Author's note: This is the sequal to Herald of Damnation, if you haven't read the it than it is best if you do so you can understand what led to this sequal. I want to welcome you to this story. Hopefully you will enjoy it as much as I do writing it. If there are comments or suggestions you would like to make or if you might spot a spelling mistakes feel free to contact me, enjoy.

Progeny of Sorrows

"To think it has been almost fourteen months since that day, the day we lost a person very close to me. I am still missing her company and dare I say her little antics…

… We have all come a long way since that day, I have spent a good time in the hospital after I was shot, to think that he only survived that because Nyu-chan gave up her life to safe Kouta's still brings a shiver down my spine…

… We have all become closer together after all this. Even though we suffered a loss that we have shared together, I guess we could be grateful for the sacrifices made by others, but that still won't take away the pain. I love my family more than anything in the world even if it is probably the most awkward one in existence…

… Dai-san and Mako-san got married last year, I still remember it like it was yesterday. They still visit us on a regular basis both to keep in contact with us and to make sure that the new girls won't cause us too many problems. We have come to rely on them a lot and still they support us wherever they can...

...They are also the ones who have worked hard to make sure that nothing about us got leaked out to those people who would still seek out the remaining diclonius for their own personal gains.

Right now we are living a safe and peaceful life thanks to them...

...A few months ago, their child was born and I couldn't forget the first day they brought the baby with them, all of the girls went mad over it. I guess that even diclonius can't get enough of a baby. God, I just hope they won't start a fight over who gets to hug it next…

… Mayu-chan has grown into a young woman by now. She has graduated from junior high school and luckily nothing that has happened left an impact on her. Her friendship with Bando-san was something that was a difficult thing for us to overcome in the beginning, but we managed thanks to her determination. Right now she is studying hard for her exams and we feel proud knowing that she will graduate high school in two years. Her grades are good and the teachers say that she would have little trouble entering university if she keeps up like this. It would make us all very proud.

She's also better at befriending other people and a few times some of her classmates have visited the Inn though we had to make sure that the girls weren't here…

… I never thought we could, but we found it possible to forgive Bando-san for his past actions. in the end, he was willing to risk his own life to save Mayu-chan. We have gotten to know him a lot better since then and as time went by we consider ourselves lucky to have a man like him counted amongst our friends, he does come in handy from time to time and although he is welcome to visit us he prefers not to because of the girls…

… Nana-chan is still the same old stubborn person that she has been ever since we first met, along with the others, she has grown and not just physically. She takes cares of most of the household chores while also doing her best to teach the new girls how things work in this new world. Along with them she also studies hard to gain a better understanding herself. It isn't easy for her but she is learning and giving it her best despite the hardships she had to endure.I don't what is going on between her and Saori-chan but they fight a lot with each other, somehow she often calls her with a name that Saori-chan doesn't seem to like…

… Nozomi-chan has become a permanent tenant at the Inn, well at least until she finishes her study in a couple of years. Along with the others she does her best in the household when she is not busy studying and preparing for her exams. She and her father have managed to resolve their differences and he now fully supports her in her ambition of becoming a injury she sustained when those men raided our house have also fortunately healed though the doctors have advised caution not to overexert her throat, I know that she would have been devastated if her voice had been ruined…

… Saeko-chan had us all worried for a long time when it became clear that he was not coming back, according to what information Dai-san had managed to acquire, Dreachon had died in the explosion that had destroyed the ship carrying the missiles. He still left us with enough support to keep this house going. She has managed to go to the same school as Mayu-chan but she needs to study hard to make for all of the years she has missed, luckily with the help of Mako-san she is making good progress though she remains unable to make I often still see a sad expression on her face and it worries me, she is the first of the girls to having to deal with so many people and I pray that she will manage.…

… The new girls, to think we actually took in a bunch of other horned girls might seem crazy, but for some reason fate does wants to put them with us. They have caused me plenty of headaches in the past though with their lack of manners to say it in the kindest possible way. The twins who we call Kyou-chan and Ryou-chan are two opposites. Ryou-chan is the timid and shy one while Kyou-chan is just brash and overconfident of herself, I know for sure that she is going to get into trouble one of these days. She is more hesitant when it comes to befriending other people as she remembers all too well what she and her sister had to endure at the hands of humans . Ryou-chan also seems to have a more mild attitude and she takes well to other people unlike her sister, they have been adopted by the Hirano's…

… And then that leaves Saori-chan. I still don't know her full story but she gets often in an argument with Nana-chan, whatever the reason is, for now the only person she seems to relate to is Saeko-chan, other people she isn't interested in or even willing to participate in group activities. Even the other girls think different of her as she doesn't make any attempts to socialize with them. The poor girl has spent a long time in a coma and since she has awoken she has had nothing but trouble adapting to life, she just stays to herself for as much as she can, I fear that in time she will become problematic…

… Kouta and I have gotten really close together over the past year. We have been through so much and yet we found strength and comfort with each other. Without her I think I would have gone insane from grief. She pulled me through and gave me a reason to go on with my life. He has also started to understand and accept the feelings that we have for each other...

