Interlude -- May 9th, 2001

	"Sir, we have a problem."  

	The man spoke to his superior, who was currently poised at his desk, 
regarding him wearily.

	With a sigh, the superior turned his chair to face away from his guest.  
"Yes?"

	"There appears to be a serious contradiction with the stories that we're 
receiving."  The man in the doorway shifted uncomfortably.  This was not a 
message he relished in delivering.

	"Contradictions?"  The chair was still, the man in it hidden.

	"Yes, sir.  Judou's, Shuukou's, and Kenchi's stories fail to match up 
timeline wise, sir."  Sweat trickled down the back of the reporting man's neck.  
The last lieutenant with bad news was last seen packing his bags to the Agency's 
Antarctic listening station.

	"Is it really of that much concern?  It's not like their stories have 
always been perfectly complimentary in the past."  The man waved an arm in a 
dismissive fashion.

	"Well, yes, it is this time, sir.  The discrepancy is about a three month 
gap, sir."

	"... I see.  Interrogate everyone on the manner extensively."  The man 
picked up the reports on his desk.  "Start from the situation in the monastery 
and work your way forward until it makes sense.  Permission to employ more 
extreme methods of interrogation is granted, to an extent.  I don't want any 
vegetables."

	The man nodded sharply, "Yes, sir!"  With a smart salute, he marched off.

	"It seems these six are more trouble than we thought they would be."  The 
man mused to himself quietly.  "We must break them soon, or risk detection from 
the others seeking them."  He thought quietly for a moment.  "Yes.  We *will* 
break them soon.  Soon indeed."

- = -

	So I see we're up for another round of 'Judou talks his mouth off for no 
good reason'.

	What's that?  You want to wait?  What's going on?

	I see.  So you're interrogating some of the others at once.  Trying to 
pinpoint something I take it?

	Fine, fine.  Won't ask again.

	Just let me know when you're ready.

- = -

	Why am I so quiet?  I choose to be.  That was simple enough, are we done 
now?  Ah, I see.  Let me guess, you're interrogating us in tandem to try to 
narrow down an inconsistency in our stories, ne?

	Me?  What reason would I have to lie?  I only know what I heard, and felt.  
Sight was no longer a resource for me.  No, I wasn't the one who misled you, but 
it's simple to deduce that is what happened.  If I may be so bold, I would 
venture to guess you're also questioning Judou and Kenchi?

	Oh, yes.  Of course.  Kenchi is dead, I'm quite sure.  Very well then, let 
me know when you're ready to begin.

- = -

	I couldn't help but notice the earpiece, you're sporting today.  Your ear 
is in fact the only feature of you I see, more often than not, since you refuse 
to look at me.  I take it you're coordinating this with someone else?

	Ah, interviewing some of the others, and comparing notes to see where the
inconsistencies lay.  I'm impressed.  You get to hear all the stories at once, 
but deny us the privilege of communication.  I assume the others believe me 
'dead', still.  Or at least, you want them to believe that.

	Very well.  So, I'm the last one to be set up I take it?

	Just a lucky guess, I assure you.

	Very well then, let me know when it's my turn then.  I'm sure we'll get to 
the bottom of your little problem.

- = - 

Wings of Fate
Chapter 28: Group Therapy
By ColdFury

Created by Ardweden and John Evans

- = - 

	So we're ready to begin?  Good.  

	The bus ride back to Tokyo was, for the most part, uneventful.  The events 
of the past few days had exhausted me physically, and the concept of being in 
close quarters with such a large group of strangers for such a period of time 
threatened to make me ill.  I will admit a small amount of relief when the Tengu 
decreed that Kenchi and I would travel together.  It was a small blessing, but 
it was also a simultaneous reminder of my dependence upon others.  Until I 
became more accustomed to my new hindrance I was a liability more than an asset 
to the group, not to mention to myself.

	So on the ride back to Tokyo, I meditated.  Not any sort of trivial, new-
age meditation.  I meditated deeply, and retreated to an inner sanctum of my 
mind.  Current events allowed me a modicum of peace, and at very least Kenchi 
was at my side, and I doubt even he would leave me to face some sort of 
attacker, assuming we lived long enough to defend ourselves if such a beast came 
forth.

