Finding Sora

"Zoe, wake up babe, school" Kouji whispered, softly shaking his girlfriend awake "Mornin Kou-kou, damn we've been her for a week and I still haven't gotten into the rhythm of things. It's not fair." She whined as she got up to change. She was so engrossed in choosing an outfit that she didn't hear Kouji knock. Kouji stepped into the room and found Zoe still getting dressed and shirtless, he quietly shut the door behind him and sat down to watch her. After a minute or so Kouji grew impatient and moved behind Izumi's bare torso. She gasped. Zoe hadn't sensed anyone until she saw his arms wrap around her. When she realized it was just Kouji she leaned into the embrace. "You know you should be more observant. What if it wasn't me? Hm then what? You could have been hurt Kouji whispered and leaned down kissing her softly behind her ear and picked up a form-fitting yellow tee and a pair of her dark blue skinny jeans from her suitcase. "Here babe," Kouji said reluctantly pulling away from her and to the dresser mirror to fix his hair into its normal thin pony tail. "Done Kou-kou you're awesome."Zoe said posing for him before joining him at the mirror.

That day Nancy took in a pair of siblings she watches every so often. The two left shortly before the teens arrived back home.

"Hey what's up with this?" Izumi asked, coming out of the bedroom with a piece of paper, with an address and many pictures drawn in crayon all over it.

"Oh yeah I babysit sometimes the little girl learned her address recently, she must have forgotten about that paper. Kouji glanced at the paper as he passed but quickly turned back.

"Hey let me see that" Kouji said, taking the paper from his girlfriend and examining it closely. "Look at this." Kouji pointed at a swirl within the picture before he turned to Nancy. "Little girl, red head, five years-old Samantha Richards." Kouji asked, pulling the GPS feature up on his D-Terminal.

"Yeah she is, Kouji what is the matter with you." Nancy answered confused.

"Found it, that little girl was taken from her home a little over two years ago. I'll be back later" Kouji said running out of the apartment quickly.

Kouji ran quickly, following the directions on his D-Terminal to a small two story home. It didn't take the teen long to scope the house out. He heard a sound coming from the upstairs, so he climbed the tree looking into the window Samantha was laying on the bed, crying and tired as her father straightens himself. There was a crash from the window Tom was astonished at what he saw when he turned to the noise. Kouji, standing in an offensive stance, is eyes narrowed dangerously and a low growl rolling from his chest. "Get out of my house boy!" Tom yelled, trying not to let the boy freak him out. This only made Kouji angrier as he gripped his still sheathed katana. Tom tried to grab Samantha's arm and Kouji struck. His anger boiling over as he drew the sword and landed three quick and fatal blows. He heard a sound coming from the doorway, still consumed by his rage and adrenaline he turned himself toward a small woman, prepared to strike again. Kouji easily knocked the gun from her hands and had her backed against the wall. "Kouji! Kou stop! She's a cop" Samantha shouted, pulling the teen back to his senses. The boy, keeping the officer pinned he secured his katana, wrapped in a plastic sleeve, to his waist before he went back to the young girl. "I'm sorry Samantha, I took too much time to find you but don't worry he can't ever hurt you again, I've made sure of that." Kouji pulled the girl onto his lap, holding her protectively, much to the dismay of the female cop who was currently gathering her gun. Once she stood with her handcuffs ready to detain the teen, he stood, alerted, walking over to the next room, ignoring the woman's orders to stop. She followed him to see the girl's younger sibling; the baby was being cradled gently by the fierce teen. "Please, let me find their mother, she isn't here and they need her." The boy said somberly, finally addressing the woman. "I, I can't, you cannot be allowed to go free." The officer said, startled, not only because of the request but of the sincerity in the boy's voice. Kouji nodded heading into the bathroom, rinsing tom's blood off of his skin. "Samantha, get you and your brother ready to leave" the boy ordered as the child gathered her brother and strapped him into a harness carrier. When he turned back toward the woman he looked sad. "I'm sorry miss, this will hurt slightly" Kouji said knocking her almost against the far end of the hallway. He quickly grabbed the kids as he escaped out the door running back to the Kimera's apartment. The officer tried to follow him on foot but quickly lost him. She called in the incident and had many others keeping an eye out for the teen.

Once Kouji knew he lost the woman he slowed down to a brisk walk. "Ok Samantha, if you are ever told to stop by the police you must stop. If you do what I just did you'll get into a heap of trouble." The teen explained sternly as he stepped into the apartment building.

