Hello everyone, a new chapter is out! Let's go! I appreciate the welcome back. Not much to say for now, hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think. Also, Happy New year!

Word Count: 5645

Chapter 2

Hearth Manor was larger than Ryu had expected, she'd seen it from a distance but never had actually been inside. 'Though I suppose that would make sense it was originally the home of Apollo Familia.'

Bell was only two steps in front of her, they had been moving down one of the immaculate hallways. "Goddess is in this direction, she had wanted to speak to you privately." Bell commented, "After, I can show you to the rooms and you can have a pick."

Having stopped a few steps later, Bell knocked on a wooden door, "Goddess I'm back!" He almost shouted through the door.

Not even two seconds later, the door was thrown open as a tiny figure launched at Bell, her divine aura leaving no guesses who it was. Goddess Hestia had wrapped herself around Bell, Ryu felt the briefest twinge of jealousy but it was gone so quickly she barely noticed.

"Welcome home Bell!" Hestia shouted as Bell picked her up and placed her on the ground.

"Thank you, Goddess," Bell waved toward Ryu, "This is Ryu Lion." Bell gave a small smile.

Ryu gave a small bow, "Hello Lady Hestia. Bell has told me the basics as we have walked." She didn't shrink from Hestia's probing eyes.

"Is that so, shall we start? Bell," Bell nodded and backed away, gave Ryu a reassuring smile then backed down the hallway. "Well follow me." Hestia moved back into the room she had been in.

Ryu followed with a small thought that she couldn't ignore, 'They are showing me a lot of trust leaving their Goddess with the child of another Goddess.' She closed the door behind her banishing the darker thought that wormed its way into her mind.

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The room was smaller than Ryu had expected, besides the main desk that Hestia sat behind, there was a pair of chairs in front of the desk, with a couple of stools sat up against the mostly bare walls. The only adornment was a plaque that was the Hestia Familia emblem emblazoned on a thick piece of wood.

Hestia sat in silence for almost a full minute watching, noticing how well the outfit had fit the elf. "Let me say one thing before we get started. If I detect a single lie, no matter how benign I will be forced to have you leave. Normally Bell's faith in you would be simple enough for me, but times have changed that optimistic approach."

"I understand Lady Hestia, lying would be a breach of trust," Ryu replied, understanding the simple requirement.

"Good, now why would you want to join the familia? What can you bring to help every member?" Hestia shot what was important without any warning. Her blue eyes never wavered as she watched the elf in front of her.

Ryu took a deep breath. "Well to answer the first question, there are several reasons. First, the familia as a whole has shown me trust when handling delicate matters. Second, the familia shows me an aspect that I had lost years ago. Third, I want to help the person who saved me from myself."

"As for what I can bring, I have a lot of experience in the dungeon. I have supportive capabilities in my healing magic and long-ranged offensive magic, and my fighting style is well suited for working with others or by myself if the need arises. I can also make a strong rear guard for a party. Which can help ease the pressure Bell might be facing from what I have seen of the makeup of the other members." Ryu never let the nervousness show as she spoke, she spoke only the truth as she saw it.

Hestia nodded in understanding, Ryu didn't need to explain the delicate matters to her. "Good, your Hero is Bell I assume."

"That's correct," Ryu responded without any hesitation, although a twinge of pink had gathered at the tips of her ears.

Hestia needed a question she knew could throw off the elf, to see if she could be truly trusted. "Have you ever done anything that would be considered evil?" This was the linchpin question she wanted to ask, to see how the elf would react.

Ryu squirmed uncomfortably, but in a halting voice spoke. "Y… Yes, I have."

Hestia already knew but had to play the part. She narrowed her eyes, "Elaborate."

Ryu knew this might come up, she could only accept the truth. She knew this was a way of judging how honest she would be. "Several years ago, my familia had been wiped out by an enemy attack. I was the only survivor, I begged although forced might be a better word, Goddess Astraea to leave the city so she wouldn't witness my actions."

Ryu took the chance while taking a deep breath to gather her thoughts. "I killed, and assassinated everybody I could find that had been related to the actions that killed my previous familia."

Hestia was silent for a moment, she had already known but the fact that Ryu would willingly explain her actions to a goddess she wasn't bound to made Hestia feel hopeful for the elf.

"I understand, I'm sure you already know it was wrong, I don't blame you. I probably would've done the same and would've been forced back." Hestia waited for a second letting Ryu absorb what she had said. Now an important question of personal interest. "Do you love Bell, truly love him?"

