Me: Sorry for not updating so long everyone. Between marching band, schoolwork, homework, high school life, home life, computer problems and all that good crap I've really had no time (Remember, I'm fourteen). I'm sorry for the long wait, and I'll do my best to be better!

Rena: Yeah, you'd better!

Me: Oh hush up and start the chapter.

Rena: Humph, fine. ElementalGuardianProtector owns nothing but her characters and her story.

Chapter Thirty Eight

The room was silent. Not one of the three Juunishi members dared to speak. Intense gazes were exchanged from person to person between the trio. It was so quiet, it seemed as though no one was even breathing.

"…Rin…? What happened to you?" Hatsuharu managed to mutter. "How did you get your memories of the Destined Future?" "Memories?" Isuzu snorted mockingly. "The process you call 'giving memories' is actually combining two souls - the souls of one person; their soul from the Destined Future and their soul from Present Time." Isuzu corrected.

"When you mix a person's soul with their soul from another time period, you make a major change in that person, altering all of time - the Past, Present and Future - and you also alter the course of history."

"…I see. So you're saying that instead of giving one their memories… What we're really doing is giving them a Fused Soul?" Hatsuharu inquired. "Yes. Although memories of a different them from a different world is delivered to them, there is much more to it than simply that." Isuzu nodded.

"Then who delivered your Fused Soul to you?" The Ox asked the Horse.

"Who else? Akito, of course. NO matter what the time period is, Akito will always hate me and want me to suffer because of who I am." Isuzu said bitterly. "Akito ambushed me with his army of Akuryous. He painfully forced a Soul Fusion upon me and left me to suffer and die with his Akuryous.

"It was few weeks ago, so most of the wounds have already healed because of my high stamina. But I do bare a long, deep scar across my back that I'll carry for the rest of my life. All thanks to that despicable bastard."

"…I understand that you seek revenge… You have every right to be upset and angry. But Rin, please… Let me get that revenge for you. I swear I'll avenge you. I just don't want you to get hurt and I couldn't stand losing you. You mean the world to me. I love you more than anything else."

"Hatsuharu loves you. He would do anything for you. And you mean the most to him out of everyone. That is the honest and unshakable truth, whether you decide to face it or not."

Isuzu flinched before turning away from Hatsuharu, remembering Rena's words. "This is my battle, Haru, not yours. You don't need to fight for me - I can fend for myself." She muttered.

Hatsuharu walked up to Isuzu. "Rin. I heard you came by today. And I heard that you and Rena-hime… Got in a disagreement. Rena-hime really is being sincere, honestly she is." Hatsuharu told Isuzu.

"Stop trying to change the subject!" Isuzu snapped, glaring at the Ox. "Rena just wants to help you, Rin. I just want to help you. So why don't you let us help?" Hatsuharu inquired.

"I've always been aware of your hatred for Rena-hime. I've always been aware of the tension between the two of you. But I pretended to never notice it. One, because Rena-hime didn't want me to pay it any mind, and two…"

"Because I thought you knew better than this. Rin, I love you. I don't feel anything at all for Rena-hime. She's my friend, my legal princess of authority. But I do feel guilty… Because if it wasn't for the fact that your life had depended on my being with her…"

"I wouldn't have stayed by Rena-hime's side. I wouldn't have cared. And she knows this. But still, she smiles for me and laughs with me no differently than she would with any other of her true friends."

Hatsuharu took Isuzu's hand and made her look at him. "What I'm trying to say is, Rena is a kind person. She continually reaches her hand out to you, trying to befriend you, trying to help you, no matter what you do or say to her."

"She came to visit you often. She brought gifts and flowers. She even tried to keep you upbeat. But in the end, all she could do was smile at you and try again some other time. Because you rejected her every singe time without fail."

"…Rena is a lot like Tohru. And a lot like you, Haru. You're all kind. Too kind. But in different ways. Rena's the kind of kind… That no matter how many times you hurt, reject or betray her… Even if you purely hate her… Although it may take her time… She will forgive you, and just keep trying. She's… the determined kind of kind." Isuzu murmured.

"She's no Tohru. She may become irritated or upset. But like you and Tohru, she would never abandon a person in need. She would never stop trying to help. She would let people cling to her, just like you and Tohru do."

