"You wake him up."

"Why me?! Aren't you his instructor or something?"

"Cause the last time I did. I have to slap him and trust me. I don't think he wants that again."

"What do you expect me to do? I'm a person who assassinates people in their sleep sometime. Not wake them."

"Does that explain why you keep sneaking into the Guild castle's kitchen time to time?"

"…shut up Richard."

"For the love of god just do something to wake him up!"

"How about stick his hand in a bowl of warm water?"

"Doesn't that make him wet himself? What does that have to do with anything?"

"It doesn't. It's just damn funny and a good story to spread."

"I sometime hate you. You know that?"

"Aw I'm hurt Julian. Real deep you know?"

SPLOOSH!!!

A blonde lord knight, sly assassin cross and one shocked swordsman were dripping wet as Richard stood behind them, dressed in his priest uniform, holding an empty bucket.

"About time, the ship for Amatsu is leaving in 20 minutes. We don't have time to quarrel like idiots."

"Couldn't you use any other method beside that?" Griever said as he moved the wet strands of hair in front of his eye.

"It was the only one I could think of. Beside, you two were too hot-headed in the conversation to just tap on the shoulder and talk." Richard said as he set the bucket down near the door. Orpheus, snapping out of shock, sat up and groaned.

"I feel like I was just ran over by a stampede of peco peco. And for some reason by neck hurts."

Julian looked away slightly as the other two male companions stared at her.

"What?"

"Nothing………" Both of them said at the same time as Orpheus looked between the two groups confused. At this time Richard decided that it wasn't a good action to take anything further and stepped in.

"We can talk about this later. You guys can wait outside while I dye my hair and put in contacts."

"Don't" Julian said as Richard looked at her puzzled.

"What?"

"I said don't. Don't dye your hair or change anything else. Just be who you really are. I don't want anyone who has a fake appearance and hides their true self."

The priest looked somewhat troubled as he put a hand through his hair. It's not like he was doing it because he wanted to but because of the citizens that live in Amatsu and the reaction of the guild members. Griever, sensing his uncomfortable sentiment, sighed.

"Look, we know the villagers will give you a hard time. But you have us. Two friends that trust you and don't care about a damn thing about your breed…race…whatever. Our guild mates aren't that stupid or naïve to isolate you because of that reason." Griever gave a wink and a peace sign as he finished. Richard stood there somewhat speechless and amazed for his acceptance.

"Beside I think it's beautiful." Julian commented causing the other three to whiz their head to her and looked at her in disbelief.

"Excuse me? Did I just hear that right?" Griever said astonished.

"I didn't even know the word beautiful even existed in her dictionary." Orpheus continued Grievers follow.

"…what's that suppose to mean Orpheus?" Putting Griever aside, the rookie swordsman has a lot of nerves and guts to insult her. The navy haired assassin nudged the swordsman side as he saw the imaginary anger thermometer of the Lord Knight begin to rise. Orpheus, realizing what he had just said quickly calculated in his brain.

"Nothing! Absolutely nothing! I said nothing about your dictionary-"

"Yeah the little swordie didn't say anything." Griever said as he covered Orpheus's mouth. Richard on the other hand went into a slight shade of red.

"A man wouldn't appreciate the word "beautiful" being used to describe himself." He scoffed and turned away to hide his blush.

"You look pretty damn happy to me." Griever said as let go of the suffocating swordsman. "Look at you all re-"

Griever was cut off as Richard took the bucket he previously set on the ground and put it onto his head.

"Just shut up, shut up." He muttered as he looked down still red as Griever desperately tried to get the bucket off his head. Julian on the other hand, thinking it the wrong way pondered a bit.

"Was the word beautiful that insulting to men? Maybe cool or sexy would have been better……" She thought evidently taking their reaction the completely wrong direction. Her thought disappeared when she finally noticed the redness of Richard.

"Richard, you look a bit……red? Are you sick?" The blonde asked as she stood up. ( - dense!!!) The flustered priest took a step back as Julian came up to him. (Griever on the other hand is having a hard time getting the bucket off his head as Orpheus helped him)

"No! I am perfectly fine! There is nothing wrong with me!" The white haired priest said quickly as he backed up until he his a pillar that stopped him from going any further. He felt a hand on his forehead and he saw Julian only a few centimeters from his face.

"Maybe a fever…?"

"I'M FINE!! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!!" He hollered as he pushed the confused Lord Knight away and dashed down the hall. Leaving a very puzzled blonde with question icons all over her head. There was a gasp of relief heard from behind her as Griever came up behind Julian without the bucket on his head. Orpheus followed him after he threw the bucket somewhere in the bushes.

"Maybe he hit puberty?" Julian said as a she tried to figure out the reason for his action.

