Death's Door

[Elly]

Dara sat perched on a boulder near the front, where sound from there would be muted. She was singing softly to herself. She wished she could sing in public, but her twin would bet pissed.

((Frigid is stillr eally mean.))

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

((I can tell ><))

Tai was staring up at the cave ceiling. He should've been sleeping but he couldn't sleep.

[Elly]

Dara's soft voice was echoing through softly. It was opposite from her sisters, warm and homey and comforting and loving. She was singing a sad old love song.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai blinked when he heard singing and soon figured out who it was. He listened, keeping as quiet as a church mouse.

[Elly]

"But if I cannot be free/ I will cast myself into the de-" The voice cut off in midscilence.
"Yes Frigid.." came a murmurred reply. Frigid had awoken and mindspoke her sister, telling her to shut the heck up and quit yowling like a cat in heat.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

((*throws brick at Frigid* she's so mean...))

Tai sighed when the singing stopped. He closed his eyes, trying to go to sleep, but couldn't.

[Elly]

Dara waitd for he inner sense, then nodded when Frigid fell out of sense, asleep. She softly began the rest of the song. at the end she changed it a bit though.
"My sister though always bans me/ from loving this boy I need/ I love him, but does he love me?/ always a shadow I will be."

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai listened again, blinking when he heard the last part.

[Elly]

The voice stopped, then a flute began to play, weaving a sad melody.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

That's Dara. He sat up, keeping quiet.

[Elly]

It was a sad, forlorm melody. Dara was simply letting her emotions rule the flute, not even playing songs. She stared out at the snowy moonlight outside.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

She sounds so sad... Tai thought, frowning.

[Elly]

it ended, but only after beginning to look up, to brighten. Dara sighed. "Story of my life..." she said softly, in her native language, the mountains.

((Green is mountains. I'm using blue for the twins twin talk.))

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

((k))

Tai sighed. Should I go talk to her? Or leave her alone?

[Elly]

Dara wished she could talk to Tai. She never seemed to be alone with him, now that she was aware at least. She could have called up a spirit to talk to, but she didn't feel likt ie.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai got up, deciding to go talk to her. He walked over to where she sat.

"Hey..."

[Elly]

"Hullo." She said. Sh was cleaning the flute absently. "sorry if my flute woke you."

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"It's okay. I was awake anyway." He sat beside her. "You okay?"

[Elly]

"just kinda worried." Dara said. That was true. It just wasn't the whole truth. The spirits that were always with her and her sister were restless.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Worried about what?"

[Elly]

"Whats gonna happen to you guys if something happens. Why the hell the spirits are so restless." Dara said. under her breath, she added something. "That my sister will never figure out that I love my music." It was barely audible beyond her mouth.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Oh.." he hadn't heard the last part.

[Elly]

Dara sighed. Something touched her hair and lifted a strand, letting it fall again.

"Go 'way Tina.." she muttered.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Spirit messing with you?"

[Elly]

"Ever since me and Frigid were little, Tina guards us. She was telling me that there is a party a mile away, headed for us. Just what we need." She said softly. "I told her to go away so that she will go and keep an eye on it some more."

Dara looked worried as she said this.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai nodded. "Don't look so worried; the six of us can handle anyone that comes."

[Elly]

Dara got a blank look then muttered an oath. "When they are all the highest charged mages I've ever see, I dunno."

She got up and put the flute to her lips. "Time to wake them up." she muttered, taking a deep breath.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai readied for when his sister and Kyo woke up. Both were rather grumpy when they first wake, and when both are aggravated...it's not a good thing.

[Elly]

Dara blew loudly, making a song out of it, an urgent one. It didn't need words, it conveyed danger.

"SHUT UP DARA!" That was Frigid, angry her sister was playing. She came into view first, livid.

Ardin was doing his best to wake up.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori and Kyo's eyes opened and the attitudes along with them.

"Dara! Why are you playing so loud?" Tikori asked, getting up going over to where she and her brother were, Kyo right behind her.

[Elly]

She stopped, and stowed the flute so that her angry twin woulden't break it. "Considering that theres a party of about six of the most powerful mages coming, I figured it would be best if you guys were ready for the fight."

"Dara, good lord..."

Dara froze, her eyes unfocused, then she was back to herself. "They will be here in about five minutes."

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Finally! We get to fight!" Tikori punched a fist into the air.

"Cha!" Tikori and Kyo gave each other high fives.

"Looks like they're excited." Tai blinked.

[Elly]

Dara and Frigid did a finger game. Dara won, and climbed up onto a semi-hidden ledge.
"You prep the spirits" frigid said, and Dara nodded before shutting her eyes and focusing.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

The three sparred a little, just to warm up.

[Elly]

Ardin was standing at a point just out of sight from the trail.

The party came in sight. A thunderclap rang out, as though to awaken them.

Frigid and Ardin smiled evily.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

((wrong name sis!:D))

The three smirked.

"Here we go..." The siblings said darkly as Kyo chuckled in an evil way.

