Coming up slowly, approaching the east gate, a dark, cloaked figure approaches, alone, and on foot. The cloak is all ratty and torn on the edges, and covered in dirt.

Giving the village guardnin a days break are a half dozen Kerrsalian warriors. all of whom notice the figure and stand up hands together under their robes standing in a line across the gate there is room between them but none is concerned.

When she looks up and sees the strange guards, she stops for a moment. The cloaked stranger has never seen these particular guards before. Kerrsalian guards. She approaches with caution, not knowing who they are or why they are guarding her home village.

The warriors look 'casual' yet at the same time serious as the wait for the visit to reach the gates

The stranger approaches, and stops. "good afternoon." she says quietly.

"Good afternoon" the captain of that particular squadron said "Name and purpose of your visit please" he said pulling a familiar scroll out of his sleeve as his hands separate

"Antidia Muma, coming home." she said quietly, so no one but the guard could hear.

The Warrior scanned his eyes down the list and nodded "Welcome home miss Muma" he says and stands aside to allow her entrance

Dia nodded and proceeded thru the gate, never making eye contact with the strange guard.

She slowly walked down the main road, hoping to just make it home before anyone spotted her. So far, she was successful, but she was nearing the Town Square, the hub of Kazeha where if she were to run into anyone, it would be there.

Kal and Ala were on the balcony of the council chambers building enjoying the nice day and visiting, Ala's eyes were wandering as they spoke and she leaned on the railing, Kal was sitting on the railing not looking as if she had any worry at all of falling off. they were chatting about all the changes going on and Ala's frustrations in TRYING to learn her kind's language

Antidia sensed a very familiar feeling as she neared the Town Square. She pulled her hood down and tried to stay in the shadows and behind groups of people as she entered the Square. She avoided doing anything that might bring attention to her.

Ala stopped talking for a moment and blinked looking at Kal "I... would recognized that head of hair anywhere, even trying to hide" she said quietly pointing

Kal glanced down and chuckled "You haven't seen her in a while why not go touch base.. You have seen me lots today"

Ala nodded and disappeared into the chamber buildings

Dia was trying to hurry thru the square, sensing someone coming up closer to her. She felt guilty, trying to hide, but all she wanted was to sneak into her home and rest. Really rest, for the first time in weeks.

Ala exited the building and followed after her friend silently till she was out of the town center, she wanted not to be noticed at all if Dia turned around so she shifted her eyes and quite literally 'disappeared' staying barely a few feet behind Dia

Antidia lifted her head and paused for a moment. "Ala, is that you?" she said quietly, unsure, but having an idea, because it felt like her, but ... different.

"Of course" she said just as quietly though still invisible she it sounded like it wasn't coming from any place in particular

Dia turned around quickly and seen no one there. She scanned the areas. "ala...I can...feel you..." she said quietly.

"But cant see me...." she replied "I sensed you wanted out of public" she didn't reveal herself yet she wanted to be sure Dia was exactly where she wanted to be for the most part

Dia turned her head to the direction she heard Ala's voice, and smiled. Her smile was visible as that was the only part of her face that was.

"Are you away from people enough to not hide on me yet?" her voice came from a different direction as Ala had moved

Dia let out a tired chuckled, "wanna walk with me to the park?" She figured she could stand to wait for rest, she's waited 3 weeks. And, she really did miss her friend.

Ala chuckled softly "If that's where you want to go you look worn out" there was a feeling of a couple fingers touching Dia's cheek since the mouth and cheek were what Ala could see as she shared come energy with her friend

Dia felt Ala's touch, and felt her energy level rise. "thanks, I needed that." she said, letting out a nice long breath.

Ala nodded "Oops" she said realizing her friend couldn't see that "We can go where-ever you want to go... you seemed to be heading homewards...., Park is rather crowded and I kinda giving Torvin his space right now too since his place is like right there I don't wanna seem like I'm hovering"

Dia raised her head a bit, "Torvin...his place? he lives here?" she asked curiously.

"Both the twins do, Each have found a mate here and Selene has children" she saw the bags under Dia's eyes her friend truly was worn out

Dia chuckled. "I didn't think I was gone that long." She knew those kids would grow up fast, but she didn't really think about it until now. "wow. you're...a grandmother? aren't you younger than me?" she joked, trying to lighten up a bit, a change from how she had been.

"I am, though not by a whole lot" Ala said "soon my kid will be Selene Grobel instead of Selene Rakamash" she chuckled "ok we standing in middle of road, pick a direction I'll follow"

Dia chuckled. "wow...daughter-in-law of and Elder." Dia turned and looked around. "lets go to the same ol' spot. Its safe, and away from the park." she said heading to the training grounds.

Ala nodded she figured she'd make it appear Dia was alone still... she knew Kito and Nim were both not in the grounds having watched them leave heading for Kito's family's house a couple hours previous "ok" she walked along side Dia

Dia walked, with her head down still, but talking quietly. "A lot has...happened, hasn't it?'

"You could say that, there's a lot more Kerrsalian here then there used to be they live in a circle of housing barracks here in the village, they are here to help protect the village. There's some changed like the fact my kids have both moved here and day one created quite a ruckus when Torvil decided to storm through town looking for Vin in demon form" she sighed

Dia chuckled, "I bet that was a sight...people screaming and running." she was amused at the mental picture that created. "Well, if you the time, I'd love to hear about the changes once we get to the clearing. Even the changes with you. I just need to sit down first." she said, picking up the pace as they neared the clearing.

"Course, I was standing with Kal when I noticed you" she said there was the sound of wings flapping to keep up with Dia as dia hurried

Dia entered the clearing and took a big deep breath. "My home away from home." she said loudly. She pulled her hood down from her head, revealing that she looked absolutely worn out. Her face was dirty and smudged, and she had a Band-Aid on her forehead, and some minor scrapes along her cheeks.

"No wonder my energy took so easily" Ala said finally revealing herself, however her wings were wrapped around herself kinda like a cloak so her belly wasn't yet visable

Dia smiled, finally seeing her friend. "learned to control your wings I see." she chuckled.

