Kyo Korhal: Now run before I bash your head in!

Rider: (narrows his eyes) I run from no man. (jumps down from Ginryuu's back, beckons Kyo to attack with his hand, dodge rolls under the fighting staff and counters with an uppercut, Kyo falls to the ground with spirally eyes) They always have to do it the hard way… (turns to readers) Konichiwa Minna-san!

Star: Hey! Pay up before you start this!

Rider: (tosses something to Star) Now then, first off, major big time sorry for the slow update. But in my defense, it wasn't all my fault this time. My computer crashed big time, and I could restore it, so I had to wait to buy a new one. On the plus side though, it kicks the crap out of my old one and has wireless apps too. Anyway, enough of my excuses.

Since everyone seemed to agree on this point, lets address this first. Have to admit, I was shocked that so many people were upset at seeing Naru die in a Kanako-theme fic. I stand by that decision, and I'm hurt that you all have such little faith in me. -- You should know by now that everything happens for a reason with this story. That seemed to be the core of most of the reviews, so we're going to skip mail stuff today.

Star: You're just being lazy.

Rider: Shut up. On with the tale, hope you enjoy it.

(break)

Disclaimer: Do we really still need this? I don't own Love Hina, that should be universally understood by now.

In Search Of Her Place

Chapter Twelve: In Search Of The Lost

She traced her finger over the photo booth sticker as the final tears ran down her cheeks. She ripped the page from the diary and clenched it tightly in her hand. "It's better this way." She stepped up onto the kotatsu and placed her head through the noose she created with one of her belts and tightened the strap. She breathed deeply. "Good bye, everyone." She kicked the table away and let gravity claim her. For a moment there was pain, and then nothing.

(break)

Kitsune leapt and bit through the belt that held Naru to the ceiling.

Keitaro rushed forward and caught the falling woman. "Naru?" He pulled the belt from her neck and shook her. "Naru! Wake up!" He reached for her neck and felt for her pulse, but found none. Immediately, he began CPR. "Someone breath for her!"

Kanako knelt and watched Keitaro's chest compressions on Naru. She breathed into Naru's mouth at the required intervals, trying to bring her friend, and one time rival, back to life.

Lillith placed her hand on Naru's body. "She's so cold…" She closed her eyes and whispered. "Close the gates, let not her spirit pass."

Kaolla ran from the room and returned a moment later carrying a small defibrillator. Normally, pulling out a piece of equipment such as this would have earned Kaolla some strange looks, now no one batted so much as an eye lash at it. "Stand clear!"

Shinobu pulled Keitaro's hands away from Naru's body as Kaolla let the electricity loose.

Ice rested his hand on Naru's forehead, and slowly pulled back. "Keitaro…"

The moment Kaolla pulled away, Keitaro began compressions again.

Motoko took Kanako's place breathing for Naru as she saw the other girl tiring from having to breath for two people.

For the next half hour, the Hinata tenants tried to revive their friend.

Ice waited until Keitaro fell down completely spent. Only then did he reach out and close Naru's unseeing eyes.

Kitsune stood and growled at Ice. "Bring her back."

Ice shook his head. "I can't."

"Liar!" Kitsune lunged and scratched Ice across the cheek with her claws. "I know you can! Just like you did with Motoko the day you arrived!"

Ice hung his head. "I would revive Naru in a second if I could Kitsune. But, the power to return life to the dead is not mine to command." He raised his arm to block Kitsune's next attack, but didn't fight back as she sunk her teeth in to his forearm.

Kitsune dropped to the ground. Her fur bristled in anger as she felt blood run from her mouth. "Liar! Bring her back!"

Ice shook his head again. "I can't."

Keitaro rose and held Naru in his arms. "Ice?"

Ice turned and faced the young man. The anguish on Keitaro's face could have been seen by a blind man, and Ice could feel the pain in the other man's soul.

Keitaro stared at the angel. "Please…if you can do anything…please…"

"The power to raise the dead belongs to only four beings Keitaro." Ice shook his head. "I am not one of those beings."

Kitsune growled again. "Then how'd you revive Motoko?"

Motoko, unsure of how she related to this conversation, listened intently. As did the others.

"I didn't." Ice stated softly. "Motoko's life was saved by another, and she wasn't dead when the event happened." He shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry…" He sidestepped as Kitsune attacked again, and grabbed her by the scruff of the neck. "Stop."

Kitsune struggled against his grip and summoned fox-fire around her. "Not a chance!"

