Ah, Legends.....

Throughout the ages humankind has 'created' these stories to explain what

they could not, from simple tales to explain how the sun rose or the world

was created, to grand sweeping tales of heroes charging into battle for the

sake of their love, against monsters that defied imagination or one of

evil's many forms. Some tragic, some wonderful and all capturing the best

and the worse that humanity had to offer.

Superstitious nonsense and fairy tales, meant to scare children into

behaving or to put the little maggots to bed after a hard day's work, the

skeptical and unbelieving claim. That's all they are, say the great

scientific minds alive.

Oh really?

What would they say if they knew the events transpiring now in New York?

What would they say if they knew of one of the greatest of these legends, a

holy sword once stuck in stone, drawn by a boy who would grow up to unite

all under the banner of Camelot....was now sitting in the trophy hall of the

city's most influential 'businessmen'?

What would they say if they knew that it's dark twin, a demon sword that

thrived on the lives of it's victims, was here also? Weilded by a woman

who's heart was blacker than the night itself and twice as cold?

What would they say if they knew of the monsters that now resides in their

glorious city? Especially one in particular, a renounced and redeemed

'monster' with red hair whose name still chills the heart of his countrymen

to this day, vowing to stop his brethren at any cost? Or explain his former

mate, whose very existence now defies nature itself?

And what would they say if they had witnessed the arrival of one particular

legend, whose appearance was brought about not by train or boat, but by a

heavy mist that had not been present only moment's before? Or if they had

witnessed the elderly man who arose from this mist, tapping his large

walking stick crowned by a dragon's claw, on the cobblestones as his

billowing blue robes changed to that of blue western style suit as the mist

enveloped him again then faded; his once thick and many braided beard

shortening to a more manageable style as he waved a hand in front of it,

then reach up to remove the floppy blue hat from his head and 'popped' it

into a top hat....his staff similarly changing to a smaller version of

itself as the man grinned and started to stroll down the street, the people

around him seeming to not even be aware of his presence or the mist which

brought him?

Heh.....What indeed......

Part four: Six guns and Sakabas.

Morning.

Shuriken yawned and stretched sleepily in her bed, ruffling her hair into

further disarray. "Ig 'ate ornings...." She grumbled sleepily as she made to

climb out of bed.

"Ohayo, Miss Shuriken!"

A now very wide awake Shuriken screamed in shock, launching a hailstorm of

throwing weapons at the direction of the cheerful voice at the same time she

bounced off the bed and into the floor on her bottom. Hard. Cursing, she

yanked off the sheets to wrap around herself as she stood to glare at the

familiar figure smiling cheerfully despite the various Kunai, throwing

stars, and daggers sticking in the wall around him. "Soujirou! How many

times have I told you not to do that!"

"Isn't this what you hired me for?" He shrugged as he stood up and stretched

from his crouch in the corner, Shuriken guessing from the way his bones

popped that he was there all night. "Protect you at all times?"

"If you keep waking me up like that in the morning you'll be permanently

unemployed." She growled menacingly, with no effect on Soujirou as usual. In

fact he looked amused. Grrr. "You spent the night there?!!"

He nodded, "I'm a light sleeper. Besides....I don't mind the discomfort if

it's for your sake."

Shuriken flushed despite herself. "You mean you don't mind watching me

sleep, Hentai." She teased, grinning as he blushed guiltily. "Um, Soujirou?"

"Oh! Gomen!" He turned a shade darker and turned around as Shuriken got

dressed. "I bet you can't wait to get home today, ne?"

Shuriken's smile faltered. "Yeah....Can't wait...."

Soujirou frowned at the less than cheerful reply. "Shuriken? Dajibou?"

"I'm fine, just not looking forward to seeing Daddy at the moment. He's

gonna be pissed."

"For what, running away or when he gets Jubei's bill?"

Shuriken blinked at that, and started to laugh despite herself. "Good

question."

Unfortunately, Jubei came in and ruined the moment. "The Carriages' ready

outside, Nag." He drawled, raising an eyebrow at Soujirou and smirked.

"Never thought you had in you, kid."

"Jubei...." Soujirou warned.

"No need to be all embrassed-oof!" The chamber pot Shuriken bounced off his

head shut him up thankfully.

The rest of the gang were waiting downstairs in the carriages when they got

there, looking like they had a rough night. Especially Megumi and Sano, the

former less than her usual appearance and the latter even more rumpled than

usual, both looking half-asleep. What a crew, Shuriken thought. Daddy's

gonna be thrilled....

A shock went through her all of a sudden, the pendant practically slamming

her in the chest as it jerked. Out the corner of her eye she saw Tomoe turn

slightly to look left, her eyes cold. *The pendant's reacting like it did

when I met Tomoe....Does that mean.....?*

She turned and looked left as well, and saw the old man and woman standing

across the street.

The old man didn't look all that much. Just an old guy in a blue suit and

odd cane. The woman however, was a different category all together, standing

out if she wanted to or not. Thick, wild curls of red hair spilled down her

back and shoulders, framing her almost regal beauty and cold green eyes that

rivaled Tomoe's. Even the frilly white western 'Bell bottom' dress she was

wearing did little to disguise the grace and athletic build of a trained

warrior to a trained eye. The woman positively radiated both Nobility to

rival a king and the lethalness of a hungry tiger. She glared at them for a

moment, Shuriken shivering despite herself. Tomoe returned the glare as cold

as ever, the air seeming to crackle between them with lighting and brimstone

before the woman hmphed and started to walk down the street.

*I wonder.....*

"Miss Shuriken?"

"I'm coming, I'm coming....."

The woman and old man watched the Carriages ride off, the woman raising her

hand, palm upwards as two tiny glowing spheres appeared in it, fluttering

around on what suspiciously resembled clear wings. "Follow." She ordered,

the sound of a child's laughter heard from the spheres before they zoomed

off in pursuit.

*So...* She smiled to herself. *All four of us are here. It has truly

begun.....*

##

The carriage ride was....interesting to say the least.

Sano would of liked to catch a little more shut eye, but the 'cute' little

scene in front of him was too much for him to even think of sleeping: One

very worn out Fox lady, looking so peacefully asleep and innocently unaware

of the real world or that her Kimono was parted just enough for a small

glimpse of the twin treasures it concealed every time the carriage hit a

bump, much to Sano's torture.

All while using Jubei's shoulder as a pillow.

At least he's suffering too, Sano thought ruefully, noting both Jubei's long

suffering look and Yahiko drooling AND snoring into the seat he was draped

over like a rug.....

Fortunately, before Sano's head exploded from the rush of blood to it, the

carriage jolted enough to wake Sleeping Beauty, who found herself eye to eye

with a red faced Jubei.

Sano had never seen her move so fast as she did to the other side of the

seat.

"So glad you could join us, Fox." She shot him a dirty look that encouraged

him even more. "It hasn't been morning without you...." Megumi made a

decidedly unlady like snort, followed a VERY unlady like bout of swearing.

"See, Jubei? She sings even sweeter than the birds."

Sano barely dodged the kick she aimed at his shin; Megumi's eyes glinting

dangerously. Sano just flashed one of his lady-killer smiles in reply that

wreaked havoc on her as usual, despite how tired she was. *Jerk.*

She mentally grumbled. *It's all your fault. You couldn't act like a normal

red-blooded man and get jealous, oh no....you have to hand me to him on a

silver platter last light to 'teach me a lesson.' Now I'm tired, I look like

hell and I can't even think a single rational thought without it involving

one of you....or both.* She reddened at that image, reminded of the dreams

that kept her up all night about her and....

"You alright, Megumi?"

Jubei's gentle voice snapped her back into reality, Megumi finding herself

looking into Brown worry filled eyes that were WAY too close for comfort.

"I-I'm fine, thank you Jubei-san." Gods, she was stuttering for Kami-sama's

sake.....Why did he have to be so cute!

"Your face is red."

And has all the subtlety of a sledgehammer, she grumbled.

Sano just had to put his two-yen in, as usual. "Nah, Foxy's fine. I guess

she's just overwhelmed by the company of two handsome men at once, ne?" He

forced himself not to shiver at the murderous look she shot at him. "Well,

I'm gonna catch some sleep now before we get there, since I have to look my

best for our hosts."

"You'll need more than sleep in that case...." Megumi remarked cheerfully.

Sano blinked. Then burst out laughing. "I guess so. But I never get many

complaints from the ladies, do I?" Megumi's hands twitched with the urge to

wipe that smug look off. "Night." Then he stretched out on the seat and was

soon snoring away with his back turned to them.

Leaving her alone with Jubei.

Suddenly, it got very uncomfortable in the carriage.

"Gomensai...."

The two of them looked at each other, then laughed as they realized they

spoke at the same time. "You first," She said.

Jubei smiled sheepishly. "I wanted to apologize for....last night. I was out

of line."

Unnoticed by both, Sano's eyebrow twitched at that confession.

Megumi blushed again. *Damn, I'm making a habit of this....* "Yare, Yare,

it's mostly my fault. I can't believe I overreacted like that. I'm not used

to such.....Forwardness."

*And if you believe that, Jubei.....* Megumi thought ruefully, *You

definitely ain't the sharpest Katana on the rack.*

"Well....I apologize...." And before she could react, he took her hand in

his, brushing a stray lock of hair out of her eyes as he smiled at her.

(What is this? Do all vagabonds and gangsters get lessons on how to charm

women with a smile?) "And I willing to wait as long as it takes...." He said

softly. "For you to decide when you are."

Megumi gulped. "H-Hai...."

Sano was glad his back was turned....he would kill Jubei right now if he

looked at him.

Way to go, Baka....So much for your plan.....

The rest of the ride was strangely quieter after that, although Megumi

could've of sworn she heard Sano sigh in his sleep.....

##

An hour later, they arrived at Shuriken' home.

It certainly wasn't what any of them were expecting, not by a long shot. A

nice little farm or modest little house on the hill....

Something 'normal' at least.

The farm part was mostly accurate, a nice little stretch of farmland

brimming with all kinds of bounty, and the forest around the house was a

nice touch.

The house however, was a completely different story: Imagine two carpenters,

one American, one Japanese, combining forces to build a house that reflected

both cultures.....While drunk off their ass.

