rushed over and knelt by her brother’s side. Setsusou groaned, rolled over and struggled to get up.

"I’m alright," said Setsusou through clenched teeth. "Help me up."

Touka placed his arm around her shoulder and helped him to his feet.

"Tetsusou-san!" Hiko rushed inside the tent. "Tetsusou-san! The storehouse is burning! All our weapons were destroyed.

"Damn that woman!" cried Tetsusou . Beside him, Touka was crying.

"I’ll get them. I swear I’ll get them," Tetsusou vowed.



As Koutoku entered the room, apprehension suddenly gripped him. He looked around nervously as he followed the guard to the inner room. The room was surprisingly bare. Spartan-like. This made Koutoku even more nervous. Suddenly he wasn’t so confident. What was the Shogun like? Would he even listen to a boy like him? Where are the three seishi rumored to be staying in the palace?

"Shogun, the boy is here," said the guard.

Too caught up in his own thoughts, Koutoku didn’t notice that they were already inside the inner room. He looked up and piercing blue eyes met his.

Koutoku immediately dropped to the floor. "Shogun!" he croaked, forcing his eyes to look at the floor.

Even though he knew about it beforehand, seeing it with his own eyes was a different matter all together. Kotouians have always been wary of outsiders. No wonder the Basara were so intent on getting rid of him.

"So, you are Amiboshi."

Koutoku’s head jerked up involuntary but he quickly bowed back, realizing his show of disrespect.

"Yes, shogun."

"Stand up."

Koutoku did so quickly. He raised his eyes a bit. The shogun was studying him.

Koutoku swallowed nervously then said, "Begging your pardon sir, but how did you know that I’m…I’m…" he trailed off as he saw the Shogun smile.

"You disappoint me, Amiboshi. Could you not tell for yourself?"

Koutoku frowned. What does he mean? His eyes flicked towards the Shogun, then back to the floor, then back to the shogun again. Then as he raised his eyes to the Kutan general, his eyes suddenly grew wide.

No…it can’t be… He could feel it. There was an almost tangible shifting in the air, though it was so faint he almost missed it. It’s chi!

Koutoku gasped. "You’re a Seiryuu sei!"

"Yes," the Shogun took a step forward and as he did so, a kanji mark flared brightly on his forehead, "I am Seiryuu Seven Star, Nakago."

"But if you’re one of them, who are the other two?" Koutoku asked surprise and curiosity overshadowing his earlier apprehension.

"Don’t worry," said Nakago. "You will find out soon enough. Now tell me, why is it that you wished to see me?"

Koutoku’s face immediately turned serious. "We came to warn you. My brother and I. There’s a threat coming from the Basara. They’re planning to attack the palace today. You have to ready your troops!"

Nakago was quiet for a moment.

"Well?" Koutoku prompted.

"Just as I expected."

"What?" Koutoku gave him an amazed look. "You knew? You knew all along?"

Nakago nodded. "I’ve been sending spies to the border to watch them. There isn’t anything to worry about. I’ve already sent someone to take care of that. But there is one thing I’d like to ask you though."

"About what?"

"Suzaku’s sei."

Koutoku tensed. "So that’s what it is," he muttered to himself.

"You sensed it too?" asked Nakago.

Koutoku nodded. "Just this afternoon. I sensed his chi. It was unusually strong."

"Was it now?" Nakago walked towards a table and picked up a map. "Tell me, where you were this afternoon?"

Koutoku walked over beside him and studied the map. "There," he said pointing.

Nakago grew quiet.

"Shogun?"

They both looked up. One of the sentries had entered the room. "Shogun, Lady Soi is back."

"Is she? Well then, tell her I wish to speak to her right away."

The sentry bowed. "Yes, Shogun," he said and left the room.

Nakago turned back to Koutoku. "As a Seiryuu seishi, you are to stay at the palace. It will be arranged that you meet the Maiden soon."

Koutoku’s eyes widened. "The Maiden? The Maiden has been found?! Where is she? Is she here in the palace?"

"She has been found and she is in the palace. I will arrange for a…"

"Can I meet her now? Where is she? What does she look like?" Koutoku interrupted, his eyes shining.

"No," Nakago cut in briskly. Koutoku’s face fell.

"I have no time for this right now. I will send for you later when all is arranged." Nakago turned to the guard who had brought Koutoku in. "Have a chambermaid prepare a room and have him escorted there."

"As you wish, Lord Nakago."

"Wait…" said Koutoku.

Nakago gave him an impatient look.

"What about my brother? He’s here with me…"

Nakago’s answer was short and absolute. "He will be allowed to stay but he is to train under the royal army."

"Hai, arigatou," said Koutoku hastily, glad that no argument was needed. He followed the guard out. He pushed back his disappointment at not being able to meet the Maiden. But the thought of her in the palace cheered him up immediately. I’ll see her soon, he thought optimistically and left the room with a small smile. He did not notice the auburn-haired girl whom he passed by at the door.



Shunkaku paced the corridor apprehensively. He would stop every now and then to see if his brother had already emerged from the room.

Then, growing tired of walking around in circles, he sat down on the floor and leaned back against a pillar. The guards merely ignored him—having assessed his thin frame and boyish looks, they promptly dismissed him as harmless and insignificant—and Shunkaku was a bit relieved with that.

He leaned back his head and closed his eyes, mulling over what might possibly be taking place in the room beside him.

