* * * Episode Twenty-eight: Suspicions – Head versus Heart * * *

The forest was blazing, each leaf afire with verdant brilliance from the caress of the morning sun. A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, stirring the laden boughs and dislodging some of their load, carrying them off in playful twirls and graceful sweeps.

A few of the freed leaves wafted past a motionless figure standing in the center of the forest clearing. At first, the towering monster was as silent and steady as the boulder his tough skin caused him to resemble, as he failed to react even when one of the leaves brushed just past his nose. His soft gray eyes remained fixed firmly ahead, drinking in the beauty of the forest before him, as memories of another time and place echoed through his wandering thoughts.

Home… it was what the stone giant desperately longed for. This clearing was all too reminiscent of the place he had once belonged, the secluded valley so far away that had once given birth to so many dreams and hopes… before everything was swept away by a single, tragic encounter.

How long would it take, he wondered, before he could walk into that valley he had left behind and find it reborn, the sad scattering of lost discs replaced by the vibrant, cheerful faces of the monsters he had been raised by and alongside for the majority of his life? How long before he could honestly leave behind the pain and loneliness he had known after everything was taken away by a senseless conflict?

How long before he could face the other Searchers again, secure in the knowledge that his home was now completely restored?

He had achieved his primary reason for joining the others in their quest: reviving the Phoenix, allowing all the monsters that had been killed and reduced to lost discs to be reborn. He wanted nothing more than to return to the way of life he had left behind… to have that measure of peace and contentment back home once more.

Still… It hurt to leave the other rebels behind. In the relatively short time that he had traveled with them, Golem had come to see the Searchers as true friends. He'd found in them the solace that had been missing ever since war had robbed him of all he'd ever known.

Making his way back home alone… Not only was it slow going, but the journey seemed much longer with no one beside him, no companions to talk to or even simply to have alongside him.

But he couldn't expect them to simply follow him blindly when they had no other reason to come this way. There were so many other things to be attended to, and each of the Searchers needed to follow their own paths for now.

Tiger of the Wind had already departed just a short time after Genki had been taken back home by the Phoenix. The sapphire-furred wolf wanted only to be reunited with his younger brother Grey Wolf – to find his own family that had been lost during the course of Moo's horrible reign. How could Golem possibly even consider delaying something like that for his own petty reasons?

No, Tiger had left the others to find his own way, and it was for the best that Golem followed his lead and dealt with this by himself. Perhaps afterwards… After returning home and seeing all his friends again, he could find a way to contact the other Searchers and invite them to come visit… It would be nice to have everybody meet each other…

The stone giant gazed appreciatively around at his surroundings for a while longer, watching the falling leaves sweep in their graceful midair dance. He was reluctant to leave this beautiful scenery behind, knowing full well it would be a long time before he would be standing in another vibrant glade, the one he once called home…

But the longer he hesitated, the longer it would take to reach his destination.

Finally, with a faint sigh, Golem shifted his weight, slowly placing one foot in front of him, then another. As always, his pace remained slow, steady, unhurried, his attention more on his lush surroundings than the road ahead.

He had barely taken a few steps forward when he suddenly paused again. This time, however, his hesitation was not born out of his desire to stay and study this lovely glade a bit longer.

The muted crack of a dry, brittle twig underneath someone's weight had rung out in the glade – and not from beneath the stone giant's own heavy feet. He was no longer alone.

Slowly, careful not to make any sudden movements, Golem pivoted on his heel. Again his gray eyes swept over his surroundings, only this time, not out of appreciation of the forest's beauty. Now, his sole purpose was discovering the identity of his new companion in the clearing.

Golem's lips tightened into a hard line, and for an instant frustration glittered in his gentle eyes. Just because Moo had been defeated didn't mean that all the monsters in the world had automatically become pure-hearted. Unfortunately, there were still those more than willing to take advantage of those weaker than them. Golem counted primarily on his intimidating size to scare any would-be attackers away, but if he was forced to defend himself or some other victim in need…

His hands convulsed once into fists, then relaxed slightly, the fingers remaining curled. Golem prayed it wouldn't have to come to that.