"A while ago yes, you've been away quite a while" Ala said with a nod "A couple mouths at least I'm sure" thinking back to when Kal said the warriors came Ala sat down her shirt poofed a bit around her as the bottom half of it was gathered giving lots of extra fabric, it kinda covered her knees as she sat but ala made no attempt to move it as she rested her hands on the grass and folded her wings away

Dia looked at Ala and watched her sit down. "something's...different about you...my friend. your...vibes are skewed." she said looking her friend over, showing that in the course of her absence, she too had changed.

Ala chuckled "Yeah, like I waddle, I puke and I get winded when I fly for too long" she smiled "You've changed a bit too"

"waddle? put on a few pounds, have yah." Dia chuckled, unaware that Ala was even able to get pregnant yet. "yeah...a bit? that's an understatement." she said in a hushed tone.

Ala laughed "I've put on weight but it's not my weight" she peered at her friend "Ok we'll take turns you tell me a change I'll tell you a change either from me or the village"

Dia thought for a moment, wanting the save the big physical change for last. So she pulled her hair all the way out of her cloak. It was extremely long. "I guess this isn't really a shocking change." She chuckled...for her race, hair is supposed to be long and grows fast. "I'm going to cut it soon anyway." she said tossing her head back, revealing red marks around her neck.

Ala nodded and frowned slightly when she saw the marks. "Ok my turn... Selene has chosen Alix Grobel as her mate and has 3 children Aidan, Naoma and Korvil... Torvin has chosen a mate who is the chakra teacher at the academy I believe he calls her Kimi"

Dia just listened in amazement. "wow. holy wow, even. Kimiko? You mean...he's marrying that one ex-warrior chick? wow!" Dia said amazed, having heard of Kimi. "And Selene, marrying a Kazehan, too? wow... son of a elder no less. How old are her kids?"

Ala thought "about 3 weeks I believe, neither has married quite yet, I'm not entirely sure what either is waiting for though I have a sneaking suspicion Selene is waiting for her kids to hit maturity so she and Alix can actually go on a honeymoon without them"

Dia smiled and shook her head. "wow...last I seen them...wow, they were so...young...looking." she laughed. "I wonder if it wouldn't be prudent to visit them once I've settled back in." she said, more out loud to herself than anything.

"Why not, they live here now, might as well say hello, Vin lives it eh little house right next to the park, and Selene lives in a house built ho near Kal's" she told her friend

Dia nodded. "I'll do that. It'll be nice to see how they've grown. Do they look more like you, or Torvil?" she asked out of sheer curiosity.

Ala chuckled "I think Lene looks like me and Vin a dark short-haired version of Torvil"

Dia chuckled. "I'm glad that they found mates who were open to them. Sometimes I don't have faith in the people here." she said looking up into the sky to see a flock of birds fly overhead.

"You've been gone a while, things are starting to change even Lene's kids are be welcome with open arms into the academy as young adults when they hit maturity" she said

Dia looked back down at Ala. "that's amazing news in it self." she smiled. "By the way, who were the guys at the gate?" she asked, remembering how it was strange that Kerrsals greeted her.

"Hmmm squadron 73 I think... or least that what Kal said, they are a few of the many Kerrsalian warriors in Kazeha, I think there's about 6 or 7 dozen warriors in here right now" she told her

"why is there any at all here?" Dia was puzzled.

"Remember Meriko Umaki? she came back just before you left?" Ala started

"Yeah...I remember her. She doing ok?"

"Over all I think so... but anyways with help from your mother they were able to find out more of your... grandfather's plans... Dia... Meriko... was your grandfathers wife... and mother of his children, his head wife I cant remember the term Kal said but They are searching for her, and the demons and their allies are killing any human who acknowledges any knowledge of Kazeha"

Dia's face fell. "seriously...?" she said almost mumbling. So many thoughts raced thru her mind, so many things that have happened made sense as well.

"Seriously..." Ala sighed "Ok less serious stuff now, you just got back you can settle into the major changes later"

Dia was mumbling, "so much more makes sense now..." She shook her head and smiled at Ala. "That's some heavy stuff I missed out on. How's Kito? and Nim...I wasn't able to write for the last few weeks."

"Besides concerned for your well being? they've been helping Kal out for the last while, I think overall they've kept busy... especially since the time Nim's returned to normal health again" Ala said

"what happened to Nim?" Dia walked over to where Ala was sitting and knelt beside her.

"She was attacked by a group of demons, the first squadron found her battling them on their way here and helped her out, she had used up basically all her chakra, had about enough energy to tell the warriors who she was and where she was from before passing out... " Ala looked wryly, "I guess it helps Kal has needed an ear lately or I wouldn't have known the exacts"

Dia laughed. "yeah...wow...Nim was attacked too. I'm glad that squadron found her. And that she's okay." She looked at the back of her hands, which were resting in her lap. They were badly bruised and scratched, so she taped them up before arriving at the gates.

Ala reached forward and grabbed her friends hands with her own not waiting for any reply from Dia as her gem started glowing

Dia felt Ala's warm energy begin to flow thru her, and she closed her eyes, and tears slowly fell down her cheeks.

"What happened Dia" she asked quietly still holding her friend's hands

Dia let out a few sobs before answering her friend. "I was...tied up...held...in a wagon...locked up..." she said between sobs again.

"Oh Dia I'm sorry, here I am telling all this good news, and you have gone through hell and back" she said with a sad edge on her voice as she watched her friends wounds heal

Dia opened her eyes, feeling a lot better. "Thank you Ala, I'm glad to hear of the good news. I'm so happy for your family." She said, wiping her tears.

Ala let go of Dia's hands as her gem dimmed she looked ever so woozy like she was about to pass out as she nodded "That's what friends are for" she said weakly

Dia moved her legs so she was sitting on the ground and she reached her arm out and put it around Ala. "I'm sorry ... I drained you."

