"I don't think the magic tracker is in the pocky box anymore," Seika suddenly spoke up. Ayame and Ita looked at her, the unspoken question written all over their faces.

"It's moving around too much. If I didn't know better, someone ate it," Seika explained.

"I wouldn't put it past Ryft to try something like that," said Ayame.

"Actually the dog ate it."

The three of them jumped up, already reaching for concealed weapons. They relaxed once they recognized who it was. "Hotaru," Seika growled. "You got to stop doing that."

Hotaru smiled. "Anyways we found out where Gate is living. Seika, Ayame grab your gear. I need you to test Gate's defenses."

Ayame sighed as Seika groaned. "I knew it. Why am I doing this again?" Seika demanded.

Ita raised his hand to grab Hotaru's attention. "And what about me?"

"Because Seika, I'm asking you as a friend to do me this favor. Plus I don't think you like this idea of being ruled by a demon king. And Ita, I don't want them dead and I also think that Seika doesn't want to leave her baby Yuki Hoku alone and unattended."

Ita frowned. Hotaru was probably right. More then often Ita lost... control over being able to defeat someone or kill them. He admired Seika's control. His girlfriend always was able to hold back the killing blow, something most Shinobis didn't know how to do. After all they were taught one thing, kill your opponent. Plus who was he to argue with the Angel of Life and Death?

"Fine, let's get this over with Hotaru. You better not be sending us to our graves," said Seika picking her double katanas.

Hotaru merely smiled. "And have you hounding me all through your afterlife, by the stars I would never." She waved her hand. A gust of wind swirled and blew, as the wind died down Hotaru, Seika and Ayame were gone.

***

Jonelle enjoyed reading her books. It was a safe comfort zone, not to mention there wasn't much more one could do. She felt the wind suddenly blow causing the pages in her book to flip and her bed to rattle.

"You must be Jonelle."

Jonelle looked up startled. Standing before her was a girl with purple eyes and black and white wings.

***

Gate felt something was odd. He urged his dragon friend to rushed back towards his home. A grim look appeared on his face as he saw two intruders standing outside of his house.

"Is that Seika and Ayame?" Tess asked.

"What are they doing here?" Ryft questioned.

Ayame smiled and Seika shouted out, "Forgive the unexpected visit Gate. And don't take this personally." Seika swung her katanas. Suddenly a wave of snow loomed over Gate, Tess, and Ryft. "Usuyuki no Ryu, Hakuma!"

Gate glanced at Ryft. Tess glanced at Ryft. Ryft was the only fighter among them. Gate had charisma--charisma meant nothing at this moment. Charisma took subtlety, art, and time. Charisma could manipulate almost anything, but not without time. Right now, charisma meant nothing. Tess had, well, Tess used other charms. Ryft wasn't exactly a fighter--he was more of a thief. However, he could hold his own quite well.

The dragon dodged the snow wave easily. But when Seika looked down, there were only two on the dragon's back. She whirled around, but too late. Ryft had her.

"I don't know what the hell you're thinking, Seika," Ryft growled in her ear, "but I sure as hell am taking this personally."

Seika's face remained emotionless; her voice remained silent. A tiny smile pulled at her lips. She mouthed something Ryft couldn't catch.

Ryft felt the ice cold sensation crawl up his legs. And that was when everything went to hell.

A huge inferno of fire and heat raged through the air, reaching Gate and Tess--now safe at Gate's. They looked towards the window to watch the magnificent display of fireworks.

"Looks like Ryft decided to start getting serious," Gate remarked while biting into a green apple.

* * *

"Who are you?" Where did you get your wings? Could I get some too? Ridiculous questions were running through her head.

"I have many names, but you may call me Hotaru. I was born with my wings. You could obtain similar ones, but it would be highly unlikely."

Jonelle was taken aback.

Hotaru waltzed through the room, studying something. "Hmm... Gate did a pretty good job. ...I suppose this is a safe place for you."

And then she was gone. Jonelle rushed to the window to trace the angel's flight. However, there was nothing left, but the bright unending stars.

Seika jumped back. She cringed a bit at the burns she had gotten. Glancing back at Ryft she grinned, "Impressive. I didn't know you carried explosives with you, Ryft. I'm going to have to add that to your profile," she mused.

Ryft grinned back. "There's more where that came from." He threw another set at Seika.

Seika dodged them and used Kawarimi no Jutsu to get further away from the explosives. "You're going to have to do better then that, Ryft if you want to beat me." She swung the blunt side of her katana downward, aiming for Ryft's head.

Ryft barely had time to jump out of the way before another slash came at him. He threw another explosive at Seika. Seika flew backwards from the impact. Growling, she threw an kunai with an explosive tag towards Ryft. Ryft crossed his arms over his face to shield himself.

I'm running out of my bombs. How the hell am I suppose to be Seika? How on earth can Seika do this anyways? Ryft wipe the sweat from his forehead. Maybe I can force her into a corner and throw another bomb at her.

