Ok, this is just about all I'm up to. There's been too much work to do here for me to write so I'm gonna take forever to get to uploading now adays. It's not super exciting right now, but soon it will kinda be. Which means, just stick in there and we'll get to the good stuff soon enough!

Innay had been more stunned than Sunako when she started to speak Japanese fluently. It had taken her awhile to realize that she was thinking in Japanese in addition to speaking it.

Sunako had stared at her for a minute, but had continued on with her questions joyfully, illuminating the otherwise dark room with her happiness. Innay had to overcome her surprised stupor to catch Sunako's questions. Soon she found herself enjoying the way the words rolled off her tongue. There was something musical about Japanese.

Sunako had initially thought that Innay couldn't speak Japanese, but here she was speaking it so eloquently and fluently. She couldn't understand why she hadn't started speaking it earlier. She was just about to ask her when she caught herself in the midst of a yawn. Blinking away the moisture at the corner of her eyes, she looked up to apologize to see Innay doing the same. Innay looked sheepish and shrugged.

"I don't know why, but I feel tired again." She admitted, covering yet another yawn.

"So do I." Sunako motioned to do the same. "Maybe you should go rest first, we'll talk later."

"Alright. I'll be next door then." And Innay returned to the same guest room she had escaped from.

Sunako had immediately felt a little more energized and had turned on her favorite Freddy flick, only to fall asleep on the remote, pausing the movie.

The Qarok in Innay was working furiously. She had rested well the last time, and this time it hadn't used as much energy. But it felt strange. This was different from the other times Samael had used it. The other times, he had been more in touch with it's Holder, but this time…

It was more in tune with the Host. And it couldn't seem to stop the color change of the lunulas. Something was different with this Host. The Qarok settled in comfortably for its rest. It was getting to know the Host better and soon, it would make direct contact.

The Qarok slept as Innay dreamt.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

The day had passed quickly with everyone doing their own thing. Nobody had thought to look into Innay's room, for they would have found her slumbering in the same bed once again.

Kyohei spent the afternoon watching Slasher Show after Slasher Show. By 5pm, Sunako had been awakened by the raucous laughing over the sound of painful screams. She came to, to the sight of the radiant Creature of the Light watching her movies, eating her pudding and laughing loudly at her favorite scenes. Did it just snort? Yes! The Creature of the Light just snorted again! Sunako was highly offended and let him know it. By launching a flying kick at him.

And the rest is as it usually happens.

Yuki on the other hand, spent the afternoon sleeping and had awoken at about 4pm. After washing up, he took to writing Machiko a letter, telling her about what was going on here, about the mysterious girl whom he thought was very pretty, but not as pretty as Machiko, no, and this girl was quite interesting, but not as interesting as Machiko, no…

And the rest is as it usually happens.

Ranmaru had left the house early, after receiving a tip off that one of his philandering buddies had seen Tamao somewhere in town she shouldn't be. He didn't know why he was compelled to make sure that she was safe, but that was simply him being a gentleman. And he was always a gentleman. That had to be why. But that didn't explain the weird feeling in his chest when he thought of her, but that was just him being hungry. And he was often hungry. That had to be why. But that still didn't explain why he was practically rushing out of the house to 'save' her, but that was just him being her Knight in Shining Armor. And he wanted to be her Knight in Shining Armor. Wait. What?

And the rest is as it usually happens.

Noi had succeeded in waking the groggy Takenaga and had promptly fainted from the nose bleed as he answered his bedroom door topless and disheveled. The testosterone of the room reeked. She recovered a few minutes later to discover herself lain on his bed and him peering over her, mildly anxious. Her face had turned beet red and his soon joined when he realized his state of dishabille in the presence of a lady. A hastily thrown on outfit later, Noi had him herded out of the door, off to the Amusement Park. The boys were too busy by themselves to bother this date and she would take every advantage she could.

And the rest is as it usually happens.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Innay had cried herself hoarse and climbed back out of her pit of self-pity. She still felt tired, but her mind was too alert to go back to sleep even as she flopped back on to the bed.

She reached a hand up to touch her forehead where she remembered the bug digging into her head. Soft skin met her fingertips. No bleeding hole, no scar tissue. She pressed around the area experimentally, feeling no pain or discomfort. Her fingers raked her scalp, searching for any outward differences. Nothing.

The dream had seemed so real and so painful, had that really happened to her? She didn't want to ever meet Samael again. The terror had simmered to a numb fear. She wanted to know what had happened, but she felt that she may not be able to take knowing.

(you are the One)

Innay sat up sharply, looking around warily. It seemed that whenever she was in this room, it was in darkness.

