"Traveling between worlds will be tougher than you think," Yuuko explained to Xiaolian. "There are many worlds, for example. These women come from different worlds; you can tell by the clothing they wear. The worlds you came from are different. People that you know, people from past worlds, those people may have different lives in separate worlds. You may meet the same people in many different worlds. For those who were nice to you in one world, you can't be certain they will be the same in another." She continued and Xiaolian listened intently, memorizing everything. "There are worlds where the language and common sense can't be understood. Living standards and rules are also different in different worlds. For some worlds, they are full of criminals, lies, or wars. You must keep living and passing through them while looking for the fragments of the memories, not knowing where or when they will all be gathered. That said, are you still determined to see it through?" Yuuko smiled knowingly at Xiaolian.

"…yes," Xiaolian nodded.

"Readiness and sincerity, qualities that are indispensable in order to accomplish anything. Qualities you are amply provided with. Well, then…" Yuuko held out Mokona. The small creature floated, magic whipping around it as a large pair of wings spilled forth from its back. "…please get going." Yuuko sent them off.

Mokona opened its mouth, shooting a burst of magic at the four before they all disappeared.

Yuuko watched them go, noticing that the sky was finally clearing up. "…I wish you all the best of luck on your journey…"

Xiaolian felt herself falling, but it was a gentle descent. She felt warm, safe, and all her thoughts were on Saku.

Saku is my most precious person. He will always be so. Therefore, I'll never let him die, even if Saku forgets about me. Definitely! she vowed mentally.

"Saku!"

When Xiaolian opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Mokona leaning over her.

"Puu~ It looks like…" Mokona started.

"Sa…ku…" Xiaolian murmured, still confused.

"…she doesn't want to play with Mokona." The little creature whimpered. "Ah!" It cried as it was picked up off Xiaolian by Fai.

"So, you're awake?" Fai asked, smiling.

Xiaolian shot up. "Saku!" she cried before she realized that she was still holding him tightly in her arms. She calmed but bit her lip when everything came back to mind.

"I tried to dry him since he got wet in the rain." Fai said, lifting the towel.

"Mokona helped!" Mokona chirped.

"Even while you were asleep, you didn't let go of him. You're, uh…" Fai smiled apologetically, not remembering the girl's name. Mokona bounced next to them, wheedling for attention they didn't give it.

"I'm Xiaolian," the girl answered.

"My name is very long, so call me Fai." The blonde smiled before looking at Kurogane. "And, the kuro one over there, what's your name?"

"I am not kuro!" Kurogane yelled, riled up. "I'm Kurogane!"

Fai leaned onto her palm, smiling lazily. "Kurogane, ne? Kuro-chan? Or Kuro-rin?"

"You bitch! What did you call me?" Kurogane fumed. She recoiled when Mokona happily perched into her lap. "You! Don't get comfortable there!"

Xiaolian looked down at Saku, frowning. The body, it's like ice… At this rate, before we even find any fragments of his memory, Saku will…

Xiaolian jolted, squeaking as Fai leaned down into her space. The older woman was close enough that Xiaolian could feel her breath ruffle her bangs as the older woman reached behind the girl's waist.

"What do you think you're doing?" Kurogane asked in exasperation.

Fai pulled out a feather, beautiful and white with a pinkish-brown design on it. "Isn't this a fragment of this child's memories?" she recalled.

"Eh?" Xiaolian gasped in surprise.

"It got stuck to you. It's the only one," Fai remarked.

Xiaolian remembered the ruins and how Saku's wings had shattered. "The feathers were scattered at that time," she recalled. Fai let go of the feather and it floated to Saku, sinking into his body. "This is a fragment of Saku's memory," Xiaolian realized. After a moment, she relaxed, relieved. "He's getting warm…"

"He would be dead by now if it weren't for the feather," Fai said.

"It was by chance that the feather stuck to my clothes…" Xiaolian murmured.

"There is no coincidence in this world," Fai intoned, and Kurogane and Xiaolian both looked at her in surprise. "Wasn't that what the witch said?" she smiled. "But you must have caught the feather unconsciously to help that boy." Fai hummed and Xiaolian smiled unsurely, hopeful. "Well, we don't really know if that's the case though…" Fai continued, and Kurogane and Xiaolian stared at her in exasperation. "So, how are we going to search for the feathers? A feather won't get caught on your clothes like this again, after all."