That pretty much summed it up. It looked like both a dojo and your standard

American mansion, with the basic structures of both like being more than one

floor and the sliding doors, and the cherry blossom trees lining the walkway

to the door, but despite as much as the two styles balanced and complimented

each other it still looked like the house was trying to make up it's mind to

be one or the other.

Somehow, it fit Shuriken perfectly.

The carriages let them off and took off immediately as if scared to stay

longer or glad to get rid of it's passengers, Shuriken guessing it was the

latter, due to Tomoe. While everybody was catching a little more sleep,

(Kenshin and Karou looked so cute, resting on each other with a smile in

their sleep.) Or in Soujirou's case, pretending to so she wouldn't kill him,

(She had 'insisted' he rest more, knowing he was going to need it when he

met her family....boy was he going to need it she thought with a grin.)

Tomoe had just sat there trance like, being her usual icy self and only

nodded in reply when spoken to. But Shuriken noticed she looked even paler

then usual and there was a light in her eyes, however faint, that Shuriken

didn't like. Tomoe had always creeped her out, she admitted, personality

wise and that whole only showing up at night thing of hers, but today

everything about her felt wrong....and to tell the truth....almost like

Ashura....

The slight rustle of the cherry blossom trees was barely noticeable, but she

didn't miss it. "Guys..." She said calmly. "Stay out of this."

"Oro?"

The attack came so swiftly no one was sure when it started....Shuriken

suddenly in the midst of a large free for all with three other figures

moving to fast to see them clearly....

Tickling her unmercifully.

Big sweatdrop.

"Ok! Ok!" Shuriken gasped. "I give! I give!"

The tallest of the three, a woman who was a more mature (And taller) version

of Shuriken scooped her up into a mammoth hug, the Kenshin-gumi wincing at

the sound of Shuriken's bones popping. "MIKO-CHAN! MY LITTLE GIRL IS FINALLY

HOME SAFE AND SOUND!!!"

"Momma...." Shuriken gasped. "I can't breathe...."

The second seemed to be a meek little old lady of sixty, though none of the

Kenshin-Gumi were taking it for granted. "Yare, Yare, Moshi, don't kill her

before she can give us the presents she brought back!"

"I think I see them already!" There was a zipping sound and suddenly

Soujirou found the third one, a very pretty blond haired young lady that

seemed to be the best of Shuriken and her mother combined, right in his

face....Soujirou falling back in shock. The girl giggled, batting her eyes

at him. "And such cute ones!"

"So much for that hope," Jubei and Yahiko muttered.

The grandmother scuttled- yes, scuttled, that's the only way Kenshin could

describe it-over to Jubei, reaching up to pinch his cheeks and practically

stretch his face. "Your taste is improving at least, Miko chan, clean this

one up and he'll actually be passable...." Kenshin's shoulders shook with

barely restrained chuckle at Jubei's expression of pure terror and pain. She

let his face snap back into place and then eyed each of the guys like

someone would for picking out fruits and vegetables, much to everyone's

dismay. "You go bounding halfway across the world and this is all you bring

for your poor grandmother! For shame!"

"Grandmmmaaaaaa.....!" Shuriken managed to squirm out of her mother's grip.

"You're embarrassing me!" She hissed.

Grandma just chuckled and patted her head, which annoyed her even more.

"Yare, Yare, Granddaughter. Just having a little fun." She turned and bowed

slightly to the Kenshingumi. "It's a habit of ours to tease Miko, especially

in front of company. I am Saiko Yasha." She motioned to the other two. "My

Daughter Moshi Jamison and my granddaughter, Michela Jamison." They bowed in

reply, the Kenshingumi introducing themselves as well. "Would you like some

breakfast? It's the least I can do for having to put up with my

granddaughter...." Shuriken muttered ominously under her breath as they went

inside.....

And were immediately mugged by three over active kids asking questions and

tugging on them before getting shooed back by an dark haired Japanese woman

slightly older than Kenshin and like Kenshin, didn't look it. Especially

with the two 'rabbit ears' ponytails her hair was bound in. "Maa,

Maa....Don't kill our guests, children! Mou!" She scolded as she waddled

over to her guests, one arm cradling a dark haired toddler and the other

rubbing her nine months swollen tummy. "I'm sorry about that. They get so

excited over company....My name's Usagi Yasha, Guess I live up to the name

ne? Oh bother...." The kids had stolen Yahiko's bokken and run off with it,

Shuriken and Yahiko in pursuit. "I'm sorry, could you please hold her for a

second?"

Tomoe blinked from her trance. "Nani?" And found herself holding a

ferociously cute little cargo with blue eyes and a ready smile. At first she

felt a surge of panic, reminded of last night.....

Then she got the joke.

Everyone was startled, but not as much as Kenshin when Tomoe actually

started to laugh. Soft, heartfelt laughter as if she was just beginning to

remember how....tears filling her eyes as she tried to stop. "Oro? Tomoe?"

Tomoe looked at Kenshin, struggling to compose herself....hard to do when he

was looking so confused. "Don't you get it? Usagi? Rabbits? Lives up to her

name?"

"Ahh....." Kenshin nervously laughed. "Rabbits....."

"She's finally lost her mind....." Jubei muttered, and regretted it when

Kenshin elbowed him in the gut hard enough to make tears in his eyes.

Tomoe just adjusted the child in her arms with a sigh, now calming down to

mild chuckles. *It's been so long....since I had something to laugh

about....It's feels so good.....* She looked at the little girl she held and

smiled. *So much I denied myself in my first life....Children of our

own....* She glanced at Kenshin briefly, who was surrounded by the naughty

little kids answering questions. *So many things....Not this time. Even if

it's through that bitch Ashura's evil I have received this second chance I

won't make the same mistakes....I promise you Kenshin....*

The child cooing brought her back into reality, Tomoe smiling at her.

"You're so cute....Yes you are...."

And suddenly felt her Kimono growing very wet....her expression wrinkling in

disgust.

"And you peed on me."

##

Still unnoticed by the everyone, The fairies watched the scene unfolding

from the windows....then zoomed off a short distance to perch on a woman's

fingers.....

##

Shuriken stood outside the door to the library, taking a deep breath.

*Here goes.....* She slid the door open....

The library was huge....taking up a large section of the second floor. And

there was her daddy, sitting at his desk as usual, ignoring the fact that he

should be in bed with his wounds and buried in an old musty book.

"Oh, you're home, Miko."

*That's it?* Shuriken started to get indignant. *No yelling? Nothing?!*

He looked up at her, raising an bushy eyebrow in that both intimidating and

questioning way of his. At first glance, most people would consider

Alexander Jamison a pushover because of his short stature (Which her mother

jokingly commented was what made him so cute and also one of her father's

gifts to Miko....) and meek seeming, though handsome looks. The last one who

thought that got a load of buckshot in his ass from 20 feet away. Her father

was a ridiculous deadeye shot with any kind of gun, matched only by his book

sense and Micheala, who even surpassed his skill. (Though that didn't make

up for the lack of common sense he showed at times, as his mother, grandma

and aunt commented....)

"Anything to say for yourself....."

*Here it comes.....*

"....For bounding half way around the world dressed like that?"

Shuriken facefaulted.

Alexander went on as if he didn't notice. "I can get over leaving without

saying goodbye on some mad quest for revenge but going dressed like a

walking knife rack is too much! And that's too much leg to be showing at

your age, young lady...." And before Shuriken could throttle him he looked

up and winked at her. "What, no hug for your old man?" He sat up and scooped

his daughter up. "We missed you, girl. Promise not to scare us like that

again?"

"Hai, daddy." She smiled. "Mom drove you crazy with her worrying?"

He chuckled. "It took Kiro and I to hold her down and keep her from

following you with an army. And that's not counting the ranting and raving

since then. You owe me." He looked past her. "And who's your friend?"

Shuriken didn't even have to look to know it was Soujirou. She could feel

his smile and worrying. "Soujirou, this is my father, Alexander Jamison."

*Dontsayyourmybodyguarddontsayyouremybodygua-*

He replied in English and bowed.

*So much for surviving unharmed....Bakayarou.....*

The dreaded eyebrow rose. "Oh really now.....?" He glanced at his daughter,

who chuckled nervously. He let her stew a moment before smiling broadly.

"You must be quite a man to put up with my daughter so long. She's so

emotional like her mother....." Shuriken's nervousness vaporized in a rush

of shock and anger, twitching to commit patricide.....

"It has been...entertaining to say the least." And just before Shuriken

killed him alongside her father Soujirou added. "Although she really didn't

need me so much. She's as talented as she is spirited."

"....." Shuriken said.

"That she is, after all she's my daughter!" Alexander laughed and slapped

Soujirou hard on the back, almost knocking him down with each one....

Then they heard the screams.

Outside, Tomoe crouched.....a large, jagged pillar of ice in front of her

that would have impaled her had she not moved in time. Her eyes burned with

hatred enough to melt the ice at the red-haired woman from before standing a

foot away. Three feet behind Tomoe the others were blocked by a another wall

of ice that boxed them in, yelling. The woman was a far cry from what Tomoe

had seen earlier, now seeming like she just stepped out of the dark ages: A

green velvet and rabbit skin 'dress' with gold breastplates and a light

chain mail shirt underneath for armored protection....the skirt of it

falling mid thigh and exposing her athletically muscled but shapely legs and

made of strips of soft rabbit fur that also lined the top of the low-cut

bodice to set the swell of her chest and the red flame of her hair. Tall

white animal skin boots completed the combined effect of softness, coziness,

sexuality and danger all at once with honors.

"Who are you, woman?!" The redhead demanded in flawless Japanese. "You stink

of Excalibron's evil magic! Have you come to finish your master's

handiwork?!" The air turned even colder, the fairies starting to glow

brighter as the redhead put her hands together....a threatening glow

starting to form there. "Answer me!"

The wall surrounding the guys suddenly shattered, the redhead dodging the

chunks. "How the hell..." She threw the small sphere at the charging

Sano....who smashed it effortlessly before tackling her....the redhead

rolling back to use his momentum to fling him off....except Sano grabbed her

arms as she did, turning it into an awkward body slam that knocked the air

out of her long enough to grab her in an arm lock, swearing at the unnatural

cold radiating off her and the fairies biting and swatting him. "What's your

problem, Woman!"

