Chapter 17. Sorry it took so long…

Torshiro pulled Momo to the side before they entered the under-sea castle. "Momo, there's something I've got to tell you."

Momo's facial expression became a bit more cheerful. "Yes Torshiro?" She mentally crossed her fingers in her head.

The pirate captain remained quiet for a while. "I just want to say that…" He looked into her warm brown eyes. How in the hell was he supposed to do this? He had felt like this ever since day 1. He didn't know how to explain it when he was littler but as the years passed realization hit him like a cannonball in the chest. The only thing was how he was supposed to tell her. Suddenly a man in a crown and pretty fancy ass clothing appeared in his head. Damn… the whole reason we're on this adventure is to save her prince. He saw her expression fall. He's been quiet for too long. He opened his mouth to say something but it immediately closed. What was he supposed to do? He knew that Momo should deserve a prince and not a pirate on the run, one who stole her birthday present from her father and defiantly not one who would tear her away from her life. "… If it gets to dangerous I want you to take the dogs and run."

The princess expression fell even more. She made a note that mentally crossing your fingers in your head doesn't work. "Oh…" She had wanted him to say something else. Something like 'I want to be great friends again,' or 'I want to see you after this again,' or 'I don't want you with the prince.' Or 'I love you.' She sighed. "Alright."

He nodded his head once. He could see it in her face that she was sad. That gave him hope. The only problem is that it was sad hope. Hope that she could love him back but sad hope knowing that if he truly loved her he would let her go and be free to continue her life. Without me. He turned and continued walking into the castle. Momo followed shortly after.

The dogs were already in the castle. When they noticed that the humans were behind they stood by and waited. In this moment the four had a small talk with each other.

Hyorinmaru looked at the three. "So… what's going to happen after all this is over?"

The cocker spaniel shook her head. "I don't know. I will probably stay with Momo. She's become a really good friend of mines."

Deòrsa only yawned. "Don't look at me. I just want to get back to Russia."

Anemone looked at him. "Of course. Because you just can't stand to be with us." And me.

The Mountain Dog looked at her. "That's not what I meant."

"But you implied it."

"…"

"Either way…" Hyorinmaru interrupted. "I'm going to stay on the ship. It's my home you know."

Anemone hopped once to reposition her legs. "So it seems we will all be separated again." She said softly.

Tobiume looked at her. "What are you going to do Anemone?"

The Caanan dog did a shrugging motion. "I guess go back to Atuona."

"Anemone…" Deòrsa started but was cut off when the human appeared.

"Sorry we held you up you guys." Momo silently apologized.

The Chesapeake Bay retriever nodded. "It's alright Momo. No one is blaming you two."

Torshiro walked in front of the dogs. "Come on. We don't have much time."

Unabara's throne room:

The six entered the throne room to see Unabara waiting for them near the Book of Peace. "Hello everyone." She greeted. Anemone slowly slipped behind Momo's legs. Deòrsa looked from her to Unabara, a small growl escaping his snout. "Now now… don't be so piss-y." She told Deòrsa. "Besides, all I want to do is help."

"Then give us the book of peace Unabara!" Torshiro yelled out.

"All in good time my dear pirate. There's something I've got to do first." Her eyes moved towards Anemone. Anemone flinched behind Momo's leg. Unabara lifted one hand and pointed towards the dog. Muttering some ancient language water sprouted from her fingers and started making its way towards the dog. Deòrsa immediately growled louder. He jumped in front of the water but it spit and went around him. He turned and saw the water grab anemone from behind Momo. Momo was freaking out as she saw Anemone struggling in the water's grasp. The water accumulated around the stub of her missing leg. It circled around like a slow cyclone; it even stretched down and curved in the middle. Unabara said a short word that sounded like a screech. The water started turning solid and started gaining color until suddenly Unabara closed her hand in a tight fist. The water broke off to reveal Anemone's new leg which was completely white. "There you are my dear Anemone." Unabara said as she placed her arm back at her side.

Anemone looked at her new leg. She placed it on the ground and tested it out. It was defiantly real. Deòrsa shook his head and walked over to her. He smelled her hind leg and snorted. The others looked at Anemone and then back at Unabara.

The sea witch shrugged. "Now, uh, about the trade." She waved her hand and the Book of Peace lift up from the column on which it sat and floated mid way between them.

Hyorinmaru stepped in front of everyone. "It has something to do with us, doesn't it?"

