April

We are all fools when we play the wrong time on the wrong things.

By Julia Macgregor

"What do you mean?" Alex asked as he and Nick stood in the back yard of Nick's house. Alex was curious to the question, what was Nick up to?

Nick had hundred of times of being the deliver of bad news with Schanke or Tracy. He should be an old hand at the telling of the heart breaking news. He thought this was different. Alex was more than just a friend to Rio. "I went to the hospital," Nick began to say before his mouth went dry.

"And?" Alex asked, as he thought of it was a personal thing between Nick and Nat.

"Mina, Ayeka and Keiichi are at the hospital."

"Why?" Alex asked when he shrugged his shoulders. He wondered what was Nick driving at.

An image flashed in Nick's mind's eye. It wasn't pretty at all to remember the images of the victims. Nick uttered, "They got beat up!"

"Who did that to them?" Alex said as he screwed up his lips in an off expression.

"We aren't sure yet!" Nick was trying to make everything into a smooth path. "I saw someone at the hospital."

"Who?" Alex was starting to get bored with the talk.

"Rio!" Nick said as gently as he could.

"Uh?" Alex gasped as he did a double take. Was he hearing Nick's words right? "What. . .as a visitor?"

Nick's mouth went dry when he swallowed hard. He looked like he wasn't joking. Then, he shook his head. "She is in DCU!"

"Are you joking?" Alex shook his head. Nick's eyes were incredibly truthful. Alex flew into a rage.

Nick grabbed at Alex's hands. He knew how much Alex cared for Rio. His hands were pinned to his sides by Nick's hands. His eyes turned in a fiery red. Nick said in a soothing voice, trying to clam down Alex, "If you don't want to believe me. . .then, I'm taking you over!"

Nick took Alex to the hospital. Nick had Terri paged. When Terri came to the main entrance, he had some questions to be answered. Terri asked, "Nick. . .why are you here? I thought I sent you home."

Nick didn't say anything. Terri asked for a second time, "You are getting Nat?"

"No. . ." Nick hesitated. His mouth went dry. He didn't want to see Alex's grief up close. This former Templer Knight was now PI. He had seen it all. His heart groped for answers. Then, he blurted it out, "I have brought Alex over. . .I know it's getting near dawn soon."

"Show what?" Terri shook his head slightly. He wondered what Nick was telling him.

Alex seemed to answer all the questions that he was handed all on his own, "Is Rio in the hospital?"

"Yes," Terri said. "You want to see her?"

"Yes . . .no. . .I don't know, " Alex gasped, raising his hand in quick movements in front his upper chest. He felt the formation of pained hot tears.

"Come," Terri said with a gentle voice. He saw the same look on the others faces before. "It might you both some good!"

Alex and Nick followed Terri down the hall. When Alex stood in the doorway of Rio's room, Terri warned him to be quiet. Any loud noise or confusion would cause Rio to go into consultations. The virus that Rio had was highly toxic. "You'll have only five minutes. She needs quiet as she recovers," Terri said in a gentle tone.

"O.K." Alex nodded. Then, he opened the door. He stepped in the room, holding his breath. He heard the life support machines. He let his eyes get use to the dark, Alex saw a dim light, glowing from the over bed light. Alex's eyes met with Rio's sleeping form.

A voice seemed to be so distance that Alex didn't even hear it. It was Terri saying, "I'll leave you two alone!"

Alex seemed to be floating on air as he came close to the bed. He had to hold his pain and anger in. His eyes traveled up to Rio's face. He saw the IV and vent. "Rio. . ." Alex said softly.

There was no response. Then, Alex saw the bandages over Rio's eyes. He felt a small sparks of rage starting in his heart. He gasping, holding everything in, "What happened?"

The wash of deep sadness hot Alex's heart with an iron fist. He felt his knees buckling a little. He had to find a chair. There was a chair near a wall. He walked over to it. Slowly Alex dragged the chair over the right side of the bed.

Rio's mechanical breathing and soft beeping noises meant that Rio was in her own world. Rio was in deeper area to where even her nightmares couldn't reach her. Alex sat sown. He tried to say what he flat. He learned a little against the bed rail. "Rio," he gasped.

There wasn't even a twitch of her hands to tell Alex, she was listening, "What. . .who could do this to you!"

He raised his hands to the top of the rail. "I will make you a promise!"

A couple of tears rolled down Alex's cheeks. "I'll get those who hurt you!" Alex sniffed. He turned his face away and raised his right hand to rake his fingers through his thick curls. He started to weep bitterly.

Then, there was a knock on the door. A figure opened the door. The figure said in a female gentle voice, "Alex . . .Time is up!"

"Uh?" he said. Then, he turned to see Rio for one last time.

The figure said, "It's me, Nat!"

Alex sat up in the chair. He sniffed, trying to hold back his sadness. Then, he said, "I'm coming!"

He couldn't move out his chair. His tears were pinning him to the chair. Nat walked into the room. She came up to Alex and saw the tears on his face. He gasped, "I'm sorry for crying!"

"For what?" Nat gazed down at her undead brother. Although he was a vampire, he was still capable to have feelings and a human heart.

"I have been a friend to her since she was a baby!"

"Does she know who you are?" Nat asked. She knew about the secretly she kept Nick's other life for years. Now she had her own secret to hold for all time.

"Yes, but . . .she didn't mouth a single word. She has a secret too. This isn't the place."

Nat placed a hand on Alex's shoulder. She said gently, "It's getting late. Why you don't you go home. Rio is in good hands. If they're any changes. Someone will call O.K."

"Sure!" Alex sighed painfully.

"As my grandmother would say, God looks after the sick and hold them in his hands until they are strong!"

Days past, Mina, Ami, Keiichi, Steve and Michuri came home with tender care. Sasami was also gone home after a couple of days later following Ayeka's operation. The staff use only for a couple of hours for a live transfusion. Sasami hoped to see her sister soon. Dusty was slowly recovering. He was still in pain. When he woke up, wondering where he was. The doctor who was assigned to him said, "You are at Salem Community Hospital."

"Mum?" Dusty asked in a dazed state.

"She isn't here!" the doctor said softly.

"O.K." Dusty drifted back to sleep. He knew somehow his mother would come. He didn't want to get worked up about her coming. Then, he stared to talk in has sleep.

Ayeka's woke up in confusion. The last thing she remembered was laying on the cold parking lot. Now she was in a warm bed with tubes in her body. Then, she saw a familiar face. "Tenchi?" she gasped.

Tenchi had stopped over to see how Ayeka was doing. He sat on a chair at the left side of Ayeka's bed. "Hi. . .Ayeka," Tenchi whispered.

"It's you!" Ayeka smiled weakly. "Oh, Tenchi."

Leaning forward, Tenchi said, "You rest."

"What happened . . .I want to know!" Ayeka yawned. She tried to remain calm.

"You were shot in the leg," Tenchi said. He glanced at the bed railing. She didn't need to be told the truth. Yet, she had a right to know.

"Why? Was it Kagoto?"

"No. . . We don't know. We are having the police finding the who behind the shooting!"

"Why did they shoot me?" Ayeka sighed as she cast her eyes down at her hands. "Because I'm a princess!"

Tenchi shook his head. He didn't know how to explain what really happened. He wasn't sure himself to the events, which took place of the attack night.

Three lights and Jakten came to see how Rio was doing. Rio was sitting up in bed with an aid of a pillow. The fresh dressing around her eyes meant there was hope for her. Jakten asked the charge nurse how the progress was doing. The nurse told Jakten, Rio was healing slowly.

The Three lights walked to Rio's hospital room. They each carried a single rose in their hands. If Rio couldn't see the roses, she could at least smell them.

Rio was off the vent. She rested her lungs from all the mechanical breathing. She tired to keep what little dreams she had left, guarded as thorough they were precious gems of the soul. Rio's hearing was sharpened after the lost of her sight. She heard the Three Lights entering the room. She asked a little weary, "Who is it?"

Seiya said as he came up to the bed, "It's me Seiya! I have a surprise for you!"

"Yea?" Rio sighed. She tired to move in the bed to get a little more comfortable.

"You want to talk to Yaten and Taiki?" he asked her.

"Is that the surprise?" Rio questioned the led singer of the Three Lights.

"No. . .get some," Seiya smiled. He was going to play a testing game with Rio. He leaned forward a little as held out the rose for Rio to smell.

"Hmm, it smells good!" Rio smiled weakly.

Taiki and Yaten came up to either sides of the bed. The slight, sweet smell of the roses was a slight comfort to her. She asked, "Did you bring roses for me?"

"Yes," Taiki said. "We have a vase too!"

"Thank you!" Rio said.

"How do you feel?" Yaten asked.

"I'm still sick, I'm getting use to it. Terri told me that my blood count was tested. He hasn't told about the out come yet. I can't stomach food!"

"Why?" Seiya asked. He knew if she couldn't eat. Then, the medicine couldn't work. He saw the IV pole with two clear plastic bags standing off to the side. He knew Rio needed time to heal.

"I'm sure it's the crap they have been filling me up with!" Rio winced.

"Rio . . .don't say things like that"! Taiki scolded.

"It's the truth. I'm too weak from the virus to even think," Rio yipped. She fleet like crying.

Seiya wanted to hold Rio. The drugs and pain made even Seiya's head swim. He asked Taiki for the vase that they brought with the roses. Yaten began to talk to Rio. He and his brothers had to encourage Rio to eat.

Jakten walked down the hall. He knew Rio was his brightness student, until now. He didn't expect her going blind at a young age. How were they going to save Acardia if she couldn't see? He stopped in front of the door. He heard the conversation between the Three Lights and Rio.

A nurse walked up to the room with a tray in her hands. He introduced himself as Rio's guardian. He asked in a loud whisper, "Is this for Miss Lyonstone?"

"Yes. She tires to eat. . .but, she is too sick to get anything down!" she replied back in a whisper.

"I hope she can get better," Jakten sighed. He watched the nurse enter the room.

"Thank you," Rio said. She heard the nurse placed the tray on the over bed table. She smelled the main dish.

"Oh, soup!" Seiya was trying to sound cheerful.

"It look . . .eh . . .it smells good!" Serena said. She came overt to see how Rio was doing. She came to Rio's room and was surprised to see the Three Lights.

"Serena. . .is that you?" Rio questioned the leader of the inner senshi.

"Yes, it's me!" Serena said in a cheery tone.

Jakten saw Serena standing next to Seiya. He asked her when she showed up. She told Jakten that she stopped in for a visit with Ayeka. Ayeka was holding her own. Rio was another story. Jakten saw the necklace that Rio used to transform into Sailor Acardia. He asked, "What was that Rio's?"

"Yes. She told me to take it home with me!" Serena said.

"She has a good friend in you during her time in here!" Jakten said somberly.

Then, they heard Rio getting mad about the loss of her sight. Seiya and Taiki were trying to clam her down. Then, Rio's inner sight kicked in. Her hands were thing to reach for the over bed table. What was she doing?

Serena and Jakten dated over to the bed. Rio was upset to the point of nearly screaming. Serena said soothingly, "Terri is working very hard to get your sight back."

"A lot you know!" Rio cried out.

"He and Miss Washu are trying to see how the virus retracts to which medicines they have on hand. If they can find one of them, you will become strong and on the road to getting your sight back!" Taiki said.

"I don't ask for this . . .why am I be punished?" Rio said. She thumped the bed with her opened palms. "How can I see?"

Then, she flatted out her hand. Taking it in a sweeping ark, Rio roughly took out the bowl. It went flying to the floor. "I'm no longer a princess. Give the title to Stephanie. What is the use if I can't see my dreams!"

"Rio!" Jakten said sharply. "Stop it!"

She blindly hit the bowl. It went flying across the table and flew off the table. It clanked to the floor. Thumping the table top with both hands, Rio felt like crying. She uttered as she brought her hands up to her forehead, "Leave me . . .alone!"

The fourth day, Ayeka was sitting up in bed. She was growing stronger with each day. Her doctor was talking about releasing her on the following week. She was hoping that Tenchi was O.K. He seemed to believe that Ayeka was recovering slowly. The fact of Sasami coming home was both a joy and puzzle. The doctor who preformed the operation on Ayeka told the others that Sasami was a lifesaver.

Ryoko was duty when she came to Ayeka's room. She held an armful of books and magazines as she entered the room. She walked up to Ayeka's bed. The princess had her eyes closed. She tired to rest after her wound was treated. She heard Ryoko entering the room. "Are you asleep?" Ryoko asked quietly.

Ayeka half opened her eyes as she breathed loudly, "A little!"

Ryoko tuned to arrange the books and other things on the over bed table. "Do you feel like any reading?" Ryoko asked a little cheerful.

"No." Ayeka sighed. "How is Sasami?"

"She is going to be back in school at the end of the week!" Ryoko said as she tried to found a book to cheer upon Ayeka.

Ayeka smiled weakly, "I'm glad that she is not hurt!"

"Yea!" Ryoko said. She found a book that Ayeka could while she was recovering.

Then, they heard Rio's voice coming from down the hall. Ayeka was curious. She never thought Rio was able to get around. She asked Ryoko what was Rio doing. "They were wheeling Rio to Dusty's room for a small visit!" Ryoko said.

Ryoko walked to the doorway to see Rio's bed being pushed down the hall. Then, she walked back to Ayeka's bed.

"Can they do that?" Ayeka asked as she noticed another book on the over bed table.

"Yes. Early this morning they took her off of the vent tube. She is strong enough for an oxygen mask!" Ryoko turned to glance at the door.

"How is Dusty?" Ayeka sighed. She was being a little nosy.

"He's still pretty weak," Ryoko said. Then, she turned back to see Ayeka nodding off. She walked over to the nightstand. Placing a second book on the stand, Ryoko said, "Washu will be here later on tonight!"

Ayeka said in a sleepy tone of voice, "How are you eating?"

"Since Sasami was used for that transfusion, she is still a little weak. Hmm?"

"Oh . . ." Ryoko said. She was happy to finally get an answer. Miss Bell and her sisters helped with preparing home cooked meals. Then, Doc Lambert and her husband were making sure that Tenchi was on time for class with some help from Miss Gina!"

"What are Miss Gina, Nat and Nick helped Tenchi?"

"Tenchi got gassed or something to after you were shot," Ryoko said. Then, she turned back to see Ayeka nodding off. She had made a reference to the night of her fallen friend. She sighed, "Sleep tight. I hope this is the end to this unknown madness!"

At the Goddesses' home, Belldandy was taking up a bowl soup to Keiichi. Keiichi was still a little under the weather. He was getting stronger. Skuld and Urd put their little squabble on hold until Keiichi got better.

Belldandy saw Skuld studying in the front room. It seemed like Skuld was a normal kid and not a Goddess. Deep down, Skuld could heal Keiichi. The youngest Goddess would notice Belldandy would be sad if Keiichi became worst. Skuld buried herself in her studies. Robot building seemed to lose its flavor. She shoved a hand under the book was reading. Skuld felt drained for the past week of a dulling net from school. There have been through a grueling trail of tears and heartache. On the other hand, there were some joys and blessings. Still it was a long way to go. She slammed the book shut. Both hands were now up to her face, Skuld rubbed it. She had lost something in the fight. Could she found it the connections she had with the others?

"You would like?" a voice asked gently.

Removing her hands, Skuld turned her head up to see a figure standing in front of her. It was Urd who hovered in front of the youngest Goddess. She felt like Urd was being nosy. She snapped, "No. . .I don't want anything!"

"What's wrong with you?" Urd griped loudly. She was very much shocked by her littler sister's outburst.

"Nothin'," Skuld uttered a little coldly. Her lips trembled as a couple of tears rolled down her face. She sat quickly. Her stomach felt sick. She stood up with her knees shaking. She began to walk weakly out of the room. "I'M LEAVING!" she yelled out.

She walked past Urd. Belldandy turned as she stood on the stairs. She watched Skuld walked to the foyer. The youngest Goddess nearly groped her coat off the hook. Skuld threw on her coat and didn't bother buttoning it up. Walking over to the fornt door, Skuld grunted. She fumbled for the lock as she fought back the tears. She opened the door to a gray day. She whispered, "I'm sick of this place!"

"Skuld!" Belldandy whispered. She hoped that Skuld wasn't going to do something foolish. "Please come back!"

The words seemed to be a plea. The middle Goddess knew the others were walking on eggshells when the feeling anger and helplessness were coming to a boil. Belldandy could feel her heart starting to break.

The fifth day was a strong hold of forbearing and deadly danger. Ruby the bounty hunter wanted to see of Rio was getting worst from the virus that she has used to make Rio go blind.

Little did she know that was someone else who was followed her?

Ruby used a spy sphere droid to gain accesses if any at Salem Community hospital. The droid was set in stealth mode. She has a wrist computer, which was in the form of a normal looking watch. Ruby had changed her appearances into a common looking human woman who was lost in the hospital.

A man dressed in a gray suit and black leather jacket was walking up to the entranceway of the hospital. He was on to Ruby. He was a second bounty hunter. He helped Nick and the police with trying to track down Ruby. Or how successfully he and his sidekick, a hologram named Tex were still slow in snaring Ruby and her crew. With the data the two gathered, it seemed be to leading into somewhat a surprised dead end.

The man was coolly looking for Terri. The man was also interested in Rio's condition. Little by little she was improving. She was still had the bandages over her eyes. Three times a days Terri or another doctor cleaned off Rio's eyes.

The man wore a special type of eyeglasses, which you could see if the person standing into the line of vision was of the planet or an off worlder.

Rudy was trying to find where the ICU was. The search was easy; yet trying to find Rio was another thing all together was a different one to crack. For protection of the attacked young people had assumed names.

Ruby hoped to ask a nurse. She found all the nurses were busy. The man had stood in the wall way near the doorway of a waiting room. He watched a TV, which hung from a corncer of the room. He hoped to see even a glimpse of Ruby. It was good luck on his part if Ruby did show up. The man heard the waiting room door open. Three people entered the room, a woman holding a toddler by the hand and a man with a short red beard. In the rim of the glasses flickered as the man saw how had entered the room. The three people were now talking about the weather didn't even notice the stranger. The woman picked up the child before settling down in a chair near the door. The man stood next to the woman.

All appeared to be normal. The glasses didn't decide any selections movements from the three.

A few minutes had past. The man went back to watch the TV. The door opened for a second time. A figure stepped into the room. The man turned to see Terri walking to him. There was a look of concern on Terri's face. He asked, "Would you like to step outside?"

"Yes," the man nodded.

"In the long run," Terri said in a quiet tone. "Rio will be out of the hospital in no time!"

Terri and the man stood in an empty end of the hallway. The man asked, "What about her eyes? She will be able to see again?"

"Yes, but you got to understand that healing her eyes is a difficult and delicate process to perform. I'm not sure how long before we remove the last of the threads. . .is anyone guess!" Terri sighed.

Then, the man saw a stranger wondering the hall from the comer of his eye. He winced at the red lights coming from his glasses, which were flashing in his eyes. Terri only noticed the pained expression on the man's face. He asked, "Are you O.K.?"

"I'm fine. It's just a headache!" the man was covering up his use of the computerized eyeglasses.

"O.K." Terri said. Then, he heard his name being paged. Excusing himself, the man watched as Terri left the hall.

The man watched as the woman walking up the hall. She was really Ruby looking for Rio. She didn't know that she was walking into a trap. Ruby wore a long sleeved shirt to protect her battle-scarred arms. She did take a beating from Rio on the night she stole the young girl's sight. The man also wore a ling sleeved shirt. He had another trick up his sleeve. In the past, he carried a small tiny metal tube in his left sleeve. In the tube was a micro fine needle filled with a highly powerful sedative. If he could sneak up on her, then, he would have his work cut out for himself.

The woman didn't have nay leads on finding the transparent girl. She had to start on the other day, another lead. Ruby walked down the hall. The man had to act fast. He watched with an eagle's eye skill. He hoped that she would go to the parking lot. He would have to track her down. Not in a rush and snag. More like a gentle tap on the shoulder. She would feel a little lightheaded during a brief caught off guard monument. It sounded too easy and could work as well as any other plan he had.

In an instant, he tapped her on the shoulder; Ruby felt a slight, sharp shock on her shoulder. Turning her head to see how was tapping her on the shoulder. She saw the man as she stood, staring at her. His expression on his face was plain and wordless. He pointed to his wrist. Ruby asked, "You want the time?"

He nodded. The sedative should work within a five-minute period. Ruby told the man it was going on three in the afternoon.

Within an hour, Ruby would be a board a high security ship, headed to the distance planet of Rill. In this life of bounty hunting, it was dog eat dog. The man didn't speak as he watched as the strange woman walked out the entranceway.

Jim Morrison's ghost was sitting on the garage roof, which over locked the Century house. It stood on an empty lot, which a historical house once stood. He could feel a cloak of sorrow felling as the sun began to set. He heard the whisper of the wounded children. He knew the danger wasn't over. It was coming again. The voices in the day-to-day world were feeling of the souls of the sleepers.

The setting sun was turning the skies a rosy red. He watches as the cars began to take shape of a long metal tube. The night with its semi-warmth was chancing into a cold and dark world.

As the sky dimmed, Jim could see a distance dark cloud rolling into the area near the edge of town. He lay on his back and noticed the stars. He heard nothing in the way of the whispers.

Then, Jimi Hendrix's ghost merged out of the garage. Glancing around and above the garage, the second spirit discovered the first. He wondered if Jim had contacted Rio through the use of the spirit contact. Jim had reached a void engulfing Rio's door way.

Jimi began to float in his ghostly powers to where Jim lay. Jim noticed one lone star in the skies. A concern look was in Morrison's eyes. The black guitar player asked quietly, "What is going with that flesh child of yours?"

Jim had his eyes closed for a second. He quickly opened them, as the stars appeared to be saddened as they shown the skies. He said, "Things are gong from bad to awful."

"What do you mean?" Jimi questioned his ghostly brother.

"I wondered about beautiful Voodoo child. She hasn't been seen in her dreamtime.

We haven't visited her," Jim said. Then, he sat up. The leaves and the bits of bark didn't even stir. Jim wanted to know what happened to Rio. He knew that he and Jimi were bonded to that area where the house stood for a number of years. It seemed when the house was knocked down that was when the spirit world, spilt, dragging the two rock stars into the living world.

Jimi was just as sensitive as Jim. He felt ripples of his unearthly power not reaching Rio. There was a power who wrapping itself tightly around Rio. All things dark and frightening were halting anything pure any further going in.

"Code blue. . .code blue!" a voice announced calmly over the PA system at the hospital.

Terri was in the room trying to keep order in his life saving skills. He saw the heart and breathing monitor. They were both lines of unbroken lines of green. He held the tubing in place from the ventilator. He knew if there was a slim chance for the life saving to work he must work harder as he aided the machinery. Then, there was a loud gasp. The breath of life came back to life.

Rio had stopped breathing when the nurse was checking on Rio's vitals. She noticed that Rio was nearly gasping for breath. She was off the ventilator for a while. It seemed like she was improving. Rio was given a deadly blow from he ever-growing virus. It didn't leave her system. It decided to control her lungs. This bug had capabilities of a logical mind.

Taking a few deep breathes, Rio groaned a little. Terri told the other medical staff that came into help; Rio needed to be placed back on the vent until she was strong enough again.

Dusty was still the hospital during his recovery. He had lost a great quaintly of blood. He lay in his bed as he felt the strong bond between he and Rio begin to snap. He opened his eyes, trying to keep his focus on the bond. He gently probed in his subconscious, hoping to snap into a deeper level.

There were no ripples or touches from her. It was a usually greeting between the lovers. Dusty noticed a barrier when he crossed the special area, the two shared. His or her lonely scared space from the waking world in which no one else knew.

Blinking, Dusty had felt the door close behind him. He didn't want to disturb Rio. In believing Rio was cleansing her soul by her deepest sleep, the bon was broken between the two.

The night sky grew starless; the moon was blackened out form sight. There were grumbles of darkness sitting in the edge. Mara was wondering why she couldn't see Belldandy and the others for the past two weeks. She had to focus on her powers on spying on the Goddesses by using her physic barrier. She was shut out on any of her probes, which she sent out.

She had to see if Belldandy was weak. When the gentle Goddess was in that state, she was easy prey. She went firm her dark hiding hole near the high school. Mara wasn't under the knowledge of her spying was going about to change.

Belldandy and Keiichi were relaxing in Keiichi's bedroom. She sat at Keiichi's bedside on her little chair while he lay in bed, covered up with a quilt. They listened to an old time radio show. Belldandy was knitting a blanket. Keiichi had to take his medicine by he use of a breathing mask.

After Keiichi's treatment, he would take a nap. The medicine had a groggy-making effect on Keiichi. Belldandy would stay at Keiichi's bedside until was it time for her sleep. She kept the door opened in Keiichi needed something during the night. He would call for her.

Keiichi was resting as he took a treatment. The oxygen machine hummed softly. He chuckled softly at funny parts of the radio show. Belldandy smiled at the results of the medicine Keiichi was taking.

Belldandy placed her knitting down on her lap. She was waiting for a funny part of the show as she knitted. She brought a series of tapes from the local library. She and others needed a good laugh. When Belldandy was at the library to do some research for her classes, she found a series of old time radio shows. She picked up a couple of the cases to try them out. It seemed a welcomed relief.

In Belldandy bedroom, the full-length mirror glowed with a dark red light. In the light a dark image came into view. It broke through the mirror, taking shape as it formed tentacles of dark power, spilling out of the mirror. It was in search of pure faith.

Belldandy instantly knew a new disturbing evil was coming. She placed her knitting on the edge of Keiichi's bed. He opened his eyes just a little when he heard a gentle click of her knitting needles. He murmured, "Where are you going Bell?"

"I am getting a skein of yarn. Don't worry, I'll be back!" Belldandy said with a small smile. She stood up slowly.

