CHAPTER 7

It was the day after the ill-fated lovers contest and the city was beginning to feel a sense of gloomy fear. Molly and Melvin's families were heartbroken at their loss and the public was agitated and terrified. Some of them even spoke negatively about the Sailor Scouts saying things to the general effect of if they were the super-heroines they claimed to be, then why hadn't they destroyed the mysterious enemies. Others were a little more fair though imploring their friends to remember how horrible things had been when other evil forces were terrorizing and sometimes killing people. The Sailor Scouts had eventually vanquished that horror. "Just give them time. They won't let us down."

Some believed but the camp was divided.

At that moment Serena and Lita were on their way together to meet their friends at Raye's temple. Officially they were supposed to be having study sessions, but they didn't think they'd be pursuing much of that. They were all rather upset and needed to discuss what their next move should be. Serena didn't even whinge about anything. In fact she was close to tears thinking about her two schoolfriends. She and Lita had hardly spoken to each other.

As they were crossing the street at the lights they were almost knocked down by a motorcyclist. He too was deeply worried and troubled in his thoughts and he had failed to realize the lights were signaling him to stop for pedestrians. As he swerved and put on his brakes in desperation, Lita responded by grabbing Serena around the waist and throwing herself to the side. She rolled as she fell landing onto her side and over onto her back pulling Serena with her. The driver missed them having pulled his bike to a halt sideways just nearby their bodies.

He was very upset. "Oh no! I can't believe this! Are you both okay?"

Serena was a little out of breath from Lita squashing her stomach and shook up. But otherwise unharmed and Lita was more or less too. As she pushed Serena aside to sit up Lita began to say, I think so."

Then she saw the fellow remove his helmet and visor to reveal Amara and she became tongue-tied with love. Serena however, gasped and cried, "Amara? Why did you and Michelle disappear from the stage in the park the other day?"

Amara was rather anxious however and said, "Never mind! Are you sure you're all right? Shall I call an ambulance?"

Serena started to say, "No, really. We're fine," but Amara cut her off.

"No. You seem to be unharmed. But look at your friends' knee!"

Serena turned and gasped to see Lita's knee scraped and bleeding. Amara removed his own scarf and tied it around the wound saying, "Let me help you."

Lita was jolted out of her love-struck silence. She gasped. "H-hey. Your scarf will get blood-stains."

"Don't sweat it. It's the least I can do. I could have hurt you far worse. I'm so sorry. It was my fault for failing to pay attention."

Lita herself asked where he and Michelle had vanished a couple of days ago.

Amara humbly bowed his head and said, "Michelle and I both decided we didn't really want the glory of everybody praising us. We'd been having fun, but then realizing we would win we quietly talked together and agreed that we felt sorry for that poor boy Melvin. He was trying so hard but he was messing up so badly it broke our hearts. We couldn't bear to be declared the Champions over him so we sneaked away before the final event. And we were so horrified to hear what happened to him and his girl afterwards."

Amara was sighing sadly and Serena and Lita began to cry.

After sharing comfort for a few minutes they all stood up. Amara was relieved to see Lita was otherwise unhurt and bid them goodbye driving off. Serena waved while Lita began to sigh again. "Amara is the perfect image of my old boyfriend."

Then they continued on their way to the temple where they spent most of the morning discussing how to fight these new enemies and rescue their friends. Raye said, "I've been thinking about how I was in fact targetted as a victim myself when they first came on the scene. We were lucky then. They had no experience of us. But there may be a slight chance that they may attack another of us. Then if they use that impenetrable bubble, which of course they will, well."

She allowed this to sink into the other girls consciousness and they all gasped in terror. Especially Serena who started to go ballistic.

"OH NO! WHAT CAN WE DO? WHAT CAN WE DO? NO! NO! NO!"

"ENOUGH!" Raye slammed her fist down on the table startling Serena into silence. "Just listen to me calmly Serena. I haven't just been thinking you know. I've been working hard and I have these special charm badges prepared with my strongest magic."

She held up five badges each containing the symbol of each of their respective home planets. "Select the badge that matches you and keep it pinned to your clothing at all times. Even when you go to bed be sure to pin it upon your pyjamas just in case. If they select you as a victim it won't fully protect you or your heart, but they won't be able to encompass you in a bubble. That's the best I could accomplish."

"It's better than nothing," said Amy.

"Thank you Raye," said Mina.

Lita took hers and pinned it to her top, then looked down at her knee thinking about Amara and how kind he was. "I hope he is never hunted for his heart," she thought. "I must wash his scarf carefully and return it tomorrow."

