Tren: Sorry that it took so long to update! May I introduce my lovely muse Aillas!

Aillas: Yo.

Tren: He's a great little character of mine. I adore him. You may all worship him later.

Aillas: Whatever… You really are trying to get me a date… aren't you?

Tren: Anything to get him outta the house!

Aillas: She's also happy that she got some cute figurines.

Tren: Of a chibi Chun-Li and Sakura from Street Fighter.

Aillas: She's kinda creepy about them.

Tren: Enjoy.

-

The night descended quickly the next day as the moon hung heavy in the sky, and did many other clichés. Though Kitsune was completely unaware, the Niwas were planning to catch her and find out just who she really was. Actually, at that exact moment she was standing across from a high rise complex of homes, watching one dimly lit window and the shadow of a person slowly make their way across the same path they had only trekked a moment ago.

Dressed warmly for the still snowy weather, Kitsune wore thick black slacks and heavy boots, the rest of her torso covered by a chunky wool pea coat, the same dark color of the rest of her clothing, commonly called "black" by the less inventive, "midnight" or "shadow" by the slightly more poetic. Wrapped around her neck was a white scarf that faded to a soft grey. Arms crossed, she just stood there, watching and waiting until the time was just right. Wind kicked up flurries of left over snow from where they had settled while it made other small flakes dance along the new current, giving the effect that it was snowing sideways.

Only one light was lit in the apartment building, the silhouette of a woman, her body small and bony as though she had been put through a famine or simply refused to eat. As usual, she was pacing back and forth, putting her hand against the window and sighing forlornly before she once again resumed her movement across the floor. Slowly waking in the other room was her new husband, a man of considerable wealth and a genuinely nice heart and though he wouldn't admit it, it pained him to see his wife so upset. Slowly he entered the room, running a hand through his messy black hair.

"Ami, what are you doing awake?" he muttered, wiping his eyes off before trying to see her in the dim light.

"Pacing, what does it look like!" she snapped, turning quickly on her bare heel. Her skeletally petite frame was covered in a long slip that fluttered around her ankles in a lace trim, same with the heart shaped cut around her chest.

"It looks rather crazy. Come to bed," he nearly pleaded, motioning for her to follow him but she ignored him. He'd gotten used to that. Sighing, he turned around and closed the door behind him, crawling under the covers before falling into a light, fitful sleep.

Ami was still going as the night wore on and finally, it had just passed midnight, the clock in the corner chiming out a solemn melody as she sat down finally, her legs begging for a break as they weakly rested against the ottoman, which was ridiculously expensive like everything else she buys. Leaning backwards she digs around the seats to pull out the pack of cigarettes she's hidden from her loving husband, though she feels so cold to him now. She couldn't explain it if she tried. Lighting up elegantly with a match from one of many hidden in an old box with a rough top, she clutches it stylishly between her slim, long fingers. Pianist fingers.

Taking a long, soothing drag she leans back, sending the smoke into the air above her like clouds, wishing she could rise above the world, too. True, she had seen her daughter, there was no mistaking her. Long white hair and eyes that shimmered between violet and gold, she looked vaguely older but definitely… more weary. It was although she had grown up at twice the normal speed, her soul weary and ancient though trapped in a younger form. Dismissing her poetic mood for depression, Ami looked off, slowly working her cigarette down to the butt as the minutes dragged by and she glowered.

She should be happy. That was what really made her upset. Her bills were paid by Wyngs or Skye or whatever company owned her daughter at the time, so she was always comfortable and she had even found a new husband, sweet, rich and an old flame from before she met her first spouse. There was a part of him that she knew was hopeful that she'd return to being her old, playful, loving self. Placing a hand over her chest she felt the familiar cold spot, her body always chilled as though mimicking the remark her husband had said, calling her heartless and frigid.

Not knowing how much time had passed she got up and stood to the window, pressing her smooth forehead against the frosty glass. The city was asleep, peaceful and all she could do was hate. Hate that thing she gave birth to… as though it was the child's fault. Taking a slow, pleasurable drag she finally stopped, snubbing it against the window and tossing it out over the balcony's fencing onto the sidewalk so far below. There was a glint from the top of the building across the street she dismissed it for her own imagination before turning around and stretching her body languidly over the couch like a cat or some other creature, sending her odious glares into the shadows…

Kitsune watched the scene with some amusement before taking a few steps and jumping lightly off the building, alighting delicately on the building's railing before stepping quietly onto the concrete surface, brushing snow off her before looking inside. Ami was there, but not in spirit. Her mind was off, racing at other thoughts with a furious speed.

Sliding the glass door opened, sliding neatly against it's fellow before Kitsune snuck in, unannounced. As assumed, Ami didn't budge, her mind already off in some other world, where she was dreaming of a life without that freak she called her child. Sickened by the sight of the woman, Kitsune closed the door behind her, careful not to make any noise. Sliding ever so quietly into the shadows, she waited, knowing Ami wouldn't stay asleep for long.

Sure enough, as though on a timer, the woman began to stir, the scowl that seemed to be permanently etched on her face only grew deeper as she got up, pouring herself a glass of water before feeling that prickling at the back of her neck, an alarm to tell her that she was being watched. Looking over to see where her husband was sleeping, she narrowed her eyes…. He wasn't up. That knowledge didn't change the fact that she could swear she wasn't the only one up. Turning around to head back to the couch she nearly screamed as someone was suddenly standing before her. Whoever it was rushed forward and firmly clasped her hand over the woman's mouth, stifling the noise and barely catching the plummeting glass.

