The Order had been relentless with Kuri and Reiko since their arrival. Allen Walker hated every moment of it. He'd seen the way the sisters were pushed to their limits and beyond, their bodies battered, their spirits barely holding on.

He remembered the first night vividly. He had gone to Kuri's room to invite her to dinner, thinking she might feel out of place among the others. But through the crack in the door, he saw Reiko curled on Kuri's lap, her red hair matted with sweat, her arms covered in burns. Kuri was no better—electrical burns marred her pale skin, her trembling hands stroking Reiko's hair as they both cried silently.

Kuri wouldn't eat with the group. She only ventured to the cafeteria to bring food back to their shared room. Allen couldn't stand seeing her withdraw into herself. So he began knocking on her door every afternoon, convincing her to play cards. At first, she resisted, but eventually, the daily ritual became something she looked forward to, a small reprieve from their grueling existence.

Xxx

Now, on Christmas Eve, Allen sat across from her in the Order's library, a deck of cards in hand.

"Call," he said with a smirk, laying down his hand of cards. Even against her, he refused to lose.

Kuri sighed dramatically, laying her terrible hand on the table. "You're impossible to beat, Allen-wa."

Allen laughed softly. "You'd do fine against Lavi. I've just had years of practice—Master's debts didn't pay themselves."

She smiled faintly, but Allen could see the weariness in her eyes. Her uniform sleeves didn't hide the burns completely, and every time she moved her arm, he could see the pain she tried to mask.

"Play me for something," he said suddenly.

"For what?"

"A date," Allen said, his tone light but his heart pounding. "Tomorrow's Christmas—my birthday. Spend it with me."

Kuri blinked in surprise, her cheeks tinged with color. "You don't have to play for that, Allen-wa. I'll go with you. I've already planned something."

Allen's heart lifted at her words, but he couldn't help the nagging worry in the back of his mind. He'd seen too much suffering in this place, and he knew the Order's methods could break even the strongest.

Xxx

The frosty morning air nipped at Reiko's cheeks as she opened the door, blinking in surprise at the figure standing there. "Yu?" she said, tilting her head slightly.

Kanda stood at her door, looking as stoic as ever, though the faintest hint of discomfort flickered in his eyes. He held out a small, neatly wrapped box. "Here," he said gruffly.

Reiko blinked again, her green eyes lighting up with curiosity. "What's this?"

"Just open it," Kanda said, averting his gaze, his arms crossed defensively.

She carefully untied the ribbon and peeled back the wrapping, revealing a long, soft scarf in a deep crimson color. Her breath caught. She ran her fingers over the material, marveling at how perfectly it matched her fiery hair.

"I love it," she whispered, her voice warm and genuine. She immediately looped it around her neck, the ends trailing down her Order uniform. "Thank you, Yu."

Kanda cleared his throat, his expression softening just slightly. "Good," he muttered, glancing away. "I'm glad."

Reiko smiled, her eyes sparkling. "I got you something too," she said, handing him a box she had set on the nearby table.

Kanda's brows raised slightly in surprise, but he took the box and opened it without hesitation. Inside was a small potted flower, delicate and vibrant. As he held it, the petals unfurled, blooming in his presence.

"It's enchanted," Reiko explained, watching his reaction closely. "It'll never wilt as long as you take care of it."

For a moment, Kanda stared at the flower in silence, his usually impassive face betraying a flicker of emotion. "It's… perfect," he said quietly.

Reiko beamed. "I'm glad you like it."

Without another word, Kanda turned and walked back toward his room, motioning for her to follow. He placed the flower on his windowsill, ensuring it caught the light, before turning back to her. "Come on," he said. "We have plans."

Reiko blinked in surprise as he took her hand—not roughly, but firmly—and led her out into the brisk morning air.

The streets of the town were bustling with holiday cheer. Festive lights adorned every corner, casting a warm glow despite the winter chill. Kanda guided Reiko toward the heart of the town, where a massive tree stood, its branches adorned with glittering lights and ornaments.

Reiko's eyes widened as they approached. "It's beautiful," she said softly.

