Rider: Ok, before anything else is said, I'm sorry I fell off the world map for damn near a year. School and work and life just went absolutely nucking futs and to some extent they still are…(Star enters with a spinning back kick to Rider's chin)

Star: Where in the hell have you been?

Rider: (sits up with a large bruise) As you can see, things are still more or less crazy…

Star: What was that?

Rider: Go away or I take away your Itachi plushie. (Star vanishes from sight) Anyway, I hope those of you who liked this story are still around, and if your new, Irashimasei.

Wraiths: Dude, what did you do to Star?

Rider: She was being annoying so I threatened to take Itachi away.

Wraiths: That's cold dude. That'd be like my threatening to take away your Hinata…

Rider: (kicks Wraiths in the face) You swore you'd never speak of that again! (sweat drops in front of the readers) Uh…See you at the end!

OOOOO

Disclaimer: I do not own Love Hina in any way, shape, or form. Seriously, would I be living off dollar ramen if I did? I don't think so.

OOOOO

Journey of the Flower Maiden

First Roots

She could see light. The girl blinked to make sure she was not somehow being deluded, but the light remained. Excitement bubbled within her as she ran towards the light. She would finally be free from the darkness. She wouldn't be condemned to be alone anymore. At last she'd be able to…slam into an invisible wall.

Harsh and grating laughter filled the dark expanse. "Did you see that?" The man's voice continued to laugh at the girl's plight. "Blight that was funny!"

"Qi!" Yelled a woman's voice. "It is not at all funny at all! Don't laugh at the poor girl!"

The girl picked herself slowly, resting her hand against the light. She tried to press forward, but some kind of barrier blocked her way. She could see, only just barely, the realm beyond. It was a realm full of color. Full of light. Full of promise and unending possibilities. She knew it immediately, it was the place all living beings strove for. A place a person would journey an entire life time to, even if for only a moment's stay. It was a realm of…

"That is not my name Ash."

Suddenly, the girl could feel the change in the darkness. The laughter, as coarse and mocking as it had been, was replaced with an animosity so cold and dark anything would seem warmer. She knew it was not directed at her, but it still made her nervous.

The man's voice continued. "You will address me properly, or not at all. Do you understand? If you call me that again…"

"Watch your tone Liaison." Came another man's voice. "I will book no threats against Ash, or anyone else."

"Kiss my…"

"Liaison! Onyx! Enough!" Demanded another man's voice.

"The boys are at it again." Chided a woman's voice. "Though, I guess it does give us some entertainment."

The girl turned around slowly. She saw seven figures sitting around in a half circle around the shimmering light. They sat at various levels, as though in an auditorium with many rows, seeming to judge her. She swallowed hard against her unease. All she could make out of the people were their outlines, nothing else was identifiable. One of the men seemed a little bit different in that he looked hairier, like a shaggy dog. She hoped the light behind her was providing her with a similar look of anonymity, but the tightness in her chest made her think otherwise. "Who are you people?"

The shaggy dog figure turned and Liaison's voice was heard, completely ignoring the girl. "I could give you some real entertainment if you want Amaranth."

Amaranth cooed at the invitation. "Mm, hot, wild…"

"Amy!" Called a young man's voice nervously. "Wh-what are you saying?"

"Oh don't worry so much Garn!"

The girl watched dumbfounded as Amaranth's outline jumped down from her seat and wrapped her arms around one of the male outlines, blurring the distinction between the two forms, seemingly becoming one being.

Amaranth hugged Garn close, seeming to merge into him even more. "You know you're the only one I'm interested in."

"Y-yeah." Garn nodded as he fidgeted slightly. "I know…"

"Um…hello?" Called the girl.

"Aw, don't they look cute?" Teased Ash. "Hey Onyx? Do you think we were ever like that?"

Onyx's figure simply grunted and turned away.

"Hey!" The girl called again. She shirked backwards a bit as the one called Liaison turned his head.

"What should we do with her?" Liaison's voice was low and disinterested. "She really serves no purpose."

A new woman's voice, equally soft spoken, replied. "She has a very great purpose as you well know."

Liaison grunted. "Says you Momo."

The girl brought her hand to her chest, hoping to ease the pain caused by Liaison's words. "I have…no purpose?"

The hairy outline jumped down from his position and stalked silently across the void. He walked on all fours, something of a cross between a canine and a primate, toward the girl. "That's right, no purpose. Look at you. There is nothing redeeming about you. There is nothing you can offer to help. All you can do is hinder the situation further."

"Stop it…" The girl stepped forward a bit. "I'm not like that…"

Liaison's fur-like hair puffed up. "It sure as the Barrens is like that."

"Stop saying that!" The girl rushed forward and lashed out at the shadow. She watched as the creature hopped to the side to avoid her attack. The air was forced from her lungs as Liaison buried a fist into her stomach. She recoiled backwards and bounced across the dark expanse.

"Reign it in…" Momo cautioned softly.

Liaison paced back and forth impatiently. "See? See?! She's worthless!"

The girl rolled to her side and forced herself to a kneeling position. She coughed violently as she tried to catch her breath. "I'm not…"

"Are you sure?"

The girl sprung back as the final figure, the only one who had demanded silence earlier when the fight was about to break out, appeared beside her. "What's that supposed to mean?"

The figure kneeled down next to her. "We are defined in two ways."

The girl shook her head. "I don't understand."

The figure raised his hand. The light of his form shining brightly against the darkness. "What do you see?"

"Your hand of course." The girl replied quickly.

