"Ugh, I'm so friggin bored," Nalin said laid over the arm of a couch in the music room the Mongrels had claimed.

Where the couch had come from, none of them actually knew. One day they got there, and there were a couple of couches. They didn't question.

"Who is Bored, and what did he do to deserve that kind of punishment," Akoni said from where he was working on an amplifier.

"I still have a couple of straws. How much do you like your eyes," the girl reminded him of their first meeting.

He looked over, "If you are so bored, why are you here? Go to the arcade, it's Saturday. It would give me some peace and quiet so I can get this working."

"Ok I don't get it. Why aren't you talking like a hood rat? You actually sound halfway normal right now," the girl turn onto her side to watch him.

"Because I'm busy. I do the hood rat thing for the fun of it. Everyone knows it. When I actually need to get things done, I drop it. Look, can I get some goddamn peace and quiet. I promised Black I would get this thing going for him again, but I don't know if it is possible anymore. This thing was built in the 1960's, and I don't know how he keeps getting parts," Akoni sat back from the device.

Nalin just watched him. He wasn't actually that bad when he was acting normal. He was actually pretty cute as well.

"So, you aren't, really a porch monkey or anything," she said, not really thinking about what she said.

He threw his head back and took a breath, "Where did that one even come from? I swear the slurs they throw at us. I probably am, both my uncle and my granddad are criminals, and my mother wasn't married when I was born, and she was a drug addict. Difference with me is, I'm autistic, and suffer from FNP."

"FNP," Nalin wasn't familiar with the letters.

"Fetal Narcotic Poisoning. I have moderate brain damage caused by her being a crackhead. I will have periods of time that I just will be acting normal enough, but I can notice anything past what I am doing. Screw it, I tried man, but she done for. I'm going to miss the sound," Akoni pushed himself back from the teacher desk he was sat at and stood up.

"Hey, Akoni. I see. What finally killed her," Black stepped in at that moment.

"The vacuum tube connectors have finally just rusted away. I never could find anything to use to protect them, that didn't cause other issues. She was a good amp, best a person could have ever hoped to find for ten bucks. I'm sorry man, I know how much you loved her," Akoni closed the case up, and handed it over to his grieving friend.

"Yeah, I'm going to miss her. I'm going to have to give my Dad a call, and see if he can get ahold of a new amp for me. Thanks for keeping her going all this time. You're the best," Black looked down at the deceased amplifier with the most emotion that he ever showed as he turned and walked from the room.

Nalin watched the scene with interest. She wasn't that used to actually having friends, so she wasn't really sure what had happened. Maybe she would understand at some point, but for now she was lost.

"So, you do the hood rat thing because it is fun, how did that get started?"

Akoni shrugged, "I was like ten, and there was a kid in my class that was going on and on about African American this, African American that, and he spoke like that. He was from Tempe, and I was born in Eastern Nigeria. I got a little upset, because he was saying that America hated African Americans. My Mom and me were originally illegals, but once she cleaned up, she managed to find a sponsor, and went through everything legally. We were naturalized around the time I turned seven. America was always good to me, and I got into a fight with him, and told him he wasn't African. He said if he wasn't, I wasn't, When I told him I was Nigerian, he tried to turn it against me, but everyone else tore into him. I found out that there were all these groups that preached about how bad African Americans had it, and they spoke like him. I started screwing with these groups every chance I could, and started talking like them until I had a good opening to point out that I was the only African there, and all they were, is Black. I don't really remember Nigeria, but I know that it wasn't a great country, and that I will never say anything bad about the States."

"Wow, I mean, I have a, opinion, on America," Nalin said.

"Yeah, the Apache were like the last tribe put on a reservation. I won't say that there aren't any skeletons in Lady Liberty's closet, but find any nation or people that haven't warred, conquered, and enslaved. History isn't a clean thing, and so many people disrespect their heritage by denying parts of it. Me, I just gonna have fun with things. People don't like it, they can kiss the pipe," Akoni shot a lopsided grin.

Nalin looked at him. He really was cute. If he stayed serious more, she might even put more thought to him.

"Yo, you hungry, cause I starving. I'm thinking ramen. Wanna join?"

Ruby sat in her wheelchair enjoying the view out of her suite's window. She really loved the school, and it had been so wonderful to be back, and to be working again. It was a thing of bliss.

