I'm going to try and start concluding this story now. The sad part is that it took me 4 days to think of this idea, so if it sucks, you might as well mock me in the face okay? I'm just doing this for other people's enjoyment...please enjoy...

---Winter in Old Home, Haibane Renmei---Part 4---

"RAKKA!"
"REKI!"
Reki, Nemu and Hikari came running down from Old Home's gates to greet the new arrivals who were crossing the bridge. Rakka was running up to them while Horuda carried the unconscious Kana in his arms, shielding her from the snow.
"Rakka, what happened and who's he?" Reki ran up and hugged Rakka without waiting for an answer, showering snow on her.
"Oomph, Reki, I can't breathe..."
"Oops, sorry, are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine." Replied Rakka, she took a couple gulps of air at the same time. "But, something seems to be wrong with Kana..."
"What?!" Reki looked over to see Horuda walking up holding Kana in his arms. "Who are you...Wait! You're the owner of the restaurant in town right?"
Horuda nervously looked at the Haibane surrounding him and stepped back unconsciously. "Uh, yes actually. I brought your friend back since she was too heavy for Rakka." He held out Kana for Reki to pick up and then let his arms go limp from the stress of carrying her all the way. "Rakka was very helpful at the restaurant today. I wish you a good day, good-bye now."
"Okay, bye." Reki couldn't wave so she nodded her head. The others bowed to him. Rakka was the only one who didn't though:
"Wait! Aren't you going to stay for a little while?"
"Oh, no," replied Horuda turning around. "I might've loved to, but we are most strictly forbidden to take casual interest in a Haibane's social life. I thought you knew that! I'm sorry, thank you for all your help Rakka; I hope your friend gets well soon." With that, he turned around and walked through the snow back to the village.
Reki turned around to look at Rakka, first signs of concern showing on her face. "Let's go in now and get Kana to a bed. I'm not seriously mad at you two for being late and for being out all night. Upstairs, you have to tell me everything though." Rakka followed Nemu and Hikari back to the dormitories in a discussion of the night before. That was leaving Reki behind to take care of Kana.
"Wait right there Hikari, you have work remember, the storm has subsided and you can get to the village now." Reki raised her voice at Hikari.
"Oh!" Exclaimed Hikari. "Sorry, I'll go there right away, bye Rakka, Nemu!"
The rest of them walked into Old Home towards the guest room. Thankfully, there was only a small amount of snow falling after the blizzard last night.

"And...WHAT?!"
Rakka was in the middle of telling last nights adventure to Reki when Nemu came in with some tea. Kana was resting on the bed beside them, lying on her side. As Nemu handed Reki some tea Reki suppressed a sigh.
"How would that happen?" Reki leaned back on her chair and gulped down some warm tea. "Hmm, I don't understand. Rakka, your story seems to be getting a little farfetched you know."
"But I'm telling the truth," whimpered Rakka. She hadn't touched her tea yet as Reki and Nemu were almost finished. "I swear I remember perfectly. She was lying down on the snow, almost completely covered. There was nowhere else to go but to the restaurant."
"Ah, so this is where the owner comes in right?" Reki nodded thoughtfully at Rakka.
"Yes, he saw I needed some help and ran outside to help us. He gave me a room and a bed for Kana on the condition that later I would help him with the restaurant like Kuu!"
"That was thoughtful, for a second I thought you might have got away with a free room and meal." Reki chuckled, "it wouldn't have been the first time."
Rakka sat back in her chair and started on her tea, more relaxed now. She looked over at Kana, who's face was looking much more healthy to her. "Reki, do you have any idea what might have happened to her?"
Reki shook her head, "how about you Nemu?"
"I wouldn't have a clue; this is nothing I have experienced before. Do you believe we should try and contact the Haibane Renmei about this?"
"Yes, I believe we will have to. If she doesn't wake up before tomorrow then I'm going down to see them myself. Alright?" Reki looked at Rakka as she stood up. "You keep an eye on her okay, we can take shifts of course."
"Okay Reki. But, can I just...do you have any knowledge whatsoever about things like this that happened in the past?"
"No, I already told you this is the first time. Of course there may be something in one of the old books inside the library...wait! That's it! Nemu, can you do me a favor and check up some of the library books? There might be something in them."
"I'll check, I might as well go there now since you two seem to be fine."
"Okay, that's settled, we'll wait for you guys here tonight." Nemu got up and brought the tray back into the kitchen before pulling on her long coat and leaving the room. "Rakka," said Reki, looking at her. "I suggest you make yourself comfortable. Actually, this reminds me of the time back when you were the one ill. Kana took an extra long shift because I over slept remember?"
Rakka laughed and so did Reki. "I guess I'm paying it forward, huh, Reki?"

It was morning. The sun was just rising above the walls shedding light on the new fallen snow. It was a clear day with no more clouds in the sky. Sadly, it wasn't there to be truly enjoyed by a busy cluster of Haibane.
"Rakka, why didn't you wake me?"
"Well, I was fine, nothing happened last night."
"Rakka," sighed Reki, as she shut the door behind her. "You didn't need to do this all by yourself you know, you have been by her side for twelve hours now." Reki stepped into the kitchen to begin preparing breakfast.
"Is anyone else up?" Rakka lifted her head off the temporary mattress Reki had made for her last night.
"Nemu is just getting up, you know her and sleeping. Hikari is already dressed, she said she would be right down." At that moment the door flung open and in bounded Hikari followed by Nemu still rubbing her eyes.
"Rakka, you shouldn't have..." Started Hikari. "I would've helped you with the shift you know. You didn't need to take it all upon yourself..."
"Hikari, calm down." Intervened Nemu. "You can't change it now, let's just all have breakfast together. Without Kuu and Kana here, it seems to be so much more quite."
Hikari turned around to face Nemu as she headed into the kitchen. "That's not a good thing Nemu."
"See it how you want," came a voice from the kitchen.
The four Haibane finished their breakfasts at the table, which then turned their attention to the only one left out. Kana was still sleeping in the same position as they had last left her.
"Reki, you think she's going to wake up?" Rakka and Hikari turned to look at Reki.
"Yes, of course she will, but if she doesn't I'm still going to have a word with the Renmei. I'm going now anyways. This is a big issue, from what you told me Rakka. This is not natural."
Reki left the table and got into her coat. Before she stepped outside, she gave Kana one final glance, then left the room. Rakka and Hikari gathered up the dishes as Nemu sat down beside the window watching Reki leave Old Home.

Reki was calmed a bit when she saw the old stone tower of the Haibane Renmei headquarters in the distance. She had worried for a moment that it might not exist, of course that was silly, but Reki was still worried. She was relieved to find The Renmei standing outside the double doors in the snow in front of two Toga. It was almost as if he was expecting her.
Reki walked up in front of the Renmei and waited for him to allow her to speak. Strangely, he didn't, instead he motioned his fellows to follow him as he walked up to Reki. "Feather Reki, there is no need to tell me your worries here." He pulled up his staff and aimed it towards the general direction of Old Home. "If what I have heard rumored is true, then I in person will see to it that proper treatment is given. Until our arrival, I forbid you to speak, understand?"
Reki nodded and turned around to walk beside him as they both started back towards Old Home. Reki was somewhat put to ease, knowing the Haibane Renmei thought it was important enough for him to come himself.
As they walked, the Renmei started voicing his thoughts. "When we arrive in your assigned household, I will expect you to allow me to examine the victim. I know most of what happened already and I think I may know what's wrong with your friend..."