Notes :

First fic in english (not my main language) so if you find any mistakes, tell me.

Warnings : Slight hurt and angst but not too much.

Summary : Lilith's healing slowly, training with her new demonic swords but something feels... different...

The flirting between V and Lilith might go a bit out of control here... haha I let you read it.

(Lilith's POV)

The first week ended pretty fast, all she had done was sleeping and resting during the day with V when she wasn't helping Kyrie with the kids. Lilith was a bit worried at first but the little ones showed themself being adorable. She liked the time passed with the children, especially when the poet joined her, the kids seemed to like him too, asking him to read from his book whenever he was around. And V was always around, making sure she didn't exert herself, simply sharing a moment of peace while they still had it or keeping an eye on her whenever she decided to train with her swords.

They had found a place to practice not too far from the orphanage but not too close to let her use the plain potential of her weapons. They felt heavier than her first use, not responding the way it should have been as if there was some interference, slipping from her grip whenever her hands were a bit sweaty. It never happened with her own swords, the blades always felt so light, like the prolongation of her arms...

Stop that and focus ! You cannot use them anymore !

One of the demonic swords fell on the sand and the sorceress stumbled, kneeling on the soft and warm surface while the other blade was still in her possession.

"We should stop here, Sparrow. You are exhausted." V stood up from his spot and was about to pick the abandoned sword.

"Wait..." She struggled to stand up, "One more time. The last one, I promise... I just need..."

But she couldn't move, her body refusing to stay up and falling back on the grainy floor. She groaned, hating feeling so weak, not able to understand why she couldn't use the sword anymore without directly exerting herself.

"You've done enough for today, Lilith." V kneeled in front of her, deposing her swords on the sand to grab her chin and make her look at him. "We're going back inside, the sun will set soon and you won't last long."

This was true, unfortunately, the vitamins Kyrie had given her were helping a lot, making her stay awake a bit longer after the sunset but when she trained, it didn't make any differences. She would soon be sleeping like dead in the poet's arms or next to him. Nuiid's need for energy was huge and she was surprised she could handle it.

Reluctantly, she nodded, using her sword to straighten while V's arms wrapped around her, pulling her close and helping her walk back to the house.

The shower helped her relax a bit, even if she almost fell asleep. The poet had asked for them to talk through the door to make sure she didn't black out and she managed to stay awake, thought she would never admit it to him but his voice could put her to sleep easily.

It almost had.

She laid down on the bed, pondering on the best way to fight the necromancer without the phoenix's magic. Nico had suggested her to use a gun like Nero but knowing her abilities with those things, she politely declined it. The last time she had tried using a gun, the deflagration had blasted their shelter and her granny had been hurt.

"Still awake ?" His honeyed voice would be the end of her one day.

She nodded, letting him slip under the sheets. He stayed silent for a long moment, reading his book, then put it aside to turn toward her.

"You should stay here and keep healing your birds. You can't even use your swords without exerting and I doubt your magic will suffice against him." He pulled her close, "I don't want you to be hurt in any way."

"I can't stay away, V..." She sighed, "I have to go, I have to be there and end this. I know it sounds suicidal or reckless..." He winced at that word, "But I really have to do it. I've almost always followed my instincts and it never failed me. Something's telling me that I have to fight along..."

She felt his grip tightened around her, his chin resting on her forehead.

"I wish I could stay away, but I can't..." The fatigue was slowly taking over her, "Plus... Who's going to watch over you if I'm not around ? I know what he can do... And he knows..."

She rested her forehead on his chest, unable to finish her sentence. She was scared of the things he could do to the poet, even with her around... But her instincts were telling her to go, to fight along them all, to stay strong and trust herself... Would it end badly if she chose to stay here ? Would it go wrong like the only time she didn't listen ?

"I don't deserve so much kindness yet you are here..." His tone was filled with bitterness, "And I don't want you to go..."

"I won't go anywhere, not without you !" She exclaimed, feeling heat rushed to her cheeks, she was glad he couldn't see her face right now, "Hum... Why do you say such things ? Why are you always beating yourself ?"

"I am not as gentle as you think, Sparrow... I am..." She felt him move slightly backward, as if he wanted to flee but she gathered all the strength she had left to wrap her arms around him and tightened her grip as much as she could without hurting him. Not that she could considering her state, thought.

