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Chapter One
by jclover_88

Mai gazed behind her. Her dark purple hair flowed around her as she stared with a serious look at what was behind her. The moonlight shone through the windows and a surreal pure white glow shone around her lithe frame. With her left hand she held tight to her trusty sword that her grandmother had given to her. It too gleamed with the light of the moon.

Mai's burgundy dress with white trim and cuffs stood out a little from her body as if a wind had came and was holding it in mid-air. Her white talma covered her shoulders and became a kind of periwinkle at her mid upper arm.

Very solemn light green eyes were Mai's eyes. Somewhat disappointed, but successful all the same. After what seemed like forever Mai tore her eyes away from the scene behind her. Her eyes grew wide as she looked at her reflection. Two strips of her hair had gotten loose as usual and were hanging at her side. The moonlight seemed to surprise her with its intensity. {What now?}

Finally, the dark haired beauty let her sword hang by her side. Mai wouldn't look behind her again. It was all too much and she needed to keep her cold exterior for now. No weaknesses whatsoever. Moving forward a few steps Mai placed her hand on the window. It was smooth and cold. She ran her hand down it and sighed heavily. Lifting her sword, her head turned a quarter turn back and thinking better of it Mai stopped herself. She wouldn't look at it again. It was the first step to finishing her mission and if she stalled any longer she would be caught and there would be no having that.

Her green eyes sparkled from the moonlight and she held her long sword to her body with the handle at her waist. The leather of the base was starting to get worn and Mai could feel it against her fingers. For a moment she thought she heard footsteps and that drove her to finally leave. Again she raised her sword and with a swift movement broke the window. Mai gracefully jumped out and flew through the air with the sword held tight in her hands. The moonlight etched out her shape as she descended to the ground to make her escape and go on to step two.

Once her feet landed on the ground she sprang up and started to run through the courtyard. Mai maneuvered in and out of bushes, trees, and other various plants. She held her sword tightly to her side just in case she was taken off guard by a surprise attack. The archway was coming closer and Mai's speed increased. She practically threw herself through the stone archway. On the other side Mai turned around and peered up at the building. It stood in the shadows. A fitting place for what those people behind her were going to find in that room. Being through the archway brought some relief to Mai and she headed off in more of a jog. She knew that she had time, but wasn't so stupid as to wait for failure.

Soon enough she came to an orchard of cherry blossom trees and when she stopped placed her left hand on one of the tree's trunk. She sat down on the grass and rested her head back against the tree and watched as a soft breeze made some of the light pink petals float down in the air. Soon her light green eyes spied the moon again. {The only witness....} Mai bowed her head to the moon. It was the only thing that had seen what she had done and would hopefully be the only one to know she had done it. {Soon enough I'll know......Soon I'll know if it worked and step two can be approached.} Mai closed her eyes to ponder everything to be done.

Chapter Two
By psycotycmemurez (o.0 nikki 0.o)

Mai opened her sparkling green eyes as she sat underneath the cherry blossom tree, and let out a deep sigh. Her gaze once again snuck it's way up to peer at the glittering moonlight that sent dancing shadows throughout the silent orchard. The soft breeze blew by once again and it seemed to go right through her, as if it took all her emotions and tossed them out into a desolate world. Her legs began to ache slightly, she supposed it was the running she had done to get to the orchard. She tilted her head back again to rest it against the tree trunk, and she let her shoulders sag gently. Her sword was at her side, and she still gripped it. Mai wasn't sure if she should let it go and relax, or stay alert and remain tense. She opted for remaining alert, so she did.

A voice whispered in her mind that people back in the building were finding what she had done right then...A chill went up her spine. She half yearned for them to find it was her, so her concience would stop it's consistant yattering about what she had done being wrong. The other half of her, the logical half, told her that was lunatic talk, and perhaps it was. Yes, it is, she decided. She only hoped she could sleep at night for the rest of her life. She remembered the look on their faces...The sheer terror in their eyes. After they had thrown her into the wall and she had gotten back up of course. Because when they threw her, the look in their eyes was pure loathing, and inconsiderate negligence. Maybe if they hadn't been sleeping it wouldn't have been so easy for her to get out of her room, so it was their own fault they died. In a way. In a sick, twisted way... Mai decided.

Her thinking had caused her grip on her sword to lessen, and once she realized this, she immediately gripped it tightly once again. She knew in her heart that she had to get out of there, it was a live or die situation. Of course, she just happened to be the one to live. Was that so wrong? Only the strong survive here. That saying was what she lived day to day by, what made her get up every morning. She let her head fall forward, in a sort of grieving gesture. Am I grieving for the ones i murdered? She wondered. She shook her head and let the thought go unanswered.

With her free hand she reached back and rubbed her neck lightly. She looked longingly up at the moon once again, half wishing she were there instead of in this deserted orchard. Her eyes threatened to overflow with unwanted tears, a sudden feeling. She bit her bottom lip and forced the feeling down. Why do I feel like crying? Mai wondered, and yet again, it remained unanswered. She seemed full of unanswered questions lately, illogical problems and solutions that seemed to get her nowhere. She wondered momentarily where her family was. But nearly immediately the thought was brushed aside. They had sent her here to begin with, had refused to believe her when she told them the people in the building were trying to keep her here for good. She had to get out, and the more she thought about it, the farther she wanted to run. But she knew her legs would not carry her much more than a few yards. Was the cherry tree seven yards away a better place to be seated than under the one she was under now? She doubted it.

As she sat there, listening for shouts and barking dogs that would signal their search for her, she remembered all the long nights she didn't sleep in that building. Oh, yes she could have slept just fine, they had an indescribable way of tiring one out. Yet she had remained awake for most of the night, every night. Training herself in the shadows of her room, where the cameras couldn't see her. Oh she had learned to avoid the cameras very well, unlike most of the others there. They had given up after a week or two, but Mai had remained determined to escape since she had arrived there three years prior. No one questioned her, and she offered no answers. Everyone seemed to accept her as just another shadow, or another face. No other prisioner had attempted to befriend her. Perhaps it was the way she remained silent all day, speaking not a word to a soul there. Her only confidant being that little voice in her head. No it wasn't one of the voices that Psychologists talk about, where they tell you to do bad things. Quite the opposite really. This one told her it would all be okay, it would all work out. She just needed to wait for the right time. Well the right time had come, now all that's left...

is for everything to work out.

Then she heard it, the yowling of the dogs and the shouting of the men. She heard it echo throughout her mind, and in the vast expanse of the orchard. She jumped up and held her sword up beside her face, her elbow pulled back, the tip of the sword following the path of her eyesight. Her left hand was up in a blocking position in front of her chest. Then she decided it was too late to fight, there were too many of them. She could hear them. She looked up at the moon, which had called to her throughout the night. She pulled the sword down and held it pointing up at the sky, directly in the middle of her chest. And she concentrated. Slowly she could feel the moonlight entering her skin, and slipping into her viens then slowly gliding it's milky path throughout her body. Mai felt the light pierce her skin from the inside out, and she took a sharp breath as a burst of light sent her disappearing within the soft rays of moonlight in the orchard.

And when the search party reached the spot in the orchard where Mai was, there was no sign of her, so the party went onward. Only to find nothing as a trace of the girl who had murdered nine of the guards on duty.

Chapter 3
By JChess (~Jenny~)

Peering up at the slightly sun streaked blossoms, Mai felt the power leak out of her as the sun rose into the sky, and shadowed the small orchard. Taking her two hands behind her, she pulled herself closer to the tree, and nestled against the smooth bark. The bow that sat so nicely in her hair the night before was crumpled, and the hair it used to hold, free. Unknotting the fabric, Mai quickly tied her hair up, and thanked the heavens for the tree she sat in now. Resting her petite hand on the hilt of her sword, the sound of the morning bell ended Mai on the ground. That hurt… she thought, as her stiff leg refused to move. Bending the joint, her "prison" skirt raised, and she wished that she could dispose of it. Sighing, Mai started to move and throbbing pain in her legs started to go.

The sudden sound of grinding boots against gravel came from the once silent training yard, and their ruff voices cut through the morning air. Pulling her last piece of home out, Mai ran around the trees away from her prison, with her sword held tight at her side. The sound of the watcher behind her suddenly made the whole thing real, as her purple hair flew behind her with the sudden beat of her moving muscles. The wind blew against Mai's sweat streaked face, as she came to a drop off. Rolling down the hill, the followers face glanced over the edge at the barely visible girl. Shouting to his comrades, he started to run down the steep slope, only to have his feet collapse beneath him, and his face fall into the wet dew.

Reaching the bottom, Mai looked up to see the watcher try to roll down the hill, only to mess up, and have to try again. Running into the trees, the sun beat down onto her neck when she was not in the shadows. The sound of something behind her allowed Mai to think that he got down safely. How very sad… she thought to herself. Looking over her shoulder, her gaze landed on his dark gray eyes that reminded her so much of last night. Their silent screams echoed in her conscience, and the log ahead was unnoticed until she was lying on her stomach in the cool grass.

Crouching her head and rolling off to the left, Mai's eyes ravenously looked for her loyal sword. Seeing it on the other side of the log, she dived across the small enclosure between her and the watcher. Grabbing the sword and thrusting it into the solid object behind her, the man fell onto the ground grasping for his last breath of air. Slowly removing her sword from his chest, the blade gleamed with blood, and trickled down her arm onto her white sleeve cuff. Backing away from the blood that spilled onto the wet grass, Mai wiped her sword on a nearby plant, smearing the substance, but taking most of the blood off of the blade.

The small trees branches strained against the weight they held, but they stayed strong. Mai lifted herself a little bit off of the tree, looking down at the dead man laying not 15 feet in front of her. Wishing she could run, she knew she could not because she needed to finish it now. She needed revenge against the people that had kept her in the so-called school. She needed revenge against her parents who had shipped her here for no reason. She had one friend, and that friend is what she would use to get her revenge. She started to feel the edges of tears dwelling at her eyes, and saw the face of the man that she had killed. All the things that her parents had put her through replaced her thoughts, and the sound of footsteps destroyed her concentration. Mai's anger filled radiant green eyes stared at the base of the tree and awaited the next to thing to happen, because only the strong survive in this world of hatred.

The guards came to find their fellow friend, and comrade dead, lying on the cool grass with his blood seeping out from under him. They looked around the small area trying to find the small girl, but finding no trace of her but a blood stained plant. Doing one last look around, the prayed to the gods that that the man would be protected, and that his soul would fly to heavens. Looking for the last and final time, they left the area, the strongest carrying the young man, and the weakest looking out for trouble.

Mai sat perched in the tree staring out into the open sky, wishing she could be a part of a world where nothing went wrong. Spreading her arms, she felt the sudden urge to fall. Letting go of everything she had ever read and ever been told, Mai jumped out of the tree, and flew into the grave sun, blocking her eyes with her moonlight colored wings.

Chapter Four
by purplechaos04

Mai swore as she walked through a small town, flight temporarily abandoned. Temporarily safe from the threat of the guards, she began to reminisce on the journey that had brought her to the prestigious boarding school, a.k.a. prison, in Kyoto.

She had grown up in a scarcely populated region, close to a town much like the one she was wondering though. Her parents were the loose, freedom-loving type, and the other townsfolk didn’t always approve of their parenting methods. ‘No,’ Mai corrected herself, ‘they just didn’t approve of me.’ They had called her a rebel. They had said it wasn’t “right” to have her running around like that, being wild and causing trouble.

The townsfolk, especially The Elders, kept hounding her parents, pressuring them to control their daughter.

Once they gave in, their only child was devastated. Mai remembered back to that fateful day...


“Don’t you love me?” she shouted at her parents. “Why are you doing this to me?”

“We’re doing this because we love you! We want to be good parents, and raise you up right. Only, your powers-”

“-are too much for me to handle. That’s bull! My ability is no different or greater than either of yours.” The petite girl stomped her feet in fury.

Her mother looked crestfallen. “Mai, listen-”

“No! You listen to me! This isn’t about me being late for Morning Prayer, or talking during classes. This is about-”


She had thought that all of the talk about being “special” was just an excuse to get rid of her. Her ability to fly wasn’t any better than her best friend Namiko’s ability to breath underwater.

Her short-term banishment had nothing to do with flying, and everthing to do with Namiko. Just one incident had sent her inches away from being renounced by The Elders.

Mai bit her lip as she looked around her, at the stalls with merchants and potential costumers, parents scolding their children, and people running to and fro. “It’s a nice town,” she thought. She felt a sudden urge to stay, to make a home, and start a family there.

She kept walking.

A group of elderly women bustled by the girl, chattering in hurried excitement. “Did you hear?” said one woman. “They’re from Kyoto. Five or six, of them, Remi said. They’re looking for some murderer, she said.”

She froze, suddenly feeling conspicuous on the public street. ‘Are they talking about... about me?’ Abruptly changing her course, Mai discretly followed them.

“I heard it was at least a dozen officers,” butted in another gray-haired lady.

“The murderer killed about thirty people,” another said. “And the strange part is that it’s a girl that the officers are looking for. A young girl. She could be anywhere, though, I supposed.”

The teenager behind them almost snorted. ‘I can't believe my reputation is growing out of hand so fast.’

“Remi said that she’s a half-demon, too. She has some special power, like becoming invisible or flying,” said the first woman.

“I heard that she can kill people with just a glance.” The group continued to speculate on the latest rumours revolving around the young killer, but Mai didn’t hear them.

She had stopped in her tracks. The full meaning of their words had fully sunken in. ‘They’re after me.’

As panic set in, she began a furious race through the streets. After all, while she was too scared to admit it, she would rather die then return to the torture at the so-called “school.” Like her, most of the other “students” had first thought the same way. Then, assimilation began... and resulted in compliance. Mai was also uneasy about the unquestioning loyalty of her peers. Really, they were more like braindead sheep, or even a group of lemmings, than intelligent beings.

The sun was setting when she was safely out of the village and several miles away from it. Still, her terror of being found out was overwhelming, and she continued to run. Her legs were becoming numb, her feet were turnign into bricks, and the darkness was setting in. She wanted some shelter for the night, but the only light she could see was from the heavens. There were no houses or establishments in sight.

Mai was completely, utterly alone. She slowed down into a walk and tried to steady her breathing. The girl had gotten used to lonliness a long time ago, but now she was also worried. ‘What if... what if Namiko won’t help me?’ she thought. ‘I can’t do this by myself.’ She whispered the last thought to the careless breeze. “I can’t do this by myself.”

A few hours later, while the moon was watching, and with the same thought repeating itself in her mind, she came to an intimidating bluff. In the dim light, Mai saw lights. They were miles and miles away, but they were still visable. ‘That can only mean one thing...”

She was almost to Osaka. Once there, she would be able to see Namiko again, and begin the second phase of her plan.

