Almost Mine!

Makoto tightened his hold on Kai. Kai glared murderously at the shorter teen before him

"What do you want Hiwatari?"

Kai growled; so he was still playing dumb with him huh? Kai shoved Makoto off him.

"You know exactly what I want?"

"As if?! If I knew I wouldn't even be bothering you!"

"Where's Tsuki?"

Kai dropped the growl and stared at Makoto. That's all he wanted to know; he just wanted to know where she was.

"I don't know."

Kai clenched his fist at Makoto's monotone answer. He was ready to rip his head off; why couldn't he just tell him.

"Look. I'm not stupid. Just tell me, is she alright?"

Makoto stared at Kai. This guy was persistent; couldn't he just take the answer that he didn't know? Good gracious!

"I. Don't. Know. Hiwatari. Look, it's not my fault you screwed up! If you cared about her you wouldn't have let her run off!"

Kai pushed Makoto up against the wall really roughly.

"You do know. Where is she Noriko?! Where?!"

Makoto struggled under Kai's grip; the guy was a madman!

"Let go! You're psychotic Hiwatari! I don't know! Even if I did; I'd never tell the likes of you!"

Kai dropped Makoto. Fine. He was through with it. If he won't tell him, then fine. Kai stomped off. He needed to vent out his anger.

Makoto brushed himself off and glared at Kai's retreating form. He snorted and walked off in the other direction.

--------------------------------

"Dr. Zagart? Are we to unleash another one?"

"No."

Dr. Zagart examined the snarling Ukaymnar in her prison; she was vital to their plans. They would use her to lure the girl to them, but they had to be careful to make sure no harm would be done to Ukaymnar that could jeopardize their even bigger plans.

"Sir! Boris would like to speak to you Sir!"

Tae stood behind Zagart, saluting him as if he were in the military. Zagart sighed, that boy was never going to learn.

"Put your hand down boy. Boris you say? Alright."

-----------------------------------

The wind swayed gently, caressing her flushed face. Tsuki stood looking down at the crowds, she knew that Guardian had told her not to come out but she couldn't stay cooped up again. Her bright crimson orbs scanned the crowd, a smile on her lips. They were all carefree, oblivious to everything around them…they shouldn't be. Her eyes saddened, an image of Kai came into mind. She could never face him. All his sufferings and loneliness was her fault. If she hadn't…Tsuki looked up; she sensed Ukaymnar's energy wave nearby; she narrowed her eyes and disappeared.

--------------------------------------

"Mr. Hadaka, may I use the restroom?"

Mr. Hadaka raised a brow at Makoto.

"Noriko, you have ten minutes before the bell the rings."

"I know…but I really have to go!"

Mr. Hadaka rolled his eyes and nodded his head; Makoto stood up and rushed out of the room. Johnny and Brooklyn glanced at one another; they knew he wasn't coming back anytime soon.

Makoto was in a rush to get to his destination that he ran into Eli.

"What's the rush Noriko?"

"None of your business Hikaru!"

Eli raised a brow but shrugged his shoulders; whatever. It's not like he's his keeper. Makoto watched as Eli continued to walk and disappear around the corner before continuing to his destination.

--------------------------------------

Tsuki covered her ears; Ukaymnar began screeching like no other. It was high pitched to the point that could propbably make her ear bleed if she were normal. It felt like needles were being pushed into Tsuki's brain; it was painful. Tsuki felt her vision failing her, if Ukaymnar didn't stop soon, she would collapse. She closed her eyes.

Silence. Ukaymnar had stopped her obnoxious racket. Tsuki looked up; Guardian was a few feet ahead of her.

"I thought I told you to stay home."

Tsuki downcast her eyes, she knew; she also knew that explaining herself wasn't going to satisfy him.

"Leave. They'll be here soon."

Tsuki looked at him in confusion. He wanted her to leave? She couldn't. He needed her to help him. Susumu wouldn't be able to help, his injuries that he endured weren't fully healed; he needed time to regenerate.

"No! Let Tsuki stay! You need help!"

Guardian clenched his fist. He knew that; but he also knew that she could get caught during the fight. He knew what those people were after; he knew what their intentions were and he wasn't about to let them finish. He couldn't let it happen. Not another battle. Not again. But he also knew that he wouldn't be able to defeat Ukaymnar on his own, she was too powerful…

"Fine. But…be careful alright? When they come, I want you to leave…no matter what, okay?"

Tsuki bit her lip. No, she wouldn't leave him; she couldn't. She knew he was protecting her, but she wouldn't allow him to sacrifice his own life for hers, she wouldn't have it.