"Since when was it a crime to cling to people, to let me, Tohru or Rena help you when you are weak and can't stand on your own two feet? Since when was it bad to take the hand of anyone who reaches out to you to help? The question is…" Hatsuharu looked Rin in her eyes.

"Will you continue to use them and never try to stand on your own two feet, or will you continue to cling to them until you take advantage to them to the point where they can no long carry so much on their shoulders and hit their limit?"

At that moment, before Isuzu could respond, Hatsuharu's cell phone rung.

"…Hello?"

"Hatsuharu? It's me, Rena."

"… Rena-hime? What is it?"

"Please be prepared and ready. Ayame is coming down to Kagura's house to come and get you and Kagura. I need the two of you to hurry back to Shigure's home."

"Hurry back to Sensei's? Why?"

"Tohru has been cooking all day and made a huge feast for everyone to charge up and have strength for the battle tonight. It would be extremely rude for any of us to be late for dinner tonight, after all the hard work and heart she put into that meal."

"Alright, Kagura-nee and I will be ready. But I have Rin with me… What do you suppose I do about that?"

"Just bring her with you. I'm sure she could use a good meal. And even though I would prefer for her to fight with us because we need all the help we can get, I will leave it in your hands to decide her fate tonight. I won't force you to allow her to do something that you find discomforting."

"…Okay. Will do." Hatsuharu nodded thoughtfully, hanging up on Rena. He turned to face Isuzu. "You might just get your chance at vengeance, after all. Ayame-san will be arriving soon. Let's go."

The corners of Isuzu's mouth could not help but to twitch, resisting a smile of triumph.

Change in POV

"Dammit… Why is it so damn cold out here?!?!" Rena cursed under her breath, rubbing her hands together. She pulled her hair back into a long ponytail.

The Light Sorceress was walking to her current home now - she had asked Ayame to go and get the others, needing time and space to think. She attempted to continue thinking of a battle strategy for tonight's battle, but went unsuccessful.

"Ahh… My back… My Symbol of Collusion is aching again…" Rena clutched her back, wincing. A flood of memories that she had tucked away so neatly resurfaced in Rena's mind, causing her immense pain all over again. Especially the memories involving her cruel, heartless master.

"Ahhh… Leave me alone, Akito… What do you want from me…" She muttered. "I won't lose to someone like you. I swear I won't. I'll defeat you, kill you and restore my family honor!"

"And also for my beloved Kei-chan… So that he can finally rest in peace." She added with a whispered. "You killed everyone that I loved and cared about… So now, I'm going to rip you to shreds."

Akito's gruesome, ruthless face came back to her mind. A wicked, evil grin played at his lips. Rena's Symbol of Collusion began to throb in pain. The pain was so excruciating, Rena lost her breath and footing, her legs giving out beneath her.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow, owww… Ah, dammit… Why… Why, Kami-sama?" Rena clutched her fist, lowering her head in deep shame. "Why… Why am I so weak?!"

"Rena. Get up. I need to talk to you."

Rena looked up. A little over a yard away in front of her stood Kyo Sohma. "Kyo-kun… What do you want? I assume you're going to yell at me some more?" Rena half smiled bitterly to herself.

"I guess I do deserve it. Or do you intend to kill me? Ayame's not here to stop you now."

"I'm not here to yell at you or hurt or anything like that. There's no point in any of that. I've been thinking over yesterday all day today. And I talked it over with Tohru and Yuki, too." Kyo began telling Rena.

"I… I'm sorry… If I overreacted. I'm sorry that I tried to hurt you without thinking things through. I understand… That you never asked to be Inami's reincarnation, and that you had no say in The Sohma Family Curse of any other personal curse."

"Even though you took full responsibility for Inami's actions… You aren't her. You didn't do this to the Cat. You didn't do this to the Juunishi. You didn't do this to me. You didn't even do this to yourself."

"You're only you, a pawn in this curse. Just like I'm not that Cat from long ago. Just like I didn't ask to be the Cat of the Juunishi. Just like… When I take of these beads… I turn into a hideous monster."

"So, I'm sorry. I hope you can forgive me, Rena. Because I've forgiven you. I understand… Why you could bring yourself to say anything to me about that to me before. It's… It's okay, I think."

"Kyo-kun…" Rena stood up. "Kyo-kun, I'm sorry for not telling you about this in the beginning. And I'm sorry for making you feel like everyone was against you. I was just so afraid."

