Kimagure Orange Road
                           The Untold Stories!
                           By Daniel C. Harrison
                           In Honor of Matsumoto Izumi

                          "Winter's Time of Fear"
                           Chapter One: Heartache!    

    
     Monday. Outside, I can see the new fallen snow on the ground and I can
feel the chill of the air from the wind as it gently blows past the curtains. I
should be in school right now but, I couldn't get Manami to leave his side. How
long had we been here? Seven days? I was losing track of time as it seemed to
continue endlessly in the hospital which had seemed to become our world.
     Manami. I can see her there now sleeping with her head on the bed. She is
exhausted and needs to go home. But, I can't force her to. Given the
circumstances, I would be doing the same if it were...Ayukawa.
     I felt someone enter the room. Turning, I looked behind me and saw Mrs.
Hayden standing there. "No change, Kyouske-kun?"
     "No." I stared at the floor. "I can't get Manami to leave his side. I
don't know what to do anymore."
     She moved past me and gently shook Manami. "Manami-chan? Manami-chan, can
you hear me?"
     Manami stirred and opened her eyes. "Uhmm.." she looked up into the face
of Mrs. Hayden. "Oh..Mrs. Hayden..I.."
     "You need to go home and rest, Manami-chan. You won't do Shawn any good
just sitting here. When he awakens, I'll let you know. I'm going to stay here
for a little bit with him."
     Manami started to protest but, Mrs. Hayden put up her hand. "I won't hear
of it. You go home and rest. I promise you, I will call you if anything
changes."
     Reluctantly, she nodded and looked at me. "Oniechan...arigatoo."
     I smiled at her and took her arm. "I'll take you home, Manami."
     Mrs. Hayden nodded to me. "I need to talk to you alone for a minute,
Kyouske-kun. Manami-chan, please wait here for a bit?"
     Manami sat down and took Hayden-kun's hand again putting her head on
his chest. His face still shocked me. I would have never known he was the
same person. And, I knew Komatsu would never forgive himself for the
accident.
     Mrs. Hayden took me out into the corridor and into a small alcove.
"Kyouske..I am going to have to leave for a few days. I don't know when I
will be back. I am very worried about Shawn and my children. I want you to
watch them please. Keep your promise that you gave to me."
     "Where are you going?" I asked feeling great anxiety.
     "Switzerland. Don't ask too many questions, Kyouske-kun. I'm backed
into a corner so, I have to assemble whatever allies I have. It's
unfortunate that this accident occured..it makes things that much more
difficult. I don't know how much time we have left. I don't have time to
just hope things will change. I have to make that happen. And, I will be
needing you and others to help me. It's the only way my family and yours
can be assured of a normal life."
     "But..but I am not sure what to do if.."
     She cut me off shaking her head. "You're Ojiichan is a very intelligent
man. I know he will be there. I need you to be there as well. Please help Shawn
when he regains consciousness. Protect Marcia and Darla as well."
     I swallowed and nodded curtly. "Hai. I will do my best, Mrs.
Hayden. I'll take Manami home now."
     "Good. I'll stay with Shawn for a bit. Call my house when you
get home, okay? Let me know if Darla is alright. Marcia should be in
school right now. At least, I hope she is."
     "I understand." I watched her turn and I followed her back down
the corridor to Hayden-kun's room. I could feel the sadness in the
air as I saw Manami still holding his hand. She was whispering
something to him.
     But, Hayden-kun couldn't hear her. The doctors didn't know what
his condition would be. It had been a terrible accident...during a
time of joy. But, that joy had faded as fast as it had come. Now,
there was nothing left for poor Manami but heartache. She hated
Komatsu for what he had done. It had been a simple case of playing
around with fireworks. But, play had led to pain...and now this was
the result.
     "Manami...time to go." Mrs. Hayden said to her.
     Manami nodded and got up releasing Hayden-kun's hand. I looked
at his bandaged face. His body was covered with them. Manami gave
Mrs. Hayden a hug then walked out of the room....

     Walking home felt like a bad dream. Manami was quiet, lost in
her own thoughts. I swallowed trying to get up courage what to say to
her. "Manami..you're going to have to go to school tomorrow. Winter
break is over."
     Manami stared at the frozen ground as the sound of the snow
crunching filled the air. "I know. I don't want to. I want to stay
with Shawn."
     "Hayden-kun would want you to go to school..." I began.
     "Baka!" Manami laughed. "He wouldn't care! You know how Shawn
feels about school. Besides, until he get's better, I won't have my
heart in it."
     "Despite that, you need to go. Father isn't going to let you
miss another day like he did yesterday. You're not engaged or
anything so..."
     "Hai. I know, Oniechan. I wasn't as lucky as Kurumi was to be
engaged to Jim-kun. But, I still love Shawn. I love him with all my
heart. I don't want to lose him." She looked up at me and, I could
see the tears in her eyes.
     "Manami..." I hesitated not knowing what to say. That was the
problem. There was nothing I could say. Nothing I would say would
change what had happened. Hayden-kun was in the hospital and Komatsu
was the cause. And, unless Hayden-kun was alright, it would take a
miracle before Manami would ever forgive him.
     But, that wasn't the worst of my fears. Sometime soon in the
near future, I would be forced to try to protect those I loved from
CIA espers. My fear returned even greater now just thinking of it...
     How had all this happened? How did we get to this point? If I
had been faster...if Hayden-kun hadn't pushed Hatta out of the
way...if maybe Komatsu had been using his head...none of this would
have ever happened. 
     
     I looked up realizing that we were home. I hadn't even noticed. Musing in
my thoughts had so filled me that, I had no idea where I was. I opened the door
of our apartment "Green Castle" and let Manami in first. Together we both got
in the elevator and took it to our apartment floor. As the elevator door opened
again, I stepped out and suddenly stopped. I turned to the right and saw the
window in the hallway where Mrs. Hayden and I had stood. I could still remember
bits of that conversation...

     ""I understand my son Shawn told you some things about me."
     I swallowed. "Uhm...hai."
     "Whatever he told you is not to be discussed with anyone. Shawn has a
tendency to run his mouth when he shouldn't."
     My thoughts shifted again....
     
    "Be very careful with the gifts you and your family have. There are many in
the world that would try to use those gifts for evil by controlling you."
     "Gifts?" I said.
     "You call it "the power." We call it, mental ability. Same difference. I
want you to watch my daughter, Kyouske-kun..."

     "Oniechan?"
      
     "Hai?" I looked up quickly coming out of my thoughts. I was
finding I was doing a lot of that lately as I tried to force myself to
ignore this fear. My father had wanted to move away. But, Mrs. Hayden
had told him and my family, there was no escape. In time, they would
find us and, they would hunt us down.
     I opened the door to our apartment and watched Manami walk down
the hall to her room. Without a word, she opened the door and shut it
behind her. Manami wanted to be alone and, I would give her that
privacy. I walked out onto our balcony overlooking the city and
noticed Jingoro sunning himself. I smiled. He had no worries. His
worst worry was the next time Kurumi would try to give him a bath or
use "the power" to move him around. Our cat had put up with a lot of
things over the years but, he generally had a good life.
     I sat down and picked up the phone. I had to do what Mrs. Hayden
had asked....

     The phone rang. It rang...and continued to ring. I felt...fear. Where was
Darla-chan? Shouldn't she be home? I grit my teeth wondering if I should go
over there and..
     "Hello?"
     "Darla-chan! Are you alright?" I said quickly.
     "Kyouske-kun? Hai, I'm fine. Is Shawn okay?"
     I felt a sigh of relief escape me. "Uhmmm..hai. He's still unconscious.
The doctors don't know when he will wake up. I was asked by your mother to make
sure things are safe there."
     Darla-chan was silent a moment. "Marcia went to school and, I have been
working here on the internet. I haven't heard or seen anything strange yet. I
don't know what I will do if that happens either."  
     "I'm home now so, call me or come over if you feel you need to."
     She sounded relieved. "I may do that, Kyouske-kun. Do you know if
my mother is coming home?"
     I swallowed nervously. "I...she said she had some things to do. I
don't know anymore then that."
     "I see." She sound disappointed. "Arigatoo. I'll see you later. If
I need anything, I'll call you."
     I heard her hang up the phone before I could say another word.
Darla-chan was that way. Very inward. She was a loner and it was easy to
see why.
     Darla-chan, was a genius. At age fourteen, she had finished college
in America and had been teaching at the University of Washington when
suddenly, her mother had moved the entire family here to Japan. She had
tried to get a job here at Waseda University where Ayukawa and I planned
to go to college after we both graduated but, I had no idea if she had
succeeded in that. Because of the fear which now threatened us, she
didn't know if she had a future. None of us did. And, it was all Hayden-kun's
and my fault. 
     Hayden-kun and I had met on a cruise ship called the "Sun Princess."
Both of us liked Ayukawa at first and, that had led to my showing
jealousy inadvertantly. As a result of that, Hayden-kun had learned of my
powers..and in turn had shown me his. His sister Marcia-chan also had
powers. When the family had come here to Japan to live, Hayden-kun's
friend Shaw Jim-kun who Kurumi had fallen in love with on the cruise
declared his love for her and, the two had become engaged.
     This had infuriated both Komatsu and Hatta. Both had vowed to find a
way to win back my sisters affections. Maybe it was a suppressed feeling
to remove Hayden-kun from Manami that had caused Komatsu to do what he
did. It couldn't be helped as, the damage was already done.
     But...the story of the Hayden family coming to Japan to help
Shaw-kun and Kurumi be together had been nothing but a ruse. In reality,
Mrs. Hayden had revealed to me, my father, and grandparents that, she was
an agent for the CIA. Hayden-kun and I while on that cruise had been
hijacked with everyone else by Sandinista rebels. But, using our powers,
we had been able to thwart the hijacking. In the process though, Mrs.
Hayden revealed to us that, the CIA had questioned the hijackers about
the incident..and some had informed them about us. They had seen us using
our powers which put the agency on our trail. Mrs. Hayden and her husband
were espers because of early experiments involving drugs in the late
1950's. The agency knowing she was an esper learned very quickly that she
had fooled them about her children..and so...she had taken her family and
fled to Japan using her own skills and Darla-chan's to cover their
tracks. A time to be safe and hope that they would be left alone.
     But it was not to be. Mrs. Hayden's husband had gone to Washington
DC to handle the situation. He had not returned. Now, she was at a loss
what to do. I wondered if she was going to Switzerland to find friends to
help...

     I closed my eyes and sat back on the couch. My thoughts drifted back
again. Back to that fateful day when things seemed so happy. The day of the
festival. I could see myself there again. Up on that stage. I looked to the
right and saw the small trophy sitting on the bookcase in the corner. We
had won the contest. "Pikaru's" had been a resounding success as we
realized we had won a trip to Hokkaido together. But now...now that trip
may never be taken. My mind was full of memories as I saw Ayukawa and
Hikaru-chan singing and the crowd going insane. Hayden-kun's expert guitar
rifts had sent screams from the girls. And, Marcia-chan's flirting with me
onstage had brought Hikaru-chan quickly to my side. I could still hear
Shaw-kun's bass in my head...almost as if I was still there......


                        Chapter Two: "Fall Romance!"

     
     "Wow! Darling, look at all those people out there! I'm so nervous, I can't
even think straight!"
     I laughed and smiled at Hikaru-chan. "You'll be fine, Hikaru-chan. We're
all going to be out there with you." I sounded more confident then I felt. The
idea of being on onstage in front of all those people spooked me too.
     We were backstage at the "Winter Festival White Snow Contest". There were
many musical groups here. Some were hard rock..others soft. I could see Ayukawa
talking to a man and, she nodded. She turned and walked back toward us. The
lights from overhead shone off her midnight black hair still giving me chills.
     "Looks like we're up next everyone." she picked up Hayden-kun's guitar and
handed it to him. "Are you nervous?"
     Hayden-kun shrugged. He pushed his dark hair from in front of his eyes and
straightened his leather jacket. "No sweat. We got it handled." He looked over
at me. "All set, Kasuga?"
     "Uhmm..hai. I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be, Hayden-kun."
     "Jim?"
     Shaw-kun smiled at Hayden-kun and winked at Kurumi who stood next to him.
"Yeah dude. I'm ready. Let's rock the damn house."
     Manami giggled and took Hayden-kun's hand. "Shawn-kun, you're really
excited about this aren't you?"
     "I don't know." Hayden-kun laughed. "I think that given the fact we've
been practicing for weeks, I'm anxious to get it over with. But, it's all for
Hikaru-chan anyway."
     Hikaru-chan gasped and giggled holding onto my arm. "What, me? No..I just
wanted us all to be together and have a good time. I don't even think we'll
win."
     Ayukawa laughed. "Hikaru, you're always so full of energy. I really think
that you may one day fulfill your goal of becoming an idol singer. I can
remember when we were kids and you were always pretending that you were up on
the stage having the world at your feet. I can see you doing that someday."
     Hikaru-chan giggled again. "Madoka-san, you're always making me to be more
then what I am. I think I have talent but, I don't know if that will ever
happen. I just wanted to see "Pikaru's" together again. I think it's better now
then it was before."
     I saw Kurumi smile at Shaw-kun. "Jim, you're going to be great out there.
I'll be cheering you on from in back."
     Shaw-kun hugged her close. They had become recently engaged and everyone
knew it. I smiled as I saw how happy Kurumi was. In the past, I had been very
overprotective of my sisters virtue. They were both something for me to
protect. I had considered Hayden-kun and Shaw-kun to be hentai bakas when I
first met them back last summer. But now, I knew they were true friends. I knew
that Shaw-kun would take care of Kurumi.
     Shaw-kun smiled at her. "Hey, you're going to be out there too Kurumi as a
back-up singer. Madoka and Hikaru will need all the help they can get!"
     Kurumi giggled and I winced at his terrible japanese. He was still having
trouble with that. Unlike Hayden-kun who was fluent in it, Shaw-kun had to
struggle to understand some things. Kurumi and all of us talked slower to be
more considerate of Shaw-kun. I suppose given the amount of time he had to
learn the language, Shaw-kun had done remarkably well. But, there were times he
just couldn't do it. It had Kurumi worried although, she didn't say anything
about it to anyone. I could see it in her face.
     The group that was in front of us were halfway through their number now.
Marcia-chan was standing a little away from us watching them. My thoughts went
back to her....

     "TELL ME!! TELL ME WHO IS IN YOUR HEART!!!"

     I came back again watching her. She still had feelings for me and, I could
clearly remember that day when she was so torn up inside when she learned of my
true feelings for Ayukawa. Like Hayden-kun her brother, she had kept it secret
from Hikaru-chan knowing I didn't wish to hurt her. It was something that
Ayukawa and I would have to deal with in the future. Neither of us had the
courage right now. I winced as I noticed Hikaru-chan holding onto my arm.
     "Darling, we're going to be onstage soon. I hope I look alright."
     I noticed Marcia-chan turn and come back to us. "Well, their almost
finished everyone. I hope we're ready." She smiled at me.
     I saw Hikaru-chan look at her and then nod slowly. "Hai. We're as ready as
we will ever be, Marcia-chan. You'll be great singing with Kurumi and Manami
backing us up. I'm glad you're here."
     I felt Hikaru-chan grip my arm tighter. She was obviously still very
possessive of me. When she had learned Marcia-chan liked me before, the two had
become less then friends. Marcia-chan had isolated herself and for a time, it
looked as if we would never have her as part of our group. But after I had told
Marcia-chan my true feelings for Ayukawa, she had stopped pursuing me. It had
been hard on her and, I could tell looking at her now she still felt something.
Hikaru-chan still felt threatened by her. I shuddered to think what would
happen when she learned of my feelings for Ayukawa. Or the fact that, Ayukawa
liked me...
     I looked up as suddenly the band on stage finished with a wild guitar
flourish and, I saw Hayden-kun grin at me. "Show time, Kasuga. Let's rock!"
     I moved slowly onto the stage feeling as if I was in a dream. The curtains
had shut allowing us time to set up but, I could hear the thousands of screams
and people cheering on the other side. I swallowed hard fighting my fear..
     "Are you nervous?" Ayukawa asked me smiling.
     "Very." I admitted. "Ayukawa...I...this is different then the first time
we performed as "Pikaru's."
     "The crowd was smaller then, Kasuga-kun. I think maybe also you felt more
comfortable because you didn't feel rusty. But, you had only recently learned
to play the drums then too. It's going to be okay."
     Shaw-kun tuned up his bass. "Man, look at the size of this stage. We could
run all over it like Metallica does."
     Hayden-kun laughed. "Yeah and blow fire and stuff off. Too bad we don't
have any special effects or anything to use. Wish I had thought of that."
     Ayukawa smiled. "We have our talent and that should be enough. Let's just
concentrate on having fun together." She winked at Hikaru-chan. "Do you
remember the words, Hikaru?"
     I saw Hikaru-chan sigh. "I think so. I better. We did okay last practice
session but, since you and Hayden-kun only recently wrote the song, I'm still
unsure of myself." She suddenly hugged me. "But, I know Darling is going to be
here to support me and, that's all I care about. It doesn't matter if we win
the contest or not." She giggled again.
     A man came from the left side. "Are you people set?"
     Ayukawa looked at all of us then smiled. She turned to the man. "Hai!
We're ready!"
     The man grinned and left the stage...

                   "AND NOW...A SPECIAL TREAT FOR EVERYONE...."

     The speakers blasted all over and I heard the echoes reverberating off the
walls of the stadium...
                   "BACK AFTER MORE THEN A YEAR...PLEASE WELCOME...
                              "PIKARU'S!!!!!!"


     The curtains opened and the audience screamed. I could see people waving
and jumping in the audience. Had we been that good before? I saw Ayukawa nod to
Hikaru-chan and, she stepped forward hesitantly.

     "OHAYOO!" she shouted into the microphone...
     "OHAYOO!!!!" the crowd screamed back...
     "Uhmmm.." she hesitated swallowing nervously. "We're so glad to be back
together onstage again to perform for you all. We lost one of our band members
but, we picked up a few new ones." She turned to point at us.
     "On keyboard...Ayukawa Madoka-san!"
     The crowd cheered....
     "On drums..my own Darling...Kasuga Kyouske-san!"
     I winced as the crowd screamed.
     Hikaru-chan looked more relaxed now. She smiled and waved.
     "On bass guitar...please welcome all the way from America...Shaw Jim-san!"
     The crowd shouted and waved.
     "On lead guitar...Hayden-Shawn-san."
     More cheers sounded...
     Our singers...Kasuga Manami-san and Kurumi-san...and with them,
Hayden-Marcia-san!"
     The crowd was very excited now. They began to stamp their feet and cheer
more.
     "And I'm Hiyama Hikaru-san...and this...is PIKARU'S"!!!!!"
     Her shout ended with a giggle that sent the audience laughing and clapping
with approval...
     Ayukawa smiled and stepped forward. "In addition to what we did last year,
we've written a new song." She winked at Kurumi. "This was written in honor of
Shaw-san and Kurumi-chan...it's called...FALL ROMANCE!!"
     The crowd cheered more...
     Ayukawa turned and nodded to Hayden-kun...
     Hayden-kun launched into a loud guitar flourish that ended with my cue to
begin. I brought in the drums setting a steady beat with an occasional cymbal
as Shaw-kun brought in the bass guitar. In the background, I could hear Ayukawa
merging in her organ with Kurumi and Manami as a single
harmony...then..Marcia-chan brought in her soprano voice...

     Ayukawa smiled at Hikaru-chan as Hikaru began singing....

     "I was alone didn't know what to do. The sun was shining and I was so
blue.
     I didn't wanna be alone anymore. Went to the bank and withdrew my life's
work. Money that would only lead me to woe...
     I didn't know what I wanted..only knew that I had to get away. Took a
cruise ship to America and then I found you.....my loooove...my...loooooveee"
     
     At this point, my sisters voice strengthened by Marcia-chan's suddenly
went to a high pitch and, Ayukawa came in to merge along with the rest of us
for the chorus...
          "Summer cruise is leading me onto a FALL....ROOO...MANCE!!
           A romance of love and future...happ..i..ness...!
           Now that I've found you, I can give life...half a chance!
           Cause your summer love is leading me to a life's endlessness..."
    
     Hayden-kun began a series of notes that merged together to form a
deepening melody as Kurumi and Manami merged in. Shaw-kun changed pitch on his
bass as I slightly changed the beat of the drums...

         Hikaru-chan came in for the second verse...
         "You showed me that you cared, I didn't have to hide any..more..
          You made me feel alive..and that life was worth..living for...
          How could I have been so lucky to have someone like you...?
          Is this a dream..or am I living in hea-ven? Take me on this cruise,
          this lifelong cruise..show me that you never want to let me goooooo"

          We brought in the chorus again...
          "Summer cruise is leading me onto a Fall...Rooo..mance!
           A romance of love and future...happ..i..ness!
           Now that I've found you, I can give life...half a chance!
           Cause your summer love is leading me to a life's endlessness..."

           Hikaru-chan smiled as Hayden-kun and Shaw-kun crossed each other
continuing the beat along with me. Shaw-kun matched his bass to merge with the
continued singing of my sisters. Marcia-chan's high pitched voice merged with
Hayden-kun's guitar then, Hayden-kun changed pitch and began a guitar riff that
altered the song and turned it into a heavy metal rock sound!
     
     The crowd was excited! I could see people dancing in the aisles.
Hayden-kun's heavy metal thumping along with my drums and the deepening of
Shaw-kun's bass as it changed pitch made me feel good inside. We were a hit! I
didn't know how much..but the people liked us!

     Hayden-kun matched the melody in Ayukawa's organ changing the song back to
it's former state and, Hikaru-chan giggled...she turned to the audience and
danced as she began the third verse...

               "Life's unending cruise...will show me I can be with you..
                Just you and I together...no one else..take the world away..
                Hold me darling..never let me go..cause summer cruise is 
                lasting me through eternity!!!!"

         
     Our chorus came in slightly altered in pitch now as Hikaru-chan broke away
from us...
  
                 "Summer cruise" we sang..
                 "Summer Cruise...yahhhhh!" Hikaru-chan sang..
                 "Leading me...to a fall...roooo...mance.." we sang...
                 "Life long romance with yoooooou.." Hikaru-chan sang...
                 "Romance of looooove...and future....happ-iii.nesss.." we     
             all sang...

                  "Haaaaapiiinesss...with yoooooou" Hikaru-chan screamed into
the mike. Her voice echoed off the walls to mix with our steady beat...
                 "Now that I've found you...I can give life..half a chance.."

                 "Life with yooooou...Darling!" she sang. She turned and smiled
at me as she sang. I almost dropped my drumsticks.

                 "Your suuuuumer looooove...is leading me to
life's....endddddlesssnesssssssss...." we stretched out the last of the chorus
as Hikaru sang into her microphone....

                 "With yoooooou....with yooooou...only...yooouuuuuuu!!!!!"

     Hayden-kun and Shaw-kun mixed in with Ayukawa's organ and the result was
an incredible sound that made everyone in the audience scream. We continued the
beat and, Hikaru-chan danced in time to it. She swung backward and danced
around me as I played the drums bringing the song to a climax. Hayden-kun
finished it off with a long guitar riff and, Ayukawa brought in her organ to
change the pitch as they both faded out.....

     The crowd screamed! It was more then anyone else before us had gotten.
Hikaru-chan waved and laughed excitedly as they continued to stomp their feet
and scream for more. She ran to Ayukawa and hugged her. "Madoka-san!
Madoka-san..we did it!!"
     Ayukawa nodded and hugged Hikaru-chan in return. "You were great,
Hikaru-chan. Idol singer for sure..." She winked at Hikaru-chan and smiled at
me.
     All of us bowed as the crowd continued to scream...Pikaru's was a hit.
     We played many other songs after that and had the audience screaming for
more. It made me wonder if we had the possibility of being rock stars as a
career ahead of us....
     As the last song ended, I saw Hikaru-chan bow and we all did the same. The
curtains closed and, I felt as if my life was changing...but...I had no idea
how terrifying in the future...that change would be....


     My thoughts came back as I heard the door open.
     "Oniechan...you're home!"
     I looked up as Kurumi walked in. Was it that late? I looked at the clock.
"UHmm...hai. How was school today, Kurumi?"
     "The usual. More homework then I know what to do with. Why can't our
schools be like the ones in America I keep hearing Jim tell me about."
     I nodded and got up moving to the refrigerator. Getting the milk out, I
poured myself a glass. "Do you want some?"
     She nodded and I got a glass for her. "Is...is Manami still at the
hospital, Oniechan?"
     "No...she's...in your room. She wanted to be alone. She's very tired and
needs to sleep."
     Kurumi leaned back and sighed. "I understand." She took the glass I handed
her. "Arigatoo. Is...is Hayden-kun still unconscious?"
     "Hai. No change so far. How is Komatsu?"
     "Blaming himself for his foolishness. He didn't mean for the accident to
happen. He wants to explain that to Manami but, she won't even accept a phone
call from him. I just hope Hayden-kun is going to be okay."
     "I don't know." I whispered. I drank my milk and stared at the wall. "If
things had been different...maybe we would still all be together. I don't like
seeing Manami like this."
     "Jim was telling me, if anything happens to Shawn-kun...he'll kill
Komatsu. He and Hatta are still not talking to each other. Hatta hasn't given
up on me."
     "I didn't think he would." I sighed. "In Junior High, they weren't so
serious. But since you and Manami ended up with Hayden-kun and Shaw-kun, they
suddenly don't want to give either of you up."
     "I won't give Jim up. I love him too much." Kurumi smiled and played with
the ring on her finger twisting it back and forth. "But...Jim spends an awful
lot of time with Tonogra-chan."
     "Hai." I nodded. "He has to or, he won't be able to pass the class. It's
hard enough for him as is. I don't want to think about all the homework and
assignments waiting for me even after missing one day."
     "Jim said the japanese school system is harder then in America..even if he
didn't have to deal with the language barriers. And, Sensei is not going slow
enough for him." Kurumi shook her head. "I had no idea coming to Japan to go to
school would be so difficult for him, Oniechan."
     "Did you think it would be easy?" I asked surprised.
     "No...but..I did think he would do better then he is." 
     I looked up and saw the sadness in Kurumi's face. "Kurumi..there's
something else..isn't there?"
     Kurumi nodded. "He...he said that..if he can't make it work...he's going
to have to figure some other way out. But, he can't quit school and get a
decent job here in Japan!"
     I shook my head. "That would be foolish anyway, Kurumi. I...I think that
if things don't change...he's going to have to go back to America."
     Kurumi burst into tears and nodded. "That's what he said, Oniechan. We
were both baka. We didn't see the differences that would so affect us. All we
saw was our love. Our happiness. It can still be but, it may take a few years.
Both of us have to finish school anyway."
     I nodded and got up. "I'll talk to Tonogra-chan. Sensei too. I'll see if I
can help somehow."
     "Oniechan!" She smiled and ran to me throwing herself in my arms.
"Arigatoo! I love you, Oniechan! You're the greatest!"
     "It'll be okay, Kurumi. We'll make it work somehow."
     "Our fall romance." she whispered. "I...I've never loved anyone like the
way I do Jim. I won't give him up!"
     I nodded. I could see the determination in her eyes and hear the
conviction in her voice. It was hard to believe this was the same Kurumi I had
known all my life that was always doing things without thinking..like using
"the power" when she shouldn't. I swallowed. "Uhmm...when do you plan to tell
Shaw-kun about your powers?"
     "I'm not going to for awhile now." She sighed. "I want to tell him now
because, it's better to just get it overwith. But..but, I don't want the
happiness to end..."

     My thoughts went back..happiness...we had been so happy...before...before
the accident....


     "Do you want to get something to drink, Darling?"
     "Uhmm...that sounds good, Hikaru-chan."
     She giggled and I saw Hayden-kun snicker. Ayukawa was walking behind
us talking to Marcia-chan. It made me nervous knowing that Marcia-chan
knew I liked Ayukawa. 
     We stopped at a small restaurant. All of us together. Kurumi and
Manami were happily chatting with Hayden-kun and Shaw-kun. I had Ayukawa
on my right and Hikaru-chan on my left. We were still on a natural high
from our success at winning the festival contest."
     "So, when do we all want to go to Hokkaido together?" Hayden-kun
laughed.
     Manami hugged him and smiled. "I don't care as long as we're
together, Shawn."
     Hikaru-chan nodded. "I know what you mean. I got my Darling and, I'm
happy with him. But, spring will be in a few months and, it would be
better to go then."

     Suddenly, we could hear the sound of fireworks going off. Shaw-kun
got up. "Hey cool! Let's watch what's going on!"
     We moved together outside to another table and the waitress brought our
drinks to us. We could see people laughing and having a good time...

     "KASUGA-KUN!!"
     I looked over and saw Komatsu and Hatta coming over. "Ohh..Komatsu..what
are you doing here?"
     Komatsu grinned as he held up a bag. "Hatta and I are celebrating the
festival of course! Why don't you all come and blow off some fireworks with
us?"
     Kurumi turned away. "No thanks. Jim and I are going to make enough
fireworks of our own."
     I saw Hatta's face fall and he turned away. Komatsu glared. "Well, you're
going to miss out! Tonight is really going to be special! They're going to have
the big aerial ones we see every year. Come to the park and join us all!"
     I saw Hayden-kun shrug. "Sounds cool. We'll be there in a little while."
He looked at all of us. "That is, if you all want to go too?"
     Ayukawa nodded. "It sounds like fun. We can all sit on the grass and have
fun watching them. For now, let's just enjoy the day."
     "Shoo! Shoo!" Kurumi said to Komatsu and she waved her hand. "We'll see
you this evening when we all get together."
           
     Komatsu and Hatta looked at each other then turned away. I thought for
just a brief moment I could see bitterness in Komatsu's face. It was something
I had never seen before. Maybe he was more serious about Manami then I thought.
Maybe if we had come at that moment, things might have been different...

     That evening after spending a wonderful day together, we all went to the
park. A group of students we knew from school was there too. Komatsu waved at
us as they motioned us over.
     Tonogra-chan got up from where she was sitting. "Hello, Shaw-kun."
     "Hi!" Shaw-kun grinned and moved to say hello to her. I saw Kurumi grab
his arm and glare at him.. "Hey! It's okay Kurumi, I'm, right here."
     "So is she." Kurumi sighed and pulled him down to the grass to sit next to
her.
     Tonogra Kemi smiled and nodded to me. "Kasuga-kun..how are you doing?"
     "Uhmm...okay." I looked at Ayukawa and she smiled. I felt Hikaru-chan
move next to me and, she giggled. 
     "It's getting dark, Sempai! They'll be starting the fireworks soon!
     "Speaking of fireworks." Komatsu stood up. "I still got this bag of them
to light off. Let's do it in style."
     "What do you mean by that?" Marcia-chan asked.
     Komatsu grinned at her. "Watch!" He lit the entire bag and threw it!
     We all gasped as the lit bag hit the ground....and it was then that we saw
Hatta come up the hill with drinks he was holding.
     "HATTA!!!!" I heard Komatsu scream.."LOOK OUT!!!!"
     
     What followed was like a nightmare in slow motion. I saw Hatta freeze in
fear and around us, the crowd of people screamed. Then, Hayden-kun who was
closest ran and dove at Hatta to knock him away from the lit bag...and it was
then that the fireworks...all of them..in the bag went off!
     The explosion was deafening. It sounded like a bomb going off! My ears
rang and I saw nothing but sparks. Rockets that were lit soared out of the bag
and people dove for cover. I heard a scream of pain and, Manami ran past me
toward the source. I barely grabbed her hand in time as a rocket flew past her
head....

     The smoke cleared as the fireworks ended. People began to look through the
fading twilight...and I saw...Hayden-kun...lying there...

     "SHAWN!!!!!!" Manami's scream ripped through the night. She tore herself
loose from me and ran to his side. People were shouting and, I saw a man bend
down to him. "GET AN AMBULANCE!!" Manami shouted.....
     Komatsu stood nearby. His face was white as a sheet as he realized the
magnitude of his foolish act. It had been in fun..and ended in a terrible
error.
     Shaw-kun ran past me with Kurumi and bent down. The man next to Hayden-kun
pushed Shaw-kun back. "Don't move him!" he warned. "I'm a doctor."
     Manami's crying filled the night as we watched the ambulance arrive. Our
dreams of success from earlier were now shadowed over by the magnitude of this
situation.
     Hatta stood shaking. "He...he saved me."
     I was speechless. Hikaru-chan clung to me as I watched Ayukawa and
Marcia-chan move into the growing crowd nearby. The man who said he was a
doctor asked if anyone was family..and Marcia-chan stepped forward. She climbed
into the ambulance with Manami and, the doors shut. I watched feeling the
horror of it all as the ambulance drove away.....
     
    "Happiness..." I whispered coming back to the present.
     Kurumi blinked and got up. "I have to get started on homework. Madoka-san
said she has your assignments. You need to go over to ABCB and pick them up
because, she didn't have time to come over today. I think you need to get out
anyway. I'd tell you to take Manami along but, she needs to sleep."
     There were times when Kurumi seemed very grown up. This was one of them.
She put a hand on my shoulder and nodded. "Go ahead. I'll stay with Manami."
     I sighed and got up. "Arigatoo. The Old Man should be home in a little
bit. He said something about getting off work early today."
     "Good." Kurumi smiled and, I moved past her and opened the front door. She
waved as I left. "Have a good time, Oniechan.."


