Then he Smiled "Saito-san. You are in my country now. It is YOU who are the 'gaikokujin'"

Marvo's eye had informed his the meaning of the word 'gaijin', meaning 'foreigner' and that it was a contraction of the word `gaikokujin',

He knew this was a battle of words, and that was fine by him. "I am honoured that I have made you laugh Saito-san, though that was not my intention. Giving humour to others is a gift in my country. THIS country. Now perhaps you shall give me a gift in return. Have your 'kousei' leave and then give you message. Then leave. There will be no more testing. Unless you wish to dishonour yourself and your Clan"

He moved closer to Shinrei and looked Saito in the eyes. "I stand by my words. I am Shinrei-San's 'Hogosha', Protector. As I am to all the students here. Wakarimasu ka?"

"I understand you perfectly," replied Saito with a Smile that equalled Marvo's. "You have spirit, Englishman. And you make me laugh. A dangerous combination and very impressive for someone your age."

"You heard what he said, Saito," Shinrei growled, still pointing the wand at him, "deliver your message from Kanjou-sama and be gone."

"Impatience does not suit you, Shinrei-sama," Saito said caressingly, lazily eyeing the wand, "neither would it suit Kanjou-sama."

"Speak clearly, Saito." Shinrei's head was beginning to swim. A nagging suspicion slowly began to rise from the back of her mind. Gods, it couldn't be...the only way they could call her "Shinrei-sama" would be... No. It couldn't be like that.

"Very well," said Saito in a voice of mock surrender, "I shall not seek to cause you more distress, my lady." Saito waved a hand and the Izanagi sun pinned on the lapel of Shinrei's kimono shone blindingly.

Shinrei gasped and turned her head away, her knees buckling. But she willed herself not to fall.

"You say you are Shinrei Hikari's protector, Englishman?" Saito demanded, glaring at Marvo. He let out a humourless roar. "None but the Izanagi High Lord himself could lay claim to that title. Because Shinrei Hikari would soon becomes his wife!"

Marvo stood steadfast. "I am not be...." He stopped mid-sentence "Wife???"

From where Nimue stood, she could hear what Saito had said and the announcement that Shinrei was to shortly become the bride of their High Lord.

She turned to Luis Verga, not aware if he had heard the announcement but also addressed Kat and the others as well. "He is saying that Shinrei is to soon be wed to their High Lord. I can't tell whether this is good news or bad for her. It certainly is a great honour."

She looked up at the WiB, "Excuse me this obviously is not an emergency but some sort of ritual encounter. Shinrei needs a female friend to be with her at the moment. Please allow me to pass."

She hoped Marvo would hear her request. This wasn't a situation she felt he could handle that well once the apparent threat to Shinrei and other students had passed. She at least had more experience of such matters linked to duty and tradition.

The WiB looked down at Nimue. His face betraying no emotion. "None may pass."

*******

Saito gestured with his hand once more and he and the three young Kossawa ninjas fell to their knees before Shinrei.

"It is with the greatest honour that we deliver to Shinrei Hikari word that the Order of Izanagi has named Kanjou Hashimoto the High Lord," said Saito, making a red and gold length of cloth materialise from thin air in his hands that were now stretched out towards Shinrei. "The High Lord has bestowed upon Shinrei Hikari the honour of being his wife on the very day she turns fifteen cycles. Kanjou Hashimoto sends you his colours, my lady."

Shinrei had not moved for many seconds now. She could not even breathe properly. The room slid in and out of focus from her eyes. She could hear Saito and the rest of them in the train, their voices audible yet seemingly very distant.

The words rang again and again through her seemingly Stupefied brain: Kanjou Hashimoto. High Lord. Wife...fifteen cycles. Perhaps they had made a mistake, a part of her mind insisted stupidly. You are not the Shinrei Hikari they are looking for. Why would Kanjou-sama have someone like you?

But looking at the kneeling ninjas and her awe-struck classmates, hearing Nimue Hawkwood's persistent voice speaking to the black-clad wizards, meeting Marvo's wide eyes, Shinrei knew they had not made a mistake.

Oh, this must be a trick of Kanjou-sama's, she thought foolishly again, trying to fend off the weight of reality that was slowly beginning to crash around her. He probably thinks I would find this funny. Why, I *am* his heir. He's too old for me. He's the greatest wizard of Japan for this age, and I am merely a...

Great Gods. The gold thread on the fine, fine silk held out by Saito winked and shone upon her face. The Kossawa colours. This is maybe what it would be like if she was under the Imperius curse, Shinrei surmised as her hands shot out with a life all their own. The red and gold silk slid gracefully from Saito's grip to her own waiting hands.

