AN: Oh my god. Yeah, slow updates. Sue me. I've been busy/stressed/taken-up-by-like-ever-little-possible-thing-that-doesn't-include-roleplaying-out-heavy-romance and such.

However, I'm working out a few kinks (don't be perverted like me.) in some one shots I feel like posting.

While I'm at it, I'm also trying to get the next shot into my Kingdom Hearts Collection started, but I dunno…

Anyway, shouts to Jet for letting me use his characters again! w Dedicated to him, yo. :D AND oh em gee, special appearance from… someone!

City of The Ebony Sky
A Girl and Her Wolf

It was sunny. In fact, it was one of the sunniest days that a pair of travelers had come across. Even the boy, who was accustomed to wearing his black overcoat, had taken it off, revealing more scars than he needed to. But he did it anyway, for the sake of not collapsing. His partner, on the other hand, was perfectly fine. Both content, they once again took in the beautiful sun.

They were in… well, they weren't quite sure where they were. Some northern field of some city, and that was as much as they could gather. They were traveling through some thick bush, one where they couldn't even see each other, what they looked like or anything, and it stayed like that for quite a while, at least another half hour. And, as they reminded themselves, it was hot, and they had to replenish their stocks, and fast, seeing as though they hadn't eaten in two days, and hadn't proper water for four.

"ARCANA LUPUS," growled the second traveler, a young seventeen year old Sage. She was rather angry, as anyone could tell, but Arcana, the first traveler, always thought she made up for her rage with her beauty and easy going nature the other times. Okay, her beauty… why would he even be looking… he didn't care and such and… he didn't--

Okay, he thought, he had a few feelings for her. But come on, she saved his life last year…

The Sage, an explicit member from the Comodo Dragons an organization made clearly for deeper uses of Magic for the use of warfare; a guild, so to speak , was roughly five-six in height, which was short, Arcana always thought, compared to his five-ten height. She had long, creamy pink hair, which seemed to fade into chocolate and roan under her first layers of hair, and upon hitting the sunlight, her hair would shine a rather soft pink, or even silver, much like Arcana's own shoulder-length, he thought. Her Sage's robes were massacred; the back looked the same as any other Sage's, though in the front, under the long material fold in front of her, well… area, she had a small pair of shorts on, which matched the rest of her silver-lined robes, which were pure white, much like her boots… which were slightly dirty by now.

"Ricca," mumbled Arcana, watching her stumble out of the bushes and into a clear patch of land, which he obviously thought was another grove before brush again. "Nothing to get angry about."

Ricca, or, Equilibrium Ricca Aki, the younger sister of Demoral Aki, turned her head a fraction, glowering at the boy.

"What do you mean!" she demanded of him, pointing to her normally well-kept body and legs, to the numerous cuts she had lining them.

"They'll heal," spoke the boy with a sigh, sitting down on an old log, allowing Equilibrium to simmer and calm down. He eyed the thin, silver baton swinging wildly from Equilibrium's belt, which had a small pack fastened to the back as well. That baton always scared him, the weapon in conceived, anyway.

Arcana Lupus wasn't exactly the normal one out of the two; in addition to his silver hair, which covered one eye from view, he wasn't… completely human, so to speak. Protruding out from his locks, he had two wolf ears, which perked gently and swiveled, listening to everything within good shot; a tail of the same silver-grey hue swished out behind him, knocking leaves and twigs randomly from side to side. He didn't really care if people stared, he got enough of it in the Asylum, so would the Assassin, his garb black and silver, care now?

Oh yes, did they fail to mention he came from an Asylum?

"Are you done being angry at the world and such?" asked Arcana jokingly, watching complacently as Equility, a short form of Equilibrium for him, sat at his feet. He blushed a bit as she turned around and put her arms, crossed, on his knees and put her head there, looking up at him.

"Yep. But, look what I see," grinned the Sage, turning around again, which relieved the half-demon. Arcana stood up as Equilibrium did, looking to where she was pointing over the high trees.

"That, my dearest friend, is a castle.

"We're in north Prontera! We're saved," she sung happily. Arcana didn't look too thrilled, as that was where a few of the Asylum offices were, but not the actual building, for the sake and safety of everyone else. But he grinned, Equility was right, they were saved.

"Shall we?" he asked, holding his arm out like a troubadour to his fine courting lady. His accent was thick and French-sounding, and Equility giggled, raising herself and poking her chest out slightly, putting her chin up a bit higher and taking his arm.

"We shall, dearest, we shall," she replied, and they took one step, looked at each other, and laughed, beginning to run wildly for the gates.

