Ack! Sorry for the incredibly long wait on the update, I've been so busy, you wouldn't believe it! Okay, no more excuses, on with the chapter!

Chapter 5- Meeting Each Other

Rae was laying in bed later that night, mulling over what Serena had said. Could she be right? She rolled over and looked at Taranee, who was fast asleep. She started thinking about those fairy things she'd seen. One of them had looked a little bit like Taranee…but no! Serena was crazy, just like Rei had said earlier. These were just ordinary girls from America, there was nothing special about them, nothing at all. But still, something was gnawing away at Rei, as though she had missed something. But what? What? What could she have missed? She'd gone over everything, she'd come to the conclusion that there was no possible way five ordinary American girls could have some sort of special powers. Maybe it was the fact these fairy things had appeared at the same time this whole exchange trip had started. Maybe it was the fact that they resembled the five girls Rei had grown to like. Whatever it was, she knew she was crazy. There was nothing special about these girls. Nothing.

Will was laying awake in bed, mulling over what had happened. This wasn't all a coincidence. Something was going to happen, she could tell. The question was, what? Did the appearance of this portal mark something? Had Phobos possibly returned? Was it just a freak accident? And what about that monster the Sailor Scouts had fought the other day? Was that involved in this somehow? What if it was? The Sailor Scouts had barely escaped, they certainly wouldn't be able to. Will squeezed her eyes shut as her head started spinning. This was too much to be thinking about, especially considering how tired she was. She rolled over and tried to sleep, but still, there was too much going in her mind for her to truly rest.
"The girl is smarter than she looks", Phobos informed Kinjo icily, "Do not underestimate her"
"You expect me to?" Kinjo asked the former prince idly, "I will not make the mistakes you did"
"I did not make mistakes!" Phobos roared furiously.

"Watch your temper", Kinjo informed him, "Do not forget, it was I who released you, you're in my debt. And I know how you can repay me"
"I repay nothing", Phobos snapped, "We will do what we agreed to do, and hear no more of it, are we clear?"
"Perhaps", Kinjo said, "Lets see if you can do what I want you to first"

You underestimate me"

"Perhaps I do"
The villains eyed each other angrily, and finally came to a silent truce. They would do what they agreed, and go their separate ways. That was the way the deal would work.

Will stirred in her bed, and rolled over. She felt like she'd gotten no sleep last night, it had been forever before she was finally able to fall asleep, and after that her dreams were punctured by shadowy faces and darkness. Not the best way to get sleep, she mused. It was quiet through the little house, all that could be heard was Serena's heavy snores and Rini's light breathing. Will sighed and finally rolled out of bed. She dragged herself down to the kitchen to get something to eat. On the way down she tripped over Luna.

"Whoa!" she yelled as she went flying. Luna meowed in an annoyed sounding tone. "Sorry", Will said with a smile, reaching to give the cat a quick scratch, "I saw you with Rini yesterday morning. It sounded like you were talking. I must be crazy, huh?"

Luna looked at her in a thoughtful way, but finally just walked past her. Will shook her head as she stood up. She really was nuts.

What Will must be thinking, Luna thought as she walked down the hall, if she saw Rini and I talking, she must suspect something, but what? That Serena is one of the Sailor Scouts? How could anyone suspect something like that?

She stepped outside and took off down the street to Lita's. Maybe Artemis would know what to do. She hoped so, for once she couldn't come up with any ideas, and it was driving her crazy. She ran for a good ten minutes before finally getting to Lita's. She stopped at the door and meowed loudly enough, she hoped, to wake Lita and Artemis up. After maybe five minutes, the door opened, and a drowsy looking Mina walked out in her night clothes and slippers, with Artemis peering around her legs. "Luna?" Mina asked, rubbing her eyes, "Do you know what time it is?"

"Yes", Luna said with a curt nod, "We have a problem though, this is important. I think Will suspects something. She heard Rini talking to me yesterday, she thinks she was just imagining it, but if she figures out she wasn't-"
"Slow down!" Mina said quickly, fully awake now, "How do you know all this anyway?"
"Well…Will told me", she admitted, "She nearly tripped over me on her way to the bathroom, and she mentioned hearing me talk to Rini. I'm just worried she'll start to suspect something, she's a sharp girl Will is"

"Good point", Mina said, bowing her head in thought, "Hmn, what should we do? This could mean trouble, we'd better get the others together soon"

"Yea, but how?" Artemis said, "Will and the others will be with them, don't forget-"

"What's going on?"Hay Linstumbled out drowsily, her eyes half closed. Luna jumped a mile; she had completely forgotten about Cornelia.

