"I bet if that grouchy lady hadn't been there I could have convinced him to hire me. I could have proved my knowledge, and gotten Hikaru to vouch for me. There's no way he could have turned me down!" Kyoko angrily thrust her now clean cloak into the closet, nearly pulling the hooks from the wall. "Ugh. If only I still had that scroll you'd given to me, this wouldn't be a problem. Why didn't I keep it in my bag along with everything else?"

"It wouldn't have helped," said Cain, who was sitting patiently on the bed watching her flit around the room. "You lost your bag in the palace."

The comment made Kyoko pause, glancing down at the enchanted bag sitting on the dresser table. That's right. This bag wasn't hers. It had belonged to Chiori. The women had handed it to Kyoko in the catacombs only to never have it returned.

Kyoko grimaced. The memory still stung. She never got to give her friend a proper goodbye. Even now Chiori was helping Kyoko. The medical supplies from Chiori's bag had saved many victims. After all the attacks she needed to restock her medical supplies. Get more bandages and suture string. Those had disappeared a long time ago.

Kyoko bent down to her bag, black hair tickling her chin. It had grown since she'd cut it those months ago, currently wet after her first shower in weeks. She pulled a simple brush from her pack, taking a seat beside Cain on the mattress.

They were currently inside a bedroom, the space kindly lent out to them by Hikaru. There was a small connecting room supplied with cushions and several weapons. They hung from racks and leaned against the wall as if awaiting their master to return and claim them. Kanae would probably have loved to dig through the small supply to offer her professional opinion on the standard issued weapons.

Though the space was small compared to her palace room, Kyoko knew this space was an enormous luxury. They were close to the tree which was a very covetable and expensive space. Without Hikaru's kindness, they probably would have had to rough it in the streets with the other homeless people.

"I wonder if I could forge a copy of the scroll," said Kyoko tapping the brush against her chin. "If we find out enough information about the symptoms of the Shuemans rot and how it's cure correlates to the Fig Tree, I may be able to doctor a convincing report. And you could add some sort of royal seal or something to make it more legitimate. Of course, the second any real reinforcements from the palace show up we'll be exposed as fake. Let's hope we can find a solution before then. I doubt your father will be able to send much help anytime soon after that attack."

"There is a seal," said Cain. "but I can't imitate it without the sealing tool. They'll know immediately it's fake, much like with your physician's broach."

Kyoko clicked her tongue. "Then what? I can't think of anything else to convince them we're from the palace to help."

After two hours of talking they were no closer to finding a solution. They needed to get closer to Hiroaki.

Cain took the brush from her hand, placing it at the part in her hair. He gently brushed down, from roots to ends as he channeled. Where he brushed, beads of moisture pooled below the bristles, leaving her previously wet hair completely dry.

"Unless we have a legitimate reason to be near him, I don't think it's possible," said Cain. "It may be time to seek a different solution."

"But where else are we supposed to look? This was our desperate attempt at a solution. We have no other leads."

"I don't know"

Kyoko closed her eyes, allowing the soothing sensation of Cain brushing her hair to calm her down. Her stomach hadn't stopped turning after they left the clinic. The whole world seemed to be going to pieces.

"What should we do then?" said Kyoko. "Stay here and hope for a miracle? Or leave the city and find a different mage to help us?"

"I would prefer to leave," said Cain. "I don't like the idea of you being here with the Shuemans rot. The longer we stay, the more likely it is you'll get sick."

"I guess that's true." If they stayed, it was almost guaranteed the two of them would get sick. Well, maybe not Cain since he could heal himself, but it was possible she'd already contracted the disease of what she'd heard was anything to go by. Staying near the fig tree would help but it wasn't a permanent solution.

An idea hit Kyoko.

"Cain!" she said. "What if we find a way to use the—ack!"

Something soft pressed itself against Kyoko's damp neck. Cain had just kissed her.

Kyoko stiffened, cheeks blazing as she jerkily turned her head toward Cain. His face was close, fringe framing his dark eyes. They hummed with something that pulled her closer. It sent tingles through her body and out her toes, unable to interpret their origin.

He gently brushed her hair aside, pressing his lips to her skin once again. This time Kyoko shivered, unused to the feelings this touch brought her.

"C-Cain," she stammered.

His eyes raised to hers, their intensity lessening. He held her gaze for a few heartbeats. Then he pulled back. It was only a little, but it was enough to give Kyoko to space she needed to function again.

