-Lysander's POV-

I didn't know how long I sat in the dark, empty store. After Leigh stormed out I leaned against the wall and just stayed there, thinking. Why did Leigh want me to stay away from Aria? No, that wasn't it; it was more like he wanted me to stay away from anything to do with the academy and the Grim Reaper. But why?

Sorrow still lingered at the edge of my mind. The pain of losing my only brother, the only family I had left. However there was no reason to sit around and wallow in self-pity. Just as I was about to stand up and go upstairs to get my things in order, the still-unlocked front door burst open to reveal Aria's tiny, fragile-looking figure.

-Aria's POV-

My eyes flickered open and I sat up in bed, almost as if I'd been startled by something. Which was true, only… I couldn't figure out why. Taking a deep breath, I centred myself and focused my Soul Perception, not on anything specifically, just looking for any disturbances that might be in the area. That's when I felt it.

Sorrow, waves of pain and remorse emanating from one Soul Wavelength, Lysander's. What could have made him so upset? What could have caused such sadness in one person for their Soul Wavelength to darken?

I had to find him. I jumped out of bed and threw on whatever clothes I could find, not caring if they matched, not even bothering to put my hair up, instead letting it fall freely down my back to my knees. I quickly shoved my feet into my Doc Martens and raced out of my apartment, slamming the door behind me.

I ran full tilt towards the store, following Lysander's soul when I couldn't remember the way. Finally, after the few minutes that felt like an eternity, Leigh's store was in sight. I began to slow down, so that my speed wouldn't cause me to launch myself forward again. The inside of the store was dark, but I knew he was there; the pain that radiated from the store was almost tangible in the air.

I grabbed the door handle and pull, expecting it to be locked. To my surprise, the door swung open easily and I took a hesitant step forward.

"Lys?" I called into the darkness awaiting me.

"Over here." Came a tired-sounding reply.

I turned to see Lysander sitting with his back against the wall to my left. He looked exhausted, his hair ruffled on one side, a few buttons on his shirt undone… or broken? The lack of light made it difficult to tell. I quickly made my way over to where he sat and kneeled next to him, looking into his sorrow-filled eyes.

"Lys, what's wrong?" I asked gently.

His gaze shifted from the floor to me, and when he spoke his voice was barely above a whisper. "It's Leigh. When I told him that I was a Weapon he…freaked out. Said that he would be glad to be rid of me. He acted like I disgusted him."

-Lysander's POV-

I could see out of the corner of my eye as Aria knelt next to me, looking me in the eyes as she asked, "Lys, what's wrong?"

I looked up from the floor and into her brilliant scarlet gaze, and spoke, my voice slightly rough. "It's Leigh. When I told him that I was a Weapon he…freaked out. Said that he would be glad to be rid of me. He acted like I disgusted him."

I looked back down at the floor and heaved a sigh. Just then, I felt warmth on the left side of my body, and felt a light pressure. I tore my gaze from the floor to see Aria, with her slender arms wrapped tightly around my shoulders.

I felt heat rise to my face, but soon forgot it as I heard Aria whisper, "I'm so sorry Lysander. I didn't mean for that to happen. If only I hadn't come…" her warm breath brushed past my ear and along my cheek.

"Don't say that Aria. I'm happy that I got to meet you, and I'm glad that I was able to become your partner. I don't regret any of it. Leigh made his choice when he walked away, there's nothing you could have done." I said to her gently, wrapping my arms around her and resting my chin on the top of her head.

I felt her bury her face into my shoulder and her voice came out slightly muffled as she said, "I just wish things could have turned out differently. That you and Leigh could have stayed the way you were"

I tightened my grip on her one last time before pulling back and looking into her clear gaze and speaking softly. "I know you do, and so do I, but we can't go back and change things to what they used to be. All we can do now is accept things for what they are and keep moving forward."

Aria gave me a sad smile and nodded before standing up and offering me her hand. I took it and she helped me off the ground and afterwards saying, "Maybe things were supposed to happen this way, and maybe not. But I want you to know that there are people who will always be there with you. That means both me and Castiel. Never give up on something because you're afraid Lysander, because fear can make you stronger. Understanding fear and then gaining the resolve to overcome it is what will give you strength."

I smiled as I realized her words were sincere and said, "Thank you, Aria, Really. My brother and I might not be on good terms anymore, but I won't sit around and pity myself. Like you said, I'll gain the resolve to overcome my fear of the future and what it will bring me."

After I said that the sadness disappeared from her smile and she grinned at me. And while she did I noticed that her canine teeth were longer than average. They didn't look like vampire teeth, but… they seemed abnormal, in a good way.

