~Chapter 10~

~Maron's POV~

I let the transformation wear off to avoid suspicion. Maron could face the public but Jeanne couldn't.

I walked along, knowing the city inside and out. I wouldn't get lost. I already knew where my complex was and how to get there. Now, how I randomly ended up far away from the police as well as the site of the demon, I had no idea. A sleepwalking sort of thing was all I could think of. Or maybe one of the officers really did take pity on me and carried me to safety. Either way, I woke up a good distance away.

Don't get me wrong, I wanted to go back and finish what I started, but I knew physically that it wasn't possible without getting caught. From now until at least six months later, no more notices. Sinbad and Access seemed to keep track of that. They had to be keeping track of it. If there weren't any more notices from Kaitou Jeanne, the police would never know where I would show up next or what valuable treasure I would plan to steal.

But for now I just focused on getting back home... I was utterly exhausted, completely drained from tonight. It was the first time I had failed to even get near my targeted object. I just... It was a shameful act on my part. Obviously Sinbad and Access hadn't shown up, at least not before I was taken away, so that was good. They wouldn't have seen me dangling so pathetically after hitting the wall due to how many extra pounds? They wouldn't have seen me chew through the string like Fin had advised. And they wouldn't have seen me pass out on top of a police car. I would admit I was shocked, even as it was in motion, that I could still do such a perfect aerobatic twist, push, and flip while sticking a landing. It was surprising but at least it proved that I didn't have to hang up righteous thievery yet. Hopefully I wouldn't have to hang it up at all. If not for my notice cards, the police wouldn't be able to pinpoint my next appearance and what time that appearance would be made. So if those notice cards disappeared...how would they track me? It seemed like a pretty good plan. The only problem was if the person being possessed by the demon suspected they would be a prime target for me. They would call the police, the police would come, and I likely wouldn't be able to fulfill the mission.

"Maron!" I heard a small female voice cry out.

I turned to look over my shoulder and saw Fin rush towards me.

"Maron!" she cried again. "Are you okay now? Are you hurt anywhere? How are you doing?"

How was I doing? Was I hurt? Was I okay? Well shall we think about that for a moment, hm? Um, well, my ability to trust people was completely shattered about three months ago after my lovely encounter with my rival Kaitou. But yeah, of course I was fine. Of course there would be no long-term effect. I mean, pregnancy, that was obviously "okay", right? Tsh. The stupidest questions, I swear...

"Just...back off, Fin..." I growled.

"You told me you would answer my questions!" she protested, that certain tone in her voice forcefully reminding me of what I had promised.

My eyes narrowed and I merely turned back around to keep walking, which was honestly taking a toll on me already. Even walking was getting difficult... I chose to place the blame on my severe lack of exercise. I would have to get Chiaki off my back so I could practice. He didn't know I was pregnant yet, and he probably wouldn't know until I really started to show. Not that I wanted to think about that...

"Maron..." she pressed.

I pivoted to meet her desperate eyes. So what if any part of her held desperation? What did it matter to me? What did it matter to anyone? If she was so desperate, then why not go pester someone else for answers? Why me?

"Things. Change," I hissed, pointing an accusing finger at her.

She sighed in resignation. I was actually waiting for her to try to guilt me or something but she did nothing of the sort. Her eyes held all the words she had to say. I ignored every last one of them. Why did I even bother with her? Why did I even bother with anyone? Even Chiaki! Why would I blatantly let him into my home only to give up on trying to kick him back out? And worse, he was male. I hated males. They were nothing but horrible creatures put on this world to spread hatred and kill love.

Well now it was like all love had evaporated.

That settled it. Chiaki had to go. I'd prefer Miyako if anyone. Fin had been at my throat for too long and I'd had it up to my neck with her! My soul was starting to wrench and twist whenever I saw that little Jun-Tenshi. She need to grasp the concept of silence. What was so wrong with silence? It was peaceful. It let me think. It let me think about things that could distract me from other thoughts that weren't exactly pleasant.

I reached my home and quietly snuck inside. It was sad when you had to sneak inside your own house when you lived y yourself to begin with. Well, I was supposed to live on my own. Ever since Chiaki came...

I sighed and checked my surroundings. He wasn't here. Then where was he...?

Having Chiaki around gave me a sense of safety, to a certain level. It gave me the motivation to act more like my old self. I started actually moving again. I would clean more. I didn't have as many nightmares. I wouldn't wake up screaming as often. And I'd completely stopped rubbing myself raw. What if that all changed when he left? What if I went back to that lethargic, depressed state I was in before he came?

