Comments – Okay, this chapter involves quite a few flashbacks, so I apologize if anyone gets confused by it and I apologize for the crummyness of the chapter. Yush, yush, I knows – I'm really unconfident but meh. I hope ya'll like the little added "albedoness" and "chaosness" in these chapters. Anyhoo, thanks for the last few reviews guys! They mean a lot to me =) Hope you enjoy.

|| Chapter [Twenty-One] ||

Unlocking The Past

"Dad, dad look!" the twelve year old Faith happily cried, jumping up and down before she even got to the red car belonging to her father. Her blonde hair sparkled in the bright sun light; reflecting off the heated rays as she bounced up and down, her lips curled into that oh-so rare smile. His smile was small, almost fake looking but from his bright eyes it was obvious he was happy his child was in such good spririts.

"What have you got there, sweetheart?" he asked as she approached the car, a few school children darted past but paused for a few moments to wave a goodbye to Faith. She waved back and he sighed deeply in almost joy as he watched her daughter.

They had been 'normal' for about two months now. Faith had yet to harm another human being; her hair was a natural, beautiful, shade like all other children. She looked like the other children with her short black skirt, white blouse and purple school tie. And best of all, like a child would do, she bounced home from school, proud of a piece of work she had done in the day. Each day was getting easier and easier for the child, who had been struggling to adjust to the strange "normal" lifestyle. Days rarely went by without her smiling or laughing and the father couldn't be more pleased. His daughter was normal; she was a beautiful girl that would go through a normal life.

"Dad I got an A!" she said, getting into the car. She threw her back on the seats behind. The light bag hit something else, and a cry came from the thing it hit.

"Ah, Miss Ackermann!" the male voice muttered as they moved the bag. Faith gasped widely, struggling not to laugh, though her father was showing a rude smirk.

"Mister Blanc I'm so sorry!" she apologized. "I didn't mean to. I didn't even know you were in the car."

"It's quite alright, ma'am," he sighed, putting a notebook back into the bag that had fallen out during its "flying lessons".

"Anyhow, dad they gave me an A for this!" she held up a piece of paper so close to her fathers eyes he had to push it back a little for him to see. Painted on the picture in an abstract manner was a gorgeous pair of butterflies; flying together in the wind. The ends of their wings were like ribbons, intertwining with themselves. He stared at the beautiful picture, taken back at how meaningful it was, though a simple twelve year old had drawn it. It was so … different to what had been drawn before by Faith's hands.

He could remember images of hanging people, blood pouring from theirs eyes. She had always, always, said to him about why blood came from their eyes. He remembered the line she used to constantly explain the reason as to why as if it were burned into his skull.

'It's not nice to see who their murderer is. Besides, it's much easier to fight them off when they cannot see. Do you understand, dad?'

She didn't use this little explanation with her mother; never ever. She simply shrugged it off saying "I don't know. Red eyes are pretty," and never did he explain to his wife what Faith had said to him. Perhaps it was because he didn't want to worry his wife, or perhaps it was the simple fact he knew Faith didn't wish for her to know and he followed his wishes. As he thought about it, sitting in the car, he realized it was most likely the second reason.

"That's brilliant Faith … absolutely superb …" he smiled at his eager daughter who was distracted. She was staring out the car; her ice blue eyes set on a figure stood by the gates. Her body was frozen as she curiously watched the white headed man, who was at most seven years older then herself. He was masculine; strong looking at he leaned his arm on the brick wall. He scanned the car park of the school, looking for someone intently. A gentle breeze brushed his snow white locks out of his cold, unusual purple eyes. And then, as if he could sense Faith's staring, they darted to her.

"Dad … give me one moment …" she whispered, as if mesmerized by the person stood by the gate. The car door was already open as she said that, and she was sliding out of the red car slowly, as if the man watching her back was a skittish animal.

"Faith, where are you going?" her father asked, a little shocked as he handed the picture to Damion behind him.

"Miss Ackermann it would be wise to come back here," he called, taking the picture. He opened her bag, searching through it to find a place to put the picture. "We will be late for young Gabriel. His school will finish in five minutes."

A grin was on the white headed man's face as Faith slowly approached him, ignoring the comments of her father and Damion. Once she was a few feet in front of him, she wrung her fingers together, staring at the man. He stood up straight, taking his strong arm off the brick wall, only to let it fall to his side. A menacing grin was plastered on his face, his eyes just as dark and mad yet Faith didn't feel or even show fear. She just stood, watching him closely; almost as if she knew every intricate detail of his life, his personality and his mind.

