Author's Notes: Sorry for the slow update! Been looking for a job.

Spritedust: Yes, she's done something to make me hate her. You see, I care about shows and characters more than I ever should. It's rather eerie, to be truthful. For instance, I would choose Chloe over, say, my mother. I became literally infatuated with Chloe from the very moment I laid eyes on her. Of course, Chloe was then killed. Though it was Kirika who held the . . . fork, everything would have gone simply if Mireille hadn't arrived at that moment. Therefore I believe that the brunt of the responsibility for Chloe's death lies on Mireille. That is why I hate her. And now y'all're freaked out. Hahaha.

Twist of Fate – Change of Heart
Chapter Three – Twist of Fate

"This . . . this is all your fault!" Chloe lashed out in the darkness, her tightly clenched fist grazing Mireille's face who jumped up quickly, falling backwards on her injured leg and knocking over what she assumed to be a lamp with a loud crash.

Mireille fought her way to her feet in the darkness as Chloe leapt from her bed, flailing for the Corsican blindly, "If you hadn't've come—You ruined everything! I'll kill you!"

Before the younger assassin could find the Corsican's neck for strangling a door nearby burst open and the small room was flooded with light, causing both assassins to shrink back a bit, squinting towards the light, their bodies tensed for a fight.

"Now, now, enough of that," came the strangely calming voice from the doorway.

A candle moved to light a lantern. As her eyes adjusted to the light Chloe was elated to see that Althena was their attendant, "Althena!"

Smiling softly at her protégé Althena motioned for both of the assassins to be seated on their designated beds. Chloe quickly obliged while Mireille stood tensely staring at this strange woman.

"You have been asleep for several hours," she explained. After a short pause she turned her eyes seriously towards the women, "It is on this day that le grand retour has taken place. Noir's black hands shall once again do the bidding of the Soldats, as has been written."

"But, Althena," Chloe reminded, "Kirika's . . . she's dead."

"I know," the woman responded, "And though the outcome was not the expected one, it is still satisfactory. The weakest of the saplings has been uprooted and it is the remaining two who shall remain."

Chloe's eyes grew wide, "Weakest! But you said Kirika and I, you said we would—"

"Silence, Chloe," she interrupted, "You cannot change fate. Those destined to become Noir have survived. You and the Daughter of Corsica will serve as Noir, as is your destiny."

Chloe narrowed her eyes, then thought better of protesting, lest she be disciplined. Mireille, however, did not think twice, "I will not serve the Soldats, the ones who killed my family, and you're crazy to think otherwise."

"But it is your destiny," Althena rose, "It is for betraying this destiny that your parents died. I hope that you do not wish to follow in their footsteps. You show such . . . promise."

"What are you talking about?" Mireille glowered.

"Your parents refused to serve the Soldats, as you do now, and even their tremendous influence and legions of guards did not save them. What causes you to believe you can stand against them any better?" Althena sat down once again, "The Soldats are very powerful, but obviously quite corrupt. The Bouquets were outstanding assets to the organization. Surely their lives could have been spared with a bit of negotiation," Althena smiled, knowing that little persuasion and only a few small lies would be needed in this case, "It is those that ordered your parents killed, those corrupt officials, that I wish to silence. With your help, of course. You seek revenge, do you not?"

Mireille eyed the woman suspiciously.

"Then take your revenge in the name of Noir. Fulfill your destiny, Mireille Bouquet."

Author Notes: Well, I belted that out at 1 AM. As such I believe Althena may have come off a bit OOC. Perhaps I will revise at a later date. Either way, I'm off to bed. Review with any suggestions on getting Althena more in character!