Ice turned and held Kitsune so she could see Keitaro cradling Naru's body in his arms as he cried into her hair. "If you want, we can continue elsewhere." Ice stated calmly. "But not here, not now. Let him greave in peace." He released Kitsune as the fire died and her struggles stopped.

The fox walked slowly toward Naru. Kitsune laid her head in Naru's lap and let the water fall from her fiery eyes.

Kanako cried too for her friend, and for Keitaro as well. "Why would she do this?" She whispered.

"For the same reason you tried to." Lillith responded quietly so the other's didn't hear. "I don't belong here." She stood and left the room so that the others could say their final goodbyes. She glanced back as she left the room and saw that the entire household was circled around Naru and crying over her loss. She shook her head and left them.

(break)

Kanako entered Keitaro's room quietly. There were no lights on, and the windows had been shut tight. Fortunately, being half-demon, Kanako could still see relatively easily. "Kei-kun?"

Keitaro sat in the corner of the dark room. It had been hours since Ice had taken Naru's body. And hours more since they had actually discovered Naru. But still, he couldn't seem to stop crying. Kanako sat next to him and gently held him. "She told me she'd be right there when I came back."

Kanako pulled Keitaro's crying form to her and rocked him gently.

"It's all my fault." Keitaro whispered. "It's my fault she's dead."

Kanako pushed him back just enough so that she could look into his eyes. "It's not your fault Keitaro. You didn't put that belt around her neck." She pulled him close again. "You didn't kill her."

"She did what she did because I betrayed her."

Kanako shook her head. "I don't understand." She rubbed her hands across Keitaro's back which seemed to calm him considerably.

"I didn't end things properly with her. Before we…" Keitaro pulled away and hung his head. "She saw us Kanako."

Kanako gasped lightly, before also hanging her head. "I see." She sat silently with Keitaro for the next few minutes. "She didn't kill herself because of you Keitaro. She killed herself because of me."

Keitaro rested his arm around Kanako's shoulder. "No, she knew about your feelings. You were honest. I betrayed her."

Kanako leaned her head onto Keitaro's shoulder. "Then let me take some of this pain from you." She looked up into his eyes. "I don't want to see you in such pain, and she wouldn't want to see you like this either."

Keitaro rested his head against Kanako's. "I suppose not, but…" Suddenly, the idea came to Keitaro. He stood quickly and raced for the door.

"Where are you going?" Kanako ran after him.

Keitaro took the stairs two at a time, nearly tripping in his rush. "Ice said that there are people who can bring the dead to life again. I'm going to make him take me to one of them."

Kanako stared at him in disbelief. "You can't be serious."

Keitaro nodded. "I am Kanako. She's my best friend, I won't let it end like this."

Kanako paused in her run as Keitaro said those words. "Best friend? But I thought…" She startled as something within the forest howled, and started running again.

(break)

Kitsune walked slowly beside Ice. She glanced up at Naru's body in his arms. "You've been unusually gentle with Naru."

"Is there a reason I shouldn't be?" Ice replied as he set Naru down on the alter he had created after leaving the Hinata tenants to their mourning hours earlier.

Kitsune shook her head. "I'm grateful… just not used to seeing you like this."

"It is my duty." Ice plucked handful of feathers from his wings. He placed the first feather on Naru's forehead, the next on her chest, and the third on her feet. He stepped back as the feathers glowed for a moment. When the light faded, Naru was dressed in long white robes.

"Duty?" Kitsune followed Ice as he began to circle Naru's body and placed the remaining feathers down on the ground. "I didn't think that someone of your rank was bound to do something like this."

"You'd be surprised." Ice replied. "Naru should not have left this life in the way she did. And she can not leave this realm with Yadrasill so damaged, not alone anyway." He sighed and placed the last feather down. "You know well the creatures that live on the outskirts of the null-plane. I don't want Naru falling victim to one, or more, of them."

Kitsune nodded. "I agree."

Ice stepped out of the circle of feathers and began to chant. "Let the light of blessing surround you and guide you home." The feathers flared to life and a tower of light surrounded Naru. "Kitsune? She is your friend, would you like to perform the final rite?"

Kitsune stared at the angel, but then hung her head. "Arigato, but, I'm not sure if I can."

Ice nodded and began to raise his hands.