The soft pad of steady footsteps came closer, and Golem turned to face their owner, bracing himself for the worst. While his body looked relaxed, save for the way his fingers remained curled, the stone giant was silently preparing for the possibility of conflict. He'd do his best to avoid such an outcome, but…

However, as his gaze fell upon a familiar figure, Golem relaxed, breathing a soft sigh of relief. Surprise colored the recognition in his eyes, for this newcomer had been the last face he expected to see in such a place, so soon after parting ways. This failed to keep a welcoming smile from spreading over the towering monster's face, and he nodded down at his new companion in the glade.

"Tiger…"

His fellow member of the Courageous Seven cast an appraising look up at his towering ally, a typical neutral expression on his scarred face. Pale golden eyes flicked their gaze from the giant's beaming face to the bright blossoms surrounding them, and a wry smirk twisted the lupine's lips.

"…I see you've been… sidetracked on your little journey home," he commented lightly, not bothering to keep a sarcastic note from entering his deep voice.

Golem felt his cheeks flush red with embarrassment at the wolf's teasing tone. It was true, he was stalling a bit longer than he should have… the longer he tarried, the longer his friends back home would be left wondering where he was. However, at the same time, a nagging question tugged at the back of the larger monster's mind.

"…Your brother," he asked slowly after a moment's pause, taking time to collect his thoughts and consider how to phrase his awkward query. "Have you…"

Before Golem could finish, however, the blue wolf abruptly answered with a swift, single shake of his head. The golden eyes seemed to darken slightly, as if the mere mention of his absent sibling drew a veil of shadows over his face.

"…Ah."

Golem bowed his head slightly, uncertain of what his next action should be. In the back of his mind, alarms were continuing to go off; something about this entire encounter seemed askew, off, not exactly right. Uncomfortable feelings twisted deep in his gut, churning like a storm-tossed ocean.

- …Tiger left the group before I did… How did he know I was returning home…? -

- It's the obvious conclusion, naturally. Why else would I leave the others, after all? We each have our own reasons… -

- …But… if he hasn't located Grey Wolf yet… why is he here? …Does he need my help…? -

- …Wait… Would Tiger even WANT my help? He always seemed to prefer doing things on his own… -

"…What's wrong, Golem? Not happy to see me?"

Despite the lightness with which the question was asked, Tiger of the Wind's golden eyes appeared to burn with a fierce intensity as he gazed calmly up at his towering friend.

Uncertainty welling in his chest, Golem nevertheless quickly shook his head in denial, feeling ashamed at his own inner struggle with his conflicting feelings.

- Tiger is my friend. I trust my friends. -

- But why do I suddenly feel so strange about doing just that? -

"Just…surprised," he admitted freely, shrugging helplessly at his own confusion.

The lupine monster simply continued to pin Golem with his steady gaze, the faintest hint of amusement beginning to light his stern features.

"Ah. And why, pray tell, is that?"

- …Yes. Why AM I feeling this way? -

Self-consciously, Golem rubbed the back of his head, as if hoping the action would erase his doubts. Instead, they steadily increased, as did his discomfort. Something was definitely wrong, causing his senses to go on full alert despite the stone giant's private confusion.

"…Why…"

"Why what?" prompted Tiger, never averting his steady gaze from the taller monster's face.

"…Why is Tiger not searching for Grey Wolf?" Golem finally wondered aloud, his face beginning to burn again at his sudden bluntness.

The lupine monster seemed unaffected by his companion's awkward question. Instead, the blue wolf merely closed his eyes, finally ending his intense study of Golem's embarrassed face. His shoulders shook briefly once, twice, a small tremor running down his lithe back. Golem just looked down at Tiger in ever-growing confusion, not knowing what to think of his friend's odd behavior.

"Why is Tiger not searching for Grey Wolf?" he echoed, causing the stone giant to start in surprise at his scathing, mocking tone.

Golem's shock at his fellow Searcher's behavior only increased dramatically as he heard the sapphire-furred lupine's next statement, however, the harsh whisper that followed in a voice that was both alien and all too familiar to the rebel.

"Because Tiger no longer has any reason to."

Abruptly the wolf's head snapped up, eyes flying open, and Golem reared back in shock at the sight of the golden irises glowing an unholy crimson. A blood-curdling howl ripped from the lupine monster's lungs as he fell in a boneless collapse to the ground, shadows twisting round his body as if stirred by the frigid winds that had suddenly began to swirl through the clearing.

