Reconnaissance [Finished]

[Kensuke Kimachi]

[Takes place after "Fight in the forest of dreams" and the stationing of the Fae Queen's troops around Exile]

Staying on the trail of the beast that emerged in Exile's forest, Kensuke searches for signs of where the beast could have headed. Looking at the trail of spines left by the beast through out the forest, Kensuke anticipates the potential carnage that it might wreak upon the Dream realm.

"I have to find it and fast, that thing is too dangerous to be allowed to roam free", Kensuke thinks to himself as he looks around the landscape as he runs along the path. Arriving at a clearing near the edge of the forest, Kensuke sees large troops of Fae soldiers stationing themselves around the perimeter of the forest.

"What are they doing here? Why are so many troops stationing themselves so close to the elven city", Kensuke thinks to himself as he looks at them set up camp. "What is the Fae Queen up to? I thought the elves and Fae were somewhat at peace, at least in terms of war. They don't seem to be attacking so they can't be here to do battle. I wonder if the Royal Family knows about this, I think I'll check it out to see what's going on", Kensuke says in his head as he begins to approach the camp.

[Kensuke Kimachi]

Staying close to the ground and under heavy shrubbery around the camp, Kensuke searched for a place where the security was the least. Creeping next to a large tree next to an unguarded tent he managed to slip inside. Inside the tent lay some uniforms and a few weapons, Kensuke took some of them and put them on so he could blend in with the rest of the soldiers. He used his dream magic to form an illusory hologram over his body made to look like a typical male Fae soldier would look. “This aught to get me deeper in the camp undetected. I just have to make shore I don’t loose my focus and drop the illusion”, Kensuke thought to himself as he put the finishing touches on his disguise.

Finishing up the disguise he went outside the tent and continued his infiltration of the Fae camp. The camp was built in a circular shape and had many armed soldiers walking around. If he was discovered he would more or less have to make a hasty retreat. Walking on the outer perimeter of the camp, Kensuke noticed large amounts of supplies being brought in through a path in the forest.

“These guys must be planning on staying here for a little while. I think I might have to borrow some of that before I leave”, Kensuke thought to himself with a grin on his face as he saw the soldiers carry the supplies into the camp. Walking deeper into the camp Kensuke noticed a large red tent that was a different color from the rest of them in the center of the camp. He scoped out two Fae men with a more decorated uniform than the rest of the men go into the tent, two large guards armed with axes were keeping watch over the entrance as they walked in.

“That must be the commander of this troop and his lieutenant. I have to see what they’re doing in there, it could prove useful to here what they’re discussing”, Kensuke says as he cautiously makes his way t the tent. Using his magic to create an illusion of another soldier, Kensuke tried to convince the guards that they were their relief guards.

“Hey you guys can take a break now, we’ll handle it now”, Kensuke said as he and his lifelike illusion walked up on the two armed guards.

“We just got of our break a few minutes ago, we already get another one”, the puzzled guard said as he looks at Kensuke and what appeared to be another guard.

Not expecting that response Kensuke quickly thought of a lie to justify himself. “The time schedule has changed and they put us on duty for this time. You should go check with some of the other guards for verification”, Kensuke said with the most serious look on his face.

“Ok, we’re going to the scheduling assignment officer’s tent to get this straightened out, we’ll be right back”, the guard said as he and his partner left their posts.

As they were walking away one of the men almost bumped into the hologram as he walked past. Lucky for Kensuke he just missed hitting it, for if he did the guard would have walked through it and Kensuke would have been found out. “That was close; I have to be more careful than that”, Kensuke thinks as he assumes the guards position. Standing close to the tent Kensuke was able to over hear what the commander and lieutenant were saying.

[Isurugi Mei]

Mei heard the news about her aunts decision about setting up half of the army and half of the aerial units just outside the city of Exile. She would have went straight to Queen, but she thought it would be better to check out one of the camps so she could report to the Queen about how it was coming along.

She made her way through the camp, passing by soldiers that saluted to her on the way to the commanders tent. She passed by two soldiers that seemed to be confused and have noticed her presence at all. She frowned at the two but kept going towards the tent and approached the two soldiers that stood on the outside. She smiled at them but got a weird feeling from them though she didn't showed it as she waited for them to salute her.

[Kensuke Kimachi]

Listening to the conversation of the two Fae inside the tent, Kensuke started to learn small details about what the Queen was doing around Exile. "So this Tomo person was here huh. I know I have heard that name before", Kensuke said thinking of the dream he saw the scientist have a little while ago. "Who is this Sanada Tomo person, I know that's not the only other time I have heard that name", Kensuke thinks to himself as he tries to remember.