At least, she hoped she would.


Author’s notes: Wow, this was hard for me to write. In the first place, I’m mostly a romance or drama writer. This story seems to be destined to be an action/adventure story though. Also, I make notes and outlines before I even start writing a story. I usually know what will happen at the end before I start the first chapter. Yes, I write like one’s supposed to write an essay: notes, outlines, and prewriting. But since I have little control over the future of this story, I was at a bit of a loss. What angle do I put on this? What’s coming next? I couldn’t answer those questions, which made me worry. But that’s okay, right? Maybe I should write like this more often, without consulting notes and data tables. So, that ends my long-winded ramblingness. Oh, and I also commented in the Round Robin sign-up journal that I almost made Mai into a lesbian. I didn’t, but I kinda kept it open so that she *could* be one, though. In case someone likes that idea and wants to work it into the story. But I won’t be offended if no one does. And by the way, I didn’t choose Mai’s best friend’s name at random, it means “Child of the wave.” ‘Cause she swims. I’d better stop now before my a/n turns longer than the chapter!

Chapter Five
by jclover_88

The warm sun warmed her face as it shined through her window. Namiko rolled over into the warmth. She heard murmuring outside her door. Her mother came in to drop something off hardly realizing her daughter was awake. Namiko's deep blue eyes got big with sadness. What could have happened?

Namiko got out of her bed giving herself a quick mirror check before she left her room. Her golden hair was in a mess. * Namiko sighed. "Doesn't matter. Whatever's going on, I'll doubt my mother will notice my lack of neatness."
Namiko stretched her small frame arching her back. The thin material of her nightgown left nothing to imagination. "Welp, I may get away with my hair, but not with that." Reaching for a button downed shirt, she rubbed her rear and found a nice royal purple one. Namiko put it on. She stared for a moment at herself in the mirror. Slowly, she ran her hand over the material of the shirt and an unusual look crawled over her features. Namiko tore her now darker blue eyes away from her reflection.

Her mother was chattering away with Osaka's biggest gossip. The woman was gesturing all over the place while describing whatever had happened now. Namiko went over to stand behind her mother.

"No parents will send their children to the school anymore. It's reputation is tattered forever. Can you believe that insubordinate child? I can't believe she did such a thing." The woman then pulled out a picture giving it to Namiko's mother. Namiko peered at it on her toes over her mother's shoulder. She grabbed her shirt at her heart and tried to stifle her gasp.

Quickly she ran to the confines of her room. No, it couldn't have been. The beauty refused to believe she had seen what she thought she had. The picture was a very shadowed one and the woman said it was taken by one of the men killed. It was all over the papers and that was where she had gotten it from. The moon was shining in from a window in the picture and it revealed a girl about Namiko's age with long dark purple hair clutching her sword. Namiko didn't have to look twice, but still pushed it from her mind.

Suddenly, the youth stood up and tore the shirt off her. It reminds me of her... Namiko heard her mother trying to hurry the woman out. Obviously, she noticed that Namiko had seen the picture. I'll be gone before that.

The golden-haired girl took off her night shirt and yelled through the door to her mother, "I'm going to take a walk mother!" She pulled on a skirt and an aqua colored silk shirt. Namiko slightly noticed that she had skipped the brassiere part, along with another article of clothing, she boosted herself out of the window as her mother yelled to her something of the nature to stay.

Namiko ran. She ran to the horizon. The sun was coming up and the sky was bleeding with maroons and golds. Something was building up in Namiko's chest and she wanted it to go away. The breeze created by her running swirled around her consuming her all over. Up ahead was the lake. Sanctuary...

She dove in and kept going done further. Why should she struggle? Afterall, she could breathe underwater. It was her...why did she do it? Namiko floated over to a rock formation and sat down. Her skirt was drifting around her as she thought. Secret feelings pounded under Namiko's skin and her usual bright blue eyes got dark like a midnight blue. They started to glow around the iris and the water started to swirl around her when Namiko clasped her hands over her eyes. No, I must control myself. As I always have.

The streak of gold swam up the calming currents of the lake and finally her head popped out above the top of surface. Her golden hair stuck to her face and was somewhat slicked back. Namiko swam towards the shore, the opposite side of which she had dove in on. Using her arms she lifted herself out of the water and the material of her shirt clung to her. She said a thank you as she was happy she had not wore white. Either way there didn't seem to be much of a difference. Namiko perched herself on the shore and sat down with her feet still in the lake. Her skirt was soaked as well.

Suddenly like a shot through her chest, a rustling noise resounding from behind her. I won't turn around. Her eyes betrayed her and Namiko did turn around. Mai stood before her huffing. She obviously had been running. The emerald eyed individual clutched onto the handle of her sword. Just like in the picture... Abruptly, Mai's eyes lightened up and a smile graced her features. For once in what seemed a very long time she let go of her sword.

"Namiko...it's so good to see you!" Mai started to walk towards her, but Namiko stood up and her eyes spoke for her. She was a bit taller then Mai, but just enough to make Mai feel intimidated. "Namiko what's wrong? What's happened?"

Namiko clenched her fists on her sides. "I know what you did."

Mai to Namiko's surprise smiled. "That's wonderful. Then you understand why I did it? You will help me?"

Namiko's expression didn't change. She said nothing. Mai was going into a fit of desperation. She struggled for words. Approaching Namiko she placed her hands on her friends arms and grabbed them softly. "Namiko...it's Mai. We are best friends. How can you not understand. I know I can trust you. Please help me finish this."

Misty blue eyes burned into scared green and Namiko pinned her friend to the ground. "No Mai! I won't help you!" Namiko shook Mai against the hard dirty ground with her hands now grasped on the others upper arms. Her blonde hair fell in between them, the ends falling on Mai's heaving chest. "Never Mai, I hate you! You lost my trust ages ago! Don't ever let me see you again!" Namiko raised her hand and slapped Mai across the face making her face get shoved into the dirt.

Namiko got up and dove back into the water. Mai lay there on the ground in pure and utter shock. She caught a glimpse of Namiko climbing out the other side and made a note that she had forgotten to put something on giving her quite a peek. Mai pried her eyes away her heart in her throat and her mind on stand by. Will she tell everyone that I've come here?

Mai was scared, shocked, and emotionly in shambles. However, she did still have her own life to worry about. Her body wouldn't get up. The events that had occurred in the last few seconds wouldn't allow her too. The bitter weaknesses of Mai rised to her surface and tears escaped out of her eyes making mud as they ran down her face. Unconsiously, she held a hand to her mouth still feeling the sensation of the slap.

"Come on you have to get up," came a soft whisper from above Mai. Her sanctuary. She reached up until her hand was blurred in her vision from the sun. Mai could feel herself becoming weightless and her clothes changing to that of a long thin maroon dress that angled at her right thigh. The poor shattered girl clutched to an orb of light crying into it. Where would she go from there?

Note: Not blonde, gold kk? kk. Like a rich gold color not blonde.^_^.

A shadow moved slowly as it came from behind the bushes. He was curious now, as to why the young girl had suddenly seemed to evaporate into the sunlight. He had followed Namiko into the woods when he seen her run from her house, he had meant to ask her if they were still going to be swimming that afternoon. He had only gotten there in time to see her throw the disappearing girl onto the dusty ground. Upon realizing they were fighting he decided to just wait a while, until the two girls calmed down. Why had they fought so?

_____He crouched down hesitantly, brushing the dirt with his hand to see if anything was left behind. Not a trace. He looked around slowly, as his scattered thoughts began to piece together. He could trace her... He shook his head as if to remove the thought, but failed. He could, it was simple enough. But it might not work. His tracing gift had never been used on someone who had just diappeared like that. He had never met anyone who could do that.

_____Finding no immediate harm in tracing her, he sat down, pulling his legs to him sitting in an indian style manner. He shut his eyes and let his thoughts clear for a long moment. When he had been free of thought for a while, he looked deep down inside his mind, which felt more like his chest, and searched for that well he found inside himself. The insant he found it, a bright neon strip flashed itself a way across his closed eyes. Once he focused on the light strip, he forced himself to remember the name Namiko had called the young girl, and to remember exactly how she looked. The same millisecond that he realized the young girl was named Mai, the light shot off, only to return less than a heartbeat later. It carried something like a picture this time, although it was more of a rough, sketchy outline. He focused on the picture now, and a full heartbeat and a half later, Malaki stood behind Mai. Not the picture, the girl.

_____She didn't know he was there, and he didn't know where he was either. She obviously was continuing on her way through her path, and he was now intent on following her. He ran up to her and grabbed her arm. Immediately a sword was at his neck and he was afraid to breathe, for the movement in his neck might get it sliced.

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_____Her blade was at his neck before he knew she had moved, and she immediately saw that fear in his eyes. Such an innocent fear, not like the others.
"Who are you?" She spat, narrowing her green eyes at him in a menacing manner. She then realized he wouldn't speak with a blade at his neck and she moved it slightly. Not fully off of him, but enough so that he could breathe and speak freely.
"My name is Malaki."
"Why did you approach me?"
"Well, I, I followed you."
"How?!"
"I can trace a person." He said gently, so no one around them could hear him. Of course the complete count of living beings around them amounted to around 5. She narrowed her eyes again.
"Why?"
"Well, I saw Namiko and you fight... Then you disappeared. Frankly, I was curious."
"You don't know who I am?"

_____He shook his head lightly and studied her. She felt his gaze deepen and she diverted her own. He wasn't just studying her, he was admiring her.
"Take me with you. Wherever you're going." He said softly.
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"I.. I just can't."
"Please?" She looked at him now. His eyes seemed to fascinate her, they were a gentle gold color, not like any other eyes she had ever seen in her life. She took his arm and pulled him into a small alleyway. They crouched down in one of the corners, hidden by shadows.
"You sure you want to go with me?"
"Yes."
"Prove it."
"How?" She thought for a long moment on this.

_____Then she pulled her dagger from it's holder on her thigh. She sliced a spot on her forearm, and held out the dagger to him. He looked at her, took the dagger, and mimmicked her actions. She pressed her sliced skin against his and let the blood smear together.
"Now you have to help me." She said, slightly smirking at the thought that the extremely attractive man in front of her was forced to be by her side. She slid the dagger back into it's hiding spot and looked up at him.

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_____The instant her eyes met his he stood up from their crouched position and pinned her to the wall. He pressed his lips to hers for a long moment, taking great joy in the fact that she didn't fight him off. When his lips left hers, his nerve left him and he was filled with slight embarrassment.






Authors Note: Hey hey! Wow haha good luck to the next person who has to write this! *Sticks out tongue* Bwehehehe! I'm an evil one aren't I? Yes, yes I know. But Michelle made it hard for me! Taking Namiko and forcing her to act that way. Poo.. So yes. Good luck! Bwahaha.

Geez, Nikki, what a spot to put me in.....man..

Chapter Seven
by jclover_88

Mai looked at Malaki for a moment and then at her forearm. {Why did I...?} Mai didn't feel good. Her head felt dizzy and she had to brace herself on a nearby wall just to stand. Again her gaze shifted to the newcomer, but he was just a blur. The only thing she could distinctly see was his golden eyes piercing through her clouded mind. {He couldn't be...}

With one last chance to hold onto her consciousness, Mai thought of her home...and then passed out. As Malaki leaned down to do one thing or another Mai disappeared with a bright light and a sharp pain coursed through Malaki's forearm...where the cut was. He began to try and trace her, but he was unsuccessful. {What went wrong?}

Mai woke up on the shore of the lake where Namiko and her had just been. In a flustered whisper, she asked, "How did I get here?" Brushing her purple hair out of her face like a child, she rolled onto her side to get up. The cut on her forearm had healed. {I don't understand. What happened?} Suddenly, Mai's skilled hearing caught a slight sound of rushed running coming from town towards her present position. Instinctly, she grabbed for her sword. "No...." Mai's sword was gone. The only thing that she had always trusted and depended on was gone. The green-eyed individual's senses came to her and she realized that Malaki must have taken it from her when he had kissed her. Disgusted, she went over to the lake and tried to cleanse her palatte.

The sound of hurried footsteps got louder and as Mai was pushing herself off the ground to run a hand reached out to stop her. Reluctantly since she didn't have her sword, Mai turned around. Her heart dropped as she saw the familiar face of Namiko. The image imprinted in her mind was that of hate, but now the golden-haired girl had a relieved look on her face. Even her blue eyes held different emotions. "Come on Mai. They are coming. We have to hide."

Mai shook her head and tried to pull away. She had had enough of deception for one day. Namiko rolled her eyes and whispered, "Don't be stubborn." Before Mai knew it she was being pulled into the water of the lake.

{Why am I so weak?} Even without her sword, not a preferable situation, Mai still could have defended herself, but Namiko had pulled her in without much effort. What had Malaki done to her?

Mai was shaken out of her reverie when her dire need for air hit her. As Namiko could breathe underwater it was no problem for her, but Mai was a whole other story. Mai yanked softly on her kidnapper's arm and Mai looked at her.

{I forgot...} Namiko tossed her head back and forth, her golden lockes swishing in the water. There didn't seem to be any place where there was an air pocket, so Namiko sighed. {I pray she doesn't take this the wrong way.} By now they had hit bottom and Mai was having a great difficulty breathing. Namiko cradled her head in her arms, the water helping her in her task. Mai closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on holding her breathe.

{What do I have to do to breathe?} Suddenly, she felt something soft, even underwater, press up against her lips. {What is this?}

It seemed the only way to keep Mai breathing for the moment was to us her own gift to keep her alive. Namiko softly nipped on Mai's bottom lip. {Open damn it, if you want to live...}

Mai lifted her hands sluggishly through the water to push Namiko away, but as she was about to she realized what Namiko was doing. {Her gift...} Mai opened her mouth and instead of water rushing in, oxygen did. Her forearm tingled a little. {Malaki...once I get out of here...you die like the rest of those cretins at that school.}

Suddenly, Namiko pulled away and Mai was wise enough to hold her renewed breath. The blue-eyed girl must have realized something because she was now hurriedly swimming somewhere practically dragging Mai along the bottom of the lake. Finally they came to a rock formation and Namiko ducked under. Mai imitated her and it became apparent since Mai was breathing freely Namiko had found an air pocket underwater. Above their heads was the top of the inside of the structure.

Mai dog paddled lazily. {What's going on???} "Namiko, what happened?"

Namiko was inches away from Mai's face since the enclosure was so small. "I'm sorry Mai. I just didn't make it in time."

Mai shook her head making her hair make splashes. "What are you talking about?! Before you slapped me and said you hated me!"