Golem stared, stumbling back a few steps as the cold wind buffeted his granite skin. Unconsciously, he then took a faltering step forward, toward the center of the swirling hurricane of ice and shadow that had enveloped his companion, reaching out with one shaking hand in a gesture of helpless concern.

It was always in his nature to worry about the safety of others over himself, after all.

Unfortunately, compassion has its cost at times.

As he reached out to the place where his fellow rebel had vanished, the frigid torrents swept out to embrace the giant. A sheet of jagged ice formed on his outstretched fingers, then swiftly spread over his arm and down his body. Before Golem could react, the glittering substance had engulfed him entirely, leaving the stone cold to the touch.

The shadow winds dissipated as quickly as they had sprung up, revealing a new figure standing in the glade. Where once a lupine familiar to the trapped Golem had crouched was a monster that, as he straightened to his full height, was on perfect eye level with the stone man. This face was also familiar to the former rebel, but certainly not a beloved one, or anyone he had ever hoped to lay eyes upon again.

A gauntlet-clad hand reached out and gently caressed the stone giant's frozen cheek, an expression of mock tenderness, as crimson eyes glinted tauntingly at the shock trapped in his prey's widened gray eyes.

"No, Tiger no longer has any reason to seek out his dearly departed brother," purred the tyrant, his tone betraying the cruel smile hidden beneath his ebony mask. "Just as Golem no longer has any reason to return home…"

The ice covering Golem's body reflected that of his captor, the cruel crimson eyes superimposed over the stone giant's own blankly staring cool gray ones…

* * *

Hare's eyes shot wide open, and for a long moment he just stared up at the ceiling, and at the single hand he had reached out with involuntarily while caught in his nightmare.

No… hardly a nightmare. Somehow, the tawny-furred rabbit knew the vision he had just witnessed was more a reflection of grim reality, a past event he had no hope of altering.

Several things were still unclear, but one thing was certain: Golem had been tricked and captured by Tiger – by Moo – some time ago.

The dream wasn't clear on exactly when this tragedy had occurred, but Hare had the sinking feeling it had happened sometime before the failed assault on Genki… Meaning that his old friend had been in the enemy's hands for quite some time, a prisoner while his fellow rebels went on with their lives unaware…

* How long… how long ago was it? Weeks…? Months…? …Oh, Goddesses… *

His wavering brown eyes squeezed shut, and his chest heaved in ragged gasps as he fought back the almost overwhelming urge to cry. Crying wouldn't solve the problem. Tears wouldn't free Golem from whatever fate and Moo had done to him…

* The worst part is, there are fates… worse than death… *

"…Much worse than death…" murmured the rabbit unconsciously, staring up at the ceiling in despair.

"…You're right."

Hare jerked upright at the whispered agreement, his ears folding back and head whipping around sharply as he turned to stare at the visitor he didn't even realize he had. Holly regarded him with sympathetic bronze eyes from where she sat on a chair in another corner of the room.

"………"

"…Hare, please talk to me," the girl pleaded, getting up and pulling her chair a bit closer to the bed. "I know… I know there's so much you're trying to hide from us, but…"

"Leave me alone," the tan bunny grumbled, falling back onto his side and turning away. Burying his face in his knees, he muttered, "Just go away, alright? I can deal with this myself…"

"No, you can't," Holly retorted, an edge creeping into her normally soft voice suddenly. "Hare, hiding things isn't going to solve anything! Believe me… it only makes things worse…"

Hare's ears twitched, and he stole a furtive glance at her over his shoulder. Sensing she had his attention despite his body language, Holly took a deep breath and pushed on.

"Believe me, I know it only makes things much worse," she repeated with conviction. Her gentle eyes misted with tears of remembrance, she lowered her gaze to the floorboards and continued haltingly, "You're not the only one who's hidden things from the others because you were afraid of how they'd react."

Again, the bunny's long ears swiveled in her direction, betraying the fact he was listening to her more than he'd like to admit. Holly's hands twisted together in her lap, the slender fingers pressing into her pale skin. Even though she was trying to get Hare to reveal more information, this was increasingly feeling to her like she was the one under pressure.

