A/N: When I was younger, I believed all things held a constant within themselves, some core sense of being, superseding who and what they were, transient, yet immutable. Likened unto themselves, but richer, purer, more real; the essence of these things, existing beyond physical representation. And the things themselves, that which could be delineated by the senses, were merely imperfect vessels – only able to contain a fraction of what it was meant to be. If the physical held enough belief that it was, in itself, that thing it represented, it could (and would) grow into being more like the purity it so ardently wished to hold. In this way, regardless of sentience, sapience, consciousness, tangibility or ephemeral idea-ness, regardless of mortality, being long lived, or having no life to call its own, such a thing could attain a state of grace - sustained, groomed and shaped by other's belief it existed, or being granted the same measure of consideration by divine whim.

Thus, if a dog wished and wanted and hoped of being not just a dog, any dog, but thee dog, why, to me, it might even become a really real dog, just as I might, one day, become a really real girl, and feel less like I was Alice, and the world was my dream. (But that's another story.)

For this (tries to encompass everything, presented herein), I was never sure I was sure I'd given up. I didn't know if I'd forgotten. If I'd brushed the cobwebs of ignominious defeat from the rafters of imagination, and moved my summer home east of 'tilting at windmills' and south of 'Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower'. If there was reason enough for my unreasonable desire to continue, or (reason be damned) if fickle possibility would allow for metempsychosic remembrance of what may have been.

I'm almost positive everyone believed (myself included) that this fiction would move no further, had tripped over its own shoelaces, and fallen, cant-wise, into that pretermitted toybox where almost-but-not-quite Velveteen Rabbits eventually wind up. But! A promise remembered is a promise kept.

The style has changed, so my beloved beta has mentioned, but she continues to support and read, and encourage (as impossible as I make that task), and says that what there is (I've written several more chapters than this), is an enjoyable read – so I trust to her words, and my own (only slightly) altered vision. Also, this chapter is exceptionally long - if an opinion is posed that it should be split in two, I will likely follow this advice - and I was of divided minds on whether it should be posted as one chapter or two.

I am still Alice, and this is still my Wonderland - for those that care to consort with me on this oddest of Odysseys, creep closer to the fire. The sleeping-bag's big enough for two, and the light is a comfort; it's always darkest before the dawn.

In this chapter, we answer what questions lingered for who-what-where, but leave the why for keener minds than I, and find out what happens when the rock and the hard place collide. If it evokes, share your thoughts. Half of Wonderland is yours.

Chapter 18

"I want you to take your goddamn hands off Shizuru and step away."

"Nao-chan…"

Yuuki's eyes flickered between the woman she wanted as her lover, and the view over that woman's shoulder, briefly losing herself in the slightly shifting tea shaded locks, then glaring again towards the creature who stood under the arch separating the kitchen and the living room. The ebony haired woman she loathed more than any other, currently leveling a gun her Element at Nao's head, was peppering the air with puerile absurdity.

Nao laughed bitterly, doing the opposite of what Kuga had demanded; she slipped an arm under the gaping robe Shizuru wore, wrapping it securely around the woman's waist. Hunter turned hare, Shizuru stiffened, releasing the wrist she'd tethered between them, her face contorting with some desolate emotion. The taller girl stumbled, breath accelerating as Nao's fingers lightly brushed over the small of her back.

A soft sound of dismay escaped Shizuru's lips as she stumbled a second time, trying to keep her balance. "This is not something for Natsuki to involve herself in; Natsuki mustn't interfere," she whispered.

"I don't think Shizuru wants me to leave, Natsuki." The sneer she'd been unable to manufacture until this moment tugged her lips upward, revealing teeth in a challenging snarl. Jade eyes locked with emerald, enjoying her nemesis's expression, the moment of shocked revulsion as Nao pivoted, placing herself safely behind Shizuru, her hand lowering to gently explore the softer curves below.

Shizuru gasped, straining against the arm holding her captive, back bowed outward as she attempted to escape, put distance between them. Nao kept her arm rigid, unyielding, enjoying the reversal of roles – she the one holding Shizuru under her power. The figure in her arms shuddered, plucked at her arm uselessly, trying to pry the barrier away with shaking fingers. Nao had never felt more powerful, more in control; she tightened her grip.

Kuga's jaw clenched, her fingers tightening, white-knuckled, on the weapons in her hands, hectic splotches of rage staining her cheeks as she took a purposeful step forward, growling dangerously, keeping those venom filled, spiteful green eyes within her sights.

"Nao…" That voice, so gruff and full of malicious intent, it was almost more than she could bear; Nao laughed, taunting the bull forward.

"Natsuki…" The woman in Nao's arms half turned, perhaps trying to soothe, to placate – gain control of the situation before inevitability turned her order into chaos, but Nao wouldn't allow it. She leaned forward to kiss the hollow of the slender neck before her, never taking her eyes off the frothing beast slinking closer with every step. Yes. Yes. Can you feel it? Fuck you. FUCK YOU, she's MINE.

The war of wills clashed as the raven-haired woman circled the entwined pair, looking for an opening, any opening, to fire through without harming her lover companion.

I will make you pay. Make you pay for every moment I've suffered at your hands. The object in her arms was, for the time being, completely forgotten as Nao continued laughing – a low, sonorous, sensual sound. "What is Fujino to you, then? A burden? A compromise?"

The would-be captive's struggles ceased, head lowering to banish the expression of hurt, of loss, of panic. Nao flicked her eyes to Shizuru's face, watching her shut down, the effort of maintaining her even, rhythmic breath; noticing every detail, etching it into her memory as her benefactor's shoulders slumped in defeat, bangs falling forward to hide half her face as she turned away, her fingers clenching and unclenching, waiting for an answer she didn't want to hear.

The redhead cringed internally, disdainful, even now, of her attraction to this woman – of her own capability for cruelty in the pursuit of her desires. We truly are the same, my Mistress and I. A moment's pity, a moment's weakness. She needed to continue, drive the wedge of insecurity more firmly between Natsuki and Shizuru. If they can't bring themselves to be honest with each other, I'll rip the masks away.

Her eyes returned to Natsuki, who stood in a posture of confusion. The weapon wavered. "Ne, answer me, Kuga."

The body in her arms flinched, trembled as that velvet Kyoto accent whispered. "Yuuki-san is so cruel; she has no idea how difficult it is… to truly love." She chose to ignore the words, impatiently awaiting the ice HiME's response.

"Shizuru is my most precious person." No hesitation, no reservation, and the voice, so soft and full of absolutes, tugged the corner of Nao's mouth in displeasure. 'I should have noticed sooner. My… precious thing.'

