Elementals

[Shayla, I is eatin mint icecreame~ :3]

Monique nodded at Inu. Inu barked a giant flame at the erpant as Kata flew out of reach. They started to Hong Kong.

Shikon stared up at the sky.What now?
A giant shadow casts itself over the bright lights of the countless stars.

[SleepyFox, Spread the love~]

Mai sighed as she looked out of the mouth of the cave. 'I hope everyone comes back safe...' she silently wished before she saw a huge shadow. She got up to look.

[Shayla, I is eatin mint icecreame~ :3]

((shikon is a guy and he is back with Mai))

Shikon's eyes widened, but he kept his cool. The shadow lowered down from the sky, approuching closer to Shikon and Mai.

[SleepyFox, Spread the love~]

Orihime panted as she kneeled on the shore. She looked down at her unconcious parents. 'Dammit...If only I'd been stronger...I could've saved them.' Tears dropped to the powdery sand beneath her. She looked back at them, seeing a flash of color on her father's pale skin. Her eyes widened. "Dad?" she questioned timidly.
A blink. Then his head turned. "Where..?" he started.
Orihime turned back to the cityscape before her. "Shanghai...Or close to it I think."
He got up on his elbow, then his knees, and finally he stood. He looked around and found Keiko, accompanied by a hint a shock, then asked: "Where's Chiyuu?"
Orihime looked down, standing up as well. "I couldn't find her. Plus I could only bring two people back with me and I barely made it..."
He looked back at her with a sympathetic glance. "You did a good job," he said simply.
She looked at him with shock. 'Did he really...?' She blushed. "Th-Thanks..."
His eyes held a deep sadness while the rest of him looked tired and worn out. "We need to keep going. Someone will find us if we stay here."
She nodded and went to pick up her mom.
Akiyoshi stopped her. "Let me do it," he told her and picked up his wife with ease.
'Dad's strong...' she thought. 'I'll be safe Sora, don't you worry...'
"Ikusou?" he asked her and she snapped out of her thoughts.
"H-Hai.." she answered and they both began their nighttime journey towards Shanghai.



<>
Sora awoke in Rome, his tiny bed already making him achy. 'You think that you'd get better service but...' He sighed, remembering that was the best they could steal at night. 'More bed stores around a place like this would be nice...'
The group around him was already up. "Sora?" Sandy asked from behind him, causing him to jump.
"O-Omai tachi..."
Sarah returned a questioning stare.
"Uh...sorry. What-?"
Sam pointed upwards. Sora followed her finger. "About three. We let you sleep in since you must've been tired."
He rubbed the back of his head, looking down. "A lot of good that did..."
"Are we going?" Sarah asked impatiently.
"Yeah," Sora told her straight. Let's do this."

[Shayla, I is eatin mint icecreame~ :3]

Kata zoomed through the sky. Monique gasped and saw a faint glimpse of a giant shadow over the mainland.
"What is it Monique-kun?" Senkou asked.
Monique shook her head,"We need to get back to the mainland."
Kata snorted,"We can't take you back. Besides, we can't go back and we've come so far."
"Me and Senkou'll go back." Monique nodded.
"Sure thing." Senkou agreed.
"How will-?" Ti-lee started.
"Ti-lee your coming too." Monique said unexpectedly.
Monique flipped through her book and found a correct spell.
"Travel by, travel by night. Bring me a wave to end the shadowed fight." She repeated the words from the book.
A giant wave arose from the ocean beneath and came up to the side of Kata. Monique hopped on. Ti-lee and Senkou shrugged and did the same.
Monique pointed ahead as Kyori hopped on too. The wave started moving.


Shikon shook his head. Then the shadow lowered, literally coming toward them. Shikon hissed and lashed out two bronze blades. A sky ship apeared out of nowhere.
"What the-" Shikon began when the enormous door lowered and Akki stepped forward.
"Remember me?" Akki smirked.
"Akki! Why?! Why did yuou leave us?!" Shikon asked.
"Oh Shikon, poor poor Shikon. I didn't lewave. Dad took me with him." Akki growled.
"Lie!Your telling me the truth! Mom loved us equally! She would have never aloud you to go to war!" Shikon yelled.
"Or did she?" Akki held up their mother's sterling silver charm necklace.
"Lie!" Shikon screamed.

[SleepyFox, Spread the love~]

Orihime tossed in her bed as she felt herself waking up. She could hear voices around her. She tried to swat the hand shaking her shoulder away but it stayed glued to her shirt. Finally, she gave up and opened her eyes. Blue eyes peered back at her.
"Okirou," Akiyoshi told her. "We have to get back to Japan."
She sat up, groaning and rubbing the back of her head. "What...happened...last night..?"
His gaze shot down in reverie. "A lot. But we have to get back. KARIN is going to ambush Onigawa. We have to protect it...YOU have to protect it."
"Wha-What do you mean 'you'?"
His eyes were sad as he brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. "I can't stay with you. The necromancers need to conserve their energy. The only reason I'm still here is you."
Her eyes widened. "I have to fight KARIN all on my own?! How am I supposed to-" She stopped as her father hugged her in his arms.
"You'll find a way. You're strong and kind. People will accept you as their leader." He tilted his head to the side and kissed her on the hair. "I love you, Sweetie."
Orihime felt tears spring to her eyes. "Dad...Please don't..."
"Gomen nasai," he whispered and vanished in a flash, the only thing marking his existence were a few lights which looked to be like fireflies.
Orihime gazed in wonder as the small blue trails ascended into the sky. 'Dad...' she thought helplessly.
Then, a small group of shadows appeared from around the corner.
Usagi stepped forward, her bunny ears drooping downward. "He told us everything. We'll come with you."
Kuma and Kuromaru nodded.
Orihime smiled. "Then let's go to Japan and stop them," she pepped.
"Alright!" they rallied in unison.