Eventually, after the long drawing silence, he parted his lips, speaking in a deep tone that matched his face and eyes. "It seems that murderers attract each other, no?"

"It seems that way," she nodded, her blonde locks covered her eyes slightly. "And who may I have the pleasure of greeting?"

"Let's keep this strictly hidden," he said. "You've got the blood mark in your hair," he looked at her roots. In a sharp movement, he had reached foreword, taking her hair in a tight grasp, pulling her foreword. The young girl cried out when he pulled her painfully, a tear uncontrollably ran down her cheek. Before she knew it, her father and Damion were by her side, pulling her off the ground she had been thrown against, wiping the blood off her cheek. The man had torn her skin; she had tried to fight back yet she was too weak. As they pulled her up to her feet, she saw him swiftly turning the corner without a second word.

"A murderer attracts a murderer …"

Gaignun turned to her, frowning a little. "Pardon, Faith?"

"Ah, nothing, nothing, honey," she smiled, leaning her head on Gaignun. He felt something warm in his stomach as she called him that name. He tightened the blanket around her body as they walked up the steps to the porch, Damion close at their heel.

"All that's missing is the foul stench of blood," Gabriel couldn't help but comment as he stood up straight, moving to the door.

"It won't feel much like home again then," Faith sighed sarcastically; Gaignun's fingers smoothing over hers to keep her calm.

Suddenly, Gabriel turned around to them. With a face full of terrifying anger, he moved to face; his nose barely an inch from hers as he stared deep into her eyes, making hers widen as she looked back; her skin beginning to tremble.

"This place isn't home to you anymore!" he hissed loudly. "We got rid of you, we hate you. We've always hated you. You're a damn nuiscence and if you ever dare to think of this place as your home I swear to God I'll make you regret it."

He raised his fisted hand in the air. Gaignun tore his hand from Faith's, about to pull him away from his sister but it was too late. Gabriel had already hit his sibling with such force it sent her to the ground. She fell to the ground, whimpering as she did so. If it had been a normal young woman they would've yelled but from the pain Faith had experience before, it was nothing compared to it. The seconds passed slowly as much happened. Her hand reached up to her sore cheek, the bruise already magically appearing as she felt anger towards her brother; though her eyes were running gently with tears.

Gaignun had grabbed hold of Gabriel's arms, pulling him away from Faith so he couldn't hit her again. He squirmed against Gaignun, too weak to push the U.R.T.V off his body. He was a strong man, yet against Gaignun, a fully trained U.R.T.V, he didn't stand a chance. As Gaignun pulled Gabriel away, sending him into Luis's arms so that he could go over and tend to Faith, the one he loved, he remembered being a child again, with Rubedo and Albedo.

How many times had he done this kind of thing between them? Being the younger twin, Albedo was weaker then Rubedo – much weaker though he was still strong. They would get into fights, Gaignun always being the one to drag a brother away, to stop him from pounding into his twin so hard they'd be sent to the medical room for the day. Or for a few days, like the one scrap Rubedo and Albedo had been involved in when they were nine years old. One spefic memory quickly flew through his head as he let go of Gabriel, making sure the angry man was firmly in Luis's arms; not to harm Faith again.

"All he's gotta do is just regenerate! What's the problem?" Albedo asked casually; his eyes so innocently childlike as he looked at his confused brothers. Nigredo frowned as he stared at his older brother, who was providing him with so much confusion, though he was refusing to show it. Though he was the youngest of the trio, the youngest of all the U.R.T.V's, he was the only one who could make sense during times; who could speak without saying anything to somewhat confuse anyone else.

"R-Regenerate …?" Rubedo repeated. Nigredo looked to his redheaded brother for a split second. Though the glance was fast he was able to see the mix of emotion's running through his brothers iced eyes, like they were a window. He was confused, that was for sure, but he was almost fearful. At that point did Rubedo know what would happen? Did Rubedo know all along of Albedo's powers to make him regenerate, thus stopping the chance of death for him?

And was he frightened of knowing it would all be real?

"Regenerate," Albedo repeated the word for the third time, as if it would un-confuse everything. "Like this."

As Albedo pulled out the gun, pushing the trigger so that the silver bullet would fly into his head, instantly "killing" him, all the pair of them could do was scream at the terrible sight; their hearts pounding as they believed they had just lost their, albeit strange, brother. Then, to Nigredo's relief, his white head regenerated back, just like Albedo had said. And then Rubedo snapped, his temperamental anger shinning through as he screamed at his younger twin, hitting him to the ground. Nigredo had grabbed hold of Rubedo, holding him back from his brother as the white head cried.

