Ailsa flew through the forest, landing near the village. She walked in and smiled as she saw her brothers.

Avery went to her side, kissing her cheek. "Have a good day?"

She nodded, "Spent some time with Gaelin. How are you guys?"

Avery's expression turned to a scowl. "I feel like I'm turning blue trying to convince him he's not going to get murdered by me."

Kaito wouldn't meet her eyes, his hands behind his back.

"To be fair, he did think you would for a long time. It'll take some time for him to come around," she said before going to Kaito and kissing his cheek, "But you need to try to trust Ave a bit more too."

"Before now, the last time I saw him he tried to cut off my head..It's not like I've been pardoned. Although I didn't do what I was accused of." Kaito's voice was melancholic. "I'm glad he's alive, but.."

"Well, you can be pardoned." She decided, before glancing at Avery, "Though, I guess since he's back, that's up to him."

"I've told him three times already that he is pardoned. It's like he's not listening! Wait..why is it up to me?"

"You are older.. and since he doesn't want it, you're the one who's supposed to be in charge. You know, since you're not actually dead."

"But you're the one who started rebuilding!"

"Well, I was the only one here to do it.."

"Alright, little sister. I just hope I'm not bad at this." Avery shook his wings reluctantly. "Convince him I'm not going to kill him in his sleep, alright? I'm going to help the others." He flew out of the tree.

"I mean if he doesn't want to be in charge.. but he was next in line, who am I to take that from him?" She muttered, half to herself. She sighed then turned to Kaito, "Just try to trust him a little more. I'll make sure he doesn't hurt you, okay?"

"I just don't want him to hate me again.." He swayed, then took out a handful of green leaves from a small waist pouch. He chewed them slowly, grimacing at the taste.

"Why don't you get some sleep? I'll watch over you."

He shook his head rapidly, dark circles under his eyes. "He'll kill me..or the nightmares will."

"He's not going to kill you. But that's why I'd be there. To protect you from him and to help you with your nightmares."

He looked at her blearily, then winced as his heart raced. The pulse in his throat hammered visibly.

She shook her head and touched his forehead. He soon began falling back unconscious. She caught him and laid him down gently.

"He okay? He looks pale." Avery returned, his forehead furrowing in concern.

"Don't think he's been sleeping. Thinks you'll kill him in his sleep."

Avery growled. "Idiot. I could smack him."

She sighed, "I understand his fear but I also wish he'd trust us a bit more. I tried to tell him I'd watch him sleep but he still seemed afraid."

Avery went to Kaito's side, brushing a lock of hair aside. "I was so angry when it happened. Afterwards, I felt too guilty to try to find him.."

"He wasn't even the one who hurt me. He was trying to protect me. At least that's what I've been told by a couple different people. I really don't remember everything that happened though.."

"What do you remember?"

"Everyone being mad at him.. missing him.. being sick for a long time.."

"We found you two by the river, both burned badly and soaking wet. You developed pneumonia and nearly died. Father assumed you had fire powers. He said Dai must have been goofing off again and banished him."

"We were attacked by a fire user.. Dai tried to save us."

"I found that out several months later when Kadoya was caught. I tried to get Father to rescind his order, but he wouldn't."

"I let Tsukasa and the others who were banished all come back. I figured they deserved a second chance."

"Why Kadoya?"

"Well, a few reasons. The biggest being he seemed genuinely bad about what he'd done. The second being, those two are together. Figured he can't be that bad if Kaito likes him."

Avery cracked a smile. "Usually, I'd argue with you. But something had to have changed in Kadoya or else Kaito would have killed him for hurting you. Alright, no more punishment for the past. Anything I should know about the others?"

She shrugged, "They're all pretty nice. Haven't spent time with all of them though. Ryu is a little bitter about everything but he's coming around now that he's allowed back. We really don't have many villagers left.. I wanted to invite Gaelin, Zal, and Jack to our village but I'm not sure how the others would take it. Though since I was in charge, it wouldn't have exactly mattered.." she chuckled slightly.

"They are welcome here. Dai says he considers them family."

She nodded, "So, since you're taking your rightful place.. what are my duties to be?"

"What do you want? To be actively involved or be a bum like Dai?" The question was lighthearted, Avery's eyes twinkling.

"Well.. I've been pretty active so far, but that's kind of because I had to be.. but I'm also not sure I can handle Dai's level of lazy." She chuckled. "Growing up, I always just did what was expected of me. It's been different doing things on my own.. but honestly, whatever you want or need me to do, I'm here for."

He grinned. "I think you should do whatever you want to do. You're not obligated to do anything. You don't even have to live here if you don't want to."

She nodded slowly, "Other than the Sanctuary, I don't know where else I'd go.."

"I'm really impressed by that place."

She smiled, "It is pretty cool, right?"

"So many different people live together peacefully."

"If our village was built for human sized people, I'd totally invite them all here to visit."

"We could always build something for them..?"

She smiled, "That would be nice."

