Part XXXVII: Where the Dead Lie


The jingling of keys echoed in the darkness of the abandoned hallway. The latch slid open and metal scraped against metal as the door handle turned, allowing a disorientated figure to stumble into the building.

Unseeing hands fumbled blindly for the light-switch on the wall. Where was the blasted thing? Why couldn't he remember? The keys in his hand slipped through his fingers and fell to the ground with a resounding clatter, and he quickly gave up trying to find the lights, sagging heavily against the wall, the air leaving his lips in shallow, rapid, panting bursts.

His throbbing head, which felt as though it were being split into two, pounded far too excruciatingly to form coherent thoughts. The simple act of remaining upright seemed far too taxing at that moment. His entire body prickled with unease as he fought back a crippling wave of nausea that threatened to sweep him into a bottomless ocean of mindless delirium.

Unsteady feet, clumsy and sluggish, dragged him almost subconsciously in the direction of the bathroom, and this time he did find the light-switch, whether by chance or by intention, he did not know. He winced against the onslaught of artificial illumination that flooded the room, its intensity like a physical attack on his overwhelmed senses. The light. How he hated it. He wanted darkness. He wanted silence. He wanted the awful pain to stop.

No sooner had he reached the sink he immediately bent over it, vomiting violently, until his throat and eyes burned and it seemed like he would throw up his own organs if he continued to heave any further.

His lungs rattled for oxygen as he forced himself to look up, catching sight of a most shocking reflection in the mirror mounted upon the wall. A ghostly pale face stared back at him, gaunt and thin, hair matted and unkempt, the dark-circles beneath his eyes so angry and pronounced, they appeared to be purple-blue bruises.

He blinked at his reflection in dazed confusion, not recognising himself in those hollow, glassy, glazed eyes, as a cold sweat beaded upon his brow. With shaking hands, he turned on the tap, fingers trembling, trying to wash his face with water, to cool the scorching heat that seemed to be raging through his bloodstream and burning him alive from the inside. A second later the room spun around him, making his head swim and causing his vision to blur and then he was throwing up again. The retching did not stop until he collapsed on the ground and lost consciousness once more, the tap water still running in the sink above him.


"Vetty!" Elissa scolded. "That's enough! We won't have anymore left. Mum, don't give her any. Seriously, she's just being greedy."

Her mother chuckled, petting the playful cat as she deposited one last small handful of blueberries into the bowl for her.

"Your cat's quite a stubborn character."

"Oh, you have no idea," Elissa remarked dryly, shooting a surreptitious glare at an unbothered and thoroughly unfazed Vetty. At least she had finally stopped being a threatening menace to her mother's furniture. That was a small victory, Elissa supposed - or was it a small mercy?

Juliette straightened, washed her hands, and wiped them on a dishcloth as she turned away from the sink to join her daughter by the central island, watching as she cracked and whisked eggs into the mixing bowl.

It was New Year's Day and they stood in the kitchen, baking muffins together. The sight of the wooden floor-boards, matching-unit doors and white granite work-tops always transported Elissa back to carefree childhood days, where the smell of fresh baking and delicious foods would always be drifting from the kitchen. Whether it was her mother's cooking, her father's, Evangeline's before she had passed, or her grandma's, they had never been short of mouth-watering meals and treats to enjoy as a family.

Elissa measured and then folded the flour and blueberries into the mixture, blowing a wayward lock of light brown hair out her eyes. But the strand kept falling back into place, irritating her. Her mother, ever perceptive, immediately noticed and removed one of the pins in her own hair, lifting the offending lock and securing it above her daughter's head.

"Thanks," Elissa grinned gratefully. "I should really get it cut. It's way too long, and as you can see, has a mind of its own these days."

"It's lovely," her mother said, her fingers lingering affectionately by Elissa's hair. "Your hair hasn't been this long since you were a teenager. It's in great condition, baby. Girls would kill for soft waves like these. Why cut it?"

"It gets in the way," Elissa complained. "And I would save so much money on conditioner and time on blow-drying it."

"Hmm. Maybe just a trim?" Juliette suggested. "It looks so pretty when you braid and style it. Though I suppose you can grow it out again if you choose to chop it all off."

"Maybe," Elissa shrugged. Her mother pushed the muffin tray toward her, and began arranging paper baking cases neatly within it. Her eyes then caught onto the chandelier earrings her daughter was wearing. Glimmering, deep amber-yellow topaz stones set in an intricate bed of engraved, runic, gold-inlaid silver. Juliette didn't recognise the alphabet of the ancient-looking letters, carved so elegantly into the metal. The pieces of jewelry had immediately captured her interest given her craft, and her experienced eyes had surmised that the earrings were certainly rare and unusual. Unlike anything she had ever seen, in fact. A quality that was by no means easy to come by.

Elissa hadn't taken them off since Christmas Day. Juliette had noticed, but chosen not to comment on them, allowing her daughter time to mention them herself.

She hadn't yet, and so, given that they were alone and undisturbed in the kitchen, her mother complimented, "Those are very beautiful earrings."

Elissa was silent for a moment. Of course her mother had taken note of them. They were nothing short of striking and spectacular to look at.

A flitter of nervousness whispered through her veins. She didn't want to lie to her mother, but telling her the truth - that they had been an exchange gift from the God of Death and crown-prince of the Underworld, was absolutely not an option.

"Thanks," she answered, keeping her tone as light and casual as possible.

Juliette reached out, lifting the dangling earrings so that she could take a closer look. "I've never seen any craft like this. It's really unusual. And this stone. It's clarity is simply stunning."

Elissa felt her heart quicken despite herself. Heat began to pool into her cheeks, and she busied herself with scooping the mixture into the paper cases with a tea-spoon. Her mother drew her hand back, and watched her for a long minute.

"Where did you get them?" she asked.

Elissa hesitated. "They were a gift."

"Ah…" her mother's lips curled into a small smile. "Very expensive ones."

"I guess. I didn't ask how much they were."

"I can tell they are. Are you going to tell me who got them for you?"

Elissa blinked at the teasing tone she could hear creeping into her mother's pleasant voice, and found herself wondering - not for the first time - just how all mothers, universally, seemed to possess almost supernatural, frightening maternal instincts that ensured they not only noticed the smallest details in their children, but also read the nature of situations with alarming accuracy.

To her dismay, Elissa felt the heat intensify in her face. "Just a friend," she answered shortly. Inwardly she snorted at herself. A friend? Friends certainly didn't share heated kisses like they had. Kisses that had made Elissa feel like she had been melting. Soaring. Drowning. She recalled the sensation of Itachi's ringed fingers curling around the nape of her neck as he'd drawn her to him, the intensity of his dark eyes blazing into hers, and had to fight to suppress the shudder that threatened to shoot down her spine.

Not a night had gone by since then, where she hadn't lain restlessly in bed, her mind consumed by thoughts of him, her fingertips pressed lightly against her lips as if fearful that it had all been a sweet dream. Long nights where she'd tried to remain awake for as long as possible, hoping that he would show again - but a week had passed, and still he had not.

It was to be expected, of course, given how busy, how important his role was, on top of all the demands upon him being heir-apparent to his realm's throne, and yet - it was also nothing short of torture. The longing to see him again, the anticipation of the dangerous, intoxicating chemistry that set her heart pounding at the mere sight of him, had her driven to distraction. Each night she hoped he would alight in the gardens or on her balcony. Each night she searched for him in the shadows, until at last sleep overcame her and she awoke the next morning, disappointed that he had not visited once again. And so the cycle continued the next day, and the next.

She was not upset. She had no right to be. She patiently and perfectly comprehended that Itachi had the entire world to roam, duties and responsibilities, as deity, that he could not delay. Any time he gave to her, was precious, and was better than none at all. And yet, how she missed him every single time he went away. The feeling, the acute awareness of his absence, of the hole it left, only seemed to be getting worse the more often they saw one another, and especially so following the kisses they had shared.

She wondered if he missed her too. If he thought about her when they were apart, as often as she thought of him.

"Hmm…" Juliette hummed, drawing Elissa's musings back to her present situation. She gave her mother a wary look. She was openly grinning, now. "A friend like… the 'prince' you told me about, perhaps?"

Elissa swallowed, embarrassed. This was not a conversation she wanted to have at that moment. Or ever.

"Mum, can you not?"

"But I'm so curious, baby!" Juliette laughed. "I've been hoping you'd talk about it. I've been biting my tongue for weeks! You're being so mysterious. That's not like you at all!"

Elissa inwardly cursed herself. That much was true. She never hid her interests from her family, and was always vocal about anyone who captured her attention. She supposed her present behaviour was very much out of character, but who could blame her? She didn't exactly have the option of updating her relationship status to: dating a death god.

She almost laughed out loud at the absurdity of it. Nobody would believe her. Not in a million years.

"I really thought you were joking about the royalty thing, but those earrings have me thinking differently." Her mother was continuing. "Won't you tell me more about this enigmatic stranger?"

Bad idea, Elissa thought to herself. As tempted as she was to gush all about Itachi and how wonderful he was, there was no way it was wise for her to do so. At least, not then, when the threat to her own safety wasn't resolved. In the future… well, she wasn't thinking about the future. She had taken her friends' and mother's advice and decided to act on her feelings, to live in the present. She refused to worry about what came next, about things she couldn't control.

"There isn't much to tell," Elissa deflected.

"Do you have a photo, at least?" Her mother pressed. "He must be handsome?"

Elissa lifted the baking tray, and all but dove toward the oven, feeling like her face was on fire even before she opened the door and felt the blast of hot air against her skin.

"I don't have a photo," she replied, placing the tray into the oven and setting the timer. Was that even something she could do with Itachi? Something as normal as taking selfies together? Even if she did, it wasn't like she could share such things. She supposed it would break some kind of code. People weren't meant to see him, until the time of their deaths.

"Won't you at least tell me what he looks like, then?"

Her mother wasn't going to back down until she got some form of answer. Elissa sighed heavily, looking at her, reading the hope in her eyes, and felt a twinge of guilt. The man her mother likely imagined and hoped her daughter would fall for and settle down with didn't exist. Instead, Elissa had become entangled with someone else entirely. A powerful immortal far beyond her mother's scope and understanding. It saddened Elissa, that she couldn't confide in the person closest to her heart. It also served as a harsh reminder that absolutely nothing about her budding relationship with Itachi was simple or normal.

If only he had been mortal. Elissa imagined that her family would adore him. He was polite, well-spoken, gentle in nature, educated, respectful. The perfect gentleman. Even Gabriel, the greatest critic, the most difficult to win over and impress, would surely approve. How wonderful it might have been, to have not had to keep him a secret. The thought filled her with a strange, heavy twinge of wistfulness. A sadness she could not quite comprehend.

How could she wish for something impossible? There was no sense in it. No sense mourning what was not available to her, to begin with.

She lifted the mixing bowl to the sink and began to wash up.

"He's tall." Elissa conceded, feeling so terrible and sorry for her mother in that moment, that she felt compelled to give her something. Any crumbs of truth she could afford to offer. It was easier when she had her back turned. "Dark-haired."

"Handsome?" Juliette smiled.

"Very." Elissa felt flustered openly admitting it to her mother, and yet it was a simple, undeniable truth. "He has- these beautiful dark eyes, and he's the smartest, kindest person I've ever met."

"He sounds dreamy," her mother smiled encouragingly, delighted that she was receiving more information. "What's his name?"

Great. You big blabbermouth. Now you've opened up a can of worms, Elissa scolded herself.

"Uh," she cleared her throat awkwardly, her mind scrambling frantically for an answer, then remembered the name Slayte had used for Itachi back when she'd first suspected Elissa was meeting with him. "Thane."

That was close enough to his deity name, she told herself. Right? That would surely appease her mother.

"Thane? How mysterious," Juliette teased. "Is he on your social media?"

A laugh escaped Elissa's lips. The thought of Itachi on any kind of social media platform was hilarious. "No," she replied, smothering the smile that stubbornly continued to play on her lips. "Don't try to look his profile up, mum. You won't find it."

"Well, then tell me more. Where's he from?"

Once more, Elissa hesitated. It couldn't hurt, she thought to herself, to supply her mother with basic details that wouldn't strictly identify Itachi in any way.

"Greece," she supplied.

"Greek!" Her mother's eyebrows lifted. "How wonderful!" The excitement in her voice was unmistakable. "You've always been into their culture and mythology, haven't you?"

"Yeah…" Elissa answered with a nervous little laugh. Little did her mother know how real that mythology was. "What a coincidence, right?"

"And what does he do? He's not really a prince, is he?"

Elissa bit her lower lip. Itachi was very much a prince, but confirming that would just lead to even more questions. Evasively, she responded, "He is from a well-off family, but I really don't know much about them. I've only met his cousin. He's nice."

"Does he work?"

Elissa rinsed a spoon, then set it on the drying rack. The irony of the question caused a light frown to settle on her features. "He kind of never stops working," she replied honestly.

"A hard-worker, hmm? What does he do, honey?"

Elissa once again dodged the question by providing a very vague response. "He works for his family's business. It's, umm…" she faltered. How best to describe the Underworld and Itachi's role without freaking her mother out? "It's sort of law related, something like that…"

The judging of souls fell under law, she justified. Just not the kinds of laws her mother knew about, but that would have to do for now.

"And are you now dating?" Juliette, who was leaning against the worktop, smiled, her eyes shining with excitement and delight. "Is it official?"

Elissa shook her head, finding herself momentarily at a loss for words. Were they, formally? Did she consider them to be? Did he? Was dating even a thing for deities? It seemed far too casual a term. Far too normal, for beings who could have what they wanted, whenever they wanted it. Courtship, then? What did that even look like for immortals? Surely the gods had different customs and traditions when it came to the art of wooing? It was unnerving, how little she knew about the way his world worked.

She had acted on her feelings, on desire - on impulse. They had yet to talk about their status, or how it would all work out if they chose to continue along the path their kisses had opened up for them. And that was what they had been - tentative, experimental kisses shared in the seclusion of her family's garden, a means to test the waters between them ahead of choosing to dive completely in. Elissa hadn't even voiced her terms, or any of the many questions she had. She didn't know what the next step was. The entire process was complex, confusing. It wasn't like she had made a move on the boy next door, and they were suddenly free to announce their relationship status to the world.