"Let go of me before I make you regret it!" She hissed, Sano feeling his

hands go numb from the cold but held on despite her struggles. (Damn she's

strong for a chick!) "I'll kill her and you before I let her get

the amulet!"

"That's enough!"

The voice was like a whipcrack and twice as cold as the Redhead, instantly

getting everyone's attention. The Redhead stiffened and stopped struggling,

Sano letting go.....And promptly got elbowed HARD in the gut. "That's for

touching me without permission." She hissed. "Next time I tear it off...."

"Don't flatter yourself." Sano shot back.

The owner of the voice walked out from behind a tree....The old man in the

blue suit. "I apologize for my rash companion. Despite her breeding she can

be rather impulsive at times." The redhead swore under her breath something

fierce....and got rapped on the head with the old man's cane. "Sorry about

that, Alexander!" He yelled at Alexander and Shuriken in the window.

"Daddy, who's that?"

Don't you recognize Merlin when you see him, girl?"

Shuriken's and Soujirou's eyes bugged out. "NANI?!!"

##

A moment later, in the library.

Everyone had piled into the library after the arrival of their latest

'guests.' Either confused, like most of the Kenshingumi, annoyed like the

redhead, or totally obvious like Shuriken's family as if this was an usual

occurrence for a centuries old magician to drop by unannounced, even passing

out breakfast. The kids were behaving like perfect little angels and sitting

around their mother and father Kiro, who turned out to be the most normal of

the family. (Well, as normal as being so....active with his wife,

anyway....)

"I thought you looked familiar...." Soujirou said in awe. "I didn't think I

meet the guy from Yumi's books, much less get this sword from him." He held

his sword and Saya in his hands. "What's the real reason for giving this to

me?"

Merlin shrugged. "You needed a weapon at that time, Seta Soujirou, and this

old relic was just gathering dust. It suits you, both in skill and your

nature, wouldn't you agree?"

The redhead commented

in some soft, lilting language the other's couldn't identify save for

Shuriken and Alexander, who smirked.

Merlin groaned. "Who asked you? And do you mind?!!"

"What? Oh." The redhead remembered that she was still wearing her battle

outfit and sitting with her legs crossed in it wasn't a proper thing to do

with several males hanging around. Her second clue was the battle aura of

the room had also picked up several notices in the direction of the females.

"Sorry." She stood up and snapped her fingers, the costume glowing blue and

reforming into a simple green dress. She flounced back down and crossed her

arms, glaring at Merlin.

"That's a convenient trick." Sano thought aloud....Megumi whipping around so

fast to glare at him her head almost spun off. The Redhead slowly turned to

burn him with a similar look, Sano raising his hands in surrender. "I didn't

mean it like that! Just a compliment!" She just sniffed and ignored him.

Megumi, however, her aura raised about ten more degrees.....

Merlin groaned again. "Not what you would expect as the wielder of

Excailber, ne? Meet Arainhod Maximus. Arain for short." Arain nodded. "I

apologize for her rude behavior so far and I assure you she is too....."

Flames crept into Merlin's voice. "Aren't you?"

Arain glowered at him before standing up and addressing Tomoe and the

Kenshin-gumi. "I apologize for my conduct. It was unbecoming of a lady of

the Maximus house of Avalon to behave in such a manner and I deeply regret

it." It was obvious that she was indeed, of high breeding and schooling from

the way she talked and held herself. Even Megumi begrudgingly admitting it.

(She couldn't put her finger on it, but something riled Megumi to no end

about the woman.....Nah, it's not that, she dismissed the thought that

popped into her head. Not in a million years....) " I assumed that Tomoe

here was one of Ashura's constructs sent to finish the job on Mr.

Jamison....But now I sense she is Murasame's wielder as well as a lingering

presence of Excailbron magic. How is this possible?"

"I was brought back to life by Ashura." Tomoe said flatly.

Horror briefly flickered across Arain's eyes but she quickly covered it.

Merlin looked thoughtful. "I see...."

He murmured....

"Wait a second, Where's Excailber?" Shuriken asked. Arain looked

embarrassed.

"It was stolen from me."

Silence. Then Merlin cleared his throat.

"A man named Shannon Morgan, a thief who calls himself a 'Antiques

collector,' somehow invaded the isle of Avalon and stole it, not without a

fair share of lives lost in the bargain." Arain's eye darkened at the

memory. "The matter was so grave that I was summoned from my slumber to help

Arain retrieve it. While tracking him here we stumbled on to Alexander and

realized that Ashura was trying to revive Bane. Fortunately, she was

unsuccessful in getting information from him or the Eye of Bane amulet that

contains the information. Alexander arranged for us to get close to Shannon,

pretending to be the some of the rich antique collectors he usually

surrounds himself with. Speaking of which, you better return Arain...The

idiot gets paranoid if you keep out of his sight for too long....." Arain

snorted in disgust. "Remember," Merlin smiled sarcastically. "Be a proper

lady and not kill him before we get the sword back?"

"I make no promises." She said flatly, the air turning cold around her

briefly before her fairies surrounded her as she stood and then shimmering

out of sight completely. Sano blinked while Merlin muttered 'show off' "How

she do that?" He said, standing up to wave his hand where she once was as if

he didn't believe she was gone.

"Arain's bloodline is of the Lady of the Lake, Queen of the Water Nymphs and

Fairies and also the Gatekeeper of Avalon and of Gawain of the Knight of

Round." Merlin Explained. "All of her ancestors have been able use water

elemental magic as well as being natural swordsmen and women. In fact it was

the Lady's son, Tremain who inherited the right to bear Excailber after

Arthur, and the family has passed it down ever since."

Sano gave him an annoyed look. "Pretend I don't have any idea what Avalon

is, or what the hell you're talking about. And while you're at it,

explaining the rest of this mess?"

##

Somewhere in the town, Excailbron hummed in anticipation and amusement.

Ashura smiled wolfishly. "So they're that desperate now...."

"What is it child?" Mother rasped.

"An old friend of Excailbron has dropped by the Jamison household, Mother.

Merlin...."

"Bullshit...." Daisho rumbled. "He's been ashes for centuries...." His twin

finished from it's perch on his shoulder.

"No, children." Mother rested her massive frame back on her chair. "Merlin

was only put in a deep slumber by the Lady of the Lake, in case he was ever

needed. It seems that when that Shannon fellow so rudely barged into Avalon

he earned the Ladyship's full attention and wrath."

"Does this mean that our prey won't be in the dark for long?" Daisho

implored.

"Of course not." Silk interrupted as she walked in. "Sister's already on top

of it, Aren't you?" She grinned. "Nothing gets by her....'cept Battousai."

Ashura gave her a warning look that Silk cheerfully ignored. "No need for

concern. Even Merlin doesn't know everything....In fact this can work to our

advantage. Silk, how long before the stew is finished?"

"It'll be done by nightfall. Good thing you aren't taking your time with

this one like the last. Not too sure how well it will hold up from the

condition, tho...."

"It will do, Silk. After all...." Ashura grinned. "We still have our

pet....."

##

After a lengthy explanation of King Arthur and Avalon to Sano, (Who still

was confused.) Alexander got to the main point of the swords.

"As my daughter already explained, I hope, Basically Bane was separated into

the three swords and the Amulet and given to the four warriors who defeated

her for safekeeping....passed down through the families to this day.

However, according to the Amulet, which acts as a recorder of Bane's vast

intelligence, If the all four items are brought together it might be

possible for Bane to reform herself. However I can't see what Ashura will

gain by accomplishing this...."

"Do you think that Excailbron is controlling Ashura?" Kenshin asked.

Merlin stroked his beard thoughtfully. "That's a good possibility.

Excailbron is forged from the blood and dark energies of Bane....That would

explain why all the wielders of it have always been so twisted. I wouldn't

be surprised if Ashura was a pawn in all of this....."

That was a disturbing thought.

It soon got worse.

Tomoe's eyes suddenly grew blank....and in a hollow, mournful voice not at

all like her own spoke in a language similar to the one Arain spoke earlier,

except the vowels and syllables was slightly twisted. Merlin's eyebrows shot

up in a look of pure shock and Something akin to recognition flashed briefly

in Kenshin's eyes but was gone before anyone noticed, Kenshin looking just

as confused as everyone else as Tomoe suddenly sank back in her seat, half

faint. "Tomoe, Daijoube?" Tomoe nodded, blinking her eyes and asked what

happened, which made them even more wary. She clearly looked out of it....

Merlin recovered first. "It has been a long time indeed since I heard the

old tongue of Avalon. Interesting....And you have no recollection of what

you just said?"

"I....just blanked out....."

"I see. Very odd that it was in that particular dialect as if....."

"JUST TELL US WHAT SHE SAID!!!!" Karou and Shuriken practically yelled

Merlin off his feet, Kenshin and Soujirou jumping back in amazement and the

shockwave. Merlin straightened his hat and harumped as he made an attempt to

recover his dignity and ignore the impatient glares from the two girls.

"Ahem. 'Beware the Triseoul....The answer you seek is among you....'

Trisoeul roughly translates to 'One of three lives....or keeper of three

souls. As far as I can recollect this was never mentioned in the legend so

why would it be now? More importantly...." Merlin fixed Tomoe with a steely

look. "Who said it?"

"Wait a second...." Karou looked thoughtful. "What if it doesn't mean

someone with physically three lives or souls?"

"I get whatcha saying...." Sano chimed in. "Like someone who's lived as

three different people...." Everybody stared at him in wonder. "What?"

Megumi stood up and felt his forehead, fox ears popping up. "That actually

made sense. Are you feeling ok?"

Sano muttered something dire about smart-ass foxes under his breath.

"Right, Sano....In that case....."

Soujirou's eyes darkened as he finished for her. "...It's one of us. Most of

us has at some point 'lived' a different life, haven't we?" He looked at his

sword. "I should know. First I was Seta Soujirou the abused child. Then

Soujirou the Tekken. Now I'm just Soujirou. I see why Merlin gave me this

sword now...."

"But Tomoe's the one who talked in that creepy voice...." Yahiko commented.

"Who says it ain't her?"

"Because things aren't always that simple." Kenshin had been so quiet that

everyone had almost forgotten he was there. His eyes were dark with some

unfathomable emotion. "Tomoe would be the obvious choice because she just

spoke in another voice. But these things are rarely that simple and when

they are it's usually a trap. It could be anyone of us and we would not know

until he...." He paused. "Or she revealed herself. All we can do is wait and

find out what is so important about this person."

