It was easy to say that things had certainly become very odd behind the walls of Kaede House as of recently. The once gentle halls were now unfamiliar to Kohta. Lucy's decision to no longer shut herself up in her room was a bittersweet development, as the tension between her and Yuka was far from forgotten. Whenever the two of them were in close proximity, the tension was as obvious as a thick fog after a summer rain. They would give each other hateful glances and speak with hidden words in their sentences. And the house was often accompanied to the music of their short lived fights over the most trivial of subjects. Nana had healed up from her fever a few days ago, but since then, wandered around the house in a absentminded, paranoid manner, always casting quick glances over her shoulder as if afraid something might happen while her back was turned. This happened most frequently when Lucy was nearby. Their relationship had never been all that great either, but it also seemed to been progressing backwards rather then forward as Kohta hoped. Even Mayu and Wanta, who were the same as they always were, appeared to be acting differently.

One of the most peculiar changes was most evident in Yuka. The tenseness between her and Lucy was something he'd come to expect and knew probably wouldn't disappear anytime soon. Even more odd, was how she seemed to be turning all her attention and affection now to Tomo and ignore Kohta. It was so common to see Yuka and Tomo together you'd think them joined by an invisible line. She'd help him with his gardening, while she (with astounding failure) would teach him how to cook. Kohta painfully acknowledged that this must have been how it felt for her with all the attention he gave Lucy. Most painful of all, was that while Yuka was with Tomo, she would laugh and smile in a way Kohta had never seen her do with anyone else. Not even him. Kohta was starting to regret ever letting Tomo live here. He had settle into things in a way that was too quickly and easily it upset Kohta's stomach.

Kohta sat on the steps of his favorite spot in the whole city, looking out at the ocean below. This view always had a way of capturing him and taking him away to so many places.

Kohta was taking more walks by himself lately. With everything feeling so out of place, he needed some time to clear his head of troubles. And this is where he came when he needed such time. Looking at the ocean view as it outlined the city was as unchanged since he was a child, as was the comforting effect it had on him. Being here brought back both good and bad memories at the same time. Of he and Lucy watching the sun fall below the horizon, humming a familiar song. Of how Lucy laid her soul bare to him, the two of them sharing a passionate embrace. Of Kanae and how she always used to gather shells buried in the sand. Some of this memories were painful, but they were still his, and he treasured them nonetheless. It was them that defined him today.

"Hey you." Kohta looked to see Tomo waving, walking up to join him, his ponytail now braided.

"What's with the hair," Kohta asked after a moments awkward silence, trying to make polite conversation. Tomo blushed slightly, playing with the end of his hair and looking like he wished Kohta hadn't noticed.

"It was Yuka's idea," he said with indignation, "She said she thought it would look cute this way." He twiddled with it between his fingers uncomfortably, as if suggesting this change of style was causing him physical pain.

"You two have been spending a lot of time together huh," Kohta stated.

"I guess so," Tomo replied simply, either not noticing or not caring that Kohta sounded put out. They just stood side by side, watching the sun reflect of the blue ocean like millions of tiny diamonds. It was a good seven minutes before either spoke again.

"What do you think?" Tomo asked.

"About what?"

"The hair," he explained, holding up the end of his ponytail, swinging it as though Kohta needed an example of what hair was, "What do you think about the hair?"

"Looks great," Kohta answered, not sounding the least like he meant it or had a bit of interest in him. Again, Tomo appeared to be ignoring Kohta's less then honest answer. Kohta watched as several cars swerved in and out of the roads at the bottom. And like a physical manifestation of the memories he was just reveling in, he heard the tune of an old music box being hummed in the wind. There Tomo was; looking at the same sights he was, humming the same song exactly the same way Lucy did all those years ago, with his mouth slightly open. Kohta starred in astonishment at the reversal of memory he was now experiencing.

"Well, I'd better get going. Got work still to do. I'll see you back at the house," Tomo said merrily once he finished the song.

