A/N: Haha... we're up to 116 pages not including this chapter..... ^_^ I luv you guys...... you keep me going and now, i really like writing this fic... alrighty, on with the story!

Oh yeah, also, there will be a part involving two eleven year olds, and if you think that any of it sounds too mature for eleven year olds... well, I was eleven last year, so I think I can remember what I and my grade acted like. Flame me about it, I will point, laugh, and whack you with a frying pan!

Song is any random person singing about Kira! ^_^

Hold On
chapter 5

Hold On - Good Charlotte

This world...
This world is cold,
But you don't...
You don't have to go.

You're feeling sad,
You're feeling lonely,
And no one,
Seems to care.

Your mother's gone,
And you father hits you,
This pain you,
Cannot bear...

But we all bleed the same way as you do...
And we all have the same things to go through...

Hold on...
If you feel like letting go,
Hold on...
It gets better than you know.

Your days,
You say they're way too long,
And your nights,
You can't sleep at all... hold on...

And you're not sure what you're waiting for,
But you don't want to no more,
And you're not sure, what you're looking for,
But you don't want to no more.

But we all bleed the same way as you do...
And we all have the same things to go through...

Hold on...
If you feel like letting go,
Hold on...
It gets better than you know.

Don't stop looking,
You're one step closer,
Don't stop searching,
It's not over...

Hold on...

What are you looking for?
What are you waiting for?
Do you know what you're doing to me?
Go ahead... what are you waiting for?

Hold on...
If you feel like letting go,
Hold on...
It gets better than you know.

Don't stop looking,
You're one step closer,
Don't stop searching,
It's not over...

Hold on...
If you feel like letting go,
Hold on...
It gets better than you know.

Hold on...

~*~

Kira stood amongst the many other people, all there for the same reason. She was clothed in all black, standing beside her father. She knew he didn't care... he didn't know what she felt...

All she knew was that she felt numb. Tears trickled down her face in steady rivers, unwavering, but she couldn't feel them. She felt empty inside... nothing was there... she had nothing anymore...

Nothing except cold emptiness.

There would be no more summers together. There would be no more sun filled afternoons, no laughter, no smiles, no nothing...

She had nothing.

And suddenly, Hunter's face danced across her mind. She was surprised... why was she seeing him? And slowly, another memory came creeping back... a memory from only shortly before...

~*~

she heard a voice call her name as she entered the elven train station, and slowly turned her red eyes and tear-stained face to meet whoever it was. It was Bernard, Kae, Jacey, Perrin, and Amber. Kira waited as they caught up to her, and for awhile, they stood together, panting, before Amber suddenly flung herself forward and hugged Kira.

We'll always be here for you... she sobbed into Kira's shoulder. She was astonished... these people hadn't known her mother, meaning they were simply grieving for her....

You're family to us, and we'll do whatever we can to help, Bernard told her, smiling. She raised her eyes to him as Amber stepped back, and suddenly, she found an inner calm within his brown eyes.

Thank you so much, and she embraced him around the middle. Bernard smiled and hugged her back before kissing her softly on the forehead before they all turned and left. Amber looked back once, but then Kae pulled her close and they continued down the street.

a voice asked, and she realized the voice belonged to Hunter...

What do you want? she asked, and though she tried to say it with a sneer, her voice did nothing but shake and falter.

I-I came to say good-bye... and to wish you luck, he told her, his eyes on the ground, hands behind his back.

Thank you... Kira replied, not quite sure of what to say, but Hunter cut her off.

I'm sorry about your mother, Kira.

Me too... Kira choked, hanging her head as the tears began to run again.

I wanted to give this to you... she looked up at him, and to her utter shock, he was holding out a long-stemmed, red rose. Rather puzzled, she took it from him.

Kira didn't know what to say. Hunter smiled nervously before lowering his gaze.

Well... uh... good-bye, then, and with that, he left. Kira could only stare after him before her eyes swirled in her emotions and she collapsed onto the ground, tears streaming down her face and shoulders shaking in violent sobs. She didn't quite know why...

