"Nori!" Yuko screamed again. She ran up to her childhood friend. Her eyes and skin lost some of its color. "Nori..."

"Hey, kid," Serrano said, picking him up. "Hey, open your eyes!"

"Nori, please wake up," Ximena said, placing a hand on his head.

"Please, Nori..." Yuko said, closing her eyes tightly. "Please wake up."

"Do not fear, my faithful son is safe," the voice said once more before vanishing.

Nori let out a weak groan as he opened his eyes. "Where is Nori? What happened to the Sky Father?"

"Nori! Nori's awake!" Yuko said, opening her eyes.

Nori giggled as Serrano put him back down. "Yeah, Nori is up now!"

"Sky Father?" Saya asked. She glanced up at the white mist overhead. "You spoke to him?"

Nori rubbed his forehead. "Yeah, Nori even saw him! The one who along with the Earth Mother crafted this world. He told Nori that the time for rebirth is near, but that first the seven must be reborn."

Saya rubbed her chin as she lowered her head. "That's... interesting."

"That's still a long ways away," a cold voice echoed. Descending from the ivory stairs was a blue winged angel.

"Aunt," Saya said, turning around to face the sapphire-winged woman.

The woman walked past her niece. She raised her top wings, allowing us to see her long, wavy indigo hair. The angel's eyes were like those of Eri's, as deep hued as the oceans themselves. "Greetings, mortals."

"Aunt? So, this woman must be..." Setsuko began.

"Regina? Aquarina? That's right, I'm one of the seven, the 'Angel of Water'," the angelic woman said, floating closer to us. "You five with the cauldrons my husband made, come with me."

Wait, Halim made these?

"Huh?" I asked. "What for?"

She glanced back, staring at us silently. In the sea of her eyes were hints of bitterness. "Follow me and we'll tell you."

"Wait," Yuko yelled. "What about Yuko and the others?"

Aquarina stared at her for a moment. "You're..."

"Yeah, she's Amira's relative," Saya responded. "Like Amira's mother, she lived as a slave. A relic dating back to your rule, dear aunt."

Right, Yuko's ancestors were captured in that most ancient of wars between Xeleria and our realm.

Aquarina floated upwards, not saying another word.

"You five knights follow my aunt," Saya said, stepping toward Yuko. "I'll take care of Yuko and the others." She paused. "But before that, who do you desire to lead your groups in your absence?"

My eyes shifted toward Setsuko.

She's likely going to pick my cousin. Eiichi will probably go for his girlfriend. Hideo will likely go for Koukyuu or Ayumi. Hyosetsu... no idea as to who he would choose.

I turned toward my group.

Out of all of my members, the top choices are Kohri, Takuya, and Ximena. Ximena though might be a better leader with her ability to break up squabbles. Meanwhile, Takuya is easy to befriend. But then again, Kohri is an excellent judge of character.

"I'll go with Maki," Setsuko said, causing everyone's eyes to shift to her.

Serrano smiled as if agreeing with her choice.

"A Kasai no Ki?" Saya said, visibly surprised.

"Hmph. I'm nothing like my ancestors. I wish to do away with the grudges of the past. Maki and Serrano are the most capable candidates. But Serrano is my fiancé, so I rather avoid picking him. Doing so would amount to nepotism."

Maki smiled. "Really?"

Setsuko smiled and nodded. "Yeah."

The Kasai no Ki prince snickered. "Thanks. I promise that we will find the most capable candidates that we can."

"A Kasai no Ki, huh?" Hyosetsu said, eyeing Kei. "I hate to say it, but his younger brother would be best suited to take over for me."

"What?" Huang asked. "You honestly expect me to take orders from a Kyuu-Hyakuian? And someone younger than me at that."

"We're moving forward from the conflict between the Kasai no Ki and Kuroriku clans," Maki interjected. "I think that we should do the same as Kyuu-Hyaku and Wudi."

Huang snickered. "Letting go of grudges... Reminds me of Bai. Fine, I'll continue to tag along, but don't expect me to follow orders like a dog. If I think he's making the wrong decision then I won't hesitate to go against it."

"Well, I will be picking Koukyuu," Hideo said. "Like Maki and Kei, she's best suited to lead them."

"Being led by Koukyuu? Again?" Sonata said, shaking her head.