As for Serena, she pricked her finger with the needle on her badge and started to over-react like a baby.

Raye growled at her to grow up while Amy put her badge on carefully for her sighing silently.

The next day Lita was walking with Serena and Amy. She asked them, "Do either of you have any idea where Amara lives?"

Serena said, "I think it's somewhere around here." Then she suddenly adopted a suspicious tone. "Why do you want to know anyway?"

Lita blushed and held up the scarf. "I thought he'd like his scarf back. I washed out as much of the stains as possible."

Amy smiled. "Amara is a rather fabulous person."

Lita agreed with a smile, but Serena said, "Hey remember. Amara already has a special friend. Michelle!"

"That's true. But at least I can admire his handsome face quietly while I'm there."

Just as Lita had spoken she was taken by surprise as a sudden gust of wind snatched the scarf out of her fingertips. "Oh no! His scarf! I must not lose it!"

And with that she ran away leaving her friends behind trying to keep track of the scarf as it sailed way overhead out of her reach. "Please come back down here!"

The wind dropped the scarf down inside a nearby car park. Lita gasped as she beheld all the cars. "It could have landed anywhere!"

She proceeded to get down on the ground to peer under each car to search for it. "Not here."

She kept standing up and getting down to look under car after car. "No. Not this one. Or this one either."

Finally she saw the scarf laid down in a crumpled heap by the back tires of one car. "There it is!" She tried to reach it but she couldn't. "I'll just get up and walk over to the back and pick it up from there." She carefully moved in the space between the parked cars and kneeled down taking hold of of it by the corner. "Gotcha silly scarf."

But to her surprise she suddenly felt something like a hand holding hers and with a gasp she bent down to behold a surprising sight. A large elf-like lady figure with big, round, black eyes, long, green, attractive hair, large, pink, pointed ears and a babyish smile was staring and gurgling at her. Lita shrieked and pulled her hand away and the elf tried to stand up, banging her head on the bottom of the car. Just like a naive baby who hurts itself, she began to scream and bawl. Lita retreated away from the cars and was about to transform, when Serena and Amy caught up with her.

"Lita! What's going on?"

"Serena! There's a monster under that car! It tried to grab me and now hear the dreadful threatening noise it's making!"

Amy said, "Let's all duck into this nearby alley and transform in case anybody sees us."

So the three of them did and while they were transforming, one of the witches, Byruit with the long, straight, white hair came running into the car park.

Huffing and puffing, she dove down next to the crying creature and managed to gasp out her words. "I ran as fast as I could when you called out to me Lord Germatoid. What has gone wrong?"

Germatoid answered. "The wind I instructed you to summon as those three girls passed us succeeded in getting the tall one away from the others as we hoped. Then I myself directed the pod through the air and down to infuse the scarf as she attempted to pick it up. But then before I knew it the silly creature bumped her head and began to cry. Get her gently out from under here."

So while Byruit carefully dragged her out and into her arms in effort to calm and comfort her, the three Sailor Scouts reappeared.

"Halt! I'm Sailor Moon and I will punish you for your diabolic wickedness!"

"I'm Sailor Mercury!"

"And I'm Sailor Jupiter! You'll feel my shocking retribution!"

As Byruit rose to her feet hugging the creature, whose clothing seemed to strongly resemble Amara's scarf in colour and texture, Germatoid ordered her. "Don't waste time trying to fight them. Retreat with the creature. When she stops crying we must track down that girl who ran away."

"Yes my master."

She raised her hand and Sailor Moon, anticipating an attack, had her tiara off her head and it became her Moon Scepter. She twirled it. "MOON SCEPTER ELIMINATION!"

It hit the bubble with no effect. "Not even my scepter can get through that magical barrier," she cried.

Mercury and Jupiter were gearing up to use their attacks to defend them against a possible move from the enemy, but the bubble just shimmered and disappeared.

The Sailor Scouts were unaware that Uranus and Neptune had been watching what transpired from the rooftop of a tall building. Uranus said, "So the tip we received was right. One of those girls is going to be the next Heartsnatcher victim."

Neptune said, "And Sailor Pluto is strongly confident that we will find our missing leader of the planet Saturn here on earth. However if the Heartsnatchers succeed they will destroy the earth and all who live on it."

"Exactly Neptune. Pluto is counting on us to defeat the Heartsnatchers and find our leader. But we cannot allow Sailor Moon and the others to interfere with whatever we may have to do."