Ryft leap at Seika, aiming a right hook for the storekeeper's face. Seika grinned. "Usuyuki no Ryu, Setsumou!" Ryft was throw back. The attack had hit him in the face causing a temporary blindness.

"You're not suppose to be my opponent Ryft. So let's wrap this up. Usuyuki no Ryu. Yukidama!"

A giant snowball appeared and fell on Ryft, knocking the thief unconscious.

"My my Seika. You leave no room for mercy do you?" asked Ayame.

"Che," said Seika. We're here to test Gate's defenses. Not Ryft's fighting ability." The two girls looked up at the dragon up in the sky. "Well Gate," said Seika. "You coming down?"

"I already have."

Seika whirled around.

"It's rude to keep people waiting, you know." He was unarmed--or at least seemed so--yet he paced around Seika like a restless tiger.

"Gate." She readied her swords.

"Don't do that." He was next to her immediately. Before Seika knew what he was doing, he had Seika's arm as if he were escorting her. "Why don't we go in and resolve this like civilized people?"

Seika was far from docile, but her mind was muddled. There seemed to be something about Gate that could be trusted. No! But her body moved unbidden, drawn by the spell of Gate's air.

"Why don't you come too, Ayame?" He held the door open for her.

Ayame nodded, also ensnared, and followed them inside.

Tess was sitting on a bearskin rug in front of the fire with Ryft sprawled out upon it.

"When--?" Seika was confused. She hadn't seen them come outside, much less seen Tess drag Rytft (because she certainly couldn't have carried him) inside.

"Nevermind that." Gate led her to a chair, and, for some reason unbeknowst to her, she sat. "You may as well come out here too, angel or whatever you are. Tell Jonelle I'm not angry with her, and she can come if she wants."

Hotaru stepped through the doorway. "She says she understands, but she prefers to stay in her room." She tilted her head. "You are not an ordinary man, are you?"

"I am not a stupid man. I am ordinary enough. Now, I'm guessing you're all here for a reason besides causing havoc in my home? And Seika you still owe me seven crates of pocky and please don't put any extras in this time."

Suddenly, Seika's mind seemed clearer. She could think now. She looked around. Everyone else seemed to have noticed the same thing. However, there was still an overlaying air of calm. Try as she might, Seika could not find the will to lift her swords. She eyed Gate suspiciously.

"Yes, I am the reason why you can't seem to find the will to fight. But I assure you, I'm only doing this for my own safety as I'm not entirely sure of your motives for attacking me. ...Just an extra precaution until I find out if you're friend or foe."

It was Hotaru who began to explain it. "Well, we're only here to test your defenses. See, there's a demon king who's after that girl here--"

"What girl?" Ryft sat up, now concious.

"Jonelle. She's a girl I'm training."

"Training?" Seika asked.

"It's like charm school," Tess explained.

"It is not like charm school." Gate seemed indignant. "I train her to--"

"Trust me," she cut him off. "It's like charm school. Now go on please... umm, what's your name?"

"Hotaru." She sent an amused smile at Tess and continued. "There's a powerful demon king after Jonelle for her beauty. He's so enraptured with her that he's declared a war campaign against all mankind until he has her."

"And you're all here too see if I'm a worthy gaurdian of her, correct."

They all nodded.

"Well, as you can see, I'm not much of a fighter. But I'm not completely defenseless. However, my defenses take time. If I know what's coming, it's a simple matter."

"But against unexpected physical attacks?" Hotaru asked.

"I would give them hell, of course, but I would love it if you guys hung around." Gate threw them a wink. The air lightened, and the room seemed brighter.

Seika glared at Gate. "I don't ever remember feeling this pathetically defeated since my childhood," she mumbled to herself. She glanced at Ayame.

"I think it's charisma, Seika. A personal quality of leadership arousing popular loyalty or enthusiasm. Gate has an exceptional amount. In fact so much I do believe he's effecting the entire mood of the area. It's like your genjutsu, Seika, except you have little defense against it," Ayame explained. "Am I correct?"

Gate nodded.

"Hello a new form of mind control," Seika muttered. Looking at Hotaru, she continued, "And no Hotaru, regardless of you say, I cannot and will not say here to play bodyguard."

Hotaru smiled. "I know. I don't expect you too. This castle is pretty well protected. The fact that it's in the sky makes it hard for a huge army of demons to attack, less they are flying ones. The illusion that nothing is there, makes it hard to detect. Actually if Kai hadn't been flying by, we probably wouldn't have found this place so soon. Plus the various creatures living near the cloud road would potentially slow anyone down. Your outside defenses are strong. It's your inside ones that I'm concern about. The fact that I would teleport in worries me slightly. Ever considered that someone would create a portal allowing them to bypass your defenses and enter directly here? You also need time something I don't think you'll have should they ever attack. A matter of offensive as well."

