[OP: "To be a Man"--Mulan. AMV by Conflict Revolution]

Finally Raven spoke again:

"I see."

"That...that's it? You see?" Mira sputtered.

"It's a real concern, I'll give you that," Raven admitted. "I don't know the answer. But I know one thing: When two people are drawn to each other, willpower tends to weaken over time. Romantic feelings are hard to ignore. Either you remove yourself from the temptation, or you give in. I've never seen that fail...and I've been...with a lot of people."

"I don't want to hear about all that..." Mira made a face.

"The point I'm making is you can't just ignore it forever. It won't work," Raven insisted. "But, you could tell him that was the reason and wait to see if we ever resolve this mess with Gwi-Ma...but I don't see the point."

"Huh...? Why not?"

"Because, if that happens, then the reason you're worried will be a moot point... Your logic makes no sense. As we're all in this together anyway, it doesn't matter if you're dating or not--you'll both be in danger. Might as well enjoy what time you can. And if we defeat Gwi-Ma, then you won't be in danger, any more than a normal person, and it would be fine. Unless--you're really just protecting yourself from risking loss. But...if you like him already, won't you still be upset anyway? You literally collapsed yesterday because of what happened... Do you think that will get better over time if you try to shut down your emotions?"

Raven was making some pretty good points, though in a very blunt way.

Mira had no retort. It was all true.

She sighed and looked at the ceiling. "What if...aside from all that, I just don't know if I can do this? I suck at communication anyway... Even with the girls, I struggle with it... With someone else... I'm not good with men, either. My dad and my brother both..."

"I'm not good with men in any way that you'd care to imagine, so I can't help you there." Raven shrugged.

"Well...there you go. I mean, I can't get through one conversation without saying something offensive." Mira frowned at the floor. "Baby might be right about that."

"Oh, don't ever say those words." Raven frowned. "Not about him."

"Broken clock is right twice a day, right?"

"That clock is more than just not moving... The hands have been twisted around."

"That's quite a visual."

"So your excuse is you just can't?"

"Where would I even start?" Mira sighed. "I mean, we're not even done getting our own crap together. Is it even a good time to think about dating?"

"It's never a good time," Raven stated. "Romance never happens at the convenient time. If it was something you could plan and execute perfectly, people wouldn't struggle with it. All my planned relationships were simply me trying to take advantage of someone else. Genuine love happens without forcing it. If you wait till the time is right, it never will be."

"Are you seriously trying to give me a motivational speech now?"

"No...not really. You're just not making sense. Excuse after excuse... Just say what you want."

"What I want?" Mira looked more spooked.

"Yes, what you want, Mira." Raven gestured at her. "You haven't said it once. Isn't that the real issue?"

"I...well...um..."

"If you didn't have to think of anything else, and you asked if you wanted to be with Abby... would you say yes?" Raven saw she'd hit on something now.

Mira froze.

After a long silence, Raven snorted. "Well, if you take that long to answer, I already know. Don't you also?"

"But...um...still..." Mira was buffering.

"Is this like that thing you told us at the resort, about not deserving a family or something?" Raven reflected. "You don't deserve to get what you want? Is that really your line of logic?"

"Don't make fun of it! Are you one to talk there?!"

"No...I'm disappointed to find out that you'd be like me."

"Disappointed? It's your life," Mira shot back. "You're a mess of insecurities yourself. Do you feel like you deserve Morph?"

"Not at all, but one thing about me is I always went for what I didn't deserve--figured if I could get it, I might as well. I'm selfish that way. But I'm starting to think I might just be more sane than you, because turning down affection, if it's offered to you freely and without strings, is just crazy." 

Raven then took her arm and jerked it. 

"Do we get so many chances in life for someone to like us for the way we really are? I've had maybe 5 total, and that's just in the last few years. Decades of being alone made me think it wasn't going to happen...so I know what I'm talking about. Are you such a walk in the park that you're going to find that many people who actually like you the way you are?"

"Why...?" Mira couldn't believe she'd just said that.

"No." Raven let her go. "You're hard to understand and short tempered. Even if you got that under control, you're still complicated. It's the way with people like us. So, you either choose people who will like that about you, for their own bizarre reasons, or, you're alone. That's just practical."