"Yes?" he said. "You had an idea."

Kyoko flushed, licking her lips to counteract her dry mouth. The movement caught Cain's attention. It also alerted Kyoko to the fact that they were sitting on a bed. Alone. And smelling very nice after their first bath in weeks.

Kyoko froze like a statue.

Cain suddenly flicked her on the forehead.

Kyoko jumped up, hand pressed to her now sore head. "Hey!" she said.

Cain chuckled at her anger. Dang angelic smile. Even on the face of a demon, it had the ability to dissipate her anger.

Kyoko sat back down, cheeks puffed out as she pouted.

"Please don't tease me," she said.

Cain removed the hand from her forehead, pressing a kiss on the place he'd flicked her. "Sorry Love," he said. "I'm doing my best to control myself."

That explanation certainly didn't help her nerves. She chose to keep her face level, squeezing the hand he still had in his own.

"As I was saying," she said, trying to bring them back down to earth. And he was smirking at her again! "What if we try to use the tree to get rid of your contract? It's obviously the source of some sort of ancient magic. It's possible there's an oracle or a magical creature nearby. Or maybe its fruit could help. Or the sap. Yes! Sap almost always has some sort of healing property in arcane plants. Even more so in light ones. And isn't the tree a source of light magic?" Her irritation was gone by the time she finished her speech, excitement replacing it.

Cain didn't appear as excited.

"Do you really think it could help?" he said. "It's a tree."

"Yes, but a magical tree!" she said. "Why else do you think thousands of people have flocked here? It's probably got all sorts of magical properties. I bet the library is stuffed with information about it."

"Don't forget, Hiroaki and his men are studying it right now. Not to mention it's sick. I doubt we could find anything that could help us."

"We won't know unless we try." She scooted closer to Cain, eyes alight in hope. "Even if Hiroaki won't hire me it doesn't mean I can't do a little investigating myself."

Cain stared at her a moment.

"One week," he finally grunted. "We'll investigate for one week, and if we can't find any more leads or you get sick, we leave. Deal?"

"Deal," said Kyoko happily.

Night provided the perfect cover for Cain as he walked between shadows. There was no need to cover his presence. Here the darkness was welcome, the dreariness palpable.

Only one thing stood out from the gloom - more a promise of light than an actual source- and this was what he sought. It guided him around another corner, around another shady stretch of gloom, and finally to a group of men. To his eyes they were shades of black, highlighted by streaks of white. Opposite of most. Usually men were shades of white with maybe a single streak of black. These men were full of greed and darkness, it almost made Cain feel normal. Almost.

The men didn't see Cain as he approached, the three of them so engrossed in their trade. The taller ones Cain recognized, two of the men that had abandoned and raided their group in the desert. The third was new, but it didn't stop him from being any less guilty.

"Nah, it's worth 'lest four gold," one of them said. "That's pure sapphire, I'd bet my horse on it. Did you see how that woman held herself? Screams money. Rich whore probably wouldn't have stood for anything less than the real deal."

The other man responded, but Cain wasn't interested in their conversation. His eyes sought the glint of gold the third held in his hands. Kyoko's necklace. He'd found it.

It suddenly disappeared below the man's cloak. He shook hands with the others, the transaction obviously complete.

"You'll bleed me out one day," the man groaned, pulling out some coins.

That's when Cain entered their range of vision. He was right upon them.

The men jerked in surprise, two of them going for their swords.

"Sweet Ros- Cain! Is that you?"

Cain ignored them considering the man. Not a threat. His stance was ridged from shock, eyes still bulging. The other two he could kill with a thought.

He instead put a hand out to the man he didn't know.

"The necklace," said Cain.

The man, obviously some sort of black alley dealer, didn't respond.

Inpatient, Cain spoke again, this time louder, his voice a low rumble of thunder.

"The necklace. Now."

The man finally gained enough of his senses to respond.

"Wha, I just-" He cleared his throat. "That will be ten gold coins if you don't…"

The man's response died under Cain's dark form. Cain's hand inched closer and the man flinched as if Cain had brandished a flaming knife. The man would break soon. For all his treachery, the man crumbled under the pressure of true darkness

A soft hiss signaled the withdrawing of weapons. The two thugs had finally managed to pull their swords.

"You heard the man," said the closest, his grin a row of rotted teeth. "He said tha'd be ten gold coins. Now, pay the man unless yah want a mess on your hands."