"So what you suggest?" asked Tess.

Hotaru looked towards the windowsill. "What do you say Riku, up for the challenge?"

Everyone's heads turned to see a boy with silver hair and gold eyes sitting on the windowsill. "Do I have to sis?" Riku asked.

"My brother Rikugou," Hotaru introduced. "He should be more then enough help should the need arise."

"But he's a kid!" protested Ryft. He didn't understand much about the situation but it sounded like a big job for a kid.

"I'm going to have to agree with Ryft. He's a bit young," said Gate.

Riku frowned. "I am not a kid!"

Ayame laughed. "Don't worry your heads off you two. If Riku is here, then I say Seika and I aren't needed." Next to her Hotaru smiled and Seika let out a sigh.

"After all," said Hotaru. "Riku is the God of Cosmos. I assure you, his appearance isn't something to joke about."

Tess caught sight of him and her jaw dropped open.

Ryft groaned and nudged Gate. "Oh no..."

"It's going to happen in five, four, three, two, one--"

"SQUEEEEEEEE!" Tess rushed Riku and tackled him in a fierce hug. "He's so adorable! Can we keep him, Gate? Please?"

"...if you insist."

Riku squirmed in Tess' hold, but he couldn't break free. "No! I changed my mind, Hotaru! There's no way I'm staying here!"

"Amazing..." Hotaru remarked. "She can hold down the God of Cosmos..."

"And silver hair!" Tess ruffled it.

"AGH! No no no! Don't touch the hair! Hotaaaarrrruuuu! Help me!"

"I don't believe it," Seika said.

"She ruffled his hair," Ayame said.

"And she's still alive," Hotaru said. Hotaru smiled. "I think this was a good idea. Tess, you may keep Riku."

"Hotaru!" Riku flailed uselessly in Tess' arms.

"Stay here Riku. I think we should be getting back, Seika, Ayame."

Jonelle stood by the door. "Are you leaving, Miss Hotaru?"

Hotaru smiled at the girl. "Yes."

"...You'll come back?" It was a hopeful wish.

"Of course. But for now, I've left a friend until then." She gestured towards Riku.

"Ah," Jonelle gasped. Her face transformed into an expression of delight. "He's so cute." She clapped her hands but was too timid to rush foward.

"Nooo! Not another one!"

"It'll be a good learning experience, Riku," said Hotaru. it was amusing to see him frantically trying to free himself.

Riku was still struggling to get free. "You should have brought Chi! She loves these things!"

"Yes, but Chi doesn't do too well this high in the sky. You do," Hotaru replied. "Ayame you wouldn't happen to have a camera would you?"

"Huh? Oh camera, one step ahead of you Hotaru. I'm already taking pictures," said Ayame with a grin. She snapped away while Riku felt like hitting his head. This would go well in the family-friend scrapbook.

"I hate this," he muttered. Taking a deep breath, he muttered, "Hsinav." Before Tess and Jonelle's eyes he disappeared.

"Where did he go?" asked Tess, looking around.

Hotaru smiled. "Don't worry. He's around. He's sulking because you called him adorable. He hates being called adorable."

"But he is!"

Hotaru chuckled. "Yes I know."

"Okay, enough talk. Hotaru, home now. I like to make sure that Ita left everything in one piece," said Seika, tapping her feet. She sheathed her katanas.

"Impatient aren't we, Seika?" teased Ayame.

Hotaru nodded. "Oh yes." She waved her hands and suddenly seven crates of pocky dropped into the room. "I think these are yours Gate. We'll be back to make sure everything is alright."

Hotaru snapped her fingers as the wind swirled and blew and once again, they were gone.

No sooner had they left then there was a loud thump on door.

Woof!

"Tritckt!" Gate hurried to let him in. A few moments later a terrier came bounding into the room. Gate was humming.

"Ack! What is it doing? Get it off me!" Tritckt was happily licking the invisible Riku who seemed none too pleased with the situation.

"Good work, Tritckt. Come on, Jonelle." Tess waltzed over and scooped the invisible Riku up.

Jonelle knelt down. "You might as well stop that trick, you know, with Tritckt here."

Riku didn't say anything, but he reappeared.

"I think we should go walking through the sky flowers," Tess proposed.

Jonelle nodded.

"Well, I say no."

"Okay, let's go!" Tess acted as if she hadn't heard Riku. She grabbed Jonelle's hand, and they skipped off.

Gate looked at them thoughtfully. "Heh. So that's what it was."

"What?" asked Ryft.

"Jonelle."

Riku muttered to himself about being tortured and stupid crazy girls. He couldn't believe Hotaru just left him here with these... these mortal girls! Gah, the next time Hotaru comes, I'm so asking for the spell that erases my presence completely.

He didn't pay much attention as Tess continued to drag him around like a rag doll.

