Through the chill of the night, Frida and Manny laid in bed together tossing and turning as strange dreams and weird images kept flashing in their minds. At first all they saw were flashing images that couldn't be seen clearly then Manny turned over on one side and Frida turned over on the same side causing her hand to lay on top of his. Once their hands touched the images became clearer.

Two hands slowly reached for each other, they touched, and intertwined. One was tan and the other was fair. Two eyes, one was green and was bleeding the other was blue and was shedding tears.

"You...Can't do this." The weak voice of a man begged. "I...I...I won't...Let you."

"I must." The frail voice of a woman sobbed. "It's your only chance."

Everything had gone dark and all they heard were sobs and pleas. It eventually it ended and the last thing they heard before it did they heard the woman's voice say one last thing.

"Until we meet again in heaven."

...

"Frida! Time to wake up!" Andrea called knocking on her door. But there was no answer. "Come on Frida it's 10:00 now no more sleeping."

When there was still no answer, Andrea rolled her eyes and entered her room with T.J following. There were two lumps in Frida's bed covered by her blankets. Andrea began tapping on one of the lumps. It moved over moaning.

"Go away." It was Frida. "Let me sleep."

"Come on Frida, it's late." Andrea said.

"I don't care."

"Frida."

"Hey I had a hard night." She sat up with bedraggled hair in a nightgown with straps instead of sleeves. "So I'm gonna sleep in."

She laid back down.

"T.J help me out here."

"I gotcha. You get her hands I'll get her feet." T.J went to the otherside of the bed to find Manny's shirt and jacket on the floor. "Hey Frida what are you doing with Manny's clothes?"

"What?" She asked sleepily.

"Huh? What's happening?" The second lump sat up to reveal itself to be Manny completely shirtless.

"Oh my God!" Andrea gasped.

"Holy crap!" T.J gasped.

"Ugh! Not so loud!" Manny groaned.

"Oh man! Ah-ha-ha!" TJ laughed. "Oh dear sweet lord in heaven! Manny I always knew you were more woman desiring than you let on but I never imagined you'd do 'it' in the house of a God. Lord you really are a devil."

"What are you talking about?" Manny asked still not fully awake. "And why are you in my room?"

"Uh look again dude cause you're not in your room or in your bed."

"Huh?" He said starting to wake up more.

"What?" Frida said also getting more awake.

They looked around the room then at each other. They both blushed when they realized how this would look to their friends and other people.

"I guess you two have really gotten close huh?" Andrea asked nervously.

"NO!" They both shouted jumping out of bed.

"This is not what it looks like!" Manny shouted.

"Absolutely not!" Frida agreed.

"Okay then so care to explain?" Andrea asked.

"Sure just let us get dressed." Frida said.

Manny picked up his shirt and jacket and left.

"Aren't you going to leave so I can change?" Frida asked T.J.

"No I think I'll stay." He said.

"Get out of here you moron!" Andrea said punching him out if her room. She then closed the door and locked it.

"Alright girl now spill."

"Nothing happened." Frida said pulling out her outfit. She had recentry updated her look upon moving into the Santo Order. Her usual colors were the same but they were a bit more girlish. She now wore a white blouse, a long red skirt, white leggings, and gray boots while her goggles were replaced by a red scarf used to hold her hair back.

Andrea's outfit had also been updated. She now wore a short sliver button up dress, metal beacelets, and boots with spikes. She also kept emergency armour in case she needed to slay a devil.

"I was a little spooked after what happened last night so I asked Manny to sleepover bur all we did was sleep. I swear."

"Okay I believe you but you sure you trust that guy enough to share the same bed with him?"

"It was one night and don't worry he's not a pervert like you're boyfriend is."

"Oh ho! No! Nononono! That pervy exorcist is not my boyfriend!"

"Not yet." Frida giggled.

"You're out of your mind! I have no attraction to that creep!"

"Okay, whatever you say." Frida said feigning belief at her words.

In his room Manny was changing into a new t-shirt, black jacket, jeans, and boots.

"Manny!" T.J called entering his room. "I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!"

"What are you doing?"

"You are like my idol man! Doing it with that vision of beauty in the house of God! You are bold!"

"Oh God."

"So give me details. What was she like without her clothes on?"

"What?! Shut up!"

"Oh come on!"

'Don't be creepy!"

"Not even a little detail!"

"Will you knock it off?! Listen you pervert! Nothing happened! We fell asleep and that's it! Okay? I'm not a fake leacherous exorcist who preys on women like you!"

