Welcome, Welcome, Thank you reviewers! Have a nice day! Bonne Chance! Viva la carrot! Ok, ok, so sue me I'm bored........but actually, don't sue me..........because.....................DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN ESCAFLOWNE OR ANY OTHER RANDOM ANIME/MANGA PERSON THAT MIGHT SHOWUP IN THIS STORY, DID I MENTION THAT IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM AM I MAKING A FINANCIAL PROFIT FROM THIS WRITING PIECE? WELL I'M NOT! SO HAH, DISCLAIMER FIN!

So as I was saying.......I'm bored! BUT I did manage to get book 4 of Crescent Moon the manga! If only they'd pop out another version of Princess Ai! Did you know that the angel person Kaz looks fantastically like Dilandau?! Guess who my new favorite character is hehe..............yea, bored...........(is shutting up now cuz she knows its all about the story........and sometimes the little openers and enders...............story.......right.....)


Chapter 16:

It was as if the wind had died, all noise had faded, time itself had slowed down, and only the hot rays from the scorching sun beat down upon her. Her own heartbeat pumped rapidly in her bruised and sweaty head. Nothing, no birds, no laughing, it seemed like everything had stopped for Momo. She let out another scream and she clenched her tear filled eyes shut as the hard ground that would surely kill her due to the height of the fall, continued growing ominously closer and closer. She felt all the childish carefree spirit drain from her and intense fear replaced it.

She regretted all the bad things she had done, would she be sent to a bad place in her death? She had ordered her mom around like a slave, always demanding some new toy she would only play with once, an article of clothing she would only wear once. She took for granted that all her mother wanted in return was a hug or a kiss, a thank you or an 'I love you mom.' And Leena, her big sister's criticism suddenly became so true, she had always figured her jealous or fat headed, but it wasn't true. Leena was always telling the truth when she called her spoiled, ungrateful, bratty, snobby, selfish, conceited, and all of the other things she had said were true as well. She was suddenly wishing she could have gone back in time and instead of complaining about how stupid and mean her big sis was, she could have bragged about her greatness and the weekly visits to the ice cream shop they took together. She wished she could have said 'Thank you' or something to her mother every time she gave into one of her selfish demands. She regretted not giving her a kiss and hugs any chance she could. And her father, she always hounded him to drive her places, totally not caring that he was exhausted from work and stressed. No, she always expected someone to tend to her every need no matter what they might have been doing, so long as what she wanted was taken care of. She wished she could've made everything right again. She wished she could have been a more mature and respectful, grateful child, but wishing wasn't going to make her fall any slower, and certainly wasn't going to make the ground stop getting nearer and nearer.

(Ichigo! How could you do this to me! Why is it everyone learns something important when they're about to die! I saw it in that movie with the princess just as she was about to get ate by the dragon. Of course a handsome prince rescued her and they fell in love happily ever after, I wish I had a prince charming to fall in love with, but no one will save me. I hate you Ichigo, goodbye cruel world!)

Momo tensed in anticipation knowing she was going to hit the ground any second. Soon her bloody and gory corpse would be in a broken heap on the perfectly tended grass (actually if she did manage to get herself killed the most would be a broken neck and not as messy as she thinks. She has quite the graphic and exaggerated mind doesn't she? Kids these days…though you have to commend her for her graphic detail.) She bit her bottom lip and wailed one final scream of despair before she was to meet her doom.

But the hard, painful breaking of her fall by the ground never came. Instead she fell into something fleshy and solid. She felt the center of gravity in the person who saved her shift, and caused him to fall over. She knew it was a him because when they fell he made a grunting sound that was definitely masculine. She felt a warm and firm cushion beneath her, which was quickly rising and falling. She could hear his raspy pants as the excitement and adrenaline wore off and the stinging pain of her cuts and bruises made themselves known. Someone had saved her! But who?