"There's the sky flowers!" said Tess, pointing the field before them. She dragged Riku towards there as Jonelle followed.

Sky flowers were this pretty pale blue flowers. It was beyond Tess comprehension as to why flowers were able to grow in the sky, but they were pretty nevertheless. They had a sweet smell that smelt like rain.

Riku secretly admitted to himself, that they were pretty.

***

Hotaru, after dropping Seika and Ayame off, collapsed into a blue chair in what would be her family "living room". She pondered to think if she had made the right decision. After all the Slatrommi lived a parallel dimension from the mortal world (or a subspace pocket). It was hard to find it seeing as you needed to know where it was and be able to teleport to get in. Of course one could make a gateway to enter but the required a great amount of magic and skill (and of course the knowledge of where) to get into this place.

In short, it would have been the prefect hiding place for Jonelle.

"So Gate's defenses came out fine then? I assume since you didn't come home with the girl."

Hotaru opened her eyes to see her fiancee, Kai standing in front of her. "His defenses are good, not great, but enough to keep her protected for now," she answered.

"So why didn't you bring her back if it wasn't great?" Kai asked. He had a vague feeling that he already knew the answer.

"Because, even though this is the best place, it would be like locking her up," explained Hotaru. It was quite true. This dimension was very gloomy. The walls were black usually less the shifted to match someone's mood. It vaguely resembled a house but it was still very confine. The only exception was Chi's room who by a miracle managed to make it a tropical paradise. Each room reflected the owner's personality but more then often it felt like a prison. Which would explain why the Slatrommi spend most of their time outside of here. There wasn't an outside, it was only a room, a place to call home because they had nowhere else.

"Ah."

"Did I make the right choice Kai? Was it wrong to assume she wanted to more freedom instead being locked up here? Did I just give those demons a welcome invitation?" Hotaru questioned.

Kai smiled gently. Hotaru had a big heart and she often worried endlessly. "I think she would much rather be in the freedom of the sky verses being cooped up here. After all we could always bring her here later if it gets too dangerous."

Hotaru nodded in agreement. "Yeah..." Biting her lip, she forced herself to calm down. Only time would tell, and demons were drawing ever so closer.

A dark skinned woman with red lips that seemed to scream poison stood in front of Yuki Hoku. She wore dark glasses and a trench coat that defied all laws of physics by clinging to her every curve. She tossed her head ever so slightly, sending luscious ringlets of deep purple over her shoulder.

"Heh." She exhaled smoke. From afar, it looked as if she were smoking. However, there was no cigarette in sight. The smoke had come from her mouth.

The door swung open, and a man stepped out. "Can I help you?"

The woman didn't answer but eyed him. She put on a glamorous distancing smile and swept past him. The stiletto heels of her boots clicked sharply on the sidewalk.

Ita watched her leave. She would have liked to have thought that he was watching her, but, of course, it wasn't so. Seika would have none of that. He had never seen the woman before. Certainly, they did get a lot of odd types in the store. However, the woman hadn't seemed interested in the store. She seemed like she was looking for something.

Paranoia tore at Ita. He wanted to follow her. Something told him that he had reason to suspect her, but then he would leave Yuki Hoku--Seika's baby--defenseless. And if that woman had friends who were waiting for a chance to take a look around... Well, Seika would kill him.

Ita let the door swing closed.

Just seconds after the door closed, Seika and Ayame suddenly appeared from Hotaru's trademark wind. Ita jumped at the chance. The woman couldn't have gotten far. He gave Seika quick kiss on the cheek, handed her and apron and said, "Be back later honey."

Before Seika could stop him, he was out the door.

Ayame looked at Seika. "What's up with Ita?"

Seika frowned. "I think he's about to do something stupid again."

***

Ita was quite right. The lady hadn't gotten to far away. He followed her from a distance incase she happened to be one of those few people who could either sense or perhaps smell his presence.

She hadn't seem to notice him just yet. In fact she seems to be a little lost. She kept wandering around the city as if she was searching for something. A chill went down Ita's spine. He seriously hoped that it was Seika the lady was looking for. There was something odd about her that Ita couldn't put his finger on. If he didn't know better, he would say the lady was a demon. A fire one from the looks of it.

A few hours later the lady turned a dark alleyway near the outskirts of the city. Ita got in closer. The lady seemed to be talking into someone. "Sire, I couldn't find the girl at the store." She was reporting to a dark shadow in a glass sphere.

"Find her, that Angel is hiding her somewhere," the shadow replied.

Ita's heart dropped. Angel probably meant Hotaru. And girl could have been Seika or Ayame.

"Understood." The glass sphere flickered before turning dark. Letting out another puff of smoke, the lady spoke again. "Why don't you come out now. You're annoying me human."

Ita dropped to the ground, from his hiding spot. "You're a demon," he plainly stated.

The demon lady grinned. "Bright boy, you are. I'm afraid you made quite a big mistake following me. You'll die here." She blew out a giant flameball towards Ita.