~*~

And through her cold numbness, a small thought forced happiness through her. It was small, but it was there... it was the knowledge that she had something. Kira truly did have something... something other than cold emptiness...

She had a family.

~*~

Hunter sat alone in his room. He didn't know what it was he had done... he didn't remember why he had... he just knew he had. He knew he had seen the red rose, and he had thought of Kira. He had remembered her from the day he had met her...

Hunter thought back to the day, when the sun was dancing and the small elves were playing, when he had first seen the youth. She was running through the snow, her golden hair dancing in the wind. A tiara of red roses had encircled her brow, giving her a heavenly look.

He had been struck by her. And as most young boys do, when he came face to face with her, he made a snide remark. Instead of crying, though, she began to laugh. Then, she took his hand and led him away, laughing. And together, they ran... ran through the snow, amidst the trees in the forest, smiling and carefree.

They had played together many times after that. They had spent much time together, until two years before. They had both been at the physical age and maturity of eleven year olds. They had been running through the forest when Kira suddenly stopped him and immediatly motioned to be quiet. Getting low to the ground, she crept forward, leading them both till they were behind a bush. As she gently pushed the leaves away, a wide smile spread on her beautiful face.

A doe and her baby were nudging through the snow, trying to get at the grass that was always alive in the North Pole. Hunter saw the wonder dancing in Kira's eyes, and suddenly found himself lost in their depths. Kira turned to him, breathless in excitement.

Aren't they beautiful? she gasped. Hunter smiled at her.

Not as beautiful as you, and he kissed her.

He remembered how only a short while after, Kira had come running to him. She hid behind him as a large man approached them, and Kira began crying into his back.

Who are you? Hunter demanded.

Her father, Cylus, the man replied, a wicked smile plastered on his face. I've come to collect Kira for a visit. He could feel Kira shaking against him, and his face stiffened in resolve.

Leave her alone, he growled in a threatening way.

Oh, brave, are we? Cylus sneered sarcastically before grabbing Hunter's collar and yanking him up to eye level. She is my daughter. She does what I want. I only had her after you so that when it came time, I could get to you. Hunter didn't understand. How could he? How would he have known that Cylus was a Dark Elf? He didn't even know what Dark Elves were. How did he know Cylus only wanted him because of who his father was. He only wanted Hunter so that when the Dark Elves finally regained power, if Perrin stood up to him, he could use Hunter to defeat the elf. She doesn't even like you, you foolish boy! You are nothing to her, and she never would have befriended you had I not told her to... because one day, when your father tries to kill me, Kira will bring you to me and I will have him offering his life to save your skin.

T-th-that's not true! Hunter stammered, not believing Kira would do such a thing.

Oh, but it is, Cylus smiled wickedly, setting Hunter back down on the ground. Gripping both his shoulder's, the large elf spun Hunter around and forced him to face Kira, whose eyes were wide in terror. Ask her if she lied to you! Ask her if she's a cheat! Ask her if you were ever even friends! She won't deny it... she knows what it is...

Hunter asked simply out of fear of Cylus.

Do you dare deny that you knew? Cylus sneered at his daughter, and she hung her head as tears began trickling down her face.

No... I knew... she sobbed softly, and Cylus released Hunter. He dropped into the snow, staring at Kira as the elf above him roared in cruel laughter.

Kira... how....? he shook his head, and for the first time in his entire life, tears began welling up in his eyes, blurring his vision.

Come on! Cylus strode forward and grabbed her arm, spinning her around. But by now, Hunter's tears had turned to that of anger, and his face twisted in rage.

HOW COULD YOU?! he screamed, jumping to his feet. Kira, her back to him, only hung her head as they walked away. HOW COULD YOU, KIRA?! KIRA?! And slowly, he fell to his knees, his sobs dying into whispers. You bitch... how could you...?

And that was the day the hate began.

~*~

Good morning, Warders, Aegis greeted them, though the usual cheeriness was not present.

the rest mumbled, none of them in very high spirits. Aegis sighed heavily.

I'm guessing that means you found out? they all nodded. Allright... well, just so you know, Kira will not be returning for awhile. Her mother meant more to her than anyone, and she will not recover easily.