"Who's there?"

She flung the bed covers back, allowing herself better mobility.

(you ARE the One)

"Who's there? What 'One' are you talking about?" She got out of bed and picked up the high back chair next to the bed. It wasn't much, but the speaker would have to go through the heavy chair to get to her.

(I'm already here)

Did the voice sound amused?

"What do you mean 'here' now? What are you talking about?" Innay's eyes strained to get a good view of her surroundings, for any movement, her ears strained to figure out where the voice was coming from.

(from within. inside. up here)

Innay felt a chill run down her spine. Inside and up. Her… mind?

(you're getting smarter. it's easier to just accept than to fight)

"Accept what?" Innay set the chair down. She had an idea what was going on… It had to be the bug.

(I'M NOT A BUG! I'M AN EXTREMELY POWERFUL MIND DEMON KNOWN AS A QAROK!)¹

It was definitely offended by the bug comment. Innay tried an experiment. She thought hard.

"Can you… Can you hear me?"

(naturally)

"What ARE you? Why are you in my head? What are you doing? Are you going to hurt me? Did you bring me here? How can I get you to leave me alone? Who is Samael? What did he do to me? Why…"

(hold up a moment there. take it easy. you sure are different from the others. all of them would have freaked out by now)

"Others? Which others? There are others like me? Are they also stuck in comics? Who…"

(definitely too inquisitive and curious by far. I think I prefer those that freak out.

ok, to answer your earlier questions. I am a Qarok, an extremely powerful mind demon. I am here as I was placed by my Holder, this Samael you know of. right now, I have no orders from him, so I'm following orders from you as long as it isn't detrimental to you and myself. I won't hurt you as long as you continue to feed me and I didn't bring you here. not exactly. Holder Samael did that. there's just about no way to get rid of me, so you better get used to it. Samael is my Holder and he is more powerful than you'll ever know. I am not privy to my Holder's reasons for his actions, I just carry them out to the tee.)

Innay sat down on the chair. This was dizzying. After all that she had gone through, it did not seem difficult to imagine that there was something in her head, even if it was just her going crazy.

(you're not crazy, at least not yet. the Holder needs you for something and you will not come to any harm until then)

"Only until then? What will happen after? He'll kill me won't he? Oh my god, I need to get out of here…" Innay stood up and looked around for her pack.

(he will not kill you. he has no such back up contingency and… his control over me is loose. he means for you to, do something for him)

Innay thought the Qarok sounded hesitant and unsure.

"Is there anyway that I can, block you out?" Innay didn't like the idea of this… thing knowing everything.

(I am not privy to give you that information at this moment. tough luck lady)

"Which means it is possible…" Innay mulled over that information for abit. The Qarok remained wisely silent at that comment.

"Do you have a name?"

(I am known as a Qarok)

"Surely you have a name?"

(I have none, the Holder has never deemed it necessary)

"So what am I suppose to call you? I think I'll give you a name if you don't give me one."

(I am not a pet to be given a name)

Innay knew a sore spot when she heard one.

"Aw come on! How about Qorky? Or Qark? Or just Q?"

(this is outrageous! it is below my dignity to have such names)

"Ok, since you obviously sound like a guy…"

(I have no sex)

"You SOUND like one, so it'll be…"

A knocking at her door caused Innay to jump out of her seat.

(answer quickly, for the one who can help approaches)

"Someone can help me? Who?"

(you will know when you see her)

Innay opened the door to find a stone faced, neon-tied, moustached and goateed Sunako together with a surprised Kyohei and a worried Yuki.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Noi was cuddled up against a silent Takenaga as the Ferris Wheel brought the couple higher and higher. She could barely contain her thumping heart. She was on a lovey-dovey date with the man of her dreams and they were in a Ferris Wheel.

You know what happens in Ferris Wheels right at the top!

She had paid the operator to stop their car at the very zenith, where the view and atmosphere would be the most romantic. There, she would indulge in her Ferris Wheel fantasy. An intense, love-filled, searing make-out session with Takenaga! Then, maybe today, they'd finally make it to a Love Hotel, where they would become proper 'Lovers'.

Noi felt herself grow hot at the thought and she clutched tightly at Takenaga's arm. Her inner mind theatre at this point of time is not suited for children below the legal age. They were nearing the top and the view was going to be perfect. She had purposefully chosen this time to take the Wheel, for the sun would be setting against the far horizon, the perfect backdrop for their perfect kiss.