The woman smiled and licked her lips. "That should take care of you."

But then her fireball was gone. Ita was still standing, looking just as smug as she had been a moment ago.

Her eyes narrowed. "What did you do?"

"Missed it? Want me to show you again?" He smirked. "Katon Ryuuka no Jutsu!"

A large fireball was now coming towards her.

Heh. That's all, huh? She exhaled, and fire streamed from her mouth. The two fireballs collided and went up in a terrific show of sparks and smoke.

"So you cancelled out my attack with a similar attack. Two can play that game, you know. And judging by you and me, we could probably do this forever."

"So we're at a stalemate."

"That would be the case..." Then she suddenly had him pinned to the wall. She stroked his cheek. "If it weren't for other factors."

She kissed him.

Ita tried to push her away, but his arms wouldn't move. Nothing would move. He couldn't see. He couldn't feel. The only thing he was aware of was her lips... And he fell into oblivion.

Hotaru's senses tingled. She snapped to alert. That only happened when one of her charges/friends were in danger. She quickly scanned the auras of her friends, which ones was it?

"Ita," she said breathlessly. In a blink of an eye she was gone. Seika would throw a fit if she found out.

***

Back at Yuki Hoku, a feeling of dread overcame Seika. Ayame had left a few hours ago, leaving Seika to her thoughts. Something was wrong. "Ita, you idiot," she whispered. "You better be alright."

***

The world around him was gray. Ita slowly opened his eyes. Where was he? The last thing he remembered being kissed by the demon lady. Ita twitched. Seika was gonna kill him if she ever found out about that.

One by one screens flickered on around him. Ita watched closely. They were showing events and people around the world. Strange. His eye drew to one screen, it was Seika looking worried as she sat in Yuki Hoku. A twinge of guilt hit him as Ita remembered just running out the door.

"I better get back to her soon," he told himself. Question was, how did he get back to her? Where was this place?

Suddenly he felt a tug and the world became black again.

***

Hotaru bit her lip and she focused her power. There was higher chance that Ita would die the longer she took. Threads flowed around her glowing brightly as she desperately tried to bring Ita back.

Her efforts weren't in vain. Slowly Ita's eyes opened once more. "Hotaru? Where?" he asked.

"Good you're back," said Hotaru. The threads slowly began to lose their glow. She was able to bring him back, but he was far from being out of danger. Ita was looking at spending a few weeks in bed beside having to listen to Seika's worried rants. She would have to ask him what happened later, or perhaps her uncle, Time, would be able to shed some light. Right now she had to get Ita back to Yuki Hoku.

The wind blew and they were gone.

"Took you long enough, Kisoka."

"I got caught up." She brushed past the inconsequential demon and sat down at the vanity. She reapplied the bright red lipstick. The lipstick was actually completely ordinary. The poison came from her lips. However, she thought the lipstick dramatized it.

She checked the rest of her face in the mirror.

Perfect.

Yuki Hoku had been unfruitful, but not completely. Someone else had been there. Kisoka would find him.

She slung the trench coat over the chair and turned the eye of everyone in the room. She pretended not to notice. She flipped her hair and waltzed through the crowd.

Dressed to kill.

The feeling Seika had was growing worse and worse by the minute. She felt a gust of wind blow into the shop. Seika despaired. No doubt that was Hotaru. She almost didn't want to turn around.

"Seika."

Seika forced herself and prayed that Ita was alright. Turning around she let out a gasp. "Ita!"

Her boyfriend laid limp in Hotaru's arms. His skin was pale sickly color and his breathing was shallow. "What happened," Seika asked frantically. Hotaru when to the back room where there was a spare bed. She put Ita down on the bed.

"I don't know. I was hoping Ita would tell me when he recovered. I managed to keep him from dying, but he's far safety," answered Hotaru. "I think it was poison."

Seika paled. "Should I call the doctor?"

"No I doubt they'll be able to help. This is a poison found only amount demons. Particularly amount female fire demons," said Hotaru. She had a weary look on her.

"So what do we do?" Seika's depression was growing by the minute.

"Calm down Seika," Hotaru replied. "Panicking will not help. I already asked Kai to bring antidote. He should be here any minute now."

There was snap and a whirlwind as Kai suddenly appeared in the store. In his hands was a bottle. "Here, I came as fast as I could," he panted tiredly.

Seika didn't waste much time pouring the antidote down Ita's throat. Ita coughed a bit, before falling back into a deep sleep.

"Now we wait," Hotaru spoke tiredly. "He won't die Seika, not while I'm here."

Sitting next to Ita, Seika nodded. "I know."

A palace on a hill... Oh how quaint.

Technically, it wasn't a palace but a very extravagant mansion. No matter, palace or mansion--it will all go down in smoke.