-

It was very, and when one said this, they meant it; it was very hot in Prontera. Not only was it the sun, but it was packed, per usual. Merchants, Blacksmiths, Alchemists and even Whitesmiths were lined randomly along the sidewalks; sweet music came from the handsome Bards and Clowns, and entertainment was provided by the Dancers and Gypsies. Men were hooting, women were clapping, children were laughing and playing games, and as the two travelers saw it, life could have never been better.

Even they, them knowing secrets of the Darkness lurking about, didn't know what few people did.

"I'm glad we get to stop here out of all places! Everyone is so friendly," explained Equilibrium, watching two girls run off happily when she showed them a bit of her magic. Arcana smiled from behind her, watching her continue on, looking through Merchant shops and the like. He didn't notice the same two girls come around again, coming up beside him. When they noticed he wasn't acknowledging them, they tugged gently on his hand.

"Mister," said one smiling while the other waved. He looked down, a bit surprised.

"Oh, hello…" he said, blinking and grinning, revealing pointed teeth, much like a wolf's. They looked shocked, but grinned.

"You look like a puppy!" giggled the other girl, squealing in delight to her friend and to Arcana. Equility, whom had heard, looked around at her friend.

"Looks like you have some fangirls, Arcana," giggled she, crossing her arms as she watched him look to her, throw her a look of, 'you've got to be kidding me', and bent down to the children's level.

"Well, do I look like a puppy?" Arcana asked the girls, grinning.

"A bit," stated one, holding up her thumb and finger, putting them less than an inch away from each other. She squinted, looking through them. "Like a big puppy! Who walks!

"Miss, is he your pet?" she asked suddenly, looking to Equilibrium, who began laughing. She clasped a hand around her mouth as Arcana looked over at her, red in the face.

"I wish," she managed to choke out, turning around again so her back was to them and she recovered.

"Ooh," mumbled the girls at the same time. They looked to Arcana again, who was still red in the face.

"See, girls, I was born like this," he explained, ruffling their hair. They giggled, tugging his ears gently. They gasped.

"They are real!"

"I wouldn't lie!" laughed Arcana as they waved, running off, laughing.

"Baibai, Mister Wolfy!"

"Bye!"

"I'm going to call you that now," came Equilibrium's voice in his ear. He whipped around to see her grinning, his lips close to her own. He pulled away, and she winked, laughing.

"Don't you dare," he mumbled to her, and she laughed even harder.

"You won't do anything to stop me," giggled the Sage.

She began walking off, head tilted upwards in thought. After a moment of bubbling in his own frustration, Arcana caught up to her and walked along side her as they talked randomly.

"So, we need water—"

"And food to preserve."

"Aw, we don't need food yet," grumbled Equilibrium, looking at him rather than where she was walking. That probably wasn't the best idea.

"Mom! Dad! I found—OMF."

"Ow!"

Arcana stumbled, looking downwards to Equility, whom was holding her head while she sat on the street. She looked to the person she collided with. She was the same age as herself, seventeen, with long blonde hair and a pair of Evil Wings perched within her locks, though they were fluttering. She was a Stalker, and a rather pretty one at that, with pink robes and multiple daggers hanging off her belt.

Her eyes were some of the prettiest ever, too. One blue, one gold.

"Hey! Watch where you're going, why don't you!" Grumbled the Stalker, beginning to pick up the pet food she had in the bag. In an instant, a large Desert Wolf joined her at her side. Equilibrium watched thickly, looking to Arcana, who shrugged after helping her up.

"…Sorry, I-"

Sighing, the Stalker shook her head. "Never mind," she mumbled, before looking to the Wolf. She ruffled her hair, scratching behind her head. "Sorry, Byla, no food until we get back to the Inn."

The wolf whimpered to this statement, but barked her agreement. People whom had stopped to watch continued moving, as a Whitesmith, just as tall as the Stalker, approached; he had dark blonde hair, though the tips were a faded black, from a past dying he had done, from the looks of it. He also had the same eyes as the Stalker, but as she hid the blue one, he was hiding the gold.

"Are you—"

"I'm her father," nodded the man, grinning as he stopped his Panda cart. He fixed his new Jack a Dandy carefully in his hair before holding his hand out to the two young teenagers. "I'm Trenes Lunaces."

"Equilibrium Aki," Equility stated, taking his hand and shaking it. "This is my dear friend, Arcana Lupus. Sorry if we caused you any trouble, Mr. Lunaces…"

"No trouble at all, and please, call me Trenes."

"I'm Natsumi," mumbled the Stalker under her father's stare. He smiled, and Natsumi sighed, taking no more acknowledgement to the two travelers, seeing as though she turned her back slightly to look at her father. This was when Equility and Arcana noticed the two long slits in the back of her robes, revealing her back slightly.

"Looks like the slices I have in my clothes," mumbled Arcana, turning his back and revealing the same slicks.

