A/N: OH MY GOSH I HAVE MISSED YOU ALL SO MUCH! I have been swamped by school, life, family-and for a while there the stress was making me resent writing because I never got to actually write. However, I shoved myself out of that funk when I realized that not writing only made my stress levels increase. *sighs happily*

ANYWAYS!

I saw that I got more favorites/follows/alerts on this story! I still sit there in awe whenever I read the notification. I actually almost lost it when I read that I had been favorited as an author! BIGGEST HONOR!

Thank you, all of you, for being patient with me. I know it's been super long, and that this chapter's short, but I am happy with those who have stuck by me.

Okay! Now, enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THIS AMAZING SHOW OR ITS CHARACTERS. *Sobs*

Recap:

Homra loves you, Tatara. Our ties run deeper than blood! She thought viciously as her shouts echoed in her ears. I love you, my friend. Her hands gripped the jaws of a beast as she listened to the sound of its death trap snap in her hands. Though anger burned in her heart, she refused to succumb to its pull.

As she snarled ruthlessly at a creature, she spared her mother a last kind thought.

I loved you once, mother. But now…you are nothing to me.

Chapter 19: You

Her heart hammered in her chest as she pushed her legs to go faster. The muscles in her legs burned and ached, her head was pounding and felt ready to burst. Tears that burned her cheeks trailed down and fell behind her as she kept on.

Light brown eyes flashed before her and she cried out, twisting away and crashing into a beast. The acid burned at her skin but she welcomed the pain.

It reminded her she was fighting for something.

"I will find you,'' she swore, her crimson coated eyes burning with the thought of finally ending this charade.

She gritted her teeth and tore through another savage beast as the racing of her heart thrummed in her ears.

''Do you hear me, you old fool?! I will find you and end this now in the name of Homra!"

Her cry echoed down the hall she was tearing through alone. Mikoto had stayed back and fought with the others, protecting Anna and watching over his clansmen like a true King. He had been wary to let her go alone but she knew in her heart she would never be alone. Red hued eyes narrowed as a large, intricately designed door began to come into her view.

In a cold, brightly lit up room a man with white hair pulled back into a low ponytail opened his eyes leisurely. They were calculating, unforgiving, powerful enough to ice over your soul.

His thin lips pulled up into a cruel smirk as he leaned his cheek against his fist.

''You will not defeat me, granddaughter. '' he whispered to the empty room as he heard her ferocious battle cries draw near. They reminded him of a child throwing a tantrum.

"Your death will be in vain.''

Alaura fell gracefully to her feet and looked ahead, red flames licking at her feet. "Tch,'' she grinned, raising to stand. She wasn't alone. She could feel the others, feel their fight and hope coursing through her.

Tatara…Jacob…father… she thought softly, wiping at her grime covered face and starting forward. Her brows drew down.

I will avenge your deaths!

''Get back here!'' Liz growled, weaving through the dripping forms of the beasts as her gaze zeroed in on the hunched over form of Moko in front of her. Blood drops scattered the tile floor, becoming thicker and more abundant the longer they chased the woman.

''You're not gonna catch me!" Moko preened, tossing a sadistic grin over her shoulder at them. That nasty tilt of her blood stained lips, that crazed glaze in her eyes, that dark purple that circled her form-it was all too much.

Screaming furiously Liz twisted and spun her sword down to release a swift wave of searing red flames in Alaura's mother's direction. The flames danced along the floor and carried her will, searing the back of Moko's legs and causing the older woman to cry out. Liz shouldn't have felt happy that the cursed woman was hurting but her next words caused any pity to drain from her body.

''No wonder my son died! You three couldn't protect a damned fly!" Moko cheered giddily and stumbled back just in time from another loose attack of Liz's with a panicked expression.

Rage burned beneath her skin and caused her teeth to grind together harshly. All she could see was Tatara smiling up at them. His soft, caring eyes that would haunt her unless she could avenge his death. He was her friend-and she couldn't-

She could see Jacob in a far off memory. He was smiling happily down at her, gripping tightly on to the hand of the girl he trusted with every piece of him. His short, ruffled brown hair lifted and caressed his chubby child cheeks with the gentle breeze, his mocha colored eyes shining without a care in the world.

And why should he have had a care? With her, Alaura, and Kuroh by his side Jacob often told Liz that that's where he was the safest.

