I watched them from afar; behind one of the many marble columns that kept the second floor of the Black Order from falling.

She was all over him today; hugging, kissing, touching, laughing… I hardly even recognized her with the wide grin across her face and pink, blushing cheeks. She seemed so completely and totally happy today. And it made me all the angrier.

My ice blue eyes burned with a fierce kind of hate, a vile red and black feeling I hadn't felt in close to a decade now. My teeth grinded against themselves as I held my tongue; this was most certainly not the place to confront Chiquita about her little… act.

Nothing made me more nauseous than watching Chica delude herself with the wild fantasy that she was actually in love with Yu Kanda.

It was pathetic, really. Everyone knew it was a false love, created by her sub-conscious to keep her sane. Finders knew, exorcist knew, science workers knew, the medical crew knew, the cooks knew, and the janitors knew as well. I think even Kanda himself knew it, but he actually cared enough not to break the poor girls fragile, glass-like heart.

But I knew she could handle it. The five of us, Chiquita, Thomas, May, Dante, and I, were trained specifically not to have or let emotions of any sorts cause trouble in our lives, including sadness, grief, anger, and any of the passions. The scientists and neurologists of the North American Branch had made sure nothing as petty as feelings would or could interfere with our long-term mission for this world. And yet there she was, easily being over-whelmed by the foreign passion she called 'Love'.

Not being able to stand the hellish mushy feelings any longer, I quietly stormed out of the hallway to the only place I could find nothing but silence: the HQ library.


It was a short walk, but it was enough for me to cool down (kinda) and sort everything out. Things were a mess. Things were certainly not going according to plan. And even though I didn't know all the facts, I still chose to judge the girl who had, at one point, not only been my mentor, but what I considered, a friend.

Chiquita Iglesias was throwing away everything the Dark Generation had worked for.

"Love is, and will always be, a mystery to us."

She said those words, did she not? She taught me how to keep my life Monotone, she taught me to keep away from a society filled with weaklings run by their emotions, she taught me to throw away everything special in my life and live from nothing! How could she go back on all of those words and have this affair? Was she really that fragile?

Before I could lose myself in the blissful world of hate and blame, a hand was lightly placed on my shoulder. I turned and met the curious face of Lavi.

Love is not real.

"What's wrong, Rima?"

Love is all a lie.

I didn't like his tone. It was filled with concern for me. It was one of a worried friend, who wanted nothing more than to help the one they cared about. I didn't- no, I couldn't listen; it would make me vulnerable.

Love is inexistent; it is not part of this world.

"I'm fine, Lavi. Thanks." Damn, my voice wasn't as strong as I wanted it to be.

Love is against our policy. Leave it be, Rima.

I looked at him. This silly, hyperactive, filled with nothing but mysteries and lies Bookman was the only person on this lonely planet that knew everything about me; the only one who knew my childhood; the only one who knew all of my secrets; the only one who knew ME.

Love is against us; it will never work out!

He looked as if he were having a civil war inside his own head. Concentration spread across his face like a fire. I was beginning to believe my own thoughts…

That's right, Rima. Come back. We are here. Your friends are here.

I suddenly got a very sharp-edged mental picture of the four people who had grown up with me; the only four who shared this Hell with me.

Very good, Rime. Now came to us. We understand you. We understand. And remember: Love is never-

My mental persuasions were suddenly cut off as I felt Lavi very slowly and stiffly wrap his arms around my shoulders. I almost gasped from the unfamiliar gesture. This should… not be happening. Lavi was a Future Bookman; I was a Future General of the Order. The two destinies didn't mix.

Love…

A kinder voice picked up in my head when Lavi began talking. "Don't worry," he said, sensing my distress.

Love is…

He ran his hand through my straight black hair. "This will be our secret." Slowly, unsurely, I hugged him back, my hands gripping his back tightly. 'Wrong' was the perfect word to use here, but the newest voice was growing stronger every moment.

Love is…

Love is always there.

In Lavi's arms, I silently prayed to God it wasn't.