Well, I'm back again with the fifth chapter. Now things are gonna heat up with a fight and more memories. and pretty soon, I shall post my new fic. Thank you reviewers.

Disclaimer: Oi… again.

Enigmatic Memory

They arrived at the river Laleyena had mentioned and were about to dismount Oro. Laleyena looked back at Kadaj, who had his eyes closed and chin resting on her shoulder.

"Um… Hey, we're here." She spoke softly.

He didn't move. She shrugged her shoulder a bit to get his attention.

"Kadaj."

Still he didn't move. It was then that she was feeling a little light-headed, considering how tightly Kadaj has a hold on her, cutting off her circulation.

"…Kadaj, I can't breathe…"

That's when he opened his eyes and looked at her and then noticed his current position. He let her go immediately and blushed a little. Though he was a tiny bit concerned that he has hurting her.

"Sorry."

"It's okay. I should be apologizing for doing that."

"No. it's all right. I just… don't remember riding a chocobo that fast before."

Innocent smile. She dismounted Oro and helped Kadaj off.

"I understand. I was the same way when I first rode one but I got used to it. Besides, I was with my sister and that made the fear non-existent."

She looked at the river that is in front of them and walks over to Amarillo and unties the baskets from its back. Laleyena and Kadaj walk over to the river's edge and sat down near the bank were there was very little snow. Kadaj saw that the river was frozen. He was about to question how Laleyena was going to do about her errands when he saw her take out a silver bangle and a strange glowing sphere from the basket.

"What's that?" he asked, eyeing the sphere, unsure if he's seen the likes of it before.

Laleyena put on the silver bangle around her wrist and popped the sphere on the bangle as it disappeared. Then a small red light was glowing on the bangle.

"It's Fire Materia. My older sister gave me this as a present and it would be useful since we were living in a very cold climate."

'Materia?'

She placed her hand, with the bangle around her wrist, on the frozen river, closed her eyes and whispered,

"Fire 2."

Kadaj's eyes widen as a red aura emanates from her hand. The ice melts as she runs her hand along the river, melting part of it completely to reveal running water. Laleyena opened her eyes and smiled at him.

"See? Really convenient."

"Wow."

Laleyena giggled then brought the basket of vegetables on her lap and began washing them. Amarillo and Oro walked up to the river bank, lowered their heads and began to drink. It was a really nice day, despite it being a little bit chilly. Kadaj lay back on the ground, putting his hands behind his head. He winced when a sting of pain shot around his hand as he laid on it but it quickly subsided. He listened as the river sang its babbling chorus, flowing along the edges of some unmelted ice and rocks.

Laleyena however, another memory of her sisters began.

Wow! It's beautiful!

Yes, very.

On a shore, overlooking the ocean, Laleyena sits in the sand as the waves wash onto the land, wetting her a little.

Yena.

Laleyena looks back at her sister with a smile on her face. She was sitting on a rock, polishing her gun scythe as she motions for her younger sister to come over. Laleyena nodded and got up. She walked over to her sister and sat down next to her on the rock, waiting for something. She called her sister's name.

Yelitza?

She was staring at her weapon, still polishing it, as if she hadn't noticed Laleyena's presence. It kind of saddened her a bit to see her big sister like this, with that same expressionless face that made it impossible to tell if she will attack or not. The thing that upset Laleyena most about Yelitza was that she was devoid of any emotion and would only smile if SHE feels like it. Such is the way she fights. (More on that later.)

But that didn't dull her looks. She had long silver hair that was shoulder-length (Like Yazoo!) but it was dyed black on the ends and she had sea green eyes that are haunted and haunting. And with her face having a more gentle appeal to it, she obviously has taken the role of "The Beautiful One" while Laleyena had the title "The Cute One", but all of them were good looking. No competition there.

At long last, Laleyena frowned and shuffled her feet a little in the sand as she looked down at the ground. Suddenly, a small red box met her vision. She looked up from the box at Yelitza.

What's this?

I thought I should get you something for when we head out north. She answered, looking out towards the ocean.

