Disclaimer: I don't own the original FY characters; I own Kei, Taki, Lily, Jason, their kids and any other person who isn't a FY character.

Hi everyone! Looks like I'm back! I came up with a plot for a sequel. Now to see how well the sequel does against the original. BTW, if you didn't read Amethyst and Amber, don't read this. It's not gonna make any sense. You can try, but I don't think it'll work.

Anyway, happy reading!

            Thoughts

            Memories

            Summary: The book was supposed to be sealed forever, never to trouble the real world again. But when the child of a seishi and descendant of a miko finds it 20 years later, there's no telling what could happen. When 17-year-old Akane finds the book, she understands what her parents tried to teach her through out her life. When she meets the son of her father's best friend, old ideals clash with modern thinking and sparks will fly. She and her cousins will learn about their parents' and why they had hoped to leave it behind.

            List of kids:

            ~*~In the real world~*~

            Akane (warrior) - Kei and Tasuki's daughter. 17, oldest of the 6 kids. Relatively tall, jet black hair to her waist and amber eyes. Sharp canine teeth, though not quite fangs like her father.

            Hiroshi (generous) - Taki and Hotohori's son. 15, second oldest. Tallest of the 6, long silver hair and golden eyes. Generally the peacekeeper among the 6.

            Naoko (honest) and Nyoko (gem) - Jason and Nuriko's twin daughters. 14, second youngest. Shorter than Akane, Naoko's purple hair reaches to her shoulders and Nyoko's to her waist. Both have dark, deep hazel eyes. No one pushes them around and they won't hesitate to defend themselves.

            Toru (sea) and Toshiro (Intelligent) - Lily and Chichiri's twin sons. 13, youngest two. Toshiro's red blonde hair is in a style like his father's only without the ponytail in back. Toru pulls his back into a simple ponytail. Both have sharp emerald eyes that don't miss anything. Toshiro is the smartest out of the 6. Toru chooses to be athletic rather than scholarly.

            ~*~In the book~*~

            Kano (capability) - Kouji's son. 19, next in line for bandit leader after his father. Nearly 6 foot, dark blue hair styled like his father, emerald eyes. His mother was one of Kouji's mistresses. He's not completely sure he wants to become the bandit leader, but has accepted it. He understands why the other bandits tend to kidnap women sometimes but takes no part in it because he feels that women should stay at home and not even leave the town they live in where they could be at risk of being taken.

            Reizo (calm and cool) - Nakago's son. 20, general of Kutou's army. He acts and looks exactly like Nakago except for the fact that his eyes are a frightening blue-gray. He knows who killed his father and hates Tasuki and his family for it. He waits for a chance to exact his revenge on the family that ruined his life and took his father's. Reizo was 3 when Nakago was killed in the last story.

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            Akane's POV

Ever have one of those days when you knew things would get weird? If you haven't, there's this thing in the back of your mind that keeps telling you to stay away from something. But chances are you won't listen. Sometimes you regret it, sometimes it for the best.

I ran downstairs to get breakfast. My mom was at the table with a bowl of cereal and a newspaper. "Morning Akane." She briefly smiled at me and went back to the paper.

"Morning, Mommy." I love my mom. She's the best. She's been through Hell and back too. I always admired her for living so well after a childhood in Hell, but she said that's where Dad came in.

My dad…he's cool too. I'm only 17 and he's already taught me to fight with twin daggers and a couple martial arts styles. I don't know if I'll ever have to knife fight, but it couldn't hurt to know, right?

"Any plans for today, Akane?" Mom finished her coffee and cereal.

"I was gonna take Gen-chan to the park for a while, then go hang out with Hiroshi." Gen-chan…he's my pet. He's about 5. Mom says Gen-chan was one of her dog's puppies. He's adorable and obeys all my commands. If he doesn't understand he just turns his head and stares at me, confused. I'd be mad, but he looks so funny.

"When are you leaving and when will you be back?"

