Kyaa Kyaff here!

Disclaimer: MKR does not belong to me.

'…' Fuu thoughts

… Umi thoughts

… Hikaru thoughts

"…" Dialogue

Fighting Fate

Chapter 7: Scattered

"Iyashi no Kaze."

Hikaru felt re-energized as Fuu softly spoke those words. Checking herself over, she realized her bumps and bruises were now gone. Lantis' wounds also disappeared, much to her relief.

"You're amazing Fuu-chan!" Hikaru exclaimed.

Fuu smiled readjusting her glass, looking a bit tired and pale. It was probably due to how much she was using her power. Hikaru felt a little tired herself after what happened, and the explanation that followed. Presea explained everything to them about Cephiro as Fuu had tended to everyone. Clef, having used so much energy to teleport them to their present location, was unconscious on the couch with Umi beside him, watching over him worriedly. Lafarga and Caldina were also transported, but still unconscious, Ascot keeping an eye on them. Presea had been cautious but Umi insisted that he was trustworthy enough not to tie up or knock out and the other woman had agreed after speaking with Ascot privately. Silence fell over the group of people, as Presea finished speaking. Hikaru would have found what she was saying hard to believe if it wasn't for what had happened three hours ago.

"So what do we do now? Are you sure it is safe here?" Lantis asked.

Presea nodded. "It is safe for now. However, Alcyone may look for us in this general area. We cannot stay long."

"It's my fault," Umi said quietly.

Hikaru went over to Umi, placing her hands on the girl's shoulders. Though she didn't know her well, she wanted to cheer her up.

"It's nobody's fault. I mean that Zagato guy is after all of us, right? I wouldn't have believed anything either if I hadn't seen some strange things myself. Plus it explains a lot of things."

Umi smiled but it didn't hold much mirth. Leaning in the corner by the door, Ferio had remained silent the entire time, staying well away from the others. The friendly carefree atmosphere had left him, as soon as Presea had begun to explain things. His already dark expression darkened further.

"Well, I can't just stay here and wait. My sister is involved in all this," Ferio moved away from the corner. "You guys can hide here, but I've got to go find her and talk with Zagato."

"No," Ascot said suddenly. "He wouldn't let you near her anyway. You could remember and try to break her free. He would likely imprison you or take control of your mind like he has done with Lafarga."

"Remember? What am I supposed to remember?" Ferio looked incredulous. "And why would Zagato do that anyway? You're not making sense. None of this is. Zagato loves my sister. He wouldn't imprison her or hurt me or any of her friends!"

"It is that love that drives him to his present actions."

Hikaru along with everyone else turned around to see Clef trying to sit up. Umi put her hands on his chest, pushing him back down. He was pale, and sweat was already forming on his brow.

"You've used a lot of energy. You shouldn't sit up."

"I'm fine, Umi. We don't have much time. Presea is correct. Alcyone knows where to locate us," Clef moved to sit fully up with the help of Umi. "We must leave here. It is not time to confront the High Priest."

Fuu's brow suddenly furrowed. "Why should we confront him at all? If what Presea said about Cephiro is true, then why don't they find another Pillar? The death of a Pillar is the only way for another to succeed, but in a way Emeraude-san is dead to that world. Why should she have to return to that?"

Clef sighed. "Emeraude is directly connected to Cephiro. It still feels her as surely as she feels it. Even I can feel its call."

"This is stupid. All of it. Magic…Cephiro…Pillar. I don't care about any of it," Ferio said, moving toward the door. "All I care about is seeing my sister and making sure she's safe."

"Ya won't get near her."

Startled everyone turned to see Caldina looking down at the still unconscious Lafarga. Gently she ran her hand through his hair. She made no move to escape, only sat there with a sad sort of smile.

"Not by yerself."

"Not by myself? You all are crazy. I'm leaving."

Ferio opened the door, but Fuu jumped up grabbing him by the wrist.

"Uh…" Fuu's face turned red as she released Ferio's wrist. "I'll go too."

"That I cannot allow," Clef said firmly. "Zagato will not harm Ferio, but he will most likely kill you."

