44 Ambiance of Yearning

"I swear, Sam needs to keep you on a leash." Spoke a male voice, from behind Inchgo.

The sound of the voice instantly catches Inchgo's attention. She turns back growling. "Of all times...Really!?"

SJ stood there, his green cloak covering the top half of his body. His purple eyes focused on Inchgo. The wind blew a bit, barely showing what was under the coat. "How would you like it, if I hurt your friends?"

Inchgo sighs, "You already know my stance on people. Even Duffy. They only exist to serve me...I really don't have reasons to well...Show any compassion."

"This is about mom again. You're such a kid sometimes." He kept his expression sharp.

"Fuck you. You DON'T KNOW SHIT! You weren't even around then. So, don't you act like you know what you're talking about..." Inchgo folds her arms.

"Then what of him? Think about the things he's been through, and twice over from your game. Mom deserved her death, yet you act like such a brat. This guy had it worse, and yet you continue to do him wrong. Look at Witchhazel. You hurt her, and now he's hurting more. Does any of that even matter to you?" SJ spoke up. "Regardless, you hurt my friend. Don't expect me to play nice about that." He looked seriously to his sister.

"....The reason I did what I did to Issac, was because I thought I could relate..I have odd ways of trying to make friends...But I guess I went over board. It's not easy being stuck this way..." Inchgo turns her attention back to Issac. "I suppose I owe you an apology. My mom did a job with me, but I have my siblings who can sometimes knock sense back into me....I'm sorry for the problems I caused you." Inchgo says, shutting her eyes.

Issac was a bit taken off guard by this, but Witchhazel was still wounded. She seemed in bad shape. From behind Inchgo, SJ proceeds over to them, crouching down to extend a dream tear to Witchhazel. It glew a bit, as did the wounds before healing. She was still a bit tired however.

Issac looked to SJ, in surprise, but seemed happy."T-Thank you."

SJ closed his eyes standing up. "Yeah, no problem. I think it might be a good idea if I took you and Witchhazel back now, however. If that's alright with you, Inch." He glanced back to his sister.

Inchgo looks to SJ with a straight face. "Yeah..." She then looks back to Issac smiling, "Though I had twisted your brain a bit, I hope it helped you to get stronger...Granted, I'm not happy to see you go, at least not without me, you did find someone to fill that void....Be good to her Issac."

Issac sighed, uneasily. "(She still gives me the creeps...)"

SJ opened a portal. "Ready to go?"

Issac got to his feet, picking up Witchhazel, who was barely conscious. "Yeah." Issac nodded.

"I'll have to pay you back, Satoshi. I owe you one." Witchhazel smiled, sleepily.

"Don't worry about it." He said, letting the two exit the portal. It closed behind them, as SJ turned to Inchgo. "You alright, Inch?"

"Hm? Oh yeah...I guess I'll go back to the boring routine again. Maybe Duffy and the rest of her band, can cheer me up." She says, turning away from SJ.

Meanwhile, back at the festival. Issac appeared from the portal, carrying Witchhazel. It closed behind them, as they stood under the sakura trees. Pink petals were floating down around the two, as Issac looked to Witchhazel.

"So." Issac's face was close to Witchhazel's, with her hat hovering his head a bit. He smiled sheepishly. "You're not seeing that guy, right?"

"SJ? Oh no!" Witchhazel held her mouth, chuckling. "Hee hee, we're just good friends. He's actually the reason I was able to get inside the Dread zone's dimensional pocket like that, to help you. Besides, he likes men."

Issac sighed with relief, smiling. "Well, that's good to know." He was blushing slightly, as he still held her. "Are you alright? From that battle?"

"I believe the dream tear should have fully taken effect by now. So, you can set me down." Witchhazel smiled.

"Oh, right. I'm glad you're okay." Issac laughed nervously, as he set Witchhazel to her feet.

"Issac, I was really worried about you." Witchhazel was looking seriously to him.

"Hazel.... I'm sorry... I didn't want to put you through that..." Issac looked off.

Witchhazel placed her hand to the side of Issac's face, to encourage him to look to her. "All that pain you went through, and all that hardship... I've known about it for some time, and how much suffering you endure even now. I may have kept to the sidelines when Cynder kept you close, but I was still watching over you. I didn't know what to do."

"Watching over me?" Issac was confused, staring to her blue eyes.

"When we first met, I decided that I was going to look out for you. As a witch, I am able to dive into your memories, but beyond that, I understand you. You and I aren't so different Issac. When I was little, my older sisters would torment me, and even brought their friends into it. I was alone with few friends. I was always teased for being so clumsy, and not that talented of a witch. Things will get better, they always do. You just need to know where to look, but a little helping hand isn't so bad." Witchhazel explained.

