"Going to warn you right off, most of the others are worried.." Kaito said during breakfast. He waited for her reaction as he ate.

"Worried about what?"

"That you'll decide either to continue exile or punish them further. That the kingdom is better off without them coming back." He leaned back in his chair. "Especially in one particular case."

"Well, I mean, I don't know the cases. But everyone deserves a second chance, right?"

"Even if someone collaborated with our enemies to steal the throne?"

She sighed, "Everyone makes mistakes."

He released the breath he'd been holding. "Alright. Everyone lives downtown in a building Tet owns. Whenever you want to meet them, I'll take you."

"Why wait? We have nothing else going on today."

"If you're sure."

"What if they don't like me?"

"Why wouldn't they? You're offering mercy." He chuckled. "That's actually what they said to me."

She sighed and went to wash her plate, "Alright, let's go."

He ruffled her hair. "You shouldn't be the one nervous, you know." He led her to his car and waited.

"You know I was always nervous meeting new people.."

"This is a little different, sis. But just relax." He drove relaxedly, appearing not to be worried at all. But the lines around his eyes were tight, visible only to her.

She looked out the window at a skyscraper, "Humans really need buildings that tall?"

"Well, there are a lot of them. But I think they just like watching everyone below them honestly." He chuckled as they waited at a crosswalk.

She continued to look around quietly.

Finally they pulled up at a nondescript two story apartment building. Kaito shut off the engine and looked at her. "They're waiting in the common room. Come on."

He led the way, opening a door for her. He greeted four men, wrapping his arms around a fifth and kissing him softly.

Ailsa looked at them all nervously.

"Are you deciding whether you want us after all?" A quiet blond sat in a corner, his eyes locked on her as the man sitting beside him cursed softly.

"Sorry. Not good with new people.." She paused, "I'm Ailsa. Nice to meet you."

Kaito introduced the blond as Ryusei, his friend as Shouma. The others were Kenji and Emu. "A few more are at work right now." He hesitated at his obvious companion.

She nodded, "Alright." She then smirked, "And who is your boyfriend?"

"Tsukasa Kadoya. At least that's what everyone tells me." The redhead said softly before turning to Kaito. "I'll go upstairs so she can tell everyone how to come back."

She raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

"Tsukasa.." Kaito began.

The other fairy shook his head. "We've been over this, Dai. There's no clemency for me." He turned and bowed to Ailsa before disappearing out the door.

She frowned, "Why did he leave?"

Kaito sat down hard. "He believes his punishment was just. Even though he doesn't even remember what he did.. He won't even ask for forgiveness."

She rolled her eyes, "I'll talk to him in a bit."

"You didn't answer my question." Ryusei prodded. "Are we still questionable?"

"You guys can all come back if you want. Though the village needs a lot of work at the moment.."

"Kaito told us. I'm happy to help if you want it." Shouma answered before frowning. "Wait a minute..just like that? You don't even know why we were exiled."

"Everyone deserves a second chance."

"We didn't do anything wrong!" Ryusei snarled.

She sighed, "I'm just trying to help.."

Shouma elbowed Ryusei, causing the other to go silent. "I'm sorry. He's just angry. I'm sure we are all appreciative of your kindness."

The others murmured their assent aside from Ryusei who stared at the floor.

"I'm sorry you are angry, but the one who exiled you is gone. I can't make up for whatever has happened to you, but I hope now you can have a fresh start, if that's something you want."

After a moment, Ryusei simply nodded.

Kaito exhaled softly.

"If you want to help with rebuilding, feel free to meet with me in the forest and we can work on stuff. If not, you can wait until we're done and we can get you a place. If you want to live there, that is. You're free to come and go as you please."

The four rose as one and bowed before excusing themselves citing work.

Kaito relaxed as the door closed. "That went better than I hoped. I apologize for Ryu. He's rather bitter."

She nodded, "Mind if I talk to Tsukasa?"

"You like going blue in the face? I spent hours last night and got nowhere."

She shrugged, "Well, at least I might get to know him a bit better."

