Standard disclaimers apply.

Author's note:
mmm, there are some original characters made up by me... but hopefully you'll
get through it. Starting with the second half of this chapter, the fic focuses
on Saitou and Tokio... but I had to characterise their background a little bit,
please bear with me =^^=. And since the chapter was unbearable long, I decided
to divide it in two.

Oh, and the name 'Gandalf' is taken from 'The Poetic Edda'. 
Unfortunately, Tolkien used this name also =^^=... and I couldn't come up with
anything else =^^=. I give a link at the end of this chapter... you'll see how
much Tolkien was affected by Norse mythology. AND you'll find some of the 
names and events which I mention explained on this webpage.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


CHAPTER 1: PLOT


Karla was looking up to the high tower. 

Being completely made of ice, it shimmered in the light of the settling 
sun and she felt a shiver running down her spine. 

She looked back on the way, on the untouched snow behind her. These 
pure snow-fields appeared always so beautiful to her, especially when they 
glittered in a low standing, red-glowing evening-sun. 

Quickly the last rays of light vanished, letting the castle of the Lords of 
the North appear even more impressive. Shuddering, she pulled her cape closer 
around her. 

It was the time of midwinter, the time were the sun barely rose over 
the horizon at all. Darkness for almost the whole day, only for a few 
hours that could be counted with the fingers of one hand, the darkness 
made place for dusk, a dim light directly fading to dawn. 

She cast a glance behind her once more, the light dancing in the snow, 
letting it glimmer like an exquisite piece of silk. 

In front of her the mighty, icy castle rose out of the white 
desert. There was no other human being in many miles around, the strenuous 
way kept them away in winter. The last beings she had seen, was a pack of 
Huskies looking for an easy prey in the vast landscape.

What could the Northern council want from her? It was a great honour to 
see the council even for once in a life-time and she had got an invitation! 

Something important must have happened and somehow it must concern her 
as well. She stepped closer and the gates opened noiselessly in front of 
her, allowing her to enter the holy castle-ground. 

It was illuminated by torches, a blue fire, bathing the surroundings 
into a cold, impersonal, surreal light. The flames pointed her the way 
to the audience room, only a few were chosen and granted access 
to the holy of holies.

The door opened to the inside and unconsciously holding her breath, 
Karla entered the room, eyes downcast, furtively watching the group in 
front of her.

It were three men inside, wearing cloaks, their faces hidden by the 
darkness of their hoods.
"Karla from the family of the Tronds?"

The figure in the middle had spoken, his deep, solemn voice had an 
oddly calming effect on her.

"Yes."
Strangely enough the figures seemed to materialise, the shady contours 
became clearer and she could glimpse at the tips of their noses and the 
reflection of their shimmering eyes in the darkness of the hoods.

"I am Gandalf, the last wise wizard of the North." 
He made no effort to introduce the others beside him and Karla bowed 
low to him.

"It is a great honour to be allowed to meet you, Master Gandalf."

"You have a good reputation."

She had a good reputation indeed. Though being still very young and not 
in her best years yet -referred to the standards of sorcerers and 
wizards, she had barely reached her 25 year- she had made her way and 
was the best among the likes of them. There was no need to be modest.
"Thank you very much, High Council."

"You are the most promising sorcerer of the North."

"This is too much honour for my humble self, Sirs."
She couldn't let this stand unanswered. But what could they want from her?
Gandalf waved impatiently, a hint that the solution to her question 
which nagged inside her since she had received the invitation, was close.

"Ragnarok is near."

RAGNAROK WAS NEAR? 
Inwardly she was shocked, but she wouldn't be one of the best if she 
wouldn't be a master of self-control. She had heard the legends, and she 
knew that it wasn't only legends. But she never had thought SHE would be 
the one to live to see Ragnarok. Obviously this had been a false hope. 

Why was she here? What was her involvement with the end of the world? 
She had no interest in the end of the known world, she would fulfil her 
part in protecting the world whatever the council requested from her.
"What is my concern with this?"

"We need your abilities and help in a certain issue."

She was only a sorcerer! Admittedly a very good one, but not good enough. 
Maybe when she was older and had gathered more knowledge, but now she 
could barely be of any help.
"Of what kind?"