"I won't argue with being a leacher but how dare you call me a fake!" T.J protested. "And I don't prey on women! I may seduce, deceive, and spy on women but I would never force myself on to them! Acts like rape and molestation are vile, disgusting, and any sock mam desperate enough to do that deserves to burn in hell!"

"Okay...Look like I said nothing happened."

"Alright I believe you now if you'll excuse me I do believe Sister Milly is taking a shower right now."

"Wait isn't she the tall twenty-four year old nun who tried to get a restraining order against you after you stole one of her bras?"

"The same. He, he,"

'You're sick you know that?"

"Says you and every woman I've dated. Now then ta-ta." He said hurrying off.

Manny rolled his eyes.

"Andrea!" Manny called.

"Yeah?"

"Heads up! T.J is spying on Sister Milly in the showers."

"What?! Why that pervy creep! Where's my spear?!"

She summoned a spear from her jewel and followed after T.J to give him a nasty beating. Meanwhile once Manny and Frida were dressed they went to eat breakfast in the cafeteria. After breakfast Manny went to start working with Tonio like he normally did. Today they were fixing a vehicle for the order.

"Hand me that wretch will ya?" Manny asked Mr. Tonio.

"Here you go." He handed Manny the wretch and the boy began fixing some of the parts. Neither of them aware of the figure walking up to them with a rubber hammer. He then hit Tonio on the head with it and knocking him out.

"Tonio what was that?" Manny asked not looking up from under the vechile. No answer. "Tonio? Hey! You going deaf? What was that?'

Still no answer but he was then forcibly pulled out from under the vechile and a knife was held to his throat.

"Listen you!" A whispering voice hissed from the cloaked figure holding the knife to Manny's throat. "I have a question and if you value your life you'll answer it truthfully."

"Whoa! Just take it easy." Manny said.

"Shut up! And listen! I'm gonna ask my question now and you better answer it!" He cried. "Where is she?"

"Who?"

"Lilith. Where is she?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"How about the fact that if you don't I'll kill you?"

"Okay that's a good point so I guess my only option to avoid being killed is to tell you where she is or I could do this."

With that said he swung his foot under the figure's feet knocking him down then Manny grabbed him by his shirt and pinned him to the wall.

"Now just who the hell are you?!" Manny pulled the cloak off to find that his attacker was a tweleve year old boy. "Whoa! You're a kid?!"

"Put me down! I am not a child!"

"Nicholas!" An annoying voice called. Manny turned over to see Davi running toward them. "Manny Rivera I insist that you release Nicholas this instant!"

"Nicholas?" Manny said looking at the boy he had in his grip. "Nicholas is that you?"

"Yes it's me you idoit!" The boy snapped. "Now unhand me you know nothing halfling!"

"Oh my God!" Manny cried dropping him. "What happened to you?"

"Several weeks ago the three of us were attacked by devil worshippers. They had me trapped in specially made chains that can hold spirits. Then they subjected me and Lilith to this ritual that turned us into children but despite my young age I still had great power and could destroy them so they left me chained up and kidnapped Lilith. When after a week of trying to escape my bone headed assitant managed to break the chains and by bone headed assistant I mean DAVI!"

"Sorry sir but those chains are hard to crack." Davi apologized.

"Anyway ever since then I've been tracking her scent until it led me here. Now where is she?"

"Why do you want her? You hate humans." Manny asked.

"My thoughts exactly sir." Davi said. "After all if Lilith is staying in the house of God then she's in no real danger."

"Quiet Davi! Before I lop off your head!"

"Yes sir."

"Now Manny where is Lilith?" Nicholas asked.

"Not until you tell me what you plan to do with her."

"That is none of your concern. Now tell me where she is."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then I'll have to kill you." A flame engulfed him as he changed into his true form. Manny prepared to fight the huge spiritual jaguar that would appear once the flames faded but to his surprise all that remained was a little jaguar cub.

Meow!

Manny fell to the floor laughing.

"What? What's so funny?" Nicholas looked down at himself. "Dah! Davi I thought you said you had fixed my transformation!"

"Sorry sir there are still a few bugs." Davi said.

"Hey Manny I brought you some enchiladas." Frida walked into the garage. "Now did you want cheese or- awww! What a cute little kitty."

"Excuse me?" Nicholas asked.

Before he could explain Frida picked him up and began cuddling him.

"Aww you are so adorable." She cooed. "And so soft too. Ohhhhh who's a cute kitty?"

"Woman I demand that you release me at once!" Nicholas said. "I will have you know that I am not a kitty or a child! I am the Jaguar Spirit! And I demand respect!"

"Aww you're a talking kitty! That's even more adorable!"

"No Frida that's not a kitty." Manny snickered. "That's...giggle...That's Nicholas."

