All In All

"I think we should keep a close eye on things. Though of course you're doing that already." Sesshomaru was thinking. "I do believe something bad is going on, and Kyubey is the key. It's too bad you can't see them, or perhaps my sword would allow me too. It did allow view of things from another world.."

"Maybe you can see Kyubey in your transformed state. Kyubey gives these young girl wishes, so we can conclude this is likely magic. The next is technology like the Nalga that may as well be magic. Either way, it makes no sense. If they have this power, why do they need the Puella to fight their own battles? Why are all these candidates young, impressionbale girls? I do not trust this Kyubey. I do not trust them at all."

* *

Kayo was surprised seeing Kaori look sad, but before she could say anything she was gone. She blinked, looking around but there was nothing.

"..Ugh! Damn it! You can't just run off without explaining crap!"

She was already gone but it made her feel better. She sighed, turning to Sayaka. "..You okay?"

Kirito paused. "Hm... that might work. I'll see about that, if Naoki can't convince him to show himself to me otherwise. She currently believes I'm just a 'Magic Knight' as a result of a friend giving me powers to mimic when I was in LRO... I don't like lying to her, but it's necessary right now. I just hope she'll forgive me when I can tell her the truth. I wouldn't want to lose a friend over this."

~~~~~

Sayaka frowned, glaring after Kaori. "...Yeah, I'm fine... I just don't get what her problem is. This is the second time she's pulled that crap! I know she's supposed to be friends with you and Megumi, but she's nuts! Not to mention rude..."

"If I know anything about Naoki, is the fact she has a very forgiving and understanding heart. If you have a solid reason why, she won't hold against you. Even if you didn't, Naoki is far too kind for her own good at times."

* *

"Link down."

Kayo didn't see anyone, so she opted to power down from her armor. She was back in her normal clothes like nothing happened. She gave a slight tired sigh. "Yeah...I don't know why she's like that."

Kirito nodded, feeling a little relieved. At that moment, he was suddenly yanked backward. He had a moment to register that it was Megumi, grinning, before he was suddenly sitting in a chair at a reading table. "I... what?" And then he realized just how strong Elsie was, as she plopped Naoki down next to him, before Megumi sat down across from them, Elsie in her lap.

"So! Now that I'm done teasing Naoki, why don't you two explain what you two have been up to? Naoki let slip that you've been to her house. And her in your apartment!" Kirito found that smile of hers unsettling...

~~~~~

Sayaka paused... then blinked. "Wait.... since when can you do magic!? I thought you did... 'Rune' stuff..."

Naoki wanted to go somewhere and die at the moment. "N-nothing! Nothing happened!" She squeaked.

* *

Kayo reached for her pendant and held it out. "This. I use this as a focus, but as it turns out its my magic that activates it. It was something that was passed down in my family but it didn't really do anything because it was 'broken' or something. The story goes that my great grandmother was rescued by a strange knight, but they died of their injuries. Before they died, they gave them their pendant. In honor of that, its been in the family for some time but no one's really used it or figured out how till now. I wanted to surprise and show you and the others but not really like this. That's what I meant by a 'surprise' earlier today."

She scratched the back of her head. "Eh..I guess no plan survives first contact."

Kirito scratched the back of his head. "Honestly, we just talked about things. I'll admit, I did open up a bit more than I should have, but despite everything, what I and everyone else in LRO went through is still pretty fresh, so it still gets to me at times..." He paused, and looked at Naoki. "Sorry about unloading that on you, by the way."

~~~~~

Sayaka was pretty impressed. "Really? That's pretty cool... so it's sort of like the transformation that Mami and the other Puella Magi can do, but different..."

Naoki shook her head slightly and smiled. "What kind of person and friend would I be if I wasn't able to sit down and listen to my friends problems? Don't worry about Kirito, you're a good friend."

* *

Kayo nodded slightly. "I guess so. Magical girls come in all shapes and sizes. Anyway..I guess since lunch is ruined we could head somewhere else."

Kirito just smiled at that. "Thanks, Naoki. And if you ever need anything, let me know, alright?"

~~~~~

Sayaka sighed. "I guess. I enjoy spending time with you anyway, so it's no big loss, right? ...Heh. You should be careful, you know. Naoki might get jealous, think you're stealing her childhood friend!"

Junk was a bit stressed out from all her meetings and the other assholes she had to deal with--but at the least it was done with. Until tomorrow. Then it would start over again.

She enjoyed her job and was proud of her hard work to get where she was, but sometimes she missed the slower pace of other things. On the other hand, Junko knew full well that if she stayed still for too long she'd go stir crazy. Her mind was always going to one subject to the next so she needed something to do to occupy her time with.

