Isolation: Project BIRN

A/N: Regrettably, this is all we have written. Haha, Saezuri almost smited me for writing what I last wrote. Anyways, there may be more to add to this. We will see. DX

Chapter Twenty-One: Kidnaps and Break Ups

Don slipped forwards off the balcony, and leaned with his back against the railings, Arez with him. Inside, at Don’s cry, Korina had woken up. In the fog of her mind, she had heard everything from in the room and out. Moving her head slowly, she looked to one side, to see the last bit of surprise flicker across Fahron’s face, before relief took its place. A memory flooded back and she blushed in embarrassment at her treatment of him, and looked away, sadness in her eyes. She saw a familiar black head nearby. She shot up suddenly, immediately regretting it as the room spun.

”Ugh…” she muttered.

”You shouldn’t move so much, idiot.” Said Fahron quietly, going to push her back down.

She placed her hand on his and stopped him.

”Don needs everyone’s help.” She said, her voice sounding strained, and through her eyes he understood. They would sort their personal things out later. Moving her tired body cautiously, she got out of bed and knelt down next to NightStrike, resting her head and arms on the mattress.

”Nightstrike….Don needs our help.” She whispered. “Are you able to help too?”

Slowly the red eyes revealed themselves. She wasn’t all there, but enough of her was. Orph stared in surprise. Korina smiled apologetically.

”I know you need to rest, but it means more coming from you too. I’m sorry I can’t do it on my own.” The blue haired girl apologized as she gave her request.

Nightstrike slowly sat up, partly in a trance, but knowing she was needed.

Taking each others hands, the two girls walked unsteadily towards the balcony, the guys following silently behind.

”Don….” Two soft voices said.

He looked up, a few tears still in his eyes, which trickled down as his eyes widened as the sight of the two girls framing the doorway. Arez slowly moved out of the way as the two girls slowly moved forward.

Somehow everyone knew not to say anything.

”You idiot…blaming yourself…….” Said Korina, although it was weak, and kind, slipping to the floor and resting her head her head on one of Don’s legs and closing her eyes.

”We may not know what happened, and even if you always blame yourself, remember we’re always here. We could hear you’re pain Donovan.” Said NightStrike, slipping to floor on the other side of Don, and resting her head on Don’s other leg. His yellow eyes were wide.

”You see? We come when you need us. We all do and we always will.” Said Korina. They were talking as if still half asleep, but their words were true and meaningful. The guys had come forward also, sitting down near Don, kind, understanding on their faces.

”Don’t forget we all face something similar Donovan.” Said NightStrike. “It’s my fault Rui was hurt.”

“My parents died because of me.” Said Korina, clenching his trouser material in her hands.

“Mari died because of me.” Said Fahron bluntly.

“Innocent people have died because of me.” Said Orph also.

“So you see? We can all share it now.” Said Korina. “Idiot.” She added softly.

“Even if you blame yourself.” Finished Nightstrike.

Don looked around, surrounded by these people. People that cared.

“See Donny?” smiled Arez gently.

"Yeah...." Don looked up at the sky, which was dark, but the clouds from the earlier storm were dispersing. Stars were appearing, and the moon was shining brightly. "It feels like Sharro." Don whispered with a hoarse voice.

"Donny, you're the same every year..." Arez said, just as softly.

"Y're just angry 'cause y' feel it too an' it's unexplainable." Don whispered lightly.

"Maybe." Ari muttered.

Suddenly, NightStrike was no longer NightStrike and Indices was back. He was standing in front of them and blocking attack that came seemingly out of nowhere. Suddenly everyone sprang into action, except Korina who was still weak.

Fahron scooped up Korina in one arm and swung downward with his sword. Indices grinned and ran through the opposing creatures with deadly accuracy, stabbing them all in the liver. Orph was capturing as many as he could without killing them, but that was pointless as Don burned everything inside his shadow bubble.

They were having a relatively easy time destroying these creatures, which set of a spark of suspicion at the back of Fahron's mind. He swung swiftly and caught one that was coming from behind.

”Damnit Korina, loose some weight!” he muttered to himself as he hefted her up a bit further.

”Fahron look…”

Before the shout of warning was even finished he felt himself being flung to the side and Korina went flying out of his arms.

”Shit!” yelled Don, jumping to catch the body flung so easily into the air. Unfortunately a black haired blue eyed boy swept her up and disappeared before he even made contact with her.

“Dammit, are you all completely inept?” snarled Indices.

Indices was gone in a flash, chasing after the "kidnapper", killing people as he ran through them.

"Fuck!" Don shouted angrily.

"Orph! Finish this!" Fahron shouted and followed after Indices.

The rest of their team retreated as Orph nodded. In a matter of seconds, the air was black and all those caught within the darkness were crushed within the amazing pressure.

Don sat down with an ooph on the balcony floor.

”..Should of caught her” he muttered.

“Don’t worry Donny, Indices and Fahron will get her back. It’s not your fault.” Consoled Arez to his friend. Don just sighed.

Fahron ran as fast as he could, barely keeping Indices in sight. Suddenly Indices stopped short. Fahron frowned and caught up with him.

“What’s wrong? Where are they?” he demanded of Indices.

Indices shrugged.

”I don’t know where he’s gone, I can’t sense him.”

Fahron cursed and was surprised to hear Indices doing the same. Indices stuck a finger in his mouth and began chewing on it angrily. He NEEDED that girl in order to gain Kuroten's freedom. He needed her to ensure it.

Indices cursed again. His plan was falling to pieces before his eyes.

That curse did not inspire much confidence within Fahron.

"What do we do now then?" he hid the heavyness of his voice.

Indices was silent.

"I'm not sure." he replied finally.

Suddenly the heaviness seemed greater in Fahron.

"Mmmm..." The sound that Indices made sounded agreeable, but Fahron knew he'd said nothing.

