I have much thanks to those who reviewed with nice comments. I want to finish this thing, but I drag things out a lot. I don't expect move the pace along much in the story, or have thrilling chapters or anything. I write dully, people, and you can't hope for much else! Anyways, this is the (yes, yes, finally) 10th chapter, which is amusing, because I didn't think to get very far when I started. Cool. And yeah, sorry Riva van dyk, I don't suppose I leave nice endings to most chapters! I get random ideas along the way, so a completely peaceful conclusion doesn't happen often. All right I'm done…on with chapter 10, then. Thanks again to all!

Haruka blinked. "Whoa…" she muttered to herself. "What just happened?" She stood up and looked around. Tall, green trees surrounded her. A cool breeze swept past and several leaves skittered by. She rubbed her head and remembered her wound. In her other hand, she held several bandages. Everything came back in an instant. Kuyou, his powers, the plan, and Michiru. "Michiru!" Haruka yelled in panic. She hurriedly looked around, but no one was there. She remembered tightly holding on to Michiru, but where was she now? Just as the thought passed her mind, Haruka heard a rustle behind her. She whipped around, and saw a figure moving out of the trees. "Michiru!" Haruka cried again when she saw the turquoise hair flowing around. "Are you all right? Where did you go?"

Michiru grinned. "Yeah, I'm okay. But when I opened my eyes a few minutes ago, I wasn't anywhere near you. So I decided to walk around for a bit, and then heard your voice."

Haruka grinned back. Everything was going well in their situation. Michiru and her were both safe and unhurt enough. But they had to stick to the plan. "All right, then. Now we should get going. Do you have any idea where we could find Rena?" Haruka asked.

"Well, no…not really. But I suppose we just keep walking. I hope we don't have some sort of time limit," Michiru replied uncertainly. Haruka agreed. The only thing they could do was to keep walking. And hopefully, they might come across Rena sometime. "Well," Haruka said, "let's go."

Michiru walked side by side with Haruka. She felt terribly relieved after everything that had happened. There wasn't much doubt in her mind anymore. She knew that there really weren't many solutions to their problem. Haruka was determined to have both of them go, and it seemed like Kai and Rena had plans for both of them leaving anyway. So she tried to push the warnings that Kuyou had given and followed with whatever came along. It was really nice to be out of the castle, away from the gloomy and lonely atmosphere that seemed to fill every hall. Of course, the forest seemed like an escape, but Michiru knew she was hardly free of Kuyou and his power. She was thinking so hard that when Haruka stopped in her steps, she kept walking until she nearly crashed into a tree. "What's wrong?" Michiru fell back with Haruka. "Why are we stopping?"

Haruka put a finger to her lips. She looked around slowly, and then whispered to Michiru, "Someone's coming." She pulled Michiru behind a large boulder and crouched down. Soon, Michiru heard quick footsteps passing by. But they did not continue down the path. The person, whoever it was, had stopped a distance from the boulder. Michiru looked in panic at Haruka, who was straining to hear any noise from the person. Soon, they both heard the footsteps start again, but this time, they were slower, and seemed to be coming steadily closer to the hiding spot. Closer…closer…until finally, the person stopped again, and it sounded like he or she was practically in front of them. Michiru reached out and grabbed Haruka's hand and prayed that the stranger would not see them. Suddenly, there was a whizzing sound, and an arrow flew past them. Michiru realized it did not seem like it was meant to hit them, for it landed quite a few feet from their spot. She stared at it fearfully, realizing that they were already surely found, but she looked up and saw Haruka grinning with relief. "What is it?" Michiru whispered. She could not understand what was so good about their position, and it almost annoyed her to see that Haruka seemed to be perfectly calm and happy. "You know," Haruka replied with a normal voice, "I don't think we're anywhere near the enemy. I should say we've found a rather quick piece of luck." She stood up and pulled Michiru with her. At once, Michiru saw the reason for Haruka's cheerfulness. Standing in front of them was a smiling woman, probably about twenty-five years old. She was in a very simple navy blue dress that trailed almost to the floor. There was an odd sereneness about her. Anyone could say that she seemed to have no trace of an angry side. "Hello, Michiru," the woman said. "My name is Rena."

Michiru smiled nervously back but felt a lot safer. So this was Rena, Kuyou's niece, and the person who was supposed to help them escape and destroy Kuyou. "Hello," Michiru said quietly.

Haruka stepped forward. "It's really good that we've met so quickly. Kai had sent us here to search for you, but obviously not much looking was required. So are you in trouble? You seem to be all right."

