A/N: I'm back with a new chapter, and I added chapter titles! Yay!

They left the bike behind as they entered the city, propping it against a brick wall. Hopefully, no one would steal it, in case they had to make a quick escape.

I wonder where we're going, Aura thought. She held back from asking Morro, not wanting to provoke him.

Bansha's going to be near Fifth Street, Morro told her anyway. It's closer to an alley, really. Around the outskirts of the city, a couple blocks west.

"Okay," Aura replied aloud, not sure what he wanted her to say.

They continued onwards, the rain making Aura's hoodie cling to her skin. While the damp feeling was unpleasant, the cool drops of water eased some of her anxiety.

The rain is calming. It makes the city look like a painting. She watched the people around her as they kept walking, engrossed in the hustle and bustle of life and undeterred by the increasingly heavy rainfall.

She took in the sound of her own footfalls splashing through puddles, the feeling of the wind rushing through her hair. Aura slipped into a meditative state, wrapped in the embrace of the city.

It's been so long since I've felt the rain without being afraid, Morro's voice broke through her reverie.

"What?" Aura's voice wavered, and she unconsciously retreated into herself.

Sorry, Morro said. I didn't mean to startle you. She felt a small push against her arm. May I?

She fell into the past before she could respond.

It was the third time Morro had possessed her, and it was raining when they arrived at the mainland. He almost seemed nervous about that fact, his grip on her consciousness tighter than usual.

Aura's muscles and bones ached as her limbs were manipulated against her will, and they marched forward into the rain.

She had learned her lesson about asking questions and fighting back, although she was still trying to come up with an escape plan. However, her curiosity got the better of her once more.

Why are you scared of the rain? A pulse of anger, racing through her mind.

I'm not scared of anything, Morro retorted. Besides, I have you, don't I? Aura was even more confused now. Could water hurt him somehow?

Can water hurt you? She asked against her better judgement. Morro didn't bother with a warning, and she was pulled into an alley, her left arm wrenched harshly against the wall. Her breath came in heavy gasps.

I'm not in the mood for questions, the ghost told her with a cold edge in his voice. I'm not going to put up with you. She should have given up, but she couldn't.

I need answers, Aura hid her thoughts in the corner of her mind she could still control. If I can use water as a weapon, this could be my only chance to escape. Think, what can I do? It came to her. If he can read my mind, hear my thoughts, then… maybe the connection can go both ways!

Aura inhaled and pressed, searching the expanses of her mind for anything that didn't belong. Where are you? Where's the source of your control? In a split second, she found it, a dark coil of thoughts lurking between her own. She dove inside, breaking and weaving through threads until-

'Water is deadly to spirits. A small dose can burn, and a larger one can destroy.'

Yes! Aura thought triumphantly. I found it! She was abruptly pushed away from the wall and slammed into it, her head and shoulders hitting red brick. Aura cried out, the pain overwhelming her.

I warned you once. Morro's voice wasn't restrained anymore. His fury shone through clearly.

Again, she was pushed forward, slammed back. Aura tried to turn away, only redirecting the hit to her left shoulder, worsening the ache in her arm. She lurched out of the alley, clutching her side.

Aura wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn't come, pulled back into her eyes by a mind that wasn't hers. She tasted blood in her mouth. I must have bit my tongue. Or the hit knocked something loose.

Her vision blurred and then cleared, as if Morro was forcing her eyes to focus.

"I don't know what idiotic plan you're trying to come up with, but it won't work," Morro muttered to her as they kept walking down the streets. Aura had long given up trying to regain control of her words. "You'll never be free of me. I'm only doing you the mercy of holding you together because I need you, and I'm not above hurting you. I couldn't care less if you collapse as soon as we're back on the island."

The rain, previously hopeful, now felt sour in the air.

Aura did, indeed, collapse as soon as she was back in her cell on the island, sprawled painfully across the stone floor. It only took her a few minutes to lose consciousness.

Some mercy.

She realized all at once where she was, and that she had been standing still in the middle of the street for the past few seconds. Aura started to apologize and immediately scrambled to keep walking, expecting Morro's ire.

Don't apologize to me, he said beseechingly instead. Please.

"We're here," Aura replied, her heart beating loudly in her throat. "Fifth Street." Somehow, they had managed to reach the rendezvous point without getting lost.

Right, Morro thought. She should be here soon, then. Or at least someone under her control.

She trembled in her wet clothes, anticipating a fight. During the entirety of her time on the island, Morro was the only ghost she had come into contact with, although she had heard him talking to others on occasion. I don't know anything about Bansha, but she definitely seems to be a threat.

The backstreet was empty, as were the streets surrounding it, the steadily pouring rain the only source of noise around them. Aura slowly entered the alley, creeping alongside the wall and checking for any other signs of life. Do ghosts count as life?