Already, she was forced to keep it secret. Perhaps, she thought, that difficulty was likely to be only the first hurdle of many they would have to overcome, if they chose to navigate themselves into a steady relationship. It was a sobering thing to contemplate.

"No, we're… it's complicated, mum," she struggled to communicate, when her own thoughts were a jumbled mess with regards to what the future held. "It's still early days and we're still getting to know each other." She paused, before adding, "I don't really want to talk about it anymore, when we're not going steady or officially a thing. Please don't tell Gabe or dad yet?"

"Alright," her mother nodded, respecting her wishes. "Well, I'm happy you've met someone who seems nice, baby. Whenever you feel ready to talk some more, feel free. I'll leave it to you. You're a sensible girl. It's good to take things slow and be sure first."

Elissa's eyes lowered, and she said nothing to that.


The mood in the Caelum household grew progressively more subdued and somber the closer the calendar crept to that fateful day in January. Elissa began to pack her things in preparation of her departure to Canterbury on the fourteenth, and when the morning of the ninth finally arrived, dressed in the same shades of black her family had worn annually to mark the anniversary of Evangeline's passing.

Elissa slipped out of her room into the silent house and, after making herself a sandwich for the way, stepped softly out the front door, closing it behind her with care not to wake her family sleeping within. Her mind was comfortably blank as she ate her light breakfast on the way to the cemetery. It was some small mercy, she noted, the absence of the usual tumultuous thoughts, as she made her way through the wide open iron-wrought gates, just as the sun was beginning to crest on the horizon, barely peeking past the hill dotted with marble graveside markers. Elissa sighed and dropped her gaze to her feet as she brushed whatever crumbs remained from her hands and coat.

"So the birds and squirrels can find them," a childish voice giggled in her mind.

Elissa made her way up the hillside, feeling the long blades of grass brush past her ankles as she made her solemn journey up the hill. The ninth of January was a day that dawned demurely, every year. As if the sun was ashamed to lift its head that day. As if the clouds offered it cover for its grief. As if nature was in agreement with her, that it was a day too miserable to live through, every year anew.

She lifted her knit shawl to her nose, burying her face in its warmth as the apples of her cheeks tinged red in the frosty winter air. She wondered if it was warm beneath the earth.

She wondered if Evangeline was cold.

Elissa cleared the hilltop and took a moment to catch her breath, to gather her courage. The cemetery was an old one, and the dead more recently laid to rest were on the far side of the field. She walked by tombstones covered in moss and ivy, engraved with barely legible, archaic script - scarcely seeing them at all as her feet took her without conscious thought to where she needed to be. Her chest was always bursting with the things she wanted to tell her sister when she got here, but the words dissolved on her tongue, as they always did, when she drew up to the gravestone that bore her cherished name.

Evangeline Marie Caelum.

Elissa felt tears sting at her eyes and turned her head away with a sigh. Why did it never get any easier? She lifted her gaze skywards and attempted to blink away the tears before clearing her throat and turning back to the black marble stone with gold lettering.

"Hey, sis," she whispered quietly, lowering the single flower she'd taken from the bouquets her family would be bringing along later.

She knew her family would be along shortly, to pay their annual visit, but Elissa needed this. These few moments, hours maybe, alone with her sister. To share her thoughts, her grief - to be herself, before she was joined by her family and there would be talking, laughing, and affirmations of life. It was a sweet intent, to include Evangeline in their lives, to show her they were happy. "She wouldn't want to see us crying," her mother had often said.

But Elissa wanted to cry.

In her memories of Evie, she was always crying. Big, messy teardrops and an ear-splitting wail as she limped towards her sister, having skinned her knee. The memory of Evie kneeling in front of her, blowing gently on the injury, was so fresh she could still feel the skin of her knee tingling.

There were so many memories in the same vein, sneaking into Evie's bed when Elissa had seen another terrible nightmare. Crying because her slice of cake had fallen from her plate, only to be swiftly replaced by Evie's own. One Elissa had insisted through her tears that they share.

Clinging to the sheets of Evie's abandoned hospital bed, crying her eyes out. Screaming until the nurses rushed in. She didn't remember much after that. Only the terror of being pulled away from Evie's bed. The prick of a needle. The white, cotton sheets slipping from between her fingers. The darkness of an unconsciousness that veiled one only briefly from a cruel reality.

A yawning grave that terrified her. Abandoning Evie to it.

Elissa sucked in a harsh breath and took a step back. She squeezed her eyes shut. She was older now. She knew better. This was the circle of life. There was no avoiding it. Taking a deep breath, Elissa read the inscription again.

"Hey, sis," she tried again, clearing her throat. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

With another sigh, Elissa buried her hands in her coat pockets as she watched the blades of grass sway in the morning breeze.

"So much has happened since last year. There's so much I wish I could ask you, too." She fell silent, reflecting on the surreal turn her life had taken ever since that spring. The enigmatic god of death who had somehow become a constant in her life was the very same that had claimed her sister's soul. She wondered whether her soul was sentient. She wondered if Evie knew things that she didn't. She wondered if Evie knew who was out to get her… and why.

"Well, I guess I should start with the craziest thing. I took in a demon cat, and met the god of death." She hesitated, toeing a pebble towards the gravel path. "You know who I mean, don't you? You met him first."

She bit her lip, thinking of Itachi's benevolent manner. "I hope he was kind to you. I hope you weren't afraid."

She paused, contemplating her complicated relationship with death. "I feel so conflicted, Evie. I always hated the one who took you away from me, but at the same time… now that I know who he is… I'm glad it was him, and not the heartless monster I always imagined before. If it was him, he would've been careful, thoughtful. He would've made sure you were okay. Or is that just wishful thinking?"

With a sigh, Elissa ran a distracted hand through her hair. "Maybe I'm just trying to make sense of things that make no sense. Things I don't even know for sure." She paused, before continuing, "He's helped me a lot, helped me understand things that've been bothering me ever since you passed on. It sounds insane, but I think you understand. You always did."

The small smile that had graced her lips waned as she continued, "Really strange things have been going on, Evie. The things I've seen - things I never even thought were real - Greek gods and mythical monsters, and…" Elissa shuddered, remembering the horrid incident at the beach. The double headed canines. Even the beam falling down and crushing her, had that truly been an accident?

"Something has it out for me, and that's… scary. It's scary not knowing what they want, or who they are, or what we can do to stop them. I try not to think about it too much. I just take things one day at a time, and trust those around me." Elissa fell quiet for a long moment, before adding on a low murmur, "But sometimes, I wonder if that's enough. My life's felt so out of control and unstable these last few months, that I feel like anything could happen at any moment. It's hard, being on edge all the time."

After another brief pause, Elissa continued, "Don't worry about me, though, sis. I'm dealing with it. I'm keeping well. My friends are looking out for me, and they're the very best. And you're watching over me too, right? Just like you said. It doesn't matter who's after me, with you on my side, I'll be okay." She smiled forlornly at the golden script.

There was more to tell, yet. Of all the things that had happened, the danger that loomed, the separation from her friends, there was one incident foremost in her mind… one that had kept her awash in a sea of confusion and indecision longer than she would have allowed herself on any other matter. But it was precisely such a sensitive issue, such a difficult decision, that still made her stomach twist and turn and knot itself even as her heart soared with relief at the choice she had made.

With a sigh, Elissa's eyes traced the golden writing before she finally continued. "That god I told you about… well, we've gotten to know each other, and... we're crossing lines. Overstepping boundaries. He's not like anyone I've ever met, and I've decided to go for what I want."

She frowned thoughtfully, recalling her last meeting with Itachi just over two long weeks ago. She glanced down at her own hand, remembering the sensation of having her fingers intertwined with his. "It feels... weird, but it doesn't feel wrong." Glancing up again, she asked, "Do you think I'm going to regret it? Do you think I'm crazy?" With a scoff, Elissa shook her head. "Who am I kidding? I know I'm crazy. I have no idea if it'll work out. We're from different worlds entirely.

"But I have to try." She folded her arms over her chest, as a cold breeze swept through the grassy field. Tucking her chestnut hair behind her ear, she added, "I know I'd regret not trying. And I don't want to live my life full of regrets."

Elissa found herself retelling the events of the past few months. All of Itachi's subtle kindnesses that had not escaped her notice. Her voice rose in pitch, her heartbeat quickening in excitement as she related the adventure of their short trip to Greece, gesturing with her hands as she described the temple, the flowers, the moonlight reflected in the water.

She talked about the incidents with Cain, the falling out with her friends, the emotional reunion. Losing her job, her progress with her writing. She explained about Vetty, complaining about the cat's bratty personality with a laugh. She scarcely noticed the time pass, and could almost see each one of her sister's expressions in her mind's eye as she spoke. As she told the story of how Vetty had very nearly brought the Christmas tree crashing down, she could hear Evie's delighted giggle ringing in her ears.

Elissa fell silent as the winter wind swept through the nearby trees, echoing like a haunting wail. She blinked at the words her eyes had been fixed upon unseeingly. In loving memory… She felt tears blur her vision.

"I miss you," she choked out. "Every day a little more. I'm sorry. Mom says it isn't fair to you to not let go."

Elissa sank back on her haunches and wrapped her arms around her knees. "But you already know what I'm like," she murmured, picking at a stray thread on her coat sleeve. Evie's face came to mind, the memory blurry with the passing of years, but her voice sounded clear in her ears. "Don't be silly, dumb-dumb. Come here." With a shuddering sigh, she buried her face in the crook of her elbow. "How am I supposed to let you go, Evie?"

She knew there were probably more things she was supposed to tell her sister. Happenings in her life she had likely forgotten to mention. She knew she had wanted to pour out her heart still, and yet - as her shoulders shook with sobs, every thought had vanished from her mind but one: 'I wish you were here. I wish it with every bone in my body. There's nothing I wouldn't do, for one more moment with you.'

The sun crept slowly higher in the sky, basking her in unwelcome rays of warmth. She wanted the cold, the bitterness, the grief. She rejected, still, the thought of joy in a world where there was no Evie.

A shadow fell over her, was it that of a passing cloud? She embraced it. It was just the cover she needed, to allow her to sink to the depths of her despair. Just for a little. For these few moments she had.

Only when she heard a crow caw overhead did she lift her head in startled surprise, only to find that the shadow had not been cast by a cloud, but by the raven-haired deity who had somehow grown so familiar to her. Itachi stood a short distance away, observing her quietly with a solemn expression. There was something of regret in his expression - or was she imagining it?

She stumbled to her feet, surprised at his sudden appearance, and wiped away her tears, embarrassed. Before she could force her mind to produce words to undo the awkwardness of the situation, movement caught her attention from the corner of her eye. The two of them turned in unison to find an elderly couple making their way down the gravel path towards them. Elissa turned away from them, well-aware that her face was likely flushed, her eyes red-rimmed and swollen from crying.

She didn't know how to explain what followed. It was like a shift in the atmosphere. Like the glimmer of heat just above the asphalt on a searing summer day. It was the faintest whiff of a breeze. One moment, Itachi stood more than an arm's length away, the next he was just before her, shielding her from the couple who passed.

Elissa's breath caught in her throat as she struggled to assign meaning to his actions. Itachi was invisible to mortal eyes; had he hidden her from sight as well? But why?

"You did not wish to be seen."

It was a statement, but there was something of a question to his low murmur, and so, she nodded in agreement.

"Thank you."

A sudden thought struck her and she lifted reddened, hazel eyes towards the death deity, narrowing them suspiciously. "Are you reading my mind?"

Itachi paused briefly, and she could have sworn there was a flicker of uncharacteristic amusement in those onyx eyes, but it was quickly extinguished as he answered, "Only to the extent that your thoughts are etched onto your countenance."

She was being transparent, she realized. That was what he was trying to say through his flowery language.

Elissa turned back to the gravestone, conflicting feelings clawing at her heart. Was it right to be befriended with the one who had so cruelly taken her sister's life? A pang of guilt rushed through her at the thought. It wasn't his fault. He didn't even like his role, if his manner whenever they discussed it was anything to go by. And yet, she recognized that childish need within her, the brimming indignance wanting to blame someone. It was wrong, she knew. Blame didn't bring back the dead. Neither did tears. Or anything really. She would know. She had tried most things.

"Forgive my intrusion," Itachi offered softly. "I did not intend to disturb you."

Elissa glanced up at him. At those dark eyes welling with mystery, ever a riddle to her, but the kindness within them as clear as the finest glass. How could she blame him? It wasn't fair. "You're not disturbing me," she answered evenly, turning away before adding under her breath, "You never do."

She heaved a heavy sigh, tucking her hands in her pockets. Her back turned towards the death deity, the memory of their last meeting, flashed inconveniently through her mind. The feel of his warm, firm lips on hers as his strong arm wrapped around the small of her back. She cursed her mind for its poor timing and banished the thought, praying he would attribute her flushed face to her recent tears.

"I'd spend a lot of time reading about death and a possible afterlife." Elissa finally murmured quietly. "I always wanted to know if she still lives on somewhere, somehow."

She glanced up at him over her shoulder to find his onyx eyes lingering on the golden script of the headstone. "Do you remember her?" she asked, scarcely daring to hope.

Itachi fell silent, his mind wandering back to a day many years prior. Similarly colored hazel eyes, though darker in hue, staring tiredly up at him flashed through his memory.

"Oh." A choked silence and then, "I've been waiting for you."

He remembered the trembling hand that she had lifted with difficulty to rest on the head of the brunette child fast asleep beside her. The young girl sat beside his target's hospital bed, arms folded and her head buried in the crook of her elbow. Her cheeks were streaked with tears, clinging to the sheets of the invalid young woman as if she would fall to her death if she let go.

"My sister…" the young woman had whispered, tears pooling in her eyes. "Will she be alright?"

"The living are not my concern." Itachi had answered evenly, his stoic demeanor betraying not a trace of feeling.

