Chapter 12: Good-bye Too Soon

Ora had heard of Bah-nai. The city was built near an extinct volcano, but the hot spring always indicated that there was some activity. Too bad it'll be destroyed like Pompeii. she thought as children ran around with smiles upon their faces, oblivious of the danger under their feet. The wagon suddenly came to a stop, giving Ora a slight jerk back to reality and out of her thoughts. "Do you know where they went?" she asked Zeno as he helped her out of the wagon without hurting herself.

"Zen-I know where to go." he said correcting his speech pattern. "It's not far."

Nodding, Ora followed him through the throng of people that were gathered in the streets. "Is it always like this?" she asked as she felt Zeno grasp her hand and pull her along behind him.

"Before it's destruction, a thousand years from now, Bah-nai was a very busy, hectic town." he told her. "It was what we'd call a tourist destination." he looked back at her, causing her cheeks to flush. "Bah-nai was also considered the most romantic town in Kouka due to the Di'lose, a flower that only grew in the area."

"Doesn't it still?" she asked as he pulled her towards a building.

"Nope." he said quickly. "When it exploded, Bah-nai and all the natural features were destroyed." he smiled at her as they entered the building, an inn with a youth as the attendant at the front. "A lake now covers it and is nearly one hundred and fifty feet to the bottom at the deepest point, it's also quite warm at the center of the lake because of the volcanic vents." he then turned his attention to the lad at the front who smiled at him.

"Lord Ouryuu!" the boy exclaimed at seeing the yellow haired man once again. "Is there something I can do for you? Does his majesty need something?"

Zeno laughed lightly. "I kind of forgot which room I was put in and got lost." he explained.

The youth chuckled. "Happens to me all the time." he said. "I've told uncle we need to put up signs, but with so few knowing how to read, he doesn't see the point of them." he then took notice of Ora. "Who is-"

"This is my friend, I met her outside and thought I'd introduce her to the others." Zeno said quickly, knowing exactly what the youth was about to say.

"Ah, I understand." the young man nodded. "I'll show you where to go." The young man led them both through the halls and into an expensive looking room. He then left them be, after all, it was not his business what Ouryuu Zeno did or who he spent his time with.

"This seems too easy." Ora mumbled quietly gaining a chuckle from Zeno.

"This is an era where people trusted, but also kept an eye on strangers." he looked at her, his eyes twinkling. "As long as you are friendly, but don't act suspicious, nobody will think anything of you." Ora nodded as Zeno began looking around the other rooms in the apartment, but fond that everybody was thankfully gone. "This way." he told her as he led her to the springs.

The walkways were thankfully empty, as it was still drizzling outside. Suddenly Zeno grasped her hand and pulled her to the side against one of the outer buildings as he heard himself. "I'll go help the Miss." his younger self ran from the building, only to re-enter from the other side. Placing a finger to his lips, he received a nod from Ora that she'd be quiet as he suddenly turned away and left.

Ora stood by the building's side waiting for Zeno. I can't believe how easy this has been. she thought as she looked up at the grey sky. She could hear Zeno talking to King Hiryuu. Of course he'd want to see him, perhaps tell him what's going on. Looking off towards the other outer buildings, Ora could see table set up for people to sit on, benches and other miscellaneous items; but because of the rain nobody was out. She then heard Zeno's voice again, but it wasn't her Zeno's voice; instead it was lighter.

"I'll be right back!" he exclaimed before running passed Ora without ever noticing her.

Ora, on the other hand, noticed how much lighter Zeno's steps seemed to be and how his smile seemed to reach his eyes. He doesn't smile like that anymore. She noted. Could it be because of the harsh life he's had to live? She thought as she waited a bit longer for her Zeno to return.

Zeno entered the other side of the building after leaving Hiryuu alone. Shuten looked up at him. "You changed fast." he commented.

Zeno pushed his emotions down at seeing his first Ryokuryuu brother again. "I said I'd be back." he told Shuten.

"Heh..." Shuten scoffed. "You've never been that fast before." he said as he finished dressing Yona.

"Uncle Shu!" she yelled as she held up her arms to be held. Zeno moved quickly and picked her up, causing Yona to squeal in delight. "Zeno!" she yelled his name with laughter in her voice.

"For a six year old, she makes so much noise." Shuten grumbled as he began looking for his clothes.

"I'll take her back to the room." Zeno stated, hoping to get out of the room before his younger self came back. Shuten wasn't kidding about him being slow when it came to changing.

"Hey kid," Zeno paused at Shuten speaking. "You do know he's getting worse, right?" he waited for Zeno to speak.

"He won't die yet." Zeno told him. But he will get weaker. he thought sadly.

Shuten gave a deep sad sigh. "Yeah, but he is going to." his voice sad, making Zeno's heart thud oddly.

Nodding, he quickly left Shuten to get dressed and hoped they would escape before Abi's eyes caught them. Finding Ora waiting for him, Zeno moved at a brisk pace. He suddenly heard fast footsteps coming from ahead of them. Grasping Ora's wrist he pulled her into a thankfully empty room. Zeno cracked the door open and watched his younger self rush passed them. Looking at Ora, he saw her looking amused at him. "What?" he ask.