"I know that. I know what you have done in the past but... It is different now, right ?" His heart was racing, hammering in his ribcage and she thought she heard him sighed quietly, the guilt and regrets passing from him to her "Stop that, please. You're doing your best now, that's what matter ! You cannot change the past, V, but you can change the future."

He remained silent again, stroking her hairs, kissing her forehead from time to time, keeping her in his arms as she fought the sleepiness that threatened her.

"I've never felt like this before..." His voice was almost shaking, breathy, "No one have ever look at me, speak to me, worry about me like you do... I don't deserve you... You need someone that can protect you... someone that won't harm you... Someone stronger..."

What is he talking about ?

"I never apologized for the pain I caused you yet you keep me close... You..." His whole body was trembling, shivering as his grip tightened, was he... "I wanted to be protected and loved... Both things you gave me... and I can't even..."

"V..." She lifted her head to look at him but he didn't let her do it, shaking his head above hers.

"I wish I was able to protect you my sparrow..." She heard his shaky breath, "I wish..."

"V..." She stroked his back, tenderly, "It's alright, you can do that, you already do it every day... Look at me... V ?"

It took her time to ease whatever pain or angst that had taken over him, wiping his tears away with her hands and gentle words. She was touched to see such emotions on him, that he wanted to protect her so much, his words about the pain he had caused her... That was the first time his composure cracked in front of her, showing her his emotions without any filters, without any restrains.

He was certainly talking about the battle with the riot and the revelations... Well we didn't had time to talk about it... Alone.

"Why did you want to apologize to me ? Because of the fight after the giant riot ?" She asked, glancing at him through her half closed eyes.

"Not only that... My reaction the moment you told us everything... was quite rude." His lips were on her forehead, moving against the skin whenever he spoke. "I... I didn't know what to think about all this..."

"About what ?" She forced her eyes open.

"I didn't know what to think about you, about how I wanted to act with you... everything..." His hands were making patterns on her back, "You were quite impressive with the riot, reckless but amazing," The smile on his lips faded, "Thought the result of the visions were... Terribly aching. I hated being there, useless, only watching over you..."

"You made sure no demons attacked me, that's called protecting if I am correct." She tried to distract herself from her tiredness by tracing her fingers over his visible tattoos, smiling when feeling him shiver, "But I'm sorry you had to see me like that... It was probably not pleasant."

"You were not responsible of those visions... And when you came back, all I did was to be harsh with you... Forgive me." He kissed her forehead again, emphasizing his words with gentleness, "I was just... angry at myself for being weak, powerless and useless... I was scared of losing you, now I can tell..."

His words spread warmth through her heart yet she was sad to hear him talk about himself like that.

"You and I are the same." She said after some time, "Both beating ourselves for things we can't always control. You were angry at yourself, I was furious at myself for having a vision in the middle of a battle and for not being able to control it..." She chuckled, it sound so stupid now, "I forgive you. Just, stop beating yourself. I don't like that, it makes me sad."

His hands cupped her head the next instant, his lips capturing hers, pressing against them with force yet tenderness. She didn't want to fell asleep, she wanted to stay awake and share that moment with him. He had opened himself to her, showing a part of him no one had probably ever see before and she wanted to reassure him more.

But the strain of the day, the training and all the emotions were getting over her, she was feeling so good in his arms, lulled by his touch, his kiss, his words, the heat of his body...

The sound of the ocean slowly brought her back to the present, feeling the warmth of the sun against her head, the softness of the sheets on her skin, the body next to her snuggled against her, pleasantly warm, purring softly...

Purring ? And what's that velvety thing under my fingers ?

Lilith opened her eyes to find Shadow lasily resting in her arms, where should have been the poet. The man wasn't in the room and from what she could see neither was Griffon. Had he left the panther with her to not startle her if she woke up while he was... away ?

"What are you doing here... I mean, in my arms ?" She was staring at the panther completely confused, "What time is..."

The door opened, cutting her in her tracks to reveal the man that should have been by her side, lost in his thoughts till their gaze met. He was strangely wearing his usual sleeveless leather vest, black pant and sandals, the sorceress really loved that outfit on him, even if his choice in terms of shoes were questionable.

When did he got it back ?

"I leave for a few minutes and you're already replacing me, Sparrow ?" His signature smirk back on his lips, brow rising as his eyes were on her, "I knew Shadow was your favorite but doing this to me..."