[Shayla, I is eatin mint icecreame~ :3]

Monique launched off the wave and landed on the mainland. She bolted ahead, running at the speed of light. Senkou flashed to the scene. Ti-lee and Kyori followed Monique. Monique skidded to a stop and gasped.
There stood Shikon and Akki.
Ti-lee stopped next to her brother.
"Akki...Why? Why did you kill Mom!" Ti-lee growled with a hint of grief in her voice.
"You what?!" Shikon gasped.
Monique tushed forward and was stopped by Senkou.
"This is for them. Do not interfere." Senkou warned.
Monique nodded and stepped back, tearfully watching the moveless battle.

Kata zommed forward and landed a couple of blocks away from the enemy base, where the KARIN force's hideout was. She formed back into a human. Chikara sighed in relief. Inu bolted away and returned in a flash. He barked an pointed toward the corner.
"Follow him." Gogyou raced after Inu.
Inu took off imediately with Kata, Gogyou, and Kyori on his tail.

[SleepyFox, Spread the love~]

Orihime held the glittering white key between her index finger and middle finger. "Kaze," she whispered and threw it into the air. The fox immediately took form, running on the air back down to Orihime.
"We're heading back, right?" the fox asked.
Orihime nodded then jumped up onto Kaze's back. "Let's go."
Kaze took off with a 'whoosh', the wind pulling Kuromaru, Kuma, and Usagi behind her.

The candlelight flickered as another body dropped to the floor, lifeless. Tona flexed his fingers, feeling the new power rushing through him. "This is perfect," he said, his voice evil and disturbing. "Soon, my plan to rule the world will be a reality."
Kionu only stood to the side, fear compelling her to stay. 'All that he's doing...he's a monster.'
Shiro smirked. "And you will bow to him," he told her, his eyes filled with hatred.
Kionu's eyes widened. 'What have I gotten myself into...?'
Tona laughed evily. "With this new power, we will attack Onigawa and destroy that pitiful town. And my niece."
Shiro smiled.

Sora breathed heavily on the sand beneath him.
Sarah peered around at the palm trees and the water in front of them. "Where the hell are we?" she asked.
Sam said nothing but her face made it obvious she had no idea what was going on.
Sandy was immediately in awe. "We landed on a beach...Florida maybe?"
Sora's gaze came up. "No way, we we're shooting for Japan...Maybe California."
Sam stood up, walking over to a nearby sign. "I'm not so sure about that," she said, pointing to the wooden plank. She proceeded to read it aloud. "'Welcome to Clearwater beach'."
Sora's eyes widened. 'Clearwater is...in...' "Usuna," he breathed.
"This is Florida, Sora," Sandy told him.
'How are we supposed to get to Japan when I feel this drained? We're only in Florida and...' His gaze shot up to the brightly lit sky and the sun beating against his back. '...and it's not night.' "We have to find shelter," he told the group, leading them underneath a nearby pier.
Sandy crouched to the ground. "Maybe we should work on our battle strategy," she suggested.
Sarah rolled her eyes. "Who needs strategy? Let's just go in there and start firing!"
Sam sighed. "It's not that easy, especially when everyone in there is an Elemental. You'd be killed faster than you could say 'I'."
Sarah glared at her sister. "I doubt it."
Bickering began to rise amongst the group.
"Stop," Sora commanded, everyone ignoring him. His anger began to rise until he shouted, "ENOUGH!!!"
Silence fell over the group, everyone's attention again on Sora.
"We don't need to be arguing. We have to find a way to get to Onigawa!"
"But HOW?!" Sarah shouted.
Sora put his hand up. "We wait for dusk. Then we try again. Maybe we'll make it. Until then, rest. We leave at six."
Everyone nodded and laid down on the cool sand underneath the shade of the pier.

[Shayla, I is eatin mint icecreame~ :3]

Chikara looked back to see only Kyori following Inu. Chikara winced. Oh no. What will I tell Monique?, She thought dreadfully. Inu barked and a flame sparked the sky, leaving a dark trail behind it. Chikara followed. In an instant, they were in Onigawa. Kyori fell to the ground, limp and weak.
"Kyori!" Chikara zoomed over to her, tears streaming down her face. My brave little soldier.
Inu flinched.


Monique braced herself to fight. enkou still held her back.
"Why Akki!" Ti-lee screeched.
"Mom never loved you or Shikon!" Akki retorrted.
"Lie!" Shikon screamed through tears.
Monique broke free of Senkou's grip and headed for Akki.
Akki smiled and pointed his pitchfork at her. Monique stopped without a pace more. Akki walked up to her and held her down, shoving her hands twistedly behind her back.
"Ow!" Monique gasped.
"Let her go!" Senkou stood up, in a position to flash.
"Make me, flash attack!" Akki smirked.
Monique yelped.
Senkou snapped and appearedn next to Akki in an instance.
"What the-" Akki didn't finish.
Senkou punched him and flashed away to behind him.
Akki turned around and Senkou slapped him. Monique lay there, still trying to loosen the ropes around her hands to reach her spell book. Senkou slapped Akki again and flashed to behind him.
"Lunitic!" Akki managed to say under Senkou's fist in his cheek.
Akki fell to the ground, out for the moment.
Monique stood up as Senkou untied her.
"Thanks, I owe you one." Monique put her head in his shoulder, feeling safe for a moment.
"It was nothing." Senkou hugged her and then heard something.
"What?" Monique let him go.
"That moise. Inu!" Senkou held on to Monique and flashed them into a giant feild.
"Where-?" Monique started.
"I don't know." Senkou backed away from Monique to inspect where they were.
Ti-lee and Shikon were panting by the time they reached the others.
"I don't know." Monique answered, thinking one of them would ask where they are.

((later, chikara tells monique about her parents and it gets emotionl..bla bla bla))

[SleepyFox, Spread the love~]

Orihime flew over the large field, spotting Monique and the others.
"Monique-kun!" she called out and flew downward with the Shanghai Elementals.

Chiyuu dried her soaked clothes on the shore, twisting her t-shirt to a damp level of dryness. 'I have no idea where anyone else is...' she told herself, a frown on her face. Her gaze shot around. 'Heck, I don't even know where I am.' She slid her shirt back on and trudged farther inland.

