The cool midnight breeze blew through Lani's hair as the little twintail sat on the roof of his home looking at the twinkling stars in the black sky. The sound of a train could be faintly heard in the distance. Meanwhile the events of the previous day still lingered burnt in his mind. He wanted to give up on everything; however, his since of chivalry wouldn't let him allow XZR to use people minds how they saw fit, but what could he do? He wasn't sure he could do it with his small group of friends let alone by himself. His only hope was to find out how to break the mind control they had placed over him, but how? Only the XZR boss knew how to break the curse. So all he could do was find him and make him break the hex. He had to head to Lupus.. It was the only way. And he had to do it alone. 
***
	Packing up some provisions for the long trip the kitsune gave a small sigh. Once done he entered his sisters room. Her soft breathing filled the air as she lay on her bed in dream land. A smile somehow miraculously worked its way onto the foxes face as set a note next to her bedside then turned to shut the door behind him.

Lani: Goodbye baby sister... For now...

	Everything was set now all he had to do was leave, but opening the door he was astonished to see standing in the doorway was his best friend.

Zenny: Going somewhere buddy? 

Lani: ...
	
	Part of his silence was the pure astonishment. Somehow again the rabbit knew something was wrong. Its like he could read his mind. 

Zenny: You wanna tell me whats the matter?

	The foxes gaze peered sideways at the floor letting out a small sigh. Gently placing his hand on his friends shoulder the rabbit smiled.

Zenny:  Its alright...

Lani: I... have to go away...

Zenny: What? 

Lani: Zen... Please... Don't follow me....

Zenny: You know thats not going to happen.

Lani: What if I told you I hate your guts and never wanna see you again..

Zenny: You really mean that?

Lani: ....

Zenny: Didn't I tell you that if you ever went on a journey I'd be there to protect you?

Lani: But this is different...

Zenny: Your leaving home to do some traveling that could possibly be dangerous. Id call that insentive.

Lani: I hate you so much right now...

Zenny: Then I guess you'll have to deal with someone you cant stand protecting you.

Lani: Zen... (Thank you...)

***

	The two of them had a conversation of eerie silence during there half an hour walk.  The hares suspission was confirmed once he saw the old jagged gum stained cement sidewalk below them make what seemed like a seem less transition to a glittering field of white that symbolized the outskirts of town. The rabbit stopped for a second, but even noticing the twintail continued to walk ahead until the bunny began to speak.

Zenny: So thats why your doing all of this. They got you didn't they.

	The foxes steps stilled in the cold snow. His sky blue hair blew gently in the small breeze as he let out a frusterated sigh, and responded without turning around.

Lani: I don't know when or how... But.... You saw what happened to Edwin...

Zenny: .... 

Lani: Zen.... Im not safe to be around anymore... I tried to do what I thought was the right thing... I want to stop XZR
          from abusing people... I want to stop whatever there plan is... But... I cant do it by myself. 

Zenny: I know... Thats why we want to help you. Me, Curc, Ted, and even Eddy.

	Memories of there encounter with the leader of XZR came flooding back into his mind. His blood started to boil and anger engulfed him as he unknowingly clenched his fist squeezing his fingers into his palm. 

Lani: But you saw what happened with Eddy! How can I help stop them if they can do what they want with me at any
          time! What if... What if they make me fight with you...

Zenny: So your going to find there boss...

Lani: He knows how this whole thing works... I don't know how, but I am going to find a way to break this, and
          then... Im going to make the wish they never messed with us.

Zenny: Haha sounds like a plan

Lani: Zen... Please... I don't want to fight with you... Please go home.

Zenny: You know I cant do that.

	The bunny approached his friend from behind placing his hand on the little foxes shoulder. With a soft smile he spoke in a comforting voice.

Zenny: Your my best friend... You know I would do anything in the world for you, but im afraid I cant do that.

	Slighty frusterated, but not surprised a tiny grin crossed the foxes face. Letting out a small sigh he placed his own hand on that of his the rabbit and turned his head back to look at his best friend.

Lani: Somehow I knew you would say that. 

Zenny: So where are we headed?

Lani: He said he was going to Lupus for a week, so the way I see it we have a week to get there. According to the  
          map I looked up on foot it should take about 3 days to get there if we don't stop... So-

Zenny: About 5 days. So we have an extra 2 days just in case.

Lani: There is 2 towns between us and Lepus so we can probably stay there for a couple of days and maybe find a
          quicker route. If not the other two days well find a cave to camp out at or something. I brought some stuff, 
          and I hope enough money to tie us over...

Zenny: If not I have it covered.

Lani: Zen you-

	But before he could say anything the bunny gave him a look as if to say "are you really going to try and fight it". Almost chuckling the twintail smiled and looked down. Noticing his slightly happier mood the hair put on a smile of his own.

Zenny: There's that adorable smile I like to see -

	Quickly the bunny stopped when he realized what he was saying. The words seem to have no effect on the fox and turning back to peer into the long field of white his eyes observed the beauty that surrounded them. Behind them lay there home town that they had known for so many years but in front of them snow covered mountains could be seen from all sides. Frozen lake beds and icy brooks appeared as walkways against the fresh snow. A haunting mist shrouded the sky as if it was trying to veil any light that the moon could give. The starry sky above reflected off of the foxes hairpin and with that the two started forward. 

