*We last left our heroes returning home after a great victory over the Demon Fleet. Tifanel appears with Bo back in the castle.*
Tifanel: Can you guys get outta my body now? I want to be able to think dirty thoughts again...
Thorn: Combiteration, I now command you to end. *They all split up in a flash of blue light.*
Tifanel: Oh, it's so good to be me again.
Laurenza: We should celebrate our great victory.
Lierlo: Yes, you go ahead, but I should go tell my father the good news. *Teleports to the Spirit World in a ball of flame.*

*Laurenza makes arrangement and some time later there is musical entertainment and food. The Neko tribe who helped them fight the Demons were invited and have arrived.*
Bo: Well, I'm glad I came.
Laurenza: Yeah, and we really appreciate you helping us out back there with the big Demon.
Bo: It's a pleasure to be of service. Besides, I do it all the time.
Laurenza: Hard life?
Bo: It's getting easier.
*Kitzie is sat snoozing on Tifanel's lap and he is loudly describing his battles with the Demons to a group of Nekos.*
Tifanel: There I was, it was just me and the Demon. No one else knew what to do until I hit upon the ingenious plan of usin' Magick against it, not physical attacks...
*Kitzie lifts her head.*
Kitzie: *With a sly look.* Didn't Lierlo tell you to use Magick?
Tifanel: Oh yeah, but I was the big hero, after all. I did all the fightin'.
Kitzie: With other people's Magick....
*The Nekos laugh and Bo laughs along with.*
Tifanel: But I did help!
Laurenza: Yes, we know, Tiffy. *With the slightest bit of sarcasm.* We couldn't have done it without you.
Thorn: Hey, guys, leave it. Tifanel did well out there, and we really couldn't have done it without him. The spell wouldn't have worked...
Tifanel: Awww, stop it, you're embarrassin' me. *Goes a bit red.*
Thorn: *Smiles.*
*The party carries on for a good while. Some time later, Lierlo comes through the front door, looking upset. He no longer looks shiny as he did before, his wings are gone and he is wearing normal clothes.*
Thorn: Lierlo? Did something happen...?
*A tear runs down Lierlo's cheek and he runs through the Main Chamber to a smaller chamber elsewhere.*
Thorn: Something tells me I need to be a little more tactful.
Laurenza: Lierlo? What's wrong with him? We should see what the matter is... *Follows after him.*
Bo: *Turns to Thorn.* You know, I don't think Lierlo is a Spirit anymore...
Thorn: What makes you say that?
Bo: He looks human.
Kitzie: Poor Lierly... he looked sad. I wanna see what's wrong. *Goes through.*
Thorn: Yeah, the feminine/Demon touch is always more comforting.
Tifanel: Hmm... Y'know he never came across to me as the type who would cry.
Thorn: Yes, many things can cry.
*Laurenza and Kitzie come back through and sit back down next to Thorn, Bo and Tifanel.*
Thorn: How is he?
Laurenza: Upset, but he won't say why. He just sits there sobbing.
Thorn: Maybe it's family issues...
Laurenza: Maybe. I always thought Siun was very cold.
Kitzie: Lierly... maybe if he told us what was wrong, we could make him feel better.
Thorn: I think he just wants to be left alone...
Kitzie: But I wanna hug him and tell him everything's all right.
Laurenza: If he just sits there crying all day, he'll never get over it.
Bo: If he doesn't want to talk, you shouldn't force him into it. That'll just make him feel worse...
Laurenza: Yeah, I just feel really sorry for him, that's all.
Thorn: You'll help him in time.
Laurenza: Yeah. And now I don't feel like celebrating any more, now that I've seen that he's upset.
Thorn: It's getting late, anyway.
Laurenza: Do you need to be leaving us, Bo? Otherwise, you're welcome to stay the night.
Bo: My friends aren't expecting me back for a while. I would be honoured to stay and fight alongside you all, for however long it takes.
Kitzie: Yay, another friend who's furry. *Hugs Bo.*
Laurenza: I thought you didn't like dogs, Kitzie...