[Elly]

((Oh. Oop.))
They rushed in. There were also 5 large bodyguards.

The mages were having issues- somethings kept attacking them.

Frigid was wreaking havoc with her daggers.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori and Kyo were actually being a team, seeing as though they were protecting Tikori's brother as he controlled the enemies bodies.

[Elly]

John was helping, distracting enimies with his broadsword.

A mage slipped past them all and advanced on dara, where she was hidden. Her sister noticed but didn't care, she was in the middle of fighting too.

The mage had to wrestle, but the hand holding the dagger kept getting closer to Daras unprotected back.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Tai! Help Dara!" Tikori instructed when he was back in his body.

Tai nodded and controlled the mage that was near Dara.

Kyo was fought hard, helping Frigid.

[Elly]

The mage was unfortunately stronger and faster than he seemed, and he stabbed dara hard in the side.

Dara's spiritself screamed. Her body stayed flattened to the ground and drenched in ice, but the spirits suddenly began to fight harder. Thier attacks drew blood- and soon, some of the mages were dead.

Frigid was having fun- she was a bloodthirsty little lady.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Damn it... Tai cursed and returned to his body. "Dara's hurt!"

"WHAT?!" Tikori sliced a mage in half with her sytche(sp?).

[Elly]

Tehrew as one man left, then zero as John sliced him in half, hard.

Dara returned to herself and felt tears of pain go down her cheeks. "Ow." She remarked stupidly, trying unsucsessfully to sit up. "i'm fine."

Frigid cursed and said somethingi n a whispery language. something helped Dara sit up.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"You're lying to us Dara." Tikori went over to her, crouching beside her. "Here, let me help."

[Elly]

Dara gave up- it helped that she also had passed out.

Frigid was hurt, but only had two bad gashes. She went to go help, then John grabbed ehr arm. "No, you need to get those cleaned. And bandaged." he said. "Kyo, why don't you get it?"

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Kyo nodded. "Time to clean up." he sighed, getting out bandages and other stuff. "Hey Kori, catch." he tossed some stuff at her.

She caught it and started cleaning Dara's stab wound.

[Elly]

Dara was unconsious, but her sister made a face. She took some of the guaze form Kyo and cautiously began to wrap her own wounds- one on her forearm and one on her leg.

John was getting rid of the bodies.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai helped with removing the bodies.

"There now. That's done." Tikori cleaned and wrapped Dara's wound.

[Elly]

Dara said nothing, unconcious. The ice was mostly gone, but it remained on her hair, and on her legs and back.

John sighed. "Dammit, I shouldea seen that guy heading for her." He muttered angrily to himself as he worked.

Frigid wrapped them cautiously, and sighed when she was done.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Don't be so hard on yourself." Tai said, hearing him.

Tikori went over to Kyo who had more guaze. She took some from him and wrapped a wound that was on her leg.

[Elly]

John sighed and shook his head. They had moved iven the evil mage. "Better go in."

Dara was lying quietly. She had lost alot of blood. The hair around her seemed distorted.

Frigid went and sat away from her sister's body, not wanting to look at the wound.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori sat beside Dara, keeping an eye on her.

Kyo was sitting near the cave wall, sighing.

[Elly]

The wavering air (ment that in my last post) went over to him, and touched his cheek.

Frigid was sitting in the back of the cave. She held her sister's weapon, and was cleaning it and such, just distracting herself. Her daggers were already cleaned.

John sat on guard, avoiding tears by cleaning the blood away.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai came inside and went over to Dara and his sister, sitting beside her.

Tikori was cleaning off her weapons as well, sighing.

Kyo sighed.

[Elly]

The wavering air was trying to comfort them it seemed. It eventually sat on Tai's lap. It felt the right weight to be a cat, like Dara's spirit form.

Frigid was crying as she roughly cleaned the weapon.

John just sat and kept watch.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Kyo went over to Frigid, hearing her crying. He sat near her and hugged her.

Tai noticed that the air settled onto his lap and he didn't move.

Tikori went over to John. "Mind if I keep watch with you?" she asked softly.

[Elly]

"Go 'way.." Frigid told him innefectually.

The weight seemed to be trying to cheer him up. behind him, Dara's body was beginning to heal slowly. Her spirit was inside it, but with Tai too.

John shook his head. "No issue.". there were tears in his eyes, and he was staring at the clean snow.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"No. Can't get rid of me that easily." Kyo smirked at her.

Tai sighed. He was slowly cheering up.

Tikori noticed the tears in his eyes and hugged him tightly.

[Elly]

Frigid didn' reply with her usual spunk, or rudeness, just looked down.

The spirit was vibrating, like it was purring. Dara was wanting to wake up- her wound was not gonna kill her, she wasn't gonna die.

James hugged her back, silent. He loved Dara, she was like his little sister. He didn't speak- he wasn't sure if he could.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Kyo kept an arm around her.

Tai lifted an eyebrow when he noticed the spirit vibrating.

"You can cry if you want...nothing wrong with it." She whispered.