"I need not pay for what was mine to begin with," said Cain. "Lower your weapons."

The men didn't listen. Instead, they motioned to the shadows. Other forms moved closer. Other flickers of gray. Soon Cain was surrounded by a mass of men. It seemed he'd found the heart of the black market. No wonder it held such a pull of darkness.

"This man obviously doesn't know the rules," barked one of the men. "See, 'round here, we don't allow any stealing. Just good honest trading of stolen goods."

"Charming," said Cain dryly, looking around. He could take them even if they had other magicians like himself. The problem was how many would die. Kyoko wouldn't like it if he killed, even if she didn't know. Nor would she like him getting hurt. He'd have to find a good middle ground of pain without death.

"You assume," he continued, addressing the men he had once traveled with. "That because I didn't fight you back at the camp that I am weaker than you combined. That assumption is wrong."

Magic build up at his feet. With no warning, he punched the closest guy in the face. Blood flew from the man's nose. Cain's other fist darted out, a magic push slamming the other man in the chest. In less than three seconds he had taken out two men.

"I didn't fight," he said. "Because- how did you put it?" Cain kicked the man nearest him as he lunged for a weapon.

"I don't want your mess on my hands"

The others were quick to react. They were used to dirty fighting. A dagger sang through the air, bouncing off Cain's arcane shield. He spun quickly, just dodging the tip of a spear as it was thrust toward him. He grabbed hold of the shaft, yanking it from the man's grip before jabbing the hilt in the attacker's stomach. The thug double over in pain. A swift kick dropped the man to the ground.

The others weren't deterred as they continued to attack. Cain dodged, punched and kicked as he wove between the flurry of attacks. He kept his spells light, concentrating on stunning than causing true damage. It worked for a moment until he felt the push of true magic against his shield. A man had used a lethal spell.

Cain finally drew his sword.

Magic danced around his blade. Now instead of dodging, he blocked their attacks. Magic sliced between the blades and the other lesser man cried out in surprise as their arm turned numb at their exchange. Another blast of magic shattered Cain's shield. Shoot, he needed to find the magician. His head swiveled left and right, finally spotting him. There. A stout man with a glass eye.

He dashed for the magician, but another man appeared on Cain's left. He pivoted on his left foot, right coming out to kick the man aside. He didn't expect his attack to be met mid-air, the man's attack mirroring Cain's.

Leg now throbbing, Cain stumbled back, sand scraping underfoot. This new man grinned in triumph.

"Didn't expect that? Did yah?" he gloated.

Cain growled.

Pain suddenly erupted. Cain jerked forward, looking over his back. He could just make out the shaft of an arrow sticking out of his shoulder. How had it broken through his other arcane shield? Unless the arrow had been enchanted as well. A quick glance showed him another man atop the next building, bow in hand.

Impatient, Cain grabbed hold of the shaft. With a squelch, he ripped the arrow from his shoulder, a low roar issuing from his mouth. The men just watched, frozen in what Cain could only guess was grotesque fascination. Why did they pause? They had no doubt seen blood and flesh torn by their own hands. How was it any different to see Cain pull an arrow from his own back?

The now broken shaft fell to the ground, his hand covered in slick blood. He could feel his flesh knitting back together. Light flickered as he wove his shields back into existence. And all the while, he kept his eyes fixed on the glass-eyed magician.

"What?" said Cain. "Never seen blood before?"

He took a step forward.

The men around him flinched.

He took another step.

A shout suddenly sounded. Then a strange call, bird-like but not one Cain had heard before. It jerked the men from their stupor as they suddenly turned tail and ran. It wasn't only them. The entire street was suddenly full of scuffling as everyone scrambled to vacate the area. Another call clarified Cain's confusion.

"Raid! They're coming! Hurry."

It was a night raid. Men in uniform suddenly flooded in from the alleyways. Mosall's police guard grabbed at men as they tried to escape. Small fights broke out. Cain stood tall among the chaos, none daring to mess with him. He paid them no heed, his eyes seeking his prey. The man who still had Kyoko's necklace. That was who Cain wanted.

He walked to the dealer who'd been caught by a guard, a light-skinned man whose helmet had been knocked off.

"Excuse me," said Cain.

The soldier looked up, then paled.

"M-monster!" He nearly dropped the thug.

"He has something of mine," said Cain, pointing to the dealer. "I just want it back."

The guard didn't move. He looked ready to faint.