Kionu led the large group of evildoers towards Onigawa, not by her own will of course. Shiro had control of her body and mind. Tona's smirk held firm as he sauntered next the young "leader".
Finally they came to a large field, a nostalgic feeling coming back to Tona. 'Here's where I exact my revenge,' he plotted. 'In the same place I was defeated so long ago. And where I will make my stupid niece beg for her life.'

Chiyuu came to a sign labeled: 'Town of Onigawa. Population: 300. Welcome!' She stared at it for a second, the information still sinking in. 'If this is Onigawa...and there's no sign of Tona yet...Then they must be approaching from the other side.' Her feet took off into a sprint. 'I'll save you Orihime!'

[Shayla, I is eatin mint icecreame~ :3]

"Orihime-kun!" Monique answered, instantly rushing over to her best friend.
Senkou followed with Ti-lee and Shikon following him.
"Orihime, where are we?' Monique asked not expecting her to know the answer.

Inu whimpered and launched himself toward the feild at a hoorifc non-stop pace. Chikara gasped and lifted Kyori over her shoulders. Chikara took off after Inu.
"Ark! Rrrrrruff!" Inu wailed, charging into Senkou, nearly letting a spark escape his opened jaws.
Chikara came up behind him."Monique!"
"Chikara-kun!" Monique saw Kyori.
"She saved us. This little hero saved us from being trampled by a team of vicious demons." Chikara explained the best she could.
"A war. There will be a war." Shikon gasped.
Ti-lee caught him,"He's right. We must be ready."

[SleepyFox, Spread the love~]

Orihime's eyes were sad. "They're telling the truth. My uncle is going to attack us...here." She then turned to Monique. "We're at the battleground of the last Elemental war."

Tona spotted Orihime and her friends. "Now we strike," he commanded, his legion promptly getting into a fighting position. 'Orihime will not live past today. And I will gain her power.'
Shiro mentally commanded Kionu to take the front lines.
She rushed out, coming face to face with her sister. 'Monique...' she thought helplessly.

[Shayla, I is eatin mint icecreame~ :3]

Monique saw Kionu and scowled, remembering how she had betrayed her.

A small furry thing ran from behind Kionu and into Monique's feet.
"Ritoru!" Monique picked him up and set him next to Inu.
"Well?" Monique looked at her sister emotionless, even though she was really anxious to talk to her about the misunderstanding.

Chikara looked up at Kionu and smiled, glad to see her friend again.

Kyori saw Tona and the others. Orihime! Kyori jumped for Orihime, her front paws landing on her side, proping herself up against her.

[SleepyFox, Spread the love~]

Orihime looked sown at Kyori, wondering what she was doing.
But then, Tona saw a chance to strike. And he took it. He shifted into tiger, his claws digging into the ground, and charged at Orihime with a "gwrrrarrr!".
Orihime's head whipped forward after a warning from Mai who just ran onto the scene, and dodged the claw before he split her body in half. But the claws still ripped into her side, tearing her shirt and skin. Blood began to flow out and Orihime fell to the ground with a whimper, clutching her side to stop the flow of blood.
Mai rushed towards her, prepared to attack but instead was struck along the neck. She fell to the ground, unconscious.
Orihime's eyes widened in horror but she was grabbed my the scruff of her neck before she could ask if Mai was alright.
Tona tugged her back to his side of the field, straight into enemy territory.

Sora struggled to feel the darkness around him. 'It's still too bright,' he complained to himself, a pout center-stage on his face. 'But I have to get back to Orihime...I have to make sure she's alright.'
"Sora? Can you do it?" Sarah asked, tucking rounds of bullets into her belt and pockets.
"No. It's still to early."
"Well it's 6:00 so..."
He tried desperately to concentrate but Sarah's comments from behind him didn't help. "Shut up!" he finally snapped, causing silence to fall over the group and again began to feel the darkness around him.

Chiyuu rushed towards the other side of town, her tennis shoes hitting rhythmically against the sidewalk. 'Tona will rip her to shreds! What were you thinking Nii-san?! Sending her straight to her deathbed? Your own daughter? Are you that heartless? No...You wouldn't. You must think she could do it. Because you both are legendary elementals. You believe in her...and so do I.'

[Shayla, I is eatin mint icecreame~ :3]

Monigue held her hands together and formed a smal water ball. She parte her hands, stretching it out long ways. She released one hand and whipped the water whip at Tona-tiger.

Kyori put her head down and launched herself in a hefy run at Tona-tiger. When there, she barked, letting a strong force split the air and knock over Tona. Inu and Ritoru touched pelts and became a large, furry beast. The beast lumbered over to Tona, ready to strike.

Chikara threw a few forces at Tona as well.

[SleepyFox, Spread the love~]

Tona smirked as he was easily defended by a meek-looking girl behind him. "Thanks, Hana."
She smiled back at him. "Just defending a comrade." But then her gaze shot to Orihime, her face changing into one of concern. "What's going to happen to her?" she asked, turning back to Tona.
He smiled a fake smile. "Nothing. It's just to protect her from all those other people."
"Okay," Hana replied cheerily.
Orihime's face turned into one of disgust. "Don't lie to her! You know exactly wha-" Tona's hand shot over her mouth.
"She's just in shock," he lied again.
Hana's face turned from surprise to a warm smile. "Oh."

[Shayla, I is eatin mint icecreame~ :3]

On a harsh impact, Chikara fell back, her head jolting everywhere as she hit the ground, fainted.

Inu and Ritoru fell, layng next to Kyori, who also had fainted again.

Senkou felt suddenly dizzy by a blade tht wacked him in the head. He fell to the ground in a bone-jarring thud.

Ti-lee layed Shikon down and gained lightning in her fingers. She zapped Hana.

Monique walked over to Kionu.

((Moment time!))

"Why Kionu?" Monique asked tearfully.
"I wasn't thinking."Kionu shook her head.
"But, but why-?"
"I told you, I was crazy then."
"But, you said you'd always be there."
"I know, I'm here now and I'm back on the good side."
"You mean it?"
"Totallly."
"How do I know our for sure?"
Kionu ripped a skull charm from her kneck and chunked it to the ground.
"I knew you' come back." Tears weldd up in Monique's eyes.

