The Circle
By Nova

The crowd parted and lowered their eyes as the entourage passed.  A few brave souls dared to glance at the six figures as they moved down the street.  All wore black cloaks of varying shades.  Five warriors, marked by dull heavy leather and visible weapons, formed a protective pentagon. At the center walked the last individual in a shimmering silk cloak that floated with each movement.  The five point battle formation declared them to be of a noble house.  Not that this precaution was necessary against the seething masses around them.  Any one of the group had the power to kill all present.

They were of PeaceRift, the second chair of the Circle.  In this world where chaos reigned for so long, an uneasy peace was formed.  The Circle was the only law and the members had created a ridged order. PeaceRift ruled over its people with an iron fist and were known for punishing for the slightest offense.  The fear that their reputation generated protected them far better than any army.

No, that show of power was not for the populace.  The pentagon formation was a battle technique used only by the main houses.  Due to the massive energy levels needed only the most powerful warriors were capable of forming it.  They were telling all who watched that PeaceRift was ready for war and strong enough to win.

Seiji-No-Korin scowled as he watched the people of Dynasty cower and flee.  A few shakily stood their ground as the cloaked group passed.  He noted their family crests for later investigation.  Dynasty was the most powerful as the first seat of the Circle.  Unfortunatly, due to a couple civil wars and a low birth rate, they had too few soldiers. If war broke out they would be at a definite disadvantage. His gaze went back to the black group as they entered the first ring of the ruling house.  They would have to pass through 4 more defensive rings before reaching the actual compound.  There he would greet them and escort them to the Gathering Hall.

This was the first time in 100 years that the Circle would be coming together.  None of the five houses liked or trusted each other.  In the case of Suzaku and Dango it was out and out hate.  They would rip each other open if given the chance.  Anubis-No-Yami would have his hands full keeping the factions separated until the Circle was completed.

Seiji-No-Korin was careful to study the group as they waited.  The first figure at the point of the pentagon flipped its hood back.  The boy’s white hair gleamed even in the harsh lighting.  He gazed about him, than he tilted his head back and eyed the spot where Seiji stood.  Unconsiously, he took half a step back before catching himself, there was no way the boy could see him from this distance. Even those standing a foot away would be unaware of his presence, thanks to the illusion shield provided by Rajura-No-Gen.  Despite that, Seiji believed the boy knew he was there.

The other guards had now thrown back their hoods.  Seiji’s eyes were immediately drawn to the beautiful girl with a long braid as she gazed curiously around her.  He could not see her eyes, but he knew they would be sparkling with laughter and mischief.

The next soldier had black hair pulled back into a severe tail.  His golden skin gleamed with its own inner fire.  This was Wufei, the legendary Golden Dragon of PeaceRift, definitely the most dangerous member of the Dagger. He was the deliverer of justice with a reputation that spread throughout the world.  No one wished to be judged by the dragon.  Rumor had it that to be found guilty was to die, very few who stood before him have lived to tell the tale.

The other rear guard was basically nondescript. He would easily have been overlooked if not for the deadly looking bangs and half mask dangling around his neck.  Seiji could also identify this one as the assassin Trowa.  Unlike the others, he was not born in PeaceRift.  No one knew where he came from, but he had proven himself and quickly climbed the ranks to become a member of the Dagger.  From what his spies could tell him, only the Mistress trusted Trowa completely, the others kept a wary distance.  Gossip said that the assassin had been sent to kill the Mistress before he joined her Sword.

The last guard stayed close to the still cloaked Mistress.  He appeared to be listening to her.  ‘Had she so little power, that she had to speak to her own Dagger?’ Seiji wondered. ‘Mistress Mia can reach anyone she likes within her castle.’  Stepping back, the shaggy haired guard leveled a stare at the braided female.  She had wandered out of formation and hastily resumed her position.

Seiji’s breath caught in his throat as a moment later he watched a perfect battle pentagon form.  He could see the lines of energy connecting each guard to their mistress.  The pulse of their energy could be felt even where he stood almost half a mile away.  Once formed, the pentagon would hold until one or more of the guards died, depending on the strength of the Pillar.  In this case the Mistress controlled the force of the Pentagon.

A grim smile spread across his face.  Seiji was far from insulted at their actions.  It was a compliment to their reputation that the PeaceRifts feared them enough to be fully prepared for battle.

Servants directed the guests to the next gate, and he left to go meet this group that had gained his grudging respect, for he doubted his own group could have formed a stronger battle formation.    If they did meet in battle, even within their own kingdom, it would be a very close win.  ‘Let’s hope the Mistress of PeaceRift is as weak as she appears and not as strong as I fear.
 
 
 
 
 
 

He was impressed with the Pentagon.  Quatre communicated to his Mistress.

I knew he would be.  It was just the touch needed to maintain our image and show them respect.  Things should move smoothly for right now.

As if they deserve any respect.  Wufei’s thoughts grumbled along the link.

Wufei, you are the most well known of our group.  I am depending on you to keep a cool head.  Just follow my lead and hopefully we can resolve our disputes and leave quickly.

Of course my Mistress, I will not fail you.

See how far a little respect gets you?  Duo’s laughter bubbled through the link.