Cain was starting to draw attention. Thanks to his previous scuffle, many of the men were either already down, or worn out from his fight. The guard's job was almost done. Other men were taking note of Cain. They circled him cautiously, hands hovering over their weapons.

Slowly, Cain moved his hands. The guards jolted as if expecting him to attack, but he didn't. He just raised his palms in surrender.

"I'm not here to cause any trouble," said Cain.

The dealer let out a whimper of fear that did not help Cain's case. He started struggling then froze as Cain gaze returned to his.

"The necklace," said Cain. "I'd like it back."

The tense silence stretched. Only distant sounds of conflict punctuated the stillness. No one wanted to move, the pumping of quickened heartbeats surrounding them.

Then something broke the stillness.

It was another guard. He pushed through the circle of men, barking orders.

"Why are we all standing around like dumbstruck chickens? We're on a raid, men! Hesitation is not our friend."

The guard's eyes found Cain. They hardened like steel, showing none of the fear the others held.

"The hell you doing here Cain?" said Murasame. "You look enough like a devil in the light, I don't need you here scaring my men like the blight itself has taken form."

"I was here before your men," said Cain smoothly. He pointed to the dealer. "I'll leave as soon as I get what's mine."

Murasame stomped forward, grumbling to his men to stop gawking and get back to work. They scurried away, but not before throwing several very confused looks in Cain's direction.

Murasame took the dealer from the other soldier, instructing the lad to help the others. The man was all too happy to hand over the thug to Murasame who dug into the man's pockets. After a couple seconds of scrambling, his hand came out with Kyoko's necklace.

"This what you were looking for?" said Murasame, holding it out to Cain. "It's what your wife was wearing, was it not?"

Cain took the necklace, carefully inspecting its surface. He noticed a few dents in the clap, possible scratches that could have been present before. Apart from that, it looked fine. None of the jewels were missing or scratched.

"Thanks," said Cain, pocketing the jewelry. Kyoko would be happy to see it and he'd feel better knowing she wore it.

He turned to leave, but Murasame stopped him.

"Wait a minute Cain, you can't leave yet," he said. "While you probably didn't have anything to do with this, I still want you to come back and answer a few questions."

Cain cocked his head, considering a moment. The order to question Cain wasn't a surprise since he was, at the very least, a witness to the scene.

"I'm surprised," he admitted. "That you assume me to be innocent. I was sure you'd jump at the chance to accuse me of something."

The comment ignited Murasame instantly. He jabbed a finger repeatedly toward Cain. The man had way too much energy for the early hours of the morning.

"Don't get me wrong, I still think you're a lying murderer," he said. "I just don't have any proof. You did save the men at the guard tower so it's possible I'm wrong. Not that I think I am."

Cain couldn't help a wry smile. "Am I a villain or ally? You seem confused on the matter."

Murasame pulled a face. "Right now you look like an undead. And don't smile it's creepy, especially with all that blood. You need a medic."

The soldier dragged the thug with him as he walked back to his men, not looking back to see if Cain followed.

Cain hesitated, considering disappearing into the night to return to Kyoko. Then he sighed, following Murasame to join the other soldiers.

It took three hours for Cain to escape from Murasame's questioning. Between Cain's presence in the alley, his dark appearance, and the testimonies from the thugs, it had taken a lot of time to convince the other captains that he hadn't been part of the black market. Only Murasame's testimony about how Cain had helped save the outer city guard post had stopped Cain from being thrown into prison.

"If Murasame says he helped, I guess he did," the questioners had concluded.

With the sun just starting to lighten the sky, Cain walked back into the place he and Kyoko were staying. The building functioned much like an inn with separate rooms for the residents and a central dining area. The kitchen was staffed with a cook who made the meals for everyone, but not just anyone could stay here. The place was a permanent residence for those that held a high rank in the military or those here by assignment.

Soldiers stared as Cain entered the building. He doubted Kyoko would still be in bed at this hour. She liked to rise with the sun. He glanced inside each empty room until he spotted her inside the dining room. His pseudo wife was near the end of it, speaking to two women wearing aprons. One look at her face had him worried.

Cain swept into the occupied room. The other soldiers, only half dressed for the day moved aside for him as he passed making his way to Kyoko clear. She spotted him, stood up, and met him halfway with a hug. He pushed her possessively closer to his chest, wishing to drown her worries in his embrace.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Nothing," she sighed. "I'm just glad you're back. I worried something had happened to you."

