She stood in the middle of a hallway, with her dress torn up to her hips and herself drenched in rain. She sniffled once and begins walking down the hallway in also a trance like state. She wandered down that hall until she gently bumped into a wall. She stood there starring at the wall as if she hadn’t noticed it before and turned off to the side. She bumped softly into a door there but it opened for her. A young man with long silver hair sat in the room reading a newspaper. He lifted his head up at the sound of someone padding softly into the room. He spun his chair around and his eyes went wide.

“MIE!” He exclaimed as he jumped to his feet and ran around his desk to Mie.

Mie starred past him, she was unaware of the young man at her side that was saying her name over and over in her ear. She blinked slowly and moved past him and towards the Syrus sphere in his room. The young man trailed after her but she stopped in front of the sphere and placed a hand on it.

“Take…me… back… I want…to go…. home.” Mie mumbled softly and the sphere glowed softly in reaction.

Mie blinked and her whole body tensed. She wrapped her arms tightly around herself and shivered.

“A-Aguni?” Mie’s voice trembled as the young man hugged her from behind.

“I’m here Mie.” Aguni whispered softly as he held her trembling body.

The sphere glowed a yellow hue and then stopped glowing altogether.

“I am home?” Mie questioned softly.

“Yes, you are Mie.” Aguni answered and let her go, “Let’s get you into some dry clothes and then you can tell me what happened.”

Aguni led Mie out of the room and into her room, where he stood outside of the room and let her change into dry clothes. She walked out a few minutes later wearing one of Aguni’s old robes and Aguni did a double take.

“Oh, I forget*sweat drop* we share rooms.” Aguni said smacking himself in the forehead.

“Not only that all my clothes are being washed so I went into your room and stole a robe.” Mie said smiling happily.

Aguni smacked himself in the forehead again and led Mie into the kitchen. He busied himself with making her a cup of hot cocoa and a thought occurred to him. Mie looked cute in his old robes, made her look chibi in the oversized robe. Aguni frowned at himself and snorted. ‘I’m not to be thinking such thoughts about her… I mean… we’re just life long best friend, right?’ Aguni thought to himself but his thoughts were interrupted when Mie sneezed loudly. Aguni looked at her and sweat dropped again.

“Ah, right.” Aguni answered his own trail of thoughts and walked over to Mie with the cup of hot cocoa in his hand.

Mie took the hot cocoa and took a big drink of it and noticed Aguni was starring at her with a seriously look about him. She felt slightly unnerved.

“What did I do Aguni?” Mie whined from behind her cup of cocoa.

Aguni fell flat on his face.

“Um…. What did I say?” Mie said poking Aguni in the head with her foot.

Aguni lifted up his head and looked at her.

“Defiantly right.” Aguni said out loud without realizing it.

Mie blinked and poked Aguni in the head with her foot again.

“Right what?” Mie asked curiously.

“Oh never mind.” Aguni said as he got up, “But what made it so you came in the house like you did?”

“They made me fight again.” Mie said quietly.

“Again?? Why didn’t you tell them no?”

“Don’t you think I tried?!” Mie said slamming the cup of hot cocoa down on the table.

“I’m Sorry…” Aguni frowned. “Do you remember anything? Anything at all from the fights?? It doesn’t have to be important but I need you to tell me.”

“I don’t really remember…..” Mie paused and shock her head, “but I do remember a banner… a greenish color with a silver star and a chain like weapon on it.”

“That’s not much…” Aguni rubbed his chin and sighed, “But I have nothing better to go on.”

Mie looked at her cup of hot cocoa, for she was going to take a drink but remembered she slammed it down on the table spilling all of it onto the floor. She turned to Aguni, all gogglely sad eyed and sniffled. Aguni jumped away from her and sweat dropped.

“What?!” Aguni asked, afraid of what she wanted.

“I spilled my hot cocoa. Could you make me another cup?” Mie ask all gogglely eyed.

Aguni fell over twitching.

