Chapter 1

I woke up to the smell of food coming from the diningroom. My golden eyes opened and I sat up in bed, running my grey fingers through my long two toned hair. Good morning Jasdevi! Two voices called inside my head. I smiled, my lips curving upwards.

"Good morning, Jasdero, Devitto." I yawned aloud. "Did you two sleep okay?" Like a rock. He! Jasdero giggled in reply. Yeah, what he said. Devitto added. My smirk widened and I stood, pulling on my crimson Noah clothes. I then pulled eyeliner and lipstick out of my pocket and painted my face with the usual designs around my golden eyes. Once I was done getting ready, I stepped out of my room into the hall of Noah's Ark. I quickly walked into the dining room, hunger gnawing at my stomach, and sat down next to Tyki. With a wide smirk I flipped my long hair into the portuguese Noah's face. He coughed and glared irritably at me.

"Good morning to you too Jasdevi." Tyki grumbled. I only stuck my tongue out at him, leaning back in my chair, feet on the table, and hands behind my head.

"We're hungry." I groaned, leaning my head back. "Where's the food?"

"The food won't be here until the servants bring the food," Tyki said calmly. I let out an irritable groan. Annoyed at the older Noah, the tips of my hair came to life and hit Tyki upside the head. "The hell was that for?" Tyki snarled. I looked up at him, blinking innocently.

"We have no idea what you mean." I said childishly. "We didn't do anything." My stomach growled, hunger gnawed in the pit of my stomach. Tyki scoffed, letting out an annoyed groan. To my great relief, Akuma servants came in with plates of food, I took my feet off the table looking at the food eagerly. I looked at the Earl out of the corner of my eye, waiting for him to allow everyone to start eating. When the Earl started eating the Noah knew it was okay to eat. I immediately dug into my plate of food, shoveling bacon into my mouth. The food, as usual, was awesome and fulfilling, always making me remember of the days when I was starved and food was a luxurie. Not here though. Here, I could have food whenever the hell I wanted and in how many quantities I wanted it in. Here I was happy.

Suddenly the Earl spoke, "today, I want you all to find Exorcists that have been located in specific location where you will be brought to by Road," the Earl said. Fun... A day of killing Exorcists and crushing innocence, what could be better! I thought happily. Kill! Hee! Jasdero giggled inside my head, making my grin widen. Let's blow their fucking heads off! Devit's sadistic voice laughed joyfully. We hadn't had action in god knows how long. Not ever since that fuckin vampire... my left eyes ached faintly with the memory of the innocence that had infected my body. I shuddered slightly, pushing the memory out of my mind. Back to happy thoughts like ruining exorcist lives! I thought managing to push the bad memory to the back of my thoughts.

When we had all finished our breakfast. Road summoned the door that would have us go to our destinations. I stood, hands in my pockets and followed the other Noah up to the large heart shaped door. Once Tyki had entered, I walked into the dark purple void.

It felt as if my lungs were being pressurized and being squeezed for only a few moments but then, it ended. I opened my golden eyes, I was in the streets of Switzerland. I don't think I had ever been here before, maybe I'd like it, maybe I'd hate it. I just needed to pick which was stronger. But right now, my priority was finding the Exorcists. I materialized a long black cloak, putting it on to hide my peculiar colored hair and skin so that I could go unnoticed.

I walked through the streets finding it rather peaceful and serene here. It was nice. A tiny bit cold but not too. As I walked for another hour the sound of someone struggling came to my ears. It was feminine ooh Exorcists and a show! I mused to my halves hoping for some human violence. They both laughed, egging me on to see what was happening. I went towards the noice, seeing what looked like a couple of thugs picking on a young beautiful girl around my age. She seems to be struggling furiously, putting up a huge fight. She had a singular green eye, and a strange crimson eye. Despite those two strange features she was quite pretty, a bit big almond shaped eyes, long eyelashes, full lips, her cheekbones raised to a perfect point, a small dainty nose, slightly flushed cheeks and thin perfect red eyebrows, her hair was a sort of red, short hair in the back that reached right in between her shoulder blades and two long crimson braids that hung over her shoulder that only went down a few inches below her collarbone, she had some side bangs that almost covered her crimson eye but not by much. She wore a tight shirt that framed her lithe form, and almost skin tight jeans. She wore brown boots that rose a bit further than half way up her calf.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw her and I froze, my legs refusing to move as I stared at her. Damn... Devitto breathed, I could practically see the ravenette smirking stupidly, I heard the sound of my raven haired half wolf whistle mentally. I smirked identically.

"That's definitely the word Devit..." I replied softly. Maybe if we help her, the pretty girl will like us! Jasdero suggested happily. "Brilliant idea Dero." I agreed. She seemed strong and quite a good fighter but the men were stronger and overpowered her easily. The men seemed to pin her against the wall of the alleyway they were in and press a sharp blade to her throat. Now was my chance. I stormed up to the men and grabbed them roughly, they were at least a foot shorter than me so it really wasn't much of a problem. "Hey! Leave her alone." I snarled at the men.

"What are you gonna do about it if we don't?" A broad, stronger looking man, obviously the leader of the group stated ngly, a smirk across his dry lips in challenge. I smirked widely, deciding to play the insane card. An insane chuckle escaped my lips.

"Listen to the little human you two." I giggled to the twins. "He thinks he can challenge us. How stupid." This always worked to make humans think I was out of my mind. The thugs looked confused obviously trying not to show fear. The girl however, seemed to smirk slightly. My smirk widened as I took a, purposefully, jerky step forward. I flexed my fingers. "The humans think they can hurt us. How cute." I laughed. "What do you think? Jasdero? Devitto? Should we teach the humans a lesson?" The humans shook their head as if I was speaking to them.

"N-no sir l-listen, w-we don't want any trouble," the leader said cautiously, backing up slowly towards the street, his filthy hands in front of him, filth under his fingernails, his group seemed to mirror his reaction in fear. Another insane laugh came from my throat.

"Then fuck off," I hissed, my insane smirk never leaving my face. "before we change our mind." The leader and others of the group nodded and quickly scrambled from me, practically shoving eachother out of the way to get further away from me. I cleared my throat, returning to my normal personality.

"Thank you," the girl said looking up at me, no fear was shown in her eyes, it was strange especially because she was human. I blinked at her, slightly surprised at the lack of emotion, then smiled.

"It was nothing, really." I said, sort of timidly. "We're...ahem I'm happy to help."

"You're Noah I see," she commented, catching me by surprise, my skin and hair were completely concealed, how could she know? I turned my head away from her slightly.

"I-I don't know what you mean." I lied, pulling the cloak tighter around me.

"Yes you do, you are a Noah, I can tell," she replied.

"How do you know about the Noah Clan?" My voice lowered slightly, suspicion welling up inside me.

"My brother had told me about them, he's successor to Bookman," she replied. I didn't understand why she was being open about this to me. A complete stranger. And a Noah. Hold on... 'successor to Bookman'? Was that what she had said.

"Your brother... would he, perchance, have red hair, an eye patch and have a hammer as a weapon?" I asked, remembering the people that had been with that accursed vampire. She nodded slowly, probably wondering whether she shouldn't have told me that. Then a thought hit me. Was she the exorcist I was sent here to kill? My golden eyes examined her curiously.

"You came here to kill me haven't you?" She asked, as if reading my thoughts. That would be a bit scary to think she could be reading my thoughts and my halves talking. I shrugged.

"Maybe, maybe not. Depends," I replied, examining her closer. "Do you have innocence?" the question was meant as a joke. No way she could have innocence.

"Why should I answer that question?" She countered my question with another question, a smirk on her lips. I couldn't help but laugh, pulling my hood down. No point in keeping it on if she already knew what I was. I leaned down so that I was eye level with her.

"I don't know." I smirked. "Maybe we could battle and then I'd see." As I said that, my hair came to life and pointed at her with razor sharp tendrils of gold. She seemed to examine my hair, no hint of fear in her. I saw more curiosity then fear.

"Too much effort," she replied lazily, still investigating my amazing hair. If it was even possible, my smirk widened. This girl was amusing.

"Tell ya what," I said, straightening up. "I'll let you go this time. Cause you're amusing. Next time though, you probably won't be so lucky."

"I'll try to remember that, oh and by the way, my name is Araya," she replied, a smile appeared on her almost emotionless face, she winked at me.

"Jasdevi, Noah of Bond." I introduced myself. "Also, if you ARE an exorcist, tell the vampire that, if I see him again, I'll rip his fucking head off." And with that, I turned and walked away, pulling my hood back on. I could feel her watching me a bit until I disappeared, my heart fluttered happily, this girl. This beautiful girl, knew what I was, and wasn't afraid of me. She hadn't called me a monster or anything... This made me feel happy, somehow, I knew, I'd see her again and I'd remember. The thought made me feel happy for some strange reason. She was the first human that hadn't called me a monster or a freak. Actually, she seemed to sort of like me. No human had ever liked me before and these thoughts made it feel like my heart had grown wings and flown. Oooh Jasdevi's in LOVE Devit teased even though I knew that he and Jasdero held my emotions Jasdero giggled at his brother's comment. Oh shut up! You two feel the same way! I pouted indignantly. I saw a mental image of Devit and Jasdero with identical smirks across their faces. I rolled my eyes and walked on. I knew I should be looking for exorcists to kill, but I couldn't get our mind off of Araya. She was just so unique. So beautiful. "Maybe I should just go home..." I muttered to myself. "Tell them that I couldn't find anything here." Ya… ya the twins agreed though I hadn't been talking with them. Let's go then. I replied mentally, going to find one of Road's hidden doors back to the Ark. I could practically see the twins lounging on a mental couch inside my head seeming to be thinking of the same thing as me.