"Please tell me your not cooking," Kohta said a bit more offensively then intended. But instead of turning and looking insulted, Tomo busted out in a fit of laughter.

"I guess my cooking is pretty lousy huh," he chuckled, whipping away a tear of laughter. Even through this show of good nature, Kohta could not block this uneasy feeling about him. Kohta didn't know whether to chuck this up to jealousy, or something else. After the laughing ceased, the two starred into the others eyes. Kohta's were blank and almost challenging, while Tomo's seemed...confident. His back turned, Tomo waved goodbye, smirking all the way back.

"See ya later."

Inside a dark, viewing room of one of the facilities many test areas sat a young male scientist amidst a sea of data printouts and discarded old research journals. Aoma Kazuma was busy conducting a series of the labs usual experiments testing the properties and capabilities of a diclonius's vectors. He thought the experiments were repetitively boring and a waste of time. They always yielded the same results. Very seldom had there been special cases, and unfortunately, he did not have either the authorization or tenure to be part of said cases. So here he sat, mind wandering to other things. He was so well practiced with procedure and the workings of these machines he could have run them blindfolded. His only company was the newly appointed Chief Arakawa, who opted to stand rather then sit. Aoma had been working at the facility for some time now, and had been here under the reign of the two previous Chief of Research.

Professor Kakuzawa, son of the Director, was probably the most brilliant. His mind was able to work out mathematical algorithms, biological theories, and other scientific problems on a level that seemed inhuman. He was an exceptionally gifted scientist, but there was something very secretive about him in the way he carried himself. But Aoma didn't care much about this. He was paid to do research, not play detective to the oddities of others. He heard rumors about the Director, and planned to keep them only as much by staying properly in his place. Still, Aoma couldn't pretend he missed the Professor. He never liked him much.

Then there was Chief Kurama. He was definitely the most efficient. Always calm, he could always be trusted to think of a way out of almost any predicament. Polite, courteous, and professional to others, he was what you might call a "gentleman," which was why he didn't like him much better the Kakuzawa. Aoma always had the suspicious feeling that there was something tragic hidden behind those glasses. But again, this he didn't really care more then job related curiosity.

It had been months since Kurama's mysterious "withdrawal" from the facility, and it was only recently that they received a replacement. That was Arakawa, his current favorite. The first female Chief in the short history of this place...and also the youngest, he happily noted. Standing there in her elegant red suite and matching skirt, a mixture of boredom and desire couldn't help but make him stare at her up and down. Man was she cute. She could be that much older then he was, and smiled inwardly that he had a shot at her. He was thought of by his friends as something of a "lady killer," a title he wore proudly like a badge of honor. She didn't notice him starring, just looking out beyond the glass with a distant look not all that different from the one Kurama used to wear. Out in the white tile chamber, Number 55 was heavily strapped to a table set in the middle of the room with a vertical shaft directly above. This shaft allowed them to drop spherical balls of various weights to test the strength of what a vector could lift.

Number 55 was in very poor shape. Her body was repulsively thin from her lack of a proper diet, and lost the ability to speak due to the trauma of a past experiment. Covered in her own blood, her body was so weak with malnutrition to the point where she had to be carried from place to place while sedated. There had been more then one occasion when she was prematurely presumed dead. Her muscles tissue was underdeveloped, her bones extremely fragile, and her mind was starting to regress. Saddest of all, was the fact that she was in the best condition out of all the silpelits still remaining. They were in critical need of new test subjects, and they needed them now.

"Proceed with the experiment," Arakawa said neutrally. Aoma pressed one of the dozen buttons on the front console, watching it light up with a red flare of confirmation the command had been accepted. The hatch inside the room gave a noisy, slow, almost taunting open. A huge mechanical hand descended, holding one of the many gray balls of various weights that was no bigger then a soccer ball. The hand moved as it adjusted for aim, then dropped the ball, allowing gravity to carry it to a helpless Number 55. Though she made no outward appearance of distress, her mind was still able to fully grasp things and was crying out. The ball fell at remarkable speed till it was halted by an invisible force, precisely two meters from Number 55. The ball did not hover calmly, but instead jerked in mid-air, showing signs the vectors were being strained by maintaining the weight.

