Quick note: I dont own this anime/manga, only my OCs.

Thanks for reading, R&R, tell your friends, enjoy!

Eight years have passed since the day Doug and Hanako first met. Ever since, the two were practically inseparable. Every school year after, luck was on their side and put them in the same classes. They did everything together, and were often thought to be an odd duo that should've never crossed paths by any outsider.

But, they didnt know that both were young mage apprentices, training day and night under Hanako's father.

But, sadly, Hanako was only interested in learning magic and not anything they learned in their city middle school. They were only thirteen, but they were the most bored in the entire school.

The proof: Hanako starting to fall asleep in the middle of science. Her desk was at the far right, in the middle row, next to a brightly lit window, and the teacher still had not noticed her falling asleep, her head being propped up by her arm.

Sitting in the desk next to her, Doug's eyebrow twitched in annoyance. How he had managed to keep her passing onto the next grade was still a mystery for him, like many things. Glancing quietly at the teacher, who had their back to them, he stretched as far as he could and kicked hed leg hard enough to wake her as quietly as possible.

It worked, she managed to shake herself out of it, surviving the rest of the class. She was not safe, however, from her friend after class.

"Saved your ass," he muttered as they walked down the hall together. "Well, it was actually boring this time! I mean, who rambles on for almost an hour talking about fight or flight? We get it, adrenaline is crazy!" she growls, glaring at the hallway ahead of them.

"Besides, we already had our finals. We just need to get through this last week and we're done, so why is he still teaching?" "Because it's his job,"Doug shot back as they walked out of the building, their day over for school.

As the two talked, they quickly made their way to the train that always took them home at the usual time, ready to do something else.

When they reached the countryside and got to the path that lead to their destination, the ribbons in Hanako's hair changed in the blink of an eye to horns. Doug did not react as he continued talking to her about absolutley nothing, having gotten used to that.

"So, what time do you need to be home?" "I can stay for dinner, that's for sure. Mom's pulling overtime so she won't be home till late," Doug explained, flicking his head to get hair out of his face.

In the years after meeting, the children had grown in appearance, but weren't much different attitude-wise. Doug still wore a black hoodie, a blue shirt with dark grey sleeves, slightly messy jeans, and better-kept black sneakers. His hair was brighter, shinier, but still wild. And his skin was a more healthy pale, his eyes more filled with life. But he was still silent, only really talking to Hanako.

Hanako was still kind and a bit bubbly, always acting sweet and respectful. She hardly yelled out of anger, unlike Doug. And her style was still casual, her outfit consisting of a dark green jacket that had many pockets and hung off her just the right amount while hugging her as well, a red shirt, and boot cut jeans with dark brown leather boots that had been a gift from Angelica. And her hair reached her waist, as beautifully red as ever with some light wave to it. And she still wore her father's first bolo tie, along with the choker with the tracker spell gem on it.

"How's your mom doing by the way? Any more morning sickness?" Doug asked as the passed some houses, knowing their destination was just beyond. "She's doing better. It's not as bad as before, and they think another month or so and she'll be done," Hanako responded happily.

They soon reached the familiar secluded house, passing the walls that marked the large front yard and entering quickly, heading to the kitchen.

"We're home, Silver," Hanako told the Silky, who was putting away dishes. "Oh, and set another plate for Doug tonight please," Hanako asked. Silver gave a pleased nod as she handed them each a cup of orange juice and a plate each of finger sandwiches. "Thanks, Silver. Is Elias home? I wanted to ask him a few questions about a potion," Doug asked. Silver shook her head, signaling he had gone to run an errand.

"What were you going to ask him?" Hanakonasked as they went to the living room, setting their bags next to the couch. "I was thinking about making my mom something to ease the stress. She's been working a lot this week and she deserves it," he explained, faking a sip of his drink before setting it down.

