Too Close To Tell You

An: Twenty bodies buried in the backyard and counting… That's what you get for reminding me I don't own it GRRRRR!

Chapter 12 – Only bad dreams…

Cassie rolled over, unable to sleep. The room was crowded, but that wasn't her problem. Ever since that morning she had felt an overwhelming feeling of dread. Her heart told her that it could only be one thing… 'Khana.' She whispered. She stood up and stared out the open window, letting the cool breeze touch her skin gently.

'Ma petite?' Keith asked sitting up straight and staring at her. 'You seem upset.'

She shook her head. 'She's coming.'

'Who?' He asked standing up and placing his hands on her shoulders comfortingly.

He received no answer; she just continued to stare out the window at the horizon. He could feel her shaking slightly, but not of the cool. She turned to see Erené dreaming something. It must have been a pleasant dream because she smiled. Keith sat on the edge of his bed again and watched her. 'You are too like Margarete for words or actions.' He frowned when she paused and stared at him. 'Take it as a compliment Cassie, for she was a very strong woman.'

She nodded as he rolled over for the measly sleep that he would get with the humans for the night. 'It's just a dream…' She muttered crawling under the covers next to her sister. 'Just a dream.'

The little boy laughed at her. 'Ana you're so funny!'

She smiled at him gently. 'You're so cute! I want a picture of you!' She took out the large camera and placed it on the tripod facing the sunset. 'Oh Alexei stand very still and don't forget to smile!'

'I wont Ana!' he giggled as she snapped the picture. 'Did you get it?'

'Yes I got it!' She sighed as she looked out over the horizon staring at the sunset. 'How could I miss something so big and beautiful?' For a moment every thing stood still and suddenly it turned to darkness in an alleyway. It was cold and wet.

'Hurry!' The man yelled at the little boy. 'Alexei we must hurry.'

'Where's Ana?' He asked tears forming in his green eyes. 'Where is she?'

'Yes where is Anastasia!' The woman beside the man cried out.

The man scooped the woman and child up. 'She'll be safe! Kurando is protecting her…'

'Don't be so sure of yourself Emperor…' A familiar voice laughed. 'She's already dead.'

'No!' The woman cried out. 'My daughter what have you done with my daughter.' She dropped to her knees in tears begging the man for answers. None came; swiftly he pulled his gun out and shot her mercilessly in the chest. One by one he shot them stopping at last at the little boy.

'Little Prince Alexei, when you see your sister again and you will, wish her my most heartfelt, sincere wish of misery!' He laughed and pulled the trigger. The boy stood still for a moment staring at the gaping hole in his chest before crumpling like a little rag doll… 'Anastasia…' He whispered.

She sat up. 'Alexei!' she cried out panting for air.

'What did you say?' Kurando asked sitting up and facing her. His crimson eyes shone in the moonlight. 'Anastasia what did you say?'

She shook feeling quite ill. Her face had been drained of all colour. 'Alexei…' She whispered. 'He killed Alexei… just shot him in the chest. No mercy at all…' She finished in tears. Kurando moved closer to her and put his arms around her, pulling her into his chest. Into his warmth and protection.

'It's all right Anastasia. It will be okay.' He stroked her hair gently as she sobbed into his chest waking every one else up. 'It's only a memory.'

She straightened and stared at him. 'It's not one of my memories… is it… I wasn't there.'

He just pulled her in closer until she relaxed a little. 'We'll talk about it in the morning, right now you need rest.'

She nodded her answer and cuddled up into his chest as they fell asleep, listening to each others gentle breathing.

'Kurando I swear!' Yuri yelled. 'If you don't have a good reason to come here I am gonna kick your butt!'

The samurai smiled as he walked past the ghost. 'Whatever Yuri.' Watching the graveyard before him.

He paused. 'Hey when did you turn into a smart ass?'

Again Kurando ignored him and continued until he stopped in front of a huge golden gate. 'Pathway to Desperation? Hmm.'

He pushed the door open and walked through. In the centre stood the reaper that had helped him before, waiting for him. 'Kurando Inugami you have arrived.'

'Yes thank you.' He answered sitting on the ground. 'I have a few questions…'

'I know. You may ask Kurando Inugami, I can not guarantee I will answer them.'

He nodded. 'Why did you help me?'

It smiled at him. 'A soul only belongs to one person and one person alone. Lania had no place taking over your soul the way she did.'

Yuri sat on the ground his legs crossed beside his cousin. 'So you help him? But not me? Bite me!' He was quite upset at the time. 'How come?'

'Yuri Hyuga, your soul was never stolen, only used against you.' It answered in its whispering voice. 'Alice Elliot gave up her soul willingly for you. It was her choice as it was yours.'

'Hmph.' Yuri answered. 'Stupid Reaper… Could have told me that ages ago.'

'You never required any help…'

Kurando laughed out loud. 'Why are you here in my soul now?'

'Shaddup.' Yuri muttered.

'Lania and Lutin plan to use your soul to kill Princess Anastasia. They need your abilities a harmonixer to take over the world and destroy it. Yuri may have defeated Rasputin, but he only delayed that plan temporarily. It was Lutin's objective to kill his father and take over. He is using Lania to do his dirty work… I am here guarding your soul against future attempts to kill the Princess. She too has a major part in the future to play.'

He stared at the reaper. 'Anastasia? What has she got to do with it?'

'More than you know.' It answered. 'Do not concern yourself just yet for the future is still to be decided. Protect her and in return I shall protect you.'

He nodded. 'I will always protect her.'

Yuri yawned. 'I am so bored!'

'I feel there is another question you would like to ask…'

Kurando nodded standing up. 'I… I wanna know why you're helping me if fate is a straight path.'

The creature paused and smiled. 'Occasionally there is a soul that is so powerful that the owner knows not what do with it. That is all I can offer you for now Kurando Inugami.' With that it disappeared into the grey air above them.

'Like that explained everything…' Yuri huffed staring at the space that the creature had once occupied. 'Stupid Fate! When has it ever done any thing for any one?'

'You're just miffed he didn't do any thing for you!' Kurando answered tauntingly as if he were older than Yuri. 'I'm just worried about Anastasia… I don't have a good feeling about this journey.'

Yuri laughed. 'You're paranoid… The next time you wake me up and you don't need me will be your last understood?'

Kurando chuckled back. 'Say hi to all the ghosts for me Yuri.'

'WHAT! Ghosts where? Where are they? Come out and show yourselves you freaky ethereal thingies!' He shouted as the world faded away in the brilliant wash of white as it usually did. It was very amusing however to see his brave cousin trying to whack no existent ghosts.

He sat up and watched and blinked. The sun was rising now, it was a new day and he would make the most of it. Anastasia stirred a little, but slept a little longer. 'It was only a dream… Sleep my princess.' He whispered touching her gently on the face before getting up and watching the sun rise. 'You'll need it.'

AN: Omg this is the second longest thing I have ever written. My teacher was right I do write like I talk…

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