Her brother snorted. "Upstairs. Apartment on the left."

She nodded and headed up. She knocked on the door and waited silently.

The door was opened, Tsukasa's eyes widening when he saw her. "Yes?"

"I wanted to talk, get to know you a bit better. Is that okay? Or should I leave?"

"I'm fine with that." He opened the door to admit her, then closed it. "Is everyone gone?"

"Yeah. They said they had work," she answered.

He nodded, seating himself in a chair. "What do you wish to know?"

She shrugged, "Anything. About you, what you like."

He appeared perplexed. "I'm a crime scene photographer. Kaito got me the job. Otherwise, I stay out of sight here." He stared at his hands. "I'm glad you're allowing the others back. They deserve it."

"You don't have to go back if you don't want to, but you are allowed to go back as well."

He raised his head, his eyes stormy. "I should not be allowed back. In fact, you should kill me right now."

She shook her head, "I'm not going to do that. Everyone deserves second chances, even you."

He grew agitated. "Just because I don't remember my actions does not mean I did not do the crime! I should be punished!"

"Even if you did the crime, the person who was in charge and punishing you is gone. I'm choosing to have faith in all of you and give you chances. Like I said, I'm not forcing you to go back, so if you want to stay here and keep being punished, by all means, do so."

He stilled, staring at her in shock. "I..I tried to kill you once. But you're not vengeful. Why?"

She shrugged, "I don't remember that. But everyone makes mistakes."

"You're lying." He hissed, the anger flaring again as he lunged up from his chair. "How can you forget your own brother being exiled for trying to save you?! Get out!"

"I thought.. he was messing around with his powers?" she shook her head, "Doesn't matter, I guess. Sorry for bothering you.." She headed to the door.

"Wait..I'm sorry for getting angry. I thought you were.." He apologized slowly before turning away. "I shouldn't waste any more of your time.."

"You're not wasting my time."

"I am..I am not fit to be in the same world as you.."

"Can you tell me why you think that?"

"I tried to kill you. I intended to. Someone who had caused me no harm. A person much better than I could ever be..and I let your brother be ripped away for the same reason. An inflated ego and overestimation of my worth. He should have killed me but didn't. Just like you..I don't deserve it."

"Maybe you don't deserve it, but you still have our kindness. I really don't remember back then anyway, just what I was told. It's in the past, so it doesn't matter anymore. What matters is the here and now."

Tsukasa bowed his head as his shoulders began to shake. "I don't want.."

She went to him and gently wrapped her arms around him, "It's okay. Everything is alright now."

He buried his face in her shoulder as he cried. "I'm worthless.."

"No you're not. You mean something to at least Kaito, so you mean something to me as well. So there's at least two people who don't think you're worthless."

He chuckled slightly. "The two people who should hate me.."

She shrugged again, "Things don't always work out how you expect."

He drew away and looked at her. "I'm sorry. For everything."

"It's alright. Like I said, it's all in the past."

He sighed, wiping his face. "I'm sure you have things to do."

"Not really.." she chuckled.

"Kaito is going to get worried if you don't go back down."

She nodded, "Will I be seeing you around to rebuild the village? Or are you still just going to stay here?"

"While I'd like to, doubt you need any more fire there."

She chuckled, "Guess not. Thanks for the talk." She headed to the door.

"I should be saying that to you." He smiled softly.

She smiled and headed out, back to the common room.

A scene of horror met her eyes. Kaito lay on his back, three holes in his torso and blood puddling under him. The window bore several holes.

She quickly knelt beside him and began pouring light into him, slowly closing the holes.

"Hide..coming after us…" His voice was weak and strained.

"I'm not just leaving you," she said softly.

"I..don't want you killed.." He clutched one of her hands desperately.

She sighed and lifted him, heading to take him somewhere safer.

Tsukasa's eyes narrowed as he heard a noise. He began to exit his bedroom, but didn't get far as he felt a sharp pain in his chest. He looked down, dumbly registering the spreading blood on his shirt before his knees buckled and he fell to the floor. His eyes blinked once before slipping shut.

