Whoa, I almost got the entire chapter done on paper today! I like had so much free time that I got so bored so I started writing. I couldn't do anything else, but I was allowed to listen my music so I had my inspiration again. I wasted like 2 sheets of paper both front and back… so we'll see how things turn out~ Anyway enjoy this new chapter!

5 years had passed since that day Flippy and I went to the fireworks festival. A lot of things changed in those five years. The night I came back from the festival, I got a call that mother was hit by a car and killed. Turns out the driver had too much to drink and thought it was a good idea to drive home. They told me she passed away a few minute after the impact. I was left alone in that house with so many memories, but now they were nothing but memories now. My aunt heard what happened and offered to take care of me; on the condition that she would come live with me in the house I was raised.

"Dear, you have to let go of your mother. I know you love her, but it's time to let her go." Aunt Petunia hugged me and tried to comfort me. "You can't do anything to change the past, you can only live on and hope for the best." Aunt Petunia guided me to my room and suggested that I get some rest. I barely left the house after that, except for when I went to see Flippy. Word traveled around, and Flippy happened to hear about the accident.

"I feel sorry for the poor dear… Having to lose her mother after coming home from a festival… That must have ruined her day…"

"I hope she finds one of her relatives to take care of her… She can't just live there by herself… How would she be able to pay for food and the bills? She wouldn't be able to pay for her private lessons anymore… Since she always had a problem with crowds…"

"What I really hate is how men just carelessly think they can drive right after having a couple of drinks. I mean, what man, drunk or not, in their right mind would do that kind of thing! It's completely ridiculous…"

"I hear they're holding a funeral for her mother in a few days… I think we should go and pay our respects… Maybe it would be good for poor Flaky to see some familiar faces in the crowd…?"

"You might just be right… We should go and cheer her up on that day…"

"I'm sorry for your loss…" He tried to comfort me the best he could from his small window. I nodded and thanked him, but then I couldn't help but burst into tears. He reached through the window and grabbed my hand. He squeezed it to assure me that he was still there for me. "Flippy… I'm scared… of the world…" He looked at me in shock, the friendly 12 year-old girl had grown paranoid and was afraid. "… There's nothing wrong with that…" He squeezed his head out of the window and laid on my hand, his hair was still soft as it brushed against my wrist. The sound of a car approaching had scared me, but Flippy calmed me down and assured me that it was just his parents. "I think you should start going home now Flaky… You need your rest." And he was right… By the time I got home I couldn't stay awake, my entire body ached and I was exhausted.

The rest of that year I hadn't done much except for my occasional visits to Flippy. They had canceled the fire work festival for the next four years because of mother's death. They decided to mourn for her that weekend, no events were scheduled, and no one visited. The world had eventually forgotten about my mother, and they did nothing but pity me. The next 4 years went by so fast, but nothing happened. No one celebrated; there was no laughter in the streets… Nothing.

Everyone pretended like they cared about me, as if they knew what I was going through. My mother was run over and killed, and my father was no where to be seen at her funeral. That man was dead to me ever since the day he left mother and I to take care of ourselves. I was decided to take a part time job just to help her afford all the food and the house… but then the accident happened and my plans were crushed. In the spring we were going to watch the cherry blossoms, travel around, and maybe even pick out matching yukatas… But all of that was destroyed in just a day, because of one careless driver…

Finally it was the 5th year and things started to return to normal, people started walking around and laughed again. They smiled and talked about how their days went, or even about what events were going to be held in the next week. "The 55th anniversary." The first festival since about 5 years ago. Somehow, whenever I heard the word "anniversary" it made my stomach hurt, and I would start feeling upset… I don't know if I was thinking about Flippy… or if I was thinking about mother. I walked over and picked up her picture, she showed no age, no depression… Just happiness… She had finally gotten over Papa; she was finally happy… And then it was forcefully taken from her. I went back and sat down on my bed and then Aunt Petunia knocked on the door before she opened it. "Honey, why don't you go out with you're friends…? They must be worried about you… I'm sure that it will cheer you right up!"

"Friends…?" I looked at her and then looked back at my hands. I was clutching them tightly and remembered Flippy. "I… don't need such a thing…" Although it was a lie; I had a friend, but if I tried to make others, they would only pity me. I didn't need their pity, if everyone pitied me then where would I be? Of course I'm afraid of the world since mother died, but that doesn't mean I'm completely weak. Aunt Petunia silently closed the door, knowing that I didn't want to see or speak to anyone, not even myself.

I wanted to recall all those happy memories with her, but the sound of her voice, her warm touch, everything but her face had disappeared from my mind. I couldn't even remember what her maiden name was, because she had kept my father's last name. Everything I knew about my mother had vanished, and now the only thing that was left was a face. Aunt Petunia even took me to an open hot spring to try and relax for a few months. She tried to get me to forget about her, but I wouldn't forget. I wanted to remember and Aunt Petunia knew it. So she decided that we should just try to enjoy ourselves as much as we could. So even though I was pretty much depressed, that didn't mean I was just going to ignore the large field of flowers near the hotel, or the hot spring bath either. As I came back to my senses I walked quietly over to the door and was about to open it… But then I heard a noise.

