There were good days, and there were bad days. Today was defiantly a lousy, terrible, and dreadful day. Vivi hated the days that she thought were going to be marvelous that turned out to be the complete opposite. Was she that hard to please? She had known other Witches who were Princesses before her, and they had all seemed terribly happy. Exactly what had introduced her to this foul mood? It had nothing to do with opening the door to see the man she hadn't seen in a century showing up for a second time in less than a week, accompanied by a human.

"You have the cure."

Such an abrupt greeting! And to think that the last time he had come to see her, he was proclaiming her brilliance and asking for her help. Well, at least in her mind. Anyway, here he was, again! Wrinkling her nose as her sharp gaze rested on the human, she couldn't help but wonder why the dolt insisted on spending his time among them. Unlike the Wizard, she was quite content to spend her days deep in the forest, living in a tiny and well-guarded oversized mushroom cottage.

"Maybe I do."

"You do."

"Maybe I don't!"

"But you do."

"Oh, is that an order?"

"…We didn't come here to play games."

"Humph, come Wizard. We've known each other for how many centuries?" Smacking her lips together, Vivi rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Two? Four? You know how I love games."

"Your terms?"

"I want to talk to your little pet. Alone." He had always been a bit controlling for her taste. And to think that once Vivi had thought she was in love with him. In love with the Wizard! Even now she couldn't help but feel disdain towards herself for daring to have feelings of affection towards him.

Closing his eyes, the Wizard inhaled sharply. Good, he was angry. Most likely he had planned on staying through this whole little "meeting". Or rather, he was going to try and intimidate her throughout the entire visit. Vivi wasn't about to allow that to happen. Besides, she was simply overflowing with curiosity towards this new pet of his.

"…Fine."

Turning his back to them, he slid the lock out from the latch of the door. Opening the door, he promptly stepped outside, shutting the door firmly behind him. Silently, Vivi couldn't help but exhale in relief. It was always so much more comfortable without that dreadful man there.

"You haven't figured it out, have you?" Crossing her arms over her chest, Vivi glowered briefly at the human. How stupid he was! Normally she wouldn't have involved herself with mere humans, yet she couldn't resist the urge to help this one. Why? Because that damn bastard Wizard wasn't going to pull one over the human any longer if she could help it.

"Figured out what?"

"You are that stupid?" Muttering underneath her breath, Vivi tapped her foot in annoyance. And this was the human she had selected to help, out of all the others she could be helping!

Reaching out, she roughly grabbed hold of his hand. Dragging him toward the full length mirror that stood in the corner of her bedroom, she refused to relinquish her grip on his hand.

"Look at me." She commanded, squeezing her fingers about his hand. "What do you see?"

"A Witch." Jin murmured; his brow knitting together in perplexed confusion.

"That's right." Raising her other hand to the mirror, she pointed at her reflection. There had only been one person in the world that had seen her as something more. Fiery amber eyes, slightly tanned skin, accompanied by silver hair bordering lilac that hung about her waist, she was obviously a female. Yet the pointed, crooked hat that perched on top of her head along with the wand that was strapped to her thigh stated clearly enough what she was. Or rather, who she was. "Witches and Wizards are the same. We don't do anything without a reason. A selfish reason. We are selfish creatures."

"Isn't that the same as humans?" Jin replied, his blue eyes staring defiantly at her reflection. Humph. Stubborn brat. Here, she was trying to help him, and he was going to bring that silly philosopher logic into it.

"You don't see it, do you? As much as I despise him, I can see why he likes you." Oh, how could she. This human who tried to be so brave yet was absolutely as innocent as a lamb. If only the Wizard hadn't taken the idea of having a pet, though he proclaimed the pet a "friend". She wouldn't have anything in common with that man.

"We are friends."

"Friends? Friends?" Nearly shrieking the word, Vivi burst into giggles. She almost felt sorry for this man. Clearly she was going to have to spell it out for him. "We aren't friends with anyone. He is playing with you, my silly little human."

"You're lying." He murmured; stiffening as she pressed closer to him. Good, Vivi was glad to see him squirm. That showed that he at least was wise enough to be uncomfortable around her if not scared.

Stretching upwards on the tips of her toes, she pressed her lips against his ear.

"Have you ever wondered how he knew Sophie's name when he saved you from suicide?"

Twirling away from him, she flashed a bright smirk towards the Wizard.

"Time is up…"

"I could spend all day with your pet."

"Vi-"

"Witch" She responded swiftly, narrowing her eyes into slits. He didn't have the right to say that name. Not anymore.

"The cure…"

"What if I flung it into the river?"

"…. You wouldn't."

"Oh, wouldn't I?"

"You are soft…"

"Unlike you, you brittle beast."

"…The cure."

Why couldn't he go away? He and this human, this pathetic human. She didn't want them to stay. Wasn't that why she lived in the woods, far away from where anyone could reach her? If she needed company, she would simply walk out the door to chat with the hippo hiding in the pond from his circus owner or caress the raccoon that lingered by the front door in hopes of being fed scraps.

Reaching into her pocket, Vivi drew out a small vial of liquid. The cork of it was a dragon's head, the mass of emeralds that it was made of shimmered in the light. Blue liquid filled the vial, rather nasty tasting stuff. She didn't envy the girl who would have to drink it, not one bit. Vivi had loathed creating it. It was the last time she would do something for him.

"Here" Pointedly she held it out to the human, turning her back towards the Wizard. How she would have loved to throw it at the wall; watch the horror register on his face as he realized his game with the human was over. Yet it would help the human girl. Despite the bitterness Vivi had towards the Wizard, she wasn't about to sacrifice a human in the process. Unlike him, she had morals, selfish she might be.

"Will this hurt her?" Jin whispered, fear coating his voice. Tilting her head ever so slightly, Vivi suppressed the urge to show her surprise. So he did care for her? That was odd, especially to see between humans.

"No. Once she takes it, she will be fine. No side-effects at all." Her voice was filled with pride as she grinned. After all, when she made a potion it was the highest quality. Not something weak and poisonous – unless it was supposed to be.

"Thank you." He murmured, sweeping his gaze back to the vial.

"You're welcome." Vivi replied softly. Straightening she turned back to face that man. "Until the next century?" Her lips curled upwards into a wry smirk. Perhaps they were magnets. As much as they longed to hate each other, they couldn't help but rotate around one another, only ever "touching" once a century.

"Next century." Nodding his head, the faintest of smiles caressed his features. Damn you.

"Do bring your pet."

Only he could make her heart hurt this much.

Note

I just couldn't resist switching to have the story from the Witch's POV. I hope that the change doesn't bother any of you. I may have a POV from the Wizard in one of the later chapters...hmm...~ Reviews are adored.