Rena looked at Haruka. "Yes, yes, I'm fine, but like Kai has told you, Kuyou has sent out guards to catch me, for I am not supposed to be out here helping you, of course." She laughed softly. "So yes, I am in danger, but the soldiers are slow, and I do have time to form a plan for you." She turned away quickly, looking as though she had to regain her composure, and then turned back around with the same pleasant air. "You two are okay, I imagine? Oh-," she cut off short when her eyes passed over Haruka's head. "What happened? Was it Kuyou?"

Haruka quickly pressed her hand to the wound and tried to wave the matter away. "No, it was nothing…just some guards…really…"

Rena frowned ever so slightly, but let the subject drop. "Well…it that case, you should come with me." She turned away and started walking. Michiru and Haruka stepped forward and started to follow Rena. After a few moments of silence, Michiru spoke up hesitantly. "Um…where exactly are we going?"

"I have a place in mind. It's sort of a hiding spot for me at times, and I doubt anyone knows where it is. Mind you, it's not a magical place, like most people would assume," Rena replied. Michiru nodded, wondering where the place was. She spoke up again. "How are we actually going to get off this island? It seems a bit difficult…" she laughed nervously.

"Oh, once Kuyou is gone from this island, you will be free from the hold he has on you…it's like an invisible lock, one you can't escape from. I'd try and release you from it, but unfortunately, I have no idea how to do it. Haruka, you actually can leave without difficulty. I can send you off anytime, but I doubt you want to leave at this moment," Rena answered.

"No, I don't," Haruka muttered under her breath. Michiru knew she was thinking of revenge on Kuyou. She smiled and thanked the world silently for having Haruka with her. The trio walked on for a while more, following a twisted and rough path through the trees. Rena asked the other two about what they thought of the castle and Kuyou, and laughed when Michiru told her about the different incidents with Kuyou. When she mentioned the first night at dinner with Kuyou, Michiru started to hesitate. The horrible images of Haruka lying on the floor with that huge, bloody gash kept running through her mind. Michiru tried to shut it out, and forced her voice to remain normal. But Rena and Haruka both noticed the sudden anxiousness in Michiru's speech. She strained to get more words out, to tell Rena of the other happenings in Kuyou's castle, but found herself almost in tears. Michiru looked down at the floor quickly, and avoided the meeting the questioning eyes of the others. The group stopped walking. "Michiru?" Haruka put an arm around the girl. "Are you all right?"

Rena came over. "Yes, is anything wrong?"

Michiru couldn't stop herself. "It's j-just, he said you were going to d-die!! And, the pictures seemed s-so real!" She buried her face in her hands and tried to calm herself. Before Haruka had a chance to console her, Rena stepped closer and put a hand on Michiru's shoulder. "Tell me what happened. Did he show Haruka…dead?"

"Yes…and I was the one who killed her…" Michiru whispered with a shudder. "Kuyou said…he said that if I wanted to have Haruka alive, I should stay in the castle and never see her again."

Rena frowned. "Do not believe anything Kuyou says, Michiru. He is toying with your mind. He only wants you to stay, and trust me, it is very unlikely that his prediction will ever come true," she said sharply. "Not while I'm around!"

Michiru took great reassurance from these words. Rena would save them, yes, and nothing more will ever happen on the island. "Okay," she nodded, and wiped the last of her tears away. "Let's go."

"SHE'S GONE!!" Kuyou roared with anger. He glowered at the guards that had come rushing up from the main floors to help. "WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THAT FRIEND OF HERS ESCAPED FROM THE DUNGEONS??!" He felt his anger building and suddenly slammed his fist into the face of the nearest guard. The guard toppled backwards and fell to the floor, clutching his bloody nose. It did vent some of Kuyou's frustration and anger…but only a little. He looked down the hall and saw the servant, Kai, who was clearly responsible for the escape of Michiru. "You!" Kuyou pointed a finger at the girl who stood quietly, looking down on the floor. He strode angrily towards Kai, wanting to punish her most dearly for her betrayal. When he got to her, Kuyou grabbed the girl's throat and pushed her against the wall. Kai immediately started gasping and grabbing at the hand that stopped her breath. "You lost me MICHIRU!!" Kuyou snarled. He didn't take notice of Kai's desperate attempts to breathe again and held her even tighter in his grip on her neck. "P-please…y-y-your…maj-j-esty, h-have m-mercy…" Kai wheezed helplessly. She was shaking violently and seemed to grow weaker by the moment, and within seconds, everything blacked out and she slumped against the wall, unconscious. Kuyou released his hold and Kai dropped to the floor in a heap. "You filthy, worthless, traitor of a servant…" Kuyou spat. "Take her to the dungeons," he bellowed to the guards down the hall, "AND FIND OUT WHERE MICHIRU IS!!!"