He recalled the way she had turned then, limp, chestnut strands falling loosely over her shoulders and angled her head towards her sister as tears spilled from her eyes, trailing down her cheeks, dripping from the tip of her nose. He saw her lips move to form words inaudible. "I'm sorry," she seemed to be saying.

"Waiting is foreign to my nature," he had admonished quietly. "My arrival cannot be hastened, nor delayed."

She had lifted weary eyes towards him then, and had confessed quietly, "I'm tired."

He had nodded in understanding, and with an inclination of his head, beckoned her soul towards himself. "Come."

The soul had hesitated, clinging to its mortal shell as she uttered her final words. "Would you take care of her? Please? Make sure she does not come to harm?"

In all his eons, it was an unprecedented request. He had been asked to destroy, begged to kill, mortals had pleaded with him to turn a blind eye, but he had never been asked to protect.

"That is not in the nature of my role," he had explained in dismissal.

"Then…" the young girl's soul wavered, her grip on her own body slipping. "Is there nothing to you but your role? Please, just until her time comes… I have no one else to ask…"

But Itachi had been spared the trouble of answering as Evangeline's eyes had slipped closed, finally relinquishing her hold on her mortal shell. The girl's soul had come to stand before him a few moments, confused as she stared down at her semi-transparent, shimmering form. Her expression was one of bewilderment, as well as pleasant surprise. The ailing were generally astonished to so suddenly be freed of their pain, and the relief was apparent on the girl's face.

He had watched her cross back to her sister, pressing a fond kiss to the top of her head. "I love you, Lissy. I'm sorry."

And then she had turned towards him and followed him obediently to the underworld.

The memory faded, and those dark, hazel eyes faded away to be replaced with lighter ones, dazzling in their intensity, staring up at him in question.

"I do," Itachi answered honestly.

When he did not elaborate, Elissa bit her lip and ventured, "I remember you said that she was relieved to go, and that she had hoped I would get over it."

She lowered her head, remembering the loss of her sister as if it had just been yesterday. Was grief supposed to get lighter with time? Or was it meant to crush you until you succumbed and joined those you had lost?

She felt a firm, comforting hand on her shoulder and turned to look up at him over her shoulder. His onyx gaze was sympathetic and warm.

"She was relieved to see me." Itachi paused, before continuing, "She knew who I was."

Elissa turned away and nodded, the implication of his statement hitting her in full force. That Evie had been glad to see Itachi, knowing he was Death, that she had been ready to take her leave. She could feel a familiar sorrow rising up in waves and lifted a hand to her face to stifle her sniffles. It was a long time ago. She should be over it. And yet, the undeniable proof that Evie had been willing to go, just as Itachi had claimed almost a year ago, struck her with renewed grief. How much must her lively sister have been suffering to be willing to give up the fight?

She felt Itachi's hand shift slightly, and lifted her hand to his, keeping it in place. It felt like the only thing rooting her to the ground, and she was loath to relinquish his touch.

Itachi stepped closer, then, until she felt almost as if she could disappear entirely in his shadow. "She loved you dearly, and regretted leaving you," he murmured, uncertain whether his words would be a source of comfort or merely further her grief, but they were the truth. A truth she deserved to know. "She spoke of you with great affection."

At that, Elissa half-turned, lifting stunned, tear-filled eyes towards him. "She talked about me...? To you?"

Itachi nodded wordlessly.

Elissa struggled to form words for a minute. "What did she say?"

"She wanted to be sure you would be well." Silence settled over the pair for a few, brief moments before Itachi continued, "I could offer her no such promises."

Elissa turned back towards her sister's epitaph. She stared quietly at it. "I'm alright, Evie." She finally declared fiercely, wiping at her eyes, at the tears that refused to stop welling in them. "I promise you, I'm going to be alright. I'll make sure of it. Every day, watch me." Her voice was thick with emotion as she proclaimed proudly what Itachi had been unable to guarantee. "I'll be fine, until I come see you. So you be okay, too. Be at peace, sis."

Her declaration seemed to have taken the strength out of her and she spun on her heel, burying her face in Itachi's tunic, muffling her sobs against his chest. Itachi brought one hand to the back of her head while the other rested on her back gently.

It was a feeling not unlike the many times he had found himself comforting a younger Sasuke, crying in his arms. It was surreal to realize that he was the one Angelissa had chosen to seek comfort in. Although he had rejected Evangeline's plea, somehow, despite himself, he had found himself doing just as she had asked.

His eyes lingering on the glittering golden words, 'Evangeline Marie Caelum' his lips pressed together and his mind produced a single, telepathic communication, despite knowing it was unlikely to reach its recipient.

"She will be safe… until her time comes. As you wished."

He held her against him for several more minutes, until her sobs grew more subdued, fading into quieter sniffles.

"I want to apologise," she blurted suddenly, pulling slightly away from him to look up into his eyes.

Itachi angled his head, her words piquing his curiosity. What could she possibly be sorry for?

Elissa bit her lower lip as she prepared her confession. "A long time ago, I cursed Death. When it- when you took my sister, I said I hated you. I made a promise on that day, that I'd hate you forever and that I'd never forgive you."

She hesitated, before continuing her explanation, her voice falling to a low murmur, "You probably don't even remember, but- well I want you to know, I didn't mean it. I don't hate you." She lowered her eyes to the long blades of grass swaying gently around them, before adding, "You aren't what I expected Death to be. You're gentle and you're kind, and I know now, that you're not the one who decides on the time."

The light graze of his fingertips as he brushed a stray lock of hair away from her eyes caused her words to break off, sent her heart skipping a beat as her gaze flew back up to find him watching her intently.

"I remember," Itachi murmured.

She sucked in an astonished breath. "You do?"

He inclined his head in a brief nod. "There is no need to apologize. You were a child, and I, the cause of your grief. Your reaction was natural, and to be expected."

He did not elaborate on how the extent of her hatred had shone so strongly in her eyes in a manner he had never before seen in one so young. Such fierce hatred alluded to the depth of her love for the departed, and he was no stranger to such curses.

Itachi's dismissal only filled her heart with further guilt. Just as he had told her before, Thanatos was never one worshipped or praised. He had been cursed and despised for a role that he had not chosen for himself - a role that often brought peace to those whose souls he came to collect - like Evie. And she, herself, had been one of the masses cursing his existence. It bothered her more than she liked to admit. It wasn't the kind of person she saw herself as being.

Before she could reflect further on it, she felt now familiar fingertips on her chin, lifting her gaze towards him.

"Do you wish to see her resting place?" Itachi inquired kindly.

Every concerning thought flew from Elissa's mind. "You can show me?" she asked, eyes aglow with hope, before nodding eagerly.

Without another word, the darkness of Itachi's irises faded away to be replaced with bleeding, luminous crimson. Elissa's hazel irises drank in the sight; it never ceased to amaze her. Even as she couldn't help but wonder at the stunning beauty of his scarlet eyes, her surroundings bled away like a watercolor painting left out in the rain.

By the time she thought to turn away from him and look at the illusion he had cast, an entirely new reality had replaced the one she had known only moments prior, leaving her breathless with awe.

She gasped as the new landscape opened up around her. A glittering body of water in a shade of blue so deep it was nearly purple spread out before her like a single, dazzling sapphire. The water streaming by babbled happily, like crystals clinking against one another - it was almost musical a sound. Glorious trees of wisteria dotted the hilly landscape, nearly forming a canopy overhead of royal violet. And yet, no amount of trees could block out the wondrous sky overhead that was so flooded with sunlight it was nearly white. Although there was no sun to be found, a pleasant, tingling warmth lingered on her bare skin. The grass at her feet was so vibrant, she could think of nothing but the purest emeralds as she took a few, cautious steps across the field.

Water spilled from a waterfall somewhere in the distance and flowed over the many small dips and falls of the landscape, forming a myriad of smaller waterfalls. Artfully crafted lacquered wooden bridges offered passage over each stream of water. She assumed that beyond where the hill crested on the horizon there would be even more to explore.

Trees hung heavy with fruit: plums, apples, and others she could not even recognize, and a sweet scent lingered on the breeze, heady and intoxicating. It was enough to make her forget who she was, where she was, that she existed at all.

White flocks of birds she could not recognize danced overhead, the tips of their wings tinged turquoise, and vibrant, colorful butterflies flitted from flower to flower, lazy and unafraid. The vision was so vivid, that Elissa's mind struggled to comprehend that they weren't really standing there at all. Every single one of her senses was captured by the captivating details of the illusion that had been constructed around her.

"It's beautiful," she whispered, taking in the magnificence of her surroundings.

"Yes," Itachi agreed.

She turned back to him, to find him watching her.

"What is this place...?"

"Elysium," he answered quietly. "One of its many gardens."

Elysium? Paradise itself? Elissa's lips parted in amazement, and joy brimmed in her heart. "Is this where my sister is?"

Itachi nodded, "This is one of the gardens she favors."

Elissa felt a smile tug at her lips. Purple had always been her sister's favorite color.

"Wow," she exhaled, turning to absorb her surroundings again. Was this what awaited humans in the afterlife? Why had she ever feared death at all, if it was as wonderful, as tranquil as what she was seeing before her? "I guess she really is in a better place, now."

A sunset-hued butterfly flitted towards her, hovering in midair as if trying to decide what she was doing there. Elissa held out her hand and was delighted when the butterfly chose to rest on her outstretched finger. "Free of pain, enjoying all of this, I guess… this is nice." Thoughtfully, she angled her head and smiled at the butterfly. "It really is."

She could feel something inside of her settle into place, like a chapter closing, as painful questions she'd harboured for over a decade of her life were finally put to rest. Tears of happiness welled in her eyes, and she hastily wiped at them. "I guess this means my sister was a really good person, huh?" She addressed Itachi with a confident grin. "I mean," she added with a shrug. "To have made it here."

Itachi nodded, a small smile gracing his lips. "She was," he agreed. "Worthy of Elysium. The most honorable final destination for mortal souls."

"Yeah," Elissa smiled wistfully. The butterfly took flight, and she pensively turned to take in the beauty of the gardens all over again. "She deserves it."

They stared out at the view together for another long minute.

"Shall we return?" Itachi asked gently at length, extending a hand towards her.

Elissa hesitated, and turned back to the splendid sight. Given enough time, she could likely spend an eternity here. Staying too long was probably unwise. She still had a life to live.

She turned towards Itachi, and was somewhat taken aback to realize that in walking towards him, she regretted nothing that she was leaving behind. Reaching out for his hand was more satisfying than reaching for the fruit on the trees. Was that normal? Wasn't her soul supposed to desire the gardens of Elysium?

She looked up into his crimson eyes and realized with a sinking feeling that he was more beautiful to her, more appealing, more desirable - than the miraculous, intoxicating gardens he had allowed her to see. That, she thought as she swallowed thickly, could not bode well for her.

All the same, her hand closed around his and he dispelled the illusion. There they stood, in the graveyard, the cold winter wind coiling around them.

Elissa blinked and turned, taking in the sea of grave markers, and felt oddly enlightened. Which one was the truth? Which one the illusion? Was the world she had always been seeing really the true one? What other wonders were hidden away in the world that Itachi had come from?

She looked up at the stoic deity, her eyes lingering on the familiar, handsome angles of his face. "Thank you," she said gratefully. "For showing me. I've never felt so comforted. I - I really have no words."

"And I require none," Itachi answered, as he tucked her chestnut hair behind her ear - a tender action that seemed to be becoming a habit. She dropped her gaze and missed entirely the way his eyes took in his own earrings dangling elegantly from her ears.

Suddenly, she recalled the kisses they had shared almost two weeks prior and her face burned with a fierce blush, her eyes lingering briefly on his proud, full lips before she tore her gaze away.

"Elissa!"

The two of them turned in unison to see her family making their way up the hill to join her. Elissa glanced briefly at Itachi who only inclined his head slightly to murmur his familiar words of parting that still echoed in her ears long after he had disappeared from her sight.

As she greeted her family, and joined them in filling Evie in on the events that had taken place that year. On Castiel's endeavors, Gabe's painfully slow non-progress with his girlfriend, Serena, and every other happening that had slipped Elissa's mind in her first retelling. She found herself joining them lightheartedly, no longer feeling weighed down by a suffocating grief she could not name. Her heart swelled once more with gratitude towards Itachi, and she wished deeply for an opportunity to repay him, to express how thankful she was. As she laughed along with her family, as she said her goodbyes to her sister, as they made their way back down the hill, his familiar words still rang comfortingly in her ears, and she could not help but smile to herself.

"Until we meet again, Angelissa."


Crimson eyes narrowed, their intensity rendered brighter by the firelight burning steadily in the hearth behind him.

"Well?" Cronus questioned, his deep voice laced with thinly-veiled impatience and displeasure. "You claim that the gift has taken root. What reason is there for this intolerable delay?" He stepped toward his guest, who was draped in a hooded black robe to conceal his identity and nature of the secret visit he had paid to the Underworld palace. A palace that was strictly off-limits to any outsiders beyond the Uchiha clan.

"I assure you, my Lord," came the response. "All the pieces are now in place, as intended. It is only a matter of time."

"So you keep on prattling," Cronus sneered contemptuously. "And yet, how many surface weeks have passed without incident?" He tilted his head, coming to a stop directly in front of his visitor. Leaning forward menacingly, he brought his face within inches of the robe-clad man's, and hissed, "I am not one to be kept waiting. Nor do I tolerate failure. You are dancing precariously close to both."

Gold-tinged, slanted eyes widened marginally before lowering to the ground. Cronus was not one to make empty threats. He knew that any slip-ups would prove deadly.

Running the tip of his serpentine tongue along his lips, the robed-man responded carefully, "The unfortunate delay has been due to the other piece in our plan, which is now also in place." Lifting his gaze back to Cronus, the man added, "Whenever it pleases you, my Lord, everything is prepared. The parasite has been linked to your chakra. She is in the palm of your hand, ready for the taking."

"Hmph," Cronus sniffed, before turning dismissively away. "We shall see."

"I assure you, my Lord. I am confident that everything will proceed precisely as intended."

