Koryo VI

Fai explains to the Dimensional Witch that there is a strange magic surrounding the castle, a castle they need to get into. The witch asks why they called, that Fai has magic and that he don't need her. Fai says he turned over the source of his magic to the witch, which Yuko denies. She says that the mark he gave up was a device that held his power in check. Fai's power is now what is was originally meant to be. Fai merely smiles but Anna and the others look him over. He doesn't seem to notice.

He's hiding something, Anna thinks, still sitting against the wall. Kurogane now stands, facing the witch.

Yuko sighs and says that she will hand over something that will help break the magic that surrounds the castle. But she expects payment, of course. Syaoran becomes frantic, saying that they don't have anything to give her. Fai walks to the corner of the room. Anna looks down at the ring. She covers it with her hand, ignoring the voice in the back of her head.

Fai calls from the corner of the room, removing his staff from a closet. "How will this do?" he asks. "It's a magical device. Can you use it?"

"I think that will do," says the witch. "Send it through Mokona." With that, the white creature opens its mouth wide and swallows the staff.

Fai kneels down next to Syaoran. The boy asks if that was okay, if Fai was sure. Fai nods his head, saying that it's all right.

Mokona open its mouth again and a ball comes flying out. Syaoran catches it. The ball looks like a darkly clouded crystal orb. The boy's face becomes serious and determined, as he looks the ball over. He mumbles something under his breath.

Before they decide to head out, Kurogane and Fai changed into the clothes the princess had won for them. The three men walk out the front door to the front yard. The princess and Chu'nyan follow with Anna right behind them.

Fai puts a hand in the air. "I think Anna-chan should come with us!" he offers.

Syaoran looks at her, asking if she wants to join them. Anna shrugs. "I'm not sure how much help I could be."

"You could scold the Ryanban to death," says Kurogane. She glares at him and he looks away with a chuckle.

"Well, if we get hurt," explains Fai. "Then Anna-chan can heal us!" He smiles at her.

"I'm not much of a fighter though. I'll just get in the way. I'll stay here with the princess and Chu'nyan." A pause. "I'll heal you when you get back." She smiles at him and he nods, a little disappointed but understanding.

Chu'nyan yells that she doesn't want to stay at the house, that she wants to go to the Ryanban's castle, too. Fai tries to explain to her that it's going to be dangerous. Chu'nyan says that she's prepared for that. "Hmmm. I'm not getting through to her," whispers Fai. He looks at Kurogane, who looks away. Kurogane claims that he has no talent for explaining things to kids. Chu'nyan races over to Syaoran, pleads to him that she has to go. That she has to avenge her mother.

Anna steps forward and takes the girl's shoulder. Chu'nyan looks up at her, angry and confused. "Revenge isn't a good enough reason to go," she says. "Give me a better reason and I'll give you permission to go."

The three men keep their mouths shut.

Chu'nyan grits her teeth and tears form in her eyes. She can't come up with a better excuse to go. Anna sets a hand on the girl's head. "Just stay here with me and Ms. Sakura, okay? Leave the manly fighting to the men." She smiles weakly.

Syaoran smiles at Anna then at Chu'nyan. He then looks to the princess. He declares that they will be back soon. He says it not as a promise but something that will happen, no matter what. The boy begins to walk away. The other two follow him.

Chu'nyan falls to her knees, tears streaming down her face. Sakura kneels down next to her and wraps her arms around the crying child. She rests her head on hers.

Revenge is never a good reason for anything, thinks Anna. She recalls that summer day, the day of the wedding.Out of anger and in the name of revenge, she tried to murder Rothbart. Even if she had succeeded, it wouldn't have made a difference. Her beloved older sister is dead. There is nothing that can change that.