I actually finished this 2 nights ago, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't half asleep writing nonsene lol. If you're still reading, thanks you deserve a cookie!

(Disclaimer: I do not own KHR, only my OC, Marina)

Lussuria waved to me. "Hi Lussuria, why are you here? Do you need something?"

"Actually, I need you to come with me." Squalo's voiced echoed in my head.

"Sorry, but Squalo told me not to leave here until he gets back," I apologized.

He didn't look disappointed though. "That's ok. He won't even know you were gone." With that said he reached for my hand and pulled me out of my room.

"But Lussuria-" I paused when I saw his face. He was smiling but not like the one he showed me when we first met. He looked nervous. "Lussuria, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, why wouldn't I be?" That's what I'd like to know. His hand is all sweaty, I'm pretty sure that's not normal. He's starting to freak me out.

When we stopped at a dead end with large fancy doors, he knocked and waited for a reply.

"Come in," came a deep, gruff voice from inside. Lussuria opened one door just enough for me to fit in. He hurriedly pushed me in.

With that distressful look on his face he cupped a hand over his mouth and whispered, "Sorry, Marina. Good luck." He rapidly closed the door, trying to get away as fast as he could.

"Come," the voice commanded, sending a chill down my spine. I whipped my head in their direction and started walking towards them. I was biting my lip so hard I was shocked it didn't bleed. The lighting was dim so I couldn't see what they looked like until I got closer. And I made sure to halt a good distance away.

-Earlier-

(Outside POV)

Marina and Squalo had just left the kitchen, leaving the other Varia members in a ray of confusion. The chair was still lying backwards on the ground after Marina's leopard drawing had jumped out and pounced on her.

"That was… how do you say it?" Lussuria broke the silence that their absence had left, picking up the chair.

"Ushishishi," Bel's laughter echoed as he thought of a word. "Berserk."

Levi added, "Perplexing."

"Intriguing," Mammon mused. "Even money couldn't put a price on that."

All eyes went on him. "For Mammon to say that, that must have been something special." Lussuria put a finger on his lips. "But how did she do that?"

Bel smirked. "I don't think she knew she could do it."

Levi suddenly looked urgent as he checked the clock. "Lussuria, we have a meeting with Boss in five minutes."

"Ah, you're right Levi, dear. Well we can leave it to Squa. See ya," he waved off his comrades as he and Levi headed to Xanxus' dayroom.

Lussuria couldn't stop chattering about the scene they had seen earlier and continued to as they walked the halls. His talkativeness was something Levi had gotten used to long ago. By saying 'yeah' or 'mmm' every now and then was how all the Varia members nodded him off when they didn't feel like conversing.

"But it was so remarkable, I can't stop thinking of how she did it," Lussuria rattled on, walking behind Levi into the room.

"Yeah," Levi replied aloofly.

"Do you think she's a magician?" He stood behind Levi with his fingers on his lower lip. "No, that can't be right. Magicians know their tricks, she looked completely confused. Plus I've never seen a trick like that."

Levi gave him a dull look muttering, "Mmm." His attention instantly switched to their boss who was thrown sideways on his king-like chair and eyes shut. "Boss, we've arrived," he chanted eagerly.

"I could hear you before you even walked through the door." Xanxus stretched his arms but didn't make any hint he was moving from his position. Yawning, he lazily asked "What's this about a magician?"

Thoughtlessly, Lussuria exclaimed, "Oh! This charming girl we met did this really neat trick- well I think that's what it was. She drew a picture of baby snow leopard on paper and then it suddenly came to life!" As if witnessing it again he got excited and clasped his hands together. "It was like magic."

Smirking, Levi whispered," Squalo's gonna kill you."

On cue, Xanxus sat up and gave Lussuria a mystified glare. "She did what? Where did you meet this girl?"

Upon realizing what he had done, Lussuria began to sweat. Tongue-tied, he muttered, "The kitchen."

"Bring her to me," he snarled.

"Yes, Boss." Lussuria scrambled to the door.

"What about the meeting, Boss?" Alone, Levi stood dumbfounded.

Riled up, Xanxus scowled, "Meeting dismissed."

-Present-

(Marina's POV)

The man named Xanxus sat crossed legged in a throne chair. His appearance was a bit frightening as he had red eyes and scars on the left side of his face. All the Varia seemed to sport the same attire, but instead of putting his arms through the sleeves of the jacket, it hung over his shoulders like a blanket. And I think he had red feathers and a raccoon tail strung from the back of his spiky black hair. I really just wanted to dash out the door like Lussuria had. Why did he leave me alone with somebody like him?

"You're the so-called 'magician'?" His voice was low and startling, yet there was a hint of hilarity, like I wasn't what he was expecting. I tensed, but I didn't understand his question. Why would he think I'm a magician?

Xanxus asked, "How did you get here?" I wanted to answer but my throat became so dry even swallowing seemed hard. "Woman, don't make me repeat myself," he threatened.

I gathered the little courage I had and said, "I don't know, I really don't! One minute I'm in Japan, the next I'm here! I'm not here because I want to be!" I spat in one quick breath.

