"How!?" Orpheus choked out. "How could you possibly fall in love with that demon?"

Euphie sobbed. "Because he wasn't always like that!" she cried back. "He was kind and loyal and wonderful. He would never have done what he is doing now. I don't know what happened to him…" She buried her face into her hands.

Orpheus watched her curl in on herself sobbing and he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Well shit…" he mumbled. He moved towards the couch and pulled her into a hug. His hand gently petted down the soft messy blue hair as Euphie buried her face against his chest and clung to the front of his shirt. His mind running wild with so many thoughts and questions. One being that running around with the Grim Reaper's past lover was probably not in his best interest unless he wanted a jealous ex-boyfriend trying to kill him.

Eventually Euphie's tears dried up and she just rested her head against his shoulder exhaustedly. She felt like every last drop of her soul had been sucked dry and she had no drive to move from where she was currently sitting on Orpheus's lap. "Sorry…" she mumbled awkwardly instead.

"It's fine…" Orpheus mumbled as he continued to run his fingers through her short hair. "Can I ask what happened between you two?"

Euphie chewed her lip thoughtfully. "I wouldn't even know how to explain it… It's just like I woke up one day and the world had moved on without me. He was all of sudden someone I didn't know anymore…"

"Well do you want to know who he is now?" Orpheus's hand paused and then he looked to the side awkwardly. "I mean… do you want to talk to him or go find him?"

"I don't know… I'm terrified what I would find or what would happen…" Euphie whispered. Would he still be the same on the inside? Would he be disgusted by her and what she had done at the SAZ? There were too many unknown factors and she wasn't ready. A couple of minutes passed in silence before Euphie raised her head to look into the mint green eyes of the only person that she could call her friend. "I just know that I have to stop him. It's what I've decided to do and when I do, maybe then I'll ask him what happened. Will you still help me?"

Really Orpheus couldn't find the power to say no to the beautiful pale face marred with puffy redness. As he nodded his head, he had a feeling that he would strongly regret this one day. "Yeah…" he mumbled as he once again started to pet her head. He willed himself not to blush at the wide bright smile she gave him before she cuddled up against him again. Yep. He would regret this.

X

Suzaku wasn't entirely sure how Gino and Luciano convinced him to join them. The arguments about enjoying life and having adventures didn't apply to him anymore. His life was an unbearable sick joke these days. He would have continued to refuse if Lelouch hadn't pretty much forced him out the door. Not that the scrawny Emperor could actually out muscle him, but he would never raise a hand against the pale black haired man again. He was past that particular grudge. They had a common goal now.

Also, it's not like anybody or any establishment relished in having a mass murderer in their presence. He was out of place and out of his comfort zone being around normal people. It very much showed. Especially in this establishment that they had drug him to. The moment they entered the parking lot his skin crawled and tightness grew in his chest. He should have turned his bike around and driven back to his tiny empty room. It only got worse the moment they opened the doors.

Suzaku didn't find enjoyment looking at fairly naked women move around on the stages or fluttering around him. Women made him uncomfortable and he shifted uncomfortably on his stool having an intense staring contest with the drink in front of him. It's not like he wasn't interested in women anymore. It was just that none of them could fill the aching hole left in his chest. The one that was currently throbbing and shooting sharp pain through him. These women didn't have bubble gum pink hair, dark lavender eyes, soft pale skin and the kindest purest heart that he had ever met. A heart that made all of his pain and anxiety melt into nothing. That woman, the woman he loved with his entire being, didn't exist anymore. Just another part of the sick joke that was his life.

Gino and Luciano had quickly gone off for their own little bit of fun which meant Suzaku was forced to sit here by himself fidgeting. He really should just leave this place. It brought too much pain to him. Also, despite public opinion, he didn't like causing people pain or being rude. He felt extremely rude turning down all the scantily clad women that sauntered his way. He avoided their eyes, but he could still feel the disappointment and frustration. They were probably irritated that he was there for a free show and not willing to fork out any money, but really he wasn't there for the show at all. He was forced here and the moment one of his stupid companions came back, he would bid them farewell and get the fuck out of here.