                             Chapter Three: Forgiveness
                                          
     I felt the warm sun on my back as I walked the distance from my home to
ABCB. It seemed to merge with my thoughts as I stared at the sidewalk. Each
crack I stepped over reminded me of an unending gulf I felt I had yet to
traverse. A gulf that would lead to something I didn't want to contemplate...
     I reached ABCB and saw that it was empty. Must be a slow day. I opened the
door and heard the bells chime..
     "Welcome!" I heard Ayukawa's voice say. She came out from in back and
stared at me from over the counter. "Ka..Kasuga-kun! What are you doing here?"
     I sat down on the barstool in front of me and smiled. "Taking a much
needed break, Ayukawa. It's good to see you."
     Ayukawa nodded and went to the coffee maker. "Would you like an ice
coffee?"
     "No...I...feel like something cold for once." I felt myself shiver
slightly. It didn't make any sense because, it had warmed up a little outside.
     Ayukawa sighed and went to get me a soda. "How is Manami-chan doing?"
     "Not good." I looked at the counter. "Hayden-kun is still unconscious."
     "I see." Ayukawa came around the counter and motioned me to a booth.
"Let's sit down..you look like you need to talk."
     "Hai." I got up and joined her in the booth. "Pretty slow day today eh?"
     "Seems to be." She smiled at me from across the table. "Master has some
sort of errand to run so, I'm by myself all day. Would you like to help out?"
     "Sure." I nodded. "Ayukawa, you don't know how good it is to see you. The
hospital was getting...morbid."
     "I can understand." She started to reach for my hand for a second then,
she hesitated. "Have...have you seen Hikaru since then?"
     "No..I've been..trying to comfort Manami. Kurumi just got home from school
and, I was able to get away. How is everyone doing?"
     Ayukawa looked away. "Hikaru is worried about you..and Shawn-kun. Komatsu
is trying to make ammends to Kurumi and whoever will listen to him. He didn't
mean for this to happen."
     I nodded. "I know, Ayukawa. It was a baka thing to do. He should have been
using his head. But, this isn't the first time that he's done something where
he didn't think."
     Ayukawa nodded slowly. "Still...that's no reason to hold a grudge. Manami
needs to see that. The bitterness will eat her up..and Kurumi. Both of them
need to forgive Komatsu. If he had done it on purpose, maybe they would have
cause. But, anger and not forgiving doesn't solve anything, Kasuga-kun. You
need to make your sisters see that."
     "I guess." I looked into her eyes. "Ayukawa...when..when you still didn't
know I was an esper..and..and Komatsu and Hatta were trying to expose my
powers..I felt like I couldn't forgive them then. I didn't want to move and
have to lose you."
     "Kasuga-kun." she whispered. I felt a moment of boldness and reached
across taking her hand. "I don't ever want to lose you...Ayukawa."
     I waited for the moment to be ruined by Hikaru-chan or some other person
walking in. But, it remained! She stared at me and, I felt as if for a little
bit we were the only two people alive in the world.
     Ayukawa squeezed my hand and her face blushed slightly. She was so
wonderful. The tough side of her..the tender..the side that always wants to
hide and is afraid to show her feelings. They were all Ayukawa. And, I loved
her forever because of it. "Kasuga-kun." she whispered again.
     I felt myself drawn toward her. Slowly I leaned forward. "I...I can
forgive Komatsu. I'll try to make my sisters do the same."
     "Arigatoo." Ayukawa leaned forward and, I felt our lips touch. It had been
a long time since we had kissed. Always someone would walk in and stop us.
But..but this time...fate had been fair to us. She pulled away and smiled at
me. "Kasuga-kun...I missed you too. Even if it was for just a few days."
     I nodded and leaned back. My smile faded as my thoughts returned to
Hayden-kun. "Uhmmm...but I don't know what's going to happen now, Ayukawa.
Hayden-kun is hurt very badly. Even if Manami forgives Komatsu, what's going to
happen to him?"
     She nodded knowing what I was saying. "I don't know. But, I told you
before, you're not alone. I'll stand by you, Kasuga-kun. Have you...have you
seen indications at all of...them yet?"
     I knew what she meant. She was thinking along the same lines of thought
that I was. "No. Mrs. Hayden is going away to Switzerland. She asked me to
watch her daughters."
     "I see." Ayukawa took a sip of her soda. "It's going to be hard to figure
out what to do now. But, I don't want anything to happen to any of you. Isn't
there someone you can go to?"
     "Ojiichan is aware of our problem. I think he is working on a plan. But, I
don't know what it is. Maybe he's doing that on purpose. Mrs. Hayden didn't
tell us how powerful these agents were. Only that they were espers like us.
It's a very uncomfortable situation. I haven't told Kurumi and Manami but, if
they start using the power more..like Kurumi sometimes does..I'll have to so
they will be more alert. My fear is, they may already be watching us and just
waiting to strike."
     "It's difficult." Ayukawa agreed. "If you try to hide, they will know
something is going on. Maybe they won't come at all."
     "I wish I could believe that." I said worriedly, "But, Mrs. Hayden seemed
so sure. She is a CIA agent herself so, she must know. She used to work with
these people. Regardless of things Ayukawa, I have to keep my promise to her."
     "I know." She got up and got herself another soda. I was still nursing
mine. "Kasuga-kun...I know you're frightened. I would be too. As long as we
stay together...it's going to be alright."
     Her words sounded so reassuring to me that, I felt like my troubles were
lessened. But, a nagging feeling inside me made me suddenly stiffen. I turned
and stared out the window...
     "Ka...Kasuga-kun?" Ayukawa walked over and saw my intense state. "What are
you looking at?"
     I shivered. "I...I felt.I don't know. Nothing I guess. Gomen nasai,
Ayukawa. I'm getting jumpy."
     She sat down again. "I hope Shawn-kun wakes up and get's out of the
hospital soon. If anyone can convince Manami to forgive Komatsu..it's him."
     That was true. The problem was...would Hayden-kun forgive him? I
remembered how he had been with me on the "Sun Princess" when he was in love
with Ayukawa and found out about the two of us. He had even threatened to go to
Hikaru-chan. But, another problem overshadowed even this. As long as Hayden-kun
was in the hospital, he was vulnerable. Perhaps that's the real reason why Mrs.
Hayden had insisted I stay with him even though Manami was there. Hayden-kun
hadn't been left alone since he was injured. It was difficult for me to think
about what was in her mind. The fact her son was injured and her family
threatened by the very people she used to work with...it was too terrifying to
even think about.
     I nodded. "Ayukawa...as much as I want to stay...I need to get going. If
you see Hikaru-chan, tell her I said hi. I'll be in school tomorrow."
     Ayukawa stood up and gave me a hug. "It's going to be okay, Kasuga-kun.
I'll go over to the hospital tonight and visit Shawn-kun. Jim-kun said he was
going to be there tonight too."
     "I'll stop by later too." I moved toward the door. "I need to see Komatsu
first. I'll stay and work with you tomorrow if I can."
     Ayukawa reached behind the counter. "I know you don't want these but, here
are your assignments and homework that Sensei gave to me. I also took some
notes that will help you. I'll see you in school tomorrow."
     "See ya." I turned away and walked out the door feeling alone again. I
didn't really want to see Komatsu..but I knew if I didn't, things would never
be the same between us. But the way things were going..I had no idea if they
ever would be.....


     I left ABCB and walked to Komatsu's house feeling like I still wanted to
be with Ayukawa. But, I would see her and Hikaru-chan tomorrow so, I didn't
feel too badly. That nagging feeling was getting to me. I turned several times
and looked behind me. It was making me feel paranoid..

     I reached Komatsu's house and knocked on the door. I heard someone
approach and, his mother answered. "Oh..Kasuga-san! It's good to see you.
Seijii has been so depressed, he needs to have a friend come over."
     "Is he here?" I asked.
     "He's in his room." She opened the door wider. "Please come in."
     I entered the house and removed my shoes before walking down the hallway
to Komatsu's room. I hesitated before knocking.
     "Who is it?" I heard his voice.
     "Kasuga." I answered.
     I heard what sound like a rustle of papers and he flung the door open
staring at me. He looked terrible. His eyes were red like he hadn't slept.
     "Kasuga-kun! Oniechan! It's...it's sooo good to see you!" He grabbed ahold
of me and I pushed him back.
     "Baka! Don't grab me. What are you doing?"
     He turned and walked to his desk and sat down burying his head in his
hands. "I don't know. I was just amazed you came to see me. Ever since I
did that foolish thing with the fireworks, no one will talk to me except for
Hatta. He doesn't blame me but, he's upset at me." He looked up with tears in
his eyes. "And...and Manami..beautiful Manami-chan...hates me!"
     "Manami is upset." I said searching for the right words to help him.
"But..she doesn't hate you. No one hates you. I just don't understand why
you did something so baka like that! Common sense should have told you
that..."
     "I KNOW!" he shouted. "I've heard it over and over. And those
fireworks were the super powerful type." He looked away trembling.
"How..how is...Hayden-kun?"
     "Unconscious still. I don't know anymore then that because, the
doctors won't tell us. Maybe they don't even know."
     Komatsu looked at me. "Marcia-chan slapped me today. And, Kurumi-chan
screamed at me in front of half the school in the front courtyard. I...I
don't know what to do anymore, Kasuga-kun. I feel like an outcast! I
didn't mean for this to happen! It was...I don't know why I did it! I
hadn't planned to! SOMETHING MADE ME DO IT!!!"
     I stared at him as we locked eyes. "What..what do you mean..something
made you do it? Don't try to deny responsibility!" I glared at him feeling
less pity then I did.
     "Kasuga-kun...I'm not denying responsibility. I did it and, I'll make
it up to Hayden-kun somehow. If he hadn't been there Hatta would have been
caught in that explosion. I can't deny my actions and I won't even try. I'd
be less of a man then I am."
     "Then what did you mean by that statement?" I asked.
     "It's...I don't know. I felt for a minute as if I was watching myself.
I remember waving at you all as you came toward us. Then, it's like I
blacked out. I saw...I saw myself hold up the bag...remember hearing
Marcia-chan ask why...and then I lit it and threw it. I meant to throw it
another direction..but I changed in mid-throw and threw it close to where
Hatta was coming up the hill."
     I stared at him feeling a growing fear. This sounded like...no..it
couldn't be. I felt myself trembling in spite of trying to control it.
"You..you felt as if..you weren't there?"
     He nodded. "Just for a moment..it was like I didn't have control. I
know I did it! I can't deny it! Still...I...I don't know anymore!"
     He sat down again and buried his head in his hands. I looked at him
with a growing gnawing feeling in my heart. Marcia-chan had the ability to
influence people. Suppose...suppose someone else did! 
     I reached over and grabbed his hand. "Come with me, Komatsu."
     "Where are we going?" he asked surprised.
     "To my home. We're going to see...Manami and Kurumi."
     "But..but they won't listen to me!" he broke down and wiped his eyes.
"Manami-chan hates me!"
     "She doesn't hate you. And, you all need to talk. When Hayden-kun
awakens, you need to talk with him as well. I don't think you meant to do
it. In fact, now I'm sure of it."
     Komatsu stared at me and nodded slowly.....


     "BAKA!" Kurumi reached up to slap Komatsu and, I stopped her
hand.
     "Kurumi, listen to him!" I said.
     Manami glared at Komatsu and turned away. "I've heard enough.
First he does such a foolish act then, he tries to deny
responsibility for it. It makes him less of a man then I ever thought
he was." She turned and stared at Komatsu who's face was going white.
     "You hurt my Shawn!" she said bitterly. "I know you still love
me but, I can't forgive that. For all I know, it was on purpose!"
     Manami.." I hesitated. Damn my indecisiveness! "Manami..he
didn't throw the fireworks at Hayden-kun! He threw them where Hatta
was coming up the hill. You can't continue to blame him for this!
There was no way he did it on purpose."
     Kurumi sighed. "Still..he did it!" She turned to Shaw-kun who
sat next to her. "What do you think, Jim?"
     I watched Shaw-kun's face. The bitterness that had been there a
moment ago seemed to fade for a moment. "I think he's a complete
baka. But, Kasuga is right. It was an accident."
     Kurumi stared at him in shock. "Jim...Shawn...Shawn-kun is your
best friend!"
     "Shawn would understand." Shaw-kun smiled at me. "I think Kasuga
is trying to heal this situation. I know that Komatsu is pretty dumb
but, I've done some dumb things in my life too." He looked at
Manami. "Manami...he wouldn't want you to go on like this. You're a
very sensible girl. Look at what you went through to win Shawn. Do
you think he'd want to know you're feeling such pain?"
     I smiled at Shaw-kun. He had come a long way from when I had
first met him. He was definitely worthy to be Kurumi's husband..if it
worked out in the future.
     Manami was silent a moment. Then, she slowly looked into
Komatsu's eyes. "Komatsu...I am still angry with you. But...but for
the sake of myself..and those I love..I forgive you. I know you
didn't mean for this to happen. Now go home and leave me alone."
     I saw Komatsu nod and stand up. "I'll..I'll find a way to make
it up to both of you, Manami-chan. And, I'll start by giving up on
you.."
     "What?" Manami looked up.
     "I...I know now that, you truly love Hayden-kun. I...I thought
maybe in time, I could win you away from him. I've known you so long. Both you
and Kurumi-chan."
     Kurumi looked away and, I saw Shaw-kun squeeze her hand.
     "I...I wish you both the best of happiness." Komatsu's body was shaking.
"I...I'll advise Hatta to give up on you, Kurumi-chan. I know he won't want
to..but..but in light of things...I will try."
     "Arigatoo." Kurumi smiled. It was good to see. "I'm glad you understand
how we feel now."
     "I just want your forgiveness.." Komatsu turned away. "That's all I ask."
     "We forgive you." Manami said quietly. "I don't hate you, Komatsu-san.
I'll see you in school tomorrow. I'll tell everyone else not to blame you
either. It was an accident. Let's leave it at that." She looked up at him. "I
have faith that Shawn will be alright..and he'll forgive you too."
     "Arigatoo." Komatsu bowed to all of us and moved toward the door. I
followed him out and closed the door isolating us in the empty hallway.
Behind us, I could see the stars through the window as I realized night
had fallen.
     "Komatsu..." I began.."
     He turned and looked at me. "Kasuga-kun?"
     "Did you really feel that for a moment you weren't controlling your
actions?"
     He nodded firmly. "I know it sounds insane. I admit to the wrong I
did. I'll make it up to Manami-chan and Hayden-kun somehow." He smiled.
"It was probably just the shock of it all, Kasuga-kun. I need to call
Hatta and work things out with him. I appreciate your coming over and
trying to patch things up between us all. I won't forget what you did for
me. If Hatta and I are successful in our hentai manga venture, I'll be
sure to keep an open door for you to come in if you want to." He grinned
at me mischieviously.
     "Baka." I sighed. "Go home. I'll see you in school tomorrow."
     He grinned and got in the elevator. As I watched the doors close, I
felt warm inside knowing I had helped my friend. Komatsu for all his
faults was really a good person. I was glad I had talked to Ayukawa and
she had shown me that I needed to help heal this situation...
     But...but what Komatsu said. If in fact he had not been in control of
his actions...and someone else was..then..then what had really happened
that day? If Komatsu had changed the direction of where his throw was
going to be at the last minute..then where was it intended to go? Was
someone trying to get rid of...us?
     I shook my head. "Baka." I muttered. "Of course not. They would want
us alive! They'd want to be able to use our powers and..."
     "Who would want to use our powers?" a voice said behind me.
     I gasped and turned to see Manami and Kurumi staring at me.
"Uhmm..nothing I..."
     Manami stepped forward..."Oniechan...what is going on?"     
     Behind them I could see Kazuya. And, his face was white as a ghost! He
trembled. "CIA! Espers! What...what do we do?"
     I swallowed realizing Kazuya had read my thoughts. Like a complete baka,
my younger cousin hadn't thought about what he was saying. Kurumi and Manami
looked at him then turned to me.
     "Oniechan.." Manami looked nervous. "What is Kazuya trying to tell us?"
     I looked at the floor. "Send Shaw-kun home, Kurumi. We have a lot to talk
about."
     Kurumi's eyes went wide and, she nodded slowly. Then, together we all went
back into the apartment. After she sent Shaw-kun home, I watched my sisters
faces as I broke down and revealed my worst fears coming to pass. Someone had
made Komatsu throw those fireworks at that moment. It hadn't been any one of us
or Marcia-chan. I was now forced to conclude...the CIA espers...were already
here. Here...and stalking us!


                           Chapter Four: Awakening!

     After I explained things to my sisters, there was dead silence. They found
the situation difficult to accept but handled it better than I expected. Kurumi
was upset about having to limit the use of her "power" but saw the need for it.
Manami was just worried about Hayden-kun..     
     We left later that evening to see Hayden-kun. Both Kurumi and Manami were
silent as we walked to the hospital. I myself was lost in my own thoughts..torn
between what Komatsu had told me and the fear I saw in Kazuya's eyes. What
chance did we have against CIA espers? None that I could see. Unless Ojiichan
really did have a plan.
     As we arrived at the hospital, I suddenly felt funny. A feeling like...I
was being watched! I spun around startling my two sisters.
     "Oniechan?" Kurumi asked.
     "What's wrong, Oniechan?" Manami echoed.
     I looked behind me down the street. It was an errie feeling..one that I
didn't like. It made my skin crawl. The cold winter wind blew past my face
adding to the fear. I swallowed nervously.
     "Oniechan?" Manami repeated.
     I didn't want to worry her. She had enough on her mind with Hayden-kun. I
sighed and turned around. "It's nothing, Manami. Let's go inside."
     As we entered the hospital, I took another look behind me. Perhaps it was
just paranoia that was getting to me. The feeling passed as quickly as it had
come...

     We took the elevator upstairs and walked the corridor that led to
Hayden-kun's room. The nurse on duty informed us he could have visitors. As we
opened the door, I could hear Marcia-chan talking.
     "Shawn you fool. Why didn't you jump out of the way of those fireworks?"
     Mrs. Hayden stood behind her. She turned and nodded to us silently as we
entered. I saw Shaw-kun as well. He went and hugged Kurumi and stood next to
her.
     Manami moved forward and sat down in the chair next to Hayden-kun. He was
still unconscious, his eyes bandaged and burns on his face. I saw tears fall
from Manami's eyes. She took his hand and squeezed it. "Shawn..can you hear
me?"
     Marcia-chan sighed. "He won't answer. I don't know what to do."
     I was at a loss for words. I saw Manami bend down and put her head on his
chest. His breathing filled the silence. Manami smiled. "Shawn...I want you to
know how much I care for you. When you wake up, we're going to do all kinds of
fun things together. Wait and see."
     I felt the door open behind me and, turning I saw Ayukawa and Hikaru-chan.
Hikaru-chan walked over and gave me a hug. Ayukawa nodded once and looked at
Hayden-kun. "No change, Kasuga-kun?"
     "No." I sighed.
     "Shawn is tough. He'll be alright." Mrs. Hayden put a hand on Manami's
shoulder. "I need to go for a few minutes. I'll be right back."
     She walked past us and left the room. There were times I wondered if she
felt much of anything.
     Marcia-chan glared at the door where she had left and shook her head. I
guess she still hated her mother for always leaving. I didn't know what to say
in this kind of a situation. 
     Ayukawa stood behind Manami. "Manami-chan, it's going to be okay. I know
Shawn-kun will pull through. He's a good person."
     Manami squeezed Hayden-kun's hand again. "I know. I...I love him so much
it hurts. I don't want to lose him."
     Hikaru-chan nodded and held my arm possessively. "Just show him you love
him Manami-chan. I'm sure he'll hear you. If Darling were lying there, I'd do
the same with him...right Darling?"
     I saw Ayukawa stare at me and I laughed nervously. "Ahhh of course,
Hikaru-chan."
     Kurumi glanced at us then turned quickly away. There were times I wish my
sisters didn't know my true feelings. Manami raised her head from Hayden-kun's
chest and looked at him. "Shawn...can you hear me...I love you Shawn.
Please..wake up. All your friends are here."
     There was nothing but silence. We all stood and looked at each other. The
feeling of hoplessness that filled the room was weighing heavily on poor
Manami. She whispered to him again trying to bring him back.
     I wondered if it were me lying there if Ayukawa would do the same? Baka!
That was an unecessary question. Of course she would. She had done so in
similar circumstances in the past.
    Suddenly, I heard Manami cry out. We all looked and saw Hayden-kun move
slightly. 
     "Shawn, can you hear me? she asked.
     Hikaru-chan squealed excitedly. "He's waking up! He's waking up Darling!
It's going to be okay."
     "Hikaru--chan.." I gasped as she jumped on me. I fell back knocking things
off a tray. The sound was loud as medical instruments crashed to the floor. I
fell over as well, Hikaru-chan still hanging onto me.

     A voice groaned. "You guys are enough to wake the dead."
     "SHAWN!!!" Manami squealed and held him tight.
     Kurumi gasped and Shaw-kun put his arms around her. 
     "Hay...Hayden-kun?" I said.
     "Shawn!" Marcia-chan echoed.
      "Hey Dude!" Shaw-kun added..."You alright, man?"

     He turned his head toward us. "Can't you keep it down? Nobody could
sleep through that racket!"
     "Shawn, your alright!" Manami hugged him closer.
     I saw Ayukawa look at me as I got up. She giggled as I hastily picked
up the mess of medical supplies that lay on the floor. I stood up and
helped Hikaru-chan to her feet. 
     Ayukawa walked over. "Shawn-kun, can you hear me?"
     "Yes Madoka, I'm not deaf. Why is everyone freaking out around here?
Why can't I see?"
     "You were hurt." Manami smiled. "But, your going to be okay now. Did
you hear what I said to you?"
     Hayden-kun nodded and smiled. "Hai..every word. It just took me
enough time to realize..it wasn't a dream..."
     Manami laid her head on his chest again. "It's a miracle Shawn. A
miracle..."     

     Ayukawa, Hikaru-chan, and I left the room once we saw that Hayden-kun was
awake. It felt good to hear his voice again and seeing the relief in Manami's
face was too wonderful a feeling to describe. Hikaru-chan was upbeat now
laughing and joking with Ayukawa and, I was wondering if I could join in and be
a part of it. But, my thoughts kept going back to that feeling I had just
before entering the hospital. It was like I was being followed...or stalked by
someone. I shivered suddenly..
     "Sempai, are you cold?"
     "Eh?" I looked at Hikaru-chan and she smiled. "Uhmm..no Hikaru-chan, I was
just thinking of something that made me do that. Gomen."
     Hikaru-chan laughed and turned to Ayukawa. "Madoka-san, Sempai is always
doing this. He gets nervous about every little thing." She laughed and turned
back to me. "Darling, I hope you won't be that nervous on our wedding night?"
     "WHAAA!" I almost tripped and stared at her.
"Hi...Hikaru-chan...it's..it's too soon to talk about that!"
     "Sempai.." She looked serious now. "Every time I even mention that, you
seem to back away. Is something wrong? You do care for me...don't you?"
     I swallowed and glanced sidelong at Ayukawa. She had turned away and was
being silent. Hikaru-chan was looking at me. I sighed. "Hikaru-chan, I care a
lot about you. I...I just don't feel we should rush into anything like that
and.."
     "Kasuga-kun is too indecisive to know what he wants, Hikaru."
     Ayukawa's bluntness made me turn and stare at her. She met my gaze then
turned away. "Let's get something to eat. It's been a long day and, we all have
school tomorrow."
     The three of us ate together while Hikaru-chan talked about the future of
"Pikaru's." I turned and watched her feeling her enthusiasm but not sharing it.
Perhaps if I wasn't afraid of CIA espers coming after us at any moment, I would
have continued to feel the joy that our moment in the spotlight had brought
me. But, Hikaru-chan knew nothing of any of this and, it was best to keep her
ignorant of it. I was wishing now that I was.
     I met Ayukawa's steady gaze and, she smiled. "Kasuga-kun...we're all here
for you."
     Hikaru-chan looked at her surprised. "Madoka-san? Why did you suddenly say
that?"
     Ayukawa shrugged. "It felt like something Kasuga-kun needed to hear,
Hikaru. He's been under a lot of stress lately. We all have. But, with
Hayden-kun waking up, things will get better soon."
     "KYOUSKE!"
     The shout caught my attention and, I turned to see my cousin Akane coming
toward us. "Ohhh...Akane!" I was not pleased to see her. Anytime Akane was
around, it led to trouble.
     Akane walked over to our table and sat down. "Say Kyouske, if you're not
too busy with your women, can I have a word with you?"
     I sighed and got up. "Hai." I looked at Hikaru-chan. "I'll meet you in
Hayden-kun's room."
     "Hai Sempai. Madoka-san, come with me! There's some really neat things in
the hospital gift shop I want to show you." She giggled.
     I watched them both get up and leave. Ayukawa looked back at me over her
shoulder and nodded.
     "Kyouske...we need to talk."
     I turned back and saw Akane sitting down at the table. "UHmm...hai."
     "First off...is what Kazuya told me true? He didn't make up this crap
about CIA espers?"
     I nodded slowly. "Hai. It's true. I wish it wasn't. All my life, the Old
Man has been telling me and my sisters not to use "the power" in public. But,
Hayden-kun and I had no choice on that cruise. If we hadn't we would have died
along with everyone else. There was no other way. We didn't think about the
consequences of our actions. I had no premonition dream to warn me."
     Akane leaned back watching me. "And now? Have you had any premonition
dreams about...this?"
     I wanted to say no. But, for several nights I had seen it. A building
top..I didn't know where. Marcia-chan and I...and a man in black coming toward
us. Marcia-chan crying out...and me falling off the building...maybe to my
death. I told Akane this hoping maybe she would see it as another false dream.
But instead, I saw her face darken. She frowned and looked at the table. "And
is it true Ojiichan has a plan to deal with them?"
     "I don't know. I know he was working on one."
     "Kyouske...I never thought about how terrible this could be. My parents
never even did. Kazuya is terrified. He says if any other espers try to grab
anyone, he's going to fight back. So will I."
     "Hai." I looked away. "We need to stay quiet...not be noisy and hope that
they won't bother us."
     "Baka!" Akane glared at me. "And how long do you think that will last?
They may already be here!" She looked around nervously. I could see that
paranoia was going to be unstoppable now.
     I sighed again. "If we do anything to make them think we are aware of
them, they may strike sooner. Ojiichan said to go about life normally for now."
     Akane stood up. "I have to go home...I have homework to do. I'll try to
remember not to use "the power" for now. Kazuya is another story. I hope you
can handle Kurumi-chan as much as she likes to use it."
     It was going to be a tough thing and, I knew it. Still, Kurumi being aware
of the situation was being more careful now. Since I had revealed to my sisters
the seriousness of things they had both refrained from using "power". But,
would it last? I knew that Kurumi in the heat of a moment of anger or even joy
might use it suddenly. I didn't want to even think about the results of what
that would be...
     I returned to Hayden-kun's room after Akane left and found everyone there.
Ayukawa and Hikaru-chan were talking to him and, although his voice was weak
and his eyes still covered by bandages, he seemed to be himself...
     "When you get all better, we need to practice, Hayden-kun." Hikaru-chan
was saying. "I think we all have a great future together as a rock band."
     "Maybe." Hayden-kun smiled and turned toward where Manami was. "Were we
that good?"
     "Of course we were, Shawn." Manami squeezed his hand and smiled.
     I was about to move forward when, someone entered the room behind me.
     "Shawn...it's good to see you're awake now."
     I saw Mrs. Hayden walk past me and smile. She wore a green dress with
matching heels and, her blonde hair cascaded down her back. Her daughter
Marcia-chan was equally as beautiful. I had to force myself away from thoughts
like those. I knew that Marcia-chan still had feelings for me and was trying to
get over them.
     Mrs. Hayden put her hand on Hayden-kun's forehead. "Good. You seem to be
getting stronger. The bandages should be off your eyes soon. I'll need you to
watch your sisters while I'm gone."
     The room fell deadly silent suddenly. Marcia-chan glared at her mother.
"Typical Mom...always leaves us when we need her!"
     Mrs. Hayden looked at her daughter. "Marcia, I don't have time for this.
I'm leaving for a very good reason. I want you and Darla to move in with the
Kasugas. I already talked to their father about it. Later, you might be moving
out to their grandparents."
     WHAT??" Marcia-chan shook her head. "What about our house? All our stuff?"
     "Things have changed." Mrs. Hayden whispered. She glanced at Darla-chan.
"Darla, did you do what I asked?"
     "Hai, Mama." Darla-chan looked away.
     I felt like I was outside looking in on this situation again.
     Shaw-kun looked around. "Uhmm...what the hell is going on?"
     Mrs. Hayden turned to him now. "Jim...I understand that you aren't doing
very well in school. You're not proficient enough in japanese."
     Shaw-kun swallowed. "I've had trouble but, I'm getting better."
     "If you don't improve, I'm going to have to send you back to the states."
     The room went silent again. Hayden-kun's voice broke it. "Mom...that's
bullcrap! You do whatever you gotta...leave us...but leave Jim and Kurumi
alone!"
     Mrs. Hayden swore. "Shawn, stay out of this! It's my decision. When Jim 
came over here, I was asked to be his legal guardian. But, given the way things
are for me, I don't have the time for that."
     "I can be the guardian." Darla-chan said.
     I swallowed as Mrs. Hayden smiled. "Darla...I really think.."
     "I'll coach Jim." Darla-chan went on. "I'll get him more proficient. I'm
past college level and, I'm fluent in japanese. With his tutor at school and me
teaching him..."
     "IT'S MORE THEN THAT!" Mrs. Hayden said raising her voice. "I have to
leave. I love you all..I hope you know that. But, I must go. If I dont..."
her voice trailed off..."besides Darla, your age is too young. Gomen...but Jim
is going to have to return I think."
     Kurumi's face went almost white. "No..." she whispered, "No....this can't
be."
     Shaw-kun stared out the window as if contemplating what was being said. He
suddenly turned to face Mrs. Hayden. "Look...if it's the japanese you're worried about then, I'll work harder.
If it's school, I'll bust my ass. But, why do I have the feeling your trying to
get rid of me?"
     Mrs. Hayden turned away from him and, I looked quickly at Ayukawa. She met
my eyes and then sighed. "Mrs. Hayden...we can all help Jim-kun. He and
Kurumi-chan have found a love that needs to have a chance. We can get him past
his difficulties."
     "You don't know half the things your saying." Mrs. Hayden said quietly.
     Ayukawa moved over to her. "I know that we're all friends. We'll carry
this through."
     "Very well." Mrs. Hayden looked at me. "Kyouske, I want a word with you."
     I gulped and followed her out. She led me down to where the elevators were
and we sat down in some chairs. She smoothed her dress then looked at me. "I'm
leaving now for Switzerland. I don't know what may happen while I'm gone. I am
fearful of the outcome. But, if I don't do this, things may be even worse. Can
you understand that?"
     I nodded. "Hai. I understand...even if they don't."
     "Good. I'm glad Shawn is awake now. When he gets back to normal, he'll be
a big help. He has the best..." she stopped and lowered her voice. "the best
ability to defend with. I'll be back as soon as I can. Don't do anything to
attract attention. If something happens...if men appear...do whatever you have
to. I don't know if your father understands the seriousness of this. And, I was
unable to reach your grandfather."
     "Hai." I lowered my head feeling terrified. "My father understands.
I...I'll try not to let you down." I was wishing I was as condfident as I
sounded....

     I returned to Hayden-kun's room and found a doctor was there. He was
leaning over him Hayden-kun as everyone watched.
     "Okay Doc, I'm feeling better. Take these bandages off my eyes please
so I can see."
     "Hayden-san, you were burned quite badly. But, you seem to be healing
fairly fast. Close your eyes."
     Hayden-kun nodded as we all watched. I felt Hikaru-chan squeeze my
hand and saw Manami looking on anxiously.
     The doctor removed the bandages from Hayden-kun's burned face. "Open
your eyes." he said.
     Hayden-kun opened his eyes and for several seconds, there was
silence. Then, he swore and blinked once. "Come on Doc...take the bandages
off."
     I felt a sickness hit me. Manami gasped and Hikaru-chan even
blanched. Hayden-kun looked around. "Wait a sec...." He put his hands up
to his eyes and felt them. "Oh...oh god."
     The doctor moved forward. "Can you see at all, Hayden-san?"
     Manami's fear was evident as Hayden-kun swore and shook his head.
"No..I'm completely blind...."


                             Chapter Five: Darkness 

     "Kasuga?"
     I looked up from the window. I had been distracted again.
     Hatta smiled at me. "You keep spacing off you baka. If you don't pay
attention more, Sensei is going to have fun with you."
     "Gomen." I turned back to my school books feeling no interest at all in
the assignment. My thoughts drifted again...

     "We've done all we can, Hayden-san." the doctor's voice still rang in my
head. "It appears when the explosion went off, you're retinas were burned out.
I wanted you to be prepared for this. That's why we delayed taking off the
bandages. I was sure you were blind several days ago because each time I
checked your eyes, I couldn't get a response to any type of visual accuity
test. Gomen nasai."
     It felt like I was in a bad dream. I watched Hayden-kun's face change from
concern to astonishment. He shook his head. "No...this is crap. I'll be able to
see in a few days. It's just flash blindness."
     The doctor sighed. "I wish it was that easy, Hayden-san. But to be fair to
you, I have to be honest. There is a chance in the future with a donated pair
of eyes you'll be able to see again. But currently, there's nothing we can do."
     Manami sat staring at him as tears fell from her eyes. "Shawn.." she
whispered...
     "THIS ISN'T TRUE!" Hayden-kun shouted.
     Ayukawa stiffened next to me. Hikaru-chan buried her head in her hands and
she moved closer to me. Automatically, I found myself putting my arm around
her. Shaw-kun did the same with Kurumi.
     "Shawn.." Manami began...
     "I want to be alone." Hayden-kun said quietly. "Everyone just get the hell
out."
     "Hey dude..." Shaw-kun swallowed. "You don't mean that.."
     "GET OUT!" Hayden-kun shouted. "I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO SEE ME LIKE THIS!"
     Manami uttered a cry and stood up from her chair. She released his hand
and stepped back as if in a dream. Kurumi moved over to her and hugged her.
     The doctor nodded. "Please, visiting time is over now. Everyone go home.
You can see Hayden-san tomorrow..."


     KASUGA-SAN!"
     Eh?" I jerked coming back to the present. I looked up seeing the entire
class was staring at me. Sensei Yozamachi waited expectantly tapping his foot.
"Kasuga-san...please translate the sentence we just studied in proper english."
     I swallowed. I had no clue what we had just read. My thoughts were still
filled with the horror of last night. I turned and saw Ayukawa nod to me. She
mouthed the words...page five..paragraph four..
     I stood up as everyones eyes were on me. "Uhmmm..." I read from the book
feeling like I was on display. "Loneliness...is something that isn't good.
You...you need to be..."I stuggled with the english "more open to others and
not be afraid to..."
     I stopped and stared at the book. THAT FEELING! It was back! That feeling
of being watched!
     "Kasuga-san!" Sensei said impatiently. "Continue!"
     "Not be afraid to...express your feelings." I finished. Baka! What fool
had written something like that in our books to translate? It was too close to
what I had experienced last night. The thought of Manami's crying still tore me
to my soul as I remembered holding her. I sat down feeling empty inside....