Kisoka strolled up the long walk way to the front door. She eyed the large golden lion door knocker with something like contempt. She turned haughtily away from it and banged on the door three times.

Everyone in the house jumped for the sound had not seemed to reverberate through the house but in their souls. The butler stared at the door with a look of wariness. He really didn't want to open it.

The knock came again.

He shouldn't shudder. There was no reason to be afraid. His past was not behind that door waiting to condemn him. It was probably just a lost tourist. He reasoned this to himself with each step towards the door. By the time his hand was on the doorknob, he almost believed it.

Almost.

The knock came again.

He nearly jumped out of his skin. He opened the door more out of reflex than reason.

A dark skinned woman with lips that screamed poison was leaning against the door frame. The most covering garment she wore was not a garment at all but her long purple curls that cloaked her shoulders.

"Why hello," she purred.

The man was speechless. His expression said he wanted to slam the door in her face, but his eyes persuaded to keep looking for a bit longer.

"Isn't it rather cold tonight?" She hugged herself and looked up at the sky.

He nodded.

"Well, then I suppose I can help you..." She leaned in close and exhaled.

The fire consumed the him before he could scream. She dropped his burning carcass in the doorway. The flames traveled quickly over the lush carpet, but not quite fast enough for her liking. She stepped back and took another breath.

She exhaled.

This time several screams raked the night air. Kisoka smiled to herself and tossed her head. "Not cold anymore, hm?"

Hotaru twitched. Something was calling her away, but she dare not leave Ita in such a frail state. The tug came again, she ignored it. Unless it was the major war that was about to start, she wasn't gonna care too much about it.

Seika had moved from her spot next to Ita. Hotaru's heart twinged a bit with guilt. It wasn't often that Seika let down her defenses like that. The snow shinobi loved Ita with all her heart. The worried expression was more then enough proof.

The tug pulled again. This time even harder. "Damn," swore Hotaru.

Kai looked at her. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"Something is calling." answered Hotaru. She rubbed her forehead. A headache was beginning to increase with each tug.

"It's okay Hotaru. Go. Ita will be fine," Seika spoke softly.

Hotaru stared at Seika. "You sure. It's probably not that important."

Seika looked at her friend. "You told me once, that each tug had a meaning a reason. Someone needs your help. You've already helped Ita. The rest is up to him."

Hotaru smiled softly. As usual Seika was wise beyond her years. "I'll be back as soon as I can." She disappeared with a brief whirlwind.

***

Burnt.

Smoke danced into the sky like a tall looming pillar. A beacon signaling the end of something and the start of something new. Fire danced and licked hungrily against the dry grass and wood.

Up in the sky, Hotaru stared down in horror. This was were the tug brought her. Jonelle's parents house. Hotaru's heart sank. The girl would be crushed. It was mostly likely the works of demons. She clenched her fists tightly. Tonight her song, Death's song, sang loud and clear. It nearly took Ita and snatched away Jonelle's parents.

Arashi

Her brother's voice answered quickly. Yeah Hotaru?

Send a storm to Jonelle's parent's house.

Eh? Why?

There's a fire I need you to put out.

Huh?! Hotaru! What happened?

Later. I have some bad news to deliver. Hotaru bite her lip. The girl would be crushed. She disappeared again with the wind, reappearing in Jonelle's room were she was reading again.

"I have some bad news, Jonelle," Hotaru said as calmly as possible.

Hotaru watched the girl with a sympathetic face. There was nothing she could do but watch.

Jonelle turned away from Hotaru. Angels weren't supposed to bring bad news. She paced the room madly, trying to draw comfrot from her sanctuary. The books lay open on the table--innocent fairytales taunting her. She turned from the desk and ended up facing the window. The angel was still there, blocking the stars. She turned again and tripped over the rug's corner. She tried to catch herself but ended up knocking down a vase of sky flowers.

She lay on the floor in the remains of the flowers. She wanted to scream. This wasn't supposed to happen. This room was supposed to be safe. This was supposed to be her haven.

Her haven had been invaded.

Hotaru reached out a hand tentatively. Jonelle flinched violently. The girl eyed the angel with distrust. Hotaru drew back her hand; her lips formed a sad line. She left.

And when she was gone, Jonelle screamed and screamed until she could not draw breath. She could not bawl but took in silent gasping breaths the raked her body.

Her dress was soaked. Jonelle briefly fancied that they were from her tears, but she knew it was the water from the broken vase. For some petty reason, she felt cheated. She crawled away from the broken vase and sat huddled in the corner, staring at the pool of water and strewn sky flowers venomously.

A light knock. "Jonelle?"

That was Gate.

A small sob escaped her lips.

The door swung open. "Oh Jonelle." And she was in Gate's arms. He held her like a small child, and she clung to him. Her sobs burst anew.

"Th-they--" she began in a shaky breath.

