Fade Away – By Snowcloud

Chapter Twenty Six – Determined Melody

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I haven't updated in forever.

Why? Well it's pretty complex. This month I had a virus, a tennis tournament, a first rejection, first dance, family problems, 18 bug bites, and a friend with the swine flu.

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Feel free to send me some questions and I'll answer them.

Q: What music do you listen to when you write?

A: I usually don't listen to music, because it tends to alter my mood. For example, if I'm writing a sad scene with a rock song playing…it's going to end up weird. But if I do, I usually like to listen to original songs from non-famous people. Sometimes the popular songs get boring!

Q: What's up with the name Snowcloud?

A: My first fanfic was a Warrior one, and that was my warrior name.

Q: What was the idea behind Fade Away?

A: Well, there was a big storm that lasted for about a week, and somehow it killed my internet at the same time. I was bored out of my mind because I couldn't go outside OR get online. The answer to my boredom? Re-watching Spirited Away and Microsoft Word.

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"I'm ready to
I want to break out
I found a way out
I don't believe that it's got to be this way
The worst is,
the waiting."

Rebirth, Skillet

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"What?" I shrieked. "They're gone?"

Oh, this was just great. First Kiki goes missing, and then Haku. And when I finally think we're all together, Kiki goes off, again. How much worse could this get!? I buried my face in my hands, trying to shake it off, like it was a bad dream. Haku put one hand comfortingly on my shoulder.

"Don't worry, we'll find them," He said softly, his green eyes glowing with determination.

My head snapped up.

"If Ami did anything to them, I will kill her!" I growled.

Haku gently took my hand.

"Come on," He said, cold as always, and ran through the forest.

I wasn't as fast, and was dragging behind. The thought of Kiki in danger pushed me on.

"Kiki!" I yelled.

Haku pressed his hand to my mouth. My calls were muffled.

"Shh!" He hissed.

Immediately I knew that something was up, obviously because of spirits hear things clearer than humans. Quieting down, I strained my ears.

Haku had his eyes closed in concentration, an eerie aura coming about him. I shivered despite the warmness of the season.

"There she is!" He suddenly said.

Hope blossomed in my chest as he took off; running ahead. I struggled to keep pace, and soon was left behind.

I pushed myself harder than I ever had, running more than I thought I was capable of. Thorns and branches snagged at my face, leaving stinging scratches. Right now I didn't feel a thing though. My feet pounded the ground, uprooting sticks and dirt. Fear pulsed through my veins as my lungs heaved in and out. The moment seemed to have lasted forever, when it was no more than a few minutes.

I gasped as I stumbled, wheezing for breath. I turned my head up and saw Eko and Diane tied up. Haku stood in front of them, uncertainty flickering in the depths of his emerald eyes. Confusion turned to fear as I realized the reason why. Ami had a knife at Kiki's throat, threatening anyone to come closer. The usually brave and cheery were-cat had a horrified, dull stare.

I struggled to my feet and found my voice.

"Let her go," I said, but my voice was high and squeaky.

I inwardly flinched. I had wanted my voice to come out sounding like those movie stars back in the human world. But that was Hollywood, and reality was much more horrifying then movies. Kiki's life was in danger, and Ami could easily slit her thin neck right there.

"You think I would do that?" Ami taunted, her coal black eyes smug. "I have you guys right where I want you."

As if to empathize our situation, she lightly ran the gleaming dagger back and forth on the were-cats skin. Not enough to cause damage, but enough to get us scared.

No! My mind screamed at her. Let us go!

Kiki squirmed within her grip, terrified. She turned her head to face me, and our eyes locked.

Please…She seemed to say. I have a promise to keep.

Memories flooded through me as I remembered how much Haku's promise had meant to me. How would Jason and Felicity feel if Kiki never came back?

I shook my head vigorously.

No. I thought, gritting my teeth. I won't let this happen.

I waited, hoping for Haku to do something. Ami kept her attention on him, knowing he was the real threat. I was just the worthless human, the one who could do nothing. I knew that the dragon wouldn't even dare take a step. At the shortest movement, Kiki's life would be lost. I stiffened and braced myself, knowing what I would have to do.

This was all or nothing. One mistake, then my friend would die. I, just as well. If I succeeded, then we might be able to escape.

I gritted my teeth, assessing the situation. Ami would be suspecting Haku to attack, not me. Shakily, I put my hand behind my back and felt the onyx black dagger appear in my hands. Instantly, I was determined. I could do this. I clenched my fist over the weapon, and stood there thinking for a moment.

These could be my last thoughts. A part of my mind muttered.

No, I corrected. We will survive.

I willed myself to run towards her, heart beating like the whir of a helicopter. She dropped Kiki, and our daggers met.

I was already close to beaten, but my battered body was stiffened with determinedness.

I can do this.