Disclaimer: I do not own Klonoa, but Kuroi or Ame and OCs are mine. You can't steal them unless you ask. X3

Chapter 12: Kuroi and Lion's First and Last Dance

I yawned for the fifth time that day as Guntz and I walked to the ball, which was located near the Moa Temple. Luckily we were walking past random people, and I fit in perfectly thanks to my uniform and mask; no one seemed to notice me due to the mixed Tsubasa militia and Lunateans coming by. Plus all of the militia personnel had to wear their masks to show their ranks so it was easy hiding my face. I looked around as Guntz just walked beside me nonchalantly.

"What did she want me for anyway?" I asked him not even looking at his face.

"All I heard was that she wanted to know if this was the day of your 'retribution, she should condone'." He replied simply.

"Oh yeah, that... I guess I'll have to see her first before entering the ball room. Are the others here already?" I asked.

"Yeah, Suppi is talking with your old partners, I think, that's what she told me before I came to get you." He replied as the tall and large ball room began to show before us.

I frowned, so my old partners are here, I guess I was smart enough to change my identity a bit. I flinched when I felt a sudden touch to my back. I turned to see a smiling Lion behind me in a yellow dress. Next to her was John in a black tuxedo. I smirked as Lion spoke.

"G-good afternoon, Mr. Okami," Lion greeted smiling sheepishly "I hope you remember our promise."

I nodded with a cool smile.

"Yes, I'm looking forward to it, how's about tonight before the large banquet?" I smiled at her.

She nodded as a blush overcame her cheeks as John wrapped an arm around me. He smirked at me as usual and began to whisper.

"So you knew all along, huh," He smirked toothily.

"Yep," I grinned back "I just wanted to mess with your head like you always do to me."

We both chuckled at each other darkly as we continued to walk. The whole walk to the ball consisted of just talking that I was going to move to Volk with Guntz for a while. Lion was a bit disappointed I was leaving, but she agreed with John that I should go. They were worried when I fell off the cliff and maybe staying undercover in Volk with a fellow bounty hunter would help get back on my feet again. Guntz had already readied a hideaway for me the day we had returned to La-Lakoosha, Mr. Seion as well had established a new bounty provider who would give me triple the cash I make from Mr. Seion which was a lot by how much I have now and what I had two years ago.

Unfortunately, Guntz and I never told the others besides Leorina that I would be leaving. I wish Klonoa, Lolo, Popka, and Suppi knew, but they would try and stop me if I did. Guntz suggested that it would be best to keep it a secret until later.

Suddenly, a bad chill went down my spine when a man with blond hair like my 'father's' in a world class alchemy uniform like mine and a general mask passed by. I stopped in my tracks when he turned making us look at each other in the eyes. A growing rage began to build up in me as I saw sapphire eyes like mine staring back at me menacingly. I growled as a grin to place on the man's lips and everything I saw began to turn blood red, I knew it. It was him...!

"Kuroi!" Guntz yelled grabbing my shoulder.

I looked at him stunned as my eyes averted. "What?!"

"We're almost there, why the hell are you stopping, just looking at that man?!" He asked annoyingly.

"Eh?!" I looked at him surprised before looking back at the man only to look at empty space.

I hesitated a bit before shaking my head slowly. I shouldn't say it.

"I-I'm going to see the High Priestess first, I'll see you guys later." I bade before running before them.

I left the moment Lion was about to say something, she must be worried the most about me. But I can't tell her, it would break her heart if she found out whom that man was or the others. At least everyone is still clueless to who I really am, besides Guntz and the High Priestess.

--

I frowned sadly as the High Priestess patted her formal gown while standing in front of the mirror in her room. She made sure all the doors and windows were closed leaving me to take off my mask and sit on a chair behind her. I had told her everything as she got ready and she gave me updates what she had been told during and after the war. I was right earlier that I was declared dead after every trace of me on Tsubasa had disappeared, but my sister, Kira Suishou, which the high Priestess knew that she was the one who threw me off the cliff, had been searching for me in Tsubasa for about a whole month now. I was also informed that Rozen and his wife, Maryann, would be expecting twins next month. Unfortunately, they were both girls, which made me a bit happy. Now those two can restart their family and leave me alone.

I told her what I was really doing in the army and why I was put into hiding. Including how Dokyoo had forced me to be who I was today. She understood that I would have to leave someday and that would be tomorrow. The High Priestess was sure to recommend me during the toast tonight and I would have to reveal myself in front of her, my former army, and the other Lunateans. I agreed to that, but on one condition that if battle broke out between me and either of my siblings, she and those who were not of concern would stay out. Although those chances were small due to the flaming rivalry I held between my maiden sisters and my big brothers and sisters from my family would be angry that I left and would punish me in front of everyone.