"You go back." Indices said after a long period of silence and many thoughtful 'hmm's.

"What?! No!" Fahron shouted indignantly, glaring at Indices with fervor.

"You go back, Kuroten and I will find her." Indices then shifted the entirety of their body and Fahron was once again looking into the eyes of a wolf. Only this one was white with yellow eyes that held ages not available to humans. He looked so much bigger and so much older than the tiny NightStrike wolf had.

Go. Indices said with a shake of his head as he spoke into Fahron's mind.

Unnerved with the feeling of another being in his mind, Fahron nodded and turned, hurrying back to the others.

Indices let his head drop to the ground and he growled low in his throat as he picked up the scent of his prey. He gave a wolf's grin and took chase. The one good thing about NightStrike being stuck inside herself, was that he could kill as much as he wanted to, and there was no one to stop him.

He ran swiftly, as if his feet were not even touching the ground. Tracking, tracking, sensitive nose twitching, and suddenly came to a dead stop. A forest loomed before him. Dark, dank and mossy underfoot.

He grinned to himself.

"Almost found you, my prey."

The forest was his home. Any forest was his home. He could have been king of the forest, for all they knew. His prey had been stupid in assuming he could run. Sniffing the air Indices followed suit once more. Nose sensitively picking up the smells and sorting through them with only the speed a wolf could muster. Indices stopped and stared within the heavy bush. Shifting his form back to that of a humans, he stood and watched the tree tops.

"Human. You dare take our comrade and believe you shall not be punished for it?" Indices smirk was dark and sadistic. "You have made a grave mistake."

Indices lashed out with him right arm and the tree next to him bent down, and Indices stepped onto it. "You believe you can hide within my mastery? Your smell is in my winds and your presence in my growth. Where do you think you can run?"

The attack came quick and would have surprised Indices had he not been waiting for it. Indices cartwheeled to the side and jumped to another branch. It had been a lasers blast from a gun that had come his way from the left. With a grin, Indices launched himself in the direction of the attack.

His eyes widened suddenly and he dodged, sensing a millisecond within time to dodge the shot that came from his right. He paused in his launched attack, skidding across the floor slightly, and narrowing his eyes. There was either more than one or they were using a more advanced technique than he expected. He would not make that mistake again.

Throwing his senses out, he knelt down, seemingly dropping his guard. He sensed the movement and grinned. He began to weave in and out of the trees, branches lifting so as not to hit his face and plantlife moving under his feet so he would make no noise. As he got closer, he could hear the heavy, laboured and scared breathing of his victim. Indices swung around one tree and stared down, grinning insanely.

"Found you."

The blue eyes stared up, defiant but fearful. The breathing was slightly laboured, and the black locks touseled. Mouth set in a grim line, he stared as the creature slowly turned back into a human like one.

"Well, well well. I do believe you have something that belongs to us." smiled Indices coldly.

"What could you possibly want from a mere human?" snapped the boy in front of him.

"Less of that 'mere human' jackass!" came a muffled voice from somewhere.

"Ah, that would be the 'mere human' that is OURS." Indices said with a smirk. Had he not had an evil glint in his eyes, one could have said he sounded conversational.

"What use is she to you?" The boy with black hair demanded while glaring up at Indices.

Indices stuck out a hand and then pulled back, thinking better of it. Instead, he leaned forward, watching his prey's every move. "That is of no concern to you. And who do you think you are to DEMAND something of me?" He asked softly. Indices relished the in the fear that fled over the boys face, and reaching around him, pulled out the hidden Korina. "Thank you, we'll be going now."

"Thanks for being my saviour and all but could you untie me first?" asked Korina, eye twitching slightly. Feet and hands were bound tightly behind her back.

"Better yet, let us allow our kidnapping friend here to do it for you." Indices pushed her forward and fell across the boys lap.

"Be a good boy and untie her." said Indices in a dangerously calm voice.

"You just gave back my hostage." The boy smirked and held a small knife to Korina's throat.

"Idiot." The tree behind the boy plunged into his neck and choked him before absorbing him into it's bark. "Very well." Indices didn't even bother looking as he cut the ropes that bound Korina. He then grabbed her wrist and hoisted her into his grasp as he spread his wings. "Your boyfriend is worried about you." Indices snorted as they took off.

"Yeah...he tends to do that." Korina smiled softly.

Indices snorted again.

She grinned slyly.

"Not as much as I worry about you of course." she cooed.

Indices grunted .

"Do you wish to die so badly by my hands human?" he snarled.

"No, no, just showing I care." she said, knowing she was playing dangerously. She expected to end up a bloody memory any moment.

"Were it not for the fact that I need you in my plans for Kuroten's freedom, you would be dead. Be grateful you are useful, but do not tempt me, because I'm sure you can be replaced." Indices told her sharply.

Korina gulped and nodded.

The moment of silence between them was frigid and uncomfortable.

"But, you know, thank you for telling me that, because, you didn't have to, and I know it, and I'm thankful for it. So, thank you." Korina told him as she rambled softly.

Indices said nothing.

Korina coughed slightly. Before murmuring:

"Sorry. You're not one to joke with I know, it's stupid I know, I do it because I was a little scared was all." and fell silent, the wind rushing gently past her ears.

Again, Indices said nothing.

Korina looked down at her hands, feeling embarrassed.

"We're here." Indices informed her as they touched down. Fahron was the first out the door and running towards her. "And if you really do worry, thank you." And before she could say a word, Indices had strode past her and was in the door of the hotel before she even blinked.

She stared at the door stupiferously for a moment, until she felt herself hugged tight to a familiar chest.

"Are you alright?" Fahron breathed into her hair, needing to know she was well.

"I'm alright now." Korina said with a giggling sigh as she nuzzled into his chest.

"Did he hurt you?" he asked.