"I've heard you're quite the challenge" a silky smooth voice purred next to him.

Suzaku glanced up into a very pretty face with full lips and thick black eyeliner around lavender eyes. The face was framed with straight lilac hair in low pigtails. The woman had a silky lingerie outfit that resembled a scanty night gown that barely covered her ass. Suzaku felt the tightness expand in his chest and he looked away as a blush crept up his cheeks.

"I can keep you some company if you want" she continued and lightly traced her finger against his burning cheek.

He wanted to say no. He really did, but those lavender eyes looking into his brought up too many buried feelings. He hadn't felt another woman's touch in so long. He was having an inner debate with himself and he was quickly losing. What could it really hurt? His body was fighting against his pained heart. It wanted to feel pleasure. He could feel it in the pit of his core.

"A-alright…sure…" he mumbled. The woman smiled seductively at him and held out her hand. He hesitantly took it and let her lead him away to one of the private sectioned off alcoves.

X

Orpheus saw no point in hanging around the capital anymore. It was obvious that they weren't getting anywhere looking for V2 and after the whole Grim Reaper ex-boyfriend, he was more than willing to get the fuck out of dodge. Euphie didn't argue at all and was also ready to leave. Being here rubbed salt into her still open wounds. The capital used to be a place of sanctuary now it just felt like a black hole that would suck her into a world of oblivion.

They packed up their vehicle. Orpheus still grumbled about that damn wicked witch making him go back to that place of debauchery to return the apartment key. Really did she have to be that difficult? Well whatever, they wouldn't be staying long. In and out. Then they would be on the road.

Elfie once again tried to recruit Euphie to the life of seducing horny men much to Orpheus's disapproval and Euphie's entertainment. The ex-princess had to admit that it was somewhat flattering when the green haired woman kept calling her a cutie. She wasn't vain, but ever since she had given herself such a god awful haircut and gave up wearing the delicate fancy dresses, she didn't feel particularly attractive anymore. It was nice to have someone compliment her. Even if it was a hard working stripper and terrorist.

They were on their way out when her lavender eyes landed on soft wavy brown hair and emerald eyes. It was like a physical hit to her very soul. All the air in her lungs evaporated in an instant. Suzaku. Suzaku. He was holding some scantily clad woman's hand and…and… her Suzaku… He was… No. He wouldn't… He couldn't… Did he not love her anymore? How could he be letting another woman touch him? Euphie swayed on her feet. Orpheus wrapped his arm around her and his eyes darted to where she was looking.

Really? You have got to be kidding? Orpheus groaned in his mind and frowned deeply. Out of all the fucking nights, the Grim Reaper just happened to decide tonight that he wanted some action. God dammit. What kind of sick joke was this? He tightened his grip on the shaking woman next to him and quickly started directing towards the door. Time to get the fuck out. Euphie complied numbly on stumbling feet. Her mind a buzzing blackness.

X

Suzaku caught short blue hair out of the corner of his eye and he came to a stop. His eyes quickly focused on the blue haired woman being escorted out by the blonde haired man. He caught her profile and frowned. Why does he feel like he should know her? He definitely knows her. The lilac haired woman gave him a questioning look.

"Sorry. Excuse me" he mumbled and dropped her hand to follow the blue haired woman. The nagging feeling was eating his brain alive. He needed to talk to her. He needed to see her face clearly. Something about her was so achingly familiar.

He was maneuvering around people and tables and when the two people left the doors, he walked quicker. He came to an abrupt stop when a thin woman with dark green hair and lime green eyes intercepted his path. He looked at her for a split second before trying to step around her.