Kitzie: He's a nice doggy who doesn't chase me.
Bo: Piggyback ride?
Kitzie: Okay! *Jumps on Bo.*
Bo: *Runs in circles a bit and then heads off upstairs.*

*The party breaks up and the other guests all leave.*
Thorn: *Goes to Laurenza.* It was a good party.
Laurenza: Yeah, but it's a shame not everyone enjoyed it.
Thorn: You... think we should go talk to him?
Laurenza: Yeah... *Goes to the other chamber.*
Thorn: *Follows her.*
*Lierlo is sat curled up in a corner. He hears Thorn's voice and looks up at him, his face streaked with tears.*
Lierlo: Hello Thorn...
Thorn: Are you ready to tell us what's wrong?
Lierlo: I went to tell my father that we had beaten the Demons, and he told me that I was a disobedient child who should be punished... He said that I am rash, impulsive and a failure as a Divine Spirit. I put this world into threat rather than protecting it, by letting evil people through the Divine Protection and fighting the Demons, so they may very well attack the Spirits for revenge. *His voice becomes shaky.* He disinherited me. I'm no longer part of the family, I am banished from the Spirit World and I have had all my powers stripped from me.
Thorn: You've got us, Lierlo. Anything you might need, we can help you.
Laurenza: *Gives Lierlo a hug.*
Lierlo: Oh, ouch…
Laurenza: What?
Lierlo: My back is kind of sore. *His clothes are stained with blood where his wings used to be.*
Laurenza: Oh… sorry. I was just trying to make you feel better.
Lierlo: Thank you..
Thorn: That's okay. You deserve it...
Lierlo: *Laughs a little.* And my father is a senile old fool who is much too set in his ways.
Thorn: *Laughs.* If you say so...
Laurenza: *Laughs as well.* You know you agree, Thorn.
Thorn: Yes, well…
Laurenza: Why don't you get some rest, Lierlo? Things will feel better in the morning.
Lierlo: Yes, thank you. *Goes to bed.*
Laurenza: Maybe we should turn in for the night, hmm? It's been a long day.
Thorn: Right...*Heads off to bed.*

*The next morning, Kitzie is up quite early and is running around the castle in a mad kitten kind of mood.*
Kitzie: *Jumps on Bo to wake him up.* Wake up! Wake up!
Bo: *Yawns.* Err... Kitzie?
Kitzie: Come and play!
Bo: Isn't it a little early?
Kitzie: You're no fun! *Runs to Laurenza's room, and jumps on her and Thorn.* Wake up! Wake up!
Thorn: *Wakes with a start.* WAH!
Laurenza: *Still half asleep.* No... I don't want to go to school today... zzzzzz.
Thorn: Kitzie, is there any reason why you've woken us up at the crack of dawn?
Kitzie: Come and play!
Thorn: Well, if you really want...*Magickally changes his clothes.* Let's go then...
Laurenza: Zzzzzz... Don't forget to brush your teeth and wash behind your ears... zzzzzz.
Kitzie: Yay! Come on, Thorny, I bet you can't catch me! *Runs off as fast as lightning.*
Thorn: Celerity. *Runs after her, his spell causing him to move faster.*
Kitzie: Whee! *Disappears from sight.*
Thorn: Okay, I give up. I'm going back to bed. *Goes back to bed.*
Kitzie: I win! I win!

*Some time later, Kitzie comes running back into Thorn and Laurenza's room, shouting in distress.*
Kitzie: Mononoke! Mononoke!
Thorn: What…? Where?
Kitzie: Downstairs!
Thorn: *Dresses quickly, then heads downstairs with her. He is met halfway by Bo.*
Bo: I heard Kitzie... What's a Mononoke?
Thorn: A Demon that takes the form of a vengeful spirit.
Kitzie: Very scary! It came in through the front door. *Charges down the stairs, yelling.* You're not going to get us!
*Bo and Thorn follow her to where the 'Mononoke' is and there they find Kuja.*
Thorn: You know, this gets less and less convincing every time I see it.
