A/N: Hello. New chapter for you. I've been doing lots of painful chapters this week. It's not going to get any better. This is the start of the drop hill journey towards the end. We get Akina this chapter. And Miki and Michael and being adorable and Haruto is determined to get everyone paired off. And Faker's doing a bit of parenting as well. More pictures are up on the OC account for you guys, including my favourite OC Neptune from the sequel. So, thank you, enjoy and review, ok? Enjoy.


"With all the common stories of otherworldly beings it's hard to believe there's nothing else out there," Michael said quietly. Miki nodded and sipped her tea, smiling slightly. "I mean, we've dealt with aliens, it's hard to believe we're the only people they've ever interacted with."

Miki smiled and nodded. "It makes sense."

"So, if there are aliens, why not other things?"

"Exactly," Miki murmured. "There have been stories of magic users through history. It's hard to believe it's all just people seeing what they want to see."

Michael nodded. He sipped his own tea and glanced at his older brothers and Miss Tomiko. Haruto had vanished but he was sure he'd turn up somewhere or Chris wouldn't look so relaxed. They'd been chatting quietly over teas for hours now. They'd had to order snacks and Michael was sure he could keep chatting with Miki for hours more. He was sure he'd heard Chris and Miss Tomiko mention she'd lost her memories due to something with her soul, but she seemed to have a good grasp on things.

She went to push her hair aside but paused and looked down at her hair before sighing and putting her hands around her drink again. She'd had hair down to her waist when they'd met at the tournament. He remembered thinking how pretty she was and how much she looked like her older sister. She'd been loud back then, trapped between her older siblings arguing and trying to calm them down. They'd bumped into each other in the duellist longue and said only a few words to each other but he was glad to meet her again.

"Back home, Father made me a fairy garden," Miki said quietly. "I used to see things."

"Like what?" Michael said, leaning forward slightly.

"Fairies, of course," Haruto said, appearing between them. Miki jumped slightly and Michael drew back, smiling slightly as Miki's cheeks turned pink. "Hi."

"Hi," they both said quietly.

Haruto smiled and pulled up a chair, sitting between them. "You two are getting along well."

"We are?" Michael said. "I guess."

"Good," he said, nodding slightly. He turned and looked at Michael, folding his arms and putting on a serious face. Michael smiled. He was so adorable. "Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Uh…"

"Haruto," Chris said, glancing over. Haruto smiled. "Behave."

"It was just a question," Haruto whined, pouting slightly. He turned to Michael. "Do you?"

"No," Michael said, tilting his head slightly. Why did Haruto want to know about that? "I've not really had time for romance."

"I see," he said, nodding thoughtfully. Chris sighed and shook his head. "And you don't anyone." Miki frowned and flushed red. "I know you don't. We need to figure out Thomas and Rio but Rio's kinda sad over Shark and Thomas is all sad over that. So I need to find you two someone special in the mean time."

"Oh, Haruto…" Michael said, laughing slightly. "I don't think I really need someone special…"

"I appreciate the gesture, Haruto," Miki murmured, lowering her head. "But I-"

"No buts!" Haruto huffed, shaking his head. "Everyone needs someone. No spares. You all need to have someone. You and Michael and Thomas and Rio and you're next Chris."

Chris frowned and Miki offered a small smile. "What about you, Haruto? Don't you have someone?"

Haruto frowned and fell silent for a moment. Michael frowned. What was wrong with him? He suddenly looked so sad. His eyes were filling with tears and his bottom lip was wobbling. Thomas sighed and came over slowly, crouching down and within seconds, Haruto was clinging onto him.

"I need Akina back," he cried.

"I know," Thomas said, stroking his hair. "I know, I'm sorry it's taking so long, but we'll find her, I promise. We've got Orbital looking and running programs. We'll find her."

"I'm sorry," Miki whispered as Haruto sniffled. "I didn't realise-"

"It's fine," Michael said quickly, shaking his head. "His friend is missing."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

Tomiko gasped suddenly, gripping her chest. Chris frowned and held her arm gently as Miki groaned and curled up in her chair. "Are you alright, Tomiko?"

"What's wrong?" Michael said softly.

Miki shook her head and Chris helped Tomiko sit down again. Even Haruto had stopped crying and was staring at them knowingly. There was something horribly wrong. Michael moved around and slowly took Miki's hand in his, squeezing gently.

"It's alright," he whispered. "Just try and breathe and squeeze my hand."

Miki nodded weakly and Michael smiled as her fingers closed around his. Whatever was happening, he'd help her through the pain. After all, Chris seemed to trust them all, and Miki seemed incredibly nice.