Zenny: So wheres our first destination

Lani: Carol...

Zenny: Hey! We've been there before!

Lani: Yeah... We've been here to.

Zenny: Now that you mention it..

Lani: We should get going.

***
	The companions walked for the entire rest of the night and through the next day. The sun was setting behind the snowy mountains as they entered the town of Carol. It was much smaller then there home town, but something about it seemed more homely to Lani. Exhausted the two friends decided to head straight for the town Inn. Having had shared a bed before in there younger days the two figured they could save money by getting a single bedded room. Tiredly the two each plopped onto one side of the bed turning to face each other with tired eyes. The bunny was the first to speak.

Zenny: Well buddy. Looks like that little fantasy we had as kids is coming true.

Lani: What do you mean?

Zenny: Heh... I seem to recall once upon a time a certain friend of mine talked about going on a big adventure. Id say
            this counts.

Lani: hehe I guess it does...

Zenny: ...Don't worry buddy... Well undo whatever they did to you... And then I swear Ill make them pay for what
            they did...

Lani: Zen..? Can I ask you something?

Zenny: What is it?

Lani: how did you know I was leaving..?

Zenny: I don't know its just... Kind of an instinct i have I guess... Some how I know when your in trouble.

Lani: Really?

Zenny: Yeah. Weird huh.

Lani: ....

Zenny: Now I want to ask you something if thats okay.

Lani: Sure what?

Zenny: Your hairpin. I've never seen you take it off. 

Lani: Oh this?

	The kistune put his hand to the little star shaped clip in his hair. The bunny watched curiously as the fox closed his eyes clearly tired from there ordeal. With a chuckle he did the same, but through his tired eyes the fox spoke.

Lani: Well... do you remember the last time we were here?\

Zenny: Yeah... We were kids... That was so long ago.

	As they spoke flashbacks of there younger days came flooding back to them. Memories of a much simpler time.
***
	The cold chill of the mountain air seemed to eat through 12 year old Lani and 13 year old Zenny's coats as the two hiked through the snowy fields away from the small town of Carol. There parents had told them not to leave town, but being the adventurous children they were they of course didnt listen. As the two ran around the snowy field playing, the darkness around them grew stronger with each moment. The eerie mist that engulfed the powder covered plain seemed to grow thicker making it harder for them to see. Soon the fog grew so thick that they had to hold hands in order to keep track of each other.

Lani: M- maybe we should head home... Its getting kinda creepy out here...

Zenny: I think your right... Which way do we go?

	The two companions looked around, but saw could barely make out objects a couple feet in front of them so the town which was at least a mile from where they were was impossible to see at best. The two squeezed each others hand tighter afraid that they were now lost. The only thing they could do was follow the frozen riverbed under there feet which they knew was dangerous, but they also knew that it would take them closer to Carol. The two traversed the froze rift for what seemed like hours until finally they couldn't take it anymore. Lani was the first to feel his legs begin to giveaway. The little foxes eyes began to slowly droop closed; however, trying his hardest to keep himself afloat they both knew even as young as they were that it was dangerous to fall asleep in such a cold place. The little hare looked over at his friend who was clearly freezing and though he himself was also cold he took his jacket off and wrapped it around his friend. The fox looked up at his friend who was shivering violently but somehow managed a smile.
Lani: Z- Zen I don't need your coat...

Zenny: t-t-t-t-tak-k-k-e i-t-t y-y-you l-l-o-ok c-cold-d-d

	Taking off the cat he pushed it back to his freezing friends arm. The hair tried to make him put the jacket back on but the fox refused stubbornly.

Lani: I have a coat and I don't want you to become a snowman!

	Reluctantly the hare put the jacket back on. Suddenly out of the corner of his eye he spotted what appeared to be a faint starry colored glow. Smiles crossed there faces as they ran toward the light assuming it was the lights of the town. The two ran as fast as they could toward the light but it didnt seem to get any closer; however, finally after couple of minutes of running the two began to see the entrance to Carol. The bright lights of torches and people calling for the children could be heard in the distance; however, the starry glow they had both scene was now gone. The two started to run in the direction of the villagers, but something caught Zenny's attention out of the corner of his eye. Moving to pick it up he saw that it was a spherical crystal with a gold star looking object in the center surrounded on all sides by clear dark blue glass like crystal. The sparkle of the beautiful gem facinated him and suddenly he had gotten an Idea. 
***
(Back to the present)
Lani: You totally surprised me when you brought it to me the next day. I guess to answer your question.. I never take 
         it off because no matter where I am... No matter how hard something is for me to get through; as long as, im 
         wearing it i feel like your with me... And as long as your with me I can do anything.

Zenny: Lani..... Thank you buddy...

Lani: Its the truth.

	With a smile and chuckle the two stopped talking and before they knew it they had drifted off to sleep with there hands unintentionally clasped tightly onto each other.