Meanwhile, Amy was called into Aqua's office. She wasn't sure what was going to happen, but she opened the door anyway. "You wanted to see me, Aqua?" she asked while closing the door behind her.

"Yes, as you know I go into maternity leave, but I want to observe your skills in management before I can trust you to run my business in my absence." Aqua replied.

"Of course. I have to prove my managing worth to you." Amy nods.

"Well, the girls seem to like you, and you did do a good job keeping things organised within the...crisis. And you seem well enough to handle yourself from thugs, such as Tia." Aqua continued. "And you're a good hairdresser to boot. You've handled yourself under pressure, even though you didn't need to at the time. You've impressed me greatly so far, so we'll see how the day goes and you are in charge for the whole day. I will not step in to help you and you must handle the whole day of work. Do this and you have the job, if I am forced to intervene for any reason, well, we'll see."

"Right. So, is there anything else I should be aware of?"

"You'll be forgiven if Rexchus shows up for any reason and mess things up." Aqua said. "Other than that, I'll be here today, but tomorrow I won't."

"I see."

"It's not too hard, is it?" Aqua asked.

"It shouldn't be." Amy answered with a smile. "I better go back and work with the girls now... that and I don't want to further intrude on 'other things' that I shouldn't. But were there any other things you wanted to discuss with me before I go?"

"Not that I can think of, but I will call if I think of anything." Aqua replied.

"Okay then." Amy took a bow and left the office.

She should be fine... Aqua thought with a smile.

She seems troubled, but I guess its new mother jitters. Thought Amy.

Vanilla and company had made it to the park and the media, despite being around, kept a good distance away, Kai's threatening looks were enough to keep them at a good distance.
"This feels awkward..." Tails sighed.

"They will ruin the mood for us." said Cream.

"Just a moment." And Kai walked toward the media. At this sight, they all ran off.

Vanilla shook her head. Brute force... that really must be all he knows. She thought.

It didn't take long, but Kai had cleared the media completely, but this didn't stop the staring from bypassers.
"I should just go live in a basement away from people..." Tails said.

"Are you becoming emo like Muri was before Kweli was born?" asked Vanilla.

"H-hey..." Muri looked hurt.
"I didn't know it was wrong to be emotional." Tails said.

"Now girls, I meant no harm. But you two should be happy with yourselves and motherhoods." Vanilla cleared up.

"Choose your words better, Vanilla." Tails told her. "Emo isn't bad, it means emotional. Emos are generally more emotional that normal people."

"You mean than other people." Vanilla said. "And besides, you two need a bit more happiness in your lives."

"Calling us emo and making it sound like a bad thing won't make us happy."
"Enough already, you're giving me a headache. I cleared the media already, sheesh..." Kai was agitated.

"You sound like you eat a lot of curry." said Cream.

"Curry is good." Kai said. "And I know what you're thinking, 'he must only know how to use violence to solve problems' etc, etc...Yes, because it's the most effective..."

"Great... more mind readers..."

"Actually, I never perfected that trick, even though Hiei tried teaching me." Kai said.

"I should've brought one of my mags."

"Uh huh..." Kai said. "I'll continue the bodyguard work over there." And he walked off.
"God damn it! Stop staring at me!!!" Tails yelled to some people. "How long is this going to go on...?" Tails looked to the ground.

"Until everyone comes to terms with everything." Vanilla answered. "Remember, Rome wasn't built in one night."
"Yeah." Cream agreed. "The contractor took the money and ran."

"I wish I could take money and run." Tails sighed.

"Running, and hiding for that matter, is your problem." Vanilla said

"Sorry..." Tails said.
"It's okay to run, so long as you face your problems eventually." Mighty said.

"Well said." said Vanilla.

"I won't be going back to my so called girlfriend, she can..."
"That'll do..." Muri said as she patted Mighty on the shoulder.

"So what about you, Kai. Are there any women in your life?" asked Vanilla.

"No." Kai answered.

"I see."

"Should there be?" Kai asked.

"That's on you."

"I haven't looked for love yet."

"No rush..."

"No one'd love me." Muri said.

"Not with that attitude." said Cream.

"I don't see it happening."

"Give yourself more credit."

"Yeah, you're cute." Mighty told Muri.
"Um...thanks." Muri replied.

"You know what, I think it's time to eat." said Vanilla.

"Yay, food!" Tails grinned cheesily.