"There's something wrong with the way you said that," Mira objected. "Like...shouldn't you say something about the value of love or taking a chance?"

"What use is that if you already know it?" Raven wasn't about to say something that cheesy. "I think in terms of what I can gain in life, Mira. It's my problem, but I'm starting to think you all should think a little more that way, really. You need a reality check... Duty will always be there. There's always some other claim on your attention, if you're actually unselfish enough to listen to it... People are not always there. I've outlived most of the ones I ever cared about...and most of the ones who ever actually care about me are in this house. I may be selfish, but I wouldn't toss that aside now, not if I believed it. I'm not that stupid. Are you?"

Mira stared at her.

Raven was sure for once she'd said something clever and was proud of herself.

Mira finally looked away and almost smiled, but like she was half going to cry instead. "I...don't know what to say to that."

"Then shut up." Raven was rude. "There is nothing else to say. I guess you have to decide now. I wash my hands of this mess. Good luck."

She walked away... She wanted to go tell Morph that she'd actually successfully made a point finally.

Mira was left to think about that speech.

[Raven was cooking though.]

* * *

Baby wasn't happy that Zoey interrupted his chill time by asking them what they'd thought of the day.

And didn't want to hear what Raven said about how they'd be learning stuff all along.

Mystery, however, found it intriguing.

"I wonder if we absorbed things without knowing it, like when people get conditioned to things," he said.

"Well, not a nice thought," Zoey said.

"That sounds more like Gwi-Ma," Baby said, "suggesting things without you noticing it anymore."

"I think only you guys didn't notice it." Zoey frowned. "I noticed it."

"What did Gwi-Ma tell you?" Mystery asked her.

Zoey looks embarrassed. "Oh...just that I was too much and not enough. I don't belong, you know... Didn't I say before?"

"Like he remembers," Baby snorted.

"I think I remember that." Mystery didn't know. "That must have been hard to hear."

"I think I always heard that, a little," Zoey said, "in the back of my mind... Makes me wonder how Gwi-Ma really gets into people's heads if we all have insecurities."

"Do we have to talk about this again?" Baby turned up the TV. "Can't you go to bed?"

"Geez, I just thought I'd ask..." Zoey pouted. "Excuse me for trying to be nice."

"You're not nice, you just want attention," Baby said.

"Should you talk?" Mystery said.

Baby shot him a weird look.

"Wow...that was...savage for you." Zoey was surprised also.

"I didn't think of it that way. I just thought how he's always trying to get attention by being mean," Mystery said.

"Lowkey, how did you two even become friends?" Zoey said.

"Don't remember," Mystery said.

"Pretty sure he was just too dumb to know anyone was insulting him," Baby ventured. "Surprised he can even tell I was insulting you."

"You were insulting her?" Mystery said. "I thought that you believed you had a point."

"Oh...just go outside." Baby gave up.

Zoey grinned. "Oh, gosh, I see it now. You just can't get to Mystery, so you're friends by default, is that it? I want that. That's a super power."

But that was basically how she and Mira had become friends.

"Did you two hear the tea?" Romance suddenly came into the room. "Oh...hi, Zoey."

"What tea?" Zoey asked.

"I heard Rogue tell Raven earlier that she saw Mira and Abby kiss in the hallway," Romance said.

"What...?!" Zoey gasped. "And she didn't tell me?!"

"Ew, gross," Baby groaned.

"Why is that interesting?" Mystery said.

"Mystery, do you have any sense of drama?" Romance said peevishly. "Mira has been denying she has feelings for him all along. But it sounds like it was two-sided."

"It must be," Zoey said.

"But Abby is acting kind of like he's still confused," Romance said. "So I'm not sure they got together, but what if they do now? I get to be the only single one other than Baby, who doesn't even care... It's not fair."

"But I'm single," Mystery said.

"Only because you choose to be," Romance said.

Zoey blushed. 

"Huh?" Mystery said.

"You're so dumb," Baby whined. "All of you. Abby is an idiot too. That woman is bad news."

"HEY!" Zoey cried. Then winced a little, as that made her head twinge.

"Why do you keep saying that?" Mystery said.

