Hideout grounds

---

Garden

---

"Maybe..." Fern said as she looked around. "It's so pretty out here~"

"Yeah...this place is rather beautiful all away around." Blaine said with a warm smile.

Fern smiled back at Blaine. "You like it outdoors, huh?"

"I'd rather be outside then inside if that's what you mean." Blaine chuckled.

"Yeah~ That's what I mean~" Fern snuggled more to Blaine's shoulder. "It's nicer out when there's less people around..."

"Yeah...It's odd that so little people are out here on such a nice day." Blaine said blushing as Fern snuggled into him.

"Hey." Fern blinked up at him innocently. "Can I try something?"

"Um..Alright." Blaine said a little confused.

"Thank you~" Fern smiled sweetly at him as she pinched his backside.

Blaine jumped and started blinking as his face got red. "Wh-what was th-that for?"

"I've wanted to do that for years~" Fern grinned. She suddenly frowned. "Are you sure you're ok? Your face went red again."

"Re-really?...Um I'm-I'm fine..but Ca-can I do something?" Blaine asked looking slightly nervous.

"Sure!" Fern smiled.

Blaine smiled and patted Ferns hair. "It's...softer than I thought."

Fern giggled. "Thank you~"

"I wonder if you'll remember any of this.." Blaine whispered more to himself.

Fern giggled and grabbed his face so their eyes locked and just stood like that for a few seconds. "...Has anyone told you that your eyes are the loveliest shade of green?" She asked curiously as she released his face.

"Besides you, no...Most people find them creepy." Blaine smiled as he gently hugged Fern. "You are..very kind Fern."

"I am?" Fern blinked, a little surprised by Blaine's statement before happily returning the embrace and snuggling to him.

Blaine released her from the hug and looked her in the eyes. "When you want to be."

Fern gave him a confused look.

"What's going on?" Mark's voice came from part of the ruins of which most flowers climbed up.

"Oh. Hello Mark." Blaine said turning to face Mark.

"Little brother~ When did you wake up?" Fern asked.

"A few minutes ago...I saw you from my window...are you drunk?" Mark asked the last part with a heavy sigh.

"Nuh-uh~ I only ever got drunk on mixed drinks! This was apple brandy~" Fern grinned at Mark.

"-____- Or so you were told...Blaine what are you doing here with Fern anyways?" Mark asked his eyes narrowed slightly. "Hope you weren't trying to get too comfy with my drunken sister."

"It's not like that. She hasn't seen all the grounds so I was showing her around. Or would you rather me leave her alone in the bar while drunk?" Blaine replied as Mark walked up to the other side of Fern.

"Silly little brother~" Fern cooed. "He only patted me on the head~ I'm the one who pinched him. XP"

"Waaah?! Bu-bu-but you're a lady Fern! You can't do that!" Mark complained.

"O.O I-it's okay...you don't have to freak out Mark." Blaine said trying to calm Mark.

"I'M SURE IT IS FINE..FOR YOU!! Bu-but I'm supposed to protect her from creeps!" Mark's eyes where slightly watery.

"He is not a creep and you are my little brother!" Fern scowled at Mark. "I changed your diapers for crying out loud! And it's not like I did anything Mother would do! If I was anything like her, don't you think I would've taken up Desmond's offer years ago?"

Mark looked down as he hugged her. "...._Sorry.."

Blaine couldn't help but wonder if this is how Mark usually acts when no one but Fern is around.

Fern smiled as she hugged Mark back. "It's alright~ Just don't say such things again."

"Okay...can I finish showing you around sis?" Mark asked.

"Okay~" Fern said, quickly forgetting that she was mad earlier.

Mark's head raised back up and he smiled as he took her hand and started leading the way.

"Hehehe I guess I'll see you two later." Blaine laughed.

"Later, Blaine~" Fern grinned back at him as she walked with Mark.

"Okay over here is the pool....Hey Fern...do you rememeber that time we went swimming in that lake and the big baby got a leech stuck on his cheek?" Mark asked with a slight snicker.

"He was the lucky one. If I recall, you and the brat got some in much less pleasant places~" Fern giggled. "The baby just made the biggest fuss about it."

"I know! It took mom forever to get them all off....but..when I think about...how Graham describes families' behavior..it's like that day at the lake..Mom, you, Koby, Boyd, and I were all having fun...together." Mark said glancing down at the water of the pool.

Fern suddenly pulled her hand out of Mark's and gave him a blank look.

Mark looked at her as a smile went across his face. "But that was all in the past. As Graham likes to say: 'Let's look to the future!'...Soon we'll have the Blood Games back up...and that D*** red-head and her lapdog will be dead."

