Chapter 1 

Raven crept down the alleyways keeping away from the shadowed areas. She walked along the bricked wall until she came across what looked to be a doorway painted on the brick. Resting her hand over the handle, the paint shifted outward into a metal knob. She turned the knob and the brick shifted to the side to reveal a fairly crowded tavern.  The room itself was around the size of a small gas station with ten tables, making it look smaller.  Several different races sat at the tables; some were human, while others were clearly not.  One male patron stood around seven feet tall with a torso as thick as Raven's arm was long.  He had a face that was scrunched up, making him look more like a bull dog than a human.  Most of his drink spilled over his massive overbite as he chugged it down. 

 Eyes turned to Raven as she walked toward the bar.  Some patrons leaned forward and whispered to their company.  

A young woman walked up to Raven.  She had short sandy brown hair with black highlights under a beanie hat.  "Welcome to the Lost and Found. How can I be of assistance?" the woman asked, her voice had a slight Australian accent. 

"What did you do to your pretty face, Meika?" Raven asked. Meika stepped forward, and embraced Raven in a hug. 

"Raven," Meika greeted. "Blimey! What the hell brings you down here after all these years?" Raven cast a quick glance at the customers who were looking on with a little too much curiosity, before leaning forward. 

"I have a family issue to discuss," Raven whispered. Meika's eyes widened a little but forced herself not to exclaim, understanding Raven's caution. 

"One minute," Meika said, then turning to the customers bellowed in a voice that held a mixture of fear and respect, "Sorry ladies and gentlemen, but I'm closing the bar a little early tonight. First drinks are on the house tomorrow."  

There were some angry grumbles, but knowing who they were dealing with quickly thought better of it and slowly filed out of the room.  Some went upstairs to the guest rooms while others stumbled out into the street. Once the last customer left, Meika stepped behind the bar, and waved her hand in front of an arcane rune behind a wine rack. The bar slowly shifted as it transformed into an ancient desk with arcane runes carved into the sides, and the racks turned into shelves that held various ingredients. 

"You like it?" Meika asked. "The enchantment helps keep witch hunting eyes out of my business." 

"I would feel better if I was talking to the Meika I knew," Raven replied.   

Meika sighed as she began to shape-shift into a cat folk hybrid. She shrunk and now stood only four and a half feet tall. She then pulled off her beanie to reveal cat ears sprouting from her head.  

"That's better," Raven said. "Why do you hide your beauty?" 

"Don't flatter me, Raven," Meika sighed as she sat down at a table. "You know as well as I, the kind of chaos the humans would cause if they were to see what I looked like. In the Undercity yes, a cat folk is a common sight, but not here. 

"Anyway," Meika added after a pause. "That isn't the issue here is it." 

"No," Raven replied. "My father has returned.  I was forced to resort to magic and lost control. I woke up in the hospital about a day ago, and I've been on the run since this morning. I couldn't think of anyone else to turn to but you." 

"I'm flattered that you would think of me after all this time," Meika replied. "So no one knows you're here." Raven sighed and sat down opposite Meika and avoided Meika's gaze. 

"No," Raven replied, her voice had a hint of regret, "not even my friends. They don't even know about me and my father, or that I can use magic."  Meika's ears twitched a little at the mention of friends.  Raven then hunched over the table burying her face in her arms. 

"Why didn't I tell them?" Raven murmured, more to herself. "They could've helped me." Meika shifted in her chair uncomfortably in her chair as Raven continued talking about her friends, then she reached forward and put a hand on Raven's shoulder. 

"Whatever your reason was, it can't be helped now," Meika said. "Right know we need to be focusing on the present and what we're going to do about your father." Raven lifted her head and looked into Meika's green eyes. 

"You can use my spare room for now," Meika continued, "but even I can't keep you hidden from your father for long. We both know that he has many ways other than magic to find you." 

"Yes," Raven replied. "Which is probably one reason why I didn't tell my friends where I was going." 

"You don't trust you friends?" Meika asked. 