Training that day was mild... no one was fighting very hard, but Aegis didn't scold them. Warders, though they may not realize it, always tend to bond. They were all greiving for Kira, and what was it her place to stop them?

In the end, though, she let them leave much earlier than she normally would've. Hunter, instead of joining the rest for lunch, walked off on his own. His mind was elsewhere, still dreaming of when their friendship had ended. He knew it was because of him... because he had been so stubborn...

~*~

HUNTER! HUNTER, WAIT UP! he heard Kira call to him, but Hunter kept walking. He pretended not to hear her... but even her voice had his skin crawling in anger.

Please, stop a minute... Kira had caught up to him and had put her hand on his arm, which resulted in him spinning around to face her with angry eyes.

WHY?! Why should I wait for you, Kira... oh, I know, because you listen to everything Daddy says? You're willing to hurt as many people as you want because you're too scared to say no? You're pathetic! He spat on the ground next to her. Kira's eyes narrowed in both anger and determination.

Hunter, I am NOT scared of him! And I wasn't trying to hurt you... in the beginning, it was like that, but I ended up liking you... Hunter cut her off.

You are a wench, Kira! You think you can just come up with some lie and suddenly everything's back to normal, then you can forget it- Kira finally snapped.

STOP IT! she screamed and she smacked him across the face, knocking him sideways. Just stop it... she sobbed softly as Hunter stared at the ground, his hand on his cheek in surprise, not really hurt, but rather startled. But soon, he stood up to his full height to continue, sneering at Kira.

What? Does it scare you? The truth hurts, doesn't it Kira? his smirk only grew as he saw the tears in her eyes. You're a coward, nothing but a pawn... a weakling manipulated by your father. A pathetic waste of air is what you are.

HUNTER, WILL YOU JUST LISTEN TO ME-

JUST GO, KIRA! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOUR SORRY FACE FOR AS LONG AS I LIVE! Kira grabbed his shoulders, holding him at arms length, her eyes desperate and pleading.

Hunter, just listen for a minute- now, it was Hunter's turn. He smacked her cheek, sending her flying into the snow, and he glared at her fallen form as she sobbed into the snow.

I'm done listening to you, Kira. You are a coward, and it's sickening. I'm done listening... forever, and with that, he turned and walked away.

And only now, two years later, did he realize how foolish he truly had been.

~*~

G'mornin' Jace! Kae greeted her friend as the red-head was invited inside. Together, they walked to the living room and both flopped down on the couch.

So, snew and diff in ur life? Kae asked almost automatically, patting Mika as she came bounding up.

New and different in my life... well, actually, one of the things is the reason I decided to call you... Jacey shifted uncomfortably.

Well... what's going on? Is something wrong? Kae's eyes suddenly widened. Has... your Dark Elf reawoken within you?

Jacey cried, but realization suddenly filled her face. Y-yes... I suppose... thought not very strongly. It tried to convince me to... to... she shuddered before continuing, As you remember, I was a bit of a... well...

Rebellious bitch? Kae offered with a smile.

Well, I was going to say stupid, young, inexpierenced elf but.... yeah, that's what a I mean... well, I guess that's why it's so easy to make the Dark Elf go away, Jacey smiled. 4039 doesn't bug me often.

I was only a Dark Elf for a little while, so 4041 will eventually leave me, but she tries to talk to me... imagine what this must be like for Bernard, they both shuddered.

Yes... but, 4039 wasn't the reason I came. But first, let me ask you something... she met her friend's gaze and took a deep breath. Have Bernard and Amber been acting a bit... strange lately?

Well... actually, now that I think about it, yes, Kae suddenly realized how many occasions in which they had acted strangely. She remembered the hushed whispers in the living room, always ceasing when she entered, or the strange understanding that seemed to pass between them when she said certain things at dinner. It's like they're-

Keeping some sort of secret, Jacey finished, and Kae nodded. Suddenly, she became angry.

You know, what the hell is he thinking?! He and I were Grey Elves together, destroyed the Dark One together, we're married, we have a daughter... and he's keeping secrets?! DAMN HIM! Jacey laughed lightly, but it quickly faded.

I know what you mean...

