Next morning;

Manami leaves her room after getting ready. She meets Yuki in the hallway.

Manami: Good morning.

Yuki: Good morning Lady Manami.

Manami: Thanks for last night. (smiling)

Yuki smiles back and both of them begin walking towards Yuki's office.

Yuki: Don't mention it. I'm glad it helped...... So what is our next step?

Manami: I think we might be able to find a lead through the book's author.

Yuki: What makes you think that?

Manami: Well...

In the office, Manami tells Yuki about the existence of two books.

Yuki: Then most probably the other book is in the enemy's hands.

Manami: Yes. I think we should search for the writer. Even if he's dead there might be a clue about the other book in his hometown.

Yuki: That is quite a possibility... It's worth a shot since we don't have any other clues.

Both of them go to the royal library to ask the library caretaker about it as she knows everything about the books there. She's an old lady.

Yuki: Alisha-san, we are hoping you could tell us about the author of this book.

Alisha: This book huh?... It's writer is Mashima Takumi...

Manami: Yes.Do you know where he is?

Alisha: He's already dead princess. He was more than a hundred years old after all....

Manami: I see... But what about his family? Do you know where they live?

Alisha: If my memory serves me right, he lived with his grandson's family in crystal lake village.

Yuki: It's to the North of Arata if I'm not wrong.

Alisha: Yes. I'm sure his family will be able to tell you more about this book's other copy. The man himself was very possessive about his writings. He would write only two copies of his books. One for the castle and the other for himself. He'd never sell his other copy.

Yuki: Then maybe it was stolen? 

Manami: Only one way to know. We are leaving this afternoon. 

Yuki: Yes. It will take us two days to reach the village so I'll have the maids pack the necessary things for this journey.

Manami: Thank you Alisha-san. You have been great help.

Alisha: It is my duty princess. I'm happy to be of help to you.  

Manami: Um.. please cut the princess part. Just call me Manami. I'm not part of the royal family anymore.

Alisha: All my life I've served the Kazuo clan and I intend on serving them till my last breath. You are and will remain a princess of this kingdom in my eyes...

Manami smiles.

Manami: I guess I can't argue with that. I'm grateful for your loyalty to my family. Thank you.

Alisha smiles and bows her head. Manami bows her head too and then leaves the library followed by Yuki.

Yuki: * sigh* Why are all old people in Chio so obsessed with calling you a princess? They just don't want to move on.

Manami: It's hard you know.... For them, the world has completely changed, skipped time as if... All those years in prison. Time stopped for them and as they came out, the world they knew was gone. It won't be wrong if I say they are still in the past. They are desperate to bring back the years that have been lost...

Yuki: I guess we can't know what they are going through, can we?

Manami just simply nods.

..............TIME SKIP...TWO DAYS LATER....

Manami and Yuki's carriage arrives at the Crystal Lake Village at dawn.

Manami looks outside the carriage window as they enter the village, passing by the CRYSTAL LAKE. Yuki was still asleep.

Manami: Amazing......

The village is in North and hence it's quite cold there.

Manami's thoughts: I almost forgot how pretty this place is.... I'll bring Gaara here the next time he visits... He'll really like it here....

After resting for a few hours at the royal mansion, Yuki and Manami set out to find the author's family.

Yuki: Where should we start? This village is very large... 

Manami: The local library of course. It's quite small but I'm sure they'll know where the family of such a famous writer lives.

Yuki: Maybe...

They go to the library and finally get the address they wanted. 

.........

They reach the place. It's a nice, cozy house up on a hill with a perfect view of the lake.

Manami knocks at the door and a small child opens it. He's 11.

Manami: Hi! um... is mommy home?

The boy continues to silently stare at the strangers in front of him. Just then someone speaks from inside.

Man: Who is it Saito?!!

The man walks up to the door and opens it, moving the child back. He seemed to be in his thirties.

Man: Can I help you?

Yuki: Are you Mashima Takumi's grandson? 

Man: Yes?