"Wait." Kitsune stepped forward. "I'll do it." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes, the blue-green fire licked out past the barriers of her skin. The fire spread along the length of her coat until it reached her tails. As the fires spread along the her tails, Kitsune spread them apart until a half-circle of flame formed behind her. She raised her head to the sky and let out a howl. In response to Kitsune's howl, the fires shot forward through the barrier and enshrouded Naru's body.

Ice watched Naru as Kitsune returned to her normal state. "Something is wrong here."

Kitsune turned. "What do you mean?" She turned her attention down the path to Hinata-sou and sniffed the air. "Company coming."

Ice didn't turn as Kanako and Keitaro came up the path. "This isn't right."

Keitaro stopped in his tracks as he saw Naru's burning body. "What're you doing to her?" He ran forward and passed through the barrier created by Ice's feathers. "Don't burn her body!" He reached into the flames to try and remove Naru's body, he pulled back in tremendous pain as he burned his hands.

Kanako raced to Keitaro's aid as she heard his scream. Unfortunately, she once again was unable to passed Ice's feathers, and was repelled violently.

Kitsune helped the raven haired girl to her feet. "Don't do that again."

Kanako shook her head and grunted in pain. "The barrier didn't hurt that much the other day I touched it."

"That barrier was weakened by your Hellfire." Kitsune explained. "Plus, since you have demon blood in you, each time you come in contact with divine light the reaction will be worse than the last." The fox turned as she caught new scents on the wind. "The others are coming. They must have heard my summoning howl before."

"Keitaro." Ice stepped through his barrier. "Stop reaching for Naru."

"No!"

"Look at her Keitaro." Ice grabbed the young man and restrained him. "She burns, yet…"

Keitaro stopped his struggles and looked carefully. "Her body isn't being consumed. Why?"

Ice shook his head. "I do not know." He let go of the landlord. "But this may present a problem…" He stopped and stared into the forest. "Keitaro, get down."

Keitaro lifted his head. "Nani?"

Ice grabbed the boy and slammed him to the dirt. "Down!" He sneered as a giant gray fist slammed into his barrier. "Nice try you cocky bastard." He grabbed a feather and it flashed into a sword. "My turn." With a flap of his mighty wings he shot through the barrier to attack.

Kanako stared in wonder as she saw the monstrous attacker. It towered above her not by feet, but by stories. It's skin was gray all over, and it's flesh was taunt and dried like that of a corpse. Despite never seeing one such as he in full form, she knew instantly what he was. "A biffron. But why? Why would he attack us?"

Lillith stepped up and watched as Ice flew around fighting the bifron. "He is like you. A rouge who does only what he wishes and obeys only himself."

"Like me?" Kanako whispered. She twitched as the bifron roared in defiance of Ice's attack.

Lillith began to float. "He must be dealt with quickly. Before other rouges show up." Suddenly, she dropped to the ground again. "Kuso…"

Kanako raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What happened?"

"The realm shifted closer to the null-plane again." Lillith tried to fly again, but remained on the ground. "And it took the magic wave with it."

Kanako looked up to where Ice still fought the bifron. "What about him?"

Lillith nodded. "Look carefully at his wings."

Kanako nodded as she understood. Ice was actively flapping his wings now to continue his battle with the giant demon. "He'll tire faster that way now. We have to help him.

Lillith shook her head. "I will help him, you need to get to safety. Without magic, you're to much of a liability." She paused as she saw Ice's barrier fall and Keitaro was left defenseless.

Kanako saw this as well, and the bifron body falling toward him. Without conscious thought, she ran forward and threw herself over Keitaro's body to create a shelter.

The others watched him horror as the two Urashimas were crushed under the mighty demon. For a moment nothing moved. Then the demon began to rise, though from the look of it, it was not under it's own power. The Hinata-sou tenants gasped as the dust cleared and they saw Kanako lifting the giant on her own.

Lillith stood slack jawed and wide eyed. "How'd she do that?!" She demanded as Ice landed next to her.

Ice gave a wry smile. "Seems her half-breed status has some benefits."

Lillith grabbed Ice by the collar. "Stop being so smart ass! Tell me what just happened!"

"It's kind of obvious isn't it?" Ice broke from her grip. "Remember I couldn't erase her memory months ago? Because she's half-ling demon and human, angel magic can't touch her. Her dual nature seems to protect her from the null-magic effects too."

Lillith blinked. "Sure, I knew that. I was just testing to see if you knew the reason." She started as she heard the bifron roar again. "Uh, you didn't kill him?"