Ailsa heard something, making her stop. She looked around quickly, her brother still tight in her arms.

"You can't escape us.." A voice whispered in her ear. "Just wait your turn."

"Who are you? What do you want?"

"We are the Shadow Council. And we desire fairies to disappear." The voice went quiet.

"What did we ever do to you?"

"You prevent this world from falling to our control. Therefore, you must be destroyed. But you will be last."

She growled and continued walking.

The feeling of being watched disappeared.

Kaito tugged weakly on her dress. "You have to hide. Save yourself."

"If I'm hiding, it's with you."

"You have to forget us. You must survive. You are our future." Her brother coughed harshly and winced in pain. "Get far away from here.."

She sighed and laid him down gently. After checking on Tsukasa and healing him, she laid them near each other before calling Tet.

"Are you two safe?" His voice was hurried but calm.

"Kaito and Tsukasa were hurt. They keep telling me to hide but I don't want to leave them.. plus I don't know where to go."

"Do you remember the way to the house?" His voice went tight toward the end of the question, but didn't pause.

"I think so?" She answered. "Are you alright?"

"Fine." His voice held a hint of pain now but he didn't stop talking. "Stay where you are. I'll send a friend to find you and take you somewhere safe." The call disconnected quickly.

She sighed, wondering if he really was okay.

Ten minutes later, two men entered the apartment. One of them moved quickly to her, the other watching the door.

"Ailsa?"

"Are you Tet's friend?"

"Yeah. Can they be moved or should we stay here?"

"They can be moved."

The man nodded, moving to his partner and holding a quiet conversation before returning. "We're parked outside. Tet's given orders that we take you to our sanctuary. Unless you have somewhere else to go?"

"Sanctuary?" She raised an eyebrow. "Unless I hide in the forest, I have nowhere."

"You'll understand when we get there." The man lifted Tsukasa easily, then began to reach for Kaito.

"I can carry him," Ailsa said quietly.

"Alright." He waited for his partner, who nodded and swung the door open. He disappeared down the stairs as Kaito dazedly opened his eyes.

"Safe..?"

"I think so," she nodded before lifting him gently.

The other man chuckled softly. "You're safe, Tinkerbell."

Kaito gave a wry smile. "Hi Zal. Tet took you off barbeque detail, huh?"

Zal rolled his eyes. "Only because you're in trouble again."

Kaito snorted. "Where is wolfie anyway?"

Zal went quiet and looked at Ailsa. "Let's get to the van."

She nodded and followed him.

Kaito had passed out again by the time they reached the street. The other man was behind the wheel, tapping his fingers anxiously.

She gently laid Kaito in one of the seats before climbing in.

Zal slid the door shut before climbing into the passenger seat. "Let's go, Jack."

The other man pulled into traffic, taking a route into the countryside.

After several hours, the van passed through what appeared to be simply an open gate. It slowed as it approached a compound.

Several assorted animals were milling around the van when it finally parked.

Ailsa watched them for a moment before looking back at Kaito to check on him.

He gave her a tiny smile. "Welcome to the Sanctuary."

Jack and Zal exited, Jack easily taking Tsukasa inside a building silently. Zal slid open the van door and looked at her. "Don't be afraid. No one will hurt you."

She nodded and got out.

Zal helped Kaito shakily step out as a man approached.

"Dai. This is your sister?" The man calmly gazed at Ailsa, his eyes glowing slightly.

"Yeah." Kaito turned to her. "Meet Kei. He's a Mahoutsukai."

She nodded slowly.

"You are safe here." Kei gave her a welcoming smile as a leopard suddenly shifted into a man. "Nara, show her to a room."

The man nodded silently, waving an arm forward to her.

"Go. I'll be by later." Kaito nudged her.

She nodded and followed the man.

He led her to a spacious room furnished with a bed and table. He stood at the door waiting.

"Thank you," she gave him a small smile.

He stayed where he was, dropping his eyes.

"You don't have to stay here you know. Is there something I can help you with?"

He shrugged, one hand unconsciously rubbing his neck. He stopped quickly as he noticed her watching, turning to leave as his face colored slightly.