It was a belt, the kind that warriors wore on their kimonos. "Herald Saito Tamenaga, you may now tell the High Lord that it is Shinrei Hikari's honour to accept."

Dimly, she wondered who said it. But, deep down, she knew it was her own voice, very stiff and very empty.

Marvo did not know what to say. This was, to say the least, unexpected.

However, the scene before him gave him a sense of Deja vu! Not that long ago he had been in a quite similar situation with Nimue. Even with all the possible dangers, it was... interesting... to see how different Shinrei's reaction was compared to theirs.

Still while those Ninjas were still around he wasn't going to let his guard down. He just stood waiting for whatever happened next.

Shinrei was only half-aware that she was tucking her wand back into her sleeve, half-aware of the whispers all around her. There was no threat, no treachery, no nothing.

There was just this something that made her want to cry. It was only pride that kept her eyes dry and head held high in the presence of so many people.

The red and gold silk belt dangling limply from her hand, she heard her own voice say: "You may now rise, Saito. And you may leave. You have caused enough dishonour to the Clan by your melodramatic posturing."

Saito silently rose to his feet, his three men mimicking his movement. One side of his mouth quirked in amusement as he looked at her then allowed his gaze to travel to the spectators and the Wizards in Black.

"But it was your hot-headedness that caused the explosion, Shinrei-sama," he replied in a patronising tone. "How so easily you suspect your clansmen to be traitors."

"We shall speak no more about this," Shinrei snapped. "Where is Kanjou-sama now?"

"Oh, of course," Saito replied, "the High Lord wishes to express his apologies. He still has not returned from his journey to Siberia. However, he will come for you at this Hogwarts-dojo before your wedding day. The entire Clan extends its good wishes for the union of our two best warriors."

Before Shinrei could stop him, Saito had walked up to Marvo and the Wizards in Black. He smiled at them with both challenge and menace. "Ever so valiant. I hope we shall meet again under less...ceremonious circumstances. And then *we shall see.*"

He said the last three words with deliberate drawling emphasis. Still standing before the Wizards in Black, Saito and his men pulled the masks back up their faces. Saito made curled his fingers skyward, at the ceiling of the train.

"Sayounara, Shinrei-sama," he said.

"Kame-hame-ha!" he shouted, seemingly to the heavens. A large, roiling wave of very very bright, blinding light erupted from his fingertips and blasted through the ceiling, opening a way towards the skies.

He and his men seemed to levitate off the Hogwarts Express and float through the opening as if it was a bright otherworldly portal. All four Kossawa ninjas were gone in under a minute.

"Yes indeed. We WILL see." Said Marvo softly. As the portal came and went Marvo continued to look, only closing his normal eye at the bright light. "Show off" he murmured.

Shinrei removed the hand she had used to shield her eyes from the light and was struck open-mouthed to see that the ceiling was still miraculously intact. So Saito had really made a portal.

A sudden *pop* in the air caused her to look downwards and catch sight of a tiny roll of parchment fluttering straight into her palms. She caught it and shoved it into her pockets.

She drew a breath and turned to Marvo and the Wizards in Black. "I am very sorry, Ward-san, gentlemen," she said. "I apologise for the conduct of my clansmen and the disturbance we have caused."

Marvo turned to Shinrei, "Your apology is not needed Shinrei-San. You were not to blame."

He placed a hand on Shinrei's shoulder. "Are you okay? I mean, with all this? Believe me, I know what such news can feel like. More than you can think"

He turned then and saw the crowd around and the WiBs still holding them back.

"Do you want to be alone a bit? You could go into this carriage, I can make sure your not disturbed?"

"Thank you, Ward-san," Shinrei replied, "but no. It is not necessary for me to be alone."

She managed to summon a smile to her face, but she knew it was only self-deceiving. Nothing could make her genuinely happy at the moment, even if she had just been betrothed to the most revered wizard and magical hero of Japan.

"As you can see," she said in a light voice, "I need to find myself a new compartment, though. It would seem I did this one in." A hollow laugh escaped her throat but quickly died away as she made a half-hearted gesture to the debris that had once been a fully functional train compartment. "That is how you put it, ne?"

Marvo smiled. Not quite convinced, but understanding. "Very well Shinrei. A report will have to be made to the Headmaster of course, and I imagine the Ministry will be sending a letter out. But for now I suggest you get out of here, unless you want to be mobbed by people wanting to know all the details."

He looked over to the WiBs "And Shinrei, I'm here if you need me... for anything. I meant what I said."