     "You froze up, Kasuga-kun. "But, after what we have all been through, I
don't blame you."
     I looked up at Ayukawa as we sat on the bench behind the school. "Hai.
But, I'm finding it more difficult to concentrate, Ayukawa. Last night was too
much."
     "Hayden-kun needs to adjust, Kasuga-kun. Besides, the doctors could be
wrong. Don't forget, he's an esper like you. He might be able to bounce back
from something like this and we'll be together once more. Right now,
Manami-chan needs our support. I can understand some of what she is feeling.
Being lonely...isn't good."
     I swallowed and looked at her. "Ayukawa..."
     "Loneliness...is never good. That paragraph you read in class today...was
almost prophetic..."
     I stammered trying to say what I wanted her to know. What was in my heart.
But like always, I had to fight to get it out. "Ayukawa...I...I love you. You
do know..I love you."
     She smiled and stood up. "I have to get to class. So do you. Did you catch
up on all your homework?"
     "Uhmm...no I.."
     "Come by ABCB later. I"ll help you." She giggled. "We need something to
cheer us up. Maybe me watching you struggle with homework will be just the
thing."
     "Oi! Ayukawa!" I glared at her. She giggled again and, I smiled in spite
of myself. "I'll see you later."
     She started to walk away then, she stopped. "Kasuga-kun...is there
something else bothering you?"
     "Eh?" I looked up. "Uhmm...well I..."
     "You were distracted even before we found out about Shawn-kun's blindness.
Have you been..sensing things?"
     I swallowed and nodded. "Uhmm..hai. I keep thinking someone is behind me.
Maybe it's nothing. See ya."
     Her face frowned for a moment watching me. She sighed. "See ya." I watched
her walk away.
     This had been too rough a first day back at school. I couldn't concentrate
on anything. And, I still had to go through two more periods....
     
     "Manami?"
     She looked up absently from her lunch at me. "Oniechan?"
     "Are you alright? I was told you went to the nurse's office today."
     She sighed. "I just have a depression. I think I came back to school too
soon, Oniechan. I want to see Shawn but, I don't want him to be like that. He's
like a different person now. So...bitter." she finished whispering the word.
     I sat down and smiled at her. "Hey, why don't we have everyone get
together for a party?"
     "Party?" she looked at me confused.
     "I know it's a rough time and all but, we need something to pull us out of
this slump. We've all been in it since Hayden-kun was injured. The doctor said
last night he can go home. He'll be living with us so, we can give him a
welcome home party. Maybe that will bring him around and show him that we care
about him."
     "Oniechan..do you really think so?"
     I was wishing I felt more confident. "I think it might help. I'll get
Hikaru-chan in on it. With her bubbly personality it's sure to make him happy."
     Manami smiled slightly. "Hai. Hikaru-chan is always so full of life. Maybe
it will help. Arigatoo, Oniechan. When do we want to do this?"
     "This weekend on Sunday." I got up. "We can invite everyone. Maybe it
will help him....


     "Party?" Marcia-chan smiled at me. "Really? Kyouske-kun, that's a cool
idea! Shawn loves parties. If anything helps cheer him up, it'll be that. We
can all have fun together."
     I nodded. "That's what I was thinking, Marcia-chan. I know Darla-chan has
been awful busy but since you will all be living with us after today, it seems
like a good time. I'll go by the hospital and see Hayden-kun this afternoon."
     "Good. Maybe seeing you without anyone there will help his black mood. I
know how bad Shawn can get when he's depressed."
     So did I. I remembered back on the "Sun Princess" near the end of our
cruise..that cruise that had started this whole mess...when Hayden-kun had been
in love with Ayukawa and when he learned she didn't return his feeling, his 
"power" had made a storm rage for more then a day..echoing his feelings of
despair. I was surprised that it wasn't raining now.
     "Kyouske-kun?"
     "Oh...gomen, Marcia-chan. I was just thinking."
     "Distracted as always, Kyouske." she smiled. "You can never keep your mind
on anything...except for Madoka-san."
     "AHHH!" I jerked startled. "Please don't say that in front of
Hikaru-chan!"
     "I know." she sighed. "I'll see you later okay? I'll try to spend some
time with Manami to get her mind off Shawn. Today would be a good day to go
shopping."
     I felt relieved. Marcia-chan wasn't feeling the despair that a lot of us
were. Or maybe she was hiding it and was better at it then I was. For the
hundredth time, I found myself wishing that I didn't know what was going on.
I couldn't keep my mind off the fact, someone was watching us. Maybe it was
paranoia. But then again....maybe it wasn't. 

     The rest of the day seemed to drag by for me. I sighed with relief as the
last bell rang and I left the school grounds. I walked slowly toward the
hospital now not knowing what to say to him. How would he react? Would
Hayden-kun be happy that I wanted to plan a party to cheer him up? It was
difficult to say...

     "Kasuga-kun?"
     Surprised, I turned to see Hatta behind me. "Hatta! What do you need?"
     "I heard you're going over to the hospital to see Hayden-kun. I wanted to
come along and thank him for saving me. If it hadn't been for him, I would have
been caught in that explosion."
     I pictured Hatta saying this to Hayden-kun and could see the results of it
in Hayden-kun's frame of mind. In his bitter state, he would likely lash out at
poor Hatta and I didn't want to see that.
     "Uhmm..Hatta...it would be better I think if you waited until Hayden-kun
was out of the hospital. Since their mother is leaving, all of them will be
staying with my family for a bit."
     Hatta grinned. "Kasuga, you sly dog. You'll have Hikaru-chan and the
beautiful Marcia-chan at the same time! How can one man be so..."
     "HATTA!" I shouted. Damn him thinking such thoughts! I shook my head.
"Baka, don't think such hentai thoughts. I don't have any interest in
Marcia-chan. I'm just trying to be a friend and, my whole family feels the
same."
     Hatta grinned. "Okay, Kasuga-kun. I'll come by later once things are
settled. Maybe by then, Hayden-kun will be able to talk to Komatsu too."
     I jerked remembering that. Hayden-kun would definitely blame Komatsu for
his blindness..even if he was the one that had shoved Hatta out of the path of
the explosion in time. It wasn't something I was looking forward to...

     I entered the hospital and took the elevator to the fourth floor. I felt
better because, the nagging feeling of being watched was gone. Part of me was
still very paranoid. Perhaps I had imagined it.
     I walked into Hayden-kun's room and found him sitting up in bed. He was
staring straight ahead and as I came in, his head turned toward the sound of my
feet. "Who is that?" he asked.
     "Uhmmm...Kasuga."
     "Cool. Come on in dude. Is anyone else with you?"
     "No. I came alone because, I felt we needed to talk alone. Hatta wanted to
come to thank you for saving him."
     "He can kiss my ass." Hayden-kun said bitterly. "I would never do it again
if I had seen what it cost me. Sit down."
     I sat down feeling his bitterness emanating from him. I swallowed.
"Hayden-kun...you're mother left last night.."
     "Yeah I know." he said in english. I had to strain to understand him. His
voice was full of anger. "She's abandoned us again, what else is new? Always
has."
     "Hayden-kun.." I stopped searching for the words. "She cares about all of
you. She went to Switzerland. I think she is looking for help."
     He laughed "There is no damn help. You realize what's gonna happen dude?
You gotta defend my sisters from the CIA espers when they get here! Hell, they
may already be here."
     I swallowed again. "Hayden-kun...please listen to what I'm about to say."
     He turned toward me and nodded. I explained what Komatsu had said to me.
As I did so, I watched his expression change. He seemed to be trying to recall
something. When I had finished, he leaned back. 
     "Dude..." he began. "I'm trying to remember what happened before the
explosion. I can recall seeing Hatta come up the hill. But just before that,
I think I can recall seeing Komatsu getting ready to throw the bag of fireworks
another direction. I think he was aiming at....me."
     I shuddered. "But...then why did you dive to save Hatta?"
     "I didn't. I dove clear cause, I thought he was gonna hit me! I shoved
Manami the other direction and dove clear. But by that time, Komatsu had
changed the angle of his throw. Hatta just happened to be there. I shoved him
clear but then, like some nightmare from hell, the bag landed in front of me. I
had only seconds then, it blew. I don't remember anything after that."
     I felt myself shaking. "But if that's true...why...why would they do that
to you?"
     "I don't know." Hayden-kun swore. "All I can see now is darkness. My life
is over. I'll have to break it off with Manami. But, I got nothing now dude! I
can't see!"
     I looked up at him and suddenly felt anger. "Baka! What are you saying?
You can't just give up! Manami needs you! We all need you! There are blind
people all over the world that function just fine that way. Some are famous
entertainers! That's no excuse..."
     "SHUT THE HELL UP!" he shouted at me. "I didn't ask you to lecture me. I
don't have my sight anymore so, Manami needs someone she can depend on! I sure
as hell won't be any help if those espers show up! My worthless Mom has run off
again and...."
     "BAKA!"
     I turned toward the source of the voice that had shouted and saw it was
Ayukawa. She walked over to us. "Shawn..what are you thinking?"
     "Kiss off, Madoka. I didn't ask you for your..."
     I gasped as Ayukawa reached back and slapped his face hard! Hayden-kun
jerked and fell back on the bed. He glared up at her. She sighed. "Maybe now
you'll be willing to listen to me. I want you to get off this self-pity trip
you're feeling. I know that you're upset that you lost your vision but, it
isn't the end of the world! Manami-chan loves you and I would hope after what
you two have been through you still love her."
     Hayden-kun looked away in silence. Ayukawa shook her head. "You have
people that care about you. And more then that, those people are going to need
you very soon. This is a terrible time for all of you. I can't help completely
but, I will be there as much as I can. It will be time for you soon to leave
the hospital. You can't hide in a shell."
     Hayden-kun turned over and sat up. He climbed out of bed and put his hands
in front of him. Slowly, he made his way to the window and opened it. The cold
air came in filling me with a chill. "Kasuga....we're going to be in real
trouble soon. I think that someone tried to remove me or weaken me because they
consider me a threat. They wanted to more easily capture me without a fight."
     Ayukawa looked at me and I met her eyes. Both of us nodded.
"Hayden-kun...I'll call Ojiichan tonight. Maybe he has an idea."
     "Better be soon, dude. The darkness is closing in. I think that our lives
are about to go to hell. Mine already has. I can't see anymore. I'll never be
able to see how beautiful Manami is...or how blue the sky is...or drive a car
again. But, Madoka and you are right. I can't hide in a shell and die as much
as I want to." He turned toward me and edged his way over to the bed. Reaching
down, he opened a drawer on the nightstand and put on a pair of sunglasses he
had there. "I'll be checking out tonight. If Mom left, what happened to the
house?"
     "Uhmm...I think some of your things are being sent over. Marcia-chan said
she and Darla-chan were going to be there. Darla-chan is handling it. The house
is being closed up."
     "Mom is scared." Hayden-kun sighed. He looked toward us. "Madoka, how much
do you know about us?"
     "I know...what Kasuga-kun has told me." Ayukawa looked at me quickly.
     "Kasuga...why the hell did you involve Madoka? You suck!"
     I looked at the floor. I..."
     "I didn't give him a choice, Shawn-kun. I wanted to know why he was being
so close to Marcia-chan. I've kept it quiet what I know."
     "Terrific." he said bitterly. "I didn't want you or anyone of a non-esper
nature to be involved. I don't want my friends or family hurt. I have no idea
who's coming but, I'm certainly not in a position to fight them now. I'm scared
to death."
     "Hayden-kun...." I struggled again with words not knowing what to say. My
indecisiveness has always been a problem for me. "I...we were planning a
welcome home party for you. It might help you feel better."
     "No kidding?" He smiled and sat down on the bed. "I appreciate the
sentiment. Too bad I feel like screaming. A party sounds like fun. I just hope
I can enjoy myself."
     Ayukawa smiled. "I have to leave now. I'll come to the party. Kasuga-kun,
I'll see you at ABCB later this evening to help finish homework?"
     "Hai." I laughed nervously. "Maybe I will actually finish it."
     "You better." Ayukawa winked at me then said her goodbyes to Hayden-kun. I
watched her leave feeling a sudden warmth.
     "She loves you a lot dude."
     I sighed and looked at the floor again. "Are you going to check out now?"
     "Hai...get a Doc in here to discharge me. I can be just as miserable at
home as I am in here. The toughest thing for me now is going to be...." he
trailed off. "facing...Manami. I can't be a real boyfriend to her if I can't
protect her."
     It was at that point I realized the true significance of what he was
saying. If the CIA espers did come..and if he was unable to help us...what
would happen then?


                        Chapter Six: Fear's Coming! 

     
     I found Hayden-kun's doctor and convinced him that Hayden-kun was ready to
go home. It was easier then I thought it would be as, most of Hayden-kun's
burns were of a non-serious nature and therefore, other then his blindness,
there was no reason to keep him in the hospital. I returned to his room and
found him dressed and ready to go. One of the nurses had handed him a white
cane. "You'll need this Hayden-san to help you get around."
     I watched the bitterness return to his face. "Hai..arigatoo." He stood up
and turned toward the door. Extending the cane forward he took a step. "Kasuga,
are you there?"
     "Hai. The doctor said we can leave now, Hayden-kun."
     He nodded. "I hate to impose on you dude but, until I get better at this,
will you please guide me? Otherwise, I'll never make it home."
     I swallowed and moved to help him. He began walking forward with me beside
him. "I feel like a damn invalid" he swore again. "I don't want to go through
life like this."
     I was wishing I had something encouraging to say to him. I had rarely seen
him like this. I remembered when he had been upset over losing Ayukawa. That
had been a different kind of response. This was...more one of hopelessness. Of
giving up. It worried me.
     Together we slowly walked to the bus stop. When the bus arrived, he
stumbled trying to get on. His swearing made several people glare at him until
they realized he was blind. Hayden-kun found a seat and, I sat next to him.
"So, is Manami home?" he asked.
     "She may be..or at the library. Both of us got behind on our homework."
     He laughed bitterly. It hurt me to hear it. "I sure as hell won't have to
worry about school anymore will I? I'll just sit on the corner and beg for
money."
     "Baka!" I stared at him. "What are you saying? Didn't Ayukawa and I get
through to you?"
     "It comes and goes." he sighed. "The depression is gonna be there for a
long time dude, don't sweat it. It's going to take me time to get used to this
sick nightmare. Somewhere, god hates me."
     I felt helpless. He was getting more and more bitter and, there was
nothing I could say to help him. In situations like this, I'm not very good. I
never know what I can say. Perhaps Manami or his friend Shaw-kun would be able
to help.
     We arrived near "Green Castle" my apartment and, his new home. Prior to
his mother leaving for Switzerland, Hayden-kun and his family had been living
at a house a few blocks away. But, knowing that CIA espers may be coming soon
or were already here, it was best if they didn't live alone. I looked up as
Marcia-chan came down the stairs. "Oh! Kyouske! Shawn! You're home."
     Hayden-kun turned toward her. "Come to greet the blind man have you? Cool.
I always wanted to be on display."
     Her face fell and she sighed. "Shawn, I'm glad your home. I'm going out to
get some things for the party..."
     "Is that wise by yourself?" he cut in. "We don't know what's safe anymore.
We should have left Japan when we had the chance."
     I was getting rather upset with him. His mood was black and getting more
depressing by the minute. "Uhmmm..Hayden-kun. Let's go inside."
     I felt him stiffen but, he moved forward. I hung onto his arm and steered
him through the door as he used his cane to hit objects forward. I looked
behind me and saw Marcia-chan with tears in her eyes. I nodded to her and, she
turned and ran down the street...
     As the elevator opened, Hayden-kun stopped. "That was baka, Kasuga."
     "Eh?"
     "Letting Marcia go off like that by herself. No telling what's gonna
happen. But, it doesn't matter anymore. If they want us, they'll get us soon."
     I tried to think of an answer but, I had none. I opened the door to our
apartment and, we entered.
     "Oh Kyouske! Shawn-kun, you're home. Good to see you."
     My father came toward us and, I noticed Hayden-kun stiffen. "Yeah..good to
see you too, Mr. Kasuga." he said in english.
     My father stopped and hesitated. The pain in Hayden-kun's voice was
obvious. I looked over and saw Manami looking at us. Slowly she got off the
couch and came over. She hugged Hayden-kun. "Shawn...thank god your here."
     "Yeah...I'm home." He pushed her back and used his cane to feel for the
couch. Then wordlessly, he sat down. Silence filled the room then, he looked
toward where he knew I was. "Well don't just sit around! Call a few friends!
Throw a wild party. I'll just sit here and enjoy it!"
     My father nodded to me and we moved into the kitchen. Manami sat down next
to him and held his hand.

     "Kyouske...we need to give him time."
     I nodded to my father. "Hai. I've been thinking how I can help but, the
only one that even got his attention so far was Ayukawa. And, she had to slap
him to do that." I bowed my head. "Between worrying about CIA espers and his
future being blind, he's like a different person now."
     "It's going to be hard Kyouske." My father shook his head. I had never
seen him look so grim. "If things don't look good, we're going to have to leave
and go to Ojiichan's for awhile. Akane and Kazuya will join us. But, I want to
keep you all in school as long as we can."
     "And what about...friends?" I whispered. I was thinking of Ayukawa. If I
had to leave, would I ever see her...or Hikaru-chan..again..?

     That evening was more upbeat. Hayden-kun actually laughed and enjoyed some
music with us. Darla-chan told him that, the house was sealed up and things of
that nature had been taken care of. It was then that Marcia-chan handed him his
guitar. "Shawn...play this."
     Hayden-kun took it and stroked the frame. "Feels the same. I wonder if it
sounds the same..if I can play it while blind."
     "You close your eyes when your playing." Shaw-kun smiled. "It shouldn't be
any different."
     Hayden-kun experimented with a few notes. "Cool. Maybe once I get used to
this, I can play with you guys in "Pikaru's" again."
     "Hai! Kurumi laughed. "Then, we can all go to Hokkaido together and take
that trip! We can rent a car and you can drive..." she broke off what she was
saying realizing the implications of it.
     Hayden-kun stared straight ahead as Kurumi put her hand over her mouth.
Silence filled the room again.
     My father quickly got up. "We're planning your welcome home party for this
weekend, Shawn-kun. Kyouske and Manami have to catch up on homework tonight."
     "Suits me. Do whatever the hell you want."
     I swore under my breath and saw my father bow his head feeling lost. Was
there nothing we could say without reminding poor Hayden-kun of what he had
lost? Shaw-kun and Kurumi made a quick exit to Kurumi's room and even poor
Manami looked defeated. The homecoming had been terrible so far. I got up
feeling like I needed air. "Uhmm...I need to get on homework. I'll see you
later everyone."
     I walked down the hall and gathered my books together. Then, I quickly
exited out the front door. As I left, I looked back and saw Hayden-kun sitting
quietly with his cane across his lap. His face was a mask of bitterness. I felt
lost and defeated....

     "DARLING!"
     "Ommph!" I gasped as Hikaru-chan slammed into me as I entered ABCB.
"Hikaru-chan. What are you doing here?"
     "Oh Sempai, I finished my homework early so, I thought I would come over
here and visit Madoka-san and Master."
     I smiled at Master as he put a cup on the counter. "Ice coffee,
Kasuga-kun. You look like you could use it."
     I nodded and sat down feeling relief. Drinking down the coffee, I watched
Ayukawa as she came from around the counter. "Ayukawa...I need help."
     She took my books and opened one of them. "Well, let's get you started
then. I can see you haven't even done the math on page.."
     "No Ayukawa. I meant...I need help at home."
     Hikaru-chan blinked. "Sempai?"
     "Hayden-kun...is lost. He is so bitter that, he is shutting everyone out.
I thought when you and I were talking to him at the hospital that, he was
accepting of his situation. But, he just seems to give up more everytime
something reminds him of it."
     Master nodded. "Madoka-kun was telling me that, Kasuga. Right now, he is
still in a state of shock. Try to imagine how you or any of us would feel if
you lost your vision. Hayden-kun needs to realize that, his life is not over.
He has to make adjustments. But, it's going to take time. We all have to give
him that time."
     Hikaru-chan hugged me. "Sempai, what would you do if you were blind? Would
you still love me?"
     I jerked and stared at Ayukawa. She gave me a thin smile. "I'll talk to
Shawn-kun again when I can Kasuga-kun. But, if he isn't willing to accept his
situation, no one will be able to help him."
     I nodded and felt relieved that because Ayukawa had spoken, I had been
able to dodge Hikaru-chan's question. "Master, may we have the party here?"
     Master smiled as he was putting some dishes away. "Hai. It would be a good
central location for all of Hayden-kun's friends to come. I'll arrange to close
this Sunday except for those involved with the party."
     "Arigatoo." I finished my ice coffee and turned to Hikaru-chan.
"Hikaru-chan, I need to work on my homework."
     "I understand, Sempai. I wish I could help you. Madoka-san is so good at
schoolwork though so, she's the obvious choice. I'll see you later when you
have more time. I'll be at the party this weekend to help cheer Hayden-kun up."
she giggled. "See you later Sempai.."
     I watched Hikaru-chan go and, Master put on his coat. "I have to go too,
Madoka-kun. Would you mind locking up?"
     "Hai, I will Master." She gave him a snappy salute and giggled. I laughed
and put my hand behind my head.
     As Master left, Ayukawa moved to the coffee maker. "Knowing you
Kasuga-kun, your going to need more of this. Now let's concentrate on your math
and english since you seem to have the most trouble in those areas...
     We worked for several hours. It felt good to be with Ayukawa and also to
finally catch up on all the work I had gotten behind on while spending time in
the hospital. Ayukawa was so beautiful. I was feeling almost drunk with her
sweet scent...and I knew that if either one of us could get up the courage to
tell Hikaru-chan the truth that we would be happy together..
     I looked up as the door suddely opened. Ayukawa got up. "Welcome! May I
help you?"
     Two men entered. Both were wearing long coats. I suddenly had a funny
feeling. They walked forward and sat down. "Give us coffee please." they said.
     "Hai, two coffees" Ayukawa moved to the dispenser. "Cold out isn't it?"
     One man looked at me then turned back to her. "Hai, it is."
     I felt nervous. Something about them...
     The other man reached into his coat. "How long have you worked here Miss?"
     Ayukawa shrugged. "Quite a few years. Why?"
     The man pulled out a photograph and showed it to her. "We're looking for
some friends that we think may be in this area. Ever seen them before?"
     Ayukawa's face had gone white. She shook her head slowly. "No...I don't
know them. Perhaps you should try in another city?"
     "Maybe." The other man moved over to me. I stiffened feeling a sudden
fear. "How about you sport? Recognize anyone in here?"
     He put a photograph of Hayden-kun's family in front of me and looked at me
expectantly. "Uhmmm...no...I.."
     "You don't seem too sure." the man said. 
     I swallowed. "No...I don't know them."
     "Too bad." The man moved away watching me as he did so. "We'll have to
keep looking. Maybe we'll get lucky and find them someplace else."
     I nodded nervously and Ayukawa bowed. "Thank you for your buisness."
     The other man looked around him. "Nice little place, Miss. It would be a
shame if anything happened to it, don't you think?"
     "Hai." she whispered.
     "See ya. Have a good night." They slammed the door and got into a
black car out front. As they drove off, I felt my heart beating in fear...
     Ayukawa turned and stared at me. "Kasuga..kun."
     I swallowed. "Marcia-chan! She..she's out by herself! I...I have to
go Ayukawa!"
     "Kasuga-kun wait! You can't take them on by yourself! KASUGA-KUN!!!"
     I heard her screams as I ran out the door in a panic! It had come too
soon! Mrs. Hayden had been right. Like an evil plague, they had come down
upon us. I had no idea how many there were. And what was worse...I could
see no escape...

     As I raced down the street in terror, I felt a gnawing in the pit of my
stomach. Ayukawa was shouting something at me but, I couldn't hear what it was.
All I could think of was saving Marcia-chan and warning my family before it was
too late.
     Marcia-chan had returned to our apartment earlier but, before I had left
she had mentioned going to "Mobius." I had no idea why and, I suppose if I
hadn't been so indecisive, I would have found a way to stop her. Hayden-kun in
his condition was not himself and therefore, she would forget the possible
danger. We all had forgotten the danger until recently when Hayden-kun had his
accident. Or was it then? As I ran, I puzzled this in my mind. If it was true
that Komatsu had been controlled into throwing those fireworks so that
Hayden-kun would be injured then, why didn't the men who came into ABCB know
where he was? Surely they would have seen us coming to visit him..or used
school records to track us. It was all very disconcerting and made no sense to
me. I knew though that, our time had run out. They were here..and although they
weren't looking for me and my family, that would soon follow once they learned
who we were.
     I tried "Mobius" first. I ran down the stairs and almost over the man at
the door. After convincing him I was trying to find my sister and wouldn't be
staying, he let me in. I entered "Mobius" hearing the normally cool dance music
and seeing the many couples having a good time. But, I was not here to have fun
and I had no time. I scanned the crowd searching for Marcia-chan. I stared hard
as I thought I saw a girl in a red dress that resembled her and went over...

     "Marcia-chan!" I yelled above the din.
     The girl turned and looked at me. "Hey you're kind of cute."
     It wasn't her. And, I could feel my fear growing with each passing second.
She wasn't here. Where would she be? "Gomen." I moved away from the girl and
ran toward the door. I ran into the first phone booth and called home..

     "Kyouske! Come home now!"
     I winced as I heard the trembling in my father's voice. He had never been
like this before. I had seen him annoyed and even angry. I had never seen him
terrified. "Hai but, I need to find Marcia-chan. She said she was going out!"
     "She said she was going to meet a friend at the school." my father said.
"Run over there and see if you can find her. Don't do anything to attract
attention to yourself."
     "Hai, Old Man. Uhmm..what are we going to do?"
     "I'm taking care of that. Just find Marcia-chan and get home Kyouske!"
     I hung up the phone and continued to run feeling my fear tearing into my
soul! My father was probably calling Ojiichan and working out something with
him. I slowed down trying not to look hurried. Every person I saw, I shied away
from. I no longer knew who I could trust!
     I reached the school as darkness was falling. The cold wind blew through
my hair to add to the shivering in my body. "Marcia-chan!" I shouted.
     The wind was my only answer.
     "KASUGA-KUN!"
     I jerked startled and saw Ayukawa running toward me. "WHAAA! Ayukawa!
What..what are you doing here?"
     "I called your house and, Manami said you were out trying to find
Marcia-chan. She said you might be here. I'll help you."
     I shook my head looking around. "No, Ayukawa! I don't want you involved. I
don't want anything to happen to you."
     "BAKA!" her voice shook with fear. "I'm not going to let anything happen
to you...to any of you. I"m going to stay with you. You can hide at my house!"
     "Ayukawa..."
     "The CIA espers might not know anything about me, Kasuga-kun. I live alone
and, I have access to my family's money if you need to escape. They'll be
watching the train stations and airports possibly! There isn't time! Lets find
Marcia-chan and you can tell your father my plan."
     "We're going to be going to Ojiichan's. It's safer." I swallowed realizing
she was now fully involved. NO! I didn't want anything to happen to her! Why
was this happening at all?
     "Kasuga-kun...please. They may soon learn where your apartment is. There
isn't much time. Your family can hide for a few days then make it out to your
Ojiichan's! It's the only way! I'll tell HIkaru and everyone else you left
town!"
     I swallowed nervously and nodded. "Hai. Let's find Marcia-chan then!"
     We ran together searching the city. I checked the arcade, the mall,
various areas of town..anything where I thought she might be. It was useless.
Had they already found her? My terror was now in full force.
     "I..I have to get home. I have to tell my father, I can't find her!"
     Kasuga-kun." Ayukawa held me close. "It's going to be okay. We'll find a
way out of this. No one will take any of you away! I won't allow it!"
     We both returned to my apartment. My father was on the phone with
Ojiichan. He hung up and looked at us.
     "We're leaving tonight, Kyouske. We have to. Ojiichan is ready for us and,
we'll stay there until we figure something out."
     "Old Man, I need to stay here for now! Marcia-chan is still missing! I
can't find her."
     "They may already have her." Hayden-kun said quietly.
     My father looked at him and nodded. "Hai. But, what can we do?"
     "Old man..." I panted still trying to breathe from running. "I can stay
here with Ayukawa at her house. I'll try to find Marcia-chan then join you
later."
     Kyouske, I can't let you..."
     "PLEASE!" Ayukawa shouted. "For Marcia-chan's sake. We have to!"
     Hayden-kun nodded. "And I'm staying too. Mr. Kasuga, she's my sister. Even
though I'm blind, I got hearing. My flame has a wide range and if I have to
fight back, I'll use it!"
     I looked around. "Where are Kurumi and Manami?"
     My father bowed his head. "Saying goodbye to Shaw-kun. I...I told Kurumi
to send him home to America. I gave him money for the trip. I told him that his
grades weren't making it..and that he couldnt survive with his lack of language
in the japanese school system. It isn't far from the truth. If we get out of
this, Kurumi can go to America later to be with him."
     I sighed. "It's best, I guess. I hope that he and Kurumi are together
later."
     "They will be." Hayden-kun said. "Darla went too. As soon as they get
back, we're going to have to leave fast! Mr. Kasuga, I think Kyouske and I
should leave now."
     "But your blindness will slow you down." My father looked concerned. "It's
best if you go with us."
     "BULL CRAP!" Hayden-kun swore. "I'm not going to leave while Marcia is
someplace out there and may need help! There's no proof they caught her but,
then again there isn't any that they didn't! I'm getting used to being blind
since I know it isn't gonna change anytime soon! I'm staying. You're not my
father! My father is missing. My Mom is gone to Switzerland..for what reason I
don't know. We're on our own. Take care of Darla and your family." He stood up
and nodded toward where he knew I was standing. "Kyouske..Madoka..let's go!"
     As we left our apartment and I shut the door, I felt as if my life as I
knew it was ending. In fact...I was wondering if I would ever see my
home....again.


                           Chapter Seven: Fugitives!


     I felt like I was in a waking nightmare. My father shouted to me just as
we left the apartment.
     "Kyouske! Wait!"
     We stopped and turned toward him. "Hai, Old Man?"
     "When Kurumi and Manami get back, I'm going to have them teleport us
straight to Ojiichan's. It's the quickest way."
     I nodded. "Then we can use the car! Arigatoo!"
     He smiled. "Kyouske...be very careful. I want to see all my children
again."
     "Hai!" I nodded to Ayukawa and, we left and took the elevator downstairs.
     "Dude, once we've found Marcia, you'll have to just park that car
someplace." Hayden-kun said. "We're going to have to keep a low profile as much
as possible."
     We got into my father's small car and, I fired the engine into life. Then
making sure I was clear, I pulled out of the back parking lot onto the street.
     "Where do we search for her?" Ayukawa looked out the window scanning the
streets. The headlights in front of me seemed dim. My heart was racing
wondering how we were going to get out of this.
     "She hangs with Tonogra..the chick that was helping Jim." Hayden-kun said.
We could try her house. Did you check the mall?"
     "Hai." I swallowed. "I checked several places in the city. But, there was
no sign of her."
     Hayden-kun swore. "If she was stupid enough to go flying, you can bet they
have her by now. That attracts a lot of attention. This is really bad...we need
a reference point."
     We pulled up in front of Tonogra Kemi's house and I ran to the door
pounding on it. I could hear someone inside and, the door opened. Kemi-chan
looked out. ""Kasuga-kun? Hi! What are you doing here?"
     "UHmm...we're trying to find Marcia-chan. She said she was going to meet a
friend at the school. But, that was hours ago."
     "I see." 
     I nodded. "Do you know which friend?"
     "Hmmm.." she thought a moment. As she delayed it was all I could do not to
scream for her to hurry up. The urgency! It felt like I was in a trap and
couldn't escape! How far? How far behind us were they!
     "I think she said something about visiting Wasai-chan. They were going to
go out..something about meeting a cool guy."
     "COOL GUY??" I gasped. Baka! I had no time for this! "Where, Kemi-chan?"
     "At that new restaurant..."Morchales"..it serves different food..even
italian."
     "Arigatoo!" I ran back to the car and dove in the driver's seat. "She was
meeting a friend at a restaurant. Let's hope she got there!"
     Ayukawa nodded. "Are you alright, Shawn-kun?"
     He sighed. "Yeah." I noticed he was dropping more into english. It made it
harder to understand him for me. "I just feel useless. I want to help more."
     I gripped the steering wheel as the darkness grew more. It was now roughly
seven at night and still no Marcia-chan. Had they really gotten her?

