"So you're going up against a complete mystery then." Xing said, drying off a few plates. "I wish you luck then."

Shiki smiled."thanks"

"No prob." Xing replied. "Where d'you think Abby went, anyway?"

"no idea",Shiki said truthully."Kimiko do you know?"

Kimiko shook her head."nope no idea"

----

Abby smiled as she laied flowers on the grave stones."i hope that some dy i get to meet you and Admidamaru"

Shiki nodded and gave a small sigh. His upcoming fight with Faust that night wasn't the only thing that was worrying him. It was also the very real possibilitiy that his family was competing.

Shiki looked at him."somthung else bothering you?"

Xing looked up and smiled. "Nothing big, no." He replied. "Just overall jitters, I guess."

Bason however could see through Xing's lie. Master Xing, there is no need for you to hide your thoughts. He thought. The worry about your family, the rest of the Tao clan, competing in the Shaman Fight as well.

Shiki looked at him unsure."normally i'ed get Abby to get whats bugging you out of you,but shes not home so your spared .... for now",he said and paused looking to the clock."wonder where she is"

Xing looked up at the clock. By now it was nearly two in the afternoon. "She's been gone for a while," He said, picking up one of the pans to dry it.

Shiki nodded."im sure shes fine....",he said calmly."she knows the town pritty well"

"I see," Xing replied.

((Wanna fast-forward a bit?))

((sure ^^

Later that night--about eleven thirty according to his watch--Xing was staring out of his open window, his tapping foot showing his nervousness. He'd moved his few belongings out of his old apartment and moved into the guest bedroom.

Shiki came up to Xings door and knocked."hey Xing,you ready to go?",he asked calmly.

-----

Abby had spent most of the day speakng to the spirits in the grave,alot of them telling stories of her great (ad alot more greats in there)grandparents,and how there batel went 500 years ago. Before she knew it it was already 11:30."oh no,im gonna be late for Xings match!",she said paniced. And headed for the front of the cematary. She jolted to a stop spotting Faust. 'who is that creepy guy?' she thought to herself.

Xing jumped when Shiki asked. "Er, yeah, I guess." He said, striding to his bed and picking up his halberd and leather jacket. He tried his best to look calm, but in truth he was scared out of his wits.

***

Faust XIX looked curiously at the girl. "Sorry, I didn't see you there." He said pleasantly, which was counteracted with his slightly creepy smile. "Has anyone told you that you're rather pretty?"

Abby felt some chills run down her back."....other then my parents.....no",she said looking at him."so what brings you the grave yard?",she asked looking around."have any relitives barried here?"

--

Shiki smiled some and blinked."oh Abby texted me,she'l meet us at the grave yard,she didnt say what she was up to,just that she was sorry for loseing track of time"

"No, I'm merely here for the Shaman Fight." Faust replied, that soft and creepy smile still in place. "I'm young Xing's opponent."

***

"Ah." Xing replied, nodding. He waited as Shiki locked up before setting off down the sidewalk, feeling as if he was walking towards his execution. Gah, I gotta get those thoughts out of my head. He thought.

Abby smiled slightly."oh hes my friend!",she said with a bright smile on her face."i wish the best of luck to the both of you!",she said all cheery like.

---

Shiki looked at him."hey you'll be just fine its not like your going alone" right?"

Faust's smile widened, still not showing his teeth. "Well, then thank you!" He replied cheerfully.

***

Xing smiled weakly and nodded. "Yeah, I have to agree with you there." He replied. He shivered. "Hey, did it get really cold just now or is it my imagination?"

Yukina smiled."i better go meet him and Shiki at the front",she said and started to head for the front of the graveyard.

--

Shiki also shiverd."no,i felt it...odd"

Faust merely smiled as the girl as she went to meet her friend. She isn't my opponent, that much I know. Xing is a boy, he thought absently.

***

A strange look came over Xing's face. "I'm not liking this already." He said, rubbing his arms.

"Youll be pkay",Shiki said reenshuringly. Then looked up seeing Abby waveing at them."there she is...",he said sounding relived.

Abby ran up to them."hey!",she said happily and smiled."dont look so nervous,your gonna do great!",she said and pulled a pendent out of her pocket."here i made this,while i was ... out .... its a sighn of friendship,i made one for Shiki years ago,so no worries there,this ones especially for you,so if we ever have to miss one anothers match for what ever reason they know there not alone",she said all chipper like.

"Thanks," Xing said as the slipped the pendant over his head. "I've just...I've heard about what happens to those who go up against Faust...since he's a necromancer."

"You've heard of me then? I'm honored!" A slightly feminine voice said from behind them. Xing jumped, then turned to see someone with unnaturally pale skin, makeup, and he was wearing a shirt that looked like it belonged on a zombie. His trousers and boots on the other hand looked rather well-kept. He had what looked oddly like a body bag slung over his shoulder. The young man also has stitching all over his skin. "I wonder, which one of you is Tao Xing?"

Abby looked to Faust. Starting to feel uneasy.Then looking to Xing she smiled."your welcome!",she said looking happy."Go kick some but!",she said proudly.

"Why'd I have to get the creepy psycho for an opponent?" Xing asked as he strode up to Faust. He held out his hand. "I'm Tao Xing. May the best man win in this battle, right?"

Faust took Xing's hand and shook it. He had white gloves over his hands, but the man's touch was ice cold. It made a shiver run up Xing's arm. There's something really off about this guy. He thought.