Author's Note: Okumura Tsuki and Literally Dirt, thank you aa always, for your comments, as usual. Everyone else, thank you as always for your Faves, Bookmarks, and Kudos. I'm sorry I didn't get th is chapter up before Thanksgiving, if any of my readers celebrate that Holiday, Happy Belated Thanksgiving to you all. I wanted to get this out before then, but have been having problems with my left shoulder hurting so bad it had been keeping me up at night, so I spent the entire afternoon the day before in the ER and they never figured out what it is. So, I didn't start writing again until a few days ago. I managed to at least get a new FITCR Extra out in time for Christmas, anyway. Any how, I'mma try to get this one out, too. Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!

Synopsis: Yogi, Nai, and Gareki return to Karasuna and visit Tsubaki's grave.

Karneval: Pyromancy

Chapter 32

Gareki hesitated as he approached the Tsubaki's grave. It didn't seem fair, compared to the surrounding grave stones, hers was so small and humble, he always thought she deserved something, maybe not grander, but at least a little bigger and more noticeable. Yogi placed a gentle hand on Gareki's shoulder. "Are you ok, Gareki-Kun?" he asked.

"I haven't been here since her funeral," Gareki admitted, "It's just a little overwhelming."

"Do you want us to wait here?" Yogi offered.

Gareki closed his eyes and gave a soft chuckle, "That would defeat the purpose of letting you two come with me." He put a hand on Nai's shoulder. "I don't know if this is going to work, but it's worth a try," he thought.

The three of them walked up to the grave and Gareki knelt laying as small bouquet of white flowers on top of the mound. In front of anyone else, Gareki would have felt ridiculous. He stared at the grave stone, glaring at the words written there, as though they were mocking him.

TSUBAKI

LOVING GRANDDAUGHTER

SISTER

Angel To All Who Knew Her

Gareki pressed his hands together and bowed his head, closing his eyes in a brief moment of reverent silence. Standing close behind him, Nai and Yogi respectfully followed suit. "Angel? I would have dubbed her a goddess," he thought.

Presently, Gareki began to speak, in a soft, quiet voice, with controlled breaths. Nai and Yogi both took notice, but couldn't tell if it was because he was afraid, embarrassed, of trying to prevent himself from breaking down into tears, and neither wanted to ask. "Hello, Tsubaki. It's been a long time. I'm sorry I've stayed away so long. I left home years ago. I told you, I wanted to find a way to help. I'm sorry, it seems I keep failing you."

Yogi noticed Gareki trembling as he said these words and gently put his hands on the boy's shoulders as a sign of supprt. Gareki gave a weak smile and gently took one of Yogi's hands on his own as he continued. "Yotika has no grave where we can visit, if his soul had found it's way back to you, please tell him I'm sorry, too. Yogi and I tried to do everything we could to save him. You don't have to worry aboutTsubame-Chan. She's doing well. She's under Circus' care and attending Kuronomie she and Grandpa are both in good hands, now. She clearly still misses you both, but I wouldn't exactly say she's lonely anymore."

Nai suddenly went on full alert. H is hair bristled and he began looking around. Yogi noticed Nai's movements out of the corner of his eye. "Nai-Chan? What's wrong?" he asked, his eyes silently scanning the area.

Nai shook his head. "I don't know," he admitted, "Everything just got really quiet."

Gareki looked up and listened. "You're right," he said, standing up. Even the birds had stopped chirping.

"Goggles," a deep voice rang out as a large creature lumbered into view.

"Varuga!" all three of them said.

"No, not here... Not NOW! Seriously, have you no respect for the dead?" Gareki growled.

"What is it with this town and Varuga, anyway?" Yogi grumbled, as his eppes formed in his hands. "Gareki-Kun, you and Nai-Chan find somewhere to hide. I'll lead this guy away and take care of him."

"No," Gareki refused, his guns forming in his hands, "Nai, head for the church and keep out of sight!" he ordered, "Yogi, I'm coming with you. This is my chance to get in some real practice on the field."

Yogi sighed. "Gareki-Kun, it's dangerous," he warned, "But I know you won't change your mind once it's made up. Just promise me you'll be careful."

"Yeah... Just don't get knocked out so I won't have to come save you again," Gareki snarked.

"Deal," Yogi chuckled.

"But Gareki..." Nah started to argue .

