Author Notes: I've nearly finished laying the groundwork for this fic and this chapter helps clear up some more things, and fo

Author Notes: I've nearly finished laying the groundwork for this story and this chapter helps clear up some more things, and for once leaves fewer questions in their place. Thanks to those who continue to read and the updates should be regular for the time being until another few chapters have passed and then i will slow down. That parts not really good news i guess but it'll reduce to around a chapter a week.

Arc 1 part 3: Crystal of Legend

Arc 1 part 3: Crystal of Legend

A week had passed as the ship Kido had embarked on docked in Yokoma Country, much to the chagrin and confusion of the many people aboard. The young adult had remained in the captain's cabin in the final day of the journey to make sure he didn't head towards Kokoro Country. It was a bluff on his part since he had no sense of direction but the ship crew had no idea of that particular detail.

Grabbing his rucksack, he quickly departed and began to walk into the town as the ship behind him once again signaled take off. The past week seemed to go exceedingly slowly while his mind was focused on the reason for his travel to the small country. Various people rushed around with smiles adorning their faces while children played. The morning atmosphere was uplifting but his mind didn't allow him to enjoy it.

Stopping for a moment, he realized that he didn't have a clue of where the crystal was or whose possession it was in. He decided the most likely candidate of holding it would be the leader of the small island. Walking through the crowd, he ended up in a small shop which had a lot of vegetables and other necessities. He addressed the person behind the counter, "Hey, where's the leader of this place?"

The man behind the counter scratched his head before breaking out into a laugh, "Your first time in Yokoma Country, eh?"

Kido didn't understand what that had to do with anything as he answered, "Yeah…"

The man coughed as he finished serving another customer, "Kuzuka-san's house is on the other side of the island; head to your right outside of this shop and just keep on going in the same direction."

Kido thanked the man and followed his instructions, beginning to head in the same direction for more than ten minutes. He looked around as it seemed he had left the town completely and was now in some sort of forest, "Shit, where did I go?"

XXXXXXXXXX

After having wandered around for over an hour, Kido finally found himself back where he wanted to be. As he walked through the streets, his eyes caught the sight of a gigantic bridge causing him to stop in his tracks. The length and size of the tremendous structure was reflected in the boy's onyx orbs.

"Great isn't it?" The voice gained Kido's attention to find a girl wearing a hat, "It's the bridge which connects us to the world outside."

Kido took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth, "Yeah, it's not something you see often."

The girl who was only a few years younger than Kido looked at him, "We call it the Bridge Of Wisdom."

Kido lit his cigarette, "Between every person and their destiny lies a bridge…in order to cross it, one must have wisdom and courage."

The young girl held her hand on her head, "Eh?"

Kido blew out some smoke as he saw the confusion etched across the girl's countenance, "It's just something I was told a long time ago. Why was it given this name?"

The girl's demeanor turned serious, "6 years ago, when we were nearing the completion of this bridge, my grandfather enlisted help from warriors in Rogueport to protect him. Yokoma Country, at that time, was struggling." She looked at the people walking around, "Everyone was hungry, poor and we were all being oppressed by our tyrant, Deku."

Kido listened to his story, "Rogueport warriors…"

The girl nodded, "A boy, who appeared as an ally also helped protect my grandmother and all the other workers so they could complete the bridge. He wore a cloak which keeps everyone from viewing his eyes and a pouch wear he kept unusual weapons. There was a big battle and Deku betrayed his own henchmen which led to him being killed by one of them. They didn't live for long after that and the mysterious man and the Warriors of Rogueport succeeded in their mission. I learned a lot at that time too as did everyone else here…" She stared at the bridge, "It was a lesson of courage; we're all indebted to that man and those warriors for what they did for us." He began to laugh, "There was 5 men, 4 women and the cloaked boy. I didn't think they were capable of anything but I was proven wrong."

Kido continued smoking, "What's your name?"

The young girl adjusted his hat, "Call me Yumi."

Kido nodded, "Yumi, could you take me to the house of a person called Kuzuka?"