"I couldn't care less what becomes of the lapdog." Fern replied before a smile spread across her face. "But the debutante is mine to deal with~ Got it?"

Mark smiled brighter. "Of course! Then I call lapdog can be mine?"

"If you want~" Fern said.

"Sweet....I think Darryl wants to take down Dean." Mark chuckled.

"Traitors have no place in the world, Mark." Fern said seriously. "Do you remember those two that tried to defect over to us? I asked them to give me one good reason why they wouldn't betray me too."

Mark frowned. "Yeah...I remember it was hard to get rid of their bodies...*sigh* but I doubt debutante would trust him...he's probably dead already."

"Not if he said my name." Fern looked at Mark. "She'd want answers."

"He doesn't know much though...He won't be useful for long..." Mark with a frown. "Do you think he'd remember how to get here?"

"Even if he doesn't, a hybrid like him probably has tracking skills par none." Fern smiled at Mark. "But I've got kitty and the Grecos on it~"

"Right!...Although I highly doubt that'd stop lapdog." Mark replied seeming to get excited at the thought of fighting Jace.

"If it weren't for his lapdog status, I'd say that one acts more related to us than Koby or Boyd did~" Fern mused. "He's inherited the same strength you have, for sure."

"Hmph we'll see who's stronger... And don't worry..If I think I'm going to lose I'll get back up..." Mark said before regaining his smile. "Or I could hold him off until he smells the blood of debutante...that should distract him."

"It should~ Clever, clever, little brother!" Fern smirked before looking around a little. "Hey, how long have we been out here? I don't really remember leaving the bar..."

"O.O...Oh..umm a while I'd say about an hour and a half." Mark replied.

Fern nodded slowly. "...I'm going to take a wild guess here and say Graham got me drunk. e_____e"

"Yes...he did..I'm sorry." Mark replied.

"What are you sorry for? You were sleeping, as you should have been." Fern glared at a nearby rock. "That stupid cat, on the other hand, is due for another haircut."

"Awww But it really was a mix up...and I won't give you these if you shave me!~" Graham stated as he stood on top of a pillar holding a recorder.

Fern narrowed her eyes at Graham. "Give me what?"

Graham smiled and tapped the recorder in his hand. "Everything that was said at the bar...and back the first time you got drunk."

"...Fine then. Hand them over and you shall be spared the razor." Fern offered.

Graham smiled and jumped down. "Here you are Milady."

Fern took the recordings and started walking back to the building. "Try not to have too much fun, Mark."

"Thank you sis!" Mark replied happily has she heard Graham take off.

"And remember: Whatever you do, don't involve razors! A promise is a promise~" Fern said as she entered the building. "And try not to stain anything. It's so pretty out here~"

"Of course."Mark said taking off after Graham.

---

Will steps outside and sees the flowers."Raven would have loved these flowers if she was still here."Will said as he looked around.

"Yep... Pretty... Okay draw your sword!" Haniko demanded as she pulled her sword.

Will draws both of his swords and quickly reverses the way he was holding the sword in his right hand. "Ready when you are." Will said as he readied himself.

Haniko shifted her stance as her eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you used to making the first move?"

"Only if I have no other choice, I usually try to stay on the defensive until I get a clear shot." Will said as he brought his right arm in front of him in a defensive stance. 'I hope this change works.'

"We'll work on that then... But first..." Haniko was quickly nearly in front of him going for a side slash.

"Not bad." Will said as he blocked the slash with the sword in his right hand and spun around to make a slash with the sword in his left hand.

"Very good..." Haniko hummed as she moved around his right side to get behind him.

'Ok, she's fast so I just got to be a little faster.' Will thought as he quickly turned around and made another slash with the sword in his left hand while keeping the sword in his right hand up for defense.

Seth came out with Loshya.

Haniko quickly moved around his left blade and went to stab his left arm. 'Got ya!'

"Not quite." Will said as he brought the sword in his right hand to block Haniko's stab and moved his body out of the way.

Seth watched them fight, "They're good."

"Yes they are." Loshya agreed.

"WONDERFUL!!" Haniko cooed as she charged him.

Will smirked as he changed the way he was holding his sword in his right hand and meets Haniko's charge as he blocked her sword with his in a x-formation. "You're pretty good Haniko." Will said to her.

"Ha I'm the one teaching you puppy!" Haniko said quickly making several jabs at his legs but making sure she could quickly block.

Will quickly jumps back and does a few quick stabs with his own swords. "I didn't know that vampires were this fast." Will said to Haniko.

"I'm at least a second generation." Haniko replied blocking before pulling out four daggers throwing them at him.

'Daggers crap that's what got me cut up when I was fighting the hunters.' Will thought as he backed up and got into a loose fighting stance.

