Ugh, I'm so sorry this took so long! This was supposed to take half the time that it did, but… Well… It's… a long story, but I'll briefly touch on it during an important announcement after the review replies. Um… With that, time for the review replies! XD

Inita: Really? I didn't notice. It was a lot of fun to write. As opposed to with Fierruneru no Unmei, I decided to take more of a bickering approach on the onset; Fierruneru no Unmei will have some, but not right away. Also, in that story, the fighting between Jiro and Andropov will have a hint of angst to it (just a bit), while in this one it will be more humorous (or will attempt to be, anyway). Yeah, I think so, too; despite the fight with Shu in Pachess Town, I think the Game Jiro probably wouldn't get that confrontational with anyone, even over Kluke. Still, never know (I never expected him to fight with Shu in the first place, after all). ;) Mm, that's interesting – I never drew that parallel between Bira and Cynthia (the Manga Bira is perhaps less like Cynthia; maybe that's why), but now that you mention it, I can kind of see that… Ral Grad is on a couple of manga websites; that's how I found it. I can't remember what it was, though… One Manga or something like that, I think. Ask Rune, though; she gave me the link. :) It does indeed. ;) I can't help it; I love Jiro x Kluke. XD I also like Andropov x Kluke (just not nearly as much), and at this stage in the anime (or post-anime, rather) it's nearly impossible to not have some. So, it'll definitely be a factor, as much as it would in the anime (though it's unlikely that Jiro and Andropov will attack each other like Shu and Andropov did in the regular series); no more, no less. :P But there will be more Jiro x Kluke (which was almost nonexistent in Tenkai) – definitely much more. :D Oh… Yeah, that's true. :) Sorry for the delay; it was supposed to be up so much faster than this! D:

Inita: Oh, well, I mostly answered this on the RP site, but… To try and avoid repeating myself, I'll only briefly reiterate: Yes, Game Shu is available, as well as Anime Kluke. I'd like to stick with Anime Shu, though, as long as that's okay with you. :) Looking forward to seeing you over there! :D (Though I don't know when that will be… But that's going to be addressed below.)

Okay; review replies done! Now, I have a VERY IMPORTANT announcement to make, so please read it!

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: I'm not entirely certain, but I think I'm going to lose my internet connection on the 15th of this month. If this happens, I don't know when I'll be able to get back online. However, I'm going to continue writing fan fiction offline, so that when the connection is re-established, I'll probably post the next chapters of several stories at once (and maybe even a few oneshots). I'm sorry about this; I wish there was something I could do… I'm trying to stay hopeful that maybe it won't happen, but… Anyway. I'll try to get it fixed as soon as I can. I'll miss you guys! :(

So, with that, here's possibly my last update for a while. ;.;

7/23/2010 - Edit: Put a horizonital line after this chapter's quotation. Sorry; I was kind of rushing with this chapter, so I forgot.

Dying is easy. It's living that's hard. - Veteran of Zakian War, name unknown

She hurried down the street, filled with worry.

Mother would be so displeased; she wasn't supposed to be out this late at night. She hadn't meant for it to happen. She'd just been talking with Miria by the well, and then before she had known it, night had already fallen. She would definitely be in trouble when she got home...

She stopped, eyes wide, turning her head to the side. One of the shadows... It looked as if it had moved...

She shook her head. Such a nonsensical thought! She continued down the path.

She tripped, yelping, landing in the snow. After pushing herself to her knees, she thought about how strange that was... She'd walked this path all her life, but such a thing hadn't happened since she'd been very small... And it had almost felt like she had been pulled down...

She went very still, and then began turning around, slowly.

Behind her was a shadowy lump, shorter than her but twice as wide. A strange, growling sound started coming from it as the thing began moving closer. It opened for what likely passed for its eyes, two sharp, glowing yellow balls in the dark shape.

And then it suddenly lunged at her, was on her, and her voice joined the abrupt chorus of screams from women and girls all throughout the small village.

Shu tapped his foot in impatience, not even bothering to hide his irritation. "He's late." He'd been eyeing the grandfather clock in Nirvana's entrance hall for the better part of an hour, glaring at it hostilely as if it would suddenly spew out his friend. Probably got lost again. And not five steps away from his village gate, I'd bet.

He should've been in Nirvana an hour and a half ago.

... Yesterday.

Why was Marumaro even on the shift rotation?

He's a Warrior of Light, that's why, Shu reminded himself grudgingly. For all of his other faults, he's one of the most capable Shadow Users I've ever met. Muttering under his breath, he vocally added to his thoughts, "He also happens to be the most directionally challenged person I've ever met."

