~ Chapter Three: The Company vs. The Black Tower ~

Alexia's P.O.V.

The girl removed her cape and looked at me with a smile. She had straight red hair that went a little over her shoulder and big green eyes. She wore a pair of jeans and a hoodie.

''Hey, I know you! I've seen you walking in The Company before!'' I shouted out.

The girl smiled.

''Hi Alexia.'' She said with a smile.

''Elle, right?'' I asked her.

She nodded. Then, I heard a scream.

''Tihuro!'' I shouted out of fear.

Elle grabbed my arm.

''No! It's too dangerous!'' She said.

I started to panic.

''Let me go! I have to! He's the only family I've left!'' I shouted.

''I know, Alexia! But he must protect you. That's his vocation. Yours is to keep the key safe.'' She said.

I looked at my key and sighed.

''You're right.'' I replied.

''Let's head back to The Company.'' Elle said, while she grabbed my wrist and dragged me to the big building.

We made sure we weren't getting followed. I walked inside and saw already the other members.

''Yo, Elle-chan! You've found her!'' Angel said.

Angel's vocation was to receive the data where villains show up and to send that to her boss. Elle was a rescuer. That means that if a pair is in danger and they can't fight properly, she helps them to escape. Elle nodded as answer on Angel.

''Yeah, she isn't injured. I was on time.'' Elle replied.

Angel examined me.

''Hey Alexia.'' She said.

I narrowed my eyes and examined Angel too. She had knee-length black hair with curls at the and bangs covering her forehead. She had a fair skin and beautiful onyx eyes. I also discovered a black serpent on her left arm.

''Wait. Don't say it. I know your name.'' I said.

Angel gave a smirk.

''It's Angel!'' I finally said.

''Good girl.'' Angel replied grinning.

I smiled too.

''Hey, what's going on here?'' I heard a girl say.

''Yumi-chan!'' I replied.

I knew her very well. The girl with icy blue hair, which some strands standing out, ocean blue eyes and a fair skin walked towards us.

''Oi, Yumiko. Nice to see you.'' Elle said.

Yumiko smiled.

''Hey Elle, Angel.'' She greeted.

Angel nodded in reply. Then, Yumiko focused her glare back at me.

''Your boss is already informed about Tihuro and you being here.'' Yumiko said.

She worked in The Company Hospital, because she wasn't allowed to go too often on missions, because she was just twelve, and the youngest Company Member there was. And besides, she loved gory and scary things, so the hospital with all it's injuries was perfect for her.

''Thanks.'' I replied to her.

''Oh, Angel-chan did it. Not me.'' She replied.

I looked thankful at Angel. She just smiled.

''It's my job.'' She said.

I sighed.

''How is Yumeha doing?'' I asked. ''She was infiltrating in The Black Tower, right?''

Everybody turned silent.

''Didn't you hear it?'' Yumiko asked soft.

''What?'' I asked.

''They discovered her true identity and killed her.'' Elle almost whispered.

My eyes widened.

''No…'' I said shocked.

The others nodded.

''It's risky to go to The Black Tower, you know?'' Angel said.

I nodded.

''I know. I already thought it was very brave of her. But I never imagined they would kill her.'' I said.

''That's how it goes. The Company and The Black Tower are in a war for centuries now.'' Elle said.

''And all because of the thing you carry.'' Yumiko said, while she nodded at my chest.

I took out the key from under my shirt and examined it.

''I can't believe I'm somehow responsible for Yumeha's death…'' I said sad.

''You can't help it.'' Angel replied. ''We all know the risks of being a member of The Company.''

Elle and Yumiko nodded in agreement.

''It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it.'' Yumiko said.

''And I'm glad I finally have a place where I can feel home.'' Elle said. ''You're like sisters to me.''

I smiled.

''And you are like sisters to me too.'' I replied, while I gave them a smile.

''To be honest, I'm actually only nice to Company Members and Goenji. Other people can kiss my ass.'' Angel said.

We all laughed.

''Same goes for me.'' Yumiko replied.

''And me.'' Elle said.

''Me too.'' I also said.

We all smiled at each other.

''Well, let's treasure this friendship, since the only thing we've got is each other.'' I said.

The other girls smiled. At that point, the door went open and a badly injured Tihuro walked into The Company.

''Tihuro!'' I shouted out.

I ran towards him.

''Alexia.'' He said, while he looked at me.

It was the last thing he said, before he collapsed on the ground.

''Yumi-chan!'' I shouted.

Yumiko nodded, fetched her radio and informed the other hospital members about Tihuro. Soon, a stretcher arrived, together with three other medics.

''Yumiko, can you assist us in the hospital?'' One medic asked Yumiko.

She nodded and walked along with them. Halfway, she turned her head.

''I'll inform you as soon as possible about him.'' She said to me.

Then, they disappeared. I trembled on my feet.

''It always goes this way…'' I said soft.

''Hey, don't cry.'' Elle said, while she laid an arm around me.

I wiped it off.

''Don't comfort me. I know it's my fault he's injured. He always must suffer because of me. And for what? I know how to fight too! Why do I always have to flee?'' I shouted.