"...No, no." she said, words muffled, as her face was still buried in his shirt. "But I'd be lying if I said he didn't scare me." the last words came clear as she lifted her head and gave him a smile

Fahron bent down and placed his forehead in the space between her neck and shoulder. "I'm so sorry." He whispered softly. "I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you the way I should be able to."

Korina's eyes flashed and she glared at him.

"Don't you dare, you've protected me enough times already. Its about time I started for you don't you think? So you better not feel guilty!" she ordered, smiling through it though.

"I can't help it, it's a reflex." Fahron chuckled as he pulled back.

"Korina, Korina! Are you okay?" Ari asked nervously as he shoved Fahron out of the way.

Korina giggled and nodded.

"Im fine Ari, come here you!" she pulled Arez to her and squeezed.

"I've found my new love Fahron. Arez is a real man." she declared loudly

Fahron rolled his eyes, but couldn't stop the small relieved smile that settled on his lips. But a frown quickly settled in when he looked over at Don.

Don's features remained worried and somewhat scared. His ears were still out, as was his tail.

"What's the matter Don? You don't look happy to see me." Korina said teasingly.

Don looked back at the house with a nervous twitch as he tossed his head in the direction of the hotel. He looked back at them with scared eyes. "Kuronchan isn't back yet." He whispered frightfully.

"Oh, Don." Korina said with a sad look in her eyes. She walked towards him, but he flinched at her touch. Touching Kuroten had gotten him in enough trouble, he didn't need Korina to get him in even more trouble. However, he didn't miss the look of hurt in Korina's eyes as he flinched away from her touch.

"Promised Ah wouldn' leave...bu'..." Don looked back at the hotel again before finally turning to go in. "Glad y're back, Kori." He added as a quick after thought.

She smiled warmly and nodded, but looked concerned. Fahron frowned and scratched the back of his head.

"Let’s head back." he commanded firmly. Don's eyes flicked backwards and forwards from the direction of the hotel to the direction of the forest. He fiddled nervously with his hand. Korina frowned and grunted in an un-approving way. What was up with him?

Don let his ears twitch uncertainly, before turning jerkily and heading into the hotel. There was nothing he could do at the moment. He would not leave without first talking to Kuronchan. He needed her approval whether he wanted to admit it or not. But living within the group was becoming difficult for him. 'Ah've screwed up un too many times.' Don thought tiredly.

Fahron frowned at the jerky movements he could see even from Don's back. The normally lithe and fluid movements were no longer present. Arez was walking next to them, but looking as if he desperately wanted to help Don but wasn’t quite sure what he was to do.

Korina made a move to run and catch up with him but a pressure on her wrist stopped her. Fahron had grabbed her and stopped walking.

"Fahron...what..? Let me go..." she began, but stopped when he simply shook his head and gave her a look like a little boy asking for his favourite toy back when he knows he's been naughty. Arez seized his opportunity.

"I'll go." was all he said before running after his friend....his brother.

"Donny?" Ari asked softly as he approached his long time friend and brother figure.

"Eh?" Don grunted in a non committed throaty sound.

"Please talk to me." Arez whispered as he watched Don through his bangs.

"I' don't need talkin' Ari. Jus' t'inkin' an' time." Was all Don could muster in the gloom of his own presence. "Ah need a cat nap, bro. Ah need ta calm a li'tle."

"But Donny..." Ari spoke quietly.

"Jus' leave i' fo' now, Ar. Ah've go' a headache." Don walked off to their rooms and flopped down onto his bed, asleep as soon as he hit the covers.

Ari followed Don and covered him with the blankets, but watching him with worried eyes.

"He's a moody one, is he not?" The refined voice of Ryn flowed into Ari's ears.

"Always has been." Ari replied to the younger hybrid, though none knew Ari was close to the oldest other than himself, Don and NightStrike.

Ryn nodded and folding one arm across the other checked his nails.

"Well now, I know you know him better than me, after all I am still pretty much an outsider here in this little...rebellion. But I can tell you that there tiger is thinking of running."

Arez stared at him.

Ryn stared back. Ryn broke the stare first and stretched.

"But I'm sure you already knew this." said Ryn and smiled, not unkindly before patting Arez atop his silver coloured head before exiting the room as suddenly as he had entered.

"Come on Fahron let’s go back to the hotel." whined Korina. "Its just over there why are you being so stubborn? And why didn't you let me go after Donny?" she stared moodily at him.

"Because it's not your place." Fahron tried to explain tiredly.

"What do you mean?" Korina asked whiney still.

Fahron turned to her rather seriously. "How long have you known Donovan, Korina? Mere days? You really think you take priority over his brother whom he's known for years? They've been through too much to let you come between them. You will never take priority over Arez who's like a blood brother to Donovan. You should know that. You should have looked at Arez and known how badly he wanted to help his brother." Fahron sighed and put a hand to his forehead. "Don't be difficult. Give them some time." Fahron told her while turning away.

Korina knew he was right. Yes, she was being difficult. But she felt incredibly tired all of a sudden so she just sat down suddenly in the middle of the pavement and slumped forward so her burning head was touching the cooling hands of the concrete.

"I know. You're right. It's just that inferiority thing again. I started out all on my own and felt strong because of it and now...." she stopped. "Why am I talking to the floor? Oh rite cause Fahron's gone. Better than talking to myself I guess...oh wait that is what I’m doing.." still in the same position she gripped her sword tightly and sighed into the concrete. "Stupid Indices give me some of your powers!" she muttered. Then looked up suddenly and looked round suspiciously, half expecting him to come flying out of no where seeking revenge or knowing her luck to have been standing there all along hearing her rant at the cold pavement like a mad thing.

"Talking to yourself was always a sign of madness, even among us hybrids."

Korina shot up at the voice and spun, pointing her sword at her eavesdropper.

Blackness surrounded her blade and pulled it from her hands.

"That is very impolite."

Korina smirked at the voice she now recognized.