"Julian, he's 19. I think he's long over from puberty." Griever said in flat and tired tone. Sometime he couldn't help but wonder what world Julian grew up in.

"Isn't puberty when men start acting weird?"

"Julian……" The assassin said as he put his hands on her shoulder. "Let's not get into that discussion."

It was bad enough to explain to his fellow thief subordinates to explain what women PMSing was, it's worse to having to explain the process and detail of puberty of a fully matured woman. He'd rather die than explain what puberty is.

"Um…Sir Douglas and uh…Mr. Griever?" A small voice came in as the swordsman stood behind them somewhat uncomfortable.

"Mr. Griever? Just call me Griever. That "Mr." thing makes me sound old."

"Yes sir. Anyway, aren't we suppose to catch a ship back to Alberta? We only have 10 minutes left."

"……crap."

After a few times of Increase Agility, the trio arrives at the village safe and unharmed. Excluding the small bumps on Orpheus's head, which he received from the pole, the Kappa's were whacking him with.

"I told you to run…" Griever muttered as handed Orpheus a red potion, which he gladly took.

Orpheus shrugged. "I'm trying to be a strike and vitality knight. I never did focus much on agility."

"That's usually for crusaders." Said Richard as they began approaching the main street. "Knights usually go for agility and strike. Some dexterity too."

"Really?" The rookie said in amazement, and then turned to Julian. "Sir Douglas? Are you an agility and strike knight too?"

"Well…Julian here is a bit different…" The assassin said slyly as a smirk came onto his face. "She-"

"One more word and expect this sword to be shoved down your throat." She said threateningly as the tip of her sword almost connected with the assassin's throat. Richard laughed lightly which abruptly stopped when something hit his head.

"What the?" The priest turned around to the direction it came from only to see a small Amatsu boy holding another rock in his hand.

"Go away you monster! I heard things about you from my dad! Your nothing but a freaky monster!!"

"!!" Richard flinched as the boy said those words. A second later a man, which appeared to be his father came up behind the boy.

"Son, don't do that."

Richard was about to sigh in relief until the man continued.

"If your going to hit him do it right." The man put on a wicked smile as he took a rock and threw it hard right near his eye. The white haired priest stumbled a bit as he fell onto one of his knee. A small trail of blood trickled down his cheek as he shielded himself with his arms as more rocks came hurtling toward him.

"MAGNUM BREAK!" a voice rang out in front of him as fire erupted in front of him burning anything that was coming for him into dust. The pissed Lord Knight's twin sword flashed dangerously as the fire diminished.

"You're dealing with me if you want to attempt any brute actions to him." Orpheus shivered. Julian's voice was cold, deadly and…just plain SCARY. He felt himself suddenly cold as if he jumped into ice water.

She wasn't the only person pissed off.

"Throw another rock at him and expect you and your son to be nothing more but corpses." A deadly voice came up behind them only to reveal their happy-go-lucky assassin with katars that has a purple glow indicated that lethal poison was infused in them.

The man stuttered in fear as he lost his strength to stay standing up. "W-why are you defending a monster! He nothing but a heartless bastard!" He hollered as he fell onto the ground and scrambled backwards as the assassin cross walked toward him. Every step he took seemed to emit a fatal aura and his eyes no longer had a playful light, instead it was dead and had a killing intent.

"A heartless bastard? Don't make me laugh." He said in a low voice as he held the man up by the front of his shirt in the air with one arm. "Listen you son of a bitch. Richard is a living being just like us he has feelings, pain and a heart unlike you empty-headed bastards here." He threw aside the man as if he was a rag doll as the bastard went through the wall and landed in a heap on the floor.

He turned toward the crowd of villagers as they all gasped and froze in fear.

"If you people discriminate him because of what he his knowing that he is also one of you. Your not a human or a monster but just a piece of trash."

At this point Orpheus and Richard fully understood why Griever was the most feared and respected Assassin Cross through out Midgard.

The people in Amatsu certainly understood that also.

"Come on." Julian said as she sheathed her sword. "We're going to miss the ship."

Orpheus helped the battered priest stand up as the assassin cross slowly put away his katars. The villagers parted moving as far as they can from their path and held their breath as the four foreigners passed by them. Occasionally Julian sent a glance at them causing them to freak out and jump back.

Richard, supported by Orpheus, looked back at the village as he walked onto the ship.

Would his past let him go easily? Did he deserve to be freed by this torture?

No…he is no longer the person who feared society and the darkness that surrounded him.

This was his last and only time he'll ever go back to Amatsu. He'll move on, even with the burden of the past on his shoulders he will move on. Never again would he hesitate to step forward.

He isn't a monster or a half-breed or a heartless bastard. He's…

…An honorable priest and member of Lion's Pride.

That was the last thing on his mind as the ship set sail for Alberta.