[Elly]

Frigid felt tears rise as she thought. Her sister had warned them, and cheered them up some.

It was no longer very heavy either. It was vibrating comfortingly.

That did it- silent tears rolled down his cheeks.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Kyo rubbed her hair silently, not sure if he should say anything.

Tai was a tad bit cheered up, but his thoughts were conflicting with that.

Tikori hugged him again, whispering comforting words to him.

[Elly]

Frigid coulden't help but remember when her sister had got her away from the demon lord, how she had always been nice to frigid even though she knew she sometimes was mean to her sister.

The spirit kept lightening, and then something leaned on his shoulders and furr nuzzled his cheek.

John let himself cry on her shoulder.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Kyo stayed silent, figuring that words wouldn't be right at that moment.

Tai blinked; where did the fur come from?

"Don't worry John...Dara's not going to die..." she whispered, rubbing his hair.

[Elly]

Frigid finally let the trears flow- she shook slightly as she cried.

Dara was a cat in spirit form- any type really. She coulden't get al the way back yet. It felt like it could be the fur of the cat that had appeared when Dara was stabbed, and ran at the body as though trying to get in.

John nodded, trying to force the tears back.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Kyo hugged her again.

Tai relaxed slightly, mood content.

Tikori sang a very soft song, hoping to cheer him up.

[Elly]

Frigid didn't fight him this time, just let him.

Dara blinked, then the feeling of weight on his shoulder began. Mentally, she tried to tell him hello, hopin ghe would hear.

John managed to stop, and wiped his tears on his sleeve. he listened to the tune, one he had neve heard.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

He rubbed her hair and rocked her a little, trying to comfort her.

Tai blinked, hearing the hello.

It was a verrry old song that was passed to most of the females in the demon side of Tikori and Tai's family.

[Elly]

Frigid coulden't help but cry, she knew there was a likelyhood that she would loose her twin.

Can't you hear me? she said again

John listened intently, taping his hand gently on her thigh in time.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Kyo felt bad; he didn't know how he could cheer her up.

He nodded in response.

Tikori continued singing, most of the words in demon, but only a few in English.

[Elly]

John understood mayebye half of it.

Yes! it was definately dara,that was her answer for anything good.

"its my fault..." frigid whispered to herself.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Soon the song was done and Tikori became quiet.

Tai held in a chuckle.

"Don't blame yourself."

[Elly]

"Your a good singer." John said quietly.

What? my dumb old body wont let me in all the way. If you think your replies itll work, promise!

Frigid just shok her head, disagreeing.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori's cheeks turned a hint of pink. "Thank you..."

You know, I kinda figured that already.

Kyo sighed; no use in arguing. He just continued to hold her, thinking of ways to cheer her up.

[Elly]

John smiled. "Welcome. Dara is gonna ask you to teach it to her, i she hears it." He said, sadness falling over his features.

Oh. umm... sorry...

Frigid managed to stop the tears, but her throat felt like there was a huge lumpit.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori nodded and frowned. "Don't so sad....she's okay. I know it."

Tai chuckled. Don't be sorry.

"I bet she's still alive..." Kyo said softly to her. "And she'll probably wonder why you were so worried..."

[Elly]

John sighed. "I know- its just that shes my baby sister, y'know?"

But.. but.. now you all are worried about me and its my fault and Frigid is all sad and John is and..

"Probly, knowing dara.." She said, still unsure.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori nodded. "I understand...but be sad....or I'll snitch on you to her."

I get the point Dara....but we can't help it....

"Cheer up Frigid...she'll be okay..."

[Elly]

"with what?"

Still.... I should have paid attention to my body, stead of just fighting like I did.

"how do you know?"

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"I'll tell her you were sad..."

You were occupied with fighting...we should've had you covered.

"Because I just know."

[Elly]

John smiled halfway and sighed. "I surrender."

Still... Dara could hear her twin in this state too- her twin was angry at her, though she was worried too.

"Okay.."

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Good." Tikori smiled and hugged him tightly. She whispered something from the song which was, 'Smile, don't cry. Be happy.'

You're being difficult. there was a hint of a smile in the thought.

Kyo lifted an eyebrow at her and messed up her hair.

[Elly]

John smiled ant hugged back, kissing her cheek. "Thank you."

nuh uh it had distinct overtones of disbelief, and of another persons anger, anger that wsn't like dara at all.

Frigid squeeked and tried to smooth it down, looking at him peevedly.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"You're welcome."

Tai twitched, eyes narrowing. She's angry, isn't she?

Kyo only smiled innocently.

[Elly]

John smiled at her.

ummm... dara tried to think of a lie. She was almost all the way into her body, she just had to wait a little while longer.

Frigid gave up and smiled, hugging him. "Thank you."

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori shivered; she was suddenly cold. She looked at John and smirked. "I'm cold...I need a hug."

Don't lie Dara...

He chuckled and hugged her back. "You're welcome."

[Elly]

He smiled and hugged her, then left one arm around her when he finished. "Better?"