[SleepyFox, Spread the love~]

Orihime watched in horror as her comrades fell. Upon seeing the scene between Monique and Kionu, she glared at Shiro. 'Damn you little white-haired bastard...'
He just smiled evily at Orihime.

[Shayla, I is eatin mint icecreame~ :3]

((i know that))

Monique stepped back from Kionu, still wery of whether to trust her or not.

Ti-lee felt weak from the static unleashed and fell to the ground.

[SleepyFox, Spread the love~]

'Kill her,' Shiro mentally commanded, willing Kionu to do what he wanted.
'No! I don't want to!' she fired back. But she felt her body moving, and her hand reaching into her back pocket. The sharp knife felt cold against her palm. 'No...' she thought desperately but it flung towards Monique anyway.

Chiyuu lunged towards the utensil-turned-weapon and caught it just before it went through Monique's skull. Her orange palm tree shirt flapped in the wind as she landed skillfully on her feet, her glare turned towards Tona.
'Thank you...' Kionu mentally thought.
"Yamete ga Tona-san!"
He smirked at her. "Why don't you come give your favorite older brother a hug?"
Chiyuu bit her tongue in disgust. "You have delusions of grandeur, Tona!"
His eyes narrowed. "Look who's talking. You have two on your side and..." His hands lifted up to his sides, gesturing at all the people around him. "...and we have hundreds."
Orihime struggled in the ropes Tona had tied her in and tried to call out to her aunt but to no avail.
'Don't try to take him down...RUN!' Kionu warned.

Etsuyo's eyes flashed open with all the ruckus that was being caused outside. She groaned, rubbing her head and feeling exhaustion tug at her. 'How long have I been asleep?' she wondered, looking around the cave and concerned about where everyone went. "Might as well go look around," she sighed.

Sora was finally able to find a string of darkness to embark upon. He stood and turned to the group. "Hold hands," he ordered then proceeded to pep them for the upcoming hurdle. "We have a long way to go but if we stick together we can all make it."
Everyone nodded except Sarah who burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" Sora asked.
"That sounded like a line that would come from a kids show!" she laughed, her hand on her stomach.
Sora's sweat dropped. 'I can't believe this...'

[Shayla, I is eatin mint icecreame~ :3]

Monique fell to the ground, her head clatering against he battle feild's wounded groud. She pasded out.

Kionu shook her head, trying to keep out the desire to rush the weapon into Shiro. Shiro wouldn't let her though, Why did I give into this? Why! I was srong to. Help me!

[SleepyFox, Spread the love~]

'He's right, too...Our side is dropping like flies...' Chiyuu peered around herself at all the unconscious forms around her. 'Everyone...' She turned back to Tona, determination showing in her eyes. She had been through wars before. She knew the heartbreak and pain they caused. And she also knew they were meaningless. "What good can fighting against each other do? Prove you are superior to the other side? It doesn't matter, it won't settle your differences."
Tona glared back at her. "On the contrary, my foolish little sister, you can wipe out your enemies and dominate the land."
Her eyes widened. 'He wants to rule the world? Is he insane? But then again...Even I can't stop him. And even with training by masters...the new generation can't either. Is this the end of the line? Is it all over?' She could feel hopelessness beginning to chip away at her confidence. That's when she felt someone approaching from behind. Her head whipped around, coming face-to-face with Etsuyo.
"S-Sumimasen," Etsuyo stuttered.
"Hanako-chan," Chiyuu breathed, forgetting to call her by the name she knew most of her life.
You could see the question mark bounce off Etsuyo's head. Then she remembered what Ryu told her when he first met her. '"Hanako-san."' 'That's my real name...it's true...' "That's my real name, isn't it?"
Chiyuu looked up from her reverie. "Yes, you-"
Tona was behind them in a flash, claw ready to sink into Chiyuu's back. Her body whipped around to block it but she was pushed out of the way by Etsuyo, her sword already drawn and ready to counter. She clocked his attack with ease, both of them flying backwards from the impact point.
Tona growled as he slid back, claws scraping against the ground.
Etsuyo grunted and fell, her balance off.
Tona struck, not letting his golden opportunity pass.
Etsuyo watched in horror as the paw came closer and closer. 'I won't be able to block it...!'
The blood that resulted was not hers, but Chiyuu's, her hand gripped tightly on his sharp claws.
He growled at her. "Be a good girl and stay out of your brother's way!"
Her eyes were focused and full of hatred- hatred for him. "Everything you did during the war...I won't let you get away with it! Everything you did to our family... The way you betrayed Nii-san like that! I won't let you get away with it! I want you to die...so bad...my body is trembling!"
It was true too, even Etsuyo could see her fingers shaking on one hand; the other was curled into a tight fist. 'What happened...to their family?' she wondered, her eyes widened in surprise and fear.
Tona laughed. "The fact that Akiyoshi couldn't see that coming only proves her was a complete idiot!"
Orihime's eyes widened. 'That bastard...no one gets away with calling my father something like that!' Her fingers glowed white and she chopped the ropes with ease, racing towards Tona.
Shiro tried to stop her, gathering part of her mind in with Kionu's but it was no use, he couldn't stop her. So he settled for calling out a warning.
Of course, Tona heard her coming and whipped his other hand towards her, straight to her chest.
Upon seeing the attack, Orihime gasped, shying away from the sharp bone.
Etsuyo knew she couldn't dodge it. 'It's my duty...It's my duty as her guardian to protect her!'

-FLASHBACK-
A woman stood before her, her long red hair flowing out behind her. And her green eyes were full of compassion. "Hanako-chan...that was very sweet of you to save your brother. But getting all these scrapes..." She stopped there, her eyes gentle. "I guess that's just who you are." She kissed Etsuyo on the forehead, tears falling down her cheeks.
"Why are you crying Mommy?" the young girl asked.
"Because my duty is to protect you and with that duty...comes the sacrifice not parent wants to make.
"Sacrifice? What is that?"
She didn't say anything, wiping her tears away. "Someday...You'll understand. You'll understand war." And with that she left.