Zydeco snickered. "We hope that you can lead us well, princess."

Koukyuu's face flushed. She crossed her arms over her chest and said, "I... will. Like always!"

"I'll be choosing Yamile," Eiichi said as he emerged from the portal he had been sent through. "Sabine is still somewhat inexperienced in battle. So, I trust Yamile to keep Sabine safe and find the right members for my group."

"Rough, but honest," Saya said, nodding.

Sabine lowered her head. "Yeah..." She clenched her hands into fists. "I need to get stronger."

"And you will. This journey is sure to harden all of you." Her eyes shifted toward me. "Now, who do you choose to lead?"

"It's a tough choice, but Ximena has the best temperament to be leader from my group's members. Better than mine in fact."

Saya glanced at the five chosen vice leaders. "Four Kasai no Ki, eh? Interesting."

Tekeshi nodded and said, "Yeah. Our ancestors would burst a nerve if they saw this."

"Yeah, most likely," Osamu said, smiling.

Odd, I would've expected him to share the same dislike for the Kasai no Ki as his ancestors. Perhaps, I was wrong about the guy. Still don't like him, though.

Cries snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Setty, I'm going to miss you!" Rosalba said as tears streamed down her face. With wet eyes, she clenched her sister's arm. "Please say safe!"

"I will be fine," Setsuko said, patting her sister's head to calm her down. "I can defend myself if you're worried that the one who attacked you will try doing so with me."

"Yeah... but..."

I walked over to the princesses. "Don't worry, I'll keep Setty safe."

"Do not trust anyone but yourself," Hyosetsu said as he walked up the steps. "Trusting another only leads to hurt."

"Oh, come on brother!" Kohri yelled, running after his brother.

Hyosetsu closed his blue eyes and vanished into the mist at the top of the steps.

The younger Kuroyuki no San stopped and took a deep breath. "That guy, distrustful of others like always."

"I don't blame him," I said, putting my hands into the pockets of my blue jeans.

That guy, he must have experienced something similar to me. Hurt by those he trusted the most at the time he needed their friendship.

"He's right," I said, turning away. "Though it matters not if you trust me or not. I'll watch over her for you and step in to aid her. If she needs it, that is."

Rosa sighed and walked over to me. She punched me in the chest and chuckled. "Silly, I do trust you. Now, stay safe too. Try not to get into fights with the other boys."

My face reddened. "I'll... try not to. Uh, not counting sparring sessions."

The young princess giggled. "Of course!"

"Well then, let's get going!" Tekeshi said, extending his hand out to form another portal. "To Xeleria we go!"

I smiled slightly and waved. "Bye, guys," I said.

I felt something pull on the back of my black t-shirt. Staring up at me were Yuko's large brown eyes.

"Master," my tanuki follower said. "Remember what Yuko was promised. Come back safely. Yuko doesn't want to lose Master again!"

I turned around and reached out to pat her head, but to my surprised she jumped up and leaned forward.

Everyone gasped, including myself.

Yuko... had kissed me, again.

She backed away slowly. Her face was completely red. She ran into the portal, not allowing me to say another word.

T-this was the second time she had kissed me like that.

Rosa glared at me before rushing off.

"H-hey!" I yelled, reaching a hand out to her. "Come back! Rosa! Let me explain! Didn't you see that she was the one who kissed me?"

Tekeshi chuckled. "Ahhh, brings back memories."

I narrowed my eyes at him.

He covered his mouth and ran off.

"Good luck when you see them again," Serrano said, trying not to laugh. "Bye, cuz! I'll watch over your two-member harem for you!"

"Alright, and I'll watch your princess for you," I said, grinning. "Though you have to leave Xime for me to watch over your own two-member harem."

Ximena's face reddened. She glanced at my cousin and then charged off into the portal.

Suddenly, Serra and I winced. Something, or rather someone had hit us over the head.

"You morons!" Setsuko said, glaring at us.

Serra and I laughed.

She sighed and turned around. "Not sure why I..." she said, saying the last words in a voice so low that I couldn't make them out. Though she seemed to have been blushing as her ears were red.

"Bye!" Serra said, waving. He rushed off into the portal.

I frowned as I watched him leave. My chest, it ached like how it did when I thought that I had lost Serra and Rosa. Back when I had yet to be reunited with Yuko.

