Lucy had to admit, the day wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been. Yuka and Tomo had spent most of the day shopping, and Mayu had taken on the duty of taking care of the sick Nana. So for most of the day, Lucy and Kohta had been left to themselves. There were a lot of chores to be done to keep up with the house, and Lucy couldn't very well leave them all for Kohta, so she took Yuka's advice and actually did some work. It was a bit shameful that Kohta had to follow her around for nearly every job she performed, as she didn't know how to do many things, let alone house work. But it was a good excuse for them to spend time together none the less. She'd blush as he would take her hand into his and guide her in the proper motions to cleaning the hardwood floors. She never imagined doing chores could be so...enjoyable. But like all good things, it had to end sometime.

Yuka and Tomo returned sometime after lunch, arms heavy with bags. They helped them with unloading the groceries, then returned to work. Yuka seemed intent on separating Lucy from Kohta, giving her separate chores to do, claiming it'd be too much of a distraction for her and Kohta to work together. This seemed rather hypocritical, as Yuka fully permitted Tomo and herself to work side by side. She even allowed (or rather forced) him to help her prepare their evening meal, which his cooking was even more deplorable then Nana's had originally been. But to avoid another argument, Lucy simply obeyed Yuka's command to work separately. Now sitting up in her room after dinner, which was only barely edible, the day was almost over and she was both exhausted both physically and mentally. She sat on her pillow, a small music box open on her bed as she listened to the melancholy, familiar tune. Kohta had been nice enough to give it to her once she returned to Kaede House, calling it a "homecoming" gift. He remembered how much she loved it when they were kids, and it always brought her peace when she listened to it, despite the contrast of emotions it suggested. The music slowed as it crept to a halt in mid tune. Lucy took it in her hands, winding the gears to restart the music.

"Guess who," came the voice of a certain, unwanted boy from beyond the door. Not waiting for a reply, the door opened as Tomo came in displaying some of his newly bought clothes, which now fit him perfectly. "How do I look?"

"Fine," she said unenthusiastically. Lucy turned to face him just in time to see a smal green orb the size of a baseball flying at her face. She caught it just as it was about to smash into her nose.

"Nice reflexes," Tomo complimented as he took a large bite out of the apple he brought for himself. Lucy placed the apple at her side, her stomach still twisting from Tomo's sad idea of supper and probably not able to tolerate more food yet. Not asking for permission, he waltzed inside and plopped himself directly in front of her. His hair, no longer in its usual ponytail, was now long and wet, a damp towel hanging around his neck. "Man, aren't baths the best thing ever?" She didn't answer. The silence between them was only broken by the loud, obnoxious chewing as Tomo took another large bite out of his snack. "Why do you hate me Lucy?"

The music box gave another, very timely stop as Lucy looked at him, stunned by the suddenness of this question, though her face showed nothing of it.

"Excuse me?"

"Why do you hate me," he repeated.

"And what makes you think I hate you," Lucy asked, sounding offended by his presumption.

"Well, I've been here for awhile now and you never say two words to me. And whenever I try to talk to you, you don't show much interest," he explained with a tint of hurt. Lucy eyed him strangely, a small sliver of regret creeping up on her. It was true she didn't much care for him, but if you could call it anything, it would be indifference rather then out right hate. Something else she didn't much care for were when people got the wrong impression about her. But then again, people had never understood her most of her life anyway.

"I don't hate you," she said, picking up the apple next to her.

"Then why don't you talk to me?" She rolled the apple around in her palm, questioning how comfortable she was with telling him anything.

"Its your name," she replied. The way Tomo's face was torn in confusion told her he didn't understand why something so simple and miniscule as a name could be cause enough for someone to distance themselves from another. Although this wasn't miniscule or simple to her.

"What about my name?"

Lucy hung her head tragically, looking at the mute music box and still playing with the apple as if it were a toy. Why did this always have to happen whenever he was around? She felt the rush of memories stream back into her consciousness. Whatever you need I'm there for you. You must be a monster cause you're totally not a human. You don't laugh, you don't cry, you're really creepy. You know who isn't human...PEOPLE LIKE YOU!