"I've always liked this tree," Kanda admitted, his voice quieter than usual. "It's… peaceful."

Reiko glanced at him, surprised by the openness in his tone. She smiled, her fingers tightening slightly around his hand. "I can see why. It feels alive."

Kanda nodded, his gaze lingering on the tree for a moment before turning back to her. "Come on. There's more."

He led her to a large building nearby, the sound of soft music drifting through its open doors. Reiko hesitated as she realized what it was.

"A ballroom?" she asked, looking up at him.

Kanda nodded, his expression unreadable. "Every year, they hold a Christmas party here. I've never gone before." He looked at her directly, his dark eyes meeting hers. "But I wanted to take you this year."

Reiko's cheeks flushed, and she looked down at their joined hands. "Yu, I… I don't know how to dance."

Kanda's lips twitched into the faintest of smirks. "Every lady should know how to waltz," he said, his tone teasing but soft.

Reiko hesitated, her confidence faltering. "I don't want to embarrass you."

"You won't," Kanda said firmly, taking her other hand and pulling her gently toward the ballroom. "I'll teach you."

Inside, the room was warm and filled with the glow of candlelight. Couples twirled gracefully across the polished floor, their laughter blending with the lilting music. Kanda led Reiko to the edge of the dance floor and turned to face her.

"Put your hand here," he instructed, placing her hand on his shoulder. He took her other hand in his and rested his free hand lightly on her waist.

Reiko's heart pounded as she tried to mimic the movements of the other dancers. Her steps were hesitant, and she stumbled slightly, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

"Relax," Kanda said softly, his voice low and steady. "Follow my lead."

He guided her with surprising patience, his movements smooth and confident. Slowly, Reiko began to find the rhythm, her nerves fading as she focused on him.

"You're doing fine," Kanda murmured, his gaze never leaving hers.

Reiko's breath hitched, her cheeks flushing anew. She didn't look away, captivated by the rare softness in his expression. "Thank you, Yu," she whispered.

He gave a slight nod, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You're a fast learner."

The music swelled, and Kanda spun her gently, her scarf trailing behind her like a flame. The world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in their perfect rhythm.

After a while, Kanda led her out to the gardens behind the ballroom. The crisp air bit at their skin, but Reiko barely noticed. The moment felt too magical to care about the cold.

"What are we doing out here?" she asked, her voice soft.

"I needed to ask you something," Kanda said, his tone serious. He hesitated, his brows furrowing slightly as he glanced down at her. "Tell me what the Order has done to you."

Reiko stiffened, her hands instinctively moving to her sleeves. "It's nothing," she said quickly, trying to pull away.

Kanda didn't let her go. He stepped closer, his arms enveloping her in a protective embrace. "Don't lie to me," he said, his voice softer now. "I saw the burns."

Reiko's resolve crumbled, and she buried her face in his chest, her body trembling as the truth spilled out. "They say my Innocence's true nature is fire," she whispered, her voice breaking. "They make me walk through flames… again and again. They say I need to synchronize to 100%, but it—it hurts so much."

Kanda's jaw tightened, his arms wrapping around her more securely. "Those bastards," he muttered, his voice laced with quiet fury.

Reiko sobbed against him, her tears soaking into his coat. "I try to be strong, but I'm so tired, Yu."

"They'll never hurt you again," Kanda said firmly, his voice unyielding. "From now on, I'll oversee your training myself."

Reiko looked up at him, her green eyes shimmering with gratitude. "Yu… thank you."

He brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, his expression unusually tender. "You don't have to thank me."

For a moment, the world stood still. The lights from the ballroom cast a soft glow around them, and the garden seemed to come alive, the plants straightening as if responding to Reiko's presence.

"Reiko," Kanda said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes?"

He leaned closer, his lips brushing against her temple. "You're not alone anymore."

Reiko smiled, her tears giving way to a soft laugh. "Neither are you, Yu."

They stayed like that for a moment longer, wrapped in each other's warmth, before heading back into the lights of the ballroom together.