Soon enough, I found the door and opened it, revealing the dark purple void that led back home. I still felt airy, happy even. It was nice for a change. I couldn't get my mind off of Araya, I could tell the twins couldn't stop thinking about her either. She was just so... perfect, even though we barely knew her. But, she was an exorcist. So it wouldn't be a good idea to allow the Earl or any other Noah to find out about our crush. I still wondered if she was an exorcist really, maybe she was like Komui who was the leader of the Black Order, maybe she was only there because her brother was there. How can someone that perfect be related to Bookman Junior? I asked my halves curiously. Dero doesn't know. hee! Jasdero replied, a bit dreamily. She's really hot... for an exorcist. Devit added. Ya… And she's not scared of us! I thought gleefully. The twins laughed in agreement to this comment. I walked to my room, throwing my cloak off my shoulders and lounging on the bed with a somewhat stupid grin stretching my lips. Never thought I'd see the day where we actually like liked someone… I admitted, the three of us were always picky with practically everything, killing, food, clothing, style's, and attractions. We had trouble trusting anything or anyone ever since our terrible childhood. I used to think that the emotion of love was cut off from me, but now it seems I was wrong. I wonder if we'll see her again… Hee Jasdero said a bit softly, as if praying they'd see the beautiful girl. Yeah. I hope we do. I replied, staring up at the ceiling. Devit seemed to mentally nod in agreement.

I spent the rest of the afternoon, daydreaming quite a bit. Other times just talking with the twins. I hadn't realized I was hungry until the voice of Tyki called from behind the door "dinner…" the portuguese Noah said boredly with a rather loud exasperated sigh.

"Comin!" We called back, three voices coming from my throat instead of only one. I jumped to my feet, running my fingers through my hair briefly before walking out, wiping the dreamy look I had on my face, off so they wouldn't know my new secret. I pushed past Tyki as I opened the door, acting my usual self again though my brain stayed dreamy and unnatural. I sat down next to Road, waiting for the food to be brought. As usual, I leaned back and crossed my legs on the table with my hands behind my head. I watched as food was put on the table, we all looked towards the Earl as if asking permission for food, he nodded and we all dug into the delicious food in the center, I piled turkey and mashed potatoes on my plate and dug in hungrily.

All I could think about… was her for the rest of the day. Along with the following weeks, and then the months. Not seeing her at all through the whole time.

It had been at least a six months since I saw Araya. Every mission, I ended up finding myself searching for her but to no avail, the likelyhood of me finding that beautiful girl. We were on a mission in Rome. We had split and now were the twins, Devitto and Jasdero. As usual I was stuck inside the twin's heads, seeing everything from their eyes. It was strange inside their minds. Kinda like a very large house where I simply sat on the couch, watching what was going on, in what seemed like a wall like T.V screen, split in half to both perspectives. But I guess I was a bit used to it by now, it's not like I hadn't been in their heads before. The twins were walking through the streets of Rome, looking around for the innocence.

"Where's this stupid exorcist?" I groaned, my voice echoey inside the large expanse of the twin's minds. "I'm bored as hell!"

"Stop being impatient Jasdevi hee hee" Jasdero giggled. Devitto nodded in agreement. I only groaned in response, hanging upside down on the couch I was lounging on.

"We'll find them soon." Devit added. "Hopefully..." I groaned, something catching my eyes. I sat up quickly.

"Shut up for a moment. Go over there, I think I see something." I said hurriedly, trying to show the twins what I was seeing. It looked like the girl, I had met six months ago. I was desperate to see her again, maybe I was hallucinating. Was I just too love struck that I started to see things? Was she even real? I hissed under my breath as they looked around stupidly for what I saw so clearly. "Why are you two so god damned blind?!" I growled in frustration. "Must I do everything?!" I sighed in exasperation, taking control of the twins for a moment, turning both their heads in the direction of the supposed hallucination. Finally, they saw what I saw, I was definitely sure that this was the girl named Araya that we had met. Our heart seemed to flutter happily at the sight of the red head.

"We found her! hee!" Jasdero exclaimed happily.

"We? I was the one who found her." I said indignantly.

"With our sight and minds!" Devit said crossing his arms indignantly, Jasdero nodding quickly.

"Minds that were originally mine!" I countered, crossing my arms. The twins only sighed and rolled their eyes, not digging deeper into the conversation. Instead, they headed towards Araya, eager to see the female from the Black Order. I couldn't help pouting slightly, a bit upset that they had decided to ignore me. But, that was soon replaced with happiness when the twins finally reached Araya. They stopped at their sides.

"Hello there!" Devit called. Araya turned around, confused at the call.

"Who are you?" She asked confused.

"Remember, she doesn't know about you guys she only knows me," I reminded them.

"I'm Devitto." Devit said with a grin.

"And I'm Jasdero!" With an identical grin as his brother.

"And together we are Jasdevi!" They said in unison. A look of realization came to Araya's face.

"Noah of Bond," she seemed to repeat what I had told her months ago, then she seemed to remember me talking to Devit and Dero out loud to scare the thugs. The twins nodded eagerly happy that what they weren't forgotten. "So, you both combined are Jasdevi? How does that work?" She asked curiously.

"Well uh... You see-" Devit was cut off by Jasdero.

"We have two golden revolvers that are special! When we shoot each other in the head we become Jasdevi and he can split into us! Hee hee!" Jasdero finished with a giggle.

"Noah logic, you eventually learn not to question it, you just know it." Devit added with a shrug.

"Lavi told me about you guys, he said something about you guys not really being like... Human and more like..." She muttered, as if regretting bringing this up.

"Monsters," the twins frowned, speaking in unison. Araya nodded.

"But I don't think that. Even though what you did to Krory was pretty bad, he's still in a comatose. But the way you guys acted when the thugs were trying to take their money back... While nobody else cared, I thought that was kind," she said softly. The twins grinned. I felt myself grow happy, she chose to follow how we really are rather than her brothers words. This was so unlike the other humans. "In fact, you guys are way more human then what everyone lets on..."

"Ya, we are, but... Everybody has always treated us like monsters..." Jasdero said softly. Araya bit her bottom lip

"You guys aren't monsters." She said, her honeyed voice soft and calming we felt ourselves smile.

"Change the subject! Ask why she's here maybe we can get to know her better!" I said joyfully this was the first person who had ever treated us kindly and had told us we weren't monsters, this raised our affection for this girl quite a bit, she thought of us differently than the others did.

"So... What made ya come here anyways?" Devitto asked putting his elbow on his twins shoulder, using the blonde as an armrest. Jasdero giggled and slumped over for his brother.

"Me and Lavi are taking a brief vacation, we're gonna stay here for a few more weeks before going back to the order," she explained with a shrug "and you?"

"We're supposed to be finding innocence to destroy. But. We like talking to you more," Devitto purred.

"As far as Lavi knows I'm just exploring, he's not too far from here." She said peering further down, where another red he's was barely visible, Jasdero and Devitto stiffened.

"Can we talk later?" They asked she nodded.

"I can meet up with both of you or just the whole of you tonight, I can meet you near this," she said taking out a map and pointing to what used to be a cathedral but it was now a bunch of ruins. "12:00 midnight would work for me." The twins nodded with are identical grins .

"Sure! Hee!" Jasdero giggled.

"Just don't kill me, I trust you and know you're not monsters, but still need to be sure you're not just after the innocence." She said with a teasing smile across her lips. Jasdero and Devit nodded, quickly hurrying away as the Bookman Jr. came closer.

Once we were a safe distance from the two exorcists, both twins started complaining that they were tired and hungry.

"What the hell do you want me to do?" I asked, getting really annoyed. "The Earl gave us money, go find a place to eat and then find an inn to rest for a bit."

"But what if Cross built up a debt somewhere here?" Devit asked. I paused. That was a good point. If Cross had built up a debt somewhere, the twins would be forced to work the debt off and that would waste a lot of precious time that could be spent slacking off.

"Then merge. Cross doesn't know what I look like. Only what you two look like." I suggested, not seeing another option at this point. The twins looked at each other and shrugged, running off to find a secluded place where they could shoot each other in the head. When they were in a dark alleyway they shot each other in the head and they merged back into me. I materialized a cloak and covered my odd colored hair and most of my face and headed off looking for a place to eat and sleep.

Eventually I found an inn where I ate and payed for a room where we would sleep until it was time to meet up with Araya. Hey guys? Does this count as a first date? I asked them as I hiked up the large flight of stairs. I believe she asked us on a date Devitto said with. Devi? What's a date? hee. Jasdero giggled curiously. I forgot he was my naive side. A date is when a guy asks a girl, or a girl asks a guy to spend time with them alone so it's kinda like bonding time which we are apparently experts at! Devit said proudly of his knowledge. Oh. Okay! Dero said happily. I smiled slightly, plopping down on the bed, throwing my cloak to the side.This is gonna be fun.I said. But we can't let the others find out. EVER. I emphasized the last word to make my point clear. The twins could have awfully big mouths at times. So we can't brag that everybody is wrong and we can too get a girlfriend? Devit asked with a frown. No. We can't brag. If the Millennium Earl were to find out we fell in love with an exorcist... my voice trailed off, the three of us thinking of what the consequences would be. Ya… Good point. Mouth's sealed… Devit said a mental image of a grimace on both twins faces were shown in my mind. Jasdero zipped his lips, nodding in agreement. Sealed. Hee! The blonde giggled nervously. Doesn't mean we're not gonna see her right? I mean seriously that would suck! Devit questioned a bit hotly as if he'd be furious if I or Jasdero said no. Course we're gonna see her, ya dolt! I smirked widely. At midnight tonight. Don't worry.The twins both grinned, happy that the meeting wasn't off. But what about after that? Hee Jasdero asked his grin fading a bit. I paused, not knowing how to reply. I... don't know... I guess we just make sure no one finds out.I shrugged. They nodded slowly. Anyways, we should go to sleep so we aren't tired when we go to meet her at midnight! I said happily, brightening the mood quite a bit. Jasdero and Devit nodded. I closed my eyes, willing the twins to sleep. I opened my eyes open a crack and set the alarm clock on the bedside table to 11:30 PM so I would have enough time to get to the cathedral. Then I turned over onto my side and fell asleep.