"O.K." Keiichi yawned.

Belldandy walked to the door. She watched as Keiichi fell back into a light sleep. He looked like a little boy when he slept.

She headed for the hallway as she tired to remain calm. She heard Skuld playing a video game in her room. Then, on hearing a cracking noise coming from her own room, the gentle Goddess believed there was a presence invading her space.

Belldandy wasn't very mistaken when she peeked in to the room. There stood Mara, quietly waiting for the gentle Goddess to enter. Belldandy said, letting her jaw drop, "Mara, what are you doing here?"

Mara, her green eyes all aglow, hissed, "I've been hoping to get to see you again, Bell!"

"Why?" Belldandy asked. She felt herself go numb.

"To take what I came for!" an evil grin appeared on Mara's face.

"No, you can't have me!" Belldandy gasped as she realized what Mara was after.

"Why can't I . . ." Mara began to say. It seemed too easy for Mara's plans to work that well.

Then, a robotic hand broke through the mirror. An unearthly voice hummed, "Remain still. . ."

"What?" Mara and Belldandy said in unison. They didn't know that Ruby the bounty hunter had set traps in different formats all over Salem in the efforts of catching Rio. Ruby had the information that Rio was in league with a group of terrorists. Rio had no memory, which befall on the thirteenth year. It seemed like her life was in that year was a black hole.

Mara's gut instincts told her not to move. The robot arm tried to reach for Mara. She instantly disappeared after the mysterious arm had broken through the mirror. Belldandy was now horror struck. What was going on?

Then, Mara reappeared in the hall. She felt like a rat trapped in a corner after seeing the robot. The robot glanced around the room under the cover of the mirror's reflection as its sensors were opening to full.

Mara had her own objections to be hunted down. Now they seem to be tossed into the fire by an unseen force. The demon wondered if Skuld had made a robot that way slight years superior to the little robot, Bempei. Mara or even Belldandy who was now frozen to the spot had any idea of what was going to happen next.

"Belldandy!" Keiichi's voice called out. He although was weak heard the voices coming from Bell's room. Belldandy's sharp ears picked up his voice.

"Nothing!" Mara lied.

"Bell?" Keiichi asked as he wondered who was with her. "Is that you? Is someone with you!"

"Yes," Belldandy called out. Then, she saw the robot as it emerging. It was a work of thin bands of crystal steel for the body and a square head. Triangles were the eyes and mouthpiece for the face. Eyes rapidly moved in a clean liquid sweep. Then, one of the triangles changed colour from a dull red to a bright scarlet. It had found Mara hiding in Skuld's bedroom.

The robot flew in the room, which caused a wind to knock things down or off the walls. In a heartbeat it whizzed past Belldandy, knocking her down. She lay on the floor as she saw it go out the door. She tired to gather up her wit in order to save the ones she loved.

Mara was crouching behind the door to Skuld's room. Skuld was too involved with her game to know about what was going to happen. She was winning and then out of the blue a creature from an opposing team dropped a rock to squish her creature in the game. She noticed it as the rock fell. There was nothing she could do as she said, "Oh, rats!"

She jerked her hands a little when she sat the words 'game over' flashing in red lettering on the screen. She drew in a lung full of air and sighed, "I better get started on my homework!"

She glanced up at the book bag. She didn't need her two older sisters nagging her at not doing her work. Noticing a figure in the shadows slipping in and out of the other side of her bed, Skuld became puzzled. It seemed to be peeking over the edge of the bed. What or who was standing or sitting on the other side of her room.

Mara found her voice in the minutes of hiding out. She had to tell Skuld about the robots. She was stepping over the line, which separated Goddesses and Demons for thousands of years. She wouldn't normally tell Skuld anything. This was going to be exception. She hissed a little nervously, "Skuld!"

She heard the hiss. She became instantly frozen with fear and anger. She gasped loudly, "What?"

"Don't move. I have a few words to tell you!" Mara whimpered loudly.

Skuld caution turned to see Mara crouched behind the door. She scrambled into her feet. "You!" Skuld gasped as she glanced at now terrified Mara. "What are you doing here?"

"I'll tell you later. I have a slight problem!" Mara whimpered for a second time.

"What?" Skuld questioned the demon for a second time.

Then, the robot broke through the wall opposite the two females. Both Skuld and Mara
screamed out of surprised as they saw the robot hovering by the hole in the wall. Skuld felt her heart stop while Mara was emotions rushing into a panic.

Belldandy bolted into the room. She saw the robot racing towards Mara and Skuld. There was not time to think. Belldandy raised her hands in a defensive mode as she chanted, "Spirits of the Almighty! Please give me that power of lighting!"

A streak of lighting flash appeared in front of Belldandy. On grabbing it, Belldandy let her senses go. She had to find the robot before Skuld or Mara got hurt. "Come on, you metallic monster," Belldandy uttered loudly in a fierce time that she rarely used.

"Seek and punish the criminal, the one who broke the time barrier," the robot chipped out in aloud tone.

"What?" Mara and Skuld stared buy eye and squeaked in a shriek.

"I don't where you are from?" Belldandy said as she held the lighting up close to her face. "But, I'll send you packing!"

The robot left up its right arm, taking careful aim at Mara. Then, it sent a series of

Blast of gold thin threads at Mara. Belldandy and Skuld heart a metallic zing they snapped into Mara's skin. Mara felt sharp pains in her arms. Sparks of fear were instantly driven in Mara. Mara was thrown back. Slamming against the wall, Mara screamed. She felt the fear rising in her body, in her soul. Was it too late to save Mara? Belldandy pointed the lighting bolt at the robot. It didn't know what hit it. Then, robot released Mara from its grasp.

Mara experienced incredible fear, not like anything she had before. Mara thought the walls were closing around her. She saw Skuld kneeling on the other side of her. Then, Skuld was quickly released with a monster, ten times west then she was. Mara's heart was breathing like a jackhammer.

The robot was destroying itself on a reckless course. A flash of blinding light flooded the room. Skuld, Mara and Belldandy closed their eyes. They heard a blind blast of sound and the robot was gone.

Both Urd and keiichi heard the blast. Urd ran up the stairs to the bedrooms. She was grading papers in the living room when the blast happened. She was now darting in every room in order to found her sisters and Keiichi.

Belldandy was now kneeling next to a terrified Mara. When Mara saw Urd entering the room, she went otno a panic attack. She screamed, "WHAT'S THAT. . .DON'T COME ANY CLSOER. I BEG OF YOU!"

Urd was beside herself. Her greatest, the one that tool the half-breed and turned her into a full-blooded demon was now rescued down to a helpless child. "What happened to her?" Urd's voice was gentle and low as she spoke.

"I'm not sure. Although a robot did smash through a sort of time barrier makes me wonder. It came after Mara for some strange reason!" Belldandy said, trying to gather her wits about her.

"MAMA!" Mara screamed. She instantly covered her face with her hands.

"Where is Skuld?" Urd asked as she noticed her little sister wasn't in the room.

"I'm here!" Skuld spoke up after heard her name being called out. Then, she saw Mara lying in the floor. The demon began to cry and thrash like a little child. She said, "You guys better get a doctor or a cop. Mara has gone off her rocker!"

"Belldandy!" Keiichi called out.

"Yes," Belldandy answered back.

"What happened?"

"I'm not positive, but Mara's hurt!"

Urd felt disturbance ripping in Mara's soul. She knew the feeling wasn't in Mara's nature. Urd wanted to throw Mara out, for all the little things that the demon had done. On the other hand, Belldandy was the only thing standing in Urd's way. Belldandy would throw a fit if Urd tossed Mara out. Her greatest foe needed help. Urd and Belldandy were going to start by seeing that soul knives could have been thrown by Mara to stop Keiichi's strength from returning.

Alex was sitting on a chair in the study at his house. He watched the fire cracking with delight. The rest of the room was darkened. On the other hand, he was slipping to a half state of thought. He worked on the bounty hunter case, alone. Nick and the other tried to help him. He shrugged them off. He knew Rio since she was a child. There relationship was that of a brother and sister. There wasn't a time until now that Alex didn't hear from Rio. He tried not letting his worry eat his soul. He raised a hand up to his chin. Wrapping his fingers up, along his cheek, Alex half heard Armond saying, "You are thinking of her!"

"Yea!" Alex sighed painfully.

"She is human, a weak creature!"

Alex felt the sharp point of Armond's mind verbal disliking of Rio. He was a little like Lacriox. He thought Rio was a giggling child, never all that willing to grow up. Alex broke away from his gaze as a granted aid of a distance sorrow. "I wanted to know if you hate Rio?" Alex asked Armond. Their eyes never met.

Armond hovered closely towards Alex's chair. He purred in his cold comforting tone of vice, "I don't hate her!" He walked around the chair. His heels padded across the thick rug. He faced Alex with pity and malice at the same time. "She is just a bother at times!"

"Yea right!" Then, Alex snapped a glare at his father. "You have a hard time understanding her, because she doesn't act rich, despite the factor she is!"

A slight biter in Armond's being made him back off. He glided towards Alex's sight. He sighed in a loud whisper, "Sorry!"

Alex shifted his glare at his father as she remained still. It was growing light. Alex needed a rest. Quickly Alex stood up from his chair. He and his father heard a low murmuring whistle. Alex thought it was a morning dove looking for its mate on the outside world. He felt a chill, an unusually expression for a vampire. Then, there was a hissing pop, which fizzled in the fireplace. Alex was now taking the flash of light as an omen.

In Galaxia's throne room, there was a gathering of her minons. Whispers of an unknown fear and temper flooded the area. Galaxia was taking up the path leading up to her throne. She turned to gaze at the small, but powerful army. She sat down in slowly easy. The room suddenly grew quiet. Then, Zoysite took two steps forward. Bowing, she said in a humble tone, "There are troubles in the gates where they told doorway to both worlds."

"Yes! Understanding it is a job, can it be fixed?" Galaxia asked Zoysite.

"I'm. . .we're not sure!" Zoysite said.

"It takes time," Tomeo said in a fairly equal tone to Zoysite's. He didn't present himself by breaking out of the ranks. He saw Galaxia with a puzzled look. She saw slightly sure what Doctor Temoe was saying. Then, he babbled on a theory of time in flux.

Then, Rebus asked, "What if we go and investigate what is really behind the disturb area."

The most evil queen of the unknown universe began to mull over idea in the head. She didn't any of her better guards or soldiers out on a wild goose chase. She had to use a lesser of a creature. She glanced straight at Zoysite. She had to tease or annoy this lower guard just to keep things fresh. "Zoysite, please stay here! She intoned her voice with a dignified air.

"Yes, my lady!" Zoysite replied quietly.

"You and.. ." Galaxia smiled as she handed out the orders to Zoysite. Then, she would have to give Zoysite a partner in this little quest. Who would this Golden Senshi pick every of her dark soldier there was a weakness and a strength. Taking a minute to come up with a second or back up, Galaxia glanced over her wards. She said as her eyes rested once again on Zoysite, "I have two things to tell you, Zoysite!"

"Yes," she said, acting as a willing servant.

"I want you to go to the earth and find out what's going on with those blasted Sailors!"

"I understand. Since we hadn't been to earth for the gathering of the precious Star-seeds in quite some time!"

Galaxia nodded quickly as she said, "If you need the help. I'm sure that Jadeite is willing to help!"

The paring of the two was like a set of invisible shackles going around the necks of Zoysite and Jadeite. Zoysite was shocked into disbelief, while Jadeite was grinding his teeth in disgust. She was joking in her choosing. Their dark leader said, "Time is beating away. Be quick about getting those sailors and those Star-seeds."

Bowing, they both huffed, "Yes, ma'am!"

Then, they disappeared.

Zoysite and Jedite were dressed in normal street clothes. Jadeite was posted at a local grade school while Zoysite was posted at the high school. It seemed to Galaxia chose to sneer the one of the purest star-seed. It was on anyone judgment on which star-seed was the purest. Zoysite was going to toy with a holder of a star-seed.

She had her black star-crystal in her jacket pocket. Far in the distance it began to cloud up. A cold storm was unfolding.

Jedite was going to leave up to chance. It meant looking at the hundreds of weak or semi-powerful unearthly gems to get the right one. Jedite didn't know he was being watched. A man in a trench coat was resting in a car. He was checking around for any possible bounties. The man had a pack of smokes, Red Camels in his left hand, which rested on the striating wheel.

The man didn't lean back in the seat. He instead was toughly hunched over the wheel. The right hand was now resting on the gearshift. He was just a normal cowboy with a hunger for a quick fix of easy cash.

Then, if by bad luck, Jedite had spotted a little girl. Who had a pure star-seed? Jedite started to follow the girl. She didn't know that she was a carrier or to be the next victim. Jedite was calm and unaware of the pending net, which poised over him. He reached in his jacket pocket for a pair of gloves. He didn't want to get his hands dirty.

The man's nerves were now drawn up tight. He watched with an eagle eye glance. He saw Jedite going for his pocket with slow and quiet movements. He carefully opened the car door. He silently moved it of the car. Then, slowly closing the door, the man started to walk down the street.

Jedite was thinking to himself with intensive hunger for pure power. He prayed to the dark forces for an easy catch. He slightly waved his hands. His powers made the little girl power trip. She fell on to the snowy sidewalk. She whimpered a little as she felt the pavement. Jedite came up to the girl. Putting on an instant and fake pity, which he used on humans as a tool in draining humans of their power.

He reached over to put a hand on her shoulder. He asked as he watched the girl sit up, "Are you O.K.?"

"Yea. I'll be fine!" the girl sighed loudly when she looked up at him.

Then, he was about to toy with her. He asked if she needed any help in standing. The girl was going to say something as Jadeite reached in his pocket for the dark crystal. He held it just few inches in his palm of his hand. The girl didn't see the crystal in Jadeite's hand. Grasping the crystal, he took his hand out of the pocket his hand over the girl's head.

He let the girl sit for a couple of minutes. She didn't see or know that Jedite was holding the dark crystal. Then, he said in a cold loud murmur, "You will give up you star seed to the glory of Galaxia."

Before the girl could speak. The strange man had his laser gun pointed at Jadeite's head. He barked out loud, "Step a way from the girl!"

"Uh?" Jedite gasped. He stopped what he was about to do in mid-stride and was afraid to even turn to look. He had a knife sensation prinking digging in his back.

"Stand up slowly. I want to see your hands!" the man ordered.

"Yes," Jedite said as he raised his hands. He could sense a gun in the man's hand.

The girl caught a glimpse of the man. She saw the gun that he was carrying. She wanted to scream even more. Jedite did what the man had asked him to do. They started to walk down the street after the man had given him a second order. The girl had asked if she needed to come. The man ordered her to go straight home.

The girl turned and ran down the sidewalk. She was too frightened to even talk.

The man hid his gun in his jacket, while he walked a few steps behind Jedite. They stepped in front of the man's car. Jadeite hoped fir a break in the man's attention and run. He heard the man unlocking his car door. He thought the man's car being electrically locked. The man had to opened the car door with a special key.

The man had opened the car door, slowly. Jadeite waited for the man. The man moved ever so slowly enough to make the car door stop. Then, Jedite saw his window of opportunity. The car door slammed backwards when Jedite moved it with his mind. The man was hit with the car door and fell onto the ground in a flash.

Jadeite took his life into his own hands as he ran in a great burst of speed. He ran to the end of the street. He rounded the corner sharpie. He nearly crashed into Zoysite.

Zoysite was at a loss when she went out on her search for Star-seeds. She was going to look for Jadeite and call the search off. Jadeite caught a glance of Zoysite. He shouted to make his companion stop, "COMING THROUGH!"

Zoysite jumped into the air to void slamming into Jadeite. She had to try to make any sense of what was going with him.

Zoysite said to herself, "I going to stop him for sure!"

Then, she whipped around to see the man rushing towards her. She shouted as he pointed his gun, "STOP NOW!"

Zoysite stood like a deer caught in a car's headlights. She felt a bone snapping session digging into her left shoulder. She sucked in her breaths quickly. Then, in the same instant, Zoysite felt the air being shoved out her body.

She fell like a bag of apples falling from a cart. Jadeite turned to the man. He was upset at the two losses. Jadeite turned to glare at the man. He knew that the power surrounding him was easily when it escape from a body. This was different it came from his companion. "YOU MONSTER!" he screamed.

Then, the sounds of sirens hit their ears. The man screamed in his own anger, "I'M OUT OF HERE!"

"Sorry," he said softly. He had a glimmer of human kindness, a feeling that he never shared. "I think you need to go and see a doctor."

His heart swam in the feeling as he became caught up the séance. He watched a couple of cops swarmed the two as bees to flowers.

Kogato had ordered Hotsuma and Tsugaru to see how Sasami and Ayeka were doing. The two teleported to the area of Sasami's school was. Tenchi or Miss Gina would pick Sasami up form School. They weren't taking any changes. Sasami was saying her goodbyes to there friends as she waited inside of the school building for Tenchi. Hotsuma appeared inside, standing near a door. His guise of a teacher made him less conspicuous as the day unfolded for Sasami.

Tsugaru saw his change to steal the younger of the Jurian princesses for Yugi. He changed himself into a young skate boarder as he entered the school's parking lot. He played around with his board, waiting for the right time.

Sasami was sitting on a chair near the room reading a book. She peeked form time-to-time see if Tenchi was coming.

Hotsuma was dressed in a dark suit. He had a clipboard in his hand. He pretended to be busy. The stage seemed to be set.

Little did they know there was second trap was lying ahead? There were spider bombs buried in the cold earth.

Tenchi was walking up the sidewalk, which leads up to the school. He didn't know about Sasami's life being in danger. He had to stop over at the hospital after dropping Sasami's homework at the house. He wanted Ayeka to see Sasami. It was a good dose of medicine to see the two sisters meeting each other after a long time apart.

She was getting stronger by the day. She was going home, shortly. Tenchi rounded the corner leading up to the school building. He tried to keep a positive feeling. With Ayeka going home and no attacks from either Kogato or Yugi, Tenchi had a sense of peace with himself. Sasami went back to school after a week of recovery. She was a tough little girl.

Tenchi saw Sasami sitting near the door. Sasami glanced up from her reading. She placed her bookmarker in her book. Sasami raised her hand in a five-minute pose. Tenchi saw her gesture to give her five minutes. She quickly placed her book in her backpack as she pulled up the pack.

Hotsuma took a clipboard and waved in front of him. It instantly broke into a thousand pieces. The wind caught the up. The fragments dissolved in to the air. He began to float a little the floor. Hotsuma was trying not to make a sound. Then, he used a telepathic thought to ask Tsugaru to come over and snag Sasami. He would cover any chances of escape of the younger Jurian princess.

Tenchi saw Hotsuma drawing closer to Sasami. At first Tenchi that Hotsuma was a teacher walking up to Sasami. Then, he saw it was Hotsuma under a cloak of a teacher. He was growing sharper with the teachings from his grandfather. Tenchi had his sword always hanging from his belt. He went by instinct for it. As his fingers went for the handle, he heard a calming voice telling him to stand still.

When Tenchi heard the voice, his blood froze. He let his inner feelings reach out to see if this was a person from his past. He shifted gaze at young man who stood off to the side, dressed in gray jeans and a hooded sweatshirt. He gasped, "Who are you?"

"My name should be the least of you problems!" the young man smirked darkly.

"What if I turned around to see who you really are?" Tenchi said calmly.

"Then, Sasami will leave without you!"

Then, Tenchi shifted his glance back to Sasami. She was about to pick up her book bag. She saw hand hovering over her left shoulder from the corner of her eye. She glanced up to see Hotsuma standing over her. She wanted to scream. Her heart was beating in her chest like a jackhammer. She was now terrified out of her wits.

Tsugaru came with in inches from Tenchi. Tenchi saw the youngest of Yugi's drones. He stuck his fingertip to his lips.

His evil expression was a prick diving into Tenchi's soul. Tenchi gasped, a little angry, "Is Yugi behind this is?"

Tenchi's heart was a little fast in its pace. He asked for a second time, "Did she put you up to this?"

"Yes and no!" Tsugaru smirked. He placed his other hand up this chest with his palm facing towards Tenchi. "The yes part is Sasami is coming to see Yugi for a long time. The no part is another favor!"

Feeling his angry slightly boiling even more, Tenchi's questions was going be answered.

His mind flicker was in a thought with one's idea as its own flame. His sword was the key to power source of the planet of Juri. He growled softly, "You will not have my sword or Sasami!"

"Oh," Tsugaru huffed in playful annoyance. He placed the tip of his glove in his mouth. Biting down on the tip, Tsugaru jerked his hand slowly. His glove was being pulled off. He murmured loudly, "You are a sharp one!"

Then, something happened that which Tsugaru or the others didn't see coming Tsugaru was thought he was a leaf caught in the wind. He was terrified beyond words as he sailed through the air. His heart was not trying nearly tearing its out of his skin. He screamed as now he hung in mid-air. There was no end to the pain. He cried out, "What's going on?"

Hotsuma bolted to the door. Slamming it open, he ran out of the building. He shouted, "TSUGURA!"

Tenchi heard Hotsuma's scream. He whipped around in a heartbeat to see an angered Hotsuma. He felt at a loss in not helping Tsugaru. Hotsuma grabbed Tenchi by the shoulders. He screamed in Tenchi's face, "WHAT DID YOU DO?"

"I'm not sure," Tenchi said in calm voice as his eyes narrowed. He felt like taking charge of the situation. "This is nothing of my doing!"

"HELP. . .GET ME DOWN!" Tsugaru pleaded in a scream.

The tentacle didn't want to let go. Hotsuma raised a hand to give the monster a shock. Tenchi stopped him. He remembered what happened to Rio. He barked out at Hotsuma, "No, don't. I have an idea that thing wouldn't let go if you blast it!"

"Then, you do think I should do?" Hotsuma yipped, as his eyes grew wide with fear.

"My sword!" Tenchi commanded sharply. "I'm using my sword!"

Tsugaru was dealt with a blow, neither Hotsuma or Tenchi could foresee. A small tip grew inside of the tentacle. The tip had to be poised just in the right way or the tentacle couldn't set out to hurt Tsugaru the right way. Instead it would just strangle him. He saw a small tentacle growing inside a clear pouch near the top. It quickly stood out in a shinny silver gleam. Then, it quickly attached itself onto Tsugaru's neck. He felt a ripping into his neck. He wanted to scream as the tip was sucking its way into his neck and sucking out the boy's air from his lungs.

In a minute, Tsugaru was drained of his powers. He was released as if he was soda can, drained of its fluids. He dropped onto the pavement with a thud.

Hotsuma, enraged, barked out, "No!"

Tenchi grabbed Hotsuma and began to pull him away. Hotsuma started to throw his fists in protest. He wanted to save if all possible, Tsugaru. He wanted to see this mission through. Fate had other plans for them.

Then, the tentacle turned around to blindly search for Tenchi and Hotsuma. It appeared to setting up for another attack. Tenchi said quietly and calmly, "Don't move."

"Why?" Hotsuma hissed as he eyes narrowed.

"I have a feeling that it's going for another strike!"

"Are you sure?" Hotsuma grasped. He never knew things like this could happen to him.

The tentacle decided to up and leave. It slid back into the hole where it came. Tenchi knew seconds counted. He had to save Tsugaru. He came up with a plan. He had seen in the past were Hotsuma teleported. He was going to have use Hotsuma's teleportation to where Tsugaru was at to get him out of harm's way. The young man was in dire need of medical attention.

At this point, Hotsuma had no choice. Then, he asked, and "What are you going to do?"

Tenchi glared at him squarely in the eye. He commanded, "I'll cover for you. Just save Tsugaru!"

He drew out the sword hilt from his jacket pocket. He needed to let Hotsuma that he was going to protect the wounded Tsugaru.

Hotsuma instantly teleported where to his fallen comrade was at. Tsugaru lie on the ground, face up. He gasped for breath. Knelling down, Hotsuma picked up his fallen cohort. He quickly stood up as Tenchi drew his sword. He teleported in a heartbeat to the hallway where Sasami was still sitting at. Sasami saw the two as Hotsuma waited for Tenchi. He murmured, "Yugi or Kagato is not going to like this!"

Tenchi ran back to the school. He withdrew his sword in a flash. Bursting in on as he flung open the main doors, he darted over to where three were standing. Tsugaru was still gasping for his breath. He turned to face Sasami, "Sasami . . .go to the principal's office and call for an ambulance. He needs to go to the hospital."

"Yea!" Sasami nodded.

At Salem Community hospital, Serena, Lita and Seiya saw two wounded creatures as the three were going to visit Rio. They went through the e/r hallway as they saw a sleeping form on a gurney. The gurney was in a five-minute wait as it stood in the hallway. Serena and Lita stared at the form. Serena gasped so softly that Lita and Seiya believed that she breathing hard. It was Zoysite who lay unconscious. Serena said as she tore herself away from the gurney, "Let go and see Rio!"

Serena felt her heart turned to ice in that period. They stared to walk away Serena wondered what was it. He saw the same frightened stare on Lita's face. He asked, "You guys looked like seen a ghost!"

"Oh, nothing!" Lita said, trying to sound like nothing was bugging her.

Serena was following Lita's lead and said with a goofy giggle, "Let's go and see Rio!"

"O.K." Seiya agreed before raising his hands to the back of his head to give it a quick scratch.

They walked to the elevator. Seiya punched the button to the third floor. Serena hoped seeing Zoysite was just her mind playing tricks. She began to talk about seeing Rio to get mind refocused on her friend. Then, they heard a male voice asking them to move over to one side. They saw another gurney being quickly whisked past them. They thought of nothing another seriously ill patient. They saw the lift doors open. They stepped into the lift. The doors closed quietly. They waited until the reached the third floor. Seiya told Lita and Serena to put on happy faces. They knew Rio was sick, but they were in for a shock as they entered her room.