"I…I don't believe that. Zagato-san is a reserved but kind person. I've always enjoyed his company. I don't think he would do something like this…it's just…There has to be some reason. There has to be…"

Hikaru bit her lip, seeing Fuu's pained expression. Looking past Fuu, Hikaru saw Ferio watching Fuu, taking in her words. He put a hand on her shoulder in comfort.

"I don't either, but you should stay here anyway. Just for now," Ferio said. "I'm going."

Fuu clasped her hands together, staring at the floor. "If it's that dangerous for me…if that's possible than he shouldn't go alone."

"Clef-san, please trust me. I'll make sure he stays safe," Ascot volunteered suddenly.

Hikaru started as Lantis abruptly stood beside her. "I'll go."

While Clef thought it over, Hikaru jumped up beside Lantis. "But it's dangerous, right? You can't…"

"Go then," Clef interrupted. "I trust you not to make the same choices as before."

Lantis directed his gaze toward Hikaru. His expression was unreadable, but Hikaru felt an uneasy pull on her heart. Something was wrong. What was it? This anxious feeling at Clef's words. She couldn't help blurting out what she said next.

"I wanna go too!"

"You stay here," Lantis ordered, bringing a hand up and brushing it against her cheek. "I will come back, okay?"

Hikaru blushed as his hand moved back down to his side, feeling for a brief instant his warmth. She could clearly feel his affection for her in his gaze, a protective caring look. It was almost too much to take in. Hikaru had always like him, but she had only ever met him at the restaurant. He had barely spoken to her. This sudden shift was a lot to take in. It made her even more afraid to let him go. She wanted to go with him, but she knew she couldn't. She would stay with Fuu and the others.

"Okay," Hikaru replied, deflating.

"Before you leave I need to speak with you outside, alone," Clef stated.

Lantis nodded. "Of course."

Umi helped support Clef as he stood. He still felt a little shaky and was a bit too pale for her liking. She felt a blush rise to her cheeks as she remembered the memory of kissing him and the feelings she had felt. Where was her composure? Her eyes involuntarily fell on Ascot, who quickly went back to watching Caldina. A feeling of guilt and confusion came over her. These feelings felt like they were surfacing out of nowhere. After all, she only had a glimpse of her past self, well, not her past self, according to Presea. It was hard to believe. Umi had memories of her childhood and parents, but…

"I can stand on my own," Clef said gently.

"At least let me help you to the door," Umi said swallowing the lump in her throat.

She felt the warmth of his arm around her waist and felt herself flushing once again, the memory plaguing her to no end. A feeling of déjà vu took hold as she neared the door. Clef, weak from using too much power, but his arm had not been around her waist but her shoulder. Lantis stood by the door, waiting. Hikaru was staring at him with a worried expression. It was obvious that she cared for the guy. Fuu was staring out the window, having moved to the side, her expression mirroring Hikaru's.

"I'll be fine now," Clef assured.

Umi started, releasing him, when she realized he had a hand holding the door, waiting for her to let go. Umi swallowed again, regaining her composure.

"Don't stay out there too long. You used up a lot of energy!"

Clef smiled. "I will be fine."

A silence fell over those left inside. Umi's eyes fell back on Ascot, who was standing tensely near Caldina, who remained silent, holding Lafarga close. Umi switched her gaze back to the door, wondering what Clef wanted to speak about without her hearing. It made her feel a bit suspicious. During Presea's explanation, Umi had gotten the same feeling, as if she was just telling them the bare minimum. How they had arrived here, due to a circumstance that she did not go into further detail with. How Cephiro needed a Pillar, and that another could not be appointed while the current still lived. That Emeraude must return to bring peace back to Cephiro. Another pang had run through Umi at this. Something that was left unsaid. She had chosen to believe in all this, but she felt like she was being manipulated.

"Presea, did you regain your memories fully?" Umi asked, wanting to break the silence.

"I have. Only recently. We have to hurry and return. Cephiro is in danger and worsening by the minute."