"What are you talking about! Don't you secretly hate Fujino? Always treating you like a misbehaving pet, someone she can manage – taking over your life, following you around like a wounded puppy. Suffocating you with unwanted affection. Wanting you. Stalking you… owning you." Nao paused for a single breath. "And you, what can you offer her? A lifetime of sitting alone, wondering where you are, if you'll be back as you abandon her again? Running off every time you get scared of getting close – too stupid to realize the only thing she wants from you, the only thing she needs…" The redhead's voice trailed off, choked with unshed tears, her own or Shizuru's, she wasn't sure. The only thing she needs, she's ever needed, was for you to stay by her side.

The weapon lowered to Natsuki's side as she took an uncertain step closer. "Shizuru…" Regretful and wounded, Nao's adversary was as predictable as she was easy to read. No, she couldn't allow her competitor victory. She wouldn't.

"I've been alone for as long as I can remember, moved from one orphanage to another, no one caring whether I lived or died. It won't end. It never ends." Unwanted tears trickled down her cheeks as she focused her attention for the upcoming attack. "I can give Shizuru everything she wants; I. Won't. Leave." Pity, that's what she saw on Natsuki's face. Her eyebrows lowered in fury. "I won't let you take any more from me – nothing else!"

Yuuki's fingers dug into Shizuru's stomach, hard enough to bruise, as the younger girl dragged her captive towards the kitchen door; Nao had to put distance between them, enough distance to… to what? Fucking cut her to pieces! But did she want to hurt Natsuki? She remembered the dark haired girl standing in front of her, guardian eclipse, interposing herself between her lover the madwoman and Nao's certain death. The rage ebbed and flowed - she was no longer sure.

Shizuru cried out in pain, clutching her side, just above the thigh; Nao suffered a moment of panic, wondering if she'd held Shizuru too closely, damaged something in her desire to keep Natsuki at bay. For the first time she noticed her captive was sweating profusely, hair plastered to too-white cheeks. The woman offered no more resistance to movement than she had to being held.

"Shizuru!" The dueling pair glared at one another over Fujino's shoulder, both furious they'd spoken at the same time.

There was something not right with my prize Shizuru, but Nao was so close to victory; she was almost to the door.

Natsuki trembled with fury and fear, let's not forget fear. Rain, rain, won't go away… it's come again, and here to stay.

"Let Shizuru go." She raised her gun, firing a warning shot. The bullet brushed through the hair over Nao's ear, a blue-white blur, imbedding itself in the door behind them.

The younger girl twisted her body just enough to turn the doorknob, always keeping herself behind the taller woman, though that seemed to be getting harder as Shizuru limply slumped in her arms. Shizuru's head tipped sideways, resting on Nao's shoulder.

"Get up," the redhead hissed, trying to reposition the woman in her arms. More softly, "Please get up." She sounded on the verge of hysterics.

Natsuki took several steps forward, intending to catch her lover before she fell, if only that delusional, self-wounded bitch would move out of the way. She was now, officially, terrified. Her heart thudded a frightened staccato, quickening to the rising storm outside; hollow wind seeking entrance, tears beating against the glass. Shizuru… what's wrong?

Her eyes narrowed, jerking out of the way just in time to avoid being impaled on the gleaming crimson tines of Nao's element.

"Stupid woman! Can't you see there's something wrong with Shizuru?! She's the one you just claimed to love!"

"Shut up! You don't know anything about the way I feel! Why won't you just… just," disappear, "die!" Nao twitched her hand, branding a line of liquid fire across Natsuki's cheek. The brunette wiped at the trickling blood, incredulity warming her face.

Fuck this playing nice shit. She'd given the guttersnipe all the leeway synchronicity would allow, stood up for her, refrained from killing her, even when she thought Shizuru was sleeping with Nao and how right I was, but enough was enough.

Natsuki flipped her hair over her shoulder, firing into that insufferable sneer. Once there had been doubt, but not now; she could feel him, pacing through the hallways, anxious to be freed.

"Duran!"

Fujino shifted in the redhead's arms; the bullet grazed Shizuru, mirror image of the crimson streak across Natsuki's face.

They attacked simultaneously, Nao jumping away from the door as it disintegrated under a barrage of bullets, and Natsuki rolling to avoid the cabinets as they canted haphazardly, overburdening with a rasping crash. Released, Shizuru collapsed to the floor, hand outstretched, fingers flexing, collapsing on empty space.

Shizuru's eyes closed as she struggled to regain her feet. Teeth sank into her tongue; she managed to lift herself as far as hands and knees. Something was pounding, pounding at the door. She spoke silent words of welcome, or warning otousama, it hardly mattered which.

An electric howl wavered nearby, growing louder. Nao screamed in fury, ducking under the line of fire Natsuki laid down. She snarled, extending her will, meaning to sever Natsuki from her feet, but the brunette leapt onto the counter, spring-boarded away as the wood screamed and buckled, rolling into a half-assed crouch.

Trembling with the effort, Shizuru summoned her Element; autumn's chill followed her as she rose, wraithlike, open robe fluttering, cloak-like, dry leaves spinning on an errant breeze. Just one more moment of weakness… she sagged against the metal, drawing what strength she could from what coiled within.

"Shizuru!" Natsuki desperately reached for Shizuru, hissing in pain as searing monofilaments cut through flesh; the hand retreated before the heat severed bone.

"She's mine!"

Natsuki cradled her wounded appendage, firing with the opposite hand. Just one lucky shot, that's all I need!

A blur of crimson as the naginata twirled, knocking the bullets aside. Natsuki stared at her companion slack-jawed, the renewed flush of anger igniting across her cheeks. Why is Shizuru protecting her?!

Why is Shizuru protecting me? "Fujino?" A questioning tone, fearful, yet hopeful. "Shizuru…" Relief. "Come with me." Begging.

Natsuki screamed with rage.

Nao's eyes narrowed, whipping her Element in serpentine dance, returning rage for rage. "You make me sick!" She gasped in shock as the honey-haired woman shifted her grip, intercepting the filaments inches from their target. Metal steamed as their Elements kissed, an unconscious tug-of-war.

Crimson met jade, that passionate velvet noose, strangling her will to resist.

"Such a disobedient child; I wanted to protect you." But no one is allowed to hurt Natsuki, not even you.

Nao floundered, chastened, frightened, alone. Her hands dropped, pulling Shizuru off balance as their entwined Elements sought to escape one another.

Just one instant. Just one second. Just one breath. Everything happened at once.

