"Those devils work for Maksis, and they'll do anything to bring the grimoire to him." Rem finished his explanation with an ominous tone. Kurohi looked pensive, frowning with worry. "And they think that Yamato and Uncle know where it is?" Rem nodded, "yes, the family has been connected to the reappearance of the grimoire. It might even be one of you, though we believe that it's unlikely and that it's just someone you're close to that you've hidden away. So tell me," he leaned forward in his chair. "Where is it?"

"I don't know," Kurohi scoffed, "I haven't even heard of it before." Rem clearly didn't believe her. He doubted that this was a repeat of Ritsuka's cluelessness. Shoyo had clearly known something about the grimoire, but he genuinely didn't know where it was, only that his Uncle had hidden it long ago. Rem had put him in a trance to et that truth out of him, though something told him that the boy would have told him anyway. He seemed grateful for them saving Kurohi and himself.

Kurohi, however, did not share his gratefulness, and Rem couldn't control her. She had something protecting her, but unlike Ritsuka, it wasn't a pendant or charm. It was something inside of her. When he tried to get into her head, it was like a solid wall of steel was there. No matter how he tried, he couldn't get around it not even when she was asleep. He had never encountered such a thing. Sure, there were those who could resist on their own, but none of them did it subconsciously, and he could always wear them down. With Kurohi, the wall only seemed to get stronger the more he tried.

Rem sighed softly, "if you don't help me out here, I can't save your family." Kurohi growled through clenched teeth, her eyes growing heated. "I told you. I. Don't. Know." Rem rubbed his temples. "Okay. Well, we should get ready for school." He stood and left the room.

Kurohi was stressed. Shoyo was back to his normal self, but the thought of where Yamato and her uncle might be made her anxious. She had just put on that stupid frilly uniform (she thought she didn't even look good in red), when there was a knock on the door. "Yes?" The door opened to reveal Shiki looking like he was getting away with something. "Come on," He grabbed her hand and pulled her over to the window. "Wait, where are we going?" Shiki flashed her a smile as his wings popped out. "We're going to get ice cream."

Kurohi didn't have a chance to respond before she was whisked away into the air. She squeaked and clung to Shiki as they flew through the air. She watched as the city passed beneath them in a flash. It was amazing, flying like a bird. "You're not scared," Shiki smiled at her like he was pleased. She shook her head, "this is amazing." She felt breathless. It was exhilarating.

Shiki landed near a park. He hid his wings and walked over to an ice cream stand, buying her a cone. She thanked him and ate it.

"So, do you know who the grimoire is?" Shiki sprang the question as they walked down a forest trail. Kurohi shook her head, "I haven't heard of it before now." Shiki sighed and patted her head. "You know, I like your hair. It's like a little raven with soft feathers." Kurohi tilted her head. "What are you talking about?"

"Was it pretty when it was long?" Shiki asked, seemingly lost in his own little world. Kurohi shrugged, "I guess. There was a young monk who liked to braid it in Tibet." Tears came to her eyes at the memory, but she blinked them away. "His name was Pan. He was the sweetest boy, an orphan, but the happiest kid you've ever seen. He loved everything, there wasn't a hateful bone in his body, and he always did his best to be helpful." Shiki seemed to sense her mood change. His voice was gentle and soothing as he asked, "what happened to him?"

"He was murdered. They found him-" her lip quivered. "They found him c-crucified. He looked so scared, and angry, even in death. I could see his agony. I cut my hair so no one else could braid it, because it belonged to him." The tears fell before she could stop them. Shiki brushed them away with his thumbs and held her face. "This pain isn't the good kind," he murmured, more to himself than to her. Kurohi turned her gaze away, ashamed of letting herself cry. Shiki pulled her into a warm hug. She rested her head on his shoulder and let silent tears fall.

Shiki returned her home that evening to a worried Shoyo, who proceeded to scold them both for a good fifteen minutes. Then they ate supper together, and Rem scolded Shiki for putting Kurohi in danger. In all, it was a pleasant day.

However, that night once Kurohi was in her pajamas, she never got to bed. It started with singing. Someone was singing outside her window, high and crystal clear, like an opera singer. Kurohi briefly remembered that she hadn't meditated that morning, but the singing seemed to capture her attention, so she opened the window and looked down to where the voice was coming from. A woman in the school uniform stood there, with a purple mask on her face. Her lips were stained bright red and her eyes were unnervingly blank.

"Who are you?" Kurohi called down to her, but she kept singing. Kurohi draped a blanket around her shoulders and went outside to see what was happening. When she got there, the girl was gone. In her place was a single rose.

Kurohi knelt down and picked up the rose, careful to avoid the thorns. "Where did this come from?" She asked herself, looking around. "Is anyone here?" She said a bit louder.

Suddenly, she was grabbed from both sides and a bag was put over her head. She tried to scream, but a hand covered her mouth over the bag. She felt something sharp at her throat. "Make a sound," a female voice hissed, "and I'll slit your fucking throat." Kurohi shivered and nodded. She felt her hands being pulled behind her back and whispers that she couldn't quite make out.

Kurohi walked for what seemed like forever, and since she was barefoot her feet hurt. They were walking over gravel, which was very different from grass or sand. Kurohi was scared, but she refused to show it, even when she stumbled and even while her palms were sweaty. The air around her changed, and the place smelled of flowers and fruit. She was pushed to her knees and her arms were twisted painfully. She let out a soft cry.

"Hey! Be gentle," a familiar voice snapped. The hands holding her instantly let go. Kurohi's breathing got rapid, and she was both confused and afraid. "Urie?"

"Hello, my butterfly." The bag was lifted off her head and Urie knelt in front of her, lifting her chin slightly. She went from confused to pissed. "What the hell Urie?!" She growled. The girls around her, all of them in the uniform and a mask, whispered uneasily and didn't seem to like her.

"Sorry about the rough treatment, butterfly, but there really was no other way to get you here." Kurohi noticed that they were in a greenhouse. She scowled, "you could have just asked! Idiot, what were you thinking?! Untie me!" Urie seemed surprised, then he started laughing. "You've certainly got fire, butterfly!" Kurohi growled, her fury growing. Suddenly, the ropes on her wrists snapped. She rubbed them, and didn't see Urie's look of shock.

Urie cleared his throat and helped her to her feet. The blanket fell off her shoulders and she shivered. Urie put an arm around her and began to walk. "Seriously, I am sorry about the roughness. I'll have to deal with that." "Whatever, I'm still mad. Devil or not, you should have just asked. Why am I here anyway?" Urie chuckled, "I wanted to spend time with you without the others in the way." Kurohi deadpanned, "why?" Urie tapped her nose, "because you're cute." Kurohi frowned, "I am not cute."

Urie gave her a strange look. It was soon replaced by a charming smile. "Alright. Beautiful." Kurohi opened her mouth to give some witty comeback, but then she realized what had been said. Her cheeks turned pink and she looked away. Urie chuckled and cupped her cheek. "Flustered?" Kurohi scoffed, though it wasn't convincing. Urie tilted his head, "it was such a simple compliment. You get flustered easily."

"The monks discouraged compliments, especially on looks. Being too worldly or too vain would take away from the spirit. I... I don't really get compliments." Urie put an arm around her waist. "You poor little butterfly, you should know how lovely your wings are." Kurohi tried to step away, but he didn't let her. His face got closer to hers, until she could feel his breath against her lips. She got caught in his eyes and felt frozen. "What are you-"