Tales of the Dreamworld, 6th Night - The Lover's Tale
Rated R


	Nexus: (n) 1. connection, interconnection, tie, link 
	  2. a connected group or series  

			-Webster's 3rd New International Dictionary


	Just as every life possesses an instance that can be brought 
to life in words, the event becomes a chapter in a book, a story for 
others to gaze upon and be swallowed whole within the realm.
	A realm beyond the waking hours, forged from the magik of a 
thousand dreamers and their dreams. Within every soul lies a story 
to tell, each event a tale to give unto others.
	These tales, both surreal and sensual, are but a few of many 
chapters in a world given breath by a creator. Her name is Naoko 
Takeuchi. The people and their lives are of her heart and soul. They 
belong in her embrace. But the raven angels, these knights and 
warriors and their Dreamworld belong to another, and they are of my 
skin and soul. I embrace their world and their shadows as my own 
children.
	I ask that none may steal any of them away from their 
creators. The world of the Moon Princess and her royal court belong 
to Naoko Takeuchi. Their hearts and souls belong to her; they are a 
part of her stories. But the realm of the waking dreamers, and both 
the angels and the demons that exist within them, are a part of my 
own story.  Milady Naoko's princesses belong in their castles beyond 
the moon, and my guardian angels belong with the Torii's beyond our 
dreams. 
	One of honor does not become a petty thief; I ask for your 
requests if you wish my Dreamworlders to wander into other worlds 
and other stories.

	-His lordship Chaos  (hislordshipchaos@hotmail.com)



	ALL THE LOVERS IN THE WORLD

	With urgent hands
	We excited
	A fire so hot
	Two lives were ignited
	Now I'm left here on my own
	But I'll never be alone

	Down forbidden streets I talk with
	Every single step I walk with
	All the lovers in the world
	Though the lonely night's returning
	I can feel the flame that's burning
	All the lovers in the world

	Virgin lips I have tasted
	Love so pure, not a drop was wasted
	Paradise we shared together
	Lives inside of me forever

	Since you touched me
	I can't be free
	This is every lover's destiny


			Lawrence Gowan,
			from "Lost Brotherhood", 1990.


	Together they share moonlight, ocean waves, quiet forests and 
highest of skies. Joined at the soul that is their dreams, they have 
come into this Dreamworld to live out romance in a realm that has 
not forgotten the ancient magik.
	I am one who remains alone, destined to wander from one end of 
this world to the next. Perhaps I will find my way out and find 
love. Perhaps not. Doomed to be a soul lost between worlds, I walk 
amidst moonlight and sunlight.
	And yet I am not the only one blessed and cursed by this 
strange immortality. There is another kindred such as I, though she 
belongs between worlds for a different reason. We stumbled into each 
other centuries ago, and have been friends ever since by our common 
link.
	I've heard legend of a soldier who walks the ends of time from 
one eternity to the next, never remembered yet never forgotten. She 
has guarded the futures of many a young child, standing amidst the 
shadows that become our threads of fate and destiny. She carries 
with her a staff containing a power capable of waking the dead with 
a silent scream. It is with this staff that she moves through the 
winds of time and space as I with my illusions move through the 
borders between realms and worlds.
	Tonight is another night when we return to each other's 
company and watch our friends dance inside their dreams. Tonight is 
one night where the two of us might forget fate and enjoy the magik 
sprawled out before us in one kingdom after another.
	Do you believe in love?
	I do, and fight for it. I almost found it twice; the first 
time it was torn from me, and the second I let go of my own free 
will. I may never find love like that again. But for now I watch and 
find sanctuary in the smiles of those girls and their soulmates.
	Let me tell you a story....


	THE LOVER'S TALE


	Let the darkness come down like rain, droplets of shadows 
splashing across the surface of the world. For tonight is the eve of 
December 24th, a time where magik is reaching a peak, and romance 
gently falls like the snowflakes of a December winter.
	Somewhere out there is a city destined to become legend, ruled 
over by an ethereal princess and her dark-haired prince. The sun has 
already set and the light of a pale crescent moon is shining down on 
the people enjoying the snowfall in these later hours of the night.
	And yet in this city of Tokyo there are those already sleeping 
yet not without dreams. Together they have shared laughter and 
tears, blood and roses. Their magik is unlike anything ever dreamed 
of before in an eternity's sleep. One by one they found a love and a 
beloved who would be at their side regardless of the dangers or the 
hurt. Now is the time where they can dance and dream.
	This is their night....


	Up on the lofty peak he stood, staring down at the eerie 
crimson glow cast upon the ground and the steep rocky slopes. The 
thin smoke filtering out from the lone volcano's crater added to the 
strange taboo this kingdom held with it.
	He was a young man in a dark suit and a flowing silver cloak, 
long shining blonde hair dancing around a pair of shades overtop his 
crystal blue eyes. His left arm was bandaged and in a sling, a wound 
chosen to be kept after a vicious battle that had spilled over 
between two realms.
	Yet it was not without usefulness, for in this hand he was 
twirling about three crystal orbs that seemed to sparkle when caught 
by the rays of the eternal moonlight. Gracefully he plucked one the 
orbs and blew on it, the sphere lifting into the air and sailing on 
the winds of this kingdom.
	"Such a beautiful night tonight," he remarked to no one in 
particular--or perhaps just to himself. "A shame to have to spend it 
like this."
	A second crystal was sent on its way to the skies, slowly 
fading until its glimmer became lost among the stars. As he played 
with the final crystal illusion, he stared out at the vast and 
seemingly barren land; incredible to think that beautiful dreams 
were in abundance at this place.
	Then a new magik began to waft out from over the rocks, moving 
like water yet with the form of heavy mists. A new portal was 
opening up, one not quite of Earth and yet not quite of the 
Dreamworld. Like him, this laid somewhere in between each one. The 
mist slowly dissipated, wisps caught in the cool winds and fading 
away to reveal a tall young woman who once had a mortal age to call 
her own. But now, like him, her physical appearance was more than 
deceiving.
	Incredibly long and dark hair, a deep emerald green shade if 
caught just right by beams of light, flowed down past her waist, 
rustling with the pleated skirt of her sailor battle fuku. Her 
movements could not be described as graceful but instead fluid, and 
smooth with each action.
	He turned his entire body now, pushing the cloak over his 
shoulders so it billowed up behind him and over the precipice of the 
volcano. "Oyasumi nasai, Setsuna," he said.
	"If you would call it that, Karasu," she replied.
	The Wanderer lowered his shades slightly. "A little 
melancholic tonight?"
	She nodded. "The memories, that's all. You of all people 
should know how they can bring laughter and tears at the same time."
	"Hai hai," he agreed. "So, what brings you here tonight?"
	She shifted positions, gripping her key-shaped staff. The 
garnet orb at the top of the staff glowed violet in the night. And 
then her fuku was lost in a cascading light that flowed down her 
body. In its place was an elegant evening gown tailor-made not only 
for her, but for this world.
	"We agreed to walk together on this night," she said. "Like we 
have once every century. Catching up on good times come and gone, as 
you so once eloquently put it."
	"It's the winter solstice already?" he remarked. He smiled, 
removing his shades and having them disappear with a mere gesture. 
"Gomen ne, Setsuna; I think my perception of time has been 
permanently warped by the shifting mysts of the Dreamworld."
	"Not any more than mine in null time," she countered. "And I 
can still keep track of dates."
	He winced. "Ouch; that hurt." 	
	She walked out until she was standing beside him, and surveyed 
the shades of red and blue cast across not only his face and the 
land, but her face as well.
	"And I see you've actually managed to hurt yourself," she 
remarked.
	He laughed, glancing down at his bandaged arm. "Oh this? 
Daijobu; I think I'll survive." His crystal blue eyes returned to 
gazing at the horizon, where a strange glow held the line between 
shadows and skies. "It's been too long, Setsuna. I'm glad you're 
here, on tonight of all nights."
	She smiled. "Well then, where would you like to go to first, 
Wanderer?"


	It was raining though not with water, wet and cold to the 
touch. No, here it was a gentle downpour of cherry blossoms, the 
frail petals gliding down past them, cascades of pale white and 
pink, and sometimes even a shade of blue. The petals tapped the 
glassy surface of the waters, sending ripples upon ripples stretching 
across the surface, distorting the image of a young man staring up 
at himself and down at his reflection. 
	Long strands of earthen-brown hair dangled far past his 
shoulders, almost masking his face, shimmering with a multitude of 
the delicate blossoms falling down. His one hand resting upon an 
exotic mask of the living ocean and crimson kanji, he watched the 
waters stretching out from one horizon to the next.
	High overhead the kiss of a pale white crescent moon spilled 
down over the world he was in, shimmering beams playing amidst the 
waves of the oceans. And surrounding the eternal moon in the palace 
of the midnight skies was a court of twinkling stars.
	There was a strange silence in the quiet sounds whispering 
from around him. He could hear the whistling of an evening breeze, 
the winds tugging at the edges of his suit, pushing his cloak out to 
one side where it flapped and rippled in a shade of jade green. And 
in the midst of it all he could hear orchestral music and the 
laughter of dancers in the Moonlight Masquerade.
	Indeed it was the floating palace's shadow cast over him as he 
sat there, one leg dangling over the water. The entire trimaran 
bounced lightly with the tides, though it would prove near 
impossible for him to slip off the hull.
	And then life came to the serene ocean, brilliant in display, 
breathtaking in beauty as he had patiently waited for. First it was 
just one to break the surface; glistening droplets of ocean water 
caught the beams of moonlight and sparkled like a diamond on the 
solitary dolphin's body as it leaped high into the air before him.
	The dolphin crashed back down into the water, sending up a 
cascade of white foam and cold ocean. More cherry blossoms were 
scattered across the skies, even more now being captured by the 
ocean, the petals dancing in their own respects.
	A second dolphin punched through, emitting a joyous series of 
clicks and squeaks as it turned onto its side and dove back beneath 
the ocean. Another cut across the waters, and then another, and 
another still. Within moments an entire pod was circling around the 
area, some venturing up to the side of the trimaran where he sat. A 
warm hand and gentle petting was met with, the masquerade wraith 
smiling as the dolphins were leaping through air and water in an 
exotic display for him.
	And then he saw her.
	Clinging to the dorsal fin of a dolphin, she was learning of 
their world in the way they moved, her hair shimmering a light shade 
of blue in the night and damply clinging to her forehead. Bright 
eyes of deep ocean blue were wide in delight. She was naked as she 
swam with then, born of the elemental water and graceful in its 
domain. Her face was one of thrilled pleasure, laughing with the 
sleek forms of the silver dolphins.
	"Ami-chan," he whispered fondly.
	She was smiling as the dolphins carried her on their backs, 
and he could hear the giggling laughter from her lips amidst the 
splashing. Far away from the doubts and questions of another world 
that saw the light of a noonday sun, here she no longer had anything 
to fear.
	A single, delicate note sounded, echoing across the Ocean of 
Silver Orchids, producing music that possessed the very winds of the 
skies. The dolphins took up the note with a chorus, and she smiled 
as she heard the music.
	It was the melody of a crystal flute, breathing life as he 
breathed life into it with his lips. One more breath gave renewed 
life to a note that echoed across the kingdom.
	She let herself swim of her own accord, moving away from the 
dolphins. They in turn moved around her like a royal envoy, keeping 
their distance yet keeping their guard. As she tread the water, she 
waited for his call.
	He stood, the flute fading away to shadows. With a rapid 
gesture, his hand was raised over his head. And the waters responded 
to the call of the magik within his blood. A geyser erupted, sending 
her into the air yet not flinging her aside. Instead she was being 
carried by the waters, with the grace and eloquence that only a 
princess of such an element could possess.
	Eyes closed, head lifted up to the heavens, arms out by her 
sides, she flew with the churning water, much of her body lost in 
the frothing crests around her. The magik within the current carried 
her the distance, and with a sixth sense all her own she let her 
body move with the waves.
In quiet beauty she alighted the hull of the trimaran, her 
feet meeting the sleek metal with barely even a sound. Hands crossed 
demurely over her breasts, she slowly lifted her head and opened her 
eyes to gaze upon her beloved.
	He smiled, his long braid of earthen-brown hair dancing past 
his shoulders in the winds. Holding out his hand he snatched some of 
the petals from the air. She sighed as he released the petals just 
over her head, the blossoms caressing her body as they drifted past 
her, a few clinging to the water droplets on her skin.
	He brushed some of her damp bangs away from her eyes, 
delivering sensual kisses on her skin, working his way down her nose 
and cheeks until after what seemed like an agonizing eternity his 
lips met hers.
	She kissed his lips, feeling his hot breath against her cool 
body. Her hands moved in around his tuxedo jacket, fingers lacing 
behind his back. His garments were growing wet as the water on her 
body was passed on to him, yet he showed no sign of disliking this.
	Instead he pressed his body in closer against hers, cool skin 
meeting warm, each one feeding off the other. She pressed her lips 
against his once more, his hands sliding up the contours of her 
body. She shivered as he traced his way along her sides and up her 
back, rounding over her shoulders and darting along her neck.
	"Meikyu," she moaned softly, breaking apart from their kiss.
	His kiss was still working its way down her body; is hot moist 
breath sending her nerves on edge as they slowly moved down her neck 
and around her shoulders.
	She stepped back, her foot meeting with the soft mesh 
tarpaulin between the hulls. Her weight was thrown off, and she fell 
backwards, gripping onto the lapels of his tuxedo and pulling him 
down with her. They flopped down side by side, bouncing on the 
canvas.
	"You little sneak," he laughed, taking her hand and letting 
her palm rest upon his cheek. 
	She laughed too, blushing prettily. With the beckoning of her 
eyes, she drew him closer to her until her breasts were against the 
silken fabric of his suit.
	"Tonight I am yours, Ami-chan," he said quietly, kissing her 
delicately on the cheek.
	She nodded, slowly unbuttoning his dress shirt. "As I am for 
you, Meikyu-chan." Jade green eyes stared back at her, and she could 
see her reflection in them amidst the rainfall of cherry blossoms. 
The petals were falling from nowhere and everywhere all at once.
	"I'll be gentle," she whispered, evoking a chuckle from him.
	And there the rhythmic motions of the tides became secondary 
to their own. Ecstasy was shared between them as the droplets of 
water became droplets of sweat. Neither one dared to let go of the 
other, closer than ever before in the embrace of their soulmate.
	"Meikyu!" she cried out, her entire body shuddering. Her face 
was glowing in that vital moment, and their auras radiated out 
across the ocean waters, shimmering a pale aqua-blue in the midnight 
skies.
	She slowly lowered herself onto his chest, sighing as she 
tried to feel as much of his warm body as possible. He looked at her 
with his dragon green eyes, the eyes that had for so long been 
hidden behind a mask of living waters and crimson kanji.
	"I love you, Ami-chan," he said, his fingers stroking her 
hair. "Now and forever...."


