Ranma 1/2: A New Awakening Alternate Continuation (minor crossovers) By: Dani Yanega yanega@mindspring.com Co-author & Concept by: "Jerry" starfire@brainerd.net Chapter Twenty Two Akane walked home from school her aura glowing brightly. The only saving grace was that Kuno no longer went to Furinkan. Akane walked quickly home her fists clenched and her head bowed. It is worse then it ever was before Ranma came to Nerima. The boys were fighting her for dates again and she knew it was Ranma's fault. After all if he was still here they wouldn't be doing this. It's even worse with her friends. ***Flashback*** The lunch bell rang and everyone piled out of class. Akane decided to stay in the classroom for lunch. This way she would be out the way of inquisitive eyes. Yuri and Suka sitting with her, their curiosity sky rocketing, but they also knew Akane and when not to ask questions. The problem was the other girls did not. The girls from the class formed a ring around Akane and her two friends firing questions at the captured Tendo girl. Akane sat quietly her gaze fixed upon the window, her mind on a pigtailed boy. "Where's Ranma, Akane?" "Is it true your no longer engaged?" "OH, that means he is free to date others doesn't it?" "OOH, I'm going to ask him on a date when he gets back he is so dreamy!" All the comments changed from questions to speculation on who would be first to land the Anything Goes Martial Artist. The girls didn't notice the soft blue glow forming around Akane. Her friends did though. The girls are shocked into silence. "WELL YOU CAN HAVE THE _FREAK_! I WON'T MARRY A _GIRL_!" The blue glowing Akane screamed then stormed out of the room Yuri and Suka right behind her. They found her in a secluded part of the school yard unconscious boys along the path. When they arrived she was sitting with her back against a tree facing away from the school. Her knees pulled up under her chin and her arms wrapped tightly around her legs. The girls were a little nervous since Akane was not crying, or angry, she just sat there staring into the distance, with a glassy stare. Yuri and Suka sat down next to their friend each placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. Akane looked at each of them, but they could see she really did not register their presence. "Why can't they stay out of my life? Why does everyone always have to interfere with me?" She continued to stare blankly at the horizon, her friends watched her with pity. "We're not sure Akane, but it could be because your and Ranma's life is so full of adventures. That is why we all want to hear about what happens to you and Ranma, we get adventure without having to partake in it." Suka told her friend while she stared at nothing. "My _life_ is not some movie for everyone to get their jollies from!" Akane said through clenched teeth. Before any more could be said the bell rang calling the students back to class. Akane ignored everyone during the last half of school, by the time classes were over Akane left the classroom leaving a pile of notes unopened that had found their way to her desk. During her last class she was able to work off some of her tension, since it was gym class. During the softball game she broke nearly ten bats and flattened over twenty softballs. When class was over even the instructor was glad, to see Akane leave. She hurried back to the girl's locker room and changed into her school uniform. When she was dressed she left quickly retrieving her book bag and leaving the school campus. There were several boys waiting for her but they decided desecration was the better part of valor. Especially when they saw her glowing a dark almost black aura. ***End Flashback*** Akane bounced off something and landed on her butt. Her aura blazed around her as she looked up into the confused expression of Ryoga. He looked around trying to figure out where he was not even realizing she had bumped into him. She smiled up at him, happy to see a friendly face. She then remembered what Ukyo told her and her aura burst forth brighter then it ever did with Ranma. She got to her feet her fist clenched tightly. Ryoga turned when at the movement and smiled sheepishly at Akane. When he noticed her blazing aura he drew his umbrella and began looking for Ranma. "What has Saotome done now, I will _kill_ him for what he did!" Ryoga growled through clenched teeth. "_SHE_ didn't do anything you _PERVERT_! HOW DARE YOU PERTEND TO BE MY P-CHAN JUST TO SLEEP WITH ME!" Akane screamed then belted Ryoga into the distance with her ever handy mallet. "RRRAAAANNNMMMAAAA! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" Could be heard fading in the distance as Ryoga disappeared into the horizon. /*\*/*\ Taji ran to her son placing his head in her lap and splashed some cool water in his face to wake him up. She looked to Keitaro with an inquisitive look and of slight anger. Slowly Hayashi came too; he looked at his father with pleading eyes. "We didn't see what we did, did we?" He asked his eyes wide with uncertainty and fear. "Yes, son I am afraid we did." Keitaro stated nodding his head at his dismayed son. "What are you talking about!" The Takashi matriarch demanded of her husband. Hayashi slowly got to his feet with his mother's help, he then moved to stand next to his father so Taji and Hiroshi can see what they found. Keitaro picked up the photo and placed it on the table in front of his wife and younger son. "Now look closely at the picture of our daughter and the dark hair man. Do you notice anything out of the ordinary?" He asked them, to which they complied. Taji and Hiroshi study the picture, but what they were looking for was not evident. When a gentle breeze came in the window and lifted one corner of the curtain. Hiroshi's eyes bulged. He snatched up the photo and headed over to a window. His mother glaring at him, she followed. He gently tilted the picture slightly toward the sun causing something in the picture to glimmer behind his sister and the one man. His mother watched the effect the sun had on the photograph and gasped when she saw what the others did. "_How_ is this possible, this _can't_ be real!" She said staring at the picture then up at her husband, who just nodded. She looked back and in the picture, she slowly reached out and traced an outline of what appeared behind her daughter. A tear escaped her eyes as she stared at Nodoka's fading wings that still glittered red and behind Seran was blue ones which were also almost gone. "Oh, my poor baby what did that bastard do to make you do this?" Taji asked of the picture while her tears followed freely. /*\*/*\ Kasumi was served tea by Mieka as they sat in the guesthouse near Lady Victoria's cave. Ranko sat on the floor, in front of her mother. Cerulean laying in her lap in his new sapphire colored duck form. Once everyone had tea Nodoka could not hold her curiosity any longer. "Kasumi how did you get here? What are you doing here?" She asked quickly trying to get more questions out before Lady Victoria stopped her. "Give her a chance to answer Nodoka." Lady Victoria told her with a smile. "Its alright Lady, she is curious, I can understand that. I was taken when I was about one. I was to be a changeling, but since my heart was pure they returned me. I was here for almost a year and some of the pixies I made friends with came back with me. My family here gave me this pendant, it opens a gate to here for me to visit." She told them showing them the necklace. "Does you family know, child?" Nodoka asked her, while Ranko stared at her with awe. "No, they don't, and with Nabiki I really don't want them to know." Kasumi said with a sad smile and a single tear. "Our mother's death caused major changes to our family. I couldn't handle it at first and neither could my family. It changed us all, but my time here was my strength and the pixies and sprites helped me get through it." She said with her head bowed and tears flowing freely. Ranko stared in shock since this was the first time she had ever seen Kasumi cry. She stood up and went on the only Tendo who ever really cared about her as a person. With maturity beyond her child like mind she took Kasumi in her arms and held her tightly letting her cry out her grief. Ranko held her talking quietly to her, making soothing sounds while she caressed Kasumi's hair. When Kasumi had cried herself out she sat back up and looked up at Ranko with a smile of love and caring, not to mention a small amount of surprise. Kasumi took a deep breath, as she straightened and wiped the tears from her eyes. Ranko handed her a cup of tea, which she gratefully took a sip of. As the tea went down her throat she closed her eyes gathering her thoughts for what she must finally tell someone. She realized she needed to let go of the past and Nodoka and her child may be the only ones to understand. ***Flashback*** A young mother with her young daughters one in a stroller the other holding onto the hem of her mother's skirt. The young mother walked slowly toward the park to meet her husband and the father of her children. The toddler walking with shaky steps, and giggles. They entered the park, heading toward a grove of trees near the lake. There waiting for them is a young Soun Tendo with a picnic lunch and a proud smile for his growing family. Kimiko greeted her husband with a smile and a kiss. Soun took his wife into a tight embrace. The young mother is about twenty five with waist length dark brown hair, that was naturally curly a trait that went to the young toddler. Her eyes were a deep chocolate brown and sparkled with pride and happiness. Her eyes also told of great pain and sorrow, a dark secret she is keeping from her beloved. The toddler is a smaller version of her mother but her hair is short and in little ringlets all over her head. The toddler's eyes are full of curiosity and mischief. Soun pulled away from his wife when he felt a gentle weight on his pants leg, he looked down to his year and half old daughter trying to stay standing by using his trousers. He smiled down at her and then bent down and lifted her to his arms. He gave her a hug and kiss then blew a raspberry on her stomach, making the little girl laugh with delight. The family sat down at for their picnic lunch near a grove of trees. Kimiko served her husband and eldest daughter then herself. Nabiki was a sleep in the stroller. Nabiki cooed and gurgled a little and Soun looked into the stroller to check on her. He smiled as he