Yuuki quivered as searing pain burned at the back of her mind. Her teeth were clenched and they chattered against one another, but it wasn't cold outside. A stream of red dribbled down her chin and continued to rain down on Rika's tender skin. A river of crimson flowed down from her hairline as she opened one eye carefully, as if even the slightest movement may be her last. "R-Rika . . ." she croaked out, lips barely parting. It even hurt to speak.

Rika stared up at her, wide-eyed. What was going on? Why was she bleeding? Frightened, she backed out from underneath the wounded teenager and looked around. Her pupils shrunk as her eyes caught a familiar stone pillar lying, shattered, on the ground - speckles of blood spattering its smoothed surface. The little girl started to shake and nearly lost her footing as she took a step back. So this was the horrible disaster she sensed only minutes before. "Yuu . . . Yuu-chan!" she called out, scared and in disbelief. She ran forward and fell to her knees in front of the girl, the soft skin scraping against the rough flagstones. She reached up with both hands and grasped Yuuki's head as gently as possible. It was all she could do to keep her mounting fear in check. "Why-why are you hurt?" This wasn't supposed to happen. This was supposed to be a good day. Nothing ba was supposed to happen!

Yuuki didn't reply right away - she couldn't. Everything around her seemed muddled and unclear, as if she were looking through a grain filter. It took all of her might just to make out Rika's basic shape; she almost seemed like a shadow. She winced as another wave of pain wormed across her brain, a series of . . . memories? trailing in its wake. She had seen glimpses of these "memories" before - back when she was in the school with Mion and Shion - but these seemed crisper and more defined. They . . . reminded her of the questions Rika had asked the night before about saving Mion and being slaughtered by Shion. All of that really happened? I wasn't just dreaming? Mion . . . . She screwed her eyes up in sheer agony and collapsed on her side, curling into a tight fetal position. A pool of garnet seeped from the back of her head, staining her beautiful golden hair.

"YUU-CHAN!" Rika cried as she took the girl's head in her arms. She pressed a hand to her injury in an effort to staunch the flow, but she wasn't sure if she was helping Yuuki or might be harming her. Her heart clenched with fear as her friend crashed her head against her chest, nearly lifeless. "Yuu-chan, hold on. I'm going to get you some help. I promise!" Tears decorated the corners of her eyes as the reality of the situation sank in. If Yuuki dies again . . . . No! I'm not going to sacrifice her. I'm not going to sacrifice anyone! "Hanyuu!"

The horned girl was at her side in a heartbeat, thin arms coiled around her neck in relief. "Hauu! Rika, I'm so glad you're okay!"She hugged harder and snuggled her nose into the nape of the other girl's neck. "Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine!" Rika barked, throwing the spirit off her shoulders. "But . . . Yuu-chan needs help . . .!"

Hanyuu's eyes drifted down to the blond girl and she nearly fell backwards, shocked to the core. Never before had she seen that extent of head trauma. She wrinkled her nose against the strong scent of blood. "Haauuu! She . . . Did she top you from getting hurt?" If Yuuki hadn't been there to protect her, Rika could be dead right now . . . . Despite the dire situation, Hanyuu smirked. Very brave or very foolish; I don' know which one describes her most.

"What're you laughing at?" Rika demanded in a rough voice. She held Yuuki closer to her, if only to secure herself that she was still alive. "She needs help! Hanyuu, please rewind Time long enough so that I can save her!"

Hanyuu was immediately floored by the request. What was Rika thinking? Sure, the spirit had the power to perform such an act, but that would be pushing it. For once, she had no control over this situation. "Hauu auu! I can't, nano desu! This was a natural disaster. I can't do anything about this!"

"Hanyuu!" Rika pleaded, eyes swimming with desperate tears. "I'm begging you, let me save her! I made a promise to get her and Mii-chan back together. She can't die now while their friendship is broken. Who knows what Mii-chan would do - will do! Please, please, please!"

Hanyuu growled, balling her hands into fists. She was at a standstill. What should I do? I want to help Yuuki as much as I possibly can - she is the only one who can stop this curse! - but there are rules I have to abide to. There has to be something I can do! There has to be! "I don't know!" she cried to herself more than Rika. "I don't know what to do!"