"For Pete's sake, Kei…Akane can take care of herself." Dad came into the kitchen. "You worry too much."

"Thank you Daddy…" I smiled widely.

"Tasuki, I just wanna know where she is. Akane, don't suck up to your father." She glanced at me.

I stuck my tongue out. "I wasn't sucking up. I suck up when I tell Daddy he's the greatest in the world."

"Hey! And here I though I was being a good father." Daddy feigned hurt. I giggled.

"Oh stop…" Mommy rolled her eyes. Hey eyes are so pretty. She's the only person I've ever known with purple eyes. "Akane, just be back by 18:30. That's dinner."

"Okay, Mommy." I kissed them both and grabbed my watch. "Love you, Daddy." I whistled for Gen-chan and left.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Narrator's POV

Kei looked up at Tasuki. "You're gonna spoil her…"

"Hey, I spoil you and you don't complain." He wrapped his arms around her.

"That's different. I'm your wife." She smiled and looked at her ring. "20 years…"

"Yep…"

"Think she believes the stories?"

"About Konan?"

"Yeah…"

"I think when she was younger, yes. What little girl wouldn't want to believe her mother was a goddess and her father was a warrior who served her?"

"I guess…I just hope she never sees it…looking back, it's not a place for a person from this world."

"True…but we don't have to worry. The book is sealed. Akane won't see Konan."

"You're right…do you ever regret leaving?"

"Not for a moment." Tasuki lightly kissed her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Akane walked down the sidewalk with Gen-chan at her side. Her hair was gently pushed around by the mid fall breeze. She smiled as she entered the park and saw her aunt and uncle and Hiroshi.

"Aunt Taki! Uncle Hotohori! Hiroshi!" She ran to where they were.

"Hey Akane!" Hiroshi waved.

She hugged her aunt and uncle.

"Morning Akane." Taki smiled at her.

The small group walked around the park. Akane pulled a tennis ball from her pocket and tossed it out in front of them and Gen-chan would get it and bring it back.

"Uncle Hotohori?" Akane looked up at him.

"Yes?"

"Where are you from?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Daddy says you and he are from another world. Is it true?"

"Depends on what you call another world."

"I mean Konan. Is it a real place?"

Hiroshi rolled his eyes. "Akane, do you still believe in old bedtime stories? That's so immature. I though we were all past that."

Taki swatted at her son. "Hiroshi! Don't call her immature."

"But Mom!"

"Don't 'But Mom' me. Konan is a real place."

"Come on, Mom. There's no such thing!"

Hotohori sighed. "Hiroshi, don't be so skeptical. The Universe of the Four Gods is a real place."

"Can we visit?" Akane looked hopeful.

"No. The only way there has been sealed off. There's no way back."

"Don't you get homesick, Dad?"

"No. I have everything I need in this world." He looked at Taki.

"That's so sweet, Uncle Hotohori!" Akane cooed.

"Akane, you are so weird." Hiroshi sighed. "You never fail to somehow let your girly side out every once in a while."

"So what?" Akane pouted.

Taki smiled. "Why don't you two go to the library for a while? I think you need quite time."

"Yes, Aunt Taki."

"Okay, Mom."

The two teens and Gen-chan bowed to their elders and left the park. Akane whacked Hiroshi in back of the head.

"Why ya always gotta make fun of me?"

"Cause it's kinda easy." He rubbed his head and ducked under another swing.

"Jeez, you're supposed to be nice to me. I'm older than you."

"And yet you're shorter…OW!" She clocked him in the back of the head again.

"Shut up and go in. Gen-chan, wait here. We'll be out soon." Gen-chan sat down under a tree and went to sleep.

Akane found on of her friends working at the desk. "Hey Kimiko, anything interesting in?"

Kimiko looked up. "Oh hey, Akane. Nothing really." She then remembered something. "Actually now that I think about it, we actually got something really weird."

"Can I see?"

"Sure." Kimiko fished around under the desk and pulled out a large, beat up, leather bound book. "This. It's really old and completely blank."