Namiko lifted a hand and covered Mai's mouth. "We may be underwater but you must be quiet Mai. They are probably above by now." Mai's green orbs bounced around and demanded answers to this insanity. Namiko sighed and lifted her finger to her lips and Mai nodded in understandment. Namiko recoiled her hand. "Look, that girl from earlier wasn't me. I know she looked like me, but she wasn't really me. My parents they wanted to send me to that school your parents sent you to as well. I was outraged to say the least, but I made a pact with them. At least I thought they had agreed. I told them I would stop using my powers and they told me okay, but they lied. The next day men took me in my sleep and I was furious so I drowned them all, so the word would never get back to my parents I hadn't been 'delivered' to the school. I went back and that's when I saw HER. That girl you saw earlier, she's just a copy of me. A copy so that no one in the village would think my parents had sent me away. In others words to make them look good you know?" Namiko sighed and brushed some of her now wet hair out of her face. "Anyway, I figured if I came walking in my cover would be blown so I took refuge in the lake. That girl almost caught me in here once too. I had just heard of what you did and was coming to the lake to see you when I saw her with you. I'm so sorry Mai....if I had been there she wouldn't had....." Namiko grew quiet and a tear rolled down her cheek. "I'm sorry I couldn't have spared you that experience."

Mai wanted to hug her, but they were in water and another question burned her throat waiting to be asked. "Namiko do you know anything about a boy named Malaki?"

Namiko didn't seem a bit startled. "I was getting to that. When the fake me went back to town I was about to come out of the lake to explain everything to you, but you disappeared before I could and then Malaki traced you. He's trouble Mai. He hangs out with that fake. He's much higher up then the school. Much worse. Your sword is legendary. He was sent to get it, but I fear that something else happened when you two were gone." Namiko reached out to touch Mai's submerged forearm. She gulped. "You merged with him, right?"

Namiko looked like she was going to cry. Mai bit her lip. "Yeah, in a way. He can't trace me now though. I realized that."

Namiko sighed. "Well, he obviously took your sword and by sharing blood with him like you said he can no longer trace you but it also made you weak." Namiko smiled. "However, I healed it."

Mai looked surprised and then looked down at her arm. "I forgot. Water has some healing properties right?"

Namiko nodded. "They may be gone, but it would be wise to wait here for now. The fake will not find us. The beings in here shall barracade us from her senses."

Mai looked at her friend. "Namiko, is it really you?" Her heart had been so bruised from what had happened earlier, Mai didn't think she could take any more disappointment.

Namiko nodded and with one arm hugged her friend. Mai whispered, "You'll help me then?" Namiko nodded again and Mai clung to her. She remembered what a good swimmer Namiko was and how she could hold her weight.

"I won't leave you Mai. I won't mess up again." Namiko breathed in the scent of Mai's soaked hair and whispered, "I promise."



Yeah, I had to alright? I did it for Lisa .^_^. Hope she reads this.

.[[. + MALAKI'S POV + .]].

_____She started to sway and Malaki leaned down to grab her waist and help her stand up, but before he had the chance to move quickly enough, she was gone.

_____Malaki was left in the small alleyway, searching for Mai. Her sword rested at his feet in the dirt, and he frantically spun around in search of his new friend. She's obviously gone, he realized by the time he had finished his rotation in the alley. The taste of her lips still lingered on his own, and his tongue gently licked his lips. He smiled gently, but then began his search for her. How odd, that the moment they were bonded, she disappeared. How was he to help her if he didn't know where she was? He should be able to trace her much easier this time though, since they were bonded.

_____He shut his eyes and he saw where she was from her own eyes, but before he could act upon following her, there was a loud crash behind him. He spun around, and in doing so he grabbed Mai's sword and held it in his own hand. A man stood before him, tall and extremely large. A mere six feet away the man gave off a deadly impression, but the sword in Malaki's hand gave him a sense of ease. The man stared at him for a long moment, much too long.

"What are you doing young man?" he said, his voice rumbling through the alley.
"I, well... See..." Malaki fumbled, but the man gave him no time.
"Remove yourself from behind my tavern immediately!"

_____Malaki jumped and nodded, with that, he took off running, ducking past the annoyed tavern owner. He ran for a long time, his legs burning and his lungs aching for a chance to breathe oxygen freely. All he could think about was Mai, and where she went. He couldn't try to follow her at the moment, it would have to wait a little while. After a while he reached the woods, where he collapsed quite unwillingly. His body heaved in desperate need of air, and his legs screamed in agony, nearly threatening to remove themselves from his being. His face lay in the dirt, his nose breathing in a few grains of soil, then coughing them up. He pushed himself up with his arms, and got no farther than propping up his exhausted torso with his now dirty elbows. His head hurt from lack of oxygen, and his vision swam slightly.

"Mai." he whispered, and his eyes darted around, as if expecting to see her. Of course he didn't expect to, but he did expect to see another person around. But no one was there, which gave him a very good chance at following her now. After a long moment of telling his arms to push harder, they finally did. He found himself in a sitting position, a painful sitting position at that. He shut his eyes and let his finger grace the bloody scar on his forearm. After a long moment, he saw where she was again. He had no idea where she could be, she was surrounded by water, and holding on to Namiko, but why? Hadn't Namiko betrayed her? His heart tore, wondering if Mai had really betrayed him. He shook his head, as if to repel the thought, and concentrated on following Mai.

_____A few seconds later that familiar neon strip flashed a bright green path in front of his closed eyes. He felt himself being yanked in the direction, and he caught his breath. He opened his eyes, only to find the salt water stinging them terribly. His eyes shut instantly and he went to yell out in pain but his mouth only filled with water. Naturally, he swallowed and regretted it instantly, as the action caused water to enter his nose as well. His nose burned, his eyes were on fire, and he was swallowing salt water and not gaining any oxygen. How unfair.

.[[. + MAI'S POV + .]].

_____When Mai released the "real" Namiko, her eyes set on a drowning Malaki. Her heart skipped a beat and although Namiko had told her he was only trouble, her insides told her to save him. But there was no room in the small air pocket, nevermind enough oxygen for the three of them. She looked at Namiko, with obvious emergency in her eyes. Namiko spun around and took in the sight of the helpless Malaki as well. Namiko faced Mai and shook her head no, Mai bit her lip.

"We have to save him Namiko. I don't think he's as bad as you seem to think."

_____And with that Mai took a deep breath and threw herself out of the air pocket, grabbing Malaki's wrist and dragging him up to the surface of the water, praying no one was around any longer. Namiko grabbed Mai's ankle, temporarily haulting the passage to the surface, and dragging her back to the air pocket. Mai found herself and Malaki in the pocket, with Namiko breathing freely just outside of it.

.[[. + NAMIKO'S POV + .]].

_____She couldn't possibly understand why Mai had to save Malaki, he was only trouble. But Namiko could not act against her friend's wishes, so when Mai tried to pull Malaki to the surface (possibly to the damnation of the three of them) she stopped her and helped her bring him into the air pocket.

.[[. + MALAKI'S POV + .]].

_____His body was nearly limp in Mai's weak arms, and she rested him against her. He coughed up water and his nose ran terribly, his stomach felt like disposing of any possible food inside of it. Thankfully, he hadn't eaten anything that day. A moment later, his watery gaze met Mai's, and her eyes darted to the side. As if she had something to be guilty about. He looked at Namiko, and she looked slightly different. Despite, of course, the fact that she was slightly wavery due to the fact that she was in water while they were in the air pocket.

"Why did you go Mai?" Malaki asked gently, not getting his voice to go much higher than an exaggerated whisper.
"I don't know." she responded.
"If it was because of... the... action in the alley, then I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insult you or push you into anything. I couldn't help myself."
"No, Malaki. That wasn't it. I didn't leave by choice, I was... pulled here in a way." she attempted a chance to explain, feeling as if she failed. But Malaki nodded slightly, and let his gaze leave her.
"Why did you steal my sword?" she asked, half angry, and half just curious.
"I didn't steal your sword!" he said, his voice gaining a little bit more power now, his eyes connecting with hers.
"Yes you did! You even bent down to get it before I disappeared!"
"I did not! I bent down to grab you because you were swaying!"
"Ugh! Why are you lying to me?"
"I'm not lying to you!" and with that, he threw the sword (which he had just recently realized he still held) at her feet. "I don't want your damned sword!"
"Oh and I suppose you weren't sent after me to retrieve it then?" she snapped at him, her eyes burning into his own.
"No Mai, I was sent to get it from you, but I realized how stupid it was before I even met you. I quit the assignment and then I saw you and her -" he viciously pointed a finger at Namiko, "- fighting. When you disappeared I followed you. I assume you know what happened after that. Or do I need to remind you?"
"I remember just fine, Malaki. But you also didn't trace me either, now did you?"
"Well I'm terribly sorry about that Mai! I was busy being yelled at by a giant who just happened to own the tavern we were behind," His eyes narrowed angrily at her as he continued, "and after that I ran for the absolute longest time. The first free moment I had alone I traced you, when I almost drowned! So yes Mai, I am only here to take your sword, you know the one. The one I just threw at your feet." he looked away then, finishing what he had to say. She seemed slightly stunned, and Namiko was staring open mouthed at him, her eyes looking huge.
"But Namiko told me you were worse than the school I was at." Mai said gently.
"I am much worse than your school, Mai. But I'm on your side now." he said calmly, obviously regaining his composure. As if to emphasize his point, he showed her the bloody scar on his arm, taking note that her's was gone. "Besides, Mai, I don't do this to all of my assignments."

_____And with that, he grabbed the back of her neck and kissed her again. Reminding her of exactly what happened in the alley, and the way she looked at him. Almost instantly he felt the anger drain from her, and he knew she believed him. He was grateful for that, for he could never bring himself to lie to her.

[ [ + NAMIKO’S POV + ] ]

_ Staring through the water, Namiko could see Mai, and Malaki calmly talking, but she could see their legs were tiring from moving.
“I think the coast is clear up above,” Namkio quickly said after swimming into the air pocket, “We should be able to get to a shed I know that we can stay in.”
_Nodding their heads, Malaki took one last glance into Mai’s eyes, one last brethe of air, and swam into the watery surface. Disappearing behind the water wall, Mai went next, her sword swinging lightly beside her, and finally Namiko took the end of the line, though it was not long before she was in the front.
_Making a hand gesture for them to stay there Namiko peered her head up through the water, and gave them yet another hand gesture, but this one meaning to come.
_Large gasps of air could be heard as they all hit the water surface at different times. Namiko still wondering why Mai thought Makaki was good, led the two to the banks where a broken ladder casually hung. Mai going first, Malaki lifted her up until she could reach the bank with ease, and even though no words were spoken, Namiko could see the gratitude in her eyes.

[ [ + MALAKI’S POV + ] ]

__Reaching for the ladder, Malaki remember Namiko and allowed her to go first, though the look in her eyes showed that she had no thought but disgust for him. The sun was going down, and a cool breeze flowed through the open area. Mai was shivering in her torn outfit, and her bow was beyond repair. Malaki scooted closer to her, receiving a warm smile in reply
_Namiko softly grunted, and Mai slightly turned her head towards her direction, but at the same time brushing her hair against Malaki’s chin. He could feel her shallow breathe, and the sound of her heart beat was loud above the silence of the area.
“If you guys want we could stay here, and be killed by the guards in the morning!” Namiko spatted. “Or we could go to my shed, and get out of the cold, and possibly stay alive to see morning.”
_Namiko waited for their replies, but all Mai did was nod, so Malaki followed her action. Mai started walking towards where Namiko was going, but her bare feet made Malaki shudder in pain, as she walked over the still boards. Running up behind her, he lifted her into her arms, and ran to catch up to Namiko, as Mai snuggled against his chest.

[ [ + MAI POV + ] ]

_The warm scent of salt water was mixed into the cotton shirt she snuggled against, and though it was wet, she knew that Malaki was holding her, and that fact was the only thing that mattered to Mai. The silence of the path was frightening, but the steady heartbeat of Malaki kept her from being scared.
_The rustle of leaves to their left jerked Mai’s head up, and Namiko stopped, ready for anything that might come out of the bushes. Jumping down from Malaki’s arms, Mai grabbed her sword from the pouch she had slung it in earlier.
_The rustling got louder, and Mai gave her dagger to Malaki, unsure if he was armed. A “thump” sound came from near the rustling, and a look of anguished appeared on Namiko’s face. Putting away her own dagger, she stepped closer listening for any sounds of anything. Leaning down on one knee, Namiko scooted closer, hearing the sound of something. Mai stepped away from Malaki’s warm embrace, joining Namiko on the ground.
“What is it?” Mai asked quietly.
“I’m not sure, but it sounds injured,” a look of pain crossed Namko’s face. “I think we should check it out, but grab Malaki, just in case something might happen.”
Knowing that you could never stop Namiko from doing something when she was determined, Mai stood up, walked to Malaki, and grabbed his hand, pulling him into the bushes where Namiko had gone.

[ [ + NAMIKO’S POV + ] ]

_Seeing Mai leave her to get Malaki, Namiko started trampling through the underbrush to find the hurt animal. How she knew it was an animal, she didn’t know, she just could feel its scared breathing, and its pulse speed up at the sound of her coming. Whinnying filled the small enclosure as she entered it.
_A small black gelding leaned on its two front hooves trying to stand up, but its back legs collapsed beneath her.
“Shanowa!” Namiko exclaimed after a couple of seconds had passed. Carefully edging her way towards Shanowa’s back hooves, Namiko got on all four crawling through the dirt. Reaching them, she tried to get the horse to quiet down, but with no avail.
_Mai suddenly appeared next to her, her own knees scuffed with dirt. Motioning Namiko back, Mai crawled forward gently grabbing the horses back leg, while making soothing sounds.
“Namiko, do you know whose horse this is?” Mai asked curiously.
“Yeah,” Namiko paused. “It’s mine.”
“Do you know how to heal something without water?”
“No, but I can wrap it until we get to water.”
“What’s her name?”
“Shanowa.” Namiko looked down at the ground, for a minute, and then snapped out of it, to calm the shaking horse.
“Malaki, get willow bark, and some sort of rope if you can find any, otherwise get me some reed.” Namiko said serenely
_Mai moved towards Malaki to go with him, but Namiko stopped her.
“I need someone to help me, and remember, Malaki can handle himself.”
Nodding, Mai went to Malaki, and grabbed him into a passionate hug, kissing him on the cheek before he left.

[ [ + MALAKI’S POV + ] ]

_The warmness of Mai’s arms around his neck left a tingling feeling as he left to search for the things Namiko told him about. It was long until he came to a small pond will reed along the edges. Not wanting to stay long, Malaki leaned down picking a few, and discarding a few more. Croaking and water splashing kept the pond area from being silent, but for some reason the thought of danger filled his head, and it wasn’t until an arrow landed not far from him that he knew that he wasn’t alone.
“Who’s there?!” Malaki shouted moving away from the pond. Another arrow grazed his arm, as he turned to run. Malaki was now leaving a blood trail, when it started to drip down his moving arm. Turning back he saw nothing, but now running backwards, he tripped over a branch and landed headfirst onto a rock.
_Everything went black as Malaki heard another arrow being put into a bow, and the sound of the person aiming.

