Author's Note: Hello to everyone, and thank you for continued support of reading. Again I'm going to assume its because you enjoy the fic though I would appreciate some feed back from those who have the time. Also thank you to Jdog51 for adding this story to their favorites, it really boosts my confidences that this story is actually okay when I see follows and favorites.

Disclaimer: Same as always I don't own the Winx Club or Ronin Warriors.

Chapter 15) Dreams and Understandings

It was nightfall or at least it felt that way, as the winx club all sat around in the room Flora was sharing with Bloom. Tecna was now feeling bad about snapping at the ronins and the warlords but her guilt was overpowered by her concern for Flora. So far Flora hadn't woken only whimpered and tossed a few times like she was in pain or having a nightmare. The air was tense and not a single one of the winx could relax. They were worried about Flora, about the people of earth, and what the gates being opened meant as the ronin and warlords were quite shaken by that fact alone. Both Bloom and Roxy were trying to console each other and yet both also wanted to remain strong and not break down with worry for their families.

"I… I need a drink does anyone else want anything?" Roxy asked standing up no longer able to take the silence of the room.

"No, but thanks darling." Stella smiled weakly. It was the first time she'd been away from Shu's presence for a long time. She knew he was giving all of them space, as well as trusting her friends which was sweet of him.

"I'm good." Musa sighed as she stared out the window. Her mind was thinking about how Shin talked about the dynasty and the nether realm. Every time any of the ronin talked about it their eyes would drop and their voices would grow somber or tense and now she was understanding why. The trix had truly found an evil beyond what their ancestors had managed now.

"Thanks but no thanks." Tecna answered robotically as she typed on a laptop. She was running an analysis of the energy that the gates were putting off and seeing if they could disrupt it with a convergence spell. She also was trying to find a way to reestablish contact with the magical dimensions as since the gates had been open they couldn't reach anyone, not even Miss Faragonda. Bloom just shook her head, but also stood up.

"Hey you guys will get me if-"

"Yeah we'll get you when Flora wakes up." Tecna corrected and smiled. She had a feeling Bloom was going to go to her old friend. While Tecna didn't know how she felt about that, she knew that she liked Touma. He was a good guy and seemed to be able to ease Bloom's troubles. Logically it made sense for her to turn to him since not only was her friend not doing well but her parents could very well be trapped. Tecna then turned back to her computer, and began trying to strengthen the connection or signal, if she could just get through to Miss Faragonda things would be better.

Roxy left first and Bloom shut the door as she followed. Bloom watched Roxy head down stairs before she turned right and started to head for the small reading space on the second floor. She made her way into the room and fell into the plush chair in the corner. She worried about her parents on earth, and she worried for all the innocent people in Gardenia. It was too much to think about that only they escaped the pull of the dynasty's magic and why? The wizard had used it to trap fairies before so it couldn't be their magic could it? Then why was Nasuti safe? Bloom didn't know, and between her healing heart, and now this she closed her eyes just to stop the tears from falling.

Bloom gasped and rapidly wiped her eyes as a hand touched her shoulder. When she finally looked up to the person, she couldn't help herself from wrapping her arms around Touma and pulling him in so she could hide her face. It was only a moment before Bloom felt him place a hand on her head stroking her hair while her face was pressed against his abdomen.

"Bloom… I promise we'll find away to make everything okay again." Touma whispered stroking her hair. They'd all been through this before, knowing the dynasty had their families, the worry and the fear so it was something they expected. It was still hard but if they lost themselves now then who would fight the dynasty. Touma sighed and moved closer to Bloom, moving her over in the chair so he could sit on the arm. Shin could yell at him later for the action he didn't care, he was too worried about his friend. "Besides whatever happens to them they won't remember. And we won't hurt them by fighting against Arago." Touma said as Bloom leaned against him her head in his lap as he stroked her hair.