Shes just mad that I would do that, not hide myself better... Dara said, trying to defend her twin.

She wrinkled her nose at him.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"A little bit better." she smiled, snuggling close to him.

Tai only sighed.

He messed up her hair again and moved away.

[Elly]

John smiled and kissed her cheek.

Dara found herself all the way in her body, and tried to force her eyes open. She hated being unconcious, she missed all the fun.

Frigid made a face. "Where re you going?"

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori closed her eyes and yawned slightly.

Tai whistled a low note.

"Over here."

[Elly]

She finally managed to get her eyes open,a nd tried to sit up. "Nng" She remarked, staring at the cave, unable to sit up.

John smiled. He knew dara was up. "Daras awake. " he noted. "And you are sleepy."

Frigid pouted, then bounced to her feet. "Daras awake!" She half-squeaked.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"I know." Tikori smiled. "And I'm not sleepy." she moved away and went over to Dara. "Hey Dara."

"We were starting to wonder when you'd get up." Kyo added, smiling.

"You had us worried." Tai added as well.

[Elly]

Frigid hugged her sister and helped her sit up, leaning her on the nice wall. "Yay! Your awake!"

Dara looked confused. "Why?"

John smiled. "Well, considering you passed out.."

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"We thought you kicked the bucket." Kyo sai, partly teasing. "OUCH!!!" Tikori had hit him in the back of the head...hard. "Tikori!!"

"Don't talk anymore." She said to him before looking at Dara. "How do you feel?"

Tai wanted to know the same.

[Elly]

John rolled his eyes and stood between them.

Frigid sat beside her sister.

"My side is sore is all."

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"It'll feel better soon." Tai said.

"Yup." Tikori agreed.

When Kyo was about to speak, Tikori gave him a look. "I told you not to talk."

He huffed and crossed his arms over his chest, but he didn't speak.

[Elly]

Dara giggled slightly. "You two sound like twins! And why can't he chime in too?"

John smiled.

Frigid laughed at the image of Kyo chiming in like a little kid.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Because something dumb will come out of his mouth." Tikori rolled her eyes.

He kicked Tikori and she gasped. "You kicked me!" tears welled up her eyes. "I'm so snitching!"

"But I didn't do anything!" He finally said.

"You kicked me!!!"

Tai sighed. "I worry about those two...a lot...."

[Elly]

Dara smiled. Something started poking Kyo really hard on the nose.

"Are you okay Tikori?" she asked.

Frigid just kinda grinned at Kyo.

John hugged her to make her feel better.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"I'm fine." She sniffled.

Tai rolled her eyes. "You two are pitiful."

"Shuddup." Kyo mumbled to him.

[Elly]

The poking continued, then something pinched him. Hard.

Dara and Frigid were giggling, and John was trying to keep between the crazy people

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"owie..."

Tikori and Tai laughed and Tikori sighed. ""If you apologize, I'll forgive you."

"Fine...I'm sorry." He mumbled.

"Okay. I forgive you."

[Elly]

The twins both whistled something and it stopped.

"There. Now everything is better." Dara said stubbornly.

Frigid smiled. "Yup!"

John rolled his eyes.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Kyo mumbled something and Tai smirked. Tikori whistled.

[Elly]

Dara fought down a yawn and sat, smiling at them cheerfully.

Frigid looked like a sunnier version of her twin.

John smiled. "What to do now?" he asked. "Get some more sleep?

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Sleeping sucks." Tai said.

"What he said!" Tikori and Kyo agreed.

[Elly]

The twins grinned. "We need to leave here." they noted.

John groaned. "Oh god, anything but twinspeak.."

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Let's leave then." The three said.

[Elly]

"Okay!" Frigid started packing, while her twin did her best to stand. She hated being carried like a little kid.

John smiled. "LEts pack then." He went over to his, and got to work.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Because I'm nice I'll pack." Tikori said to her brother and Kyo, going to pack their stuff.

"Thanks!" They called.

"What are you doing?" Tai looked over at Dara.

[Elly]

"I'm not letting sumbody carry me like a baby." She said as she stubbornly hauled herself up. She winced, holding on to the rock wall for dear life.

Frigid was packing up, and John got Daras, careful to pack her journal where some one woulden't find it.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Here you go." Tikori dropped Tai and Kyo's packs on their laps. "Don't say I haven't done anything for you."

Kyo gave her a look.

Tai blinked at Dara.

[Elly]

John laughed as he pulled both is and Dara's packs on. "Dara, nobody is gonna drop you in a river."

"YOu said you woulden't and you did. I don't trust you."

Frigid laughed as she pulled hers on.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

The three laughed.

"You can trust me, Dara. I won't drop you." Tai smiled at her.

Kyo and Tikori put on their packs.

[Elly]

John sighed.

Dara eyed him then sighed. "Alright." She said unhappily. She didn't like being weak, it wasn't something she did well.

Frigid smiled. "John I tooooold you not too."

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Can we go now??" Tikori whined.

"What she said!" Kyo agreed with her.

Tai picked her up, placing her on his back.