"Are you ok," Tomo asked concernedly.

"It's none of your business," she shot at him, now honestly hating him for bringing back such regretful memories. He just sighed in defeat.

"Well I won't ask what happened then, but you don't have to be alone." He edged himself closer to put a hand on her shoulder. "There are people who care about you. Kohta, Mayu, Nana, and even Yuka, despite your constant fighting. And I want to be your friend too," he said almost pleadingly. Lucy shook his hand off her, still hugging her knees and looking at her bare feet. Tomo took this as his cue to leave.

"By the way, that's a pretty song," he said, Lucy now remembering the music box that had been playing when he first entered. "What's it called?"

"Lilium."

"Really. Did you know that they say lilies appear in places where people who have regrets live."

"What about you, do you have any regrets," Lucy asked him. Tomo suddenly became very silent, his face deep and distant. Without answering, he walked toward the sliding door to leave.

"Goodnight," he said.

As the door slide shut to mark his exit, Lucy thought deeply about his parting words. There hade been several attempts by the others to include her as a member of Kaede House. But the fear that rotted her heart prevented her from making much effort to reciprocate. Fear that she might one day repeat his past sins. And she was so tired of feeling alone. Like she was in a crowded room where everyone refused to acknowledge her being. But did she deserve the happiness of a normal life?

Perhaps this was her punishment. If so, then there would be nothing she could do to change it. Any and all attempts would prove fruitless and a waste. And still, she wanted to try. When you have nothing, you have nothing to lose. If at the least, she'd learn the truth. Could she live with the past behind her? Or was suffering a destiny breed into her bones. She read the gold lettering of the plaque that decorated the lid of the hand-sized box. Lilium? Placing it back on its designated spot of her night stand, with apple in hand, she went downstairs to join the others.

Arakawa leaned back in her chair, heaving a cry of frustrated grief. This was the same seat, at the same computer, in the same lab that she had been widely digging for information for the past several nights now. And each of those nights had turned up as unproductive as the other. She must have read over a dozen different diclonius files and research reports. But there was very little difference between them. One such difference was that Number 4 had developed the ability to disable another diclonius's vectors by inserting one of her own into their frontal lobe, the control center for vectors. As boundlessly interesting this was, it did little to give her a clear path as to what Kakuzawa was after. The other reports all turned out to be bland and boring. She was hoping to find a report on that one diclonius who escaped, but still and yet to locate it.

She growled under her breath and ruffled her hair in irritation. And it looked so easy on TV. She did notice an continuity however, that all subjects were female. It was odd thinking about it now, but in her entire time studying the disease, she could remember it be contracting by a single male. After yet another file that was so much like the others Arakawa had memorized it after one read, she was about ready to call it a night. But reaching the bottom of the screen, she saw an icon that was unlike the others. Instead of a simple folder, this one resembled a giant "D" made up of two black serpents, each feasting on the tail of the other.

"D-Project," she read the heading aloud.

Her heart was beating so hard against her ribs she feared it might crack a bone. It even sounded foreboding. Certainly this would lead her to something. Without hesitation she opened the file, her heart rate increasing rapidly as the mouse icon moved closer. The picture of a man with sandy brown, and a surly looking veneer appeared.

Subject: Bandoh Kuroda

Age: 30

Gender: Male

Height: 6 feet 0 inches

Weight: 187 lbs.

D-Project officially begins. Diclonius cells are extracted from the tissue of silpelit subjects. Experiment is to test how these cells react when introduce into a human host. First subject is an applicant for the Special Assault Team, Bandoh Kuroda. During medical examination, cells are injected into subjects body without his knowledge. He is then carefully observed for several months. Subjects displays symptoms of increased stamina and reflexes, as well as heightened aggression and desire for violence. However, no further changes have occurred. Of all the subjects in the controlled group, he is the only one to survive. All other subjects bodies rejected the cells, damaging their immune system. Placed as elite member of SAT unit in order to keep under close observation. Project is scrapped.