"Hana? Are you home?" "Yeah, Mom," the elder child called back. A minute later, a pregnant Chise walked into the room, Ruth by her side in case of assistance. "Where are your siblings?" she asked, sitting next to her daughter. "I think they went to Angelica to pick up a few more things for the babies," Hanako answered, handing her mother one of her sandwiches. "Oh, good. Remind me to send Angelica a thank you letter."

This was the life if the Ainsworth family and their friends. Calm, simple, and filled with magic. Hanako and Doug were fairly talented with theirs, with Hanako having to refrain herself from too much training at once. After all, a Sleigh Beggy is a fragile thing.

"Hey, where's Dad?" "The Church asked him to look into something in London," Chise said as she laid back and closed her eyes, trying to relax. "How're the twins, Chise?" Doug asked, taking another sip of his orange juice. "Kicking and moving around as usual," Chise said with a smile. "At least we know to expect fighting," Hanako joked, earning a swat in the head from Ruth's tail and a glare from her mother. "Kidding, jeez," Hanako said, smiling a bit.

Five minutes later, the door opened again.

"We're home!" the familiar voice of an eleven-year-old James called, and the sound of feet running against the floor, and in came a small girl with pure white hair and a sky blue dress with matching shoes. "Hana!" she cried, jumping onto her little sister's lap. "Hey, Harmony! How was school?"

Before she could answer, The door suddenly opened again, and seconds later the youngest children ran to Elias, which greeted them with a hug.

"I hope everyone had a pleasant day," he said as he patted James' now light grey hair and held Harmony on his arm. "It was definatly quiet," Chise responded with a smile, receiving his usual affectionate nuzzle. When he finished greeting his wife, he turned to the elder two children, seeming to somehow smile as he pulled a letter out from his coat.

"How would you two like to run an errand on your own?"

The Church has given me news that there have been numerous missing person reports originating from the Rengent's Canal. After a quick inspection, I have reason to believe that a water spirit commonly known as a kelpie may have taken residence, possibly several. Your assignment will be to stop these attacks.

These words uttered by her father rang through her head as she looked out the window of the train to London.

"Can you believe it? Our first mission!" Hanako squealed, clapping her hands again. Doug just rolled his eyes at her excitement, trying to contain his own. "Yeah, it's a big deal. It would probably be easier if we at least had our wands. Or an idea on what the hell a kelpie is."

"Moron," Hanako giggled, smaking him lightly with a brown newsboy cap she had been given by Angelica a few years back, having a pin on it in she shape of a rose charmed to hide her horns when she wore it. "You know what a kelpie is, remember?"

Her only response was a blank stare. Puffing her cheeks in annoyance, Hanako bleeds a strand if hair out if her face before explaining.

"Kelpies are legendary creatures. Theyr are mostly found at beaches, lakes, ponds, any large body of water. It's said that a kelpie normally takes the form of a beautiful, radiant horse, usually white. It's aura practically hypnotic, it lures humans to it and has them hop on it's back, where it then leaps into the body of water. It's only then when the victim realizes the trap, but the kelpi then shows its true form, and its hair turns into seaweed that keeps its prey on its back."

"And let me guess: once the person drowns it devours them. Sounds dangerous," Doug finishes, smirking a bit as he pulls his hikd up. "It is. So, are you ready to wrangle a seahorse?" Hanako asked, grinning mischeviously herself as the train came to a stop.

"Ready as always, Red."

Night fell over the city of London, casting dark shadows all around. Most of the activity had been happening around this time, so the children were hoping to get lucky.

"You said it looks white when first seen?" Doug asked as he walked down one side of the canal, talking into a watch that had a communication charm in it, courtesy of Angelica once again.

"Yeah, so keep an eye out. Also, do anything stimulating when you see it to snap you out of it. Something like biting your tongue should do it, hopefully," Hanako responded, talking into a ring on her right ring finger, the gem opal. She glanced up at him, following close behind on the other side.

"Hopefully? Boy, I feel safe," Doug replied dryly, pulling his hood down more as he passed a small crowd. "Shut up, I'm doing my best,"she shot back, tapping the ring and ending the call.