She slowly opened her eyes but her sight was blurred due to the sudden exposure to light, and the fact that she had been crying very very hard. She rubbed her eyes for a few moments and then cracked them open, studying her surroundings. The tree was now a few feet away from her and she was on top of someone. She shook her head and looked down at her disoriented savior. It was the guy who she had tried to get the ice cream from!

Dilandau swore and rubbed his aching head. He blinked a few times and realized he was gazing into two bright blue tear stained eyes. His eye twitched in irritation and he pushed her off of himself. He stood up and brushed himself off with a menacing scowl on his face.

He turned around and looked down at Momo who was now sitting on her knees looking at him like he was a god, "You ok or what?" he asked sharply.

Her eyes widened and she nodded quickly.

He stared at her questioningly, "Well since you're ok and all I'm going to leave you here to tend to yourself. Go find your mom or something, I'm outta here. And one more thing, I don't care how old you are, don't ever bother me again." With that he began walking away mumbling, "Damn kids, nothing but trouble…"

All Momo could do was sit there and watch him go. Her eyes were twinkling and her cheeks were bright pink. She looked away and grasped her cheeks, "He, he just saved me. My guardian angel, he saved me! My prince!" She looked back up at Dilandau's retreating form as her friends rushed over to her. She could only imagine how terrible she must have looked. Her one ponytail nearly falling down, her clothes ripped and dirty, and cuts and bruises and twigs spread across her small form.

Alex kneeled beside her while her other friends towered over her with concerned expressions, "Momo are you ok?!"

All Momo could do was nod dreamily.

Becky stared at her weird, "Are you sure you're ok Momo? You look dazed."

Momo stood up, brushed herself off, and simply walked away with the dreamy look still on her face. Her friends stared at her dumbfounded as she walked off.

Momo sighed wistfully, "I must find out more about my angel. My prince!"

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Dilandau headed over to the tire swing where Satori had been lounging. He frowned at her napping form. She had her hands behind her head and her legs crossed as she laid on the slightly swaying tire swing. A few rays of sun had managed to get past the tree canopy and were shining on the area around Satori, dotting her with several specks of light. She looked asleep, but he knew from the way her muscles sinewed under her slightly tanned skin when twigs snapped or animals called, that she was actually fully alert.

He approached quietly and then jumped on, causing the old tire swing to creek and groan under their combined weight. He stood on the side clutching the rusted chains to keep himself balanced as it tipped farther in his direction. Satori instantly opened one eye to see what the cause of the turbulence was, casting a ready to kill look at the one responsible.

She snorted when she saw him and her features softened, "Dilandau what the fuck do you think you're doing?"

He smirked and shrugged, "What does it look like?"

She closed her eye and shook her head as a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth, "Never thought of you as a hero Dilly. I thought you hated heroics."

He cringed at the name, "Don't call me that!" he hissed.

She sniggered, "Well there aren't many other nicknames to call you. Well… Pyro, Psycho, Albino…"

Dilandau looked up at the sky grumbling, "Call me by my last name for all I care… And I do hate heroics!"

Satori chuckled, "Purpose of a nickname is to shorten the length of the name, Albatou doesn't really aid the cause. When Kira and me discuss matters involving you we just call you D.A. so I'll just stick with that. Even though it is kind of weird calling you that when I'm actually addressing you. So in the end I'll still call you Dilandau."

Dilandau raised and eyebrow, "Dorothy Ann?"

She moaned, "You know what I mean twit."

"No shit. But what exactly do you and Kira discuss about me?"

Satori shrugged, "Different things, nothing bad though, well sometimes haha."

He narrowed his eyes, "Oh really? Do tell."

She sighed, "Whatever might've happened that day, depends. There isn't just one certain thing in particular about you we talk about. Conversation changes like the direction of a breeze. You know I can always call you Hero for a nickname now if you'd like." She sniggered mischievously.

He made a distasteful look, "Hell no! I only saved her because if I hadn't have caught her she would have been seriously hurt and I would've gotten into an unwanted amount of trouble for not doing anything about it when she was right behind me! I don't need to get my ass dragged to court due to some fucked up little brat."