_A scream echoed through the area, making Namiko and Mai look up from there work. Getting ready to bolt into the forest, Namiko grabbed Mai, whispering kind words as tears gushed down the poor girls face. Namiko’s own face getting wet, she grabbed Mai, and promised that she would never leave her, and she would someday see Malaki again, thoug Namiko knew trhe truth.


Sorry guys, just had to do it, I left the horse thing open for who ever wants to expand on it and everything.. love ya guys.. hope you enjoyed it, and I’m sorry for it taking a long time.. I got grounded for being bad..

Chapter Ten
by jclover_88

Mai tore away from Namiko's hold but remained in the same spot. Soft whimperings from the horse were the only sounds that made her snap every now and then out of reverie. {Malaki can't be dead.....he wouldn't be so foolish...} Mai started to contemplate her feeling for the boy and then thought herself foolish to let her invulnerable exterior be penetrated by a male. Namiko had warned her of Malaki's allies, but he had assured her that it was indeed true. Then, of course, he continued to say that he was no longer on their side. Her thoughts went back to the ones of them kissing and she shuddered and faltered at the spot where she had been rooted to.

At her side Mai felt a warm sensation and when she grabbed for her sword she realized that it was her sword. "Wha..." Mai turned to Namiko who was caressing her wounded horse. Namiko raised an eyebrow in question and Mai said, "My sword it burning. Something isn't right."

Namiko lifted her hand to her mouth hiding the biting of her bottom lip. As much as it pained her to say it she had to. "Mai..." Her tone was weak as she continued to tell her friend, "Obviously something is wrong. You heard what happened."

Mai shook her head, her purple hair cascading down her shoulders. "No, I don't know what it is, but something is just not right." Mai turned her face away, the tears welling up in her emerald eyes. She had to regain the facade of an unemotion shell she had kept before....at the school.....when she had desposed of the people.....

Mai's pierceing green eyes shot up and she muttered, "Look, no matter how I really feel the fact remains that we have to leave here now. There must be some kind of safe haven close by or at least somewhere. As for any consequences that have happened it is apparent that the enemy is close. We need to move."

Namiko wasn't one to agrue with her best friend especially when she was right. She looked over at her horse. "Shanowa...." Namiko sighed loudly, getting up on her feet. "Forget the shed then. We'll need more protection and help then that."

An arrow struck the ground at Mai's feet and she said, "Let's go."

The two ran instinctly away from the source of the arrow and the earlier scream. As they ran they fell deeper into a forest where they would meet someone who could bring them to a safe haven. They just didn't know it yet. However, the further they went they would never be able to fathom what had indeed happened in the place they had left behind.

-.-

The blood was plastered on the grass and Malaki's head lolled on the rock. Only one thought went through his mind {Who screamed?} He didn't know, but when he was lifted to his feet he was forced to open his eyes and figure things out.

Next to him supporting his weight was a comrade of his, Goldin. The man was as old as Malaki with tanned skin and a mop of black hair on his head. His eyes were the same color it seemed to his hair but when Malaki opened his eyes, Goldin's features transformed to ones of happiness and a person who was glad to see their old friend.

Some part of Malaki wanted to tell his friend to let go. He had left the life of working for Mai's enemies and even if it meant losing their friendship he wasn't going bad.

Evidently, at the moment, he really didn't have much of a choice. Then he was helped to a carriage-like vehicle by Goldin. His friend laid him down and a sudden shake made him realize that whatever he was in was moving. However, Malaki was still unsure about what was going on and why his now enemy, once ally, was helping him.

Finally, with his blurry vision from his injury, he saw Goldin rest his head onto the wooden side of the contraption they were in. "Malaki, we were all worried...a lot has happened, but I have to tell you know before we are found again." He leaned over the golden eyed male and continued, "Look, I know that it'll be hard for you to stay conscious, so I'll try and be quick. You know the old gang? You, me, and the three other guys? Once you left, well, we got to thinking. That's when we too decided to change sides and look for you. Well, the rest of the group didn't agree with us and have been on our tail for the last week. We got one of the guys when you fell. That was the scream."

Noticing his friend's eyes fluttering as he was about to faint from loss of blood, Goldin hurried to add, "That girl you were with and her blonde friend...they've gone into the deepest regions of the forest."

Malaki let his eyes shut on his friend's last words for he knew if Mai and Namiko were headed where Goldin had said they were sure to find friends there. Most important out of all of them...a red-headed man.

I know it's long again, but you people keep screwing with my plot!! Teeheehee. I know you all wanted Graeme to be competition, so i did that much for you, it kind of fits into the plot anyway. You like the name? haha I do, I think it's awesome. Anywho, enjoy okay!

[.Mai's POV.]

____Mai ran with all of her heart, her breathing coming in short, dry gasps. She wished they had had time to save the horse... Her hair fell into her face and her sword was burning into her thigh, she momentarily wondered if it would leave a burn. She lunged over the rocks and fallen trees, praying she didn't stumble. She could ear Namiko trailing her, Namiko's breathing doing much worse than Mai's own. Mai couldn't let herself be unprotected any more, it had gotten her no where. She could trust no one, not fully. Perhaps she should learn to play their game of deception. One question still remained unanswered, was Namiko still trustworthy? She couldn't take any risks, from now on, she was alone, letting everyone else think they were close when they were as far as possible. Including Namiko. Better play the game.

[.Namiko's POV.]

____They ran relentlessly, seemingly for hours, when it could have only been minutes. Her whole body ached, her stomach seemed as if it were planning on ripping itself out and beating her... Her calfs had never had this much of a work out before, and they inflamed their dispute up her leg. She had to keep up with Mai, if she lost her it would be the end for her. She had been told to trail her and stay on her good side, so that was what she would do. Keep Mai thinking nothing had changed between them since they were kids. But in reality, everything had, the town had been right. So had Mai's parents. Mai was a freak, and freaks needed to be locked away from the normal public. It was Namiko's chance to even the scale, she was a freak herself, but if she caught a freak and brought them in, she would be normal. That was all she wanted, after all, who did't want to be normal?

____But damn Mai, she couldn't keep up. Just as Namiko looked up to see how far ahead Mai was, Mai tripped on a stone. Falling flat on her face, Namiko slowed from her run to a stop when she reached Mai.

[.Malaki's POV.]

____The blackness clouding his vision was slowly fading into a deep gray, the finally a light haze. Malaki could see Goldin's features, sleeping, amazing since the ride was horribly bumpy. But then, Goldin had always been a deep sleeper. A bad thing, and a good thing. Malaki didn't know if what Goldin had said earlier was true, but then he also couldn't remember all of what Goldin had said. Something about Goldin and a few others deciding to do as Malaki had, while the rest hunted them down. Wasn't there also something else about where Mai and Namiko were headed? Speaking of, was Mai alright? If someone had injured her he swore he'd kill them with his bare hands. Instantly, rage flew up inside of him, and he was barely able to control his thoughts. {She may be fine, Mal, calm down... You don't know anything yet.}

[.Graeme's POV.]

____Graeme looked at his reflection in the still water, his firey red hair fell to the small of his back, in long straight strands. Momentarily he thought of getting dredlocks, but realized that he would look even worse than he did now. His hair was probably his worst feature though, as his face was long but not thin, with strong features and deep eyes. His lips were fluffed, but not to the point where it looked like he had balloons, and his nose was just long enough to show a sense of dominance. He hated his hair, positively loathed it. Why he kept it long... He may never know. It was habit, probably. His body was perfectly sculpted, with thick bisceps and a lean stomach, his pecks were roughly carved into his torso, his back rippled with every movement he made. His thighs were thicker than most, and harder than any, while his calfs were slightly small, but added a since of humanity to him.

He placed his hand to the ground beside him and felt the earth tremble in the tiniest way, he knew they were coming. He stood from his crouched position, grabbing his bow and arrows, slinging his arrow sack's strap across his chest. His sword hung from his pants, his bow in his hand, he turned towards the woods, in the direction he felt the girls coming from. Goldin's orders, get them to safety, or die. He shrugged to himself, Goldin couldn't kill him as easily as he thought, but Graeme wasn't about to disobey either, he actually found the thought of being hunted by his ex-allies quite amusing and exhilerating.

[.Mai's POV.]

____She saw the clearing long before she saw the man, but the second her eyes landed on him, she came to an immediate halt. Her fall before had only been to let Namiko catch up without it being obvious. Namiko ran into her, falling backwards onto her toosh.
"What is your problem, Mai?" Namiko snapped, glaring at Mai.
"Shhhh!" Mai waved her hand at Namiko, signalling her to shut her mouth. "Someone's there."

____Mai crouched down and slowly began to creep closer, dodging from one tree to another. Her sword moved from side to side, temporarily relieving the burning from her thigh. The man seemed to be staring at where Namiko was, but not moving towards her or away from them. Mai watched him until she couldn't stand it. He was dominant in the middle of the woods, extremely overpowering. He gave her the chills, the kind of chills that stay for much too long but she didn't mind at all.

[.Graeme's POV.]

____Graeme sighed, obviously the girls weren't going to approach him. He smirked slightly, letting his gaze travel to Mai's "hiding" place behind a large tree. He stepped towards them, marching his way through the underbrush right up to Mai, he peered around the tree and chuckled to himself.
"Mai, correct?" He laughed as she jumped back, stumbling until she finally just sat.
"Who wants to know?" She snapped, regaining her control instantly.
"Graeme." He replied, extending his hand to her. She went to shake his hand, and he yanked her up onto her feet, she fell forward, directly into his arms. He smirked and held her up by her elbows, letting her push herself away from his chest.
"Do you mind letting go?" She growled.
"If you really want me to..." He looked at her until her eyes connected with his, and he felt her ease up a bit. He smiled at her and she didn't move. He let go.
"That's Namiko, right?" He asked. She nodded, forcing her gaze towards Namiko. He waved her over. "Just so you don't wonder how I know you, I'm a friend of Malaki. I know where to take you, come on." He said, turning and walking away.

[.Malaki's POV.]

____Malaki waited patiently in the inn's room, waiting for Mai and Namiko and Graeme to show up. Goldin seemed to be content drinking his beer and watching out the window. Malaki wasn't. He paced back and forth, his legs never seeming to tire.
"There they are, Mal, you can stop fretting now."

____Malaki watched as Graeme opened the door and Mai followed him in, he ran to her and stole her into his arms, hugging her tightly. He buried his nose in her neck and sighed,
"Thank God, Mai, I was so worried about you."
"I'm fine, Malaki." She pushed him away slightly, looking at him. "Are you okay?" She touched his wrapped arm and then the side of his face.
"Fine, fine. Mai, it's so good to know you're okay. Oh, and this is Goldin. A friend of mine. You obviously know Graeme already. He was good to you right?" He shot a meaningful glare at Graeme as he spoke.
"Yes, he was wonderful." She smiled at Graeme.
"Good," Malaki smiled at her, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead, "here, let's get you into something that isn't so torn, hmm?" He handed her some new clothing, along with some for Namiko. Who still loathed him fully.

I got really bored after checking and finishing everything, so I made a layout and a banner, so if you guys like it, and ever want it to change colors, just tell me and i can redo the layout or the banner.. or you guys can do your own, or you guys can say you don't like it, and i'll just do it on my entries lol

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[-- Malaki's POV --]

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xoxox Seeing the sun pour into the two windowed room, Malaki reached over to hold Mai, but she was all ready awake, and gone. Quickly sitting up, he yelled her name, but got no response, except a grunt from Goldin, asleep by the door.
xoxox “Goldin!” Malaki yelled. Trying to awake his friend. “Wake up! Wheres Mai? Did she leave? Where’s Graeme? Where the hell is everyone?”
xoxox Goldin reached up for the handle of the door so he could pull himself up off the floor. Holding on for support he started mumbling how he should have let him sleep.
xoxox While Goldin had been doing this, Malaki had searched the small 3 roomed hut, and found that the other rooms were just as empty.
xoxox Grabbing Goldin by the arm, Malaki lugged him out the door, and onto the dirt path, yelling for Mai.

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[-- Mai’s POV--]

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xoxox Looking over at Malaki, she grabbed his hand and gently rubbed it, but what she used to feel was no longer there. The moment she thought that he might have been dead, she realized that she had been foolish to let her heart be carried away by a boy. A really nice looking boy, but still a boy.
xoxox The sun wasn’t even up yet, but Mai got out of bed. Her sword firmly attached to her side, she stepped over Goldin, slowly opened the door, and went into the fresh night air. Quietly closing it behind her, Mai walked some feet to a flat rock, far enough away from the hut so when talking to herself she could not be heard. Sitting down, she was relieved she didn’t have to smooth her old school uniform under her. The light black pants she was given fit close to perfectly, and the white short sleeve was beyond better then what she had before. Her feet covered by loose running shoes, her knee high socks were thankfully gone, and her hair was tied by a rope found in the hut.
xoxox Leaning back, the night sky shined brighter than the brightest light. Closing her eyes, Mai started to think, and her thoughts landed on Namiko.
Could she really be trusted? When we were little kids it was all good, but she did go into those multiple personality phases.. could she be in one now? Could she secretly be trying to betray me? I guess I’ll just have to watch out for her, who knows what phase she could be in.. she had hundreds of them. But then again, didn’t she say she got rid of them? But could they have actually left her?
xoxox What about that strange guy with the red hair. What was his name? oh yeah, Graeme. The name seems so familiar, and there’s something about him. Where have I heard that name before?
Mai shrieked and sat up. Opening her eyes, the sun was just rising over the horizon, and the name Graeme raced back into her head. He was the guy who dropped off the last bunch of students before she had left. The memory came back into her head and flashed before her eyes.
xoxox Him. Smiling at her as she saw the new students being brought to the prison they would soon come to call home. His eyes never left hers as they all got in through the gate. He still didn’t turn when he closed it. His lips moved, but she couldn’t read lips. He got back in the car, and drove away. The next day Mai had left the prison, because that was the night it all happened. This adventure had begun.
xoxox Less then 20 seconds had passed, but Mai’s head was spinning with the information that had soared through her memory. Reaching to put her hand on her trusty sword, she noticed it was gone, and frantically searched the area around the rock. Not knowing how she could have felt it fall out, she promised herself that she would never deep think again.
xoxox “Looking for this?” A voice from behind Mai made her quickly turn around, and as she again reached for her sword, she realized it was still gone, and that it was in Graeme’s ridged hands.