Laleyena beamed brightly like the innocent child she was, took the box and opened it. There was a glowing sphere inside. Laleyena looked at Yelitza questioningly.

It's Fire Materia. I'm sure you've seen me and the others use them.

Well yeah, you use so many different kinds. I mean you three are older and understand it better than me.

Then it's time you learned as well… plus, we've been thinking about giving you a Summon Materia for your birthday.

Summon Materia? But my birthday is three weeks away! I'll never learn how to fully utilize a Summon Materia when I barely got a spell casting one right now!

Finally, Yelitza looked at her and smiled as she flipped back one of Laleyena's pigtails. To this, Laleyena instinctively put a hand over her hair, protecting it from further playing. This was actually the first time Yelitza has ever done that and it slightly upset Laleyena even more.

I'm serious, Yelitza. I could get hurt, what if the summon rebounds? What if I can't cast any spells?

You worry too much, Yena. But like I said, we'll teach you. We won't let anything bad happen to you. Never.

Laleyena shook her head and began humming a tune.

Kadaj lifted himself up and took this time to look at her. She really was quite beautiful and cute. Her crystal green eyes having a shine to them, her silver hair almost looking snow-white in the light and her smile made his heart beat a little faster every time he saw it. Overall, she has this appearance of an angel and innocent complexion of a child. Though, he still wondered about last night. The way she reacted when he asked her how did her sisters die. For that one moment, she had lost her innocent demeanor and inherited a façade of pure anger. He was feeling a little guilty about it now as he thought about it. When Laleyena looked back at him, he dropped his head back down into his hands.

She smiled again and continued her work.

He laid there, eyes closed, listening and waiting for Laleyena to finish up. But he almost didn't want to be bothered, he was so comfortable. The song Laleyena was humming, it was peaceful yet sad, as in it was an ending to something so wonderful and it had to end so soon. He was almost drifting to sleep when Laleyena spoke.

"My older sister used to sing me this song when I was young. It helped me get back to sleep when I had a bad dream or when I couldn't sleep at all."

Kadaj opened one eye and looked at Laleyena. She had a faint smile as she washed the remaining vegetables.

"What kind of bad dreams?"

"…Terrible dreams in which… I lost all my sisters and I was all alone. Or when I thought I was with my sisters but they turned into these three terrifying men. And some where this terrifying man would—"

She stopped a moment to run her sleeve over her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Never mind. I'm getting emotional and besides, that's all in the past. I don't have them anymore."

Kadaj sighed and closed his eye. Though, the sigh was of relief. She looked about to break down if she had gone any further. Even though he didn't care that much he'd hate to see her cry. But the two bits she said, it made him feel a little bit queasy.

Nice, lovely voice on top of that.

Kadaj scowled, hoping that he would never hear that haunting voice again.

'What are you?'

Due time my boy, in due time. I see you left your brothers with that one girl. Not a wise move.

'Sigh… Laleyena said December would take care of them… and I trust her word.'

Sure, keep telling yourself that. But know this… Serenade will not hesitate with them… she will take care of them… in more ways than one.

'Shut up.'

Fine. Be that way. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Gods, Kadaj would do almost anything to not hear that dreadful voice again. But he was wrong.

By the way, heads up.

'Argh! I said—'

SLOP!

Something cold, wet and scaly smacked right into Kadaj's face. He would jump up and get it off of him as soon as possible but he was still in shock of feeling something so… weird, on his face. Plus, it was flopping.

"Oh my god! I'm really sorry!"

Laleyena rushed to his side and grabbed the fish off his face and put it in her basket. Kadaj sat up and wiped at his face, getting rid of the wetness of ice cold water.

"What was that for?" he said in an almost whiny tone.

"I said I was sorry. It slipped out of my hands. Sorry' Sorry' Sorry'!"

She bowed at almost every 'sorry' that came out of her mouth. Kadaj sighed then sat up and took one of her arms so that she can stop bowing. As he reached for her, her bowing had got the better of her. He hadn't noticed but when she bowed again and he grabbed her, Laleyena let her balance off. He wasn't expecting it but he caused her to fall to the ground. She shrieked as she went toppling into ground.

