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So after two short chapters, I decided to write one LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG chapter. enjoy!

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"So …" Duster began, "You've managed to make up the story that Claus was in a coma for 3 and a half years, and some one just happened to pick him up and put him out there on accident …"

"Yep." Flint replied.

Duster Continue "AND, to add to that, he believed it …"

"Mm-hmm." Flint answered.

Duster look at him for a long time, then sighed. "Well, there are weirder things, I guess."

"He may be almost 14 years old, but for some reason he still has the mind of a ten-year-old." Flint said, "So it's still easy to … turn around the truth."

"The truth that he was taken by the pigmask army and turned into some biomechanical weapon bent on stopping his brother from pulling the needles no matter what?" Flint asked, a tone of sarcasm hinted.

"Yeah."

Duster sighed "There's just something unsettling about this." He said, scratching his head. "To have some one just come back from the dead like that … It always felt like some taboo to me."

Flint remained silent, deciding not to argue with Duster.

"... well … what are you going to do now?"

"What else can we do?" Flint replied "We're going home."

"Just like that?" Duster said "You're not going to investigate this any further? He could be some robot or evil twin or clone trying to kill you and Lucas!"

Flint faced Duster, glaring at him "I will investigate this … but not now, so much as happened and I just want things to settle down."

Duster looked sideways "I guess I can give you that."

Flint looked at Duster, smiling "Thank you."

--

Claus stared at Kumatora as she did the last of her healing on Lucas's wounds. He touched his cheek where his scar was, healed with Kumatora's "power". All that was happening was severely confusing Claus, but he decided he wouldn't question anything. He knew something fishy was going on, he could feel it in his gut.

"Alright, fixed." Kumatora said as she drew her hand away from Lucas's arm, "Just remember to becareful, next time."

Lucas blinked, then tilted his head "Be careful of what?"

Kumatora shook her head, confused "You mean … you don't remember?"

"Remember what?" Lucas asked.

"That you-!" Kumatora stopped herself, then smiled at Lucas "Well, if you honestly don't remember then … Maybe it's better if you don't know at all."

Lucas blinked and got out of bed, "Did something happen while I was asleep?"

Kumatora sighed heavily "Yes, something did happen, but I think it is better that you don't know." Kumatora winked at Lucas before going out the door "Just remember to stay in bed next time."

Lucas looked at Claus, who merely shrugged "I dunno what she's talking about either."

"I remember something … Or at least I think I do … I was having another dream about mom." Lucas said, his voice trailing off.

"You were mumbling something about her in her sleep." Claus said, "But it's weird: I've been a coma for 3 and-a-half years, but it feels like Mom only died yesterday."

Lucas looked sideways "You were spared of the pain."

"Hey, don't say that!" Claus yelled, "I'm as sad about Mom dying as you are!"

Lucas did his best to hold back tears, then faced Claus "I'm sorry … I shouldn't have said that … I've just been through … a sort of 'coma' myself."

"Huh? Really?" Claus said

Lucas Nodded slightly "According to Dad and the others, for some reason, I was just out of it. Bad part is, I can't remember anything: only Mom's voice talking to me."

Claus looked at Lucas, skeptical "But she's dead"

"It … It may have been a dream …" Lucas said in a very shy voice.

"Is that all you dream about nowadays? Just about Mom?" Claus asked

Lucas turned away, trying to hide more tears "I … I miss her."

Claus sighed "I miss her too." He said, "And bet Dad misses her a lot"

Lucas looked at Claus "I've been trying my best to move on, but it's been hard and very painful." Lucas said, "Now that you're back – er, I mean … out of that coma, it just may be a little easier for me."

Claus chuckled a bit "I'll help you if you'll help me: I'm the one who's been out of it for almost 4 years."

Lucas smiled "Yes. A lot has changed."

"I bet." Claus said, walking out of the room with Lucas.

Lucas looked at his dad, and whispered to himself. "No Claus," he said softly, "you have no idea.