I should've been in the Resistance camp this morning, Shu lamented. Bouquet must be worried by now... Man, I'm really going to get it this time-

At that moment, the large doors leading outside swung inward, and a familiar twelve-year-old Devee tumbled out in a scramble. He straightened, rather breathless, but when he caught sight of Shu, he rushed towards him and began yelling. "Shu, Shu, Shu, I've gotta talk to you, maro-!"

"Yeah, and I have a few things to say to you, too," Shu scowled down at him as Marumaro stopped and began catching his breath. "You know, you're worse than a broken compass and a torn map put together."

"Never mind that, maro! Didn't you hear, maro?"

Shu's eyebrows furrowed. "Hear what?"

Marumaro groaned, aggravated. "And you say I take a long time, maro!" He folded his arms, looking grimly at the distant opposite wall. "Shu, something's happening, maro. Girls and women from all over are disappearing, maro." His hands tightened. "My neighbor's youngest daughter went missing yesterday, maro. His oldest was out of town when it happened, and still hasn't returned, maro. The whole village has been looking for her, but I had to leave since I needed to be here, maro. That's why I was late, maro." He looked back at Shu abruptly. "Have you heard from Bouquet, maro?"

Shu's stomach wrenched. "No. No, I haven't." His hands felt clammy. "I- I was supposed to be at the camp yesterday-" Shu swallowed down the rising wave of panic. "But... I was waiting for you..."

Marumaro swore colorfully, still adding a "maro" on the end, then started pacing. "We have to get someone over there to see if she's alright, maro. Both of us have to be here for the shift change, so we can't go to see ourselves, maro. Hopefully White Brigade can get there in time, maro. But it's just as well, 'cause if there was ever a time that Primula needed watching, it's now, maro."

Shu nodded, holding his elbows in an effort to keep himself from dashing off to check on Bouquet that very instant. "We should check on Kluke and Delphinium, too; I'm guessing they'd be at risk as well, if Bouquet is. They're both here in the city, so that should make things easier."

"Master Shu. Master Marumaro." Both boys turned at the sound of the voice; Shu instantly recognized her as one of Primula's ladies-in-waiting. "If you'd please come with me..." She turned and walked down the hall. Shu reluctantly hurried after her, gesturing for Marumaro to follow.

Shu was surprised when they turned before getting to the throne room, instead going up the stairs. He soon realized they must be going to either Primula or Tarkovsky's room. That's... strange. A need for privacy, maybe? But why? The answer came to him just as quick. Sensitive information. Marumaro was keener than Shu had given him credit for - he'd said that Primula would know what was going on. Did that mean she knew about Bouquet's status?

The maid bowed as she entered Primula's room, then moved to the side to let Shu and Marumaro come in as well. Primula herself was there, along with Tarkovsky and Szabo. After the two Shadow Users were inside, the woman gave one more bow before leaving and closing the door behind her.

"Shu..." Primula's face was creased with worry. "I just learned about some... if this is even the proper word... unsettling information just as Marumaro arrived." She wrung her hands, then sighed. "There's chaos just about everywhere. I'm not sure if Marumaro told you, but young women from all over have been disappearing. Grandfather and I have sent out White Brigade units throughout all of Nirvana, and more are setting out to other areas as we speak. I've sent a message to Rogi requesting to do the same with the Rosenkreuz troops."

"Good." Shu nodded. "Has anyone in the city gone missing yet?"

Primula shook her head. "No, not that we know of. People have been made aware of what's happening, but no one's reported it taking place here. It hasn't been happening everywhere, but we aren't sure yet if that means anything or not."

Shu took a step forward. "Primula, can we go ahead and officilize the shift change? I know it's kind of sudden to say that, but I'd like to check on Bouquet." He knew that Marumaro had said that the soldiers would take care of it, but he couldn't stand it anymore. He had to know if Bouquet was okay - he couldn't just hear it from someone else. Shu needed to be standing next to her... or to find out for himself if she wasn't there.

"Oh, of course," she brought out a pen distractedly, her mind presumably still on the pressing issue. The papers Shu had grown accustomed to seeing were already on a table beside her. "Even delayed, you'd probably get there twice as fast as any of our soldiers could."

A few seconds later, as Shu signed his signature, he couldn't help wondering if he was already too late.

When Shu started heading for the door, Marumaro waved broadly (despite the fact that Shu hadn't gone very far) and loudly said, "Come back soon, maro! Bring back Ochichi-sama safe and sound, maro!"