''Alexia, shouting won't help a thing.'' Angel said to me.

I wiped my tears away and bit my lip.

''I know. I just feel so guilty.'' I said.

Elle smiled.

''We understand. But it's Tihuro's vocation. You can't change that.'' She said.

I nodded.

''I know.'' I replied.

I sighed.

''I think I'm gonna let my head cool down for a while.'' I said.

I walked outside and immediately bumped into a green-haired guy.

''Itte…'' I said painful, while I stood up again.

I quickly discovered it was Midorikawa.

''Oh no. From all the people in the world, it's you.'' I said.

''Nice to see you too.'' Midorikawa replied sarcastically, while he brushed the dirt off his clothes.

''What are you doing here?'' I asked him.

''Walking home. Is that forbidden these days?'' He asked.

''Geez. Don't reply immediately like that. It was just a question.'' I said to him. ''This only proves what kind of jerk you are.''

''You're calling me a jerk? Who bumped into me, huh?'' He asked me with narrowed eyes.

I narrowed them too.

''Yeah, it's a shame I just bumped into you. I wish I injured you more.'' I said.

I immediately regret what I said. That sounded really harsh. Midorikawa widened his eyes and shook his head.

''I can't believe you said something like that. That's really nasty of you.'' He said.

I turned my glare to the ground.

''Gomene.'' I murmured. ''That wasn't nice.''

Midorikawa looked up and grinned.

''Did you just… apologize?'' He asked with a smirk.

I looked irritated up.

''So? Now go, I have stuff to do.'' I said.

Midorikawa putted up his hands.

''Okay okay, I'm off.'' He said.

With a smirk, he continued walking. I watched him leave.

''Geez, you irritate me so much.'' I said to myself.

But I also felt another feeling. It was warm and in my stomach.

''What's this feeling?'' I asked.

I shook my head and decided to continue my stroll.

Normal P.O.V.

A girl with long, black, waist-length hair and deep red eyes walked down the road. She had a pale skin and wore the Ushiromiya crest on her right arm. She wore her Black Tower school uniform, which consisted out of a red blazer, with a white blouse underneath it. She rolled up the sleeves until her elbows. A red and gold die finished the upper body. She also wore a dark gray skirt. If you looked closely, you could discover the Black Tower crest on the right side of her blazer. She looked like she was searching something.

''Cookie store… cookie store.'' She sang to herself. ''Where are you?''

Then, suddenly, she saw a girl with raven black hair, tied up in a high ponytail and big, green eyes. The girl's eyes turned big.

''That's Suyumi Alexia.'' She said shocked.

She fetched her cell phone and quickly informed her boss, Fideas. He acted like a big brother figure to her and she was the most precious one towards him, which caused that she was getting more attention than her other Black Tower Members.

''Mycella!'' Fideas said on the phone.

''Fideas, you'll never believe who's walking in front of me now.'' She said with a smile.

''Tell me.'' He replied.

''Suyumi Alexia.'' The girl, who's name was apparently Mycella, said excited.

''Did she see you?'' Fideas asked her.

''Not yet. Let's try if I can friend her.'' Mycella replied.

She heard Fideas laugh evil on the other side of the phone.

''I love your idea, Mycella. You're such a genius.'' He said.

''Thank you, Fideas-sama.'' Mycella replied with a evil smile too.

''Well, report me after you're done with your business.'' Fideas said.

''I will. Bye.'' Mycella replied and with that, she cut off the phone call.

She made sure the Black Tower crest on her blazer was hidden and she continued walking down the road. In the mean time, Alexia discovered the girl.

''Hey!'' The girl said cheerful at her.

''Ehhmm… hi.'' Alexia replied.

''Do you know if there's a cookie store here somewhere?'' The girl asked her with a bright personality.

It couldn't be helped but Alexia had to giggle.

''What's wrong?'' The girl asked.

''Nothing. It's just you.'' Alexia replied.

''What? Is there something on my face?'' The girl asked with innocent, big eyes.

Alexia shook her head.

''No, it's your personality. It's so cheerful.'' She said.

''Is that a bad thing?'' The girl asked.

Alexia shook her head.

''No, not at all.'' She said.

''Nice to meet you. I'm Ushiromiya Mycella.'' The girl said, while she opened her hand.

Alexia shook her hand.

''Hi, I'm Suyumi Alexia.'' She replied.

The girl smiled bright.

''Let's go find a cookie shop together!'' Mycella said cheerful, while she grabbed Alexia's hand and dragged her down the road.

''Wow, hey!'' She replied.

''Come on!'' Mycella replied.

Alexia laughed and let herself getting dragged along. After a while, they found a sweets store, where Mycella bought some cookies.

''Want some?'' She asked me.

Alexia shook her head.

''No thanks.'' She replied.

Alexia checked the time.

''I have to go now.'' She said.

''Awwhh…'' Mycella replied pouting. ''Will I see you again?''

''I'm sure.'' Alexia replied with a smile.

She said goodbye to Mycella and walked back towards The Company. When she walked inside, Yumiko walked straight towards her.

