V for Vengance

[Mana Ego-Chan]

OOC: Okay, I know the title is stolen. So sue me, I'm running out of titles. And I hate making them to begin with. So this is only CORE for Emma and Loki. The rest of you happy reading. Another part of the Fallen Angels post Marooned. Enjoy!

A black car pulled up to a beach side duplex. A soilder nervously fiddled with the letter in his hand as he strided proudly up to the door of the house. He knocked slightly. From the inside he could hear insane giggling by one child and the thumping around of another trying to chase him and crying because she wasn't getting her way. The door opened to reveal a beautiful chestnut haired woman, who had aparently scooped up the little chestnut haired girl with pigtails into her arms. The boy was behind her, tugging at her jeans.

"Mrs. Hasukai," the soilder said, his heart twisting at the site of the children, "I'm so sorry."

He handed the letter to her with a grim look, gave her a little bow, and walked away from the door. There was no worse site than a mother who has learned her husband was killed in the line of duty. It would be even worse if she knew the government granted amnesty to the fugatives he was persuing because of his reckless actions. So the officer wanted to get out of there as soon as possible, for fear of wrath from the mother. He gave her another apologetic look as he got back in his car and drove away.

--------------------------
Six Months Later

November
--------------------------

"Oi, my back is killing me," said a tired voice from a familiar chiar in the study, "Haaaan-kuuunnnnn, can you put it in place again?"

"I can try mother," said the young man at the desk looking up from his college biology books, "But it is going to be out of place. You are 7 months along already and pretty bulky up top-"

"Did you just call me fat," Mana hissed staring at him with furious eyes.

"Mother," he said giving her a flat look, which still held a little fear behind it, "You know better than that. I just don't want to risk putting your back out completely with a baby inside you. Remember, I'm smart, but I'm not a doctor yet. "

"Then what good are you," she said harshly.

Han knew she didn't mean it. Even though she tried to be pleasant, she was just a little more irritated with this pregnancy. It was only one baby, but it was big and a hell of a kicker which he was proving at the moment. Mana looked up and sighed.

"I'm sorry Han," she began.

"Oh no mother," he said looking back down at his book, "You don't have to explain. I know what you are going through. Trust me, Lyn has said far worse. I'm just glad for a momentary quiet reprieve at the moment. Dad had to beat down on her about bothering me while I was trying to study."

"Well, it's her first pregnancy," Mana said with a smile, "And with her already wonderful attitude about it all, I can see where she just want's the baby out of her and in your hands already."

"I know," Han said rubbing his forehead, "This is why I am patient as I can be with her. I do what I can to help whenever I am not occupied with my school work. Being a father is harder than I though. And the baby isn't even born yet!"

Both Mana and Han laughed about that. Over time, Mana grew to accept the relationship her children had. Despite some of their bickering, they still looked to be very much in love. Even Lyn had a faint twinkle whenever she was around Han. Who was Mana to deny true love? Even if it was between siblings. As time went on, it became natural to her, much like Ren's little quarks had all those years ago. Her heart panged to see him at that moment. Ren had been pretty busy lately and Mana had tried to stay out of the way. They still had breakfast every morning, but then he would be off to start the day with a swift kiss and the sight of his back. By the time he was done with it all Mana had been well alseep in their bed. She would feel him crawl in as she was in between worlds and snuggle against him, as if something were to take him away again. As a good wife, she said nothing. She cooked, she did little household chores, she even found time to tend to the gardens. It was nice and serene for her, a good retirement from her former life. But it would have been a lie to say she didn't miss it from time to time. Her body may age but her spirit was always the same.

She sighed and stared out the window. The tree's were bare and a cold chill had already entered the air. Winter was coming soon, and like hurricane season, it promised to be violent. She made a mental note to order extra food and supplies incase they would be snowed in. Han continued his studying as Mana started to doze off in the chair she was sitting in.

[Emma]

November.