He smirked at my answer. "So why are here then? Why are you in the Varia HQ?" he questioned in amusement.

"Well, Squalo brought me here."

His smirk turned upside down. "Squalo did?"

I noticed his change in attitude and realized I probably shouldn't have mentioned him. "But it wasn't his fault! I made him bring me here."

The grin was back. "So you're to blame?" I bit my lip, unsure of what to say. "Well anyways, enough about that. That's not what I wanted to talk about." I looked up at him. "I heard you have a special ability."

Special ability? Did he mean that weird thing I did earlier? "Well, I wouldn't call it that... I don't know how I did that, I just touched the paper."

He raised an eyebrow, though not enlightened. "That's all?"

I thought back to the earlier events. "When I touched the paper it felt warm, almost like fire. And there was a heartbeat." I kept thinking, trying to remember what I saw and felt, and then gasped, "I saw a flame! A white flame emitted from my fingers when I touched the drawing. Although I don't know how that was possible..."

"There's no such thing as a white flame," his voice raised.

"I'm just telling you what I saw," I responded meekly.

Xanxus got off his chair and walked towards me, making me fidget. When he was a few feet away, he asked in a crucial tone, "Who are you?"

In surprise, I muttered, "Marina...?"

He then asked the same unanswered question Squalo did. "Just Marina?"

Quietly I said, "I don't like to use my last name..." How many times will I have to repeat that?

"And why not?"

This aggravated me, probably more than it should have. "Because I don't! Besides, it's none of your business!" I pointed at him.

He grabbed me by the arm and raised it so I had to stand on my toes. By doing so he closed the space between us. Our faces were so close we could feel each other's breath. My eyes widened in horror.

Once again his cynical smirk was plastered on his face and every time it seemed to grow wider. "What happened to all that courage you had a moment ago?" He looked directly into my eyes. No. It was more like he was looking into me.

I gulped and felt like my body temperature was rising and dropping at the same time. One minute he was angry the next he was grinning. What was wrong with this guy? His eyes showed no mercy. They were full of pride and arrogance, but even more so, hatred.

Then suddenly I felt a bit calmer, though I didn't know why. In that second a white flash tore the two of us apart. I almost fell but quickly regained my balance. Xanxus jumped out the way before it could hit him. In between us stood a growling kitten with white flames on all four of its paws.

"Lulu!" I exclaimed excitedly.

Xanxus gazed at her in astonishment. Even he was a bit surprised. But more than anything his concentration was absorbed by her flames, clearly concerned. "White flames..." he muttered to himself. I was right. I did see a white flame. A minute of uneasiness went by.

"Ka… Kakaka!" Out of the blue he started cackling like a mad man.

"Um..." Did I miss something?

"How interesting... You said you were from Japan, right? We're going there a week from tomorrow. Until then, you will stay here." Is he asking me or telling me? He was already back in his chair, lounging like a lazy king. "What are you staring at? Get out of here."

I broke out of my trance and looked to Lulu who was still growling. "Lulu, come here girl." Examining Xanxus for a moment she backed away and jumped into my outstretched arms. The moment she was in my arms the flames disappeared, as if they had never been there.

Just as I was about to exit, Squalo thrust the door open. We both froze before he spoke up. Anger was clear in his eyes and I coward back a step, squeezing Lulu tightly. "Wait outside. Do you think you can do that?" He didn't wait for my reply and kept walking. I slowly walked out, closing the door behind me.

I sighed from all that's happened and put a hand on my chest. Now it really feels like a dream. Maybe I'm in Wonderland, crazy things always happen there. All these weird people keep showing up and I keep getting dragged around like a ragdoll.

I leaned against the wall and slid down, waiting for him to come out. Lulu rubbed her head against mine and I held her tighter, snuggling my face into her soft coat.

(Outside POV)

"Voi, why did you bring her here, Xanxus?" Squalo hissed in annoyance.

Xanxus grinned and then glared into Squalo's eyes. "That should be my question. Who exactly is that girl, Squalo?"

"She was only here for the night. I'm sending her home today," he explained coolly.

"That's not like you. The Squalo I know isn't so kind as to provide shelter for lost children," Xanxus pondered.

Squalo's lips curled up. "You know me well. But that wasn't my intention." He paused for a moment to get his thoughts straight. "When I found her in the woods I had no intention of bringing her back. However, after she got all hysterical I changed my mind," he said sternly.

Xanxus raised a brow, perplexed. "So you felt pity for her?"

Squalo sighed, but continued. "I can't really explain it, but the look in her eyes was so dark, like she's experienced near death or something horrific. But I wasn't feeling pity for her." He paused again, only to look directly into Xanxus' eyes. "She reminded me of you."

Xanxus' fists tightened as he glared threateningly back.

"While she looks frail and innocent, I can tell there's something more, because she wasn't looking at me. She's holding some kind of grudge, but towards someone else." He swung his sword on his shoulder. "You could see it too, couldn't you?

"Hmph. I saw something. Not sure if it's the same as what you're talking about."