 

After Aguni had gotten Mie settled into her room and made sure she didn’t spill the cup of hot cocoa, he wandered into the study and up to the Syrus sphere. He held his hand over it until it began slowly glowing with a goldish hue. He pulled up a chair as the Syrus sphere turned clear and he starred contently into it for five minutes before he said anything.

“Ilora? Are you there?”

A woman with long silver hair wearing armor slowly came into view inside the Syrus sphere, she resembled Aguni in more ways then one.

“Dear brother, I am here. It has been a while.” Ilora said with a warm smile.

“Yes is has sister, and I am sorry. I haven’t had any time for my studies to do anything else but study.” Aguni said gesturing towards the books behind him with one hand.

“Sounds like you need a girly friend around there.” Ilora said with an impish grin.

“I don’t need another woman getting in my way! Mie is enough trouble as is!” Aguni said with a growl, jumping up to his feet at the suggestion of another woman.

Ilora smiled triumphantly to herself, which left Aguni puzzled in more ways then one.

“What are you up to?” Aguni asked slowly, as he sat back down.

“So how’s Mie?” Ilora asked, suddenly changing the topic.

“Not so well.” Aguni mumbled softly, angered but not willing to do anything about it.

“What’s going on?” Ilora leaned forward in her chair.

“She’s gotten into another fight. Same as the last, she comes home in the trance and I cannot stand it any more.” Aguni spoke softly as if he would break up in tears if he kept on talking like this, “But I couldn’t stand the first one either.”

“So… Do you have idea what’s or who’s making her do this?” Ilora asked softly.

“No, but I do have a clue. A greenish colored banner with silver star and a chain like weapon on it. Dose that strike you in any way sister?” Aguni said speaking in a normal tone.

Ilora froze, her eyes turned dark and unreadable and it made Aguni nervous. She closed her eyes slowly and pressed her fingers to her temple like she had a headache and opened her eyes again.

“Why would my soldiers be involved with this?” Ilora’s tone was deadly and dark.

“I don’t think they would be. But this banner is yours?” Aguni asked, veeeery carefully.

“Not mine directly but it belongs to a small group of first class soldiers.” Ilora answered, almost sharply.

“Then,” Aguni pointed out, “there must be a group of some kind working unseen. My guess is these fights are to the death and the only reason Mie has been coming home is because she’s winning and I’m sure they’re giving her something also which might explain why she comes home in a trance state.”

Ilora’s face softened into worry, for she cared about Mie like a sister would, for her brother loved Mie. Even if he hadn’t admitted it to himself yet.

“I have heard of such fights from one of my most trusted soldiers but I didn’t believe it.” Ilora said softly.

“No one wants to believe that their soldiers are doing wrong. I knew that when I still fought but I have retired with Mie by my side and my studies at hand.” Aguni smiled softly, as if saying ‘I understand’.

“You love her? Don’t you?” Ilora asked suddenly.

“I… love her enough… to find out what’s going on and stop it.” Aguni said softly.

“Aguni? Why don’t you just tell me the truth?” Ilora said waving her hands in the air in a frustrated gesture.

“You’re changing the topic.” Aguni snapped.

“So are you!” Ilora snapped back.

“Now, about these fights.” Aguni said softly.

“You’re changing the topic.” Ilora growled.

“What do you know about them?” Aguni asked in almost a growl.

Ilora sighed and dropped her hands onto the arms of the chair. Aguni was being impossible and there was nothing she could do about it. She rubbed her temple again and gives up for now.

“Not much other wise then they are fights to the death. It can last days or months and they take in anyone into the fight whom seems strong enough to fight no matter what you are. To the winner goes money, food, and what ever else the winner happens to ask for if anyone is left alive.” Ilora explained softly.

“Then why Mie? She couldn’t hurt people, not even if she was forced to.” Aguni mumbled.

“That’s where you’re wrong Aguni. She can fight. She just won’t.” Ilora said, “And she never will again. I’ll help you find out what’s going on a put a stop to it.”

Aguni nodded and sighed softly to himself. He wanted to protect her, but he didn’t know how.