--

3 months later…

Life started raveling itself back to normal – or as close to normal it can get. It was hard to answer Claus when he had a question about his past: They'd always have to hide the truth, turn the truth around, flat-out lie, or just say nothing at all. All of them were hard to do, especially the last option: Claus would pester some one about it until they answered, but he was still not satisfied.

As for Lucas, he had started to act like his normal self, making Duster, Kumatora, and especially Flint happy. He was a little more cheerful and active, though still a little shy, and always willing to help whenever he can. His father wasted no time in putting him and Claus to work herding the Sheep and tending to the home. Whenever they had free time, the two, followed by Fuel sometimes, would play near the river, talking and fishing.

Lucas still felt … incomplete, somehow. He was getting better at hiding it, but he still missed his mother dearly. At times he would go to his mother's grave and just stare at it, sometimes for hours on end. Claus had gotten the hint that he needed some alone time, and made sure no one disturbed him while he was in his meditative state. But he couldn't help but wonder what the heck he was doing that for.

So much so that he dared to approach his brother when he acted like this once again …

"Okay, Lucas, fess up." Claus said out loud.

"Wha-?" Lucas managed to blurt out before his brother grabbed him by the shoulders.

"What is going on? You've done this for months, every week. I've managed to keep my mouth shut and guard you while you were doing this, but darn it! I want answers, now!" Claus shook Lucas slightly "WHY. ARE. YOU. DOING. THIS?!"

Lucas wiped his brother's hand off his should and turned to his mother's grave. "Claus, can you promise me something?"

Claus sighed "Fine, if it'll get you to fess up."

"You promise to not say anything negative, although you don't have to believe what I say or not."

Claus rolled his eyes "Yes, yes, I promise, just please say it!"

Lucas turned to his brother "It just somehow feels … That Mom's spirit is somehow talking to me."

Claus stared at his brother. "What?"

"I mean … I can sort of … feel her … it feels like she's hugging me, guiding me, walking by my side … I can swear, I hear her singing to me every night as I go to sleep."

"And what will going to her grave accomplish?" Claus asked flatly.

"I … I don't know. I guess I'm just waiting for an answer on what it means." Lucas said, staring at the grave.

Claus shook his head "Stone doesn't talk, dummy," He said, "So I doubt you'll get your 'epiphany' here."

Lucas turned to Claus and laughed "Epiphany? Where did you learn a word like that?"

"I heard Dad use it," Claus said "Among other words."

"Are the sheep still out?"

"Yeah, Boney and I managed to keep them in a group: we better head home before dad comes looking for us again." Claus said, laughing.

"Yeah, we better. But I wouldn't mind not coming home: His meals aren't like moms." Lucas said, laughing along with Claus.

"They're NOTHING like mom's! I mean have you seen the way he makes an omelette? He keeps burning them!" Claus said, laughing louder.

'OI!' Boney barked at the two young children, 'You better take me home and feed me, or else I'll tell Flint what you said!'

Claus looked at Lucas "He really can't, can he?"

"Oh, he'll do it!" Lucas said, smiling.

"Then we better hurry home!" Claus said, guiding the sheep towards home.

--

After the two ate Flint's dinner that he made, he drove them off to bed. Of course, Flint had no idea when to put his children to bed, so he always had them in too early. Claus tried to complain once, but it got him in deep trouble (He had to clean the sheep's stalls for a week). Thankfully, Flint never checked on them more than twice, and if he did, they would always fake the sleeping just to drive him away. So when they were 'sent off to bed', they would merely play games or tell stories until they were really tired. As long as they were silent, they were fine

"Hey, Lucas" Claus said, turning a page of the book he was reading on the floor.

"Yeah Claus?" Lucas said from the top bunk of his bed, messing with a paper plane he had made earlier.

"Dad's not going to come in again, isn't he?" Claus asked quietly.

"I … don't think so, he already check on us once." Lucas answered.