"Oh. Well he's still cute! Rosa! Teeney! Andrea! Look I have a kitty!"

"Awww! Kitty!" The girl's cried. Soon all the nuns and Andrea were gathered around Frida trying to cuddle and kiss Nicholas much to his annoyance.

"Stop! Cease and disist! Madames! I demand you stop this at once! Ahh! Don't kiss me! No I don't know want my belly rubbed!"

Manny just kept laughing harder and harder.

"Manny! Davi! Don't just stand there you idoits! Help me!" Nicholas demanded.

"In a minute!" Manny laughed.

"I'm coming sir!" Davi said. "Back! Back! You mad women!"

But Davi was overcome by the nuns going crazy for the kitty.

"Should we help them?" Frida asked.

"Give it five more minutes." Manny said

"That is it!" Nicholas then changed back into his original form, we'll his younger original form.

"Awww! What a cute little boy the nuns cried.

"Oh no." Nicholas said.

"Okay ladies that's enough." Manny said. "Move along. He's not really a kid, he's a spirit."

At those words the nuns ran for it.

"Human women." Nicholas said. "How Uncle Rodolfo could've fallen for one is beyond me. Now tell me where is Lilith?"

"Who's looking for me?" Eyes turned to the little girl walking into the room.

"Lilith! There you are!" Nicholas said. "Get your things, we're leaving."

"I'm sorry but do I know you?"

"Lilith it's me Nicholas. I was assigned to protect you."

"Protect me? But why would I need you to protect me? I have a home and plenty of kind of women who took care of me."

"You mean my father's maids? Don't be silly Lilith you know they're all dead."

"What?"

"They were all burned to death by Kane."

"I... That's not true!"

"What are you talking about of course it's true. You were there the night it happened and you were the only one my father managed to save."

"No...No! You're lying!" She ran away to her room in tears. Frida quickly followed to comfort her.

"I'm confused." Nicholas said. "She's known this for two years."

"Well that's the problem." Manny said. "She doesn't remember anything that happened in the past two years."

"Seriously? Great! Now what?"

"We could always leave her here?" Davi suggested.

"Davi."

"Yes?"

"Go jump in lake please."

"Yes sir."

The boy then ran off to find the nearest lake.

"Wow that guy sure is obedient." Manny said.

"Yes it's kind of amusing. Now what am I going to do about Lilith?"

"Well I don't know. You know what I don't get is why is she with you?"

"Simple after her old home and guardians were slaughtered my father chose me to protect her even though it annoys me I can't defy him "

"Why you?"

"Fanged if I know. What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Why do you stay with that maiden?"

"Frida?"

"Yes. I must admit she certainly is an exceptional beauty. No wonder you lost your head over her."

"What are you saying?"

"Isn't she your lover?"

"No! God why does everyone say that?!"

"Well if that's not the case then enlighten dear cousin. If you do not desire this maiden then why do you stay with her?"

"She's my friend and nothing more "

"Is that right?"

"You don't believe me?"

"Well you are the son of the only spirit who lost his heart to a mortal woman so it wouldn't shock me if you developed feelings for your holy woman."

'Shut up! You don't know what you're talking about."

"Maybe I don't afterall you and I don't exactly have a close relationship."

"Look we are just friends and if you must know why I stay it's because my powers are restricted and only she can summon them."

"Oh so you're a halfling and you're bound by a mortal woman. Just when I think you can't get anymore pathetic."

"Excuse me but who's trapped in the body of a child?"

"Touche. But if having power restricted is the only reason you stay I guess I understand but remember this. You already have one weakness to worry about, you wouldn't want another."

"What are you implying?"

"All spirits and demons have one weakness and that is the weak spot we are born with. Uncle Rodolfo on the other hand had three weakness. His weak spot, your mother, and you. So tell me do you wish to have another weakness?"

"Will you leave me alone! You don't even know my weaknesses!"

"I know that your weak spot is that fragile little heart of yours."

Manny looked at him horrified.

"That's right. I know that's the reason you're afraid to love anyone. Because if you were to ever love anyone more than yourself and some tragic fate were to befall that person it would be like knife in your chest."

"How did you know?"

"Grandpapi told me. Worry not I won't breathe a word of this to anyone after all we are family. But a word of advice if you don't want that heart of yours to break then I suggest you get rid of it."

"Excuse me but if I do that I die!"

"Not if you do it right. Did you know we spirits and demons can remove the weak spots of halflings from their bodies. I can remove your heart and keep it locked up where no one can ever find it."

"And I won't die?"

"Not as long as nothing happens to it but I must warn you once it's removed from your body you will loose all emotion and empathy. Everything you feel toward the ones you know will be gone."