"Because she's a hot mess," Baby said. "And we've already seen Romance get destroyed by a woman who couldn't handle real life. Do we need to see Abby experience that also? Women are trouble."

"I'm a woman," Zoey said.

"Trouble with a capital T." Baby was nasty.

"You know that not all girls are like that one who dumped Romance." Zoey folded her arms. "Who breaks up with someone over a scandal like that, for example? I think it's real crummy of her. Romance deserved better than that."

"I did?" Romance was surprised to hear this.

"Duh. And who dumps someone at the hospital?!" Zoey cried. "I mean, that's just disgusting. So some girls are nice, Baby."

"Says the one that threatens us with harm," Baby replied.

"I haven't done that in ages, not since you turned human," Zoey said. "But I told you not to talk about Mira that way. Abby would be lucky to have her. I like him okay, so I'd give them my blessing, though he's not my type."

"Really? You didn't check him out?" Romance said.

"Well, I like abs, but I like faces more," Zoey said.

"His face isn't so bad," Mystery said.

"Eh, he's too defined. I like a softer guy," Zoey said.

"He can't see hints through his bangs, Zoey. You're wasting your time," Romance said. "You'd have to be direct."

"Direct, huh?" Zoey said.

"Yes, spell it out for him. I'm tired of watching this," Romance sighed. "Just get it over with. I'd rather have the band-aid ripped off."

"What are you telling her to say?" Mystery asked.

"What if it's too soon?" Zoey didn't even respond directly to him.

"Trust me, he's dense as an atom." Romance sighed again. "Duh, he obviously likes you too. You're just both terrible at picking up signals."

"Who likes her?" Mystery said.

"Baby does," Romance said.

"What?!" Baby cried.

[Not in this fic.]

"I'm kidding, you moron," Romance said. "Honestly..."

"Well, is he right?" Zoey turned to Mystery. "Do you like me?"

"I...uh..." Mystery sputtered. "I'm... You..."

He turned red.

"Aw..." Zoey thought it was cute, luckily for him. "You can just nod."

Mystery froze.

"My gosh, some men don't deserve a girlfriend..." Romance said.

"Oh, don't say that," Zoey scolded. "You like what you like."

"That's the truth," Romance agreed. "For better or worse, but it's worse sometimes, based on my experience."

"I haven't said anything!" Zoey cried. "Don't make him more nervous. What about being supportive?"

"I am. Get on with it already," Romance said.

"You're no help." Zoey took Mystery's hand. "C'mon."

She walked out of the room.

"Romance, really?" Baby said. "One wasn't bad enough?"

"Baby, get a life."

"You first."

"I'd like to!"

* * *

"Romance is such a drama queen," Zoey said. "Your friends are kinda weird."

"Yeah..." Mystery couldn't argue with that.

"Anyway--" Zoey started to bounce on her heels nervously. "Well...uh...so, I like you."

Pause.

"You do?" Mystery was somehow still surprised by that.

"I thought I was being super obvious about it..." Zoey deflated a little. "Man..."

"I'm...um, not great at picking up on what people imply..." Mystery admitted. "Sorry...but...wait, do you mean romantic?"

"Sure, I've been flirting with you for ages now...even before you got free."

"You were?"

"Duh, did I...? Uh, I mean, well, maybe it was too much for you, sorry." Zoey got insecure. "But Romance said all that stuff, and I thought maybe I just wasn't direct enough...but if you don't like me, that's cool, you know. I don't want to freak you out, and I'm good with being friends if that's all, but I just..."

She was rambling now.

"But you like me? Why?" Mystery was dumbfounded. "I'm not good at anything."

"What? No, you're super sweet," Zoey protested. "And cute."

"But that isn't really useful..."

"Oh, don't say that. Besides...uh...like, what kind of reason is that to like someone? 'You're useful'? That sounds kinda psychotic."

"Oh, I guess you're right." Mystery was easily convinced.

"I mean, do you think I'm useful?" Zoey had a new fear unlocked.

"Well, you're good at things...but I didn't really think of it like that."

"So do you like me?" Zoey pressed.

"I think so," Mystery said.

"I mean...like me like me."

"I think so," he repeated.

"You don't know?" Zoey blinked.

