Akiane sat in Aria and her's room, gazing longingly at a picture. It was their parents, Aria, Raze, and Akiane in front of the clock tower. She sighed and stroked her thumb over the photo. For a whole two years, she had thought her family was gone. And three days ago, when Aria showed up with Sora, she felt a new hope spark in her. She hadn't lost everyone, and that made her happy enough.

But before the hooded man, Aria was the one who needed protecting. She was bullied, picked on, pushed down, ignored. She had always needed some where there for her, to cry on their shoulder. Now, though, she didn't need anyone. She had learned to fight, to fend off anything, and to let the snide comments pass right through her. Sure, Aria wasn't as happy as she was before but she was recovering pretty well for someone who just lost her parents and her brother.

It must have something to do with Sora, Akiane thought, because he can be there for her in a way I can't. She felt slightly jealous of him. He made her strong. He gave her hope.

Akiane sighed again and stood, stretching. Aria and Sora would be coming back soon from the clock tower. From the day they got to Twilight Town to now, they had been going around town, remembering old friends.

The front door opened and the sound of laughter broke Akiane from her reverie. She padded out of the room and smiled as she caught sight of the two teenagers play fighting by the table. Aria was still almost half his size as they locked hands and pushed on each other, trying to overthrow the other. With her pink ringlets loose, Aria had begun to wear her old dress from two years ago. As it turns out, Aria had lost about eight pounds (weighing just around 80) and the dress still fit.

Sora, feigning to loose, stumbled and fell hard, laughing. Aria toppled onto him, squeaking in surprise. "Hey!" She giggled, "You let me win!" Sora grinned, their noses pressed together.

Akiane snickered and cleared her throat loudly. Aria screeched and shot away from Sora, her cheeks red and her curls tangling in a wild halo around her head. Sora, staggering to his feet, blushed worse than Aria. He chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his neck.

"H-Hey, Aki..." Aria stuttered.

Akiane winked at her sister but acted as if nothing had happened as she strolled past them and came to stand behind the kitchen counter. "Anyways, it's time for dinner. I'm going out with a friend to eat tonight, so you two are gonna be alone. Now," Akiane turned to the fride, opening it and gesturing inside. "there's a whole bunch of food in here, so make whatever you want, 'Kay?"

Aria smiled and nodded. "Who're you going out with? A guyfriend, perhaps?"

"Hah! As if!" Akiane snorted. "No, her name is Retaliana. I met her the day you 'came back to life'."

Sora had wandered off, bored and obviously not patient enough to stand around and listen to two sisters conversations.

Abruptly, a sudden chill swept over Aria and a strange, unfamiliar, and dark feeling churned in the pit of her stomach. Retaliana. That name kept repeating in her head though she knew she had never met anyone by that name. Yet still that one name bounced around, oddly familiar.

But, if she knew this girl, why did Aria get that fearful and recognizing shiver at her name?

"I'll be home late-ish. There's only two months until Christmas and now that I actually have a family to get real stuff for, I gotta get a head start." Akiane leaned forward to kiss her sister on the forehead before waving goodbye and stepped out of the house.

"So," Sora called from the dining too table, "What's for dinner? I'm starved!"

Aria shook off the feeling that had settled over her before. She padded over to the fridge and peered inside. "Um... Ramen, sandwiches..." She rolled her eyes. "Come look yourself, lazy bum!" Aria called. Sora froze, looking down. Kiari always called him that..

"C'mon. I'm really not gonna look for you, unless you really want me to, you know. You're a big boy; you can make your own dinner."

He laughed and rose from his chair, coming over to look into the fridge. He took out some mustard, cheese, ham, and then some bread from a cabinet. The two fixed their dinner and ate at the small table, chattering about nothing in particular.

When they were done, they set their dishes in the sink and headed off to Aria's room. She plopped down on her bed, sighing lightly. Sora sat down on the edge of the same bed.

"So, what're we gonna do now?" He asked.

Aria sighed again, sadly this time. "I dunno. You can't stay here forever. But...I don't know if I wanna leave just yet. I mean, I just died for two years. It would be nice to spend some time with my sister and friends."

Sora nodded in understanding. "I know. But you're right. I have to go home soon."

She squeezed her eyes shut. "I don't want you to leave me." She whispered so quietly Sora couldn't hear. Sitting up, Aria yawned. "Well, Aki is gone. What now?"

Sora laughed. "Y'know, in a situation like this, most people would suggest sex."

Aria's cheeks burned and she tried to hide it with a nervous giggle. He was right. Despite their young age, many teens would commit something erotic on a night like this. And four days from now Aria Braelynn would be 15, the same age as Sora.

Over the week of staying at Twilight Town (she had know him for almost a month now) Aria had begun to develop intimate feelings towards Sora. They both had a happy aura, bringing light to all whether they knew it or not. And though Aria had lost both her parents, her brother, and had died, she still felt optimistic and determined. Being with Sora had made her tolerant of the pain, allowing her to almost completely ignore it.

"Please don't be like most people, Sora." Aria giggled, standing. "Anyways, I'll be right back. You might as well get into your pajamas." She flitted to her closet and left the room. Heading towards the bathroom by her room, Aria went in and locked the door, peeling off her dress. Standing in front of the sink, she scowled at her reflection in the mirror.

Sure, i have nice curves and I'm skinnier than anyone I know, she thought sourly, but I have absolutely no butt or boobs!

This wasn't entirely true, considering she had a decent size around B cup. But, though Aria knew almost everything about school-based things, she was bad at relationship related things. As far as she had heard, no guy cared for personality, just wether or not you had giant breasts and you gave them exactly what they wanted.

She scowled at herself, wishing she was bigger. Aria dressed into her pjs, a tank top with baggy short shorts, and pulled her hair into twin braids. Brushing her teeth and lathering her hands with her lotion, Aria finally left the bathroom and walked to her bedroom.