The man nodded. "That is how you define me." The shape of his hand faded and reshaped into something resembling a shield. "This is how I define myself." He paused. "A flower grows in it's own fashion. The gardener attempts to circumvent that fashion with a fashion of his own. The flower's final form, is simply a matter of who has the stronger will."

The girl nodded slowly. "We are shaped by the people around us, but we are also shaped by our own inner experiences and choices."

The man nodded. "Liaison says you are worthless and serve no purpose."

The girl turned her head, studying her crouched opponent. "I say he's dead wrong."

The figure helped her to her feet. "Then grow strong and wild."

The girl swallowed hard as she stepped forward. She paused before walking off. "Your name…what is it?"

"My name has long since lost it's meaning and been forgotten." The man chuckled. "You may call me Uran-Taiga."

The girl smiled. "Thanks." She turned back to Liaison. "Let's go."

Liaison growled and gnashed his teeth. "Stupid kit." He sprinted toward the girl, never hesitating as she mirrored his actions.

The girl ran full force. She remembered how hard she had been hit. She couldn't beat him, but then again, maybe she didn't have to. She dove over the beast man and rolled to a stop. She watched as he skidded to a halt. She smiled again. "So what are you anyway? Man? Dog? Maybe both?" She jumped to the side as she was attacked again. "Are you your own best friend?" She gulped as Liaison stretched out his hand's revealing long, sharp, claws. "Hadn't counted on those."

"You are nothing!" Liaison roared. "How dare you mock me! Who do you think you are?"

The girl circled slowly, maintaining her constant distance. "That's easy." She looked around at the others who were watching the exchange. They had no expressions, so she couldn't tell what their thoughts were though. Then, the figure at the top of the pillar caught her eye. She smiled as Uran-Taiga nodded to her.

"I'm the one who's going to protect his happiness."

Liaison released a bestial roar and charged her. "You are the one who will die!"

She waited only a moment, and then ran. She bobbed, weaved, darted and dashed just to stay just a few steps ahead of Liaison's attacks. All the while she listened to the sounds of his scraping nails and snapping teeth. When they were almost on top of her she broke into an all out run. "Three…two…one." She stopped and turned to face her adversary. She crossed her arms over her chest and waited.

Liaison realized too late what she had done and attempted to stop. His momentum proved to much however and he struck her at near full force to her guarded stance. He could only watch helplessly as she flew backwards. "You sly bitch…" His outline shifted ever so slightly so that his lips could be seen turning into a small smirk. "And here I thought you were entwined in our grasp…"

Uran-taiga chuckled. "She is, as well as the tale. She simply saw the truth of the matter. She lead you around by the nose to get your speed to a point you couldn't stop."

The smile fade back into his outline as Liaison sat down on the ground. His foot lifted up to scratch behind his ear. "Using me to open the last door…maybe she isn't quite as useless as I thought."

She grinned at him as he vanished from view. She looked up at the others as they also vanished one by one. "Thanks."

Uran-taiga nodded. "Seek us out. Protect him, and he just may return the favor."

The girl nodded as she crashed into the white light. There was a moment of resistance and then she was through. She couldn't beat Liaison, so she used him to break the barrier. She was thankful that she had been strong enough to withstand his blow. She smiled once more at her benefactor as he vanished. Her world, full of darkness, was no more. The colorful lights swallowed her and propelled her forward toward her goal.

00000

She floated somewhere in a dream. Light came and went as she floated free form through this warm, wet, world of her imagination. Something tugged at Motoko's sleeve drawing her out of her wandering state of mind. All at once she remembered where she was.

"The river! Kami-sama! How long have I been under water?" Her eyes snapped open in the icy coldness of the water replaced the warmth of her delusion. Her lungs burned for oxygen. Her vision, already blurry with sediment from the river, began to grow even more hazy and dark. She summoned for her ki to explode out around her and propel her from the water. She remembered the effects of traveling to this world to late as nothing happened. Unsure of what to do next, panic began to set in.

Again, something tugged at her long sleeves and instinctually she grabbed for it. She grimaced as the sharp stone cut her fingers. The river's current threatened to over take her again as she resisted. "I won't give in!" She screamed silently under the water. Even with her declaration, her grip was slipping. "Don't let it end like this!" She brought her other arm up and grasped the stone. "I will make this work!" Using all her strength, Motoko pulled and brought her head above water. She only had moment to greedily fill her lungs with air as she saw the reason the speed of the river was increasing.

She grit her teeth and pulled again on the stone, hoisting herself enough that she could balance on the small out cropping. "I have to find the others before they reach the fall." Motoko refused to even contemplate the idea that the others may have already gone over the waterfall's precipice. She looked out and saw Shinobu struggling to stay afloat, but she was to far out of reach for the young samurai to help. She looked for anything that would give her a means to extend her reach, but found nothing save what she had on her.

Inspiration came and she quickly pulled her sword and sheath from it's position within her obi. She tied the hilt to the sheath with the safety strings and then removed her obi. She hastily kicked off her hakhama as the water laden fabric began to fall. "If it will save Shinobu, my modesty is a small sacrifice." She tied the end of the obi to the handle of her sword and wrapped the other end around her hand. "Shinobu! Catch!"

Motoko knew that the chances of Shinobu catching the katana were almost zero, so she chose instead to throw wide and forward. She waited for a few agonizingly long seconds and felt a sharp tug on the obi. As she had hoped, Shinobu had run into the stretched out cloth of the obi and had instinctively grabbed a hold. Motoko took as much purchase as she could on the small outcropping and pulled. Her arms burned with the effort of fighting the powerful current. Somewhere in the back of Motoko's mind, she began to realize just how much she had come to rely on her ki abilities. She grit her teeth and pulled again. "Even without them…" She grunted and pulled again. "I am a samurai!" She gained another length of cloth. "I train body as well as mind!" She pulled again. "I will not lose! Now give her back!" With a final mighty heave, Shinobu landed in Motoko's arms.