“And when I find them*” Ilora growled out but Aguni interrupted her before she could finish.

“ACK! Now-now, we don’t want to get hasty*sweat drop*.” Aguni said nervously.

Ilora humped and glared at Aguni through the sphere.

“I’ll keep in touch sister, I must take my own actions here.” Aguni said after claming down.

“You love her. I know you do.” Ilora said before the sphere became blank.

Aguni sat there starring at the sphere, his hands clasped lightly together. He suddenly slumped back into his chair and sighed in defeat. It was true, not matter what he said or did, he loved her from the very first moment he met her. But he had something else to deal with first.

 

Mie sat in Aguni’s room on his bed with her feet dangling in mid air. She clasped the cup of hot cocoa in her hands but she was lost deeply in thought. She wasn’t even paying attention when Aguni walked into his room and spoke to her.

“Mie, I’m going after them. I have a lead…”Aguni took a deep breath, “And I love you.”

“Were you speaking to me?” Mie said blinking dumbfoundly drawing out of her own thoughts, “Cause if you were I wasn’t listening.”

Aguni fell over twitching and Mie only blinked. She slid herself forward on the bed a ways until her feet touched the floor, then she stood up. She placed the cup of hot cocoa down and offers Aguni her hand.

“C’mon, I’ll help you up.” Mie said in a kind voice.

Aguni grunted and took her hand, helping himself up more then Mie was pulling him to his feet. But he smiled at her anyway.

“Thanks.” Aguni said.

“Don’t mention it! ^-^” Mie replied giving the peace sign.

Aguni sighed and turned to his gun closet and picked out the guns he was going to bring along.

‘I love you to.’ Mie thought to herself, her smile growing into a kitty cat smile.

                                                      =^_-_^=

 

 

Mie stood on a tall rock; her figure hidden behind a small cloak and a silver staff was gripped in her hands. She adjusted her kneecap high boots a bit and hopped off the rock just as Aguni was walking by. Aguni smiled over at her, with a large gun held over one of his shoulders. He had the other hand tucked in the white trench coat; he also had on a plain white dress shirt (no frills), dark blue pants and ankle high boots. Mie dug his hand out of his trench coat and held his hand in hers, none too firmly. He only pondered as she skipped beside him singing a song while he walked. They were marching off to fight the bad guys but Mie was being cheery and close to him, closer then he’d ever seen her be. But he didn’t mind, no not at all.

 

Ilora on the other hand was at nerves ends with her soldiers, she was about ready to shang-high ‘em all.

“I don’t care how it’s done Alex! I just want this group found, and found now before my brother gets here!” Ilora hissed into the soldier’s, whom she called Alex, face.

“You’re brother’s coming here???” Alex stuttered out.

“Yes, he informed me of what’s been happening… And I don’t like it.” Ilora dropped her tone, dark “And if I find out you’re involved Alex… there won’t be enough to send back to your family.”

Alex held up his hands in front of him trying to defend himself from a rage he didn’t deserve.

“Now Ma’am!” Alex said stomping his foot, but didn’t get so much as a flinch from Ilora, “I don’t know about anything your brother told you but I’m not involved in this group. I don’t know why you don’t trust me.”

Ilora sighed and leaned back against the wall behind her. Heaven for bid, but what she wouldn’t do for a good glass on ale right now.

“Alex, shut up.” Ilora sounded tired and upset, “You know I trust you, you also know I have a really short fuse when it comes to anyone hurting my brother. So just shut up Alex.”

Alex opened his mouth to say something but closed his mouth. He only shakes his head and looks down at the floor.

“I’m…so… sorry Alex.” Ilora really sounded tired now.

Alex snapped his head up in time to see Ilora disappear threw one of the secret passages. Why was it so damn hard to do what was right? Perhaps it is because he doesn’t even know what’s wrong in the first place.

 

Alex wander threw the hallways in search of Ilora to give his own apology to her. He did know better, and he should’ve thought before he acted. But…

“To late now.” Alex mumbled to himself.

