Chapter 9: Mutual Feelings

I know, I don't update for nearly a year and then I add two chapters in one hour. xD

"She's gone." Satoka's voice loomed in the air. All attention was turned to the place were Rose had once hovered, and then to Ayane who had frozen in position. Her body went limp.

Miu's eyes widened, "Ayane? Ayane are you alright?" Reiji grabbed her shoulder as she attempted to float over to the wilted figure. "Let go! Ayane!"

"Hell with Ayane," Satoka's eyes darted around wildly, "Where'd that Rose girl go?"

"It's obvious she's a gate keeper." Reiji's cool attitude had suddenly returned. He released his grip from Miu. "Wait a moment; let's see what she can do."

Satoka opened her mouth to protest, but nothing leaked out. She closed it, her face a mixed display of being a bit taken back along with confusion. Miu's head was bent down in a way that it appeared that she looking at the floor, but her eyes were glued tightly to Ayane.

Miu

Reiji held me back. I wanted to shake her awake. I wanted to go home. How can they all seem so comfortable here? It's so odd! This isn't normal, not at all. At first it was like a dream, I didn't believe I was really here. But now, now I don't get it anymore. I want to go home!

Satoka

We're way too reliant on Ayane. Hell with her and that Rose character. My gate is so much more interesting. It's got swords, blades, knives; weapons of every kind floating around. This place just has breezes. You would expect wind to be cooler. I could be doing something better. Can't we just wake up Ayane and go home before I get sick?

Reiji

If I only I'm right. I hope I am. Can she be the key? Ayane, please wake up. We need to know! Is she the one who will bring the end to the threat? Rose. Her name suits her all too well. A small miracle growing among the weeds of potential Invaders. I'm sorry Rose, will we ever find you a home?

Ayane

What was that, that sudden feeling of relief? I can hear this little voice in my head telling me how to deal with everything. With dad, with life, with birds. It's so odd. I can't understand it really, but yet I can. All my tension, it's fading. Who is this? You're so familiar. This feeling that you're giving me, it's so familiar. Is this how I used to feel? Is this that lost part of me, the me from many years ago when I was just a child? Maybe I can hold on. I'll hold my gate open just a bit longer. I want to go back! I want us all to go home!

Ayane's head lifted up ward, an unusual light shining from her face. She clenched her right hand, muscles tensed, her gate glowing in a blue circle around her fist. She spread her fingers out and watched her gate spread as well. This is the portal. Rose materialized in a soft pink light next to her, displaying the same smile that Ayane had. Her soft voice spoke out to Ayane, as she opened her gate further, "Are you okay now?"

Ayane smiled at her, her eyes sparkling slightly. She turned to her dazed comrades, no, her dazed friends, "Allow this gate to absorb you. This is the one to the outside."

Reiji nodded, lifting his synthetic arm to Ayane's gate, which was now pulling them towards it. "Gate Open!" His black gate swirled lightly around his fist, its dark light barely visible behind his glasses. Miu gasped as Reiji's figure became disoriented and them spun into Ayane's gate. Satoka seemed to understand, and did the same. Miu knew she had to follow. With a quick yelp of fear, she motioned to Rose and opened her gate, allowing both of them to pass. Finally, Ayane lifted her hand above her, holding her palm above her head. She vanished into her own vortex, leaving only the faint sound of a bell ringing throughout the breezy dimension.

w00t! Only one more chapter:) Like I said in Chapter 8, if you want a chapter dedicated to explaining some things in this story, please drop it in a review, and specify is there is anything you want explained .