Issac smiled to her, gently rubbing his knuckles along the side of her cheek, as he looked to her with adoring eyes. "You've always been here for me then... When Cynder stepped in I was terrified, but then I started to accept her into my life. Not too long after that, she betrayed my feelings... I was broken down, but you were there in a heart beat. I know deep down, it's always been you ... Ever since we met, I've been falling for you. I want to be with you so bad, that it hurts." He pulled her into a kiss.

Witchhazel didn't pull back, instead she returned the action, her arms behind his back.

Barret had now been wandering around to find Issac. He was needing to catch him up on the Zodiac situation. He stumbles across Issac and Witchhazel kissing. His eyes widen. "I-Issac!?"

The kiss breaks, as Issac turns to Barret. He raises his hand up with a grin. "Hey Chief!"

"Hey, uhh never expected to see this.." Barret says, placing a hand to his head, smiling awkwardly. "What happened to Cynder? Weren't you looking for her?" He inquires to Issac.

Issac approached Barret, with Witchhazel floating not far behind him. Issac pocketed his hands, shrugging a bit. "So about that." He reached a hand up to rub the back of his head. "When I was looking for her, I came across her and Dylan..."

Barret sighs to himself shaking his head. "I knew she was kind of a skank, but hey, how did you and Witchhazel-?"

"Really long story. Let's just say, she came to my rescue." Issac smiled.

"With no hidden fees." Witchhazel held her index finger to her cheek.

Barret crosses his arms, "Well alright, so where are Cynder and Dylan? It's important I get us all back together right now."

"When I caught them, they were talking about the same plan that Myde said that they were originally doing. They seemed to be working under her radar, or something. They didn't even care I saw the whole thing." Issac crossed his arms, shrugging a bit.

Barret grits his teeth, "Are you serious!? Dammit." He says, turning away from Issac and Witchhazel. "First Shockz?...Now this?"

"What about Shockz?" Issac seemed concerned.

Barret looks back in Issac's direction, "A Zodiac attacked us out of no where...Shockz was taken. To make it worse, it was one of our own that we thought was dead, who turned out to be the attacker. He killed Shockz using poison... Just hearing the fact that Cynder and Dylan were traitors still..." Barret holds a hand to his head. "This has been some trip....We can't return yet either. The directors were strict about their orders of us staying here for the week."

Issac sighed, with furrowed brows. He was genuinely bothered by this. "You're kidding... Dude... that's just... I doubt Katinka or Denki are taking this well."

"That's pretty on par with how dangerous your little adventurer in the Dread zone went." Witchhazel spoke up, looking to Issac

Issac shivered a bit, "Don't remind me..."

"Wait, what? Dread Zone? This story again really?" Barret says, quirking a brow.

"He thinks I made up that I met the Princess of the Dread some time back..." Issac shrugs with his hands up.

"Barret doesn't believe you?" Witchhazel looked to Barret. "Well, I'll have you know, that I risked life and limb to get Issac out of Inchgo's game. He could have died."

"Inchgo's game? Well, his mood does seem a little more open... I guess you can-"

A dark portal opens beside Issac and Witchhazel, then out steps Inchgo. She looks to Barret briefly. "Ohhh, who is this?"

Issac and Witchhazel glance back to her in confusion.

"Wait, are you who I think you are? (If that is her, I suppose that would explain why Issac is back in his usual attire.)" Barret says, his mouth dropping.

Inchgo laughs, "Yes, but you're not who I'm here for...Issac?" Inchgo says, looking to him.

Issac's hair stands on edge up his spine, as he kept close to Witchhazel. "Ehehe... Y-Yes?"

Inchgo smiles deviously, "Witchhazel seriously nabbed a good one, you're so cute, when scared this way. Anyways, dropping this off to you. It's an apology gift. " She hands Issac a purple gem. "This is a blood gem. You can attach it your power glove, it can form a crossbow." She laughs to herself slightly. "Any bit counts when dealing with the whack jobs out here. I hope it helps you when the time is right."

Issac looks to it, "How do you know what a power glove is, or have the technology for upgrading it?" Issac inquired, but glanced to Barret. "Didn't Asuna keep these under tight wraps?"

Barret looks to Inchgo seriously, "Yeah,this is weird... I never knew anything like that to exist before Asuna, or the Ferline for that matter."

Inchgo laughs, "Oh listen at you two, They're borrowing Dread technology. Leave it scientists to label themselves over things that existed for years. Makes me think of Kaos now...Urgh."

"How the heck would Asuna have gotten that?" Issac crossed his arms.

"Well, one or two things are going on here. Either this Asuna person is telling the truth, or she knows some people close in the ranks of Kaos." Inchgo says, crossing her arms.