"And what about Flora, none of you know what happened. Then we can't even reach…"

"You don't have to hide things from me. I figured out there must be more than earth long ago. Besides everyone has been getting suspicious with the little clues here and there." Touma smiled trying to ease her burden. "You guys aren't in this alone, and for the first time we aren't either. We will get through this." Touma said softly. He liked the feel of Bloom's hair but wished she wasn't so upset. It wasn't fair that the only times he'd gotten to get close to her, to hold her she needed comfort, a friend. Sighing Touma said nothing more as he just stroked Bloom's hair.

"Your family didn't remember?" Bloom asked as she sat up but was still leaning on him. Touma moved his arm so it draped across Bloom's shoulders holding her against him as reassurance. Bloom pulled her feet up into the chair as she got comfortable, her back against the arm of the chair and Touma's side, her hand covering his arm holding on to him like he was her.

"No, neither did Shin's, Seiji's, Jun's, or Shu's." Touma said glancing to the doorway as Ryo passed by. People were always moving around in the house, but he couldn't help but to hope for Bloom someone would be coming to say Flora was awake.

"I… I know we realized that you've been through this before but… It's different being part of it, and suddenly-"

"Suddenly understand the fear of losing your family? Worrying over them? That's true but each of us knew then that we couldn't dwell on it. The only way to help them is to push forward no matter how hard that may be." Touma explained and Bloom pulled his arm into a hug.

"Still I'm sorry for being selfish." Bloom mumbled and Touma laughed.

"Bloom, you caring about people isn't selfish. Besides your big heart is why you spoke to me. How could I ever begrudge you for it?" Touma smiled his thumb rolling over Bloom's hand.

"Thanks Touma… I should go back." Bloom smiled feeling better again and able to provide the strength her friends needed as she would lead them.

"No problem, hey can I ask a favor. Will you let one of us know when Flora wakes up. Seiji's taking it pretty bad." Touma said as Bloom pulled away and started to get up.

"Sure thing Touma." Bloom smiled and waved as she head out of the room feeling much better than she had been. Touma was right. They couldn't lose hope or focus, and she was glad they had the ronin here. Their experience would help them greatly.

Down stairs Roxy had been sitting in the kitchen idly spinning her glass as she thought about her mother and father. She was helpless, and it felt like if she'd been stronger than maybe she could have done more. Maybe she was distracting everyone to much.

"You're oddly pensive." Roxy looked up as Naaza came into the room.

"Because you know me so well?" Roxy shoot back surprising the warlord but he just smirked. His smirk suddenly made Roxy feel small and more vulnerable. She watched him with wide eyes as he moved around the table and came rather close to her.

"No I don't… But any time you've been bothered so far you run to Torrent." Naaza said and suddenly walked over to the fridge making Roxy glare at him. He was playing a game with her. Roxy couldn't say why but it felt like Naaza was the only one truly not bothered by the gravity of the situation.

"Well I'm sure Shin has enough to worry about right now… We all do after all." Roxy sighed dropping her chin into her hand as she leaned on the table. Roxy watched as Naaza took a seat across from her a strawberry kiwi snapple was his choice of drink.

"If you wish to talk, please feel free." Naaza said gesturing out in front of him before taking a swig of the drink. He knew he wasn't the brightest, or as Shu put it the lights were on but nobody's home, from time to time but he wasn't an idiot. Roxy was sweet and kind to him, with no reason for her to be. She had shown Rajura, Anubis and him stuff about the world of mortals and each of them appreciated it. True the ronins were their friends but there'd never been a time before this where they'd left the dynasty. Now this girl, or young woman, was overly kind to them sincere with all she'd said and done even after learning they'd been the ronin's enemy at one point. It made Naaza wonder if she would care or not that he wasn't completely human.

"Thanks, Naaza. Why do you don't that though. Call Shin, Torrent?" Roxy asked looking at him.

"It is a habit that is hard to shake. It is for respect now, but back when we were enemies, it is easier to kill them when you strip away their identity." Naaza explained bluntly though his tone dropped low, as he was ashamed by the truth but the truth it was. "But that can't truly be what's on your mind." Naaza quickly added when he saw Roxy's mouth opened. He feared she would ask if he had killed anyone and yes he had. Nasuti's grandfather had been one of his last victims, and again while he'd been forgiven by others he still had yet to forgive himself.

