Disclaimer: I don't own Shinzo.

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Kiri

"Wooohoooo!" Yelled Mushra performing a sideways roll on his hover disk as he sped across a marsh not far from where they were camped. He couldn't have stood being in their camp for another second. They were all just sitting there doing something boring while he was just itching to do something fun. So, he just quietly grabbed his hover disk and slipped out of camp, and that's why he was in the marsh performing wild and crazy stunts on his hover disk. It felt good to out in the open air with the wind rushing past him; he suddenly wished he could do this everyday like he did before he met Yakumo. Mushra shook his head, he couldn't think so stupidly, he was helping Yakumo get to Shinzo, the fabled last city of the humans, and he was enjoying the journey. But… He just wished something… exciting… would happen just to brighten his mood. He looked down at his feet as he continued to speed through the marsh confident that there was nothing or nobody in this marsh. A small, frightened scream caused him to look up and gasp, there was someone running across the marsh… Straight into the path of his hover disk… "Look out!" Screamed Mushra trying to bring his disk to a full stop before hitting the person, but to no avail. He slammed into the person knocking them down as he flew off of his disk and landed headfirst into the mud. Mushra pulled his head out of the mud and turning to the person yelled, "Hey, didn't you hear me? What are you crazy running around in a marsh like this…? Huh?" He stared dumbly as the person turned their head towards him, he gasped. It was a little girl, a little human girl. She had messy brown hair, a large white t-shirt, tattered black shorts underneath, and she was barefoot. "You…? Aren't you a human?" Asked Mushra leaning closer to the girl as tears formed in her eyes. "What's wrong?" The girl looked up and screamed as a roar sounded from behind Mushra, he turned around to face several large caterpillar looking things with Enterrans riding them.

"Hey, it's the human girl, Kiri! We've found her!" Yelled one Enterran looking to his left apparently announcing their discovery to more Enterrans on caterpillars. "So, you guys get over here quick! Before she gets away!"

Kiri huddled herself closer to the ground as Mushra stood up revealing the extendable staff he kept in this pocket. It grew to its normal length as another caterpillar riding Enterran exclaimed, "An Enterran! She's with an Enterran!"

"I don't care!" Yelled the last caterpillar riding Enterran that was in the trio. "I don't care who she's with, we have to capture her and take her back to the king!" The Enterran looked down at Mushra and growled, "Now, get out of the way little Enterran before we are forced to hurt you!"

"Ha! You hurt me? I'm afraid it'll be the other way around!" Exclaimed Mushra leaping at the closest caterpillar as Kiri gasped huddling closer to the ground. The caterpillars groaned and backed off after Mushra had knocked them around a couple of good times. "Ha! Why don't you guys just give up! There's no way the three of you can beat me!" Added Mushra as the three Enterrans quickly brought their caterpillars under control.

"Well, fine, Enterran. How about we even the odds a little bit." Said the first Enterran who spoke with a slight grin as seven more caterpillars with Enterran riders appeared behind the original three. "How this? A little bit more even for you?" Asked the Enterran with an evil grin on his face.

Crap! Thought Mushra as the caterpillars started to move closer. Even I can't take on all those Enterrans without hyper-forming. And, I don't want to scare the human either, Yakumo will be happy to see another person like herself. Added Mushra mentally as he placed himself between Kiri and the Enterrans. At best, he could keep them from getting to her. The closet caterpillar lunged at him mouth, yes mouth, wide open as Mushra did something that surprised even himself. He whirled around and took Kiri protectively in his arms, using his body as a shield for hers. Mushra closed his eyes as he heard the caterpillar roar in excitement over the impending kill, since Mushra had placed himself in front of Kiri, and the Enterrans didn't care what happened to him… Well, looks like the caterpillar was about to have a nice little Enterran lunch, and Mushra was the main course. That is, until…

Mushra gasped as three clicks were heard in rapid succession, he opened his eyes only to have to close them again because three explosions rocked the area in front of them. The dying cries of the caterpillars and their riders reached Mushra's ears as the noise from the explosions died down, he opened his eyes and looked over as the Encards of the attackers floated down through the air in front of him. Kiri gasped and promptly fainted, probably from all of the excitement, as a dark blur shot in front of them and whisked all of the fallen Enterran's Encards out of the air.

"Are you okay, hyper-Enterran, Mushra?" Asked a young girl's voice as Mushra let Kiri slump limply to the ground as he stared at the darkened figure in front of him. The figure slipped the Encards into a pouch attached to what looked like some sort of a strap across its chest. Mushra was about to answer when a roar was heard from the other end of the marsh, the figure looked over its shoulder then looked back in such a way that Mushra could see its two, large emerald green eyes. The figure then added, "The reinforcements are coming. I suggest you two get out of here."