"Shhh." Gate stroked her hair comfortingly. "You don't have to tell me. I know. If it will make you feel better you can tell me. Or if it will make it worse, then don't. I'm not going to tell you it's going to be alright because your world has just fallen apart, and you won't believe me."

Gate held her face and wondered what the hell he was babbling about.

"But I promise that this isn't the end."

Jonelle's mouth formed a shaky smile, and then she collapsed.

It was raining the day of the funeral. Many people didn't show up. Jonelle didn't want that many people there while others thought it would be too dangerous anyways. Under the pouring rain, Jonelle said her goodbyes to her parents for the last time.

The poor girl was still sobbing by the time it was over. Hotaru watched from the distance, knowing full well she was not invited. It was a sad day indeed.

Ryft and Tess found out a few hours later that Jonelle actually came for a rich family. Jonelle had offered them to live with her in her family's summer house until she could settle everything with her parents' wills. Gate, of course, had no choice but to agree.

"This... is huge." Ryft stared in awe. The sumer house was three stories, lavished in deep red colored carpet and long black curtains. The walls were a pearl white color and a flat screen tv was mounted on the wall. He was pretty sure that the bathroom tub was decorated with gold. He resisted the urge to let out a loud glee and go snatching up valuable items.

"Actually, it's quite small compared to our winter house," Jonelle whispered. Her eyes were still red from crying all day.

"Your winter house is bigger then this?" Tess asked in shocked.

Jonelle nodded. "It's convenient too. Yuki Hoki is right downstairs," commented Riku. He looked around. It wasn't the safest, but at least there were more physical protections around. Seika would know right away that someone was attacking.

"I had no idea this was your house," said Seika. "Well if you need anything, I'm downstairs on the bottom floor." She turned around and headed back downstairs. She didn't dare Ita alone for too long.

"So... what do we do now?" asked Ryft.

"We plan. We anticipate. We watch." Gate collapsed on the couch next to Jonelle.

Tess frowned at him. "That's just your way of saying we sit around and do nothing until we get attacked."

"Well, what is there to do? We can't exactly march into Hell and kill every single demon in it. Besides, there would always be more. Best we just wait until this demon king comes to us." Gate busied himself with a box of pocky he had pilfered from Yuki Hoku downstairs.

Jonelle looked at her knees. Gate had explained the situation to her. Apparently, a demon king was after her. Jonelle had no idea why, but if she was causing all this trouble... If it was her fault her parents...

"Hey." Gate looked at her disapprovingly. "I told you."

"There is no way in hell you're giving yourself up to the demon king. If you do that, we're all going to have to march into Hell before our time. And trust me, that will cause us a lot more trouble than just letting us protect you. And if you give yourself up... I will make your lessons much worse. Believe me, you do not truly know the meaning of awkward."

Jonelle gave him a small smile. She got up tiredly and ran a hand through her hair. "I think I'm going to go take a nap."

"Mm." Gate nodded with a mouthful of pocky.

Ryft was fidgeting like a ten year old kid.

"Stop it, Ryft," Tess scolded him.

"I can't help it. I'm booooored. Bored, bored, boooooooorreeeeeeddd--"

BOOM!

Downstairs, Seika twitched violently. Was a few months of peace really too much to ask? She kissed Ita on the cheek. "Stay out of trouble," she warned. Ita who was somewhat awake nodded before slipping back into a deep sleep. Seika activated the wards Hotaru left her. It would give some protection to Ita. Apparently no one thought about applying to the house upstairs.

She grabbed her katanas and ran towards the stairs. Punching in a few numbers on her cellphone, she called Ayame. "Hey Ayame. It's Seika. Get over to Yuki Hoku. We're gonna need your help. Contact Hotaru and her family too if you can."

***

Riku pushed Jonelle out of an attack before letting out a blast of magic. Apparently a bunch of low class demons decided to welcome themselves to the housewarming party. He glanced towards the stairs, feeling Seika's aura coming up. That was good. He didn't think he would be able to handle the endless amounts of demons pouring in by himself.

"Usuyuki no Ryu, Hyouhen!" A wave of ice shards came flying at a pack of demons, killing over a dozen. A second later, Seika flew in the room, taking down another pack with her katanas.

"Gate get Jonelle out of her," she ordered.

"Ryft, Tess go with them too!" Riku shouted afterwards. Ryft threw another explosive at the pack of demons before grabbing Tess and following Gate downstairs.

"Usyuki no Ryu, Hyouheki!" Seika cried out. An ice wall formed between her and the demons.

"Tsalb Ralos," shouted Riku. A bright light flew from his hands blinding the demons before they burst into flames.

***

Downstairs Gate, Jonelle, Ryft and Tess ran into another problem. The demons were waiting for them outside. Ryft ran forward, throwing another one of his bombs into the pack. It didn't do much. "Oh man. I kill a bunch of demons and then ten more pop up like daisies. What are we gonna do?" he asked, looking at Gate.