-END FLASHBACK-

Etsuyo jumped out, the claw jabbing into her back. Blood sprayed from her mouth onto the grass beneath her.
Orihime stared in horror. "Why?" she asked, tears springing to her eyes as she watched her friend die.
"Because it was my duty..." she explained, her lips forming into a smile. "...to protect you. And I won't...fail...anymore." Her eyes shone with her happiness. "I have...no regrets...if only one...I...would've wanted...to see Ryu..." Her head fell, her blood turning into a pool around her.
Orihime was paralyzed with fear.
"One down, two more to go," Tona smiled, his eyes evil.
Chiyuu's held tightly onto his paw.
Ayame flew onto the scene from inside the trees, Seishin close behind her. "Etsuyo-kun!" she exclaimed running towards her.
Tona smiled.
"NO!!!" Orihime screamed, reaching up to stop him.
Ayame stopped short upon seeing that Tona was not one of their own, and took a step back.
Seishin stood at the edge of the forest, his eyes wide with fear. 'Ayame-kun...don't...'
"Orihime-kun..." she started, tears in her eyes. She saw the blood covering her clothes.
"Ayame-kun, nigete!" she commanded, her eyes shining with the truth of her statement. "You're no match for him! He'll kill you!"
Her bangs hung in front of her face. "No," she shot back, defiant. "I won't abandon you." Her face shot up, tears streaming down her cheeks, her bangs flying upward. "I promised you I wouldn't."
Orihime's eyes widened as she remembered a scene from long ago.

-FLASHBACK-

"You're money, right now!" the big boy commanded, his group of three others behind him.
"But I need it for lunch," the young and timid blonde argued.
"Do you wanna get clobbered?" one of the groupies asked.
"No, but I...need food..."
"Oi, nani ishindayo?" the brunette asked the group from behind, her hands on her hips and a messenger bag flung over her shoulder. An iris pinned her bangs back to one side.
"Nothing, just getting some money. Unless you wanna chip in for this girl here," the leader pointed.
Ayame looked past him to the curled up girl he was pointing to, her bag laying next to her like she'd been pushed down. "No, I think you should stop bullying that poor girl."
The leader growled at her. "Get her and her money!" he commanded, his servants doing his dirty work for him.
Ayame shifted into a fighting position, easily knocking out all three boys. "You wanna throw something else at me?" she asked.
The leader took a step back in fear. "You're not human..." he breathed before fleeing from the scene.
Orihime stared after him then looked back at Ayame with shock. "How did you do that?" she asked, taking the helping hand that was extended out for her.
Ayame laughed. "I have a black belt in Judo you know," she replied, her smile warm. "Anyway, you alright?"
"Yeah, thanks to you."
Her smile grew. "Friends?" she asked.
Orihime was taken aback for a second. 'Ayame...the most popular second grader in the entire school? Being friends with me?' She smiled back. "You bet. Just as long as...you won't let the bullies get me again," she laughed.
Ayame laughed with her. "Just gimme a call anytime you need help. It's a promise!"

-END FLASHBACK-

"Ayame-kun...Please...that doesn't matter anymore..." Orihime begged, still gripping on to Tona's arm.
"Yes it does!" she argued while her voice held finality in it. She pulled out a knife, flinging towards Tona. But instead felt one fly into her.
Orihime watched in horror.
Ugoki smiled from the sidelines. "Don't challenge us when you know you can't win," she smirked.
Ayame fell, her knife falling to the ground and pattering against the earth below.
Seishin's anger rose. 'Ayame-kun...They won't get away with this!' He looked straight at Ugoki, controlling her.
She gasped and fell to the ground, the others around her immediately recognizing what was going on. Hana knelt by Ugoki, touching her chest.
Seishin's control over her was immediately broken. 'How did she...?!' Then everything went black as a tree was uprooted from the ground and whacked him in the back of the head.
"Seishin-kun!" Orihime called out, losing her confidence. Her grip slipped on Tona.
He turned around, turning on his own niece.
'No!' Chiyuu thought, flinging herself in the way and protecting Orihime at the cost of her own life.
"Chiyuu-san!" she screamed, getting kicked back by Tona and pinned against the old factory's outside wall.
"You're life ends here, today, my little niece."
She looked at him with spiteful eyes and struggled to get free but she felt his hand inching closer and closer.
"I'll take your power and rule this world!"
'I can't let him do that; I have to save everyone!' She thought back on what her Dad told her before he disappeared, about what she had to do. 'I'm sorry...Dad.'

[Shayla, I is eatin mint icecreame~ :3]

Kionu stared at the few dead people on he ground. Why did I sgree to this?,She thought to herself, holding back tears. She pulled out a mall dagger that Akki had given her as a small weapon. She slowly walked over to Tona.
"When your alone, but not alone, your wish will come true and fait will behold." Kionu whispered the words to the song Whisper to herself in courage.
"Tona! Leave Orihime alone!" She schreeched, repating the words to the song in her head.
When your alone, but not alone. your wish will come true and fait behold. When your alone, but not alone, your wish will come true and fait behonld.
Kionu held up the shiny, pointy dagger, ready to strike.

[SleepyFox, Spread the love~]

