3 Chapter 3: A Small Reunion

"Well, it seems that Aria's brought home another guest," said the father.

"Oh my!" was the mother's surprised but pleasant response. "So it would seem. How many would this make now for you?"

"Mother!"

As the family was talking, Tatsumi was too busy looking around the room in amazement, giving Gunnar the impression that he's never seen a mansion like this before. He then took the moment to thank the family for letting him in, bowing as he did so. "I really appreciate all of this," he said to them. He then turned his attention to Gunnar as he asked him the question "But how is it that you ended up here before I did?"

"It's all thanks to a stopping a jewel thief and getting shanked in the process for doing so," Gunnar's response as he finished his glass, holding it out to the father in asking for a refill. He then continued as the man topped him off. "I'm actually surprised to find you ending up here. Problem with the previous arrangements buddy?" The way he asked Tatsumi about his 'assistance' from the woman they met earlier was about 30% curiousity, 70% mocking him. Tatsumi, feeling insulted, tried to pass it off as ignorance as he took a seat across from Gunnar.

"Ahh, so your plan is to make a name for yourself in the Imperial Capital, is that correct?"

"Right!" said Tatsumi.

"I'm only here to know what kind of place is this." Gunnar inclined.

The father had switched to tea after finishing his glass of whiskey just as Tatsumi had arrived with Aria. "Well, just so that you both are made well aware,-" the man elaborated as he had a couple of sips from his cup. "-the Capital is a wonderful and peaceful place. However, it's bordered by squabbling tribes on three sides. If either of you were to enlist, you're expected to join the fight."

"I'm prepared for that," was Tatsumi's response.

"Buddy, that's what they all say before heading out to fight." Gunnar told him. " I doubt he'll even last five minutes out there in battle." he then thought to himself.

"The boy has spirit." the father chiming in added. "I like to say that in a young man."

Then it was Aria's turn to join in the conversation. "Did you come all the way here by yourselves?"

"I was definitely by myself then I ran into Tatsumi via 'danger beast' and we separated once we got to the Capital. All I know is that he came here for fortune and glory with his two friends." He then remembered Tatsumi saying he was planning to rendezvous with them in the city. "Speaking of which, have you come across them by any chance?"

"No, I haven't yet actually." Tatsumi responded. He turned his attention to the family and explained his situation as Gunnar listened. It seemed the he, along with his two friends Ieatsui and Saiyu (I hope those are how you spell their correct names), left their village to bring wealth back to their people for better living. "At first it seemed like everything was going smoothly," he continued. "But then we got attacked by bandits and, well, we lost each other." He then leaned forward propping his elbows are n his knees to hold up his head. "Both of them are decent fighters at least, so I'm not to concerned."

"And yet you still have a bit of concern for them?" Gunnar asked, to which Tatsumi nodded.

"It's just that Ieatsui can't navigate his way out of a paper bag. We planned to meet each other at the Capital, but I don't think he's gonna make it."

Gunnar felt a little sympathy for him. When he first joined the X-Men, he had no idea what to make of them nor what they would think of him. But in time they were all a family to him and he became a team player. If anything had happened to his fellow mutants, he'd be concerned about them as well. Maybe there was a little more to this kid than Gunnar first assumed. "Naive but at least he knows what his goals are." he thought to himself.

"Then it's settled," the father spoke up. "I think I have a friend in the military who can help you both out. I'll give him your name and ask him to look for your two friends," he then looked over to Gunnar, "and maybe he can provide YOU with some more history of our land."

Both Gunnar and Tatsumi were happy for the kind gesture and they both thanked him for the offer. "I have an extremely keen intuition," said Aria. "So I just know you'll see your friends again very soon."

"That would be great," said a relieved Tatsumi. Gunnar would of felt relieved too, but something in her tone in how she said that didn't just seem right. One of the most reliable gifts he inherited from his father was the ability to sense if a person's lying, being able to separate the truth from false words; and from that sentence he felt that there was some double meaning in what she said. Until then, he thought it best to not let them have any reason to be suspicious of him but still let Tatsumi know that he ought to be a cautious.

Both him and Tatsumi were free to stay the night until word got back from the gentleman's 'friend' would bring word back to them. As both of them had been getting ready for bed, Gunnar thought it best to talk to the little shrimp. His room was about four doors away from Tatsumi's and as he looked in, he could see pint-size looking out over the city at nighttime.

"It's not good to be stressed out about your two friends, kid," he said startling the kid.

"I'm not worried...much," he said. "I've been so lucky. I've ended up finding some people to look after me." He turned his attention back to his view of the city. "Now there's just Saiyu and Ieatsui. I hope they found their way to the Capitol safe and sound."

"If they're the kind of people that you mentioned before Tatsumi, i'm sure they're doing just fine. However, I don't think you should get your hopes too high." Gunnar had just walked up next to him as he said this.

"What're are you talking about?"

"All I'm saying is just don't fully trust a silver platter. Because some things ain't always as they seem. As much as I want to accept this family's help, There feels like something more at play here."

"Are you always so distrusting?"

"Only when my gut tells me so. How else would you have accepted that blonde bimbos' help, only to be played a fool?"

Tatsumi looked both surprised and shocked that Gunnar would even know about that. "What makes you think she did that?!"

"First of all, I would've thought that someone like you leaving his village would've came here with a sack of money for lodging and all that shit. Then if some stranger, like the girl we met before, would've taken notice of your situation and, well, put two and two together Einstein."

"Well if you knew what kind of person she was, then why didn't you tell me that in the first place?"

"Because, secondly, you probably would've thought I was bullshitting you. Even so, would you have believed me anyway?"

Tatsumi was silent for a moment thinking over what Gunnar said. He then let out a relented sigh. "No, probably not."

Feeling pity, Gunnar placed a hand on Tatsumi's shoulder. "Well at least take what happened earlier today as a lesson in life, kiddo. Keep your head on shoulders and you'll do better in life. And I'm not wanting to rain down on your parade, but you may want start to learning to accept any possibility you might not be able to meet up with your friends; if the worse comes to worse. I'm not saying that your friends are goners, but you may want to accept the worse case scenario if it should happen. But with any luck, I'm sure your friends will turn up sooner than later. Just trust me on this, alright man?"

Tatsumi nodded. "Yeah, sure Gunnar." And with that, Gunnar headed back to his room. Just as he he almost got through the doorway, "Hey Gunnar?"

"Yeah what is it Tatsumi?" Gunnar paused, looking his right shoulder.

"I'll keep in mind what you said, and...thanks for looking out for me."

"Yeah yeah sure whatever Tatsumi." Gunnar said nonchalantly. " just don't get too sentimental about it ok?" And with that, he left for bed. Tatsumi then looked back out the window with hopeful look face. "I just hope you're wrong about your prediction."