"So … do you think you can show me …" He glanced left and right, as if to make sure no one was listening "that power again?"

Lucas grunted "Claus, I told you, I only use it when I'm in danger!"

"But there's never any danger around! You have the most awesome powers!!" Claus said excitedly "Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease, just once, and I promise I'll never ask again!"

Lucas sighed. Despite the fact that he knew this wouldn't be the last time he asked, he got down from his bed and sat on his knees near Lucas "Okay, but only once." Lucas stated.

"YES!!" Claus said, trying his best to remain quiet.

Lucas breathed out and concentrated. It has been a long time since he actually used all of his power. He would only use tidbits just to make his brother happy. So it had been a bit tougher for him to Summon the power he needed.

His hands glowed slightly as the power made itself visible. Claus peered at it, a smile covering his face. "Woooow, that's cool!" he said as the power faded away "Now show me the lightning one!"

"But you said-!"

"Last time, I really mean it!" He said, putting his hand over his heart.

"That once is really dangerous Claus!" Lucas said, "It could really … hurt … you …" he said, his voice trailing off as he remembered the fight he had with his brother 8 months ago.

"There's nothing in the room that could be hurt, Lucas, except for me. I'll stand right behind you while you're doing it, that way I won't be hurt!" Lucas said, a pleading smile on his face.

Lucas sighed "Fine, fine …"

Once again, he breathed out and lifted up his hands, summoning the power to call forth lightning. He was almost there, now he had to show it and-

'don't …' A voice said, startling Lucas.

Lucas immediately dropped the power, letting his arms drop to the floor.

"I … I only saw a little lightning … what was that? It's usually bigger!" Claus said, agitated.

"I'm … I'm sorry Claus but … something tells me I shouldn't." Lucas said, breathing heavily "I thought I heard some one …"

Then suddenly, without warning, a huge thunder crash came from outside. Claus literally jumped while Lucas held his hands over his ears.

"Woah … that was some boom, eh?" Claus said, "Good thing you stopped your Lightning thingie just in time."

Lucas blinked, awed that whatever stopped him had literally saved him: If he used the PK thunder now, it may have attracted lightning at his house. He was thankful whatever that was caught it in time.

The Door suddenly swung opened, Flint in the way. "Are you boys allright?"

Claus realized they were on the floor and grabbed Lucas's shoulders "Y-yeah! The thunder crash made Lucas fall out of his bed, a-and I went to check on him!"

Lucas nodded, getting the lie he was putting out "Y-yeah! I'm okay though, j-just sore."

Flint sighed in relief "Thank goodness. I was afraid a tree may have fallen in your room." He looked at the boys "Okay, back to bed you two."

"R-right!" They both said in unison. They quickly scurried off to bed in about 3 second flat.

Flint nodded "Good. 'Night boys."

"'Night dad." They both said before Flint closed the door.

Claus turned over in his bed "I'm actually starting to feel tired. 'Night Lucas." He said.

"Yeah …" he said silently, still in shock, "G'night …"

--

For some reason, Lucas couldn't sleep a wink. He would usually fall asleep almost right away, but right now, almost close to midnight, he couldn't even close his eyes. He was just too shocked to sleep.

What was it that stopped him from using his power?

Whatever it was, it sounded just like mom.

Mom …

Lucas felt his mind wondering away from his body as he thought about his mother. He could still remember what she looked like, and invisioned her right there in front of him. He could see everything in full detail: The eyes, the dress, her hair, her smile … all formed right in front of his eyes.

His mother, Hinawa.

She kneeled down to Lucas and hugged him. She then started to sing the same melody she always sang to him at night, the same once she had sung in the past. All of it felt real to Lucas, and he didn't want it to stop. If he could, he would have stayed here forever.

Then, just as suddenly as she appeared, darkness started to surround the two. As if a dark cloud came, Lucas couldn't see his mother, although he could feel her still hugging him. He wanted to embrace his mother tightly in hopes he would be protected from the darkness, but instead, he felt himself being pushed away from her. He didn't know if it was the darkness, or if it was Hinawa herself, but he didn't care. All he wanted to do was reach out and hold on to his mother, no matter what.