Colorful lights filled the dark night sky as cheerful shouts and singing voices filled the air. Fireworks exploded in the sky leaving the audience awed as clowns made hilarious tricks making the children and parents laugh.

The Alberta 10th anniversary festival was taking place. Honoring the founding of the town Alberta and commemorating as the first trade town built in Midgard.

"Come on, just for today?" The assassin cross whined as the blonde knight folded her arm in annoyance. Both of them acted as if the event at Amatsu never happened and returned to their regular self.

"No."

Griever, being stubborn at times, did not give up. "Please? I mean come on it's a festival!"

"I said no!"

"That's it. Orpheus! Time to go to plan B!" Griever said as Orpheus looked at him puzzled as he took a bite out of a cotton candy he just bought.

"Plan B?"

"Yes and it goes like this!"

The stealthy companion suddenly pushed Julian inside a building, which was…

A clothing shop.

"Oh HELL no-"

"Hello welcome to Alberta's finest girl attire shop, Foxy!" (A/N: If anyone can guess what brand of clothing I ripped that off you get a free hug from Griever.) Girly voices said that made Julian twitch in annoyance.

"Hi ladies, I need a full attire for my lovely date for today's festival!" Griever said with a 100 pure smile as he pushed Julian toward the shop employees who were more than happy to dress her.

"CERTAINLY!"

The crazy barbies went all over her as a muffling scream could be hear from outside the shop. Richard sweat dropped as he lit his cigarette. Griever on the other hand came out of the shop as if nothing has happened.

"Griever, are you sure that was a good idea?"

"Of course it is! Now let's go get our attires too."

Now it was Richard's turn to be puzzled. "Excuse me? Our attires?" Griever nodded as he gestured Orpheus to follow him.

"I'm not staying in my uniform during a festival. They might mistake me as a mercenary hired to ruin the festival. Beside, knowing women with their perfection in clothing, it would take them at least an hour to choose the best attire for her."

"What are we going to do with our uniforms?"

"No problem." Griever said happily as he pointed to a house a few blocks away. "My friend Isaac, a whitesmith, lives here. He won't mind if we leave our stuff in their for a day or two."

"Come on Priest Richard! It's gonna be fun." Orpheus said enthusiastically as he grabbed Richard's arm and pulled him with them like a nine year old child who has too much sugar.

"Alright fine. Stop pulling on my arm Orpheus!" The priest gave in as they entered another shop with the sign 'Anchorsea' (A/N: Now I KNOW someone can tell where I ripped that off from)

"Ohh, two handsome young men and a cute young lad. Let me guess your looking for something to wear for the festival right? I know the most fabulous attire that will fit you three." The shopkeeper came up them who was a man. (A/N: I kid you not I met with one of these people…they are just…scary!!)

All three of them stared at the man standing in front of him speaking to no one in particular. Only one word came up in their mind at they saw him.

"GAY!!!"

After several minutes of trying on different clothing. (They refrained from trying on the clothing the 'gay' shopkeeper gave them) They came out looking like regular citizens.

Orpheus wore a sweatshirt a bit too big for him (think skater sweatshirts), a baggy knee length shorts, comfortable sneakers and to for a final touch a baseball cap worn sideways.

Richard on the other hand was a much more formal and simple style. Blue dress shirt with black pants and shoes. He did not like anything extravagant despite the fact that the shopkeeper insisted on something much more detailed.

Now Griever…was much more flexible on what he wore. He was wearing a short brown jacket with a turtleneck long sleeved black shirt underneath. Long pants, the same color as his jacket also with black shoes.

Griever stretched out his arms as he let out a happy relief. "This is more like it."

"Although I have to say it feels weird." Richard commented as he fumbled a bit with the buttons on the cuff of his shirt. Orpheus on the other hand was bouncing around.

"Are you kidding? This is great! So much better than that sweaty and dirty swordsman uniform." He said happily as he ordered a caramel apple from the stand near by.

"Orpheus!!" A cheerful voice came up to them revealing none other than Camus and his fellow teacher, Kai.

"Camus! You're here too?" The hyper active swordie replied with the apple in his mouth.

"Yup! Griever told us about it!"

The priest looked over at the assassin who whistled innocently.

"Griever…" Richard started a bit pale in the face.

"Hm?"

"Don't tell me you invited everyone in the guild to the festival…"

"Not everyone. Only people like Roy, Oscar, Keiki, and Xeonhart, which I doubt he would come. Edward, Eden and yeah all of the captains that's for sure. But Yue and a few others couldn't come of work or injuries." (A/N: For those of you who remember what happened to Yue he is hospitalized)

"Orpheus look! It's one of those hammer things! Let's go try it out!" Camus shouted as both of the rookies went into the crowd fascinated by the festival.