Ellie had spent too long trekking across countries before she reached China. Her hair that she had cut short and dyed was now far too long and her natural blonde once more. Despite travelling alone, she had kept in contact with her one source of information (and sanity, at times) - her adoptive grandfather of sorts, Thomas Covenant. He was more like the rogue uncle that your dad told you not to listen to, though.

Finally reaching the front door of the Tao household, the girl steeled herself (despite being covered in dirt and almost asleep on her feet), stood upright and knocked, three times.

[Loki-chan]

Lyn moved about the Tao manor with an aura that would make plants wilt. She abhored pregnancy, and considering she was not much a cheery person on the regular, this only made her disposition worse. The dark air that surrounded her made lookers-on shiver, and Lyn felt like kicking the hell out of whoever dare knock on HER door. Well. It wasn't hers yet.

Entering the hall and swinging the massive door open with a single tug, Lyn stood and looked at the girl before her, glaring as a default. They were about equal in hight, if not, Ellie took the advantage. Her hair and body were dirty, but Lyn recognized the look in her eyes. Behind the tiredness this girl carried, she had a bone to pick. That looked like the only reason she was awake right now. A vengeance chick hm? Maybe they'd killed somebody close to her, though not many people had the balls to come address them about it.
"Who the fuck are you?" Lyn dripped annoyance. "Y'know, I actually don't care. I've never met you, you must have something to do with father. OTOU-SAN~!" Lyn shouted back into the building, and Ren was out before the echo had faded.

Ren, having been damn near asleep (of work and the late hour), rubbed his eyes and neglected to look up at Ellie until he'd rached Lyn's side at the door. One or two blinks later, he was able to dissasociate the long, blonde hair from the face he knew so well. Mithos? No, he couldn't neglect the chest. And she was far too short to be him. No, it was Mithy's last living relative, most certainly.
"Ellie? You're filthy? Why are you here anywa--" Ren stopped mid-sentance. Six months ago... wasn't it? Yes, something like that. Ellie had been married to Kuua, hadn't she...
How the hell had he forgotten about her? It came to Ren's recolection, that indeed, he'd done his best to block out anything reminding him of Mithy after the... accident. The classic Tao meathod of strength, ignore and repress.
"...Say i'm sure Mana would love to see you. Step in?" The change of topic was all too obvious, he knew EXACTLY why she was here.

[Emma]

Ellie smiled tiredly at the sight of Ren, brushing a strand of dirty hair behind one ear. "Thanks." She said, her voice harsh, as if she hadn't spoken for a while. Stepping into the house, she looked around. "...I'm sure you know why I'm here." She said simply, heading for the study. She wasn't entirely sure how she knew where it was, but she did. Something about channelling Mithos or something, Tom had mentioned. That was a thought. As she began walking down the hallway towards the study, she pulled a phone from her pocket and hit speeddial. "Hey. Yeah, I'm finally here. Yeah, I'll tell her you said hi. Alright. Love." Finally reaching the study, the girl pushed open one of the doors and gave her old friend a tired smile.

"Long time no see, Mana."

[Mana Ego-Chan]

Mana had just about gone to sleep when the sound of a voice woke her up. She looked over and blinked several times. There standing before her was the woman that made her stomach turn with guilt. That in turn upset the unborn infant which began to kick softly in protest. She was at a loss of words. Han saw this too and decided to take his turn.

"Hello Aunt Ellie," he said going over to her and giving her a warm hug, "You look exausted. Come and have a seat over by mother."

He ushered her over and sat in the chair on the other side of Mana. Mana looked at the tired and worn out girl. It was all she could do to hold back from sobbing. Instead a few tears burned in her eyes and fell softly down. She felt Han's hand on hers, encouraging her to speak.

"It has been a while Ellie," she finally choked out, wiping the guilty tears from her face. It had been a while since she could think of Kuua. The memory of him was a tender wound her heart and Ellie's presence just seemed to rip it open again. Still she took a deep breath and managed to smile at the young girl whom she cherrished so. The girl who was the only presence of Mithos's memory she had had for many years.