''He isn't unconscious anymore and you can visit him.'' She said.

Alexia nodded thankful and followed Yumiko towards the hospital of The Company. She was Tihuro in a bed. He was bandaged on a lot of places. Alexia's eyes widened.

''Tihuro!'' She said shocked.

''Alexia! I'm so glad you're safe.'' Tihuro replied, while he talked with a hoarse and kept one eye closed because of the pain.

''I'll let you two alone.'' Yumiko said.

Alexia fetched a chair and sat down next to Tihuro's bed.

''Tell me what happened.'' She said.

''Well, after you left, he got mad because you escaped so easily. He decided to put his anger on me. His dark magic became so powerful…'' He said, while Alexia saw that it hurt him to look back at the situation.

''It's okay. You don't have to explain if you don't want to.'' She said.

Tihuro smiled.

''No, it's okay.'' He said. ''At least, I've won.''

''You did?'' Alexia asked.

Tihuro nodded.

''I caused him quite some damage to and he withdrew with the message that he would reappear another time. I quickly made my way towards The Company. I was so lucky that I saw you there, uninjured.'' He said.

Alexia had tears in her eyes.

''I'm so sorry you have to go through all of this, because of me.'' She said.

Tihuro wiped her tears away.

''Alexia, you don't have to apologize. It's my vocation to protect you. I know very well what that means.'' He said.

Alexia nodded.

''But sometimes, I just feel so guilty. I flee from a dangerous situation and leave you behind on your own. I feel so weak every time I do that.'' She said with a teary voice.

Tihuro smiled.

''You're not weak. In fact, you're one of the strongest persons here in The Company. You must run, because that'' the safest way to protect the key, remember?'' He asked.

Alexia nodded.

''You're right.'' She said, while she wiped her last tears away.

Then, a nurse came into the room.

''Tihuro, you're allowed to leave.'' She said.

Tihuro smiled and thanked her. He stood up from the hospital bed and Alexia helped him to put his normal clothes back on.

''Let's go home.'' She said caring.

''That sounds like a great idea to me.'' Tihuro replied with a smile.

Together, they made their way home.

Mycella's P.O.V.

I walked towards the big, black building on the edge of the city. I entered the building and walked straight up to the biggest room of the building.

''Fideas, I've returned.'' I said with a sweet voice, while I grinned evil.

''Mycella! My precious.'' Fideas replied, while he looked up from his working desk.

I smiled at him.

''How did everything go?'' Fideas asked, while he stood up and walked towards me.

''Everything went fine. I managed to befriend her.'' I replied.

''That sounds promising.'' Fideas replied with a smile.

''I'll make sure I'll obtain the key. And personally give it to you, Fideas-sama.'' I said, while I made a deep bow.

''Rise, my dear flower.'' Fideas said.

I stood straight again, while I showed my evil grin.

''Together, we will reach victory.'' Fideas said, while he caressed my cheek.

''Fideas-sama.'' I replied, while I looked at him full of admiration.

''At least you don't disappoint me, like Mahiko did.'' Fideas said.

I laughed evil.

''I will never ever let you down like that.'' I said.

''I know that, my sweet Mycella.'' Fideas replied.

Then, someone knocked on the door.

''Enter!'' Fideas said.

Three dark figures stepped into the room.

''Adrian-kun, Goku-kun, Riku-kun!'' Mycella greeted them.

They smirked evil when they saw me. I laughed.

''Don't tell me you've punished Mahiko.'' I said.

''Sorry, I felt the urge to fight.'' Goku said with a smirk.

''Gomene.'' Adrian added sarcastically.

I started to laugh.

''Well, isn't that entertaining, Fideas-sama?'' I asked him.

Fideas looked strict at the boys.

''Good job. Now, disappear!'' He shouted.

The three boys bowed deep in front of him and left the room.

''Fideas-sama. They're funny.'' I said with a smile.

''I know you like violence.'' Fideas replied with a grin.

''Let me punish Mahiko too.'' I asked with begging eyes.

''If that's what you want, go ahead.'' Fideas replied with an evil smirk.

I laughed evil too and left the room.

''I'll be off then.'' I whispered to him, before I closed the door.

I made my way through the dark halls, lighted by candles on the wall and walked towards our personal rooms. I knocked on the door of Mahiko. I knew he had a crush on me and now I was going to use that against him.

''Mahiko, open up please.'' I asked with my sweetest voice.

Mahiko opened his door. He was covered in bruises and bloody cuts. I faked that I was shocked.

''Oh no, poor you!'' I said.

Mahiko growled.

''First that damn it Tihuro, and the boys here afterwards.'' He said.

''Don't worry. I'll make you happy.'' I said, while I brought my face close to his.

Mahiko thought I was about to kiss him, but he had to know better. I closed his door and the last thing you could hear was a loud scream.

~ End of Chapter Three ~

Alexia: ''I had to say from Mamera that she hopes you'll like the way she putted the OC's in the story. She especially added that she loved to write Mycella evil. ^^ Anyway, I enjoyed it a lot too. Make sure you'll check out the next chapters! Oh, and please review! Bye!''