"You're so arrogant." She told the boy blandly, though the grin remained among her features. "And how DO you plan on getting back into NightStrike's good graces, Orph?" Korina asked him softly as she sat down again, as unbecoming as it was.

He grunted and looked down at her. She stared back.

"Technically shouldn't it be the other way round?" the boy muttered darkly.

Korina laughed out loud. Orph raised and eyebrow.

"Well technically yes, but I know you know as well as I do that whole incident was just because of her loving nature." said Korina softly, keeping her eyes locked with his. He grunted and looked away.

"Besides, " she continued. "Indices will be around for a while. She won't come out until she's ready." Korina's face took on a pondering look. She stood up and stretched, mind filled suddenly with everything, almost at once. She sighed in dismay. Everything was falling apart. It had to be sorted. Soon. If they were to even stand a slim chance at defeating Isolation. She was startled suddenly to find a pair of unfamiliar lips on hers. She broke away quickly and stumbled back so suddenly she fell straight on her backside.

"O..Orph?! What the hell do you think you're doing?!" she said in a low and dangerous voice. He stared unemotional, silent.

"Well...?" she demanded, standing up now she'd recovered a bit.

"Now if I used NightStrike’s theory of I care about you and I can see your hurting so I wanted to comfort you, would you be able to forgive me for it? Taking something I have no right to, and undoubtedly making you feel guilty even though you did not initiate or react?" he asked quietly.

Korina scratched her head.

"No...I guess not....." she muttered uncomfortably.

"Then maybe now you get some incite into just exactly how I can't quite grasp what she was thinking of...and for that...I feel I fail her." He turned his gaze to the sky.

"But you love her, don't you?" Korina asked softly. "You do love her enough to forgive her don't you?"

Orph stared away from Korina.

"Orph... If you love her still, then you'll forgive her mistakes. She's not the same as us. Her thoughts are so much more different from ours. She's grown up with very few friends and very few emotional attachments, but when she has them, she puts everything she has into them. But because of that, it hurts her so much more when others hurt. Whether for her or not." Korina stared at Orph with bright green eyes and pierced his own deep green one. "You don't have to understand the way she thinks, Orph. You need only to forgive her. That's all anyone's asking of you." Korina turned away. "Isn't it obvious that she loves you more than anything and anyone? If that's not obvious, then I don't know what is."

Orph sighed. "It is obvious." He whispered softly. "It's so obvious and yet... I can't help but feel if I stay with her, I'll get hurt again."

"So you'll end everything and kill her merely because you don't want to get hurt!? I call that being selfish, Bat." Korina hissed furiously.

Orph looked shocked for a minute before pure rage filled his face. His hand shot out suddenly and gripped her throat painfully.

"Shut up! You don't even know what we're talking about! All this is all your fault anyway! You and your stupid rebellion. If it wasn't for you we could have just got on with our lives, you've complicated it to no end! I don't know how Fahron puts up with you." He snarled in a deadly ferocious voice.

'That's right, let it all out. There is such a thing as penting it up too much. Take it out on me, not NightStrike' Thought Korina to herself, ignoring the hurt in her heart and the pressure on her throat, the anger in his eyes, pure rage.

She just smiled gently at him while struggling for air slightly.

"Even if you kill me it’s ok." She managed to get out. “But I don't think you will, you're not like that Orph you're just hurting and don't know how to deal with it. But if you think it will make you feel better, if you need to hurt someone, hurt me. Hell, all problems might be solved if you squeeze a little tighter.” she gave a coughing kind of laugh.

Orph glared a minute longer before dropping her and blasting a hole through the forest with a shout of rage. Black fire burst from his hands and surrounded him. His wings burst from his back and his ears extended as did his fangs and claws. His skin turned black and flaming purple signs burned all over him. His clothing began to tear at the pressure of his aura. Black was all Korina could see and the faint outline of Orph standing in the middle of a swirling pillar of power. Orph's power surged as none had ever seen it before, but everyone felt it.

Don bolted out of bed and jumped the rail on the balcony, landing and pulling Korina back, shielding her from Orph's killer intent. Ryn burst from the door followed by Fahron and Arez. At the sight of Orph, Ryn slammed his hand into the ground, pulling up a barrier of power to shield himself, Arez and Fahron.

"What's wrong with him?!" Korina shouted to Don and Ryn, seemingly the only two that understood.

"Donny?" Arez called out to his brother.

Don and Ryn were both in hybrid form, looking very, very scared.

"I's de secret of all hybrids!" Don shouted to all of them, with Ryn nodding. "I's de reason we're trained so hard! I's so we don' lose control! So's we don' bring de world crashin' down 'round us!" Don winced and called on more power to shield himself as Orph exploded again, sending another wave of power out. "We're trained so dis nevah happens! So we nevah break!"

Ryn cried out slightly, cuts appearing on his arms as he tried to ground himself even more. "Orphaestus was not supposed to break!" Ryn shouted to them all. "Even though he wasn't a top hybrid, the trainers always bragged about him even to us in the top 5 classes! Orphaestus, the unshakable, the unbreakable. True, he lost, but he never broke!" Ryn cried out again as another surge came. "I never would have imagined he held so much power! He was so well under control!"

Suddenly, it was as if everything became silent. Even Orph's screaming seemed to dim. NightStrike stepped from the hotel, clothed in white, her own aura swirling around her. Ryn and Don and their charges were suddenly covered in globes of white, shielded from Orph's fury. NightStrike stepped forward to stand in line with them, but she made no attempt to stop Orph.

Orph turned to her, his snout lengthened and his eye black. His mark blazed, changing colours between flaming red and a burning white colour. Orph shouted something to her, but she only continued to stare at him blankly. Orph slammed his head into the ground, hating to see her at all. The impact knocked him out completely, and slowly, everything receded. His over bearing black power slowly retreated back into his body and the marks that covered his body all seemed to pull back towards his wings. The blackness of his skin slowly began to fade, and sounds suddenly returned.