"I'm sorry we had to see each other again under such...tragic circumstances," she said looking at her with genuine regret, "How have you been?"

[Loki-chan]

Ren waited until Ellie had wandered away into the depths of his house, before relaxing at all. He leaned against the wall, his golden eyes stairing down at the ground. Without him noticing, he'd started breathing rather quickly. His heart beat in his ears. He was experiencing adrenaline, but not the kind that he usually enjoyed. Ellie was here, Ellie was back and with a vengeance. Ren personally had little care for Kuua, the kid had been fun in his youth, but something inside him had perverted over time and he'd ended up causing countless acts of pain to their family. So when he killed the man, the LAST thing on his mind was "does he have a family?" Perhaps it was the assasin instinct, but Ren just hadn't been thinking of Ellie at the time. All he'd ever really seen in Ellie was a cute little female mithy. Probably why he'd refrained from thinking of her.

Lyn, both as Ren's daughter, and a hormonal pregnant chick, could feel the pain radiate from his father. It was like the girl stabbed him through with just her mere presence. Lyn was certainly confused. Who could make her father writhe like that, besides perhaps, Kikyou if she were to return? But that girl looked nothing like the female in question, and she doubted any relation. So, who was she? Well, Lyn was entitled to ask.
"Oi, father, who's the girlie?"
Well, just because she could feel his pain didn't mean she'd be sympathetic.

Ren snapped his head up from the ground, looking at Lyn almost frightened from being interupted in his thoughts. He never had told Lyn about Mithos. Ever since he had to recount the tale to tell Mana before their wedding day, he hadn't spoken of his old english comrade since. Lyn had been under the impression that Ren just never had any friends.
"The sister of someone very important." Ren said, his eyes wandering again. But Lyn would not let him rest.
"Of who? You said she'd find interest in Mana. Doesn't sound like a business deal to me."
Ren flinched. "Her brother was dear to... to Mana. He's deceased now, but Ellie was married to Kuua, and we, well, we forgot about her accidentally, in the heat of the moment." Ren lied. He'd wanted to forget about her. It was no accident.
"Kuua? The psyco who's hand I lopped off? Feh, he was insane. She married that guy? I don't think it's particularly safe letting her in here then, I bet she came to finish his business."
"She probably has, Lyn-chan. But for her... I almost feel obliged to repent. I doubt you'd understand my position... but go see your mother. I'm sure she'll explain what I can't, or you can get it straight from Ellie."
Ren wandered off into the south wing, a generally deserted area which housed only his mother, where he could expect to get some peace and collect his thoughts.

Lyn grumbled, watching her father sulk off into the distance. She hoped he didn't intend to do anythign rash to repent. She could only guess Ellie's circumstances for forgival. Hopefully he wouldn't forget he himself had children, and an infant close on it's way, as well as a grandchild expected soon after.
She made it to her mother's bedroom where Han, Mana and Ellie sat, and her mother looked more upset that her father had. Or at the very least, her father was far better at surpressing the masses of guilt that plagued his own heart. Indeed, it would take an immesurable pressure on his heart to get him to crack any sign of emotion, and there he had been, sulking.

"Ellie-chan. Father is being vague again. Tell me who you are precisely, and why the hell is everyone so worked up? A little bit of killing never got Father this worked up before... who's hiding the information?" Lyn placed her hands on her hips and glared around the room, especially Han, who she'd clobber later if HE was hiding ANYTHING from her. It wasn't her fault she'd never been told about Mithos.
"You get Ren crying, and you know something is wrong. So tell." Lyn was too irked to be respectful anymore. And she exaggerated as well, but that was neglectable.

[[faaack, I write too much. XD]]

[Emma]

"I've been better." Ellie replied, shaking her head a little, without a chance to say anything else as Lyn stormed in and started demanding answers. A wry smile pulled up a corner of the girl's mouth as she turned to her friend's daughter, pushing back the tears at the mention of a 'little bit of killing'. "...So you don't know about Mithos?" She asked, and laughed quietly. "I wouldn't expect you to. My dear brother was a very good friend of your father. His only friend, some said. He died. None of us really talked about it again." She explained, shrugging a little.