"N-No, that's not what I meant," Raven replied. "I trust them both with my life. Scarlet is probably one of my most trusted friends." Meika closed her eyes with a sigh. 

"I'm sorry, other than you of course," Raven added hastily. 

"It's all right," Meika murmured, more to herself. "Friends are hard to come across, trustworthy ones, much less so."  Raven could sense Meika's uneasiness. 

"Thank you for letting me stay here," Raven said trying to change the subject.   

"No problem," Meika replied, standing up. "You're my friend."  Meika then put her beanie back on her head as she slowly shifted back into her human form. 

"Meika," Raven started. "While I'm here, could you teach me how to mind-link?" 

"Mind-linking," Meika repeated, turning back to Raven, "is very advanced telepathy."  

"Please, Meika," Raven asked. "Can you teach me?"   

"I can," Meika replied sitting down again. "You need to know the person you're trying to mind-link with." 

"I do," Raven replied, then after a pause added. "She's my friend." 

"Scarlet?" Meika asked. 

"Yes," Raven replied. "I'm sorry, Meika, but I believe my friends could help me if they just knew where I was." 

"That could endanger your friends if your father ever found out," Meika warned. "He could use their friendship against you." 

"I know," Raven replied with a sigh. "I just feel like I've betrayed them by leaving without telling them why or where I was going. I owe them an explanation at least." 

"They're very dear to you aren't they?" Meika asked. "Your friends." 

"Yes," Raven replied. "They're like the family I never had." 

Meika lowered her gaze looking down at her hands on the table. Weren't we family once, she thought to herself.  She's still your family, Meika silently told her subconscious, and families help each other no matter what. 

"Alright, Raven," Meika said, finally breaking the silence. "I will teach you how to mind-link." 

 

2: Chapter 2

~~Chapter 2 

Across town a silent shadow stood at the foot of Lady Necro's tower gazing up at the imposing structure; a second shadow stood to his right. The light of a car's headlight lit up the face of Mr. Solan and the face of an unnaturally attractive woman. She looked human save for her eerie green eyes that seemed to burn with an emerald flame. The woman wore a black trench coat over bulletproof battle armor and gray camo pants. They walked across the street and into the building. A young woman sat behind a desk as Mr. Solan approached. 

"How can I help you?" the receptionist asked looking up from her work.  "O-Oh I'm sorry I didn't realize it was you." 

"It's all right," Mr. Solan replied in a calm tone. "I'm here to speak with the mistress of the tower." 

"O-Of course sir," the young woman replied. "She should be in her chambers. I-I can call her if you'd like." 

"No need," Mr. Solan replied, then his voice seemed to grow dangerously low. "She's expecting me." 

"Y-Yes sir, go right a head," the young woman replied motioning them to the stairway. 

"She was a cute one," complemented the woman who walked beside Mr. Solan. "She must have been what in her early twenties." 

"Yes," Mr. Solan replied, "around Raven's age." 

"I wonder who her mother and father are and if she has any siblings," the woman replied, "or if she is an orphan." 

"Eyes on the horizon, Dwilma," Mr. Solan replied. "Must you inspect every mortal you see?" 

"I'm sorry, master, I can’t help it," Dwilma replied. "I like to know my victims... before they're dragged screaming into hell. It makes the experience more enjoyable." 

"I guess the Seven call you the Angel of Calamity for a reason," Mr. Solan replied as he approached the ebony door. He reached out and knocked on the wooden surface. 

"Enter," came Lady Necro's voice from behind the door and the door began to swing open. 

"So this is where you've been hiding," Mr. Solan said as he stepped inside with Dwilma following. Lady Necro sat in a chair behind a large desk that stretched across the chamber. Rom stood rigid staring into space beside her wearing a black and white tuxedo looking like a butler.  Rom's massive ten foot frame made Lady Necro look even more frail, for just one of his arms was as wide as she was. 

"Mr. Solan," Lady Necro rasped. "I suppose your visit would have come eventually. I expected you a great deal sooner however." 

