Hello lovelies, how are all of you doing? Well I hope.

It's been a while since I last updated. I had wanted to work on this chapter earlier but had to push it but I finally got it done. It's not an easy chapter to write and I had found myself wanting to bang my head against the…pillow at many points. But it's done now. And that's all that matters.

I'm actually happy and surprised that we're now past chapter 20 and still going. Honestly I never thought I would be able to write this much and it's definitely been a struggle to get it written down and fighting against how I want it in my mind. Sometimes I ended up rewriting some parts so many times that I'm not even sure when I will finish writing. It's still a work in process but I'm learning to not chase after perfection and just let it be close enough so the story can move forward.

Of course all of you helped out a lot. And Cheshire too. She helped edit this chapter and quite a many chapters, so thanks : ) But enough of my chattering.

And now onto the replies to all your lovely reviews.

rickrossed, Haha probably the fact that I began with dun, dun, dun in my A/N last chapter didn't help. You're right about that but I think they deserved a bit of time to breathe before being thrown into all the drama again. You're right about that, Yu needs time to process everything and Alma's constant attempts to be forgiven does not help much. I think Yu might stay away from fish for a long while. For Alma's full memories, it's not fully disclosed but from what I gathered from the anime and manga, he seemed to get his full memories during the incident when he say their mummified bodies in the place where they store the innocence. I think he may have realised it then. Though I am not quite sure if they regained their full memories or only some of it. We don't know for sure but their past selves are quite different from who they are now but I think they do share the same major traits. Like Alma's joyful demeanour with Alma's past self. For Kanda, we aren't sure. But in the Hallow anime, they seem to depict his past self as a blonde man. No problem, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

xenocanaan, haha I'm glad you love them because I love writing them. No problem, it makes me happy that you enjoyed it. Interesting, haha so Allen is like a cute young dog. Haha I can definitely see that, pretty white coat and everything. You're probably right along the lines for those three.

Adripadher, No problem, I'm glad you like it. XD Allen the doggie may be a bit overused but it's definitely not wrong. And I googled the Samoyed puppy and oh my gosh, it's so fluffy and cute! Haha, better watch kitty Yu's paws the first few times and that line about him looking down at us like nothing like dirt underneath his claws had me laughing. Because that's so true XD. Oooh, that's adorable. Yu always have a soft side to him that he tries to hide. Awww, all those three animals and even the doggy!Alma would be extremely adorable. I'm laughing. Poor Qin would be so offended but she can't completely deny it. That's really great analysis and insight on what animal she might be. I think all of them do fit quite well and she would be happy with them XD. You made sense and I enjoyed what you think of it. Maybe but you were close enough and it's really interesting. I really like it! Thanks for indulging me on that question haha.

Stopdropanroll, haha sorry, I didn't mean to call you out. I always write replies at the very last moment at night and sometimes I don't recall exactly what I written and how it comes off at times.

lizyeh2000, well…you're not wrong *smiles*. Still they have quite some time together before things catch up.

Savage Kill, Haha, poor Qin is stuck with a duck but she can't deny it too much XD Kanda the cat shall look annoyed as Alma the dog nip at him gently and Qin the dug sitting on Alma's back. You're onto something. She was, the girl in her dream is her younger sister.

Mother of Mayhem, Haha I laughed a lot as I wrote it. It does fit him in my mind at least and it's very becoming of him. Haha, it can definitely be interesting. Qin always have a hate-hate and love-hate relationship with ducks and yes! That part came out of nowhere for me as I wrote it and it was perfect. Haha yeah, but laughter is the best medicine! Qin is always missing her home and she didn't really have time to think about it and it manifested in her dreams in a way. Thank you and I'm happy to hear that it's your favourite chapter.