	They walked side by side on the shores of the Ocean of the 
Silver Orchids. There was silence between them, a contentment to 
simply watch the crashing waves and the pounding surf. Off in the 
distance there was the thundering of Silvermane hooves, fading from 
their listening ears.
	Sometimes close friends are defined by how much they can talk 
to each other. Other times they are defined by how much they can 
keep silent and still enjoy the company of each other. For these 
two, this moment belonged to the latter.
	"Yare yare," the Wanderer finally said, leaping onto one of 
the massive rocks juxtaposed on the sands. "This is the first time 
in nearly ten centuries that we are not quite alone in the 
Dreamworld."
	"Usagi and her friends are out there somewhere," she agreed. 
"But I think it would be rude of us to interrupt their moments. This 
is a very romantic evening for them all."
	"It might be good revenge," he remarked with a sly grin. 
"After all, they have proven to be most disruptive from time to time 
in both our lives. Though more yours than mine, Setsuna."
	She nodded, seeing the memories flash before her eyes as if it 
were yesterday. It could have very well been yesterday, or even 
tomorrow. Time for her had been for so long been thoroughly twisted.
	He took a flying leap off the rock, his silver cloak 
disappearing as he gracefully descended, barely even making a 
footprint in the sand. His suit disappeared, a black uniform 
reminiscent of the ones worn by those of the Silver Millennium so 
ago replaced it. Pushing away some blonde bangs from around his 
shades he began the ritual of spinning around three crystal orbs in 
his one hand.
	"The siege of Nemesis has proven to be most awkward of them 
all to date," she said. "I had family lines jumping back and forth 
through the Cherry Way."
	He paused, lowering his shades. "The...Cherry Way?"
	She smiled at his confusion. "A nickname given to the passage 
where one can cross between times. Small Lady used it in coming back 
to the Tokyo of today."
	"Rei-chan told me about that," he said, pushing his shades 
back up his nose. "She also mentioned how you told Usagi that she's 
gotten to be a pain in the ass on more than one occasion."
	She chuckled, her haunting magenta eyes catching the light of 
the moon. "You don't know the half of it. Keeping the lines of space 
and time in constant synchronization is surprisingly harder than it 
looks. Even a guardian like me has to always be on alert."
	"Speaking of that," the Wanderer added. "I've been meaning to 
ask this for a few hundred years: how do you ever manage to get over 
here without being noticed as missing from your post? I mean, isn't 
that against the rules?"
	She glanced out at the large rocks bearing the full fury of 
the ocean waves. Far off in the distance was the vague silhouette of 
a floating palace; how long had it been since she had visited the 
eternal masquerade inside?
	"For starters, I only do this once a century," she answered. 
"And I can get away with leaving my post if it's an absolute 
emergency--but that's only happened very few times."
	Her voice trailed off for a moment as she saw her own death 
and the deaths of the other Senshi at the hands of Galaxia. But the 
Wanderer knew the tales of their battles, having heard them all from 
the dark-haired shrine girl.
	"I highly doubt this classifies as an emergency," he remarked.
	"Not yet," she whispered almost inaudibly. Her voice returned 
again. "The Dreamworld runs on a unique curve with my domain of null 
time; I can sneak off into this realm of the waking dreamers for 
short periods every now and then."
	"Coffee breaks," he remarked. "I don't think I've had a cup of 
coffee in a long while." With simple gesture he stretched out his 
mobile arm and there in his palm was a cup of steaming coffee. "Just 
the way you like it, Setsuna. Care for some?"
	She laughed, rolling her eyes but accepting the gift none the 
less. "Karasu," she chided playfully. "You are incorrigible!"
	He winked at her. "I know."


	She was giggling excitedly as she raced up the flight of 
stairs, her long blonde hair flowing out behind her as she turned 
and fled down the hall. Surrounded by exquisite cobblestone and an 
arched ceiling, the enormous windows openly displayed the beautiful 
night beyond.
	Stars shimmered amidst heaven's shadows in an entourage for a 
pale crescent moon eternally hung to shine down upon them. For every 
lover in the world, there was a beloved waiting for them. And she 
was a soldier for such passion, thrilled with the ecstasy of it all.
	The series of fountains and shallow channels were all around, 
tracing through the floors of grand halls now deserted. No sign of 
decay or dust was present; instead a hallowed palace built upon the 
foundations of an ancient mountainside resided here, untouched by 
age since the day it was built.
	She reached the portico of the fifth level, ducking around the 
pillars and nearly tripping into the nearest fountain. The winds 
were cool and gentle tonight, breathing sweet kisses upon her skin. 
Or were they his kisses she felt?
	"Come on, Ki-chan!" she whispered excitedly, though her voice 
was barely able to keep with that intent. A moondial was perched 
atop the spouts of the central fountain, sparkling waters showering 
down, their misty spray cooling her flushed body.
	It had been upon her dare, her teasing that brought them here 
tonight. All her idea, and thus her game to play. She giggled at the 
thought of her bedroom earlier tonight, where her raven knight had 
emerged from the shadows like he always did. The thrill of threat 
drove her over the edge every time; would tonight be a night she got 
caught?
	Tonight had not been that night, as she had exhaustedly fallen 
asleep in his arms after they were both spent, surrounded by his 
scent of dragon's fire.
	Her blue eyes darted to the enchanted lanterns dangling from 
the archways, each one bearing the kanji for 'moonlight'. The glow 
was flickering; another magik was close by. And with it the summoner 
of another magik.
	She carefully slipped out of her shoes and with bare feet 
stepped over the median separating causeway from walkway. The 
flowing waters lapped at her ankles, not deep at this point. With 
another step that send up a cascade of small droplets she began to 
move through the waters of the shallow channel cut into the floor.
	From across the fifth courtyard small cherubs fashioned from 
marble stone watched with knowing eyes and folded wings. Gazing out 
the windows she could still see the rest of the palace folds far 
below, stretching down to the base of the mountain. Stairs, 
aqueducts, chambers and gardens were all within her sight.
	A maze of courtyards and pavilions awaited.
	A shadow flickered, the eyes of a cherub seeming to light up 
as the magik drew closer. She held her breath, staring up ahead at 
the fountain pool just a few paces away. Beyond the collecting pool, 
the channel became a shallow waterfall that dropped outside to one 
of the lower levels.
	Tresses of long blonde hair danced around her face as she 
turned back to see the shadows move. They were approaching. With a 
playful shriek she leaped from her place, racing towards the pool.
	Waves of water were sent up around her feet, drenching the 
lower trim of her pleated blue skirt. And suddenly a new shadow 
pounced, gathering her up and pressing her against warm skin. She 
playfully struggled, sending up sprays of water, though did not 
manage to free herself. Nor did she want to free herself, staring 
into twin eyes of sapphire blue. 
	"Gotcha," he stated, letting her down. her feet were just on 
the edge of descending into the deeper pool. Sapphire blue eyes 
glanced down at the attire she had chosen for tonight. "Your school 
uniform? Minako-chan no ecchi."
	"What about you?" she countered, running a finger down his 
naked chest. He shivered at her touch, without a shirt or shoes, 
dark silken pantaloons and equally dark armguards his choice of 
garments.
	He glanced up at the sky under an open part of the ceiling, 
the moon shining down. Something caught sight in her vision, a small 
green object drifting leisurely down as if it were a feather. Her 
hand outstretched, she let the romantic ornament fall into her palm.
	"Ki-chan," she said quietly. "This is mistletoe."
	"And I trust you know you what to do with it," he responded, 
leaning forward and kissing her. She wrapped her arms around his 
neck, bringing him closer to give her a part in the kiss.
	Suddenly a new soul moved within the courtyard, and a blur the 
hue of beach sands pounced from atop the head of a cherub, landing 
against his back.
	A startled yelp echoed across the empty palace, followed by a 
wave of water surging up from once calm fountains. Into a deeper 
pool the two tumbled down, raising their bodies from beneath the 
surface in surprise.
	"What is it?" she exclaimed, working to tread water and calm 
the surge of adrenaline coursing through her body. She turned her 
head and stared out a small winged creature with big curious eyes 
staring back at her.
	The critter blinked, and gave a playful hoot.
	"Suna-chan," she asked, kicking to keep her chin above the 
surface. "What are you doing here?"
	The dragon hooted again, its front end bouncing up and down. 
The little guy wanted to play, to wrestle and to perhaps be cuddled. 
It cocked its head, staring at her sideways now.
	"Gomen ne," she said to the little dragon. "But we'd like to 
be alone, Suna-chan." She snuggled up next to him, in the process 
pushing his head underwater. "Oops! Sorry, Ki-chan."
	His chuckling reached her ears as he sent up a wave to fend 
back the creature. "Go on, Suna," he said, shooing the little dragon 
away. "We'll play some other time."
	She guided his vision back to her, palms against his cheeks 
and drawing his lips against hers. She paused, her lips parting from 
his to give enough time to moan softly as his hands traced their way 
up beneath her blouse.
	Rolling its eyes, the lesser dragon made a pouting sigh and 
darted across cobblestones, its claws leaving a series of clicking 
sounds behind it. All too quickly they faded and all that could be 
heard was the flowing water and the evening winds.
	Treading water within the fountain they swam cheek against 
cheek, him leading her towards the centre of the pool where a large 
statue jutted out in the form of a rampaging wyvern who spewed forth 
clear waters high into the air. Her already wet hair was pressed 
against her forehead as the droplets from the spout rained down 
around them. 
	She found a foothold that raised her neck and shoulders out 
from the water. Fingers lacing behind his moss-green hair, he was 
brought closer by her guidance. This was still her game to be 
played.
	Her uniform was drenched, the blouse clinging to her contours. 
His own hands had pulled the folds of her soaked blouse away, 
peeling the fabric from her breasts. But then he paused, staring 
into her eyes, into her soul--and she into his, for now he was one 
with a precious soul.
	"Such elegant beauty I see," he said softly.
	"Eloquent lovers make for better kissers," she replied.
	He smiled, stifling his laughter. "That's `love always makes 
those eloquent that have it', Minako-chan. Though I must agree that 
you are a very good kisser."
	Their skin was alive and tingling, on edge as they became one 
in mind and soul, their passions merging faster than their lips 
could work on each other. He was caressing every inch of her body, 
his warm touch electric in the cool water.
	Her eyes were barely open as she started to gasp, the 
incredible surge of pleasure starting to overtake her. He kissed her 
neck, pressing himself against her as if to let them become one in 
body as well.
	Overhead, an envoy of dragons poured out from the kingdoms 
beyond, breathing out fire in an explosive display of colors that 
sparked and soared across the midnight skies. It was a fireworks 
display, the distant roars and the brilliant lights working against 
her stamina to hold out.
	Her gasps became joined for one long outcry. She was lifted 
out of the fountain in that moment, more alive than ever before. As 
it ebbed, she sighed and draped her tired form over his shoulders. 
Understanding without words he supported her in his embrace. 
	"I would sell my soul for you, Minako-chan," he whispered into 
her ear.
	She smiled, kissing his lips once more. "I think you already 
have, Ki-chan. And I will never let go of you from this dream...."