"Agreed." Alexander said. "And since the Amulet doesn't mention this

Trisoeoul thing I guess we'll have to break out the really old books and try

to find something...." Shuriken blanched, Alexander grinning. "Oh, yes,

girl. That set."

"What's so scary about a book?" Yahiko grumbled.

Alexander answered by pointing up at the shelf behind his desk....A

bookshelf that took up the entire wall and filled to almost overflowing with

books....

Books as thick as Yahiko was wide.

"Oro!"

"You had to ask." Jubei grumbled. Sano just stared goggle-eyed.

The Jamison women save for Shuriken found convient excuses to be elsewhere

like shopping for dinner and what not, pitying their guests....

##

"Ah, There you are Arainhod."

Arain forced a smile and turned to meet her host as she walked into the

trophy hall. "Good morning, Mr. Morgan." She replied in French accented

English. (Faked so well the moron couldn't tell the difference, she thought

smugly.) "How are you?"

"Much better now that you have graced us with your presence, Miss Maximus."

*Spare me.* Bile rose in her throat. It wasn't that Shannon's appearance

matched his persona, He was actually rather nice looking, with sandy hair,

blue eyes and a rugged build uncommon to his 'High Society' look. But

however, a toad was a toad no matter how nice you dressed it up like a

prince.

That reason, however, paled before her real reason for despising the man....

"Come, Brunch is prepared if you wish to break your fast."

*I'd rather break your arms off and shove them up your.....* "That would be

excellent, Mr. Morgan."

Arain kept her face a neutral, shy mask as they walked to the kitchen,

pretending to be interested in Shannon's boasting as usual....Keeping her

boiling emotions in check just as her intensive training had instilled into

her. *Patience can be as used the same as a sword, Arain.* She remembered

one of her teacher's favorite sayings. *Together they will be your best

weapons.* A memory of one of these classes came to mind, herself and the

other member of the lesson sparing....Arain focusing more on the tall, spiky

haired youth than the actual fight.

Zan....

She shook the thoughts aside, knowing where it would lead to....and with

that bastard this close she could kill him, training or not, if she started

remembering what he was responsible for....

I won't have to wait long, she calmed herself immensely with that thought.

Tomorrow I'll reclaim my property and my first order of business will be to

shove it down his throat....

Just a little longer, Beloved teacher.....Zan.....

##

Late that evening.

The day wasn't a total waste despite how most of them felt it was. Although

the answer didn't leap out at them after five hours of searching through

books so dusty a round of sneezing was induced at every turn of the page, a

few clues relating to Triseoul were found; however, they often confused the

readers even more with the contradictory recordings. All of them agreed on

three things however: One, It could be Male or female. Two, at some point a

wielder of one of the swords was always present at it's appearance. And

three, the scariest one, it didn't leave quietly or without bloodshed. One

particular account referred to one such fight where an entire town had

simply ceased to exist....Not even wreckage or bodies were found....

Not good news.

Then again, they couldn't do as much research as they liked due to

'extenuating circumstances'. The first being Tomoe excusing herself time to

time with excuses like using the bathroom and what not....Kenshin alone

noticing and returning a little out of breath each time or evidence of her

being outside like grass or dew on her Kimono hem....but kept it to himself.

The second was the constant arguments between a certain pair of lovebirds

and two others that soon got more and more distracting until Merlin had

enough and settled the argument for them all.

So for the rest of the day until dinnertime, A pissed off Chicken, a

shell-shocked Fox and equally annoyed Chickenhawk and Chow puppy sat where

Sano, Megumi, Jubei and Yahiko formerly resided, glaring at the old man.

Still, Sano got the last laugh by leaving a 'surprise' in Merlin's hat.....

Shuriken had a feeling this was an omen of things to come.

She was right when Soujirou offered to help her sister with the firewood an

hour before dinner....and her mother pulled her aside not a second later....

Which was why she was grumbling as she went to fetch her baka bodyguard.

"Should've known they'd pull a stunt like this....."

Just like she expected, she found him doing all the work....in his

particular way.

She stayed back a safe distance to watch....Soujirou standing before a large

tree with his hand on his sword....eyes closed and standing as if the tree

was an opponent waiting to strike. Micheala sat back safely out of range as

well on a stump, watching in amusement and a familiar look in her eyes that

made Shuriken's blood boil. *I knew it....Damn interfering.....*

The thought was lost as Soujirou suddenly vanished so fast it kicked up a

gust of wind.....Only the slight sway of a branch being landed on and

immediately leapt off giving away his path all the way to the top....then a

few seconds later landed feathersoft on the ground again in a crouch,

sheathing his sword.

Two seconds later a VERY stunned Shuriken watched the tree collapsed into a

pile of perfectly cut firewood. A pile at least five feet tall.

*Showoff....*

Micheala giggled. "Where have you been all my life, Kid?" Soujirou chuckled

sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head and smiled. He then noticed

they had company, turning to look in Shuriken's direction....

And immediately gaped like a fish as his eyes bugged out.

At first he thought she was one of Shuriken's aunts he hadn't met yet, she

looked so different....Gone was the usual haphazard outfit she bounced all

over Japan in, replaced by a simple, but lovely dress of blue that reached

to her knees. Her hair was braided into a simple ponytail that hung over her

left shoulder and fastened by a hairclip that resembled a dagger. The effect

was astounding. When she started to growl threateningly he finally

recognized her. "Miss Shuriken??!!"

*Men....* Shuriken thought ruefully. "Mother threatened to disown me if I

didn't wear something 'decent' to the table." She mumbled, glaring at him.

"What's your problem?!!"

"Ahh!" Soujirou reddened and looked even more sheepish. Micheala looked

smug. "It's just that you look so....so...."

"So what, Baka?" Her voice was laced with brimstone.

*What can I say that won't get me killed?*

".....Different?"

It seemed to have worked. Shuriken looked less ready to kill him. In fact

she looked pleased. "Why thank you, Can we go now? We'll get the rest of the

wood later."

"Hai, Miss Shuriken." He gathered some wood and walked by her as they

started toward the house. Shuriken bit down the urge to laugh maniacally.

*Hah! Looks like Mother's scheme....*

"You should dress like that more often."

*....Failed....*

Micheala snickered. Shuriken slowly turned to give Soujirou a look of death.

"Right....This would be real practical in a fight, Soujirou."

He shrugged and smiled at her. "You don't fight all the time."

Despite her stubborn refusal to give in to the situation, Shuriken felt her

cheek grow flushed. Micheala looked triumphant. *Ooh! Why can't I have a

normal family? One that wouldn't make it their 'duty'

To interfere with my love life or lack therefore of?* She glanced at

Soujirou. *And why did I have to bring home the perfect idiot for them to

play matchmaker with?!*

A sudden sharp wind made her shiver, Soujirou stopping long enough to shrug

off his shirt and drape it over her, Shuriken almost too stunned to protest

and felt her cheeks redden even more from both the act and a view of his

bare chest. "I-I'm not made of glass, y'know. Stop that." He just kept

smiling to her annoyance and walked a little ahead of her and her sister.

*Hell....Forget my parents...He's dangerous by himself!* She mused.

Micheala smiled at her little sister. "Interesting man, ne Mouto-chan ?"

"Don't even think about starting on Soujirou." Shuriken hissed.

"I was talking about Himura-san and how he doesn't look like such a great

swordsman."

Realizing she fell for the bait, Shuriken politely told her sister to shut

up, much to Micheala's amusement.

A moment of reflection, if you will, about two of Nature's laws that come to

mind as Dinnertime arrived. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction

and an object in motion will remain in motion unless an equal or greater

force causes it to stop. While this law is interesting when concerning rocks

and such, it is even more so when applied to a more.....active....group of

subjects.....

Case in point.

The entire gang had somehow managed to fit around the large table Alex had

dragged out of somewhere, a bit snug since that included Usagi's now 'oroing

for fun' kids but it was manageable. (And something that certain women among

the table were going to take advantage of....) An impressive feast of

various American and Japanese food was spread out, Sano actually falling to

his knees and thanking Kami-sama and the Jamison women at the sight of it,

much to everyone's amusement. Then after Arain had arrived Alexander

announced that they could start dinner.

Thus did the chaos begin....

Sano stood up and pulled out a seat for Arain beside him. "Allow me."

Megumi raised an eyebrow.

Arain looked surprised at Sano's highly polished maneuver.

"I'm not gonna bite. Sit already."

*Well...* She smirked inwardly. *An overbearing lout like you showing such

high decorum. What a surprise.*

"Thank you," She smiled as she sat down and let him push her to the table.

"A true lady deserves such treatment from someone like yourself."

"I'm full of surprises."

"That's not all he's full of...." Megumi muttered.

"Did you say something?"

Megumi turned and smiled sweetly to Jubei. "Please fill my glass, Jubei."

"Ah, sure."

One could feel the room temperature rise a couple notches as Sano and Megumi

glared at each other until Arain snapped a napkin loudly in irritation, both

looking slightly embarrassed while Jubei looked clueless.

At that moment Merlin brought out a positively ancient looking wine bottle.

"In honor of this special occasion, I thought it would be appropriate to

celebrate in Avalon tradition....." He poured the wine in a glass and raised

it in salute. "As each of us drink from this cup we share in our hopes and

dreams of our hearts. May they come true."

He then sipped and passed the glass to Kenshin who did the same and passed

it to Karou....the ceremony going well as it was passed on to each

person....Usagi making sure the kids didn't get too much....Then just as

Jubei accepted the cup from Megumi and sipped....

"It's almost like we're indirectly kissing...." She said coyly.

It didn't have the effect she intended. Jubei almost choked when he heard

that, turning several shades of green before going to white as he looked at

Kenshin and Tomoe in absolute horror. Kenshin just grinned evilly, A hint of

micheviouness in Tomoe's eyes as she gave him an arch look. Sano grinned....

A grin that died as Jubei handed it to the next person....Grandma.

There was a fiendish light in both Megumi's and Saiko's eyes as the little

old lady slurped from the glass and smacked her lips, commenting on the

taste and age before handing it to Sano, who looked a little less smug at

this development. He accepted the glass with a sickly grin and after a quick

demo of his 'Faster than Godlike speed out of desperation' technique to wipe

the glass rim he drank and handed it to Arain....