How dare this fucking woman speak of Jacob-as if-as If she knew him! He was their precious little brother and the three of them had failed to do what he always thought they would.

Because of this woman they had failed to protect Jacob.

''Damn you!" Liz cursed, seething as she brought her hands over her head to prepare a blow that would put Moko where she belonged-six feet under.

"Liz! Look out!"

Crystal blue eyes shifted ever so slightly before a force knocked into her from behind just as a blast of purple pierced the wall where she would have crashed into. Grunting from the impact she dragged herself up, looking down into the worried eyes of the boy she had fallen for so quickly. The anger inside her heart simmered down at the care in his gaze.

''Are you okay?" He whispered, blushing ever so as he hauled the two of the up.

Raven locks fell over her shoulders as she pushed them back, locking her chin and nodding hurriedly. That's right-she wasn't alone. This was a shared fight between three people. She had let her emotions spiral for a moment to where she only saw herself and Moko.

''Liz! Are you alright?" The deep voice of her brother entered her ears and she turned to see Kuroh stopping gracefully beside them.

"Hmm.'' She nodded her head and jerked her chin to face what had halted in front of them. "I am, but that woman's not going to be."

''Ehhh, what's this?! Why are we stopping?" Moko had come to a stop and was watching them curiously with her head tilted slightly to the side, her own locks spilling over to the side.

For a brief second the three of them saw Alaura in that stance. Hands on hips, hair falling over shoulder, curious look on her face that forced you to spill what you had just been doing-but to them the fact that Moko wore it was wrong. It rallied their fighting spirits that had come to simmer, just aching to be prodded and ready to enflame their surroundings.

''We're done chasing you Moko.'' Liz gritted, narrowing her eyes. "It's time to fight here and now.''

''Its time for you to kick it." Yata growled, glowering dangerously at the calm women before them.

''You will pay for what you have done to us.'' Kuroh spoke coolly, but the way his shoulders were drawn tight proved to an insider that this was the last straw.

''What I've done to you?" Moko echoed, smacking her lips and shaking her head. "Nope, sorry, I haven't done anything.''

"You-'' Yata lunged but was restrained by Kuroh quickly grabbing his collar. Hazel eyes were alight with a deep pain. "You killed our friend! You're the reason Jacob died! You let your son die! You tried to kill Alaura! You've done everything!"

Something dawned in Moko's eyes as she cocked her hip and hummed beneath her breath. The pose made Liz sick. She couldn't understand-how could someone be so nonchalant about death like that? Is this what the demons could do?

Moko snapped her fingers and nodded in understanding. ''Ah, I guess I did do all of that. But that isn't any reason to try and kill me now is it? I mean it was all just so trivial!"

Her jaw dropped. "You're certifiably insane. You deserve to be locked up.''

The marble hallway began to chill, the hair on the back of Liz's neck standing up on end. Shifting on the balls of her feet she glanced side to side.

''What is this? What's happening?" she demanded.

''You want to stop playing cat and mouse?" Moko raised her chin up and grinned ear to ear as she raised her hands up and purple like petals began to swirl around her clenched fists. Her smudged charcoal lined eyes glowed eerily as she stepped closer to them. "Then let's fight.''

A blast of light engulfed her vision, the frigid temperature increasing. Gasping Liz, Yata, and Kuroh leaped out of the way before their bodies could be pierced by the powers of Alaura's mother.

Ignoring the pain now aching in her knees she stopped herself from skidding any further by dragging her freezing fingers along the frozen floor. Stunned she shivered and looked around, not noticing any changes to the room but feeling as if she had stepped foot into an ice house.

''Damn it, why is it so cold?" Yata shivered, gripping her shoulder to bring her gaze to his.

''It must be part of the purple clan's powers.'' Kuroh mused to himself, apparently immune to the cold as he stared hard at the cocky look Moko wore.

''How much powers do these assholes have?!" Yata exclaimed in aggravation. "They can heal, they can control people with their demons and hurt people with their demons! We better win this war.''

''They do have a lot of traits…'' Liz mumbled. "Her powers are insane, it's nothing like we had been told about the other Kings controlling one basic element and manipulating it.''

''I just don't understand it. How could she have so many abilities?" Kuroh frowned.