"Ryoga," Kaito murmured softly, stroking his hair. "What is it? What's happening?"

"Akina," Ryoga groaned. Kaito frowned and squeezed his arms around him gently. They'd yet to get around to talking seriously and after spending so much time exploring each other's bodies Kaito was sure he knew every single spot that could make Ryoga moan, they'd settled down, just lying in each other's arms in contented silence. His sudden pain had stunned Kaito, and Ryoga. "She's hurting." He closed his eyes tightly and gripped Kaito's arms. "She's in so much pain, Kaito."

Kaito sighed and held him close, kissing his forehead softly. His poor Ryoga. He'd almost forgotten about Ryoga giving his soul to the hunters. He'd nearly pushed it out of his mind completely. But now it was back. Ryoga had another side now. A darker side. Wrath was a part of him. He was a hunter even if he didn't hunt.

"It's alright," he murmured. "We're doing everything we can. We're going to find her."

"We have to hurry," Ryoga breathed, gripping his arm so tight it hurt. "Katio…"

"We will. We will, I promise, we'll find her."

"We have to, Kaito, this is my fault. If I'd just given in and done what they'd wanted-"

"Don't you dare talk like that," Kaito snapped. "It's not your fault. None of this is your fault. None of this."

Ryoga nodded weakly and closed his eyes, letting Kaito hold him gently. It wasn't. None of it was his fault. He didn't deserve the fate that had been handed to him. The abuse and the pain and tough times he'd struggled through. Kaito just wanted to hold him forever and make up for everything he'd been through.

"Can you hang on and I'll fetch you some pain killers?" Kaito said softly, prizing Ryoga's hands from his arm.

"No," Ryoga hissed, gripping his arm again. "Stay with me. Please. Just stay with me."

"I will, sweetheart," he whispered.

Ryoga's cheeks flushed and he lifted his head. Kaito stared down at him for a moment before realising why. "Sweetheart?"

"I'm sorry," he murmured, stroking Ryoga's cheek. "That was… I won't, uh-"

"No, it's fine," Ryoga murmured, leaning up and kissing his cheek softly. "Just… surprising."

Kaito smiled and closed his eyes, holding him close and trying to reassure him. Whatever was happening to Akina, Kaito could only hope it wasn't too serious. And that Ryoga wouldn't suffer much longer. They sat in silence, Kaito struggling to comfort Ryoga until the pain faded and he drifted off to sleep.

Once Kaito was sure Ryoga was sleeping, Kaito sighed and tucked him into bed. He looked so peaceful. After everything he'd been through, it was nice to finally have him sleeping calmly, as if he'd finally let go of all his troubles. But Kaito still saw the bruises. He still felt sick and the idea of Ryoga taking a beating like that while he was in the hospital. And Ryoga wouldn't tell him what had happened this time. At least he was safe here, with him. Kaito wouldn't let them take him away, he wouldn't let him go back anywhere near that man. He sighed and kissed his forehead. He wasn't going to let anyone hurt Ryoga like that again. He wished he could just tell Ami what was happening, let her know what they'd done to him and hope she could save him, but Ryoga would never forgive him for such a betrayal.

"I'm glad you've finally found someone who can get through to you, Kaito." He turned and found his father watching him from the doorway. Kaito smiled and brushed Ryoga's hair from his face, pulling the covers over him further. "You really are sweet on him."

"I've never felt like this about anyone," Kaito replied softly. "Not even Chris."

Faker smiled. "You were young when you were with Chris."

"I need to find Akina," he said, getting up from the bed. "The sooner the better."

"You know you can use any of the facilities here."

Kaito nodded. "Thank you."

"Would you like some help?"

Kaito smiled slightly and nodded, heading down with his father to the research labs. His father insisted he explain the situation with Akina and the hunters. And Kaito reluctantly gave in, explaining the entire situation. And his father nodded and listened as he went through the details. He took it rather well.

"If this Miki girl died, perhaps there was a report in the newspaper," Faker said finally. Kaito paused, his hand hovering over the keyboard. He hadn't thought of that. "If you're looking for her home, presumable the hunter's headquarters, perhaps there's a clue in the papers. Like Ryoga."

"Like… Ryoga?"

Faker frowned and glanced down at him. "The car crash?"

"What car crash?"

"Here." He brought up several articles and Kaito frowned. "You knew he was incredibly wealthy as a child, don't you?"

"I knew he was well off but…" He tilted his head, flicking through the reports and pictures of a horrible car crash. "I had no idea he had quite so much. And I never heard anything about this car crash. He could have died…"

"He did," Faker muttered, bringing up another article. "They lost him several times before he was stabilised. Rio too. They were all horribly injured. It's a miracle they're all recovered as well as they did."

