Tomoya wrapped his arms around her. "Heard there were some issues. Glad you're safe."

She hugged him tightly, "It was pretty bad.." She looked up at him, "I also kind of took in a couple kids..."

He chuckled. "I met them briefly. The older one told me if I hurt you, he'd gut me."

She chuckled softly, "So you don't mind they're here?"

"Hell no. From what I hear, you saved their lives." He kissed her head. "That's why I love you."

She smiled, "I love you too."

He released her, but kept his hand intertwined with hers. "Have you given thought how we're going to do this though?"

"Well, we have enough extra rooms for them. I figure Nori or my brothers can watch them while I'm working. We have to see how Ryon does with his illness, but in a day or two if he's doing alright, I'll take them shopping for stuff they want or need."

"Do we have enough food? Hitoshi is calling them the taz twins because they were eating everything in sight."

"We'll buy an extra freezer and I'll go out and get stuff to stock it."

"Alright. Why don't we go see if my partner has self-destructed yet."

She nodded and started toward the house.

As they approached, Ryon came flying out, Hitoshi on his heels. "Give that back! You're a child!"

Arya caught Ryon quickly. "What's going on?"

"I wanted something to drink." He shrugged, holding something hidden in his robe.

"He took the whisky." Hitoshi glared at the boy.

"No alcohol for you. There's plenty of other drinks you can have," Arya said sternly.

"Who cares? I'm dying. I want to have fun before that." Ryon grumbled as Hitoshi retrieved the bottle.

"There's other ways you can have fun," she said softly. "Why don't you talk to Shouma about video games?"

"What are those?" He looked intrigued.

She smiled, "They are electronic games played on a computer or television. Shouma can explain them better and show you how to play."

"I don't have any idea what you said, but I'll ask." He turned and reentered the house as Hitoshi shook his head.

"He's going to be a handful."

She nodded but smiled softly.

"I know that look." Tomoya whispered in her ear. "It's the hooked look."

She chuckled, "They're both just so cute."

"That's what you said about Haru.."

She laughed before admitting, "Yamae called me his new mommy."

"Yup. You're hooked and landed." Tomoya grinned.

She smirked, "You'll fall for them too."

"I must admit, Ryon reminds me of myself. Will do anything to protect his brother. Though if he tries to impale me with that pigsticker he has, there will be problems."

She chuckled again before looking thoughtful. She then shook her head and decided to not say anything. She started toward the house, wanting to check on the kids.

Yamae was demolishing a huge bowl of ice cream, Haru watching him with a grin.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Arya asked.

"It's cold! And sweet!" The boy took another bite as Haru looked at her.

"He's never had it. Wanted to know what it tasted like." The vampire smirked. "If you're looking for terror number two, he's glued to the playstation."

She smiled and wrapped an arm around Yamae.

He shivered, then winced. "My head hurts…"

"Cold things can do that. It's called a brain freeze. It'll wear off in a minute."

"Oh." He looked up at her. "Do we really get to stay here?"

"Of course. Do you like it?"

He nodded eagerly. "It's big. I'm not cramped anymore. And it's warm. You're really nice to let us come here."

"I'm glad you like it. Did they show you to your bedroom?"

He nodded again, then grew quiet. "I've never slept in a bed before."

She frowned for a moment, "Well, you get one now. I hope you like it."

He beamed at her, returning to the ice cream greedily.

There were a series of sharp coughs from the game room.

Arya entered quickly, looking worried.

Ryon was coughing into his elbow as he chased blue floating ghosts on screen. His frail frame trembled as he tried to stop.

Arya went and knelt beside him, closing her eyes a moment to focus before pouring energy into him.

The coughing eased just as the yellow icon dissolved. Ryon pouted for a moment. "This is hard."

"Are you having fun though?"

He gave her a grin and nodded. "You're really lucky to live here. I'll try to remember it all when we're back in the tunnel. It'll be nice to do this in my head when the storms come."

"Hun, you get to stay here. You aren't going back to the tunnel."