"Well then," she started, snapping me out of my mental reprieve. "I doubt that you'll want to be around when Leigh gets back, so I was thinking that we should start packing your stuff, if you don't mind me helping"

Right.. I guess I should get out of here before Leigh returns. I sighed mentally then said, "I don't mind, in fact I could use the help. I think we have some cardboard boxes in the back, could you head upstairs and wait for me? My room is at the end of the hall."

-Aria's POV-

I climbed up the stairs and turned down the hall that would lead to Lysander's bedroom. The main part of the apartment was very similar in style to Lysander and Leigh. The walls were painted dark, rich colors and black metal chandelier-looking light fixtures hung from the ceiling. At the end of the hall, I spotted Lysander's door, which had been painted a green that was a shade or two darker than emerald. I turned the black metal doorknob-that matched the light fixtures and pushed the door open. The walls of Lysander's room had been painted the same color as the door, but on the other side of it the door was charcoal black. Near a window on the left-hand side of the room sat a queen sized bed with black satin linens.

"Ehem," came a cough from behind me. I whirled around to see Lysander carrying a stack of folded up cardboard boxes.

He set them down on the bed as I looked around the room again and murmured in awe, "Your room… is so cool."

Lysander let out a short chuckle and said, "Thanks."

After that we began putting together boxes and sorting through things like books, clothing, keepsakes and other things. I told him that we only needed to bring a bag with a few things in them for the next two days, and that the DWMA would send his things my apartment in Death City.

"Wait," he said after I finished explaining. "Your apartment? So I'm going to be living with you? I heard that the DWMA had dorms." he said, sounding confused.

I nodded. "Yeah. But the dorms are for students that are part of the 'NOT' class. NOT stands for 'Normally Overcome Target'. The students in this class are usually the people who choose not to fight. Since we'll be fighting Kishin Souls, that means we're in the 'EAT' class, which stands for 'Especially Advanced Talent'. Students that are in this class usually already have partners, so they're provided with an apartment in the city." I stated matter-of-factly.

"I see, but what about food expenses?" Lysander inquired.

I shrugged and continued in my 'lesson' while we continued to pack Lysander's things. "All students at the DWMA have a living expenses budget, but if you spend it before the end of the month, the academy will usually assign you to work someplace for a little while until you get your next payment."

He nudged my shoulder with his elbow playfully and said, "Oh? And would you know this from experience?"

I blushed, slightly embarrassed. "N-no! Everyone knows that..." I said looking down.

Lysander grew quiet. When I looked up at him he seemed lost in thought. Suddenly he snapped out of it and said, "I've been meaning to ask you, but how long have you been in the DWMA? You seem to be pretty experienced."

I blinked, taken by surprised by the question. "Hmmm… well, I've lived in Death City ever since I was little. In the elementary schools, they don't teach you about fighting, but they do make sure that you're healthy and try to build you're physical capabilities. They also teach you about Soul Wavelength's and Kishins."

"Really? So is anyone else in your family in the academy?" he asked.

At first, I didn't know how to answer the question. My memories were still too hazy to remember that far back. "Well, the truth is, I don't really know. When I was six, I lost all of my memories. One of the teachers at the academy supposedly found me after I'd been in a car accident. After I'd been released from the hospital, they brought me to Death City because apparently my family had died in the crash." Seeing his expression I smiled reassuringly and continued. "Don't worry it wasn't all bad. There was another kid like me who had been raised by the academy after he lost his family. He's a friend of mine, named Black Star."

Lysander seemed to have been trying to change the conversation to lighter topics as he asked, "What are the other students at the academy like? "

I smiled and continued on about my other friends in the EAT class. There was Tsubaki, Black Star's Weapon partner who was sweet and kind and was probably the only person who could deal with Black Star's arrogance. Then there was Death the Kid, Lord Death's son and his two partners, the Thomson sisters Liz and Patty. Kid had a few… strange tendencies, like his obsession with symmetry. And then where Liz always seemed to be the more responsible of the two, and Patty was always bright and cheerful. There was the Scythe Meister Maka, who had slain the Kishin Asura, and who was always so confident and strong. And finally, there was Soul Eater. We had been close ever since we entered the academy together and had been placed in the same class and although I didn't say so, I also may have sort of… liked him… a little bit. As in more than friends sort of way. Soul was also Maka's Weapon and although when Riko had suggested that I was jealous, it didn't matter to me. I was fine with Riko as my partner and Soul was fine with Maka as his partner.

At last, we were finished packing. When we had started it was on thirty in the morning, and when we finished, it was six. And the whole time Leigh never showed up once. Finally, tired and with aching feet, I climbed into bed at my apartment after I suggested Lysander stay with me until we leave, and that he could sleep on the couch, of course.

I drifted off to sleep for the next few hours before I had to get my own things in order. And as I closed my eyes I thought, Home, I'll finally be going home.