Xxx

The next morning, Kuri was unusually cheerful. She dragged Allen through the streets, dodging Finders and townsfolk, her laughter ringing in his ears.

"Where are we going?" Allen asked, breathless from trying to keep up.

"It's a surprise!" she called over her shoulder.

Finally, she stopped in front of a circus tent, her blue eyes sparkling.

"I heard about this from the Finders," she said shyly. "You told me you grew up in a circus, right? I thought you might… like it."

Allen froze, his chest tightening. She'd remembered something so personal, something he rarely shared.

"No," he said quickly, shaking his head. "This is perfect."

Her smile made the unease in his heart worth it.

The ferris wheel was quiet except for the creak of its mechanisms and the faint murmur of the crowd below. Kuri clung to Allen's hand as the gondola rose higher.

"It's okay," Allen murmured, pulling her closer. "I've got you."

She hesitated, then leaned against him. "Actually, there's something I need to tell you," she said softly.

Allen tensed. "What is it?"

She hesitated, her voice trembling. "The burns… They're from training. They drop me in water and—electrocute me. They say my Innocence is tied to electricity, and that this will help me synchronize to 100%. Sometimes my heart stops, but I always wake up."

Her words hit him like a punch to the gut. "What about Reiko?"

"They force her through fire," Kuri whispered, tears pooling in her eyes. "She's strong, but I can see how much it's breaking her. But it's okay," she added quickly, her voice breaking. "You're there for me, and Kanda's always there for her. That makes it okay, right?"

"No, Kuri," Allen said, his voice harsh with anger. "It's not okay. None of this is okay." He clenched his fists, the metal of his claw scraping against the gondola's edge. "I won't let it happen anymore. I'll train with you myself. I'll protect you."

She stared at him, her lips parting in surprise. "Allen-wa…"

After the ride, Kuri pulled a photograph from her pocket. "Look," she said, smiling faintly. "This is me and Reiko when we were kids. That's Mana, Red, and Nea."

Allen's blood ran cold. He stared at the photo, his heart pounding. Mana. Red. Nea.

"Kuri," he said slowly, his voice barely above a whisper. "You were the little girl from the circus."

Her eyes widened. "You… You're Red."

The realization hit her like a thunderbolt. Her hands trembled, her breath quickening.

"You killed him," she whispered, her voice shaking. "You killed Nea."

"Kuri, wait—"

"GIVE HIM BACK TO ME!" she screamed, her Innocence flaring violently. Electricity crackled around her as she lunged at Allen, her fingers arcing with lightning.

Allen barely had time to activate his claw, deflecting the strike. "Kuri, stop!"

She didn't listen. Her attacks came faster, the air thick with the scent of ozone. Her eyes were wild, tears streaming down her face as she screamed Nea's name.

"Kuri, please!" Allen begged, blocking another strike. "This isn't you! You're remembering wrong!"

Her voice was a raw, guttural cry. "You locked me in this hell! You're Red! You took everything from me!"

Allen's heart shattered. He didn't know how to reach her, how to pull her back from the edge.

"I promised to protect you," he said, his voice breaking. "Even if it means protecting you from yourself."

His Innocence surged, his claw expanding as he pinned her to the ground. The force of it sent a shockwave through the circus grounds, scattering debris.

"Kuri!" he cried, tears streaming down his face. "You're not alone anymore! I'll never leave you—no matter what!"

Her struggles weakened, her screams turning into choked sobs. Finally, her body went limp, her blue eyes dulling as she slipped into unconsciousness.

Reiko and Kanda arrived just in time to see Allen cradling Kuri's limp form.

"What happened?" Reiko whispered, her voice trembling.

"Her memories," Kanda said grimly. "The Noah inside him triggered them. She needs to be stabilized before it happens again."

Reiko knelt beside her sister, her heart breaking at the sight. "She didn't even recognize me," she whispered. "She's in so much pain."

Kanda placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice softer than usual. "We'll bring her back."

Together, they carried Kuri back to the Order, her unconscious form a haunting reminder of how far the war had pushed her—and how far they would go to save her.