Cheshire Mayhem, Well the view is beautiful and Tiedoll is always up for a drawing. Haha, to be honest, Cross method would've worked nicely and the three of them would be happy and fine with the Zhangs. Even though Cross is Cross you have to admit that his methods sometimes work. Haha Tiedoll could but he probably won't and that's the perfect excuse haha though Lvellie would probably sent more CROWS. Haha okay, I won't make you trust the finders. Haha, Qin turns away from you and say you got it wrong, Alma's the older one and she is a good girl…sort of. Haha yes, Alma's way of interpreting things can be funny at times. You just have to guess and it's meant to be creepy. It's good for you to wonder *grins* Aw, sweet of you to comfort her. She always appreciate hugs and snacks. Lots and lots of snacks. And I burst out laughing at that line. I never thought of it that way XD It would be funny if she did. To Alma, mayo is always a thing of beauty. Well, she and ducks just down get along. "Alma no," is also one of my favourite lines XD. You'd be surprise, Alma can be very creative and no, their house is not that big. Haha, Alma gets attached to things he names. And Kanda running away from the cow makes me laugh and yes, I'd imagine he do. He would stay miles and miles away from them. Well, well, well, curious are we? We'll just have to see. Much better than mine anyways. Well she would learn some and it depends. YES, you imagine right and it's terrifying the amount he eats and he is holding back. He did and I'm chortling. Haha, fish is the reason why he's sour for that week. Yeah he does. And I'm glad you do and I'm not even sure I can call it a poem or a quote. Maybe whatever thing that comes to my mind? So a thingy works. I love having that effect on you. XD Qin a ducky. And pretty squirrel Allen. Squirrels does have fluffy tails. Overdue but I love it anyways and don't worry, it makes sense. : ) And Gambit have a few people to sic on this chapter.

Guest, Yay! I'm glad you love it.

pendora59, thank you very much. I hope you enjoy this chapter…though it may be a bit heavy on the other characters.

21st Night

Towards the Edge of Spring

"I shall only return when I'm done." Cutting off the reply, Malcolm C. Lvellie set down the phone with abrupt force, his Golem fluttered off severing the connection. He sneered down at it. They've been getting more persistent lately. It had been three days since he was due to return to central and deliver his full report of his findings on the incident to the Vatican and he had chosen instead to stay rooted in the Asian Branch. Reports and formalities can wait but this was something much more important and there's much more to gain.

He seek it out, constantly searching but at every turn, it eludes him. But he wasn't about to give up. He could still remember what someone once said to him; time and fate works in mysterious ways, far from the control and understanding of men and that all outcomes are a play on chance and he should accept where the chips fall. But Lvellie disagreed. How does one even hope to achieve their vision if they do not play their hand? Violently thrusting their hands into the sand; grasping and pulling out golden shells even if they had to crack and shatter them in their palms?

He was no fool nor stranger to this game, having played it for many years. At every point he made his moves, taking action at every imaginable opportunity and wait like a hunter for the thread of chance to appear dangling within his reach. And he would do so for this as well. His vision and his goal was clear and there were great benefits to be reap and he wouldn't stop until it's in his grasp.

Taking a seat, there was a knock on his door and the current Branch Chief, Bak Chang entered. "Status Report." Lvellie waited with dwindling patience as the boy stood before him, fingers twiddling with his clipboard as if gathering courage. He could tell how wet the boy was behind his ears despite being groomed for the role. It's becoming more apparent that he didn't have the guts nor the knowledge nor the capabilities of his predecessors. Pity that his parents wanted him clueless. But even a clueless fool with the right mind could become useful, although the most grating thing about this tool was that he lacked even a shred of ambition, sealing himself within imaginary boundaries that could be easily broken. Lvellie didn't need to be a seer to foresee in the future that he wasn't about to change. The boy was too soft, less like his mother and more like his father.

But he was the least of his problems. Lvellie had his eyes set on a bigger prize, a much more eluding prize.

"We've continued the search and scavenge what we can on the underground lab as you had requested," He begun, mind clearly elsewhere until he noticed Lvellie's pointed look, he straightened up, standing taller and forcing the words out with more urgency and confidence. Much better. "We've attempted to retrieve the files but all the files and documents were founds to be destroyed and those that we can collect were unreadable and indecipherable."