"Nice meeting you," she said quietly before moving to close the door.

He suddenly reached a hand out, a soft pink light covering her half healed burns. When it faded, they were gone.

"Thank you," she was quiet as she looked the spots over.

He gifted her with a bright smile before he headed down the hall.

She shut the door and sat on the bed. Her wings soon appeared and wrapped around her protectively as she laid down and thought about everything that had happened in the last couple days. She began to cry, letting out the built up emotions.

Several minutes later, there was a soft knock at the door.

She stood, unwrapping her wings and wiping at her eyes before cracking the door open.

"Hey sis." Kaito gave her a sympathetic look.

"What's up?" She sniffled slightly.

"Wanted to check on you. You made Nara's day, you know." Her brother chuckled softly.

"He seems nice."

"He is. Kind of hard not to be when you have the mind of a five year old."

She nodded quietly before asking, "You feeling better?"

"Yeah. Though I'm a little miffed that you didn't listen to me."

She smirked, "You didn't want to be in charge, so I don't have to listen to you."

He snorted in amusement before sobering. "You could have gotten hurt, Ail."

"I don't care about being hurt if you're in danger too."

He sighed. "You have to care about yourself."

"I've always cared about you guys more than myself."

"You never change, do you?"

She chuckled, "Is that bad?"

"Come here." He stretched his arms out toward her.

She wrapped her arms around him tightly.

He held her close for a moment, then began to tickle her lightly.

She giggled and batted at his hands.

"I've missed that sound." He said wistfully before hesitating.

She frowned, "What's wrong?"

"Do you remember that injured fawn you healed when we were kids? The one we found on the road?"

"Oh yeah.. it was so cute. I hated seeing it hurt."

"You've gotten stronger at it which is why.." He stopped and shook his head. "Never mind."

"Is someone hurt? I can help if they are? Or is something else wrong?"

"It's an old injury. Don't worry about it." He kissed her forehead. "Tet called and wants me to pick him up. Kei has assigned Nara to help you." He handed her a button. "Just press it if you need anything. You can explore as long as you stay away from the gate."

She sighed, "Alright. Are you sure I can't help with anything?"

"It's fine. See you in a few hours." He gave her forehead another kiss before walking away.

She closed the door again and went back to the bed, curling up once more, this time falling asleep.

A while later, she woke and decided to venture out of the room. She was a little nervous but took a deep breath and closed the door before starting down the hall.

"Hi. Are you less scared now?" Zal leaned against the wall.

"Only a little," she chuckled. "Not actually afraid. Just nervous. A lot has been happening and changing and there's so many new people.."

"I can understand that. Heard Nara is practically in love." He chuckled.

She chuckled in response.

"Yeah, he's easy to please." He straightened and watched her. "Do you know who attacked your brother?"

"Yeah. Some group who wants fairies destroyed."

Zal's face darkened and his hands began to glow.

She stared at him for a moment before realization dawned on her, "You're..You're a dark fairy?"

He visibly flinched, struggling to rein in his abilities. "Sorry...I should go."

She shook her head, "Don't go. You seem pretty nice. Not what I've heard of dark fairies."

"We're not monsters, you know. We just..Nevermind. Maybe we are." He took a deep breath to calm himself. "You and Kaito should be cautious."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply anything. I've just not been out of my village much, so I only know things from stories.." She sighed. "Maybe I should have just stayed in my room."

"No. I overreacted. Jack says I'm too touchy. Think he's right."

"Everyone has moments like that though. It's not exactly a bad thing."

"It is for me. If I let my emotions loose, it would be disastrous." He dropped his eyes.

She sighed, "Sorry."

"Excuse me?" A young man looked at her. "Are you Ailsa?"

She looked over and nodded.

"Kei wonders if you could come to the infirmary?"

She nodded again, "Show me the way."

He pointed down the hall. "First door on the right."

She entered the room he mentioned and looked around.

"Kaito said you have healing abilities?" Kei was holding a pained looking Nara.

"Yeah, what's up?"