"Yes. If it becomes necessary to sacrifice any innocent lives for the greater good of overcoming evil they would never understand. They're not like us."

"Correct. They would jeopardize our success. That's why we must try to help them as much as we can without joining forces. For now we'd better keep a close watch upon Jupiter. She's probably the most likely target."

Neptune sighed. "But even if it becomes necessary we must sacrifice even her life."
Uranus grunted and replied. "Yes. If the worse comes to worst."

They hoped at heart it would not come to that, but they were devoted to victory, casualties and all.

Meanwhile the bubble materialized in a secluded alley startling a couple of stray cats who meowed in fright and ran away. As it vanished Byruit magically conjured up an ice pack and placed it on the sobbing creatures' head. As it soothed the pain she settled down and put her arms around Byruit in turn seeing her as the source of healing comfort. Byruit blushed slightly and briefly smiled, but she turned her attention to Germatoid.

"When she's fully settled Byruit we must track down that girl. Her heart is very strong and pure."

"You can count on me great Germatoid."

As for Lita, after transforming back Serena and Amy had done their best to help her find Amara's scarf to no avail. Lita felt terrible.

"How can I tell Amara I've lost his scarf?"

Serena was lost for words to say, but Amy said, "Why don't we go and buy a new scarf for him?"

Lita was cheered by this. "Yeah. Okay. Then maybe he won't be so mad."

The three of them went straight to the store and selected a scarf that was as closely similar to the original as possible. They shared the cost three ways between them. Even Serena, although she inwardly groaned at losing a chunk of her pocket money. She had been planning to spend it all on fun activities with her friends that day. Still she had seen how distressed Lita was and so she said nothing. Lita and Amy could tell though from her facial expression. They said nothing either and smiled. They were used to their friend's personality and understood that she cared despite her faults.

Lita took the scarf and pushed it inside her pocket. Then as she and her friends were leaving the shop a bright, yellow car suddenly pulled up. They all gasped to see Amara at the wheel and Michelle in the passenger seat.

"Hello Lita," said Amara smiling and Michelle giggled. "Hello to you two as well."

The three of them said hello though Lita was blushing as she looked at Amara's face.

Then Amara said, "Would you girls like to come for a ride with us?"

"There's plenty of room in the back," added Michelle.

Amy said, "Thank you, but I have research commitments at the library."

Serena said, "I've seen the way you drive a motorcycle, so I think my answer's no thank you also."

"Besides," Amy went on to say, "I think it will be a good idea for Lita to spend some time with you herself today."

Lita gasped, but she caught on and stammered in agreement. "Y-yeah. I'd love to get to know you better."

"Have fun," said Amy as Lita climbed in behind Amara.

Amara said, "We might get some hamburgers and milk shakes at the drive-thru for starters. Sure you others don't want to come too?"
Serena was poised to reconsider upon hearing this, but Amy quickly stood in front of her. "Oh no. This must be Lita's special time today. Maybe next time."

With that the car drove off though Serena muttered dejectedly. "Couldn't you have at least asked Lita to order a take-away bag for me?"

Lita was enjoying the ride in the car. Amara had not brought up the subject of his scarf and so Lita had decided to wait until an ideal moment to give it to him. The three of them bought their snacks at the drive-thru and were going to the boat dockyard to eat in the car and then take a walk along the pier.

"Do you like my new car?" asked Amara?

"I think it's cool," said Lita. "How long have you had it?"

"I only bought it two days ago. This is the first real time I've driven it out."

"Amara had been saving up to buy this car ever since his old car disappeared at the garage along with that poor mechanic Anthony," explained Michelle. "I've been helping him out of my budget."

Lita's face momentarily expressed shock at being reminded of that awful incident. She hadn't been there but she and the others had heard the report from Serena and Mina. She composed herself and said to change the direction of their conversation, "So uh. How did you meet?"

"We grew up together as kids," said Michelle.

"That's right. Our families knew each other. As we grew older we became more and more inseparable," said Amara.

"Until we eventually came to realize we were meant for each other in the most supremely special way," finished Michelle and she patted him on the shoulder. He smiled at her out of the corner of his eye while he concentrated on driving and Lita smiled. Amara could never be hers, but he and Michelle were fabulous people.

When Amara parked the car they ate together, he and Michelle turning around in their seats as much as possible to talk to Lita in between mouthfuls. "You're a very nice person Lita."

"You must have a good heart."