"It's nothing", Mina said quickly, "Serena must have forgotten to feed Luna again because she came meowing at our door looking for food. I'll feed her and get her on her way, I'm sure Serena is worried, if she isn't still sleeping of course"

"'Kay",HayLinmuttered. She turned around stumbled back to bed.

"That was close", Luna said as soon as she was sureHay Linwas gone, "So, any ideas?"
"No", Mina said, "How about you Artemis?"
"Not one", Artemis said, "We need a way to get Will off our trail though, otherwise we could be heading for dangerous waters. Maybe Serena was right this time around. Well, first time for everything I suppose"

"No kidding", Mina said, "Well until we come up with an idea, you want something to eat?"

"Sure", Luna said uncertainly.

"Great, I'll go make some breakfast", Mina said with a smile. She bustled off, leaving Luna and Artemis.

"Worried Luna?"
"What was your first guess?" Luna muttered sarcastically, "Really Artemis, I'd think you would be worried to"

"I'm not worried for one simple reason", Artemis said with a grin, "No matter how many times our girls mess up, they always pull through. This is no different, so just relax why doncha Luna?"
"Really!" Luna said impatient, "This could still be serious, we should be taking it seriously instead of making jokes. Sure, the girls have done well before, but that doesn't mean they always will, we should be trying to help them"
"But we're not always going to be there to help"

The words hit Luna like a sludge hammer. He didn't mean that…did he? "Of course we will", she said shakily, "What-"

"Come on Luna. Don't give me that", Artemis said as kindly as he could, "We've had a lot of close calls, I know it isn't nice to think about, but maybe it's time we let the girls grow up without us"

Luna looked at Artemis, not sure what to say. Part of her even knew the white cat was right. But she didn't want to admit it. Even as she thought of an argument though, her mind kept running through all the times she and Artemis had been hurt…but no, no! They could always protect the girls…right?

"You're wrong", she said in a surprisingly strong voice, "If you don't want to help, that's fine, but I'll find a way to help the girls no matter what"

She whirled around and walked away without another word.

"So what do you guys want to do today?" Serena asked as pleasantly as she could, "Come on, it's a big city, we should do something!"
She was trying to get past the unpleasantness of the mood around them. Will was being weird and distant, and Artemis and Luna were being completely cold towards each other. Well, actually, Luna was being cold towards Artemis, and Artemis was just ignoring it. "Come on", Serena repeated, "Lets do something, I'm bored! Lets go to the arcade! Yea! The arcade! You guys will love the arcade, I promise!"

"Serena", Rei muttered, "Tone it down will you, Lita is trying to tell me something over here!"

"Yea, yea", Serena knew Lita and Rei were trying to discuss something, but really, she was trying to be the spirit lifter, why were the others trying to ruin it? "What's on your mind Will?" she took a stab at rousing the red-head from whatever funk she was in.

"What?" Will looked around in surprise, "Oh, nothing, this and that. This trip isn't exactly what I was expecting, but hey, I'm still having fun!"
"That's the spirit!" Serena said, jumping up, "Come on, if Will can come to so can all of you! Rei and Lita, can you finish this meeting later, we have things to do!"
"Yea!" Rini jumped up off the ground, obviously thrilled to be doing something, "Lets go to the park!"

"I was thinking something we could all enjoy", Serena said, "And besides Rini, we're in the park, remember?"
"I meant the part with the swings and everything"

"Swings?" Hay Lin asked, "Lets go!"
"Connecting with your inner-child Hay Lin?" Irma asked with a smirk. Hay Lin whirled around to glare at her.

"Well, we've got nothing better to do", Serena said finally, "We can go to the park for a bit, humor little Rini"

"I'm not little!"

"Just come on", Irma said, pulling herself up, "Serena's right, we don't have anything better to do-"

"Would you grow up Artemis!"
Serena whirled around, shocked. Luna and Artemis were glaring at each other, neither of them happy.

"Luna-"
"You call being a realist childish?" Artemis shot back angrily.

