Disclaimer: This is never going to change so why bother.

Authors Note: Heh..heh chapter two finally updated. I hope this one is good. I'd been typing and thinking this chapter all day. I like every kind of review you could give me. Comments: Flames: Advice: Ideas; you know- what ever floats your boat.

Chapter 2

She was done packing for at least a month's time. She didn't want to admit it to herself but she was very excited over staying at The Lost Grounds. Mimori couldn't believe Cougar after he spoke of his proposition. It was simple really. Just to go out with him on one date and he'll take her to the Lost Grounds. It didn't hurt her to just go on one date with the man. He was her friend and no doubt that they were going to have a good time. She couldn't stand still as she began pacing up and down. The anticipation was getting to her and also the mystery when she asked Cougar where she was going to stay in one month's time. He laughed and said she was going to be in good hands. She expected that one of the Holy members were to be assigned to her for protection. Which wouldn't be such fun as they hated the inners and native alters and she so wanted to meet them and make friends with them. Mimori looked at her watch and started to the door with her two suitcases.

"Why you're exactly in time." Mimori grinned at Cougar who grabbed her suitcases.

"You know me. I'm never late."

"Of course you're never late." Mimori said, referring to his radical good speed.

Cougar chuckled and started to the elevator, "I'll put these in the car."

Mimori nodded and started to her room to make sure everything was fine and locked up. She never expected to bump none other than Ryuho. "Eh, sorry Ryuho didn't see you there." Ryuho said nothing and he stared at her with her keys in her pockets. He made a quick assumption. "You're leaving?"

She knew what he wanted and hoping she do. To leave the Holy and go back to her high society friends and be a good girl and mind her own business in affairs that didn't concern her. She wanted to snort and laugh at his face that seemed not like her at all. Maybe all the stress was finally tiring her out making her act impulsive things she thought she'd never do. "Yes, I'm leaving." That was all she gave and it wasn't a total lie but not the whole truth either. She saw the pleasure that crossed his eyes in that 1 second. She once again wanted to scream. Why didn't he want her here, in Holy, with him? He let Scheris stay maybe because she had an alter power, or maybe she was prettier than her? Her eyes widened a fraction at what she was feeling. It was plain jealously.

If Ryuho noticed her reaction he didn't address it. "Good." He stated plainly and turned around walking back to the assignments that he left hanging to talk or better persuade Mimori to once again leave Holy.

Mimori stood there clutching her pendant unconsciously, her eyes crinkled within the edge of tears. Her voice soft as a whisper, "I…I'll miss you…Ryuho." She didn't expect for Ryuho to hear that. Then she turned back and walked towards the elevators dragging her heart behind her.

She never saw Ryuho stop in mid-step. She never saw him turn and return the words that Mimori hadn't intended for Ryuho to hear. "I'll miss you too, Miss. Mimori."

He watched as the elevators close with a soft click.

"Why Miss. Miniri what's with the long face?" Cougar stood outside leaning his weight unto his baby (car), with his arms crossed and a concerned smile.

Masking her heartbreak she laughed mildly. "Oh no need to worry over nothing. I'm fine."

Cougar was a bit to smart to believe her, but he wasn't going to say anything. "Great!" He straightened up and opened the passenger's door with a sweep of his hand. "Ladies first."

Mimori laughed. "How kind of you."

"You know me. I'm a perfect gentleman." Cougar stated as he rounded his car.

When Cougar turn the ignition key it sent Mimori to high alert. She grabbed his arm before he grabbed the wheel. "Please Cougar, go easy on that radical good speed of yours." She remembered her first time in HOLY when Cougar took her to the battle site, she grew nauseous and worn out of how fast they were going. She did not want to repeat that again.