Mushra stared at the figure dumbstruck, who was this person? And, how did they just take care of ten Enterrans and their rides without breaking a sweat? Mushra then blinked in disbelief of what his eyes were seeing, but when his eyes opened again the figure was gone! Disappeared into thin air! He stood up and looked around as the roaring of the reinforcements got closer. "Yeah. We better get out of here…" Said Mushra slowly to no one specific, he then whistled and his hover disk, which had landed a good distance away, came flying over to him. Mushra gently placed Kari's unconscious body onto the disk and quickly jumped on himself as the roaring became even closer. After a fleeting look at the spot that figure had stood in, he quickly took off in the direction of the camp that held his friends. He hoped he had enough time to get there and get them out of there before the reinforcements found him.

"Are you sure that was a good idea to reveal yourself so soon? I thought you wanted to wait?" Asked a fuzzy ball as it zipped past the figure's cocked head as they watched the Enterran leave from their hiding spot in a nearby lone tree.

"I couldn't let him get eaten by those beasts, now could I?" Asked the figure placing a finger on its chin. "Besides it's a lot more fun when there're confused. And, as you know, girls just love to have fun."

Mushra looked around as he brought his hover disk to a full stop just outside their camp. He looked around at his friends as they were doing the exact same thing they were doing when he left earlier. Kutal was cooking up a gourmet something or other, Sago was flipping a coin between his fingers, and Yakumo was still fussing with her misbehaving hair. Maybe if I tried using tree sap… Thought Yakumo straightening a strand of hair only to have it curl back out again a couple of seconds later. Mushra sighed, they looked so content and bored, and he hated the thought of having to bug their quiet moment because they didn't get a lot of them. A faint roar brought him out of his thoughts and back to the current situation. He looked at them as they continued doing what they were doing, they hadn't heard the roar and didn't know the danger that was heading towards them. Mushra sighed again, and then taking a deep breath started flying towards them.

"Yakumo, Sago, Kutal! Pack it up and come on! He have to get out of here!" Shouted Mushra as soon as he got close enough to them. They looked over at Mushra dumbly as he got closer as he added, "There is a large Enterran army headed straight this way!"

"What does that have to do with us?" Asked Kutal calmly as he tasted his latest creation. "We've done nothing wrong… Wait. Mushra, what have you done now?"

"I didn't do anything!" Yelled Mushra angry. "If we don't get out of here now those Enterrans are going to find us!"

"Calm down, Mushra." Said Yakumo gently giving up on her hair. "How do you know these Enterrans are coming after you?"

Mushra was about to answer when a roar was heard behind him and the first caterpillar crashed through the brush into the clearing they were in. Yakumo screamed as Sago and Kutal, quickly loading his cookware into his car, jumped on their vehicles and were already heading for the other end of the clearing. "See, I told you!" Exclaimed Mushra as Hakuba got into the air and brought the protective glass over the diver's cockpit where Yakumo was seated. Yakumo smiled shakily as they both took off after Sago and Kutal, who were waiting for them.

"There they are!" Shouted an Enterran noticing the group leaving. "Follow them! Don't let the human and her Enterran protector get away!"

"Mushra, who do you got there?" Asked Yakumo looking over and noticing that Mushra was sharing his hover disk with an unconscious form.

"A surprise." Answered Mushra simply as the sudden noise of the caterpillars crashing through the underbrush hit their ears.

"Well, you can show her the surprise later." Said Sago appearing between them. "Let's just find somewhere safe to hide for now."

The group continued down the path in the forest and following closely behind them were the Enterrans riding caterpillars. As soon as the Enterrans were a good distance away a figure jumped out of the forest. "They certainly didn't waste any time, did they?" Asked Neko as Masha buzzed around her head.

"They must really want that human, Kiri." Replied Masha.

"Hmm, there is something odd about Kiri. I just know it." Said Neko as Masha looked over at her confused. "Anyway, let's get going."

"Shh." Hushed Mushra as the caterpillars stopped right outside there hiding place in an old abandoned trolley car. The group held their breath as the Enterrans looked around.

"They're here somewhere! Keep looking!" Yelled an Enterran to the others searching around as it moved away from the group to look somewhere else.

