It was not long before they had to go and start the rescue mission. Everyone was coming with them. Rokka had recovered well and was able to fight again. Chu2 was still suffering a little bit from her wounds. As such, she was to be at the camp they'd set up for when they did rescue everyone.

The prisoners were ready to finally get free. They had been given as much information as they possibly could be. They knew the layout of the prison. They knew the guards' routes. They knew different paths to take depending on where demons were at. They were prepared.

It was just a matter of waiting now. Someone from Pastel*Palettes would patrol outside every day at some point to see when they arrived. They'd discuss times to attack and then inform everyone.

There was one big problem that they were now facing, however. Sayo had been found out and they knew her identity. They were planning to separate her and not execute her with the others. They needed to work fast. It would not be long before Sayo was taken away and there would be little hope of rescuing her at that point.

As such, Chisato was sent to find where the rescue party was at. She had to inform them of the change and get them to hurry up.

It was tough. Without her wings, she had to run through the woods. She had countless cuts on her body. She was exhausted, but she had to push on. They were very quickly running out of time.

Thankfully, they weren't too too far away. She reached them after a few hours of running. They were resting at the moment.

Everyone tensed up at her presence. Yukina assured them she was on their side. They relaxed a bit after that, but most still didn't exactly trust her. They didn't like having to rely on anyone who worked for the organization. They could easily be stabbed in the back.

"Why are you here?" Yukina asked.

"You have to hurry up. We've been given a date. Two days. And Sayo is going to be taken to the main base tomorrow. We don't have much time left." Chisato said.

"Why is she being taken there?" Lisa asked.

"Because they know her and Hina are sisters now. They want to force her into work." Chisato said.

"Oh..."

"We'll have to raid today then." Yukina said.

"Where should we set up our camp?" Tsugumi asked.

"There's a swamp area nearby. It's pretty good for hiding." Chisato suggested.

"Take us there then."

Chisato nodded and lead the way. They were going to leave Chu2 and Pareo there while everyone else went to help the others get away.

Once they had successfully set up the camp, Chisato lead them to the jail. They flew this time. Lisa took Chisato. It was a lot quicker than walking. That was for sure.

Chisato went back inside and informed everyone they were ready. Aya left to go shut down the power to give them an advantage. Hina and Eve unlocked the cell and everyone's chains. Maya stood by incase anyone came around. They'd have to eliminate any threats to their plan whether or not they liked it.

Once they were free, they waited for Aya. Once the lights went out, they ran. Pastel*Palettes hung back. They hoped no one would be able to tell they hadn't tried to stop them.

As the group made it close to the exit, demons were alerted. Tomoe and Tsugumi were by the exit. They jumped in and fought off some of the demons coming toward them. Thanks to that, they got outside without much problem.

But, there were demons outside. They saw them and were coming. There were a lot of them. This looked like it was going to be a tough battle.

"Split up. It'll thin them out." Tomoe stated.

So, the group split in two. Rokka and Ako were waiting and jumped in as well. With that much support. The demons were easier to beat back. It was still a sloght struggle at times, but they were managing it a lot better than if all the demons had swarmed them together.

Yukina, Lisa, and Rinko were their own little group. They were stopping demons at the heart. There was a housing unit where most demons lived. They were picking them off from there to limit how many reached the groups.

"Lisa!"

Lisa was hit hard and knocked to the ground, unconscious. Rinko was closest so she jumped in front of her and fended the demons off. But, they noticed who she was. And she noticed who one of them was.

"Well, look who it is. Who would've thought you'd turn traitor on us." One sneered.

He was from the very group Rinko had been kicked out of. He knew her very well. The other only knew her from the files. Both knew her past, though. They could ruin everything for her if they said the right things.

Rinko didn't reply to him. She glared at them. They didn't seem to care and advanced on her. Rinko tried to hold her ground, but found herself stepping back. She was scared of them. Not because they could do physical harm to her, but because of the harm they could do by telling Yukina about her past.

"How did such a crybaby end up in a group like this? Even with us you were pathetic." The demon spat at her.

Rinko really didn't want to reply. Maybe she could get out of this without Yukina questioning her. But, that seemed hopeless.

"What are you talking about?" Yukina stepped in to keep them from pushing any closer to Lisa.

"Wouldn't you love to know." One sneered at her, "Rinko here is from the organization too. Bet you never would have thought that."

"I heard she's done some of the biggest dirty work for us too." The other added, "Weren't you the one-"

Rinko knew exactly what he was going to say and lashed out. She slit his throat and killed him almost instantly. Her eyes went wide in panic. That was probably not going to help her case here at all.