He immediately sat upright after he accidentally sent her to the ground. "Oh sorry, my bad!"

She began to pick herself up next to him. "No, I'm just clumsy. I guess I forgot to mention that."

Kadaj was still a bit embarrassed for pulling her down to hard. "Did I hurt you?"

"No, I'm all right." She smiled.

"Good."

Kadaj crawled closer to the bank, waited patiently until he saw a shadow in the water and with quick reflexes snatched a fish out of the river and threw it at Laleyena. It landed on her head.

"Hey!" she grabbed the fish off her head and threw it in the basket, "What was that for?"

He grinned, "Sorry."

And he started laughing, half over embarrassment. As he did, he felt pain on his ribs. He instantly grabbed his chest and pressed his hands over it. Laleyena quickly rushed to him.

"You're still tender, huh?"

With his eyes clenched, he nodded. He slowly opened his eyes to her looking down on him, propped up on her hands.

"I'm sorry."

"No, it was my fault."

Again she smiled then looked up at the sky, the clouds were getting darker.

"We should head back, it's going to snow and December told me a blizzard was supposed to come through."

Laleyena helped Kadaj up and on Oro. She strapped the two baskets on Amarillo then mounted Oro and they began to head back to the house.

While all that was going on…


December continued to stare at Yazoo as though he were completely insane, despite being asked questions at gun point. Her gun. And Yazoo was not insane, he was just slightly confused. So was Loz. The two knew December was trouble the minute they saw her and then her pieces. Ah, it seems first impressions do matter in this case.

"I'll ask again," he pulled back the hammer. "Who are you?"

December gulped slightly, since her airway was being crushed by Loz's iron grip around the back of her neck.

"Ahhh… Ace December… Serenade… but my friends call me… December. I'm Laleyena's friend. Well, then again… I have many friends… umm… there's Tifa, Yuffie, Page, Delta… Cloud…"

Yazoo pushed the barrel against her forehead, right between the eyes. And Loz tightened his grip.

"Ugh."

"What was that last one?"

"Unn… Cloud?"

"Cloud…"

Loz looked at Yazoo questioningly from behind December.

"Ring any bells for you?"

Yazoo shook his head. "Maybe but… no.

"Yeh, me neither."

The name was somewhat familiar but it just wasn't in their memory at the moment.

"Say… agh, could you guys… just let me go… please?"

Yazoo just simply looked at her and shook his head.

December frowned again. She can't do anything now. These two guys were going to finish what they started two weeks ago. One of them was on the verge of snapping her neck, the other, blowing her head off. And then, she mentally kicked herself. She still had Peace on her. When she realized this, she smiled a smug smile of hers.

"Okay then…"

She quickly pulled out Peace and aimed at the floor.

"Demi 2!"

The Gravity spell sent the two brothers away from her and Yazoo dropped Love. December was lucky she had her Gravity Materia in Peace; otherwise, she would've been screwed. The gun dagger slid across the floor and December ran across the room to get it but as soon as she picked it up, Loz grabbed her from behind, his arms wrapped around her, pinning her arms to her sides.

"Aww snap!"

She tried kicking her legs up to make enough motion for him to let go of her but he still has a strong hold around her. Yazoo was rushing up towards her so she leaned forward then snapped her head back, catching Loz in the face. He let's her go and stumbles back. December fell to the floor on her bum but just as Yazoo was nearing her, she pushed herself along the floor, sliding between Yazoo's legs and rolled forward, firing a few rounds while sliding on her back. Yazoo lifted up one of the beds and used it for cover. December stopped herself from sliding and got up off the floor, still firing.

"Yeah, they're supposed to be bed bound but what the crap dude!"

Yazoo and Loz kneel behind the bed, planning their next move.

"What's the plan, Yaz?"

"I don't know, she's strapped and we're not. Our best chance is to catch her when she reloads."

"Who knows when that'll be!"

"Actually," Yazoo said thoughtfully. "She should be out right about… Now."

The shots stopped. December looked at her guns in disbelief.

"Oh shit."