"Nai! What did Koroku tell you about coming with us? " Gareki asked.

"To listen to both of you and hide if there's any sign of trouble," Nai answered dejectedly.

"Exactly," Gareki replied, "Now get going!"

Nai nodded and reluctantly ran for the derelict church. Meanwhile, Gareki and Yogi led the lumbering Varuga away from the grave yard. "Let's get this over with and get back quick, I don't trust the brat to stay out of trouble long," Gareki grumbled.

"GOOGGLLLESSS...!" the Varuga bellowed as it chased after them.

"That may be true, but this one sounds like he's Hell bent on you," Yogi acknowledged.

"What the Hell, why are they still after us, anyway?" Gareki huffed as he glanced back to see just how far behind them the Varuga was trailing.

"Nai and Koroku, I don't know," Yogi admitted, sliding to a stop and whirling around, ready to fight, "But you... May be it's got something to do with your Incure Cells?"

"Well, whatever it is, one thing's for certain," Gareki said, "When I start my espionage, I can't keep wearing these," he took off his goggles and tucked them into a jacket pocket.

Meanwhile

Nai ducked into the church and scrambled under one of the pews. There was a small group of church goers and priests inside, but as they all had their heads bowed in silent reverence, none of them seemed to notice him. He could hear them all, however, quietly praying for the souls of those who'd been lost to Varuga attacks over the years, for those who'd been lost recently, as it seemed the Varuga activity had increased over the past few months.

Off to the side, he heard a small group of people discussing the situation. They blamed the Varuga for the derelict state of the city, claiming there never use to be so many abandoned and crumbled buildings before the monsters began attacking. "This is all Circus' fault," one of them said, "These things didn't show up as often before they came poking around." Nai's eyes widened, when he heard this. In spite his better judgement, he wriggled out of his bidding place and approached the naysayers as the man continued his conspiracy theory, "They claim they're from the government sent to help, but I think they carry the monsters with them, let them loose on the town. These things only show up wreaking havoc when they're in town. "

"You've got it all wrong!" Nai protested, "Circus is trying to stop the Varuga! If you want to blame anyone, you should blame Kafka, they're the ones controlling the monsters. Gareki says this place was already in bed shape when he came to live here seven years ago, he'd never even heard of Varuga until a few months ago." The members of Circus we're his friends, some of them even his family, he didn't like hearing people speak ill of them. He liked the idea of Gareki's honor being impugned upon even less. Gareki was a thief by trade, not a liar by nature!

The man smiled darkly at the albino. "Too easy," he thought. "Can you prove it?" he asked, "Who knows this city better, those of us who've lived here all our lives, or some outsider who's only been here a few years. Sounds like your friend grew up in the city slums of he believes Karasuna's always been in this bad of shape. Circus is nothing bit a bunch of hasbin actors. Letting those monsters run rampant is a convenient ploy to garner attention after the fact."

"Y-you're wrong!" Nai protested again, "Circus is trying to help people!"

The other church goers turned their attention to the man and the now clearly distraught child. The priest approached them. "Calm yourself, child, this is no place for such ruckus. Whatever seems to be the matter?"

"I thought this wasn't a place for telling lies, either?" Nai returned, "My friends are out there, fighting a Varuga right now, and this man's saying they're responsibile for them."

"Sir, I ask you not to spread rumors and disturb those here to worship," the priest requested with a sigh.

The man gave a sinister smile and a devious chuckle. "Oh, you won't have to worry about me anymore." His eyes focused on Nai. "I've found what I'm looking for."

Nai's eyes grew wide as he realized he'd just walked into a rather elaborate trap. "Y-you... You're with Kafka, aren't you?" he stammered, taking a step back.

"And here I thought you weren't very bright," the man laughed, his eyes beginning to glow and the men next to him began to change form, their bodies twisting and contorting into grotesque monstrous figures. Several screams filled the air, causing Nai to flinch and cover his ears. The man pointed at Nai. "I want the boy alive, everyone else is fair game," the man ordered. Nai turned to run as the group of monsters swarmed toward him, eating anyone who was unfortunate enough to get in their way, the priest becoming the first victim.

"Nai-Chan, this way, hurry!" a young woman beckoned him from the door.

"You're...?" Nai hesitated.

