I wish to apologize for the laps of time between the last chapter and this one. I have been very busy with summer school, work, and personal life. I also hope that you all will enjoy this chapter.

I'm very happy with the way that Dianna is turning out, she's very interesting to write for and work with. Also, I think Kino likes having her around. Finally, another vocal female around to talk to!

Chapter Ten: Blood Lines

.o.o.o.

Dianna looked at the picture of the dark-haired girl and smiled sadly. Kino stopped and looked over at her.

"Dianna?" She began.

The taller female flinched slightly and turned to look at her. "Oh nothing, I was just thinking about how much she's grown since I last saw her." She then placed the picture back into her coat pocket. "But she's beyond me," she paused. "I hope she's happy with her new family."

Dianna sat back down covered her eyes with her hands. "Oh my god. . ." she sobbed.

Kino ran over to her and stood before her. "Don't cry." Kino was frantic to find the right words. "This life of ours, it's so hard sometimes, we've all lost so much, but we have to be strong." She reasoned. "All this pain is in the past, while we still have our future ahead of us."

The green female looked down at the small girl. Her thick red eyebrows arched slightly and she wiped the tears away. "I love her so much, I can feel her, but I know it can never be the same."

Kino smiled, almost on the verge of tears herself. She took the other woman's hand. "It doesn't have to be the same; we have the power to make something new for ourselves." She finished.

Dianna smiled shakily. "You're so grown up, no wonder you're the strong one."

Kino laughed. "I don't know about that." She then looked down at her watch. "Wait, we have to get back to the complex!"

Dianna looked over at the hover car. "You're right!" She exclaimed. She then stood up and, much to Kino's shock; she scooped her up into her arms and ran off towards the car.

.o.o.o.

Hayami, with Mutio in his arms, walked into the calm waters of the indoor pool. After a few strides, the water was up past his waist, and the girl in his arms was clinging to him happily.

"Well, we're alone now, but I'm not sure about this." Hayami spoke.

Mutio smiled impishly. "Mutio has joined with you in your home, now I wish to be with you Mutio's way."

Hayami smiled. "You mean here, in the water?" he asked incredulously.

Mutio shifted in his arms and straddled his waist. She smiled and leaned forward to lick his lips and kiss him. "Please love me. . . in the water?" She asked, blushing.

.o.o.o.

Kisaki smiled. "Such a player." He remarked to himself, recalling Hayami leaving with Mutio. He then turned to look over at Emma, who appeared to be sleeping. "Hmm, must be tired." He said and left the room.

Kisaki stepped out of the room and closed the door, just in time to see a fully dressed Dianna and Kino enter.

He smiled. "Aw, and I was just getting used to the old look too." He remarked. "You really should go 'au natural' more often." He offered.

Dianna smiled wickedly. "Oh and why's that?" She asked, walking up to him.

He smiled. "Because it shoes off your best features."

"Keep dreaming, kid." She replied and turned back to a smiling Kino.

"Why are you still here, anyway?" Kino asked him.

Dianna slouched down behind her and put an arm around her. "Not that we don't just love having you here." She added.

Kisaki laughed. "Well, you two are quite a pair!" He replied. "As to why I'm here," he paused. "This is the place to find the perfect subject for my next big work."

Kino sighed. "Do you know where Hayami is?" Dianna reluctantly stepped away from her and stood up straight.

The young man smiled oddly. "He's getting some. . . swimming lessons."

.o.o.o.

Hayami walked into the room quietly and looked around. He spotted Kino and Kisaki playing cards at a table while Dianna appeared to be sleeping at the other end of the room with her coat off.

She was sitting on a chair with the back tipped against the wall with one leg over the other and her arms crossed. He hat was pulled down over her face- small snoring noises coming from under the brim.

"Where is Mutio?" Kino asked innocently.

Hayami paused. "She's sleeping." He replied simply, preferring not to go into any lurid details that the girl didn't need to know.

Kino nodded, failing to see the brief smile pass over the face of man across from her.

Hayami walked past Dianna, towards the door leading to the bathroom. Suddenly, he felt a powerful hand clamp onto his wrist. He whirled around and looked down at the female, who was smiling at him strangely. "It's the smell, you know, I can tell by her scent."

Hayami gulped. "What are you getting at?"

She let go of him and smiled. "Oh nothing," she began. "But your little secret's not air tight." She paused. "You can't fool me, I'm a mother." She said, waving a finger near her face as she looked at him.

.o.o.o.

Hayami and Dianna stood out on the recessed balcony.

"So, it's really happing?" He asked nervously.

"My olfactory system is vastly superior to a normal human's." Dianna explained. "The hybrid. . . Mutio, she has the smell of a pregnant female." She paused. "And as a person who's actually carried a living creature in my womb for nine months, feeling it grow within me, I can tell you that I can pick on the little things, like the coloring in her face and her posture."

"Will it be healthy?" Hayami asked.

"That's not my forte," Dianna answered. "But you'd better start looking for advice soon, a tiny thing like her will start showing very soon."

"I want it, I want the child- whatever it is." He spoke. Hayami then felt a hand rest on his and looked over at the green-skinned woman. She smiled at him sincerely.

"That's what's going to make all the difference."

He regarded her for a moment. "Thank you." He paused. "You won't tell the others yet, will you?"

She shook her head. "I'll trust in your judgment."

A scream cut through the air like a knife.

.o.o.o.

(- End of Chapter 10 -)

Well, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. That one scene may have hinted at a possible sex scene. However, I may or may not write that one, as some people felt that the lemon scene was not that good.

I am also happy to announce that that a friend of mine- as well as former writer for this site- has contacted me recently after a lengthy hiatus and informed me that he is back in action, so to speak.

The person I am referring to is the writer of "Juliet of the Endless Blue"- Aesiroth! And I am hoping to see him back on the scene soon, with a little luck.

Well, till next time.

-Bojack727