"You had better hope that nothing intervenes - if you value your pitiful life." Cronus answered, a warning edge to his voice that made clear there would be dire consequences if anything went wrong. Pouring himself a goblet of ambrosia, he paused, before ordering coldly, "Now get out of my sight. You are an offence to my eyes."

His visitor bowed low, before making his hasty exit.


"Well, that's the last of it," Gabriel remarked, tossing her bag onto the ground. "No more porter duties for another year!"

"Hey!" Elissa protested. "Not so rough with my stuff! You might break something!"

"What?" he snorted. "Like some designer heels? With the amount of money you've paid for them, they can withstand a little tumble."

"Very funny. I didn't even pack any. Remind me to laugh," Elissa pulled a face at him, only to shriek when he abruptly grabbed her in a playful headlock.

"I've chauffeured you home and back again, Hobbit. Over five hours in total of drive-time, not to mention hauling enough luggage to clothe a damn country. Show your big brother some appreciation."

She pushed against him, trying to break out his hold, only to blink in surprise when the arms around her suddenly loosened, and she felt him place a light kiss atop her head.

"What was that for?" she asked, caught off-guard by the uncharacteristic sweetness of the gesture.

"I dunno," Gabriel answered with a shrug, his arms still around her. "You're not always insufferable. Sometimes you can be cute."

"Did you just call me-?"

"Don't let it get to your head. I said sometimes, you little pipsqueak."

She smiled, and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly, overwhelmed with affection for the older brother she had spent all her life looking up to and admiring - as well as arguing with and irritating. "I guess you can be alright, too. Sometimes." She teased.

Her brother laughed in amusement and drew back, ruffling her hair. Elissa released a resigned sigh, lifting her hands automatically to smooth back her wavy locks.

"Do you need anything else before I head out?" he asked.

"You're leaving right away?" Elissa asked, disappointed. She'd hoped he'd stay a little longer and keep her company. "Didn't you want a drink or snack or anything before you go?"

"I'm good. I go back to work tomorrow," Gabriel told her. "I need to take care of some things before it gets too late."

"Alright," Elissa nodded. "Drive safely, okay?"

"You got it," he saluted, before bending down to pet Vetty on his way out. "Now your cat can mess up your place for a change," he called, as he opened the front door.

"Gabe!" Elissa called, poking her head out the living room door. Her brother paused, angling a glance over his broad shoulder back at her.

"Yeah?"

"Propose already. I want nieces and nephews!"

"Shut up," he rolled his eyes. "You sound like mum and dad, going on about grandkids. Get a boyfriend and have kids yourself if you're that desperate."

"You scare away any guy that comes within a mile of me," Elissa argued.

"That's because your taste in boys has always been questionable. Remember that Rick dick from college?"

"He was…" Elissa cringed at the memory. "Vaguely... okay?" The reality was, any guy she had considered even remotely attractive in the past paled in comparison to Itachi. Nobody could even begin to hold a candle to him. She was ashamed, recalling the blue-eyed, brown-haired trouble-maker she had so foolishly and immaturely deemed was 'hot' back in her school days. All the boys around her own age were precisely that - boys. Most were not even serious about long-term commitment or romance, and had no clue what they even wanted out of life. How could she have ever found that attractive, now that she had met someone who was so much more, so superior, who excelled in mind and knowledge, in wisdom, in manners, in character, in status, in looks, in every way conceivable?

"Okay? Yeah. So was his prison sentence," Gabriel rolled his eyes.

"There's nothing wrong with just looking at someone," Elissa defended.

"I'd believe that, if that was all you were going to do. Usually it ends up with you doing something stupid."

Elissa paused. He had a point. She certainly had a track record of landing herself in some form of trouble when she allowed her curiosity to carry her too far - and of attracting danger in the process. She wondered what her brother would think of her decision to return Itachi's advances. He would likely be hysterical. Her entire family surely would, once they came around to being convinced that she wasn't out her mind and speaking impossibilities. After all, what in the world could be more dangerous than the God of Death himself? The very same, irresistibly seductive god who, on Christmas Day, had pulled her against him and-

She shook the thought from her mind, fighting back the heat that readily rushed to her cheeks at simply skirting around the memory.

"This isn't about me," she deflected. "You're older, and you already have a steady girlfriend. What're you waiting for? Marry her! You guys are perfect together."

"If I do, I'm not inviting you!" Gabriel teased.

Elissa burst out into laughter at that. "I'll be the Maid of Honour! You have nobody else to choose. I'll totally embarrass you with my speech!"

"You mean Maid of Horror? Sounds about right," he chuckled. "Give my regards to Levi and Slayte. Later, Lissy."

"Bye!" she grinned, approaching the door and locking it behind him as he exited. Then she turned to Vetty, raising an eyebrow at the mischievous cat.

"Well," she remarked. "Looks like it's just you and me again, huh?"


Almost two hours later, Elissa had checked the post Levi and Slayte had collected and left in a tidy pile for her during her absence, finished unpacking all her bags, stowed them away and loaded laundry into the washing machine. She stocked her fridge with the groceries that Gabriel had driven her to the supermarket to collect on their journey back, and then set about making herself an omelette and a side portion of vegetables for lunch. Scooping flakes of salmon from a tin into Vetty's bowl, she then settled onto the sofa and flicked on the TV, looking for something interesting to watch as she munched on her food.

When she was finished eating and had washed up all the cutlery in the sink, she settled onto the sofa again, stroking Vetty's fur as the feline curled in her lap. Continuing to switch between the TV channels idly, Elissa considered spending the rest of the day lounging and lazing around, but found herself growing more and more restless as the clock crawled onwards. She picked up her phone, to find messages from her friends and family, and opened Slayte's first.

Are you back yet? It read. I want to hear all about your trip.

Elissa bit her lower lip. She had so much to tell. She could barely contain her excitement. What would Slayte and Levi say? What would they think about her kissing Itachi? Would they be happy for her? Would they be alarmed that she'd actually chosen to go for it? Horrified? Hadn't they both advised her to do what she felt was right?

And nothing in the world had felt as right as being in the circle of Itachi's arms, as feeling the warmth and softness of his lips moving against hers. Just thinking about it set her heart fluttering anew.

She gulped, oddly nervous. She had nothing to worry about. Hadn't Slayte told her she wanted to be more supportive? She would understand, wouldn't she? She'd be happy, as long as she knew that Elissa was happy. Surely she would.

Elissa knew she couldn't possibly remain cooped up at home, not when she'd missed her friends so terribly. Not when she had so much news to share, and so much catching up to do with them, too. Her mind made up, she rose from the couch to collect her jacket, leaving Vetty behind as she exited her apartment.


Something about daylight and the winter sun shining distantly in the pale blue sky made Elissa feel braver and more at ease about walking down the street on her own. She inhaled the crisp afternoon air as she made the trip to the tea shop. Every now and then she spotted a crow flying ahead of her, or just behind her. She smiled to herself, comforted by the fact that they were near. Some of them were just local birds. But one was special. One belonged to her very own, personal protector. Death himself. Reminding her, always, that he was never far, and watched over her.

She caught up on texts from friends and tried to call Cami on the way, only to discover that she seemed to be out of town for a few days. Elissa frowned, concerned, still confused about the visit her friend had paid to her before the Christmas vacation. That had been weeks ago, and Cami had still not once alluded to it. There was also the mystery of the bracelet that Elissa was certain she had seen, but had somehow vanished. Being as occupied with the holidays and her family as she had been, Elissa hadn't chased the matter up, but now that she had returned, she couldn't shift her unease at recalling how strangely Cami had behaved that day.

At length, she arrived at the tea shop, letting three customers step out before entering inside to find Levi standing behind the till. He opened his mouth automatically at the sight of her, but she quickly lifted a finger to her lips smilingly, signalling for him to be quiet as she snuck up on Slayte, who had her back turned and was clearing a customer table.

"Surprise!" she shouted, causing Slayte to yelp and drop the empty tray in her hands on the floor, startled by the sudden noise. Elissa grinned and threw her arms around her, hugging her from behind.

"Gods!" Slayte whirled around, and her shock was immediately replaced with joy as she embraced her best-friend tightly. "Elissa! You're back!"

"Did you guys miss me?"

Slayte pulled back, beaming. "Always! It's so good to see you!" She hugged her again, before drawing away to inspect her friend anxiously. "How are you? Did you eat well? Sleep well?"

Levi released a snort. "Oi. She's only been back two minutes and you're already mothering her."

"Right. Sorry! It's just been so long," Slayte gushed, still gripping onto Elissa's shoulders, as if she couldn't believe that she was truly, safely back.

"I told you not to worry," Elissa arched an eyebrow at her. "Everything was fine. More than fine. I had a great time. It was perfect." She paused thoughtfully, before adding, "Well… if you discount Vetty causing havoc and almost knocking the tree down."

"I'm glad," Slayte smiled. "Come on into the kitchen, I've saved some special slices of cake for you. You can tell me all about your trip."

"Thanks for picking up my post and watering the plants," Elissa angled a smile at Levi as she passed him. "Gabe says hi. He dropped me off but couldn't stay."

Levi gave her a brief nod, before turning his attention back to the coffee machine.

Stepping into the kitchen, Elissa watched as Slayte bent over to the fridge and pulled out a small box.

"It's pistachio," she said. "I also saved a slice of cookies and cream, and pieces of fudge."

"Because I haven't had enough sugar over these last few weeks," Elissa groaned.

"Are you saying no to cake?" Slayte feigned a surprised look.

"Me? No to cake? That's impossible."

Slayte chuckled at that.

"It's a busy time of year for you guys, huh?" Elissa questioned.

"It has been after the break," Slayte agreed. "There seem to be a lot of birthday orders coming in, so we've been making a few extra cakes for collection."

"That's great. And did you enjoy the holidays?" Elissa grinned. "I hope you spent some quality time together?"

Slayte turned away to retrieve a plate, feeling a blush stain her cheeks. Quality time? No, it had been far more than that. It had been the most wonderful of times. The happiest day of her existence. She wondered how she would break the news to Elissa, that Levi had not only proposed, but that she had accepted his proposal. She was overly conscious of the stunning, dark engagement band on her finger, burning into her skin like a branding circle, irrefutable proof of Levi's love for her, of her belonging to him. Was the time right to do so then? Or should she wait for Elissa to settle in, first? Ask her about her vacation? What was the more considerate, supportive thing to do?

Unbeknownst to her, Elissa was also debating on sharing the events of her break. She was bursting to tell Slayte about Itachi's visit, about the kisses they had shared, about how his touches had made her feel so alive, but found herself hesitating as Slayte turned back to her, sliding the plate of pistachio cake onto the counter toward her. She handed Elissa a fork.

"Enjoy," she smiled affectionately.

"Thanks," Elissa said, accepting the utensil from her hand - when her gaze suddenly caught onto something that she was certain had never been there before.

She froze in surprise. A black ring. On Slayte's finger.

On her engagement finger.

She blinked, stunned. Her lips parted. Before Slayte could turn away and return the cardboard cake box in the fridge, Elissa reached out and grabbed hold of her left wrist, pulling her hand back toward her.

"Wait!" she exclaimed. "What is that?!"

Looking more closely, she discovered a beautiful, sleek, black metal ring, into which was set a large black-diamond, flanked by two smaller stones, with further small black gemstones lining the circumference of the band. Elissa's eyes widened. There was no mistaking what kind of ring it was. She released a shriek of disbelief, noting the deeply flustered hue of Slayte's countenance.

"Oh my God!" she screamed. "Oh my God! Slayte! Is that-? Did he-?! Really?!"

Slayte bit her lower lip and gave her a bashful nod, unable to contain her smile in the face of Elissa's sheer, infectious jubilation.

"Oh my God!" Elissa squealed happily, jumping up and down in excited delight. "I can't believe it! He finally did it! Oh, Slayte! Oh my God! Congratulations!" She threw her arms around her best friend, and half-laughing, half-overcome with emotion, babbled nonsensically about how happy she was, how it was the most amazing and perfect news.

Slayte's eyes stung with tears and she laughed at her best friend's enthusiastic reaction. Elissa drew back, looking down at the ring again in awed astonishment.

"It's beautiful!" She admired. "But you never told me!" She met Slayte's eyes, confused and elated in equal proportions. "When did this even happen?!" She jumped up and down on the spot again. "Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman. Ahhhhh!"

The sound of footsteps hurrying to the kitchen doorway drew both their attention to a scowling Levi.

"Oi, what's with the racket? Sounds like someone's being skinned alive back here."

Slayte grinned, and lifted her left hand almost shyly, conveying that Elissa had just found out about their engagement. Elissa launched herself at Levi like a little cannonball, almost knocking him off-balance entirely.

"I'm so happy for you!" she cried. "Congratulations, Levi! You finally asked her! You're so sneaky! I had no idea! I love it! I love you guys! I'm so excited!"

"Tch," he scoffed, carefully prying her arms away from around his neck. "Calm down."

"Sorry! It's just- I've been waiting for this news forever!" She peered up at Levi, and poked him teasingly in the chest. "Levi, you can crack a smile, you know. You have a fiancée now. Or is that your happy, I'm-Off-The-Market face?"

Slayte smothered an amused laugh behind her hand. It was good to have Elissa back. The break seemed to have done her a world of good, restoring her naturally happy disposition.

"Oi," he narrowed stormy grey eyes at her. "Smartass."

Elissa grinned up at him. "So when's the big day?" She lifted her hands, clenching them in front of her chest like an impatient child who was on the verge of receiving the most spectacular of gifts. And to her, news of her best friends' engagement was the greatest present. Nothing brought her more contentment than knowing that they would be entering into wedlock, legally unified at last. They belonged together. She had always known it. Theirs was a strong, steadfast, faithful, true and enduring love. They had made it work, despite being from different worlds entirely. That filled her heart with joy. It filled her heart with hope.

"Do I get to be a bridesmaid? What about the venue? Have you started looking for a dress?" At Slayte's helpless look, Elissa slapped a hand to her forehead. "Oh my God. Of course you haven't. We need to go shopping!"