"I know. It's okay. Do you forgive me?" Kyo asked. "Of course! I was never upset with you! So we're friends again?" Rena smiled brightly and excitedly. "Yes, yes." Kyo crossed his arms, looking away.

"EH? Kyo-kun… Are you trying not to smile?"

"Keh! Why would I be smiling? More like grimacing!"

"You were! You were smiling!"

"Was not!"

"You're happy we're friends again, too, aren't you?!"

"You're annoying."

"Admit it, Kyo-kun! You CARE about me!"

"AS IF."

"YOU DO. YOU CAN'T CHANGE THE TRUTH!"

"STOP BEING SO LOUD SOMEONE MIGHT HEAR YOU AND THINK IT'S THE TRUTH!"

"Heh heh! Ahaha! Hehe!" Rena began laughing. "What the hell are you laughing at?" Kyo glared menacingly. "I'm just so - hehe - relieved that Kyo-kun is - Aha! - back to his normal - heh - s-self!" Rena giggled.

"The Kyo-kun that - hehe - put up with me and befriended me - heh heh - even when I was a pain in his ass - aha! - is most precious to me! I love that Kyo-kun!"

"…You're such a stupid girl." Kyo sighed with a small smile. "It's no wonder why you and Tohru are such good friends. You're both so stupid."

"You know you love us, Kyo-kun!" Rena stepped forward to fly at Kyo and hug him, but was stopped when she felt the blade of a sword at her throat, surprising her greatly.

"My, my. That was so heart warming… It makes me want to vomit." An icy, harsh voice whispered in Rena's ear. Her capturer's left arm snaked around her waist.

Rena's eyes widened, filled with pure fear. "Akito…" She whispered. "In the flesh." Akito smirked. "You're as pretty as ever… Rena-chan." Akito pressed his lips against the nape of Rena's neck.

A violent tremor ripped through Rena's body. "Akito. You bastard. Get the hell away from her." Kyo growled. "Ah ah ah, Kyo. Come a step closer, and I'll slit her throat open." Akito threatened, pressing the sword harder against Rena's neck.

She could feel the sharp blade prick her neck, droplets of blood forming. "Kyo. Go home. Now." Rena whispered. "What? How can you just ask me to - " Kyo was cut off by Rena's powerful exclamation,

"Kyo-kun, go home! Get our forces ready! I'll be okay, I'll be fine! Tell everyone to be on their guard! And protect Tohru at any and all costs!!!"

"…"

"Please, Kyo. You have to go and get things ready. Hatsuharu and Hatori are in charge. I'll be there as soon as I can. Get outta here! Protect them! Protect Tohru!!!"

"…Dammit, Rena. You'd better not get yourself killed!!!" Kyo turned reluctantly, running back to Shigure's house as fast as her could. "I won't, don't worry! Just worry about the operation!" Rena called after him.

"…What do you want, Akito?" Rena narrowed her eyes, finding her voice. "I see the Dark Collusion failed. That damned Ox must have saved you. But that's okay - I'll have my chance to kill you tonight." Akito smirked.

"I'm taking you hostage. If you don't come along willingly, I'll kill my other hostages. And trust me - You don't want that."

"Who are you holding hostage, Akito?! Let them go! It's MEyou want, not them!" Rena snarled. "But that's no fun at all, Rena-chan." Akito purred into Rena's ear. "Don't call me Rena-chan like we're friends!" Rena glared.

"Heh. I'll call you whatever the hell I want to call you, bitch. You belong to me." Akito sneered.

And then, everything went black.

Me: And that's all for Chapter Thirty Eight!

Rena: Only six pages… How sad…

Me: Hey, I'm working on it! I wanted all of the rest to go into the NEXT chapter! They'll get long I promise! At least I'm updating!

Rena: No excuses, girl!

Me: Oh hush up. All of the drama is building up again! And Kisa, Hiro and Ritsu will be coming in soon!

Rena: How interesting.

Me: Haha, not for you. I don't think you'll like where the next few chapters are going… J

Rena: What, what did you do now?!

Me: (ignores) Read and review all! J

Rena: EGP, WHAT IN THE SEVEN HELLS ARE YOU UP TOO?!?!

Me: (cackle) Hehehe, until the next chapter, so long! (vanishes)

Rena: …Damn her…