Behind Enemy Lines

[Kyra Hitomi]

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra’s head replayed the scene where she was holding her older brother’s body as he whispered his dying words to her.[/glow]

“No Ryou, please don’t leave me...”[/i]

[glow=blue,2,300]It was always the same, she would always say those bitter words as her brother’ body became limp and the heat from his flesh would soon leave dissipate. Kyra placed her head against her brother’s body, absorbing his scent, but her ears twitched at the scent.[/glow]

"What is that? It's not Ryou's, it's..." [/i]

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra's body jolted from her sudden realization and her eyes widen. She panted slightly as she looked down at what she was actually holding to her body.[/glow]

"Akari's shirt, was the scent from this? No, there's definitely blood in the air..."

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra's keen hearing began to pick up the disturbance on the water and the true scent of blood. She brought herself to her feet as she ran over to the lake’s edge, leaving her sword against the tree where she had slept. [/glow]

“Akari!”

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra didn’t think twice as she dove under the glassy water’s surface. She winced slightly as the pressure of hitting the water and the stinging sensation that it left behind. She swam down to the bottom of the lake to where Akari was caught. Kyra looked at the seaweed and saw the sharp thorns that sat on the strands of seaweed.

Kyra tried to cut the seaweed with her claws, but since the seaweed was effortlessly floating in the water, it would not cut easily, unless held tightly. Kyra bit her lip slightly, Akari was running out of air and she would be as well soon, there was no time to run back and get her sword that was leaning against the tree. She quickly grabbed the seaweed, feeling the thorns puncture her hand. Kyra closed her eyes to keep back her emotion of pain as she pulled the seaweed taut and then sliced it with ease with her claws.

Once Akari was freed, Kyra helped him up to the surface. The water surface broke as the two came to the surface. Kyra’s black bangs hung in her face since they were drenched and had fully abosrbed water. Her white ears were drooping as well as water ran from the hairs to the tip of her ears and then ran into the water. [/glow]

“You fool, do you need a lifeguard when you go in the water now?”

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra asked breathlessly as she panted taking in as much oxygen as she could as she held onto Akari’s shoulders, avoiding the tips of her dagger sharp claws, but she saw her blood soiling his clothes. She pulled her hand away as the blood ran freely down her palm and along the grooves of her lower arm, before dripping slowly into the water. Kyra closed her eyes out of bitter pain towards the wound. [/glow]

[Serriah Mileynou]

Serriah was afloat, just lying in the water, when she felt an overwhelming horrible sense. She couldn't smell things like Kyra, but listening was one thing she did well, she heard a muffled voice, it sounded like Kyra. There was some splashing too. Immediately, Serriah dashed silently out of the water and into her clothes. She grabbed her cardigan in her hand, and ran around the side of the lake, to catch a glimpse of what was happening. It was Kyra, and the stranger, and blood. Serriah dove into the water and up to them. It was obvious both were hurt. "What happened? Are you guys okay?" Serriah latched her hand gently onto Akari's arm, and helped Kyra to pull him to shore. Once there, she pulled herself up and attempted to wring out her pants and shirt. She waited for either of them to respond to her. As she did so, she cast questioning glances at the stranger. She still did not know his name, and apparently he wasn't leaving.

When he is okay, I will once again attempt to learn about this stranger. This time without raising my voice. Serriah sighed, thinking of her mistake. She felt horrible.

"Listen, about raising my voice before, I'm really sorry. It was my mistake and I take full responsibility. I promise you it won't happen again." Serriah bowed her head to them both, and then looked at the stranger, "And I'm sorry if I offended you by spitting, you just startled me, and you are a complete stranger. But I know why you did it, and I deserved it, I'm sorry." She hung her head in shame, and then pulled her back up against a tree. She did not raise her head, not until something was said. She tried her hardest to be respectful, especially since she knew it was not wise to be disrespectful to either of these persons.

[~::-Akari-::~]

Akari desperately pulled at the thorny seaweed, trying to get free and writhing in pain. Unfortunately, the more he wrestled, the deeper the thorns went, and the more entangled his ankles became. His hands let go for a moment to hear Kyra’s voice call out his name. His white eyes hot up to see Kyra’s body break the surface of the water. A smile appeared on his lips with relief and gratefulness written all over it. He watching her being come closer to his, but at the same time he was still wrenching at the bonding. Once Kyra started helping, Akari backed off to give her room to work. His white eyes looked to the surface trying to ignore the pain she was unknowingly inflicting on him. Thoughts crossed his mind on how he could hear Kyra’s voice now.

“You fool!” and whatever other venom she feels like spitting at me.

He then glimpsed down when he felt a sudden drop of pain. Akari’s ankles were no longer bounded, but the seaweed was still wrapped firmly around his ankles with their thorns deeply embedded. Akari also realized blood coming out of Kyra’s hand as she helped him kick to the surface.

When his head broke the surface, Akari threw his head back gasping for air and tossing his albino hair out of his face, along with some water drops. His chest heaved up and down as Akari’s lungs acquired air. Akari slowly brought his head down to look at the panting Kyra. Her bangs made her look scruffy, but other than that, she was still the same. Everything about her was the same, especially her words. Akari’s lips stayed silent until she was through, but he could not help but let out a small chuckle as she was speaking. Though, when was completely done with talking, Akari threw his head back again, releasing a soft laugh. He thought it was funny how he predicted her comments, at least the “you fool” part. With his head still back, Akari peered at the light pink sky and the almost faded moon. His lips parted ad he responded to her in a soft, yet sarcastic tone.

“You know, you need to extend your vocabulary when calling people names, though…it is not nice at all.”

He brought his head down, shaking it back and forth while doing so. This time he parted his mouth to actually respond to her rhetorical question, even if he really did not have to do so. He gave her a little tap on the nose with one of his non-bloodied fingers.

“No, nor do I need a m—“

A sudden flash of his mother’s face appeared and quickly vanished before his eyes, cutting off his sentence. Akari’s eyes drooped with remembrance and sadness. His voice fell silent and he just sat there, kicking to keep himself a float, feeling the thorns move under his flesh as the seaweed swirled around from his leg movements. Akari cringed at this feeling. He shook his hand about his unfinished last comment.

"Nevermind."

His white eyes with silver linings and pupils gawked at Kyra for a moment until he saw movement behind her and heard splashing. Akari’s eyes glanced past Kyra’s profile to see Serriah swimming towards them. Her voice cut through the air in a worried tone of voice. Akari responded for both Kyra and himself by nodding and verbally speaking.

“We’ll be just fine.”

Akari swam towards shore with Serriah and gently grabbed Kyra’s healthy hand. He flipped his body over when his hand touched the sandy bottom and sat in the shallows silently by his belongings. Akari released Kyra and brought his knees up to bend to get a better reach at his ankles. Akari gently worked his hands to get rid of the remaining thorny seaweed while listening to Serriah’s words. While still working on releasing the pain, Akari softly replied.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself, everyone makes mistakes. Besides, there’s no harm done, we’re all safe.”

For now…

Akari’s eyes relaxed as he worked contently. His fingers and hands continued to bleed as Akari fragilely made an effort. He untwisted the seaweed going in a concentrated method; untwist the seaweed, loosen the embedded thorns, releasing fresh blood while doing so, and unravel. Soon after Akari was through with this process a familiar smile graced his mouth, only from sudden relief. Not feeling like dealing with the pain, Akari decided to perform something familiar to Kyra, but new to Serriah.

Akari closed his eyes for the soon to come pain. He pulled his pricked and bleeding hands together, pressuring both with the same amount of force. A soft golden glow of light emitted from the crevasse of his hands. The flesh of his sliced torn hands healed, stopping the bleeding and sealing the open wounds. The pain vanished until he was reminded of the shredded skin of his ankles with a sharp pain. Akari then moved his two hands, positioning them one above each ankle. He slowly inhaled and concentrated, once again tapping into his remedial abilities. Focusing his angelic energy, which only certain beings could sense, into both of his hands, Akari exhaled releasing the glow, sealing all oozing punctures and cuts. All relief filled him; he was finally healed, back to full health.

Without looking, Akari reached out with his one hand to Kyra, motioning for hers. He glimpsed at her and gave the girl a convivial smile, allowing, showing she can trust him. Hopefully Kyra will grant him permission to make up for the pain he had caused her. For all he wanted to do, was compensate for his mistake and heal her feminine hand.

[Kyra Hitomi]

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra’s eyes glanced over Akari, other than his ankles he looked fine. She sighed, she got there in time then, that was a relief to her, but she didn’t show it. She watched as Akari looked to the sky then looked at her, giving her his sarcastic remark. She scoffed and turned her head away in disgust.[/glow]

“Well, I could call you something else, but that would be worse then calling you a ‘fool’ as for my vocabulary, what’s it to you?”

[glow=blue,2,300]She spat angrily, how dare he speak to her like that, ordering her around, he had no such right. She growled slightly at his remark.[/glow]

“Stupid, would he rather me call him something else?”[/i]

[glow=blue,2,300]A few words floated into her head, ‘dumbass’ being her top, though she’d never admit it she was the one acting like an ass. She grimaced as she looked back at Akari as he placed his finger upon her nose with the slightest touch. Kyra went cross-eyed looking at his finger. She then looked to Akari as he almost said, ‘I don’t need a mother’, but cut himself short. She swatted at his hand lightly enough to get it off her nose.[/glow]

“I have no intention of being motherly towards you. I never knew mine, so I wouldn’t know how to act like one.”