"No. Tsuki will stay and fight, no matter what!"

Guardian let out a defeated sigh. She was a persistent little fiend, he'd give her that much. Movement caught their attention. Ukaymnar stood up and glared at Guardian. She wasn't going to be defeated again. Energy balls emitted from the palms of her two claw like hands, she directed it at Guardian and fired.

It missed him by a hair; the tip of his hood was fringed. That was a close one. Guardian extended his palm and fired three consecutive blasts. Tsuki followed suit, if they both attacked she wouldn't have time to dodge them all…right? Wrong. She was faster then she let on. In a split second, Guardian was sent falling at an incredible speed down towards the asphalt where he landed with a loud thud; creating a huge creator in his wake.

Tsuki dodged the aimed attack and grabbed Ukaymnar's extended arm and flung her down, followed by blasts. This was war.

-----------------------------------

Kai ran towards the direction that the people were running away from. Tsuki was there; he needed to get to her. Kai weaved through the crowds, not stopping even though he heard his friends call out to him; he needed to get there.

-----------------------------------

It was futile. Tsuki panted heavily at Ukaymnar who imitated her as well; they were evenly matched for the most part. Guardian stood leaning on the side of a wall, clutching his abdomen. Maybe if he used a binding spell on her like he did last time, then he and Tsuki could finish it off. First, he needed to regain some energy.

-----------------------------------

Kai continued on his way. He came to a four way street. Which way? He looked to his left and his right. Where were they? If only they could give him a sign…anything.

"Kai! Couldn't—you—have—slowed—down?"

Tala caught up to his friend, panting heavily; man, he really needed to get into shape. The others came up as well.

Riku looked around; it was deserted, everyone ran for cover.

"Where now?"

Kai glared at her. If he knew, he wouldn't have been standing there. Riku held her hands up in defense. Man, Kai really needed to relax. She turned to Brooklyn.

"Couldn't you guys use your spirit things?"

Brooklyn looked amazed and nodded. If he got in tune with his spirit, he could fine the place where the battle was commencing.

"Or we could always follow that explosion."

The others turned to Johnny who pointed at the explosion that began to die down. They looked at one another and headed for it. At least they now had a lead.

-----------------------------

Susumu looked out the window of the mansion. They needed him but his powers hadn't fully recovered.

"Hn. Planning on leaving again?"

Susumu turned to Voltaire and smirked.

"Not this time."

"Hn. Was the job too hard for you?"

Susumu rolled his eyes. Voltaire was always like that. He had no fate in anyone at all.

"No, besides, at least I didn't turn away from my destiny."

Voltaire scowled. Destiny? He called guarding some ancient being destiny? Preposterous! That was their ancestors' job, not theirs. This was the twenty first century! They had other things to do.

"Hn."

"You knew all along…why didn't you say something?"

Voltaire turned away; he stared at the painting in front of him. It was one of a young female, in an elegant mahogany red dress; her eyes light emerald, her hair, long and golden. The name on the bottom read: Penelope Maryanne Hiwatari.

"Do you know who this is boy?"

Susumu rolled his eyes. He couldn't believe his own father called him 'boy' he was nearly forty.

"Of course. That's many 'greats' grandmother Penelope. She married into the family." Voltaire nodded.

"She was the reason why we have that…that Icari-whatever blood in our veins. She was full blooded…Beautiful isn't she?"

Susumu took in the painting. She really was beautiful, her fair complexion complimented her eyes and hair; the dimples on her face gave her a serene and kind look.

"She also guarded the girl that Kai brought home…"

"Did you know?"

"Hn. I knew the boy was lying but I overlooked it; she gave out a strange aura. Besides, it's his problem not mine."

Susumu nodded. So Voltaire-like; if it didn't benefit him, he didn't care. Susumu waited for Voltaire to continue; he needed something to take his mind off the battle that was happening yonder.

"So…what happened?"

"She died of course!"

Susumu rolled his eyes. He knew that; he was talking about if she left just as he did.

"Did she leave as well?"

"Only for a short period of time. She was heavy with child. It was a boy of course."

Susumu nodded. So far, all the Hiwatari children had been boys except for a few, but that was all a long time ago.

"That doesn't explain why we stopped our duty."

"You mean her duty. It was her problem."

"We carry the blood."

"It doesn't matter. The family became rich, business needed attention, not some girl who was sleeping all day and night!"