Takenaga on the other hand, was still brooding over the issue that had had the boys up since 6 in the morning. He did, however, notice when the Wheel started to slow down, and finally came to a stop at the very top. The view was breath-taking, the setting sun along the sea horizon. He suddenly realized that Noi had fallen unusually silent and turned to check on her. Maybe the height was too much for her. He found himself looking into a pair of hopeful eyes, very close to his face.

Noi had waited for awhile when the cab had stopped at the top, but Takenaga hadn't said anything. In fact, he hadn't said much the whole day. Maybe he had been waiting for the right moment to say the words. Maybe he wanted her to make the first move. Face burning, she had inched her face ever closer to his as he gazed out the window. When he turned to look at her, Noi had hope for a moment that the time had come.

Her Prince Charming was going to kiss her then say the words she wanted to hear.

His face a mere inches from hers, Takenaga suddenly understood that he had been effectively ignoring Noi the whole day. Planning to make it up to her, he moved his face closer to hers, angling, so that their noses wouldn't bump. He could feel her short breaths on his lips…

RING RING RING… RING RING RING… RING RING… toot. "Hello?"

Noi turned away and splayed herself against the window on her side. They had been so close! Weeping in anger, Noi planned to make the person who had called at that moment hurt very badly.

"What? Alright, I'm coming home now."

What? Was their date over already? What was going to happen to their night of initiation into the world of 'Lovers'? Too late, the Ferris Wheel had started to move again. Sniffling morosely, she hung her head, upset at the lost chance.

Takenaga turned to find a clearly distraught girlfriend giving off some dark waves that would have made Sunako very happy indeed. Frantic and sweating, he explained the situation to her, what had happened and that Kyohei had called saying that they had found the girl. Apologizing for an interrupted date, he promised to make it up to her. Mollified, Noi demanded to go home with him.

Takenaga was a scholar and an extremely intelligent individual. He knew better than to argue with Noi.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

As things had turned out, the area that Tamao had been spotted was one of Ranmaru's regular night spots. That his friend had considered it a bad part of town, spoke volumes of what his friend was saying about him. The bouncer at the door to the bar recognized him and allowed him in with a curt nod, garnering indignant exclamations from people in the long line.

Giving a quick scan of the room, he found a table, crowded by men, on all sides, with a bit of a glow shining through the top of the crowd. Crossing the crowded dance floor with quick strides, he parted the crowd to find the source of the light. The Princess. Princess Tamao.

She looked up, surprised that someone had managed to part the crowd she had been trying to disperse for so long. And there was her Prince. He wasn't in Shining Armour, but he had on a full outfit of white. Standing, she invited him to join her at the table. He pulled out a chair, draped his muffler and hat on the back rest and got comfortable.

The crowd still did not disperse.

He did his best 'Kyohei's-Death-Stare' imitation. The crowd quickly melted away. He turned his attention back to her. She was looking down and seemed vaguely discomfited to be seen in a place like this. Ranmaru watched her fidget for a bit, noticing the huge almond eyes, the petite nose and the lush lips that were pulled tightly in a grimace at this moment.

"What a beauty… Old man… Father, I promise you, I WILL become Genji Hikaru!"

She looked up to see her Prince staring dreamily up at the ceiling, his right hand a tight fist held in a position of determination. Tamao did not think that that look suited him, but she was too polite to say anything negative ever. He seemed to be grounded again as he looked upon her again. Stunned to be caught studying him, Tamao froze, unable to tear her eyes away from his gaze.

Unfortunately, the same could be said for Ranmaru. Surprised at being caught for watching her, her eyes had arrested him the moment they connected. Minutes went by as the two simply stared at each other as the room went by. Neither noticed the hungry and jealous stares they were attracting from around the room. Why, they were the two most beautiful people in the room, couldn't they at least try to share their beauty with the less fortunate?

The staring (gazing) contest was abruptly interrupted by Ranmaru's phone. Startled, Ranmaru desperately dug into his pants pocket to still the ringing, squirming monster that had rudely cut into the moment. "Hello!..."

Tamao's take of the conversation was this: Ranmaru started out irritated, then he became confused, then he became taken aback, after which he became impatient. Upon him hanging up the phone, he grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the establishment. Fortunately, she managed to grab his and her things before Ranmaru quickly pulled her away from the table.

The whole way home, on the curb outside the club, in the taxi and during the walk up to the house, Ranmaru never let go of her hand. Not that she minded.

¹Author's Note: In case you didn't realize, this line was taken from Howl's Moving Castle when Calcifer first introduces himself to Sophie in English.

Eh, that's it. I hope I managed to potray Tamao and Noi accurately. I was quite happy with what I did with Noi. I don't like her alot, but sometimes, I do think she deserves a break. Huhuhu...