	My meditation was extremely helpful, and I devised a plan for my next 
course of action.  I had no intention of following the Tengu decree, of course.  
I would comply for the time being so as to appease them, but there was simply no 
way I could stop being who I was.  Like Shuukou, I am forever intertwined with 
the magic that permeates my being now.  Without it, I could very well shrivel 
up and die.

	Through the course of the trip, I awoke numerous times, to orient myself 
and take care of the basic human needs.  Near the end of the trip, I awoke with 
a purpose, and confronted Kenchi.

	"You're not planning to follow them either."  I stated simply, not even 
opening my eyes to indicate I was done with my meditation.

	I heard Kenchi jerk in response but, aside from that, there was nothing 
other than the noises standard to bus travel.  I heard him take in a breath and 
hold it, as if he was weighing his response.  Finally, I heard his answer.  "Not 
as such."

	"Indeed.  I assume the only one who will put too much weight on their 
decree will be Judou, due to his own personal reasons.  And possibly Akari."  I 
frowned as I said her name though, at least internally.  Something was not right 
with Akari since we'd arrived at Aomori, but I had yet to ascertain exactly 
what.  I pushed that aside for the moment and continued before Kenchi noticed my 
worry.  "I suggest we go through the motions for the immediate future, and try 
to appease the Tengu.  But... I would ask a favor of you."

	I imagine Kenchi narrowed his eyes on me at that point, trying to predict 
what I would ask.  "And that would be... ?"

	"I will not be returning to my home, so as not to alert our pursuers.  
They found us there once, I do not wish to tempt fate.  However... I need 
certain instruments which I hid nearby before our departure.  I wish for you to 
retrieve them for me."  I let the words sit, for a moment, and awaited the 
inevitable question.

	"Why should I do that?"

	A small smirk crossed my lips, but I kept my tone neutral.  "It would be 
in our best interests to keep our guard up, and try to do as much as we can to 
prepare for the future.  I need my instruments for various tasks.  It would be 
mutually beneficial for you and I if I were allowed to complete these tasks."

	If he believed me, I could not be fully sure.  But after a minute of 
thought, he responded once more.  "Fair enough.  I'll do it, but only because I 
have time to kill this week."  Despite myself, I almost smiled at his thin 
attempt at humor.

	"Good.  Kenchi, I have a question, if I might be so bold."  I phrased this 
as delicately as I could, because even I have my boundaries on how far I would 
cross into someone's privacy.  The following question is not one I would 
appreciate, so I had no illusions on how Kenchi would perceive it.  "Did the 
priestesses tell you anything substantial, or were you given a task with unclear 
meaning?"

	Again I was met with momentary silence.  "They definitely gave me a new 
avenue to explore, but I don't have to find the holy grail or anything like 
that.  And no, nothing really substantial.  But I'd prefer not to go any further 
into it.  The same with you I assume?"

	"Quite.  That is another reason I need my instruments."  I promptly 
returned to meditating, and I'm fairly certain as I was finding my center that I 
heard Kenchi phrase a question to me, but I chose not to reverse my state at the 
time.

	The rest of the trip was in relative silence.  I awoke promptly when the 
bus stopped at our destination, and parted ways with Kenchi after revealing to 
him where he could reach me.  I found my way to a nearby pay-phone, and dialed 
an associate who owed me a rather sizable favor.  He discreetly came by and 
picked me up.  I instructed him to monitor my house for the next two weeks for 
me, and to drop me off at a certain monastery, and in exchange he would be in my 
debt no longer.

	Needless to say, he agreed and fulfilled my latter request.  Upon arrival 
I sought out the head monk of the monastery and requested to join their 
Gathering, pleading that I had lost my way in the world, and my ability to see.  
Without such, I could simply not live as I had been.  The monks took pity on me, 
and soon enough I was admitted into their fold.  Normally, I find things such as 
pity to be abhorrent, but I do admit that it has its uses when appropriate.