"Leaving us already. What a shame…" she said in a silky voice and matched his steps staying between him and the door. Elfie wasn't an idiot. She knew who Suzaku was and she took it upon herself to help out her fellow Peace Mark associates. It wouldn't be good for the Knight of Zero to be sniffing around them. Plus she liked that blue haired woman and didn't want any harm to come to the sweetheart.

Suzaku frowned. "Please excuse me." He pushed past her as politely as possible and exited the building. He scanned the parking lot not seeing the blue haired woman or the blonde man. Shit he swore to himself and clenched his fist. He glared back at the building behind him. He scanned the parking lot one more time and let out a frustrated growl. Enough of this pretending to be a normal human being. Screw this. He was done and going home. He stormed over to his bike and pulled out of the parking lot. He no longer wanted to see people or talk to them. He no longer felt the need to spend any time with a random woman who meant nothing to him. A woman that would never be able to compare to the one that he had lost.

X

Orpheus glanced in the rearview mirror at the glaring brunette as they drove away from the establishment. He then glanced at the almost comatose woman reclining in her seat looking at the ceiling with blank eyes. He let out a sigh and drove in silence. The more distance he could put between her and her tainted Grim Reaper the better.

Euphie couldn't function. Nothing felt right. Did Suzaku go there often? Did he let other women touch him? Did he touch other women? Did he share his body with other women? She blinked and looked at the black ceiling of the car. Her heart felt frozen. Was it even beating anymore? She pulled a delicate hand up and placed it over her heart. Yep. It was still beating in her chest. It didn't feel right though. She didn't feel right. Something was wrong with her. Wrong and broken. The nerves in her body felt fractured and raw. If she really did have those angel wings that Cornelia always teased that she did, they were shredded and torn off of her back.

She wasn't sure when it happened, but she must have fallen asleep. Her torturous dreams were filled with soft emerald green eyes and soft loving smiles. They were also filled with black hair, pale skin and violet eyes that went from fondness to pure hatred. The regal face morphed into one of wickedness. Her eyes snapped open as the panic of her nightmare took over. Her heart was beating erratically and a cold sweat covered her body. She flinched when a cold hand touched her forehead.

"Woah…hey it was just a nightmare… you're safe" Orpheus said in a soft voice and his eyes darted from the road to her for a second.

She met the mint green eyes and took a deep breath. She willed herself to calm down. Just a nightmare. It wasn't real. She reached her fingers up to touch her face. She felt the wet streaks running down the sides and wiped them away. "Sorry…" she mumbled in a tiny voice.

"You don't need to apologize Wolfey." Orpheus ran his hand through the soft blue hair once more before grasping the steering wheel again. "Next town we'll pull over and get a room for the night."

"Ok" Euphie sat up to look out the window. She chewed on her lip nervously. Was she really able to handle this? Would she really be able to get to the point of confronting her treacherous brother or her broken boyfriend...ex-boyfriend? Whatever he was now. Really could she blame him for being with other people? He thought she was dead after all and it wasn't like she was running to him to let him know she wasn't. To summarize it all she was a straight up coward in her opinion.

They drove in silence as her thoughts ate at her soul. Orpheus really didn't know what to say at this point to make her feel better. He was more than familiar with having a broken heart, but their situations weren't exactly the same. Euliya was dead. She hadn't turned into a demon to haunt him. She would forever be angelic and pure. He wanted to be able to take away Euphie's pain if even just a little bit, but he really didn't know how.

They pulled into a somewhat respectable looking hotel and exited the vehicle. Once they received a room, Euphie flopped down on one of the beds and curled up on herself. The broken posture tugged at Orpheus and he couldn't take.

"Get up" he said determinedly.

Large empty lavender eyes looked up at him. "Why?"

"We're going to go get you a drink" Orpheus grabbed her hand and pulled her to a sitting position.

"A drink?" Euphie's eyebrows furrowed in slight confusion.

"Yes. A strong one." Orpheus continued to hold her hand until they were in the bar attached to the hotel. He grabbed her waist and forced her to sit on the stool. "Wait here."

