The door opened with a soft creak and a pair of blue green eyes widened at what they saw. The place was furnished the same as it had been, but a lot of things were missing. The TV, the stereo, just about anything electronic or of value. For a moment, she wondered if he had left...

"Chris?" She called out tentatively, stepping into the hall. Cheree let out a long sigh of relief when her call was answered from the bedroom.

"I'm back here, no da!"

When she appeared in the doorway, she saw him packing a few things, clothes mostly. He was in his normal shirt and jeans, the costume from the other night folded on the bed. He looked up at her then with a smile, then went back to his work.

"What are you doing?" She leaned against the door frame, crossing her arms over her chest as she watched him curiously.

"Packing... I've got to get to New York." His tone was matter-of-fact... as if this wasn't a whim but something that he absolutely had to do. She couldn't hide the look of shock on her face and she moved as if to speak but he beat her to it, looking up and seeing her expression. It only took him a few long strides to come to stand in front of her, his hands resting on her shoulders. "It's summer... you aren't in school right now, no da. I was going to ask you to come with me?" He smiled softly to her, tilting his head to the side to gauge her reaction. "I have to... I... I think one of the other seishi is there, and he's in trouble."

She just blinked, looking up at him questioningly. "Trouble... who?"

He didn't answer, he simply moved to the small television that he still had in his room and pushed a tape into the VCR. "I saw this last night, no da. It was all over the news. If the others have discovered their identities, I hope they saw it as well. Right now, it's all we have to go on." Cheree watched the screen, moving closer and sitting on the bed as the picture resolved. It was a clip from the news.

"...No further information is known about the assailant save for a vague description given by the intended victim. Some are touting the flame throwing vigilante as the city's hero, but police are still questioning whether this loose cannon should be allowed to roam the city. The female victim, whose name is being withheld, was apparently under assault in Central Park when the red-haired youth intervened, saving her from possible attack but nearly causing the death of her assailant. She refused to give any further information when it was discovered that her rescuer is now wanted by the police."

She let her breath out then, not even realizing that she'd been holding it during the broadcast.. "Tasuki..." It wasn't a question, but a confirmation. Chris simply nodded and pushed the last few articles of clothing into his bag.

"He needs help and I'm going." He turned, placing the pack next to the door and turned to her. "You know more about me right now than I do, no da. I want you to go with me, if you would?" His expression was almost pleading and for a moment he looked nearly helpless... lost in the events of the past days, everything had been so sudden. All she could do was nod, moving towards him and holding him close.

"I won't leave you... I'm going." She smiled then, looking up to him and bringing her hand against his cheek. They remained there for a few minutes longer before she reluctantly pulled away, heading for the door. "But I do have to pack. I'll be back within the hour!" With that, she was gone. Chris fell onto the bed, his eyes glancing towards the television where the still image showed a rough sketch of the 'vigilante'. If one looked at it closely, you *might* be able to make out Tasuki's basic appearance. It'd be a while before they found him.

"Tasuki... just hang on. We're coming."

Ren started slightly, lifting his head and glancing around quickly. Had someone called him? He'd been on edge ever since he'd gotten back to his apartment. The events of the previous night had left him visibly shaken, and when he'd woken up this morning, he had thought at first that it was nothing but a dream. It was a nice thought... and one that was shattered the moment he moved, sending a wave of pain up his right arm. Looking down, he'd seen the self-inflicted wound... the one that he'd done when the mark first appeared.

It had been shock, he was certain. Christ, it wasn't every day that some glowing character just appeared out of no where. Cursing softly, he only glared at his arm, wondering why the hell it was that he couldn't live a normal life. Getting kicked out of damn near every school he'd ever been in wasn't normal... neither was leaving home at 15 just because patricide, no matter the reason, wasn't looked upon highly. It was either he left, or something was going to snap. He'd done fairly well since then, even finished high school when everyone thought he'd just drop out. That was the end though... and he learned fast enough that one didn't need a degree to get places. Hell, knowing computers had gotten him to New York after all, instead of being stuck in Backwoods, Iowa for the rest of his life.

It was here that he'd met Jason, and the two had struck up an instant, if not tremulous friendship. Most people swore that they would kill each other, and at times it seemed that they just might. But it never happened. They were too close to do that. If one got too pissed, he'd just go away for a day or so and then come back, annoying as ever.

