Author's note: If any of my old readers are wondering why I have shortened my style of writing, well, I have picked up a few things. One of them is perspectives, and I don't write for both and all characters, instead on focusing on one view. As you expect, these chapters will only be from the views of Hei and Lucy.

But I hope everyone has been enjoying this so far. Some may have been pissed with Lucy passing out, but the explanation is in this story. Might also seem a bit rushed, but while I have seen the manga of Elfen Lied, and RP'd with RWS while she played Lucy, her thoughts had been hard to form, hence why RWS did most of the work, like 80-99% of it in the previous two chapters.

Hope you enjoy regardless!

Chapter 3

How long had it been since that dreadful day? He knew the answer: three months. How long would it take for him to get over it and return to a normal life? Again, he knew: never. Such questions were pointless, no matter how normal life had been going for him. Ever since last month, finding a certain friend, he had found himself more cautious than before, yet at the same time, relaxed. Things were looking up, with a new honest job and an actual apartment.

Having Mao around, and the Syndicate watching him was something he could do without. Misaki may have been in charge, and kept her distance at long last, but that still didn't make Hei feel easy. And after recent events of last night, the problem had only been growing worse.

"Hei...do you even think anymore when you do something like this?"

The man in question had already been working on breakfast, checking on the rice and curry every few seconds, adding in whatever he thought was needed. The voice of Mao, still in the body of a momonga, had reached Hei's ears, but he chose to ignore them. Last night had been meant for a simple retrieval, to take back an item one of those Contractors had stolen. It was personal business, and he didn't like thinking on that subject.

Then again, he didn't need Mao's reminder. Turning around, he saw the animal Contractor poking at the things on the woman's head. After inspecting it last night, they were indeed horns, and not some decoration usually found by the otakus he usually ran into here. Aside from that, her body seemed normal, even the blood. For the most part, save for those horns and that particular ability, she was a normal Contractor.

But why bring her here? The thought constantly bashed on the walls of Hei's mind. This wasn't like with Suou or Yin. This was a Contractor, one of violent and terrible power. And yet he brought such danger right into his own home, cleaning and dressing her wound no less. He may not have liked killing, but leaving someone to die was something he could shrug off, maybe; it was certainly easier to do. Something prevented him though. Pity? Hard to have it when he knew nothing of this woman.

"Hei, this is not good," Mao said, still poking at the horns. "Trust me, it's nice you are having a better dating, but you could've picked someone more-"

"Didn't take you for being picky," Hei retorted, glancing back at the stove and turning off the knobs; food was done, and now he could focus more on the woman he had brought home. Bringing a chair over, he sat before her, waiting for her to wake up.

"This woman is unknown," countered Mao. "And after what you described what happened last night, she could crush us into paste the moment she wakes up."

Of course he was aware of that. Nothing he had could keep her down, save for maybe the heaviest of chains, and Hei didn't have those. And the wires he usually kept were useless as well. Nothing he could do could really help. All he could hope for was that her response time was slow, which he doubted, less she had remained constantly drowsy.

Noticing no answer had been given, Mao returned his attention to Lucy, shaking his head. "Her renumeration, sleeping, right? Sure it wasn't the wound?"

Hei nods. "Positive." The wound wasn't that deep, and she did lose a bit of blood, but not nearly enough to put her in such a state like this. That reminder did make him think of Bai. Both her and this woman did sleep just as peacefully. The fact that he made a comparison between Lucy and his own sister was a strange one, but not unfamiliar. All of this was bringing back memories of Suou and Yin, memories that just ended up in tragedy. Not a comfortable thought.

That state of tranquility shattered soon enough, crimson orbs suddenly staring at him from below. He had expected to be hit, hands already on the chair to push himself forward in a desperate attempt to strike. Instead, what he saw was Mao shouting and struggling, his body suddenly hovering over Lucy's head. Eyes constantly switched between the animal and Hei, studying them. Lips opened, words finally coming out.

"Where the hell am I?"

The question had been more directed at Hei, though she still stared at the animal floating by whatever powers she commanded. At that moment, Mao had been shaking, and for good reason; no doubt those cats hunting him down seemed preferable right now.

"Um...I am a magic momongna!" he stated, waving his arms. "I shall grant you three-"

Again, more yelling had filled the room, Mao's body constantly being spun around with vicious fury. Lucy continued to glare, growling even. Obviously, she was not amused in the slightest. Sitting up, she threw Mao right back to Hei. Catching his old partner, actually taken back with the amount of strength used with that throw, he set Mao back down carefully. Considering the dazed look and no response, it was safe to say he was knocked out from the experience.

"I take it you are angry?" he asked, though another glare was his response. This meant treading lightly. Despite it all, he kept his own neutral face as he stared at her. "Regardless of what you think, I am not your enemy."