"But that's not why I'm here. I'm here because I've got some very important questions to ask your mother. ...I wouldn't mind a word with Ren, either. Could you tell him?"

[Loki-chan]

Lyn wrinkled her nose slightly at the explaination. She was expected to believe her father had had friends? Why wouldn't he have told her about it? Her father was strong, right? He could tlak about such sensitive topics openly, she was sure he could. It wasn't like her father was the emotional type...
It was obvious Lyn knew next to nothing about her own father.

She gave Ellie an odd look and went to summon her father, not that finding him again wouldn't be a daunting task.

She finally caught up with her father in a deserted room, once again startling him with her presence. Lyn was curious. She knew she'd been working on her stealth, but she could never sneak up on her father. In fact, she'd flustered him to the point where he'd nearly dropped the picture he'd been holding. He caught it before it fluttered to the ground, but Lyn had seen it.
"Father!? What's the meaning of this? You said you didn't have any pictures of your youth. And who's Mith... Mitho..." Lyn struggled with the pronunciation. "That... Mido guy? And you having a /friend/. I don't get it, you never told me!"
Ren looked at her with sad eyes. He choked a little in laughter when she called him Mido... she couldn't pronounce his name any better than he'd been able to.
"You never asked." Ren said with as little emotion as humanly possible. "He was my /only/ friend... don't get worried or anything. He's just... hard to remember with a straight face, is all." Ren got up and handed the picture to Lyn. It was he, Mithy and Mana, the latter two holding Ren in place so they could take a picture. Two smiles and an enraged glare from the shorty with pointed hair. Lyn looked to the tall male and down at her father. He really had been a shortie all his life...
"He doesn't look chinese. Japanese? No, he doesn't look asian at all."
"He was english. Made a damn good breakfast too... Just a little weak-willed in the end I guess." Ren snatched back the picture and walked to the door. "Ellie wants to see me, am I right?"
Lyn nodded silently, and let her father leave the room.

...Were all english boys that cute?

--

Ren walked into the study, sat down on the bed next to his wife, kissed her, her belly, and then looked to Ellie.
"Alright. So I assume we're on the same page... now, what do you want of me?"

[Mana Ego-Chan]

Mana remained unphased as Lyn made her presence known. Han, however, cringed a bit as she directed a brief glare at him. He didn't know any more about Mithos than she did. It hurt his mother to talk about it, so he never pushed her. He had a curiosity though. It would seem that he was a pretty popular guy and very obviously deceased. Maybe some questions would finally be answered in all of this.

When Ellie gave an answer, Han sighed inwardly. It was about the same answer Mana would give him when he was a boy. This didn't seem to make Lyn any happier, but she dissapeared to summon their father anyway. Han could tell Mana's breathing was very irregular. He kept a mental check on her as his father walked into the room and sat next to his mother. Han smiled slightly as his father kissed his unborn sibling. If Lyn was the type, Han would have done the same. Honestly he was afraid to try.

"I hope we aren't in the way aunt Ellie," Han said as they all looked at her waiting for a response, "But we (meaning Lyn who had walked into the room with the same irritated look that she left with) were curious as to the nature of your arrival as well."

Mana remained quiet. She was afraid of the answer. Ellie had been much like a sister to her as well. Ever since Mithos died, Mana and Kuua took it upon themselves to make Ellie as happy as humanly possible. They hated to see her share the same fate as her elder brother. The baby gave another indignant kick as Mana's stomach turned again at the thought of it all. But now that Kuua was gone due to the hands of her husband, there was most certainly a change in the air and Mana was afraid. Not for the sake of her or her unborn child, but for the sake of Ellie. If she had tried anything, the same fate would most certainly fall onto her. And Mana hade a deep love for Ellie as much as she loved Kuua. She didn't think she could take that kind of pain again.

