A/N: I live! barely. my computer broke and i with school i haven't been able to write as much. this story is still hanging on though!

The thunder of the battlefield was loud that morning. Hitomi sat up in her bed and stared out the window. She only saw the rocky hills of the mountains through the small square. Her room faced the wrong way from the battle; she hadn't decided if that was a good thing or not.

A soft knock drew Hitomi out of her dark thoughts. "My Lady?" the knock repeated. "My lady may I come in?"

Hitomi sighed, tempted to say no. "Yes, come in." the door opened and a white streak flashed across the room from the door. Angel leapt onto the bed and bumped her head against Hitomi's hand.

"It was outside your door pawing at it." Alcaeus closed the door behind him.

"Strange, I thought I let him in before I went to bed." Hitomi shook her head. "Thank you for letting him in.

Alcaeus bowed, "of course my lady."

Hitomi sighed again, the melancholy returning to her. "How is the battle going?"

"I'm afraid we're at a standstill. The new weapon is leaving much destruction in its path but the enemy is still pressing on. Our soldiers are beginning to think their enemies are demons, for even watching so much death and pain does not deter them." Alcaeus paused and grimaced, "in short our soldiers are becoming tired and frightened. Even with the weapon if any more of them desert we will lose."

Hitomi's stomach dropped. "Is there anything we can do?" Slowly Alcaeus shook his head.

"It is out of our power, my lady."

Hitomi stared at Alcaeus for a moment. "Do you think we'll lose? I want the truth."

It was Alcaeus's turn to sigh, "at this rate, yes. We might make it if we could somehow boost the soldier morale but at the state we're in now we'll be dead or surrendering in a month; maybe two."

Hitomi looked away, staring instead at the mountains framed in her window again. Losing Fanelia again will kill Van, she thought, I need to do something. I have to help somehow.

Alcaeus watched Hitomi while she was deep in thought and came to a spontaneous decision. "My Lady Hiotmi." He bowed low, "I'm afraid I have left you with terrible news which has brought you great distress."

Hitomi tried to interrupt but was stopped by Alcaeus's raised hand. "I would like to make it up to you, if you would allow me."

"Alcaeus you really aren't-"

"Please, my lady." His brown eyes stared hard at her. "I would like you to meet a dear old friend of mine who might be able to help distract you."

Hitomi's shoulders sagged and she shook her head with a slight smile. "I don't really have a choice now do I?"

"Of course you have a choice. Go along willingly or force me to resort to other measures." Alcaeus smiled brightly. For some reason Hitomi felt she should probably go willingly.

Noticing the change Alcaeus nodded, still smiling. "I'll wait outside until you are ready." He left, the door closing behind him.

Suddenly Hiomi felt that maybe having a bodyguard wasn't such a great idea.

Angel growled low in his throat and his fur stood on end. Hitomi felt a presence in the room. Her heart sped as she looked around.

"Please let it be you Folken." Hitomi pleaded. It felt similar to the feeling before the chair was thrown. Folken? She sent her thought out into what she hoped to be the in-between space he was in. Is that you?

Be very still Hitomi. Folken's voice whispered in her head. There's something else here. Icy fear slid down Hitomi's spine. Angel's growl increased in volume as the atmosphere became tenser. Hitomi could almost swear he was getting bigger in size as well. I'm going to try to get it out of here. Or at least find out what it is. She felt him leave her side as he moved into the room.

Why can't I see it? She asked him. He didn't answer, only scanned the room in tense readiness. Suddenly there was a burst of cold wind that left as quickly as it appeared.

It's gone. Folken relaxed and went back to Hitomi's side. And you can't see it because it has not yet existed in any one realm, merely in-between them.

Realm? Hitomi asked in confusion.

There are many realms running alongside each other. Think of it as a road lined with shops. Each one has some kind of variation in it yet they sell the same basic item. Realms all carry a different variation of futures. In one maybe you never came to Gaea, in another maybe you were born here. Each one has a version of you doing something different. That creature has not yet existed in one and has not yet become anything. Folken's description was giving Hitomi a headache.

So this thing that doesn't exist is attacking me? Hitomi thought it sounded crazy.

Something like that. Folken chuckled.

I'm so confused.

It will come in time. Let's not worry about it now. He rolled her chair over to her and helped her get settled in.

"Lady Hitomi, are you ready yet?" the knock reminded Hitomi that Alcaeus waited outside the door. In all the excitement she had completely forgotten him.

"Not yet! Sorry!" She wheeled herself over to the wardrobe and contemplated what would be good to wear today. After selecting something simple she shooed Folken away to dress. After struggling a little she was dressed and ready to meet this stranger Alcaeus seemed so fond of.

"Ah good." Alcaeus said as she wheeled out of her room. "Please allow me to push you."

"I hope this friend of yours likes me." Hitomi revealed.

"She's very nice; she might be willing to help you as well." Alcaeus seemed cheerful as he pushed her out the door and into the bright sunshine.

"Help me?" Hitomi felt doubtful.

"She is a very wise woman." Alcaeus reassured.

They moved toward the mountains. It was hilly, rocky terrain and she felt bad as Alcaeus began to show exertion. "Almost there." He heaved. At last the trail leveled and they entered the trees. Hitomi felt lost almost instantly as Alcaeus navigated through turns and twists in the path.

"Are you sure you know where you're going?" Hitomi whispered softly.

"Of course, I pretty much grew up here." He pushed on in silence.

Scenarios started circulating through Hitomi's brain. Maybe he's taking me all the way out here to feed me to the dragons. Maybe he'll just kill me. She didn't think she could get back to the castle alone with the chair. So busy in her thoughts Hitomi didn't register the change in scenery as the trees thinned and flowers replaced the long grass. It was only when Hitomi's nose started to tingle with the luscious scents that she came out of her thoughts.

"This is her meadow. She grows all her own herbs here." He pushed her towards a modest cottage. "Liza, are you inside?" Hitomi almost jumped when he shouted.

"Is that you, you trouble maker? Back for more eh?" An old woman hobbled out from the crooked door. Her cackling laugh made Hitomi instantly think of the old fairy tale witches. "Oh and you've brought a friend." The old lady leaned towards Hitomi with a stern eye. The smile in her face died and her eyes grew dark.

"A troubled past you carry, young one." She stared hard at her. "The darkness is strong inside your heart, though you may not know it yet."

Hitomi felt her breath catch. This woman was getting to be scary.

"You have come to me for help like many before you. Like this one did," she gestured to Alcaeus, "wasn't easy helping him either." She smacked him. "I'm too old to be taking on one so complicated as this one." She grumbled and turned around.

"Then you won't help me?" Hitomi felt a hope she didn't know she was holding shatter.

"I never said that little girl. Now get inside and help me with dinner." She cackled again. "It's been too long since I've had company."