Gate didn't know what to do. As he told Hotaru, his defenses took time and time was something he didn't have. He pushed Jonelle out of the way as a demon came leaping at her.

"You know, Seika isn't going to be angry when she finds out that you're destroying her shop. I suppose I'll have to stop you. Kitsune, Eternal Frost!"

Instantly all the demons froze and shattered into ice dust. The four of them turned around. Standing in the doorway, stood Ayame with a looming White Fox standing behind her. "Looks like you guys could use some help," she said with a smile.

"Thanks." Gate nodded at her.

"We should get Jonelle out of here," Tess said.

"Yeah," Ryft agreed.

"Kitsune, Eternal Frost!" Ayame took out another wave of demons and nodded at Ryft. "You should take her, Ryft."

"What?" He nearly dropped a bomb.

Gate answered for her. "Me and Tess aren't fighters, so we wouldn't be able to defend her for long. Ayame is needed to keep these demons back. Besides," Gate decided to employ flattery, "you're our thief. You have the ability to spirit things away before anyone knows they're gone."

It was like a sudden light was lit in Ryft's eyes. A mad smile danced on his lips. "I haven't been on a proper run in months." He wrapped an arm around Jonelle's waist and lifted her easily. He threw something at Gate. "You'll know where to find me."

And he was gone.

"You two should get lost too. If you stay here, you'll just get caught in the crossfire," Ayame advised them.

"Right."

But there was no where to run.

Upstairs Seika stumbled backwards. She wiped the blood away from a scratch on her cheek. Scowling she slashed another demon in half. "This is getting ridiculous," she muttered.

"I agree," said Riku. He let out another blast of magic destroying another wave. "We take one demon down, two more pop up."

"There can't be an endless wave of them. There are only so many demons in the world. I doubt our so called demon king was willing to send his -entire- army to fight against us," said Seika. She danced away from a string of fire attacks.

Riku grunted. "I know. I can't find where the focus point is. I'm willing to bet that half or more of these demons are actually illusions."

Seika swore under her breath. "Well damn. Yuki Hoku better be standing still after this."

"I think we have bigger problems to worry about then that Seika," replied Riku. He aimed for the corner in the back of the room. "I just found our guest. lenac dna laever." Suddenly half the demons in the room vanished and in the corner remained one more.

The demon had a cocky air surrounding him. His dark glasses gleamed as he smiled so brightly. He tipped his black hat and bowed. "Pleasure to meet you. You two have fought well. I am Raniez and this is where you will die today." A river of sand poured from his hands and flew towards Seika and Riku.

Both dodged. "A sand demon," muttered Riku. "The ability to create illusions, sandstorms, change shape and form as well as create earthquakes if skilled enough."

"That's wonderful," Seika muttered.

Kisoka and another demon who seemed to be her male counterpart were standing in huddled conference, blocking the path.

Gate gestured to Kisoka with his head and then pointed to himself. Tess did the same with the other demon.

Gate waltzed over and broke the conference. "Why hello there, love." He wrapped his arm around Kisoka's waist and winked at her.

Kisoka, for some reason unbeknowst to her, blushed.

The other demon snarled at him, but then Tess' hand was on his shoulder. He turned around and looked at the girl.

He was enchanted. Gate grinned at her. Tess was incredible. If one looked at her, one wouldn't even suspect that she turn from irritable tomboy to simpering temptress.

"Why don't we get away from this mess and bang, hm?" Gate proposed.

Kisoka nodded.

"I'm not really for this scene either," Tess whispered in his ear. He felt more of the sensation of her breath against his skin than he comprehended the words.

"Let's go."

Ryft darted away carrying Jonelle. He was well aware that there was a pack of demons still following him. He glanced down at the object that looked exactly like the one he threw at Gate. He just hoped that Hotaru knew what she was doing.

***
Flashback

"Oh Ryft, Here." Hotaru threw a small black bag to Ryft. He opened the bag. Inside was about ten little silver marbles and three black marbles. "I get a feeling you'll be needing these."

"What are they?" he asked.

"MPM. Mini Portal Makers."

"What?!"

"Mini portal makers. They'll create portals that allow you to cover great distances. The silver ones will take you anywhere in this world," Hotaru explained. "Just throw them to the ground, say the place you wish to travel to and jump through the portal."

"And the black ones?" Ryft asked.

"The blacks ones... are special. They are never to be used unless the demons are attacking you. It'll take you to a safe haven where no demons will enter. However there are other dangers that lurk there. Mostly likely you'll meet one of my family members. They'll be able to protect you. So use the blacks ones wisely," Hotaru warned.

End Flashback

***

Ryft darted around the corner and into an alleyway. At the end, he let Jonelle down so that she could stand on her own and then he threw the black marble to the ground. The portal quickly opened. Grabbing Jonelle by the hand, Ryft jumped threw. He seriously hoped that Hotaru knew what she was doing when she gave those things to her.