"We have a courthouse appointment in two weeks," Slayte informed her. "It's not going to be a big event, we don't want a fuss. Just something private between us. And I was hoping you'd help me find something." She rubbed at her left arm awkwardly, giving her best friend a nervous little smile. "You know I'm useless at that kind of stuff without you."

"Okay," Elissa nodded, racking her brain, immediately taking charge and planning ahead, thinking of dress fittings and accessory shopping. "Okay. Two weeks. Leave it to me. We can totally find something amazing for you to wear in time. Shoes, a dress, a veil." She released another exuberant squeal. "Oh my God. Just two weeks! This is so exciting!"

Then she turned her eyes back to Levi accusingly. "When did you even propose? I can't believe you kept this from me!"

"Her idea," Levi quipped, angling his head toward Slayte.

"On his birthday," Slayte giggled. "I wanted to surprise you when you came back."

Elissa's jaw hung open. "Are you serious?!" She gasped, clasping her hands together in delight. "That's amazing!"

She was suddenly glad she had waited to tell Slayte about her own news. This was so much more significant and important. After so many years together, Elissa was genuinely thrilled for them.

Slayte met Levi's gaze, and gave him an encouraging nod. He cleared his throat, and said, "You free? Two weeks tomorrow?"

"Me?" Elissa blinked, looking between the two in shock. "But you just said a private ceremony...? I thought that maybe-"

"With you there, stupid," Levi rolled his eyes.

"You're the only one we're asking," Slayte reached out and took her hand. "It would be an honour, and mean a lot to me… to both of us… if you could make it. Can you?" She turned hopeful brown eyes onto her best friend.

Elissa beamed at them both, touched and overjoyed. Her eyes welled with tears. "Are you kidding me?" she responded, her throat clogging with emotion. "I wouldn't miss it for the world!" she cried, and flung her arms around them both again. "I'm so happy for you," she repeated. "This is the most amazing news!"

"Tch. Not so loud," Levi chastised lightly, before pulling away. He glanced at Slayte. "I'm heading back to the till." He then nodded at Elissa. "Don't forget to wash up."

"You got it," Elissa saluted. She turned back to Slayte and took hold of her hand, admiring the ring all over again. "Are these black diamonds?" When her best friend nodded, she gasped, "They're stunning, Slayte! Did you have any idea?"

"About the ring?" Slayte glanced down at the dark band that adorned her finger. "Not at all."

"I can't believe he pulled this off without telling me," Elissa huffed. "I always wanted to play the distraction or something. How did he even know your ring size?"

"Well…" Slayte answered bashfully. "We live together, so… he knows my hands?"

A teasing grin spread across Elissa's lips. "Oh, he knows them does he? I bet he does."

"Elissa," Slayte admonished, as the girls giggled together. "Anyway, that's enough about me. Tell me about your holiday."

"Oh," Elissa released her hand and waved her own dismissively. "It was fine." She decided that telling Slayte about Itachi's visit on the same day her best friends had gotten engaged could wait. Following their significant announcement, she didn't want to overshadow things and told herself it wasn't as though they urgently needed to know. It could wait a few days.

She turned to the plate of cake, taking a bite before going on, "We just had the family around, my cousins and aunts and uncles. We visited Evie's grave before I left town to say goodbye. The usual."

"Are you doing alright?" Slayte asked gently, regarding her sympathetically. She knew it was a sensitive time of year for her friend.

Elissa sighed. "It never gets easier," she confided. "But… at least I know she's in a better place now. That she's happy. I understand it all better because of…" she paused, before adding, "him."

Slayte nodded in understanding. There was no doubt in her mind that Elissa would have discussed her sister's passing and the afterlife with Thanatos. Who knew better about such matters, who better to advise her about them, than him?

Elissa absently pushed a lock of her loosely worn hair away from her face and behind her ear as she took another bite of cake. "This is delicious," she complimented appreciatively, eager to change the subject. "You need to give me the recipe. I can never get the pistachio flavour out like you guys do."

When her friend did not answer, Elissa glanced across at her, pausing at the odd expression she saw on Slayte's face. Swallowing down her mouthful, she raised an eyebrow, "Slayte?"

"Your earring…" Slayte began, her voice trailing off. There was clear conflict and confusion in her eyes.

"What?" Elissa stared back at her, nonplussed, lifting her hand self-consciously to her ear. Then it hit her - what had completely slipped her mind. She'd grown so accustomed to wearing Itachi's gift that she had forgotten all about them, and it had not even occurred to her to remove the earrings before visiting her friends. Her hair had been covering them from sight for the most part, but she realised that when she had pushed her hair behind her left ear, the piece of jewelry had become clearly visible to Slayte. And bewildered recognition was written all over her features.

Elissa internally cursed herself for her carelessness. She hadn't wanted to bring this up now. But it seemed there was no way of avoiding the subject, especially with Slayte looking at her in the manner that she was.

With a light sigh, she set her fork down, feeling an inexplicable flutter within her chest at the prospect of discussing the matter aloud with her best friend. "Okay. I didn't really want to talk about it right now but…" she turned to face her friend. "I made Itachi a pair of earrings for Christmas. Just a little something to thank him for saving my life all those times. And in return, he gave me his earrings." Awkwardly, she continued, "I didn't ask for them. I actually asked him to be nicer to you."

Slayte stared at her, surprised. "You did?"

Elissa nodded. "He assured me he means you no harm, but he also insisted that I keep the earrings."

Slayte blinked at her, before nodding, "Okay…" She said. "That's nice."

Elissa bit her lower lip, meeting her best friend's eyes. Slayte's own widened. She knew that expression all too well. The look Elissa wore when she had something else - something significant - she needed to share, but was hesitating - probably for Slayte's sake.

"And… that's it?" she pressed carefully, knowing there was more.

Elissa felt heat pool into her cheeks. She shook her head, cleared her throat, visibly embarrassed, then took the plunge, blurting out, "We kissed."

Something flickered across Slayte's doe-like brown eyes. A look too transient and fleeting to identify.

"Twice," Elissa added, fidgeting nervously with her hands. "It happened on Christmas, too."

"Oh…" Slayte's lips parted to form an astonished 'o'. Elissa regarded her anxiously, awaiting her verbal response.

Her best friend's eyes lowered, and she was silent for a long minute. It was all Elissa could do, to allow her the time to process the news, shifting restlessly on her feet as she waited for Slayte to respond.

When the silence began to drag on for too long, Elissa rushed on, "I know you probably think I'm crazy to go through with it. I think I'm crazy. Part of me is terrified. I mean, I don't know how it can work with everything that's going on." She ran her fingers stressfully through her brown tresses. "I can't even tell my family about him. Nothing about this is normal, and it's not even like me to throw caution to the wind like this, but I…" she turned pleading eyes to Slayte, willing her to understand. "I can't ignore how I feel. The way he makes me feel. I've tried. But I can't."

The shadow nymph slowly reached out and took Elissa's hands in hers, and when she gave them a reassuring squeeze, Elissa immediately felt her body flood with relief.

"If…" she began cautiously, paying great attention to the words she was selecting before allowing them passage through her lips. "If this is what makes you happy, Elissa… then I wish you every joy in the world." Lifting her eyes to meet her best friend's anxious gaze, she gave her a tentative smile, before adding, "It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, right? It's about what makes you happy. And if this does, then I… I support you. I really hope it works out for you. And I'll do everything in my power to make sure it does, if it means that much to you." She laughed weakly, "Not that that's saying much."

Elissa squeezed her hand back. "Really? I was worried you'd be upset."

"No," Slayte shook her head, and saw the tension evaporate from Elissa's shoulders at the word. She reminded herself that Elissa needed her to be a supportive friend. That it was only her place to advise - and she had done enough of that relating to Thanatos already. Elissa knew what he was, who he was, the responsibilities and burdens he carried not only as Death incarnate, but heir apparent to the Underworld's throne. She was a grown adult who had weighed the information she had and decided on her own course of action.

"He cares for you, and Thanatos is nothing if not deliberate in all his actions. I trust him with you. And I trust you. If it feels right to you… then that's all that matters, right?"

Elissa beamed at her, and stepped forward, pulling her into another hug.

"Thanks Slayte," she whispered gratefully. "You're the best."

As Slayte embraced her back tightly, she turned her eyes up to the ceiling, engaging the line of communication she shared with Thanatos.

You'd better not hurt her, she thought out. Please. There's nobody like her in this world, and she deserves only happiness.

As always, only a silent hum met her telepathic words.


Several hours later, Elissa stepped into her apartment, unwinding the burgundy scarf from around her neck. She'd made the short walk home despite Levi and Slayte's offers to drop her off, reassuring them that Itachi's crows were nearby. And sure enough, she had arrived safely.

Tossing her keys onto the side-table, she smiled to herself, still elated by the news of Levi and Slayte's engagement.

There was a lot of planning to do. First, she had to look up local wedding dress boutiques. Then she would need to arrange appointments to visit those shops. She also had to book a photographer, hair-dresser and beauty salon appointments. With only two weeks left to find the perfect dress, she expected they might have to pay more to custom measure it, in the event the regular sizes didn't fit Slayte's willowy, slender frame.

Shrugging off her jacket and removing her brown boots, she made her way to the living room and plopped herself down onto the couch.

"Vetty!" She called absently, as she lifted her laptop off the coffee table and immediately switched it on to begin her search for local bridal stores. "C'mere! Levi and Slayte have gotten engaged! Isn't that amazing news?"

Her cat appeared at her bedroom doorway, swishing her fluffy, dark tail left and right. She appeared bored, as usual, showing absolutely no reaction to Elissa's announcement, and languidly stalked toward her familiar.

A ping from Elissa's phone alerted her to a new message from Cami, who confirmed that she was out of town for a couple of days. Elissa frowned. Maybe it was best to call her friend to talk things over and check up on her. She pressed the speed-dial key that linked to Cami's number and was about to put the call through, when her mobile screen unexpectedly illuminated, displaying an unknown, withheld number.

Who might that be? It wasn't often she received anonymous calls, unless it was the doctor's surgery. Her eyebrows drew together as Vetty hopped up into her lap. Petting her distractedly, Elissa swiped her thumb across the screen and answered the call.

"Hello?"

The sound of laboured breathing filled her ears. Alarmed, Elissa pulled the phone back slightly, staring at the screen uncertainly.

"Hello...?" she repeated.

"E...lissa." A strained voice rasped.

Elissa immediately tensed, her hand stilling on Vetty's head, prompting a mewl of protest from the feline curled against her.

"Who is this?"

A short, brittle chuckle filled her ear. "Have you forgotten me already? That's… understandable, considering…"

The voice sounded genuinely pained, and it took Elissa several more seconds to place it. When recognition finally struck, she bolted upright, her stomach instantly lurching with dread.

"Cain…?" she exhaled in disbelief.

He coughed, a hacking, unpleasant sound. "Elissa," he repeated her name. "And how... have you been keeping? Surely, better than I have."

Elissa swallowed, feeling on edge and uncomfortable. Her heart raced. Was he calling because he was angry? Of course he had to be. The force of Levi's punch had landed him in hospital. But she had blocked his number after that. Why was he contacting her again? Hadn't she made it clear enough that she wanted nothing more to do with him? She glanced down at Vetty, to find her large eyes watching her intently.

"What do you want?" she demanded frostily.

He took a few rattling breaths. Something didn't sound quite right with him. He seemed exhausted. Elissa hesitated despite herself. Where was he, even? "Are you at the hospital?" she asked.

"No," he answered. "I've been discharged. And… well, the reports aren't good. Thanks to your… ah… friend's physical assault… the doctors found a lesion growing in my temporal lobe. That's…" he coughed again, "a part of the brain."

"I know what that is," Elissa retorted stiffly.

"Yes. Well… it seems to be inoperable, and has been there for months. Apparently it causes personality changes… including aggressive outbursts. Elissa… I know you don't want to hear from me…"

"You're right. We have nothing left to say to each other," Elissa answered. "I'm sorry about your diagnosis, really, and I hope they can treat it, but after what you did-"

"Just… just hear me out. I told you," Cain interrupted. "It's inoperable. It's terminal. And… I just can't stop thinking about my behaviour on that day. It was… it wasn't me. I don't know what came over me. I would never- but with this brain lesion… it makes sense. It was an episode. Or something."

"That's no excuse," Elissa frowned, not buying it for a single moment. "That doesn't change what you did, or all the horrible things you said. You chased me down the street!"

"I know. I know I did. I feel horrible. Truly… really I do. I'm so sorry, Elissa. That I," he coughed violently again wheezing. "That I did that to you. For every way that I've hurt you. You're… truly… truly special, and I… I never wanted- I hate how I acted. You were absolutely right. You don't owe me anything… it was me. I intruded. I understand that we can't be together, that you don't want to be, that you want me to stay away from you… but… if you could just let me apologise… if you could forgive me… that would… that would really put my mind at rest."

Elissa swallowed thickly. He sounded sincere in his regret, but she wouldn't feel bad for him, she told herself firmly. He was unpleasant, and rude, and had played mind games with her, trying to turn her against her best friends. He had lied to her. He was nothing but an entitled narcissist, one that she wanted absolutely nothing to do with.

"You've apologised," she said curtly. "Don't call me again."

"Wait! Elissa, wait. Please. Just- meet me? Just once more. I hate to end things on such an awful note. Let me… at least try and make amends. I'm under no illusion… that we can continue any manner of relationship but… please. I can't bear to think of us parting ways, so terribly."

"You already saw to that," she snapped back unsympathetically. She wasn't going to allow the fact that Cain was clearly unwell to sway her decision to break off all contact with him. He had preyed on her emotions and vulnerability before. She wouldn't open that door ever again.

The memory of allowing him to touch her - to kiss her - made her feel nauseous, tainted by his hands. Slayte had been right about him all along. She had been a sightless fool to give him her first kiss. Cain had never felt safe, respectful or right. Not the way Itachi did. Cain, who greedily took without asking and did not respect boundaries, where Itachi always had. Elissa regretted every moment she had spent in his company, and now, so far removed from it as she had been, she wondered what had ever possessed her to tolerate it to begin with.