Kuja: Hello Thorn, aren't you pleased to see me?
Thorn: You mentioned that before.
Kuja: Curious isn't it? The little one here is calling me 'Demon.' I've been called a lot of things in my life, but never 'Demon...' That's a new one on me.
Thorn: Your essence... your spirit, it's all true...
Kuja: It was the last time I checked... *Looks to Kitzie.* She isn't yours and Laurenza's, is she? I'm not entirely sure how long I've been away.
Thorn: No, but I could imagine what a blow to you it would be if she was...
Kuja: What's that supposed to mean?
Thorn: Nothing...
Kuja: *Scratches his head.* It's funny... I could've sworn that I died.
Bo: I died once…
Kuja: Great, I have some common ground with a talking dog.
Bo: *Looks down.*
Kuja: I'm not exactly sure why I'm back... or how I'm back, for that matter.
Thorn: It doesn't change what you did, Kuja.
Kuja: If you think I'm going to say sorry, Thorn, you've got another thing coming. No amount of apologising, grovelling or pleading would earn me your forgiveness. Not that I'd want it, anyway.
Thorn: I know.
Kuja: But I did learn my lesson though. Never make deals with the Devil because he's a double-crossing bastard.
Thorn: You shouldn't have sided with Lucifer in the first place. Did he promise you something?
Kuja: As if I'd tell you!
Thorn: Okay, you don't have to. I think someone would like to see you. *Summons Laurenza. She is still in her nightgown.*
Kuja: Ah, the lovely Laurenza. Still as radiant as ever, I see.
Laurenza: *Blushes madly.* Do you mind?! Can you ask before teleporting me when I... *Spots Kuja.* Kuja? Oh no, this isn't another Mononoke is it?
Thorn: I don't think so.
Kuja: Why do people keep mistaking me for a Demon? I know I may be a little creepy, but...
Laurenza: Kuja? How did you...?
Kuja: Haven't a clue. But whoever did it, hats off to them.
Laurenza: As much as I'd like to continue this chat, I'd rather do it in some proper clothes. *Teleports back to her room.*
Kuja: Heheh...
Thorn: *Looks at Kuja.* What?
Kuja: Nothing.
Kitzie: I'm confused... Is Creepy Guy s'posed to be dead?
Thorn: Yes. We don't why he's back either, but we'll find an explanation.
Kuja: I hope so. Aah, it's good to be alive again. *Goes to take a look round the castle.*
Bo: So he's meant to be dead, then?
Thorn: Yes, I watched him die.
Bo: Well, I don't know of anything that could have brought him back, do you?
Thorn: I came across a couple of resurrection spells in my day, but I don't understand why anyone would risk raising him...
Kitzie: Maybe... maybe somebody was sad that Creepy Guy had died and wanted him back?
Thorn: Maybe.
Kitzie: At least he isn't a Mononoke.
Thorn: Yes, but he's Kuja. I'd rather face a Mononoke than him any day...
Kitzie: *Laughs and then sings.* "The Creepy Guy, the Creepy Guy, if he catches you, you're going to die."
*Bo laughs a little, while Thorn stays silent.*
Kuja: *Coming back towards them.* The Yochians even wrote songs about me, oh, I am touched..
*Lierlo comes downstairs, yawning a little. He stops in his tracks when he sees Kuja.*
Lierlo: Not another Mononoke!
Kuja: *Bangs head on a wall.*
Bo: Maybe you should wear a sign around your neck...
Kuja: I am not a Mononoke, 'Falos...'
Lierlo: You knew?
Kuja: I did. There was a lot of Magickal energy emitting from Falos, which couldn't have possibly been his own. After all, he was only a human.
Lierlo: That is true, but can we get back to the situation at hand? How did you come back to life?
Kuja: Maybe I should add that to my sign as well. I DON'T KNOW!
Lierlo: I wonder… *Thinks for a moment, and then walks up to Kuja and lifts his kimono up.*
Kuja: What are you doing?!