A twig snapped behind her and she turned, meeting the eyes of a young boy. He couldn't have been more than ten or eleven, and she was abruptly reminded of her little sister. His clothes were dirty and his hair disheveled.

An orphan, Morro told her sadly. The ghost was still talking to her softly, with none of his previous annoyance or anger. Suddenly, the boy's eyes flashed green, an unearthly halo wavering in the air around him.

Bansha, Morro growled. Aura retreated on instinct, backing herself into a corner. He took over before she could think, quickly darting past the boy towards the gray light of the street. Sorry, he said to her. But we should probably have an exit on hand.

"Morro," the boy said. "Nice to see you again." He sounded like steel and fire.

"Bansha," Morro retorted through Aura, equally cold. Mind if I do the talking? He asked as if he couldn't force her to do whatever he wanted.

Of course. Aura replied slowly. She hid her next thought. This is incredibly odd.

"So," the boy leaned against the wall casually, but Aura could see the fear on his face beneath the possession. "What have you been up to? Still 'acclimating to the environment?'"

"Nothing much," Morro said. "I see you found a new host."

"Ha! Host," Bansha laughed. "I see you found one as well. Picked her off the street, eh? You can probably tell that I did." Morro cursed, angry once again.

What's happening? Aura asked uneasily.

She's not actually here, I'm guessing, he told her. Bansha's hiding somewhere else, and using this boy as her puppet.

She can possess him without actually being here? Aura was shocked.

Yes, Morro admitted grudgingly. She's the only one I know who can do it. It's said that she was a powerful sorceress when she was alive.

"Well," the boy stepped directly in front of them. "What have you learned? What information have you gathered to help our effort?"

Here it goes, Aura thought. Time to know if he's lying about working with the ninja or not. She shuddered at the idea of what could happen to her if he was trying to double-cross Lloyd.

"Nothing," Morro said. "And even if I had something, I wouldn't tell you. We're done, Bansha. We were done a long time ago, but I guess I have to tell you again. I'm not working with you anymore."

Wow, Aura marveled, her trepidation briefly dissipating. He actually told her. Maybe I'll get back to the monastery after all. Bansha's eyes narrowed, gleaming dangerously.

"Come on, Morro," she crooned, a layer of velvet covering the boy's shaking voice. "You know you belong with me. Alongside me. Unless," the orphan edged closer to them. "You're allied with someone else? You couldn't possibly be helping those ninja, could you? You told me weeks ago yourself, you would never."

"I'm not working with anyone," Morro spoke through gritted teeth. Aura winced. "I'm only looking out for myself." And for you, he added.

Me? She was completely confused, forgetting to be scared of him. Why in the world would you look out for me? He didn't answer, and she looked back up to see the boy clutching a scroll in his hand - one she hadn't noticed before.

We need that, she and Morro decided in unison. He stepped back into a fighting stance, Aura giving up control voluntarily. He's undoubtedly a better fighter, she realized. I want to avoid being hurt as much as possible, even if I can't direct my own movements. Bansha scoffed.

"You'd really fight me?" she asked amusedly. "For this?" The boy waved the scroll around. "You'd risk hurting this defenseless vessel?"

Don't hurt him, Aura had to say. That boy didn't do anything.

I know, Morro answered. Don't worry, I won't.

Bansha lunged first, pulling a hidden knife from somewhere and aiming straight for the heart. Aura evaded to the side, hitting the brick wall. Morro didn't reach for the blade in Aura's belt, trying to get to the scroll instead.

He summoned a gust of wind to blow it out of the boy's grasp, Aura flinching as power rippled through her. That still feels strange.

The blast was powerful and accurate, and the scroll flew away from them. Morro quickly rushed forwards, pocketing it before grabbing the boy's shoulders and pushing him against the wall, Aura's arm pressed against his neck.

"Face it, Bansha," Morro snarled. "You can't fight me, not like this. You've lost."

"Have I?" The boy looked up at them with a crooked smile. "I don't think so. You have the scroll, but… was it worth it?" The poor possessed figure began to convulse, Morro letting go of him abruptly. The green light intensified around the boy as he fell to the ground, clawing at his throat.

"No!" Aura cried out, seizing control over her voice again. She knelt down beside him. "What's happening to him?"

She's trying to kill him. From the sound of it, Morro was panicking too. She's known for hurting her hosts, but I don't know if she's killed any before. She could feel him take over again, looking into the boy's eyes.

"Bansha," he said clearly. "Let him go now, or I will never talk to you again, I mean it. Let him go!" The green light fizzled out, the boy lying unconscious on the ground. Aura gently lifted his wrist.

"He still has a pulse," she whispered. "We need to get help." She ran from the alley in a daze, Morro silent in her head, until they found an old-fashioned phone booth nearby. The number for the police was helpfully pasted onto the glass.