Lvellie breathed, tempted to pinch the bridge of his nose. It was as he had suspected. He watched as they piled the remainder of the files retrieved into a pitiful stack on his desk. Reaching out, he grab one gingerly in his hand and flipped through the pages. They were all the same; dilapidated, destroyed, unreadable…useless. Setting it down, impatience gripping him internally and suspicion sprouted, taking root. It was truly fascinating that all the files of the Second's project were conveniently damaged and destroyed. Someone must think they were truly clever.

He had no evidence, he had no proof but Lvellie could venture a guess. It certainly wasn't the boy. He peered at the sweating boy struggling to hold his composure and nearly laughed to himself. Even if he had tried, he wouldn't be as resourceful and be caught by one of his accompanying CROWs or leave a trail behind. But there was no trail. Not unless the boy could walk through walls undetected. A small twisted smile played on his lips as his searching eyes lingered on the spirit stone tied to the boy's pony tail. Maybe…possibly…most probable. But it didn't matter now. It was only a minor roadblock in his way and Lvellie was confident he could overcome it. When there's a will, there's a way, even if he had to crack one open himself.

"You may take your leave now," He cut the boy off, turning his attention back to the file about the accounts on the incidents on his desk, "And one more thing, watch who you keep company with, the actions of your subordinates reflect heavily on you, Branch Chief Chang."

The boy left with an uneasy look on his face, closing the door softly behind him. Lvellie flipped through the report, letting his mind roam, plan and digest. He had exhausted all avenues that comes with the search. It seemed like he had no choice left. It was time he set the stage. He needed to have a little chat with his old teacher and Epstein's niece. He waved to his CROW, giving orders.

Wiping away the tears that streamed down her cheek, Renee swallowed her silent sobs and quietly followed behind the CROWs. Zu was next to her, solemn and silent as they passed column after column, away from the whispers of conversations and rumours towards a corridor that was near complete silence. So silent that she could hear her own catching breaths. Zu placed a hand on her shoulders but she shook it off, following the CROW into the room as he was instructed to wait outside. She could feel his gaze against her back but the door closed behind her, leaving her to her own thoughts.

There, sat at the end of the dingy room, behind the window was the Special Inspector, Lvellie that she head heard so much about over the years. The CROW gestured for her to approach and she did. Her eyes trailing, taking in the sparse but relatively clean room. Eyes lingering on the red spots on the ground to the man in all black, standing next to the Special Inspector. Lvellie met her eyes, they was brown but the look was so intense that she cast her eyes down, to the wine red carpet, focusing on her steps.

"Please take a seat." And she did.

Two cups laid on the desk, in between the files. Her cup filled up with steaming liquid, it settled and she could see her own reflection. She took a sip, it warmed her to the tips of her fingers and she felt calmer.

"How are you feeling, Miss Epstein?"

Her lips feel heavy and her throat felt dry despite taking a sip of the coffee. She didn't know how to answer. None of it sounds satisfactory close to what she feels in her mind and body. "As well as you'd imagine." Her uncle had always said that she had to answer. It didn't matter as long as she did.

In all honesty, none of this felt real. She gripped her hands tightly, pressing them against her knee until her knuckles were white. It felt like she was struggling to make sense of nonsense. Her mind flashing back to their return and the sight of the crumbled underground laboratory, dust filling the air and the words of someone breaking the news to her ringing in her ears. It felt like she been uprooted and thrown into a different world. And in this one, everyone she knew was just gone.

"I never thought it would end up like this," She choked, the words wavered as a film of tears cloud her vision, clearing as it dripped against the back of her palm.

Whoever said that life was a fairy tale were liars.

She could still remember…back then as a child, she had truly believe that when she grow up one day, she would be a princess. And one day, meet her prince. The thought of being a scientist and affiliated with the Order had never crossed her mind. It wasn't what she had wanted but what her parents wanted for her. Her uncle never approved of it, snidely sneering down whenever she brought up such childish notions. In their eyes, her dreams were just that, childish notions and nonsense that she would soon grow up from.