They continued to walk up and down the canal in all spots with reported incidents, watching their surroundings very carefully. Doug was about to call it quits when suddenly, he felt something calming wash over him. Turning around, he gazed at something glowing softly withing the suddenly forming mist. Against his better judgment, he started walking towards it to check it out.

"When did it get so foggy?" Hanako asked, adjusting her hat as she tapped her ring. "Doug, report. Have you found anything?"

Nothing.

"Doug? C'mon, this isn't funny, so pick up!"

Still nothing. Hanako could already feel her stomach falling.

"... Crap!" she yelled as she quickly turned around, yanking her hat off and stuffing it in a pocket, thankful for the empty area as she ran through the fog to the fain outline of Doug.

Meanwhile, Doug was doing all he could to stop walking. He had seen a beautiful horse just standing there. His mind was getting fuzzy like the world around him, although a small part of him was screaming at him to get away.

Doug!

The voice he heard was so distant as he reached out a hand. The horse knickered softly, placing his muzzle in the hand. Doug could sense it wanted him to get on. Who was he to deny?

Doug, you idiot, get away!

So far away, he thought when he heard the voice again, beginning to lift himself up. The horse gave an excited neigh, ready to go. He just had to swing his leg over, then the horse would take him somewhere... beautiful.

"DOUG, SNAP OUT OF IT!"

Suddenly, before he could get his leg over, he was being pulled back by his hoodie, his eyes widening in shock and realization as he was pulled back to reality. He saw Hanako in the corner of his vision pulling hi, eyes glaring as she pulled him onto the ground.

They barely recovered when the horse began to go crazy, its coat turning into an eerie rotting seafoam green and its mane and tail turning into dark seaweed. Hanako had fallen to the ground and froze when it reared back and began to fall over her.

"HANA!"

Her vision was filled with a blinding light, Doug casting one of his signature spells and using a large amount of black feathers to create a cloak around her, looking around her as it both shielded her from the blow and tugged her into the air behind her, where Doug caught her and had her stand.

"You weren't kidding about the hypnosis," he muttered as he raised his hand and willed the feathers to restrain the beast. But, just before so, another leapt out if the water and deflected the attack. Not thinking, Hanako stepped forward and reached into one of her pockets, clutching a handful of red rose petals, her own signature, and saying her own chant.

"Color of flames, take your true form.

Colors of flame, like a Phoenix,

Be reborn and burn."

Taking a deep breath as her hand grew warm, she opened her first and, with the help of magic, a large burst escaped her and the flowers left her hand, now starting to turn into flames as they hit the kelpies. Cheering in victory as they cried in pain, she couldn't help but feel slightly dizzy. Pushing it away and quickly vanquishing it, she nodded to Doug, who redirected his feathers, prepared to strike as they spun to take form of spikes, and she uttered the next part of the chant.

"Now rejoice, rejoice I say!

For now you can start another's anew,

Your form burning bright for them.

Lead them dow a path,

And they fret not,

You have been reborn,

Like a Phoenix, burn

You colors of flame!"

The next part had the flames spread, growing and shining brightly. Soon, one kelpie fell, his remains burning as he barely clung to his life-like state, with Doug launching a skipe to end it, blowing out the fire and having the feathers make the remains disappear, with the ashes being scattered in the wind.

The other one, however, was stubborn. Hanako was beginning to feel the effects of the flames she fueled with her magic, and a few returned to their now dulled petal forms. As she stumbled, the kelpie charged at her.

Only to narrowly miss as she was pulled out of the way and into a warm body.

"Sorry, fella, but she's not going to whatever lies for you when you're gone," Doug's voice said. Hana's eyes widened in suprise as he willed the feathers to swirl around the beast at incredible speed.

When the fog lifted, ashes were being carried by the wind, and a single raven feather survived the flames and gust, resting on one rose petal that had returned to its former beauty. Silently, Doug picked up a drowsy Hana bridal-style, putting her hat on before walking away.