The group exhaled quietly when they realized they were safe for the moment as Kiri groaned a little waking up. The sound caught the attention of the people around her as they looked down as she looked up. Kiri gasped as she looked into the faces of three Enterrans and a young woman. "So, you're finally up." Said Mushra as Yakumo took a closer look at Mushra's surprise.

"A-are you a human?" Asked Yakumo with a tinge of excitement in her voice.

"Are you Yakumo?" Asked Kiri sitting up.

"Yes." Answered Yakumo.

"Oh, I knew I'd find you!" Exclaimed Kiri hugging Yakumo around the waist.

"How do you know Yakumo?" Asked Mushra leaning closer to Kiri as Yakumo looked down at the human hugging her waist.

Kiri looked over at Mushra and exclaimed scared, "Oh, Yakumo! Get him away! Get him away from me!"

"What?" Asked Mushra confused. "What did I do?"

"What's you name?" Asked Yakumo seemingly trailing off of the subject of why she's afraid of Mushra.

"Kiri."

''Kiri? Why are you afraid of Mushra? He won't hurt you." Asked Yakumo getting back on the subject.

"Enterrans are evil! They killed my parents!" Exclaimed Kiri.

"Not all Enterrans are evil." Said Yakumo trying to calm the girl down. "Mushra's actually quite friendly.

"Yeah, I won't hurt you." Added Mushra reaching for Kiri's shoulder. "Owww!" Yelled Mushra as Kiri promptly bit Mushra's fingers as soon as they got close enough to her mouth. "What did you do that for you little brat!" Yelled Mushra looking at his bite marked laden fingers.

"See! He's evil! Get him away!" Exclaimed Kiri burying her head into Yakumo's chest.

"Mushra! You shouldn't yell at her!" Scolded Yakumo as Kiri smiled.

"What? She's the one who bit me!" Exclaimed Mushra annoyed.

"Mushra, please!" Scolded Yakumo again. "She's just a child, and she's scared. She's probably haven't seen a lot of nice Enterrans before. So, please, don't yell."

"All right! Fine!" Exclaimed Mushra sitting down heavily on the floor.

"Huh?" Said everybody at once as the trolley car gave a metallic whine. They all screamed as the trolley car came loose from the pile of trash it sat on and slide down the pile finally coming to rest on the ground.

"I found them!" Shouted the Enterran, which had been searching around them, as it noticed the trolley car falling and the screams from inside.

Everybody looked up and gasped as the trolley car roof was ripped off by one of the caterpillars. Kiri looked up as the caterpillar threw the roof aside and roared, her eyes filled with tears as she clamped her hands over her ears and shouted, "Stop that noise! Just make it go away!"

"Kiri!" Exclaimed Yakumo as Kiri ran past her totally frightened. Yakumo made a desperate grab for Kiri's shirt but missed. "Mushra! We have to get Kiri!" Exclaimed Yakumo running after the girl as she disappeared behind another junk pile.

"Yakumo! Wait!" Yelled Mushra as he, Sago, and Kutal took off after the two humans.

"Follow them!" Shouted the Enterrans as his comrades took off after the group.

"I do wish we could break for lunch!" Exclaimed Kutal as he looked over his shoulder, he gasped as a caterpillar lunged at him mouth open.

"Kutal!" Yelled Mushra and Sago turning around as Yakumo stopped Kiri and turned around also to see Kutal about to get eaten by the caterpillar.

"Leave him alone!" Yelled Mushra, getting his staff out, and running towards Kutal. Mushra suddenly stopped dead in his tracks as a familiar rapid clicking sound was heard above them. Kutal dove for the ground as the ground in front of him exploded sending a shower of ground and Enterran into the air. Kutal looked up as the caterpillar and Enterran riders Encards floated towards the ground in front of him. He reached out to pick up the cards when another click sounded and Mushra yelled, "Kutal, look out!" Kutal gasped as an arrow lodged itself into the ground a few centimeters away from his outstretched hand.

"I don't know how they do things where you come from kitty, but where I come from whoever cards the Enterrans get to keep their cards. So, back off!" Came a girl's voice from above them. Mushra looked up at the familiar looking figure that was standing on top of a junk heap. Kutal stood up as the figure jumped off heading straight towards them, he backed up as the figure landed in front of them.