Hestia watched as the blood rushed to her ears and down to her face, even her seemingly unbreakable visage began to crumble. That was enough of an answer but Hestia waited.

It took several seconds but Ryu nodded sharply. "Yes… I do, it's nearly impossible to not love your hero. He saved me from myself and saved many more. He reminded me what it meant to actually live through life. I… well I had just been coasting on, given up, he banished a dark festering portion of my heart and replaced it with the blinding brilliance of hope, so yes. I do love him." Ryu, despite saying the most embarrassing thing possible, kept her gaze steady, her voice barely cracked under the emotions she had buried long ago.

"You know…" Hestia hesitated for a second, struggling to find the right words. "Bell, almost for the entire time he has been an adventurer has had feelings for Aiz right? For five months, she had been his leading desire, his main reason for growing stronger. Would you want to risk jumping off this cliff despite this?" Her voice was self-mocking, Ryu realized that she had tried before and was unsuccessful.

Ryu took a calming, deep breath. "I… I know, or at least suspected as much. He spoke much about her and her training him in the past. It laid the groundwork for his abilities, but for some reason, I have faith." She placed her hand over her heart and felt a glimpse of warmth pulsing.

'How could she say such things and be completely truthful, not trying to hide anything but baring her heart to me? No, I might not be as adept as others but I can tell it was not her heart, it was her soul. Open to interrogation, but not hiding the dark spots that had been there once before.' Hestia could hold the tear back, despite being angry at another beautiful mortal after her Bell. "I believe you, it would be impossible after that." So instead Hestia smiled, "I proudly offer an official invitation to the Hestia Familia."

Ryu let the tension fade from her fragile heart. She didn't know what she would've done if Hestia had said no after… opening herself up. So instead she bowed, "I formally accept, but I don't think I can receive your blessing."

Hestia nodded in understanding, "Maybe, but we can try. Astraea might have left it open for conversion, just in case." She opened a tiny drawer in the wooden desk and retrieved the needle hidden within. "Shall we get started?"

"Let us." Ryu nodded, she had prepared for what needed to be done.

X

Welf watched in amusement, he watched his pseudo-brothers pacing. He'd never seen Bell pace nervously before, "Relax, we both know that it's nothing but a formality. If Goddess Hestia refuses her it would be the height of folly and she knows that. With everything she had done to save our hides, well…" he left the end of his statement allowing Bell to fill in the blanks.

"I know, but I just can't help myself. After everything…" He wanted to say 'in the deep floors' but couldn't muster the words from his throat. He still gets nightmares from those events.

Welf knew Bell well enough to make some assumptions but didn't fully commit to those. "I hope you don't mind if I ask, but what's going on between the two of you? You seem closer than friends but there is a stiff formality."

Bell began to blush but took a deep breath to help suppress it. He took a quick glance around, noticing they were fully alone. "I'm not sure." He collapsed into one of the chairs. "Things have changed in my heart and mind. I just don't know fully yet."

"You know, you haven't talked about a certain Sword Princess in a long time," Welf stated, trying to nudge him in the right direction. 'Only a little more before he realizes. Then… well we'll see what goes from there.' He thought watching the rapid shift in emotions playing across the captain's face.

"You're right, I've barely thought about her in…" he mentally counted the days. "About a week, maybe more."

"I…" Well was about to say something, but was cut off by the sound of an explosion. Bell was already dashing, he watched the Rabbit's Foot burst in speed. He did his best to dash after him but the difference in speed caused him to trail behind.

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Bell rounded the last corner and threw the door open. What he saw caused his face to turn a scarlet hue. Hestia lay collapsed on the floor, and Ryu sat at a 45-degree angle towards the door. Sitting topless on a stool, she didn't act stunned by the entrance of Bell.

Bell collapsed on all fours, head to the floor. "I'm Sorry!"

This snapped Ryu out of her stupor, giving her a chance to place her top on. Right as the red-haired smith came bursting through the hallway, checking quickly on Hestia he knew she was fine.

Judging from the bright tenges of red on both Ryu and Bell, he could guess what had happened.

X

Ryu sat lightly on the stool and faced away from the tiny goddess. She could hear Hestia walking padding around, "Whenever you are ready." Hestia spoke, understanding how awkward it could be. There was a similar awkwardness with Mikoto and Haruhime at first.