"Nao!" Natsuki fired both guns, ignoring her damaged hand. Shizuru's arm whipped up, naginata chafing at the end of its luminous tether, too slow. The taller girl's foot slipped as the bullet burrowed through her shoulder.

Nao's lip quivered; she stared, uncomprehending mamma! at the tea shaded woman, with her weary, rust-colored eyes. Is she angry with me? Shizuru's shoulders slumped, letting her Element drop to the floor. No anger, just sadness. Why?

The sensation was so familiar for a minute nothing registered. And then the sting began in earnest, stabbing, white-sheeted pain. No… Disbelieving, Nao's hand lifted to the source of the agony. Panic, fury and pain - a whimpered, keening cry rose unbidden from her throat. Hands were hands once more; Nao fumbled with the sodden, bloody mess where her eye should have been, and was not. Ephemeral and melting away, the bullet Kuga's bullet clattered to the floor.

Again… AGAIN! "Julia!"

Natsuki rushed to support Shizuru before the older girl could collapse, not wanting to glance past her lover's shoulder at the miserable, sobbing, one-eyed girl, or notice the blood caked bullet, as it settled at her feet; there one moment and gone the next. The peculiar ringing in Natsuki's ears, a sound she'd been too distracted to pay heed to, reached an ominous crescendo. She pressed the heel of her free palm against her head, barking a short cry of discomfort.

"Natsuki!" Shizuru's voice rose, filled with immediacy and concern. Hands pushed her, an ungentle shove; the raven haired girl toppled, fell on her side and slid, fetching up hard against the living room archway. Dazed, she tried to crawl back to Shizuru's side; it was too late.

Another howl, this one deafening, almost on top of them; it vibrated through the air, rattled pots and pans, knocked a calendar from the wall. Both turned toward the sound. They saw - one agog with relief, the other with terror - through the gaping hole where the door once was, past the windows at the far end of the room, the looming shadow of a mechanized paw.

One paw. Jesusfuckingchrist.

Forever. Faster, he needed to move faster; the brisk walk wouldn't make it in time. They ran from one misty pool to the next - they were close now, streetlights replaced with their taller, more stately campus cousins. His legs ached; he wiped away the droplets stinging his eyes. He wondered, briefly, when he'd last forced himself to run. Track? Perhaps. Or that night, the night Mai, my bride to be, wept herself empty in my arms. Enough.

He struggled to keep up with his fleet-footed companion, and the pain in his chest intensified, driving him to one knee; he clasped the stone hanging close to his heart, listened through fingertips as it yearned and pulled, winking its warning of onrushing fate. Akira paused beside him, lingering, and he harried the girl on.

"Hurry, Okuzaki-kun!"

Forever bound. So many things he was: lord of the manor, false prophet of chance, the king, the prince, the clown. A demon struggling to undo that which had already been undone by my will careless acts; an atramentous angel, rectifying ambivalences long past. And now, as impossible a task as he'd assigned himself, he had to try, take a wrench to the machine as their world spun out of control. This he'd vowed; he'd carry his HiME, limp to the finish line, one failed hurdle at a time.

Forever bound by immovable fate. Feet found purchase once more. And so he ran, as he had that night, the night truth broke through the waking dream, claimed him, kicking and screaming as I'm doing, now, to my delicate, fractured dolls, thrust him into the tragedy of his own birthright. Consumed me whole and spat me out, the superfluous gristle of festivity gone to waste. The Reito that was withered with understanding - he who was himself was nothing but sleight of hand; a bewitching contrivance, the jilted daydreams of a god gone mad with despair.

He wondered… if he'd truly been more wise and cunning than the god could control. Or if he'd simply been too lonely to continue on his own. False expectations are so very human; the price he'd paid was steep, left wounds that would never heal, but he'd convinced the he who was us Reito was no more. And yet, here we are, together; a god without a heart, a human without a soul, for as long as this curse will last.

He glanced up through the ceaseless torrent; the gathering storm had broken, tongues of light licking the undersides of filthy, bruise-colored clouds. Ikusahime wept, and he wept with her, for those he'd lost, for those he had yet to lose. She screamed his name, in his dreams, begging him for clemency, condonation he couldn't yet allow. He reached for her - this penurious, dark haired man, in his sculpted ebony suit, and she hid from him in the curtains of drowning rain.

I remember the scent of her; smoke, and blood and tears. Fire consumes everything - not because it wants to destroy, but…

"Because it wants to live."

He could not outrun the past, couldn't stem the tide of woe he'd summoned with foolish, desperate intent, nor mute the voice so many voices! of the vengeful wind, eager to share its blame. But perhaps, together, they could outrun the future. So he hoped. So he prayed. And the demon laughed for spite.

Akira appeared at his side, a nimble shadow amidst the deepening gloom.

"Minagi-senpai!"

The girl's teeth chattered; he wished he could spare the offer of his jacket, but he had to continue forward - if he lost his focus, chance would evaporate like breath against the looking glass.

She pointed towards the skyline, towards the impression of movement - something large with glints of metal; it flowed with the water and why wouldn't he; wasn't his mistress always the center of the storm?, lifted its head and sang its mournful song.

Lips moved on their own, "No, you mustn't!" He grabbed Akira's shoulders, staring into her frightened, childlike eyes. "Okuzaki-kun, you must find a way to stop them; they cannot use their Childs, they're no longer bound to HiME." They have a will of their own.

Akira's eyes widened, threatening to swallow her face; she had no idea how to stop three homicidal HiME from destroying one another this isn't just destiny ripping us apart, even with Gennai's assistance. Without him…

"Please try, Okuz… Akira-kun." The boy who was a man; a man desperately trying to forget he was anything more; he looked as frightened-weary as she felt. The hold on her shoulders relaxed, and he spoke again - a gentle, soothing tone. "We must try." Even if we're destined to fail.

"I understand." And then she vanished.

The pulse against his chest beat faster now, discomfort increasing the closer he came to those his bindings drew; a great plane, filled with the echoes of battles past, a single, yearning consciousness, determined to keep him from alteration. Hapless, hopeless, these shades were indifferent to his cause. His footsteps slowed, battered by their agony, crushed within gears that had existed from the time before time began.

There: it seemed as though the dorm crouched down, waiting for him with eager anticipation - if he could just make it that far… Reito sagged against the front door, rapping loudly, and remained thus, wishing his summons would be answered; he hadn't the energy to batter down the door, not this close to contested confluence. He wanted to bow, bow under that great and oppressive weight, wanted to curl in a ball and cry until the voices let him be, alone in that darkness that was himself.

