So, I keep coming up with new chapters, hoping it'll get the attention of other readers... *waves desperately*. A special thanks to my loyal Chimera-Dragon, who actually earned not one, but TWO questions about anything and everything that could come up in the plot, right or later on. And yes, that could include spoilers.

Answer: Yes, she will. Won't tell when, but it'll happen *evil smirk*

Enjoy!

I let my eyes wander without any real goal on the city. Sitting on the stairs of the main building, I thought about the horrible night. We lost a lot of Finders, and Daisya too, and Kanda and Marie had left sooner to find Tiedoll-sensei.

I didn't exactly felt that I was at fault. I never lied to myself and to the others: I can't save everyone. However, I couldn't help but think about the what ifs and all that crap. What if I had been there sooner? What if I had been stronger? What if I didn't came at all and stayed with Allen and Lenalee? What if, what if, what if…

These mere words wouldn't change the tragedy, though. I didn't knew how many we lost: they haven't finished counting the bodies. However, I repeated the same mantra as ever in my head, trying to detach myself from reality.

Count the smiles, not the corpses.

A lot would say it's stupid, but it was probably the nindo that kept me going all along, and I wasn't ready to give it up just yet.

"Ary!"

Snapping back to reality, I waved at Allen and Lenalee, who were making their way up the stairs towards me. No point in making them worry for nothing, so I kept on my usual smile.

"Good grief, guys, you're kind of late for the party!" I remarked. "You missed all the fun!"

"Are you alright, Ary?" worried Lenalee, reaching my position.

"My Innocence is a bit out of shape for now, but it's almost healed up already!" I lied through my teeth, keeping up appearances.

"We're sorry we couldn't be here sooner" Allen looked down, apparently ashamed.

"Meh, we're alright now, right? Plus, Ba-Kanda, Cherub and Daisy-chan came to help, so it was easy as pie" I assured.

"But we saw the coffins… at the port" he frowned. "There were so many…"

At that, I swallowed back some bitter bile rising in my throat.

"Allen, you can't save everyone" I said solemnly. "You have to focus on those still alive without forgetting those who paved the path before them, okay?"

"Right" he smiled back, still a little unsure.

Lenalee looked around.

"Where are the others?" she asked curiously.

"Jerkface and Cherub went after Tiedoll Marshall" I answered, more seriously. "Daisy-chan… Daisya didn't make it. He was sent back to the Order an hour ago"

They looked down again, and I sighed heavily.

"First Devon-san… now Daisya…" muttered Lenalee.

My heart missed a beat, and I snapped my eyes at her, stunned.

"Wha… what did you say?" I asked, my voice sounding strangely weak.

She frowned sadly.

"Ary… Devon-san was killed during the night…"

I instantly got back to my feet.

"No!" I protested, frowning too. "He's alive, I saved him! Him and another Finder, I saved them a second before the other three arrived! He can't- he can't just be…"

I took a deep breath as they gazed at me with sadness.

Devon was dead.

Devon's dead.

Simple as that.

"Sorry" I mumbled, shaking my head. "I just… I saved him sooner and thought- sorry, it was stupid of me"

Before they could say anything, though, three figures arrived down the stairs.

"Tiedoll-sensei!" I exclaimed, running to the man.

He opened his arms and I hugged him tightly, ignoring the beard scratching my face. He chuckled deeply.

"It's been a while, Ary" he said as I pulled away. "And a rough night too, from what I've gathered. Sorry that I couldn't be here sooner"

"I'm just glad you're okay" I waved it off. "And that Jerkface actually done his damn job, with Cherub of course"

"You little bi…" Kanda seethed.

"Marshall Tiedoll" Lenalee cut in, Allen behind her.

He smiled at them, and we sat on the stairs once again.

"There's been a big battle here, uh?" the Marshall asked my two friends.

"Yeah, but we didn't make it in time either" Lenalee shook her head sadly. "By the time we got here, it was already over"

"In the end, we were of no use whatsoever" added Allen. "There were so many casualties…"

I clenched my fists at that, pushing away the dark thoughts and tapped the man's shoulder to get his attention.

