Illua nodded when Hikaru said to get going. Illua agreed. Both Illua and Datenshi took to a run at the same time. Kaizen had softly grabbed Natsumi's hand and followed Illua and Datenshi. Yahasu had then followed Kaizen and Natsumi.

"I am okay. What makes you ask?" Yahasu asked, tilting her head slightly as she looked over to Ryo.

Hikaru and Ryo had broke off into a run after the others. Ryo smiled slightly at Yahasu.

"No reason. I'm just checking... you're not mad about last night... right?" He asked, blushing slightly.

Natsumi sighed as she ran along side Kaizen. She didn't want to admit it to anyone, but she still felt weak, like her eyes were on the verge of bleeding again.

Yahasu laughed slightly at Ryo's question. She was not mad about what happened, if anything, she was embarrassed a little, but she enjoyed it very much.

She shook her head, "No, I am not at all." She said, giving him a smile. "...A-Are you?" Yahasu asked, her blush returning.

Kaizen was quiet as they ran along, but he had a bad feeling about Natsumi, for an odd reason.. Kaizen looked over at her, thinking about last night when Natsumi's eyes bled.

"Are you alright?" Kaizen asked in concern with a straight face.

Ryo smiled. "Nope, I'm fine. I-I'm glad you are too.." He told her, moving his eyes back ahead.

Natsumi again, was taken aback at how well Kaizen was reading her.

"I-I'm fine!" She lied.

She smiled weakly trying to make him believe her, but with how well he had been reading her, she knew he wouldn't but it.

Yahasu had blushed when Ryo was glad she was fine too. Kaizen raised an eyebrow,

"Are you sure?" Kaizen asked, undoubtedly concerned for her. "I can carry you if you want." Kaizen said, smiling sightly. Illua looked over her shoulder, hearing them talking,

"What's going on back there?" Illua asked, before looking back in front of her.

Natsumi shook her head. "I-I'm fine... seriously..."

"She's lying." Hikaru sighed.

"Hikaru!" Natsumi hissed,

Kaizen had looked between Hikaru and Natsumi, and Kaizen's smile drooped when Hikaru said she was lying. "I can carry you. You can sleep and recharge your energy on the way." Kaizen said softly looking at his love, Natsumi. He hated to see her hurt in any way.

Natsumi shook her head. "Don't worry yourself over me."

Hikaru shook his head. "Stop being stubborn! It's probably from helping Datenshi last night..."

Natsumi just shook her head again. "I'm fine." She looked at Kaizen, forcing a smile. "Do not worry."

'You're about to pass out, you idiot!' Hikaru's voice hissed.

'I don't want to seem like a burden, Hikaru. Drop it!'

'I can see it! The eyes are effecting you! Natsumi, Mom and Dad got to preform the ritual on me before they were killed, you were not so lucky. There is nothing wrong with admitting you're needing help. It isn't your fault!'

Natsumi suddenly noiticed her vision blurring, she knew what was next. Blood would pour from her eyes and she would black out. She slowly fell behind the others, actually bumping into Hikaru. Hikaru shook his head.

"She's being stubborn because she doesn't want to be a burden. She gets like this sometimes because, unlike me, our parents had not been able to take care of this problem." He explained with a sigh.

"Sh-shut up, Hikaru." She slurred.

Illua had tuned back into the conversation when Hikaru said Natsumi was weak after helping Datenshi. "W-What?" Illua asked, not believing it. "What HAD happened when I passed out?" Illua seemed to say to herself.

Datenshi was too quiet. Kaizen had continued to hold Natsumi's hand, even as she fell behind. Natsumi had said she wanted no help, but Kaizen was going to give it to her, no matter what she had said. They seemed to have practically stop, and Kaizen had put one arm under her legs and his other arm supporting her back. Kaizen had lifted her up.

"I am sorry, Natsumi. I cannot see you like that... It hurts me..." He had said as he started running again to catch up with the others, with his love in his arms.

Natsumi wrapped her arms around Kaizen's neck to keep herself supported as she felt herself black out. Hikaru sighed deeply as he ran along side Kaizen, taking worried glances at his sister once in a while.

"She hasn't explained all about our clan to you I don't think. When children in our clan are five, our parents must preform a type of ritual to prevent stuff like what is happening to her now. I do not have this problem because I got the ritual. Going overboard with our eyes still causes blood to pour, but usually we are fine. But, Natsumi isn't that lucky unfortunately..." He explained feeling guilty being the one who was healthy and his younger sister not.