Instead, he drew himself inward, straightening to his full height as his feet carried him onward, into the frozen, lifeless void. His hand lifted in dismissal, the burden was not more than he could carry, and they shrunk from him - from the god that wandered their hell. His knock gone unanswered, regnant momentum took him to another entrance.

He smiled, listening to the distant tick, moving forward, rushing back - the clock was his, as were the lives they shed, and the nearing calamity: splintering wood, angry shouts, the glorious symphony of Ikusahime as they threw themselves at his feet, was nothing more than his due. Had there still been a door, it might have flung itself open in obeisance, but only a ragged hole remained, and he stood with arms raised, the maestro, hands dancing as he plucked their strings, revealing in the crescendo of conflict within.

The hand gripping him tightly kept him from stepping into the middle of the ongoing battle, brought him back to himself; the ninja's other hand was pressed to her side, blood slowly leaking down her wrist.

"Orphans," she whispered. He wasn't sure if this was an accusation, or a comment. "You forgot to mention them."

Reito floundered; Orphans? Here? … Now? "Did you… Do you need my assistance?"

Akira gave him a sour look. "Would I be standing here if they hadn't been taken care of already?" She never thought she'd see the Obsidian Lord look chagrined, but there it was.

"Get down," Akira hissed, attempting to shepherd the stubborn man behind cover, to remind him this wasn't a spectator's sport, and he was just as likely to become a target, if he didn't start using common sense. More bullets followed, embedding themselves in a lazy arc around where the demon prince stood. She gave him the you see what I mean? stare, but he was oblivious to her concern. Figures.

"Isn't she magnificent," Reito whispered - he hadn't been present when the HiME battled this time around, the demon knowing better than the man; his presence led to chaos, as the previous Carnival had proved. It was better to observe from afar. But this! This was… this was…

"She dances beautifully, my Lord."

"Nagi," Reito snarled, furiously seeking the owner of the voice; for him to interrupt his master's enjoyment of the spectacle was unforgivable. Hectic laughter followed, and that was all the distraction happenstance required.

Shizuru staggered, naginata wrapped in another Element's power; Reito watched with mounting horror as the bullet ripped through her shoulder, burying itself in Yuuki's eye. He swayed, giddy with terror, swooning under the glut of their passions - the pulse above his heart was a constant hum, searing into his flesh.

"Julia!"

"Yuuki-san, you mustn't!" She already had. He watched, horrified, as the second of the dark Childs spun herself from the thread of almost-there into the here-and-now, heeding her mistress' call. Julia, weaver of requital and revenge. Their eyes met, and Reito's lip curled in displeasure. The Child chittered in amusement, already moving to intercept her prey.

"Okuzaki-kun!"

Are you kidding me? But she'd started moving before her companion's request had a chance to form itself, flitting between the Child's limbs. She dodged under the annoyed flick of a leg, grabbed hold of a steaming segment joining abdomen to torso. Her kunai flashed, slid through metal to the softer substance below.

Julia wailed, but would not be deterred; the Child's gaze drifted between the two opposing HiME. Her mistress's desire was clear, crystallized: an image of the raven-haired girl, impaled on her stinger, and yet… A furious hiss issued from the spider's throat as she moved closer to the honey-haired woman I remember you, hateful woman.

The older of the pair staggered, blood dripping from a wounded shoulder, likewise running from nose to throat wounded! an opportunity she could exploit. Julia staggered as the creature below her graduated from nuisance to actual threat as one of her legs severed cleanly, clattering to the floor; she maneuvered an appendage between them, crushing the threat to the floor.

Julia wavered, her own wishes conflicting with the girl she'd taken into her web, nurtured and supported for the years they'd been bound. She'd offered the girl a means of escape, and her mistress had provided her with an endless bounty of pleasure - punishing the men for whatever wrong-doings she'd tasted in their minds.

If only… Ah! There. The pain giver had dropped her Element, moved closer to the HiME her mistress commanded she kill. If she moved quickly enough… A blur of motion, and then vengeance was satisfied. Their eyes met I remember you, I REMEMBER YOU! as the devil collapsed; the autumn woman Shizuru and her death-bringing Child would trouble her no more. As for the other…

"Julia! NO!"

The spider hissed, confused - a cacophony of emotion assaulted her - sadness, horror, grief. Love. Julia whined pathetically; her mistress had loved the creature who caused them so much pain? But… the other was near! If she was just allowed to…

"Shizuru!" The child, her mistress, wept. The threat had recovered herself, cut away another of Julia's limbs, but she hardly noticed, she crawled with what legs remained; she wanted, needed to feel the warmth of her mistress' hand. Nao wept, and her Child wept with her, because that was all she could do.

The brandy-glow anticipation of success evaporated the moment her lover spoke. Shizuru felt an unpleasant dip in her stomach, a moment of panic so profound it almost qualified as fear. A second wholly unexpected emotion displaced the chill - anger; being thwarted so close to her goal was… it was righteously vexing was what it was.

Shizuru struggled with the impulse to chasten Natsuki, her mind already calculating which infractions to focus on to drive the woman away. Why would I…? It startled her, left her shaking with horrified confusion. Dizziness played accompaniment, a fine sweat seeping from her fear, and Shizuru's jaw clenched, forcing the sensation away by force of will. The effort coiled through her midsection with sickening heat, and she retched, wondering what was wrong with her.

She chose not to acknowledge the hurled accusation in Natsuki's voice, fearing she'd lose whatever momentum she'd gained with the recalcitrant youth in front of her, trying to keep eye contact so close! but her stray had already moved, winding a sinuous arm around her stomach as the younger girl's body molded itself to her back. When did Nao move?

Stabbing pain interjected itself, a pain so acute she was momentarily blinded. Lips moved, "This is not something for Natsuki to involve herself in; Natsuki mustn't interfere." Had she spoken? Why would she say such a thing? Gasoline to flame, such words would do nothing to halt the inexorable shift of power; she'd lost control of the situation. How? She tried to speak again, to lessen the damage, recover the reins slipping from her fingers, at least.

Conversation continued around her, thought she only caught snippets: what is a burden. Natsuki is…. No, that wasn't right. I am… but Yuuki-san and I compromise… or did I? Was I? Compromised? My love is… was… what am I? "Yuuki-san is so cruel; she has no idea how difficult it is… to truly love." I should have said that before.

The room tilted; she lost her balance, had a kinesthetic memory of standing at the edge of the cliff, filled with the same hysterical passion that had prompted her to finalize her victory, shearing off the small outcropping of rock her adversary lay on, broken and bleeding. The recollection was so vivid her fingers closed on air, knowing her Element was in her hands, began the motion which sundered earth from air, listened to Nao's scream as she fell.