''Who, me?" Moko dragged herself up into a standing position but the wound she had been dealt by Liz and Kuroh caused her to naturally bend over. The burns Liz had also inflicted upon her legs caused her to not rest her full weight on them, forcing her to rock back and forth and move side to side.

Liz allowed a smirk to pass over her lips.

''Everything comes with a price in this messed up world.'' Moko dragged out her words, shaking her head and raising a hand. ''But usually for me the price is worth what I get.''

''Worth what you get…?" Liz frowned at the play on words but was distracted by another burst of light sent spiraling towards them. Reacting quickly she brought her sword up and allowed her red flames to coat over her brother and boyfriend as a shield against the frigid biting purple.

It threatened to overpower her but she pushed through it, feeling a mix of her teeth chattering in her skull and sweat pouring down her back. The heat of her flames was being blown back against her as the force of Moko's attack just seemed to she wished Yata and Kuroh could use their own abilities as a surplus of power, but if they moved at all they would be struck by the piercing attack of Moko.

''Liz!" Yata shouted, eyes wide as he watched the colors of two clans battle fiercely. Briefly he had caught the moments of where Alaura and Mikoto's powers had joined forces and created an amazing hue-but this was nothing like that.

This created a nasty and angry clash and seemed to naturally reject one another, the two colors bouncing off one another and sending embers scattering across the breaking floor.

''Come out and play!" Moko shouted above the roaring winds of their powers. Liz winced as she felt the increase of energy be injected in the offense. "Isn't this what you wanted?!"

''Kuroh! Yata! Get out of here!" Her eyes could barely stand the bright light being seared into her line of vision, and with each passing second the more clear Moko's eager face came into view. She was falling behind and needed them to get out of here now!

''I'm not leaving you!''

"Like hell!''

''Damn it! Get down while you can! I don't know how much longer I can keep this up! I have a plan, but you need to get out of here!" She shouted back, feeling her locks whip and lash out with the sheer force of her and Moko's power. It was true-Moko was overpowering her at this very moment and she knew that she wouldn't be able to get out of the way in time before the woman attacked.

But if the two of them could get down then she would be the only one to get cut down, and the two of them could take out Moko before she even knew she had struck Liz. They would be alive and that was all that mattered-

Azure gems widened. ''Protect myself…?''

The girl's chocolate eyes sparkled. ''Yup! Stand tall, look life head on, and own it. What do you say? Do you want to?''

''You don't even know my name, I don't even know your name.'' She argued pitifully, already attracted to the sound of being able to protect herself.

"Oh! Well that's easy, my name is Alaura and this is Jacob.'' Alaura smiled toothily.

Blue eyes blinked as she hesitantly returned the smile, the feeling foreign on her face. ''My…my name is Lizenne.''

"Lizenne? Huh…do you mind if I call you Liz?" Alaura asked, the wide smiled never dropping. Lizenne had to admit it was weird to see people so happy.

''Liz?" She echoed, trying it out. No one had given her a nickname before…''Uh huh…that's okay.''

"I know you're scared…I know you've been alone, all by yourself in this dark and lonely place. '' The girl's smile softened as her eyes closed. ''I promise you never have to be alone again. You're part of our family now, I'll protect you.''

''Big sister says people who love each other protect each other! You never stop trying to save them!

''Hurry up and fail!" Moko screeched above the roaring wind in her ears. Liz was struck dumb, feeling the cool rush of tears falling down her cheeks. Those memories…why…why now…?

''Hurry and fail so I can eradicate that daughter of mine and your piss ant of a clan!" The woman howled and for a split second Liz felt the breath get caught in her throat as she heard Kuroh and Yata shout their protests.

The flames disappeared from her sight and instead she saw her best friend cheering her on when Liz wanted to give up on training, pushing her to become the amazing fighter she was today. She saw her sobbing over the broken form of her firecracker brother.

She saw her motionless, vacant brown eyes staring up into nothing.

She could see Alaura stopping, turning to look back over her shoulder and smiling widely with Kuroh and Jacob beside her; they were waiting for her. Never letting her fall behind.

She saw herself standing beside Yata and the rest of her family crowding in for a picture. Promises of a future where they all stayed together. More tears rolled down her reddened cheeks.

''I don't think I ever told you thank you, for dragging me from that place.'' Liz whispered. ''If I did I can't remember.''

