He points to the young girl. *Who is she?* Lanzer asked silently.

Oh? You've found yourself an interesting one, brother. Satul said, looking her over, Her aura is a brilliant color, definately not like that of a normal human.

*Shall we follow her? She seems to know Azder and he is near as well, same for some other girl that may be of interest.*

Why not? We may as well have a little fun. He chuckled as his shadow rippled playfully beneath him.

Lanzer moved silently as he followed her.

Azder caught sight of Sa'vere and pointed her out to Sakura.

Satul followed after his twin brother.

Sa'vere stopped for a moment to get a better grip on the sling and to work the cramps out of her fingers from carrying the heavy beast.

Azder came over to help her. "I thought I told you to stay close." He said accusingly as he remained alert.

Sakura feels the signatures but still can't locate them. "Oh will you stop accusing....she's safe isn't she?"

Azder nodded picking up the food. *I don't think we are completely alone* He told them.

"Uh-huh, I thought so," Sa'vere peered into the gaping hole where Sakura had lifted the hatch, "This place is dark..."

Lanzer watched carefully as he saw the other two appear.

"Sorry, I got a bit carried away..." Sa'vere massaged her shoulder, "I didn't realize that I'd gotten a little far." I met some guy, said his name was Hawk, but anyone could sense that was a phony from a mile away... He said he knew you, Azder.

"I think we better keep moving...there is someone following us or rather you Sa'vere."

*I don't like this. This means trouble.* Azder said through the silent link.

*CAN WE JUST GET ONE BREAK IS THAT SO HARD TO GIVE US!*

Please don't shout... Sa'vere winced.

*sorry...but anyway...you are speical Sa'vere.*

I haven't exactly told you just what I am or why they're after me yet. Sa'vere said quietly.

*I knew there was something different about you...don't worry it won't change my opinion about you.*

Different? Yes... I suppose. I am the one who must raise the sun to the faces of our suffering people and dying planet. Sa'vere sighed outwardly.

Sakura places a comforting hand on Sa'vere. "I will help you in any way I can."

"I don't want to be a burden." Sa'vere said.

Sakura shakes her head. "Now that is impossible...I'm volunteering to help."

"You are no burden!" Azder stated.

"You got hurt- both of you- because of me." Sa'vere said, "I will get stronger so that something like that doesn't happen again."

"No I got hurt because I acted foolish."

She shook her head but didn't voice her thoughts aloud, "I still hold to what I said."

"We all need to get stronger." Azder said.

"That works too.."

"I did go a bit farther from the fort than I thought, didn't I?" She muttered to herself as she finally caught sight of the structure at last.

Sakura smiles. "It's ok it happens to a lot of people, as long as your safe."

"So long as everyone is safe." Sa'vere corrected.

Azder nodded feeling uneasy.

Sakura shares Azder's uneasiness.

Sa'vere slipped into the fort first, "Water, we need fresh water again, I used up the rest cleaning." She murmured, lifting the pot, "At least the stream is really close."

"I'm going with you." *I need some water*

"Okay," Sa'vere nodded, "Azder, would you mind preparing the meat while we're gone?" She asked.

Azder begins to do that.

*Shall we wait longer brother? To get a better feel?* Lanzer asks.

*OH THIS IS NOT GOOD! THERE ARE VERY CLOSE! I CAN'T SEE THEM* Sakura follows Sa'vere.

Yes, I would like to see what this group is capable of. Satul nodded.

"Ah, here we are." Sa'vere said, crouching down to cup her hands in the water first for a drink, "It's surprisingly fresh, I thought that it looked awful at first, but then I took a sip, and it was quite refreshing." The water looked strangely fresh, despite what Sa'vere had said.

Sakura takes a drink and feels a little relieve but still feels the signatures.

Sa'vere filled the pot and stood again, "There, now we can head back." She said to Sakura.

"Need help carrying that?" Still feeling really uneasy.

"No, it's fine. I'm used to carrying much larger pales of water, so to be honest carrying something as light as this is quite a blessing." Sa'vere said, "Besides, should something happen you are a better warrior than me, and having your actions delayed by a mere pot of water wouldn't be very good."