Shu smiled over his shoulder, one hand on the doorway. "Stay close to Primula, Marumaro. But don't do anything funny - I'd rather not come back with Bouquet only to find out that you've been beheaded."

"Hm... You know, with how eager you are to get over there, it makes one suspicious that you might be a little sweet on your self-proclaimed fiancé."

"Shut up." It took all of Shu's control to not scream those words in fury. Blue Dragon just loved this, didn't he? "Or I'll... I'll kick you."

"Which would feel like you were kicking yourself once the damage transferred over to you."

Touché.

"Fine. No kicking, then." Irritation was the most pressing emotion, but Shu allowed it to simmer into an afterthought. "Blue Dragon... What do you think is going on? With all of these girls disappearing, I mean."

"No idea, and as long as it doesn't affect us, no interest to find out. But, knowing you, I'm sure I'll have to find out sooner or later."

"I can still change my mind about kicking you."

"And I can still consider dropping you." Blue Dragon laughed.

They touched down in the forest outside of the Resistance camp, Shu immediately unsummoning Blue Dragon. They probably saw him coming, but Shu was still uncomfortable with them seeing his Shadow.

They knew about him being a Shadow User, but had never seen Blue Dragon (except for Legolas, of course). He couldn't be sure about how they would react. And he could still remember, two years ago (it felt so much longer), the looks he'd gotten from some (though not all) of the waking Talta Villagers as he'd left the morning after his magic had awakened - like they didn't know him. A few had been afraid. A few might have even thought he was a monster.

He had agreed with them - for a while (maybe even now?), hidden away in the back of his mind, Shu had thought he was a monster, too.

He slipped through the trees, soon winding up in the outskirts of the camp. Shu tried to remain out of sight from anyone who might recognize him - there would be time to chat after he'd found Bouquet. He refused to consider the chance that he wouldn't find her.

Two minutes of walking through the campgrounds, and Shu had succeeded in being inconspicuous, but he still had yet to turn up with any trace of Bouquet. Worry pricked at his skin like a needlepoint; the layout of the place hadn't changed, but she wasn't in any of her usual spots.

Shu nearly jumped straight in the air when a hand much larger than his own clapped his shoulder and began turning him around. "Shu! You're back!" Legolas was sporting one of his all-teeth grins. "I'm surprised at you, being late like that! Why, you haven't been late in almost two years-"

"Legolas." Like Shu had hoped, the dead seriousness in his voice had put the old man on high alert. Calling him by his name - no "Ossan" - had probably helped also. "I need to find Bouquet. Now."

"By the river." Legolas, thankfully having caught on that something was up, avoided any preamble. "Yuka turned her tags in a few days ago, so Bouquet offered to fill the canteens instead-"

He hadn't even finished before Shu had taken off like a shot.

Every tree, before only being an obstacle, now seemed an adversary blocking his path. Shu couldn't explain it, but something had been set off inside of him - it said to hurry, that he had to get there now. He was almost dizzy with the urgency.

He broke free of the tree line - and he felt like he could breathe again.

She was sitting on the shoreline with two boxes beside her - one for canteens that had been filled, and one for those that were still empty. She had one of the brown containers in hand, lowering the lip of the bottle to the river to take in the water.

Shu's hands tightened. Everything seemed fine. But that same thing - was it instinct? Magic? Blue Dragon? - still had alarm bells ringing in his head. "Bouquet."

She turned so fast that she almost dropped the bottle. Her face quickly took on anger, but the relief was as clear as day in her eyes. Bouquet could always get mad at him - and, oh, how she could get mad - but she would never be able to use it to hide her relief. Maybe one day she'd be able to perfect that, but for now, it was a day still far off. "Shu! Do you have any idea how worried I've been?" She threw down the unfilled bottle, not really seeming to care where it went, and started stomping towards him-

He stiffened. Out of the corner of his eye - a tree's shadow seemed darker than the others - was it him or the light-?

"-and with how much you do it, I'm starting to wonder if you're trying to worry me-"

"Bouquet!"

The shadow had moved into the light, and had remained just as dark. This thing, whatever it was, couldn't be ordinary. And it was headed straight for her.

His vision tunneled, and he let out a single breath that seemed to echo. There was that familiar, second nature blend of adrenaline and magic thrumming through his veins, then-

In a matter of seconds, he had more than crossed the distance - overshot it, in fact - and Blue Dragon's Rusty Nail had already sliced through the dark thing like water.