Unabara chuckled. "So smart. You see that's why you became leader. Now, you four; come here." She motioned with one of her fingers to come over.

The retriever stayed his ground. He raised his head and chest up high. There was no way in hell that he would allow her to take control of them again, and he was going to make it known. "You can't control us; you don't have your necklace."

"Ah, but you see that's the point. Anemone knows." Everyone's gaze moved to look at said dog. Unabara continued. "You see the whole point of finding Deòrsa and then Anemone was because I knew Deòrsa could figure out where she was. Once that was taken care off I knew that you all would come to retrieve the book thus bring the one being on Earth that knows the whereabouts of the necklace."

Tobiume moved forward to stand next to Hyorinmaru. "How would she know where it is?"

"Let Anemone answer that."

Anemone looked at each of her friends. She sighed, seeing that if she was ever to tell them the truth might as well say that now. "My first master thousands of years ago was Hera, queen of the gods. She was the creator of the necklace. She taught me how to track down the necklace…"

Unabara let out a sharp laugh. "So now Anemone, where is it?"

Momo looked at the Caanan dog. "Anemone, don't. There's no need to risk you guys' freedom for the book."

"But what about your prince?" Torshiro said almost immediately. Momo's face sobered.

Anemone looked away but shook her head. "I'm not going to risk a human life. A life is more important than freedom."

"Good girl." Unabara called. "Now, tell me where it is."

Deòrsa's gave never left Anemone. He looked at her as she slowly turned her head to look at Unabara. She then recited a riddle:

"Let one who seek try to find,

The wicked jewels of time,

Never needed but always wanted,

May it reside in plain sight."

"… What the hell is that suppose to mean?!" Unabara hollered.

Torshiro made a sharp laugh. "Ha! How do you like it now, trying to solve the riddle?"

Unabara pondered for a bit. A smile crawling on her face. "My dear Anemone you are quite spectacular. The first three lines are just to take up space, the last line however is plain as day." Anemone's head bowed slightly. "'May it reside in plain sight?' It's a necklace made for women and the only other woman in her is…"

Momo answered for her. "Me."

Suddenly water rushed up and pulled the necklace of Momo's neck. The jewels being hidden by her shirt. Unabara started at the necklace. "All along you have been with her." She took the necklace in her hands. "You silly thing." She glared at them. "Well I have what I want." The Book of Peace flew to Momo. She caught the book, almost nearly closing it. Unabara pulled the necklace up. "Now the dogs are mine."

Deòrsa turned his head and looked at the sea witch. Oh no, he is not going through this crap again. He pulled his head back and rock broke through the floor and blocked the rays of the necklace. "Run!" He yelled at the others as he turned.

The other 5 followed him but Anemone stopped dead in her tracks. "The necklace." She looked back and saw the rock crumble and break. Unabara still held the necklace up. Anemone turned suddenly and turned into a strong wind. She flew through the room and grabbed the necklace in her teeth. Unabara cursed and called upon a monster, the Kraken.

The Kraken formed from the water that was rushing in from the growing holes in the force field. It slid through the water and rushed down the hallway. Meanwhile Torshiro grabbed a hold of Momo's wrist. He pulled her along with her yelling all the way. Stuff like 'Torshiro, I'm going to drop the book,' and 'Torshiro! Let go!' He didn't quite care. Hell the world can be thrown in chaos for all he cares, as long as Momo was safe. Which, the more he thought about it, if the world was thrown into chaos there wouldn't be much of a safe place for Momo to be truly safe.

Momo on the other hand cared about the world in chaos. She tried to keep the book open but it was just impossible when her arms couldn't even hold the book thanks to Torshiro's unnecessary pulling. She knew that they have to get out before something bad happens but her other priority was the book. As future protector of the book she had to make sure there was a book to protect in the first place. Not to mention a prince to help protect the book with her. Her mind stopped. Mikoto. What if it was too late? What if his head's already in a basket? She shook her head. No. She cannot worry herself. She knew that Mikoto will keep strong until her return with the book. He has to.

The Kingdom, dungeon area:

Lisiana rocked gently back and forward with her head in her hands. Today is the day. She thought sadly. Today is the day Mikoto will die unless Momo or the book shows up. Today at sunset he is to lose his head. She could tell that the king did not want to kill the prince; he is like the son he never had, but with these allegations won't allow Mikoto to die for this robbery and kidnapping. She sighed and looked up at Mikoto who was currently just leaning on the wall next to the gate, ready for his death. "Mikoto, if anyone should die it should be me. Let me take the execution for you."