"I have been busy adjusting," Mr. Solan replied. "That reminds me, how was your slumber, Ophelia?" 

"I didn't realize we were on a first name basis," Lady Necro replied, then lowering her voice added, "Asmodeus."  

"Why are you here?" Lady Necro asked. "It's not to kill me." 

"You would be dead already if that was the case," Mr. Solan replied. "No, I came here to offer an alliance." 

"Why would you, The Duke of Hell, ask me for help?" Lady Necro asked. 

"It seems my daughter has escaped me," Mr. Solan admitted. 

"Raven?" Lady Necro questioned. then under her breath added. "That was why she's so powerful. So she ran away." 

"Yes," Mr. Solan replied. "She has a habit of running." 

"Well can you blame her," Lady Necro asked, "knowing who you are I would have done the same." 

Then Mr. Solan's voice turned dangerously dark as he continued, "but she needs to learn that she is mine!" 

"So what do you need me for?" Lady Necro asked. 

"Your resources," Mr. Solan replied, as he took a step toward Lady Necro. "There is little that goes on in this town that you don't know about. Am I correct?" 

"What if I refuse," Lady Necro asked, closing her eyes. "It's not like I owe you anything. It's actually you that owes me; for enabling your release."  Dwilma suddenly appeared behind Lady Necro and she wrapped her arm around her throat, tight enough to cause pressure but not enough to pass out from.  Lady Necro instinctually gripped Dwilma's arm trying to pry her arm away. 

"You watch your tongue, Ophelia," Dwilma hissed into Lady Necro's ear. A hand suddenly landed on Dwilma's shoulder turning her to see the chest of Rom. 

"R-Release... m-my... m-master," Rom slurred out in barely distinguishable words. 

"Call him off, Ophelia," Dwilma hissed, "or I'll twist your head off." 

"Now, now, Dwilma," Mr. Solan called. "That's enough."  Dwilma turned to Mr. Solan, seeing him cross the room, and she released Lady Necro who collapsed to the desk clutching her throat. 

"I hope you do realize the situation you are in, Lady Necro," Mr. Solan said as he reached the table. He gripped her chin and forced her head up to look him in the eye. 

"I'm not asking for your cooperation," Mr. Solan said, his voice became dark and menacing. "I'm demanding it." Lady Necro wrenched herself from his grasp. 

"So I have no choice then," Lady Necro rasped.  "Fine!  

"Good, I'm glad we've come to an understanding," Mr. Solan replied, sounding like his usual self again. 

"For the moment," Lady Necro hissed under her breath. "Perhaps Raven may be of use to my own interests as well." 

 

3: Chapter 3

~~Chapter 3 

Jena stood in the elevator on her way down from visiting Scarlet.  It had been two days since Scarlet was hospitalized, and the doctors had said that in Scarlet's current condition she should be able to check out in the morning.  Jena was delivering a text message on her cell-phone to James, who hadn't come in. 

"Where are you?" Jena typed into her phone. "I'm worried." She then placed the cell-phone in her pocket and swished her pink hair-dyed bangs out of her face. The elevator opened to reveal Christian who smiled with a small nod. 

"Good morning, Jena," Christian greeted.  Then noticing James wasn't there added, "Where's James?" 

"I don't know," Jena sighed, stepping out of the elevator. "He didn't show up at the diner to pick me up like he usually does."    

"Maybe he forgot," Christian suggested as he and Jena started walking down the hall. 

"James never forgets," Jena replied with a sigh. "I don't think he's ever forgotten anything."  She let out another sigh then turned to Christian. "I'm sorry, I'm just a little worried.  It's not like him." 

"I understand," Christian replied. "We could go check on him. I'll give you a lift." 

"Thank you, Christian," Jena replied as they entered the lobby. Christian led the way to his car and opened the door for Jena and then jogged over to the driver side and ducked in. 

 

************************************************************ 

Christian and Jena pulled up to the apartment building and noticed a police vehicle sitting in front.  They both stepped out of the car and walked up to Raven's apartment and knocked on the door. The door opened revealing a female police officer. 

