A few days had passed since the whole incident with Ako. Things had fallen back into routine again. Nothing changed. They were still doing what they had always done.

Yukina was still aggravated by the little progress they were making. She wanted to increase everything, but that was just not possible yet. Ako just wasn't trusted enough yet. Rinko had proven she was ready to move out on missions if she needed to, but Ako had not proven she could follow the rules well enough yet.

Today she was given a chance to change that. She was being allowed to do a territory check by herself. It wasn't a hard task. She just needed to make sure nothing seemed off in their territory. As nothing had for a while, Yukina deemed it okay to have them do it solo for now.

Ako was doing her best to be responsible and mature about it. She made sure to be taking note of anything that could mean trouble. That honestly wasn't a lot. The few tracks she would find always lead to animals. Nothing showed signs of being a demon.

Ako was quite relieved by that. Having a demon this close to their base was not something any of them wanted. Even she knew it wasn't wise to think of that as an exciting thing. That could be disastrous to them, after all.

Ako was just reaching the end of the area she was meant to check. She paused as she heard movement. She cautiously snuck over to the area she was hearing the sounds from. She peared around a tree to see a demon caught in vines.

That was off Roselia's territory, so it was not cleaned up at all. It seemed the demon must've fallen out of the tree and gotten caught by the vines. They weren't having any luck getting out. Their arms were tangled up too much to use their claws.

Ako studied the demon. It was a girl. She looked to be around the same age as Ako was. Ako didn't feel intimidated by her at all. She seemed distressed and panicked. Ako really didn't think she would hurt her. Not like she could in her current situation any way.

"Um... would you like some help?" Ako stepped into the demon's view.

"A-ah!" The demon panicked at the sight of Ako and struggled more, which only succeeded in making her further tangled in the vines.

"H-hey, it's okay!" Ako tried to calm her before she ended up hurting herself, "I won't hurt you."

The demon eventually calmed down. She warily eyed Ako up. She looked scared. Ako didn't know why at first. But, then it clicked. She might've recognized her scent from the marking. That could explain her fear.

"Um... I'm Ako. Can I... help you out?" Ako asked again, staying still until she received an answer. The last thing she needed was to make the girl panic again.

"Please..."

Ako slowly walked over to her and examined the mess. She didn't want to accidently cut her while removing the vines. She needed to be very careful of her movement.

"What's your name?" Ako asked as she cautiously cut the first vine.

"R-Rokka..."

"How'd you end up like this?" Ako wanted to keep her talking to try and distract her from what she was doing.

"I was exploring this area and I didn't realize the marking was there until I was about to move... I ended up falling and... ended up like this." Rokka explained in a embarrassed manner.

"Hey, don't worry about it. I uh... fell in a hole once cause I wasn't paying attention to where I was walking. A friend had to get me out cause there wasn't enough room to fly up, but it was deep enough that I couldn't just climb out of it." Ako tried to lighten the mood.

"Are you... with the group in that area?"

Ako nodded, "Yep."

"I... got separated from my group during an ambush." Rokka mumbled, "The organization had some demons hunting for something and... they found us..."

"Are you guys an illegal group?" Ako asked.

"It's... complicated... I'm on the run because the organization bombed the village I lived in and wanted everyone dead. Two of our members actually are... from a high ranking branch of the organization. They ran away to try and overthrow them and stop them."

"What? You mean to tell me... you have people from the organization?" Ako's eyes widened.

Rokka nodded, "Yes... they are from the defense branch."

"Wow... so, are there any more of you guys in the group? Or is it just you three?" Ako continued as she was slowly making progress on the vines.

"Two more. They... they're experiments..."

Ako paused, "Experiments...?"

That made her worried. She guessed they had to be the two demons Rinko mentioned. Ako didn't know how she should feel about that. They were working for a group against the organization and all, but was that enough to trust them?

"Yeah... I know that probably sounds bad, but they're actually really nice." Rokka nodded, "Well, except to people who work for the organization, obviously."