covered his youngest daughter with her blanket. "How was their physical this morning? Soun asked while wiping jelly from Kasumi's chin. "They're in perfect health and are growing up strong and happy, according to the doctor." Kimiko told her husband then she reached over and took his hands in hers. "I also went to the doctor dear." She told him Soun's head snapped up worry etched on his face. "Oh, don't look so worried my love!" Kimiko chuckled at Soun's worried and frightened look. He took Kimiko's shoulders in his hands and looked deep into her eyes. He had a right to be frightened; she had been in remission since the birth of Nabiki. He couldn't survive if something happened to his beloved wife. When they found out about her illness three years ago he thought she would not be around for more then a few months let alone long enough to give him two beautiful daughters. Kimiko reached up and stroked his cheek, a wide grin, lighting her entire face with an inner joy. "We're going to have another baby, I am three months along." She told a shocked Soun, who's face soon lit up as he took his wife in a loving embrace. /*\*/*\ Little Kasumi was bored sitting with her mother and father. She giggled as she began looking around, when a flashing light in the trees caught her attention. She got to her tiny feet and followed the light. Kasumi's laughter could be heard echoing through the trees. She followed the pretty light that multiplied into more then a dozen lights. The little rainbow colored lights swarmed around her. The lights tickled her while they gently prodded her toward the center of the grove. /*\*/*\ Kimiko pulled back from her husband, making sure she put a happy smile on her face. She didn't want to tell her husband that having this new baby could cause the remission to end. She wanted her child she knew Soun would try and make her get rid of the baby. Nabiki took that time to tell her parents she was hungry. Soun picked her up and grabbed her bottle and began to feed her. Kimiko watched with sad eyes while her husband took care of their youngest daughter. Kimiko then looked for their older child; she became frantic when she did not see her daughter. She rose abruptly to her feet. Soun looked up at her with worry. Kimiko scanned the area but could not see Kasumi anywhere. She then turned toward the woods when she heard her child laughing. Kimiko headed into the woods Soun behind her carrying his youngest daughter, while she clutched at the bottle her father was using to feed her. Kimiko followed the laughter, which was hard since for some reason the woods had an eerie echoing quality to it. She was having trouble pinpointing her child. "KASUMI! KASUMI! WHERE ARE YOU CHILD?" Kimiko shouted looking around she waited for a reply through the laughter. "Momma, momma, momma." She heard faintly and headed toward the center of the woods. When she reached the center of the woods she saw her daughter sitting in the center of a grove by a large boulder, batting playfully at the air. Her laughter ringing out through the area. Kimiko ran up to her child and scooped her up into her arms, kissing her little pixyish face. "Momma, momma, look at the pretty Faeries!" Kimiko looked at her daughter with surprise. She seemed slightly bigger, then before and her speech was that of a two or three year old, and where did she learn of Faeries. Kimiko just shook her head and turned back toward their picnic site. She met up with her husband who still had Nabiki in his arms but she was now a sleep still sucking on the bottle. He smiled when he saw his first born cradled protectively in her mother's arms. They went back to the picnic area and began to clean up, so they could head for home. Kimiko kept a close eye on her eldest. She was sure that Kasumi had grown taller, but that is not possible for the short amount of time she had been gone. Kimiko also noticed that she was walking more solidly and was not as shaky in her steps. She put her concerns to the back of her mind as she and her husband headed home with their two daughters. /*\*/*\ Little Kasumi entered the grove, the lights leading her toward the center near a large boulder. Carved into the boulder where many strange symbols. Which started to glow as the child and the little lights drew closer. When Kasumi reached the towering rock she was encased in a bright white light. When the light faded she and the rainbow lights were gone. Kasumi stood in another grove near another boulder covered in the strange runes. She was staring wide-eyed at her new surroundings. She began to cry for her momma as she was now afraid. The lights swirled around her, trying to get her to stop crying. A tall woman entered the grove after hearing the cry of the child. She smiled down at the little girl, reaching down she picked her up. She carried her back to her cottage talking softly to the child, and drying her tears. The little lights following her. When she reached her home, it was surrounded by all her woodland friends. She smiled when the unicorns came up to the child touching her with their horns baptizing her with their magic. The young wood elf witch knew she would have to return the child as her good heart requires her to return home. The elf still