Manami: I'm Manami and this is Yuki. We were hoping to get some information about a book your grandfather wrote.

Man: I'm Saitama  Takumi. Please come in.

Manami: Thank you.

Manami and Yuki take a seat on the couch in the living room. Saitama goes into the kitchen and comes out with his wife who has prepared tea for the guests.

When everyone is finally seated, Manami begins to speak.

Manami: Your grandfather wrote a book with no name. One of it's two copies is in the royal library of Chio. Do you have the other book?

Saitama: That book huh?... We DID have it until a year ago...

Yuki: Did someone steal it?

Wife: No, we gave it away. Grandfather had a pupil. He wanted him to have that book as he wrote it in his will. But a few weeks before his death seven years ago, his pupil disappeared. Last year he came back out of nowhere to claim what rightfully belonged to him and vanished again. We haven't seen him since.

Manami: Was there something unusual about him?

Saitama: Oh yes! He was a complete different person. There was this dark aura around him. I really didn't want him to have that book but he threatened to kill my family.

Yuki: Is there anything specific you know about that book?

Saitama: It was a weird book...I remember hearing my grandfather say that what he wrote was a pure curse upon his life and that he regret writing it. My grandfather was a traveler, he used to say he met someone who inspired him to write this book but by the end of writing it, he himself was terrified of what he wrote. 

Wife: There were many things grandfather knew... things that should be kept a secret.... He used to say that he went too deep into the secrets of darkness and shadows....

Manami: I guess he knew way more than what he wrote in this book... Do you have his pupil's picture?

Wife: I think there is one in the old photos. I'll get it.

Saitama: May I ask why you are looking for the other copy of that book?

Manami: It's for the kingdom's safety. We don't want it to be in the wrong hands.

Saitama: You come from the palace?

Yuki: Actually, she is the former princess of this kingdom, Manami Kazuo.

Saitama hurriedly stands up and bows.

Saitama: Your highness!

Manami: No no! It's okay. You don't need to be so formal...

Just then his wife brings the picture and hands it to Manami. Manami's eyes widen as soon as she sees the picture.

Saitama: His name was Satome Ohiya....

Manami: He's...... alive?!

Yuki: But I thought!

Manami stands up.

Manami: Are you absolutely sure that THIS guy came to get the book?!

Saitama: Yes. It's him.

Manami looks at the picture with shock and horror.

Manami's thoughts: He can't be alive! I saw Gaara kill him with my own two eyes! How is this even possible?!

(A/N: Can't remember who Satome is? In book one, he made an appearance in the chapter; Manami's Fiance. Yes he's the same guy. Go read it if you haven't!)

Yuki: How can he be alive? Shinimi himself said that Satome was dead!
Manami: We need to find out who that guy really was. There's a chance it was someone else using the transformation jutsu! 

Yuki: It is possible....

Yuki could see the horror on Manami's face.

Manami: Well Sir, thank you so much for this information. It really helped. We'd get going now but if you get any more information about him, please do contact the palace.

Saitama: Will do. * Bows*

 Manami and Yuki leave the house but just as they begin to walk away, a tiny hand wraps itself around Manami's hand. Manami turns around, only to see Saito. She kneels down to his level.

Manami: What's wrong lil' guy?

Saito looked at his feet nervously.

Manami: Saito-kun, do you know something?

She asked as sweetly as possible.

Saito: H..He said you'd come....

Yuki also kneels down.

Yuki: What do you mean?

Saito: W..when he came back, I was the one who saw him last before he disappeared again with a book...and...

Manami: It's okay... go on...

Saito: He told me that a pretty girl with purple hair would come to your house.... when she does, tell her that I am back for her....

Manami's eyes widen.

Yuki: What the hell...? *whispers to herself*

Saito: That's all he said....But I didn't get what he meant....

Manami: It's okay Saito, don't worry yourself over it. Thank you for telling me about this. 

Saito: You're welcome....

Manami smiled at the boy and handed him a chocolate from her pocket. His eyes immediately light up as he gladly accepts the gift.

