Me: And here's Part Twenty Five!

Jiniasu: Exactly 7 days since the last update...

Me: Yeah...this is the fastest I've updated in a loooong time. -is happy about that-

To Understand: Redemption of Ones Sins

Chapter Twenty-five: Neon City Pt. II

Jiniasu: So this is a continuation of their stay in Neon City?

Me: Yup, since Neon city is a very important City.

Jiniasu: What about the Lightning Shrine? Will they—

Me: -makes 'shh-ing' motions with hands- Just do the disclaimer!

Jiniasu: -pouts- Harmony283 owns what she owns, and doesn't own what she doesn't own.

Me: Thank you!

Jiniasu: Still I don't see what the big deal is about asking—

Authors Notes: You'll see when you see whenever the heck that'll be. Anyways in this chapter Mithos and Lance try to find a Healer for Genis, and when they do they end up meeting up with someone that Mithos probably wished he'd never see again. And on the enemy lines you get a brand new POV, even though technically this part's at the beginning soo...

Jiniasu: So it's pretty obvious who it is.

Me: Yup it is. Though I have to say hopefully this'll make some people like one character a little more...but that's up to them not me -shrugs-

--

Feral's POV

"Remind me again why I have to watch you?" I watched my look-alike complain as she paced in front of my 'cell', "I mean it's not like you can break out of that thing. It's made of magic for Fae's sake!" she tapped on the almost-invisible bubble-like wall that caged me inside, "And it's not like I need to feed you either."

'I'm not a dog. Of course you don't have to feed me.' I replied back, making her flinch. For whatever reason she didn't like it when I spoke and honestly, that was perfectly fine with me. If she didn't like then she didn't like it. I would just continue talking, 'If you think I won't escape then why don't you just leave? You've been pacing for almost an hour.'

"And?" she snapped back, fiddling with one of her strands of blond hair.

'You're worried about something.' She stopped pacing and glared at me, opening her mouth to obviously refuse but before she could I cut her off, 'Your brother, right?'

"N-No." She tried to deny, but it was obvious she was lying, "H-He's perfectly fine!"

'Fine enough to evoke his watch just because he felt like it? I'm not stupid,' I let my gaze find her eyes and stay there, 'I know he normally watches around this time of day. Usually with Mitosu if he isn't busy, and then you usually switch out for night watch—again if Mitosu doesn't—or if there's some other emergency.'

"So what if there's an emergency?" Seiji said, her voice filled with dull anger, "So what if they just up and dropped me off here?"

'Because you wouldn't be as worried if it was a normal sort of Emergency.' She flinched, 'So I know this isn't a normal Emergency. Care to tell me what it is?'

"And why should I?"

'Because it's getting boring just watching you pace around like someone in a jail cell waiting to be executed.' I replied, 'Unless you're trying to mock me, which, in case you haven't noticed, isn't working.'

"Because you're the one in the jail cell and I'm not."

I nodded my head and answered even though it wasn't really a question, 'Yes. Quite heartless don't you think?'

Seiji shot me a look, "I'd say I don't have a heart, but I obviously do. I will say that that's funny coming from you Oh Miss Summon Spirit of Death."

'I don't do humor.'

"Of course not. Sarcasm yes, humor no, right?" She said in an almost mocking tone as she sat on a nearby rock, folding her arms across her chest, "Still don't see why I should tell you though. I might have to get permission."

'No you don't. If you leave here I'm sure Neo would get angry with you?' She flinched at that, 'I'm right aren't I? So what do you have to lose by telling me?'

"You could blackmail me."

'But if it's about your brother how can I blackmail you?' I asked innocently.

And of course she picked up on it, "Because you just can! I wouldn't put it past you." She retorted, "So I won't."

'And again why not? Is it bad enough to be worthy enough blackmail material?' I asked, 'Because unless it's one of those embarrassing 'when I was a child' stories I don't think it qualifies.'

She actually seemed to think about that for a moment before answering, "Well it's not some embarrassing 'when I was a kid' things. Heck, we haven't been kids in ages. I don't think I even remember everything that happened when we were kids." She shook her head, "Not that that matters now. But no it's nothing like that."

