Konichiwa minna-san~! Translation: HELLO EVERYONE~! I was able to finish this chapter during school! Yay! Also, my aunt kinda pestered me as well... Oh well! Enjoy! I apologise for any mistakes!

Wish Upon A Wing

The Truth about the Past

Recap: "Amu, our parents didn't die from an illness. They were killed."

"What are you saying?!" shrieked Amu.

Lulu rushed forward to hold back Amu from lunging at her brother. Tears appeared in her eyes.

"You lied to me all this time?!" she cried.

Shigeru stared at her sadly.

"The reason why I lied because I can't bear to see how you react if you were told your parents were murdered," he replied.

Amu stopped thrashing. Lulu felt Amu's shoulders drooped.

"I see…," Amu said sadly, "So… How did you know they were killed?"

Shigeru slowly closed his dark eyes, "I saw it myself," he mumbled.

His sister stared at him in shock.

"H-How?" she whispered.

Shigeru sighed again. "I guess I'll tell you from the beginning…"

"Of course, it started with just Mother, Father and me. Then we found out Mother was pregnant with you."

A young boy with dark hair and dark eyes sat on the hard plastic chair in the cold corridors of the health centre. Doctors in blue uniforms and nurses in pink uniforms would occasionally pass him. He swung his legs back and forth; in attempt to keep him entertain.

Suddenly a man with sandy brown hair came out of the room the boy was waiting outside of.

"Shigeru-san," he smiled, "You can come in."

Young Shigeru leapt off the chair and followed his dad. A woman with black-green hair was sitting on the bed, holding a bundle.

"What to have a look?" she asked.

She lowered the bundle so Shigeru could see. A little baby girl peeked out.

"She's quite unique, isn't she?" his mother smiled.

Shigeru nodded, staring at the faint pink hair.

"Have you thought of a name for her?" Shigeru asked.

His mother and father looked at each other and smiled then they turned to their son.

"Her name is Amu," they replied, "Hinamori Amu."

"After you were born, I helped Mother and Father around the house. They taught me everything how to cook, clean, mend clothes, how to deal with money etc. One, day…"

It was a peaceful afternoon when Shigeru's mother's voice cut the quiet.

"Honey! Shigeru-san! Come up here!" she called.

Panicked, both Shigeru and his father flew up the stairs and into the main bedroom. His mother placed her finger on her lips and beckoned them to the cradle. A pure white feather was hovering above Amu's sleeping body. Then it merged into her body.

"Our child…," his mother whispered, "Has been blessed by the Positive Wing."

Shigeru's father placed his hand on his wife's shoulder, "That child is definitely special."

Shigeru smiled at his sister with love.

"Since she's blessed with the power of the Positive Wing," his mother whispered.

His father held her close. "We need to protect her," Shigeru's father finished.

Shigeru overheard their soft conversation. He also detected the worry in their voices.

"Don't worry," he muttered, "I'll protect her as well."

"A few months passed. One night, when I happened to passed Father and Mother's room, I heard a strange conversation between them."

Shigeru carefully pressed his ear on the door.

"Are you certain?" he heard his father say.

"Y-Yes," his mother trembled, "I dreamed it very clearly. S-Someone who isn't afraid to shed blood will come, and destroy this town."

"Why would someone do that?" his father asked.

Shigeru strained his ear to make out his mother's voice.

"T-That person…wants…our child," she replied, "Because she's got the Positive Wing."

Shigeru's eyes widened when he heard this. He quietly walked away.

"I thought to myself, someone's willing to destroy a whole town in order to get a wing?"

As he walked away, Shigeru didn't hear one final sentence his mother uttered, "I also dreamed about our fates…"

"Our mother was a dream seer. She could see up-coming events in forms of dreams. After that conversation, I noticed our parents were teaching me the basics of life, like they preparing me for something."

One time, Shigeru peeked into his parents' room and saw his mother packing a small bag. She placed Amu's stuffed cat, some of Shigeru's and Amu's clothes and their family photo.

"Then the day that Mother foretold came…"

"Shigeru-san!"

Shigeru sat up with a jolt. He was in his bed. His father burst into his room.

"Quick! Get change!" he ordered.

Sensing his urgency, Shigeru stripped his PJs off and quickly threw on a shirt and some long sleeves. He hurried after his father. When he got downstairs, his mother draped a hood over his shoulders and pulled the hood over his head. She quickly clipped the bag on his back.

"Go outside now!" cried his father.

His mother hurried him outside with Amu in her arms. Shigeru gasped when he went outside. The sky was orange and red. Smoke billowed into the air. Screams filled the air. Flames licked the ground. And standing in the middle of it was a man.