Their hands 'accidentally' brushing....Although questionable as to who's

fault it was....

Sano made the most out of the situation by subtly winking at Arain, who

slyly did the same and drank a little deeper than needed to be from the

glass while looking him in the eyes.

If one listened very carefully....One could hear the rumble of approaching

doom....particularly from Megumi's direction.....

The ritual was completed without incident as Soujirou and the rest of the

Jamison household finished the ritual. Alexander standing up to give the

second half of Merlin's speech in conclusion. "For without dreams there is

nothing to guide us through the night before day, the darkness before

dawn...." He finished the glass completely then set it down...breaking into

a huge grin. "So dig in everybody!"

There was no need to repeat himself. Everybody attacked the food as if it

was their last meal, with ether the 'enthusiasm' of Sano, Yahiko, Jubei and

Shuriken or the dainty restraint (But still energetic.) of Megumi, Tomoe and

Arain. Things were starting to look like nothing could go wrong....

Until....

"Oi, Arain....Your homeland, whatzit called again...."

"Avalon." She said without looking up.

"Yeah, that's it, Babe." Arain raised an eyebrow at Sano's 'endearment'.

Megumi was quiet, although it was a good guess that she was annoyed because

she started SAWING her meat with the knife as he went on. "Mind telling me

what it's like there? I love learning new cultures."

Megumi's sneeze suspiciously sounded like "Bullshit!"

A wicked idea popped into Arain's head. "Nothing much really...." She mused.

"A few humans....Dragons here and there and you can't spit without hitting a

fairy....." Then delightfully dropped the bomb. "A lot like Japan

really...."

The result was electric. Merlin choked. Sano stared at her. Tomoe raised an

eyebrow. Megumi was now sawing the BONE of the steak, a demonic glare in her

eyes that makes Jubei cringe. Everybody else just pretended they didn't hear

and nervously keep eating for a tense second or two....Until Alex and Sano

exploded in laughter.

"Good one!" Alex crowed.

"You got a point there, 'specially the fairies. Still..." Sano turned on his

charm full blast, smiling sexily at Arain as he leaned his head on his hand.

"Can't be so bad if a interesting girl like you came from there, Ne?"

There was a screech as Megumi cuts through the bone and deep into the

PLATE.....

Arain just blushed with a chuckle and dug back into her plate to avoid

looking at Sano. *Mou, Arain...All that training and high breeding's for

shit whenever you get around a guy like him....*

One of Usagi's kids decided to join in at that moment. "Are there really

fairies in Japan, daddy?"

"Ahhh...." Kiro forced a smile while glaring at Sano and Arain out the

corner of his eye. "Ask me later baby...."

Usagi snickered.

Megumi's voice was dangerously sweet when she spoke next, grinning so

charmingly and polite it raised the hairs on Sano's neck. "Would you like

some of this roast, Sano?"

He nodded, Megumi taking the carving knife by the large roast pig and stabs

down in it's back with such force the table rattled, Sano and Jubei wincing

as she continued. "Such a curious and still growing BOY like you needs lots

of food for energy...." She cut off a large slab and set it lovingly on his

plate, her eyes glinting with malice. "Although you must be careful when it

comes to...." glanced at Arain in contemptuous manner. "....Pork."

Arain's eyes glittered dangerously at that obvious barb.

And as if the others could sense the approaching danger they started

conversation between themselves. This however, was also decidedly

dangerous.....

Tomoe polished off her THIRD full plate, ignoring Kenshin's astonished

stare. Food was another way of getting the energy to sustain herself,

although not as potent as her usual method. *Not to mention she had to make

a pig out of herself in front of Kenshin, grrr....* "So how did you two

meet?" She asked the couple, giving Kenshin a coy look. "Did he sweep you

off your feet like he did with me, Karou?"

Kenshin reddened and took a deep drink of sake.

"Actually...." Karou replied, also faintly blushing. "I attacked him in the

middle of the street."

Tomoe blinked. "Ahhh....." Then chuckled ruefully, Giving Kenshin a teasing

look. "You always seem to effect the ladies this way, Kenshin dear." She

smiled a little more at the way he reddened even more.

"Repent, the end is near...." Jubei intoned. "Tomoe's developing a

personality...."

Kenshin almost frisbeed a plate at him but Tomoe got to Jubei first, her

tone sharp and sarcastic. "Being dead can change you a lot, Kimagami-san." A

feral smile crossed her face, eyes glinting with promise. "Would you like to

find out first hand?"

Jubei snorted and went back to his meal and Megumi, Tomoe musing over what

they both said and what was probably running through Kenshin's head.

*True....I have changed a lot since my return, no, since that night I

admitted to myself that I loved him. If only....No. Don't regret....Enjoy

these feelings. Enjoy yourself for once.....While you still can....* She

smiled sweetly at Karou. "Kami-sama was smiling at you two when he brought

you together; Kenshin's quite a catch."

Karou blushed deeper, smiling at Kenshin. "That he is."

Tomoe grinned, reveling in another evil thought. "And he can be so cute.

Like the time I was ill and he and kids cooked breakfast in bed and offered

to do the housework....."

Kenshin went from embarrassed to horrified. "Ahh, Tomoe....."

Tomoe ignored him, Smiling at the memory. "Or at least they tried to. I've

never seen egg served as soup until that day....and the house looked like a

bomb went off....."

Kenshin grabbed the whole bottle of sake and started downing it as Tomoe

told Karou more horror stories....

On the other end of the table, Operation Matchmaker went into effect.

Moshi started them off. "So tell us how you met our daughter, Soujirou...."

Shuriken freezes, starting to sweat. "Are you a professional bodyguard?"

Soujirou forced a smile. "Not really, Mrs. Jamison...."

Alex roared with laughter. "No need for formalities! Heck, you can call us

Mom and Dad...." Soujirou missed his Wink at Shuriken. "....if ya like,

Son!"

Shuriken grumbled something unpleasant. Soujirou carefully thought about his

answer, wanting to live to his next birthday then smiled at Shuriken.

"Just a wanderer who happened to be...in the right place at the right time."

Her parents mistook Shuriken's sigh of relief for one of lovesickness.

*Agratou, Soujirou.* She smiled back at him. *If they knew I just walked

into the first bar I saw, stood on a table and announced I needed a

bodyguard.....*

"Ah, a fellow traveler." Alex impossibly grinned wider. "I like ya even

more, son. I love traveling, you can meet all kinds of people," He punched

Soujirou lightly on the arm and almost knocked him out the chair. "Even the

girl of your dreams like I did!"

"Here we go...." Shuriken muttered.

Soujirou chuckled nervously. "Hai, Mr...I mean Dad."

Moshi and Usagi played the moment for all it was worth, looking the perfect

wife and lover so well that Shuriken cringed. "My sister and I were quite

lucky to meet our sweethearts." Moshi said, turning and gave Shuriken a

doting look mixed with part making you feel guilty and part threat. "And I

hope our daughters will be as lucky and bless us with lots of

grandchildren...."

Soujirou kept the smile in place out of desperation as He turned to

Shuriken, whose homicidal look aimed at him and her mother changed to

instant smile. "I'm sure she will."

Shuriken nervously laughed....firing off a death glare at her parents the

second he turned back to his food, Alex and Moshi the picture of innocence

despite a mischievous twinkle in their eyes.....*Why can't they leave us

alone? Let us take it slow and WHOA WHAT ARE YOU THINKING, GIRL?!!!*

Back in the middle, the firing solution boiled nearer to completion: Sano

was taking animatedly with Arain, both enjoying themselves and flirting

ridiculously hard. Megumi wasn't much better, having Jubei literally eating

out of her hand as she playfully fed him his dinner....Her feminine wiles

obviously in hyperdrive and working rather well on the poor sucker from the

goofy grin Jubei had plastered on his face. And of course, with Sano and

Megumi were both stealing smug 'Top that' glares at each other doing their

little contest of wills, waiting for the other to finally crack.

One could almost hear the sleazy saxophone music in the background or smell

the stale and smoky atmosphere of a bar, the sexual tension that thick in

the air.....Just waiting to explode....

Arain laughed as Sano finished his funny story, smiling at him. "You are so

entertaining, Sagara-san...." She leaned a little more forward, her eyes

smoldering with something akin to lust. "I'm surprised you're still

unattached."

Sano grinned, unflinchingly looking into her eyes. "Me too."

A rather sarcastic remark from Megumi killed the mood. "After all, you do

have SO much to offer a woman....."

"Yeah, I guess some just don't recognize a good thing when they see it."

Sano sneered in reply.

Megumi grinned evilly. "Like most men, ne?" She was so focused on her

pissing contest with him she didn't notice that poured hot sauce in Jubei's

glass instead of wine....."But Jubei doesn't seem to have that problem...."

She turned to Jubei, tickling him under his chin and raising the glass to

his lips as she cooed. "Do you, Koibito?"

Jubei smiled back and drank....and immediately turned every shade of the

rainbow and choked, Megumi patting him on the back in concern and fussing

over him as Sano and Arain laughed.

"Not at all....." Jubei wheezed in-between gasps.

"I'm SO jealous of you Megumi." Arain's voice dripped sarcasm. "I'm sure

he's a real find."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Megumi ignored Jubei question and glared at Arain. "Hmph. And I'm sure you

two will make a lovely couple....Queen Drip and the Bakayarou king!"

The kids, who had been more behaved than the adults to this point, lit up at

the discovery of a new word....making up a song on the spot: "Baka, baka,

baka, baka...." They howled the last syllables.

"Yaaaaarrrrrrroooooooouuuuuuu!"

Kiro dropped his fork in horror. Usagi chuckling at first but stopping to

give Arain and Megumi a stern look. "As much as I encourage my kids to

learn," She said dryly. "Would you ladies mind your French?"

Both had the grace to look sheepish before glaring back at each other.

"See what you did?" Megumi hissed.

"Me?!!"

"Now ladies...." Merlin started....

Both whirled on Merlin with eyes of brimstone. "STAY OUT OF IT OLD MAN!!!"

Merlin eeped and almost jumped back out his seat, forming the sign of pain

with his hands.

Jubei sweatdropped, turning to Sano. "Aren't you going to stop this?"

