A/N: Wow, so its been a while, hasn't it? Thank you all so much if you have been waiting all this time for an update. This past year I was literally consumed in university work. Sadly, it didn't seem to improve my grade, but I am happy to pass. Actually, I had four whole chapters I had written so I could flood you all with a nice stream of chapters across the summer- aaand my laptop died so I lost it all. Then I had issues with getting word back, and I am trying to do 101 things right now including getting a job that can fit around volunteering. So, hopefully, I can push through and complete this fiction.

I have read through the whole thing countless times now to try and make sure I don't miss anything, and I've written out a plan for the first time ever. But its amazing- I started this story 5 years ago. I never expected the support of you readers, and your support propels me forward, so thank you. You have as much credit as I have on continuing this story. I would say we are coming to the final third of this story which will then lead onto a sequel I have had in mind, in case you are interested in reading more of my works. I am determined to finish this story at least. You are all such a big inspiration and my motivation, so thank you. ^_^

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CHAPTER 31!

Ayame rose from sleep as someone was thrown into her cell, hands bound and blindfolded.

"Here you go little Iris- a soon to be corpse. Feel free to eat him." Timor laughed, walking away.

Ayame would have supressed a shiver, but honestly she was ready to resort to drinking blood to quench her thirst. She had been healed beyond death, but the prolonged exposure to the absorption crystals kept her from rebuilding any aura.

Suddenly her guest began wheezing, his breath hitched from what was obviously some form of lung injury.

Ayame felt her stomach drop. He was going to die at this rate. She worked her way to him, rolling him onto his side and placed her hands onto his chest. Her hands began to glow blue- the same colour her mother's aura used to glow.

"Ugh." Ayame coughed, blood trailing down her chest. She didn't stop though; she couldn't let this man die.

Suddenly a tail wrapped around her hands. "Save your strength, Sera." A hoarse voice sounded.

Ayame felt relief at his voice, and finally welcomed unconsciousness herself.

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"I don't get it mama." Rouge sighed.

"Don't get what?" Raven asked, still not looking up from the scroll. She would never admit it but reading the demons' language intrigued her- even if she could only manage a children's story.

"How much longer till we see Kurt?"

"I-I don't know. I've peeked in on him a few times, but he's always been asleep. I'm not sure if he's ready for visitors just yet." Raven shrunk the truth, she wanted her nights kept a secret.

"You've visited the elf?" Logan growled in annoyance, although he could smell him on her, it was faint.

"Once or twice." The lie flew from her lips perfectly, but her scent told Logan she was on edge.

"Then he should be fine to see us. The kid will probably feel relieved to see us." Logan gestured especially to Rouge, who Kurt had grown particularly close to when they discovered their familial bond.

"That's something you'll have to take up with Azazel. Had to fight him to see Kurt myself, and especially his idiot brother." Raven grumbled.

"That's polite." Seth remarked, carrying a tray into the room. "And I had brought you a snack and everything, Lady Raven."

"Hmph." Raven crossed her legs, but accepted the tray.

"Seth." Rouge looked at him expectantly.

"Yes, Lady Rouge?" Seth smiled politely.

"When can we see Kurt? It's been weeks."

Sephareith kept his grin. "I'm not sure Kurt is ready to see you."

"Bullshit." Logan growled. "If he saw Mystique, he can see us. And I'm going to have to talk to Chuck soon."

"Well, you know Kurt is unharmed-"

"No we don't. We ain't seen the elf with our own eyes yet." Logan growled.

Seth kept up his smile. "You trust us that little to care for our own ward?"

"I only trust what I see and smell, bub."

Seth's ear twitched- what was a bub?

"I'll ask Azazel." The demon turned to leave, tail curling. "But you will have to behave first."

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"It's ok Kurt." Azazel reassured the terrified boy.

"But I… I…. didn't mean it… It was, it was…"

"An accident, I know. These things happen son." Azazel placed his hand on his shoulder.

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"You do it too?"

"At your age, I did." Azazel tried not to blush. "B-But it's completely normal."

"I've never done it." Nils tried to hold in laughter.

"I imagine not." Azazel turned towards his elder son. "But then again your magic isn't this advanced."

"I'm sorry." Kurt bowed his head again. "It won't happen…"

"Ah don't worry Kurt. I was hoping to remodel anyways." Nils couldn't hold back the tears of laughter.

Kurt's blush deepened.

Azazel waved a hand, and the wall between Kurt and Nils' bedrooms began to rebuild.

"Was it a nightmare?" Azazel asked, curious.

"I don't remember too much. But I think I was dreaming of Nils."

"Explains why I woke up with you in my bed, little bro." Nils managed between laughs.

"Just as well really. If he had destroyed the wall from his room, a brick might have landed on you." Azazel noted.

Nils stopped laughing, looking though at the remains of Kurt's bed as the wall concealed the last of the opening.

"Remind me not to piss you off before bedtime."

"I'm sorry Nils."

"It's fine, really. Look Dad's fixed it."

Azazel smiled as his sons shared a moment.

"So boys." Azazel brushed off the last bits of rubble as he stood. "I'll send up some breakfast."

"Please." Nils grinned. "But Kurt can eat here, his room is pretty messy."

"Nils." Azazel playfully warned.

"I know, I know."

The brothers were left to themselves.

"I suppose I better get dressed at least though." Kurt rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"Sure thing, bro." Nils siled softly, watching him teleport off.

He sighed deeply. He hadn't wanted to bring up how Kurt had been crying in his sleep. Or the words on his lips.

"Nils?" The door creaked open.

"Hey Uncle."

"How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine." Nils grinned.

"Can I see your leg?"