'Then tell me.' My eyes found hers again, 'Is there a real reason why you can't—' before she could answer I cut her off, 'I mean besides you don't want to.'

"Well…if you put it that way then," She bit her lip, tilting her head back to stare at the blue sky, the sun glinting off her silver hair, making it glitter and shine almost like Genis' did, "no, there really isn't a reason."

'Then tell me.'

"Nope."

'You don't have a reason not to.' I almost felt like whining, just to see what her reaction would be.

"Doesn't matter." She smirked at me—actually smirked at me—and stuck out her tongue, "You aren't gonna get it outta me!"

'Even if I say you're acting like Genis right now?'

She immediately retracted her tongue, her eyes widening, "What? No. I do not act like that brat you call your 'Master'!"

'I don't call him Master.' I pointed out, 'He hates that.'

She shot me a glare, "You know what I mean." She started fiddling with a strand of her hair, this time one of the silver strands, "You should say that my brother acts like him. Not me."

'You are his twin aren't you?'

"Doesn't mean we act the same."

I nodded my head in agreement, 'True. But you do realize I'm going to keep asking you what's wrong with your brother until you just tell me.' She didn't respond to that so I continued, 'What? Do you want me to just guess? What if I guess wrong?'

"You really won't leave it alone?" I nodded my head, "Are you always like this?" I nodded my head again, "…How can that Genis kid stand you?"

I grinned, 'He doesn't. But since he's my Master I know when he wants me to shut up or not.'

Her eyes narrowed, "Right. If I said I wished he was here right now to shut you up I know I'd definitely get in trouble."

'Yes but at least you think differently than your brothers.' I was almost tempted to smile at what she had said, but I didn't. 'Honestly their ways of thinking…are much more violent.'

"What? Did Jin threaten to castrate you?"

'No. They know they can't hurt me.'

"Castrate Genis then?" I didn't answer and she flinched, "Ah…yeah. That's just like him."

'So he's naturally the more violent out of the two of you?' I assumed, 'Is that why Neo likes him so much?'

"Mistress Neo likes him for whatever reasons she likes him." The bitterness in her voice as she said that almost surprised me. But I had been here how long?—I was starting to figure out that the feelings between each member of this deformed 'group'.

Jiniasu and Seiji were siblings.

Seiji and Mitosu were 'adoptive' siblings—with a high amount of respect towards Mitosu.

Jiniasu and Mitosu were 'adoptive' siblings—with a high amount of infatuation coming from Jiniasu, aimed at Mitosu, which was really cute, but sad all the same.

Neo and Jiniasu were 'Master and Slave' with Neo being the dominant one with the controlling grip over Jiniasu, and Jiniasu almost fearing her.

Neo and Mitosu were 'Queen and Knight' with Mitosu doing whatever the Queen wanted, and getting praised for it.

Neo and Seiji were like the 'sister-in-laws' and to a lesser extent 'Queen and Rebellious Knight' with Seiji grudgingly listening to Neo, and Neo grudgingly giving her orders.

'Is that why you hate Neo so much?' I hesitantly asked after watching Seiji stare off into space for a few minutes. Yes I knew who was who in terms of 'relationship' status. But I could always be wrong.

"…I'm not allowed to answer that." Seiji murmured, though the way she said it made it all the more clear how she felt, "But you really won't leave me alone until I say something right?" I nodded my head, "How do I know you won't just repeat it when they come back for watch?" she gave me this accusing look that almost made me laugh.

'You just have to ask me. I'm good about keeping my word. I'm just curious anyway, it's not like some huge secret.'

"It might be."

'Well I'm sure you're just overreacting.'

"I wish."

'Just tell me.'

"He's sick."

I blinked, 'Sick? What kind of sick?'

"As in really sick. Like, he has a fever of one-hundred and three." Her eyes drifted down to the ground, "and he isn't getting better. We might need to call a special healer."

'Oh…' from the look on her face it seemed like this never happened, 'you…Mitosu might take him to Neon City, right?' She looked up at me, surprise flickering in her eyes, 'I heard Mitosu mention something about it. When he said that you would watch me for a while.'