[Emma]

Ellie shook her head softly as Han inquired into the nature of her being there. "Your mother and father already know - but for your sakes, I'll explain." She replied, then pulled a worn photograph from the inside pocket of her jacket and threw it onto the table. "Recognise anyone?" She asked, raising a slim eyebrow. It was a photograph of her wedding day, three years ago. She was in her slim white dress and Kuua stood beside her with an arm around her waist, glorious in his tuxedo.

"And that's not all." She added, retrieving another photo - her holding a small child that looked exactly like her father.

[Loki-chan]

Ren looked right ill at the second photo. He and Mana knew she was married to Kuua, and Lyn and Han probably got the picture, but... it had never come to his knowledge that Ellie had given birth. He already felt like crap for widowing her, but, that baby was still an infant. The kind of child that needed a rounded upbringing... Mother and Father. Not to mention the modern-day necessity of a dual income.

"I suppose... that one would be yours, then?" Ren muttered it softly, looking at the picture. There was Ellie, holding a little female bundle of Kuua's genes. It was unmistakable, besides, why else would she bother to show off that picture? His stomach turned, but he kept down his dinner as much as possible.

Lyn looked at the pictures. She wasn't stupid, that baby was obviously hers and Kuua's. So, they'd made a bit of a mistake... There wasn't much to do about it now. Was she expected to feel guilt when Kuua himself had not been thinking of his family when he received his judgement? No one could challenge Ren to a death match and live to tell about it. Perhaps had he not been so blinded by hate, he would have realised he had someone waiting for his return at home.

"So Kuua had a family. Maybe he should've taken that into consideration before shooting my brother, and aiming to kill he and mother both. Perhaps had he not gotten in my fathers way he could have returned safe! Loyalty to country came above love of wife, I suppose. Shame." Lyn's utter perfection at apathy was just enough to get Ren to boil over. Age had done little to calm his short-tempered spirit, there was merely less left to excite him. His restraints didn't have to time to kick in, to tell him that she was just pregnant, that she didn't understand, that she had a point. The Slap that resounded in the room was quite extraordinary.

"Shut up you selfish girl. You will NOT speak with such little respect when you cannot comprehend the fullness of this situation! Get out of my sight before I regret my actions a second time." Ren's hand stung from the force he had used. He hadn't been quite so angry in a long time. He would not have his daughter making the victem into the purpetraitor, not here, not in this case.

Lyn's eyes welled up, her hormones making her reaction twofold stronger. She fled the room with one finishing thought, "You're terrible as a lord, you bastard, you let your emotions rule everything! You only care because you loved her brother!"
She ran off down the hall, until her cries could be heard no more. The red mark on her cheek glowed in pain as she sulked, her ego insulted.

Ren's fingernails punched holes in his palms, but it was all he could do to calm himself down. It really bothered him that she had a point, but, she was exaggerating. He hadn't /loved/ Mithos. Not... exactly.

[Mana Ego-Chan]

Mana's eyes were wide, as were Han's. Since they had returned, they had never seen Ren that angry. Though Mana had to say she was about that angry as well. What had happened was blind hate. Ren understood that more than anyone. Mana knew that he did not enjoy killing Kuua, nor did he ever really want to. Kuua was just blinded by his own rage. Ren could probably see that better than anyone. That's why Mana could still look at Ren and not feel akward. He was just protecting his family, nothing more.

Han watched as Lyn stormed off. He knew this was one of those times where he had better let her deal with her emotions in private. She wasn't used to them after all and probably wouldn't want them to be shown to anyone. But that didn't mean his heart wasn't aching.

Mana looked at the pictures again, letting a fresh round of tears fall. His girl looked just like he did when he was young. She had bright eyes and a wide grin. Mana missed Kuua very much, but until now she didn't realize how much. She loved him dearly. She put her face into her hands and sobbed quietly.