I woke up terrified to the sound of the alarm clock, I had never used one before and I hadn't exactly thought it would be so…. Alarming...

"HOLY-!" I shouted in shock, before crying out in pain as I fell off the bed and hit my head on the floor. "Ow..." I groaned, rubbing the back of my throbbing head. The twins burst into laughter at my reaction. Shut up… Don't pretend that didn't startle you too!I growled. It did, but your reaction was awesome! Devit laughed, a broad smirk stretched across his lips. Awesome! Hee! His brother echoed, giggling madly. Shut up… I grumbled irritably,crossing my arms over my chest, then realizing what time it was and what I could be late for if I didn't get ready and go to the cathedral. I quickly got to my feet, pulling on my boots, gloves, and cloak, and brushing my teeth so I had good scented breath, before rushing out the door. I hurried down the stairs taking the map that Araya had given me out of my pocket. How do I read this thing!? I asked the twins as I hurried out of the door, the room key stuffed in my pocket as I threw the hood over my head and hurried from the door. How the hell am I supposed to know? Devitto grumbled. Dero knows! Dero knows! Hee! I paused, shocked at the announcement. What? What's wrong? Dero asked nervously.N-nothing, nothing, but how do you use this? Where are we at now and how do we get to the cathedral ruins?I asked. Jasdero explained where we were and how to find my way to the meeting point. I nodded in understanding, following his instructions carefully.

I weaved and walked through the streets, carefully following what Jasdero was telling me while Devitto was laying on the mental couch, his head dangling over the front boredly. Finally. Dero stopped ranting and lay down on top of Devit, resting his head in the crook of the raveonettes neck. I looked up from the map, seeing the ruins where Araya would be waiting.

I walked through the rubble cautiously, it seemed to have many hidden nooks and crannies. The thought of wondering if this was actually a trap dawned upon me. I became a bit more cautious, just in case it was. Finding a good place to wait, I sat down on a large rock and waited.

I didn't know how long I waited but I waited for a while, beginning to doze off slightly. Then I saw Araya, carefully walking through the rubble towards me. She looked around cautiously as if expecting the same thing that had dawned upon me when I first came. I stood, smiling widely as I pulled off my hood.

"Hey." I greeted softly when she walked up to me.

"Hey," she smiled "sorry I'm late, Lavi went to bed later then I thought he would," she said rubbing the back of her neck.

"It's fine. I wasn't waiting long." I lied. We sat crosslegged on the ground, hidden by the ruins. I thought the ground seemed quite cold and I was wearing warm clothes, she was wearing shorts and a tanktop and didn't seem the least bit affected.

"So… Why is it that you guys hate innocence so much?" Araya asked. I had to think about that for a moment.

"Well... the Earl says innocence is evil. It also doesn't mix with dark matter... if you know what I mean." I replied, my left eye aching again. "That any help?" I asked, not really confident with my explanation.

"Sorta, so you guys destroy innocence off of his judgement or is there like more to that?" The red head inquired. She seemed to be very curious about information.

"We destroy it because, to us, it's evil." I tapped the side of my head. "When I awakened as a Noah, it gave me memories of the original Noah who were murdered by innocence."

"Oh, that explains more than what the other exorcists say," she muttered as if to herself, but it was loud enough for me to hear.

"Well, what do the exorcists say?" I inquired curiously. "Why do they think we destroy innocence?"

"They think the Earl manipulates you guys into it." she replied. I smirked slightly.

"We're not the Earl's servants. We're... kind of like his family. The Akuma are the servants." I stated matter of factly.

"There are a few rumors actually, that was the more popular one," Araya admitted.

"Really?" I raised my eyebrow, a bit skeptically. "What sort of rumors?"

"Well, there's one that the Noah are a really powerful type of Akuma that actually have minds of their own, theres another one where the Noah are super humans, etcetera, they came up with a lot of things, that just get stranger and stranger, of course I didn't really believe any of them, they weren't exactly logical," she said with a shrug. A soft chuckle escaped my throat.

"Can't Allen Walker see that we're not Akuma?" I asked.

"Ya, he didn't believe the Akuma one, he stuck with the superhuman or manipulates thing," Araya replied.

"Well... we are super human." I confirmed. "So I guess that's not really a rumor." She nodded.

"Sorry I pestered you with my questions, I'm just curious." She said softly, biting her lip.

"It's nothing really." I replied, smiling. "I don't mind answering questions as long as they're reasonable."

"Anywho, do you have any questions for me?" She asked giving me the chance to ask her what I pleased. I knew that I probably shouldn't question on where the Order is or anything because she might take it personally. So, before asking anything, I thought about what I could and couldn't ask her. Type of innocence? Maybe how someone as sexy as her is possibly related to bookman jr? Devit suggested. I don't think she'll answer the first one. And I'm not wording it like that, even if I do ask it.I replied.

"What's it like having innocence?" I asked the first thing that came to mind.

"Well, I certainly feel… Stronger with it then I used to when I didn't have it, I feel more complete and free, sort of complete, nothing like before when I was stuck with my… parents," she muttered the last part. Obviously some bad history that had to do with her parents. I'm interested about that now. Devitto commented. Dero's interested too! He! Jasdero piped up.

"What happened with your parents?" I asked. "If you don't mind talking about it." I added quickly.

"No, it's fine, I'll tell you, it's not really much of a secret back at the order anyways," she shrugged "back before I had innocence, Lavi had left to become the successor of Bookman, my parents always adored him in every way possible, they were so proud of him. Me, not at all. I was nothing special. Just their worthless little girl who wasn't special in anyway, I wasn't going to try to save the world, I wasn't a successor to anything, I was just. Me." She started with a small sigh.

"So... what happened?" I asked softly, though I was starting to guess.

"They abused me, daily, I lived in a supply closet on a pile of old towels, I ate table scraps, when I could get them anyways, not to mention I didn't go to school and was never allowed outside to play with other kids, my dad was a drunkard, so he always took a beating to me whenever he felt like it, whenever my parents were angry, they took it out on me, I was all alone without Lavi, he tried to get me out of that place, but it never worked." My heart clenched at her words, familiarity ringing in them.

"That's kind of like my life... before I became a Noah." I muttered, the memories flashing in my mind.

"I guess we were saved by the places we are in now then," she said with a small side smile.

"Yeah, I guess." I shrugged. "When did you become an exorcist?" I asked, wondering if we had yet another thing in common about when we were saved.

"When Lavi snuck innocence in and had some device put it into me, he had left after reassuring me it would work to get me out, the following day, as my parents beat me, I- I couldn't exactly control my pain, grief or anger any longer, I kinda lost it, and I burned the whole house down, and my parents were reduced to ashes. The thing is, I had enjoyed making them pay for what they did to me, later, Lavi found me with some other exorcists and I was brought to the Black Order where I was treated kindly and I've been happy ever since," she told me about what she had done, maybe we had more in common then I had first thought.

"I killed my parents too..." I said before I could stop myself as I remembered their blood staining everything and my happiness that I was free from them.

"Why don't tell me your story, if it's okay, you don't have too if you don't feel comfortable telling me," Araya said softly, tilting her head to one side, her fingers playing with one red braid. I shook my head.

"No, it's okay. I don't mind." The truth was, I didn't like reliving my past, but I didn't mind telling her. After all, she had told me about her past so it was only fair that I tell her about mine...just not the asylum. She might think I'm insane. The asylum would remain a secret for now. I took a deep breath to calm myself, before starting. "On the day I was born, apparently, the moment I was born, a storm started so everyone thought I was a demon or the anti-christ... or something... anyway, because of that, my parents hated me. They beat me every single day, punished me for things that had nothing to do with me. Food was a luxury back then. I was lucky to get a bread crumb. And it wasn't only my parents, but every other single person in that town. I went to school, but the children beat me up constantly and my teachers would purposefully give me the worst grades even though I was one of the top students. When I was four, my father was murdered. Like always, my mother blamed me and so she threw me out of the house. I lived on the streets after that. I became a Noah soon after, but that just caused me even more trouble. I can't remember the countless days where I wished I could simply die and the pain would end." I paused to calm down, feeling tears stinging at my eyes. She hesitantly crept forward and rubbed my back gently, her hand was a bit cold.

"S-sorry I had you retell that…" She murmured noticing how much pain it took for me just to say that. I shrugged, gulping back my tears.

"It's fine. That's all in the past now. They're dead." A wide smirk stretched my lips before I could stop it. "Every single human in that town is dead. It's just a ghost town now." I swear I saw a small smirk on her lips.

"Revenge is… fun…" She said softly, her hand rubbing my back seemed to comfort me a lot. It was nice to know someone who had suffered just as I had, maybe not as much, but still suffered and knew my pain. Oh my god she's fuckin perfect! Devitto said a bit dreamily in my head. Perfect! Perfect! Hee! Dero echoed.

"It is." I agreed. Araya smiled, then flinched back slightly when a droplet of water fell from the sky just inches from her hand. "What's wrong?" I asked, wondering what was wrong.

"Water…" She breathed fear in her mismatched eyes. I reached out a hand, a raindrop landing on my palm.

"It's raining." I said. "Do you not like rain?"

"It doesn't hurt you?" She asked curiously, flinching away from another droplet.

"Hurt me? No. It doesn't. I mean... it's cold... but that doesn't really hurt." I mused. "Why? Does it hurt you?" She nodded.