Satori opened her eyes and looked up, "True I guess."

Dilandau looked down at her, "What are you looking at?"

She grinned devilishly, "Who me? Nothing."

They gazed at each other for a moment before they both looked over when they heard a twig snap.

Satori snickered, "Well, well. It's your little friend Dilandau."

Momo had been standing there staring at them both from behind the cover of an oak tree. Knowing she had been discovered she swallowed and stepped out from behind the tree, her hands clasped behind her back and her head tilted downward as if in shame as she stared at them both. She then totally focused on Dilandau with a love struck look sparkling in her eyes.

Dilandau stared at her with the 'What the fuck?' look.

Momo snapped out of it and looked down and started fidgeting as she tried to explain herself, "I um, I mean, that I…"

Satori and Dilandau stared at her stupidly as they waited for her answer.

She looked back up with a determined look, "Thanks for saving me!" she shouted.

Dilandau stared at her like she was a fool, "Ok." He glanced at Satori giving her a 'What was up with that' look. In return she gave him the 'I don't freakin know' look.

Momo looked at the back of Dilandau's head confused. She had just thanked him and that was something rare from her. Did he not know how lucky he was? She was at least expecting him to be a bit more concerned or something. She glared at Satori annoyed. She then ran off in the other direction.

Satori and Dilandau both shrugged when they looked back to find that Momo was gone.

Momo was now hiding behind a tree farther away spying on them, "That girl is interfering with me and my love! I'll have to find a way to impress him. My love, my Dilandau."

Dilandau groaned and frowned, "Today certainly is going in an odd direction."

Satori was still in thought. She hummed and looked up at Dilandau, "Did you notice anything about the way she was staring at you?"

Dilandau looked at her confused, "Uh…no."

Satori sighed exasperated at his lack of knowledge of such things, "You didn't see anything?"

He shook his head.

She sniggered, "I believe she's developing a little crush on you."

Dilandau looked like he had gotten struck over the head with a brick, "What?!"

Satori sat up and took a seat on the side of the tire swing, "Well she had the love struck look in her eye, I mean, it was pretty obvious. Why can't guys notice things like that? Anyway she appears to have developed a little crush on you for saving her. How cute!"

Dilandau cringed, "How the hell did that happen? How long do these things last?!"

Satori shrugged, "Depends how deeply in love with you she is!" She outstretched her hands to the sky dramatically; "Cupid has struck her with his arrow of love!"

He sweat dropped, "Not funny!" he snarled.

Satori grinned and rubbed her finger under nose, "Not my fault she thinks you're a sexy beast. I can see it now!"

Dilandau's eyes flared, "Shut your mouth if you know what's good for you!"

Satori grinned wider (Dilandau could of sworn he saw a devilish fang) She hopped out of the tire swing and yawned, which also caused the tire swing to tip in the direction of Dilandau's weight. She waved at him and then started to walk away. He growled and followed after her, "Hey wait up! Where are you going?"

She stopped and let him catch up, "You asked if I knew what's best for me. And I think right about now a walk is." She started heading back towards the blanket again.

Dilandau huffed, "Whatever…" He headed for the guys who were still sitting on the bench, but now Guimel and Viole had joined them in their discussion.

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They all looked up at Dilandau as he approached them.

Viole waved, "Wow, you must be feeling pretty good after saving that little girl."

Dilandau cringed, "No. But I have come to make a suggestion because you all looked so stupid sitting here."

Dallet raised an eyebrow, "Oh? And what might this idea be?"

Dilandau grinned, "A little game of basketball, I need to take my anger out on you guys by beating you."

Migel stood, "I'm for it!"

They all agreed and headed for the court while Gatti went over to rent a ball.