Shu turned and stared. It could only really be described as a black blob (which had now been cut in half), the nearly formless shape streaked with the occasional touches of violet and midnight blue. Before he could scrutinize it further, the thing smoked a little before vanishing into nothing. The smell it left behind was awful – like burnt tires.

"Shu!" Bouquet came running over, stopping just in front of him, folding both hands over her chest. "What was that thing?"

"I-"

"A Shadow," Blue Dragon snarled, his teeth locked together so tightly that Shu thought they might break. "It was a Shadow. But something wasn't right about it."

Shu didn't know what it was, but something about the Shadow had set Blue Dragon off; he'd never seen him like this before. He reasoned that it must have something to do with that strange feeling he'd had...

Then his stomach dropped. A black Shadow that has no definable shape... "Was it the Darkness?"

"No." Then Blue Dragon amended, a little calmer, "I don't think it was. But something felt... wrong about it."

"Felt wrong?" Shu looked up at his Shadow, eyebrows furrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"What it sounds like it means." Blue Dragon snapped at him. "I can't explain it better than that. If you want a better answer, find it on your own." Without warning, he unsummoned.

Shu swallowed, staring at his regular shadow that Blue Dragon had disappeared into. The two of them hadn't had a real fight, a real disagreement, in over two years. And it hurt worse than Shu would've thought. Maybe it's because I thought we finally trusted each other. And maybe this means that we really don't.

But what would upset Blue Dragon - unshakable, unyielding Blue Dragon - in such a way?

"Shu?" From the way Bouquet said his name, he guessed that it hadn't been the first time she'd called him. He had to get himself together! "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Shu shook off the thoughts. "Let's hurry and tell Legolas what happened. There's no more time to waste. We need to get to Nirvana."

Shu is still upset. Blue Dragon can feel it, and he doesn't blame him; he's still shaken himself.

That thing... It had woken up something old and forgotten in his mind - it was something buried deep down, that Blue Dragon could no longer recall. But he must have encountered it before, because on some subconscious level, he could still remember the panic it brought; some kind of danger that had to be eradicated at all costs. He had never been so concerned about Shu before - and he did feel concern for him, in his own way, even if no one would ever be able to get him to say it out loud - and had never felt the anxiety of danger to his User so intensely before. If he had, it wasn't with Shu... Did this thing maybe have something to do with his previous User's fate? Was that why this had affected him so strongly?

... How could he possibly explain all of this to Shu? Just the thought of trying to talk through it gave Blue Dragon a headache.

"Now that you're calmer, want to tell me just what exactly happened back there?"

Shu. Blue Dragon smirks to himself. That boy is always so concerned - always has such an insistent drive to help everyone. Sometimes even the enemy, if the circumstances are right. It would probably be his downfall one of these days. That's why I need to keep an eye on him. "I can't explain it any better than I did. I told you that already."

"Stop." Pain in his voice. Shu's emotions never cease to exhaust him. He wonders if Shu exhausts himself as well. "Stop shoving me away like that. If you can't talk to me, who else are you going to talk to?" Shu allows it to sink in before he continues. "Blue Dragon... There was one persistent thing you were feeling, from when we first saw that thing to when you unsummoned. I didn't know what it was then. And maybe I don't now, but I think I do." Another pause, but shorter this time. "... You were afraid, weren't you?"

Blue Dragon gives a non-committal grunt. Too observant for his own good. Then again, emotions and feelings are hard for a Shadow to hide from their User, and vice versa. Blue Dragon had tried, but he isn't surprised that Shu figured him out. Knowing each other so well made them a better and stronger team, so under most circumstances, Blue Dragon has no complaints; he rarely displays any emotion or feeling but aggression, so he usually has nothing to hide. Shu's precise deduction is a bit too untimely for his liking.

However, he chooses not to respond.

"I know that's what it was you felt. Even if you don't say anything." Shu is disgruntled. Blue Dragon can relate. "... For a second, I was, too. Until that thing disappeared. Or whatever it did." Confused now. Again, Blue Dragon concurs. He thinks they're getting into safer waters if their feelings are becoming more harmonious, even if said feelings aren't that positive. It's a start, at least. Blue Dragon has a nagging impression that the notion might be premature, though, when Shu sighs. "... So you really can't explain it better than that?"

Blue Dragon considers not answering again, but discards the idea. "... No, I can't. Give me some time, though. I prefer acting now and considering later - you know that. But, for this... This is something I need to think on a while."