"Oh, no." Rena stopped dead in her tracks and frowned in concentration. Haruka and Michiru stared at her questioningly.

"What's the matter?" Haruka asked. "Is something wrong? Is someone coming?" She looked around quickly, scanning the forest. There appeared to be no one in sight, although she did see a squirrel scamper by, closely followed by another. "No, no," Rena answered slowly. "No one's coming…but some trouble has arisen at the castle. It's…Kai."

Michiru let out a small gasp. "Oh, no…is she hurt? Did she escape after we left? Has Kuyou got her?"

"Yes…I think Kai has been caught. Of course, she did come out and help you two right in front of Kuyou, so surely he knows that she's helping you. I wonder…" Rena looked up at the sky. "But don't worry, I will help her as soon as I get a chance. All right, then. Quickly, come on, we have to get to the hideout. I'll give you the outline of a plan I have in mind." Rena started walking again, but with much brisker strides. Haruka followed, casting a puzzled look at Michiru, who appeared to be quite confused as well. They hurried along, only wondering what the plan could be.

But they didn't get far.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, and from every direction, guards sprang out of the trees and surrounded the group. Ten, fifteen…twenty, and finally what looked like around thirty soldiers stepped out onto the path. Haruka's heart thudded heavily as she looked around at all the gray uniforms closing in on them. There was no way out, it seemed. Not with all the swords pointed steadily at them. She shot a glance at Rena, and saw with panic that she, too, looked alarmed and taken aback. If Rena had no way to get them out of this, no one else would stand a chance. Michiru seemed terrified at the arrival of the group. She was standing very still, and her eyes were darting nervously around at each guard.

Then, with a wave of yells, the soldiers ran forward and attacked. Haruka gritted her teeth and prepared herself for the fight. With her own battle cry, she lunged forward at the oncoming guard and hit him squarely in the stomach. She shoved the staggering man away from her and looked around the see how Michiru was doing. Haruka caught a glimpse of Michiru kicking a guard on the floor, and grinned—then realized someone had grabbed her arm and was pulling her away. She whipped around and came face to face with an advancing fist. Haruka's reflexes pulled in and she ducked away, but only a little too late. The fist caught her on the side of her head, and once again, she felt the searing pain of her head wound being torn open again. Haruka shot to her feet, but before she could take another step, someone grabbed her from behind and clamped her arms to her sides. "Oh, no you don't," she muttered and thrashed around, trying to loosen the hold on her arms. But as soon as she got her arms free, someone else kicked the back of her legs and she crumpled to the floor. Three pairs of arms shoved her to the ground and held her down. Haruka struggled furiously to get back up, but the soldiers had her firmly restrained within their grasps, and soon, her efforts slowed as she grew weary and tired. Once she had completely stopped fighting, Haruka felt herself being hoisted up to her feet. She wanted to take the chance to start kicking out at anyone who happened to be close by, but hardly had a moment to stick out a leg before the three men slammed her against a tree trunk. As the stars swirling in front of her eyes slowly died away, she noticed that Michiru and Rena were both in difficult positions. Rena looked like she had been kicked to the floor, and was now struggling to stand back up to a circle of soldiers surrounding her. Michiru was standing on the path, being held back by several guards, with one pointing his sword directly at the girl's throat. Haruka angrily started forward to help Michiru, but the guards standing around her knocked her back to the tree and held her there. "Let go of me!!" Haruka growled, but it was no use. No one seemed to be listening to her at all. Their attention was focused on the sudden arrival of—

"KUYOU!!" Haruka yelled hatefully. King Kokushibyou stepped out of the dust that had arisen when he appeared and looked around with an ugly smile on his face.

"So," he said with a sneer. "Has everyone had a nice little break?"

There was a detesting silence that followed his words. No one seemed steady enough to speak. Kuyou didn't appear to notice. He walked over to Michiru, who started struggling again. "Move aside," he snapped to the guard who had the sword at Michiru's throat.

"Michiru, my lady, why did you choose to leave? I thought we had it all worked out…surely you realize that you are threatening the existence of your dear friend here. Is that what you truly want?" Kuyou asked softly. He reached up and slowly brushed the side of Michiru's face with two fingers. Michiru was trembling violently, but did not move as Kuyou continued to run his hand gently down her face. Haruka watched with fury as he moved closer to the aqua-haired girl. Kuyou had brought his face in very close contact with Michiru's, and seemed to be whispering into her ear. Soon, he pulled back, and in doing so, brushed his lips lightly against her cheek. Michiru's eyes were filling with tears, but she did not let out a sound.

