Disclaimers Notice: The only thing I own is the way in which I chose to use the characters and setting (oh, and a few of my own creations...)

Authors Beginning Note: la

Shout it outs!

Pearldrop-The ending might be a while...

Meyojojo- Yes...call it a hobby. (LOL)

Velf- You'll find out in the next few chapters exactly what the Creppler is.

Aharah Musici- Many have pondard upon that question...only to get a migrane. (LOL)

Chapter 23

15 Minutes

Chihiro's POV-

Previously

"Are you listening? I said 'NO'" She stared at me, then laughed. Her head fell back and she laughed. She stopped and looked back at me, her eyes gleaming a dark sinister look.

"Wrong answer, human." The blade was at my throat.

Current Position

"You will do as I say, or I'll kill you."

"Do you work for Aikia?"

"I only work for myself." She raised her bladed hand.

"Bwee!"

"Foozler, no!" I screamed as he dove for her Toshi's face. His teeth were bared and eyes were red. He looked possessed as he charged at her.

"You rotten little beast!" Toshi screamed, nearly killing Foozler as her blade missed his neck and hit his shoulder instead. He screeched, and I felt tears fall at the agonizing piercing.

"Stop!" I screamed.

I can't take it...not anymore...it has to stop...I can't let her kill Foozler...

"Hmm. I knew you would comply eventually." She grinned. Foozler inched to me, whimpering, hissing, and snarling at Toshi. I can't say I didn't want to do the same.

"I'm new at this, so don't expect it to be fast. It takes a while."

"How long?"

"I don't know."

"How long?" She was right into my face.

"15 minutes maybe." She seemed to think about it before snarling.

"Not a second more, or I'll let the Foozler dangle in your face as it dies." I nodded, more confidently than I felt. She sat down across from me, eye intent, body alert, but she seemed uneasy.

"Why do you want me to do this so badly?"

"Stalling won't help you."

"I wasn't stalling." She looked disgruntled to say the least, she shifted her position.

Why is she so nervous...maybe...I can take this...and make it to my advantage...

"You look nervous." I commented. She threw a small Triblade that landed right in front of Foozler, making him screech and holler as he scooted right up next to my side.

"Me, nervous? What for? After all I have the upper hand." She grinned, but her eyes wavered as she went back to looking behind us.

I felt the earth shudder underneath me. It rumbled and shook, making my teeth chatter, but was soon gone with nothing more.

"It's becoming more frequent."

"What is?"

"Don't you have a job to do?"

"I guess you really don't know then."

"Know what?" gotcha...

"About the earthquakes. You said they are becoming more frequent. I just thought it sounded like you knew something about them, that's all. I guess not." I said innocently. I could see Toshi's ego begin to build up inside her as she stood haughtily a few feet from me.

"It just so happens, I know a lot about these earthquakes."

"Is that so? Like what?" I said unbelievingly. This goaded her enough to continue.

"I know that they're no natural phenomenon."

"They're not?" She snorted.

"Daft human. No. Not many know why they are happening, but they are happening more frequently all over Kamikakushi. This forest is probably the safest place to be during one. All the trees have such thick long roots, that the shaking is deflected to a slight amount. "

"So you don't know who's creating them, or why they are happening?" I said, let down a little.

"Well, no. Not yet." She looked ruffled and sat back down in a huff. I let out a sigh.

Just when I thought I'd finally have some answers...

"You have five more minutes." I let my arm fall over the trembling Foozler, before closing my eyes.

I found the glowing ball in my head without much difficulty and hesitantly placed both hands over it.

It must be easier...with practice...but before I do what she asks...I have one other thing to do first...

'Vai.'

'You...danger...' I sighed.

'Vai. What ever happens, you can not come into the forest.'

'...save you...'

'Vai. No. You can not come after me.'

'...promise... protect...help...'

'I know Vai. You've fulfilled your promise as best as you could, but you can't come, not to where I am.'

'Why' I nearly snapped out of the conversation as I felt a tear roll down my cheek.

'Because...by the time you get here...I'll be dead.' I heard a loud screech and snapped my eyes open.

"Time's up." Toshi said, her blade ready to arc and cut at Foozler's throat.

"No!" Even as I heard myself screaming, a streak of light flew in front, causing me to close my eyes and look away.

An unearthly howl echoed in the forest at such high pitches, I felt the world fall beneath me and go black.

Authors Ending Note: What was that light? Was it soem weapon, or entity, or possibly a strange but natral occurance? And that howl. Who or what caused it? And what will happen with Chihiro?