Ever since the curse manifested in me, I had never really felt tired. Sure, I felt sleepy, or fatigued, but I had never had my body tell me "five more minutes" when the alarm clock rang.

Today was an experience I hadn't had in a while.

I rolled my head side to side, repositioning it on a pillow. I squinted, and tried to raise an arm to wipe away the fog…and couldn't.

I looked down in confusion, part of me expecting Rias or Akeno to be weighing me down…nope. Just the loose sheets that splayed across the bed. What had I become accustomed too?

I grunted, pushing more effort into it, and I managed to sit up. I nearly fell off to the side as I tried to relax sitting up. I swayed my head, trying to wake up out of this funk.

I looked up, and I felt my brain sort of space out for a second.

The sun was setting.

The sun…was setting.

I felt my heart plummet as I felt the daunting awareness of the fact that I had simply slept through everything. I must have been unconscious for so long!

I rolled, trying to get up, and I landed on the floor with a large thud as I felt pain flow through the impacted areas. I pushed off the ground, and could barely even lift myself.

I heard someone rush up the stars, and I could barely look over my shoulder to see my mother open the door.

"Gray, take it slow."

I felt a small bit of worry pop into my system at those words. No "rise and shine sleepy head?" or like some other mocking endearment at my intense sleep? Or even some angry words? Like, where was the reaction!

"It must have been quite the task for you yesterday." She said, and I flipped onto my back as I gave up for the moment as I tried to look at her. "You look like a floundering fish."

"Ugh." I said drearily, before I bit my own tongue, and my eyes stung as I started speaking.

"Mom…why didn't you wake me up?"

"I was sleeping too…I waited for you to come home."

"You…waited?"

She looked angry suddenly, "Of course I did! My only son ran off in the middle of the night with a clearly important thing to do! What mother wouldn't be worried!?"

"Sorry" I said quietly, and she sighed, "In any case, it took your girlfriend and her entire group of friends to carry you back."

I felt my eyes widened slightly, "They…carried me?"

She smiled at the memory in humor, "That they did. It took three of them just to carry your chest, it was quite the sightseeing four young girls and two boys carry your ass right through our front door. They rolled you over the gate!"

I felt a small spike of embarrassment stab at my heart as my head fell back, and she laughed openly.

"But I'm glad that it was all resolved."

"Yeah…me too." I said, rolling up, and getting up onto knees. I staggered, and my mom caught my head before it fell forward. It was honestly impressive she could still catch me, she's a lot stronger than she looks…probably because she raised me.

"Whatever it was it clearly took a lot out of you, this reminds me of your last growth spurt. Stumbling like a baby deer."

"I didn't get taller did I?"

"We'd have to measure outside, perhaps later."

I sighed, before let out a weak laugh. "All's well that ends well yes?"

"Yep!" She said cheerfully, "Now, can you walk or am I going to slide you down the stairs?"

"I'll figure it out." I said, my own mood washing with relief as everything returned to normal. A small giggle just kind of bubbling. I'm so glad this all worked out.

"By the way, you didn't protest her being your girlfriend; does that mean its official? You can stop hiding her in your closet?"

"Mom, for real, nothing there." I said with a sigh, but the smile remained, "She's something special though, I'll be sure to thank her."

"nonsense, I witnessed her in your room with nothing to clothe herself save your bed sheet."

"That was intentional, she thought it would be funny."

She just snorted at me in clear disbelief, before she smiled proudly. "Well, She needs to thank you! It's not every day my son decides to go out of his way to help someone…you really have changed."

I nodded, "Yeah…I suppose I should thank her for that too."

She hugged me tighter, "Gray, I'm proud of you."

I felt a little catch in my throat, and I wrapped my arms more strongly around her as my strength returned little by little, and I supported my own weight as I hugged her close.

"Thanks."

After our touching moment, the day was set off really well. A few things were discussed, jokes were made, laughs were shared, and information was traded.

I told her a little bit about my friends, and she told me that they actually passed a message onto her for me to get when I woke up.

'Head to the clubroom when you're able.'

They are Devils, so I'd imagine they'll be waiting for me till I do.

So I did what any superhuman giant would do when people were waiting on them.

I walked.

Because I don't fit in cars.

I was once again standing at a stoplight, the same stoplight, for what must have been the millionth time.

I was in a reminiscent mood though.

I met Rias and Akeno here.

I stared at the pale white crosswalk, the sunlight steaming in its oranges and gold's. The air was crisp, the setting sun retrieving its heat as the night came to grips with its gaining supremacy.

This is where it all started for me huh.

This crosswalk.

I wondered what would have happened if I had gone earlier that day, or if I hadn't lost my map to that gust of wind. What would have changed…would any of it change?

"You did well." I heard a familiar voice behind me. I wasn't surprised this time…I kinda expected it.

I turned slowly, and I saw her there, back in her high school disguise. She was shorter than me obviously, her wings hidden and her dark murky blue hair left to cascade down her back. Her focused eyes and her beauty would most likely never leave my memory in my lifetime.

"Kala." I said with a nod, "I hope your report went well."

"Without a hitch. The White One was curious to who you were, but Azaezal has kept you ambiguous for the time being."

I nodded again in thanks, "I do appreciate that. It might be my curse to fight, but I really don't see it as a goal currently. The World can wait."

She smiled slightly, "Your attitude is truly splendid."

"I take things as they come, by storm or stride." I said with a small laugh, before it died…and I looked at her somberly, "So…what brings you here? I doubt you would have bothered to make a trip just to tell me what I could have guessed."