But she wasn't on the cliff, illusion falling away beneath her, she staggered, her throat building a scream of her own as she fell, to the bathroom floor, and it wasn't her Element, but a razor, clasped in white-knuckled fingers. She ripped the blade across her own wrists in furious self-loathing, welcoming the pain, wept with laughter as blood filled the room. Her eyes turned to the wooden door separating her from her love; she could hear the reverberations of frantic knocking not Natsuki. Wood was stubborn, refusing to give, and the she was swept away by the blood boiling from her veins.

Shizuru struggled to stay afloat, but she was being held so tightly; shadowy figures, lurking beneath the crimson tide, clawed hands, pulling her under the waves. Disembodied faces; she recognized a few as those she'd slain during the end of her madness, when the star's influence drew her onward, ever onward towards her own destruction. Her eyes stung with tears.

A hand closed around her throat, pulling her through the salty brine, doward up, releasing her with an ungentle shove. Her head broke surface, tiny limbs struggling to keep her afloat, and she struggled to keep moving, and moving and moving, while the instructor watched. Had to work hard for Otousama.

"Keep your head up!"

And she was trying, but she was tired - limbs failing where desire wished her onward. Shizuru jerked her head up, mouth full of chlorinated water, coughing and sputtering as her head slid under, again. And again. Sparkling water, dazzling her with streaks of light; she'd thought the pool was beautiful, before she stepped in. Her leg cramped and she flailed, water burning her eyes, filling her mouth, pushing up through her nose.

Her father watched his five-year-old daughter's battle impassively.

"May this girl learn to swim, Otousama? The water is so pretty." Cinnamon eyes tilted up to meet his questioning look with a frank openness.

"The water is deeper than it looks, Shizuru. It takes discipline and control. You might not have the endurance."

"Okaasama swims?"

There had been a pause, and he'd knelt, wrapping strong hands around his daughter's shoulders. "Yes, she does." He stared at his daughter sternly. "It is good to know one's limitations, but I will find a tutor, if this is something you want to pursue."

"This girl will learn to swim."

He'd smiled at his daughter, enjoying this shared moment between them, the determination with which she'd spoken. The backs of his fingers had brushed her face, a momentary affection, before he'd lifted her onto his shoulders. "Yes, she will."

She was tempted to call out for him; she was frightened, and exhausted. She wanted to stop, rethink her position.

"Fujino-sama, if you don't learn to keep your head up, we won't be able to continue."

She tried harder, weeping with the effort. Okaasama watched her daughter anxiously, wringing her hands; she looked as unhappy as Shizuru felt, but her hands remained in her lap, never quite daring ask her husband to stop the lesson.

Shizuru smiled at her mother to reassure her, choking on the snot washing back into her throat. The instruction continued, her mother mutely watching, the intensity of her father's eyes never leaving her, and the boy her father had invited over to play, staring at her with sad grey eyes.

"Do you remember how that day ended, Shizuru?" Her father's voice startled her as she sat beside him, side by side on the large stone bench in front of their home.

Shizuru hugged herself, smiling - it was such a relief, to be past that particular memory, she didn't even bother questioning how she'd gotten here. "Otousama said he was proud of his daughter for not giving up."

"And your mother…"

"Get up… Please get up."

Shizuru giggled softly. "Forbade me to have another lesson for at least a year."

Her father chuckled. "Mmmm. And what did you do?"

"Insisted on another lesson the next week."

"Are you swimming, or drowning, Shizuru?"

"Stupid woman! Can't you see there's something wrong with Shizuru? She's the one you just claimed to love!"

What a peculiar question. It was obvious… she was falling.

Reality asserted itself with a sickening lurch; Shizuru's eyes widened as the muzzle of Natsuki's gun winked Natsuki has her Elements again, I'm so glad, firing in her direction. Shizuru could feel Yuuki's warmth as the girl continued to tote her around like a life-sized Raggedy Ann why wasn't I able to prevent this? Moving was agony - the older girl ground her teeth in frustration.

Lassitude hampered movement, but she was able to turn her head just so, and the bullet missed its mark, abraded her cheek instead.

Shizuru collapsed to the floor as the door what a pity, I liked that door splintered into airborne shrapnel, hand outstretched, fingers flexing, collapsing on empty space.

Shizuru's eyes closed as she struggled to regain her feet. Teeth sank into her lip; she managed to lift herself as far as hands and knees. Something was pounding, pounding at the door. She spoke silent words of welcome, or warning otousama, it hardly mattered which.

Conflict continued around her; Shizuru focused on the discomfort, swarms of locusts battering themselves to death against the confines of her skull; used it to summon her naginata, and pulled herself hand over hand along the comfortable weight.

It crossed her mind to demand they stop destroying her kitchen, but obviously she'd have to wait until after the battle to berate them both for running in the house. So tired. Shizuru concentrated on moving the blade; sweat dripped into her eyes, but she couldn't spare the energy to brush it away.

"Fujino? Shizuru… come with me."

More talking - it was pointless to argue with them. The honey-haired woman continued keeping the feuding pair from murdering each other, beyond caring. She intercepted Nao's attack, grimacing with effort as she struggled to stay upright. Breath labored between clenched teeth - Shizuru was nearing the end of her reserves, tears joining the blood dripping down her chin.

Crimson met jade, silently imploring her foundling to stop, if there was an ounce of love in her, just… stop. "Such a disobedient child; I wanted to protect you." But no one is allowed to hurt Natsuki, not even you.

The redhead's hands lowered so lost and alone; relief washed through Shizuru, a smile turning up her lips - she could resolve this, she was sure.

"Nao!"

Too slow; she shouldn't have let her attention slip no! The older woman lost her balance as her Element lifted, dimly aware of a pressure passing through her. The strangled cry at her back solidified her failure. Nao… It was too much for her to handle. The naginata slipped from numb fingers.

"Julia!" The word filled her with terror, but she was too exhausted to comprehend why. Shizuru slumped, feeling much as she had when she was five, and she couldn't keep her head above water, couldn't tread water fast enough, struggling to keep from choking to death.

"Yuuki-san, you mustn't!"

Arms encircled her, but she felt no comfort, frozen, inside out. She cried as she hadn't in years, echoing the forlorn wailing of the girl she'd once been, duet to the agonized wails of the girl cradling the gaping wound Shizuru hadn't been able to prevent.

Blurry and indistinct, her eyes wandered, magnetically drawn to the obsidian clad figure standing just outside the rubble of her once welcoming kitchen. He hasn't changed at all - still the little boy holding Otousama's hand, with his sad grey eyes.