"You know that the last turmoil left us in an utterly dangerous situation?"
She was aware of this fact as every being should be and she barely 
nodded, the council didn't seem to expect an articulated answer. This was 
common knowledge. The demons brewed over a plan and this meant nothing good. 

What would the sorcerers, the clans, the Jinni, and the councils decide? 
Demons plotting, the near end, that could only mean that the time for 
the beasts to arrive on earth was come.

"We will need more powerful sorcerers in the near future."

There was it going. She had already heard of the efforts to preserve 
their kind and to develop it further, and eagerly she waited for him to 
continue. They needed her and she would do whatever was asked of her to 
preserve the earth for further generations. 

The voice of Gandalf dropped even an octave deeper and she felt to 
drown in the calming depths of his voice.
"We want you to move to Japan and to meet with Takagi Takumi and marry 
him. He is the heir of a long line of very powerful sorcerers, just 
like you. I'm sure you two can be of help."

She felt her heart beating up in her chest. She had really been chosen 
for this program? The clans were marrying talented and promising sorcerers and
wizards together in good hope that their children would be even more talented 
and gifted. It was a great honour and serving her clan in this matter was the 
best she could do. They still hadn't fully recovered from the medieval 
persecution and burnings. But Japan?
"You really want me to move to Japan?"

His voice dropped one more octave and she felt even more calmed and 
like drowning in his voice. Odd, she thought.
"It is inevitable, Karla. He is a very promising wizard, I met him 
already and I think you could like him. He is in discussion for the 
chairmanship in the High Council of the Islands. You have to change the 
clan, of course, but I will come to visit you several times. Furthermore 
you can still refuse. Still, I would appreciate when you would meet him 
first."

"Before I decide I would like to spend some time with him."

"I thought nothing else. For the long term you would have to adopt in this 
country and learn its tongue, but I think for the short term, you two could 
come around with our secret codes. Get to know him and decide then what you 
will do. Though I think that I don't have to mention that Irie, the leader 
of the clan in Japan, and I would appreciate it if you two would agree 
to a marriage."

This was a fair arrangement. They could spend some time together and 
get to know each other. She would have the chance to see this country before 
making up her mind. Japan was a challenge after she was grown up in Norway.
"Is he already informed?"

Again Gandalf spoke, the men standing by his side had not spoken once.
"Yes, Irie is already waiting with him for us."

Embarrassed she lowered her head.
"I'm sorry, I was delayed due to the snow-storm in this area, it made 
materialising a risk."

Gandalf had noticed the storm, it had been an extraordinary one, even 
he himself hadn't dared to materialise in such a unfriendly weather and 
inwardly he had been surprised that Karla had had only such a little delay. 
A less determined sorcerer would have waited longer until the last effects 
of the storm had calmed down and negligent he waved at her.
"It is no problem, it is not too late yet. Are you prepared to leave 
right now?"

"Yes."
She knew what they wanted from her. The end of the world was near, the 
legendary beasts would be freed and they needed a force to control the beasts. 
And she was one of the few, chosen to eventually deliver this force. 
She had no illusions about this, surely she wasn't the only one to take part 
in this 'program'.

"Then we might leave."
He stepped forward and laid a hand on her shoulder, and for the first 
time she could see him clearly. He was an old man, his light-blue eyes 
deep in their sockets, but still unclouded. He had a white beard, 
surprisingly tidy and well-combed for a wizard. 

But what was really astonishing was that the two other man had vanished 
as he had stepped out of the circle. They had been illusions held by 
the ice-cubes around him as she realised now.
Well, if he was the last surviving member of the North Council then 
they really were in a desolate situation. 

Gandalf murmured his incantation with his hands on her shoulders, she 
closed her eyes as the light of the transformation surrounded them. Her 
skills weren't developed enough yet to open a portal on the other side 
of the earth.


****

She knew when they had reached their destination only seconds later, 
the air smelled different, it was not as freezing cold as in the North of 
Norway and she smelled... wood. Wood had always been a good sign for her.

She opened her eyes, Gandalf was still standing in front of her, now 
breaking the connection on her shoulders. 

The room in which they stood was huge, a huge wooden room, bare, without 
any sort of decoration. There were two more persons in the room, one was an 
old wizard as Gandalf, the other had to be her husband-to-be. 