"Lucas …" He heard her say "Lucas, run …"

"Where are you?!" Lucas yelled out.

"Forget about me, Lucas, please, just run!!"

Lucas didn't want to run, but he had to obey his mother. He ran as fast he could, as far as he could. He finally spotted a dim light among the darkness and reached for it. He prepared to touch the light …

Lucas gasped and sat up straight in his bed, breathing heavily. Cold sweat was running down his neck as he grabbed his head. Was he dreaming? No, no matter how vivid a dream could be, this one seemed too real. It had to be some sort of hallucination or …

A vision?

Lucas finally understood. What his body was going through, what his mind was going through, what he himself was going through. All this had a meaning to it.

Hinawa was alive. It had to be it.

Lucas jumped off his bed, ignoring his ladder completely, and landed hard on the floor. He hoped that his dad hadn't heard that, and his hopes were confirmed when he never came. He then got out a piece of parchment and a writing utensil from his desk and wrote on it. When he was done, he got out a small sac and packed his things in it: Some clothes, his hygiene needs, a book, all he needed for a journey ahead.

When he was finished, he shook his sleeping brother slightly.

"Claus … wake up, I need to tell you something."

Claus yawned and woke up. He stared at his brother with red eyes and blinked "Whut izzit?" he said, not even trying to hide his fatigue.

"I know it sounds crazy and stupid, but I'm going out." Lucas sighed and prepared for a big reaction "Mom's alive, and I'm gonna find her."

Claus's expression dramatically changed from one being tired to one who couldn't believe what he just heard. "Excuse me?!"

"Mom's alive. I didn't realize this before, but now I know. She's alive somewhere and she wants me to find her. I just had a vision-."

"You sure it wasn't a dream?

"I'm absolutely positive! Claus, I don't know what's going on with me, but Mom has something to do with it. She's alive out there, and she needs my help!"

"Are you out of your mind?!" Claus whispered harshly "It's the middle of the freakin' NIGHT! If dad catches you, you'll be in big trouble!"

"That's why I'm leaving right now. Just … don't tell where I am going."

"Do you even KNOW where you're going?" Claus asked.

Lucas opened his mouth to say something, but nothing ever came out. Lucas sighed "Well … you got a point there."

Claus sighed "Lucas, let me go with you."

"What?"

Claus got out of bed. "If you're really serious, then I'm coming too. I don't want my brother to get in any sort of trouble."

Lucas smiled "Thanks Claus." He took off his pajama shirt "Now lets get dressed, we don't want to go out in our PJ's, right?"

Claus nodded "Lets hurry. It looks like it could be sun-up soon."

--

Flint never saw the two silhouettes leaving his house. As far as he knew, they were still in bed, dreaming. But as he woke up, something in his heart told him he was dead wrong. As the sun was slowly rising, he went down the hall and peered into the boy's room.

All he saw were scattered items of clothing and two empty beds.

Panicked, Flint went into their room, and searched the beds in hopes that they were only hiding. Nothing. Just blankets and pillows. He searched everywhere in their room: the closet, under the desk, under the bed, anything that could hold two teen-aged boys.

His eyes then spotted the parchment on the desk. Hesitantly, he grabbed it and opened it up, reading Lucas's hand writing …

"Dear dad,

I realize I've been doing strange things. My mind isn't all that normal either. I finally figured out that Mom is out there, Alive and well. I –,"

There was a note that looked like it was just added "and Claus (am) are going to find her. (I'll) We'll come back with her. By the time you read this, (I'll) We'll be long gone. Please don't try to stop (me) us. Goodbye, Father.

Lucas – and Claus."

Flint threw the parchment aside, grabbed his hat, and rushed out the door, determined to find his children no matter what.

"Please … I already lost them once, I don't want to lose them again …" He pleaded silently to himself.