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KA: *Victory sign* Nyahaha!

RJ: ... She takes over for this part of the chapter...seeing as I can't think of a STINKING IDEA!

KA: And I brought Cesia...We thought that you might think that we killed her with out telling you.

RJ: Not a bad idea though..

KA: NO.

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Raseleane wiped away a small tear as she prepared some refreshments in Draqueen's spacious kitchen. "Poor Thatz...." she said quietly as she began to put the food onto trays.

"I know....here....let me get those," Cesia said as she looked over at her and reached for the treys. Raseleane nodded and allowed the trays to be taken; then sighed and began to fix more as Cesia carried them out. The oppressing depression that permeated the halls of Draqueen as a result of Karasu Byouki was weighing heavily on her. Her thoughts drifted off to those it had claimed as she continued to work. While dwelling on these bittersweet thoughts she thought she saw a flash of black. She turned and saw before her....................

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KA: Nyanya! Not telling just yet! ^. ~

RJ: Oooohhhhhhh! Cliffhanger! o_0

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After placing the trays on a refreshment table Cesia looked around; trying to find Rath. Instead of finding Rath, however, she found Lykouleon and someone she had never seen before. A someone with fox ears and nine furry fox tails... As she walked in their direction Ruwalk ran over to Lykouleon.

"Lykouleon! ...We can't find Rath.. again........" he whispered on Lykouleon's ear rather breathlessly. Lykouleon simply smiled and said, "I'm sure he'll show up when he's ready," He then turned his face to the front and saw where Kitchel lay. The gentle smile was gone, and now his face was full of a great grief.

"As Dragon King I should be able to prevent tragedies like this." he said quietly as he felt the sharp cold pang of guilt. Just as Ruwalk was about to console his childhood friend a loud clatter was heard from the kitchen as a trey fell and plates shattered. Lykouleon and Kune sprang up at the same instant and Ruwalk straightened in surprise.

"Sir Lykouleon! Raseleane is in there!" Cesia said urgently. Within a split second Lykouleon was running in the direction of the sound; closely followed by Kune, Ruwalk, and Cesia. The kitchen was in utter chaos. Plates, glasses, and more lay on the ground in shatters. However, Lykouleon saw none of this..all that filled his vision was Raseleane.

She lay on the tiled floor; her eyes wide yet unseeing, those eyes that Lykouleon loved. Lykouleon rushed forward and gathered her thin, limp frame close as several bitter tears rolled down his agony-creased face.

"This is a sad day indeed." Kune said to himself. He then winced, remembering it was he who had created the monster that was Karasu Byouki. Kune turned, hung his head, and silently left the room.

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RJ: I'M BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!

KA: Save yourselves!

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Lykouleon didn't want to bury Raseleane just yet. He knew she was gone, but he denied it as well. Cesia was beating herself up that it should have been herself instead of Raseleane. Thatz knew of the access sorrow, but he was still alone in his room, not wanting anyone. Kune could no longer hold either form, that of a nine-tailed-fox or of a half-human.

He was sitting alone on the grounds, weak from holding transformations, and weak from hiding his injuries. Hundreds of nicks and scratches soaked through almost semi-transparent fur the colors of dying flames. They covered glowing ash-colored wings. One cut all the way around his throat, and it was bleeding badly.

Rune was now strong enough to stand, and move freely around the castle as long as Alfeegi didn't show up. He saw something glowing from a window he walked past. He walked outside (thank heaven he was on ground level) and followed the light. He saw Kune with all described in the above paragraph.

"Kune!" Rune said, walking over to him. (Running was NOT an option)

"Rune?" Kune asked, startled, turning un-seeing, blind eyes on him.

"Are you alright?" Rune surveyed the scratches that were still bleeding, and tried in vain to heal them.

"These are the sins that I've commited." Kune said, his blind eyes weighed with sorrow. "This one across my neck.....It is the sin of Karasu Byouki. It still bleeds because it still lives."

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RJ: Dang, that was a short chapter... BUT I KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT!

KA: I'm free! ...What?

RJ: THE FINALE!

KA: :P Cheater.