	It was a literal downpour of cherry blossoms as they walked 
between rows of trees in an orchard that was sprawled out as far 
ahead as it was far back.
	Karasu moved his injured arm around in its sling, agitated.
	"Hurts?" she inquired.
	"Just a little," he answered. "Itches like hell, but it's all 
under the skin. Scratching won't do a thing to help."
	"I just can't believe you got injured," she chuckled. "You 
must be getting slow, Karasu."
	He sighed. "Well, at least some of us were able to recover. 
When the Shadowqueen sealed off Mistress Nine's power I was able to 
use my healing illusions on the others. At least now they can enjoy 
a relatively painless Christmas."
	"So why keep the shoulder that way?" she asked, curious.
	He smirked, ducking around a tree. "It's been pretty much a 
millennium since I've succumbed to an actual injury. This is a new 
sensation for me, and I wouldn't mind trying it out for a while.
	She gave him a darkly amused expression.
	"Don't get me wrong," he added in defense. "I'm not 
masochistic or anything like that. But when you're more ghost than 
man, you take things such as sensual touch--even painful ones--less 
and less for granted."
	He removed the shades from over his eyes, a mere slight of 
hand finding the shades suddenly vanished. Opening up his palm, 
another three crystal orbs appeared and he began to twirl them.
	It was incredible to watch him adeptly handle the crystals, as 
if they were but a mere extension of his body as they twisted and 
traced their way along his arms and hands. One was sent into the 
skies, floating away until it was but a sparkle in the far distance.
	"You're always doing that whenever I see you, Karasu," she 
remarked, watching the sparkling crystal become just another light 
in the sky.
	"Maybe I do remember after all," he said. "Maybe I remember 
everything."
	With his good arm he plucked out a crystal and lifted up to 
her, gripping it with the tips of his fingers. The orb was placed 
right in front of her face, and she could see the reflection of a 
young woman with tanned skin staring back.
	Yet no matter how young she looked, all she had to do was gaze 
into her own magenta eyes and see the wisdom and memories collected 
over many thousands of years. She leaned closer and blew on the 
crystal. Upon receiving her small breath of air, the orb lifted out 
from his palm, drifting away like a bubble. 
	The last crystal suddenly appeared in his good hand with a 
flick of the wrist, and that one leisurely chased after hers. As if 
staring up in reflection, he watched the last two illusions glide 
through the petals of the orchard until they were lost in the 
darkness.
	She noted how for once he did not put the shades back over his 
crystal blue eyes. "In all our centuries of conversation," she said. 
"You have always been sending off those crystal orbs but never told 
me what their true meaning is."
	"A wish," he answered. "Nothing more."
	"Cryptic," she remarked, leaning against one of the cherry 
blossom trees. A new fury of petals blew past her, a swirling cloud 
of pale rouge and glowing white.
	Karasu continued to stare up at the sky, the cherry blossoms 
starting to cover his blonde hair. "It's a chance for lost souls to 
be like me," he finally answered. 
	She looked at him with eyes of understanding; she had been one 
of the first to find him within this realm, despite him having 
become the Wanderer. No one had been left untouched by his 
disappearance, the ripples flowing deeper than the odango-haired 
blonde and the royal court ever suspected.
	"You haven't told them the truth, have you?" she said.
	He put on a smile, shaking off his brooding facade and then 
shaking out his hair. "It's better this way, Setsuna," he replied. 
"Can you imagine how Rei-chan would have felt if I told her the 
reality that might have been? She might have never held onto the 
strength she needed to make it back to Earth."
	She shifted her stance, leaning against her key-shaped staff. 
"I didn't mean that, Karasu. I meant about you. Why haven't you told 
them yet?"
	"The rune of the lost souls hides it well enough," he 
answered, bristling. She could see he was agitated about discussing 
it further. "Besides, it's best for any of them not knowing."
	He lifted his vision up to the starry heavens. "Too many 
answers in life only give way to more questions. Now is not the 
time; let them enjoy the Dreamworld without the burden."


	Long folds of silken fabric fluttered all around her as she 
seemed to float in liquid darkness coming to life with the radiance 
of a pale white moon. Yet these robes were not of her garments; she 
was stretching out her arms as the long folds rippled and encircled 
her body. For when she had entered this place, she had worn nothing.
	Sparkles of evening stars glittered on the dark silk as they 
wrapped around, possessed like the very winds she felt blowing 
against her skin. It was delicate to the touch, sensual and 
exciting. As if this touch was all belonging to him.
	Her eyes opened, her soul opening up to this realm.
	There stood a crimson torii, the gateway filled with an eerie 
yet alluring glow as the night mists pulsated out from the forests. 
High above the mountain peaks loomed with their own shadows, and 
above them was the crescent moon.
	The winds of silk finished their course around her body, 
adorning her with a diaphanous gown of midnight skies. Once more she 
found herself standing with bare feet on a cobblestone path that 
stretched out towards the distant torii.
	A whisper in the winds called her forward, calling her name. 
She followed, smiling at the voice within these winds she knew so 
well. Such a gentle voice, mirroring the soul who whispered them. 
The cobblestone path led her down towards the crimson gateway.
	Then beneath the frame of the torii appeared a silhouette, a 
lone figure cloaked in shadows hidden from the night's own beauty. 
The figure turned, the rays of crescent moonlight exiling the 
shadows and revealing him standing there.
	Bangs of raven black hair hung down his beautiful face, the 
slender tapering braid fluttering past his shoulders. He wore the 
same garments she had first seen him in, on that first night in the 
realm of the waking dreamers.
	They met beneath the torii, taking hand into hand and placing 
lips against lips in a tender kiss. His hands slipped around her 
waist, drawing her closer to him. Her own fingers laced in behind 
his neck.
	"Merry Christmas, Mako-chan," he whispered fondly, stroking 
her long brown hair. "Here you first found a way to me, where our 
destinies intertwined. This is the place where I fell in love with 
you." 
	"I remember it all, Sora," she answered. "I remember the night 
you crossed over through my mirror to be with me." She grinned 
playfully. "I remember how long it took me to clean up all those 
feathers littering my apartment afterwards."
	He laughed, enjoying her company. And she laughed in his. 
Together they shared souls and dreams in a realm where magik was the 
essence and the night was in eternal beauty.
	"Such beautiful green eyes," he said, gentle crimson eyes 
staring into hers. "Like walking into an emerald forest. One day I 
might journey into there and become lost inside forever. Such a fate 
I could only hope for, Makoto."
	"What makes you think I ever let you go in the first place?" 
she said. "From the first night I met you, Sora, you were like an 
angel possessed."
	"I was," he answered. "I still am. And I want to forever be 
caught like that."
	Two enormous wings of the night spread out from his back, 
unfolding as they sent up a fury of angel's feathers touched the 
color or raven. She stepped back, closing her eyes to feel the 
delicate caress of the down upon her skin.
	Her body was alive and tingling; she could hardly wait for the 
night to end and the day to begin, their passion to begin anew. her 
eyes opened, presented with an offering set out before her.
	He seemed hesitant, anxious and unsure. She smiled; despite 
his fragile heart, when push came to shove he stood his ground with 
the same determination she held in facing each new day.
	"I...I have a gift for you," her raven angel said.
	Stretching out his hand, he opened his palm to reveal an array 
of small sparkling faery lights that lifted up to the stars before 
becoming lost in the heavens. They left behind in their trails of 
twinkling glitter a small ring in his palm. The sparkling of a 
diamond met her eyes, a gemstone surrounded by the exquisite golden 
wings of twin butterflies, their forms forged to match every last 
detail of the creature's beautiful body.
	She held her breath, everything inside tensing up with 
hesitant but delicious excitement. Slowly she ran a finger down one 
of the golden butterflies, staring up at her angel possessed.
	"An...engagement ring?" she asked.
	Her heart was pounding like never before; for so long she had 
been alone, responsible to herself and only to herself. Then she had 
met the odango-haired blonde and rediscovered an ancient life long 
forgotten. And now he was here with her, in his hands a symbol meant 
to exist between them until the sun and moon and stars faded away.
	She lifted the ring from his palm, staring at it, a torrent of 
emotions inside of her. It all seemed so sudden yet she knew it felt 
so right. But she was still in high school--and aside from his 
strange form of immortality, so was Sora.
	"When?" she asked, tearing her gaze from the ring. "How soon?"
	He smiled, brushing away a stray piece of her deep brown hair 
from her face. "Not now, Mako-chan," he said. "It is not yet the 
proper time. But when the time comes for Crystal Tokyo to emerge, I 
ask for you to be my beloved for eternity." 
	There her raven angel took the ring in his grasp and slid it 
onto her finger. The fit was perfect, the glow of the diamond 
sending up a series of starlights that seemed to capture the radiant 
magik that had forged it.
	"Makoto," he whispered. "Please, marry me."
	So much had been done and undone, said and never spoken. On 
Earth so many things had happened and destiny seemed to be so 
distant in her understanding. But this alone she felt certain of: 
her love for him.
	"Sorata," she whispered, looking up into anxious crimson eyes. 
She nodded, her own eyes speaking to his soul. No more words were 
said, nor did they need to be spoken. And as they leaned forward to 
kiss, on a cloudless night in a cloudless sky, it began to rain. 
Though not of water but of petals, delicate and beautiful and pale.
	"We shall be together until eternity ends," he whispered. "A 
forever night to dance inside our dreams."
	His wings stretched out, encompassing them both. In that 
moment their garments exploded into a furry of delicate petals, 
blowing around them in a breathtaking whirlwind. Naked together in 
each other's arms, they felt their beating hearts. Folds of raven's 
down wrapped around her, warm and smooth to the touch. She held him 
tightly, leaning her head on his shoulder as the music of a midnight 
sky seemed to come alive. 
	"Mako-chan, I love you...."