Ako finished cutting the vines away. Rokka was dropped to the ground. She caught herself enough to not land face-first into the ground.

"Sorry!"

"I'm okay... it's fine..." Rokka pushed herself to her feet.

"Okay... so, are you gonna look for your group?" Ako asked.

Rokka sighed, "I don't know where to start."

"I guess you could maybe come back with me. Just for a bit." Ako offered hesitantly. She didn't know if Yukina would approve of this decision she was making.

"Are you sure...? I don't want to cause any problems." Rokka was hesitant to accept.

Ako nodded, "I'm sure. They may be wary of you but they won't hurt you."

Ako hoped this would turn out okay for her. If Rokka knew the two demons who had been experimented on, that could be useful. Well, granted she was willing to share information about them, that was. It also could help if she was willing to discuss what she knows from the two who were from the organization.

As it stands, Rinko can't give much information away. She's not willing to let the others know her past. Ako can't blame her for it. She was a little afraid to bring Rokka back for that reason. What if Yukina saw it differently? What if she thought it was all a guise?

"If you're sure... then I guess I'll come with you." Rokka eventually agreed.

"Alright. Follow me. Um... you aren't hurt, right?" Ako realized that was probably something she should've asked a while ago.

Rokka shook her head, "No. I'm alright."

"Okay then." Ako nodded and started leading the way.

They walked in silence for a while. Ako didn't know what to talk about. Rokka still didn't seem entirely comfortable around her yet either. This was an awkward walk.

"So... I guess I should warn you... um, our leader may not like you... at least at first. She's not very keen on outsiders." Ako said. That was probably an important thing to inform Rokka of. No one could ever really predict how Yukina would act.

"Oh... I see..." Rokka seemed to grow more nervous with that statement.

"She's just a little too centered on her goal. She won't attack you without reason, but she may be pretty cold to you for a while." Ako hoped that might ease her fear a bit.

Rokka didn't reply. Ako sighed quietly. This might not be a good idea after all. Maybe she should've just left? But that didn't really feel right. Leaving Rokka alone somewhere it was obvious she wasn't familiar with sounded really cruel. Hopefully they could quickly reunite her with her group.

Ako hesitated entering the house. This was it. This could go very wrong if she wasn't careful. Ako glanced at Rokka. She seemed even more fearful and nervous than before.

Ako took a deep breath and opened the door. She stepped inside. Yukina came out from the kitchen. Rokka did not enter the house. She remained frozen outside.

"Um... so, I found someone who got lost and... I brought her back with me." Ako smiled nervously at Yukina.

"Where is she from?" Yukina questioned.

Ako glanced back at Rokka. Rokka gulped and nervously stepped inside. She trembled as she looked at Yukina. She didn't like this situation at all. Being at the heart of a demon group's base, especially one you didn't know, was not easy to deal with.

"I... I'm from a group of demons who traveled a lot... The organization bombed the camp to try and eliminate us all. Only a few of us are left and are being hunted." Rokka explained, her voice shaky and uneven.

"Are you alone?" Yukina questioned her.

"No... I found a group that took me in... but we got ambushed by some demons and I got separated from them." Rokka mumbled as she kept her eyes on the ground.

Yukina sighed, "Do you know the location you were ambushed at?"

Rokka shook her head, "No... it was just the woods. I don't remember any landmarks."

"What's going on out here?" Lisa popped her head out of the kitchen.

"Ako brought someone back. Apparently she got lost from her group after an ambush." Yukina stated.

"Oh, that's not good." Lisa walked over to them, "Are you hurt at all?"

Rokka shook her head, "N-no... I'm fine..."

"Do you know who the demons were that attacked you?" Yukina asked.

"Organization members..."

"How many?"

Rokka shrugged, "I don't know... I saw three, but it seemed like more were coming out to join them."

"So... you have no idea where you were, and now there's organziation members prowling around. Great." Yukina grumbled.