"Y-you're a human!" Gasped Yakumo as a twelve year old girl with dark purple hair picked up the Encards lying on the ground. The girl smiled standing up as Mushra finally got a good look at her. She looked almost as tall as him with dark purple hair that barely touched her shoulders, she had two hair ties loosely tied on the top of her head, just behind her bangs, which caused two thick clumps of hair to fall in front of her ears. She had large emerald green eyes and ivory skin. But, her outfit was the oddest thing on her. It was a mini-skirted navy blue dress with a white sailor designed top draping over the shoulders, it was rounded at the end instead of squared, belled out sleeves that reached over her hands ever so slightly. The collar was a turtle neck with a strange, big, red, round, button like thing right at her throat with a short ruffle underneath. She had a belt around her waist with gun holsters attached to the belt and her thighs, short swords in the back, and a strap with a crossbow holder in the back and card holder in the front slung over her shoulder. She had on mid-thigh high white boots, with a literally formless heel, with higher, navy blue, socks that stuck out over the top of the boots. And, around the edges of her outfit was either a design made out of white or navy blue, it depended on where the design was.

"Yes, I am." Said the girl placing the cards in the pouch. She then looked over at Mushra and added, smiling, "It's nice to see you again, Mushra."

"Mushra, do you know her?" Asked Yakumo a slight bit confused.

"Sort of." Replied Mushra scratching his head. "She saved me and Kiri from becoming Enterran lunch earlier."

"Really." Said Yakumo looking at Mushra for a second before returning her attention to the girl. "Who are you?"

"The name's Neko. Nice to meet you." Introduced Neko smiling.

"Neko, huh? That's a strange name." Said Mushra eyeing Neko over.

"So is Mushra." Neko shot back as Yakumo smiled, they were like each other in a strange way.

"Mine's Yakumo." Said Yakumo as Neko turned to her with wide eyes.

"Did you say Yakumo?"

"Yes. And, that's Kutal." Answered Yakumo pointing at Kutal. She then pointed at Sago and added, "That's Sago, and I believe you already know Mushra."

Mushra looked away annoyed as Neko giggled and said, "I do believe I know him." Neko then pointed at Kiri, who hid behind Yakumo, and asked, "Who's that?"

"She's Kiri, another human." Answered Yakumo. "Wow, I can't believe it, two other humans other then myself. It's amazing…"

That's odd… Thought Neko looking at Kiri, who gave her a dirty look, as Yakumo rambled on about humans and saving the world. Dusuke and Ariyama said that Yakumo and I were the only humans left on Enterra. But, then, what about Kiri? Were they wrong? Is there another human…? Or, is this just one big…

"Neko, what's that?" Asked Yakumo pointing to an object flying around the other human's head.

"Oh, this?" Asked Neko pointing at Masha as Yakumo nodded. "This is Masha, my partner."

"What does it do?" Asked Mushra sounding vaguely interested.

"Masha's my information center. She gives me vital info about Enterrans and which ones are evil and which are good." Replied Neko as it looked like Masha smiled.

"What do you do when you find evil Enterrans?" Asked Yakumo.

"I card them." Answered Neko as Kiri's eyes widened in shock and concern. Neko looked over and saw Kiri's reaction; she then smiled as she realized something about Kiri.

"And, good Enterrans?" Asked Sago sounding concerned.

"I don't know. You guys are the first good Enterrans I met so far." Replied Neko as the three Enterrans and Yakumo stared at her. "But, all I do know is that I have to get going."

"You're leaving…?" Asked Yakumo sounding surprised. "But, you're a human too, just like Kiri and me. Why do you want to leave? Why don't you join us instead?"

"Sorry. I'm a busy girl, you know. Places to go… People to see… Enterran's butts to kick… That sort of thing." Replied Neko turning around.

Enterran's butts to kick…? Thought Yakumo, her eyes widened. "Wait!" She exclaimed, and Neko turned around to face the group. "You're a human like me but you promote fighting and war? Shouldn't you be promoting peace? War and fighting will only bring about more hatred and fear. Don't you want to bring peace to the world and rebuild the human race…?"

"Yakumo, honey, sometimes to bring peace to something you have to take down the people that stand in your way." Replied Neko looking straight at Yakumo. "Besides, haven't you noticed that trying to make peace with evil Enterrans never got you anywhere? Sometimes you have to fight for what you want."

"But…"

"I'm sorry, Yakumo…" Said Neko turning around. "But, that's the way it is sometimes… See you around!" She added with a wave before leaping away.

"Wait! Neko!" Exclaimed Yakumo as Neko landed on the junk pile she original appeared on and quickly jumped off and out of sight with Masha trailing behind her.

"What a strange human." Commented Mushra as soon as Neko was out of sight.

"Well, just like Enterrans, it takes all kinds to make the world." Said Kutal.

"No, I just think she has something really important to do." Said Sago as everyone looked at him.