	"Where are we now?" she inquired.
	The Wanderer glanced around the vast stretches of dunes all 
around them, from one horizon to the next. Though they were walking 
in a desert the night was surprisingly cold. He felt nothing though 
with his illusions at work, and thus neither did she.
	"Another place I've visited over the centuries," he answered 
absently, his mind drifting to other thoughts as he readjusted the 
shades on his face. How many centuries had it been since he had last 
wandered through this desert kingdom? Two hundred? Two-fifty?
	If fate had allowed it, he would have brought the dark-haired 
shrine girl to this place; even though they would have only crossed 
over the corner, he knew the young lady would appreciate the beauty 
even in such a place as this.
	But that destiny was not meant to be.
	She regarded him, shaking her head. Now the scales had tipped 
and he was the melancholy one between them. But there was a 
difference: while they both had dreams, only she had a chance to 
realize and achieve them. So what did that leave a dreaming ghost?
	"I've never seen you so pensive before in all our encounters," 
she told him. "What are you thinking about?"
	He shifted his stance in the sands. "Everything I guess. This 
is the first time I've been able to see them all since I became a 
lost soul. And as much as I'm thrilled to be a part of their lives, 
I know I can't be as close as we once were."
	She stared solemnly at him, her long dark hair flowing out 
behind her in the gentle winds. She knew of the mirror he was gazing 
into, and the emotions they stirred that he tried to hide.
	"That was another life," she countered. "Even now things 
between the Princess and her court have changed. You can never go 
back, Karasu. And you cannot live for the future if you continue to 
dwell in the past."
	For a time he stared at her, and then he laughed, nodding his 
approval. "I guess you're right about that," he said. "You would 
make a good mother or a teacher, Setsuna." 
	"I'd rather design clothes," she admitted.
	The Wanderer chuckled again. "You and Michiru would be perfect 
for taking over the fashion world. With her sense of style and your 
templates, no one on Earth would be safe."
	"Not even you, Karasu," she said, jabbing the end of her staff 
into the sands.
	"I think I'd fear Michiru for changing my attire more than 
you," he said, turning to her. "Ne, Setsuna, you're the most 
enigmatic of every last one of us. Even moreso than I am."
	"I've been around longer than you have," she answered, amused. 
"I think that in itself gives me the right to be enigmatic. But if 
you want me to humor you, I'll allow for some questions."
	They had gone through such a drill on many occasions, for she 
held the advantage compared to him, having existed as a time 
guardress long before he had ever become an immortal in a twisted 
sense of the word.
	She studied the shadows of the sands; though cloaked in a veil 
of night the desert seemed to still shimmer in the distance as if it 
were beneath the rays of a noonday sun. It was incredible how exotic 
each of these kingdoms were, both apart from each other and together 
to form the Dreamworld.
	Abruptly he paused atop a dune, turning around with a strange 
look on his face. The winds blew his silver cloak around his form, 
though he remained oblivious to this.
	"Did you feel that?" he asked. "Like a tremor."
	She turned herself, taking up her staff. There was nothing her 
body could sense and nothing her magik could detect. As far as she 
could tell, they were the only two here amidst the desert sands.
	And then the ripple came.
	She stepped back, feeling the vibrations beneath her feet, 
beneath the sands. "Something's moving," she stated. "It's coming 
from under the desert."
	Suddenly a series of dunes erupted, spewing geysers of sand 
high into the dark skies. With a loud shout of invocation, the 
Wanderer threw his arms in front of him as the torrents of sand 
slammed back onto the desert floor, the ends of a silver cloak 
growing in the winds to protect her as well. But even as the rain of 
sands died out, the desert was still possessed.
	Even more dunes were being wiped clean away as an enormous 
mound emerged from deep below, waterfalls of pure sand crashing down 
at all sides. All too quickly the falls dried up to reveal rough 
skin resembling armored plates, covered in dust and pulsating with 
breath and life. A tail exploded to their left, thrashing about. She 
somersaulted backwards as the end fiercely pounded the dunes into 
slender valleys.
	"What is that?" she exclaimed, gripping her staff, choosing to 
remain in a defensive stance.
	The Wanderer slowly lifted his head as the worm continued to 
rise out from the ground, its fierce shadow drowning much of the 
surrounding desert in darkness. 
	"That," he remarked. "is one very ugly son of a--"
	"I noticed that, Karasu. What is it?"
	The worm tilted its head down at them, an eyeless face peering 
at the two guardians as if it were pondering their existence. Its 
huge form seemed to ripple, taut creases in its muddy brown skin 
send up clouds of dusty sands.
	The tension in the air was high; the lull would soon end.
	"Can it sense our vibrations through the earth?" she asked, 
keeping perfectly still.
	Karasu shook his head. "We could only be so lucky. This thing 
can sense our auras of magik from across the entire desert. I bet 
that's what brought it here. You can move, Setsuna, but don't summon 
anything to provoke an attack."
	"I highly doubt this will simply leave us alone," she 
countered, gripping her staff a little tighter.
	Karasu gave a wry grin, and she could tell that dark glimmer 
was back in his eyes despite being hidden behind his shades. "No, it 
won't leave us alone. But it's better not to get the worm riled up 
before a fight."
	Suddenly the worm reared up, opening its mouth and unleashing 
an ear-piercing shriek that send up a wave of dust and sand past the 
two. Triple mandibles opened up to reveal a central mouth adorned 
with rotating, circular rows of fangs and teeth. 
	She barely had enough time to shield her eyes from the sands 
before leaping aside as the worm smashed its beak-shaped face into 
the desert, sending shockwaves that threw dunes all amok. Flipping 
her body around, she landed a safer distance from the creature.
	The garnet orb atop her key-shaped staff was glowing as she 
began to summon her own magik to retaliate. But the magik faltered 
as she saw something else presented before her.
	"Na ni...?" she said, unable to believe her eyes.
	There he was: atop the rough hide of the worm, his Arashi 
sword unsheathed and poised to deliver a lightening strike. It was 
impressive to see him keep his place as the worm screeched and 
thrashed about to toss him off. 
	His crystal blue eyes met hers in a split second as his shades 
were knocked from his face by the showers of sand. "No questions, 
Setsuna!" he exclaimed. "Use your attack!"
	Raising the blade over his head, the Wanderer was lost in a 
electrical storm of his blood magik. "Lightening strike!" he 
shouted, raking down the Arashi upon the worm's neck.
	The beast let out a warbled bellow as its leathery hide bulged 
and then exploded, tearing its head from the rest of its body, the 
remainder of the attack working its way down the worm's form.
	She watched worm, the garnet orb in her staff glowing as grey 
mists surrounded her form. "Dead Scream," she whispered, the mists 
sucked into the orb and then unleashed in a blinding explosion of 
light. 
	Their warring magiks collided with each other at the middle of 
the worm, shredding what little was left of the monster's body. With 
the convergence of magik, the entire desert was lit up in a 
spectacular ball of searing violet light that radiated out from the 
epicentre of the strike.
	The raging power blew past her, sending her long dark hair 
dancing wildly behind her. She stood tall and firm despite the force 
of the radiating attack, only relaxing as the light died down at the 
desert was still once more.
	The Wanderer coughed amidst the dust as he walked towards her, 
brushing some strands of shining blonde hair away from his face. 
Tattered strips of its rough hide floated down around them; he blew 
a piece of worm away from his suit as it drifted towards the sands, 
eyes focusing on her. 
	"Not bad, Setsuna," he remarked with a grin. "Not bad at all."	
	"You're pretty good yourself, Karasu," she answered. She cast 
a glance at whatever was left of the worm; the Wanderer's lightening 
strike had severed its head and helped her Dead Scream vaporize the 
rest of its body.
	He moved around the head, careful to avoid the oozing muddy 
pool of what might have been blood soaking into the sands. A long, 
grey tongue was sticking out from the half-open mandibles, the 
entire head looking more sick than dead.
	"What was that?" she asked.
	He shrugged, kneeling down to study the severed head of the 
worm. "Jabberwocky. These worm creatures have appearing all over in 
the past while. They're new breeds of nightmares."
	"Not again," she sighed in annoyance. This cycle happened 
every few hundred years: everyone's dreams changed, and thus so 
would the forms of their nightmares. 
	"I've noticed myself that there are fewer hobgoblins these 
nights," he said, flicking a finger at one of the Jabberwocky's 
teeth.
	"No doubt these Jabberwockies are replacing them," she agreed, 
grimacing. "The war never ends, does it?"
	"You're the guardian of time and space," he said, rising from 
the sands. "You know how the battle between good and evil will never 
truly end. It's what makes up the fabric of our universe. That is 
the eternal war we're destined to fight."
	The Arashi was engulfed in a blue light, sheathed back in his 
palm. He kept his good hand open though, summoning a small orb of 
illusion. He clenched the crystal, shattering it with his own hand. 
As the ringing echoed with the winds and the shards fell to the 
desert floor, the worm's head burst into electric blue flames. It 
was reduced to ash in a heartbeat. For a time he seemed fixated on 
the smoldering black hole left on the sand dune, grimly staring at 
it.
	With a warm touch she rested her hand on his shoulder. "One 
more dreamer is safe tonight," she said to him. "Leave it at that, 
Karasu. Let's find someplace a little more quiet."


	Steam rose up from the heated waterfall that emptied down into 
the hotsprings, the waters of the pool covered in a thick steam that 
flowed over the edges and merged with the mists filtering out from 
the forest just a few paces away. Yet the heat of their bodies was 
causing them to sweat.
	He chuckled, his face right in hers, hot breaths meeting their 
lips. Hands clasped together, muscles flexed and gazes locked they 
fought for control, for dominance. Wrestling was the ultimate 
version of foreplay, burning fiercely within the magik coursing with 
their blood.
	"Give up yet, Hotaru-sama?" he chuckled, his golden cat-eyes 
flashing as they caught a beam of moonlight. 
	She smiled darkly, her own eyes shimmering with Mystwolf 
essence. "Oh, have we begun already?"
	They shared a laughter that might have been growls or purrs or 
else both at once, and then leaned forward to quickly kiss again 
before trying to push back the other. Her garments in shades of 
night were taut against her pale body, skin glistening with droplets 
sweat. The overcoat was at the edge of the steaming pool, beside 
that a small beret and crimson scarf. 
	He was still in a suit worn from a journey into her world, one 
they would return to when the dreams ended for one more night. But 
now the jacket and tie had been lost in the beginnings of a 
struggle, and his scarlet, collared shirt was left open for her 
moving hands.
	Passion rose again as they kissed, mouths alive and hands 
running up and down each other's back and through silken hair. Her 
weight shifted, one knee sinking into the ground between his legs 
and sending her body into his. He fell back, his already damp hair 
clinging to his face and neck. Hands grappled around his wrists, 
locking his arms against the dew-covered grasses. He struggled but 
was pinned. The fight was hers to claim.
	She laughed, her shoulder-length hair dangling around her face 
and brushing with his naked skin. "Okami-chan," she said, nipping at 
his chest. "It would appear I've won again."
	"Only because I let you, my Queen," he responded. 
	Even still he remained at the mercy of his Darkqueen, pledging 
body and soul and wolfen devotion to her. At another time, one not 
so long ago, this pledge was made in his own blood.
	She lowered her face until it was an agonizing kiss away from 
his. His warm breath that smelled of so many things pure and 
unbridled, of the cool Myst itself that they ran through.
	"What would you want of me, my Darkqueen?" he purred, his 
tongue parting his lips and trying to catch a taste of her skin as 
her cheek erratically nuzzled his.
	Abruptly she felt lighter in weight. But it was more than a 
sensation: it was a reality as she turned her head to look at her 
body now floating into the air. Coerced by the mists flowing out 
from the forest and the pool of steaming waters, she levitated 
before him.
	He chuckled, running his tongue along his twin fangs. Under 
his guidance she moved like a faery in the winds, elegant despite 
her confusion.  
	She twisted around, trying to understand why gravity was 
suddenly so arbitrary. In an envoy of grey billowing mists she 
slowly rotated around until she was on her back, swimming in cloud 
and air as if flying like a bird.
	And with a snap of his fingers the ride came to a crashing 
halt with the sound of disrupted waters belonging to the hotspring. 
Throwing up a fury of droplets and steam around her body she emerged 
from beneath the surface of the pool, her dark wet hair dancing 
around her face.
	"That was a dirty trick," she said.
	He chuckled, fangs glistening in the light of the crescent 
moon. "I guess you will just have to punish me then."
	He stood, his eyes wide and glowing an eerie gold in the 
night. Arms pointing towards the earth, fingers open towards the 
mist-laiden ground, he summoned ancient magik belonging only to the 
firstborn of this realm. A cloud of mists lifted his feet off the 
ground, carrying his human form across the distance and lowering him 
into the water.
	As his feet touched the bottom a wave of water from behind 
splashed into him, his eyes closed in accepting the magik soaked in 
the very air they breathed. His eyes slowly opened, a coy smile cast 
in her direction as he ran his fingers through wet strands of wild, 
silver hair.
	She moved through water until she was up against his beating 
heart. "I don't punish," she purred, stripping him of a soaking wet 
crimson shirt. "I discipline."
	Their mouths met to fiercely drink from each other, lips 
running against lips and neck and breast. One flick of his finger 
unsheathed a dark claw that fancifully tore the buttons off her 
shirt with one precise swipe.
	"Careful," she chided playfully. "This is a favorite of 
mine."
	"Tomorrow I shall buy you a new one," he replied, kissing the 
base of her neck, hands encircling her waist. "For tonight it is but 
an accessory."
	Soon there was nothing between them, various garments flung or 
torn aside as they felt the warmth of their skins pressing close 
together. Once again she held control in holding the rhythm, letting 
her own ecstasy rise with his, Mystwolf stamina pushing them further 
towards an edge that never seemed to exist. 
	Their pants and growls became fevered, and while he was 
cautious not to harm her fragile body she marked his back with her 
own nails. The air was electric and hot as skin against skin ended 
with an explosion of ecstasy that caused her to tilt back her head 
and unleash an excited cry.
	The mists were changing as she rested in his arms, letting the 
warmth of the water keep her basking in a delighted afterglow. The 
Mysts were calling to them, and amidst that the darkpacks.
	Her violet eyes looked at the small array of crimson marking 
his shoulders and no doubt his back. If he was in discomfort he hid 
it well--then again he was Mystwolf. She might not have been so 
aggressive had he not given her the bite of the wolf, letting the 
fierce magik in his blood flow with hers as well. There were times 
such as this where she forgot how potent the Mystwolf magik really 
was.
	"Was I too rough on you, Okami-chan?" she asked. "How do you 
feel?"
	"Disciplined," he purred.
	She glanced over at the forest as a thicker, darker cloud 
filtered out. The ancient Mysts that encircled this realm and kept 
its borders emerged from between the trees of the forest, covering 
them both in a grey cloud of timeless magik. What pierced the mysts 
was wolf in form.
	They were Mystwolves: Darkqueen and her consort, her chosen 
one. Nuzzling noses they raced into the great beyond where kingdoms 
and dreamers resided.
	"Hotaru-sama," he whispered to her. "My beloved, my 
Darkqueen...."


