Chapter 4. In Memory of my Dear Griffin.

Ok ok Sorry for the lateness, believe me lots been going on this end. Anyways here it is. Jesh helped a lot in this chap, if it wasn't for her this chap would have taken much longer.

Well enjoy!

Meichii was finishing up her chores, when she heard a loud thump near the door.

"Kupo! What in the world could that be?" she thought to herself while she maybe her way to the door, rather angry at being interrupted. It had been almost all day since Yamada had left for his mysterious mission. She couldn't help but worry about that hume, after all she was sworn to protect and serve him. And she would faithfully so it, even if he didn't deserve it. Meichii giggled at that thought.

But when she opened the door she was not laughing. It was not a sight she was expecting or ever wanted to see for that matter. It was Yamada, a mere shadow of what he once was.

Most of his chest plate had been shattered; the cut on his leg had become a torrent of blood. The steps leading to the mog house were now red. Even his great sword had been shattered, now it was just supporting his weight.

"Hey…Hun… Looks like… you were right" Yamada managed to say with a weak smile. And began coughing up his blood, his wounds were appeared extremely severe. Meichii was shivering she didn't know what to do. This was beyond her powers, Yama needed a white mage quickly or he would surely die. Meichii knew that Des was away; besides her she didn't know whom else to turn to. She turned her attention now back to Yama.

He let out a final sigh and let go. Meichii watched as he slowly collapsed. It seemed unnatural how long it took him to hit the floor. Meichii yelled something but Yamada couldn't make out what it was, for it didn't matter anyways soon it would be all over. The betrayals, the pain, and it would be over with her…

Mia violently woke up from bed in a cold sweat. She looked at the window and by the looks of it, it was still early in the morning. She looked over at Nic, who slept peacefully unaware of anything else. Something didn't feel right though… Mia quietly climbed out of bed, careful not to wake her Nic-chan. She slowly tiptoed around the room, picking up her clothes, which lay discarded across the room. She sat on the bed and slowly started putting them on, a chill running up her spine. As she finished putting on her skirt she felt Nic stir behind her. She smiled. She put her hand in her pocket and took out her linkpearl. The small black pearl glowed with the warm familiar light. She closed her hand around it and closed her eyes. She couldn't feel Seie and Yama at the other end of the link. That worried her, and she shivered. She had the feeling something bad had happened, and she could not help feeling slightly guilty for the things she had been doing meanwhile. She blushed a bit and ran a finger along Nic's cheek. She tightened her grip on the small, black pearl and sighed. A lot of things had been going on that week, and it bothered her not to be in control of the situation. Mia jumped as she felt Nic's arm snake around her waist and pull her to him.

"Mia…?" He said in a groggy voice, as he pulled her towards him.

"Yes Nic?" She gave a small chuckle as she slipped under the covers.

"What's wrong?" He said as he kissed her, almost making her feel that he didn't really want an answer. "Lets go back to bed it's still early…"

Mia gave a small groan as she felt Nic tug at her shirt. "Like you said… it's too early." She said, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

Nic grinned. "Is it now…?" He kissed her, and she groaned again.

Then she opened her hand, and the small black pearl fell off the bed and rolled across the floor.

Yamada opened his eyes, his vision was a little blurred. But from what he saw he appeared to be in his home? I expected the afterlife to be a little different…

It took Yama a few minutes to realize that maybe he was still among the living, the extremely painful throbbing in his head was the proof of that.

" I guess I have to thank Mei. She really pulled through on this one" Yamada sighed

The gash on his thigh had now completely sealed up, besides a few bruises here and there Yamada was relativity as good as new. He tried to get out of bed but he realized that his strength had not completely returned yet. And since he couldn't support his weight he ended up crashing on the floor. Yamada welcomed the pain…slightly; it showed that he was alive. And if he was alive he had the chance to figure out what the hell was going on.

"what's all the ruckus? Are you awake yet dear?" came a sweet voice female voice from somewhere in the kitchen.

Yamada stared up from the ground (his legs were still in bed and his body upside down and his head was hitting the ground) that wasn't Meichii…

Just to answer his question the woman he heard stepped into view. It was a Hume; her face had the same blue and red markings as Yama's did. She looked wild and smelled of sweet flowers. Her clothes were made of tan hides that in Yamada's opinion didn't leave much for the imagination. But what made her so exotic were tattoos all over her body, the black tribal designs weren't overwhelming but just right… She didn't wear any shoes either, just heelless and toeless socks that Mithra would often wear. No doubt in his mind that the person in front of him was indeed Griffin Kyusan… The woman he loved nearly 6 six years ago. Under different circumstances this might have been surprising be in new of recent events it was perfectly believable that his deceased fiancé was now alive and well. At least she's not trying to kill me…that's a good sign.