Rika wasn't satisfied with that answer. Switiching to her adult voice she screamed, "Then at least get me to the Coach! If we can't stop this event from happening then we can at least get her some medical attention! Please, Hanyuu! I'll treat you to anything you want at Angel Mort. Just please, let her live!" Overwhelmed with grief and guilt, Rika let her head drop onto Yuuki's bloody brow, crying softly into her skin. "Please . . . I'm begging you . . . ."

Hanyuu sighed deeply. She could do that; it wasn't against the rules. Stooping down to their level, she placed a hand both Rika and Yuuki, eyes downcast. "I'm going to help save you," she whispered to the blond girl. "I can't lose you that easily. You're too important. Rika," - her voice was louder - "there are some things I want to talk with you about when we get her to safety." Closing her eyes, she took in another breath and it felt like the world fell away only to reconstruct into the familiar landscape of the Irie Clinic. Rika looked over at Hanyuu who had materialized into her normal schoolgirl outfit and stood, solid, next to her. Rika didn't know how to express her gratitude. "Thank you so much. COACH!" she cried, struggling to keep Yuuki alive until Irie came.

"I'll go get him!" Hanyuu offered and charge inside, quickly locating the man writing something down on a clipboard. "We need help!" she howled before he could ask a question. Hanyuu grasped his coat sleeve and took off at full speed down the corridors, not stopping for anything. I'm not going to give up. Never again. I chose her for a specific reason and I need to believe she can make it. The horned girl crashed through the front doors and pulled Irie along with her, momentum propelling them forward. "Rika! Is she still okay?"

Rika looked up suddenly and held Yuuki tight to her as if her proximity would keep her heart beating for that much longer. "She's unconscious," she reported. "But her heart's still beating. Coach, tell me she's going to be okay." Please . . . .

Dr. Irie looked down at Yuuki in utter shock. She was the same girl that had escaped from the clinic the day before, but now she was worse than what she had been. Mion and Shion's accusations of child abuse crossed his mind and he couldn't help but think that maybe her mother might have tried to kill her. Still, there was no time to ask questions. She needed help and fast. "Give her to me," he ordered, stretching down his arms. Rika reluctantly rebuked her cargo and sat on her knees, blood soaking into her bright green dress, as she watched Irie rushed Yuuki into the confines of the clinic. The little girl dropped her head as her slender shoulders trembled and tears plopped like rain onto the blood-soaked ground.

Hanyuu kneeled down next to her and placed a hand on the side of her face, hoping that would at least bring her comfort. "Rika . . . It's going to be okay. She'll be okay. I promise."

"Shut up," Rika hissed, rising to her feet. She didn't look at Hanyuu as she grit her teeth, tears still flowing. "You didn't want to help her right away. I don't know why, but . . ." She couldn't bring herself to say that the spirit may not want Yuuki to live. Too many things were happening at once and she needed to clear her head. I made a promise to her, too. I need to bring Mii and Shi-chan to her. They need to see her. "Stay here with her. Make sure nothing happens to her. But I swear, Hanyuu, if you put one more scratch on her I'll make you wish you never met me!"

Hanyuu froze, uncertain of what to make of her descendant's threat. Why would she deliberately want to hurt Yuuki? I want to help her! "Rika . . . ."

The little girl turned on her heel and took off running down the road, not caring about the fact that she was smothered in blood or what people who saw her might think. She needed to fulfill her promise to Yuuki - she owed her that much for saving her life. Her feet smacked the dirt roads hard as she navigated her way to the branching asphalt street that would take her into the main town. Speed was all she could think of achieving and reaching her destination as fast as possible - and getting back even faster. Even though they had been through a lot together, Rika suddenly found herself unable to fully trust Hanyuu.

Mion wiped her brow with the back of her hand as she placed the last of the stuffed animals back in their resting places on the elegant shelves. During the small tremor a few of the store items had fallen along with some of the more delicate things in the back. Their uncle had offered to take care of the shattered porcelain and glass in the back while Mion and Shion inspected the things in the front. The older twin pursed her lip as she traced her fingers along a soft teddy bear. Her mind had not left the unbearable things Yuuki had done to her the day before. In fact, they constantly replayed over and over in her mind, like a bad song she couldn't shake no matter how hard she tried. Did she really mean that? I understand that she was scared to death - she thought her whole world was going to fall down - but it still hurt. She winced as her hand wormed its way over her heart. I should never have done anything!

