Disclaimers Notice: Yes...n-n-no...maybe?

Authors Beginning Note: Total chaos! Shout outs!

Aharah Musici- I'm glad that you really like my chapters so far! Thanx so much for your much appreciated review! (I feel all warm and tingly now :-D)

As for the other few reviewers who want me to update sooner, I truly am sorry, I'm just so crammed right now, I'm barely able to update as much as once a week as I have been. So please bare with me, and if it does make you feel better, you can flame me...but I'll cry! ( ( )

Chapter 12

Relief and followers
As I woke up the first thing I noticed was the uncomfortable feeling of someone watching me, so I quickly opened my eyes and unsheathed my dagger and held it up to my stalkers neck, who happened to be...

"You! What do you want! I thought I told you to scram." I said and he just stared at me with sharp calculating eyes, but didn't move lest he find himself without a neck.

"You were right." He said at last and he lowerd his eyes.

"Keh. Of course I was right. What did I tell ya? Now high tail it before I snap you're neck." I resheathed my dagger for the second time that morning and made to jump out of my conveniently opened window to scour for breakfast and transportation.

"Wait!" I stopped and looked at the kid.

"Where are you going?"

"What's it to ya ?"

"You're new here aren't you. I could help you." He said hastily and almost pleadingly. I smirked.

"Kid, I've been around here a couple of times in my years. I don't need no scum between my toes to help me out." I jumped out and landed on my feet.

"You better be out by the time I come back." I called over my shoulder and slipped into the early morning hustle. Unnoticed, I borrowed a few fruits and rolls from vending stands and worked my way to the upper part of town. Not too long after I had me two free Arfegones. The man seemed really grateful to give them to me as soon as he saw his lovely daughter's neck between my tightly grasped fingers. I wonder what his problem was.

It was about this time I was about to pass by an alley quite close to the pub, that I happen to see five rough built man turn into shreds and fall helplessly to the ground. I looked at the attacker and there stood the kid. That kids got speed, not to mention guts.

"Hey kid, I don't think I got your name." He spun around ready to attack me but stood up straight instead and spit out some blood. Apperently one guy managed to get a measly punch to the face. Good for him.

"Yoshi." He said with his arms crossed.

"Who gave you that name?"

"My mother."

"Well, do you see your mother anywhere around?" He shook his head.

"Well than. Isn't that a shame. From now on you're Katsu." I said gesturing for him to follow me. He smirked but his eyes held an impish innocence. I am really too nice.

"And what am I to call you?" I didn't even look down.

"Aikia." He looked down and seemed to think the name over.

"Can you do more than just slash people into pieces really fast?" I asked he looked up with an evil gleam.

"Oh yes. I am quieter than most and I have a keen sense of smell better than any dogs around. My hearings pretty good too. I'm the ideal thief." I raised an eyebrow. Yes, he could come in handy.

"So you're pretty much built like a cat?"

"Yah."

"Well, I'll tell you what. You stick around and I might show you a thing or two about thieving and fighting." He looked surprised for a moment before looking arrogant, as if he had just fooled someone into eating right out of his hands.

"Well now Master Aikia. Where are we going?" I smirked. Master Aikia, I could get used to that. I think I might just keep this runt around long enough to see his next few birthdays.

"We're off to get you some new clothes."

"Really?"

"I don't travel with dingy rats. If you are to be in my presence, than I demand you to at least look presentable." He looked thrilled. Not arrogant. I guess I gave him more than he thought he could chew. I took a deep breath, and wrinkled my nose.

"And a bath." He stopped and looked stricken, as if he had just been slapped after being told what a sweet child he was.

"A-a bath?" I nodded and smirked.

"Yes. You know, with water and soap. You smell." He looked absolutely ridiculous as he stood there. His face a mixture of begging and horror.

"I don't need a bath. I'm just fine without one. A little smell won't kill anyone." I smirked.

"What, is someone afraid of a little water?" His face scrunched up as he crossed his arms.

"No." he said indignately.

"Good. It will make it easier than for you to take a bath." He began to mumble little tidbits but followed none the less. I wonder what he'd be like if I fed him cat nip.
"Chihiro!" my eyes flashed open and I would have jerked forward if I wasn't pinned so snuggly.

"Kohaku? Kohaku! Where are you? It hurts!" I yelled screaming again. Light. Green light! But where's it coming from? It's everywhere! Kohaku? But how?

"Kohaku! Where are you? Please answer me!" I begged. I began to scream about the pain but it's gone. It's gone? Wait, I can't feel any more pain. Except...I miss Kohaku. It feels like my heart is about to break. Oh Kohaku. Where are you?

"Be strong Chihiro, my love." Came his soft voice like a peacefully swift flowing river lilting in my ears. Then all of the light faded.

"I love you...Kohaku." I whispered in return but received no answer. Oh Kohaku, please hold on. I promise...somehow I'll save you." And swift blackness consumed me once more.

"Who's the jazzed up ragamuffin?" Cina'ed asked clutching his head from a hangover. I tossed him a set of reigns.

"Get on. We have business to tend to." I said and swung my legs upon the black eyed, thick smoothed skinned blue creature that was barely even five feet off of the ground. It's floppy ears twitched.

"What? But I ain't had no breakfast yet." I threw him a loaf of bread.

"Hurry up if you don't want your sorry butt left behind." I said and the kid straddled onto Cina'ed's mount.

"What's the rush? We just got here last..." I clicked my tongue and with a gust of whirlwind I was off rushing in the direction of the mountains, the beasts four feet pounding upon the ground forcing up gales of wind around us but went faster than a sand storm. A few moments later I was accompanied by the other two who shared the same mount of equal speed. Soon, Cina'ed took the reigns from Katsu and began pulling ahead. So, he's looking to race is he. Well than, he better get ready to dust off my feet. I flicked the reigns and ducked even lower and off we went. Within moments we were out of the dry gorge and onto flat valleys of high green grass.

For a moment, I almost was the boy in my youth who whooped and hollored for joy as he and his sister laughed and raced in much the same manner. For a moment I was the young man who was smiling and competing against his love. And for a moment, I almost didn't want to destroy this world. Almost.

Authors Ending Note: Hey there! Hope you liked this chapter.

Aikia actually being nice! :- ! Holy Toledo! He even mentioned his 'love'. Who is she? Where is she, and why isn't she with him now? What with all of this chaos who knows what's going to happen in the next chapter. Chaos...such a fun word! Chaos is also what's going to happen if Chihiro doesn't get to saving Kohaku's butt and soon, because it looks like Ahrima and Aikia might have some deadly strings to tug!