A banging noise came from my window, like as someone was throwing rocks at it to get my attention. When I looked outside I saw Flippy, his green hair was the same length as before, but how'd he get around without being seen?

"Flaky! Hey!" He said in a harsh whisper. I opened the window to see him looking up at me. He seemed to be a lot buffer and taller since I last saw him a few months ago. I bet he must have been lonely since I left for that vacation. I hope his parents didn't beat him like they did in the past. Just thinking about it made chills run up my spine; those kinds of people actually existed in the world, and they even beat their child because he was a 'demon.'

"W-What are you doing F-Flippy?! What if you're seen?!" I quickly looked around to make sure no one was looking. He motioned for me to move out of the way as he climbed the peach tree in front of my window. He quickly climbed the tree with ease and jumped in through my window. After he landed he quickly hugged me, his heart racing and he was breathing hard. Climbing up the tree must have been a little tiring, but he looked like he was having fun… so maybe he's tired from running here?

"I'm so glad you're back! I thought you forgot about me…"

"No! Of course not! But are you sure it's okay for you to be out…?" He looked at me with a little guilt in his eyes. He smiled and scratched hi head, avoiding eye contact with me… Could it be that he snuck his way here? Or ran away from home…? I mean, who wouldn't run away from such abusive parents?

"Well… You see, my parents just left for a 4 day cruise. And Of course they denied my existence and left me, but it should be fine. I doubt they left food for me either, since I'm supposed to be a 'demon'." He laughed it off; he had to deal with this kind of treatment for 15 years now… It made me a little sad inside, to see him just laughing it off. Suddenly he grabbed my wrists with a strong grip and ran my fingers through his hair.

"Do you think… You can put that wig on me…? So no one recognizes me while I'm here?" A bit flustered, I nodded in agreement. He let go of my wrist as I hesitantly went to find the wig and bobby pins. I had to make sure Aunt Petunia wouldn't come upstairs and check on me so I had to move around the house quietly. Every creak made me jump because they were so loud, and could blow my cover.

"I… I think I've got everything… J-Just hold still o-okay…?" Flippy nodded and closed his eyes. I ran my hands through his hair while I combed out all the tangles. He sat so still that I thought he was asleep, but I saw his chest and shoulders rise and fall with every breath he took. His hair seemed loner than before, because now the hair on the back of his neck reached past his black t-shirt's collar. I had to use more bobby pins this time, but after I put the wig on they seemed to hold.

"O-Okay… It looks like it'll hold… let me just adjust the bangs…" Flippy opened his eyes as I was adjusting the bangs. He started blushing because we were so close together, and my chest was in his face. I tried ignoring his stair but every moment I kept fumbling from embarrassment. "U-Um… Flippy… Could you please stop staring…?" He snapped back to his senses and his face turned a brighter shade of red. "S-Sorry!" He quickly turned his head away after I was adjusting the bangs. I stepped back and just at that moment, Aunt Petunia opened the door.

"Flaky… Who's this…?" she stared at Flippy not knowing who he was…

"U-Um… this is my… friend… Phillip…" Flippy nodded and stood up.

"It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am." He bowed when he greeted my aunt. She seemed a little flustered and embarrassed as he bowed.

"O-Oh my! I didn't know you had a gentleman for a friend Flaky!" She laughed and covered her mouth. She seemed to be having a little too much fun in the room. When she noticed that Flippy and I weren't laughing she tried to restrain herself.

"W-well… are you're parents going to pick you up Phillip…?" Flippy stared at her trying to figure out an excuse… but instead he said the truth.

"Well… my parents went on a 4 day cruise and left me here alone… so…" Aunt Petunia's face quickly lit up and he put her hands together. You could see that she was getting ready to say something weird… Again…

"Oh I see! Then why don't you stay with us until they get back! I'm sure Flaky doesn't mind, right?" She cocked her head… She seemed innocent, but you could tell that she was squinting her eyes… And in her eyes was a terrifying glint… Basically if she gives you that stare… It's like saying "You have to agree or you'll be dead in the next few seconds with a screw driver shoved down you're throat and up your ass…"

"Y-Yeah! W-why wouldn't I-I be…?" I tried saying without the sign of despair showing on my face… I was literally pinching myself to keep me from freaking out…

"Great! Then you can use the guest room Phillip! So please do make yourself at home!" Aunt Petunia quickly walked downstairs humming… She was HUMMING…. Which freaked me out even more. Flippy and I both exchanged looks and started laughing.

"You're… Aunt is so weird!" Flippy was literally rolling on the floor laughing. I was sitting on the bed holding my stomach, because it started hurting when I laughed.

"Y-yeah! And she didn't even know who you were!" Flippy finally got up off the ground and sat next to me. He was staring at the color of my hair, since the sun was reflecting off of it; it turned into a scarlet color. "F-Flippy…?" The more he stared at the color, the more distant he became. Suddenly his eyes had turned a gold color and his eyes dilated… and… had a wicked grin…

"Flippy!" He suddenly snapped out of it… Looking around, wondering where he was.