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Satori laughed when she reached the blanket. Chesta had fallen asleep but all the dogs, and Larry were now all gathered around and on top of him napping too. She smiled at how cute the sight was and unattached Ururu's leash from the dog stake. She shook him gently and he slowly stood, which was a bit hard since Yuri had decided to sleep right on top of him. Yuri slid off and Ururu leaped over the other sleeping animals over to Satori. He nuzzled her legs and she began walking towards the bridge with Ururu drowsily staggering at her side.

Ururu yawned while Satori stood on the bridge admiring the view, "Wow… pretty. Not as pretty as Japan though…"

Ururu looked at where she was looking dully.

Satori saw this and laughed, "Well aren't you a little ray of sunshine."

He whined and tugged back towards the blanket. He was still tired and wished to sleep and looking at the scenery wasn't making him less tired.

Satori pouted and kneeled in front of him, "Ok, ok, leave me then." She undid the leash and ruffled his head. He gave her a thankful look before he bounded back to the blanket.

She sighed as she put the leash in her pocket, and walked over to the side of the bridge leaning on the wooden railing. She smiled and closed her eyes as a sweet breeze blew in her face and carried her hair with it as it passed.

The wind felt so good. She remembered her grandmother always yelling at her when she was younger because she used to hang out the car window. She loved the strong wind blowing against her as the vehicle traveled so quickly.

She chuckled and began heading down towards the running trails at a casual walk. She sighed deeply and frowned dully, "Wow, I'm suddenly bored…" She groaned and picked up the pace. She then smiled slyly and broke into a sprint.

Satori grinned (Running can be fun) She imagined how Kira and Loreli would react to that statement. She laughed and continued running. She had ran a good distance when she began hearing 'it'. It was the running of someone else; she could hear it behind her. She glanced back but she saw no one (Maybe its from the other trail on the other side of the trees…) She increased her speed and noticed that the other footsteps had quickened with her pace. (What the hell! Maybe I'm just paranoid…) She looked around as she jogged but she didn't see anyone, she could only hear the quick foot falls of someone else's running. She growled and scanned the area. There was a nice open field of really tall grass just a few yards away from her. She eyed the field out of the corner of her eye as she continued running the trail. She felt the hairs on the back of her neck raise when she heard the running get closer. She immediately turned sharply to the right and sprinted into the field. She made it to the tall grass and ducked as she swiftly moved through it. She found a particularly thick area and stopped. She crouched low and scanned her surroundings, listening for anything.

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After about five minutes, she heard nothing and hit herself on the head for being so ridiculous. She was about to stand up but froze when she heard someone making their way through the field near where she had came. Her eyes widened and she hugged the ground (What the hell?!) She was getting pissed off as her heartbeat quickened with excitement. No one had the right to make her feel uncomfortable. No one! She snarled and stood up. Who ever was following her was going to pay.

She whirled around looking for her would-be stalking, "Who the hell do you think you are?! Show yourself bastard!!! I know you're out there!!! Where are you!!!" Satori was fuming as her rage filled eyes scanned the field. She saw no one, but then again she saw no one when she heard the footsteps but she still heard them. They were out there. They were just damn good at hiding. She started running back towards the trail. The person had to be there. They just had to be. She looked around feverishly as she ran.

She instantly looked to her right when she heard movement. (Bingo!) She sprinted towards the noise. The person must have heard her coming because she heard them start to run as well. She smirked, up ahead when she saw the person. She couldn't see his face, but he had shaggy black hair. She could tell it was a guy from his figure. She ran even faster, determined to get some answers.

The guy looked back at her. She noticed he had some sort of face mask on that covered his mouth and nose and he was also wearing all black like some kind of government spy. She also happened to notice the little communication earpiece he had in his left ear, she knew what it was because she herself had used them once before herself. She could also see his eyes, which at first she assumed were both blue, but at closer inspection turned out to be that his right eye was a light crystal blue, and his left was a deeper sapphire color. She smirked, there was another thing she saw in those eyes; it was fear. Her speed increased as the adrenaline pulsed through her veins. She felt like she was a predator pursuing her prey, and oh how she loved being a predator. One thing was for sure, when she did catch him, she would indeed tear him apart.