	They stared out at the strange sight held before them: a river 
without a bed. There the course of flowing but peaceful waters 
curved and twisted, yet these waters were in midair. The entire form 
was graceful but with bumps and slopes that a normal river would 
never run with.
	Yet very few things in this realm could be considered "normal" 
by the average Earthworlder's definition. Perhaps that in itself was 
the magik of the Dreamworld: what souls could only dream of was what 
roamed free here.
	One part of the river banked very close to the hillside the 
two travelling companions stood on. She leaned over and dipped her 
hand in the sparkling blue waters; the sensation was cool and 
refreshing as she submerged her arm until the elbow and brought out 
a handful to drink.
	Her skin was dried in the cool evening air, and all the while 
she stared in fascination with the bedless river.
	"Curiouser and curiouser," she remarked.
	Though the river seemed two dimensional, she could probably 
dive deep into these waters and still not reach the bottom--or punch 
through the bottom end for that matter. At least she hoped so.
	"You should try to surf down these rivers," the Wanderer 
chuckled. "Just beyond those hills in the distance the waters become 
rapids--and the current is incredibly fast regardless." He sighed, 
once again twirling his crystal illusions. "Now that was a great 
memory."
	"One I'll let you treasure all by yourself," she said.
 	He blew one crystal into the air, where it drifted down with 
the current of the river waters. "Oh come on, Setsuna! Where's your 
sense of adventure?"
	"Back on Earth," she replied. "Usagi keeps me well enough on 
my toes with the trouble she attracts. I swear she's a magnet for 
dark forces."
	He laughed. "When your soul burns brighter than any light, 
shadows of equal darkness will appear. It's a dichotomy we've all 
grown up with...that, or else grown used to."
	She nodded, knowing all too well the truth in his words. 	She looked back up at the river and the starry backdrop behind 
it. "I think we have a visitor," she said, indicating with her staff 
a small silhouette that was descending the closer it approached 
them.
	It was a dragon, a lesser one judging by its small house-cat 
size. Two wings, each just longer than its body, flapped silently in 
the midnight winds. The Wanderer held out his hand, letting the 
creature perch on his arm before drawing it closer for a chance to 
switch onto his shoulder. 
	"Komban wa," he remarked. "Did Kishi and Minako kick you out 
of their dream again, Suna-chan?"
	The sandy-colored dragon nodded, feigning hurt.
	Large green eyes blinked as they looked at her as she 
approached; the dragon didn't recognize her but its gaze was 
friendly none the less. She smiled, rubbing her finger under the 
dragon's jaws, which elicited what sounded like a contented purr 
from the creature. 
	"What an adorable little dragon," she remarked. "And a rather 
playful one too."
	"He's from Kishi's sanctuary kingdom," he explained. "In fact, 
Suna-chan here is Minako's Dreamworld pet."
	"Don't tell Artemis he might be replaced," she said with a 
smile. "The cat might not take to fondly to this."
	The Wanderer made a series of clicks and growls, an expert in 
dragonspeak since centuries past. The lesser dragon spread its tiny 
wings and soared over to perch on her shoulder. She laughed as it 
gave a playful lick to her cheek.
	"I don't think you have to worry," he said. "Suna-chan is more 
or less confined to the Dreamworld. If any one of the dragons could 
cross over on a whim, Kishi and Minako would never be allowed in 
school with the entire pride acting as their private envoy."
	"Perhaps then Minako could get to school on time for once in 
her life," she remarked, scratching again beneath the little 
dragon's chin. "I hear that even with Kishi escorting her, it's 
still a frantic race."
	With a sigh he nodded. "I doubt some things will never change, 
Setsuna."
	"Everything changes," she countered. "And yet everything stays 
the same."
	"Now who's being the cryptic one?" he teased.
	They both shared in some mutual laughter before allowing 
passive silence to be their companion. For a time they seemed 
content to watch the flowing waters of the curious river. The 
dragon, on the other hand, took flight and frolicked about in the 
waves.
	"Where do you go when you have the chance to dream?" the 
Wanderer inquired, for on those times of her retreat he had never 
met her. Then again, he might have never met the dark-haired shrine 
girl and the others if one hadn't tumbled into the Dreamworld as a 
lost soul. 
	She glanced up at the stars, and at the crescent moon still 
shifting its place in a midnight sky. They seemed so distant now. 
Perhaps it was because of the memories brought to life in this 
moment.
	The lesser dragon settled back onto her shoulder, having shook 
itself dry, content in perching with her rather than with him.
	"Traitor," he remarked to the dragon. 
	"I go to a place I can still see old friends I once loved and 
lost without even having a chance to meet," she answered. "A time 
before I learned of destiny beyond lives lived."
	The dragon cocked its head as it looked at her with 
inquisitive eyes. She reached over with one arm and reassuringly 
stroked its head; she had forgotten how empathic these creatures 
were.
	"You still wish for his embrace, don't you?" he asked 
solemnly.
	She nodded, turning away. There was a bittersweet smile that 
always accompanied the memories, for while she could not be in the 
arms of the dark-haired prince she was glad to have lost to such a 
soul as the odango-haired blonde.
	The Wanderer looked up to the stars and the moon, knowing that 
somewhere across this realm or perhaps beyond it, the dark-haired 
shrine girl was staring up at the same night sky. "I know what you 
mean, Setsuna," he agreed. "I know what you mean."


	Solace and quiet solitude was at the Shinto shrine this night, 
the sacred grounds closed for the night. Best wishes had been left 
at the shrine itself for the people of the sprawling city with its 
sprawling lights. And beyond the dark silhouettes of the surrounding 
trees were those same sprawling lights that forced the twinkling of 
the thousands of evening stars to fade away.
	She sighed, leaning her head against one of the posts on the 
veranda. Behind her, candlelight poured out through the open fusama 
of the building, casting his shadow upon her back.
	It was a beautiful night in Tokyo regardless of whatever 
lights were dominating the heavens. One that she would spend with 
her beloved here in the temple until they both entered the 
Dreamworld to dance in the floating palace's Moonlight Masquerade. 
They were to all meet there for Earth's midnight hour, where 
together they would celebrate the magik from both worlds that had 
brought them all together. 
	A solitary white speck drifted leisurely past her vision, lost 
in the walkway when it finally met with the ground. But then another 
began to follow after it. And another, and after that a legion.
	"Yuichiro," she said, smiling as she held out her hand to 
catch one of the falling snowflakes. "Look outside."
	He looked up from the candles and incense he was burning, a 
quick flick of the wrist snuffing out the flame at the end of the 
match. Running a hand through his somewhat scruffy brown hair he 
approached the open divider, staring out at the gentle snowfall that 
was beginning to cover the city.
	She smiled as his arms wrapped around her shoulders, embracing 
her. Clasping his hand in hers, fingers lacing together, they 
watched their city take on a winter's magik all its own. It was all 
so mystical in one sense, reminding her of the kingdoms revealed to 
her in the Dreamworld.	
	"Karasu," she whispered quietly, a strange and sudden longing 
to see the young man again overcoming her. Where was this eve 
finding the Wanderer? What paths had the raven by name and not wings 
chosen to walk amidst tonight? Would they ever see each other again?
	She touched her lips; somewhere in the back of her mind she 
could still remember the Wanderer's tender kiss when she had offered 
herself in the hopes of forgetting her fears. It was the same 
distant memories when she had and for a short time dated the dark-
haired prince. Now she was with the man she truly loved and had 
loved since he had first shown up one night on the temple's front 
steps. Yet there would always be a special place for the wandering 
soul lost between worlds like she had once been.
	He gently kissed the palm of her hand, returning her mind to 
the approaching midnight hour here at the Shinto shrine. She smiled 
at his caring touch; for as seemingly immature and brash as he was, 
he was indeed someone she had fallen in love with.
	"How are you feeling tonight?" he asked into her ear.
	She laughed, squirming away. "Depends on how frisky you are 
tonight, Yuichiro. Just try not to wake grandfather."
	With a playful spark in his eyes he retreated into the room, 
pulling her as she let him lead her on. As she closed the partition 
behind her, her hands slid between the folds of his kimono, feeling 
the warmth of his skin.
	Instantly he pulled her closer, his own hands running through 
her long dark hair. He lowered his head and their lips met in a 
passionate kiss. She undid the sash at his waist, the folds of his 
kimono coming open. Her own kimono was following the same destiny, 
open to reveal her breasts as his fingers danced around her nipples.
	She moaned softly, throwing her weight to the side, taking him 
down with her onto a futon. Both garments were thrown aside and 
discarded as they came together, bodies glistening with sweat in the 
flickering light of candles.
	It was strangely arousing to watch her own shadow cast upon 
the paper screens, revealing the curves of her body as she pressed 
him down against the mattress. Shadow hand rose up to fondle her 
breasts, and her shadow opened its mouth to sigh in delight. The 
aroma of the burning incense only added fuel to the fire.
	Not long after they reached passion height and collapsed in 
each other's arms. In silence and candlelight they stared into each 
other's eyes with quite compassion. 
	"We should be going soon," she finally said, sitting up. The 
hour was approaching fast, and she did not want to be late to be 
with her friends at such a midnight. 
	He snuggled up against her, his head resting in her lap. "Rei-
chan," he asked her. "Do you want to visit him before we go to the 
Masquerade?"
	Surprised she looked down at his gentle expression. "What do 
you mean, Yuichiro?"
	He smiled. "I heard you whisper his name outside, and I know 
how close you two are. It's alright if you want to visit him before 
we dance at the midnight hour."
	Her violet eyes trembled slightly, though for neither one nor 
the other but instead both the men she had loved. "Daijobu, 
Yuichiro," she answered. "It's okay this way. Besides, I wouldn't 
even know where to begin looking for him. Karasu's been a lost, 
wandering ghost for so long I don't think he knows any other 
life...or at least remembers any other life."
	He propped himself up on his elbows as she quietly rose from 
the futon, grasping her kimono as she walked towards the fusama. 
Sliding it open partially, she leaned against the frame and 
contentedly watched the snowfall for just a few more minutes.
	For a single beating of her heart she thought she saw a 
ghostly shadow dressed with a silver cloak moving through the 
falling snow. But then it was gone, a wraith of her dreams.
	"Komban wa, Karasu," she whispered, retreating inside and 
sliding the fusama closed. "Wherever you are tonight...."


	He glanced up at the stars, something having caught his 
attention. The ends of his dark robes fluttered in the breeze, as 
did the bangs of his blonde hair. Slowly he removed his shades, 
crystal blue eyes staring up at the heavens.
	"Karasu?" she asked.
	For a moment longer he was poised as if trying to listen to 
something whispered in the winds. Then he shook his head, replacing 
the shades over his eyes. "I'm not quite sure, Setsuna. For a second 
I thought someone had called my name." 
	She sighed, her magenta eyes glancing down at the emerald-
tipped roses; it was hard to let go sometimes--especially when you 
didn't want to. Kneeling down she plucked one of the roses, the 
petals changing color upon the touch of her fingers. Emerald green 
became ocean blue and then a full-bodied crimson that covered the 
entire rose.
	So much did that evoke distant memories of the dark-haired 
prince. They were the prince's calling card and an embodiment of the 
unique form of the young man's magik. She blew on the rose, its 
delicate petals breaking apart and dancing out with the winds.
	They were standing amidst rows of hedges and petals, an 
ethereal rose garden sprawled out before them as angelic cherubs of 
stone fiercely guarded over the flowers. The roses were of all 
different shades of empathic magik, their rows twisting and flowing, 
covering hills and lining cobblestone pathways, climbing trellises 
and encircling gazebos.
	"Strange," he remarked absently. "I would have thought Mamoru 
and Usagi would be here, on tonight of all nights." He winced as he 
saw her melancholy creep into her face. "Gomen ne. I didn't think, 
Setsuna. Forgive me, please; that was uncalled for."
	"Daijobu," she answered, shaking off the ancient sadness she 
still nursed in the recesses of her heart. "I know you meant well. 
We immortals have yet to find a love that lasts as long as we do."
	He nodded. "Hai."
	He closed his eyes, a faint image appearing in that moment. Of 
a gentle smile and tresses of long, dirty-blonde hair cascading down 
a young girl's face. Of those beautiful blue eyes. "Yui-chan," he 
said quietly. 
	"Karasu?" she asked.
	His eyes opened and he nodded.
	"You were thinking about her again?" she inquired.
	"Every now and again," he answered. "Rei-chan was different, 
and while I may disagree with it, I can live with what fate dealt 
us. But Yui...that final moment where fate tore us apart still 
haunts me."
	She didn't say anything to that; they had been together long 
enough to know when the other desired a silence. Not to think or to 
intimate, but just to experience the silence itself and forget 
everything. Only the hoots of the sandy dragon were heard between 
them.
	"Shimatta," he sighed, stretching out his arms behind his 
head. "Of all the days to be so damned somber, this shouldn't be 
it."
	Leaning over her plucked up a rose and with a silent illusion 
the rose hovered above his palm. The flower began to dance, golden 
sparkles resembling tiny fireworks flowing around the rose as its 
petals shifted through every last color of the rainbow.
	"For the lady," he said, grasping the end of the thorny stem 
and offering it to her. "May our next chance at romance be just as 
permanent as us."
	She laughed, accepting the gift. "Merry Christmas to you too, 
Karasu."
	"It's Christmas already?" he asked. "Damn, and I never once 
went out shopping for presents. I'm assuming the stores are all 
closed by now."
	She still couldn't help but smile at his humor. "It's the eve 
of Christmas, Karasu. Everyone's romancing their beloved or else 
searching for a hopeful to romance."
	The Wanderer sighed, leaning back against a stone cherub. 
"Hai, and somewhere out there is a really cool party with loads of 
Sake I'm missing out on."
	"We could do this another time if you wanted," she offered, 
teasing him.
	"It's just another Christmas passing me by," he answered, 
waving it aside. "Before I know it I'll have missed another one. 
Come on, Setsuna; want to check out the waterises? They're not far 
from here."
	"Waterises?" she inquired.
	He nodded. "Think waterfall, but in reverse."
	She rolled her eyes. Of course; hence the name. "Why not?" 
	But as he led the way down a cobblestone path beyond one of 
the gazebos, she abruptly stopped as the aura of an emerging magik 
caught her attention. The key reason being it echoed of her own 
magik. Her eyes focused onto the gazebo, where a cloud of smoke was 
breathing life into itself from clear, night air. The pulsating mass 
grew, though peacefully and not like an impending storm.
	The Wanderer's attention moved to the gazebo. "What are the 
mysts of time doing here?" he asked, looking to her. "You're not 
leaving yet, are you?"
	She shook her head. "I'm not leaving. Rather, someone is 
coming."
	They stood there before the portal that opened up in a 
swirling line of cloudy myst to reveal a young girl who appeared no 
older than fourteen, dressed in seemingly ordinary clothes that none 
the less held a regal elegance about them. Long locks of hair that 
shone a pale pink when caught in the moonlight dangled near the 
girl's waist as friendly rouge eyes stared at the two of them. A 
strikingly distinct feature was the strange rabbit ear-shaped balls 
of hair on either side of the young girl's head.
	"Arigato, Pu," the child said, bowing slightly.
	She nodded, smiling fondly at the blossoming young woman 
before her. This was the most frequent traveler between times and 
worlds within worlds, and one of her closest friends who also just 
happened to be a princess.
	"Did Diana chose not to come?" she inquired.
	The young girl nodded. "They're all back planning for his 
homecoming."
	She glanced to her side as the dragon upon her should gave a 
curious series of clicks. It cocked its head, bobbing up and down 
playfully as it studied the girl.
	"Suna-chan!" the child said, scratching beneath the creature's 
chin. The lesser dragon squealed with delight at all the lavished 
attention.
	The Wanderer on the other hand regarded the girl with 
incredible curiousity. "That hair," he mulled. "Why does it seem so 
familiar?"
	Actually, this young girl in every way seemed to resemble a 
good friend of his. Yet right now he was at a loss to match the 
faces together, though flickering images were plaguing his mind. The 
girl turned and smiled upon seeing him.
	"Karasu-sempai!" the child exclaimed, racing over and fondly 
embracing the Wanderer.
	She couldn't help but smile at his predicament as Karasu's 
face was one of stunned uncertainty. "Excuse me," he asked, lowering 
his shades as he stared down at the girl. "but who exactly are you?"
	The girl's mouth widened, bright rouge eyes registering 
surprise and then revelation. "Oh, that's right," the girl said, 
embarrassed. "We haven't met yet."
	He slid the shades back over his eyes, casting a side glance 
in her direction. "Let me guess: another one of Setsuna's time 
travelers."
	She nodded to his question, leaning against her key-shaped 
staff. This would prove a most interesting first encounter, 
considering that for the child this wasn't the first time in meeting 
the Wanderer.
	"Princess Tsukino Usagi," the girl stated, bowing slightly 
though quite elegantly to him. 
	He found his curiousity piqued even further with the girl's 
semblance and reaction upon seeing him. But the name was what really 
threw him off; this was name that belonged to the odango-haired 
blonde. 
	"Tsukino...Usagi?" he repeated.
	"Small Lady," she corrected.
	"I'm not so little any more," the girl chided her. "I'm over 
sixteen hundred years old now."
	"Wait a minute," the Wanderer cut in. "This is Usagi's 
daughter? The one who Rei-chan said came back from Crystal Tokyo?"
	She leaned against her key-shaped staff. "The very same one. 
Small Lady, despite being over nine hundred years old at the time, 
was actually by our standards just a child. As you can see, the 
little princess has grown up."
	The Tsukino child seemed to appraise him for a moment. "You're 
a lot taller in person than in your crystals," the Tsukino child 
remarked.
	He sighed as she stifled a laugh; it gave him some peace of 
mind to know that the odango-haired blonde and the royal court were 
still his friends even that far into the future. On the other hand, 
it left him wondering if he actually did ever find a way to escape 
from being a lost soul.
	"How exactly do you know me in the future?" he asked.
	"Oh no you don't, Karasu," she chided him. "It's not good to 
peek at your future, especially if it might create a time paradox."
	He sighed, revealing another crystal orb and having it dance 
around the contours of his good hand. "You never let me have any 
fun, Setsuna."  He turned to the Tsukino child. "Well, Princess 
Usagi, what brings you into the Dreamworld?"
	"You can call me Chibiusa," she said. "You always have."
	"How quickly I forget the things I've never done," he wryly 
remarked.
	The Tsukino child giggled. "I'm here to meet someone."
	"And who might that be?" he inquired.
	And then came a reply though not from any of the three 
standing at the gazebo: "Komban wa."
	For a moment within the Wanderer's shades, the reflection of a 
Pegasus raced across his sight. And then there stood a young man 
whose aura of magik possessed everything within the gardens of 
roses. Every last flower stretched across the rows and hedges 
suddenly launched into full bloom, petals opening up in a stunning 
display. This magik could only be a part of a power within the 
Dreamworld great enough to rival the blak magik of the Shadowqueen.
	There stood the DreamMaster.
	Misty eyes looked out at them amidst shining white hair 
flowing above the young man's shoulders. The DreamMaster wore a 
white vest over an equally white shirt with long, billowy sleeves, 
the chest adorned with dark blue ribbons. The edges of the vest were 
given shades of emerald green, the collar open at the neckline. At 
the base of the DreamMaster's collar dangled a strange talisman that 
sparkled gold in the pale moonlight.
	"Milord," the Wanderer said, nodding with reverent respect for 
the DreamMaster. "I'm rather surprised to find you here."
	"Karasu," the DreamMaster replied. "It is good to see your 
ghostly form once again."
	The young man turned to the Tsukino child, a warm smile of 
shared dreams and memories. "Chibiusa-chan," the DreamMaster said 
with affection. "My Maiden...."
	The Tsukino child's face seemed to brighten upon seeing the 
Master of the Dreamworld. "Helios!"