...In light of all that has happened I should have been more honest to him or to have been more understanding for his illness in the past but it is easy for me to say that with hindsight.

I went together with him and the other girls to the summer festival, it was a good moment, one where we could all be together and happy…

… And yet there is still one thing that I mourn for, one thing that keeps me awake at night, the one that will I will always regret for the rest of my life and that is having killed Nyu and Kaede. I really want to see them one more time and I pray that this year that I can see them again at the festival, please be there both of you… I miss you both… please keep your promise…"

I

A new life

"I'm glad it's spring again," Nozomi mused as she opened the window, looking at the trees in blossom. It was simply gorgeous to her. The warm rays of the sun gently caressed her skin.

"I know," Yuka mentioned as she looked at the trees as well, "I also like the warmth, it will be nice to also wear those new clothes we got ourselves."

Nozomi giggled as she heard that, but in truth she wanted it just as much as Yuka did, no doubt the other girls would also be looking forward to try out their new clothes. "That reminds me, I still have a coupon left for some extra discount. Perhaps we can go and celebrate spring by doing a little shopping." They kept talking about some of the latest fashion until they got interrupted by Mayu.

"I'm sorry but I hadn't expected you to be awake already as this hour." She gave a surprised look not realizing that it what already well past the time that she had in mind.

"Have you overslept again Mayu-chan? I really think that we should get you an alarm clock. It would look bad if you ended up late for class tomorrow."

"That is not fair." Mayu rebuked. "I only got late because I had to drag Saeko-san along."

Yuka stepped closer to let her know she didn't mean it like that. "I know dear but, you are still the only person that she wants to hang out with during school, to her it is all new and I can understand her reasons for being scared." She looked at Nozomi who had been in more or the less the same situation during her time at school.

"Don't forget that it only her first year, she is still new to all of it and it can be scary having so many unknown people around you." Nozomi joined in on the discussion, "Besides we all know that Saeko-chan can be rather shy, luckily she isn't like Kyou-chan or Saori-chan but I can certainly understand why she is hesitant, just give her some time to adjust."

"You're right. Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea if I had a little conversation with her school counselor. I know she has only been there for a month now but it can't hurt."

"Well, while you go and do that, I will go and make us some tea. With this kind of weather, it will be nice to be able to sit outside again," Nozomi mentioned as she left for the kitchen leaving Yuka and Mayu to their own devices.

"I guess that leaves it to me to make the call then, do you happen to know who her student counselor is, Mayu-chan?"

She shook her head. "I'm sorry, I don't know who she has but, if you were to call the school they should be able to make an appointment with you."

"You're right, I will call them tomorrow." She sat down in the garden along with Mayu as they looked at the weed that was starting to pop up. "We really need to start gardening and soon, the weeds are just all over the place."

"We could do it this weekend, it would be nice to do with the whole family but, I do think it will be very busy then," Mayu remarked as she knew that the coming weekend Dai and his family would come visit them. That also meant they would be bringing the twins with them as they were now a part of the Hirano family.

"Kyou-chan and Ryou-chan do always like being here," She mused as behind her Nozomi came carrying the tea and glasses. "I'm sorry, but I can't join you. I'm afraid my father has invited me to go to a session with him. He wants to make up for the past."

"I'm glad to hear that you and your father have finally come around. It must be good to have him support you as well, has the rest of your family started to support you?"

She put down the tray. "Sadly some of them still refuse to but, I can live with that now, most importantly is that my friends and my father support me." Nozomi smiled as she said it.

A sharp crack made them look up but, Yuka could already tell what had happened. "Seriously, I am telling you that girl just doesn't know when to stop." She got up with an angry expression and left but then she halted at the entrance.

"Yuka-san you can't go!" Mayu cried as she got up to stop her. "You need to wait for Nana-san or Saeko-san to help, it is too dangerous otherwise."

It made Yuka realize that she was right. There was a risk that the numbing was starting to have a lesser effect on Saori after all this time, too much of a risk if she had her vectors back. Getting back in her seat Yuka took a sip of the tea. "I am telling you that girl is nothing but trouble, I have lost count on how many times she has broken that window."

"Do you think we should wait for Nana-san?" Nozomi asked. She knew that without help Saori could be very dangerous to anybody near her.

"I doubt that is going to help, you know what happens when she gets called Mariko. Sometimes I do wonder why they even brought her here." She took a bite of the cookies that Mayu had brought with her.

"I don't think that is fair to say, you know that she has been through some difficult times of her. We should give her the benefit of the doubt, she hasn't even been here for half a year."

"I know Nozomi-chan, but you have to agree with me that she isn't like Nana-chan or Saeko-chan. She doesn't listen to people and she just stays in her room all day." They looked back at the window as they could hear her scream.

Opening her eyes because of the scream Saeko didn't feel like getting up. Today was another school day and to be honest she wasn't really in the mood to go. School had been scarier than she had thought and even though Mayu went with her every day she left her when classes started, even during her lunch breaks she was often on her own.

