Kyoko stood on the outskirts of town, heart heavy. Though most of the festivities were located near the center of the capital, one could still see the influence of the light festival this far out. Homes and streets were decorated, a bright cheer on everyone's expression. At least, on everyone's except Kyoko.

"I'm going to miss you a lot." Said Kyoko, huge tears forming in her golden eyes. "What if you get ambushed by a group of sand demons and you can't get away. Then I'll never see you again!"

Kanae sighed. "I've gotten away from that sort of situation before. I can do it again so stop your worrying."

The warrior was all set to journey back into the desert, wearing her usual overbearing cloak that covered everything except her eyes. A brown pack rested on her shoulders, containing everything she would need to make it to the next town.

"If that's supposed to make me feel better-" started Kyoko.

"Do have so little confidence in my skills?" asked Kanae, cocking her head dangerously.

"You know that's not it."

She just couldn't help feeling sad that her friend was leaving. She'd never felt as comfortable around others as she did around Kanae. The woman made her feel at ease, like the worries she had didn't matter. The confidence and strength that Kanae had was something she admired, and while Kanae had never outright told Kyoko that she was her friend, Kyoko could feel Kanae's spirit. She was a kind soul, perhaps a little stretched from the hard life she'd lived, but it was gentle all the same, despite her permanent scowls.

It was that strength and subtle kindness she was going to miss more than anything else.

Kyoko reached forward, grabbing the hand that wasn't holding the spear. She pressed her hands together, squeezing her eyes shut as she inwardly sent Kanae all her best wishes.

"I pray for a safe journey." Said Kyoko. "Please take care of yourself."

When Kyoko opened her eyes, she glimpsed one of Kanae's rare half smiles. It was gone a second later as she pulled her hand away.

"You take care as well Kyoko." Said Kanae. "This is not goodbye. We will see each other again one day."

The warrior turned and walked away, pausing to look back at Kyoko one last time as Kyoko waved. A few second later, she was gone, disappearing into the desert sands.

"I'm really going to miss her." Kyoko said, addressing both herself and her guards. Both Shinichi and Yuusei were with her today along with an extra guard.

"I wish I could have had a spar with her." Said Shinichi longingly. "But don't fret Lady Kyoko. She will visit again before you know it."

"Thanks Shinichi." Said Kyoko, feeling heartened.

"Lady Kyoko." Said the extra guard. "If we don't hurry, we're going to miss the first fight."

"R-right." Said Kyoko, some of her smile faltering. It had been a huge surprise to Kyoko when she had woken up that morning and seen him waiting to escort her through the city.

Dyrus had insisted on coming with her no matter how many times she told him it wasn't necessary. The last time she had seen Dyrus, he had accused her of working with the specter, poisoning the prince, and tried to arrest her. All in all, she didn't feel completely comfortable around him, and judging by the way he looked at her, he didn't like her much either.

Kyoko made her way back through the city streets, the two Ishibashi boys behind her while Dyrus walked just a little ahead. She suspected that the increase of her guards had to do with Reino. It was probably an overreaction. She doubted he would try assaulting her again. What would be the point? It wasn't like she had money, status, or anything else a thief like him would be interested in.

Kyoko stopped short, forcing her guards to stop as well. She ignored the looks she got for stopping in the middle of the street as people gave her group a wide birth. Up ahead, she had just spotted the last thing she ever wanted to see in the form of a tall blonde musician.

Oh hell. Thought Kyoko. It wasn't bad enough that she had seen him yesterday, and now he was here again, and – crap! He had spotted her.

"Let's go another way." Said Kyoko, turning on her heel and heading for a side road. She walked so fast that her guards barely had time to react. Hopefully she could get lost in the side roads and loose Sho if he decided to follow.

"The main roads are much safer." Grunted Dyrus as they caught up to her. "And faster. We don't have time to delay."

"Trust me." Said Kyoko, as she continued to wind through the different streets. "It will take a lot longer to go the main way than to take a detour." There were still people and stands here, but it was much less occupied.

She ignored Dyrus's muttered response and kept striding quickly through the streets. A few minutes later, she finally slowed her pace, glancing over her shoulder. The streets behind her were occupied by many people, but none of them were that person.

It looked like she was safe. Kyoko let out a breath.

"Looks like he didn't follow us." Said Kyoko.

"Who?" said Shinichi, giving Kyoko a quizzical look.

"An idiot." Said Kyoko. "A stupid talentless thief."

"That's not what you used to call me."

Kyoko bristled as out of one of the side streets, Sho appeared, all pomp and self-importance.

"You used to coo how wonderful I was." Said Sho, smirking at Kyoko. "What was it you said? 'You were forever my number one fan.' What a fickle girl, to go back on her word so quickly."