Shinobu retched violently to expel the river water she'd been forced to swallow. "Kitsune…" She pointed toward the river.

Motoko saw the shadow under the water a moment later. She grabbed Shinobu and hoisted her over her shoulders. "Hang on!" She took a quick breath to center herself, and leapt to the nearest rock that was above water. By some small miracle, she managed to avoid slipping into the water again. She worked her way up the river until she was able to get near enough to the still floundering woman. She set Shinobu down and lifted her katana again. "Kitsune!"

Her aim proved true this time, landing right into the other girl's hands. Motoko braced herself and pulled. She gained almost no distance. "We're too close to the fall." Motoko panicked silently, but did not allow the emotions to show on her face. "I'm not strong enough." She looked back at Shinobu, but shook her head. The young girl had the strength, but not the focus right now. She was still to dazed from her own experience in the river. Motoko's jaw clenched as she felt the obi slip in her hands. "Kami-sama, please…" She thought silently. "If you can hear me, please, grant me the strength to save my friends." Motoko threw her entire weight into the last pull and Kitsune rocketed from the water. Motoko grabbed the airborne woman and set her down on the rocks.

Kitsune forced herself to her feet. "Shinobu! Punch the water! There!"

Shinobu nodded and got to her feet. She didn't bother to ask questions, she simply trusted her friend. She summoned the magic to her fists and hit the water as hard as she could.

Motoko watched in awe as a shockwave of water rippled out from the impact point. As she watched the geyser spray she saw Kitsune's reasoning.

Kitsune tracked the movement of the spray to about fifty feet into the air where she saw a mess of long, blond hair. "Sarah! Run!"

Motoko watched the flash of yellow light race down and around the remaining spray and across the surface of the river. A moment later, Sarah was standing next to her. "Get Shinobu and Kitsune to the river bank."

"What about you?" Sarah asked as she took the other two by the hand.

"I have to find the others." Motoko tuned and jumped to the next rock. "Where are they?" She turned to the side as she heard someone calling to her. She saw Mimi and Alero on a large stone pillar that protruded from the water. They were franticly trying to tell her something, but she couldn't understand them. She finally looked to where they were pointing. "Oh no…" She jumped quickly now, heedless to her own safety as she followed a auburn haired shadow toward the fall.

"Motoko!"

The young samurai looked to the side to see Sarah racing along side her. "Get Naru!" Even as she watched Sarah race forward she could see Naru moving away faster. "If you're still there, save her." Motoko begged silently. She leapt as fast as she could to catch up, but fell further and further behind. "Please! Don't let her die!"

Motoko nearly lost her footing as the mountain seemed to shake in its entirety for a few moments. She watched in shock as a wall of solid stone began to rise up in front of the waterfall.

Sarah was forced back as the sudden landmass caused the river to move into a back-swell. "What the hell is that?"

"A miracle…" Motoko whispered. She shook her head. "The river is still to fast! If Naru hits that wall…"

Sarah nodded. "I'm on it!" Yellow light surrounded her as she called her magic and ran forward.

Motoko watched as someone slid down the new dam. "I don't believe it…" She began moving forward again, despite the fatigue beginning to set in. She was sure her eyes were playing tricks on her. It looked as though someone was somehow fused to the wall. She as moved closer she understood. She looked back at Mimi and the man she had thought was Alero. She wasn't sure how she could tell the difference, but she now knew that it was Rodimus on the pillar.

Motoko let out a deep sigh of relief as Alero pulled Naru up out of the river. She almost laughed at Naru's unkempt appearance, happy to see she was still alive.

"Come on Kendo." Sarah took the older girl's hand as she watched the giant stone man carry Naru over to the river bank. "The other's are waiting."

Motoko nodded and wiped her eyes. "Yeah, let's go." Her eyes closed for a moment and a small sigh escaped her lips. A near imperceptible smile was viable for only a moment before it was gone again. "Thank you…"

"You're welcome." Sarah set her passenger down onto the stone of the river bank. "Everyone ok?"

Kitsune nodded as she squeezed water from her hair. "Not the best plan I've ever had, but it worked."

"How did you know?" Alero questioned as he rejoined the group. "Even we didn't know for sure that the river would allow us safe passage."

Shinobu turned her head toward her friend. "You didn't know?"

Kitsune smiled. "Like I said earlier, long odds." She laughed as the others stared at her. "Given Mimi's statement about swimming in the higher part of the river and the speed at which I saw the water moving, I had a pretty good feeling about our safety."

Motoko shook her head. "Unbelievable." She stopped as she saw Rodimus holding something out to her. She was confused for a moment as she saw that the older man was looking away. It wasn't until she recognized the bright, red fabric for what it was that she finally remembered her situation. She hastily grabbed her hakhama and began to dress as her cheeks flushed bright enough to match her pants. "D-domo arigatou…" She murmured quietly.

Shinobu saw the questioning look on Rodimus's face. "She said thank you."

Rodimus nodded once before sitting on the ground and releasing his magic. "Some adventure…"

Mimi moved over to Motoko and took her hands. "The river is pretty clean but…" She licked the wounds on Motoko's fingers gently.