Griffin pouted "what's wrong you don't look happy to see me" she complained as she eased him back into bed.

"Well the last time I saw some old friends, they weren't exactly looking to reminisce about the good old days" Yamada answered sharply but over exerted himself and felt a deep pain in his chest. The blow made by Jiraya still affected him. Griffin quickly moved her hands over the spot where Yama felt most pain; She released a small amount of healing magic to ease his pain. He felt the warm healing of her mana "cure" him.

"I see you're still quiet the white mage Griffi" said Yamada sympathetically.

"Well a beastmaster must be skilled in healing…" Griffi trailed off. It was obvious that she much more on her mind than simple chit chat. Yamada knew this but he didn't want to face her. There was so much to talk about. Why Promithia brought her and the others back, Why him, Did she still love him? What about Mia? Just as Yamada was lost in thought he felt Griffi bury her face in his chest sobbing.

"Senju I missed you so much! Please forgive me! It was the only way I could be with you again… I'm sorry" she wept. He felt her tears seep through his shirt. Yamada embraced her. Griffin looked up when she felt his arms around her; she gave a sad smile when she noticed he was crying too.

"I miss you too" replied Yama trying to reassure her. Wanting to tell her that everything would be all right. But he knew it wouldn't… Even though he didn't completely understand what was going on, he knew that a great evil had brought back Griffi and the others and that evil would come with a price. But did it really matter? With her back he was free to love someone that would return his feelings… What am I thinking? What about what I feel for Mia…then again…

HER? I'll deal with this Mithra soon enough…

Griffi moved up to see eye to eye with Yamada and slowly tilted her head to kiss him. There was little resistance on Yama's part. Then She pulled back and hugged him tightly.

"You'll never leave me will you Senju-sama?" pleaded the young girl.

"Yes. I'll always be by your side" Yamada answered without a second thought. It almost felt unnatural like he was told to do so…

Behind the hug she grinned, a vicious grin. Don't worry Senju we'll always be together I'll make sure of that…

With that Griffi slid into bed with Yamada and the darkness slowly crept over the house. What was once safe, had now became tainted….

Taihi paced the room impatiently, he hated when she made him wait like this. Just as his tolerance was thinning, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was the form of a woman, but no mortal could have ever been that beautiful. Her hair was long and flowing and like her lips pitch black, which contrasted with her snow-white skin. Her purple dress was heavily decorated. She looked angrily at Taihi.

"I'm sorry did I keep you waiting? Do you have something more important to do with your precious time?" her voice was as cold as ice. Her voice sent chills down his spine.

He immediately dropped to his hands and knees in forgiveness

"No-n-no My mistress my need to see you again was great" He answered weakly, hoping not to invoke her wrath.

"Is everything going to my wishes?"

"Yes my Mistress. Getoshi and Jiraya have found 'Senju'. And soon he'll be under Griffin's command"

"Good, I have waited long enough for this"

"But Mistress was it wise to leave her with her own will? The other two are just empty shells. But she could oppose us"

"You truly are an idiot, As long as she thinks she'll keep him and since we have her life in our hands. She does as we please. I did give her the power to charm people so won't fail us"

In the Next chapter, Yamada must choose his path: Either to walk with Griffin or stay with the clan. Can Mia help him reconsider!

Next Chapter Conflict of interest

Special Bonus #1!

The how and why of Vana'diel by Yamadaseina and Jesh

Yama: Welcome Readers and Adventurers! In this special bonus I will discuss how certain magic works in the mysterious world of Vana'diel!

Jesh: and why am I here? I could be lvling right now. ; Ya know?

Yama: well I need a lovely assistant to help me with my presentation 3

Jesh: oh really/ma "Fire II" Yamadaseina

Yama: is char broiled o- well this is a perfect example: Here Jesh casted the elemental magic of fire.

Jesh: Damn straight! :3

Yama: ok…. Anyways magic can easily be explained. We create magic by concentrating mana into the air around you. Once you do this it is easy to ignite the air molecules thus creating fire. The other elements are done in a similar manner. The real trick to it is making the change at a molecular level to change anything you want into the right element.

Jesh: you know how boring this is? I bet no one is even reading any more X3

Yama: They will if they want a chapter 5 .