But that wish still remained. But she complied with their wishes, pushing aside childish things, donning the white coat and putting on the shoes of an adult even when she wasn't on and never felt like one. Working with her uncle or rather, one step behind him was difficult and gruelling. Each mistake awarded with harsh scolding and repeated for remembrance. And when things done right, she only received a nod in return. It had felt like a burden that kept getting heavier and heavier on her shoulders, until one day, she met her -Twi.

It was a meeting of chance. She had been neck deep in work that had piled on almost overwhelmingly and had been on her feet since the crack of dawn. She didn't see where she was going and ran into her. The force was enough for her to collapse on her bum but the other woman stood tall, still standing.

"Are you alright?" The woman extended her hand towards her and Renee grabbed it.

She was really beautiful, Renee had to admit that her black hair and her dark eyes and the way she held herself was really becoming of her. And the fascination grew when she found out that she was Zu's niece…almost like herself. But they were so different. She picked up on rumours on how Twi was set to be the next Branch Chief with only one contender and watching the way she work and the way she command others, Renee truly believed that she would be a great Branch Chief. She deeply admired her. Twi was truly the essence of strength. And she was painfully aware that she lacks that, constantly hiding behind her hair, pressing her lips down on her words, unable and unwilling to reveal the full extent of her thoughts.

Renee strived to be like her, putting her back into her work and renewed to stay on top of everything, gaining her uncle's confidence in her. And many years later, they met again and she was thrilled to be working alongside her. But this time, she was married. Renee honestly couldn't see the merit in the prince that Twi had chosen. He was nothing like she imagined that Twi would choose. And his best friend was worse, an idiot that can't keep his arms to himself. But even though she dislike them, she held her tongue. Looking back, she couldn't help but to wonder, would she think any less of her if she told her opinion?

But it was too late now.

"Dry your tears," Lvellie was beside her. He handed her a handkerchief and hesitantly she reached out towards it, wiping away stray tears. He crossed his legs, leaning against the desk as he scrutinise her. "It must be hard, losing someone you care about, Miss Epstein."

"Renee." She wasn't sure why she was giving her first name. Miss Epstein…she wasn't worthy of that name yet, "Call me Renee."

"Miss Renee it is, then," He filled up her cup even though it had been partially full and slid the cup towards her. She held it in her palms, it was warm but not scalding. "Do you know why I've called you up here today, Miss Renee?"

She shook her head, daring but not quite succeeding in making herself look up at him, "You want my report on the incident? But we were not there and we've already sent in our report on it. I don't know what else..."

"You're right. I didn't call you up here to talk about the incident." He poured himself a cup, his movements deft as he dropped a couple of sugars into the dark liquid, "It was unfortunate, and we lost an immense amount of potential. But we have a mission and a goal to achieve and shouldn't linger too long on losses."

"That's…" Isn't that cold?

"It is the mission and goal of the Black Order to win in the Holy War. If we do not continue carrying the torches of our predecessors, that would mean that their efforts would have been wasted," He brought the cup to his lips, eyes peering down at her, "Do you understand this, Miss Renee?"

She nodded slightly. She'd known even before she had officially joined. Her parents had mentioned it and Sahlins never failed to remind her. It was the Black Order's raison d'être. It was also the reason why the Second Exorcist Project was green lit in the first place and the reason why the worked so hard on it...His words begin to sink in.

"I believe that there's much to gain," Lvellie set his cup down, "What you uncle had worked on, what the late Branch Chief had worked on, if we at least do not consider the avenue…wouldn't it be a waste?"

"But it was a failure."

"It was a major oversight…a step in the wrong direction. The outcome would've been different if different methods have been employed."

Different methods?

As if he saw the look of confusion on her face, he pressed both hands onto the table and faced her, "What do you think is the most important thing in an experiment, Miss Renee?"

"Hypothesis?" He shook his head and she sunk deeper into the chair thinking. Her eyes flickered to his, "Control."

"The parameters for an experiment relative success," He tilted his head approvingly, "Without proper control, an experiment will deviate. If reigns loosened, it sure that subjects will act out."