Alex looked up and pondered something.

“Since when did we have two banners??” Alex sounded puzzled.

“We never did.” A voice called from behind him.

“Ah! Bryan!” Alex said as he turned around to face a fellow soldier.

Bryan pushed himself away from the wall and walked towards Alex.

“I just noticed the banner a few days ago myself. Apparently there’s a class of soldier passing threw that have demanded access to Lady Ilora’s castle. She refused but they’re here anyway.” Bryan said with a graceful shrug.

Alex rubbed his chin and a thought occurred to him.

“Bryan. Alex.” Ilora’s voice came from behind them.

Both of them turned and saluted Ilora as she stepped threw a secret door, closing it behind her.

“Thank you Bryan. I had forgotten about our unwanted guests. Tell their leader I wish to have a meeting with him.” Ilora said softly.

“M’lady.” Bryan replied with a low bow and he left to do as asked.

Alex watched Ilora plan quietly, her features darkened and became unreadable and he looked the other way.

“Alex, I know you’re sorry. Now go.” Ilora said softly.

Alex swallowed and walked out of the room. He didn’t think she knew he wanted to say sorry but he still wanted to say it himself.

“I’m… sorry Ilora.” Alex said softly, standing at the door.

“I know, now go catch up with Bryan.”

 

Aguni looked at Mie as she stood outside the inn refusing to go inside for some girly reason or another.

“I don’t wanna!” Mie yelled in a childish tone.

“Fine Mie, I’m going to get some food and be right back. Stay here please Mie.” Aguni said walking into the inn.

 

Mie sat outside the inn, on a stump of a tree nearby a lake. She tossed a rock into the water and watched the ripples.

“Stupid Aguni… Doesn’t know the hunting inn when he sees it.” Mie muttered to herself and sighed.

Mie shifted her gaze to the inn, shuddered and looked back at the lake. Bad memories. That and more.

 

Aguni wandered up to the counter and looked around. He ordered two plates of tonight’s special deciding not to ask what it was and a small cup of mead. He got the cup of mead first and almost chocked when he finally realized where he was.

“Now I know why Mie didn’t want to some in.” Aguni gasped out as he cleared his throat.

Aguni wiped his mouth clean of the mead and decided that the mead was enough from this place and paid. He made his way quickly towards the door but something made him stop, a power he’s felt before and had forgotten until now. His eyes screeched the room until they found a man with long black hair and in a suit of silver armor without the helm. Aguni’s eye’s narrowed in anger and he forced his out of the inn instead of starting a fight. The man’s eyes followed Aguni out and he chuckled to himself when Aguni disappeared out the door.

 

Aguni glanced around and blinked in confusion. Mie was nowhere is sight… but hadn’t he told her to stay here?

“Mie? Where are you?” Aguni called out.

Someone walked out of the door behind him and Aguni glanced over his shoulder.

“You brought Mie with you?” The man with long black hair asked casually.

“Why should you care Nicodimus?” Aguni snapped.

Nicodimus flipped his hair over his shoulder and looked around. He grinned and looked at Aguni.

“Because you never could seem to take care of her. She’s over there in the stable.” Nicodimus said nodding towards the stables.

Aguni walked over to the stables and found Mie petting the nuzzle of a white horse. He smiles, relived to find her safe.

“Why do you still hate me?” Nicodimus spoke, but not to Aguni, to Mie.

Mie jumped and looked over towards Aguni’s and Nicodimus’s direction. She frowned a bit and crossed her arms. Aguni walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Mie?” Aguni spoke softly.

“I hate you.” Mie whispered to Nicodimus.

“But why?” Nicodimus said softly.

“Why did you kill them?” Mie countered with her own softly question.

“They would have killed you.” Nicodimus muttered, but Mie heard him.

Mie shakes her head and Aguni held her in his arms slightly.

“You know that’s not true.” Mie said angrily.

Nicodimus remained quite, looking at Mie. He looked away, from the hate in her eyes and looked at the white horse.