"Hey kid, you mind coming over here and talking to me for a bit" A sizable man called from a few feet behind him. Kouji took a moment to assess the man. His stance as well as the gun at his hip told the teen that this intruder was a cop. The teen knew he wouldn't get away as easy with the baby on his chest so he pulled his Detector from his pocket and signaled the blonde upstairs.

"Sure, I don't mind at all." Kouji answered shifting Samantha off his back and easing the baby out of the harness. Once the child was free Izumi had made it into the lobby. She took Samantha by the hand and went to take the baby from her boyfriend. Kouji grabbed her arm slightly before she could pull away

"No matter what, don't stop until you get upstairs, once you're there call mama, tell her I'm in a bit of trouble and let her talk to whomever comes up, stand outside the apartment don't hide understand?" Kouji whispered his orders to the girl before he released her and she turned, walking quickly back to the stairwell. The officer was trying to figure out whether he should follow the girl or focus on the boy in front of him. Before he could decide the teen spoke

"Don't worry now they are only going upstairs," The teen stripped the now empty baby carrier off of him, revealing the blood staining his shirt underneath. I'm sorry I cannot stick around and chat longer but I have someone to find she may be in danger, you must forgive me sir." Kouji said, shifting into an offensive stance before striking. He hit the police officer hard, knocking him back before twisting past him and running back out the door. Back up arrived as Kouji slipped down the street and he glanced back to see the female cop from before following him with the one he had just ran from

"Damn!" He groaned picking up the pace. After a few moments the teen was impressed by their stamina and he started to slow down to a stop. "Alright I'm impressed not many can keep up but right now I have to find their mother. I shouldn't have killed Tom, not that he didn't deserve it but that it wasn't my place. But right now this is more important, if their mother is alive, she deserves to be found."

"If we help you, then will you come with us? No more fighting us yes?" the female asked

"Yes, I'll come freely there would be no reason to fight after that." The teen nodded "Look for anything he has owned or rented, it's likely he's keeping her holed away somewhere private." Kouji suggested. The officers nodded calling in for the information. After half an hour they found a storage unit rented by Tom close to where the trio was currently located.

"Here we are unit 45" the detective now known as Elliot said gesturing towards the door. The owner nodded and broke the lock open quickly after glancing back at Kouji. After it was open the two detectives stepped in, they saw what looked like a small woman lying in the corner. The woman turned to the owner "Call an ambulance hurry." She said as her and her partner ran to the woman's side. "No, no Tom don't, go away, don't hurt me, go!" the woman yelled weakly thrashing best she could in her condition. Kouji gently pushed the two detectives aside, kneeling by the frail and frightened woman.

"It's ok, Sora, Tom is gone; you're with me now you're safe, forever." Kouji took the woman's hand gently, as she slowly calmed down. "I know I said I would go with you once we found her, but may I ask for the night, so that she knows she is safe." The teen said quietly, not taking his eyes off of the woman in front of him.

"We can detain you to the hospital; if we do you cannot leave the watch of one of us." The female, Olivia suggested. The teen turned to the pair surprised and nodded.

"You hear that? I'm not going to leave your side even for a moment." He kissed Sora's hand firmly, confirming her presence to himself. The paramedics arrived a few moments later carefully placing her onto the gurney and into the ambulance with Kouji joining right behind.

Once they arrived, Kouji was pleased to know they were at the hospital that Jim worked at.

"Would you mind if she was placed under Dr. Kido's care?" Kouji asked running along with them

"Yes that is where we are heading." The nurse in front said gesturing toward the room where they were heading. Kouji nodded hanging back to where the detectives were. "We are going to be in this room here, I know the doctor, so you won't have to worry I'm going over here to call my girlfriend, I've had blood on me for far too long." Kouji explained as he stepped aside pulling his phone out.

Twenty minutes later the Kimeras walked in with Zoe and the two younger children.

"Sorry about them, Samantha wanted to see her mom and Kimera was concerned by the police and such so they both came." She apologized handing her boyfriend the clothes he requested. It is alright; just don't let him into the room, ok? I don't need her freaking out again." He told her, giving her a kiss before turning to change in the restroom. Emerging a moment later holding the dirty clothes out to the detective who had been watching the bathroom closely, he took them each in a plastic bag and sealed them carefully. Izumi gave him a hostile look, knowing he wanted to take Kouji away. Said boy just laughed amused by the blonde's loyalty. He kissed her lightly on the cheek before heading into Sora's room.

"Hey Kou, I heard you've made quite a nuisance of yourself today. Young man, how are you planning on explaining being deported and banned from the US huh?" Dr. Kido addressed the teen as he checked on his patient.