She blushed, grunting and throwing him a pillow without thinking, frowning when he caught it easily with a chuckle. His confidence was back, full power, with something new shining in his eyes. Something she didn't want to deal with right now...

"How are you feeling ?" The black panther didn't move from her spot, even as her master sat on the top of the bed, sighing as he had to summon the familiar back to sit closer to the sorceress.

"Fine..." She shyly looked away, "I'm sorry to have fallen asleep so easily..."

"Don't, you were exhausted." His hands were back on her cheeks, gently stroking the skin, "I spoke with Dante, and got something for you from the girls." He glanced at the huge bag sitting on the desk "They are still at the shop, watching carefully the few mage that are working on the black spell. We may have found a solution for you to fight along but there are conditions with it..."

"How..."

He stopped her by putting his fingers on her lips, tenderly tracing them, "I used Yamato. But first, you will need to eat something. We'll discuss right after that."

Thought his words were asking her to follow him downstairs, he didn't move, eyes locked with hers, slightly leaning toward her. The energy between them came back, sparkling under her skin, butterfly fluttering in her stomach, heartbeat racing as their lips touched. The soft kiss didn't last, broken by the poet as her hands moved over his arms, already missing the sensation. His eyes were still closed, forehead resting against hers, sighing slightly as he seemed to battle with himself. Or was it Griffon ? It wouldn't be the first time the mouthy bird broke their moment.

"I'll wait for you downstairs. Take your time." There was frustration in that voice and in those green eyes as he greeted her with one last kiss on her forehead then left the room, yes, the demonic bird had definitely interrupt something.

She stood up slowly to see what was inside the mysterious big bag on the desk, opening her eyes wide when it revealed itself being full of clothings, potions and minors blades like the one she used to hid under her clothes as safety weapons. There was a note on top of it all, written with a beautiful red handwriting.

'Gift from both Lady and myself, to replace some of the old clothes you lost and to help you not rely on your power too much. Take care of yourself and rest as much as you can. Trish. Ps : If V ever hurt you, tell us, we will make him regret it for sure.'

It made her smile, the girls were sweet to think about her enough to buy her new clothes and witchcraft things. They didn't seem to interfere in her relation with the poet anymore, just telling her that they were there for her if needed...

If only they could accept him...

She shook her head, chasing the thoughts away to focus on the clothings. Damn, the girls had done a lot of shopping to find her those gorgeous things, every piece looked so expensive, chosen with taste. She would appear more adult in it than in her usual clothes...

Well, I couldn't really go shopping in years so...

Displaying all the clothing on the bed, the two pair of shoes near the bedside table, the weapons on the desk with the potions and other boxes of witchcraft, the sorceress carefully placed the blades in what remained of her own clothes, folding them to secure everything and hid the precious handmade pack away from the kid's eyes. She, then, examined the potions a bit, finding a good amount of healing elixirs in small bottles with a red ribbon, a few vials of holy water with a yellow one and one well protected black flask that certainly contained a dangerous poison with a thick black ribbon.

Looking back at the clothes, she sorted them, opting for a black and red asian dress for the day, the sorceress was amazed by the light gold embroidered pattern on it, almost looking like a phoenix spreading his wings and flames all around, paring it with a white pant, black ballerina flats and styling her hairs in a perfect bun. A rectangle shaped box caught her attention between what was left on the desk as she put the potions back in a smaller bag to store it on a shelf till the day she'll need it. Inside the box was a pair of beautiful hairstick, looking like glass but the feeling was totally different.

Each hairstick was like a thin twisted branch of transparent resin, smooth and light, shining till the tip and as sharp as a blade, no doubt those lovely things could turn into urgency weapons in last resort. The end of it had a lovely floral shape with a crescent moon in it's center and as she looked closer, the witch saw tiny fragments of moonstone in it. She placed them in her bun, carefully avoiding hurting herself in the process and went downstairs.

After a good breakfast and a short discussion with V, she followed him on their training spot, uneasiness in her veins from the conversation.

"Are you sure about this ?" She glanced at him while he nodded and put the blade in her hands. It felt light and heavy at the same time, helding a huge story within it, battling against her willpower to trigger her faculty to read the object's memories. The demonic power residing in it was awesome, more powerful than any weapon she had eve landed her hands on.

"If you desire so much to fight along, you will need a weapon and since you cannot use the swords Nico provided for you, this is your last option. We don't know if your swords will be repaired in time, if at all..." His tone was firm yet tender, "And by the end of the week, if you cannot fight, without exerting yourself, I will ask you to stay here."