Gandalf stepped towards them and bowed lowly.
"Irie. It is nice to see you in good health."

Irie bowed even lower.
"The same goes for you, Gandalf-san."

Gandalf pointed behind him.
"This is my apprentice Karla from the family of the Tronds. She is the 
best of the remaining clans in the West and North."

Both wizards fell quiet for some minutes, remembering the fateful end 
of the Western Council. 

The young man bowed deeply to Karla. She was nothing he had expected, he
had heard a great deal about gaijin and had assumed they were all heavy 
built, harsh in manner and rough in handling. 

But this woman was astonishingly fascinating. She had long, thick black 
hair speaking of a good health and condition as it reflected in the 
light. Her skin was delicate pale, she didn't need powder to whiten it, and 
it made an interesting contrast to her black hair. Her facial features 
weren't of a soft  expression, she had a strong character, her intelligence 
shone through it and gave her face a harsh beauty, not every man would 
like. 

But most fascinating he found her dark-green eyes that seemed to reflect the 
forests in which she grew up as he had been told. They drew everyone near who 
was connected to the woods. Her frame was slender and well built, very womanly,
and she moved with great elegance and gracefulness, sure of her effect 
but not too self-confident.

Well, it wouldn't be his fault if this would not work. He felt attracted to 
her presence; her manners seemed to be perfect. In the next days he would see 
if his first impression had been right.

Irie put his sad remembrances aside and introduced the young man behind him.
"Takagi Takumi. He stands at the end of one of the most powerful families 
of Japan."

Takagi bowed deeply to Karla again and she had a closer look at him. He 
had a friendly, open face, a bit round maybe, but what caught her attention 
was the warm smile around his lips and his polite, unostentatious manners 
pleased her. He seemed to have refined manners, so different from many men 
she had met in her homeland. 

Timid they smiled each other before Irie offered Karla a kimono.
"You need to change into our clothing before we can leave."

Irritated and suspicious Karla took the cloths from his hands.
"And how am I supposed to dress in this?"

Laughing heartfelt and giving her an understanding glance, Takagi unfolded 
the 'under-kimono' and explained her how to put it on.
Nonetheless, she needed help with the obi which Takagi wrapped playfully 
and skilfully around her, under the watchful eyes of Gandalf and Irie.

When they were finished, Karla still fumbled on the unfamiliar kimono, 
Takagi bowed low to the wizards.
"We are ready to leave."

"Well then, take good care you two." 
Gandalf and Irie released them and the two old wizards observed their 
leaving forms thoughtfully. Gandalf followed the woman with his eyes 
till she mingled with the landscape and wasn't distinguishable anymore. 
Oddly enough she looked as if she was wearing a kimono since the very 
first day of her existence. Her long, thick, black hair was gathered in a 
pony-tail now, the only strange thing were her piercing green eyes. 

Well, precautions were taken, she wouldn't be killed like many other 
foreigners who dared to set a foot on the land, Irie and Takagi himself 
had taken care of it.

He turned to his old friend Irie, he himself was exhausted and feeling 
that he was getting old for such adventures, travelling such long 
distances. He felt every bone in his body, what a pity.
"When shall we meet again?"

"I will inform you when the time has come."

"You remember our agreement?"

"Yes, I know of the importance of this matter to you. I think it was a 
brilliant idea from you to choose Karla with her high affinity to your 
forests, she could provide a solution for the one you want."

Gandalf crossed his arms in front of his chest and nodding his consent 
as he disappeared in light and mist as it was his manner.

****

A crow was sitting on a side of Hagen's throne and whispering in his 
ear as it seemed. After it finished he leaned back in his mighty chair 
and laughed out loud. 

His underlining set themselves as far as possible from their ruler, in such a 
mood he had proven to be deadly dangerous more than one time.
"FOOLS. These two old fools. Do they really think this would stop me 
from my plans? Raising sorcerers with their limited and silly abilities? 
They should know better than thinking that this could be more than an 
inconvenient obstacle for me!"

His mood was fantastic, the Goblins seeked refuge behind stones, he 
might to heighten his mood by killing one of them. Abruptly his 
laughter stopped, Tengu had entered the room. 