"Don't know why, it kinda shocks me a bit depending on where it touches me, and I kinda get dizzy, it's like being shocked by static electricity over and over again," she explained. Deciding not to ask, I pulled off my cloak and threw it over her shoulders, covering her from the rain that was steadily starting to fall. "Thank you." She said with a smile. "But aren't you gonna need this?" She asked with her usual tone that I tended to see she hadn't stopped using the whole time. I shook my head.

"No, it's okay. I can always materialize another one." I shrugged. "Besides, I was forced to spend nights out in the rain when I lived on the streets. I don't really mind the rain anymore." She nodded with a smile.

"Materialize?" She asked, pulling the cloak closer to her body to keep the rain from touching her.

"Oh, yeah, that's my Noah ability. Materialization." I explained.

"Oh… That explains a lot. God Allen is confusing when he tells stories…" She muttered half to herself.

"What did he tell you?" I couldn't help asking, wondering what Cross' pupil had told the exorcists.

"He had basically told us about the gun shooting stuff and putting Lenalee in a bubble while everyone frantically looked for the key to the next door, stuff like that, I fell asleep. He was too boring. He used um… and well…. and eh… too much, it was rather droning," Araya mused with the same tone, I wondered why she used the same tone of her voice.

"Yeah, that was our Purple Bomb." I stated proudly. Oooh! Dero remembers that! Hee! Yeah, that was awesome! The twins laughed.

"He's a really bad story teller. The whole time he was practically stuffing his face with food, talking about how it was hard trying to defeat you guys and etcetera," the red-head snorted in amusement.

"Honestly, it seemed like they weren't even trying to fight us." I rolled my eyes. "They were too focused on the girl that they didn't focus on fighting."

"Sounds like Allen, I think there's some chemical reaction going on between the two," Araya smirked slightly.

"Chemical... reaction?" The phrase confused me. What did that even mean?

"It means they have…" She thought for a moment as if trying to find the right words to put it in "feelings for each other," she finished with consideration.

"Like... they have a crush on each other?" I asked.

"Kinda like that, but they're pretty obvious with one another," Araya replied with a small shrug. The rain seemed to be falling slowly.

"Have you ever had a crush on someone?" I asked curiously, wanting to know if she liked me that way. She shook her head signaling she had never once had a crush. That was good for me, no competition, but also could be a bad thing, was she really hard to get or something? I doubt she's gonna tell you if she has a crush on the three of us, I've noticed girls don't ever tell their crushes that stuff until the crush admits it first, but I don't suggest you admitting until you get closer and stuff Devit commented.I know that. I just wanted to know if I had competition or not.I pouted mentally. You don't have to be a smart ass about it."Do you know what time it is by any chance?" I asked suddenly. She looked at a watch on her wrist.

"Um… About 2:30 in the morning," she replied.

"Maybe we should leave." I suggested. "I don't want you getting in trouble with bookman jr." I added, blushing slightly for some reason. She looked down at her fiddling hands for a few moments before looking up at me.

"Do you… Uh, want to meet again tomorrow night?" She asked softly, a bit of hesitance in her voice as if afraid I'd snap or something.

"Sure. If I can." I smiled, standing up and offering her a hand. "I'm not sure if the Earl will call me back or something."

"Same time, if you can that is?" She asked with a smile, standing up. I nodded.

"Yeah. Okay." I grinned. "See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow!" She said softly waving goodbye as she walked in the rain back over the rubble carefully and back to where she and Lavi were staying, I noticed her glancing over her shoulder to look at me as I turned and walked back to where I was staying. I hurried back to my room, happy to be back in the warmth. I pulled off my boots, gloves, and robe, hanging them out to dry. Then I crawled into bed, enveloped in the warm blanket. I had the most beautiful dream. It was very nice, and helped me have a good night sleep. I hadn't realized the twins were so quiet. When I woke the next morning, I was immediately worried.

"Hey, Jasdero? Devit? You two still alive?" I asked. Ya. They said in unison. "Good." I sighed in relief. "You were way too quiet." Just a bit tired. Not to mention thinking about that amazing date Devit purred a bit dreamily, this was strange for him to act like this, it was rather amusing, I noticed even Jasdero was acting the same way, Dero likes talking to the pretty girl... hee... the blonde added dreamily. "You two are so weird sometimes, you know?" I asked, smirking slightly. You feel it too… Hee… Jasdero giggled with a pout. "Touche." I replied with a shrug, standing up and pulling on my now dry clothing. I was just as happy as they were. With a small spring in my step, I walked down to get breakfast, then explore the city until tonight. Maybe I'd catch a glimpse or two of her, I knew I had to be careful, I didn't want to get into a fight with Bookman jr, I'd be discovered...

After I ate, I threw on my cloak and walked outside, looking around the large cities. So. What do you two wanna do? I asked the twins boredly. Dunno... Maybe we can go see some ruins? Dero suggested, yawning slightly. Dero. That's a terrible idea. Devit scolded gently I have an idea! Why don't we go explore some ruins! He said proudly. But that's what Dero said! Jasdero exclaimed indignantly. No you said you want to see the ruins I said explore. Two completely different things! Devit said, a mental image of him crossing his arms over his chest, a smug look on his face popped into my mind. But it's pretty much the same thing! The blonde countered, pouting at his twin. No it ain't. Devit said stubbornly. Is too! Hee! Jasdero shouted. Is not! Devit countered. Is too! They continued on like that for a while before I intervened. How about we all shut up and visit the ruins I said calmly. They fell silent, mumbling in consent, though I knew they weren't finished with their argument. I sighed and walked towards the ruins the way I had the night before.

During the day, the cathedral ruins were filled with people exploring them, taking pictures, or simply just hanging out. I on the other hand, was looking for a better place where me and Araya could talk where it's dry, I didn't want her getting hurt because of the water why the hell does she get hurt by water anyways? I mean humans are waterproof and she's not made of fire. So why would it hurt? Devit asked curiously. Maybe the pretty girl has sensitive skin. Hee. Jasdero offered. But she said it felt like getting shocked by static electricity though and she got dizzy from it. Devit countered somewhat logically. Uh... Dero trailed off, obviously stumped. Does it really matter? The point is, I don't want her getting hurt. So shut it and help me. I said a bit hotly. Fine... Just curious though. Maybe you should ask her tonight Devit said with a metal shrug, seeming to look through my eyes. Maybe we should go inside the safe part? Hee hee Jasdero offered with a giggle. Maybe... I mused, looking around. Until I found a covered area it seemed big enough to fit the two of them with room to spare, it also looked somewhat comfortable and dry, having a back wall and one wall on each side, kind of forming a small four walked house minus the front wall. Looks dry and sturdy enough. Devit commented. Yeah. It does. Then it's settled, this is where we'll meet her tonight. I said triumphantly. Yeah! Hee! Dero giggled happily. We could always materialize stuff to make it comfortable too, it was too cold last night Devit added with a slight mental shiver. Ya I said, fighting the urge to nod in agreement.

...

It was about midnight. A few weeks later, they had been visiting the cathedral every night at 12 to see each other, I was waiting in the spot we had found earlier, I had materialized some warm blankets to keep us warm while we waited for Araya. Soon enough, I saw her walking slowly through the ruins, looking for me. I sat up and waved to her, catching her attention. I saw her smile at me an head over to the shelter.

"Hey," she said with a happy smile across her full lips.

"Hey," I greeted back, also smiling. "How are you?"

"Good, and you?" She asked sitting next to me with the blankets.

"I'm fine." I replied. "Did you get back okay yesterday?"

"Ya, I didn't get wet, and Lavi was still asleep in his bed so that was good," she said "were you alright?" She asked, a bit of a worried sound in her voice.

"I got back okay too. There's not really anyone with me, but no one saw me." I shrugged.

"That's good," she said with a smile ask her about the water thing! Devit exclaimed.

"So...uh... I was wondering," I started, a bit awkwardly. "why does water hurt you?"

"I dunno," she shrugged "Lavi says it's because I'm a flame exorcist, and water is bad for fire" she shrugged. I frowned. That didn't really seem like a good explanation. It sort of sounded like the bookman jr. was hiding something from her. "I never really found out myself, I asked him and that was his reply, I don't think there are any other flame Exorcists in the Black Order so I wouldn't know."

"Oh, guess that makes sense... in a way." I said softly. She nodded and shrugged.

"Wanna see something cool?" She asked suddenly a grin on her face.

"Sure." I grinned back. She muttered something under her breath , closing her eyes, then her bare arms lit up with a ember like glow, what looked like wires lit up with a golden glow on her arms. With a quick movement with her hand, she created what looked like a flower made of fire, it was large and the petals flopped out kind of like a lillies, dots of embers littered the small petals, a stem that wrapped around her arm like vines came from it. I looked at it in curiosity. It was beautiful. "Woah..." I whispered. "That is cool."

"Thanks! Do you like it?" She asked tilting her head.

"Yeah." I nodded, grinning. "It's really pretty." Just like her... Devit, who went back into love struck teen,commented.

"You can touch it if you like, it won't burn you," she said with a happy grin her voice still seemed quite robotic and monotone still. I reached out and gently touched the flaming flower. Even through my glove, I could still feel its warmth. It ran through my body, sending a small shiver up my spine. But it was warm, it seems to heat my body, making me warmer. "I call it my blazing lily, it helps, warm things, and helps with fighting too," she said not telling me about what it specifically did when used in battle. So it was innocence? That's weird. It wasn't hurting me.

"It's innocence?" I asked, running my gloved fingers over the petals.

"Yup," she nodded, stroking the petals gently with a tender finger.

"It's... it's not hurting me..." I breathed. "Why isn't it hurting me?"

"It won't hurt you because one you aren't trying to crush it, two because I don't want it to," she replied calmly. "It won't hurt you unless you are a threat, and it obviously feels you aren't a threat and I don't feel you're a threat, so it's not gonna hurt you." She replied, a relieved look on her face.