"More important then finding Shinzo?" Asked Yakumo shocked.

"To each there own, I guess." Answered Sago looking at Yakumo. "Besides, did you see those weapons she was carrying? She's probably some sort of Enterran bounty hunter or something."

"Nah, no Enterran would hire a human for a bounty hunter. They would hire another Enterran. Besides, I think any Enterran would kill a human before hiring them." Said Mushra as Yakumo and Sago looked over at him.

"Did you say Shinzo?" Asked Kiri timidly for the first time in awhile.

"Huh?" Said the whole group looking over at Kiri, they had actually forgotten she was there.

"Oh, that's right! Kiri, do you know anything about a place called Shinzo?" Asked Yakumo sounding excited.

"Shinzo? Of course I do. I live there." Replied Kiri.

"What!" Exclaimed Mushra, Sago, and Kutal at once.

"You live there? At Shinzo?" Asked Yakumo sounding shocked.

"Yeah." Replied Kiri.

"That's wonderful" Exclaimed Yakumo.

"No, not really…"

"What…?"

"There are not many humans left…" Explained Kiri walking away from them a little bit. "Shinzo's been taken over by an evil Enterran king. He's either killed the humans or turned them into his slaves." She turned around and looked at Yakumo and continued, "But, then I heard about you, Yakumo, and your mission to find Shinzo. And, I knew if anyone could help us it would be you. You have to come back with me and help the humans still trapped in the castle."

"If Shinzo's been taken over then how did you get out?" Asked Mushra sounding suspicious.

"I snuck out. It's easy. I've done it how many times without getting caught. But, when the kings found out you were getting close he upped his security. So, it won't be easy getting back in." Answered Kiri giving Mushra a dirty look.

"It doesn't matter how much this king upped his security! We have to, and will, get into Shinzo! For Yakumo and Kiri's sake, we have to!" Exclaimed Mushra as Kiri gave him a surprised look. "Can you show us the way to Shinzo?" He asked looking at Kiri.

When Kiri didn't answer Yakumo bent down and asked, "Please, Kiri. Won't you show us the way to Shinzo?"

"All right…" Agreed Kiri almost reluctantly. "But, we better get going before more of those things show up."

"Okay. Let's go get Hakuba." Said Yakumo smiling at the small human girl as the three Enterrans walked past the two.

"Shouldn't you be going with them?" Asked Masha flying around Neko's head franticly as the group left for Kiri's apparent 'Shinzo.' "Your assigned duties from Professor Ariyama and Dr. Dusuke were to protect Yakumo and guide her to Shinzo. If they're going to Shinzo why aren't you going with them? You never stuck me as the kind of girl to disobey orders."

"They're not going to Shinzo…"

"What!"

"Well, for one thing they're going the wrong way." Explained Neko looking at Masha.

"But, Kiri said she lived…"

"Kiri's lying… She's not even a real human." Added Neko as Masha gave her a confused look. "She doesn't feel right… She feels Enterran… I bet you every Enterran I carded that she's some sort of shape sifting Enterran and that she's working for this apparent 'king' she spoke of."

"Why didn't you warn Yakumo then!" Asked Masha sounding even more frantic.

"She wouldn't have believed me…"

"Why?"

"Kiri's looks young and weak and she cries a lot. I'm older and stronger and I can take out twenty Enterrans at once without breaking a sweat. Yakumo is more likely to believe the smaller and weaker over the stronger and tougher." Replied Neko.

"Huh?"

Neko sighed and explained, "Whoever can put on a better show will be believed more. Since Kiri cries a lot and acts weak and pathetic she will be believed over me. If I would have tried to tell Yakumo the truth about Kiri she would have started crying and I would have been told to go. They would have believed that I was an Enterran over Kiri. So, I didn't say anything. They'll find out soon enough that Kiri isn't what she appears to be."

"So, you're just going to let them alone with that Enterran?" Asked Masha shocked.

"No! Of course not!" Exclaimed Neko. "What do you think I am! I'm going to follow them to this 'Shinzo.' And, I'm going to try to talk to the three Enterrans alone about Kiri. Besides, I think they're starting to get suspicious, especially Mushra."

"Good! For a second there I thought you were going against your orders." Said Masha with a sigh of relief.

"Of course not." Said Neko winking at Masha. "I just like to have fun, remember? Now, let's go." Neko, with Masha trailing behind her, jumped out of the tree they were hiding in and quickly followed the path that the group took to this 'Shinzo' that Kiri told them about.

