Me: ooooh! I am so sorry for not updating sooner! So many things have been getting in the way, like family, friends, school. And recently, a friend of mine died from cancer, so I had to go to her funeral... sigh But I hope you enjoy this chapter very much!

The sisters slowed their hurried run into a walk as they made their way to the village square.

"Kyro seemed pretty upset, didn't he?" Karma inquired.

Kai shrugged, glancing briefly at her sister.
"I guess... he didn't act all that different, except he talked more."

Karma frowned,
"He sure seemed desperate to talk to us about that ritual thing..."

Kai shrugged again,
"Don't worry about it, we can ask him later, come on!"

They reached the square, which was situated in the middle of the town, and was packed with people.

On a raised platform in the middle of the square stood the Heads of the Four Houses.
Kai and Karma immediately spotted their father, standing tall and proud in the middle. ((A/N lots of 'middles' going on...))

They were also able to easily spot Matt and Kyros' fathers, Kiyoshi and Yasuo,the fake cheerful smiles painful on their faces. It was their eyes that forced Kai and Karma to avert their own.

The smiles did not reach Kiyoshi and Yasuo's horror and pain-stricken eyes.

Their eyes had the shadowed; haunted look soldiers usually accumulated after returning home from a brutal war.

Kai and Karma turned their gazes to the last Headman, Makoto, the only one out of the four without triplets. His wife had died in childbirth, baring only one son, Wesley, also known as Wes.

Wes was a small, sickly child around the same age as Kai and Karma. More Kai's friend then he was Karma's; he would often stay in or around his house, waiting eagerly for Kai's visits.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" called Keota, gaining the audience's attention.
"This year is finally among us as the Fated Day draws near." He announced, ignoring the flinches Matt and Kyros fathers gave.
"The day of the ritual is fast approaching."

Murmurs broke out among the audience, and Kai and Karma could sense that this 'ritual' was not something that was openly discussed. The two shared a quick look, was this the same ritual Kyro had tried to tell them about?

Wes's father, Makoto hurried foreword, tapping Keota's shoulder and whispering something in his ear.

Keota paled, realizing his mistake, cleared his throat, and continued hurriedly,

"Yes, well...the shrine is open to anyone who wishes to confess his or her sins. The priests are there top listen and cleanse you. Have a good year, good day..."

And with that, the speech came to an abrupt close as the Headmen hurried away to their respective homes.

The crowd broke and thinned, leaving behind many unanswered questions.
Kai pursed her lips, brows furrowed in thought.

Karma watched her older twin curiously, waiting until she finally spoke.
"I think...we should go to lunch."

Karma nearly fell over,
"What?"

Kai rolled her eyes,
"After that we can go see Kyro and ask him about this.

Karma nodded,
"Yea, something weird is going on here."

Before either of the two could leave Makoto came up to them.
"Lady Karma." He bowed slightly in greeting to her.
Karma bowed back, but he had already turned to Kai.

"Lady Kai, Wes has been asking where you were, and why you had not been visiting him as often as you used to."

Kai blinked and nodded,
"I can go see him now..."

Makoto nodded and left to find one of the other Headmen.

Karma frowned slightly, not really feeling like visiting the boy.
"Kai!" she whined.

Kai sighed,
"Come on...we might as well go see him while we're here."

Karma remained frowning. "You go ahead...I'm gonna go home and eat."

Kai frowned slightly,
"Well...alright, I'll see you later then..."

Karma nodded stiffly, turned, and hurried off.

Kai watched her go worriedly. She hadn't meant to hurt her feelings or anything...it's just, she couldn't be with Karma 24/7. She frowned, feeling guilty now.

Cursing lightly she turned, heading to the Osaka mansion, face set.

Upon arrival she could clearly make out the outline of Wes, standing at the gate in the fog.
'Fog?' she thought, frowning.
'When did the fog roll in? How come I didn't notice it before?'

"Hello Kai." Greeted Wes, grinning a bit as he pulled back the gate, and made way to let her through.

"Hello." She greeted back, stepping into the spacious backyard. She glanced around, the yard was pretty empty, if you didn't count the fact that the yard was pretty much a large garden. Kai smiled slightly as the two crossed mutely over to a love seat in the middle of the garden, facing a large pond. The two sat side by side, Kai's eyes on the pond, Wes's on Kai.

"Kai?"

"Hmm?" she asked, content with the silence.

"You've been awfully quiet lately..." He said, looking concerned. Kai turned her violet-eyed gaze towards him, looking a little surprised. She then smiled, a warm, placid smile.

"Oh Wes..." She reached over and ruffled the shorter boy's hair. He wrinkled his nose in aversion, pulling away.

"H-Hey!" Wes cried out, exasperated.

Kai giggled, retreating her hand.
"You're such a flinch!" she teased him, making him pout a little.

"I am not!" Wes muttered defensively.
Kai smiled a bit and pulled away, turning her attention to the pond once more.

Wes eyed her worriedly, noting her faraway gaze.
"...Kai?"

"Hmm?" She asked, not even looking at him.
"...Are you ok?"
Kai paused, considering the question. Was she alright? Finally she said,
"Fine. Just...something that happened with Kyro..."

"What?" Wes turned around to face her fully, eyes burning with rage.
"Where is he? What did he do to you? I'll rip him to shreds!"

Kai blinked at him in surprise, then smiled softly.
"Kyro didn't do anything to me! It's just...something he said..."

Wes frowned,
"That's not convincing me not to go after him..."

"He was telling me and Karma about the Ritual..."

Wes blinked, surprised.
"Oh... My father was disappointed when he found out my mother only had me...but he was also very relieved. I heard him talking to your father the other day, saying that he was glad I wouldn't have to go through all that pain...I wonder what he meant..."

Kai leaned back, looking thoughtful.
"It's just one strange mystery after another..." She glanced around.

"This fog's getting thick...I should probably return home," She stood, "See you later Wes."

Wes stood also and followed her to the gate. Holding it open for her as she passed, he muttered,
"Kai...just to let you know...I'm, uh...always here for you- when you need me." And with that said, he turned and hurried to his house.

Kai blinked after him, blushing lightly.
"Oh... Wes..." She grinned and hurried off towards her own home.

Me: gah...it sucked, sorry. I've been so tired lately...but I know that's not a very good excuse...Review please!