Mikoto looked at her with shock in his face. "No." He practically yelled. "I will not let you die for me. Your mother needs you."

Lisiana shook her head. "She may need me but your country needs you more. It's more important."

"Lisiana." He called as he got off the wall and walked towards his cell mate. "People die for their country every---"

"But you're not dying for your country!" She yelled. "You are dying because of some witch who stole the Book of Peace!" The people in the cells around them shushed her.

Mikoto kneeled in front of her. "Lisiana, sometimes things cannot be changed. And when they cannot be changed, one's best chance is to accept what is to happen."

Lisiana shook her head again, not only to disagree with him but to shake the tears off her eyes. "You don't understand! Momo's out on sea looking for the book and she could be dead and now you're going to die and…" She broke off as her tears slipped down her face.

The prince stood and sat beside her on the bench. "Don't cry Lisiana." He placed his left hand on her knee and his right arm around her shoulders.

"Why not?" She sobbed. "This whole thing's a disaster."

He pulled her close to him. "Not everything's a disaster Lisiana. For if none of this was to happen, I am certain I would have not been able to get to know you as well as I do now. I may have known your name but everything else would have been a mystery. I am glad I have had the chance to get to know someone like you." She looked at him, her eyes pleading to explain what she was like to him. "You are magnificent and beautiful woman. I know that once you get out of this place you will have no problem finding a man to love you."

She blinked her eyes and the last of her tears fell. His left hand reached up to wipe the tears' wet path off her face. "What if I meet someone in here in which I wish could love me back?"

Unabara's castle:

Anemone turned back into a dog when she reached the running Deòrsa. With the necklace in her teeth she pushed Deòrsa to stop.

"What?" He almost yelled at her.

"We need to stop this Kraken. The humans will never make it out alive and all will be doomed."

"Then what do you suggest we do?"

She looked at him and turned to face the oncoming water along with the Kraken. Wind came from her body and it started to form into a tornado in front of her. "I'll handle the water, you handle the Kraken."

Deòrsa suddenly smiled as he realized what she was planning. He jumped a few feet in front of her, reared and slammed his front paws into the ground. Rock jutted out from the floor and was heading towards the Kraken. Meanwhile the water was being pulled into the tornado rendering the Kraken. Rock hit the sea monster, said sea monster screeched out in pain as black blood dripped from its side.

Hyorinmaru then realized something. He stopped dead in his tracks causing the others too look back at him.

Tobiume called out to him. "Hyorinmaru! What are you doing?"

He ignored her question. "Just continue running! I've got to do something." He turned and ran in the direction of the Kraken.

"Hyorinmaru!" Tobiume yelled after him.

Momo stopped her from running after him. "Come on Tobiume! Come on!"

Tobiume reluctantly ran with Torshiro and Momo. Torshiro who still held on to Momo's writs pulled her out of the castle and towards the ship. He yelled out hoping that the crew would hear him. "Cast the ship off! Cast it off!"

"Torshiro! We can't leave! We're in a giant air bubble at the bottom of the ocean!"

"I'll worry about that later!"

Meanwhile back at the Kraken; Deòrsa and Anemone tried their best to hold off the monster. Unabara appeared from behind the Kraken. "My my Anemone. Is that any way to treat the woman who gave you back your leg? By tormenting her poor pet?" She waved her hand quickly and water rushed over and grasps Anemone in a watery grip. Deòrsa lost focus on the rocks and was thrown back into the wall by a rush of water. The tornado quickly dispersed and the water was rushing back to the Kraken. The Kraken started healing but then the water and the Kraken froze in ice. Unabara cursed and saw Hyorinmaru.

"Let Anemone go Unabara." Hyorinmaru told her.

"Ha! Why should I do what you say?"

Hyorinmaru said nothing as the ice started trailing towards her from his paws. Unabara moved back as the ice neared her. It stopped suddenly just 3 feet away. "If I remember correctly, the reason why we escaped so easily in the first place was because I froze you in solid ice while Anemone and Deòrsa handle the Kraken and the flood, just as what they did here while Tobiume started destroying your castle."

Unabara glared at him. "So what? You think you can get away again in the same manner? Think again Hyorinmaru. Think again."