Though there was just a small similarity between the present and the memory, he couldn't help but thinking of it. Unlike the memory, actually the complete opposite, the victim hit to the floor didn't stay and whimper into their hands. Hell no; Faith did the complete opposite to that. She quickly sprinted to her shaking feet, almost falling to the ground as she struggled to gain her balance. Gaignun's eyes widened as she ran past him, just as he was about to help her up to her feet and kiss her gently on the cheek; telling her it was all okay. The young woman ran to her brother, grabbing him by the collar and with unbelievable strength, pulled him from Luis and slammed him into the wall.

"Kill me off then!" Gabriel taunted as he stared at the angry Faith deep in the eye.

"I'll do it," she hissed; her tone completely different to what Gaignun had heard. Luis helplessly watched; Damion stood at the top of the stairs, unsure of what to do. Any false move could result in all of their deaths, but no moves would result in Gabriel's death. "You know I'll do it."

"Go on then," he grinned. "Do it, kill me. Your desire for the taste of a blood stained corpse still lingers. It has done for years hasn't it? All those years of being a Realian, with no memories … God that must have been painful …" he grinned as she stared at him; her grip tight as she put a hand on his chest. "Did you feel it? Did you want the taste?"

In a split second, flesh was being torn along with the white shirt Gabriel was wearing. An inch deep incision was being made on his left shoulder, finishing just under his chest bone. The blood trickled down to the floor in a split second, before Faith quickly tore her fingers away. She began to breathe quickly and deeply as she stared at her brother, who had yelled out in pain; as if someone had just stabbed him with a knife. She grinned happily as she watched him fold to the floor, like a wet, weak piece of paper. Her heart happily pounded against her chest as she caused her brother pain, something she had wanted to do for years. She stepped foreword, blood running down the porch as he stared at the floor, breathing deeply.

"How do you want to die, Gabriel?" Faith asked her brother one day. They sat on the porch swing; her feet barely touched the ground as she watched her brother carefully; her twelve year old face looking at him with a small smile.

"Mum said we shouldn't be talking about stuff like that …" he quietly whispered.

"Gabriel, you like talking about stuff like that," she smiled. "Besides, I want you to die in a way you wish to."

He gasped. "That … that's …" he shook his head. "Dark, dark, dark, dark. You're dark, very, very dark Faith."

"Please tell me," she whispered. "It's no big deal. We all have to face death one day."

"I …" he couldn't help but smile a little. "I want to die in a cool way like you can make people die." The young, innocent boy smiled.

"Do you still wish to die that way, Gabriel?" Faith calmly asked. Her tone was somewhat one Gaignun knew as he placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her down. "You told me you wanted to die in a way I'd kill people." She sighed deeply, shaking her head. "If you still wish to die that way, I'll do it for you …"

"Why …" he groaned as he held his wound. "Why are you … offering me life or death?"

"I'm not," Faith said. "I don't control whether people die, or whether people live. People have to die. People have to live."

"Then what are you?" he glared. "You're saying you'll let me decide whether to die or not but you … you take lives of people without thinking. Without letting them choose."

"Answer the question, Gabriel, before I answer it for you," she glared.

"Faith …" Gaignun whispered, pulling her close to him. Curiously, Gabriel looked up, watching Gaignun pull Faith close to him. His palm opened, revealing the blood red number and Gabriel began to hysterically laugh. The pair of them stared down at the man, wondering what had tickled him so much into hysterics.

"Hahaha, oh how funny!" he continued to laugh. "No wonder you've acted so kind, what with the U.R.T.V 669 at your side. The one that can control peoples emotions!"

Faith's eyes widened as she turned to Gaignun, completely taken back. Truth be told, around Gaignun her murderous thoughts had dyed down; around him she felt like an average girl; she felt loved and cared for, which she hadn't felt properly before in her life. And it had all been a sham? He had been controlling her emotions like she was a doll? As she stared at him, she wondered what it would be like still with Albedo. Would she be as kind and as confident?

"Faith, please don't look at me like that," he pleaded. "I haven't done such a thing. I would never control your emotions. I love you the way you are," he said, putting a hand in her hair so that she faced him. "I love how you smile a the littlest things, I love how you can stick up for yourself," he kissed her forehead. "I love how you've become so confident over the last few days," a peck on the cheek. "I would never wish to change you. Even with all this … all of this 'murderous' stuff going on … I still love you …"

The clouds suddenly opened up, as rain suddenly pelted from the sky. The rain was hard, but luckily they were stood under the porch; sheltered from the rain. Faith's eyes couldn't help but dart from Gaignun to the loud distraction from the sky. In a few seconds everything was wet as they all stood in silence. But as usual, Gabriel was the one to break the silence.