"Alright." Shu sounds more at ease. "I can give you time. Just be sure to let me know if you come up with anything, okay?"

Blue Dragon makes a noise in the affirmative. He hopes that by the time he figures this out, whatever he discovers will still be able to make a difference.

She hasn't been here for three months, but the inside of Nirvana's castle is just as grand as Bouquet remembers.

Polished stone and marble, and some building materials that she doesn't even know the name of... Bouquet thinks it looks lovely.

But right now, there's something more critical occurring than observing the structure of this place.

Her hands are pressed tightly together as she looks around the waiting room; a futile and short-lived attempt at passing the time until Primula arrives. Some more news has come in while Shu's been away, and Primula had already been caught up in a meeting when they'd arrived. It's been a half hour, but there's been no sign of the young girl.

Shu is rigid with impatience. Or worry - she can't really tell, and that upsets her. Shu is her everything, and she's taken great care ever since their engagement (which, true, she forced, but he said yes anyway, and besides, that's not the point) to learn all she can about him, striving to know him as well as she knows herself. To not know what he's thinking... Well, if he isn't worried, the feeling of not knowing is making her troubled enough for both of them.

A few minutes later, Primula enters the room, and at least half of the tension disappears. Primula has that skill, Bouquet has noticed, to be a calming presence wherever she goes. In that regard, she's an awful lot like-

Don't think about her. Not right now. Right now would not be a very good time to come to pieces, and thinking about Zola does that to all of the five youngest Warriors of Light. Especially Shu and Jiro.

While some stress has vacated, there is still a good portion that remains. Primula is visibly tense - whatever else has happened, it looks like it isn't good.

Primula speaks. "Another girl has gone missing. From Sabaru. Shu..." She blinks quickly, hesitant. She's hurting inside, and cannot mask it this time. "... Do you remember Ambassador Klein's daughter?"

Bouquet hears Shu make a strangled noise in the back of his throat. When she looks at him, all of the color has drained out of his face. He doesn't say anything. She thinks it might be because he can't.

"She disappeared, along with many other girls who have gone missing throughout the country," Primula continues, coming into the room fully, Tarkovsky and Marumaro behind her. Bouquet wonders where Szabo is. "They all vanished without a trace."

"Not quite," Shu says quietly, having found the ability to speak again. "Something took them."

Primula's eyes widen. "But how do you-?"

"Something came after Bouquet today. I got there just in time to stop it. Blue Dragon says it's a Shadow, but it's different from anything I've seen - except for the Darkness, and he was pretty sure it wasn't that."

Primula's forehead creases thoughtfully. "And if you hadn't stopped it, you think it would have taken her?"

Shu hums affirmatively in response. "I have a pretty good hunch that it's the same thing that's been taking these girls. Though we'd have to see one in the act of taking someone to be sure of that." He stands; Bouquet can tell he's too agitated to sit. "Have you found out if Kluke and Delphinium are okay?"

"They're fine." Primula allows herself a small smile. "As well as Xi and Matilda. Basically, all of the girls and women that you and the others encountered during your journeys are confirmed to have not disappeared."

The relief that they all share in that moment is immensely palpable.

It becomes muted in the next few seconds when Primula imparts the bad news. "However... We've just found out that there are a few young ladies that went missing in Nirvana late last night. It seems to have happened at almost the exact same time; people reported that there were screams around then."

Primula's last words give Bouquet a sinking feeling that she can't properly discern. "Well, we should look into it, then, shouldn't we?"

Shu gives her an agreeing nod, flashes a small grin - it's quick, but Bouquet notices it. She always notices when he smiles at her. "Bouquet's right. She and I can take a look around the city, see if we find anything. Then we'll come back and let you know what we turn up with."

"See if Xi is available to help first." When Shu shoots her a bemused look, Primula smiles at him patiently. "Shu, she's an information gatherer. We're trying to learn as much as we can about whatever this is, and who's better at that than her?"

"True. Alright, we'll talk to her. And Jiro, too, while we're there. And if Jiro comes with us..." Shu swallows. "... Maybe we could check up on Kluke, too. Find out if she has any time to spare."

Her pressed hands turn to clenched fists. Bouquet likes Kluke; she does. She's a nice, smart girl, a skilled Shadow User, and Bouquet has considered her a friend for about as long as she's known her (she just doesn't like to admit it very often, though she isn't as reluctant as she used to be).

It's just very, very hard to remind herself of all that right now.