He looked startled. "I thought you were just being nice and letting us see where you lived.. But you really want us?"

"Of course," she said softly.

His eyes welled up with tears as his lip trembled. "I.."

She gently wrapped her arms around him, "It's alright."

"I thought..I was going to go back and die.. I was trying to find someone to take care of Yamae so he wouldn't see it…" He clung to her sobbing.

"I'm going to do everything I can to help keep you alive, but even if I can't, I promise to take care of Yamae."

"Thank you.." He sagged in her arms, his pulse slow.

She went back to pushing energy into him as she held him close.

He began crying in his sleep. "Wake up! Please wake up! Don't leave us…"

She rubbed his back gently, "Shh, everything is alright."

He quieted, then began struggling to breathe. A line of gold blood trickled out of his mouth as his chest heaved.

Arya let out a small sob, praying she could help him. She focused energy into him as fast as possible. She held him close, gently wiping away the blood.

His pulse finally stabilized, but he remained unresponsive.

She stayed there for a long time, giving him energy until she felt dizzy.

"Arya?" Shouma appeared, his face worried. "Are you alright?"

"I've been healing him for a few hours.. Just wore myself out.."

He nodded, looking sadly at Ryon. "I was hoping he'd have more fun before.."

She sighed, "I know."

"I'll take him to his room."

"Thanks," she gently moved Ryon out of her arms and handed him over before slowly standing.

Shouma disappeared down the hall as Tomoya entered.

"You okay?" His eyes watched her worriedly.

"Just a little dizzy and worried about Ryon."

"Did he threaten you or just swipe something he shouldn't have?"

She sighed, "I wish it was either of those. I'm afraid he doesn't have much time left. I keep trying to heal him but there's so much damage I feel like I've barely made a dent."

He stared at her. "I thought Ryusei was kidding. He's really that bad?"

She nodded sadly.

"And those bastards left him to die?" There was rage building in his voice.

She nodded again, tears filling her eyes.

"I want to slaughter them…" His eyes began flickering.

"I know. I made some new rules while I was there. Hopefully it'll prevent things like this from happening to anyone else." She wiped at her eyes.

Tomoya forced the rage down and embraced her. "I'm so sorry."

"I just want to help them both. I know I just met them but I care so much about them already. But I don't know how much I can do for Ryon," she let out a small sob.

He stayed silent and just held her as she cried.

After a little bit, she pulled away and wiped at her face, "Sorry.."

"Why are you apologizing?"

"I should be stronger instead of breaking down like this."

"Are you insane?" He lifted her chin. "You care. You're watching an innocent boy suffer horribly. It would make anyone cry."

She nodded slowly.

"Don't ever apologize for having a heart, Princess. It's the biggest reason we're alive now."

"Thank you."

"Anytime. You want me to cook tonight or order out?"

"Up to you. The boys will be happy either way."

"Let's order pizza. Say ten boxes?"

"Alright."

He chuckled and pulled out his cell, placing the order before frowning.

"What's wrong?"

"The Council just put out a warrant for Kaien…"

"Why?"

"Murder."

"What the fuck?"

"I've got to go find him." Tomoya stuffed his cell back in his pocket and pulled his keys out.

"Be careful. Let me know if you need help."

He nodded, kissed her hurriedly and was out the door.

"Mommy?"

"What, baby?" She asked softly.

"Would you read to me?" Yamae stood in the hall, a footie pajama suit on.

"Yeah." She smiled and went to his room. She grabbed a book off the shelf then sat on his bed and waited for him to join her.

He climbed in, struggling with the blankets. "They're soft…"

She smiled and covered him up before opening the book and beginning to read.

Five minutes in, Yamae was asleep. He had a small smile on his face as he curled into the blankets.

She sat there and watched him for a little bit before getting up and heading into the hall.

There was a rattling noise in the kitchen.

Arya went in and looked to see what was going on.

A pair of skinny legs were waving out of the freezer and she could hear muffled cursing.

"You okay?"