Ora chuckled. "I'm beginning to think you've done this before." she stated as she crossed the room.

"Eh?" he questioned her gaining a giggle from Yona.

"Zeno, who is she?" she asked as she pointed a finger at Ora.

Zeno smiled at the tiny little girl. "Ora is Zeno's friend." he told her, because in all reality, it was the truth. "We are going somewhere." he announced, causing Yona to look at him excitedly.

"Is Daddy coming?" she inquired happily.

Zeno shook his head no. "I'm afraid not." he said. "I'm returning you to where you belong." he told her causing her to look at him with confusion. "You may not know it, but you'll be safe. The person we are taking you too is a priest. He's a bit clumsy, so you'll have to watch over him. Okay?"

"Why can't Daddy come too?" she inquired, her eyes showing that she was smarter than he knew, but was having a hard time understanding why her father couldn't come.

"Because he can't." Zeno told her firmly. "One day, I promise, you'll understand."

Yona took a deep breath. "Okay." she said not quite understanding, but trusting Zeno with everything. Wrapping her arms around his neck she kissed his cheek. "I trust you Uncle Zeno." she said with the cutest and most innocent look upon her face causing Zeno to feel himself melting.

It really had been a long time since he was near Hiryuu's spirit. She was truly the essence of his innocence. Looking at Ora he gave her a nod. Bringing up the device, Ora activated the portal. Zeno saw the black hole and quickly rushed off to leave, just as he heard Abi's voice behind him and vanished from that era and into the timestream.

Abi and Guen couldn't believe what they were hearing from Hiryuu. Leave their king? Never! "We don't want to leave your side!" he cried out, tears forming in his eyes. He felt his legs give way, "Please, don't make me leave your side your majesty." He begged, he never begged in his entire life!

Abi felt hands touch his shoulders and pull him into Hiryuu's arms. He lost it, crying against his King's chest. Gripping his robes with his hands. "I'm sorry Abi." Hiryuu whispered into his ear. "My precious Seiryuu. You've always been the sensitive one of the group."

"Shut up." his voice was muffled against the King's chest still As his body was wracked from crying.

Hiryuu smiled as he laid his cheek against the top of Abi's head. "I promise to come back, but this body is weakening and soon it will pass away." he pulled away only to stand and touch Guen's shoulder. "You have been with me the longest." he saw the tears wanting to fall from his eyes as well. "You were my first friend, my defender against a thousand enemies and when you took up the role of Hakuryuu, you became the strength that was needed to bind everyone together."

Guen hugged Hiryuu. "Don't make us go yet. Let us stay until you leave." he pleaded with his long time friend and sovereign.

Hiryuu pulled away, and cupped his face. "Go take your wives, find a safe place to live and build a village." he looked down at Abi who was still emotionally wrecked. "Teach your children what you have learn of your time with me. Then when I return, we will be a family once more."

"Who's going to tell Zeno and Shuten?" Guen inquired.

"Shuten will be easy to tell." Abi stated with a roll of his eyes.

"Promise me one thing," Hiryuu began causing both to look at him. "Do not lose contact with each other." Both men seemed surprised by this request. "The four of you are family. Your children will need each other in the future, so please do not be hidden away from each other."

Guen laughed. "No problem!" he shouted. "I'm the big brother, so I'll make sure the others keep in contact."

"What about Zeno?" Shuten inquired. "How do we tell him this?"

Hiryuu sighed. "I must return with him and explain to Yak-shi and the council what is going on. It'll be Zeno's decision whether he stays after my death or not." Hiryuu said this just ask he began to feel a weakness in his body. Sitting down he heard them ask one more thing.

"What happens to Yona?" Guen inquired.

"She'll come with me." Abi said smugly.

Guen glared at him. "Why you?!" He demanded.

"Because she likes me the best." Abi stated with a rare grin, his tears finally drying up.

"Uh," Hiryuu began tiredly. "She's returning to where she belongs." This caused both men to look at him in shock.

Abi suddenly stood up and left the building for the pouring rain. "That's just not fair." he heard Guen say. Allowing his eyes to scan the area, Abi found himself running passed Zeno, never hearing the younger man yell after him. His eyes scanning the rooms, coming up empty until he saw a second Zeno. This caused his eyes to widen. Pushing the door open, he yelled out to the Zeno look-a-like as the man stepped into black orb. "Stop!" Suddenly both vanished, leaving Abi grasping at air, his mouth hanging open in shock when he suddenly collapsed to his knees. She was gone and soon so would his king. Why? he wondered. Why do we have to say good-bye to both of them? Tears began to once again form and soon fell from his eyes. Once again he felt arms grasp him, this time them belonging to Zeno. Not caring, Seiryuu Abi cried against his youngest brother's shoulder. Fate was too cruel.

M-Angel: Sorry for the wait everyone. Been busy updating other stories. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. ^_^