The words were lost on Motoko, but she understood the sentiment. "Thank you." She tried to repeat the Paralantian words she had heard Shinobu say only a moment earlier. She knew she had made a mistake when Mimi looked at her strangely.

The young cat-girl shook her head. "Thank…you."

"Thank you." Motoko tried again. She almost laughed as Mimi nodded enthusiastically.

Alero released his magic and gathered the others together. "We got real lucky. But we need to keep moving. There should be an exit somewhere."

"Yeah. Kitsune agreed. "But where do we start?"

Motoko pointed toward the water fall. "We'll use Sarah."

"Scuse you?" The young girl responded.

"If you can run on water, you can run on the wall surface." Motoko explained. "You can carry us one at a time down the mountain."

Kitsune blinked. "That's not a bad idea." She turned to Sarah. "Can you do it?"

Sarah blew a raspberry and crossed her arms. "Course I can!"

Motoko moved closer to Naru as Sarah took Alero and vanished. The young samurai didn't like what she saw in Naru's eyes. "Naru? Are you all right?"

Naru turned, her eyes haunted. "I…I almost drowned down there. I thought I wasn't going to make it through. "

"But you didn't drown." Motoko knelt down before her friend. "You made it."

"That's not the point!" Naru spun away. "I can't do anything! Back home I was stronger! I knew what to do!" She fell to her knees. "The others got their powers or whatever they are but I…" She began to cry. "I've lost everything."

Motoko slowly inched closer to Naru. She reached out and gently took Naru's chin in her hand. Only when Motoko had turned Naru enough to look her in the eye did she continue. "I understand better than you realize Naru."

"No you don't!" Naru attempted to turn away but Motoko held her in place. She fell silent as she continued to look into Motoko's eyes.

"Yes, I do." Motoko removed her hand from Naru's chin, her eyes now the only thing needed to keep Naru's attention. "Mimi had to heal me." She closed her hand. "I have gained no powers. I have lost my skills."

Naru turned away. "You still don't understand…"

"Understand something Naru-sempai."

Naru forced herself to turn, knowing Motoko rarely used that term with her.

"The bond you and he have…" Motoko paused. "The one I share with him is different, but equally important. I am not ready to give up on that yet and say it's lost."

Naru looked down in shame. "I…you…"

Motoko stood and held out her hand. "Come on."

Naru took her friend's hand and rose slowly. "You have gained something since coming here."

Motoko's head cocked to one side. "Really? What's that?"

"Warmth." Naru released her hand. "We never would have had a talk like this before."

Motoko thought on it a moment, and shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not."

"Come on dork." Sarah arrived in a flash of yellow light. "This is getting annoying."

Motoko stood alone with Rodimus in the cave as Sarah and Naru vanished. She watched the yellow streak as it moved over the near vertical surface of the mountain. "Warmth? Hm, seems like we'll need more than that to finish this journey." She turned as she saw Rodimus looking at her intently. "Is something wrong?" She kept her voice as non-threatening as possible, hoping her tone would make her message clears as she knew her words could not.

Rodimus pointed to her sword and said something.

Motoko handed him the blade as he motioned to her. She watched him as he studied it for a moment. He handed it back to her with a small comment.

"I don't understand." Motoko shook her head.

Rodimus nodded and turned as Sarah reappeared. He motioned the two girls off.

Motoko closed her eyes against the wind as Sarah raced her down the mountain face. "I wonder what it was he was trying to tell me." Minutes later she was with the others in a small forest clearing. She surveyed the others and surroundings. "We should build a fire to dry our clothes. We don't want to get sick on this trip if we can avoid it." She moved away in search of firewood.

Kitsune turned toward Alero. "Where do we go from here?"

"Our separate ways I am afraid." Alero smiled sadly. "This is my home and I doubt that the Monastery will be leaving any time soon. I will not leave it to them."

Kitsune nodded. "I figured as much. Any suggestions on where to go to catch up with our friends?"

"Normally, I'd say Yokokoku. That's the next town direct from Loriage." Alero shook his head. "But that will be expected by the Monastery mongrels."

"So where do we go instead?" Sarah asked as she returned with Rodimus.

Alero rubbed his chin in thought.

"Head south." Rodimus pointed the way. "There's a town about thirty-five fields that way." He moved to help Motoko start the fire. "You can pick up your supplies there before you continue."

"I agree." Alero nodded. "After that, I would suggest you turn east."

"Why east?" Shinobu asked as she saw that Kitsune was busy translating for Naru and Motoko. "What will we find there?"

"There's another town in that direction." Alero gathered some branches to hold the clothes to dry on. "It's called Stonegrown. I believe that your friends will be heading there."

"Then why not head there directly?" Kitsune asked.

"Too long of a trip with no supplies." Rodimus commented as he finally got a flame started. "Not to mention that you stick out to much. The first town's true name has been long forgotten. It's simply known as Smuggler's Rut now."

Kitsune cringed at the name. "Let me guess, a bunch of shady characters reside there?"

Alero nodded. "Unfortunately." He looked over at Sarah and Shinobu. "But I think you will be able to handle yourselves with relatively little trouble.

Naru nodded as Kitsune related everything to her. "Ok then. That's what we'll do." She sneezed as a breeze gusted past. She looked over at the now blazing fire, past that she could see Mimi already hanging her cloths on a branch near the fire. With a reluctant sigh, Naru reached to remove her shirt.

Rodimus and Alero both turned their backs to the fire hurriedly, causing Mimi to begin laughing.

Kitsune smiled. "They said that they'll try to give us some privacy."

