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It was only two days later and still it was too late. None of them wanted to talk about what had happened or what was happening none of them wanted to meet each others eyes. Afraid of the fear they might see there. Yet here we all were again gathered to say good by to yet another friend, only this time no one said anything. NO one had anything to say that might comfort the others. I'm not sure any of us really wanted to try and comfort each other seeing as we couldn't even comfort out selves. As for me I don't know what happened. He was my best friend and yet. I had no tears to cry for him. I had loved him as a friend and as more then a friend, but still I could not find the tears even now. I turn away from the others and my voice sounds hallow,"I'm going to the beach." I don't know why I want to go to the beach. It's already dark but I don't care. I can hear the preachers last words as I walk away the single blue rose I had bought for the his coffin still in my grasp...

Kaua shivered as she slowly stepped from the rough crab grass onto the cool sand. She paused there dark hair flowing down around her shoulders, she turned her darkish eyes towards the pounding surf. The light white dress she worse cling to her slender body, a single silvery chain hun from her neck, a simple symbol hangs from it's end resting just visible in the V neck of her dress. It's neck was embroidered with an elaborate pattern of dark purple and silver with an even darker almost black green appearing here and there in the patter. Sort of a cross between Celtic and Egyptian. Over head millions upon billions of stairs winkled and twinkled with there own laughter, seen but not heard by any mortal ears. Kaua paused in surprise just before she reached the light sparkling of foam left behind by the waves that washed up across the beach. Her eyes spotted another dark form standing on the point. Five silver blond hair near white in the light of the thumbnail moon that shivered on the waters surface and high in the sky over head. A dark maybe green maybe blue jacket, near black in the light flung carelessly over one shoulder held from the winds gasp by one white hand. A simple white shirt flapped around a strong, yet deceptively slender body. Her breath caught in her throat in shock, as she moved closer, for the first time she realized who was standing before her. From where she stood, she could see crystalline silver tears on his cheeks. The stiff set of his shoulders and the slightly tremors now and then told her all she needed to know. For the first time a pang of guilt hit her and she rocked back on her heels biting her lower lip. Kaua moved towards him cold confidence shutting in again. She could not have asked for anything better then this. With 2 out of the way, another standing right ahead, just waiting for her to pick him up. That left 2 more and then her task would be done. Her family, her friends, her life, and herself would finally be avenged, she would be free again. But if that was so then why did the faces of the first 2 haunt her as they did now.

"No!" Her mind screamed but she locked it up raising dark star like eyes as the one who stood before her turned.

"Who are you?" His voice was hard and almost rude. None of the emotions she'd seen there earlier remained, save perhaps in the depths of his icy eyes. For some reason this was no surprise to her nor was his attitude.

"I'm sorry,"Kaua replied trying to force a half smile trying to lightening the tension that was building in the air,"I saw you here and well... I ... I thought some...something might be wrong...and I.... So I cam over to...."

"Well everything is fine,"he turned away from her composure filing for a second. ~So like Shin always worrying about others, before himself, whether he knew them or not!,"so you can,"his voice broke and Kaua stopped herself from moving forward to put a hand on his shoulder. He did not seem like someone who would appreciate that,"Leave!" the world was so soft she almost didn't hear it above the sound of the wind and the waves.

"I'm sorry,"her voice grew a little stronger,"I just wanted to see if you were okay."

"And I am fine, now LEAVE!" this surprised her. He was not one to act rash like this, that she could tell. He reminded her of someone who always liked to be in control of himself, letting others see only what he wanted them to see. For a second there was a small smile on her face but even Seiji did not catch it.

"Something did happen,"Kaua paused. ~I have to play this right, if I don't god only knows what could slip. But I will get them all!!!~....

"What will it take to convince you that everything is fine?" He asked in a tired voice.

"Someone died,"Kaua stepped up next to him, keeping her eyes out on the sea. Thought she could feel him watching her," I know many things,"she continued,"Sometimes or many times more then I want to. Two people died!" She said it as a fact and it was.