Seiji stiffened a bit at that, but then, slowly, she nodded her head, "Yes…he knows someone there. She takes care of Emari—a little girl that Jiniasu met a while ago—but she's an extremely good healer." She smiled lightly, "she won't turn us down."

'Well then that's good for Jiniasu.' But somewhere in the back of my mind I felt that it would be very bad for Genis.

--

Mithos' POV

"Can you tell me why you needed me to come along again?" I asked even though I knew Lance couldn't hear me. He was still standing there, sweet talking one of the maids that worked here like he was about to ask them on a date, "I really don't see the point."

The maid laughed and nodded at something Lance said, shooting me a glance, before bowing and retreating off through the door she had come through. Right when the door closed Lance turned to me, "You're the one who agreed to come with, 'aside's the other chick looked like she would've bitten my head off."

I stared at him for a moment in disbelief, "You mean Ally?" he nodded his head quickly, "She…" I was about to say she probably wouldn't, but I didn't know her well enough to say even that much, "She probably would if she saw the way you're acting now."

"Really?" This seemed to amuse him, "Doesn't like guys who flirt a lot 'eh?"

My eyes narrowed, "And you openly admit that?"

He grinned down at me, "Yup. What's the harm of a little flirting? It can get you places in a world like this."

"Y'mean a world where practically every woman does exactly what a man says?" I hissed out under my breath before saying, loud enough for him to hear, "And how do you get places by something as low as that?"

"It's not low!" Lance immediately defended; "It's just…" he trailed off, shaking his head, "You act like y've never flirted with a girl in your life. An' how old are you?" He looked me up and down for a moment, as if trying to guess my age and it was, in some ways, very amusing. Because no matter what he would most likely get it wrong.

"How old do I look?"

"Can't be older than eighteen that's for sure." I tried hard to mask a grin at his assumption, "I'm close right?" He asked, "You're too short otherwise…"

I flinched at that and, rather unsubtly, stepped on his foot. Hard. He didn't even realize it until a few seconds later, and when he did he gasped out in pain and jerked away from me. I glared up at him and answered, "I am not short."

"F-Fine then, you aren't!" He immediately agreed, "You're tall compared to that other kid— what's-'is-name?—Genis?"

"Yes that's his name," it didn't surprise me that much that he had already forgotten it. He was a little more like Lloyd than I hoped. Or at least he didn't have the added bonus of being intuitive like the Chosen, to balance out his obvious flamboyancy, "and yes he's short but—"

"—Lance?" The maid arrived just before I could finish my sentence, peering through the door she had just gone through with an almost embarrassed expression on her face. She glanced at me again before saying, "Sh-She's coming. I'm sorry it took this long just…she was helping treat Miss Emari a-and…" she trailed off when Lance raised his hand.

"That's fine, I can't say we could wait around forever," he shot me a glance, "we've got a pretty serious case on our hands as well but…Emari's just as important. I get that much."

The maid gave him a shy, and yet overly thankful smile, before ducking back through the doorway. When said door closed again I asked, "who's Emari?"

"Some connection to the 'Queen' of Emerald City." I didn't miss the sudden dullness in his voice, or the hint of animosity buried in it. "But she's just a little thing—not even eight years old yet, I don't think. Gotta feel sorry for her though, she can't even stay in the castle because the 'Queen' is hated so much." At my confused look he clarified, "You should just go there. Once. Just once. You'll see how tense it is there. I mean…shit…I was taken there once, when I was really little—I barely remember it now—but it was creepy."

"Ah I see," and I really did, "There's always someone like that isn't there?"

"Yeah I guess so." For some reason his voice was distant now, "Someone who gets caught in th' crossfire…of somethin' they have nothin' to do with."

Immediately my mind shot to Zelos and exactly what had happened in his childhood. It hadn't bugged me at the time when I had heard it—I heard of deaths like that, feuds between lovers and family members alike, almost every month. But that made me even more aware of the likeness between the two. And it made me sick.