"It wasn't just faith I lost that day." Said Kyoko through clenched teeth. "What do you want Sho? Isn't it bad enough that you still breathe, why do you have to do it near me as well?"

"I came to save you." Said Sho.

Kyoko stared at him for a full ten seconds before she determined that she had not heard him incorrectly. The words she would have killed to hear him say a few months ago now just made her sick. How Sho managed to turn such a wonderful concept into a self-satisfying game was somehow beyond Kyoko.

"You, came to save me?" said Kyoko. A dark chuckled came out without her permission. "Just when I thought you couldn't be any more of an idiot you somehow manage to prove me wrong."

"I'm not an idiot." Said Sho, getting irritated. "I'm trying to help you. You're the idiot that doesn't realize you're being played. Do you seriously think the prince is going to keep helping you after he is done using you? That jerk doesn't give two sticks about you. You're going to become even more pitiful than you are now if you don't leave while you're ahead."

Kyoko didn't get to respond. Their conversation was interrupted by Dyrus stepping in front of Kyoko. He crossed his arms in front of his chest, a picture of strength as he towered over the thinner blonde musician.

"Excuse me sir." Said Dyrus, voice hard. "But I've heard quite enough. I will not stand by while you speak ill of the prince."

Two other figures stepped beside Kyoko, Shinichi and Yuusei offering their silent support to Kyoko who found three men stationed between her and Sho. The musician scowled further.

"Get out of the way." Said Sho. "This doesn't concern you soldier."

"A long as Kyoko is under my charge, it does concern me." Said Dyrus, calm.

"Under your charge?" Sho glanced between Kyoko and then Dyrus. "So you work for the lunatic disguised as a prince?"

There was a moment of silence where Sho glared at Dyrus, who's expression was still calm, yet as the last of Sho's words left his mouth, the atmosphere around them changed slightly.

"Shinichi, Yuusei." Said Druys, his voice perhaps a touch colder. "You two will continue to escort Kyoko. I will join you two shortly."

"This way Lady Kyoko." Said Yuusei, pressing a hand against her back. She let him lead her away, not bothering to glance back as she heard Sho calling out to her. The three of them continued down the streets. Kyoko slowly let her anger dissipate.

Why did Sho turn up again, and why had he followed her? Wasn't stealing her work bad enough. Did he have to antagonize her every time she started to make something of her life.

"Thank you guys." Said Kyoko, nodding to her guards. "I feel better with the two of you here."

"Our pleasure Lady Kyoko." Said Shinichi, smiling as he gave the air a sharp punch. "I would have gladly punched his lights out if Dyrus hadn't been here."

"You would have done no such thing." said Yuusei sharply. "Unless he had showed any aggressive behavior towards Lady Kyoko you should-"

"-Never engage without provocation. I get it." Said Shinichi, rolling his eyes. "Though you have to admit, you would have been fine with an excuse to give him a good kick."

Yuusei hesitated. "He was quite rude to Lady Kyoko..."

Kyoko chuckled, happy to hear the two friends were willing to stand up for her.

"Dyrus seemed really mad." Said Kyoko, thinking out loud as they walked. "I know Sho is a prick, but how did he manage to get under Dyrus's skin so easily?" It reminded her of how Kuon had reacted to Sho's presence, the prince's irritation so palpable it made her shiver. Of course, Kuon's anger was just because he was a friend that was looking out of Kyoko. But Dyrus didn't even like her. So why did she get the impression that Sho had managed to rub Dyrus just the wrong way?

"Oh, Dyrus was defiantly pissed off." Said Shinichi with a sly grin. "One of the last things you want to do around Dyrus is insult the royal family. Him and the king have been good friends for a long time. He basically views prince Kuon as an adopted nephew."

"Wow, I had no idea." She had always seen Dyrus as some grumpy old man with a chip on his shoulder. It looked like there was more to him than she thought.

"So why doesn't he like me?" asked Kyoko. It was obvious he was only here because he was ordered to, but why was he still hostile towards her? Hadn't she proven that she wasn't a threat to the prince?

Neither of the guards responded.

"Guys?" Kyoko turned around to see why they hadn't answered.

Shinichi and Yuusei had both stopped several feet away from her. That was odd, why had they stopped? And why did it look like they weren't moving?

"Shinichi! Yuusei!" said Kyoko, hurrying over to the two of them, then she sensed it. A magic circle beneath each of them, the dark magic flickering on the gray stone. They were trapped.

"That worked out better than expected."

Kyoko recognized that voice, the lazy uncaring tone sending shivers down her spine. From the shadows he appeared, eyeing her with passive interest. The people around her seemed to realize something was going on. Several were skirting away from the scene, the street quickly emptying of most of the occupants while a few hung around, gawking at the scene.