[Elly]

Dara held on gently, makign sure not to hold on too tight.

Frigid shrugged,a nd Ardin took the lead, going out into the dawning snow.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori walked beside John, whistling.

Tai hummed along to the whistling, humming an old folk song.

Kyo only listened.

[Elly]

Frigid joined in, making up words.

Dara listened. She was tierder than she seemed, but didn't let it show.

Ardin listened happily.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

The siblings kept humming/whistling. Kyo soon joined in, whistling as well.

[Elly]

Dara hummed along, voice soft and drowsy

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Someone sounds tired." Tai said, glancing at Dara.

[Elly]

"Am not." She said in his ear.

Frigid seemed to be in high spirits, but she was waiting.... waiting... waiting...

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

((what is she waiting for?))

"If you say so."

Kyo walked beside Frigid, silent.

[Elly]

(To get her twin alone.))

Dara made up her own words to the song that were funny, and slightly disconnected. She decided to sing them to Tai and make him smile.

Frigid smiled, then started to tryand cheer him up.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai listened to the words and hid a smile.

Kyo glanced over at Frigid before looking down. He was thinking.

[Elly]

Dara finished. The song was really random, and vaugely disturbing.

Frigid surrendered, and smiled as they walked.
John was plodding along, leading them to who-knw-where.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Hey John..." Tikori said softly. "Where are we going?"

Tai chuckled. "Nice song."

Kyo hugged her, keeping one arm around her.

[Elly]

"There's a place where we three normally stay out the winter. We were on our way there when we met you."

Dara smiled. "Thank you." She said.

Frigid smiled, and hugged him back.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Oh." Tikori stretched her arms over her head, before crossing them over her chest.

"Welcome."

"You're all smiles." Kyo commented.

[Elly]

John hugged her. "Its only a mile from here."

Dara lapsed into silence, thinking.

"That's my job."

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"That's not too far." She hugged him back.

Tai was thinking also, mostly about when he and his sister were younger.

"To be all smiles?"

[Elly]

John smiled, nodding.

Dara began to fall asleep, her head leaning on his shoulder. She wasn't very heavy at all, like her bones were hollow or something.

"To keep everyone smiling."

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori yawned softly. To occupy herself, she created shapes from darkness.

Tai was still thinking.

"I would hate to have your job."

[Elly]

John Smiled and started singing a marching song in his rusty bass.

Dara fell asleep, her breathing light on his neck.

"I like it!"

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori hummed along, the shapes changing.

Looks like she finally fell asleep.

"I can see that."

[Elly]

John didn't know most of th words so he made up funnier ones.

She was sleeping peacefully.

She smiled at him.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori laughed at the words.

Kyo smiled back at her before looking at Tai. "Dara asleep."

"Yup." he said.

[Elly]

Frigid twirled randomly, glad her twinw as resting for once.

John began to lead them into a small valley, going off the beaten trail, still bellowing the song.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori continued to hum along.

Kyo watched her.

[Elly]

Heled them to a ladder. He picked that up and continued on.

Frigid paid attention, till smiling.

Dara slept on, still too light.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori yawned. She was tired.

"Tired?" Her brother asked.

"Nope."

Kyo was bored.

[Elly]

He finished and stopped at a large oak tree stump.

Frigid jumped over a stick on the ground and joined him.

Dara was starting to wake up slightly.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

The three stood together, the white haired female yawning again. The blonde male slapped a hand over her mouth before she could yawn again.

[Elly]

John levered up the stup and lowered the ladder. "Down we go."

Frigid scampered down like a squirrel.

Dara woke up enough to open her eyes and blink. "Where are we?" She drowsily asked.

"Kichon"

"Okay."

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori went down the ladder, then Kyo. Tai soon followed.

[Elly]

Dara was silent as they went down. Ardin led them down the little path to a large cavern. It had a small river running through it. "Welcome to Kichon."

Frigid went over and put her stuff down near the river.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Gimme the packs." Tikori said to Tai and Kyo who tossed them to her. She placed them near the river as well.

Kyo yawned.

"You okay Dara?" Tai asked.

[Elly]

"Yeah." She said quietly. "I'm just trying to figure out how to make it so that I can walk on my own."

Frigid started a fire to make dinner ehile John set up fishing hooks.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Oh."

Tikori and Kyo were helping out by doing stuff.

[Elly]

"You can put me down youknow." Dara said, her voice revealing she was trying not to laugh.

John had several fish caught.

Frigid was having trouble with the fire.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Don't feel like it." he said smiling and placing her down.

"Here, let me help you with the fire." Kyo went over to Frigid.

"See you're catching fish." Tikori sat beside John.

[Elly]

Dara grinned at him. "Well, I know I'm a bit heavy, and you don't need to be all sleepy."

Frigid was glaring at it, and she gave up. "Okay.. I don't like doing fire-ness.."

"That is what I normally do."

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"You're not heavy!"

Kyo chuckled and began working on the fire.

"Oh." Tikori watched.

[Elly]

"Okay.." she said, raising both eyebrows.