"No time, quickly, this way!" She insisted. Nai took quiet notice of the young woman's features; her eyes were a beautiful shade of blue and full of worry and her long, silken hair was a caramel hue. She seemed to be glowing and her face, while kind, reflected a general conern. Nai thought it odd that while, yes they were all fleeing for their lives, no one else seemed to notice the 'goddess' offering to lead him to safety. In fact, if not for her voice, even he wouldn't have believed she were there, as she has no scent to her. She was right, there was no time for questions, he ran toward her. "Quickly, it's not safe in here," she said. She pointed to Tsubaki's grave. "Back to the grave yard, hide in the shadow of the grave stone," she instructed, "As long as you stay there, no one will find you. You'll be safe there until Gareki and Yogi-Sama return," she promised.

Meanwhile

"Feuerball!" Gareki shouted, enveloping the Varuga in a ball of fire before dispatching the creature with a blast from one of his guns.

"Wow, Gareki-Kun," Yogi praised, "That was different from the 'Blixstrom' you used in the forest wasn't it?"

"It's a new ability I learned the day you guys got Naira," Gareki affirmed, "Now, if I could just get my instructors to teach me how to fly."

Yogi smiled and extended a hand toward Gareki, "You'd miss me carrying you everywhere," he teased, "But, I'll give you some pointers on the way back," he offered, "We need to get back to Nai-Chan soon, though, or he'll be worried sick."

Gareki smiled and took Yogi's hand in his. "So help me, if you tell me all I need are happy thoughts and pixie dust..."

"Well, you're not too far off," Yogi chuckled, pulling Gareki in closer.

"Damn it, why's he gotta sparkle like that?" Gareki thought to himself as Yogi lifted both of them off the ground.

"The Incure Cells could pass as the pixie dust," Yogi explained, "And as for the 'Happy Thoughts', do you remember what Tsukitatchi-San told you, when he asked you how we fly?"

"'During information transfer, a weak current of electricity constantly flows throughout the human body. The Incure inserted into our I.D. Bracelets recognize this electricity, which varies from person to person; read the signal emitted from the bracelet owner's brain, change their appearance rapidly, and become weapons. However, controlling them requires large amounts of energy. One has to release the stream of active energy produced by the bracelet in the opposite direction to the way you want to fly?'" Gareki quoted.

"Wow, textbook answer," Yogi chuckled, "But that's right." Yogi hovered just a few feet off the ground. "You've got plenty of Incure Cells to go around," he encouraged, "Everything else is just mind over matter at this point." He held Gareki out at arms' length "Go ahead, Gareki-Kun, give it a try. Don't worry about falling, I'll catch you."

Gareki smiled and nodded. His first attempts were wobbly, but Yogi kept his word, by the time they both agreed it would simply be faster if Yogi just carried Gareki the rest of the way, he was at least capable of hovering and holding himself stable.

"You're right," Gareki acknowledged, "I probably will miss this."

Yogi gasped as the church came into view. "Gareki-Kun, did we come back the right way?" he asked.

"Yeah, why?" Gareki inquired, looking up, "No! What happened to the church?" Yogi landed and sat Gareki down. The roof was caving in, as were some of the walls. Gareki's stomach lurched. The building had been in tact when they lead the Varuga away. "NAI!?" Gareki called, rushing toward the building. Yogi quickly followed behind him. As they approached the church, they could hear screams from inside.

"Oh god, there's still people in there!" Yogi fretted, "What are the odds there were more than one Varuga in the vicinity?"

"They were looking for us," Gareki answered, "Damn it all!"

Yogi whipped out his phone. He and Gareki had managed to dispatch the first Varuga without involving any bystanders or public or private property, this however was already out of hand. He pulled up Hirato's number and pressed the call button. "Hirato-San, we've got a situation here," he informed the Second Ship Captain.

Gareki and Yogi rushed into the church to find a group of five Varuga chasing down the church goers. "Well, I could use Feuerball, but I risk setting the whole building up in flames," Gareki acknowledged.

"Hirato-San's ETA is twenty minutes," Yogi said, putting his phone away and forming his eppes.

Gareki's eyes quickly scanned the room. "They're small. Humanoids, like Yotika, and those two from Rinoll. But I can't pinpoint a Power Holder and I don't see any sign of Nai. Yogi, I've got an idea, can we herd them together and trap them in your vines?"

"We can try," Yogi nodded.

