Me: I got a new computer friend! WOOT!

Ed: Yeeeeaaaahhh. Sure. -remembers last chapter- Did you–

Al: Your files are on the other computer, aren't they?

Me: Yeah... -sobbs-

Ed: That sucks. The other stories too?

Me: Yes... T-T

Al: We probably don't need to say the disclaimer. We say it all the time and you should get it by now.

Me: Onto the next chappie!

Ed: You didn't let me ask my question!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 9 Strange Beginning, Terrible End

-chirrrrup chirrrrup-

"No..."

Kirina opened her eyes half way and sighed.

"Morning..."

Kirina sat up and sighed again. A monster like her... with a guy like that...

She looked around the forest. Al and Kevin would come looking for them soon. She laid back down on the grass, next to Ed, and snuggled on his chest, closing her eyes.

It was a nightmare...

"Kiiiiirrrrriiiiinnnnaaaa! Eeeeeeeedddddddd!"

Kirina's eyes snapped open. Kevin was running in the forest, looking for them.

"Oh shit..." She muttered.

"Ed! Get up!" Kirina hissed, shaking Ed.

She saw his golden eyes and sighed.

"They're coming!"

"Oh shit!" Ed hissed as he grabbed his clothes.

Kirina grabbed hers and quickly slipped them on. Ed did the same.

"River?"

"Why not?" Kirina replied as they ran towards the river.

They jumped into the water and swam around.

"They're you are!"

They looked up to see Kevin staring at them with a relieved look on his face.

"Y-Yeah..." Ed and Kirina mumbled.

They got out of the water and dried themselves off. As Ed and Kirina walked back to the tent, they couldn't stop smiling at each other.

(((Space)))

"Brother. You should tell us that you are going to camp somewhere else for the night." Al scolded as Ed packed his things.

"C'mon Al. We need to get going."

Al was confused.

"Why?"

"Well... if we stay in one spot, we'll attract attention. After that..."

"I get it. The hunters will find Kirina." Al concluded and Ed smiled.

"Yeah."

(((Space)))

"You should've told me where you were." Kevin frowned as Kirina sighed.

"Look. I'm sorry, okay? I know I should've said something, but–"

"As long as you didn't do anything... bad... then fine." Kevin muttered.

Kirina flinched.

"Don't w-worry. Nothing happened."

"Good." Kevin replied and left the tent.

Kirina didn't want to lie, but she didn't want him to know the truth either.

"Anyways, we have to move out of this area. People are going to come." Kirina said aloud.

Kevin sighed.

"I know. There's another place we can camp out. It's around the edges of the forest." Kevin replied, pointing to a spot on a map he held.

"Okay. There seems to be a river near there. We can grab some fresh fish and eat. There also seems to be enough trees in the area for a shelter." Kirina finished and Kevin nodded.

"Yeah... by the way... you went "out of control" last night..." Kevin pondered.

Kirina twitched as she felt rage rise inside her.

"Y-Yeah, but don't worry about it. I'm fine."

"I saw someone with his spine ripped out of their back." Kevin replied bitterly.

Kirina looked at him with pleading eyes.

"Please trust me!"

Kevin took one look at the big watery eyes of his sister and sighed.

"If I catch you eating someone, or doing anything wrong, I won't trust you anymore."

Kirina felt those words strike her hard. She stumbled a bit, took her things, and then left the tent.

(((Space)))

"Ed."

He turned at the sound of his name and saw Kirina walking towards him.

"Yeah?"

Kirina walked over to stand next to him.

"Don't tell anyone and I won't." Kirina whispered and Ed nodded.

After a little while, they were ready to go.

"Are we there yet?" Kevin complained.

"No." Kirina replied, temple throbbing.

It was the 50th time he asked.

"... Are we there yet...?"

"No god dammit!" Ed yelled as he whirled around to face Kevin.

"Whaaaaaat? I'm just bored..." Kevin replied sheepishly.

Kirina grabbed Ed to hold him back from killing Kevin.

"C'mon! You guys! We're almost there, so stop bickering!" Kirina yelled, struggling to hold Ed back.

"All I said was–"

"We're here." Al piped up.

Ed stopped spazzing and Kirina let him go. They turned around to see a wide river and the perfect place to set up camp.

"Alright!" Ed cheered.

Kirina nodded, but kept looking away from Ed. He noticed and gave her a questioning look.

"I'll catch the fish!" Kirina yelled and she darted off away from the camp.