"Sorry I wasn't here when you woke up." He had planned to come back sooner, but certain unplanned roadblocks had stopped him. Kyoko pulled away, and Cain was happy to see the stress in her eyes was gone. Curiosity now replaced it.

"Where were you?" She said. "I asked, but no one knew."

"I had a task to take care of." He'd tell her about the necklace later when she could safely conceal it below her shirt. Too many people were peering at them, including the women Kyoko had been speaking to earlier. They were currently clearing dishes but their flickering eyes betrayed their interest.

Kyoko's eyes narrowed. She made of show examining him.

"You're dirty. Have you been out all night?"

"I'll tell you when we're alone."

He took her hand, pulling her out of the room. A mild glare kept anyone back.

Once in their room, he pulled out the necklace. It was with immense satisfaction he saw the surprise transform into delight as she identified what it was. The sight was enhanced by his new perception of the world, her face literally glowing like the sun cresting the horizon.

"My necklace!" she said, taking it in her hands. "Where did you get it? Is that what you were doing this morning?" Her expression shifted to an accusatory glare. "Cain. Did you put yourself in danger to get this back?" She gasped. "You didn't get hurt, did you?"

He was then subjected to her incessant chatter as she searched his person for tell-tale tears in his clothing that may indicate an injured area, all the while scolding him for taking such a dangerous risk. A smile stretched on his face. He loved listening to her chatter away like this.

That was until she found the spot he had been shot. Then it wasn't cute as much as it was humiliating.

Kyoko craned her neck, trying to see over the heads of the people in front of her. Curse her short stature as well as this impossible throng of people. It was so crowded that people didn't even seem to mind Cain, the occasionally unlucky soul being shoved into his side. That was how unbelievably crowded the streets in front of the fig tree were. People should be minding their homes or shops, not shoving their way to the tree. At least that's what Kyoko thought they should be doing. It would make her journey to the overgrown shrubbery easier.

Is this even worth it? she grumbled to herself after another person shoved her in the stomach. Wasn't everyone supposed to be sick? They looked just fine to her!

Cain pushed her close to him, doing his best to shield her from the chaos.

"Should we just go back?" he said. "And go to the library like you planned?"

"I want to at least see the tree up close," said Kyoko, stubbornly determined to see the tree. She'd use Hikaru's name if needed, but she wasn't too eager to throw around him name any more than she already had. That'd be abusing his kindness.

The crowd suddenly thinned just enough for Kyoko to see ahead of them.

"Ah! I can finally see it," she cried in excitement, tugging on Cain's arm.

A tall golden gate stretched in front of the tree, the curving iron serving as decoration as much as function. Mosall's symbol, the fig tree itself was wrought into the arch work of the fence, indicating one of the entrances. Two soldiers with bright armor stood guard, preventing anyone was passing without permission. Everything was beautiful. Well, everything but the decrepit looking tree. Up close the thing looked more dead than before.

"That's who we need to get past if we want to see the base of the tree," said Kyoko, pointing to the guards. "Apparently it used to be open to the public, but with the disease, people started sleeping in the crooks of the roots or taking pieces of it in the hopes it can heal them. Not to mention what was left of the figs. Apparently, the fruit rots before it falls and is now considered poisonous."

"When did you learn this?" said Cain, impressed.

"You know our cooks? Of course not. Never mind. They were talking to me this morning and I managed to get some details from them."

According to the women, it had been complete madness until the city's general had put his foot down on security. The punishment for jumping those fences was now great enough that even the most desperate of souls didn't try slipping past the guards. Most of the time.

"I wondered what you were speaking to them about," said Cain. "Is there anything new I should know about how we met or such?"

"What? No," said Kyoko, distracted by the change in topic. They'd had to keep updating each other when forced to make up some detail about their past lives. Being the most approachable of the two, it was often her task to fabricate their background. "Mostly they were asked about Hikaru and why we had his room. I think one of the cooks likes-"

Kyoko tripped. She was saved by Cain who managed stop her nose from hitting stone.

"Thanks," she said, regaining her balance. She placed a hand to her forehead grimacing. Had she not drunk enough water or something?

"Are you alright?" said Cain.

"I'm fine," said Kyoko. "Look, we're here."

Through persistence and Cain's looming presence, they'd made it to the front of the masses. One soldier stood ahead of the rest, arms out and shouting at people to keep back. Kyoko approached, hoping that maybe this time she could talk her way inside.

