So this is my 5th chapter I hope you like it…

Chapter 5

Pirika was still holding onto the jacket Horohoro gave. Her eyes were closed shut. She was breathing heavily. She could still remember clearly the words her oniichan told her.

'Remember every time you feel scared or worried… just hold this near your heart and remember me. I'll be always there for you, maybe not in the flesh… but still I'm there.'

Pirika then slid her hands on the jacket until she finally had it on. Slowly the warmth the jacket gave seemed to remind her of the person it belonged to. She may not be as strong, as brave and as witty as her brother but this time she must be like that. She must!

She finally stood up. The ship moved violently once more making Pirika slip and fall down. She picked herself once again. It was already dark inside the ship. Pirika could hear the splashing of the waves but she doesn't care if the ship had already sunk or what… the only thing she had on her mind now was to survive.

"I have no one to run to now… I'm alone." She heard herself whisper as she struggled to walk inside the nearly sinking ship.

She was still thinking hard and it was in that thought that she had came into a realization. Her legs suddenly froze as she came into an epiphany. It was a name. A name that shot like a lightning across her head… it may be just a three-letter word and it's very easy to read. However, it was such a name that could bring out all different kinds of emotions welling up inside her heart.

"Ren…" she told herself.

"He did promise me that he'll protect me even better than my oniichan." She suddenly realized that tears were streaming down from her eyes once more.

She shook her head.

"But it's just another dream… maybe it's just an imagination even." She told herself.

She must not let those emotions go through her again like that. She must stay strong.

She then ordered her feet to move, which they did, and as soon as she knew it she was walking along a flooded corridor.

The water rushed in very fast that it doesn't took such a long time to fill the ship. If she doesn't get out now, she'll drown for sure. She wanted to cry but her mind told her that crying would not solve her problem.

"It would just make everything… worse."

She was becoming desperate now. She knew that it would take a miracle to get out of that place. A miracle… that's what she needed. She wanted to shout for help… for that miracle. However, when she had found her voice once more the miracle came in three letters… a name she is most familiar with.

"REN!" She cried out loud while clutching the pole near her for support.

The pole supported her weight well. She knows that it is somehow pathetic to ask help but this is a matter of life and death. Somehow inside her heart she believed that Ren would come. She knows that he would never leave her.

"REN!" She cried again as tears finally dropped to her cheeks.

She wiped it abruptly and continued to walk. The water level was already on her chest making walking such a hard task.

The water was gushing in and so she decided to swim now. Her feet can no longer hold the push of the running water.

She was like a leaf being carried in the river. Pirika was starting to hate herself for being so helpless.

"R-…" her voice suddenly faded when another wave pushed her.

It was then that she decided to let go of everything.

"PIRIKA!!" A voice coming from the opposite gender sounded amidst the sound of the rushing water.

She opened her eyes once more.

"Ren?" she muttered though the water.

With all her strength she tried to push her head out of the water.

"REN! I'M HERE!" Pirika shouted.

She can't see anywhere but she still knew he was there. She knew that he could somehow hear her.

'Please Ren… help me… I can't hold my breath… anymore… h-help… '

O.O

"Pirika. Damn! I swear I heard her." Ren uttered as he was swimming inside the sinking ship.

Finally he saw Bason hovering towards him.

"So?" he barked.

"Master Ren… I saw her in that direction. She seemed to be unconscious." The spirit answered with all respect.

"What? Unconscious!" Ren shouted.

He then swam towards the direction the power spirit pointed him. The spirit on the other hand just followed his master loyally as he always does.

Little by little he struggled with the rushing water. Though its current is very strong it can never beat the determination burning inside the Chinese Shaman.

Finally after a few exhausting minutes of searching, he finally found the girl he was looking for.

"Pirika!" he called to her as he swam.

No response came from her. She certainly was unconscious. Her body was being carried by the wave.

Ren hurriedly swam to her. He caught her hand fiercely and pulled her to him with all his might. He wrapped his powerful hands around her tiny waist possessively.

'I will never let go of you no matter what.' Ren told himself.

Pirika felt the strength of his arms slowly her eyelids moved.

Through half-opened eyes she saw how Ren struggled through the current carrying her along.

"Gomen." Pirika uttered.

Ren turned to her sensitive even to the slightest whisper.

"Good. You're awake." He smiled with relief.

Though he didn't articulate it, Ren was very thankful that both of them are alive… that she was alive.