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[-- Graeme’s POV--]

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xoxox Mai’s light footsteps against the wooden floor echoed to Graeme’s sensitive ears. Lifting his head ever so slightly, he saw Mai step over Goldin, and walk out, closing it behind her. Thinking Goldin might hear this, Graeme put his head back down, and closed his eyes. Several minutes passed, and no sounds had followed Mai’s. Raising his head back up, Graeme finally remembered Goldin’s deep sleeping, and got up.
xoxox Everybody still soundly sleeping, he followed Mai out the door, and listened to her faint footsteps across the dirt road. Staying far enough behind just in case she looked back, Graeme followed her to the rock, knelt on the ground, and waited to see what she would do.
xoxox Graeme realized staying down was pointless, sense Mai had closed her eyes, and looked deep in thought. Crawling to the rock, he stayed down, making sure to not make much noise. Reaching the base of the rock, Graeme saw what he wanted, and gradually extended his arm to the sword. Seeing Mai move, made him back off slightly, but not by much. Grasping the sword, he slid it out of the sheath, and had to bite his tongue so as not to shout out in triumph.
xoxox Crawling backwards back to his hiding spot, Graeme waited for Mai to arise, so he could show her his new found possession.

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[-- Namiko’s POV--]

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xoxox Namiko was still asleep on the floor, far enough so that she was touching the wall, but near enough for her to have wished to sleep somewhere else. Waking up, the cold floor beneath her felt hard, and she started wondering why Malaki and Mai got the bed and everyone else the floor. Namiko rolled over to make sure Graeme was still on his side of the imaginary line, but was surprised to find out that he was gone.
xoxox Throwing the useless blankets aside, Namiko stood up, and ran her hand over her gnarled golden hair. Not caring, she smoothed the gray pants and long sleeved blue blouse she had been given. remembering what she had been planning to do, Namiko walked to the door, taking note that Mai was also gone.
It serves Malaki right. Mai shouldn’t be with him anyways.
Stepping over Goldin, Namiko headed in the direction of the flat rock not far away from the hut. Quickly remembering why she had wanted to be outside, Namiko stopped and Grabbed the sleeve of her blouse. Ripping in off, she did the same to the other, making the shirt into a tank top.
xoxox Getting to the rock area, Namiko saw Mai and Graeme talking. Noticing that Graeme had Mai’s sword, she stepped forward, but then stepped back as soon as her eyes turned from their usual dark blue, to a light green.
Lets see what happens to little Miss. Perfect Mai. Wouldn’t it be sad if something bad happened?

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[-- Goldin’s POV--]

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xoxox Being yanked out of a door before the sun was even high in the sky wasn’t the first thing on Goldin’s list of things to do. Malaki kept pulling him, yelling Mai’s name louder and louder. Did her really think if her yelled it loud enough she would appear in front of them?Goldin didn’t think so, but obviously Malaki did.
xoxox Several minutes passed, and they came upon a clearing where a very strange sight was.
xoxox In front of them, less than maybe three feet, Namiko sat crouched down, a smile lighting up her face, as she watched. Graeme stood by the flat rock with Mai against him, his hand holding her sword. The same sword he held up to her throat.
xoxox Malaki let go of Goldin, but stood staring at the scene, his mouth open, and his eyes dull.

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[-- Andrewas’s POV--]

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xoxox His short blonde hair, and his crystal blue eyes mad him the perfect lady’s man. The ones he had always loved never loved him, but the ones that he had come to despise, were the ones that loved him. His features were beyond perfect, and he had the best aim of anyone he knew. Andrewas was taught to be polite, and he was also taught to be a gentleman. By the age of 5 he pulled chairs out for his elders, but he also could throw a spear at a fly on the wall, and most never miss. He had the strength of the bull, and not an inch of fat could be seen. Andrewas called it luck when he did something right, but no one could doubt his abilities were that of gods.
xoxox The same day that Mai was held against her will by her own sword, was the same day that Andrewas had decided to leave his town for an adventure, and it was also the same day that he happened to notice that no animals were on the dirt path. No birds could be heard, and the wind even seemed to be silent.
xoxox Following the course he had designed for himself, Andrewas walked the dirt path, and he knew he should come across a flat rock, and if he didn’t, then he would know that he was going the wrong direction.
xoxox It was luck that made Andrewas come across the people in the clearing of the flat rock, but it wasn’t luck that Andrewas never left his house without a loaded bow and arrow. Graeme fell to the ground, an arrow protruding out of the front of his forehead. Blood slowly surrounded the back of his head, and a gurgling sound escaped his lips, as a blood bubble parted them. Mai looked over at the dead body and fell to the ground, just barely hitting the spreading blood.
xoxox Namiko could be heard swearing under her breathe, Malaki breathing heavily, and Andrewas checking Mai’s pulse, but otherwise, the clearing was as silent as a tomb.

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Don’t you people just absolutely love me? But to tell you the truth, I just didn’t like Graeme, so off he died, he was just introduced into the story, so that I am sorry for killing him off to soon. But you guys might have made him too important, so bubye to him. Sorry that its not all that long.. Oh, and since Graeme died, I needed a new male figure for Mai, so in comes Andrewas, and also.. Namiko is not evil!! Just umm… sorta psychotic…

Chapter Thirteen
by jclover_88

Andrewas propped Mai up on one of his knees and announced to the many strangers surrounding him that the girl was okay. This made him realize that he didn't know her name or anyone's name. Panic? Oh yeah...but on the inside.

"Who are you?" Malaki had just switched into dominant male mode.

"Yeah, and why the hell did you kill Graeme?!" Goldin rubbed his forehead. I am not a morning person...

Namiko had now crept out from her hiding place with her normal personality intact. Whenever someone has possession of Mai's sword, Namiko goes haywire. Hey, we all have our faults right?

In any case, the newcomer was feeling very unwelcome. He had a dark-haired male glaring daggers at him and trying to take the girl resting in his hold. Not to mention the disgruntled looking tanned man who looked like he had just rolled out of bed.

The cure for this most unwanted situation came in the form of one purple-haired -nerves on edge- Mai. She had recovered from her faint. With one fluid motion, she had pushed the unknown blonde man back, grabbed her sword from Graeme's cold grip (with eyes covered mind you), and had backed away. Sword in a tight grip and pointed at everyone, she proclaimed, "I have had enough of this!" Her yelling was so loud that a few birds flew out from the trees surrounding them.

Namiko cocked her head to one side. Obviously, confused since she, well her good personality, wasn't present when Graeme was alive and being a clepto. "Mai, what's wrong? What have you had enough with? Remember, we are all trying to get away. We are trying to help you." A little side note in her thoughts was, 'Even though some male individuals are increasingly annoying and should have died when he was ambushed, but I digress.'

Mai was almost to the point of growling outwardly. What did you expect? The girl was tortured in a school slash prison, then she thinks her best friend has abandoned her. The situation proceeds to get worse as she allows herself to get close to Malaki and then finds out Namiko is really on her side...bad personality excluded. Then, Malaki gets nearly killed, she regains her compsure, but then meets Graeme. Who, I may remind you, was supposed to help them. Then, just as she wants a moments peace, he steals her sword, but gets killed by a pretty boy who was hovering above her a moment ago. All means of a good first impression on her rescuer are gone.

In between frustrated pants, Mai managed to say, "I will not be trusting anyone, anymore. Each time I put my guard down, something happens. Not anymore!" Pointing the tip of her gleaming sword at the blonde man's chin, she inquired, "What's your name?"

The crystal-eyed male smiled and responds, "My name is Andrewas."

After a slight twitch in her eye, she says, "Thanks for killing him. Heads up next time okay?" The last part came out accidently weak. Mai isn't one to take pleasure in seeing a person shot through the head and have a front row seat - no wait, let me rephrase that - face pretty much pressed again the victim and have a blood bubble emerge from thier mouth. The beauty may have strength, but no one is perfect.

Her bright green eyes scan the territory and realize the only person who she has no reason to have on her hit list. Goldin. She hasn't had any encounters with him after all, well no personal encounters anyway. Mai also notes the dazed look in his eyes and decides that he is the one for the job.

"Goldin, come here." The black-haired male shuffles over to the girl and stands beside her...towering over her.

"What is it? I still don't understand why Graeme is dead or what is going on." He yawned lazily and reminded Mai of a black cat stretching from a nap.

Mai held her sword under his chin, much like she had with Andrewas. "Let me be of assisstance. I am no longer trusting anyone. You see, it has become apparent to me that the more people I meet, the more trouble I have. My solution...go it alone. Simple huh?" She smirked at him as he didn't flinch. Either he had a brave heart or he was way too tired to care. "As for your question, Graeme was killed by Andrewas. I don't even think pretty boy knows why the redhead deserved it."

"I just saw him hurting you, so I thought-"

"Shut up!" Andrewas made a little roll of the eye, but mostly kept his place as Mai's little rant rolled on. "The brute stole my sword. That never brings good things..." She rounded on Namiko, but kept Goldin at swords length. "Everytime someone else has my sword, you go all psycho!" Mai straightened up and decided to be a little softer with Namiko. "It's not your fault after all, but it's not safe." Sighing she went back to her previous stance near Goldin who hadn't moved an inch. "Goldin, you haven't wronged me have you?" She asked this with a thinking look on her features.

With hands in pockets, Goldin bopped on his heels and replied, "Nope. Can't say I have."

With the same face on, Mai continued. "That's what I thought. You will escort me back to the cabin. I remember you mentioning that you were very familar with this area. You will guide me out of here and then return to wherever you are needed." Putting the sword a bit closer to his throat she added, "That means no following me alright?"

Goldin's mop of black bangs covered his eyes for the most part. When he didn't answer Mai took the tip of her sword and brushed his bangs out of the way.

He had fallen asleep standing up.

Andrewas took the hint and went behind Goldin. With a flick to the ear and quick whisper, "Better be at attention or your hair is going to be cut off," Goldin woke up and addressed Mai.

"Okay, okay. I'll do it. Come on let's go." He started back to the cabin with Mai, but Malaki grabbed her.

"Mai, you're talking lunacy. You know I would never -"

Green eyes burned into his skull as Mai sneered at him. "Enough of this foolishness. I can take care of myself." Quickly, she caught up with Goldin who hadn't stopped for her little side chat.

Andrewas patted Malaki's shoulder. "Tough chick."

I had to add a bit of comic relief, okay? I think I did okay with this chapter anyway. One thing, DO NOT MAKE GOLDIN BAD!!!! I'm not asking for him to be romantically involved with Mai or anything, he is the good fun character kk's? *pulls on Nikki and Jenny's ears and yells* KK'S?????????????
You got that? lol Good. Anyway, you can do whatever you want with the other characters.
Oh yeah, I had to have Mai have an outburst. The woman's been through a lot .^_^.

Chapter Fourteen (i think)
By: kiciuslizbp (Me Khandie! yea!!!)

Mai followed behind Goldin, and everyone else behind them. For a while, no one said a word.
"Alright pit stop." Goldin announced to the group.
"Mai looked at the rotting building in front of them. It looked like an old fashined bar.
"A bar?" Mai asked. Her green eyes had fire behind them. She was on a mission, and she didn't want to stop for anything.
"Yes, i am thirsty. You might want to put your sword away." Goldin said.
"No! Don't tell me what to do. I can take care of myself." Mai said. She pushed him out of the way, and walked in. Her sword in hand, she looked around. It was grimy, and looked like no one had been there for years.
"Is this your idea of a joke?" Mai asked dangerusly.
"No." Goldin said. "So what if it is a little dirty?" He walked up to the bartender.
"A sasperila please." Goldin said, sitting on the stool. Mai growled and looked at some of the old men that were there. One of them was looking at her suggestivly.
"You got a problem?" Mai growled. She pointed her sword directly between the man's eyes.
"N...no..ma'am.." The old man choked out. He got up and walked quietly out of the bar.
"Stop scarin off all o' ma custumers." The bartender said. He sounded drunk as hell.
"Bite me." Mai said simply. She jumped up on the stool. There was a gleam in her bright green eyes.
"I bet you I can drink more saparila's then you can." Mai said to Goldin. Goldin looked at her concerend.
"It's your funeral, little girl. I can drink more than anyone I know." Goldin said.
"Then you must not know me." Mai said. The bartender handed her a sasperila. The cup was dirty, and Mai was pretty sure there were spider eggs floating on the top.
"Look, I want a clean glass." Mai said cooley.
"The bartender gave her a new sasperila. Mai was pretty sure he was afraid of her because of her sword.
"You ready princess?" Goldin asked.
"Don't you ever call me princess again." Mai said

Yes, just a bunch of crap here. I am unfamiliar with the anime, so i am just making this all up! lolz. I also know saspirlia's are non-alchohalic, but in here, they are alchohalic. Hope ya'll like. Yes, i think Mai has pms, lolz. Very short, brain hurtz to write more

.[[. Malaki's POV .]].

____He couldn't believe the sight that was spread out before him, his beautiful Mai sitting on a rotting bar stool, drinking from a dirty glass, in a drinking contests with one of the biggest men he knew. Now, it was not the fact that Mai was drinking, nor the fact that she was probably to lose, it was the fact that she had engaged herself in a very dangerous game. Losing the game, she would be drunk. Winning the game, she would be even more drunk. Either way, she was drunk, and saying she would trust no one, then drinking, would only result in her depending on the people she no longer trusted to keep her alive. He didn't understand her thinking process at the moment, being as it made no sense at all.

____Malaki headed toward her, hoping she would at least hear him out.
"Mai, are you sure you should do that?" He asked, walking up and sitting on a stool beside her.
A snort was his response, as she downed the first glass in one mouthful.
"I guess so, but will you at least give me the sole permission to handle you when you're drunk? You don't trust us, remember?"
"I won't get drunk, Malaki." She pronounced his name with extra enthusiasm, and a large twist of violence.
"Fine. When you're drunk to the point that you're stumbling around, fine. Don't ask me to help you." His eyes shot fireballs at her, he couldn't believe she had gone from caring to vicious like this. He hadn't done anything wrong. He shoved himself off the stool with his arms and stomped to the other side of the room.

.[[. Andrewas's POV .]].

____Andrewas watched the man he assumed to be called Malaki, due to the venom with which Mai had said his name, stomp his way across the room. He didn't exactly understand why Mai trusted no one, and he didn't understand why Malaki was so upset by it, the others seemed to have just accepted it in silence. He glanced at the other young woman. She stood, lazily leaning on a moldy wall, watching Mai intently. He could almost see it in her eyes, that she wanted Mai to lose her sword. Why was the sword so important? He was nearly sure he had heard the woman's name, but he couldn't remember. He remembered that the one sitting with Mai at the bar was Goldin, and the dead man was Graeme. But he couldn't remember the woman only a few feet away from him.