"You're angry at me. I…" he paused, taking a few more breaths, and it seemed to Elissa that he was struggling to fill his lungs with the oxygen they required to function. She found herself frowning at the distressing sound. "I understand. I expect it. But please. Just meet me at my place. Or I can come to yours. If we could just smooth things over and remain friends-"

"No," Elissa shot him down once more. "We can't be friends. That's not what I want. I want you to not contact me ever again."

"Please…" he pleased, sounding like he was on the verge of tears. "Please, Elissa. Just let me apologise. In person. Please…"

Elissa was silent for a long moment.

"You can apologise at the tea shop," she tested. "To my best friends, too. You know, the ones you also insulted?"

If he was truly as remorseful as he claimed to be, he would jump at the offer, wouldn't he? It wouldn't matter where she chose to meet him, if he was sincere.

She waited for his response. There was a pause on the other side of the line.

"I…" he faltered. "I can't deal with large crowds right now. Or public spaces. I'd rather meet somewhere more private. Just five minutes, Elissa. Please… I beg of you… after I've rested and feel up to it. In two days. Wednesday evening… let me see you. Let's just clear the air. Please."

"If you won't meet at the tea shop," she replied, unmoved, "then we're not meeting at all."

"Please." His voice broke and Elissa felt something twist unpleasantly within her chest. She wasn't cruel in nature. A part of her felt sorry for his ill-health, for his clear distress. A part of her almost pitied his plight. But the harsh reality was that the situation he was in was entirely of his own doing. She wasn't going to allow him to manipulate her emotions as he had in the past. Not anymore. She refused to be a pawn in his self-centred game.

"Sorry, Cain," she dismissed. "I'm not meeting you, and I don't want you to visit me. I wish you the best with your recovery. Your apology over the phone is enough. We have nothing more to say to each other. Goodbye."

With that, she disconnected the call, only realising once she had that her entire body was shaking violently. She stared at the screen, terrified that he would attempt to ring again. A few minutes passed. Thankfully, he didn't. Immediately she speed-dialled Slayte's number on instinct, the elation of their engagement news dulling away, replaced by the sheer anxiety of hearing from Cain again.

The phone rang, and when Slayte didn't immediately answer, Elissa rose to her feet, walking toward the balcony doors. She hadn't drawn the curtains, and looked out at the night sky, pacing restlessly as she waited for her best friend to answer.

Finally, to her relief, the call connected. "Slayte's washing up," came Levi's voice.

"I'm sorry to bother you guys again. Can I talk to her real quick?" Elissa asked.

The sound of cutlery being placed on a rack filled her ears, and a few seconds later, Slayte responded.

"Elissa. Hey. What's up?"

"Cain called me," Elissa burst out. She felt physically sick. Her skin crawled at the memory of his unsettling, rasping voice and hacking coughs.

"What?" Slayte demanded, a trace of alarm in her voice. "When?"

"Just now."

"But I thought you blocked his number?"

"I did," Elissa scowled, running her fingers stressfully through her hair. "He called me on a withheld one."

"That nasty piece of trash," Slayte sounded audibly frustrated. "What did he want?"

"He said that he's been discharged from the hospital. Something about a brain-lesion that's affected his moods. He sounded really sick and out of it. He wanted to apologise for what he did and asked if I could meet him."

"Gods!" Slayte exclaimed angrily. "Please tell me you didn't fall for that!"

"I didn't," Elissa shook her head. "He asked if I could go to his place, or whether he could come here. I refused, but Slayte," she shuddered, anxious and upset. "He knows where I live. I'm worried. He could show up at any time. He said he wanted to come over in two days, in the evening."

"Okay," Slayte reassured her. "It's okay. You just won't open the door, right?"

"I told him not to show up." Elissa fretted. "I told him I never want to see him again."

"Oi," Levi, who had overheard the conversation that Slayte had put on loud-speaker, chipped in. "If he calls again or shows up, you call us. Maybe one knock on the head wasn't enough for that damned Shit-for-Brains."

Elissa released a shaky breath.

"He creeped me out. I feel sick. What if he does try to come on Wednesday, anyway?"

"Then we'll be there," Slayte answered firmly. "We can close the tea shop a little earlier and come over and stay with you, if that helps put you at ease. Right, Levi?" Elissa heard Levi respond with a grunt of agreement, before Slayte added, "I hope that asshole gives me a chance to break his legs. I swear, if he tries anything at all, this time I will."

Elissa nodded. "Okay," she answered, though she couldn't shake the disconcerting feeling that she hadn't quite heard the last from Cain. Even if he had been sincere in his apology, it wasn't like him to let things end on any terms that weren't his. He was too egotistical to let things go. Everything she knew about him pointed to that fact.

She stared out into the shadows, and felt her heart constrict deeply within her chest. Suddenly she desperately wished that Itachi would pay her a visit that night. It had been several days since she had seen him last and she missed him terribly. For all the kind assurances her best friends gave her, she craved the warmth of his touch and the comfort and ease it brought to her. If she told him about Cain, about how uncomfortable he made her, then surely he would do something about it. Maybe he would make it impossible for Cain to pay her a visit at all.

But there was no sign of him. Only the hushed silence of the night, beyond the locked glass doors.

"Everything will be fine," Slayte's voice said in her ear. "I promise. That asshole isn't going to touch you ever again. We'll make sure he leaves you alone for good."

"Okay," Elissa repeated. "You're right. Even if he does show, I can just call the police. I've got this. I'll be fine."

As she ended the call, she desperately hoped that Slayte was right and fiercely reminded herself that regardless of what Cain chose to do, she would no longer be anyone's victim ever again.


Two days passed restlessly as the trio anticipated the troublesome doctor's next move. They had agreed to hang out together so that, on the off chance Cain did indeed choose to make an appearance, they would be ready for him and could ensure he did not so much as lay a finger on Elissa.

When the Wednesday in question finally arrived, Levi and Slayte had hung up a sign informing their visitors of the change in opening hours for that day and worked through the day's customers with solemn expressions.

Half an hour before closing, Slayte hung her apron up in the kitchen and grabbed her purse on her way back out. Slinging it across her body and over her shoulder, she reappeared in the tea shop, drawing Levi's gaze up towards her.

"Going somewhere?"

"Yeah, getting some snacks for movie night," she answered easily, freeing her ponytail from the purse strap. "I told you, remember?"

"I'm sure she has enough to eat," Levi frowned.

Slayte shook her head, and patted his shoulder as she passed by. "I mentioned I was going this morning. You said it was fine."

Levi grunted in response, neither a confirmation nor a protest. He had indeed said it would be fine if she left a little earlier to pick up some things so they wouldn't go over "empty-handed". He hadn't had an issue with it in the morning. But it was always when it was time for her to actually go, that he second-guessed what had possessed him earlier to agree to let her leave.

"I'll be back in a bit," she called over her shoulder, and disappeared out the front door without another word, leaving Levi to deal with the last of the customers.

Slayte made her way up the road to the nearby grocery store and quickly selected Elissa's favorite snacks, as well as a few she knew Levi had a liking for. She glanced at her watch repeatedly, not wanting to waste a minute. They had agreed they would head over the moment they closed shop for the day, ready to intercept the bastard who hopefully wouldn't be making an appearance.

Or maybe he would make an appearance. Maybe Slayte would finally get a chance to break his bones as she had threatened to, ages ago. The raven-haired nymph tried not to get her hopes up.

On her way out of the grocery store, she drew her phone out of her pocket to send Elissa an update on their progress.

'I just got done picking up some snacks! We should be over in half an hour. Are you alright?'

It took only a few minutes for Elissa to respond, and Slayte wondered if that wasn't a sign that her friend was nervous and keeping her phone nearby. She bit her lip in concern as she read Elissa's message.

My Bestie 3 - [03:40 PM]

Thanks, Slayte. I'm totally fine, take your time! See you in a bit :)

Slayte frowned at the message, almost certain that Elissa was feigning confidence to keep her from worrying. Following up with an enthusiastic reassurance that she would be there soon, Slayte pocketed her phone and hastened her steps back towards the tea shop, eager to be by Elissa's side and put her friend's mind at ease - if not her own.


My Favorite Psycho 3 - [03:43 PM]

We'll be right there! We're gonna make it loads of fun and have a movie night. Don't worry. :D

Elissa smiled softly at the reassuring message. She had spent the last two days feeling inexplicably on edge. Despite her friends' reassurances that all would be well, and her own insistence to her overthinking brain that she had absolutely nothing to worry about, she had kept a close eye on the street from her balcony doors regardless, wary that at any given moment, she would spot a familiar blond head heading toward her apartment block.

She told herself that she was being ridiculous. Completely paranoid and irrational. Just because Cain had called, it didn't mean he would show up. He had merely asked to meet. Begged to, really. And she had firmly refused. If there had been any doubts before about her wishes to never see him again, the phone-call had surely laid all those uncertainties to rest.

Settling onto her couch in front of the television, Elissa's eyes flicked onto the clock. It was creeping toward four in the late afternoon and it was already beginning to get dark outside. Slayte and Levi were due to visit within the next hour. She couldn't wait for them to arrive. Just the thought of them coming over helped to assuage her worries.

She'd already prepared the snacks ahead of their arrival. Levi would be bringing fresh ingredients with him to cook them dinner. Elissa switched the television on, flicking through the channels, willing the next hour to hurry on by. Beside her, Vetty was dozing lightly.

The ringing of her cell phone drew Elissa's attention away from the cooking show she'd paused at. She picked up her mobile, eyes widening at the caller ID, and immediately answered it.

"Cami," she greeted. "Hey. Finally!"

"Hi Elissa," her friend's voice responded. "Sorry it took me a while to get back to you. I've just been so busy."

"No, it's fine," Elissa folded one arm across her midriff, relieved to hear from Cami at last. Maybe she could finally get to the bottom of the weird incident that she hadn't been able to shake from her mind since before she'd gone home for the holidays. "How are you? I've been really worried about you."

"I'm alright. Just getting on with things. I've been out of town, visiting with my family and friends for Christmas, since I felt more up to it."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

Cami paused, before reaffirming, "Yes? Why are you worrying?"

Elissa hesitated. "It's just… you were acting really weird the last time you visited."

"What? When?"

Elissa's eyebrows drew together in confusion. Prickles of unease began crawling over her skin. That same, relentless sense of dread that accompanied the instinctive feeling that something wasn't quite right. How often had she felt that lately? Too often to count, and each time was no less unsettling than the last.

"You remember?" she prompted, still foolishly hoping that she was the one who was mistaken. But even as she asked the question, Elissa found herself thinking of the bracelet that had mysteriously vanished without explanation. Seemingly into thin air. Inside her chest, her heart began to thud to a dull, pounding beat.

"Elissa, when?" Cami pressed. "I didn't visit anyone between the funeral and Christmas. I was in no mind to call on anyone; what are you talking about?"

Elissa froze. Her heart sank. For a few awful moments, she was stricken entirely speechless. But she had seen Cami with her own eyes. It had been her friend. She'd looked just like her. Dressed like her. Sounded like her.

And yet, she had acted nothing like the Cami Elissa knew so well. What was going on?

Her troubled frown deepened. If Cami was now informing her that she hadn't visited… then just who had Elissa let inside her apartment...?

"Oh my God…" she whispered, lifting a hand to her mouth in horror. Of course Cami hadn't recognised the bracelet. It hadn't been hers. Because it hadn't been her who had entered Elissa's house.

The sound of a key being inserted into her front door drew her attention to the hallway. Slayte and Levi had arrived early, and she was overcome with relief, terrified by the fact that she'd allowed an imposter masquerading as her friend into her home. There was no other possible explanation; whatever was hunting her must have sent the clone to trick her. And like a naive fool, Elissa had fallen for it.

But how could she have possibly guessed? She hadn't even known about how to break illusions back then. She rose to her feet, mind racing, telling herself that she had to inform Slayte and Levi right away, that she needed to tell Itachi, too, as she turned toward the hallway, ready to greet her friends.

"Elissa?" Cami's voice in her ear sounded concerned. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Elissa assured her, feeling anything but. Had the imposter Cami been some sort of an illusion? Like the ones Itachi had placed upon her, to make her think a certain way or to see certain things? Was that possible? But only the Sharingan was capable of doing that, and she was certain that she had not looked into any other crimson eyes. None except Itachi's, just as he had instructed.

"Hey, can I call you back later?" she asked distractedly. "Sorry, I've got some friends coming over who've just arrived."

"Sure?" Cami replied, sounding as confused as Elissa felt. "That's okay. Call me whenever."

Elissa thanked her and disconnected the call, just as the front door was pushed open.

"I'm so glad you guys came early," she began. "I've just spoken to Cami and-"

The remainder of the words lodged in her throat. Her heart leapt into her mouth, hurtling impossibly fast, and her eyes widened in stunned disbelief. Inside her stomach, knots of dread coiled tightly, painfully, like barbed wire dragging across her gut. Her mouth fell open in silent, astonished horror.

Cain Lockwood stepped inside her apartment, kicking the door shut behind him. His complexion was startling, deathly pale, and dark shadows marred the skin beneath his eyes. His hair, usually slickened back without a single strand out of place, hung limply around his gaunt face. He was dressed in a dark grey trench-coat, a white T-shirt, black jeans and sneakers. His clothes were creased, and nothing like the immaculate condition Elissa had always known him to keep.

"Hello, darling," he drawled, and the word oozed over her ears like thick, suffocating grease, causing a repulsed shudder to shoot down Elissa's spine.

She gripped onto her cell phone tightly with one hand, her other balling to form a fist. She blinked several times, but the horrendous image before her eyes would not dispel. There was no question that he appeared unwell. But she wasn't so certain, from looking at him, that his affliction was limited only to a physical ailment. At that moment, he appeared out of his mind, and an appalled, disgusted Elissa realised that she had been completely out of hers, to keep company with him at all.

After a few seconds of staring at him in shocked, open-mouthed dismay, she finally found her voice.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded, feeling sick to her stomach with fear, but she was determined not to give him the satisfaction of seeing it. The imposter Cami who had visited her, the bracelet, Cain's increasingly erratic behaviour; were the incidents linked at all? Just what was she dealing with?