While Kensuke was listening he noticed a lot of commotion in the outer limits of the camp. Some one had just arrived and apparently they were heading this way. Trying to see who it was he began to see the figure of a woman approaching his location. At first he couldn't quite make out who it was but as she got closer the image became clearer.

It was Isurugi Mei, the Fae princess and the king of the Third Layer of Heaven. "Damn, what the hell is she doing here", Kensuke says as his heart drops to the floor as he sees her making eye contact with him and coming closer. In all his shock he forgot to salute her. She didn't seem too happy with him because of it as he could see by the frown on her face. It soon turned to a smile as she walked up on Kensuke and his hologram.

Keeping his cool, Kensuke saluted the King with a glowing smile and moved out of the way of the tent’s entrance, his hologram doing the same, making sure she doesn’t come into contact with it.

[Isurugi Mei]

Seeing the guards salute her and moving out her way, Mei felt something wasn't right and eyed the two guards for a second. She could feel that one of the guards presence really didn't seem right. She went into the tent after eying the two guards.

"Ah, commander, it seems everything is running smoothly. I'm sure the Queen would be very pleased at the progress." She stopped and look towards the entrance of the tent where the two weird guards are. "...I would be sure to be sure that you check everyone out. Some people may not be who they seem to be" She said the last part in a hushed voice.

[Kensuke Kimachi]

Breathing a breath of relief at not being detected so soon, Kensuke moved back into his position at the tents entrance. As he moved back into his position he saw a glimpse of them inside the tent. They were talking and looking in his direction. Calmly looking away from them he assumed his stance as a guard once again, making sure he listened closely to what they were saying inside.

He managed to over hear that apparently things were running smoothly, (whatever those things are). He couldn't quite make out what Mei was saying to the other two but he new it wasn't good for him.

"I think she might be on to me, I can't let her find me out but I can't leave just yet. I have to find out what they're planning. For my people's safety I must find out".

Knowing that the Elven King and Queen would soon be on the case if they weren't already, Kensuke held his position and kept quiet as to not draw any more unwanted attention to himself. He would have to achieve his goal soon though, his hologram was starting to falter and he can't continue to fix it unnoticed for to much longer.

Giving it a little more energy inconspicuously, Kensuke began to listen once again. 'I need to keep this up just a little longer", Kensuke said as he raised his ear to the voices inside the tent.

[Isurugi Mei]

Looking back to the guard once again, Mei smiled as she could still sense that there was something off by these people. She turned back to the commander, "Well, I guess I could take matters into my hands. You guys keep up the good work, I'm going to go see the Queen now."

She turned around and headed out the tent. She stopped right where the guards were and eyed them again. "What are your names and what duties do you have for today?"

[Kensuke Kimachi]

Looking at Mei, Kensuke quickly came up with a response. "I am Kinich and this is Aladdin, we are here to patrol the campsite for any intruders. Are post however at this minute is here, guarding the entrance to the main tent to prevent unauthorized entree.” Kensuke said with utmost seriousness on his face to seem convincing.

Quickly glancing at his partner, Kensuke starts to prepare for the worst. He stands at direct attention as he addresses the Fae’s question, looking directly in her eyes with no fear or suspicion to him. The camp around him was going about as usual but he had to make sure he got out of their before the other guards came back. Of course he was devising a back up plan as he waited on Mei’s response to him

[Isurugi Mei]

She looked at him a raised eye brow. "Oh really? Well I'm glad to see you at work, my dear child." Smiling, she placed her hand on Kinich's head. Michael. Michael was already at work to read what looked like a Fae guard mind. Her eyes went wide as soon as she read that he was an Elf. "Why you sly little Elf!" She grabbed him and threw him to the ground. "There's an Elf present!" She screamed to alert the guards and soldiers nearby.

[Kensuke Kimachi]

This came as a surprise to Kensuke, he didn't expect her to touch him and read his mind like that. This most definitely was a setback but now was not the time to think about that as he got thrown to the ground by surprise by the Fae. Quickly rebounding with a swift back flip, Kensuke regained his footing.