She didn't even have anybody in her classes that she liked. They all gave her strange looks from the very first day even with her horns disguised. Maybe it was due to her hair color or perhaps the way she had presented herself to the class. Either way, she wasn't keen to go on with it anymore. Even when she was being polite the others would call her names, on several occasions she had just left the classroom and run back to home.

Listening to the screaming she could well know how her sister was feeling, being alone in the world was just a horrible experience. She had cried for days on end when Dai had brought the news, that combined with no longer being able to contact Dogo had brought the realization that she was alone now. Even with the comfort and this family she felt more alone than ever, how could she go on without the most important thing in her life.

She had wanted to go to school and yet being there now made her regret that decision because every day felt miserable to her. Staying at home, she could at least enjoy the company of her fellow diclonius. The homework was actually fun to do, but only because she could do it at home with the people she liked, there she wouldn't get called out with names.

Hearing the screaming continue, she got up with reluctance, disappearing, her little sister needed her the most right now. Saori was a troubled one. She had been ever since they had brought her into the house. Saeko had pleaded to give her a chance as she knew that Saori wasn't a bad person, she had just been abused by people who had warped her perception of the world. She didn't want to be a bad girl but she didn't know what it meant to be good.

How difficult it was going to be in reality she never could have guessed, Saori still didn't trust humans nor any diclonius that contorted with a human. She got furious especially at Nana who constantly called her Mariko, for whatever reason she hated that name which is why she was given a new one. She reacted much better to it, but even then she remained a loner, keeping to just herself in her own room while trying to keep her interaction with others to the bare minimum she needed to survive. Saeko was the only person she sought or accepted company from, maybe because they had something in common or felt a common grief.

Whatever it was it was this had in the end helped her overcome her own desperation, if it hadn't been that Saori needed her help and care she would have likely killed herself. "Saori-chan, why are you making so much noise this early in the morning?" She asked as she stepped into the room.

Sitting there in her still dark room with the only light coming from the cracked window she sat there, huddled in one of the corner talking to herself. Cradling herself as her hair covered her face, the long robes she wore hiding most of her burned body.

"Saori-chan what is wrong, did something happen? I'm getting worried about you."

She didn't seem to respond to her questions as she kept to her place. It made Saeko wonder what had agitated or troubled her this time, Saori had a short temper if she wanted to but her personality was very erratic, able to go from anger to scared at a mere second. Attempts to help her control her emotions hadn't been that successful and only furthered her isolation.

"It's me, you know you can talk to me Saori-chan. Please you know that I hate to see you here by yourself, if you let me know what is wrong I can help you."

Finally she started to notice her, she looked up with what must have been the saddest expression on her face thus far. "Onee-sama I hate my life, I hate everything about it."

"Don't say that, you are scaring me."

"My head, it hurts, I want it from my head." Her look took on a more serious expression as she pointed to what remained of the ajina on her forehead. "I hate this thing, I want it off. Please onee-sama take it off, I'll be a good girl I promise." Her voice was becoming higher. "My head hurts because of this thing, I hate it! If I'm a good girl I can stay right?"

She was right, ever since they had tried to remove it there had been problems for her. Without a proper place to go to they had to give up after the device had suffered several malfunctions that each caused her more pain. Saeko felt sad knowing that they had persuaded Saori to undertake this procedure and it was because of them that she was now often in such pain.

"I know and I wish we could take it away but you know that we can't take you anywhere. There is no place that we could go and the one person that I know that would be able to have it remove has died long ago."

Talking about him made her feel even more that surgery Saori had never allowed anybody to touch her forehead let alone the device for fear of it becoming even worse. It made taking care of her all the more difficult for Saeko.

"Onee-sama..." She started to cry. "Why didn't you let me die, why do I have to go on with this life?" In reality she often wished that she had died that night, what reason was there for her to live on with this stolen life. It wasn't hers to begin with.

"I-I just wanted to do something right, to help my sisters. I couldn't help all of you but I needed to at least help one of you on my own." Carefully she folded her arms around Saori trying to provide her with at least some comfort. "If I could remove that awful thing from you I would have, but it is not as simple as what they did to Kyou-chan and Ryou-chan. It is connected your brain and if we were to do anything it would only do more damage, I don't want to see you die because of that."

How much she wished for him to be here right now, how badly she wanted to feel his arm to comfort her. But he was never going to return and she would need to face this on her own.

"Why don't you come downstairs with me and grab something to eat, you didn't have much of dinner yesterday so you must be hungry?"

"No, I don't want go and sit down with them. The other onee-san's all just look at me, I don't like the way they keep looking at me, like I am a bad person. Onee-sama, why don't they understand?"

"Saori-chan, that is only because they do care about you. You are not making it easy for them but despite all that they are concerned about your health." Letting go of her, she got up. "The rest should be finished by now so I will bring something upstairs for you. I can't let my little sister starve here in her room. Just promise me that you will be a good girl when I'm gone."

Slowly lifting her head up Saori looked at her and for the time it seemed that she began to understand what she had been doing. "Being a good girl will make onee-sama happy?"

Saeko smiled. "I'm happy when you're happy Saori-chan, I just want for you to get along with the others in the house. I want for you to have a good life."