In a sense, she was, for the girl was currently fighting a secret battle with herself over whether or not she should finally confess something that had eaten away at her secretly for a long time.

"…It hurts," she murmured, "when you're hiding something painful like that. Even if it seems like it's a much better idea to not let anybody else know, for fear of causing them to feel the same pain… When you take it upon yourself to suffer alone, it hurts even worse. It nags and tears and you want to tell somebody, just so maybe you won't have to bear it alone… Only you can't, for fear… for fear…"

"…Holly. Are you trying to figure out a way to tell me that Moo originally was in your father's body…?"

It took a few seconds for the soft whisper to fully register in Holly's mind: she half-nodded absently, then froze, bronze eyes widening in realization. Choking back a horrified gasp, she whipped about to stare at the tawny-furred bunny.

"How…?"

A pause, then Hare glanced over at her stunned face. She noticed in dull amazement that he was smirking slightly, a mere shadow of the cocky smile he usually seemed to have when he figured something out. This time, however, there was no humor in the expression. His brown eyes shimmered with pain and sorrow instead of mischievous delight.

"How long…? For a while now. Or do you mean, you want to know how I knew…?"

Holly slowly nodded, barely aware of the movement, or of the fact that she had sunk down into a chair.

"In Moo's floating castle," Hare started slowly, keeping his voice calm and collected. "The first time, I mean. After you were kidnapped. There were a lot of things there that I didn't understand at first. See, at first I figured he'd taken you away just 'cause you had the Magic Stone. If he took you, he also took our chance of finding the Phoenix away."

Hare paused, then dropped his gaze to the floor.

"Honestly, I figured that you were as good as dead," he confessed softly. "I thought that he must have killed you the second he was out of our sight."

"………"

"Then, when we got there and found out you were alive, and he said that the Magic Stone could locate his original body, I thought, 'Okay, so he kidnapped her to make her use the Stone for him.' Of course, THAT theory was quickly proved wrong when he used it himself."

Something in his tone of voice tipped Holly off to the fact that he was frustrated with his inability to know the truth. She shifted her weight slightly, nervously, even though she sensed his anger was directed more at himself than at her.

"So I'm wondering, 'What exactly is his game here? He doesn't need Holly for his plans, and she'd be a big threat to him if she escapes, so why hasn't he killed her? She's worthless to him!' …No offense," he rapidly added, hastily looking over at her.

"None taken," replied Holly weakly.

"It wasn't until later that I managed to figure it all out," he continued. "And actually, it was something you said that made it all fall into place."

He paused, then locked eyes with her again.

"That dagger," he said simply, softly. "Moo gave it to you to convince you that he really was your father, didn't he?"

"…Y…yes," confessed Holly, and her fingers impulsively strayed to where the talisman was sheathed. Hare nodded.

"That's what I figured," he told her. "When Suezo asked where you had gotten it, and you replied it reminded you of your father… I couldn't help but wonder how in the world you managed to get and hold onto a weapon while Moo was holding you hostage. And the fact that you'd not only gotten a weapon, but one that reminded you of your father… Well, that's when it all made sense. Moo's taking you away, his being able to use the Magic Stone, the fact that he tried to force you to join instead of just killing you outright…"

"…Why didn't you say anything to the others?" Holly asked, bronze eyes wavering as she met the rabbit's steady gaze.

"Hey. I know exactly what it's like to want to keep something a secret," replied Hare, shrugging lightly. "Besides, what could I say? It's not exactly polite to go, 'Hey, Holly, I was just wondering, is Moo your father or something?' Couldn't very well go and say that in front of the others, and…"

Again he dropped his gaze back to the floor as he murmured, "I didn't want to hurt you like that. 'Cause it really, really would have crushed you to have the others treat you differently."

"………Then… you know… that I know what I'm talking about," Holly said hesitantly, shaking her head slowly as the shock of realizing her darkest secret wasn't quite as secret as she thought.

"………" Hare shook his head slowly, then risked meeting her pleading bronze eyes for a minute as he insisted, "This is… different. It…"

"Is it? Is it, really?!?" demanded Holly, exasperation entering her tone again. "I can't say I'm so certain."

"No… You don't… know…"

"I know what I've seen! I know you've been trying to hide that the Phoenix's Tear's been reacting to Poseidon!"