	It was a dark night yet also a clear one as a thousand stars 
shone brightly overhead in royal escort to a pale crescent moon that 
now seemed enormous before them. In the company of Silvermanes they 
had ridden for what seemed like hours, yet passing as only fleeting 
dreams can be recalled upon waking up.
	They were in what might have been a tropical forest, though 
not as thick in lush foliage as the raven knight's sanctuary. Here 
the trees and vines were spaced out with the low bushes, 
disappearing the closer they approached the flowing river which 
trailed down from the crashing surge of the high, tiered cliffs of 
silver rock and waterfalls just around the corner.
	Out in the middle of the river was perched a large stone with 
enough space above the rushing waters for two people to sit and 
watch the circling moon with the waterfalls just in the corner of 
their eyes. All around them an enormous gathering of herons 
gracefully stepped through the water in search of evening food, 
their feathers shining white and light blue.
	The Silvermanes, glistening bodies and manes of sparkling 
silver, kept their own company at the edge of the river, refreshing 
themselves with food and drink and rest. She smiled as she watched 
the steeds; it was surprising that something so elegant could yet be 
so deadly. But this applied as well for the Mystwolves in their 
vicious dedication and gentleness. Perhaps among these firstborns of 
the Dreamworld, the dichotomy was always the most evident.
	She felt the arm of the tall, sandy-blonde wrap around her 
shoulder, and she smiled contently, leaning into the young woman's 
embrace.	
	"Is this not the romantic Christmas evening I promised you?" 
the tall, sandy-blonde asked, gesturing to the kingdom around them.
	She smiled at her companion, her friend, and so much more. "It 
is, Haruka. Arigato."
	Haruka sighed, leaning back against the rock. "I'd rather be 
behind the wheel of my car,  but for you I'm willing to make an 
exception."
	"How fortunate for me," she remarked, chuckling as Haruka's 
eyebrow twitched at the retort.
	She ran her fingers through her wavy hair that shimmered aqua-
green in the pale moonlight, letting her hand drift down to the 
waters flowing around the base of the rock. The lapping was were 
just a breath away from her bare feet.
	"It is nice to have a moment alone, though," she admitted. "No 
interruptions, no walking in on the romantic moments of others. Just 
you and me, and the stars."
	Haruka tilted her chin up and gently kissed her forehead. 
"Hai, Michiru. Maybe now we can enjoy a peaceful life and equally 
peaceful dreams."
	She sighed, the serenity of such a realm captivating her with 
its own magik. Upon Silvermanes they had charged across this river; 
she was growing rather fond of the mystic steeds. Haruka, though, 
seemed to prefer horsepower to horses.
	"I've been thinking," Haruka said. "What if you and I just 
take a long vacation?"
	"We do that enough times as it is," she replied, scooping up a 
handful of water and letting it sift through her fingers. "Tokyo is 
but one of our favorite places to be."
	Haruka nodded, blue eyes turning up to the heavens of the 
Dreamworld, a midnight sky mirroring that of their own world. "I 
didn't mean going out on a cruise across the Mediterranean, or 
visiting the Mayan ruins. I meant leaving Earth, and the warmth of 
our own sun and moon."
	She turned to the sandy blonde with curious but vibrant eyes. 
Much like the Wanderer, the tall, sandy-blonde was a restless soul. 
	Haruka continued to look up at the stars. "The Starlights were 
soldiers from another system much like ours. Who knows how many 
other Senshi there are out in our universe?"
	"You just want an excuse to have some time alone with me," she 
chided. "Shame on you, Haruka, though I must admit I'm not against 
the idea."
	"Ara," Haruka conceded. "That too, Michiru. But with all the 
fighting we've been through, I just need some time off to relax. I 
need to go someplace far away. Even here in the Dreamworld the wars 
are growing fiercer night by night."
	"I agree," she answered, sitting up. With a simple gesture she 
summoned up her Aqua Mirror and gazed into it's reflection. Again 
there was a flash of something, and then nothing but her own face 
staring back at her.
	A woman's silhouette?
	She sighed, the mirror returning to its dimensional pocket. 
"But now does not seem to be the right time. Perhaps when Crystal 
Tokyo rises up and our sanctuary is established, we can search the 
heavens for other soldiers."
	The tales told of the battle against the entity called Death 
Phantom never included either of them--or the young harbinger for 
that matter. Perhaps this was the beginning of a reason why.
	Haruka grinned, strands of sandy blond hair dancing in the 
cool evening breeze. "For you, I can wait."
	"Good things always come to those who wait," she stated, 
winking playfully. She rose up atop the rock, her slender and 
elegant form casting a majestic shadow behind her.
	Taking a careful step, she allowed her body to plunge into the 
waters of the river. The dress she wore of aquamarine rippled upon 
meeting with the water, clinging to her form as she stepped deeper 
into the river. The waters were flowing just beneath her breasts, 
the current far from being a fierce torrent.
	While the herons took no notice, one of the silver unicorns 
raised its head to watch her. Her movements were graceful, every 
gesture calling attention to her unique magik.
	She held out her hands, the Silvermane coming forth at her 
silent calling with a spray of water as it crashed through the 
river. A few rows of herons took to the skies to avoid getting any 
wetter than needed, returning back to the river at a safer and drier 
distance.
	The steed's nose nuzzled against her neck and shoulder, its 
warm breath causing her hair to flutter around her face. Such a 
sweet fragrance, of mixed sweat and perfume; it reminded her of how 
Haruka smelled at times.
	"I thought I was the only one allowed to do that," Haruka's 
voice said, Haruka suddenly behind her, arms wrapping around her. 
The Silvermane bowed its head and retreated, leaving them alone. 
Within its eyes she saw that it knew better than to come between the 
two of them.
	She smiled, tilting back her head and feeling Haruka's cheek 
brush against her hair. "Are you jealous?"
	The tall blonde cracked a mischievous grin, rising to the 
challenge. "Should I have a reason to be?"
	She chuckled. "You have me there, Haruka. Though jealousy is 
not the best of traits, I'm flattered by how protective you are of 
me. I always have been."
	Slowly she turned around so that they were face to face, half 
submerged in the river. Haruka's suit was as soaked as her dress, 
though Haruka's attire being the one to reveal less of their 
feminine bodies. Her hand reached up to touch Haruka's face, fingers 
then moving from skin to sandy blonde hair.
	"I would die for you, Michiru," Haruka whispered softly, 
solemnly.
	"I know," she answered, aqua-green eyes that echoed of her 
flowing hair turning up to the eternal midnight overhead. "They're 
beautiful, aren't they? The stars?"
	Haruka nodded. "They truly are."
	"So many celestial families shining down on us," she said 
quietly. The memories came back, and with them the questions. For 
what felt like an eternity her motherly instincts were awakening 
deep within; for a time she had been able to feel like a mother when 
Hotaru had become a child in the lull before Galaxia's siege. 
	But now....
	She felt comforted by the warm embrace as Haruka pulled her 
close. She leaned her head against Haruka's shoulder, finding 
strength in the tall sandy-blonde's hold.
	Suddenly the entire gathering of herons took to the skies in a 
magnificent array, white and pale blue winged forms flashing past 
them in a dazzling array of feathers and water falling down upon 
them both.
	"One day, Michiru, I promise," Haruka said, holding her 
tightly. "One day we can be a family. But until that day comes, know 
that I will always love you no matter what."
	She looked into Haruka's blue eyes. "I know, Haruka. And that 
is why I love you too...."