"There are children to feed."

"Indeed, born and unborn."

With this said, everyone takes a break to enjoy a meal. "It's good to know there's regular food to enjoy."

"Indeed." Mighty replied. "So, I heard the news that you're the real Tails, but I kinda had my suspicions when we first met."
"Go away, eating." Tails said between bites.

"Having any problems, Muri?" Vanilla asked.

"No." Muri said, even though she'd not touched her food.

"Is something the matter?"

"I'm not really hungry..." Muri replied.

"I guess you're not really hungry. Is Kweli hungry?"

"He's sleeping." Muri blushed.

"I see."

"Yeah...." Muri looked sad.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing..." Muri lied.

"Kweli isn't allergic, is he?"

"I don't know...Kirika said I was allergic to my moms, so..." And Muri began to cry.

"Well, try nursing him when he's hungry."

"That's not why she's crying..." Tails told Vanilla.

"Why are you crying, Muri?"

"Kirika..." Muri cried.

"We should find Tikal or Shade." Cream suggested.

"I don't...*hic*...I don't wanna say goodbye..." Muri cried.

"I'm not following, sorry." Mighty said.

"It's best not to push this envelope." said Cream.

"Gotcha." Mighty replied, Muri still crying hard. However, Tails stopped eating and went over to her, pulling her into a comforting hug, without putting Kweli in an uncomfortable place.
"There, there...shhh..." She soothed her.

After 5 minutes, she'd still not calmed down and Vanilla took Kweli away momentarily until she did, which was only a few minutes after and Muri had cried herself to the point where she couldn't cry anymore. Tails took her phone and dialled for Tikal.

A few tones on the phone were heard... "Hello?" Tikal's voice was heard from the other end.

"Hi, Tikal, it's Tails. Where are you at the moment?" Tails asked.

"I'm helping out at Club Rouge. What's wrong?"

"Well...this will probably be the only time I'll ever willingly ask to go, but we all need to go to the old mystic ruins, or as sonic calls it, Happy land." Tails replied.

"Fine, I'll wait here for you girls. See you soon." and Tikal ended the call.

Tails put her phone away. "Well, next stop, Club Rouge."

"Good. Let's get some drinks to boot." said Cream.

"I could do with a few drinks." Kai said.

"Me too." Mighty added.

"I think a good punch would work for Muri too." said Vanilla.

"Alcohol?" Muri asked, with a few hiccups.

"Oh no, regular drinks."

"Oh..." Muri looked down. "I probably wouldn't like it anyway."

And so they left where they were and headed for Rouges club, however, the media decided to bold up and ignored Kai's threats, they weren't going to let Tails escape them, no matter what.

"Kai, your use of force isn't helping." said Vanilla.

"Then go back to your 'persuasion'." Kai retaliated.

"I know you're doing this for Muri's sake, but instead of scaring them off... try catching glimpses of the news stations. It'll help with the lawsuit."

"If hurting them won't stop them, what about destroying their equipment." Kai asked. And at this point, Tails was blasted with a horde of questions.

Cream walked over to the reporters. "You people really are a pain, but the courts will deal with every last one of you." Cream told them.

"We want answers!" The media called, in many ways.

"You want to be sued. No matter, you will all be served eventually. So keep making things worse for yourselves, the judge and jury will eat all of this up."

"We don't fear you." One guy called from the front. Kai grabbed him by the collar.
"You don't know the meaning of fear, but if you persist in pissing me off, you will do." He growled. The reporter gulped.
"S-sure...I'll go now..." Kai let him go and he ran off. Kai simply looked at the others and they backed away.
"I'll answer questions later, I don't want to yet." Tails called out. The reporters then looked at each other and walked off, not wanting to be sued or beaten...or both.
"They'll never give up." Mighty said.

"And Tails isn't going to answer anything." added Vanilla.

"Let's just go before I have a mental breakdown..." Tails said.

"You mean another one?" asked Cream.
"And this is why I ask about which news stations are doing this." said Vanilla. "Now we better press on, time isn't in our favour."

"Yes, let's..." Tails said, and the gang moved on to Rouge's club, getting there not long after the media buggered off.

After everyone got inside the club, Rouge and Tikal were happy to meet them. "So, how are you girls holding up?" Tikal asked.
"There are males present." corrected Vanilla.
"I'm getting tired of the media doing all of this idiocy, they're acting like stalkers." Rouge said.

