Disclaimer: The following chapter is entirely fictitious. Any similarity to the history of any person living or dead is entirely coincidental and unintentional. Except when noted otherwise in the cast and crew credits, all celebrities voices are impersonated and no celebrities have endorsed any aspect of this fic

I doubt anyone reads this, so I'll just get rid of this.

Author's Note: I just got a word from my critic (linkfreak. She tells me how good they are) and she said that the last chapter was boring. I agree. However, that strange man plays a certain role in the next few stories. Oddly enough, in my head, I'm already finishing up the series, and the last one is pretty good. But I can't tell you because if I do, I'll be revealing a lot. On with the fic!

Chapter 18: Strings

'-'

The winter weather was a ghost, sucking the energy out of everyone, trying to project itself, but not getting any warmer. For one reason or another, Danny always felt sick when cold weather came. It was something that happened when he became a ghost.

Everyone had made their way to the cemetery. The Amity cemetery looked like a swarm of headstones, moving up and down the hills. An empty spot sat under a tree. A hole had been pre-dug, and everyone flocked to the spot. Sam pulled his arm, and he let her lead him to the tree.

As the priest talked, Danny looked among the crowd to see the man that had talked at the church.

What the heck is he doing here? Danny thought. Did he even know Ri?

The man looked up at Danny, and Danny tore his stare from him.

After what seemed like a life time, the casket started to be lowered into the hole.

Everything finished up, and people started to leave the cemetery.

"Danny," Maddie called to him. "Were leaving."

"Just a minute" he said to her. His parents and Jazz left to the car, while everyone, but the stranger, left.

Danny walked up to him, when the man spoke.

"I can't believe she's gone. Who would have guessed that even the highest and best of us, fall in the need of God's grace. I just wish that I didn't have to leave her so soon." His look of sorrow became a look of hate. "I bet Hebi had to do something about it."

Danny glared at him. "How do you know him?"

"He was-"the man started, but stopped himself from finishing. "Never mind."

"Who are you?" Danny asked.

"I'm-"the man stopped himself again.

"Would it help if I told you who I was?" Danny asked.

"I already know who you are" the man answered. "The thing is I don't know if I can tell you who I am." The man sighed, folded his hands, and rested his chin in his hands.

"You can trust me" Danny assured him.

He's right… a voice said to him.

"Fine, but you're not going to believe me. I'm Toyo Ama."

Danny just stared at him. "You can't be Toyo" Danny said like a small child. "Toyo's-

"Dead?" the man finished for him, laughing. "I know. That's what everyone thought. But in truth, I survived. The bullet that was reported to hit me, just hit my shoulder. No harm done. But after that little performance, I couldn't go back home. But now I wish I did."

"Why did you leave in the first place?" Danny asked.

"I thought I would save Ri. My dad was only killing these people to weaken her protective shield. So I stayed away. But if I were to stay, she would have been harmed even more. I couldn't do that to her. But I left. I guess either way, she was the one who lost. She didn't deserve this. And it's his entire fault!" Toyo rammed his hand into the tree. He did it pretty hard. The tree vibrated violently. He cursed under his breath, but didn't move.

Danny, who was stunned at the action, but didn't say anything, considering he's done the same thing, asked "Are you okay?"

"I will be, why?"

"Because, you're kind of, well, crying."

Toyo wiped his face with his hand. "My mom always said you were never truly a man until you shed a tear for someone you truly cared about. Ri was my sister, so I guess you can kind of see how I feel. You have one of your own, don't you?"

"Yeah" Danny answered. "But I still don't believe that you're really Toyo. You know, it's just kinda hard to."

"Well" Toyo said slowly. "I can give you one bit of information that can kind of prove it, but, I'm not sure…"

"Come on!' Danny pleaded. "Just tell me!"

"Fine. Only because Ri said you were trustworthy. Hebi was my father. He was a power hungry man who was a hater of those who had gifts he couldn't have. You fall under that category. I believe you are the one the spirits call 'Danny Phantom', which by the way, does that have anything to do with the Danny Phenomenon?"

"What?" Danny asked at the random question.

"Nothing. Anyway, how do I know this?' Toyo added. "I can connect with the dead. Ri tells me she previously told you that. Well, I can also detect such presences, and you have half of what I usually can talk to. And that's what Ri said. Don't' get mad at her for that."

Danny was still stunned that he knew that. But now there was the burden that now yet another person knew his secret.

"Don't worry" Toyo said, reading his expression. "I won't tell anyone. Not like I have anyone to tell."

"Uh, not to be any bother, but you just came, and I still don't know who the heck you are and-"

"You want to know what happened after I got shot, don't you?"

"Kind of."