	Here at the rose gardens in a kingdom not too far away from 
souls dancing amidst their beautiful dreams, the Tsukino child and 
the DreamMaster had found each other once more. Within the span of a 
beating heart the two were tenderly embracing, looking into the 
other's eyes with a sigh of contentment.
	The Wanderer wistfully sighed, digging his hands into his 
jacket pocket. "I just love romantic scenes," he remarked to her. 
"Especially when I get to be in them. Ne, Setsuna?"
	She chuckled. "Be patient with them, Karasu. Young love such 
as theirs deserves to blossom."
	From its perch atop one of the stone cherubs, the lesser 
dragon clicked its tongue. The Wanderer burst out laughing, wagging 
a finger at the dragon. "Cute, Suna-chan. Very cute. You're just 
lucky Setsuna can't understand your language."
	"What did he say?" she inquired.
	He shrugged. "Something to the extent of 'at least he gets 
someone to play with'. Unless you know Dragonspeak, you lose a lot 
in the translation."
	She suspected by the smirk he was desperately trying to 
suppress on his face that he was deliberately leaving something out 
of that translation too. 
	The young lovers managed to tear their gazes away from each 
other, and the DreamMaster looked at her. "Setsuna-san," Helios 
said, nodding with mutual respect. "It is good to see you again. I 
trust you are enjoying your time here in the Dreamworld."
	"There is always a sanctuary for me to visit," she answered. 
"Be it here or somewhere else within our world."
	"You two already know each other?" the Wanderer inquired, 
cutting in. 
	She smiled. "I've been around longer than you ever have 
Karasu. Helios and I have been friends for...what? Four or five 
millennia now?"
	The DreamMaster shrugged. "Let's just leave it at that we are 
very old friends."
	"You make it sound as if I'm an ancient woman," she remarked.
	"I'd say you don't look a day over two thousand years, if it 
helps," Karasu offered, removing his shades. He winced as she seemed 
to take slight insult to that. "I said 'if it helps'," he protested, 
letting out a nervous laugh. 
	Changing tactics, he coughed and turned to the Tsukino child, 
who was clasping hands with the DreamMaster. "And I notice you two 
are very good friends." The Wanderer glanced from one to the other, 
a smirk across his face. "And when did you two lovers meet?"
	"Nehelenia," she answered for the Tsukino child, who was 
staring distantly into the DreamMaster's eyes.
	His smile faded. "The dream stealers?"
	She nodded. "The Dead Moon was after Helios. He hid inside 
Small Lady's beautiful dream to escape, and to protect the Golden 
Crystal."
	His arms crossed over his chest for a moment as he thought out 
the situation, leaning against one of the gazebo's posts. "Hai hai; 
that explains a lot. When he disappeared, the Shadowqueen had a 
field day here."
	"I promised you I would return, Helios," the Tsukino child 
whispered in the DreamMaster' embrace. 
	"And so you have," Helios answered.
	The Tsukino child looked at the guardian with fond and gentle 
eyes. "More than that, Helios. I've come back to take you with me."
	"Um, I hate to interrupt your tender moment," he cut in yet 
again, this time more solemnly. "But you can't cross over and become 
a resident of Earth--unless some greater magik intervenes."
	"Like a counsel?" the Tsukino child asked. This seemed to 
catch the Tsukino child off guard, the girl's expression changing to 
one of apprehension. 
	"Kind of," Helios said. "There is a greater power than the 
raven angels and the Shadowdemons, and they are ones with the magik 
to grant a resident of our realm into becoming a resident of Earth."
	"I thought your own kind did that," the Tsukino child said, 
visibly surprised.
	The DreamMaster stared out at the expanse of roses for a 
moment. "I'm not like the others, Chibiusa-chan," Helios said 
quietly. "I never was and never will be a raven angel."
	The Wanderer chuckled, jumping into the air and seating 
himself on the edge of the gazebo's roof. "If that sort of stunt was 
allowed, the Shadowqueen would have rigged a vote to send herself 
into Earth--or else lesser demons to simply wreak havoc. No, the 
decision goes to another breed of creatures."
	"Who then?" she inquired, shifting her stance and the grip on 
her key-shaped staff. While this information was not entirely new to 
her, it did have a lot of unanswered questions left open.
	Helios smiled. "My best guess is the Mystwolves, the 
firstborns of our world."
	The Wanderer nodded in agreement. "Mine too."
	The DreamMaster sat down together with the Tsukino child upon 
the steps of the gazebo, the two lovers still holding that visible 
aura of tender affection in their eyes.
	She chose to sit down upon a large stone pushing out from the 
edge of one of the rose beds. All the flowers around her began to 
rustle and change from crimson to the magenta shade of her eyes; she 
wasn't sure if this was the garden's magik or his illusions at work.
	"Hotaru-chan met the Mystwolves inside the Dreamworld long 
before Usagi and the others found this place," she explained. "If 
Okami knew they were her friends, that would have swayed the vote 
for letting Sora and Kishi cross over."
	The others were exceptions, of course. The shrine protege had 
been a resident of Earth before becoming a guardian through Karasu's 
permanent illusion, and the masquerade wraith had been granted safe 
passage centuries ago.
	"But if Helios goes to reside in the future, will that alter 
events here in the past?" the Wanderer pointed out, knowing full 
well what the task of being the DreamMaster required.
	For the DreamMaster ruled kingdoms of beautiful dreamers, 
harnessing the power of the mystical Golden Crystal to fight against 
the nightmarish onslaught of the Shadowdemons and their dark Queen. 
	"It shouldn't alter time, should it?" the Tsukino child 
inquired, looking up at Helios.
	She patiently shook her head, reviewing the twists of the 
continuum inside her focused mind. "The timeline will be preserved 
so that Small Lady goes back into the past. Then the Inner Senshi 
journey into the future to fight for her against Nemesis." 
	At that time, the two Outer Senshi would be on an 
ambassadorial mission to another galaxy...along with a roguish, 
Elven tag-along. They would never even know about the attack until 
they arrived on Earth in time to see the final restoration after 
Death Phantom was destroyed.
	"So where does that leave Sora and the other guardians?" he 
pressed.
	She sighed; sometimes knowing more held its own drawbacks. And 
she didn't want to leak any information that might unravel time as 
she knew it to be. Such was the burden of the time guardress.
	"The former guardians," she said. "will be called into the 
Dreamworld to help fight--but the Queen, her King and her court 
remained in Crystal Tokyo."
	Okami and the Darkqueen would naturally be here in the 
Dreamworld, not really fighting like the others, but fighting to 
protect this realm none the less. Mystwolves moved in more 
mysterious ways in the angels; that made them all the more 
unpredictable even for her.
	The Wanderer slid his shades down his nose. "What would be the 
point in that? The battle against Nemesis was on Earth, wasn't it?"
	"Karasu," she said with a knowing smile. "Where did you think 
the entity called Death Phantom came from?"
	"A Dreamworld phantasm?" he remarked, intrigued. "Shimatta! 
Doesn't the Shadowqueen have some say in this war?" 
	Curiosity was etched into his face. But then again everyone 
was curious when it came to their own future. 
	"You and I know the Shadowqueen better than Setsuna," Helios 
cut in. "And what we do know is very little, Karasu. Who knows what 
or where she will be at that time."
	With a nod, he was inclined to agree. Both Wanderer and 
DreamMaster paused in their debate, turning to her. "So where do I 
fit into this picture?" he asked. 
	She chuckled; she had been wondering when he would finally 
inquire of his own future. "Iie. That would be disrupting the 
timeline. Gomen, ne, Karasu, but you'll just have to find out for 
yourself when you reach that time."
	The Tsukino child laughed as he let out an exasperated sigh. 
"You are such a tease, Setsuna. I swear you enjoy taunting me like 
that with all your innuendoes about the future."
	"And yet you don't seem disturbed when I do tease you like 
that," she retorted with a wry grin.
	He bit his lower lip. "Touché."
	"Minna-san," Helios spoke up. "It means a great deal for you 
to be here. I have been waiting for this chance to be with my Maiden 
a long time."
	"Not to seem rude," the Wanderer said. "but Setsuna and I just 
happened upon this little gathering."
	The DreamMaster smiled. "Are you absolutely certain, Karasu? 
How can you be sure that the magik of this world was not and has not 
always been at work with you?"
	He glanced over at her. "He's got me there."
	"Come with me," Helios said, closing his eyes. 
	Suddenly the entire rose gardens were bathed in a shimmering 
light that swallowed up everything in their vision. The last thing 
he recalled seeing was the DreamMaster embracing the Tsukino child, 
a golden horn appearing in the center of the young man's head.
	As abrupt as the light had appeared, it faded the same way. 
The four looked around at the new surroundings, each one wearing a 
different expression of wonder.
	"Welcome," Helios said. "to a sanctuary where every last 
beautiful dreamer has sought refuge beneath the purifying magik of 
the Golden Crystal. Here is my kingdom, free from evil, at peace 
with the world. Welcome to my citadel: Illusion."


	It was not a bright white nor a dull grey stone, but more a 
sparkling crystal that echoed shades of the rainbow upon every curve 
and angle. And it was everywhere, a citadel that reached high above, 
with a domed ceiling that opened up to the starry heavens with a 
pale crescent moon that seemed to hover right there before them.
	Four tower points marked the outer boundaries of the Citadel, 
and within their borders lied a fifth that was the Citadel itself. 
To the front were breath-taking hills of rich grasses that perhaps 
became the forests some knew to be the Valley of the Myst. To the 
back was a jagged cliff of sheer vertical angles beaten at the base 
by a hypnotic, crashing surf which marked the unknown end to the 
Ocean of Silver Orchids.
	She sat with him at the edge of the steps, still beneath the 
portico of the second pillar, bright crystal blue eyes staring out 
at the forest in the distant horizon. She could just make out the 
fading sight of a herd of Silvermanes galloping into the trees.
	It was raining, though not cold and harsh. Instead there was a 
rainfall of gentle droplets of water, refreshing and surprisingly 
warm to feel upon her face, her skin. And there were no clouds in 
the sky, magik allowing for a caressing shower on a clear night.
	Such a romantic place, on such a magical night.
	"Mamo-chan," she sighed, leaning into his chest and nuzzling 
her cheek against the warmth of his skin from beneath his fine 
tuxedo suit.
	She was dressed in a lily white gown of faery design, gossamer 
wings opened up behind her. Her long tails of shining blonde hair 
danced slightly in the cool breeze that caused the waves of gentle 
rain to ripple.
	"Usa-ko," he whispered fondly into her ear, kissing her 
through her hair. She smelled of a hundred different perfumes and 
flowers all merged together for an intoxicating fragrance that made 
him linger there for a moment longer.
	His blue eyes looked up to the crescent moon, and he ran a 
hand through his short, raven wing hair. "We really should be going 
to the Moonlight Masquerade," he said. "The midnight hour is 
approaching, and I don't really want to be late."
	"We can be fashionably late," she suggested, still snuggling 
into him.
	He sighed, searching his mind for a way to encourage her to go 
to the masquerade wraith's Christmas dance. Despite the fact that he 
deeply cared for her and loved her, they did have other obligations-
-ancient royal lineage not even withstanding. 
	"You might miss the desserts," he cautioned.
	Suddenly her face was right up next to his, large excited eyes 
and a near drooling mouth presented before him. "Desserts?" she 
exclaimed. "They're serving desserts at the ball?" 
	His eyebrow nervously twitched at the sudden close proximity 
of her face, and all he could do was nod in agreement.
	She beamed, latching onto his arm. "Itadakimasu!"
	He chuckled at her energetic personality; so vivacious she 
was, and yet not without a compassion to rival her level of energy.
	"Ne, you don't think I'm immature, do you?" she asked, 
abruptly losing her childish charm, and becoming serious and sincere 
in her thoughts. "Do you think I'm too immature?"
	Perhaps this is why he loved her so much; ever since had known 
her, she was both a child and a young adult. There was the innocence 
and faith only a young child could have that was embodied in her 
eyes. And when it came to take a stand, she stood taller and more 
defiantly than anyone else. When tears were shed, she was there to 
comfort--though more than once she was the one who needed the 
comforting. And when it came to her friends, nothing else mattered 
more.
	"Usagi," he said. "You are you, and nothing else can change 
that. And I would never give anything to change who you are, my 
princess. I would be the fool if I didn't love you."
	She smiled, her fingers moving beneath his jacket and lacing 
together around his back. "I really do want to go to the masquerade 
ball," she said. "But is it alright if we stay here just a little 
while longer, Mamo-chan? Just hold me for a little while longer."
	"Usa-ko," he whispered, tilting her head up to meet his tender 
gaze. His head leaned down, eyes closing as their lips met with a 
passionate and lingering kiss.
	Her hands gripped him tighter, not wanting to let go. 
	A symphony of night arose from the Citadel, echoing across 
this kingdom, their private universe. Like a siren her soul was 
captivated and possessed by the sweet music.
	"Let's dance, Mamo-chan!" she exclaimed, leaping to feet and 
trying to pull him out onto the meadows at the base of the steps. 
Politely declining, he remained at the base of the stairs beneath 
the portico, keeping dry as he leaned against a column and watched 
her with fond eyes.
	She laughed and danced out there amidst the rains, twirling 
about with her arms outstretched in acceptance of what the starry 
heavens had to offer.
	His eyes slowly grew wider as he suddenly saw a ghostly form 
of a giggling child appear to dance with her beneath the gentle 
shower. And then another child appeared, and still another.
	"So beautiful," he said quietly.
	All the dreamers were coming alive as she wove her own magik 
here inside a world forged of their dreams--beautiful and dark.
	She was lost in the wondrous dance of magik that seemed to 
shimmer all around her. Bangs of shining blonde hair clung to her 
face, cheeks glistening with the rain. Her crystal blue eyes were 
closed as she shared a moment of ecstasy, her body tingling from 
head to toe with a strange caress.
	Abruptly she came to a stop as she spun around, finding 
herself against his chest. She gasped, startled before smiling as 
she stared up at him.
	"I would be honored," he said to her. "if I could have this 
first dance, Usa-ko."
	She blushed. "Mamo-chan...."
	He smiled, his cloak billowing out around them both. "I love 
you, Usagi. And I will never let you go."
	There was no hesitation, no questions, and no need for either. 
The two lovers drew closer and kissed once more beneath the light of 
a pale moon, droplets of rain falling down upon them. Here within 
the boundaries of Illusion they were one in magik and love.
	"Tonight and eternity," she whispered into his ear. "I love 
you, Mamo-chan...."