All of her things were done, so she was free to leave for the night but she wasn't comfortable walking alone to her car in the parking lot. Sure the was a gate that warded everything else off from the large office building they worked but she felt safer traveling with other people at this time of the night as you never knew.

One of her co-workers, a older gentleman escorted her to her car.

"Thank you for escorting me to my car. I'm sorry for bothering you like this but.." Junko's speech was cut off.

"Nonsense. I can understand exactly why you're nervous going alone at night like this. I'm a grown man and I feel that too at these times. You can never be too careful."

"Indeed. One can truly never be too careful. Sadly, it seems that will be your own downfall."

Before Junko could respond, large nails went through the stomach of her companion causing blood to splash on her business suit before tossing them away like so much trash. Behind them was a pale, eccentrically dressed man, red eyes, pale skin and hyper extended fangs.

Junko screamed, or at least she wanted to but it was like something was stopping her when she made eye contact. She couldn't move. It was like having sleep paralysis where you knew you were awake but had no control what so ever over your body.

They smiled at her.

"But you lucked out, I have uses for my dear. My name is Lord Olrox, you'll get to know that name well."

* *

Naoki woke up early in the morning. It was usually around the time Samara woke up as well. Technically, she truly didn't 'need' to sleep but it helped pass the time and probably keep her sane instead of being awake for every second of the day.

As she stumbled around(not really being a morning person) she noticed something seemed off. Her mother almost always came to greet her before setting off again and she was always a early riser as well.

She went to her bedroom, the door cracked. A brief hesitation and Naoki pushed through. "Mom?"

No one was there.

Frowning slightly, she left, closing the door behind her before heading to the kitchen. Come to think of it, she didn't see dad anyway. "..I really don't like this." She mumbled to Samara. She knew her brother was at one of the places he was cared for when no one else could, and maybe her dad and mom went to pick them up together but it didn't feel right.

All around the city, word began to spread of the strange murder of a kindly old man, though none were yet aware of the connected kidnapping. While this was tragic, it wasn't overly important to people. It was worrying to some, wondering who would do something like that and why, and if they would strike again. It of course worried the authorities; both police and Nobus. To some however, this was extremely worrying.

While she had never met the man, Sayaka recognized the office building and, more than that, the blood splattered car, and the abandoned purse. "Oh no.... Naoki...." Sayaka rushed to the phone, dialing Naoki's number. "Please let it be nothing... please..."

~~~~~

Unknown to most, a certain girl with long, dark hair was rushing all over the city, looking for any sign of Junko. Kaori's main concern was to keep everyone alive, but she wanted them to be happy as well. Losing her mother would be absolutely devastating to Naoki, who had been such a good friend to her when she'd first come to the city, before everything went so wrong. She had to find Junko. She HAD to...

~~~~~

Kirito had an odd feeling as he saw the news. There was a sense of familiarity to this... but he couldn't think what. He was curious about the case, but he wasn't going to step on the toes of the police or Nobus. He had his mission; this was out of his jurisdiction, and unrelated to his case. At least, that's what he thought.

~~~~~

Elsewhere in the city, a man was keeping to the shadows as he observed the crime scene. He knew damn well what had happened. He just needed a way to find Olrox. "I'm quite tired of your shit, old friend... we'll see if you get away from me this time..."

Naoki hadn't heard the news yet, mainly due to not turning anything on. She had no idea about her mother's fate or anything else wrong at least for now. She was about to say something to Samara when she heard her cell phone ring and picked it up. "Sayaka? This is early for you to call."

Sayaka bit her lip. "Naoki, I need you to tell me right now, is your mom there?"

~~~~~

Kaori was leaping across another rooftop when hand wrapped around her wrist, and she was dragged down into an alley. She suddenly found herself pinned by an imposing looking man, who looked down on her with mild interest. "...I have no interest in harming you. I simply am seeking information. I'm looking for a rather ugly man named Olrox. He killed a man and kidnapped some woman from an office building. You seem to know this place fairly well, so I figured I would ask you if you had seen anything. I have a fairly strong desire to kill him, you see."

Kaori just stared at him for a moment, her mind racing. Junko had not been kidnapped in any of the previous loops... something had changed, and she didn't know what to do... seemed she didn't have any choice.

Naoki frowned slightly. "Um..no. Why? Is something wrong?" She didn't like the tone in her friends voice at all.