"Well, I ran into the empty alley next to where everything happened. People went out to investigate, but no one did anything. I stayed underground for a while. No one knew where I was and assumed that I was dead. They sent a search out for me, but my father called it off after my mother died. No one cared anymore that I was gone except Ri. So I got myself an alias, Hattori Akira. It got me by, I made a living. I got a job at a factory of some sort.

"One day, a voice told me to go to America. Usually, I don't ask questions, but I did this time. They told me that I'd find something there that I would need to know. Note this was long before this. Maybe a month ago. But after that, I didn't ask. I bought the first ticket I could get. I took a trip to California and I was then instructed to go to Pennsylvania. So I bought myself a motorcycle and I was on my way. Of course, I needed money, so I found quick work in every state I landed in. But my little trip took longer than I thought. I had just gotten into Pennsylvania yesterday and I had no idea where I was suppose to go, so I just rented out a room and stayed there.

"I was then told to make my way down here to Amity. I had no clue where that was. So I basically wandered around until I saw the church and I was told to pull over. So I did and when I opened the door I saw you talking. I listened for a name to find out that something I have been dreading since she was born had actually happened. I couldn't believe it. But Ri came and told me to give a message to some people. What I told you back there, I didn't make it up. Ri wanted me to tell you that. That's what she thought of you. And I believe it." Toyo tore his eyes from the grave and looked at Danny. "I thank you for saving my sister."

"Yeah, but I never was able to thank her" Danny said sadly, remembering how Ri gave up her own life to save him.

"Danny, she was only repaying a favor. She couldn't give you back what you had given her, so she thanked you in the only way she could think of."

"But she had to die so painfully. I can only think of how she probably remembered all of the pain she felt in the past."

"Danny," Toyo said sternly. "What do you think she was thinking of when she took that arrow for you?" His voice had a little bit of anger in it. "Was she thinking of the life she had back in Japan, or was she thinking of how now she had friends that saved her life and now she just wanted to thank you in the only way she could think of. Ri couldn't live with herself if she had just stood on the sidelines and watch you die when you reminded her why life was worth living." Toyo's expression softened a bit. "Thatwould not beher to do something like that. Ri was a loving and caring person. She is the kind of person who was willing to pay any price just to say thank you. She will always be finding ways to thank you for a gift beyond price. Life. Danny, tell me. You had a premonition of this, didn't you?"

"Not that I know of."

"You did. You had one the day you met Ri. The dream you had. Don't you remember?"

Danny strained his memory to last year. "Yeah. I think I did."

"And if I am told correctly, that image lingered there for how long?"

"About a second."

"How long was Ri here?"

"Around a year."

"And how long did it seem she was here?"

"A-…second. Danny thought. But that doesn't change much.

"Danny?" Toyo interrupted Danny's thoughts.

"Hmm?"

"Have you ever seen her house?"

"No."

"Well, she wants you to. She has something she wants you to get. She said you will figure it out when you get there."

"What is it?"

"I have no clue."

"Danny!" Jazz shouted, walking towards them. "It's starting to rain and mom wants you to wrap up whatever you're doing."

Danny didn't notice that it had started to rain. Nor did he noticeJazz talking to Toyo.

"Hi" she said in a too-much-hospitality voice (if you know what I mean). "I'm Jazz. I don't believe we've met."

"I'm-"Toyo stopped again.

"He's Toyo Ama" Danny finished for him.

"Really?" Jazz said. "So, uh, what relation did you have with Ri?"

"She was my sister" Toyo answered in a monotone voice.

"Oh" Jazz said with slight disappointment. "I'm sorry."

"Don't worry. It's not your guys' fault. It's Hebi's fault. I'm sure he knows how it feels right now" Toyo said with a little evilness.

"Uh, Toyo," Jazz said a little nervously. "I don't know if anyone told you, but he was killed too."

Toyo looked at her with a sly grin. "Of course he is. Well, I have to go. It was nice meeting you two. Danny, Jazz" nodding at both of them. "I'm sure I'll be back."

He walked off to his motorcycle, put his helmet on, and drove off.

The drizzle slowly turned into a downpour.

"Danny, I think we should go" Jazz shouted over the lightning that was accumulating. They both ran to their car. Danny took one last look at the grave before they drove off.

My hands hold safely to my dreams, Clutching tightly not one has fallen

So many years I've shaped each one, Reflecting my heart showing who I am

Now You're asking me to show What I;m holding Oh so tightly

Can't open my hands can't let go. Does it matter?

Should I show you? Can't You let me go?

Surrender, Surrender You whisper gently, You say I will be free

I know but can't You see? My dreams are me, My dreams are me

'-'

That was dull. It was more schmaltzy than good. Well, now you know who the strange man was and I bet no one cares. Tell me if you care. And let's thank the Barlow Girls on their performence . The song is called 'Surrender'. Signing Off!