"If control doesn't exist…" Did control exist? Had they taken the steps that nothing would've gone that wrong? Even as she closed her eyes to think, it all felt foggy. It was like being in a maze and she couldn't find her way out.

There was a weight on her shoulder, a warm hand. She looked up, watching Lvellie's steady unwavering eyes on her, "You're a strong woman, Miss Epstein." If she could, she would laugh. Strong was never a word that she would describe to herself.

She wasn't strong like Twi and certainly not like the Special Inspector. It marvelled her how he held himself, quickly moving past such hardships and setbacks and being able to get back up and risk everything for the cause…unlike herself. If she had been there…Her hands tightened around one another. She shivered to think of what had happened if she had chosen to stay.

She looked up at him. She wanted to be like him. She wanted, no, needed power and the respect that he commanded. Admiration shone once again, but it was a different light than the last. She didn't need a prince. She would become one. One that she should've been long ago. She wouldn't let herself be this weak ever again. Maybe then…none of this would've happened.

She knew what he wanted. Renee's shoulders slumped. Even though she was part of the project, she had no knowledge on the creation of the Seconds much less how to recreate a regeneration core. If they had untainted samples or a subject, it might be possible but from the rumours that she had heard, it was likely that any remnants of the Second Exorcist regeneration cores were cracked and shattered, the magic that bound them together was broken. No matter how badly she wanted to hand it to Lvellie, the knowledge was not in her possession.

"I'm sorry," She closed her eyes, heart sinking, "I cannot do what you asked. I do not have the capabilities to create more seconds."

Lvellie closed his eyes. He had expected as much. Guess he had put too much hope that Sahlins would've enlightened his niece about one of his greatest accomplishments. Even she didn't have what he wanted, she was still a valuable source of information and as it seems, she seems to trust him. But now, he had no choice but to talk to the only person who knows. His old teacher and the person who started this project.

"No, I refuse." Zu's gaze was steady, "The Project…it was a mistake, my mistake. It is one that we shouldn't repeat."

Lvellie straightened his back, looking squarely at his old teacher, both their gazes unwavering and refusing to back down. Oh how far the mighty had fallen. To think that he had once admired and looked up to this man. It's clear to Lvellie that he had long surpassed him long ago. The man sitting in front of him was a shadow of a man that he used to be and now that he was passed his time, it was typical of him to stand in his way.

"Do not choose to go down this path, Malcolm. At the end of it only lies despair and pain and regrets that you can't turn back from."

An easy smile played on Lvellie's face. If his teacher only knew...

"If you have any shred of respect left for me, do not pursue this further. Leave me out of it. Let the knowledge die with me, that's all I ask." Pushing out of his chair, he stood up and head towards the door away from this play of madness playing in front of him.

Zu looked back. Renee's eyes was cold and laden with disappointment. It was as if the last vestige of the young woman that he had saw and spent the entire trip with was gone, following the back of a man that was too far into his pursuit of ambitions and treading down a path darker than night.

"I wish the both of you the best of luck." He could only hope, they see the light of the truth and the price of their goals before it's too late.

Yu woke with a thin veil of sweat forming on his forehead despite the frigid cold. He silently catches his breaths, aware of his wildly beating heart, running up his throat and thrumming against his ears. He had a bad dream again, memories of his past life spilling into the memories of that place. He leaned back against the wall that was less warm than usual. The fire was burning out. He threw a log into the mix, watching it slowly flickered back to life.

He truly hates the cold. Too many unpleasant memories. And today seemed cold to than usual. Silent snores and sleeping breaths filled the air. He was surprised that he didn't wake them. They were usually quick to wake. But this was better anyways. He didn't want to wake them, didn't want to deal with their fussing. It was getting warmer. He sat up, letting the blankets pooled at his waist. He sat there, listening to the sounds of crackling fire and the sounds of the night.

It was rare that he gets the time to be alone with his thoughts like this. They would always be pestering and chattering away and that always felt strange to him. But Yu always preferred the silence anyways.