"I'm worried about my parents and the other Fairies of earth. I know you say Flora's okay but what if she isn't?" Roxy explained. "I can't help at all. I feel lost and like I'm a burden!" Roxy stated her voice growing in volume as she grow more agitated. Naaza raised an eyebrow a bit surprised by Roxy's statement. After all he'd watched her fight alongside Torrent and Hardrock with Stella.

"Strength isn't something you should worry about. You are more than a capable warrior." Naaza said, and meant it.

"Then why could I barely help! I don't have my mythix, I just can't contribute as much as the others." Roxy sighed pushing her drink away so she could fold her arms over the table and lay her head down.

Naaza wasn't sure how to answer this since he didn't understand what mythix was, weren't they all fairies? More than that Roxy was fighting without armor in an outfit that was… well it wasn't proper for battle. "I don't see why you would doubt your strength. Though I don't understand what you mean by mythix either." Naaza stated plainly.

"It's kinda hard to explain, but fairies who have achieved mythix are stronger, I'd say the strongest, since well there haven't been any I know of to reach that besides Bloom, Stella, Flora, Aisha, Tecna and Musa." Roxy sighed and Naaza frowned. It would do like good if she felt like a burden and while he wouldn't coddle her maybe there was something he could do.

"If you feel your magic is not enough why not train with a weapon? It has proven most useful for the ronins, my brothers, and myself."

"Through a weapon? But the specialist are the ones who learn weapon based combat." Roxy murmured as she lifted her head. Still this didn't seem like a bad idea, she'd never considered it before. "Are you saying you would teach me?" Roxy asked feeling a bit hopeful.

"I would, as would the others once you show promise." Naaza said and Roxy got up from her chair and hugged him.

"Thank you…. I promise I'll try my hardest." Roxy said as she hugged the youngest of the warlords. Naaza was stunned and stiff his mind stalled as he'd never received such a gesture. People gave him space and were unnerved by his looks. "Thank you Naaza. I should go check on Flora again. Um… Do you mind if later I come by to set up a time for you to train me." Roxy asked and the warlord could only shake his head, his eyes still wide with amazement and confusion as Roxy left. He blinked as he watched her leave enthralled by the young woman but that trance was broken as he heard Rajura snickering.

"Be quiet spider." Naaza growled at Rajura who only continued to snicker unphased by his brother's angry tone. Rajura found it very amusing that his sworn little brother could be developing what had Strata once called it, a crush? Yes that was it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~(Scene Change)~~~~~~~~~~~

Ryo sighed as he sat with Nasuti in the study where the jewel of life was. He was staring off into the distance wondering if there was anything more they could do for Flora. His gaze flickered to the jewel of life and he couldn't help but wish they knew more about it. It had done so much but they didn't even know how it activated or why. If their enemy was after it than they had to learn more about it.

"Ryo… It's late. You should go to bed. Most of the others have." Nasuti said as she was looking through the research her grandfather had done. She was seeing if maybe they'd missed something earlier on the jewel or the Dynasty but so far nothing.

"Yeah, but Nasuti shouldn't you be going to be then too?" Ryo asked as Nasuti stretched and nodded.

"I am, I just need to clean up."

"Oh no, you can leave it for morning." Ryo encouraged helping Nasuti up and then out the study door.