Yuka wasn't too happy with Saori being brought her breakfast, especially if it meant that other people needed to wait. The rule was simple for everybody to come at the table unless they were sick. "How are you doing Saeko-chan, did you have a good sleep?" At least with her she knew that she could have a conversation. "Are you looking forward to going to school today?"

"To be honest..." Saeko mumbled. "I am not looking forward to going again, the class just gives me this weird look whenever I say anything."

"Ah, is that still scaring you?" It was a recurring thing that kept haunting Saeko it seemed, was it possible that being called names at school made her go through some of her time spend at the DRI?

"Well I am certain in that in a few weeks, things will go better. They just need to get used to someone special like you, but you do still stick to the rules right?"

"Yes, I keep my horns hidden from them but I do wonder if those ribbons don't attract attention to themselves." Saeko nodded to her.

"I think is more due to the bright colors you have chosen for them, with such a bright pink color you are bound to attract the attention from people but that doesn't have to be bad. Why don't you go and try to talk with some of them, just ask them if you could borrow something from them or if it would be okay for you to join them during lunch."

"I-I don't know… if I can find..." She swallowed at having heard those suggestions, she didn't believe she could be so bold to do that. "That isn't me, I can't do that…"

"Why do you still doubt yourself like that dear, you were bold enough to ask him when you were naked if you looked unappealing to him. Do you still remember that?"

How could she not, one of the most embarrassing moments of her life. A moment where she had actually managed to gather enough courage to ask such a personal question at such a moment and to somebody who had then meant the world to her. "I would rather not do that again… thinking about it makes it feel so embarrassing…"

Yuka had the smile. "Well at least you now know how we felt back then, I think we both went into a shock when you got out of the bathtub." She looked up at the ceiling. "Those were some crazy times back then."

Saeko noticed that Yuka was shedding a few tears. "Yuka-san do you miss Nyu-san?"

Looking back at Saeko it didn't take her long to come up with an answer. "As much as all of us do dear. Do you miss her as well?"

"Yes dear, I still miss her, every day when I walk past her room I'm reminded about her not coming back. It isn't fair, Nyu-san never did anything wrong."

"I know that dear, but sometimes unfair things happen to the kindest of people. You are right as Nyu-chan didn't deserve to die in such a way." By now they both had started to cry as memories of their friend's demise haunted them.

"Come on dear, you should get ready for school now. I would hate to hear from your counselor that you are being late."

The expression on her face said it all as Saeko got up and left to gather her belongings, she really wasn't keen to go to school and Yuka took a note to ask her counselor on why she was so reluctant. Were some of her classmates bullying her or was the teacher given her a hard time, she would also need to contact Mako about this as soon as possible.

"Good morning." Mayu mentioned as she saw Saeko coming out of the house. "Are you ready?"

"Good morning Mayu-chan." A short reply but other than that she didn't say all that much during their walk to school. Then when they started to reach the gate up ahead she finally broke the silence she had kept the entire walk. "Mayu-chan, can I ask you a question?"

"Off course you can, we are like sisters, right?"

"How do you manage to avoid people from calling you names. How do you become friends with them? Yuka-san told me to make some friends but I don't know how."

Mayu hesitated for a moment as she couldn't come up with a good answer to that, for her it had been rather normal to make friends in her class when she had just started. She guessed for someone like Saeko who had spent most of her time in a solitary confinement it must be more difficult to make contact, it wasn't helped by her rather shy nature.

"I think you should try and be less shy, you should be more open to people." Mayu wasn't sure what the best way would be for her to make friends, what had worked for herself might not work so well for Saeko. "I know that it can be scary but you mustn't let that stop you, don't lose to the obstacles you'll face in life. Allow people to befriend you as well."

"I-I don't know if I am strong enough for that, sorry," she muttered and her head dropped as they walked past the gate, now they had entered the school grounds and it would mean that Mayu would soon leave her alone. "See you soon." She called and waved as she went into a different building.

Now she was already starting to feel lonely, but she couldn't just leave, with reluctance she went to grab her shoes from the locker. She didn't even like to wear these, but those were the rules. Putting them on, she could already hear the giggling and laughing of others and she envied them for having made already friends in this place. Why did it seem to be so easy for them when she struggled so much with it.

There was nothing she could do about it anymore, she just needed to get through this and then get back home as fast as she could, with a little luck she might even get sick. Going up the stairs she could see that most students were already going towards the respected classrooms, she knew that she wasn't going to be the first inside. At the door she stopped for moment to take a deep breath, there still was chance for her to turn back and leave, but how could she explain it to the rest at home. Her head hanging even lower she stepped inside.

Only a few mumbled remarks greeted her as she took her place in the back of the class. It felt better here as most people wouldn't be looking at her. They all stood up as their teacher walked inside. "Good morning sensei." She and the other students replied as they bowed.

"Good morning students. You may resume your seats again."

At least she felt better now that he was here because it meant that the attention of the class would be focused on him and not on her.

"Isuzu-san?" The teacher called out for her though it had been by the adopted name of her family. She snapped to the attention as she stood up straight to answer him.