"Good afternoon," the officer greeted. "Who are you?" 

"Good afternoon, officer," Christian greeted.  "My name is Christian Bronze and this is Jena Marie.  We are friends of Raven's." 

"Good afternoon, sir," the officer greeted as she stepped aside.  Jena stepped inside seeing Ms. Foten sitting on the couch while another police officer stood in front of her asking her questions. 

"Thank you for your cooperation, Ms. Foten," the officer said, putting his notepad away. "If you hear anything about Raven's whereabouts please contact us."      

"O-Of course," Ms. Foten replied, her voice cracked as if she had been crying. 

"Come on, Susan," the officer called as he walked over to the entrance.  "Ma'am," he added, with a polite tip of his hat to Ms. Foten before exiting, followed shortly by his partner.   

Jena brightened as James came out of the kitchen carrying a glass of water for Ms. Foten. He nodded to Jena and then sat down next to Ms. Foten on the couch and offered her the glass. But the older woman collapsed into James' arms and cried, causing James to clumsily place the glass on the coffee table .  

"Hey," James said comfortingly, "it's all right, Ms. Foten." 

"But it isn't," Ms. Foten replied in between sobs. "Why...would Raven run...away all of a sudden. Something...must have happened to her."  

"Don't worry, Ms. Foten," James said. "Mr. Solan has the police looking everywhere for her."  "Here," James added handing Ms. Foten the glass again, "please drink this."  

"I don't trust this Mr. Solan," Ms. Foten replied, taking the glass from James. "He practically came out of nowhere, and Raven never mentioned him before." She then sipped the water as she calmed down. 

"We'll find Raven, Ms. Foten," James promised reassuringly, as he took the empty glass from the distraught woman. 

"Y-Yes, but what if Raven doesn't want to be found," Ms. Foten replied. 

"Because that's not Raven," James said.  "Now, Ms. Foten, you're tired. It's getting late and this stress isn't helping. You should go get some rest." 

Ms. Foten gave a long sigh then said, "You're right, James, but please call me if you hear anything." 

"Of course," James replied, as he helped Ms. Foten to the door. He was gone for a moment as he walked Ms. Foten to her residence then he returned. Jena instantly ran into James' arms. 

"James," Jena exclaimed, unable to hide her anxiety any longer. "Where were you this morning? You didn't show up at the diner or the hospital. I sent you hundreds of texts. I was worried!" 

"I'm sorry, Jena," James replied as he returned the hug. "I guess my phone's battery went dead. I came here because, well, this is where we all were before all of this started. When I got here, the police were here. They were asking questions and Ms. Foten was completely distraught." 

"B-But you didn't call or anything," Jena whimpered. "It wasn't like you, James."  

James sighed as he broke their embrace. He removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. 

"I'm sorry, Jena, I've been up all night." James snapped with fatigued frustration. He flopped down on the couch and sighed, "I'm sorry, Jena. I'm tired." 

"You've been looking for Raven, haven't you?" Christian asked, stepping forward. 

"Yes," James replied with a sigh. "I just can't help but feel a little guilty about what's happened to her." 

"But why?" Jena asked. "You didn't do anything." 

"Exactly," James replied. "I never did anything for Raven. The day she was hospitalized both Scarlet and I knew something was troubling her, and you know what I did?  I mocked her behind her back. What kind of friend does that? M-Maybe if I'd talked with her...then maybe...I could have... prevented this," James murmured as his voice cracked, and he suddenly broke into tears, covering his face with his hand. 

Jena moved to the couch and sat beside him. 

After composing himself, he continued, "Raven is one of our pack, Scarlet, Raven, and me.  I should have done something.  First, it was Raven, and now Scarlet's in the hospital.  The only two people that were like me."  Jena put her arm around him and hugged him. 

"What do you mean, about you, Scarlet, and Raven being like you?" Jena asked. 

"We were alone." James explained."We had no one to depend upon but each other; alone in our own pack, away from the rest of the world--Lone Wolves, if you will. Has a rather catchy ring to it, doesn't it?" James added with a slight chuckle.  "Sounds like something out of some crazy anime." 