"Are you trying to help me?"

"Yes fool! If I take your heart and lock it away then your chances of being killed are lowered."

"Why are you helping me?"

"Let's just say I kind of owe you for something. A year ago that maiden of yours healed me so I guess I should do something for you but is that what you want?"

"How would I treat my friends?"

"I don't know but if that is not what you wish I can find other ways to repay the woman."

"Let me think about it."

Manny went up to his room and thought long and hard about this. If he gave up his heart he wouldn't have to worry about annoying feelings anymore and with his heart gone no one could ever get to his weak spot. But how would he treat his friends? Would he still care for them? Would he hurt them? Growing up he remembered people saying that a heartless spirit was as dangerous as Satan himself. They had no remorse, no anger, no sadness. What if he hurt Frida and didn't feel sorry about it? Could that actually happen?

"Hey dude " Frida said. "You missed dinner is everything okay?"

"Yeah just thinking."

"About what?"

"Frida do you think I'm capable of hurtingsomeone without any remorse?"

"Of course not. You're not like that."

"You don't know me Frida."

"What are you talking about? I've known you for a year."

"Yeah but you don't know everything about me and what I'm capable of. I'very done bad things, terrible things that I'm not proud of."

"I know what you did that city three years ago."

He looked at her with anger and shame.

"How do you know that?"

"I saw it! Zoe showed me a vision of it."

"Oh God." He said looking scared.

"It doesn't matter though." She said. "It doesn't change how I feel about you."

"You're unbelievable." He said. "Are you insane?! Or just plain stupid?! You saw what I did! You saw me murder those people like a wild animal! Their blood was stained all over me! I was a monster! After seeing that evil how in your right mind could you ever stay with me?! Or better yet no kill me?!"

"Because while I was watching the massacre I noticed something. The whole time you attacked those people you had tears your eyes and when you finally calmed down and saw what you did you started crying so hard. You laid there crying and begging for forgiveness, swearing up and down that you didn't mean to. I watched you bury all of their bodies and pray that you would be forgiven for this. A cold blooded killer wouldn't do that. What happened to you wasn't your fault. You were a child! A child who had his mother, the only person he ever knew who loved him taken away and was left alone somewhere! You were scared, confused, and angry! You didn't know getting emotional like that would trigger something horrible! So maybe I'm out of my mind for staying with you even after seeing that horror show but I didn't see a monster who enjoyed killing people for pleasure! I saw a scared little boy trapped by a power and an anger that no one taught him how to control or how dangerous it could be! Call me crazy but seeing like you that only wanted me to stay with you more because you were so alone and so sad."

Manny couldn't believe her words. She had to be crazy right? How could she not be scared of him after seeing that? How could she not be disgusted and horrified? Did she really think that he was truly remorseful and regretful for what he did? He remembered that day perfectly. Right after the council took him from his mother and left him in the woods he begged and pleaded for them not to leave him there. To take him back to his mother, he promised that he wouldn't cause any trouble but they just left him there all alone. He began calling out for his mom and searching for her but he couldn't find her anywhere. All he could think about was how unfair and cruel it was for them to take her away like that. How could they do that? Didn't they care how hurt he felt? Everything had gone black after that and when he woke up he was surrounded by blood and dead bodies. He couldn't believe that he had done something so horrible.

"You truly are a holy woman aren't you?" He said. "Because only a woman of God could possibly still care for me even after seeing that nightmare."

"It's not just that I'm a holy woman, you're my best friend and I know you. You're annoying, sarcastic, and you have a temper but you're gentle and you're kind and regret hurting people."

"Tell me the truth. Say you never knew me but you saw me hurt those people. Would you still not be scared of me?"

"I honestly don't know. But that doesn't matter, I don't care what you did three years ago. You haven't hurt anyone since and you've never hurt anyone purposely in your life. So I'll never see you as a monster or a killer, just my best friend in the whole world."

Without warning Manny hugged her which caught her by surprise but she hugged him back.

"I still think you're crazy but thank you." He said. "Thank you. But please don't tell anyone about that. Please I can't risk getting looked at as a monster again."

"I won't tell a soul. I promise." She said. "So why did you bring this up anyway?"

"It's nothing just thinking about my life and stuff."

"Alright."

For those of you who have been asking in the comment section, yes this story was inspired by the anime Inuyasha but also by the animes Kamisama Kiss, Chrono Cursade, and Dance with Devils, the Percy Jackson series, Victor Hugo novels and films, Stephen King novels and films, and Nicholas Sparks novels and films. What can I say? A girl needs inspiration.