Rio was back on the ventilator. She wasn't responding to the life support machines. It was like she crawled back into her shell. Seiya turned back to walk of the room. He had to talk to Terri. He told the girls he was going to see the charge nurse to find out what was really wrong with Rio.

Serena and Lita were both staring for the longest time. Then, Serena said holding in her grief, "Is she getting better?"

"By the looks of things. . .she got worst!" Lita whispered loudly.

It seemed like she was improving. Just a little while in the present sense, fate was choosing a cold and still path. "Rio. . .I know tell you we have been hoping for you to get better. Even Reenie and Chibi-chibi drew a couple of pictures for you."

Seiya came back from talking with the charge nurse. He saw Lita standing in the room, staring at Rio. She was numb to the pout of not talking. Seiya glanced at her and said softly, "Hey, Lita!"

There was no answer from Lita.

Seiya reached out to touch Lita on the shoulder. Lita turned to see Seiya. His eyes were sympathy to what Lita was feeling. Lita buried her head against Seiya's chest. She gasped, trying to hold back the tears. She murmured, "I'm sorry!"

"Hey. It's O.K." Seiya whispered as wrapped his harms around Lita. "I think she would understand."

"Yea?" Lita asked.

"Here. . .I'm just going to pin these up for now!" Serena said. She went over to a small corkboard hanging from a wall. There were a few cards hanging from the board. She saw a few thumbtacks on one corner of the board. Pulling one off, Serena tried to fight back the tears. She tacked the picture that Chibi-chibi drew on the board. It was her view of a rainbow. Serena pinned another thumbtack to keep in place. "Isn't that a nice picture!" Serena asked out loud.

There was still response.

Serena had bit her lower lip as she placed Reenie's picture on the board.

"We're here!" said a voice softly.

Serena turned her head to see Taiki, Yaten and Chibi-chibi standing in the doorway. Taiki was holding Chibi-chibi's hand in his long fingered hand. He walked with the tiny pink haired girl in hand up to Rio's bed. Seiya was curious of the reason why Taiki and Yaten brought over Chibi-chibi with them. Taiki said with a quiet look on his face, "We need to talk."

"About what?" Seiya asked. He heard Chibi-chibi telling everyone about the picture she drew hanging on the wall.

"Taking care of Rio. If and when she wakes. Jakten wants a nurse to take care of Rio when she does go home!" Taiki said.

"How . . ." Serena asked. She knew that the Sailor Senshi didn't have the money to get a nurse. "We don't have the money first off!"

"It's taken care of. Both of her uncles have insurance to cover the expense," Taiki said with hope.

"It just the time we have to spend with her. . .we just have be careful when the nurse is there. We can't expose out other side to the nurse, that's all!" Yaten said.

"I'm sure we can take shifts in the care. I want to be there if Rio wakes up!" Seiya said with optimism.

Chibi-chibi was a little scared as she turned to see Rio, lying in bed. Taiki noticed Chibi-chibi's mood. She was frozen to the spot. It was like Rio was a doll or ghost. Then, slowly Chibi-chibi tugged at Take's arm. He wondered if she was scared or not. Finally, Chibi-chibi said in her tiny voice, "Rio sleepy?"

"Yea, " Taiki smiled sadly. Then, Taiki saw Chibi-chibi holding up her arms towards him. He asked if she wanted to be picked up. She nodded as Taiki bent to picked her up.

"Some day . . .she will wake up," Serena said as she watched Rio sleep.

Taiki walked over to where Rio was laying in bed. Chibi-chibi nestled her head against Taiki's chest.

Then, placing a finger up her mouth, she said, "Night-night Rio!"

"Yea!" Yaten said as she turned to see Rio, silent and dreaming.

Hotsuma was sitting in a waiting room. He was trying to think of a good excuse to come up with. He knew that Tsugura was important as he was. He, Tsugura and Matori were a team of sorts. He could work by himself like in the past. Kagato wasn't taking any excuses. Yugi was a little more lenition. There were always mistakes. There were always mistakes.

Hotsuma was nearly lost in his thoughts. When Royko who was going home saw him sitting in the waiting room as she walked down the hall, did not knew who was Hotsuma at first. He was still dressed in his schoolteacher's suit. Ryoko's heart turned to ice. It was a flash, which jolted, Ryoko's senses. She started to glance around to find the person behind this strange feeling in the pit of her stomach.

She entered the room, not letting on that she knew Hotsuma saw her. Hotsuma fleet Ryoko's present. He sat up in the chair he was slouching for hours. Ryoko was just any other hospital staff member. Ryoko had her hair pulled back which threw off Hotsuma as he glanced at her. Then, he saw her nametag. His senses were drawn tightly. He didn't act surprised. She flopped out on a chair near her old mimesis.

Ryoko was going to string a long until Hotsuma broke. He asked as he glanced over in her way, "Long day?"

"Yea!" Ryoko huffed. It was a long while as she was quietly tuning up for a mental attack. "If is one thing I know is that people are like books."

"People are like books?" Hotsuma asked as he raised an eyebrow.

"They have a story. Some are easy to read. Others are so difficult that I have trouble just figuring them out!"

There was a knock on the door. Hotsuma looked up and said, "Yes."

The door opened and a nurse entered the room. She said, "Mister Hotsuma?"

He gave a nod. The nurse walked up to him. He asked with a concerned look on his face, "How is he?"

"Tsugura is stable and resting comfortably. He will be released tomorrow!"

"That's good!" Hotsuma said. He needed to talk to Ryoko for a minute to see what she was in the hospital for. "I'll be back in a few minutes. I want to talk to this young lady in the parking lot!"

"O.K. if you like to talk to the doctor. I can tell him that you will be it for a little bit!" the nurse said. Then, she turned to walk out the room.

Ryoko's mind was racing. What was Hotsuma thinking of. She had a twinge in her gut that either Yugi or Kagato behind Hotsuma's visit. Did they know that Ayeka was going home within a few days? It could be too easy of a target if Ayeka was going home without any protection.

"What's it that you want to talk about?" Ryoko asked.

"Here is fine or even outside," Hotsuma said. Then, he wondered what was making her open up like this.

Ryoko had to take a careful listen to Hotsuma. Why was Hotsuma here if not to get Ayeka? He stood up slowly. Then, merely waggled the tip of his first finger slowly, Hotsuma got his point across.

The door slowly closed. Ryoko was a little anxious. She thought, "What?"

"The reason why I'm here is not because of you," he said coldly as he faced her with a fire in his heart.

Ryoko had to be now intrigued. She asked with her nerves getting drawn up tightly, "Then, what?"

He coughed to clear his throat. Then, he said, "We were trying to get both Sasami and the sword of Juri, but a monkey wrench was thrown into the works!"

"Lair. You jerk!" Ryoko yipped. She leaned forward with her arms out stretched. Her guts were screaming that there was a lie in what Hotsuma was saying. "I'm going to stop you!"

"Don't be a fool!" Hotsuma barked coldly. He glared at her. "If you start anything. You'll have the Galaxy police in this room before you take another breath!"

"You are so smug that you are positive?" Ryoko asked.

"For certain. Listen, I have to see a sick friend!" he said as Hotsuma moved in quick strides across the room. He was now face to face with Ryoko. He had a stun touch ready in the palm if his left hand. He was going to use it if Ryoko got out of hand.

Then, Ryoko felt herself backing off. She was let going to let him pass without lifting a finger to stop him. There was cast to Hotsuma's eyes. It was his words of through. He said, "Tsugura was gassed by a creature. I have no idea where it came from. I'm grateful for one fact. It is that if wasn't for Tenchi, both Sasami and myself could have been next."

He turned his heels to not relieve the feelings of gratitude that he had for the crown prince of Juri.

"Tenchi?" Ryoko asked. She felt an unseen fist punching her in the chest. Then, gasping a little, Ryoko stared at Hotsuma, "What did he do?"

"He tried to protect of the three us! It was feeble in the best of attempts during the after math. He asked Sasami to call for an ambulance. Then, he gave first aid in what little he had to Tsugura."

"Is this the truth?"

"Without a doubt, yes!"

"Ryoko?" a voice asked.

Ryoko turned to see Tenchi and Sasami standing in the doorway. They had somber faces. Tenchi asked, "Are you ready?"

"Yes. Let my pick up my coat and say goodbye to Rio!" Ryoko walked to the door.

"Tenchi!" Hotsuma murmured loudly. He knew how both Yugi and Kagato would feel. He had to tell the whole truth of the matter.

"Oh," Tenchi uttered as he was thrown off by Hotsuma's statement.

"It's doesn't mean we aren't going to catch Sasami or take the sword. We have to watch for a weak spot if by chance. . .and then."

"Are you letting us off, once?" Tenchi questioned Hotsuma.

"Yes," Hotsuma nodded.

"Then, just you be careful of yourself. There are forces that will given half a chance destroy you!" Tenchi warned.

Hotsuma knew where Tenchi was coming from at the minutes preceding the aftermath of failed kidnapping.

He agreed as he folded his arms, "I'll tell Yugi and Kagato about those creatures!"

Then, Ryoko walked out of the room with a confused feeling buzzing her mind.

The days had past with some difficult. Dusty had recovered slowly. He felt like not himself. Something was missing as he sat in bed looking at his picture of Rio. It was his heart aching. He did go over from time to time to visit Rio as she lay in her coma. He said with a smile, "Listen. I saw Peter Noone."

There was no response from Rio. Dusty was sitting in his wheel chair. He was dressed in a hospital gown and his tan robe. He reached over to touch the top of Rio's hand. He smiled as he said, "He just as hot as these new bands out today!"

"Dusty?" asked a voice.

He turned his head to see Ayeka and Gina entering the room. Then, he turned back to say his love, "I have to go. The good doctor is allowing me to visit with Rio each day!"

"She's a real sleeping beauty!" Ayeka said to Gina.

"In a way! I hope Dusty can wake her up!" Gina smiled as she shrugged her shoulders.

"Ladies?" Dusty questioned the two. He had to know the reason behind why Ayeka's surprise visit.

Ayeka teased in haughtily tone, "Dusty. I had warned you about your visits to your lady love?"

There was a sad smile on Dusty's lips. He wanted to say something which on his mind. He breathed as he reached out to take Rio's hand in his. Gina asked if Dusty needed help getting out of the room when he went back. He nodded as Ayeka wheeled herself in the far bed of the room. The window looked out onto the parking lot. It wasn't much to look at, yet it was a treat to see normal life.

"I'll see you later, Rio!" Dusty said. Then, he placed his arms on the armrests of the wheel chair. Gina wheeled him out of the room.

Ayeka heard a gasp. She hoped it was Rio waking up. Ayeka turned to see confirm her hunch. It was a person in the hall gasping. She wheeled herself slowly backwards. She watched herself as the wheel chair inched along. The wheel chair stood flushed now against the bed. She turned her head to get a better view of Rio.

Rio was still hooked up to the life support machines. She slept peacefully as she lay in the warm bed. Ayeka said as she fixed her gaze at Rio's eyes, "Long time, we haven't talked!"

Rio wasn't responding to Ayeka. She placed a hand on the bed railing. "I'm getting out soon. I can't wait to see Tenchi and the others!"

She told a story about the time, she and the others went to the beach. The ocean was beautiful. She wondered if Rio saw any oceans or beaches. A nurse was looking for Ayeka. It was time for Ayeka's medicine. The nurse noticed Ayeka talking to Rio. The nurse walked into the room. She asked if Ayeka was talking to Rio. Ayeka said as she sighed, "I was just telling Rio about my beach trip!"

"Oh, it's be nice this time of the year!" the nurse said as she grabbed the handles of the wheelchair, the nurse told Ayeka it was time for Rio to get some rest.

Ayeka thought as she glanced at Rio, "You do need rest. You are willing to lay down your very life for others!"

Then, she saw the bright hallway. "One who is so brave. Could you ready have fear?"

She thought for a second before leaving the room.

Stephanie was going through a box of personally things, which belonged to Rio. She was at the senshi's house. The sailors were busy with things. Lita popped her head in Rio's room where Rio's cousin was sitting in. She knew that Stephanie was Rio's room. There was a book, which Stephanie had opened. There was a smile on Stephanie's lips. She realized it was Rio's diary. For a little while Rio had kept a diary. Stephanie smiled at the memories that she thought were gone. Lita quietly left Stephanie alone with Rio's diary.

There was a knock on the doorjamb. Stephanie looked up from her reading. She felt a tear swelling up in her eye. She breathed, "It's open!"

The door opened up and Hotura and Reenie peeked inside the room. The two girl asked of they could come in. She said, "Yes."

The two girls were wondering why Stephanie had a box of Rio's stuff. Reenie asked as she pointed to a small clothe pouch, "What's that?"

"Oh," Stephanie said when she held up the pouch. ". ..This."

"Yes," Hotura nodded. The two girls now stood in front of Stephanie.

Stephanie reached over to the pouch with her hand. It was dark green velvet. It was about the size of palm of someone's hand. She held it in her one hand. "You know. I have gotten about this!" she sighed with a sad smile.

"It's pretty. What's inside if it had anything. You know!" Reenie asked, trying to be cheerful.

"Oh," Hotura quipped before giggling. "Stop being so nosy!"

"Reenie. . .Reminds me of Rio in her curiosity!" Stephanie uttered as she shook her head. Then, she sighed, "This is a trinket bag. Rio got it when she was seven. She had kept many things inside this!"

The bag was opened. Stephanie placed two fingers and thumb in the bag. She exclaimed in a little excitement, "Oh, it's smooth and flat."

Out came a gray stone. Rennie and Hotura started at the stone. How dull and plain it was. Stephanie turned it over. Stephanie turned it over to see a cross with a circle in the middle of the cross. It was golden in colour. Stephanie snorted out loud as her mind's remembered. Then, she said, "This stone has a story!"

"A story?" Reenie asked curiosity.

"This is a stone, Rio got when she was in Edinburgh," Stephanie said.

"Why the cross?" Hotura asked.

"She went out fairie hunting. There was a creek near where she was staying. She saw this stone on the shoreline. It was very plain at the time. Going to a guy that Our Uncle Anthony knew, Rio had the stone painted and glazed."

Hotura turned to see what else was in the box. There was a red covered book. Hotura's left hand reached over to the book and pulled it out. Holding, she asked, "Was this Rio?"

Stephanie and Reenie turned to see Hotura holding the book. Stephanie had to do a double take. She nearly started to cry. She gasped loudly, "I can't believe you found it!"

"What?" Hotura utterly loudly, nearly jumping out of her skin. Then, she held out the book. "This?"

Hotura turned over the cover very carefully as she opened the book. She noticed it was a photo album. Noticing a picture of a young girl, Hotura asked, "Was this Rio?"

"Let me see!" Stephanie said in a semi-excited tone. Hotura walked over to Rio's bed, where Stephanie was sitting at. She sat down next to Rio's cousin.

Handing the book over to Stephanie, Hotura asked, "How old is Rio in this picture?"

Stephanie stared at the picture. She remembered when the picture was taken. Rio was about fourteen, dressed in a sort of mod dress. A large white clip held her hair back. Stephanie said, "Rio was about fourteen. I remembered Alex taking this picture."

"Oh," Reenie said as she glanced at the picture.

Stephanie tuned the page. There were many different pictures. A couple was of Rio when she was in her middle teens. Stephanie said as she placed the book on her lap, "This is a picture of our Uncle Zigfield."

Hotura noticed a picture of another family member. She said, "Hey, isn't that Uncle Anthony?"

Then, she pointed to the next picture.

Reenie giggled when she saw a picture of Rio with a goof smile. She said, "Rio looks funny!"

"Stephanie turned the pages. They saw the pictures of a birthday party. Stephanie explained about the birthday pictures. It was from Rio's fourteenth birthday party. There were a couple of pictures of four mop-topped young lads. Reenie asked out of curiosity, "Who are those guys?"

"No. I don't believe it!" Stephanie gasped, as her eyes grew wide.

"What?" Hotura questioned Rio's cousin. The two little girls were shocked.

"There you are!" a male voice said.

The three glanced up at the same time at Jaime, Tinny and Rei. Rei said to Reenie and Hotura, "Time to wash up!"

Jamie watched as Stephanie had closed the book. He asked, "Hey, Steph, what's that you are looking'?"

Reenie and Hotura excused themselves from the room. They left the room with Rei, leaving Steve and Jamie with Stephanie. She said, "I'm going through some stuff!" Stephanie said. She tried to keep her personal feelings on hold.

"Yea, like what?" Tinny asked.

"This photo album," Stephanie said as she held up the book.

Reenie came rushing back to say a few words to Stephanie. She stuck her head the room as she said, "Hey, Stephanie. I want to see those pics of Rio, O.K.?"

"Which gives me a brill idea," Stephanie said. Her mind was turning over an instantly idea. She glanced at the other four.

Serena was going to visit Rio. She had to take a shift. Some of the young people each took a shift at the hospital for around a clock vigil. Rio hasn't awakened upon yet. She was still in the deep coma.

Serena went to Rio's room on the ICU ward. Rio was peaceful in her sleep. The machines were beeping in a quiet time with the whirling of the others. Serena went to the nurse's station. Serena hoped for any changes. Instead of a glimmer of good news, she was given some bad news.

Serena went to Rio's room. Gina was sitting next to Rio's bed. Rio's room was brought with the flood of new flowers. They took up most of the floor space. Serena out loudly as she forgot that Rio was still in coma, "Where did the flowers come from?"

"Aren't they beautiful?" Gina asked as she looked up the new comer.

"Yes," Serena nodded. She walked over to the flowers stood. She read one of the cards taped to a vase. It read, "Hey Kido! Time to wake up and smell the flowers!"

Serena wondered who wrote that card to Rio.

"Look, Rio. I have to go. I'll be seeing you the next time around!" Gina said. There was no response from Rio. Gina stood up to leave and walked began to walk of out the room. She stopped for a minute to smile at Serena. Then, she said, "Most of the flowers are from her family!"

Then, Gina walked out of the room.

Serena walked over to take Gina's seat. She turned to face Rio. Noting the slightness of change, Rio appeared to be doll like in her sleep. So eerie, so quiet. Rio's curly hair was carefully combed out around her pale face. The tubes and wires just mar her appearance. Serena swallowed her feelings and forced her voice in to her usually fake cheeriness. She said, "Hey, guess what?"

She reached over to touch Rio on the arm. She was careful in touching her friend's arm.

"We saw a movie about London in the Second World war."

Serena told explained things that happened during the day to Rio. She wanted to Rio see Rennie. Reenie was going to be a in a school play as the part of a sale woman in a flower shop. It was something to get her mind off of Rio's stay in the hospital if even for a short while. She practiced like crazy during the off school hours. Then, she and others were getting for Spring break.

"I have to buy a goodie for Reenie. All the girls at the house pooled our money to make a basket for Easter. It's coming! I wish you were there with us," Serena sighed as she felt a lump growing in her throat. It was a lump of melancholy.

Serena saw a paper back book on the nightstand. On picking it up, she read the spine. It was Sherlock Homes in plain black lettering. She opened it up to the area a large piece of paper was stuck in. She started to read the passage out loud to Rio.

It was going in nine in the mid-evening hours. Serena was till reading the Homes mystery. As Alex entered the room, Serena heard the gentle knock the door. She glanced up at the doorway and asked, "Who's there?"

"It's me!" Alex said as he came up to Rio's bed.

"Oh, hey!" Serena sniffing. She closed the book. "Alex, are you taking over?"

"Yep. Our sleep wild child hadn't changed?" he smiled sadly.

"No. . .no changes! I wondered what if she is dreaming?"

"I don't know!" Alex shook his head.

"Hey, Serena. You want a lift?" another male voice asked.

"Hi, Darien!" Alex said as turned to see the owner of the voice in standing the doorway.

"I hope did bore you, Rio!" Serena apologized in her goofy voice to Rio.

There wasn't even a twitch.

"She loves Mister Homes and Doctor Watson. She wanted to travel to that time period and live there for a little while," Alex reflecting what was a sparkle in Rio's personality.

"How did you know I was reading?" Serena asked as she stood up. She was agog with Alex's sharp hearing.

Alex lied as he shrugged, "I just got good ears!"

"Oh," Serena sighed. She walked past Alex. "Bye, Rio. I hope you wake up soon!"

"Hey, Serena . . .I didn't know you read to Rio!" Darien said as he moved a little so Serena could leave the room.

"I felt like it. Don't know why, but I thought Rio was there!" Serena said.

Serena, Alex and Darien exchanged their parting words before Serena and Darien walked down the hall.

Alex now stood at the foot of Rio's bed. He tried to make sense of the whole matter. He sat down on the same chair that Serena was sitting on. "Hello, Rio!" Alex said as he faced the sleeping figure.

Rio's IV monitor went off. Alex jerked a little as he began to find the call light button. He didn't like the noise of the monitor it frightened him. A nurse entered the room in a hurry. She walked over to the IV pole and pushed a button to make the beeping noise quiet down. She asked Alex if he could step out for a minute. He stood up to the leave the room. He waited outside until the nurse was done. Alex half heard his name being called as thorough in a dream. He whipped around slowly and noticed a hooded, cloak figure standing in the hall. Alex questioned in his coolest of manor when his eyes narrowed to slits, "Who's there?"

A voice said, calmly, "It's me, Jareth. . .distance cousin to Jakten!"

"What?" Alex asked. His vampire-heightened senses were now peeked. Then, he cooled down a notch. He knew Jakten from the years of being around the Lyonstone family. This Jareth is someone Alex never knew.

"My cousin will be here shortly!" Jareth bowed.

"Oh," Alex uttered nearly. He never left where he stood. His trust was wearing thin at the present time.

"Could I see Lady Rio?" Jareth asked in a humble tone.

Alex's eyes scanned the area for anyone who coming. He said very slowly, "Maybe!"

Alex pointed to the room. He waited for Jareth walk towards the door before they entered the room. Jareth glanced in mild wonder at the modern life support equipment. Then, he saw Rio in her deepest dreamtime yet. He became amazingly shocked at the sight in front of him. "Such magic!" Jareth gasped softly.

"Oh," Alex said. He viewed the sudden chance in Jarerth's facial expressions. He asked in his own wonderment, "You even been to a modern hospital?"

"Nay!" Jareth said. He instinctively bent down to get a better look at her. He reached out a hand through the bedrails. His little finger linked with Rio's little finger, wrapping itself around in a tender movement. He said as he felt her trapped spirit trying to get out, "She sleeps in a deep pool!"

"A deep pool?" Alex asked as his curiously was peeked a little bit more.

"A pool of deep, pure of sleep. I can feel the darkness cloaking her like a fog!"

"It's maybe the medicine they are giving her!"

"Medicine?" Jareth said. He needed quite bit of explanation as he quickly unlinked his finger from Rio's He walked over to the window. Noticing the nightlife, Jareth was still in the darkness of the room. The lights were automatically turned off in the room. Alex began to tell the whole story behind Rio's coma and the hospital stay.

"And so that is the whole story!" Alex said as he sat on a chair. Jareth was perched on the windowsill. Jakten had joined up with the other two. He sat on the second chair, as he wanted to see how Rio was doing.

"The Lady Lyonstone had been here for about two weeks!" Jakten said.

Then, he glanced at her for any reaction. He said, "Almost a fortnight."

"She needs a special charm or spell to break the deep sleep!" Jareth asked with a curious glance.

Alex had a small idea of what magic could do. He said, "No. . .there isn't any. The only thing to break the spell is her will to live!"

"That is very powerful indeed. She had the spirit of the eagle. She is will and free," Jakten said.

Serena, Lita and Charlie were at the library, trying to keep their minds on homework. The hours of schooling seemed to be a distraction. Then, a note was tossed onto the table where one of the girls was sitting at. They were startled at the flying object.

Serena reached over to take up the note with a slight gingery hand. Lita and Charlie watched as serene with both hands unfolded the note. She began to read it. After a minute, Lita asked, "What is the note about?"

Serena refolded the note with a surprised stare in her eyes. She said as Charlie and Lita leaned forward in order not to make a séance, "It's a note from Stephanie. She found a special book to help Rio wake up!"

"A special book?" Charlie asked as she began to wonder.

"Are you sure?" Lita asked Serena in a gasp.

"I'm not going to put it pass Stephanie on her find. We have got to try it!" Serena sighed as she tried to think of what was so special about Rio's book.

"We are going to see Stephanie now?" Charlie asked.

"She will be back in a few minutes. She had to get the book!" Serena said.

All three girls went back to their homework in a noxious mood. They waited until Stephanie came to the table. She was wearing a windbreaker. In her arm was a small cardboard box. Lita asked as she noticed Stephanie standing in front of the table, "What's in the box?"

"This is a special book that will help get Rio to wake up," Stephanie said as she placed the box on the table.

"Book?" Serena asked.

"It's a diary. Rio kept a diary after she was missing for a long time!"

Charlie had a flash back of a memory. She said exactly, "Yea. She was on a bus going to Middle Sex. When the bus came to a stop. It was three hours late when her Uncle Zigfield waited for her at the stop. Rio came up missing after the bus came there."

"When was this?" Serena asked as a concern look fell on her face.

"When?" Stephanie murmured loudly, placing a hand up to her chin. "She was thirteen."

"Was she O.K.?"

"She was missing for six months. When she was found. Her memory was lost," Stephanie sighed with a serious look on her face.

Both Lita and Serena were floored at the news. They gasped in unison, "What?"

Serena was given the diary to look at for a week. She and Lita went home with a little bit Rio's personal history. They never knew Rio had a past, which involved her being possible, kidnapped. The second thing of Rio's memory loss was another mind-blowing turn. She was never the one to tell her story to other people.

