Year Three-Part One

Path to the New World

Another year is over, leading way to the next. Death was not the friend of Kiranai Hebun this year. Not only did Guardians lose their lives, but so did many innocents that lived all over the world. Along with the innocents of the Ninth Constellation, a child's death raged the world as well.
With the death of Yachou Kouner, her child that she was pregnant with died as well. Though Kouner has a chance of returning to this world, her child is lost forever. Eve, the Guardian of Change, died as well. Just before she died, she used the last of her energy to save the life of Neko Tenshi. Both women died honorably, and are honored in the cemetery of the Guardians and Princesses.
Where we last left the others, they were heading into the Heaven on Kiranai to retrieve those who have died. Will they be waiting on the other side?

=^-^=

Devona landed on her feet, surrounded by a bright forest. It reminded her of the one way back on the Seventh Constellation. That one that many had lost themselves in over the years. The one that Eve and Akki had at one time called home.
"So this must be Eve's heaven," Devona whispered to herself. Slowly, she began to walk around the forest. Since her journey's through the forest she had learned how to get around rather well. The only question was, where exactly was Eve. After walking for a while, Devona was beginning to worry, wondering if she would be able to pull Eve out in time.
Finally, her blue eyes landed upon a large camp. Devona made a mad run toward the camp, hoping that Eve was there. As she was about to enter, two large spears came down and blocked her path. Devona looked up to see two Amazons looking down at her with glares.
Devona hated to get forceful, but she didn't have time to sit around and wait for them to let her in. Her hands went up to the two spears, after a few seconds they changed into ivy. The two girls gasped and Devona runs past them.
In the middle of the camp stood a familiar Amazon, fighting with her infamous staff. Devona's hand landed on Eve's arm. The Amazon quickly responded, spinning around and knocking Devona off of her feet. Devona hit the ground hard, losing her breath for a second.
Eve's eyes grew wide seeing the Princess in front of her. "Devona? What are you doing here? You wouldn't be in my heaven!"
Devona rolled her eyes and got to her feet again, "I know, I know, but I've come to take you back."
"Take me back? Oh...to Kiranai Hebun. Well, what if I told you I didn't want to go back."
Devona smirked, crossing her arms over her chest. "I would tell you that it's fine if you stay here. Since you aren't needed anyway. We'll just find someone to replace you."
The Amazon let off an evil glare at the Princess, and Devona just smirked. Eve sighed, placing her staff up on her shoulder.
"Fine, I'll go back. You just better have my cape back!"
"Actually..."
"Devona!"
"I do! Don't worry." Devona laughed, and turned toward the exit. "Come on Eve, let's go."
"Right behind you Princess."

=^-^=

Apparently all cats do not land on their feet. Kiei proves this again as he lands on his side and rolling to a stop. The pain that shot through his body was great, but he knew he couldn't sit around and wait for it to go away. Instead, he quickly got to his feet, and started searching for who ever he was looking for.
The air around was very dark and cold. In the distance there was a small lake with a house on it. A few lamps were lit inside of the house, but other than that the only light was the moon. Over the lake, just off of the house there was a dock.
As Kiei got closer he noticed that there was a woman standing on the dock. Her hair was pulled back into a high pony tail, and she wore a white robe. Her red hair stood out against the robe, and Kiei knew exactly who it was.
"Kouner," he whispered as he came up on her. She turned to him with sad eyes as he slowly stepped up onto the dock. She turned her attention back out to the lake as he stopped next to her.
"Leave me alone Kiei," she replied.
"But Kouner, you have to come back. We need you, Ryuujin needs you." Kouner turned to him, he could see her tan eyes were filled with tears. She ignored him, and walked back into the house. Kiei quickly followed behind her, prepared to drag her out. As he stepped into the house, he noticed a small noise filling the air.
It was the sound of a baby's cry.
Kiei stopped dead in his tracks listening to the weeps in the air. Kouner walked over to a small cradle, and pulled out a child from with in. She held the child to her chest and began to shush it, trying to quiet it down.
"Her name is Hime, after the girls. Pull, Ryuujin is a King now, so it only makes sense for her name to mean Princess."
"Kouner..."
She sighed, looking up at her friend. "I know Kiei, I know that this isn't real. But...it just feels so right. I can't leave her here Kiei. This is the only chance I will ever get to spend with my child that...that died."
"Kouner, I understand, but Ryuujin misses you terribly. We all do Koun, you have to come back. We can't do this with out you." Kouner hid her face into her free hand as she began to cry. "Don't you get it Kiei? I can't go back...what if he doesn't love me any more? What if he hates me for letting our child die."
"Kouner," Kiei sighed moving closer to her. His hands fell on her shoulders, forcing her to look at him. "Please, I know he doesn't hate you, he never could. I'm sure he's sad about the child, just as you are, but you still love him don't you?"
"Yes but..."
"Please Kouner, this isn't your child, the people who really love you are on the other side of that portal. Come on, come with me."
Kouner moved out of his reach, and reluctantly placed the child down into the it's cradle. It immediately began to cry, but Kouner just turned away. She opened her robe and dropped it to the ground.
Underneath she was wearing the same out fit she had died in, minus the blood. She looked up at Kiei with teary eyes as she began to move out of the house. Pausing she looked back at the Guardian.
"Let's go before the portal closes," sighed Kouner.

=^-^=