"No..I was the weakest one in my village."

"You don't seem weak to me. Remember how you helped me with those tharashile when we first met? I was at my limits you know..." Sa'vere said.

"That was kid stuff in my village. we always had a partner to aid us when we would wonder off...that was before everything got destoried."

"I am sorry that you lost your village." Sa'vere said, "But it is best to keep fighting and get stronger. One day you will be able to avenge your people.

"Thinking of avenging will not help me. I just want to make them proud. A creep has been tracking me down...the betrayer is wanting me dead.."

"I guess every one of our little group has at least one thing in common." Sa'vere murmured.

"We better head back before Guard-dog gets the notion to search for us." Offers a gentle smile.

*Don't call me that STUPID GIRL!*

*GUARD DOG WHAT ARE YOU DOING CONTACTING ME MENTALLY FOR!*

Both of you, Sa'vere chuckled and shook her head, I swear, you're almost like a sqwabling brother and sister at times...

"He started it." Sakura pouts.

"Hehe...." Sa'vere had to set the pot down to keep from spilling the water as she laughed.

Sakura helps her balance. "So are you two in love?"

"In... love?" Sa'vere blinked, "N-no, we've only just met a few days ago, how could one fall in love in such a short expanse of time?!"

"It's not impossible. Anything can happen really. I would not blame you he is rather han...I MEAN A MAJOR PAIN!" Sakura tries to hide it.

*I see. I can tap into the mind of anyone I have met, by the way the food is done.*

Sa'vere snickered and lifted the pot again, "Come on, we'd best get back so I can get this stew on now that he's finished the meat."

Sakura follows back not wanting to know what would become of her defense. *I'm so stupid it is true. How about I just not insult or say hardly anything to the man*

Sa'vere led the way into the fort and silently set about the task of preparing the stew.

Azder sat silently staring at Sakura. *I have to admit she is attractive." He thought blocking the thought from the others.

"Sa'vere do you need any help?" Sakura avoids eye contact with guard-dog.

"Yeah... you're good with herbs, right?" Sa'vere pulled the small package from her pocket, "These need sliced, not crushed or they lose all flavor and value."

"Sure I can do that." Sakura uses a knief she carries around for slicing herbs. *This is good as long as I'm busy...I wont insult azder.*

Sa'vere heated the water and put the meat in, as well as a few meager portions of the jarred vegetables her mother had hastily thrown into her pack, the last of her supply.

Sakura finishes with the herbs. "Do you want me to do something else?"

Azder decided to do a slight expirament and allowed himself to look at Sa'vere and daydream, to see what Sakura's reaction would be.

"That's all I really have in mind..." Sa'vere said, "Just stir them in."

Sakura nods and does that notices Azder is staring at Sa'vere. Mix emotions revealed to Sakura, she is happy for Sa'vere but sad she will not get to feel love yet...*WHAT AM I DOING I AM NOT ALLOWED TO LOVE! I'M A HOMELESS GIRL FOR HEAVENS SAKE!* Sakura just mixes the herbs*

Azder looks away feeling her reaction, and being confused by it.

"Sakura, why don't we explore this old fort while we wait for the food to finish cooking?" Sa'vere asked, "I haven't seen too much of it, just pretty much where we are now..."

Sakura looks at Sa'vere confused but nods. It would help her to know her surrounding. "Okay...sounds fun."

Azder sat in a dark corner. And thought to himself. *Why am I thinking this way? What is happening to me?* And many other thoughts ran through his mind.

Sa'vere stood and stretched, "Off we go then." She said cheerily.

Sakura walks on with Sa'vere still curious as to why she all of sudden wants to "explore." She had done enough of that today.

"Be careful." Azder called out.

"Calm down Gua...I mean Azder we won't go far." Sakura shakes her head.

Azder nods to troubled to argue.

"Sorry," Sa'vere said to Sakura, "It's just that I have a natural tendancy to want to explore places that I know nothing about. Besides, I've realized that you really seem to be falling for Azder."

Sakura lets out a frustrated sigh. "I should not have such feelings...they only make things complicated. I don't mind walking with you around the fort."