"You said that you were alone," Jena asked, after a pause. "What did you mean by that?" 

James let out a sigh, "I was orphaned at the age of three after my parents committed suicide." Jena put a hand to her mouth. 

"I'm so sorry, James," Jena whispered. She pulled him close and held him against her. 

"You're not alone anymore, James," Jena whispered reassuringly. "I'm here for you, and Christian's here for you too."  

"Thanks, Jena," James whispered, as he buried his head into Jena's shoulder. He began to silently sob again. 

"Scarlet will be out of the hospital soon, and we'll find Raven," Jena said softly. "Everything will be okay." 

Christian, feeling the sorrow in the two teenagers, cleared his throat to cut the tension. 

"So what have you found out so far in your search for Raven?" he asked.  

James sat up, placed his glasses back on and pulled out his laptop. 

"Ok, we know that the nurse at the hospital reported Raven's absence at a quarter 'til five yesterday," James began. "I, however, have discovered through surveillance footage and DNA samples that she had, in fact, been missing since 9:15 that morning." 

"What?" Jena exclaimed. "How did the staff not notice someone missing for almost eight hours?" 

"That's what I wondered," James replied.  "Especially when I saw this," James said as he pulled up a video of Raven walking out the front door. 

"She walked right by the information desk," Jena exclaimed. "Quite literally, right under their noses." 

"This might explain why," James replied. "This isn't the original footage. I worked on this video, using thermal and sound scanners. Raven doesn't show up on the original video." 

"What?" Jena exclaimed. Are you saying Raven was..." 

"Invisible," Christian interrupted. 

"I'm not saying I believe it," James replied. "But that's the only possible reason I have at the moment. Because being invisible wouldn't displace your position, heat and sound waves would still resonate at the same frequency." 

"But that would mean she just walked out," Jena asked. "Why would Raven just get up and leave without telling anyone?" 

"That same question has been lingering on my mind," James replied. "I mean Raven was always rather secretive when it came to herself, especially her past. But I find it difficult to believe she would just leave without telling me or Scarlet." 

"Have you told anyone about this discovery?" Jena asked. 

James shook his head. "No, because I fear they would tell Mr. Solan," James replied. 

"But you reassured Ms. Foten," Jena exclaimed. 

"I did that to comfort her," James replied. "Truth is, I don't trust Mr. Solan." 

"But why?" Jena asked. "He's her father." 

"I don't know why," James replied. "I feel like telling Mr. Solan would be like betraying Raven. Even if he is her father, I just have a nagging suspicion that he isn't who or what he says he is." 

"You have a good eye and a good heart, James, " Christian said quietly. "Trust your intuition."  

 James and Jena turned to look at Christian. 

"What do you mean?" Jena asked. 

"You are right not to trust Mr. Solan," Christian replied. "For underneath that calm stature lies a dark, cruel horror that you can't possibly imagine."

 

4: Chapter 4

Chapter 4  

Raven lay asleep in the bed that Meika had provided her. Her eyebrows were furrowed as she dreamed.  

Ten-year-old Raven backed up in an old alley as a gang of thugs closed in on her. Raven trembled as she felt her back against the brick wall of the alley.  

"So this is that little punk who's been stealing our food," one of the thugs said, brandishing a club. "What do you think we should do with this little scamp?"  

"Let's show her how it feels to get robbed," a second thug replied.  

"P-Please don't," Raven begged, "I-I'm sorry."  

"You're sorry," the first thug repeated. "You hear that lads, she's sorry. Ain't that cute. Well, sorry to bring it to ya, kid, but being sorry and looking sweet ain't gonna get you out of this."    

"Stay back," Raven shouted suddenly. "I have magic!"  

The group of thugs appeared shocked by this sudden outburst and stopped in their tracks. One by one they started to laugh.  

"Magic, really!" the first thug laughed. "You're cute, kid, I'll give you that. But there's no such thing as magic." And with that, he started forward again. The others followed, brandishing their weapons.   