Sano, who was leaning on a hand and watching with the two argue in

amusement, looked at him funny. "Are you?"

Jubei's expression turned cross. "How stupid do I look?"

Kenshin attempted to calm them down, (Although with the ulterior motive of

escaping Tomoe's torture) when Tomoe and Karou both grabbed him by the

shoulder and sit him back down shaking their heads. The Jamison family was

totally obvious to the literal powerkeg about to go off, intent on their

matchmaking mission and halfway there as Alex poured the slightly 'loosened

up' Soujirou his fourth cup of the strong wine.

"What do you think of children, Soujirou?" Yasha asked.

"I like children." Soujirou grinned goofily at the chagrined Shuriken.

"They're fun...."

"Indeed they are. I'm sure you make a fine father and husband to SOME lucky

girl...." Yasha made another not so subtle wink at Shuriken, who glowered at

her.

"Grandmaaaaa....."

Soujirou sighed and turned solemn. "But I don't know if I can settle down

just yet, there's a lot I need to...sort out in my life before I take such a

big step...."

Alex nodded sagely. "That's understandable, You're young, and you have

plenty of wild oats to sow...."

"Nani? Wild oats....?"

Shuriken panicked, trying to change the subject. "How about you tell

Soujirou some of your stories, Daddy...."

Micheala interrupted as if she didn't hear Shuriken, patting Soujirou on the

shoulder. "But you be ready one day, maybe sooner than you think. Heck, you

could be sitting next to your future wife now...." She nudged him, winking.

Shuriken looked horrified. Soujirou looked adorably clueless.

"Where?"

The Jamison family facefaulted.

Moshi cleared her throat and tried another approach. "So what do you think

of our daughter, Miko?"

Soujirou looked nervous, especially with five pairs of eyes boring into him.

"Ahh....She is....um....Well I mean to say....." He got even more nervous at

the impatient looks. "She is....unique."

The Jamison family blinked. Shuriken looked halfway between relived and a

little insulted.

"Well....." Alex slapped the table. "We can work with that!"

That was the last straw for Shuriken, who pounded the table hard enough to

make the plates leap. "Stop this instant!!!"

Alex gave his daughter an innocent look. "Whatever do you mean, dear

daughter?"

"You know exactly what I mean, you scheming old goat! Stop playing

matchmaker!"

Soujirou dropped his glass, stunned. "Matchmaker?!!"

"Forgive her, Soujirou!" Moshi exclaimed theatrically. "My poor baby can get

so emotional so times...."

"I am not emotional!" Shuriken roared. "You're trying to marry me off!!!"

Soujirou looked like he was just walloped by an oar. "M-Marry?!!!!"

Back in the middle, Arain and Megumi were now almost at each other's

throats, insults flying back and forth.....

"You're jealous!" Arain accused. "Isn't one man enough for you?!"

"You think I want Sano? Ha! Take the moron for all I care!"

"Don't insult him. It's not his fault he's too much man for you!"

That one pissed Megumi off. "What did you say?! If he's too much for me,

then what chance does a stuck up hussy like you have?"

Arain sniffed and turned her nose up. "You bore me, Takani Megumi. I am far

above arguing with a commoner like you anyway."

Megumi laughed scornfully. "Commoner, eh? Then allow me the honor of serving

you, Your highness!" With one hard chop of the carving knife she cut the

entire tail end off the roast pig and dropped it on Arain's plate. "There! A

piece of ass for a royal ass!"

Utter bedlam broke out. Shuriken and her family arguing around a

shell-shocked Soujirou, Arain and Megumi barely being held back by Merlin

and Jubei as they struggle for each other's throats hurling insults, Tomoe

laughing her head off while Karou stared in horror, a blitzed Kenshin just

lying his head on the table with a long Oro, the kids are cheering the fight

on despite their parent trying to hush them....and in midst of it all Sano

and Yahiko were just sitting back watching the chaos, Sano reveling in his

handiwork.

Yahiko broke his long silence, snatching a wine glass and sipping

arrogantly. "Women are SO emotional...."

Sano chuckled as he munched down on a barbecue rib. "Ya got that right

kid...."

##

Much later.

"Ahhh....."

Sano had snuck out of the house to relax in the small pond on the Jamison

estate for awhile, sighing in contentment as he swam around.

*Well, that went well....* Sano thought ruefully as he recalled the havoc

at dinner he was mostly responsible for. *Megumi really can't handle a taste

of her own medicine, heh. Still....* His thoughts darkened. *Still not as

much fun as it was before....and I feel a little bad about being so mean to

her to tell the truth...* He sighed. *Maybe I should stop being a jackass

about the whole thing and just get it over with instead of acting like a

bunch of kids.....*

He lazily backstroked toward the edge as he considered his plight....

...and realized he wasn't alone.

Arain stood on the water as easily as land, smirking down at him. "Hi."

The water practically flew as Sano torpedoed over to the far side of the

pond. Arain raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Gahh! Don't do that, lady!!!"

"What are you so embarrassed about? It's not the first time I've seen naked

man before." Sano reddened even further at the reminder that he was skinny

dipping, Arain's smile growing wicked. "Although I'll admit you rank among

the best I've seen...."

"That makes me feel a lot better...." He grumbled, Arain chuckling. "What's

the deal scaring me like that?"

"Bored." She lied, not wanting to scare him off. Tonight's escapade had

rattled her more than she cared to admit, old feelings she'd bottled up

demanding release....She shook off the thought. "And wondering if you're as

good as you look."

"Nani?"

"Your fighting skill. I think it speaks better for a person than words, and

I've never encountered someone strong enough to shatter my ice spells so you

interest me." She smiled again. "Spar with me?" Sano blinked. "I'm not

taking no for an answer." She said calmly despite the mischievous smile.

"Ether fight me or they can find you frozen to the pond. I bet Megumi would

have a field day."

Sano paled. "You wouldn't....." Two fairies appeared over Arain and flew

toward him, the water briefly turning frigid just by them floating over it.

"Alright! Damn you have a weird idea of foreplay....And turn around."

Arian made a show of rolling her eyes and turned around....but as soon as

her back turned her lip quivered and she had to make an effort to steel

herself further. *Even their attitudes are the same....*

"I'm ready."

She turned and walked over to the ground where he was waiting, only wearing

his pants. She pretended not to notice, a wicked thought coming to mind.

"Let's make this interesting." He raised an eyebrow, her grin widening.

"Winner earns a kiss from the loser."

Both eyebrows shot up. Arain chuckling. *Yep, I knew he would react that

way.* "Of course you can't cheat by losing on purpose or holding back. I'll

break your arm if I think you're holding back."

Sano's expression became amused as he took up his stance. "Same to you."

Arain just stood there for a moment, the air temperature dropping noticeably

around her as several fairies shimmered into existence around her....

Then chaos.

It was hard to keep up with the two of them by eyes alone, the two of them

going at it hammer and tongs....Sano's expression determined while Arain's

was amused. Her style was a stark contrast to his, more calculating and

refined....but Sano had the advantage of strength over her (Not that she was

weak by any stretch he amended as she landed a good one in his gut.) and a

surprise....

The fairies suddenly got in the act, frosting the ground underneath Sano and

causing him lose his footing....Arain lunging forward at that moment to grab

him and use her momentum to slide along the ice,

Twirl and sling Sano airborne....forming and tossing a snowball the size of

a brick as she finished her spin that slammed Sano in the gut and skipped

him like a oversized rock across the pond to the other side. Sano sucked in

air long enough to swear the heavens down, much to Arain's further

amusement. "I said no holding back." She replied saucily at him as she

walked over the lake....

Just as Sano lunged and executed the Futae no Kiwami on the pond and

drenched her with a near tidal wave that swept her to the other side. He

grinned at the soaking wet redhead sitting on the other side looking down at

herself in dismay. "Like that? I'm not sure you can handle it!!" He started

cackling maniacally....

Which died as he saw very pissed off Arain stand up and glowing with battle

aura....what looked like a few hundred fairies now gathering around her and

each holding a snowball the same size as before. Arain's face twisted into a

evil grin that rivaled Saitou's.....An SD Sano nervously chuckled at his

predicament and tried a charming smile in reply.

"Then again you can.....EEP!" He ran for his life and covered his head as

the sky filled with a million and counting snowballs aimed at his

head.....Managing to avoid at least a couple hundred before he was almost

buried alive in snow. Arain charging at him and going hand to hand with him

again....Sano really having to work to kept from beaten to a pulp from her

fists, feet, ice spells AND fairies (And not doing too well he hated to

admit....) as she went beserk....getting his chance when she stepped back to

hurl a series of ice chunks at him....

And executed the Futae no Kiwami with his elbow, left and

foot.....Shattering them completely and managing to tackle the surprised

Arain.....Forcing her arms down and blocking her legs with his own just in

case she got any ideas about 'retaliating'. The two of them lay there a

moment, breathing heavily, faces so close their noses almost touched.

"....(Huff) Let's....(Puff) ...call it....(Huff) a draw...."

".....(Huff)....I agree...." She managed a tired smile. "We....(Huff)...both

win...."

A long silence followed....The two just looking at each other....Arain's

eyes filled with some unreadable expression....Sano's equally hooded....

Then he let her go and rolled over on his back, attempting to catch his

breath and clear his head. Arain just lay there and another uncomfortable

silence passed....

".....You're the weirdest chick I've ever met, y'know that?"

She turned her head to glare at him for a moment.....then both of them

started laughing as if it was the biggest joke in the world. "I'll kill you

later for that...." She managed to get out between chuckles.

"What was that stunt you just did now...."

He grinned. "A move I picked up a while back, the Futae no Kiwami, or Double

Limit break. You can shatter anything with it. Before I could only do it

with my right but after Kenshin left I trained until I mastered it almost as

well as my teacher did. Maybe I'll show how to do it some time."

Arain felt her cheeks grow hot. "...I'd like that...."

They got quiet again after that, Arain sitting up and hugging her knees to

her chest and looking up at the stars. Sano stayed sprawled out, doing the

same. Arain found herself getting more and more melancholic the longer she

stayed in his presence despite how much she fought it. *Stop it, Arain...*

She admonished herself. *Just...stop.*

"What's a matter?" Sano asked. "You're a lot less quieter from dinner."