"Aunt Ellie," Han began noticing that Mana could not get her words out at the moment," I....we....Uncle Kuua had found us. We talked with him and he tried to get us to come back. We could tell he missed us and wanted to do this as non-violently as possible. But when Mana told him of her pregnancy, he just....lost it. There was nothing we could say to make him change his mind. It was like he was a totally different person. We couldn't figure it out. He shot and nearly killed me and would have done the same to Mom had Lyn and Father not shown up. We tried to get him to calm down, but he wouldn't hear of it. Father did what he thought was necessary to protect our family because Kuua wouldn't back down. He was driven by sheer hate. Believe me, if we could have spared his life and believed that he would not come after us again, we would have. We looked for every alternative. Well as much as we could in the blink of an eye, but it wouldn't have done any good. You know how stubborn Uncle Kuua was. Especially when there was something he wanted to do. We are so sorry. We have all lived in grief over these past 6 months..."

"And I was hoping to save him. To finally try to make him see where my family is. But he wouldn't listen to me, " Mana choked out, "I'm so sorry Ellie. First your brother and now your husband, both of whom we were very close to. I'm so sorry."

Mana looked away from Ellie. The unborn baby in her was very upset with her as her stomach turned and flipped. Her heart ached as all her memories kept flooding back and she couldn't look at the woman before her for all the guilt that was in her. She was even shaking just a little. Whatever Ellie decided to say or do, they would have deserved. All of it. She wanted it to come and she preyed, for Ellie's sake, that this could end as peaceful as possible.

[Emma]

Ellie had never been more glad that somebody else had moved faster than she had. She didn't think she'd ever been that angry in her life. Shaking her head a little, she moved her gaze back to Mana, then to Han. With a simple nod, she pulled the photos back, returning them to her pocket. "Thanks." She said quietly, wiping the back of her hand across her eyes. "It's... I understand. We were... We were drifting. He was going away more and more often. Finding excuses to do more work." She explained, shaking her head softly.

"I just... I wanted answers. That's all. But..." She paused, the pointed to the door. "I want a word with her. Would you mind me staying here, just for a few nights? I don't fancy making my way home just yet. Not after that." She asked, then stifled a yawn. She had been on her feet for far too long without nearly enough sleep.

[Loki-chan]

Ren flexed his bloody hand silently, listening intently to her request. So she wasn't... well, she didn't seem to be too vengeful about the whole thing. Rather merciful, considering Ren felt like he deserved a good punch. Though Lyn did have a point, he was getting a little too worked up over the situation, all because it was Ellie involved. Why was it he felt like someone should punch him? Probably because he saw so much of Mithos in Ellie, and both of which he'd protect with his life before ever doing harm to either of them. Indeed, his sense of charicter had deminished since he had failed to stop Mithy from blowing a hole through his brain. Thats why he chose to forget the incident, it made him feel so very guilty.

He ran his palm through his hair, forgetting that it was still leaking as he stained his forehead red. He took a look at the hand with a silent curse and nodded.
"Stay as long as you like, we've got more than enough room. Seems like the least we could do is accomodate you." Ren wiped at his brow and gestured to Han. "If you'd like a bath, there's a nice hot spring, or you can try to find one of the rooms with a shower... I'm sure there's at least one unnoccupied. Mana can loan you something to wear, and if you desire to speak with Lyn... take Han with you."
Ren wasn't sure what he was most worried about when those two collided, but whatever happened, he wanted the peacemaker to step in before either did something they'd regret. Lyn wasn't quite to the stage where she couldn't miscarriage, not yet.

[Mana Ego-Chan]

Han blinked in suprise. So she wasn't angry or vengeful? All she wanted was answers? That was a huge weight off his shoulders. Mana could not say the same though. She still felt huge amounts of guilt from looking at the the girl. She listened to Ren's reply and nodded.

"You can borrow anything you like dear," she said, "I still have my other non-maternity clothes too. And Ren is right. If you are going to speak to Lyn then you had better take Han with you. He seems to be the only one whom she will give a word in inchwise."