Absorbed in his own thoughts, he was oblivious to the sound of approaching footsteps and the clinking of armor and metal as the sentries snapped to attention.

It was the sound of voices that caught his attention. Women’s voices. Shunkaku opened one eye and cocked his head to the side.

Both eyes immediately flew open in surprise.

"Who the hell…?"

He scrambled to his feet.

A small group of women walked the corridor, headed in his direction. There were five of them, four of which—he assumed—were court attendants. They were carrying robes and towels, and several brightly colored bottles and small chests. In the middle of the group walked a girl of about his age. She had hair the color of gold and it was cut short in a very odd fashion. She was wearing a white robe and a severe expression on her face.

The women swept through the corridor, the attendants chattering away while the girl remained silent, looking like she was deep in thought and staring at a certain point on the floor as she walked.

Shunkaku gaped at her as she approached.

Then she they were a few feet apart, she looked up and a shock ran through his body as her eyes met his.

At first, her expression was blank. Like she was merely glancing at the wall. Then it registered and a startled expression crossed her face. For a brief moment, there was a "who-are-you-and-what-the-hell-are-you-doing-here?" look on her face.

Shunkaku frowned then realized he had the same look on his face.

The girl gave him one of those head-to-foot look then faced forward again, as if she had seen nothing, never giving him another glance.

Shunkaku watched her walk away in confusion. As the women disappeared on the next corridor, Shunkaku turned to the sentries.

"What’s a Hin woman doing in the palace?" he asked though it came out more like a demand than an inquiry.

The two guards looked at him, paused, looked at each other, then guffawed.

"What’s so amusing?" he asked hotly.

"Stupid boy! That’s no Hin!" The other sentry began to laugh harder.

Shunkaku’s scowl deepened and his hands clenched into fists.

He forced himself to swallow his irritation. Idiots.

The other guard began to recover and he straightened up. Looking at Shunkaku, he said, "That is no Hin woman, boy. That is the Maiden."

Shunkaku stared at them, stunned.

The guard nodded. "Oh yes, that’s the Maiden alright. They say she came from another world. You should see the clothes they wear, eh Ryo?" He turned to his fellow sentry.

A lewd smile came over the other guard’s face. "Hai."

"How long has she been here?" Shunkaku asked. His mind was in a jumble. Was she here all this time?

"Nearly three months. Lord Nakago brought her back to the palace."

The other guard nodded in agreement. "As the story goes, the Shogun saved her from a bunch of street thugs."

Shunkaku turned back towards the direction the Maiden had gone off to. "Three months? So what’s she like?"

One of the guards gave him a queer look. "The Maiden? We wouldn’t know. She keeps to herself most of the time. The only person she speaks to is the Shogun. And of course, sometimes the Emperor."

Shunkaku could only stand there, staring into space. He didn’t know what to think. His brother’s words rang in his head.

"When we find her, everything’s gonna be alright."

But could she really do that? he asked himself. She had seemed so… ordinary.

An image flashed in his mind. Of sun-kissed hair and eyes…the color of Seiryuu.

Then he remembered the expression on her face. Shunakaku shook his head.



"You’ve returned earlier than I expected. Were you able to find him?"

Soi quickly executed a low bow. "Forgive me, Nakago. I was not able to do exactly as you asked. But I came back so that I could tell you myself."

"Tell me what?" asked Nakago, face totally devoid of emotion though his tone held a certain sharpness which made Soi bow her head slightly.

"I’ve gathered information from the rebel camp. It seems the Suzaku sei we’ve been trying to locate has been staying there all along."

Nakago’s eyes narrowed. "Are you sure?"

Soi nodded. "I am certain. But it seems they’ve lost him. The sei is a young boy. Apparently he was among the young boys recruited by Tetsusou. Such a pathetic fool that man is. Using children to fight for his battles for him…" Soi could barely hide the disgust in her voice.

Nakago was silent. He held a map in his hands and was studying it intently. "The fourth Guardian has appeared," he said.

Soi nodded. "Yes, I know. It’s that boy isn’t it? I sensed his chi when I came back to the palace. Still too young. He has much to learn. He was not able to sense me when we passed each other."

Nakago nodded. "His perception is weak, but his power has already been developed. I sensed it in him. He claimed to have sensed the Suzaku sei’s chi, though. He said it was quite strong. As for myself, it was quite faint. You felt it too, but vaguely." He pointed to a spot in the map. "But what you just told me made perfect sense. Amiboshi was near the camp this afternoon. If the sei was a member of the camp, it would be natural for him to be within this vicinity. Amiboshi must have come very close to the sei for him to be able to able to feel his chi."

Soi reflected upon this for a moment. Her eyes feel on her wrists which still bore the rope burns from earlier. Her eyes narrowed.

"They pose a threat then. I cannot imagine how they managed to get their hands in that sei. But even with only one fighting on their side, it’s still going to make things difficult for us. They must be dealt with as soon as possible. Let me handle it, Nakago. I will bring a hundred men and that would be enough. They are vulnerable for the moment. I made sure of that."

Nakago considered this for a moment, then shook his head. "I have other plans for them. We will set this aside for the moment for we have bigger problems. A small army from Konan has established themselves on the boundary and it seems the Maiden of Suzaku has gone off to find the rest of her shichiseishi. These are more pressing matters. Tell Tomo that I want to see you both at the temple. We have things to discuss."

"As you wish, Nakago."

TBC