"It looks as if the angles are crying in our wake," he smirked. "Don't you think, Faith?"

"You know more about them then I ever would do," she couldn't help but hiss slightly. "Other hand of God."

"Reaper's doll …" he laughed. "Ah …" he tightened his eyes shut as he ran his fingers across the cut she had inflicted on him. A little line of white light traced his finger as it ran across the red, bloody flesh. As he ran it across the wound a few times, it began to magically heal; the flesh coming back to itself, closing the wound off. "Say good night …"

Faith turned to her brother and couldn't help but show a grin. "I see mother has taught you something useful, other hand of God. Wherever was that power five years ago, hmm?"

Gabriel glared up at his sister; then his sharp eyes darted to Gaignun, who was stood by Faith again, holding her hand tightly. The wound she had created was still wrapped in bandages; on show by his moved sleeves. Noticing this, a laugh was let out of Gabriel's lip; something cruel and taunting as he continued to heal himself.

After the long laugh, everyone else staring at him in confusion, he finally pulled himself together and spoke in a voice; his words directed to Gaignun. "I see the girls already harmed you. Not a reliable one is she? I wonder what else she'll do… I bet you she will kill you by the end of the week. Oh well, Sinner's deserve to die. How old is she? Nineteen, no?"

Gaignun felt disgusted by the words from Gabriel's mouth; Faith just furiously glared at her brother, resisting the urge to make another cut on his body; this one the one to kill him for good. Oh how wonderful that would be to her heart! To feel his warm blood splatter on her cheeks; the ruby red substance running from the tear in his flesh. How … how relieving that would be. She could shut him up; stop him from saying such things that she would do to Gaignun. As she held tighter to him, tears edging their way to the rims of her eyes as she tried not to give into the craving, she knew that she would never harm Gaignun intentionally. She could never bring herself to do it.

"What does her age matter?" Gaignun asked, looking at Gabriel as he finished healing his wound.

"Well … it does seem quite sinful to sleep with a girl barely six years younger then you …" he said, grinning as he felt the anger emerge from both Gaignun and Faith. "How does it feel … how does it feel to fuck a child?"

"Shut your Goddamn mouth!" Faith screamed. Her eyes flashed a bright colour of ice blue as she suddenly lunged foreword again, wanting to destroy her brother. She could taste his blood; she could feel herself using her powers on him to tear his skin apart; to kill him.

Just as she was about to tear from Gaignun's grip, he grabbed her tighter, moving his hand just above her elbow. With a sharp tug and pull, he had full control over the smaller person. He twisted his body as she unexpectedly was pulled away; stopping her little frenzy before it could even begin. Gaignun grabbed Faith by both of her arms, though she wasn't putting up much of a fight; too stunned from Gaignun's sudden movement. Calmly, with composure he made her walk a few steps foreword, towards the steps. Damion carefully watched, wondering whether the black headed man would take Faith back home; he was ready to stop him but surprisingly, he took Faith out into the rain and sat her down on the fourth step.

"Calm, calm," he whispered, sitting beside her. The rain pattered their heads; making them soaking wet within a few minutes. He placed a hand on her damp forehead as she stared into his eyes with her emotionless ones.

As his fingers ran over her skin, he couldn't help but think of the time they had first met. She had acted so emotionless, so unreal though he could see the cover up. He could see through her like she was a window; though he hadn't seen this. He hadn't seen her murderous side, her dark side, all he could see as he met the girl, believing she was a Kirschwasser, was a young woman with a lot of spunk. He could see her kind soul, her loving nature and her zest for life and as he stared into her emotionless eyes; lost deep in her conscious, he thought the same. He could see the true person in her, which wasn't the murderous side. He couldn't help but sigh deeply as he brushed her hair with his other hand.

"I believe in you …" he whispered. "You're not a blood thirsty murderer … your nothing of the sort. Please stay calm. Breathe, Fay, breathe."

Though the air was freezing cold, her skin was boiling hot from the sudden rage she had felt towards her brother. The raindrops felt good against her clammy skin, her eyes softened as she looked at Gaignun. After a few moments of staring into his eyes, for what reason she didn't quite understand but the eye contact had most defiantly calmed her down, she stood to her feet, Gaignun following her as she went to the door.

"Here, Miss Ackermann," Damion offered, quickly skirting in front of the rain covered woman. He put his hand on the door handle; about to push it down to open the door when he glanced to her. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," she nodded. "Now … may we please come in and get this entire thing over with?"