Lita almost flinched at the mention of the word heart, but controlled herself as she replied. "Goodness comes from the heart as they say. That what makes nice people."

"We don't have many close friends in this town. It's wonderful to know you Lita."

"Yeah and I felt bad about almost hitting you and that other girl with my motorbike. That's why we wanted to get to know you."

"Don't worry Amara. I've forgiven you and I'm sure Serena has too. The burgers and shakes were delicious. Thank you."

"Let's stretch our legs now," said Michelle and they all climbed out together.

The three of them walked out onto the dock over the bay. Lita said, "Can you excuse me a moment please? I want to let my friends know how things are going. After I give them a quick call, there's something I want to say to you."

"Sure. Okay."

"Amara and I will go on ahead and lean on the railing looking at the water just over there. We'll wait for you." Michelle indicated the place with her finger and Lita thanked them once more.

Taking out her communicator she called Amy and found that they were all at Raye's having a study session. At least it was supposed to be a study session but only Amy had actually been taking it seriously. As soon as Lita said they were on the bay and it was beautiful the other girls began to crowd around her shoulders talking one after the other.

Serena cried, "You deserter! I could have used a burger myself!"

Mina pushed in. "Any good-looking males hanging out around the dock?"

Even Raye, who secretly was attracted to Amara, practically shouted at her. "Yeah! Why didn't you ask us to come?"

Lita giggled nervously as her friends all began shouting at once and then Amy, who'd had more than enough, silenced them all by pounding one fist down on the table while holding her communicator in her other hand. "SHUT UP! WILL YOU THREE PLEASE GROW UP!" Her face was boiling red as she screamed in rage, Serena was cowering and murmuring something about damage to her eardrums and the other two were staring wide-eyed.

Amy spoke more calmly as the redness began to slowly fade. "I can't believe how selfish you all are. Yes even you Serena, and that's saying something. Don't you think we should allow Lita to have her own space? We can each get to know Amara and Michelle better in our own turns."

Raye herself was beginning to feel ashamed. She was usually more mature than this. Mina agreed and so did Serena, albeit with hesitation.

Amara and Michelle could hear all this commotion where they were standing but they pretended not to notice and Lita giggled nervously before saying with a smile, "No offence taken my friends. I'm very happy. Amara and Michelle are such fun to be with."

Turning she waved and smiled at the couple. "Here I come Amara."

But Amara and Michelle gasped. "Lita!"

"Behind you!"

Lita turned and cried out in shock to see the witch Byruit and the elfin lady seemingly appear out of nowhere. The creature's clothing, which still resembled Amara's scarf, literally stretched out like a scarf entwining Lita and pulled her towards her. The creature had a big smile and raised her arms as if to hug Lita and a black star appeared on one of her palms.

Amara prepared to charge forwards to help, but Byruit raised her arm displaying her palm and levitated Amara along with Michelle. As they kicked and thrashed in midair Amara shouted, "Just what power is this?"

Byruit proclaimed, "Powers beyond your comprehension. Why don't you go for a swim?"

With that she threw the two of them screaming over the railing into the river with a huge splash. Lita hadn't even noticed because Germatoid had used the creature to remove her heart as she had placed her palms playfully upon Lita and as the beating organ rose up above the innocent creature tried vainly to reach up and grab it thinking it was something she could squeeze and have fun with. It was hovering just out of reach of her fingertips.

Germatoid said, "Let's go Byruit," and she prepared to act in obedience walking over with an evil grin.

Just then Sailor Uranus and Neptune rose quietly out of the water where Amara and Michelle had fallen. Strangely their clothes and hair were completely dry and they ascended up over the railing ready to fight. "It's just as we thought," Uranus grimly told Neptune. "Sacrifice if necessary is the key to victory. Even if she is our friend." Neptune nodded solemnly.

Sailor Uranus remarkably sent one of her attacks without shouting it out loud just as Byruit reached Lita and the elfin lady. Uranus was aiming to send Lita's heart flying away in their direction and she hit it spot on in exactly the right place. Before even Germatoid was aware of it the heart went zooming towards the outstretched hands of Sailor Neptune as she lunged forward. "I have it Uranus!"

"What?" Byruit was horrified and Germatoid was furious.

Sailor Uranus said, "This heart is ours now and we will never let you have it."

Lita was beginning to slowly feel herself turn zombie and she turned her head in disbelief.

Byruit ran over striking up a menacing pose. "Give that back."

Neptune ran for cover with the heart while Uranus stood ground for battle. "No. We will keep it. No matter what happens to its owner we will make sure you don't get that heart."