He released a dramatic sigh. "I told you that we would meet today, didn't I? It wasn't a request. You really ought to listen better, darling."

You lying son of a bitch, Elissa thought, outraged, but quickly reigned in her temper. She wouldn't lose her cool. Her mind cycled frantically through her options as she fought to remain calm. She wouldn't allow him to intimidate her. Her friends were already on their way, and Cain did not know that. She just had to stall him long enough for them to arrive, or lock herself into her room to buy enough time to call the police. She could reach Itachi's crow out on the balcony from there - but first she had to distract her unwelcome visitor.

Her eyes darted around her, seeking a weapon, settling for the briefest of moments on the glass vase resting on the side table against the wall to her left, before directing her focus back at him. Cain was bigger than she was, stronger than she was, faster than she was. She had to play smarter - which meant waiting for an opening, for the opportune moment to do something he wouldn't expect, something that would give her enough time to bolt toward her room.

Vetty, she called telepathically, not knowing whether the feline could hear her. Can you hear me? Cain's broken in. Vetty!

Silence met her. Elissa clenched her teeth, reasoning that Vetty would surely hear the commotion soon enough, and turned her full attention to Cain once again.

"How?" she got out. "How did you get in?"

His eyes locked intently onto her, something about them unsettling, alarming, far too bright. A familiar, arrogant smirk slowly graced his lips, as he fastened the door chain behind him, and lifted a silver key smugly up for display, showing a horrified Elissa the copy he had somehow obtained without her knowledge or consent.

His sudden appearance and the condescending look on his face confirmed what she had already suspected; it had all been an act. His apology had been nothing but an empty lie. A pity party he had enacted, trying to manipulate her emotions once more, to worm his way back into her life, into seeing her. Cain was a convincing performer and life was his stage. Whoever stumbled across his path, was dragged into his theatre, regardless of their consent. The only thing that mattered to him was his own fun, his own gain. He didn't care about anybody else but himself.

Fury raged through Elissa's blood like burning, liquid flame, and at that moment she despised the young man standing before her more than anything. She didn't recognise him. He was a stranger to her. She could not perceive how they had once been close enough to share touches, to spend so much time together. How she had allowed him to take her out, and turned away from and discarded her own friends for somehow so wholly unpleasant. So utterly unbearable. So insincere and self-absorbed.

He had no right to be there. To so haughtily reject her wishes. To disregard and disrespect her words and to saunter into her own home, uninvited, unwanted, unwelcome. She had been right to stand her ground and refuse to see him. But for all of Cain's terrible traits, Elissa had never expected him to stoop to such disgraceful actions. She could never have anticipated that he would resort to the desperate, criminal level of forging her apartment key. That he would continue to stalk her, when she had made it transparent that she wanted nothing more to do with him.

He hadn't come to apologise or smooth things over, Elissa realised, her heart galloping wildly, sending quakes through her entire body from the force of its frenzied rhythm. He was shameless. Without remorse. He had come only to gloat. To continue precisely where he had left off; tormenting her with his presence, making her uncomfortable. He was a narcissist, one that was clearly completely insane.

She regretted the day she had ever crossed paths with Cain Lockwood.

Tilting his head, he flashed her a sharp, wolfish smile, and said mockingly, "Did you miss me?"


Levi began wiping down the surfaces even before the last customers had well and truly left the shop. The sooner they would be over at Elissa's, the sooner the three of them could put their minds to rest. He doubted the shitty bastard of a doctor would be around again for seconds so soon, but he wasn't averse to dishing out another helping. The first time had been more of a warning strike, anyway.

He noted the last of the customers taking their leave from the corner of his eye as he finished cleaning up the place in preparation for their departure when Slayte returned. When he had polished the appliances to a gleam and washed up the last of the dishes, Levi switched off the lights in the kitchen and headed back into the main area. Slayte had yet to return, but he could grab his coat and meet her halfway. No point waiting around.

A shadow flickering past the tea shop windows caught Levi's attention and he hesitated, his hand hovering just over his wool-grey coat hanging from the wardrobe. He hesitated, withdrawing his hand, and made his way slowly to the front door. A sensation of unease prickled at the back of his neck and he narrowed his eyes as he approached.

Was it related to the recent string of robberies he had read about in the newspaper? Most petty criminals knew better than to mess with him or any of the other small businesses in his area, but one could never really count out the newbies who had yet to learn due diligence.

Levi extended his hand towards the gilded door handle, but paused with a frown when he noticed the curved metal rattling, as if someone on the other side were… Before he could so much as complete the thought, a loud blast resounded deafeningly in his ears as the door was thrown completely off its hinges, thousands of shards of broken glass shot throughout the teashop like deadly projectiles.

He could only thank his instincts, that had his arms lifting in defense even before his mind had fully grasped what was happening. He could feel the shards embedding themselves into his forearms and cutting through his clothing, but he had no time to count his wounds, because those same instincts flowing through his bloodstream screamed into his senses that the trouble was just starting.

Through the smoke and chaos, rugged men stormed into the shop endlessly, shouting provocations. There had to be at least a dozen of them. Liquid steel seeped into his mind, as his body reverted into the weapon it had once been. He reached out towards the man nearest to him and, fisting the man's hair, jerked his head towards himself as he brought his knee crashing up against his nose. The resounding crack reaffirmed that the man's nose was duly broken and Levi released his hold, allowing the man to fall like dead weight to the floor.

The whooshing sound in his ears was thick, and Levi recognized the weapon by sound long before he set eyes on it. Angling his head backwards, he narrowly dodged the baseball bat swinging past him. He brought his hand up to grip the bat firmly, and leaning backwards aimed a kick at the man's chest that sent him flying with a crash into the opposite wall of the tea shop. Using the momentum of his kick, Levi turned, spinning the bat in a wide arc that kept the rest of his attackers at bay momentarily.

With the smoke beginning to settle, he saw more men streaming in, upending tables and chairs while others took their bats to the windows. A displacing, cold feeling settled over him at the sight and that momentary distraction sufficed for one of his assailants to take advantage of the opening and deliver a punch to his gut that had him doubling over in pain. A second man closed in, seeking to follow up with a blow to Levi's face, but the raven-haired man recovered more quickly than they had expected and, catching hold of the incoming fist, twisted the man's hand until his wrist snapped, and he clung to the broken limb, screaming in pain.

Yet another hoodlum closed in and grabbed Levi in a ruthless headlock, cutting off his airflow. Jeering, a trio of men approached and struck him wherever they could, clearly seeking to regain face for how he had been flooring them up to that point. With a burst of energy, Levi jerked forward, sending the man behind him flying over his shoulder and into the three ruffians.

When even more of the intruders rushed in to continue the fight, Levi stopped following the events around him. It was a matter of blocking, dodging, counterattacking - and making sure every hit he got in meant his assailant was out for the count. Still, he was sorely outnumbered and his injuries were increasing and growing worse, even as ever more incapacitated men littered the floor.

"Oi, Levi."

The gruff voice barking through the din brought the brawling to an abrupt halt.

Out of breath, Levi stood panting in the middle of the chaos and brought the back of his hand to his mouth to wipe away the blood dripping from his split lip.

"Have you grown any, yet?"

The speaker was a tall, lanky man with scraggly brown hair brushing against his shoulders and an outspoken, dark gray cowboy hat resting atop his head. His long, angular face was beginning to show the first signs of aging and a scruffy beard ran along the length of his jawline, dusting his chin. The man wore a loosely buttoned white shirt, black suspenders, and black trousers. A gun holster was hooked into his belt, gleaming threateningly under the tea shop's lighting. His apparent carelessness in carrying the weapon without any attempt to conceal it, showed how little concern he had for law enforcement at large.

"Tch." Levi scowled at the intruder, familiar though he was. "Kenny." The man's name left Levi's throat in a low growl, prompting a chuckle from the older man.

"Now, now… Is that any way to greet an old acquaintance?"

Kenny Ackerman picked his way across the floor, neatly avoiding the men moaning and limping out of the way. Counting out loud, he tutted to himself, before addressing his motley crew of hoodlums. "Twenty-five. Well, fuck me, this is what I keep telling you good for nothings. Give me one Levi or forty of you. I'll take my chances with Levi."

Kicking one of the fallen chairs into an upright position, he let himself fall into the chair and tilted it back, bringing his feet up on the table as he crossed one leg over the other. Mud fell from his boots at the action, and spilled onto the cherry wood table. Levi stood deathly still, narrowing his eyes at the elder Ackerman.

"Nice place you got here, if I do say so myself," Kenny drawled, gesturing vaguely at the ransacked tea shop in general with one hand as the other withdrew a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. Bringing the cigarette to his lips, he left it hanging there as he felt for the matchbox he was sure he had left in one of his pockets. When he found it, he struck the match and lit his cigarette, before shaking it out and flicking the discarded match across the tea shop. The gathering stood stock still, watching every movement carefully.

"You've been ignoring my messages," Kenny supplied on an exhale, spilling smoke into the tea shop that had never smelled of anything but soap, tea, and coffee beans. "Why do you gotta make this so hard on me, Levi?" He extended his arms to the side in a helpless gesture.

"Have a heart, huh?" He continued with a wry smirk.

Levi narrowed his eyes in return. "How terrible of me, you must have been struggling." His tone did not betray the dripping sarcasm of his words, and Kenny grinned in response.

"We went our separate ways, Kenny. It's not like you to be so clingy," Levi dismissed, unaffected by the fact that he was surrounded by opponents and his place of business was in shambles.

Kenny chuckled to himself, "True, true. We did say our goodbyes, didn't we? Even after we held your farewell party - " titters echoed throughout the room, "You took it like a man and couldn't even have the good sense to die." Kenny shook his head, as if disappointed, "So, imagine my surprise to hear from you years later, asking me for a favor."

"Levi," Kenny admonished, in a tone not unlike that of a parent telling their child they should know better. "I don't do favors."

"What was her name again?" Kenny drawled, tipping his chair back even further as he continued. "Soot? Silt?"

"Slayte!" came a voice from the gathering and Kenny laughed in response.

"That was it. Jesus, Levi. Couldn't you have thought of a better name than that? Even you have to know that's a shitty-ass name."

When Levi refused to answer, still, Kenny frowned. "So, where is your little sweetheart anyway? Can't have missed the commotion, can she? Or did she leave you already?" Kenny barked a laugh at his own suggestion. "What? Did she take off when she realized what a gloomy little gremlin you are?"

Levi's gaze darted for the faintest instant towards the gaping hole that was once their front door, but it caught Kenny's notice.

"Boys," he rasped at his men with a smirk. "Make sure to show the princess in when she gets here. Wouldn't want her to miss all the fun."

Levi's eyes narrowed further at the man he had once considered a mentor, and there was a blazing fury within them that Kenny knew was rare in so stoic a man.

"I daresay pretty little Slayte might speed things up a bit around here, wouldn't she?" Kenny drawled in provocation, and watched with satisfaction as Levi's hands balled into fists in response. "Why, she's as good as family now, isn't she?"

The meaning behind the statement, and the dark implications behind the word "family" were not lost on Levi.

Half of the men began streaming out of the tea shop and when a robust, ginger-haired man passed by, Levi's hand shot out with the speed and accuracy of a striking viper. He flipped the man onto a nearby table, pinning his arm high on his back. Kicking up a knife that had fallen to the floor in the skirmish, he caught it easily in his right hand and brought it to the man's face, who stared wide-eyed at the blade and began whimpering in fear.

"It was you, right?" Levi muttered in a voice entirely devoid of feeling, so cold and robotic, the man could not help but shiver in his grip. His cold, grey eyes were frigid, calculating… clinical, almost. The other men looked on uneasily as Kenny lifted a hand to keep them from interfering. They recognized him as the one who had shouted out Slayte's name.

The man squeaked in alarm and pressed his mouth shut as Levi brought his knife to the man's lips, wedging it between his teeth, and prying his mouth open. "I'm going to take her name out of your mouth. You won't mind, right?"

"I'm sorry!" He shrieked, when he realized there was no chance of fighting Levi off and no hope of help from any one of the spectators. "I'm sorry, bro! Please! I won't do it again!"

Levi hesitated for a brief moment, considering. The blood dripping down his face and the unfeeling steel of his irises made for a haunting image the man would not soon forget. "That's alright," Levi muttered, before pushing the knife into his mouth again. "But you need to reflect on your actions. You can speak again in your next life."

"Levi," Kenny called out, and there was something harsh and commanding in his voice that brought Levi's actions to a halt. "Is this what you left for?"

Levi looked down at the terrified man as if a veil had been lifted from his eyes, and stepped back, releasing him. What was that just now? Was it merely the adrenaline rush from the fight? Was it his anger towards Kenny? He had been about to cut out the man's tongue. Even now, as the man made a hasty escape, he could not bring himself to regret his actions. If anything, he regretted letting him go.

Once again, Levi found himself wondering which self he truly was. Why did brewing tea and cutting people up both feel equally natural to him? Some boundaries, he supposed, as he watched the man stumble, shaking, out of the doorway, will remain forever blurred, once crossed. But he had decided for himself to leave this way of life behind him, so why did he constantly find himself caught up in it again?

With a frown, Levi loosened his hold and allowed the knife to drop to the floor. Turning back towards the taller man, Levi determined to put an end to this unpleasant encounter as soon as possible. Half of the thugs had assembled outside of the teashop, likely to intercept Slayte as soon as she returned.

She was strong, she could take care of herself. Based on what he had seen, she could probably do away with the lot of them. But he didn't want her to. And he didn't want them knowing about her. Chasing after her powers and blackmailing or outright threatening the both of them to join their cause. No. He would not allow that to happen. And he would not allow Slayte to become a killer. It was bad enough that one of them was.

In hindsight, it was actually a relief that she had chosen to go shopping. Now, all he needed to do was make sure this sorry rabble was gone before she returned. It was time to put an end to this.

"What do you want?" Levi questioned, irritable. "I think I've listened to your senile rambling long enough."