Yumi folded her arms, "Sure, I was heading there myself."

The young rogue followed the girl through all the streets as they came upon a small forest, one which looked familiar to Kido. Leading him through it, they eventually arrived at their destination.

The duo walked across a wooden bridge which had nothing at the side to protect someone from falling into the water. Kido threw his cigarette into the water before he stopped in front of the house. Yumi opened the door and motioned for Kido to follow as they stepped into a kitchen.

A woman standing near the sink looked back towards Yumi, "Where have you been?"

Yumi grinned, "Sorry, I got caught up with something." She pointed her eyes in the direction of Kido as the woman recognized his presence.

"Oh, you brought along a friend." The woman smiled before clasping her hands, "I'm Sekai; Yumi's mother."

Kido looked at the hat wearing young girl, realizing that this must be her house, "The name's Kido."

Yumi turned to the black haired boy, "She should be in the other room."

Kido followed him through the small hallway into the other room where an old woman laid with some sake to her side along with a few papers across the floor. Yumi gave a nervous grin before walking to the old woman and shaking her, "Get up, you've got company."

Kuzuka made some incoherent noise before sitting up and straightening her glasses. Yawning heavily, she picked up the sake and took a sip, "That's some super sake." She faced Yumi, "Did you get it to him?"

Yumi smirked, "Of course." Remembering the other occupant of the room, she pointed towards Kido, "He wanted to see you for some reason."

Kuzuka rose to her feet clumsily as she walked towards the young rouge, "How might I help you?"

Kido took a step back due to her breath, "I want to know about the crystal which was found here."

Both Kuzuka and Yumi's expressions showed their discomfort as they became weary of Kido. Kuzuka walked away from the gloomy looking man and sat down, "What do you want to know about it?"

Kido observed the room as he spoke, "Where it is."

Kuzuka closed her eyes, "It's no longer in Yokoma Country."

Kido sighed, "Did you have it before?"

Kuzuka opened her eyes, "Yes, for a brief period of time."

Kido folded his arms, hoping the old woman would remain cooperative, "Who did you give it to?"

Kuzuka cleared her throat, "I'm sorry but I can't betray their trust after everything they've done for us."

Kido raised an eyebrow as he realized who the crystal may have gone to, remembering the story he was told by Yumi, "That's all I wanted." He turned to leave before speaking, "A word of advice; there'll be more people interested in this crystal. You should make up a better story to protect yourself."

XXXXXXXXXX

The sound of horse hooves were ringing through the air as the two people at the gates of Rogueport anxiously awaited the expected arrival of the Daizouki mayor. The one with a bandage across his face spoke to his comrade, "Well Deru, it seems like they're here."

Deiki had a keen look in his eyes as he stared at the knights escorting the carriage, driven by magnificent white horses, "You should be prepared for anything Deru; we can't drop our guard."

Deiki walked around the desk, where people would give their identities, in order to greet the arrivals at the gate, "Remember the mayor's orders; we're to show respect. The Rogueport village could gain a powerful new ally if everything goes well. You know the stories of the Daizouki mayor."

Deru joined his fellow guard, "Yeah."

The carriage came to a stop a few feet away from the gates of Rogueport as Goshiro stared at the guards standing in front. Looking past them towards the village of Rogueport, he closed his eyes knowing the kind of reception he would get.

He put away his reading material as he moved towards Deru and Deiki, followed by the rest of his team, "Gate duty again."

Deiki nodded, "How did the mission go, Goshiro-san?"

Goshiro looked back at the carriage where the curtains could be seen moving, "It went without conflict. We guarded the carriage while four knights of Daizouki patrolled at all times."

Deiki and Deru stared at the carriage anxiously, as a person could be seen exiting. The man who looked to be around the age of Goshiro adjusted the patch covering his left eye as he moved aside. The brown and white hat of the Daizouki mayor was the first thing visible as he landed on the ground and stretched his ligaments, "A different scene from that of Daizouki."

Tenjou ran a hand through his unkempt hair, "There is a strong smell of plants here."