DUO!! Again Wufei’s temper began to rise.

Duo, please, she reprimanded.  The voice was soft and stern, but they could feel the repressed laughter and released tension in it.  Though he often irritated them, the rest of the Dagger were willing to forgive Duo if his antics relaxed their Mistress.  The happier she was the stronger her power.  She was never so powerful as when her laughter rang through the halls of their home.  At those times she touched everyone in the farthest reaches of PeaceRift.
 
 
 
 
 

Seiji-No-Korin stood at the gates patiently waiting.  A large warrior propped himself against the gate next to him.

“What do you want Kongo?” Seiji asked irritably.  They had not been on the best of terms since their last training match.  Shuu-No-Kongo had defeated him for the first time since they had met as young boys.  As they grew and trained together regularly, it had become more draws with only the occasional win for Seiji, but he had never lost.

That day Kongo came strutting into the training area bragging that he had learned a new move.  Seiji had to contain a smirk as Shuu-No-Kongo showed the technique, which consisted of a quick jab with his staff and scraping the spikes along the armor of his opponent. It barely made a scratch much less do any damage.  Kongo did his scrape move multiple times during their sparring, and it had not gained him anything. In fact Seiji had been able to land a few good hits because of it.  A bolt of lightning sent Kongo down on one knee; one more strike and the session would be his.  Surprisingly Kongo threw away his staff and grinned at him.  His armor began to glow as he called up his power.

Seiji, knowing how deadly Kongo’s attack could be, moved in to take him down quickly.  Relying on his speed, he closed the distance only to stumble when his arms refused to move.  His forearms slammed together, elbow to wrist, and pressed against his chest.  He was forced to drop the sword or slice his own face.  Thrown off balance he tumbled into Kongo’s waiting arms.  Shuu-No-Kongo grinned down at Seiji’s shocked face.

“How do you like my new move?”

“How?” Seiji’s voice was hard with frustration.  He still could not move his arms.

“You don’t give me enough credit.  Did you really think scratching your armor was all that I could come up with?”

“How?”

Shuu was continued to smile for a few moments allowing Seiji’s frustration to build.
“Every time I gave you a little scrape I was actually depositing metallic dust.  Then all I did was increase its natural magnetism.  And bang one captured Korin.”

It was a exceptionally effective attack too.  Kongo used very little of his power to hold him immobile.  “Forfeit?” he asked.  Since the first time he beat Kongo, he had demanded a forfeit.  Never having lost, he didn’t know what the Earth warrior would want.

“Don’t bite me.”  Kongo then took his mouth in a hard kiss.  Shuu did this like he did everything else, strong and dominating.  Seiji had to admit Shuu was damn good, but he refused to enjoy it.  Seiji-No-Korin was always in control.  Seiji-No-Korin never submitted to anyone - ever.

Kongo had chosen his forfeit carefully.  He knew all Seiji’s weaknesses, few that they were.  He hadn’t kissed Korin because he wanted another lover.  No, he did it because he knew Seiji would hate it.  If Kongo had been willing to play the uke then they would have been lovers long ago.  But he didn’t want Seiji; he wanted to crush his pride and arrogance.  The fire of anger burning in those purple orbs was all he could have hoped for.  Gone was the icy untouchable shell.  He could almost feel the flames of Korin’s rage wash over him.  What a perfect victory.

“Come on now, you aren’t still sore about our match are you?  If anyone should be angry it’s Touma.”

“Oh? Is he finally walking straight now?”

“He was when I saw him this morning, but there are no guarantees he will be when you see him next.”

Korin didn’t turn and see the smile playing around Kongo’s lips.  He would not give him the satisfaction of knowing how much the mention of Touma (his ex-lover and Kongo’s current one) irritated him.  The balance of power was shifting, and he feared his loss would be Shuu’s gain.

“Why are you here Kongo?”  The question came out calm and disinterested.

Shuu wasn’t fooled but was willing let it drop, quite satisfied with his small victory.  “Just wanted to get a look at our guests and to inform you that Millennium has been spotted entering our territory.  They should arrive some time tomorrow.”

“Fine, have you spoken to Yami about their arrangements?”

“No, but he is running around here somewhere, making the last preparations for PeaceRift.”

“So, what do you think of them?” Shuu asked curiously.

“I am not like you Kongo; I don’t make snap judgments.  I will wait and see if their reputation is deserved or not.”

Shuu ignore the implied insult, well used to Seiji’s need to ridicule him when ever possible. “But…?”

“My first impression was that they are a well matched and coordinated team.”

“So, you think they may be a challenge?” he asked eagerly.  His blood heated at the thought of a real battle.  Not like the petty skirmishes he usually had to deal with, but an actual fight against a worthy adversary.

“Looking forward to battling The Golden Dragon of PeaceRift?”

“Oh yes, now that I’ve defeated you I need a new challenge,” Kongo tossed casually over his shoulder as he walked away.

Watch yourself Kongo. Don’t push me too far or you will regret it.  He just hoped if the time came he would be powerful enough to do something about it.
 


Disclaimer:  I do not own any rights to Gundam Wing, Ronin Warriors or any characters contained herein.  They are the sole property of their creators, producers, and affiliates.