"Ryo! Oh fine." Nasuti huffed as Ryo laughed. Nasuti didn't mind him being close right now as there was still a chill in the air from the nether realm and Ryo was always warm. The lights were shut off in the study and hall as Ryo and Nasuti left, with the house falling dark and silent with a tense sleep, the jewel of life began to glow. The jewel lifted up vanishing form the case it was in.

~~~~~~~~~~~(Scene Change)~~~~~~~~~~

Flora could feel the cold death of the corruption, and helpless cries of nature. The plants dying, the very soil becoming toxic and the air suffocating anything around it. She could barely breath and her body felt so cold. Her body felt heavy like there were weights tied to her arms and legs. Even her eyes protested opening but she managed it. The sky was a thick sickly green with dark clouds and red lightning leaping between them. The ground was moist below her and tickled her bare arms and calfs. With a soft groan Flora pushed herself up her hand sinking slightly in the wet ground the grass brushing over her hand. Every part of her that had touched the ground felt wet cold and it was making her skin crawl. As she stood up she notice the redness of the dew hanging to the grass. Her heart started to pound as she looked over her moist hands to see red blood covering them.

Flora could find her voice as she looked over the forest. The blood covered the grass the roots of the trees, and tainted the flowers. The bodies of animals gutted and poisoned were before her, the trees suffering with rot and decay. Flora stepped back but something grabbed her leg and she fell.

"Ah!" Flora shrieked as she saw the corrupted roots of the tree wrapped around her ankle. She could feel her magic growing weaker. "Ngghh! L-let go!" Flora tried to command the root to let go, as it squeezed tighter. It was cutting into her skin crawling higher as she cried out in pain. Flora reached for the root her fingers desperately working to pull it off but she couldn't get it off. The sickly rot, finally reached her with a sharp heat, like a flame being pressed against her bare skin. "Aahhgg! Someone help!" Flora called finding it hard to breath as the her pain began to match the forests.

"You must let go. You are separate from the forest, two beings connected but not the same." An older man's voice echoed through the forest. Flora looked around frantically for the source of the voice but saw nothing.

"Flora!"

"What happened?"

"Flora please wake up!" It was faint but Flora knew she'd heard the voices of the winx and Seiji. Flora looked to her right where Seiji had been. She winced as the root tightened its grip again in was now around her mid calf. Flora saw a hand reaching for her, a pure light just beyond her.

"I… I can't reach!" Flora gasped as she reached for the hand her fingers just shy of touching the light.

"You can reach… Just let go. You are not the forest, you are your own. A light of Love." The man's voice echoed again and Flora heard the faint chime of metal rings on a priest staff. The light moved and she felt fingers brush against hers. They grabbed onto her, first one hand, then another and another. Something cut the root and she was pulled into the light. Glancing over her shoulder she saw two ghostly fingers one in a priest grab, the other a long red haired man in armor like the ronin and warlords, holding a sickle and chain.

"Remember you are not world that the nether realm corrupts, only connected to it. Let go when it's too much and hold to your kindness." The red haired man called before both faded from her view.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(Scene Change)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The bright white light turned to black and Flora no longer felt like she was being lifted up or floating instead she could feel the soft but firm support of something under her whole body. Her eyes didn't feel as heavy as she opened them, blinking a few times trying to get used to the low light. She could feel hair against her neck and the bed was dipping more than her weight alone would make it. Carefully she sat up and smiled softly as she saw all the girls in the room. It was Roxy and Tecna on the bed. Stella was asleep under the window with Bloom and Musa.

Flora looked around the room, her head pounding as she still could hear and feel nature's pain only it seemed further away. Flora knew something had to have happened because the last thing she remembered were the two men, and before that walking in the forest with Seiji. Gently Flora placed a hand on Roxy's shoulder.

"Wake up sweetie." Flora said gently. She knew that it'd been light out and now it was the middle of the night. If she worried the winx she needed them to know she was okay.

"Hmmm, wha?" Roxy pushed Flora's hand away still sleepy and not understanding it was Flora there. Flora just smiled and shook her again and this time Roxy opened an eye. "Flora?... Flora!" Roxy exclaimed loud enough to startle the others awake. She wrapped her arms around Flora and hugged the older fairy. "We were so worried about you!"

