The Dark Tavern

Ryo and Sakura felt the same as Vash. "Esgal...?" Sakura whispered in confusion.

Yue stopped Tela from hitting herself. "I can't go back. I won't go back." she muttered.

Yue sighed. "Their king, the one who enslaved them with dark magic, slaughtered every one who stood in his way, even his subjects. If he thought they were even thinking of being unloyal, he killed them."

"You mean his back to the throne?" asked Vash.

Tela couldn't answer. She just covered her eyes and whimpered.

"I guess so." Yue says.

"What year is it?" asked Vash.

Yue sighed. "I dunno." he says. He didn't like the way Tela shivered. "Where is he, Tela?"

"Watching us, waiting." she whispers now staring at the same place in the woods again. Her necklace glowing brighter with every approaching secong. "He wants to kill Sakura, to conquer her kingdom, to harness your magic."

"We won't let him, Tela. He won't hurt anyone."

"You underestimate him. He can turn anyone on each other."

Vash thought deeply. After intellegently making a plan, he gave a thumbs-up. "Not us!" he said. "I'll have to go to Heavon tommorow first thing in the morning. Find some old friends there"

At the words that he wished to kill Sakura, Ryo moved closer to her, protectively. Sakura followed Tela's stare to the spot in the woods. Her staff was ready.

All at one second the rain stopped. It didnt slow at first; just stopped.

Tela blinked. Standing she started walking towards the woods.

Vash raised his sword, using some magic to light the tip of it so everybody could see around. He followed Tela.

Sakura stepped towards her. "Tela!" she said.

Tela seemed like she was in a trance as she headed towards the woods. What no one noticed was she left her sword at the tree.

Vash followed Tela by her side. "I'm not so sure about this..." he muttered.

Sakura ran after her, and Ryo after Sakura. Sakura grabbed hold of Tela's wrist. "Tela snap outta it!" Sakura said.

Tela looked down at Sakura's hand grasping her wrist. "Let go." she tells Sakura. "I know what I'm doing."

Yue sighed. WHy was he always left behind. He looked down and saw the sword. "Guys! Don't let her go!" he yelled.

Vash looked up. He could feel the darkness like it was right next to him. He quickly took hold of Tela.

Sakura didnt let go. She started pulling Tela back, listening to what Yue said. Tela was too stronge for her, though. Ryo sighed and grabbed Tela around the waist, carrying her back.

((Opps, sorry, didnt see ur post Tidus ^^; ))

Tela's eyes widened. "Let me go!" she demanded this time. She desperately twisted in the three's grasp before she saw something silver in the dark. She froze completely. "I. . .I. . ." she stammered.

Vash stopped pushing back Tela and nodded at Ryo. "Pull her back into a safe place" he said before turning around to look at the silver and dark substance, raising his sword in a striking position.