He seldom visited him, so he knew when the dangerous demon from Japan 
came, it was very important.
"What is it?"

"The First is born within my realm. The time has come, our plan has started."

They looked shortly at each other before they both burst out in 
maniacal, self-confident laughter. 

Jinni and mankind had to be on guard, their time on earth was over.

*****

Two years later, on the edge of Edo.

Yamaguchi needed a deep draught from his sake bottle as well as his wife. 

This freaking son of his had shocked him to the bones. First he had 
started walking around some months too early and now he was SPEAKING! 
Not only blubbering as children do before they form sentences, no, he had 
spoken clearly and in sentences. 

Short though, but no blubbering. At this age he shouldn't blubber at 
all. And these eyes... his own son's eyes haunted him when he wanted to sleep. 

"Father?"

There he was again, still a bit staggering when walking, tearful looking at 
him, holding out a broken toy, it was his favourite, a wooden horse.
"Can you make it whole?"

Katsu, his older brother was directly behind him
"Next time you know better than to tease me again, Hajime-chan."

"Father, can you make it whole?" 

His younger son looked desperately, holding on to his two precious 
pieces of wood. These tearful eyes were the ones that stole him his sleep 
every night. This sniffing being before him wasn't a thing he wanted to 
see when he enjoyed his sake.
"Get out of my sight."

Roughly Yamaguchi kicked his younger son aside while his older one 
knelt down beside him. A glare to his wife proved her that it was better to 
keep quiet and not to comfort the crying 18month-old boy.

He would calm down soon enough by himself as he hugged the remains of his once
favourite toy. And again there were these eyes, accusingly and punishing now.
                                                  
Strange, he had to shudder, this was only a baby for all God's sake!
Hajime-chan left sniffing the room and a glare kept his wife with her family. 
He would never understand why she still tried to care for this brat.

****

Takagi was attentively walking down the street, looking for a proper 
gift for his wife-to-be. The marriage was more pro-forma since she lived 
over one year with him now, but nevertheless they wanted to celebrate 
this event with their close friends and loyal allies. It was high time
since she was already pregnant.

He wanted something extraordinary for Karla, fitting to her spirit and 
character. 

Since he loved her hair being combed, a decorative, exquisite comb just seemed
to be right. He spotted the next craftsman, famous for his incredible filigree
and precious work, recommended to him by one of his friends. 

After admiring and honouring some of the exhibited crafts he indicated 
that he was looking for some extraordinary pieces and the craftsman led 
him inside to offer him his most precious treasures.

One immediately caught his attention and he reached out for it. A black 
comb with nacre inlay in form of cranes and sakura-blossoms. 
It surely would look gorgeous in Karla's hair.

"You have an excellent taste, Samurai. It is my best work so far."
Discretely he wrote the price on a note and shoved it over to him.

Though he didn't need to count his coins, Takagi swallowed. The old 
shop-keeper surely made the sell of his life, nevertheless no muscle in 
the man's face twitched. 

But as Takagi reached into his kimono to take out his purse, a small 
hint of a smile crept on the old man's face.

As the shop-keeper placed the comb carefully into a box as artful ornated as 
the comb itself, the crafts-man got colloquially.
"I also have some fitting kogai, if you want to have a look at them?"

Inwardly Takagi twitched. He had only intended to buy a small gift, he 
did't plan to ruin himself this day.
"Ah, thank you. Maybe next time?"

Now the old man visibly grinned as he handed the silk wrapped package over.
"It was a pleasure to do business with you, Samurai. I am looking 
forward to having you in my humble shop again."

He could bet that it was a pleasure for the wrinkled man to earn so much money
in a day... But he wouldn't come back anytime soon. That was sure, Takagi 
resumed as he looked into his nearly empty purse.
"You have an outstanding skill, I wouldn't want to miss your best works."

"Thanks, but I am really not that good. I seriously hope your lady will 
like the comb."

"I am sure she will love it." He took the chance to escape "Good bye."

"Good bye."
He felt the old man's eyes on him until he turned off into the next street. 
But he didn't get far in this alley, the next shop caught his attention: 
A toy-stall. 