Voltaire turned to Susumu. What did he find so important in guarding some girl? He should have been there for the family business, not for her! She was some stranger, nothing more.

"Did you know your grandson has taken a liking to Tsuki?"

"Hn. I'm old, not stupid. It doesn't take a blind man to figure that out."

"You approve?"

"Hn."

Susumu chuckled, he sure missed a lot during the years he had been gone.

-----------------------------

They were almost there…almost. Suddenly, Kai halted, a black van swerved into view nearly running him over. Kai's eyes widened, he recognized that van…no. He needed to hurry, Tsuki was in grave danger!

-----------------------------

"Move out of the way!"

Tsuki did just that; the blast hit Ukaymnar right in the chest, knocking the wind out of her. She crumpled to the floor, struggling against the binds that caught her again. She bared her fangs at her two enemies who held their palms out before her.

Suddenly, a screeching sound diverted their attention. A black van came into view.

'Shit' Guardian turned to Tsuki. "Get out of here now! Hurry!"

He took hold of her but was violently pushed back, taking her with him, by a blast. Tsuki and Guardian lay on the ground. Tsuki groaned and stood up, only to be hit again. She felt drained. Who were they? She heard laughter, she turned to the person. He held a cynical smirk.

"Dr. Zagart what do you want us to do?"

A young woman came into view, Tsuki blinked. Was it over? The man kept silent for a while.

"Get the tank ready. Put Ukaymnar in one and put this girl in the other."

"What about him sir."

Tsuki let out a groan and painfully turned her head towards Guardian. He was unconscious a few inches away from her. Tsuki tried to get up but the man before her held her down with his foot.

"Nuh-uh-uh…you stay right here. Don't worry, we won't hurt you."

Tsuki tried to glare at him, but failed. Why did she feel so weak? What was that blast? Dr. Zagart kneeled before Tsuki and picked her up bridal style. He walked towards the black van. Was this it? Did they lose?

"LET HER GO!"

Tsuki's eyes widened. She recognized that voice. She turned her head slowly. She opened her mouth to call to him, but no sound came forth. She heard Dr. Zagart let out a growl and mumbled 'no…we were so close!' She felt Dr. Zagart hand her over to another person. She looked up and met brown orbs.

"Don't worry. I'll be alright. I'm Tae by the way."

Tsuki gave him a small smile, he didn't seem so bad. Tae ran away from the scene and placed her behind the van.

"Stay here alright."

With that, he ran back to Dr. Zagart. She could here Kai yelling at the man to hand her over. Tsuki closed her eyes. He came for her. Maybe he wasn't mad anymore.

"Psst...Tsuki!"

Tsuki turned and found Riku. Riku signaled to the girl to keep quiet while she headed towards her. She helped Tsuki up and cautiously brought her towards the others. Tala carried Tsuki bridal style.

--------------------------------

Kai glared at the man before him. He remembered seeing him at the docks the night he took Tsuki out and when he first met Void…um…his father. He glanced at his friends, and almost let out a sigh of relief but didn't; he saw Brooklyn give him the thumbs up sign. Kai turned back to the old man and smirked.

"You know what? Never mind. You can leave now."

Dr. Zagart looked taken aback. Did this boy before him just surrender? Good. He must have realized that he wasn't strong enough to fight against him.

"Good. I see you understand. We will be leaving then."

Dr. Zagart signaled to everyone to pack up; Kai watched them go, a smirk on his features…how long would it take before they realize that Tsuki wasn't with them?

-----------------------------------

"Can you believe it Dr. K? They just surrendered!"

They were far from the battlefield. Ukaymnar began screeching again from her containment. They were almost back to lab.

"Tae. How is the girl?"

Tae smiled and turned around. Uh-oh. He forgot he left beside the van…He turned to Dr. Zagart.

"Um…Sir?"

"What?!"

"I…uh…I left her there."

"YOU WHAT?!"

A/N: Yay!!! Another chapter for my readers!!! You won't believe this...this fic...is ALMOST DONE! I know...you're probably like oO...or not...but okay...yeah...it is!! Then I can focus on my other fics: Life's One Big Cliche-I have serious writer's block for this...it's just not coming to me right now...- Cinderella II- I might post the next chapter today too...not sure yet and Power That Be-A new one...it's an experimental one but I'm thinking of continuing it...the first chapter is already up...Check it out, if you want, and tell me what you think? It came to me a week ago when I was writing this fic and when I was watching the Horror Fest movies...So yeah...that's the end of my note...'till next time: Chapter 22: Decisions! Decisions! Decisions!