There will be no fucking secrets kept in my house... Kae was suddenly overcome by guilt. Well... between me and Bernard at least!

I know. We should ask them about it soon...

SOON?! HOW ABOUT NOW?! Kae grabbed Jacey's wrist, who barely had time to protest before Kae had them both in jackets, boots, and out the door.

~*~

Amber, Hunter, Bernard, Perrin, Kae, and Jacey, all cloaked in black, were sneaking through the kitchens... sure, getting food was allowed by all means, but Kira had taught Amber how fun it was to see if you could get in and out without being seen.

Alright, round this corner... as she jumped around the corner, she suddenly smashed right into someone.

For a moment, the elf just stared at her... then, suddenly, she screamed bloody murderer.

DARK ELF! she screamed, and the whole kitchen paniced. The six raced after the fleeing elves, shouting explanations, blaming eachother (most blaming Kae), when an alarm suddenly sounded. They all looked at each other before turning to run...

And ran straight into the security elves.

Alrighty, house detention, all of you! one of them shouted. This kind of foolishness is NOT allowed, ESPECIALLY this close to Christmas! He scribbled a note, then handed it to Bernard. Take this to room 325 immediately. NOW! he barked, and the six scuttled off.

Damn, he sounds like you! Perrin jeered, and Bernard took a swipe at his head.

~*~

WELL! GET TO WORK! barked an elderly elf, a total grouch and one everyone tried to avoid. He was always sucking up to Santa and way too arogant... everyone hated him, and had nicknamed him Grouchy, few knowing his real name.

And he had assigned them to clean all the reindeer's harnesses, which was an extremely hard task. You had to scrub your absolute hardest for about an hour to finish one... and with eight main reindeer (who's harnesses took the longest) and with eighteen in training, they were bound to be there for awhile...

~*~

Curtis was dreaming again... he was tossing and turning, sweat pouring down his face, whimpering. Had anyone known his dream, they wouldn't have blamed him.

He saw twelve figures, all cloaked in black, marching together. Red spark were dancing in all of their hands, all of them looking bent on destruction...

And they were headed right for the edge of the North Pole villages.

~*~

It had been about two hours. Everyone was ready to collapse, but Grouchy sat comfortably in his chair, watching them in amusement, pretending to read a book. All of them were startled when Aegis burst into the room, flinging open the doors.

BERNARD, PERRIN, AMBER, HUNTER, C'MON! she cried, motioning for them to follow while Grouchy jumped to his feet.

YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO TAKE THESE ELVES! THEY ARE ALL UNDER HOUSE DETENTION! he cried, and a smirk suddenly split is face, and he continued cooly. They may not leave until I give them permission, which I most certainly have not.

YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! Aegis cried, almost pleading. They need to come NOW!

And for what reason should I let them go? What could this dire emergency possibly be? he seemed very amused with himself.

THE END OF THE NORTH POLE AND THE DEATH OF THE ELVES, THAT'S WHAT! Aegis exploded before they all turned and left the room.

They're DEFINATELY hiding something... Kae and Jacey nodded to eachother.

WELL, YOU TWO AREN'T NEEDED! GET BACK TO WORK! Grouchy snapped. You have a lot more harnesses to clean now...

I'm gonna punch him any minute now... Kae growled, and Jacey nodded.

I'll hold him down.

~*~

Curtis shot straight up, breathing hard, his mug of cocoa spilling down the front of him, but he didn't care. Instead, he jumped off the couch and ran down the steps of the North Pole. Most of the elves topped their toy-making to stare wide-eyed at him, but he ignored their presing looks. He just kept running.

Finally, he saw what he was looking for... Bernard, closely followed by Perrin, Hunter, and Amber, was running towards the doors, determination in the very way he took his strides.

Curtis leapt to his side and grabbed his arm.

Curtis, I don't have time! Bernard snapped, turning to walk away, but Curtis hung on.

No, Bernard, you have to tell me what's going on NOW! he cried, and Bernard whirled around on him.



THE END OF THE NORTH POLE IF YOU DELAY US ANY LONGER! Aegis shouted at the top of her lungs.