Kaizen had listened as Hikaru had talked about his and Natsumi's clan, and the ritual needed to suppress the bleeding eyes. Kaizen had looked down at Natsumi, suddenly feeling sorry for her. Kaizen looked back at Hikaru,

"So, there is nothing we can do?" He asked, even though he had known there was nothing.

Illua had looked at Datenshi with a suspicious look, just wondering what had gone on last night...

Hikaru shook his head slowly, feeling even more guilty. "I wish there was. I should be in her condition... I'm older and my Hitima is stonger.. I could hold up better.." He sighed deeply. "She's ashamed by it. That's why she tries to pretend she is not in pain. She tried to hide her bleeding eyes last night, am I correct?"

Kaizen had nodded, "Yeah... But how'd you know?" Kaizen asked curiously, raising an eyebrow as he looked over to Hikaru

"That is for the same reason. That is probably why Natsumi and Illua connect so well, they have something in common, shame." Hikaru stated.

Kaizen had understood it, he would be ashamed too if he was in her position. There was nothing he could to, but if there was, Kaizen would do anything, anything at all, to help Natsumi. . Kaizen raised both of his eyebrows when Hikaru said that Natsumi and Illua had gotten along so well was because they were both shamed. Kaizen's surprised expression turned sad as he looked at Illua's back, staring at the Oshue symbol embedded in the fabrics... If he didn't know what really happened, Kaizen would have been mad at Illua, but he knew the truth. But how Hikaru knew about THAT too, Kaizen didn't know. He didn't think Illua told him.

"Did Natsumi tell you about it?" Kaizen asked, looking from Illua to Hikaru.

Yahasu had quieted, she had even seemed to mourn.

He nodded. "Natsumi tells me everything..." He chuckled. "Not always by choice either.

Kaizen nodded, "I understand." Kaizen had only said before going quiet.

They had been running for about the whole day, Illua was in a rush to get back to her sister, Meiya, fearing she would be angry if they returned late... Which they already were... Gensou was once again angry to be left behind, and had jumped to Illua's shoulder, instantly rambling on about not being properly looked after, and unappreciated and what-not. The sun was already starting to go down, Gensou was still continuing his rant, and Illua had feared she wouldn't make the boat in time. Datenshi, who didn't enjoy listening to Gensou rant, was about to hit him, but whenever he would go near Illua, Gensou would hiss and swat his paw at him.

Once inside the Mist village when the sun vanished over the hills, Illua had picked up her pace, heading straight to an abandoned ship yard was... It was their destination. Illua had slowed down to a stop as she noticed her sister and the rest of the group. As Illua approached, the group seemed to wave smile and cheer at teh returning group, glad to see no one was killed and everyone had been rescued. A man was the closest to the ship leaning on a cane and smoking from a pipe. It was the ship's captain. Illua had approached the captain, and Datenshi had followed. As Datenshi had passed Mirai, the girl who was once so infatuated with Kaizen, and Ayuri, they had blushed and giggled together. They had both found him so handsome.

"Shugo. It is nice to see you again, My old friend." They said, shaking hands.

"Yer ready ta go over the seas already, eh?" The elder man said, taking the pipe form his mouth.

Illua nodded, "Yes, some things now drive us back... Myself, my family and my friends are seeking a boat, and we made arrangements." Illua said, nodding.

"Eh.. Yes. Just hold up yer side of da bargain. Then You be makin' somethin' tanight?" He had asked, raising his thick eyebrows.

Illua nodded.

"YIPPEE." He had exclaimed, extending his fragile arms up in the air, still holding onto his cane. Kaizen was so happy that they had reached here in time, he could finally have time to just relax and sleep... Though he could really use a soak in a hot spring. Maybe they could do that when they get home. Yahasu was happy, smiling as she had seen everyone, but otherwise kept quiet and to herself as usual.

Hikaru looked around the area, suddenly feeling unconfortable without his sweater. His eyes drifted to Natsumi who was still out in Kaizen's arms and frowned. He hated how ill she was, and he was beginning to think the worst. In the Hitama clan, children who do not recive the ritual are ill their whole lives. However, there were sometimes those unlucky ones who grew ill too often and ulitimately died. Hikaru shuddered at the thought of losng Natsumi, and also how many others wold grieve for her, Kaizen second to the list before himself.

