Chapter 9: Clara's Decision

"Rowen can you hear me?" Sage asked calmly as he put his ear to Rowen's chest and listened for a heartbeat. Dissatisfied with the result, he put his fingers on his wrist, "I've got a pulse, he's still alive but he's just barely hanging on to life."

"He's our friend! Can nothing be done to save him?" Cye cried out passionately as Clara watched him from behind.

Cye…Rowen… I never realized how much you cared for me until now. she thought to herself as she watched the others caring for each other's wounds.

"There is a way…" Sage said with some hesitation in his voice.

"Well tell us already!" Ryo said.

"Yeah come on, tell us! You know I can't handle the stress." Kento complained.

"The only way to save his life is for each of us to donate a little bit of our own life energy to Rowen. If we do that, I'm fairly sure he'll pull through." Sage said as he looked around at every one in the room.

"Let me help too." Clara said softly as the others stared at her in disbelief.

"Clara you shouldn't use any more energy than you already have to." Cye said with great concern.

"Please don't treat me like I'm a child." She said as she brushed Cye's hand off her shoulder. "I want to help, please. I couldn't bear it if he died and I could've made a difference. Please…"

"All right she can help," Sage said after a moment's deliberation, "but only when we tell you."

And so on the count of three, they all donated their energy to Rowen. Virtue, Wisdom, Trust, and Justice…Sage nodded his head as Clara took hold of Rowen's hand. She gasped in surprise as her hand began to glow with a silver light but quickly got over it as soon as she saw Rowen's kanji slowly appear on his forehead.

"That's all we can do for now." Sage said solemnly as Kayla ushered them into the hallway for the night.

The Next Day

"What were you thinking?" Rowen asked Clara as they sat on the roof of the hospital watching the sunset. "You know you can't just attack demons like you did last night."

"And what would you want me to do? Just stand there and watch me friends die?!" Clara shrieked in exasperation. "I can't do that! You're my friends and I care deeply for each and every one of you. What kind of princess would I be if I abandoned my friends and ran away from every enemy that stood in my path? Never mind, just go back inside."

"Clara I…" Rowen started, hurt by her words.

"JUST GO!!"

"Mind if I sit down?" Cye asked as he slowly sat down by Clara. "You know he's just trying to protect you."

"Well he's pissing me off." Clara said flatly as she stared straight ahead at the setting sun. "I'm a big girl and I can take care of myself."

"He just doesn't know how else to protect you, Clara." Cye said consolingly as he put his arm around Clara's shoulder. "Poor Rowen has been through so much, Chiclaria died in his arms because she was trying to protect him. She was trying to protect us but she wasn't ready for the stress it put on her body, her heart couldn't take it. For him this is like watching Chiclaria as she matured as a magical being and not knowing whether or not she'll live or die this time. I know this a hard time for both of you, but if you truly love each other you'll find a way to work through your problems."

Later on in the day, they met at the guy's apartment for a little get together and as the group partied, Clara made her way onto the stage and made an announcement:

"Excuse me. Is this thing on? Ok, well as you know I called you all together to give you an important announcement concerning my future. It's not easy for me to say this but, I'm moving tonight. I just need some time alone to figure things out and decide if I'm really ready for such a burden as protector of the world. Please don't try to find me, because you won't. I'll find you when I'm ready, I promise. I dedicate this song to you my friends."

Every now and then we find a special friendWho never lets us downWho understands it allReaches out each time you fallYou're the best friend that I've foundI know you can't stayBut part of you will never ever go awayYour heart will stay She's leaving. Ryo thought in disbelief as he watched Clara singing on the makeshift stage. But she's right, she needs to do this. I'll make a wish for youAnd hope it will come trueThat life will just be kindTo such a gentle mindIf you lose your wayThink back on yesterdayRemember me this wayRemember me this way I'll miss you greatly Clara. Sage thought quietly as he watched the young woman on the stage singing. But I understand why you need to do this. I don't need eyes to seeThe love you bring to meNo matter where I goAnd I know that you'll be thereFor ever more a part of me you're everywhereI'll always care I wish I could protect you. Cye thought sadly as he watched Clara singing. But I believe you're ready. I'll make a wish for youAnd hope it will come trueThat life will just be kindTo such a gentle mindIf you lose your wayThink back on yesterdayRemember me this wayRemember me this way Man I can't believe she's leaving and just when I was starting to like her. Kento thought sullenly not even noticing the gurgling sounds of his stomach. And I'll be right behind your shoulder watching youI'll be standing by your side in all you doAnd I won't ever leave as long as you believeYou just believe... I can't believe you're leaving me Rowen thought in despair as he watched Clara singing and started to feel sick to his stomach. Was it something I did? Did I drive you to this? I'll make a wish for youAnd hope it will come trueThat life will just be kindTo such a gentle mindAnd if you lose your wayThink back on yesterdayRemember me this wayRemember me this way

As soon as the song finished, the lights went out and Clara picked up her bags and left, not even stopping to say goodbye.

-Author's Note: Remember Me This Way is performed by Jordan Hill-