For the rest of the week, everything went smoothly Unknown User Unknown User 1 0 2001-09-03T18:42:00Z 2001-09-03T18:42:00Z 5 1498 8540 DellComputerCorporation 71 17 10487 9.3821

For the rest of the week, everything went smoothly. Karisa ahd a lot of catching up to do in school though. but with the help of the genius, Rowen, she did okay. Nothing big happened for the rest of the week in school, except when someone got their hands on the principal's toopee and hung it up on the flagpole. Karisa had a feeling that it was Alex, but when she asked him, he said he didn't. But a tiny smile formed on his lips when he answered. Finally, it was the weekend. Sage was off at the dojo, teaching, Rowen was at the library because of a project he needed to do, Cye was at a swim team meeting and Ryo had soccer practice. Kento and Karisa were stuck home.

"So, what do you want to do?" Kento asked, while Karisa was sipping a cup of coffee.

"I was thinking about going off by myself for a while. I need to take care of a few things," she answered.

"Like waht?" Kento asked. Karisa shook her head.

"Nothing you need to know right now. I'll tell you some other time," was all she said. She finished her soffee, placed the cup in the sink and went to her room.

"Midnight, we need to find those stones," Karisa said, searching her drawers for a pair of socks. Last weekend, the guys had taken her to shopping for clothes. Of course, they waited outside while she shopped. She had gotten another pair of jeans and a pair of cargo flares. She also got a few new shirts and new sneakers.

"Yes. You have some time now, with the guys gone," Midnight said.

"Except for Kento, but he's going to stay home," Karisa said. Now, she was looking for her sneakers. the two were completely unaware that someone was listening to them through the door. Kento listened hard to their conversation. His eyes were wide, hardly believeing what he was hearing.

"We must find all eleven of the stars, otherwise Maaya will get them all," Kento heard Midnight say. He couldn't believe that the cat was talking.

"Well, she can't use them anyway. Only the Queen of the Chika Clan can. And that's me," came Karisa's voice. "Ah-ha! That's where they went! Now, lets find my cloak and dagger, and we're all set!"

"You better bring the other three stars too. They will help you find the gems," Midnight said. Then, Kento heard footsteps coming towards the door. He quickly ducked into the other room, and just in time. Karisa opened the door and she and Midnight walked out. kento sat there, holding his breath. he heard them walk down the satirs. then, he quickly slipped into his room.

"Yo Kento, I'm going!" he heard her call.

"Alright!" he called back. He heard the back door open, and then slam behind the two. "Oh man, this is strange. I better follow her and see what's she up to," Kento mutterd. he grabbed a small silver orb and the symbol for justice flashed in it. He ran downstairs, grabbed his coat and left the house aswell.

                                                            *          *          *

"Okay, the star is telling me to go strait," Karisa said to Midnight, who was walking beside her. She left Ruby behind, thinking that she needed a break from wtaching over her.

"Then, go strait," was all Midnight sad. The two continued their journey, unaware that Kento was following them. he was being careful to match his footsteps with her's so that she wouldn't figure it out. They continued on, Karisa ever few minutes checking her star to see if they were going the right way. one time she had to turn away and back up a little. Kento had to duck behind a shrub so that she wouldn't see him. Minutes past, as Kento followed the two, not knowing what was going on, except that the cat cat could talk and that they were searching for something very important. Suddenly, Kento stepped onto a twig. It snapped. Karisa stopped and tutrned around. kento quickly hid behind a tree.

"Did you hear soemthing?" he heard Karisa ask.

"No. You must be paranoid Karisa. No one is following us," he heard the cat say.

"I don't know Midnight. It just fell likes someone is," Karisa said. Kento heard them walk on. He sighed and followed again. After another five minutes of walking, Karisa stopped. The Star was pointing at a shrine ruin in front of her. Kento quickley ducked behind a tree and watched her carefully.

"This is it," Karisa said. She began to pick her way through the rubble and started her search. Midnight joined her. Kento tried to get closer to see more, when he tripped on a rock and fell down. Karisa whirled around and saw him. Her eyes were wide with fear and surprise.

"Kento! What are you doing here?" she demanded. Kento pulled himself up, dussed himself off and looked at her, a goofy grin on his face.

"Hehe, well...I....uh...um..." he started.

"Why were you following me? I told you to stay back!" Karisa demanded. Kento looked down at his feet, not knowing what to say. Then, he looked back up.

"How can that cat talk?" Karisa stared, so did Midnight.

"How much did you hear?" she demanded.

"Karisa, what is going on here? I accidently overheard you talking with Midnight. What are these stones? What is this Chika Clan? Please tell me," Kento said. Karisa looked away.