A young man offered wooden toys on the street, very skilful work, it 
felt soft despite the material and was polished until no rough edges remained.
"I haven't seen you around before."

Closely he observed the young man who bowed deeply and offered him a paper to 
read.
"I come from the mountains, only once in a year to sell my goods. Here 
is my permission."

Half-hearted Takagi took the paper from his hands, cast only a short 
glance at it. Only once a year? This wasn't a frequent occasion.
"How much is one?"

Could there be another fitting present for a wedding than a toy for the 
child they both wished to have? In addition, the price the young man 
mentioned was ridiculous low for such an excellent work.
"I'd like to have the dog please."

Karla would like it, reminding her of the Huskies in her home country 
she had told him about.

"This is a wolf."
Indignant and annoyed the young man picked up the desired piece.

"I meant the wolf then."
The money and the toy was exchanged quickly and Takagi secured his purchases 
in his kimono.

Thinking about the near future, Takagi now headed for the near shrine. 
There was a lot that had to be taken into consideration and it could 
prove helpful to ask the Gods for support.

To reach his destination he had to pass the come-down parts of Tokyo, 
the parts where the poor and outcasts lived. They wouldn't dare to 
bother him, so much was sure. 

He had nearly passed the district when sudden exploding feelings hit 
his senses 
*anger* *quarrel* *shock* *horror* *grief*

Quickly he closed himself from outer influences...
something had to be wrong, he had never experienced such disturbance 
before coming from a single being, just by passing by. 
Maybe this was the being he was looking for!

Anxiously he turned left, into the directions the emotions came from, the next
turn left again, he should be near now. He glimpsed into the next side-street, 
the houses even more wrenched than the ram-shackled shanties on the 
'main-street'. 

There, among the dirt and mud, was the origin of his interest: a young 
boy, better a baby.

Sitting in front of one of the houses, its clothes ripped and barely 
covering its fragile body. The baby was unusually lean for its age as 
if it hadn't enough food.

But upon seeing the poor child, Takagi felt his heart jumping in his 
chest. This was the one they were looking for... what a lucky coincidence,
a good opportunity, this shouldn't be missed. 

He stepped closer.
"Hello, young one." putting on his warm smile he bend down to be on the 
same level as the boy. "I am Takagi."

The child looked up and now he noticed the tearful eyes of a strange 
amber colour, being reason enough in such surroundings to be excluded 
and shoved aside. 

Never having had to experience a hard childhood and ever having been 
attached to children -he had had to endure a lot of gossiping about 
this- the sight nearly broke his heart. 

The boy pressed something against his chest and stared at him as if he 
was an alien. What might be true in this surroundings.

"Hello." the child sniffed and stared. "I am Hajime."

Takagi spoke in his softest voice, using manipulating under-tones,
pointing to something hidden securely in the young one's arms.
"What do you have there?"

Stubbornly Hajime turned away. "It is mine!"

Patiently Takagi knelt down in the mud. He would need a lot of patience 
and tolerance in the years to come, so much was sure.
"I don't want to take it from you, I just want to have a look at it."

Suspiciously, curiously eyeing him, Hajime reached out his hands, the 
broken toy between them. Takagi noticed that Hajime hold them tightly, 
not trusting him. 

Regretful Takagi reached slowly out for it, trying not to frighten the 
disturbed boy.
"What a wonderful horse! What a shame that it is broken. How did it 
happen?"

Hajime sniffed once more.
"My elder brother broke it. Father doesn't want to make it whole again."

The little hand stubbornly grabbed the toy tightly, Takagi noticed bloody 
wounds all over the hands where splinters of the wood had dug deep under the 
skin. 

What a shame not to care for such a child, for a son in particular! He had 
an elder brother? This was interesting and a chance he could use when 
the time was right.

Takagi laid his hands around the smaller ones and guided them closer, 
until the site of the fracture touched.
"Maybe one could use a ribbon to hold it. Wait."

He reached in his kimono and found the ribbon he was looking for, luckily he 
had brought it along for the shrine. The shrine had to wait, that was sure. 

As best as he could he tied the ribbon around the horse.
"Look, now you can play with it again."

Mistrusting Hajime eyed the horse from all sides.
"But it is ugly now! It was better before!"