"Yes sensei." She managed to make a small bow even if it did earn her a few remarks from the class, it pained her but at least she would be showing the proper respect.

"Could you be so kind to go downstairs to the reference room and grab the following materials, I have written them down for you?" He then turned his attention to one of the other students who was laughing. "Kikuchi-san, if you have nothing better to do than loafing around then you can make yourself useful and get the following from the principal!"

The student let out a soft remark as he got up and went along with her, Saeko didn't like him and it made her feel a bit better knowing that at least one person helped her in his own way.

Yuka felt relieved that she had managed to make an appointment with the counselor for Saeko but first she would need to get past the rest of her own study, after that Mako would come to pick her up as she had agreed to come with her. In truth it would have been for the best as given her own age it would look odd for her to come in as the guardian for Saeko who didn't look all that much younger than her.

She knew how it had looked when Kouta had to come for an appointment with Mayu's counselor, it taken the official documentation to make it clear that they were her legal guardians after all.

Hopefully this one would be more understanding, but at least with Mako there they did have all the papers they needed. Even though Mako had offered to take her in, Saeko had kindly declined her offer letting her know that her family now was with those of the Maple Inn. Despite that, she would still on a regular basis go and visit her aunt. It was nice that she had the chance to meet some of her direct family even if it was only an aunt but still it felt good nonetheless.

The last class went by quickly and with that she fell in a hurry to get back at the inn in time as she didn't want to keep Mako waiting for her but getting outside she found a little surprise.

"Good day to you Yuka-san, I was finished early so I decided to come over and offer you a ride."

With disbelief she watched as Mako was waiting for her at the gate. "Good day to you too Takebe-san, well that is certainly a generous offer from you, thank you." She made a small bow even if it wasn't needed as she had come to know Mako rather well over the last year.

"Well, I think this is faster and besides you can relax a bit longer at home before our appointment." Mako gestured for her to come with her to the car which had been parked just a few meters ahead.

"So how is the baby doing?" Yuka asked as she buckled up. She was glad that Mako had been there to offer her a ride, already she had been worried that she wouldn't have made it in time given she would have needed to walk home and then also prepare dinner.

"He is doing fine although both me and Dai-kun are having to get up so often in the evening, he isn't giving us much rest if you want to know the truth. But then I think that is something you will get to experience for yourself in time." She gave out a quick wink at Yuka.

"Don't be silly, I don't think I will have any children of my own for a couple of years besides I need to work on my studies first and with all of the girls I have already enough of a household. You know yourself how lively it can become at our house."

"That is true, but you do have to admit that it certainly won't ever get dull at your place." Mako joked as they left the parking lot. "But I want to ask you a more personal question, how is she doing on a sociable level? Is she able to make friends in her class?"

That was a difficult one for her to answer as she knew that Mako was like her doing whatever she could to help Saeko adjust to her class. "To be honest I don't really know but with some luck her counselor can tell us that."

Mako turned her eyes back on the road as they were starting to get close to home now. "There is one more thing I have to ask of you, could you bring her over to the practice tomorrow, I need to take a few more blood samples from her."

"Nothing serious I hope?" Yuka asked. True, Saeko underwent a regular medical checkup each month like the other girls, but why did she need extra blood then.

"There is something that I need to find out but it isn't anything serious or life-threatening if that is what you want to know."

"I'm home!" Kouta announced as he opened the door, was he glad that for the moment he was back home. School had been exhausting today with no less than three mock up exams he had to participate. At least, he had the time off for the rest of the week which he would make the best use of. Still he also needed to spend some time in getting ready for his driving license exam and although it had been something that he could have done years ago as he was well past the minimum age requirement but he had never felt much need for it.

Inside he could already smell that somebody was working on dinner. "Thank god." He had gotten pretty hungry so it was a good omen to him that somebody had gone ahead with it. "That smells rather good, can I ask what it is?" Coming into the kitchen he saw that Nana had been the one to attend dinner for today.

Nana nodded to him. "Welcome back, so how was your day?" Still as always she was interested to hear in how their days were at school, not being able to go herself she wanted to hear everything from them that there was to know.

"Well to be honest I'm just glad it was over, three exams is just way too much for me." Looking over her shoulder, he peeked at what she was making for them.

"So what are you cooking for us today, I have to say that it smells rather good."

"Ah Kouta-san!" Nana rebuked. "You are not meant to see it yet, it is a surprise." She started to push him out of the kitchen even if that meant using a vector or two. He wasn't planning on leaving just yet, but damn was she starting to throw her back into it.

"Okay, okay, I get the idea." Taking the hint, he left as he went to place his belongings back in his room, besides it wouldn't hurt if he were to freshen himself up before dinner.

"Alright then might as well go and do something useful while I wait," he mumbled to himself as he looked at the time. Less than an hour before dinner wasn't too bad he figured. Perhaps it would be even possible for him to take a bath.

"Nana-chan is there anybody else having a bath at this moment?" Not that he was expecting anybody, but then it did pay to be a bit careful as he had no intention of getting thrown throughout the house again by Saori. That girl really had a short temper.