"Bouquet." Her face reddens in embarrassment as she realizes that Shu is - has been, apparently, and repeatedly - calling her name. In addition, Primula, Marumaro, and Tarkovsky are already gone. It looks like she's taking turns with her Darling being absentminded today. "Come on. We should get going."

Before he's even taken half a step towards the door, Bouquet blurts out, "Who's the ambassador's daughter?" Perhaps it's a spark of jealousy due to Kluke that prompts to her ask. She isn't sure.

But she knows instantly, from the way his face falls, that she's made a mistake.

It's a long few seconds before Shu responds. "... She was... is, I guess... a little girl, a year or two younger than Primula. Her father seemed to be in a constant state of fine-tuning the treaty between Nirvana and Sabaru, so she's come by a lot in the past three months. I'm surprised you never saw her. She and Primula got along really well. She was a lot like Kluke at that age - really shy at first, but a really nice kid once you get to know her." Shu swallows hard, looking away. "Anyway. We should head over to Xi's."

Bouquet stands and catches his hand before he reaches the door. "We'll find her, Shu."

He doesn't say anything at first. But then, slowly, he squeezes her hand back and starts walking again. Even when they've left the room, he still hasn't let go.

Nirvana is a big place. Shu is realizing this more and more as time goes on. Fortunately, the important places - Xi's shop, the hospital, Rosenkreuz's brand-new Nirvana HQ - are mapped out and memorized in his head, so it's unlikely that he'll get lost. As long as he doesn't have to go anywhere new in the city, he'll be in good shape.

The shop that Xi set up, offering her information gathering services, is housed in a little building made out of honey-colored stones, a white awning with writing in purple letters over a green door. It always reminds him of Homeron's place - though, if he's honest with himself, anything and everything having to do with information gatherers painfully reminds him of Homeron (the fact that Xi is his little sister only makes it worse) - albeit less mysterious, much brighter, and more cozy. All of this is what he's contemplating after ringing the little bell beside the shop's door.

A beat later, there's a crash from inside, the sound of much paper falling, and very irritated muttering that's steadily coming closer. Shu looks at Bouquet, one eyebrow lifted. She shrugs.

They both jump as the door swings open, the bell jingling frantically from the velocity and force of the opening. Xi is standing there, a stack of papers under her arm. She looks tired and drained, and her voice comes out clipped (but with the impression that she doesn't want it to, and is actually trying to be as kind as possible). "How can I- oh." But, as she notices that it's Shu and Bouquet, she smiles wanly. "Hi, you two. Sorry. I've just... been really busy today." She shifts the stack against her side. "I'm sure you've heard by now about the missing girls. The whole city is in a panic. Everyone who's heard of me has enlisted my information gathering services. They all want to find out what's causing this - and, I have to admit, I'd like to know as well."

Shu tells her about everything that he knows, starting with what Marumaro had told him earlier, gradually following up to the black Shadow that had tried to take Bouquet, and eventually ending with Primula's suggestion that he and Bouquet come to Xi.

"Well..." Xi puts a hand to her chin. She's been listening raptly, but now she is weighed down by deep thought. "If there are Shadows at work here, and ones without a User, that puts a whole new perspective on this. It seems things may be far more dangerous than I thought. Shu," she plucks a sheet from one of many leaning against her hipbone, hands it to him. "These marked locations are where the girls are estimated to have been at the time of their disappearance. Unfortunately, no one actually saw them right before it happened, so it isn't exact. I'm piled up with requests here, but you and Bouquet can take this with you since Primula is having you investigate anyway. Jiro can stand in for me." She grins. "Be sure to tell him that if he doesn't, I'll be giving him extra chores."

"Sure." It comes out a bit sheepishly, since Shu doesn't really know if that's the right way to answer that; he just went with what seemed safest. "We'll get going, then. Come on, Bouquet," he nods to her, and they start heading for the hill on which the hospital rests. He waves behind him. "See you soon, Xi! We'll let you know when we find out anything!"

Even at a distance, he can hear Xi's concerned sigh.

Shu can only blink.

He doesn't know what he was expecting to see first, but somehow Jiro stacking boxes just wasn't it.

If this is training, it's the weirdest kind I've ever seen Jiro do. From what he said, I would've expected something more like sitting under a waterfall... But this? "Jiro!" Shu waves to get his attention.

Jiro looks up in surprise. He tries for a smile; it comes out more like a grimace. "Hey, Shu." His voice is glum.

"What's wrong, Jiro?" Bouquet asks before Shu gets the chance to. "You sound kind of... down."