"You." Hissed Kyoko, backing up to stand beside her two guards. "What are you doing here?" She inspected Yuusei's circle with one eye, trying to make sense of the magic. It was no use. She had no idea what the runes meant. The two men were frozen, only their eyes, wide in fear able to move.

"I'm here to see you." Said Reino, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I did tell you I'd come to see you again, didn't I?"

"Well I didn't want to see you again." She spat, her fear making her brave. "Now let these two go."

"But they would just cause trouble." Said Reino, still advancing slowly towards her. "And I wanted to have a nice conversation just between the two of us."

He raised a hand.

A spell shot so quickly from him she didn't have time to block. It hit her square in the chest. She gasped, a shock rippling straight through her, making her unable to move, and then he was there, right in front of her, his face so close she could make out the individual flecks of gray in his eyes. The shocks continued to go through her body, numb to what was happening. Inwardly she was screaming, willing her body to move! To get out of his grip.

"Now there you are…" he said, fingers placed beneath her chin to force it upwards. "Well that's even more interesting. Where is that light magic coming from?" He continued to examine her, the expression sending goosebumps through Kyoko's arms.

"But now that I know it's there," he said "I think we could make this work."

Like last time, he waved his hand in front of the pendant around his neck. Dark matter appeared in his hand, holding it up to her chest.

"This time." He said, "I won't let it be purged."

New panic settled in Kyoko. Her soul cried out in fear and terror, hoping, wishing to break free from his grip. Her body remembered the pain that thing had brought. The sickening darkness and filth…

"Reino!"

Reino clicked his tongue in annoyance. The dark seed disappeared back into the pendant as he somehow forced Kyoko's stiff body to spin around, pressing her against his chest.

"Well now, if it isn't old Dyrus Amamiya." Drawled Reino. "Aren't you dead yet?"

The captain of the guards strode towards them, sword drawn and pointed towards Reino. His large form exuded strength, multiple spells swarmed around him, the air shimmering with its power. The effect was impressive.

"Let that woman go." Said Dyrus, his voice a rumble of thunder.

"Not really what I had in mind." Drawled Reino, tightening his grip on Kyoko. She let out a squeak, still unable to move. "You see, there are just too many interesting things about this woman. I wonder what she would look like as one of the corrupted."

Dyrus's face darkened.

"If you won't release her, then I'll just have to remove your arms for you."

There was rush of magic, a flash, and Kyoko was wrenched free of Reino's grip, stumbling forward. Something wrapped around her middle and shoved her towards the other two guards. It wasn't gentle and she fell on the ground, several yards from where she had been before. She grimaced at her sore knees, but got up quickly.

Reino and Dyrus were clashing with both magic and swords. Spells flew between them so fast she couldn't make out what was happening, a mixture of purple colliding with black. Residual energy carved into the ground and buildings around them, those bystanders who had stayed around to watch were now running for their lives.

She stood for a moment, transfixed by the battle when a trail of magic came towards her. A hand reached out, pulling her away from the blast of the spell as it landed a few feet in front of her.

"Did your brain turn off or something?" said a voice in her ear.

Sho was here. He had a hold of her arm, dragging her away from the fight. It only took her a second to respond.

"What about Yuusei and Shinichi?" said Kyoko, regaining control of her body, trying to pull her arm from his grip. "I have to help them."

Her two guards still hadn't moved, frozen by the two magic circles. The battle was close to where they were, several spells just narrowly avoiding them.

"Leave them." Said Sho. "Aren't they your guards? They're supposed to risk themselves for you, not the other way around. You're out of your league in this fight."

Irritation flared in side Kyoko. "That doesn't mean I'm going to abandon them!" she yelled, now trying in earnest to get away from Sho.

"You're not-" started Sho, but another spell came towards them.

This time Kyoko was ready. She held up a hand, forming a barrier of magic. What she didn't expect was for Sho to do the same right next to her. The spell collided with their shields, the shock rippling through her arm. There were huge cracks in their barrier, but it held.

"Watch where you're casting!" yelled Sho, frustrated.

Kyoko took that moment to slip out of his grip, dispelling her shield and running towards her two guards. She heard Sho yell at her, but she ignored him. Once she reached them, she formed another barrier between them and the fight. A second later, Sho was beside her, adding his magic to hers.

"Since when were you this stubborn?" said Sho, face strained in effort.

"Since when did you care?" shot Kyoko, grunting when stray magic hit their barrier. She honestly wasn't sure how good of an idea this was. Those spells were strong, and she didn't think her and Sho would be able to take one of them head on.

Through the barriers slightly warped appearance, she saw Reino conjure a large spell. It spread out, hundreds of shots raining down in the area.

Kyoko's eyes widened, watching as those shots began to descend on them as well. There was no way they could defend against a barrage of that size. Kyoko threw everything she could into the barrier, the blood rushing in her ears drowning out all sound.