When the girls reached their home. The normal clamor of daily life never skipped a beat. Huruka and Setsuna were trying to help Mina with her math work. While Rei was sending Reenie and Hotura to the dinning room to pack their own lunches as she tried to review her history notes. Ami was carrying Chibi-chibi to the little one's bedroom. Finally Michuri was at the computer room to print out a report for her science class.

Luna was curled up on a chair in the front room. She saw the two girls entering the front room as she stood up straight. She asked, "Did you study hard with Stephanie and Charlie?"

"More than we barged for!" Serena said as she stood on the entranceway. She bent down to untie her shoes.

Rei who was now putting her stuff away, walked past the front room. She heard Luna and Serena talking about Rio's dairy. She asked as stopped for a minute, "What do you mean?"

"Hey, Rei!" Serena said as she glanced up at Rei.

Lita said as she entered the front room, "We got a book that could Rio to wake up in sort of a way!"

"What?" Rei gasped. Her hands went numb at the shocking news. She dropped her things and they fell to the floor with a loud thud. She appeared to be kicked into the head from the shock.

"It's Rio's dairy. She kept one, years ago. Stephanie took me that Rio had a special time, which she had written all about them. Stephanie told me if Rio would found out about someone lease reading her diary they would be in trouble."

"Rio's personal feelings," Rei sighed. "She had written down in a secret diary. I would understand that her upset mood if it could of being shown if I was her!"

"I'm curious on what is so important that Rio wanted to keep a secret even from us!" Lita sighed in wonder.

"We have to be patient. I have to call everyone about this one!" Serena said as she instantly came up with a rather good idea.

Lita and Rei now was convinced that Serena had gone off and lost her mind, gasped in unison, "Everyone?"'

"Yes, I have a feeling, Rio's diary is not all that inserting!"

Ayeka, Mina and Miss Gina were standing in the hallway at the high school. They were waiting for the others. It was another hour after classes were pout. The news of Rio's spread like wildfire in the circles of the young American group. The general idea of Rio's diary was love of her boyfriend, Dusty.

Oh, how that was quickly dashed.

At the Senshi house, it was standing room only. Everyone was curious when Stephanie brought out a normal looking medicine box. It was a different story inside of the box. Serena had read a couple of passages of the Rio's diary and became puzzled. Who were the Fabs? Why was there pictures stuck in some of the pages. There were a few newspaper clippings.

Stephanie and Serena were sitting side by side on the sofa as they watched the others talk. Serena asked Stephanie, "What was that box for?"

"This box was to keep certain items from a tip Rio had taken when she was fourteen," Stephanie uttered as she remember a wild trip that she and Rio was on.

Sasami was sitting on the floor with Reenie and Abby. She glanced up to ask, "Like what kinda things?"

"Pictures, some tapes and other things!" Stephanie whined as she began to open the box.

Chibi-chibi squeaked as she skipped past the girls, "Let me see!"

Chibi-chibi was full of curiously

Jakten said with a calming influence, "Slow down, there."

Stephanie had to be careful as she opened the box up. The first thing she pulled out was a photo book. She handed it to Reenie. Reenie opened it up and began to look at the pictures. She wasn't surprised to see pictures of Rio and her family or friends. Think she had to a double take as she noticed a picture of four mop-topped young men sitting around a table, alone. She asked, "Who are these guys?"

Stephanie saw the picture upside down. Stephanie nearly fell back on her seat. Reenie and Sasami wondered with wide eyes that were these four young men. Stephanie gasped nearly laughing as the memories came back, "These are the young men who changed the face of music for the rest of the twentieth century."

"Are you telling the truth?" Lita asked as she noticed Stephanie's outburst.

"Here. This might help!" she sighed, pulling out an audiotape.

Tracy noticed the tape and asked, "O.K. What's on the tape?"

"You'll have . . . give it a listen!" Stephanie said. Then, she told the others to past it down to Alex. He had a mini tape player.

The tape wasn't labeled as it was from hand to hand. It finally reached Alex. He had the player opened. Dropping it in the player, he snapped it shut. Pushing play, the tape retold what it recorded. There were many voices through out the first few minutes. Then, Rio's voice could be heard. She said, "O.K. I have two other things to make up. Then, I'm done."

"What?" a deep nasally voice asked.

"I. . ." Rio was beginning to say. There was a blank spot on the tape. There were a couple of minutes of noisy babble, which sounded like it came from the radio. The people who listened to the tape wondered what was going on. Then, a song started up softly, slowly and very humbly. It was a voice that was unaccompanied. The singing stopped. Finally, another male voice said, "Hey, give me four!"

"Not yet, I'm done!" hummed a rich upper crust voice.

"How long is this game going to take. You lot have been playing like nuts since five this morning?" A female voice asked.

"Rio!" Chibi-chibi squealed. She was the first one to recognize Rio's voice coming through the tape. She plopped down on an empty chair.

"Yes. That is Rio!" Belldandy said with a happy, but curious tone. Her eyes were fixed on the tape. "But, why is she on the tape?"

"Let me explain. Rio was treated like a sickly child. She was missing for six months after her thirteen birthday. We still don't know who or the reason why, behind the kidnapping," Stephanie said.

"Kidnapped?" Ami asked as she turned to stare at Stephanie.

Stephanie, did her finally have the police help in the case?" Ryoko asked. "I mean in the search. . .it's not like she was asking for it!"

"Yes, it took six months before a farmer in Perth of all places found her wondering in his wheat field," Stephanie said.

"Then, there were the two months in the hospital. She was staved and very badly dehydrated. It was another three months to get memory back!" Alex added. He remembered how Rio was after her rescue. "Funny . She didn't have a mark on her!"

"She wasn't like that all the time!" Nick asked as his right eyebrow twitched slightly. Something was getting Nick's mind racing. How can one girl loose her memory if she didn't have a mark on her body!

"I know it may sound crazy but, it did happen?" Lacriox asked.

"There is something. . . else!" Stephanie said as she began to search in the box a little deeper. Then she pulled out videotape. She said, "This is a sort of dairy as well!"

"Of what?" Ayeka asked. She was just as curious as the others.

If the tape had voices . . .maybe some pictures are on the video?" Lacriox asked in his gentle tone voice.

Stephanie held out the tape and said, "Here. . .if anyone wants to watch it. I've seen it at least twice."

Rei was the first to say, "Let me!" Then, she handed the photo book to someone else.

"We can catch it if we get a big enough T.V. to see it!" Allen said.

"Yes, but, there is only one that big at Sweet Haven!" Tinny said.

Ayeka was wondered out loud, "How about the diary?"

"First. Things. First. Stephanie," Jakten said as he folded his arms cover his chest. His face was in a seriously puzzled glance; just enough to make Stephanie's mind turn.

"O.K. The only thing is if Alex was there. What happed really?" Washu questioned Stephanie as she placed hand out in a half begging mode.

"I've got an idea!" Jaime said. His mind was trying to come up with a theory on waking up Rio.

"This idea is?" Lacriox asked as an eyebrow shot up in curiosity.

"Well," Jamie began to say. He placed a hand up to his chin. "I've seen articles about people who woke up after months of constant stimulus."

Taiki glanced at Jaime who was a person that got straight to the point. He said, "You mean talk to her."

"And this was tried on people and it worked?" Ryoko asked.

"It sounds like Jamie has stumbled onto a good one!" Jakten said.

"How can we loose?" Ten chi said.

"You want the diary?" Serena asked.

Skuld said, "Yea. Let's go to the hospital!"

It sounded like Skuld was getting ahead of herself. Doctor Johnson stepped in with an offering of advice, "Wait, we can't all go!"

Mihoshi had a rare bolt of the blue ideas, "If we go in small groups maybe we work on trying to get Rio up. Maybe will keep her minds on her!"

"What?" a few of the people uttered. Others were trying to figure out what Mihoshi was talking about.

"Are you saying that we should go to her in twos and threes and read this dairy?" Arika asked. "Is that what you are trying to express!"

"It sounds like very slim chance!" Devon said.

Seyia said his peace with a hint of hope, "Some times you have got to take those slim chances!"

Seyia had a ton on his mind. He wanted to walk it off. He told his brothers that he was going be gone for a while. It was still cold out when he tired to find his jacket. He went to the coat closet. He found in his search, he crossed a red plaid scarf, hanging on a rack. He held it between his fingers for a minute or two. He knew it was Rio's scarf. She had forgotten it when she was a study group one night. Always in a hurry, that was Rio. "Rio-chan! I'm hoping for you soul to be awakened!" he thought.

Seyia's memory replayed a snippet of Rio's voice in his head. She said, "Don't worry about me lad!"

He took the scarf from the rack. He held up to his face. A faint trace of water lilies and lilacs tickled his nose. He gentled rolled the scarf. He reached to place it on the shelf above the coats.

Seyia closed the coat closet after he grabbed his jacket from a hanger. Slowly he was putting on his coat. He couldn't a tear from quietly rolling down his cheek.

Yaten entered the living room. He caught a glimpse of Seyia when Seyia was buttoning up his coat. He noticed the tear trailing down his brother's face. He asked, holding back his own grief, "When are you coming back?"

Seyia shifted his gaze at his little brother. He sighed, "In a while! You need any books from the library?"

Yaten shook his head and said, "No!"

"O.K." Seyia said, as he made sure of his coat was buttoned. He adjusted the collar to keep the cold form creeping in. Seyia walked over to the front door. As he unlocked the door, he said, "Look, tell Taiki that I'll be late for supper. 'K?"

"Yea!" Yaten sighed, forcing a smile.

Seyia opened the door to step onto the porch. Tuffs of grass were showing thought the snow. Seyia closed the door.

Seiya walked down the path. He noticed the blue sky. It was the brightest of blues that he had seen in a long time. The little whips of clouds seemed to be a string toy to the heavenly angels. It was a good omen to see such a blue sky. Seiya walked in the direction the local park. He walked past Tenchi's house. Tenchi and Sasami were busy with the placing of large plastic Easter eggs in the yard and around the house. Sasami asked, "How about here?"

"That would be prefect," Tenchi said. He placed his egg at the foot of the porch steps. Then, he bent down for a minute to adjust the egg.

Seyia crossed the street to see Tenchi and Sasami. The front door opened and Ryoko came out in a flash. She was holding a clean of brightly colored bunnies and eggs. She had a mad expression on her face. Sasami and Tenchi glanced at each other as she came up to them. "Tenchi!" Ryoko yipped, trying to remain cool under pressure.

"What?" Tenchi questioned in his gentle manor. He stood up to look at his handiwork. He didn't want any bad blood between the girls.

Ryoko gripped as she held out the string, "Ayeka took the hammer!"

"Why?"

"Because she wanted to hang up this stuff!"

"Ayeka!" Sasami called out. She was going to out a stop to Ayeka and Ryoko's little spat.

"Yes!" Ayeka's voice could be heard coming from the front room.

"I need to see you!" Sasami said in her normal voice.

"O.K." Ayeka said as she came to the front door. On opening the front door, Ayeka stepped out of the porch. She was a little peeved as she asked, "What is it?"

Seyia walked to the path, which ran up to the porch. He said with a small smile, "Hiya, you guys!"

Tenchi turned his head to see Seiya. Then, Sasami stood up to whip around to see who was coming up the path. She said, "Hi, Seyia!"

Ryoko and Ayeka glanced at Seiya. Ryoko said, "Hiya!"

Ayeka uttered in a hopeful tone of voice, "How are the others?"

"Mina, Ami and Rei are great," Seiya said as he forced a smile.

"I saw Keiichi with Bell at the mall. They were being dragged along with Bell's sisters!" Tenchi said.

Life was getting back to the near normalcy that seemed out of reach in such a short time. Seyia sighed as he placed a hand up to bangs, "It seemed like a year or two had past, instead of two weeks!"

The others agreed. Then, Ryoko asked inquiring about a close friend, "What about Rio?"

Seiya was quiet for a minute before saying; "Tinny is with her right now. We hope to see her up and around. Terri. . .err, I mean Doctor Simms told me that she is still in coma. Rio looks like a sleeping princess!"

Tenchi questioned the handsome boy singer in a quirky little prod, "Will it take a special magic to wake her up?"

"I hope the simple thing is that special magic!" Seiya smiled. He tuned to walk down the path. Then, he said his goodbyes to the others at the end of the path. He walked down the street. He saw the newness trying to make its way through. This was a sign of awaking. Seiya stopped in front of the corner of State and North union. He wasn't too far from either the hospital or the park.

Then, he turned down the street. He was drawn to an empty lot in the middle of the block. This pretty boy stared uncontrollably for a couple of minutes at the lot. It was like Jim Morrison was calling his name in an unfelt whisper of time. He remembered the unearthly visit that Rio received by the Lizard king.

Seiya crossed the street to the face the opened lot. He stood there for ten minutes. He felt the present of a strong will to live. It danced around him, in his soul. Foe every heartbeat that his body gave into, the will to increased. It was like the will was Rio's soul dancing inside of Seiya's heart. Not the fun loving trickster or the serious by the book student. No, feeling was deeper earthier and primitive. It was an eye-opening shake up. Who was this thing belonging to himself or was a mystic child who held the thin cords of Sailor around her hands.

A cold breeze softly slapped Seiya in the face. He felt his mind lazily reentered to his body. What a daydream . . .or was it? Seiya quickly blinked. He had to go of this vision of Rio alone for once. If she was awake enough for answers that he would ask.

In the flat that Jamie and Tinny shared, Allen was visiting Jaime and Tinny. They sat in the living room. Allen began to rummage through his backpack as he sat on chair. He remembered having pictures of Rio at her fifteenth birthday party with four mop-topped young men.

"I was having a look around the house this morning when I found this!" Allen said as he opened his pack. He glanced at Tinny who was sitting on a three-legged wooden stool. Then, he glanced at Allen on the sofa.

"What's the photos are like?" Tinny asked.

"I think they were taken at Rio's birthday party. She wanted a memory, she needed a solid memory to look back on if she does lose it again."

Allen was still rummaging as he said, "She was scared when she got home from the hospital. Loosing her memory still is must make her go crazy."

"If it is. . .Rio hides pretty well," Jamie said. He raised an eyebrow in a little surprised movement.

"There they are!" Allen said as he pulled out a large envelope.

"Let me see. I wonder what they look like?" Jamie asked, rubbing the side of his face with a free hand.

Allen gave the envelope to Jamie. Jamie opened it carefully. Placing a hand to the packet, Jamie pulled them out with a gentle hand. He placed them on his lap. He took the first one out from the stack and studied it with a wondering eye. He saw himself in a few after a minute of searching. Then, he ran across a picture of Rio in a princess type dress. She smiled like no other could. Jamie started to laugh. Both Tinny and Allen exchanged puzzled glances at each other. It was long a happy laugh that they hadn't heard in a long time.

Tinny asked, "What's on you mind, mate?"

"This pic!" Allen said. He handed Tinny the photo book. Allen started to go through his backpack. He wanted to find another part of this puzzle to unlock Rio's world.

Tinny glanced at the picture on top. He noticed Allen search, "What are you looking for this time!"

"I'm not sure!" Allen sighed. "But, it will came to me!"

Tenchi and Washu were in Washu's temporary lab. Washu was sitting in front of her computer. Tenchi sat on a still. He watched the screen of the computer as he wondered to himself. Washu feed the computer a ton of computations. She said, "I know that I shut out the world for the last two days!"

"What are you doing? It doesn't like look you are grading papers!" Tenchi questioned the brilliant professor of the galaxy.

"No. I've done with grading papers about hour ago!" Washu tried to smile as she closed her eyes.

"It's that easy!"

"Yea. . .a little too easy!"

Tenchi looked at the screen. There were lines and boxes with math configuration on the computer screen. Washu said in a somber tone, "This is a sketch of the virus which now slowly attacking Rio's body!"

Tenchi remembered that Rio was ill during her coma. He asked, "The virus!"

"You remembered that night?" she asked as her eyes turned up to look at Tenchi.

"Yea. Do I ever," Tenchi snorted in disgust. He turned his face away for a second. Then, he glanced down at the floor. He was prayed with his while heart for miracle and a return of Rio's eyesight.

"I have been working with Miss Urd and Doctor Simms for the past week. I think we've found a missing hole in the chain."

"A missing hole?" Tenchi asked as his face was drawn into a skeptically state.

"Think of chain with a couple of missing links!" Washu said as she glanced at her keyboard.

"So, if you and others can pin-point the missing link. Then, you guys can heal Rio!"

Washu smiled softly as she nodded, "That's right!"

"How long before you find those missing links?"

"I can't say for certain, yet time is our side!"

Rio was going to have a treat. She was still in coma. The doctors and nurses saw Rio's friends on a daily bases when they came to visit her. She had no idea that she was in for a treat. She tried to wake up the use her spirit power. Forever time she believed that she was close on breaking through, there was another roadblock standing in the way. All she wanted was to wake up.

Belldandy, Ami and Stephanie came to see Rio. If she had woken up, she would have been very weak. There were hints and traces of her trying to come out of her state. There were tremors of her fingers, which was a clear sign of her struggle.

Belldandy brought her knitting with her. Ami and Stephanie brought their homework and Rio's dairy with them. Belldandy spoke to the nurse in charge. She wanted to fund out if Rio was getting better. She and the other two heard some sort of music coming from Rio's room. Who was playing the music?

As Belldandy entered the room, she saw Dusty and Allen sitting on one side of Rio's bed. They had a tape player going not too loudly. They were playing one of Rio's favorite songs. Ami and Stephanie were standing in the doorway, just waiting until the song finished playing. It was one of her favorites. Ami and Stephanie noticed Belldandy entered the room. Belldandy asked about the name of the song.

"Ninetieth nervous breakdown by the Stones!" Stephanie said after she gave a listen to the song.

"That's one of the Stones' earliest stuff!" Allen said. Then, he said, "Hey, Miss Bell, Ami. . .Steph!"

Belldandy smiled, "Hello!"

Then, she walked up to Rio's bed. She looked down at the sleeping girl. Rio's right hand twitched a little. Belldandy wondered if Rio's reflexes were responding to the sounds of daily life or was it Rio trying to break thought. She thought, "Rio. Please wake up!"

Ami was putting her book bag on a small table that stood a few feet from the bed. She glanced up at the colorful pictures that Chibi-chibi and Sasami drew for Rio. There was a poem neatly copied in fancy script. Hotura and Abby must of copied from a book to the paper.

Stephanie and Belldandy were trying to see if there were any changes in Dusty. He had a great amount of hope, which was now being burnt out on the daily visits to Rio. Dusty was still sitting at Rio's bedside in his wheel chair. "When is the next dime are you going to school?" Ami asked Dusty. She was going to break him away form the task at hand.

Dusty sighed as he glanced at Rio, "I'm sure it's after I go see the doctor. I'm getting better!"

"That's good!" Belldandy smiled.

Then, Dusty tuned to see Rio for one last time. He was wheeled himself over to the foot of the bed. His coat was draped over the foot to the bed. He reached down to grab the coat. He said, "I hope tomorrow you will wake up soon!"

Allen said his goodbyes to the girls. He was putting on his coat. He placed the tape player in his coat pocket.

Belldandy watched the monitiros for a minute. She raised a hand up to her hat. Taking off it from her head, Belldandy felt a change in Rio. There was a struggle inside that Rio was painfully winning. Belldandy stuffed the hat in her jacket pocket. Ami found her study plan book. She opened out to see what her least subject was up. Stephanie had to keep her crying back. She felt terrible for every time she had visited her cousin. She felt the weight of guilty weighting her down like a millstone around her neck. She blindly reached to the zipper of her jacket. Belldandy saw Stephanie as she took off her jacket. She walked over the young girl. The gentle goddess saw the pain surfacing. She asked, "What's wrong?"

"Don't know. Uh?" Stephanie sighed as she swallowed. She sniffed, holding it in, "I wish Rio didn't have go through this!"

" I can understand what you are going through," Belldandy said. She placed a hand on Stephanie's shoulder. "I could have lost Keiichi."

"How?" Stephanie asked as she sniffed.

"He was gassed with a poison. It made him very sick!"

Ami sensed a tender sisterly monument between Belldandy and Stephanie. She asked as she thought up a quick excuse, "You want anything? I'm kind of thirsty!"

Belldandy knew that Ami was be kind said, "Yea, how about a can of tea. Stephanie, would you like a can of pop or tea?"

Stephanie quietly nodded as tear rolled down her cheek. Ami closed her book. Then, she stuck it back in her bag. It was getting late. Ami turned to leave the room and get the cans of refreshments. She said, "I'll be gone for a little while!"

Belldandy smiled as she glanced the departing figure, "Fine!"

Ami retuned with three cans of tea. She had a few questions about Rio's condition. She stopped at the nurse's station. Ami asked a nurse who was at the station if still any changes. She hoped that Rio's mind wasn't affected by the coma. She prayed for one day that Rio's health would return.

Ami went to Rio's room. As she entered the room, she noticed that Belldandy and Stephanie sitting on a couple of chairs next to Rio's bed. The two were talking about Rio's dairy. "Ami . . .that was quick!" Belldandy said when she looked up at the blue haired girl.

Ami held out the cans and said, "Here . . .take one!"

Belldandy and Stephanie each took a can. The diary was opened to the front page. There were a few pictures of people. One picture was that of Rio. Stephanie was opening her can of tea glanced at up Ami. Ami asked as she noticed the picture of Rio, "What are you looking at?"

"Rio's dairy! You want to hear me read?" Belldandy asked.

"Oh," Ami said, wondering about her friend's dairy. Like the others, Ami was curious. Did Rio have any secrets? Ami nodded, "Yes, I would like to hear what Rio was up to when she wrote her diary!"

"And you?" Belldandy questioned Stephanie.

"It may bring back some memories!" Stephanie said sadly.

"Memories?" Ami asked. She gave the second can to Belldandy.

"Here, let me read the beginning!" Stephanie said. Belldandy gave the diary to Stephanie. After a minute, Stephanie read the first page. Then, she began to read it out, "I never had a diary. I have written stories, poems and junk in notebooks before. I like to write and it helps me to see name in print. Maybe between the lines of boring nothing, I can come up with a novel that can knock a person's socks off!"

It seemed like Rio's coma was growing less and less. The others were reading out loud her diary, as it was pass from hand to hand. The others found the story behind the mysterious pictures and tape.

There were three or four folded chairs leaning in a corner of the room. Seiya and Haruka who never saw eye to eye on anything came into the room. This time they were putting their differences aside. Seiya had the diary. It was pass to him from Tenchi and the girls. They found out who were those four mysterious men were. They were the British group the Beatles. At first, Tenchi and the girls had to read the part where Rio was nearly kidnapped by Paul McCartney, himself. It was a terrible mistake as Rio written down in her diary, Paul was trying to ask a question and other three were waiting to know where they were and what year. Then, the big questions were why they (the Beatles) kidnapped by strangers.

Seiya had Haruka waked to Rio's room. Things were just exciting for the reader and listeners. Ayeka who was sat in the room before the other two showed up. She was on Rio's left side as she sat. She swore that Rio was going to wake up.

"Seiya," a voice said, trying to get his attention.

"Uh?" Seiya said. He glanced around the hall. He noticed Arika and Gina walking up the hall. There was a surprised air in the hall. Akira heard on the news about a woman who was found dead near the Ohio-PA state line. He asked the two if they heard about it. Haruka shook her head, as Seiya said, "No!"

Gina was curious, why was Arika asked about a dead woman. Was there a contraction to the night when some of the kids were hurt? She asked, "How's Rio?"

"Is she trying to wake up?" Haruka asked.

"How can you tell?" Akira asked. He saw the twitching and the slight fluxes in Rio's body.

"She fell my touch when I held her hand. She tries to move her hand as I hold it!" Seiya smiled.

"We know it sounds like we are hoping against the odds. That's we have for her is wishing!" Haruka sighed.

"Hope is the great treasure. . . and you're not wasting it!" Gina smiled.

Rio, in her deep coma was a dark case. She heard Seiya, Gina, Haruka and Arika entering the room. She felt as thorough she was trying to find a key, a way out. It was hard and difficult way to break out of. The spell had to be distorted. The lesson at hand to give was for near future.

Seiya walked it to the bed. He was getting up to the part of the diary that the strange man in black was perusing the Beatles. Rio, Steve, Dusty and Stephanie kept the Fabs in at Uncle Zigfield's London flat. Seiya wondered if Rio was going to get the Beatles back to their own time.

The others were talking about difference things. Gina saw a shooting start as it shimmered in the night sky through the window. She hoped for miracles not just one, instead Gina hoped for the lives of kids to be no longer scared from the badly ripped souls by a terrible hand.

"Hi!" Haruka said as she stood now at the other side of Rio's bed. She glanced down at the sleeping figure.

"You got the diary?" Gina asked Seiya.

"Yea. I found this poem stuck in between the pages. I never knew that Rio like poems," Seiya sighed with a small smile.

"Rio is the wind!" Haruka chuckled softly.

"The wind?" Arika and Gina asked in united curiosity.

"I think what Haruka is saying is Rio takes a thing a little at a time and scatters them in her soul. She is like a jewel, meaning she has many sides!" Seiya said with a small cheerful smile.

"I see," Gina said.

"Alex was saying the something about her. I didn't want to believe it at first. Now after seeing her even in this state. She is a very usual person!" Arika nodded slightly.

Rio thought in her coma, "Seiya, I miss you!"

"I have to find the diary and we can start reading. I want to know how Rio going to have any birthday party, if both her Uncles have to leave for their jobs assignments!" Seiya said.

"I'm a tough nail. I can't bent that easily," Rio said in her dreamtime. Rio folded her arms over her chest. Then, she nodded.

"Her aunts moist of looked in on her!" Gina said as she glanced at a small card on the over bed table.

"She has a good family!" Haruka said as she remembered how Rio's Aunt Eva and Anthony were like.