"Cherub informed me you weren't going back to the Order, Tiedoll-sensei" I said.

"I must fulfill my mission" he simply answered. "Find new Innocence Hosts. You three have a mission of your own, right?"

"Finding the stupid womanizer" I nodded.

"The fight's not over yet" he said towards my two friends. "Five Marshalls have been attacked, one is dead and the last one is still missing"

"My Master" recognized Allen.

"That's right. You have to join his side as soon as possible" nodded the Exorcist.

"Hai" we nodded too.

He got up, Timcanpy posing in his hand.

"Well, I don't think that he'll go back to Headquarters quietly, though" he remarked.

"Of course he fucking won't" I snorted. "He hates this place"

"And we have no idea where to find him" admitted Allen.

"You don't?" he smiled. "Weren't you aware that Timcanpy is able to determine the location of it's creator?"

"Uh?"

"Get going, Timcanpy" ordered the man.

The Golem flew above our heads for a few seconds, before pointing to the east.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I exclaimed, annoyed. "We kept running around like friggin headless chicken when we could just have use Timcanpy straight away? Why didn't you say anything, Kiddo!?"

"I didn't know!"

I shook my head, and Tiedoll-sensei chuckled again.

"We haven't lost. The fight against the Earl has just begun" he solemnly announced.

"Right"

I was the first to pick up my things and I flashed a grin at my friends.

"Let's get going now, before the stupid womanizer gets too far" I said, balancing my bag on my shoulders.

"Good idea" Lenalee did the same, soon mimicked by Allen.

"Let's go, then" he said.

I hugged Tiedoll Marshall one last time and turned to the other two.

"Cherub, you keep safe, okay? And Jerkface… well, try to not be a jerk all of the time, even though it's probably impossible…"

"Go die, Akahato" he retorted.

"I feel the love" I drawled. "Oh well, let's go before we get contaminated with Ba-Kanda Parasites. I heard it makes you stupid like h- shit!"

Barely avoiding Mugen, I started running.

"RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! THE EVIL JERKFACE IS ON THE LOOSE!"

"COME BACK HERE YOUR DWARFED PIGEON!"

"FUCK NO! AND I AIN'T A DWARF OR A PIGEON, DAMN IT!"

"I'M STILL TALLER THAN YOU!"

"TAKE THAT BACK!"

"God, we've been at this for days" I grunted. "Timcanpy, are we almost there?"

The Golem simply kept going ahead, making me sigh.

"We're already in Bulgaria, and we'll leave Europe soon" Lenalee pointed out.

"Which probably means my Master isn't in Europe anymore" answered Allen.

"Right, he's probably in Asia right now"

"Stupid womanizer bastard, making us run from continent to continent" I mumbled between my teeth. "I'm going to punch him when we find him and drag his sorry ass back to Headquarters, even if I have to this by pulling his ear the whole way"

"Agreed" nodded the boy with an evil undertone.

Lenalee simply laughed nervously at our dark tones, and we were on our way again.

"Holy hell" I gasped at the sight.

"It's beautiful!" exclaimed Lenalee, stars in her eyes.

Just down the hill where we were now standing, gigantic roses fields were extending kilometers ahead. I felt the weight on my heart ease a little at the sudden paradise. Roses always managed to calm me down.

"I heard this region is famous for it's roses all around the world" said my girl friend.

"I've always wanted to come here for their annual festival" I nodded, taking in a deep breath.

I felt Allen stiffen next to me and I looked at him, only to see his eye activated.

"Girls, Akuma!" he warned, running ahead.

Lenalee and I exchanged a glance, before running after him. When we arrived in place, he had managed to save a poor man, still lying on the ground in fright, but he couldn't pass at the offensive.

"Lenalee, get it!" I ordered.

She nodded, and I ran to the civilian. Helping him up while Allen covered our backs, I guided him away from the fight to avoid lost shots.

"Are you alright, sir?" I asked gently, an hand on his shoulder.

He opened his mouth, then closed it again when an explosion echoed behind us.

"It's okay, my friends and I are pros when it comes to these things" I assured with a smile. "It won't come back, don't worry"

He nodded, still unable to make a sound.