"I'm sorry to worry you, though I'm not sure what happened." Flora said as the girls gathered on the bed.

"What do you remember then?" Tecna asked with a yawn. She stretched out her arms still tired from the late hour.

"I remember walking with Seiji, then the forest… every bit of nature was in pain. It hurt so much, and when I woke there was blood everywhere. The entire forest was dying the animals, the plants, they were rotting or dead. It was horrible, and it grabbed onto me. A root and it wouldn't let go." Flora said, her hand rubbing over her ankle that had been snagged. What surprised her was there were no bruises. "There was so much it… I'm not sure I'm even getting this straight." Flora sighed and Tecna narrowed her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something and Musa put a hand on her shoulder.

"How 'bout you figure the rest out before we ask questions. Okay? We need to know everything before we jump to any ideas." Musa stated and Bloom smiled. It seemed she'd said the same thing Bloom was going to.

"Sure… Oh there is one other thing I remember. A man in priest's robes with a staff. He spoke to me right before a light appeared and when I touched it everything was at peace." Flora said.

"Well I think we all need sleep, it's good you are okay." Stella yawned giving Flora another hug before standing up. Roxy was next to get up and the two of them left to go catch whatever sleep they could.

"Maybe tomorrow we could try a memory recall spell to get this all sorted out?" Tecna yawned and Musa nodded. The idea was a good one and if it would put everyone at ease Flora would agree to it too.

"Sure." Flora smiled as the two left leaving Bloom and her alone. Flora stretched and looked over her ankle surprised to see that there were no marks. With all the girls gone and a stillness taking over the room Flora could feel the choking air like in the forest. Something was very wrong. Her brows came together as she looked to the window again. It looked like a normal night, but why did everything feel wrong?

"Flora? Are you okay?" Bloom asked as she sat on her bed. Flora looked to Bloom and shook her head yes.

"I'm fine it's just…"

"Something feels wrong?" Bloom filled in the blank and Flora nodded. "The witches managed to open the gates of the nether realm. It was shortly after that Seiji brought you back here, saying you'd collapsed." Flora gawked at Bloom horrified to hear what they were trying to stop had happened. It meant that the people of earth…

"Oh sweetie, I'm sorry. Are you okay? What about Roxy?" Flora asked.

"I don't know. We don't know anything about our families. If Morgana and Nebula got them to safety or not." Bloom sighed and was now even more thankful for talking to Touma earlier. She was sure she would have broken down if she hadn't done that already. Bloom looked up when she heard Flora move to the door. "Flora?"

"I just want to grab a glance of water." Flora smiled.

"Okay. Oh and if Seiji's up you may want to let him know you're okay. Touma said he was very worried about you." Bloom said and Flora nodded. If she passed out while with Seiji it wasn't a surprise he was worried about her.

Flora left the room found the hall to be pitch black except for a light at the end of the hall coming from a room with the door cracked. Flora put her hand to her lips as she thought about seeing who was up. Even if it wasn't Seiji if it was any of the ronin they could tell him right? Stella had mentioned that they had telepathic links so it would be easy to get the message to him. Flora softly and quietly walked down the hall and tapped on the ajarred door. She waited but there was no response she opened her mouth to say something but gasped as a hand touched her shoulder. Flora whipped around and saw Rajura, who wasn't even hiding the smirk on his face.

"Apologies for scaring you again, lady Flora." Rajura stated formally as he removed his hand from her shoulder. "Shu and Shin are asleep, despite the light being on and door open. Was there something you needed." Rajura asked and Flora glanced to the slightly opened door wondering if the two had just fallen asleep and forgot to turn off the light.

"I just was looking for Seiji." Flora answered softly as she turned her gaze back to the one eyed warlord. Rajura nodded and gestured down the hall towards the stairs.

"He's in the den down stairs." Rajura answered plainly and moved by Flora heading into the room Shu and Shin were in. "Oh, and lady Flora it is good to see you are okay." Rajura added before disappearing behind a closed door. Flora had to admit that Rajura seemed very secretive and a bit unnerving. He seemed to have an idea of what you were going to do or say. Still he was a nice man, if not a little serious. Flora turned around and headed down the stairs and turning right to head to the den. There was a soft light coming from the room and slowly she peeked in. Flora saw Seiji slumped in one of the chairs head bowed forward.

