Kurai Noboru's Story

"We've already been past three stops, genius." Kyo replied with a laugh.

"I'm sorry," a voice interrupted, "But I overheard you talking. Are you looking for a guild?"

The man that spoke was an odd sight. He had boarded the train at the last stop, but at the opposite end of the carriage to them. Only now had he drawn Kyo's attention. His skin was an unnatural pale grey, his eyes were bright, solid red, and his clothes stood out in bright colours. The other passengers gave him a wide berth.

Kyo fixed him with a suspicious stare, "Ah, yes. We are." she replied shortly. Her eyes wandered to the bo-staff on his back.

He smiled. "Well, you're in luck. I'm with Golden Phoenix, the best guild in the city. Whatever your problem, I'm sure we'll be able to help. You'll want to get off on the last stop, though - at the docks. I hope your friend can manage."

"I'm sure Masa has it in him." she remarked with a smirk, "He's lasted this long, after all."

"You are a demon, Kyo," Masaeyu moaned, resting his forehead on the table. He hadn't looked up once at the stranger.

Zhiya, however, had a hard time ripping her eyes away from the young man. Her lids pulled back just a little bit farther than normal in a bit of puzzlement. Her fingers drummed onto her knees- oh, stop staring, she chided herself, looking just past him.

"That's very nice of you to help us. Ah, thank you," she said to him.

Poor choice of words, Masa. Kyo thought as she shot him a glare. What if this stranger was a demon? He seemed nice enough, but he certainly looked like something ... well, evil. She mentally scolded herself for judging by appearances. If he was with Golden Phoenix, he was probably fine.

Kurai smiled and nodded. "It's no trouble. I'm on my way there now anyway, and helping you out means bringing business to my guild. It's a win win." he said, chuckling.

The train journey lasted another thirty minutes, but before too long, they pulled in at the final station - the docks. The doors opened and attendants began to walk down the carriages shooing any sleeping passengers or homeless people off. "Come on, Masa," Kyo said, hooking an arm under the man to help him up and towards the doors.

"Need a hand?" Kurai offered, grinning.

Kyo shook her head, "Nah, once I get him off this thing he can walk on his own. Whoever knew you were such a drama queen, Masa?"

Masa's forehead was pasted on Kyo's neck. "I'm not a drama queen..." he whined, squeezing her shoulder.

Zhiya rolled her eyes and shuffled along behind them, nudging Masaeyu with her foot. "Come on, now. The train's not even moving." She turned to Kurai and shook her head. "I'm sorry for his behavior. Completely unacceptable, I know."

"No need to apologise." Kurai shook his head, "It's not far from here, we're the building just over there." he pointed a short way down the docks, at a large three-storey building with a phoenix insignia displayed proudly at its front. "I can ask if anyone has any nausea medicine inside, as well." he chuckled.

Kyo nodded her head. "Thanks... though I'm not sure if it'll help. Maybe we can put him on a drip of it for the journey back. Or just knock him out."

"Is it just trains, or..?" Kurai raised a questioning eyebrow.

Kyo rolled her eyes. "I'm fairly sure I once saw him accidentally step on a wheeled pallet for carrying boxes of fish, roll three feet, and then get sick from it. So no..."

"... wasn't my fault," wept Masa. "It's a curse."

Zhiya's expression was fairly flat as she walked off the train. She clasped her hands behind her back and sighed. She just couldn't deal with the man the same Kyo could.

Instead, she leveled her sights on the guild building, expression once again turning to one of amazement. "That's quite nice," she expressed, lips pursed together.

Kurai led the group from Yosai Village into the Golden Phoenix Guild Hall only a minute or two after Nao had arrived with Tugark. He turned to them with a smile, "Wait here one moment, I'll get Shiori for you. She deals with incoming jobs."

He left them standing in the entrance-way to look over the bustling hall. Kyo's eyes widened at the sight - so many people of different creeds and talents in one place was astounding. "This place is amazing," she murmured, "It must be so exciting to be a member of a guild like this."