[[kk]]

Arina was a bit taken aback by the question. "Now why would I do such a thing dear Michi? I don't ever want you to leave, that's why I was asking..." She moved around the counter and took the girl into her arms and kissed her forehead. "I want you in my family, forever. I'd never make you leave..." She smiled. "And when you're done eating we'll go take a bath, and do your hair, and you can wear a pretty dress, and we can go shopping for toys and such."

((Anybody here <.<))

Oni woke up groggily and wondered who was next to him. At first he thought it was Lukas but realized it was much too small to be Lukas. He rubbed his eyes and saw that it was Tir. He smiled and snuggled the little boy. Oni lay there still very tired. It seemed like he hadn't rested at all. The last few days had left him exhausted and it seemed no matter what he did he was just getting weaker and weaker each day. He hugged the boy tight afraid of what would happen and whether or not Xanic would come out and do bad things. He wanted to get alone and try to talk to Xanic but everyone was watching him like a hawk. Maybe he could sneak away today.

Getting up carefully so not to wake Tir, Oni got out of bed quietly. He opened the door and looked out. So far the coast was clear. He stayed as quiet as possible and sneaked downstairs. He could hear people near by but he went to the front door and opened it carefully. Hopefully they wouldn't notice him leaving. Oni slipped out and shut the door. He wasn't a fast runner but he took off into the woods. He needed to talk to Xanic.

((Hey peeps I'm on. I realized I may be a little anal retentive when it comes to the maps. I redrew one floor like five times before I had it the way I wanted it, lol ))

((I have returned!))

((w00t! Ya more people ))

((Yeah... I still haven't been able to contact Kage, his phone's out... and maybe his internet...))

((I may be here, may not xD. My boyfriend just broke up with me...via changing his facebook status, telling a mutual friend I can do better, and blocking me on messanger and not answering calls.... I haven't decided how I feel about this yet xD))

((I could get someone to hunt him down and ask him why, maybe))

((*hugs* Damn sorry I suck at comforting but I do hope you feel okay.))

((I've been informed that it is because he's decided that I can do better and that he 'freaked'..in his own words. Whatever, It's fine. and don't worry Chi I'm fine *hugs* Just shocked because.... We've been together a year, and he was talking marriage and then just out of the blue poof.))

((Wow... I've been with mine something like that, maybe longer, and I'm barely kissing him... O.O))

((Yeah well I'm also 23 :P so it's probably different you know?))

((Yeah... turning 19 soon... Like the end of the month... O.O

I DUN WANNA!!!))

((Lol 19's not bad :P it's 20 and 21 that feels weird))

( Well.. isn't this a party. o-o )

Dante stirred at the sudden movement on the bed, though didn't react. He wanted to stay asleep. The noises in the room along with the new found lack of exhaustion were both pushing him back away. He breathed deep as he heard the door shut before sitting up and stretching out his weak limbs. He was.. not in Uriel's-... of course he wasn't in the vampire's room. If he had been, he would have woken to the most rancid stench. Seemed vampie boy rotted every night. Lovely, right?

He breathed deep again, doing a quick stretch before hurrying out the door after Oni. Hey, he was here to investigate. He never said what he was investigating. (In fact, he never said anything.) He followed Oni carefully to the front door, and from there, watched him from the windows. He couldn't give chase recklessly. He had to wait until Oni got into the forest at least.

((Eh... I've never really felt different... How should I jump in?))

((Staria... I'm bored on your roleplay, and people are on, or so their little thingies say...))

Oni went a ways farther into the woods but not far enough to get lost. The last thing he wanted was to be stuck out here in case something went wrong. Finding a nice big rock Oni sat down a took a deep breath. He just had to figure out what was going on here.

"Xanic I love you. You are my brother and I really want to believe that you have a good reason for what you are doing. I need you to talk to me. If you let me know what's going on maybe I can help you. I don't want to be alone anymore and I don't want you to do bad things. Please talk to me," Oni said hoping Xanic would reply.

