A/n- So much for trying to get these chapters out faster... It's been about 3 months since I started this story and I'm only on the 5th chapter! Oh man, I'm a loser... and a procrastinator. Sorry for the long wait guys! Here's the chappie and I should get a few more chapters out now since it's Christmas break and I have a lot of free time.

Chapter Five: Released from the Darkness

-Avari's Dream-

The family of three had just sat down to their evening meal. The room was silent, but not an eerie silence. More like a comforting and soothing silence. Music to the ears. There was only the clanking of dishes and the occasional gust of wind outside to be heard. Everyone was just enjoying their food and the presence of one another.

After some time, the lights began to flicker and eventually, they went out. Avari looked around in confusion, as her parents did. Was it a power outage? Mrs. Raji found the matches and lit some candles. Now they could see each other's faces. Mr. Raji was just about to go down in the basement to check the circuits, when they heard the creaking of the front door.

All three of them slowly made their way into the living room, where the front door was located. Before any of them could reach it, it opened all the way. They all grew wide eyed and gasped at what they saw.

There in the doorway stood black-cloaked figure with a glowing red X on its hood. The figure seemed to glide, rather than walk, into the room. Soon after it, followed 4 other figures, all dressed the same way, but varying in heights. All 5 figures lined up in a row. You could see that each one was equipped with a katana, which was strapped to its side. Almost in unison, the 5 figures unsheathed their katanas and got into a fighting stance.

The Rajis didn't have to question themselves about why the figures were here. It was obvious that the creatures wanted them dead. They had to fight to stay alive. Each one of them formed their spirit weapon.

"Spirit Bow and Arrow!" Mr. Raji yelled. A bow and a quiver of arrows composed of green spirit energy formed in his muscular hands.

"Spirit Whip!" called Mrs. Raji as a whip made of pink energy formed in her hand.

"Spirit Dagger!" yelled Avari. At that moment, a dagger made of purple energy formed in her hand.

Now that they had their weapons, they each got into a fighting stance. It was time to protect what was rightfully theirs.

The tallest figure made the first move by slashing at Mr. Raji, who blocked the attack. After that, the rest of the hooded figures attacked and the Rajis defended themselves. The room was filled with sounds of clanking weapons, lashing whips and the twinking sound of a bow.

At one point, Mrs. Raji had her whip wrapped around the neck of a hooded figure. While Avari kept off the others, Mrs. Raji kept her hold on the figure and Mr. Raji powered up an arrow with energy. He shot it into the figures heart. There was a load screeching sound and the hooded menace fell to the ground in a pool of blood. Now, the fight continued on. One down, four more to go.

It felt as if hours had been passing. The air was think with the scent of spilled blood. The once white carpet was now stained burgundy. Everyone was getting weaker. You could see it in their fighting, but neither side was willing to give in so easily.

The cloaked figures were closing in on the Rajis. They were leading them into a corner of the room. That way, there would be no way to escape without getting hurt. The Rajis could have tried to kill the creatures, but they were much too weak, drained of energy. Despite this, as they were being slashed and thrashed at, they continued to defend and fight, but they grew weaker and weaker.

Mrs. Raji had tried her best to defend herself, but it was no use. She was knocked to the ground by a hard punch. The tallest figure had its katana raised over its head, ready to bring it down upon Mrs. Raji and slice her in two. Avari and Mr. Raji saw this and tried to run to her for aid. Avari was held back by the firm grip of cold, scaly hands belonging to a cloaked figure, while her father was able to get there. Mr. Raji stood in front of Mrs. Raji to protect her.

"Don't you dare touch my wife!" he yelled.

The creature didn't want to listen. He brought his katana down and sliced through Mr. Raji.

"NOOO!" Avari screamed as she struggled within the creature's grasp. The more she struggled, the tighter the grasp became. It was no use. She could do nothing.

The tallest figure rose his katana again. He brought it down on Mrs. Raji's chest and made a deep gash. Blood spilled everywhere. Before she died, Mrs. Raji spoke her last words.

"I love you...Avi...chan..." she said quietly and slowly. Then her body became limp and she left this world.

"MOTHER! Come back!" Avari screamed.

Avari was now released from the strong grip of the creature. She fell onto the ground, pained and hurt.

