Kichi! 

Episode 3-- Toto, I Don't Think We're In Tokyo Anymore!

by Erin Ellis

   Samantha felt... disconcerted.  Yes, that was a good word for it.  In 
the past two hours or so, she'd appeared in a strange, unfamiliar world, 
been told she was to save said world, and been shot at.  Not only shot 
at, but actually _shot_.  As all of these were rather new, unusual and 
not entirely pleasant experiences, she was feeling a bit out of it.
   She'd always liked to think life was toying with her, and it liked 
keeping her off balance.  First it was the unexpected move to Japan.  
Now it was this other world... wherever the hell she was.  A normal girl 
would sit down and cry.  But Sam prided herself on not being normal.  
So, she balled up all her confusion and most of her logic, and calmly 
threw them away.  Life wouldn't get the best of Samantha Kouketsu so 
long as she had something to say about it.
   However, that didn't reduce her anger, or stress, or tiredness from 
running from guards, or (not that she would admit it) fear.  So she felt 
it was okay to allow herself a little release.

			*	*	*

   "AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!" Samantha raged.  For the third time in the 
last half hour.
   "Simmer down, Sam," Tenzil advised, tiredly.  "We've got a ways to 
go.  Besides, there's nothing you really can do about it now.  It seems 
you'll have to stay with us until we figure a way to get you back 
through the Gate."  Tenzil neglected to include the fact that he really 
didn't believe they had the power to return her... Even if they *could* 
get the Gate open again, who was to say what it would do, or where-- or 
more importantly, *when*-- it would take her?
   "You can't fight destiny.  Even if, as you say, you weren't supposed 
to save the world, that's what you'll do all the same.  The Gate brought 
you here for a purpose.  You have to follow it."  Kichi smiled.  "So... 
Let's get going!  Let's save the world!"
   Teeth clenched, Samantha looked as if she was having a great deal of 
trouble resisting the urge to strangle the overly cheerful girl.  Tenzil 
couldn't really blame her...  Kichi's pious, idealistic prattle was 
getting rather trying.  The Goddesses-- and their creation, the Gate-- 
weren't nearly as benevolent as she made them seem.  They'd definitely 
have to hold palaver about that...  His head snapped up as he sensed 
eyes watching him.
   "All right.  I'll help you on your revolution," Sam conceded, 
markedly calmer.  "Anything, so long as I can go home.  So... What do we 
do first?"
   Tenzil looked around furtively.  "Well..." he said in a low voice, 
"first we do something about the gang of kobolds following us."
   "Kobolds?  What're they?" Sam asked.
   Kichi casually surveyed the area.  "I see them," she whispered.  
"About 5 or 6, right?"
   "Yes.  I'll need time to cast.  Do we need to run or can you defend 
against them?"
   The elf nodded.  Her hand moved to her belt buckle.  "I can hold my 
own."
   "Hey.  What's a kobold?  And why are you speaking like this?  I don't 
like the direction this conversation is going."
   "Stay back, Samantha.  We'll take care of this."  Hopefully.  Tenzil 
wasn't sure of the elf's skill, especially since she only seemed to 
carry a dagger.  And he knew he couldn't handle too many more spells.  
Damn.  He hated depending on luck.  Unfortunately, that might be all 
that would help them.