"Who are you?" His voice is quieter now, almost threatening, controlled, and perhaps slightly curious. ~I am not really sure.~

"May name is..." ~I stopped should I give him my real name? But if I do and...~,"Kaua, may name is Kaua."

"I'm Seiji,"he stopped to, then offered her his hand,"Date Seiji."

"I've heard of you,"Kaua slipped her slime hand into his,"Nice to meet you Seiji-san."

"And you Kaua-san." He let go of her hand turning back to the seas, but not before she saw the sadness in his eyes.

"Those who died they were close to you? No."

"Hai." He nodded.

"Forgive me, I should not have sai..."

"Lie..."he whispered,"Its okay."

"No it isn't,"Kaua turns,"I should leave."

"Wait," ~Bingo~ he grabbed her shoulder but quickly stepped back,"Onegai Kaua, stay..."

"But."

"Maybe its better,"Seiji said, I don't want to think of this now, I came out here to think... But now I don't want to. Pleas stay?" she turned to him dark eyes meeting silver blue-violet.

"If you are sure,"....,"I will stay,"she replied quietly.

"I do."

"Then I'll stay,"Kaua said, turning from him.

"Domo Arigato Kaua-san,"he said quietly.

"Just Kaua please."

"Oh....alight..." There was an uncomfortable pause and neither of them said anything. They just stood there all to aware of each others presence staring out at the sea...

Ryo and Shu watched Seiji as he walked away but neither said anything to call him back. Not that there was anything they probably could have said anyway.

"Shu?" Ryo asked in a low voice, no daring to meet his friends eyes.

"What?" Shu's voice was equally quiet his own eyes still riveted on the fresh winged grave marker that not stood next to the fresh mound of dirt that was all that was left of someone how had once and would always be one of his best friends. But his thoughts drifted quickly from Touma and to the other who had died only a few days before. ~Shin~ His large eyes misted over with unshed tears...

"Why is this happening?" Ryo stopped and took a step closer to the grave.

"We survive Argo, and everything else? Only to be killed by a stranger. Oh gods, I won't let this happening!!!" He clenched his trembling hands into fists and banged them angrily against his sides for lack of something better to do with them. Sky blue eyes clouded over with anger.

"I won't, I Won't, I WON'T,"he turned to Shu their eyes meeting for the first time that day,"I won't let it happen Shu!" Ryo put his head in his hands, falling to the dew wet grass beside the grave pounding his fists angrily into the ground till they bleed. Shu stood there for a minute a slightly stunned look on his face...

"Ryo..."he started then stopped. Shu hesitated them knelt down next to Ryo, slipping his strong arms around his dark haired friend Shu pulled Ryo close. Together they knelt there unable to hold back the pain or the realization of their friends death any more... It was real now it was all too real...

Kaua glanced over at her silent companion and wondered what he was thinking. For a second she considered taking a look see for herself... but something stopped her, the same thing that had prompted her to feel sorry for those who were still living and the two who were now dead. She turned away fighting the flood of new yet familiar emotions, their faces... A shudder the words they had said, and the looks on their faces...

Seiji watched the girl who sat next to him on the grass, just above the beach. She looked trouble. But it was not his place to say anything. He stared at his hands and began picking at the thick brab grass apone which they sat. She wasn't bad looking he had to admit that. Yet as he sat there Seiji found himself wishing more and more that it was, Touma with him. What had he been doing anyway? He didn't know the first damn thing about this girl! ~Idiot! Even Touma wouldn't have picked up some strange girl off the street~ he chidden himself ~At least I hope not....~ He hesitated for a mere fraction of a second then quickly stood up he had to get away, anywhere but here....

"Seiji!" She called after him but he didn't dare turn back to look at her. He wanted to loose himself in the memories that were fighting to hard to break his control. Not talk to this girl who knew nothing. Who thought... ~You invited her to stay!~ He sighed okay so it was really his fault she was there...

"Seiji I'm sorry!?" she said quietly. ~kill him! Kill him! Kill him!~ Ordered the voices in her mind. She refused them ~I will kill him LATER! Let him be for now....~

~NNNnooooo.....~ Screamed the voice even louder. She ignored it, hurrying down the beach away from him.