Seiya sat at Rio's right side. He was reading her diary. He said out loud to her, "That thing I wanted the most turned into a distrait. I got a post card from my Uncle informing me that he was traveling to Chillie. He is covering a story about a president. With his photos Uncle Nig can tell the best of the best stories."

"It is time?" Gina asked as she heard a nurse entering the room. She was going to check on Rio's vitals, as the others remained quiet. The nurse checked the monitors before glancing over Rio. Checking Rio's skin colour, the nurse said, "I'm surprised to see such a crowd to be visiting her."

"That's nothing. Rio has lots of friends!" Haruka said.

"I'm impressed," the nurse said. She and other staff remembers saw Rio's friends come everyday to see her.

"We want Rio back, if we hope, then nothing is impossible," Seiya smiled.

Rio thought, "I've seen the darkness is really like. What I need is to see the light of my true friends!"

"What if she wakes up?" the nurse asked.

"We will take it slowly," Haruka said.

Days had past along with Rio's diary. Rio's adventures to different parts of Europe were drawing others to the now the Asian rim. Was it going to blow others minds away?

She wrote,

"Steve was now baby the plane. He was fixing the motor while I tired to keep the lowest of profiles with the four lads from Liverpool. It was close to imposable. I need much for prayer. I hear the door. I have an easy time keeping them in their rooms when it time for sleep. What about the other fifteen to sixteen hours the Fabs are awake and needing things to do. My past will apparently sneak up on me. A figure was standing right behind me. I turned to see that it was Ringo who snuck in at an opportunity time. I was writing at a desk in my hotel room. We had ended up at four-star hotel near the Black Forest in Germany. I haven't been to that part of Germany in a long time.

I told Ringo I was writing a story. He just nodded and said, "Oh!"

Then, I heard Paul asking George if he wanted to play a round of cards. George like the other three lads were bored to tears with the ton of free time which now lay in front of them. I forbid them from playing any music for the plain fact that we were being followed by strange men in black."

"What a minute!" a voice asked. It was Yaten who was going all the talking. He, Tenchi and Urd were reading the diary as they visited Rio.

Rio hadn't still woken up. Terri told the Sailor Senshi that Rio had a brain scan and found that Rio's mind was fully active. She could feel pain and touch. The wait was not growing old. In fact, reading her diary was extremely fascinating. For every minute the closer Rio got, she fought the demon that had Rio by a short chain. She told the demon she wasn't going to be on that chain for very long.

Yaten glanced at Rio. He knew she was strong by finding out her fears and dreams. He started to believe that she was waking little by little.

"I know Rio has a plan for getting out of the hotel with the Beatles in tow!" Tenchi said.

Urd sighed as she smiled at Rio's predicament, "It seems like where every she goes, those strange men show up. They seemed to be after the Beatles for one reason or another!"

"Rio is pretty smart on her feet!"

"That's her. I never knew when she wasn't!" Yaten said.

Rio heard the conversation and felt like screaming. To be in the state drove Rio up the wall. She thought to herself, "I will leave this world. If even I go blind the process!"

Another week had past. The Three lights were on their daily visit to see Rio. After finding out a little bit more about Rio from her diary. Not only did she have the Beatles back to their time. The others found out on how Wolfsbane became Rio's son. Then, there another set of diaries telling the tale of Rio's encounter with the Rolling Stones. They were surprised the Stones weren't the told that was out now. No this was the Stones from the 1960's.

Rio slowly plotted and hoped that her breaking free from her captor's grasp was in the near future. She was still in the final stages of her coma. She barged with the virus, which held her in its grip for the last two weeks. Seiya remembered as he waited for the elevator to come the male members of the Friends of America. It was held at the wooded area between Master Poal's house and Jakten's house. Seiya and his brothers were going to have their eyes opened. Tenchi and Keiichi were there as well.

It was just being to get dusk; the leaves form the fall still carpeted the ground. The elders of Rio's tribe Allen, Jakten and Poal stood at a very special tree. It was a very young tree and stood nearly three feet high. Poal had in his left hand a knife. He glanced over at the tree as if to find the prefect limb to cut off. Taiki walked over to Poal. Poal was an alchemist, which fascinated Taiki. He asked the eldest of the elders, "What are you doing?"

"I'm trying to find the youngest limb of this Thrian tree! The sap from the tree is known to cure temporary blindness!" Poal uttered in a loud tone.

"Are you sure?" Taiki asked a somewhat painful question to the elder.

Poal drew a harsh glance at the young man before smiling with plain wisdom. He said, "My dear boy. Let me tell you a bit of advice. The youth shall seek a world of pure light."

Taiki mulled over Poal's statement. He felt like he and the others were on the road to help Rio. "I hope we're traveling down that same road together," Taiki sighed.

Poal snorted as he smiled, "Young people!"

He walked to a tree stump, which sat in near the tree. Slowly sitting himself down, Poal sat on the edge of the stump. He padded his thread bear coat for his clay pipe. "Young people want all the answers down in a fast and easy way. They aren't like you or the others. You are willing to take the hard and long road!"

"Sometimes, I want to get off that road. Yet, my brothers are there for me if I do get off. They are willing to get back on!"

Jakten walked over to where the Elder of the Arcadian planet was sitting at. He asked with a raised eye brow, "is that so?"

"I haven't seen two worlds with two eyes and not see a blessed thing!" Poal grunted with a pout. His left hand had plunged into a pocket. His fingers had found the thin steam of his pipe. He slowly pulled it out, hoping that it was full. He had a hold of an old and loved pipe.

Jakten closed his eyes for a minute. He let the wind talk to him for an answer. He opened his eyes to see the first star, shining in the light dusky sky. He smiled as he pinned everyone's hopes onto that star.

Poal stuck the pipe in his mouth. Then, he went through his pockets to find that lighter. He founded it in another pocket and pulled it out. Taiki noticed that the lighter was no normal looking lighter. It was small and thin, it appeared to be like a tube. Poal stuck the tip of it in his pipe. As began to light his pipe, Poal said, "If you do walk, keep your eyes straight on the road!"

Seiya, Taiki and Yaten went to the ICU floor. Seiya had an idea in his head for a long time. He knows about Rio's love for music. A few of the others had played tapes and the radio as they visited her. Rio heard the music when she was trying to strengthen her soul. Now tired of fighting, Rio wanted to wake up finally. Inside of the deep realm, Rio tied to free herself by pulling at a thread that kept the warrior child in hold.

Seiya ordered his two brothers to pick a song Rio knew. They racked their brains out as they began to think of a song that Rio loved. She had so many different and favorite groups to choice from.

Taiki looked at Seiya with a puzzled stare. He was a brain and tried to meet deadlines for schooling. He also tutored a few of the others when they needed. He was now trying to figure out what Seiya wanted him to do. "Rio has many favorites!"

"And different tastes!" Yaten spoke up. He remembered Rio knowledge and love for a large cut of musical world. Rio was now listened to a little j-pop. The local college station that she worked for WRMU had an hour formatted to international music. It was a little piece of home to the Japanese students when they heard a song from the hottest new artist. Rio also loved Jazz, old-time music, rock 'n' roll and other types of music.

"I know Rio's soul must have a few branches. Y'know, like a tree!" Seiya smiled.

"More like a bush," Taiki quipped. He had a rare streak of humor. He never saw a girl who was different in the many ways like Rio.

"Serena or Ami or even Hotura stays in personality, "Yaten said.

"We're talking about Rio. When they made her, they said, 'That's it. Break the mold. There can't be another one," Taiki shook his head. He looked like one of the designers of who helped in the plains of making human babies.

Seiya and Yaten stared at Taiki. The statement was funny enough that they had to bite their lower lips to keep from laughing. It took a few minutes of holing it back, before Seiya and Yaten burst out laughing. Then, Taiki's mouth began to twitch. Seiya saw his middle brother snorting for a long time, before laughing loud and long.

Rio in state she was in heard the Three lights laughing. She closed her eyes in her mind. To hear her friends enjoying the thing, which made her different, seemed gave her courage. "I want to be free," she nearly shouted to the unseen virus.

"What?" an acid filled voice hissed in her ear.

Rio felt the wires, which seemed to hold her in place, tightened. She gasped trying to wiggle as she thorough she was a fish.

"Still. . .be. . .still," the acidy voice hissed for a second time.

Rio tried to breath. She felt the wipe which the tip had pierced her neck. Was this creature trying to keep Rio in the endless dark? She was strong, not willing to give up. Rio cried out of her frustration, "Let me go!"

Seiya was entering the semi dim room. He noticed the feeling of hopelessness in the room. Rio was still hooked up to the same machines as before. He saw a bag of clear green liquid hanging from the IV pole. He remembered over hearing Terri talking to Serena and Rei when they visited Rio about a powerful antibiotic he wanted to try out on Rio. He was surprised after a week that the medicine was slowly disabling the virus.

Seiya walked over to Rio's bed. He knew that Rio's life spark was just under a deep sleep. She gave that spark freely when she slept.

"I wish you would wake up!" a voice begged.

Seiya knew it was Yaten talking. Yaten was now begging for Rio to wake up. A true change of his personality had taken place. He wasn't normally the begging type. He was a little bit of a brat. After Rio's coma, he had changed. He wanted to see Rio grow in her roll as a Sailor Senshi. Then, Yaten said, "I was remembering how shocked the Beatles were when they saw you being kissed by Dusty, missy!"

Seiya smiled as he nodded, "They were trying to protect Rio."

"Innocence!" Taiki remarked with a touch of slyness. He read how Rio, Alex and the Stones pulled off a fake funeral to get themselves out of a sticky spot with a group of cops. He said, "She led an exciting life!"

"And she will!" Seiya added.

Seiya saw Yaten walking up to the bed. Rio's left hand very slightly twitched. He smiled as he leaned to tenderly touch Rio's arm.

Rio wondered in her mind, "Oh, who is touching me?"

"Hey," Yaten said. "Little coyote, time to wake up!"

"Yaten, you do have a soft side," Rio smiled. Then, she felt a shooting pain in her legs. It was the virus punishing her feeling with her heart.

"I have told you that you aren't aloud to have feelings!" the virus boomed in Rio's mind.

Rio yearned to scream. She wanted very badly to get back at the virus. She cried out in her darkness, "You can't live my life. It's my life with all mistakes, adventures and good times. Why can't I have feelings!"

She yanked at the neck wires. Bracing herself, Rio pulled the wire and experienced sheer agony.

"What?" the voice screamed.

Seiya watched as Taiki took a spot on the other side of the bed. He wondered out loud, "How long had it been?"

Seiya and Yaten glanced at each other. Seiya said as he raised right hand up to his chin, "Two almost three weeks!"

"How is her brain?" Yaten asked. He wondered how long Rio's mind could stay sleeping for so long.

"Terri told me that he did scans on a weekly basis. He had a report just yesterday. Rio is fine. Her brains are working. There is active!" Rio pulled as hard as she could. She felt like screaming because of the pain the virus showed itself to Rio. It was a glob like in its appearance. There were five or six tentacles, sticking from different sides. It screamed ever louder as it watched, "STOP. STOP, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

Rio ignored the virus.

Seiya knew Rio's love for music as he thought of using a song to wake her up. He asked her, "Rio would you like to hear a song?"

Rio's fingertips barely raised themselves off of the sheet and tapped the main sheet. Yaten walked over to the left side of the bed. He reached over to take Rio's hand in his. Seiya stood at the foot of the bed. Taiki did something out of his normal personality. He leaned forward and kissed Rio on the cheek. Seiya and Yaten said in unison, "You better not let Dusty not see that!"

Taiki knew they were just teasing him. He straightened up and glared for a second at his brothers. His glare turned into a smile. He asked, "You think?"

Rio felt the tip of the wire leaving her neck. She bore down on her pulling as she struggled at the wire.

The voice hissed hotly in Rio's ears, "I will have you destroyed!"

Rio's mind cried out, "I'm not going to give up!"

Taiki said, "I think a good song would be, Chasin' after you!"

"Will Rio wake up to that song?" Yaten asked. He knew Rio asked about song a couple of times as they walked home from school. The Three lights sang out loud during the walks. Rio wondered how The Three Lights were singing about.

"Yea, let's!" Seiya added with a jerk to his shoulders.

Taiki sighed, "Fine!"

Seiya asked his brothers if they would hold hands. He had a feeling if they snag while holding hands with Rio. The power of their love could wake up Rio. Seiya stared to sing very slowly, "Chasin' After You, oimotomete, Ano FUREIGURANSU anata wo, Dare mo ubae yashinai sa, Kaguwa shiki hoshi wo. MEMORII wa biryuushi sa, Deeply in my heart, shimi tsuita mama. Taema naku kakitateru Kono kokoro, Crazy Me!"

In Seiya's heart, he prayed, "Come on. We need you!"

Then, Taiki picked up and followed the tune, "Yozora wo suberu ryuusei no, Imawa no kirameki ni kake, Anata ni tadori tsukeru koto, Hitasura chikau yo, Shoutin', For My Love, Shoutin' For Your Love!"

He thought of Rio's playful heart and personality.

Yaten caught the tail end of the song, "Chasin' After You, mugen koete, Ano FUREIGURANSU sagashi ni. Doko ni hisonde mo kaori wa. Kakushi kirenai sa."

The Three lights sang very gently the last chorus of the song, "Kono ude ni dakishimeru,

Hold you in my arms, tada sono koto wo, Egaki tsutsu negai tsutsu, Miageru yo, Starry Night! Anata wa boku no yobikake ni, Can't You Answer? Sube wo motanai, Sono mama matte ite hoshii, Kanarazu aeru yo, Shoutin' For My Love, Shoutin' For Your Love!"

Rio gave another hard tug. The tip slipped out of her neck. The pain was intense as she screamed in her mind, "LET ME GO!"

There was tightening of Rio's grip. She was trying to climb out of the body robbing state she was in. Taiki felt Rio's fingers move very slightly. At first he believed it was the natural sleep movements. He glanced down at his hand. Rio's hand jerked a little for a second time. He broke away form his signing, leaving Seiya and Yaten still singing.

There was a little bit of stuttering in Rio's breathing. At first, Taiki began to be alarmed. He let a few seconds pass. Another stutters deeper this time. He wanted to grab a nurse from the hall. He felt Rio's hand for a third gasping. His voice yipped, "Seiya!" he gasped.

"What?" Seiya asked as he stopped suddenly his singing.

"Rio. I think she waking up!" Taiki said. He quickly looked down at Rio.

She was starting to breathing as she fought against the ventilator. Seiya gently jerked by the arm of his younger brother. "Yaten . . .get the nurse . . .if Rio is waking up. . .the nurse should know!"

Yaten started at Rio for a few minutes. He needed to hurry if Rio was going to survive. He told his brothers he would get the nurse. He relapsed Rio's hand gently. "I hope you guys are right!" he said before darting out of the room. Yaten walked in a huff to the nurse's station and noticed a nurse at the station reviewing a set of notes. He gasped as he placed a hand up his chest, "Excuse me!"

The nurse glanced up at the youngest Kuo brother. She said, "Slow down, sir. Is there anything you want?"

"Yes," he nodded quickly. "Miss Lyonstone is starting to wake up. She sounds like she's struggling!" Yaten said between breaths.

"Oh," the nurse said quickly when she instantly realized what the situation was. Closing the notebook, she grabbed her stethoscope.

Seiya and Taiki were watching Rio as she woke up. She tried to open her eyes yet the weight of the bandages was holding her eyes back. She was fighting the urge to fall back to her dark world. Seiya heard the faint, rasping whispers coming from her. Then, with everything ounce of her strength, Rio said, "Seiya!"

"That's it. Come on, we want you to stay here with us!" Seiya said in a calm tone.

"I want to hear your singing!" Rio said in half dead tone.

"Rio, please stay awake!" Yaten pleaded gently. He felt Rio's grip grow stronger.

"Yes, she was waking up!" Taiki said as he and the nurse entered the room.

Rio wondered out loud, "Where am I?"

The nurse walked over to Rio's bed. Rio said, "I'm so sleepy!"

"Yea, you have been sleeping for a while!" Yaten sniffed with a sad smiled.

"Rio, can you hear me?" the nurse asked as she came up to the bed.

"Yea," Rio called out weakly as her one hand tired to move.

The nurse turned to see speak to Seiya and Taiki, She instructed them to leave the room for a couple of room.

Seiya agreed, "Right!"

He told Taiki, he was going to a pay phone. He yeaned to tell the good news about Rio coming out of her coma finally.

At the Senshi house, Houtra, Sasami and Reenie were playing cards together. Abby and Skuld were just beginning to leave. They had their study group early in the day. Serena was seeing the two girls. They stood in the living room when Abby was getting her coat out of the coat closet. Skuld was starting to button her cloak.

The phone rang in the kitchen. Serena knew the other phone was in the TV room. She told Skuld and Abby that she would see them later. She heard Ami answering the phone in the kitchen.

Abby said as she stood in the doorway, "Thanks for having us over!"

"Sure!" Serena nodded.

Ami stuck her head in the living room entrance way. She asked Serena if she could step in the kitchen for a minute. Serena glanced over to see Ami and asked, "What is it?"

"It's Seiya. He's calling from the hospital. He had some news!" Ami said in a calm voice.

Serena walked over to Ami in a puzzled mood. What was the news Seiya had to say? She told Ami to hold the phone. Serena had to give Skuld and Abby a quick goodbye before going to the kitchen.

At the same time, Seiya stood at a pay phone near the E/R. he was almost in tears as he held the phone to his ear. Seiya felt an incredible high. Taiki and Yaten were still at the hallway outside of Rio's room. The nurse was checking over Rio's vitals. Serena's voice came over the phone and asked in a puzzled tone, "What's up, Seiya?"

Seiya wanted to laugh out of his own excitement as he said, "Rio had just woken up!"

"Wha?" Serena gasped. Then, there were a few minutes of dead air over the phone. Then, she nearly screamed, "Are you joking?"

Pushing the phone away form his ear, Seiya shook his head for a minute. Then, he gingerly replaced the receiver back on his ear. He said, "No. Rio's awake!"

"How is she?" Serena asked before telling the news to Ami.

"I gotta go, listen tell the others," Seiya said.

"When do we get to see her?"

"I'm not sure, bye!"

Serena became very excited. She was surprised to hear the news of Rio leaving her coma. She squealed in happy delighted, "Bye!"

The next day, the Sailor Sensei showed up at Rio's hospital room in small groups. She was still blind and there were fresh bandages on her eyes. She was trying to heal herself from the inside out. Hotura and Reenie sat at Rio's beside while Lita and Michuri at the window. They were explaining what the seen world was like to Rio.

The others had a conference with Terri in a room off the hallway. They were given fell progress on Rio's condition. It was looking promising. Terri said, "I took a small sample of Rio's blood and found her count was growing."

Serena glanced at Terri before looking at her fingers, "Is that good!"

Terri nodded, "In a way. She is getting stronger!"

Ami asked as she wanted to know about Rio's condition, "When will she go home?"

"I a week. There are tests and modification of Rio's medicine. There is also a change she has to stay at home for the first week. She needs complete bed rest for the first day or so. I'll you give a list," Terri said as he placed a hand up to his chin.

"It all came too fast. I hope we can catch up," Hakura smiled as she winked. Then, she nodded.

"You mean the coma and her blindness!" Serena asked.

"In a way!" Hakura said as she began to tap the table with her fingertips.

"Rio believes it was a string of bad luck," Setuna sighed.

"Yet, she bounces back and landed on feet," Rei said with a wave of her left hand.

In Rio's room, Reenie was reading her paper on the idea of what Easter meant to her. She was Japanese and wasn't exposed to Easter like Rio was. She said as she read off the paper, "I like to see the Easter bunny!"

"Reenie?" Hotura said, as she knew Reenie's believes of a fake bunny were maybe the last fragments of her childhood. She smiled as she turned to see her best friend, "If there was an Easter bunny. I hope you're not disappointed!"

"Reenie!" Rio whispered loudly.

"Yea?" Reenie asked as she lowed her paper. She was looking at Rio with puzzled glance, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just hope you can have all your dreams come true!" Rio said. Then, she blindly groped for Rennie's hand. She wanted to know Reenie was going stay for while. Rio felt greatly alone when she was in her coma.

Hotura leaned forward as she reached over. She gently took Rio's hand. Hotura said, "You still have you dreams?"

"Why do you ask that?" Rio questioned her fellow senshi.

"I don't wanted see you to lose your dreams!" Hotura said. She took Rio's hands into hers.

"No, darlin'. I would fulfill them. Even if I have to be taught how to read and write!"

The days following Rio's awaking, the Sailor Senshi was busy with preparing for a special homecoming. Terri warned about infection, which could be transmitted by the number of people who were going to visit her.

Darien and Serena came to Rio's room. She was dressed in a green sweater and blue jeans. Serena knew that Rio's cousin Stephanie had brought a change of clothes for Rio to go home in. Rio sat in a chair as she listened to the TV. She had on a classic movie channel. With the loss of her sight, Rio's sense of hearing was sharp as she picked on the sounds of Serena and Darien entering the room. She asked, "Who's there?"

"It's us, Serena and Darien!" Serena said as she came close to where Rio was sitting at.

Rios sighed as she raised her head, "I'm ready. I want to go home!"

Serena placed a hand on Rio's shoulder. She said gently, "You can rest in quiet. There is no more pain."

Serena saw the times that Rio was treated by the medical staff. The infection took its toll on her best friend.

Darien's voice filled with confidence said, "I'm glad you are have gotten stronger!"

Darien's car pulled up the drive way in the Senshi' s house. Serena got out of the car. She walked up to the house by the path to see if anyone else was there. Serena had asked for the day off from school. She was going to help Rio when the young Celtic was released from the hospital.

Darien drove Serena and Rio home. Rio sat on the backseat. She felt very much weakened by the condition she was in. Terri told her the recovery time was better if she could rest at her house. She rarely complained or ordered people about. Rio was quiet in her withdrawal from the world during her illness.

Rio heard the car stopped and a door open. It was Serena going to get a blanket from the house. Rio was beginning to catnap when Serena came back. She had a blanket draped over one of her shoulder. She slowly opened back car door. Then, she leaned a little forward and said, "Rio. We're home!"

Rio sensed the cold coming from the opened door. She said, "Oh."

"I want you to lean forward!"

Rio did what she was told to do. She felt the warmth of the blanket covering her. She lastly took in along full of air. She said, "It's good be home!"

Serena was finishing up placing the blanket around Rio's shoulders. Darien opened his car door and stopped out. He walked around the car after he closed the door. He was now standing next to Serena. Serena asked, "Are you ready to go to your room!"

Rio nodded. Serena backed away few a feet. Darien leaned forward as he pulled gently Rio by arm and leg. When Rio's body was close to the edge, Darien wrapped his arm around Rio. He picked her up and out of the car. Rio rested in Darien's arms. Serena followed Darien as he walked up the path.

In no time, Rio was taken to a room. It wasn't her bedroom. The others were told to switched room from the computer room. Terri knew Rio needed special care.

Serena showed Darien where the old computer room was. He quickly walked to the rooms Rio slept lightly. Serena entered the bedroom after Darien entered the room. She walked over to Rio's bed. Darien and Taiki, days early took apart Rio's bed and moved it to the old computer room. Then, they undid and reconstructed the new computer room. They took he computer to the TV room across the house.

Serena entered the room, slowly following Darien. He saw the bed as Serena darted over to the bed. He watched as she set up the bed for Rio. Rio said, "I'm going to crash for a while!"

"Do you know that Terri is coming?" Serena asked as she fluffed up the pillow.

"Yea, he needs to give me a shot!"

When Serena was finished, she walked towards the head of the bed. Darien came up to the bed. He bent over to put Rio on the bed. He pulled up a blanket overt Rio's frail body. Both Serena and Darien glanced at each other. In their hearts was still the hope for Rio's recovery.

Bell dandy was washing dishes when she heard Skuld and Keiichi having a disagreement in the living room. Urd was sitting in the window seat near the kitchen. She was looking over her notes. Things seemed as peaceful as a sigh.

In the instant as Belldandy turned towards the china cabinet. She held a gravy boat in her hands. She felt a presence coming up form behind her. She spun around in a flash to see Frick standing just a few feet from her. She gasped as the boat nearly slipped out the gentle goddess's hands.

Frick was noticing the falling piece, moved his hand slightly without an effort. The boat gently fell to floor. "Milady!" Frick said in a deep rich tone of voice. He bowered in front of her. He had quickly changed into a man of 12th century court.

"Who are you?" Belldandy asked.

"Milady. . .I'm called Frick!"

"Sis?" Urd called out. She was wondering whom Belldandy was talking to.

Belldandy said as she turned in the general discretion of the window, "Just a stranger!"

"Yes, young miss. Say I just blew in!" Frick said in a sly nervous tone.

Belldandy glanced at Frick to ask, "What do you want?"

He placed a finger up to his lips and said, "Nothing to say. . .only there is good news!"

"Good news?" Belldandy asked. Her guard was up. Was this strange man from Mara? She was going let this creature slip by.

"There will be a difficult road. At the end of it will be great day of triumph!" Frick said.

"Come on, Skuld. There is a baseball team at the high school!" Keiichi said as he voice trailed from the hall.

"All right. I'll see when them play to believe you!" Skuld said as she entered the kitchen. She saw Belldandy and Frick. She was totally over whelmed by the appearance of Frick.

Frick instantly spun around to face Skuld. He easily startled her. Her hands flew up to her shoulders. He gave her a wide tooth grin as he said, "Hello!"

Skuld gasped, open mouthed, "I don't know who you are, but why did you come here?"

Her eyes were growing wide by the minute.

"I just want to spread the news of life reborn, just believe in it!" Frick said before disappearing in front of Skuld and Belldandy in a puff of smoke.