Ice hit her over the head. "My sword was magic remember!? I lost it with the wave!"

"Then how do we kill it?" Motoko asked as she reached the guardians.

Kitsune growled at the direction of the bifron. "If I could summon my fire…"

Ice scratched his head in thought. "Kitsune, was your strength magic enhanced?"

The fox glanced at Ice in annoyance. "No, my strength is my own."

Ice grinned. "Good, feel like lending your legs to Motoko?"

Kaolla looked around confused. "How?"

Kitsune's eyes flared to life as she understood Ice's plan. She circled Motoko and ducked beneath the samurai before passing through her legs.

Motoko cried out at the intrusion as Kitsune lifted her off the ground. "What the hell?" She gripped at Kitsune's fur as she took off. "What are you doing?"

Kitsune speed toward the rising bifron with Motoko on her back. "You're sword is the only weapon we have that can kill that thing. I'm the only one fast enough to get you within striking distance."

With a flare of silver and amber light, Motoko drew her sword. "I see. Then let's put our talents to good use."

Kitsune howled and leaped high into the air.

Motoko readied her sword for the killing blow.

The bifron raised his arm and swatted the two attackers into the dirt.

The others sweat dropped at the absolute failure of the counter attack.

Ice sighed. "Guess it's up to us again…"

Lillith nodded, but then stopped. "Wait, you feel that?"

Keitaro jumped as the bifron turned to where he and Kanako stood. "Any ideas?"

Kanako stood between Keitaro and the bifron. "Not really." She pushed her hair back as the wind kicked up. "I love you Keitaro."

Keitaro grabbed her hand. "If you're saying that because you're thinking about dieing, just don't talk." He was distracted as he saw something pulse at the corner of his vision. "What the?"

Within the circle of Ice's feathers, Naru's body pulsed with white energy. As the wind gusted again, one of the feathers blew away and created a hole in the protective barrier. White light shot through and zigzagged it's way to the bifron. The light passed though the demon and seemed to absorb the giant. It then continued through the remains of the demon and into the forest. A second later it arrived at its destination where it exploded and left a shimmering mirage behind it.

Keitaro stared at the shining object. "What is that?"

"It looks almost like a window or something." Kanako moved closer to the unknown object and pressed her hand against it. "Feels like it's made of glass too, I see into it a little bit but I can't pass it."

Shinobu looked at the "window". She reached out and touched it. "It feels strange."

Ice's frowned as his wings glowed brighter. "Is there anyone in this damn house that's a normal mortal?"

Lillith rubbed her horns as they darkened to black. "She punched a hole through the realm barrier." She turned to Ice. "Well? Open it more so we can go through too."

"It's closing!" Kaolla called as the boundary of the window seemed to shrink.

Lillith hit Ice. "Hurry up!"

Ice glared at her. "I don't have enough magic to force a portal open. And since you haven't opened the portal I'm guessing you can't either."

Lillith looked at the ground guiltily. "Yeah…"

"Can I help?" Kanako stepped forward. "My magic seems to work alright."

Lillith's eyes lit at the idea.

"No." Ice raised his hands into an X mark. "You can't control a burst of the magnitude needed to be effective. We don't know what's on the other side, I won't risk destroying the realms further."

"Then what do we do?!" Demanded Lillith angrily.

Kaolla had been studying the window during this exchange. "What about a Manna Blast?"

Everyone turned to stare at the blonde gajin. "A what?"

"I had forgotten about that." Ice smiled. "I'm promoting whoever authorized your return to Earth when I get back to the office."

Kaolla blinked. "Huh? What'd I say?"

Ice steeped forward. "I'll need your help Lillith, everyone else get back."

Kanako stood to the side with the others as she felt a familiar weight settle on her shoulder. "What are they doing Kuro?"

Tama-chan landed on Keitaro's shoulder. "They are attempting a Manna Blast. It can only be done when equal amounts of light magic and dark magic are used in conjunction with each other."

Kuro nodded. "In other words, only when a demon and an angel of equal station work together can the move be used." He gave a half amused grunt. "It hasn't been used since before the Great War. Guess the idiot finally got over his hang ups."

Keitaro watched as Ice and Lillith stood back to back. "Does this move need a lot of preparation?"

Kuro nodded. "If there is to much of light or dark, it won't work right."

"And if it doesn't work right?" Motoko asked as she and Kitsune joined the others.

"Well…" Began Tama.