	And after that, I did more or less what the Tengu instructed.  I did work 
on enchanting a series of prayer beads with a series of protection spells, but 
other than that I attended meetings and prayer sessions with the other monks, 
and made no effort to contact the others. 

	Eventually Shuukou contacted me, and... ah.  I see.  She's already spoke 
to you about this?  Very well then.

	To make it short, I made her an offer and she refused it.  As she left, I 
gave her a set of prayer beads with a series of protection spells on them.  
Nothing extremely potent, but it did cover a few of the... basics.  I didn't see 
her again until the winter was over.

	The very next day, I had another visitor.  I stood in my room at the 
monastery quietly, enduring yet another one of my friend's amusement at my 
current state of dress.  Finally, Kenchi ceased in his inane ridicule of me.  "I 
brought your tools."

	I nodded politely in his direction, and asked, "Thank you Kenchi."

	"Well, then.  I better be off to try and figure out what exactly I'm 
supposed to do with my life now."  I heard Kenchi turn to leave.

	"Kenchi, wait.  There is something further I need to discuss with you."
I paused.  "It involves the others."

	What happened next was a pointless argument, which is prone to happen with 
either Kenchi or I is stressed beyond our normal capacities.  I'll avoid boring 
you with it.  Needless to say, we exchanged a few pleasantries, and had a 
discussion regarding who was more likely to do what given the current 
circumstances for our group.  We more or less agreed that Judou was likely to 
stick to the wording of his family's decree until forced otherwise.  Judou in 
fact sent me a letter that arrived later that week, stating as such, and that he 
was away 'sorting things out'.  Given the circumstances, no one, not even I, 
blamed him.

	In the end, Kenchi and I were discussing the possibilities of Judou's 
power being greater than we had thought thus far.  "You must remember this is 
only a rough theory. But his subconscious mind could have known of the attack 
through his power of visions. Remember, his visions can transcend time and 
reveal that which was, that which is, and that which might be."

	I was, of course, referring to the time Akari and Shuukou were aided by a 
flock of crows who simply gave their lives without any understandable reason 
other than to aid the girls.  At the time, I doubted it was Macha who was 
responsible, as she would have clearly bragged about our debt to her.  Nor were 
they Tengu, as the Tengu were too proud to let such a sacrifice go by unnoticed.  
Clearly, the crows were an unexplained factor, and all signs pointed to Judou's 
heritage as having the answers.

	At that point we ended our discussion.  Kenchi agreed to stay in touch, 
but was going to head east, to the outer regions of Tokyo, to look into what he 
thought to be his path, as laid out by the priestesses.  I was going to stay at 
the monastery for the time being and work on my various projects with my 
instruments.

	It was about a week or so later when Kenchi contacted me again.  Somehow, 
he managed to find a number for the monastery, and I found myself being escorted 
to a telephone I didn't even know existed.  "Soshi, we have a problem."

	From the tone of his voice, I could tell he was excited, and worried.  
"Akari."

	"... how did you know that!?"  His surprise indicated my guess was in fact 
correct.

	"I sensed something amiss with her when we parted ways, but I had not yet 
determined what.  Given that Judou is out of touch at the moment, and Shuukou 
was soon to be leaving, I surmise that the only real option is Akari.  She has 
been conspicuously absent, and like I said, I had felt something amiss."  I 
explained my reasoning as best I could, and as predicted, Kenchi was angry.

	"Why didn't you say something earlier?  I might've been able to go 
investigate or something... Shuukou sounded really shook up.  She said there's 
something wrong with Akari, and that she sent a package to your house."

	"Really, Kenchi.  I was not positive in my feelings until now, and I did 
not wish to send you on what is either a fool's errand or a potentially 
dangerous task.  I take it Shuukou is well?"  I tried to veil the concern from 
my voice, my time apart from everyone had allowed me the time necessary to build 
up my inner reserves of self dependence again.

	"Yeah, she's fine.  But she's gone.  She said she'll contact us later."  
Kenchi was worried too, but he didn't state it.  

	What was that?  Did I know about the Demon?  Why do you ask?  Do you not 
think I would have stated such, if it was true?  