"I'm not sure. I don't think I've ever felt that before, so...and I'm not very good at...emotions..."

"Oh...I see..." Zoey was ready to approach this scientifically. "Well...how about this--do you mind when I touch you? Like...when I hold your hand?" She held up his hand.

"No." Mystery answered honestly.

"What if I do this?" Zoey patted his head.

"No..."

"Does it...I mean, does it feel nice?"

"Yeah...kind of."

"Wow...whoa, that's kinda cute..." Zoey said. "Guess everything is cute when you like someone already."

[True that.]

"You're kinda cute too." Mystery didn't know where she was going with this but wanted to do his part.

"Aw..." Zoey blushed. "Thanks... Well--" She straightened. "--I'm thinking maybe we should try testing it a little further. We'll see if you like me enough to go out."

"How do we see that?"

"Why don't we kiss? And if you like it, then you like me that much."

"What about if you like it?"

"Oh, I'd like it," Zoey said, so shamelessly that it was good that Mystery couldn't pick up on her tone that well, as it might have caught him off guard.

[Look, I don't think Zoey is as weird as some fans make her out to be...but, we all know, she's got a side, even if it's a lighter version of it.]

"So this is a scientific way to test it?" Mystery said.

"Yep, totally," Zoey said. "Okay?"

"I guess that makes sense," Mystery agreed.

"Great." Zoey took his face and kissed him without any further warning.

It was a bit awkward, since they didn't have much experience, but neither of them really cared.

Then she pulled back. "So...uh...how was that?"

"It was nice..."

"Yeah, right? Should we just go out?"

"I mean...go out where?"

"You know, just...be together? I mean, it couldn't hurt."

"I'm okay with that."

"Really? Yay!" Zoey jumped up on her toes and put her hands together. "Wow...that was easier than I thought it would be. I should've done that ages ago."

"Maybe would have saved time." Mystery meant that seriously, but it was kind of funny.

Zoey snorted a laugh. "You're funny, you know that?"

"Was that funny?"

"Duh. S'okay, I like a funny guy."

"Oh." Mystery smiled finally.

"Are you two done yet?" Romance called. "I want to go back to my room, but I don't want to open the door and see something weird."

"Ugh, I forgot he was there," Zoey said. "Let's not tell anyone about this, okay?" She turned on her heel. "G'night."

"Good night..." Mystery agreed.

Zoey slipped down the hall.

Mystery opened the door.

"Well, what happened?" Romance asked.

"Uh...nothing." 

"Really? Nothing?" Romance was disappointed. "You're stupid. All that and nothing happens?"

Mystery didn't want him to be upset but didn't know if he should go into detail.

"Well, nothing that...big..." he hedged.

"That big? What does that mean?"

"I can't say."

"Can't say...that has to mean a kiss at least..." Romance muttered.

"Let's not ask." Baby covered his ears. "Shut up and go to bed."

"Fine," Romance huffed. "I guess I'll find out later."

He left.

* * *

Day 5:

The next day dawned bright but cold. The boys had to use the new coats they'd gotten while shopping.

The girls had to use their sweaters and warmer pants, and they were still cold, so they sat by the fireplace as long as they could.

Rogue and Storm had coats they could borrow, but they were too much taller than the girls for them to lend them any other warmer items.

"I could warm up the air a bit, but that could have unforeseen consequences to do for a long time," Storm offered.

"Oh...uh...no need to do that," Zoey said, thought she kind of wanted to see it.

"Hey, all." Shine walked in the front door then, carrying Grace bundled up in her carrier. "Whoa, it's chillier today than it was even yesterday. I hate winter."

"It's not even winter yet," Storm said.

"I know." Shine shuddered. "California looks good this time of year. Zoey, you feel me?"

"Yeah, I hate cold," Zoey agreed.

"At least it's not a hurricane," Rogue said.

"Where's Wally?" Rumi asked.

"Working again," Shine said. "He'll be off later today. Said to just get started without him. Did I miss anything?"

"You could say that," Zoey said.

"What?" Rumi and Mira both glanced at her strangely.

She giggled. "Nothing...later."

"Someone's happy," Abby noted, walking in.

"How do you feel?" Shine asked him.