"Does it look like it? I'm stuck." Ryon's petulant voice answered.

Arya went and pulled him out gently.

He crowed triumphantly as he clutched an ice pop in either hand.

She smiled as she watched him.

"I never imagined the human world was so fun." He alternated munching the pops as he settled into a chair.

"I never thought of it as fun because I grew up in it,but after being to Court, I can see how this is more fun."

He laughed quietly. He took the final bites and tossed the sticks in the trash can. He sighed and turned to her. "I know I'm a burden, but I am really happy I could experience this."

"You aren't a burden."

"I'm causing you pain." He began moving toward the front door.

"I'd rather you be here than back where we found you. I just care about you so much and hate seeing you being sick. I wish I could take it away from you."

He shrugged. "Never known anything else." He opened the door and stared outside. "I want to go outside. Is there a field nearby?"

She nodded and went over to him, holding a hand out to him.

He chuckled and took it, his green eyes bright in his pale face.

She led him to a field of flowers, looking out at the pretty colors.

He sat, then laid down with a sigh. "It's so colorful here."

"Do you like it?"

He nodded slowly, then asked "Could you hold me?"

She nodded and moved to sit, cradling him close.

"You're warm. You smell like the flowers." He let his eyes close as he held her hand.

She started humming softly.

He smiled, then slowly relaxed.

She continued to hold him while humming, running a hand through his hair gently.

His hand relaxed in hers.

She decided to check his pulse just in case.

Silence met her fingers.

She let out a sob before holding him tightly to her chest. She cried for a minute before moving to lay him down gently. She held her hands out and forced massive amounts of energy into him. She gathered all the energy she had, pouring it into him as pink light surrounded his body.

He lay still, the smile still on his lips.

She continued pushing energy even though she began feeling dizzy again.

He still didn't move, his skin cool under her hands.

She kept pushing energy, her vision starting to black out.

"ARYA!" Shouma wrapped his arms around her. "You're going to die if you don't stop."

"Need to help.."

"You already did." He said softly.

Tears streaked her face as she dropped her hands. She leaned into Shouma, her eyes closing.

He cradled her, looking up at Nori beside him. "Take him. We'll figure out what to do when she wakes." He rose, carrying her into the house and then into her room. He laid her on the bed and softly kissed her cheek before leaving.

Arya woke slowly a while later, remembering what happened. She numbly pushed herself out of bed and into the living room.

Shouma was staring blankly at the game over screen. His eyes were red and he clutched the controller tightly.

She quietly sat beside him, joining him in staring at the screen.

"Why him?" Shouma's voice was quiet. "All he wanted was to protect his brother and live."

She shook her head, "I don't know."

An odd alarm suddenly wailed through the house. Shouma stared at her. "That's the morgue.."

She frowned and stood, rushing down there.

Ryon stood holding his ears, a scowl on his face.

She quickly turned the alarm off before staring at him in shock.

"What? I thought we were in the field? I closed my eyes and then I woke up cold."

She shook her head, "I've revived people before.. but I couldn't revive you.. You were dead.."

He froze, then his eyes rolled up and his knees buckled.

She quickly caught him, holding him close.

Shouma and Ryusei skidded to a halt, their eyes wide.

"I don't understand it.." she whispered.

Ryusei extended a hand, light spreading over the boy. His jaw dropped.

"Is he okay?"

"Arya..there's no sign of anything wrong with him. The broken bones, the malnutrition, the wasting sickness..it's all gone."

She gave a small sigh of relief, "But how?"

"I don't know. But he's a perfectly healthy twelve year old now." He froze and pointed. "Arya.."

She followed his pointing in confusion.

A pristine pair of soft red wings lay in her hands.

She smiled softly, "I don't understand it, but I'm glad he's okay."

"Why don't we move him to his bed?" Shouma finally spoke.

She nodded and lifted him gently, carrying him to his room.

Haru suddenly ran in front of her, his face panicked.

"What's wrong?"

"Otas. They have Kaien..and Toya."