A shadow moved in front of her. A solid gray shield appeared, covering the sky above them. The ground shook from the impact of the spells, making Kyoko fall to her knees. Stone cracked and burst around them outside of the range of the shield.

Then there was silence.

The shield above them vanished, and Kyoko was finally able to make out Dyrus standing in front of her, several tears and scratches on his body.

"He ran." Said Dyrus calmly, sheathing his sword.

"Like that's what's important right now." Said an angry Sho, getting to his feet. "We nearly died. What kind of body guard are you, almost getting your charge killed?"

"I had placed several protection spells on Kyoko before we even left the palace." Said Dyrus calmly, walking over to Shinichi and Yuusei, kneeling on the ground beside them and placing his hands on the two magic circles. "I suspect that's why Kyoko wasn't caught in these rings like these two were." Sho grumbled beside Kyoko, who was busy ignoring him. She didn't remember anyone putting spells on her.

Magic hovered around Dyrus's arms, seeping into the seals. A second later, there was a loud crack, and they broke. The two guards slumped forward, finally able to move.

Shinichi and Yuusei immediacy went onto their knees, heads bowed.

"Forgive us Captain Dyrus, Lady Kyoko." Said Shinichi. "We failed to properly protect her and allowed the enemy to catch us off guard."

Kyoko was about to rush forward and say something when she heard Sho snort next to her.

"As they should be." Said Sho. "What useless guards, getting caught in a trap."

"Shut up Sho." Said Kyoko, feeling protective of her friends. "You don't know what Reino is capable of. We're lucky Dyrus was here or else it could have been much worse." And it was true. She hadn't realized how powerful Reino was. There was no doubt in her mind that she would have been corrupted by that weird magic, had Dyrus not come to save her.

"I think I know well enough now." Said Sho, gesturing at the area around him. There was debris and destroyed portions of buildings everywhere. Several stands lay in ruins, their merchandise completely destroyed. Luckily it didn't seem like anyone but them had been caught in the fight since there were no bodies. But people were starting to come out of their hiding places, gawking at the damage to the streets.

"This is ridiculous." Said Sho, still scowling. "This is why I didn't want you anywhere near the palace. It's dangerous."

"You have no say over what I do with myself." Said Kyoko angrily, her heart was still beating fast from the fight.

"Oh yeah, that's right." Said Sho with a dark laugh. "You're now one of Kuon's personal toys."

"I am not his toy!" said Kyoko. "We're just friends."

"Yet you wear a collar that shows the world you belong to him. What a laugh. In truth you belong to me."

That one threw Kyoko for a loop.

"How the hell do I belong to you?" said Kyoko, now bristling in anger. "You-"

Her next words were cut off with the presence of something on her lips, a harsh force that invaded and ignored her protests. A hand was clamped on the back of her head, keeping it in place. Her eyes widened, staring right into Sho's face. Revulsion immediately rolled inside her stomach, and she quickly formed a spell, shoving it into his chest.

Sho was blown backwards, skidding across the ground as he just managed to keep his balance.

"You complete ass!" she yelled, whipping her mouth furiously with a sleeve. "What the hell was that for?"

Sho didn't get to answer as the tip of a sword was placed at his neck. Sho froze, eyes shifting to the man beside him.

"Sho Fuwa." Said Dyrus, his voice dangerous. "My patience is very short at the moment. I suggest for your own safety that you leave. Now."

Sho let out a short snort, batting the sword away with a hand. "I got it, I got it." He started to walk away, Dyrus's eyes watching him leave. He paused looking over his shoulder.

"I'll take that kiss." Said Sho, pressing a finger to his lips. "As a thanks for saving your life. It was your first wasn't it? Since you and Kuon are only friends."

The blood drained from Kyoko's face.

Sho smirked at her response, obviously realizing he had guessed correctly. Sho Fuwa had just stolen Kyoko's first kiss.

Thanks for reading!

Happy thanksgiving you fellow 'mericans!

Lotus Flower: Aww, thank you! I'm glad you like it! Yup, I drew it myself. Every picture I use is done by me. :)

Haha. I know some of you are disappointed in the last chapter cause Kuon didn't blow up and kill Sho. Trust me, part of me wanted that to happen, and there are some indicators that it would happen. But in the end, I decided not to. I supper appreciate the feedback! I had some good self-reflection from that last chapter.

I always feel that my "Thanks You's" are inadequate in expressing how thankful I am for all your words of encouragement. Both to my faithful reviewers, those new arrivals and the normally silent readers! I feel super encouraged to keep going thanks to your words. (Seriously, It's hard to keep motivated when the novelty of the moment is gone because I am just now getting to the scenes I thought up months ago.)

So one thing I am grateful for this Thanksgiving is readers taking the time to tell me what they think about my writing. XD Thank you!

-Blushweaver

I am still alive and kicking

-Imouto