	Ah.  Judou's father.  I see.  

- = - 

	What do you mean, tell the truth?

	Slow down now, and I'll tell you what you want to know...

	Okay, now ask again?

	Ah... I understand.  Yes, I suppose I did fib at that.  3 months, 3 weeks, 
what's the difference?

	There's no need for violence.  Yes, after I left Aomori, I returned to 
Tokyo briefly.  I saw Shuukou, and exchanged pleasantries, but I didn't wish to 
break my family decree, so I left her soon after.  I only stayed in Tokyo two 
days, before I headed off to... well I don't wish to get into that.  Ask Macha.

	But you've caught me.  I did lie.  I was back in Tokyo after three weeks 
from when my family gave us their verdict.  Why did I say three months 
originally?  

	Why not?  Maybe I'm just trying to remind you that you just think we're 
cooperating.  That we're really the ones who hold the cards you want.  Or maybe 
I'm just a fool who loves a good beat down from the guards too much.  Your call.

- = -

	Oh?  Soshi doesn't agree with me, you say?  Well isn't that most 
disconcerting.

	Perhaps you can clear up the point of confusion.  Ah, so he's saying that 
we had no idea about Akari when we met at the monastery, and didn't mention 
Judou's father at all.  

	So, you think I'm lying do you?  Why should you trust Soshi any more than 
me?

	Very well then, I'll give you a slight confession.  We're both lying.

- = - 

	"My father?  No, I don't know if he was in Tokyo while I was with Macha.  
If he did show up, the others didn't tell me, and that's the truth.  Whether or 
not I saw him during that time period... well, why don't you ask Macha that as 
well?"

	"Why am I smirking?  Oh, just a private joke that came to mind."

	Judou peered at his interrogator.  Obviously this man wasn't up to the 
caliber of his previous interrogator.  The cost they pay for questioning three 
of them at once.

	It was rather silly of them.  Honestly.  Did they all forget what's been 
said time and time again?

	Tengu's have rather exceptional hearing.  A low volume earpiece in 
someone's ear a foot away wasn't exactly the most discreet form of 
communication, and he had heard every word Soshi said explicitly.

	He had tried so hard not to smile when he heard Kenchi, and had proof 
finally that they were full of lies about his demise, but he'd still smirked in 
a sort of private contentment.

	Kenchi was alive.  Judou rubbed his nose thoughtfully.

- = -

	So, you wish to know about Judou's father.  Did he appear while Kenchi and 
I were talking?  Actually, yes he did.  There's only two ways you could know 
that though, and I know that Amano was not captured by you.  That would be an 
affront to the Tengu, and you could ill afford to directly anger them.

	Interesting.

	However, yes, I was remiss in noting his arrival.  I had just spoken to 
Kenchi about the possibility of Judou having repressed his powers.  

	"I find your argument most interesting, Soshi."  I recognized the voice 
instantly.  It was Judou's father.  Kenchi gasped beside me, and I fingered a 
set of beads in my pocket.  

	"What do you want, Kurasano-san?"

	"My son is in danger.  I will be following him shortly.  But I wished to 
confer with you, about this very manner.  Your words have been most insightful."  

	Given the circumstances, I chose to forgo unpleasantries.  "I'm glad we 
could be of service.  Are you going to report our breach of agreement to the 
rest of the Tengu?"

	"Of course he is, he's probably watching us for them!  I can't believe 
this!  They don't trust us at all!"  Kenchi was clearly irritated.

	"Indeed, they don't.  But they also don't care.  Their concern ended when 
Judou was exhiled from the clan, and when your deaths were faked.  What happens 
to you now, whatever that may be, is of no concern to them.  I am not here on 
their behalf.  I wish to help my son.  I've failed thus far, but I have to 
redeem myself as a father.  It simply cannot end like this."  

	I considered his words, it sounded quite conceivable that the Tengu were 
merely getting us out of their hair with the plan.  "Very well.  Is there 
anything else we could do for you, or are you done spying on us for the day?"