Euphie rested her elbows on the table and watched him curiously as he walked up to the bar counter. He came back and set a drink in front of her. She looked at it thoughtfully. She had never had an alcoholic drink in her life before. She reached out slowly and picked up the glass. She took a sip and her face scrunched slightly. It was strong and fruity and it assaulted her taste buds.

Orpheus smiled in amusement as her delicate face scrunched. He then took a sip of his own drink. "How is it?"

Euphie looked back at him. Her delicate shoulders shrugged and she took another slow sip. "Different. It's not horrible like I thought it would be."

The night progressed and Euphie turned into a giggling mess that had Orpheus chuckling as well. He listened attentively to her recounting some of her more scandalous adventures that really in his opinion were far from scandalous. More like completely and utterly innocent and it had him questioning once again where this sweet naïve woman came from and what had broken her so thoroughly. She then said something that made him frown in thought. If he had been sober, he might have been able to analyze the comment more thoroughly, but he wasn't. Euphie noticed the slip about her past life that gave away too much information even though her brain was muddled and she slapped her hand over her mouth.

"You didn't hear that" she whispered seriously.

Orpheus gave her a confused look, but ended up smiling in the end. "Hear what?" he said with amusement. He felt his skin crawl when she smiled at him. That beautiful charming dazzling smile that had him melting to putty in her hands. Wow. He turned his thoughts inward for a second. He hadn't been this weak to a woman's charm for as long as he could remember. He came to the realization that they were both thoroughly intoxicated and that now would probably be a good idea to go to bed. "I think you've had enough. Let's go to bed."

Orpheus stood up and helped her to her feet. She leaned heavily against him and he could feel her soft supple chest press against him. He felt heat crawl across he cheeks and he was pretty sure it wasn't the alcohol doing it. He held her close as they stumbled to their hotel room. She giggled beautifully and the melodic sound invaded deep through his bones. The hand on her hip tightened and he pulled her closer.

When they finally made it to the room, he tried to deposit her gently onto the bed. Instead he ended up stumbling and falling down on top of her. An electric current ripped through his body staring down into large lavender eyes. His heart hammered and he dropped his head closer. His eyes locked onto soft pink lips smiling at him fondly. He was close enough to feel the warmth of her breath caress his face gently.

"Do you think Suzaku still loves me?" Euphie asked in a tiny shaky voice.

Orpheus froze where he was as the question invaded deep into his muddled brain. He pulled back slightly and stared into the glassy lavender eyes that were starting to leak little drops of liquid. He took a shaky breath and rolled off of her and stared up at the ceiling. "He would be an idiot if he didn't…" he grumbled.

"It hurt so bad seeing him tonight. Worse than the other day" Euphie's voice cracked and a little sob escaped her.

Orpheus groaned and drug his hand over his face. "He's an idiot to let you go…"

"He doesn't even know I'm alive. He thinks I'm dead…"

Orpheus turned his head to look at the woman crying next to him and frowned. Why was she so complicated? Why did he want to know about her complicated life? Why did he feel the need to protect her? It wasn't natural for him. He couldn't think of anything to say and just stared at her in confusion.

She turned to look at him and their eyes locked. "Thanks for being my friend Orpheus… You're the only one I have left…" She reached over and twined their fingers together.

Orpheus just stared into her eyes getting hopelessly lost. They were beautiful. "Yeah… no problem… happy to be your friend" he forced out. After a moment he tore his gaze from her. "Let's go to sleep…" He tried to get up and she tightened her hold on his hand.

"Please stay with me…" Euphie said in a tiny voice. "I don't want to be alone…"

Orpheus really should work on his defenses against this broken angel. Instead he looked at her and melted to her whims. "Ok…" he mumbled and helped direct her further up the bed and pulled the blanket over the two of them. He practically died when she wrapped her arm around his stomach and snuggled closer. He stared at the ceiling and took a shaky breath. Really this couldn't be healthy for him. He was definitely going to regret this.