"I didn't want to tell you guys. I was afraid that..." her voice faded away and she closed her eyes. "You see Kento, I'm not normal. I'm not even a mortal. The thing is, I'm...." kento was staring

"Leave her slone Kento," Midnight spoke now. kento stared at the cat.

"What the hell is going on?" he demanded, still staring at the two with surprise. Karisa sighed.

"Look Kento, I will exlain everything later. Right now I need to find something," Karisa explained. "Im looking for something like this," she said, showing him the Star of Taurus. "Except a different color. Please help me." Then, without another word, she returned to her search. Still bewildered, Kento helped her in her search. The three searched all over for ten minutes. Then, Kento called out, "I think I found it!" karisa and Midnight hurried over. Kento pointed at a pale yellow gem embedded into a stone. Karisa's eyes widened.

"Yes! This is it!" Which one is it Midnight?" she asked, hurridly.

"It's the Star of Gemini. It's gift is deception. With this stone, you can create illusions and trick anyone. Yes, this is very good! Pull it out!" Midnight ushered. Karisa knelt down and tried to pull the gem out. But it wouldn't budge.

"Here, let me try," Kento said. Karisa moved over and let him try. He tugged and pulled at the stone ofr a good five minutes. "Okay, let's do it the easy way. Watch out Kar," Kento said, standing up. He picked up the large stone, to Karisa's and Midnight's amazement and threw it at a large tree. The stone shattered and the gem fell to the ground. Midnight rushed over to grab it, but someone beat her to it. A woman with long, lavender hair reached before her. She had deep, black eyes too. She wore a long, silk dress that was dark blue, edged with gold trimming. She also wore a midnight-blue cloak with gold along the hood. She was grinning evily.

"Maaya!" Midnight cried out. Karisa immediately drew her dagger and rushed to the stone. But Maaya was too quick. She swooped down and grabbed the stone.

"I don't think so!" Karisa yelled. She fixed her eyes onto the stone and summoned all her strength to bring it to her. Maaya felt the gem pull away from her hand and sneered.

"You think that little trick will work on me?" she sneered. She used her other hand and sent a stream of light at karisa, knocking her down. Suddenly, there was a screech, and Ruby came swooping down on her. "Eclipse! Come out!" Maaya called to her Loken. Next thing, a large leaopard appeared and jumped at Ruby.

"No!" Karisa cried, pulling herself up. But Ruby flew high up, the leopard's teeth grazing her feathers. "Kento, get out of here! It's too dangerous!" Karisa shouted. Kento was staring.

"What the hell is going on?" he demanded. Karisa glared at him.

"Get out of here!" she practically screamed. Then, she returned her gaze onto Maaya. Her eyes were ablaze. Maaya smirked.

"Oh, what's the little witch going to do to me?" Maaya taunted. "You're mother wasn't even able to lock me away. It took every single witch on this damn planet to seal me away. That's how strong I am. I'd like to see you take this stone from my hand little girl." Karisa glared and focused her energy.

"Slither and hither is what they do. Watch them slowly,.there's nothing you can do. You cannot run, you cannot hide. For they know that it's your time," Karisa chanted. She continued to chant, but Maaya laughed.

"Silly little girl, what do you hope to accomplish?" But Karisa said nothing. She continued to chant. Then, suddenly, out of nowhere, snakes appeared. They curled themselves around Maaya's leg, crawling up and hissing darkly. One curled itself arround her neck, sqeezing it hard. Karisa grinned as she continued her chant.

"Their fangs glisten, in the sun. But their venom is not fun," Karisa ordered her command. Each snake opened their mouth's wide and struck. Maaya cried out in pain, while Karisa smiled. But then suddenly, Maaya began to laugh. Karisa stopped her chanting.

"You must be joking. You think that that little spell will kill me? Think again Karisa, think again. Though I am not your master, listen to my words and kill your master. Crawl up her legs, hiss and hither, use your venom and let her wither," maaya chanted. The snakes crawled down Maaya, leaving snake bites on her neck,but they quickley vanished. Karisa began to back away, her face filled with surprise and horror as the deadly creatures slithered towards her. Kento started to move to help her, but Maaya raised her hand. "I wouldn't do that if I were you mortal. They will attack at my command. One step closer, and she's done for." Kento's clenched his fists and glared at Maaya with pure hatred. At this point, the snakes were crawling up Karisa's arms and legs. One was curling itself around her neck, hissing at her, while she stared in horror. As Kento, Maaya and Karisa were having their battle, Eclipse and Ruby were fighting their own. Ruby flew high up in the air, whistling and screeching at the jaguar below her. The feline made several attemps to catch Ruby, but had no luck. Ruby kept on diving down and pecking Eclipse, having the imediate advantage.

Kento stood there thinking. What can I do? If I try to help Karisa, Maaya will kill her with the snakes, but if I don't do something, she'll die. Damnit!