"Manipulation!" Raven shouted. The first thug bellowed in pain as his club suddenly exploded in his hand. The second thug backed away, trying to drop his metal pipe that had started to wreath around his hand like a snake.    

"Damn this kid!" another thug shouted, as he charged toward Raven. She managed to duck under his wide punch.  

"Lapis pugno!" Raven shouted, as she punched this third thug in the side. He bellowed in pain as he felt and heard three of his ribs crack from the punch. He backed away, clutching his wounded side. He then noticed that Raven's hand had turned into stone. She came forward swinging a punch toward the thug's head. He screamed in terror, closing his eyes as he moved to avoid Raven's punch. Slowly, he opened his eyes to see that she had pulled her punch and held her stoned fist right in front of his nose. He backed away from Raven.  

"I don't kill people," Raven said. "If I don't have to."    

"You little brat!" shouted the first thug, who had suddenly appeared in front of Raven. She was caught off guard as the thug landed a heavy fist to her face, knocking her to the ground. Raven put a hand to her wounded cheek. Then new pain shot through her as the thug kicked her in her abdomen, sending her skidding into the brick wall of the alley, as she coiled up on the ground, clutching her abdomen.  

"Ooh, oww," Raven whimpered. The first thug moved toward her again.  

"Danny, that's enough!" shouted one of the other thugs, as he rushed up and grabbed him from behind. "She's just a girl." Danny turned striking the thug backward.  

"Don't ever tell me what to do!" Danny growled.  

He then turned back to Raven who remained huddled against the wall.  

Suddenly, the brick wall beside Raven shifted aside, causing the thugs to back up.  

"What are you guys doing out here?" shouted what Raven would come to recognize as a familiar Australian accented voice. "I thought I told you to get off my property!"  

Footsteps rushed over to Raven. "Oh, no," the voice exclaimed. She was rolled over and found herself staring into the face of the woman she would come to know as Meika leaning over her.  

"Who did this?" Meika demanded, turning to the thugs.  

"I did," Danny said boldly. "What are you going to do about it?"   

Meika slowly stood up from Raven and faced Danny as fear suddenly formed in his eyes.  

"Uh," Danny stuttered. "L-let's get out of here, guys." As he turned to run, a hand gripped him from behind.  He was spun around to face Meika.  

"W-What are you going to do?" Danny whimpered.  

"This," Meika said. She jabbed her forefinger and middle-finger into Danny's forehead, "mens effusio."  Danny's eyes rolled into the back of his head as Meika lowered him to the ground.  

"Your memories are mine now," Meika said, standing up. "You won't remember a thing when you wake up."    

Meika walked over to Raven, who started to push herself away from Meika.  

"Shh," Meika said soothingly as she crouched in front of Raven. "It's alright my name is Meika Talmari."        

      

Raven shook herself awake. That dream again, she thought to herself. It had been the second time since her father had returned that she'd had the dream.  Meika had saved her back then.  Suddenly there was a knock came at the door.  

"It's Meika," came the reassuring voice. "Are you up?"  

"I am," Raven answered.  The door opened and Meika walked in with a serious look on her face.   

"What's wrong?" Raven asked.  Meika walked over to Raven's bed then placed a picture of her on the covers.  

"You're wanted," Meika replied. "A man was handing these out in the bar this morning."  

Raven looked at the edict. Fifteen-thousand dollars, for the live capture of Raven Talmari Solan, she read with a sinking feeling in her stomach.  

"There's more'n a few who'd sell their own mother for less," Meika said.  "We've got to get you out of here," Meika added. "You aren't safe here anymore."  

 Raven sighed as she removed her covers and sat on the end of her bed.  

"I'm not done with my training. I still need help with mind-melding," Raven said.  

"You'll be fine. Just use what I've taught you to reach me, and I'll help you the rest of the way," Meika replied. "Keeping you hidden is my top priority right now, or all this sneaking around behind your father's back will be for nothing."  

