OK, I know, I know. I meant to update this about 2 weeks ago but I was on vacation for 10 days and was really busy before leaving. But the fourth interlude is now complete and ready for you and the next chapter is on the way as well.

I appreciate all of your reviews and am glad you guys are enjoying the story. I can't believe I have over 7,000 hits on this story and still going. I hope I get lots more reviews as well and that I haven't ran off some of you who are sick of waiting for me to update.

As I mentioned before, this will be the fourth interlude and second to last, unless I should elect to have more. And it's leading up to some good stuff. Just to remind, Interludes can be dreams, visions, or memories, or even foreshadowing future events. I'm sure you guys can't wait to find out what all these silly interruptions are about.

Anyways, enough babbling from me. Jack and Chibi Luv are asleep cause it's so late and we had a long journey back from our trip. Well after 1am it be.

Now for the next installment of……

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You're My Kryptonite

Interlude 4

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The sound of the broom's bristles rake along the many textures of the stone walkway. Leaves, dust, and dirt are whisked away to leave the tiles fresh and clean to the open world. Early spring is in the air as the chilling northern breeze brushes across the aging shrine, meeting with the warming sun which looms heavy in the skies above. In contrast, the walkway, cutting through the heart of the grounds, shines more like the lustrous moon hanging in the evening skies, opaquely white and desolate. However it remains vividly clean under the dutiful care of it's alluring keeper and her daily routine. The worn, old broom, edging towards showing it's age, has come to anticipate it's part in this semi-peaceful world. A world encased in quiet history. Only a few stray patches of frost remain on the grounds in memory of the winter months which are turning now to spring and then summer which is soon to come.

Wrapped in her winter shrine maiden's clothes and wielding her faithful broom with much skill and grace, Rei cuts her normal path through the dirt lingering on the stone tiles. Working tirelessly, she ensures every speck of dirt is cast from the center most row before doubling back to begin again more towards the outer edge. In rhythm, she works with the beat of the aura of the temple, in tune to the world it preserves as she too hums in step to her tidying's. Even the wind works in as an integral part of her serene world, occasionally pushing hard enough to billow her loose clothing and sway her long hair in time to her cadence. It's the picturesque image of the traditional Japanese temple maiden tending to her traditional Japanese Shinto shrine.

Humming a calming tune, she matches the song in her heart with all that is right with the world. The light sway of the budding trees even join in as she rocks left and right with each stroke she takes. The ravens cawing nearby too, accompany her pleasant song. Telling a story like the Noh, listening to the notes she knows so well, paints a dramatic image of vibrant colors, serenity, and Shinto congruency that the world represents. Buried deep in her heart, she's sung the song a million times to a crowd and another million times to herself, until the day it worked it's way into her daily chores. A raven swooping down and perching on her shoulder doesn't even break her rhythm as she smiles up at the graceful bird before it spreads it's wings and takes to the skies again with an enchanting call.

Turning back once more to sweep away another path of dust, she takes a few swings of her trusted broom before looking up the long path to the front doors of her family shrine, a loving and calm induced smile is graced across her lips as she still hums her happy tune. A flock of many species of birds, having descended as she worked so diligently, now speckle the path, hopping about in their search for crumbs, grains, and seeds. Sighing amidst her own mood, she continues more gently, brushing the birds she happens upon out of her path, only for them to return once she's passed. Neither minding each other while working for their own goals. The birds chirp merrily and hop about her broom, step by step as she cleans the final row of dirt of her afternoon tidying. It's a routine she repeats twice a day, weather permitting, and even three times on festival days.

Two thirds the way up the path, she pauses to lean on her broom, and take in her surroundings. She watches in contentment, the two paper lanterns still hanging over the entryway from Haruka's recent birthday celebration, as they sway with the breeze. The tiny bells strung within the tassels, tinkle lightly with the rocking motion. The harmony joins the many subtle sounds encasing the temple grounds, transfixed and trapped within a dome of it's own, amidst the bustling metropolis of Tokyo. That is until all the sound ceases and the courtyard is consumed by an eerie silence, even the birds stop chirping , stop moving, and turn their heads in the direction of the stone steps.