"I need help," Aura said into the phone as soon as it connected. "There's an emergency, a boy is hurt on Fifth Street. He has a pulse, he's been possessed." Her words were shaky and wavering, and she realized how unbelievable her story sounded. Thankfully, the officer on the other end of the line didn't react, telling her that help was on the way.

She set the phone down with a thud, blankly walking back onto the street, where the rain had hardly diminished. Drops hit the pavement around her as she tried to find where they had left their bike.

You did everything you could, Morro murmured into her ear. We should go back now, before she tries to look for us.

"Okay," she responded out loud, swimming in information. I have a mysterious scroll in my pocket. Morro is really keeping his word instead of trying to get rid of me. I just saw someone get possessed and nearly killed. I have a ghost inside my head. Again.

In the end, she didn't say anything, electing to climb onto the bike and head back towards the monastery.

Halfway down the road, she remembered what he had been trying to say earlier.

You wanted to feel the rain, didn't you?

It's fine, he said.

No, it's okay. Aura paused and held her hand up to the sky, water sliding off her skin. Morro really had changed, hadn't he? Not that she still wasn't terrified of him, but between the way he acted around the boy and towards her so far, she was beginning to think he wasn't currently out for blood.

Not her blood, anyway.

Why did Bansha listen to you? You told her to leave, and she did.

To be honest, Morro started. I think she's in love with me. Aura scoffed, then immediately wished she could take it back. The ghost only responded with a laugh. I know, right?

What am I doing? Aura asked herself glumly for the hundredth time. What is happening? A few days ago, he couldn't care less whether I was in pain or not, alive or dead, and now he's 'looking out for me?'

Then again, she realized with a pang. It's only been a few days for me. For him, it's been three years. The last two words felt heavy. That's a really long time. Maybe I should give him a chance. But does he deserve one?

They had arrived at the base of the mountain, the monastery visible above them in the distance.

Well, Morro whispered. They won't know we're here, so they wouldn't know to open any secret entrances. Should we scale the cliffs or take the stairs?

Aura thought of the time she had tried rock climbing, exhausting herself after a few minutes. Stairs? She suggested timidly.

Stairs it is.

The first few minutes passed in silence, the only noise being the sound of Aura's increasingly ragged breathing. However, they were making good time, and the mountain's peak seemed closer every second. Morro muttered encouragements every ten steps or so, but Aura was still too wary of him to respond.

As they reached the summit, the rain finally ceased, and she realized how cold, damp, and bruised she was. The altercation in the alley had left her with a few scrapes on her hand and shoulder, though the details of the fight were mostly a blur in her mind.

Without warning, Morro separated from her, appearing by her side. Aura gasped as her legs gave out, and she was falling, the steps racing up to meet her.

He caught her before she could fall, holding her steady even as she flinched away from him.

"Easy."

She tried to pull away, but swayed unsteadily on her feet for a few seconds before grabbing hold of his arm again. It's solid. Almost human. I wonder how that works. They knocked on the door, waiting for a few moments before it began to creak open.

Aura was faced with Lloyd, who seemed relieved to see her, and then concerned at the state of her.

"You're back! Are you okay?" He reached out, supporting her shoulder, and Morro immediately backed away, phasing through the wall without a word.

"I'm fine." Aura was still disoriented, both because of the fight and Morro's sudden absence. It feels weird to have my mind back to myself again.

Lloyd ushered her inside, and she pulled off her wet hoodie, sighing with relief. Her shirt underneath was still a bit damp, but it felt nice to have the heavy fabric no longer clinging to her skin. She glanced around for Morro, but he was still nowhere to be seen.

"Where'd Morro go?" Lloyd frowned, following the same train of thought.

"I don't know," Aura said softly, rubbing her head.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Hey, you're back! What happened?" Nya ran into the room, followed by Jay and Cole. Aura assumed Zane and Kai were trying to find Morro or discussing something with Pixal. She hadn't met the other android yet, and was wondering if she was busy on her own quest.

She gently edged the scroll out from her hoodie's pocket, thankful that the fragile paper was still intact.

"We managed to get this," she offered the scroll to Nya. "From Bansha."

"So you really found her?" Jay was shocked.

"Well, the body she was possessing, anyway. She wasn't there herself."

"Right, she can control people from a distance," Cole said to himself. "That might be a problem." He looked back up at Aura. "You're fine, though? Morro really didn't hurt you?"

Four pairs of eyes waited for her answer.

"He didn't," Aura confirmed hesitantly. "He didn't even yell at me. He was… nice to me." Lloyd and Nya shared a glance, Jay offering her a blanket. She took it gratefully, wrapping herself in warmth while Lloyd unfurled the scroll.

"Find Zane and Kai," he ordered after scanning the paper briefly, confirming her suspicions that Pixal must be elsewhere. "And someone find Morro, too. Solving this is going to take some work."

A/N: Thanks for reading! Comments are welcome and appreciated :)