     I pulled the car in front of "Morchales" and to my surprise, I saw Komatsu
and Hatta inside. Ayukawa slammed her door and jumped out to join me. We went
inside. I felt terrible leaving Hayden-kun alone. But, there was nothing else I
could do at the moment.
     We looked quickly for any sign of Marcia-chan as we entered. I noticed
Komatsu sitting with his back to us but, Hatta looked up and noticed me. He
waved and called my name. Komatsu turned and smiled. He was getting up. I moved
past a waitress and met him halfway..
     "Kasuga-kun! Ahhh...it's so good to see you! Hatta and I were just
discussing our plans about how were going to finance our new hentai manga that
is going to make us..."
     "HAVE YOU SEEN MARCIA-CHAN?" Ayukawa shouted cutting him off. "She's
missing!"
     Hatta blinked. "UHmm..no we haven't. Some friends of her's were here
looking for her but, she hasn't shown."
     Ayukawa bowed her head and balled up her fists. I nodded. "If you see
her..tell her that we're looking for her. Tell her to go home and stay there!"
     Kasuga-kun, you sound like your losing it." Komatsu laughed. "What has you
in such a.."
     "I have to go...please tell her if you see her...arigatoo!" I grabbed
Ayukawa's hand leaving them standing there. It was confirmed. I no longer had
any more doubts. They had gotten her! Somehow, the CIA espers had gotten to
Marcia-chan either before she reached the school or after. But, we had looked
everywhere!
     We got in the car and, Hayden-kun swore repeatedly when I told him what
had happened. "Dude...we're wandering aimlessly. Let's figure out a plan!"
     Ayukawa shook her head. "We need time to think. Where would they take
her?"
     I felt myself trembling. "I...I've had premonition dreams..of a
building..I fall off it and, Marcia-chan is screaming. There's a man in black
trying to get us."
     "Christ! Hayden-kun grabbed my hand. "THINK! WHAT BUILDING??"
     "I...I don't know.." I whispered in defeat.
     "Kasuga-kun...please.." Ayukawa was holding my other hand. "Marcia-chan is
possibly in terrible danger. We need to find her!"
     I nodded. I concentrated trying to clear my thoughts. Outside, I could
hear cars passing us and people were laughing as they walked past. People that
had no worries or fears. I was wishing I had a normal life...
     My thoughts went back...I tried hard to remember from the dreams. I could
see a sign across from me as the man approached. "Airport Hilton." I whispered.
     "The Hilton!" Hayden-kun nodded. "They must be taking her there or already
have her there. Probably planning on flying her out on special plane or
something. Dude, let's go!"
     "But, I have no idea when the dream takes place, Hayden-kun." I swallowed.
"Anymore then when I could predict the dream I had with you when we were
hijacked on the "Sun Princess."
     "Kasuga-kun, it's something to try." Ayukawa smiled at me encouragingly.
"Let's go!"
     I started the engine and put the car into gear. We pulled out and it was
all I could do not to floor the accelerator. Thoughts of poor Marcia-chan being
pumped full of drugs to keep her from fighting back filled my thoughts. In my
premonition dream I had seen so much, she was panicking and screaming for me to
help her. She was not using "the power." Either she was unable to or so
terrified she had forgotten to. Either way, she needed help.
     As I turned onto the highway which led to the airport, I thought of the
last time I had seen her. She had gotten over her love for me..and was even
thinking of finding another boyfriend. I noticed Ayukawa fidgeting next to me.
I was wishing she hadn't gotten mixed up in this. But there was little I could
do about it now....
     The "Airport Hilton" came in sight. I swallowed feeling my fear rise
again. I pulled off the highway and into city traffic. "Uhmm..how are we going
to know what to do?" I asked.
     "That's the trouble." Hayden-kun said quietly. "I don't have any vision. I
can't help in any way."
     Ayukawa suddenly looked at him. "Vision! Shawn! Your X-ray vision! Maybe
even though you can't see, you still have it!"
     I grew excited. It was something none of us had thought of. Hayden-kun sat
up more. "It's possible. The area of the brain that controls our powers may not
be affected by the blindness. I'll try."
     He stared out the window for several minutes. "HEY! I CAN SEE!!"
     Ayukawa grinned and hugged me. "GREAT!"
     He nodded. "It's a weird way to see..like looking through a negative or
something but, I can see! I"ll scan the hotel!"
   Ayukawa and I waited with anticipation as we watched Hayden-kun squint his
blind eyes and search the building. He lowered his head. "No good. I don't see
her. But, that doesn't mean she isn't here. If they have even a hint of what my
powers are, they might be trying to conceal her."
     "Then we'll have to search the hotel." Ayukawa said. "We know from
Kasuga-kun's dream that, they will eventually bring her here. If they do, we
can intercept her."
     "And fight the CIA espers?" I swallowed. 
     "Damn right!" Hayden-kun sounded angry. More confident. "I can see now!
I'll burn anyone up that tries to hurt her!"
     I felt a rising terror as I parked the car on the street and we got out.  
We were fugitives now. Our own government couldn't help us. If Ojiichan had a
plan, I hoped he would use it soon. In the meantime, finding poor Marcia-chan
was paramount. We entered the hotel and Ayukawa nodded toward the elevator. We
got in and the door shut.
     "Shawn-kun..we should check every floor. You can use your vision to scan
every room and that way, we can find her quicker or determine she isn't here."
     "Good idea." he looked at me. "Kasuga, are you okay?"
     "I..."I swallowed again. "I'm just scared for my family. For what's going
to happen to us. Earlier today, I was concerned about finishing up all my
homework. Now...I don't even know if we'll ever be safe."
     Ayukawa bowed her head and nodded. "I know, Kasuga-kun. Hikaru will be
worried about you when she hears you suddenly had to leave town without saying
goodbye. I...I don't want to lose you either."
     "You won't." Hayden-kun said.
     Both of us looked at him. He turned to me with a determined look on his
face. "Kasuga...dude..this whole mess is our fault! Because we saved everyone
on that ship, we've brought all this down on our heads! We should have been
more careful! It's up to us to figure a way out of it. My Dad is missing.
He might be okay in Washington D.C. but, I know for a fact that he would have
contacted us. My Mom has pissed me off leaving but, if she truly did go to
Switzerland for help, I have to assume she knows what she is doing. She may be
a lousy Mom but, she is a top agent and has been in worse situations then I
want to talk about."
     Ayukawa looked at me then back at him. "If we stand together and help each
other, we'll be okay."
     The elevator reached the top floor. Hayden-kun grinned. "You two went
through a lot to be together. I'm not gonna let these assholes from my country
bust you up!"
     I felt nervous.."Uhmm..I"
     "Hikaru. I know." Hayden-kun laughed. "I'm glad I'm not in a suck
situation like that. I'll make sure you still have it when this is over Kasuga
unless you want to tell Hikaru the truth. Nobody is going to take us away!"
     The door opened and, we exited the elevator. I could see a window across
from us and the whole city spread out beneath. Hayden-kun was using his vision
to scan the walls. "This way.." he said.
     We covered the whole floor. Again, we found nothing. I began to feel
an even greater fear. "Suppose...suppose that...they already left."
     Ayukawa stared at me the color draining from her face and, Hayden-kun
swore. "We have to get to the roof!"
     We found the stairs that accessed the roof and pounded up them. My
heart was pounding in sheer terror now. The door burst open and the three
of us ran outside.
     Hayden-kun shook his head. "This is damn painful! And, it uses up my
ability fast! I can't keep on like this."
     "Give it a rest, Shawn-kun." Ayukawa looked at me. "Over there! A
telescope!"
     We saw a telescope for observations nearby. It was like one Ayukawa and I
had once used to find a ship in Hawaii called the "Blue Dolphin" that we knew
Hikaru-chan was on after she had been kidnapped. Ayukawa pushed Hayden-kun
forward. "Look through this with your vision. See if you can see anything."
     Hayden-kun moved to the glass. He swung it to look out over the
airfield. Suddenly, he jerked back. "OH MY GOD! Kasuga, you were right!
They got her! There's a lear jet on the far side of the runway. She's in
one of the seats and, there are men there! It's getting ready to taxi!"
     Ayukawa grabbed me. "KASUGA-KUN! YOU HAVE TO TELEPORT!"
     I nodded. I felt Hayden-kun grab me. "Dude...we're both going! You'll
need interference!"
     Ayukawa stepped back. She nodded to me. "Be careful, Kasuga-kun! Come
back here with her!"
     I looked into the telescope over toward where he had indicated. I
could see the lear jet powering up it's engines and it's lights were
flashing. There was no time left!
     I felt Hayden-kun grip onto me as I concentrated and we teleported
into the darkness...

     I felt myself ending the teleport and firm ground was beneath my feet.
     "What the hell?" a voice said.
     I turned and saw we were in the middle of an aisle on the aircraft. Men
had leaped out of their seats and, two were staring at us. Marcia-chan was
looking at me. "KYOUSKE!" she shouted.
     Hayden-kun moved away from me. "Get away from my sister!" his voice was
low and dangerous. It reminded me of when he and I had been brief enemies
fighting over Ayukawa.
     "Shawn..good to see you again."
     I turned and saw a man behind us. Hayden-kun swallowed. "Carson. I thought
you were our friend! You've worked with my Mom!"
     "You're Mom and I are friends Shawn." The man nodded to the other men to
sit down. "We just want to make sure nothing happens to any of you. It was
foolish of your Mom to just leave and try to keep anyone from knowing where she
was going. The company doesn't like that."
     "Company hell. You're a damn CIA agent and don't try to tell me different.
I know all about it!"  Hayden-kun looked at his sister. "What have you done to
Marcia? You're getting ready to take off!"
     "She is simply being taken someplace safe. We want you all to come with
us. Even your friend." He looked at me. "I assume your the boy that was with
Shawn on the cruise ship?"
     I swallowed. "Leave us alone. We don't want to go anywhere with you."
     He smiled. "Let's be adult about this. You can always go to the japanese
government for help. But then again, they would probably find it interesting to
know they have natural espers here. They'd probably want to find out what makes
you tick. What's your name...Kyouske was it? Kyouske, how would you like to
work for the United States government? You'd be well compensated."
     I glared at him. "I don't want to go anywhere with you!"
     Hayden-kun jerked as he realized the plane was moving. "DAMMIT! Carson you
bastard, you're taking off with us!"
     A man tried to grab him as the plane began moving quickly down the runway!
Hayden-kun winced and, a blast of powerful wind ripped through the 
cabin from him as he used "the power." Men shouted and fell over. I moved past
him and grabbed Marcia-chan. "Come on Marcia-chan!"
     She grabbed onto me and, the man called Carson pulled out a gun. "I don't
think so, Kyouske! Let her go!"
     I could feel the plane beginning to leave the ground now. Hayden-kun
pointed his finger and, a blast of flame made the man fall over to avoid it.
Hayden-kun grabbed onto me. "KASUGA! TELEPORT!!!"
     
    I had never tried to teleport with more then one other person before. But
as I saw the man named Carson climb off the ground and aim a gun at me, I
concentrated. For a brief minute, I saw the outside of the aircraft as it flew
away from us higher into the sky. Then, darkness closed in and, I found myself
reappearing onto the top of the "Airport Hilton" again. I gasped feeling worn
out.
     "KASUGA-KUN!"
     I looked up as Ayukawa hugged me. "You're alright!"
     "Hai." I gasped trying to get air. "Where's Marcia-chan?'
     "Right here." she helped Marcia-chan steady herself. "She seems to be
drugged. Not quite steady on her feet."
     "Those bastards." Hayden-kun swore. "Let's get to your house Madoka before
they figure out where we went. It's going to take them a little time to spin
that plane around and land it although, they got agents here on the ground
looking for the rest of us."
     Together we worked our way downstairs and back to the street. As we
exited the building though, I felt something. Looking up, I saw three men over
by my father's car. "WHAA! Look!"
     Hayden-kun swore. "We're in deep trouble!"
     One man pointed at us and, they began walking toward us. Ayukawa looked
around. "This way!"
     We ran hard down the alleyway. I could hear the men shouting at each other
behind us. Suddenly, someone teleported and was in front of us! Ayukawa
screamed and I fell over.
     The man grabbed Hayden-kun. "Hello Shawn. Did you think you'd get away
that easily?"
     Hayden-kun's hand went bright red with heat making the man scream. He
grabbed his sister's hand. "MARCIA! FLY! FLY, DAMN IT!!!"
     I saw his lead and grabbed Ayukawa. She was up and with a roundhouse kick
had sent the man falling to the street. I grabbed her. "AYUKAWA! Hang onto
me!"
     As I felt her embrace, I closed my eyes and teleported. As I did so, I
could see Marcia-chan fly into the sky at incredible speed with Hayden-kun
hanging onto her. The darkness took us and, I could feel Ayukawa's terrified
heart beating against mine.
     I ended the teleport and collapsed in back of Ayukawa's house. She shook
her head. "I...I've never felt anything like that ever, Kasuga-kun."
     "Takes some getting used to I guess." I sighed. "Hayden-kun complained
about dizziness the first time I ever teleported with him."
     She nodded. "Let's get inside. I hope they escaped okay."
     Shortly after we went inside, we saw two figures come flying down and
alighted on the back porch. Ayukawa opened the door and let Hayden-kun and
Marcia-chan in."
     "KYOUSKE!" Marcia-chan clung to me shaking. The tears were streaming from
her eyes. "I'm so scared! What..what do we do?"
     I noticed Ayukawa sit down on the couch and watch us. I gently pushed
Marcia-chan away. "Are you okay, Marcia-chan?"
     "Just..just groggy. They surprised me while I was on my way to the school.
They stuck me with a shot when I tried to run..and then I couldnt fight back.
They took me to a hotel then, I was taken to that airplane! Thank god you all
came when you did! They were getting ready to take off!"
     "They almost took off with all of us." Hayden-kun swore. "So, what the
hell do we do now?"
     Ayukawa sighed. "Lay low for now I guess, like you said. Tomorrow if
things look safe, maybe you can all leave and go to Kasuga-kun's Ojiichan's to
join the others."
     I sat down wearily. "But how long will we be safe there? If they found us
that fast, what will we do when they find us again? How long can we run?"
     Ayukawa bent down and hugged me. "Kasuga-kun..we''ll...we'll find a way
out of this. There has to be one. You're safe for now."
     I suddenly jerked up staring at her. "Ayukawa...maybe not. When I grabbed
your hand for that teleport...I shouted your name!"
     Hayden-kun swore. "Dammit. If they remember that..."
     "We can't stay here." Marcia-chan whispered. "Not where they can see us
anyway."
     "We'll have to for tonight." Ayukawa said looking out a window nervously.
She got up and closed the drapes in the room. "We should take turns staying
awake..in shifts so, if anything happens, we can warn each other."
     Hayden-kun nodded. "Like Kasuga and I did on the "Sun Princess." He swore
again. "This whole thing leads back to that. I wish we had never taken that
cruise. But if we hadn't, I never would have met any of you."
     "A double edged sword." Ayukawa sighed. "There's nothing we can do about
the past. We'll have to see what the future holds. I'll call in sick to school
tomorrow. I'm sure Kasuga-kun that your father has already taken care of your
family. There will be quite the stories going around there if I know the rumor
mill. And..." she bowed her head. "poor Hikaru...she'll be worried sick and
wonder what's happening. Eventually, she'll come here looking for me."
     "Tomorrow we leave then." Hayden-kun said. "I don't want anymore people
involved and since Hikaru doesn't know about our esper powers, she shouldn't be
mixed up in this. Madoka, I wish to god you weren't."
     Ayukawa smiled at us all. "I want to be. I care about Kasuga-kun and all
of you."
     Marcia-chan returned her smile. "You're a good friend, Madoka-chan."
     I leaned back in the chair and tried to relax. I could see Hayden-kun had
closed his eyes. Probably he was resting his "power" and was blind again. I
couldn't help wondering how my family was doing. Would there ever be an end to
this nightmare....?
          

                      Chapter Eight: Laying Low!

     Throughout the night, we kept watch. Ayukawa took the first watch and I
tried to sleep knowing that I needed all my strength now so "the power" would
be fully charged. If I wasn't, we might end up in a situation where I couldn't
teleport. I needed to contact my family and make sure they were safe. But, the
chances of Ojiichan's phone being monitored had occured to us. Or ours. We had
no idea any longer what was safe. Our defenses were in full force and our
paranoia was at an all time high.
     I turned over and looked up seeing Ayukawa in the moonlight. We were
sleeping all together on the floor in her living room. Nearby, I could see
Hayden-kun and Marcia-chan sleeping. I sighed and pulled back the blanket that
was on my futon.
     "Can't sleep Kasuga-kun?"
     I sat up and looked at her. "Hai. Ayukawa, I've been trying to think of a
way out of this mess. But, I can't see any way except for one."
     She nodded. "Go on."
     "Hayden-kun and I need to correct things. We must time travel and go into
the past back to the day the "Sun Princess" was hijacked. Somehow, we have to
keep the hijackers from knowing about our powers. Maybe cover for ourselves as
we watch ourselves go through the motions."
     "Keep the hijackers from seeing your past selves using your powers?"
Ayukawa blinked. "That's not a bad idea. But, it would radically change the
future."
     "How so?" I moved closer to her.
     "Think about it, Kasuga-kun. If you and Hayden-kun aren't discovered, that
means that Mrs. Hayden will never have a reason to bring her family to Japan.
That means if anybody comes to Japan at all, it will only be Hayden-kun and
Shaw-kun. Marcia-chan and the rest of the family would of had no reason. The
chances of things succeeding between Kurumi and Shaw-kun will be even more
limited."
     I nodded. "But, he wasn't doing so well in our school system anyway. It's
a given that Shaw-kun had to go back. He never would have been able to
graduate."
     Ayukawa looked up as we both heard a noise. For several minutes, we sat
listening. After a time, she sighed. "Must have been the house creaking. We're
getting jumpy, Kasuga-kun." 
     I stood up and sat down in a chair next to her. "I know. But, you see what
I'm saying? Perhaps Kurumi and Shaw-kun aren't meant to be after all."
     Ayukawa smiled. "Baka. Now you're trying to create a reason to justify
your idea. The fact is, you know Kurumi and Shaw-kun were very happy together
before this happened. If you and Shawn-kun go back in time and try to alter
things, their relationship might not be there. That's why you're feeling so
guilty right now. You know they are happy."
     I nodded. "Hai. And I realize I have to do all I can so that doesn't get
taken away from Kurumi. Shaw-kun cares about her. It's our fault the CIA espers
are here. There has to be a way to escape them...or maybe keep them from
harassing us."
     "Perhaps once your Ojiichan has time to think about it, he'll come up with
a way. At any rate, Kasuga-kun, you need to sleep. You're watch is in a few
hours and you need to have rest. If you're unable to teleport, we'll all be in
trouble."
     I nodded and laid back down. "Arigatoo, Ayukawa. I appreciate everything
you are doing for us."
     "You know how I feel." she whispered. "If it weren't for
Hikaru..things..would be different now."
     I smiled at her and laid down trying to sleep.....

     "HELP ME!!"
     " Manami!" I shouted. I could see the man with his hand around her. In his
other, he held a syringe he had already injected her with. I looked to my right
and saw Akane standing with her fists ready.
     "GET AWAY FROM MANAMI-CHAN!" she shouted.
     The man laughed. "Sure..you come here and make me, little girl!"
     Akane glared. "You'll be sorry you said that!" She screamed and dove at
him...

     "Whaaa!" I jerked awake shaking.
     "Kasuga?"
     I looked up and saw Hayden-kun sitting where Ayukawa had been. What time
was it? I rubbed my eyes. "I...I had a nightmare."
     He leaned forward. "Premonition?"
     I...I don't know. It was bad. Manami had already been captured and, Akane
and I were trying to help her."
     "Christ!" Hayden-kun swore and leaned back more. "This situation is bad
dude. We need a real plan. I'll be glad when tomorrow we meet up with your
family and mine. I'd like to leave now."
     I nodded. "Maybe we should."
     "No...we need to lay low for a bit. They may be looking for us. Or waiting
now." He pulled back the curtains enough to peek out. "I haven't seen anything
and, I've been scanning with my x-ray vision quite a bit. If they were going to
surprise us..."
     A noise sounded upstairs. He jerked and looked at me. "Damn!"
     Both of us stood up listening. I leaned over and woke Ayukawa.
"Ayukawa..Marcia-chan..get up!"
     Both of them were up quickly and Marcia-chan rubbed her eyes. "What's
going on?"
     "Possibly unwanted visitors." Hayden-kun hissed. "Stay quiet. Kasuga,
let's go check..."
     "Wait! Do you see anyone?" Ayukawa asked.
     "No...but that doesn't mean they aren't there. This is too frustrating. I
wish I had infra-red vision or something."
     We stood quietly together our senses heightened trying to hear. Ayukawa
took a step forward and went up the stairs.
     "Ayukawa!" I whispered. "NO!"
     "Kasuga-kun...stay here!"
     I watched her go and, we all waited to hear what was happening. For
several minutes, there was nothing then, Ayukawa turned on the hall light and
came down. "A book fell. I didn't find anything else."
     "Thank god!" Marcia-chan collapsed in a chair.
     "I still don't trust this." Hayden-kun looked around. "We don't know what
esper powers they have! There could be someone invisible right next to us!"
     "Quit being paranoid!" Marcia-chan glared at him. "You're scaring me more
then I already am."
     I felt something. It was that same feeling of being watched.
"Ayukawa...we..we can't stay here. Somethings wrong."
     She looked at me then screamed suddenly!!!
     I swore as a man grabbed me around the neck. Ayukawa jumped back and,
Marcia-chan screamed as another grabbed her!! Hayden-kun swore and spun clear
then picked up a poker by the fireplace! "Let them go!" he said angrily.
     "Not a chance." The man holding me gripped me tighter. "We don't want to
hurt anyone. Come quietly and, everything will be fine."
     Ayukawa gritted her teeth. Then before the man realized what had happened,
a pick flew at lightning speed and sliced across his wrist. He screamed and let
me go! I jumped clear and slammed into the man holding Marcia-chan.
     Ayukawa held up another pick. "Next time I throw one of these, I'm going
to slice your neck open! I MEAN IT!! GET OUT!!"
     The two men backed away. Hayden-kun looked around. "They're all around us,
damn it! They got you're house surrounded."
     Ayukawa swore. "I don't think I'll be able to call in sick tomorrow.
Kasuga-kun...grab them and teleport out of here!"
     "You little bitch!" one of the men moved forward. 
     Ayukawa shouted and spun in a roundhouse kick connecting with his solar
plexus. The man screamed and went down. She turned to me. "KASUGA-KUN!! GO!!!"
     I froze not wanting to leave her. I couldn't leave her. My anger exploded
suddenly!! "AYUKAWA!!!" I shouted...
     The "power" exploded!! I sent both men screaming back into the far wall.
I grabbed Ayukawa and Hayden-kun. He grabbed Marcia-chan. With all my remaining
strength, I concentrated and teleported to a location still fresh in my
mind..someplace they may not think to look....

     "Damn! You did it!" Hayden'kun's voice was distant as I panted.
     I opened my eyes and looked out over the city. We were on the roof of the
"Airport Hilton" again......

     I panted out of breath trying to stand. Ayukawa supported me. "Kasuga-kun,
are you alright?"
     "I...I didn't think I could do it..Ayukawa." I felt like collapsing. It
had taken almost everything I had to teleport all four of us. It was the only
way to save us and perhaps it was that fear that had done it. My adrenaline was
so high, I felt like it was saki.
     Hayden-kun stumbled. "Damn it. I need a rest. My vision is going out."
     "We'll get a room here." Ayukawa steadied both of us. "Marcia-chan, are
you alright?"
     "Hai." She nodded. "But, we don't have any money."
     "I've got some I withdrew awhile ago. I can get us a room for a few days.
I didn't know what to expect when these people showed up. From now on, we must
pay everything we do with cash. It will be harder to trace."
     Hayden-kun grinned. "Good idea, Madoka. I'm glad one of us is thinking."
     I felt like I was passing out. I had no strength. Marcia-chan and Ayukawa 
helped me down the stairs and into an elevator. We took the elevator to the
lobby and as it opened, we peered out cautiously. Ayukawa turned to us. "Wait
here, everyone. I'll get us a room."
     I watched her go and several minutes later, she came back with a room key.
"Sixth floor..let's go." she said.
     We went back up in the elevator and got out on the sixth floor. Then, like
a heaven sent haven, we opened the door to our room and, I collapsed on the
bed. I could feel my strength leaving me.
     Ayukawa was talking to Hayden-kun. "I'm hoping we'll be safe here for
awhile. There's no way they could have traced us coming here unless they can
trace Kasuga-kun's teleport."
     "That sounds about right to me." Hayden-kun collapsed on the bed beside
me. "We don't dare move from here for a few days if we can help it. They might
be looking for us to join up with the others. We're just going to have to hope
our families are safe."
     Ayukawa fell onto the other bed with Marcia-chan. "I'm exhausted. And, I
agree with you, Shawn-kun." She glanced over at me not knowing I was still half
awake. "I'm worried about Kasuga-kun. That last teleport about wore him out."
     Hayden-kun laughed. "He'll bounce back. He's tough whether he knows it or
not. Indecisive as hell..but tough."
     Ayukawa giggled and, that was the last thing I remembered as sleep finally
took me....
     
     *Kyouske-neichan!*
     "Eh?"
     *Kyouske-neichan! Wake up! Where are you?*
     I jerked realizing Kazuya was trying to contact me. I sat up rubbing my
eyes. The room was dark and everyone was asleep. A clock on the bedside table
told me it was five in the morning. "Kazuya?" I reached out..
     *Kyouske-neichan, we're all worried about you! What's going on?*
     I leaned back on the bed trying to open my mind. *Kazuya! The CIA espers
are after us. They almost got us twice.*
     *Ojiichan has an idea. But, we were concerned about all of you. Can you
make it to Ojiichan's house?*
     *No..* I winced as I felt pain in my head. I was still weak. *They are
searching for us and, we don't know where they are now. They might try to
follow us. For your safety, it's best if we stay separate for now.*
     *Or yours. Ojiichan just told me, it's good your apart from us for now. It
gives them more then one target to worry about.*
     *Target?* I gasped.
     *Bad choice of words. Ojiichan is hoping to turn the tables on them. He's
talking to my Dad about setting up a counterstrike.*
     *Kazuya..* I swallowed. *It sounds like your going to war or something.*
     *Maybe we are.* I felt him shrug mentally. *At any rate, we wanted to be
sure you were safe. Keep your mind open so you and I can communicate more
easily.*
     I nodded mentally and sighed. *Take care, Kazuya. We'll stay put as long
as we can and wait to see what Ojiichan wants to do.*
     *Over and out.* Kazuya giggled and was gone...
     I felt exhaustion take me again. I prayed this time that I could sleep
without dreaming. I needed to regain my strength......

     "Kasuga-kun?"
     "Uhmmm..." I rolled over and looked up. Ayukawa was looking down at me.
"Ayukawa."
     "How are you feeling?"
     "Uh...Okay..very tired."
     She nodded. "Go back to sleep. I was just checking. I'm going to take a
shower. I think we're pretty safe here because, nothing has happened. And, we
all need to clean up."
     She was right about that. With all the running we had done, all of us
smelled like we needed a shower. But...the idea..of Ayukawa...in a
towel...BAKA! I chastised myself. There was no time for hentai thoughts. 
     "Kazuya got ahold of me this morning." 
     She turned and stared at me. "Kazuya! Are they alright?"
     "Hai. They all made it to Ojiichan's. The CIA espers haven't shown up
there yet. They must be thinking that if they capture us, it will lead them to
the others. He said that Ojiichan told us to stay put as long as we can."
     "Good." Ayukawa smiled at me and moved toward the bathroom. "I made some
coffee in the brewer over here. Have some once you decide to get up."
     "Arigatoo." I sat up and saw the clock read eight in the morning. If
things were normal, I would be in school now. But would things ever be normal
again?


                            Chapter Nine: Recovery.

     "What time is it?"
     "About eleven in the morning."
     I listened as Ayukawa moved across the room. "Kasuga-kun is still asleep.
He must be really exhausted."
     "It takes a lot to do a teleport with one person. He did it with four of
us." Hayden-kun sighed. "I have to admit, I'm impressed. His powers have gotten
pretty good. I don't think I would take him on now."
     Ayukawa giggled. "Did you really fight him over me?"
     "Hai. We had one hell of a battle going for awhile and I was kicking his
ass. Then, the Sandinistas showed up. In a way it's good they did. I don't know
if we would have seen the errors in our feelings and become friends then."
     "Then you wouldn't be here, Shawn-kun. But, I'm glad you are. Manami loves
you a lot. It would have been a shame to see her love end and Kurumi's."
     Hayden-kun sighed. "You may change that opinion if we don't get out of
this."
     I sat up rubbing my eyes. "I...I've rested enough."
     "Hey, you're awake." Hayden-kun grinned. I saw he had put his sunglasses
on. He was blind again probably saving his "power" for when we needed it.
     I climbed off the bed and moved toward the bathroom. "I'm hungry. And, I
need a shower."
     "Go ahead, Kasuga-kun. Shawn-kun and I already took ours. Marcia-chan is
still asleep. She must be sleeping off that drug they gave her to try to
disable her."
     I nodded and went into the bathroom. I looked at myself briefly in the
mirror. I looked like hell. My face had stubble because, I had been unable to
shave. My hair was nothing but an unkempt mop. Was this what was in store for
us? Forever running and no personal life to enjoy? I stripped off my clothes
and climbed in the shower. Turning on the hot water, I gasped as the warmth
took away my physical pain. My back was sore and, my head hurt severely. Even
after sleep, I was still mentally exhausted....
     I finished my shower and dressed wishing I had fresh clothes. But, that
was a luxury none of us currently had. The idea of going home and getting some
occured to me. But, what if they had agents watching our apartment waiting for
us to do something like that? It was too much of a risk currently. I opened the
door and stepped out stretching.
     "Ahh just in time for a late breakfast, Kasuga-kun."
     I smiled as Ayukawa pointed to food that was on the table. "Ayukawa...did
you order this?"
     "Room service with a smile." She laughed. "We need to eat and, it's not
smart to step foot out of here until we think we've rested enough. I've been
out once and, so far it looks like our escape was pretty good. I haven't seen
any sign of them. Coming to the same hotel they had Marcia-chan at wasn't a bad
idea."
     Hayden-kun grinned at me. "Like returning to the scene of the crime so to
speak. Have some food, dude."
     I sat down and munched on the vegetables and sandwiches that were in front
of us. My body relished in the feeling as the food went down my throat and into
my stomach. 
     "Something smells good." Marcia-chan said sleepily and sat up. "Food!" She
crawled out of bed and joined us. Her hair was in her face and, she pushed it
away. Grabbing a sandwich, she began eating quickly.
     "Hey, don't go so fast, you'll choke yourself." Hayden-kun smiled. "We can
take a break for a bit."
     "Thank god." Marcia-chan sipped her glass of water. "I was so scared. I
don't know what we're going to do."
     "Let's not worry about it for now." Ayukawa leaned back and sighed. "We
have time for now to rest and get our strength back while the CIA espers chase
their tails trying to find us. If we're lucky, it will take them some time."
     "Hai." I smiled at Marcia-chan. "We've all had showers Marcia-chan and
cleaned up so, why don't you do the same?"
     "A shower!" she jumped up excitedly. "That's great! I'll see you all in a
bit then. Save some more food for me!"
     Ayukawa nodded and, Marcia-chan went in the bathroom. For a long time,
none of us said anything. It felt good to relax in the silence. Last night had
been a night of terror. If Ayukawa was right and we had escaped them for
awhile, we had time to recover and get our strength back. Most importantly, we
now had time to plan what we were going to do....
     
     "Want some more coffee, Kasuga-kun?"
     "Hai." I held out my cup for Ayukawa to pour. After she did so, she sat
down and picked up her own cup. Both of us drank feeling refreshed. Hayden-kun was
across from us laying on the bed and, Marcia-chan was still in the bathroom.
     "She's been in there for two hours." Hayden-kun swore. "When the hell is
she gonna come out?"
     "Marcia-chan likes to primp herself." Ayukawa giggled. "Since we have time
to relax, let's give her that luxury. We can play cards or something while we
wait."
     For the next two hours, we played cards. Ayukawa won most of the matches
and, I guess when it comes to poker, I'm not very good. I would have to get
better at it when we had the chance. After a time, I noticed Ayukawa sitting by
the window and looking out over the city. Her eyes scanned the horizon.
     "Ayukawa?"
     She turned to me. "Gomen nasai. I was just thinking about my parents."
     I shivered. "Do...do you think they would harm your parents?"
     "No." She smiled. "They probably have no interest in me. I'm sure once
they have all of you, they'll leave me alone. But, I'm in this just as much as
you are Kasuga-kun and, I'm not going to let them take you away."
     Hayden-kun grinned. "Where did you learn to fight like that, Madoka? You
threw that sharp pick and about cut that guy's wrist off!"
     "I could have killed him...but it wasn't necessary." She sighed. "I hope
it never is. I used to have to defend myself Hayden-kun...against girl gangs
and for a time, I almost joined one. But...but I had friends who taught me what
I needed to know...and advised me to stay away from that kind of life."
     "Oryu." I whispered.
     "Hai. She was one. She taught me that, I didn't need a gang to be
important. I could stand on my own and be my own person. Kasuga-kun
knows...he's met Oryu and a few others..."
     Hayden-kun nodded. "Sounds like you had a rough life."
     "I made a lot of it rough on myself I think." Ayukawa looked away. "I used
to spend a lot of time protecting Hikaru.." She trailed off and looked out the
window again. "Hikaru...she..she should at least know I'm okay. If I get time,
I'll phone her and let her think I've gone to America for awhile. I don't know
how long we're going to be in this situation. She's probably going to be
terribly sad when she finds out Kasuga-kun is gone as well..."
     I nodded feeling her remorse. It made me more angry. Those people! If they
would just leave us alone! If they would only let people just live their lives
and not try to make us do their will! I could see myself if I had accepted that
man Carson's offer and flown to America. I'd be some sort of person I would
never want to be. I had seen Mrs. Hayden talk of her own life...the life of an
assasin.
     I had tried to imagine her as that. But, she was very beautiful...and I
couldn't see her in that type of life. I wondered how she was doing and if she
would return? Also, what had happened to Mr. Hayden? He had been so quiet when
I met him...so serious. Afraid for the welfare of his family perhaps? And now,
he was missing as well. 
     The afternoon wore on. We watched t.v. had more food, and tried to
entertain each other with stories and jokes we knew. I was seeing a side of
Ayukawa I rarely did. In this situation, she was constantly around me. We were
growing closer and, I knew that I would never be with anyone else. Someday both
of us if we got out of this and resumed a normal life would have to tell
Hikaru-chan that. I just didn't know when. But...but if we never got out of
this..if we were forced to flee and try to escape most of our lives...and if
Ayukawa was with me..then the situation with Hikaru-chan no longer mattered.