"She has the same eyes as you, eyes of wrath. I'm betting she's more dangerous than she looks," Squalo spoke seriously.

Xanxus grinned wickedly. "Kaka. Is that so? No wonder she was so bold."

Squalo cleared his throat and returned to his normal self. "Anyway, I'm getting rid of her today."

"That won't be necessary." Squalo looked at him in confusion. "We'll be going to Japan soon. In that time I want you to find out what that power of hers is."

His eyebrows squished together. "Voi, you've got to be kidding me! You want me to babysit a little girl?"

Xanxus gave him a serious look. "Like you said, that girl isn't normal. Her Dying Will Flame was white."

Squalo became silent, which didn't happen often, not believing what he just heard. "How can that be?! That doesn't even exist, voi! He barked, outraged.

"I thought the same thing. But my eyes don't deceive me. Those flames were real." Squalo believed him.

He let out a deep sigh and looked back to Xanxus. "Alright. I'll look into it," he said in defeat and walked away.

Xanxus' infamous smirk was back.

(Marina's POV)

The door cracked open as Squalo walked out. At first I was happy to see him but then I remembered he was mad at me. He gestured for me to follow him without saying anything. I figured he would just send me back to the room like before, but we went a different way.

"Where are we going?" I clutched Lulu in fright he would burst out and yell at me.

He slowed down and turned around to gaze at me. "Do you have any idea of what you did back there? How you made this come to life?" he pointed to a wide-eyed leopard.

"You mean Lulu? Did I do something bad?" I felt like I was getting scolded. "I didn't mean to, I swear!"

His eyebrows knitted together. "I'm not yelling at you, I'm just asking if you knew what you were doing. I'll take that as a no." Squalo seemed frustrated and I wanted to ease him, but I didn't know how.

"Do you know, Squalo?"

"Well, partially. Come here." He walked into the room on our left. It was a library bigger than my house. There were two floors of bookshelves and more than ten tables with at least four chairs at each. I've mentioned I read, right? Well I absolutely love reading and right now, this place was a haven.

I let Lulu down and ran to the nearest shelf. "This is unbelievable! How can there be a library this big?"

Squalo snorted. "Yeah it's pretty large, but you'll never find anyone in here. No one has the time or mind to read. I guess you're an exception…"

I couldn't hide my smile. "I have both the time and mind. If they had one of these in Japan I'd never leave!"

"Voi, you can read on your own time. Sit down."

I walked to the table he was sitting at and sat on the opposite side. He slid a notebook and pencil over to me. "What's this for?"

"I want you to do what you did this morning. Draw something and make it come to life."

"Eh? But I told you I don't know how I did it." I feel so repetitive sometimes.

"Just try it," he urged.

Okay, I'll just do something simple. I drew a butterfly and put my hand on it. "Nothing is happening."

"Voi! Are you even trying?" Squalo hollered and I flinched. He yells a lot…

"Trying what?! This is exactly what I did last time!"

"Tch." He looked away with annoyance. "You said you saw a white flame last time, right?"

Nodding, I replied, "Yeah, on my fingertips. It was only for a second, but then Lulu had them on her paws too. What is it?"

"Dying Will Flame."

For some reason I felt really warm when I heard those words. I felt like I'd heard them before, but I couldn't have. "What's a Dying Will Flame? Do other people have it?"

"What does it sound like to you? And yeah, lots of people. But most normal people don't." He looked back at me as if saying, 'You're not a normal person.'

"Well, it sounds like a flame formed from your dying will…" But it couldn't be that simple.

He said unenthusiastically, "Exactly as you said."

"Really?!" Who knew, it was that easy. "Do you have it?"

"Mm. Mines different though. Everyone here has one, but there are many types. Yours however, is inexistent."

"Inexistent? So no one else has it but me." My mood slowly grew dim. "How does it not exist if I have it? I whispered.

Squalo drew closer and narrowed his eyes. "That's what I want to know. What are you not telling?"

My chest began to ache, like an old scar was being torn at. What was I not telling…? I stared down at the butterfly I had drawn. There was so much to tell, but what did it have to do with my Dying Will Flame?

A memory flashed through my mind. It was of a fire with the colors of the rainbow… I dug my nails into my legs. I don't remember ever seeing that before. My heart began to race.

I felt something move against my ankle and looked down to Lulu's oceanic eyes stare into mine with concern. She could feel how felt. Was it because I made her? Gradually, I began to regain my composure.

Squalo finally let out a sigh. "Everyone has their secrets. But if you plan on keeping things hidden, be prepared to face things on your own." He shoved his chair in and walked away.

"Where are you going?" I asked a bit panicky.

"I've got work to do. Keep trying on that for a while." The door closed and the room was silent once again. The silence of a library usually felt nice. Right then, I felt lonelier than ever.

This time I was nice and didn't do a cliffhanger... but be warned, I'm a cliffhanger spammer haha XD So how am I doing, you're not dozing off while trying to read this... right?! lol feedback is nice, but don't flame me, I am only human. Or am I...? Sorry, I need some sleep, night X}