Manami: You're a good boy. I hope I see you again. Good bye!

Saito: Me too, Good bye! He happily waved at her as she and Yuki walked away.

Manami's thoughts: "I am back for her".... Is it really him?..... Is he really back for me?...

Yuki's thoughts: This is impossible!  How can he be alive?! This is bad.... really really bad.....

.......TIME SKIP......

Back at the Mansion;

Manami punches the wall in frustration.

Yuki: Manami , calm down!

Manami: I can't! Do you know what's happening here?!

Yuki: What are you talking about exactly?

Manami: Yuki, people who are meant to be dead are coming back.... If Satome is alive then... maybe Shinimi is too.... You have no idea how many things are falling apart right now!

Yuki: I know this is all confusing but we can't lose our cool now! We have to be calm to be able to deal with this....

Manami: I know... I know....

Manami takes a deep breath ,closes her eyes and sits on the couch. As she does so, Gaara's face flashes in front of her. She shots open her eyes.

Manami: Gaara.....

Yuki: The Kazekage? What about him?

Manami: He might be in danger.... If Satome wants revenge then.... he'll definitely attack him!

Yuki: What?!

Manami hurriedly stands up in panic.

Manami: I need to get back to him!

She runs towards the door when Yuki stops her.

Yuki: Manami! Please calm down! Nothing will happen to him!

Manami: You don't get it Yuki! If I don't warn him...!

Yuki: I do! I get everything you say Manami! But you're panicking for no reason! He's a kage, he can protect himself. But this kingdom needs you here! Please.....

Manami stares into Yuki's eyes and falls to the ground, finally tearing up. Yuki holds her.

Manami: I just.... I just don't know anymore.... this is too much for me.... I'm not strong no matter how much I pretend.... I'm so scared... I gave up a lot for this peace and now.... it feels like I did nothing...... Too much is at stake... I can't handle this. It is too sudden....

Yuki comforts her by lovingly rubbing her hand against Manami's hair.

( Ignore the fact that one of the girls in the pic is disappearing and also that she's smiling. It's hard to find relate able pictures.)

Yuki: Shhh... It's okay.... I'm here. You're not alone in this... We can protect our home, trust me on this. You'll be just fine. We are in this together...

Yuki's thoughts: Why do I forget what Manami's been through? She's probably terrified by the thought of losing everything once more. I have to give her strength and support so she can push through this hard time. I want to protect her.... she calls me big sis after all.... 

Manami's thoughts: I can't... I just can't take it all alone anymore.... I need someone.... I need him by my side... Gaara... I miss you so much.....

.....Back in Hidden Sand Village.....

Gaara is in his office, silently staring outside the window, into the clear sky.

Just then, Kankuro enters the office.

Kankuro: Gaara, what's wrong?

Gaara: Something feels off to me....

Kankuro: What are you talking about?

Gaara: I don't know... something is not right...

Kankuro places his hand on his shoulder.

Kankuro: Don't worry. You're probably missing Manami or something. She won't be at the festival right?

Gaara: Yeah...

Kankuro: Speaking of the festival, everything has been prepared. We can leave tomorrow. 

Gaara: Good...

Kankuro: I gotta go. But don't think too much okay?

Gaara nods. Kankuro leaves.

Gaara's thoughts: Manami.... Are you okay out there?.... I feel this weird feeling... I hope I see you soon....

( The Festival starts the day after tomorrow)

..........................................

Hey guys!

Ok ok I know this is not the longest or the most interesting chap I've written considering the fact that I updated about after at least half a year. I'm sorry. My life is very messed up and I couldn't find time to update. I probably won't be able to update soon in the future either. I truly am sorry. I wish I had time but I just simply don't. But I hope you bare with me. Please.....

I hope you like what you read here. Please leave your feedback and thoughts in the comments. Also vote if you like it. I hope  I'll find time to write another, better and longer chap soon. That's all for now.

Love, Mary.