*BANG* *BANG* *BANG*

Speak of the devil...

Ren pulled himself to his feet, moving to the door and stopping an instant before he would have opened it. Not a good idea... what if it was the cops? he looked through the peekhole and was relieved to see Jason standing there, looking as though he was about to go into his 'knock, knock' tirade again. Pulling the door open, he reached out and yanked his friend into the room, closing the door swifty behind him. The younger man looked confused for a moment and then saw the bandage that was wound around Ren's forearm. He sighed, falling into a chair and rubbing his eyes before looking up to his friend.

"It was you, wasn't it..." The silence that met his question and the expression of slight fear on Ren's face was all the answer he needed. "Jesus, man, what have you gotten yourself into this time? The cops are looking for some berzerker vigilante and it's only a matter of time before they find you!"

Ren dropped to the floor, sitting as he normally did, with his elbows on his knees, his hands raking through his hair as he tried to think. Jason was right... it was only a matter of time. How the hell could he explain what happened? 'Gee, officer, it was the fan. I don't know what happened, it just spouted fire.' Yeah right... they'd lock him up in the fucking nuthouse for that one. "What am I going to do, Jas..." His voice sounded small... scared. It was the first time Jason could ever remember him sounding like that.

"I dunno, man... we'll think of something. Maybe you could just turn yourself in?"

The thought of his explanation went through Ren's mind again and he couldn't stop himself from laughing dryly. "Oh yeah.. that would go over REAL well." He fell back, laying against the carpet and staring up at the ceiling. "I could tell them the truth, and they'd have me committed. I could tell them a lie, and they'd figure it out, demand the truth, and the same thing would happen. To be honest, I don't know what the fuck happened, I just know that what happened wasn't what I saw."

Jason looked confused, but listened. His gaze focused on his friend and he leaned forward, resting his arms against the side of the chair. "What the hell DID happen, Ren?"

He had been expecting that question... his hands rubbed his eyes for a moment and he took a deep breath. Might as well just spill it. If anyone knew he was crazy, it was Jason. When he started to speak, it was hesitant... but then the entire story came out in a torrent. He told everything... the tessen in the hall, the symbol appearing on his arm... the research he'd done... his flight to anywhere but here... winding up in the park... seeing the attack... and then, seeing the scene shift into something he'd never witnessed, but saw as clearly as if it was etched in his mind. "I reacted... it's all I could do." He whispered, staring at his hands. "I couldn't let him be killed again... not while I was able to do something. I didn't see the guy, I saw Ashitare. I didn't see the girl, I saw Nuriko fighting for his life...." His words trailed off and he closed his eyes, covering them with his hands.

Jason simply sat in silence, his mind going over all he'd just been told. It was hard to believe... but Ren may be a lot of things, he wasn't a liar. It was all just overwhelming. If what he said was true, then he was a reincarnated warrior from ancient times. Did reincarnation exist? Shaking his head softly, Jason turned to Ren once more. "I believe you..."

He'd been waiting for the reprimand, waiting for the shouts of insanity... but he hadn't been ready to hear that. Ren sat up, looking at Jason in disbelief. "That easily... you can listen to all that and just agree that easily??"

"Yeah... that's what friends are for, right? You wouldn't lie to me, Ren. I know that." Jason paused, glancing up towards the ceiling in thought. "Besides... ever since I met you I've just had this feeling that we already knew each other. Maybe if you're a reincarnation, so am I." He shrugged then, leaning back in the chair. "Either that or we're both fucking crazy."

Ren smiled then, nodding faintly. Leave it to Jason... he always did know how to make someone feel better, no matter the situation. "Whatever happens, Jas... you're the only friend I've got."

Jason nodded, returning the smile. "Someone's got to put up with you, right?"

The plane had just taken off, Chris sat next to the window, looking out at the ground below as it passed. Too long... why did everything have to take so long? He was hoping they'd get there before Tasuki went completely off the handle. Cheree sat next to him, just watching him in silence. There was nothing to say that would make this wait any better... all she could do was reach over and take his hand into hers, squeezing it gently. He turned towards her then, smiling in response. His one good eye reflected the doubts he had... but he knew they'd all come through it somehow.

They had to.

To Chapter 2