* *

Emanulle had decided to see what Kaori was up to. The other day hadn't been too successful but at least it had been more then just a few words and being silent. He expected to find her on the roof tops and the 'gift' he was given by her talking cat companion had went there but seemed to have no trace of her at first.

He frowned, following it more until a sight ahead of him made his hackles rise. A tall man, a Umbran from his scent had pinned Kaori. That lead sneak attacking out even if he wanted to with their senses. This would make majority of people assume the worse. This normally would have pissed him off but there was something else that pushed it even further even if he couldn't desribe it into words.

The back of his coat began lifting up by a previous non-existent wind and red electricity laced up his arm briefly before he reigned himself in. "I don't know, or care who you are. You have two seconds to drop Kaori."

Sayaka cursed under her breath. "Naoki... turn on the television and check the news. I think... I think someone took her..." She didn't want to scare her friend, but this was important.

~~~~~

The Umbran paused, glancing over at Emanulle, raising a brow. "...I can't drop her, she's standing on her own two feet. I simply have her pinned to a wall. I'd usually be inclined to do as you asked, even if you are giving me orders I have no need to follow. However, considering the situation, I really do need whatever information she can give me. I can assure you, I mean her no harm."

"Would it help to know who it was he took?" Kaori's word's caught his attention, and he seemed to ignore Emanulle after that.

"It might. I can track her if I had any of her blood, or blood of an immediate relative. It's part of why Olrox makes it a point not to harm his victims until he has taken them elsewhere."

"...I can take you to her daughter." The man's answering smile was predatory.

"Oh, that would do perfectly. I'd be able to find her quite easily that way. And through her, Olrox. Please, lead the way." He released her, and she walked past him. As she passed Emanulle, she gave him an odd look before breaking into a run. The Umbran man moved to follow, clapping Emanulle on the shoulder.

"Good effort on the knight-in-shining-armor bit, but I would have killed you rather easily if I was actually an enemy. You'll have another chance though, that girl has a distinct smell to her. Plenty of conflict in her life, I'd imagine. Come along if you like." And with that, he took off after Kaori, a streak of red-tinted shadowy energy following her.

Naoki paused, setting the cell phone aside before going to watch the T.V. at that's when the news report showed up. Her mind raced frantically when she saw the report of a murder, which was at the same place as her mother.

Taking a shaky calming breath, she reached her cell. "Um, I need to check up on my mom. I'll call you back Sayaka." After that, she went dial her mother's cell phone but it didn't go through. In fact it left a message as if the phone number didn't even exist.

This caused Naoki to visibly panic in front of Samara but she was trying to calm down before she used the cell phone again. This time Kirito.

* *

Emanulle said nothing, but he did follow once it was said and done.

After Naoki hung up, Sayaka bit her lip. Kayo was in the shower, but once she got out, she'd get her help... but.... "You can help her, you know." Sayaka jumped a bit, turned toward the window. Kyubey was there, watching her. "Make a contract with me. Then you can help Naoki and the others." Sayaka hesitated for only a moment.

"...Alright."

~~~~~

Kirito blinked when the phone rang, picking it up as he continued to ponder the familiarity toward the case on the news. "Kirito Hama speaking."

Adell had been watching the news, he didn't pay attention to it most of the time but it caught his attention a bit if only because of the murder. He really didn't understand how people could do things like that and be so senseless. What Adell didn't know was that Naoki, a friend of Mami and Kyouko's mother Junko worked there so he was out of the loop.

Yulina was up and about, as was Mewtwo.

*  *

Naoki took a deep breath."It's me Naoki. I-I need your help. Did you hear the news? The place my mom works at someone was killed there, and now my mom is missing. I can't contact her on the phone.."

For the first time in a while, one of the windows opened in Ignis vaulted in. She looked fairly irritated. "I understand it's their job, but... damnit..." She flopped down onto the couch, sighing heavily. "I just want to help..." Ignis had been like this for a good while. It had started back in Perene. The nature of that world had effected her just as it had the others. Her seeming inability to change anything, to help anyone, to make a difference... it had left her cynical and depressed. She had been improving since coming to Nexus City, however. Of course, going out nearly every night to use her newfound strength to help people was a big part of it. Sometimes, however, the police or Nobus would politely ask her to stop; her presence would cause confusion due to the native Ignis of this world, as well as the fact that, here, she did not have a license for freelancing. Yet.