He gazed out of the window, past the snow and the scraggly trees to the beyond that seemed to end but if he kept going, kept walking, it seems to expand. His mind was a mess, he was aware. Since the moment he had woken up, there was never a moment of silence…except that time with Alma…but that spell had long broken. He had more to think now, more he didn't want to think and questions that seemed to get no answers.

It was frustrating but he had long accepted it. The scientists had never gave him a straight answer and now they were out in this place, he had no idea who to ask.

The outside world was still odd to him. It was much bigger and wider than he had imagined, not that Yu can admit to imagine much. To him, if it's a brick then it's a brick and if it's a duck then that's the duck and if it's a lemon, it needed to be thrown. Alma was always the one with the imagination. Even back then, when they were still in that pace, Yu couldn't see past the walls that surrounded him. Even as Edgar and the scientists had described the outside world to him, he couldn't picture it in his mind's eye..and yet, Alma grinned, eyes wide with wonder as if he could see something that he himself couldn't.

Not that it mattered anyways. Yu had a sneaking suspicion that the outside world would be as hard to breathe as this place. But now that they were truly outside, he wondered how close was it to how Alma had imagined it? Yu found it was easier to breath but his chest still felt heavy.

"Yu," He tensed before he realised that Alma was still asleep. Just taking one look at Alma's face and the air grew thick. He didn't want to think about it.

Yu frowned. He couldn't sleep. He didn't try. He knew that when he's awake like this, there was no way he could go back to sleep. He reached out, grabbing the red cloth lying against the corner, feeling the Innocence wrapped within it. He unwrapped it from the cloak, it shone under the light emitting from the flames. It was the source of his pain and his suffering. He wondered how the old him had felt when he discovered that he was an accommodator of Innocence? Was he ecstatic? Burdened? Obliged? He didn't know. There were enormous gaps in his memories of his past life. Was he the same or was he different now? Who exactly was he? Yu or that person? He wasn't sure.

He glanced flickered to the lemon brat sleeping and dreaming about who knows what. Knowing her, it was probably something weird. Even though she wasn't synchronised with Innocence, he couldn't help but to think that she's the lucky one. She didn't have to deal with the burden of this damned thing and she doesn't know it.

But she had plenty of secrets that seemed like a burden. Like the fact that she had known what they were since the moment she woken up. She had acted dumb, annoying and oblivious. Did she know or even have a suspicion on what they would do if she had revealed that she had remembered everything? He wasn't sure how she did it. For him, it was already hard to breathe just being in that place but knowing the truth and pretending that nothing was wrong or pretending everything was hunky dory, as she puts it, was beyond suffocating.

He wanted to ask; how much does she know, how much does she really remember? But he wasn't sure how to even begin to talk about it. And it didn't seem like she wanted to share anyways. The thoughts keep him awake until the sun rose, signalling the beginning of a new day.

"Play with us! Play with us!" The two annoying children danced around him, dragging and pulling at his pants and the edge of his shirt as they pestered as he made his way through the snow towards the barn. As long as they didn't pull at his hair, he didn't care. There was too much work to be done and little time wasting time playing with them.

He truly didn't understand children. How does anyone put up with these hyper things all day and all year round for many years? But he was aware of how different the two brats were to himself. It wasn't the fact that they were so overly joyful and oblivious. But by how they were and how the Farmer and his wife seemed to treat them. His mind drifted back to the other day as he sat by the window side minding his own business.

Giggles came from near the fireplace and he let his gaze be drawn towards it, painting the pictures of two small giggling children running around the smiling adults who merely shake their heads and laugh. It was mesmerising and a stark contrast from the relationship he had with the scientists. It almost seemed like those two love and treasure them. The girl collapsed onto the mother's lap, laughing and pushing her brother away. The boy stumbled, the farmer catching him, muttering phrases that he has no desire or patience to decipher.

His mind grew foggy. Even though he couldn't remember much memories of his past self, he couldn't help but to wonder if at some point, someone had love him like that too. The person he was…he was probably a child at some point wasn't he? Born through the love of a mother and a father? His heart seemed to squeeze and he looked away. It truly doesn't matter at this point.