Yukina followed her actions and killed the other demon. Rinko tried to run, but Yukina grabbed her arm and kept her in place. Rinko couldn't bear to look at her. She didn't want to hear what she had to say to her. She'd rather never know and just leave this life behind.

"Rinko, what's the truth?"

"I... was forced to pledge loyalty after they massacred my town." Rinko had no way out of this conversation, "I... I worked at the main base for a while... before I... was tramatized and was sent to the west base."

"What was he going to say?"

"I killed orphans..."

"Against your will?"

Rinko nodded, "That was... my breaking point..."

"I see." Yukina took a deep breath, "Rinko, I don't doubt your loyalty to us. You don't need to run."

Rinko didn't know what to say. She had fully convinced herself that she would be either kicked out or killed if the others learned her identity. She had not even considered them accepting her.

"Let's meet up with everyone. They should almost all be out by now." Yukina continued after Rinko didn't reply.

"I... I don't know... that I can stay..."

"If you want to leave, I won't stop you, but you are welcome here. You're family now."

Rinko made no effort to move. Yukina released her grip on Rinko's arm and went to check on Lisa. Rinko watched her. She was worried about Lisa as well.

Lisa seemed relatively unharmed. That was good. At least nothing was serious. Yukina picked her up. She looked at Rinko. What was her decision?

"I'm not going back."

"Very well. If you change your mind, you are more than welcome to return to us." Yukina accepted her response and left.

Rinko took a deep breath. She didn't know what to do. It felt wrong to stay. She betrayed their trust by hiding this secret. Who would want a lier?

DIVIDER--

Yukina and Lisa were the last ones to make it to the base camp. Lisa had woken up already and was walking. She just had to lean on Yukina for some support.

"Where's Rinko?"

Yukina knew that question was coming, "She's fine. She just won't be coming back with us."

Ako looked absolutely crushed by that news. She had grown to really like Rinko and very much looked up to her. And now she was gone. She didn't even say goodbye.

"Are you going to give us the reason why she is not coming back with us?" Sayo asked.

"She is... from the organization. She doesn't want to face us now that we know her past." Yukina replied.

"She's... one of them?"

"Was. She left. She's not on their side."

"We better be quiet and rest. We need to be out of here soon."

DIVIDER--

Ako couldn't rest. She needed to see Rinko. Even if it was just one last time. So, she quietly snuck out of the camp and went to where she was told they had been attacking from.

Ako faintly could pick up Rinko's scent. She followed it for as long as she could, but it faded before she found her. Ako kept going forward and hoped she was on the right track.

A figure dashed out of the bushes and attacked her. It was another demon from the organization. Ako was struggling to get free from their grip. She managed to call out before he silenced her by shoving her face-first into the ground.

Ako was starting to suffocate, unable to breath in enough air. Her movements were slow and choppy. She was losing consciousness fast. This was not good.

The pressure on her suddenly vanished. Ako quickly sat up and gasped for breath. She looked at her savior. It was Rinko. She beat back the demon and made them retreat.

"Rinko..." Ako felt tears forming in her eyes.

"Are you okay?" Rinko asked as she knelt down beside her, "Why are you out here alone?"

"I... I came to find you!" Ako said, "Y-you just left me without even saying goodbye!"

Rinko sighed, "I'm sorry... but I can't stay..."

"But why? We know you're on our side. You're still one of us." Ako protested.

"I... I don't feel welcome... I lied to everyone..."

"Please? You can really help us. You could give them a lot of information!" Ako defended.

"Do they really trust me?"

"I'm sure they do." Ako stated with confidence, "No one thinks you'll turn on us."

"I can't go back. I don't deserve it. I've done horrible things that can't be forgiven."

"Then I'm staying with you." Ako declared.

Rinko sighed, "Go back."

"No. I'm not going back without you!" Ako crossed her arms.

She was not leaving Rinko. Rinko would either come back or they'd go off together. There was no compromise Ako would accept. It was only those two options.

"I... I'll return... for now." Rinko didn't want to stay with them.

She was planning to leave once they returned back home. She'd just warn the others Ako would try and follow her. It was the best she could do for now.

Ako smiled. They walked back to the camp. Everyone else was still asleep. Ako invited Rinko to stay beside her. Rinko agreed. It was best to at least let Ako be happy for a bit. Before she'd be hurt.

Rinko felt bad that she would be doing that to her. The last thing she wanted was to hurt any of them. But, she truly didn't know if she could stay with them all. Even if Yukina said she was family, she didn't know if that would last. They had every right to be suspicious of her now.

She would just have to wait and see what happened. Maybe in the end she would decide to stay? Rinko didn't know yet. There was the chance they could show her they meant it and she would stay. She just didn't know if that would happen at all.