She frowned, not liking the condition at all, but she couldn't blame them. Going to a fight unarmed was suicidal, even worse against her... father...

I can't even call him like that. He doesn't deserve that title at all !

Her own magic wouldn't work on him because he was more experimented, more at ease with it and more dangerous. The power of the birds was impossible to use, Nuiid still in his stalemate and Lekha focussing on healing his friend.

"Still... It's yours..." The katana in her hand was so beautiful, sober and sophisticated yet with a lot of details on the guard, gold and navy blue mixing with the black of the scabbard, a blue with golden dot cord pending on one side of it. "Won't you need it ? Are you sure it's ok for me to..."

"Sparrow." Tattooed hands cupped her cheeks, "I trust you enough to put my life in your hands during a battle, letting you use Yamato is quite the same. You won't use it with bad intentions and as long as I have you with me, so is the sword."

She nodded, still unsure if this was a good idea or not. "I don't have any bad intentions at all, but what if he put his hands on it ?"

"I doubt you will allow such a thing to ever happen, am I correct ?" He offered her his usual sly smile, fingers ghosting over her lips.

Why was she so predictable ?! Of course she wouldn't never let it happen, even at her own life if needed, she would protect the sword from him.

"Okay lovebirds, time to train !" Griffon materialized from V's tattoos, "Let's see what the girl's capable of with the blade."

She was terribly nervous, she knew a few techniques that used only one swords but it always implied using the bird's shield in counterpart or another weapon, rarely none. And training in front of him with his blade was putting another level of pressure on her shoulders, the sorceress wanted to look perfect or at least to show him she could made it. She tried a few moves, the blade as light as her own swords in her hands but there was always moment where her other hand were reaching for a nonexistent weapon or trying to invoke a spell. She succeeded with her own magic, Lekha's power not responding as expected, but it would never work against the necromancer...

"Slicing air is no real trainin'. Ya should teach the girl some things, V. And by that I mean, fighting things, huh." The mouthy bird chortled, flapping his wings as he flew around.

"Ah. That should be interesting." The poet seemed pleased with the idea, nodding and flipping his cane in his hand.

Is he serious ?

From the look in his eyes, his damn sly smile, the way he tapped the handle of his cane in his hand, he definitely was.

"Don't worry, I'll be gentle."

Now wasn't really the time to be turned on by his words. her face was god damn hot, the redness impossible to be missed.

Of course, he knows how his words can affects me...

He went a few steps backwards, pointing his cane toward her, forcing her to do the same with the katana. They exchanged a few hit where she managed to block easily his attacks but from the sparkle in his eyes, he was just testing her. Gauging her strength and agility, the rapidity of her reaction.

"Hum. You seems more at ease. Your movements are pretty good but I'm sure you can do better, my sparrow." His silken tone gathered more heat in her cheeks as she tried to hide it by rushing toward him, blade clinging against his cane with force and taking him by surprise.

"You speak a lot, but you restrain yourself too." She huffed, somewhat amused by the situation, "What don't you show me what you've got ? I'm sure I can take it."

Two can play that game, he already knows how I work, time for me to find a way to make it fair.

"Ow Gee, can you stop the flirting for five fucking minutes ?"

He seemed stunned for a second, before fighting back as they both ignored the demonic bird, enjoying the little exchange too. He had kept using only his cane till now, his other hand serving him as a way to keep his balance. Fighting like this wasn't something he liked or was built for but he was still a good opponent, strong arms pushing her away easily or simply dodging her move.

The poet was more precise in his attack, not only using his cane but also his other hand to distract her. Touching her lower back or poking her hips as he dodged a potential hit, faking to grab her wrist to make her lose her focus or her grip on the sword...

"Is that all you can do with that hand of yours ?" She shouted, catching her breath.

"How bold of you, my sparrow." He sounded winded but still up, taunting her by opening his book, ready to read aloud like he was doing with their enemies. "Do not forget that the sword is mine and that you still need to learn things."

She let out a small snort, the whole exchange had change, playfully, dangerously flirting, implying more this time than just simple kisses... She didn't know if she would be ready to go that far yet the little witch wanted to enjoy the present moment, to go with the flow and see where it lead...

"What are you waiting for then ?" She was internally surprise by her own voice, so much steadier than she thought, "Show me how you use it !"

