Hi, minna-san. I hope we didn't update too slowly. Let's start off by thanking the following people who had reviewed:

*Lady of Genesis: I'm so happy you love this story. I'm so sorry for the long wait, and I tried to do this as fast as I can. I had a few other ficcies to finish, so I didn't get this out as fast as I can. Thanks for all the support.

*Fuu Houoji: I'd like to thank you for the suggestion, and for reviewing as well. I hope you like this chapter this focuses on the new travelling companions.

*Maggie H: Thanks for your suggestion, and I would like to think how people would react when they see Caldina. Thanks a lot for being a faithful reviewer. There are a few Umi/Ascot hints ^^;; I leave up to the manga~!!

Kari: Hi, minna-san this past few days I've been in an extreme sugar-high and I'm in charge of this ficcie, so expect some humor, and a little bit bashing . . . preferably Ferio-chan~!! ^^;;

Ferio: That's so mean ;___;

Okay minna here's the chapter everyone has been looking forward to.

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Things Are Not As They Seem

Chapter Five

Remembering

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(Dream Sequence)

"So you say I'm a priestess in a different planet, and my whole family actually originated in this so-called place, Cephiro?"

*^*^ That would be right ^*^*

"And you said that my parents took me to Earth so that I can be protected . . . but from whom?"

*^*^ From the darkness ^*^*

Fuu sighed. For the few minutes she had been talking with Windam, she had learned some things. One, she was actually born in this strange planet called Cephiro, Two, Windam wasn't someone easy to talk to. All his answers were either in riddles or too vague.

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"But what are they doing here?!"

Ascot sweat dropped.

Ferio had pulled him to a corner where they can't be heard.

"It was your mother's idea, and Queen Emeraude's."

"What did the master mage say?"

"Actually Ferio Master Mage Clef was the one who proposed the idea."

Ascot noted the feeling of doom Ferio was feeling, and sighed.

"Ferio, what's the matter? You've been with this people, since . . . forever, they're, practically family. Tell me what's wrong."

Ferio sighed in defeat.

"It's just that, I-I-"

'Should I tell him the truth or not?'

"I-I . . . I just don't like to have too many people around me."

Ascot raised a brow. He was certain that Ferio was lying, but he decided not to inquire further.

"O-okay. Juts tell me if there's something wrong."

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(Dream Sequence)

*^*^ It is time to let you remember ^*^*

"R-remember? Remember what?"

Fuu gazed into the majestic aerial creature in front of her.

*^*^ It is tome for you to remember your past. Who you really are, and what you will be. You are the key. ^*^*

"The key? Key to what?"

Everything the mashin had told her was beyond her understanding.

*^*^ You will soon know. But as for today you might as well remember. Approach me *^*^

Reluctantly, she approached the emerald phoenix, and gazed at him.

*^*^ You must remember. For Cephiro's sake, for the Earth's Sake, and for Time's Sake . . . Close your eyes. *^*^

"Where am I?"

*^*^ Remember this place? This is where you lived seven years ago. ^*^*

"Seven years ago?"

*^*^ Yes. Let me show you this. *^*^

After Windam uttered the very last word, a Fuu saw a vision that seemed all too real and familiar to her.

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Ferio pouted as Lafarga patted him like he was some sort of little boy.

Sighing exasperatedly, Ferio took another look at his 'new' companions. This is why he hated it. They were TOO noisy. Especially Caldina.

He really didn't want to say it to Ascot since he might get defensive, and start raving about Umi.

He surveyed the room they were currently staying in, which by now have looked like a war zone ^^;;

'I can't even stand Umi~?!"

"FFEERRIIIOO~!!!"

SD Ferio sweat dropped his eyes tiny little black beads (probably know what I mean ^^) standing behind him was Ascot. Not just any Ascot, an angry, SD, murderous Ascot.

"HOW DARE YOU SPEAK OF SUCH THINGS ABOUT UMI-SAN~?!"

SD Ferio looked at Ascot, who was still murderously SD.

Ferio pouted cutely, "Come one Ascot you've been so defensive about Umi lately, the last thing you know you'd be calling her 'Umi-sama' and you'd be serving her hand and foot~!!! What are you~?! In love or something~?!"

Ferio blinked. One minute everything was in total chaos, the next everyone had stopped chatting and was looking at Ferio, who by the way was still SD and completely oblivious.

"Hey, Ascot~!!" Ascot had become awfully quiet and his long brown bangs had now covered his eyes. Ascot was now muttering something under his breath which sounded like, 'Kill Ferio'^^;;

Caldina was the one who broke the silence, "Aww that's so SWEET~!! Ascot- chan likes Umi-chan~!!!"

Umi turned a bright red color that could've rivaled Hikaru's fiery locks. "Good, job Ferio-chan~!! I though I was the only one who noticed~!!" Ferio sweat dropped, was it him or did Caldina called everyone with a '-chan'

He sighed, his new companions were too eccentric for his taste ^^;;

"I did~!!" Piped Nova and Presea in unison, in which Lafarga arched an eyebrow when they both giggled, in which Hikaru was obliged to join.

That was when it struck Ferio. "Hey, where's Clef?" Ferio blinked, the mage had just suddenly disappeared.

"Ooh, I think he bought some of those things that Hikaru-chan was eating," piped Nova.

Ferio sweat dropped was it him or was Nova getting a little bit bubbly, maybe it was just the influence of Hikaru.

"You mean pocky? I never thought Clef likes sweets?"

Presea giggled, "I didn't either." That was when there was another giggle from the girls.

Sighing, Ferio contemplated why he must put up with such hyperactive, annoy-

'Oops, almost said something that could affect Ascot ^^;;'

"I heard that Ferio." Standing behind him was the same SD murderous Ascot he had encountered earlier.

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To be continued. . .

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Kari: Hope you liked that chapter minna, I did everything to update it as soon as I can. Hope I didn't update it too slowly, please send in your comments, suggestions, and feedbacks of sorts. I accept flames, and thanks to those who supported this story. I appreciate it, 'til the next chapter~!!