"Seiji?" Flora called softly as she walked closer. Flora smiled and shook her head as she noticed the blond man was in fact asleep, as everyone should be. Glancing around the room she grabbed a blanket and laid it over Seiji.

"Shin?" Seiji mumbled tiredly. He'd heard the moving about the room and when the blanket was set on him he figured it was the warrior of Torrent. Yet as he lifted his head shock pulled him swiftly out of his tired state. "Flora?"

"Hi…" Flora flushed and looked down. Now that she was here and he was awake this didn't seem like a good idea. She didn't know what to say, and this would have been better in a group. Flora jumped and blushed when she felt his hand brush over her forehead. After a moment he moved his head to her shoulder.

"Are you okay?" Seiji asked and Flora looked up at him. The concern was clear in his violet eye, and the tight frown on his face.

"Yeah, I'm okay." Flora nodded watching his eye, and wishing she could see the other. It was a shame he covered it with his hair. "Tecna wants to try a spell to see if she can't figure out more, since I'm not sure what happened." Flora said and Seiji nodded as he stepped back.

"I see… You should rest now. With the gates opened it will only be a matter of time until we are attacked." Seiji felt wrong for turning the conversation back to the looming threat. He just wanted to say that he was worried about her, that he was glad she was fine. Nothing ever came out right when he spoke to women.

"Then you should too." Flora said and remembered the last time she felt like this was many years ago. There was a still silence between them as Seiji didn't move to leave and neither did Flora. She wanted to be sure that he left and was okay but he seemed lost in thoughts.

Something was different about Flora, Seiji could feel it but he didn't know if he truly trusted the feeling yet. It was late and he hadn't slept well in days. The nightmares were becoming a constant thing again. He could feel a phantom pain around many of his scars but he didn't let it show. He wouldn't let people see him as weak minded, or incapable of handling the duty Halo had charged him with. What he would admit was he was scared for the fairies, for Flora. He knew the dynasty, Arago's cruelty first hand and he didn't want her to ever know that.

"Okay, but Flora. Please in every battle to come stay close. You all should, Arago may try and separate us or capture some of us to weaken our strength as a group." Seiji warned his gaze very serious as he looked over Flora. The last thing he even wanted to think about happening was her being hurt or captured. It wasn't that he thought she was weak but the nightmare that lasted after wards was something he wanted to protect her from.

"Oh… Okay. We should let the others know in the morning, then." Flora smiled as as Seiji moved to the hall she followed. Seiji walked with her back to her room and waited for Flora to open the door before heading to his own room. Flora knew she didn't managed to get her drink but she wasn't even sure if she was thirsty anymore. With a sigh she stepped into her room and shut the door. Her mind was replaying Seiji's words the tenderness in them, and the fear. Seiji definitely had secrets but Flora couldn't help but wonder if the secret was something that was painful, a reason why he seemed to be so bothered when others got hurt. Sighing Flora trying to stop thinking about the blond ronin and got ready for bed before turning down the covers. Flora couldn't help but smile as she snuggled down into the comfy bed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~(Scene Change)~~~~~~~~~~~

It took a full day for Tecna to get the energy she needed for her spell. What was worse was all of the winx were feeling the negativity from the nether realm. Like the omega dimension it was becoming difficult to use their powers. If that wasn't bad enough Anubis and Rajura had both seen and dealt with the soulless scouts soldiers of the dynasty. A sign that their enemy would soon attack. Tecna was now sure that teaming up with the Ronins had been the right idea as they seemed to be unaffected by the negative energy strength wise. Tecna had noticed how Shin, Seiji and Shu seemed to sleep less, how on guard they all were. The winx club along with Roxy and Kayura had gathered in Bloom and Flora's room so that could see Tecna's spell. She'd gotten the idea shortly after the time they had to analyze Bloom's dream. She hadn't truly worked on the spell though until now. There was little need for it, especially since normally she could go back to Zenith and get the latest gadget to help her.

"Okay so are you ready?" Tecna asked Flora. She was sitting on the bed behind Flora and when her friend nodded she moved her hands by the sides of Flora's head but not touching. "Digital mind scan." Tecna said evenly. Green light from her magic lite up the room the multi crossing lines casting shadows over Flora's hair and face as she closed her eyes and thought about what she could remember. Tenca getting the images in a clearer view. Both girls sighed as the spell ended. Tecna let herself lean back against the headboard feeling tired from the spell she'd created. She was able to decipher to keep points right away, the first being the Ronin's hadn't lied. The second what Flora saw was a dream.