The small party hung their clothes and sat close around the fire to keep warm. The bright light also helped to keep everyone from seeing anything they shouldn't. They talked quietly for a time as they waited, making plans and asking the two brothers for advice. Soon, the redressed in their dry, if not stiff, clothes. They thanked their new friends for everything, and turned to depart.

Rodimus watched them as they left. "You really think it's them?" He asked his twin.

"Who?" Mimi asked.

"I do not know for certain about them." Alero turned and picked up Mimi, placing her on his shoulder. "But the other two?" He smiled. "There are no other villages on the other side of the mountain. You know that as well as I."

"What are you guys talking about?" Mimi asked confused.

Alero looked at Rodimus carefully. His vision shifted to move toward the party. "She…looks a lot like her, doesn't she?"

Rodimus nodded. "She has the same smile too." He turned away. "Do you think…"

"Anything is possible. She did go looking for him." Alero turned and began to walk toward the mountain path. "Da went up the path too…"

"I don't get what you too are talking about." Mimi declared.

Alero smiled. "Nothing you need to worry about."

"Yeah, nothing." Rodimus agreed. "Just two foolish old men reliving hazy memories." They walked for a time in silent thought. "How did you do that before? The giant wall? And merging into the mountain itself?"

Alero shook his head. "I do not know myself. I heard a voice, then the mountain gave me it's power. The rest was what you saw."

Rodimus nodded, neither accepting nor doubting his brother's words. He turned around once gazing into the sun. He could no longer see the girls, but he knew they were there somewhere. "I think…I will believe it's them."

Alero placed a hand on his brother's shoulder as he caught up. He didn't say anything else, they simply walked home.

00000

Keitaro opened his eyes slowly as he woke. He removed his arms as gently as possible from around Su's slender body. He slid silently from where Su remained sleeping, shifting the Ruhk's feathers around to cover her better as she shivered slightly from his sudden lack of body heat. He dressed and exited the cave they were camped in. He bent down and washed his face in the small stream a short walk off. He stared at his reflection for a time.

After their narrow escape from the Monastery the Ruhk had flown for the remainder of the day and into a good portion of the night. The legendary creature had been unable to take them all the way to Windsown for fear of contacting the villagers. It had left them a short distance from the village outskirts with some of it feathers for warm bedding. It was after the giant had flown away that things had taken a turn for the worse.

Su collapsed and had gone into a seizure. Keitaro had managed to protect her from harming herself until the worst of it had past, only to be followed by a fever unlike he had ever felt. He lost count of the number of times he had run to the river to get cold compresses to try to keep her cool and break her fever.

His efforts lead to no avail. The only course of action he had left was to try and raise her fever high enough to burn out what ever was afflicting her. He built a fire with what wood he could find and removed Su's sweat soaked clothing. He removed his own clothing and joined her under the warm Ruhk feathers. He had held her close against him, praying that the fire and his own body heat would be enough to overtake her illness. It took nearly all of the following day, but at last Su stopped shivering. Her fever broke and her cold sweats subsided.

He had left her then only to try and find food. He had caught some fish from the river, and manage somehow to catch a small animal that vaguely resembled a rabbit. He knew nothing of the local vegetation and chose to avoid them for the time being in case anything should happen to be poisonous. He had helped Su to eat, but it was clear to him that she was still weak and was unable to eat more than a few bites before falling back to sleep. He watched over her like a hawk ever since.

The river shifted, snapping Keitaro from his recollection. He moved back toward the cave and went in just far enough to reach their gear. He watched her breathing as he pulled his axe and his sword from the pile. Satisfied that she was in no immediate danger Keitaro moved back outside.

He took a few steps away from the entrance and weighed a weapon in each hand. "I've got to figure out how to use these better." He set the axe down and gripped the sword with both hands. He moved the giant blade slowly through the air. He knew that it had to be a heavy sword. It didn't really matter where he was, mass is mass he reasoned. The only reason he could wield it as easily as he was, was because of his new found strength.

"How did I become so strong anyway?" The question struck him suddenly. He stuck the sword into the ground and walked over to a near by tree. He inspected it for a moment, making sure it was healthy and solid. "Sorry." Making a tight fist he punched the tree and watched silently as it toppled over. He moved over to the tree similar to the first and assumed an attack ready stance that Motoko had shown him once. "Now, a concentrated strike." He released his attack and watched as the tree not only fell, but traveled few dozen meters through the air. He moved to the next tree and again assumed his attack stance. "Full strength." This attack caused the tree to fly through the air over what Keitaro estimated to be close to two hundred meters.

Keitaro moved to the next tree and assumed his stance. He closed his eyes and rather than clear his mind as he had been taught, he concentrated. He visualized his new power concentrating in his fist, gathering to a point that nothing could stand in his way. When he felt he was ready, he struck the tree. He watched the tree soar through the air. It landed about the same distance as the full power attack tree. He sighed. "That's what I thought."

Returning to the clearing, Keitaro pulled the sword from the ground. "There was no change." He spun the blade with one hand. "Everyone else has had some kind of change if magic was involved. Which means that my strength is not magic based." The sword thrust forward then rotated into a back palm block. "At least, I think that's right."

His mind returned to the sword play as he stepped carefully around the clearing. The movements were those that Motoko had taught him, mostly. Now and then, he would feel himself move out of step or move the sword differently. It didn't feel wrong to him though, more like the kendo he knew was merging with another style. "So, if it's not magic, then what?" He chopped at the air. "I doubt Su would dope me with anything so…" He stopped as the morning light reflected off of the broken sword. He spun and looked up into the sky at the sun. "It's red…" He stared at the morning light source for a long time until it became to bright and forced him to look away. "Could it be as simple as that?"