A few minutes later, we were now accompanying him to Rose Dorina while the nice man explained what happened with the Akuma, a giant basket of roses on his head.

He shuddered at the end of his tale.

"Don't worry" I called to him. "Like I said, we're pros to handle these situations"

"The festival you're talking about, is it the one you mentioned sooner, Ary?" asked Allen, curious.

"Yeah" I nodded with a smile. "I can't wait to see it!"

"That reminds me!" exclaimed the man.

He plunged his hand into his basket and pulled out three beautiful roses, before handing them to us.

"Take them as my thanks for saving my life" he smiled at us.

"Thank you" I beamed at it.

We parted ways with the man once at the town, and were now walking down the streets, still following Timcanpy. There were many people around, which put me on edge. Even though I loved festivals, they tended to attract some… unwanted company, as we could have seen sooner.

"Hey!"

At Allen's shout, I glanced at him and realized he was looking at a stand. Curious, I approached and realized…

"LAAAAVIIII!"

Jumping on his back, he screeched and wailed his arms around as I laughed my head off.

"A-Ary! Stop doing that!" he exclaimed as I got down.

"No can do, Bookboy" I winked, then turned to Krory, who was watching us with confusion and amusement at the same time.

"Buffy! I'm so glad to see you too!" I hugged him tightly.

He hugged back, rather hesitantly, and my two companions joined us.

"Lavi, Krory!" beamed Lenalee.

"What are you two doing here?" asked Allen.

That seemed to tamper Lavi's cheery look somewhat. I frowned a little.

"How about we go find an inn for the night and you explain here?" I proposed, acting natural. "'Cause I'm starving"

"You always are, Ary" my blue-haired friends rolled her eyes.

Lavi mouthed a thank you my way, which I just shrugged off, and we went to find an inn.

I stood up against the window frame, stiff.

"So far, we've confirmed one hundred and forty-eight deaths" announced somberly the redhead.

Everyone look down at that.

"There were other attacks than in Spain?" asked Lenalee with a small voice.

"So many in such a short time…" despaired Allen.

I wasn't really listening, though.

One hundred and forty-eight so far. One hundred and forty-eight.

At that moment, the lies I told myself became as clear as crystal. No matter my nindo, no matter my beliefs. One hundred and forty-eight brave, good, people… no, brave and good comrades, had fallen.

Because I couldn't save them.

Because I was too late.

Because I wasn't strong enough.

Because I had disillusioned myself in believing that I wasn't at fault, saying to all the truth even I couldn't believe.

Because even if I can't save everyone… I should have been able too do so.

Brusquely, I opened the door and walked away. I didn't know where, I didn't know how far. I just had to get away.

"Ary!" called Lenalee behind.

"I'm going to breath some air" I said blankly, not turning back.

None of them followed, which I was grateful for.

I really couldn't save appearances any longer.

The four Exorcists watched with worry as the redhead girl walked out. She had a blank face, showing no emotion, but her hand kept clenching and unclenching her necklace as if she would break down if she didn't.

"She was at Barcelona" finally said Allen, looking down. "She fought the whole night, trying to save as much as she could…"

Then, Lenalee started crying, and the boys looked away once more.

Angry, sad, ashamed.

Angry, because they had been late.

Sad, because they lost friends.

Ashamed, because damn it, they were Exorcists! If they couldn't save these people, then what good were they?

Sitting on the roof, I closed my eyes as the wind slowly unfolded my braid. Outside, I was calm. Inside, everything was in a boiling turmoil that I was afraid would blow up anytime now. I wasn't going to cry. If I did, then it would make their deaths pointless. However, I couldn't stop the hate from growing.

Hate at the Akumas. Hate at the Earl. Hate at myself.

I knew I was being stupid. I couldn't be blamed for this, because no matter how strong someone is, this is a war. No side can escape without looses. That was the rational part of me, thought. The other part wasn't so cooperating and it made my heart hurt so bad I just wanted to rip it out myself.

Was it shame? Maybe.

Sadness? Most probably.

Anger? That's for sure.

There were explosions around and I snapped my eyes to the sky, relaxing when I realized they were only fireworks. The music from the festival echoed along the laughs of the people, and I suddenly felt calm. Not at peace, but calm.