"Where would we go?" Raven asked standing up. "We don't know where the genie went who helped me last time."  

"I know you're not going to like this but, we could call Ryu," Meika said, cautiously.  

"Ryu," Raven repeated. "He's too unpredictable.  I wouldn't trust him with a penny on the table."  

"That's a little harsh, Raven," Meika replied. "Ryu may be a prankster, but he is a powerful magician.  Far more powerful than myself, I might add."    

"Oh Meika, you flatter me so," came a voice from behind Raven.  Both Meika and Raven turned to see a short man sitting cross-legged on the bed with his head propped in his hand and a dreamy look on his face.  He had short brown hair, a modest goatee, and eerie black eyes.  His bright purple and gold plaid shirt was open, revealing his untoned abs.  His baggy harem-style pants with purple sequins, purple stocking cap adorned with a golden crown on the end completed his outlandish attire, giving him a ridiculous look.       

"Ryu!" Raven exclaimed, backing away from the bed. "How did you get in here?"  

"Oh, through the door," Ryu replied motioning to the door, causing both Meika and Raven to turn to the doorway.  "Don't worry, I closed it behind me," Ryu reassured. "I may be a prankster, but I'm not an idiot."  

"How long have you been sitting there?" Raven asked suspiciously, turning back to Ryu, who still sat in his cross-legged position.  

"Oh, the entire time," Ryu replied, with a playful grin. "You two were just so busy talking I decided sit here wait for you to finish.  So...your father's returned," Ryu added, he let out a sigh and sat back against the bed. Suddenly, he disappeared from where he was sitting.  

"It's a shame," Ryu added, as he reappeared in between Raven and Meika clasping his arms over their shoulders in a hug.  "Here I thought we were all going to have a family reunion."  

"This is no laughing matter, Ryu," Raven said, shrugging Ryu's arm from her shoulder and backed away from him.  

"I wasn't laughing," Ryu replied, releasing Meika from his embrace.  "This is laughing," Ryu added as he broke into a hearty laugh.  

"Ryu," Raven grumbled under her breath, as she moved toward Ryu. "Keep it down please."  

"Raven's right," Meika said, with a sigh she added. "You know perfectly well of the situation we are in right now."  

"Yeah, sorry," Ryu gasped, clasping his hands over his mouth, as he fought to control his laughter.  Suddenly there came a knock at the door, causing everyone to jump and turn to the door.  

"Meika!" exclaimed an agitated voice from behind the door.  "Meika, there's trouble out here."  Meika sighed as she walked to the door.  

"Stay hidden," Meika whispered to Raven as she passed her.  Raven stared at Meika as she opened the door and quickly closed it behind her.  Raven turned back around to Ryu who was sitting on the bed again, propping his head up with a hand on his cheek.  

"What?" Raven asked.  

"It's really nice to see you again, Raven," Ryu replied with a smile. "It's been a long time."  Raven sighed and couldn't help but return the smile.  

"Almost eight years," Raven murmured more to herself, then to Ryu added.  "Although you could have visited me anytime, whether I wanted you to or not."  

"Aw, I missed your sarcasm, Raven," Ryu replied.  "I never had to try so hard to make someone laugh. But you always had the cutest laugh when you did."    

Raven turned away, embarrassed. "T-This isn't really the time for small talk, Ryu," Raven flustered, trying to get focused again.  "I need to find a way to get around without my father finding me."    

"You always have to kill the mood, Raven, don't you," Ryu replied with a sigh.  There was a knock at the door, turning both Raven and Ryu.  

"Its Meika," came the voice from behind the door.  The door then opened and Meika walked in, looking exhausted.  

"What was the trouble?" Raven asked.  

"Some of the patrons were fighting over who was going after your bounty," Meika replied with an exhausted sigh. "I'm sorry, Raven, but you need to get out of here. Some of the patrons saw you here the other day. They'll put two and two together, and I'll eventually run out of lies."  

Raven closed her eyes with a sigh, knowing that Meika was right and said, "I'll leave through the Undercity tonight."