}{ ＥＸＯＴＲＯＰＩＡ }{

[CrimsonMoon]

She appears again and murmurs," Lord..?"

[Light]

Kibo blinks his eyes a few times and slowly turns to her, "Ah..." He reaches up and rubs his eyes; both still dry. "Yes...?"

[CrimsonMoon]

She lies on her stomach and holds out the Phoenix to him,"... Use it... Use it Kido,"

[Light]

He reaches out for it, hesitation more clear now. He was confused, and out of order... "I don't... Think... I can..."

[CrimsonMoon]

She blinks at him and murmurs,"... Ok... Not now then..?"

[Light]

"Not now." He agrees, looking away. "Keep it safe... Xena." He turns, walking down the hall quickly.

[CrimsonMoon]

She blinks and nods, pushing it back ito her pocket before looking up at the sky... Dark clouds were circling..

[Light]

Watashi nari ni "ai saretai" afureru no ni kimi ga mienai
"...Even though 'I want to be loved' in my own way, it fills me, but I can't see you

Nido to kimi ni aenai sonna ki ga surunda...
I just have the feeling that I'll never see you again...

Tsutaetai no ni umai kotoba miataranai
I want to tell you that, but I can't find the right words

Watashi tabun uso demo ii no ni "ikanai de" mo ienai yo
Maybe it's okay if I lie, but I can't even say 'Don't leave me'..."

The soft words echoed across the compounds, the still before the storm settling into the clan. The nobles had been herded up quickly and put into the center of the castle, the guards running this way and that, trying and failing to find the assassin.

[CrimsonMoon]

Xena hears the singing, following the voice as she walked along the roof tops

[Light]

Kitto was on a balcony, the air slowly beginning to spin up into a windy wave. Unlike her brother that didn't know how to react to their father dying, the girl had allowed herself to cry and lament her father's passing, even if they hadn't gotten along well at all.

Even if he hadn't loved them... he was still another human being.

Two large Komainu (lion-dog) were by her side, the large statues standing guard over her as she mourned. They looked so much like statues... but underneath there were gears turning, another work of art by the eastern people.

[CrimsonMoon]

Xena jumps down and stumbles a bit but rushes over to Kitto, embracing her

[Light]

She sobs softly and faces Xena, hugging her back. "I don't understand," she cries, "I don't understand why,"

[CrimsonMoon]

Xena hugs her tightly and stares at the fu dogs in silence before murmuring carefully," 'because its his time'," she murmurs, Repeating whay Kitto had said to her earlier

[Light]

"Mm." She softly agrees. "It... It was..." She closes her eyes, inhaling. Her nose was clogged up, and her cheeks red from crying. The dogs rumble a bit, but don't advance. Her guards, as sh had said earlier yesterday--knew not to attack her. "It's scary..."

[CrimsonMoon]

Xena dmiles faintly and murmurs," the worlds are scary places,"

[Light]

"The other... Foreigner said that too. He also said, that it was going to get dark, and cold." She reopens her eyes, blinking away the remainder of the moisture, "but we... Shouldn't give up, right?"

[CrimsonMoon]

" Never give up," she says softly.." No matter how hopeless it is.."

[Light]

"Yeah... I told him that too..." Kitto smiles softly, "He said he had to go back to the stars. He wanted me to watch over something of his for him, cause he said he couldn't take it with him." She takes a small step back and looks at the clouds.

[CrimsonMoon]

" What?" She asks gently

[Light]

"Something," she softly says, "Where's Kibō? Is he... Is he okay?"