Lita would still become a zombie, but without her heart inside their crystal cabinet the witches would never be able to have full control over her like the other victims they'd successfully captured.

"Destroy the meddlers Byruit and get that heart back!" Germatoid commanded in her brain nearly bursting her eardrums.

Byruit was just about to fight Uranus when a familiar voice called out, "Hold it right there."

It was Sailor Moon along with Mars, Mercury and Venus. They had come as fast as they could as soon as they had overheard Lita being attacked. Her communicator lay on the wooden boards of the dock where it had fallen from her hand.

Sailor Moon shouted. "We are the Sailor Scouts. Champions of Justice. We will triumph over evil."

Sailor Venus added, "In case you didn't notice that evil is you." With that she launched her Venus love chain and whipped it at the folds of the elfin creature's clothing that was wrapped around Lita.

The witch Byruit had yet another shock as it struck neatly in between the two targets severing the connection. The poor terrified creature began to scream again and Byruit instinctively used her magic to repair the tattered folds modestly shielding the exposed areas of her body. Hugging her close to comfort her she cried, "Germatoid! What happened to the bubble?"

The demon sounded perplexed as he spoke to her. "I can't understand myself. I tried to produce it, but something prevented it."

The magic charm prepared by Raye had done its job well. Lita was wearing it on her lapel and it had protected her.

While hugging the elfin lady Byruit nervously turned her head to see both Sailor Mars and Sailor Moon powering up their attacks. "Wh-what do we do now?"

Germatoid urgently commanded her. "Abandon the mission! We must protect the creature! Let's get out of here!"

Moon and Mars were just about to launch their weapons together, when Byruit quickly dematerialized with the help of her demonic lord. She never removed her arms from around the creature and when they reappeared outside the big house she was still hugging her. It felt strangely good to be hugged by her in return and she was kind of cute.

Germatoid brought her back to serious business. "Take her to the Professor and his wife. We didn't get a new heart and I don't know why myself. We must be better prepared next time."

"Yes Germatoid." Byruit obeyed, but she did hold her hand as she delivered her.

The Tomoes and their daughters all made the new sister welcome. She was hugged by all of them and so was "Auntie" Byruit. Hotaru still did not feel comfortable, but she hugged the witch too reluctantly. She hugged her new sister enthusiastically of course.

Souchi said to Byruit, "She was infused with a scarf you say? How lovely she's turned out."

Kaori said, "I wonder what we can call her?"

Hotaru was suddenly excited. "Can I suggest a name please?"

Her parents smiled. "What name do you think would suit her?" asked her father.

"My sisters and I have been watching an animated movie called "The Lion King." A major character's name is Scar. True, he's the main antagonist of the story, but I think his name would suit my new sister. Scarf, Scar."

Steering exclaimed, "I like that too!"

"So do I," said Dieheart.

Almost all the others agreed though Mikuji and Octave were not as keen themselves. They decided however that if their parents wanted to use the name that was fine by them. So Scar is what she became.

As for Lita, her friends were all very upset to see her reduced to a mindless, drooling zombie where she lay. Mercury and Venus were kneeling down next to her in dismay and Mars was standing looking down in shock.

Sailor Moon was appealing to Uranus. "Please! If you have her heart give it to us. She's our friend."

Neptune walked over holding Lita's pulsating heart to speak to Uranus. "There's no reason for us to keep it now that the enemy have fled leaving her behind."

Uranus actually half-smiled and taking it in her own hands walked over to place it in Sailor Moon's outstretched hands. "Here you are."

"Don't waste time staring at it Sailor Moon," Sailor Mars cried and she responded immediately rushing over to heal her.

"MOON CRYSTAL HEALING ACTIVATION!" As the Silver Imperium Crystal glowed inside her locket, Lita's heart passed through back inside her chest and she returned to normal. The others all hugged her as she sat up.

Uranus said, "Well so long," and turned to leave with Neptune, but Lita was incensed.

"Wait a minute! Get off me you girls!" She was jumping up as she spoke practically pushing them away even as they backed up. She pulled out her transformation device. "JUPITER STAR POWER!"

Uranus and Neptune turned to watch pretending that they were surprised. "Oh so you're Sailor Jupiter." Uranus did all the talking while Neptune watched silently.

"Yes I am and I'm very angry with you two! I heard what you said and saw what you did! You never tried to help me! You just wanted to keep hold of my heart no matter what happened to me!"