"Are you sure this is the way to Shinzo?" Asked Mushra flying up besides Hakuba were Kiri and Yakumo were sitting. "Hello?" Asked Mushra when Kiri didn't answer him, she just continued looking forward. "Hey, answer me you brat!" Exclaimed Mushra getting angry at Kiri's rudeness.

"Mushra!" Exclaimed Yakumo looking over. "Don't yell at Kiri."

"Well, then, tell her to answer me!" Exclaimed Mushra tired of Kiri's antics.

"Why don't you let me ask her?" Said Yakumo looking at Kiri. "Kiri is this the way to Shinzo?"

"Yes, Shinzo is just a little further down this path." Answered Kiri sweetly.

"Hmph!" Grunted Mushra really annoyed as he let himself fall back between Kutal and Sago, who looked over at him with a comical smile.

"Well, it looks like Kiri just plainly doesn't like you." Said Sago with a hint of amusement in his voice.

"I don't see her on friendly terms with you, either!" Exclaimed Mushra now annoyed at Sago. Kiri looked back from her place besides Yakumo as Mushra and Sago got into a shouting match with each other, she smiled evilly as Kutal joined into the match to defend Sago.

"Sentries one through twenty haven't returned yet." Reported an Enterran on a caterpillar to his superior.

"Damn! I wonder if Kiri found somebody to help her? That would explain why one through twenty's not back yet." Said the superior Enterran. He sighed and added, "Step up security all around the castle. Do not allow Kiri and any person she's with to enter the castle. Capture her and take her back to the king and put anybody she's with in the dungeon. You are dismissed."

"Whoa… They're not fooling around." Commented Mushra as they watched the two Enterrans leave.

"That is what I meant by getting back in won't be easy." Explained Kiri looking at Yakumo.

"I see." Said Yakumo looking at the Enterrans riding caterpillars that just entered the area around them.

"So, how do we get in?" Asked Mushra.

"You don't." Answered Kiri looking away.

"Huh?" Asked everybody at once.

"The only way I'll show you the way into the castle is if the Enterrans stay here." Replied Kiri.

"What!" Yelled Mushra.

"Kiri, they need to go with us. We need protection if the castle has been taken over. Please, I know you don't mean it." Said Yakumo looking at Kiri.

"I do!" Exclaimed Kiri. "Enterrans killed my parents! I don't trust any of them! Either the Enterrans stay here or I won't show you the way into the castle!"

"Kiri, please. Say you don't mean it." Begged Yakumo. "Mushra, Sago, and Kutal have been with me since I started my journey. They've protected me and been my friends. We need them to get into Shinzo safely."

"A bigger group would be easier to spot." Explained Kiri. Her eyes suddenly widened and she looked over at Yakumo and asked, almost crying, "Unless, you don't want to go to Shinzo…? Is that it?"

"I… I…" Stammered Yakumo.

"Please, Yakumo! Please say that's not it! I've dreamed of finding you ever since I heard about you. You're our only hope! You can't let us down! Please!" Begged Kiri crying burying her head into Yakumo's chest.

"But, I can't…" Stammered Yakumo again.

"Yakumo, please! If you want to go to Shinzo leave the Enterrans and come with me alone!" Begged Kiri still crying. "You're our only hope! If you don't help us the human race will die for sure!"

"Kiri…"

"Well, Yakumo, who will it be?" Asked Mushra suddenly.

"Huh?" Asked Yakumo looking over at the small Enterran.

"It's either her or us." Said Mushra as Sago and Kutal looked over at him.

"What?" Asked Kutal.

"Mushra, you don't mean it, do you?" Asked Sago.

"Yes I do!" Exclaimed Mushra. "I know finding another human is important to you, Yakumo. But, wasn't our journey together important to you?" Mushra backed up and added, "Unless our journey means nothing to you now. So, that why I'm saying it's either her or us. Make your choice."

"Mushra, don't make me choose." Said Yakumo softly looking at him.

"Please, Yakumo! Forget them and come with me! I don't know how long they can hold out in there!" Exclaimed Kiri looking up at Yakumo.

"Choose, Yakumo. Who's more important? Kiri or us?" Asked Mushra sounding impatient.

Please, Mushra, understand. For the sake of the human race I have to go to Shinzo. I promised Father I would find it. Thought Yakumo tears welling up in her eyes. She looked down at Kiri and said slowly, "Mushra… I'm going to go with Kiri. I promised Father I would find Shinzo and I can't pass up this chance. I'm sorry."