"Oh." I replied simply, still a bit nervous now that I knew it was innocence. The Earl said that innocence wanted nothing more than to hurt us. But this innocence wasn't hurting me... did the Earl lie to me? A sort of vine came from the flower and wrapped around my arm gently it didn't burn, it didn't hurt, it just warmed my skin.

"It likes you," she laughed, a beautiful happy smile on her lips. I smiled too.

"Yeah, I guess it does." The more I looked at the innocence, the more I started to believe the Earl had lied to me. My head started aching for some reason, but I ignored it. The innocence was so gentle, so fragile, so much like a living creature... It was nice. "Innocence is nice..." I whispered softly. She nodded, I hadn't even noticed my stigmata beginning to ache horribly.

"I'm gonna put my innocence away, it's making me a bit tired," she said. The flower gently unravels itself from my arm and it disappeared into Araya's skin. She looked at my face, furrowing her eyebrows she seemed to look at my forehead where my stigmata were.

"What?" I asked, beginning to notice the pain.

"Your forehead is bleeding," she said softly. "Did my innocence hurt you? Or is it a Noah thing?" She asked a bit timidly, as she stared at my bleeding stigmata oh god... Devitto mumbled. I put a hand to my forehead. When I removed it, my glove was covered in my blood. It was then, that I noticed the stuff leaking down my face. I put my hands over my forehead, in an attempt to stop the blood. Bondomu is mad... Devit added. Bondomu's scary when she's mad... he... Dero whimpered.

"I-It's nothing r-really!" I stammered, pain starting to fill my body.

"It's not nothing. Tell me the truth," Araya said worriedly.

"Just my i-inner Noah being st-stupid..." I hissed in pain as something invisible hit my spine.

"Why is your inner Noah hurting you? Did you do something bad?" She pried.

"I-I guess. Just had some thoughts that my Inner Noah doesn't like." I assured her, feeling the blood begin to pool behind my hand. "It'll pass. I just need some help distracting myself from the pain." I added softly. She frowned at my response.

"You're lying." She said sternly, taking a cloth from her pocket that looked like a long handkerchief, I felt her tie it to my head, the thick cloth hiding my bleeding stigmata, absorbing the blood. I heard Jasdero and Devit trying to make Bondomu calm down. The Inner Noah refused to chill until I stopped having these traitorous thoughts. "Tell the truth," Araya added as she finished tying the bandana to my head, combing her bangs a bit with her finger nails.

"I'm just... having thoughts that are counted as treason..." I admitted.

"To the Millennium Earl?" She asked and she undid a messy braid and redid it so it was tucked into her hair tie neatly. I nodded, feeling the pain peak a bit as Bondomu got a bit more pissed off. I urged myself to stop thinking about the innocence, it seemed to help matters a bit, but Bondomu probably highly disapproved of my crush being an exorcist. It's not right! She screeched. She's an exorcist! An enemy to Master Millennium! She. Has. Innocence! But she doesn't hate us! She's the only girl we'll ever get that doesn't see what the others see! She sees us like she would with another person! I cried you can't fuckin tell us who we love and who we hate! Ya! Hee, it's not controllable! Jasdero and Devit said indignantly. Can't I? I do very much believe that you're wrong there my dear host. Bondomu hissed angrily. If you do... We will be miserable for the rest of our lives... I growled in fury unless you want a new host, you'd better keep to yourself... I threatened. My priority is to destroy innocence and keep you loyal. Your happiness is none of my business. She replied. We are loyal. We will continue destroying innocence. Just not her's I said sternly, I felt my own fury stronger then the pain she inflicted on my head. That's not how it works. All innocence is evil. How do you know she isn't deceiving you? Hm? How do you know she isn't trying to lull you into a false sense of security so she can kill you? The Inner Noah pointed out. She isn't. And wouldn't. I hissed stubbornly. How do you know? You only met her a few times. She may be lying for all you know! Bondomu scolded. Do you really think I hadn't thought about that? Also, she let me touch her innocence and I'm a Noah, that would mean she trusts me enough to let me do that. I replied sharply, refusing to think that she could possibly be lying to my face. Fine. Do what you want. But when you get hurt, or Master Earl punishes you, don't say I didn't warn you. And with that, that pain vanished as if it hadn't existed in the first place.

"Is it doing better now?" Araya asked with the tilt of her head. I nodded, my breathing now a lot easier.

"Yeah, yeah, it is." I said softly, straightening up.

"Good," she said with nod, I noticed the body position she was in, laying on her back, hands tucked underneath her head, if I had really wanted to, I could have killed her right there and then, she was making herself completely vulnerable to me. I couldn't help smirking slightly in amusement.

"You know... you should be more careful around a Noah." I chuckled softly. I have no clue what came over me as I crawled on top of her, pinning her arms on either side of her head. "You're making yourself much too vulnerable."

"Well I don't need to be careful around you, right?" She asked her cheeks grew a bit red. My smirk widened slightly as I leaned my face closer to her's.

"I don't know." I chuckled. Are you going in for a kiss? Devit teased slyly. Shut up and let me do my thing. I mused amusedly. So that's a big fat yes? Devitto chuckled Devi what's a kiss? Hee! Jasdero asked curiously. You'll see in a second if Jasdevi has the guts. The ravenette smirked widely. Just shut up, will ya? I hissed playfully.

"W-what are you doing?" Araya stammered a bit nervously her cheeks growing a deeper pink.

"You'll see." I leaned down further, gently pressing my lips against her own. She gasped in surprise her flush turning surprisingly deeper, but she wasn't doing anything to break away or go free so I continued Devi is this a kiss? Jasdero asked innocently. Yeah, Dero. This is a kiss. Devitto answered in amusement. You're too innocent for this Dero, don't look. I saw an image of Jasdero sitting on Devit's lap, the ravenette covering his large, doll like, eyes.

When we broke free Araya was silent, eyes wide in shock she opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out, her cheeks were hot pink. A low chuckle came from my throat as I smirked down at the flustered girl.

"See?" I chuckled. "Told you should be careful around a Noah." Devi, you can let go of Dero's eyes now. Hee! Dero giggled, trying to get his twin's hands from his eyes. Not until I'm sure Jasdevi's not gonna do anything else. Devitto teased. I'm done... for now. I replied with amusement.

"W-wha?" She blinked a few times at loss of words her jaw was still dropped, obviously this was a first for her. This only amused me further. She was kind of cute like this. Very. Devit agreed. Jasdero giggled in agreement. Araya obviously didn't know what to think of my kiss, she probably hadn't been kissed in any way shape or form. Coming back to my senses, I crawled off of her, laying down next to her on the ground. "Th-that w-was different..." She stammered coughing a bit awkwardly. I blushed slightly.

"Y-Yeah. Sorry... that was a bit...uh...sudden." I replied.

"I-it's alright..." She said. I looked up at the sky, seeing the many stars glittering in the sky. Suddenly, I felt her kiss me in return, her lips pressed against mine, I felt her arms wrap around my shoulders my head spinning, her body was surprisingly cold but I didn't mind. My arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. I felt her fingers run through my long, two toned hair, she twirled a tendril of my hair between her fingertips. I raised one hand to the back of her head, tangling my crimson gloved fingers in her equally crimson hair.

We separated a moment later, a grin on her face, her cheeks were a very deep pink. An identical grin stretched my lips. I reached up and wiped some black lipstick from her mouth with a small smirk. Her cheeks unbelievingly darkened, she looked down at her hands bashfully, her thick, black eyelashes batting beautifully.

"Something wrong?" I asked softly, running my fingers through her hair.

"No, I don't know what came over me though, sorry." She said looking into my eyes with her green and red ones.

"It's okay." I smiled at her. "We enjoyed that." I added, speaking for myself and the twins. She smiled. But our happy moment didn't last too long.

"Araya! What are you-?" We both looked up to see the Bookman Jr. God dammit! I snarled. Araya's face went pale her smile was wiped clean of her face. "That's a Noah! Get over here right now!" Lavi said his emerald eye filled with panic. I glared at the red headed exorcist, sitting up and hugged Araya to my chest, refusing to let her go. Her hands gripped my arm tightly keeping my arms around her, "get your arms off of my sister!" Lavi spat pointing a finger at me, "you... you monster!" My eyes widened at him, something inside of me snapping. I released Araya, standing and facing the exorcist.

"The fuck did you just call you peice of shit?" I hissed dangerously, the tips of my hair sharpening.

"Do you even know what you did to my friend!? He was barely still a body! You're a monster!" Lavi spat, activating his hammer. I clenched my fists, my eyes flashing angrily.

"He's not a monster!" Araya cried, standing up in between the two of us. Lavi seemed surprised that she gave any sign of emotion and affection towards me. I blinked at her, both grateful and surprised at her actions. The thing that scared me, causing me to jump in fear, was the sound of Tyki Mikk's voice behind me.

"Jasdevi, what in the Earl's name are you doing?" The Portuguese Noah said hissed. He glanced at the two redheads in front of me "oh... I see you found the Exorcists... Prey..." A sadistic large grin stretched across Tyki's face.

"T-Tyki..." I stammered in fear. "Wh-what are your d-doing here?"

"Collecting innocence, I see you've found them first.. Well it'll be easier killing them together now won't it?" Tyki's grin widened as he saw the fear in Bookman Jr's eyes. I stared at Tyki, glanced at Araya and then back. Mustering up all the courage I had left, I straightened up and stood in front of Araya, hiding her from Tyki's view.

"No." I said stubbornly.

"I see you want to get all the innocence for yourself so the Earl will praise you," Tyki chuckled. I shook my head again.

"No. We won't kill them." I said, a bit more clearly this time.

"What did you say?" Tyki asked a pissed look on his face, his eyes narrowed at me.

"We won't kill them." I repeated.

"Now why is that? You're a Noah... Right? You're a descendant of Noah... Right?" The older Noah challenged.