"And even that's not always true," Han said as he smiled and closed his books," I would be happy to take you to see her, but what in the world would you have to ask Lyn? I mean, she barely knows anything about you or Mithos."

Mana had to say she was curious too. Lyn wouldn't probably be in the mood to help anyway but still, what did Lyn have to do with all of this?

[Emma]

"...I won't have anybody talk about my husband like she did." Ellie replied simply, then hauled herself to her feet. "Now, if you don't mind. I'm going to have a bath. I'll talk to Lyn in the morning." She told them with a tired smile, running a hand through her hair. "I'm... I'm so sorry I got here as late as I did." She apologised, trailing towards Han and hugging him, then moving to Mana and embracing her old friend. "Thankyou, Mana." She said quietly, then straightened and stepped over to Ren.

"I'm... Really sorry about this. Reminding you." She told him, knowing he would know what she meant. She had seen it in his face when he'd answered the door. And then, before the chinese man could say anything, she enfolded him in a hug. "He loved you too, you know." She whispered, loud enough for only Ren to hear. "He really did."

[Mana Ego-Chan]

Han smiled and hugged her back warmly as she hugged him. He thought it was the best idea for her to see Lyn in the morning. By then, he would have calmed her a little. He sighed, knowing the night that layed ahead for him. He picked up his books and made his way out of the room.

Mana smiled as she hugged the girl. She loved Ellie so much. Blood or not, as far as she was concerned, Ellie was her sister. There were no questions. She always had a deep affection toward the girl. Mostly because of Mithos. She choked back another sob as she remembered him. She missed him a lot. She never got to see him before he died. Mana blamed herself entirely for that. It was because of Kikyou and the mess that Mana made of it all that she didn't get to see him much. She was going through a lot but then another person came into her mind. Someone she haden't seen in a while either, but was fortunately still alive.

Mana smiled as the girl released Ren, who was still struggling to choke back the tears. It hurt Mana to see him this way. She had never seen him this way about anyone but her and Mithos. Even in high school, there had always been a strong bond there. She suddenly felt the urge to lighten the mood a little.

"Hey El," Mana said, "Have you heard from Tom lately? It seems like ages since I have spoken to him. I've been a little....preoccupied and perhaps the worst 'daughter' in the world.*small laugh*"


------------
Down the Hall
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Han had put his books in his room already. He took deep breaths as he came to the looming door that was his lover's room. What used to seem so pleasant, was not dark and sad. He knew that she was probably very angry right now. But she needed a little comforting. That was what lovers were for. He gulped and knocked softly on the door.

"Lyn-kun," he said softly as he opened it and peeked in, "Are you alright?"

[Loki-chan]

Ren's eyes widened. His cheeks reddened, and he got up, seeing Mana try to start up some pleasant conversation. He was ready... he simply couldn't just lighten like that, and he wouldn't bring the mood down. Besides, he had someone he desperately needed to speak with.
"I have to have a word with nee-san, excuse me." Ren said as he fled the room, loose robes fluffing out behind him. A cold hand ran over his heated cheeks. He'd loved him too? What was that supposed to mean? No, he obviously knew what that meant. Not that he'd admit it. He'd been as close as could have been to Mithos, while still being straight, that is.

At this point, Ren was almost glad mithy was gone, because he couldn't handle a quarrel with his emotions again, especially his /sexuality/. No, no, Mana was his loving wife and Mithos was all he'd ever have been. Nonetheless...