She stared at me carefully, before she walked forward. I had to fight the hitch in my breath as her presence triggered all kinds of things, my memory, my broken attachment…it was like a chain that kept telling me I was just another normal human.

I hated it, but I didn't want to let it go.

She stood directly in front of me, before she leaned in, and hugged me. I felt my body tighten reflexively, and she let out a muffled sigh of disappointment.

"I really have made a mistake haven't I?"

"It happens to everyone, even God." I said monotonously. What was she trying to do!

She tightened her grip, and she grew. She discarded her disguise, and her trench coat and wings came back. Her wings wrapped around me, and she spoke slowly, quietly.

"I remember our first meeting. On that bridge, it was a sunset just like this."

Don't do this.

"I'm sure, the view was brilliant. Though I'm confident there are better views from the sky." I replied monotonously.

Stop it.

"I remember your expression. I leaned over, and you were shocked…as if the idea that anyone would greet you was akin to heresy."

"I didn't get it a lot."

"But you helped me over anyway." She said, looking up and smiling at me, "you lent me your bag and shoulder, not a word of protest."

"You asked."

She reached up, and cupped my face, bringing my gaze down so I could meet her eyes, "I will admit, seeing such a genuine reaction of pure willingness towards another was a sight to behold…it was as if I was back in heaven."

"And then you killed me."

Her eyes softened, and it looked like they were laid with regret, "I didn't want too. It was an order from above. Innocent souls are sacrificed for the betterment of the future."

"What's done is done." I said firmly, I really didn't want to fall into this again. I had friends waiting on me.

She floated higher into the air, and lifted my head to meet hers as she reached down, "I once told you that I would have taken you if I could…I know this is late, I know that this seems cruel…but will you come with me?"

…

Are you serious?

I felt like my entire body was frozen over.

…why

Now of all times.

Why not before?

Why is it after all this that it matters?

'That leaves us, the Fallen. We kill, to preserve that balance.'

"I'm going to cause I war if I pick a side." I said in remembrance. "You told me yourself…I would have threatened everything. Don't ask me now…it's really, really too late."

"What if I told you that by coming with me, we could put an end to it? Azaezal wants peace…with you on our side, we could really be strong enough to push this through."

"Peace doesn't come from pushing." I replied, my confidence growing. "Peace through strength only puts us at a stalemate, and enforcing peace is never going to work."

"But you have the power to stand between the Three Factions, and stop them. Your own power is growing, quickly. Our goals align."

"I just fought one of your generals, I don't think so."

Her expression turned a little sour, "He was a traitor and you know it."

"So were you. You participated in that ritual with Raynare." I said calmly, and she flinched, "Ironically enough, we met because you were committing a crime. I was a cover-up at best."

"So what if you were." She said, not denying it as her grip tightened on my face, "I still enjoyed our time, your kindness, your presence. My original intention should not dictate my character."

"A book shouldn't be judged by its cover." I nodded in agreement, but I sighed as I looked up higher, past her, and into the sky, "But I've already read your first few pages. Even if it was a cover or a mission, you have never once come to see me except for an objective purpose. Even right now…I bet Azaezal asked you to recruit me after your report."

She closed her eyes, her head tilting down as her wings dropped slightly.

Bingo.

"You…are special to me." I said haltingly, and she looked at me in shock, "Without you, I might have walked a different path. I might not have understood my role in all of this." I said, before I looked up and smiled sadly.

"I can't go with you." I said, my confidence in my decision carrying my words, "your offer…I would have taken it in a heartbeat back on that bridge…but things have changed now."

Aella's presence manifested as I worded my refusal, and her black wings struck out, casting long black shadows against the road in the sunset, not a single car in sight. Kala's own wings seemed to just…disappear, as the magnitude of what truly encircled me dwarfed her.

"I have friends, I have purpose, I have commitments…and if I have a limited time to spend…it will be with them."

She stared into my eyes, searching for something…and not finding it.

She hung her head, and her grip on my cheeks softened. She stroked them idly with a thumb, before she let out a slow breath.

"I can't convince you?"

I just shook my head slightly, "I don't think so."

She leaned in, and caught me by total surprise.

With a sudden little pull, she brought my head a little lower, and kissed my forehead.

She remained there for a moment, my own shock compounding the event, and I felt her separate as time resumed.

"If you won't pick a side, there is no gain…but no harm." She said, and smiled in spite of her clear disappointment. "I might come by sometime…no mission to carry out…would you accept my company?"

I just kinda nodded in stupor, "Yeah…"

She giggled, and suddenly rose in the air, spinning high, before her wings extended, and she framed herself against the setting sun like a real angel.

"I'll see you again Gray."

And she disappeared.

I stared emptily as she flew off…watching the sun set for a few more moments.

I watched the sky, the small clouds, and the setting scene.

I clenched a fist, and turned, stuffing it into a pocket as I tried to block out what just happened. It was over, I had people waiting on me now…though now I don't really wanna go.

I'm still kinda tired anyway…maybe I can just skip a day and say I was resting.

I like that plan, sounds like the Fallen were pulling out anyway if Kala's arrival said anything.

I turned on my heel, heading back with casual speeds. I was approaching a corner…but I stopped. I turned one more time, just before I would lose sight of it, and I looked at that crosswalk one more time.

I wonder if this is why people prayed to God so fervently. Was this…all this…just a chance? A coincidence?

Would Rias and I be enemies? Would she even be here at school anymore?

I…don't know.

I turned, and walked around the corner with a small smile. It hardly matters…but I'm glad I did.

I'm glad I stopped at that crosswalk.