"I don't have my normal amount of energy to give right now" she mumbled thankful for her friends grip as she did pass out Dia's touch taking the last little bit she had, as she had yet to learn to control exactly when her energy is shared

Dia's eyes widened, "oh no!" She gently laid Ala back and straightened her legs out so was laying flat on the ground. Dia was reaching to unhook her backpack when she noticed the poof in Ala's shirt from when she was sitting...didn't go away. She reached out to touch, but retracted thinking it would be highly highly wrong to do so.

Ala's gem glowed faintly as her body replenished it's own energy slowly

Dia tried to keep her hands from touching her friend, so she wouldn't drain her again. "Ala, I'm so sorry." she said softly.

Ala stirred and started to wake a few minutes later "Ugh" she said "I hate it when that happens" she mumbled

"I'm sorry Ala." Dia said again, not sure what to do to help her friend.

"You're forgiven she said lifting an arm and reaching towards Dia, she knew Dia was about as healed as Ala was going to make her the last little bit of energy she gave basically finished off what she had started, now she wanted help sitting up

Dia reached around Ala's back and helped her sit up. "Are you ok?"

Ala nodded "Yeah I'll be fine thanks, I just don't have as much as I usually do to share or that wouldn't have made me pass out"

Dia seen that Ala was okay, so decided that now's as good a time as any to ask. "Ala..." she said, looking to Ala's tummy. "Is everything ... ok?"

"Hmm? Everything is fine, what do you mean?" she was working o her balance and didn't notice Dia's gaze

Dia slowly pointed to Ala's bulge. "uhm...is that...?"

Ala finally figured out what Dia was referring to when she pointed, she started laughing couldn't help herself "Waddling , puking and getting tired easily didn't give it away?" Ala shifted positions and stood up

Dia slunk back. "I didn't think...are you going to have the babies here today?" she asked, it just dawning on her what the situation is.

Ala laughed and shook her head pulling her shirt over her belly showing just how big she was "No I'm been pregnant for a while now, this one isn't coming out any time soon"

Dia looked at Ala's tummy and smiled, but the smile quickly faded as she thought about it. "Is...Torvil...the father?"

Ala nodded "course, he's my husband and my mate" she sat back down beside Dia "We just kinda had to get help from a clinic is all"

"so...is this more a ... Kerrsal pregnancy then?" she asked, crooking her head a little to the side.

"To some extent yes, taking longer, but it started like a Dragonic one and seems to make little jumps in speed once in a while, I have absolutely no clue when this clutch is coming" she said

Dia raised a brow. "are you sure...they are ok?"

Ala nodded "Yes" she reached and took Dia's hand her gem staying normal as she pulled Dia's hand towards herself and placed it on her belly, after a moment the flutter of the child's movement was felt

Dia smiled. "wow...how many...are in there?"

Ala shook her head "That, I'm not sure of either, it's all guessing, this is nothing like the first time, cravings, morning sickness, mood swings... the works"

Dia chuckled. "get to see how the rest of the world takes it, huh?" she joked.

Ala chuckled "Yeah I suppose I do" she let go of Dia's hand letting her either leave it or take it back "Makes my... ok well maybe I shouldn't say that line " she blushed brightly

Dia giggled watching her friend blush. "you can say it, you don't have to hold back with me." she smiled, and felt Ala's tummy a little longer before pulling her hand back to herself.

"Makes for a rather interesting sex life" Ala mumbled still bright red

Dia laughed and sat back on her bum again. "I can only imagine with you two." She let her laughs just fade into a smile as she watched her friend.

Ala's blush very slowly faded "Well regardless with no kids at home anymore we are definitely looking forward to noise in the house again"

Dia tilted her letting out a soft 'aww' noise. "how are you handling being a grandma these days." she said, smiling, and propping her head up with her hands, her elbows resting on her knees. She was still wearing her cloak, just not the hood part.

Ala smirked lightly "I'm loving it but It think it's your turn, I've never seen you wear a cloak this long I sense you are hiding something"

Dia's smile fell from her face and she looked to the ground. "yeah...about that..." she said quietly..."lets just say I have been ... changing more than I would like to."

Ala held a calm look with a soft smile as she reached and used a finger to tip her friend's head up "Dia, I know what changes are like, trust me, I'm like 20% what I started out to be..." she said softly "I've come to accept it, and I don't regret it... I wont think of you any different for any changes you take then you have mine"

Dia smiled. "I know Ala...but you...your changes came because you fell in love and married, mine come ... because they have to." she sighed. She stood up, and undid the clasp on her cloak and opened it up and dropped it to the ground. Underneath, Dia stood there, much skinnier than before, because she's not eaten much in the past few weeks, and her clothes were very ripped and worn, and had many blood stains on them. There were even dark markings visible on her skin thru the holes in her tattered Shinobi uniform. But the most noticeable change...were the large black, leathery wings folded up against her back. Her horns and tail were not visible yet. Dia let out a deep sigh and gulped.

Ala stood up after a moment of staring at her friend took the last couple of waddle steps towards her friend and wrapper her arms around her shoulder's in a silent hug

Dia sniffed, holding back a couple tears. She knew of anyone, Ala would understand. But it didn't make it any easier to accept the changes.

Ala backed up a step leaving her hands on her shoulder "It doesn't matter if the changes were caused by a union with a mate as it was for me or a natural occurrence as it was for you, I think nothing different of you, and I think you might find similar of people around here, they are getting used to the whole wings thing, they have 4 members of the community who have them... not including you" she told her friend "Cry if you need to, it's always better then bottling it in"

Tears rolled down her cheeks. "who else has wings around here? they can freely walk around with them? Because I can't hide mine. I've tried everything, and the only way they disappear, is when I completely disappear." She said, wiping her tears. She held her fingers up in the air and made the familiar infinity symbol and the shadows dissipated, revealing longer horns on her head, and a long tail swaying behind her.

"My son, my daughter and their mates" she told her "I've seen Kazeha to be becoming a much more accepting places of changes, I've walked into the village wings unfurled gotten smiles and waves and not a single person running like I'm some madwoman come to steal them away" she sighed softly and reached wiping a stray tear from Dia's face "Have faith"

Dia's face was still full of sorrow, and even some anger. "Ala, its not even about that anymore. I hate being who I am. I hate even more now." she said rather loudly, sitting down and pulling her knees up to her chin. "I've been...maturing...according to mother's race." she grumbled.