Hare's eyes widened a fraction at that, and Holly knew she'd hit a mark finally.

"I saw it glowing silver the last time he attacked. I saw it stop glowing when he left. I heard you whisper something… asking Tiger how he could do something to Golem."

Hare winced at each blunt statement, his long ears drooping at the accusation in the girl's eyes, tempered as it was with sympathy and compassion.

"Please, Hare, just tell me what you know!" she implored again, leaning closer to him.

"…Ti…Moo captured Golem. A lo…some time ago, I'm not exactly certain when," Hare said slowly, eyes wrenching shut as he recited the knowledge in an almost monotone voice. "He was… on his way to his home village, when Moo intercepted him in Tiger's body…"

Holly also closed her eyes in silent pain for a long moment. Just because her suspicions had finally been confirmed, it didn't mean she enjoyed her so-called victory.

"…And then…?" she prompted after a few minutes of grim silence had passed.

"…I don't know. The vision ended right after Moo captured him."

Hare shook his head slowly, then opened his shining brown eyes a crack and stared intently at his paws, clenching them tightly in his lap.

"…Poseidon's the key to all of this," he whispered. "The Tear keeps reacting to him… He's the cause of all my recent nightmares… Even my newest nightmare, the one where Moo captured Golem, was from his mind. He… knows more than he lets on, and he… can lead us to wherever Golem is now…"

"…Hare." Holly locked gazes with the bunny again, forcing her voice to remain as steady as possible as she revealed, "I think Poseidon is Golem."

Outside, a muted crash could be heard.

"Wh-what?!?" Hare stared at her, horrified.

"…It makes sense, don't you think?" Holly sniffled, absently rubbing the back of one hand over her eyes as she pushed on, "If Moo could turn Tiger against us, and he's captured Golem as you said, then…"

"Holly, we don't know that for sure…"

"Don't know what for sure? You just said yourself that Moo kidnapped Golem, and you're not certain when!"

Hare recoiled, stammering, "Y-yeah, but… Poseidon's too different from Golem for us to assume they're the same monster."

"Are you saying that Tiger's like Moo?"

"Holly, that's not what I meant and you know it!" Hare cried, the stress getting to be too much for him. "And that's… totally different… Moo's possessed Tiger, but for Golem to be Poseidon…"

"…He'd have to be fused with a Jell?" Holly shook her head. "Jells aren't exactly rare monsters, Hare. We know that from all of the raids alone…"

"…I'm just saying, we can't assume they're the same monster." Hare rested his head on his knees and frowned thoughtfully. "…Poseidon's the key, I can tell you that much. He knows where Golem is. But for him to actually be…"

He shook his head again, a violent shudder racing down his back. Holly gazed at him sadly, not knowing what to say.

To be quite honest, she was surprised Hare was resisting this possibility so firmly. After he seemed so accepting of the fact Moo had once possessed her father, prior to being defeated and then taking Tiger… Then again, that in itself was tragedy enough. Maybe that was behind his denial…

- Having to fight one former friend is enough… The thought that we might be pitted against two of our best friends… -

"…But if it is true, we'll have to deal with it sooner or later," she sighed, getting to her feet. Casting Hare one last pitiful look, she told him, "I hope you're right about Golem not being Poseidon… but I just don't know… I have a horrible feeling about it."

She turned away and walked towards the door, then stopped short. Much to her surprise, it was wide open, even though she was certain she'd closed it when she came in… On a hunch, she peeked outside, and her heart promptly froze for an instant.

A tray was lying on the floor, its contents upended and spilled across the wooden boards. It was obvious most of the spill had been wiped away, the dirty rag dropped on the discarded tray. Somebody had taken the time to clean the mess of spilled food up, but hadn't bothered to put it away yet and just left it there, an odd mixture of consideration and sloppiness.

Holly stared at it in absolute horror, recalling hearing the dim sound of something crashing in the hallway outside, and a brief exchange that had taken place a bit earlier that day…

"…Oh, Goddess, no," she breathed, and took off down the hallway, leaving the discarded tray behind.

* * *

Elsewhere on the ship, another female figure was making her way through the maze of passages under the deck in a daze. Tears of disbelief blurred leaf green eyes, as Serinity fought back the almost overwhelming urge to collapse right there in the corridor and cry.