____"Pardon me, but I seem to have forgotten your name... Would it be too troublesome to remind me?" He asked, turning so he faced her. She looked at him, obviously disrupted from her thoughts.
"Namiko." She looked back at Mai, ending the conversation harshly. He nodded to himself, and looked back at Malaki. Perhaps he and Mai were ex-lovers? Ex-friends? Who knew, but Andrewas knew that if Malaki was out of the picture, he could move in. He walked towards the vacated seat and slid onto it. He proped his chin up on his hand, and looked at Mai. He said nothing, only watched her guzzle three more glasses. The big man had already consumed seven, while Mai had consumed five.
"If you want to win you're going to have to drink faster, Mai." Andrewas said.

.[[. Mai's POV .]].

____Mai shot a devilish glare at Andrewas, narrowing her eyes and pursing her lips.
"If I wanted your opinion, I would have beaten it out of you." She snapped, returning to her glasses. She then picked up two, and downed them both at the same time. Goldin looked at her, his eyes widening.
"Not a good idea there, darlin'." As Goldin spoke, Mai began coughing up the drinks, choking on them. Andrewas grabbed a musty towel and held it near her mouth, not covering, just near. She couldn't breathe, her lungs were getting tigheter, and her coughs were harshly racking her entire torso. Goldin slapped a huge hand on her back, and she coughed a final time. Her back stung angrily where Goldin had slapped, but she was grateful to him for stopping her choking. Andrewas patted her mouth dry, not clean due to the nasty towel, but dry. She shoved him away. Mumbling a thank you to Goldin under her breath, she stood and wabbled her way outside. Tripping over non-existant objects, but not quite falling. Andrewas jumped up and followed her, taking her by the elbow and supporting her as they walked outside. She couldn't even find the strength to push him away, and if she had, she wouldn't have the strength to stand during the shoving, and then would have been stuck sitting on the filthy floor. He helped her sit down outside, and sat himself beside her on the ground.
"Why are you" She swayed back and forth, "helping me?"
"Because you're drunk and you can't stand up alone." His answer was simple, and not humerous, but she burst into a huge fit of laughter, falling sideways and into his lap. She didn't bother to move, merely continued laughing at her new found vision of hysteria in the situation.

____She began telling him of everything on her mind, randomly and for no reason at all. She told him of her childhood, then skipped up to drinking with Goldin. Then she reverted back to telling him of the "prison" she had been in and why she left, and how she left. She told him of the men she had killed. Laughing the entire while, she continued on about the irony of falling into his lap when that was the only place she wanted to be, then telling him about Malaki. She told him what had happened between them, and that she no longer trusted anyone. She went into a large tyrade about the people she once trusted and how they had all betrayed her, and she was sure Goldin would too, and that she hated Andrewas himself because he was the only one who had yet to betray her and she thought he would be the only one not to. She hated him because he wasn't like the others, he wasn't easy to hate, so she hated him because she liked him. He smirked at that, but that was the only reaction he had the entire while. She thought she was finished, but she found soon (as did he) that she wasn't. She told him about the dying horse the other day, when she thought Malaki was dead, and how the horse had whimpered and whinned and had torn her heart up. Then she told him of her own childhood horse, and how her father had sold it without telling her and how she hated her parents for what they did to her.

____Then she kissed him, pinning him to the wall he was leaning on. She kissed him deeply, moving her body in a nearly sober way to stradle him and grip his shirt tightly. She became furious when he softly pushed her off of him, smiling at her, and saying
"Mai, no matter how much I would like to kiss you, I would also like it to be when you're sober and I know it's what you really want." He gently lifted her up off of him, as he stood up and helped her to stand.

.[[. Malaki's POV .]].

____He came outside after a long time, hoping that Mai would have come back inside by then, and heard her last few sentences about her parents.
"They sent me off to the prison that they knew would be a school.. i mean.. ugh... darkness... so cold... the school was cold... I hate them. I HATE THEM!" Her last sentence was hysterical, she had stopped laughing and was screaming it now, over and over. Then she stopped, he saw her looking at Andrewas, then he watched her kiss him. He watched her movements, and he wanted to kill Andrewas, kill him because he had gotten Mai to kiss him without a word, without trying, without Malaki's consent. Then he watched as Andrewas turned Mai down, and he hated him for turning down such a beautiful woman, what, wasn't Mai beautiful enough for him? Oh no, it was because she was drunk. Oh, her being drunk wasn't enough of an opportunity? He hated Andrewas because Andrewas was a more perfected image of Malaki.

.[[. Namiko's POV .]].

____Namiko had watched intently as Mai was getting drunk, then as she stumbled out of the building. She had dropped her sword. Now someone had to pick it up. No one did. So when Malaki walked outside after a mini-eternity had passed, Namiko ran to the sword and snatched it. She cradled it to her like a crying child would hold it's most prized toy. Then she began to laugh hysterically, Goldin turned to look at her.
"Are you alright, Namiko? You need anything to calm you down?" Goldin asked, concerned.
"No, you big imp. I'm fine." She snapped, her laughter still echoing. She walked to the door and shoved Malaki farther outside, pushing him forward so he landed on his hands and knees.

.[[. Malaki's POV .]].

____He landed, his pamls cut and already bleeding, covered in dirt, and his knees screaming in shock.
"Namiko, what the --" he turned to see Namiko and cut himself off as he saw Namiko raise the sword and swing in an arch to slice at Mai. Malaki scrambled to his feet and jumped weakly towards Mai. He threw himself into her, throwing her to the ground as the tip of the sword dug itself into his shoulder blade, then tore itself across, and out, leaving a long stretch of gaping wound. He heard someone scream, but he knew it wasn't his own voice. He landed, face first, on the ground, gritting his teeth in agony. It had been Namiko to scream. His eyes were shut tightly, as if it could keep out the pain, but he forced himself to open them and look at Mai, to see that she was alright. Andrewas was helping her up, and brushing her off. He wanted to scream at him not to touch Mai, but he couldn't move, he could barely breathe. The sword had gone in awefully far.

.[[. Goldin's POV .]].

____Goldin heard the scream and ran outside, he had not drank enough to be drunk yet. The bartender followed him. He saw Malaki lying on the ground, a stream of blood flowing from his shoulder, forming a puddle, Namiko gawking at him, a blood-tipped sword in her hand, Andrewas dusting off a dazed and drunk Mai, and not a word being spoken.
"Malaki..." He said. Malaki looked up at him. His face stern.
"Kill her." He said, and Goldin pulled out his dagger from his boot, and slashed Namiko's neck. Namiko's eyes widened, then rolled back into her head as the blood poured from her neck wound. She dropped the sword, right before her body crumpled to the floor. Mai screamed.

.[[. Mai's POV .]].

____Namiko crumpled to the ground, Malaki face first, bleeding. She couldn't believe it. She screamed.
"Malaki, are you alright?" She ran to him. He only groaned. Tears formed in her eyes, he had risked his life to save her, after she had treated him so poorly. She found herself crying silently, whispering so only he could hear that she was terribly sorry for everything. That she still cared for him. That he would be okay. The bartender walked over and poured a bottle of alcohol on his wound. She shut her eyes as he gasped. The bartender then pulled out a surprisingly clean rag and wrapped his shoulder. He had obviously ran back inside to get the supplies. Andrewas and Goldin walked over and helped Malaki up onto his feet. He could stand, he just wasn't able to push himself up. He turned to look at Mai, the pain still in his eyes. Both emotional and physical.
"I'm sorry you had to see what happened to Namiko." He said, his voice filled with the aching pain from his shoulder and the sorrow for her. His body was covered in patches of dirt, a few broken pieces of leaves clinging to him as well.
"Shh, I, it had to be done. I just hope you'll forgive me."
He smiled at her. "Forgive? It's done, forgetting it now." He let his left hand (the non-wounded shoulder) slip up and cradle the right side of her chin. He pressed his lips to her forehead and slid his left hand down to grasp her right hand. She smiled and the four of them began their trek towards the unknown.



Bwahaha, the whole Namiko - good, Namiko - bad, Namiko - good, etc thing got me annoyed. So I took care of her. If you all can kill my Graeme, then I can kill Namiko. *Evil laugh* I think I did it well though, I used her own weakness against her, and Malaki's love against all your evil plots! You can't possibly make Malaki be bad. But see, I also gave you all what you wanted with Andrewas. So there's competition, they both saved Mai's life. Who will win in the end? Even I don't know yet, bwahaha.

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< -- Mai's POV -- >

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xoxo Hand in Malaki’s, they continued away from the bar, but the after affects were still fresh on Mai. Stumbling over her own feet, he quickly reached out and grabbed her.
xoxo “Thanks Malaki.” Mai tried to say, even though it came out more like “Tanks Maki.” Malaki whispered a quiet no problem as he scooted himself closer to her.
xoxo Feeling herself be lifted off the ground, she felt Malaki’s arms wrap beneath her legs. His breathing was steady as they continued to walk, and Mai fell asleep, her head tight against Malaki’s chest.

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< -- Andrewas’s POV -- >

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xoxo Watching Mai’s hand in Malaki’s (That is his name right?) created a sudden jealousy in his stomach. Not knowing why, he shrugged it off and started talking to Goldin, the last remaining person that wasn’t holding onto someone else, unless you count the bloody dagger inside his sheath as someone, or a part of someone at the least.
xoxo “So, Goldin. Do you think Mai’s going to be all right with all the alcohol in her system?”
xoxo “Yea, she might receive a shmighty hangover, but she’ll be all shgood.”
xoxo Malaki shifted closer to Mai picking her up after the almost sudden drop to the ground. Dangling from the sides of his arms, Mai barely moved as they continued their journey along the road.
xoxo Breaking the silence, Andrewas all of sudden spoke to Malaki. “ So whats up with you and Mai? Is she like your girl or something?”
xoxo Malaki awkwardly shifted with Mai in his arms, and gruffly answered “ Yeah, whats it to you?”
xoxo Backing off slightly, Andrewas responded hastily. “No worries, I’m not after her, I have a couple million girls back home that I wouldn’t have to compete for. Just sort of curious what’s between you two, since one second she yelling her head off at you, and the next second you guys are as tight as two peas in a pod.”
xoxo “Everyone fi--” Malaki broke off as Goldin started running into the forest.

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< -- Goldin’s POV -- >

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xoxo The world was wavering back and forth, and Goldin wasn’t sure if it was a good thing or not.
That’s what I get for drinking. The damn after effects.
xoxo Andrewas started asking some question, and Goldin answered with the best answer possible, though he wasn’t sure if the words were slurred or not. A light shown into his eyes, so Goldin looked down, noticing the blood stained dagger sticking out of his sheath. Taking it out, he stared at the blood gleaming in the sun. Pointing in forward, he moved it about, and it suddenly jumped to a person staring out at them.
xoxo Running forward, he quickly shoved the dagger back into the pouch, just barely missing his own skin. Goldin kept straight into the forest. Not stopping until he hit the tree the person had just been under.

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< -- Malaki’s POV -- >

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xoxo Shifting the weight of Mai in his arms, he ran after Goldin, Andrewas all ready ahead. Speeding up, he caught up to Andrewas just in time to see Goldin hit a tree. Hearing the thump as he landed on his back, Malaki almost had the urge to put Mai down, but who knows what could happen to her, and if anything did, he would hold himself responsible.
xoxo Watching Andrewas check Goldin surged something in him. His heart started beating faster, and he dropped Mai to the ground, receiving a low moan in return. Stepping forward, Andrewas looked up.

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< -- Andrewas’s POV -- >

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xoxo His eyes were shining yellow with vengeance, but Andrewas wasn’t sure why.
xoxo “You just want to do everything!” Malaki yelled, stepping closer to Andrewas. “Take care of Mai, take care of Goldin! They were my friends before they were yours. Who says their even your friends now? You come in here. Kill some guy, when I was just about to. You become Mai’s hero! No. She’s mine and always will be. You just get out of here! Go back to your perfect town with you perfect girls! Get away from mine. You can’t like her! She’s not perfect! If she has anything perfect it’s her shit based mouth. If she has ever said anything considerate it was a lie.” Malaki stepped up to Mai and kicked her in the side.
xoxo Mai rolled into a ball without making much noise, as Malaki kicked her again. When he finally looked down to survey his work, he gasped, and stepped back, tripping over a rock and landing on his back.
xoxo Andrewas stepped up to the pale Malaki, and checked his breathing. Taking Malakis weapons, he went over to Mai, checking for serious injury. He found many scrapes, and a gash across her left arm was warily bleeding. Ripping a strip from his shirt, he tied it around Mai’s arm and bent down to kiss her on the cheek. Her sour breathe would bring tears to any man, but Andrewas ignored it and gently picked her up.
xoxo Another small moan escaped her parted lips, and Andrewas guess he had underestimated the damage caused by Malaki.
If only we knew why he had done this. It didn’t seem like him when he was sort of yelling at me. It seemed like.. no.. it couldn’t be. But those eyes...

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THAT WAS LIKE THE SHORTEST CHAPTER I HAVE EVER DONE, BUT DEAL.. I DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE TO MUCH AWAY.. AND I CANT BELIEVE IM PROBABLY ALLOWING MY STORYLINE TO BE RUINED BUT.. ILL CHANCE IT... AND NEWAYS.. LOTSA STUFF HAPPENED IN A SHORT TIME AND THIS CHAPPIE WAS JUST SUPPOSED TO INTRODUCE A LITTLE TO ANDREWAS PAST.. AND ADD ANOTEHR FACTOR INTO THE STORY.. YOU GUYS CAN GO OFF OF IT IF U LIKE.. THATS IF YOU CAN FIGURE IT OUT.. -COUGH- SOUL TAKER GHOST THING -COUGH-

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.[[.> Malaki's POV <.]].

_____Get out of me you bastard! Now! Malaki screamed inside his own head. He was fighting something he couldn't even see, something that was making him do horrible things to Mai. Yell obscene things to Andrewas (although Malaki was slightly angry about Andrewas's sudden "heroism"). Malaki fought as he felt his body roll onto his knees and hands, coughing, as if something was slipping into his lungs. He felt it, felt it slip from his lungs to the tips of his fingers and down his legs. It was almost like it sept into his bloodstream. He closed his eyes, the first action he had successfully accomplished since this feeling, and let his mind search for what he knew was deep inside of him. He knew it was there, he had used it once, and nearly killed himself. But this time he needed it, it was that, or he may kill Mai. He refused to kill Mai in any possible situation. So he searched.

_____With his eyes closed he could almost see the shimmer that filled his body, it had a faint silver glow to it, almost like a melted piece of silver. He felt it travel through his body, when it reached his toes it went back up, towards his head. He knew what it was doing, it wanted to take control of his full body, then make it to his head so he had no control at all. Torturous. He wouldn't let it. Not as long as he was alive. With all his will power he forced his hand to move, slowly, only an inch at a time, but it moved. He was overpowering the silver power. His moving hand drew the silver, as if it knew his hand wasn't supposed to be moving, so it had to go back and regain control. Exactly what he wanted. He didn't have much time.