"I think that Nozomi-chan is using the bath right now, she came a bit earlier than you did."

Well there went that idea, with her using the bathroom there was no way for him to have one before dinner would be served. That left him nothing else to do besides either watching some TV or go studying, he preferred watching some TV as it wouldn't be such a strain on him.

Perhaps not a bad idea to go through the mail as well, he was expecting a few replies to some of his applications he had sent a week ago. Nana came out to drop a few more pieces of mail in his lap, looking at her he was a bit confused as these were all just flyers.

"I am sorry Nana-chan, but what I am supposed to do with these?"

She eyed him and his suspicion started to grow. "Well given that it is getting warmer again I was hoping that we could all go and hang out at the beach at some point, also for that we need the right clothing."

He nearly choked himself after hearing that. "We have barely reached spring and you want to go shopping already for swimsuits and bikinis, don't you have other things to worry about?"

"Well not really, there isn't much for me to do once all of the chores and my homework is finished so I have plenty of time to read through these." She pointed at one of them which made Kouta blush.

"You can't be serious about wanting this one, I mean there is just… well… look… at… her." His sentence lost its momentum as he kept staring, damn he needed to put it away and fast.

She made a sad face. "Do you think I am too chubby for it?"

How could she even ask that, she looked fine, no, better than fine. Seriously! Kouta had to avert his eyes now as this was just going to end up badly for him, he just knew. It wasn't helped by that fact that Nana was reaching maturity faster than Mayu and her body demonstrated it all too well, if he didn't know any better she more resembled Yuka's age than Mayu's age. Then again Kyou, Ryou and Saori were also growing much faster than Saeko.

Immersed in his thoughts something started to tingle his nose, sniffing around he suddenly look at Nana. "Did you leave the stove on too high again, I think something is burning?"

She screamed for her life as she ran back to the kitchen, a black cloud meeting her on the way in.

"NONONONONOOOOO!"

"Well so much for dinner." He remarked as he looked at the burned remains of what smelled like a good dinner, guess they had to find something else for tonight.

"Do you think we can still serve this?" Nana laughed as she held up the pan for him to watch.

His eye twitched in response. "Tell me that that is just a joke, you can't serve something that is this badly burned." Touching one of the burnt, whatever it was, it fell apart.

"So what do we do now?" She asked with an expression born from desperation and disappointment. Looking at her sad face there was little they could do for now, most of the others would arrive soon and there just wasn't enough time.

Kouta sighed as he grabbed the phone. "I guess it is pizza night then." Yeah that would get them something to eat, but with the drooling that Nana was showing he just made sure to order the extra-large ones.

"Good afternoon Saeko-san," Mayu replied as she noticed Saeko was walking just a few meters in front of her. "I didn't know your classes had already ended for today?"

"Yes, the teacher felt sick so we were excused. I'm glad because that way I don't have to walk on my own back to home, you know how much I hate being alone."

"I do." Mayu gave her a hug. "Let's go together then shall we, besides there is something great I want to talk about with you but you have to promise me that you will keep it a secret."

"Y-Yes, I-I promise." Looking into her eyes Mayu knew that her little secret would be kept from the others, after all Saeko was much better at keeping her mouth than Nana who would just blare it out at the first opportunity.

"There is somebody in the other class who likes me, at least I think he does. We met only in class as he just transferred in but I have gotten a note from him. At least I think it is his."

Saeko's eyes widened as she listened to her. How wonderful and exciting it must be for Mayu to have a person to share romantic feelings with. At least that was what she thought of it. "What did it say, does he want to see you?" Her curiosity had been sparked.

"Yes." Mayu replied quickly. "He has asked me to meet him in the music room after class, but that would also mean that I can't come home with you tomorrow." Seeing the sad look in Saeko's eyes she wondered if it had been better if she hadn't told her at all.

"I'm sorry Saeko-san. I know that going on your own isn't what you prefer and if you really want to than I won't go and see him."

"N-No you can't give up, if he is special to you than you must go and see him. I don't like being alone, but you shouldn't give up on a special person. Before you know it they would be gone."

Mayu knew what or rather who she was referring to. His death hadn't been easy for her and it still left her in a state of desperation at times. Instead of looking to what she had she should have instead been trying to find new people to fill that void. She couldn't keep herself sealed like this for the rest of her life, she was too young to throw it away.

No doubt she was thinking about him even now which explained the tears that were starting to run down her cheeks. A girl like her wouldn't have trouble getting a boyfriend as Saeko just looked cute, the unusual color of her hair would also attract plenty of attention from others though with her personality she still had to learn on how to deal with that.

"Are you sure that is okay, do you think that you can walk alone tomorrow?"

"Y-Yes, I will try for you. Please go and see hi." Saeko cried as she refused to let go of Mayu, right now some of the other students who were walking by were already giving them odd looks. No doubt they were going to hear more of this tomorrow.

"Why don't we go home, the rest must be waiting for us anyway?"

Walking home they were passed by a pizza deliverer on his bike, even with the sealed bag they could smell the pizza's themselves. It made their stomachs rumble.

