Chihiro looked over at the plains in front of her. The sweeping hills moved majestically as the blades of grass upon them blew in the wind. This peaceful and tranquil scene stretched on to infinity, and the tranquility would soon become her personal hell. She knew this, and she braced herself for the journey ahead.

"Barney, do you think we'll ever reach home? Do you think we'll see mum and dad again" she said to her purple companion. The Dinosaur, only a baby by Dino-Standards, but still a fairly large beast, looked up at Chihiro.

"I love you, you love me. Soon we'll find our family" he said, with an air of mysticism around him. This was Barney's gift – he always knew how to sound wise, and it cheered Chihiro up.

It had been a long journey to get here. Many people she'd loved had died. Many people had survived when fate said they shouldn't have. A battle had been fought but lost, however the war was won. She smiled. The greatest task before how now was going home, and hoping a home was still there. Compared to the last few months, that was a relatively simple task.

She swung a leg over his bag, and they rode off towards infinity.

5 Months Ago

June 15th

In the slums beneath Neo Tokyo...

2D and Murdoc sat in the bar, drinking down a mouthful of cold beer. They'd only been here a week, but it felt like their search was already doomed to failure.

"All of Tokyo, and we can't find one Noodle" joked Murdoc. Their search for the missing guitarist had taken them all over the world, and finally led them here, to her home city. Even here though, her name made people scratch their heads in confusion. It was like the whole world had forgotten the global rock star.

"No use drowning ourselves in booze 'Doc, let's go" said 2D, as he resigned himself from the bar.

"Just a few more minutes, I'll catch up." Murdoc ordered another drink – something stronger this time. He sat on his own in the bar and looked around at the clientèle. Mostly has-beens, and people who's life had taken a turn for the worse. As he looked around, he caught the eye of one man in particular. This man stood up and walked towards Murdoc, with the poise and authority of a man that had seen combat.

"I know where your Noodle is" he said.

"What? How do you, who are you?" Murdoc spluttered out.

"I can't tell you who I am. But for now call me..." The old man lit up a cigarette, despite the no smoking rules. No-one seemed to mind. "...Call me Snake"

"Snake, huh?" Murdoc held back a laugh, "So how do you know Noodle?"

The old man coughed. His age obviously didn't agree with the nicotine.

"I don't. But I know where she is. Well, more to the point, I know who took her."

Murdoc raised an eyebrow. Noodle had been kidnapped?

"By who?" Murdoc started to sweat. He wasn't prepared for this. He hoped to find her chilling in the countryside, not tied up in a basement.

"I can't tell you. You wouldn't believe me. If you want to help you friend, meet me tomorrow night at the old Shinra Warehouse. All will be revealed"

And like that, he was gone. Murdoc downed his drink and left towards his hotel room.