"Well?" Kayura asked in curiousity. She'd never seen magic like what Tecna or any of the fairies could do so it intrigued the sharp tongue woman. She was anxious to hear what was found out.

"Were you able to make sense of anything?" Flora asked hoping her friend could help her make sense of what she'd gone through.

"Yes I was. You did pass out and after that point it was a dream. Or a nightmare. The only thing I can't seem to get a clear analysis on are the white light you reached for, and the two men. The one in the white robes,with a straw priest hat, and staff I didn't even get any information on him." Tecna said and the girls nodded accept for Kayura who looked stunned.

"White robes?... the staff did it look like this?" Kayura manifested the ancient ones staff the rings chiming as she gripped it.

"Yes…. it even sounded the same. Can it the same staff?" Flora asked.

"The man in white then was the ancient one. The man to make the armors, and the man to guide the ronin to their first victory. He died so that they could have a chance to defeat Arago. He and I are from the same clan. The staff is something that is passed from Ancient to Ancient. I received it, when I was freed from Arago's control so I could carry out my role as the new Ancient." Kayura sighed and dismissed the staff. "Touma told me that he even guided them in dreams after his death."

"Well then isn't that good?" Stella asked rolling her hand through the air like she was waiting for a down side.

"I don't know. From Flora's dream and what happened I think the gates of the nether realm being opened are affecting her." Tecna stated and Flora looked down.

"He kept saying that even if I'm the fairy of nature, nature and I are separate. I don't understand what he means. Nature is my power, but every bit of it is screaming. It's being poisoned, hurting worse than anything the witches have done in the past." Flora hugged her knees to her chest and the room became tense with worry.

"I think it's even more important now than it was before for each of you to stay with one of the Ronin or Warlords, we must work as a group now more than ever." Kayura urged. She wished she had more wisdom to give to the girls but the truth was she was still learning how to guide people to getting in touch with their spirits and strongest qualities.

"I don't think any of us would disagree there." Tecna stated and the girls nodded. They'd known the ronins now for about three weeks, and lived with them. They'd seen that they were genuine and willing to give them space even in the face of an enemy. Where others in the past forced or pushed for alliances to defeat the enemy or learn new skills this group was different.

"I'll leave you girls… I should mention this to the guys." Kayura smiled her two tone voice heavy like she was upset over something, but she didn't give anyone a chance to ask before she left the room.

"We're already in groups of four so does everyone still agree with their group?" Bloom asked and everyone nodded. "Good. Now we just need to figure out if we can find a spell to get rid of some of the negative energy."

"Right and I'll get back to working on breaking through so we can reach Miss F." Tecna said going to stand but she felt suddenly woozy. It was Stella and Musa who stabilized her.

"How about a rest first." Stella pointed out. Tenca nodded and felt oddly at peace knowing that their was someone trying to help them even from the grave. It was at this point Musa and Roxy also left leaving Bloom and Flora in their room alone.

"Hey Bloom?" Flora asked looking over at her friend who had gone over to her bed and sighed. Bloom was holding a pillow like she would have kiko if she'd brought him.

"Yeah?"

"How are you doing sweetie?" Flora asked as she moved to join Bloom on the other bed. Bloom looked to Flora and knew lying was pointless. Flora was good at picking up on when someone was upset.

"I don't know. I'm worried, and I don't think I'm even close to being over what Sky did. But I'm glad to have met Touma again, even if it's because of the trix." Bloom explained with a heavy sigh. "I'm glad that you are here. That all you girls are here. I can deal with this, with everything alone."

"You don't have to sweetie. We're all going to get through this. Even if the specialist were to come here now we'd get through it." Flora smiled and gently rubbed Bloom's back.

"Thanks Flora." Bloom said resting her head on her friend's shoulder. "If we get a chance to have a break, I think I want to go somewhere fun again. We should bring Kayura and Nasuti too."

"Like a girls night out?" Flora asked and Bloom nodded. "I think you are right. But I also think we should do something fun with everyone too."

"Yeah, but that can be after our girls night." Bloom smiled feeling a bit better thinking about happier times.