"Not paying your debts is bad business practice, Levi. I'm just teaching you some manners."

"Get to the point."

"Alright, alright," Kenny took his burning cigarette out of his mouth and put it out on the table before rising to his feet. "Let's do it this way. First, I pay back my debts, and then you pay back yours.

"Fair enough, right? So, let's start with this…" Kenny angled his head to the side, observing Levi, as he crossed his arms over his chest. "You left a gift with my team in Paradis. I've been in your debt ever since."

He nodded towards the raven-haired man and the surrounding men closed in around him again, hesitantly at first, and then, seeing he provided no resistance, shoved him roughly into the shelving on the opposite wall, bringing porcelain jars and decorative teacups to the floor, shattering all around him. Two heavy-set men held his arms back as the others took turns raining blows down upon his form. Levi ignored them throughout the ordeal, his burning gaze fixed intently on the brown-haired man in front of him, even as bruises bloomed and then split open on his face and body.

When a particularly brutal punch threw his head to the side, his gaze fell upon the dark blue and golden porcelain shards of what was once Slayte's favorite teacup. He clenched his jaw. It was just a matter of taking a few punches. Nothing he couldn't deal with. Nothing he'd never done before.


Slayte hastened down the road, cursing Cain's existence with every breath. What right did he have to cause Elissa such worry when she was just now getting back on her feet, just now starting to feel in control of her life again? There seemed to be no end to the amount of trouble the doctor could cook up, and even if he didn't show up, she still wanted to hurry over and put Elissa's mind at ease as soon as possible. Surely, there was nothing some nice company, delicious snacks, and a good movie couldn't fix.

She was so caught up in her thoughts, she scarcely noticed the gathering outside of the tea shop until she was nearly upon them. Slayte stopped in her tracks, seeing the rugged men standing in two neat rows leading towards the entrance of the teashop.

Their concern that Slayte might take off the minute she saw danger was ill-founded. Far from turning tail, she walked slowly between the rows, blinking at the men in confusion as she made her way towards the front door. It was only when she caught the eye of a man with a blond ponytail that her mouth fell open in surprise, recognizing him as the man who had spoken to Levi in a low voice, months ago, and had set him so on edge.

Trepidation flooded her heart at the realization that this large group of people was related to whatever had caused Levi so much concern. She rushed forward, flying over the last few steps towards the entrance, and was so horrified by the sight that met her eyes, she did not even notice the gaping hole that had replaced their front door.

There was her Levi - her fortress, her Elysium, her religion - held up by his collar, and being beaten to the ground by no less than five men.

"Levi!" the cry that left her throat was stricken, almost inhuman in its outrage, in its horror. The grocery bags dropped to the floor, their contents spilling out over the hardwood.

She raced forward, blind to everything but the grey eyes in that bloodstained face that were fixed firmly on her own. She pushed her way past the men, grabbing shoulders, elbows, whatever she could - reaching out with her shadows to ensure she snapped bone wherever her hands landed - until she had forced her way through. The men retreated, groaning in pain and confusion.

She fell to the floor at his side, immediately cupping his face, brushing his raven strands back and clearing the blood away with her palms. "Levi," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Levi, Levi, Levi…" she choked out, hysteria rising in her voice. "What happened?" With shaking hands, she brought him in towards herself, hugging his head to her chest as she struggled to contain her raging emotions. She couldn't break down, not in front of all of these people.

She turned to turn a piercing, fiery glare towards the man standing unmoved in the center of the shop. He seemed somewhat taken aback, but collected himself quickly.

Releasing a low whistle, followed by a dark chuckle, Kenny shook his head. "Well, that explains quite a bit."

"Should have introduced us sooner, Levi. What's all this, huh?" Stepping forward, he lifted a boot to nudge the raven-haired man, but Slayte's hand shot forward to block the motion. Her palm resting against the toe of his boot, her blazing eyes lifted towards the elder Ackerman as she spoke in a voice so low and threatening, it sent a chill even down his spine.

"Touch him and I kill you."

He felt a chill spread through him from the point of contact, a freezing sensation that sank into the very marrow of his bones, paralyzing him and creeping up his leg.

"I'll have you die a thousand deaths." The contrast between the weeping woman who had clung to Levi's side and the one pronouncing icy, unfeeling threats was so stark that Kenny stepped back, considering.

"And then a thousand more," Slayte continued, dropping her hand to the floor as she supported Levi with the other, surreptitiously summoning shadows to creep along the hardwood panels. She would crush them all. Every one of them in one move. The consequences be damned.

It was only when she felt a firm, warm hand close around her wrist that her concentration was interrupted and the shadows dispersed. She turned towards Levi, who gave her a look - one that was clearly telling her to stop - before he pulled away and straightened, lifting irritated silver eyes towards Kenny.

"So, that was your debt," he deadpanned, as if he weren't bleeding and battered nearly beyond recognition. "Now, let's hear the rest of it."

Kenny hesitated, his gaze lingering on the raven-haired woman beside Levi, his instinct telling him there was more to all of this than met the eye. It was when he spotted the black band of metal wrapped around the fourth finger of her left hand that his lips pressed together thoughtfully.

He turned back to Levi, an unspoken question written in his eyes, but cleared his throat. "You owe me a favor, brat. I'm calling it in." He adjusted his cowboy hat, and turned on his heel, gesturing for his men to follow. "Midnight of the 18th. You know where to find me."

Slayte held on to Levi as the two of them watched the men file out, talking amongst themselves and throwing offensive taunts over their shoulders at the couple.

It was only when the last of them had left the premises that Slayte took in the condition of the tea shop. She turned back to Levi, confused, only to find his eyes still fixed on the hole in the wall.

"We're gonna have to do something about that," he muttered. "There'll be a draft."

Slayte gaped at him, frustration cresting within her, "Is that what matters right now?"

Furious tears stung her eyes, and she jumped to her feet and stalked out of the common area. When Levi made to follow, she turned back to instruct him harshly. "Stay right where you are."

She returned within minutes, a first aid kit by her side, as well as a bowl of warm water and a clean towel. Her eyes were puffy and her nose was reddened, and Levi suspected she had shed a few tears while gathering her tools.

Biting her lip, she set to work, cleaning the blood from his face and body. The gentle strokes of the warm towel on his face were comforting and he closed his eyes as she worked. When she withdrew her hands, he reopened his eyes to find that silent tears were streaming from those tea-brown eyes.

With a pair of long tweezers, she began pulling the shards of glass from his arms with trembling hands. Levi watched her shaky movements a few moments, seeing the tears fall to the ground between them, before reaching for the tweezers.

"Calm down," he instructed, as unmoved as ever. "I'll do this."

"Shut up," she shot back, her voice wavering with emotion as she held the tweezers out of reach. "You don't get to tell me anything."

Levi was taken aback. When had she ever spoken so harshly to him? Still crying, her brow furrowed in anger, she took to removing the rest of the shards of glass with hands so gentle they utterly belied her expression and the tone of her voice.

She sniffled and rubbed at her eyes with her forearm, only succeeding in making them even redder and puffier, as she set back to work.

"Shut up?" Levi asked, angling his head to get a better look at her tear-stained face. "You gonna make me?"

Her reddened face only turned even more crimson, for an entirely different reason. "This isn't funny, Levi -"

"Who says I'm joking?" he countered, knowing there was only one way to steer her away from a problematic train of thought.

"Stop it," she muttered, putting the tweezers away and soaking a cotton ball with antiseptic. "Don't distract me."

A few moments of silence passed as Slayte cleaned his many injuries, tutting and cursing and crying over each one. "How can you do this? Why did you just let them?" She finally burst out, unwrapping a roll of bandages. "How can you tell me to fight if you're just gonna let them… hurt you this way?" Her voice broke on a sob as she lifted the bandages to begin working on his shoulder.

"Oi, don't you dare get snot on me."

Slayte, kneeling behind him, hesitated, sniffled, and then continued her work with, "I won't."

"Did you just wipe your nose on your sleeve?"

When she didn't immediately answer, Levi scoffed. "Disgusting."

"Very funny, Levi," she retorted dryly. As Slayte wrapped the bandages along his arm, she sighed and attempted again, "Why did you stop me? Why did you let them hurt you?"

This time, it was Levi's turn to fall silent. He was sure the rules of the inner workings of his old gang would go right over her head. She would insist on an explanation as to why things were the way they were and would refuse to simply take them at face value. But because he did owe her an explanation of some kind, he answered truthfully, "Because I didn't want them coming back."

Slayte hesitated, taken aback to have him answer her at all, and listened quietly.

"We go way back, that shitty old man and I. I owed him one and he owed me one, apparently. This one's on me. When all the debts are repaid, they won't darken our doorstep again."

"How do you know that?" she wanted to know, gently applying a healing salve to the wounds on his face.

"That's just how it works. That's how he is."

"Who was that guy, anyway?" Slayte seethed, screwing the tube of medication shut as she reached for a large bandaid.

Levi watched her peel the plastic apart and smooth the bandaid over the cuts on his face.

"My uncle, Kenny Ackerman."

Slayte's movements stuttered, but she quickly regained her composure. "I see," was all she finally said, and there was nothing more to say.

Snapping the first aid kit shut, she turned back to Levi who seemed to be sitting somewhat more comfortably now. Cupping his face, she smoothed out the bandages gently with the pads of her thumbs.

"If you let someone hurt you again," she whispered, her soft breaths ghosting over his lips as her unforgiving dark eyes pierced through his guarded onyx. "I will kill them. No matter who they are, no matter what you say." She dropped her hands from his face to take one of his hands in both of her own.

"And if you try to stop me again," she lifted his hand in hers and pressed a gentle kiss to the back of it, a gesture so soft and comforting it was entirely at odds with the next words to leave her mouth. "I will teach you what the word 'regret' means."

Levi stared at her, veiled surprise in his expression. It was disconcerting to note that his mouth had gone dry. Something about the softly spoken threat was chilling, and although he knew she would sooner die than hurt a hair on his head, something told him not to disregard her threat.

She collected the first aid kit and the now blood-stained towel and water and rose to her feet to head into the kitchen. When she returned, still fighting back tears, and still angry, she helped him to his feet and supported him towards one of the tables where she flipped over a chair for him to sit on and lowered him into it.

Rushing around the tea shop, she quickly set the tables and chairs to rights, swept up the broken glass, and restored some semblance of order. Levi watched her work, the sight of her a welcome distraction from everything that had taken place. Calling the police on his uncle was not an option, and getting an insurance payout without reporting the incident to the police was impossible. It was starting to look like he would have to pay for the repairs out of his own pocket.

A steaming cup of earl grey tea was set upon the table and Levi glanced up to find Slayte already turning away. A brief look around the shop showed she had worked a miracle in a short time, and even the shards of her teacup had been swept up and thrown away. He reached for the teacup, hesitating only briefly when he noticed the circular burn mark etched into the lacquered wood of the table from Kenny's cigarette, before taking the teacup in his hand and bringing the warm liquid to his lips.

"I'm going to call Elissa," Slayte announced, from where she was putting things away behind the counter. "Tell her we can't come."

Levi tested his leg, attempting to put weight on it, but some sucker had gotten a bit overzealous with his kicks and a dull pain shot up the limb. "Hm," Levi answered with a frown. He didn't like to cancel on Elissa when she was depending on them, but it seemed like the right call at the moment. There was a lot they had to take care of, starting with the gaping holes where the door and the windows had been.

Slayte glanced at Levi, as much as she didn't want to cancel on Elissa, she felt that he was blocking himself off from feeling things that he had every right to feel. Hurt, at the actions of his only living relative. Anger, over the state of his teashop. Comfort, even maybe, because of her presence. But he was shutting down, refusing to allow himself to feel anything, as he focused instead on what needed to be done next, she assumed.

With a sigh, she lifted the phone to her ear, listening to it ring as she waited for Elissa to pick up.

"Slayte, hi."

"Hey, Elissa." Slayte tried to keep the tension from her voice, Elissa had enough to worry about without Slayte adding this on top of everything else. It was something they could talk about in person whenever they next had the chance. "I'm really sorry, but something came up and… I don't think we're going to be able to make it."

She glanced at Levi, bandaged and sullen, and continued, "Do you think you're going to be alright?"

There was a moment's tense silence before Elissa answered, "Oh yeah, sure, Slayte. Don't worry about it. I'll chill with Vetty and we'll have a Harry Potter marathon, it's all good."

Slayte blinked, briefly forgetting everything that had happened as Elissa's words dawned on her. "What?"

"I said I'll watch Harry Potter with Vetty, don't worry. Anyway, I have to go. Talk to you later!"

Slayte turned towards Levi, a look of horror on her face that had his own brows furrowing in concern. Slayte was certain there was a hidden meaning to Elissa's seemingly innocuous response. Why else would she claim to be watching a movie series Slayte knew she despised?

"Levi, something - something's terribly wrong," Slayte whispered anxiously.

Not requiring further explanation, Levi got to his feet - aching leg be damned - and snapped the car key off of the sideboard. "Let's go."

Slayte quickly fell into step beside him and the pair made their way towards Levi's black jeep, leaving the chaos of the tea shop behind them.

Slayte tried in vain to reach out to Thanatos' crow, hoping to make use of the teleportation skill the bird provided, but it was to no avail. It did not seem to be nearby, but how could it not be, when Elissa was in danger?

Levi tossed the keys towards Slayte, who caught them unthinkingly. "You drive," he announced, crossing over to the passenger's side. When she noted the slight limp with which he walked, she said nothing and only nodded grimly before taking her place in the driver's seat.

Turning the ignition, the wheels screeched as she sped out onto the main road, but for once, Levi said nothing, looking as eager as she was to get to Elissa as soon as was possible.

"Thanatos," Slayte reached out telepathically, "it's looking really, really bad. I don't know where your crow is. I'm on my way to Elissa, but I think we'll need your help. Please hear this! Please answer!" and then, without thinking to redirect her personal thoughts away from him, she added miserably, "Oh, Elissa. Please be safe."


AN: Reviews are worth their weight in gold! Thank you for following the story!