.[[.> Andrewas' POV <.]].

_____He suddenly knew he was right, the way Malaki's body was tense gave it all away. He had to give him credit though, no one had overpowered the Urivala yet. (Obviously, since it was still overpowering other things). He watched the struggle, knowing there was nothing he could do. If he were to try to tell Malaki what was going on, Malaki would be in agony. The Urivala would strangle his heart without a second thought, and overpower someone else. That was what had happened to everyone else. He couldn't kill Malaki that way, it was better to just let Malaki try to fight it off, perhaps he would win. Doubtful, but perhaps.

_____Andrewas forced himself to look away and pay attention to Mai. She was lying on the ground, next to him, groaning in agony. Her eyes were shut and her face was scrunched up in painful expressions. He reached out and let his hand rest on her shoulder, in a comforting manner, but he didn't know if it did any good. He suddenly wondered where Goldin was. He looked around and found the big man unconscious at the base of the tree. Well that answers that question, doesn't it?

.[[.> Malaki's POV <.]].

_____Malaki felt it, he knew he had found it. He let it rush into his body, filling his veins faster than his blood could dream of, filling his lungs and his mind and his eyes. He felt it pounding at his fingertips and shrieking its way through his nose and lips. He screamed.

.[[.> Andrewas' POV <.]].

_____He jumped as he heard Malaki scream, the scream was so loud it seemed to rip his ears apart and tear at his eyes, the sound alone was more than Andrewas had ever thought someone to be able to scream like. He shot his watery gaze towards Malaki and couldn't believe what he saw. It was the most unreal and violently beautiful sight of his entire lifetime. He would never forget this.

_____Malaki was raised to his knees, his arms bent so his hands pointed up, fingers slightly curled as if in pain. Malaki's eyes were shut, but you wouldn't have really been able to tell, considering there was an unnervingly bright orange light shooting from his orfaces, and a few other odd places as well. His fingertips seemed to be pushing out the light, while his mouth was like the mouth of a volcano, shooting out the orange light straight up into the sky as far as Andrewas could see. The orange light leaked through Malaki's eyelashes, but it didn't seem to make a difference, the light glowed through his eyelids anyway. It flew from his nose and his chest seemed to be lifted higher and higher. There was no other noise, save Malaki's relentless scream. The orange light washed over the full plane of land, touching everyone. It seemed to rush through Andrewas, it seemed to take any possible pain he felt away, pain he didn't know was there. It didn't only take the pain though, it took something else. But Andrewas couldn't place what it was. The light hurt his eyes, but he couldn't bear to look away. He heard Mai gasp, but couldn't turn to look at her. Malaki was lifted up off his feet, a foot and a half in the air. Then his scream stopped. But there was no silence, as another, more agonized scream released itself from a being that none of them could see. Then, after the scream reached a point so high that Andrewas ears started to bleed, yet he felt no pain, there was an explosion. It shook the ground he was sitting on, and he nearly fell backwards. The only thing keeping him up was the orange light, the orange light had also stopped his ears from bleeding as well, miraculously.

_____There was no fire, just the sound and the feel of the explosion. Andrewas collapsed, not realizing he had been pulled to his feet, unconscious.

.[[.> Mai's POV <.]].

_____She watched Malaki's power leak from him, felt it fill her and make all her pain stop. But she also felt his pain, the blood pact must have given her that. She felt the pain he felt surging through his veins, eating at him. She gasped. She didn't know what he was doing. She shut her eyes, and knew. She saw the silver power, felt it struggle to regain control. She heard Malaki's thoughts: I won't let you. I won't I won't I won't. I won't let you kill her through me, anything but that. I'd die first. You bastard get the hell out! I SAID NO!. And then the explosion.

.[[.> Malaki's POV <.]].

_____He knew the silver power was gone. He had felt it explode, felt it die. He didn't know how it had been living, but he knew it was no longer alive. He collapsed to his knees, shocked he was able to breathe, let alone support himself. He turned his face towards Mai, saw Andrewas unconsious, Mai healed, and Goldin unconsious. Then he saw Mai faint. He had expected it. But he was there, his arms under her small body, before she hit the ground. It was amazing what his own power could ammount to. He laid her down gently, kneeling beside her. He let his fingers play with her hair absent mindedly. His hands were numb from the power, as was his full body. He watched the strands of hair fall through his fingertips, without being able to feel it. He waited for what he knew would come. After the numbness, there was black. He waited. He pressed his lips to her forehead, and he felt the warmth of her skin. It was the last thing he felt before his world went black.


Ha! Splendid no? I liked the part with the orange light shooting from Malaki's fingertips. i have a thing with fingertips I don't know why lol. But yes, I wanted to make Malaki's power unbeatable, but deadly even to him. I also wanted Andrewas to know what he was messing with. Mai also saw what happened. ha. Goldin was annoying me this chapter, so i left him alone. Blah. COMMENTS DARN YOU EVIL READERS YOU.

Oh, and as far as this goes... I'm still Winning dammit! bwahahahahah. I'm so deffinately unbeatable. oh yeah.

Trying something different. Bear with me.

Chapter 18

>*>*>*>*Mai's POV*<*<*<*<

Ouch. What the hell is that? It's too bright, but I could have sworn it was night. When I open my eyes I realize it's just the sun, but that doesn't really help much at all. The last thing I remember is feeling Malaki's power and pain. Strange how those two go together.

Back to the damn light. I feel warm cloth underneath me and when I look down, it seems that I somehow found my way to a bed. Wait, I passed out right? So it is possible someone put me here...but where's Malaki? Andrewas? Goldin? And why do I have a mind splitting headache????

Oh yeah, got drunk, was a slut. Not the answer I wanted, but can't change the past...and neither can I change Namiko's fate. Why hadn't I done something? Why did Malaki give Goldin the order? They just didn't realize what made her crazy. If they just knew, maybe things would be different. Too bad I can't change the past. If I could I guess I would be mad busy huh?

When did I start crying? A little voice in the back of my head tells me it's because I started to think about my best friend and my love's foolishness. I've let him under my skin again and I don't like it. Sometimes it just consumes me and sometimes I like it, but I need control.

I told them not to follow Goldin and I. If they hadn't a lot of this wouldn't have happened.

I need to stop thinking like this. New mantra: I can't change the past.

Needing to know where the rest of the men are, I decide to get up, but realize I don't know where I am after all. Great, just an oppurtunity for more manipulation and deceit. It'd be foolish to just wait in this room, but there's one problem. There's no door. I grab for my sword and make a horrible discovery. It's not there. Make that two problems. Sighing loudly, I give the old procedure a go - fighting. Granted, hitting a wall over and over isn't glamorous, but if it gets me out of here, who cares?

>*>*>*>*Malaki's POV*<*<*<*<

My body is numb. Scratch that my bum is numb, the rest of me just aches. Pushing up from a solid object below me, I shake my head. It seems my vision doesn't want to cooperate and wants to PMS. Can men have female senses such as sight? I must look into this.

I open my eyes and see that I'm on a bed. The curtains aren't open, but the little space between them shows that it's light out. Was I really out that long? How did I get here? Where is 'here'?

Being at a disadvantage...peachy. Pushing myself up further, so that I'm sitting on the side of the enormous bed, I feel something move slightly behind me. No matter how much it hurts, I get to my feet and turning around quickly in a fighting stance.

Andrewas.

The blonde is on the bed and is curled up like a baby. He was in the same bed with me. >Shudder< I'd rather it be Mai -

Wait a minute...

Where is she? I looked around feverishly and notice that she's no where to be found and realize there is no way in or out. Panic fills me as my protective side decides to take over. Tiredness threatens to take hold, but then a hear a soft voice emitting from the direction of the bed.

"Where are we?"

He woke up. Oh well. Can't have everything. I just glare at him hoping he'll pass out. It wouldn't be gentlemen like to *make* him pass out.

>*>*>*>*Andrewas' POV*<*<*<*<

The raven-haired hero doesn't answer my question, so I just roll my eyes at him. Plopping my head down on the pillow, I try to figure out where we are since he obviously isn't going to tell me. Through the silence, I hear him mumble, "There's no way out...how did we get in then?" He sounds agravated. I yawn with the back of my hand covering my mouth. Malaki needs to chill. Panicking isn't going to get us out of here. You know, it would benefit him if I actually said that outloud. Heh. Can't have everything. Not like he would listen to me anyway.

During my quite interesting reverie, it is brought to my attention that right above the bed is a small squarish door that's chained very tightly. Figuring, that Malaki would want to hear this, even if it is coming from me, I speak.

"What do you reckon that is?" I point up at my discovery, so the ball of nerves knows what I'm refering too. He looks up with a scowl and when I suppose he realizes that's how we got in and probably can get out, he jumps on the bed and tries ramming it open.

I just lay there and pretend I'm on a boat where the sea's waves are very much alive. It's better then admitting to myself that a man is on my bed jumping up and down trying to get something open that will never break.

>*>*>*>*Goldin's POV*<*<*<*<

This is highly unexpected. I wake up in a lavish bedroom after being smacked unconscious.

Score for me.

Then, I am given these nice new white duds. Clean and pressed. Soft and nice. Fit loosely and are comfy.

'Nother score for me.

Next I'm ushered by these masked people down a long hallway to where I am now. Granted while I was being escorted I heard banging in some of the rooms and grunts. Either this is some kind of prison or a whore house. Either way...

Score.

I chuckle at my own thoughts as I continue to eat my fill at the little table I am sitting at. Those masked people were nice enough to offer me food. They didn't speak or anything, but they did both have long blonde hair and looked like girls. But Malaki did look like a girl that time...better not mention that to him again. I've had my fill of going unconscious for one day.

This food is good, but I'm still wondering about those women. Their masks were weird. They were white and covered their whole faces in an oval shape. The blonde hair still showed in the back though. Either way, there was red markings on it, looked like calligraphy really.

I swallow the exotic piece of meat pleased with my current status, but something's bothering me. I'm sure I've forgotten something...wait...um...it was about a girl..hmm.

Mai?

Right, I was her guide. Well, I was going to be before chaos broke loose. I don't know where she is or Malaki and Andrewas. I promise that if we are reunited that I will guide Mai out of here, wherever this place is.

Spooning some of the yummy goodness onto my spoon, I wonder when I will see them again.

>*>*>*>*Mai's POV*<*<*<*<

Grr, this is useless. No door or secret compartment. Nothing! Plus, beating up on the walls isn't making one mark. Not one scratch. What are they made of that they can resist my onslaught?

Giving up, MOMENTARILY, something comes to me. More like a smell. Man, I stink. Mix of alcohol, dirt, and various other things. I need a shower. My enemies couldn't be kind enough to bestow me with a bathroom huh? If they insist on keeping me here they might as well give me some necessities.

Yes, by the way, I've decided that who ever brought me here has to be my enemy. Enough of this, I want out! Getting up, I focus my strength on my right leg and swing it at the wooden wall again.

Nothing.

Well, a touch of pain going down my leg, but I digress. What am I going to do?!

Collasping with my eyes closed on the bed, a nap is in order. However, my captors seem to think otherwise for I hear a suspicious creaking noise. How can that be if there is no opening or door to make that noise? Don't know, but I have to take action.

No such luck. When I open my eyes to look at the source of the noise I see something that just stops me from moving at all. The wall to my right is moving really strangely, like it's melting sort of, but that can't be right. It looks more like it's morphing into something. Finally, I stand up and hold my stance. It stops moving and now looks like a door. It would have been more convenient if it had been before.

Naturally, I go to my source of escape. I can take anything on as long as I still have the motivation inside me to live. If this organization is anyway connected to that school, I'll have their heads just like I did with the men back at that said school. My hand is just inches away from the crystal knob, but it turns on its own. Well, that's what I think anyway.

As the door continues to creak open, what I see makes me feel like I'm in a dream. It just can't be real. I feel like my body is so light or maybe I've gone numb because I just can't believe what I'm seeing. My eyes must be huge by now, but she still stands there at the new threshold.

"Nam..Nami...Namiko?" I stutter it out, trying to make sure that I haven't fallen asleep and are dreaming.

She looks at me with the same birght blue eyes, even though I sense something is different. I can't move. Not because someone has done something to me, but I think I'm in shock. The same blonde hair, but it's not tied back or anything. It just hangs there to her waist. However, she's in some kind of white kimono and her hands are hidden from me because the sleeves are so long.

Suddenly, I realize my breath has quickened. I don't even have to think about why. It's obvious, but my voice won't speak again.

She smiles at me sweetly and holds out her arms to me, revealing her delicate hands, beckoning me to the doorway. Why am I so afraid? Is it because I fear she will disappear if I go to her? Maybe, but something compells me. Granted I trip on some pockets of air along the way, but I make it. Hesitantly, I lift my hand. What if...? No, I have to try, but I saw Goldin...no...no...

Starting to shake slightly, my fingertips touch both her hands and her smile grows bigger as she folds her fingers over my hands. Holding them tightly, she says, "Yes, Mai, it is me."

The aura about her makes me believe her no matter how my mind refuses because of its logic. I lean forward and wrap my arms around her in a hug. Namiko returns it fully and I breath in deeply. She smells like water lilies...like she used too...before I was sent away.

Drawing back, my eyes ask my dying question. How? Somehow, she knows and says, "They found me after everyone had passed out. They brought back my good side and banished the other. Now I won't be a problem anymore. I can finally be myself without worrying." Her eyes puddled up and looked like she was going to cry, but somehow she remained strong. Could this all be possible? I didn't want to burst her bubble, but I had to ask.

"Who are these people? Are they a threat?"

Namiko shakes her head. "No Mai." Her hands were still on my arms. "They are the Acnaib. Masked woman who keep to themselves unless they feel the need to step in. Not even the school knows about them. No one does, except the people they help." Namiko smiles even more brightly at me and I feel like some of my strength has been restored.

"Namiko...I thought you were gone forever." Then something hits me. "Where's my sword?"

She points down the hallway. "They stored it in a seperate room, so no one could take it. It has been damaged, so they are repairing it." Blue eyes turn to look at me and ask an unexpected question. "Would you like to see Malaki?"

My eyes feel wet again. "Yes."

Yes I brought her back okay? See Nikki, I know that good Namiko, bad Namiko was bothering you, so I fixed it, see? .^_^. *points up* tehe In any case, Mai is not dreaming and the people aren't bad and Namiko is all better. No changing that *glares* tehe Okay? Love ya'll!

This is going to be short, i can't feel my fingers and i have a migrane. But I refuse to pass! bwahaha.