She chuckled ruefully. "I could ask the same of you. Not much of a talker

when the fox is around, Ne?"

Sano's eyes darkened. "Guess I'm not." He sighed. "And when I am I put my

foot in my mouth so much I might as well keep it shut. It's just that....."

"Afraid of commitment?"

"Oi!" he turned on her angrily. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Arain made a disgusted sound and let her hair fall in her eyes so he

wouldn't see....see the disappointment in them. "You two are so obvious it's

disgusting....Why do you insist on playing these games?"

Sano made a disgusted sound and started looking at the stars again. "Che,

you must got me confused with the other bum....Oof!"

Arain unburied her fist from his stomach, her voice quiet but definitely

pissed. "Don't bullshit me, Sagara."

She warned. "One of you has got to stop this nonsense because life's too

short to screw around like a couple of kids. So grow some balls and get it

over with..." She forced a smile. "Or I'll kick your ass again."

Sano looked at her in stunned amazement for a moment. Then grinned. "Ohh,

scary....This unworthy one will take your glorious advice to heart and....."

Sano blocked the second punch she aimed at his gut and winked at her as he

yawned. "Agrato, Arain-san...."

She turned slightly so he wouldn't see her blush. "No need to thank...." A

loud snore interrupted her, Arain scowling as she realized the baka had

fallen asleep on her. "....me." She grinned ruefully, reaching over to

ruffle his hair fondly and then bent to kiss him lightly on the lips. "Sleep

well, Sagara Sanosuke." Her voice was tinged with regret and longing.

"Pleasant dreams of your Fox lady...."

She laid down beside him, her back to his and just savoring the warmth of

his presence....asleep before she knew it.

##

Morning....

Megumi could only stare at them in mute shock.

She had been dragged out of bed by a case of guilty conscience when she

would rather be sleeping in late. That and a mild hangover. Her behavior at

dinner was absolutely deplorable last night, even if that Roosterheaded fool

provoked her. But as usual her conscience nagged her until she gave in and

went to hunt down Sano to apologize. Seeing he wasn't in his room she

started to get worried as she looked all over the house....

And found him by the pond sleeping like a baby with a huge grin on his

face.....Arain spooned alongside his back with an arm draped over his chest

and also smiling contently.

When she could think again, three words popped into her head as a

considerable aura flared up around her.

Aku. Soku. Zan.....

Fortunately before she could find a suitably sized rock or something to

bludgeon them with, Arain opened her eyes and looked in mild shock at the

state she was in....immediately upgrading to panic, controlled panic, but

panic nonetheless when she noticed one very pissed off Fox standing over

him.

"This isn't what it looks like Megumi."

"So desu ne?" Her voice dripped acid, noting the slight bit of lipstick on

Sano's lips. "Why don't you tell me what it looks like?"

Arain's eyes narrowed and her voice took on the same dangerous tone as

Megumi's. "Nothing happened. We merely fell asleep out here."

Megumi raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly were you doing together?

Stargazing?"

"That's none of your business, but it certainly wasn't what you're

thinking." She replied with a half sneer as she stood up and got right in

Megumi's face. "And even if we did make love, what concern is it of yours?

You seem to be more...'attached' to Jubei...."

*Why you stuck up....* Megumi's eyes flared. "You got a point, why should I

care if that fool is stupid enough to fall for a arrogant little girl like

you....."

She got no further.

Arain had had enough....and before Megumi could blink she had a very sharp

ice dagger pressed to her throat. To Megumi's credit she didn't flinch or

cower, however the look of anger in Arain's eyes was so intense it unnerved

her....

"How dare you....." She hissed. "How dare you slander and treat him so! You

have no idea how lucky you are, Takani Megumi! To be able to laugh with him,

tease him and love him...." Angry tears filled her eyes....her voice

starting to break as she let the dagger fall limply to her side. "At least

you still have him...."

Megumi's eyes softened as she realized what Arain was saying. "You've fallen

for him, haven't you?"

She expected Arain to angrily deny it or something like that. Instead, she

looked away, letting her hair fall girlishly to hide her eyes.

"....I don't know. He reminds me so much of Zan it's uncanny...." She said

mournfully. "Roughly the same appearance, half assed attitude....hell, even

the age is right. He could pass for my former fiancée without even trying."

"Former fiancée?"

"He was murdered by Shannon Morgan when he stole Excailber." Her voice grew

hard and the anger returned. "It was the night before the coronation

ceremony that would bestow Excailber to me. As part of the ritual I had

leave the island for a short while in seclusion. When I arrived back I found

the temple had been attacked and several of the students had been killed or

mortally wounded.....Zan had been the worst, practically ripped to shreds

but still alive....he had fought to the death to protect the sword and

Shannon had left him alive and poisoned as a reward...." Her fist

clenched....the ice dagger starting to crack as her grip tightened around

it. "Poison that meant a long and painful death he didn't deserve so

I-I....." Arain abruptly went silent, Megumi understanding and reaching out

to hug the girl, Arain breaking down and sobbing quietly for awhile onto her

shoulder until she could regain her composure. "Feh," She wiped her eyes and

tried a smile. "We got a lot in common when it comes to men, ne? Zan and I

would fight even more than you two, and not just with words. I just wish I'd

admitted how I felt a lot sooner instead of waiting till he finally got the

point, we would have had so much more time together than that week....Don't

make that same mistake Megumi." She said firmly. ". Just swallow your pride

and tell him, make him listen even if you have to kick his ass to do it.

You'll regret it for the rest of your life if you don't, take it from

someone who knows."

How ironic, Megumi thought ruefully, she's telling me off like I did Karou.

"Maa, Maa...I doubt I will have to go that far...." She grinned wickedly.

"Offer the Baka free food and he's all ears." Both giggled at that. "Agrato,

Arain. I hope you find someone special as Zan was...."

She chuckled. "With this good looks of course I will." She motioned to the

still sleeping Sano. "Would you like the honor?"

"Hai!" Megumi bowed....and proceeded to lift her kimono's hem enough to boot

Sano in the rear and into the pond....

After a good morning argument and chase around the house, the trio joined

the others for breakfast and discussing the plans for recovering Excailber.

"It's obvious that we can't just walk in and take it." Arain explained. "Not

counting the guards all over the place, Shannon's got the place as booby

trapped like you would not believe. Even I haven't found them all because

there's some kind of magical interference as well that's messing with my

head when I go in there."

"That's stating the obvious." Alexander added. "If the man somehow got into

Avalon I wouldn't be surprised if the guys dabblin' in that. So does anyone

have any ideas?"

Silence. Then the last person everyone expected to have one spoke up.

"Oi," Sano said between bites. "I've already worked it out...."

Everybody looked at each other.

Then went back to eating and discussing a plan.

Sano got pissed. "I'm serious! I have a way we can get in and take the sword

without him even knowing!"

"Oh, really?" Arain was interested, although it was more amusement than

real. "Explain...."

Sano grinned. "Well....."

##

Much later, six o' clock.

Shannon's large mansion in town was alive that night....with streams of

carriages dropping off the cream of New York society for the grand occasion

waiting within....

And a surprise or two.

The Carriage's footman stepped down and opened the door for let out the

first one, The Japanese man was very tall, dressed very smartly in a black

western style suit, white shirt, red tie and black trenchcoat like long coat

that had the Kanji 'Evil' sewn into the back that fit well on his lanky

frame, much to the herd of predatory manhunters disguised as rich women's

interest. A wide brimmed fedora cocked jauntily to the same side as his

playful smirk added to his attractiveness as he winked at them, the women

starting to swoon. He looked every inch the Streetwise, Cocky Gambler, a

ruse that the footman was hard pressed to believe for some nagging

reason.....

The second was a lovely young woman that made the footman wish he was a few

years younger. A raven haired, slender beauty that was so much a contrast to

the man it was startling....the red Japanese style dress she wore somehow

both modest and seductive at once to devastating effect on the males

present. (Much to several of their wives/girlfriends dismay and several

slaps were soon heard.) She walked with a air of confidence and bearing not

unusual to an educated woman, although her eyes glinted with fox-like

sneakiness from time to time at the 'Gambler' whenever he was caught looking

at her or firing off death glares at any of the men starting her way....

The third and final one wasn't all that special appearance wise. A small,

girlish looking Japanese boy with brown hair in a blue western suit with a

dark shirt and tie. The only distinguishable thing about him was that he

walked with the aid of an unusual walking stick almost as tall as he was and

if inspected closer could be taken for a saya....that and an unnerving

smile....

Megumi waited until the carriage to peel out and no one was in earshot

before she turned and pinned him with a death glare of her own. "Don't look

so smug, Baka...."

He only grinned in reply, Megumi remembering him discussing the 'plan'

earlier.....

"Shannon's havin' some kinda big event tonight..., Right Arain?"

She nodded. "Every week he gathers all the rich people in town and

entertains them by Gambling and having the local fighters beat the hell out

of each other for money. Your point?"

"Simple....Me and Megumi pretend to be this big shot gambler/fighter couple

here because I heard about his collection, and challenge him for some of

it....." Megumi almost choked at that. "....Doing everything we can to

distract him while Jubei and Shuriken sneak in and steal Excailber back.

Arain will be there for backup in case things go wrong, as well as Soujirou

since he can pose as our translator. Ain't that a good plan?

Alexander looked thoughtful. "I see....The amulet will help her get around

the physical and magical traps! Brilliant!"

"Who are you and what have you done with the real Sano?" Yahiko asked

suspiciously, earning a glare from Sano. Megumi had also recovered enough to

mutter "Simple isn't the word" under her breath.

"It is a good plan," Arain admitted. "That pompous ass wouldn't suspect a

thing. But what about Ashura? What if she makes a second attempt on the

Jamison Family for hostages?"

"Last time she caught us off guard." Usagi said in an uncharacteristic tone.

"We'll be ready this time." The women and Alexander nodded, determined

looking.

"And that's why Kenshin and Karou's staying behind, just in case things get

ugly. That ok?" They nodded, Sano looking smugly at Megumi. "See? I thought

of everything."

She just smirked in reply. "I guess the best person to come up with a

foolproof plan is a fool...."

"Oi!"

Jubei chuckled. "Better to leave Battousai here anyway, he seems more

comfortable among the women anyway...."

