The man looked to Elliot andsmirkedlooking to Abby. "another new friend Abby?heh your at three friends",he said sounding shocked.

Abby glared."leave her be!"

The man backed away from Abby and the Elliots blade."oh i look forward toour official battle Abby",he sai laughing darkly and vanished.

Abby sighed sitting back against the tree.

"Who was that guy?" Elliot asked as she disengaged her over-soul. Spire returned to full spirit form and perched himself on her shoulder.

Yukina sighed."the onewhokilled my family"

"I see," Elliot said, not prodding for details. "I take it you want to take him down for it, huh?"

Yukina smiled some."there is way more to it then that imafraid,anywase thank you for helping me....

"No problem." Elliot replied. "Isn't that what a friend's supposed to do?"

Abby smield softly." yeah, thats true"

"Speaking of friends," Elliot said. "You've got a couple at the hospital who are rather worried about you. What's wrong?"

Yukina sighed."I'm not going there,i can't ......"

"And why would that be?" Elliot pressed. "You're worried they'll get hurt?"

Abby nodded."yeah"

Elliot sighed. Looks like it's tough love time. She thought. "You know, your friends are worried about you. And if you ask me, true friends wouldn't care about the danger surrounding them." She said. "Hell, they'd HELP you get through it, idiot."

Abby sighed."one of themis inacoma,and may not make it ,i knew a healing spell i was taought long ago,itdidnt work ....so he doesnt evenknow the damger thats going on....."

"You mean Xing. Trust me, he'll make it. I made sure of that." Elliot replied. "I have a bit of healing magic in me as well. I just gave the one you cast a bit more juice, so it's doing its job now." She turned serious again. "But if you're so sure your friends will get killed in this fight, then why are they your friends anyway? Has it ever occurred to you that they want to help you out in these tough times?"

Abby sighed."so great,my healing techniqe is shitty",looks to her."just get over it m not going back,ihadintended a long time ago that i would do this journy alone ,andseeinghow strong that .... man has gotten ,I know now mmoe then ever that i should have stuck tothat plan"

Elliot sighed. "That'll just make you more vulerable, genius." She said sourly.

Abby sighed."I'll be fine ....."

"All right then, have it your way." Elliot said as she left the girl. "But don't blame me if you end up in more trouble than you can handle. Friends can be more of an advantage that you think."

When she left the warehouse Spire alighted on her shoulder. "Weren't you being a bit tough on the girl?" He asked.

Elliot closed her eyes. "The girl needs someone to make her see the truth of friendship." She said. "You know as well as anyone that I used to be like that. I just modified the lecture you gave me."

"I knew I recognized the tone." Spire said. "But at least you weren't that bloody thick."

"Just shut up, smartass." Elliot said.

Spire grunted. "You're one to talk. You know, if I had hands I'd flip you off right now."

Yukina watched her go and then looked away.

((Mind if we do a fast-forward in RP time?))

(go for ot)

((Okies.))

After a couple of days, Xing was at least concious. And stir-crazy. Every time he had to pee, it had to be in the bedpan. And he didn't like it.

"Did I ever mention that I HATE not being able to walk right now?" Xing griped. "Damn it...all I ask is to take a wiz in a toilet...."

"Master Xing, I believe you should watch your tongue." Bason said. "And quit complaining. We have guests."

Xing merely replied by sticking his tongue out.

Shiki smiled some."well its goodto see you awake ....."

Kimikonodded." yes ,you had everyone worried......"

"I know. Bason gave me the lecture..." Xing replied. "But I'm friggin' bored! I need something to do other than stare out the window all day!"

Kimiko sighed."i should get Yukina to comeher...maybe that will snap her back to her sences"

Shiki sighed."maybe"