"Cephiro…that world…one I don't remember. You say we must return to it, so the Pillar can offer her prayers and restore the balance, but…what about Emeraude? What does she want?" Fuu asked, still looking out the window.

"You never said how exactly we all ended up here with no memory," Hikaru added.

"There must be something you're not telling us," Umi finished. "You're hiding something."

Presea's eyes fell on the door, as if hoping for Clef to come back inside right at that moment. "There is nothing to tell. Zagato stole the Pillar against her will. While trying to stop him, something happened. I'm not sure what it was though. I don't know why we ended up here."

"But…"

Umi stopped as the door opened, Clef reentering. She instantly went over to him. Some color had returned to his face, but not much.

"We must leave here immediately. Presea, gather our things. I will cloak us from sight shortly."

"Magic, again! You can't," Umi argued. "You are too weak…"

"He is fine," Presea interjected sternly.

Umi frowned, not liking her tone. A groan caught everyone's attention. Lafarga's hand pressed against his forehead as he grimaced.

"I'll be taking my leave now," Caldina announced.

"No wait…Cal…"

A cloud of smoke followed her words. Umi frantically swished her hands around, her eyes shut tight, stinging with pain. She could hear shouting, but was unable to do anything. Remembering she was by the door, Umi went to throw it open and stumbled outside instead. Clef had closed it behind him when he had come in, so finding it wide open had been a complete surprise. Smoke poured out of the door, slowly settling down. Umi looked this way and that for any site of Caldina or Lafarga, wondering if they had escaped.

"Umi-san! Umi-san! Are you okay? Where are you?"

"I'm outside!" Umi called back.

Hikaru staggered out.

"They got away," Umi heard Presea shout.

Clef was already coming outside. "Forget them. We leave now. Is everyone here?"

"I'm sorry. I couldn't stop them," Ascot said apologetically, coming up behind Clef.

"Enough. I must concentrate to cast the cloaking spell. Help Presea gather our things. Quickly. We don't have anytime left now."

"I'll help," Hikaru said, running back inside.

Umi approached Clef. "Can you do this?"

Clef unexpectedly took Umi's hand in both of his own, pressing his forehead to her hand. Umi almost yanked her hand back in surprise, but stopped.

"Please allow me to draw on some of your strength."

Umi nodded, clasping her other hand on his.

"Relax."

Umi closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. A pleasant feeling washed over her, her hands warming up even more, followed by a slight pull. It was a weird sensation that quickly ended. He freed her hands immediately after.

"Thank you. That will do."

Before Umi could say anything, Hikaru came running outside looking flustered. "Where's Fuu-chan?"

"What? She's…" Umi looked around the area. "She's not inside?"

"Oh no! Did Caldina take her?" Hikaru asked.

"That foolish girl," Clef murmured. "She left on her own."

"But…but…"

"Ascot, I can trust you to bring her back…"

Ascot, who had been standing at the door, looked surprised. "I…"

"And keep an eye on Lantis. I trust you Ascot," Clef said his expression stern, an understanding passing between the two that left Hikaru and Umi clueless.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hikaru asked suddenly. "Keep an eye on Lantis."

"We need to hurry," Presea interrupted. "I sense someone's approach."

Fuu knew she shouldn't have. It was very irresponsible of her, and she wasn't the type to be reckless, but she couldn't help it. Watching Ferio leave, thinking over the attack that Zagato was involved in, her urge to find answers on her own had culminated to a point that surpassed her normal reasoning. Therefore, when Caldina made her escape, Fuu also left in the confusion of it all.

Her mind refused to believe that Zagato would kill her. There was also something else. Emotions and reasons from the time she could not remember pushing her on. Her memory disturbed her. Although she was the same person, she was different. If what Presea said was true then they had only been on earth for about two years, but she had memories of growing up here that shaped the person she was today. Were the memories false? Or maybe there was something else to it? Or was everything Presea said false? Maybe the memory she had was not such. Maybe it was something different. How could she be so sure that they were the ones in the right? To take Emeraude away from Zagato, who she loved so much. It didn't seem right, and Fuu had felt as if there were some details that were glossed over, and not for time purposes.