"Brother, maybe you could help me with the fire wood while Kevin sets up the tents." Al suggested.

Ed was staring after Kirina.

"Y... yeah... sure..." Ed replied, taking his eyes away from where Kirina was before.

Something suspicious seemed to be going on with Kirina.

(((Space)))

Kirina stumbled and began falling. Kirina quickly turned so she would fall on her back. The impact knocked the air out of her and Kirina gasped for air.

"Ugh..."

She stood up, wobbling, and walked towards the river cove. When Kirina reached the little cove, she laid on the grass and sighed.

"What's happening to me... ?" Kirina asked herself.

Kirina never got an answer, but, then again, she never expected one. She sat up and waded into the water. Swimming always helped Kirina think.

"I wonder..." Kirina murmured into the water.

"What if I'm–"

"Well, well..."

Kirina turned to see Aura.

"You know... when you disappeared, I was as happy as could be..." Kirina sighed.

Aura scowled.

"Look, you know why I'm here. Give it to me." Aura demanded, holding out her hand.

Kirina laughed.

"Yeah, and what'll I get? Oh wait, I'll answer that for you... nothing."

Kirina swam in a circle and smiled at her comeback. Why was she suddenly so happy? It wasn't a good comeback.

"That's nothing to smile about. You know I'll have to use force if you don't give it." Aura warned.

Kirina pouted.

"But that's not fair!"

"All's fair in a fight to the death." Aura replied and Kirina shook her head.

"Who ever said I was fighting to the death?"

"Me."

Aura threw knives at Kirina. She ducked and swam underwater.

I could simply use alchemy and capture her or I could wrestle Aura to the ground and risk getting killed... hmm... which one's better? Kirina thought sarcastically as she swam towards a boulder.

She grabbed a sharp rock and began carving a transmutation circle.

Wait... I have a better idea...

Kirina placed her hands onto a mark on her head and she morphed.

(((Space)))

"Where did you go..." Aura asked bitterly, staring into the water.

She saw a small shadow begin to surface.

"Run out of air... ? Pity... this was easier than expected..." Aura snickered, grabbing five daggers from her belt.

The shadow became bigger and wider. A giant sea serpent crashed out of the water and bit Aura's arm. The serpent ripped it off easily, leaving Aura with just a stump where her left arm was. Aura fell onto the ground screaming in agony.

"Y-You... !"

The sea serpent hissed and Aura threw three daggers at it. An armored plate appeared on the serpent's head, causing the daggers to bounce off.

"I'll... I'll get you... !" Aura threatened as she stood up.

The serpent seemed to chuckle as Aura fled into the forest.

(((Space)))

"D... Darnit!"

Kevin hopped towards a tree. He was entangled in a tent and wasn't happy about it. Kevin went to the pine tree and managed to get one string securely onto a branch.

"And..."

Kevin fell towards the ground. The branch pulled on the string and Kevin began unwinding.

"Kevin, did you set up the... tents... ?"

Ed watched as Kevin was unwinding. Kevin fell face-flat onto the ground.

"Maybe I should set up the tents..." Ed sighed, putting down the fire wood.

"Brother, I'll set up the other tent, okay?" Al asked and Ed nodded.

"Sure Al."

Kevin lifted his head and frowned.

"I can help too. Just tell me what to do."

"Well... you can start the fire." Ed suggested.

Kevin cleared the area of debris and leaves. He gathered the fire wood into a tee-pee shaped form and then put on his gloves.

"Okay. This one's set up." Al called to Ed.

Ed was having a bit of trouble with the tent he was working on. Al went over to him and took one of the strings.

-snap-

Ed watched the river become electrocuted, turning it a bright green. Kevin seemed confused for a second and then laughed.

"What's so funny?" Ed asked angrily.

Kirina was down stream and could've just been zapped.

"I just remembered that water conducts electricity, so if I snap my fingers, the river will get zapped."

"Brilliant, brilliant. Mr. Einstein just made an important discovery that a seven year old could've made. Well done." Ed said sarcastically, clapping his hands.

"Uh... brother...?"

"Anyways, we should finish this tent." Ed sighed, about to grab one of the ropes.

"Brother!"

Ed grabbed one rope and there was a flash. The whole tent was turned to dust.

"... whoops..."

"Brother... I was trying to tell you not to touch the tent since you clapped your hands." Al sighed as Kevin snickered.

(((Space)))

Kirina felt happy, which was very wrong. She was supposed to be angry. For some reason, she was zapped with electricity, but there she was, skipping down the trail back towards the camp. Luckily, Kirina was able to grab some fish.

