ok, like usual, I need three good reviews before i write the whole chapter. I would usually have a bigger sample, but this is all I got done today, so...

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN Z L OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS IN SAID ANIME

"Oi! Gopher! You're late!" yelled Chika, sighing, "You know, if you keep this record up we'll never get the loan repaid..."

"I-I'm sorry, Chika," huffed out Michiru, gasping for air. It was a long trip to here from the dormitory's, and she had ran the whole way.

"No time for apologies! Let's get going!" Chika yelled, being as impatient as ever.

"Alright, j-just let me catch my breath..," Michiru choked out, bending over and placing her hand over her chest. She glanced up and noticed the two were already getting ahead of her. Oh well... I can catch up..., she thought, breathing in deeply.

"Mother...," echoed a strange voice that sounded weak.

Michiru's eyes shot all the way open and noticed now that Shito and Chika weren't even in sight anymore. She turned to look behind her slowly and saw dull yellow eyes in the darkness. "M-mother?" she stuttered, her voice refusing to call out her friends' names.

A body crept out of the darkness, covered by a long black coat. A shaky child's hand came up and grabbed Michiru's sleeve, muttering, "Mother... we need you..."

"E-eh?! I-I'm not your mother... I'm sorry..," Michiru mumbled, trying to pull away but her effort were in vain. For some reason the words felt familiar to her and she wanted to follow the child into the darkness, but her will kept her from falling into the obvious trap.