planned to make this child her heir, as the woodland creatures that are her friends have agreed to it. The young witch wood elf stood 5' 9 1/2", her hair hanging to mid thigh in long auburn curls. Her tanned skin a soft golden brown. Her eyes sparkled with a blue-green color. She well shaped for most elves, and she wore her tunics and trousers slightly tight to accentuate her shape. She entered her home and placed Kasumi on a chair at the table, making the toddler something to eat being careful to not use food grown in the Faerie realm. She placed the cookies and milk in front of the child. Then she sat down next to her. "Hello, little one, my name is Janna, I live here and am the wood witch. I take care of the forest animals. What is your name?" She asked the child, the woodland creatures gathered around her windows looking in. "Mmmpth." The child told her, Janna laughed her laughter sound like the gentle rain, falling. "Wait till her have swallowed your cookie, child." She told the toddler still giggling, when Kasumi finally swallowed her cookie. "Kasumi." She told the nice lady with a wide smile. "Kasumi would you like to stay with me for a little while, I will teach to you to be a wood witch also and when it is time for me to pass on you can take over would you like that?" Kasumi did not understand all Janna was telling her, but she wanted to play with the animals. So Kasumi nodded her head yes, Janna smiled and reached out and touched Kasumi's forehead. She quietly mumbled an incantation which caused her and Kasumi to glow, a soft blue. When the light faded Kasumi's eyes showed knowledge beyond her tender year and half age. "Now when you go home to your mother and father some of the sprites and pixies will go with you. Would you like that?" Janna asked the young girl, who nodded yes enthusiastically. "Then we will start your training now, in using herbs, spices, and other plants, in cooking and healing. Then when the time is right the Faeries that brought you here, will bring you back for more training until you are old enough to learn to do it yourself." The witch told her taking Kasumi's hand and leading her to a garden behind her home. Kasumi spent several months in the Faerie realm learning all she could about the properties of the plants around her. She also learned to speak the wood elf dialect of the elves language. It turned out the spell Janna cast opened Kasumi's mind to learn what she needed to know. She learned lavender was used for protection, that sage added with rose and marjoram can make a small healing potion. Kasumi learned much during her months in the Faerie realm, not only from Janna but from the animals also. When she left to return home she left with the gift the unicorns gave her to communicate with all animals. /*\*/*\ Over the months Kasumi would disappear for just a few minutes, but would be found a short time later, and each time looking slightly older then when she left. Soon it was not even noticed that she had gone, as Kimiko prepared to give birth to her third child. The birth of the third Tendo daughter caused the remission of Kimono's illness to end. It progressed slowly, but she would not let her husband know that her cancer had returned. She worked to raise her children going for doctors visits to have therapy to put it back in remission. When Akane reached six Kimiko lost her battle. One morning when Soun came down carrying his youngest daughter, dressed in the yellow gi her mother made for her, he found his wife unconscious on the kitchen floor. He called for an ambulance and he and his daughters rode with Kimiko to the hospital. It was there that Soun learned his wife's illness had returned and she had been fighting a losing battle for the past six years. He and his daughters entered the room of Kimiko Tendo. Soun stared in shock at all the machines hooked up to his wife and how small and frail she looked laying there. Kimiko held out her arms for her children who all went to their mother, Soun putting Akane down on the bed. Kimiko held them tightly, she gave each of them possibly the last kiss she would be able to give them. "Oh, my little angels, leaving you will be the hardest thing I have to do. Promise me you will always be there for each other, that you will always help and protect each of your sisters from everything. I also want you to promise me to be kind to others, treat them as if they were your family, and remember all people can be your friend if you allow it." The three daughters nodded not quiet understanding all that was happening. "Soun my beloved, please remember that I love you and take care of our children, promise you will do what is right for our children, and not for the school. Promise me that my beloved." She begged her husband with tear filled eyes. "I promise my wife, out daughters happiness will always come first, on my honor." He told her never realizing it was a hollow promise. "My beautiful daughters, remember no matter what I will always love each and everyone of you, and I will watch over you always even if you can not see me. Always know that I am there, and will always be there." She told each daughter stroking their tiny tear streaked faces. The equipment plugged to Kimiko started beeping