Chiro sighed and cast his eyes downward, so he was watching the tiles beneath his feet slowly inch forward beneath his feet.

He hadn't meant to do what he did, it had just, slipped out.

Even though what he had said was completly true, he was uncertain. He knew the children would die if he left them. But he didn't see why that meant he had to save them.

'No one saves me.'

He sighed lightly and paised his head slightly, re checking their location. No one spoke a word, and there was no sound but the occasional sniffle from Lilly. A light spasm of pain slithered through him, and he masked it best he could, letting out a tiny groan.

Franny looked worridly in his direction, but simply frowned and looked down, knowing her brother wouldn't want to appear weak.

Meanwhile, a white haze was begining to creep into Chiro's vision, and his mind was on overload.

'What the hell am I doing? I shouldn't have transformed without father, it's taking over. Shit, what am I supposed to do now?'
He wiped his eyes, hoping the haze would dissapate slightly, and it worked to an extent.

He turned around abrubtly, mouth open to speak, when he froze.

The others froze with him.

Alyss frowned, "Chiro? What's wrong?"

Leo found himself standing protectivly in front of Lilly, fearing him, while Lilly, in turn, walked past him straight to Chiro.

Upon reaching him, she immediatly transformed into a katana, and Chiro caught her expertly.

He growled, and eyes each member of their party.

"It seems, we have some deserters."

Gisir looked around, panic overflowing from him. He had reached his son's mind long ago, but something was wrong. Very wrong.

The familiar cracks had returned, and were bleeding furiously, while the very ground was dust beneath his feet.

The air was stained grey, and bloodlust was mixed in.

'Why is this happening,' he thought as he hurried to try and fill the cracks, only to open them even more.

Then it hit him.

"Oh god, Faerahrn. My son."

"Why are you hurting yourself?"

Allen snorted as he walked down the halls, Michael in tow.

"I can't believe how easy it was to ditch them. That idiot."

Michael mumbled, "But, shouldn't we go ba-"

He was silenced as Allen covered his mouth with his hand, eyes narrowed.

"You," he breathed, "are not going anywhere."

Michael trembled, "But, why? You weren't like this before..."

Allen sneered and turned back around, continuing onward, "Chiro can not be trusted. You remember how he talked towards us, as if we were garbage. Useless trash!" He growled and clenched his fists, as Michael took a small step back, eyeing the branching hallways.

Allen took a breath and combed his fingers through his hair, "But no matter. He wont be here in the end anyway."

Michael froze, and Allen laughed at the look on his face.

"You still haven't figured it out, have you?"

Michael shook his head, and Allen turned and laughed.

Michael ran.

But he looked back.

Chiro flew fast, though he wasn't sure why. The kid Allen had been so determined not to help him, but it wasn't him he was concerned about.

It was Michael.

He knew he was being selfish. Most of him only wanted to find the kid so as to shut him up, so he didn't reveal his secrets. But a small bit of him,
pitied the kid. He reminded him of himself.

And it irritated him to no end.

He was confused as to why he hated Allen so much, but it wasn't as if they had gotten off to a particularly good start.

He grasped the hilt of his Katana, [Lilly] tighter, and flew slightly faster, glancing back to see how the others were fareing. He almost laughed.

Almost.

Franny was trying her best to carry as many of the kids as she could. Christy and Jimmy were in her arms, and Kati was hanging at her ankle, obviously scared out of her mind.

Dani had transformed into what looked like a tiger, but slightly smaller, and had Laira, Jane, and Alyss on her back.

Nana was running at her side, panting slightly, Leo stark white on her back.

These kids were good.

AU; Hope it was to your liking. I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow, and figured youd all want an update, seeing as I might not update for a while.
Hopefully, the next chappie will have the MUNKAHIES [monkeys] in it!