Well hello there! I'm not as dead as you think I am. I had a tiny bit more of writer's block, but I think I might be over it. I have the basic plot running through my head. Let's just hope it doesn't run completely through and all the way out; I don't think I can handle losing more ideas! I've noticed I have a couple new readers for the fic, which I'm very happy about.

This chapter is mostly thought. Sorry, I know that's the boring stuff, but some of it is kind of important for the storyline. It'll be quick and painless, I promise!

There wasn't a thing in the world Mina wanted more than for Taki to shut up about the rock. There had come several times where she'd almost hit her for bringing up the subject to the point where she had to sit on her hands and smile ingenuously at her chattering companion, talking nineteen to the dozen like there was no tomorrow. Oh if only that were true, though.

Mina found it more enjoyable to walk with Takuan and listen to him talk about Grembles, as disgusting as it could be sometimes. She wondered why she'd never heard of these creatures before, though. They were rather interesting at times. But of course, Mina would rather die than tell his to Takuan and boost his irritatingly flamboyant attitude.

The three were now closer than expected to Taki and Mina's first intentional locality. They'd learned that apparently, Takuan knew Mukai very well, and could very well be a key to finding what had happened to Mukai.

It was the first quiet night they'd had for a while. There was no sound except the crackling of the small fire in front of them, and the slight snoozing of Takuan next to them. In a way, it was kind of romantic for them to be almost alone together like this, but then again it was kind of uncomfortable. Taki, as usual, had her eyes on the bag Takuan held tightly in his grip as he slept. Mina leaned against a tree behind Taki, arms crossed, wondering why they were guarding a Gremble now and why their intended mission had gotten so mixed up.

Mina jumped when Taki snapped her fingers. It hadn't been very loud, but it was startling in the unremitting quiet. Mina rolled her eyes, however. She knew what was coming.

"I've got it."

Yep. That was it. Mina sighed and looked at Taki, waiting for her to go on. She'd become so much less mature than Mina in the past few days, and Mina wondered how long this would go on.

"Why don't I just switch the bag with another one or something?"

Mina groaned. The way she'd said "or something" made her wonder what Taki was really thinking. Mina was also kind of disappointed with Taki. She hadn't thought of that idea before? It'd crossed Mina's mind the first time Taki had told her about her plans to get the rock, along with several other ideas. But the last thing she wanted to do was encourage the fact that Taki was going to cause more drama on this trip. So, all she did for now was shrug, telling Taki to do whatever she wanted.

Taki looked around, as if another bag that looked the same as Takuan's was going to appear out of nowhere. Mina wondered what Taki was going to do with it if she happened to get one. Taki suddenly slapped her forehead.

"Duh! Why don't I just take the rock out now?"

Mina wanted to kill herself.

"Taki, that rock is making you sound ridiculous. I don't know what you're thinking, but it can't be good. Besides, wouldn't he notice? He checks that bag every day, and it's not like we can just take it and run off with it; we need him for the mission. Besides," she added, "the rock isn't necessary for this mission, and we need Takuan more than it. What's gotten you so interested in this stupid rock, Taki?" The look she got from Taki instantly made her regret saying it.

"The rock isn't stupid, Mina. That thing is powerful, and I want it. If you could have felt the wave of primacy I did, you'd understand. But for now, keep out of it, okay?" She turned back to Takuan and began to ease over to him, intending to take the bag from him. Mina stared at the back of Taki's head. Taki reached over, and as Mina had expected, stopped when Takuan grabbed her wrist. He sat up, his tight grip on the bag and her wrist never loosening.

"The girl makes sense, Taki. You would be wise to listen to her." Taki had heard enough already. She was impatient, especially for something she already had to wait for.

"That's it. Both of you are being too stupid over this rock. Why can't I have it, hm? Why are you so possessive over it? Is there something to it that I'm not supposed to have?" Mina rolled her eyes again. Duh. Damn. Takuan saw Mina do this and sighed.

"You should really listen to your friend. She knows what she is talking about."

"She didn't say anything."

"Look at her, Taki."

Taki hesitated, but turned to look at Mina, who looked back with her chin lifted. Taki tilted her head and looked back at Takuan.

"Are you saying… she knows something I don't?"

"Well right now, she knows a lot that you do not."

"About the rock?"

"In a way, yes."

"You can't have it because it's basically life-threatening to humans."

Both Takuan and Taki looked up at Mina, who had finally spoken. Takuan slowly nodded.

"You are absolutely right, Mina. This rock is made from Grembles' fingernails, making it indestructible. The power you felt was a surge of energy from a Gremble's mind. When a stone like this is made, the makers mean for it to be used by Grembles and Grembles only. Understand?"