"He's having one of his headaches. Nothing I do seems to help."

She nodded and went to him, covering his head with light.

He relaxed, his eyes closing as Kei rocked him slowly.

After a few minutes, Kei laid him down and stood. "Thank you. I'm sorry you had to come do this, but you were the first person I thought of." He brushed Nara's hair gently. "He's getting worse, I think."

"Well, I don't mind helping. If there's anything else I can do for him, let me know."

"Are you able to heal only new injuries?"

She looked thoughtful, "I don't know, I've never healed old injuries.. but I'm willing to try."

Kei sighed. "He has throat damage which prevents him from speaking. He was attacked years ago by an unknown assailant. Severe brain damage that left him a child.." He shook his head. "It's been difficult. Sometimes I wonder if it would have been better if he hadn't survived. I find myself getting angry because he's not the person I used to know.."

She nodded, "I can't imagine how hard it's been for you." She looked at Nara and her hands started glowing. The light soon coated him.

He winced slightly, his eyes opening as he stared at her in confusion.

She gave him a small smile, "Hey, everything is alright."

"I.." He froze as he heard his voice.

She smiled, "It's alright. I'm healing you."

He remained quiet, his expression pensive.

She finally backed up, the light slowly fading away.

Kei held his breath as Nara closed his eyes.

The Were reopened them after a minute, then spoke. "Thank you. I..I felt so trapped not being able to talk."

"I can't imagine how hard that must have been," she said softly.

He gave her a smile. "You are so kind..You didn't have to help me."

She smiled, "I like helping others."

He chuckled, turning to Kei and kissing him hard. "I'm sorry for hurting you."

Kei shook his head, tears in his eyes as he kissed back. "Just don't do that again."

The moment ended when Kaito stumbled in, a heavily bleeding and unconscious Tet propped on one shoulder. "Ailsa, help me!"

She quickly got to work, moving Tet to a bed and beginning to pour light into him.

"I tried to patch him up, but he wouldn't stop bleeding.." Her brother was panicking, his eyes flickering blue.

"It's alright, just relax." She focused on closing the wounds, then trying to help build new blood cells to replace those that were lost. It took her a long time, but she finally got him stable. She sat down, trying not to show how exhausted all the healing made her.

Kaito sat down beside her, his eyes worried. "It still drains you, huh? Sorry for making you."

She shook her head, "I'm fine. I'd rather be a bit tired than watching someone hurting."

He sighed, fidgeting slightly as he stared down at the floor.

"What's wrong?"

He shrugged. "How do you like the Sanctuary?" He avoided both her question and eyes.

"It's alright. Dai.. what's wrong?"

"I..met them..I'm sorry..I just wanted to save him and see you one last time.." He gritted his teeth, trying to stand. His face had gone pale and he had a deathgrip on one wrist.

"What did they do to you?" She quickly stood and poured energy over him to see what was wrong.

"Injected..I don't know. I have the urge to drown everyone and I refuse to! I won't hurt them.." His eyes turned blue and his wings burst out. He looked at Ailsa in panic. "Run!"

She shook her head, focusing for a minute. A box of light surrounded them, "You can't hurt anyone else now. And I'm going to try to help you." She forced a large burst of energy into him, working on counteracting what he was injected with.

He flinched as the energy was absorbed, his panic growing worse when water began streaming from his hands. "Please...I-I can't stop it…" Then he began choking, water pouring from his mouth.

The box of light began filling with water. Ailsa continued to pour light into him rapidly, trying to break down the drug in his system.

The water stopped when he collapsed, his wings disappearing.

The box of light disappeared and she lifted him then placed him in a bed. She checked him over and made sure everything was alright before sitting beside him.

Kei gently laid a hand on her shoulder. "What happened?"

She shook her head, "He was drugged with something."

"You look like you need to sleep."

She sighed, "I probably do, but I want to make sure they are alright."

"Why don't you lie down here? If they need you, you'll be close."

She nodded, "Alright." She gave her brother another glance before moving to a bed and laying down.

He covered her with a blanket, then moved to a small room off to the side with Nara.