A/N: Okay. First, I'm sorry about the length of this. I'm disappointed too, believe you me. But I wanted to post this before Christmas Day as a Christmas present from me to y'all. Hope that makes it a little better.

Second, no I haven't forgotton/given up on this yet. I've just gotten side-tracked. Severely side-tracked. I posted another story with 16 chapters, and another yaoi lemon between last time I posted for this story and now. O.o

My current obsession has become ZoisitexKunzite from the Sailor Moon series. More yaoi, yay!

Anyway, I apologize again. *cowers in corner*

Now, my Christmas gift to y'all…

Chapter 7

"Fai, are you sure? You're still recovering. Won't such a spell drain you?" the Nihon princess asked gently.

The blonde shaman smiled. "Yes, it will be draining. But not to the point of exhaustion I don't think. Besides, I'm needed back on Shara. I have a duty to fulfill. Also Sakura needs to return to her secret crush," he added slyly.

Tomoyo giggled but her eyes were serious. Fai smiled reassuringly. And the decision was made.

XxX

Kurogane stood in the open grass in the middle of the tiny garden. Fai stood nearby close to Sakura and two others had joined their group. He snorted when he recognized that onmyoji and his tag-along friend. Hmph. This should be interesting.

"Are we all here?" asked Tomoyo who was currently sitting comfortably on a nearby rock watching their ragtag group assemble. Upon receiving several nods, she smiled and looked to Fai. "Fai, Sakura, it's been fun getting to know you. Even though your visit was short. I hope we can meet again soon. I promise to have more outfits ready for when you both arrive!" she added enthusiastically.

Sakura giggled and her blonde 'mommy' smiled. Then a silence fell over the gathering as the air suddenly felt unusually heavy. Kurogane stared at the blonde male whose blue eyes were currently closed in calm concentration. Slowly, Fai's body began to glow the same shade of blue as his eyes, and his clothes and hair began to ripple as whatever power he was summoning began to take form.

Fai raised his hands before him, feeling the familiar presence of his staff that hung in its pocket dimension and summoned it to his hands. Immediately he felt the swirls of magic appear, swiftly followed by his shaman staff. The feeling of the smooth madarian wood beneath his hands, the sight of the shimmering silver crescent moon tied to the staff's crown and the glittering crystal that sat on the crescent's base filled him with nostalgia and sense of belonging.

A mage-wind encircled the group of five as numerous glowing, spinning, and intricate magic spirals wove about them. The lins, there but not, suddenly became distinctly visible. They swam through the air with the magic as if they were a part of it. Then a brilliant light blinded everyone for an instant. When it faded and their sight returned the group surveyed their new surroundings with awed interest.

They stood in the middle of a large circular field filled with flowers and surrounded by tall stone monoliths that arched upward into the sky. The sun was at its zenith and there were few clouds in the brilliant blue sky.

"Wow. Just…wow. Since when could you do that stupid mage?" Kurogane asked.

"I'm not a mage, Kuro-puppy. I'm a shaman. There is a difference," Fai responded absentmindedly as his eyes darted around as if in search of something, or someone.

"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU CALL ME, YOU STUPID--!" Kurogane raved. He was cut off by Fai suddenly dropping to one knee his moon staff lying on the ground by his side. Sakura blinked at her guardian then looked up and gasped before dropping to her knees as well.

Kurogane, Seimei, and Hiromasa followed their gazes. When his eyes came upon the sight, Seimei bowed at the waist, and Hiromasa hurried to follow leaving the pirate to stand gawking at the person who approached them.

A woman with very pale skin tinted light purple and long light purple hair pulled up elaborately in a golden headpiece with tiny gold chimes dangling from it was standing before them with an air of royalty and power. Her eyes were solid black jewels that glinted purple and stared at the interlopers with cool dignity. "Fai, you've returned," she said, her voice low and rich.

"I have, Sava Kishim. I humbly beg your pardon for my unexpectedly long absence," Fai answered respectfully.

Kishim let her jeweled eyes pass over Sakura and the onmyoji and his companion to the pirate who was still standing stupidly, before returning her intense but gentle gaze to the Moon Shaman. "Who are your companions, Shaman?"