Taki was holding her head in both hands, listening to every word he said, but just barely. She couldn't believe she'd let a stone take over her willpower like that. She knew better than that. A highly trained and skilled warrior such as herself should have never let something like that happen. What was wrong with her? She slowly looked up at the two in front of her. They both had perplexed expressions, still secretly unsure about what had come over the girl who had seemed so in charge only days ago. Taki wondered if they were more worried about her or worried for their own safety. She didn't blame them if they were timorous because of her. To be honest, she wouldn't feel comfortable around someone so neurotic over a simple little stone, given that she didn't know that it wasn't so simple after all. Not sure what to say, Taki went with whatever words decided to come out, hoping the tone was right.

"I… I'm sorry." Mina raised an eyebrow. Taki shook her head. She couldn't think straight; the eloquent look Mina was giving her blocked all thought abilities, so she looked at Takuan. She regretted it at once, though, for it was his look that had a more intense, if you will, "haha" touch to it.

"Okay, look. I know obsessing over the stone was a ridiculous thing for me to do." She looked at Mina again to see if this was a good start. She felt a wave of relief when she got a nod of approval from the girl, but noticed that her eyes said it wasn't enough, so Taki continued. "Takuan, I refuse to let something as simple as a stone, no matter how complex it's features are, affect my mission tactics. Mina, I give you permission to do whatever you feel you must to keep me in a civilized form if I attempt to obtain it again." Mina nodded, her elbows now on her knees and her fingers linked, her lips slightly resting on the one closest to her. Takuan gave what Taki thought was a smile, so she smiled back. Mina felt that they shouldn't delay after a moment like that for too long, despite the moon still lingering in the sky. Gods knew how long they would stay there; there was too much of an awkward yet comfortable aura, so she stood up and stretched. Takuan gave her a curious look, but took the hint and also stood. Taki sighed; she obviously knew that she had been the cause of their sudden necessity to leave. She wasn't too happy about it, either. The night was nearly over, perhaps by three or so hours, but she still didn't like traveling in the dark. It brought up the more bedlam than she liked.

Apparently, Takuan had taken Mina's hint, but wanted to take charge of it. He insisted that they move faster then before, just for the sake of time. Mina and Taki could have sworn their letter had said three months. What was the sudden rush? It had only been a week. Not that Taki was complaining; the sooner their mission was over, the sooner she and Mina could settle down and discuss their plans. Take action, more like. She was impatient and eager, and wanted more of what she'd gotten a taste of the night after Yunsung's murder.

Taki began to wonder if Mina's feelings were just as strong. She didn't seem to be showing much of them lately. Of course, they were in the presence of Takuan all day and night, so they didn't have much choice other than to keep their relationship private. After all, the mission was now strictly all about business; when they had been with Mukai, they'd learned that he didn't care what they do, and vice versa, as long as each knew where the other was. Still, that didn't go so well. But now since they were with one of their mission requesters, they couldn't be distracted or out of focus. Then again, that hadn't gone so well either. Taki thought that maybe they weren't remembering well enough that this… thing was someone who could probably catch them off guard and, by some eccentric chance, kill them both. Taki also began to wonder if Mina's lack of visible emotion was descent because of her impulsive fixation for the stone. That was probably it, too, because Taki noticed now that, as they walked behind the Gremble in front of them, Mina's hand bumped into hers. And it wasn't the kind where someone stumbles and a hand accidentally touches yours. It was more like she had purposely inched over so that they were walking even close to each other and, since their hands were the closest body parts from each person, their hands were the first to touch. Taki didn't want to look at Mina, so she waited for a second or two, then forced her eyes to break from the road she walked on, her gaze nearing Mina's face.

She got chills.

The look in Mina's eyes was a serious expression, but Taki knew that look. Not just from Mina, but from every experience of seeing that look. She recognized it as a deep, thoughtful look. And that could only mean one thing…

Taki chuckled to herself in her head and advanced to Mina, bumping her hand back. She even went so far as to slide her fingers around Mina's to the point where they were half-holding hands. She felt Mina shiver, and wondered if it had been her that had done it. Taki smirked at the thought and slid her hand all the way into Mina's hand. She couldn't see it, but she knew Mina was smiling.

That wasn't so bad, was it? Like I said, I know there was a lot of thought going on in this chapter, but it's as convenient as it is boring. I also realize that the chapter focused on Taki more than I had intended, but I felt that was a must. A lot of the earlier chapters had much more Mina-ness to them, so think of it as evening the story out.

Now, as for the next chapter, I think I owe it to Mike, who remains to be my number one read-and-reviewer, a nice, satisfying, well-deserved (get ready for it), lemon chapter! Yes, I've decided to take it to the next step with the two love birds. The setting isn't quite right yet, so I'll have to fix that somehow. Not quite sure yet. It shouldn't take too long, though. I'm trying to get this story over with so I can finish and refresh the other ones that look like crap.

See you soon!