Cross was the first off the ship, his baggage left behind in his haste to remove himself from the torment that the sea threatened. With one hand clutching his chest, he stumbled down the pier before throwing himself unceremoniously to the ground.

"Ground, Dirt, Land," he breathed out, curling his fingers against the dirt and filling his palms. "I've missed you."

The patter of hasty footsteps drew him to look to his right.

Misa's slim figure hurtled passed him before launching into a nearby tree. Without so much as a glance back at her party, she quickly shimmied her way up to the thick branches and tore off through the foliage. Cross watched her go without saying anything. He knew well enough that he wouldn't be able to stop her and he doubted she would be able to get into much trouble.

Probably.

On second thought maybe he should have stopped her.

"Right, then." Cross pushed himself up and dusted off his clothes. "What can't be helped, can't be helped."

"Hmph, what a surprise. You're still saying things like that."

Cross glanced towards the voice. An almost-smile slipped onto his lips. "Oh, so they sent you. Quite the welcoming party."

"Cross?" Lexi stopped beside him, shrugging off his pack and handing it to him. She looked at the girl that was standing in front of Cross. She had straight black hair, narrow eyes and a delicate face that was set into a deep scowl aimed squarely at Cross. Lexi found her somehow familiar, but she couldn't quite place how. "Do you know this person?”

"Of course," Cross waved his hand towards the girl as the rest of the group arrived. "This is Tomo. Tomo Feng. The Feng family are the owners of the Tenchi temple and a few other ventures. "

"I see. It's a pleasure to meet you, I am Alexis Shadowhart." Lexi extended her hand.

"The pleasure is mine," Tomo said, her scowl faded into a polite smile. Her voice was soft. "I hope you enjoy your stay here in Tejko. Jiana has arranged for a relaxing and rejuvenating stay while you are in our care."

"And I'm Romeo!" Romeo said, brushing Lexi aside and taking Tomo's hand. He moved to bring it to his lips when he was abruptly sent stumbling back and fell to the ground. Confused he looked down at his chest. There was a small hole in his shirt and the skin beneath was beginning to darken with a bruise.

Cross clicked his tongue "Right, I should have mentioned that she's only shaking hands to be polite. The usual Tejkin greeting is to simply bow your head unless you're extremely familiar. Tejkins consider personal space to be extremely important, almost scared. Especially for Tejko Tenchi practitioners."

"Why is that?" Lexi asked, not overly worried about Romeo.

"Most Tenchi techniques rely on physical or near physical contact to be used effectively." Tomo said, her eyes flicking to Cross. The scowl returned to her face.

"Then you are a practitioner?" Lexi asked.

"Yes," Tomo said quietly. She tried to return the polite smile to her face, but seemed incapable of fully achieving the feat.

"I see," Lexi glanced at Cross. "So, you two met through the temple?"

"Something like that.”

"Our familiarity is simply a burden that I am unfortunate enough to bear.” Tomo said flatly. The dirt beneath her feet began to waver. "I'm shocked you can even bring yourself to return here."

"You're going to burst a blood vessel again." Cross said nonchalantly as he shouldered his pack into a more comfortable position.

"You are an insult to the Tenchi style and if it were up to me…" Tomo went silent as Makina suddenly pushed her way to the center of the group.

"This is all very interesting to you mortals, I am sure, but I have been standing here for what feels like an eternity and I shall wait no longer. Now Cross, you may take my things. You there, Tama or whatever, where are our accommodations for this stay?"

Tomo seemed to remember where she was and exactly what she was supposed to be doing. The almost-polite smile returned to her face. "Of course, please, follow after me. It's only a short walk from here.

"Walk?" Makina balked. "Do you not have a carriage prepared? What kind of pathetic excuse for a host are you?"

"You can't hurt this one." Cross said, sliding in front of Makina just as Tomo began to turn around. "Even if she deserves it."

Tomo glared at Cross for a moment before turning back forward. "As I was saying, it's only a short walk from here. Now if you would please follow me."

"Wait." Lexi looked over the group. "Where is Banksy?"

"Banksy?" Romeo touched his chin thoughtfully. "What is a Banksy? That name doesn't ring a bell."

Lexi stared at him. "…Romeo."

"Oh, come on, he'll be fine. He's the lock picker. Being locked in the bathroom should be a cinch for him to deal with. And by locked, I mean someone pushed a very heavy container in front of the door. Pranked!”

Romeo threw both his hands up in the air. The fact that no one else was celebrating with him did not seem to bother him in the slightest. It was only the sound of a loud curse echoing from down the pier that caused his smile to fade.

"Ah I guess he did get out. Damn, I was hoping the boat would leave first." Romeo muttered as Banksy, out of breath and with a sheen of perspiration on his face, came racing down the pier to meet them.

"You. Bastard." Banksy heaved. "Do you know how heavy that was?"

"Not heavy enough, I guess. Ah well. I guess we can leave now, lead the way Tomo!"