"Guys-"

"Did that cat just talk?" Irma asked, shocked, "Tell me I'm hearing things, just tell me that much, tell me that cat just did not just talk-"

"Maybe you should just start having a little hope!" it was one heated fight, Serena would admit that much, but did they have to be having the fight in public?

"Would you two-"
"I was right!" Will's yell cut off Serena, "I did hear you talking, I knew it!"
That snapped the two cats out of their fight. For a second they looked at Serena and the rest of the girls, shocked by what they had done, and then looked back at each other. They held a glare for a second before finally hanging their heads.

"What just happened?" Cornelia asked.

"And you're always calling me a bigmouth", Serena said to Luna angrily, "At least I don't start fights in public!"
"What were you fighting about anyway?" Lita asked.

"Oh, just Artemis's foolish theories, what else?" Luna said snippily, looking up.

"I'm just being a realist", Artemis repeated, "You know I'm right Luna, why can't you just admit it?"
"Right about what?" Taranee spoke up suddenly. She'd adjusted to the two talking cats rather quickly, Serena noticed. In fact, they all had. Will, Irma, Cornelia, Hay Lin, none of them looked shocked at the sight of two talking cats. They mostly just looked interested.

"He's not right about anything!" Luna snapped.

"Really?" Artemis asked, "Fine. Lets' ask them", he jerked his head at the girls, "Luna's always trying to help you, always trying to herself involved in the business of the Sailor Scouts, but should she really? She's trying to make herself a permanent part of their- your, I should say, your life- life, but we're not going be here forever are we? We've gotten away before, but that doesn't mean we always will!"

Serena's eyes, which had been growing wider through Artemis's speech, were now as wide as saucers. She was trying to figure out half of what he just said, but one part had registered clearly. We're not going to be here forever…did he mean that? She suddenly understood why Luna was so upset with Artemis. Those were horrible things to say, truly horrible-

"Did you say Sailor Scouts?" Will asked suddenly. It caught Serena by surprise. Now that she thought of it, yea, that was exactly what Artemis said, Sailor Scouts. He had blown it. Now, if these girls could put and two together, their secret was completely out. And the girls weren't dumb either.

"Sailor Scouts?" Irma repeated. She was the first to figure it out, "No way!" she cried in realization, "No way, no way! Impossible! Them? They're the…they're the…"

"Nice going Artemis", Luna said sarcastically, "You just blew everything sky high for us, nice going! Very well done I must say!"

"Yea, well, I, uh…" Artemis was at a complete loss for words, "Well, I, you see…"

"So you're the Sailor Scouts!" Hay Lin yelled.

"Sh!" the girls shushed her all at the same time, "Be quiet!" Serena added, "We don't need spilling all our secrets to the world you know!"

"Sorry", Hay Lin said in a small voice, "I just…you know, it's weird…is it true? Are you really…"

"Yes", Serena admitted grudgingly. She glared at Luna and Artemis. For once something wasn't her fault, it was theirs. How could they do this? They were always coming down on her for being irresponsible and everything, and then they turn around and have a blow-out in public? In front of the girls, no less? Whatwere theythinking?

"Awesome!" Irma said in an excited, yet quiet voice, "Seriously cool! Oh man, that is just too awesome, yea!"

"Oh calm down Irma", Cornelia snapped, "Really, you'd think you'd never met-"
"Cornelia!" Will cut the blonde off. Serena looked between the girls suspiciously, suddenly getting a weird feeling about them. Was it possible? Could they really be…

"What'd you mean by 'we're not going to be here forever'?" Lita asked, "I know you guys have gotten hurt- a lot- but that doesn't mean-"
"That's exactly what've I've been trying to say!" Luna snapped, "But will he listen? No!"

"I'm just trying to be a realist", Artemis repeated stubbornly, "It's time we let the girls grow up Luna, we don't have a choice anymore"

"Yes, but…" it was easy to tell Luna was breaking down.

"Wait", Serena said, "You aren't giving up on us are you? I realize we've made mistakes, but really, that's no reason to quit on us now. Is it?"