Akane flipped through the pages. Nothing was written anywhere. "Weird…what's gonna happen to it?"

"Probably throw it out. A book's no good if it ain't got words, ya know?"

"Yeah…say, can I have it?"

"What for?"

"Dunno. It's a really cool cover thought. Maybe I'll use it for a diary of something."

"Okay then. It's yours." Kimiko handed her the book.

"Thanks. See ya at school in…what do we have left?"

"Two week before next term."

"Right. Hopefully before then though."

"Later."

Akane waved to Kimiko and found Hiroshi in the history section. "Nerd…"

"Hey, I just wanna be ready for school."

"Like I said, 'Nerd.'"

"Whatever. What's that?" He saw the book in Akane's hand.

"A blank book the library got. Kimiko let me have it."

"What for?"

"A diary, I dunno. They were gonna throw it out though."

"Whatever. Let's go. Gen-chan is out there waiting."

"Okay." The teens left and sat in the grass with Gen-chan.

"Lemme see that thing." Hiroshi took the book.

"Okay…"

Hiroshi flipped through it. "Ya know what I don't understand?"

"A lot?" His eyes narrowed. "Sorry…what?"

"The pages look new. This obviously isn't new though…"

"Lemme see." Akane took it back. "You're right…" Something caught her eye. "Hey…I though it was blank…"

"What?" He leaned over to look.

"Look. There's writing here." She squinted. "'It all comes full circle.' What's that supposed to mean?"

"Akane…drop the book…"

"Why?" The pages began filling with text. She screamed and flung it away. Akane gripped Hiroshi's arm. "You saw that too, right?"

"I…I think so…" They watched as the glowing died down. "You wanna check?"

"You do it!"

"You were the one who wanted it in the first place!"

"How was I supposed to know that would happen?"

Neither teen noticed Gen-chan walking towards the book. Akane looked up to see him sniffing it.

"Gen-chan! Don't!" Akane ran and grabbed him just as the light flared up again and engulfed them both. Akane screamed then was gone.

Hiroshi stared at the book. "What the hell…" He sat alone in the grass with just his thoughts and the book to keep him company.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Akane's POV

Ever have one of those days when you knew things would get weird? If you haven't, there's this thing in the back of your mind that keeps telling you to stay away from something. But chances are you won't listen. Sometimes you regret it, sometimes it for the best.

I haven't figured out what this is yet. When I opened my eyes, I was lying near a river in a forest. A forest? Wasn't I with Hiroshi? Wait…the book…

Gen-chan nudged at my hand. I sat up and looked around. The book…am I in it? Is this Konan? I breathed in deeply. I felt better here than I've ever in my world. Then again, if this is Konan, then part of me does belong here, right?

I stood up. The sun was rising. I suddenly realized how hungry I am. I never ate breakfast.

"Come on boy, let's find some food." I began walking through the forest followed by Gen-chan.

I wish I had a small idea of where I was going. Every thing looks the same…the same…I pulled out one of my knives. I should mark my path. I slashed an X into a tree and kept walking. I finally stopped walking in circles.

I saw a clearing beyond some trees. "Stay boy…" Gen-chan sat. I climbed a tree and used the limbs to have a closer look.

The clearing was filled with men. Mostly young adults, one that looked younger than the rest and one older. I think the older one is the leader. The smell of their food was starting to get to me. I was so hungry.

I dropped down into the bushes and waited. One of them put their plate close to me, so I did what any hungry person would do. I took it.

Without looking back, I hurried back to Gen-chan. The food wasn't bad. I wondered who cooked it. I gave Gen-chan some too. He liked it.

One of the men started yelling about how his food was taken. He was really pissed. I decided it was best to leave now. But where? They probably know the woods better than me. I frowned. They'll be pissed if they find me, but I gotta find out where I am. It's probably a lose-lose situation here.