"We're alright, other than poor Muri." Tails said. "We need to see Kirika."

"Of course." said Tikal.
"Rouge, do you have pictures of the damages caused by the media frenzy over Tails?" asked Cream.
"Are you kidding me, I still have X-rays from the bruises I suffered from those assholes, as well as pictures and copies of the police reports." Rouge answered.
"Those will help in the lawsuit." Vanilla said. "Is this place going to be open anytime soon?"
"Not really. And I can't stay out of business like this."
"Well, we'll let Omega and Gmerl watch the place until we get back." said Tikal. But for now, let's get you reunited with your family, Muri."

"I...I....okay..." Muri said. Tails walked over to Vanilla and whispered to her.
"Is this really a good idea?" She asked.

"I would do the same for you if it were Sally." Vanilla answered.

"I'm only asking, it might cause more pain..."

"Dying family members are never good events." and Vanilla walked over to Muri. "You must understand that my doing this is only so you witness the truth."

"The truth is I'm losing the only one who cared for me before you people..." Muri said.

"But you aren't alone, Muri. And that's something that you should be able to smile upon." said Cream in an attempt to cheer Muri up.

"I'm sorry...I must sound so ungrateful..."

"You aren't ungrateful, but you aren't happy either." said Tikal. "No matter, let's give you your time with Kirika."

"Thank you..." Muri said.

"Let's go, I wanna take pictures." said Cream.
"I guess a regular camera will work there." said Rouge. "Omega, G, hold the fort while we're away."
"AFFIRMITIVE." Omega acknowledged.
"Hold fort, hold fort." Gmerl responded.

After this was said, Tikal and everyone vanished in a flash of light.

As they entered, they were greeted by a dust cloud zooming across the cliff sides.
"Is Sonic here?" Tails asked.

"Perhaps it's just Rei." Vanilla guessed.

"She's that fast?" Tails asked. As if on cue, Rei leaped down from seemingly nowhere.
"Hi." she greeted them. "How are you?"

"Decent, if not irritated." Rouge answered.
"Muri, I will lead you and Kweli to Kirika. Come with me." Tikal said.

"Okay..." Muri replied and followed Tikal.

"So what's your story, sister?" Rouge asked Rei.

"I have a fake mechanical heart and without the support of a highly advanced super computer suit, I die." Rei replied. "However, here I can live freely, without the large extra weight of metal."

"And that's why you're with this crew of ours."

"Excuse me?"

"Tails is a real tech head."

"The most advanced scientists in half the world could only come up with the suit at best..." Rei replied.

"Technology has limits to certain people, right?"

"Tails is smarter than 400 scientists?" Rei questioned.

"She can keep up with a megalomaniac super genius... why not?"

Rei looked confused. "I see..."

"Yeah."

"I can't do anything though, not yet." Tails said.

"Except take care of yourselves." said Cream.

"Well, of course..." Tails said.
"So, was that rabbit Muri, huh?" Rei asked.

"Yeah, that's Muri." Cream answered.

"Poor girl, she looked rough..."
"Yeah..." Tails said.

"Uh huh."Cream agreed.

Tikal and Muri walked through the old mystic ruins, Muri was dreading the sight she knew was coming, hoping that somehow Kirika was all better, but that only hurt more knowing this wouldn't be the case. Why did it have to come to this..? What will I do now? She thought. I can't live without her... It was a few moments, but soon Muri's eyes began to tear up as she soon saw Kirika in sight. Tikal lead Muri over and stepped aside, Muri got on her knees next to Kirika and looked at her face.
"Kirika..? Are you there still?" Muri asked weakly.

"I guess I will leave you to your time with her." said Tikal and off she left.

Muri didn't reply to Tikal, she was too focused on Kirika now.
"Kirika?" She let out. "S...someone's come to say hello..." She was beginning to falter, and her feelings and sadness betraying her as tears rolled down her cheeks. Kirika didn't respond, but her body continued its breathing.

"I guess you're too far gone to even know I am here." And Muri cried. "I don't want you to go..."

It took a few seconds, Kirika's eyes finally opened. "Muri... Muri, is that you?" Kirika asked.

"Y-yes...I...I'm right here..." Muri cried, trying to calm down.

"Take my hand, dear. You seem so distressed..." Muri does so, but she makes sure to keep Kweli safely in her other arm.