In an instant, every bird takes flight with a massive gust, as a loud pop like a firecracker echoes from behind her. The intense percussion sends the flock off into the distance, lead by the shrill caws of her ravens. Their abrupt departure leaving her saddened and confused as well by the odd sound as it makes yet another, louder bang, much like the last. The nearing sound startling her to turn back to face the stairs just as the birds had, as a third bang echoes in quicker succession to the last, sounding less and less like a fire cracker with each shot. The sound being so familiar as it ruptures the fragile shell that had composed her world. And then a fourth blast follows, this time with no denying as she recognizes it as the sound of a firing gun. Four shots, breaking the silence and snapping the world to life.

Compelled by the reverberating sound, she drops her broom to the ground in a sudden rush of emotions, the wood rapping to a rest. She then stumbles forward, pushing herself into a run, not away from the gun shots, but towards them instead. Straining with exertion, need, she tries ever harder to gain speed as the desperation to reach the source drives her. The walkway seems to stretch to a mile for her, only the clicking of her geta upon the tiles echo through the courtyard. Step by step as she runs, a mournful cry slips free from her lips, her whole body feasts upon the raw emotions compelling her to run towards the sound. Something, unforeseen deep in her soul tells her this moment is of the greatest importance. Her heart pounds like a drum with each stride she takes. This could be that defining moment of her entire life.

Loosened by her exertion, her outer heavy robe sways with her body and her hair weaves behind her as she grows ever closer to the stairs. Lunging forward she cries for her feet to move faster, reaching for that unknown which calls for her. Her plight clouding her mind, she skids past her family prayer tree at a furious rate, only a few paces from her goal. Her eyes begin to tear, finding herself with less then three steps to go, when a lone patch of frost finds itself beneath her, causing her to take a rough slide across the ground. Landing painfully in her side, she comes to a halt in a crumbled heap at the very peak of the stairs.

Just as her body strikes the hard earth, a fifth and final shot rings through her ears, so close and deafening, she cries once more, pained and filled with sorrow, as she falls short, only wondering for what lie down those towering steps. She whimpers softly, lying curled in a heap on the top step, her body quivering lightly from the chilling breeze mixed with her supposed failure while fighting for that which she needs so badly. A sharp gasp though, breaks her whimpers as a feather light hand falls upon her shoulder, stirring her from her own self despair.

Sitting up in surprise with a sudden jerk, she looks up in hope, tossing her head left and right in search of the keeper. Wishing to find the one whom roused her from her despair. Still remaining seated, she turns as far as she can each way, wishing to spot the elusive person. In looking around though, she finds her world becoming hazy, thickness, slowly consuming her entity, as she watches the world blurred to nothingness, snaring her into it's reality of what she is.

Soon blinded by the light, her other senses pique in their intensity. Her heart beat booms inside her ears, the taste and smells of the space fill her lungs, and the particles of existence dance across her skin. The over load of sensations spark once more, flooding her body as she finally faints, falling victim to the world and fading into the voided space.

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"Just remember Hiiro…." Duo murmurs in a soft seriousness, contrary to her care-free self, as he secures his helmet to his pilot's suit. "Even Superman has his kryptonite." A lingering glint of sadness reflects from deep within his eyes.

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The end for now!! (takes a gasping breath after all that typing)

So….what did you guys think? Yes, I know it's only 3 pages. But it IS only an interlude and the next chapter shall me much longer.

So maybe review and let me know you guys are still out there with me if you please.

And while your at it, go read Li Ying Fa and Lady Xiao's works. They're both very talented writers. I was ecstatic to see "Brothers and Sisters" updated not once but twice, and I'm awaiting the next entertaining installment of "Snowfall". Both are great works for the Rei/Hiiro-goodness.

I spent my vacation in Arizona with my family and we saw some baseball and basketball games and I have increased my hockey figure collection even further. But now I'm back to work and will have the next chap to you ASAP.

Once again, I hope you enjoyed and let me know what you think!

Tunks