"…Maybe she just ruined her—"

"I was going to fly, but there was no point if you were so close. Sorry I'm late for lunch," laughed the Stalker.

"Or not," mumbled Arcana. "She has wings too. How wicked."

"That doesn't matter right now…" Equilibrium stated, trailing off.

Trenes turned away from Natsumi to the two. "Well, why don't you come join us for lunch?"

"What? Wait, sir, that seems high unnecessary—"

"Please, if you're worried about money—"

"That's just it, we are without zeny, we wouldn't want to be a bother—" Equilibrium tried to explain, but Trenes held his hand up.

"Tell me, are you looking for better traveling supplies and weapons?"

"Weapons," Repeated Equilibrium, looking back at Arcana. "Now that you mention it, he…"

"Then its settled. We can chat about it; I noticed your friend here was lacking a weapon of any sort."

Equilibrium looked at Arcana, who looked a bit shocked. "How'd he know?" he asked the Sage, who shrugged. The Master Smith began to walk off, Natsumi following as Byla jumped ahead, barking and following.

"Well, come on, might as well," she said, beckoning them over. After a moment of hesitating, the two followed.

"Natsumi-san, may I ask how you transcended so early in your life?" Arcana said, trying to strike up conversation. Natsumi kept walking, putting her hands behind her head absently as she looked over Equility, whom was extremely short compared to her, the Stalker noted to Arcana.

"I'm a Prodigy. I was a Rogue at ten," she said with a grin, obviously proud of herself. "I was a Stalker by thirteen."

"Woah… how'd you get to be like that? Are your—"

"Actually, I got inspiration from one of my parent's friend's. They used to travel together and the like. She was an Alchemist by … thirteen or so, I can't remember anymore. But she was making Creator-rated potions as a Novice, she told me," Natsumi explained. She noticed Equilibrium looking at the cuts in her robes, which her hair just barely covered.

"And… how'd you get wings?"

"I let her do some experimenting on me. Dragonoid DNA and such," giggled the Stalker. "Second successful experiment too. She being the first."

"Sounds interesting," said the Sage, looking fairly astounded.

"It is," replied the Stalker. Equilibrium glanced at Arcana, who shook off his awe with a shrug and nod of his head. "Oh, here's the restaurant."

The two looked to the small restaurant, and Natsumi nodded, beckoning them to follow. Hesitantly, they did, and sat at the booth table with Trenes and Natsumi, another seat there, obviously for Natsumi's mother.

"Dad always invites people to lunch while we're here, for business," explained the Stalker quietly to the two. "He might get to literal. I'll cut in if he does. He's a bit of a joker too…"

"Ooh, who are these two? Friends, Natsumi?"

The three teenagers looked up to the source of the voice. Sitting next to Trenes now, who had fastened a hand around the waist of the figure, was a Gypsy. She had blonde hair, which looked recently cut, as it was brushing several inches past her shoulders and slightly straightened. Her garb was purely white and sky blue, which matched her sapphire eyes and the miniature angel wings which were fluttering gently in her hair.

"I'm Alura, nice to meet you two."

"Equilibrium, or, Ricca, and this is Arcana," Equility introduced, smiling.

"We had a little accident in the street, but yeah, I suppose," explained Natsumi after a moment. The Gypsy nodded, grinning.

"Nice to meet you, then."

"Nice to meet you too."

Natsumi paused, looking from her parents to the two teenagers and sighed, putting a hand to her forehead. She was just let off from Staff duties at the Rogue's guild, and she knew what one of her parents was going to say in an instant.

"Natsumi, don't you think—"

"Gah, I knew it," the Stalker grumbled, looking to her father, whom was the one to speak. "What?"

"Oh, well, if you know what I'm going to ask," said Trenes, "why don't you just go ahead and explain to them."

"I think I will," mumbled Natsumi, looking to the two confused travelers. "Arcana, Ricca, it is your choice to say yes or no.

"My parents think I am lacking the skills as a group member if we were to form a traveling group. Because they've been doing it for years with the same people – they formed a guild now, pretty much – they think I should start younger than they—"

"No," Arcana cut in, which surprised the Lunaces parents, but not so much Natsumi and Equility. Equility knew why, Natsumi, on the other hand, looked a bit confused, though relieved.

Natsumi kept silent while her father spoke up. "What? Why can't she come?" he demanded. Alura put her hand on his shoulder, looking at Equilibrium, who was looking off with a glazed look. She had seen that gaze in so many people before, and she understood it best.

"You don't understand. If we could explain, we would. You'll be in danger just by being told.

"That's my final answer; I don't want you or your daughter in danger."

After a moment, Alura nodded, though Trenes looked blank. "You're thinking of her own safety before your own?"