"We had to do whatever was necessary to fight evil. You should be glad your sacrifice was not absolutely essential after all."

"You dare to talk like that? You're no different from those evil Heartsnatchers yourselves!"

Uranus began to look resentful and Neptune was nervous.

"Now see here. You'd better watch your step." There was a grim edge in Uranus' tone, but Jupiter shouted in rage.

"I'll watch my step as I trample you underfoot!"

Jupiter charged at Uranus with a powerful battle cry. As she swung her left fist at her face Uranus ducked and picked her up in a judo move. Jupiter kicked her legs wildly in the air while she tried to hold on to her opponents' waist from behind. Uranus was a little taken aback when Jupiter clamped her arms tightly round her belly. Jupiter was no pushover but Uranus struggled exerting all her strength breaking her hold and pulling her back down in front of her. Before Jupiter realized it she winced in pain as Uranus raised her right knee to jab it hard into her solar plexus. Jupiter had all the wind knocked out of her and she fell to her knees clutching her belly and gasping before collapsing all the way to her face.

Uranus and Neptune turned and ran away as Sailor Moon and the others all came running to find out if Jupiter was okay.

The two of them ran towards the trees and bushes nearby the pier. But Neptune realized her companion was wincing in pain and limping as she ran. Looking at her legs she cried, "Your left leg! It's got a huge, purple bruise!"

It was true. Just under her left knee was a very painful mark. Uranus groaned as she forced herself to run. "Yeah. I must admit she's tougher than I thought. Even as I was pulling her off my back she had kicked me as hard as she could. It took all my powers of self-control to stay standing and lay her down with my opposite leg before getting the heck out of there with you."

Since the bay was deserted the Sailor Scouts transformed out of uniform as soon as Jupiter had recovered. Seeing that Uranus and Neptune were gone Lita said, "What happened to Amara and Michelle? Oh I hope they're all right."

Just then Amy said, "They're lying unconscious over here among the bushes."

They all came running and saw what did appear to be them sprawled out and motionless.

"They look like they're all right," said Raye.

Serena said, "We'd better help them."

Mina said, "Not us. Just Lita."

All eyes turned to her in surprise but Amy grinned. "That's right. This is still Lita's time with them. We'll just back off and pretend we've never been here. Lita if you can't wake them call us and we'll send an ambulance."

She handed Lita her communicator and Raye and Serena understood. "Yeah. Amy and Mina are right."

"Good luck Lita."

Lita nervously stammered her thanks and said goodbye as they departed before turning to gently shake Michelle.

Of course they were only shamming and had heard every word they said. They kept up the pretence, Michelle coming to in a daze and helping Lita to awaken Amara.

"Oooh. Lita? Michelle! What happened?"

Lita explained. "I was attacked by a monster of some kind. Fortunately the Sailor Scouts came along and rescued me. I was worried about you two though."

Amara struck his forehead as if he was only just remembering. "That's right! Michelle and I saw you attacked and we tried to help you Lita."

Michelle said, "We were overpowered by a mysterious force that picked us up and threw us where we must have landed out cold. Thank goodness you're safe."

"I say thank goodness you two are safe. I couldn't bear losing you." Lita helped Michelle rise to her feet as she said this. Then did the same for Amara.

But her eagle eye saw him wince and his hand go to his knee. "What's wrong?"

"Er it's nothing," he tried to say, but Lita was down on her knees rolling up his trouser leg.

"Oh no! You were hurt!" she gasped and bfore he knew it she had pulled something out of her pocket and was tying it round the big bruise.

"Hey! My scarf."

"It's not your original scarf I'm afraid. I'm sorry to say the wind blew it out of my hand and I lost it Amara. I bought this for you as a replacement. At least your not bleeding so it won't get too dirty."

Amara was speechless as she rolled down his trouser leg carefully over the scarf. Finally he said, "Well uh. Thank you Lita."

She hugged him to his further surprise, but Michelle only smiled. Lita actually sobbed. "I'm so very happy you're all right. I don't know why but I feel some sort of connection to you and Michelle. Like there's something that binds us together even loosely. But I don't know why."

Amara would have blushed if it was in his nature to do so. Instead he just shared a knowing glance at Michelle. She nodded in response. Then he gently pushed Lita away from embracing him to look her in the face and said smiling, "You're a very nice person Lita. Michelle and I will take you home now. Thank you for the scarf and your kind gesture to my injury."

"You're welcome," said Lita.

Then she and Michelle helped Amara walk to the car.