Ryn and Don were shouting again, trying to get to Orph and make sure he was okay. Korina was screaming incoherently and Fahron was trying to calm her. Ari was trying to follow Don and Ryn, trying to make sure Orph was okay. And NightStrike collapsed, weeping silently.

Orph was limp and seemingly lifeless except for his shallow breathing. His aura still hung in the air, Ryn, Don and Arez made it to him even though they felt nauseated even with just the remnants of his aura. They heaved him up and took him inside the hotel discreetly.

Korina was shaking uncontrollably, but she pushed the concerned Fahron aside and stumble over to the unconscious NightStrike, with difficulty pulling the limp body and cradling it to her own . She was still shaking as she mumbled "I'm sorry, I..I didn’t mean...he's going to be fine..." and random segments and sentences similar as she rambled into the girls dark locks. "Indices...come back, let her rest...." croaked out Korina, voice wavering. She felt the weight in her arms get heavier, and opening her eyes her green ones met with piercing yellow ones as she now cradled a boy in her arms where formerly her beloved friend had been. She just stared not letting go, not caring if he struck out at her.

"You may release us." Indices told the girl softly, and almost compassionately for the old Ancient.

Korina burst into more fervent tears. "I'm so sorry." She sobbed as she let Indices go and pulled into herself.

Indices put a hand to her shoulder and helped her up. "It is alright, they should both be fine now." He said in slight nonchalance. "A grave side effect of releasing that much energy is that they often forget they've done it. When they exhaust themselves to that point, they forget some things, mostly things that led up to the release. I expect that's why he's done it." Indices told her with a shrug as he handed her off to Fahron.

Indices wandered into the hotel, casually following Don, Ryn and Arez.

"Orph, Orph, you're going to be okay, I promise!" Ryn cried softly.

"Why did this happen? Why, Orph?" Ari asked like a little child, quiet and confused.

"'Cause Orph couldn' 'andle i' on 'is own." Don told him, accent thickening in his distress. "Ah don' know wha' t' d'. Ah don' know wha' t' d'! Ah need Orph!" Don shouted angrily, falling to his knees after they'd placed Orph into a bed on his stomach as his wings had refused to pull back.

"What triggered it?" spoke Arez again softly.

"More like who!" snarled Don getting more and more worked up.

Indices promptly slapped him sharply, decisively across the face.

"Calm down immediately, we don't need another one of you going AWOL." he said authoritatively. Don glared from the carpet, hand to cheek.

"Ah know." Don said after taking a deep breath. "Ah'm sorry."

Indices nodded and turned to Orph, running a hand over his back, watching the wings sink back into his flesh with a painful slurping sound.

Rynioth was staring at Don in surprise at his obedience. He expected Don to strike back stupidly, partly for the insult and partly because Indices was a canine, and Don was a feline.

Don's eyes glinted back at Ryn's shaking his head. Don was learning, and he knew better than to cross blades with Indices.

"He' be alrigh'." nodded Don to himself, looking at the body on the bed. 'He has to be' thought Don to himself.

"Where are the other two?" asked Ryn, his voice seeming loud for some unknown reason.

"Outside." Arez all but whispered, looking towards the open window they had used to get Orph back inside.

"Leave them. No one is to go to them." commanded Indices. Walking over, he perched on the edge of the bed now occupied by Orph, and looking at the others said:

"Leave now."

Instead of protests or arguments, they each took one last look at Orph’s prone figure, before filing silently out of the room.

"You, my friend, are much more powerful than we originally thought. You've done well to hide it this long." Indices told Orph's unconscious body. Indices looked to Orph, almost expecting an answer from the witful leader, but knew better than that. Indices sighed and sat quietly on the bed side, thinking, and no longer attempting to disturb Orph's unconsciousness.

"I've never heard of it, though! How have hybrids become so much more powerful than we thought?" Arez asked in surprise. "Never have hybrids shown such incredible power." He told the two feline hybrids who were playing with little sparks of fire, tossing them back and forth as they changed from red to black.

"Well, no one outside the hybrid community is supposed to know. We're not supposed to use up so much energy in one go, if you know what we mean." Ryn said simply, tossing the ball of flame from behind his back, watching the black ball go into Don's hands and immediately turn red.

"S'a secret fo' 'ybrids on'y, Ari. 'ybrids 're good a' keepin' secrets, despite all y' Gen's an' Tech's. Dey tell us our minds 're so chaotic dat t' torture us is stupid. Y' nevah gon'na find anyt'ing. On'y un dat can torture a 'ybrid s'a not'er 'ybrid." Don said as he tossed the, now red, fire ball in a lob over his head to Ryn.

Ryn balanced the now black ball precariously on a finger tip, throwing it up and catching it on alternative fingers.

"If we're not careful, it can happen to any hybrid. I remember an incident at Isolation one time..." Ryns features clouded over. He shook his head as if to clear the haze. "A hybrid lost control, and unfortunately the only one powerful enough to stop her, was another who reminds me of NightStrike....but he wouldn't, he didn’t seem to care." he flicked the ball up and flicked it across to Don who snatched it out of the air.

"What happened to her?" asked Arez.

Ryn's eyes followed the ball of red. "She just....burned out. Used everything up. Nothing left of her." he stared wistfully at the floor.

"Tiz a shame, a shame." muttered Don shaking his head and extinguishing the flaming ball in his hand.

"Bu' y' know, we don' usually burn ou'. Jus' she was so sad she didn' wanna be no more. So she burned everyt'ing." Don said with a nod. "We were lucky she wasn' wa'er or we'd be done too, wouldn'a we Ryn?" Don asked as he made a small hurricane of flame and doused it to emphasize his point.