"I can't believe it!" Exclaimed Mushra sounding hurt. "I can't believe we mean nothing to you… Well fine! I hope you're happy with your decision! Because you won't be seeing me again! Goodbye!"

"Mushra!" Yelled Yakumo as Mushra jumped out of the tree and disappeared into the tall grass.

"I do hope you find what you're looking for, Yakumo." Said Kutal looking at her.

"Kutal?" Asked Yakumo as Kutal jumped out of the tree.

"Bye, Yakumo. I really enjoyed our journey together. I hope you're happy in Shinzo." Said Sago jumping out of the tree.

"Sago!" Exclaimed Yakumo starting to get up.

"Leave them!" Exclaimed Kiri pulling her back down.

"But, they're leaving!" Exclaimed Yakumo looking at Kiri as Kutal and Sago drove away from their hiding spot.

"Look! There's two of them!" Exclaimed one of the sentinels noticing Kutal driving away.

"We found some of them!" Shouted another sentinel as a warning to the others. "Get over here quickly before they get away!"

"We can't go now. Your Enterrans friends caused too mush of a ruckus." Explained Kiri placing a hand on Yakumo's shoulder. "We'll have to wait till it gets dark. They should have calmed down by then, and it will be harder to see."

"I can't believe Yakumo choose Kiri over us." Said Mushra looking up at the moon that now hung low in the sky. "I thought our journey meant more to her then that…" He then remembered back to the first time he met Yakumo when he was hanging over the waterfall for imitating a king just to get food. And, how he promised to protect her from any Enterran that wanted to hurt her just because she was a human. Mushra shook his head vigorously and stood up and exclaimed, "I don't care! I don't care what Kiri told her! I'm not going against my promise to Yakumo and abandon her just because she found Kiri!"

"Okay, heads I stay here, and tails I go find Yakumo." Said Sago flipping a coin into the air as he sat in a tree. He caught it in his hand and flipping it over onto the back of his other hand looked at it and said, "Tails… Well, I better get going then. Besides, I should have never left Yakumo no matter what she or Kiri said."

"Oh, I do wish Yakumo was here." Said Kutal stirring his latest creation. "She always gave me such nice comments on my food. And, I always enjoyed hearing them. She was always so sincere when she said them, she wasn't just trying to make me feel good. She actually liked it." He then stood up and dropping his spoon said, "That's it! I'm going to go find her! Kiri or not!"

"Come on, Yakumo!" Exclaimed Kiri quietly pointing at the castle. "If you follow the reflection of the moon on the water you'll end up at the secret entrance to the castle."

"Okay." Replied Yakumo sounding excited. She was finally doing it! She found Shinzo and would fulfill the promise to her father.

"Don't you want to talk to him?" Asked Masha as Neko quietly trailed Mushra as he made his was back to Yakumo and Kiri.

"No, I want all of them together. Now, be quiet or he'll hear us." Hushed Neko briefly glancing at Masha.

"Let's go." Said Kiri quietly as a sentinel moved from above them. Hakuba started to move through the water slowly and hopefully silently towards the opposite shore.

I'm doing it, Father! Thought Yakumo as they got closer to the opposite shore of the moat. Yakumo's heart began to beat faster as Hakuba climbed up the shore of the moat and brought the shield down that protected Yakumo and Kiri from drowning.

"The entrance is up this path." Said Kiri pointing up the path as Yakumo quickly and quietly got out of Hakuba. "Let's go." Added the small human making her way up the path towards the entrance.

Yakumo, who was following closer behind, heard a noise and looked over to see one of the caterpillar riding Enterrans come around the corner. "Kiri, get down!" Exclaimed Yakumo quietly pulling Kiri behind a large metal box.

But, it was too late… The Enterran saw them and exclaimed, "I found the human girl, Kiri, and her friend! You guys get over here!" Yakumo and Kiri screamed as more caterpillar riding Enterrans and Enterrans on foot appeared and surrounded them.

"Leave them alone!" Shouted a voice from above them.

"Mushra!" Exclaimed Yakumo surprised looking up and finding the small Enterran heading for the closest caterpillar.

The caterpillar roared as Mushra hit it over the head with his staff; the caterpillar backed off as he hit the ground and looking over his shoulder said, "Did you really think I would just leave you?"

"Mushra…" Said Yakumo sounding happy as Kiri gave Mushra a dirty look.

"I know you said you didn't like Enterrans…" Said Mushra looking at Kiri. "But, can't we try to be friends?"

"Hmph!" Grunted Kiri angrily crossing her arms in front of her chest and looking away from Mushra.