"Well, physically, I feel fine," Abby said. "Back to normal."

"Good, we have to work today, and you need to be ready." Shine took off her winter coat. "The training room is at our disposal, right, Storm?"

"Yes," Storm said. "You're sure it's a good idea?"

"Using only the holographic projections should be okay," Shine said. "But keep an eye on the control panel."

"Of course," Storm said.

"Holographic projections?" Jinu repeated.

"Yes, the room uses both, but the mental ones are dangerous," Shine grimaced. "Raven found that out the hard way once. That was how the Morlocks tried to off her before."

"Oh...lovely. And you want us to use this room?" Mira said.

"It's fine as long as we don't use that feature," Shine stated. 

"What if we'd rather not?" Jinu winced.

"Don't be a baby," Shine said. "I had to train with assassins, super powered sociopaths, and I got kidnapped and tested by mad scientists. This is nothing."

"I always feel like I'm losing a conversation with her," Jinu said.

"Because you are," Abby said. "It sounds like she's had more hard experiences than any of us have."

"Oh, nothing as bad as being a demonic slave," Shine said. "Physically, anyway. I think you win."

She handed Grace to Rogue. "I'm getting tired of not having her with me every day...but I couldn't let her watch training."

"Yeah, not the best idea, but no worries, I'll keep 'er entertained," Rogue said. "She'll be right up here fer ya, sugar."

Grace fussed a little.

"I think she's getting tired of me doing this too," Shine said. "Also, I think she might be teething again... You guys have those frozen things, right?"

"Yeah. I remember that from last time," Rogue said. 

"Okay, let's go before I change my mind," Shine sighed.

She led them downstairs.

"I'm...uh, sorry you have to be away from Grace so much," Zoey said.

"Thanks, but at least the week is almost over, right?" Shine said. "Besides, she's been a good sport about us having to train all of you too. Hair pulling aside." With a smirk at Mira.

"What kind of training are we doing?" Romance asked nervously. "Because I really don't want to get beat up again."

"I asked the X-men to give us a hand, and this is one of their favorite things," Shine said slyly.

"Oh no..." Romance said.

Waiting downstairs were Storm, Logan, and Gambit.

Morph and Raven, of course, came with them.

Emma and the alter Scott were also there. Emma had snacks and tea with her.

"This should be good," she said.

"Do we need an audience for this?" Mira wasn't sure what Shine was going to make them do, but she didn't like the looks of this.

"Emma should be helpful," Shine said. "And Scott is well trained, same as all the X-men."

"What scenario you want?" Gambit was by the controls.

"Metropolitan. That's the main place they fight demons, anyway." Shine leaned on one of the chairs. "But keep it only to holograms, like I said, and keep it toned down. Mainly, I just want the landscape, no actual threats. I don't think that's necessary for this."

"Why bother at all then?" Storm said.

"I think a visual is better for training than a bare room," Shine shrugged.

"Indeed." Storm nodded.

"Well, we don't need training," Zoey said. "We all are expert fighters."

Logan sniffed. "Prove it."

"We could take you easily." Mira folded her arms. "Remember when I punched Gambit over a couch?"

"Didn't you lose your strength since den?" Gambit said.

"I got it back," Mira said.

"Actually, not sure you have it fully back," Shine said. "But, we'll see. We'll start slow, and, boys, you're in here too."

"But we really can't do anything," Jinu said. "I mean, Raven taught us a few self defense moves, but they're useless against real opponents. They just make us better at dodging."

"Quit bein' such a wuss," Logan said. "A man makes do with what he's got." He extended his claws.

"But we don't got those," Romance said.

"No problem," Shine said. "We have weapons here. Where is Kitty?"

"Late," Raven said.

"Here..." Kitty phased through the wall. "Sorry...I, uh, lost track of time while I was reading."

"I'm not sure about having a kid be part of this," Rumi said. "She's not gonna fight, right?"

"Sure she is," Shine said.

Kurt popped into the room. "Guten Morgen."

"And him too?" Jinu said nervously.

"Duh," Shine said. "Everyone in the room now." She opened the entrance door.

They all filed in hesitantly.

Storm and Logan came with them. The other adults remained in the control room to watch.

Raven and Morph just leaned on the wall of the room though.