Shion, seeing her sister's pain, came up beside her and gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze. "You okay?" she asked gently.

Mion couldn't help but smile. Shion always had that natural touch for making someone feel better. Feeling beside herself, Mion turned and wound her arms under Shion's and held her close, eyes closed and heart thudding dully in her chest. "A little," she admitted, though truthfully she felt terrible. "I'm still a little upset."

Shion hugged her back and soothingly rubbed her upper back. She smiled as Mion gripped her tighter. "Hey, it's okay. I'm sure she didn't mean it. She was just scared. She knew that you were only trying to help her and not hurt her. If you ask me" - a mischievous grin played across her lips as she recalled Rika's phone call - "I'd say she felt just as bad as you did and would do anything to apologize."

Mion sniffed in Shion's ear. "Really? She didn't seem so upset when she socked me." A dry chuckle escaped her. "She got me pretty good. It still kind of hurts."

Shion laughed too, happy to know that her sister retained some normalcy. "Really," she confirmed. "In fact, just as a hypothetical question, what would you tell her if you saw her come into the store say in the next . . . ten minutes?"

Mion looked up from her sister's shoulder, tears clinging stubbornly to the corners of her eyes. Her lips parted only a little as she saw right through what Shion had said. She knew that trick from front to back and couldn't help but widen her eyes in shock and mild fear. "She-She's coming here?" she barked, gripping her twin's shoulders tightly.

Shion upturned her brows in mock innocence, turning her face away for good measure. She was found out. "I never said that," she said in a kind voice, pulling a small smile. "All I said was hypothetically."

"Oh, don't give me that!" Mion yipped. "That's the oldest trick in the book. What did you do? Did you tell her that we were going to be here and invited her to come? Why would you do that, Shion? She already told me she never wants to see me again?"

"Have you listened to a word I've said this entire time?" Shion countered, looking directly into Mion's eyes. The older twin pulled back slightly and loosed her hold on Shion, if only a little. "Since you've already figured it out, yes, I did invite her here. Actually, it's all Rika's doing. She had Yuu-chan over last night and talked everything out with her. She told me that she feels guilty over what she and never meant to do it. She regrets every word she said, Onee!"

Mion gasped slightly and stared in complete shock, Shion's words sinking into her like the cold blade of a knife. Yuuki regretted everything? It didn't seem like it - there was no mistaking the sincerity in her eyes. However, Shion didn't have a reputation for lying and to bring Rika into it only hardened the fact that she was telling the truth. Mion, ashamed for her sudden outburst, looked down at her feet, her longs bangs shading her eyes from view, and she released her hold on Shion. "I'm sorry," she murmured quietly. "I didn't mean to snap at you like that."

Shion smiled softly and gave her sister's shoulder a comforting squeeze. It was very hard to keep grudges between them. "Hey, don't worry about it," she assured. "You're going through a lot right now and we only wanted to help. Rika and I thought it would be a good idea if you two meet and work things out."

Mion didn't say anything. For Rika and Shion to go to that length in order for her and Yuuki to make amends was astounding. She couldn't believe how lucky she was to have a sister and a friend who would do that for her. She felt as if her heart would burst with happiness. Her shoulders shook as grateful tears slipped silently form her eyes and a series of light chuckles escaped her lips. Shion blinked, confused, but yelped in surprise as Mion launched herself at her and barely brought her arms up in time to catch her. Mion laughed against Shion's chest as she said, "Thank you so much. You have no idea how much that means to me. You're the best, Onee!"

Shion couldn't help but blush a light pink and hug Mion back. "Hey, what're sister's for?" she asked softly in her ear. "I couldn't stand to see you so miserable. It didn't suit you. You're much better when you're flighty like this." Shion raised her head to gaze at the clock on the opposite wall. A smile tugged at her lips. "They should be here soon. Rika told me an hour so I'm guessing five minutes or so."