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra’s white ears picked up some of Serriah’s frantic swimming and she turned to look at her. Serriah was swimming towards them with all her might and she looked at Akari, pulling her other hand away from him.[/glow]

“What a situation to be found in...”

[glow=blue,2,300]Once Serriah reached them, Kyra heard rushed words that were barely audible to her, because of the water that sat in her ears, but she heard Akari’s ‘We’ll be just fine’. [/glow]

“She must have asked if we were okay, or something along those lines.”[/i]

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra’s thoughts were interrupted as she felt herself being dragged against the water. Akari had a firm grip on her unwounded hand. Once close enough to shore, Kyra hoisted herself up on the bank and sat at the water’s edge. She pawed at her ears with her hand, trying to get the excess water out of her ears. She wrung out her hair, with only her left hand, which was not an easy task. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as Akari healed himself once again. Kyra tossed her hair back over her shoulder so that it was out of the way. She looked over Akari, noticing that he no longer had any wounds on him. Her ears twitched as Akari motioned for her wounded hand. Kyra looked down at her hand as the blood still ran freely over the grooves in her hand. She slouched and grumbled something, but stubbornly held her injured hand to Akari, the back of her hand facing up. She turned away, she wasn’t one to admit how grateful she was that he cared for her. She scowled slightly at having someone care for her, but her scowl disappeared upon her face.[/glow]

“R-Ryou cared for me like this.”[/i]

[glow=blue,2,300]She looked to Akari, her emotionless eyes, casting a sadden look.[/glow]

“He cares for me, just like my brother did, and Serriah cares as well, but I promised Ryou I wouldn’t depend on anybody, I’d keep myself up, by myself, but does that mean I have to keep everyone outside the walls I put up?”[/i]

[Serriah Mileynou]

After this stranger's kind words, Serriah lifted her head. She opened her mouth to say something, but cut herself off when she saw the stranger's hands emit light. She closed her now dropped jaw. She couldn't take her eyes off his hands. He pushed them together and when they separated, she saw no more marks on his hands. Then he did the same to his ankles. Right before her very eyes, his wounds disappeared. She gaped once more as he took Kyra's hand within his own. He must have healing powers. No wonder he didn't seem so in pain when he came to shore. I myself don't know what I would have done. Sh watched the two intently. It seemed the glances between their eyes showed deep care for one another. Was it just Serriah's imagination? Or did it seem as though Kyra and Akari were developing care for one another? Maybe it was the care of a friendship starting. Serriah suddenly regretted even more her accident of mouthing off.

Serriah had run away to cool down, and upon her exit, Kyra and this stranger had gotten to know one another better. Serriah felt left out once more at the thought that she would now, most likely never have as close a connection to this young man as Kyra did. Still, that should not stop any friendships. Although, he still hasn't told me his name. She shrugged inside her head. She didn't want to become a nuisance, so she kept her mouth shut, and watched the healing process the stranger was displaying.

As she did so, she thought back to Lorrina, Byron, and Nyaren. As small children, she distinctly remembered playing a game called "healer". Byron, being the only member of their family who couldn't fly, wanted desperately to be a healer. He wished deeply to have some power that could help someone. So, the other three, Lorinna, Nyaren, and herself, would race around, and pretend they had gotten hurt. Byron would rush over and "heal" our "battle wounds". Through this game, Byron discovered his powers in air bending. Serriah remembered the day it happened. The sky was dark, and gray. It was clear a storm was coming, but none of them cared. Serriah had been racing Lorrina around the oaks, but then took off upward in the sky. Lorrina followed at first, but then came down as the wind got stronger. Serriah was told to come down as well, but as she began to, the wind blew her off course. She had only been flying for four or five years, and never in these weather conditions. She was only about 3'5'' and weighed roughly 55 pounds. The wind blew her into one of the oak trees. She hit her head on the trunk, and her wrist got twisted in a bunch of branches. She was conscious, and Lorrina and Byron helped her down from the tree. Lorrina ran to get their father, but Serriah refused to let her go. She knew they weren't supposed to fly in stormy weather. Byron attempted to heal her, and not being an actual healer, couldn't do much. He wrapped her head in gauze and then, furious for not being able to help her. Threw clenched fists at the ground. With every punch he threw, more ground was blown away. In his fury he didn't notice, until at last Nyaren said something. Though being scolded afterward, he excitedly informed their parents.

Serriah smiled and touched the top left quadrant of her head. Above and behind her left temple was the scar from the incident. The wind blew through her sopping hair, and she was brought back to reality. Serriah turned up her head and looked at her two acquaintances

[~::-Akari-::~]

Akari looked at Kyra as she fought with herself. His white eyes gazed contently at her face when a sudden flashback entered his mind. Akari released a slight giggle thinking of the face she made when he had placed a finger on her nose. He continued to smile a laugh a bit at her going cross-eyed. Akari found her so innocent looking and not at all hidden when she did that. He shook his head tossing his albino white hair about, clearing his thoughts away.

As soon as he snapped out of his enjoyed flashback, Akari’s eyes saw Kyra’s hand reached out to him. She was actually going to let him heal what he had done. A warm smile crossed his lips at her accepting act. He gently placed his right hand under hers and cupped it tenderly in his. Akari then took his left hand and hovered it above Kyra’s injured hand. He looked up at her and smiled, reassuring her to trust him. He parted his lips and allowed a caring tone to slip though.

“This won’t hurt, I promise.”

With that spoken to her, Akari closed his white eyes and focused his energy once again. He honed the energy and channeled it through to his left hand. Emitting a light golden glow, his hand quivered a bit but stayed steady as the emanating healing light brightened the soft skin of Kyra. Her wound soon closed with a slight sizzling of her flesh coming together. Akari slowly reopened his white eyes with unique silver patterns and gaped at her wounded hand. It was now fully healed and back to its healthy state.

He dropped his hand from Kyra’s offered one and brought his left hand, the one that was hovering above hers, back down to his side. He looked away from her to the other girl who was accompanying her, Serriah. Akari gazed at her expression to his healing powers. He offered a small giggle and smiled warmly at her, showing her he was not mad at her, or upset whatsoever.

White eyes then looked over out at the placid lake where he had nearly drown. The ripples in the painted scene reminded him of his belongings. Akari looked to his side. Water soaked into his clothes and the blade of his staff was still embedded sending small ripples to spread across the surface of the body of water.

Akari reached out and pulled the staff were the sand. The blade was cleansed completely; no blood of his stained the glinting blade. Akari slowly stood up, gaining his balance once again. He stood around Kyra’s height since she was the closest to him, and walked one step over to his belongings that were being plagued by the water and fine sand. Akari picked up his white shirt and shook the sand off the fabric. Once it was clean enough, Akari slid his arms in the sleeves and carefully buttoned the front of it. The fabric draped open at the bottom revealing his masculine, yet fine stomach outline. He fixed the cuffs of the white fabric and then bent back down for his black vest. He did the same as before. The black material outlined the white undershirt forming to its opening. His top outfit, the white part, covered his lean arms and chest, the black fabric overlapped the shoulders and the chest, but the rest was bare skin.

Akari, with the staff still in hand, flicked his wrist forcing the blade back into concealment. He took the one foot hilt in his hand gently and slid it back to its home, the sheath. He then picked up his most trusted weapons, the razor fans. Making sure they were fully closed, Akari handled them with caution and ease, sliding them back into the straps which hung from his cloth belt.

Inhaling when all settled, Akari turned to Kyra and Serriah, his new comrades. His white eyes narrowed in sadness. Akari knew now what he had to do, unless they wanted different. Combing his hand back through his silky white flowing hair, Akari gave a sad smile and exhaled in a sigh. Akari slowly and hesitantly opened his lips speaking in a soft tone.

“I guess, this is where we part.”

He relaxed his expression showing fake happiness. He had finally found two new friends and comrades, but now he must leave them. Akari knew of what he truly was and he did not want them to know. Akari has true secrets hidden deep inside of his heart, and he does not want to open them as Pandora did to the box. Slowly stepping forward, Akari started heading for the trees, walking in between the woman. When he was about a yard away from each of their essences, Akari turned half way to them, straight into the eyes of Serriah.

“Serriah, my name is Akari. You are a good person, and soon one day I can see you to be a formidable opponent for anyone. You will become a strong person if you keep your chin up. Don’t look back, always gaze forward.”

With these kind words spoken to Serriah, he looked into the eyes of Kyra. He smiled warmly and spoke softly to her, in a tone speaking honesty.

“Kyra, what I said to you before was not a lie. That truly was a song of beauty, I am sure the person you play for, can hear you, both the melody of the flute and your heart. Don’t forget that.”

Akari turned to the trees and started walking towards the line of willows. He needed supplies, but he would take the risk of going non stop back to his own territory. While facing away from both of them he spoke once again from major experience.

“I’m going back to wind territory, back to my homeland. I miss the gentle winds that dance there. They are pure and clean. But you two may go where you please. You need not my permission, because I guess I’m…nothing to you.”

[Kyra Hitomi]

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra watched as Akari healed her slender hand in his palms. She sneered slightly when Akari said that his healing wouldn’t hurt.[/glow]

“I wouldn’t have given you my hand if I knew it would hurt, besides, my mind’s too jumbled to think about pain anyway....”

[glow=blue,2,300]She watched as her hand magically healed before her eyes, then pulled her hand back to her when Akari removed his hands. She cupped her hand in her other and ran her thumb over where the wound use to be. She watched as Akari as he stood up and then she turned away looking at the lake like Akari had done moments before.

