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"That is not entirely necessary." Reia replied, worried about being burdensome. "I think I will be able to manage."

"If you don't mind my asking, however, what were you looking for in your pocket?" she asked, a look of mild interest on her face. The gray light made her pale visage look ill, and she was feeling ever more so.

"Oh, I don't mind. This isn't the worst of it. It is yet to come. I always pull through... on my own." She struggled to get the words out. "You really don't have to worry about me. They'll be here soon anyway, and then I really will force you to leave." Reia smiled weakly. "Because of the monster I am, I am the only one who should have to deal with monsters."

"Hmph." Reia replied. "Thanks for the encouragement. Well, in that case, I just may have to force you out because friends don't let friends battle their battles. Sorry." Reia sighed. "It's too dangerous, and I'd hate to see you hurt. If anything happens here, it tends to happen ten times worse to your physical self." She shuddered. "Believe me, I know."

Reia refused to back down either. Though she was easily swayed, when it came to her friends pain or suffering, she was stubborn. "I don't wish to see you get hurt." Reia pleaded with the boy, trying to make him understand. "Please, just listen to me. The monsters here are not like normal, everyday evil. You may not even be able to see them! I will, there fore, I am safer!"

"Of course you can touch them, but I will not be able to keep my eyes on you while I'm attacking them myself!" Reia replied shortly. "What do you expect me to do, stay out of the battle while you go and get yourself killed or something?! I don't think that's an agreeable compromise." She gritted her teeth, angry that she was giving in, admitting to some defeat. "Boys are impossible..."

"See, you don't like fighting!" Reia protested. "I am strong enough, please, I don't want you to get hurt!" A tear began to roll down her face, and her wings unfurled gracefully. "See, I can stand now." It took an effort, and she fell down at first. She, however, stood again, on quaky legs, and had to sit from the dizziness that her efforts caused. "Or maybe not..." Her wings drooped sadly as she looked up into Konoe's eyes from her position in the grayish fog. "I guess this means you win." Reia smiled weakly, the tears streaming steadily down her face. "Just promise me you won't get hurt, okay? I would never live with myself if you did. I'll be your eyes."

"You be my strength."

"No, not as of yet." Reia shuddered uncontrollably. "Though I do feel them. They are close."

Reia peeked a glance at Konoe. "Why are you doing this for me? We barely know each other... and you're risking your life. Why?"

She never got an answer to her question, for at that moment, she gasped. "They're here!"

"To your left!" Reia screeched out suddenly, pointing frantically with her finger. "Now, swing!"

She sighed in relief when she saw the monster fall before it inflicted any damage. However, she knew Konoe was not quite out of the ball field yet...

"Konoe! Uh... Southeast!"

Reia watched as another monster fell to Konoe's fatal swing. "I was afraid you wouldn't turn around in time...." She sighed before she noticed another monster creeping up on Konoe.

"This is just what I was afraid of! To the West!" Reia cried, hoping Konoe would be all right. "They're mad at you for even attempting to protect me!"

She watched as the third monster fell.