.[. Mai's POV .].

Mai walked down the hall, following the slightly disturbing Namiko to a room she wouldn't have been able to find on her own. Namiko pressed her hand on a scan-like object mounted on the wall, and suddenly a door appeared, just like in Mai's room. Mai could hear banging, then Andrewas's voice saying "Hey, Malaki. A door." She nearly laughed at Malaki's response.

"Oh shut up and stop trying to distract me. I'm trying to open the door, moron." Malaki snapped.
"Fine, well then I'll go greet Mai first." She heard movement, she assumed it was Andrewas walking to the door. Until she saw Malaki an instant before his arms were around her and squeezing what seemed to be the last few drops of oxygen right out of her pores.
"Mai, it's so good to see you. Are you alright?" He whispered into her hair, then pulled back and examined her.
"I'm fine, fine. Are you?" Mai said, looking up at him.
"Yes, yes. Oh, thank God." He hugged her again. She could see Andrewas behind him, a patient but annoyed look upon his handsome face. When Malaki let go of Mai, she turned and hugged Andrewas. He tensed up a bit, but relaxed and hugged her back.
"You okay?" She asked him.
"Of course. I wasn't the one beating at a door that was obviously not going to budge. That was your friend over there." He jerked his thumb towards Malaki, who glared in return.
"At least I was trying to get us the hell out of here. Speaking of here, where the hell is here?" Malaki looked around for a moment, obviously not finding anything with enough significance to tell him where they were.



.[. Malaki's POV .].

He looked around, but found his efforts pointless. There wasn't a thing around them that could tell him any sort of information of where they were, except that the keepers were meticulous. Then he saw Namiko.

"I thought you were dead." He snapped, he reached for a dagger he usually kept in his waistband, and found it removed.
"They stripped you all of your weapons, Malaki. And yes, I was dead." Namiko spoke softly, not as if she were hurt by his hatred, but as if it had just gone right past her, without her noticing it's existence. She repeated what she had told Mai.
Malaki snorted. "Right, well, where are these people of yours?"
"Follow me." Namiko said with a smile and she turned around. Malaki reached for Mai's hand and they followed Namiko down the halls. Andrewas trailing behind them in such a relaxed manner that Malaki wished to punch him. Couldn't the man show a little anxiety? A little nervousness? Anything at all? Or was he in on all of this?



.[. Andrewas's POV .].

Andrewas followed Namiko and Mai and Malaki in silence, taking in everything around him. He wished he knew where they were, he just wasn't nearly as vocal as Malaki, which was good. If they were both as pestering, he thought, then Namiko might be forced to kill one or both of them. He smirked at the thought, but then forced himself to remain solemn. Malaki wouldn't like to know Andrewas was smirking at the thought of Malaki's death.

They came to a large doorway that didn't need to be hidden, and Namiko pushed open the doors. The smell of all sorts of foods hit their nostrils instantly, and Andrewas suddenly realized how hungry he was. Goldin sat at a large table, surrounded by all kinds of food and not hesitating in the slightest to consume as much as he could. The group sat down and began to eat, Namiko stood with the others in silence. Don't they eat? Andrewas wondered. Or did they already?



.[. Mai's POV .].

She ate as much as she possibly could, and when she decided she couldn't eat anymore, she continued to eat more. It was when she could feel the food in the back of her throat that she stopped. Unwillingly, but she did. The boys didn't seem to be bothered by the over abundance of the food either, they seemed to inhale it as fast as they possibly could. Andrewas was the next to stop feeding. Goldin was still going, and had obviously been going for a while when they showed up, due to the fact that he had four plates already stacked when they came. Malaki seemed to have caught up with Goldin as well, they had both gained a total of 10 plates each. Mai couldn't complain, she already had 6.

When they all stopped eating, they sat back and relaxed for a while. The people watching them didn't seem in the mood for a discussion, so the group didn't press them. Maybe it was the fact that they were all tired now, and they had grown lazy. Wishing to be waited upon and to do nothing with themselves. Which was what happened. The keepers returned with warm glasses of tea and light, flakey chips. The kind you can eat no matter how full you are. They don't really add up to much of a substance. They sort of evaporate in your mouth. Mai muched happily. The group didn't speak within themselves either, it was sort of uncomfortable to be watched in such a thick silence. No one complained though, nor did they look as if they wished to complain. The keepers lit another fire, and gave them all soft, fluffy pillows to lay back on. The ceiling went translucent, they could all see the stars in the sky, but no one could feel any breeze. It was magnificent.



.[. Malaki's POV .].

The view of the sky was beautiful, but he seemed to be more enthralled with the one that lie beside him. Mai was gorgeous with her eyes reflecting the stars, and her face tilted upwards. He watched her for a long time. He broke off his gaze after what he guessed to be an hour, and found everyone else asleep, the keepers gone, and the stars shining even brighter. He looked back at Mai and found her eyes on him. He didn't hesitate, he leaned in and kissed her lips softly. She didn't pull back so he leaned in closer. He pulled her warm body closer to his, as they moved around on the floor. They bumped into a pile of blankets left for them, and Malaki broke off their kissing to lay the blankets out. Mai crawled under them, and he joined her. Their soft kisses progressed until they were both overtaken with pleasure and the sky became light with dawn. Mai laid in his arms, her breathing coming heavily, as they both drifted off to sleep under the blankets.



.[. Andrewas's POV .].

He rolled over under his blanket and yawned. It was past dawn, nearly noon, and he couldn't believe he had slept in so late. He sat up and looked around, Goldin was asleep, as were Mai and Malaki. Who were snuggled awefully close under their shared blanket, and what was that pile next to them? Their clothing. Andrewas snorted, yes, that was what it was. He laid back down and crossed his arms. He was being childish, but he was dead jealous. Should he have taken his chance when Mai was drunk? Probably not, because Malaki came out at just the wrong time.





I'm sorry it sucks guys. But I really can't think. I tried not to get explicit, i dont know how you all feel about that.. so i was a good girl. And what do you think about my crappy chapter? I dont know. I had no idea what to do with the "keepers".. I can't think. *cries* What if i re-wrote it another time? Like in a few days or something? Would you mind Michelle, because I really think this sucks. It's nothing like my usual work.

Chapter Twenty of the Round Robin

Jade eyes flickered open and its owner pushed off slowly from the ground. Soft long lockes cascaded forward and Mai looked around in confusion. Where was she now? Her clothes were back on and she was currently on the grassy ground in the depths of the forest. How had she gotten here? Had that place been real? Had everything been real? Something poked her on her thigh and she reached down to see what it was. It was her sword. Didn't Namiko say that it was being repaired? That caused more suspicions about everything being real.

After she got up, she brushed off her skirt and looked around her. It was night and the moon was up. What a second...it was a full moon...just like... Mai swerved around as she came to a odd realization. It was a full moon the night she had ran away from the school...well prison. There wasn't anyway that tonight's moon could be the same, it hadn't been long enough for the moon to make its cycle, but nevertheless it was clear as crystal that it was indeed a full moon.

So was everything she had experienced fake or was what she was experiencing now not real? Mai's decision escaped her because she could neither assess the situation or excuse it because she knew too little to make a firm choice about it all. She did the only thing she knew she could do and knew it was the right thing to do. Grasping the sword and holding it in a fighting position, she waited for an attack. There was no other reason why she had been brought here. Whether it was real or not didn't matter because whoever brought her here wanted her to be alone. They also thought she was vunerable, but if they did Mai pitied them for that was the very last thing she was.

A cold wind whisped by her and her senses seemed to clear up. Her eyes narrowed and her old instincts returned to her as did deep rooted doubt about everything she knew. The school had been real that was for certain, but what about now? The moon's light illuminated her face through the thicket of trees and the fact of the full moon hanging in the sky entered her mind again. Something was amiss and she didn't like it.

A deep dark noise that was most probably a voice was carried to Mai's ears by the treacherous wind. It's words were muffled and sounded foriegn. Emerald orbs bobbed around while all senses became sensitive to the slightest movement. It became apparent as the wind became stronger, that the words weren't as unfamiliar as Mai had begun to believe. They were of her own language and even the voice started to sound familiar. However, that was the bad part. As the deep and sinister tones reached Mai's delicate ears, rage grew inside her until it almost consumed her completely. It was the voice of one of the alleged 'administers' at the school her parents had sent her to. His voice was venom to Mai, but it fueled her will to win. Soon enough more bodiless voices joined the other and made Mai's mind spin and she almost lost her balance. All of the men who had tortured her very being, who took joy in seeing her day after day doing what she was told were now surrounding her, but she could not see them.

Mai silently damned them all. Her mind was a web of confusion and deep inside her, she knew not what to do for too many things just didn't make sense. She also quickly cursed herself for not ridding the world of their existence when she had escaped, but she was in such a hurry to leave that she hadn't thought to take out her anger on them as well. As their inane babble became louder, Mai's head pounded and she tried to keep her eyes open and focus. Every now and then, she heard cackling and it felt as if her skull would split in two. Panic overtook her as she screamed, "Silence!"

The wind stopped and the trees grew still. Her head felt better and her world was no longer spinning. The voices had stopped, but she still heard a soft snigger ever once and awhile. Not liking her current disadvantage, she spoke. "Why don't you come out where I can see you? Are you afraid that I will be too much for you?" A smirk planted itself on her face, but when one of the voices laughed whole-heartedly it melted.

"Mai, our poor poor Mai. You think you actually got away from us? You are more foolish then it would appear. In truth, you have only been in this very forest all the time." Five figures appeared before Mai, in suits, towering over her like projections from a virtual game. The faces made Mai grimace, but the words spoken stung Mai's skin.

"What are you talking about? How can I trust you when you only take pleasure in making others miserable?" Mai kept her sword in a fighting position, but did not attack since her prey was making no move to inflict any harm to her. However, if an opportunity came in which she could kill them, the young woman would take it without hesitation.

Another of the five laughed and Mai's skin crawled. Of course, she showed no signs of any of her feelings other then her obvious hatred towards the men before her. "You are very right, little girl. That being as it is, how can you dismiss us of doing anything to cause you more pain?"

Green eyes sparkled and Mai imagined the worst of meanings behind the vile man's words. There were many possibilities and right at that moment Mai didn't want to think of them. A few indistinct noises came out of her mouth. Gaining back her compsure as the man before her laughed, she yelled, "Explain yourselves!"

"With pleasure. After we found the men you killed, shortly after you killed them mind you, we decided to punish you in a very unique way. A manipulation of sorts..." His voice trailed on and one of his comrades picked up the sentence. "You see that very night when you stopped to rest in the orchard of cherry blossoms, we put a nice little constraining spell on you. It seemed as if you got away didn't it? That's what the spell is supposed to do. However, instead of scampering away, you were sent into a deep sleep and carried into these forests where you wouldn't be disturbed. Everything you experienced were mere illusions, dreams made up by the five of us to torture you. Indeed, you enjoyed yourself in that fake reality, but we knew what we wanted would come to pass. We knew when we would allow you to wake and divulge all of this information to you, the realization that everything you thought to be real was only a crock, your pain would be immense. Do you not feel it now Mai? The horrible feeling of manipulation? None of what you experienced was real. It was all to be as it happened just so when you awoke, the fact that all of it was a sham would burn into your soul." The five mean smirked devilshly as the female's face before them was hidden by shadow.

They were right about everything they said. The pain of their words tore Mai to ribbons. She knew their words to be true for they would do something so immoral and unfeeling just to get at Mai. They were demons in their own right to make Mai think that Malaki cared about her...a thought pierced her heart...Malaki wasn't real...none of them were except of course Namiko who in fact she hadn't really ran back to. Mai should have known that everything was fake. Everything had happened so oddly, and the events were so twisted. How could she have allowed herself to be so foolish?

No, she wouldn't let herself cry. She wouldn't let them win. If anything, if she could triumph against them now after they had truly wronged her, then she would go on better for it. With glimmering eyes up at the evil men, in a unsteady voice, she murmured, "No...." She looked down at the ground and gripped her sword. "No!!!!!" With her primal scream she ran towards them with her swords raised, ready to strike. Her actions were in vain for she was only repeled by an invisible shield that guarded the ungodly men.

After a long peal of laughter, one said, "I think it is prime time to take care of our little troublemaker." A large hand reached down to crush Mai and she clenched her eyes shut. Her sword was no longer in her reach and she could do nothing to stop her attackers. Why should she? Everything she had thought to be sacred hadn't even been real.

Shadow engulfed her, but no contact was made to her skin. She only heard rapid footfalls and then quick slashes to flesh. The shadows lifted and before her were the administators, three of them laying in their own pools of blood while two fought for their lives. It was obvious that they were so pompous that they had not expected a sneak attack. A shadowed figure fought the last two and was winning. Mai looked around for her sword, but realized her savior must have it. That didn't bode well with Mai, but she conditioned herself to regain it after the men had perished. Soon, the last of the screams filled the air and the attacker approached Mai, handing her her bloodied up sword. Her body ached from being repeled by the shield, but she propped herself up against a tree as to not appear weak. The man was still in darkness, at least she thought it to be a man.

The mystery overtook her, so she forced herself to say nothing so she would know who this person was. "Miss this is yours is it not?"

Mai gasped and leaned foward, her voice lodged in her throat. The voice was a comforting one and she knew it all to well. However, in her immobile state, another voice spoke before her. "Come on already! We don't want to attacked by anyone else! Let the wretches find their leaders and surrender to us then! We can't be found here when we are so close to our goal!" That voice was familiar too. Mai gestured for them to come into the light, which they did even though they didn't see why they should.

A delicate hand covered her mouth, and she felt herself loose her balance at last. Strong arms caught her and she looked up into the same eyes she had been dreaming about. She remembered how everything felt, the passion, but accepted that it didn't happen. It was easier to accept now that she knew all of it wasn't fake.

"Miss, are you sure you're alright?"

Mai shook her head. Looking from boy to boy, she said, "Malaki...Goldin...how?"

Goldin placed his hands on his hips, "I'll say how! How do you know our names?"

She smiled and said outloud mostly to herself, "Figures that those bastards wouldn't have an original thought if they wanted." She looked up at Malaki again as he kept hold of her. "You work against the school right?" He nodded and without thinking she hugged him tight. "Malaki..."

At first he didn't react, but eventually he wrapped his arms around the unknown woman and shot a look at Goldin. His friend came over and whispered into one ear, so Mai wouldn't hear. "Hey, she's hot. Don't fight it just because the consequences are weird man. Just..." He backed away. "Go with it!" The two man laughed jovially and Mai pulled away slightly from the niche in Malaki's shoulder.

Taking his friend's advice, he looked at her and said, "You want to come with us?" She nodded her head. "By the way, what's your name?"

Jade eyes sparkled under the moonlight. "Mai."

>The End<