Wow... I haven't even thought about this story in a long while... I hope I still have you readers! I really don't know what happened when I left this story. But I have returned and I really hope you will all continue to read! I'm really sorry!

-s2-

A grave was made in the middle of the camp. The freshly moved soil lay nicely on top Yuki's body with flowers and charms that were placed in front of it. The grave wasn't just for one person, but to all of those lost in this mass murder of the Laguz. Everyone gave their prayer to the Goddess for the souls lost and those yet to be returned. A lot of people had gone now, back to their tasks, and the only people left were Ranulf and Takashi.

The emerald coloured cat was on his knees in front of Yuki's grave. His hands ripped at the ground beneath him, getting dirt caught between his fingernails. "Yuki..." He sobbed. "It's... n-not fair!" Ranulf knelt down beside his crushed friend and rubbed his back in hope to comfort him. "She didn't... deserve to die...! No one did!" Tears streamed down his face and dripped down into the grass.

"I know..." Ranulf pulled the teenaged Laguz into a tight hug. "We're going to save them, Takashi."

After pushing Ranulf away, Takashi stood up. "What about Yuki!" he yelled. "We can't save her. She's gone!" He bit his lip; Ranulf was able to see how much the cat was trying not to cry. He didn't want to be depressed, he wanted to be angry. "Kinya will pay for this... I'll make sure he does!" His golden eyes stared at the grave. "His disgusting murders will end. He should be executed in the same way he executes us!"

"Takashi!" Ranulf got up and held Takashi by his arms. "Do not talk like this." He told him. Takashi tired to shove the blue haired cat away, but Ranulf just tightened his hold on him. "If we do that then we are no better than him. He will be punished for his crime, but it'll be done humanely."

"But... but he-" Takashi broke down into sobs and Ranulf wrapped his arms around him.

"It's alright to be upset, Takashi." He whispered. "And I know you're angry. We all are." He ran his fingers through his friend's green hair. "You are better than this though, Takashi..."

From a far, Ike watched as Ranulf tried to calm Takashi. He thought about going over there, but those two had been through Hell and back together and they needed this moment. As much as he wanted to comfort his lover, he couldn't right now.

"Ike." By the sound of his name, the warrior turned around to face Soren. "There's a problem..." In his hand he had a piece of parchment that he handed to Ike. Confusion and worry were plastered on Ike's face as he looked down to read what was on the paper.

Nice work coming in here and taking away my two sons and a few of those sub-humans. However, we managed to grab a few of your own as well. The body I sent you was a warning. Return what you stole and I will do the same. You have until sundown. If they are not by my doorstep by then, I will call the order for your men to be put to death.

Time is a precious thing... You shouldn't waste it.

Kinya

Looking up at the sky, Ike searched for the position of the sun. It was already past midday and that meant they didn't have much time. He looked at Soren and knitted his eyebrows together in concern. "What are we going to do now?" he questioned, sure that the mage was thinking about a plan ever since he read this letter.

"One small group..." Soren said instantly. His tone of voice was soft, as if he was still thinking and wasn't completely aware that he was speaking out loud. "No more than four..." He blinked and stared up at his friend, coming out of his little trance. "As for the trade he wants to make... I'm not sure yet."

"We can't give back the Ranulf and Takashi." Ike bit his lip. "Yet, I'm not very keen about giving up his two sons either." Crossing his arms, Ike let out a sigh. "Can we fool him in a way? Even just for a moment."

"I'm thinking..." Soren raised his hand to Ike and stared at the letter, reading it over a few times. "There's not enough time. With Naesala injured there is no way Tibarn will be able to carry the four people Kinya is asking for plus those to go with them to put the odds in our favor and turn the tables. By foot would take too long so that rules out sending Skrimir." With a huff Soren crossed his arms. "And if we send a bunch of bird type Laguz then we are making a big risk of sending all those people to their deaths."

A deeper voice came into the conversation. "Then let's just go there and take what is ours." The mage and warrior looked over to see Tibarn walking towards them. "Let's attack."

"I agree!" Skrimir came up from behind Tibarn. "Take our strongest and hit them head on!"

Ike turned his gaze down at his Branded friend. "What do you think?" Of course, Ike was not against this idea. The sooner this war was over, the sooner everyone will be safe and sound again. "Gather up who we can and lets fight this."

Soren's lips squeezed together in a tight line as he thought through it quickly. More came by. "If you are going to attack then bring us with you." Ranulf stepped up with a teary eyed Takashi. "Use us as decoys and then there will be an opening for you guys to strike."

"No." Ike grabbed on to Ranulf's arm. "We just got you two back, we can't just send you out there again, plus you're not even fully healed." He leaned in to whisper. The desperate look in Ike's deep blue eyes told Ranulf that his lover was frightened by this.

There was a hum coming from Soren. "Ike... That could be our only choice."

"What?"

"Think of it." Soren knew about Ike's feelings, but this seemed like it would be the only way out of this. "We have no other plan and with the little time we have thinking up another idea that would work will waste too much time. We have to act now."

Ike was about to go against this but he knew that they didn't have many choices to choose from. He bit his lip as he faced Ranulf and Takashi who both looked up for this. It took a moment but he finally gave in and nodded. "Alright..." He murmured. He looked at Soren for a moment. "Everyone go and pack up what you'll need and quickly. I'm going to go pack some poisons with these two; we'll be back here in a little while." Soren and the others agreed and ran off to get what would be needed.

The two Laguz followed Ike into his tent and once they were inside the warrior turned around and looked directly at Ranulf. "I want you in my sight at all times." He told the cat. Takashi knew where this was going and took a step outside to give the couple a moment alone. "I won't lose you again."

"Ike... I'll be fine. Leanne had got rid of that poison so after using a valnerary I'll be as good as new." Ranulf smiled, trying to get Ike to calm down a little, but it wasn't working.
"No," Ike said simply. "Kinya is surely going to want to track you down seeing that you just escaped death. The moment he gets his hands on you he can kill you and I'm not about to take that chance." Ike's hard blue eyes narrowed in a serious way that Ranulf has never seen before. Ike then took Ranulf's hand and placed it on his chest. "I have never been so scared, Ranulf. You are more stubborn than Mist and seeing you almost die in my arms twice in this past week has terrified me. They say that cats have many lives, but I'm worried that yours is about to run out. There have been way too many close calls. If you are going with us Ranulf, then you have to stay in my sight at all times."

Ranulf stared at the ground. His hand that was being pressed against Ike's chest could feel the other's heart racing. With a sigh Ranulf brought himself close to Ike and rested his head under Ike's chin. "I promise..." He gave up to Ike's request. "I will stay by your side." He told him with a smile.

Ike smiled slightly and kissed the top of Ranulf's head. "Good. Let's get ready then."

-s2-

I know, this is the shortest chapter in this whole story, but it was made pretty much to tell you all that I have returned to this story and will be ending it properly in the next few chapters. Hope you all enjoy the rest of this story!