(( Hey sherry :) ))

((Yeah I'd reply to it but I"m a little distracted I'm sorry...))

Dante counted down from twenty after Oni had gone out of sight. From there he rushed towards the forest. His tired body became aware at the cold nip of the autumn night as his hand instinctively reached back for his short sword's handle. If anything happened, he at least wanted to be prepared. He slowed when he neared the forest, doing his best to hide his footsteps. Oni was far off into the distance by now, but Dante was fine with that. As long as he could see the purple haired boy, he was fine.

After awhile Oni came to a stop. Dante did as well, slipping behind a tre about forty feet from the boy. From here he waited, keeping an eyes on the surrounding area as well as, at times, Oni. He was talking to himself... or, was he trying to talk to his brother?

( brb )

Oni continued to wait but nothing happened. He tried again a little more paniced than before, "Xanic please you have to talk to me! I don't believe you are bad. . that you would hurt people with out a good reason. Please brother. . .please." Oni began to cry a little.

Xanic pushed out and hugged Oni saying softly, "Shhh brother, shhh it's okay."

Oni over come with happiness said,"Oh brother, brother you're back. Oh I missed you so much."

"Shh it's okay. Oni can you listen to me?" Xanic asked him patiently.

Oni replied, "Oh yes brother of course. I will listen will Xanic explains things to me"

Xanic began, "Oni I am dying." Oni tried to protest but Xanic hushed him and continued, "Trust me it is possible. The Director explained it to me. Apparently I am becoming more and more dormant and soon I won't exists anymore."

Oni cried out and said, "Then just stay out and I'll say inside brother. I don't want Xanic to go away."

"I'm too weak to stay out long. I had to save my energy for this. To explain to you. I can fix it though Oni. The Director he showed me how. I know it's painful Oni but we can become one. He told me that the more physical and emotional pain you are in the easier it will be for me to integrate myself into you. I don't want to Oni but I have to. . .if I want to live," Xanic said solemnly.

Oni didn't know what to say to this. He paused and thought about it and finally said, "I don't really understand Xanic but I don't want you to die. I'm really scared. . .but I'll try and help you." Oni was terrified but he couldn't let his brother die. Then Oni had a thought and asked "Why did you hurt other people then?"

Xanic gave a little growl, "They got in my way Oni. They wanted to stop me and I can't let them. Besides it's an emotional buffet in there. I did and said some things to them that would help. If I mess with them and their emotions then open your empathy up it's an effective way to weaken you so I can meld with you and we can become one. I know it's painful but please Oni do it for me. Listen I don't have the energy to stay out but know I'm here." With that Xanic seemed to disappear like before.

Oni was confused and a little lost quietly he said, "I love you brother." He got up and started to go back to the inn not realizing that his brother had never said he loved him.

(( sorry took so long ;^^ ))

((holy hopping monkey on a pogo stick. O.O))

(( LOL that made me laugh. Actually that would be fun to see XP ))

((Would sock monkeys work? I'm looking for a pic of one now...XD
http://www.jandofabrics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=skm0006 ))

( Oh, really? =O I bet it's all a lie. )

The more emotional pain, the stronger Xanic would become? Well, if it was true, then why keep Xanic? He was just a menace- one that would have the two of them locked up just for his survival. At the same time, it could have all been a bluff. It could have only been a way to sooth Oni and the others in the Inn, that is, if Oni decided to tell them.

He lowered his head in thought, trying to figure out what else Xanic could have been planning. If it was to create an 'emotional buffet', then why not do something to Dante? Fear? Or was Dante just not a good enough target? A weak seven year old seemed well enough a target to him, especially to a lovable character such as Oni.

Before he knew it, Oni had gotten very close. He panicked and crouched down low, hoping the boy would go by without paying any mind to Dante. He was tiny enough. He should be able to pull a maneuver like this, right?