     My body felt refreshed now. The time of recovery we had needed had been a
big help and now, I felt like I was strong enough to fight if I had to. I
looked over from my chair and saw Marcia-chan reading a magazine. She looked
very pretty now. Ayukawa was next to her and she too was reading. In our
current situation, there was little else to do other then watch television.
But, I was beginning to realize that, it would soon be time to move on.
     "Uhmm...everyone?"
     Marcia-chan looked up. I saw Hayden-kun look away from the television and,
Ayukawa glanced over at me. Her eyes blinked. "Kasuga-kun?"
     "I...I think we need to move on. We've had a good rest and, we shouldn't
stay here too long. If nothing else, we should move to another hotel. Or rejoin
the others."
     "Have you heard anymore from Kazuya?" Hayden-kun asked me.
     "No...but they may be rather busy. Maybe Ojiichan is trying to organize
some sort of offensive."
     "Offensive?" Ayukawa sat up.
     "Kazuya mentioned to me that Ojiichan and my Uncle were talking about some
sort of counterstrike. Of course, those were Kazuya's words."
     "Kazuya has powerful words." Marcia-chan smiled. "Sounds like the
beginnings of a military operation. But, we are up against people who know what
they are doing. The sad thing is, even when none of us knew it, our mother was
working daily with these people. Carson was a good family friend! He used to
eat dinner at our house and, he and his girlfriend went out with my parents
when they were actually together...which wasn't much."
     "So...does that mean everyone that your parents worked with are enemies
now?" I asked.
     Hayden-kun shrugged. "Who knows. I'm thinking, if Mom went for help maybe
it was to find other espers she could trust and they would help defend us.
That's what she might have meant by having the Kasugas protect us. By doing
that, we may be buying time for her to bring in other agents that are loyal to
her. I can't believe the entire CIA would condone something like this. I know
there are different branches within it. Mom had a lot of friends. People we
didn't even know were always coming over. Carson was one that seemed pretty
close. But, that doesn't mean they all would be like him."
     "Then we'll have to keep a watch for anyone that might be a help to us."
Ayukawa grinned. "We just have to stay one step ahead of them and eventually
meet up with your family."  
     "Hai." I leaned back in my chair trying to imagine what it would
be like to have an army of espers come out of nowhere to help us. But,
we had to accept the fact that in reality such help may never come....


                           Chapter Ten: On the Move!

     We stayed together in the hotel another day. I heard nothing more from
Kazuya and, this was beginning to worry me. We needed to lay low as Hayden-kun
had put it but, at the same time, we needed to know what was going on. After
much debate, we finally decided to go out and try to discover if our families
were okay.
     Ayukawa opened the hotel room door cautiously then, together, we all
walked down the hallway and to the elevators. Taking the elevator to the lobby
floor, we exited and, Ayukawa moved a little ahead of us carefully watching.
There was no sign of anyone coming toward us. Yet, I felt a certain amount of
uneasiness. We left the hotel and walked down the front driveway. I noticed my
father's car was still parked on the street. Cautiously, we went over and
looked inside. The glove compartment was open and, it appeared the vehicle had
been quickly searched. I shuddered.
     Ayukawa nodded. "Looking for information probably. They know nothing about
your family Kasuga-kun so, they may be looking for leads."
     I froze. "Ayukawa....our...apartment.."
     She looked at me. "What about it?"
     Hayden-kun caught on at once. "OH CRIPES! Pictures...information...did you
have any address books laying around there that would show them where you're
Ojiichan lives???"
     I swallowed and nodded.
     Marcia-chan gasped. "That may be why we haven't heard anything! Maybe
they've already found everyone else!"
     I felt like panicking. I looked behind me waiting for some man to teleport
in and grab me. I shook my head. "We...we need to go back to the apartment. If
we don't..and they haven't been there...they may find that information."
     "That's too damn risky!" Hayden-kun swore. "So is standing here on the
street next to this car talking about it! Let's get clear and find a new place
to stay. We can discuss battle tactics later."
     "Battle tactics!" I stared at him.
     "What the hell do you think this is Kasuga, a tea party? These guys are
playing for keeps! They want us for whatever reason..either to work for them or
to experiment on us. Either one doesn't sound appealing to me. It's time to go
on the offensive soon. We need to find out what happened to our families! I
swear if those bastards even touched Manami, I'll fry them!"
     I felt sick to my stomach suddenly. That brief time we had in the hotel
had made me almost forget the danger that was involved. I looked around me
feeling nervous.
     "Let's go." Ayukawa said.
     We crossed the street and moved toward the downtown section. We chose a
small cheap hotel that we hoped would be unobtrusive. Once in a room, we sat
down to discuss our plans...
     "First off Kasuga-kun, I think you need to contact Kazuya. Confirm whether
or not your family is alright. If you can't reach him, we'll have to take
some more risks." Ayukawa smiled at me.
     I nodded. "That may involve going back to our apartment and making sure
there is no address for them to find. We don't know if they found them.
Ojiichan is very powerful and..."
     "These guys seem pretty damn powerful too." Hayden-kun bowed his head. "I
have a sick feeling we haven't begun to feel their power. It's a good idea not
to stay in any one place too long simply because, we don't know what their
capabilities are. There could be one with x-ray vision like I have..or
something even better."
     Marcia-chan's face blanched. "Don't talk about such things Shawn!"
     "You damn well better start!" Hayden-kun looked up at her. Even though he
was technically blind, it looked like he could see her. Maybe he was using his
vision.."We don't know as I said what we're up against. I do agree with Kasuga
that, it may be necessary to return home to destroy or acquire info that they
might use against us. There's another thing that we might think about that
hasn't occured to us."
     "What's that?" Ayukawa asked.
     "How do we know they aren't trying to follow us to the others? They could
be well aware of our every move. Then, as soon as we go to where everyone is,
they simply grab us all. It would be one hell of a fight but, they might have
that in mind."
     I felt myself shaking and, Ayukawa hugged me close. "Kasuga-kun..it's
okay."
     "NO IT ISN'T!!" I shouted in anger.  "If what Hayden-kun thinks is true,
we can never go home! They'd be waiting for us to do that! We have to keep
leading them a false trail!"
     Marcia-chan bowed her head and tears fell. "We...we can't go on this way.
Isn't there a way we can find out?"
     "I don't know." Hayden-kun swore again. I noticed he did a lot of that
when he was very upset. "Too bad none of us have the ability to track anyone.
Or detect people."
     "I...I've had "feelings" that I was being watched." I ventured..
     They all stared at me. Ayukawa's face lost all color. "I remember you
mentioning that before. How...how long?"
     "Uhmmm...days ago. Since before they struck."
     Hayden-kun fell back on the bed. "Oh God. Then..then as far back as maybe
a week..they might have been watching us. When did you first feel this?"
     Everyone was staring at me. I shuddered. "Uhmmm..I'm not sure. I can
remember it clearly the day I was going to visit you in the hospital with
Manami. I kept looking back but, no one was there."
     Marcia-chan was terrified again. She looked up at me. "Is there no way out
of this trap? Why can't they just leave us alone!"
     Ayukawa smiled and put a hand on her shoulder. "Kasuga-kun may be
overeacting..."
     Hayden-kun gave her a rueful smile. "I doubt that. You know as well as I
that he's capable of sensing things..and his premonition dreams have been
pretty much bang on. Except for the last one. Marcia was at a hotel but, there
was no guy coming after us there.."
     "Maybe in another hotel." Marcia-chan whispered.
     I shook my head. "This...this is getting us nowhere. We're terrifying
ourselves now."
     "Then we have to ignore those fears and get back on track." Ayukawa looked
at me. "Kasuga-kun...call Kazuya...right now!"
     I swallowed nervously and nodded. "I'll try."
     I concentrated reaching out my thoughts...*Kazuya! Kazuya! Where are
you?*
     For several minutes, I felt nothing. Then, someone came in my head
like a bee buzzing.....*Kyouske! Where are you?*
     I froze. That voice...IT WASN'T KAZUYA'S!!!! I reached out
hesitantly...*Who...who is this?*
     *This is Ojiichan...Kyouske...where are you?*
     I broke the link! I stared at them. "WE...WE HAVE TO GO...NOW!!!!"
     Ayukawa stared at me as I jumped off the bed and the others followed.
I threw open the door and ran!
     "KASUGA-KUN! WAIT!!!"
     I stopped as Ayukawa caught up to me. Marcia-chan and Hayden-kun did
the same. "What the hell did you run for?" Hayden-kun asked.
     "Kazuya....Kazuya..didn't answer!"
     Ayukawa looked hard at me. "What? But if..."
     Hayden-kun's face turned white. "WHO THE HELL WAS IT??"
     "He...he said it was Ojiichan...but...but it didn't feel like him!"
     That was all the urging they needed. Ayukawa grabbed my hand and we
ran down the street. We continued running until we could run no more. The
first hotel we found, Ayukawa pulled out some cash and we hid ourselves
away in a room...
     Once secured in the room, we collapsed together on the bed. After a
brief rest, Hayden-kun sat up shaking.
     "Dude...don't...don't use your damn telepathy anymore! We're really
screwed now! They've got someone who must be on the same brain wavelength
as you! I don't know how they did it...but now we don't dare contact our
families!"
     I shook my head. "Baka! What are we going to do then? How are we
going to let them know we're alright without letting them know where we
are?"
     Ayukawa nodded. "It's a very bad situation now. I don't know how much
longer our money will hold out. I've hesitated withdrawing anymore."
     Hayden-kun nodded. "I understand why. If you do, it might put a trace
on us. The fact one of them just tried to find us using Kasuga, is one
good thing. It means they must not have our families and, they also must
not know where we are. But if we do anything to attract attention.."
     I felt like I was in a nightmare. I badly wanted to wake up but, I
knew I couldn't.
     Ayukawa sat up. "Wait a minute...Hikaru."
     "Hikaru-chan?" I looked at her.
     "They..they might not know about Hikaru. If they don't, she could go
to your Ojiichan's and give him a message from me. We could maybe word it
in such a way that, only your Ojiichan would know. Or someone there."
     I hesitated. "The problem is..if they know about you..they might know
about Hikaru-chan. We'd be taking a risk getting Hikaru-chan involved and
in exposing our families." I shuddered again.
     "We're going to have to start taking some risks I'm afraid."
Hayden-kun sighed. "But, it's not a bad idea. They might not think of
Hikaru. Let's try it!"
     Marcia-chan nodded. "I agree. What have we got to lose?"
     I nodded. "Okay...we'll try it. But...but what kind of message should we
give her?"
     Ayukawa thought a minute. "Do you still have those tickets to
Hokkaido?"
     I dug into my pockets. After winning the winter festival contest,
Hikaru-chan had given all the tickets to me and I had put them in my
wallet. I pulled them out. "Hai. Here they are."
     "We're going to Hokkaido." Ayukawa smiled.
     "WHAT?????" I gasped.
     "I see..." Hayden-kun grinned. "Or maybe make them think we are."
     "If I tell Hikaru that we're going to visit...Yusakuu..maybe they
will go there once they figure out who he is. While they are wasting their
time searching Hokkaido for us..."
     "It might buy us the time we need to hook up with our families
again!" Hayden-kun grinned. "That's assuming they buy it."
     "But would they all go?" Marcia-chan asked. "There's still a chance
they might not."
     We all looked at her then, Ayukawa nodded. "Hai. You're right,
Marcia-chan. I guess that idea won't work after all. And, it might endanger
Yusakuu unecesssarily. Alright...then...we'll really have to go there."
     I swallowed. "But if we use the plane tickets, they will trace us won't
they?"
     "Or be waiting for us at the airport." Hayden-kun swore.
     "Not if we have Kasuga-kun teleport us there. The message I'll tell Hikaru
is, not to worry about us...but we miss them...and we're having fun 
at the first place we vacationed.."
     "I understand." I smiled. "Hikaru-chan will be able to tell Ojiichan or
someone where we were..or Kazuya will know, he was there!"
     "Exactly." Ayukawa grinned. "Then, we simply wait for your Ojiichan or
another family member to show...and once we really know how they are and what's
going on...then we can determine whether we should rejoin them or remain
separate. But, it seems a safe way to establish communication."
     We all agreed. Ayukawa picked up the phone. "Once I make this call, we're
leaving."
     We all nodded.
     She hesitated then pushed the numbers that would reach Hikaru-chan....

     The phone rang. I could hear it through the silence in the room. Ayukawa
gripped the receiver nervously. A click sounded as someone picked it up on the
other end. "Hai. Hiyama residence.."
     "This is Ayukawa-san. Is Hikaru there please?"
     "Madoka-san? Hai, she's in her room. I'll get her."
     I looked at Hayden-kun and we exchanged glances as the phone went quiet
then, I could hear Hikaru-chan's voice. "Hai...Madoka-san?"
     "Hai, it's me, Hikaru."
     "WHERE ARE YOU?" Hikaru-chan shouted. "Where have you been? Did you know
that Darling is missing as well, along with his family?"
     "I know, Hikaru. I'm fine and, I'm with Kasuga-kun and his family."
     "But...but you didn't tell me.." Hikaru-chan's voice sounded pained..
     "Hikaru..I didn't have time." Ayukawa sighed. "I've had a...family
emergency. Kasuga-kun and his family are helping me through it. I need you to
do me a favor."
     "Favor?" Hikaru-chan's voice sounded confused. "You're missing school
Madoka-san and, so is Darling! What emergency is this?"
     "I..I'll tell you later. Right now, I don't have time, Hikaru. I need you
to go to Kasuga-kun's Ojiichan's house. Do you remember where that is?"
     Hikaru-chan was silent a moment then, her voice came back. "Hai. I
remember. But what..?"
     "I need you to tell someone there the following message. Tell them that,
we are all fine and we're at the first vacation spot we took together on
Hokkaido."
     "HOKKAIDO??" Hikaru-chan nearly screamed. "Madoka-san..what..what are you
doing there?"
     "I told you." Ayukawa said impatiently. "I don't have time for this! Gomen
nasai, Hikaru. Please...will you deliver that message?"
     "Hai. But, Madoka-san...is something wrong? I want to help!"
     "You can help by delivering that message. I have to go now. See ya."
     "Madoka-san! Wait..what.."
     Ayukawa hung up the phone gritting her teeth. I could see her shaking and
she got up. "Let's go! We don't know if we were being monitored."
     Together, the four of us left the room and exited the building. Looking
cautiously, we went around the back and walked across a field...
     Ayukawa's head was bowed. I felt an impulse to put my arm around her but,
my indecisiveness was in the way again. Ayukawa looked up and smiled.
"Kasuga-kun.."
     "Hai...Ayukawa."
     "I...I just need some time. This has been very hard on all of us."
     I nodded and looked back at Hayden-kun who was walking next to
Marcia-chan. She had his hand and was leading him. He must have been resting
his vision again...
     We continued like this for several hours walking through the city. We
weren't sure if using the rail system was safe. At last, we reached a hill
and, in the distance we could see the sea....
     Ayukawa turned to me. "Kasuga-kun...can you teleport us all to
Hokkaido?"
     I felt nervous. "Uhmm...I'm not sure, Ayukawa. It took almost all
that I had to teleport us the other day from your house to the Hilton. I'm
not sure I can do it. Hokkaido is much farther."
     Marcia-chan giggled. "You have less faith in yourself then we do in
you. I think you can do more then your thinking your capable of."
     Ayukawa smiled. "I think so too. But...perhaps it would be safer to
choose something as an alternative. If we can't fly over, perhaps we can
take a boat."
     "A boat?" Hayden-kun looked puzzled. "Won't they be looking for that
too?"
     "A public boat, yes." Ayukawa grinned. "But, if we charter a private
boat..just ask someone who might be going over there for a lift..maybe we
can do that?"
     I felt good about that. "I agree. Ayukawa is right, there are
hundreds of small boats. There's no way they could trace it."
     "Then let's do it." Marcia-chan laughed. "Then we can have fun on
Hokkaido till our families contact us."
     Hayden-kun glared at her. "I don't think having fun is what we should
be doing but, it'll help throw them off and maybe give us time we need.
I'm up for it. Let's go down to the docks and find a boat to take us
over..."

     But none of us could have predicted the future...or what was to come
because of this action....      


                           Chapter Eleven: Sea Trap!

     I can still remember the wind blowing through my hair and feeling the salt
air in my nostrils as we descended the long hill which led to the pier where
the many boats were moared. In the distance, I could see the cruise ships
which tourists were getting on and preparing to have a winter cruise...it made
me think.
     My thoughts drifted...
     
     "Darling this is soooo romantic."
     "Eh?" I looked at Hikaru-chan as the two of us leaned on the railing and
watched the moon reflecting off the waves as the "Sun Princess" sailed on. The
moonlight was dancing off her hair and making me have thoughts of Ayukawa.
Ayukawa...she was with Hayden-kun..and..I was losing her..."

     My thoughts came back. I blinked and smiled as I realized that fear
would never come to pass. Hayden-kun had chosen to give up Ayukawa and now, the
two of them were with me here. Here...in this nightmare. I shivered remembering
the serious situation we were in because of that cruise. I thought once again
of if I could correct this. If I went back in time with Hayden-kun..and the two
of us undid what we had revealed to others. Then, perhaps things could change.
But, we had no idea what effect that would have on the future.
     "Kasuga-kun."
     I turned quickly at the sound of her voice and saw Ayukawa looking at me
expectantly. "Hai...I'm coming."
     She smiled. "Looking at the cruise ships over there. I know. I had some
memories too."
     "Memories." I repeated. I noticed Hayden-kun was silent. He and
Marcia-chan were behind us. I sighed and joined Ayukawa as we walked down the
pier.
     There were several boats on our right side moared at their docks. Several
appeared to be small fishing boats. There were a few yachts. I noticed Ayukawa
watching a boat that was loading supplies. "Let's see if we can get a ride with
these people."
     I swallowed nervously and nodded. Ayukawa was so much better at dealing
with strangers then I was. She was wonderful and, she never flinched when it
came to serious situations. I watched her walk up the short gangway to the
boat. On it's side it read "Sea Pearl".
     "Hello?" Ayukawa looked inside the boat. "Is anyone here?"
     A man poked his head out. "Hai? May I help you?"
     Hayden-kun moved next to me. "We need to be careful Kasuga. Just to let
you know."
     I nodded and watched Ayukawa explain that we needed a ride to Hokkaido and
didn't have enough for air fare. The man seemed willing and, Ayukawa bowed
deeply and turned to us. "It's all set! He'll do it for what I can afford to
give him. But, we have to help finish loading."
     Everyone except for Hayden-kun picked up something and helped load it.
Being blind, he merely sat down on a seat cushion and watched. I felt a little
irritated by this. I wondered why he wasn't helping when in fact using his
x-ray vision, he could. Then, it dawned on me..he had to do this so he wouldn't
give away the fact he could see.
     We finished loading and, the man smiled at Ayukawa. "Okay...I'll drop you
all off on Hokkaido. It'll be a few hours so, just relax and I'll get us
going."
     We all sat together on the back part of the small boat. I noticed that it
had fishing gear onboard but wasn't a true fishing boat. The man was probably
well off and had this boat as a pleasure vessel. I watched him fire up the
engines and, Ayukawa cast off the ropes. Then, we slowly pulled away from the
dock and headed out to sea....

     We cruised on as we watched the city slip away into the distance. The man
then turned the "Sea Pearl" and paralled the shore. I smiled as I watched
people waving at us and having a good time. Again, my thoughts drifted...

     "OHHH Darling! Madoka-san! Look, people are waving at us from the shore!"
     I smiled at Hikaru-chan as the "Sun Princess" entered the Panama Canal.
None of us had ever been through it before and, it was quite an experience.
Along with the rest of the cruise. I was glad the Navy had escorted us to this
point. The Sandanistas had terrified everyone...at least until Hayden-kun and I
had been able to stop them enough for the ship's crew and the Navy to finish
the job....

     "Thinking again?"
     I jerked and looked at Hayden-kun as I noticed rain beginning to fall.
     "Uhmm..hai. Just remembering what happened on our cruise."
     "I know dude. Anytime I get near a boat now, I can't forget that."
     I noticed Ayukawa and Marcia-chan were up front talking to the man. He had
said his name was Toshi-san. I didn't know why but, I felt something strange
about him. A feeling...like we had passed each other before. It made me
nervous. It also made me nervous that Toshi-san kept smiling at me..
     I swallowed. "Hayden-kun..I've been wanting to ask you something. I
discussed this idea with Ayukawa...but..but she didn't think it was worth
trying."
     "What idea, Kasuga?" The dimming sun reflected off his sunglasses.
     "I...I think you and I should go back in time..and..and try to correct
this whole thing. Maybe we can stop ourselves from doing the mistakes that led
to our powers being seen. Maybe this whole thing won't have happened then."
     Hayden-kun nodded. "To tell you the truth Kasuga..I've wondered the same
thing but haven't said anything about it."
     I sighed. "Ayukawa thinks that it would change history too much. That
Marcia-chan and Darla-chan would never come to Japan. Also, Shaw-kun would
never have a real chance with Kurumi."
     Hayden-kun bowed his head. "That's what I have thought about too. There
are too many variables. But, if worse comes to worse dude. If..if it looks like
there is going to be no escape and the alternative is a life none of us
want..then...then we have to do it. Maybe things won't change that much."
     I shivered. I was getting wet as the rain fell harder and, the boat was
beginning to rock more with the rough sea. Ayukawa, Marcia-chan, and Toshi-san
had gone inside to the indoor pilot house...
     Hayden-kun and I entered. I stopped suddenly. I felt...funny.
     "What's wrong, Kasuga?"
     I swallowed hard and turned to Hayden-kun..."I...I don't know.
Something.."
     We opened the door to the pilot house and saw Ayukawa and Marcia-chan
sleeping on the bench behind us. "They must be tired." Hayden-kun said.
     I looked at Toshi-san. His back was to us as he steered the boat.
     "Just relax guys. We'll be at Hokkaido in another hour. Take a seat and
have some punch till then."
     I noticed he had made some punch and the pitcher and some glasses were on
the table. The boat rocked threatening to knock them over.
     Hayden-kun reached for the pitcher and poured a glass. He went to drink
it.."
     "HAYDEN-KUN!!" I shouted. "DON'T DRINK THAT!!"
     He whirled and stared at me. "What the hell? What's your problem, Kasuga?"
     I wasn't looking at him. I was looking at Toshi-san who had turned and was
smiling. I didn't know his face. But, I suddenly realized...his precense. That
feeling I had of being followed..for weeks. I glared at him. "Toshi-san! It was
you! YOU WERE THE ONE!!"
     Hayden-kun still stunned looked from one to the other of us. "What the
hell is going on?"
     "IT WAS YOU!" I repeated. "You were the one shadowing me! You followed me
and you knew when I was going to the hospital! You.." I swallowed..you were the
one that possibly even made Komatsu throw those fireworks to injure
Hayden-kun!"
     Toshi-san smiled. "Hai. It was me. Toshi is obviously not my real name,
Kasuga-san. I am called "Knife" in my organization. I didn't mean to surprise
you so. But, you should know by now, we're too smart for a group of children
to outwit."
     "Oh Christ!" Hayden-kun backed up. "Kasuga! Let's blast him!"
     I wouldn't do that if I were you." Knife said. "Otherwise, you won't know
the antidote to save your friends."
     "What??" I gasped.
     "I took the liberty of making sure you had to cooperate. Slow poison.
Those two are unconscious and will slowly die..unless they receive the antidote
to the drug in 24 hours. That's a long time but since you don't know what it
was and we're out here in the middle of the ocean...the chances of saving them
are slim."
     I shook with anger. "Ayukawa! Marcia-chan! NO!!!"
     Knife smiled. "Shall we chat? It might be nice for you to know what we can
offer you. It's rare that "The Phalanx" encounters natural espers."
     "The Phalanx?" Hayden-kun whispered. "I thought you were CIA."
     "We are." Knife sat down and beckoned for us to do the same. "Relax, your
friends are in no danger. As long as you cooperate."
     "How do we know this isn't a lie?" I was terrified now.
     "How do you know it isn't?" Knife laughed. "Do you really want to take
that kind of risk, Kasuga-san? I don't think so. Ayukawa Madoka is very dear to
you. I can see that. I've watched you for quite some time now."
     Hayden-kun was livid. "You caused Komatsu to throw those fireworks to
blind me?"
     "I had no idea he would blind you." Knife said matter of factly. "But I
wanted to disable you enough Shawn so, you wouldn't be able to fight with all
your abilities. That way, I know your less of a problem. I didn't know what
Kasuga-san was capable of. Now, I do know."
     I felt trapped. I looked out the window at the falling rain. "Where..where
are you taking us?"
     "To another ship not far. We'll be taking you all to the United States
where we can properly test your abilities." He looked at Hayden-kun. "This
really would have been so much simpler Shawn if your mother had cooperated from
the beginning. She's been a top agent with "The Phalanx" for years."
     "What the hell is this "Phalanx"? Hayden-kun spat in anger.
     "The Phalanx is a branch of the CIA my young friends. It deals in the most
covert and black operations that are assigned to us. We take on missions no
other branch in the US government would dare. Or many foreign nations for that
matter."
     "Assasins." I whispered. I remembered Hayden-kun telling me that his
mother was an assasin.
     Knife shrugged. "You could call some of us that. "The Phalanx" is made up
of individuals with various talents. Many of which are products from chemical
testing in the nineteen sixties."
     "Like my Mom and Dad." Hayden-kun glared. "You bastards! Where is my Dad?"
     "He's safe." Knife grinned. "Just like you two will be soon. And Marcia.
We wouldn't want anything to happen to her either. Your abilities are very
important to us."
     "Then you aren't serious about killing Ayukawa or Marcia-chan!" I moved
forward feeling an anger I had almost never known. I wanted to hurt him!!
     "If it means losing all of you, we might be." Knife shrugged unperturbed
by my hostility. "I'd suggest you both relax. You were all too pitifully easy
to follow. We mean you no harm. But, we will fight back in order to achieve our
goals."
     "My Mom and Dad will find you!" Hayden-kun's anger reflected my own. "My
Mom will kill you!"
     "Serpent is one of our best agents. But, we can handle her."
     "Serpent?" I gasped.
     "Shawn's mother's code name. Everyone in "Phalanx" has a code name. She is
fast and deadly..and it fits her. But this time, she went too far my young
friends. She left without permission and tried to hide. We can't permit that.
So, we're simply treating this like any other operation. And now it's time for
you two to go to sleep along with your two friends.."
     "Sleep?" I blinked.
     "Good night."
     I gasped as suddenly he pulled a gun and shot both of us before we could
move. A pain singed through my right arm and, I saw a dart in it. Hayden-kun
looked at Knife and screamed diving forward. My vision dimmed as I saw Knife
move quickly and, Hayden-kun fell.
     As my vision blackened and I hit the deck losing consciousness, I heard
Knife laugh..."Pitifully easy......" 

     I found myself regaining consciousness in a darkened room. I could hear
heavy breathing beside me and, when I looked over in the dim light through the
window, I saw it was Hayden-kun.
     "Hayden-kun.."I whispered. I shook him gently. "Hayden-kun...are you
awake?"
     He groaned and turned over. "Hai...I think so. Groggy as hell. That Knife
guy. He..hit us with some kind of drug." He sat up. "Where the heck are we?"
     I tried to ignore the pain in my head and looked around. "Ayukawa?"
     There was no answer. I noticed we were alone in a cabin. Slowly I got up
and turned on the light switch. It lit the room showing us to be in a cabin
with two beds. Hayden-kun sat up. "My head is pounding."
     I tried the door. "It's locked." I noticed the deck shifting. "We're still
at sea, Hayden-kun."
     He stood up and grabbed the bed to steady himself. "I feel it. I can feel
the waves through the floor rocking the ship. This isn't the same boat, Kasuga.
While we were out, they transferred us."
     I swallowed knowing we had been captured and were on our way to America.
It chilled me to think what was going to happen to us. "Hayden-kun...we..we
have to get out of here. Ayukawa and Marcia-chan are somewhere."
     He nodded. "The door's locked. I'll open it." He put his hand on the
doorknob and concentrated. Nothing happened. He swore. "What the hell?" He
tried again and his face went blank. "I...I can't generate any heat!"
     "WHAT??" I gasped.
     "I...I've got no powers! I can't see either! My X-ray vision is gone!" He
swore repeatedly. "Now, I'm really blind. And helpless!"
     I swallowed. "Let..let me try." I concentrated and, the door clicked open.
"The..the "power" is still there for me."
     Hayden-kun sighed. "I think it's because you're a natural esper. Since the
drugs they used in the past gave my parents their abilities, it makes sense
that these guys would have come up with a way to counter it. But, it may not be
permanent. Otherwise, they wouldn't want us."
     I opened the door and felt a sense of deja vu as we left the room and
entered a short corridor. It was like being back on the "Sun Princess" and
having to fight and hide from Sandinistas all over again. Except, Hayden-kun
could no longer help me. He hung onto my shirt and I moved slowly forward with
him behind me.
     "Welcome..I see you're awake."
     I looked to the right and saw a woman sitting with her back to me. Her
hair was red and, she turned and smiled. "Come and sit down Kyouske-kun. I
don't bite."
     I swallowed and walked into the room. Hayden-kun moved a little away from
me. "Who the hell are you?" he asked.
     "Shawn, sit down. You're among friends." she indicated chairs. "It's a
pleasure to finally meet you, Kyouske-kun."
     I glared at her. "I...I don't know you. The proper way to address me would
be "san".
     "If that is what you wish." The woman sipped a glass and smoothed her blue
dress. "Kyouske..Shawn..we need to talk."
     "Kiss off!" Hayden-kun spat at her. "I want no part of you people."
     "Even if it means restoring your vision, Shawn?" she winked at me.
     I glanced over at Hayden-kun and saw him grit his teeth. His blind eyes
looked in her direction. "What are you talking about? I was told it can't be
repaired."
     The woman laughed. "Do you really think we can't do anything we set out to
do? "The Phalanx" is composed of some very intelligent minds. And of course, we
have the most high tech equipment available anywhere. You are both young but,
that is all the better. It means you can be trained easily and will adapt well
to many situations."
     "I...I don't want to work for you." I said hesitantly. "I...I have a life
at home. I..I want to be with...with my family and..."
     "Ayukawa Madoka." the woman smiled. I froze. She laughed. "Suppose I could
give you all that and more? Your family are espers. It would be nice to have
their abilities in "Phalanx" along with yours. You are all natural espers.
Never before have we been able to utilize natural espers. But your family is an
exception, Kyouske-san. We want to show you how good life can be working for an
organization that rewards well."
     "BULL CRAP!" Hayden-kun shouted. "I KNOW what you people do! I know that
you will make us do stuff we'll hate. My Mom regrets ever being a part of
you..and so does my Dad! You can take us back to Japan right now because,
that's no longer an option!"
     She frowned. "You don't have anymore abilities, Shawn. If I were you, I'd
shut my mouth. I'm tolerating you at the moment." She smiled at me.
"Kyouske-san..where is your family?"
     I felt a ray of hope! They hadn't found my family! They had no idea where
they were! Ojiichan had outsmarted them even if we hadn't! I swallowed as she
got up.
     "Kyouske..where is your family?"
     I backed up. "I...I don't know."
     "Better tell her." a voice said behind me. "She's nastier then I am. She's
killed more people."
     Hayden-kun and I whirled and saw Knife behind us. He grinned. "Welcome
aboard boys."
     The woman put her hand on my shoulder and turned me to face her.
"Kyouske..I'm trying to be very nice. We want you and your family to be a part
of us."
     I swallowed again. "We...we don't want to. Who...who are you?"
     "I am called "Vampress." Because, I tend to make death last awhile with my
victims. But, you are not a victim, Kyouske. We want you to be with us."
     "Christ!" Hayden-kun said shaking.
     She smiled and turned to him making her voice sound more seductive. "And
you Shawn..things can be so much better for you. You and Manami can be very
happy together. You'll have your powers..and your vision back. A nice
house..good job..you'll be happy."
     "Killing people!" he spat.
     "No.." she smiled. "We have many areas in Phalanx that your abilities and
Kyouske's will figure into. Think about it."
     I shook feeling trapped again. "My...my father would never allow it. And,
neither will I. Where..where are Ayukawa and Marcia-chan?"
     "They're fine." She smiled and winked at me. "In fact, I can arrange for
you to see them..right now."
     I nodded. "I want to see them."
     She turned to Knife. "Bring them both here, Knife."
     He left the room and we waited. Shortly the door opened and, I saw Ayukawa
walk into the room. Marcia-chan entered behind her.
     "Kasuga-kun.." she said in a dull voice.
     "Ayu...Ayukawa?" I stared at her. She seemed...lethargic. "Ayukawa?"
     "I'm fine." she said smiling.
     Hayden-kun cocked his head. "Her voice doesn't sound normal. What the hell
did you people do to her?"
     I felt great anger now! "YOU...YOU DRUGGED AYUKAWA!!!" I felt the power
beginning to rise within me....
     "SETTLE KASUGA!" Vampress glared at me. "If you don't...they'll both be
hurt. Remember, we do have the antidote to help them."
     I swore remembering the poison. Was this because of that? I walked forward
feeling like I was in a bad dream. "Ayukawa..."
     "Kasuga..kun." she whispered. Her face was vacant. It made me sick to look
at her. "I...I want to stay with you...Kasuga-kun."
     I wanted Ayukawa. I loved her. But, Ayukawa this way was too terrible to
think about! I glared at the woman called Vampress. "I'll do whatever you ask!
Just return her to the way she was!"
     "KASUGA!" Hayden-kun shouted. "NO!"
     Vampress grinned. "Good. Now...where is your family?"
     I shook in terror. I had feared this the entire fall season. Now...it had
come. I bowed my head. "Hokkaido."
     Hayden-kun looked hard at me.
     "Is that why you and the others were trying so hard to get to Hokkaido?"
she asked.
     I nodded and looked her in the eye. I wasn't a good liar. Hikaru-chan was
easy to fool but, Ayukawa I never could. Could I fool this woman? I shuddered.
     "There's no record of anyone leaving your area for Hokkaido." Vampress
grinned. "I think you're lying to me, Kyouske."
     I winced at her familiar use of my name. "It's the truth. Now, give
Ayukawa and Marcia-chan the antidote. I promise when we arrive, I'll take you
to them."
     Knife looked at Vampress and she smiled. "Very well. What will it hurt?
After all, you're the only esper now. Marcia can't fly away and, you're too
weak to teleport. Shawn is blind so, he's no threat. Knife...give the girls the
antidote."
     I watched as Knife withdrew prepared syringes and injected both Ayukawa
and Marcia-chan. They blinked as if coming out of a dream. "Kasuga-kun."
Ayukawa looked confused.
     I moved and hugged her feeling great relief. "Ayukawa...it's...it's going
to be okay now. I...I promise."
     Vampress nodded. "Put them in the living room, Knife. Post two agents as
guards. I'll change our destination at once." She grinned at me. "I hope you're
telling me the truth, Kyouske. Otherwise..."
     I shuddered. Her meaning was clear. If we wouldn't work for them, our
lives would soon be over. There was no alternative. All this hinged on my
ability to convince them...until we could somehow escape....
     
                        
                            Chapter Twelve: Desperation!