"W-what are we gonna do?" Ako was nervous to ask that.

"For now there isn't much we can do. It's best to lie low for a day or two until they give up." Yukina said, "I guess you may stay for a little."

"Thank you..." Rokka said quietly.

"Um... where will she stay for now?" Ako asked.

"I don't care. As long as she's in sight I really don't care." Yukina replied, before she walked away.

"Heh... sorry about Yukina. She's not very social." Lisa nervously chuckled, "So, what's your name?"

"Rokka..." Rokka mumbled.

"Are you tired?" Ako asked, "You can stay in my room if you want."

Rokka nodded. Ako grabbed her by her hand and tugged her to her room. Lisa watched them, before returning to the kitchen to finish cleaning.

Ako was almost at her room when she was stopped. Sayo was heading toward them. Ako nervously smiled.

"You've brought someone back..." Sayo eyed up Rokka.

"Yeah. She got lost from her group." Ako stated.

"And how are we going to help her find them again?" Sayo questioned.

Ako nervously gulped, "U-um..."

"I'll leave... once it's safe... there's organziation members around... so it's not good to be out alone..." Rokka whispered.

"Fine." Sayo walked away.

Ako opened her door and pulled Rokka inside. Rokka looked around the room. It still was pretty bare. There was a bed and a small pile of clothes, but that was really it.

"Well, I'm guessing Yukina wants someone with you at all times so, I'll be staying with you." Ako said.

"Does she... does she hate me?"

"No. She's just like Lisa said. She's not very social and really only cares about her goal. Unless you're useful to her she won't give you much of anything." Ako quickly denied that point.

"What is your goal?" Rokka questioned as she hesitantly sat down on the bed.

Ako wasn't sure if she was allowed to tell her that. She thought it would be fine. After all, Rokka had said her group was doing that same as theirs. Maybe that would be useful to Yukina? If they had more demons on their side willing to fight, they could do a lot more.

"We're Roselia. I'm sure you've heard of us by now." Ako said.

"Roselia... so, you guys are the one's that started the whole rebel movement?" Rokka was surprised.

After Roselia had gained quite a lot of traction, more demons spoke against the organization. More were willing to protest treatment and demand better from them. It was causing a lot of bloodshed.

Some demons created other groups to try and raid organization buildings, but they were mostly illprepared and would fail. Only a few attacks had been successful. No one knew who those demons were, however.

"Yeah. You said you're group is also kinda doing what we are, right? Do you think we could work together?" Ako asked.

Rokka shrugged, "I don't know... Chu2... um, she doesn't seem to like your group very much."

"Who's that?"

"She's the leader of our group. One of the ones from the organization." Rokka explained.

"Oh. So, she doesn't like us? But why? We have the same goal in the end." Ako didn't understand.

"She wants to be the one to do it. She... doesn't want anyone else getting credit for it, so she already hates what you guys have accomplished." Rokka said.

"Someone seems stuck-up..." Ako grumbled.

"She is like that a lot." Rokka confirmed.

"Well, if you'd like to rest, I'll just be... somewhere in here." Ako didn't know what she could do.

"Okay... um, thank you for helping me." Rokka said.

"It's nothing. It didn't feel right to just leave you there." Ako replied.

Rokka laid down on the bed. She tried to rest, but it was hard. Being in an unfamiliar place with strangers made her on edge. She didn't fully believe that Yukina wouldn't try to harm her.

DIVIDER--

Rokka was woken up later by noise coming from below her. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. She looked around the room. Ako was gone. That surprised her. No one was in the room with her.

Rokka cautiously got up and went to see what the noise was from. She quietly crept downstairs. As she got closer. She realized who the voices now belonged to. It seemed her group had tracked down her location. Or perhaps they were caught on the territory and brought back.

Rokka could hear them arguing over something. She entered into the main room. That was where everyone was. Well, except for Rinko. She was not going to join in with all the yelling going on.