"He plays hero a lot," said Equilibrium quietly from beside Arcana, who looked at her blankly for a moment.

"…You're a smart boy. We'll discuss over lunch," Trenes spoke, motioning towards the young Hunter girl walking over and setting a tray that consisted of a large bowl of rice, with enough small bowls for everyone at the table, covered with curry and another bowl full of small dumplings.

Alura handed out the bowls and Trenes served, and in silence, they ate, though Natsumi and Equilibrium were talking quietly amongst themselves about random festivals. Trenes and Arcana were talking about a new weapon and Alura was quietly dazing off, looking to the stairs of the Inn, well, they were in the restaurant portion anyway. She was making sure Byla had actually gone up them, and she was yet to see the wolf approach them.

Arcana noted that Trenes seemed a little stiff towards him, but slowly began to realize that Arcana was probably doing the best for them. Or perhaps he didn't really realize it; it might've been Arc's way of wording out business.

"So, a new Katar, eh?

"I have a new elemental one. It's like an old one I made years ago… Just a different element, hold up."

Trenes bent over to his cart, shifting through it, pulling out a thin box and pulling out the Katar. It was pure red, with rubies embedded into it; jagged in some areas, with a black handle and slot to attach to one's arms. Natsumi caught the glint of it as he handed it to Arcana, who looked over it in awe.

"Dad! That looks like the one you…" She paused, looking over it. "…Crafted for Auntie Myu and Auntie Abi. The ones you made for them when their last one's broke…"

Alura looked around at the mention of the two, then to the Katar. She nodded. "Yep. I remembered how pissed off Abigail was when she lost her Skeleton Card due to it..." Natsumi nodded, and Trenes laughed.

"They told me that the ones I made were better than their last, so this should work out a bit better."

"I thought Auntie Myu used a bow—"

"She liked the Katar, but you have to remember, she works with both."

Alura cleared her throat, looking at Equilibrium and Arcana, who looked a bit quiet and meek. "Sorry about that."

"Oh, no, its no problem," Arcana said, nodding. He looked to Trenes. "Are you sure--?"

"Of course, you needed a new weapon—"

"And you're not upset about us not bringing your daughter along? You completely understand?"

"Completely."

Arcana quietly clasped the Katars onto his belt, glancing off to the door wearily. He frowned. He remembered how much Equility had to fight with him just to make him say yes, she could go with him. He explained to her, it wasn't safe, he was wanted by Louyang, Gonyrun and Ayothaya Police, and he was an escaped 'insane' convict. And he was only seventeen.

Though Arcana failed to show his apologetic side for his decision, Equilibrium made up for it slightly. "You do have to understand his choice. You didn't put up quite the fight I did to go with him, and you realize how much safety you're in.

"Even more so because we didn't tell you one word of what we're doing and where we need to go.

"Its for the best, please accept our deepest apologies, Mr.—"

"Trenes."

"Trenes-san."

"Of course. Completely understandable," stated the Master Smith with a sigh. Alura gently patted his forearm, watching the two teenagers stand up, however, Natsumi followed their suit. At her parents' and the traveler's shocked looks, she shook her head a bit.

"We just need to talk."

Equilibrium and Arcana glanced at each other before the Sagess turned slightly to the two parents. "We're very much obliged."

"If you ever need anything, at all, consider us, please.

"We're in Alberta."

"We'll remember that," Equilibrium said, bowing gently before following hurriedly after Arcana as he left the restaurant. Natsumi looked back at her parents, before jogging out, Byla at her heels.

Alura and Trenes looked to each other, Alura gently guiding herself to his lap and leaning back on him.

"Think she'll ever get a group to go along with?"

"She seems content with the one we travel with from time to time… Maybe she thinks that's good enough."

"She needs to be with people her age…"

"I say the two brats are enough her age," Trenes snorted. The two sat in silence for a moment, before looking up at the newest member to the table. An Assassin Cross.

"What do you think?" Alura asked her quietly, tipping her head in her direction.

"Those two have been though worse."

"Say what?" Trenes snapped, sitting up. "After what we've done? You're—"

"They've been to war, Trenes-san.

"They're not ordinary teenagers. They have a mission."

"What's that then?" Trenes grumbled, or, more or less, demanded of the Assassin Cross. She tilted her head, her hazel eyes flashing towards him, black hair sliding over her shoulders to her lap as she leaned casually along the table to look at him.

"Take it from my alias. Its not good."

"Ebony-chan…"

"There's no way those two teenagers have been though more than we have in seventeen years, Ebony."

"Seems unlikely, no?

"I hope you pray for your safety at night."

"You're kidding me."

"Who's kidding?

"Most certainly not me."