"Innocence isn't evil." I countered. "It only hurts us because we threaten it."

"Innocence almost killed you one day," Tyki replied.

"Because I was threatening it." I replied stubbornly, not moving from Araya.

"What's your proof that it isn't evil? It's not alive! It kills us and hinders our ability to purify this world," Tyki spat.

"And who told you that?!" I shouted back. "The Earl?!"

"It's normal! We were born to hate and destroy innocence!" He spat.

"I wasn't born to do anything! I was born to a family of humans who hated and abused me!" A feeling of anger and frustration filled me, beginning to affect my speech.

"If you think such traitorous thoughts why don't you show me! Show me your proof!" Tyki growled. Golden blades shot towards Tyki, my anger fueling them.

Lavi had pulled Araya away from the danger. Towards him. Maybe that was for the best. She'd be safe from Tyki. As long as I kept stalling him. My hair blades went right through him to no effect. He walked forward, walking right through my hair.

"Now if you don't mind, I have some Exorcists to kill and innocence to collect, after I believe it's time you see the Earl," Tyki's savage sadistic grin returned. He walking right in front of me.

"Big hammer, little hammer, grow, grow, grow," Lavi muttered, his hammer grew, he clung to Araya as the hammer sorta grew and flew at the same time. I felt relieved that Araya would be safe, but it was soon replaced with terror as I watched Tyki. I felt my body grow stiff and I couldn't move... All I could do is stare in horror at the portuguese Noah. One of Road's doors appeared as he slung my body over his shoulder.

"You're a lot lighter when you're not stiff..." He hissed under his breath. I still had control of my mouth.

"Let us go!" I shouted, trying to resist whatever Tyki had done to me."Let us go right now!"

"No can do Jasdevi, the Earl wants to see you," he said too happily for mine and the twin's liking. The twin's fear mixed with mine, making it that much more unbearable. I wished that I could struggle or do something to resist, but my muscles refused to listen. "So somehow, you actually managed to get a girlfriend, too bad she's an exorcist."

"Shut the fuck up Tyki." I hissed angrily.

"What are you gonna do? Talk my ear off?" Tyki mused savagely.

"Maybe I will." I replied, some feeling coming back into my neck. I raised my head slightly and bit Tyki's arm, making sure to dig my fang like canines into his flesh. He yelped in pain and I felt my jaw and neck go completely still. He pried my teeth from his bleeding arm with a growl.

"That wasn't very smart Jasdevi, now you can't talk," Tyki purred as he stepped through the door. I death glared him, lowering my gaze afterwards to stare at the floor. My anger and fear were soon replaced by dread as I imagined what would happen to me. Devit, Jasdero... I want you both to sleep. Okay? I asked softly in my mind. The twins seemed to look at each other. Please. I don't want you two to feel the pain. Please... just go to sleep for a while... I promise I'll wake you when the punishment's over. I pleaded desperately as Tyki neared the Millennium Earl's office. They then nodded, after a moment of complete silence, then slept. I was all alone. I took a deep breath to calm myself. I hated when they slept and left me alone. It made me feel empty and hopeless. But I didn't want them getting hurt... As we entered the office, the Earl was waiting.

Tyki released me from my trance but I was thrown onto the floor in front of the Earl before I could try to escape. My whole body seemed to freeze up with terror as I slowly looked up at the Millennium Earl, my eyes wide and trembling.

"I'm very disappointed in you Jasdevi," the Earl said gravely, a hint of sadism was etched in his voice like a carving, telling the story of my fate. I didn't answer, the words caught in my throat. I only continued to stare up at him, beginning to tremble slightly. "Befriending an exorcist and doubting my word about the great evil of innocence..." My head lowered so that I was staring at my trembling hands. Even if I could speak, I wouldn't. No matter what I said, it would only make my situation worse. Suddenly, Tyki freed my mouth. I didn't have the guts to speak though. "You'll have to be punished for this. Tyki, go with a few other Noah. I want that exorcist found, I believe it's necessary to execute her in front of him so Jasdevi may see the consequences of his betrayal." My head shot up at those words.

"No!" I cried, the word falling from my lips before I could stop it.

"Oh, now why is that?" the Earl said, his already disturbing, intimidating grin somehow managed to widen. The words caught in my throat again. I didn't know how to reply, so I just lowered my head again. "I want you to tell me..." His voice deepened. I remained silent, keeping my head lowered. "If you have good reason, I won't have her killed when we find her." The Earl said. I could not find a reason the Earl would give a damn about. Saying I loved her would mean nothing, only motivate him to ridicule me further. As if reading my mind, he then said "what? Do you love the exorcist?" I flinched, accidently confirming the question. "Ah young love. So strange. Blind... Stupid..." The Earl hissed. "You were obviously too blind to see she was probably trying to find the right moment to strike. You wouldn't expect it, you're obviously too stupid to realize what she's been doing." At that moment, all I wanted to do was dissapear. To simply melt into the floor and vanish. I wanted this to be over so I could lock myself up in my room or something.

"She wouldn't..." I muttered dully, a part of me not believing my own words.

"You don't know that, now do you?" The Earl challenged.

"She let me... let me touch her i-innocence..." I replied softly, not sure how he would react to this information. "It... it didn't hurt me..." I looked up at him. "You said the innocence would hurt... but it didn't..." The Earl seemed to show shock for a brief few minutes. This either meant I had discovered a lie, or he had never heard or seen this happening before. Then he glared, not saying another word I began to wonder to myself if it was way more rare then I thought, an exorcist trusting a Noah enough to let them touch their innocence. My eyes widened in terror when his sword suddenly appeared in his hand.

"You must be more idiotic than I thought," he hissed angrily, pointing the sword at me. "an exorcist actually allowed you to come in contact with their innocence and you didn't destroy it when you had the chance." I lowered my head as he walked to stand behind me. A cry of pain escaped me when he grabbed my hair and forced me to my feet. The tip of the sword was placed under my chin, raising my head so that I was forced to look into the fury filled eyes of the Millennium Earl. His grin seemed to widen at the fear in my eyes. "Pathetic child." the Earl said, making my heart sink a bit. Agonizing pain hit me as the Earl threw my body across the room, he still held onto my hair, yanking my hair back as I almost was slammed into the wall. I grit my teeth, refusing to make any sounds of pain. It would only give the Earl what he wanted. The Earl grabbed my arm in a death grip, beginning to bend it the wrong way. I grit my teeth harder as the bone in my arm snapped.

I couldn't hold back a screech of pain as the Millennium Earl stabbed his blade through my stomach, the new wound burned and stung like hell. Blood gushed from the gaping hole and my mouth as I coughed blood onto the floor. The crimson metallic liquid dribbled off my bottom lip and splashed onto the tile beneath me.

The Earl threw me to the ground, stabbing the sword through me once more. Agonized screams wrenched themselves from my throat when he moved the sword to and fro. He twisted the blade inside my stomach, the pain just took over my entire trembling body, my body jerked uncontrollably as the sword dug into my chest, just above my lungs, he yanked the jagged blade down causing excruciating to replenish, leaving my body only a figure of living hell.

Everything around me becoming blurry as the pain took over me, the silhouette of the Earl hung over me. I closed my agony clouded eyes, struggling to get air into my damaged lungs. I prayed that this was it, that it was over. But the Earl didn't seem satisfied yet. He pulled me up by the long strands of my now blood clotted hair again, my body limp and unresponsive.

He swung my body around as if it was as light as a sock, growing my broken limp body around like a ragdoll I felt my body roughly hitting walls and floors with such force it knocked the wind I could get out of my pierced lungs. I didn't try to move, even as the Earl picked up my long golden locks.

"I don't think you'll be needing these for a while." He hissed, before slicing them off so that my hair only reached a bit past my shoulders, much like Devitto's now. But my weapons... Were gone. Removed by the Earl himself. I was useless now... Why did Tyki have to come? I had been so happy when I was just alone with her, happier then I had ever been in my entire life, and he ruined it. Crushed it flat. Crumpled away my hopes and dreams and took a match to them, turning my joy to a depressed hurtle of ashes at my feet. Faintly, as if in a dream, I felt the Millennium Earl throw me over his shoulder and walk out of his office. I no longer cared where he was taking me. As long as I could be alone. Alone and miserable, exactly how I had spent my whole childhood with the humans.

I let out a strangled sob when the Earl practically threw me into a room. "You will be in here until you've learned your lesson." The Millennium Earl's voice said above me. My eyes struggled open and I looked around weakly, eyes widening in terror at the room. The room was small and was made of grey concrete. A small bed stood in the corner, with a barred window above it. A small side table stood next to the bed. The room was an exact replica of my room in the asylum... I was too preoccupied to notice the door closing and locking. But when it did, I was somehow on my knees in front of it.

"No! Please!" I shouted desperately, clawing at the door with every remainder of strength I had left in my abused body. "Please! Master! Don't make me stay here! PLEASE!" I pleaded. My pleas were ignored. Out of sheer desperation I continued to claw at the door and plead with the Millennium Earl, though I knew he had left long ago...

….

I stopped screaming when I began to lose my voice. Stopped trying to plead with anyone who could be out there to let me out. I didn't want to be here. Torturous memories flooded into my mind as I sat on the bed. Memories of hatred, of torture, of terror, of solitude. The asylum had been where they truly convinced me I was nothing but a monster. A creature to be tortured and ridiculed. Not loved or cared about. I sat on the poor excuse for a bed, struggling to breath properly, gripping my broken arm. My Noah healing ability was working slower than usual, probably the Earl's doing. He wanted me to suffer as long as possible. I wondered if the Asylum rules applied right now. If they did, I'd have an electric collar around my throat to make sure I was in bed at the appointed time. I remembered that there was no clock in my room. The doctors had purposefully done that so I'd always get electrocuted, because I didn't know what time lights out was. I had no collar... maybe it'd be different. Almost as if on cue to my thoughts, an Akuma servant walked into the room holding something. I looked up at it as it walked up to me.