'If you drown I'll never going to forgive myself. If you die… I'll die too. Damn! Don't you realize it? Pirika, I'll sacrifice my life for you! Why can't you see it?' he struggled even with his thoughts

"Gomen for being such a burden to you." She uttered slowly.

Pirika trusted Ren with her life. She felt safe with him. Slowly her hands moved and embraced Ren.

"What are you saying? You should be thankful that you're alive!" Ren shouted at her, thinking that she already lost it.

"But I… am… I am grateful, Ren Tao-san." She said as she slowly closed her eyes.

Ren immediately felt Pirika's grip loosened. He instantly panicked.

"No! Pirika… don't sleep! Wake up! Pirika wake up!" Ren shouted almost shaking the girl.

But the girl didn't open her eyes.

"I'm… so sorry. I'm so exhausted Ren… I can't fight it." She muttered lifelessly.

"Damn! Pirika wake up!" He shouted and shouted while shaking the girl into her senses.

Pirika finally did not answer to that. She had succumbed to all the stress the whole thing had caused her.

"Damn!" he said with frustration.

He then turned to his spirit. "Bason!"

"Yes, Master Ren."

"OVERSOUL!"

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The next morning Jun was so worried because of the news that had been given to her. She was up all night for the thought of Ren drowning always haunted her.

"We must find him… Pai Long!" Jun cried to the kyonshin.

All the kyonshin can do was to console his mistress, as much as he wanted to help, he can't do anything.

"Jun… Don't worry the rescue teams are looking for him already. He'll be back. You know what you're brother is capable of… you know that he can handle himself." The Kyonshin said with all gentleness.

"I know… but-" with that Jun, cried again.

She loved her brother more than anything in the world and to lose him meant to lose the world.

But before Pai Long could say anything a servant came rushing into the room. As soon as she realized her fault she humbly bowed down in front of the two.

"You insolent little–" Pai Long shouted angrily.

"Pai Long." Jun hushed at once.

She then wiped the tears from her eyes. She still had the ability to smile at the servant, though puffy-eyed.

"What is it that you wanted to tell us that you don't have to knock at the door?" Jun asked gently.

"Miss Jun… it's Master Ren." The girl said with all eagerness.

Jun stood up from her seat at once. Her eyes were wide.

"What is it little girl? Speak up!" Pai Long threatened.

"Master Ren is alive! He's down there… with a girl with her. Both drenched and soaking wet." The girl reported.

Jun can't believe what she's hearing.

With that Jun and Pai Long headed down the stairs. Jun's feet were flying like an eagle as she took every step of the stairs. She wanted to see her little brother very much. She mustn't waste any time.

As soon as she saw Ren in the living room, wet and exhausted she immediately hugged the young Tao.

"Are you all right? What happened? Why didn't you go in the life boats like the other servants?" Jun asked continuously.

Ren was contemplating on which question to answer first.

"Yeah, I'm all right. The stupid ship wasn't built that strong enough… for crying out loud it was just a small storm!" Ren answered.

Jun was so relieved knowing that Ren could really handle himself.

"But why didn't you go on board the lifeboats like the other servants?" Jun asked still worrying a bit.

"Lifeboats are for sissies! Besides I have other stuff to care for during that moment…" Ren answered, as his voce started to fade with every word he said.

Jun then rolled her eyes to see the wet, beautiful and unconscious blue-haired Ainu. The older Tao then can't help but smile.

'My brother is really getting older and more mature.' She thought.

"Is it her?" Jun asked referring to Pirika.

"Horohoro left her to me so I have to take care of her." Ren shouted.

Jun on the other hand, was just giggling.

"That's not funny! We must take care of her really quick… she might get sick in those wet clothes." Ren reasoned while blushing furiously, which made Jun giggle more.

"Okay, okay… Ren. Let's just leave it to our servants." Jun said as she pushed Ren along the stairs.

"But…but." Ren uttered trying to stop his sister.

"But what? Don't worry she'll be all right." Jun said still insisting Ren to come with her.

"No! You don't understand Onee-san… like I said she's mine." Ren said, Jun's eyes widened in amusement.

"er… my responsibility." Ren said to avoid any misunderstanding.

With that he hurriedly ran towards Pirika but along the way fatigue finally overcame him. Slowly his sight grew dim and when he was so close… he suddenly fainted.

"Ren!" he can hear her sister shout… as all the noise around started to fade.

"Pirika…"

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Okay… what do you think will happen next? Wait for the next chapters… and thank you for reading this story of mine. Please review.

Edited: Nov 27, 2008 (Horohoro's birthday!!)