"Mommy, I stayed in the lines. Ms. Shirayuki said I was doing a good job. Can I have pancakes for dinner," she turned her chair around as Mizore led Amethyst into the room.

"No pancakes for dinner. You had your weight in them this morning. I don't know the last time I saw your Aunt Moka that happy. She loves cooking, and she has been so glad to get that recipe down. I also don't want to give you another bath today. You splash," she pushed on her daughter's nose, which made the girl giggle.

"Splashing is fun. Can we go swimming soon? Aunt Yukari said it would be good for your legs," the girl looked up hopeful.

Even though she could be as mischievous as any other seven year old, she really did have a heart of gold. Given the circumstances of her birth, it was a godsend. She was so glad that Amethyst had taken to being a regular child so well, after spending most of her life in a cell.

"Hey, Amethyst, if you put on some outside clothes, we can go play in the woods for a while. Would you do that while I talk your mom," Mizore crouched down next to the girl.

Amethyst smiled,"Yippee, I like playing in the woods."

As they watched the girl disappear into her room Mizore turned to Ruby, "Are you sure you want to do this? I know how much she means to you. Can you really take being separated from her?"

"I've been thinking about it for a while now. She needs children her age to play with, and learn to socialize with. I don't want her to grow up, and not be able to interact with people her age, or be easily manipulated," Ruby looked down at her lower body.

"I know, you are worried about how she will be when she gets old enough for intimacy, especially since she was forced to watch as you were abused. Why does it seem like this is something that has just forced its way into our lives so much recently? No matter which way we turn, either someone has had to fight it off, or was rescued from it. I mean you spent ten years dealing with it, and I don't know how you don't wake up in the night screaming," Mizore clenched her fists tightly.

"I don't know. I guess it is just a part of dealing with Fairy Tale. As far as my dealing with the past, I do wake up. I wake up afraid that this has all been a dream, and I am still there. I don't scream, because I learned that was just a good way to attract someone that was interested in adding to the trauma. Mizore, I doubt I will ever have sex again in my life because of what I went through. I'm fine with that, because despite everything, that child has given me a reason to live, and I want to make sure that her life, is as good as I can make it, even if I have to suffer. I already know that I am going to make mistakes, and I just have to hope that I make the best ones. I should probably talk to her now, rather than wait," Ruby turned and wheeled the chair over to Amethyst's room.

When she went inside she had to giggle. Somehow her daughter had managed to get herself twisted up in a raincoat, a blanket, and her missing corset. That answered a question that she had been wondering on for a week now.

"Oh Amethyst. What am I going to do with you," she helped the girl get free, and then pull on some proper outside play clothes.

"Thanks Mommy," the girl said.

"Your welcome. Why do you have my corset though," Ruby asked as she gave the girl a hug.

"I was getting lonely since we don't sleep together anymore. I didn't mean to do anything wrong. I'm sorry," the words made Ruby pause.

Amethyst really needed to start going to a regular school. They had already given her a test to show placement, and thankfully it showed that she was at the normal grade level for her age. The problem was the only school that she was really comfortable sending her to, was the one that Mizore had taught at. Which meant that she would most likely have to move in with Tsurara, and leave Ruby behind at Yokai Academy.

"Amethyst, I need to talk to you about something really important, and you may not like it. I know I'm not. Have you ever wanted to play with children your own age," Ruby smiled down at the girl.

"I haven't thought about it. I've never met any," Amethyst replied.

"I know. I want to change that, but it won't be an easy change for either of us. I know that it is the best decision, but it is going to hurt both of us, and I don't want you to think badly of me for it."

Amethyst's face fell a little, "Mommy?"

"I want you to go to live with Ms. Shirayuki's mother. There are children your age there, and a school you can go to," Ruby was having trouble not crying as she spoke, "I want you to grow up, and be able to live, rather than the world go around without you."

"But, then I wouldn't see you. I don't want to leave you Mommy," the child lurched and locked her arms around Ruby's body.

It hurt Ruby to have to consider doing this, but she knew it was the best thing. It had to be the best thing. Amethyst had a chance to be a person, and wasn't going to happen if she stayed here with her, The only other option she had, was to leave the school.