"Master Millennium says you are to wear this until your punishment is over." The Akuma servant said curtly, putting something around my neck. My soul sank into the pits of despair as I felt what it was. An electric collar. At my nod, the Akuma bowed slightly and left, locking the door once more. I curled up again, now letting my tears fall down my cheeks. Silently, I went over the ways this collar worked. It would only electrocute me if I didn't wake up at the appointed time, if I didn't go to bed at the appointed time, if I dawdled in bed too much in the morning, or if the Earl simply decided to torture me. My eyes were suddenly drawn to the window. The moon was shining high in the sky, telling me it was late. The collar would not go off unless I left the bed, but I needed to wake up at the right time if I wanted to avoid the pain. Being careful not to further harm any of my wounds, I crawled under the thin blanket, shifting uncomfortably on the uncomfortable mattress. I closed my eyes, trying my best to fall asleep.

….

I woke the next morning, forgetting where I was for a moment. But, I soon remembered as the collar around my neck sparked. Before I could sit up, the electric current went into my body. A scream of agony wrenched itself from my throat as the collar electrocuted me. As quick as I could, I crawled off the bed, landing on the ground in a heap. The pain stopped as soon as it started. With a strangled sob, I pulled my knees to my chest and began to cry. The twins were still sleeping. Unlike in the real asylum, I was all alone. I wouldn't wake them. Not yet. I promised to wake them after the punishment ended. But when would that be? My body still ached from the electrocution and torture, but I forced myself to get to my knees. My arm and chest had healed somewhat, though my arm still felt fragile and there was still somewhat of a hole in my chest and stomach. At least it was easier to breath. I opened one of the drawers of the bedside table. If this was an exact replica of my room in the asylum then there should be something in the top drawer. To my relief, I found the two things that had kept me busy back in the asylum. A torn coloring book with old crayons and a box of broken chalk. I took out the chalk, slowly moving to the opposite wall. Slowly, I began to draw on the wall, allowing my fingers to move on their own. It was better not to think. Better to empty my mind until night came. Night was when I could think about my misery and cry without being interrupted. My attention was caught by a tray that had slid through a doggy door looking thing at the base of the steel door. Putting down my chalk, I moved to the tray, seeing food on it. It's not like I was expecting anything extravagant or appetizing, but my heart still sank when I saw the plain food on the tray. A bowl of watery oatmeal, a stale piece of bread, and a glass of water. The food I had to live on when I was locked up in the asylum. I picked up the bowl and brought it up to my lips, drinking it because it was so watery. It tasted like nothing... so did the bread... and water never had a flavor in the first place. The tray now empty, I pushed it back through the doggy door and moved back to the wall, beginning to draw again. The rest of the day passed in a strange haze. I was brought lunch and dinner and, before I knew it, it was night time. I put down my chalk and climbed onto the bed, not wanting to be electrocuted again. But I didn't sleep. I simply sat against the wall, staring at my knees. There was an overwhelming feeling of loneliness... and depression.

"I... I had fun today..." I breathed, talking to the sleeping twins in my mind. Even though I knew they couldn't hear me, I lied to make them not worry. It would seem that my mind was already beginning to break down. "I wonder...what should I draw tomorrow... maybe I could do something different..." After a few minutes I simply began talking to myself, not the twins. I had a small conversation with myself until I started feeling tired. It was almost exactly like at the asylum. Before Jasdero and Devitto first made themselves known to me, my mind had been slowly shattering. I had always talked to myself like this, trying to give myself companionship or some form of comfort. Sometimes, I lied to myself. Telling myself that I'd had fun... or that everything would be fine, I'd be let out soon. Lies. All pointless lies I told myself to keep my sanity in check. Not that it worked of course.

That's when a few taps on the window bars above my head caught my attention. I looked up seeing a silhouette of a familiar person in the window, the moonlight danced on her red braided hair. This had to be some cruel joke. That couldn't be. It just couldn't. A little paper plane slid between the bars of the window. Four simple words were read on it's inside. 'Can you see me?' Was all it said. Shocked I nodded, though the only thing I saw was red braided hair the rest was pitch black. I leaned over the side of my bed and opened the drawer to my nightstand, grabbing the waxy blue crayon with my fingertips and pulling it over to the paper plane. This had to be a cruel joke right? There was no way she could possibly be there. 'Are you really there? Is this some sick joke?' I wrote angrily on the paper. I slid it through the window, making sure to stay in bed so the electricity wouldn't shock me. I heard a pencil scribbling on paper. The paper plane slid back through the bars and onto my lap, I opened the thin, soft paper, revealing the next message 'of course I'm here? You just said you could see me! Well anyways, for now call me Aya. I'm working on getting you free. It's gonna take precision BUT. I have a plan.' She had wrote. I realized this was actually the real thing, this was literally Araya, I quickly wrote down on the paper, frantic to get her out of this place, what if the Earl found her? 'You have to leave, quickly, go back to the Black Order where you'll be safe! They're searching for you! Please go! I don't want you to get hurt!' I wrote, cramming the piece of paper through the bars. An irritable huff was heard from behind the bars, the note returned 'no. I'm not leaving you here to suffer.' it read. 'please. Do it for me! Please!' I pleaded desperately. 'please… I'll get out eventually… Just please...' I added, putting the paper through the bars. There was a pause, before the sound of a pencil could be heard once more, a paper sliding through the bars a moment later. 'Why can't I help you?' it read. I stared at the paper for a moment.

"Because they'll find you." I said aloud in a dull whisper. "They'll find you and kill you. I don't want that to happen. So please... just leave... please..." I begged, hiding my face in my hands. Araya remained silent, though I heard her sigh. Another paper fell through the bars. 'I'll be back. I promise, I'll come see you.' It read. I looked up at her again, wanting to convince her otherwise; but she was gone. I hid the papers in the bottom drawer, putting the crayon back where it belonged. An overwhelming feeling of guilt and dread filled me. What would happen if they killed her? It would be all my fault if he did. The Earl would then get what he wanted. A broken, miserable, hopeless Noah, who would now have no choice but to obey without question. I lay down , burying my face in the pillow. Before I could stop them, tears slid down my cheeks and I began to sob. The moonlight continued to spotlight me as I softly sobbed myself to sleep.

….

I'm not sure how much time had passed after that. The days seemed to be nothing but a haze of events. Wake up, draw, eat breakfast, draw some more, eat lunch, sit against the wall staring at the floor, draw, eat dinner, sleep, and repeat. My days became monotonous as if I was stuck in a never ending loop, my mental state dissolving slowly. Sometimes I would get electrocuted for no reason. I would simply be drawing or sitting, and the collar would turn on, filling me with agony and reopening the still healing wounds on my body. It was obviously the Earl's doing. The only thing keeping me from drowning in my own misery, was Araya's nightly visits. She came every night and spoke to me. I could tell she still wanted to break me out, but it seems like I had convinced her against it for now. When she came, she would tell me about what she'd done that day, something funny some of the other exorcists had done or said, or just something completely random. Occasionally, Araya would bring me something like a dessert. I would stay awake for as long as possible talking to her, not wanting her to leave. I had the urge to beg her to stay. But I knew she had to be back at the Black Order. She'd be safe there. But she kept me sane and I was grateful for that.

A scream of agony came from my raw throat as the collar turned on without warning again. My wounds reopened once more, blood soaking the floor and my clothes. I writhed in pain and gripped my head tightly, my eyes rolling into the back of my head as I began to cry blood. Then it stopped and my body collapsed back onto the floor. I gasped for air, my eyes wide, crimson still leaking from them. Slowly, very slowly, I got to my hands and knees. Blood splattered the grey floor as I coughed and wretched. I began to sob, my tears still made of blood. What was the Earl playing at? Was this some sort of game to him? The overwhelming desire to die came over me. Even if I was let out, I would be useless until my hair grew back. The smallest of smiles stretched my blood soaked lips, when I imagined the mental break down Jasdero would surely have when he awoke and found that most of our hair had been cut. The Millennium Earl cut the blonde area of my hair, which meant Dero's hair would be a whole lot shorter. I stood shakily, my legs threatening to give way. I only made it two steps before collapsing back onto the floor. How long had it been? How long had I been in this fucking place? When would I be let out?

"Why...?" I choked out, not knowing who I was talking to. "What did I...do...to deserve this...?" My eyes turned to the barred window, staring longingly outside. "I just... I just wanted... to be happy... Why am I not allowed to be happy?" I asked desperately as if expecting someone to answer me. No answer came. But the desperation for an answer overwhelmed me. I began to yell "Why is it a bad thing to want to be happy?! HUH!? Is it just because you can't be happy that you don't want anyone else to feel happy!? IS THAT IT!?" I screamed, then breaking down into silent tears whispering the same words to myself over and over again "I just wanted to be happy, I just wanted to be happy, I just wanted to be happy, I just wanted to be happy…" Over. And over again. My voice soon faded as my throat gave way from the strain it had been through. I placed a hand on my throat, knowing I had just lost my voice. Great. Now I can't talk. Fucking wonderful. How could this possibly get worse? Wait… I didn't want to think that. What if something worse DID happen… I didn't want it to get any worse than it had been for god knows how long. I continued to sob silently into my hands, wanting nothing more than for the pain to end. A tray of food slid under the door, but I ignored it. I wasn't hungry. And anyway, the food wasn't filling, so I might as well just not eat at all.