"On my. What a lively festival this is. Don't you think so Eden?" A golden haired scholar came up beside them in casual attire as a light blue haired individual appeared behind him. Eden, captain of the archer team and revered sniper in the hunter guild. Not much is known about him except that he is shy and extremely quiet.

"……" Eden only nodded, beside him was none other than Edward who seemed satisfied for some reason.

"Can I go with Orpheus and Camus Instructor Eden?"

Once again Eden just nodded as the hunter also disappeared into the crowd. A carefree voice came up next along with a strict voice.

"Come on Roy! This a perfect time to get yourself a girlfriend!" That phrase came from none other than Oscar and the person who he was talking to was of course, Roy Xeno. Both of them dressed casually and out of their uniform.

Roy on the other hand was extremely annoyed. "For the last time no! I am not interested!"

"Come on!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"NO!"

"no."

"Yes! Wait! I mean-!"

"Ha! Oldest trick in the book!" Oscar taunted as Roy fumed for falling into a simple trick. Griever glanced at the clock to see that an hour has already passed.

"that's odd…they should be done by now…" He muttered at he once again went to 'Foxy' "Oi! Are you done with her yet?"

"YES WE ARE!!" All of the employees shouted. What made him look at them oddly was most of them had their hair messed up and had bruises everywhere. Julian must have given them a hard time…

"I'M NOT GOING OUT THERE WITH THIS!!" A certain female voice rang out from the dressing room. Griever sighed and shook his head.

"Come on it's not that bad…"

"IT'S AN EMBRASSMENT!! ESPECIALLY IN THE HONOR OF A KNIGHT!"

"Quit your whining and come out."

"NO!"

"Fine, I warned you though."

Without further ado he went toward the dressing room and pulled aside the curtain…

END OF CHAPTER!! (reader- What! NOOooo!!)

JUST KIDDING! (EOE- --;)

…to reveal Julian who appeared very flustered. Not only did the employees put her in a miniskirt but to top it off she was wearing a tank top and sandals. Griever just stared as he turned a bit red.

"What are you staring at?!" Julian at this time almost felt like crying.

"…man if I knew you would look fabulous in this I would have done it a lot sooner."

"Why you!! I hate you!!" She shouted as she ran out of the store. Unfortunately there was one piece of information that slipped out of Griever's mind.

"Wait! Julian! The others are out th-!"

There was a scream heard outside as Griever sweat dropped and laughed nervously. Upon arriving outside all of the others (except for Kai and Eden) had the same exact reaction as him.

Oscar quickly took out a camera and took a snapshot of Julian before she could say or do anything else.

"Julian's photo cards are now the new merchandise for the guild! This would be a great addition to the collection of 'Lion's Pride members photo cards'!"

Roy looked at Oscar with disbelief. "You mean you actually make those and sell them?!"

"Hey, we just don't get all the supplies and necessities from the monthly guild payment and mercenary rewards you know. The girls love these! And I had a lot of request to make a Julian one but she's too stubborn and quick to get a snapshot. So this was a perfect opportunity!"

"What's the popularity rate?" Griever slide into the conversation following the flow of the conversation as he put an arm around Julian's waist, who was stunned and shocked to do anything.

"Well." Oscar started. "According to our sales rate. Roy and Xeonhart are right now tied in first place and Griever your in second. Third is also tied with Keiki and Yue. Richard is fourth and surprisingly the new rookie Camus is right now fifth. When I add Julian's I think she'll be at least fourth or third."

"So that's where all of our extra money comes from…" Keiki said some what surprised. The purple haired paladin nodded.

"Yup! That's why our salary rate is much higher than any other guilds. You know that reminds me I was thinking we should start a host club…"

While Oscar was ranting off his ideas, Richard took this opportunity to approach Julian. He waved his hand in front of her to see no response.

"Um…Julian?…are you okay?"

"…Richard…"

"Yes?"

"Please shoot me…"

"……I'm not certified to carry a gun……Sorry?"

THE REAL END!!!

Review response time!

FireyFlame: Griever isn't exactly a pervert…he's just RANDOM. Lolz?

Tsong: Thank you :D

Dsmile: well he is a guy so yeah…come on guys must have fantasies like this!

Yuleen75: Who's Julian paired with? Hmm…let me think. NOT TELLING! MWAHAHAHAHAH!!

YumiSakura: Never judge a book by its cover eh? Griever! Looks like you have a devoted fangirl!

Griever: really? Alright!!

Steel Heart: Lol Orpheus is gonna take a while before he realized that. XD

Attic-window: Hey I'm a kid too! And I put Camus in happy? He'll appear more on the next chapter.

RicePaper: Your right it isn't healthy. But then again who cares?

TenkaTenshi: Thanks for reviewing!