	He laughed again.  "You certainly are the brave one, I'll give you that.  
I don't know how, but I can sense that you are all in grave danger.  And with 
you, my son's fate also lies.  With him, the fate of my people might very well 
rest as well.  Be careful young ones, all is not as it seems."

	There was a sudden rustling, and a brief flash of power.  Kenchi's breath 
paused momentarily, and I the flap of a bird leaving through the open window.  I 
surmised that Amano changed shape and departed us then.  "Something is indeed 
wrong.  I have my suspicions Kenchi.  Go.  Do what you need to do, but be ready, 
for things aren't as docile as we might have thought."

	After that, everything I told you was true.  Kenchi received a call from 
Shuukou, and we both took action to investigate what was wrong with Akari.

	Kenchi, at that point was too involved in his... activities to involve 
himself directly.  Instead, he kept in contact with me, while I set about 
various investigations of my own.  I journeyed to my house, and found the 
package with the blade.  After examination, my worst fears were confirmed.  
Akari's aura was deeply surrounding the blade, as was that of... another.  
Something dark.  Something deadly.  Something... familiar.

	It was about a week later that Kenchi let me know that Judou had returned 
to Tokyo, none the worse for wear.  I told him what I had found, and we devised 
a plan.

- = - 

	Basically, Soshi wanted to use Judou as bait.  At first, I was dead set 
against it, and almost called Judou right away.  But after some discussion, 
Soshi convinced me.  We both knew something was possessing Akari, in fact, Soshi 
suspected it was the same beast that had possessed Phillipe.  Something about 
the feeling he got from the blade Shuukou sent him.  So I called Judou, and I 
forwarded him Shuukou's message without telling him what additional information 
I had.

	Soshi laid some pretty hefty enchantments on the knife, and then some more 
to mask the fact that it was enchanted.  Then he put it back in the packaging, 
and replaced Shuukou's letter with something a lot more vague, and less 
revealing.  We wanted Judou to know enough to make Akari nervous, but not enough 
to make him nervous.

	I hadn't counted on Judou having a vision though.  That accelerated things 
much faster than we had anticipated.

- = - 

	When Judou picked up the blade from my mailbox, I was there, lying in wait 
with Kenchi, with a powerful barrier between us and the naked eye.  Potentially, 
Judou could have seen through it, considering his own abilities.  Fortunately, 
he was either too distracted or not yet that advanced with his powers to notice.  
So when he left hurriedly to gather Akari, we followed him.  I redoubled the 
barrier when we actually arrived at Akari's, for detection by her would have 
spelled the end of the deception, and quite possibly of us.

	Fortunately, she was as unaware as Judou.  We followed as they got on the 
train, and barely made it onto the same train.  My enchantments made this a 
peculiarly easy task, not being seen but no one coming near us as well.  Neither 
of them noticed Kenchi and I as we watched them from a few rows back on the 
train.

- = - 

	So Soshi and I were basically spying on Akari and Judou.  We wanted to 
confirm what Soshi had felt, and also we kind of hoped that Judou had come back 
wiser and would sense what was going on and have some sort of solution for it.

	 I mean honestly, I didn't want to tangle with that thing again, if I 
could help it.  And Judou was the one who was closest to her out of all of us.  
If anyone could have saved her on instinct alone... it was him.  When we were on 
the platform though, even I could sense the energy building.  More than that 
though, I could sense the [hate] coming from her.  I'd never felt such an 
intense, and dark emotion from anyone, much less Akari.  Instantly, I knew 
Shuukou and Soshi were right in their suspicions.

	Even still, I was surprised when she pushed him.

- = - 

	I tumbled forward, down off the platform and onto the track.  I turned my 
head and saw the source of the roaring that had been building in my ears: the 
Kofu train, pulling into the station.  In its headlight I saw flashes of 
memories, all about me and Akari working together on the project, sharing joy, 
heartache, and terror as we uncovered the science of magic.  I remembered 
comforting her after that final, awful experiment, and vowing to myself that she 
would never face such a moment again.

	The train that was now less than ten feet away from me was a blessed 
relief.  It would forever erase from my mind the memory of how many times I had 
failed the woman I loved.