''You don't have to ever thank me for that, Liz.'' Alaura said, shooting her a glance and smiling. ''I would never have given you another choice.''

''A choice…'' she mumbled, shadows cast over her eyes as the tears rolled faster down her cheeks and dropped to the pristine floor. "She would have never let me stay there-she would have dragged me kicking and screaming.''

The dimming red shifted and Moko faltered, feeling the disturbance and gritting her teeth together. What the hell was happening? Just a second ago this girl was about to give in!

''So I can't die-because I have a job to do.'' Liz's head snapped up to reveal a gaze shining with tears and fierce force blazing like a roaring fire. Her teeth bared as she pushed back, struggling to her feet and feeling her muscles scream in protest.

''I'm getting my family out of here alive, and I'm not breaking the promise I made!" She screamed, pulling her sword high above her head and bringing it down with a fury that she had never experienced before. "I'M TAKING YOU DOWN!"

''What?!" Moko screamed as red flames broke through her chilly attack and seared her, wrapping around her like vines and burning at her exposed flesh. Screams tore from her throat as she felt her flesh being burnt to a crisp. It hurt! It was too much!

Yata and Kuroh watched wide eyed as the flames enveloped the hallway they were in. Liz didn't even need their help at this point.

Liz shot up, hovering above her own flames and connecting her gaze head on with Moko's now terrified gaze. With a bellowing shout she twisted, allowing years of training to sharpen her senses.

Moko cried out uselessly as she barely defended herself from the attack, coming an inch away from the blue eyes girls face.

''You hurt my sister.'' Liz growled, pulling back her sword and pivoting off her right foot to slash once more at the aghast and weakened woman.

''You took away our little brother!" Blood fell in rivers as Liz's sword cut through once more the easy flesh.

Moko's mouth was open in a soundless scream as she felt the burning blade make her body look almost unrecognizable. Her body was sent crashing into the wall, she could feel it shake with the sheer force. Her bones screamed in protest.

Liz pulled back and held her precious blade out in front of her, eyes glittering with the tears of a born again fighter. Her lips twisted. "But worst of all…you threatened my clan-again. Now you burn.''

It happened in less than a moment's breath, but for Liz it felt like almost an eternity. She felt her muscles clench and unclench as she leapt to deal the final blow to the cruel woman before her. Heard the whistling as she cut through the air. Felt the heat envelop her and redden her cheeks. Her heart was hammering in its cage and the blood rushed in her veins.

She saw Moko's eyes widen as her mouth twisted into a foul grimace. She felt the blade slide quickly through its target and felt the blood splatter onto her clothes and body, causing her stomach to churn.

Her raven locks fell gently as her flames dissipated, the chill in the air disappearing like a hasty intake of breath. Lips pulled into a tight line Liz brought her gaze to meet that of the woman whose heart was being pierced by her sword.

It was crazy, but she had expected this to be a revelation. She had even hoped that in her dying moments Moko would apologize for her sins, whisper her love for her daughter she never got to know.

But none of that happened.

Liz didn't get any of that.

Staring back at her were cold, dismayed, even calculating crimson eyes.

''You protect…my daughter…'' Moko grunted through the blood dribbling from her mouth. "Your…clan…''

Saddened to not see remorse but refusing to allow Moko to think she had gotten to her Liz nodded slightly.

''Forever and ever.''

''Keh…'' The beautiful woman allowed her head to fall back against the wall, and Liz watched as she stared off into the distance. She was somewhere Liz could never be.

''Who do you-think will win?" Moko asked weakly.

Liz blinked but didn't hesitate. "Homra. Scepter 4. The Silver Clan. We'll all win together.''

Moko smirked lightly and allowed her lids to lower. "So do…I…''

Azure colored eyes widened as she felt Moko's last breath leave her body. Gently she slid her sword out from Moko's body and laid her body to rest on the cold floor, confused. Had she heard right?

"Liz!" Yata's face appeared in her blurry line of vision and she felt her heart swell as he pulled her tightly into his arms. "What the heck happened to the actual plan?!''

Still, she couldn't shake what Moko had said…

''Sister! Are you okay?" Kuroh gripped her shoulder in his hand and she turned her head to see worried but proud eyes observing her.