Ala sighed and sat down "I know, I know.. unfortunately there's not much you could possibly do about genetics, if there was I wouldn't be who I am today, I would have changed myself years and years ago. You know you always have my support Dia, no matter what, and my home is always open to you no matter what too...." she sat beside her friend putting her arm over Dia's shoulders

Dia grumbled a little more before letting out another sigh. "I know Ala. I'm sorry for ... tantrum." she said softly, reaching to hug her friend again. She let out a soft sigh. "I've not been changing just physically either." she said quietly, almost inaudible.

Ala held her friend, she didn't know if her friend knew her hearing had gotten much more acute as well "Seems you need to get all your troubles out of your system..."

Dia sighed. "might as well..." She stretched her legs out in front of her, and let her wings stretch out as well. They've been cramped under that cloak for the last few days as Dia walked home. "you know...what I am, right?" she said softly, not sure how to word what she wanted to tell Ala.

Ala nodded "Thanks to you telling me and listening to your mother's stories yes"

"do you ... know much about ... succubi or incubi?" she asked, staring straight ahead at her feet.

"To be honest? only what you and your mother have said, which isn't much" Ala rested a hand on her belly

The corner of Dia's mouth curled into a smirk. "I didn't really know either...I didn't want to know." She moved her feet a little, watching them, then continued. "Before I headed out ... I stopped to see Iyashu-sama. He told me about them. And told me that...I wasn't going to be immune from what I was born to be. That this quest, had a larger purpose than I ever could imagine...and that I had to accept who I am, what I am...to continue with my life, and to be happy..." she said, pausing for a few moments.

Ala nodded, she had a feeling her friend had not done that

Dia sighed. "He told me things about ... what I am...and I don't want to accept it. I want to be human. I want to be ... normal...but I know...I can't be. He told me that I would begin maturing on this quest. I thought I was mature, but he said not in the human way." She continued explaining.

Ala nodded listening intently and trying to be as supportive as possible

Dia let another sigh escape her mouth. "He said in order to escape what it is I've been hiding from my whole life, I need to embrace it, so I can control it....I didn't know what he meant."

"Have you started to figure it out now?" Ala asked softly

Dia nodded. "I know...but ..." She stopped. "I'm a succubus, and to be able to control the ... urges... and instincts...I have to accept that I am one, become one. Then learn to control myself." Dia shook her head. "That sounds silly...doesn't it?" she said quietly.

"No it sounds like it comes from someone who cares about your mental health, if that makes any sense. Much as you don't want to accept it you might not have any choice if you are going to get past this speed bump in your life" Ala said

Dia let out a loud chuckle. "Yeah...but you know why I hesitate? why I don't want to?"

"Uhm I'm gonna guess cause you with you were just plain human?" she took a wild guess with a weak chuckle

Dia shook her head. "I don't want...the ..." Her face turned bright red.

Ala pointed at he wings with a questioning look on her face

Dia shook her head gently. "...urges and instincts." she said quietly.

"You care about this village right?" Ala said she was going somewhere with this

Dia nodded.

"Well then think of it this way, unlike all but one other person in Kazeha, noone here has the instincts of your Race, those instincts might help save this village when the time comes" she said softly

Dia chuckled. "That's true...that's true." She turned bright red again. "but...my...feelings are completely...selfish...I would fight and die for Kazeha, I wouldn't have become a Shinobi if I thought different." She said, smiling slightly, proud of her accomplishments in that area. "the urges and instincts I refer to are ... of the primal variety. Succubus...seduce men." she said quietly, blushing from head to toe.

Ala laughed "maybe so, but Dia I honestly don't think it'd hurt for you to have a male companion in your life"

Dia turned bright red and covered her face with her hands. "Ala!" she said, giggling from behind her hands.

Ala giggled and leaned closer "And I don't mean a healer and just plain friend like Kito is" she whispered with a small grin

Dia kept her face hidden, but her red ears giving her embarrassment away. "Ala...I...had those urges already...I...don't like them." she said quietly.

Ala tipped her head to one side and was silent for a few moments "One day..... one day...." she said very very very quietly as she watched her friend

Dia pulled her hands away from her face and let out a light chuckle. "You want to know how pathetic it was?"

"I'm all ears my friend" and said sitting forward looking like a playful-eager

Dia laughed. "I actually stalked men while I was out on my personal quest." She blushed again. "but I ... didn't jump any of them, but heaven knows I wanted to." She blushed bright red...she's never admitted this anyone....nor did she think she ever would.

Ala giggled "that would have been a sight to see" she said thinking about her friend's lack of guys that she'd experienced "Lord only knows how many times I've jumped Torvil, in the house, in the shop and outside" she gave her own blush admitting it "I know he's my mate, but urges to take him are no less difficult to control as a dragon" she was still chuckling

Dia laughed, she'd never thought of Ala really being ... like that. She sighed. "Sometimes, I just don't know why I fight it so hard. I guess...I just don't want to be like those succubi that are in faerie tale books." she said, relaxing again, as she talked to her friend.

Ala nodded "I think faerie tale books really over exaggerate, I really don't think the people who wrote them have ever met the creatures they write about... even for dragons, there's so much that isn't true, mind you there's a few aspects about dragons I always thought they fibbed about ... " she stared at he ground blushing "like the desire to sleep on one's horde" she mumbled

Dia gave Ala a confused look. "what? sleep on a horde? what's a horde?" she asked.

"A horde, dragons have an irresistible desire and urge to collect things that are shiny, gems, gold, anything hell even silver wear... they store it all together never having any intentions of spending it, that's a horde" Ala said looking up

Dia laughed. "and that one's not a fib? do you have a horde now?"

Ala blushed brightly and nodded "I made most of mine though" she mumbled

Dia chuckled. "wow, ya learn something everyday. I wonder if my dragons do that too." she said softly, looking up into the sky. Happy to be home, and happy her friend sought her out that afternoon.