I decided to run. If I could find that river, maybe I could follow it and find a town. Gen-chan appeared by my side and we ran. Both my parents were fast, so I am too. As I ran, I tried to listen for anyone following. I stopped near the river. Breathing heavily I looked around. No one followed me, but it was too soon to say I was in the clear.

I started following the river downstream, hoping to find a town.

Guess I'm not that lucky though…

Before Gen-chan or I even realized it, the men from the clearing had surrounded us.

Damn…I sighed and looked at all of them. The older man from before made the men hold their ground.

"Looks like we found the little thief…" He held a dagger in his hand.

"What are you talking about?" I tried to keep my nerve but it was hard.

"Look sweetie, we don't like thieves. You see, we're the Mt. Reikaku bandits. No one steals from us." He approached me slowly.

"What makes you think I stole something from you?"

"You're the only one around that isn't one of us…"

"I don't suppose it would help if I said I was hungry…"

"Then you admit it?"

"I guess."

"Who are you?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

"You've got quite an attitude…"

"And?"

"Who are you?"

"Akane."

"Kouji. What's your whole name?"

"Kou Akane." Why was he so curious? I mean, other than the fact that I took their food…

"You look awfully familiar…" Kouji wouldn't stop looking me over.

"Well, I know I've never seen you before…"

"Dad, she's just another lost girl. Let her go and let's go back to the stronghold." The younger bandit pestered Kouji.

"Kano, shut up. I will find out what she's doing here."

"Fine, fine. Whatever." I don't like Kano. He's mean.

"So Akane…what's your mother's name? And your father's?"

"Why?"

"Answer me or you'll be in more trouble than you can talk your way out of." He snarled at me. I took a step back.

"Fine. My parents are Kei and Tasuki." When I said it, half the bandits dropped their weapons, the others froze. "What? What'd I say?"

"Are you telling the truth about your parents?"

"Why would I make it up?"

"Then we should have a nice, long talk…" Kouji put away his weapon and turned to Kano. "Kano, give the girl your horse."

"Why? It's mine?"

"Kano…" Kouji sounded annoyed. I guess Kano hates taking order.

"Ummm…I can walk…" I offered.

"No. It's a long trip up the mountain. You can't walk."

"Dad, she said she'd walk. If she wants to suffer, let her."

"Kano…"

"I'm fine walking. Really." I felt like I was pleading.

"Akane, you are not walking. Kano, if you don't want to give up Rai, share."

Kano hated that suggestion. "What?!?! Out of all the horses here, why do you want her to share with me?"

"Because you have the biggest problem with it." Father of the year, Kouji ain't.

Kano finally gave up. "Fine! Whatever! She can have the damn horse!"

"What the hell is your problem?!?!" Now I was annoyed. "What is it with you?"

"Girls shouldn't be out on their own! They can't protect themselves."

"What?!?!" Now I was mad. How dare he!! "You've got some nerve! I'm standing right here!"

"So what?" We locked eyes. I think it'll be a long ride to the bandit home.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

            Narrator's POV

            "Lord Reizo?" A Kutou soldier approached a young man.

            "What?" He looked up.

            "Out spies have confirmed that the child of your father's murderer is in the forests near Mt. Reikaku."

He clenched his fist. "For sure?"

"Yes, my lord. What are your orders?"

"Where is the child?"

"She is with the Mt. Reikaku bandits, Lord Reizo. Shall we take her?"

"A girl, is it? This makes everything better. No…let her get comfortable here before snatching her. Continue to give daily reports." He looked down at the soldier. "Now get out of my sight."

"Yes, sir." The soldier quickly backed out of the room.

Reizo smirked and stared out a window at the blood red sun. "Father…everything is coming together. I'll finally have my revenge on the one that killed you and ruined my life…you will soon be able to rest easy…"

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So everyone, how's it look? I know this will be considerably shorter than the last story but hopefully, the quality will make up for the quantity.

Review as always. All are welcome. If you don't like it, please explain why.

~*~Shadow Hawk~*~

            2/17/03