Both Belldandy and Skuld were stunned. Skuld gaped, "What was that?"

"I'm not sure of anything. . .anymore!" Belldandy uttered loudly. She felt her eyes being opened for the first time to the realms of magic from the fair folk.

"Belldandy!" Keiichi asked. He saw her standing the kitchen with her sister near the doorway. He walked over to the gentle Goddess. He noticed Bell's eyes being a little glazed over. He wasn't sure about the fear that was growing inside her. He asked in a calm tone, "What's wrong?"

"I'm not sure. If it's Mara, she has a lot of explaining for," Skuld spoke up as she darted around the room, looking for any signs of a demon.

Keiichi saw the young Goddess in a panic. He asked, "What you are on?"

"That's I wanna know too!" Skuld gaped as she placed a hand on her chin. She tried to pin point for a trace of a demon.

"What?" Keiichi mumbled loudly.

"I want to know about this guy who was here for a couple of minutes then he poof was gone!"

Belldandy looked at her little sister and said, "Well as now . . .there isn't any!"

Belldandy's statement seemed not to quell Skuld's curiosity.

Ten chi and Ayeka were walking to the library. The first day Ayeka was walking with a cane. She had to rest wounded leg, yet Ryoko felt a personal debt to the princess. She saw the pain Ayeka had went through. Ryoko personally helped Ayeka with walking and was a person footman. One day it came to the breaking point. Ryoko loved to goof off. She had homework to finish for Miss Urd's class. Then, there was her favorite show, Wild Samurai lone Journey five that she had been down loading off a site on Wahsu's PC. These plans were perfected to her liking.

Ayeka had other idea. She wanted Ryoko to her her books from her room. Then, there was the pain medicine in the bathroom. Ayeka was using the painkillers only the pain got out of hand. She could withstand so much in a long period for time. She was managing it as best as she could.

Then, there was the housework. Ayeka and Ryoko did their best to avoid the dreaded house keeping. Ayeka was suppose set up the table. She was feeling like shoving the blessed chore to Ryoko. She decided to skip the questioned thing and read the newspaper. She sat the sofa. When it came time to set up the table for dinner. Ayeka protested at the now shocked Ryoko. She heard the princess telling Washu, that she wasn't going to do it all.

Ryoko had cornered Ayeka in the living room. Ayeka was now lying on the sofa after Ryoko got up and marched over to Washu to see what was going on. She was going to pay for doing her work. Ryoko was usually harsh to Ayeka, had to be gentle. Hurting the still injured Ayeka could make a set back in recovery. Ryoko swallowed more than just her pride as she said calmly, "Ayeka!"

"What?" Ayeka pouted as she felt Ryoko's prodding. The princess of Juri was going to be graceful. What Ayeka thought and how she acted were two subjects all together. "Do you want anything?"

Ryoko was blunt as she said, "Yea, in a way!"

"You?" Ayeka glanced at Ryoko with a questioning stare.

"Did you do the table set up for supper?"

"Why?" Ryoko said. She thought Ayeka's stubborn streak. If there were away to break away it would just be nice. It might help in Ayeka's improvement. "We work as a team!"

"We work as a team?" Ayeka asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yea, news flash here. We have been working like that since we came here!" Then, Ryoko sucked at her teeth. "Even before we came. We worked in a sort of a team!"

Ryoko was getting hot under the collar.

Ayeka asked in a pointed question, "Are you sure?"

"Yea," Ryoko yipped as she threw her hands up. "Sometimes I didn't pull my weight, but at the end I helped!"

It made Ayeka think at first. Then, she felt stupid. Why was Ryoko pulling her plans apart? "Listen, you are wanted and needed in this place. I know it's rough. In the long run, Sasami and the others would like to you walk again," Ryoko, said as she reached over to pat Ayeka on the shoulder.

It was a few minutes before Ayeka noticed or realized. Ryoko for all the bricking, and back stabbing insults brought the bratty princess to her senses with gentlest of words.

Now she walked through the streets of a small town. She used a cane. Tenchi stopped in front of a store window. He was looking for a new direction for his drawings. He drew pictures off and on. He stood with Ayeka at his side. Ayeka asked, "Are you studying this building?"

"Yea," Tenchi nodded. It was a guess on Ayeka's part. "You must have read my mind!"

"It was a stab in the dark," Ayeka smiled.

The two exchanged a laugh and a smile. Tenchi went to back to his viewing. There was a bond between Tenchi and Ayeka. They stood in the quiet of friendship.

Nick had received a box in the mail. He was surprised when he read the address label was from Canada. It was post marked from his hometown. He opened it before he and Nat went to work as they sat in the library. In the box against the packing foam were three green glass vases. Resting on top was medium sized card. Nick read the card as Nat noticed the look on Nick's eyes. She asked, "Where are those from?"

"Would you believe those are from Jenette!" Nick said as she studied them with a puzzled glance.

"Jenette?" Nat asked. She remembered Nick's for real love and hate.

At the end of Jenette's life had fallen in love with a mortal who had a dark past. He was killed for the secret. In turn Jenette was hunted down for the same secret after the man told her the story. Nick had to stop her from saving another life in her attempt of losing hers. Were these vases the last traces of a former life?

Nat said, "Its like her to leave a mysterious gift!"

"Maybe!"

Then, Natalie noticed the card. Then, she questioned her husband, and "What does the card say?"

"Remember the past, the present and the future!" Nick said as he read off the card. The two looked at each other with a strange glance. Nick placed the box on the table as he tried to figure the meaning of what Jenette was telling him.

Nat believed that Jenette never left Nick. She felt the past was long gone for the most part. Yet, the future was easy and delicate to grow like a flower. What was the present for? It was up to the young members of Friends of America to deicide.

Nick gave a wide eye glance at Nat. She puckered a concert of her mouth and sucked at her teeth. "Let me show the box to Lacriox. He might know what Jenette was saying on the card," Nick said, as he knew about his first father's ties with his former lover's past.

Kagato was growing restless. He wanted the sword of Juri and the power behind the sword. He hungered for it. This power was payback of hurting Tsugaru. The young man was back to normal. He spent three days in the hospital where he was given instant care from Terri. He was still weak yet; he didn't need the breathing treatments like some of the others. The E/R staff caught the infection before it had a chance to spread.

Tsugaru was strong from the rest. He didn't want to take any risks. The memories of the attack still burned in his soul.

Yugi felt totally useless. She had spied at a safe distance Sasami. She yearned to see her only and true friend. Being cut off from Sasami drove Yugi crazy. She knew from Hotsuma about the night where Tsugaru was attacked but not at Tenchi's hands. He didn't want to leave Tsugaru behind. It was the most frightening feeling he sensed off of another living creature in a long time.

Matiro walked up to Kagato and glanced over to his brooding eyes. She was itching for some excitement. She had some idea of what could happen to her if she ran up against the monster that roamed the outside words.

Kagato glared at Matora and asked on his deep rough voice, "What is it you want?"

Her eyes narrowed in evil fun. She smiled, as she sighed, "Nothing I'm just bored."

The shadow of her creator was board.

Kagato curled his upper lip a little. He didn't want to hear any stifle from anyone in the group. He said, "Listen. I have seen what happened to Tsugaru. We nearly lost him. Both Yugi and myself don't want any more casualties. The time for the power will come soon!"

"The time is only a thing I don't have to spare!" Matora said.

"What's this?" Yugi appeared out of nowhere. She had an idea where they were see if Sasami could be kidnapped, once again. Yugi said, "I would not be in a hurry. We have to come up with a plan!"

Kagato wondered about this so-called plan Yugi had up her sleeve.

Rio was growing stronger as she stayed at home for a week. Between the home visits of the nurses, Terri and the senshi, Rio was now able to walk, eat and get out of bed. She was still not allowed to go outside just yet. She was given a series of shots and pills by Terri to keep the illness at bay. Serena and the others were looking over Rio's temporary blindness. She was helped when she needed it.

Seiya and his brothers stopped over to see how Rio was doing. He saw Rio strung on the sofa. She had her last treatment of the day. She was listening to an old radio show with Reenie, Hotura and Lita. The three other girls were sitting on the floor. They were laughing as they listened.

An older woman came on the radio and cried out, "Policeman!"

Then, old man did the same to annoy the older woman, "Policemen!"

Finally a baby began to cry as an addition to the old man and older woman calls for an officer of the law.

Hotura asked as she curled up her legs, "What happened to the man who held the baby in the beginning of the show?"

"He got the tickets for the bus!" Lita said.

There was a knock on the front door. Lita stood up from the floor. She quietly padded over to the door. She peeked in the peephole to see who was outside. She fumbled for the door lock. After she unlocked the door, Lita said, "Hi!"

The Three lights said in unison, "Hi!"

"Who is it?" Serena's voice asked form the hallway. Serena heard Lita answering the door.

Lita said loudly, "It's the Three lights!"

Rio was into the side effects of sleep from the medication that Terri had given to her before seven in the evening. She sat on the sofa. Seiya walked up to Rio. He asked her, "Hey, how are you?"

"I'm getting better?" Rio smiled.

Seiya knelt down to let Rio feel his face. He took her hands in his to guide them up his cheeks. He said, "I'm happy!"

Her fingers were raised to touch his cheek. Rio forced her smile on her lips to stay. She said, "Seiya?"

"Let me tell you what happened at school," he knew if he and the others kept things light and cheerful, Rio could get better faster.

"Did you pass the test in math class? I knew Taiki has been tutoring you like mad!"

"All I can say is that I was sweating bullets although the tests!" Seiya chuckled.

Ami entered the room. She noticed the Seiya talking to Rio as he sat in front of her. Ami was going to tell Rio it was time for bed. When Ami came up to the sofa, she said, "Rio it's time!"

"Oh," Rio sighed. "I was wondering about my bed time. The medicine makes my sleepy!"

"Can you stand up?" Taiki asked. He and Yaten were now walking up to the sofa. They didn't want to push Rio. She was trying to take things easy. The girls helped with daily life.

Rio slowly stood up from the sofa. The virus was still there. Her body was fight with every ounce of her being. She was wobbly on her feet as she began to tremble. It felt like the rug was pulled from under her. When she took a step, Rio fell forward. In a rapid response, Seiya stood up with his hands held out.

Rio felt hands wrapping themselves around her shoulders. He wasn't going to let her go. He moved his one hand down to her waist as he said, "Gotta ya!"

"I'd!" Rio gasped. She felt Seiya picking her up.

"It's all right. I'm here!" he said softly.

Ami and the other two Lights noticed what had happened to Rio. She hoped Rio was getting stronger. Was this a set back? "Rio was getting better?" Ami asked her self. "What is causing it?"

Rio sensed a shift in Ami's attitude. She said, "Listen to me, Ami. . .I'm tougher than I look. Just give a little time!"

Seiya held Rio in his arms. He was told Rio that he was taking her to her bedroom. Rio murmured her nightly prayers. Seiya remembered how Rio kept a firm hold on her faith. Remaining quiet, Seiya walked down the hall. Taiki, Ami and Yaten followed Seiya. Seiya tired not to let his anger show. He was gentle to Rio. Rio murmured, "Amen!"

Taiki and Ami were talk about Rio's progress. Ami said, "Everyone is hoping for a miracle. I see little traces of Rio's past in the present. . .I'm not sure."

Rio raised her right hand to her eyes. She pressed it hard against her eyes. She felt tired, wore out. She sighed, "I'm just one person!"

She felt like she was standing in front of a large hill.

Taiki asked, "Despite you are a princess and Senshi, Ami."

"Then, why did I detected the idea of Rio's fate slipping!"

"My not hers . . .can't describe what I am feeling, now," Ami said. She turned to Taiki with a tear in her eye. She held out her arms, asking for a hug form Taiki. Without saying another word, Taiki took Ami in an embrace.

Alex and Devon were trying figure out who would be the next target for the mysterious attackers. The séances following the attack seemed like to belong from another world. Devon had to take a break. The real spirit of Devon was going to break apart of he didn't slow down. He sat on a large winged-back leather chair in Alex's library. He had a small notebook on his left hand. He had heard whispered form outside sources about he person who behind everything. The person was human. It puzzled Devon as he stared at the notebook. He heard footsteps Alex was coming form the kitchen. He carried a pair of wine glasses filled with blood. He came up to Devon's chair. Devon looked up form his reading. He moved his eyes to the glasses. The coppery odor sharpened his senses. Alex lowered on of hands in an offering to Devon. He asked, "Thirsty?"

"A little," Devon sighed. He closed the notebook and placed it on a table, which sat between the two chairs. Alex gave one of the glasses with a sad smile. Devon saw the heart at of Alex's soul. He asked, "You thinking of Rio aren't you?"

"Yea," Alex said as he back to the second chair. He sat down in the chair, carefully not spilling a drop of cow blood from his glass. He looked at the antiquated painting of a young horse rider. It hung over the fireplace. He raised the glass up to his lips. He said before taking a sip, "I have only one for her. She might be a mortal. Then, I see it. She holds a key to real entirety. Her soul sings. It seems to sings daily and never will quit."

"That's everyone!" Devon said, holding up his glass in mid air as if to toast the young girl. Then, he saw a flash of white light. Al stepped out of the light. He had concerned gaze in his eyes.

"Sam!" Al said. This was a sign to Devon the future was changing.

"I need the phone," Devon said. He pointed to the phone, sitting on the desk near the far wall. Devon stood up and walked to the desk.

"Sure!" Alex said. He excused himself as he stood up. He quickly walked out of the room. He glanced his watch. It was going four in the morning. It would be dawn soon. Devon made a phone call to his own house. He said as the answering machine came on, "Hey. . .what's going on?"

Al was now showing up in full as he stood next to the desk. He held his com-link as it began to squeal. He tapped a few keys. He appeared to be in an anxious mood. "Yes?" Devon said as he glanced at Al.

Al said when he looked at Devon, "I have been talking it over with Ziggy. I have some bad news!"

"What?" Devon questioned Al. Sam's gut feelings were starting break through into the soul of his host. When Sam's feelings were a sign to the person that Sam was a strong willed man.

Al glanced at Devon, then at the com-link. He said, "It's about Rio!"

"Yea. Is there a problem?" Devon voice sounded soft, almost like the same tone as Lacriox voice.

"Rio is struggling on daily basis. The medicine is powerful, yet virus that Rio is carrying must have a stuborn streak. The only thing the virus doesn't have is a strong will to live!"

"Don't I know it!" Devon smiled. He believed when he saw Rio's iron clad will when Devon would visit her at the hospital. "She isn't taking the virus laying down!"

Al tracked Rio's progress form the com-link. He had no idea about Rio wanting to live. He never experienced anyone like Rio. Little by little Rio grew strong. She was still the wild child. She wasn't letting blindness stop her.

"That was bad!" Al smirked. He tried to humor Sam's bad sense of wording.

"Skip it. . .Rio?" Sam huffed and rolled his eyes.

"She has a fifty-fifty chance of. . ."

Leaving Sam in the dark was one of Al's many trails. Devon began to drum his fingers on his left hand onto the desk as his right eyebrow shot up in curious.

"She. . .will. . ." Al said slowly as he tapped a few more keys on the com-link. He had to find out what Ziggy had in store.

"She will be able to see? Terri had been working on taking off that string. He is using up his spare time on taking care of Rio!"

"It sounds like he feels needed to help her get her sight back!"

"Yea, they are best friend way back. Some day that the group from London is more like a family than just friends."

The computer squealed telling Al it had another bit of information. Al glanced at the com-link. Al's face's face was drawn up with dread. He had to read the outlook twice before saying to Devon, "Rio may take a turn for the worst!"

"The worst . . .for her sight?" Devon asked as he mind reached with idea of Rio's sight being lost.

"Maybe . . .I'm not sure. Let me get back you on that! It too fuzzy right now!"

"Great!" Devon rolled his eyes as he winced.

"Look . . .Rio is strong. But, Ziggy is still trying to get the information as she gets in. With the patient's rights of private stuff, its more a legal headache than anything else," Al said as he began to starch his head.

Devon sighed as he told Al to find as soon as he could. Then, Al took off as Devon went back to his chair. Thinking of the odds when Rio was supposable getting better were mind numbing.

There was much too do before Easter. There was egg hunting that the little ones needed to do. There was finding the very best in finery for Easter morning. One week wasn't long enough. Serena and Ayeka were talking on the phone about taking a trip to a local mall to get some shopping in. The idea of Rio was brought up. Ayeka asked, "What about Rio?"

"I have talked it over with Miss Urd at the school and Jakten on the phone. They both agreed if Rio got tired. Then we can rent a wheel chair," Serena said.

"Is Dusty pushing Rio around? He's still pretty weak, " Ayeka pointed out the fact of Dusty's condition. Despite his speedy recovery, he was still under the whether from his loss of blood. "He can't be wheeling her through out the mall!"

"No. . .I think we got a few persons who are willing to fill in that department!" Serena giggled. She looked down to at her legs. Chibi-chibi was moving a toy car up one of Serena's legs. Serena quickly placed a hand up to her knee to stop Chibi-chibi from putting tire tracks on her legs. She went back to talking to Ayeka on the phone. "I know Rio is getting stronger each day. So, we have to keep on her progress."

"O.K. I'm going to call up Miss Urd about you and the others from you coming to the mall!" Ayeka said.

"Great!" Serena nearly giggled. She began to at her lower lip.

Chibi-chibi stopped her playing. She was pretending to be driving up a hill. Now with Serena's hand as a roadblock, she had nowhere to go. She began to say, "Beep. . .beep!"

Ayeka heard Chibi-chibi's noises coming from the receiver. She asked, "What's that?"

Serena shifted a giggle as she said; "Chibi-chibi is using me as a road. That's all!"

"Uh?" Ayeka gasped.

"Listen I'll explain to you later!" Serena said. Then she raised her hand to make a grab for the toy car. Chibi-chibi caught on instantly. She moved the toy car onto Serena's hand.

Hotura entered the room. She noticed the little act of the tiniest sailor Senshi. She padded over to the two, "There you are!" Hotura said.

"Chili-beep!" Chibi-chibi squealed.

Hotura squatted next to Chibi-chibi. She knew that Chibi-chibi needed to get washed up for dinner. Chibi-chibi felt another present. She looked up at Hotura. Hotura reached out to take Chibi-chibi by the shoulder. Chibi-chibi picked up the toy car. She said, "Looked!"

Hotura said as she looked down, "That's a car!"

"Beep-beep!" Chibi-chibi said.

"That's what the horn sounds like!" Hotura nodded. Then, she held out the other hand to take the car. "It's time for supper!"

Serena told Ayeka that she would talk to her later. Hotura stood up as Chibi-chibi did the same. The littlest Senshi bolted out of the room as she squealed, "Yummy!"

"Yea!" Serena added with a big grin as she hung up the phone.

Ayeka and Sasami were in the living room of their house. Sasami was playing her hand held video game. Thorough the noise of the video game Ayeka could still head the phone buzzing. She was sitting on the sofa. Ayeka stood up, walk over to the phone table. She picked up the receiver. She said, "Maksi's house!"

A cheerful voice said on the other end, "Hi, it's me, Belldandy. You want to get the mall?"

"The mall," Ayeka said.

"It's a little perk, my sister, Urd and I were hoping to hear from you. Did you call Serena?" Belldandy said.

"Yea, we had a talk about everything, we had agreed Rio is going to use a wheel chair. She is getting stronger. I just want to make her comfortable."

"That's a good idea. We have a plan for kids as well.

"A plan?" Ayeka asked.

The door opened from the kitchen and Washu, Tenchi and Abby walked into the living room. Ayeka turned to see the three talking off their shoes and jackets. Tenchi was trying wonder why Yugi or Kagato didn't come back after the attack on Tsuguaru. It had been at three weeks. Things were a little too quiet. "I never been to a church," Tenchi said as he hung up his jacket. "My grandfather is a shrine keeper."

Abby had her coat lying across her left arm. She waited for her turn. She asked as she placed her jacket on a hook "Will you be a shrine keeper?"

"I have a few years of training. Then, an apprenticeship. I think my grandfather will help!" Tenchi said as he carefully took time on his explanation.

"Hi, Ayeka!" Abby said as she noticed the Jurian princess standing next to the phone table. Abby followed Tenchi as she hung up her coat. She walked over to the TV. Sasami had turned off the game. Her knees were pulled up to her chin. Abby sat down next to Sasami. "What's up?" Sasami asked.

"Nothing . . .a few quizzes!" Abby shrugged.

"Yea, I have the same sort thing. I got a new dress for Easter. When is church?" Sasami said as she perked up.

"At eight-thirty!"

Tenchi and Washu walked over to where Ayeka stood. They waited for her to get off the phone. When Ayeka finished her phone conversation, She hung up the phone and found Tenchi and Washu standing in front of her. "What are you talking about?" Tenchi asked.

"That was Belldandy. She and her sisters have everything ready for the trip to the mall!"

"That's one thing we all need. . .a break from everyone!" Washu said.

Then, there was a patter if footsteps continued in the living room form the kitchen. Abby and Sasami turned their heard towards the archway leading to the kitchen. Ryo-oh-ki hopped into the room. The little cabbot saw Sasami and Abby as it made its way to them. Ryo-oh-ki said, "Meow!"

"Hi. . .Ryo-oh-ki!" Abby said, holding out her left hand. She was letting Ryo-oh-ki smell her fingers.

"There is one thing I have to ask you!" Sasami smiled with a giggle.

"What?" Abby smiled back.

"Can we eat all the chocolate we can get?" Sasami giggled a little louder as she shot a sly glance at Abby.

At first Abby was surprised and knew that Sasami never had any experience of Easter. Sasami and her sister were raised on the planet of Juri. Abby realized Sasami was asking a simple question. Smiling Abby, said, "Yea. I don't how much you'll get. . .but, you can eat as much as you want!"

"Meow!" Ryo-oh-ki said as she leaned her face. Her nosed twitched a little. Abby took one of her fingers to stroke Ryo-oh-ki's nose.

Abby asked as she ran her finger up one of Ryo-oh-ki's ears, "Are you going to get dressed up?"

"Yea!" Sasami nodded.

Ayeka and Washu were going to Washu's lab. They were to check out the reason why Yugi or Kagato haven't shown up. They went to the dinning room table. They had some idea when Tsugarau was attacked. They would pull back their forces when they were pushed, but by who. "I know Yugi would go back to her hiding place to lick her wounds," Washu said.

Tenchi and Ayeka grabbed a couple of chairs. Ayeka said as she faced Washu, "No Kagato. He can't stay still for a minute. She felt the dark scientist wasn't going to slow done for anything to his hands on the sword of Juri.

"His only wish is to destroy your family with the use if Tenchi's sword!" Washu warned with a way glance.

Ayeka shuttered at the mere thought of her family being wiped out by a mad man. "Yet, Yugi is a little more caution one!" Washu nodded. She remembered how Yugi drew Sasami away from the attack in the Maski home and shrine. Sasami was the only one who befriended the troubled girl from the same home planet as herself. Yugi had to keep this special girl from the dangers of her distorted force.

"How she figures in with Kagato?" Tenchi asked.

"I am not sure. Yet, if Tsugarau was hurt? Kagato might take a note from her and wait!" Washu uttered.

Nick and Nat were trying to keep their fingers crossed in their hearts. Terri was on a break through. He was ion his way home as he stopped in at Nat's office. Terri saw Nick and Nat sitting at Nat's desk. The door was opened as he knocked on the door. Nat was talking to Nick. Nick said, "There is no more out breaks of people who were attacked!"

He had a séance the calm before the storm.

"At last . . . there is peace!" Nat sighed. She had enough of darkness trying to smother out the light of the purity innocent.

"I can join in this talk?" Terri asked as he stood in the doorway.

Nat and Nick looked in the direction of the doorway. Nat asked, "Terri, why are you here?"

Nick had a question as he said, " How is Rio?"

"There is a ray of hope for Rio!" Terri smiled.

The two looked at Terri. He remained calm at the news. He knew there was a huge hurdle in Rio's full recovery. The sticky string, which covered Rio's eyes, was nearly and completely off. Her health was coming back as well. The main concern was Rio's sight. Was her sight could be fixable. He entered the room as he said, "There is a sixty-forty change of Rio getting her sight back."

"Are you pulling my leg?" Nat uttered with a little wide-eyed glance at Terri.

"No, everyone knew that the chances were slim," Terri shook his head.

"Rio had the slimmest of changes and ran with it!" Nick said.

"It's like her. That's her style. Rio is a wild child. I have no idea of the come out is. An other series of shots then, I can remove those last bits!"

"Are you going to keep this a secret?" Nick asked. He and Nat exchanged hopeful glances. Rio had been through a nightmare and a half. Everyone had helped Rio through a long dark path. Nick threw in a curve ball, "Does Rio have any back up plans?"

"I talked it over with both of Rio's uncles and she might leave here. There is a school in Frankfort that is known the world over for teaching the blind. They would have to start from the beginning!"

There was a nerve struck. Rio was use to her new home and extended family. She had a change to do well. For other that was taken away when Rio was attacked. Nick sighed as he raised his fingers to rub a spot on his forehead, "Rio is going to have a time. She is just getting over the first shock her illness and now this!"

Dropping his fingers, Nick shook his head.

"I will help Rio cross that bring when the time comes, I'll pray she choose the right path!" Terri said.

The Goddesses were talking to Kiyone, Stephanie and Hotura. The two groups, London and Tokyo were standing front of the high school, waiting for the mini-bus to pick them up. The day was warming up into a spring morning. It was a welcomed relief from the dark damp. "The service at Easter will be memorable, at the church. They are going to a have a bell group!" Stephanie said.

"What kind of music do they play?" Sasami asked as she turned to face Stephanie. She was listening to the Easter story.

"They usually play hymns. Rio and me had heard them played dozens of times at different times of the year!"