So she had to sort things out for herself. Her mind was too full, trying to analyze the situation. Fuu just needed to find Emeraude, to find Ferio. She needed to speak with Zagato. She hoped the others would be fine and wouldn't worry too much about her. She knew Hikaru would be all right. She was a strong spirited girl who could hold her own and apparently control fire quite well. It had taken awhile, but she ended up on a road that she recognized and began to follow, wondering if Ferio had taken the same path, hoping he didn't get lost in the woods. Fuu stayed alert as she walked along the road, worrying about those that had attacked her. As she did, she started to wonder where Emeraude might be. Not at her house, most likely. Zagato's then. Fuu had only been there once, but she still remembered where it was. Once she reached the more populated area, she could take a taxi to his place. However, what would she do when she reached it, just walk up and knock? She recalled Clef's words. "Zagato will not harm Ferio, but he will most likely kill you."

Fuu shook her head. There was another side to the story. There had to be. She started with surprise when she saw someone ahead. Recognizing the green hair, she picked up her pace.

"Ferio-san! Ferio-san!"

He stopped but did not turn as she approached him. Something was wrong. Her steps slowed until she completely stopped. It was not Ferio. Innouva turned discarding his disguise.

"Innouva!"

"Priestess."

Groggily Fuu opened her eyes.

'What…where…?'

Quickly Fuu tried to stand but found her legs were not responding. Looking down, she saw nothing wrong with them, but with a sinking sensation, she realized she could not feel them. Wracking her brain, she struggled to remember what had happened. She'd been walking along the road. And then…she thought she had found Ferio but it had been Innouva. Her hand reached up to touch the side of her head, finding no visible wound. She was sure she had been struck there. Her eyes trailed the room, landing on the closed door.

'This…Zagato's apartment!'

Although she had reached her destination, this was definitely not how she wanted to arrive. Fuu pushed back her fear.

"Zagato-san! Zagato-san! Emeraude-san? Anyone?"

Fuu paused. As she was about to give up and call out once again, the door opened. Zagato walked in, closing the door behind him.

"Zagato-san!"

"Priestess."

Fuu felt her heart skip a beat at the word. That wasn't right. His eyes met hers and she almost went speechless. His eyes did not hold the usual friendliness. They gazed at her with something close to indifference, as if she was a bug, a nuisance to him. Something that needed to be squashed.

"Wh…where's Emeraude? Is she okay?"

"Of course. I am not the one meaning to do her harm," Zagato replied.

"It's true then. Everything about Cephiro. She is the Pillar. I…I wouldn't harm her," Fuu added, feeling as though that was what he was accusing her of.

She tried to move forward but was sharply reminded that her legs refused to obey. Zagato looked away, moving over to a dresser in the room. He picked up a picture frame, staring at it fondly. It was the only glimpse of the Zagato Fuu knew before he set the picture back down.

"So you still do not remember. But it is your duty to dispose of the current Pillar if she is no longer able to do her duty."

His eyes once again landed on her, watching her intently, waiting for her next words.

"Dispose…? She…Clef-san said we just need to return her so that she may offer her prayers."

"He did not tell you. Since you do not remember, he probably fears you will go against him if you knew the truth with your current memories and beliefs. He knows as well as I that she can no longer return to what she was. I won't let you bring her back. I won't let you take her life."

Though Zagato said it calmly, there was an underlying anger and determination searing through his words. Fuu shook her head, again forgetting she could not move from her place, as she tried to stand.

"I wouldn't! I'd never…"

"You will," he interrupted, "and it will be all the easier to do so when you remember. It was something you have prepared for since young. It is part of your duties to the Pillar."

"No! You're wrong!"

"In any case you are too much of a threat to leave alive. The master mage can do nothing if the three priestesses are dead."

"What? You can't mean…you…this…there's got to be another…What does Emeraude think of all this? Where is she? Let me speak with her! She…there's no way she would want you harming anyone. She…"

"There is no other way. I apologize," Zagato said ignoring Fuu's questions.

"Then why am I still alive?" Fuu asked, while Zagato walked over to the door. "Why bring me here?"