''Yeah…'' she breathed, looking down at Moko's still form. "Yeah…sorry…I just-lost it there for a second.''

The woman thought they would win? Did that mean she was proud of her daughter? Did she hope Alaura would win? Or was she assured that in her own defeat her father would fall to their hands? Unanswered questions ran a mile a minute through her mind, questions she desperately wanted answered.

''Come! We've got to go aid the others now!" Kuroh demanded, turning and beginning back to where they had come from.

Yata went to follow but stopped when he tugged on her and she didn't move. Frowning in worry he tugged on her hand. "Liz?"

Snapping out of her questions she brought her cut your heart out colored eyes to meet the warm and reassuring eyes of Yata. "Yeah?"

''Are you sure you're okay?" He asked, looking over to Moko's growing cold body. "Did she say something?"

She should have told him-but she didn't think this was even meant for her ears. Forcing a small smile to her lips she nodded and sheathed her sword after flicking the remnants of blood from the blade. No, she would keep her mouth shut and wait until she saw her brown haired friend.

Alone they would talk about this.

''No, nothing.'' She turned towards back to where the blasts and explosions along with battle cries echoed lightly towards them. Liz wanted to thank him somehow. To tell him that if he and Kuroh hadn't been beside her…''Let's go save our family.''

The boy could see clearly through the lies she forced through her teeth but he kept quiet on his own accord. Liz had just proven of how far her strength actually reached just now, taking down a woman easily without even his or her brother's aid. Somewhere within him he wondered if this is what Alaura knew would happen. If so…

Beginning to run back to their friends Yata looked over at the thoughtful expression on his girlfriend's face.

Just what did Moko tell you, Liz?

Alaura crashed to the floor as pain spread along her chest like wildfire, stealing her breath and leaving her gasping for breath. Halting to gather her bearings she splayed her hand on the door she had been standing in front of for the past ten minutes.

''Moko?" She whispered, almost childlike as a lone tear slid down her grime covered cheek. Brown eyes quaked as she closed them in resignation. Locking her jaw she shook her head and slammed her fist into the ground. "Damn it!''

A small part of her was pinging in sadness; a part that was big eyed and used to being tucked in at night by her parents.

''Ah, so a small part of you does care that your mother has passed? You could have fooled me, granddaughter. So cold in the battlefield is how you operate.''

Shocked she spun around and crawled back, seeing a man with long white hair dressed in the finest purple robes regarding her as if she were nothing but the mud crusted on his shoes.

''You-''She started but grimaced, gathering herself and hauling herself up. "Me? What about you? You look indifferent; as if you were just told it was going to rain instead of being clear skies.''

The towering man that she knew to be her blood cocked his head to the side and raised his hand in a manner as if to say, 'who could help it?'

"That was your daughter!'' She spat. It felt hypocritical to be spouting off those words, but to her it was obvious her mother had chosen him over her. He could show some sorrow for her death. The pain in her chest was only the echo of a young girl's memories.

''True-" The Sixth King tsked and smiled gently down at her. On him the smile appeared predatory, like a snake trying to pose as a harmless bunny. It made her skin crawl. "But she knew the price that was to be paid."

''That's enough!" She gritted, finding the strength coming back into the muscles of her legs.

She shifted to her right but he mirrored her movements, following her lead and smirking innocently in her direction.

"You've waited a long time for this.'' She stated as they began to circle on another. The bottom of his robes shuffled along the floor and was the only sound besides their breathing breaking the stillness of the hallway they occupied.

He smirked and stopped in his step, his long robes stopping behind him as purple danced along his fingertips. Her own flames tinged with purple began to dance up her arms in ribbons. It was odd, her heart was steady now. Her breathing was regular.

If there had been any other way to end this she would have snatched it up-but there wasn't. She understood exactly what had happened to her mother and grandfather...what could have happened to her.

''My dear,'' he tilted his head. "You have no idea.''

A/N: EEEEEEEE! It's really late where I am, so I apologize for any typos are mess ups in advance!

Review-eat amazing food-and have a great day/night! OH AND HAPPY LATE NEW YEARS!

-ScarlettWriter

PREVIEW FOR CHAPTER 20: Six feet

It surged through her like a wave threatening to take her under, promising many things and whispering all her hearts desires. She felt her child's heart breaking, but warm fingers gripped tightly and refused to let go.