well, in any case, the fourth chapter. im using a different word processor to c if it takes care of those annoying symbols... and if not... ill find SOME way. the font is... just too weird... but whatever.

so... fourth chapter of a failure first fic, but I realli want to finish this one (SORATA!!!!!!!) and work on the other fic a bit slower. so...

Disclaimer: I dont own any character in here except Ayanami Rei's personality.

[[ episode four : the secret ]]

Sorata kicked the pillow off his bed. What had he just DONE? Why could't he just let Tori go out with Rei, anyway? He thought he did know the answer, but he kept that pushed way back as he tried to find a less guilt-filled solution.

All of a sudden, the phone started ringing. Sorata jumped off the bed, nearly broke his ankle, and ran for it. He answered.

"Hello?"

"Oh, Sorata? Rei's already on the phone." Karen's girlish voice spoke.

"Rei?" Sorata was startled by this. Since when did Rei start answering phones??

"Anyway, this isn't the time for this! Seiichirou just set up a kekkai by Rainbow Bridge!"

Sorata was quickly flooded with memories of Arashi when the place of her death was mentioned. "Sorata?" Karen called, and he snapped out of it.

"I'll be there," Sorata hung up just after he heard Karen shout, "Bring Rei!"

Sorata rushed downstairs. Rei was sitting on the couch with the phone in her hand. Sorata grabbed the phone out of her hand and slammed it back into the hook.

"Let's go, Ayanami!" Rei got up and ran to the door with Sorata. They ran all the way through Tokyo, passing by startled faces. Sorata was running as fast as he could, but he still couldn't quite catch up to Rei, who seemed to be racing in the air and not on the ground. Then he felt the kekkai disappear. Without thinking, he picked up speed. When Rei couldn't follow, he picked her up. he pretty much carried her as he ran to the battle.

When they arrived, they saw Kamui lying on the ground. The Dark Kamui (note: I think I'll just go by Fuuma...) was holding the Sword directly at Kamui's heart.

"NO!!!!!!!" Sorata sent a jolt of electricity at Fuuma. He blocked it with his sword and left Kamui free to get away.

"Kamui, come here," Sorata heard Rei say. He quickly picked up Kamui (note: a lot of picking up going on today - -;;) and put him in front of Rei.

"You can take care of him, right?" asked Sorata. Rei nodded. Sorata looked back at Fuuma, but he had disappeared during the short interruption. He kneeled next to Rei by Kamui, who was bleeding severely. Rei's hand was on his head, and a pale green light was shining from it.

"Sorata? Rei? Are you there?" They heard Karen's voice.

"Ayanami, stay here. Call me if you see anything strange, okay?" Sorata left Rei and rushed to Karen. She was holding Yuzuriha and Seiichirou's hand, who were also bleeding. There was another body next to them, who Sorata recognized as Yuuto Kigai.

"He's dead already," Karen said, looking at Yuuto. "I think Yuzuriha's also..."

Yuzuriha stirred slightly. Her eyes opened just barely. Seiichirou smiled painfully at her.

"I'm sorry, Sorata," Yuzuriha said when she saw him. Inuki was at her side, licking her wounds.

"Rei can heal you," Sorata said desperately. "Hang on just for a little while..."

"I'm sorry, Sorata..." Yuzuriha closed her eyes.

"Yuzuriha! Hey, YUZURIHA!" Sorata shook her lifeless body. Karen's eyes were closed in a prayer.

"Sorata, come closer, please," Sorata walked to Seiichirou. He seemed to be in a lot of pain, but he was still conscious.

"I'm going to tell you a secret that has been protected by the wind-users for years." Seiichirou whispered. He was clearly having problems speaking.

"The dead have one wish that comes true in the living world." Sorata stared. "It can be anything, and it will come true. Normal people won't notice any difference no matter how dramatic the change was."

"So was Ayanami Arashi's wish?"

"I think so. The thing is, heaven and hell are all connected. No one stays anywhere for an eternity. Arashi told you that you would not see her again, but you two could. Arashi must have had some reason to not want to meet you again."

Sorata's eyes widened. What had he done to make Arashi hate him?

Seiichirou smiled weakly. "And now it seems that it is my time to go."

Sorata felt another wave of desperation coming on. "Wait for Ayanami!"

"No, there is no time," Seiichirou sighed. "I'll be gone before Rei can heal Kamui, and that's more important." Sorata gave up, then remembered something.

"...What will be your wish?" Sorata asked.

Seiichirou smiled, this time genuinely. "I'll ask for my wife and daughter to be safe and happy for the rest of their lives..." He gave a small shiver, then closed his eyes.

"Is he...?" Karen started, but couldn't finish the sentence. She had been watching them from afar.

Sorata nodded, unable to speak. He left her praying to get back to Rei. Kamui had been fully healed, and Rei was standing behind him. But Kamui seemed to be using his attacking powers to stop something. Sorata rushed over, and saw that they were being attacked by Kusanagi Shiyu. (Note: Shiyu Kusanagi?? whatevers~)

end of another chapter then. too bad I had to kill off Seiichirou *sigh* I do like him. but at least Sorata's still alive. *giggle* yes... whatever.

R&R! flames are still welcome?? (did I ever actually say that they were? whatever. they are.)