"I saved Sora, I'll probably be grounded for a while because I ran but I can't see them being confused as to why I did it. After what he did to Samantha, he deserved worse than what he got." Kouji replied simply, resuming his post by the sleeping woman's side. Izumi followed him into the room with the two children

"Mommy's sleeping now, be careful not to wake her please." The teen said as she let go of Samantha's hand and joining Kouji on the small hospital chair. After a few minutes Mrs. Kimera came in and took the kids back her apartment.

Once they were gone Izumi cried, "I didn't expect her to be this bad" she buried her face into Kouji's chest. The boy comforted his girlfriend as she cried. Soon she had quieted down and was sleeping peacefully on his lap. Kouji shifted her onto the empty cot that was left in the room for him.

"You're not tired?" Olivia asked watching him settle back into the chair, watching the monitors intently.

"No it's a full moon outside, I don't sleep on the full moon, I never could, lucky huh?" Kouji explained quietly chuckling. The two sat together in the silence for the rest of the night.

At dawn Kouji glanced over at the detective, seeing her sleeping he sighed slightly irritated

"How am I supposed to go to the restroom if she's asleep?" The boy whispered to himself. The boy contemplated waking her up but decided against it, so he wrote a small note, setting it in her lap as he left the small room. A few moments later he returned, the door waking the sleeping woman who turned frantically until she spotted the teen.

"Where?" She questioned groggily.

"Restroom, you looked tired so I didn't want to wake you." The teen explained apologetically. When she tried to get up he stopped her. "No please, you shouldn't have to stay up all night just because I do; I'm not leaving her side until someone else comes to relieve me." He said patting her on the shoulder before sitting back in his chair. Once Kouji was sure the detective had fallen back to sleep he stood over Sora. Placing his hands, one over her eyes the other over her heart, the boy then closed his eyes, taking a deep breath his hands began to glow lightly. The light grew in intensity quickly, blinding the blonde teen that had awoken when he began. When the light finally died down Sora looked refreshed, sleeping in a more relaxed state. Izumi heard a pained sound which caused her to jump to her boyfriend.

"You OK?" She asked concerned, guiding him back into the chair.

"Yeah, I'm fine; I just didn't expect it to take that much energy. Kouji closed his eyes for a moment more and the strain disappeared from him. After another hour the teens heard another cop coming in to relieve Olivia. Kouji quickly locked the door and drew the curtain so he didn't see her sleeping on the job. Zoe shook her awake gently telling the detective she was being replaced by another. Just then he arrived at the door and knocked hard. Once Olivia answered the door she saw an elder man, with no hair.

"Oh Captain, I didn't know you were going on guard duty?" She greeted a bit taken aback but glad nonetheless.

"I'm not, Kouji Minamoto Ishida, come with me." The new man said, beckoning said teen to follow. Kouji was hesitant to join the man, knowing something was up.

"Zumi, stay here with Sora. I'll be back in a moment." The teen relayed as he and the detective followed the captain towards the waiting area.

Kouji's face lit up when he saw who was waiting for them. "Mama!" he called joining her side.

"Kouji, do you realize how lucky you are that I happen to know these people, they have agreed to reduce the charges to defense of another and unnecessary force." Hikari explained, giving a stern look to her son. The teen responded with a shamed look of his own.

"I'm really glad you understand our predicament, thank you very much for this favor." She said to the three officers, running her fingers through her son's hair, much to his irritation. The three nodded before they turned to leave.

"Wait, you're leaving?" Kouji asked confused

"Yes, we collaborated yesterday after your mother called me and decided that it would be too time consuming to go through a trial for the little punishment you would receive if you were not a diplomat. So we are dismissing the charges" The Captain explained as they left the hospital.

Once they were gone Kouji looked up at his mother smiling "Thanks Mama, I'm glad you fixed that."

"Yes well I don't want to be called like that again, you being my son isn't going to get you out of everything, I only have so many friends" she scolded, giving a slight tug on his hair when he didn't respond

"Yes Mama, I know, it won't happen again." The boy apologized, twisting away from his mother's grip. "Now if you'll excuse me I have to check on Sora, I healed her so she should be waking soon." Kouji explained as he turned and ran back to the room.

Sora was sitting up in slightly in her bed smiling, the sight taking Kouji off guard.

"Um Kou?" Zoe said just as confused as he was. Hikari, who was only a few steps behind her son, bumped into his back "What's wrong?" she asked confused until she saw Sora. "Oh Misty, that's interesting, maybe Sora's with Ash?" she spoke aloud, coming over to the redhead and kissing her on the cheek gently. "Zumi will you be alright here with Misty won't you?" She asked the teen as she readied to leave with Kouji. "Yes, I'll be fine, don't worry about me." The blonde smiled and waved them away. She and Misty quickly started chatting.