"Ahahah, eh, sorry…shouldn't've said that." Lance said with a queasy laugh, "It's no biggie but y'do hear about it more than y'd like to. Or at least more than I'd like to." And he had immediately switched to Lloyd again. Annoying.

I realized, though, that he meant for me to say something then so I did, "It's…fine. I suppose I know a few people…like that…as well. It does no good worrying over it though."

I almost didn't catch it but I could've sworn I saw a flicker of hurt cross over his eyes, before it was quickly masked away in a way that again made him more like Zelos, "Mnn, well she should be comin' out here any minute now. Don't know what's takin' her so long."

I shrugged my shoulders at that, "Don't rush a Healer."

"What?"

I looked up at him briefly before focusing my eyes on the door again, a small pained smirk tugging at my lips, "Just don't. It could be even more serious than we're taking it for."

"You're awfully patient for bitching about having to come with me." He pointed out, "I mean, y'could've just left."

My eyes stayed fixated on the door, but I could feel my left eye twitching slightly, "Well I'm not stupid enough to think of going through that crowd again."

"You hate crowds?"

"Isn't it obvious?" I dryly replied, "too many people crammed in one place annoys me. There's no breathing room."

"True," I glanced up at him in time to see a warm grin cross his face, "but I love crowds like this. They're so lively and just…full of life. It's nice to be around. That's why I love this city so much." And he was turning all Lloyd on me again…

"Well then that's good for you." He didn't miss the bitterness in my voice; it was so obvious that he just couldn't have. But he chose to ignore it so I continued on, "I'm sure you get along well with just about anyone."

"Yeah I do. Apparently I grow on people." He stated that like it was some lifetime achievement—to be able to grow on people like mold grew on food.

"Yes that's a wonderful habit."

"Hey now, cut it with the sarcasm, blondie." For a second I thought he was actually angry, but he was still smiling—not the kind of 'fake' smile that people would give when they were really pissed, but an actual happy smile—"I already know you're going to be one of the one's who doesn't like me."

"Really now?"

He visibly grimaced now, but oddly enough it almost looked fake, "Yup, you and that orange haired girl. I still say she's trying to bite my head off—and I didn't even do anything."

"except be you. Did it ever occur to you that some people just don't like you're kind of personality?" I felt myself getting more and more annoyed, and I knew if this conversation continued I'd end up doing something I'd regret. So before he could even open his mouth again, I quickly added, "For the sake of keeping this civil please don't answer that."

His mouth snapped shut. Almost a split second later the door the maid had disappeared to open yet again. But this time a woman dressed all in white, with pale green eyes and deep russet brown hair—with a few streaks of gray running through it—stepped through. She smiled warmly at Lance, who tried to loosen his jaw enough to smile back.

"I'm sorry that took so long. Emari was being…particularly difficult today." She bowed her head slightly before straightening up and looking over at me, "What is it that I can do for you? Myna told me it was urgent."

"Because it is." I quickly replied, making Lance jolt. He obviously hadn't expected me to speak, but I was tired of hearing his voice today, "A…close friend…of mine got hurt…badly…and he lost a large amount of blood."

The woman's eyes widened, "What?" she looked over to Lance, "and you were here when it happened?" He nodded his head and her eyes fell, "So he got too close to the Lightning Shrine?"

I knew I probably shouldn't've been surprised, with the amount of people we had to walk by to get here most of them had mentioned something about the Lightning Shrine, and how they were surprised that Lance wasn't there watching it, so I nodded my head.

"How close did he get? Or…no. I'll figure that out when I see him. Please, take me to him immediately and I will try my hardest." Her eyes found mine and held them for a moment before she spoke again, "This…is…this…I owe you Lance, so this will be for free."

I would've gawped at that if Lance hadn't stepped in front of me, "Thank you. He's staying at the inn I've been staying at." Then, a little too quickly and rudely for my liking, I was almost shoved out of the room and out into the busy streets again.

But for some reason the crowd wasn't what bothered me. Or, they still did, to some extent, but something else overrode that. Something I couldn't exactly pinpoint but it was there, nagging at the back of my mind, and it made me a little more than just tense.