Of course, as happened every morning, the door soon opened to allow Mami and Kyouko in. The Telford's had moved in next door, getting special permission due to the circumstances, and they spent nearly every day together. However, Alex and Synia made it a point to give Adell some space most of the time; it would take time for him to really accept them as his parents, and even when he did, Samantha was still the mother he'd always known and been raised by. They were not going to get in between that. Mami and Kyouko, however, were intent on spending nearly all of their free time with their older brother, as evidenced by the two of them making it a point to sit on either side of him, leaning against him. Though while Mami rested her head on his shoulder, Kyouko more just leaned against him, arms crossed. It was their way.

~~~~~

Kirito tensed, suddenly realizing the familiarity. He'd seen that car outside Naoki's house when he'd left that first day. "...Alright, Naoki, first I need you to keep very calm, okay? Now tell me, when you tried to call her, did it ring, or go straight to voicemail?"

Mewtwo had noticed Ignis come in a bad mood and frowned going over. "Is something wrong?"

Yulina had found a spot where she was the most comfortable, so she opted to find a spot where she could rest against Mami. She really liked her new sisters. At first she was afraid Adell wouldn't spend as much time with her but that hadn't come true. That or them being mean to her but both Mami and Kyouko were pretty nice, and Yulina thought Kyouko was funny. She did wonder what a 'smart ass' was she'd have to ask later.

* *

Naoki tried to calm down. "No voice mail. It went as if the phone was disconnected or something.."

Ignis sighed. "That murder last night, the one on the news. The authorities won't let me investigate it at all. I understand I shouldn't really be trying until my new license here is approved, and the whole identity issue is resolved, but... I'm just sick of not being able to do anything..."

~~~~~

Kirito sighed. "I see... alright, we are going to have to accept the possibility that somebody took her, but that's good. It means that we have a chance to get her back, okay? If they took her, it means they need her alive. Now tell me, is there anyone you think may be angry with your mom? Or maybe something she's working on that could make her a target?"

Mewtwo nodded slightly. "I understand. Back at Perene, our power was nothing like it is now. It's only natural you want to use those powers to help. You and Adell are the same in that sense..Monica as well. But look at it another way. You're far stronger then what you ever were, things are far more organized and you're on your way to having a license. Your time will come, maybe just not as fast as you would like. Imagine if this had happened in Perene. Odds are you wouldn't even know about it. Maybe you need something to do to take your mind off in the mean time?"

* *

Naoki calmed a bit at that, but not too much. "No..no. I don't know of any serious enemies or anything she could be working on that would attract attention."

Ignis raised a brow. "That's an idea, yes, but I can't think of anything to do. I'm open to ideas if you have them."

Meanwhile, Mami was chatting quietly with Yulina and Adell, while Kyouko seemed to be just watching the news, and munching on pocky as was usual for her.

~~~~~

Kirito pinched the bridge of his nose. So much for that potential lead. "Alright, Naoki, I need you to stay in the house, don't do anything drastic, okay? I'm going to come over, and we'll figure this out from there, okay?"

Ignis would suddenly feel a pair of arms wrap around her as Monica hugged her from behind before pulling away. "Sorry for the surprise hug. Just..looked like you needed it. What are you two up to?"

Mewtwo shrugged briefly. "Nothing, just talking. I mentioned Ignis may need something to do to take her mind off. I'm at a loss for ideas."

"Hm.." Monica tapped her chin. "We'll..it doesn't have to be anything fancy, right? Why not the three of us just explore a bit more. It's kinda different when you have company, besides we should find something to do during it."

* *

"O-okay. I'll be waiting." Naoki hung up the phone trying to calm her wracked nerves. She turned to look for Samara. "..Samara?"

Ignis paused, then nodded. "Alright, couldn't hurt. It's something." She glanced over at Adell and the girls. "What are you four going to be up to today?"

~~~~~

Samara seemed to have disappeared. When she had done so was a mystery, but the nearby window was open. About five minutes later, there was rapid knocking on the door. Kirito had rushed over, and was prepared for anything; he had transformed. Naoki would see he was wearing a stylized black coat, with two swords strapped across his back.

Michru who had been asleep earlier silently came in and tried to get on the couch, Yulina happily helped the smaller girl, placing her in her lap. "Morning Michru! Sleep good?"

The younger girl just nodded.

"We'll, that's good. I slept really good too."

Adell was amused by the conversation taking place, one sided or not. Ignis question made him turn his head a bit. "Uh..nothing really. I don't really have any plans unless someone else does."

*  *

Naoki was confused of where Samara could have gone. Did she jump out? Worry started to get to her because she hadn't remembered her flying, sure she had wings but..

The door knocking interrupted her thinking and she went over to open it. "Kirito glad you came." She moved aside. "Have you seen Samara? I think she just left through a door or something. One minute she's here, the next she's gone."