Althe: Yo! Sorry for the long update^^;;; Damn homework is keeping me up again. Other than that, I'm sleep deprived --;;; So if I have ANY grammatical mistakes then don't blame me. I put this is spell check, read it myself, and my stupid editor's eating--;;;

Any questions that you may have asked me are just too hard to answer--;;; Just read on and you'll find out^^

:::Ayashi No Ceres Entering the World of Angels and Hell:::

8. Gone

*****

-"You didn't mention your name before.." Aya turned her gaze from the girl to the sky.

She could feel the girl give her another smirk.

The girl clicked her tongue and brushed away her bangs revealing her magnificent amber eyes radiating in the sun's light.

"My name?" she said casually as Aya shifted her eyes to stare directly at her.

"My name's Ceres."-

Chichiri sneezed.

"I don't think she's in the hotel no da."

Hotohori shook his head.

"Yes. I think so too."

Chichiri sneezed again and looked out at the front entrance. Could she have taken off so soon? But Why?

Nuriko eyed the place carefully for the second time. No one in strange clothing like Miaka's was here.

"Mah..," Nuriko sighed as he scratched his head in confusion.

Tasuki walked up to the front counter and grabbed the clerk by the collar.

"Oi! Have you seen a strangely dressed girl walk out of this building?"

"Tasuki!" Miaka scolded as she grabbed him by the ear.

Tasuki instantly dropped the man and started cursing at her. The clerk dropped to the ground and gagged for a moment then replied in a trembling voice, "Ye-yes sir!"

Tamahome quirked up his eyebrow.

"Hm? When?" he asked as he shifted his gaze to the entrance then back at the trembling man.

"N-not l-long ago sir!"

"Was there anyone else with her?" Mitsukake asked as he petted Tama gently on the back.

"Ye-yes sir! A beautiful purple haired girl! Th-they t-talked for a, a bi- bit the-then le-left!"

"I see."

"Which direction?" Tamahome asked as he walked towards the door and peered outside where the hot sun beamed.

"I, I do-don't kn-know."

Nuriko rubbed his forehead.

"What to do?" he breathed out quietly as he closed his eyes.

Chichiri looked towards Tamahome's direction.

"We should go now if we want to find her soon no da."

Chiriko nodded.

"Hai!"

-----

Aya blinked and her eyes widened.

"Nani??? Ceres???" she shouted as she pointed to her in surprise.

Ceres sighed.

"Hai, hai."

"Nan-nanda???" Aya cried as she goggled at the gorgeous figure.

Ceres looked up at the sky. Her eyes were clouded with thoughts and feelings.

"Let's go somewhere more quiet to explain things."

Aya looked around.

"Where to?"

Ceres swung her hair back. She paused for a moment and looked at the crowd from behind her. Ceres looked back at Aya.

"Anywhere but here."

-----

"Any sign of her?" Tamahome asked as the group gathered back at the hotel's entrance.

Tasuki shook his head. Tamahome sighed.

"What now?" he asked as he crossed his arms and looked at the thick crowd of people zooming in and out of stores and restaurants.

Chichiri scratched his head.

"I dunno no da."

Nuriko sighed and gazed absentmindedly at the crowd in front of him. He stopped at a beautiful purple haired goddess and planted his eyes on her. There were no words to express it but one. She was just beautiful. He gazed at her for a couple of moments as the rest of the gang started discussing matters.

"Well, we could always just ditch her you know," Tasuki said dully as he placed his hands behind his head.

"Tasuki-san, that isn't right though...," Chiriko said in a pitying voice.

"What's right and wrong Chiriko? I've probably killed about twenty people by now and loads of gals still consider me as the hero!"

"That's not the point Tasuki-san...."

"We better hurry on finding her," Hotohori said worriedly, "we can't waste time here."

"I know," Tamahome said as he yawned lazily.

Nuriko didn't take notice of the conversation. He just kept on staring. Something about the girl seemed so familiar. Kourin? No. It couldn't be.

"A beautiful purple haired girl...," Nuriko said absentmindedly.

Tasuki turned his head.

"You say something Nuriko?"

"..."

Tasuki raised his eyebrow.

"Nuriko?"

Nuriko didn't reply.

Hotohori and the others took notice of Nuriko's strange behaviour and all looked at him.

Nuriko took no notice.

The purple haired girl swung her hair revealing her magnificent amber eyes. She stared at Nuriko and Nuriko stared back.

He blinked.

As the purple haired girl turned her head, Nuriko managed to see the girl he had saved earlier waiting for her. Nuriko's eyes widened.

"Oi!" He shouted as he chased after them.

"Nuriko!" cried the other's as they ran after him.

It's her, Nuriko thought to himself. It's her!

But as Nuriko came to a stop where the two girls were, they were already gone.

Nuriko formed a fist with his right hand.

"Damn."

*****

Althe: Done! Sorry it was so short but I have a Resources Map to finish up-- ;;; I'll try to update ASAP neh? Well, hoped ya liked it!

Peace.