Takagi ruffled the boy's hair.
"Oh, look at it closely. It is a very special horse, having this ribbon 
around its abdomen. Not every horse has this."

The amber eyes looked a bit less tearful.
"But it is not as before!"

"Oh, you must pay closer attention now that it doesn't break again. It 
needs all your attention."

How fitting was the toy he had bought earlier... he took it out.
"And I have a companion for your horse."

"A dog?"

"It is a wolf, a wild and free animal, it would be perfect for your 
other toy." He placed the wolf directly into the child's arms... he had 
to go back and buy another one. 

Conspirative, he leaned over to Hajime's ears.
"This toy is a secret between you and me, don't tell your parents or 
your brother and hide it well."

Seriously Hajime nodded, Takagi could only hope that he kept his mouth 
closed, otherwise the toy would be taken away, so much was sure.
"I have to go now, Hajime-chan. Take good care, I'll come and visit you again."

"Bye, Takagi-sama!"
He stood up and nodded his good-bye to the little child, now looking 
happily, but lonely and lost in the street. 

As Takagi was back on the main-street he looked down on himself; he 
didn't feel happy at all. His hakama was ruined, soaked with the dirt and 
faeces of the street, his kimono for sure as well. That was nothing he 
could care about yet, there were more important things to do. 

He had to meet Irie right away and tell him the good news. But first he 
needed to buy a second wolf from this young man.  

****

Tengu ducked the crow in the last second and with flaming eyes he followed its
flight to the great hall in which Hagen liked to held his audiences.

How would he enjoy to rip out this birds wings and watch it bleeding to
death... Someday... Hagen's days on the throne were counted.

Hagen's reliable spy came directly to his master, this seemed to be important
and as the crow settled on Hagen's shoulder, it already whispered the
latest news.

From the way Hagen's eyes narrowed, Tengu knew that the news brought
a change. And really, Hagen stood up and prepared for an annunciation.
"Listen."

Immediately he had the full attention of the gathered demons.
"They have found the First."

Murmuring rose, and Kris had the courage to step forward.
"We need to act! NOW!"

Disgusted Hagen looked at the snacks by his side. These worms used to be 
better. Nevertheless he took a handful.
"Don't rush things, Kris. This might screw up every plan we made.
Remember: The First one is guarded as Bardar propheceted it. He might
be a fool, but his prophecies proved to be true often enough. We should
concentrate on the Second and the Third."

From the shadows Tengu had followed the short exchange. Well, he 
wouldn't want to give up the First one so easily, that was sure.

****

Gandalf gathered his gifts, he was already late for the ceremony
and Karla had told him expressly to come. 

In his hurry a small bundle fell out of his cloak and in the last moment
he noticed the missing gift for Karla. He picked it up and allowed himself
the luxury to eye it for a second thoughtfully.
                       
He wanted to present her something special on this day and the herbs required 
a careful treatment. He himself was already to old to be interested in this
herbs any-longer. Maybe when he had been younger... he should have used them.
But now... it was too late.

At last he had packed all he wanted and was on his way to Japan. 

He was late indeed, when he stepped out of the portal, he already heard the 
excited voices in the yard of the Takagi-estate, it sounded like half of the 
sorcerers of Japan had come together here. 

What was maybe true. Sadly he looked at the many people, all belonging to
Clan, all in important, influential positions of politics and religion as 
advisors, priests.

And what was left of his own Clan and its glorious past? 
From the glorious times of the wise Merlin, held in royal courts in high
esteem? Only a handful of battered men remained. 

But despite its many members this Clan hadn't produced one sorcerer as good 
and talented as Karla. His back straightened, his chest swelled and proudly he
walked to Irie who was standing a little aside.
"Irie."

"Gandalf-san."
They acknowledged each other with a nod and observed the busy flurry of 
activity in the yard with interest. They both felt too old and sore to
take part, and as if this was not his concern Irie told Gandalf of the 
latest events.
"You know that the First has arrived?"

"Yes, I received the your note. I admit that I was a bit disappointed, 
I thought I would feel his presence. It doesn't seem to have an effect in 
these long distances. But we are lucky that the time has finally come.
We need their presence on earth."

"We have to take precautions so that the demons won't interfere. They already 
reached out their hand for him ,and his family feels that he is different."