"Good rain, good," the twelve year old Faith smiled as she began to clamber out her bedroom window. The rain poured from the sky; watching it reminded her of her showers. She put her feet firmly on the first floor roof; the roof straight for her to stand on. The sky was pitch black and her ice blue eyes looked up at the stars, mesmerized for a moment. The rain ran on her face; making the sticky red blood on her cheeks become thinner as it ran off her skin, merging with the water. Her finger came up to her cheek, taking some of the red liquid away. She stared at the substance, just about able to see it from the dim light in her bedroom window. She grinned widely, watching the red liquid on her finger.

"How are you tonight?" a soft voice asked her, pulling her sharply from her thoughts. Snapping her head to the direction it came from, an airy gasp left her lips. It seemed to be one of shock but then the rosy lips curled into a small smile.

"I am fine," she smiled, hiding her blood stained hands behind her back; hidden from the white headed boy. "How are you, God?"

He chucked a little, almost embarrassed. "Please, please don't call me that," he grinned. "Let's leave that stuff out, okay? This is just a meeting between us two. Creating a friendship foundation."

"An illusion?" she asked, her guard up.

"No, of course not!" he gasped. "Faith, we are not destined to be enemies. God has always taught to forgive and forget, to 'love thy neighbour'."

"I see …" she said, now wiping her bloodied hands on the backs of her jeans, wanting the blood to be hidden as a pang of guilt came over her. "I haven't seen the white headed man since the incident at school …"

"I wouldn't have expected you to …" he whispered, sitting down on the wet roof. His gesture signalled for Faith to sit by him, yet she perched a few feet away, not wanting him to see or smell the blood lingering on her body. "He probably has someone else on his mind, rather then you. He's not interested anymore, do you understand?"

"Yes sir," she nodded quickly like an obedient child.

"Don't call me that," he smirked. "Just call me by my name, I won't mind, Faith. We don't need to use formalities anymore."

"Ah … right, Yeshua," she nodded. "Gabriel is getting angry with me …" she said, almost saddened and disappointed at the same time. Yeshua turned his head to Faith, looking deeply at her. Her head hung as she stared down, watching the water hit the ground. She sighed deeply as she put her palms foreword, letting Yeshua's tranquil blue eyes look at her blood stained hands.

A tear ran down her cheek as she looked away from his shocked expression; forcing herself to speak, albeit in a low whisper. "The angels are crying in my wake … I'm quite surprised you are not …"

"Faith …" he whispered, shaking his head. He sighed deeply as he watched the young girl silently cry. Unsure of what to do, he changed the subject, not really wanting to know what happened nor wanting her to go through explaining what had happened. "I've asked Damion to take you to the Cinema this weekend. He's planning to take you to the fair too, if the weather is nice."

She sniffed, wiping tears, blood and rainwater from her cheeks. "T-thank you …" she smiled, her voice shaking a little.

"Your very welcome," he grinned, happy she was smiling. "He said 'Don't expect me to go on any rides though! I don't want to throw up!'" Faith laughed after Yeshua's attempt at doing a perfectly posh English accent as he intimidated Damion.

"That was rubbish, Yeshua," she smiled playfully.

"Oh? Then how about you try to do a better one, hmm?" he grinned.

"Fine!" she agreed, moving to sit down properly. She straightened her posture, half closing her eyes as she folded her arms. "Oh my! Miss Ackermann, Master Clementine is there anything I can do for you? Make you a drink? Clean your toilet? How about lick your feet?"

After a little giggle, Faith settled down, smiling widely. "I do like him though. He's a very kind man."

"Yes he is," Yeshua nodded, smiling at the line of kindness in her personality. Though she was so happy and carefree, he had to keep his guard up. The girl was dangerous; Yeshua knew that more then anyone else did. He was being daring by sitting on the roof with her, knowing she had just committed an act of murder; a sin against the God he followed so greatly.

While he thought, Faith watched him, curious. After the long moment of silence, she cleared her throat, gaining his attention before speaking. "Yeshua … why are you doing this for me?" she asked.

"Doing this?" he repeated. "Do what exactly?"

"Being here for me," she explained. "Not … not killing me like you should be doing. You're a follower of God, whilst I … I do bad things … why are you doing this?"

He sighed a little. "I want to help you, not kill you. I want to be able to help you get out of this. Your brother is a 'special' person himself, which I'm sure you know about. Surely you cannot be as evil as you're made out to be. And I plan to help you …"

Faith smiled gratefully at Yeshua.