The arguing stopped as everyone turned to her. Rokka stood still and glanced around the room. She wasn't sure what to say or do.

"Lock, get over here."

Rokka nervously made her way over to her group. Chu2 was upon her, examining her for any injuries. Rokka guessed she assumed Roselia had taken her captive and wasn't listening to their explanation at all.

"Did they hurt you?" Chu2 asked.

Rokka shook her head, "No."

"Why were you here?"

"I... got caught in some vines and one of them helped me out. It was safest to just come here for now." Rokka explained as best she could.

Chu2 glared at the members of Roselia, "I want nothing to do with your group. Never interfere with us again."

"B-but-" Ako tried to protest, but Sayo cut her off with a glare.

"Let her speak." Chu2 stated.

"Well... you really would rather her have stayed stuck and unable to get out instead of being here?" Ako mumbled.

"Was I not clear enough? I want NOTHING to do with you." Chu2 growled.

Ako winced and stepped back. Rokka watched her with a worried glance. She would've liked to agree with her, but knew now was not the time to mention it.

"Why is it so important that you must insist we stay separate?" Yukina questioned.

"You're in our way!" Chu2 declared, "WE will be the ones taking down the organization. You are interfering with our goal."

"If our goal is the same, why do you not just join forces?" Sayo questioned, "Would it not be more beneficial to combine our strengths?"

"Hmmpf. We don't want you. We can easily win this fight with you guys never having existed." Chu2 crossed her arms with a huff.

"Sure." Sayo rolled her eyes.

"So, let me make it very clear. Roselia, we declare you an enemy and threat. If you dare interfere we will attack." Chu2 stated, "Now, we'll be taking our member and leaving."

Chu2 huffed again and then walked out the door. Everyone followed behind her. Rokka held back for a moment. Once Chu2 was out of hearing distance, she turned to Roselia.

"I'm sorry about her. Thank you for helping me." Rokka said quietly, before she rushed to catch up with the others.

Yukina sighed once they were gone, "Things just had to get more complicated, didn't they?"

"Yukina, I... I know something you probably should hear." Ako said.

"What is it?" Yukina eyed her warily. She didn't exactly trust this information.

"Well, Rokka told me that Chu2 is um... from a high ranking defense branch of the organization. She left to try and overthrow them to stop the corruption." Ako explained, "I don't know who the second one is. She said there was another who also was from that branch."

"So, they have inside knowledge and training. This will be interesting." Yukina said.

"Well, Chu2 and that one girl with the crazy hair colors seem young compared to the other members. Maybe she is the other one?" Lisa assumed.

"That makes sense. But, who are the other two then?" Yukina questioned.

"They're the experiments that escaped the lab Sayo and Lisa investigated." Ako said, "Well, I assume that... she just said they had two experiments on their team."

"What?" Everyone was in stunned silence.

"Yeah... we might be up against some... interesting demons..." Ako mumbled.

"The only thing we can do is keep doing what we are. We'll just have to avoid them for now. Until we can learn more about them." Yukina decided.

"Alright. Um, should I go tell Rinko all of this?" Ako asked.

"If you want to."

Ako left to go track down Rinko. She assumed that she was just in her room. Ako knocked on the door and asked if she could come in. Rinko allowed her inside.

"So... they're gone now." Ako said.

"Who were they?" Rinko asked.

"Another rebel group." Ako replied.

"Oh... are they allies?"

"No. Their leader is adamant we are enemies." Ako said.

"Enemies...?"

"Um, Rinko... would the name Chu2 sound familiar? She's from the defense branch of the organization." Ako hesitantly asked.

Rinko shook her head, "I don't recognize the name."

"Oh... okay."

"Are we in danger with them around?"

"No. Unless we get in their way they will leave us alone. We'll just be watching out for them until we can learn more." Ako said.

"Alright... this sounds... eventful."

"Yeah... I hope it doesn't get much crazier."