Gareki and Yogi quickly rushed in to attack the Varuga. A volley of Gareki's bullets pierced one of The five, drawing it's attention from it's intended victim, back to the Kuronomie student. Why don't you guys pick on someone your own size? " Gareki challenged, "Or are you worried you'll bite off more than you can chew?"

"Antagonizing them may not be the best idea, Gareki-Kun," Yogi warned as he locked in combat with a second monster. Their voices drew the attention of the other three.

The Varuga and their Power Holder all immediately recognized Yogi as Circus. He was a threat that needed to be eliminated. "What a meal he would make," they all thought, "And the raven haired kid with the guns? Just an appetizer!"

The Power Holder remained hidden, but his Varuga all turned and came for Yogi and Gareki. This allowed the remaining church goers their chance to escape or hide. Yogi and Gareki allowed themselves to be backed into a corner. "These guys are looking pretty hungry," Gareki noted, "Haven't they gorged themselves enough?"

"Varug a are insatiable," Yogi admitted, "The only thing they like more than eating, is fighting."

"Speaking from personal, or professional experience?" Gareki thought. "Are they close enough now?" he asked as he fired a few pot shots at the encroaching Varuga.

Yogi smiled. "Yeah," he answered, plunging the one of his eppees into the floor. "Gather!"

Gareki smiled as all five of the Post-Human Varuga found themselves tangled in a web of Yogi's ride vines. "Alright, Yogi, step back," he warned, grabbing hold of the vines. "BLIXTSRTOM!"

Yogi jumped back in surprise as a lightning bolt struck the hilt of his sword, and into the vines, electorcuting and effectively knocking the Varuga unconscious and immobile. "What did you do, Gareki -Kun!?" Yogi asked, waving away a cloud of smoke as he reclaimed his sword. "Is that his you keep frying the school's bots?"

"Something like that," Gareki admitted.

"Well, I'd certainly give you an A for effort," Hirato said, entering the building, "Boys, what happened here?" he asked .

"We're not entirely sure," Yogi admitted.

"A Post-Human chased us out of the grave yard, and by the time we made our way back, the church was in shambles and under attack by these five," Gareki explained. Yogi and Hirato both took quiet notice that Gareki's breathing seemed ragged and labored, "We never pinpointed a Power Holder but we were able to save some of the victims."

"And where was Nai-Chan during all this?" Hirato asked, calmly.

"We... We were separated," Yogi admitted, "We haven't located him yet."

"It's my fault," Gareki admitted, between heavy breaths, "When we lead the first one away, I told him to come in here for sanctuary."

"So that's why you left these monsters alive," Hirato deduced, "Interrogation purposes?"

"GAREKI!" Nai's voice rang out.

Everyone turned to find a frightened Nai standing, nearly teary-eyed in the front door. "Nai!" the others exclaimed, so sounding relived to see the halfling unharmed.

Nai rushed to Gareki, who hugged him tight. "Oh, thank God," Gareki sighed, "Nai, are you alright? What happened, where we're you?"

"I came in here to hide, like you told me," Nai said, "But there was a man trying to blame Circus for the Varuga. I know I shouldn't have, but I tried to tell him he was wrong, then these guys turned into Varuga and started attacking everyone explained," he explained.

"Where were you hiding?" Yogi inquired.

Nai pointed to Tsubaki's grave. "Tsubaki-Chan told me to hide in the shadow of her gravestone. She said No one would find me there."

"What did you say?" Gareki asked, looking Nai in the face, "You actually saw Tsubaki?"

"She was here, Gareki," Nai nodded, "They both were."

"They?" Hirato asked.

"Tsubaki-Chan and Yotika-Kun," Nai nodded, "They kept me hidden until we heard you and Yogi come back."

"Nai, are they still here?" Gareki asked cautiously optimistic.

Nai shook his head. "No, Gareki, I'm sorry. I know you wanted to speak with her, but they couldn't stay." He hugged Gareki, "But they did leave you a message." Gareki's eyes widened. He didn't have to voice the question, 'What did she say?' for Nai to know Gareki was eager to hear it. Nai smiled. "She wants you to know, she doesn't hate you, or blame. She's been watching over you and Tsubame-Chan. She's proud of the progress both of you have made. Yotika-Kun doesn't blame you, either." Nai's eyes trailed from Gareki to Yogi, "Yogi, they both left a message for you, too."