"Ah, I'm glad. I want to get to know you better, Sakura." Sa'vere said.

"Ok what do you want to know?" Sakura just smiles at Sa'vere.

"To be honest I don't really know." Sa'vere said, putting her foot on the first step of a set of long looking stairs, "I've... to be honest, before Azder I've never had a friend before."

"He has done a lot for you. He has some good in him. I'm lucky to have met the two of you." Sakura looks at the stairs too. "Did I do a good job with the foundation?"

"Yeah, I believe you did," Sa'vere nodded, ascending the stairs, "This place is pretty old, so probably not too much of the upstairs'll be all that strong to walk on, we'll have to watch our step."

Sakura remembers a place similar to this. She would always take her friends there and she kissed a boy on the cheek there. "This is a nice place"

"Yeah, it's pretty sturdy where it needs to be." Sa'vere said, stepping onto the upper landing and looking out the window, "Wow, the second floor is a lot higher than the first floor. It's strange, you would think that this would be considered a third floor..." Her eyes lit up, "Unless..." She murmured thoughtfully.

"Should I worry? That look suggests something." Sakura looks a little nervous just like she did when she first kissed the boy on the cheek.

"There's a hidden floor somewhere between the first and second, I'm sure of it!" Sa'vere said, "But how does one go about locating the entrance?"

Sakura just opens up a hatch. "Could this be it?"

Sa'vere chuckled, "You act like you've been here before..." She said suggestively.

"No...not me I'm an innocent..okay I have been in a place similar to this." Sakura smiles.

"I thought so." Sa'vere said, peering down into the gaping hole that had been revealed when Sakura had opened the entrance, "It's dark in there... no windows."

Lanzer looked a little impatiant but he kept himself in check. *This is priceless, they are both falling for Azderias.*

Quite amusing Satul smirked, I wonder if they realize that the stairs only come a foot or so down and then end?

"I'm going in!" Sa'vere nodded to herself and touched her foot to the first step, her eyes adjusted slightly to the deep blackness of the space beneath her and she began to walk.

A few steps later she found that there were no more steps, as she turned to go back out she heard a splintering sound and paled, racing upwards as fast as she could, though not quite fast enough. Air opened up beneath her feet and her heart leapt to her throat. As she fell she felt her mind fading, and then that same, strange light filtered off of her body, slowing her otherwise deadly fall.

Sakura manages to help Sa'vere up. The light was interesting..she heard a voice sneakering earlier about both of them falling for Azderias. Sakura's eyes turns cold. "Sa'vere are you all right? I'm guessing we better not tell Mr. Protective about this?"

"To late what the hell happened?!" Azder demanded as he came up the steps.

"Nothing happened!" Sa'vere sat up shakily, "I just fell is all."

Azder looks unconvinced.

"Well, it's true!" Sa'vere said, putting her hands on her hips.

Azder looks at the hole in nthe floor. "C...can't you stay out of trouble for atleast a day?"

"I'm sorry..." her tone completely changed, "I noticed that the stairs were gone, but when I turned to come back up they just collapsed."

"It's my fault I should have never shown her the entrance to that room." Sakura's voice sounds a little different. "I should have stopped her. Sa'vere are you all right?"

"Yes, as far as I can tell," Sa'vere said, running her fingers over a small scratch on her right wrist, "I think... I'd rather just go back downstairs now." She said, her tone sheepish.

"I am glad you both are all right." Azder said leading the way down stairs.

Sakura stays quiet all the way. The voice she heard was not a friendly one. She just looks back one more time and remembers the disaster that happened that day, as she walks down the stairs.

That was an interesting display. Satul turned to his brother.

*She has power* His brother agreed.

Sa'vere sat silently near the steaming pot, stirring its contents absentmindedly.

Sakura hears faints words but can't make them out. *This is not good...Sa'vere is the target...they are trying to figure out who she is. Sa'vere does deserve Azder I have done nothing of honor.*

"Sakura, why do you seem so down?" Sa'vere asked, turning away from the pot.

Azder sits down in thought.

"I'll be fine Sa'vere we just need to be more cautious..since the signatures are around." Sakura smiles.