"Candy. . .candy!" Chibi-chibi started to chant in a girlish squeal. She was getting board with standing, waiting for the bus. She stood next to Ami and Lita. Like all three years olds, Chibi-chibi had a short attention span. She began to dance around Ami and Setsuna. Ami heard the clamor. She squatted down to see what Chibi-chibi wanted. "Are you getting antsy?" Ami asked with a chuckle.

"Candy. . .candy!" Chibi-chibi uttered as she held out her hands in the shape of a cup.

"She can't wait for the Easter bunny!" Allen laughed gently. He stood near Ami. He reached over to pat Chibi-chibi on the head.

"That's what the others were talking about?" Ami said.

Chibi-chibi raised both hands up to Allen's on her head. She smiled as she pulled at Allen's hand. "Easter bunny!" she squealed.

Steve and Take were talking to Keiichi about the new motorbikes. There was a new line that was coming out in the near future. Steve loved his bike. To find another person with the same love was a stroke of luck. Taiki loved the designs of some bikes. He had skills, good enough to design a bike. Steve said, "Listen. The motor on this new bike is the greatest. All hand contracted."

"That must be a great piece of machinery. I know there are a small handful of cards in which they are done in the same way!" Taiki said.

"Rare things like the hand constructed motor are going to the last than normal done by a factory," Keiichi nodded. Then, he raised his hands up to his left ear. He was scratching his ear lobe. "I wonder of it takes a year to make a motor?"

"No. . .Six months!" Steve shrugged.

There was a beeping noises coming from the street. Rio was the first one to hear it. Since Rio was blind, yet she made up the loss with her other senses. They doubled in their sensitive. She stood between Dusty and Rei. It was the bus coming up the street. Rio took the cane she was using and tapped the end of it on the ground. It was her signal to Dusty the bus was coming. Dusty asked, when he heard Rio saying to Rei, "Are you excited!"

"Yes, Uncle Zigfield had sent me a dress. I asked Lita what it looked like!" Rio smiled. She felt Dusty's arm wrapping itself around her shoulders.

"Yea . . .it looks great. It's a dark rose with an ivory collar," Rei added in a cheerful tone.

"I could see it!" Rio smiled, as she was able to piece the things in which she heard, felt and smelt in what her mind's eye took in. She had a strong imagining. She was a mystic keeper of dreams.

"Here it comes!" Reenie yipped in an excited time as she leapt into the air. At the same time, she punched the air with her right fist.

"Reenie!" Hotura giggled. She placed her left hand up to her lips in a half hidden pose.

Belldandy said to Ryoko and Charlie, "I'm going to see what type of earrings I can get for my dress!"

A large van rolled to a stop in front of the group. The group still chatted as they climbed in the van.

The group went shopping in the noisy happiness of the mall. It seemed like years ago since the attack such innocent lives.

Dusty took Rio to the different stores that she loved. He pushed her around in a wheel chair. She scolded him when she is could stay in one for a long time. Seiya over the two loves nipping at each other heels. He knew Rio was one for not having a fuss made over her. Seiya had to step in before Rio talked herself out of any kind of aid. He walked over to the visitor's kayos. Rio was leading against Dusty. He guided her to the kayos. She had no idea Seiya was going to help the pair off them.

"You can still have fun. I just want to you be not running into the wall," Dusty teased a little.

"Why I don't help?" Seiya asked. He was standing next to the couple.

Rio asked as she began to tap her came in a hunt for Seiya's feet. "Seiya, are you willing to push this grump around?" Dusty asked Seiya.

"Why sure!" Seiya said as reached over to give a squeeze to Rio's shoulder.

"Seiya?" Rio asked. She could tell it was him form his scent. He used plain white soap and a spicy facial wash. He had no idea that Rio could really on her senses so quickly.

"Yea. She has a sharp set of reflexes!" Seiya chuckled a little.

"I'll be fine!" Rio uttered her statement twice.

"You are too stubborn. Besides Terri wants you to rest as much as possible," Seiya pointed out in a gentle poke at Rio's attitude.

"O.K.. . .king's x!" Rio snorted as she folded her arms over her chest.

"King's x?" Dusty asked. He was confused. He was going to see if Seiya was going to help or not with Rio.

"Yea. . .Seiya doesn't play fair!" Rio shook her head. She heard the two laughing at the last minute. She had to tell them she would to use the wheel chair.

"That's good! You just tell me where go to in the mall!" Seiya said.

Sasami and Skuld were in a jewelry store. They glanced at the earrings display. They had a little bit of money saved. They were to have some fun. Skuld picked up a pair of tiny gold squares, which dangled in a dazzling shower of light. It was a thing Urd could bought for herself. Skuld was her own Goddess. She had her own set of rules to live by. Yet, she wasn't scared to experiment. Sasami noticed Skuld glanced over the earrings. Sasami knew Skuld was a normal enough looking girl. "Hey Skuld, are you getting those?" Sasami asked in her curiously.

"Maybe . . .is it me?" Skuld asked. She gave the card a shake. The earrings jerked and caught the light. She glanced at the were necklaces on the wall as she said, "They kind of nice. What kind of necklace can I get?"

"How much do you have to spend?"

"Fifteen dollars and those earrings are seven –fifty," Skuld said as he flipped the card over pt see how much the earrings were.

"That's about half of you money!"

"Sasami. . .Skuld. . .we have been looking for you!" a voice huffed over the girls' head.

Skuld shifted her glance to see Urd and Belldandy standing behind them. Skuld grumbled a little, "Oh, it's you. . .Urd. Hey sis!"

"What are you looking for?" Belldandy asked in her gentle tone of voice.

"These . . ." Sasami said. Then, she pointed to the card.

The two older Goddesses peered over their little sister's head to glance at the card. Urd instantly feel in love with the pair. Belldandy thought they were nice, but her style. Urd squealed as she leaned forward to snatch up the pair, from the display rack, "Hey, what a sweet pair of earrings!"

She had a little bit of a goofy expression on her face as Skuld bent down a tiny bit to get out her sister's way. Watching Skuld crutch her shoulders down to avoid her oldest sister's grabbing fingers, Belldandy smiled," They are so normal…I am wishing everything went back to normal."

The gentle goddess's voice asking for a simple request felt dream, which was heard in the dream edge light and mists of the fair folk. Merlin, Knab and Jereth stood in the woods, which connected Arcadia to Earth. There were fractions, which drove the three parts on many during periods of their existence. They were now at a crossroads. They heard the gentle voice. "This is a dark time for all," Merlin said. He slowly blind as his mind could witness a weak sight of vision.

"The child is strong!" Jereth said.

"Her. . .the one who is blind. She is in grave danger or not?" Knab asked. She watched the sky through the tree bows. She wondered about Rio, Tenchi or even Skuld. From they came come and ended up in such a small town like Salem.

"She is full of surprises with her friends that one has. They pulled her out of illness. The others had each other to guide through the dark times. It seemed like the more compassion is the more there is a chance of hope!" a voice said. A flash of blue light, which had been floating around the three like sparkles of lights, it could have been a fairie who had spoken to them in a sweet and airy voice.

"Frick?" Knab asked as she glanced around.

"No. . .Willow Green!" the voice said.

Knab wasn't buying into the fakery. She wanted to know if was Frick or not. Then, Merlin questioned the voice, "Please, show yourself!"

The flashes of light began to turn into a swirl of mist. It took shape as a thin human child. It bowed into the royal group. It said, "I'm sorry . . .your highnesses. I have been this vision of the girl who has power heal the dreams of others. She is blind. Then, a strange dark fog takes her way. Never to return to the ones who loved her!"

The high ranking in their power glanced each other slowly. "Even it seems the smallest of the fair folk had their dark presents shadowing the poor child's future!" Merlin said in a quiet voice.

Easter was usually a joyful holiday. The egg hunts were hold in the early morning light. Tenchi's house, Sasami and Ryo-oh-ki were trying to find the many hidden treats scattered in the living room. Ryoko and Ayeka were reading the newspaper in the kitchen. Washu was busy with fixing the light eggs outside on the porch. Kiyone and Mihoshi were getting ready for church. Ayeka felt something softly breathing against her feet. She looked down at her feet. It was Ryo-oh-ki sniffing around the sofa. "Hey. Ryo-oh-ki!" she said.

"Meow!" Ryo-oh-ki said without looking at up Ayeka.

Sasami squealed as she raised her hands up in the air, "Found one!"

Ayeka asked, "You're looking for one!"

"Meow!" Ryo-oh-ki said.

Washu entered the living room from the front doors as they slowly opened. She had a few leaves strewn in her hair. There was a sour, yet relieved glare on her face. "They're up!" she huffed.

"Are you aright?" Ryoko asked, as she looked up form her newspaper.

"To a point! I had to wrestle with the bushes on one side of the porch," Washu said a she reached coup to the spot where the leaves were resting in her hair. The leaves were resenting, were snatched out of her hair, she huffed.

"There is a point to this?" Kiyone asked. She and Mihoshi entered the room. They were wearing their newly bought Easter dresses. She noticed Washu's face.

"I fixed the egg lights and the reason why they didn't light up was the wiring was messed into a large knot."

Tenchi asked a little puzzled as he turned to face Washu, "How does that effect the lights?"

"I'm still figuring it out!"

"Oh, wow! I found the chocolate rabbit!" Sasami squealed loudly which seemed to interpreted the dissection. The others turned to see Sasami crawling out form the skirt of the phone table. She was a dragging a small whicker basket. "I have the biggest egg!" she looked up at Ayeka.

"Tenchi.. I would found another!" Sasami said to Tenchi.

"You were looking for something else!" Tenchi asked as he looked down at Sasami who was now sitting on the floor.

"Meow!" Ryo-oh-ki squeaked.

Washu sighed as she raised hand to her soaked bangs. She pulled them away form her forehead. "I have one thing to ask of you guys!"

The leaves were gently pulled away from her hair. "Please. . .if you have any eggs. Please eat them before I see them," she huffed.

She was greeted with an answered glance from everyone in the room, which surprised her. The others said, "Fine!"

The Senshi house, Serena was helping Rio with her hair washing. The strings, which were covering Rio's eyes, were nearly gone. There was the bustle of a Sunday morning. Reenie and Hotura helping Serena. There were in the kitchen. Serena and the others were on the go with the treatments and appointments. Yet, they were impressed by Rio's will to live. She was getting stronger with each day.

The radio was playing in the kitchen while the others were waiting in the dinning room. Lita had fixed an extra special breakfast. Setsuna, Mina and Ami were in the dinning room, as they read the paper. Rei had Chibi-chibi outside in the back yard searching for Easter eggs. Michuri and Huruka were getting dressed for Easter service.

"Now, with your hair washed, Ami had to fix your bandages!" Serena said, her hand moved thorough the soapy mane of Rio's hair.

"After next week, no more bandages, shots or blood tests," Rio sighed. She anxiously waited for a month. Terri had broken the strains to the point of going no further. The new situation was coming to a crossroads; it was calling for the delicate skills of an eye surgeon. Terri had made agreements for the following week for a special operation to remove the last bits. There were going to be tests on Rio's eyes to see of she were blind or not.

"What are you going to do if you are blind?" Hotura asked Rio. She with the rest of her friends wanted to know if Rio was going to be able to see once again.

"If the stars are going to shine. Then, let it be!" was Rio's answer. She was hoping to hear her results yet; she was able to face the otherwise daunting task of losing her slight.

The phone rang. Reenie told Serena, she was going to answer it. Reenie was sitting at the bench near the dinning room. She walked into the kitchen phone. She pulled herself up on the bar stool near the nook. The phone was in its third ring when Reenie picked it up. She asked, "Hello?"

"Hello! Is Rio there?" a voice asked. It sounded British as the phone line crackled with static.

"Yea. . .she's getting her hair washed!" Reenie said. "She. . ."

"Who is it?" Ami asked as she entered the kitchen.

Reenie turned to see Ami walking over to the breakfast nook. She was still dressed in her robe. Reenie told the person on the phone to hold. She placed a hand of the reliever as she said, "It's someone for Rio! It sounds like it's long distance!"

"Who is it?" Rio asked. She felt the warm water pouting over her head.

"Let me find out!" Reenie said. She removed her hand form the receiver hand asked, "Who are you?"

The voice came back with a Coney air, "Tell her. I'm her Uncle Nigel!"

"Nigel? Where are you calling from?" Reenie gasped. She wondered if it was Dusty pulling her leg. "Nigel?"

"It's Nigel. Please, Reenie. . .please, place the phone up to my ear. If it's really Uncle Nigel, Then, I can tell!" Rio pleaded with homesickness in her voice.

"O.K." Reenie said.

"Reenie get the cordless from the living room!" Serena ordered gently. She knew the kitchen phone did have a long cord. It wasn't long enough to reach to the sink. Reenie told Nigel to stay there while she got the other phone.

"When was the last time you and Nigel talked?" Serena asked.

"I think it was at Christmas time!" Rio smiled.

"Who is your Uncle Nigel?" Hotura asked. She and the others outside of the London group's family relationships knew about it.

"He's not really my uncle," Rio said. She had to smile, no matter where Rio was. Her Uncle Nigel would write or call her. "He's my Uncle Zigfield's best friend. Despite the miles that keeps them apart!"

"What?" Hotura and Serena asked together.

"Uncle Nigel is a photographic and goes all over the world!"

"So, he calls you!" Serena asked. Then, she heard Reenie running towards the kitchen.

Reenie said as she held the phone in her hands, "Here's the phone."

"Thanks!" Rio said as Serena quickly raised Rio's hair. She felt a towel going around her head. She was helped into a sitting pose. She felt the phone being gently pushed against her left ear. She uttered a happy voice, "Hi, uncle Nigel!"

"Oy, little fire cracker!" the familiar voice said. "How are you doing?"

Rio wanted to tell her uncle Nigel that he shouldn't worry about her. She was getting stronger. "I will get my sight back. The hospital staff has been working at a ton of things!"

"Rio. . you just hang in there! I'll be sending you a little treat!" Nigel snorted. He let a sigh before saying. "Listen. I'm between flights. I'll be seeing you!"

It seemed like Rio had taken two steps back into her past. Rio knew that since she was eleven, Nigel was the best photographer in the London Times ever had. Nigel always looked after Rio either her Uncle Anthony or Figured needed a baby sitter. Two were on the call when it came time and one of them was Nigel. "Uncle. . .Nigel!" Rio whined.

"What lady?" Nigel asked.

"Did you get me anything?"

There was a snort from Nigel. Then he said, "Yep. You she two things!"

"What?"

"I can't twill you!"

"Oh," Rio groaned as she placed the receiver on the tip of her nose. She knew her Uncle Nigel had a test in patience for her. She heard him telling her that it will come to her soon.

Rio smiled, wearily as she told her Uncle goodbye.

Then, she gave the phone to Reenie. There was a minute of believe quickly which Rio drank in slowly.

Skuld was taking the last of the last blooming tulips form the garden. She was going to make a centerpiece for the Easter table. She had her breakfast with her sisters and Keiichi in the early morning. They sat in the dinning room. After breakfast, Skuld went to her room to change into her new Easter dress. She felt happy, yet when she worked on the centerpiece in the divining room, a sense of pride, then fear. This was a shadowy forbearing.

"Hey, pipsqueak!" a voice said in a tone, dripping with sunshine goodness.

"Uh?" Skuld gasped. She nearly dropped a couple of green leaves. She tuned slowly to the side and saw her oldest sister Urd, dressed in a bright red pantsuit. She wasn't sure of what was on Urd's mind.

"Happy Easter!" Urd smiled.

"Are you O.K.?" Skuld uttered loudly, shaking her head. Then, she eyed her sister in a suspicion glare.

"I'm happy, happy to see the grass and the flowers!" Urd snipped a little gleefully.

Skuld was thinking of a definite trip to the 'happy farm' for Urd was in order. She asked, "What's with the lovey dovy act all of sudden?"

"Nothing . . .Easter misty be invented by candy makers!" Urd sang out. She folded her hands in front of her chest. The glow in her eyes made Urd appeared to be a Christmas angel on a tree.

"Whatever you are babbling about, you look silly!" Skuld grumbled. She turned back to finish the centerpiece. "Candy. . .is that all you can think of for right!"

"Easter means more than treats!" a sweet voice said.

"Yea. . .the story!" Skuld sighed as reflected about the Holy one who gave his life for others.

Belldandy entered the room. She wore a plain blue dress. She carried a basket filled with not only with candies. Yet with there was something different in the basket. The gentle goddess was different as she accepted a miracles everyday. She accepted a disappearing miracle if did happen.

"Belldandy . ." Keiichi's voice was coming from the hallway. He sounded excited about the party at the senshi house.

"Coming!" Belldandy said as her head to see Keiichi wearing a suit. She was surprised to witness Keiichi was back to normal.

"Here is a gift for you!" he said as he entered the room. Pulling out a small silken bag from his jacket pocket.

"Is that for me?" Belldandy asked. She watched her boyfriend walk over to her. Holding out her hand, Belldandy looked at Keiichi with a relieved gaze.

"I hope you like!"

"I think you will."

Belldandy took the bag from Keiichi. She fingered the bag before untying it. After the bag was loosened, she poked a couple of fingers into the bag. She gently pulled out a thin white gold bracelet. Belldandy was surprised to see the simple gift. She smiled, "Is this for me?"

"I wanted to thank you!" Keiichi grinned at Belldandy. He raised a hand to scratch at his right check. "You were so good to me!"

Belldandy carefully slipped the bracelet over her left hand. She held up her wrist to look at it. The simple links of gold caught the light. She uttered loudly, "It's beautiful, but you shouldn't have!"

"I have to repay you. It's not the biggest or the…" Keiichi said.

"Hey…" Skuld gripped. She stuck her head in to see of Belldandy and Keiichi were going to church. Shocked, Skuld stomped into the room before stopping in front of the two. Her lips were drawn back tightly as she he back her words in a group of loud murmurs.

Keiichi pulled his head back. He was surprised at Skuld's swift out burst. "Whoa…whoa," he yipped; his hands were now to his chest. He began to wave them about in front of Skuld. "Bell was thanking me…"

"Yes…K gave this to me!" Belldandy raised her hand a little high to show off the new gift.

"And...if you would cool your jets. You will get yours!" Keiichi said in defiant tone. Flashing a nervous smile. Keiichi tried to smooth over a small riff standing up from Skuld.

"What?" Skuld yipped loudly. Her mouth moved to one side. Then, she narrowed her eyes. She wasn't going let Keiichi off that easily.

"Listen. I jsut wanted to be happy!"

"Belldandy is my sister! Are you going to marry her?" Skuld yipped as she pointed a finger at Keiichi.

"No…what makes you say that?" Keiichi questioned Skuld with a bug-eyed glance.

Belldandy smiled. Sage had an idea of what was in store. She said, in her gentle voice, "I have no choice when it comes to the special way that Keiichi risked his own life. I will share it with K…I'll tell you when I do walk down the isle!"

"When is that?" Skuld begged her sister in a fake sob.

"Not any time soon!" Belldandy said as she titled her head to one side.

Belldandy's words seemed to ease Skuld's fears just a little. Urd had to see what was the hold with her two sisters. When she came to the opened doorway, she snorted with a loud laugh. Think ion this is little séance, Urd quickly piece together the situation. She quipped, "The day Belldandy gets married is the day you will grow up!"

"Don't laugh!" Skuld yipped as whipped around to glare at her older sister.

At the church, the Senshi, Tenchi and the girls showed at the beginning of the first hymn. They walked up a few steps. A few members greeted them as they walked in. They spilt up in smaller groups. Rio, Ami and Lita went to the section of wooden chairs. They sat near the right side of the room. Lita helped Rio to her chair. "Hi!" Rio said as she heard the other greeting her.

"Rio. . ." a voice said in a deep America tone.

"Mister Sherwood!" Rio said as she tired to recognize who was speaking to her.

"Yep! Happy Easter! We have a surprise for you!" Mr. Sherwood said as he took a seat behind the girls. The Pittsburgh group was dressed to the nine in their Easter finery.

"What is it?" Rio's curiosity was peeked. She had no idea what her gift was.

A hand reached over to touch Rio on the shoulder. Rio jolted slightly by the stranger's touch. Then, a voice said, "Hi lass!"

Rio had to think of the person who spoke to her. She asked out of her own blindness, "Grandfather?"

"Yes. Are you alone?" the stranger asked gently.

"You know me!" Rio giggled. She reached up tot take her grandfather's hand into hers. Rio realized the man who was talking. The deep rich accented voice was truly her grandfather.

"Here is a chair for you, sir!" a young woman said. She pulled out a chair from a row of chairs for him to sit.

"Thank you!" Rio's grandfather nodded. He took the chair and pulled into up next to his granddaughter.

At the Senshi house, people were coming for a party. Serena and Rennie were getting the flowers ready for the table setting. Rio, Haruka and Rio's grandfather were in the front room. The elder of Rio's clan sat on an over stuffed chair facing Rio and Haruka. The two girls sat on the sofa. Rio's grandfather said with a soft smile, "She's a lucky lass!"

Lita stuck her head into the room and said, "She's strong!"

Rio had a memory flash in her mind. She giggled, "Not true. Remember the time I got into a chasing of the dragons."

"She is not all willing that easy to give up!" a voice said.

"I think we have company!" Rio giggled again.

Haruka looked to glance at the front door. Lita was answering it. Tenchi and Kiyone were entering the living room. Tenchi and Kiyone walked towards the sofa. Tenchi said, "Hi, Rio and Haruka!"

"Who is this?" Kiyone asked. She pointed to Rio's grandfather.

Rio smiled as she uttered loudly, "This is my grandfather William."

Rio's grandfather stood up and around walked the chair. He said a bow, "Hello! You must be more of Rio's friends!"

"Yes!" Kiyone nodded.

"Hiya...Ami, Serena!" Ryoko said as she entered the front room. She and Washu stopped in front of Ami.

"Hi…Ryoko, Miss Washu!" Ami said. Ami was walking to the computer room. She was carrying a notebook. "I have to see how many are coming!"

"Busy!" Washu asked as he had a goofy glance in her eyes. She was standing behind Ryoko. "I didn't even asked."

Rio smiled softly at the sounds of normally. Grandfather William glanced at his granddaughter. He reached to take Rio's hands into his. He asked, "How is my little girl!"

"Nothing new, grandda! I hope to see you soon!" Rio said. She felt his hands holding hers. She was very happy to family on such a special day. She wished for her sight so she could be able to see them.

The day was full of surprises.

At St. Josephine's church, Allen and Steve were waiting for the Sailor Senshi. Jamie was with the Goddesses, Keiichi and Charlie. They sat in the back rows. They watched as the other people were entered the main hall it was later in the afternoon. This was the first time that Keiichi or the Goddesses were in a western church. Charlie showed them what the hymnal and bible were at.

She heard Reenie's voice telling serene to follow her up the stairs. Hotura was waiting for Sasami and Abby to come. Dusty heard a horn beeping up the street. It was Jakten in his truck with very special passengers inside.

Dusty who was waiting outside peered at the passengers inside of the truck to Rio and her grandfather William. Dusty hoped to be with ladylove soon. He wasn't expecting the elder of Rio's father's family to show up. He was greatly surprised out of his wits. He said as the truck door opened, "Rio…Elder William!"

Grandfather William got out of the truck. He said, "young Dustin!" he smiled when he nodded slightly. He faced the groom in Rio's life.

"Grandfather?" Rio asked as she jerked her head quickly. She tried to figure out who was talking to her grandfather.

"Yes, lass!" Grandfather William said. "What is that you want?"

"Is Dusty with you. If he is…I would like to talk to him!"

"Rio…the only thing that is stopping her and yourself is I!" Grandfather William teased.

"Oh, man!" Rio huffed. It seemed like all time before Rio could say anything to her boyfriend.

"Besides school!" Dusty uttered, as he felt self-conscious. "I was wounded."

"I know that lad!" Grandfather William nodded with a flash of concern. "I would like to hear about how do you feel?"

"Better!"

"Good! Will be talking about other things, son!" Grandfather William said.

Dusty wasn't entirely in the dark when it came to Rio. He hoped to see her. He loved her beyond the call of duty. He watched as Jakten helped Rio out of the truck.

After the service, everyone from the Young American group showed up at the Senshi house for an Easter party. The party was more like a family reunion instead of a party. The large group was surprised to see Lita and Michuri had cooked an emorous feast. It turned into a sunny, warm day. The tree around the Senshi home was just beginning to bloom. Two large tables were brought out from the high school for the dinner. The tables were quickly set by the youngest of the girls. Belldandy and Miss Gina came with flowers for the tables. Steve and the other guys from the London group brought the first of the mint, sage and lemon balm of the season. It was a tribe towards the Lyon stone clam and the Austin clan.

A fairie from Queen Knab's court came guised as a human woman to visit the house of if only for five minutes. When Mina answered the door's he was surprised to door, she was surprised to the fairie. She asked, "Are you looking for discretions?"

"No…I'm looking for a Master Green-briar!" the fairie said with a curt nod.

"Oh," Mina gasped, wide eyed. She didn't want to expect from this faire.

Then, the fairie explained how and the reason why she same. She was hoping to see Elder William in person. There was a flood of rumors about the Troll king's army spreading out in the human form in search of the Sandsun princess.

"It's going to be hard task if the king is veritable!" the fairie said gravely.

It just happened that Rio and Grandfather William were walking into the living room. Rio could sense a present talking to mina. She asked her grandfather who was with mina. He said in fair folk tongue it was a guard from the clan of the Green hill towns, which was looking for him. Then he said in earthly English, "listen. You go to the TV room, o.k."

"Yea," she agreed. She felt the present of the fairie. Then, she asked, "Grandfather?"

"Just go, little one!" Grandfather William coaxed.