Ala laughed "probably, it's in their blood, don't technically sleep on it though I sleep over mine... as in it's usually under my bed"

Dia laughed. " you have any idea...why? you feel the need to collect things and just...keep them?"

Ala shook her head "Nope, it's just instinct I suppose" she chuckled "But my mother in law says seeing ones' mate's horde is like... showing them your body, rather... arousing " she blushed again

Dia laughed again. "no real reason than just to do it...that's funny..." she stopped, thinking of her own instincts she's been trying to deny.

Ala nodded, "Just one of those things I suppose I started to feel the desire to horde after I made my first water crystal"

Dia chuckled. "I want to trade you instincts." she joked. "but on a more serious note, thank you, Ala. My friend. Thanks for being such a good friend to me." She turned and smiled at her friend.

"Always Dia, no matter how much you change, o how much I change, I'm not about to stop being your friend over it... and you know to some tiny extent the urges are similar, yours tell you to seduce, mine just tell me to jump em and.." she looked around and leaned in whispered to her friends ear

Dia burst out laughing. "no no...you are right...the urges are the same." she blushed.

Ala laughed and let herself fall backwards "We can share in each other's craziness" she looked up and over at her friend "So have you actually used those things yet? or are they only for decoration"

Dia laughed with her friend. "I can use them...I just, haven't that much." she said sheepishly, not wanting to whine anymore about wanting to hide them. "oh...you might get a kick out of this..." she said, looking down at her friend on the ground laughing.

Ala looked over at her friend curiously

"Iyashu is the reason I can't hide them. He put some seal on me that makes it so I can't. He said I need to stop hiding now." Dia grumbled, but not in such an angry way as before.

Ala chuckled "Well, I suppose there's not much you can do there...." she sat up again, "So you can use them but you don't, I'm gonna take a wild guess it has to do with the heights"

Dia chuckled..."yeah." she said rather quietly.

Ala nodded "I had a feeling, I guess that's a fear you'll have to work through too" she said

Dia laughed. "you know, all things considered, its one of the easier ones...I've been...practicing, now that I know...I can't fall unless I'm unconscious. my fear came from the fear of the landing if I fell." she said, pulling one of her wings around to her front to look at it. It was similar in shape to Ala's, but the markings and texture were quite different. They were also smaller, as they weren't full grown yet.

Ala smiled softly "Always good to work through fears, I had one of my own recently and I didn't work through it so well, not till Torvil stepped in and helped me"

"What was your fear?" Dia asked, just wondering, but also, wanting to know more about her friend, since she's missed so much lately.

Ala sighed "A lil while back Torvil and I attended what was to be the funeral of his sister, but it didn't wind up being such, Torvil seems to have some connections on the other side and he brought her back as well as her mate... well her mate's father was the highest positioned elder of their elders council thingy, the rest of the council asked him to step down so his son could step in,,, kinda retire him... well he blamed Torvil and Me.. and tried attacking me later... he was imprisoned and tried to escape so was put to death... " she took a breath before continuing "He decided to haunt me in my sleep, got me stuck in a repeating loop of the memories of what happened... I finally managed to get away by banishing him from haunting me... but I couldn't sleep for several days after that fearing he'd return and haunt me again"

Dia eyes widened, and she let out a soft, "wow"

Ala nodded "Only way I was able to get past it was Torvil took me tot eh other side so I could see Shezar in his banishment that he could never return..."

"wow. I'm glad...you were able to get thru all of that." Dia said sympathetically.

Ala nodded "Me too, I just shoulda handled it better, lack of sleep wasn't really that good for me, especially since I'm pregnant"

Dia gave an emphatic frown and then stood up and walked the few steps to her friend, to try and help her up, if she wanted it.

Ala reached up accepting her friends help to stand

"I really needed this, Ala. Thank you." She gave her friend a hug. "And between you and me, I'm glad you're female." she chuckled as she turned red.

Ala laughed "Same Dia.... Same..." she said returning her friends hug

Dia smiled. She went to her cloak and put it back on, fastening it up, and pulling the hood back over her face. She chuckled, "the hood's...for my sake too." she said, hoping to not lead Ala to believe their talk was for naught. Her friend really did give her the strength to be herself, and she promised herself that tomorrow, when she left the house, she'd not use her shadow concealment at all. To see how it goes.

Ala smiled and nodded letting her wings unfurl relaxed behind her "If it's not too bothersome... who... took you?" she asked a more serious look on her face

Dia shook her head. "I...really don't know. I didn't see them. I was taken while I slept, and when I escaped, I flew away as fast and as far as I strength. I have a feeling it was bounty hunters though...because ... I heard my grandfather's name mentioned a few times, but they weren't demons." She said, thinking back.

Ala nodded "Well... you are home... and safe..." she said with a soft smile

Dia nodded. "oh yeah...who's the one other person in this village that has my instincts?" she grinned, as she adjusted her wings under her cloak to resemble her travel bag.

Ala laughed "Your mother of course"

Dia chuckled, "that's who I thought you meant. Well, I hate to run...but I am starving, literally....and I know its close to dinner time now." She smiled sheepishly. "you can come with me if you like, but if you plans, that's cool."

"No plans so I will thanks" she said heading for the path, tot he normal person she must have been quite a sight, wings, tail, horns, and a great big belly

Dia smiled, "lets go then. My mom will be excited to see you, too." Dia admired Ala so much. She was proud to have her as a friend.

Ala nodded "I haven't seen her in a while, so that'd be nice"

Dia walked with Ala out of the training grounds. "by the way Ala...how'd Alix react when he found out about Selene's...uber-fertility...sorry to ask if its sensitive...but I've been bugging about it." she laughed, she knew of Alix and his weird...tastes...

"He fainted, course it didn't help Torvil and I came for a visit and he scented Lene on him and ... well caused a scene at he east gates" Ala chuckled

Dia laughed. "I bet that was a scene to see....so...are the kids...more like Alix, or Lene?" She asked, they were nearing the main road.

"I think they are a mix, Alix's blonde hair and his golden eyes.. and his teeth" she chuckled "but they have a kerrsalian gem, pointed ears and little horns"

dia smiled. "Aww! Alix was a cutie pie when he was younger, I bet they look like he did...even with the horns and pointed ears." she laughed.