"I didn't know about any of this."

He supposed Kaito shouldn't have been so surprised. They still hadn't spoken seriously and there were things that they needed to talk about. He didn't expect to know everything about Ryoga so soon but he'd expected something like this would have come out sooner rather than later.

"His father really did that to him?" Faker said, typing in a new screen. Kaito nodded weakly. "While he was in the hospital?"

"Yes," Kaito murmured. "When we were talking in the hospital, he told me he'd hit him when he was younger. He defended him. He swore it was just once and that Ami had been furious and threatened divorce and forced him to prove he'd changed and Ryoga swore to me he had changed and had never done it again."

"Obviously he lied."

Kaito nodded. "I think… I mean… it strikes me he's ashamed of it. He's kept it quiet for so long because he threatened to send him away if he said a word about it. He told Ryoga if he ever said anything, he'd send him away, put him into an orphanage and make sure he never saw Rio again. And he seems so ashamed of himself for letting it happen and keeping quiet and I think he thinks he's weak for it."

"It's often the case in abuse," Faker muttered. "You must know that. They often blame themselves. Even Thomas."

"Thomas?"

"I was talking to Chris and Byron. The entire time, whenever Tron tore into him, Thomas blamed himself. He thought he wasn't good enough and that was his own fault."

"I don't know how to make it better though," Kaito said softly, glaring down at his hands. "If he keeps quiet it won't ever get better. And if I tell people or force him to talk, he'll lose the trust I've tried so hard to gain."

"But he is talking," Faker replied gently. "He's told you. And Chris and Thomas and he's allowed you to tell me. He's shown them what's happened. You just have to be gentle and patient, Kaito. You won't get anywhere if you rush in."

Kaito nodded and turned his attention back to the research. His father was right. If they could find some articles on Miki's death, perhaps they could figure out where the hunter's base was and where Akina was being kept.


"I'm sorry to have to hurry off," Tomiko said softly. Chris smiled and nodded. The group was walking slowly down the river towards the family home. Tomiko had recovered rather quickly from her pain but Miki was still weak. "I want her to rest soon."

"I understand completely," Chris replied with a smile. "I'm sure having a soul transplanted isn't easy."

"No." She sighed and shook her head. "Miki was always more sensitive about what happens. We're all connected, you know? We feel each other through the network. The more powerful the more you feel. I can't imagine what Ryoga felt. You should have seen the pain he caused when Wrath was created. It was incredible."

"Really?"

"He's incredibly powerful."

"You know, apart from the whole nearly collapsing thing, this was almost a date," Miki laughed softly from behind them.

Tomiko glanced back and smiled as did Chris. The youngsters were adorable. Michael's cheeks flushed and she giggled slightly. "I hope you enjoyed yourself then."

"Definitely," she said, nodding slightly. Michael was holding her arm gently as they walked, letting her lean on him to save her strength. "I didn't scare you off with the sudden soul pains?"

"Of course not," he chuckled. "I've been there too."

"Keep me up to date on what's going on, ok?" Tomiko said softly, opening the gate and heading up the steps to the house. "Miki."

Miki smiled at Michael. "Bye then."

"Yeah, I'll try not to wait a few years before seeing you again."

"I hope so."

There was a moment of silence and Tomiko frowned watching Haruto huffed and fold his arms. "This is where you kiss her."

"What?" Michael laughed awkwardly, stepping back slightly. "Haruto, I don't think-"

"Kiss her," Haruto demanded, glaring up at them. "You're obviously going to be a couple, so kiss."

Chris sighed. "Haruto-"

"Here, Haruto," Miki murmured, catching the back of Michael's neck.

Tomiko giggled into her hand as Miki pressed an incredibly awkward, brief kiss to Michael's lips. Haruto grinned and both youngsters turned bright red, watching each other in stunned silence for a while.

"Bye," Miki whispered.

"Yeah, bye," Michael breathed.

Miki flashed a shy smile and hurried up the steps to where Tomiko was waiting, giving Michael a small wave before disappearing into the house. Haruto looked ridiculously proud of himself and Thomas was giving him quiet praise while Chris and Michael were trying to tell him love didn't work like that and success with Kaito and Ryoga didn't mean he got to decide everyone's love life.

Sighing softly, Tomiko smiled and went into the house after Miki, shutting the door quietly behind her. Miki was already upstairs and Tomiko smiled, hearing Nico already interrogating her about who Michael was and why she'd kissed him. Hibiki was leaning on the doorframe of the kitchen, smiling softly.