	But then I felt it.  In my hands.  The knife was... resonating.

- = - 

	I still can't believe what happened next.  One minute, Soshi was quietly 
kneeling beside me, maintaining his barrier, and suddenly, without more than a 
gasp from me, he was moving.  I wasn't sure how he knew, or what he was going to 
do, but he literally leaped from the platform and onto Judou.

	And then the train hit them.

- = -

	It barely had time to register.  I felt the knife resonating, I glanced 
down at it, and then my attentions were centered on the train once more.  I was 
just trying to move again, but I knew there was no hope.  Even if I could turn 
into a crow and fly away, I would be nothing more than feathers on its 
windshield.

	That's when I was suddenly bear-hugged by Soshi.  After that, there was a 
large crashing sound, and everything went black with a painful jarring.

- = - 

	I wish I could say I had planned every detail of the exchange, and had 
predicted every variable.  But it simply had not occurred to me that Judou would 
have a vision forewarning him of the danger posed by the demon.  It was this 
information that put it more in distress than I had anticipated, and it lashed 
out at Judou.

	I had prepared for an emergency of course.  The knife was enchanted with 
several protection from harm spells, intended to erect a barrier against a force 
that would harm Judou.  Also I made sure I could sense it at all times.  
Finally, at least in one sense, I wasn't completely blind.  The instant Judou 
was pushed off the platform, I knew where he was and what was happening.  The 
barriers on the blade didn't activate then because a push alone would not have 
physically harmed Judou, so the contact wasn't filtered.  Judou was not in 
danger from being pushed, he was in danger from being pushed in front of a 
large, moving vehicle.

	The mystical enchantments on the knife shrieked that the oncoming 
slaughter was beyond their capability to defend.  I didn't even think.  I didn't 
analyze the possible outcomes, I didn't weight the gains and losses of the 
moment.  There was no time.  I simply leapt.  

	I jumped straight at him, and when I landed on him I grabbed him as hard 
as I could while erecting the most powerful barrier I possibly could.  I suppose 
it was thoughtful of me to coat the blade of the knife with an invisible 
barrier, as Judou or myself would have likely been impaled on the blade then.

	The impact knocked us out, of course.  We bounced off the front end of the 
train like a soccer ball, and rolled quite a ways down the corridor.  If the 
train had not already been stopping at the platform, or if it hadn't been so 
damaged by the impact that they had closed the tunnel while trying to find the 
cause, I don't know if we would have survived.  The experience was... extremely 
taxing.

- = -

	That's when I found myself face to face with her.  It.  Whatever.  The 
demon that had possessed Phillipe, and was currently possessing Akari stared me 
right in the eyes, and didn't seem to be suffering any sort of side effects from 
doing so this time.

	Alone and without a clear plan of what to do, for once I myself was the 
one who was intimidated by such a direct stare.

*****

Author's Notes:  

Oh... my... God.  It's done.  I have like... 10 minutes before I have to go to 
work, and coming back I wouldn't have had time to write it before deadline.  I 
kept fearing a California blackout would hit me, and I think it might've hit a 
hub somewhere, as @home is down atm.  But I'm done.  Thanks go out to Ria for 
being gracious and understanding the California power crisis, Ard, Ciara, 
Phoebe, Angel, Dame, and various others in #HHHit for listening to me whine 
about the continuity errors of WoF and letting me bounce suggestions off of them 
on how to fix it.

That being said, I love this story.  I never read it, but I love it.  I'll try 
to maintain a steady readership until the climax.  I suggest that people stop 
foreshadowing as much, so we avoid nasty conflicts like the ones we had between 
Richard's chapter and Lady Chaos's.  But it was a mistake, it happens, no harm 
done.

I'm sorry about the partial retcon to chapter 27, but honestly, things were 
broken, and the only way to fix them was to employ the fact that these 
characters are capable of lying.  Good luck from here Storyteller, experience 
with WoF dictates that you'll need it! ^_^

Special prereader thanks go out to Phoebe & Ardweden, whose thoughtful C&C 
helped fix this chapter up a little bit.

ColdFury
3/19/01