"Oh," Banksy grinned. "You sure you want to go already? Might want to reconsider that."

Romeo narrowed his eyes. "Why's that?"

"Dunno," Banksy sauntered by him, his breathing coming back under control. "I hope none of your precious projects were taken out of your suitcase and are now stuffed down a toilet on the ship."

"You didn't!" Romeo slammed his case on the ground and flipped the latches. It was only just as he began to open the case did he realize the mistake he may have made. "Oh, you brilliant son of a bitch."

A blast wave emanated out from Romeo's case, lifting the Lightning Mage's body from the ground and launching him high into the air and back towards the pier. An angry shout escaped his lips as he easily cleared the pier, passing by the ship, before he crashed into the ocean with a loud splash.

"Boom!" Banksy cawed, pumping his fist into the air. "Concussion bomb combined with trajectory calculations to launch you into the GOD DAMN ocean! Math and Bomb Pranked!"

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

As Banksy did a very unfortunate victory dance, Lexi gave Tomo an apologetic look.

"I promise they will be on their best behavior."

Stunned, Tomo said nothing, her month hanging open ever so slightly before clearing her throat and nodding. "Then we should be on our way. A meal has been prepared for your arrival."

Makina tugged on Lexi's sleeve as they followed after Tomo, leaving Banksy behind to continue his dancing. "Was it this bad before?"

Lexi frowned. "We haven't even begun, Maki. We haven't. Even. Begun."

"Tch, what boorish behavior." Makina pranced forward and matched her pace with Tomo and began to ask a series of rapid-fire questions. Tomo did her best to answer with polite, yet curt responses.

She was clearly not well suited to the position of host.

Cross and Lexi followed behind at a slower pace while Banksy waited behind, though it was not out of concern. He simply wasn't finished with his victory dance.

It was not a dance worth continuing, but no one had the heart to tell him that.

"It has been a few years since you've been here, hasn't it?" Lexi asked as they walked through a small market. A few of the locals shot them curious looks. "I remember how upset you were at the prospect of travel."

"Five." Cross answered, his hand coming up to rub at his temple.

"It seems you made a good impression then." Lexi nudged him with her shoulder.

Cross smiled lightly, though his fingers began to work against his temple at an even faster rate. "Oh, of course. Wouldn't want to embarrass the guild."

"Or your Leader."

"Or my Leader," Cross agreed with a small nod. "Though, you weren't my Leader then."

"I was and I wasn't."

"Leaning more towards the wasn't."

"I am now."

"Is that so?"

Lexi flashed her ring at him. "It is."

"So, don't embarrass you now, right?"

"I think that goes without saying."

"Understood.” Cross said softly. "Hey, we're almost there. Could you hold this for me?"

He handed Lexi Makina's bag, followed by his own. Lexi accepted them with a curious look, but made no further inquiry.

Cross moved to the front of the group, falling in step beside Tomo. She glanced at him before turning up her nose and pulling slightly ahead. Cross sighed and let her have the small victory.

"Welcome to the Shin-Yan Temple. Birthplace of Tenchi." Tomo raised her hand to the monstrous temple. Its peaks soared high into the sky, with gilded tips that shone brightly in the sunlight. Murals made of gold, silver and bronze stretched across the great walls, depicting battles of old.

It was a breathtaking sight.

"How wonderful," Makina breathed softly before she poked Cross hard in the side. He ignored her and she poked him harder.

"What?"

"This is the type of Temple I would like. But more gold. Much more."

"Yeah, I'll get right on that," Cross said, though he seemed distracted. His eyes stayed fixed steadily ahead with his hand planted firmly on his temple. While the others continued to marvel at the gorgeous architecture, stopping inside the gate to observe a rather impressive set of statues, including Tomo who fielded another series of questions from Makina, Cross continued forward through the gate and into the courtyard.

He reached the grand staircase alone and stared up at the temple entrance. A lone figure waited for him. She fixed her eyes on him and he met her eyes with an unreadable expression before bowing his head as she began to descend the stairs

"Hello Cross."

"Master Miaodao." Cross replied, the Tejkin language slipping easily over his tongue.

"I see you arrived safely."

"Yes. The trip was brief." He raised his head up.

"I see. And your companions?"

"They will arrive soon."

"Shall we wait for them?"

"I… do not believe that is necessary."

She tilted her head. Her eyes shone with a glint that Cross was well acquainted with. "Are you sure?"

Cross nodded.

"Very well."

Miaodao was in front of him faster than his eyes could process. Hand curled into a claw, she swiped at his head. Cross leaned back and narrowly avoided the strike before lifting up his arm to block the next one. He was sent sliding back, but he remained on his feet.

"Curious," Miaodao took a step towards him and Cross took a step back, his hands rising up defensively. It was the right decision as Miaodao surged forward and thrust her hand towards him, palm open.