They were approaching a road now. Satori realized this and ran even faster, she was gaining on him even though he was quite fast. The road came upon them quick, but she didn't slow down and neither did he. Satori looked both ways quickly and kept running at full speed since it was clear. They made it across the road and started on a downhill path. Satori had had enough and leaped onto him. They both went tumbling down the hill kicking up dust from the gravel that covered the path.

They stopped rolling and Satori had him pinned to the ground with her knee holding his neck down and slowly cutting off his air supply. He had his hands on her leg trying to pry her off, but to no avail.

He looked up at her terrified, "P-please, let me go!" For some reason his voice sounded familiar to her.

She snarled as she grabbed his face, digging her nails across his cheek leaving four thin trails of blood, "WHY were you following me! Answer!"

Her eyes widened. There was something else behind his eyes. There was a more sinister look deep down in them; the fear was only a mask. She could see it now that she was looking straight into them so closely. It sent chills down her spine.

He whimpered as she pressed harder, "Let me go! I can't breath!"

She was feeling a bit uncertain of the situation now but she hid it carefully, "Sounds like a personal problem. Now tell me who you are and what you were doing following me before you suffocate!"

"I-I was just. I was just following you. Y-you see I've. I find you alluring. And I know you'd just think of me as pathetic. So all I can do is watch you… run with you…and…"

Satori snarled, "What a bunch of bullshit! Who are you really! Stop lying!" She growled and tore off his face mask revealing his identity. Satori's brows furrowed, "You…you were that guy from the club!"

He looked around for some way to escape but there wasn't one.

Satori frowned, "Any second you're going to pass out due to lack of air. And if you don't tell me what I want to know, I can't guarantee that you'll ever wake up again. So answer my questions!"

His previous facade had faded and due to her 'experience' she could tell from the look in his eyes that he was not afraid to kill, and perhaps already had. She had seen the look many times, and she could spot it easily. Though it varied depending on the person. Sometimes it would be haunted and disturbed, sometimes empty and unaffected, sometimes the look was one of release and enjoyment at the thought of spilling blood. His look was one of seriousness and confidence. There were no other emotions as his cold mis-matched eyes stared at her in a studious way.

Her attention was suddenly drawn to the road as a big black van squealed to a stop right at the top of the path, "What the- "

Her captive threw her off of him while she was distracted and immediately hopped to his feet, sprinting towards the van. Satori cursed and got up to chase him. He gave her one last look before the van's sliding door opened and he dived in. By the time Satori had reached the road, the van had already taken off.

She stood there, dirty and ruffed up, with a fierce scowl on her face as she watched the van pass several other cars in a mad rush, then disappear into the distance, "Who was that guy…" Her eyes had narrowed out in an intense menacing manner, which was frightening enough to send shivers down your spine. Even to those who didn't have any experience with death could read the murder flaring in her eyes. But hers was not one of regret and pain. No, hers was that of a true predator who found pleasure in the art of death, but she hid it so carefully that no one would have guessed.

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"No your other right Dallet!" Kira shouted.

The girls were all now watching the guys play basketball. It was Dilandau, Viole, and Gatti verses Dallet, Guimel, and Migel. Dallet was currently stopped trying to keep the ball away from Gatti while also trying to find someone open to pass to. The girls were trying to help him out. But he was having problems determining direction.

Gatti grinned as Dallet whipped and turned trying to find an opening in his defense, "Come on Dallet. Can't hold the ball all day."

Dallet shot him a skeptical look, "Who's open!"

Guimel ran to the front of him, "I am!"

Dallet instantly thrusted the ball forward before Gatti had the chance to block. Guimel snagged it and rounded towards the basket. He was just about to shoot when Dilandau intercepted the throw and made his way back to the other basket. Viole kept Migel out of his way and Dilandau took the opportunity to score.

He grinned proudly and headed back to half court, giving his teammates low fives as he passed them both.

Gatti took his position, "So how many is that now? 16 to 12?"