"So, how would Kaos have this?" Barret asks to Inchgo.

"Because daddy works there. Of all places." Inchgo groans.

"Sounds to me like we should ask Asuna her side of the coin." Witchhazel looked between the boys.

"No kidding..." Issac grumbled.

Barret nods, "Yeah, with all the back stabbing going on, it would be good to weed out any others... (She was talking to Yuji about their overseers, thinking now.)" Barret thought to himself.

"Well, I'm glad I could help shed some light on history of things. I'm sure my brother would hate to know someone else was taking credit for his creations." Inchgo says proudly.

"I'm pretty sure he would. I thought maybe it was coincidence, but who knows." Witchhazel agreed.

Inchgo forms a portal, walking to it, she then stops turning back to Witchhazel, "Oh yes, when you get some time. I need to speak to you about some important matters. Don't worry, it shouldn't take up too much time."

"Important matters?" Issac inquired, uneasily.

"I may have to charge you." Witchhazel smiled.

Inchgo giggles, "Not a problem, I own a kingdom, money is never a problem. Though, what we talk about has more value than that..." She states looking to Issac.

"Oh, he's not for sale." Witchhazel chuckled.

"Oh ho, no! Not in his current state silly." Inchgo says, waving her hand playfully.

Barret rubs the back of his head in confusion listening to them. "(What are they talking about?)"

"... I don't like this...." Issac shivered.

"We'll discuss whatever it is when it comes to that. However, depending on what this entails, I may decline. However, I will hear you out." Witchhazel smiled.

".....(I am really not liking this.)....." Issac crossed his arms.

"Alright, hope to speak with you soon, perhaps not close to any dire situations." Inchgo smiles, waving off to them all, stepping through the portal.

"(Man...That was the Princess of Dread...She seemed as menacing as the stories stated. I'm glad she's on our side...I think?)" Barret thought to himself.

"Glad that's over with." Issac sighed with relief. Witchhazel floated by Issac's shoulder.

Barret sighs, "Well, while that little visit was interesting, we still have business. Issac? You and Witchhazel come back with me, we'll find Asuna and the others. After we regroup then we can ask questions. I just don't know how much time we really can spend here, but we'll figure something out."

"Roger Chief." Issac nodded.

"I can offer my mind reading services free of charge, since you're Issac's best friend." Witchhazel smiled.

"Hey, he doesn't need to know that!" Issac gawked.

Barret smiles, "Best thing I've heard all day, well, beside your get together there."

"Let's get going then." Issac went off ahead of them. Witchhazel floated afterwards.

"It's really good to see him in such good spirits. I guess he found that person worth living for." Barret says, walking after them.

The three of them made their way through the festival, to find the others. They were walking together now, and Barret spotted Myde's tail hanging from a bench.

Barret looks to Myde's to tail. "Oh? That's Myde's tail." He says walking ahead of them.

"Oh, of course you would know." Issac had his arms behind his head.

Barret laughs uneasily, "(He has no idea.)"

Barret comes up first, spotting Myde passed out on the bench. She was laying there, her head and palms resting on Cravic's lap. Cravic glanced over hesitantly. "....."

"Oh....Uh here you two are..." Barret says forcing a smile. "(So, she does like Cravic... It's fine.)"

Issac gawks a bit, "(Barret's not freaking out about this?... What's up with him?)"

Cravic looked off, "What do you want, Barret." He scoffed.

Barret's face turns serious, "There was a Zodiac attack, we lost Shockz, and I'm just gathering everyone together. The threats been taken care of, but we all need to regroup."

"...I figured that's what Drone was after." Cravic muttered.

"So, you met him too." Barret nodded.

"(Are those two dating now?)" Issac got curious.

"Yeah, we should wake Myde up though." Barret suggested.

"You don't want to do that." Cravic's eye loomed over to Barret.

"Well, uh... (How does he know so much of her? Has this been going on for some time?) Uh, I guess one of us are going to have to carry her." Barret states to the group.

"Don't get any ideas." Cravic scoffed, as he got up, carefully picking up Myde. He had her rest her head to his shoulder. Myde was looking very cute as she slept. Cravic looked off uneasily, to hide his face from the others.

Barret nods, "Alright, let's get going..." He says walking ahead of them.

Meanwhile, back at Alien Ministry Headquarters.

Medatros sat with Xiao, drinking some wine from a glass. He sets it on the table and motions his hand ahead to his chin. "Well, with all the paper work out of the way. I think we can finally have some time to ourselves. I've also noticed how quiet things have been. It's really nice." Medatros says, sitting back in his chair.

"But of course, with mostly everyone on vacation." Xiao replied, taking a drink of her wine.

