"Sukina says that the lair of that beast is somewhere in the Forbidden Forest," Naoko said, as they made their way across the grounds.
"Do you think reinforcements will reach us in time?" Shuura asked.
"Naoko, send a Shikigami," Kurama more or less ordered her. Naoko nodded.
"What's a Shikigami?" Hermione asked as they ran.
"Spirit Protectors. They're the Guardians of a family, though they go renegade when there are no heirs left," Naoko answered absently.
"Uh…" Ron began as they halted in front of the Forbidden Forest. "I don't think we're allowed in there… By the centaurs, I mean," he said.
"Do you want to rescue your sister or not?" Harry turned.
"But…"
Let loyalty and friendship be your strength.
"Look Ron, we've gotten this far. We might as well go on. Besides, nothing can stand against the Reikai Tantei," Shuura reassured Ron.
"But only one of them is here," Kurama quipped, grinning.
"You still have the Jewels as well… Shall we go? Su's about three kilometres in, and that's as far as I can reach her," Naoko said.
They plunged in.
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"I dream of open grounds,
I dream I sit beside a lake
I dream of green grass and tranquillity,
I dream of innocence yet untouched.
But those are my waking dreams,
Those are what I wish,
Night's slumber comes naught for me
For only darkness and discord reigns."
Sukina recited the poem in its original language, closing her eyes and letting the poem wash over her. It had several meanings, but it was mainly a poem of forthcoming war. The centaurs straightened as she recited; it was rumoured that Chiron taught it himself to the humans. Sukina looked them in the eye.
"I have never looked upon any other living creature as my servant, minus my sister. I would like them to be equals, not subordinates. This is why I come to you, to ask your permission to pass through this forest. An ancient evil…" she was saying when the centaurs stopped her.
"We know of this creature, but you have brought it upon us, childling. The creature never awoke until you came," the one called Bane said.
"What?" Sukina was incredulous.
"We will take care of it. You may leave," Ronan said, when there was a terrible scream.
"No!" she shouted, for it was Ginny.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The others heard it too, and they rushed towards the sound. Kurama led the way, while Naoko made sure that no one was left behind. Soon they reached a crossroads, and found their way blocked by centaurs. Sukina followed on their heels. She looked at her sister pleadingly, but it was not a look Naoko was familiar with.
"Let us pass," Kurama said, as Ginny screamed again.
"We cannot," the centaur said, all of them drawing their bows.
"Ginny!" Ron said, and began forward.
"Stop this!" Firenze's voice called out. Turning, they saw all of the Hogwarts teachers gathered, most brandishing a wand.
"Shuura, take Hermione," Kurama whispered. As Professor Dumbledore began to speak to the centaurs, Kurama picked up both Harry and Ron, while Shuura grabbed Hermione. The three of them jumped clear over the centaurs, with Sukina breaking away from them at the same time. The centaurs did not realise they were gone until a full minute later.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Where are we?" Hermione asked, but they were ignoring her. Shuura closed his eyes and tried to track Ginny's voice.
"This way," he pointed, beginning to lead them.
Let innocence, bravery, cunning and deception be your guide.
"The scream came from this way, Shuura," Kurama said gently, backed up by Harry and Ron.
"It's a false trail. The sound bounces back off, makes it seem like it's from there," he insisted.
"Which is closer?" Sukina asked.
"This way," Shuura said, and he began to walk.
"His father is blind," Naoko commented.
"But my sister…" Ron began when Kurama stopped him.
"Naoko's right. Their target isn't Ginny, its' the three of you. They won't harm her," Kurama said.
"Somehow I don't find that comforting," Ron said.
The four Asians looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"What?" Ron asked his friends, but they shook their heads. (Read Crystal Rose)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"They come, my Lord," Lucius Malfoy said.
"Excellent. Maybe we'll have the answers to this 'Chosen Ones' nonsense," Voldemort said. The monster held Ginny in its claws, with the girl now fainted with exhaustion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hehehe… Next three chaps the last!