Kirika looks at her niece and sees the baby. "So, who is that?" she asked.

"This is Kweli...he's my son. He wants to meet you." Muri said, she'd finally stopped crying, but she hiccupped now and then.

"You had the bunny already? Let me hold him."

Muri then very carefully gave Kweli to Kirika.

Kirika held Kweli as best as she could, but her weakness was clearly showing. "He's a heavy one." she said.

"I'm sorry..." Muri said. "Shall I lift him?"

"No. This may be the only chance I get to hold my grandnephew, I want to cherish this moment... however possible."

"Isn't there anything we can do to save you? I don't want to be left alone." Muri was near crying again.

"Do you really feel alone?"

"I will without you. I don't know what I'll do without you...you're like the only mother I ever had." Muri cried.

"This saddens me..." Kirika's eyes closed halfway. "What do you think of Vanilla?"

"Vanilla is a lovely person, but she won't replace you. You've always been there for me; I don't want to lose you." Muri hiccups a bit.

"Why would Vanilla replace me?"

"She won't. She won't. She won't." Muri cried.

Kirika took a breath... Though it seemed like Kirika was holding her breath, she actually slipped out of consciousness. After thirty-five seconds, Kirika finally exhaled. "You have everything all wrong." Kirika finally told her crying niece.

"I...I do?" Muri questioned. "Are you okay?"

"Has Vanilla done you wrong in any way?"

"I never said she did, but..."

"Muri, you must learn to rely on others. Vanilla should never be thought of as a replacement for me."

"But...I want to rely on you; it won't be the same without you." Muri said.

"You didn't hear what I just said..."

"I did...but...." Muri then stopped, and paused. "I'm gonna miss you..."

"What did I just tell you?"

"I must learn to rely on others." Muri said.

"Understand that Vanilla loves you, Muri." Kirika sighed. "She will never replace me, but I want you to be able to smile without me."

"I...I'll try..." Muri said.

"Muri, you really should understand that Vanilla loves you, as does Cream. Didn't you feel secure while you were with her and her family?"

"I did. But Nazaruda will find and kill them too. I can't stay with them, knowing that they might be hurt...like you." Muri sniffled.

"Is that your excuse for not wanting to trust them?"

"I trust them." Muri said. "I fear for their safety too..."

"Vanilla and her family and friends know how to handle themselves."

"...yeah, I guess so. I'm being silly..."

"You're shunning yourself from them, Muri." and Kirika gave a few coughs away from Kweli.

"I'm sorry..." Muri lowered her head.

"Here, take Kweli."

And Muri carefully takes Kweli from Kirika. "Are you okay?"

"I'm dying, Muri." Kirika said bluntly, and then sighed. "This is the reason why you feel alone. You're reluctant to trust people who have love for you when you should accept it. If you can't learn to rely on others, you will always feel alone. At this point in time, you will need people to turn to."

"I'm still going to miss you..."

"Of course you will, but you must remember something very important."

"What?"

"Remember that you and Kweli are loved. And because of that, you must always learn how to do three important things..."

"Three?"

"Joy, company and happiness. If you can remember these things, you will be able to smile without me. That's all I ask of you." and Kirika closed her eyes. "Smile, Muri... remember and smile."

"I will..." Muri said. "I promise I will..."

"You're going to be a great mother, I'm sure of it." and Kirika smiled for Muri.

"Goodbye Kirika. I love you, and Kweli does too. Don't forget me in heaven."

Kirika gave no response, she was already gone. As a result, Kweli started crying from the sad moment. Muri gently bucked Kweli and rocked him. "There, there. Everything'll be okay..." Muri cried. "I'm going to miss you Kirika..." And Muri leaned over, still keeping crying Kweli safe, and gave Kirika a kiss on the forehead. "Goodbye..." With that, she stood and walked away.

It took a little time, but she was soon rejoining the other girls.

"Where did Mr Kai go?" She asked.

"No clue, but he didn't get far." Cream answered.

"Well...Okay..." And Muri put on a smile, even if it was clearly not real. "Cream...do you want to hold Kweli a little while?" She asked.

"Gotta take a leak, huh? The privs are that way." and Cream pointed in the direction.

"No...I'm kinda gonna break down on myself and...and..." And the tears began to flow. "Kirika's gone..." She cried.