Tona turned on her. "A measly little fish that was only stuck on the end of the hook as bait..." He ripped the knife from her hands, Kouga taking control to not let her move. "...Isn't worth saving." He flung the sword toward her as Orihime screamed in protest.
She stumbled backwards, falling to the ground before he struck.
Kouga cussed under his breath. 'This little brat has some good willpower...'
Orihime bit his arm.
"Ugh!" he shouted, turning around to stab her in the chest so she would stop moving.
Orihime tried to break free of his grip but she couldn't defend herself, instead settling for closing her eyes. 'I don't want to die!' she silently begged. But when death didn't come, she again opened her eyes to see a familiar form. "Bakano..." she breathed.
Sora turned his head, a warm smile on his face. "I said I'd protect you, didn't I?"
Her face lit up as he kicked back Tona, stealing his dagger. He threw it to another blonde girl with red eyes.
"Here Adri. You can defend yourself in case someone comes at you while your summoning."
She nodded. "Thanks Sora."
Orihime was instantly jealous. 'She's pretty and cute...Did he fall for her?' Her suspicious eyes darted back to her boyfriend...or maybe EX-boyfriend.
He noticed the look she was giving him. "Are you jealous?" he whispered.
Her face went red. "Wha-What gave you that idea?"
He snickered. "I guess she is kinda cute."
Orihime's face turned into a pout. "Sora-kun..."
He smiled. "You know I wouldn't choose anyone besides you. I already made up my mind," he told her, kissing her forehead.
She blushed even harder. "Arigato, Sora-kun."
"Ya know...Your fun little chat over there is all fine and dandy but ya might wanna move!" Sarah warned, her pistols already drawn.
Sora picked her up, flying back behind Sarah.
Tona followed in pursuit, not wanting his precious prey to get away.
Sarah began to spray bullets their way, causing Orihime to scream.
Sora soothed her, pulling her head closer to his chest and muffling her yell.
Sarah laughed. "I didn't know your GIRLFRIEND was such a scared-y cat, Sora."
He rolled his eyes at her.
Adri just stared at Orihime, her eyes never wavering. 'She's the legendary Elemental...isn't she?'
Orihime met her gaze. It was almost as if time stopped for a second, the two girls locked in stare that seemed to last forever. But it was broken as Sora whizzed past her to behind the horde of people, setting Orihime down as he did so. "Stay here," he whispered in her ear.
"No! I want to go with you-!"
"Orihime-kun..." he interrupted, his eyes full of seriousness. "Please. I don't want to watch you die."
Her eyes widened. "I won't die Sora! Please! Just let me-!"
"No," he said sternly, his voice full of finality.
Her mouth snapped shut. "I don't...want to argue with you...not now. So I guess...you win."
His eyes softened. "Skirou" he told her then took off, leaving her alone towards the back of the crowd.
"Let's kick their asses!" Sarah rallied, holding out her pistols.
"You could say it nicer," a timid Sandy scolded, her automatic rifle in front of her.
"Let's go!" Sarah shouted, holding down the trigger and just letting the bullets fly.
Her sister did the same.
When the rounds were out, they held down their guns. The other side appeared uninjured. All the while, the bullets stayed suspended until Hana dropped her hands and they all fell.
Sarah's eyes narrowed. "Take out the blondie!" she commanded, the group instantly obeying and charging at a profound pace.
'Sora did all this...' Orihime thought in awe.
KARIN charged as well, key people staying behind or, as Tona would say, the frogs amongst the flies.
Swords clashed, spells shook the earth, and after it was all over, thousands of bodies laid scattered over the ground.
Adri shut her eyes harder as she tried desperately to concentrate on finding someone.
"Hurry up Adri!" John warned in a hushed whisper.
"I'm trying!" she complained.
The three sisters stood, their eyes saying it all: "We're dead."
Sora glanced back at Orihime, her gaze held a somewhat "come on" look to it. He ran towards her, grabbing her hand and bringing her forward.
"What am I? A trump card?" she asked him, her voice full of annoyance at his initial rejection.
"Yes. Actually, you are."
She smiled. "I guess that's supposed to make me feel better," she told him, her arms sliding around his waist.
He smiled. "Yeah." His cross pendant glowed, the star symbol appearing beneath the two of them. He pulled back his bow, an arrow placed precisely on top of his index finger which was extended straight.
"Which element?" she asked him.
"I think burning the place down...would be our best option."
She smiled. "One fire arrow coming right up," she replied jokingly, the lines of the star slowly changing red as the arrow ignited on fire.
"As Sarah would say..." he started, his eyes squinting as he aimed at Tona. "It's ass-kicking time." He let the arrow fly, heading on a collision course with his specified target.
John backed it up, throwing a wave of fire behind the flimsy piece of wood.
Hana braced herself for impact, putting up a shield and instantly stopping the arrow from advancing. The fire wave soon followed. She breathed a sigh of relief.
Orihime could see the wave stopped. "Hi," she whispered, her finger on the red key. "Go knock out the blonde girl."
The dog nodded and raced towards the blaze, a trail of fire behind him.
"That's the fire spirit, isn't it?" John asked out of the blue, causing her to jump a little.
"Uh...yeah."
"I can tell. It's almost like..." His eyes seemed to glaze over. "...I'm being pulled towards him."
Orihime's eyes widened. 'Is that what the spirits do? Call others towards them?' That's when it struck her. What Mai had said long ago when they went deep into that cave. "It's almost as if Elementals are drawn to here. Didn't you notice how many Elementals are in Onigawa?" 'Is there a spirit locked inside that cave?'

Hana fell to the ground, unconscious.
'Dammit!' Kouga cussed, trying to control the fire-dog.
Hi's glare shot back at him. 'You can't control me,' he mentally told him.
He growled and looked past the fire to Orihime. "I can't control you but I CAN control her!"
Orihime felt Kouga's thoughts hit her like a wave. 'Obey me! Kill him, now!' She turned to Sora who was staring towards the blaze. 'Don't look there! Look at me, Sora-kun!' she tried to warn but no words would come out. Her hand reached for an arrow in his quiver, his body still not moving an inch. 'SORA!!!' Her hand flung towards him, the arrow in it.

Hi looked back in horror, being sealed inside his key once again and returning to her key chain.
Kouga smirked. 'This'll be easy.'