The morning sun sprawled over the now calm lake. The ripples that were from Akari’s struggling and Kyra’s swimming had already fanned out to the edges of the lake and faded. The morning sun now highlighted Kyra, even more than usual from the moisture on her skin, hair, and clothes. Her clouded blue eyes gazed towards Serriah, but then her gaze turned to Akari as did the rest of her head when he spoke.[/glow]

“Part?”

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra’s small whisper was only audible to her own ears as she watched Akari as he stepped towards the woods, but once again he stopped and turn to them. First, he spoke to Serriah and then to Kyra. Kyra’s eyes widen at Akari’s comment about her flute playing. Kyra’s lips parted to do something, but all that came out was a sharp exhale.

Once again, Akari headed towards the forest, but Kyra’s heart pounded in her chest. Without turning, Akari once again spoke to them. [/glow]

“Nothing?”

[glow=blue,2,300]Her mind raced as she looked at Akari’s back, the morning sunlight gave a hint of blond to Akari’s bleached hair. Kyra’s mind played tricks as she saw her brother’s image replace Akari’s. She rose to her feet and with out thinking she reached her right hand out to him as if grasping on to something invisible or maybe she thought she could grab Akari even though he was more than a arm’s length away from her. [/glow]

“Please, don’t leave me....”

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra whimpered as her mind altered Akari’s appearance back to Akari himself. Kyra gasped and pulled her hand back, and looked at her palm as it trembled. Her mind and heart were battling each other in a relentless war that was tearing Kyra apart. Her mind was telling her that she had lived for over a hundred years and she didn’t need support, she didn’t need comrades, and she should certainly not show feelings or how lonely she was. Her heart was a different matter, her heart still claimed that she was the young girl that was breaking apart from the lost of her older brother and was slowly wasting away in darkness from loneliness.

Kyra’s chest heaved with sharp, uneven breaths as she grasped her head with both hands. Her slender fingers ruffled her black bangs as she clutched tightly.[/glow]

“What’s going on? He’s not your brother! Your brother’s dead! He’s gone, and he’s not coming back! Why doesn’t that sink in! Why does Akari remind me of him?! Why can’t I...”

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra’s mental stability was declining rapidly as she ran in the opposite side of the woods, stumbling slightly. She continued to run deep into the forest, and when she was in deep enough she jumped into one of the thick pine trees. She jumped from bough to bough until she was mid way and then sat on one of the thick boughs, the cover would keep her presence unnoticeable . She scooted back so that her back was against the trunk of the tree and brought her feet to her chest and then wrapped her arms around them. Kyra’s white fox ears were laid against her black hair as she rested her head against her knees. The female fox attempted to slow her breathing, but nothing was working as she went into a full force mental breakdown. Tears seeped through her emotionless eyes as she placed her hands on her head and clutched it tightly as if suffering from an unbearable headache. Kyra’s entire body trembled, as her cold demeanor was washed away and the young, lonely girl Kyra had always been began to come to the surface.

Slowly, Kyra reached into her pouch at the hidden dagger she had. She turned her right arm over and eyed her slender wrist.[/glow]

"I could end it, here and now, I wouldn't have to deal with anything anymore. I would be with Ryou and wouldn't have to deal with this heartache..."

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra spoke in a soft whisper to herself as she placed the cold blade against her wrist, but her hand shook. She couldn't pull herself so do it, she couldn't kill herself. Kyra froze in that postion as she eyed her wrist and the blade that she held.[/glow]

[Serriah Mileynou]

Serriah watched in awe at the miracle of healing she saw in front of her. It was a beautiful thing, to heal a wound. As Serriah eyes saw Kyra being healed, the man rose to his feet. He dressed and told them compliments, and Serriah his name. Serriah's cheeks went rosy, embarrassed at not knowing how to respond. He began to leave, but he turned back once more. He told of returning to their home territory. At this Serriah's heart leaped. Until that moment Serriah had not realized that she had become homesick for the mountains and trees of her homeland. But, then Akari referred to himself as nothing to them. Somehow this word...nothing...did not fit this man whatsoever.

"You refer to yourself as nothing to us, yet right before us, you stand. Dropping compliments left and right, and making a wonderful imprint on me. Nothing doesn't fit you Akari, and I don't think it ever could. Nothing isn't nice, and nothing isn't kind, nothing is not a friend. Friends. That is something I believe is within grasp. You can think what you like, but I'm telling you. You are not nothing."

Serriah tried to watch his face, but a hardly audible whisper escaped Kyra's lips, and it seemed as if although healed on the outside, a bigger cut, never cured was becoming infected on the inside. she watched as Kyra fought with herself mentally, until she took off, swiftly deep into the blanket of trees, not too unlike Serriah had done herself the night before. Serriah turned to Akari.

"I need to find her. We may have short of nothing in common, but no one deserves to be lonely. Go if you must, but otherwise, help me look for her." And without even waiting for a response from Akari, Serriah took off flying fiercely through the thick brush. She could fly a lot faster than she could run, and although many other flyers had trouble to keep up with her, she had no doubt that if he wanted to, Akari would.

She searched continuously, not bothering to see if Akari was with her, until one pine tree caught her eye. It didn't seem as though Kyra had been through there, but Serriah thought she knew Kyra well enough to know that she was good at leaving no trace of herself. Serriah dove into a bush nearby the tree. She scoped with her eyes at the tree for several minutes. She saw no one, but she could not bring herself to leave her post. At this point she turned her neck around to look for Akari. She was slowly looking among some other pines when a soft mumbling caught her ears. She turned back toward the tree. Was it the wind? She wasn't sure. But she also wasn't sure if Kyra wanted company. That had never crossed her mind, because she herself always wished someone would hug her when she was lonely. She lay down under the hedge, and slowly and silently slithered a few feet out of her hiding place, and under some low branches. She was still covered, but she could get a better look at the inside of the tree. She couldn't be seen, but she knew that with Kyra's ears, one bad move and she could be heard, or smelt. In fact, she might have been smelt already.

[~::-Akari-::~]

]

The situation thickened as Akari awaited responses, though he did not expect what he received. As the gentle breeze stroked his white albino hair, and as the rising pink sun lightened the new morning sky, silence befell the three acquaintances as the sudden wording of his lips fell into utter silence. Akari gazed up at the willows and the swaying branches. His back stood steadily in front of both Kyra and Serriah, no movement from his lips, position or stature came. What he had said just moments a go was truly harsh on the fact he said this is where they part.

Akari looked to the painted sky and released a sigh. Thoughts of confusion and despair raced in the veins of his mind. His pondering thoughts soon vanished when interrupted by the soft words of Kyra. Akari shot a look at Kyra as he comprehended her words. Shock widened his pools of white and silver as he watched Kyra gasp and pull her hand back. Gaping upon her, Akari noticed her looking at her palm as it trembled. His lips parted with sheer confusion by the fact that he could tell that her mind and heart were battling each other in an inexorable war. Akari relaxed his eyes and shook his head slowly towards the ground in disbelief as he finally pieced her words carefully together.

She said…she said, “Don’t leave me.”

The sound of swift footsteps entered his hearing and his eyes shot back up to where he had last gazed upon the mentally tortured woman. Akari gasped shortly to see her image racing into the opposite side of the forest, away from his essence. Reflexes kicked in, and an arm of Akari’s shot out in front of him. As if trying to grasp her, but she was to far ahead already. Concern and fear of what caused her sudden change in personality filtered through his eyes as he called out to the disappearing Kyra.

“Kyra!”

Akari’s attention was grabbed by Serriah’s voice as she spoke to him. He took in every naïve word that escaped from her mouth. Serriah and Kyra were obvious friends, whether Kyra liked it or not. The fairy was definitely a very caring person to anyone she would ever come across. So it did fit her for her to go and find Kyra right away. His eyes contently watched Serriah as she spoke. Her eyes went from childish to serious; she was already beginning to become stronger. Akari continued to gaze in silence. He vision began to draw away from her when she took off into the brush.

Serriah left him behind, leaving only the wind to stroke the silhouette. His head dropped to look at the lush ground, always being fed by the nearby lake. Akari’s blind appearing eyes narrowed as her words sunk in, making him realize what he actually is. The entrails of sound from Serriah’s sudden take off into the bushes faded as she dove deeper into the forest. He slowly parted his lips as his bangs shadowed his eyes. A shallow voice cut through the silenced air. It was soft and hoarse, not to mention it was spoken in a harsh whisper that was speaking the truth. Akari talked to himself, telling his heart and his mind what Serriah showed him what he really was.

“That’s right…I am not nothing…I …I’m lower than nothing.”

Akari’s eyes slowly shifted up to where Serriah dove into the forest. Sadness engulfed them. A breeze shifted his light bangs in front of his demonic eyes.

“I’m a nobody …who’s falling into the realm of nothingness.”

Kyra was taking the same path he was. Akari stood there for a few moments analyzing how Kyra looked before she ran off. Something about the way she reacted when he spoke his words disturbed him. In her eyes, there was confusion and depression. But there was something about the way Kyra ran off, something in her eyes …something …suicidal. As the thought crossed his mind, Akari’s white and silver eyes jabbed open. His heartbeat picked up its pace as he fought with his inner self. Akari clenched his tender hands into tight fists. He stared with a stern look on his face. Mixes of feelings dwelled within the gaze, though worry was the essential sentiment.

She wouldn’t…would she?