Sa'vere shrugged and nodded as she pulled out several bowls, filling them with the stew. It was at about that time that Kehtale padded over, yawning as though he'd just wakened.

Sakura just sits and is also in thought.

"There you are fluff ball." Azder says to Kehtale.

Sakura just offers a smile at the scene and goes back to deep thinking.

Fluffball? Kehtale blinked at Azder as Sa'vere set larger bowl of the steaming stew before him.

Azder looked innocent as as he attempted a try at humor.

Sakura laughed a little. "Ok you know there are other ways of using humor. It's a start though. Although I don't know if calling your commrad a furball is the right way to go Azder."

And besides, I am not a fluffball. Kehtale poofed out his fur in playful irritation before beginning to eat.

Azder looked annoyed. "Neither is calling them guard dog."

"What you do guard over your friends. You are also loyal to the side you choose. I did not mean it in a bad way." Sakura shakes her head. *I just need to shut up.*

Azder shook his head. *I will never understand humans, Kahtale how do you do it?*

Kehtale chuckled, that is a secret.

Sakura just feels like everything she is saying is stupid. So she just eats and then gets up moving to the edge of the fort. *I sound stupid...he is not going to get your point..*

After she'd finished eating Sa'vere yawned, finding that she was rather tired.

*Kahtale! You can tell me.* Azder said panicked.

"Sa'vere you can go up the stairs and there is a bed there." Sakura just offers a half smile.

Sa'vere nodded and silently stood up, "Goodnight everyone..." She murmured.

You have to figure it out for yourself. Kehtale's large form shook with silent laughter.

"Good night Sa'vere..." Sakura can still remember the voices and she frowns at the clarity and the truthful side of it.

Azder growls in frustration, and turns away from Kahtale. *You act like one of them!*

And that is precisely why I can get along so well with them. Kehtale said.

Sa'vere climbed the stairs and found the bed, which she flopped down into tiredly.

Sakura smiles and looks at Azder and his commrad with a questioning glance.

"He is being impossible!" Azder decliars angerly pointing at Kahtale

Sakura looks at the two and just starts laughing. "THIS IS GREAT!"

Kehtale grinned toothily and stood, I am only being honest. He said, butting his head against Azder's chest playfully.

Azder snorted in disgust. *What the Hell is wrong with you?*

Sakura regains some air and walks over to Azder. "I'm sorry it just reminding me of a happy time." *I don't have many of those.*

goodnight. He said simply.

Sakura just nods but decides to stay outside. *Just in the village nothing I do is ever right..*

Azder looked troubled and confused. "I...feel lost." He whispers looking down.

Sakura looks at him and sighs. "I feel lost too. Everything I have known is gone and I have spent a year alone."

Kehtale felt a strange unease and found himself padding up the stairs so that he could assure himself that Sa'vere was safe.

You know, they all seem so adament to protect that girl. Satul said, curiousity entering his tone.

*So I have noticed. She seems to be important eneogh to our dear "Friend"to become a trator.*

Azder looked sadly at Sakura. "I...have felt lost for as long as I can remember.."

I wonder what they would do if she just... vanished. Satul's face took on a playful look.

Lanzer smiled. *Care to find out? After all it is like they are presenting a gift.*

Yes, let's have our fun now. Satul said.

Sakura snaps her head and gets out the staff. She concentrates on the signitures and begins to record them. *Interesting so they think I'm that clueless.*

*I think we are going to have company brother.*

Then we'd better make it quick, would you like the honors, brother?

Lanzer quickly bound and gaged Sa'vere pulling her over to his brother as they vanished.

When Kehtale padded into the room and noticed the mussed bed he realized that something was amiss and raced back out of the room as quickly as possible.

Azder rushed toward him "Where is she?"

I don't know! Kehtale said quickly, The bed was mussed as though she had been sleeping there, but she was gone!

"They are on the move...but it doesn't seem like they are exactly wanting to get too far." *WHAT IS THIS SOME CRULE GAME THEY ARE WANTING TO PLAY?* Sakura shakes her head and holds the staff tight as the enegy signitures lead the way but Sakura suddenly has to dodge an arrow.

Wid- chapter 6