"Our hold on him has to be strong enough so that nobody else can have 
influence on him." Gandalf resumed. He had no doubt that Irie had already
made his precautions. "You know that the first move is always of a special 
importance for the beginning of a battle. It doesn't decide the war, 
of course not, but the first impressions and the first victory are important."

Irie saw Takagi stepping out of his house and greeting the newcomers.
"I hope they prove themselves to be worth the faith we have in them. We 
need a consort for him and he is already over one year old."

A hint of smile played around Gandalf's lips.
"We can be confident in them, I am sure." 

From the corner of his eye, Irie cast a suspicious glance at his wise, old 
friend.
"Your confidence in others wasn't enough to save your Clan. I can 
hope that this time, you are right."

Sighing Gandalf shook his head, Irie tended to see things too pessimistic. 
But he was right about what happened to his Clan.
"Where is Karla? I promised to help her through the ceremony."

"She is in her room over there."
Briefly Irie pointed into the direction and Gandalf walked over, furtively 
checking if the collection of herbs was still in his cloak. It was.

Karla was eagerly awaiting him and obviously nervous. Which young woman 
wouldn't be in view of her marriage?
"Gandalf! It is high time! Where have you been?"

Calming Gandalf laid a hand on her shoulder, stifling a laugh. Women were the 
same all over the world and even a sorcerer wasn't different.
"There is no need to worry, Karla. I wanted to give you some special herbs,
they might be useful someday. They are very rare, I had luck finding 
them and they have to be collected during an eclipse of the moon while it 
is raining. Consider well, when you use them, you might find them helpful 
for your sorcery concerning your marriage. You only need small pieces for a 
brewery, it is very powerful and pay attention not to drink too much. It 
could affect your health."

He handed over a small bunch to Karla and she took it wondering.
"It looks so harmless."

"Don't let yourself be misguided by the outer appearance, they are really 
dangerous and a threat." He cast another furtive glance around 
"Hide them well before Takagi, or even worse, Irie. They shouldn't find them."

Karla nodded and Gandalf had a closer look at her expression.
"You look satisfied and happy, Karla."

She blushed and embarrassed she cast her eyes to the ground.
"Takagi is a wonderful man."

Dryly Gandalf answered.
"I am relieved to hear that" But he turned serious soon enough. "You heard 
about the First?"

"Yes, Takagi had already made contact to his parents. He doesn't 
seem to be accepted by his family, and we don't think it that this is 
an influence from the demons, they have nothing to do with it. When he is 
older, Takagi will try to adopt him. According to him it is only a question 
of time until they expel him from their family. With some luck we can protect
him then."

Gandalf hid his surprise well. Karla was more informative than Irie, the old 
tricky bastard. So they had already made contacts?
On the other hand it was good to hear that Takagi seemed to tell Karla
about anything. She would keep him informed.

It seemed as everything was going smoothly, according to their plan. 
"You know that my special interest is the First one?"

"Yes, and I will give my best to have him on our side."

A young woman startled the two in their chat.
"The ceremony is about to start, when you are finished with 
preparations, you should come now."

****

Six more months passed in which Gandalf hadn't visited Japan at all. 

Everything had changed to the better, Karla and Takagi made a perfect 
couple and had got their first child, a daughter. 

Time was passing much to quickly for his taste, they needed results and they 
needed them fast. As things were at the moment time was working against them 
and not for them. Time was slipping right through his fingers, the First had
just turned two. 

Karla was one of his last hopes and anticipating he entered the 
Takagi-residence. He used the little shrine beside the house to materialise, 
they kept no foreign servants out of the Clan to preserve their cover,
but one could never be too sure who was around. 

Irie was already waiting for him, and without the time-consuming greetings he 
directly lead him the way.
"They are over there."

Both wizards entered the room at the same time, and pleased Gandalf noticed 
Takagi sitting by Karla's side, it seemed like they were a close couple by 
now. Sometimes love found its way even in planed and calculated marriages. 

She looked exhausted what was no wonder after the strength-consuming 
act, what a delivery was, as he assumed. 

But a smile formed on her lips as soon as she recognised him. Irie broke 
the magic of the reunion by coming directly to the point as it was his manner.
"Your daughter is born?"