His hand touched the knob. "You will be the bait to bring the rats out of hiding."

Zagato did not look back as he opened the door, shutting it firmly behind him. Fuu sat stunned for several seconds. No, she wasn't done speaking with him. She had to learn more. She had to speak with Emeraude. Fuu began to shout, falling out of her chair as she leaned forward too far.

"Zagato-san! Zagato-san! Zagato!"

As Fuu went to use her arms to pull herself to the door, a tingling sensation ran up them. Collapsing fully to the floor, her arms became as useless as her legs.

'Stay calm. Stay calm. This has to be an effect from a drug he gave me, or…it could be magic. Concentrate.'

Fuu bit her lip, but no matter how hard she tried, her arms did not comply. She had been foolish and careless. She struggled for a few minutes before resting her forehead on the floor. Closing her eyes, she began to contemplate what to do next.

Slowly luminous blue eyes opened. Hands tightly clasped to her chest gradually loosened. As quietly and gently as possibly Emeraude sat up. Zagato may have cast magic to keep her in place, but this was not Cephiro. It cost more energy to cast the spell Zagato had to keep her in place, and he seemed to have shifted some of his energies so that they were not all focused on her. He was probably exhausted. This was her chance. Her heart racing she crept silently to the door, hesitantly turning the knob and opening it up, cringing when it squeaked. Emeraude's eyes fell on the front door, her objective. Her feet froze in place however, when she saw Zagato, head thrown back, stretched out on the couch. Sunlight bathed his body from the open window. Tears unbidden welled up in her eyes. Her happy illusion was beautiful while it lasted. A taste of a normal life was something she had wanted desperately. Now that she had it however…

Even if she returned, she knew her prayers would not be fully devoted to Cephiro. No, they would start to fall onto the man she was approaching. A slim white hand reached out to lightly smooth strands of hair from Zagato's forehead. Leaning forward she kissed him quickly but tenderly, lingering but a second near him. Either way her life was over. Fuu's smiling face came into mind. Fuu, priestess of wind. Yes, she remembered all of them, and remembered seeing all of them. Emeraude wondered if they too remembered. They would have to carry out their duties upon returning to Cephiro. Then a new Pillar would be chosen, and she could find her own peace. Hand touching the door, she looked back one last time at the man sleeping on the couch.

"Forgive me. I have only brought you pain and sadness."

Quickly she slipped out only to be stopped short. Alcyone stood in front of her, arms crossed.

"And where do you think you are going?"

"Please do not stop me," Emeraude pleaded quietly.

Alcyone laughed silently. "I am not stupid. Zagato would…"

"He doesn't need to know," Emeraude interrupted. "By the time he finds I am gone, I will already have returned to Cephiro."

"No."

Emeraude bowed low, wanting to hide her face for what she was about to say next. "Please. I know you love him, and he will come to love you once I am gone. Let me go. Take care of him for me. After I leave there will be no way to return to Cephiro. He need not know you saw me this night. I know you are supposed to be out searching for the others. You can have him to yourself. Comfort him. Please I beg of you. Cephiro is slowly dying. I must return."

Silence filled the hall, and Emeraude bowed lower, biting her lip. Her heart and mind were screaming against her words. The idea of Zagato with this woman made her feel sick with jealousy, but Emeraude needed to return to Cephiro, so Cephiro could be stabilized by the prayers of a new Pillar. It had to be done. Love, anger, jealousy, wanting, all of these would corrupt her pure prayers to Cephiro. She was no longer fit to be the Pillar.

"I never saw you," Alcyone said finally before disappearing from sight just as suddenly as she had appeared.

Emeraude felt her resolve weaken but quickly pulled it back into line. She would return to Cephiro, and her last prayer would be for Zagato, for his happiness and for his forgiveness. Emeraude straightened up at the sound of footsteps.

"Sis!"

Hey! Been awhile. A long long while, and for that I give my apologies! I didn't forget this story! Hopefully I will pick up the pace. Hope you enjoyed the new chapter. I finally got around to finishing it after it has been sitting around half done. Anyways…

Til next time,

Kyaa o