The Daizouki mayor looked towards his advisor, "You may take your leave Tenjou."

Tenjou clicked his fingers as four knights ran from behind the trees and landed next to the Daizouki mayor before making a move to depart. The red haired mayor spoke for a last time, "When I return, I will expect to hear good news from you."

Tenjou turned around, "As you wish, mayor-sama." The brown haired man left the vicinity abruptly as the Daizouki knights and their leader walked towards Rogueport.

XXXXXXXXXX

Kido gave a relieved sigh as he found himself reaching the place he wanted to be. After leaving Kuzuka's house, it took him nearly an hour to find the bridge connecting the small dome island to the world as he ended up losing his way a few times.

There were a lot of people leaving along the bridge, carrying items of some sorts which Kido figured were for trading purposes. Walking over to a wagon which had hay stacked in the back, he observed the elderly man who was the owner, "Are you heading to Kokoro Country?"

The elderly man looked towards him after moving his hat upwards, "Yes, more specifically, Rogueport."

Kido laughed gleefully, "Can I get a ride?"

The elderly man rose to his feet and intensely stared at Kido, "I don't know."

Kido knew what would convince him as he took off his rucksack and looked through it for his money. He found only a few thousand gold coins left which brought a frown to his face. He took out 3,000 gold coins, "I'll give you this much but I want your hat as well." The Tenshi boy wanted the hat just to make sure no one in Rogueport would recognize him in case they happened to remember him.

The elderly man took off his hat and placed it on Kido's head before taking his money, "Hop in, we should be there by the end of the day."

Kido jumped into the wagon before lying down backwards and making himself comfortable. He could hear the horse tapping it's hooves as the wagon began to move. The boy moved his newly acquired hat downwards to cover his face as he closed his eyes, "Rogueport…my home village…that brings back memories…"

Flashback

The sound of the chains wavering could be heard as a young boy moved his feet. The swing he was sitting on moved slightly as he looked on at the parents along with their children, who were laughing and full of joy. His eyes showed the longing feeling he held within his heart as one of the women standing looked back at him, only to give him a fierce glare.

His black eyes turned to the ground and stared at the patches of green grass, his heart beating rapidly. Closing his eyes, he stopped any tears from falling as the disappointment impacted his heart.

"You didn't make any friends today at school." Kido looked behind him to find an old man staring down at him, a pipe in his mouth.

The boy shook his head, "No…"

The mayor placed his hand on the young boy's shoulder, "There'll always be another chance."

Kido sighed, "I tried, but no one likes me."

The mayor looked past him to all the other parents whose gazes were now the opposite way, "Few people are able to make friends. You're only 5, give it time. Just be yourself"

Kido's eyes shifted towards the rest of the older boys and girls who were dancing, "I wanted to fit in for once…to prove that I'm something…somebody." He got off the seat and walked away as the mayor had a sorrowful look in his eyes.

End Flashback

"Wake up, kid!" The sound echoed through the man's ears as he was being shaken from his slumber.

Kido sat up, his hat falling into his lap as he rubbed his eyes. Placing the hat back on his head, he looked at the old man, "Take it easy, my brain nearly fell out." He emphasized the part about his brain.

The elderly man coughed embarrassedly, "My mistake, we're here though."

Kido grabbed his rucksack and jumped out of the wagon. Turning around, the image of a distant past entered his eyes as he stared at the gates of Rogueport. The smell of the trees and plants made its way into his nose, giving him a nostalgic feeling. The sun was setting behind the black haired boy's head as birds could be heard squawking in the sky. The clouds began to gather, showing signs of rain as Kido took out a cigarette and lit it, 'It's been 12 years since I was taken from here…' He smiled mournfully as he closed his eyes, 'Back then, I wanted to return so much…now I'm only here because I need something.'

Author Notes: Finally, Kido returns to Rogueport. From this chapter, you should now know that he hasn't been in Rogueport since he was 6 due to being taken by barbarians. Essentially this will be like two stories, one of Kido's past and the current one progressing but everything will be connected in the end. Peace out.