Karla seemed still too weak to speak and so Takagi answered for them both.
"You're well informed."

"There is nothing that passes the winds unnoticed. They told me that you 
delivered her yesterday. How is she?"

Again Takagi answered for his wife, casting a regretful glimpse at Karla.
"She is healthy."

It was time for Gandalf to make his examination, anticipation was taking 
upper-hand and he stepped forward.
"I want to see and test her."

Karla pointed to the bundle beside her.
"Here she is."

Gandalf leaned forward to the sleeping baby beside her mother and laid a
hand on her forehead, closing his eyes and murmuring his incantations. 
There was something inside her, he could feel it. 

Excited and anticipating he nearly stopped his incantations and bend over. 
The baby's eyes opened and her head with her glary, blue, new-borns eyes 
turned in his direction as if she would be able to see him.

Yes, there was something.... but it wouldn't be enough. Shaking his 
head quietly in denial Gandalf disappointedly retreated his hand and 
looked at the parents.
"She has potential. Maybe she is even talented and could become reasonable 
skilled, but it is not enough. She hasn't got the gift."

He observed Takagi laying his hand on his wife's shoulder and squeezing it 
slightly to comfort her, the disappointment in all of them was tangible. It 
wasn't the right one, and all were relying on his judgement. They would have 
to wait longer and time was getting short. They needed a special child soon or 
everything would have been futile.

****

Once again he had to dodge the attack quickly and managed it in the last
second. "Damn it." Tengu cursed under his breath. Someday... someday... this 
crow would burn in hell and he would eagerly wait for that day.

But then again he would miss the latest news Hagen was about to 
announce. Awing the leader stood up, grinning wickedly
"Their first attempts all failed."

Tengu noticed it with satisfaction.

****

Yamaguchi looked at his latest son with disgust, and he knew that his 
son felt his emotion towards him. He didn't mind at all. 

Hajime wasn't like his older siblings, that had been clear from the day on 
when he had started to walk and it was getting worse. He was asking 
far more questions than necessary and somehow he had the impression that his 
son understood more than he would like him to understand. Beating him was no 
fun also, for the little boy didn't complain and cry anymore, so he used to 
lock him away. 

Something was wrong about him and it was not only these amber eyes. 

But he himself was lucky the last time. He had made some contact to Takagi 
and with some more luck he could use this connection to achieve a good 
position for Katsu and even marry Rin into one of these privileged families. 

Takagi seemed to be interested in his family, but much to his annoyance he 
always insisted to see all his children, what included Hajime. He had also
started teaching the kids reading and writing, Yamaguchi had no idea why
one could need such skills.

He shrugged his shoulders. What mattered as long as he got his benefits, and 
Hajime didn't ruin it. He never bothered himself with the question about 
Takagi's interest in his family. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author's note:
Well, the best link for Norse mythology IN BRIEF I can give you, is this one:

http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~cherryne/mythology.html

What I can quote from this page about Gandalf, is this:
Tolkien was very well acquainted with Norse mythology, as can be seen by the 
use of it in his books. The name of one of his main characters, Gandalf, is 
found in The Poetic Edda. Gandalf is, in some ways, reminiscent of Odin, the 
leader of the Norse pantheon. Even the name Middle-earth, the setting for 
Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, comes from Norse mythology. 


To my reviewers:
It is a bit late for me, I hhope, I am still understandable. =^^=

Firuze... I am really nervous to do justice to your wonderful story with
my diletant attempts and my lack of research. I hope you'll like it.

Oryo... mmm, Wotan and the wolf =^^=. I am mixing German and Norse ideas a 
bit, let us see. I included the ravens, but here they serve Hagen. Hagen is 
surely one of my favourite characters in this story, I had the 
'Nibelungenlied' in backmind =^^=, not quite fitting, I admit.

Karmorgana... mmm, a little missunderstanding =^^=. The RuroKen characters
will keep their names, but the Jinni- and demon-names are not according
to mythology. For example, Hagen is not the ruler of the underworld, I just
chose the name because I like it.


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started: July 2002
finished: November 18th 2002
first posted: February 25th 2002


I hope you liked it =^^=.

Ja ne,

Mara