The front guard was already talking to a wispy old woman, two men and a child. He was gesturing them to leave, which they did… only to be replaced immediately by others as they elbowed past her.

Impatient, Kyoko shoved herself to the front

"Excuse me," said Kyoko. "Could we pass please?"

"Do you have a pass?" said the guard.

"What?" said Kyoko. "We don't but—"

"No one can pas without a signed and stamped letter of approval," said the guard.

Kyoko gritted her teeth. She hated to use him again, but desperate times call for desperate name dropping.

"We have a good friend in the military," said Kyoko. "He will vouch for us that we—"

The guard cut her off. "Then he can give you a letter," he said. The man was in no mood to be pleasant.

"But—"

"Leave, or I'll arrest you. You're blocking the path. Move along all of you!"

The guard kept barking at the others around them, who were also groaning about entering. She heard a man echo her own story, twisting it just enough to sound different yet also more impressive than her reasoning.

It didn't work. Nothing did.

Kyoko stumbled her way from the masses. That way was completely useless. At least she knew a letter could get them past. They may be able to make use of that information.

"No hope from the gates," said Kyoko, coming back to Cain. "Not unless we manage to get a letter of approval. Do you think Hikaru could help with that?"

"I doubt he could get us one," said Cain.

Kyoko agreed. If she knew anything about research and these sorts of epidemics, resources like this were kept under very tight wraps. There was probably a max of five people that could give her permission to enter, Hiroaki being one of them.

"Would you like to leave?" said Cain.

"Not yet," said Kyoko. She just spotted a group of five men dressed in matching gray tunics. Identical pins glittered on their chests. They were physicians.

The man at the front flashed a piece of paper to the guard, who let them pass. In those few moments the gates opened, people swarmed like flies to watch them enter. The poor guards were hard pressed to keep them all back, threatening imprisonment with every breath.

Kyoko skirted around this group, peering at the physicians through the bars. The men had hurried inside, disappearing through the tall winding roots. She could see shapes between the gaps, hints of what looked like buildings.

Cain leaned against the railing beside her, looking out at the tree.

"Did they used to have buildings by the tree?" said Kyoko, pointing to the rubble. It looked like part of a pillar to her.

"A long time ago," said Cain. "As the tree grew its roots reached out farther, forcing people to relocate. It hasn't happened in several centuries as a duke finally ordered the perimeter permanently expanded, but there was no way to recover the buildings the tree had already taken."

Kyoko gave him an impressed look. "Now I'm wondering how you know so much about the tree."

"History lessons," said Cain. "It's been critical in the development of the Broken Hills. It'd be a major oversight if I didn't know about the most influential landmarks in my kingdom." Cain frowned. "Except it's not my kingdom anymore. It might not ever be again."

A tightness pulled at the corners of this eyes. It hurt her to see it there. To hear his doubts on their own situation.

She scuttled sideways, her shoulder knocking into his in an encouraging bump.

"It's still your kingdom," she said. "Just because of… you know. It doesn't mean you care for it any less. I mean, I had never heard of the fig tree until I got here. What kind of citizen does that make me?"

"A sheltered one."

She bumped him harder. "I was being serious. I should know more about my kingdom. We're fighting for it, aren't we?"

Wasn't that a dizzying thought? At first, it had been about survival for her. Protecting the prince and fighting to keep her place in the palace. Then it had evolved into this tangled mess of struggling to stay ahead of the Accursed, of lessening the Dark Djinn's power by removing Cain's curse. But would it be enough? Wasn't there more she could do?

Kyoko gripped the bars of the gate, feeling useless. She could see the group of Physicians just over the crest of a large root. They'd stopped several yards in, laying out tools and vials as they took sampls to study later.

That could have been her. She could have been applying her mind, doing something good for the people. She'd discovered a new medicine before. Maybe that luck would persist? Maybe she could be the one to discover the cure for this horrible disease. She felt antsy thinking about it, already imagining the tests and research she'd require to undertake such a massive project.

"I know that look," said Cain.

"What look?" said Kyoko.

"The look when you've got a bone to chase," he looked amused. "You really want to help them research the Shueman's rot, don't you?"

Kyoko's energy slowly depleted, biting her lip guiltily.

"Sorry," she apologized. "I know we're here to help you and I do think the tree could help. It's definitely emitting some light energy that could be harnessed if done correctly."