Cougar hesitated, but he gave in. He knew Mimori didn't enjoy fast thrill rides. He couldn't understand why when he looked forward to his thrill rides everyday. It was like a dose of his daily caffeine. He couldn't live without it. Instead he grinned and started the car and drove like any other person did, slowly. He was strained but it was worth it as he saw Mimori smile in gratitude. He knew that she knew how much this was costing him.

They joked and talked during most of the ride. Enjoying each other's company. When Cougar came to a stop Mimori looked out the window. A museum?

"A place where art is preserved and pondered over." Cougar said, he opened her door and looked fondly at the museum.

"I ah…never thought you liked art museums."

"I like many things." He replied simply.

They wondered through halls stacked with many different arts. Some where of portraits dated to 1850's or even lower. Others were sculptures of many different forms and sizes. Currently they were seated on a bench overlooking a landscape.

"I like coming here. It gives me some sense of peace. To look at these paintings and try to find what the artist wants me to see, to feel." Cougar broke the silence. He turned to Mimori and pointed at the Landscape. "Tell me what do you see..."

"Well…" not so good with stuff like this, Mimori looked over the painting, "…I see a waterfall, with trees surrounding the spring, and many flowers of every kind blooming everywhere…the colors so light, so soft. The sky is a clear blue with no clouds to intervene…"

"What do you feel?"

"I feel like I'm in paradise. I feel pure in this place like there is nowhere else to go but here. There's calmness in there that I want to take hold and keep it forever. I feel peaceful." She took a deep breath as if to breathe in the fresh air as if she were there.

Cougar smiled, but said nothing. He too felt like that, but knew it was a paradise that was to far to reach. He took Mimori's hand and led her to another picture.

"And this?"

"War, death, and blood." Her immediate response. Her fantasy shattered as the picture reflected bold strokes matched with bold colors. This painting meant to show the despairs and horrors of war.

Cougar smiled despite himself. "Different worlds seen by different set of eyes." Mimori looked startled. "They lived different lives, saw different things, felt different things."

Cougar frowned. "They were both from different worlds: only here do they intercept."

"I guess..."

"…but tell me this…where do we stand, Miss Mimori? Where's our world?" Cougar stood facing front looking at the painting trying to figure out his own questions.

"I think-" Mimori looked at the waterfall painting and then the war painting. In the middle there was only wall. She walked in between the paintings and slapped a hand on the gray cool wall. "—that we're in the middle. Right stuck on the middle."

She heard Cougars explosion of laughter. "Well put Miss. Minori."

"How many times am I suppose to repeat myself! It's 'Mimori'!"

Only Cougar's continued laughter ensued. Then a grumbling overrode the laughter. Cougar placed a hand on his tummy. "Guess I'm hungry. Come on let's go, I know a place where we could eat."

They were outside and going down the steps when Cougar suddenly stopped. His face contorted in fear and anger. Right away Mimori thought something was wrong because of the way Cougar's hands fisted. "Bastards." He mumbled under his breath.

He ran the rest of the stairs and flung himself at his car crying. "Oh baby…its okay...we're going to get those bastards who did this. They'll pay dearly of what they did. I promise you."

Mimori looked confused. "What happened?"

"They'll pay, I tell you! They will pay!"

Mimori continued to be thoroughly confused in till she saw a small white scratch on his car. "It's just a scratch, Cougar."

Cougar grew subdued which irked her. "Just…a…scratch?" His eyes glittered dangerously and Mimori couldn't help wondering if the male species were overly protective and touchy with their cars.

Cougar went into fits of anger and if Mimori could, she sweatdropped. He only stopped when his hunger overruled his revenge on the people who damaged 'his baby'. He reluctantly went in his car, Mimori in fits of giggles as she got in too. They drove with Cougar mumbling obscene things about vengeance and what not.

Mimori looked out the window. The scene changed into city, town, then into barren land. She began to wonder where were they going. They came to a stop at a cliff. This was the place where Cougar drove her to see Ryuho and Kazuma first fight. Cougar went to the back, opened the trunk and took out a basket and a blanket.