"I haven't forgotten the feeling when he looked at me with those hard eyes all those years ago. It almost was like all the life in them was frozen."

Shigeru felt as if the coldness from those cold ice blue eyes was freezing his own body. The man's black hair could be seen through the flames. Blood was splattered on his face. Suddenly the man charged at them. Shigeru father leapt in front of them with a sword. Sparks flew.

"Go you two!" he ordered, "And don't look back!"

Shigeru's mother, with one hand on Shigeru's back and the other holding Amu, she ran along with Shigeru. Worried about his father, Shigeru turned around… and instantly regretted it.

"Hurry Shigeru-san!" urged his mother.

They were running through the forest. Black dogs were on their trails. (A/N: the dogs are really Akumas. Remember they can shape-shift? Refer to chapter 8) Tall skinny tree trucks towered over them. Shigeru could hear snarls from the dogs. The orange glow from the village dimly lit the dark forest.

"Get them!" echoed a man's voice.

Shigeru's mother quickly took him aside behind a sturdy tree.

"Shigeru-san," she panted quietly, "I want you to listen to me carefully."

Shigeru nodded. She gave him Amu and quickly got out a thick cloth. She bundled it up.

"I'm going to distract those dogs," she explained, "And when the moment comes, run for your life."

"But where will I go?" he protested.

"Keep running straight," she replied, "You'll come to another town, a kingdom in fact."

She then hugged him and gave Amu a kiss.

"Promise me," she whispered, "Promise me you'll protect and take care of Amu-chan."

Shigeru nodded. His mother then stood up with the bundle in her arms. She then ran out in open space. The dogs immediately spotted her and gave a chase. Shigeru peeked out from the tree truck. The man was following her as well. She ran behind a hill where she tripped. The dogs leapt onto her and the man followed, sword in hand.

"Mother…," Shigeru sniffed. He quickly ran.

Rain started to fell. He held Amu close to keep her warm and dry.

"That day, I learnt that escaping may also mean sacrificing."

Shigeru pumped his legs as hard as he could. His hood trailed behind him. Tears flow down his eyes.

Mother! Father! I won't let you two down! Never!

He kept running straight, further and further away from the orange glow of his village.

Finally the rain stopped. Shigeru slowly walked out of the trees of the forest. He trudged slowly to the edge of a cliff. His legs were numb from running. Shigeru stopped at the edge. His tattered, ripped hood slipped off. In front of him was the Kingdom of Light. Grey clouds have parted allowing rays of sunlight through and onto the sparkling palace. Shigeru's breath was taken away. The golden spires glowed inviting in the light.

"Mother, Father," he muttered, "I've arrived."

Amu cooed. Shigeru looked down at his sister and weakly smiled. He bent down and grabbed his hood then made his way down.

The doors of the palace opened allowing Shigeru to come in. He was led to the throne room. A girl with golden hair and emerald green eyes sat on the throne. She stared down at the tattered little boy.

"I'm Princess Mia," she said, "What can I do for you?"

"I come from a distant village," Shigeru explained, "We were attacked and I fled the village. I… I think I'm the only survivor."

Mia blinked and cocked her head. "I see…," she muttered, "What then?"

Shigeru stared at her. "Aren't you supposed to have black hair?" he asked.

Mia flinched and frowned. "No," she replied, "You mistaken me for someone else."

"Please Your Majesty!" pleaded Shigeru, "Please help me!"

There was no reply. Suddenly Amu gave a small cry.

Mia raised her eyebrows. "You have a baby," she observed.

"She's my sister," Shigeru said.

Mia closed her eyes. "Very well," she said, "You'll stay here until you're older and I'll have a maid to take care of your sister."

A plump maid stepped out.

"Thank you," bowed Shigeru, "Thank you."

"So Princess Mia enrolled me in a new school while the maid took care of you," finished Shigeru, "Soon when you were 1 year old and I was old enough to look after you and I, Mia gave us the house we now lived in."

Amu stared at her brother then she placed her hand on her brother's.

"That what you mean when you said that you owe Princess Mia before you left for your journey," she said.

Shigeru nodded.

Lulu came in with a tray, "Want some rose tea and natural cookies?" she asked.

"Thanks Lulu!" beamed Amu.

But she had a sad expression as she bit into the cookie.

"Hey Monster," called Shigeru.

She looked up.

"Your story may not have a happy beginning," he smiled, "But that doesn't make you the person who you are."

Amu chuckled. "Since when did you come up with life tips?" she laughed.

Shigeru shrugged.

"I wonder if it's the same for Ikuto…," whispered Amu.