With a small nod, Ryu shifted and pulled her top off revealing her bare back to Hestia. An involuntary jerk shook Ryu as she felt the drop of the goddess's lifeblood fall upon her.

A glow began to form as Hestia watched, not sure what to expect. She saw the symbol of Astraea form across the elf's back, a downward point sword with the wings of justice draping over it. It started to pulse as the sound of crackling emitted from the glow.

Ryu felt nothing for a second, then almost like every nerve pulsed at the same time. The crackling exploded outward leaving the dropped blood smoking as the glow vanished leaving her back bare again.

She was stunned as Hestia collapsed in surprise, she could hear rapidly approaching footsteps but failed to act as the door was thrown open. She could see Bell with a look of worry evident on his face from the sound of the explosion. His surprise rapidly became flushed with a heavy blush, she knew why before he even began to move. She was showing a full showing of her bare chest.

'Why does this have to happen now? I almost wish it was possible to die from embarrassment.' She did not react, she only felt the blood rush to her face and ears. Bell's shout of apology snapped her out of the dazed state and moved as quickly as she could to pull the top over and cover herself again. She was still shifting the garment when the red-haired smith came bursting through the door. Only one thought crossed her mind before standing up from the stool. 'Thank the gods that only Bell saw.'

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Hestia stood at the head of a large dining table, a glass already in her hand "While you might not have my blood on your back… for now at least… I think we can all say Welcome to the Hestia Familia!" She shouted the last part to every member holding up a cup of various liquids.

"Welcome!" Every member shouted, welcoming her with open arms.

Lily and Hestia might not be one hundred percent happy but still welcomed her all the same, 'I really hope the taxes the guild pushes on us doesn't increase.' Lily couldn't help but think, she knew the answer was probably not due to not having the blessing of Hestia.

They had a small feast to welcome Ryu, she had saved them all many times over so they had wanted to fully welcome her. There was almost too much food to eat, several plates sat in the center of the table with everyone picking whatever they wanted.

"Mikoto, Haruhime, you really outdid yourselves this time!" Welf had cheered in excitement. With a round of agreements from everyone.

Mikoto could only blush from the praise, "Please, I hope you just enjoy our work.". Haruhime could only nod in agreement. Compared to when she first joined, she had improved at almost everything.

X

Throughout the night Bell had repeatedly apologized to Ryu, with Ryu waving it off.

Welf watched the pair in silence, as the night grew old he seemed to be the only one who noticed it, but several times he caught Bell and Ryu stealing glances at one another. He could only smile as he watched them, 'At this rate, I don't think it will take too long.' He thought as he raised his glass to another cheer made by the Hestia.

X

Throughout the night Bell mostly remained quiet, answering when he was spoken to, he couldn't help it but his eyes stayed on Ryu slightly longer than probably appropriate. His mind was distracted, he could feel a change and he tried his best to identify the change but only ended up in failure. His hypersensitivity to gazes caused him to turn and see Ryu looking at him every once in a while. Every time though, she would look away and blush slightly before answering a comment somebody made.

X

Ryu couldn't help but stare at Bell, despite everything that had happened on the thirty-seventh floor, he had never really seen her truly naked. He had looked away to prevent some of her embarrassment when she had to remove her clothes to share body heat. But this time it was different, he had seen her truly bare-chested. She didn't feel nearly as much embarrassment as she should've and her elven pride yelled at her for that.

She was more embarrassed and worried at the thought if ever given the chance her body wouldn't be pleasing to hold. Memories flooded her of them sharing body heat and how close he had held her, but more than anything it was the warmth she had felt when the arms wrapped around her. She also began to remember how her hospital gown had fallen in her panic to see him alive.

She shook her mind sharply to clear the thought away, 'Why am I thinking about that now of all times.' She responded quickly enough when Hestia had asked her a question. Ryu just replied with a simple shake of her head in the negative. But that shake had her look around at all the gathered members of the familia.

She took a quick count, 'Not including Hestia or myself there are three other females and two males.' This would take time to get used to, Astraea familia had been exclusively female, and even when she worked at the Hostess all the employees had been female.

She watched each of the members for a short period of time, her eyes stayed on Haruhime for a period. She had seen the renard before, she had felt the power of her supportive magic when she had been tasked with holding off Aiz while Bell escaped with Weine.

But watching her now made her feel… inadequate, they were sitting at the same table, eating the same food, but she seemed so much more of a refined elegance. She had a natural beauty that Ryu knew she would never achieve.