The ice demon shrugged. "I never planned to freeze you in solid ice." The ice grabbed Unabara's ankles and started climbing up. Unabara yelled out as the ice slowly stopped at her shoulders. "Now, would you be so kind as to allow safe passage towards the surface?" Unabara open her mouth but Hyorinmaru interrupted her. "Oh wait, I change that thought. Teleport the ship to Momo's kingdom."

"Is that---"

"Let me finish. I also want you to leave the demons alone and to never bother us again."

"Are you done yet?" She said.

"… Yea. I believe I am. So what do you say? Your unfrozen ass for my requests or should I just continue what I started now?" The ice screeched to her neck.

Her teeth started clicking together as she glared at the dog.

Back at the ship Tobiume, Momo and Torshiro got in the ship. Kira ran up to them. "Is everyone alright?"

Torshiro answered. "Yes we are. We've got the book."

Kira didn't even look at the book, instead he looked at Momo. "Where are the other 3?"

Momo placed the book down on a table and looked sadly towards the castle. Tobiume ran up to the forecastle deck and went to the very front of the ship. She placed her front paws on the rails and looked out towards the castle. Time seemed to slow down as the three would never seem to come out. Tobiume whined softly. Then as all hope seemed lost the three other demons ran out. Tobiume let out a howl of happiness as she watched the others quickly come into the ship. The crew cheered loudly as the ship started moving away from the dock.

Torshiro petted Hyorinmaru immediately. "Don't do that again."

Hyorinmaru laughed. "I promise I won't." Tobiume ran and slammed into Hyorinmaru. "Hey Tobiume."

She smiled at him and then she bit him in the neck. He howled with pain but it resided as Tobiume placed her head around his neck. "I thought I was going to lose you…" She told him silently. He smiled and wrapped his head around her neck as well.

Momo awed and hugged Torshiro. Blushing madly the pirate captain hugged her back. During all this Deòrsa laid down with Anemone in a tight spot. He then told her, "I hate it when this happens."

The ship disappeared from the make shift lake.

The kingdom, town square:

Lisiana's hands held onto Mikoto's arm. She watched him as he stood up straight with no sign of expression on his face. She could tell she didn't look like him. She was slumped forward, leaning into his body for support. She wasn't going to die and yet she was weaker than he was. My face has got to be a mess as well. She thought. Her face has got to look much older than what she actually is, like maybe 40 or 60 years old. This stress— and not to mention all the crying – was getting to her.

From the crowd behind her mother Lissa broke through. "Lisiana!"

Lisiana turned upon hearing her name. "Mother!" She hugged her mother and she hugged back.

"My darling… my darling…" Lissa cried as mother and daughter slowly rocked.

Lisiana felt more tears run down her face. "Oh mother, Mikoto is going to die and I can't do anything to stop it!" Her mother shushed her softly. She could hear her mother say 'everything is going to be alright' but Lisiana couldn't believe that. The little time with Mikoto showed her so many things she was probably never going to know before. He opened her eyes to the many things around her and he was going to die. Her mother let go and slowly backed away, her head bowed. Lisiana stared at her mother, wondering why she was doing that. Arms wrapped around her waist.

"Lisiana." His voice called from behind her. "What did I say before?"

"'Don't cry Lisiana.'"

His arm lifted up and wiped away her tears. "And what are we not going to do?"

"…Cry." She felt him nod. "But Mikoto…"

"No buts." He turned her around to face him. "You've got to be strong. If not for yourself be strong for the ones who care about you." He took her hand and pulled her to her mother. He took her mother's hand and placed the tow hands together. Still looking at Lisiana he asked, "Can you do that for me?" Lisiana nodded and moved closer to her mother. She wiped at her eyes.

Mikoto smiled at her and turned away. He started making his way to the gallows that were waiting for him. His first foot hit the first step. And with that step came the sadness that he didn't want to feel before he dies. He was being strong not only for himself but for Lisiana. The girl who makes him feels different. Different from what Momo makes him feel. He always felt that Momo hadn't really loved him, and if she did it was only as a very close friend. His foot hit the floor of the gallows. He saw before him the basket of which his head would fall. In front of that the guillotine. No more need for an executioner wearing all black and having a sharp weapon in his hands oh no. The guillotine is the more 'humane' way to execute people. In his opinion he would rather just get poisoned, not only for the cleaner death but so no one would see the revolting death sentence. Mikoto let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He kneeled on the ground before the guillotine. He tried hard to not look at Lisiana but when he placed his head through the hole and the wood was pushed onto the back of his neck he looked at her at the corner of her eyes. She was – by the looks of it – doing breathing exercises to keep calm. He looked forward once more. He heard the latch click. This was it. His final moments. He closed his eyes.