Lierlo: *Notices some clumsy medical work done on Kuja's chest.* Stitches...
Kuja: Please let me know beforehand the next time you have the urge to see me naked.
Lierlo: *Puts Kuja's kimono down.* You really are scrawny. Are you anorexic?
Kuja: Shut up.
Lierlo: I think I've figured out how you came back to life.
Kuja: Go on, enlighten us.
Lierlo: It's only a theory, but Lucifer 'killed' you by tearing out your soul, which was joined with a Malaphaescite shard. Without your soul, you couldn't go on living, but you weren't dead. Someone must have used some Magick of some kind to put the shard back into your body, bringing you back to life.
Thorn: It makes sense...
Lierlo: The next question is who did it, and why?
Kuja: Beats me. Most people would be much happier without me.
Thorn: Not everyone.
Kuja: *Grins in a sarcastic way.* I love you too, Thorn.
Thorn: I... was talking about... Laurenza...
Laurenza: Someone call?
*Laurenza comes down the stairs, now fully clothed.*
Laurenza: What's this about me?
Lierlo: We were wondering...
Kuja: Yes, wondering if you...
Lierlo: If you... um…
Laurenza: What?
Kuja: ...Knew anything about my unexpected resurrection?
Laurenza: Why do you think I would?
Lierlo: Because you are a possible suspect for doing it.
Kuja: Hey, I was brought back to life, not murdered... That's not a crime, is it?
Lierlo: *Quietly.* I don't know about that…
Laurenza: I didn't do it... I wouldn't know how! And anyway, a while ago I couldn't find Kuja's shard. I think someone took it. Don't you believe me?
Thorn: I believe you.
Bo: Me too.
Lierlo: She says she didn't do it and if she didn't have the shard, she couldn't. That narrows it down to... whoever did do it.
Kuja: Does really it matter who did it?
Lierlo: We just want to know what motive they had for reviving you.
Kuja: Oh yeah, they'd probably be like, 'gosh, the world is really lacking murderous lunatics right now. I know, let's call up Kuja.'
Bo: Well, if that was what happened, they need to be stopped.
Kuja: You're going to kill me again, aren't you?
Thorn: What?
Kuja: You know you want to.
Thorn: I don't.
Kuja: Liar.
Laurenza: I thought you hated him, Thorn.
Thorn: No, I don't. Not any more. He was under Lucifer's power when I wanted to kill him and he isn't now... And what do you mean 'again?'
Kuja: I've died before, so if I were killed, I'd be killed again.
Thorn: Yes, but I didn't kill you before...
Kuja: I didn't say you did. Try listening next time.
Thorn: I quote, 'you're going to kill me again, aren't you?' unquote.
Kuja: But nowhere in there did I say 'Like you did before.' I said 'again' because I've died before! Okay, it might not be perfectly grammatically correct but I knew what I meant. Just let it go! Just because you missed out on the pleasure of killing me, it doesn't mean you have to go on about it.
Thorn: You know, I sure haven't missed the constant whining of yours, Kuja.
Kuja: Is that right? But I really missed your little vindictive jests and your side splittingly hilarious retorts.
Laurenza: Can't you guys go one moment without bickering?
Kuja: Yes, yes. We completely lost the plot. I believe Thorn was saying how much he no longer wants to kill me.
Thorn: I tell a lie... Of course I still want to kill you. Every night in my dreams, I see your feeble bones shatter under my power, and it's euphoric. I will get my wish Kuja. Just give me a reason.
Bo: Thorn… What's happened to you…?
Kuja: Ah yes, the first law of Thornism: anything that annoys, kill. Killing solves every problem known in the Universe.
Thorn: *Blasts Kuja down with dark energy.* I really missed that...
Laurenza: Thorn!
Kuja: *Rubs his backside.* Ooh yeah, I love being right.
Thorn: Perhaps you are. But if you are, then your chances don't look good, do they?
Kuja: Oh well. It happened before.
Thorn: Only this time, Kuja, something will be different... *Thorn's eyes are glowing black.* This time, I'm going to enjoy watching it.