“Then tell me why the hell they were leading you to the temple. I don’t think they were bringing you there for a tour.” Nicodimus said, his own anger starting to boil.

“They weren’t taking me to the temple you idiot. They were taking me towards Green Oak.” Mie said, voice filled with pain and anger.

“Shimata Mie. If that was true. Then why the hell am I the bad guy? Sure I brunt a few villages and killed a few people but I thought you were used to what I did.” Nicodimus’s voice held a dark sarcasm.

“You brunt down my town, killed my family, threw me into Aguni’s arms…. Not that that’s a bad thing… and you want to know why you’re the bad guy??” Mie was practically yelling.

“I DON’T WANT TO BE THE BAD GUY ANYMORE!!” Nicodimus yelled on top of his lungs scaring both Mie and Aguni half to death.

Aguni stumbled as Mie jumped back into him sending them both down to the hard floor of the stable. Aguni cursed softly as he hit the ground and Mie squeaked loudly. She glanced back at Aguni and gave him a apologetic look. He only shrugged and looked back at Nicodimus who was fuming with anger. Nicodimus clenched and unclenched his hands into fists but it wasn’t helping him control his temper. He figured out along time ago he had a really bad temper and there was nothing to do about it.

“I don’t want to be the bad guy anymore.” Nicodimus growled out, glaring at Mire.

Mie got up and offered Aguni her hand, and he took it. He got to his feet and smiles a bit at Mie. She looked back at Nicodimus and was highly confused by what she saw. Tears. Aguni’s eyebrows knitted, he wasn’t fooled… but what was it that was trying to fool him? The look on Nicodimus’s face was pained and angered, but there was no trickery there.

“I’m too damn slow.” Nicodimus gave a sad smile, anger giving in to sadness.

“Wha?” Mie stuttered out, highly confused.

“Well,” Nicodimus said wiping away his tears as he spoke, “If I can’t have what I lost then let me make it up to ya Mie. Let me come with you.”

Mie only blinked and watched Nicodimus for a while. Why did this murdered, of all people, want to be her friend? Mie only shock her head and looked at him again.

“Well? I’ve only got a few minutes here and then I gotta get moving to the next town.” Nicodimus said in a cocky tone.

“Darn you Nic.” Mie said stomping past him and heading down the trail.

“How can she do that?” Nicodimus said looking at Aguni.

“Do what?” Aguni said, trying not to sound bitter.

“Forgive people like that.” Nicodimus started slowly down the trail, and Aguni caught up to him.

“It’s just Mie’s way.”

“And you better treat her well Aguni or I’ll kill ya.” Nicodimus said with a semi-evil grin.

Aguni glared at Nicodimus and moved ahead on the trail to walk along side Mie again.

 

Ilora glared out a window at a on coming storm and hmmed to herself. This was going to be interesting, she could tell. Omin didn’t normally send storms to her area unless he was displeased or a war was coming. But she hadn’t done anything to displease Omin…. She grinned. It had been a long time since the last storm and she still remembers it quiet clearly. She snorted when Bryan coming into the room, interrupting her thoughts.

“Omin sent a storm.” Bryan said, almost sounding bored.

“I noticed. What’s the news?”

“The leader will not speak with you… Alex insisted that they do…But.” Bryan mumbled.

“Is Alex dead or alive?” Ilora asked bluntly.

“Alive but barely.” Bryan sighed out.

“How stupid is Alex?” Ilora mumbled, mainly asking herself but Bryan answered.

“He just wanted to make up for something. He wouldn’t tell me what though.” Bryan said.

Ilora only shrugged and looked out at the storm.

“A fights coming…” Ilora said mindlessly.

“It’s going to be big.” Bryan whispered.