Ryu hadn't realized that she had been staring at the Renard for a handful of minutes, Haruhime noticed though maybe it had been her empathic nature that noticed those self-deprecating thoughts. She only smiled softly and whispered so only Ryu could hear, "Ryu-sama if you want to talk about something, meet me in the open garden out back."

After several minutes, Haruhime stood and excused herself. "I think I need some fresh air, please continue with the party."

Ten minutes later, Ryu excused herself as well, "I need to get my bag up into a room and prepare to rest." Grabbing her bag that had been waiting in the sitting room, she moved towards the back door and could see Haruhime staring up at the star-filled sky, she almost seemed to be glowing in the near full moon.

Ryu joined her, noticing how much brighter the stars seemed to be this night. They always seemed so dim when looking from the window of the small room she had before.

Before she could say anything Haruhime spoke up, "I always feel more comfortable when under a star-filled sky. What do you think?" Her emerald eyes seemed to sparkle as she sat on the edge of a small fountain a little out of view from the sliding door. Haruhime had caught a small flash of white and smiled slightly waiting for Ryu to speak.

"It's hard for me to say." Her mind raced to all the nighttime attacks she had orchestrated, but before that bloody patch of history, she would have agreed. "Thinking about it a bit more I would have to agree." She paused for a second, "It really is peaceful here, almost no unnatural sounds. In the Hostess, my window faced the main street, there had always been so much noise."

Haruhime didn't respond, instead looked up and agreed. "So what did you want to talk about?" Ryu asked quietly.

She only smiled knowingly, "I thought you might want the chance to talk to someone who won't judge you about your feelings like Lily and Goddess Hestia would."

"Wh..what do you mean by that?" Ryu stuttered slightly, causing an inward curse at herself.

"I can easily tell by the way you look at Master Bell. I know the look you have towards him, it's the same one I have towards him." She took a shallow composed breath, "That's what feelings I am talking about. Just as you love him, so do I."

Ryu paused, was she that obvious? "Why do you tell me this? After everything that has happened, despite how much I would want to. I know I am not worthy, besides I know how he feels towards Wallenstein." Ryu could feel her pointed ears start to droop.

"I know, well everybody in the familia knows about his feelings, but something has changed recently. I don't think I have heard him talk about her for several weeks at this point. It's like his heart has changed, she might have been his crush but a crush isn't the same as love. Well, I don't have any proof, just a theory." Haruhime placed a single finger on her chin as if in thought.

"Well, why don't you pursue him if that's the case?" Despite her ears having drooped however slightly. A slight tinge of red made its presence known. "After all, you're beautiful and you probably know him the best out of everyone I know. Plus he speaks very positively about you…" Her heart burned as she spoke her mind, but still, she had to.

Haruhime's fox ears fell forward and her tail fell closer to the ground. "I would if I could but I cannot."

Ryu's reply was quick, "Why would you say that?"
Haruhime's cheeks flushed slightly, but her ears remained low. "He may be my hero, but it would not do. I worked in the Red Light district for years, though I don't remember most of it. He deserves someone untainted, I am happy and content to merely be a friend. If I could wish for more, I would want nothing more than to be a courtesan. That's all I deserve, so in all honesty, I am rooting for you. You have been through so much with Master Bell, more than we know I'm sure. He trusts you more than any other adventurer, I know that much at least." (1)

Ryu was silent for an extended period of time, her mind was racing. 'I want to disagree, tell her that it's not true and Bell wouldn't judge.' But she just couldn't. Ryu put on a pitiful self-deprecating smile, "I understand, I disagree, but I understand… Thank you." Ryu shouldered her bag again and made a quick retreat from the garden. She escaped to an empty bedroom, up the stairs and three doors down from the end. She chose randomly, not really having a strong opinion.

The room was larger than Ryu thought it might be, if she had to guess it was at least three times as large as the one she had at the Hostess. "I need to get in contact with Lady Astraea soon, there is so much I wish to talk to her about." She placed the bag, which if she was being honest was shamefully small, on a small desk attached to the left-facing wall. She removed the Kodachi Futaba from the bag and placed the pair of short swords against the frame of her bed.

She marveled at how clean the empty room was, but before she could think about it too much, she heard a soft knock on her door. "Come in." She shouted loud enough to be heard. She watched as Bell entered and closed the door behind himself.