Frigid watched, careful not to touch anything.

He pulled in a fish at that point and it landed onher.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai sat.

Soon, Kyo had the fire going.

"Fish!" Tikori picked it up by its tail and held it up.

[Elly]

John laughed. He picked up a cleaned fish.

Frigid got a frying pan form her pack and caught the fish he tossed her.

Dara smiled at him. she looked better than she did, but she was still weak.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Come sit." Tai patted a spot next to him.

"AH! The fist bit me!" Tikori threw the fish on the ground.

Kyo was laughing.

[Elly]

John laughed and took her hand to look at the spot.

Dara obeyed, careful.

Frigid was cooking the fish, humming.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"It bit me...." she sniffled.

When she sat, Tai hugged her.

Kyo was listening to Frigid hum, changing his gun into something else.

[Elly]

John washed it off in the stream and put a bandage from his pocket on it. "Its ok, all better, see?" He said, kissing her cheek.

Frigid was doing well in the frying, it would be done soon.

She hugged him back, smiling.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori sniffled again and hugged him.

"Hey sis, sing-along time?" Tai called over to her.

"Sing-along time!!!" Tikori said happily, going over.

"What song are we singing now?" Kyo called over.

"The one the three of us made up!"

The three stated their sing-along time.

[Elly]

The other three looked confused, except for Frigid, who was cooking.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Come on you three! Sing along!" Tikori said as her brother and Kyo kept singing.

[Elly]

Frigid and John obeyed, and Dara joined in softly. Her sister didn't hear, so peace was kept.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai and Kyo shook their heads at Tikori's behavior; she liked sing-alongs.

The song changed to the one Tikori had been singing earlier. Tai and Kyo listened, smiling softly.

[Elly]

Dara had piked the words out, so the twins were still singing along. Dara was singing a little louder, and Her twin was looking slightly peeved. Thier voices blended nicely.

John just listened.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori looked at the twins, a soft smile crossing her face. She continued singing.

Tai and Kyo were still listening; they liked the three of them sounded together.

[Elly]

Dara had her eyes shut, so she didn't see the look Frigid was giving her.

Frigid sang well, voice sounding just fine, though she was very annoyed.

John smiled, listining.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Soon the song was finished.

"That sounded good." Tai said.

"It really did." Kyo added.

Tikori giggled.

[Elly]

Dara blushed and ducked her head.

"Thanks."

John nodded, hugging Tikori.

Frigid flipped the fish onto a plate,a nd cut it into portions for each of them. "Dinnertime."

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Tikori, are you going to eat by yourself?" Tai asked, giving her a look.

"Yup."

Kyo fell out. "IT'S A MIRACLE!"

"Shut up..."

[Elly]

John laughed and got some for himself in Tikori.

Frigid gave Kyo is plate.

Dara wasn't hungry.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Not hungry Dara?" Tai asked.

Kyo began eating.

"Food, food, food...." Tikori was bouncing around.

[Elly]

"Yeah." She said, kicking her legs absently.

Frigid sat and did the same.

John gave her her food and ate his, laughing.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori began eating.

The two males ate in silence.

[Elly]

Dara nibbled at hers but didn't eat much.

Frigid ate hers and was soon done.

John finished really quickly as well, and went to clean up.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

The three finished and Tikori helped John clean up.

[Elly]

Frigid smiled. It was getting really dark in the cave- night was coming.

"Dara and I will take first watch." Frigid said.

Dara nodded.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Okay." The three said.

Tikori yawned.

"Come sleepy head." Tai picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder. "Time for you to sleep."

She mumbled something and Kyo smirked. "Nighy-night Tikori."

"Go to hell."

[Elly]

John laughed as he laid out bedrolls. He laid down on his and was soon sound asleep.

Frigid sat next to her sister.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Soon, the three rolled out their own bedrolls and went straight to sleep.

[Elly]

Frigid and Dara talked quietly.
Scraps of conversation were understandable from there.

"Why the hell.."

"Frigid, I..."

"Dhut it!"

Dara ended up hugging her knees an dlooking down. Her sister went to bed after a tiem, but Dara stayed awake, watching over them all.

Frigid had thrown her sister's flute into the river, at the end of the argument. The water was warm, but Dara woulden't be able to get it with her wound. It glistened at the bottom.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori and Kyo remained asleep. Tai woke up; he couldn't sleep long.

[Elly]

Dara was sitting on a boulder, all alone. She was hugging her knees, and facing down, not a good thing. the others were all asleep.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai got up, stretching. He saw Dara and went over to her.

[Elly]

She didn't say anything- she thought it was Frigid, and didn't want to talk to her. She didn't want to talk to anyone, really.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Hey Dara....something wrong?" He asked.

[Elly]

She shook her head, not wanting him to get mad at her sister.. She didn't trust herself to speak.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Come on Dara...tell me." He slipped an arm around her shoulders, hugging her.

[Elly]

"She said the singing and playing's addled my brain, that I can't anymore..." Dara said softly. "She threw away my flute." Her voice sounded dead, broken. "She told the truth."

