Chapter 27

"It what?!" Quatre looked back at her in alarmed confusion.

"It killed me." Rei repeated quietly, not taking her eyes off the monster still glaring at the from the high, brick wall.

"And if...that thing killed you-" Wufei turned to look at her closely. "How are you here now?"

"I was reborn." She paused as they both looked back at her. Rei dropped her eyes. "Princess thing. The others managed to destroy it, but I..." She trailed off. Standing up slowly, she focused on the monster now grinning wildly down at her. (I don't have a choice.) Heero's face appeared before her and she called her power. (I have to finish this.) The others stood up around her. (I have to get back to him.)

Pulling in a heavy breath, Rei concentrated her power into her hands.

"So we fight it?" Quatre looked up as he unlocked his gun.

"No choice." Rei muttered and suddenly thrust her hands out and to fireballs hurtled towards the creature.

Jumping nimbly out of the way, it leapt off the building and landed with a crash on the sidewalk the walkway crunched under his weight and sent gravel flying.

Dodging bits of rock, the three moved a bit apart. A sudden gunshot rang out and the creature stumbled forward. It emitted a low growl, and focused its fierce, glowing eyes on Wufei.

The distraction let Rei send more fireballs into his side and the creature stumbled again and clutched its side. Letting out a howl, it cast its arm at Rei and a wave of power sent her flying into the outer wall. A suddenly volley of gunshots resounded through the courtyard as Rei hit the ground.

The rocks bit into her feet as she stood up. Quatre and Wufei were now on either side of the creature, firing as it twisted between them, howling. Ugly, purple blood oozed from its wounds and spattered the ground below.

And suddenly the gunfire stopped. There were a few empty clicks and the creature finally fell to its knees, grasping at its wounds.

"We're empty!" Quatre yelled and looked over at Rei, worry strong in his voice.

The creature suddenly swung his arm towards Quatre, sending him flying into the gravel. Then, turning on Wufei, it charged, ignoring its wounds, claws out. Wufei had nowhere to run; in front of a wall, next to the water, he picked up a rock and slammed it into the creature's face just as it lunged. It howled in pain, but it had succeeded. Three of its claws were now embedded in Wufei's stomach.

He looked down and suddenly coughed, splattering crimson over the black and purple arm pinning him to the wall.

"No!" Rei screamed and pulled every ounce of her power into one massive ball. It burst from her and plowed into the creature. The monster howled as it flew aside, ripping its claws from Wufei's stomach. It hit the ground, crushing the lip of the river. A splash and it was finally dead. Its head and arm fell beneath the surface and it stilled.

With a groan, Wufei clutched his bleeding stomach and slid to the ground. Breathing heavily, Quatre shakily rose to his feet. "Is it-"

The creature suddenly burst into ashes and disintegrated, leaving only the buckled ground to show where it had fallen.

"Yeah." Rei answered, leaning forward to rest on her knees. "It's dead."

A rough cough brought their attention back to Wufei. He had his fist stuffed in the wound, but his blood seeped out around it. Running over to him, Rei stopped a few feet from him. He looked up.

"I don't-"

Rei kneeled down and waved for him to be quiet. "Stop it. Your going to..." She trailed off. (Oh God, he's going to die- He's bleeding too much-and- Wait!) Rei gasped as an idea hit her.

"Can't-can't you heal him?" Quatre slid to the ground on the other side of Wufei. "Like you healed yourself?"

Rei breathed a sigh of relief. "Yeah. Just-" She reached for his wound.

'Now, now, Princess...' Nia's voice sounded above them. 'Don't want to make his boo-boo any worse, now do you?' Her dry, metallic laugh cut the air.

"No..." Rei whispered.

"It..." Wufei caught Rei's wrist. "It was...an honor, Princess." He looked at her intently for a moment before he vanished.

I'm alive!!!!!!!!! Please don't be mad it took me so long to update!! I know I've said it before, but I just haven't been into this story recently, but only a few more chapters left, as you may have guessed. And on top of everything, school's keeping me really busy, so That just takes up even more of my time. Please review!!!