Ala chuckled "the boys are identical, and Naoma is her dad's little princess"

Dia chuckled. "I haven't really seen him in years...but I bet he's turned into a decent man. Elder Grobel bragged like crazy about him."

"If Elder Grobel could have done one thing the day he found out Alix had mated with Selene I think it would have been to run Alix through the wringer"

Dia laughed. "Was he that upset? it takes a lot to upset that man."

"Quite, he even left the village for a couple days" she steppepd out o fhte training grounds and onto the main road waiting for Dia to join her before heading towards her friends' family's house

Dia pulled her hood down further on her face as she stepped onto the road. "wow. and I missed it all." she chuckled.

Ala nodded "You'll see other stuff I'm sure"

Dia walked with Ala up the road a ways. Several of the villagers would smile and wave, and say hi to Ala. But most just minded their own business and continued on.

Ala waved back to them nodding her head as she walked along side Dia "So you're mom know you are coming?"

Dia shrugged her shoulders a bit. "I think so...but...I never sent word I was coming today, but knowing my mom, she knew teh moment I entered the gate." Dia looked around and noticed most people weren't really phased by Ala...maybe she hadn't given Kazehans the credit they deserved.

Ala chuckled and nodded smiling and continuing on lazily towards the house

Dia pulled her hood down, only showing her mouth to anyone that looked hard enough. She smiled lightly, and walked with her friend. "you're amazing, you know that." she said quietly.

"You are just as much" she said wrapping her arm around Dia's shoulders

Dia smiled.

Ala glanced over at her hidden friend and smiled softly "I for one am glad you are back Dia, no matter what has happened while you were away , here, at the shop and my home or for your changes... I'm just glad I can walk along this road with you" her voice was quiet

Dia smiled. "Thank you, Ala...I knew there was a reason I kept you around." she joked. "So how is your shop doing?" she said being more serious.

Ala laughed "It runs it self basically, with the keepers help from time to time... but otherwise good, Daishu is being his usual character when I've heard him being around Sabi has been kinda awol from the shop for a while and we seem to have a self-hatched runt running around" she said

Dia lifted her head a bit. "I haven't seen Sabi in weeks...I hope she's ok." she said, concerned, because Sabi was supposed to only be in the village or the shop, no where else. "Ala, have you heard of...Telrunya?" she asked, curious.

Ala nodded "Dia remember a while after we met I kinda disappeared for a couple weeks? Before we ran into each other at the Balan shop again?"

Dia nodded. "yeah?"

"That's where I was... " she said

Dia let the hood move up just a little so she could see Ala. "really? I was there ... for a couple weeks."

"Did you meet a tall humanoid with wings and a halo and very long sea green hair?" she asked

"I did actually. She was the first person I met there...actually...the only person..." Dia said.

"She's not a person actually" Ala chuckled

Dia turned her head a bit, "she's...not?"

Ala shook her head "Nope, she's a Pae'il"

Dia crooked her head. "Those...shorter creatures?"

Ala nodded "Yes, the shorter creatures are also Pae'il, the one you met is an Elder"

Dia gave a bigger nod. "oooh. She was nice. I only met her once though...and many of her offspring...but that was my first day there. After that, I was just kinda...left to myself."

Ala nodded "Her name is Estralita, and I'm guessing it's likely you met Darius, Beldaran and possibly some of the others of her family"

"Those names sound familiar." Dia smiled. "but...I think I did something terrible...although...considering what happened..." Dia said, rambling then trailing off.

"What's that?" she asked

"In the first few days of my journey...A cloaked stranger gave me an egg...and directions to get to Telrunya. So I went there, to find out about the egg. I stayed for a couple weeks, trying to learn...but all I found out was it was a Pae'il egg...one no one's seen before." Dia explained. "I ... couple wait much longer, and I needed to go find ... something ..." Dia blushed, " but when I was out searching for that ... something ... I was taken. I left that egg there, unguarded." She lowered her head.

Ala frowned "I can ask Estra to go find it and bring it to her home for safety till you are well enough and safe enough to travel again...."

"If you could, that would be wonderful. I left it in my satchel...in one of the rooms I was staying in. I really didn't intend to leave it, but...thinking back...If I had brought it with me, it surely would have been eaten." Dia sighed.

Ala nodded "I'm Estra's guardian, she'll understand if I give her a request like that"

"Thank you Ala." Dia reached out a hand to Ala's shoulder. "I don't know if the eggs hatched or anything...its been a few weeks." she sighed again.

"It doesn't matter, Estra has much experience raising children, there is a chance the egg didn't hatch, I'll send her a message after I get home tonight" Ala said giving Dia a reassuring smile as they reached the gate to Dia's home

"Thank you." Dia said softly. She pushed the gate open and held it open for Ala. She rang the bell by the gate to let her mom know someone was coming up the path. "you don't mind if I take a quick shower when we get inside, do you? I should only be 5 minute, 10 tops." Dia asked, slightly blushing because of the strange request.

Ala chuckled "Course not, you just got back and from what I saw REALLY need it for comfort sake"

Dia chuckled. "thanks" They reached the front door and Dia opened it up and let Ala in before her. Once inside, Dia shed her cloak and draped it over a chair by the door. "I'll let my mom know we're here, make yourself comfy." She said as she headed to the hallway.

Ala nodded and walked into the living room and dropped onto a chair

"Mom!?" Dia shouted as she walked down the hallway.

A faint tackling noise was heard not far from the living room along with many giggles and shrieks of excitement.

Ala laughed, her hearing acute whereas right now her sense of smell wasn't she heard the tackle easily

After a few minutes, Demona emerged from the hallway, all ruffled up, wiping tears. "Ala dear! It's so good to see y... oh!!" she said as she came into the room and spotted Ala's pregnant belly.

Ala chuckled and got up to greet Demona "It's good to see you again Demona"

Demona was grinning ear to ear. "when's the baby due!" she asked, very excited.