"It isn't about your mistakes", Artemis said quickly, "All though I won't deny, you've made enough, but if something ever happened, you girls have to know how to work on your own"
"We know how", Rei said quietly, "We just like having you around, you're a help to us, but we do know how to take care of ourselves"
"Well, that's no reason to-"

"Luna, please, no more fighting"

But it wasn't one of the Sailor Scouts that said that. It was Will. The black cat looked at her in surprise. "Okay, it isn't really my place to say anything, I'll admit that, but really, if I'm following this debate right- and I think I am- it's about Luna and Artemis being your protectors, but maybe not always being here for you. And really, that's a silly thing to fight over, I'm sure they know how to care of themselves, I've seen them in action before, they know how to fight, so really, is this worth getting you two so worked up?"
"I'll give the girl credit", Rei muttered to Serena, "She catches on fast"

"Yea she does"
"If Artemis would just stop saying it", Luna said, "If he would just stop saying we aren't always going to be here, I wouldn't have gotten so mad-"
"But are you always going to be here?" Cornelia piped up, "If something did ever happen…well, I guess I agree with Artemis, in a way"

Luna looked around, defeated. Serena stooped down and gave her a scratch behind the ears, "But don't think that means you two have permission to go and get hurt", she warned the cat, "You still have to take care of yourself, got it? Sam goes for you Artemis"

--

"Talk about a weakest link", Kinjo scoffed, "I'd say they care more about those silly cats then they do saving the world"
"And that's bad?" Phobos asked, "I'm sure that can be used to our advantage, somehow"
"Really?" Kinjo asked, "And just what do you have in mind?"

"Do you still have any of those shadow creatures?"
"The shadows are infiniteness", Kinjo said, "They are a live as long as I am"
"Well then, lets hope you're not destroyed anytime soon", Phobos said, "Because we're going to need a couple of those shadows"

"So what do you want to now?"
"We should start two debate teams and put Luna and Artemis as the captains"
"Irma!"
"Just a thought"
The girls laughed before they could stop themselves. Serena had to admit, having them know who they were made things a bit easier for them. She sighed and leaned back against a tree. Rini was on a swing with Hay Lin pushing her. Serena smiled as she watched Rini fly back and forth on the swing. The little pink-head may have been annoying, but Serena couldn't help but like her. Maybe it had something to do with what Rini was to her in the future, she wasn't sure. Either way, it was a nice feeling. She leaned back against a tree, her eyes closed. Everything seemed so much better now, for some reason…

"What is it Rei?" Serena snapped out of her pleasant thoughts and looked around. Rei was sitting straight up, her ears perked, her eyes tracking.

"Rei?" Serena said uncertainly, "You okay…?"

"There's something…something bad near by", she said after a second, "Yea", she confirmed, "Something very bad"
"Bad?" Will asked in alarm.

"Yes"
"Great", Serena said, standing up, "Sailor Scouts we have work to do"
"Yea", they nodded and stood up. Hay Lin and Rini walked over from the swings, concerned.

"What's going on?"

"Don't worry", Serena said quickly, stooping down next to Rini, "We have to go take care of something, but Will and the others will be here to protect you in case something bad happens. And-" she made a split second decision, "Artemis and Luna will be here to"
"What?" both cats said at the same time.

"It's okay", Serena said, standing up, "Take care of Rini and the others, we'll be back soon. Come on Sailor Scouts!"

And with that, they took off to where ever the danger was.

Will stared after the girls as they ran down the street. The look in Rei's eyes had scared her, and she could tell, whatever those girls were facing, it wasn't the run of the mill enemy they usually got.
"Will they be okay?" Rini asked in a scared voice.

"Of course", Will said quickly, "Don't worry Rini"

"Yea, those girls are tougher than they look, especially Serena", Artemis added, "You should know that by now Rini"
"I do", she said, "But-"
"No buts about it", Luna said with a smile, "Those girls have come a long way, and I have no doubt they will come even further as time goes on"

"Too bad you won't be here to see it", Will jumped a mile and whirled around. A tall mane with white-blonde hair and piercing green eyes was standing behind them. And behind him were two of those shadow creatures they'd seen.

"Who are you?" Will asked, stepping forward.

"In time Guardian", the man said. Will eyes grew wide.

"How did you-"
"I met up with an old friend of yours", the man said, "I believe you know him as Phobos"
"Phobos!" Irma said angrily, "He's locked a way in Candracar, I don't know what you're getting at you nutcase, but whatever you want, you can't have it, so get lost!"
"But my demand is so simple", in the blink of an eye the shadow creatures disappeared, and reappeared, right behind the girls. They realized it a split second too late, but were surprised to see they weren't the ones being attacked.