"I have some fi–"

Kirina stared at Kevin, who was laughing, one tent was turned to dust, Al was drawing a transmutation circle around the dust, and Ed was about to kill Kevin. What a lovely sight.

For no reason at all, rage built up and Kirina became dangerously angry. She slammed the bucket of fish on the ground so hard, the earth beneath her cracked. Everybody stopped what they were doing and stared at her.

Looks of fear were on everyone's face.

"This is what I come back to... huh! I leave for just about five minutes and you guys are already ready to tear each other apart!" Kirina yelled as Al retreated into the woods.

"It's not my fault. Your brother seemed to have–"

"Ed! SHUT UP!" Kirina shrieked.

Ed, feeling hurt, shrunk back.

"I'm tired of this!"

Kirina marched off into the forest leaving a couple of very confused people in her wake.

"What was all that about... ?" Kevin pondered out loud.

Ed sat down and frowned. She never yelled like that...

"Something isn't right..."

"I know... it's obvious something's the matter... but what... ?" Kevin asked the sky.

No answer.

"Looking for an answer from the sky won't solve our problems." Ed sighed as he stood up.

"Nobody said I wouldn't get a sign." Kevin shot back.

Ed glared at Kevin.

"Whatever. I'm going after her. When Al gets back, tell him I went to get some more fish."

Ed trudged off after Kirina leaving a very pissed of Kevin.

"Fine!" He yelled back as he sat on the ground and began finishing Al's transmutation circle.

(((Space)))

Kirina had tears streaming down her face. She yelled and shrieked at Kevin and Al... but most of all...

She aimed her anger at Ed.

Kirina tripped over some roots in the forest and fell. Kirina stayed on the ground and cried. First she was happy, then angry, then finally upset. Why?

Kirina came up with a couple theories, but wasn't sure about them.

Aura attacked her to get one thing and that one thing wasn't going to be handed over easily. Kirina kept crying on the ground. She knew it would have to be handed over one day...

But not yet.

She pulled out a necklace from her pocket. The black pendant resembled a raindrop. Blue flashes came from inside it.

"W... Why! What the hell is so important about this damn thing!" She hollered.

Getting up from the ground, Kirina heard the wind blow through the trees. Looking at the sky, she saw a small ball of light falling towards her. Kirina watched as the little ball of light paused next to the pendant. The light entered the raindrop pendant.

"Ack!"

Kirina fell onto the ground as sparks flew from the pendant. The necklace, suspended in the air, turned from dark black into light blue; golden sparks flying inside it like a miniature war was raging.

"What the... ?"

Kirina stopped crying and saw a little creature inside the raindrop. It looked like an angel.

Please... help us...

Kirina looked around. The voices seemed awfully close to her.

Do not worry... we will not harm you or your companions...

Kirina slowly looked up. The trees shook and talked to each other.

"Oh my god..." Kirina whispered.

She went insane.

We will aid you... please... help us... chimera.

Kirina saw a great oak tree shake as it talked to her.

"Help... you... ? With what?"

Kirina knew she wasn't a tree hugger, but a tree talker? It seemed a bit odd to her.

Dark powers are at work... you have the pendant... you were chosen with a few others... search them out... learn about them... we will do what we can...

Then all was silent.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Me: Uh... the beginning was... disturbing...

Ed: Ya think!

Al: Ooooo... brother's angry...

Ed: -yells- What the hell was that for!

Me: Well, the last chapter ended off kinda odd... to put it bluntly, not what I expected. My hands just carried me away...

Ed: -taps foot impatiently- And?

Me: I thought about what to do next. -grins with neko ears-

Ed: -screams angrily- Yeah? Your legs are gonna have to carry you out that door or I'll beat you to a pulp!

Me: Noooo! -runs out the door with Ed chasing behind-

Al: That's all folks. Please R&R without flames unless they are helpful and not criticizing.

Kirina: ...

Al?

Kirina: -blushes as she remembers the beginning of the chapter-

Al: Are you okay?

Kirina: -runs out of the room-

Al: Okaaaaaaaaaaay then. Goodbye loyal readers!

Me: Until we meet again... -laughs maniacally-

Al: Where's brother?

Me: He ran into a tree. -grins- To clear things up, most of the last chapter was a nightmare! W00T!

Ed: COME BACK HERE!

Me: No! -runs out the door again-

Al: Goodbye.