"500 pounds cleared ma'am," Aoma said as he read the computer data aloud, "No changes with her or any of the previous specimens." The ball in the other room fell to the floor as Number 55 forced in out of harms way, its landing leaving a huge deep circle where it had landed before it took its place among its brothers. Arakawa's arms hung limp at her sides, her face still blank. "What do you want to do next," he asked, trying to sound as charming as was possible for talking professionally.

"Take her to the medical lab. I want muscle tissue, brain samples, and anything else you can think of to be on my desk by this afternoon. And make sure the medics write a report on her current condition," Arakawa answered dully. Arakawa then turned to leave.

"You leaving me already sweetheart," Aoma said to her back. His attempts at flirting fell on deaf ears as she exited without giving him the slightest bit of acknowledgment she heard him. He watched the door shut behind her, stroking his neatly trimmed goatee. Shrugging, he pressed a call button to ask for a team to move Number 55 and informed the medical staff to be ready. Aoma turned to look over his shoulder one last time, hoping that maybe the Chief would return to ask him to join her in a wild, unprofessional make-out session. Sadly, she did not.

"Lesbian," he said to himself, leaning back further in his chair deciding to finally finish that book he had been neglecting to finish, while Number 55 breathed heavily beyond the glass.

His bucket full of weeds and his brow furious with sweat, Tomo leaned back into the shade of the cherry tree. He relaxed there a moment, eyeing the thoroughness of his work. Not a single weed within sight. They had been plaguing the garden and were removed so neatly and with such efficiency that you'd wonder if they were there in the first place. Losing himself in the serenity of the garden paradise, he crossed his legs and cupped his hands behind his head, breathing in the sweet scents of nature. Despite its infectious inhabitants, Earth was quite a beautiful place. Full of its own unspoiled beauty, like the sea and forest, Tomo greatly preferred its characteristics more then its manmade ones. Tomo enjoyed working in this garden so much, he was upset at the idea that he would have to soon leave it behind. His plan was proceeding with continued effectiveness, and he could feel the time to bring it full circle was fast approaching.

Feeling the call to take a bath, he jumped into a stride into the foyer and into the hall that lead to the bathroom. removing his shirt and tossing messily to the floor, he reached for the handle of the sliding door and opened it.

"AHHHHHH!" The scream came so loud and fast that by reflexes alone Tomo shielded his eyes as his back fell hard against the wall hard enough to bruise him. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING," Yuka yelled as she slide the door shut.

"I'm sorry," Tomo muttered quickly, "God am I sorry. I was just going to take bath. I swear I didn't know you were in there. I didn't see anything...just your boobs," he whispered. The door slide open again as a wooden water bowl came flying out, finding its mark directly on Tomo's forehead. He crawled into a fetal position, holding his now throbbing red head as tiny multicolored dots clouded his vision. The wooden bowl, Tomo noticed, was now sporting a very large crack.

"I heard that you jerk!" Yuka shouted.

"It was a joke," Tomo said exasperated. there was a long silence were Tomo continued to rub the dump now forming on his forehead.

"Are you ok?" Yuka asked, more calmly and gently.

"Just fine," Tomo lied. She had hit him with such force that the slightest touch sent a stinging through his whole skull. As he tried to make his headache go away, he noticed that Yuka's screams had attracted nobody else in the house. "Where is everybody?"

"They went to get some take out for dinner."

"I guess they're tried of eating burnt rice huh," he joked at himself, giving a small chuckle as he tried to lighten the clearly awkward situation. The bathroom door opened as Yuka came out, a white towel wrapped around her body.