She hadn't thought about it before, but, she could. She had been devoted to the school for a long time. She loved being back to work for it, but was it worth her daughter's future? Galdia was still there, so it wasn't like it would cause any disruption, and the elf has proven herself dedicated and loyal when given a reason to be.

"Amethyst, let's actually put this off for a little while. I need to talk to Uncle Tsukune about something. Don't worry, I will not let you go, and I will never give you up to anyone I don't know has your best interests at heart. Right now, go ahead and go play with Ms. Shirayuki," this was going to be just as painful, but in her heart, Ruby knew this was going to be the best decision.

"So, waaat scon oi supposed ter actually call yer," Maggie asked Akua as they traveled to the boutique that they were heading to.

"I don't know. We have to work on that accent, even if you never get Japanese, we need to work on that accent. Maggie, I, have never done anything like this before, and I didn't think about it before I did it. So, what ever you decide to call me, call me that," Akua looked over at the girl.

"So does Mom work, or Momma," the girl asked, taking an interest in the cane that her future adoptive mom was carrying.

"Mom will be fine. So, I really haven't known what to ask to try to get to know you. The only child I have been around much, was my Nephew, the guy who sent you to us. I might have tried to bond with you like I did him, however my current condition prevents me from fighting. What do you like to do," it was awkward, but she was trying.

"Oi loike ter read, oi used ter play video games back before me auld pair were killed, an' oi really didn't chucker much else. They didn't let me go ter school, cos they were worried waaat wud 'appen if someone realized waaat oi wus," Maggie said, shrugging and looking forlornly out the window of the car.

Akua looked at the girl. She couldn't understand how hard it was to lose both parents at that age, but she understood family. A tear came to the corner of her eyes as she thought back to the loss of Jasmine. That pain never failed to hurt, and she wondered if the girl would feel this way as long as Akua had.

"Maggie, I, don't mean to make you feel bad regarding your parents. I know how it is to lose someone close to you, and how it never gets easier," Akua didn't try to force the girl to talk.

Maggie turned her head back to Akua, "Me auld pair were worthless criminals, who only wanted me ter stay away from waaat they were involved in so dat they weren't at risk. They loved me in their own way, an' they never mistreated me, but oi wus nathin' but an inconvenience. In a way oi wus better aff learnin' ter live me own way on de streets. Oi nu oi got jammy dat oi ran into Tekeshi, an' dat yer man is a benevolent Bejasus, but oi wus prepared ter chucker waaat oi 'ad ter, ter survive despite dem, not cos they made sure oi cud."

As the words unpacked themselves in Akua's head, she realized something. This girl was her. She didn't learn to survive from either of her parents. She figured it out for herself, and it had hardened her. Yet, she now had the loving family that she didn't have as a kid. She had her father, and despite him only being back in her life for such a short time for the second time, she felt loved by him. Her sister's had supported her since she admitted her condition. Even with the tension between them, Tsukune never spoke bad about her, or turned her away when she needed someone to talk to.

"I doubt that Tekeshi would like to be called a god. He would complain that his head is already too big, and he didn't need anyone else hooking a bicycle pump to it. Maggie, I haven't hidden that I may not live too much longer. I don't know how much longer I have to live, but even when I am gone, you will have people who will care for you. One thing this family has never lacked, was love. Do you, want, ahug," the last words were strangely difficult to say.

"Waaat wus dat?"

Akua took a deep breath, "Do you want a hug? I'm not used to asking things like that. It is usually something more spontaneous that we just do. Just, if you don't want to, I don't want to force you to."

"Oi don't nu if oi 'av ever 'ad anyone killinchy muffler me. Oi, kind av, want wan. Yer don't 'av ter if so'tiz too much for yer. Oi don't nu waaat scon are missin' anyways," the girl looked down with a nervous look on her face.

It wasn't easy for Akua to scoot across the limousines seat, given how bad the muscles in her legs were now. She put her arms around the girl, and felt her stiffen up for a moment, before she suddenly relaxed. If there was one thing that truly transcended any language, any creed or idea, it was a simple, warm, and loving hug.

A tear made its way down Akua's cheek. She started to feel a little guilty knowing that this girl may lose her next year, or that she may have her for another decade. No matter what though, she was going to lose her sooner than was really fair to Maggie. It didn't matter though, she was going to make the time she had, the best that she could.