That thought was enough to push Akari to move. He snapped out of his trance and took off into the forest. Akari easily manipulated the wind beneath his feet bestowing upon him more speed. Analyzing the paths he chooses, Akari stepped lightly, barely touching ground before taking his next tread. His flexible body weaved though the brush and trees with ease. Fallen leaves flew up as Akari sprung past on the ground.

Akari gazed desperately searching for Kyra. For now, all he could see was the environmental brush and all creatures residing within it. Frustration filtered through the angelic beings veins as he knew that there wasn’t much time to look if he thought what Kyra was about to do was true. Akari suddenly came to a halt, jerking his body a bit, forcing him to slide a foot in front of his being to regain his balance. There was no sign of Kyra, or Serriah. Akari released a bothered sigh, he did not want to have to rely on this curse, but he had no choice. Before performing it, Akari scanned the area he was standing in. The last thing he wanted was for Serriah and Kyra to see him execute this hidden ability and trait. It was clear; the women were no where near him.

Akari exhaled slowly bringing his hands together, folding them as if ready to say a prayer. The boy bowed his head concentrating severely on the essence of Kyra. Bringing his folded hands up gradually up to his bottom lip, Akari closed his eyes and saw an image of Kyra. He focused on her detail; her white fox ears and black silky hair, her emotionless eyes, her unique aura, her every aspect. Once he had a clear image of her, the being called upon his demonic ability, whispering a few words into his hands, under his warm breath. Akari’s unique aura began to increase as a small light encased the outline of his figure. Continuing on doing something he really did not want to do, he slid his hands up to his head. Deliberating on what he wanted, the angelic light demon leaned back his head, letting his snow white hair fall back. Akari inhaled and released, uncovering his second pair of wings. Long, lean feathered wings folded out from behind his ears and a temporary glow of light outline every detail of them. They elegantly draped down behind his shoulders, and Akari’s blind-looking eyes opened.

His objective was reached. Akari’s unique wings, the ones that got him banished, emitted sensitive pulses, which only he could sense. Enclosing his eyes once again, Akari allowed his accursed wings to guide him to the being he searched. His mind automatically locked on to Kyra’s intuition once they found her. Now understand Akari’s wings can only sense and allow their master to see the outlines of auras. They cannot show him who the being is. Akari must know the person’s essence before looking for that specific being. When finally designated his destination to where Kyra was, his eyes shot open and peered in the direction to where his wings guided him to look.

Manipulating the faithful wind once again, Akari bolted off in the direction, still sensing her essence. Her aura was strong now that it was imbedded in his mind. As he came closer to Kyra’s hiding place, his wings picked up another aura, but that was of no concern, it was most likely Serriah. Akari gasped shortly after realizing. He still had his wings out. Before he came too close to where they were residing, Akari stopped abruptly pulling in his angelic lean wings, back into secrecy.

Akari reached the evergreen where he was guided. He white eyes gazed upwards to where he was supposed to find Kyra, but from where he was standing, he could see nothing but branches and pine needles. Determined to find her, Akari slammed his hands down on the floor of the forest and he propelled a small gale of wind out from under his limbs. The sudden force of wind impelled Akari into the bough that hovered above him. His feet touched gracefully onto the bark of the bough. Gaining balance for another jump, Akari pulled his muscles and released. The springs in his lean legs pushed him high enough for him to grab a hold of the next bough. Akari swung his legs back and forth gaining momentum. Once enough was reached, Akari released the branch he once grasped and flipped his legs over the top of the next bough. His knees locked, and then he knew the rest was up to his upper body strength.

The young man pulled himself up, grabbing the thick bough tightly with his lean hands. Pulling up to a sitting position on the tree limb, Akari turned his head to see the mentally disturbed girl. A short gasp was released from his wrist when he saw Kyra with a sharp dagger to her vital on her wrist, one cut and she would be dead.

Akari balanced upon his feet on the high limb and grabbed Kyra’s wrist with swiftness. He pulled the blade away from her wrist, and brought the hand that held the dagger up to the side of his face, bending down all at the same time. He leaned into Kyra, looking straight into her eyes that were stained with tears. Right now, Akari could care less if she got mad at him; all he cared about was saving her life. Akari parted his lips speaking in a harsh tone; it was choked up, but it was callous.

“I might be lower than nothing…and not know my place in this damned world. But at least I know not to take my own life until I find out. Kyra, I saw people commit suicide, and I know what happens to them. I know where those poor souls go and you know what Kyra?”

Akari relaxed his eyes and softened his voice. He continued to gaze into her eyes, but with warmth and kindness, with care and worry.

“I don’t want to see you go there…I want you to be happy, and I have a feeling you will not find it if you take the path you almost did.”

While he was speaking and distracting her, Akari was gently slipping the dagger from her feminine fingers. When it was free, Akari took the hilt of the deadly weapon and stabbed it into the tree bark behind him, out of the reach of Kyra. The young man who spoke gently to Kyra slowly brought one of his hands to the side of her face, rubbing away a falling tear. A tepid smile crossed his lips. Akari leaned in further, placing his forehead against hers, moving his hand to the back of her head, combing through her hair. Akari softly spoke in a whisper making sure Serriah who was nearby could not hear him.

“I also have a feeling that person who you play for, would not be happy. Now Kyra…is that what you want?”

Akari placed a warm and comfortable smile upon his lips reassuring Kyra that he will always be there for her…no matter what. The angelic being backed his head away from touching her skin abiding the smile still on his mouth. His hand moved down and forward to hook her chin lightly. With a tender touch, Akari brought her head to tilt upward a bit; just enough so that he could look directly into her eyes that once shed tears. Akari spoke softly once again, tilting his head with an innocent and warm appearance in his white eyes with silver linings and pupils.

“Is it?”

Akari blinked slowly releasing a saddened sigh. He then looked to her with a fake smile of reassurance that the next line he spoke was true.

“I promise to leave…if I cause you that much pain. I won’t look back, but only if you want that.”

He brought his hands up to her silky cheeks, holding the sides of her face gently so she could not turn away. Akari placed an honest gaze into his eyes and conversed in a serious tone, but a benevolent one.

“I just want to make you happy, Kyra. I barely know you, but I can’t help to want this. I can’t stand to see anyone I care for to have tears streaming down their face.”

[Kyra Hitomi]

[glow=blue,2,300]The distraught female fox’s nose picked up Serriah’s scent and then Akari’s, but her mind didn’t comprehend that her comrades were close. She looked at the silver blade and her wrist as they began to be pulled away from her sight. She looked up to see Akari looking at her, her breath caught in her throat as she gave a strained gasp. Her blue eyes were stinging with salty tears and her vision was blurred as she looked at Akari. She listened to his harsh words and slowly her foggy mind began to clear. She watched as Akari’s tone in voice changed from harsh to get his words across to a sympathetic worried voice that was caused from her actions.

She felt the dagger become loose from her slender fingers as Akari pulled it away and tossed it so that it embedded itself into the tree bark behind the young boy. Her ice blue orbs widen as she felt Akari’s hand sweep past her cheek to wipe away the salty water. She was even more surprised when Akari placed his forehead against hers, her white fox ears twitched lightly amongst her onyx colored hair, as he spoke softly to her. [/glow]

“I also have a feeling that person who you play for, would not be happy. Now Kyra…is that what you want?”

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra felt more tears tumbled down her ashen face, but when Akari asked her again, she realized he wanted a response. Her tone was soft, but not the same emotionless tone she had before, more like a demure tone.[/glow]

“No, my brother wouldn’t be happy if I did that...”

[glow=blue,2,300]Her right hand scanned down her hip and down to her thigh. She placed her hand on the pouch that was strapped to her thigh and pressed against the fabric. She could feel the wooden instrument through the rather thick fabric. Her eyes gazed at Akari still as he spoke once more. [/glow]

“He doesn’t not cause me pain, he causes me joy, because he acts so much like Ryou. My mind did not realize how much into the darkness I had fallen and when I got a glimpse of light, my body rejected it, thinking it was poison.”

[glow=blue,2,300]She felt her face be pulled towards Akari’s as his hands rested against her cheeks. She couldn’t turn away even if she could, her instincts told her to look at someone when they spoke to her. She gazed at Akari as he spoke, and sighed heavily. Her mind was clear there was no more fog in her mind at all as she spoke.[/glow]

“I’ll speak it again, I don’t want you to leave. I think this loner is done being lonely. I think I can finally break my walls and end my inner war.”

[glow=blue,2,300]For the first time since her brother left the living world, Kyra granted Akari a kind and heartfelt smile. Kyra grasped on to Akari’s arms as he held her face with her long slender fingers. The war that went on inside her had taken it’s toll on her body. She felt her knees begin to weak and her head get light. Her feet shifted on the bough to keep herself up, but she began to blank out as her eyes closed and her body became weak and began to loose its stiffness. Her muscles gave in as her body became limp and her grasp upon Akari’s forearms faded as gravity over came her body and she began to fall to the ground. [/glow]

[Serriah Mileynou]

Serriah was scooting farther and farther under the tree to get a good look at things. She didn't see Kyra, but without a second's notice she saw Akari jump into the tree's boughs. He must have found Kyra because at once she heard a harsh, sharp, mumbled tone. Then she heard his voice soften and become quieter to where she could no longer hear much of anything. She knew they were talking she just couldn't understand what was being said. She was surprised that Kyra hadn't striken Akari dead, she probably would have killed Serriah.