With that he turned and went to the WiBs. "167, 123 and 449. The danger has now been neutralised. You may leave. Report to the Bureau and inform them a report will be forthcoming"

********

Niki turned an extremely startled countenance to Nathan. "I think we know what's going on, anyway," she whispered. "Do you think we should go?"

Nathan nodded and used the general distraction to sneak away with Niki, leaving Drake behind with the other spectators.

They walked back into their secluded compartment where Nathan sat down next to Niki, putting his arms around her shoulder. "Scared?" he asked with faint amusement.

"Just a little," Niki said, smiling. "I don't like the WiBs, and the thought of Shinrei having to marry someone is just a little...well...it's scary." She turned back to him. "Why, it didn't scare you?"

Nathan shrugged. "I'd rather label it to be amusing," he then replied with a smirk.

"What a situation! And Ward all in it, of course... don't you have a weird feeling about him? I mean, I really don't think Aurors should be spying on students, but that's just what he does, isn't it?"

Niki nodded slowly. "And he's probably going to get the best grades...because he's had so much more training."

She seemed to be turning something over and over in her mind. "But deciding who you're going to marry at my age--her age--OUR ages... It's a little...oh, I don't know."

Nathan shrugged. "I don't know, I think marriage is often over-rated. I mean, if there is a great political or financial benefit to it - why not? I don't see the problem, really, logically speaking."

He became a bit more severe. "I mean, unless you're really in love with someone else, that'd be quite a conflict, a very clumsy situation indeed... but if you're not and the other person isn't too disgusting - why not?"

He grinned. "Our favourite auror seems to have managed to escape, though... still, I think he shouldn't be living and studying with us. It's unfair, just like you said, and I feel I'm being spied on. Wonder what Dumbledore thinks about that sneaky little guy?"

"If Dumbledore didn't want him, he wouldn't be here," Niki said firmly. She was not a huge fan of the old wizard, herself. "It's a bit...well... He's very patronising, you know? Kept trying to help me with my revision for the exams..." She rolled her eyes. "Of course, with YOU it's allowed."

(IC: Chat took place here that may be added to transcript later on.)

"Well, let's see what you look like in 10 years - even more gorgeous, if that's possible!"

Niki blushed. "Don't tease," she mumbled, but looked as though she rather enjoyed it, all the same.

Just then, Morticia positively crashed into the room. "Nathan! Out!" she commanded.

Nathan stared at her.

"Now!" she growled.

"Sheeesh, come off it!" Nathan murmured, but obeyed.

The sight of his sister glaring at him with those burning dark eyes somehow convinced him it'd be better to do as she told him.

Morticia sat down opposite to Niki. "Niki. We have to talk. I mean it. I've been thinking about it for the last 30 minutes. I must know what's going on between you and my brother, because you're my best friend and he's really not the type of guy you should hang out with, believe me!"

Niki's smile turned into a frown, and she sighed. "Tish, don't you think you're being a little quick to judge--just a little? Nathan did something very stupid, but he's sorry, and he's very nice, really he is..." She realised that she was almost whining, and frowned further. "Anyway, nothing really..."

***********

Sarah had kept quite calm during the aftermath of the explosion mainly because of Ruth's presence. Plus, she wasn't one to panic or be scared by such things.

She had leant out of the window and could see there was no fires or anything. She heard a few snatches of conversation between the train guard and the driver who were ensuring that the train had not been damaged and was able to carry on. It seemed to have been a very localised burst of magical energy, which had damaged the compartment in which it occurred but not the train itself.

Indeed, they seemed more concerned about being late to the Castle as well as for their tea.

"Looks like the next generation of wizarding youth will make it to the First Night Feast after all." she said to Nathaniel and the others. "I'm not sure what happened certainly was a 'Big Bada-boom' though. The driver is just going back up to the engine anyway."

********

Andy had heard the explosion as well, but he thought nothing of it. It was only until he saw a crowd gather that he began to worry.

He went to investigate - or at least he tried. It was difficult getting by the WiBs.

"I am a friend of Shinrei's. Please let me through." he pleaded. He hoped they didn't recognise him.

"None may pass." Said the WiB with firmness.

********

Raphael was walking down the corridor. Having been at the other end of the train, and not being totally amazed by anything much at the time, he'd managed not to think to much of the number of explosions and odd sounds coming from one part of the train, and now wandering down the corridor, he didn't seem to be thinking about it much.

He was too busy finishing his argument. "...so you can't just go around being an idiot anymore. It just ain't - look, you just won't. I tell you, you won't."

With that, the tall youngster turned abruptly and walked smack bang into Nimue, who was standing chatting to someone else that Raphael didn't recognise. Raphael had a wand in his hand, a slightly bendy laurel thing that did not look remotely dangerous, just like him.