"Then what do you want? A reward?" She clutched at the sheets around her, cold ice shining with power in those crimson eyes of hers. "Find someone else to bother. I have nothing."

The coldness was something he could sympathize with. His own eyes had held such a gaze before, in times of great strife and suffering. To think that this woman might have endured that was a bit painful to see, but such thoughts could not break his guard so easily. If he so much as flinched, he knew he was dead. Right now, he really was the enemy to her. Thoughts began to form based on her features. Horns, he thought. Surely...

"You are not from this world, are you?"

"No." The look in her eyes softened, though the intent to kill was slightly there. She took a deep breath, as if to calm her own nerves, those eyes never flinching away from him all the while. Fear wasn't felt, but the desire to kill emanated strongly. No, not fear, but rather anger. "Explain what the hell is going on."

So he was right. At any rate, explanation time was now. He straightened himself out on the chair, glancing at the corner of his eye to see Mao waking up. The little animal slowly rose up, though Hei now switched his focus back to Lucy a second later. It would take some time for his friend to chip into the conversation, leaving Hei alone on this.

"You were attacked last night, and I helped you by bringing you here to my apartment." As he spoke, he saw her head move, examining the area to make sure those words held truth. He continued. "After you dealt with the last man, you fell unconscious. I treated the wound on you as well."

At that, he saw her look at the wound, lifting the blanket to find bandages around her waist where the wound was. For a brief time, confusion had grown more on her face right before she stared at him again. That confusion and anger had died down, though by very little. Expected, considering the unfamiliar area still around her. More information was needed.

"Tell me, do you know of Contractors?"

"Assassins? Usually what comes to mind," she spoke. "Is that what you are?"

Hei shook his head. "Not assassins, not exactly. You can think of them as beings like you: those that possess strange abilities. That man you encountered for instance was one of them."

Her eyes again glanced to her side, eyeing the wound by her side. That had been the proof of the battle, and she growled, as if memories came back. Just a guess, but he hardly knew of any other reason for it.

"He didn't stab anything vital, luckily," assured Hei. "You weren't in too much danger."

"I was unconscious." She snorted, obviously in anger. "No matter what, I couldn't even-"

"Renumeration kicked in for ya, least we think so." Hei glanced at the new voice interrupting them; it was Mao, finally awake. He stood in front of Lucy on her lap, looking up at her; bold move considering what else could happen. "Ya see, there's a price for those abilities for Contractors. Usually odd stuff, and sleeping just might be yours. Ain't kicking in now, but from what Hei told me, you haven't used enough of it to warrant an instant KO."

Hei glanced at Lucy, noticing her looking very confused at seeing Mao up and talking; not used to a talking animal, but it was clear those eyes were still wondering what to make of the small creature. "And if I don't sleep?"

"Kind of impossible I think." Mao tilted his head. "Still, if you mean the price, Contractors usually die. Least that's what rumors keep saying."

More confusion appeared on Lucy's face. "You mean...you don't know?" Anger flashed in those eyes, though was contained behind those fierce orbs. "And how do I know the both of you aren't lying?"

"You can just look at the news," interrupted Hei, moving his hand to pull back Mao; not like it did much good for Lucy's range. "It's common knowledge now, mostly. You'll learn much by remaining here and-"

The anger behind those orbs of Lucy had suddenly glowed, her power about to activate according to her anger. Contractors not possessing emotion? Proven more and more to be a lie at this rate. He could feel Mao move around his body, the little animal Contractor suddenly behind his head. Ah yes, good spot to hide from someone like Lucy, thought Hei.

"I am not staying here, and you aren't stopping me," she spoke, venom in that voice.

And Hei remained unfazed, even if Lucy had the physical advantage in this case. "Listen, the world isn't the same as your own. You're just putting yourself into more trouble."

"Not any different from before," she retorted. "You wouldn't understand, Contractor or not."

Those words were filled with great anger, enough for Hei to return some of it as well. Eyes focused all too well into a glare, like a parent scolding a child. "Then would you prefer to return to the ways of death then, always running and looking over your shoulder forever with no moment of safety?"

Seeing her eyes widened, Hei knew a critical blow had been dealt. Bingo. He knew her type, at least from partial bits of the life others had left. Contractors were the same as her, killing to survive, usually through the most logical of methods. And even if they were ones who suppressed emotions, they knew such things could never truly die.

He continued. "You may not believe it, but I do know how that can feel, being alone and forced to kill. However, if you really want that second chance, you aren't going to get it through a war."

He could imagine her thoughts forming as those eyes focus more on the sheets covering her body, hands bundling them. That was probably enough. If he actually used her past against her, he doubted things would end well. She already looked as if she was on edge.

"Fine," she finally says, hair covering most of her face away from him. "But let me make this clear: I'm not your pet or a tool to be used as you see fit."

The answer was clear. He didn't blame her. Living that kind of life was something neither of them had wanted. Satisfied, he rises from the chair, eyes never leaving her sight. "Of course not. You're a guest."