"If it doesn't work, follow these rules." Kuro interrupted. "One, place head firmly between legs. Two, say your prayers. And most importantly three, kiss yo' ass good bye."

Everyone sweat dropped.

"Συνδυάστε τη δύναμή μου σε δικοί σας έτσι μπορούμε να καταρρίψουμε τους εχθρούς μας." Ice intoned.

"Совместите мою прочность к твоему поэтому мы можем упали наши foes." Responded Lillith.

Kitsune looked on nervously now. "They do know what they're doing, right?"

"Of course the do!" Kuro replied defensively before quietly adding. "In theory anyway."

Ice turned and brought his hands forward to the window. He split his fingers so that his pinkies and ring fingers were together while his middle and index finger made up the other pair of the V-shape. "Μαζί δεν μπορούμε να νικηθούμε."

Lillith also turned and raised her hands, but her hand signal was different. Her index fingers and pinkies pointed up while her middle and ring fingers folded down to her palms. "Совместно нам можно нанести поражение."

"I think Lillith thinks she's at a concert." Kaolla commented. She glanced at the others as they stared at her. She raised her hand and made the same motion as Lillith. "Why else would she make a 'rock on' symbol?"

"No, that's…" Tama shook her head. "Never mind."

"Something's happening!" Shinobu pointed toward the chanting couple.

Ice stretched out his left and pressed it against Lillith's right hand. His right hand pulsed with white energy. "Στη νίκη! Πηγαίνετε!"

Lillith's left hand pulsed with black energy. "К победе! Пойдите!"

The others watched as two light beams arched out as the final words were spoken. The beams gravitated toward each other until they merged into a spiral of black and white. A second later there was another explosion.

Shinobu and Motoko screamed as Ice grabbed them around the waist and sprinted toward the hole in the fabric of reality.

Lillith grabbed Keitaro and Kanako before doing likewise.

Kitsune ran through Kaolla's legs and carried her to the final destination.

Kaolla gave a whoop of excitement as she rode Kitsune like a pony. "Ride'em cowboy!"

Kitsune shook her head. "I'm never going to get moments peace from her now."

One after the other, the three groups passed through the portal even as they watched it shrink rapidly and threaten to seal before they made it through. As they passed the threshold they tumbled onto the wood and dirt path on the other side.

"Everyone ok?" Keitaro looked around as everyone responded in turn. "So where are we now?" He shielded his eyes as there was a flash of light. He turned to see Ice's wings incasing the angel in a cocoon like barrier. When the light faded, so did the wings to reveal Ice back in his human guise and street clothes.

"Damn Kaolla." Kitsune shook the girl from her back. "Did you gain weight or something?" The fox blinked as Kaolla, in her adult form, fell to the ground. Kitsune surrounded herself with fox-fire and when it vanished, she too was human again. "Oh, that feels much better!"

Lillith pulled at her stony skin and peeled it off much like snakeskin revealing her human skin beneath. "I agree."

Motoko and Shinobu watched with a mixture of confusion, disgust, and jealousy because they didn't have a transformed state.

"Kei…Kei…" Kanako fell against the older Urashima as it became more and more difficult for her to breath.

Keitaro grabbed hold of her and helped her to lay down. "Kanako? What's wrong?" He looked over at Ice and Lillith. "What's happening?!"

Lillith knelt down and placed Kanako's head in her lap. "This realm is suffused with magic, she is absorbing it and using it to mature her transformed state for use."

Kitsune pulled Shinobu to her and surrounded the small girl with fox-fire.

"What are you doing?" Shinobu asked confused.

"My fire will protect you from what's about to happen." Kitsune explained. "Your empath abilities are to raw still for you to experience this."

Kanako screamed in pain as horns began to emerge from her forehead and her muscles began to spasm.

Keitaro held her close. "Make it stop!"

"Can't stop it any more than you can stop puberty Keitaro." Ice placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Don't worry, she'll survive with no problems. Beside you going to have your own problems to worry about in a moment I'll bet."

Keitaro looked up at the angel in confusion. "What are you…" The question died midway as a scream tore through Keitaro's throat. His whole body burned and his back felt as though someone were trying to push a way out from inside his body. "What's happening?"

Ice sighed. "You're also absorbing magic and maturing. Always hurts more for half-lings, but you'll live."

Kanako screamed as the six horns on her head parted to make room for the seventh, and largest horn to appear.

Keitaro matched her scream as seven white wings sprouted from his back.