X

Something had pushed Bell to leave the party early, truth be told he was still sore and tired from the time he had spent in the hospital. The stiffness in his left hand especially seemed to be pushing its limits for the day. 'I suppose that makes sense,' He thought, his hand had been almost more powder than bone. Fortunately, Amid was able to save it through her healing magic.

He noticed Ryu staring up at the sky, it had turned night about two hours ago. He was about to call out to her but saw Haruhime look directly at him and smiled with the slightest shake of her head. He understood, so he dedicated himself to moving up the stairs.

"It's really peaceful here." Bell could hear the muffled voice of Ryu. Truth be told, that was only because of his level 4 enhanced senses. If anybody else passed by they probably wouldn't.

He knew he probably shouldn't, but he listened in. The conversation only lasted a couple of minutes, but it left him feeling embarrassed. How could it not? Panic rose when he heard Ryu make her departure. Not wanting to be caught by the people he had been listening to, he moved quickly but quietly up the stairs. Opening his door, he collapsed onto his bed.

He heard the room next to him open and close, it had been an empty room, the only reason he wasn't completely surrounded room-wise was because he chose his room last.

He laid there for a minute, maybe three he wasn't sure. Finally found the courage to stand up again, he opened his door and stood in the hall for a moment before knocking softly on her door.

X

"How can I help you Bell?" Ryu voiced but took a seat on her new bed. It was surprisingly soft.

"Right…" he seemed to hesitate, "I'm sorry for bothering you so soon, I'm in the next room over and wanted to talk to you." He took a breath, slow and steady.

Ryu noticed he seemed to repeatedly open and close his left hand. 'Probably a way to distract from his pain.' Ryu thought but waited patiently for Bell to speak.

"I know I've said this several times, and it might sound old, but thank you. Well for everything, saving us on the 18th floor, in the war against Apollo Familia, helping to distract Loki familia… the deep floors. So Thank you, I and the rest of the familia wouldn't exist anymore if not for your efforts. I… just wanted to say that." Bell felt better when he spoke and Ryu could see some of the strain on Bell lessened.

He had turned to leave and took a single step but Ryu reached out grabbing his right wrist. "Please… wait." She hesitated but pushed through. "Would you talk with me for a bit?" When Bell turned and nodded his head. "Please sit next to me, it's actually really comfortable." She pulled Bell close enough to easily sit.

Bell sat and waited, fortunately, he didn't have to wait long. "I'm going to make my peace, I understand why you speak like that, but I have to disagree. On the 18th floor if you weren't there everyone would've died. Asfi and I distracted the Goliath sure, but we couldn't have killed it. Against Apollo Familia again, I served as a distraction nothing more, you dealt with their captain. The Xenos, well I bought you less than a minute which didn't end up mattering at all. In the deep floors, well I was essentially dead waiting for the majority of the traveling. I had fully expected death and had accepted it." Ryu was speaking rapidly, not wanting to give Bell a chance to dispute anything.

She continued, "You and you alone had brought back my will to survive and to live. You had saved me from my own never-ending nightmare. So for that, you are a Hero, not one written in a storybook. A true hero."

Bell averted his gaze away from the elf, looking at a blank portion of the wall, embarrassed by her straightforward speech.

Ryu could see the slightest form of blush showing. She could hear a little voice in her head 'Do it… do it now. You'll never get a better chance than now!' The voice roared urging the elf to break away from her nature.

So, she compromised between the two halves. She gave him a tight hug, then a kiss on the cheek.

It was hard to tell who was more embarrassed, Bell just sat there stunned for an extended period of seconds. Ryu decided to take the initiative in his stunned state to flee from her room. 'Why did I do that? Is it because I no longer feel bound to assist Syr? Or… I need a chance to cool off and calm my heart.'

So she turned to the one place she hoped she could be alone, she stared up at the night sky feeling the pleasant breeze on her. She was sitting on the roof of the Hearth Manor, watching and waiting for her emotions to stabilize. It took several minutes, but eventually, she no longer had a blush on her ears or cheeks.

The night air was refreshing, and calming she felt like everything would work out. A white blur caught her attention, a simple white barn owl was flying straight towards her. It looked completely normal except for the two different eye colors, she knew this owl. She had seen it once before.