Gambit must have turned on the device, because the walls changed to look like they had tall buildings and asphalt streets and traffic lights.

If you looked very closely, you could see the real room through the hologram, but if you didn't focus on it, it was pretty convincing.

"Whoa...this is so cool." Zoey touched it. "My hand goes through this..."

"All right." Shine drew her sword out of thin air. "Girls, weapons, please."

They summoned their weapons. Thankfully, they still could.

"Let me test something," Shine said. "Zoey, knife please."

"Sure." Zoey handed her one.

Shine nodded at Logan and then threw it at him.

They were surprised that she actually aimed it correctly and that he didn't dodge.

The knife stuck into his arm.

"What!?" Rumi cried.

"Shine!" Zoey screamed.

Logan pulled the knife out silently like that was nothing.

"You were right, no impact," he said carelessly.

"Oh my gosh." Mira had almost dropped her Gok-do. "You nearly gave me a heart attack... The heck was that?"

"Girls, Logan can heal at an extraordinary speed," Storm said. "That wouldn't have hurt him much if it had worked. We told you before."

"Oh, right...sorry...I forgot about that..." Zoey said. "But you just threw the knife at him?"

"He said it was fine when I asked," Shine said. "I was pretty sure it wouldn't hurt him anyway."

Logan had thought it would be funny to scare them.

"Anyone ever tell you you're not quite normal, Shine?" Romance asked.

"Everyone tells me that," Shine said. "But you try using a sword to cut demonic curses out of people for years and see if you feel as offput by throwing a spirit knife at someone."

"No, she's kinda right about that," Rumi admitted. "You get used to it, but I thought it would hurt him. I mean, I've never tried it."

"Looks like, for now, they don't," Shine said. "Which is good. It's safe for you to use them."

She suddenly had a box at her feet--more like a chest, actually.

She opened it. "Okay, boys, pick something from this to work with. We told you we'd work on getting you weapons, so..."

"Shine, this is nice, but regular weapons don't usually kill demons," Rumi said. "You need a Honmoon boost to do it."

Shine gave her an annoyed look.

"Gee, it's like we never told her that," Morph said, jestingly.

"I... Sorry, but I...what is the point of this then?" Rumi said.

"Didn't Celine train you all with real weapons?" Shine said.

"Yeah, but we're hunters--we can go from that to summoning the spirit ones," Mira said.

"Oh, yes, hunters are just so special." Shine rolled her eyes. "Give me a break."

"Wait, these are real weapons?" Baby had lifted a long knife out the chest. "You just have this stuff?"

"Well, Xavier has those things in his attic," Shine said. "And Storm likes to keep a few things around also. I could have got better stuff from my friends in the Huntsmen world, but it was too high tech, I thought. I mean, I do have this." she suddenly held up a short knife with a handle that had a loop in it.

"A kunai?" Zoey knew what it was. "Isn't that a ninja tool?"

"Right." Shine flipped it in her hand. "Complimentary gift from the ninja world. I have shuriken too, or throwing stars, as Americans call them, but I hate those things. So hard to aim."

"I so want to use those now," Zoey said.

"Sure." Shine suddenly pulled them out of her pocket and handed her some.

"Wow, these are the legit article." Zoey examined them. "Mira, look at how sharp this is."

"Yeah...wow." Mira was surprised too. "Your friends just gave you that, huh?"

"Temari would never let anyone not have basic ninja tools," Shine said. "It was a wedding gift. I told them to just pick something that would remind us of their world, since it gets...harder sometimes to keep some details in mind... That was hers and Tenten's though. See? Tenten carved our names into the handle."

Zoey studied it. "It's in Japanese...I don't read that very well."

"It's our names and the symbol of Leaf Village," Shine said. "I have this too." She held up a sword that was different from her normal one, more ceremonial and Eastern looking. "This is from another one of them. Very thoughtful gift. He likes swords even more than I do."

"Can I see?" Rumi asked.

Shine let her.

"Wow, this is really nice... This would cost a lot these days to get a hold of," she said.

"Mint condition, too," Shine said.

"There's a gun in here!" Romance cried, lifting up a hand gun.