Seiji didn't turn but he heard her soft foot steps on the sand fade, leaving behind only the rush of the waves and the wind that gently ruffled his soft hair. He remember the way even his feet knew it by heart. They knew the way without his mind to guided them. Of their own accord they carried him on. Which was good for his mind was miles away already.

Suddenly his feet came to a stop and he blinked in surprise. Seiji realized where he was with a jolt of shock. Seiji drew in a sharp breath.

"Iiieee,"he hissed in surprise,"Touma." The name slipped from his lips as he caught a movement out of the corner of his eyes. The name almost seemed to have a life of it's own in this place. Even the air around them seemed alive. A shadowy form flickered just within the tree line. His eyes struggled to see it clearly...

"Seiji...." The name was carried to him by the wind, that quietly brushed his hair out of his face. As gentle as if not gentler then a lovers finger tips. It seemed to hang there for a second placing butterfly kisses on his lips. It was gone. Slowly Seiji slipped to the ground silver tears on his pale cheeks not for the first time that day... ~Oh gods.~ he hissed to the hard and yet soft earth ~Why? Why did this have to happen?~...

Kaua watched the two who still knelt between the twin graves. The only difference between the two fresh mounds of earth was the head stones. One was headed by a statue of a Poseidonish figure/water god. Holding a light blue marble and a for probably trident. The other statue was a winged figure, dressed in a loose fitting tonga like warp around it's masculine form. From one stone hand a strong long bow hung, loosely in it's fingers. Over his shoulders and between his wings a quiver of arrows hung. It was perfect even down to the locks of hair that hand hung down into his eyes. And in his other hand, clenched tightly in a rocky fist was a tinkle of dark blue... Kaua turned away no longer sure what to think. After seeing the pain on their faces and in their eyes. ~!No, It was their fault!~ Anger rushed through her pushing everything else from her mind. She looked on them and their pain thrilled her. Filling her with energy this time.

Shu pulled back as Ryo abruptly stood up dashing the tears from his face and held out his hand to Shu,"Come'on,"he said his voice rough with tears still,"We have to find Seiji,"Ryo paused reaching out to brush a tear from Shu's cheek, and for a sec they stood there face to face neither one moving. "Besides,"Ryo's voice was hard now,"We've spent enough time with the dead, tears won't bring them back." He turned with and evil smile, showing his teeth. "We'll be joining them all too soon if we don't figure out what the hell is going on. It might give us a chance to morn them later on."

"Hai,"Shu nodded,"Can we get something to eat on the way?" he hesitated,"Cause your stomach is growling almost as loud as mine is!" Ryo stopped and his stomach rumbled in agreement with what Shu has said. Ryo gave a low dry laugh pushing his hair out of his eyes.

"So it is,"he whispered staring up at the sky and the few stars that were viable there,"So it is ... Shu."

"Ryo,"Shu slipped an arm around his friend and slowly the two of them left arm in arm neither saying anything but both thinking the same thoughts...

Kaua waited till they had left the grave yard all together before stepping away from her cover. ~Its not that I fear them~ she told herself crossly ~I am just not ready to show myself. Tomorrow another will fall..~ Kaua stopped in front of the first grave a little sneer on her dark reddish brown lips.

"You where the first to die,"she whispered quietly,"You have paid for your crime well. You where the one who carried for the team, making sure to watch out for each other, and keeping the prospective. They all carried for you more then you realize, perhaps more then even they themselves knew. For you a gift I do have..." She knelt at the base of the grave and placed her hands on either corner. Slowly from her fingers a dark bluish-purple energy spread out ward laces here and there with a silvery-green. It spread across the mound of the grave before slowly fading...

"Spirit go free,"she hissed and a single long stemmed rose appeared near the center of the face. It's petals silver and blue. Dark blue at it's core fading into silvery-blue around the edges with a hint of green blue here and there. Kaua stood, a single crystalline tear fell as if in slow motion to the ground, a dark spot appeared where it landed.