Cream took Kweli into her left arm, and then wrapped her right arm around Muri. "Losing loved ones is never easy." she said softly.

"So...what happens now?" Tails asked Vanilla.

"Now the hard stuff begins." Vanilla answered.

"Well, I'll do my best to make this as easy as possible for Muri." Tails replied. "What do we do about...um...you know." She asked low toned.

"About." Vanilla asked Tails, also low toned.

"Kirika..."

"That's not for us to decide."

"I see."

"Good."

"C-can we leave now?" Muri asked.

Tails and Vanilla turn their attention to Muri. "And what about Kirika?" Vanilla asked.

"I don't know." Muri replied. "She deserves a proper funeral..."

"Then start with those arrangements."

"I'd like to recover a little first..." Muri looked sad.

"Take as much time as you need."

"I'd like to leave now..."

"But what about recovery?" Cream asked.

"I don't have to stay here to recover..."

"Well, I will leave you and the girls to prepare funeral arrangements." Vanilla said. "Tails, Cream, see to it that Muri gets the help she needs."

"So I don't get to leave?" Muri frowned.

"Not in this state."
"Cheer up, girl. I know a few things that'll help with everything." said Rouge. "I can even assist in writing a eulogy." Muri doesn't reply.

Tikal finally rejoins the group. "Well, I see everything is starting to go into closure." she said.

"Um, I have a question. Is my ticker limited here?" Rei asked.

"How do you mean?" Tikal addressed Rei.

"Well, in the real world, without my suit, I can live for about 3 minutes." Rei said. "I wondered how long I have here."

"How long have you been here?" asked Cream.

"I'll assume I have no limit then." Rei sighed. "I just wish it were the same for the real world."

She wants a normal life. thought Vanilla. "Tikal, I need to return to Station Square, there is urgent business that I must take care of." she said.
"Sure, I can do that." said Tikal. And afterwards, I can begin to preserve Kirika's body."

"Well, let's go and sit by the lake, Muri." Tails said, taking Muri by the hand. "Coming Cream?"

"I think I'll let you two deal with things for a while." Cream answered. "I'll babysit Kweli while you two chat."

"Sure, it'd be good for you to get to know your new nephew." Tails smiled.

"Ready to go, Vanilla?" asked Tikal.
"Yes." Vanilla answered.
"And you don't have to worry about limits here, Rei."

"That's good." Rei sighed in relief.
"I assume that Muri is very safe here, right?" Kai asked.

"Not many people can access this place." Tikal answered. "Many have tried and ended up being stuck in limbo."

"Good, then I need to leave also. I have business elsewhere I need to take care of."

"Come on...." Kai joined up with Tikal and Vanilla, then the three were gone in a flash of light.

Tikal, Kai and Vanilla all arrived in Station Square.
"Right, I'll come back to find you when I am finished with my business. I'll be as quick as I can." And Kai takes his leave.

"Make sure Muri get's helped out." Vanilla told Tikal, then went down the street.

"Will do." And Tikal vanished. Vanilla wondered around a little, before a limo pulled up next to her. Afterwards, two suits exit the car.
"Excuse me ma'am. Are you Vanilla Rabbit?" One asked.

"I'm Chocolate." Vanilla answered.

"We're very busy ma'am, we're not here for jokes." The other suit said.
"You'll have to come with us, if you don't mind." said the first.

"And this is about?"

"We prefer not to disclose the information on the streets."
"We represent the Guardian Unit of Nations. It involves some new friends of yours." The suits told her.

"Great, the military..." Vanilla rolled her eyes.

"Ma'am, if you please." And they opened the back door of the Limo for her.

This will either prove frustrating, or become an ennui. Vanilla thought and approached the car. "I didn't think G.U.N had suits." she said. "But seriously, get some Armani. I can make better suits in my free time than that crap from the bargain ranch that you guys are wearing." and Vanilla enters the car.

The suits then close the door behind her and enter the front once again, driving off.

It took a few minutes, but the car finally stopped and the door was opened for Vanilla, this time by a soldier.
"Ma'am, if you'd like to follow me, the General is waiting." He said.

Vanilla didn't respond, but she simply followed instructions.

It was a short walk, but she was led to a well guarded office, upon entering, the 'General' was sat waiting in his chair.
"Aah, Mrs Vanilla, please take a seat. We have much to discuss." He said.

"Start discussing." said Vanilla.