"Now Yazoo!"

Loz held his hands out in front of him, one over the other and Yazoo stepped on them. Loz lifted him up, launching Yazoo into the air. December frantically tried to reload her guns as quickly as she can then she looked up and saw Yazoo flying at her.

"Oh boy…"

He twisted his body around in mid-air and grabbed December's shoulders. He then placed his foot against her back as he falls back into the floor.

"This is going to hurt---AHHHHHH!"

Yazoo lifted his foot up, throwing December over him and right into the door. She crashed through the door and into the hallway, so much that the door got knocked off the hinges. Yazoo gets up and looks back at December.

"Whew… we got her… Nnnggg."

He knelt down, clutching his arm. Loz limped over to him, clutching his knee. They over-exerted themselves in fighting December. They would have felt the pain in mid-battle but their adrenaline was dying down now.

"You think… she's…"

Loz looked at Yazoo, who stood up and cautiously walked up to the unconscious form of December. He kicked away her guns, making them fall down the stairs then nudged her in her side. She wasn't moving. He turned back to Loz and gave him a thumbs up.

"Great. And I thought we killed her."

Hah, a little assault like that wouldn't kill somebody… just make them really pissed beyond belief and all reason. December's eyes snap open and she jumped on Yazoo, she kicked off the door way and the two go tumbling down the stairs.

"Yazoo!"

Loz followed the two down the stairs where December was on Yazoo's back, twisting his arm behind him. Loz ran up to her but December saw this and quickly got up into the defensive. She ducked a punch but was unprepared for the follow-up as Loz rammed his shoulder into her chest, making her fly back against the wall. Loz charged at her again but she caught his arm, twirled around and elbowed him in the back of his head. He stumbled forward but turned around and assumed his fighting stance again. Yazoo was up, also in a fighting stance. December looked back and forth at the brothers; a slight bruise was forming on her cheek.

"Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I haven't killed someone before."

Yazoo and Loz look at each other and nod. They both charged at December. Unsure of which one she should fight off first, she back flipped twice then ran forward at Yazoo. She jumped in the air, doing a double axel spin kick. (Like an ice skater! Weee!) When she landed, she snapped her right leg out, hoping to strike but he caught her leg.

"Whuh-oh!"

Yazoo spun around, while still holding onto to her leg and stuck out his left leg, sweeping her off her foot. She didn't hit the ground as Yazoo spun around again and threw December into the air. Loz jumped up, grabbed her and threw her into the kitchen table. December shook her head to get rid of the dizziness and noticed Love right next her, she grabbed it and aimed at Loz but when she pulled the trigger, nothing happen.

"Oh that sucks!"

She got up and spun her gun dagger a few times. Yazoo grabbed a big kitchen knife while Loz grabbed a spatula.

"Uh… oops." He tossed the spatula behind him and found a big cleaver. "Now we're in business."

December took a deep breath and charged.


Laleyena and Kadaj were now putting the chocobos in the stables and were now heading towards the house. It had begun snowing when they were half way there and now, it has gotten worse.

"I'll cook some really good fish soup with some medicinal herbs in it. It should help you with the pain."

"Thanks. Sounds good."

When the door opened, December, Yazoo and Loz stopped what they were doing, hid their weapons behind their backs and looked at the back door. Laleyena and Kadaj walked in and saw them.

"Oh, you're up already---What happened!"

December had some cuts and scratches here and there. Yazoo had a big stab wound on his shoulder and other cuts and Loz had a slash across his collarbone plus many scratches and his nose was bruised.

"Niisan… What happened to you?"

Kadaj was about to rush to his brothers when Yazoo held up his hand to stop him.

"We're fine; we just got acquainted with Ace here."

December glared at him and threw her gun dagger at him, totally missing him, and it impaled into the wall behind the brothers. Laleyena looked back and forth from December to the brothers then smiled.

"Well, why don't you all get cleaned and bandaged up while I start with dinner. How does that sound?"

The contenders nodded and went their separate ways.

(---------------------)

WOW! Longer than the last one. And sweet! Again, review this lovely and cute fic.