Whatever. Just whatever. I didn't care anymore. I would be fine, I would remain this way at the very least and work on getting better by myself. I didn't need his help; I didn't need anyone's help. I was strong-

Was I...? Was I really as strong as I wanted to be...?

Yes, I was. I was a big girl before and I'm still a big girl. Pretty sure I could take care of myself, especially having been forced to do so after all these years. I never complained about not having a family. I sat back and watched as others complained about their own families, who did love them. Oh, this person got grounded. Oh, that person wasn't allowed to have a license yet. Yeah, that was such a concern for me. Those little things proved a parent's love for their child. My parents left me behind while they separated, both going overseas to some other place. And I had been waiting ever so patiently for a letter from them, checking my mailbox every single day with a shimmer of hope that there would be something there. But alas, there was nothing. And over the past few months I hadn't even come out to check.

And see? I'd handled that all on my own, every day, every minute, without anyone's help. I could take care of myself like I always have.

I heard the doorknob turn and dashed to my room, quickly closing and locking the door. I didn't...I didn't want to be seen right now. Fin was here but I'd grown quite accustomed to having her following me wherever I went. She needed to stop that; I was overly ready to trap her under a glass cup or something just so she would stay put and let me have my freedom.

"Maron?" a male voice called out. Chiaki.

I let my feet carry me to my bed, where I gladly flopped onto it and buried my face in the covers. I loved, yet at the same time hated, this silence. Other than my name, Chiaki hadn't uttered another word. Was I ever grateful for that...

I heard his footsteps stop just outside my bedroom door and stiffened. I knew he would come in. I knew he could come in. He would use a stupid paper clip to pick lock the door and open it to find me plopped onto my bed.

He knocked softly. "Maron?"

What, what did he want? I just wanted him gone. And I mean gone for good, not gone and then come back ten minutes later. Not even the gesture could be appreciated this time. I'd heard the phrase "It's the thought that counts". Well he needed to stop thinking he could barge in like this all the time.

I sighed again and waited for the inevitable.

And sure enough, it wasn't two seconds later before the door opened, the lock having waged war on a paper clip and lost to it. Nice.

"Maron, are you awake?" Chiaki asked, his voice just above a whisper.

I had only a few seconds to decide what to do: pretend to be sleeping so he would go away and give me a break or take my chances now and try to kick him out before further harm could be done? Choice number one could fail because if he chose to stay beside me, even if he thought I was asleep, then I would never be able to find peace knowing he was right there. Choice number two could fail because he might not want to leave and he might refuse no matter what. At that point I could simply tell him I was pregnant. He would know not to stress me out.

But I was pretty tired and I would probably end up falling asleep anyway, so I did the more logical thing and pretended to be sleeping. I would kick him out later, when I was rested enough to stand on two feet without wanting to sit right back down again. Hopefully this would work out, he would go away, and I could do what I wanted. I could rest and be happier than when he was around like he had been for the past two months. That was plenty of time for me to have recuperated. Now his job was done; now he could leave calmly. If he didn't leave calmly, I would be stressed. I would tell him I was pregnant. He would shut up and get out of here. It was a win-lose, though. I didn't want anyone to worry about me and knowing I was pregnant... Well... Needless to say it would raise some red flags.

I would sleep now, kick him out later. He had overstayed his welcome and the funny thing was, he had never been welcome to begin with. Tolerated, yes, but never actually welcomed. But either way, as soon as nap time was over, I would be getting my life back and his little reign would end. No more bossing me around telling me to get up early in case I decided to go to school. No more stern lectures about depression and how it could have dire effects mentally and physically. And no more "help" with my own life. It was over once I woke up so I hope he enjoyed his time while it still lasted.

Author's Note

Wow. Did I just disappear off the face of the planet? I do believe I did... How long as it been since the last update? Feels like a year! Okay, so next chapter up. Sorry for those of you who have completely forgotten this story. I have no excuses except that my obsessions always jump from place to place, but always gravitate back to Danny Phantom. I've been watching KKJ episodes recently so I'm back in business with these stories.

Just...let me get a little more accustomed to fitting back in here, okay? I need a little time to integrate back into the KKJ fandom.

Uh, anyway, please review and everything that authors are supposed to say. You know. Blah blah blah.