 

Mie walked close to Aguni, he had a hand around her waist while she rested her head slightly on his shoulder. Nicodimus followed somewhere behind them muttering to himself and finally falling silent a hour later. Mie snuggled closer to Aguni’s shoulder but kept on walking. Aguni, however, was lost in his thinking. Nicodimus had said he had lost something he couldn’t have… but what was it? Aguni groaned in frustration and was caught by Mie’s curious gaze. He swallowed and looked at her. What was going on? Did she know? Why was she snuggling up to him like this? Aguni abruptly shoved all those thoughts out of his mind and decided to take things in stride. She may never do this again so he might as well enjoy it while he can. He smiled reassuringly and she smiled back softly. This was all too confusing, but what exactly was going on?

“Got the shakes Aguni?” Nicodimus’s voice taunted.

Aguni flinched slightly. He had forgotten Nicodimus was even there.

“Go jump off a cliff.” Aguni muttered.

“Only if you go first.” Nicodimus countered cheerfully.

“After you.”

Aguni and Nicodimus began bickering like two years olds and Mie giggled at the whole scene. When the two of then figured out they were being laughed at, they stopped arguing and grumbled. Mie patted Aguni on the arm and smiled at him softly and he responded with a lop-sided smile. She giggled again and hugged his arm tight, and He couldn’t help but join her in laughter. Nicodimus was now grumbling darkly about the romantic scene before him.

 

Ilora walked quickly down the hallways, shoving her own soldiers out of her way. The announcement of her brother approaching the castle had reached her ears and she was going to go greet him at the gate. She frowned, casting the crutch baring Alex a dark glare as she had been for the last three days, each time earning a distressed look for her efforts from him. He personally thought he didn’t deserve this treatment, Ilora on the other hand thought he did. She can take care of herself and Alex had already apologized, so what more was there to be done? Alex did not need to go risk his life to prove that he was sorry, she already knew he was. She walked past Alex and didn’t see him start to cry with Bryan resting a hand on his shoulder. She ordered the jaw-bridge to be lowered and the doors opened. It took a matter of minutes and Ilora worked a smile during that time. She looked at Her brother and caught Mie pulling away from his shoulder. Aguni let the hand around her waist drop and Ilora was delighted. Aguni gave her a small smile but noticed the delight in Ilora’s face had suddenly faded. Nicodimus starred at her and grinned.  She stiffened and glanced at Aguni, silently demanding a explanation but Mie spoke up first.

“He’s…an old friend.” Mie said bitterly, realizing a little to late how bitter her tone sounded.

Ilora nodded sharply, letting the topic drop. She led them inside and into the main hall.

“I know who they are.” Ilora said standing in front of her brother.

Mie had moved off to a chair, letting Ilora and Aguni have their room. Nicodimus had decided to wander around after being assigned a guard by Ilora, as to not get into trouble or to cause it. She had enough problems as is, her brother’s raging concern was one of them.

 

Ilora and Aguni talked late into the night, Mie fell asleep on the chair and Nicodimus paced the far end of the room, bored out of his wits. Aguni turned away from Ilora and looked over at Mie.

“What can we do?” Aguni asked softly.

“For now, nothing. Until I can meet with their leader and find out exactly who is doing what, there is nothing you nor I can do.” Ilora replied softly.

Aguni gave a defeated shrug and looked at Ilora. She only nodded and took a step back from him.

“Bryan will be down shortly to show you to your rooms. I have business to attend to.” Ilora said, bowing slightly and quickly walking out of the room.

Aguni walked over to Mie and gently urged her awake. Mie smacked him in the face and he growled when Nicodimus’s insane laughter began from across the room. Aguni rubbed his nose and looked at the sleeping Mie. She was cute in her sleep but when she wrinkled up her nose and gave a loud ‘meep’ before she fell off the chair, it kind of ruined her cute image. She sat up and blinked, dazed and not understanding what just happened. She looked up at Aguni who was offering her a hand up and she took it. He pulled her to her feet and she smiled just as Bryan walked in and cleared his throat.

“I think it’s best I led you to your rooms now. Ilora is in the process of throwing a mad fit.” Bryan said.

“Alright.” Aguni said softly, taking Mie’s hand in his and walking towards Bryan.

Bryan led the two of them down the hall but Nicodimus was trudging after them, not really intent to make himself known.