Kusumita Malati : Weee, I actually like this chapter. If you don't, shut up and die. XD Haha, just joking. Just rememeber to read and review. Because if you do, I'll love you. If you don't, I'll put you in a scene from SAW.

Douleur et Bonte

Pain and Kindness

Remember me, even in your waking moments.

Pain and Kindness.

"I do not have much to pay you with..,"

Adelaide began, slight disappointment lingering in her voice as she sat opposite of the stranger within the guest room. Throwing a sad glance to the rising dawn through the window, she began to fidget uneasily at her neck, slightly rubbing it gently with her fingers. Her grey eyes fell back to the darkly cloaked guest, looking down rather timidly but respectfully.

"I may offer you lodging that is above the standard of the regular inns, three meals a day and…,"

Adelaide trailed off; she didn't know what else she could possibly offer after living in a church for almost her entire life. Her grey eyes once more graced the window; glowing drops of dew lingered on the rose bush outside, reflecting the light of the coming daylight hours. A small, elegant beam of a smile flowed upon her closed lights as she noticed the beauteous red roses holding close in the chilly morning air.

"I can promise you something I haven't even allowed to the Fathers of this church; a bouquet of my beloved red roses..; if you wish to accept it, of course."

A small smirk cracked the enigmatic features of the stranger. Adelaide continued, staring at the roses lovingly, almost as if they were children playing outside the window.

"They are the best this city could ever offer, for they have been watered with holy water from the heavens, along with water blessed by our fathers."

Adelaide turned her head back to D, now caught up in her babbling of the roses which could have possibly held no interest to her listener. D motioned his hand to clear his throat, yet no sound escaped the slightly agape lips of the youth.

"Sister Adelaide, what are your affairs to the church?"

Adelaide smiled with the question, obviously noting that this hunter was indeed a polite no-nonsense type of person. Standing up slowly, the wooden chair creaked with the loss of weight; she strolled over near to the window not far from their seating. Pulling away thin white curtains, a brighter ray of sun lit through the room, crossing across D's black covered shoes.

"I handle the external affairs, more or less, of the church towards the Vatican. We have a yearly report we send to Rome either requesting for funds, or clerics to help our holy house."

"Rome?"

A surprisingly questioning tone broke through the emotionless tone of the hunter.

"Yes Rome, the once great city once only remembered through the history books and stories passed by our elders, has been rebuilt not more than two decades ago...if I remember correctly…"

Adelaide said, placing her thin fingers to her lips for a moment in thought. She had always been a healthy student in her love for history, wanting to learn more about what others wished to brush aside. She turned back to D with a smile, thought once more this smile seemed slightly more like a façade which was automatically brought out through her thoughts of unhappiness.

"Though, we shouldn't have to visit for a while; so you may stay here and I will be here to tend to your needs."

D bent his large figure slightly forward, his arms resting on his bent knees as his dark eyes now more visible from underneath the brim hat. Questions still lingered within his eyes, thought he seemed somewhat hesitant; as if calculating her answers and reactions before he asked. Thinking through all possible polite ways to ask…

"You enjoy History?"

As the soft words left the hunter mouth, Adelaide looked at him confusedly and then turned it into a motherly like smile.

"Is it that obvious?"

"You speak of the Vatican and the time of rebuilding with such reverence; it caught my attention."

Adelaide frowned slightly; History was never an attention grabber in anyone's conversation. Although, it would be nice to have someone to speak with on her favorite subject; the church was always empty with sounds of praise and prayer compared to intellectual conversations.

"Before I joined the nunnery, I had a dream to go to the Capital to study History of our Humanity.'

"And about the nobility?"

"The Nobility?"

"…"

"Do you mean the vampires?"

"…"

"Such a question, you seem to be anxious upon my answer. Are you studying me Monsieur D?"

D remained silent, he knew it was foolish. He had been too curious, too quickly he wanted an answer; a mistake. His training seemed void whence he made such an annoyingly obvious rushed blunder upon his word play. It was so very irritating. And yet, young Adelaide smiled at the hunter and a slight chuckle rose from her lips, but it was not of mockery. It was a amusement by the way D kept silent after her questions.

"Such a question, and returned with silence. You are indeed a strange hunter Monsieur D; yet, I shall answer your question with all honesty."

Turning back to the roses outside, her fingers gentle caressed the pane of the slightly watery window due to the dew of the morning, the sun had almost entirely risen during their interesting talk as she stared out at the roses, still perfectly enclosed.

"When I was younger, my mother would enjoy the fact I loved History and she would lavish me with books upon books of historical events in our humanity. And yet, everything seemed so very one sided. I grew up learning our past, but I was never taught the past of the enemies in my text books. Of course my mother chastised me when I asked for the history on the Werewolves, and even the Vampires."

Adelaide chuckled slightly, speaking as if D was no longer within her presence. Imagining herself once more living at home with her family, asking her mother childishly; a hint of longing remained in her words as she spoke softly.

"My father always gave into my wishes; he bought me a book upon the darkest creatures portrayed within our History books, which he had obtained from where he never told me. After I read it, I felt….whole. Of course, my mother had found it and took it away from me; but I already knew what I needed. I learnt something from my history, Monsieur D."

Turning her grey eyes back to face the hunter before her she smiled kindly, as if teaching him something he should remember. Her hands now clasped one another, hanging loosely in front of her; resembling a painting that was caught in time. The sunlight now crossed her face slightly, D moved away from it for a moment; yet still consumed within her story.

"There is always a balance that must be kept. The opposite must exist in order for either side to survive. Douleur et Bonte, Monsieur D. Where there is Pain, there is Kindness."

As the sun rose entirely, Adelaide closed the door to D's lodging. Her eyes fixating on the blank wall before her, her breathing was short and soft as she held her chest slightly. Turning away from the wooden door, Adelaide's footsteps echoed slightly in the morning's silence as she kept her hands held to her chest; a dead look added to her face.

"Pain and Kindness, "

She whispered to herself softly. Someone used to comfort her with those words, some one used to hold her at night and keep her warm during her childhood. Someone she missed, someone… she lost, so dreadfully long ago… Emile.

Kusumita Malati: Wee, you actually learn WHAT the title of the story means... XD We learn a bit more about Adelaide, haha I love this character, she's just so interesting.. No Sister Christine in this one.. :emo: And NO Adelaide does NOT have any romantic feelings for D like every other waking and dead female on this planet... isn't that a first? You'll see why later on though.. I really don't know how long I'll make this story though.. I'm a horrible procastinator...