Ala shook her head "'Fraid I don't really know" she chuckled

Demona crooked her head a bit, but still smiled, She understood the complexities of inter-species pregnancies and the uncertainties. "I'm glad you came! Its been a while since I last seen you. How are your other little ones doing?"

Ala chuckled "They aren't so little anymore. One's a mother and has a mate the other has a mate... and both live right here in Kazeha... my step daughter has a mate and she lives at the cliffs where my husband's family comes from"

Demona's smiled widened, "already a grandmother? wow! So young! I half expected to be a grandmother already myself." she chuckled. "Its great news to hear they live here! Who are the lucky villagers that they chose as mates?" Demona asked cheerfully. She was very supportive of interspecies relationships...and yes, she is biased.

Ala took a seat again "Selene chose Alix Grobel, and Torvin chose a young academy teacher named Kimiko Hibiki"

Demona smiled. "Alix is a handsome young man. He's a lot like his father. And I'm afraid I don't know Hibiki-sensei, however, I've heard OF her from talk from some of the others. She was a very talented recon scout until her accident."

Ala nodded and appeared to be debating telling Demona something

Demona smiled. "Everything ok? You seem...deep in thought." she chuckled.

Ala chuckled she listened closely and could hear water running "sorry was thinking of something I was talking to Kal about before I saw Dia... Don't get defensive I'm only asking for reason of 'relation' the demon tribe leader is your father right?"

Demona smiled, "Ala, honey. You ask me anything you like, I don't mind. You're family here. And yes, my father is the tribe leader."

"Then you have relations in Kazeha besides your daughter" she said quietly hoping the woman wouldn't flip

Demona crooked her head to the side. "what...do you mean?"

"Meriko's son, your father's child..." she said biting her lip

Demona's smile faded, but she wasn't upset. "You mean they...found him? and he's here?" She sat back in her seat. "do you know how he...acts?"

"Kal says he acts fairly normal, hates his other form, has difficulty waking up without being defensive and was treated horribly by his adoptive grandparents" she rattled off

Demona shook her head. "So he transforms instead of has mixed features? that's a relief for him, he can at least be normal when he wants to be." she said glancing upstairs where she heard the running water. "I wonder if the Elder's will let him stay in the village when he's older." she said, thinking out loud.

Ala shook her head "I have no idea, I wasn't privy to that much info, Kal just needed an ear about all that's been happening with Meriko lately"

"He'll be a big boy when he's matured. Quite strong as well. Its usually wise to not get on the bad side of a cambion." she mused. "but it sounds like he's doing ok. Kazeha's on her way to becoming a melting pot." she chuckled.

Ala nodded "So I guess that would make him what... your half brother right?"

Demona nodded. "Yup. but I have many, many brothers and sisters, I lost track even when I still lived there." she chuckled.

Ala chuckled "True... well none the less sounds like crazy things are happening, like that seal too"

"What happened with the seal? I was wondering about that." Demona asked curiously

"I don't know details, I'm just my twin's listening post, but apparently someone accidentally said the key words that unlock it and the memories are playing havoc in her mind, not always being there but someone's being remembered..." Ala said

Demona shook her head. "that poor girl."

Ala nodded "Well that's about all I know, we were talking about it when I saw your daughter who was tring to hide"

Demona chuckled. "she was trying to hide? why? I thought she would run to her friends to greet them."

"You didn't see what she looked like when she first got back...." Ala said quietly

"She was dirty and needed a shower. Being ripe has never stopped her before." She chuckled.

Ala looked Demona straight on "I healed her before she got this far Demona, she was pretty beat up"

Demona's smile faded. "she was ... beat up?"

"Beat up, held captive, among other things" Ala sighed listening for water before continuing "She thinks they were bounty hunters for your dad"

Demona gasped as she put her hand to face. "oh my! I had no idea..."

"She cheered up a bit after we talked for a while, mind you I gave all my energy to her to heal her too" Ala chuckled

"Is she okay now?"

"Health wise? yeah, emotion? I think she probably has a little to work through"

Demona sighed. "at least she's home now. We can help her get better."

Ala nodded "Yes, I'm going to get my Pae'il to go get Dia's Pae egg from where she left it and hold onto it for her till it's safe enough for her to travel"

"Pae?" Demona's never heard that word before?

"Pae'il, their a race of creatures that lives on a floating island over the mountain and a ways away." Ala tried to explain

"oh. I didn't know Dia had one of their eggs."

"She got one from a cloaked stranger at the beginning of her quest"

"oh. That's why I didn't know about it." she smiled.

The sounds of footsteps were head coming from the hallway.

Ala nodded "They are a rather interesting creature, after they hatch they are little blobs, no limbs at all. Then they grow up to be adults. and later can wind up as elders"

Demona nodded. "I'm sure I'll learn all about them, if Dia is going to be raising one soon."

Dia came into the room, with wet hair and clean clothes on. "I feel so much better. I haven't had a warm shower in weeks." she chuckled.

"I bet you do my friend, and you LOOK much better too" Ala smiled

Dia smiled and went to sit next to her mom. The two looked strikingly similar, even in age. Demona just seemed to look more...motherly.

Demona gave her daughter a squeeze and stood up, "I'm going to go get lunch fixed, it should only take a few minutes." She smiled and left the room.

Ala chuckled "No mistaking the family resemblance now"

Dia smiled and once she seen that her mother was out of earshot, "did my mom notice the wings?" she asked quietly.

"She didn't say anything if she did... I'd hate to see her reaction if I hadn't run into you first though...." Ala said

Dia's smile faded. "yeah...I'm really glad you were in town today, actually."

Ala smiled "You figured out I was there considering I was invisible"

Dia smirked. "yeah...that's something that's changed too...I can sense better. I was kinda forced into tho." she said, trying to think back on the stuff that happened without letting it make her want to cry. In the 3 days it took her to walk home, she had decided she would be a stronger person, so she wouldn't let those things hold her back.

Ala patted the couch beside her "Come sit with me, easer to talk then distance"

Dia got up and went to sat by her friend. Her wings were tightly folded against her back, so there wasn't too much awkwardness with that. Altho, once they reached full size, things will be different.