"Luna, Artemis!" Rini cried. Will grabbed her and held her back, but she kept her glare on the man.

"Let them go!" she said angrily, "They haven't done anything to you!"

"Ah, perhaps not", the man said, "But they are what will help us in the long run"
"You're not taking them if I can help it", Will said, throwing out her hand, "Heart of Candracar!"

There was a burst of pink light. It engulfed Will and her friends. She felt the changes of her body, felt the wings burst out of her back. The light died away, and she was left facing the very familiar looks of her friends in their guardian forms. "What the…" Will looked around and saw Rini looking at her, wide-eyed with shock, "Wow…"

"As we were saying", Irma broke through the awe, "Let those cats go, or we'll make you sorry you ever came here!"

"Am I suppose to be scared?" the man scoffed. Will and the others moved forward, ready to attack, but were cutoff by a sharp, "No!" She looked around and saw Luna straining against her captive. Will hesitated.

"Why?"
"Don't jeopardize yourself for us", Artemis said sternly, "We'll be fine just protect Rini. No matter what, that's always more important, we'll be okay"

"I don't think so", Will said harshly, "Cornelia and Irma, take care of Rini, Hay Lin and Taranee, we're going to help Luna and Artemis, go!"

Her friends nodded and instantly jumped off to work. Hay Lin took off into the air, while Cornelia and Irma grabbed Rini and brought her out of harms' way. Will and Taranee turned to fight. Luna and Artemis were struggling to free themselves. Well they weren't going to be alone anymore.

"Air!" Hay Lin yelled from her spot in the sky. A gust of wind blew around the creatures. The girls strained to hold themselves up against the wind. And even after that…the creatures were still standing firm and strong. Looked like this was going to be a bit harder than they thought.

"This way!" Rei yelled as she ran.

"Well duh!" Serena gasped. Long runs were not her best thing.

"Oh just hurry up Serena!"

"Hey!" Amy yelled, coming to a halt, "What's that?"
Rei ran back to where her friend was. She was looking down an ally, a look of fear in her eyes. "What-" Rei started to ask. She cut herself off as she realized what Amy was looking at. "What is it?"

It was like that blue thing they had seen the other day- Will had called it a portal, or something like that- except that it was pure black. Rei shuddered. She could tell that thing was completely and totally evil.

"So…what do we do?" Serena asked, "Should we…go through, or stand here, or just throw rocks at it or what?"
"I kind of wish we'd brought Luna and Artemis with us", Mina admitted, "But what can we do-"
"Something's happening!" Lita cut her off, pointing at…whatever the thing was, "Look!"
A crackling energy had surrounded the thing. It looked like something was coming through…

"Better be ready", Serena said, "Ready Sailor Scouts?"
The girls tensed. The crackling around the black thing increased, and suddenly to of those shadow things they had fought burst through. "Look out!" Serena cried. Forgetting the fact they were supposed to fight these things, she turned around to run away. Rei sighed and grabbed Serena by the collar.

"Suck it up", Rei said, "Lets do this already, Mars Star Power!"

Rei closed her eyes as she felt the changes happen. She could feel herself being absorbed by heat, and just barely registered the fact that her friends had followed the suit. A red light engulfed her, and when it died away, she was no longer herself. Well, not exactly anyway. She looked around to make sure her friends were still with her, and sighed with relief as she saw that they were all there. Not that she had any doubts, but still, she knew Serena had a tendency to run.

"Lets cook these things", Rei said, "Mars Fire Ignite!"
She focused her energy on the creatures, and a fireball shot at them. Faster than the link of an eye, the creatures literally disintegrated, and the fireball shot by, hitting the ally wall.

"No way!" Rei yelled in frustration, "Where'd they go?"

"There!" Serena yelled, pointing a little ways down the street. The creatures, or things, or whatever they were, were running at them with full speed. How does something without legs move so fast? Rei thought, aggravated.

"We have to do something", Lita said, "But what?"
"Well, fighting comes to mind", Mina said, "But how is the question…"
"Whatever we do, can we please do it now?.!" Serena cried as the things reared to attack. Black energy shot at the five girls with amazing accuracy, considering how far away they were. All five squealed and dove out of the way of the attack. "Mercury Bubbles!" Amy cried, directing an attack of her own at the creatures. Again though, they disintegrated and appeared again about five feet away.
"Is there anyway to beat these things?.!" Serena asked, losing her patience, "Moon Tiara Magic!"
She grabbed her tiara and threw it at the creatures. This time they didn't have time to move. Both of them were absorbed by light and thrown backwards. "Yes!" Serena yelled as she caught the tiara, "That's more like it!"

