A/N: Ah, we are back again to solo chapters, I guess. Well, guys, we are entering the final stretch - from the next story on, I'll be focusing on the last guild.


Yukino dug her skates in the ice, her legs shaking. How come waiting for something could be so tiring? Every day she woke up and went to the lake. Her sister was not there. Sorano had promised so long ago that she would come back; Yukino did not believe she would lie. At least it gave her a bit more time to prepare the welcoming gift.

With a deep breath - she needed to calm down - Yukino skated. Her arms hugged her tightly. She had only herself. Alone in the world. Away from everybody. Then someone broke through her shield. Yukino jumped and after a spin - that part always left her dizzy - she touched the ice. Her hand extended to her side - now she had her sister. They would be together - together forever. With a smile, her body sightly bowed, Yukino skated. As fast as she could, breathtaking, endless, perfect. A bright land she never wanted to leave.

She stopped and turned in the opposite direction. The extended hand had fallen to her side. Running, running as fast as possible. Even faster than her walks. Yukino had no chance against the dark wizards that attacked her home. Alone, once again. Jumping up - as if she dodged a blast of magic - Yukino landed and dashed as far as possible. Spin in place - time to look back. Nothing - only the calm mirror of the lake. Yukino drew a long, long straight line, once again hugging herself.

There was more - all moments with Sabertooth, her banishment, her comeback, her happy times, meeting her sister once again... Not today - not when she had no energy left after that scene. Yukino could change the program - should she not focus on something so somber? But it was a part of her life. No matter how hard it got, she could not leave it in the mud and pretend it did not happen. One day she was going to finish the program.

Every morning Yukino regretted that Sorano had not come back yet. Every evening she hoped for one day more - enough time to face herself. If her sister could do it, then Yukino could do it, too. And yet whenever she remembered the fires, the bloody earth and the cries that no one answered, Yukino's body froze.

Yukino took another deep breath. "I can do this. I can do this for you." She rose her head up - looking once again at the empty lake. It was far too early for most people, but she heard steps from the wood. Voices. "I am very grateful you have agreed to teach me."

She had to leave. The gift was supposed to be kept a secret.