"Another friend of mine gave me that." Shine flicked her ponytail. "But don't worry, it's not loaded with anything but blanks. And I don't think you should use that. I can't see that going over well in your world. I'm shocked Raven has gotten away with using a blaster."

"No one seems to notice it." Raven pulled it out. "Hm...I didn't think I would do this here."

"Now you should be able to use it everywhere," Shine said. "It's your tool."

"Oh, is that your new weapon?" Emma said over the speaker. "It looks like glass."

"More like crystal." Raven cocked it a little. "It also doesn't harm humans. Just as well for the ones here."

"Very funny," Logan said. "Point that thing away from me anyway, Mystique."

"Takes a knife on purpose but is afraid of a spirit gun," Raven muttered.

"Isn't this just a staff?" Baby had another item.

"Gambit had spares," Shine said. "Might be good for you--you could use more reach...and I would never give you a blade anyway."

"Just give me something longer with a blade," Baby said.

"Or maybe you can just do as I said," Shine said firmly.

The others didn't think that Baby would, since he'd never once seemed to care what Shine wanted so far.

But, surprisingly, he just stepped back and kept the staff.

"Wow..." Jinu was amazed.

"Do we have to pick a specific weapon for this?" Romance asked.

"Nah, you can pick whatever. It's just for the point." Shine waved. "But hurry and pick something. You can change it later if you don't feel right."

"Cool." Abby had found an ax. "I feel so buff right now."

"Men are all the same," Raven said.

"Men?" Shine sniffed. "I love this stuff too."

"Yeah, what's wrong with it?" Zoey was looking at a spear. "Hey, Romance could use this. You seem like you'd like some distance."

"Oh, sure...I'm just loving the idea of goring things..." Romance muttered.

Mystery just picked up a baseball bat.

"Okay," Shine said, moving to the center of them all. "Let's talk about this: the Honmoon. You only half understand what it is."

"That's quite...a statement to start off with," Mira said.

"Where does it come from?" Shine said. "Why did it only appear with hunters? Or did it? We know that not only hunters affect it."

"We know that Jinu seemed to affect it a little," Raven spoke up. Clearly, she'd been expecting this conversation. "And Morph and I did as well, but only a little also. We seemed to have a repairing effect on it, but we don't make people's souls light up."

"For now, let's focus on the mechanics," Shine said. "You all don't  know the full ways you could apply the Honmoon to your fighting style. At least, if it's anything like mine, which is what we're going to test a little here, if possible. I'm willing to bet that my sword can beat any of your weapons."

"Well, no offense, but unless you're as highly trained as us, don't you think that might hurt you?" Rumi said. "I mean, you are trained, but...we can do things normal people can't."

Shine smiled. "Okay then, Rumi, you first."

"Okay..." Rumi drew her sword. "If you want."

"You'd think after all the times we warned her, she'd know this isn't going to be that easy," Morph said to Raven in a low voice.

"The girls are not lacking in fighting abilities, if nothing else." Raven shrugged. "And Shine is not a very highly trained fighter; however, if I had to pick who has the most battle analysis ability, she'd win out. Rumi doesn't think things through."

"She's competent enough as a fighter against the demons, but she doesn't see attacks coming, it's true," Morph admitted.

Jinu was close enough to hear them.

"Do you think Shine can beat her?" he said.

"If it's just a regular fight, no, Shine isn't super human," Raven said. "But watch."

"You can attack first," Shine told Rumi.

"Okay." Rumi hoped Shine didn't regret this.

She charged at her and moved to skirt a little around her, so she wouldn't be able to counter it very well.

She swung her sword, though she aimed for Shine's weapon so that she wouldn't hurt her.

She saw Shine's eyes flash gold for a second, and then Shine reached out and caught her blade in her bar hand.

Rumi was surprised but thought the force of it would still be a problem for her.

But Shine moved and let the blade go past her, jerking her a little forward so that she was using the momentum against Rumi instead.

Rumi wrenched it out of her grasp and attacked again--and it was easy to do, as Shine wasn't nearly at her strength level, but Shine just deflected the sword away once she felt resistance.

Then she lifted her own blade and swung it at Rumi's.

Rumi blocked it easily, and...her sword shattered on impact with Shine's.

Everyone stared.