I let out a silent scream as the collar shocked me, electricity coursed through my battered and beaten body, the agony pulsed through my limbs, it was then I realized the light coming into my room was moonlight. It was past time to get into bed. I scrambled to the bed, my knees buckling from pain and my body feeling weaker than a toothpick. The pain ebbed away into a dull throb when I was on top of the bed. I wanted to know why the Earl was doing this. It had been at least... a week... a month... a year maybe? I didn't know anymore, I had lost track after day three. I knew I should have used the chalk to keep track of days, but I hadn't thought about that. A few taps on the bars of my window caught my attention and I looked up.

Araya waved at me from the window, on her knees looking through the window at me with a small smile on her lips, her mismatched eyes glistened from the stars that twinkled in her eyes. She brought something small with her. I recognized it as food. She carefully passed it through the bar's towards me. I sat up and grabbed the food, seeing that it was some sort of cake. I tried to say thank you. But no sound came from my throat. She tilted her head slightly when she saw my jaw open and no words come out. I used my hands to point to my neck and mouth and make a X like motion with both hands to tell her I couldn't talk because I had lost my voice. She nodded seeming to understand me. I smiled slightly at her, then began to eat the cake, the wonderful taste bathing my tongue. The food she brought me always tasted good and it always made me feel full. Filled with satisfaction. She smiled in return. She had asked me about why my hair was shorter at one point a few days back wondering why it was shorter, so I had told her that the Earl had cut it because I could have used it to escape. Bastard…

"Does he beat you daily?" Araya asked with a frown as she noticed my reopened wounds. I shook my head, pointing to the metal collar around my neck. She peered closer at the collar seeing a bad drawing of an electrical bolt on the side of the collar. "So he electrocutes you?" I shrugged, nodding. It was hard to respond when all I could do was nod or shake my head. She sighed with a sorry look on her face. I could tell she dearly wanted to help me out of this situation but I couldn't let her do that. She could die, I didn't want her to die for me. Slowly, I reached through the bars to touch her cheek in reassurance. It felt nice to come in contact with another living being for the first time in forever. She smiled and her other hand cupped my hand with her own. A wave of calm encircled my soul at her touch, making me feel safe and happy.

Her fingertips intertwined with my own, clutching them dearly. She pressed her lips to my knuckles gently, her lips were cold, as were her hands, but she always seemed cold but was unaffected by it. I didn't care. As long as I could see that someone actually cared about me, I didn't care how cold she was. Her cheek was soft and smooth, unscathed as if she had never seen a fight or abuse in her life. But I knew she had been abused, her face never showed the scars, probably because they were elsewhere. Where they would be covered by clothes? I felt a pang of both envy and pity. Even though she had been abused like I had been she, at least, had people who cared about her and cared about her happiness. Something I did not have.

"I wish you would let me help you…" She murmured softly, closing her eyes, her black eyelashes held a perfect form, curving upwards not to much, but just right. Small essence of tear droplets littered her lashes. I sighed softly, wishing I could speak and tell her why she couldn't help me. However, all I could do was reach my other hand forwards and run my fingers through her hair. She buried her face into my hand. I felt wet tears smudge against my palm. She seemed in pain from the tears but they continued to fall. To think, the girl I loved. Actually cared about me and loved me the same way… It was nice to think someone actually loved me. I felt good, happy even, I knew I wasn't supposed to be happy here. But I was. As long as she was here with me I was happy. Gently, I pulled her closer to the bars and leaned forwards, placing a small kiss on her forehead. "I want to get you out… I know I could… I just know I could…" She whimpered, tears sliding down her cheeks.

"You... are in so much trouble." A somewhat angry voice growled somewhere behind Araya, catching both our attentions. She grumbled irritably wiping her tears away quickly.

"Shut up Lavi…" She hissed under her breath. The Bookman jr. walked up behind her and grabbed her by the upper arm, pulling her away from me.

"He's a No-ah." the red headed male said angrily. "He's dangerous."

"No. He's not dangerous. He had two weeks to kill me or to try to crush my innocence, he didn't even try, I made myself vulnerable, he didn't kill me or even attack me, I even let him touch my innocence, he had the chance to crush it, he didn't!" She spat in response her tone actually changing for the first time. Then I realized, this whole time, she had been testing me to see if I was a safe Noah. I had passed. Lavi growled slightly.

"I don't care. Noah are deceitful bastards." He hissed. "You saw what he did to Krory. I just don't want that happening to you. Not to mention you shouldn't even be feeling like this."

"It won't happen to me. Ya, I saw what he did to Krory, but that was a different matter. And how the hell did you get here anyways?" Araya said indignantly, crossing her arms over her chest, I could only watch this whole situation. Not being able to say a single word.

"I had help. Now come on," Lavi said, pulling her away. "you're not allowed to leave my sight from now on. I don't want you to have anything to do with the Noah Clan."

"How do you expect to get anywhere without your hammer?" She smirked, obviously she had it hidden somewhere. I watched as Lavi took the hammer from her pocket making her frown.

"I told you, I have help. And they're waiting." He replied, before they vanished from my sight and all I could hear were far off voices. I knew from then on, I wouldn't be seeing the girl I loved. I would no longer get my nightly visits. I knew from here. Things would get worse. And worse. And worse. I had nobody to keep me sane. I was all alone...

….

An eternity seemed to pass after that night. I refused food and craved pain, purposely staying in or out of bed too long so that the collar would shock me. Time didn't exist here, but in only a short while, I was much too thin and too weak to even stand.

One day, this changed. The familiar knock at the door barely caught my attention. I was sitting on the bed, leaning against the wall and staring blankly at my lap, not really seeing anything. My hair had grown another inch, but it was still much too short to be useful. The door opened, then I realized, my visitor was the Millennium Earl, he unlatched the collar from my neck and scooped me up into his arms, but even though he held me. I felt nothing. I only felt the numbness and aching in my heart that I had felt for god knows how long. It was hard to breath and to even keep my eyes open. All I wanted to do was die.

I felt myself get put in bed, I knew I should wake the twins. But I felt that they'd be far too depressed because of my own depression. I squeezed my eyes tighter shut, keeping myself in a blanket of darkness, I curled like a pill bug, hiding from it's enemies. The darkness was where I was safe. Where I couldn't see the hideous face of reality. I heard the Earl walk out, closing the door behind him. The moment he left, I broke down again, sobbing silently into the familiar pillow of my usual bed. My happiness was gone forever. Never to be retained. The world just hated me. First the abuse, then the starvation and loneliness, the asylum, being lonely and not getting the feeling of belonging and now this?! When Jasdero and Devitto had been found, bloody and barely alive, by Road and the Earl we were promised happiness. They promised us that we would be happy here, we would be loved and cared for. So far. None of that is true. I had still felt lonely, had never once found happiness and when I did find it. The only ray of light in my shallow life was taken away from me. J-Jasdero... D-Devitto... time to wake up... I said miserably, desperately wanting some sort of companionship. For assurance that someone, anyone, in this hell hole cared about me. Mornin… Why are you so miserable and how long has it been? Devit's instant answer replied with a yawn. I'm gonna just give you a moment to fully wake up and then you can ask me why the fuck I'm so fucking miserable. I snapped, not meaning to sound so angry. But I'm already awake. Tell me why the hell you're so fucking miserable Devitto replied indignantly. Dero's sleepy... heee... Jasdero's sleepy voice finally piped up. Why is Jasdevi crying? What's wrong? the blonde asked worriedly. Devit just now seemed to notice how short Jasdero's hair was now. Mentally blinking a few times he finally spoke Dero… Your hair… He said pointing to the much shorter hair that was about the same length as his own. Jasdero felt his hair in confusion. Dero's golden locks! What happened to Dero's hair?! Jasdero screeched, tearing up at how short his hair suddenly was. I couldn't help but smile slightly through my tears. Your hair looks just like mine now… Except blonde… Devit commented as he examined his brother's new hairstyle. Jasdero burst into hysterical sobs, being extra sensitive about his hair. You can thank the Earl for the haircut. I replied, sniffing slightly. And for my shattered mental state. I added. Dero. You're fine. It's not like he cut all of it off. It will grow back. Be thankful you're not bald. Devitto said with a snort. His brother just sniffed and hiccupped, rubbing his eyes with his fists. At least you're not useless at the moment... I said miserably. SO what happened while we were out? Devit asked. I was tortured, then locked up in an exact replica of my room in the asylum for god knows how long. I replied a bit vaguely, knowing the twins could examine my memories for better details. I felt them pick through my memories, every last one of them, they passed through most of them quickly, slowing down quite a bit with my memories of Araya. How did she even get here? Devit was the first to ask about it. She wouldn't tell me. The pretty girl came to see Jasdevi! Hee! Jasdero giggled happily. I think she used Bookman Jr's hammer, I can see it faintly in her pocket… Devit smirked widely as he saw the silhouette of the hammer, in the pocket of her jeans. So she's pretty AND smart! Dero grinned. And she brought good food. Not to mention she risked everything just to come nightly to visit us… Devit commented with a thoughtful look. Too bad the Bookman jr. had to ruin it. Again. I said softly, fighting back fresh tears. Ya… He just is protective over his sister… Even though he is a friggin kill joy… He acts a bit like me with Dero… Devitto uttered not that I'm sticking up for the bastard. I just noticed that. He added. Kill joy! Hee! Jasdero added in agreement, hugging his twin and nuzzling his nose into the crook of Devit's neck. Is Jasdevi hungry? Wanna go eat? he added. I-I don't want to… Besides… I couldn't move even if I wanted to… I'm too weak… I murmured, feeling more tears slide down my cheeks. Okay. hee. I appreciated that Dero didn't continue trying to convince me to go. Besides, it was apparently an insult to attend a meal after punishment. I couldn't face the rest of the Noah Clan now. I just wanted to curl up and die. Though I would give almost anything just to be curled up in Araya's lap. With her stroking my shorter hair and whispering soothing words to me. Either would be wonderful. Though death seemed the most likely to happen now. I squeezed my eyes shut tighter and prayed for death…