			*	*	*

   The kobolds were closing in, making primal grunting noises.  Samantha 
shrank closer to Tenzil, as Kichi moved forward, addressing them.
   "Come out, beasts.  We know you're there."
   Three kobolds stepped from the shadows.  They were hideous beasts, 
stumpy and misshapen humanoids dressed in hides.  Their tan? red? skin 
was almost competely covered in dirt.  Two small horns protruded from 
their heads.  The leader (he could be told by an ill-fitting chain mail 
headpiece he wore... in any other situation it would look quite comical) 
stepped forward to address them.  Finally, and with great difficulty, he 
spoke: "You invade our land."
   "We're sorry for the inconvenience, we're just passing through."  
Tenzil spoke in a soft, soothing voice that seemed to emit liquid calm.  
"We mean no harm to you or your land.  Please let us pass, and we'll 
never trouble you again."
   The kobold leader stopped to consider this.  His face contorted, as 
if he were fighting something inside him.  Then he shook his head and 
stepped forward again.  "You invade our land," he repeated, stronger.  
He brandished a bastard sword, indicating that they would not be allowed 
to pass.
   Kichi frowned.  "If that's the way you want it... KICHI!"  At this 
cry, she was encompassed by a golden glow, flowing from her belt buckle 
to her right hand.  The light coalesced into a beautiful sword.  
Expertly handling the weapon, she angled it so its keen edges could be 
better seen in the moonlight.  "Now," she said, voice hard.  "Would you 
reconsider?" 
   In reply, the two henchmen pulled short swords and rushed her.  She 
met them with a short grunt and engaged them.   Skilled with the sword, 
she parried most of their blows.  However, this left her little 
opportunity to attack.  She edged backwards, losing ground.
   "Was this what you meant when you said you'd 'take care' of this?  
This isn't ver--" Sam's rant was interrupted by a hard yank backwards.  
"What the--"  She stopped, seeing the blade in the space her head was a 
minute ago.  
   The kobold was beaten back by a gnarled, wooden staff.  "You'd better 
pay more attention, or you'll never get back home," Tenzil scolded, 
turning towards her.
   "Look out!" she shouted, pointing at the second kobold rushing to 
stab him in the back.  She averted her eyes as it slashed at him... and 
caught nothing but air.  He was gone-- behind them.  Mumbling...
   "/FLAME!!/"  The two kobolds attacking them, as well as one of those 
on Kichi, instantly caught fire.  Realizing that they were burning, the 
beasts panicked, running aimlessly.  Kichi and Tenzil took advantage of 
the confusion, he with his staff, and she with her sword.
   The kobolds taken care of, Kichi reapproached the leader.  "Well, it 
seems the issue is decided."
   It grunted in reply.  Out of the shadows emerged more kobolds.  A lot 
more.  A whole lot more.  Kichi steeled herself.  Tenzil was unmoving.  
Samantha turned to him.  "Well?"
   Tenzil took a deep breath, as if having made a decision.  "Run.  I'll 
take care of them.  You just get out of here," he whispered.  Turning 
away from them, he began chanting softly.
   Sam glanced furtively at Kichi, who was slowly backing towards the 
tree line.  Figuring the dramatic moment had gone on long enough, Sam 
followed, at an admittedly brisker pace than she'd planned, not that she 
was scared or anything.  Tenzil continued to chant, now adding some hand 
motions into the mix.  This seemed to intimidate the kobolds, as they 
paused in their pursuit.  The air hung still, as if all wanted to know 
just what Tenzil was casting.
   ".../GRAND FIRE!!/"  With a terrific explosion, the entire group of 
kobolds were engulfed in flames.  Screams of terror racked the air, 
though, oddly, there was no smoke.  "Run!" he called, racing towards 
them.
   "Why?" Sam challenged.  "You just burnt them to a crisp!"  She heard 
a slight intake of breath from Kichi. The elf then ran into the woods.  
"Hey, what..."  Sam looked back at the clearing, confused.  The kobolds 
were coming.  The fire was gone, and they were coming.  And they looked 
mad.  "Oh, sh--"
   "COME ON!!" Tenzil yelled, not waiting for her to move, instead 
grabbing the girl about the waist and running with her under his arm.
   And they were running again.  Damn.