She waited patiently as the owl approached, stopping only two feet away from her. In its talons was clutched a letter, the owl unceremoniously dropped it and flew back towards the Tower of Babel. Ryu watched for a second and picked it up. She read the letter and immediately jumped off the three-story building, landing with a soft thump she moved quickly back inside

X

Bell sat there stunned for nearly a full minute, then he realized he was still sitting in Ryu's room on her bed. So he jumped up and quickly removed himself from the area, making his way back into his room. Things had not turned how he had expected, he had wanted to say what was on his mind and leave.

He was embarrassed and simply laid down on his own bed for a short period of time. He didn't know how long, but he had found himself whispering, "She is beautiful even compared to the natural grace of other elves. She's like a true fairy…" his mind shifted and he whispered even quieter, "Could it even work? I would die long before she would, they live for at least two hundred years. With the extension that our falna gives us. How long would she be alone? I don't want to leave her in that situation." It was the exact reason he had denied Hestia when she had tried.

"If I could without that burden… I" his whispering was cut off by a soft knocking on his door.

He didn't move for a few seconds, before eventually getting up and moving across his baren room. "I'm coming." He said when he was halfway across the room.

He paused when he opened the door and saw the very same elf he had been thinking about. But this time the roles were reversed. He could tell something had happened by the serious look on her face. "Please come in."

X

Ryu paused, she was still embarrassed at what she had done, but she knew what had to be done but her hand couldn't knock on the door in front of her. She could hear the sound of whispering. "... even compared to the natural grace of other elves. She's like a true fairy…"

Working her struggling mind to keep her imagination in check, she waited but didn't hear anything else. She managed to calm herself and bring herself to the current situation, she managed to knock softly before she could change her mind.

She waited a second, there was no answer and her heart began to quicken, "Coming!" A cool breeze of air filled her heart and she waited for another pair of seconds.

Bell opened the door, she could see a blush but then he must've noticed something was wrong. "Ryu? Come in, what's wrong?" Bell backed away from the door and sat on his own bed.

"Well, there are two things." She entered the room noting how baren it was, but regardless she closed the door and moved deeper into the room.

"Right…" she said locking eyes with Bell before lowering her head. "First I want to apologize, that was inappropriate and I have no right to act like that. So for that shameful display, I'm sorry."

It took a second for Bell to reply and that second filled Ryu with pressure, "It's fine… honesty, please raise your head. You have nothing to apologize for." Ryu raised her head and was about to say something but Bell cut her off. "Really it's fine, I don't mind. You said there were two things to discuss right, what's the second?" Bell pushed the subject aside, otherwise, they could be sitting apologizing in an endless loop. He patted the space next to him.

Ryu hesitated but accepted and sat down. "Right, sorry, this is more important." She held out a folded piece of paper. "This was delivered while I was collecting myself outside, an owl delivered it. I wanted you to read it as well."

Bell already knew who it probably was, but nodded anyway. "Very well." He reached out and grabbed the paper and opened it.

"Gale Wind we are happy to see you finally reestablishing with another familia. Perhaps a place where you might belong, unfortunately, this isn't the time for pleasantries. I apologize, but I have a request for you, there is a problem that has cropped up outside the city. Very few people know about it, we will give more information if you decide to head our call. We won't force you, you can meet my associate on the indicator on the map. I will give you my divine word that I will keep your location a secret regardless. If you want, tell Bell but no one else. He is already involved and you will need to move quickly. I hope to see you soon. -Ouranos

P.S. If you complete this mission, I wish to share the information I have regarding Astraea"

Bell couldn't help but sigh, "Ouranos huh, well. Do you want to get moving before the other members notice our absence?"

Ryu was silent for a second, surprised that Bell would be willing to jump into potential danger without any information. 'Then again, I shouldn't be surprised. Looking at what he did during their expedition should make that obvious."

Ryu nodded, "If you are willing, I…" She hesitated for a second but spoke quickly after, "I would want your help. I don't want to be forced to work alone anymore." She gave a warm smile to her hero.

Notes:
(1) I know she is "Pure" but neither of them knows it.

Review Responses:

Guest: Yes, I know all too well. Like I stated before, after I caught up on what I have pre-written I plan on going slower and not rushing anything. It is my plan to try to continue to make chapters better/more interesting/flow better, I cannot make a promise but I shall try.

pix25: Right Back at you.

Blazeburn006: That was the plan to release it at Christmas as a somewhat surprise gift for anybody who might care.

HildeVonKrone: I'M ALIVE! Well that is debatable at times, but I hope you continue to check out the story.

codywhite162: Glad you enjoyed it.