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai twitched. "Where's your flute?"

[Elly]

"The river. I can't get it- I know I'm to weak to swim." She said her voice still strange.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"I'll get it for you."

[Elly]

She looked up, eyes unsure. "R-really?" She asked. There were tears going down her cheeks. It was obvious what her sister had said and done hurt her more than being halfway killed by a stranger.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai nodded and wiped her tears away. "Stop crying."

[Elly]

"Sorry." She said, focusing on stoping. They did- she wiped her yes on her sleeve.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"That's better. Be right back." he moved away and dived intot he river, going to get her flute.

[Elly]

It was at the deepest part, and glinted there. It had scratches on it that haden't been there. Dara watched anxiously. The river was warm. In places you could see plaes where you woulden't have to swin even if you were as small as Dara.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai spotted the flute moments later. He swam towards it and in one fluent motion, picked it up and began swimming back to land.

[Elly]

Dara watched, worried for him.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai emerged from the water moments later. His hands flew over the keys, checking the pads; they were ruined from all of the water. He went over to Dara.

"I got your flute back. But all of the pads are ruined from the water..."

((sometimes it pays to play the flute...I actually know what I'm talking about at the moment))

[Elly]

(-huggles- yay! I know how, but I'm really bad- I prefer pianos. Or Violins.)
She sighed, looking down at it. Frigid had laughed, when she threw it in. And now she coulden't play it anyways. She had replacement pads, but they had been ruined too. Her sister, unfortunately, had found them.
"Thanks anyway." She said quietly.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai nodded. "If you want...I can have Tikori fix it up for you when she wakes up. She used to play the flute too and knows a lot of ways to repair pads..."

[Elly]

Dara's eyes looked shocked. She foud it hard to believe he would do that for her. "Please?" She asked him, voice slightly desperate.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai nodded. "Okay. When she wakes up, which shouldn't be too long from now, I'll have her fix it for you."

[Elly]

"Thanks." Dara said. She held the flute close. It was obvious that it was really important to her.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai noticed a dark aura faltering and he looking over to see that his sister sitting up, yawning.

"Hey Tikori, come here." He called. "I need you to fix something for me?"

"Fix what?" Tikori yawned and got up, walking over.

"Dara's flute."

[Elly]

Dara was holding the flute, looking at it. She was tring to get some of the river gunk out of it that was in it.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori walked over, yawning. "What happened to it?"

Tai whispered something in her ear and her tired eyes flashed.

"What's wrong with it?"

"The pads are messed up."

[Elly]

Dara managed to get the piece out, and carefully sighted down the tube. It was clear, finally. She nodded to ehrself, and to Tikori.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Lemme see the flute, Dara." Tikori held her hands out for it.

[Elly]

Dara gave it over. She was careful. She had been polishing the flute with her shirt, trying to fix it up.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Okay, don't watch what I'm about to do because it will horrify you." she turned and sat, her back facing Dara and her brother.

[Elly]

"Why-y-y?" Dara asked.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"She's kidding Dara." Tai said. "You don't have to worry about your flute; she won't-"

"Oops." Tikori glanced over her shoulder at Dara and Tai. "I broke something." she was only kidding.

"Spoke too soon."

[Elly]

Dara's eyese went down, and she refused to cry. Tears didn't well up, but she really really loved that flute.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

A sound on the flute caught Tai's attention and he saw his sister playing it, checking the pads. She tinkered with it for a while before playing again. She wiped off the mouth piece before getting up and going over to Dara.

"Here! As good as new!"

[Elly]

Dara grinned like a little kid and took it gently. She hugged it. "Thank you." She said, smiling at him.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori only nodded and yawned again. "It plays really well...wish I knew where my flute was." she shrugged. "Ah well..."

"Told you she could fix it." Tai said to Dara.

[Elly]

"I believed you." She said softly. "And try looking at the bottom of your pack." Her pack was moving on its own.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori blinked and looked over at her pack. "It's moving..."

"No stuff Sherlock."

"Tai...just evaporate."

[Elly]

A flute, Tikoris, came out and flew at them. Dara smiled as the flute trembled in front of Tikori.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori gasped. "It's my baby!" she picked up her flute and danced around, playing it happily.

"Someone's happy." Tai smirked.

"I surely am happy!"

[Elly]

Dara knew the melody and joined in. It was a funny reel.

Frigid was half-awake, and was waiting to be all the way to make them shut it.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai chuckled as he listened to them play.

Tikori kept playing, happy to have her flute back; it had been a while. She danced around as she played, acting unusually goofy.

[Elly]

Dara was smiling, glad it ws working, tht she could play. The music reflected that.

Frigid was all the way awake, and stood up in the shadows.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai's eyes narrowed after a moment, listening for something; someone was up besides them.

Tikori sat down again, playing through a scale for a moment before playing another funny song.

[Elly]

Dara's flute wove harmonies, smiling. Her sister was projecting that she was still asleep into her head.