Shigeru looked at her, "What do you mean?"

"Ikuto had a hard past too," Amu replied softly, "His mother died when he was young and everyone blamed him for her death. Then his father mysterious vanished."

"Talking about Tsukiyomi," Shigeru spoke, "When I first met him, I saw something… in his right eye."

Amu looked at him.

"Haven't you noticed how his right eye becomes pale when exposed to light?" he asked.

Amu slowly shook her head.

Lulu suddenly came in. "Amu," she called, "You have a visitor."

Amu got up.

"I'll see you when you've recovered," she smiled as she hugged her brother.

Shigeru smiled at his sister, "I'll be waiting to tease you then."

Amu laughed, "I'll be looking forward to it."

Tadase was waiting downstairs.

"What are you doing here?" Amu asked shocked.

Tadase panted. He was holding an umbrella. "I've been looking for you all over!" he panted.

"I'm sorry," apologised Amu.

Tadase held out his hand. "It's alright," he smiled, "Want to go back?"

Amu turned to Lulu.

Lulu smiled and mouthed; "I'll take care of him."

Amu gave her a nod then took Tadase's hand. After the two went outside, Lulu heard staggering footsteps going down the stairs. She turned and gasped to see Shigeru limping down.

Lulu quickly rushed to him. "Hinamori-san!" she cried, "What did I tell you?! Don't get up!"

Apart from his bandaged head, arms and chest, Shigeru's legs were bandaged as well.

"Who was it?" he softly asked. Lulu helped him back up.

"Hotori-kun," she answered, "He came to pick Amu up."

"Where is he taking her?" Shigeru continued to ask.

"The palace," Lulu replied, "Princess Mia has asked her friends to assist her with Hydrin's forces."

Shigeru fell silent. Lulu noticed his pale face.

"What's wrong?" she inquired, "Do you feel ill?"

Shigeru shook his head.

"Then what is it?"

"Princess Mia…," he muttered, "I'm just thinking that…"

He trailed off. Lulu stared at him as she opened the room's door.

"I was just thinking about the former ruler…"

Amu walked beside Tadase as he held the umbrella above both of them. The rain made a soft pounding sound as it fell onto the waterproof fabric of the umbrella.

"What were you doing at Lulu's?" Tadase suddenly asked.

Splash went a puddle as Amu stepped forward. She paused before replying. She didn't forget that she had lied to Tadase about not meeting Ikuto during the war, the person who told her that Shigeru was still alive.

"I was visiting Onii-chan," she spoke.

Tadase looked at her in shock.

"Hinamori Shigeru is alive?" he repeated.

Amu nodded, "He's weak but still heart beating and alive," she smiled.

Tadase looked back out. "How did you find out?" he questioned.

Amu hesitated. "I… I found out," she replied.

Tadase slowly nodded his head, "I see."

They walked in silence for a bit. Amu shifted uncomfortably. She didn't feel right lying to Tadase but if it's for the best…

"Amu-chan," called Tadase.

She looked up.

"If you don't want to tell me the truth," smiled Tadase, "It's alright."

Amu looked up at him.

She smiled, "Thank you for understanding," she said.

The sound of rain swallowed them up as them walked.

Kukoi tucked a stray lock behind Kaneko's ear. She was lying on her bed, her eyes closed. Fang was sitting on the windowsill watching raindrops race down the glass.

"Kaneko must be very tired," he squeaked, "She fell asleep as soon as she hit the bed."

Kukoi stared at Kaneko's sleeping face.

A cheeky smile appeared on Fang's face. "Why don't you give 'Sleeping Beauty' a kiss?" he smiled.

Kukoi gave Fang a sharp glare to shut him up. It worked.

Kukoi turned back to Kaneko. "Ever since that day," he muttered, "You've been feeling guilty for us."

Flashback

Kaneko was on her knees in her room, in the palace. She had her face buried in her hands. A young man crouched over her.

"Why?!" Kaneko sobbed, "Why must she ask us to that stupid war?!"

The man held her close, "It's alright Kaneko," he whispered, "It's alright."

Kaneko furiously shook her head, "It's not alright!" she cried, "They're gone, Kukoi! Rikka… Hikaru… they're gone."

"Kaneko!" growled Mia, "From now on, you're banished from this kingdom. If you even step a foot in the village, a severe punishment will befall you!"

A blinding light engulfed Kaneko and her followers. Kaneko opened her eyes and sat up. She gasped when she saw what lay in front of her, a large grey cat and a small jade green dragon.

"Kukoi? Fang?" she breathed.

They both sat up.

"No… no," she whispered, "Why… why did she have to get you two involved?"