The figures started to leave. Despite her condition, Avari got up and attacked the closest creature. It easily blocked her attack and kicked her in the stomach. Avari was sent flying and hit the wall. She screamed in pain and coughed up blood. Then, the tears started flowing.

Before leaving, the shortest figure asked if they should kill Avari, too.

"She is nothing without her parents," the tallest figure replied and left, as the others did.

---------------In Avari's Room---------------

"Avari! Avari! Wake up!" Yusuke called as he shook Avari's sleeping figure and let go when he saw her eyes open.

Avari sat up in bed. She was breathing heavily and drenched in a cold sweat. Looking up, she saw Yusuke sitting on the edge of her bed, staring at her with a worried expression painted on his face.

"Are you okay, Avari?" Yusuke questioned with much concern in his voice. "I heard you scream so I rushed over to see if you were alright."

"Yeah, I'm fine now," Avari said with a weak smile. She was extremely happy that Yusuke was there. His mere presence made her feel more relaxed and soothed after what she had just dreamed.

"Good," he said as he smiled at her.

"Thanks for checking on me, Yusuke. It means a lot," Avari said.

"No problem. I guess, since you seem fine, we should go back to sleep now," Yusuke said as he got up.

"Alright. You can go ahead and do that, but I'm going outside. I need to clear my head after all that," Avari said as she got up out of her bed and put shoes on.

"Then, I'll join you. I haven't really been able to get to sleep tonight and the fresh air might do me some good," Yusuke said.

"Okay. The company would be nice," Avari said and headed out the door.

Yusuke followed after Avari down the hall. Avari slid open the shoji screen door and walked out on to the porch with Yusuke after her. She sat down on the steps. Yusuke sat down next to her. Both looked out at the scenery before them.

There were the thick woods that surrounded the temple and the courtyard. A fountain was located in the center of the courtyard. The trickling of the water could be heard. They looked up at the sky. The first rays of a golden sun were shining, yet the stars and the night sky were still visible. It was as if the drakness of night was being pushed out by the light of day. Everything was peaceful and beautiful.

Yusuke and Avari sat there in peace for a few minutes. Finally, Yusuke broke the silence.

"If you don't mind my asking, what was your dream about? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," Yusuke asked when curiosity had gotten the better of him. That question had been running through his head ever since Avari had woken up.

"I saw my parents being killed by those bastards!" Avari exclaimed angrily. She looked over at Yusuke after she said this. "They killed them right in front of me! I tried to fight back, but I was too weak! I was too weak!"

Now, tears of sorrow, hate, anger and pain were filling up in her purple eyes, blurring her vision. Gently and quickly, they slid down her cheeks.

Yusuke put his arms around her to comfort her. She buried her face into his chest and sobbed. Yusuke stroked the back of her head and continued to hold her.

"It's going to be alright, Avari. I promise," Yusuke said quietly.

Avari looked up at Yusuke with two sparkling, wet eyes. Yusuke, who still had his arms around Avari, looked into her eyes. They both felt drawn in by each other's gaze at they got closer and closer.

Before they knew it, their lips were touching. The kiss was very loving and sweet. Avari felt as if she was melting into Yusuke's arms. All her pain seemed to fade away. Yusuke seemed to be enjoying himself as well. He had wanted to kiss her ever since he met her. Avari wrapped her arms around his neck to deepen the kiss. Yusuke tightened his hold on Avari. The kiss continued to deepen and become more passionate. Finally, both of them broke apart for they were in desperate need of air. Just realizing what they had done, they both blushed. Then, they both looked in each other's eyes once more and smiled.

The sun was now half way visible. Everything was brighter and the darkness had almost completely disappeared. It was just how Avari felt. She had been in the dark, sad and cold, but Yusuke had pushed it away and brought her into the light of happiness.

"We should go back inside. Aunt Genkai will most likely want to train soon," Avari said.

"You're right," Yusuke replied.

They both let go of each other and stood up. One after the other, they went back inside and headed to their bedrooms.

-To Be Continued...

-And that's the chapter! I should have chapter 6 out by at least Tuesday, unless I end up being really busy. Hope ya liked it! Tune in next time for another episode of... The Power Locked Within!