The figure's hand lifted, and her glance followed, horrified into action by the seething shadow looming above her. She couldn't bear losing anything else.

"Natsuki!" She shoved with every ounce of strength she had remaining in her body, watched in slow motion as Natsuki's fingers curled around her own, stubbornly refusing to relinquish their hold. Their eyes met as Natsuki careened into the wall. I love you, Natsuki. Shizuru smiled reassuringly, ignoring the metal tearing through her entrails. I've always loved you; I always will.

The heat inside her chest lifted her off her feet, left her suspended in the air.

"Shizuru!"

"Julia, NO!"

Shizuru dropped unceremoniously to the floor, dimly aware a familiar presence howled for her, stood over her momentarily, savagely driving away anyone and anything that dared approach, even his own mistress. The strength of his emotions overwhelmed her, swept through her like a storm, left her shivering in their passage as the wolf launched himself towards the terrified redhead and the unfortunate Julia.

Moisture leaked from dulling rust colored eyed; Shizuru was too broken to move; she suspected her spine had been severed in the spider's attack. All she could do was watch the limping Child's increasingly feeble attempts to keep her HiME from the insane wolf's wrath. And then Julia joined her in broken splendor, able to neither attack nor flee.

Natsuki pulled Shizuru's head into her lap, howling with the same inconsolable grief driving her Child. She wished she could comfort them. The battle raged on; the ninja HiME bravely beating back the wolf's lunges, interposing herself between Yuuki and Duran, even though it was obvious she was scared out of her mind.

Uncaring of the havoc going on around him, the Obsidian Lord knelt by her side. The wolf roared his fury, preparing to leap through the obstacle in his way. Nao cowered in the corner, screaming apologies. It was all so very tragic. Shizuru gathered her fragmented thoughts into a single command Duran! as the Child launched himself, and his trajectory veered, sending him sideways into the dark-haired ninja, who rolled to one side, cradling the side the mecha had crushed.

Her orphan staggered to her feet, barely missing being shredded by the flailing wolf's claws. Nao stared at the body, motionless in Natsuki's lap, wiping tears from the remaining eye. None but Shizuru noticed Nao limp to Julia's side; she laid a gore covered hand on Julia, to comfort and dismiss, returning the whimpering Child to the nothing from whence she came.

The ninja HiME may have called to Nao, demanded the girl to not be a fool, come back to the group where she would be safe, and stay. So Shizuru hoped; tea shaded locks partially obscured her view, but she thought her lost little orphan paused before being swallowed by evening's gloom.

Duran, come.

And he did, crawling on his belly towards his mistress' mistress; his anguish was a living coal in the back of Shizuru's throat; she choked on blood, momentarily losing her concentration. Not just yet. The HiME of death had made up her mind. 'Even if one's head were to be suddenly cut off, they should be able to do one more action with certainty.' She'd spurned many suitors; the reaper could wait his turn.

Duran.

Yes, Mistress.

The wolf lowered his head, close to the bloody hand trembling at the woman's side. Shizuru laid her palm on the metallic muzzle, leaving a crimson silhouette of her hand.

With this blood as the bond, Duran will do one last thing for me.

The wolf whined, listening to the fading whisper, until it disappeared. He nudged the still hand, but it did not move again. Duran snarled at the man kneeling beside his mistresses, a warning, and dashed into the pouring rain.

"Duran!" Natsuki called to her Child, empty and bereft, but he didn't return.

Destiny was too great a foe. Reito wheezed an agonized sigh as Shizuru was run through. The fingertips above his racing heart clutched the stone with murderous strength, but it would not bend; it would not break. "I was supposed to stop this," he murmured. "Why couldn't I stop this?"

Foolishness. He turned against that voice within, himself, with brutal anguish. "I defy you," he snarled; the darkness laughed, mocking him. Dejection; he slumped in defeat. All his attempts had ended in failure, but this… this was almost a greater blow than Mai. His internal image of her, his absented bride, doubled, tripled - was he crying? He wasn't sure.

The image faded under a harsher, crueler reality: this world, the one he hadn't been allowed to remake. Stymied, ineffectual. What good is being god if I can't even save the ones I love? The darkness held no answers to this; he rose, staggering drunkenly towards his sunlight the fallen HiME; he hadn't expected an answer anyway.

Clouds growled, echoing his anger. The world was chaos around him, exploding in glass and brick and steel; Duran had arrived, struggling with the enraged Julia, and there was Akira, dragging the heartbroken Nao further from the fray. A jagged shard of glass embedded itself in his arm; he plucked it from mending skin, oblivious to the pain. None of that mattered.

Reito fell to his knees at Shizuru's side, heedless of the metal wolf's approach, resisted the urge to drive the beast away as it gently nosed the too still hand. He stared at the dark haired woman as she cradled her fairer-haired counterpart, wailing and rocking, crying a name, "Shizuru!", between sobs. Sobs that seemed on the verge of pulling the ice HiME apart. He could feel her anguish, both their anguish, she and the redhead who'd claimed a portion of the betrayer's heart. Melodic and sweet, the symphony of despair. It scorched the air around him, ignited an answering pang within his heart.

Laughter floated from high above, Nagi, laughing at me, but that too was unimportant. Not now. Shizuru… Their broken hearts wept, and he felt… nothing. No, not nothing. An empty vessel, waiting to be filled. "Hatred," he whispered. Yes. That's what he felt. Hatred and fury and pain.

"Kanzaki Reito," Natsuki murmured absently, "why is he here?" Fear and anger, emerald ire; she answered the challenge in his eyes. "You! This is your doing! You and your fucking Carnival." He can't have her! Have... have... whatever is left of her. Of us. She fired at the black-suited man, fired into his face, but he was no longer there. He was wrestling her arm up, out of harm's way, twisting her wrist until numb fingers dropped the weapon.

He felt no pity for her, hovering someplace just outside himself. He watched his hand lift as he drew back his arm, backhanded the selfish, whining wretch with every ounce of injustice he felt on Shizuru's behalf. "You have no right to speak to me so, Kuga-san."

Natsuki cradled her damaged mouth with her free hand, continuing to struggle with the monster immobilizing her. Flashing, verdant eyes reflected his own rage back at him. He trembled. "You, who couldn't be bothered to offer comfort when she needed you." His heart was breaking, bleeding for them all. "You who chose anything… everything else over her, and called it friendship? Deceiver. She gave up so much, waiting for you; life, ambitions, dreams... to be there whenever you called, whatever you needed. Spoiled, arrogant cur!"