"K-Kaizen..." Hikaru whispered, not meeting eyes with him. "Can you put Nat down for a second?"

Ryo, yet again felt out of place, like he should not be with the others. He felt like a betrayer and was unsure if he should run off before they actually left.

Kaizen was watching Natsumi, who was still out, He was worried... Even the three kids, who surrounded Kaizen where worried.

"Is she going to be alright?" The oldest asked.

"What's wrong with her?" The youngest had asked.

"She is not feeling well. But she will be alright... She will..." Kaizen had spaced out as he looked back down at her.

He had come back to reality when Hikaru caught his attention. "Put her down, Right here? I think we are boarding now, at least I can get her somewhere comfortable to sleep.." Kaizen said, looking from Natsumi to Hikaru.

Illua nodded to the captain, who had then boarded the fairly big ship. Illua had boarded second, then Datenshi. Then of course, Mirai and Ayuri behind Datenshi, both of them still blushing and giggling. Yahasu had looked over at Ryo, but took no hesitation to approach him.

"Are you alright? What's the matter?" Yahasu had asked curiously, looking at the purple-haired male.

Kasumi was next on the boat, he was grinning devilishly at the thought of returning to his home. Meiya had boarded along with her boyfriend, who were holding had caught up with Illua when once on.

"You were late, you know?" Meiya had said, letting go of Shineien's hand.

Illua had just smiled. She was just teasing her again.

Ryo smiled weakly at Yahasu. "I-I just do not think I belong here..."

Once on the boat, Hikaru looked back at Kaizen. He was serious, he needed to take a closer look at Natsumi. "Kaizen." He prosisted.

Soon the last two Oshue had boarded the ship, it seemed like everyone was almost ready to go. Yahasu had shook her head,

"Yes you do, Ryo. You belong here." She had said with a smile as she put a hand on his shoulder. Kaizen had followed Hikaru on the boat, As he heard his name, he had looked at Hikaru.

"There are some beds in the hull." Kaizen said, stepping towards a door that lead into the boat.

He had struggled to open the door with Natsumi in his arms, but had eventually got it. Kaizen had opened the door, and stepped down into the hull. Kaizen descended down the stairs, and he found the room with the beds. Some were real beds, others were just sleeping bags spread out among the floor. It showed the captain was not prepared for their company. Kaizen had set Natsumi on a bed, and stepped back, wondering what Hikaru was planning to do.

Ryo smiled at Yahasu. "Th-Thank you."

Hikaru took in a deep breath before sitting on the edge of the bed that Natsumi was laying on. He activated his Hitima and realsed a fair amout of chakra. His eyes searched her outline furiously. He sighed again and released more chakura as he rested his forehead to Natsumi's, her's was cold. Kaizen had watched Hikaru do something. He wasn't quite sure, but he watched curiously.

"Don't let it be true..." He murmured outloud, feeling his own body weakening from using so much chakra.

When Hikaru said 'don't let it be true' Kaizen began to worry, even becoming panicked. "W-What's happening?" Kaizen said, looking between Hikaru and Natsumi.

Again, he released more as he looked deeply at her outline. He saw it. He needed to do something, and fast. He sat up straight and looked at Kaizen with his whitened eyes.

"Illua is your best healer, correct? I need her down here, I'm gonna need healing after I'm done." He stated, his voice wavering.

Yahasu smiled, "It's no problem. Let's go aboard, I think they will be leaving soon." Yahasu said gently, and she took his hand softly and lead him to the boat and stepped aboard.

When Hikaru said he needed Illua down here to heal Hikaru 'after he was done', Kaizen had shouted her name almost instantly. It only took a few seconds for Illua to come running down into the hull and into the room.

"What's the matter?" She said, worried. Datenshi, and almost all of the other Oshue followed.

Hikaru sighed. "We don't need this many people..." He murmured. "Just you five..." He stated, meaning, Ryo, Yahasu, Illua, Datenshi and Kaizen.

Meiya had known what to do when Hikaru had said there was too many people, She had spread her arms outward, forcing everyone out of the door that, "Okay, everyone... Let's go up and wait..." Meiya had said to everyone but the five Hikaru said could stay. everyone had soon left.