Mion straightened up and removed the apron around her neck and placed it on a coatrack in the corner. She pulled a loose strand of hair behind the curve of her ear and asked Shion for a inspection check. "You look fine," Shion said, laughing. "Relax. You act like you're trying to impress her! Almost like you're in love!"

Mion blushed and held her tongue as her heart drummed loudly in her chest. Well . . . .

When she didn't react with a smart crack, Shion parted her lips in astonishment and her brows shot up to her hairline. This was a joke right, right? Mion would never be that way, much less fall in love. She upturned her nose every time she saw a couple holding hands on the street. It was impossible! Or is it? Shoin stepped closer to her sister, bent on getting an honest answer. "Onee . . . do you . . .? With Yuu-chan?"

"MII-CHAN! SHI-CHAN!"

Both twins turned at Rika's distressed voice and they charge outside, shielding their eyes from the bright glare of the sun. Mion approached Rika first and recoiled as the sight and scent of blood that came along with her. She thought Rika was hurt, but noticed that there was no trail following in her wake. It wasn't her blood. "Rika-chan," Mion muttered as she placed both hands on the exhausted girl's shoulders. She didn't wait for her to catch her breath. "What is it? What's wrong?" Her chest tightened as she noticed one person was missing from the group - the one person Mion was hoping against hope to see. "Where's Yuu-chan?"

Rika bent over and placed both hands on her shaking knees, thoroughly spent. She had run nonstop all the way and the physical work was taking its toll. She didn't feel she had the energy to speak. Her jaw clenched. No. I have to tell them. Yuu-chan's in trouble. Bringing up her head, the small girl locked gazes with Mion and said in a dead serious tone, "Yuu-chan's in trouble. She's at the Coach's clinic and she's hurt. That big earthquake made a pillar fall over and she was hit in the head." Her voice wavered as the tragic event played over and over in her mind. Her legs gave out from underneath her and crashed into Mion's chest, sobbing. "I'm sorry, Mii-chan! She saved me and now she's hurt! I'm sorry!"

Mion stiffened and felt the blood in her veins run cold; she felt no different than a block of ice. Was that true? Yuuki was hurt and in the hospital? A whirlwind of fury, guilt, and worry writhed in her gut and it was all she could do to gently tug Rika to the side and rise to her full height. "Shion, you and Rika stay here," she ordered, fists clenched. "I'm going to make sure she's okay."

"Onee, wait!" Shion yipped just as Mion took a step forward and she grasped her wrist. She could practically feel the tension mounting in her twin and it unnerved her. However, she didn't back away. It would take a lot more to scare her. "I know you're worried - I am too. I never expected this to happen. But you won't make it that quickly on foot. Let me call Kasai. He can -"

"That'll take too long!" Mion roared, pulling her wrist from Shion's grasp. She whirled on her, eyes blazing. "For him to come all the way here and then back? No. That'll waste too much time. This is my fault. I already made the mistake of letting her go. I should have made her listen to me and had her stay with us. That way I could've kept her safe. I'm not going to let that happen again." She disappeared at top speed around a corner to an expertly placed bike rack and forcefully pulled her bicycle from between the curved piece of iron. She didn't hesitate as she swung one leg over the side of the seat and pedaled off, her voice trailing loudly behind her, "You and Rika do what you want. I'm not going to leave her a second time!"

Rika took a step forward to give chase, but was stopped when Shion placed a hand to her shoulder. She turned and gazed at the older girl, bewildered, but a small smile from her soothed Rika's raging spirits and she stood silently beside her, watching Mion's abrupt departure. A stiff breeze rushed by and Shion ran a hand through her hair, brushing back loose, emerald strands from her face. That look in her eyes, she thought as she observed Mion's retreating back. Her looked down at the ground and placed her free hand over her heart. That's the same look I get whenever I think of Satoshi . . . .

AN: A real sense of desperation at the end. I liked it. I had this scene in my mind for a while so I wanted to get it down before I forgot it. And so now Shion knows Mion's growing feelings for Yuuki. Drama, drama, drama! :D

Yours Truly,

Inhumunculus