"Very lucky, indeed. That's why they herded out the plant ones. Remember? Left us flamers to ground ourselves, and aren't I glad for it. Wouldn't have known how to shield against Orphaestus otherwise, and then we'd all have burnt and died." Ryn said with a shake of his head.

"Well... yeh, we knew 'ow to shield 'gainst Orph, bu' did y' see 'ow it barely did anyt'ing? 'Is powah was still gettin' t'rough and cuttin' us up. It don' ma'ter too much 'cause o' de healin' t'ing, bu' i' still 'urt and still scared meh. Dat girl was no where near as strong as Orph. We go' lucky wit' 'er." Don told Rynioth with a nod.

Ryn nodded as well and then shook his head. "If only Rui had done something..."

"Rui?" Arez asked softly.

"E'eryone knows 'bout Rui." Don said quietly. "e's de strongest o' us all. An' de most selfish, hein?" Don asked Ryn as he tossed him another flaming ball.

Ryn spun before he caught it and landed cautiously on the ground, watching the ball and controlling it with his eyes, instead of his hands, black fire sparking in his eyes. "It's true." He said slowly. "They say he only ever cared about one person, but she was taken from him."

"Aye..." began Don but stopped as a blue haired figure walked dejectedly past at the other end of the wall. They all watched as she stumbled and fell. A dark green haired figure signaled Fahron was a little way behind her but as they watched, he made no move to help her.

The three watched silently. Somehow everyone had figured Korina must have done something to send Orph off, and as they watched, Korina motioned Fahron away and he did so promptly, seemingly uncaring. She wandered off down the street on her own. They had gone in opposite directions, and soon disappeared from the three's sight.

"Well looky' 'ere, wha's goin on there then?" pondered Don.

"Lover's quarrel? I hear they happen often." Ryn said, his sheltered Isolation training coming back into view.

Arez laughed lightly. "Possibly. Those two are always having problems, but it's obvious they love each other." Though he said it easily enough, Arez still glanced quickly at Donovan, to see his reaction.

But Don had seemingly gotten over Korina and was instead watching only a friend with slight concern. "Wonder if she blames 'erself fo' Orph." Don thought aloud.

"It is likely." Rynioth said with a tilt of his head. "Isn't it?"

"Yes, it is. She does like to take the weight of the world. For some reason she seems to think that is her responsibility." Arez looked at the sky as he spoke his thoughts. Without another word he made his way after her, leaving the two hybrids alone.

"...Fancy a drink?" spoke Don.

"After all this I'll need more than one." Ryn gave a slight grin towards the tiger hybrid as they made there way into town.

"Shouldn' we go see Orph...won' ol' yellow eyes ge' mad?" spoke Don, trying to think ahead.

Ryn shook his own black haired head.

"He didn't want us there. He will call or come find us if he wants us." Ryn eased Dons worries.

“Yeh, i's true." Don shrugged and shook his head. "Ah need ta get smashed."

The two hybrids laughed cooperatively as they wandered off in jubilant displeasure.

Fahron walked away, sensing the presence of three familiar ones nearby. His mind was slightly tumultuous, unsure of what he'd just done. Why he had done so. He said those things because… he wanted to keep her safe? Or was it his own safety. He knew how he felt, but right now he thought this is what they both needed, at least for a while.

*****

(flashback)

".....He kissed you?" the anger was trembling in an undercurrent in his voice. He had stepped back from hugging her trembling body, trembling from the experience of Orph out of control. The blue haired girl had nodded looking him in the eye, no guilt. He knew she had no reason to be. What angered him was her defending him, and how she had made such an irrational decision as to set Orph off like that. He needed to focus. He could not do that at the moment. He felt, that now, they needed as many strong as they could get, with Orph in his current state. To keep everyone safe. To ease his mind for a little while.

"We should break up."

Maybe it was Orph’s explosion, but for whatever reason, Fahron had felt it the right thing to do. Bluntly it had come out, in his oh so tech way, something he had come to hate. But now, responsibility called and he was reverting.

She had stared, then smiled. She had smiled! She nodded, and walked away, and that had been that.

And then it all felt wrong. But he had made that decision, and he must stick to it...until....he didn’t know when.

Fahron wandered on a little longer and wavered a little, trying to hold his own strength to him. He couldn't do it. He knew he couldn't do it. He needed someone that he couldn't get to at the moment and he knew it. He needed to talk to NightStrike for she had an uncanny way of making him feel better and see reason. He needed her to set him straight and tell him he'd done the right thing. He needed her to reassure him of that. But he knew he couldn't have her at that moment, and it distressed him ever more. He needed Orph there as well. The bat hybrid always set him at ease. The two balanced each other out and Orph's great display of power did not change that. Not for Fahron anyway. He had always felt a bond with the boy, and he needed him standing strong with him at that moment. Fahron trembled slightly, scared and unsure. But continued to try and hold himself secure. As much as he needed NightStrike, his little sister, and Orph, his older brother, he knew that he could not have either of them, and needed to stand on his own.

It was something he had always done and now...now it felt like he was learning to do it all over again. But something was different, he knew this time, he would not have to shut down and cut everyone off. They would always be there to go back to, and that helped him draw the inner strength he needed. The girl with blue hair flashed laughingly into his mind suddenly. He was not familiar with this situation, but he would focus, and it would be sorted. He would not lose another someone he cared about...his...yes, his little Ice Queen.....

Fahron shook his head. He would not allow another situation like the one with Mari. He would not let that happen again.

Arez had been tailing Korina, and as he had from a distance, he had seen her unsteady walking, grow stronger and stronger, and now she seemed to be walking with purpose. Whatever she was thinking, she was obviously dealing with, what Arez thought, was the Orph situation.