"Nothing, really. It's just..." Jiro closes his eyes, runs a hand through his hair several times as he talks. "I'm gone for just two years, and what? That sorry excuse of a Shadow User is suddenly chained to her hip...!" He grips the hair in his hand, mumbling incoherently, before the volume increases to normal again as he says, "...and I can't stand him! That stupid, idiotic, spiky-haired moron..." A second or two passes before Jiro's opens his eyes-

-looking right into Shu's lidded pair. With one hand one fist resting on his hip, he runs a hand through his own hair, then folds arms. "You don't say. But, go on. Really. I'm all ears."

"Oh!" Jiro looks shocked, then apologetic. "Oh, Shu, not you! I'm sorry! I'm talking about Andropov." He sighs. "I shouldn't even be going on like this. I don't even dislike him that much. I can't, really - not after how much he's helped us. Honestly, it's my own fault. I guess I just regret some of the decisions I've made since..." His eyes are faraway. Shu knows he's thinking about the Battle of Darkness, and Zola.

How can Shu not know? His own eyes look the same way when he thinks about her.

"Anyway." Jiro shakes it off. (Shu wishes it could be that easy, for both of their sakes'.) "How've you been?" He takes a few steps forward, then stops. Jiro looks at him for a moment, then grins, and Shu swears that he sees something flicker in his eyes. When it comes to him, he nearly chokes on air, because it seems so unlike Jiro and more like himself. Mischief.

"... What?" Shu fidgets.

"You're shorter than me. Or it might be better to say, even shorter than before."

"Who cares?" Despite being the one to say this, Shu probably cares more than any of them.

"Well, I thought you would've cared," he gives Shu a sly look. Jiro knows him far better than he thought. "Especially since you made such a big deal out of it two years ago. And the difference between our heights is about the same now as it was then."

Shu is fuming. "Okay. Maybe you grew a little. So what? We both still have time to grow!"

Jiro is still grinning devilishly. Snarky son of a... "Whatever you say."

... Okay, so maybe Shu isn't cutting the most dashing figure at only one hundred fifty-seven and a half centimeters, but at least he's trying, darn it!

"You know what? We don't have time for this. If you can't help, just say so." In truth, Shu wants Jiro to stop, or to get away from him as fast as possible, because he just might hit him otherwise - which would be terrible, because they're supposed to be friends now, and Shu really doesn't want to have a setback with Jiro when he's already having a setback with Blue Dragon.

... When did his relationships with everyone get so complicated?

"Help with what?" Jiro's smirk drops, replaced by seriousness with a hint of concern.

Much better. "I don't know if you heard, but a bunch of girls from all over went missing last night. And today, some kind of weird Shadow came after Bouquet. So both of us are trying to find out what's going on. Primula said we should talk to you and Xi, but Xi is pilled up with requests because of the disappearing girls and said we should come to you." Because he can't resist, he adds, "She says if you don't help, she'll give you extra chores."

Jiro flushes. "Xi said that? Ugh, I don't understand why she always has to embarrass me..."

"Like you embarrassed me a minute ago?" Shu can't keep the edge out of his voice; he's still a little ticked off about it. (Besides, Shu is definitely embarrassed about it. Making fun of his shortness? Sure, Jiro used to do that, but aren't both of them beyond that now? And did he have to do it in front of Bouquet, of all people?)

Jiro's eye twitches momentarily, but he only sighs. "I deserved that." Here, he starts fumbling for words. "Sorry... It's just… I mean... In the old days... I just thought..."

Jiro doesn't need to say it, though; Shu already understands. Like Shu himself, Jiro still holds onto those days from two years ago (laughing, playing, happiness, comradery, teamwork, justice, friendship, Zola).

"I know." Shu's fingers land on Jiro's shoulder.

But nothing can ever bring it back.

Just like nothing can ever bring Zola back.

She's suffocating! She can't breathe!

Why is she here? Where are the others? She doesn't know what's going on; she's in a panic - she can't remember!

Her lungs feel scorched. Her heart throbs; a tempo of misery. Her veins burn – it's the same kind of pain as when you've used too much magic, but that's only a shadow of how excruciating it is right now.

She has to find them… She has to make sure they don't suffer like this…

It's coming back to her in pieces, but it makes everything even more confusing than it already is. She has no idea how things could have gone this wrong.

Even if they don't forgive her, she hopes she'll live long enough to say she's sorry…

Kluke should have known something was wrong from the start of the day.

Not that it's a quiet day - they have quiet days all the time, especially now that the war is resolved.