Yuko! I forgot to ask Tekeshi how to break the contract! Next time I see him I need to ask.

"Is something the matter?" Setsuko asked, glancing over her shoulder.

I gulped. "I... I got a bad feeling."

She put her hands on her hips and sighed. "Don't worry, Serra and the others will be fine. They're strong in their own right."

I hope so... The enemy has shown themselves to be stronger in the past. Serra, Rosa, Yuko, Xime, please stay safe.

*Yuko*

Yuko's face felt like it was on fire as we were teleported from the heavenly mountain to Xeleria. We were back in Kyuu Seishin, the home of Yuko's ancestors.

"You're awfully brave," Ximena snickered as we made our way toward a cherry-blossom covered castle.

"Yuko isn't..." Yuko grumbled.

How is Yuko going to talk with Master Tetsuya? Will he hate Yuko for stealing another kiss from him?

Rosa stared at Yuko with distaste and said, "T-that was dirty!"

Yuko stopped and blinked. "Huh?"

Rosalba closed her and eyes and covered them with the sleeves of her orange shirt. "I said that was dirty! It's not fair... that you kissed him a second time before me."

Yuko's eyes widened. "Princess wants to kiss him again? But princess refused his kiss back in bratty short knight's home."

Rosalba shook her head. "N-no..." She let out of a muffled cry. "Alright, yes... but..."

"Princess has doubts?" Yuko asked. "Didn't she say that she trusts Tetsu?"

The princess sighed. "I do trust him... The thing is..." She lowered her head, tears sliding down her face. "Kissing, it just... it brings back bad memories. On the day it happened, I kissed him." She placed her hands over her chest and smiled slightly. "It was the happiest moment in my life. My heart felt as if it would leave my chest at that moment. Yet..."

"It fell apart, didn't it?" Ximena asked, patting the princess' shoulder.

Rosa sniffled. "Y-yeah. That guy, the one who attacked me, he robbed me of that joy."

Ximena patted her back. "There, there. Take it easy. Recalling those moments are still hard on you."

"Yeah," Yuko said, nodding.

The princess smiled as she wiped away her tears. "Thanks, Xime. You too, Yuko. T-though, next time it will be my turn to steal a kiss from him."

Mean man chuckled and turned his back to us. "Both of you are interesting girls. I wonder which of you my son will pick. Or perhaps, he'll go for Setsuko."

"Setsuko?" Rosalba and Yuko said in unison along with a third voice. It was Master's cousin, Serrano. He glared at his mean uncle.

"What did you mean by that?" Serrano asked, glaring at him.

Mean man smiled at him. "Relax, I was only teasing the girls. Do not tell me that you actually think that there's something going on between the crown-princess and my son."

"Stop speaking nonsense, Tekeshi," mean king said as he walked behind us. He turned to look at his nephew and saw that he was staring at the cherry blossom trees.

"Aren't they beautiful?" mean man asked.

"They are," Yuko said, eyes glittering.

Rosalba nodded. "Yeah."

"Reminds me of pictures of Kasai no Ki I've seen," Ximena said, sighing. "Hope I can visit it one day."

Serrano turned away, not saying a word.

"Serra, you alright?" Rosa asked him.

"Blossoms with short lives..." he muttered.

"That reminds me, Osamu and I haven't told you what Mr. Itou said," mean man said.

Serrano stopped and turned to look at his two uncles. "That's right. What did he say that I should know?"

Mean king took a deep breath. "You might want to hold onto someone or something before I tell you this. It's about your brother."

He gasped. "M-my brother? What about him?"

"Why would Mr. Itou have something to say about Conrad?" Rosalba asked, staring at her father.

Yuko's eyes widened. Did princess just say Conrad? T-that name... where did Yuko hear it before?

Her eyes shifted to the dagger strapped on her belt. Conrad...

"Go on, tell me!" Serrano said, stepping closer to him. His silver eyes were fixed on his paternal uncle.

The king took a couple of deep breaths. "Mr. Itou said he saw someone who looked like him with the red-haired Ruler, Aster."

"W-what?"

The king nodded. "Conrad... he might still be alive."

**Solar Note: This chapter was originally the last one of The Shadow of Justice. Moved it here as it began a new adventure/facet of the story**