"Nee-san! Nee-san, I have a favor, a question, a request... something." Ren searched his vocabulary for the right thing. He had something to ask, for sure, he just hadn't decided what. He pushed aside the door and strode into the room, finding Jun pulling back the covers to her bed and preparing to go to sleep.
"Otouto-kun? What's wrong, who was the visitor?"
Ren fidgedted. "Ellie."
Jun perked a brow in confusion. "Who?"
"Misaki-chan." Ren repeated. Jun let out an 'oooh' of sisterly understanding. She beckoned him over and he came, despite his age and status. He sat next to her on the bed, shorter as he'd ever been, and looked at the floor.
"The sister of that Mithos boy, then. Right, I know how much you've been struggling with that loss. You haven't gotten over it, then?" Jun watched Ren look away hesitantly and smiled softly. "Right, how could you have? You never let anything out. After 30 years I doubt that can change now, right? Then don't cry, but give me your request."
Ren sighed and nodded.
"His spirit. How could I... we... summon it? Ellie mentioned something to me and I just... I can't let it go. I have to speak to him again, despite how much I promised to leave him alone inthe afterlife. And you managed to summon back Han's spirit for him sucessfully. What would it take to get back Mithy?"
Jun's eyes twinkled at Ren's plea. She found it absolutely... cute. With a soft smile she gave him a peck on the forehead and shrugged. "I was able to because I had your body to channel him into to hold him. Usually I summon and use dead bodies, but I believe this boy's body has long deteriorated away. I can't just bring it up, but until the ghost orients itself, I need a body that will hold it. I take it you want to be there when he is summoned... I can't use your body. But Lian, it would be hard for me to use most anyone else... use Lyn. She's a far more powerful shaman than I, and I taught her the Dao-shii arts as well. She can summon him and channel him into Han. You've been training your boy well, haven't you? He should do the trick. Lyn-chan will summon him for you, I know it. Just be careful Mithos doesn't possess her!" Jun giggled lightly and hugged Ren, who was mildly irk that she was making him find someone else. But she brought up a point. If Mithos possessed a pregnant body... Ren had heard the stories. The ghost can actually detach the soul of the unborn and take it's place... Supposedly, this was a form of reincarnation.

Ren shook the thought away. He would not have anyone sacrificing their child so he could get his friend back. That would be stupid anyways... mithos, an infant? No, even flesh was not worth a never-ending chase towards the age Ren was. Lyn would be safe if she just channelled the ghost. All he needed to convince her to do, was to do it.

--

Lyn appeared as only a lump under the bedsheets, moving occasionally as Lyn shifted or breathed. The lump crept closer to the end of the bed as Han entered the room, as two bright aqua eyes emerged from the dark cave of covers. As her head emerged, it was obvious she was not happy. A slender arm reached out and grabbed him by the hand, tugging him viciously onto the bed. Once her task had been acomplished, she popped out from her cavern and layed on him, on her side so that she was perpendicular to him. Her enlarged belly layed atop his chissled abs, the fetus inside wiggling to try and make contact with its father. Lyn frowned, almost scolding the thing for moving.

"'Course i'm alright. Never better. Why, what gave you any idea to the contrary?" Lyn's tone was certainly unconvincing.

[Mana Ego-Chan]

Han shook his head. Definatley stubborn, she was. Han smiled as he stroked her face and then stroked her belly. He couldn't say that he wasn't prouder at the moment. He looked over to Lyn, and leaned over rubbing noses with her.

"You are a terrible liar, my love," he said softly, reaching up to stroke the cheek that had been slapped once again, as if trying to heal it with his hand, "You were harsh in there. But you were not so far off from the truth. That is what father could not handle the most. He still feels attatchement to Aunt Ellie because she resembles his beloved lost friend. So when you threatened her attatchment and security, he lost it. But don't worry, all is okay now. Matter of fact, Aunt Ellie wants to have a word with you in the morning. But we won't worry about that for now. What can I do to make you happy? Remember, a happy mother is a happy child."

[Emma]

Ellie awoke fairly early (well, 8 am is early when you were off your feet the night before) and was hobbling around the Tao home sleepily within the half hour. Finally finding the kitchen, the girl shuffled to the fridge and rooted through it, searching for anything that would help her wake up. She had, luckily, inherited her mother's cooking skill (as had Mithos) and so set about cooking a traditional english breakfast - or the closest she could make with the ingredients she had. Twenty minutes later, the blonde sat herself down, clothed in a pair of Mana's old jeans and a shirt.