     We sailed on. It seemed like hours. The four of us sat together in the
living room of the CIA ship wondering what our fate would be. I knew they
didn't really want to hurt us. But, if we didn't do what they wanted, would
they really let us go now that we knew of their existence? Mrs. Hayden was one
of their agents yet, they had pulled no punches and even hinted that she was
now the enemy. It gave me a queasy stomach just thinking about it. 
     Ayukawa stoically glared at the guard across from us and Marcia-chan sat
with her head bowed. I could see how upset she was. I wondered how I would feel
if I had suddenly had my esper abilities ripped from me like that? She had
grown to love her flight ability now, she no longer could. This made things
difficult in terms of escape because, it put all the burden on me. I had to do
it! I had to find a way to get us out of this. But, even if I did, would this
nightmare end? There was no way I was going to take these people to my family!
No way! I would not endanger them. Rather then do that, we could continue to
lead a false trail until they either gave up and took us to America, or they
killed us. But...Hayden-kun could no longer help me. I could see his face..his
bitterness reflected in it. Permanently blind and with no x-ray vision, he
realized what was at stake..and he could do nothing to alter it.
     I looked up and noticed through the window that land was in the distance.
Hokkaido! We were almost there. It would not be long before....
     The door opened! Knife walked in and smiled. "We're almost to Hokkaido.
Would you like to tell me now where we need to look to find your family?"
     I swallowed and nodded. "Hai. But, I need to see a map. I...I'm not very
good with directions. And, I want the others with me."
     Knife glared at me. "Don't try anything foolish, Kyouske! We want you and
your family to work with us...not hurt you. But, I can't allow you to escape
either."
     "Sounds like a double standard to me!" Hayden-kun spat. He swore
repeatedly at Knife who only laughed.
     "Shawn..I like you. If your a good boy, maybe we'll give you back your
powers."
     Hayden-kun swore at him again and stood up. I gasped as a sudden violent
push sent Hayden-kun sprawling to the deck! "SHAWN!" Marcia-chan shouted.
     Ayukawa got up. "YOU BASTARD!"
     Two men moved forward. One smiled. "Maybe we should shut you up? You've
been nothing but trouble this whole mission to us!"
     I noticed a scar on the man's wrist and realized it was the same man
Ayukawa had sliced with a pick. Before I could move, he grabbed her and threw
her to the deck next to Hayden-kun! "I should kill you! You have nothing we are
interested in!"
     "AYUKAWA!" I shouted. I moved forward but, Knife intervened.
     "NO..leave the girl alone. If you hurt her, Kasuga won't cooperate with
us. I'll take care of this. Leave now."
     The two men swore and left the room. Knife offered Ayukawa his hand.
"Forgive him. He's still upset at your last encounter with them, Madoka-san."
     "DAMN YOU!" Ayukawa slapped Knife hard across the face. I stared and
waited for him to hit her. He only laughed.
     "I admire your attitude and your devotion to your friends. Or perhaps it's
more then that?"
     Ayukawa looked quickly at me then down at the floor. "I have nothing to
say to you."
     "No..I don't suppose you do." Knife grinned at me. "It's obvious to me
what I need to do here. But, I can't because it will drastically effect my
mission. We were ordered to bring back espers and that's exactly what we will
do. No exceptions."
     I felt my blood freeze. "Don't..don't hurt Ayukawa."
     Ayukawa looked up quickly. "Kasuga-kun! If you make any deals with these
punks, I'll never forgive you! Be true to your family!"
     I swallowed hard feeling the desperation grow! I had to get us out of
this. The ship was nearing Hokkaido. Knife seemed to sense my feelings and
smiled. "We're almost to port. Where are we going, Kyouske?"
     I bowed my head. "Uhmmmm."
     "DON'T TELL THEM!" Ayukawa shouted at me.
     I grit my teeth. "The far side of Hokkaido...there is a small island.
You'll find them there."
     Knife gave me a quizzical look and narrowed his vision. "Really? How
interesting. Very well. You and I will go ashore. Your friends will remain
here."
     I felt my heart stop. I met his gaze and, he laughed again. "Fool...how
stupid do you think we are?" He sighed. "Come on Kyouske. You are making this
much harder on yourself. We will find them eventually without your help. If you
cooperate now..."
     "Dude..." Hayden-kun said quietly. "If you tell this jackass anything.."
     I gasped as Knife slammed Hayden-kun to the floor. Marcia-chan screamed..
     "Shawn.." Knife shook his head. "Your blind. You have no more powers. You
are useless to us. If you weren't Serpent's child, I would have thrown you over
the side already!" Hayden-kun cried out as he kicked him.
     I lost it! I screamed and felt "the power" rise within me! Before I
realized what I was doing, I sent out a shockwave that threw Knife backward and
into the far wall. Before he hit, I saw a glow surround him though. It took the
impact and, he hit the floor! 
     Hayden-kun raised his head. "KASUGA! TAKE MARCIA AND MADOKA! GET OUT OF
HERE! NOW!"
     I felt my indecisiveness stop me. I froze. But, Knife was getting up. I
looked at Hayden-kun and, even though he was blind our eyes seemed to meet. Or,
maybe it was our minds. He nodded. "GO!"
     The door flew open! Vampress was there, her flaming red hair flying in the
wind. She seemed to be emanating "the power" and stared at me. "KYOUKSE! DON'T
MOVE!"
     I grabbed Ayukawa and Marcia-chan's hands I saw her run toward me and, I
closed my eyes...."TELEPORT!!!" I heard Hayden-kun shout.
     I felt someone try to grab me but, we teleported! I heard Marcia-chan
scream then felt blackness. I had envisioned a spot and slowly as the darkness
left, I became aware that I was on warm sand. I gasped as I realized my energy
was spent..
     "Kasuga-kun..." Ayukawa whispered in my ear and held me close. I could
hear Marcia-chan sobbing.
     "Shawn...oh god...we lost Shawn!"
     I choked and then collapsed as my strength ended.....

     "Kasuga-kun?"
     I heard her voice in the depths of my mind. My strength was spent, I
couldn't even move. I had no idea how far I had teleported to get us to safety.
But, I knew I couldn't do it anymore. My body seemed to be detached from myself
and I felt like I was floating. I could hear Marcia-chan talking...
     "Is he...is he dead?"
     "No.." Ayukawa's voice sounded unsure but not hopeless. "He's just
completely exhausted. He's barely breathing, we need help! But, I don't know
who to go to that I can risk exposing. Still..I have to try."
     I tried to open my eyes but, they were unwilling. I could only listen.
     "We have to move him someplace. Where are we?" Marcia-chan asked.
     "Those bungalows over there are where we stayed a few years ago. I was on
vacation with Kasuga-kun, Yusaku, Hikaru, and Kazuya-kun. If we're lucky, they
won't know about that. We can stay in one temporarily and, this is the spot I
told Hikaru about for his family to find us." Ayukawa sounded hopeful.
     I wanted to talk to Ayukawa but, my voice refused to respond along with
the rest of my body. I wondered if I had used so much power I was possibly
dying. NO! I couldn't die! Not without doing something to help Hayden-kun! Not
without helping my family! Not without...being with...Ayukawa..."
     I tried to open my mind. Maybe if I could somehow reach someone, I could
get help for all of us. But, that was a dangerous thing because, someone was
possibly using their own mind to find mine. I backed off realizing, I didn't
have the strength to do anything.
     "Let's move him then." Marcia-chan was answering. "I'll watch him while
you get us one. How are we doing on money?"
     "We're about out." Ayukawa sighed. "After this, we'll have to risk getting
more. Although, since they found us before they may soon again unless
Kasuga-kun's family does first." She lowered her voice. "Do you really have no
powers left, Marcia-chan?"
     Marcia-chan sighed. I could hear the resignation in her voice. "Hai. I
don't know how but, they have somehow countered them." Her voice fell into a
whimper. "Poor Shawn! What..what are we going to do?"
     "We can't panic." Ayukawa sounded fearful but determined. "I've never been
in a situation like this but, I've been in some scrapes before and gotten out
of them. If we just help Kasuga-kun with our faith that he'll be alright..and
if we can contact his family..then maybe we can help Shawn-kun as well."
     I tried to hear more but I realized a great void was taking me! I fought
to hang on but, I realized I was slipping away...but to where?

     My vision came into focus. I was looking down at two people below me. Was
I dead? Had I died despite my wanting to hang on? I tried to see who the two
people were and realized it was Ojiichan and Obachan...
     "Kyouske..." Ojiichan was saying looking out over a valley below him
filled with flowers and tall grass. I could see a great mountain and snow was
coming down.
     *OJIICHAN!* I shouted mentally. Maybe if I tried enough he could hear me!
     *OJIICHAN!* I'm right here!"
     Obachan was sighing. "Have you found him yet?"
     "No." Ojiichan bowed his head. "He might be unable to hear me. But, maybe
if we combine "the power" and concentrate, we can reach him. Perhaps the CIA
espers have already gotten them. It's a good thing he sent Hikaru-chan to tell
us what was going on. Otherwise, they might have us by now. They're more
powerful than I had anticipated."
     I tried to shout again! *OJIICHAN! HEAR ME!!! I'M RIGHT HERE!!! WE'RE ON
HOKKAIDO!!!*
     Obachan looked sad. "Do you think we should go away?"
     "Go away to where?" Ojiichan looked hard at her. "There is nowhere to run.
Unless we can find a way to convince them not to come after us, they'll chase
us till doomsday. We need to reach Kyouske somehow..."
     I cursed myself for being unable to reach them! What was preventing me?
Why couldn't they see me? Was I truly dead? Was this what was at stake for
everyone I loved? I reached within myself looking for an answer. Maybe...maybe
I had slipped into an alternate reality? Ojiichan would have come looking for
us before giving up. What was happening here? I concentrated and suddenly,
Ojiichan looked up.
     "Kyouske?" His eyes blinked.
     "His ghost!" Obachan gasped.
     I stared down at myself and realized I was transparent. I swallowed. I
guess I really was dead...
     Ojiichan stepped forward. "Kyouske..what's happened to you? Where are
you?"
     I tried to speak but, my mouth refused to move. I was a ghost...and I
couldn't reach them! Desperation was taking me over. My eyes pleaded with them.
Ojiichan reached out to touch me...
     "Kyouske...we tried to find you..on Hokkaido...but we couldn't. Where are
you now?"
     It suddenly occured to me, Hikaru-chan might have gotten the message to
them before we ever arrived! If that was so, they might have already been here!
That would account for them thinking something had happened to us! I had to
tell them! "Hokk..." I fought to get the words out..
     Ojiichan closed his eyes. "Reach my mind Kyouske...try to link with me!"
     I concentrated...but there was nothing left. Our minds passed each
other..I felt it briefly. But...I couldn't connect! I was dead...and it was
over! Soon, I would leave this world! I winced as my mind faded to blackness
and I heard Ojiichan shout...
     "KYOOOOOOUSKEEEE......"

     Grayness filled my vision as
 I gasped and felt another mind.
     *Who....who is this?*
     *What the hell?* the mind said...*who are you?*
     I swallowed. *It sounds like...Hayden-kun? Is that you, Hayden-kun?*
     *KASUGA!* he mentally shouted. *What the...how did you get inside my head?*
     I smiled inwardly. *I think I...died. And, I wanted to say goodbye to you.
And...everyone else...*
     *DIED?* His mental voice screamed. *Hell no! You can't die! We need you!
Get out of my head and go help the others! I'm fine and, I'll get out of
this...somehow!*
     I jerked back mentally. *Uhmm...but I don't know how. I don't have the
strength to control myself anymore. I used up too much "power" teleporting..and
I think I died.*
     *You can't die!* he repeated *Not without being with Madoka! Isn't that
what you always wanted? You can't leave her now! Even if you do die, you can't
leave this earth until you've saved your family from these assholes! You
understand me Kasuga?* His mental voice tore into me. *This is no different
then when we were on the "Sun Princess" together. Listen to me! You've got to
forget about me! You've got to carry on...the way you did then! I don't care if
you are dead...or close to it! You find a way dude! You find a way to save us
the way you did then!*
     I mentally nodded feeling his approval. *I...I will Hayden-kun. I'll get
us out of this. I don't know how...but I will.*
     *Kasuga...* his mind faded as he said this and, I realized I was leaving
his body... *If you have to..if there is no other way...go with your plan and
return to the past! You can prevent this from ever happening dude! Don't worry
about the future! Just do what has to be done!*
     I lost his thoughts and I faded back in to the darkness. I felt cold even
though I had no body...
     "Kasuga-kun?"
     I heard Ayukawa's voice! I mentally grabbed onto it holding it like a
lifeline! Slowly as she spoke to me, I pulled myself back. The darkness turned
to gray and, I began to see dim images. My desperation ended as I realized,
I had come back...
     "Kasuga-kun!" Ayukawa's smiling face had tears on it as I opened my eyes.
She reached down and hugged me. Behind her, I could see Marcia-chan wiping her
own tears..
     "Kyouske...thank god."
     I felt pain all through my body and realized I was on a soft bed. Had they
carried me all that distance? I swallowed. "Ayukawa...."
     "You're with us." Ayukawa whispered to me. "Please don't go away again. We
need you, Kasuga-kun."
     It was then I truly realized how much Ayukawa loved me. After all we had
been through..the fact she was willing to let Hikaru-chan think I was
her's...in actuality she did not wish to let me go. And I knew that, I didn't
want to be with anyone but her....


                        Chapter Thirteen: Safe Havens

     It felt like forever that I drifted in and out of consciousness. It was a
repeat of when I had teleported us all to the top of the Airport Hilton when
things looked blackest. That night was so clear to me, even in this state. Now,
I was fighting to regain my strength. I had overtaxed "the power" to the point
of physical collapse. I was in no danger of dying but, I could feel Ayukawa's
concern and see it even through her smile. When I was awake, she would talk
softly to me and, sometimes Marcia-chan would join her.
     Marcia-chan. I felt sorry for her. I wondered if she still loved me and
was holding back because of my feelings for Ayukawa. There was no time for that
currently though. We were still trying to escape. And I wondered how long this
would go on? Somehow...it had to end...

     I blinked as I suddenly came awake. Nearby, I could see Ayukawa sitting by
the window of our bungalow. We hadn't dared step outside. Ayukawa was out of
money. We had maybe one night left here then, we would have to leave. But,
where we would go we hadn't a clue. I could take them to Ojiichan's place but,
from my dream..or perhaps it was a vision...I knew now that they were no longer
there. Somewhere in the mountains was where he had taken them. Maybe a place
known only to him. I wondered briefly how Hikaru-chan was...and if she had
gotten home safely. I didn't want to wrap her up in this nightmare..
     "Kasuga-kun..you're awake?"
     I looked up startled as I saw Ayukawa looking at me. "Uhmm..hai. I..I felt
stronger I guess. Where is Marcia-chan?"
     "Taking a shower. Kasuga-kun, I've been thinking about some things. About
the worth of friendships and possibly losing them."
     "Eh?" I blinked startled by what she had said.
     "I don't want to leave Japan...but we may have to if this continues. I'll
miss Hikaru..Master..and even.." she giggled "in a way, Komatsu and Hatta too.
I'll miss my parents as well. I know I'll never be able to go back to them
again..at least publicly. How.." her voice fell. "how long do you think the
"Phalanx" will pursue us?"
     I swallowed knowing the fear she felt. Our lives were being taken from us.
Our friendships...our dreams...even our time with each other..all of it would
never be the same unless we could end this nightmare. "I..I don't know." I
stammered. I was at a loss. Having seen "the power" they possessed..the fact
they had Hayden-kun...I was now beginning to believe we were all fools to have
ever thought we could defeat them.
     Ayukawa nodded. "I'll stay with you, Kasuga-kun. No matter how bad it
gets. They won't catch me unawares like that again. Next time, I'll hurt Knife
before he knows what hit him!"
     I could hear the anger in her voice. See the flash in her eyes. She was
blaming herself for being so easily overcome by Knife on the boat. Ayukawa
tended to do that..blame herself for things that never could have been avoided.
But, I knew what she said was true. She would never desert me. Or my family.

     A knock sounded at the door. I jerked and felt my body weakly respond. I
tried to get up.
     "Sit down!" Ayukawa hissed. She moved closer to the door. Looking through
the viewer, she winced. "There isn't anyone there...this..this is.."
     "If I were a CIA esper, you'd be caught!" a voice said behind me!
     I swore and turned to stare in shock at my cousin Akane! She laughed.
     "A...Akane!" I gasped.
     Ayukawa looked at Akane with her mouth gaping. "How..how did you find us
Akane-chan?"
     "Me." a voice said behind the door. Ayukawa jumped back as the door
opened and my cousin Kazuya walked in. "Kyouske-neichan, you need to better
shield yourself. I could hear your perverted thoughts miles away!"
     Ayukawa giggled and I sighed with relief. "Is..is Ojiichan here?"
     "Kyouske.." I looked over as I saw my father in the doorway. He moved over
and hugged me tight. It was a rare display of emotion for him. It had been a
long time. I swallowed.
     "Old man...is..is everyone alright?"
     "All safe." Akane grinned. "Let's get out of here!"
     "How did you all get here?" Ayukawa asked.
     "We took a boat that belongs to my father." Akane grinned. "If we're
lucky, they won't know it. There are too many of us to teleport."
     I gasped in pain as I moved. "My head is killing me! I couldn't teleport
now if I had to."
     "You'll be fine." My father helped me up.
     The bathroom door opened and, Marcia-chan came out in a towel. I watched
as Akane's face flushed and she grinned. Marcia-chan looked at her then
everyone else. "Oh my...you found us!"
     "Hai." Akane was grinning like a total baka and staring at Marcia-chan's
body. Wrapped in a towel, I had to admit she was hard to ignore. I saw Ayukawa
glare at me and she walked over.
     "Akane-chan, you're drawing attention to Marcia-chan and making poor
Kasuga-kun's blood pressure rise!" She giggled.
     "Waaa! Ayukawa!" I gasped.
     Everyone in the room laughed at me and, my father helped me off the bed.
Akane opened the door and looked to make sure there was nothing suspicious.
Then, we moved toward the nearby dock. I saw my Uncle's boat there and we
headed toward it.
     It was then we heard the voice...."HALT!"
     I froze. So did my father. I turned in fear as I saw some men coming
toward us. Then, I saw something else! Akane concentrated and where she had
been Knife was suddenly standing! Everyone in my family stepped back shocked!
     The two men came closer. Akane stepped forward. The men halted.
     "I've got them! Knife's voice said from her. "I don't need any help. Tell
them to call off the search and I'll take them to the ship."
     One of the men grinned. "Okay Knife. We'll let Vampress know."
     "Do it quick too!" Knife said, "or I'll see to it Vampress knows of your
incompetence! It shouldn't have taken you this long to find them! NOW GO!!"
     The men looked fearful and ran the other direction! I watched as they
disappeared from sight and, Akane reverted back to herself.
     Ayukawa blinked and Marcia-chan stared at Akane. "Akane-chan...what..what
just happened?" Ayukawa asked.
     "That? Oh, that was me using "the power." I have the ability to make
myself appear as someone else when I want."
     Ayukawa laughed. "I...I always wondered...why it appeared Kasuga-kun was
doing things he normally wouldn't sometimes. I remember when Hikaru was so
upset because she had tickets to a concert and he refused to go with her. That
was you wasn't it?"
     Akane nodded sheepishly. "Hai. But, we'd better get going. When they get
back to their higher-up's and they find out they were suckered, they're going
to be very mad." She snickered.
     We boarded the boat and my father pulled us away from the dock. My Uncle
only had a small cabin cruiser so, it would be a rough ride going back. But for
now, we were safe.
     My thoughts went back as we headed for Japan...

     "Don't worry about me dude...I'll be alright..I hope."

     Hayden-kun. I couldn't abandon him. I had briefly on the "Sun Princess"
and it was luck and good fortune that had brought the Navy when it did. This
time there was no Navy to help us. We were truly on our own. There was no one
but me to help him now. Somehow...I must...

     I found myself drifting in and out of sleep on the way back to Japan.
Several times I remember jerking awake thinking Knife or Vampress was going to
grab me. Visions of Hayden-kun filled my head. Why was this? Were we somehow
linked now? Had my soul somehow joined with his? I searched for a reason for
this. My stomach felt queasy as the boat rocked and, I could hear Ayukawa and
Akane talking nearby.....

     "I'm worried about Kasuga-kun."
     Akane laughed. "Kyouske? Don't worry, he'll be fine. He just needs a lot
of rest. What he did was quite a feat. He's been able to keep you all as safe
as he could with "the power" diminishing each time he used it. He hasn't had
time to adequately regenerate. He'll need a lot of rest when we get back." She
snorted in anger. "This really pisses me off Madoka-chan. I can see me having
to repeat a year of school because we will have missed too much."
     Ayukawa's voice was level. "But..is that all we will have to worry about?
Hayden-kun has been captured by them. We can't just leave him."
     "I know." Akane sighed. "I hope Ojiichan knows what to do. He can be quite
the joker but, it's his serious side that is going to get us out of this. He's
a planner too. The problem is, he and Obachan have always used "the power"
freely. When you would visit them, didn't Kyouske try to cover that up?"
     I heard Ayukawa laugh as I came more into consciousness and opened my
eyes. I could see her sitting next to Akane a few feet away from me. The sea
was rolling behind her and, the wind made her hair blow sexily across her face.
     "I remember a few times something seemed weird, Akane-chan." She giggled
again. "Kasuga-kun would always be freaking out and doing weird things...like
the time he was moving up and down that pole the first time we went there!
Hikaru thought it was just a trick but, I couldn't figure out how he did that."
     Akane looked past her at me and slowly smiled her impish grin. "It's not
polite to eavesdrop on two women talking about you, Kyouske."
     I turned red with embaressment and Ayukawa turned and looked at me.
     "Baka! Were you listening to us talk about you?"
     "Uhmmmm..." I stammered trying to find the words. "I..I was just waking up
Ayukawa and..."
     "Sure you were..." Akane snickered. "He's probably been sitting there the
whole time with his eyes closed enjoying the breeze while he listened to
everything we said! You're nothing but a closet hentai, Kyouske."
     "Waaaaaa!!!" I sat up glaring at her. "A...Akane! Don't..don't say things
like that in front of Ayukawa!"
     Ayukawa laughed and Akane joined in. I found myself smiling and felt a bit
of relief. It was good to see Ayukawa smile like this again. It brought out the
beauty in her and it made me feel warm and secure. When I was with her, I
always felt good.
     Akane seemed to sense this. In the past, she would have been hanging all
over Ayukawa. But, knowing Ayukawa liked me and Marcia-chan was aboard, she
suddenly stood up.
     "I'm going to make sure Kazuya hasn't done anything baka. I'll see you
two later." She winked at me and walked off...
     I swallowed. I was alone. With Ayukawa. The sun made me feel good as she
turned and smiled at me. "Are you feeling better, Kasuga-kun?"
     "Uhmmm...hai. I...I just needed a rest. All that teleporting such great
distances wore me out. I...I don't have the stamina for it."
     She moved toward me unexpectedly. Her eyes were almost shining with
excitement. I felt her hug me and her black hair spilled across my body.
     "Baka." she whispered. "You...you could have killed yourself. You aren't
indestructible...even if you are an esper."
     She pulled away and we looked into each others eyes. I swallowed feeling
unsure of the moment. "Ayukawa..." I whispered.
     She leaned forward and our lips met. I felt wonderfully secure with her.
My arms went around her and, it reminded me of being on the beach with her in
Hawaii during our summer cruise of so long ago....
     I pulled away and hugged her.
     "I...I've got to go back...Ayukawa..."
     Her head moved and she looked at me. "Back? Back where, Kasuga-kun?"
     "I can't leave Hayden-kun in their hands. He's our friend. I know I'm
indecisive and I always mess things up. But..I can't abandon him. Not like I
did on the "Sun Princess." I can't leave him again!"
     She gripped my hand. "Kasuga-kun...listen to me...it isn't your fault that
then you had no choice but to leave him. If you hadn't, you would have been
captured as well. And now this time. When you had a choice of saving the rest
of us or maybe delaying..you did the right thing."
     "But..but Hayden-kun was.."
     "He told you to go..remember?" She smiled. "We'll get him back,
Kasuga-kun. We're not going to abandon him. But, you can't do it alone. You
need rest and, you need to see whatever plan Ojiichan has that might get us all
out of this. And don't forget Mrs. Hayden. I very much doubt she has abandoned
her family. She left them with you for a reason! She knew she could depend on
you. She'll be back...with help!"
     I felt myself relax again. She always knew what to say to me. I couldn't
help Hayden-kun right now. But soon...I would. For now, I found myself holding
Ayukawa close again and, her head leaned against me. I could see land in the
distance and knew that Japan was not far now. Soon...I would be reunited with
my family again. I only hoped that once that was done, this nightmare would be
over....


                         Chapter Fourteen: Family!

     I was still feeling tired and unsteady when the boat finally docked. I
knew my father was nervous because, he kept looking for any signs of pursuit.
But, it seemed as if for now the "Phalanx" had left us alone. Or perhaps they
were simply watching us and waiting to strike. It was impossible to tell. My
ability to use "the power" was vastly drained. Even after a long rest, I found
that I couldn't even concentrate. I wondered if I had actually burned out a
part of my brain and thus would now be unable to use "the power."
     Ayukawa, Marcia-chan, and Akane supported me while my father and Kazuya
walked ahead.
  We got into a small car and I sat down wearily in the back seat as my father
drove us north.
     "Where are we going, Old Man?" I asked.
     "To a safe place, Kyouske. After we got your message from Hikaru, we moved
the entire family away from Ojiichan's. We knew that once Hikaru returned there
was a chance they might find us through her."
     "How is Hikaru?" Ayukawa asked anxiously. "They won't hurt her or anyone
else will they?"
     "Ojiichan and I feel that they aren't trying to hurt anyone. They simply
want those of you with "the power" to work for them." My father sounded
defeated. I could tell he was doing his best to prevent this but felt uesless 
because he himself didn't have "the power."
     "Oi! oi!" I said. "Old man, what do you mean they don't mean to hurt
anyone! They've got Hayden-kun and, they almost got us! They drugged Ayukawa
and Marcia-chan too! We can't trust them!"
     "No, we can't." My father sounded grim. I hated seeing him like this. I
felt as if our lives were being stripped from us..that things would never be
the same again. "Kyouske..." My father hesitated..."I want to try to talk to
these people once we're sure we have a way to deal with them. Ojiichan has a
plan that may allow us to negotiate from a position of strength."
     "Position of strength?" Ayukawa's gaze narrowed. "Right now, they have us
completely on the run. Are you suggesting we go directly against them? It would
be dangerous."
     "I would never suggest such a thing." My father smiled. "But, Ojiichan
thinks we can make things difficult for them without actually coming in contact
with them. He hasn't explained any specifics to me yet. We're going to be on
the road for awhile so, why don't you all go to sleep or something. You've had
a rough time."
     I nodded and smiled at Ayukawa. She sighed and laid her head on my
shoulder but, I could feel the tenseness.
     I saw Marcia-chan turn around from the front seat and wink at me before
turning back and closing her eyes. Her golden hair was blowing in the wind from
her open window as we drove. Once again, I felt a pang of hurt for her. If it
hadn't been for Ayukawa..or Hikaru-chan..I might have been with her.
     I shook my head. Baka! What was I thinking? Ayukawa was the only woman I
would ever love. I closed my eyes and drifted into a troubled sleep...

     "Kyouske!"
     I blinked and saw that I was in an open field. Was I asleep? I saw someone
coming toward me. It was....Hayden-kun? Was I somehow in his mind again?
     "Hayden-kun..." I whispered.
     He stopped a few feet from me. Then, I watched in horrified fascination
as, his face smiled wickedly. "Kyouske...I'm going to kick your ass!"
     "What????"
     I gasped in pain as he moved at lightning speed and slammed me in the
stomach! Then, I screamed as his fire came forth and burned me.....

     I jerked awake sweating!!!
     "Kasuga-kun?" Ayukawa looked at me concerned.
     "Hayden-kun...he...he attacked me."
     I noticed the sun was higher in the sky now. It was mid afternoon. My
father looked back. "We'll be there soon. Just relax and don't strain yourself
Kyouske."
     I shook my head. "No! No! Something has happened to Hayden-kun! They've
turned him against us!"
     Marcia-chan's face was filled with terror. "How..how did they do that?"
     Ayukawa balled up her fists "They must be using a drug on him like they
did to you and I, Marcia-chan. Kasuga-kun, are you sure?"
     "I..I don't know...Ayukawa. Might have just been my guilt feelings for
leaving him. But..it seemed to be more..like a...premonition dream."
     The rest of the trip was silent. At last, we reached a parking lot that
overlooked an observation point. I noticed we were in the mountains now. I had
no idea where, my head was too scrambled and my emotions were drained to the
point of exhaustion. Perhaps that's what the "Phalanx" were trying to do...
     We got out of the car and, my father looked at us. "Now, we wait."
     I blinked and overlooked the trees and the valley below me. Above was a
mountain with snow on the top of it. It was like something out of a picture
post card.
     I jumped back as there was a flash. "Ojiichan!"
     Ojiichan smiled and laughed. "Ahhh you all got here safely! Good!
I was hoping there wouldn't be any problems." He turned to my father. "And you
weren't followed?"
     "I hope not." My father sighed. "We had a close run-in on Hokkaido but,
Akane managed to throw them off our trail."
     "For now." Ojiichan nodded. He turned to me. "Kyouske, we'll have to help
you get back to normal again. That way you can be happy with your girlfriend."
He winked at me.
     "Ojiichan!" I stammered.."I...I..."
     Ayukawa giggled and Ojiichan smiled. "Well then, shall we be off? I'll
have to teleport us. Here we go!"
     I watched as Ojiichan closed his eyes and concentrated. Then, in the blink
of an instant, we all suddenly stood in hard packed snow! The wind blew and I
felt chilled.
     "Where...where are we?" Marcia-chan looked around.
     "At the top of this mountain." Ojiichan grinned. "I don't think they will
find us here. This is mine and Obachan's retreat where we sometimes come to
really get close to "the power."
     "Close to the power?" I stared at him. "Does this place increase "the
power"?
     "The power" Kyouske is something that is a gift from nature..and
therefore, anything close to nature will give you more peace. We are here not
only to hide for a bit but to increase our potential to more fully deal with
these people pursuing us." Ojiichan grinned. "It's cold out here, let's go
inside."
     I shivered and felt Ayukawa move closer to me as we walked. A cabin was
a few feet away that seemed to be fairly large. Smoke was coming from the
chimney. "I didn't even know you had this place." I said feeling like a great
secret had been kept from me.
     "I just never had a reason to bring any of you here, Kyouske. My home was
fine for family visits. As I said, this place is where Obachan and I come to
rest."
     He opened the door and, I saw Kurumi and Manami look up from the couch
they were sitting on.
     "ONIECHAN!" They both shouted. They ran to me and hugged me. Then, they
smiled at Ayukawa and Marcia-chan. It was then that I saw Manami's face turn
from happiness to confusion. "Where's Shawn?"
     I swallowed. I didn't know what to tell her. The answer was written all
over my face.
     Manami's color drained. "Shawn..where...where is he?"
     Ayukawa looked at the floor. "Gomen nasai, Manami-chan. They...they got
him. There was nothing we could do." She looked up staring into Manami's tear
filled eyes. "But don't worry...we're going to get him back!"
     The look of determination on her face left me little doubt that she felt
just as strongly as I did. But...my premonition dream..if it was a premonition
was...too terrifying to think about. I had fought Hayden-kun briefly on the
"Sun Princess." Would I be forced to fight him again?
     
     I awoke suddenly in the middle of the night listening to the chill wind
blow outside. There was a storm going on and, I was glad that Ojiichan had this
cabin well stocked. Up here in this mountain, if we ran into trouble, there
would be no one to help us.
     As I turned over, I noticed that Manami's sleeping bag was empty! "Whaa!"
I sat up and looked around. "Manami?" I whispered. There was no sign of her.
Feeling nervous, I got up and went downstairs to the living room. She was there
sitting in a chair watching the snow fall outside by the light of the moon.
     "Manami.." I said quietly.
     "Oniechan." Her voice sounded dead. "Gomen. I didn't mean to worry you."
     I nodded and sat down looking into my sister's troubled face. "It'll be
okay, Manami. We'll get out of this somehow."
     "And will Shawn?" she whispered. "What will happen to him? Why hasn't his
mother shown up to help?" She stared at me and tears fell. "I love him
Oniechan! I want him back! I need him to be with me!" She cried and hugged me
tight. I sighed and, as I turned to look outside, I saw a reflection from
someone behind me. I turned and saw Ayukawa on the stairs. She smiled and
nodded to me.
     "Manami..." I whispered. "If..if Ojiichan's plan fails. I'll do what I
must to save us all. This is...my fault."
     "You had no idea this would happen." she pulled away and smiled. "You and
Shawn did the right thing saving everyone on the ship. But, I understand now
why Papa is always telling us not to use "the power" and to be careful with it.
I guess we're lucky this didn't happen a long time ago. At least we had some
warning."
     I got up. " Would you like a drink?" I smiled at Ayukawa and, she winked
at me. Then, she silently turned and went back up the stairs. I moved into the
kitchen still thinking about her in that moment..the look on her face. Her
smile. It was like we were...married. Family. And Manami was visiting us. It
was a nice thought. I found myself wishing it was true. If I ever got out of
this situation, I would someday soon have to find the courage to reveal my true
feelings to Hikaru-chan. I didn't want her hurt but, I knew we couldn't go on
this way...
     I got Manami a hot coffee and had one myself. For over an hour we sat in
silence and watched the snow fall outside. Then, I heard a voice...
     "Kyouske...if you're going to do what you are thinking in your inner most
thoughts...your going to have to learn to better control "the power."
     Both of us looked up as Ojiichan was there. He sat down next to me.
"Ojiichan..." I whispered. "What...?"
     "You're thinking of going into the past aren't you? To stop all this from
ever happening? But, if you do that, other things may not transpire as well.
You need to think this through clearly. And, for good or ill, you must touch
within yourself as you have already..and more forcefully control that which you
already possess."
     I shook my head. "Baka..your not making any sense! I do control it
but..but I can't seem to..."
     Ojiichan laughed. "Perhaps if you were more decisive about things that are
more important to you Kyouske, the rest would fall in place. These CIA espers
aren't playing games. You need to go back to bed and rest. Tomorrow morning,
I'll tell you all what I have in mind to hopefully keep them away from us
now..and forever in the future."
     Manami blinked. "You really have a plan? Does it involve helping Shawn?"
     Ojiichan didn't answer. He got up and walked up the stairs. "Everything
will be alright." He rounded the corner at the middle of the stairs and was
gone...
     I looked at Manami. She bowed her head. "His plan...doesn't involve
helping Shawn...does it?" Her voice sounded hopeless.
     I didn't know what to say. I knew she was right. Ojiichan would have said
so. Then, she wouldn't worry. But, I knew he wouldn't lie to her. He might have 
a plan that would help all of us. But it didn't involve Hayden-kun at all.