Frigid angrily came out of the shadows, rubbing her eyes. "Dara do you mind keeping it down? I told you to keep that Da-" She saw Tai and Tikori, then smiled. "Flute down while folks were sleeping." What she had said ahd been meaner. She told her sister the rest mind to mind, and Dara's flute stillled, and she looked down.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Whatever you said to Dara you can say it outloud." Tikori's music stopped as well and her eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Tikori..." Tai touched her shoulder. "Stop." he whispered in her ear.

[Elly]

Frigid looked at her, eyes the same as her name. "Why?"

"Its ok." Dara muttered.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"It's not right to make her stop playing." Her eyes were colder than ever.

"Tikori, stop it..." Tai said to her again.

[Elly]

Dara was flushing.

Frigid stamped her foot. "It sounds like a dieing cat!"

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"You look a dying cat." Tikori quipped.

"Tikori!"

"What?" she blinked.

"Behave."

[Elly]

Frigid was turning red.

Something grabbed her hair and yanked, making ehr take a step back when she stepped foward. She snarled something and it let go.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Oh yeah...and Frigid..." Tikori stepped over to her, getting close enough when only she could hear her. "Next time I hear you breath a word about Dara's playing, you will be in that river and you won't come back up. Got it?"

Tai sighed. "Tikori, stop it. Please?"

She turned back to her brother and walked over, a smile coming to her face. "I'm done now."

[Elly]

Frigid ignored Tikori. She went over to her sister.

There was only one mistake: She had gotton Dara mad. Dara mad was scary, and disturbing.

Frigid said something about how she got the flute back.

"Oh, thats easy. All I had to do was get a wpirit to yank it out of your arse, though apparently it left the stick in." Dara said, voice louder than normal.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai and Tikori's hands flew to their mouths to stifle their laughs. Tikori turned away, leaning her back against her brother's, thankful he was taller than her. They laughed silently.

[Elly]

Frigid went red and went at her sister, slapping her.

Dara recoiled, then a torrent of curses came out of that pretty little mouth. The least of which involved several sharp rocks and Frigid's bum.

John woke up in the middle of this and blinked. Why was Dara cussing like THAT?

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tikori saw this and Tai sat on her, making sure she didn't get up.

"Stay. Down." He said.

"Fine...I will." She propped herself up on her elbows, listening and watching.

Kyo woke up as well and his face changed (O.O) at Dara's swearing.

[Elly]

((All good girls have bad sides. -innocent eyes-))
Dara finished with something that was enough to make Frigid turn so red she looked like she was going to explode. When she began to return, Dara's fist hit her. The shock mad ehr recoil.

"You may be my twin, but I refuse to have to go through Hell just because you can't find it in your heart to love me." She said, voice shaking. This was taking alot more that you could believe. She wobblingly walked to the other side of the cave, beside the rushing river. She sat down on a low flat rock.

Frigid stared, mouth open.

John was in the same position.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

The three companions mouths dropped open. Then, Tai, Tikori, and Kyo played rock-paper-scissors. Tai lost.

"Go talk to her." Tikori said.

Tai nodded and got up, going over to her.

"He was going to go anyway." Kyo commented.

"Yup."

[Elly]

Dara was focusing on not crying. She knew she had lost her temper, knew it was dumb. At the same time, it felt nice having finally told her twin what it was like from the other side. She just coulden't go over near Frigid, just wanted to calm down. Her temper was closer to the surface than usual, something she hated having.

Frigid was glaring, with her mouth still open, staring as well.

John shut his. "What was that about?"

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

Tai walked over cautiously. "Dara?"

"She!" Tikori pointed to Frigid, "threw Dara's flute in the river and said that when she played, it sounded like a dying cat!"

Kyo blinked.

[Elly]

Dara heard him, and sighed. "I know I lost my temper, okay?" She said quietly.

John stood and streched. "Well, i'm glad Dara finally stood up for herself."

Frigid turned red again, embarrased.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"You were angry...nothing wrong about that."

"Yeah, me too!" Tikori was messing with the keys on her flute. "Not saying anything Kyo?"

"No. Not in that." He replied.

[Elly]

Dara sighed. "I never blow up like that. I shoulden't of, and I need to say sorry to Frigid. Eventually."

John smiled. "I think Frigid still is a bit shocked."

Frigid still looked dazed, mouth open.

"Frigid, shut it. You don't eat flies."

Her mouth snapped shut with an audible click, though she still looked vaugely lost.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"To tell you the truth...I think she deserved it." he shrugged.

Tikori giggled.

Kyo got up and went over and waved a hand in front of Frigid's face. "Still with us Frigid?"

[Elly]

Dara shrugged. "It was still rude." She turned around, and managed a smal grin. "At least, the cursing scared her..."

John smiled. "I'm still trying to figure out how she learned that language."

Frigid was still in shock.

[Snow_Angel_Kirei]

"Yeah...it scared me too!" Tai smiled.

Tikori shrugged. "Blame the media."

"Frigid...." Kyo poked her.