Vector was sitting in the living room, lost in thought as Second walked in.

"Something wrong?" She asked.

"No, no, just. I don't know. I feel like I should be doing something."

"Something as in?"

"I don't know." He sank down further in his seat.

"Well, if you don't know what to do, could you go out and do some shopping for me?"

"Um, well, I guess I can," he mumbled, shrugging.

"Wonderful! I have my hands full with Mieru, so I haven't been able to do much," she handed him a grocery list.

"It's alright if it takes you awhile, just don't take too long, okay?"

He got up and patted her arm gently. "Of course, I don't want to worry you either," he said with a small smirk.

"Oh how sweet of you." She said with a light blush on her cheeks. "All right, now go. I'll see you when you get back." She waved to him as he headed out the door.

When Vector was outside, he glanced down at the list and sighed. "So she wants enough food to last us a month."

As he was walking to the market, he passed by a rather large and familiar mansion. He stopped in his tracks and looked at it. "That's Nasch's house." He bought a hand up and placed it on one of the iron bars of the front gate. He stared blankly, seemingly lost in thought until-

"No, no, that's a stupid thought," he muttered, shaking his head. Talking to Nasch was pointless; he knew he was still hated by the Barians, no matter what Alit or Second said.

He continued on and did his shopping, but his mind kept wandering back to that house. He knew it was stupid to even consider going there but...maybe it would be okay?

No, no it wouldn't.

When he got everything on the list, at least three hours had already gone by.

He walked home carrying multiple bags until he finally reached his front door. Once he was inside, he instantly dropped the bags on the counter. "Gods, did you really need all of that?" he complained as Second walked into the kitchen.

"I did," She said, picking everything out and then putting it away. "Thank you for your help. Have you figured out what you want to do yet?"

"Hm, kind of. But it was a stupid thought."

"Well maybe it isn't. What was it?"

He shook his head. "I was thinking about talking to Nasch, but, that's not going to happen. I'd rather stay dead in his mind; it's easier for me that way."

Her eyes narrowed. "There's no need to think like that. What? Do you think he still hates you?"

"You're joking, right?"

"No, I'm very serious. It's been several years, I'm sure he's forgiven you by now."

"And what about the others? I mean, I killed Merag like three times." He grumbled.

"Yes, but that was all in the past, you're not the same person you were before. And besides, Merag is still alive."

He just turned away from her. "It's not that simple."

"Oh really, how so?"

"Well, I—I'm not sure."

"Then try at least. You can't live on believing the words 'well they hate me' because you don't really know unless they say so."

He crossed his arms. "Fine, fine, I'll try, just stop being so angry."

"I'm not. I'm just annoyed that you're complaining about some problem instead of doing something about it."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Well, go on then, it's not that late. Go have a talk with them."

"What? But—"

"No buts, go."

"Fine." He got up and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "I'll be back soon, hopefully.

"Nasch isn't going to kill you."

"Sure." Vector walked out of the house and slammed the door behind him. He marched all the way back to the mansion and just stood there by the front gate. Second wasn't serious, was she? Nasch hated him, and so did the other Barians. So there was no point in doing this. Yet there he was, actually considering it.

He finally worked up enough courage to walk past the gate and knock on the door.

"Who's there?" a voice asked on the other side. It sounded like a butler, it had to be Durbe.

"It's Vector. I want to talk to Nasch."

"Vector? Aren't you dead?" Now he knew it was Durbe.

"I wish I was," he said somewhat jokingly, but with a serious undertone.

"Real funny, but I'm surprised," he heard him say under his breath.

"Yeah yeah, well can I come in? I want to talk."

"Just talk? Nothing more?"

"Yes, I promise, I—I want to set some things straight."

"Those are some shocking words coming from you, Vector."

"I know. But if you don't want to let me in, then that's fine," he said, turning away. But he then heard the door open behind him, and he sighed. There wasn't going to be an easy way out of this.

"Come in," Durbe said as he held open the door.

Vector walked in and looked around. The main hall had a grand staircase that wound upward to the second floor. There were several large paintings that lined the walls and all the wooden furniture seemed to have extensive carvings.

"This is a nice place," he said.

"I suppose so," Durbe closed the door behind him. "So where have you been all this time?" He asked as they walked down the hall.

"I've just been...staying out of the way. Living a quiet life up until just recently," Vector explained rather nonchalantly.

"I see. How interesting."

They walked into the main room where Nasch and Merag where sitting, both doing their own thing. Durbe coughed a little to get their attention.

Nasch was the first to react. "Vector, is that you?" he asked, somewhat shocked to see him standing there.

Vector nodded. "It is. Quite a shock, isn't it?"

"It honestly is. Considering how long it's been I swore—"

"Yes yes, swore I was dead, I've heard that a lot."

"Uh, yeah. Well, I guess that explains what I overheard."

Vector raised an eyebrow. "Overheard? From who?"

"Well, I heard Alit say your name while talking to Gilag."

"Oh yeah, I saw him a while back. I guess he didn't keep his promise then." He shrugged. "I should've expected that."

"So, why are you here?"

Vector looked around, unsure of what to say exactly. "I'm here...to say." He looked down. "I'm sorry. For everything I did in the past, for summoning Don Thousand, killing Merag, and trying to kill you...and so on."

"I...see." He was quiet for a moment, thinking over what Vector had just said.

Vector kept his eyes fixated on the floor, not wanting to look up.

"I'll understand if you don't forgive me. I'm not expecting you to. I just came here to...get it off my chest."

Nasch was quick to interject. "No no, I accept your apology. And honestly it's mostly because I never thought I'd see you again. And knowing you have enough guts to show up here and apologize face to face is...well, that makes me happy."

Merag, who had been silent the entire time, stepped forward. "I forgive you too. What happened was in the past. And since you've managed to stay out of trouble for so long, I think you've proven yourself." She smiled slightly.

Vector looked awkwardly to the side. "Well, I'm glad you think so."

Nasch held out his hand. "We're no longer enemies, all right?"

Vector shook his hand and pulled it back shortly after. "All right." He chuckled a little. "To think I was so worried about this. Second was right."

"Second?" Nasch furrowed his eyebrows.

"Oh, Zexal II, remember her?"

It took about a minute or two before he finally did. "Oh, yes I do."

"Well, she came to Earth and started living with me. And well, she told me to do this, or rather- she talked me into this."

"Wow, what a shocker." Nasch laughed a little at the thought of Vector needing someone to convince him to talk with someone rather than deciding to himself. "Though, I didn't know those forms were their own beings."

"Yeah, I thought the same. But she's nice and has been really helpful. Plus something else..." His words trailed off.

"The way you're wording that is...suspicious. Did something happen between you two?" Nasch asked offhandedly.

"Well, we may have had a bit of a relationship, and we might have a kid or two." He laughed awkwardly, not meeting his gaze.

Nasch looked mildly surprised, but simply grinned soon afterwards. "I never took you for the fatherly type, but I'm not one to judge your life choices."

"Well good then, one less person that will complain about it."

Nasch just rolled his eyes, the small grin on his face never faltering. "I won't even ask who."

"Thanks. And I guess I'll leave for now. Thanks for...understanding."

"Of course, come by anytime Vector, and try not to be in such a rush next time." He smiled.

"I'll consider it." Vector waved and began walking back to the front door. "See you, Na- " He stopped himself. "See you, Ryoga."