She heard the avian familiar groan, mumbling something about them but didn't paid attention, her eyes glued to the poet, studying him from head to toe to gauge his reaction as she added, a malicious smile tilting her lips, "But first, you'll have to take me down."

Perfect.

Slight pink shade colored his cheekbones, lips slowly parting in a bigger smile, eyes narrowed and grip tight on his cane, eyes leaving his book to lock with hers. That was a small victory.

That vision didn't last, quickly replaced by his form charging into her, faster than what she had seen since the beginning of the 'training', a dark swirling mass under his feets whenever he rushed toward her.

Shadow ! He was using Shadow ! The sorceress didn't said a word as he limited himself to the rushing part which she could dodge easily with her, thanks Granny, well-oiled reflexes. Training with her grandmother and fighting the dark mage had left her faster than any other human, her body more flexible, more resistant and reinforced by the magic flooding in her veins. She was still human but with extra, and right now, those extra were both welcome and needed.

They fought like that for maybe two more hours, it was hard to say, but their movement became more clumsy, oppressed by the fatigue, though none of them seemed be willing to let the other 'win'. As she saw him lean toward her, cane clanging against Yamato, she put all the remaining forces she had in it, grabbing the handle with both hand and grounding her legs in the sand, forcing him to do the same.

That wasn't the best idea she had had, the grainy floor moving under the pressure of the fight, menacing to drop her off on her back if he had to push a bit harder, which was probably what happened next.

She blinked for a second, her brain not registering how she ended on the ground, dominated by the man, one of his hand under her head, the other in the sand next to her shoulder. Yamato had fallen a few meters away on her right while his cane was on her left. For a second, he looked surprised and worry then, certainly seeing her alright, he regained his composure. Greeting her with his usual smirk, cocky.

"Well well, it seems that I... How did you phrased it again ? Ah. Yes. Took you down." His low honeyed voice, humming in her ears as he leaned forward like a predator ready to devour his prey, made her heart race, hammering, the only other sound she could catch with her ears. Her body heated at that sight, the way his gaze scanned her, studied every part of her being he could catch, the look in his eyes, triumph mixed with something else that darkened his jade irises...

She could move if she wanted, her hands were free, she could even kick him if needed but her body didn't move. No, she didn't wanted to move, watching his body betraying what his composure kept hidden. The dusty pink tint on his cheekbones, dilated pupils, lips parted, the shaking of his breath over her face, he was as flustered as her, he just didn't showed it.

It didn't matter when their lips met, softly brushing at first, as soft as a feather then pressing harder, feverishly, searching and asking silently for more till both of them opened their mouth to deepened the kiss and she heard him groan through the kiss, the sound muffled with her own moan lost in their mouths. She wasn't really skilled in this domain but could learn fast, not that it seemed to bothered her partner who was probably alike.

"Alright lovebirds ! The show is over !" Griffon hissed, the sound of his wings flapping near their heads, "Ya can't behave, dontcha ? Hey ! Hey ! What's that ?" A small fire wave escaped from her body, followed by a howling. "What's wrong with ya bird Toots ?! He wants to roast me !" She heard him flew higher, enough to stay safe a moment, "I'm just preventing you from embarrassing yourselves in front of Nero's girl who's approaching so better stop whatever you're doing and stand up."

The poet broke the kiss, but didn't move yet, that cocky expression still on his face while her whole skin was burning, asking for more, already mourning the embrace. It had only last a few minutes but it was enough to make her melt, body and heart, glancing away from those burning jade orbs, hearing him chucking.

"Why are you hiding, now, Sparrow ? Where did that confidence go ?" That tortuous yet delicious voice bringing more red on her cheeks. "You looked so bold, so..."

"You heard me ?" The demonic bird shouted, sounding quite irritated, flying away at the poet's look.

They finally stood up, gathering their weapon in silence as the sorceress tried to calm down her racing heart. If the bird wouldn't had stopped them...

"I am alright thanks ! No roasted chicken this time either ! Why was I the one to get the warning ?!" The bird sound a bit grumpy.

"S-Sorry Griffon ! I-I didn't do anything ! I promise." She stammered "Lekha acted on his own will..."

She glanced at the poet who was chuckling but didn't continued as the ex-songstress came into sight, quickening her pace when she finally spotted them. If she suspected something, she didn't say or showed it, which the sorceress was glad for.

Oh God, what the hell just happened !