Hikari and Kouji climbed out of a cab on the outside of the city.

"Mama, why are we here, I mean the cab could have taken us further, right?" Kouji asked confused as he followed his mother toward a gate to let them into the field. "Uh, mama we should be careful, this sign says no trespassing." Kouji questioned worried slightly by the posting.

"Yes, they won't attack me, this is my cousins house," The lithe woman hoisted herself over the gate gracefully. Kouji did the same, landing on the ground with a quiet thud, and the two began to track further into the field. After a few minutes' walk, the pair spotted the house that was their destination.

"That's a big house Mama." The teen commented impressed.

"Yeah, they needed a big house, for what they do." She said, starting down to the building.

"Who are you?" a young female voice called out as the two approached the porch.

"It's ok." An older male voice commented before either could answer. "Hello Hika, what brings you by?" a young man said, his black hair in a mess and signs of worry evident on his face but he still seemed genuinely happy to see his cousin. "I'm assuming you heard about Misty, she still hasn't woken up." He explained "what kind of monster could do that much damage in such a short time; I'll kill whoever it was." the man growled angrily.

"Too late" Hikari said simply, laying a comforting hand on his shoulder, sending a bit of light through the contact. Kouji followed her into the house as the three made their way back to a bedroom where a badly injured woman lay unconscious. "She's been like that for almost two months; Brock's been taking care of her and we even called Jim here a few times. No one knows really what to do." Ash explained, walking to the redhead and taking her hand lovingly in his own.

"Yes, I understand." The woman replied before turning to her son. "I'll need your help this time Kou." The teen nodded and they both took up position on either side of the bed. They interlaced their fingers together, positioning their hands over her eyes and heart. The pair took a deep breath together; both released their respective light energy in tandem. Hikari glows a light pink to match the color of the crest she wears around her neck; while Kouji's light is a pale blue, almost white. As the two energies converged and concentrated at their hands the light grew in brilliance until everything in the room seemed to lose its shadow to the power they were producing. Once the light finally died down, the two light destined were breathing hard from exertion. After a moment the woman began to stir, groaning as she opened her eyes for the first time in a long time

"Where?" She questioned, her voice hoarse from neglect.

"Sora!" Kouji called happily, running his hand gently down her cheek, still showing signs of bruising. "You're alright, everything is alright now" he assured the disoriented woman.

"Everything? Oh no, Samantha and Henry, Tom still has them, he… he… he hurt her, and I couldn't stop him." She cried anger and sadness consuming the woman.

"I know, Tom's dead, and the kids are safe, they're with some friends of mine, you can see them in the morning." Kouji explained, pulling her attention back to him. He gave her a reassuring smile. The woman relaxed for a moment before she realized exactly what the boy had said

"Wait, did you say Tom is dead? How did that happen?" she asked the teen confused.

"Yama Jr. over here went samurai assassin on him" Hikari explained, gesturing toward her son, who held a slightly smug look while trying to look apologetic.

"Well I can't exactly blame him but, won't he get into trouble" she asked concerned for the boy

"No I called in a favor and it was officially documented as an unnecessary force case that was subsequently dropped." She explained before changing the subject. "Well I have things to do in return for the detectives' favor today. I'm going to leave you in Ash's capable hands until tomorrow morning, Ok?" she explained as Sora just nodded her head in agreement, lounging comfortably in the bed as she and Kouji left.

The next morning the pair returned with Misty and the kids in tow. "Hey Sora," Kouji greeted the woman as he and Izumi stepped into the living room where said woman was lounging on the couch. She turned to face the teens and her face lit up.

"Oh Samantha sweetheart, and baby Henry, she greeted her two children, her arms outstretched to receive them. The teens happily obliged her, gently placing Henry in her lap and Samantha by her side. "Hi my baby Henry" she cooed to the boy, "I'm so glad you are alright sweetheart." She wrapped her daughter in a tight hug.

"Ah so his name is Henry, that's a nice name" Izumi said sweetly, cooing at the baby

"Yes, his name is Henry, Henry James Takinuchi." Sora smiled as she said the baby's full name aloud for the first time since she brought him home from the hospital.

"You brought the baby to term?" Kouji asked surprised.

"Yeah, well he was pre but he was healthy enough, unfortunately I was starved so I couldn't feed him very well so he is small for his age." she explained aloud.

After a few hours Sora was loaded up into the car and taken to the Ichijoji's home to stay with her kids