Natsuki flinched, her eyes widening and he felt some small, cold measure of pleasure. "We spoke of you, sometimes. She never confided her feelings for you," etiquette demanded silence, "but I knew. And there was nothing... nothing I could do." He swallowed thickly. Demons were supposed to be forgiven; Shizuru couldn't find forgiveness for herself. "It's unfair. She was my only friend."

He fell back into himself with an unpleasantly acute euphoria; breath straining against confines of his throat. He released the raven haired woman, preferring not to touch, carefully folded the robe over the ashen skin, the gaping, wounded hole. He brushed the hair from Shizuru's face. Her heart was failing, the thread that bound them a gossamer shadow, fading, fading, soon to be lost. The crimson strand between the HiME remained vibrant, as it always had, as it always would. How many times must I watch this?

Minagi sighed, pressing Shizuru's hand between his own, acrimony melting in time to the slowing eroding pulse. "She's dying," he whispered. "I'm sorry for our loss, Kuga-san." As one goes, so goes the other. He'd lose them both, and with them, whatever minuscule chance he'd hoped for success; the remaining HiME wouldn't be enough to balance the debt. How many times?

"No." Natsuki knocked his hands away. "I don't know who, or what you are, Kanzaki… but you and District made this mess. Your Carnival is over. Fix it."

He stared at Natsuki wordlessly - there was no doubt in those emerald eyes. "Only my sister can return life. What I can do is…" He shrugged, not bothering to finish the sentence; it was painfully obvious.

For the moment forgotten, the Black Prince studied the entwined pair a bond so strong, not even death could break. Yet, they'd found no happiness, not in any memory he, between himselves, knew. Until now.

The all-consuming, rapturous sun and her aloof, unattainable moon, forever disseminating one another's light. He studied the face caught in profile as tears spilled over sable lashes; their foreheads touched, and the raven swallowed the sun. "Shizuru…. Shizuru…. ai," the contract was broken, "...shite," what if destiny forgets, "...imasu."

That only Mashiro could return life - was entirely true, and yet. It was true he couldn't return souls, infuse the fallen with life, once that life had departed, but Shizuru wasn't beyond his abilities to sustain. Not yet. He recoiled from the thought as if bitten. She wouldn't want it; surely our friendship is worth more than…

Should he let this chance pass, and they all waited another three hundred years, who was to say the next Festival wouldn't end as unfavorably? With Mikoto incarcerated, the Kanzaki bloodline would end with him; he had no illusions about surviving. Would the new host chosen by fate retain enough of himself to seek to end the cycles?

This whole mess had started when he'd they'd finally found someone he desired more than revenge. Hadn't he risked everything, irrevocably altered the fabric of the universe in hopes of wooing winning Mai? Is their love worth any less than my own? There was no way to end this nightmare without them. As far as excuses went, it was a damn persuasive one.

"Please forgive this intrusion." Reito's fingers wound themselves in midnight tresses, pulling the unresisting girl to his lips; he inhaled sharply, liberating a portion of her breath, pushed her aside to gather the fairer-haired woman into his arms. Grey eyes closed as he exhaled mingled breath between cold lips, ripped the fraying thread apart, stealing the god's power to bind them anew.

From somewhere far away, an agonized cry echoed through the dreary night, and the clock's sonorous bell rippled through the air, signifying another death, another debt, another life had been paid. But for now, it cannot touch you, because your life, however much we've borrowed, belongs to me.

This was all Fujino's fault. She didn't know where, or when or how this particular catastrophe had happened, how the bubuzuke woman had wormed her way into the office, managed a one person coup to upturn and destroy her career, but that was obviously what had happened. Haruka was quite sure Yukino would breathe that half-sigh she was prone to voicing when the juggernaut went off on her 'paranoid, persecutory delusions', was in fact positive this particular 'illogical theory' might even evoke the melancholy smile and soft spoken speeches designed to calm and soothe her before she went off and did something rash.

Like driving to the college campus and dragging the golden child out of her weaseled dorms what was Shizuru thinking when she'd demanded an entire housing facility? What was the faculty thinking when they ass-kissingly handed it over to her by her hair, kicking and screaming, all the while demanding an answer to the one question she'd never quite dared to ask too many devoted followers ready to intervene, protect the kaichou, like I'm some kind of goddamn brute: why can't you just leave me alone?

It wasn't as though she hadn't suffered enough except it's never enough for Fujino, is it? It wasn't as if, oh… say… Shizuru, in a mad fit of unrequited, closet-homosexual-rapist angst had murdered her or anything. No. Nothing at all like that. It was purely coincidence she'd born the brunt of little-miss-perfection-stalker-molester's anger when that snake-tentacled thing had crushed her Yukino's plant-from-planet-X Child, like it was an over ripe watermelon, and sent her into the endless, agonizing void darkness for two days. Two incredibly long, boring, purposeless days which she had yet to properly thank Fujino for.

She hadn't been particularly interested in hearing Shizuru's overacted, crocodile tears, it's all fun and games until someone gets sucked into purgatory apologies, because that's precisely what they were. Fake. Counterfeit as the Mad Hatter in that Alice something or other story, the one where the Cheshire cat tells everyone it's nothing but a dream, and they can all wake up again if they follow the yellow-brick road. No, that's not how it went. Haruka shook her head as she stomped into the elevator, waiting for the doors to close before she completely lost her temper, screaming and pulling at her hair as she kicked the metal walls in fury.

Breathing raggedly, she clenched her fists, forcing herself back under control as the doors limped open, not even noticing she'd managed to inflict several goodly sized dents before frustration worked its way out of her system. Wincing a little, she walked with as much grace as her newly injured toes would allow, past the reception area where the security man eyed her warily, and hurried through the front doors, squinting into the hazy autumn twilight.

Her cell phone beeped imperiously and she dug it out of her purse it's going to be Yukino, fumbling with it for a moment before it settled obediently into her palm. Eh? She wasn't familiar with the number, and disgustedly chose to ignore it for more pressing matters. Remembering where she parked, for one, and the fastest route to Fuuka University through end-of-workday traffic.

Stabbing the alarm-disengage button rapidly in irritation, she followed the sound to her car and slid into the seat, filled with visions of Fujino begging for mercy as Haruka set Shizuru's entire fucking tea cache on fire, laughing merrily behind her hand all the while. That would teach her.

Had she bothered to answer the phone, it might have changed the course of her destination, easing her into the transitional period with some amount of forewarning. But that was not Haruka, and fate chose an alternate method, leaving them in equally pissy moods.

"You're so mean, Reito-san, choosing this moment to confess." Teasing through adversity, that was her way. He sighed, filed with a wayward, wounded melancholy.