"For me?" Yogi asked timidly.

Nai nodded, "Yotika-Kun says 'Thank you' for your help that night, he's glad your injuries weren't fatal and he's sorry you were involved at all. But, they both said to tell you..."

Flashback

Tsubaki and Yotika both shielded Nai from sight. "Please, let Gareki know I'm proud of him and I'm glad he's still alive," Tsubaki stated, " I'm glad he's found his true family, but grateful he still counts Tsubame-Chan as part of it. "

"Tell his friend, Yogi, was it? Tell him I'm He got involved with what should have been nothing more than a family squabble that night, but he has my most sincere thanks for his assistance. I'm aware his actions we're an attempt to look out for everyone's best interest. "

"And most importantly, as far a s Yogi's concerned," Tsubaki giggled.

"Thank you for taking such good care of our little brother and welcome to the family," the two siblings said in unison.

End Flashback

"Th-they said that!?" Yogi and Garekiboth blushed.

Gareki suddenly swooned and fainted. "Gareki!?" Nai, Hirato, and Yogi all called worriedly.

Hirato pointed to a nearby pue, "Yogi, move Gareki off the floor and see if you can find a towel or something to make a cold compresd," he ordered, pulling out his phone and, messaging Tsukumo, "Nai, you stay with them. I'll take care of clean up, " he instructed.

"Right!" Nai and Yogi both nodded, quickly leaping into action to do as they'd been told.

Yogi found a couple of the baptismal towels and ran some cold water over one and warm water over the other. Ringing them out, he quickly made his way back to Gareki. He used the warm towel to wash Gareki's face and arms of any possible Varuga blood, then folded the cold towel and laid it across Gareki's forehead. "Nai-Chan, can you...?"

"His heart beat's faint, but steady and he's having trouble breathing," Nai said quietly.

"Gareki-Kun?" Yogi worriedly called to him, taking one of Gareki's hands in his own and rubbing his thumb in gentle circles along the back.

Gareki groaned and opened his eyes. "What happened?" he asked.

"You fainted," Nai said, matter of factly.

"Liar, I thought you said you don't get sick," Yogi scolded.

"I'm NOT sick," Gareki denied.

"Oh yeah?" Yogi retorted, putting his free hand on Gareki's forehead, under the cold towel, "Then why do you feel feverish?"

"I am NO...*Cough*" Gareki tried to argue again.

"Uh-huh," Yogi sighed. "I'm willing to accept that you fainted from over exertion, . A LOT has happened since you met us. But I warned you you were likely to get sick when you fell asleep on the roof. Your breathing already sounded ragged at Tsubaki-Chan's grave, but I just assumed you were trying not to cry."

"What are you, all of a sudden? *Achoo!* My mom?" Gareki complained, pushing himself to an upright position.

"Hey, careful!" Yogi said, helping Gareki sit up, "Take it easy. You could faint again." He sighed , "This is my fault, if I hadn't tried to learn to fly, you probably wouldn't have passed out at all."

"It's not like you forced me to learn or anything," Gareki excused, "I was the one who brought it up, and we didn't know there were GIVE more of them waiting for us when we got here."

"Iq can't believe I'm gonna say this, but you need a trip to Akari-Sensei, " Yogi insisted.

"Will wonders never cease?" Hirato remarked, overhearing Yogi's reluctant claim.

"I CA*cough*N'T, " Gareki refused.

"Why not?" Nai, Yogi, and Hirato all asked.

"Research Tower is too far in the other direction," Gareki pointed, "I have to be back at Kuronomie, e-eith*ACHOO!*er in my dorm, or the Headmaster's office Lights Out, Saturday, or I'll be expelled for good."

"Yeah, but..." Yogi started to argue.

"No questions asked," Gareki emphasized. He took Yogi's hand in his, "I appreciate the concern, Yogi, I really do. But, I *Achoo* I can't risk expulsion. I can't go back to being that worthless little guttersnipe I used to be. "

"Don't ever let me hear you call yourself that again," Yogi scolded, "Alright, I'll see you get back to Kuronomie on time," he promised , "But this time, I'm not leaving your side, until I see a doctor look you over."

"You boys had better start out now, then," Hirato suggested, "Nai can stay with me until Tsukumo and Koroku arrive. We'll take care of the loose ends here."

Q