"Be at rest,"she whispered turning slowly to the other grave. The one guarded by the archer angle...

"And you Touma,"an almost smile crossed her face before it banished. You where the joker, the rash one, always ready for almost anything. But inside you were all confused and unsure. Till you found someone to show you how, to show you your feelings, to teach you the things your parents never did. Don't worry soon you will be together again. Just like your friend you do not deserve to be trapped here in this place. You have paid the price for your sins, and now it is finished..." Repeating the motions she had over Shin's grave. Only this time there was a cold breeze that passed through her as the magic glow faded away. This rose is darker blue with less green. It's center is a light blue and it's outer sides are darker blue rimmed with a tinny silver a pure white on the very edges. Across it's petals dew drops glimmer like the tears that had been shade in this place. Only these tears appeared to be pure spun silver. Kaua swayed slightly as she stood.

"You are both free now,"she bowed hands politely clasped before her,"I will disgrace your bodies resting place no more." With that she left the place and wondered through the city till at last she found an empty park bench. It was cold and she wrapped her arms around herself shivering as she bowed her head and closed her eyes. Listening to the sound around her she sits there on the park bench waiting for dawn to raise once again in this world...

"Why are you stopping?"Shu asked in surprise as the jeep suddenly screeched to a halt.

"I don't know,"Ryo pushed open the door,"I felt something strange. Something I've only felt once before..."

"Like what?"

"I don't know!!!" Hissed Ryo closing the door with a bang as he glanced around the dark streets. The wind whispered through his hair. ~Was it my imagination?~ He was about to turn back as Shu climbed out of the jeep when he spotted the dark figure sitting on the bench just inside the park. Dark head pressed against her knees, not moving.

"Ryo!?"

"Stay here Shu." Ryo moved quickly into the park, his friend right behind him despight his words 'stay here.' The head moved as he stepped closer and Ryo stopped in surprise as her dark eyes meet his still stormy puzzled sky blue ones.

"What do you want?" She asked quietly in the same voice that he remember from the dreams.

"Miss Kaua-san?"

"What did you say?" she asked her voice sharp as she swung her legs gracefully to the ground and stood up. Taking a step away from him her eyes flickered to Shu and then back to Ryo's dark face again.

"You are Kaua-san no?" He asked in a toneless voice eyes flashing suspiciously.

"What is it to you?" She stood up a little straighter , brushing her hair out of her face. Ryo could almost feel it int the air as she gathered herself together again. The mask settled in around her features, and he wished Seiji was there. He probably would have been able to tell him something more for he felt that it was more then just a feeling. But to him it was no more then that. Ryo didn't take his eyes from her ,even when Shu put a warning hand on his shoulder.

"Your time is not up yet Rekka no Ryo,"she spat quietly,"Nor is yours Kongo no Shu~ I suggest you enjoy what you have left. It may be the last chance you get to discover your hearts..." With that she whirled around and stalked away from them.

"Kaua!!" but she had vanished even before Ryo had reached the spot where she had been standing...

"What did she mean by that?"Shu asked quietly moving to stand next to Ryo who's eyes were still fixed on the spot where Kaua had been.

"I don't know,"he said shortly glad of the darkness of the park and his skin for it did not show the heat of his cheeks as it might have. Turning he walked back towards the jeep.

"She killed Touma and Shin,"Shu said starting after his friend,"Didn't she?"

"Hai."

"But how did you know?"

"It saw her in a dream,"replied Ryo softly.

"Oh,"Shu jerked open his door as Ryo slipped around the other side,"But you do know what she meant didn't you?"

"Perhaps."

"Ryo?"

"Hai?" Ryo glanced over at Shu, his sky blue eyes clouded, and his brow creased.

"Is she right?"... The question seemed to hang in the air and for a long time Ryo said nothing then without a word he turned away from his friend.

"Let's go get something to eat,"he said quietly,"I think maybe I could eat something now." Shu sat back with a sigh staring out the window, the silence hung heavy and thick between them but neither dared break it.
 

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