Yuka felt rather irritated when she had learned that Kouta had ordered some pizzas. Now she would just have to hope they would be thoughtful enough to keep some for her unless Nana ate all of it.

Mako had already offered her a quick stop at one of the local fast food restaurants, but she had kindly declined, right now she just wanted for her meeting with the counselor to be over fast. Looking at her watch one last time, she followed Mako into the school.

"Welcome Takebe-san and Ueda-san." The man greeted them as he opened the door. "Please come inside. May I offer you something to drink?"

Taking their seats, they kindly accepted his offer as he called for some tea to be brought which was fine for them. "I understand you have come here to inquire about Isuzu Saeko-san is that correct?" Already he had taken her school file and placed it on his desk.

"Yes we are as we have a few questions if you would be so kind to answer them for us."

Looking through the file he first discussed her performance in class as to him that was likely what they had come for. "Well I can say that she isn't the most open student from what her teachers have told me and she has difficulty with some of the subjects, I could advice for having her attend extra classes to help with her grades in the near future should you want."

Yuka interrupted him. "That is kind of you Akagi-sensei but we are not here to discuss how she is doing in class, we know that she is lacking a bit behind and we are already working on that."

"Oh my apologies, may I then ask what matter you wish to discuss?"

They looked at each before Mako decided to take word. "We are concerned that she might be the victim of being bullied in class or on the school grounds."

The counselor looked at them. "You are aware on the schools policy when it comes to student safety, do you have any proof of that as that is a serious accusation?"

They sighed. "I'm afraid we don't have much, the only thing is that Saeko-chan is scared about going to school, but she won't discuss this with us. We were hoping you would know more."

"Ah I see, I have been told by several of her teachers that she is very quiet during class. She barely speaks though she is more than willing to help if she is asked. She is also very polite and well mannered, if I may ask how are the two of you related to her?"

"I am her aunt," Mako answered him. "My sister died during childbirth and her husband committed suicide by himself shortly after that. No one in my family even knew she was pregnant until after and by then she was taken in by others. Right now Isuzu-san is her legal guardian as they found and adopted her."

"That is a most unusual situation, can I ask how did this happen-"

Yuka raised her hand. "We would rather not talk about that, let's just keep it that she was taken in by some very awful people who mistreated her. This is also why we are worried that she is being bullied by others, she is still recovering from what those people did to her." They kept the finer details from him, the less people who knew what she really was the better.

Hearing what had happened as the discussion went back and forth Akagi leaned back in his chair. "I had no idea. Well, that certainly would explain some of her behavior. I want to thank you both for having come here and informing me of this. I will inform her teachers to pay extra attention should any students be troubling her."

"Thank you very much." Yuka and Mako bowed before they left his office, they were glad they had gotten to talk with the counselor. Even if they didn't get an answer at least her teachers would now keep an eye out should students pick on her.

"Do you think we have done well for her?" Yuka didn't feel entirely certain, she would have rather just wanted to get a straight answer or have Saeko tell them what was bothering her.

"Do you think she is scared because we kind of forced her into school?" Mako was starting to feel insecure. Were they themselves to blame for this?

"No," Yuka said, "She wanted to go to school herself. I just think that she doesn't like it because there are too many normal people. Perhaps she would feel more at ease if the other girls were there with her."

"You know that that isn't possible. None of the other girls have caught up enough to make it in school, besides with their rapid aging they attract too much attention and right now their best chance at life is by keeping away from that."

"You're right, but what can we do for her then? We can't just go and look for people to befriend her, can we?"

Mako shook her head as she opened the car. What could they do beyond just hoping that at one point Saeko could make friends on her own? "Please god grant her friends at school, she does deserve that." She sighed as sat down. "Even a single one would suffice, just one…"

"Let's go home and talk about while enjoying some tea?" Yuka asked as she got in.

Mayu felt tired as she finished up the last of her homework, like always Nana and Saeko were keeping her company as they also had their own homework to ready even though Nana's wasn't going to be used for some time.

"I am done with this." She puffed as she closed her own books. Saeko on the other hand was still busy as always. She did her best which was more important, when Mako came she would help her with the progress. Despite all that is wasn't easy to overcome the years of neglect they had to endure at the DRI. Their biggest problem was still learning on how to write. None of them had ever practiced which made their reading skills all the more difficult. To her, it seemed like a miracle that Saeko had managed to catch up to the point she was now in just a year.

"Say Nana-san, do you think that you have missed an experience by not having gone to school?" She looked at her knowing well that Nana would likely never have the chance anymore given her age and how much she still hadn't mastered enough.

"I-I don't know Mayu, I don't think many of us diclonius can ever have the joy of having a life like you, we have already lost too much at that place and many of us are still struggling with the scars." Nana began to cry knowing that what she said was true. They were the only ones who had ever made it out alive from that island. Just to think that only five of them existed, all that remained of the diclonius.

"At least you have all found a home and a loving family, doesn't that count for anything?"