Sarah looked back, seeing Orihime with the arrow. Her eyes widened in shock and she pulled out her gun, shooting at her arm.
Orihime felt pain shoot through her body.
Sora finally looked back, and, upon seeing his girlfriend's blood flowing out, was terrified. He glared at Sarah. "Why'd you-!"
"She was gonna kill you with that arrow!" she fired back, pointing to the piece of wood still in Orihime's hand.
'Yes! Run Sora!' she thought, her eyes looking up at him.
"Orihime-kun...doushite?" he asked.
She felt Kouga ease up. "Because someone's controlling me-!" she managed to spit out before Kouga had control of her again.
'Damn. All these strong-willed people...their not that easy to keep in check,' Kouga moaned to himself, his head tilting from side to side and his hand messaging his shoulder.
'Being controlled...!?' Sora thought, his head turning to the group on the other side and spotting Kouga. 'That bastard...'
"The brunette, right?" Sarah observed.
"Yeah."
"Keep her in check," she commanded. Then charged towards her deathbed with the rest of the group.
Adri felt herself abandoned. 'Hey...people...' Her eyes shot open, a fatal mistake, as a sword-master sliced right through her and she fell to the ground, dead.
The others fell too, but not before taking Shiro out, causing Kouga to switch to Kionu so she wouldn't try anything funny.
'Geez...this is NOT the way I wanted this battle to go,' he groaned, looking around and seeing only Hana and Tona. 'This is going to be one LARGE clean-up.'
Orihime felt herself mentally released. 'Yes!' she celebrated in her mind.
"Daijoubu?" Sora asked, feeling Orihime's grip becoming looser on his arm and knowing she was back.
"Hai," she replied, standing. She took in the bodies of those around her, all her fallen comrades but amongst them found a ray of sunshine: Kionu, still alive and barely scathed. She sighed in relief.
"What are we going to do?" Sora asked her, his gaze shifting back towards her for a second.
"Wagaterunai," she confessed, squeezing his arm tighter. "But we better come up with something good, or else we're dead."

[Shayla, I is eatin mint icecreame~ :3]

Kionu rushed over to Orihime ans Sora. She held the dagger in her hand, carefull not to stab anone but thr enemy. She slid her hand down her leg to feel blod oozing from it.
What the.... Kionu looked down. She tripped, th dagger fying from her hand.
Akki ran over and snatched the dagger. Kionu limply sat up and then stood up, adrinalin rushing through her veins like a river. She grabbed the dagger and plunged it into Akki's chest. Akki flew to the ground, lifeless and unbreathing. Kionu took the dagger and moved closer to Sora and Orihime.
"Orhime-kun! Sora-kun! I'm hear to help!" Kionu looked up, seeing if they would answer.
A brunette swung around and aimed for Kionu. Kionu sliced he agger a th girl's arm, bringing her down. Kionu turned back to her friends, waiting for an answer.

[SleepyFox, Spread the love~]

'Is she still being controlled?' Sora wondered, his body in a defensive position in front of Orihime.
"Should we trust her?" Orihime whispered into his ear.
"I don't know," he replied.

Kouga cussed yet again.
"Stop easing up so much, Kouga," Tona scolded, already standing by his side and watching the scene before him unfold.
"It's not like I'm TRYING to lose control. That girl's not normal. I've never seen that much willpower in anyone before...even Elementals. The same thing goes for the blonde."
"Tch, just make sure to keep firm control of her from now on," Tona commanded.
Kouga sighed. "Hai," he said, almost reluctantly.

[Shayla, I is eatin mint icecreame~ :3]

((Kill Sora?!))

Kionu backed away, suddenly feeling overpowered.
"Run!" She yelled.
Kionu lashed out and stood still, her eyes going red under Kouga's control.

[SleepyFox, Spread the love~]

Orihime looked with horror at her friend. 'She still cares about us?' she thought, starting to feel dizzy. 'I don't get it...'
Sora looked back at Tona and Kouga. 'We have to get her out of his control...' he planned silently. 'But how? There's two of us and two of them. But Tona's no ordinary Elemental. He can take Orihime down in one hit. Not to mention Monique and everyone else...' He glanced around at the corpses lying on the ground.
"Ugh," Orihime groaned, her body giving out and leaning against Sora. The blood around her making her feel like she was in the ocean of "redrum" from The Shining.
"Orihime!" he called out as he turned around, his arms on her shoulder.
"Look...out...behind you!"
He felt Tona behind him, his sharp claw digging into his back. Sora fell to the ground, panting.
Orihime struggled against Tona's grasp as he brought her back to the same place she was before Sora arrived.
"Nostalgic, isn't it? I hope you had a fun little chat with your boyfriend, cause it's gonna be your last."
Her eyes widened, the hands trying to move Tona's hand from covering her mouth, paralyzed. 'Sora-kun...' she thought hopelessly, looking back at his faraway figure.

Sora looked back at Orihime, barely being able to move. 'I have to do something for her...anything.' He saw Tona pin her against the wall of the building, ready to kill her. "Orihime-kun..." he whispered to himself, trying to give himself courage.

-FLASHBACK-
Sora sat in an alley, his young body full of dirt from living on the streets. He sat there, reading the dust-covered book, where he seemed to be on the last page. "'Have courage, have faith, and the sun will rise yet again for those who have a pure heart'," he read aloud. 'I sorta like that quote...And this book was quite an adventure. Maybe I could go on one like this someday...'
-END FLASHBACK-

'I never imagined going on THAT adventure. Because...what happens in the end, is sad.' His eyes stared back at his girlfriend, thinking about all they did together. About his life with her. He thanked God for the precious moments he shared with her, and for the chance to meet her. 'Because...everyone dies.' Then, his mind went blank.