Keitaro's attention was diverted again as he set his vision on the axe Alero had given him. He switched his weapon of choice and moved back toward the trees. He gripped the axe tightly and swung at his target as hard as he could. The sound of the explosion rocked Keitaro slightly as his weapon hit the wood. He watched as the tree soared high over head, landing almost three times as far as the furthest tree he had hit with his fist. "One more." He closed his eyes as he stood ready to strike his final tree. He felt the axe grow light and hot in his hands, and then swung. When he opened his eyes, the tree was gone. Only a large cloud of dust far into the distance gave any hint of where the tree had gone to. Somewhat dumbstruck, Keitaro returned to the clearing.

Picking up the sword again, Keitaro evaluated the two weapons. "This axe clearly has some kind of power within it." He raised the sword higher. "So why did I chose to rely on this blade when we were in the Monastery? Alero practically told me as much that I was stronger with the axe. And that test against the mountain wall…" He looked at the axe. "This is the weapon I should be using, so why did I reach for the sword?" He let his arms rest back down at his side. His head forward slightly, his eyes closed as he tried to understand why his body and his mind could not seem to agree. He did not find an answer to his question.

He moved back inside the cave and saw Su sitting propped up against the wall. She jumped a little as Keitaro entered and pulled the Ruhk feather around her body. Keitaro felt his face become hot as he saw the embarrassed blush on Su's face. He retrieved her clothing and handed them over before heading back outside.

Su put on her shirt and underclothes and joined him a few moments later. She had to shield her eyes for a moment as she entered into the morning light. She took his hand for a brief moment and smiled as she passed by on her way to the river's edge.

Keitaro watched her with the same silence that she seemed to acknowledge him with as she sat down. She eased her legs slowly into the cold water and then wadded a short way into the river. She cupped the water into her hands and washed her face and arms gently to rinse the days of cold sweat from her skin. She moved back toward the bank and sat so that her feet remained in the water. She sat for a few moments looking into the water before closing her eyes and lifting her head back to face the morning sun.

Keitaro left her and returned to the cave to gather their few belongings. He left the remains for the food he'd managed to prepare a day earlier as it was already showing signs of spoiling. When he returned to the clearing Su had already dried herself off and was staring out into the distance. He handed her a pair of pants and began to put on his armor. "I asked the Ruhk to take us to Windsown like you said. If I understood correctly…"

Su nodded. "It's about and hour's walk in that direction." She tied the satchel she'd purchased in Yokokoku to her hip and checked it's contents. A frown crossed her face as she pulled a few coins from the bag. "Not much for new supplies."

Keitaro checked his own hip pouch only to find he had even less than Su. "Maybe we'll get lucky again and someone will be able to help us out like a Alero did."

Su smiled. "Yeah! That would be great!"

Keitaro cringed inside as he heard the forced excitement of Su's words, but did his best not to let it show. "Well, let's get moving." He held out his hand in invitation.

Su hesitated a moment, but then took his hand. She smiled as she walked, but the smiled ebbed away the closer they got to the town. She came to a full stop when they finally came within viewing distance of the town and dropped Keitaro's hand.

Keitaro stopped as well. The town in the distance was almost completely barren, appearing virtually lifeless. Dessert sands whirled angrily in the harsh, dry wind as it wore away the stone buildings. The few people he saw at the village edge were swaddled in heavy cloaks to protect themselves from similar effects. Keitaro could not remember ever seeing such a drastic change in landscape before in his life. He turned to ask Su how something like this was possible, but she grabbed his hand before he could speak and dragged him quickly toward the village.

Su looked up at the tattered sign at the entrance to the village and swallowed loudly. She reached out her shaking hands and pulled back a layer of parchment to reveal the second message beneath it. Her eyes widened and she pulled back her hands as though she was being burned. "This…this can't be." She murmured softly.

"What is it?" Keitaro looked up at the sign, but still could not make anything of it. What little of Paralantian Su had taught him was only spoken, he had no knowledge of the written language.

Su shook her head, refusing to believe. "This place…it can't be Windsown." She turned as harsh, coarse laughter was heard further into the village.

An old woman in a tattered cloak laughed from her front door. She pulled down the cloth around her face revealing her tanned and leathery skin. "Aye little sprout. This place is not Windsown. Not anymore."

"Anymore?" Keitaro asked questioningly. "Why not?"

The woman's laughter died away and anger replaced her expression quickly. "What are you? A blighted fool?"

"We are far from the west." Su supplied softly. "We do not hear much news from the east. Please, tell us what happened…what you mean by anymore?"

The woman grunted disapprovingly. "Seasons ago, likely before you were seedlings, those whose names shall not be spoken…" She paused to spit at the ground. "Came and spread their blasphemous ideas. Corrupted our town they did. Monastery had to come and purge the land of their rotted notions." She paused and looked out toward the far end of the town, where the sandstorms raged. "I've heard that the grasslands of the west have horrible fires."

Su nodded. "Yes, in times of drought."

"I'll wager that you've never seen entire fields burn with enchanted flames sprung from the very life-blood of the land. Our livelihood, our tradition, our very essence consumed by the fires that even the prayers and blessings of the Grand Axial could not stop." She turned away. "Ever since that time, this town has gone back to it's old name. The time before the flowers were plentiful, when to get anything to grow in the stone was a miracle." She old woman closed the door leaving the two younger members in pursuit of memories of happier times.

Su looked down at the ground sadly. "So it really did happen."