Serriah pulled herself slowly up from the ground. She turned to look at the spot where she could hear they were, and as she did so, she caught a few words. Kyra's words. My brother wouldn't be happy if I did that... Serriah hated herself for hearing those words. She hated herself even more for the fact that now she was curious and wanted to ask Kyra questions, but she knew that was wrong. Obviously this man, Akari, had a different effect on Kyra than Serriah did. Because the next few words she heard hit Serriah like a knife in the heart. I can finally break my walls and end my inner war. Serriah's head went fuzzy losing all thought. Her brain went numb with the pain of knowing that, however good were her intentions, Serriah had not been of any help to Kyra, and had just been a nuisance. She herself had not been able to get through to Kyra, yet this man who Kyra had held at sword point had managed to get through to her.

Suddenly, Serriah's senses and mind cleared as something drove her to pull her attention back to the place where Akari and Kyra were, although she could not see them. What happened next was seen in almost slow motion. A small body slowly floating off the bough and in store for an obvious fall. Serriah bolted, without thinking toward the spot beneath Kyra. Akari may be better at helping Kyra, but this is one thing I can do. Serriah plucked Kyra, arms open wide, from the morning air, pulling her out of harm's way. Unfortunately, Serriah was not strong and only flew a few feet before collapsing on the ground with Kyra on top of her. I tried my best, at least she didn't hit the ground. She had a feeling that Kyra was not harmed in any way besides mentally.

Serriah wiggled her pinned body slowly free from underneath Kyra's light weight. Even though Kyra weighed not much, Serriah was only slightly heavier herself, being tall and lanky. Although her carrying Kyra's dead weight had only lasted a few seconds, Serriah felt as if her body had drained all its energy into those seconds. She just let herself lie there on the ground next to Kyra, too tired at the moment to move unless necessary. She sighed which turned into a yawn. And it was still morning.

[~::-Akari-::~]

Akari facial expression warmed as she spoke the truth. Kyra was realizing the truth that had been hiding from her for so many years. The truth being her brother wanted better for his sister than death. The angelic being smiled as Kyra rejected his proposal of him leaving her and Serriah behind. His heart felt a little at ease. As the woman continued to speak, Akari kept a steady gaze on her eyes, they were warm and kind. A smile crossed Akari’s lips as she told him her inner war was finally ending. The boy was glad for her, but at the same time he was jealous. Kyra’s war was ending, while Akari’s was just beginning its second stage. His was long from over. Akari was in a trance of thought was those words were spoken, but he did not want Kyra to get curious of his sudden mode swing, so he just replied to her words in his usual kindhearted voice. Akari leaned back, placing space in between his and Kyra’s foreheads. He spoke softly, almost in a whisper.

“That’s a good thing.”

Akari’s calm expression ended quickly as he could sense her essence and her body becoming limp. A sharp gasped was released as Kyra’s slender fingers slipped off of the gripped, off of his forearms. He leaned over the bough of the tree, attempting to catch her before she was too out of reach. Akari’s stretched out his arms and shifted his weight to the front of him. Falling backwards, Akari hooked his knees around the sturdy tree branch. The boy tried to react quickly enough, but her body was out of reach of his arms to pull her back up into his arms for safety. Akari’s white eyes widened in fear, and his mouth dropped open.

“Kyra!”

The white haired boy was quickly cut off in his yell of terror from seeing his friend plummet to earth. When realization filled his eyes of the other conscious woman called Serriah catching Kyra. Akari released a sigh of relief knowing she was now safe and had no threat of receiving a concussion, or anything worse. He watched for a few moments until both of the women were on the firm ground. A hand of Akari’s quickly rose to his forehead slapping it when he witnessed Serriah lose her strength and collapse to the ground with the dead weight of Kyra on top of her. The hand slid down above his eyes and face, all the way down to his neck. Akari rubbed his neck releasing a bit of a groan at Serriah’s miscalculations of Kyra’s different weight shift when unconscious.

The boy slowly regained himself and grabbed a hold of the branch his knees clung to. Akari scooted a bit across the firm branch and reached out. The bark was rough, but it did give him a better grip. Akari slowly pulled his upper body up with one hand, level to the bough. Now able to reach his objection, he wrapped his slender fingers around the lethal dagger that almost ended Kyra’s precious life. The demon took the dagger into his mouth for the time being and took a steady grip on the branch again. He carefully unhooked his lean legs and dropped them between his holding arms so now everything was dangling lazily towards the ground. The man was flexible in all sorts of ways and he did have great endurance giving him certain strengths. Akari released his grip on the tree branch Kyra once sat upon and fell to the ground gracefully. Descending at least fifteen feet, Akari finally hit the ground, landing on his feet, but with his hands lightly touching the grassy floor.

The yet to be noticed as an angelic being stood up slowly, standing up straight revealing his actual height. Akari turned to face the two being lying on the ground, one unconscious, and one awake, while removing the dagger from his lips. A few steps were taken by Akari drawing his closer to the two of the woman. Standing at Serriah’s feet for a few moments, Akari glanced down at her with a sarcastically sympathetic look on his face. He leaned down supporting some weight by placing a hand on his knee. Akari offered a hand to the exhausted fairy. A warm smile of gratefulness played across his lips as he spoke in a voice with a hint of a giggle hidden in it.

“Nice catch.”

Akari would help Serriah up if she took his offered hand, but after that he had no idea what to do. Contemplating thoughts raced through his head until something struck a bell of idea. Luckily, the bell was stricken soon. Akari looked at Kyra and smiled at the peacefulness she had while she slept. His white eyes with silver linings and pupils then drifted back to Serriah.

I guess with that demonstration of Serriah’s strength, I should be the one to carry Kyra to a new location. Hopefully that new location will be back in our own territory.

His eyes steadied on Serriah for a moment, but then they drifted once again, up to the morning sky. The while puffs of clouds slowly but surely floated across the canvass of the sky. The reminding wind stroked Akari hair enchantingly. It was teasing him of his desires.

I admit I miss the purity of the winds in our territory…my home.

[Kyra Hitomi]

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra let out a small groan as she felt all feeling of solid ground leave her feet as she began to plummet to the ground. Her ears caught Akari’s desperate cry and her body felt the slight breeze that his hands created when he reached for her limp body. She began to part her lips, but nothing came out, but she suddenly felt a force impel her body and before she knew she landed on the ground, or what she thought was the ground. Kyra lost total consciousness as she slipped into a deep slumber.

In her head, she saw a misty background, most of her surroundings was a deep black. She felt herself turn as she gazed around. [/glow]

“Where am I? Is this–“

[glow=blue,2,300]Her train of thought was lost when she heard the crying of a young girl. Her delicate ears helped her to find the source of heavy weeping. Kyra’s icy blue eyes widen in shock at the sight of the sobbing. A young girl with a jet black hair stood in front of her and her white fox ears obscured the black strands. Her petite figure rocked with heavy crying as she rubbed her eyes, this girl was Kyra when she was young, right after she lost her brother. The younger Kyra’s clothes were concealed by a blood soaked cloak. Kyra released a gentle sigh as she reached out to the girl, but was startled as her fingers meshed with the image. She quickly retracted her hand and watched as the girl phased out slowly like a desert illusion. A small, yet sad smile spread across Kyra’s lips.[/glow]

“I really was lost in the darkness....”

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra felt her knees give out upon her as she fell to the unknown ground. Kyra’s head bowed, her black bangs covering her bright eyes. A warm embrace surrounded Kyra as her head snapped up and her muscles tightened at the unknown presence, but she could tell by touch and smell who it was and her body instantly began to relax in her brother’s arms. [/glow]

“Kyra, mia sorella, what has been going through your head. I thought I told you to live well for me. This isn’t living well. Promise me that you’ll live better. That you’ll look after your new comrades and that I won’t keep lingering in your life. Don’t forget me, but remember the good times, please, do this for me. You wonder why I can’t rest peacefully, I hear you ask the wind and the reason is I worry about you. Open up, allow this people into your walls and just remember me.”

“Yes, I will, and you can live peacefully now right?”

“Of course, I know your in good hands.”

[glow=blue,2,300]Even in her dream, Kyra could feel the warmth of her brother’s spirit surround her and slowly it began to dissipate. She could see the fog begin to evanesce from her sight, leaving her only in the blackness of her mind as her mind cleared, leaving her in a restful sleep. [/glow]

[Serriah Mileynou]

Serriah watched as Akari walked up to her feet. She heard his words, "Nice catch", as he offered her his hand. She grabbed it and pulled herself up with a little help from Akari. "Well it worked though didn't it?" She asked in the same joking, sarcastic tone he had used. She smiled. Her insides felt warm. She had done something good. She, little weak pixie girl, had done something to help Kyra. Well, kind of. She sighed, and stretched her arms up above her head, as she retracted her wings into her body. She tilted her head, and then stopped moving abrubtly. A sharp pain shot into her skull. She fell onto her knees as her chest heaved breathing with the sharp pains in her head. She must have wacked her head on the ground without realizing it. She felt nausciouswithin seconds, and crawled quickly over to a bush. She vomited, knowing now that she had gotten a concussion, and then stood up mopping her brow with her sleeve.

Serriah turned around wiping any possible remnants off her lips, and immediately felt light headed. Her body wavered back and forth for a few seconds until she reached a hand out in front of her, and fell once more to her knees. She sat back on her calves as her green wings wrapped themselves around her thin body. Tears slowly trickled down her cheeks, as she tried to ignore the pain. She pulled herself up off the ground, refusing to show any more weakness to Akari and the unconscious Kyra. She blocked the pain from her mind, and put up a hand to Akari, hoping he would realize she meant hold on one second.