"You got my Miki a cute little boyfriend?"

"Hardly," Tomiko laughed, shaking her head. "Haruto just wants everyone to have someone and reckons Miki and Michael would make a good couple."

"You felt Akina?"

"How are we supposed to just sit here and ignore it?" Tomiko sighed, pouring out a drink and sitting at the table. Hibiki smiled weakly and sat with her. "She's just a kid. How can Pride do this to her?"

"You don't know what he's doing," Hibiki muttered.

"I get it, he's your father," she hissed. "But he's got Miki back, shouldn't he have stopped now? Or is he really too corrupt?"

"Stop it," she snapped.

"He's a monster, Hibiki!"

"He'll stop! Now he has Miki back he'll stop!"

Tomiko shook her head and sipped her drink. He wouldn't. The power he had was too much. He was never going to stop until he was forced. He'd make Akina suffer, he'd put Miki through hell, he'd use his own family and he wouldn't stop at anything now. Tomiko didn't even know what he was going to do but he wasn't going to stop them hunting.

"It'll be ok," Hibiki whispered. Tomiko sighed and Hibiki took off her hat slowly, setting it on the table and glaring at it. "I mean…what if it's not him?"

"You really think it's not Pride?"

"I hope it's not," Hibiki admitted quietly. "We've lost Mother, she's barely lucid for an hour a day, I don't want to lose Father too. I mean, Honour's out there too. What if it's him? Ryoga likes her. What if it's just him?"

"You really think so?"

"I don't know. Like I said, I hope." Tomiko scowled, getting up slowly. "Tomiko?"

"Honour, Pride, it's all the same," Tomiko snapped, striding out. "They're all monsters. Look at what we've got ourselves into."

"If you want Honour, go after him."

"I think Honour is Wrath's."

Hibiki caught her wrist and pulled Tomiko around, glaring up at her. "Then what do you expect us to do?"

Tomiko didn't know. She pulled her wrist from Hibiki's grip and went up the stairs slowly. She didn't know what they were expected to do. Akina was a child. She was a powerful hunter but she was a child. Of course she understood Hibiki didn't want to believe her father was a monster, no one would, but getting Miki back hadn't helped him, if anything it had made him worse.

The door to the attic was unlocked. Tomiko smiled. She was expected. Mother Grace was at the window again, watching the world. Tomiko knocked quietly on the doorframe and Mother Grace turned, gazing over with a soft smile.

"Miki's back, Mother," Tomiko murmured. "Aren't you pleased?"

"Very," Mother Grace replied. "But it doesn't stop me worrying."

"I worry too," she sighed, leaning against the doorframe. "Pride and Honour are dangerous, Mother." Grace nodded and closed her eyes. "Little Love is suffering. I can feel it. My poor girl."

"Do you know where she is?"

"I think she's somewhere at home."

Akina whimpered softly, curling up in the blanket she'd been given. Fury was pacing outside the door, she could see the shadow under the door going back and forth. She hid in the blankets as much as she could, rubbing a soothing gel over her chest. It was getting hard to breathe. Shark and IV needed to hurry up and save her before they came back to hurt her again.

The door opened again and Akina pulled the covers up over her head, closing her eyes tightly as Pride came in.

"Love sweetheart," Pride said softly. She opened her eyes a crack and Pride smiled, handing her a D-Pad. "Call your dear Wrath."

Akina took the D-Pad slowly and called up Shark. Only he didn't answer. Pride frowned and Akina whimpered softly until finally there was an answer and Haruto's face appeared.

"Akina! Are you ok? Akina, where are you?"

"Where's Shark?" Akina whimpered. "I need Shark."

"Ok, ok." He put down the D-Pad and there was movement. "Shark! Shark! Wake up! It's Akina, wake up!"

There was a groan and moments later Shark's face appeared on the screen. "Akina?"

"Shark," she cried.

"I'm here, Akina," he said softly. "I'm here. What's going on? What's wrong?"

"You're incredibly strong, Wrath," Pride said, taking the D-Pad from him.

"What did you do to Akina?" Shark snapped.

"You need to come to see me, Wrath," he replied. "I felt your power but we've yet to meet. Come and visit your home, Wrath. Let's talk properly."

"You hurt her again and I'll destroy you."

He laughed and cut off the call, leaving Akina staring up at him. Pride smiled and petted her head. "Don't worry, little Love. Wrath will be coming to see you soon."

He turned, striding away out the room and Akina wrapped the blankets tighter as the doors closed. Shark would find her soon. Shark and IV would come and save her soon. It wouldn't be long. Shark wouldn't let her get hurt.


In the Next Chapter:

Separation