Disclaimer: I do not own the twelve kingdoms, fuyumi ONO does.

Author's Note: Sofu means grandfather in Japanese. Ame Means Rain and Kage means Shadow.

"The Kingdom of Han had recently lost its King and the whole land was in turmoil as is all kingdoms without its anchor. The former King lost the way when he lost the will to fight his weakness and went mad. He started to banish the people who were in his view, ugly and it got worse the past last few years to the point he was executing his citizens. Then his Kirin, Hanrin fell ill to the sitsudou and King Han made the decision to climb Hohzan and relinquish his title and thus Hanrin was freed from the vain King and saved from sitsudou. She and the Vain King had ruled for a little over 300 years and now it was up to Hanrin to find her new master. But to do that she would have to travel all the way to Wa. This is their story." -The golden jewel book of Han

Chapter Two: Into Danger We Fly

"I am sorry Hanrin, I have to go home. My parents will be worrying about what happened to me. By the way my name is Hikari but I prefer to be called Kari." I told Hanrin and a worried look appeared on her face at the part where I said I had to go home.

"Your name means light. It is very suitable. Regretfully I can not allow you to go home, you must come with me. We must fly back to our world. There are a lot of people who need you."

It was at that moment I got myself into something big, I hardened the grip I had on the sword and looked to the ground. "Then can we stop by to say goodbye and pick a few things?"

"You have 10 minutes once we get there because we have little time before our enemies catch up with us."

"Our enemies?"

"I am sorry I can not explain all right now. You must trust me right now, I will explain all later."

With that our discussion ended, so we ran to my house, well, I ran, Hanrin on the other hand, speed walked. Apparently she was too dignified to run, like I did. She reminded me of what I thought a noble woman should look like. When we reached the house my parents were still arguing behind the locked living room doors. "This way." I said as I walked up the stairs. Hanrin followed right at my heal and each time my parents voice got to loud she would wince. "I guess I won't be able to say goodbye to them. I thought their fight would be over by now. Here's my room. Wait in here for a second okay? Oh! And could you hold this too?"

Hanrin nodded her ascent and took the sword while I ran to the office to grab my school bag and my passport. I then ran back to my room and emptied the contents on to my bed while Hanrin sat in a nearby chair watching me. I went to my book shelves and grabbed a few of my favorite books then packed them and my passport in my bag. Then I went to my bathroom and grabbed my first aid kit and packed it too because I can be a klutz at times and I doubted what she said about the azure jewel . Next 

into my bag went my chocolate stash, some warm clothes, and drawing supplies. That was when I heard a two voices one in my head and another from Hanrin's feet. "Taiho, The enemy approaches."

"We must leave now, we have lost too much of our lead." Hanrin grabbed my hand and I said, "Give me a second I need to say good bye and grab my coat from behind you."

Hanrin handed my coat still keeping a hold on my arm. "You will have to release me if I am to put my jacket and backpack on." I stated and she let go. I slipped my jacket and the pack on and she handed me the sword and reinstated her hold on me and began dragging me down the steps and towards the front door. "Wait, I have to say goodbye!" I shouted.

"We have no time for that. We must hurry or your parents too will be endangered."

"Huh?"

"Kage! Ame! Come!" Hanrin said and to beasts leaped from her shadow and bowed low. One was a huge 3 tailed, wolf like monster; the other was like an oversized wolf. "Kage, you will take Kari and Ame you will be my ride." The three tailed demon walked over to and knelt Hanrin got on Ame. I found I was very nervous about getting on, but the monster surprised me by saying with a chuckle, "It is all right. I won't bite." So I got on and Kage leaped into to the air with Ame and Hanrin. "Wow! You can fly Kage!"

At that Kage roared with laughter. "Who ever said shadows can't laugh hasn't met you. By the way your fur is so soft! I can't stop-" At that moment I was suffered from vertigo and I shut my eyes and mouth and clenched my teeth to stop myself from getting even more dizzy. So I waited for that moment of vertigo to pass and I open my eyes and unclenched my teeth. It was as we reached the ocean I heard an eerie cry coming from behind us. I looked over my shoulder and saw three, flying, chicken-like bird with a blade coming from their tails.

"Those are Kingen! Be careful, and try not to get stung by their tail blade they are poisonous." Said Hanrin, as I felt some slimy sensation creep in my skin taking control over my body, so I tense up. And then I hear that voice again, relax, I will keep you safe, just don't close your eyes. I look down and I have the sword half-drawn in my hand ready to go. Kage stops in mid flight and spins around to face the Kingen, and I completely draw my sword. With a speedy leap, Kage goes for the nearest Kingen and Sofu using my body slices it in half and he does it again with Kingen number two. The sight of the blood and gore on the sword made me want to vomit. With a flick of the sword Sofu had the blood and gore fly off the sword, and then we face the last Kingen which he slew with a single upward slice. Kingen are dangerous but stupid. Sofu said.

"Whatever gramps, I just hope that we don't have to kill anything again."

Don't call me gramps, or old man. It is demeaning.

"Well, Grandpa that's what you're name means."



"Is there anything wrong? Are you hurt?" Asked Hanrin flying over to us, a sleeve over her nose.

"No to both of your questions, I was just talking to myself. Why did you fly away, when we faced off against the Kingen?"

"I have an allergy to blood." She said primly, but I sense there is more too it. "We now have to get over there."

"A Shoku so close to the shore?" Asked the beast Hanrin was riding on.

"We have no choice. We will fly separately." Responded Hanrin and her forehead began to glow and a swirling vortex formed in the ocean. "Kage take her in first. I will follow behind, head to Kei. Wait for me to tell her, so don't tell her anything like that the same goes for you, Sofu. "

With that Kage leaped in to that vortex. When we enter the vortex I fainted and woke up on a shore on which I have never walked and I was alone for all except Sofu. So I sat up and sheathed my sword but before I saw my reflection on the sword. So I unsheathed and looked again. My hair had changed from a black to a brown and my eyes from a black to a blue. And even my skin color had lightened slightly. "What's happening to me? I don't even recognize myself! Kage! Hanrin! Where are you? Where am I?" I yelled.