"You're still at my house silly! You kept staring at my hair and you were in a daze!" I think his eyes changing color and that wicked grin were just a part of my imagination. I know Flippy would never have that kind of smile… and he never had golden eyes….

"I-I see… sorry… it's just that you're hair looks… somewhat hypnotic in the sun…" He rubbed his forehead and fully returned to his senses. He laid back on my bed looking up at the ceiling… "Flaky… what does it mean to be… in love…?" Flippy looked up at me, waiting for an answer….

"T-To be… in love…? W-Well… you get sorta embarrassed around that person… And you always think of them… and… you have t-this funny feeling in your chest…" Flippy paused for a moment and then looked back up at the ceiling….

"That…. Sound's terrible…" Of course he wouldn't understand… He had been locked up in a cellar for a long time… but I sorta hoped that an outside influence would help him discover what love is… I guess I don't really know myself…

"I guess… a way to sum it up is… You always think of that person… You worry about them…and sometimes things pop up in your head… like wanting to kiss that person… or something else…?" I paused and thought about it… Now it scared me, because I made it sound so terrible….

"It…s-sounded better in my head…" I face palmed, way to go Flaky… Making a complete fool out of yourself. Flippy laughed and then rolled over onto his stomach, and then he let out a long sigh. I guess we're both feeling lazy at the moment… but… I had to get back to my studies… So I got up and walked over to my desk. Flippy's eyes followed me and he constantly stared at the work I was trying to do. I had to study up on the History of the "Demon" and the "Goddess who protected the land"… Both of them sound like sci-fi… I started reading into it, but then I got completely confused halfway through "The Demon."

"… The demon was like a giant monster wasn't he…?" Flippy looked over my shoulder and asked me. He started reading the page at an alarming rate, his eyes moving to the next line in just a few seconds…

"Not really… The Demon was more like a person with an alternate personality… But yet that personality was its own person too…" He continued to search the page for more information, but then he suddenly stopped. He sighed again and kneeled on the floor next to me. He put his head down on the desk and continued explaining.

"The Demon once ravaged through these very fields, killing everything in site. Until one day the impossible happened… The demon fell in love with a human girl. Thinking the demon was going to kill their priestess, the villagers protected her with their lives… but the demon quickly defeated them and walked closer to the crimson haired maiden. She was terrified of him… When he reached out for her, she backed away and flinched at the touch of his cold hands. Then the demon spoke to the maiden to try and convince her he wasn't there to hurt her… 'I won't hurt you… I promise… I had fallen for you're graceful stature, your crimson hair… please tell me what I can do to convince you?'… The maiden saw the look in his eyes as he was telling the truth… One villager survived and heard the priestess's last words before they disappeared… 'If you want to convince me… then stop killing, and disappear…' but there's also another part to this story… The priestess didn't want the demon to disappear alone, because she was now convinced of his feelings… so her TRUE final words were… Please disappear with me." Flippy paused as he dazed off a little bit but then he continued with the story… "The demon, embraced her, and they both had vanished… The priestess was to be a sacrifice to a goddess that was supposed to protect their village, but never heard their prayers. She thought she could do something better with her life if she was allowed to live… but the villagers denied her that right, and they tied her up in their temple to the goddess, and left her to die. The demon and the priestess disappeared from the eyes of the so-called 'goddess' but eventually the demon had lost control of his thirst for blood. So before he began to kill again he made a request to the priestess… 'Please seal me away, before I hurt anyone else.' The priestess was reluctant to this request, but did it for the world, and the man she loved. Both sides of the demon had cared for her, protected her, and wished for nothing more but her happiness. So to return the favor of their gracious hospitality, the maiden prayed. She prayed until they were both sealed away, the maiden being the only thing keeping the demon in and anyone who wished to awaken him for his power out… But many believed that their 'goddess' had heard their prayers and sealed away the demon at the cost of the maiden's life…" Flippy looked at me in the eyes and continued on…

"That's why they call the story 'The Demon and the Goddess'…. But the story's true name was 'The Green Demon and the Crimson Maiden."

"The… Green Demon…?" I looked at him confused. He didn't mention anything about the demon being green… He looked at me and then noticed that he didn't mention what the demon had looked like… He hit himself lightly on the head and looked up at me.

"They say that the Demon had Green hair and Green eyes… But there were also occasions where they saw that his eyes were dilated and a glowing neon yellow… But the neon eyes were always paired with a wicked smile… The smile of a monster thirsting for blood of the innocent."

OKAY! The whole demon story… just popped into my head… I wanted to make it sorta tragic yet romantic… and I think I nailed it! But it took a lot of writing… but I finished it a lot faster than I did the last few chapters! It's actually coming out well… and I can tell you that they're both 17, and they will stay this way until I feel they need to grow up… but yeah, there will be those moments of lemon… but not just yet…. I'm still planning things out…. SLOWLY…. So I'll watch the snails race past me as I try to come up with an idea…. Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Flippy: Don't forget to review! She works hard to give us these stories!

Flaky: … Y-Yes sh-she does!

Me: Aww… thanks guys~ 3