Mokona hopped up onto Xiaolian's knee. "Yes! Mokona knows!" it squealed excitedly.

"Eh?" Xiaolian looked at it questioningly.

"Just now, there was a strong wave from the feather. If it's close, Mokona will know. When there are waves, Mokona will become like…" Mokona's normally shut eyes opened wide as it patted its face, the sight somewhat horrifying, and it unsettled everyone in the room, "this!"

Fai smiled, patting Mokona as Kurogane leaned against the wall, trying to bring down her heart rate from the sudden terrifying sight provided by the tiny fluff ball. "It'll be great! If the feather gets close, Mokona will sense it." Fai beamed.

"Will you tell me when the feathers are close by?" Xiaolian requested, lifting Mokona gently.

"Leave it to me!" Mokona promised, patting its little chest.

Xiaolian smiled, relieved. "Thank you."

"Whether or not you get to search for the feathers is up to you, but this has nothing to do with me." Kurogane reminded, scowling. "I came here to return to my world. That is my only purpose. Don't expect me to stick my neck out for you. Don't expect me to help you."

Xiaolian nodded, serious. "Of course, this is my problem. I'll do my best to not give you any trouble," she promised.

Kurogane blinked, taken aback.

Fai giggled, and Mokona took its chance to cling to the blonde's arm. "You're so serious, Xiaolian-chan." She said as the younger girl tilted her head in confusion, Kurogane looking away in embarrassment.

"And you?" Kurogane growled.

"Hm?" Fai hummed.

"Are you going to help the brat?" she bit out. Mokona slid off Fai, hopping around.

"Hmmm, I suppose so." Fai answered, smiling. "Returning to my world isn't my priority. I'll help so long as my life isn't threatened. Anyway, I've got nothing better to do."

By this point, Mokona was over on Kurogane's shoulder, chirping something at her while Fai smiled down at Xiaolian.

The door opened and a young couple walked in, both dark-haired and carrying some form of food or drink.

The man was the first to speak. "Yo! You woke up," he grinned. "Don't be so on edge! You came from Yuuko-san's place?" he asked.

"Yuuko-san?" Xiaolian tilted her head.

"The witch-nee-chan. The Space-Time Witch or the Far East witch. She's called by lots of names," the man informed.

The woman walked over, handing Xiaolian a blanket. "Here," she offered.

"Ah, thank you very much." Xiaolian gently laid Saku down and spread the offered blanket on him.

"I am Arisugawa Sorata," the man introduced himself.

"I'm Arashi," the woman smiled.

"Just to let you know, she's my wife and the woman I love. I call her my 'honey.' Ladies, engrave that in your minds." Sorata praised, blushing as he boasted. Arashi ignored him.

Having taken care of Fai and Kurogane, Arashi offered Xiaolian a hot drink next, and the girl bowed deeply. "I'm Xiaolian."

"Haaa~ I'm married to this honey! So lucky!" Sorata said blissfully before turning to Kurogane. "If you flirt with her, I will kill you!" He said cheerily before turning. "The first rule is decreed~ Rules, rules~" he sang.

"Why are you only looking at me?" Kurogane demanded.

Sorata turned. "I am serious!" He grinned, giving her a thumbs up.

"I won't flirt!" Kurogane barked.

"Well," Sorata held out his palm and Mokona jumped up onto it. "First of all, did that witch-nee-chan give you this?" He pointed at Mokona.

"Mokona Modoki!" Mokona danced on his palm.

"That's long, can I call you Mokona?" Sorata asked.

"Okay, sure!" it laughed.

"That blonde nee-chan over there seems okay. However, the truth is that kuro has no courtesy." Sorata murmured his suspicions to Mokona before turning back to the group. "This nee-chan has told me about the situation," he nodded to Fai. "For one thing, ladies, you're lucky."

"In what way?" Fai questioned, smiling.

"Mokona can't choose the next world, right? So, it's a happy chance that this is the first world you arrived at, because…" Sorata walked over to the window before opening it.

It was nighttime, but the city was lit by thousands of lights, filled with billboards and high rises. A flowing river ran through the city all the way through a large tower that read Hanshin.

"This is the Republic of Hanshin," Sorata said proudly.