Keitaro stared in confusion. "I don't understand."

"It's nothing really." Su lifted her head and tried to force a smile through her tears. "It's just that…Windsown has become Stonegrown once again."

Keitaro held her gently as the smile failed and she began to cry. He didn't understand why the name made a difference, and because he didn't understand he was helpless to consol her. These feelings of helplessness were becoming far to frequent for Keitaro's liking, he needed to do something to stop them. When he felt Su begin to calm he gently moved her away, but still close enough to keep an arm around her. "Come on."

He lead them deeper into the town. Tall buildings created a series of winding tunnel-like passages to protect them as they advanced into the town proper. The closer to the center they went, the more the town's structure made sense to him.

The winding pattern made it difficult for the wind to work it's way into the center of the village causing less sand to be present. As a result there was less wear on the buildings in this section of town. People wore lighter cloaks and left their faces uncovered, though the same feeling of broken spirits remained. Even the children with their toys seemed aged and tired.

Keitaro swallowed hard to suppress the feeling of impending doom growing within his chest. He checked Su again to see if she was ok. Her tears had been wiped away, and no new tears were forming, but he could see her jaw was clenched. Her grip on his hand was tighter than usual, and her eyes were haunted. He looked forward again. "You said you wanted to by a kite, right?"

Su startled at the question, pulled from her thoughts so abruptly. "Yeah, it's just…so much has…" She shook her head. "Never mind." She released Keitaro's hand and took a few steps forward as she scanned the crowd. She located what she needed a moment later. "Excuse me my lord?"

The boy turned hurriedly, looking anxious, but calmed as he saw Su. He sighed as he adjusted the many parcels he was carrying. An attempt was made to remove his long bangs from his eyes by shaking his head, but his long blonde hair refused to budge. His green eyes, a stark contrast to his dark skin, took Su in in a moment's time. He grabbed his cloak, made of finer cloth than the others in the village, and bowed to Su. "Yes my lady? How may I help you?"

Su smiled warmly at him. "You look to know the streets of the village very well. I was wondering if you could direct me?"

The boy smiled. "I should know my way around here. My brother has me running errands everywhere for his office. What were you looking for?"

"My…Ma came here many seasons ago." Su looked around the village. "She said that the most talented sky flyer crafter she had ever seen lived here." She turned back to the boy. "I would like to buy a sky flyer for her as a gift. Do you know where I might find one?"

The boy nodded. "That's an easy one. Master Stormchaser is the greatest crafter of sky flyers around. He's…" The boy stopped as he saw Su's expression change. "Is something wrong?"

Su shook her head. "No, nothing. Where can I find him?"

The boy paused. "You say your Ma came here? Seasons ago?" He looked around the village nervously before leaning in closer. "You did not here this from me but, the old man at the edge of the village was probably the one she saw."

Su looked on expectantly, but saw the look of concern on the boy's face. She followed his gaze as it fell on Keitaro. She almost laughed. "Its ok. He's not one of them. He's a friend of mine."

The boy sighed in relief. "The old man is the greatest sky crafter I've ever seen. Even better than Master Stormchaser." He whispered. "However, only go to see him if you plan to leave Stonegrown immediately after." He paused. "Do you understand?"

Su nodded. "Yes, I understand."

The boy took a step back. "Take the southern road, first left, third right, under the bridge, and remain on the straight until you see his hut. Announce yourself in advance, or he may turn you away." He turned and began to move away. He stopped as Keitaro moved closer to Su. "I will likely not see you again but…may I ask your names?"

Keitaro nodded. "I'm…"

"My name is Aeris." Su interrupted quickly. "This is my cuticle, Cloud."

Keitaro fought hard not to face-fault.

The boy nodded. "Well, Aeris, Cloud, my name is Empyrean Groundroot. I wish you safe journey home."

Su bowed. "May your journey be safe as well." Taking Keitaro's hand once more, she made her way toward the southern pathway.

Keitaro looked back once at Empyrean as they went their separate ways. "He seemed nervous about something. Any idea what it might be?"

Su just shook her head. "It's better to let it remain silent and hidden within the darkness."

Keitaro glanced at Su sideways, but nodded slowly a moment later. "Where are we headed? And what was with those names you made up for us? And what's a cuticle?"

Su made the first left turn. "Keitaro, it's best to remain silent in this part of town."

Keitaro sighed, but nodded again as he turned his thoughts inward. "I know I didn't imagine the nervous look he gave me. Empyrean was worried I was someone else. Some kind of official perhaps?" His mind flashed back to the Monastery in Yokokoku, to the man in the red armor. "Hishinjiru…Empyrean must have thought I was a Weedkiller." He looked down at the thin leather armor he wore and recalled Jajauma's parting advice.

"If you two weren't before," The ram-girl's voice resonated. "You truly are Weeds now. Watch your every step. Trust no one."

"Su already knew." Keitaro realized all too late. "Whatever it is she's looking for, she knew the risk and stopped me from endangering us further." He clenched his free fist. "Some protector I am." As they rounded the next corner, Keitaro's eyes went wide.

This area of the town was considerably run down, much more so than what he had seen so far. He saw people hiding in the shadows, peering out from behind tattered curtains and broken doors. Su pulled him fast through the town, and beneath the bridge. He wondered momentarily if he let go of her hand if she would break out into an all out run. He tightened his grip on her hand, determined not to let her get away.