			*	*	*

   The palace was in an uproar.  There had been a small earthquake-- a 
tremor, really, centered under the castle.  'An ill omen,' Kyosei mused.  
What could it portend?
   "Emperor Kyosei!"  The sentry stood at attention in the doorway until 
recieving a small nod.  "I bring news from the mountains.  The Gate has 
been opened!  Guards were unable to find the infiltrators and are 
searching the area."
   The Gate!  He should have known.  Well, he'd expected this, hadn't 
he?  "Find whoever is responsible for this, and whatever came from the 
Gate, and bring them here to me."  Kyosei turned away as the sentry 
saluted and left.
   "So it begins," creaked a figure melding from the shadows.
   Kyosei frowned.  He hated it when he did that.  "Advisor Daraku, back 
so soon."  
   The emperor was an imposing man, tall without being towering, and 
broad without being musclebound.  His long black hair he kept brushed 
back off his face, where it tumbled down to rest on his shoulders.  
Wearing the traditional robes and headband of an elven ruler, he 
radiated the aura of a leader; stately without being overly showy.  
   This was in sharp contrast to the man Kyosei now shared a room with.  
Kangen Daraku was an ignominious and evil looking man, his looks more 
akin to a beggar than emperor's chief advisor.  His formal robes drooped 
over his gaunt frame.  His eyes were sunk deep into his skull, the right 
one scarred and glowing a faint red.  A dingy non-color, his hair hung 
limp from his head in a sad imitation of Kyosei's.  He was a half breed 
of some sort, his ears small and pointed at the top.  Dark, beady eyes 
against skin pale as snow completed the picture.
   The lean man cracked a wicked smile.  "Why Emperor Hanjo Kyosei, you 
don't seem happy to see me.  Me, your most loyal and trusted confidant."
   "Confidant, yes.  The other two?  I don't think so," the Emperor 
muttered under his breath.
   "Such evil thoughts!  Don't forget who got you to where you are," 
Daraku growled, voice suddenly dark.
   "And don't forget who is the advisor, and who the Emperor," Kyosei 
replied, matching the former's tone.  "I've killed men for less 
disrespect."
   "But you won't kill me," Daraku laughed.  "Nor will your men find the 
Chosen One."  So someone *had* come from the Gate.  "Not today, anyway.  
Not unless someone shows them where-- and _how_-- to look."
   "And that someone is you?" Kyosei asked.
   The other man just grinned evilly.  "At your leave I'll take command 
of the operation."
   Kyosei turned away.  _Again_ he'd been manipulated into depending on 
Daraku.  He may have been the emperor, but in his relationship with his 
chief advisor, Kyosei was the one following orders.
   "Report back once you've found something.  Remember-- I want them 
alive."
   "Sire," he said mock formally, disappearing into the shadows once 
more.
   The man finally gone, the Emperor found his thoughts turning to his 
Chief Advisor.  He was a skilled sorceror, that Kyosei knew, perhaps 
even with enough power to be a wizard.  But Daraku was evil, that Kyosei 
also was sure of.  And it wasn't smart to deal with evil, much less 
employ it.  However, as they say, keep your friends close, and your 
enemies closer.  The only problem being, when you get close to someone, 
they tend to become close to you, whether you like it or not.  And you 
tend not to be able to get away.  This Kyosei knew very well.
   He reached into his robes and pulled out a well worn paper.  On it 
was sketched a beautiful elven woman with a reserved smile and sad eyes.  
"Ayu..." he whispered.  "Please forgive me..."
   He began shaking, fists clenched.  "Damn!" he snarled, voice full of 
rage, punctuated by slamming his fist to the desk.  "Damn him for doing 
such evil!"  His voice began to falter.  "And damn me for being too much 
of a coward to stop him."