I could see the sadness in the high priestess' eyes as she looked at me through her mirror. With an assuring smile, I told her that no matter what I would end up dead and everyone would finally be happy I would be dead. But she believed that was a lie...

"No, Ame, there are many people who want you to live. Take Lolo for example, when she saw you unconscious, you were breathing hard even with that oxygen mask and with a very high fever. She was desperate to wake you up. Even one night when you were at your worst condition she, Klonoa, Guntz, Leo, Popka, and Tat watched over you. I remember hearing Lolo say 'Mr. Kuroi doesn't deserve to be treated like this. She has the rights to live peacefully and safely'."

I frowned in shock as my eyes widened, she said that? The now thirtieth old priestess smiled softly and continued.

"And Lion, she used to train here when she was eleven, but then she had to quit after her condition got worst. I remember her saying how strong you were, and every time you appeared on the papers she would always bring me an article of you doing such sinful, yet heroic deeds. Ame, do you really want to continue life like this? You can always go home if you want." She suggested as she turned towards me with that smile.

Her smile almost looked as if she were my mother lecturing me. I frowned looking down sadly as the locket Seed gave to me laid there on my stomach. I picked it up and opened it letting it play a lullaby I never heard of before. In the locket was a picture of Seed and her Mother the day she was born then a picture of me as a baby. I never knew how she got it, but I didn't like seeing me as an innocent baby so I quickly closed it shut.

"It's too late now, you know that?" I asked solemnly as I stood up.

"Yes," she nodded sadly "but you still have time to stop this."

"No, I don't... I'm going now, I haven't eaten breakfast yet." I told her as I put on my mask.

"Alright..."

I hid the locket in my jacket then left the room without even looking at her and trudge towards the very large ball room below.

--

I looked forward thoughtfully as I sat at an empty table near one of the walls of the ball room. I had just finished my brunch and a good amount of sweets I wanted to eat. I couldn't find Guntz or the others so I decided to just relax for a bit after my meal. My cheek was resting in my palm while my elbow rested against the table and my leg tapping quickly as I thought. I should be happy that I'll be gone, but why do I feel guilt again. I have regrets for leaving the others unexpectedly, but there was something I forgot, what was it? Was it something about the Roza Mystica? Wait... I widened my eyes realizing that I forgot about my old bard Master, Tokei.

That was right! He was the reason I survived the war, after I was stabbed in the back bad enough for me to never use my wings, he gave me his orb to heal my back and it emerged into my body giving me more power. That must explain why my Roza Mystica was still in me. I put a hand to my chest sadly as I felt Tokei's soul wavelength brighten in me assuring that he was fine. He was a true hero, more of a hero than Klonoa maybe.

After I had transported Seed, a large explosion took place and a metarex stabbed me hard in the back a little too close to my heart. During the time Tokei had showed up from nowhere, and as I fell into a large deep trench, he used my scythe and used it to pin against the edge of the trench while holding me in his grasp. With his orb he healed me and let it emerge with me. Giving up all of his energy he was about to fall in the trench until that time he was in my grasp.

I remember him telling me to let go and his job was done. I protested that he still had his wife and kid waiting for him, and that his wife would kick my ass if he didn't come home. But he was sure of himself. So I let go... I can still remember seeing him smile at me with that warm smile as he fell into the trench going down to the world of hell.

Suddenly, I came back reality with a start as I felt my cheeks being pinch and stretched making me smiling unwillingly. I quickly pulled away and looked forward to see a smirking Guntz. I went back to my solemn self as he spoke.

"What's with the sad face, smile. Anyway, how was it?"

"Nothing much," I replied simply.

"Well, dancing is going to start soon, who're you going to dance with first?" he asked trying to converse with me.

"Lion," I replied in the same mono tone "you?"

He flinched looking at me uneasily, and just shrugged unsurely.

"How about Leorina?"

"Why the hell her?"

"'Cause," I replied uninterestingly.

"I could dance with Suppi," he suggested.

I shook my head making him look at me questioningly again.

"Her big brother's here and he'll get suspicious if you dance with her, and you can't dance with Lolo since she'll be dancing with either Klonoa or Popka, knowing you Tat's out of the question, so now it's only Leorina." I told him simply.

"What are you guys talking about?" Leorina's voice asked.