Orihime's eyes widened as his head fell, his body no longer being able to support him.
Tona smiled.
"SORA-KUN!!!" she screamed. "LIE!!!!!!" She kicked Tona in the balls, causing him much pain and cussing, and ran to her boyfriend. "Sora, no! Please don't go! Don't leave me here all alone!" she sobbed.
"Stop running away you little brat!" Tona chastised, ready to strike her down.
'Everyone died...everyone gave their life for me...and what can I do? Nothing. I'm just going to die...And make their efforts meaningless...' she told herself as the claw flew towards her.
'But what if you didn't have to die?'
Her eyes widened. 'That would be...That would make...their lives...they wouldn't have died for nothing. That would make me...so happy...' she replied to the voice in her head, the claw almost right in front of her now.
Then a miracle. The claw hit the glowing barrier, stopping.
'What the...?' Orihime and Tona thought in unison.
Then another. Orihime saw it. The image firmly planted in her mind. "Taa-san..." she said, tears welling in her eyes.
He smiled back at her, kneeling down in front of her. "Thank you...for everything," he told her, hugging her.
"But Sora and everyone else is-"
"I know. But don't worry." He smiled wider.
"I'll be here with you," someone said from behind her.
Her head whipped around. 'That voice was...' But upon seeing the body she froze. "Nii-san?" she asked questioningly, not sure what was going on.
"Yes?" he asked back, a smile on his face and his yellow eyes shining.
"That's...not your body...but your voice."
He knelt down in front of her in the same way Akiyoshi had moments before. "That's because I'm...a half-demon."
Her eyes widened. "A what? I...I thought those only existed in mangas and folklore..."
He laughed. "It's not like I'm going to bite or anything." He pointed up to the sky where a full white circle could be seen against the darkness. "It only happens on the day of the full moon."
Orihime slowly connected the dots. "Dad's a shapeshifter...so are you...putting up this barrier?"
"No...this is someone else..." he told her, seeing Hana's head lifted slightly of the ground.
But then her head fell, the barrier disappeared, and Akiyoshi crossed claws (for use of a better pun). Aiko hastily grabbed his little sister, taking off at an unforeseen pace.
"How can you run this fast?" she questioned him in awe.
"Like I said...I'm a half-demon. They run inhumanly fast and have...one special ability."
She looked up at him. "What's yours?"
He smiled. "You'll see soon enough." When they reached the forest, he set her down, turning around to Akiyoshi and Tona. 'Dad...your weak because you died so young. You won't be able to defeat him.' He closed his eyes, putting his hand out in front of himself. 'So I'm here to help.' A staff...a very...ORNATE staff appeared in his hands. The blue grip and giant golden cross at the top literally glowing.
Orihime stared in awe.
"Ready?" he asked his sister, turning his head.
She nodded.
"This one's called Iceshark," he told her, tilting the staff from an upright position to horizontal, both hands gripping it and his body bowing down with it. That's when a huge chunk of ice flew from the tip at an alarming speed.
Akiyoshi dodged it with ease, although his leg was bleeding from being bit, by turning into a dragonfly.
Tona, however, was not so skilled. He took a direct hit from the spell, falling down onto his back with a groan, his body shifting back into a normal, human one-the tell tale sign a shapeshifter is dying.
Akiyoshi did the same, although not for the same reason. He looked back at his son. "Nice work, Aiko."
He smiled, showing larger than normal incisors. "Anytime the full moon's out."
Akiyoshi smirked, then turned to Tona. "I can't believe you would try to kill your own niece like that..."
"Ha, if you could have ultimate power, you would too."
He looked down in reverie. "No...Actually, I wouldn't. Not at the cost of someone else's life."
Tona rolled his eyes. "'Til the very end you always were..." He grabbed a knife out of his back pocket. "...soft." He threw the knife, hitting Akiyoshi straight in the chest.
"DAD!" both of his children screamed in unison.
"Looks like someone's calling you," he mocked.
"Nii-san...you always were...one sick bastard," he replied, falling to the ground with him, and disappearing into thousands of little, blue, glowing balls.
"Dad..." Aiko sighed.
"Nii-san?" Orihime asked.
He turned around.
"Are you going to leave now?" she asked, her eyes full of worry and concern.
His eyes were soft despite his cat-like eyes and pointy ears. "Yes, I have to."
"No..." she whispered, tears in her eyes yet again.
"But before I do, I'll let you in on a secret." He leaned down, whispering into her ear.
Her eyes widened. "What is that?" she asked him.
He just smiled. "Something you were looking for," he told her, dissipating into hundreds of what seemed to be fireflies.
They traveled to all the Elementals around her, their eyes flicking open. "Nii-san...Arigato."

SEVERAL MONTHS LATER...
Orihime stepped up to the door. '431 Sakura Ln...just like he said.' She tested the handle, the door opening with ease. She stepped inside, surprise taking over at what she found. "What...IS this?" she asked herself, peering around and the spacious room and beautiful furniture. 'I've never seen an apartment this large...' Then she spotted two white envelopes on the bar. She walked over, looking at who they were addressed to. Both of them were labeled 'Orihime'. She picked one up, tearing the flap on the back open, and pulling out the letter inside.

Dear Orihime,
If you are reading this then I'm dead. I guess...the thing I would regret most is not being able to see you grow up; to give you the love a father should always give his children. I pray you still have someone left, like Aiko or Kisaki, and maybe you'll make some friends when you go to school. But...either way, I just want you to know that I love you...and I'll always be there for you, whether in your thoughts or in your dreams. You're special Orihime...you're not like everyone else. Always remember that...and I'm sure you'll grow to be a fine woman someday.
I'm sorry...Dad.

Tears dotted the paper in her hands. "Dad..." she whispered to herself. Then she looked at the other envelope and sighed. 'Might as well open it too...'

Orihime-chan,
I guess this means I'm dead. Not that that's the greatest thing since sliced bread. I left something for you, a necklace of mine from long ago. Maybe it will make your dreams come true. But, moreover, maybe it will protect you from the evils of this world. Orihime, there are people out there that would stop at nothing to kill you and your brother and sister. It's your job to protect them...because YOU are the legendary Elemental.
Mom ^_^

She continued sobbing, leaning up against a wall for support but sinking down to the floor anyway. 'Mom...why? Why couldn't I do it?' Then she heard a small 'ding' and a red crystal on a gold chain dropped to the ground. 'This must be the necklace she was talking about...' she thought, holding it up. "Make your dreams come true...huh?"
"Yep, that's what I'm here for."
Orihime shrieked, dropping it on the ground.
A little fairy flew out from the crystal. "That hurt you know," she pouted.
"Y-Y-You...t-t-talked."
"Yeah...I'm a fairy, duh."
'Did I just get sassed by a necklace?' "So what's this about?"
"Oh, I'm here to grant your wish."
"My what?"
"Your wish. Come on, you have to have something in mind."
Orihime thought back to all the mangas she'd read where characters were faced with the same decision. 'Definitely not money...' But then she thought back to everyone else afterwards, and how Kouga had killed Kionu with him. And Monique's face... She shook her head, trying to get the image out of her mind.
"Well?"
"I wish...I wish..." 'The way everyone looked...' "I wish everyone could be happy!"
The fairy's eyes widened. 'Such a self-less wish...' "Okay."