			*	*	*

   Kichi was at a loss.  Despite a few minor setbacks, the Gate not 
giving them the Hero, and then being thrown together with a 
less-than-stellar mage and being chased by lots of different things, her 
quest was going according to plan.  Well, no, that was incorrect.  Once 
the Gate opened, her plan had collapsed and begun a long, drawn-out, 
painful death.  But that was okay, she could adapt.  When life gives you 
lemons, make lemonade, right?
   And everything wasn't going that badly, right?  When it started 
raining, at least the kobolds stopped chasing them.  They had seen the 
Imperial soldiers in time to avoid them, even if that meant they had to 
stay away from the town.  And even though she didn't have the foggiest 
idea where she was, Kichi had found a little cave to hide in, so they 
wouldn't have to drown in the deluge outside, and Tenzil had magicked up 
a fire, and it was all quite cozy... for a cave, anyway.  Either way, 
they finally could rest, and she would make a new plan, one that would 
work.
   The Goddesses were counting on her, apparently; she'd have to awaken 
the talent hidden within the Chosen One, Samantha, and Tenzil... well, 
so long as he was helpful he could stay.  Either way, Kichi would 
continue on, for peace, justice, and revenge.  Of course, peace and 
justice sounded a lot nobler, so she'd leave out the revenge part... for 
now.  And maybe, just maybe, she could whip her two companions into 
shape... but only if they'd stop bickering long enough for her to get a 
word in.
   "Okay, magic-boy, what the hell was that?!" Samantha asked, livid.  
"First, that fake spell.  Then, you carry me around like a football... 
what sick, twisted fantasy did *that* fulfill?"
   Tenzil flushed, embarrassed.  "Look, there were too many to handle, 
so I had to do an illusion.  It worked pretty well, considering.  I 
mean, illusory *heat* is kinda hard..."  He faltered at her expression.  
"What do you want from me?  I'm not a Wizard!"
   "Darned skippy!"
   "Hey!"  Kichi stood, ending the argument.  "Keep it down... you two 
are loud enough to wake the dead!  We're trying *not* to be noticed."
   "Well, if the 'chosen one' would choose to close her mouth..."
   "Well, if he didn't do stupid stuff so I'd be forced to rag on 
him..."
   Kichi turned away.  Get control.  Deep breaths.  In.  Out.  Okay.  
She faced them again.  "So.  We need to determine what we're going to do 
now."
   "You break into the GateWay Temple, open the Gate, and don't have a 
definitive plan?" Tenzil asked in disbelief.
   "I had a plan.  It involved the Hero coming, and taking control from 
there."
   "So much for that.  Now what?" Samantha asked.  "What are you even 
trying to get out of this?  You keep talking about 'saving Gokashi'...  
Why?"
   Un.  Search for an acceptable answer.  "Well... the land is 
corrupt... people need help..."  Kichi looked to Tenzil for help, but he 
offered nothing but a questioning stare.
   Sam frowned.  "Don't give me this humanistic BS, 'cause I don't buy 
it for a second.  What do *you* get out of all this?  You rescue the 
wizard and get a prize?  Overthrow the emperor and take his place?  
What?"
   The emperor...  "It's... personal," Kichi replied, cheeks turning 
crimson.  Samantha would never follow her if she knew the real reason 
Kichi called her.  She couldn't tell them...
   "Hmph," the human snorted.  "Drag me all the way to who knows where, 
and don't even tell me why...  How do you like that?"
   "Everyone has their secrets," Tenzil answered, darkly.
   "Oh, really," Sam mused.  She looked as if she wanted to continue, 
but instead was silent.
   "An-anyway..." Kichi continued.
   "You should look for the Nine Wizards," Tenzil remarked.
   "No," Sam stated.  She crossed her arms, facing the other two.  "I'm 
not doing a single other thing until I know exactly what's going on.  
You two are hiding stuff, and if we're going to be traveling and 
fighting and whatever people do in these adventure stories, we've gotta 
have trust, right?  So spill your guts."  Outburst complete, she plunked 
down before the fire, face a determined mask.
   Kichi and Tenzil looked at each other.  He shrugged and sat.  Kichi 
followed suit.  Samantha was right.  A cohesive group couldn't have 
secrets.  But...

------------------------
Author's Notes
--
This one's kinda long, ne?  I've been done with all but the end for a 
while... I can't get it right!  Help...  Anyway, hopefully I can wrap up 
all introductory stuff in Chap 4 so I can start the multi-author.  
Anyone interested or with questions can write to me, or to my web email 
(tina97@mailexcite.com)

Kichi online!  http://members.tripod.com/~tina97/kichi


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