"You know... it'll be nice when you are past your fear of heights... we can fly together..." Ala chuckled

Dia smiled. "Yeah. hopefully I can get over it..." she said sheepishly. She reached around and unfolded one and wrapped it around to her front to fidget with it. "Its strange...yanno...not having them, then...suddenly there is a whole new body part."

"I can agree there... three times over" Ala chuckled

Dia laughed. She held the wing out for Ala to touch. "They're nothing like how yours look...I mean, texture wise...and they're so.. plyable." she chuckled...her wings did intrigue her and in the comfort of her own home, she didn't mind messing with them.

Ala quite used to her own beliefs on wings, from what she was used to on a Dragonic perspective, leaned closer inspecting and looked but didn't touch

"Its okay. you can touch them....they aren't sensitive like yours are." She smiled.

Ala chuckled "It's that they are sensitive, it's just I've gotten used to the fact that it's something reserved for your mate" she took a breath and lightly felt the wing's surface

"Its okay if you don't want to then." Dia smiled. "I respect that."

Ala smiled and extended her own wing forward looking up at it "Now I will however admit they are very sensitive" she reached up and ran her fingers along the membrane shivering as she did

Dia chuckled. "Iyashu told me that mine are still small compared to what they will be...and when they are done growing, they will be 'vestal' I have no idea what he meant by that either." she chuckled.

Ala shrugged "Not a clue what it means, mine are full size already, well as full as they'll ever be. Hurt like hell when they grew though so I'm glad that part is over"

Dia nodded. "mine hurt bad too...its kinda how I was caught." she said flatly.

Ala raised a brow

"The screaming from the pain attracted a lot of people to me. It came on suddenly when I was...stalking. I felt an urge, then next thing I knew, I had fallen out of the tree and was on the ground writhing in pain." she explained.

"Oh no, that's not good" Ala said with a frown

Dia shook her head. "no, it wasn't. When normal people seen my back, all bloody with stumps protruding, they'd run...but...a certain few people seen it and that's when...I was...attacked first."

Ala reached and took her friends' hand giving it a supportive squeeze

Dia smiled. "Thank you." she said quietly.

Demona hollered for the 2 girls to join her in the kitchen for lunch. Dia got up and let Ala go ahead of her.

"Always" Ala said before heading in the direction of the kitchen wings ruffling a little

Demona smiled at the girls and motioned for them to sit with her at the table in the breakfast nook. "Dia...when did your wings come out?" She said calmly, as if that was a question that came up in everyone's idle chit chat.

Ala chuckled softly "Well there's you answer Dia" she said softly

Dia laughed. "They grew about 3 weeks ago." she told her mom.

Demona smiled. "How do you feel about them?"

Dia sighed. "I wish they didn't grow at all."

Ala smiled softly she knew her friend's feelings and tried to be as supportive as possible

Demona, still smiling, "I actually didn't think you'd get them. I had hoped that part wasn't inherited."

"I hoped too." Dia sighed as she sat down, "Iyashu won't let me hide them either." she grumbled.

Ala was watching Demona as the two spoke

Demona shook her head. "Well, you knew you couldn't hide your whole life, who you are."

Dia nodded. "yeah...I just hoped though."

There was often things of Demona that made her curious, like if she hid body parts as Dia did

Demona made a teasing frown. "there's no shame in who you are."

Dia grumbled, "then why don't you walk around with your stuff all hanging out."

Demona sighed. "for you dear. You wanted to feel normal...so I did it for you."

Ala leaned on the table listening, it seemed obvious the two needed this lil chat

Demona's usual cheerful demeanor was replaced by a rather depressed one. She sighed. "Antidia, do you want me to stop pretending for you? It was probably a huge mistake to hide myself as well...it taught you to be ashamed, didn't it?"

Ala glanced at her friend, as much as she was glad to be there for her friend she wondered if she shouldn't have to need to use the washroom about now

Demona looked to Ala and gave her a reassuring smile.

Dia sighed and looked at her mom. "Mom, Iyashu said I can't hide anymore. Its for my own good, my own growth, my own happiness. Ala says Kazeha is becoming more open to these ... things. So ... I guess, I want to try living as myself." For the first time ever, Dia conceded to the notion that she needs to stop hiding.

Ala nodded slowly with a smile

Demona's face lit up, and she shed a few tears. She was so happy to hear that from her daughter. She did the same swirling motion with her finger in the air, and the shadows dissipated revealing her own, true form as well. She had nothing different from Dia, other than her wings were VERY large and her horns were taller. The spade on the end of her tail was a bit larger as well. However when she smiled, her only different physical feature was revealed. She in fact had 2 pointed teeth.

Ala raised a brow for a moment then chuckled softly shaking her head "Well I'm glad you two got that much sorted out" Ala said softly

Dia got up to hug her mom. She smiled at her friend too, because Ala really did help influence her, whether she showed that she did, or not.

Ala closed her eyes for a moment going a tad pale "Would someone rapidly point me the way of the nearest toilet" she grumbled

Demona pointed to the hallway, "first door on the left, dear."

"Thanks, back in a moment" she said as she moved in the direction she was pointed, sounds of puking a moment later....

Demona chuckled then went to finish serving lunch

Ala sighed returning tot he kitchen after finishing "I will be so glad when that doesn't happen anymore"

Dia and Demona chuckled in unison. "when are you hoping you have it?" Dia asked.

"Considering the last time I was pregnant I had the kids within the same day I'm hoping soon, but it's really hard to tell since it's not really totally following either race" Ala said sitting down again

Demona smiled at Ala. "does your doctor have an estimate for delivery at least?" she asked, curious.

Ala shook her head "I haven't even had a checkup yet... I've only been pregnant a short time"

Demona nodded. "well, there's always the hospital here, they might know a little something, considering you are part Kerrsal." she chuckled.

Ala chuckled "Not much Kerrsalian anymore, but who knows, maybe Dia would like to help me explore that avenue later after lunch?"

Dia nodded, "sure, if you still want to hang out with me, I'd love to go with you."

"You are my best friend, course I do..." Ala said