I couldn't let go now. I had my friends to back up, my family to protect, a stupid womanizer to find and the world to save. I'd worry about the rest later.

Count the smiles, not the corpses.

"I won't cry your deaths, for you deserve my strength, not my tears" I whispered, my hand finally letting go of my pendant. "I will walk down the path you paved for all of us to advance on, and honor your sacrifice even if it is the last thing I do"

After that, I placed my flute on my lips and let my eyes wander on the colors exploding in the sky, my notes filling the silence.

A few hours later, night had fallen.

The doors opened, and Allen walked on the balcony, Lavi not far behind. Not revealing my presence, I simply listened.

"I've always fought with the goal of saving as many lives and souls as I can" said the white haired boy. "But I'm just not strong enough. I've failed to save so many of them… My friend from India, Nalei… Marshall Yeegar… Sara, the nurse… Devon-san and all the Finders… If only I had been there, if I had been stronger, if I had tried harder…"

I bit my lower lip at that, but the dark thoughts were well locked in the back of my mind now. I had come to terms –more or less- with what had happened, and I had to let Allen do the same.

"It's tearing me up inside" he spat.

"So all you have to do is try harder?" asked Lavi.

There was a moment of silence, and I smiled a little, seeing where Lavi was going with that.

"Do you really think you can save everyone on Earth?"

"I…"

"We don't fight alone" cut the redhead. "Right, Tenshi?"

I rolled my eyes at his smug tone and jumped down from my position, landing between them and earning a startled gasp from Allen as he backed away in sudden fright.

"You've been there the whole time?" he squeaked out.

Somewhat amused, I however turned to him with a serious expression.

"Allen, we can blame ourselves all we want, but they're dead and that's the kind of one-way trip only" I announced, crossing my arms. "You might consider this hypocrite coming from me seeing as I had the exact same thoughts as yours sooner, but these kind of tragedies… we have to use their sacrifice as a mean to grow stronger. They're counting on us to keep up what they worked so hard to achieve, and it's not dwelling on the past that'll help us go forward"

I sat on the balcony, letting my gaze wander on the now empty streets.

"We all feel that way one time or another" I pursued. "But we're not alone. We're friends, family, and we strive towards the same goals on the same path"

The boys fall silent, and I smile a little when a new presence came to stand next to me.

"Hey, Jumper"

"You see, Allen?" smiled Lavi.

"Yeah"

We stayed silent for a moment, enjoying this rare moment of piece, knowing it wouldn't last for long. Then, Allen stiffened.

"What's the matter?"

"The man who just crossed the street" he said.

"Akuma?" I guessed easily.

"Right"

Fucking jinxed it.

Allen ran ahead while I went inside and next to Krory's bed.

"Buffy" I called, shaking him.

"A-Ary?"

"Akumas" I simply said as everyone put on their uniform.

He mimicked us, and we then ran after the white haired boy, who had somehow managed to grab his coat before going.

When we got here, he had already destroyed the Akuma.

"I'll bet there's more coming" said Lavi, his hammer resting on his shoulder.

Allen turned around to look at the sky.

"There are" he confirmed. "They're still far away, but quite a few of them heading straight for us"

"Then let's meet them halfway, before they get to the town" proposed Lenalee.

We nodded our consent, and I sighed a little as we walked out of the town and into the rose field. I may or may not have lied about my condition and honestly, using it now would be a bad idea. However, if I managed to use it and deactivate it before the others saw it, then I'd be saved from the earful.

Yeah, worth a try.

"Here they come!" said Krory.

"Innocence: activate! Big hammer, little hammer, grow, grow, grow! Hammer of flames: Hiban!"

A large snake of flame erupted from the ground, swallowing the first enemies. Lenalee, Allen and Krory soon joined in and, once I was sure they were too occupied to look at me, I activated my own Innocence.

I winced a little as I felt the weight way more than I should have, but didn't dare to look, and passed to the attack too, careful as not to fall in sight of the others. The battle went on, but not for long. All of us were pretty pumped up by now.

"Each of the demons in the Earl's army are condemned souls!" declared Lavi.