Guimel checked it with Dilandau, "Yeah, this will be your guys' game point. Not like you're getting it though."

Dilandau passed the ball back to Guimel and waited for him to initiate the game, "That's what you think."

Guimel passed it to Dallet and Viole went after him. Dallet passed it over to Migel who took off towards the opposing basket. He shot, but missed. He shot again, but while it was in mid air Gatti jumped up and took it. Migel cursed and started to chase Gatti as he dribbled the ball back down to his side of the court. Dallet was about to block Gatti's path, but Gatti shot before he got there. It went in and the game was theirs. Gatti yipped for joy.

Viole shook his head while smiling, "Good job, for a moment I thought you were going to miss."

Dilandau grinned, "Yea, anyways."

Guimel, Dallet, and Migel clapped, "You beat us. But you won't next time!"

Dilandau smirked confidently, "You keep telling yourselves that."

The girls all clapped and cheered.

Kira looked around while she did so and frowned, "Hey, have any of you seen Satori?"

Loreli looked around quickly, "No, the last time I saw her she was on the bridge."

Dilandau had over heard Kira's question, "She went for a walk on the running trails."

Kira was actually quite grateful for the response, but she was going by impulse and a past habit to snap at anything Dilandau said, "Well, aren't we a nosey little pretty boy."

Dilandau glared, "Don't even start with me today onna."

Kira scoffed, "I can see you've learned a few words from Sa. Well here's one for you… Ton'ma!!!"

Dilandau might not have known exactly what the translation for the word was. But he had a few good ideas. He growled for her lack of respect for his graciousness towards her. He decided it was too hot to start with her and turned away.

Kira kind of felt guilty, but she was too far in to have a sudden change of heart, so she stood up and headed for the running trails not even looking back.

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Once a good distance away from the basketball courts, her glare faded. She sighed and sped up her pace towards the blanket were a certain someone still slumbered.

She smiled and blushed as she gazed at Chesta's sleeping form that was surrounded and covered with dogs, and Larry too. She stopped for a moment and etched every detail into her mind.

(God he's so damn hot like that…)

She felt her cheeks burn and she looked away. She realized she had been acting quite odd compared to her usual self today. She figured it was just because Satori had returned and she was still kind of mad at her for leaving her behind.

Kira turned back and looked at Chesta. How she was so tempted to place a kiss on his innocent lips. Too bad for her he had a blanket made of living, breathing, heaps of fur.

She sighed wistfully and continued on her way towards the bridge. It was amazing how Chesta could bring out the lover in her.

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Satori swore and kicked a nearby rock into the distance. There were a few things she wanted explained right then and there, but her only hope as to getting those answers was gone because she had let him escape! She snarled and gripped her right arm. During the fall she had cut it open and it only had started bleeding after she crossed the road back to the running trail. Not to mention her pants were ripped at the knees and they were bleeding too but she had a high resistance to pain so she didn't feel anything.

"Dammit what's going on…"

She growled in frustration and wandered over into the wooded side of the running trail. She knew if she walked far enough she could find the stream that ran under the bridge and she could wash herself off. After the tumble she had gotten terribly filthy and not to mention bruised and cut up. You try tumbling down a hill ten feet in distance with a tank top on and a struggling captive and see if you don't get hurt!

She found the stream and pulled off her shoes. After rolling up her pants again, she waded in to a rocky little island and plopped down on a seat shaped rock. She rested for a moment and then stuck her arm into the running water. She was too deep in thought to notice the minor twinge of pain from the wound.

Whoever that guy was, she was going to find him. And when she did, all hell was going to break lose.


Do you know what would reaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllyyy be cool? If you reviewed! Do it do it do it do it do it do it. Well you don't have tooooo, it's just that i have more fun reading my email that way, its like getting a christma present, you don't know whats going to be inside! Could be great,could be fun, could be be a live rabid gohper trying to take out your achilles tenden! Of course it might leave you alone..........IF YOU REVIEW!