     I nodded to Manami. "I...I'm going outside to get some wood. I'll see you
in a little bit..."
     Manami's eyes narrowed. "But..but there's plenty of wood."
     "I know. But...but I think..we might need more."
     I put on my coat and went outside. As I shut the door, the wind howled
around me and, I zipped up my jacket I had put on. I walked away from the
cabin toward the woods. Ayukawa...my family..I...I couldn't ask them to do what
I knew I must do. I had to help Hayden-kun. The problem was...I didn't know
how. Worse yet, "the power" within me was weak. What had Ojiichan meant? Touch
within myself. Did he mean feeling "the power" with my very soul? I had heard
of espers in our family early on that could do that. I had always been able to
use "the power" but, I never had that kind of mastery over it. But now...
perhaps I could. I concentrated...
     "WAIT KYOUSKE!"
     I stopped and opened my eyes. In the doorway, I could see Manami and
Marcia-chan. Marcia-chan walked out into the snow toward me.
     "Kyouske...you're going after Shawn...aren't you?"
     I swallowed feeling more nervous then I had in awhile. The moonlight
sparkled off her blonde hair as it blew across her face. "I...hai."
     She moved closer. "Baka! You don't have the strength! You'd be captured as
well! I know that we haven't known each other long. I know that you chose
Madoka over me and Hikaru. Please...I love my brother but...I love you too.
Don't be a hero. Don't just make a rash decision like this and not take me with
you."
     I stared at her. "Marcia-chan...I..."
     "He's my brother. If you're going, so am I! You need to save your strength.
Either nobody goes..or we both go!"
     Manami gasped and ran outside toward us. "NO! Don't do it! I want Shawn
back but, I don't want you two hurt either!"
     Both of us looked at her. She nodded. "Please...for my sake..and
Shawn's...stay. He'd never forgive himself if you were caught because you were
trying to rescue him."
     I grit my teeth and looked away. "I...I'll stay." I swore and stared at
the valley below as the snow fell harder. "I guess maybe we should see what
Ojiichan has in mind tomorrow."
     Marcia-chan hugged me and nodded. "Hai. Let's go in then, it's cold out
here." 
     I felt Manami take my other hand and the three of us went back inside. It
was this family togetherness that was pulling us through. It would hopefully be
that same kind of closeness that would bring Hayden-kun back. But...my
premonition dream...I couldn't get it out of my head....


                       Chapter Fifteen: Ojiichan's Plan!

     "Oniechan! Oniechan! Get up!"
     I groaned and rolled over still feeling weak. Thoughts of the night before
came back to me. Or was it this morning? I turned and saw Kurumi glaring at me.
     "Kurumi..what time is it?"
     "It's ten in the morning and you're still in bed! Everyone else is awake and
has already eaten breakfast. I was going to get you up but, Manami-chan and
Madoka-san said that you had a rough night. Baka! You're fine now so, get up."
     "Kurumi.." I whispered. I noticed she was testier then usual. What was
bothering her? I shook my head. Baka! That was obvious. Her fiance had returned
to America, we were being pursued by the "Phalanx" and now, we were stuck up
here on this mountain. She had every right to be angry. I sighed and got up.
"Gomen..Kurumi.."
     She turned and glared at me. "THIS IS YOUR FAULT! YOU AND HAYDEN-KUN!! Why
weren't you more careful on that ship?"
     I looked away feeling bad enough without her continued pounding on me.
Somehow this had to work out. Somehow..we had to have our lives back the way
they were...
     I got up after she left the room and looked out the window at the new
fallen snow. I guess maybe this place got a lot of snow being on a mountain.
But, it didn't seem like ordinary snow. It almost glowed. I put on my clothes
and went out into the living room. Everyone was there gathered.
     Akane grinned as I came down the stairs. "Well, he finally got up! We were
wondering if you were ever going to. I was considering making myself look like
Madoka-san and jumping into bed with you." She winked at Ayukawa who turned red
with embaressment and looked away.
     "Ayukawa..." I whispered.
     Ayukawa looked up at me and, our eyes met. For a moment like back on the
boat, it seemed to be only the two of us. How I wished it could be so! I got
myself a glass of juice from the kitchen and a sandwich and moved to sit beside
Ayukawa. My father and Ojiichan were talking while, Kurumi and Kazuya were on
the floor playing a board game. Manami sat alone staring out the window. I knew
where her thoughts were. Marcia-chan sat across from Ayukawa and I in a chair.
I saw a thin smile on her lips. I smiled back and finished eating...
     Ojiichan turned and came over. My father was behind him. "Well.." he
grinned at all of us." "Are you all ready to hear what we plan to do about this
situation?"
     We all stopped what we were doing and the room fell quiet. Kurumi glared
at him. "Hai! Quit beating around the bush and tell us Ojiichan!"
     Ojiichan smiled and looked at each of us as he spoke. "It's quite simple.
They want us because we have "the power". So...we make them think...we no
longer have it. This will buy us time..and maybe get rid of them."
     I stared at him. "Oi! Oi! What are you talking about? Are you suggesting
we let them capture us?" I felt my fear returning.
     Ojiichan nodded. "Not all of us. Just a select few. If something goes
wrong..we can pull them out. In that time, maybe Mrs. Hayden will return. She
may already be back and looking for us. If she does indeed have help she went
to find..then things will be fine."
     "And if they aren't?" Ayukawa shook her head. 
     "Then we deal with it as best we can."
     Kurumi looked angry. "THAT'S IT? THAT'S YOUR PLAN?"
     My father looked worried and I saw Akane sigh. "I had a feeling that
Ojiichan didn't have anything really special."
     "BAKA!" Kazuya jumped up. "Why don't we all just hit them at once?! We
have enough power between all of us to take them out!"
     Ojiichan nodded. "But..I won't have anyone killing others..or risk getting
ourselves killed. You all need to understand, they don't want to kill us. They
want us alive. They want us to willingly work for them. So...if we pretend that
we have given up..and two of us go against them..and pretend to fail..they may
think we are not what they thought. They might even cease the pursuit
altogether."
     "Or look for the others." Manami whispered. "There is no real plan is
there?"
     "This is insane!" Kurumi stamped her foot. "They already have Hayden-kun!
What if they grab the rest of us? And, who are the unlucky ones? I certainly
don't want them to grab me!"
     I felt angry with her selfish attitude but, I didn't know what to say. I
saw that Ayukawa looked worried and, our eyes met. I could tell she was
mentally pleading with me..but..I knew what I had to do...
     "I will be one because, I am the most powerful esper here." Ojiichan
sighed. "If they think I'm not worth their time..then perhaps they will leave
us alone."
     "Ojiichan!" Manami gasped.
     "You can't go!" My father shook his head. "Forget this whole thing! It's
too dangerous. There has to be another way!"
     "I wish there was." Ojiichan turned serious. "But, what do you propose
Takashi?" His eyes fell hard on my father. "You have no power to protect your
family. Kyouske is still weak from overuse of "the power." Kurumi and Manami we
won't risk. So who's to go?"
     "NOBODY!" Manami shouted. She was trembling as she spoke. "We can't decide
something like this because, those who go may not come back! It's better to
hide up here for the rest of our lives then risk that!"
     Marcia-chan looked up. "I'll go."
     "What?" Ojiichan stared at her.
     "I'll go." she repeated. "They have my brother. My mother is missing..and
hopefully will be back soon. My father left and may never return. I don't have
a boyfriend..." she looked away and I felt my heart wrench. I didn't want to
look at Ayukawa but, I could feel her eyes on me..
     "And.." she went on.."I think that we need to do something. Despite what
Manami-chan says...we can't hide up here forever. They would find
us...eventually."
     I stood up. "Hai. I'll go with her."
     "Ka..Kasuga-kun!" Ayukawa's voice was filled with emotion.
     "You don't have enough power should something go wrong." Ojiichan's voice
was filled with worry.
     "I...I must take...responsibility for this..." I whispered. "Hayden-kun
and I started it. I must...finish it."
     "Kyouske." My father shook his head. "It's too dangerous! I won't permit
it!"
     "I'll go too!" Akane said.
     "WHAT??" Kazuya stared at her. "Sister! What..what are you..?"
     "Kyouske can't do this alone..and neither can Marcia-chan. I have my
illusion power and that will help. Marcia-chan has her powers..or..are they
still gone?"
     "They've returned." Marcia-chan smiled. "The drug they used to take them
away was temporary."
     "Then..then Hayden-kun must have his again!" I gasped. "Why didn't you
tell us this sooner?"
     "Because, I just found out this morning Kyouske." She smiled. "I was
wishing for something to eat and, a glass of milk flew across the room to me. 
I know I can fly now too. So, we can fly off here and you can save your power."
     "What if they use a mental probe of some sort on them?" Manami said in
fear. "They'll know they have "the power" still."
     "Then I must prevent that." Ojiichan smiled and moved forward.
"Kyoukse..Akane..come here."
     We both stepped forward. I could see my father filled with concern yet, he
had no plan himself. I was very afraid. But, my fear was being overidden by
necessity. Ojiichan put his hands on each of our foreheads.
     "Close your eyes." he said. "When I'm done..you won't remember this."
     We both did so. I felt as if a warmness was going through me. His voice
filled me. "You will not remember you have "the power" until you know you
desperately need it to escape. Until that time...you have no power."
     "I have no power." I whispered. I could hear Akane in the distance
repeating the command.
     "You know nothing of the location of this place."
     That wasn't hard. I knew we were on a mountain but had no idea where.. "I
know nothing of this place." I whispered. Again, I could hear Akane.
     "If Mrs. Hayden appears, you will remember all of this and you will tell
her."
     "I will tell her." I repeated.
     I felt the warmness leave and I blinked. "Ojiichan..did..did you do
something?"
     I saw him smile and, then he moved to Marcia-chan. I saw him put his hand
on her head. After that, he unexpectedly  turned to Ayukawa. "I know you have
no power but, if things get bad..maybe you can help."
     "I want to go Ojiichan." Ayukawa smiled.
     "Then...close your eyes."
     Ayukawa did so and I watched him do the same with her. After he was done,
I saw tears in my father's eyes.
     "Old Man." I felt confused "What..what just happened?
     "Kyouske..." his voice faltered. "I..I don't want you to do this."
     "Do what?" I tried to think what he meant but it wouldn't come.
     Ojiichan grinned. "Nevermind. I'm sending you four back to your apartment
to get some things. Since we all lost our powers, we will need them."
     "LOST OUR POWERS?" Akane shouted. She shook her head. "WHAT ARE YOU
TALKING ABOUT!"
     Ojiichan grinned. Then, before any of us could say another word, he
concentrated and...

     I blinked as I found myself in front of my apartment! With me were Akane,
Ayukawa, and Marcia-chan!      
     And I suddenly realized...I had NO POWER!!!!!


                    Chapter Sixteen: Faded Friendship!

     I blinked and looked at Ayukawa. "How...how did we get here?"
     She shook her head and looked at Marcia-chan and Akane. "Akane-chan! Where
did you come from? Kasuga-kun, Marcia-chan and I were on Hokkaido but..."
     Akane looked like she was trying to remember something. "I was..with the
others. But...but I don't remember anything beyond that! We need to find them!"
     I searched within myself. There was a gap someplace in my memory. I
couldn't see it. It was like part of my brain had been blotted out from my
memory. Yet, I couldn't feel anything missing.
     The wind began to rise. I looked at our apartment. "I...I think we need to
go inside. Come on."
     Wordlessly, they followed me in. I didn't know why we had to go in. I only
knew that we did for some reason. We took the elevator to our floor and then
I led us to our apartment. Akane looked at Ayukawa. "I feel like I was
dreaming."
     "Me too." Ayukawa looked around her. "Something doesn't feel right."
     I opened the door to our apartment and we all stared at what awaited us
within. The furniture had been moved and, papers and books where everywhere. It
looked like someone had tried to search the place! I swallowed. Hesitantly, I
entered. I could feel the other three behind me. Marcia-chan uttered a sharp
cry as she looked to her right. "SHAWN!"
     I turned and gasped as I saw Hayden-kun look up from a pile of papers.
     He stood up. "I see you came back here. Cool. Now you can tell me where
the others are."
     "Hayden-kun?" I felt a sudden fear. My premonition dream!
     He took a step toward me. "I decided it was in my best interest to give up
and work for the Phalanx. So where is everyone else?"
     Ayukawa glared at him. "Shawn-kun, what are you saying!" Her eyes narrowed
slightly. "Can you see??"
     "I can see with my X-ray vision, Madoka. Now, where is everyone? I'm getting
tired of tearing this place apart."
     I felt my anger raging. "YOU DID THIS? BAKA! You're supposed to be our
friend!"
     "Shawn, why would you do this?" Marcia-chan looked close to tears.
     "They must have him under some sort of mental control like they did with
us Marcia-chan!" Ayukawa looked angry.
      Hayden-kun smiled. "No...I'm doing this because it's right. We should all
accept this and work for them. The pay and benefits will be good. And, the
lifestyle will be cool."
     I stepped toward him. "We don't know where the others are. Why don't you
come with us and forget this? We're trying to keep away from them!"
     "No you're not...cause I'll let them know your here." Hayden-kun's face
turned grim. "We're done running Kasuga. Now where are our families? Especially
Manami and Kurumi. I wanna see them again."
     I felt my fear growing now. His smile was gone replaced by something I had
only seen once...when we fought on the Sun Princess..
     Ayukawa moved forward. "Shawn..."
     "Madoka...get lost. This doesn't concern you."
     I saw Ayukawa's eyes flash! "You have the guts to talk to me like that?
We're trying to help you!"
     "I don't need help." Hayden-kun was like a different person now. It was
terrifying to see the transformation. He smiled again but this time, it wasn't
in a nice way. "Phalanx" doesn't need to depend on others, Madoka. Now why don't
you go home, okay? We'll forget about this."
     "No..." a voice said behind us. "We might as well keep her for now. She
knows too much."
     I swung around and saw Knife behind us. He shook his head. "You led us a
merry chase. You disappeared for awhile but, in that time we were able to
convince Shawn that all we want is what's right. Nobody wants to hurt anyone
here. We simply want to find all the espers."
     Hayden-kun laughed. "Won't be hard. Vampress can do a mental probe of
their minds."
     Ayukawa leaped past me and with a roundhouse kick sent Knife slamming onto
the floor! Hayden-kun leaped over and grabbed her around the throat!
     "DAMN YOU!" Akane shouted. She leaped forward but, a wind came forth from
Hayden-kun that sent her sprawling over the couch. Papers were flying
everywhere now!
     I lost it!! My anger took over and I concentrated...but...THE POWER! I
suddenly remembered..it was gone! BUT HOW?? I gasped and saw that Ayukawa was
breaking free. She arched back and swung Hayden-kun over her head. He struck
the floor hard.
     "RUN!!" she shouted.
     The four of us rushed out the door and down the corridor! We opened the
door to the stairs and pounded down them listening as we heard the sound of
feet above us. Hayden-kun's voice echoed down the stairwell. "YOU CAN'T ESCAPE
KASUGA! GIVE UP!"
     We hit the exit door at the bottom and ran down the street! We entered the
park area and ahead of us were the stairs..THE STAIRS!! They were always in my
mind..these stairs where I had met Ayukawa..and had time slipped before!
     I concentrated! I had to do it! TIME SLIP!!! I jumped fully intending to
teleport and go back in time. I knew where too! But...
     I came crashing down the stairs feeling my head hit concrete and
Marcia-chan screamed. Ayukawa swore and, I heard a voice over me.
     "I don't see any chance of you trying to run now."
     I looked up and saw Vampress standing over me. Two men were with her. She
nodded and, they picked me up. She looked at me and smiled. I could see other
men holding Ayukawa, Marcia-chan, and Akane! NO!! Where was "the power"? Why
had I lost it?
     Vampress looked to her right and I saw Hayden-kun standing there.
"Shawn..this friend of yours has a warped idea of what we're about. Why don't
you show him what happens to those that won't support us?"
     I saw Hayden-kun come toward me. "Dude...don't take this personal." I
gasped as he slammed me in the stomach! MY POWER! WHERE WAS IT?  I coughed and
looked up. Hayden-kun hit me in the face as a man held me. "This is to remind
you that, running won't do any good. If you agree to join "Phalanx" now,
everything will be cool."
     Vampress smiled and walked over. "So...where are the others, Kyouske?"
     I swallowed. "I...I don't know."
     Vampress nodded. "Fine..." I gasped as I felt her mind invading mine! NO!!
I fought against it feeling the pain from Hayden-kun's attack and the torture
of her within me! She echoed in my head... *WHERE ARE THEY???*
     I gasped and felt myself collapsing. Like a distant tunnel, I could hear
the other three screaming. Ayukawa was loudest.
     Then, Vampress was clear. I gasped as I felt her withdraw. "Hmmm.." she
sounded thoughtful. "You've lost your powers Kyouske. I don't know why either.
Is it this way with all of you?" I watched feeling helpless as she invaded the
others minds. I saw Marcia-chan cry out. In that brief moment, something
flashed too fast for me to understand. A faint memory perhaps. Hayden-kun
looked at me briefly. I felt fear again...
     Vampress nodded. "This is...an interesting development. All of you that
are espers now no longer have that ability. Did your families take it away
somehow?"
     I glared at her. "I haven't seen my family since you people have had us on
the run!"
     She smiled. "I can see that. Or, at least you think it. This is too pat
for me. Somehow we're being fooled. Knife, take them back with you. We'll keep
searching for the others. Shawn, where do you think they are?"
     I saw Hayden-kun's face go blank for a second. Almost like...he was
asleep. He blinked. "I...I'm not sure. I know they were supposed to meet up
with their Ojiichan.."
     "We've been there." Vampress cut in. "Nothing. I suppose we could talk to
that girl that was there earlier..Hiyama Hikaru, I believe?"
     "NO!" Ayukawa shouted. "Leave Hikaru out of this!"
     "HIKARU-CHAN!" I shouted. NO! They couldn't involve her!
     Vampress grinned. "I think that Hiyama will be an excellent source of
information. Knife, take them."
     I gasped as I felt a hypo put into my arm. My head went into a fog and
just before I collapsed, I saw the image of Hikaru-chan smiling.
"Hikaru-chan.." I whispered..."I..."
     Blackness took me and I knew no more......
     
     I felt consciousness returning and, I opened my eyes to see Hayden-kun
watching me. I noticed no one else was in the room. "Where...where's Ayukawa?"
I whispered. I felt groggy.
     "Safe." He smiled. "So are you. Now you and I can discuss some things. How
did you lose your powers?"
     I shrugged. "I don't know, Hayden-kun. It just happened."
     "Bull!" He glared. "There's a gap in your memory. Vampress knows it's
there. If this is a trick, it's a poor one. We'll find them soon."
     I felt myself regaining my senses. "Hayden-kun..you're not yourself.
Think. Manami needs you now."
     I saw him wince for a second. "Manami...she's cool but, it won't last."
     "Baka!" I shook my head. "This isn't you! Don't you understand? You're
under the influence of some kind of control!"
     He laughed. "Kasuga...kiss off!" He slapped me hard across the face. "I
don't give a damn about Manami. I was just trying to get in her pants."
     I felt my anger burning. I wanted to beat him senseless! "YOU...HENTAI!!!"
I swung at him feeling my anger..fully expecting "the power" to come forth.
It didn't. He easily dodged me and, I fell over.
     Hayden-kun laughed. "Get up! I'm gonna kick your ass! I don't know how I
could have ever been friends with such a pathetic.....
     I looked up as he hesitated. His face changed a moment to one of confusion
and, he shook his head. "Such a pathetic fool!" He kicked me hard and I cried
out. "I already know your not going to join us. But, I know if given a choice,
Kurumi will! And she's a powerful esper! She LIKES to use her talents! You and
your family have kept her down long enough! With enough of us we'll..."
     I stared at him. "You'll what? WHAT WILL YOU DO???"
     Hayden-kun swore at me. "You're not a part of it..so don't worry about
it." He kicked me again and I doubled up. Then, he left the room...
     Our friendship was over. But...but this wasn't him. Not really. This
wasn't the Hayden-kun I knew. I imagined him joking and smiling. And, what had
he meant by doing something? Did this Vampress have something in mind? I began
to feel more fear. Suppose...suppose that..these espers...had ideas of their
own. Maybe they were using the resources of the CIA to achieve a certain goal?
I heard the door open and, I looked up.
     "You're awake." Knife grinned. "You might want to know that we have
already found your family. They'll be here soon."
     I shook my head. "You're lying! And, the CIA would never behave like this!
What is your real intention?"
     Knife grinned. "We are CIA agents. But, there are those of us that think
things could be run a lot better. We're going to recruit a few people and then,
we're going to make some changes."
     This sounded like...a plot! I glared at him. "So what do you intend to do
with those of us that don't join you?"
     I already knew the answer but, I listened as he laughed and said what I
had feared.."Fool...you'll be removed. We can't have you opposing us."
     "Let Ayukawa go." I struggled to get up. "She has nothing to do with any
of this. Give her a drug or something so she won't remember. And leave
Hikaru-chan alone."
     "Take me to your family..and I will."
     "I don't know where they are." I swore. "I'm not lying!"
     "He has a mental block." Vampress came into the room. "Kyouske, I like
you. I'd like you to be with us. But, if you don't cooperate...I'll have to
kill you. Open your mind to me. I can remove the block."
     I hesitated. If what she said was true and there was a block..it would
make sense why I couldn't remember how I had ended up in front of our apartment
so suddenly. It also meant that someone more powerful had put it there. Was it
Ojiichan? 
     Vampress moved closer. "Let me in your mind...all the way. Don't struggle.
It's the only way you can save your life now."
     I waited for her to come in. There was nothing more I could do. I closed
my eyes and prepared for the pain. It was then...an explosion blew the wall in!!
     "VAMPRESS!!"
     The shout and explosion not only took me by surprise but, it shocked
Vampress as well. The two men in the room with us gasped as they were slammed
backward by a powerful force. It shattered every window in the room!
     I looked up and saw a woman with blonde hair wearing a tight fitting black
outfit. She held her hands in a defensive position. It was....
     I swallowed. "Mrs. Hayden!"
     "SERPENT!" Vampress swore. "Where the hell did you come from?"
     Mrs. Hayden jumped down from the hole in the wall. "I've been waiting for
when to strike. Your plot is over. I know now it was never the CIA that sent
you after us. This is "Phalanx!"
     She let me go and smiled. "Serpent...I'm glad you came. Now we can discuss
matters..."
     "You are ordered to surrender Vampress. I'm taking you in as a traitor to
the United States of America. You and your plot to use espers to overthrow the
government just came to an end! I've got agents and I've completely surrounded
this place!"
     Vampress smiled. "No Serpent...I've got you."
     I watched as Hayden-kun came into the room. Mrs. Hayden's eyes grew wider.
"SHAWN!"
     "Shawn.."Vampress laughed. "Your mother is an obstacle to our plans. Kill
her!"
     I watched in fear as a wind began to form around Hayden-kun....


                        Chapter Seventeen: Esper War!

     "HAYDEN-KUN!!!" I screamed. I watched as he launched a miniature tornado
at his mother and she dove clear! The whole back section of the building
exploded outward sending chunks flying at us.
     Vampress grabbed me and pulled me out of the room. "KNIFE!" she shouted.
"You and Shawn deal with her!"
     I was still groggy from the drug but I felt something stir within me. What
was it? A memory..."
     "When you meet Mrs. Hayden, you will remember everything and you will tell
her."
     SUDDENLY I KNEW!!! I knew what had happened! Ojiichan! I grit my teeth and
pulled my hand away from Vampress as she ran. She stopped and turned toward me
staring at me. "So...you've remembered something Kyouske?" She concentrated
briefly invading my mind. "Clever of your Ojiichan..very clever.."
     Before I could answer, I heard another explosion and Knife came running
down the hall toward us. With him was Hayden-kun. His face was flushed and, he
didn't look like himself.
     Vampress swore. "Where's Serpent?"
     "She's too much for us!" Knife glared at her. "We need the others."
     "FREEZE!"
     I was stunned by the shout and, I turned with the others to see two men
standing in front of us. "DAMN IT!" Knife shouted. "FREAK! DEVIL! Where did you
two come from?"
     "Serpent came to Switzerland and found us there." the man named Freak
said. "It didn't take us much to figure out what your little plot was. By now,
the CIA has cleaned house at "Phalanx" and, your all criminals! Honestly
Vampress, did you really feel you could overthrow the government?"
     Vampress didn't answer. She concentrated and blew a hole in the ceiling.
Then, grabbing me, she leaped with incredible strength onto the roof. Without
answer, she pulled me after her and, my eyes grew wide as she dove off the roof
with me!
     "WAAAAAA!" I shouted. She took the impact and, still dazed, I followed
after her.
     I heard another explosion and, I turned and saw the two men had blown a
hole in the wall. Out on the lawn on the other side of the building, I could
see flashes and, I saw Hayden-kun running. His mother was behind him.
     Vampress smiled. "Maybe Shawn will kill her. It's been fun Kyouske but, I
must go! You'll see me again!" She let me go and ran hard into the woods....
     The two men reached me. "Are you okay?" the one called Devil asked.
     "Hai." I was shaken badly. I looked up. Hayden-kun was still facing his
mother. I ran over to him just as I saw Ayukawa, Marcia-chan and, Akane exit
the hole in the wall of the building.
I had no idea where we were...someplace in Japan I hadn't been. I could see
the sun going down as Hayden-kun faced his mother..
     "Shawn.." her voice came across the wind to me. "Remember..remember who I
am..where we are."
     Hayden-kun was panting heavily. His eyes were wild. Was he still blind?
     "YOU'RE THE ENEMY!!!" he shouted. "I'LL KILL YOU!!!"
     Mrs. Hayden's eyes were streaming tears as she spoke. "Shawn..I'm your
mother. I know I haven't always been there for you. But, I promise you once
this is over...I'll be there all the time! Please...remember!!!"
     He turned away from her and saw me. "KASUGA!" his lips spat my name. "IT'S
ALL YOUR FAULT! I'LL KILL YOU!!!!"     
     I gasped as he ran toward me.. "YAGHHHHH!" he screamed.
     "KASUGA-KUN!!" Ayukawa shouted as I saw him launch a ball of flame at me!
I dove as it passed and, I knew now what I had to do...
     I climbed to my feet. I reached within myself and I remembered "the
power". I knew that Mrs. Hayden had the ability but was afraid to hurt him. I
concentrated and launched a blast of power at him. I was filled with
frustration. I didn't want to hurt him. But, I fully intended to disable him!
     Marcia-chan and Akane shouted something but, I was too filled with "the
power" to understand it. Was this what Ojiichan had meant about being close to
oneself? I saw Hayden-kun jump and he grabbed his mother by the throat.
     "COME ON KASUGA!! LET'S GO!!!"
     The two men behind me swore. "DAMN...he's got her!" Devil swore.
     Mrs. Hayden smiled. "Shawn...forgive me..."
     Before I even saw what had happened, she had expertly flipped him and
slammed him to the ground. Then, she closed her eyes and with the hand of a
martial arts expert knocked him unconscious...
     Ayukawa came over to me. "Are you alright Kasuga-kun?"
     I nodded. "Hai." I felt drained inside. I saw Mrs. Hayden get up.
"Devil...Freak. Have the others take Knife and those men into custody."
     "Knife got away." Devil said quietly. "We were concerned about Vampress
and your friend here."
     She nodded. "Inform the agents then. Knife and Vampress are now fugitives.
We'll have to hunt them down..and any allies they may have."
     Devil nodded and, the two of them walked off toward the building.
     Mrs. Hayden looked down at her unconscious son then came over to me. She
smiled. "Kyouske...you protected my family. Just as you promised. Arigatoo."
     "MOTHER!!" Marcia-chan cried and flung herself into her mother's arms.
"Mother I love you! Oh please, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me!"
     Mrs. Hayden hugged Marcia-chan and nodded. "It was my fault. I made a
mistake before you were ever born. But, it's over now. I'll never neglect any
of you again. I'm quitting the spy buisness forever.."
     I felt a warmness inside me. It was over. Or was it? Vampress and Knife
were still at large. That didn't bode well for any of us.
     Mrs. Hayden smiled at me again. "I'll have to get Shawn some help. But, in
time he will be alright. On behalf of the United States government, I thank you
Kyouske. I had wrongly assumed that it was the entire CIA after my family when
I fled. I know now, it was only certain elements within Phalanx itself. Phalanx
will likely be disbanded because of this. Unless things change. My husband is
taking care of matters in Washington DC."
     I felt a sigh of relief. "Then..Mr. Hayden is alright?"
     "Hai. He has been dealing with this entire situation. For a time, he did
not communicate with me because, he wasn't sure if it was safe. But, it worked
out."
     Ayukawa smiled. "Did..did they ever get to Hikaru?"
     "No." Mrs. Hayden smiled. "All that remains is to find the missing
fugitives now. And, we have agents all over Japan so, it won't take long.
     Something was nagging at me..something terrifying. I jerked and stared
at her. "Vampress...she..she knows where my family is!!"
     I saw Akane's eyes go wide. "NO!"
     Mrs. Hayden swore. "We better get moving!" She looked over her
shoulder. "DEVIL! FREAK! I need a helicopter! NOW!"
     As the men moved to obey her orders, I felt a growing fear. A premonition
dream I had seen earlier long ago...of Manami and Kurumi being taken...     

     It didn't take long before I heard the sound of a helicopter. Mrs. Hayden
turned to one of the men. "Take Shawn and keep him safe. I'll try to help him
later. Right now, we have to stop Vampress before she gets to Kasuga's family.
I've no idea how many she had working for her."
     The man called Freak nodded. "Understood. Good luck, Serpent."
     The helicopter was visible now. I could see it was one like the US
military used. It came down and landed next to the building. Mrs. Hayden nodded
to us and Ayukawa, Marcia-chan, Akane, and I followed her. The wind was
whipping through my hair from the rotor blades as we ducked under them. A man
opened the door and we climbed in.
     Mrs. Hayden nodded to the pilot. "CIA Agent 800..Serpent. I am assuming
command of this helicopter."
     The pilot saluted her. "Where are we going Ma'am?"
     She looked at me. "Kyouske..where is your family?"
     I was about to answer when it suddenly occured to me, I had no idea
exactly where. I hesitated. "I..I don't know. Ojiichan sent us back to the city
by teleport. I know we went north by car and stopped at a rest stop. Then he
teleported in and..."
     "Is there a way you can find out?"
     I felt lost. Akane put a hand on my shoulder. "Kyouske..call Kazuya. We
need to warn them, And maybe he can ask Ojiichan and tell you."
     I nodded. I knew it was a risk because someone before had tried to invade
my thoughts. I wasn't even sure Vampress knew for sure where my family was. If
she had seen into my thoughts and was unable to determine from them the
location perhaps they were still safe. Still...it wasn't something I wanted to
risk.
     I opened my mind. *Kazuya! Kazuya can you hear me?*
     *Kyouske-neichan??? Where are you! Weve been waiting to hear from you!*
     I smiled and turned to Mrs. Hayden. "I've got Kazuya! I'll find out where
they are."
     I asked Kazuya for the location and then a few minutes later he came back
with it. Mrs. Hayden nodded to the pilot. "Get us airborne! Head straight for
these coordinates. Get on the radio and notify all agents to converge on this
mountain. Agents Knife and Vampress have gone rogue. I don't know how many are
with them. Send that now!"
     The pilot moved to do so as he took us higher and to the north. I looked
at Ayukawa and, she smiled at me. This was the first time either of us had been
in a helicopter. I was wishing that the circumstances were different though.
     Then suddenly...I winced as someone entered my mind!
    *KYOUSKE! TELL SERPENT IF SHE DOESN'T BACK OFF I'LL KILL SHAWN!*
     I jumped with fear. I hesitated. But...but Hayden-kun was safe wasn't he?
     *Who is this?*  I asked mentally.
     *VAMPRESS!* The voice shouted in my head. *THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION 
BY THE WAY. KNIFE AND I ARE ALREADY HERE!* 
     Already? I turned to Mrs. Hayden. "Something is wrong. Vampress..she
claims she has Hayden-kun! And, she also says something about information."
     "WHAT?" Mrs. Hayden stared at me. "Kyouske..open your mind. Try to link
with me.."
     I had never done this except with Kazuya and a few other instances with
Ojiichan. I closed my eyes and felt another mind enter. It was very
disconcerting.
     *Vampress!* her thoughts echoed.
     *I'm here..interesting Serpent. You found a conduit. How nice. You could
never truly master telepathy..*
     *Cut the crap Vampress! What do you mean about Shawn? I have my son! And
you don't stand a chance in hell of escaping us!*
     *Serpent my dear..* her thoughts sounded cold and deadly, *your dear son
my former puppet has a trigger I placed in his mind. If you come after me and I
feel you're going to catch us..I'll set it off!*
     I shuddered. *What..what will it do?*
     I could see the others looking at us as these thoughts echoed in my head.
Marcia-chan had tears in her eyes and, Ayukawa looked concerned. I was glad
neither one could hear this...
     *What trigger?* Mrs. Hayden's thoughts echoed angrily. *I swear Vampress
when I find you, I will kill you! And you know how effective an assasin I am!*
     Vampress laughed in my thoughts. *I know that Serpent. That's why I took
these precautions. If you touch us, your son will die! Is it worth it to you?*
     I saw Mrs. Hayden cringe. *It won't stop me Vampress. And if you are
foolish enough to kill Shawn through some telepathic method...I will not only
kill you but, I'll make sure it's the most painful death I can devise!*
     The thoughts went quiet for a moment. Then, Vampress came back laughing.
*We'll see Serpent. Now then...I want you to land and I'll let you know when to
come get the ones we don't want.*
     "NOOOO!" I shouted.
     Mrs. Hayden jumped and Akane stared at me. "Kyo..Kyouske? What the hell is
going on??"
     "Kyouske...don't scream like that while I'm in your mind." Mrs. Hayden
shook her head. "We have a big problem. She has some sort of a mental trigger
on Shawn. If we corner her, she'll set it off..and kill him."
     "Trigger?" Marcia-chan blinked. "What's that Mom?"
     "A mental command..hidden in his subconscious. It could be anything. It
could cause a brain hemmorage or maybe make his heart stop..or make him throw
himself off a cliff. Anything."
     "Oh my god!" Akane swore. "This...what do we do?"
     I shuddered. "We..we have to do something. She..she said something about
after she was through to come get the ones they don't want."
     "Your family." Mrs. Hayden swore. "She had her eyes on Kurumi and Manami.
Young, beautiful, and impressionable. If she won them over, they'd make good
agents for her. The rest of your family she didn't want..she'd kill them."
     "But..but isn't she without allies now?" Ayukawa asked. "She can't carry
out her plan now that it's been exposed."
     "Not the way she wanted..but given enough espers under her control, she
could." Mrs. Hayden swore. "She'd just pick a smaller target..some mid-eastern
country..then work her way over to the US eventually. Or, maybe she'd just
stay here and try to take Japan!" 
     "We're about ten minutes from our target zone." the pilot reported.
     Mrs. Hayden nodded. "Okay..co-pilot, let me have your seat a moment."
     The co-pilot got up and she sat down. Immediately she pulled something out
of a bag she had strapped on her and put it on her head. I could see it was
electronic vision of some sort. "Zooming in.." she said. "Okay...I can see the
mountain and, although there's a lot of snow, there is a house and..." she
trailed off. "DAMN IT!!"
     "Mother?" Marcia-chan asked.
     "Another helicopter. Might be Vampress! She had to of planned her escape!
This is very bad. Pilot, give me control!"
     The pilot gave her control and she turned quickly to me. "Kyouske! Try to
reach Kazuya!"
     I opened my mind. *Kazuya! Are you there?*
     *KYOUKSKE-NEICHAN!!! HELP ME!!! OHH...*
     I froze. I could see Ayukawa staring at me. "Ka..Kasuga-kun?"
     "They...they've got them." I whispered.
     Mrs. Hayden swore. "The other helicopter is preparing to lift off!
Kyouske, we need time! Can you and Akane teleport down and try to stop her?"
     I stared at her. I...I don't."
     "This is no time to be indecisive! Your family is in danger!" Mrs.
Hayden's voice cut me to my very soul.
     "Hai!" I nodded to Akane. "We can!"
     "Good! Then listen. Teleport down and while you try to slow them down,
I'll fly over and blast that chopper to pieces! Pilot, are the guns loaded on
this thing?"
     "Fully loaded Ma'am." he answered.
     "Kasuga-kun." Ayukawa smiled. "Be careful please."
     I smiled back. I was afraid but...I had no choice now. "Let's go Akane."
     Both of us joined hands and I nodded to her. "Teleport!"