"We've been getting reports that you, someone who claims to represent Sonic the Hedgehog and his friend, have been in contact with a small merc group wanted for Criminal Warfare." The General said. "We want your services."

"Merc group?" asked Vanilla.

"Ah, playing ignorance. The leader is known as a man called Hiei. He and his 'employee's' cause a large cost to the state destroying objects and buildings doing war with 3 other organisations." The General explained.

"Aha..."

"I bet you're wondering why we have not arrested them for it."

"I don't care, but at least I now know what he does for a living." Vanilla said honestly. "And for the record, we aren't friends."

"Either way, you were involved in a 'gang war' that causes injuries and damages to properties. We are willing to give you a complete pass, if you help us down both Hiei's Shadow Clan and the main problem in Radical City, Rexchus." The General said.

Vanilla laughed. "Explain my involvement."

"You appear to find this amusing."

"No, I find you are in the same tribe as Chief Fulla Bull."

"I guess that means you want to pay your share of damages."

"Listen up, 'General'. You have yet to explain my involvement, but you wanna give me a bill?"

"What's the point in giving you an explanation of involvement when you think it's 'bull'?"'

"That means I have no further reason to be here. Now be a gentleman and fetch the door. I'm a busy woman and I don't have time for your games."

"Very well, you'll be billed for ten thousand." The General said. "Show her the door." And he turned his seat around.

"You can't bill me, I didn't do squat."

"Does that mean you will co-operate?"

"That means the bill will only be ripped up." and Vanilla heads for the door.

"In that case, you'll suffer either reclamation of your property, or maybe even prison. I've not decided yet."

The General turned around. "Just so you know, you'd gather information on the next large battle, to which we will ambush and mass arrest anyone involved, yourself not included."

"No wonder you guys got your asses handed to you by the Black Arms, your sources and resources are unreliable. Now if you'll excuse me, I have business to deal with. And tell your suits to get better clothing than that bargain ranch crap."

"I'm sure you'll reconsider sooner or later. Give the repomen my regards."

Vanilla left the room and was escorted off of the premises. Thirty feet down the street, Vanilla removed a cleverly placed tape recorder. "Nice try, hotshot." she said to herself. "Your repomen will get these words played, followed by a pamphlet."

Hours passed and Vanilla was at home working in her room. After the "conversation" with G.U.N took place, Vanilla managed to take matters into her own hands. With thanks to a few calls, and a nagging reporter, Vanilla managed to tell her experience of what happened to the news. "I'll take a break and watch the news." she said and turned on the television.

"Next up, military blackmail has reached a new low. Our interviewers managed to come across a Vanilla Rabbit and she gave an interview on what had happened to her." the reporter said.
"Now keep in mind that her word is credible due to the fact that this same woman plans to sue us, but we did have the time to hear a recording. Have a listen." said another reporter.

At this time, the tape began to play. " 'Either way, you were involved in a 'gang war' that causes injuries and damages to properties. We are willing to give you a complete pass, if you help us down both Hiei's Shadow Clan and the main problem in Radical City, Rexchus.'
*laughter* 'Explain my involvement.'
'You appear to find this amusing.'
'No, I find you are in the same tribe as Chief Fulla Bull.'

"'I guess that means you want to pay your share of damages.'
'Listen up, General. You have yet to explain my involvement, but you wanna give me a bill?'
'What's the point in giving you an explanation of involvement when you think it's bull?'
'That means I have no further reason to be here. Now be a gentleman and fetch the door. I'm a busy woman and I don't have time for your games.'
'Very well, you'll be billed for ten thousand.' " and the recording was stopped here.
"That's pretty deep." said one reporter.
"Indeed." said the other reporter.

"What did G.U.N have to say on this?"
"We sent a reporter to G.U.N and a spokesperson had this to say. 'Despite her defiance in cooperating with us, Vanilla is simply avoiding the fact that she was involved in a criminal act. She, like others, will be persecuted to the full extent of the law.' And I for one hope Vanilla Rabbit does get prosecuted."
Vanilla nearly wigged out. "Bullshit ass G.U.N, I should've known they would play it off." she said.

"So you realise the idiocy of your actions." Said a voice from behind Vanilla, despite the fact she was the only one home.

"G.U.N failed to disclose proof, yet I have to pay?" asked Vanilla.