- It's not true. It's not true, it's not true, it's not true! Miss Holly can't be right, she just can't…! -

- Miss Holly… Why didn't you tell me before…? -

They had both been waiting in Hare's room, fighting back the impulse to try and wake the poor youngster up as he tossed and cried in the clutches of his latest nightmare.

Finally, Holly had chosen to break the tense silence that had fallen between the two observers. Turning to the pixie hybrid, she forced a tired smile, one that didn't touch her sorrowful bronze eyes in the least.

"…Serinity, do you think you could get us something to eat…? I haven't had anything in a while, and I don't believe Hare's eaten much lately either."

Serinity had jumped at the chance to get out of the room for a while, in all honesty. Even if it didn't seem likely that Hare would actually eat much once he woke up from whatever nightmare he was currently suffering from, at the very least, she would feel like she was doing something. Considering how little she was able to help the others anymore… at least, how little she felt she was helping… even the most menial task she could accomplish could give her a small bit of satisfaction at doing something.

She was no fighter, and for all the times her healing abilities had been called upon during this voyage, they never seemed to be enough.

Retrieving a meal had proven simple enough, especially since the current cook seemed to enjoy her company whenever she visited, and after talking to him for a while Serinity had gotten a few bowls of stew. Walking back to the room, she opened the door and was mildly surprised to hear Hare already awake and engaged in conversation with Holly.

Dixie had always taught Serinity it was rude to walk in on the middle of another's conversation. It simply wasn't good manners. Besides, she got the impression they were in the middle of a rather private discussion.

So she'd opted to simply wait outside for a lull in the conversation, then enter and offer some nourishment to them. Hopefully, the stew wouldn't grow too cold in the meantime…

But then, that hadn't mattered any longer when she dropped the tray in her shock.

Serinity hadn't meant to eavesdrop. It was just that her feline ears were quite adept at picking up sounds. And when she heard Golem's name mentioned, she couldn't help but listen in…

- It's not true. It's not, it can't, it's not…! -

- Golem is… not Poseidon. There's simply no way… His eyes… -

- …Golem's eyes are warm gray. They're inviting and kind and compassionate… -

- Poseidon's eyes… ice blue. Too cold to be his… -

- It's impossible. Impossible… -

Serinity tripped, stumbled, and one hand shot out towards the wall instinctively, allowing her to brace herself. For a long moment, the flower pixie stood where she was, half-leaning against the wall, head bowed, wings limp, listening to the sound of her own ragged breathing.

- …No. No no no no no. -

- Golem is Golem. Poseidon is Poseidon. Simple as that. -

- Because if Golem was Poseidon… -

- …And he's NOT!… -

- …I would have known. I would have recognized him. -

- His warm gray eyes… -

- Poseidon's eyes are not his eyes. -

- Gray is gray. Blue is blue. -

- Warm and kind. Cold and cruel. -

- There's no comparison. No way anybody could change so completely. -

- They're total opposites… -

- …Opposites… -

Serinity slowly righted herself, one pale hand still resting against the coarse wooden wall.

- Warm gray can never become ice blue. -

- Kindness can never beget cruelty. -

- It simply isn't possible. -

- Golem is still out there. He needs us to find him. -

- He needs… no, I need… to see him again. -

She took a shaky step forward down the corridor, then another.

- Those warm gray eyes… I'll find them again. -

- And it will never, never be in those cold blue ones. -

- Because they simply don't exist there… -

* * *

Holly finally found Serinity almost two hours later. The pixie hybrid was staring out a portal at the seemingly endless sea, through the translucent image of her own pale face, her own shimmering verdant eyes. She stepped into the chamber behind her and shut the door, then just stood there, not daring to approach, just waiting. Waiting for the pain to begin, the outraged sobbing and frantic denials, the apology and attempted explanation, the begging for forgiveness.

Nothing but silence. For several minutes, an eternity for both females, neither made a sound, neither moved.

"…Miss Holly?"

A tense pause. The human girl waited in vain for injured leaf green pools to meet pleading bronze panes.

"…You're wrong."

"…I pray you're right, Serinity."

In the end, that was all either really needed to say.