wildly summoning the medical personal, who shooed the children out of the room and tried to make Soun leave but they thought better of it when he began to glow an eerie dark blue. The children sat outside the room of their mother huddled together, holding each other tightly. The nurses tried several times to get them to go to the waiting room but each time they got near them, they forgot what they were going to do and shrugged and returned to their duties. None noticed the translucent dome around the sisters. After an hour the door opened and Soun Tendo exited the room his eyes blank. He stopped outside the room when he felt something grab his legs. He looked down and into the faces of his three daughters. Anger crossed his face when his gaze landed on his youngest child, but it passed quickly. "Poppa can we see momma again?" Asked his eldest daughter, turning to her he smiled sadly. "No Kasumi, your mother has moved on to the another place, but we will see her again." He told his confused children, while leading them from the hospital. /*\*/*\ Several days later the small family stood in the cemetery over a freshly dug grave. Kasumi held the hands of her little sisters, while Soun knelt down next to the grave crying. The headstone read 'Kimiko Tendo, beloved wife and mother' Kasumi stared at the head stone tears flowing freely, her vision blurred by her tears. Nabiki stared at the headstone, a small frown on her little face, and her eyes empty of any emotions. Akane watched her father with confusion, not understanding why they were here. She wanted to go home and see her mother, whom she was sure would be there, waiting for her when they got home. When they arrived home Soun locked himself in the dojo, ignoring the cries of his children. Days past, Kasumi tried the best she could to take care of her sisters, Nabiki had receded into herself not talking to anyone and refusing to come out of her room. Akane wondered around the house looking for her mother, to young to understand that Kimiko Tendo was not returning. Akane would then sit in the window to wait for her mother. The pressure slowly built for Kasumi, she missed her mother, and she was not ready to take her place. Kasumi like Nabiki began to retreat into herself; she avoided everyone including the little Faerie folk that came to see her. The pixies and sprites became worried and refused to leave her side. They watched over her with worried glances. One night about a month after the death of her mother and her father still locked in the dojo Kasumi could not handle it any longer the strain had built to where she could go no farther. She went into the bathroom and took her father's razor blades then left. She couldn't do this at home she cared about Nabiki and Akane and didn't want them to find her. She ran to the park to the hidden grove where she went to visit her Faerie friends. She ran quickly tears falling, knowing her pain would soon be over, and she will be reunited with her mother. /*\*/*\ Kasumi entered the grove, being careful not to go near the boulder, the pixies and sprites flying frantically around her. Kasumi knelt down in the soft cool grass, she could see through the trees the sun was setting and it turned the sky red. She chuckled with ironic glee, thinking as the sun turned the sky red with its blood she would do the same to the ground. Kasumi dropped the blades in front of her; taking one in her tiny hand she brought it up to her face. The setting sun catching the edge with a red flash of light. She lowered the blade to her wrist. She paused as fear ran through her, then she thought of all the peace she would have, and no longer have to worry about filling shoes she couldn't possibly ever hope to fill. Kasumi dragged the blade quickly across both her wrists, she took a deep intake of breath afraid if she cried out someone would come and try to stop her. She let the blade fall to the ground in front of her. Her blood clinging to the blade as it lay in the grass before her. She watched as her blood flowed from her wrists covering her dress and the ground in front of her. Then she watched as the cuts closed over with a golden light. She knew what had happened the Faeries had healed her she didn't care she would just continue to do it until she had no blood left to let out of herself. She picked up the blade again and started to slice her wrists open again. One of the pixies tried to stop her but she cast a barrier around her keeping them at bay. The only thing was it would not stop their magic from healing her. Her blood flowed again and she squeezed her arm above the cut trying to push as much blood as she could out of the wounds before the Faeries healed her again. The war of wills continued several more times, Kasumi so intent on ending her life she failed to notice that several of the Faeries formed a communication circle and called for help. "WHY WON'T YOU LEAVE ME ALONE? I DON'T WANT TO LIVE ANY MORE! JUST LET ME GO TO MY MOMMA!" Kasumi cried in frustration, tears streaming down her face. Her tears fell from her face onto the new wounds on her wrist. The tears mixing with the blood as it fell to the ground. She watched her vision getting fuzzy as her blood continued to leave her body each