"Yes," said Cain. "I can see it emanating from the tree. But it doesn't feel right." He frowned a moment before sending her a sidelong smirk. "Don't worry, Kyoko. I know how excited you get about medicine. I can't blame you for getting a little sidetracked. It's cute."

Kyoko grumbled, wishing she had a veil she could use to hide her cheeks.

"Flatterer," she said.

"It's not flattery. I do find you cute."

Kyoko pressed her face into her hands, trying to hide within her palms. She was SO not used to this yet. His praise still made her uncomfortable. She used to take it as empty words, spoken from an eloquent prince who saw her as nothing more than a friend. Indulging in the idea that he meant what he said? Even the compliments he had said before? Nope. Still too much. She couldn't do it without wanting to dig a hole into the ground and stay there.

A finger slid from the base of her skull down her spine. She jerked back into attention, goosebumps erupting across her whole body.

"Whhhhaaay would you do that?" she cried, feeling as if the hair on her head was also standing up.

"So you'd look at me," he said, no repentance in his expression. It seemed triumphant instead. "What? Have you still not realized how I see you?"

"It's not the realizing I have a problem with," she muttered. "It's the reconciliation part I'm still processing."

Cain chuckled, mercifully pulling back. "Now that, I can understand."

Kyoko rubbed her arms, trying to disperse the chill she still felt. So much for getting used to his attention. She was such a newbie to love. Still, it was nice to see that smile on Cain's face, especially with how rare even these small expressions were. She had promised to be his light, and fantastically enough, he'd confessed she'd already been it.

And wow, that thought made her dizzy with happiness.

Kyoko swayed, her grip on the gate tightening.

And apparently just dizzy. What was going on?

"Kyoko?"

She could barely hear Cain's voice. Her hand slipped, and she crumpled to the ground, her vision swimming. It felt like her brain had been replaced with a pillow. It pressed on her skull, making it hard to think.

"I'm alright."

She tried to speak. Beneath the buzzing in her head, her mind screamed at her to reassure Cain that she was fine. That she didn't want him to worry. She hated it when he worried. It hurt when he was sad. It hurt so bad. She wanted him to not worry.

Her hand searched for Cain. She found him, her whole body relaxing in relief.

Then she fainted.

Thanks for reading!

And I'm back! Wow, life was crazy for a while. Still is, but in a different way. The wedding was beautiful but cold, and the honeymoon was awesome! Seriously, best month of my life right there. Though, I am glad to be writing again.

Many thanks to those that left reviews and waited patiently for me to come back. And for all your well wishes! They were nice little surprises during the past month. (Im0ut0 still got a call every now and then so I could gleefully read them to her).

I'd like you all to know that my new year's resolution is to finish this story. It will happen! I am determined, so strap up for a much busier year of writing because I hope to get this done ASAP!... I really hope I didn't jinx myself.

Kris K: As you said, you've got all the building blocks, now you have to decide on the story. My advice is this. First, get a beta who you trust and admire and whocan be honest with you. Don't allow yourself to be offended when they are honest with you.. unless they're just being a jerk. No one deserves to take that. (I'm honestly beta-ing too many people already but I don't mind giving out little nuggets of advice. Just PM me next time so we can have a longer dialog without cluttering up another story.) Second, it already sounds like you've got areas of conflict based on character descriptions. That's a fantastic place to start. Interpersonal conflicts are very interesting! Sometimes bigger things will come to you as you write. That's what happened with me and the Accursed. Good luck! And the most important thing to do is to just start writing!

Guest, what are my thoughts on the Momiji arc?... I wish it would pick up the pace. Freaking love Skip Beat, but in so many ways I wish I'd found it after it was finished. So good, but takes so long. But it's so freaking good! Haha. I think the author has done a brilliant job of yo-yoing us though. As for world-building tips? Look at our world today and get ideas from that. Look at history in other countries. Look at how medical and scientific advances change society. Look at how religion and beliefs can influence an entire culture. Look at how hate and discrimination can stir wars and conflict. Think 'what if ' and then roll with it. :)

Oh my gosh guys, that was not a suggestion for me to write a Selection series crossover. Holy cow no. I do not have time for that.

Oh, also, no more fandom flux for me. My schedule and theirs just don't match up so that's done. It was lots of fun while it lasted. A new experience. :)

Ugh, long author note is long.

Thanks again for reading!

-Blushweaver.

"I have read and approved this message" -Im0ut0

Rejected titles: "One step forward, two steps back." "Oh no, she fell down."