"Shhhh…" the person warned and as the stepped into the moonlight, Ami's eyes grew wide. It was Kitsune… or more importantly, her daughter in that despicable form. "I will only remove my hand if you do you scream or make any loud noises," Kitsune offered, looking at her straight in the eye. Not seeing any other option, Ami quickly nodded her head as, true to her word, the hand was pulled away and subtly wiped off against Kitsune's pants, a barely concealed disgusted expression on her face.

"What do you want, freak?" Ami whispered sharply, taking a few steps back away as the young woman in front of her placed the glass in her other hand on the nearby dining room table.

"I want you attention, is that so much to ask?" Kitsune replied calmly, looking back at the woman.

"Yes. I don't want you here, you are breaking and entering. I will call the cops… or better yet, Wyngs," Ami shot back, jutting her chin out sullenly, rather like an obstinate child. Her hand was already reaching for the phone, when Kitsune gently held onto the wrist, giving that tutting noise usually given to "bad" children".

"And here I am, about to offer you the chance of a lifetime… and all you want to do is turn me in," Kitsune mused, gently letting Ami's wrist drop back to her side as the woman gave her rather impressive glare.

"WHAT would a thing like YOU have to offer me?"

"Freedom. Release. A change to give that man in the other room back the woman he loves… what do you say?" Kitsune nodded her head to the closed door where Ami's husband slept and then looked back, holding out her hand as though the offer itself was inside.

"How would you do that?"

It sounded too good to be true, this deal, and if she knew how things like that worked… it usually was. Eyeing the fox eared young woman warily, Ami sighed and decided to wait until Kitsune explained before she jumped to any conclusions…

"Simple… take away every memory of me, or Midorai for that matter… or any other thing tied to us," Kitsune replied quietly as she waited for the reply that came disconcertingly fast.

"Do it." The determination in Ami's voice made Kitsune wince as there was a hurt whimper coming from Midorai, echoing in her head noisily. "Wait… Won't I have this huge block of memory loss?"

"No… your mind will make up an entire story to fit… this… life…" Kitsune herself was not feeling miserable, but again, her other half sure was. Grief suddenly welled up in her heart, as though Midorai herself couldn't take any more and had to unload it onto another.

"Then… Do it."

Sighing, Kitsune nodded, gently taking the woman, holding onto Ami's waist with one hand, her forehead with the other. Muttering a dark string of words in a language so strange yet so comforting, Ami's eyes began to flutter close as light blossomed over her forehead and cascaded down her body in soft waves until finally, she fell limp in the thief's arms.

Slumping slightly from the sudden weight, Kitsune took a second to stand before placing her ever so gently on couch, refraining from groaning under the dead weight. Covering the woman's body with a blanket, it hit her. She looked… different… Not so much wasted, as slender, a smile playing across her face. For once, Ami looked happy… relaxed, calm.

"Goodbye… mother…" Kitsune whispered, trying to fight back the urge to cry that had been oddly brought on, considering she felt no relation to the woman. Darting out of the apartment she barely left in time as the husband walked in, sure that he had heard SOMETHING. Sure enough though, it must have been his imagination. Walking quietly over to the couch, he saw Ami, his Ami, sure enough… though she seemed so peaceful. Gently waking her with two fingers, she yawned and looked up at him with bright eyes that seemed to glow with an inner beauty.

"Hm? Hello there darling…" she reached up and laced her arms around his neck pulling him into a kiss before getting up and this time motioning for him to come to bed.

"I'll be there in a minute," he muttered, dismissing her with a wave, confused at the sudden change in mood when he looked out the window. Someone was standing on the top of the building and just barely, he thought he made out tears. Feeling some odd form of gratitude to the figure he placed his hand against the glass and whispered.

"Thank you…"

-Tren: Alright. Pulling this chapter to an end, sorry it's rather short.

Aillas: And considering how long you have all been waiting… she should be.

Tren: HEY! You're supposed to be on MY side!

Aillas: Meh. Doesn't say so in the contract, so shaddup.

Tren: (sniffles) but… But… I MADE you!

Aillas: And that matters to me HOW? It's was YOUR brilliant idea to let me have my own personality.

Tren: Dumb ol' me. Well, thank you for sticking with me this far.

Aillas: Yeah. I'm impressed.

Tren: (Glare) AND please review, I like seeing what you guys think.

Aillas: Now to respond to those who already reviewed for the last chapter.

Tren: You're much loved.

-Inheart:Wow… not much fanfiction reading? Same here, but I've been busy with my YYH stories. Yeah, books and writing in English class make little sense, and trust me, I've never been more grateful to get away from my Honors English Class. Wow… thank you, Oh-Awesome-Reviewer

-Kaitou Riku: Wow, you haven't been writing reviews or visiting in ages… and you chose mine? I'm so flattered! Yeah, glad you noticed that the bonding between Midorai and Kitsune mirrors Daisuke and Dark. I dunno… I'd have fun having someone like Dark in my head… I kinda do.

-RefugeOfSouls: S'cool? Swet! Don't worry, I've neglected this story, but I have so many stories to finish… it's makin' my head spin!

-Kinoshita Kristanite: You don't think it's dark? HA! Take that, Sabs! (she's my friend who thinks my stories are getting to dark. So… thanks! Yoiz!

-DragonKitsune: YAY! I've continued this story! Thank you!

Tren: Alright? Sound good?

Aillas: Until the next chapter

Tren: Which I'll try to update faster

Aillas: Cheerio

Tren: Until next time!