Su shielded her eyes as she came out from under the bridge. "He's outside the city…" She looked off into the distance at the solitary hut. "How sad…"

Keitaro also looked out at the decrepit cottage. He looked over at Su's concerned expression. He returned his attention to the house. "For him to be exiled entirely from the city is not a sign that inspires confidence. Maybe we should rethink this?"

Su just shook her head and walked forward slowly.

Keitaro followed after her. He lifted her hood over her head gently as he came up beside her. "It's windy out here. Protect yourself from the sand." He returned her sad smile. "Come on. Let's go get your kite. No, your sky flyer."

Su stopped as they reached the outer edges of the hut's property. "Keitaro? Would you mind…waiting out here for me?"

"Huh? Why?" Keitaro looked shocked for a moment. He searched her eyes for an answer when she didn't reply. "Ok then. I'll wait here."

Su smiled and walked towards the hut and quietly slipped inside.

"Wasn't she supposed to announce herself first?" Keitaro wondered silently.

OOOOO

"Hello? Is anyone here?" Su called out quietly as she descended the staircase into the true lodgings that the hut above concealed.

"Who's there?" Demanded a voice angrily. "Who dares enter my home uninvited? Don't you know who I am? I'll make you pay for this!" The old man hobbled out from a back room. He tapped the way slightly with cane to ensure it was free of debris.

"My apologies Master Crafter." Su replied softly.

The old man's head spun rapidly toward the sound of her voice. His eyes, thick and white with cataracts, fixating on her. "Who are you? What business do you have with me?"

"I have heard that you are the greatest sky flyer artisan ever known." Su replied. "My Ma spoke of you very highly. I would like to purchase one of your works."

"I gave up my work long ago." He turned away. "Be gone sproutling. You'll find no flyers here."

"I'm looking for a very specific flyer." Su continued despite the man's claim. "It measured half a field in length, and required a carry satchel even when folded to its smallest size. It was dyed a magnificent blue-green in color.

The old man turned toward Su again, surprise evident on his face. "That design. How do you know it? The only person who ever saw it was…" He stepped forward. "But she…"

Su stepped forward. "She told me about it when I was still very small. I've memorized it for so long, I don't think I'll ever forget it."

The old man stumbled foreword toward the sound of Su's voice. "Where are you?"

Su went to him and took his hands into hers. Gently she lifted them to her face. "I'm right here."

The elder traced the lines of her face with shaking hands. "By the Maiden…can it really be? Kaorra? Is it you?"

Su started to cry just a little bit as she nodded. "Hai, grenda. It's me." Her body was racked with sobs as the old man pulled her close. "I'm sorry grenda, but I don't have much time."

The old man was crying now as well. "No, I will not give you up after finally learning you are still alive."

Su pushed away gently. "My time is no longer my own. There is work to be done, work only I can do."

"Your da's work?!" The old man's voice became angry, but fear could be heard as well. He held her face and felt her nod slowly. "Why?"

Su pulled away, shaking her head. "That is only one part. Grenda, I need your help. I need Ma's flyer." She saw that he was torn. "Please grenda."

The old man finally nodded. "I will get it, and I will come with you."

Su waited quietly as he moved to another room of the small home. There was little to take her mind from what was coming next. A few minutes later she held the plain parcel in her hands.

"Wait a moment." The old man turned. "I'll gather the things I need."

"No grenda." Su felt her heart break as the only family she had left wheeled about in shock. "If you leave, they will know I've been here." She smiled, trying to keep the worry out of her voice. "The more normal things appear the better it will be for all of us."

"You would travel the land alone?" The old man swallowed hard. "Without aid or protection?"

"No." Su shook her head. "I am not alone. There is someone who has agreed to take this…journey…with me."

The old man reached and barely found a chair before falling into it. "A journey, you say?" His head bowed, his body shaking as he cried.

Su crossed the small room and knelt beside him, lifting his head to gently kiss his cheek. "I love you grenda. So please don't cry. Everything will workout in the end. You'll see." She squeezed his hand gently and stood. "Love you always."

"Love you always, my little flower." He listened to her foot steps as she climbed the stairs. The door clicked shut and be began to cry again. "Good bye."

OOOOO

Keitaro watched as Su returned from the small hut. Even through the sand caught in the wind he could see that she had been crying. He crossed the distance to her and pulled her hood up before placing his arm around shoulders. "Get everything you needed?"

"And more." Su nodded. "So much more."

Keitaro felt himself relax slightly. She may have been crying in the house, but she was happy now. He could hear it in her voice. The small quiet quality that she had let him hear the night he'd asked her to go out with him. "That's good." He gave her a gentle hug.

Su felt herself blush as Keitaro pulled her closer. "Come on. It's a long way to the next town before night fall."

First Roots Set

OOOOO

Wraiths: Not much action in this chapter…

Star: But the ending was kind of sweet at least.

Wraiths: (Makes a gagging noise)

Rider: (glares at the other two) Anyway, I know it went kind of slow but it will set things up for later on. I promise.

Wraiths: It had better.

Rider: Go away. (turns to audience) Anywho, please feel free to drop a line and tell me what you thought. I will have some extra free time now, seeing as I'm an idiot in Organic Chemistry apparently and dropped it, so this will be hopefully by the first of a triple threat on my account.

Star: Two new chapters? You are adventurous.

Rider: Sort of. I hope to have a CoH chapter in the next few days as well as a new story in…dare I say it…the realm of Naruto.

Wraiths: Dattebayo!

(Rider and Star both punch Wraiths in the face)

Star: I hate that phrase…

Rider: It has been greatly overused. Oh well. Ja mata minna-san.

Star: Bye people!

Wraiths: (leg twitches from within his crater)