Taking off the disguise and dissipating the hologram, Kensuke prepared to put his plan back into action. He quickly produced a Void portal under the area of him and Mei and teleported them to another location on the outskirts of the dream realm far away from any other creatures so that they could be alone to talk or due battle depending on what the Fae did next. Arriving at a small square island about big as a small city block in the middle of a large dream ocean, the two landed dead center of it all. There was no vegetation or life on the island just sand and rocks.

"I brought us here so we would have no interference from your loyal though less than observant subordinates. I won't fight you unless that is what you wish. What are you doing setting up military camps so near our borders, I must know"? Kensuke asks the Fae, preparing to counter if the Fae made an attempt to attack him.

[Isurugi Mei]

Mei was a bit surprised that the Elf was able to teleport them to some place near the outer edges of the realm. Mei stood in defense with her sword drawn ready to attack just in case the Elf decided to use more trickery.

"How do I know you won't attack me, all of you elves seemed to like to use tricks and magic. Besides, I don't why the Queen decided to set up camps along the borders of Exile. She doesn't make such actions unless she felt that her people are threaten by your people. I only came to check on things before I went to talk to her. Now tell me why you were in the camps in the first place."

[Kensuke Kimachi]

" I won't attack you because my intentions were simply to infiltrate and learn of your Queen's plans. I won't attack you unless you attack first, I give you my word on that. My peolpe are my concern just as the Fae are her's. I just want to make sure that our noble race will be safe from the ill intentions of the Fae, even if that means I infiltrate your camps and put my life at risk. As far as i see it you have no real reason to be there, we have done you no wrong have we"? Kensuke says as he begins to size up his possible opponent.

[Isurugi Mei]

"Done us no wrong? How do I know what you guys been doing? I've been busy in Heaven. I hope you do know that you're talking to a Heaven Queen right now. Any attacks you make will be your last. I suggest you don't try anything stupid unless you want you and your people staring the weapons of both Fae and Heaven." She put her hand on her hip and her sword on her shoulder.

"I have other things to do now. I would suggest you don't try to infiltrate none of our camps ever again, spy. Such things could lead into a fight or something."

[Kensuke Kimachi]

" I know full well who I'm talking to and it doesn't make me any difference. I know of Heaven and all it's kings and none of them I fear and you are no different so save your dramatics for another. To be so tough you sure do seem rather on edge, like I said before I wont attack you first, i gave you my word on that. This might not mean anything to your kind however to mine it means a lot". Kensuke says as he begins to circle the Heavenly Queen.

" I don't care for your threats either but it doesn't matter, all I needed to hear was info on why your troops were their in the first place. You can't tell me anything so you are obviously useless to me. Oh and for the record I nor the rest of us fear a fight but I will do what I can to keep them safe." Kensuke says as he begins to think about his mother Azura's death at the hands of Fae, stopping a short distance infront of her.

Opening up a portal back to the area of the camp outside of the woods, Kensuke turns his back and begins to walk to the other end of the island. " You can remove yourself from my pressence now oh Queen if you wish. This will take you back to your little camp and you can continue whatever task you were doing, unless that is you have anything else to say of any importance". Stopping and turning around, Kensuke looks back to her anything useful this so called great Queen had to say.

[Isurugi Mei]

"You will not talk to me in that kind of tone! I'll not accept such behavior!" She disappeared and reappeared in front of him, grabbing the scruff of his shirt. "You obviously want a fight don't you?" push him away from her she turned around. "Well, to bad because i'm not giving you one."

She extended her wings and rose to the sky. "I tell the Queen about you and your people spying on our people. You might want to stay away from our camps if you don't want to get killed on site." She then rose further in the sky before disappearing.

[Kensuke Kimachi]

Awakening from dormancy Kimachi a little confused. " Hey what I miss bro"? Looking through Kensuke's eyes he spots Mei flying away into the distance. " Who was that if I might ask oh brother of mine"? Kimachi asks as they watch the figure disapear into the wild blue sky.

" It doesn't matter, just forget about it". Kensuke says walking to the edge of the island. Standing on the beach there is a long silence until Kimachi loudly breaks it, as usual.

" What do you mean it doesn't matter, who was that. Don't tell me you pissed someone else off again. You're always doing that, remember what happend the last time you kept pissing people off. I couldn't remember my name for a month and you got nasty rash on your ass".

Sending a quick jolt to his brother's spirit, Kensuke showed he has had enough of his brother's less than happy memories. " Will you please shut up, I think i get your point but like I said it's ok, everything is about to fall into place. I have this under control, or at least I hope I do". Kensuke says as he opens a portal under his feet and teleports away from the island.