"I take that as a 'no.'" Said Mushra scratching the back of his head. "But, it doesn't matter right now, anyway. Besides, maybe, one day we can be friends."

Kiri gave him a confused look as Yakumo looked behind Mushra and exclaimed, "Mushra, look out!" Mushra looked forward as a caterpillar lunged at him mouth open, he got ready as two familiar looking figures jumped in front of him knocking the caterpillar back. "Sago, Kutal!" Exclaimed Yakumo happy to see her friends again.

"Did you think we were going to let you have all the fun?" Asked Sago looking at Mushra.

"Yes, indeed. Yakumo's our friend too." Added Kutal getting his mace out.

"All right!" Exclaimed Mushra joining the two of them. "Let's take care of these guys and get Yakumo and Kiri into the castle!"

"Oh, don't worry about that." Said one of the Enterrans suddenly. "Your two friends will get inside the castle, all right. Just not the easy way." The three Enterrans stared at him confused as familiar screams sounded from behind them.

The three turned around to see Yakumo and Kiri get grabbed by a Venus flytrap looking thing that appeared out of the ground. "Yakumo! Kiri!" Yelled the group at once running towards them, but it was too late. By the time they got there Yakumo and Kiri had already disappeared underground.

"Yakumo!" Yelled Mushra hitting the ground were they disappeared with his staff, but it did nothing.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk!" Scolded someone's voice behind them. "Such a large temper for such a little Enterran…"

"Huh!" Gasped Mushra turning around to see that a new Enterran had joined the group standing on the ridge. "Who are you!"

"I am King Daku." Replied the king looking at Mushra.

"King Daku?" Said Mushra looking at Daku. "Are you the one who took over Shinzo and captured Yakumo and Kiri!" He exclaimed as Sago and Kutal looked at the king.

"Yes."

"Good! That's all I wanted to know!" Exclaimed Mushra running towards Daku. "Now let them go and leave Shinzo!"

"Hmph! I don't think so" Said Daku calmly. "Enterrans… Huh?" Gasped Daku as a familiar noise sounded.

"Get down!" Screamed Mushra looking back as he threw himself on the ground. Sago and Kutal threw themselves on the ground and gasped as the area around them exploded. Mushra looked up as Enterrans went flying through the air around them; he stood up as the explosion died down. He recognized that attack… "Neko!" Exclaimed Mushra happily looking over as a familiar figure came walking out of the dust.

"Yes?" Asked Neko stopping in front of them. "What do you want?"

"Yakumo and Kiri! You have to find them! They were captured by King Daku and taken to the castle!" Exclaimed Mushra suddenly.

"Okay." Replied Neko as more Enterrans surrounded them.

"We'll handle the Enterrans out here, just find them!" Exclaimed Mushra turning his attention to the Enterrans around them.

"All right!" Exclaimed Neko jumping over the Enterrans heads and taking off for the secret entrance with Masha following behind her.

"Well, that is one sight I never thought I'd see." Said Daku watching Neko leave. "I can't believe the legends true…"

"What do you mean!" Exclaimed Mushra sounding angry.

"You mean she never told you?" Asked Daku as the three Enterrans stared at him dumbly. "Well, I regretfully have to inform you that your friend, Neko, isn't a true human."

"What!" Exclaimed Mushra, Sago, and Kutal at once.

"She's half Enterran." Added Daku.

"But, that's impossible…" Said Mushra in disbelief. "She felt so human…"

"Well, normally I wound give you the line of 'don't worry, you'll soon find out the truth about your friend.' But, that won't be happening. Because I'm going to destroy you here and now!" Exclaimed Daku pointing at them. "Unless you want to submit to my powers, then I won't kill you."

Mushra suddenly exclaimed, "Hah, if you think I'd ever…"

"I'll submit to King Daku's power." Interrupted Sago moving in front of Mushra and kneeling down.

"What!" Exclaimed Mushra.

"Oh, yes. I'll submit too." Added Kutal doing the same thing as Sago.

"What are you guys doing!" Yelled Mushra as Daku started to laugh.

"You should submit, Mushra." Said Sago looking at him. "There is no way we could beat him."

"Sago…?" Asked Mushra confused.

"You should listen to your friend, Mushra." Said Daku as Mushra looked at him. "Guards! Seize them and take them to the dudgeon!"

Mushra looked around as the Enterrans around them moved closer and grabbed them. Sago and Kutal made no effort to resist them…

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Sorry it took so long. But, I've been so busy. And, sorry if the endings weak but I wrote it late at night. So, sue me. R&R!