"We couldn't save any of them" added Lenalee.

"So we will fight!" exclaimed Krory.

"To atone for our failures and save those we can still save!" I yelled, cutting through the last ones.

"Pitiful demons, let your souls go in peace" concluded Allen.

The last Akuma exploded, and I smiled as I landed on the ground, and instantly deactivated my Innocence. However, the sudden movement caught Lavi's eyes, who was by my side the next second, eyes narrowed.

"Hey, Bookboy" I tried to play it natural. "Blew off some steam there?"

"Show me your Innocence" he ordered, not fooled.

"What? I don't…"

I stopped at his unwavering glare, and sighed heavily, understanding I wouldn't win that one.

"Innocence: activate"

Lenalee gasped, placing an hand to her mouth, and the boy's eyes widened, which made me frown.

"Come on, it can't be that…"

My voice caught in my throat. My wings were lying on the ground, barely hanging to my back, and almost all of the feathers were rotten. I could feel my healing abilities trying to patch it up, but there was too much poison for it to work properly.

"Right" I cringed. "It's the Akuma's poison"

"I thought you said you'd be fine!" exclaimed Lenalee, horrified.

"I thought I'd be too!" I tried to defend myself. "It just… I didn't know it was this bad, okay?"

"Krory, do you think you can suck out some of the poison?" asked Lavi, frowning at my state.

"I could try" nodded the man.

Understanding I wouldn't be able to weasel my way out of this one, I sat on the ground while he crouched behind me. I stiffened a little when he bite, and he quietly apologized, not stopping his work.

"You should have told us" scolded Lavi.

"I thought…"

"You always think you'll be fine, Ary, and that's the problem!" he exclaimed, waving his hands in the air. "You can't always be fine! Your body and your Innocence got limits too and if you keep pushing them, you might very well die in the upcoming battles! It's not a joking matter!"

"I know that!" I exclaimed, annoyed. "And I know my limits just fine! There was just more poison than I thought, no big deal!"

"It's never a big deal with you!" he yelled back. "But get that into your thick skull once and for all: you're not alone! We're your friends and we're fighting with you and sometimes, you can't do everything by yourself so take your fucking advice, you god damn hypocrite, and learn to relies on us too!"

Heavy silence ensued as we held angrily each other's gaze, none of us backing down.

Then, I sighed again.

"Okay, okay, I get it" I grunted.

"Good" he grunted back. "Because I swear, I'd-"

"Done"

I looked back at my wings as Krory got up, wiping away some poison with his sleeve. My Innocence already seemed a lot better than before. The feathers that couldn't be saved had fallen, and were already being replaced by new ones while the others healed slowly, but surely.

"Thanks, Buffy!" I beamed at him.

"You're welcome" he smiled gently back.

Wanting to stand up, I lost my balance and fall back on my rear. I then realized that while the poison had been drained, some of my blood went away with it. I waved off Krory, who was about to apologize once more, and lifted my arms to Lavi with a silent command. He scoffed.

"As if" he refused.

"Lavi" I said, half seriously. "I'm your friend. And I'm currently injured. You told me to rely on you, didn't you?"

He huffed, but let me climb on his back nowadays, vanquished, and I deactivated Angel with a victorious smirk.

"Using my own words against me" he mumbled, getting back up.

"Aw, you know you love me" I retorted, poking his cheek.

He simply rolled his eyes, making me laugh, and I snuggled into his back.

"Thanks, Bookboy" I muttered.

"Any time, Tenshi" he answered quietly.

"Let's go now!" said Allen. "We have to find my Master and turn the tide of this war"

"Yeah!"

"Right you are"

"Indeed"

"Just get a move already, morons" I mumbled.

They laughed at that, and I smiled.

They really were great friends.

So, this chapter is a little more heavy than the rest, but it was the perfect moment to show Ary's own set of mind on this matter. She fights, but feels defeated about not being able to save them despite her promise -or rather lack of- back in Barcelona.

Question: When will Aryane cry? Because, obviously, it has to happen sooner or later. So, when do you think is the best moment for it to happen?

Reviews, reviews, reviews, PLEASE!