A/N : Thanks for those who have read this story. Um Israfel, What does that mean? It can be taken both ways. Most would take it as a negative review, but I'm just confused. If you could enlighten me on that, it would be appreciated. Thanks.

10/25/04

So, there I was. Standing in my backyard, looking at the characters from my favourite Manga. I kept staring at the ground after I noticed that I was gawking at the foreigners for an extended amount of time. All of them looked unsure of what to do next, and I was too embarrassed to say or do anything else. I still could not believe that they were real. Half hoping that I had gone insane and that they would disappear in a few moments, I kept repeated the same words in my mind. They aren't real…. They aren't real…

Fai stepped towards me, and asked "Miss, Do you know us?" I wondered why he had talked so slowly. Was it because he thought I didn't understand English or something? As an automatic reaction to Fai walking towards me, I began to shake and take a step back into the shadows of my house

His body language seemed to say Fair enough so he too stepped back, being the gentleman he was. He could see first hand how frightened I was, while the others could only see my shadowed figure.

Although I did portray the look of someone scared, I was actually quite fascinated. The only thing that I was afraid of was that maybe I was insane. Maybe I'm insane and these are figments of my imagination.

Syaoran was getting impatient, and he decided that we were taking too long for introductions. He walked up to me and bowed, then said some introductions for everyone. Surprisingly, I wasn't frightened when he walked towards me. Maybe it was because I knew him longer than the others. (Not personally, mind you. I still believed that they were drawings back then) Or maybe it was because he knew that what he saw in my eyes wasn't fear, but interest.

I was interested in the fact that maybe, just maybe I could convince them that I would be of some use in their quest to find Sakura's memory. No one would believe me, of course. Yet it would make for a great story all the same.

Idiotic thoughts ran through my head such as They shouldn't be here. I'm hallucinating. Ok, wake up now Raye… You can just take a deep breath and you'll be lying in your bed looking at the ceiling once more.

"My name is Raye." I bowed towards all of them, and signalled Fai to come towards me. Out of everyone, he was the second best person to trust. At least, that's what I figured. The first was obviously Syaoran.

I wanted everyone to come with me, but that would be impossible. We'd never be able to sneak past my parents. Plus Fai was the best choice because in the manga he was always so silent about his past.

When we reached my room, I explained to him everything I could about the manga Tsubasa, then looked out the window to Syaoran, Sakura, Kurogane, and Monoka. Stupid… how stupid of me to leave them out there… but it's not like they could fit in this tiny room of mine…

"… all about us?" Fai questioned, looking towards me

"What?" I quickly turned my gaze to his questioning eyes

Fai smiled and repeated his question "I said 'So you know all about us?'" He placed the comic back on the shelf and I nodded in response, "I see. I understand why you don't want to tell the others about this either." He placed his hand to his chin and began to think, "So many people in this world know of us?" Again I nodded to his question.

I nodded, "Which is why I think it would be dangerous to walk around here, If Monoka senses one of Sakura's feathers that is." Turning my gaze over to the window, I told Fai that we should head back outside.

"It was a wise choice to tell me this information, Raye. I would have had a tough decision choosing who to tell if I was in your position." He smiled and waited for me to lead the way back outside. I just gave him a nervous smile back while sneaking out into the backyard once more.

Kurogane stepped up to the two of us and asked what took so long. That man is seriously scary up close.

"Oh Kuro-muu, were you worried about me?" He asked while walking up until he was inches from the ninja's face. He had a grin on his face, and his eyes were closed while waiting for Kurogane to answer.

Kurogane stumbled back at the sudden intimacy that Fai had made in that moment, "No. I just want to hurry and get all these stupid feathers so I can go home." He glared at the magician, who gave him a hurt expression. Enough to rethink what he said, but not enough to restate his comment.

I decided to step in and take hold of the situation before it got any worse, "Hey. You guys can talk about that stuff later, right now what is important is seeing if there is a feather here. Right?" Looking from Fai to Kurogane, then to the rest of the gang I saw them all nod. "Then, Monoka, do you sense anything that resembles one of Miss Sakura's feathers?"

Monoka looked around and then shook his head, "Monoka made a mistake of coming out of Japan. Sakura's feathers are all in different places, but they are still in Japan." He made a very sorry sort of face, enough so that Sakura had to pick him up and cuddle him so that he would feel better.

"Riight… Well.. I have a question to ask all-" I stopped myself, and glared at Kurogane, then continued, "Almost all of you. Do you think that I could come along and help you find Sakura's feathers?" It was what I had been trying to ask for the half hour that I knew that they existed. "Please?" I then bowed in a traditional Japanese style –towards Syaoran mostly-, not moving until I had an answer.

Kurogane scoffed, "Yeah girl. It was a mistake. We all make them, now we'll be off. We don't need anymore dead weight around here."

That did it. Seriously, he needed to back off on the tough guy act. I got up, even though it wasn't part of my idea and walked towards him, now inches from his face I growled, "Look, I wasn't asking you, loudmouth, alright? So shut up." After I made sure he wasn't going to make some of his snappy comebacks, I walked up to Sakura and Syaoran, "Please, may I go with you guys?"

Sakura looked to Syaoran. For a moment it almost seemed as if they were talking telepathically. That wouldn't be surprising though. With how close they were and all…I thought. Seconds after I did, Syaoran smiled and answered my question, "We could always use the extra help. But we have to ask the Space Time witch first." Looking to Monoka, Syaoran asked if it could contact the Space Time Witch for them.

This would defiantly be the hardest part. The waiting… It took forever, and I began to ponder different things like In the manga, they had to sacrifice their most beloved thing… is that what I will have to pay? What if she doesn't allow me to go with them? Does Monoka even have a gender? If I go…I will need a weapon… but probably no clothing, sinse the styles differ in each world.

"Yes Monoka? What would you like?" It was the voice of Yuuko, Syaoran, Sakura, Fai and Monoka were all gathered around the picture that was projecting from the gem in Monoka's forehead, while Kurogane had his back turned and I was too deep in my own worries. It took only seconds until I heard my name being called from the same voice. It raised the hairs on the back of my neck. She spoke of something like seeing the courage that I have and my eyes or something… I don't know I didn't pay attention until she called my name once more.