Kuyou then sauntered over to the tree where Haruka was being forced to stay at and without warning, rammed a fist into her stomach. She gasped at the pain that spread and bent over a little, trying to breathe. But she recovered quickly and stood back up without any sign of hesitation. She would not give that satisfaction to Kuyou. Somewhere beyond him, Michiru let out a little scream. Kuyou did not turn, and kept his eyes on Haruka. "You think you can come here, and ruin everything for me?" he said in a dangerously calm voice. "No, no, I do not think so. I have worked far too hard to let someone as weak as you interfere with my plans. I will not stand for this silly little game. It will end here today." Kuyou turned and seized the closest guard's sword from him. He held it up and examined it closely. Haruka's heart twisted; suddenly she knew what was going to happen. "Ah, yes, it's quite sharp…well, this will be quick, then." He swished it through the air several times, and then with one fluid motion, he raised it so that it touched the side of Haruka's neck. "This is your last minute, my friend. I will most certainly enjoy watching you die."

Haruka didn't answer, but Michiru had started sobbing and pleading for Kuyou to stop. Rena was standing motionless in her circle of guards, her eyes wide and fearful. Haruka felt her stomach give several terrified heaves, but remained composed in appearance. She would certainly die with the most pride and dignity that was manageable. "Well? Might I ask, any last words? They of course will do you no good, but I suppose it is only fair for you to utter a few last sentences before you are completely gone from this life." Kuyou smirked triumphantly. But Haruka was not paying attention to him at all. She had seen Rena suddenly vanish from her spot. Her heart filled with a little hope. Maybe Rena had a plan to get them out. But her thoughts were cut short as Kuyou raised the sword. "No words? Well, I suppose not. Then now, Haruka, say good-bye to this world and prepare to plunge into death!" Kuyou brought the sword down and thrust it directly at Haruka's heart. In the few moments before the sword touched her flesh, Haruka closed her eyes tightly and tried not to think of anything. But images of Michiru, Setsuna, her home, and all the other important things in her life flashed before her eyes, and Haruka found herself feeling an overwhelming sadness. But it was all over now. Nothing could be done to save her…nothing at all. She had tried so hard to rescue Michiru, but her efforts ended up completely worthless. Michiru, she thought desperately. I'm so sorry I wasn't quick enough…please…please forgive me…

Yet something was wrong.

Why hasn't the sword cut into me yet? Haruka thought dimly. Why aren't I dead yet? She opened her eyes slowly, afraid to see what was going on. Someone was standing in front of her, blocking the view of Kuyou. "Oh, my, god…" Haruka whispered in panic.

It was Rena.

Haruka knew then where Rena had gone when she had disappeared. She knew then why Rena had looked so fearful…it was total sacrifice. "NO!!" Haruka yelled and tried to push Rena away. But she did not expect the other girl to simply fall to the floor like a leaf. Haruka stared down at the heavily bleeding gash in Rena's chest. "No…no, it's not…" she tore herself away from the guards' hold and dropped to the floor. It did not seem possible that Rena would live. Kuyou had cut her full in the heart. Her eyes were fluttering weakly, and she was still breathing, but Haruka could see that it was taking a very large effort to keep alive. She then felt the scorching hate for the one who had made this happen. "YOU!!" Haruka shot to her feet and lunged at Kuyou, successfully knocking him and the bloodied sword down to the ground. "You bastard!!" she snarled at the somewhat taken aback Kuyou. "You will pay for this!!" With that, Haruka attacked. But as she was about to hit the king who had done so much damage to life, she realized that he seemed to be fading. The outline of his body was started to thin out and become fuzzy. Haruka stopped, her fist in mid-air, and stared at Kuyou. Then she heard Michiru's scream and looked up. It seemed like the guards were going through the same thing. They had let go of Michiru and were standing still, staring at Kuyou for directions. Kuyou leapt to his feet and grabbed the sword he had dropped. His eyes glinting maliciously, he sprung forward at Haruka, pointing the sword once again at Haruka's heart. But before Kuyou reached her, a blast of light appeared in front of him and blew him off his feet. "NOOO!!!" he roared as he saw that he was vanishing. "I'LL BE BACK!!! I'M NOT DONE YET, HARUKA!!" And with a final flash, Kuyou and his guards disappeared into thin air.