Kenshin growled menacing as he glared at Jubei, Karou also giving him the

evil eye. "Care to explain that remark?" She snarled.

Jubei just smiled as he dug his own grave. "Let's see, he cooks, cleans, his

idea of an worthy opponent is a basket of dirty laundry....I'm starting to

wonder who wears the Hakama in this house....."

Everybody calmly lifted their plates as Karou dove across the table and

tackled Jubei with a battle cry, sitting on his chest, choking him and

banging his head against the floor at the same time while everybody finished

eating as if nothing happened.....

Megumi let herself go back to the present and sighed. After that, they spent

the whole morning getting prepared, getting Sano fitted for his disguise at

the shop. (That was an interesting adventure spent mostly trying to assure

Sano they weren't sizing him for a coffin. Megumi even had them sew Aku on

the back.)*I hope things turn out as simple as Sano claims they will be....*

She looked at Soujirou in worry. "Soujirou, Dajoube?"

"...Huh? Hai!"

"Kuso, relax kid." Sano said with a grin. "Shuriken will be fine with

Jubei, it's what he's paid for..."

He looked embarrassed. "....Hai, hai, I know. Just can't help worrying."

*Just like Ken-san* Megumi thought with a smile.

A flash of light from the roof caught their attention, Sano and Megumi

practically feeling some of the tension drain out of Soujirou. "Ok, they

made it. Let's get going...."

The place was so impressive on the inside Sano was afraid to touch anything,

a far grander scale of blending several cultures into one place than the

Jamison household: Mayan, Japanese English.... Megumi quickly lost count. It

was pretty obvious that this Shannon guy was the flashy type. They were lead

into the massive dining quarters with the others, Both Sano and Soujirou

tensing slightly at the sight of several armed guards hovering around as

well, Sano reaching out and gently squeezing Megumi's hand and pulling her

close, Megumi looking at him in surprise as well as blushing slightly.

At that moment, Mr. Shannon Morgan himself appeared to personally greet

them. Arain was alongside him, looking every inch the pampered rich girl but

All three could feel the absolute disgust she felt being near him rolling

off her in waves....

Arain quickly rolled her eyes before Shannon saw it. She bowed in Japanese Custom.

Soujirou stepped forward and bowed.

Shannon raised an eyebrow as he shook Sano's hand and kissed Megumi's.

Soujirou translated the three quietly discussing before Sano smiled at

Shannon and replied, Soujirou translating as he spoke.

A slow, feral smile crossed Shannon's face....

<300 American dollars.>

Shannon's smile wavered a bit.

Megumi spoke then, Soujirou smiling sarcastically. She pulled out a impressive roll of money, Shannon's eyebrow

jumping in shock.

From the widening grin, they knew they had him hooked.

They left, Arain winking at Sano as she turned....Megumi letting out a sigh

of relief. "So far so good. Nice performance, Soujirou."

"Oi! What about me?"

"And thank you for not making an ass out yourself, Sano." She said sweetly

and patted his cheek, Sano grumbling. "Lucky that Shannon is such an idiot

that he falls for a stack of cut up paper and a little hocus pocus."

"Yeah, well don't get too cocky." He warned. "You still got that gizmo Alex

gave you."

"Hai, Hai...." Megumi fingered the 'bracelet' on her right wrist, her eyes

dark with worry. Her role in Sano's plan was simple but still dangerous: She

was to not only to stay near Shannon and 'distract' him, but in case things

went bad she would take him hostage with the poisoned blade hidden in the

bracelet to aid their escape. But that wasn't what worried her, it was

Sano's sudden change of mood...."Mou, I can handle that Shannon lout just

fine, thank you."

"I didn't say that, Megumi...." He looked sheepish. "It just that

I...well....What I meant to say is....Oh hell...." He raised her hand and

dropped a small bundle of cloth in it. "Here."

"Sano...." She unwrapped the bundle, examining the unusual contents. It was

a simple, but well made gold chain, the unusual thing was that a pair of

dice were attached like a pendant. ".....What is it?"

Sano looked indignant. "What is it?! I'll have you know that's my lucky

dice." She raised an eyebrow, Sano already knowing what she was thinking.

"I'll have you know that I had them in every fight I won, so there." He

ignored her skeptical look and folded her hand over the necklace with his

larger ones., his eyes smoldering and Megumi too shocked to react. "I want

you to have them now. For luck and.....An apology for being such a jerk

recently. It's not much but I...." An expression of irritation crossed his

face, starting to take it back. "Ah, forget it....."

Megumi danced out of reach, slipping the necklace around her neck and inside

her dress in one smooth motion. "Too late, Apology accepted." She said slyly

before sobering as she reached for his hand again, Sano stunned as she

looked him dead in the eye with an unreadable expression. "You better come

back in one piece, you hear me Roosterhead? I won't forgive you if you

don't......"

"Megumi....."

Shannon's servant chose that moment to come for Sano and ruin the moment.

Megumi reluctantly letting go of his hand and watched Sano follow with a

sinking heart. He did, however, turn and look at her again over his shoulder

to wink at her before he was lost in the crowd, Megumi feeling a little

better as she pulled out the necklace to wear proudly as she and Soujirou

went in search of Shannon.

And silently prayed to every god she knew.

##

Back at the Jamison household.

"Kitty! Here, Kitty, Kitty...."

Usagi let out a sigh of expiration. Things were so quiet it bothered her,

plus the kids refused to go to bed without their pet. *Dumb hairball, don't

know why the kids dote on it so....*

The large white cat hopped out of dark, startling her. "Mou, you almost sent

me into labor you stupid beast....." Usagi stopped for a moment to examine

it, seeing it's jaws stained with fresh blood. "Hmph, decided to finally

catch some of the mice around here, Ne? In you go....."

The cat yowled at her testily and strolled in, Usagi swearing their was an

all too human sneer on it's lips as it looked back and then strolled in the

house, shaking it off as her imagination playing tricks on her.

Had she investigated in the direction the cat looked in however, she would

have found the mangled remains of something that used to have white fur.....

##

Shuriken and Jubei had very little trouble breaking into Shannon's mansion

from the roof. The guards on the balcony were hardly a match for them and

dispatched quick and quiet. Now for the tricky part....

The long hallway looked simple enough, nicely decorated with taperesties,

paintings and statues. Jubei started to walk out onto the floor when

Shuriken told him to wait, her eyes glowing for a moment as she looked at

the hallway....then tossed the guard's half eaten apple out onto the floor,

watching it bounce once....

And get impaled on the three foot long, retractable spikes hidden in the

floor.

Jubei winced. "You gotta be kidding....."

"Some of the floor tiles are triggers for the spikes." She explained. "There

are some other traps that I can't identify, and since the triggers are all

linked together it's gonna be tricky to disarm it...."

"We don't have time for that...." He stated. "Can't you protect us with that

amulet thingie?"

"Hai but-ahhhh!"

Jubei scooped her up and leapt right into the room.....hopping back up the

instant he touched the ground to avoid impalement and repeating this action

across the floor.....Shuriken wincing at each near miss and forcing herself

to stay calm long enough to generate a shield around them....Just in time as

the every trap in the room went off at once....Spear guns hidden behind the

tapestries, the flamethrowers in the statue's mouths, and the scythe that

swung down over the door as Jubei slid under it and kicked the door open to

tumble in. He grinned at the petrified Shuriken in his arms. "That was

easy!"

Shuriken managed to release her death grip on Jubei's shoulder.....long

enough to grab his throat and shake him hard. "Don't. Do. That. Again." She

hissed, waiting until Jubei turned blue to let go.....

They continued deeper into the mansion, Shuriken disarming or protecting

them from the gauntlet of traps

Set throughout the mansion (A ridiculous amount of every kind ever designed

by man, Shuriken wanting to strangle the designer of the damned house....)

or taking out the guards under the roar of the crowd downstairs. "We're

close, I can feel the sword's persence....as well as some dark energies.

Probably the traps Arain was telling us about."

"Hmph...This is almost too easy." Jubei mused, ignoring Shuriken's evil look

and mutterings about her doing all the work. "I don't like it...."

They opened the door to the next room....and could only stare at what

awaited them.

It was impossibly dark in the room, impossible due to the large mirrors held

by statues of hands....each reflecting a pink laser like light seemingly

from nowhere to turn the room into a spider web of lightbeams across a floor

with white and black tiles so polished it had a mirror effect. *Some kind of

magic shroud and light source....* She mused, listening to the amulet as she

looked around. *Reflecting the light to make this pattern...but what is it

for.....?"

Jubei looked bored. "This is his best trap? Hmph, all you gotta do is avoid

the light...."

A look of horror crossed her face as she realized the answer. "No! Don't!"

Jubei was already somersaulting over the beams, the titles lighting up where

he landed and a musical tone heard from the tiles he touched....

Then the mirrors shifted as one.....the pattern changing aburptly as he

reached the middle...Jubei barely twisting out the way of the beam as it

chopped toward him and burned his arm as it brushed him...Jubei making a mad

scramble back to Shuriken dodging madly and making an awful racket with the

tiles as the mirrors kept changing the patterns or directly sweeping the

beams at him to burn him.....Shuriken waiting till the last second to

sidestep him and let him smash into the door at full speed. She waited until

he could peel himself off the wall and readjust his nose before explaining

it to him. "Baka....That'll teach you to wait for me. There's some kind of

magical light source in the room that the mirrors reflect and amplify to the

point it'll incenerate you in an instant. I've got to give Shannon credit

for orginality." She frowned. "This might take a moment...."

Downstairs.....

The tournement was being held right there in the dining room, the servants

moving the table and chairs back enough to allow the fighters plenty of room

and to keep the audience from getting hurt or their fine clothes splattered

with blood. Shannon had a throne set up on the huge staircase to watch like

a pompous king, Megumi, Soujirou and Arain sitting near him as his honored

guests. It was an obvious excerise in patience for both girls, since Mr.

Morgan not only talked to much but his hands had a habit of roaming toward

them despite their repeated attempts to brush him off. However they were

playing their parts well and trying to keep an eye on Sano....who was

enjoying himself too much from the way he danced around the larger brute

ducking his punches with ease and pulled his punches a bit. *Baka, * Megumi

thought ruefully, *Enjoying himself while I have to put up with this

pig....*

Said pig turned to her, smiling in what he must of thought was charming.