"Let me see," she said as she bent down to examine his head. He had to work with great effort not to look, as the towel only barely covered her in just the right places.

"You've got one hell of an arm you know that," he said, looking away, his face so beet red in camouflaged his lump.

"Sorry about that. You may need to get some ice on that," she apologized as she examined his head from all angles. Finally finished, she stood and extended her hand to help him up. the two stood in silence for a second, Yuka holding the towel just above her visible cleavage, Tomo still trying to look away. Then, as if coming out of the abyss, Yuka started a girlishly fit of giggles. Tomo joined her a moment later in her merry making of the situation. Soon, what started as small giggles had transformed into full blown laughter.

"You look really pretty," Tomo complimented as he regained composure.

"You think so," Yuka asked blushingly, swaying back on her feet.

"You bet." Yuka looked into Tomo's eyes, and there was a feeling behind them that he did not recognize. As if by some spell, she held him there, unable to move or speak. Like she was gazing into his very soul. Her eyes were deep and thoughtful. Nothing in his entire experience could explain that look. Then, Yuka lifted herself up and brushed her lips against his. Tomo's body went rigid, his eyes wide while hers were closed with passion. Their mouths mixed as she breathed into him an unfamiliar warmth. When they finally parted, his mouth still hung open. Gently, Yuka laid her head on his bare chest.

"I don't really understand this myself. I mean, I just met you not that long ago. But even still, since you've been here, I feel something when you're around. I feel happy and I'm not lonely or sad. You pay attention to me...you notice me. Tomo...I love you." Tomo's mind went blank of any thought. He was as still and silent as if all time was sucked out of him with that kiss. His face belying that this was more then a unexpected development. Yuka just smiled at him, her face redder then it was before. She again placed a hand on either side of his face and lifted herself for one more kiss.

"I just wanted you to know." She turned slowly and walked back into the bathroom, leaving Tomo frozen in the hall, listening to the sound of her running bath water.

Later that night, Tomo was up in his room trying desperately to force himself into his meditative to calm and rest his body. However fueled his attempts were, his mind refused to concentrate. His memory kept replying that moment with Yuka, and he was unable to focus. He could still feel her warmth lingering on his lips. He had originally befriend the stupid girl to drive the wedge further between this family. But this...this was by no means intended to happen. And yet...

Its only because she's a human, he thought to himself, even in his minds voice sounding like he was trying to convince himself more then anything. Tomo was very confused. Something he didn't experience often, and didn't like very much at all. He tried with even greater effort to empty his mind, which seemed only to refill with new thoughts once he did. What was wrong with him? It was only a kiss. A stupid human ritual of showing outward, intimate affection. Why was it affecting so powerfully? Why did it confuse him? As if answering this burning question, Tomo found himself teleported to a place he had not visited in a long time. It was a void like space that seemed to suck away all color, leaving behind only a dismal gray. You had the funny feeling of floating, since there was no visible ground, yet could feel it firmly under your feet. It was like being nowhere and everywhere all at once. And whenever you spoke, your voice echoed with grim clarity.

And so we meet. That was a voice he was all too familair with. Tomo turned to see a figures standing behind him. Like looking in a mirror, he saw within this person an exact replica of himself. Exactly the same height and build, he was naked, with a bandage covering his face, save for a hole to let one, eerie eye see. Atop his head, were two small catlike horns.

"You," Tomo said to the figure.

I thought it was time for us to meet face to face, the voice said. It was the first time Tomo ever saw a physical manifestation of the voice that had always been inside his head. Seeing it here in flesh and bones, put a sense of caution and dread in him.

"Why's that?"

You seem to be faltering, the voice said coolly.

"What do you mean by that?"

Perhaps you have grown to like the humans and wish to live among them.

"Bullshit!"

You sound unsure. The voice walked toward him, its feet clapping on nothing, a long strand of bandage bringing up the rear.

"I hate them," Tomo said defiantly. His fist were gripping so tightly they were driving his fingernails into his palms.