What did mom use those years ago when I hit my head on that oak tree?COme on Serriah, think. She racked her brains until she noticed that below her gaze were bushes of the very herb she was looking for. She couldn't remember what it was called, but she knew that it was just what she needed. She bent down slowly and pulled one off the dirty branch with her index finger and thumb. She popped it into her mouth and swallowed it without water, down her now dry throat. It's pricly surface scraped at her esophagus, and then finally went down. Serriah knew that within minutes, she would be completely fine. She meandered back to where she had left Akari and Kyra. She brought her eyes onto Kyra's still limp, unconscious, and peaceful body on the ground and then spoke to the man, Akari.

"Okay, sorry about that, anyway. Where do you think we should go? With Kyra injured I think it might be best if we went back into the Wind Territory. Of course, I would not object if you thought otherwise. I cannot carry Kyra and fly, as you just saw, so..." she let her voice drift off, not wanting to imply that Akari could carry Kyra, for that would be rude. So Serriah simply waited for Akari to respond with his opinion. She smiled at him, really noticing his white hair in the sudden light filtering through the tree tops.

[Akari]

Akari helped the fallen pixie to her feet. Retracting his arm and using his strength, Serriah was soon brought to her feet as Kyra slumbered peacefully. Akari gave a pleasant smile as his awake companion joked along with him. The young boy turned to Kyra for a moment until his thoughts were interrupted by a thudding sound from in front of him. Akari shot a look aback around to see Serriah on her knees in pain. A small worried gasp escaped his mouth as he took a small step towards the girl to be of assistance, just be cut off by a gesture of “hold on.”

“Serri-”

The albino with blind-looking eyes watched in confusion as the small pixie bustle around for something. Akari tried many times to get her attention, but he always failed.

“Serriah… I’m a heal-”

“Serri-”

“Please, Serriah… I can-”

Akari release a frustrated sigh and gave up for the time being. His legs gave out from under him as Akari plopped down onto the forest floor. Waiting patiently, the man looked to his side and gazed upon Kyra’s essence. She looked so peaceful and at rest. Thoughts walked through the channels of the angelic being.

Wind Territory is far off from this location. It’ll take more than one day’s flying. Another bad thing is… no food, water, or supplies. I can make it, but what about?

Akari bowed his head a bit looking at Kyra. His head shifted back up when he caught a glimpse of Serriah coming back in the corner of his eyes. The young man parted his lips and shrugged his shoulders to the worry and care within in his voice.

“You do know I could of healed you. It doesn’t hurt.”

The angelic being then stood up slowly, brushing the forest debris from the backside of his black pants. His eyes shifted back and forth, from the slumbering Kyra to Serriah as he spoke, answering the pixie’s questioning statements.

“Anyway, Kyra’s not injured, she’s just… she’s just exhausted. I did something I shouldn’t have, but don’t worry about that. I’m going to atone for that by getting both of you back home. I want to get back as soon as possible, so we begin now, no delays.”

White eyes shifted up to the sky and gazed through, past the leaves that glorious sunlight filtered through. Akari took in the gentle breeze that caressed him and then estimated the time of day. As he looked, his thoughts moved through his mouth.

“It’s about eleven, give or take. If we go now we can get a good distance on our journey. But it will have to be a non-stop movement, but just until nightfall.”

In one movement, Akari looked down to the grassy floor. His eyes followed the blades of grass until they cross over to the limp body of Kyra. His footsteps moved closer to Kyra’s body. Slowly bending down, Akari’s feet were planted firmly on the ground an inch away from the unconscious girl. The young man maneuvered his one knee to press on to the ground as he slipped both his arms under Kyra’s body. Slowly and carefully, Akari pulled up, placing proper pressure under Kyra’s back and under the bend of her feminine knees. Lifting the dead weight up to about waist height, Kyra’s body rested peacefully and soundly in Akari’s arms. Akari then turned back to face the innocent Serriah, continuing his plan.

“I’ll carry her for now, just until she wakes up. Let’s go.”

The angelic being offered a warm smile of comfort.

“Trust me. I swear I’ll get you and Kyra home safely.”

[Kyra Hitomi]

OOC: Skip me please! I'll let nightcandle know when I decide to jump back in ^.^ ))

[Daybreak]

Gabriel, an elf soldier of Water, moved swiftly and gracefully through the brush and grounded limbs of his beloved homeland . His uniform of blue and silver stood out among the greens and browns of the forest. Tightly bound to his back were his arrows, and in his right hand his only bow. Looking ahead with his baby blue eyes he scanned the forest floor for intruders. This was his job for today, and he had left the Silver City under orders of the Mistress of the Rain. These times especially meant no fooling around on his part and he was more watchful than normal. Moving faster yet he began to slowly close the distance between the forest and the lake, along with the unknown forms of the intruders.

Gabriel's sights closed in on them quickly and he slowed his steps to a light jog. A soft breeze brushed his blond locks over his shoulders and his eyes reflected the soft light coming through the towering canopy of leaves. He noticed a man carrying what looked to be an injured female, and another female...who was obviously of Wind...

A grimace of pain entered his face flowing into a slight hint of anger. He ran up quickly now and looked at all of them from an extremely uncomfortable close distance. Reaching his hand behind his back with a graceful amount of speed he drew an arrow and loaded his bow, his icy orbs looking at them from behind his drawn weapon. Staring directly at the unknown man , looking unshaken into his eyes...

"Do not move, or I will kill you."

O.O.C- I just had to do it...

[Serriah Mileynou]

o.o.c.- sorry 4 the delay guys, I just finished my summer reading and am working on my post, itll b up asap. thanks 4 understanding.

[Serriah Mileynou]

"Oh, I completely forgot about the whole healing thing, I just was trying to find myself a cure, and I must have been so concentrated on herbs, that your offer never even occurred to me. But thanks, for caring." She smiled, and felt an oddly confident feeling. With Akari's urgent words of departure, Serriah turned completely ready. Akari's last words of trust echoing into her brain, she put her hands in her pockets, and was about to take off, when an icy cold voice shattered her thoughts. "Don't move, or I will kill you." Serriah froze, her mind speeding up with thoughts of death or capture. She tried to look at Akari without turning her head. She had no idea what to do. With her hand in her pocket, she could feel the pocketknife against her knuckles. It's cold metal, somehow, was not comforting at all. It was her only weapon. And she didn't know how to fight very well. She could fly fast, but with a bow and arrow, did that really matter? She wasn't sure if she could dodge it. What were they supposed to do? Should they fly for it? Or should they jump into the tree for cover, and then fly away unnoticed and quiet? Serriah had no idea. Certainly, Kyra can't fight at the moment. She's unconscious! And Akari is holding her, so he can't fight without putting her down....and that would involve moving. Would they really kill us if we had to scratch our ankles or something? Serriah wasn't sure of anything, but she wasn't willing to risk her life to find out either.

Serriah kept her eyes open and looking at Akari in case he tried to mouth her instructions. The person threatening them was to their backs, she could tell, from where he spoke. She tried desperately to talk to him through telepathy. Unfortunately, Serriah didn't have that power, so she didn't expect it to work, but she was desperate. Finally, without moving, she mouthed the words What should we do? to Akari. Then she slowly uncurled her clenched in fear fists to curl her fingers around her pocketknife. Her hand moved so slowly that it couldn't possibly have been seen, and Serriah knew that. She then turned her attention back to Akari I only have a pocket blade! she mouthed, careful not to move anything but her lips, which were concealed by her body. she seemed to be overcome with a wave of courage, but she wasn't sure of how long the wave would last, so she wished desperately for some instruction or guide from Akari. What have I gotten myself into? Serriah tried desperately to show no signs of fear, but although she might be able to fool everyone else, she knew she couldn't fool herself.

Her wings were beginning to stiffen, and she longed to either put them away, or stretch them out and fly. Unfortunately, that would mean moving with the possible expense of her life. She stared at Akari even harder, praying for some sort of response.

(ooc- sorry this took so long, I put it up but apparently it didn't work, so it was pointed out to me by someone, and I am now going to make sure this works)

[~::-Akari-::~]

Akari returned a smile back to Serriah as she explained herself. Honestly he did not care if she took his help or not, it was her choice and she did what she had to. After he proposed to get out of water territory right now, he watched her as Serriah prepared to leave. Her wings were already open, which was a good thing. The smile soon faded when a stranger’s voice sliced the air. It was threatening, a voice from a definite enemy. The voice was commanding and angered.

Slowly, Akari turned his body fully towards the man in uniform of blue and silver with the limp Kyra gracefully in his sturdy arms, disobeying his orders. Akari’s gentle mask vanished when his white eyes glanced upon the man of water. The uniform was a dead give away. That was his advantage over the stranger. He knew his territory but the one holding the drawn weapons did not know his or Kyra’s. But…Akari narrowed his eyes when he realized Serriah’s territory was given away, her wings gave it away. They were so close to leaving, why…why did he have to show up? The angelic being grimaced through his teeth behind closed lips as he began to comprehend the danger all of them were in.

The positioning they were in was difficult. Serriah was slightly in front of his being and he was facing the enemy dead on. In the corner of his scanning eyes, Akari could make out lips movement. His grip tightened on Kyra as he tried to make out what Serriah was mouthing to him. It was hard, but he could make out some words. That was a good but unimportant question to Akari.