time she created a new wound. Kasumi watched as the wounds began to heal again. She lowered her head to the ground her forehead landing a pool of her own blood. "Please let me die, I can't do this anymore, please I want to stop the pain!" She whispered to the bloody grass below her. "This is not the way to do that daughter." The voice told her with a soothing tone. /*\*/*\ The pixies fought to save Kasumi from her depression and desire to kill herself while three of the most powerful sprites worked to communicate with the one person they knew would be able to stop her completely. They sent their message that Kasumi is trying to kill herself. They never had a chance to finish the message. When the boulder flared to life and Kasumi's salvation stepped forth. /*\*/*\ Kasumi turned to see Janna stand before her, with a wave of Janna's hand the shield she erected to keep the Faeries out faded. Once the shield was gone the Faeries zoomed in and took the blades from her. "NO! LET ME ALONE! LET ME DIE!" She screamed reaching for the blades; Janna took the just turned nine-year-old in her arms. "Shih! My daughter, this is not what your mother would want you to do. I know it is not what I want!" Janna soothed the sobbing girl, blood soaking through both their clothes. "I..I can't do it a..any more m..momma J..Janna, the p..pain is to m..much!" Kasumi sobbed harder her voice trailing to a whisper. "You can child and we will help you the Faeries will be with you all the time from now on, and you can come to me anytime you want, from now on." She smiled into the face of Kasumi as she held it tightly in her hands. Janna reached into one of pockets and pulled out a small package. She handed it to Kasumi who took it with weak shaky hands. She looked at the box in her hand then up at her momma Janna. She then slowly opened the box to reveal the heart shaped pendant. Janna then took the necklace from the box and placed it around Kasumi's neck. "This is a key you can use to open the door at this boulder to come to the Faerie realm to see me. If you need me I can come here all you need do is have the sprites contact me." She smiled at her adopted daughter as Kasumi cupped the heart pendant in her hands, as though it were a delicate butterfly. Kasumi threw herself into the arms of Janna holding onto her tightly as she cried. Janna held her tightly caressing her hair, trying to sooth her pain. She whispered her love for the eldest Tendo, letting her know she is not alone. Kasumi cried herself to sleep in the arms of her elf mother, knowing she would always have her. Janna then lifted the sleeping girl and casting a spell of non- seeing, she walked through Nerima carrying Kasumi home, the pixie and sprites leading the way. She entered the house and shuddered at the despair that filled this house. The pixies lead her to Kasumi's room where she put her to bed. She leaned down and gave her daughter a kiss, then she left the room and went to the reason behind the depression. She stood in front of a crying, broken, and desperate Soun. She touched his forehead and left an impression of what nearly happened to his eldest deep in his soul, because of his behavior. She then stood back and watched as that feeling sunk into him. /*\*/*\ Soun sat in the dojo crying over a picture of his beloved wife, his only reason for living. When a loss greater then that of his wife's filled his being he ran from the dojo. He headed into the house and knew instinctively to head for Kasumi's room, he burst in and froze in shock. There laying on her bed was the unconscious and bloody Kasumi. He went with shaky steps to Kasumi's bed, kneeling down he examined his daughter, finding no wounds he wondered where all the blood had come from, he wondered if she just fell into something that looked like blood. He reached out and touched some of the red substance, then he jerked at the cold and loathing voice behind him. "It is her blood, I healed her so there would be no scares. She would not have had to have needed my help _if_ you had been there to help her and her sisters through this pain. They are children you fool, they can't understand losing their mother and father all at once." Soun shook as the voice sounded so like that of Kimiko's, he shivered afraid to turn around, fearing his wife's ghost had come back to haunt him. "It is against my better judgment to leave my daughter with you, but she needs you. Know this, though if I must come back to save her from your stupidity again it will be the last you see of her." Soun's anger rose at the threat of losing his eldest and turned to face his tormentor. There was no one there, Soun ran into the hallway and it was empty. He began to shudder thinking it was Kimiko coming back to haunt him for neglecting their children. He went back into Kasumi's room, taking her small body in his arms he held her tightly falling a sleep holding onto his child. ***End Flashback*** Kasumi finished her tale in the arms of Ranko crying at the memories and the pain that time brought to her life. Nodoka came to the Tendo girl and put her arms around both girls, trying to sooth away her pain. "I see my daughter has finally started her rode to healing!" Came a voice as gentle as the whispering winds.