"We are eating here?"

Cougar nodded. "Where else? I thought this was nice because this was the first place I brought you when you first arrived." He set out the blanket and opened the basket, which contained sandwiches and drinks.

He wanted this date so badly because he knew it was his last time before he left her on Kazuma's doorstep. Who knew what was going to happen during the next month. Mimori smiled and sat crossed legged on the blanket and took a plate that Cougar offered. They chatted amiably, and noticed that the sun started going down. Cougar straightened and took Mimori's hand. "Guess it's time to drop you off."

Nerves were back Mimori felt them race up and down her spine. Cougar squeezed her hand in a friendly gesture as to calm her. "Don't worry too much. They're nice people, and I know you're going to like them."

"I hope so."

Cougar merely shrugged. They started cleaning up and put the basket and blanket away.

"Look at them. Going on with their lives as if no threat could ever faze them." Captain Sigmar said smiling at Ryuho who also stood by the window. "That's what separates the strongest from the weakest."

"And it's the strongest that protect the weakest."

'No it's the strongest that take control of the weak.' Captain Sigmar added silently, and bobbed his head. Ryuho turned to the window and recognized a familiar car. "I wonder where Straight is going?"

Everything was unknown about Sigmar except he was the one who'd run things around Holy. No one ever questioned him nor dare to defy him. The consequences were to be very deadly. Lately it seemed that a certain scientist wanted to pursue her place further, and made it her duty to research on them. She was already suspicious of his plans, but he couldn't get rid of her because of her family status. The next best thing was to distract her, and he knew what went on his quarters. There was no little thing he didn't know about.

When Cougar stepped unto his office early on, it seemed the circumstances were on his favor. Now the girl was on her way to the Lost Grounds, and he made sure she got cozy before he sent the Dozens to dispose of her.

"I imagine to the Lost Grounds." He answered.

"On an assignment?"

"Yes, he's suppose to escort Miss. Kiryu to the Lost Grounds." He saw in the corner of his eye that Ryuho visibly stiffened. He liked stringing along his Holy members for his own enjoyment. "Cougar is to leave Miss. Kiryu to a certain NP3228 to protect her during her stay." He added deliberately.

Captain Sigmar watched the sun go down and heard the slam of his office door. Interesting, he thought, very interesting.

Ryuho was seething in ill-contained rage. She lied to him. To him. Of all her complications she caused he'd never thought she be a liar. And to lie to him of all people. How could she? Mimori, he'd known her since childhood for only a brief time but during that time they were best of friends, his only friend. She never lied to him before but then time changes people it certainly changed him, so why couldn't Mimori change? Ryuho didn't want her to change. Deep down he knew that he wanted Mimori the way she was. Maybe he was selfish to want her to stay the same but many people have left his life to never come back, but she did. She was the only one to come back, and it scared him. He woken up to many nights to count sweaty and clammy of the thought that she leave him all alone again. So it made sense that he was to push her away. Right?

He bumped into Scheris, he meant to apologize but he needed to vent his anger. He headed for the gym.

"Ryuho?" Scheris grabbed his arm, tightened her grip when he tried to pull away. "Are you okay?"

Ryuho stopped, turned his dark green head to Scheris. "Let go of me," he said in a calm voice, "…and how I am is not of any business of yours." He glared, his eyes icy as his tone. "So back off!" He twisted away and went to the gym.

Scheris started towards him but Eelian grabbed her wrist. "I wouldn't approach him right about now. You would do more harm than good if you go." The quiet and conservative boy warned.

Scheris didn't want to but listen to the Eelian and went to the cafeteria for something to eat. She stared at her food untouched, her thoughts focused on solely Ryuho.