Medatros laughs to her statement, also taking another swig of his wine. "Yes, which has me thinking. We should get more acquainted, in more suitable quarters."

Xiao smiled sitting down her glass, "Why Medatros, you dirty old man." she teased.

"Ha ha ha. Well, what do you say? Shall we go?" Medatros inquired, setting his glass to the side.

"Oh, are you going to ravish me?" Xiao leaned closer to him.

"Perhaps even more than that.." Medatros states, looking to her with seductive eyes.

"I like how you talk dirty." Xiao chuckled.

Medatros stands up, walking over to her. He places a hand on her shoulder, and leans to her ear. "Then you'll really like this." He whispers, picking Xiao up from her seat.

"Oh ho." She giggled.

Medatros pecks Xiao on the head, carrying her off to the bedroom, not far from the office. When he enters the room, he lays Xiao on her bed, and smiles to her. "I suppose now would be the time we get ourselves prepared."

"Hush now, Love." Xiao took his hand, pulling him on top of her, kissing him.

The two of them exchange kisses, with heavy breathing as they begin to shed some of their clothes, as the swapping of saliva continues. The scene transitions to the two of them laying side by side under the covers, with their clothes on the floor of the room, and partially on their bed sheet. They both seemed out of breath, and in good spirits.

Medatros turns looking to Xiao catching his breath. "You are an amazing woman."

Xiao shifts, laying her chest on top of his, to kiss his nose. She stares to him, as she played a bit with his messed up hair. "You can share my bed anytime you please, my sweet man."

"Oh I intend to." Medatros says, rubbing his hand on her head.

Xiao laid there on top of him, looking to him adoringly.

"I'm really happy we made that choice to send them off. I'd hate to have your son spying on us." Medatros joked, adding in a laugh.

"You worry too much." Xiao laughed, but her laugh shifted into a cough. It was fairly bad, causing her to cover her mouth, with a painful expression.

Medatros looks to her seriously, "Xiao?" He says rubbing her back.

She leaned off of him, her cough worsening. Some blood was leaking from between her fingers.

Medatros's eyes widen, as he scrambles quickly, to ease Xiao from the bed. "Xiao!"

She was on her knees, but she fell onto her side, coughing still. She shakily held her hand, open before her eyes to see the blood coating it. She had trails dripping from her lips, and a bit from her nose as well. The coughing wasn't degressing either.

Medatros grits his teeth as he moves over to Xiao, pulling her close to him. "Dammit...." He was shaking, knowing there was little he could do.

Xiao looks to him, between the harsh coughing of her consumption. She weakly spoke to him, "Take care... of my son.. and... the others..." She managed to get out, before she coughed up some more blood. She was growing weak.

Medatros grabs to Xiao's hand. "I..." He shuddered.

She held to his, as well as she could. ".. I... Love you... Medatros." She festered up shakily, but her grip was loosening, as her eyes grew heavy.

"I...I love you too...I promise. I promise I'll do all in my power, to protect him as well as the others...." Medatros states, as he begins to tear up.

Xiao smiled to him, "I... was... happy..." Her grip fell limp, as he eyes closed.

Medatros's eyes widen. "Xiao?...Xiao!? XIIIIIIIAOOO!!!!!!!" He says falling over her, clutching her body tightly in his grasps. Tears were streaming down his face. "Things were getting better, we... We had so much to live for! It just can't end this way..."

He starts to think about Xiao's condition, shaking around. "T-This is my fault...I knew well, that it was Elementar exposure that caused this, but....No, NO! It was just..." Medatros held his head back down, crying loudly.

After a bit, Medatros had called some workers to aid him with Xiao. The workers had prepared her body, and Medatros walks in with Xiao's glasses. He places them on her, and leans over kissing her on the head, one final time. He sighs to himself, and turns to the others. "Give her a good burial..." Medatros states, turning from them.

"Sir Medatros? You're not coming sir?" One of the workers inquired.

Medatros shuts his eyes. "I have already said my goodbyes...I just can't handle it...Seeing her that way...She did say, she was happy...."

The soldier nods, "I see...We'll see to it that she is buried peacefully."

Medatros agrees, as the workers take Xiao's body from the preparation room. He then gets a call on his communicator. Medatros answers, "Yes?"

"Sir Medatros? The Dream Tears should be arriving to your station soon. We're sorry for the delay, the war has kept things behind schedule." The voice spoke.

Medatros drops the communicator to the floor, accidentally. He then to falls to his knees the look of shock on his face. "Ha ha..Ha ha ha ha ha!" He starts to laugh uncontrollably, but soon it turns to tears.

The voice over the phone was speaking again, "Hello? Sir Medatros? Are you there? Hello?"