"I said, play with us!" Snapping back to reality, the boy leapt up, grabbing onto his shoulder and slinging an arm around his neck, throwing him off balance and he nearly fell. He reached back, tempted to throw the boy off when he found a set of eyes glaring at him. It was that lemon brat again. And she was walking backwards, gesturing to him that she got her eyes on him. "Che." He gently shrugged the boy off. She should be watching where she's walking or she was going to-

"Whoops!" She fell backwards, butt first into the snow. He rolled his eyes, predicting that this would've happened.

"Ah! Are you okay, Qin?"

Yu's expression soured. He looked away and went ahead, ignoring them. He just know that he wanted to get away and fast. And as he had predicted, once again, Alma refused to leave him be; always pestering, appearing in his sights and messing up his flow of thoughts at every turn. He couldn't seem to get a moment alone away from him. Every where he turned, everywhere he went, that annoyance seemed to follow smacking his face with fish, holding out the cat and pushing the duck at him and tearing him away from the cow who had no sense of boundaries that keep chewing at his hair. It was infuriating.

He passed Alma, catching sight of his crumpling expression which only serves to irritate him even more. Couldn't they just leave him be?

"Yu…" He could hear whispers of conversation blown to him by the wind, "He hates me so much now. And I tried every trick in the book! Even the fish! And ducks! And-"

"And you are too persistent which only makes things worse."

"But I just want him to forgive me!"

"Umm…bringing in Buttercup to greet him first thing in the morning is not asking for forgiveness, you nearly broke down the front door. And bringing in the ducks to introduce them to Yu is only asking for me to cook them."

"Qin! The ducks are our friends!"

"Evil! They're evil I tell you!"

"They're fluffy," Alma whines.

"They were trying to kill me in my sleep."

If they don't shut up, he was tempted to kill them in their sleep. The wind changed directions, blowing strands of hair into his eyes. He pushed them away, the two kids grabbing onto each of his legs making the trudge more difficult.

"I have no idea what to do."

The lemon brat sighed, "Give him some space." Yu's eyebrow raised. "If you keep hounding him about it, he's just going to act out more. Just give him some time to think about it then talk. You two really need that."

The last thing he wanted to do was to talk.

"Going out. Firewood." The evening sun had already begun to set and Yu took his axe with him, Innocence strapped securely on his back. They exchanged looks and he could feel their eyes on him. The lemon brat's eyes trailed towards the pile of firewood that wasn't close to being used up.

"But it's going to be dark out soon." He could hear Alma from behind but closed the door on him without answering.

Yu followed down the trail that he normally took leading to a thicket of trees and some tree stumps. His eyes glanced over the trees and he chose the one in the middle that stand tall above him all too imposingly. Setting his pack onto a nearby stump, he approached it, axe ready and swung. The blade buried into the wood and he pulled it only for the handle to snap sending him into the snow. Damn that lemon brat, her clumsiness had rubbed off on him! Thrashing around, he got up, tossing the broken handle to the ground. Useless!

He stomped up to the stump, grabbing the Innocence tossing the cloth aside and glared down at the tree. He swung the blade, violently chipping away at the bark, bits and pieces of wood went flying but he didn't stop. Anger coming to a boil as he repeated the motion. The piles of wood scattered on the ground chipped and uneven and the tree came falling. He leapt out of the way as it collided onto the ground, sending fresh snow strewn about. He got to his feet, covered in snow from head to toe but it did nothing but fan his frustration.

"What do you want from me?" He stabbed the Innocence in the ice with vehement force, glaring down at it with burning hatred. It was the reason why he was in this mess in the first place and the reason why he was still alive. And the reason why he nearly killed Alma. He doesn't want to think about it, but the thought creeps forward from the back of his mind. He could still feel the frantic tears pouring down his face and the phantom feeling of the Innocence tearing through Alma's flesh. And if he close his eyes, he could still sometimes hear his screams ringing in his ears as everything collapsed around them.