	Inside a room with a high sloping ceiling, and sparkling with 
shades and colors split by an unseen prism, there sat the Golden 
Crystal. Its warm rays filled the four souls with a serene peace. 
Located at the peak of the fifth and central tower of the Citadel, 
here resided the most powerful and pure of all dreamers' magik. 
	Encircling the Golden Crystal were a series of selected runes, 
each one possessing a different magik echoed somewhere out within 
the borders of the Dreamworld. 
	"Sugoi," the Wanderer remarked, looking around.
	The DreamMaster grinned. "This is but the sanctuary for the 
crystal, Karasu. You haven't seen any true dreams of Illusion yet."
	The sloped ceiling began to retract into numerous large 
partitions, opening up the heart of the Citadel to the night. High 
up here the rain chose not to fall upon this sanctuary, and thus 
they remained favorably dry.
	This room was opening up like the petals of a rose.
	In fact now he could see this entire tower was shaped like a 
rose, from stem to blossom to petals. The pinnacle they found 
themselves within was coming into full bloom. He held his breath, 
slowly lowering his shades and walking towards the railings that 
marked the edge of this chamber.
	Atop his shoulder the lesser dragon made a whistle, very 
impressed to say the least. He nodded. "Hai hai, Suna-chan. Just 
don't get too excited and dig your claws into my shoulder, okay?"
	Far out beyond the Citadel he could see a myst-laiden forest 
that perhaps became the Valley of Myst, the hunting grounds for the 
Mystwolves. He turned back and was met with shimmering moonlight 
reflected off countless waves of water, an ocean he could only know 
to be that belonging to the masquerade wraith. 
	"This is the one realm I've never seen before," he admitted. 
"So this is Illusion. I've heard tales of this place, but thought 
they were only legend."
	"You have legends here?" the Tsukino child asked, turning to 
Helios.
	The DreamMaster smiled. "What do you think Karasu is?"
	He sighed, sliding his shades back up his nose. "Have it your 
way, Helios. Personally I don't think I have the makings of a 
mythus; I've only been around for a thousand years--give or take a 
couple of centuries."
	"That's longer than any other dreamer to this point," she 
countered. "You've earned the right to bear a title of legend, 
Karasu."
	Nodding, flattered and yet revealing a shade of regret at an 
ancient life lost as a result, he returned to looking over the edge 
of the Citadel's tower. 
	"Setsuna, look," he remarked, nodding his head to a place 
further down the paths and courtyards. "Usagi and Mamoru are here 
too. And dancing in the rain no less!"
	They all leaned over the railing,  smiling as the two lovers 
of magik and destiny danced together amidst the gentle rainfall.
	"Mother...Mamo-chan," the Tsukino child whispered fondly.
	"Their beautiful dreams are unlike anything I have ever seen," 
Helios said. "Somehow they found a way into this sacred kingdom. 
Their magik is great, and their love is ever greater. If ever there 
was a true sanctuary inside of the Dreamworld made for those two 
souls, Illusion is it."
	And then a strange, dark aura seemed to fall upon them, hidden 
inside every last shadow Illusion had to offer. The Wanderer raised 
his head. Crystal blue eyes behind his shades looked first around 
the beautiful crystal Citadel, and then up to the midnight heavens.
	"You sense that?" he asked her.
	She nodded, a chill running down her spine. There was a 
strange new wind blowing here, one that whispered of darkest magiks, 
yet keeping itself as obscure as what might reside within a shadow.
	"Something is coming from a dark horizon," she stated 
solemnly. "And with it the beginnings of a revolution of our 
dreams."
	She turned to him, and he could tell that she was dead 
serious. Hell, there hardly seemed to be a time she was never 
serious unless they were enjoying the Dreamworld once a century. As 
the guardian of time's gates, there was always a price. Just like 
the one he had with bearing the mark of a lost soul.
	Distant thunder rumbled.
	And then the crescent moon bled as if pricked by a needle. 
Thick rivers of crimson ran down its full form, slowly covering all 
that could be seen. The pale glow became red, bathing the entire 
plain in the fierce crimson aura.
	"Blood moon," Helios whispered.
	"Helios," the Tsukino child said uneasily.
	He clenched the fist in which the Arashi was sheathed, feeling 
the small claws from the lesser dragon tighten around his shoulder. 
Something evil was in the air...and he feared that he knew all to 
well what it was. 
	She still kept her focus on him through all this. "I need to 
warn you, Karasu: neither this world nor Earth is safe anymore. You 
must be prepared for what is to come, to face who you really are."
	"What do I have to do with this?" he asked. "I'm a damned 
ghost, Setsuna. I've been like that for the past millennia."
	Suddenly the storm broke, the aura erupting into a tremendous 
fury of winds and clouds. With a howling gale it threatened to tear 
the Citadel apart.
	"Kuso! It's the Shadowqueen!" he exclaimed, bracing his body 
as the winds pushed at him. The gales threw his robes taunt against 
his skin, nearly ripping them off his body. 
	The lesser dragon let out a startled honk as it was thrown 
from his shoulder, caught in midair moments later by the 
DreamMaster.
	"Careful, Suna-chan," Helios said, cradling the dragon.
	The winds were growing, sucking up the cloudless rain. And 
with this growth came metamorphosis as a cyclone took shape and 
form, writhing as it reached out to the foundations of Illusion. 
Booming thunder rolled and flashes of lightening in a frightening 
dance that shook the entire kingdom.
	The Tsukino child cried out as the winds tried to sweep the 
young girl away. She moved to intervene, using her time staff to 
brace herself as she caught the girl.
	"Arigato, Pu," the Tsukino child said gratefully.
	The Wanderer fought to walk towards the edge of the Citadel. 
Abruptly his footing slipped and he toppled backwards, unleashing a 
shout of pain as he landed upon his injured shoulder. The 
DreamMaster moved to help him.
	"I'm fine," he shouted over the howling gales, getting back 
onto his feet. "Where does that vortex lead to?" 
	Helios's eyes narrowed. "To the Shadowqueen's kingdom, in the 
wastelands of the lost realms where my magik cannot follow."
	"I thought the Shadowqueen couldn't reach Illusion," he 
countered. "Just as you can't attack or penetrate her kingdom."
	A new fury of lightening shot across the skies.
	Suddenly a scream pierced the gales, one that escaped from the 
lips of the Tsukino child. Their eyes were drawn back to the young 
girl, whose body was starting to painfully flicker in and out of 
existence.
	"Pu...Helios," the Tsukino child whispered hoarsely, curling 
into a ball, knees forced onto the ground. "What is happening to 
me?"
	Her face went solemn, having seen this once before already to 
the poor child. The last time it happened, the Tsukino child nearly 
died. She knelt down to hold the Tsukino child, to comfort the girl 
through the frightening pain.
	"Time paradox," she stated, looking up at the two young men.
	The Wanderer whirled, glaring at the vortex. "It's not here 
for Illusion," he growled. "It's here for Usagi and Mamoru. It used 
their presence to gain access. The Shadowqueen's going to take them 
both!"
	"If she succeeds," she continued. "then Neo Queen Serenity and 
King Endymion will never marry, and Small Lady will never be born."
	Helios dropped down next to the Tsukino child. "Chibiusa! My 
Maiden!"
	"Over my dead body that'll happen," he snapped, breaking into 
a furious race towards the vortex, running against the gales. The 
silver cloak suddenly unfurled from his shoulders, snapping in the 
tempests as it seemed to give him added flight. With one step he 
soared onto the edge of the Citadel's open petals.
	"Baka," she muttered. "You don't have a body to be killed in, 
Karasu."
	He was oblivious to her words as he leaped onto the edge of 
the rose-shaped chamber and gazed down at the kingdom far far below. 
That pause was but a heartbeat in length, lasting only as long for 
him to see where he needed to land.
	He flew into the eye of the storm, fighting to maintain 
control as the vortex threw him about like he was nothing more than 
a rag doll. His silver cloak was suddenly torn from his shoulders, 
the sparkling cloth shredded upon separation.
	"And that was a present!" he snapped; Okami was not going to 
like that in the slightest.
	Suddenly the small, wiry form of a lesser dragon shot down 
past him. He could see fierce determination within the creature's 
eyes. Size didn't matter to the dragon; regardless it would face the 
furies alongside him.
	"Suna-chan!" he shouted. "Brace yourself!"
	He tore his left arm out from the sling, flexing his hand as 
the wound was sealed permanently. Appearing in his open palm came a 
crystal orb, and he hurled it down to the dragon.
	The small creature absorbed the illusion, suddenly swelling up 
and becoming an enormous rampaging dragon with large flapping wings 
that could withstand the force of the vortex.
	"Take me into the eye of the storm!" he barked, landing upon 
the dragon's back and riding with his body tensed in a master 
rider's stance.
	Lightening erupted all around them, the winds tearing away the 
shades across his face and ripping parts of his uniform, his  
shining blonde hair dancing madly around his head. Opening his palm, 
the Arashi emerged with a shaft of piercing light.
	"Usagi!" he shouted. 
	The dragon dove into the midst of the furies, avoiding the 
debris that was being carried away through the hellish, dark funnel. 
The crystal structure of the Citadel was glittering with a thousand 
colors as the winds pounded against it, and though the Citadel held 
firm, crystal shards were being sent up into the air. The dragon's 
body lurched as a chunk of severed earth shot past them, the motion 
nearly throwing him off its back.
	Suddenly the ground appeared before them, and standing there 
was the odango-haired blonde and the dark-haired prince, both 
fighting the winds to reach the safety of the portico. The dragon 
tipped its body, making a dive towards the two lovers. 
	The Wanderer grimly looked up at the swarming clouds overhead, 
crackling with Shadowdemon energy. "Kuso. We're not going to be 
there in time."
	And then a solitary bolt of lightening possessed with blackest 
of magiks and darkest of souls reached out from the heart of the 
tempests, grazing the two riders of the storm. The dragon unleashed 
a bellow, flinging its body aside while he countered some of the 
impact with his own lightening strike.
	Oblivious to them, the lightening shot towards its destined 
target, striking the young prince. The dark-haired prince lifted a 
cry up to the heavens, drowned out by the shrieking gales, as the 
lightening touched the body of the odango-haired blonde.
	Both were lost in a fierce explosion of the light, and then 
the entire portico was ripped from the ground, spewing forth grass 
and shards.
	"Mow through!" Karasu shouted to the dragon, leveling his 
Arashi once more and clearing some of the larger pieces of crystal 
from their flight path. 
	He jerked back his head a something was sucked up past his 
vision. Flying up through the storm's eye, the dark-haired prince 
remained lost in a dark sleep. The young man's limp and battered 
body rested upon the flat surface of a severed pillar. A solitary 
rose slipped out from the prince's fingers, the delicate petals 
shredded within seconds of being lost in the gales.
	There was no chance of reaching the dark-haired prince now.
	"Damn it all," he hissed. 
	His head snapped back as the dragon's growl beckoned 
attention; the odango-haired blonde was being sucked up as she clung 
to a fragment of stairway erratically spinning out of control.
	"Usagi!" he shouted, lunging for the fragment of stairway. His 
uncontrolled flight through the air was met with hostility. A piece 
of crystal shard cut a bloody trail across his left temple, another 
slashing at his arm as he tried to shield his face. 
	He struck the edge of the stairway, using his momentum to 
pounce upon the odango-haired blonde and scoop her up before taking 
another flying leap into the fury of the vortex. For a frightening 
second they were free-falling towards the skies, and then the 
dragon's twisting body caught them up once more.
	"Iie!" the odango-haired blonde screamed, reaching out in the 
desperate hopes of grasping the limp body of the dark-haired prince. 
"Mamo-chan! MAMO-CHAN!!"
	Suddenly another bolt of lightening bent on an attack streaked 
past them, a dodge made by the dragon barely evading the blak magik. 
The dragon vigorously shook out its head, unnerved by such a close 
touch of death.
	"I think someone's noticed us," he darkly remarked. "Suna, get 
us the hell out of here!"
	"Mamo-chan!" the odango-haired blonde cried, struggling to 
carry herself up into the eye of the storm after her eternal prince.
	"Usagi, we can't save him now!" he snapped, trying to keep his 
place upon the dragon and hold her from flinging herself back into 
the vortex.
	The dragon made frantic twists and turns but they were still 
being sucked into the portal at the height of the Devil's Tail. 
Another bolt of lightening tried to smash down upon them, but the 
dragon managed to avoid it.
	The beast turned back its head and hissed.
	"No shit the Shadowqueen's serious about this!" he retorted 
angrily.
	Something solid abruptly struck them, the dragon letting out 
an enraged bellow before flipping over. He was thrown from the 
dragon's back, his own body suddenly lurching as it was caught up in 
the winds. The odango-haired blonde was lost from his grip, and his 
world was turned upside-down in a hellish ascent that threatened to 
tear him apart limb from limb.
	For a moment in his rampant vision, he thought he caught sight 
of the Citadel and the faces of three souls watching him being 
pulled into the portal.
	The pressure of the storm became too great to withstand.
	Darkness fell....