     I felt the darkness take me in the teleport knowing that soon, I would be
in what I had always feared...an esper war. And with my family at stake..there
was no way I could lose!


                      Chapter Eighteen: Final Strike!

     I came out of the darkness feeling like I was back on the "Sun Princess"
again. Except this time, I wasn't alone...and it wasn't on a ship.
     Akane shivered in the snow and we both looked over and saw the helicopter
warming up. We had to stop it! Akane nodded to me and, we moved around the side
of the house. I could hear screaming within and shouts of men. Damn!
     Akane grit her teeth. "I swear Kyouske..they're gonna pay! I've never
killed anyone before ever but, if it means our families..."
     I nodded to her not saying anything. She smiled. "Watch this Kyouske."
     I saw her form change into Vampress. "Now...watch what I do..and be ready
to strike!"
     "Strike?" I felt frightened. But, there was no longer any choice.
     Akane walked out into the open as I watched the helicopter. I saw her talk
to a man then she turned around and went toward the house. What did that mean?
Were any of my family on that helicopter yet? If not, Mrs. Hayden would be
firing at any moment! I looked upward as I heard the sound of a helicopter
approaching.
     Someone else heard it! I saw a man stick his head out the door. Then, he
saw Akane. "Vampress!" he shouted. "I thought you were upstairs.."
     "You missed me you baka!" Akane swore at him. "Now, get out here and
prepare to load the prisoners."
     "But...Vampress you said..."
     "Nevermind what I said!" Akane grinned. "Just do what I ask now."
     I had to admire her. I kept waiting for her to blow her cover but she was
cool and calm. I wished I had that ability. I looked over and moved toward a
window. I could see two men inside. But...I felt my heart stop! Ojiichan! He
was lying prone on the couch. And...HE WASN'T MOVING! Was..was he dead? My fear
rose once again. I could see Kurumi and Manami sitting in a corner. Why hadn't
they used their powers? Maybe..maybe because they didn't have the chance. Both
of them appeared to be lethargic. I saw Kurumi slump over. Manami was still
awake and, she looked terrified.
     My anger grew! I felt "the power" rising and, before I could stop it, I
blew the window in!!! Power raged forth knocking the two men over and I heard
shouts from upstairs. I saw Vampress burst through the front door just as the
*real* Vampress came down the stairs! OH NO!
     "What the hell is going on..." Her voice trailed off as she saw the mess
on the floor and the two men down. "Well..I guess Serpent didn't take my
advice." She turned and saw me. "Kyouske. How nice to see you again!" Then she
turned to Akane. "I don't like being made fun of. Interesting ability you have
girl. I could use it."
     "YOU CAN GO TO HELL!" Akane spat. "LEAVE MY FAMILY ALONE!!"
     "Foolish girl!" I gasped as Vampress nodded her head and, Akane flew
backward into the snow. Vampress laughed. "So Kyouske..do you wish to be next?"
     I concentrated knowing I had to hit her with all I had! I had never fought
for real before this way, it had always been self defense. Even my battle
against Hayden-kun hadn't been this serious.
     "Back off!" Knife suddenly said.
     I noticed he was at the top of the stairs. He had his hand around Darla's
throat and a knife to her. "Do anything stupid Kyouske and, I'll gut her. She
isn't of much use to us."
     I swore. I was losing it fast! All our effort..for nothing. I could hear
the helicopter. Mrs. Hayden was passing over. Vampress smniled. "She's in for a
rude surprise. Knife, get the girls aboard the helicopter."
     Knife nodded and moved down the stairs. "Don't try anything stupid
Kyouske." He watched me as he moved and dropped Darla. Before I could do
anything, he had the knife to Manami as he picked her up. I moved forward.
     "Do you want your sisters to die Kyouske? Like that old man, they aren't
powerful enough to stop us!"
     I was beaten. I bowed my head and felt "the power" drain. Knife laughed.
"That's a good boy. Now..stay there."
     I watched as he began to move Manami. She looked at me and said in a weak
voice..."Kyouske..help me..."
     I could see a syringe in Knife's hand and..
     PREMONITION!!! This was my dream!! I gasped then, I felt my anger return.
Where was Akane? If the dream was...
     Akane suddenly teleported beside me! She surprised Vampress and shouted.
The two fell over fighting! Vampress slammed Akane hard to the floor and got
up. "Girl, I'm going to kill you!"
     "NOO!" I shouted.
     Akane got up seething. "LET MANAMI-CHAN GO!! NOW!!!"
     "Sure.." Knife grinned. "You come here and make me little girl!"
     I watched feeling helpless as Vampress picked up Kurumi. She moved to the
door. "Bring Manami, Knife. We're leaving. Kyouske..if you try to come after
us, I'll not only kill you but them as well."
     "Kyouske..."
     I looked over and saw Darla-chan moving. Her eyes met mine. "You have to
Kyouske. If you don't..they'll never stop!"
     They had ignored her and opened the door. They walked out into the snow.
     Akane glared at me. "KYOUSKE! WE HAVE TO STOP THEM!!!!"
     I nodded. I prayed that my sisters would be alright. I concentrated all my
power on the helicopter. I saw them put Kurumi and Manami into it. Then,
suddenly, the engine began smoking and, fire erupted from it. A man in the
helicopter shouted and everyone jumped out. It exploded and parts flew
everywhere!
     I saw Vampress look up from where she had fallen. Kurumi was beside her
unconscious. Her eyes met mine...deadly and cold.
     "Kyouske.." She got up. "I'm going to kill you now.." She advanced toward
me...
     Vampress screamed as a sudden blast sent her flying backward. Akane and I
surprised looked and saw Mrs. Hayden standing there. Her eyes were fixed on
Vampress. "Knife!" she shouted. "Lay down and maybe I won't kill you!"
     Knife looked hesitantly at Vampress. Vampress smiled. "So..it's come to
this has it Serpent? You're going to wish you'd never crossed me."
     Mrs. Hayden raised her hands in a defensive posture. "You're the one that
crossed me, Vampress! You've threatened my family..and the Kasuga family! I'll
make you wish you were never born!"
     Vampress suddenly waved her hands and, a blast of fire came forth! I saw
Mrs. Hayden jump with incredible speed and roll to the right. Vampress turned
to hit her....
     "AGHHHH!" Vampress screamed as I heard a whizzing sound! She fell over and
looked up. I could see someone on the hill above her..poised to strike! It
was...
     "AYUKAWA!" I shouted. I stared at her as she held up another pick.
     "What you did can't ever be forgiven!" she shouted. "You and Knife are
going to pay for what you did to us! I'll make sure of it!"
     "Damn fool!" Vampress hissed. "You don't realize what your dealing with!"
     "NO VAMPRESS....YOU DON'T!!!"
     I jumped as a burst of power slammed Vampress to the snow again. Mrs.
Hayden advanced. "You're little scheme ends here, Vampress! You'll never take
over any government! Now, say your prayers!!!"
     Vampress for the first time looked up with fear in her eyes. She shook her
head. "You..you're forgetting your son Serpent! If you touch me..he dies!"
     Mrs. Hayden's hair blew in the wind as she stood there. "I made a decision
Vampress. If your foolish enough to kill Shawn..then so be it. I can't let you
escape even for him. I won't allow you to wreak hell on anyone ever again. You
have a choice..surrender now..or die!"
     Vampress nodded. "I...I surrender." She started to get up.
     "DON'T TRUST HER MOTHER!!!"
     I looked and saw Marcia-chan on the hill beside Ayukawa. So did Vampress.
She turned and smiled at Knife. "KNIFE!!! GET THEM!!!"
     Mrs. Hayden turned startled as Knife suddenly teleported to the top of the
hill and grabbed Marcia-chan! Ayukawa surprised jumped back as he slapped her.
     "Get back Madoka! If you touch me, I'll kill you both!"
     "AYUUUUKAWAAAAAA!!!!!" I shouted!   
     My anger took over me! I saw red through my vision and, Akane jumped back
as I screamed and let go my rage!!! Knife turned with fear in his eyes as my
blast of power hit him!! Marcia-chan gasped as Ayukawa pulled her out of his
grasp at the last minute. Knife fell down the hill unconscious.
     Vampress screamed. She charged Mrs. Hayden and, the two began fighting
using martial arts. Mrs. Hayden ducked her and swung around kicking Vampress in
the head with a roundhouse kick. She then slammed her to the ground with her
open hand on the middle of the back. 
     Vampress swore and tried to get up. Mrs. Hayden was staring at her.
     "Which is faster..." Mrs. Hayden's voice was like ice.."your mental
command to kill my son..or my will to kill you!!!"
     Before Vampress could answer, a blast came from Mrs. Hayden that crushed
Vampress to the ground. I could tell she was badly hurt. She coughed and blood
came up.
     "Your son..is.."
     Mrs. Hayden slammed her again. Marcia-chan looked away and Ayukawa bowed
her head. "I...I had no idea..you espers had such power." She looked at me and
smiled thinly.
     Akane came up and smiled. "You did it, Kyouske. We did it."
     Mrs. Hayden turned and looked at me. "I don't know if I have a son
anymore. But...arigatoo, Kyouske. Your family is safe now."
     Marcia-chan ran down the hill and hugged her. I saw Akane help up Manami
who was regaining consciousness. Kurumi seemed to be waking up as well...
     Manami blinked and smiled at me. "Arigatoo Oniechan. Is..is Shawn safe?"
     I bowed my head unable to answer her. Our battle was over. We had defeated
the Phalanx espers. But...at what cost? 

     The wind blew cold as I watched Mrs. Hayden pull away from Marcia-chan and
smile. "We're going home in a few days, Marcia. But first, we need to make sure
that everyone who's been hurt is safe."
     "Shawn?" Marcia-chan asked.
     "I don't know." Mrs. Hayden walked past me without a word into the
house...
     Ojiichan had only been knocked unconscious. My father and Uncle were
upstairs. The Phalanx espers had completely surprised them. Ojiichan had been
their first target. I assumed that this was because Vampress knew of him from
my thoughts..or maybe her own studies. But, he had survived easily and now, it
was over.
     Kurumi and Manami were shaking off the effects of the drug. As CIA agents
arrived to help, Mrs. Hayden came over to my father. "Takashi, are you
alright?"
     "Hai. I'm glad you returned when you did Mrs. Hayden. I hope this is all
over."
     "It is. For your family, anyway. I have a lot to deal with when I get back
to the States. But, it doesn't concern any of you." She smiled.
     My father looked over and saw me watching. He came over and put his hands
on my shoulders. "Kyouske...I'm proud of you. Both you and Akane did very
well."
     Akane grinned as my Uncle hugged her and he complimented her. I felt good
inside but, I also saw Manami-chan by the window. Marcia-chan and Darla-chan
were talking to her. I went to join them.
     "I'm sure Shawn is alright." Darla-chan continued as I walked up to them.
"He's tougher then he looks."
     Manami nodded absently. "I...I just don't want to lose him."
     Marcia-chan smiled. "Don't worry Manami. Things will turn out alright.
Let's go see him now."
     Manami nodded and turned to me. "Oniechan..let's all go together."
     "Hai." I answered.

     Not long after, we all left Ojiichan's mountain home by helicopter. I
smiled at Ayukawa but, both of us felt an uneasiness. We didn't know what to
expect when we saw Hayden-kun again.
     After a time, the helicopter landed at an Air Force base. Mrs. Hayden led
us to it's hospital and there, we found Hayden-kun. A doctor met us..
     "Welcome." he said. "Are you the relatives of this young man?"
     "I'm his mother." Mrs. Hayden said. "What is his condition?"
     "It's worsening." The doctor shook his head. "He was under heavy sedation
when he was brought here. I didn't ask any questions because of the nature of
the agents that brought him. But, he seems to be slipping into a coma now.."
     "Oh god.." Marcia-chan whispered.
     Manami moved forward and sat down. She held his hand. It reminded me of
when he was in the hospital only days ago. She wiped the tears from her eyes
and looked up at the doctor. "Is..is there anything you can do for him?"
     The doctor bowed his head. "If I knew what was wrong, I could. I have
given him the proper drugs to keep him alive but, he seems to be getting worse.
It's like he has no will to live."
     "Please leave us." Mrs. Hayden said.
     The doctor nodded and left the room. Darla-chan closed it. I could hear
Manami starting to cry.
     "Kyouske." Ayukawa said. "You..you have a bond with Shawn-kun don't you?"
     "I...hai. We're like...brothers." I felt like I was dying inside.
Hayden-kun! It was too soon!
     "Kyouske, have you ever linked with my son?" Mrs. Hayden asked suddenly.
     "I...I don't know. I think I did but, it was like a dream and.."
     "Do you feel you could reach him?" she asked me.
     I looked at everyone. Ojiichan smiled. "Kyouske has strong power. And
because of this experience, it's been made even stronger. Kyouske..don't doubt
yourself.."
     Obachan smiled. "Your a good person Kyouske. And so is your friend."
     I blinked. I understood now. I looked at Hayden-kun lying there. "I...I
can reach his mind, Mrs. Hayden. I'll do my best.."
     Manami looked up at me and, a faint smile came to her lips. "Oniechan!
Ari..arigatoo!" She started crying.
     Kurumi winked at me. "Oniechan...go for it! Bring Shawn-kun back to us!"
     I sighed deeply and took Hayden-kun's hand. Manami held his other one.
I closed my eyes and opened my mind.....


                  Chapter Nineteen: Spiritual Healing!

     I felt like I was moving away from my body. I could still feel myself
holding Hayden'kun's hand but, it was a detached feeling. I tried to recapture
that feeling of when I was weak..and had somehow contacted him. All I could
mentally see was darkness. I concentrated more..*HAYDEN-KUN!* I mentally
shouted.
     My darkness cleared and, I found myself in a town I had never seen.
Except in pictures. It was Tacoma...where Hayden-kun had said he was from. I
could see the dome in the distance. I looked up and saw a house I had never
been to. Was this Hayden-kun's former home? It was a white two story with a
large garage in back. I could see an older car that was black with flames on
it..maybe that was the 57 Chevy called "Charlene" he had told me so much about.
I could hear the sound of clinking as tools fell on the ground. I looked up at
the gray sky briefly then, I walked toward the car...
     The experience was very real at this moment. I felt like I was really
here. I could see a leather jacket draped across the roof of the car and
someone was working under the dash.
     "Hayden-kun." I said.
     His head popped up. "Kyouske! Dude, I don't believe it! You made it! You
always said someday you would come to see me here in Tacoma. Like my car?"
     I tried to understand all this. Why was his mind here? Had Vampress made
him forget reality and fall into this fantasy? Was this her way of killing
him?
     "Hai. It's very nice. Hayden-kun...why are you here?"
     He looked away. "I didn't know where else to go after she died. So, I came
home."
     "She?" I blinked.
     "Manami. Don't make me feel worse dude okay? It was my fault."
     "WHAT???" I gasped. "Baka, what are you talking about? Manami is just
fine! And, she wants to see you!"
     Hayden-kun looked at me seriously. "Don't kid me dude. I saw her die. I
saw her fall off that mountain. Your Dad blamed me for it remember? That's why
I was shocked to see you here. I didn't think we'd ever be friends again."
     I shook my head. "You're mistaken Hayden-kun! Very mistaken! Manami is
just fine. And, my Dad never hated you or blamed you for anything!"
     "He blamed both of us for taking that damn cruise where we met and
bringing those people down on us dude! Hell, my Mom couldn't even get away! I
was lucky to get here. I'm just gonna stay here and hope nobody comes to find
me."
     I saw his fear. What Vampress had put there. She had taken his doubts and
terrors and made them so real to his mind, he had created this fantasy. Or
maybe she had. I had to bring him out of it! "Hayden-kun...what if I were to
tell you that, Manami didn't die. We saved her after all."
     He glared at me. "If that's true why the hell hasn't she contacted me?
Probably cause your Dad won't let her." He stood up and moved around to the
engine of the car. "Hand me that wrench will you? Dude, it's over..I can't go
back to Japan."
     "Nobody blames you for anything." I said as I handed him the wrench. "All
is forgiven. I came to show you that. Besides, how long do you think you can
hide here in Tacoma? This is the first place they would look!"
  He looked at me. "Yeah...I guess your right about that. I'll have to pack a
few things and leave soon..before they find me. Kyouske, they're probably
looking for you too. Come with me!" He smiled and held out his greasy hand to
me.
     I smiled back and took it. "Hayden-kun...we'll always be friends.
But..before I go with you...can I show you something?"
     He hesitated. "I..I guess so."
     "I'm your friend...and more then that...your Oniechan. Trust me." I hoped
this would work.
     Hayden-kun hesitated again. It was like he was fighting a part of himself.
"Dude...I want to trust you but..."
     "Then come now." I pulled him toward me and closed my eyes. He protested
but, I grabbed onto his body and opened my mind! I had to connect with him!
With myself! I had to use every bit of "the power" I had to bring him back..or
he would be lost to us forever!
     I felt us both rushing now...moving at incredible speed! I held onto his
mind with a firm mental grip and forced myself through what felt like  the eye
of a needle...back to my own body....back to reality!!!
     Light began to form but just before I reached it, I felt a tug!!!
     I turned and saw someone else!!! NO...but..she was..dead?"
     Vampress grinned at me. "I thought you might come after him Kyouske! So, I
put this part of myself in with the trigger! Attached to his own fears!!"
     Hayden-kun's eyes went wide. "DAMN IT!! Kyouske..we have to run dude! WE
can't fight her! RUN!!!"
     "NO HAYDEN-KUN!!" I shouted.
     He stared at me. I nodded. "This isn't real don't you understand? We're in
your mind! This isn't really Vampress! She can't hurt you!!!"
     Vampress grinned. "I've killed everyone you love Shawn! Your mother..your
father..Darla..and Marcia. And your sweet precious Manami! She's dead
Shawn...SHE'S DEAD!!!!!"
     NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!" Hayden-kun started to pull away from me.
     "HAYDEN-KUN!! I shouted again. I was losing him! The "trigger" she had
placed in his mind was too much for me and...
     "ONIECHAN!!"
     I gasped as I heard a voice. Was it..."Manami?" I whispered.
     "What the hell?" Hayden-kun swore. "But..but she's dead!"
     "Of course she is you fool! Vampress laughed. "Now, I'm going to kill
you!!"
     The Vampress image was too much for me. Hayden-kun ripped out of my grasp!
I watched him begin to run and, Vampress pursued him. "GET AWAY FROM ME!!" he
cried in fear!
     Suddenly, my eyes were blinded by an incredible flash of light! I looked
and saw....everyone???
     They were all there. Manami was in front of everyone. Ojiichan was behind
her with Mrs. Hayden. My father and Kurumi were behind them with Obachan and
Darla-chan. Kazuya was with her smiling along with Akane and Ayukawa.
     Vampress turned. "This is a trick! They're all dead! I killed them!"
     Hayden-kun stopped running and hesitated. "Ma...Manami? Mom? What..but
how?"
     "This is false Shawn!" Mrs. Hayden's voice echoed. "This is a false
"trigger" that Vampress placed in your mind when she turned you against us. She
kept you controlled by your fear. The nightmare is over son. Come home to us!"
     Hayden-kun looked at Vampress then at Manami. "Manami..your real..?"
     "I'm real Shawn!" she smiled. "And, I love you..very much!"
     Vampress began to fade. She shouted.."NO!! THEY'RE LIES!! I'M THE ONE
WHO'S REAL...DIE SHAWN!!!!!!!"
     She launched a bolt of fire at him. I saw him quail but, Manami's voice
came over the thunder of the fire...
     "BELIEVE IN ME SHAWN!! IT'S NOT REAL!!!!"
     The flame reached him and, he closed his eyes. It passed through him. The
explosion cleared and, he opened them. "I can see! I'm not blind anymore!" He
glared at Vampress. "YOU'RE THE ONE THAT'S FALSE!! GET LOST!!!"
     Vampress image screamed and I watched feeling a great warmth as she faded
away... 
     Then, as I turned, I felt a great rush. Hayden-kun was with me and, the
image of everyone faded as the light appeared in front of us. I blinked and...


     I gasped as I found myself weak and hanging onto the bed. Still clutching
Hayden-kun's hand. I heard a moan and, I looked up to see Manami staring at
me. She smiled and turned to Hayden-kun still laying there.
     "Wake up Shawn.."
     Suddenly, Hayden-kun opened his eyes and he stared. "I...I can see you!
Manami! I can see..." he looked at us all. "EVERYONE!!! I CAN SEE!!!!!"
     Manami cried tears of joy and threw herself into his arms. Kurumi giggled
and did the same. Ojiichan winked at me and my father nodded approval.
Marcia-chan and Ayukawa both hugged me. Darla-chan smiled and moved to see her
brother. Obachan and Akane came over.
     "Kyouske.." Akane grinned. "You did okay."
     Kazuya laughed. "But not as good as I would have Kyouske-neichan."
     Mrs. Hayden smiled and hugged me. "You saved my son Kyouske..and your
friend. The nightmare is over. He's home."
     Hayden-kun was still trying to breathe from being buried under Manami and
Kurumi. The doctor came in and seeing this stared in wonder. His only response
was to check his charts and try to understand what miracle had just occured.
But, it was a miracle. I miracle of spiritual healing...and true love...
  

                      Chapter Twenty: Farewell Blessings...

     "Knife and the others involved will be standing trial as traitors to the
United States." Mrs. Hayden smiled.
     It had been one week since we had returned and tried to pick up the pieces
of our lives that had been disrupted. Hikaru-chan had gone crazy when she saw
me. If it hadn't been for Ayukawa helping me to cover the hasty lie we had told
her, I don't know what I would have done. But, hurting Hikaru-chan wasn't
something either of us was willing to do. And, I couldn't have her find out
about our esper family. 
     "So, what's going to happen now that the CIA knows about us?" My father's
face was filled with concern.
     Mrs. Hayden looked at her children and smiled. "They won't have any proof.
And, I've seen to it that, no one will harrass you ever again."
     "How did you manage that?" Ojiichan asked. 
     I took a sip of my tea and smiled at Ayukawa. She winked at me. It had
been a long week. It had felt like a year. Seven days of hell. But now, it was
over. Somehow, we had come through it..together..
     "I'm taking over Phalanx." Mrs. Hayden grinned.
     "WHAT??" Hayden-kun stared at her. "Mom..you said you were getting out of
the spy buisness! I thought.."
     "Don't misunderstand me Shawn. As the new Director, I pick my own hours. I
won't go on anymore missions. And most importantly, I'll be able to see what
goes on. Carson was a poor excuse of a man. He'll be indicted as well for his
complete involvement in this plot. That leaves the Director's seat open."
     "So..does that mean..you'll be home?" Marcia-chan smiled.
     "Hai. You're father and I will be home together a lot now. He's resigned
his position as an analyst in the National Security Council. I can't resign
from Phalanx yet but, if I take charge of it, I can change the scope of what it
is. I will work directly with the head CIA Director and the President."
     "But that means that Dad will be home to watch me!" Hayden-kun protested.
     I saw Manami giggle and we all started laughing. Mrs. Hayden nodded.
"That's right Shawn. So, you better be a good boy!"
     My father smiled. "So...you're returning to America then?"
     "I have to set up my new office in Los Angeles." Mrs. Hayden got up. "I
don't want to live in Washington DC. Too many beareaucrats to deal with. And,
we need to piece back together our lives again.."
     Manami bowed her head and I saw Kurumi do the same.
     "So..so that means...Shawn is..leaving?" Manami whispered.
     "And..is Jim coming back?" Kurumi asked.
     My father looked at Mrs. Hayden and, she smiled. "If you promise to do
good in school Shawn, I'll let you stay here. But...there isn't much I can do
about Jim, Kurumi."
     Kurumi stared at her. "What?"
     I knew this was coming. I had tried to think of a way to break it to
Kurumi. But...I was never good at such things.
     "Kurumi...Jim was barely making it here in Japan."
     I saw my father nod. "Although he was trying and seems to be a good
person..he was failing school. He couldn't survive in the japanese school
system."
     Kurumi stood up. "Then..let me go to America!"
     I saw Ojiichan smile. My father glared at him. "Kurumi, it's too far."
     "LET ME TRY!" Kurumi locked eyes with Mrs. Hayden ignoring my father. "An
exchange. You let Shawn-kun live here. I'll live with you, Marcia-chan and
Darla-chan. I...I won't be any trouble to you! PLEASE!!!"
     The room fell silent. Mrs. Hayden looked at my father. "Takashi..they are
engaged. Let her try. I promise you...Kurumi will be safe. Her english is much
better then Jim's japanese was. And, I can work with her along with my husband
to help her."
     "MOM!" Hayden-kun grinned and put his arm around Manami. "You are cool!"
     "Takashi.." Ojiichan nodded. "Let Kurumi find out if their love is true.
I initially opposed your being with my daughter because you weren't an esper.
But...I was wrong." He smiled.
     Ayukawa winked at me. I turned to my father. "Old man. Let Kurumi try."
     My father smiled at me. Then, he hugged Kurumi. "You can go. Take care of
yourself..and write often."
     Kurumi gasped and hugged my father crying...


     "Darling, is it true that Kurumi is going to live in America for awhile?"
     I smiled. "Hai Hikaru-chan."
     We were sitting in ABCB. Hayden-kun with Manami, Ayukawa, Hikaru-chan, and
me.
     Hikaru-chan giggled. If she had only known what we had been through. She
smiled at Ayukawa. "Madoka-san, I'm really glad your family emergency turned
out okay. But, I was curious about something."
     Ayukawa raised her eyebrows. "Oh? What's that Hikaru?"
     I watched as Master smiled at me and rubbed a glass with a cloth drying
it. He was glad we were back.
     "Madoka-san...when I went to Darling's Ojiichan's house, I delivered your
message. But, I saw Manami-chan there! I thought you were staying with his
family and they were helping you?"
     Ayukawa jerked. "Oh! Well uhmm..that's because Manami-chan was staying
with Ojiichan while Kasuga-kun and I were with his other relatives."
     "Hmmm..."Hikaru-chan looked serious a moment. "But, I didn't know Darling
had other relatives."
     I saw Manami flinch and I laughed nervously with my hand behind my head.
"Oh come on Hikaru-chan. You have relatives I haven't met either right?"
     She smiled and hugged me. "Of course Darling! It's not important anyway.
But, Kurumi's going to live in America for a little bit! And Hayden-kun your
staying with Darling's family too?"
     "Hai, Hikaru." Hayden-kun grinned. "I didn't want to leave Manami. And,
I've kinda gotten to like it here for now. Besides, I need to buckle down and
get more serious about school. Your strict system here will force me to if I
want to stay."
     "But..won't it complicate your relationship having both of you in the same
house?" Hikaru-chan winked at Manami. "You could end up in a dangerous
situation."
     Baka!" Manami laughed. "That won't happen. Oniechan will keep Shawn in
line if I don't."
     "True." Hayden-kun winked at me and we all laughed.....


     The next day we all stood together once again at the airport. Kurumi
looked excitedly out the window as she saw the big jets taking off. "This is
soooo cool!"
     "Living in Los Angeles though." Hayden-kun grinned. "Mom, why did you have
to move?"
     "It was the best city to set up my office, Shawn. Seattle would have been
too much trouble. Besides, you always wanted to return to California. You
missed it when we moved."
     "True." Hayden-kun smiled and looked at Manami. "But, I won't be leaving
here for awhile."
     "You'll visit us in the spring, okay?" Darla-chan smiled. "And bring
Kyouske, Madoka-chan and Hikaru-chan with you."
     I felt excited. Perhaps when school had a break we could. But for now, I
was so far behind, I'd be working with Ayukawa almost every night to catch up!
     Hikaru-chan sighed. "But, I wanted "Pikaru's" to be popular again. With
Jim-kun gone, we have no bass player."
     "We'll find another." Ayukawa giggled. "Maybe I can borrow one of Shu's
band members for a bit."
     I smiled at her and noticed Marcia-chan standing a little apart from us. I
moved over to her. "Marcia-chan. Is..is something wrong?"
     She brushed her blonde hair back and shook her head. "No, Kyouske.
Just...remembering. It's been a wild half year. Fall was great..even though you
dumped me. And, even though this last week was hell..I've enjoyed winter too."
Her eyes met mine and, she smiled. "I'll miss you Kyouske. If...if you, Madoka,
and Hikaru ever don't work out...you know where I am."
     I didn't know what to say. I could tell she still had feelings for me. But
both of us knew it wasn't to be. My love was only for Ayukawa. She smiled and
seemed to sense my distress...
     "It's okay." she whispered. "I...understand." She turned away. I looked
past her at Ayukawa and, she nodded. Hikaru-chan was chatting happily with
Manami and Kurumi and didn't see us.

     After a time, the loudpseaker sounded. "United Airlines..Flight 70...now
boarding for Los Angeles at Gate 5."
     I watched as the 747 pulled up to the gate. Kurumi hugged my father
goodbye and, I saw Mrs. Hayden hug Shawn.
     She smiled and came over to me. "Kyouske...arigatoo! No words can express
my gratitude for what you and your family have done for us. You have been a
good friend and a wonderful person. Please don't ever lose touch with us."
     I nodded and saw Hayden-kun grinning. He came over. "Don't worry Mom.
Kasuga and I may quarrel sometimes. But, we'll always be brothers."
     She hugged him again. "Be good Shawn. Don't give Mr. Kasuga any grief!"
     Hayden-kun laughed. "Hey, I'm cool!"
     "That's what worries me." She winked.
     I watched her turn away and say something to Kurumi. Darla-chan came over
to me. "Kyouske..take care of yourself.." She hugged me and then smiled at
Hayden-kun. "Don't do anything baka, Shawn!"
     "Geeez!" Hayden-kun sighed.
     We all laughed. I saw Hikaru-chan and Ayukawa say goodbye to them then,
they waved one final time and walked down the ramp. Kurumi turned and smiled.
"See you all in the spring!" She disappeared around the corner...
     We watched as the 747 pulled away and it's lights came on. Then, it turned
and taxied down the runway.
     Hayden-kun grinned. "It all worked out dude. Even for Kurumi. She'll love
LA!"
     "Hai." I smiled at Ayukawa. "And, we'll go there in a few months."
     Ayukawa looked like she wanted to say something to me but, before she
could, Hikaru-chan giggled and grabbed my arm.
     "LOOK DARLING! THERE THEY GO!!!!"
     The jet moved quickly down the runway and took off heading upward into the
morning sky. As it flew higher, my thoughts went back...to Kurumi running along
the side of a bus..reaching out to Shaw-kun..shouting blessings of farewell as 
the bus drove out of sight. Like that time before, she was following her dream.
A dream that would lead her..and us...into spring's healing....

                             The End

     Note: "Winter's Time of Fear" is the third installment in my KOR fanfic
series, "Kimagure Orange Road: The Untold Stories!" It begins with "Summer
Cruise" continues with "Fall Romance" and leads into this one. If you enjoyed
this story, please take the time to read the others...
     The next installment in this series will be "Spring's Healing"
     Opinions are welcome. I can be reached at: Skyhawk@dranch.wolfenet.com
     through Fido Net Anime echo or through Animenet.

     Daniel Harrison
     May 25th 1997.