Stir of Shadows
by Queen of Sarab
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Chapter Nine

Rowen and Ryo stood in the middle of the front yard in subarmor, not wanting to have to be confined in the house when Kurai came– and they knew she would come.

The clock striked midnight.

Kurai's amulet began to glow softly in Rowen's sub-armored hand. "Kurai," he called. "I know you're there– I offer you your amulet back for our friends' safe return." Even as he said it, Rowen knew she would not accept– but he also knew he had to try.

There was no answer for several moments, and then, suddenly, Kurai's voice sounded behind them. "I cannot accept your offer, ronin. And soon I'll have my amulet back and won't need to."

Ryo spun around quickly to face her, but Rowen turned slowly and carefully with a deep breath. "You cannot take it from it by force, Kurai."

"I wasn't planning on it, Strata," Eyes mocking, Kurai tilted her head. "I have a proposal for you."

"We're listening."

"Your friends are under our power," the dark girl began. "As you well know. I will give you a chance to get them back– but if you fail, you are ours. All of you. Including the girl and the little boy."

"What do we have to do?" Ryo asked immediately.

"You have to survive an...obstacle course, of sorts, of your friends' making– an obstacle course of their nightmares. They are alreay inside their own nightmare– you just have to find them and find the way out."

"No tricks?"

Kurai's opened her mouth in mock suprise. "What do you take me for?" She grinned wolfishly. "If you accept my challenge, go back inside and go to sleep."

And she was gone.

"Go to sleep?" Ryo mused.

Rowen stared at the spot his enemy had stood a moment before as though it would give him answers. "I don't think we have much of a choice. We have to help the others."

"You're right," Ryo nodded. "Let's get back inside."

Rowen stared at the ceiling of the living room, where they had decided was the most reasonable place ot sleep in this situation.

...Havetosleephavetosleephavetosleep....

Slowly, the blue-haired archer of life drifted off into a deep and almost unnatural sleep at the exact same time Ryo fell into an almost trancelike state on the other couch.

Author's note- Heeheeheehee, hahahahaha! Oh, right.... sorry 'bout that... I, uh, forgot to take my medication....I'm just kidding! Really...Um, anyway, e-mail me! [email protected]