Cross met the attack head on, slamming his own open hand against hers and interlacing their fingers. He felt pressure between the point of connection as Miaodao pushed a wave of Chi into him. His bones groaned and his skin began to ripple as he fought to balance out the force that threatened to overwhelm him.

Though he could not cancel out her attack completely, he was able to reduce it. His bones began to creak, but they did not shatter.

Not yet, at least.

"Ho, even more curious."

Cross moved to hit her with a low kick, intent on disrupting her concentration, but she brought her own leg up to block him before pressing her heel against the top of his foot and slamming it back down to the ground. Cross's eyes narrowed against the pain, but he did not release his grip on Miaodao's hand. Locked in place they stood there before the moment was interrupted by a surprised voice.

"Cross?" Lexi took a step towards them, her shadow beginning to dance hesitantly behind her. "Wait… is that the…?"

"Lexi don-" Cross warning was abruptly cut off as Miaodao sprung up and cartwheeled over him, never releasing his hand.

In a single fluid movement, she landed and kicked her foot towards Lexi. Though her foot never made connection with Lexi's body, a force still blew through the young mage's body.

Grasping at her stomach Lexi dropped to the ground, a hiss of pain escaping from her lips.

"Damn it," Cross yanked Miaodao back towards him. She allowed herself to be pulled, using the momentum to launch into the air and slam her knee into Cross's face…Or she would have, had he not already had his hand up and ready. The attack left his arm shaking, but it wasn't enough to do more than bruise his palm. He pushed her back to the ground and held his hand up. His temple throbbed as he fought to control his connection to the Void, but he could not manage to use his Sight, not while keeping Miaodao's Chi from overwhelming him.

Miaodao stared at him. For Cross the moment seemed to last an eternity, but in reality, it was only a few seconds.

"Very good." Miaodao said, her stance relaxing and her vice grip on Cross's hand loosening, though she did not release him completely. "I see Jiana has been keeping with your training. Your Chi negation was rather impressive, for a novice."

"Thank you, Master," Cross said and his shoulders slumped. He always hated that part of the formal Tenchi introduction.

"Has Jiana taught you redirection?"

"I have learned the theory, but have been unable to test it in practice."

"Really?" Her eyebrow went up and Cross was reminded so much of his mother. "With a magic guild I would assume there would be quite an opportunity. If I didn't know Jiana better I would assume you were slacking."

Cross chose not the answer that.

"Hmmmm," Miaodao abruptly released his hand and cupped his face between both hers. "You've grown quite a bit haven't you. Not a child anymore." Her hands moved across his shoulders and down his arms before she came back up and gave his chest a firm thump. "Your paths are quite muddied and you are out of alignment, more so than I expected. Did you suffer a magical related incident recently?"

Avril flashed across Cross's mind. "Something like that."

"We'll have to have that remedied while you are here."

"Yes, Master. Thank you."

"Master… Bah," Miaodao pulled him into a tight embrace and in a single breath her entire aura shifted. Stepping back, she flashed him a bright smile. "Cross, you don't have to be so formal. Oh right, your friends! Of course, I should probably introduce myself and explain what is happening!"

Cross sighed. "Please do."

Miaodao turned to the small crowd that now consisted of Tomo, Makina, Lexi, and the freshly arrived Banksy and Romeo. The latter of which was still dripping wet. Save for Tomo, not one of them had understood the exchange as they were nowhere near fluent in the Tejkin language.

One of them could not even accurately point out Tejko on a map.

"Oh dear, I hope I didn't hurt you," Miaodao quickly moved over to Lexi, completely ignoring the hostile stance Lexi had taken. "I only meant to push you back. As Master of this temple, I needed to adequately evaluate my pupil's skill level and I could feel a significant amount of energy emanating from you. Had you interfered it would have been quite difficult for me."

"Oh," Lexi gave her a puzzled look. "I see… I, uh…" She continued to stare at the woman. A look of pure confusion on her face.

"She looks…" Banksy started.

"… Just like the Mistress." Romeo finished.

And indeed, she did. Though her hair was still black and her face held a few less wrinkles, she could have easily passed for the Mistress. But that was to be expected as….

"Of course. Jiana is my older sister." Miaodao gave them a broad smile. Please allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Miaodao Feng, Master of the Shin-Yan Temple."

Makina flicked her pale blue eyes from Miaodao to Tomo to Cross and back to Miaodao. "So, wait. If you are the sister, then that would make him..."

"My nephew, yes. I am Cross's Aunt. Please, feel free to call me Mia."

"So then…" Makina pointed at Tomo. "That would make you two cousins?"

"Not a drop of my blood runs through his veins nor his mine. We are not family." Tomo hissed before she turned her eyes on Miaodao. "I have brought them, now I shall take my leave." She bowed deeply before briskly walking towards the stairs.

She paused as she reached Cross.

"Do not let my Mother's words of praise fill you with false confidence. You are nothing more than an outsider. Do not forget your place here, Drachen."

She stormed off without another word. Cross watched her go with a bemused look.

"Right, then. Good to be back."