Akari lowered his eyebrows creating an angered face towards the man in uniform who was brave to pull a weapon on him and his allies. There was no “we.” Akari’s one and only objective was to get Serriah and Kyra safe, one way or the other. His eyes moved to the corners to look at Serriah’s face. It was serious and courageous, but it wasn’t good enough to hide her true feelings from him. His white eyes moved back to the man dressed in blue and silver. His eyes went through the bow and arrow straight to his icy eyes.

I won’t break my promise!

Gaining strength in his left arm, Akari swiftly and carefully dropped Kyra’s lower body and pressed her against his chest, hooking his arm under hers. With the right arm free to move, the agile being drew his razor fan from its holding and immediately opened its deadly mouth. As he did this as quickly as possible, Akari shot a look at Serriah and yelled, pleading for her to leave. His eyes stared at the icy eyes, but his head was turned towards the small young lady Serriah.

“Go!”

His head automatically turned back to the man with draw weapons. Akari knew most likely what was about to come, but he had one weapon out and if he were to fire an arrow at Serriah, his fan would easily deflect it. His eyes were stern and protective. Not only did he have to protect Serriah from fleeing, but he also had to worry about protecting the most vulnerable of all of them, the one slumbering in his arms.

Kyra.

The young demon with white hair held on to her body tightly. His left arm was hooked under her underarms, crossing her back. Akari had her pressed securely against his chest so she wouldn’t slide out of his gripping. His faithful weapon was drawn open covering the sight of Kyra’s face from the adversary. Adrenaline kicked in, giving Akari a boost to react quicker and hopefully protect the ones he cares for.

[Daybreak]

Gabriel watched the man turn around to face him; the woman he had in his embrace was very unconscious and not well. Slowly, Gabriel's blond eyebrow rose as if to tell the young man he better not move another inch, or else. And he meant it. The boy's glare burrowed into him and he scowled back. He definitely was not happy about this, and he could tell the other was not either.

He kept both eyes on each of them, the moving and the unmoving. He became slightly concerned for the woman unawake in the foreigners arms. Why is she unconscious? Has he hurt her? His expression lightened as he looked at the woman, and as he drew he icy eyes back to the face of the man he met angry orbs.

Gabriel could not read his mind, but he knew that look. The look of reckless anger. He knew it well, and was sure something stupid would follow. He followed this man's eyes to the pixie, but his arrow did not change direction...Once again meeting the cold stare of his foe... Gabriel felt no fear.

The speed of the actions to come were uncanny. He saw the man react, as he expected. Gabriel heaved a heavy sigh, his eyes filled with pity for what they all would now need to endure. He aimed his arrow at the pixie, and shot. The arrow's aim was true, and did not waver much on it's path. He pierced his lips and an ear splitting sound echoed throughout the forest, Gabriel wanted the small group to know they could not get away...

As the sound diminished, men and woman alike filled in around the tiny helpless group. There was only five or six other soldiers besides Gabriel now, all armed and ready to fire. He fired a warning shot into the foot of the male and let one veer past his head as well. He was not afraid to use what he had, and he would kill if need be...and he was unsure if he had already.

Gabriel nodded to a brown haired male soldier to do what he had been taught. The skinny young cadet walked up behind the foreign male and placed him into an unpleasant choke hold. Arenna's grip was strong and as he griped him Gabriel stepped closer with arrow drawn, pointed directly between the intruder's eyes.

"You will listen when you are told. Quick actions are costly in situations such as these and they will end your life immediately, or the lives of the ones you care deeply for." He focused in on the unconscious female and then back to the boy. "What is your name boy, for I deserve to know, you are on our land. I have right."

His blond hair strewn across his face in waves as the could breeze began to blow. The winter chill was settling into the forest like a weight.

"Mine is Gabriel Croix...I am a soldier of our Lady Rigel, who resides in the Silver City. Which is where your journey now takes you, against your will." "What do you have to say for yourself?" His eyes where both empathetic and cold, staring into the depths of the enemy. What was to come of the group now depended on their adrenaline-filled leader...the man who was allied to Wind.

[Serriah Mileynou]

ooc- ok, so its definite this time. I will absolutely have my post up by tomorrow. I will try to have it up tonight, but it depends what time i get home from dance

[Serriah Mileynou]

Serriah’s intense gaze on Akari changed to an expression of confusion as she watched him change his grip on Kyra’s limp body. She wasn’t expecting what came next. At least, her mind wasn’t. It was as if her body knew it was coming, her mind however, was wiped blank as the word “GO!” swam through her head. Her wings stretched and she flew her fastest. It was so fast that her surroundings were a blur. Her whole, agile body leaned as she turned, flying still at an unimaginably fast rate. It was as she turned that something sharp flew past her wing, and grazed her right arm. Serriah’s whole body was pumping with adrenaline however, and she didn’t even take notice of the blood trickling down her bicep. She kept flying, dodging in-between trees. After a minute, she came to a halt and hid in a tree. The tree was so thick and bushy that it would be impossible for her to be seen. She made no sound when she landed, and as she peered around through the leaf thickets, she saw more of the Water’s men. All heads were turned toward Akari and Kyra. From where she crouched, Serriah could tell they were in trouble. Okay so they needed help, but what was she going to do? She needed to think. Serriah untied the ribbon she had on her neck, and tied up her hair. Hmm, she thought. What can I do to distract those men? She racked her brains, hard. Her mind did a fast read through of all the events that had happened since Akari had been with her and Kyra. And then a partial plan formed in her mind. It was partial by the fact that she kind of had an idea of what she could do; yet it wasn’t complete.

Serriah slipped quickly and silently down the tree trunk. Then she took off running silently in the other direction. In the heat of the moment, her feet traveled much faster than they normally would. She turned around, and saw no eyes look back at her. She kept running. She reached the edge of the lake along which the three had been not too long ago. Serriah was not dumb enough to stretch out her wings, so she did the next fastest thing. She dove into the water. Again. The iciness of the water helped her think, and she swam all the faster. She reached another shore and jumped out, breaking the glassy surface with her body. It was there just as she had remembered. Her cardigan. She had left it there, along with her pocket blade. It’s a good thing Akari didn’t want me to use it, because I didn’t have it with me anyway. The water from the lake had removed her scent again, and replaced it with that of the Water. Also her hair was darker from the water. Unfortunately that would not be very permanent. She stripped off her green tee, which was sure to be easy to remember, and put on her black cardigan. Then she ran to the water’s edge to look for what she needed. It had been only a little over a minute since she had left Akari’s side, but she still rushed herself along. Then her eyes sought what she was looking for. They were little purple poufs that grew near water sources. They had about a million of them near her well at home. She popped four into her hand. The black powder was fine and soft. She rubbed it all through her hair. Then she scooped up handfuls of water and smoothed it out. She tipped her head to look at the water’s surface. Her hair was now a brown color. She knew from an experience with her brother’s throwing this at Lorrina’s and her hair growing up, that it would tint the hair when adding water and wouldn’t wash out no matter how she tried, for about two or three days. She checked in the water’s reflection to see that all of her natural hair was covered. It was. She was ready.

She took off running, praying her plan would work to an extent. Oddly enough, she wasn’t nervous or scared at all. It was like she was on an all-natural high that she couldn’t get off of. She said one final prayer, and came up to the small crowd of people near Akari. She didn’t go to close. They would not recognize her with her hair different and pulled back, a different shirt, and a face they couldn’t possibly recognize. She had been only facing Akari before, and knew they couldn’t have ever seen her face. She was positive. Her confidence gave as she cleared her throat too quietly to be audible, and then looked up. “What’s happened here?!” She made her voice sound scared and confused. Her voice didn’t break at all, and by looking at their faces, she inferred that they couldn’t recognize her. She had also never spoken, so they wouldn’t know what she sounded like. “That’s my friend, sir, what happened?” She pointed at Kyra, knowing Akari would want her saved first. Serriah glanced around at the men with a purely questioning look. She didn’t think. She wouldn’t allow herself any distraction. Her voice and expression were purely genius, and no one could possibly see through them.

As a kid, whenever she and her brothers and sisters would get in trouble, she could always fool her parents into believing her story. She was practiced at becoming someone else, and knew it showed to be helpful now.

She refused her eyes to go to Akari’s, not risking any glances from either of them. She waited a response from the soldiers.

[~::-Akari-::~]

Akari's scowl did not falter on the man in uniform. He showed no fear as the two of them exchanged looks. The blonde man of water apparently had the same feelings as the albino boy of wind. Akari never broke his gaze on those ice cold eyes. He looked where the enemy looked. The grip on his weapon tightened as he caught the unknown Gabriel stealing a glimpse of the unconscious Kyra. What was this man thinking? Akari observed his surroundings in the back of his mind. Serriah was behind him, Kyra, in his arms, and the enemy stood in front of him weapon drawn and ready. Cold was sinking upon the soil.

The boy heard the sound of a lethal attack. Akari, unable to move quick enough to block the peircing arrow from its designated target, called out to Serriah, holding his ground. White eyes never left the man's glare.

"Serriah, move!"

Wait, not that much! Akari grunted in frustration from the fleeing girl. His eyes watched frustrated as Serriah dissappeared into the brush of the thick forest. She wouldn't abandon them would she? Sure this wasn't the best of situations for her, but honestly when was it for anyone? Where the hell is she going?!

"Serriah!"

An earsplitting sound, a signal...to others? Akari's eyes showed anxiousness from the unexpected. Both men and women surrounded them. Yup...more soldiers...more enemies. Great. His eyes scanned around; only six, including the blonde. Well, it could be worse. Distracted for the moment and concerned Serriah, Akari snapped when a familiar sound whistled in his ear. A bladed fan dropped as his weight shifted dodging the oncoming arrow towards his foot.