"You sent a report to complain about blackmail to those you threatened to sue. Not only have you done that, but you have exposed my group, the only ones capable of keeping Rexchus in place, due to the fact G.U.N is incompetent." And Hiei walked out of the shadows. "The only good that came of this is knowing G.U.N's plan to ambush us."

"You could've told me that you were a mercenary, but I had to learn the hard way." said Vanilla.

"I mentioned I do anything to pay the bills, mostly." Hiei said.

"Since the assholes in the military think I'm working for you, when I clearly am not, my promises have become even harder." and Vanilla crossed her arms.

"The Military make ridiculous accusations, people don't work for me due to force, but because they want to. You would not. I'll sort out G.U.N's little 'accusations' and that bill of yours, and I still owe you one favour, since this is just a simple misunderstanding on G.U.N's part, I will still help you get Irum." Hiei said.

"You've said too much. But who cares... I guess being underwater without an oxygen tank isn't so bad... even if I am drowning. Helping me get her will finally make us even."

"You also need to stop trying to sue everyone; you'll make a lot of enemies fast." Hiei said.

"I don't want to know what you plan to do about G.U.N, nor do I care. I'm almost done with things, then I'll be ready to move on with my other promises."

"Those being?"

"To Sonic and company. And to think, we could've all been friends and had a picnic together... now everyone wants to be arrested by G.U.N and give each of us boy/girlfriends named Bubba."

"Actually, until your idiotic little ploy to try and win one over the World Military, we were only 2 weeks away from clearance. We might be considered criminals, but we don't kill or purposefully hurt those who don't deserve it. We don't steal, nor do we do criminal actions on purpose for amusement, we just try to stop people like Nazaruda, and just happen to do it regardless of consequence." Hiei explained. "We're not heroes like your friend Sonic, nor do we want to be. We just know who we need to take out to make sure that the world doesn't fall to chaos, and we take actions you and your friends wouldn't even consider."

"Fine, so be it. I'm done with all of this nonsense. Tomorrow, I plan on turning myself in to G.U.N so I can get rid of this nonsense." Vanilla said with a sigh.

"Don't be an idiot." Hiei said.

"I'm not being an idiot, Hiei. I'm just putting the welfare important people before my own. It's a promise I made, nothing personal."

"Kirika was wrong to trust you I see." Hiei said.

"This wasn't her promise."

"No, but taking care of Muri was, and you handing yourself over to G.U.N prevents you from doing that." Hiei sighs. "You do realise that your little attempt to top G.U.N has revealed to us their plan of ambush, ruining the only chance you were given to get out scot free. I'll pay them the cash sum that you apparently owe, then when you're ready, we'll get Irum. Then we disappear and won't bother you again. How's that?"

"You really do say too much. But who cares, right? And so you know, G.U.N wouldn't ruin their plan by putting me in jail. Now if you don't mind, I don't need you to watch me like I'm a toddler." Vanilla told Hiei.

"Women..." And Hiei takes his leave.

The evening came and Vanilla continued working on things. As she wiped the sweat from her brow, she stood up from the microscope and smiled. It's finished. I have done it and it works, it really works. She thought. Vanilla finished making the vaccine and placed the vial of white coloured liquid up for safe keeping, then cleaned everything up. Now, all that's left is for me to finally fulfil my promises. Vanilla enjoyed her tea as she sat at the kitchen table. The night was warm and she had finally done what was meant of her. "Well, now all that's left is to make sure they get to live a normal life." Vanilla said to herself as she sipped her tea. "I really need a new nightgow-"

Before she could finish her sentence, the door to her apartment was busted in and G.U.N soldiers stormed the place with Assault rifles at the ready. "What in the-" Vanilla managed to say.
"Vanilla Rabbit, you are under arrest on accounts of aiding criminals wanted by the military, destruction of public and private property, and slander." one of the soldiers explained. "Our orders are to bring you in... dead or alive, your choice."
"Dumbass General. You won't let me change my clothes I guess?" Vanilla asked.
"You're fine, now let's go."
Vanilla finished her cup of tea, then stood up for the soldiers. "And to think, I was gonna turn myself in the next morning..."

Vanilla went peacefully with the G.U.N soldiers, she didn't raise any complaint, nor form of protest. And as the soldiers left with Vanilla in their custody, Hiei stood from a distance... watching the whole process.

"So...the Military wants war do they?" He spoke to himself. "Looks like I have a new enemy." And he fades away in the shadows.