Do you plan on letting the humans get away with what they done to you?

"I don't care about that!"

Liar. Of course you do. You've just buried it under a mask of indifference when really...it pains you deeply.

"SHUT UP," Tomo screamed into the void. He fell to his knees, clawing at his brain, trying to keep out the voice's words.

"Bring in the next sample." Tomo looked up as he saw a small circular portal playing a view of a science lab like a television screen. the room bore the similar, pure white walls and floors that was signature for the place that had only till recently been his prison. Two nameless men, dressed in yellow hazmat suits, dragged in a young boy who couldn't have been any older then eight. This boy, with his pink hair and two horns, was heavy with dirt and blood from not bathing. They dropped him in the middle of the room, then quickly left for the exit.

Young Tomo rose to his feet, examining the sprawled limbs of dead silpelits spread out in a careless fashion. He looked up at the observation window a good 20 feet above him. It was so high off the ground he could not make out who was behind the glass. A loud siren sounded, then a door on the far end of the room began to creepily open, a ravenous lion leaping out the moment there was enough room for it to pass. It sniffed around one of the decapitated limbs of a silpelit that had been one of its recent meals. It noticed Tomo and licked its jaw hungrily at the prospect of fresh, sweet meat.

It lunged at him, and Tomo swiftly dodged it by jumping to the right. He gazed scornfully up at the window, certain that those men up there were observing, recording, and measuring the fighting instincts of a diclonius in battle. He later regretted his moments distraction, as the lion made good use of his split attention, giving another swipe of its claws. More clumsily Tomo managed to dodge it, but not fully. He stumbled and rolled over, a fresh gash on his chest, now oozing fresh blood on his already stained body. The animal jumped, and Tomo felt a serge of anger for being hurt by this creature. Before the predator landed, Tomo lopped off its two front paws with his vectors. He then rolled out of its path as the poor lion came crashing down ungracefully, leaving a streak of blood where its paws should have been.

It tried to lick its wounds, but Tomo then lifted the lion into the air, then proceeded to launch it between the two walls back and forth. He made sure not to throw it with enough force to kill it outright, but just enough to break a bone or two with each seperate impact.

The vision slowly faded into nothing, still playing the scene until it was completely gone. Another one appeared as soon as the first had vanished. This one, however, shown Tomo being strapped to some sort of medical table, an oddly shaped helmet covering the entirety of his head. A team of six doctors stood over him, subjecting him to various pokes and thrust of their tools and instruments. He screamed out in intense pain, having not been given anesthetic. Then that too faded, the scream sticking like stagnant air. Then another of him chained to a wall were cannons were being shot at him. One of his legs hung dead at his side, a piece of bone sticking through the skin.

"STOP IT," Tomo yelled. He shut his eyes from the memories that were now infecting him like the a plague.

The humans deserve no mercy for what they have done to you and your fellow diclonius. They are but a failed experiment, destroying this precious Earth that they were given. They suck away all resources, pollute their land, and even kill their own, the voice urged, If they find out who you are, then they will surely kill you.

"What should I do," Tomo begged. The bandages covering the figures face seemed to melt away, revealing a face exactly like Tomo's, with great hunger in its eyes.

Kill them all. Destroy all the humans. Save Lucy. Only then will you know true happiness. The figure bent down to eye level with Tomo and reached out a hand, waiting for him to take it. Remake the world. Finding what could almost be seen as a smile, Tomo offered his hand into its. There was a flash of light, like that from a soundless explosion, then Tomo found himself sitting in the same from he had been moments before. dazed, he looked over at the clock to see it reading 2:07 in the morning. It had all been instantaneous, but felt like eternity.

Inside, Tomo felt a oneness that he never felt before. He felt stronger, calmer. And now, breathing inside him with fierce breath, he longed to take human life. He was finally, in perfect sync with his diclonism. Tomo closed his eyes, and immediately fell into meditation.