Tears flowed down Kaneko's cheeks as she reached out to them.

End of flashback

"A royal bloodline is the only one able to break this spell," Kukoi whispered, "You've tried everything but never succeed."

Fang fluttered down. "Kaneko tried her best for us," he squeaked softly.

Kukoi nodded, "Yes. She does."

Amu walked in the empty hallways. Lunch had just finished and she decided to take a walk. She stopped at a pair of large doors. Amu pushed them opened and found herself in the palace's library. It was quite different to Hydrin's library. The library was neat and dust-free. Books had been sorted in a certain order in the shelves. The reading tables had been polished as well.

Exotic paintings also hung on the walls. Amu walked closer to examine them closer. There was a portrait of Princess Mia. She was wearing a ceremonial white dress. Other paintings depicted the kingdom from a few years ago and how it changed. Amu stared at the painting of Mia. The artist had painted her green eyes looking to the side. Amu followed her gaze. There was an empty space beside the portrait. Amu stared at the painted princess.

Just what are you staring at?

That was when she noticed something. A shelf stood nearby. Someone had tucked something behind the shelf. Amu crouched down and carefully pulled out the object. It was another painted portrait. It was of a beautiful young woman who had long silky jet-black hair. Her eyes were closed showing off long lashes. One of her hand was held out and a purple butterfly was resting on her index finger.

"Who is this?" Amu whispered.

She noticed that the woman's finger, the one that the butterfly was resting on, was extended was if she's pointing to something. Amu followed the direction to see only an old candle holder. She walked over to it.

"Why would she be pointing to this?" Amu wondered out loud.

She reached out and grabbed it. To her surprise, a bit of it shifted as she gently pulled back. Using both of her hands, Amu pulled the candle holder down. The wall beside it shook and slowly slid open. Amu stared with wide eyes.

A secret passage way...

She peered in. There was a wide path leading deeper into the palace. Amu took a deep breath.

Hydrin's castle was a lot darker than this.

She walked in.

Amu wasn't the only one in a library. Ikuto was in Hydrin's old library. He was examining a scroll. Ikuto was aware of the falling leaves, outside. Also the temperature had dropped. Ikuto's grip on the scroll tightened.

Winter is here.

He clasped his hand over his mouth. Ikuto could feel blood sweeping out of his mouth. Ikuto forced his attention back onto the scroll. It was an old map. His midnight blue eyes narrowed.

"His charting is extremely precise," he muttered.

Ikuto ran his slender finger along the pen drawn trail. It stopped at a picture of a town with a palace towering overhead. In calligraphy it read, 'Kingdom of Light'.

"That's the last place the Tsubasa flew to," Ikuto whispered, "Before they were separated."

The illustration of the book of Tsubasas flashed in his mind; a woman holding a sword, slicing the Tsubasa in half.

"'To prevent this from happening, the princess of the kingdom sealed the Tsubasas by separating them and turning them into two objects'," he recounted.

"Tsukiyomi."

Ikuto immediately closed the scroll.

Hydrin was at the library door. "It's time to go," he announced then walked away briskly.

Ikuto returned the scroll to the place he had found it.

Ikuto closed his eyes. "He's going to commence the final part of his plan," he sighed.

Amu kept her hand on the wall of the hallway. The hallway was dim. Suddenly she came to a door. Bright light was coming out from beneath the door. It was quite elegant, even for a door. It was made of white pine wood with golden handles. Butterflies had been delicately craved into the door. Amu quietly pushed it open.

She was in a spacious room. The room must be stationed somewhere at the edge of the palace for at the edge of the room, stone pillars held the room up and Amu could see outside between the pillars. She walked around. The room was mostly empty except for a deep pool of water in the middle of the room. Amu edged closer to the pool. At the bottom of the pool, a woman was lying in a glass coffin.

"Who is that?" Amu whispered.

Hello Hinamori Amu.

A voice echoed in her mind. Amu jumped and spun around. But no one was in sight.

"Who's there?!" she cried.

Hinamori-san, turn around and look down.

She did and found herself staring back down at the pool. The woman's eyes were closed and her long black hair was spread out.

"H-How do you know me?" Amu nervously asked.

I've been watching you from the very beginning.

"The very beginning?" Amu repeated, "You mean, when I was born?"

Yes, ever since you've obtained the Positive Wing.

Amu took a step back. Her hand was on her lock, "How did you…?"

I've said it before, I've been watching you.

"Has anyone seen Amu-chan?" Tadase asked.

Yaya was stuffing her face in her third helping of dessert. Kairi reached out and tapped her on the elbow. She looked up at him, with a puzzled looked.