After a few seconds, she eventually replied again. "...It's Lucy."

Even with that, he had expected her to retaliate in some way, maybe use that power again. She did no such thing, much to his relief. Even if she was a Contractor, she was the same as him, one who could express emotions during some moments. And if she was anything like him, choosing not to fight definitely had proven it. Well, proved she had been smarter than most at any rate. Yet he couldn't help but feel a gaze still trained on him, though no ominous feelings stemmed from it.

Time had passed quickly before long, and Hei had brought two plates, each one on with rice and curry sauce. Standard and basic for Hei, a bit cheap, but still good with his own hands. He had not expected to be eating for two, but he always did end up cooking for a lot of people; mostly himself and the blackhole he calls a stomach. Setting it down on the table, he went past Lucy again, this time bringing a small bowl for Mao. Though it lacked curry, there was plenty of rice for him.

Once down, Mao had immediately jumped and glided towards it. Landing on his feet, the Contractor quickly ate some of his food. Hei would have called it cute, but it was still Mao underneath it all. Eyes glanced back at Lucy, who had still been staring at him.

He pointed towards the food. "It's yours, if you want it."

She looked away at that. Obviously, she was still wary of the Contractor. Still, Hei sat down regardless, picking up his utensils to eat. Delicious, as always, perfectly warm to match as well. Her dish would get cold, but there was a microwave if she wanted it warm again. The overall noise in the air didn;t bother him either, having been used to hearing himself and Mao devour whatever was made.

Mao's voice had soon pierced the moment of that. "Lucy, right? He may not look it, or act it, but he is a really good cook. I suggest you eat up before you doze off again. Hell, I'd say he was the best out there, though that's giving him too much cred-"

Hearing those words, Hei had pulled away Mao's bowl with his free hand. Mao's mouth had always landed him in trouble, and Hei needed to make him remember that lesson one way or another; and as much as he didn't admit out loud, it was a bit funny to see. The animal Contractor had yelled, amusing to hear while in that body. Just as he ran to it, Hei had pushed it back, knocking Mao backwards with it.

The little momonga fell on its back, though quickly recovered, shaking its fist. "I was paying you a compliment!"

A small snort had came from someone, causing Hei and Mao to turn their heads towards Lucy. Definitely from her. And unbeknownst to them, Lucy had arrived and sat across the table, the bed sheets wrapped around her body; that was quicker than expected. However, she was aware of the stares at her, and the annoyed look had come back.

"What?"

Those words in that tone did not hold the exact same icy tone, but enough for Hei and Mao to get back to eating; further probing her on that would just lead to more problems. Hei glanced up at her between spoonfuls, watching her slowly pick up her own spoon and tease the food for a bit. Seconds had passed before she had even dared to pick up and try to eat it. The taste was left in question, though the widening eyes had told him plenty. It didn't last, as the answer was given with her eating more of it, as if she had not anything to eat in the past few days; a possibility as well. That in mind, he made sure to finish his own plate as well just as quickly.

By the time he was done, he looked at Lucy. "There's plenty more in the kitchen. You are welcome to it." Less he eat it all, again. And after last night, she no doubt needed as much food as she could get. Standing up, he walked over to the doors, grabbing his keys from the hook as well. Just as he did reach the door, he stared back at her, noticing the eyes again trained on him. No hostility for the moment in those crimson orbs; good. "I'm heading out for work. I'll be back at seven. Remain here at the apartment."

That however got some of the same glare to come back. "I told you, I am not your-"

"You lack appropriate clothing."

And considering the blankets used to cover her body, those would not do at all. She looked away as if scolded, though no doubt just hated being proven wrong in this case. "...Fine."

"And cases of Contractors are always being looked into," he explained further. "We'll discuss more regarding your presence here later this evening." Nothing but silence the next minute; least his words got through. Hei glanced at Mao. "Watch over her."

Mao, still eating, had suddenly turned his head. Hei didn't even wait to hear the complaints as he turned back around to open the door to the apartment. There was a panicked cry from the squirrel, but it fell on deaf ears once Hei slipped past the door. He doubted Lucy would do anything of the sort to destroy the one home that she does have here, if only temporary; if she wanted to survive in a world with death, she would need money as well. Even then, that re-numeration would prove her downfall in this world.

With that and now outside, he sighed, brushing a hand through his face. He was almost beginning to regret bringing her here. Funny, since he couldn't figure out the almost in that train of thought. History repeats all over again, this time with a woman that could kill him in just a blink. Nothing he had never faced before, though this was a different case. A new Contractor with horns, and from another plane of existence no less. Things were going to become more complicated once they find out. And he doubted his guest would appreciate business like that coming to the door.

Walking down the halls and towards work, he just hoped that things would go alright. Just this once.

But he isn't stupid. Such wishes can never be granted.