"Wait! Stop!"

He recognized the voice. It wasn't Lisiana but it was… He opened his eyes. "Princess Momo!" He heard himself say.

Momo came running towards her father, book in hand. "Don't kill him! I've retrieved the book from the sea witch Unabara!" Tobiume padded slowly behind her. Momo panted heavily as she handed the book to her father. Her father placed the book to the side and hugged his daughter. Momo hugged him back immediately. Within moments Mikoto was released and Lisiana ran up the steps towards Mikoto. Momo watched as Lisiana pulled Mikoto to his feet. He told her something as she hugged him, a smile plastered on her face. He must have told her a joke. She smiled. She made her way up the steps. The moment she reached the floor the two broke apart. "Well well." She almost laughed out. "My best friend and my fiancé."

Lisiana took charge. "Momo, I am so sorr---"

Momo squealed interrupting her and she ran to give Lisiana a hug. "Congratulation Lisiana!"

"… Say what?" Both Lisiana and Mikoto said.

Momo backed out of her hug with her friend. "I said congratulations."

"So… you don't care?" Lisiana asked.

"No of course I don't."

Mikoto smiled. He understood what happened on her adventure. "Well I must say Momo. I thank you, and also I tell you to hurry. Don't want to miss another adventure."

Momo looked at him strangely. Tobiume on the other hand understood the secret message. She barked happily and charged towards the docks. "Tobiume!" Momo called out.

Mikoto placed a hand on Momo's shoulder. He then whispered in her ears. "Take my horse Momo. Oh and by the way, good luck." He backed away from her and placed his arm around Lisiana's waist. The girl still confused about what was happening. Momo on the other hand now understood. She jumped off from the gallows and ran towards his horse.

"Momo!" Her father called. "Where are you going?"

Momo, now on the horse looked at her father. "Ask Mikoto!" She kicked the horse and followed the path down to the docks.

Her father stood. "Momo!"

Mikoto walked up to the king and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Sire, let me tell you a story."

At the docks:

The pirate ship was now setting off the sea. Torshiro stood at the back of the ship his arms on the rail, the three demon dogs around his feet. Hyorinmaru was the only dog standing; he too was watching the retreating land mass. Torshiro's voice broke the silence. "Don't worry you two. I'll get you back to where you guys belong."

Deòrsa and Anemone looked at each other. "If it's alright with you Torshiro," Anemone started. "We'd like to have a good ol' adventure before we go back home."

"Yeah." Deòrsa chuckled. "Like an adventure in getting the Book of Peace and the necklace back isn't enough adventure for her."

Hyorinmaru looked at the two. "What did you guys do with the necklace any way?"

"We gave it to Momo and Tobiume." Anemone answered.

Torshiro sighed. "Let's just get out of here." He walked towards the steering wheel. He didn't place his hands on the wheel for the longest while. When he did place his hands on the wheel Kira came up to the upper deck.

"Captain, the crew wanted to know why we are leaving? Momo said she'd come back with the rewards."

"We're not going to accept it Kira. Just let it go."

"… Ok… but---"

"Just let it go."

"…" Kira shrugged and walked down the stairs to the main deck.

Hyorinmaru watched his master a bit longer and then once again looked out towards the island. He had finally earned Tobiume trust again and now here he was leaving her. He was glad though that Deòrsa and Anemone are once again together. He finally laid down on the wood. The sun started to set behind that island and so was Hyorinmaru's head.

"Why are you guys so down?" A voice asked them.

"You should cheer up." Another voice suggested.

The four looked at the stairs to see something they thought they would never see again. Momo and Tobiume. "Hey." They both greeted.

Torshiro and Hyorinmaru quickly ran to them. Tobiume rolled over on her back while Hyorinmaru licked her face. Momo and Torshiro wrapped their arms around each other. "I love you Torshiro." Torshiro was about to say something but Momo lifted up a bag of gold in front of his face. "I made sure I got your reward. One bag from every member of the crew."

Torshiro got the gold from her hands and he threw the bag on the floor. "Right now, I don't care about the gold." He placed one hand on her check and he pulled her face gently towards his. Their lips slowly pressed against each other, moving in sync with the other. The crew cheered and the demon dogs howled. The next adventure was just over the next wave.

Done! So what do you guys think? Please review.