DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but the plot


"Michelle." a voice teases her.

She hugs her knees tighter and turns away.

Do not answer. Do not look.

"Michelle."the devil's voice is deadly sweet.

"Go away."her voice is muffled, "leave me alone."

He floats over and tilts up her face with his spindly fingers. His eyes are a dark ochre, reflecting Michelle's fears.

"How would you like to live again?"he offered, smirking.

Silence.

Then a sob.

"Go away!"she sniffled, "what do you know about my dreams?"

She clasps her hands over her ears and buries herself in her dress.

He lifts her fingers and whispers in her ears. "I know a lot."

He picks at a finger noncommittally, "Your Nee-san misses you. You should go back."

Those words were a blow to her ears. She had tried not to think about them, but now, all the memories were back.

Reborn Oracion Seis.

Midnight.

Real Nightmare.

She wouldn't go back.

But shouldn't she? Wasn't she entitled? Wasn't that her Nee-san too?

The Devil sees that he has hit the nail on the head.

"Let's discuss."he purrs.

She turns.

A short visit wouldn't matter.

She would be fine.

"What's the catch?" She says cautiously. She knows better than to make a blind deal with the Devil.

"Let's just say that I crave blood." he smirks.

"Where are you going with this?"she demands.

"Put it this way. Humanity comes with a price. Every word will cost something." he sneered, holding out a hand. "Let's shake on it."

Without even thinking, she shook it gingerly.

"Done."

He cackles and disappears into the shadows.

Then the was pain.

Horrible, excruciating pain.

Her body bent and stretched, elongating.

It hadn't been this painful the last time.

"Scream.

Scream.

I want to hear you scream." the walls whispered menacingly, tightening around her.

She screamed.

"Michelle!" A startled voice wakes her from her slumber.

Her eyes fluttered open. "Lucy Nee-san..."she whispered, before wincing as her wrist throbbed with pain.

She shook her sleeves away to look at three fine slashes that glittered blood-red under the light.

She was scooped into a hug by Lucy.

"Michelle! I'm sorry! I never meant to forget you!" Lucy sobbed.

Michelle laughed softly, "It's okay, Nee-san."

Another pang of pain as fresh cuts littered her arm. Michelle tried not to wince. After all, this was what the Devil had told her.

Humanity comes with a price.

"I thought you were a doll! How did you get here?" Nee-san chattered excitedly.

Michelle frowned. She wondered if she should tell the truth. Would Nee-san approve of her using dark magic?

"I..."she stammered, "I don't know..."

Lucy frowned, but she didn't press on the matter. "Anyway, you must be hungry! I'll get you some food!"

Michelle was too dazed to contradict her. Making sure that Lucy was too far away to see, Michelle pulled up her sleeves to look at her bleeding hand. Carefully, she wiped the blood away. She would not complain about the pain. After all, she had been willing to sacrifice much more.

It had been a long time since she was human. She missed the smells and sights. She padded to the bathroom to look at her own face, taking in her icy-blue eyes and light brown locks.

"LUCY! Let's go on a- " a pink haired Mage hollered, clambering through the window.

"C...HOTO! You ain't Lucy..." Natsu squinted hard, "Eh? Michelle!"

"N...Natsu-san..." she stammered.

"Yo! Have you seen Lucy?" he greeted.

She shook her head. "Nee-san left. She said she was going to get me some food."

"Souka..." Natsu said dully, "I was going to ask her to go on a mission."

"Michelle! Tadaima!" Lucy called, swinging a bag of food.

"Lucy!" Natsu grinned. "Nee-san!" Michelle smiled.

"Lucy...you wanna come on a mission with me and Happy?" Natsu wheedled. Lucy smiled apologetically. "Michelle just came back today. I want to catch up with her. Maybe next time, ne? Gomen..."

"Aww...if you're not going, it's not going to be fun at all."he pouted, "then I'm not going."

He planted himself on her bed and made no sign of moving.

"Huh. I just don't know what to do with you." Lucy sighed, "let's talk, Michelle. How are you?"

Her?

She didn't want to tell Nee-san anything. She was afraid of ruining things between them again.

"I...I'm fine."she whispered, flinching slightly as she felt thin knives slicing her lower calf.

"That's good to hear!" Nee-san beamed.

She bit her lip nervously.

She knew she shouldn't lie. But she couldn't help it.

Could she?


THIS FAILURE OF A CHAPTER IS THE WORST I'VE EVER WRITTEN!

*HIDES UNDER BED*

GOMEN!

GOMEN!

GOMEN!

Anyway, R&R?

PWEASEE?

Btw, Rogue's gonna appear real soon.