"Shizuru!" Natsuki paused her vigorous face scrubbing.

Reito smiled in benign good humor, assisting his friend into a sitting position. Shizuru's fingers tightened around the supporting arm, and he shrugged beautifully. "I don't really understand, but I'm honored."

As shocked as Natsuki was to have her heart so miraculously returned, she sensed something had passed between them they didn't look at each other, and she gently but firmly ousted Shizuru from Minagi's arms.

The older woman groaned, but smiled, and it was excruciating, and vile and cruel; it was the most enticing thing Natsuki had ever seen - held her spellbound, suspended in strawberry-hazel limbo, eyes which never wavered, nor turned away, not once.

"You're always thinking of me." The flush spreading across Shizuru's cheeks was all the answer Natsuki needed. "I'm… sorry." Sorry I doubted you; sorry I started this whole fucking mess.

Though everything was numb below her breasts, motor control returned by degrees. How much mobility she regained was anyone's guess. In fact, how she'd survived at all… but these were questions for another time. She slowly, cautiously brought her hand up to touch Natsuki's cheek, earnestly searching her beloved's face, pondering whether or not she wanted clarification. In the end, the scalpel's edge seemed like a necessary gamble.

"Did Natsuki think..."

"Yes."

Shizuru floundered, unsure what to do with this confession. The answer, so artlessly given, was completely at odds with what she'd anticipated. "A-and you were afraid?"

The tremulous quality of the question, so hopeful, yet full of uncertainty timid Shizuru is kinda… cute, evoked a relieved chuckle. "Fucking terrified. I don't know what sort of," she didn't like the taste of the word, but it was the only one that applied, "partnership you had with Yuuki, but I almost lost you. Twice. In one day."

"Mmmm." Being sure of how, exactly, she was still alive was becoming a greater concern; she intended on having a long talk with Reito, as soon as circumstance allowed. But, for now, "I desire no one else; nothing exists but Natsuki. I am yours." As Natsuki is mine, for as long as I live. The sandy-haired woman brushed her thumb over Natsuki's lips. "Tell me again?"

"Huh?" Natsuki stared at Shizuru in confusion. "Tell you... what?"

Shizuru waited patiently, tilting her head with a smile.

"Um…" Her mind was a complete blank. And then, "O-oh." The younger girl blinked, laughing nervously.

"Can you?"

A furious blush set Natsuki's face aflame, but she nodded. For you. Raven hair brushed Shizuru's chin; the lone wolf's face lowered, glaring intently into cinnamon hued eyes. A vehement whisper, "Shizuru, aishiteimasu."

Shizuru sighed as their lips touched, feeling completely at peace. If it's my fate to die, please, take me now, so I can live in this moment forever.

The innocent kiss turned into something more, or as much more as injuries would allow.

"I hate to intrude…"

Natsuki's fingers closed around her Element and she fired blindly in the Obsidian Lord's direction, not caring if she hit her mark; she pulled Shizuru closer still.

"Perhaps we should give them another minute." Reito turned to regard the approaching girl. "Was there any sign of Yuuki-san or the Child?"

Akira shook her head; she'd stretched the tether of wounded ability farther than was reasonable, but Nao and the mecha were nowhere to be found. She turned her attention to the remaining HiME. Well, now it was obvious they were an item.

Akira stared at the entwined pair in slack-jawed, uneasy amazement. Of course, she'd known there was some sort of unspoken, visceral chemistry between the kaichou and the recently graduated 'ditching queen', but seeing it, in person, so… graphically presented was…

"That's got to be the weirdest couple I've ever seen."

Reito uttered a noncommittal sound. "Is it strange?"

Akira limped closer, favoring her left side - one giant, throbbing bruise. "What isn't strange? A delinquent, an over-achiever and they're both… HiME."

The dark haired man smiled congenially. "I think strong personalities often form unique relationships."

Akira opened her mouth to ask Reito what the hell he was talking about, and thought better of it; she wasn't sure which 'unique relationship' he was referring to. "We can't stay here. Campus security is already on the way. Honestly, you two! We don't have time for this." Arms folded across her chest. "Idiots," she murmured. "Minagi-senpai, where are we going?"

"Ahhh, as to that. I suppose your dorm…"

The secret ninja blanched, imagining Fujino and Kuga canoodling in her bed, while she and Takumi cowered in the bathroom. "Eee! Who said anything about them staying there! There's no room!"

"Isn't the best choice." Reito cleared his throat, hiding lingering amusement behind his hand. "The Kanzaki estate should suffice until Sugiura-sensei returns. Fujino-san, you remember the way?"

Shizuru hobbled at Natsuki's side, mostly supported by the shorter girl. "Thank you for your hospitality." She tried to catch and hold his attention, but he had other things to accomplish; he remained pleasantly aloof.

"I'll join you as soon as I'm able. Please," he gestured for them to go on ahead, amicably watching the trio supported one another on their long walk. The smile winked out of existence the moment the curtain of rain swirled closed behind them, turning swiftly on his heel and heading into Shizuru's dormitory.

He moved from room to room, gathering what things he could: clothing for his guests, the bracelet Shizuru's mother had given her when she graduated, the box of keepsakes from the top corner of the closet, the yukata Shizuru's father had picked out for her to wear during last year's plum-viewing. What a wasted celebration that was; just another business meeting.

He accomplished all this without hesitation, but there was one other memento … he wondered if Shizuru would miss it, should it disappear, if she still had it at all. Yes, there it was. Gifts between the privileged were almost always more symbol than substance - but he hoped it still held some meaning for her. What do you get the girl who has everything?

Reito slipped the jewelry case into his pocket, dialed his car service, and saw what belongings he could salvage safely on their way. Sirens approached, strobing lights adding to his urgency.

"Yatagarasu."

An ominous figure rose from his shadow, towering over the man who summoned it, a creature whose darkness swallowed the light, and held the nature of stars in its eyes. The giant crow's head appeared from under its wing as it roused, snapping its beak in irritation. Reito stretched his hand high, and the crow lowered itself to press rain-slicked, metallic feathers against his palm.

"I should punish you; a Child protects their mistress."

The crow cocked its head to one side, regarding him as it shifted between its several feet. He couldn't really blame Yatagarasu, that would be shooting the messenger, Munakata-sanhad been a difficult mistress to serve: jealousy, possessiveness, rage - the fruit upon which her insanity had thrived had grown wild and unchecked within Shiho's heart, long before she awakened.

The Child raked deep furrows in the grass, eager to return to its slumber, but awaited the will of the dark haired god with golden eyes.

"Burn it." He motioned to the building behind him. "Burn it to the ground."