Ice nodded as the two half-lings passed out from the pain. "They'll be out for a while, but they survived the transformation." He lifted Keitaro over his shoulder. "Let's find some shelter until they wake up."

Lillith picked up Kanako. "Good idea, I don't even know where we are."

"I can show you the way."

Ice turned toward the sound of the new, yet familiar voice. "Alright, lead away."

With a smile, Kaolla began to walk ahead of the others down the path.

(break)

Kanako watched Keitaro as he slept. She was confused over his actions. Here they were, supposedly together, yet Keitaro was on a quest to resurrect the woman he formerly loved. Kanako couldn't help but wonder where that put her in the importance of his life, but she didn't like the feeling she had of being in second place.

She ran a hand over his wings. "I still can't believe this." She whispered. She looked over to the small pond and stared at her reflection. She was in her human form again, thanks to Lillith showing her how to transform back, but in her mind she could still see the horns. "I wonder…if this will change things?"

"Not at all."

She turned and saw Keitaro sitting up. With a smile she embraced him tightly. "I was wondering when you'd wake up."

Keitaro smiled and kissed her forehead. "I was having a wonderful dream of you, I almost didn't want to wake up."

"Almost?" Kanako asked in mock hurt. "Why almost?"

"It wasn't until I realized that I could see you for real that I was able to wake up." Keitaro replied.

Kanako blushed brightly. "Come on, we should tell the others you're awake."

Keitaro took her hand. "Is something wrong?"

"No." Kanako shook her head and pulled away. "Nothing's wrong."

Keitaro nodded, not believing her, but willing to wait. He stood and began to follow Kanako. He moved only a step before falling onto his back.

"Kei-kun!" Kanako rushed back to him. "What happened?"

Keitaro laughed nervously. "These wings are heavier then I though."

Kanako smiled and helped him to his feet. "Try imagining that they are lighter, or not there at all. That's how I got my horns to leave."

Keitaro tried it and the wings vanished. "Nice trick." He took her hand and they exited the small cavern they had been in to where the others sat around a small fire Kitsune had created.

"About time you got up lazy!" Kitsune called in greeting. "You've been out for nearly a day." She scratched her head. "At least I think it was a day. The light move strangely here."

Keitaro looked around. "Where are we anyway?"

Kaolla shifted her position in her seat, unable to find a comfortable position in her adult body. "We are on one of Yadrasil's outer branches."

Keitaro blinked. "Ano? What's a Yadrasil?"

"The tree which connects all things." Motoko supplied. "I thought it legend from my training with onee-san, but to actually see it…the tree of life…"

"Yeah, yeah." Ice waved dismissively as he lit his cigarette. "Sightseeing later, we've got to get to the main trunk so we can figure out how to fix everything that happened on Earth."

"And get Naru back?" Keitaro added.

Ice looked up at the landlord. "No promises, but we can look into it."

Keitaro nodded. "Let's go then."

"Do you even know where you're going?" Motoko asked more than a little sarcastically.

Keitaro sweat dropped. "Now that you mention it…"

Kaolla stood. "I already said I would lead the way."

"How is it you know about this place anyway?" Shinobu asked her friend.

Kaolla smiled. "I spent a lot of time here."

Shinobu blinked. "Huh?"

Ice stood and motioned for Kaolla to start walking. "All souls pass here before entering a realm. Reincarnation and all that. Some souls stay longer to gain knowledge to use in their next life." He flipped Kaolla's ponytail. "This one spent almost a millennia studying before she went back to Earth." Ice explained as he walked.

Kitsune scratched her head. "I never sensed her though."

"You wouldn't." Lillith explained. "The conscious portion of the soul is sealed during mortal life. The information needed for that life is there, but can't be access at will, but rather unlocked over time."

Kaolla nodded. "By coming back here, my memories have returned earlier than expected."

Motoko pulled Ice off to the edge of the group as they walked. "What did Kitsune mean before about me dieing?"

"Now isn't the time for this discussion." Ice pushed forward.

Motoko caught up quickly. "I think it is."

"Well you're wrong." Ice willed his wings into existence and flew off. "Let's pick up the pace people. We've got a lot of ground to cover." He flew off ahead of the group as he called out.

Kaolla tugged at Kitsune's shirt sleeve, and smiled much like a child.

Kitsune hung her head and sighed as fox-fire surrounded her. She looked up at their guide in her fox form again. "Don't expect this to happen every time."