No, the fact that almost a third of the female hospital staff didn't come in today, should have given her a clue.

But it isn't until Shu is standing in front of her, asking for her help - just like he was when he asked her to join the Resistance over a year ago - does it all hit her at once with a clarity that's painful in both how startling it is and how clear.

But the question is - can she do it again? Can she say "no" to him twice?

"Shu..." She starts, hesitant. She unconsciously leans closer to Andropov; he's become familiar to her now, and being near him is a comfort. "I don't know..."

"Kluke." The way he says her name makes her look up. The desperation in his eyes makes her throat tight. "We need you. If you can't leave, if they need you here at the hospital... That's alright. I understand. But you have to understand - we don't know what's going on. But from the way this is starting to look, people's lives are on the line. And for that, we need all the help we can get." He sighs, shuts his eyes. "You don't have to. But, just... think about it, okay?" He turns around, starts to leave-

"Shu!" She can't do it to him. Not again. Kluke can't watch him walk away again; can't see that hurt in his eyes. He's so surprised when he looks over his shoulder that Kluke almost smiles. She doesn't. "... I'll come with you."

"But, Kluke..." Andropov seems like he's at a loss. Kluke knows he doesn't want her to go with them. Because of Jiro - it's been obvious enough these past few days, though she still can't figure out why they dislike each other so much. And because of Shu... She can still remember waking up from her unconsciousness, passing out for the first time in two years by exerting herself using Protect Feather - she can still remember the bruises and black eyes on both of their faces, even if they healed quickly from the sped up regeneration that most (if not all) Shadow Users are graced with.

"It's okay." She smiles at him. "There isn't much activity in the hospital today; they won't need my help." She knows that isn't what this is about, hopes that he won't dig any deeper. Please, Andropov. Please. Kluke pleads with her eyes.

Andropov relents. His shoulders drop. "... Fine." He draws himself up again. "But I'm coming, too."

"What?" When she looks over at him, Kluke sees that Jiro is livid, and is barely holding himself back. From what, she isn't sure, but if she had to hazard a guess, she'd say a fight with Andropov.

"If Kluke is going, I'm going." He folds his arms, unmovable. "That's all there is to it."

Before Jiro can interject, Shu holds up an arm in front of him, warding him off. "Fine." The grudging tone in Shu's voice says that there is no way that it's "fine". "Like I said, we can use all the help we can get."

Seeing Bouquet eyeing her, Kluke can't help but wonder if she's made a mistake in more ways than one.

But as she's walking out of the hospital with the rest of the group, who have all calmed down now, she seriously doubts it.

With all of them talking - enjoying each other's company in the interim, and preparing to take down evil at any moment - it almost, almost feels like two years ago, and in a way she hasn't since that time, it makes Kluke finally feel at home.

A chuckle in the dark. How powerful he is. How perfect he will be.

"L-L-L... L-Lady Bira?" The thing was young. Too young. It had done its duty, telling her what she needed to know, but if it lingered any longer, it would outlive its purpose.

A shame it would be, to smite it. But it couldn't be helped.

"You've done well. Very well. But you have done enough."

The abrupt cry that cut through the air was like an infant wailing for its mother. But she had no maternal instinct - it meant nothing to her. Just as sudden as the noise started, it became quiet.

She pointed to one. "You." To her, they had no names. To her, they were nothing. Just the means to an end; the pawns on a chessboard; the stepping stones to her goal. "Observe them under the cover of Shadow. Especially him. Return quickly with what you learn, or else your fate will be the same as the one who came before you."

"Yes, Lady Bira!"

After the thing had scurried away, she grinned to the rest of the crowd. "Bring forth the first candidate. It is time."

… And the first chapter is done! I hate to leave it like this for who knows how long, but there's nothing I can do. :( Anyway, though there were some rough spots, I'm pretty happy with how this chapter turned out. I was a bit nervous about changing the tense throughout the chapter, but it just felt right, so I went with it. :P

So! If you can, please review and let me know what you think! :) (It may be a while before I see it, but I'd still like to eventually know what you thought). I'll try to update as soon as I'm able to… I'm really looking forward to the next chapter, and I may even finish it by the next time I'm here, but I don't know how long it will be before my computer is back online. Because of this, the poll will NOT be put back up, but will be up whenever the internet connection is renewed. I will, however, see if I can put up a oneshot or two before the fifteenth (man, it's like a race or something…). That's all, though. Hopefully I'll see you guys soon – bye for now!