"Not if we ever want to go and live on our own, I'm still struggling with reading and understanding all those extra books. I can't imagine how the twins would do that or with Marik-." She stopped as she caught herself on almost saying that name again. "I meant Saori-chan, she doesn't know how to read, write or even do some simple math. What kind of future would she have if she was all on her own?"

"I think what will hold her back more is her attitude towards people. Still, with what they did to her it is no surprise that she keeps to herself." Mayu looked at the ceiling as she knew that just above them she would be sitting there all by her own.

"You shouldn't talk about her like that. You don't know what she has been through or what she is still going through. Saori-chan isn't like us. Those people did something horrible to her." Saeko responded to her remark, always she was the strongest or most vocal when it came to Saori. "She won't have a life like us, that chance for her was taken away by those people when they made her. Haven't you noticed how old she is already getting?"

It made them reconsider what they had said. It was true since Saeko had just told them as they had seen it with their own eyes. Saori was even younger than Mayu when she was brought in, but now she was already starting to look more like Yuka. Somehow she was aging faster than all of them. With such rapid aging, who knew little time she would have left.

"Even then she could at the very least try to be less hostile to people. We just want to help her, but she won't allow anyone to come near her. You saw what happened when they were about to touch that thing on her head… she went mad… I'm just glad that Nana-chan was able to disable those arms of her in time." Mayu remembered it clearly, it happened not long after she was first brought to the house, trying to understand what that device was Mako had approached her and was nearly torn into pieces when Soari lost herself, lashing out in every direction.

"I know that Mayu-chan, but she couldn't help herself, that thing causes her enough pain and it only got worse when they tried to remove it." That was true as well, after that failed attempt they no longer even tried to remove it, not that they even got a chance as Saori became very violent to anybody that even dared to touch it. Even though Sako was allowed to touch her even then it had its limit as not even she would be allowed near it.

"I won't turn my back on her, she needs our help just as much as the others do."

"Everybody, I'm home," Yuka announced as she opened the door, it felt good being home again.

Following her closely was Mako. "Ah it smells good inside here."

"Ah yes that is from the pizzas we had to order since Nana-chan messed up dinner I'm afraid, would you care for a slice they have left us behind?" Yuka laughed while she hung up her coat, taking off her shoes she finally felt a bit more at ease.

"Ah these shoes are just going to be the end of me." She moaned as she rubbed her feet. "Really, I preferred my old ones, but just out all of them they were the ones that broke."

Mako smiled as she patted her on the shoulder. "Life isn't easy Yuka-san, but at least you have a loving family you can return home to."

"Oba-chan!" They could hear a loud yell of joy coming from around the corner, bursting into the hallway Saeko leaped forward as she finally embraced Mako. "Oba-chan, I didn't know you were coming today, will you be staying?"

Hugging her in return. "Ah Saeko-chan, how good it is to see you, but sadly I won't be staying for long. I have just been invited for some tea."

Seeing the rather sorry look on her face, they did feel sorry for her. "I know honey and I would like to stay a bit longer and talk with you but I also have my own family to take care off. I tell you what, we will come this weekend for a stay provided Yuka-san and Kouta-san don't object to it." They both looked at Yuka who quickly nodded that it was okay.

"Will Kyou-chan and Ryou-chan come as well?"

Mako smiled. "Off course they will. They are just as anxious about it as you are."

Saeko began to smile herself as she hadn't seen the twins in several weeks now. She really wanted to know how they were doing.

"Saeko-chan, have you finished already with your homework?" Yuka ask as she headed for the kitchen. She had a point as it was very important for Saeko to study hard in order to gain up on the other students in her class.

"I-I'm almost done with it, can I show it to you when I finish it?" Not expecting her to ask that Mako had to shake her head. Right now she didn't have to time to go and check Saeko's homework.

"Sorry dear, but like I said I won't be staying for long."

"Nozomi-chan can check it if you want, she should be here soon." Yuka remarked in response to what Mako had just said. She knew that Saeko was always pushing to have somebody check her homework in order to make sure she had done it right, she felt proud when they could tell her that she had done a good job.

"Okay then..." Saeko mumbled as she left them, her head low she returned back to the room.

Mako sighed. "I feel sorry for disappointing her, I guess she still hasn't fully recovered."

Looking at her Yuka shrugged her shoulders. "I am afraid so, really she has never gotten over his death. I could just punch him for all of the pain and sorrow he has caused her."

"Yuka-chan don't say that," Mako objected, "Didn't my husband explain to you what happened on that ship. I don't like it any more than you do but we can't change the past."

Entering the kitchen, Yuka already put some water on the stove. "You're right. Still, at least she has gotten over that depression she suffered from in the beginning."

"Yeah that was just a horrible time, I couldn't even sleep at nights thinking what she was going to do to herself. Never could I take my eyes off the phone."

Immersed in their thoughts, they almost didn't notice that the water had already started to boil.

"On another note, how is Saori-chan doing?"

Stopping with what she was doing, Yuka thought on what to say to her.

Author's note: Well that is it for the first chapter of this new story, I hope that you people enjoyed it as there will be plenty more of where this came from. Please leave a review as feedback is always welcome, same goes for favs and subs. In case you want to talk or ask questions feel free to PM me.