Korina smiled to herself. She wasn't sure if it was because she knew Fahron loved her and she him, but she was not disturbed by what had happened. Yes, her heart ached a little, but she also had found a settling peace within herself, and now, she felt herself growing stronger again. Her inner strength was returning. She was not angry, nor did she resent Fahron or his decision, no, she trusted him and knew it was his decision. So, she would grow and become strong, and show him she was so. She would treat him the same as she had before, her good friend. But she would not attempt any advances, no, she would wait and she would see. It was all crystal clear in her mind and she felt fine.

"You can come closer Arez I won't bite." she called back at him without turning to look.

Arez smiled softly and stepped from his hiding place. "I just wanted to make sure you were safe before I confronted an ice demon." Arez laughed lightly.

Korina laughed with him. "This ice demon won't bite... much." She grinned, showing off her teeth.

"I read that report." Arez told her with a grin. "You bit the Gen's hand until it bled so he would release you."

"And he tasted horrible." Korina laughed with Arez at the memory.

Arez gave a small giggle too, and then sighed in a whimsical manner, before suddenly hugging Korina tightly.

She blinked before smiling and hugging him back.

“Something wrong little Arez?” said Korina in a somewhat motherly tone.

He looked at her, short as Korina was compared to the others, Arez was slightly shorter.

“I don’t think it’s me that has something wrong.” He smiled, and pressed his nose against her chin.

She blinked again. She forgot how mature Arez was despite his childish and almost angelic appearance.

She brought a hand up and ruffled his light hair softly.

“Damn..innocent looking…” she muttered affectionately.

“You’re right. And knowing you, you already know what it is.” Korina sighed as she looked out in front of her.

“No, actually, I don’t.” Arez told her honestly.

“Fahron broke up with me.” She sighed again. “I don’t know how to feel.”

As the silence hung in the air, Korina couldnt take it any longer as it got heavier. She turned and grinned at Arez forcefully.

"Oh come on, you know what we're like, it was bout to happen at some point!" she laughed a little.

Arez kept on staring with sad eyes.

"Don't look at me with those eyes Arez" sighed Korina. "I'll be just fine! You watch, I'll be strong like I have to be."

She stodo up determindly, abruptly, facing the sky.

Arez, for once in his life, acted the part of an adult. He knew he couldn't be babied forever, and it was time to act his part. Leaning over, he placed his hand on Korina's head.

“You need tears. You know it, I know it. Pretending to be strong does not make you strong. Admitting your weaknesses and working through them is what makes you strong.” He said with a soft voice, though it became gravelly with seriousness.

Arez reached his hand out and moved it down over Korina’s forehead, covering her eyes, and then he gently pulled her backwards into his chest. “Breathe.” He told her softly.

He felt her stiff in his arms, he just smiled and closed his eyes, waiting for what he knew was coming, what should come.

"No...what are you talking about, I'm fine.." she laughed unconvincingly.

"It's for the best! I'm fine! I'm fine...I'm fine...I'm...I'm...I...." as her words began to break up and her voice began to shake as she struggled to hold her resolve, Arez tightened his grip. " I ...can't...c..cry..." she grimaced as the first tear rolled down her cheek. "I can't....be...weak!" she tried to pull away as she shouted the last word. She could feel the pain in her heart taking over and she began crying in loud, strangled, desperate sobs.

"Why....I know its for the best, it makes so much logical sense...so why..does it hurt so much." she choked the words out.

"Because you're not meant to be logical. You're human." Arez told her, sounding much more like a man than he ever had before. “You need to cry. It doesn’t matter how right it is. It still hurts. But you’ll be able to work through it, Korina. You always do, don’t you?”

The sobs began to subside, till she was just sniffling. She then pulled away enough to look up at Arez's face and smiled as best she could.

"Always." a few moments passed "...Arez..." she said, sounding serious.

"Yes?" he asked gently.

"....Is my nose dripping?" she asked, still seriously.

Arez burst into laughter. “Yes. But don’t worry. Work out the tears first, image later.” Arez gave Korina a soft hug that would warm her. She needed to be comforted, and he knew that best of all.

Fahron wandered down to fountain in the middle of the villa they had inhabited the past couple days. He hadn’t sat for two seconds when another attack came. He guessed this was meant to be the diversion before, only they’d been late. Glaring, Fahron swung the sword widely and cut through three of the gens that had attacked.

He paused, still ready, then ducked before turning swiftly and slicing the next three up.

"Tch" he muttered once he sensed there were no more. He stared at the sword stained that familiar red. He felt....nothing. It has been a while since he felt that. Only this time, the nothing had a deep, echoing seemingly never ending loneliness behind it. He sat on the edge of the fountain. This was new, different. He knew he still had all the other friends he seemed to have made. He knew this was logical and right. He knew he could go on even without her. He knew he'd face loss before. He knew this was for the best. He knew.......this was the first time he'd cried in a long time. Silent tears flowed down his cheeks and he couldn’t, didn’t know how to stop them. This tearing, ripping sensation in his chest wouldn’t stop. So he hung his head and just waited.

Orph had been sitting on the rooftop, upset as he was about NightStrike. He watched Fahron and waited to see if he needed help. When the older boy started crying, Orph decided to step in. Floating down, Xiphos landed down with leathery wings spread wide.

“You’re crying.” He said like a doofus.

“You’re an idiot.” Dante muttered back, covering his eyes.

“You’re an idiot.” Xiphos muttered back smartly. “You’re the moron that just left the girl of your dreams.”

“Hn.”

Xiphos smirked smugly, but clapped an arm round Dante’s shoulder.

"I don’t know what you're smirking about." muttered Dante eventually, hands still over eyes "Your love life is not exactly all that at the moment." he finished

Xiphos paused, but didn’t get angry. He knew Dante was hurting, and that what he said was true.

"Well then...I guess we're just a couple of idiots then." grinned Xiphos

“No, you’re the idiot.” Dante muttered as he pulled his hand down his face. He wiped his eyes and covered his mouth, inhaling through his fingers. “Why don’t you talk to her, anyway?”