"Hotori-kun was asking for Hinamori-san," Kairi told her.

Yaya mouthed, "Oh" then turned to Tadase, her mouth was smeared.

"Nope~!" she said happily.

Tadase turned to Kukai and Utau, who were having a challenge to see who could build the tallest tower with the most cards.

"Nope," Kukai replied then he turned to Utau, "You?"

She shook her head. "Not since lunch," she said.

Tadase turned desperately to Rima and Nagi.

"I just saw her walking in the hallways," Rima reported.

Nagi thought for a moment. "I think she went for a walk after lunch," Nagi said thoughtfully.

Masayoshi and Chie walked in. Tadase had asked them to look for Amu.

"Well?" Tadase asked.

Chie shook her head.

"We've checked the area," Masayoshi sighed.

Suddenly Mia swept in. "What's this?" she asked, "Hinamori Amu is missing?"

Tadase nodded. Out of nowhere, Redwing swooped in and landed on Mia's shoulder.

"Your Majesty," she chirped.

Mia cocked her head in Redwing's direction. Redwing whispered something in her ear.

"What?!" cried Mia and she quickly walked out of the room, leaving the friends puzzled.

"Wow," breathed Amu.

She was now sitting beside the pool. The mysterious woman had just told her all about her friends accurately.

"You're amazing!" laughed Amu.

Why thank you.

The woman's voice was modest. Amu liked the woman's voice. It sounded wise yet gentle and kind. It was also delicate. The woman's features were also stunning like a butterfly.

"How long have you been asleep?" Amu asked.

For a while…

"So you know what was been happening even though you're still here?" Amu continued to question.

Yes. Many events had displayed themselves this year, including two lives being lost.

Amu's shoulders dropped. "Ryuu and Kitsune," she whispered.

She hadn't forgotten them or their kindness they displayed to her.

As long as you remember them in your heart, they'll always be by your side, so said Yuki.

Amu had to smile, "Yuki's words are true, aren't them?"

Suddenly Amu realized something.

"I never got your name," she said.

A small smile appeared on the woman's sleeping face.

I'm not surprise you don't know me, Hinamori. I'm-

Suddenly the doors flew open.

"Hinamori Amu!" cried a sharp voice.

The woman's voice in Amu's head instantly vanished. Amu looked up and froze. A furious-looking Mia was walking towards her. Amu quickly stood up.

"What are you doing here?!" Mia snapped, "You didn't know, this place is forbidden!"

Amu bowed low. "I'm so sorry!" she apologised, "I had no idea! I just happened to stumble across this room!"

Mia's green eyes narrowed at her. "Well, now that you know, please forward out immediately," Mia ordered.

Amu obeyed. Before she walked out of the room, Mia gave a small glance that the pool then she closed the doors.

Amu sighed as she rolled over to her side, in her bed. Mia had briskly escorted her out of the secret chamber. Once they were out, Mia gave sharp orders not to go there again.

I wonder why Mia doesn't want anyone in the room. And why is it hidden? What's more, who was that lady?

Amu was positive that the woman she saw was the same woman in the painting. But Amu couldn't come up with a sensible reason for Mia's reaction when she discovered Amu in the room. It had raining outside so all was quiet. Amu rolled back onto her back again. She yearns to be back in her original bed. She remembered what the woman had said about being lots of events that had happened.

It was true; discovering the Tsubasas, meeting lots of new people, sleeping in different beds and experiencing lots of dark things. Now that she thought about it, Amu had changed a lot. She wasn't a girl who was quite innocent and naïve about life anymore. She now thought deeper into things, something she didn't do in the past. Amu turned her head so she faced the side of her bed.

I wonder what Ikuto is doing.

Ikuto stood inside the Ruins. Hydrin and he had scattered the archaeologists off the site. A nearby oil lamp flickered. Hydrin walked into the centre of the floor. He stood on the symbol shaped of two wings on the hard stone ground.

"Finally," he announced, "The place where my final part of my plan shall start."

He produced a small gem from his hood and bent down to fit it in a small opening between the wings. Ikuto watched in awe as the gem glowed causing the wing markings to glow as well. Hydrin stepped back as part of the floor opened. An enormous amount of energy glowed beneath them. Hydrin smirked.

"And for the final touch," he smiled.

Hydrin flicked a small black pebble into the large source of energy. As soon as the black pebble dissolved, the energy churned and changed colour, from white and yellow to black and purple. Hydrin laughed while Ikuto stood in the shadows.

"Yes!" he cackled, "That's it! Rise up! And destroy everything!"

To be continued…

Well that's that. So I'll try my best to update as soon as possible. PLEASE REVIEW!