Kaolla climbed atop the large fox with a laugh. "After that angel!" She laughed again as Kitsune took off with tremendous speed. Kaolla grabbed Shinobu as they passed and the two young girls rode together.

Lillith rose off the ground and began to follow. "No fair getting a head start!"

"May as well try…" Murmured Keitaro as he imagined his wings returning. He smiled as he felt them appear and he lifted off the ground. He began to fly off, then looped back to pick up Kanako. "Need a ride?" He scooped her up in his arms and began to fly off again.

Kanako looked on in wonder. "I've been training for months, and I still can't fly like this!" She yelled in frustration. "And you get it in a day!"

Motoko ran after the others, but was quickly left behind. "Wait…" She startled as someone picked her up and she lifted into the air.

"Damn you're slow."

Motoko turned to see Ice was the one carrying her. "How did…"

"Just shut up and enjoy the flight." Ice flapped his wings and overtook their traveling companions in an instant. "Oi, Kaolla! Where to now?"

Kaolla pointed straight ahead.

(break)

Kanako watched as the pathway darkened. They had been traveling for hours now, but still no end was in sight. She looked around the area and felt decidedly less safe, even in Keitaro's arms. This was the first change to the path that they had seen. The wooden path was black and burnt, even the dirt that covered the wood seemed to have burnt. Out growths from the branch path curved up like trees that seemed to reach for the travelers. She remembered the old fairytales she had heard as a child. "Forests of death, that's what they were usually called."

Keitaro turned his attention on Kanako as he heard her whisper. "Nani?"

Kanako shook her head. "Nothing. This place just kind of creeps me out."

Keitaro nodded. "Yeah, it is a little strange here." He smiled. "Don't worry though, we'll be alright."

"I wonder if we really will be…" Kanako whispered as she remembered her thoughts from earlier. She turned to watch the passing landscape. "Keitaro! Look out for the…"

"Huh?" Keitaro turned toward where Kanako pointed and crashed into a large wooden tree limb. With a yell the twosome fell to the ground.

Ice landed and set Motoko down on the ground as he watched the Urashimas. "What the hell was that?"

"Guess I still need some flying lessons." Keitaro laughed nervously. "Still, that felt familiar for some reason.

Kanako shook her head. "That branch move on it's own."

Lillith hovered above the others. "Yeah, so. Yadrasil is alive, it moves sometimes."

Kanako shook her head again. "It moved as though it intended to make us land here.

Kitsune walked up, still carrying Kaolla and Shinobu. "I know this place is alive, but I didn't think it was sentient."

Kaolla shook her head. "It isn't."

"Then why'd it hit us?" Keitaro asked.

Shinobu jumped off of Kitsune and ran off the path into the tangle of offshoot branches.

Ice raised an eyebrow. "What the hell?"

Kitsune sniffed the air. "Someone was here, I almost missed him. Shinobu must have sense him first." She growled as Kaolla "spurred" her like a horse. "Watch where you're kicking Kaolla!"

"We can't just leave her!" Kaolla insisted.

Ice and Keitaro began to head into the forest. "Who said we were leaving her?" They stopped and looked at each other, and nodded before leading the group into the unknown. A few minutes later they reached a clearing that was enshrouded with fog. At the edge of the clearing Shinobu joined them.

"I felt her!" The young girl exclaimed.

Ice pushed the girl behind him as three figures appeared in the mist. His lip curled in anger. "Rouges."

(break)

Rider: So? What do you think? I forgot something at the start note. Yuffie-chan2 asked how long this fic would be. As I said in my first fic, I have no idea. I write for quality, not quantity so it varies on how helpful my muse is. I do get the idea we're coming to the end soon though. Which brings me to the second topic. YC2 also asked what I would write next. Please note this is not a poll, (as a poll would indicate I will write about what gets the most votes, which I might not) and here are the ideas so far.

Kei/Shin

Kei/Su

Kei/Kit

Kei/seta (yes, someone actually asked me to do this…)

A sequel to Healing Hearts (my first fic on ) to look at the next generation of Hinata-sou tenants.

So, if you care, let me know. You all know the rest, please leave something about your thoughts on this chapter.

Star: RIDER! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS! I THOUGHT WE BET A HUNDRED DOLLARS! NOT A HUNDRED YEN! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU IF YOU DON'T GIVE ME MY MONEY!

Rider: (sweat drops and begins to slink away) I run from no man, but crazy women are a completely different story. 'Till the next, live well all.