"It was a way to see if we could synthesize the diclonius gene and create them artificially." Arakawa didn't need to look around to see to whom the icy voice belonged. Still, the surprise at hearing the voice caused her to spin around in her chair so fast she toppled over, landing hard on her butt. Stepping out of the shadows, his hands clasped behind him, standing menacingly was Director Kakuzawa. How long has he been there. She tried desperately, and in vain, to close the window screen of the computer, but it was too late. He'd apparently been there all along. What he said only confirmed that he knew why she was here. Her fate was sealed.

"But as you see," he said, stepping more into the light, "It didn't have the effect I was hoping for. Instead, he only became a more violent brute. He later proved to have the ability to slightly see vectors. Interesting yes, but irrelevant. So I canceled the project." He continued his slow advance, seemingly oblivious to Arakawa's continually stumbling body. He now was directly beside her, starring reverently at the computer. Trying to gain some balance in her legs, she wondered why he was telling her this. Obviously, he was going to tell her all his secrets just before he disposed of her.

"Why would you want to create artificial diclonius," she asked. He ignored her and continued.

"But I continued my research. I studied as many silpelits as this facility would permit. I did this for two reasons. One, so I would know their weakness should any of them turn against me. And two, because some silpelits have proven to have unique traits, Like Number 35 and Number 7 did. I wanted to see if I could adapt those abilities for myself. You see...my dear...the reason I'm looking for the virus is so I can become a pure blooded diclonius." As he said this, he tore away the wig that hide his small horns and bald head, his eyes wide with madness.

"What," she said in horrified awe.

"Look at me. I am one of God's chosen ones. But my diclonius gene has been watered down by my disgusting human ancestry. But with your help, I'll be pure once more, and finish the holy crusade God has given us."

"Why are you telling me this," Arakawa asked, her voice trembling. His lips curved into a proud smile.

"Because if your going to be my new chief, you'll need to know the truth," he told her.

"Chief?!"

"I am in great need of your abilities, and an official title will be helpful to your progress."

"And why should I help you," she demanded, trying to bring out as much courage as she could underneath all her mounting fear. Her legs were shivering so violently she could hardly stand properly. Kakuzwa's grin now widened more, baring his teeth like a lion about to strike.

"Well, then I shall have to go back on our little agreement," he said plainly.

"What agreement," she asked, trying to remain brave.

"I said I'd keep you alive...so long as I had your full cooperation in the place of my son," Kakuzawa said arrogantly, striding over to her with power in every step. Mere inches in front of her, his towering form eclipsed what little light the room held. "If you go back on her word, then I will most surely have to go back on mine."

Arakawa was defeated. If she wanted to live, she had no choice but to submit to him. And she knew from experience that he was not one to waste time with bluffing. The look his eyes were now giving were enough to banish any further doubts...if she had any to begin with.

"Why don't you just kill me now," she asked. Kakuzawa placed a hand on her belly, Arakawa flinching under the coldness of his touch that penetrated through her thin layers of clothing. His eyes narrowed.

"I need a child to carry on my legacy, once I am gone and should something unforseen happen." Her memory reeled back to the moment of their last "private" meeting. Realization hit her with enough to throw her off the balance she only just got back. "Call it a fail safe. Your lucky, the world will be reborn, and you'll be a witness to it all. A rare honor." Suddenly, Arakawa felt a nauseous feeling in the bowels of her stomach. He turned his back on her to leave, stopping just short of the door.

"Oh, and you can stop pretending you haven't found that boy yet. I know you've been hiding his picture under your bed. But it doesn't matter anymore. Soon Lucy will be back where she belongs." The door to the outside hall shot open, flooding the room with a sudden intensity of light. "Now get some sleep. You have a busy day tomorrow." And with that, the door closed and plunged the room back into near shadow.

It had all been for nothing. Kakuzawa had known everything from the start. Even before she herself decided, he was already one step ahead of her. He even knew that she found the boy who'd seen Professor Kakuzawa's decapitated body. How he could have found that out was so unnerving she didn't want to know. Arakawa fell to her hands and knees in a helpless slump. Just when she thought she was finally going to make a difference. It didn't matter anymore now. He had her on his leash. A subservient dog. Now matter what she knew now or would soon find out, she could do nothing about it. And for the first time since she came here, Arakawa started to cry.