"Don't celebrate yet", Lita said, "Look!"
Already the things were reorientating themselves, and bracing for another attack. "Oh come on!" Serena yelled, "Give me a break!"
"Wait a second…" Rei said, "Look!"

The things were heading back towards the portal thing they had come out of. They jumped through, and with a crackle of energy, the portal or whatever it was disappeared. "O-Kay…" said Serena said, confused, "What in the world was that all about?"
"Oh no…" realization dawned on Rei, "The others! Lets go!"
It took the girls a second to figure out what she meant, but it clicked, and they were off and running.

"Whoa!" Will dove and hit the ground, barely managing to scrape past being hit. She pulled herself up, only to dive back down again. She couldn't get a single hit in, and it was starting to bug her. "Taranee now!" she yelled suddenly. Taranee nodded from behind the two creatures, aimed, and fired a fireball at them. It hit them square in the back and sent them flying. They also lost their grip on Luna and Artemis, who dove and escaped. "Yes!"

"No!" the man leading the attack yelled. In a flash, he moved, attacked Cornelia and Irma, and grabbed Rini.

"Help!" she yelled, struggling against his grip.

"Rini!"

"Hahaha…" the man said evenly, "And now for your choice: the little girl, or the two cats?"
Will watched helplessly as Rini struggled. What could she do? She had to help, she just had to…

"Let her go you creep!" Will's head snapped around, and she nearly yelled in relief.

"The Sailor Scouts!" Luna said, also sounding relieved.

"About time to", Irma grumbled, picking herself up.

"What's going on?" Serena asked, looking around, "I mean-"
"Ask questions later, help me now!" Rini cut her off.

"Oh, right!" Serena said quickly, "As I was saying, let her go weirdo, or you'll be answering to me!"
"Boy, you know, I doubt they're scared"
"Oh shut up Mars"

"Enough!" the man snapped suddenly, "The choice is quite simple, if your two little cat friends come with me, than I'll let the girl go"
"Luna and Artemis?" Serena asked, "What do you want with them-?"
"Just make your choice!"

What now? Will thought, We can't surrender Luna and Artemis, but we can't let Rini get hurt either, what should we do?

"We'll go with you"
Will snapped out of her thoughts and looked around. Luna and Artemis were gazing at the ground, a defeated look in their eyes. "What?" Serena asked, "No! You can't-"
"Don't argue Serena", Luna said quietly, "We have to do this"
"Very good", the man said quietly. He dropped Rini, who instantly ran away, and held out his hand. There was a flash of light, and a second later a cage had surrounded Luna and Artemis.

"No!" Will yelled, "Let them go!"
"It's okay Will", Artemis said, giving her a stern look. Will faltered for a split-second too long.

"Ta-ta girls", there was a flash of light, and the man, along with the cage holding Luna and Artemis, disappeared.

"No!" Serena yelled, panicked. Will looked around in shock, as though hoping the two cats would come back, but nothing. She hung her head sadly. This could not have been more wrong.

"Are you okay Rini?" Hay Lin asked, making her way to the girl.

"Y-Yea", Rini stuttered, sounding as though she were about to cry, "I-I'm sorry, this is all my fault-"
"No it isn't", Will said quickly, "Don't worry about it, we'll get them back"
"Hey", Serena said suddenly, looking at Will, "Is…is that you Will?"
"Oh…" Will looked down at herself. She was still in her guardian outfit. "Oops…" she quickly threw out her hand. In a flash of pink light, the girls were back in their regular forms.

"Oh, right", Serena said, "We shouldn't be standing around like this, huh?"

Her friends nodded in agreement, and in a flash of white light they were back in their own forms.
"So exactly what are you?" Lita said at once, "Well?"
"It's a long story…" Irma said.

"Well, I suppose we have time", Serena said with a sigh, "No Luna to order us around…"

"Or Artemis to agree with her", Mina added. Rini looked between them for a second, then cast her gaze back to the ground.

"We'll find them", Will said confidently, "Promise"