"Hey," he hazarded to Nimue. "Whazup? What's going on? Who're all the people?" Yawning a little, Raphael smiled at the Gryffindor girl in a fuzzy way.

Nimue smiled at Raphael. "Hello, again. How's your head now? Feeling better? I'm not sure what's going on as there are these security types in the way." she gestured towards the solid back of the WiB.

"I gather it was a betrothal ceremony of some kind which appears to have involved some sort of ritual confrontation. I am not sure Shinrei - who is one of my dormmates - knew what was going on and she defended herself rather aggressively - hence the explosion."

Realising that Raphael didn't know Luis she thought she'd better introduce him. Not that she knew Luis that well either - they had only spoke briefly in Diagon Alley before Professor Snape had appeared.

"Let me introduce you - you've already met Kat of course but not Luis." She turned back to Luis. "Luis, this is Raphael Lathander, who is joining us this term. Raphael, may I introduce Luis Verga, a member of Slytherin House, who is returning to Hogwarts after a break in his studies."

Luis had heard the exchange very clearly and, with his considerable height, seen snippets of what was going on. Shinrei accepting the "colours" thing, the ninjas (who looked straight out of a Muggle movie) kneeling and shooting off light blasts...He found it very hard to think straight.

"Yeah," he grunted in reply to Nimue's introduction. Some new boy. He vaguely felt himself shaking the boy's hand. His name was Raphael something or other.

"How do you do, man. Hope you like it here at old Hoggy-warts. Ha ha."

He brought his presence of mind round long enough to address Nimue. "Well. Think I've had enough movie-trippin' for one day. Gotta get back to real life. See you around, Miss Hawkwood, Raphael."

Blankly, unaware of where he was really headed, Luis turned on his heel and walked through the crowd of students still gathered by the source of commotion.

/Gotta get away,/ he thought, weaving through masses of faceless chattering people, /got to think straight. Gotta breathe./

It was all becoming very difficult to do.

Nimue watched Luis leave - something was definitely up with him.

Maybe he was finding it strange returning to school after such a gap, maybe he was conflicted about speaking with members of other Houses. She felt that in part he was trying to emulate Professor Snape's disdain for others and yet ...

Her attention returned to the Raphael. "We're a strange bunch at times Raphael. Most wizards in the West are quite happy to use doors and the like in case you think we all come and go in such a manner."

She turned to Kat - "I'm unsure whether Shinrei is happy with what has just happened here. She's been brought up to be obedient to men, so she may not even consider her own feelings. I think she needs someone to talk to as well as a new compartment."

Kat had been shocked by what had happened, but quickly realised that regardless of what she had said that Shinrei might be better with fewer spectators hanging around.

"I'll let you make sure that she is ok. I better make sure that everyone is settled again. I'll find you again back at the carriage."

She turned to the students that had come to see what had happened. "If you would all like to return to you carriages now. The show is over. There is nothing more to see."

She watched some of the first years whispering at the back stand on tiptoes to see what was going on. "No, move along now."

Kat waited for the crows to disperse before starting to check the carriages.

Nimue tapped the WiB gently on the shoulder; "May we join our friends now?"

The WiB looked down at Nimue "None may Pass"

But he turned as Marvo spoke and moved to meet the other WiBs next to Marvo. They nodded once in unison and with a quiet sound like a backwards Fizz" they disappeared.

********

Branwen's car had reached Kings Cross a few minutes before the train had departed. Amazingly they managed to find an empty compartment and to get all the thing stowed before the train lurched away, stopped and then started again.

Jon had helped Branwen settle in and had spent a few minutes of pleasant conversation with her, Hal and Madison before excusing himself to find his Sixth Year friends.

He had walking when the explosion occurred and the train stopped. As one of the senior prefects, he did what he could to keep students calm and the passages clear.

However, when he heard the news from a passing Hufflepuff that something had happened to that 'weird Gryffindor girl whose eyeballs had popped before the History of Magic exam', his stomach gave a sick lurch. (He did however discount the over wrought Hufflepuff's description of the HoM incident).

He quickly made his way as close as he could to the WiBs in the corridor, though was on the opposite side to where Luis, Nimue, Kat and the Lagrands were.

His fear that Shinrei had been placed in danger because of his having left her due to his hurt pride was soon replaced by a feeling he couldn't identify upon hearing the announcement of her Clan's plans for her. He focused on making sure that students returned to their compartments once the Clan Kossawa members had left.

He wasn't sure that Shinrei would want to talk to him but he lingered a little anyway especially once he could see over the WiBs blocking the corridor that Luis Verga had left. There could be no rivalry now - Shinrei was lost to both of them.