Ryuho punched, kicked, punched, kicked, punched, and kicked the punching bag. He was going on it for 5 hours now and still he was not satisfied. He kept thinking of her. She betrayed him with his greatest rival. Kazuma. He thought she had loyalty, but obviously she did not if she sauntered to go with Kazuma agreeably. She always was too nice with the native alters and the inners. Always helping them, he though irritably. His knuckles thawed and sweat beaded down his forehead. It was a while till he dropped on his knees, his hands spread on the blue mat. It hurt. He was hurt all over. She actually hurt him. Taking harsh gulps of air he managed to smile wryly. Even Kazuma didn't bring him to his knees like she did.

"Kazu-kun!" The brown-haired girl joyously greeted him.

Kazuma smiled warmly at Kanami as she looked after him. After seating him and giving him a cup of herbal tea, which he hated but didn't say anything, he drank. The liquid warming his bones.

"You are tired?" Kanami asked as she seated herself in the other side of him. Kazuma only shrugged as his response.

"You work too hard, Kazu-kun." Kanami bit her lip and looked down at her hands, which were gripped tightly.

" You know you're right. I do work hard sometimes." Kazuma stretched and yawned. He began to stand but noticed the expression on Kanami's face. "Is something wrong?"

"Um..." Kanami fidgeted. "We are pretty low on our money Kazu-kun."

Kazuma smiled. "Well if that's the problem then I'll go with you to the farm and work over time."

"…ah…I know, but I did something to help us even more."

One eyebrow arched. "And what is it?"

"I…ah…rented one of our rooms, but it's only for a month." She looked up at him, her emerald eyes gleaming. "Don't be mad."

Kazuma grinned and ruffled her hair. "No biggie." It was no problem to him if some guy wanted to stay for a month. If he stayed out of his way and Kanami's then it was wasn't a problem.

Kanami smiled shyly, for being worried over something so silly. Then she perked up when she remembered something. "Oh Kazu-kun, Kimishima's awake!"

"Great!" He ran towards the room where Kimishima was currently placed in.

"This is it." Cougar stood to one side of his car.

Mimori her suitcases on both hands tilted her head up to the house where she was going to stay a month in. It was old and shabby but sturdy enough. It had a welcoming air that Mimori felt comforting. "It's beautiful."

Women her status and wealth would scoff and look disgusted before they ever say that this house was beautiful. Women who were born rich like Mimori were used to being pampered, living in mansions, and wasting daddy's money, but not Mimori. She wasn't like any rich snob he knew. Nope, Mimori was one of a kind. He walked back to his car, not letting Mimori notice. He turned on the ignition and brought back his radical good speed and he was gone quick as lighting.

"Cou…Cougar!" Mimori yelled as she saw his car dwindle into the distance. She huffed but a small smile tugged on the corners of her mouth. "Thank you."

She turned back to the house and nerves raised again. Bravely she went up the few steps and knocked three times.

"So you didn't get her back." His voice was hoarse for not using it for days. Kimishima stood standing awkwardly, but miserable. Ayasa was still there with those people who could be doing anything to her right now.

Kazuma bowed his head. "I'm sorry Kimishma."

Kimishima turned his head right. "Damn them…damn them to hell!"

Silence engulfed the small room.

"I hear you renting a room." He said, changing the subject.

"Yes."

"Do you know who it is?" He asked.

Kazuma gave a careless shrug. "Probably a guy, but I don't really care. He doesn't get in my way and I don't get in his way, then we're fine."

Kimishima opened his mouth but Kanami called out. "Kazu-kun can you get the door for me. I'm a bit busy."

Kazuma called an agreement and stood up from his crouched position on the floor. He started to the door with Kimishima right behind him hobbling a bit.

He opened the door and the surprised face that faced him equaled his own.

Behind him he could hear Kimishima snickered. "Holy hell, Kazuma she ain't a man. It's that pretty little doctor that helped Kanami."

"Kazuma." That minute she wanted to strangle Cougar.

"Mimori." Kazuma never thought he well think murderous thoughts of his sweet little Kanami. What the hell had Kanami done?

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