I couldn't concentrate much on it though, I was literally being pushed along in the crowd, with Lance and the Healer walking at a brisk pace right in front of me, until we were somehow deposited literally right on the doorstep of the Inn.

"In the room next to mine." Lance stated in answer to an unvoiced question, and immediately the Healer headed in, again Lance holding the door open for her, before disappearing up the stairs. Then Lance turned to me with a half-amused expression on his face, "You really aren't used to crowds are you?" the expression on my face obviously answered that question for him and he laughed, "I didn't think anyone could look even more lost but—apparently you pulled it off. Somehow."

I shot him a glare before straightening up and walking towards the stairs. But before I could take the first step up a shiver ran down my spine. A shiver that I knew wasn't normal. Neither was the sudden bout of dizziness, but that was small in comparison. I turned quickly around—not really helping the dizziness, but effectively keeping my mind off it—and looked through the still open door out into the crowd.

And there was a girl, who couldn't've been older than ten, with pale green hair—and a bit of yellow highlights, from what I could see—wearing a sickeningly cotton candy-colored pink dress that barely reached her knees. She staggered through the crowd, tripping over the step leading into the Inn, and falling flat on her face.

"Woah, woah, woah!" Lance immediately bent down to help her, "Emari?" he seemed to whisper to himself before saying loudly, "What are you doing here?"

"I-I saw her go with you!" Immediately I knew she was talking about the Healer, "B-But…she shouldn't've left! Right when she did some other customers came!"

"Other customers?" Lance and I asked nearly in unison, but it drew her attention away from him, and made it more focused on me. She looked confused for a moment, like she had mistaken me for someone else, before shaking her head and trying to stand up.

"Y-Yes. F-Friends of mine! And one needs help! I said I'd go and get her—but no one told me she was leaving!" she pouted at this and I noticed that she was shaking slightly, "No one told me she was leaving and then I had to follow you all the way here. The crowd was scary!"

I would've agreed with her on that, but something in the way Lance suddenly tensed made the pit of my stomach drop. For someone as relaxed as he seemed to be, or from the way he acted in the however-long it's been since I first ran into him—which was probably not even an hour yet—for him to tense like that meant something was up. It had to mean something like that. Didn't know why suddenly his opinion mattered so much, but it didn't help that another horrible shiver ran down my spine.

"Yeah I guess the crowd can be scary to someone your size," Lance finally responded, his voice thick and oddly muted to my ears, "Maybe ya should go back before the Guards start lookin' for you."

Emari shook her head and was about to complain again but I knew I probably wouldn't have heard her even if she screamed at the top of her lungs. The reason being that, just then, in that split second after Lance had finished his last word, I recognized the feeling. The sickening shiver that wasn't leaving me alone. Darkness. It was pure darkness.

"He has a point, you know." A familiar voice echoed through my mind, and seemingly everywhere in the room, and yet it seemed to be coming from the doorway. "You really shouldn't just go running off like that." I saw wisps of black hair, loose and about the same length as mine, along with a maroon colored scarf, and a splash of black that I was assuming was the person's outfit. "I could have easily come to get her myself."

Then the person stepped through the doorway and the feeling just got worse. The person bent down and touched Emari's forehead lightly, a strangely sad smile on their face that quickly turned to a smirk when golden eyes flashed up to meet my own. They stared at me for a few seconds before saying, in a little too light hearted of a tone, "Oh? What a coincidence. I never expected to see you here."

It was Mitosu. There was no mistaking him, or this sickeningly dark feeling that surrounded him. I wouldn't be able to forget it no matter how hard I tried.

'But why is he here?' The question formed in my mind and honestly I wasn't sure I wanted to know the answer.

--

Me: I still can't believe it...

Jiniasu: Believe what? That this is probably your fastest update on this fanfic in how long?

Me: Honestly I have no idea. But I suddenly got inspiration to just finish this chapter yesterday night. And it's finished. So yeah, if you want another quickie update from me (courtesy mostly because of me being on vacation) then please R&R! Have Questions, Comments, CC? Send 'em via review!