"That could be your job?"

She smiled, "Alright. A forest sanctuary? So they have another place to go in case something happens."

"That sounds perfect."

"Alright. I'll talk to Gaelin and Tet about it and see what we can come up with."

"Okay."

She looked back at Kaito, "I'll keep an eye on him first though, not that I don't trust you, but I want him to trust me after I knocked him out."

"Is that what you did? I figured he'd passed out on his own."

She smirked, "He looked about to, I just gave him an extra push." She glanced up at her brother for a moment before wincing, her hand going to her head.

"Are you okay?" Avery watched her in concern.

"Just.. a sudden headache, I think."

"Maybe you should drink some medicinal tea?"

She nodded, standing slowly to go make some. She held tightly to the chair and shook her head, "I think I need a couple minutes for it to ease up.."

"Let me. You rest." He headed for the kitchen as Kaito started crying.

"Father, please..don't send me away..I saved her…"

Ailsa ignored her own pain and focused on him. She sent calming energy into him.

He winced, his eyes open but unfocused. "I didn't do anything! Father!"

"Shh, Dai. Everything is alright."

"Ailsa? Ailsa, wake up. Tell them I didn't hurt you. Please…" He was trembling violently and she could hear his heartbeat racing dangerously. His hand was cool and clammy as he grabbed for hers.

She forced light into him, trying to steady his vitals. "Daiki, everything is okay now. You are safe."

He shot upright as Avery returned with a tray of tea. "Avery, please! Don't hurt me..I tried to save her!"

Avery froze. "What the hell?"

"Nightmares," she answered quietly. She closed her eyes and tried to focus on Daiki. Suddenly, she was in a foggy looking version of the tree, Daiki standing there in front of her father and Avery.

"You are banished. If you return, you'll be executed." Her father waved a hand towards Daiki, reciting a spell.

Blue light was pulled out of Daiki causing him to scream. He thrashed, fighting with all his might. The light was suddenly wrenched away from her father, returning to an enraged Daiki. He advanced on the ruler, causing Avery to pull his sword and impale the fairy. Daiki cried out, then pulled himself off the blade and flew out into the dark.

"Daiki!" She yelled after him.

"I'm alone..I can never return. I'm sorry, Ailsa. Please be happy.."

"Dai, this is a nightmare. Yes, it happened, and I'm so sorry for that. But you're not alone anymore."

He shakily turned to her, blood pulsing between his fingers as he swayed. "No forgiveness, Ail. If I return, I die."

She forced light into the dream version of him. "Things are different now. This nightmare is the past. You have Ave and I now, you can be home and be free. Father is gone, he can't hurt you."

"Really?" He tried to walk toward her, but tumbled to the ground, trying to breathe. "My heart..it feels like it's going to burst…"

She continued pushing light into him, both in and out of the dream. "Take deep, slow breaths. You're safe with me. I'm helping you, okay?"

He shakily nodded, following her instructions. Slowly he calmed. "I'm sorry.."

"Don't be," she shook her head. "Can you focus and try to wake up for me?"

He took a deep breath, then vanished.

She closed her eyes then opened them outside the dream. She winced at the brightness of the light in the room but focused on Daiki. "Hey, you okay?"

"Chest hurts..but I'll live. Sorry you saw that." He looked heartbroken.

She shook her head, "i'm sorry you had to go through that."

"My own fault. I should have died in the fire." Daiki rose to sit against the wall.

"Don't say that," she growled.

"It would have been better for everyone."

"You take that back!" Avery slammed the tray onto the table. "She suffered without you! She cried every night till she was in her teens. She was forced to stop mentioning your name or be sent to another village. She retreated after that, hiding her feelings."

Ailsa looked away, "It doesn't matter. He had it worse, and if he wants to throw a pity party, let him." She headed out the door.

Avery closed his eyes, reopening them to find himself alone.

"Ailsa, wait!" Daiki took human form and chased after her. "Please wait!"

She stopped but didn't look at him, trying to hide the tears in her eyes.

He embraced her from behind. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. Don't leave."

"I just.. missed you so much. And then you say things like that.."

"I just..I've been alone so long with my mind.."

"I'm sorry. I wish I could have stopped them from sending you away. I'm supposed to protect you but I couldn't."

"I wanted to see you again so badly, but I chickened out and stayed away. I was terrified you'd blame me, maybe even kill me yourself."

"I missed you too much and would never blame you."

"You didn't remember..and I didn't want to ruin your life with it."

"There were a few times I thought about running away to look for you, but I had no idea where to begin.."

"Tet kept me hidden for months after he found me."

She nodded and wiped at her eyes, "I'm glad we're together again now."

Daiki released her. "Too bad I have to share you with tall, dark and ragey."

She chuckled, "Sorry."

He snickered and kissed her cheek.

"Let's get back, if the tea isn't cold yet or if he didn't spill it, there's some waiting for us."

"Sure he won't have poisoned mine in a fit of anger?"

"Yes, I'm sure."