I looked to the side seeing her in a long dark-red dress and her dark-red hair was down. Without her masculine uniform, she looked more feminine now that her curves were showing. Next to her was Tat with a big blue bow tie around her neck, she kind of look cute, since it complimented her fur.

I smirked evilly "Guntz wanted to know if you wanted to dance with him when it's time for the orchestra to play. I want to see how good a lead he is anyway."

"A-Kuroi!" he growled.

Leorina thought for moment before nodding in agreement.

"Okay," she smiled.

"What?!"

"I said yes, anyway, we've been hard on you so this is an apology, right, Kuroi." Leorina smirked brightly at me.

I nodded "This is our last time together before we leave so we should make it memorable."

With a sigh he nodded, and at the same time the announcer who was none other than Dokyoo began to speak.

"Dinner shall start in an hour along with a toast and a speech, but now it is time to begin the waltz, so now let's have our orchestra play the song of Tsubasa, War and Peace." He introduced just as I saw Lion approach me.

She was smiling at me shyly as she fiddled with her hands. I smirked as I stood up and held up my hand towards her.

"Miss Lion, may I have this dance with you," I smirked while bowing formally to her.

She smiled brightly and curtsied at me before gently placing her hand in my palm. Just as the music began, I put my free hand at her waist and began to lead the dance as the music played lightly. Lion blushed looking up at me shyly as I smirked coolly at her. At least she was a little shorter than me. That's a relief. I looked around to see Lolo and Klonoa dancing as well, and they were both looking at each other shyly.

Lolo was in a dress similar to Leorina's and Lion's only that it was light pink, and Klonoa was wearing clothes similar to Guntz only that he was wearing a light blue tie and dark blue linen pants. They kind of looked cute together. I looked down to Lion who was looking down sadly making me frown.

"Miss Lion, what's wrong?" I asked.

She looked up to me a bit disappointed.

"Are you really leaving?" she asked innocently.

I frowned in surprise before looking down sadly myself.

"Yeah, but I promise to come back, maybe in a month or two. You're a good friend, Miss Lion, and I wouldn't want to see you like this for a long time. Maybe in a short while we'll see each other again, I just have to do something first." I told her with an assuring smile.

"What is it?" She asked before I twirled her gracefully.

I hesitated as we began to twirl gracefully through the dance floor.

"I can't tell you, I'm sorry, but I'll tell you when I think it's the right time, okay?" I spoke.

She nodded slowly and we continued to dance. As we danced in my head I was thinking that it was my last hour as I felt my heart getting weaker. I tried my best to stay in a good mood like Lion as she danced happily with me. Finally when the hour was over, we were all clapping as the High Priestess entered and sat on her throne lifting up her staff making it glow a bright emerald. Everyone in the ball room looked at her immediately. She stood up and looked around until she looked straight at me, then nodded.

"I would like to thank you all for attending this ball for my thirtieth birthday. For the past year, I have heard from Main General Dokyoo that one soldier from the Tsubasanian Militia has ran away and is now officially dead. I am sorry if this brought great misfortune to you." She inclined her head slightly.

"But I am happy to hear that you have rejuvenated after two years, and I am obliged to have you come in Phantomile on an occasion like this. Now, as everyone in this kingdom remember that a valiant bounty hunter saved a large number of people two weeks ago from a band of five murderous burglars. Now she is of the heroes of Phantomile and has done everything in her power to do what is right, even if she is not at her strongest." She then turned her face towards me with a sad smile.

"I thank you for your services, Kuroi Okami." I nodded in return as everyone in the room looked at me.

I began to hear the other Tsubasanian repeating my name in whispers. I looked around uncomfortably as soldiers near me looked at me in confused, suspicious, and angry stares. An uneasy feeling overcame me until it happened. Suddenly a large gust came out of nowhere throwing me backwards. I looked forward to see all of my maiden sisters looking at me menacingly. I summoned my scissors and threw them towards my sisters like a shuriken before crashing against a wall with a grunt. I fell to my knees as I slid to the floor.

"Mr. Okami!" Lion yelled before her father grabbed her out of the way.

I got on my feet as my scissors flew back to me. I caught them and immediately stabbed them to the ground as I glared at my sisters. They all frowned at me as they're eyes were glazed with anger. I grinned at them as I lay a hand on the handle of my weapon.

Looks like the next Alice game was inevitable now, I grinned at that grim thought.

Nya: DUN, DUN, DUUN, finally an Alice Game with all five girls. It'll be my best work yet. X3