The angellic demon showed no fear, regaining his balance in a nonchalant way. He didn't budge. The unknown man fired another arrow. The head of the fatal missile veered passed the side of his face. His expression of collectiveness never faded as thin white tresses were cut and drafted in the wind. A streak of blood, nothing more ran down his cheekbone, the slit from the arrow did not phase him...no fear. Determination. I won't break my promise.

He looked to be in a trance. Akari was silent. His lips didn't move and his eyes had no emotion...as if he gave up. A limp hand fell to his side, the mouth of the weapon still revealing. His eyes were focused on the man in front of his being, but Akari's thought process was considering everyone's location. Gabriel, the unknown name, had set his pieces perfectly. Now, in this game, it was Akari's turn.

A small gasp pf air caught in Akari's throat. Arms wrapped around his neck, placing him in an unexpected choke hold. Pressure on the boy's neck was strong, unbearable. Nonetheless Akari's white eyes were locked on the enemy's as he strode closer to him. Akari grasp, holding Kyra closer to him; it was a grip that was more secure. No fear filtered through Akari's facade when the arrow was closely pointed between his eyes. The stranger's voice annoyed the young captive. What is he...a mother?

But...he speaks the truth. The albino looked away, his head lowered. White bangs shielded the eyes. He was quiet in this situation. The choke hold forced him breathe through the mouth. Breaths were shallow and short. Gabirel finished his play, his words silenced, the pieces were in place. I won't break my promise.

Through the shallow breathing, Akari snapped. A more dominant side, a more aggresive version of this demon began to seep out. The young demon slowly raised his head to meet Gabirel's eyes. A devishly smirk was revealed as their eyes met. Lips mouthed, uttering two words in silence and shallow breath. Akari's lips formed into the words, "My turn."

Eyes shot quickly to the side to a familiar voice. Serriah? She was in disguise? Her hair color was completely different, but for how long. Akari's eyes widened from her sentence. No! That's too risky Serriah! Akari had to move, now.

Without an effort, lean angellic white wings spread from between the shoulder blades. The pressure applied from the appendages was strong enough to push back the cadet Arenna. Without a second thought the boy spread his wings to their fullest length, a gale of wind emitting from them. Akari bent down quickly dodging Gabirel's shot if he took one. Without one pause, the mouth of the fan closed and gained velocity. Akari swiftly brought the hilt of the weapon up to the blond one, bestowing a visciuos upper cut into the soft underbelly on his chin. The speed of it was surprising. The force was powerful, but that wasn't the end of the young demon's assult.

He flicked the mouth of the fan open with delicate wrist movement. Blades sliced the air towards Gabriel's abdomen. If this Gabriel did not want to take a fatal blow, he would have no choice but to back off. Akari repositioned Kyra again once there was space between both beings. He spoke to Gabriel as he did so, the fan placed back in its respectful sheath.

"Just so you know, Gabriel Croix, soldier of your Lady Rigel..."

A hand slowly rose towards the sky; palm was up, fingers slightly curled; white wings folded back into the underskin of Akari's shoulder blades, a white light outlined all the curved amd creases on his palm and hand. An aura of white began to converge.

"...I will not tolerate anyone threatening my allies!"

The light that gathered in his palm suddenly combusted into a severe light; engulfing the area. Anyone to even catch a flicker or the slightest glimpse of this flare was given temporary blindness. The light would burn both irises and pupils, paralyzing the victim from seeing anything at all.

Akari brought his hand down and threw Kyra over his back for better use of speed. He sprinted to Serriah and grabbed her by the wrist. That gives us five minutes.

"Let's go."

His legs sprinted in the direction of where they came from before this mess happened. Scanning the area he ran, looking for trees to dodge and logs to jump. Serriah was being pulled quickly, Kyra carried. They had to move. It was a desperate situation...Akari was willing to take the risk.

"We're going back to where we came from. Follow my hand, do not let go. What ever you do just listen to my voice and footsteps."

The path was swiftly run down; dodging trees and brush. Akari’s grip on both Serriah and Kyra did not loosen. Anger consumed his thoughts, the grip on Serriah showing it. Distracted by the current foolishness she showed back there Akari nearly got whipped by a low branch; the tip scraping the side of his forehead releasing a small trickle of blood. His eyes looked back to the supposed blind Serriah.

What the hell was she thinking! Akari released a sigh. No matter, what’s done is done. In a matter of time, Akari broke through the thick brush into the opening where the placid lake was. Two minutes…got to hurry. Akari let go of Serriah and ran to the tree where Kyra rested her blade. Hastily he wrapped his fingers around it went back to Serriah. Without warning, the young demon strapped the weapon around Serriah's petite waist.

“Here, take Kyra’s blade. Don’t ask questions…”

Akari quickly laid his hand across her eyes. Pulling away, the spell of blindness was retracted from her eyes. He carried on with his plan. He did not bother looking into her eyes. He didn’t need it, not now. An eye of worry or sympathy is what he was most likely going to get after he told her. Akari tugged on the blade to see if it was sturdy. Carefully, Akari entrusted Serriah with Kyra.

“…You need take her. You need to go home with her.”

Akari reached behind him grabbing his staff. Carefully, he placed it within Kyra's hands, signalling they will meet again. The staff was only a foot long at the moment, and only Akari knew how to handle it. Akari gave Serriah a kind look telling her not to loose it. White eyes shifted to the surrounding woods. Gabriel and the Mistress of the Rain’s pawns were bound to be coming soon. Akari quickly turned back to Serriah. He pushed her the opposite way, forcing her to move quickly. He whispered in her ear. The words were kind and full of trust; confidence.

“I’m trusting you to fulfill my promise.” He gave her a warm smile. It was a smile of farewell. For Akari knew not whether he would ever see them again. “Don’t make me a liar.” The boy turned back to the forest’s edge hearing some rustling, though it was most likely to be the cool breeze. Razor bladed weapons were pulled from their protective sheaths. Mouths of the fans opened. He was prepared to fight…at least…until Serriah was at a safe distance.

“You need to go now!”

[Daybreak]

Gabriel paused for a moment. His burning blue eyes fired off in every direction searching for the faces he desired to turn in to his humble Mistress. As the disagreement continued, the short spout of arrows had scared away a winged female, a female he knew he had to find. One he knew was still in the N’Adinel. Gabriel’s eyes focused back in on his prisoner, the one with angelic wings, the being far from that of an Angel. The woman the prisoner was holding as he was on his knees was still rather unconscious, a state she had been in since before Gabriel and his men had entered the scene.

Why was he protecting her?

Gabriel moved in closer, he wanted to look straight into the demons eyes. His elfish posture closed in around the strangled man. Blond hair folding over his flushed cheeks; he placed his clothed knees down on the soggy earth. Looking intently at the man, he desired nothing but the winged beings cooperation and by now he knew the man was going to be as stubborn as hell. There was no point in negotiation.

As Gabriel readied to speak, his jaw slowly moving to form the words he was putting together in his mind like an unsolved puzzle, an unexpected noise filled the forest behind him. “What’s happened here?” He could not help but turn his head, as did his whole company of soldiers. For a moment everything stopped as they turned to face a woman who had unexpectedly appeared. Gabriel knew who she was, it was impossible for her to be anybody else than the woman who had at first fled the scene. Logically, who would appear so nonchalantly in the forest at this particular time in space? No one. He knew what was going on. It was clear to him but not so to the many other men who stood in that specific area. The looks of shock and utter confusion graced many of the faces that stood now amongst the trees.

“My Lady,” Gabriel announced. “I know who you are, there is no need to put on an…”

Before he was able to finish his thoughts the venomous words of the Demon broke through his conversation with the Woman of Wind. Shocked, he remained facing the woman with mouth gaping open. He was angry, just as much as the ruthless son of a bitch who was spouting off chivalrous passions behind him. What happened next was beyond the powers of Gabriel himself and his fuming face remained in the opposing direction which happened to work to his advantage, but only to his advantage.

Gabriel hit the ground as soon as the beam of light spread out over the forest. Men lay blinded for yards as Gabriel face planted him self into the fresh greenery of the earth.

What was this magic?

Rolling over after a few seconds he faced the bright sky, his eyes slightly wounded from the blast. Fortunately he could make out shapes and some aspects of dull coloring made its way into his failing vision. He stood up quickly looking for the winged creature who had now escaped with his comrades into the surrounding forest. The man who had been holding him was curled up in a ball where they had once kneeled. Blinded by the intense illumination.

Catching up to the group he now could make out the male slightly in the distance, his graceful running steps becoming quicker and his vision becoming gradually better each second. As the male had begun to send the woman and unconscious female off Gabriel moved in. Ready to fight. Pulling his fist behind his blond locks he struck the rebel right in the back of the head. Gabriel stood alone ready to fight bare handed.

“You son of a bitch” His face twisted in anger. “You sir, have much to learn. Why is it that you find the N’Adinel in need of your presence? I was trying to be reasonable, trying to negotiate, you had a chance to survive, to leave if you so desired after you explained yourself and yet you instead show no respect?” Gabriel exhaled heavily to slow his rage. “You Sir need to be put in your place. I am sure my Mistress will indeed have no trouble contacting your Lady of the Wind….as for now, you can go to hell.” Gabriel moved in to administer one more blow to the side of the intruders head.