He gritted his teeth together so tightly that his jaws hurt. Back then, for a moment he had thought that he had lost him and he felt sad and bitter. Was this the fate that had been given to them? But then, when he saw him there...Yu truly didn't know how to react. On one hand, he had felt relief. Relieved that he didn't kill his best friend and the person that made that damned place easier to breath. But, on the other hand...he couldn't help but to wonder if he hadn't been stopped and if the building hadn't collapsed...would he had killed him? He would. The answer came to him sure and he knew that was the truth and the decision that he had made in that split second. It bothered him how sure he had been. And even more that those two had swept everything under the rug and choose to act like everything was as usual.

The feelings twist and coils uncomfortably in his chest, tightening the more he thought about it, setting him constantly in a foul mood. He just didn't want to return to the house yet. He started a fire like how the farmer had taught him before and settled down on an uneven pile of logs, trying not to think. He pulled out the block of wood, thumbing it and rolled the misshapen block of wood in his palms before gripping onto it and bringing the hunting knife across its surface. He didn't know what he wanted to carve. He just wanted to do it. Yu wasn't sure when did this became a habit but he could remember how it started.

"What got you in a sour mood?" The farmer sat at the table, in his hands was something curious. He watched as the farmer deftly run the blade across the wood, shavings quickly littering the floor beneath as he worked, tongue sticking at the corner of his pressed lips in a focused manner.

"What are you doing?"

"Whittling wood," He saw the look of confusion on the boy's face and easily explained, "I'm making wooden animals. When I'm done with this, it will be a beautiful crane." Yu watched in fascination. "Give it a try," The Farmer handed him a block and Yu mimicked his actions. It whittled down quickly, the repetitive motions helps to focus his thoughts.

Krak. He looked down, the wood in his palm cracked, breaking apart from its unfinished formed. He dropped it to the ground, mood souring.

"That's okay, you can try again," The farmer handed him another wooden block and after moments of hesitance, he tried again.

He didn't know what to carve. The block of wood whittling down until it was smooth but took no form. He couldn't imagine what he would and should make.

"You'll think of something."

The wood broke into half and he sighed in frustration, tossing the broken pieces into the the flames and pull out another one, starting from scratch. It was nightfall by the time he was ready to return home, the stars shining in the sky above him. Shadows danced in the window of the house against the bright flame from the fireplace. They're still inside. He went to the house, opening the door to a surprising sight He looked at the corner towards the things she was trying to hide out of his sight. Was she leaving?

Qin turned, eyes wide with alarm, "Oh you're back! Alma went with the farmer to look for you-"

"You're planning to leave." It wasn't a question but he wanted an answer.

"No, of course-"

"Don't lie to me." He didn't need any more lies.

She fell silent for a moment and nodded her head. It wasn't an impulsive decision, she had been planning it for weeks and he could from the look on her face that she had decided on it and nothing would change her mind.

"I hope you know what you're doing."

"Don't worry, I know."

The days passed, they rarely spoke to each other but exchanged glances behind Alma's back. He wouldn't tell him, out her out and each time she shot him a look of gratefulness and he just looks away. Who was he to stop her? People make their own decisions. It continued this way until the snow melted and spring came to full bloom and she was still around.

And he thought that she would never leave…

…Until one day he came home, hauling piles of firewood on his back, Alma's pacing in front of the house in deep thought. He walked up to him, watching as Alma wrung his fingers, "She's been out too long. Where could she be?"

She probably be home soon. He glanced back at the scorching evening sun, trudging into the house and setting the wood at their designated place and paused. He looked down and there was a pile of letters addressed to them. He grabbed them, "That idiot," and took off running.

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Time moves only forward in one direction.

This chapter should've probably came out many weeks ago but I was very wishy washy with what I wanted to write and finally decided on it. But I'd never thought it would give me a headache writing this chapter though. Needless to say, I never want to write a chapter with those two for a long, long, long while…at least not together. Because ugh, they were a headache to write.

I love how some of you are like this is cute and everything but you all know that s*t is going to go down. XD It's like you're all onto me.

Anyways, I always love to hear what you think of this chapter and what little predictions you have. I'm always fascinated to hear your thoughts.

Until then, see you in the next chapter,

Yule.