The boy shyly tucked his bruised leg behind the other. He didn't want Seth to see the new damage. "It's fine really. I just don't heal as fast."

"then let me take the pain away at least." She offered. "I studied under Uphir for a while."

"Uphir?"

"The physician. Your father holds him in high regard."

"Ah, I see." Nils grinned. "Well I guess it can't be helped."

The boy sat back down on his bed.

"Are you sure you don't want the bruises to be healed?"

"Nah, I know they'll be gone in a week, but if my body can remember where I've been hit I'm hoping my reflexes will remember to defend that area."

Seth couldn't help but genuinely smile. "Oh-ho, someone has trained well before. I presume with weapons?"

"Uh, yeah. But I'm not too happy with swords, I prefer more long range stuff."

That explained how hopeless he had been at sparring.

"Like a ranged weapon."

"No, like a staff, but Dad used to train me with one that had a sword on the end."

"Oh." Seth thought. "A naginata?"

"Yeah." Nils face lit up with recognition. "he said it was good when you were smaller than your opponent, and I like how quickly I could get equal footing with Kiwi."

"Ah, yes, the more length you have on your weapon the more advantageous your fight will be, provided the opponent is not also able to fight long range."

"Have you used one before then?" Nils asked, fidgeting slightly.

"Yes" Seth sat beside him. "Your father and I learnt to use them in Japan, but Azazel preferred katana. I specialise in the scythe, so using a naginata was more comfortable, even if it was seen as a more feminine weapon I think I killed enough with it to prove my worth."

Nils paled a little.

"Do not fret, little one, I only kill as a last resort."

"So, are you like the Grim reaper?"

"I think I helped the fables. Especially as in battle your father and I tend to not react as loudly as humans."

"What do you mean?"

"Well when people are in war they yell, their faces scrunch up with anger and fear and adrenaline. But Azazel and I, we were taught to fight in a way that cuts us off from our emotions- sometimes dangerously so- but I've learnt to smile."

"Smile?"

"Yes, as there is nothing more terrifying than a demon smiling on the battlefield."

"Did you like it?"

"No, I hated every second of it. Constant fear, and the smell…" Seth paused to banish the memory "the smell was not pleasant."

"What the blood?"

"That, and during war you hardly have time to find a toilet. Many men I fought had to relieve themselves as they fought." Seth smiled slightly.

"Eww, gross." Nils could tell he was trying to lighten the mood. "But it's cool to know that you are the Grim reaper, Uncle Sethy." Nils grinned.

Seth felt his face twitch. "I'm not a reaper, but if its scythe or naginata training you want, I can definitely indulge."

Nils grinned back, meeting his uncle's challenge. "I'd love to."

"Well, I better heal you up if you are going to train again." Seth began on the boy's leg.

Neither flinched when Kurt silently teleported in.

"Your leg… was that from?"

"Nah, it was from sparring yesterday. Don't sweat it." Nils grinned. Luckily Seth kept quiet about fresh scratches.

"You spar?"

"yeah, although I really hate swords."

"Oh." Kurt sat next to his brother. "I've never used anything but swords."

"They suit you well, prince Kurt. You are more flexible than Nils here, who prefers a more rigid and grounded style, whereas you prefer to teleport and move around as you fight."

"Is that a compliment?" Nils really couldn't tell.

"It can be. You both simply have different styles. As long as you can leave a fight alive, there is really no wrong way."

"Could I try another weapon?" Kurt asked curiously.

"Hmm, I imagine you would do best with dual wield weapons, perhaps fans? Or possibly short blades? Ayame personally preferred to use two tanto-" Seth had to swallow slightly at the thought of his daughter-" or the staff. But I'm not sure what style she wields now."

"When did you last see Ayame?" Kurt asked quietly.

"As a youngling, no older than three years." Seth felt his shoulders sag. "But, there was a small time she crossed paths with Azazel, so I heard from him."

"Is she like your kid?" Nils stared.

"Yes, my youngest."

"I'm guessing you got as busy as Dad has these past few centuries." Nils grinned.

"Ah, no. As a prince I was expected to, but once Azazel ascended I did not have to try. Ayame is the third child I've had, and the only in five hundred years."

"Where are your other kids?"

"Nils." Kurt tried to warn.

Seth could tell he was just curious. These boys were always secretly yearning for more family. But it still hurt.

"Let's just say I really, really hate white-winged monstrosities."

Azazel came in then, a servant helping him to carry some food.

"Seth?"

"Ah, I've been meaning to talk to you." Seth remembered Rouge's request.

"I will leave you to it then. Come." Azazel teleported his brother to his room.

"Are you ok, Seth?" Azazel noticed his brother's distress.

"Yes, just your boys know how to ask difficult questions."

"I see." He moved his hand from Seth's shoulder.

"Well, in any case Logan and Rouge have requested to see Kurt. Would you let them?"

Azazel clenched his jaw. "I'm unsure how that would affect Kurt."

"Indeed. But I fear if they do not get a report soon, we could have more humans trying to enter the realm."

"Point made." Azazel sighed. "Then I presume they can see him tomorrow, provided he is well enough. Kurt managed to destroy a wall in his sleep, and I can only guess at his dream. I don't want him distressed more than possible, especially if we are to get his help in finding Ayame."

Seth felt his heart go again at her name. "You think he will be best to find her?"

"Yes, as although they do not share blood, Ayame has left aura within Kurt. As long as he can reach into it we can use it to detect her."

"She's gotten pretty powerful for one so young." Azazel spoke softly.

"I don't doubt it. Any child of Neko's would have an extraordinarily large aura." Seth laughed dryly.

Azazel smiled sadly. "Indeed."

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A/N: Short but more to come. Lemme know what you think :)