Lady Laurrine... Curtis seemed in some sort of disbelief, but Aegis's cold glare bore into him.

I'm not joking... BACK TO YOUR WORK! and then, they all turned and fled, leaving Curtis to stand in the very middle, running his dream over and over in his head...

The dream of the Dark Elves at the end of the city... visions of the deaths of Bernard, Perrin, Amber, and Hunter...

~*~

This world...
This world is cold,
But you don't...
You don't have to go.

You're feeling sad,
You're feeling lonely,
And no one,
Seems to care.

Your mother's gone,
And you father hits you,
This pain you,
Cannot bear...

But we all bleed the same way as you do...
And we all have the same things to go through...

Hold on...
If you feel like letting go,
Hold on...
It gets better than you know.

Your days,
You say they're way too long,
And your nights,
You can't sleep at all... hold on...

And you're not sure what you're waiting for,
But you don't want to no more,
And you're not sure, what you're looking for,
But you don't want to no more.

But we all bleed the same way as you do...
And we all have the same things to go through...

Hold on...
If you feel like letting go,
Hold on...
It gets better than you know.

Don't stop looking,
You're one step closer,
Don't stop searching,
It's not over...

Hold on...

What are you looking for?
What are you waiting for?
Do you know what you're doing to me?
Go ahead... what are you waiting for?

Hold on...
If you feel like letting go,
Hold on...
It gets better than you know.

Don't stop looking,
You're one step closer,
Don't stop searching,
It's not over...

Hold on...
If you feel like letting go,
Hold on...
It gets better than you know.

Hold on...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: Well, there's the chap... so sorry it took so long... bit of writer's block... ^_^ Also, many thanks to my reviewers, especially Kathryn Brown, my newest reviewer ^_^ I am now going to thank everyone who's reviewed now... ^_^ (too many smileys!!!!)

Kathryn Brown: Thanks for all the reviews beb! You're reviews are really motivating and the reason I remembered to finish this chap is because I read one of yours... thank you SO much!

Morgana Pendragon: Reviews are usually short and sweet. I appreciate them... thanx! Oh... btw, it wouldn't let me review your newest chapters of your story when I read them, so I'm gonna go do that... now...

Simoriah: Girl of Summer: I'm glad you like the story, and your reviews are HYSTERICAL!!!!! Love to get your reviews and thanx for coming back!

Jesus-Freak/Tabbi: Thank you so much for all you reviews *gives you a big hug* You are always one of the first, if not the first, to review and it means a lot to me! And as if that wasn't enough, you go and get me a new fan! I can't thank you enough for the reviews and the fan, and I luv ya for it! THANK YOU!!!!!!!

Carrie: So glad you liked the first one, and sorry if the sequel is a bit of a dissapointment... ^_^ Still, you seem to be enjoying it, so I won't say anything more... glad to help you in math... wish I could do something to keep from falling asleep in math...

Vickietori: Heyo elf! The threats are actually very motivating... thank you SO much for all your reviews and your constant encouragement... AND UPDATE YOUR STORY!!!!!!!!!! ^_^

SilentThunder086: Sorry about the car accident... I really am, and don't worry, i won't hold it against you! ^_^ I hope to see you in a... well... a review soon... or you can always update your story... *smiles innocently*

Autumn Took: Where did you go?! *wails* I have lost Autumn...... *sniff* Oh well, thank you for the reviews when you were still reading this!!!!!

Gem the Warrior Elf: You stopped reviewing too... *breaks down sobbing* I'm losing reviewers... uh oh... where did I go wrong... I promise, there will be more angst!!!!!!!!! Thank you too for the reviews when you were still reading!!!

SpellGrrL: Lost you too, huh? Well, thanx for the 1 review!

Wiccanwitch: WHY CAN'T I KEEP PEOPLE COMING BACK?!?! *cries* Well, thank you for the 1 review as well...

THAT IS EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!! ^_^ Already, thank you all, and five of you better review, or I'm not putting the next chap up!!!!! ^_~

REVIEW!!!!!!REVIEW!!!!!!REVIEW!!!!!!REVIEW!!!!!!REVIEW!!!!!!