Rio had her white cane at her side. Lately, she was training to use brail and a cane. She was adjusting to a sightless world.

Rio's grandfather stayed for a little while. When he left he told Rio to be ready for the fight of her life. He knew something was about to unfold for her within the next twenty-four hours.

Rio wondered as she sat with Dusty in the front room went she will be able to see. Dusty asked as he sat next to her on the sofa, "You have a bed at the hospital?"

"Yes…Terri had checked my blood count. It's a little shaky. He doesn't want to take any chances!"

Dusty sighed in a wishful breath, "the time you spent being blind will be over, soon!"

A voice crept in Rio's mind. "Wishful thinking!" it hissed.

Rio jolted a little as a chill stared to peck away at her. She felt suddenly cold. Dusty noticed Rio's face growing pale. He didn't want to lead on which he knew Rio was having another attack.

"Dusty!" Allen's voice called out form the kitchen.

Dusty reached out to take Rio's hand into his. He leaned his head against hers. He had no power to help Rio with her problem. "I have to go!" he whispered loudly.

Then, he turned his face to hers and gave a kiss to Rio on her check. Rio wanted to have her wish more than anything was to see Dusty's face. He stood up slowly and walked out of the room. He said, "I will be back tomorrow…before you go off the hospital."

"Yea…I'll be waiting!" Rio smiled, trying to hold back the pain.

Dusty left the room.

Inside Rio's mind, she was trying to break free from all the pain and torture that the in the almost cruel human type virus. It still had a strong hold on her. Rio had to fight long into her dreams. It was long and bitter struggle that she was hoping to win.

Nat and Nick stopped over to how the girls were holding up. Haruka was carrying Rio to her bedroom. Rio was totally drained. She didn't tell the others about her inner battle for her life. To them she appeared to be sleeping.

Nick and Lita were standing in the hallway between the dinning room adn the bedrooms. He noticed how pale Rio had become laity. He said in a concerned voice, "She's looks extremely tired!"

"She's trying to get her strength back. She pushes herself too hard like always. It's becoming more difficult for her even to go to school," Lita sighed as she raised a hand to brush back her bangs from her forehead.

"She is determined to live at any cost!" Nick grinned. He realized Lita was worried. He was trying to cheer her up. "The only thing is keeping her going was and is friendship!"

"Thanks!" Lita sighed. There was a hint of a smile on her lips.

Haruka walked out of Rio's bedroom. She turned to see Lita and Nick standing into the hallway. She padded over to where the two where standing. "Rio is finally asleep!" she sighed.

"The day after today. She will have her sight back!" Haruka smiled sadly. "Rio is strong in her soul!"

"Let's hope for her!" Nick said.

Little didn't they know Rio was going loose her will to live if she knew who was behind the virus.

It was four or five in the morning when Rio was forced to wake up. It was the virus starting to chip away at the remains of her being. She sat up in bed. She didn't want to make a sound. Ami shared the room with her since the day she came home from the hospital.

Rio slowly climbed out of the bed. She felt incredibly ill. The chills she had she tried to shake off. It made Rio even more helpless. On straining her ears, Rio didn't hear Ami telling her to go back bed to and stay put.

After a game of blind man's bluff, Rio made it to the door. She held out a hand to pat down the door for the handle. Her fingers finally rested on the knob. She fumbled for the knob until it opened. She pulled the door carefully. Rio felt a change in the air. She knew from the weeks of being blind, she had sharpened senses. The air felt cooler in the hall. She started to walk out the room.

In her mind, Rio could hear the virus telling her that it was no good to put up a fight. She had to fight for her life. She shouted in her mind, "I'M A PRINCESS, A SAILOR SENSHI. WHO EVER YOU ARE, I DON'T HAVE A MEMORY OF YOU!"

Rio was headed for the bathroom. She stumbled down the hall. She didn't realized that she ran across a small table with a vase when she tried to find her way to the bathroom. She whispered in a low weepy voice, "please leave me alone!"

She thought she was walking into a trap.

There was a crashing thud outside of Haruka's bedroom. She awoke to the noise. There were a couple of minutes of trying to piece together the sounds. She opened her eyes to the darkened room. Slowly, Haurka crawled out of bed and walked to the opened doorway. She stuck out her head of the doorway and found Rio sprawled out on the floor. "Rio," she gasped.

She walked out of her room to where Rio was laying. Bending down to see what happened to Rio, Haurka noticed Rio's face was chalky white. She didn't need to think. She knew Rio was in trouble.

Ami was still sleep in bed when Haurka began to wake her up. She felt a hand her right shoulder. "Ami?" a voice asked in a whisper.

It a few minutes before Ami opened her eyes, she yawned, "Wha?"

"It's Rio!" Haurka whispered loudly. "She needs help!"

"Rio!" Ami said sleepily.

"She looks like she had another attack!"

Ami began to piece together things in her mind. Rio was in danger if she didn't get some medicinal attention. "Let me get a change of clothes!" Ami said as she sat up in bed.

"Fine, I'll get her ready!" Haurka said.

"Right!" Ami yawned.

Haurka was putting Rio in the car. She had to be very careful as Rio slept through the whole ordeal. Ami was quick when she changed into a sweater and a pair of jeans. She grabbed a small notebook with a copy of Rio's medical history. She woke up Rei and Serena to inform them about Rio's fall. Serena said as she sat up in bed, "Rio will not give up that easily. She's a sailor scout. We will pray for her sight to return!"

"Yes…there is nothing to stop our scout power!" Ami nodded.

Dusty was sleeping in his bed at the London group's home for some time before he had a vision. Rio was realized form the hospital at the same time Dusty's slow recovery. He was easily thorough of hoping to see Rio one day. He wished for Rio to see another sun set. He woke up in a cold sweat. Sitting on his pillow, dusty had a flash vision. He could see Rio lying on a bed of lilies and moonflowers. She appeared to be in a peaceful sleep. There was a path of cut moonstone redoing up to the flowerbed. Dusty felt completed to run down the path. As he stepped one foot one the path, an unseen force instantly sucked up Dusty. It was too quick when he was thrown into a void. He opened his eyes to the vanishing vision.

Dust's heart leapt to his mouth. Dusty clutched at the blanket. Then, he voice took the only tome that he knew at the time. He screamed, "RIO…RIO…RIO, YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME!"

In a few minutes after Dusty waking up when Jerry, Steve and Allen came in a panicked rush as they entered Dusty's room. As they came closed to Dusty's bed, Jerry could see Dusty shivering for no reason.

"What's wrong?" Steve asked rubbing his left eye with his raised right hand.

"Rio is very ill!" Dusty murmured loudly.

"We know that!" Allen grumbled.

Dusty stared at the other three in wide eye glare; "she's on the edge!" he instantly collapsed back on to the pillow.

In the confusion, Steve could piece together what little Dusty murmured about. He had a bad feeling, on entering Dusty's room. At first the other two were in wonder. Jerry sighed before he let out a yawn; "We're in trouble if Dusty is flipping out!"

Allen was thinking what happened to Dusty. He looked so pale as he spoke. The vision that dusty has just clear like Rio's dreamtime.

"Rio don't leave!" the last words before Dusty fell back to an unfitful rest.

Haruka was nearly flying down the street in the car that she drove. The sky was still that the heat was dancing on the phone polls. Tonight seemed unjust as Rio's fever grew. She lay on the back seat. Ami went along for the ride in the front with Haruka.

At the house, Serena and Michuri sat in the living room. Serena fidget on the sofa while Michuri sat on a chair. They going to stay up and wait.

Nat was in her office at the hospital. It had been a quiet night. All was going to come to ahead when she heard her name being paged. She wondered how would be paging her. When she came to the e/r nurse's station, Nat met up with Haurka. The young blond woman stood in the hallway, waiting for Nat. she said as she saw Nat, "Doctor Lambert!"

"Haruka?" Nat questioned the sailor senshi. "What are you doing here?"

"It's Rio, she's very ill. The virus is taking over!" Haruka said in a distance voice as she tried to remain calm.

Nat was floored by Rio's outcome. Her eyebrow shot up when she said, "how can you tell?"

Haurka was never the one to space out like she did. She stared at a wall from a second or two. Then, Nat brought back to earth by calling out her name softly. Then, blond runner said before blinking for a second, "She's barely breathing and there was a flushed look on her cheeks."

Nat heard Ami's voice calling out Hakura's name. Nat had some idea of what was going on. She said, "Go and be with Ami and Rio! They need you."

"Yea…" Haruka said before she saw Ami coming towards the two. They noticed the frightened look in Ami's eyes.

"Look, Rio's fever is spiking. They are trying to break. We need to call up her family. I am hope I'm in the wrong when I say Rio night dying!" Ami sighed loudly.

The shocking news was the last thing on their over rot mind.

Rio was on her last legs. There was no way out. She prayed with once of her should that she was on the right path. The medicine was confusion in her mind. There was no one to help her. She had to give it all, if she was going to survive.

Pulling the memories of love and hate to the deepest well in her soul. Rio needed time to prepare for the fight. There was all or nothing in this crapshoot. She felt inerasably worn out. A voice spoke in her mind as it said, "I can't understand you!"

"Why…I'm human!" were Rio's last words.

Ami and Haruka sat in the e/r waiting room. It was going on five in the morning. Ami said as she looked up from her magazine, "Rio was in there for a long time!"

"They started the operation at four!" Haruka said.

"I wonder if this is it?"

"Blindness, we never," Haurka turned to see Ami's eyes started to grow heavy. "Talked about it!"

Then, Ami's head began to droop. She was getting sleepy. Haurka stopped her talking because she didn't want to keep Ami way form any scarp of important sleep.

It was nearly six in the morning when Rio's fever finally broke. She could half heard people. She wanted to open her eyes. She sensed a weight hold her eyes back. She managed to speak in a whisper, "Mama!"

A male voice said, "Rio…your fever had just broke. You'll be able to see again, we hope!"

She breathed unsteadily. There was a desperate cry of loosing hope from within. She had to not stop for a second or the virus would have her soul. Rio had another sensation flowing into her left arm. She wondered if an IV was attached to her arm. Then, she had forehead washed by another nurse. She said, "Who is doing that?"

"I'm you nurse, Anne!" a female voice said.

Rio heard in the distance, "Give me half a hour. Then, I'll be ready!"

Rio realized whom it was from on one snatch of a statement. She half whispered, "Terri. . .I'm in you hands."

Then, she felt her body being moved. They were going to take her to the operating room. All that Rio had now was hope.

Seiya had to get up for his morning run. He quickly handed form his nightclothes to his jogging sweats. He was quiet when he got ready. Yaten stayed up to watch a movie on one of the many classic movie channels. He fell asleep on the sofa. The TV was off and the room was dark. Yaten was still out when Seiya entered the room. He noticed the blanket half covering his little brother's body. Walking over to the sofa, Seiya was hoping to be quiet. He didn't a grumpy brother on his hands. He carefully bent down to pick up the blanket. He straightened it out. He heard his brother's soft whelping voice, "Please…I don't want you to leave!"

Seiya stopped for a minute. He wondered if Yaten was dreaming about Princess Kayuu or was it mina. Yaten was still having a hard time adjusting back to a normal life. He would be able to still to fight. Yet, he didn't have he fear of loss his Mina if he could see her living.

"Little brother," Seiya said gently. He carefully tucked the blanket around Yaten's chin. "I'll pray that you have sweet dreams and no more tears!"

The phone rang unexpectedly. Seiya had to answer the phone before Yaten or Taiki wore up. Seiya darted to the phone table and picked up the receiver. He said in a loud whisper, "Hello!"

"Uh?" a female voice said.

Seiya wondered if Serena was calling up the house. There was a reason behind the call. He said, in a louder tone, "Who is it?"

After a minute of silence, Serena's voice over the phone, "Seiya…it's me, Serena. I was calling you to tell you guys that Rio is in the hospital!"

"What?" Seiya gasped. He was completely floored at Serena's statement. Did Rio's virus get the better of her? He said, trying to be calm, "how is she?"

"I'm not sure. When Hakura and Ami took Rio to the hospital, Rio had a high fever!"

"She has a fever?" Seiya asked. He felt helpless at an unseen foe he couldn't fight. The virus wasn't a part of Galaxia's minions.

"That's what I got. They haven't called up yet!" Serena said.

Seiya noticed a hint of stress in Serena's voice. He said, "Let me go over there and keep Ami and Haruka company!" Seiya said.

"Fine!" Serena sighed comfortably. She was hoping for Seiya's help in this matter.

"What?" a sleepy voice asked.

"I hope we don't loose Rio. She has a part missing that she needs to find before she dies. She always told me she wanted remember her memory when she was thirteen. I think she will never got do that!"

"Don't say that! Remember she has a strong will to live!" Seiya said. He was trying to gather up hope and courage for Rio's sake. He didn't want Rio leave just yet.

Serena said her goodbyes before she hung up. Seiya heard a noise as he hang up the phone on his end, coming from the sofa. It was Yaten waking up. Yaten yawned sat up on the sofa. He murmured loudly, "Was that your meatball head?"

"Yea!" Seiya said as turned to see his little brother. "Rio is in the hospital."

Yaten's mind snapped as he gaped, "Uh?"

"Finally…she's at the O/R. Terri must be helping to remove those strings from Rio's eyes."

There was a minute of quiet before Yaten asked, "Is that true?"

"Let's hope!"

Rio's dreamtime was in turmoil. She was peaceful in the out side as the O/R staff prepped her body for the operation. She had to fight hard in the inside. The nurse was starting another IV. She watched Rio's breathing. She knew that Rio didn't have much of a chance if she had the operation. Yet, Rio didn't believe in giving up. In an instant Rio was deeply sleeping, the pain she was in had been nearly chase out her body. The rest needed a serious packing order to leave her body. She was wheeled to the O/R from the prep room.

Rio stood in her Dreamtime very much troubled. The ground, which was always filled with, was always filled with light and peace. It was now dark. Rio felt the powers she owned both as a sailor Senshi and a princess of her home worlds were being tested. The virus was going to put Rio thought the ringer once last time.

Rio looked down at her herself. The outfit she was wearing was a cross between her Sailor uniform and her princess dress. She hoped that her Sailor powers were still there. She asked in angry, tired tone, "Hey!"

There was no response to her voice. Rio scared and crushed, stood at attention. It was a part of her now. She snarled at her own fear, "Come on…you."

There was a low grumble, which could be felt form all over the dreamtime. Rio closed her eyes to dig deep within her soul. She had to be brave. She was prepared herself from the chant of the lion's song. This was old as old as the sky. She felt a call as the virus heard the chant. Rio noticed a spark of light coming from her closed eyes. She had to open her eyes as the heat from a power. It was the power of wisdom and the ebbing power of the planet that she settled down. She had to cal out for her sisters and brothers of the sailor senshi households. She cried in her mind, "Brothers…sisters…I need your heart power!"

The virus was vexed in a breath of Rio's chanting. Its voice boomed over the quiet chanting, "WHAT IS HEART POWER! JUST A STUPID EXCUSE FOR YOUR BODY TO LIVE!"

There was fire in Rio's soul. She raised her hands over her head as she snapped, "Yea…right!"

Pulling every once of agony into this in last-ditch effort, Rio was hoping for an end to the madness. Then, Rio felt a burn of a white fire. She thought in the deepest part of her soul, "If do die…then, Dusty…I shall wait for you!"

The white light engulfed her body. She closed her eyes, letting the light warm her body. Rio healed her own body with cold fire.

The Heavens opened to let the stars of the planets lend their powers to one who was so frail.

Seiya, Ami and Haruka sat in same waiting room as before when it was just the two girls. They didn't want for a long time. Instead they hoped in the quiet hours of dawn. Between trying to contact Jakten and Rio's two uncles they didn't have too much time to be waiting around.

Then, Dusty showed up at the doorway of the waiting room. He lacked sleep after he was wakening by his vision. He was deeply troubled from the inside out. He said quietly, "Hey!"

Seiya looked up from his stared at a magazine and said, "Hi!"

Dusty glanced the other two as he said, "I wanted to see how Rio was!"

"We're not sure. The nurse hadn't shown up, yet!"

Dusty entered the room. He was hoping to hear the out come after the operation. Walking to a chair, Dusty noticed Ami curled up on a love seat. Haruka was still awake as she sat on a chair. "You lot," Dusty glanced around for a place to sleep. "Don't mind if I sit with you!"

Seiya shook his head. He thought of much as Dusty as he would think of his two brothers. Dusty slumped into a chair opposite of Seiya. He felt on the edge of sleeping on his feet. He sensed a great of evil in Rio's soul. He was afraid of entry loosing her.

Dusty wasn't going let her slip through his fingers that easily. Dusty was going to be Rio's husband after they finished high school. They were happy and lucky. Dusty tried to catnap. What were stopping him from sleep were his nerves. They were still tightened to the max every passing minute.

Seiya noticed Dusty's dace lined with worry. He said to Haruka in Japanese to effect of Dusty need a cup of tea. He was concerned for Rio and Dusty's future.

Dawn was waiting on the edge as Rio fought her hardest. Her memoirs of her past came back to guide her through the operation. She battled in the dark with her shreds of her only hope. When it came to check on her eyes, Terri carefully opened each eye to see what was the condition after the long clean up job. He was greatly relieved to see Rio's was clear as he cleared up the last of the liquid from her eyes.

Seiya was standing in the hallway to stretch his legs. He noticed a nurse dressed in surgical scrubs walking up the hallway, towards the waiting room he was in. He was anxious as he stopped the nurse. "Ma'am!" he asked.

"Yes," the nurse said as she stopped in front of him.

"How is Rio…I mean, Miss Lyonstone?"

"She will be fine. Her eyes are free from any sort of infection. But, that is for her sight. You have to talk it over with her doctor!"

"Oh," Seiya said softly. He felt his heart sink just a little. He hoped to hear some good news after the long months of waiting and praying for a cure on Rio's eyes.

"Seiya?" Ami asked as she stood in the doorway. " Is that nurse?"

"Yes. I have to call up Jakten," Seiya nodded slightly. He hoped that Rio was O.K.

"Can I talk to her?" Ami said.

"Sure," he said as he glanced at a clock, which hung the opposite end of the hall. It was going on seven in the morning. Then, he asked the nurse what room Rio was in. The nurse told him she was in recovery room seven.

Rio was resting comfortable in bed. She was taken after the operation to the recovery area. She was half drugged into a twilight sleep. Her breathing and vitals were carefully monitored by another host of machines. She barely heard the door opening. She hardly clutched at the bed sheet. "Rio?" a gentle voice asked.

"Uh?" Rio murmured in a breath.

"It's me, Seiya," the voice said.

Rio felt a hand take her hand and hold it. "Where?" Rio asked. She was trying to latch on the voice, yet she was too relaxed to even stir. She was inside her personal pool of dark water. She breathed slowly as she heard Seiya voice.

"You rest," he said.

Rio wanted to see what was going on for a minute. She said as she tried to move, "Dusty?"

"He's here. You need to sleep."

"Sleep?" Rio yawned as she gripped Seiya's hand in a weak movement.

Seiya smiled sadly as he watched over his friend sleep. He released her hand and placed back gently on the bed. She felt the small cool puffs of air hitting her nose. It meant that she was breathing with some aid.

Seiya sang to Rio in the soft voice. He sang, "Alas, my love, you do me wrong. To cast me off discourteously. For I have loved you well and long. Delighting in your company." (From the song Greensleeves)

Rio heard the song until she was deep with her soul, fast asleep.

"A life for a life. That is all what really matters, my dear one. We have travel this life on foot for much a long time. What is in your heart at this time?" a quiet natural voice asked. It came from a small radio somewhere in the azure morning.

Dawn was finally making the séance. Seiya was now sitting across from Rio. She drifted in and out of sleep for the last hour. There was a knock on the door. Seiya stood up and walked to the door. He opened it to see who was there. Stephanie and Steve were standing in the doorway. They both had a worried look in their eyes. Stephanie asked, "How is she?"

"Sleeping. Terri came in and told me that everything went smoothly. Ami and Haurka went home. I think Dusty is still here!" Seiya smiled.

"Yea, he was in the cafeteria when we got here. He was trying to get a cup of coffee!"

"I hope that he will have some thing to say about Rio's recovery?" Steve said.

"She needs him," Seiya smiled.

It was hours before Rio finally woke up. She felt sick to her stomach when she heard Seiya and Steve talking. Stephanie stepped out for a minute to get a bottle of water. She said, "Seiya?"

Seiya and Steve were sitting at Rio's bedside. He said as he leaned forward, "I'm here!"

"Where is Dusty?" she managed to say after minute of playing about with her mindset.

"He went home. He has to call up your Uncle Zigfield back in London!"

"Is he comin' back?" she whispered loudly.

"Yes. In a little while," Seiya smiled. "After he talked your family!"

Rio drifted back to sleep. She was now convinced that Dusty would stay with her. She tried to understand his reasons for leaving.

A man stood in the doorway of some tavern in Salem. He was trying to make a phone call on his cel. He wasn't going to let a little thing like rain standing between him and the party he was calling. He didn't mind the idea of losing out in his dinner either. He wore a dark hat and long caramel colored raincoat.

The wind torn at his ungloved hands as he held a pack of smokes in one hand and with the other his phone. He muttered about the wet as he heard the phone ring. Then, he said when the person on the other end picked up. He said, "Hello. Simon, please don't come here. The situation is under control. That's all! Thanks!"

Then, he hung up. He noticed a red VW Beetle zipped past him on the street. He hoped that the person who was driving it didn't look his way. He stuffed his phone back in his jacket pocket before placing the packet of smokes up to his lips. He pulled out a cigarette with his lips. Holding it in his mouth, the man turned to open the tavern's door with his free hand. He stepped into the darkened tavern.

Rio had been resting most of the morning. She half heard voices of people coming and going. Then, there were the noises of the room. She finally woke up to have Seiya and Serena bricking at each other. They were disagreeing over a little thing namely TV shows. Rio didn't know what was going on at first. She didn't have a liking to some of the more modern TV shows. She loved the classics. Rio murmured loudly, "Hey…wha you lot griping about now."

"Rio?" Serena asked. She and Seiya were sitting side by side at the left of Rio's bed. She glanced at Rio who was lying in bed with one hand nearly posed at Rio's face. "Are you awake?"

"Of course. Your yakking can wake the dead," Rio breathed loudly. The medicine she was on made her irritable.

"Rio. Sorry!" Seiya said.

"That's all right. It was about time for me to get up anyways!" Rio huffed. She tried to sit up. She found out that she was still a little weak from the operation. She asked for a nurse after she heard Seiya asking her if she wanted help!

He turned to walk out of the room when he noticed an over sized card coming toward the doorway. Seiya said, "What in the heck is that coming into the room!"

"It's a card, silly!" a voice said as Miss Washu entered the room.

"I know it's a card, why so big!" Seiya asked as he moved over to one side.

"I believed I wanted to get a card to have everyone sign when I found out about Rio's hospital stay."

"So, you got the world's biggest card!" Serena said as she watched Washu carrying the card to the window.

"Almost," Washu nodded.

"Almost only counts for horse shoes, Miss Washu," Rio said.

"Where did you come up with that idea!" Washu asked.

"My Uncle Anthony. He always told me about that!"

"I'm just going to leave it here. The only thing you have to do is have someone read it to you," Washu said as she placed the card on the floor.

"Thanks!" Rio said.

Then, Washu asked Serena and Seiya to step out for a minute. She knew Rio wasn't looking too good. She became concerned after she glanced at Rio. There was still a shell-shocked look on Rio's face. "I have nothing more to say after I seen her," Washu thought.

"I would to like her for a minute," a female voice said gnelty.

Both Washu and Serena turned to see a nurse who was now entering the room. She was going to check on Rio as she made her rounds. She told the others to leave the room for a minute. Seiya, Washu and Serena said their goodbyes to Rio. Rio said in a way of a small joke, "I'll be seeing you, later!"

"Rio!" Serena griped a little.

"We see your point!" Washu said after glancing over Rio.

"Funny!" Rio shook her head for a second. Then, she felt the bandages pulled at the sides of her head. She bit her lower lip for another second. There was still pain from the operation. She hoped that Terri removed her eyes even if there was infection.

After three left the room, Washu made Seiya and Serena stop in the hallway for a minute. There was a concerned look on her face. She said, "Serena, Seiya, did Terri tell you the full detail of the operation on Rio's eyes."

"Yes," Seiya said as Serena nodded.

"What did he say about Rio's eyes!" Washu asked as she placed up to her chin.

"The operation took longer than he expected. He didn't want to take any chances. They were clean, but he has placed on a highly strong antitoxic."

"She will be sick for a little while. They have her staying for a couple of days in DCU. They are keeping a track on her blood count!" Serena said.

"What else?" Washu asked.

"We're not sure!" Seiya sighed. He glanced at where Rio was. She was tired, but calm. He hoped that she was going to be all right.

"They have to run some tests tomorrow and then we can figure out what else is going to happen to her," Serena said.

"What kind tests?" Washu asked. She was now curious of what kind of testing that Rio still had to go through.

"Blood and light tests. Rio has to rest first. She was very ill when Ami and Hakura brought her in."

"Yea. Her count was through the roof and her breathing was very hoarse," Seiya added.

"It's sounds like she had a bad case of pneumonia. Yet, there was some tie into the strain that I ran across in her blood with the tests I used here. I sounds too far fetched, but are living in world that man is trying to break all the natural rules!" Washu huffed. She felt like she was kicked in the head for even thinking her ideas.

"Are you for certain?" Seiya asked slowly. He was thinking on the same lines.

"I wish I knew. Yet, if it has to be, then Rio will be tested again. It's too bizarre of idea to even dreaming of this time. There are too loose ends that are left undone."

With that they left Rio to rest the rest of the day.