“Because Indices has her on lockdown.” Xiphos replied with a raised brow. “Anyways, I don’t know what I’d say to her.” Looking up, he sighed. “So, why’d you do it? Other than the fact that you’re an idiot.”

“It was the right thing to do.” Was all Dante managed to mutter through his fingers as his blank eyes streamed tears still.

“Even if it makes you feel like this, you Techy brat?” Xiphos asked. He was now seated on the fountain with his half-year partner. He didn’t touch him in any way shape or form, but he knew just by being there, he could help the other more reserved boy speak his mind.

Xiphos waited patiently, knowing he couldn’t rush him even if he wanted to.

"...Too much.....I...too much. It’s....scary...how much I lo.... And I don’t want her to...be hurt...by me. I want her to be happy no matter what happens to me. Can we really be together when we've got so much to face? .....Maybe I'm being selfish, If I keep...lo...ving...her more and more, I won't be able to carry on if I.. lose her...and I can't be like that. And I don’t want her to be like that..." Dante's mutter trailed off into nothingness.

Xiphos remained silent.

“I just… I screwed up with Mari. I know I did.” Sniffing and staring straight ahead, Dante grumbled. “By rights, I shouldn’t be here. You know that right. This is why. It’s… it’s wrong. For me.” Dante let his head drop and shoved his hands into his hair. “I don’t know what I’m doing anymore. What the hell is wrong with me, Xiphos?”

It wasn’t an actual question. Xiphos knew that. But he couldn’t help it when he said “You dumped the girl you love. And you’re human, no matter how Tech you are. That would screw anyone over.”

"...is it normal...to just want to run back to her and take it all back?" muttered Dante, into his hands.

"Perfectly." replied Xiphos.

"It's kind of pathetic...it hasn’t even been an hour yet." muttered Dante, almost resentfully, but with a longing in his voice.

"Yeh...even for a human that’s pretty rough." chuckled Xiphos "You must love her a lot." he said gently.

"...It's ridiculous.." mumbled Dante.

“It is a little pathetic.” Xiphos snickered. “But that just tells you how much you love her, and that you should probably work things out a little better than you have. Isn’t the only reason you broke up with her because she got kidnapped and it hurt you? It compromised you?” Xiphos’ face had turned serious and he eyed Dante with stony resolve. “You have to make a better decision than you have. Treasure what you have now, or push it away with your own hands, which is what you’ve done. Why don’t you ever hold onto what you want, Dante, you idiot?”

“Because it hurts. And everything I hold onto falls away eventually.” Dante growled, staring at his hands.

“You’re an idiot.” Xiphos hissed.

"That’s the same for everyone, everywhere. Sure, our situation is more serious and extreme than most, but everyone has that fear, and can lose who they love at any given moment. So choose. Push it all away forever, and miss out on life. Or live and love with all you've got despite the odds. When you look back, Dante, wouldn’t you rather say you'd lived?" Xiphos ended his speech passionately.

“I don’t know. I don’t know. Idon’tknowIdon’tknowIdon’tknow!” Dante shouted frustratingly. “God! I don’t know! That’s what’s wrong! What the hell, Xiphos! What the hell what the hell what the hell?!”

“Calm down, moron. Just take her back.” Xiphos said angrily.

“Why are you so calm?” Dante scowled. “Oh, right. Because this isn’t your relationship, which you’ve already screwed up. I forgot.” The sarcasm in Dante’s voice was impossible to miss.

“You need to calm down.” Xiphos told the older boy, ignoring the jab at his relationship. “You know what you have to do. So just do it. Tell her you made a mistake and you’re afraid. Just say it so it’s out there. You tell me, god knows why, and at least it gets out, you feel better, don’t you? Frantic as you are.”

Dante ran his hands through his hair again.

"I..................." a long silence ensued. "I..." began Dante again. "I'm a mess like this, so obviously the logical and best course to get me functioning and working properly again...is to sort this out. It's the best way and conclusion..." Dante stared ahead.

Xiphos smiled.

"But for prides sake I think I'll wait till tomorrow...." finished Dante resolutely.

Xiphos choked and almost fell back into the fountain.

“You are such a coward.” Xiphos muttered. “Well, at least you have a plan now.” He chuckled, while slapping Dante on the back.

“Good. Now what’re you going to do about NightStrike?” Dante asked, while quickly changing the subject. “You know, I love her too.” It was much easier for him to say love this time. He didn’t mean it the same way. It didn’t have the same depth and weight that it had when he was mentioning Korina. “You need to work things out with her. Because you still love her, don’t you?” Dante asked as he raised his eyebrow and looked over his shoulder at his long-time partner.

Xiphos grinned once again.

"Yeh I do. But I love her and its not hard for me to admit, so at least that’s a start. I'll just go from there, I guess..." and his face turned serious again. "I know it wasn’t her fault...I was just mad someone else did that with her, it should only be me." Xiphos stared straight forwards. "I've just got to summon the effort and courage." He finished determinedly.

Dante smiled softly.

"Hmmm...." he said ponderingly.

Xiphos stared at him.

"You were imagining making out with Korina right now weren’t you?" asked Xiphos slyly

Dante flushed

"No!" he snapped

“Yes you were. Don’t deny it.” Xiphos smirked.

“Shut up.” Dante grumbled as he swatted at Xiphos. “I was thinking of when she got out of the shower and didn’t tell me she was coming.”

Xiphos snorted, choking on his own spit.

Now it was Dante’s turn to smirk. “What were you saying you had to get courage for? Haven’t you told her you loved her already?”

“Well… maybe I have?” A troubled expression crossed over Xiphos’ face. “I can’t remember.”

“Huh. And here I thought you WEREN’T a pussy.” Dante said while propping his head up with one hand, elbow digging into his thigh.

“Shut up.” Xiphos shoved Dante and grinned as the boy moved not an inch, but grunted at his partner’s effort.