"I am Abe no Seimei, onmyoji of Nihon, and this is my friend and companion Minamoto no Hiromasa, warrior of Nihon. It is truly a pleasure to meet someone spoken of highly by the Dimensional Witch," the onmyoji said.

"Hm. Savi Seimei, I was told you were coming. You really do resemble a fox. Your mother must be proud," Kishim said teasing.

In like manner Seimei smirked, "I certainly hope so." Hiromasa just stood staring at the two speakers in anxious silence, a confused expression on his face.

"Your butterfly is very beautiful, as is the pipe you bear. Though, I think you'll find it will be difficult to play," the Sava continued.

Seimei paused for a moment in confusion before a lovely blue and yellow butterfly fluttered across his vision and he laughed. "Of course. I am never far from my friends."

Now Kishim turned her crystalline gaze to Kurogane, who had remained shockingly silent until now, with interest. "And you, silent wolf?"

"His name's Kuro-puupy, Sava. Isn't he adorable?" Fai asked cutely from his kneeling position.

"IT'S KUROGANE, YOU IDIOT—"

"Shaman, puppy, shaman. Not mage," Fai reminded teasingly.

Fuming, Kurogane bit his tongue before he made an even greater fool out of himself in front of this obviously powerful woman.

Kishim smiled, "Such a cute bug. As is your little draco."

Kurogane's face blanked for an instant. Draco? Kero's back in Nihon. Then he caught sight of the tiny dragonet hovering a few feet above the mysterious woman. It's crimson scales glittering in the sunlight. "Kero!? What are you doing here?" he cried. "I thought you were back in Nihon."

"He was, but you left without him, so I provided for him to meet you here. So cruel. To leave your trusted friends behind," the purple-haired witch jabbed playfully.

The captain of the Silver Pirates balked.

He heard the others snickering beside him and shot them a death glare that would have instantly killed any sane person. But whoever said his companions were sane, with the possible exception of Sakura and maybe Hiromasa, had something wrong with their heads as well, in his opinion.

"Kero? Is that his name?" Turning her attention back to the little draco, Kishim offered her arm clothed in a long-sleeved black and purple dress for the tiny creature to land on. "Hardly a fitting name for such a fiery little thing. How about Hien? Yes, I think Hien suits you much better, little one."

"His name's Kero, lady."

"It was his name. A name is important, Kurogane. A name describes a person, place, or thing. Gives it life. Kero just wasn't right. Hien, however, is perfect. Perfect for this little red flame." The newly named draco crooned in pleasure as Kishim's long-nailed fingers caressed him between his eyes.

"Pardon me," a shy voice spoke. All attention turned to the only other female in their group who was currently standing and shuffling her feet nervously. "…ano…eto…Is Syaoron…does he…?"

"He's waiting for you on the bridge under the old willow. I suggest you hurry little flower. He was quite excited when I told him you were on your way here. He was practically tripping over himself in his hurry to see you." Kishim smiled as the child practically bloomed and, after a hasty bow, raced toward the designated meeting place.

Turning back to the remaining guests, the Sava's face became serious. "Come. I will take you to Ashura-ou's home. You will stay there for the time being. Fai, if you will walk with me. I wish to speak to you alone. We have much to discuss."

Fai lowered his head in acknowledgement before rising to keep pace beside the powerful Sava. Sure the others were following, Kishim strode toward Ashura-ou's palace. She noted how the lins who swarmed around Fai would occasionally swirl around the one called Kurogane. Hmm. It seems they've found a new toy. Poor little bug. She hid a smile behind her slender hand and continued on her way.

A/N: Yay, y'all finally got to meet Kishim.

Translations:

Sava - when placed at the end of a name it means Miss, when placed at beginning of name it means female sav user

Lin – a grayish, slender, serpentine creature with a fish-like face, eight tiny legs, and fin-like appendages on the sides of their head right behind their gills. They live between the realm of reality and the world of the dead. They breathe sav like humans breath air and they swim through the air as if it's water.

Oh!!! Big FYI!!! The reason why I keep referring to Abe no Seimei as "foxy" or with fox terms/descriptions is because, according to Japanese folklore, the historical onmyoji (yes, Seimei really existed, shocker, I know) was believed to have a fox demon/spirit as his mother. Cool, huh?'

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MERRY CHRISTMAS, y'all!!! ;)