Ever since that night, things shifted within the group. Will became more distant. He spoke occasionally, but past that, it appeared that his mind was in another place. Riku came over more frequently, but with a crowded house, he could never get Grace alone. Also, Dano had become a new addition to their happy family. She came by at least every other day.

A hard day shift at Grace's family's restaurant had ended and she was ready to crash for the day. As she exited the doors and began her walk home, she felt a presence walking behind her. She had the reaction any normal human being would have…

"Oh my god, I am going to die. I'm going to be raped and die in a dark alleyway… Just stay calm. Maybe if you walk quicker he won't rape you… AHHHH!"

"Hey there!" Riku exclaimed while he caught up to Grace, who jumped at his shout, "Whoa, you okay there? Did I frighten you? Don't worry, I'll protect you."

Grace tried to ignore his smirk, but she couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her lips. He was just too cute. The two walked in silence for a good portion of the walk. Grace wanted to talk, but she couldn't get the words to come out. It seemed her brain and heart were having an argument with her mouth.

"The stars sure are perfect out tonight then again I always did love the stars," Riku stated quietly. He couldn't help but think of how they reminded him of the sparkle in Grace's eyes.

"You know, people always seem to prefer the stars, but I've always found the moon to hold my interest," she stuttered slightly, "I guess our difference in views could mean that we complete each other in a way."

Silence was shared between the two, as Grace's blush grew thick. She didn't want to refer to them being a unit, but now that it was out there. Nothing about it sounded bad. In fact, it sounded… great.

"About that… When we went to the mall that one day, I saw Drake "

"HEY WHORE! WAY TO LEAVE ME BEHIND!" Lulu shouted as she darted up to Grace and picked her up by the waist. Grace went limp in hopes to be released. There really was no hope in that.

"Geez, relax. I thought you were hanging with Will later," Grace replied softly since all the blood was slowly draining from her head, "or is he still being emotionally 'blocked off' from the rest of the world still."

"I don't know. I'm worried about him. You know how depressed he gets sometimes."

xXx

Will was curled in one corner of the dark room trying to ignore the now bleeding cut on his forearm. The creatures were back… and they were stronger. He had never seen them this fierce before. They had never made him bleed before. The poor boy was shaking with fear.

Sure, in the past he wanted to end his life. He always felt lonely. He thought he'd never find anyone who'd care about him, but his friends showed him that he could be loved. Now he wasn't sure if he'd have a choice in the matter of his end. In that moment, he heard a voice M's voice.

"Remember, I can make it all go away. I just need you to do me a favor."

She was right. He didn't have to suffer. He could be normal… With the decision finally made, he slipped into Grace's room. He figured that since she'd only just start coming home from work now, he'd have just enough time to get it. Luckily for him, she started leaving her messenger bag behind. As he started to riffle through the bag he heard voices coming from outside.

"I can't believe she fell asleep with me holding her like that!" Lulu exclaimed still holding a limp Grace by the waist, "In the meantime, why are you still here?"

"Well, I wanted to say goodnight to Grace at least, but…"

As if on cue, Sally came running out and snatched Lulu's purse. Lulu put Grace on the porch step and ran after Sally while shouting about how she wanted her personal items back from her bag. It was most likely chocolate.

Riku made a mental note to thank Sally later. Little Grace let out a light snore before he went to pick her up. He couldn't help but chuckle at how cute she looked when she slept. With that in mind, he began carrying her to her room.

Will heard the footsteps coming into the house and panicked. His moves became more frantic and he searched through her bag. As he finally picked up the notebook, he heard the footsteps coming up the stairs. With quick action, he hurried behind the door.

Riku walked into Grace's room and flipped on her lights. She snuggled up to his warm frame as he tried to get to her bed. Riku's heart was pacing at her being this close. His blush couldn't be helped, but as he finally got her into her bed, she had a hold of his arm.

"Don't go," she murmured into his arm while nuzzling his arm.

"W-why?" Riku asked quietly leaning in closer. She obviously looked as though she was still asleep, but he couldn't help but felt she was talking to him and not just in her sleep.

"Please…" she whispered as if close to tears, "I love you."

Riku froze. Was Grace really saying this to him! Did he feel the same? …Yes… He couldn't deny that much longer. This elated feeling came over him and he couldn't wait to take her in his arms. He wanted to kiss her and create more memories with her as life continued on.

"I love you too, Grace," he whispered as she responded with light snoring. He sweat dropped and tucked her into her bed. He figured he'd have plenty of time to show her how much he cared.

xXx

"Took you long enough," M hissed as Will handed over Grace's notebooks. She took the books and flipped through it quickly. Behind her, a man appeared from a dark portal. She handed the books over to him. "You know what to do," she snickered.

"What are you going to do with them?" Will asked now regretted his actions.

"Oh, don't worry about that," she smiled as her words felt like ice to his veins, "You're safe. Isn't that what matters?"

With those words, her morbid cackle filled the air and she disappeared into the darkness of the night. Will looked up to the full moon. What had he done?

xXx

"By the way, thanks for distracting Lulu," Riku finally got to say to Sally as they sat out on the porch. Lulu finally did get her purse back from Sally and from their knowledge they were pretty positive that Lulu went in hiding to eat and/or protect her chocolate.

"It's no problem."

"So they really don't like me, huh?"

"I hope you didn't just realize this…"

"No, I'm pretty positive Will wants Grace to be his and hates me because of that fact."

"HAH! Wow, you're not the most perceptive of people are you?" Sally continued to laugh, as Riku looked lost, "Will's gay."

"What? Really? Is that why he's so good with hair?"

"No! Well… maybe. That's beside the point. Will's just overprotective of her. We all are. She's changed so much since we first met her. We never want to see her back to the way she was…"

"Well, I would never hurt her! I care too much about her…"

"I know. That's why I'm on team Riku"

"Team Riku?" as the question was in the air, Riku looked over to find Sally in a cheerleading outfit of yellow and bluish-purple with an "R" acrossed it. "Really?"

"Too much?"

"YES."

The two gulped as Lulu appeared behind them with chocolate slightly dripping down her face. Lulu's eyes were fierce as they locked on Riku. For once, Riku actually feared for his safety. The sound of whistling got Lulu's attention over to Sally who was waving a chocolate bar in the air.

"…Fine. He can stay," with that she took the bar and went back into the shadows of the house. The two continued to talk and watch the full moon.

xXx

"Madam, should I begin with our plan?"

"Yes, Xanto. The only problem is what to we do about that boy."

"Which one?"

"The silver haired one, you dolt. You think I care about that crazy one. He's already putty in our hands. We need a good distraction… and I've got just the plan," the lady of the darkness cackled while her cape fluttered slightly in the breeze of her dark, empty lair.

"Ooo, I do love your plans, M!" Xanto answered with a smirked as his blonde hair got in the way of his empty black eyes.