After the others left, Ryo spoke up. "What is wrong?" He asked, slowly.

Hikaru shuddered slightly. "N-Natsumi is dying... I can only try one thing, and if it doesn't work... we will lose her." He choked up a bit. "I need Illua here for when I'm done, I know I will be near death."

Ryo's eyes widened. "A-Are you serious!"

Hikaru nodded slowly.

When Hikaru had said Natsumi was dying, They had all gasped and all seemed upset and panicked over it. Kaizen was probably the most shock and worried about this matter.

Illua shook her head, "We need to start this now... I don't think we should hesitate... Hikaru, ready when you are." Illua said, nodding over to him as she took off her gloves.

Hikaru nodded. He moved his forehead back down to Natsumi's as his eyes closed. He would attempt to preform a part of the ritual his parents did on him, but, being her brother, he was unsure if it would work. The Oshue were unsure what he was doing, but they all trusted him. Well, apart from Datenshi, who didn't seem to care anyway.

'Natsumi, do you hear me?'

'H-Hika-...'

'You're going to be alright...'

'I-I'm not gonna make this...'

'You are! I wont stop until you are!'

Hikaru released as much chakra as his body would allow. He could feel his eyes twitch and knew blood was surfacing. He needed to finish, now. He opened his eyes again and found her "illness". His eyes focused on it as he prayed in his mind.

'Great Hitama spirits, take a moment to look into her soul, see how special she is. Let her live a peaceful life, let this pain no longer take her. K-Keep her alive and well. Let her and I bring this clan back.'

Hikaru could feel blood now fall from his eyes. He was about to pull away when he heard a voice.

'My son. We are proud of you.'

'M-Mother?'

'We will take care of Natsumi. You shall not lose her - we know how important she is.'

'Pull back, son. Take care of your own health, she will be fine.'

'D-Dad...'

'Hikaru, dear, pull away.'

Hikaru gasped as he jumped back from Natsumi, almost falling to the floor when he felt strong arms catch him, Ryo. Hikaru panted as he wiped at his eyes.

"I-Illua!" He choked out, his eyes turning back to their onyx form.

As Hikaru fell back, Ryo had caught him. Hikaru had soon called Illua's name, and she knew it was her cue. Quickly moving her hands over towards Hikaru, they glew a faint blue colour. It was her strongest healing technique she knew. ...So far. Illua still had a worried look on her face, similar to that of Kaizen.

"I-Is she going to be alright?" Kaizen said, kneeling down beside Natsumi.

Hikaru could only nod as he tried to make words form in his throat. "Sh-.." He took in a deep breath. "Sh-she will be... m-my.. ah!" He wrapped an arm around his side before trying to speak again. "My a-ansestors... o-our parents... th-they are t-taking care of h-her now... a-as weird as that s-seems..." He breathed, leaning his head back against Ryo's chest, feeling weak. He knew he would be fine, he just needed rest.

Illua had pulled her hands away as the blue colour faded. They had all felt relieved that Natsumi was going to be alright.

"S-She's going to be alright?" Kaizen said, a smile sprouting on his lips, "Thank you, Hikaru." He had said smiling.

Yahasu didn't exactly know what Hikaru meant, but she felt glad that Natsumi was going to be okay.

Hikaru nodded slowly, his eyes closed as his chest heaved up and down. Ryo pulled Hikaru up and placed him on a bed. "Sh-she... should b-be up... i-in a short... while..." Hikaru breathed, pulling a blanket over his body.

"We will leave to give you space." Ryo said and started pushing Yahasu out the door.

Hikaru nodded. "K-Kaizen sh-should stay..." He whispered, barely conscience.

Illua had nodded in agreement to Ryo when he said to give him space. Illua and Datenshi had exited the room after Ryo pushed Yahasu out of the room. Yahasu smiled playfully as Ryo pushed her out of the room, she had even laughed quietly. Illua had looked at Yahasu with a confused look, she had changed so much since Ryo had joined... Illua and Daten had soon returned to the surface, Illua just noticed they had left port, which was already in the distance. The other Oshue had looked at Illua, most of them looked sad.

"She will be fine." Illua simply said. The others seemed to cheer, until Illua hushed them and told they were asleep. They hushed immediately.

Kaizen had did what Hikaru had said, and stayed in the room. Kaizen sat in a corner and pulled out a book to read to pass his time.