"Tsk!" Haniko quickly pulled back her hand (revealing that the daggers where attached to a string) causing the daggers to fall near her feet. "Why did you hesitate with the daggers?!"

"I got cut up when I was fighting the hunters that killed my family because they started to use daggers and I couldn't block 'em." Will said as he lowered his swords to his side. "I guess I should get going now."

"Are you alright Will?" Seth asked from where he and Loshya were standing.

What?! There is no way I'm letting you leave when you have such a big hole in your defense! Everyone is using daggers now a days!" Haniko stated not seeming at all like an eleven year old.

"Then come along and help me along the way." Will said as he put his swords away.

Haniko put her sword away and looked down. "I... Can't... Staying here is the only way I can get my family back together..."

"Staying here isn't the only way Haniko, I don't have any family left and the other Blackfires may be the only chance I have for a family." Will said to Haniko. "Please come with me and help me work on defending against daggers."

"Where is your family?" Seth asked looking at Haniko.

"My mothers part of the earth, my father is here.... And my brother will be here soon enough." Haniko replied not replying to Will.

"Your brother isn't here, where is he?" Seth asked curiously.

"I'm going now." Will said as he started to walk off. "Haniko, if you want to go or not it's your choice, but if you did decide to come with me I'm sure your brother would be glad to see you."

"Don't blame me if you get yourself killed..." Haniko tried to growl but it came out as more of a whimper.

"Now, now children shouldn't fight." A Blond haired man said placing a hand on Haniko's shoulder.

"Father!" Haniko turned around and hugged the man.

Seth glanced at the blond man as Elden whimpered and hid behind him and Loshya.

Will sighed as he stopped and turned around. "I'm not going to get myself killed." He said in a quite voice. "I just want to find the other Blackfires as soon as I can."

The man looked over to Will. "Blackfires? And why would you want to find them?"

"Ahh... Well he-he wants to see what type of people they are... And he might be related to them... But he will probably come back...! That's... If he doesn't get himself killed..." Haniko replied giving Will a look as if to say, 'Be very careful what you say.'

"It's for a reason that's personal to me." Will said with a sad smile. "I really need to get going and I was kinda hoping Haniko would come along and help me learn to defend myself against daggers."

"I'm sorry... My dear little Haniko, has been doing enough travelling... Right, Dear?" The man asked Haniko with a smile.

"Well...." Haniko turned to Will completely as she let go of her father. "Please stay the night... I need time to think."

"I'll stay the night," Will said as he walked up to the blonde man. "I don't know if I really should be telling you my name, but it's Will."

"Nice to meet you, Will. You may call me Luki." Luki said with a slight bow.

"It's nice to meet you Luki." Will said as he looked at the flowers again and a tear slid down his cheek.

Haniko wiped the tear away. "Now is no time to cry... You're here... Which means you won... Your sister wouldn't want you to cry any way."

"Yeah, you're right Haniko, and you helped me improve my sword fighting style some." Will said to Haniko giving her a smile. "And if things don't work out with the people I'm going to see, I'll come back here and stay."

Seth looked from Will to Luki before turning to Loshya, _{"Do you think we should go with him to protect him?"} He whispered.

"Yes... Luki... Seems off..." Loshya replied

".....Well... We'll have to see what happens." Haniko replied.

"Haniko, I'd like to speak with you in private." Luki said placing a hand on her shoulder.

Haniko nodded and walked away with him.

"He does... And a bit... Creepy, and that's saying something coming from me." Seth said as he watched Haniko and Luki walk off.

"I got the same feeling." Will said to Seth and Loshya as he walked over to them. "Let's just be friendly to Luki for now."

"We'll be friendly... But we should also be careful... It seemed like Haniko was trying to tell us that Luki is off." Loshya replied patting Elden with one hand and holding Seth's hand with the other.

"Yeah, and is it just me or did she seem a bit scared of him?" Seth asked curiously.

"I wonder if I could do something with my swords like Haniko did with her daggers and the strings." Will said as he took two ribbons from his pocket and tied one of the ribbons to a handle of one of his swords and wrapped the ribbon around it.

"I don't know if that would work, the swords might be too heavy." Seth said looking at Will.

"It should work, I was trying something like this a few days ago where I could turn my swords into makeshift long range weapons but I couldn't properly test it out because of the trees in the area I was in." Will said to Seth as he made a loop and tied a knot into it before tightening it around his hand. "I should still be able to use my swords as both close and long range weapons now if this works."

"You sure?" Seth said eyeing Will's swords.

Loshya looked it over. "It wont work with those ribbons... Here I got something that might work better... Hold on." She started shifting through the bag that was over her left shoulder and rested on her right hip.

Seth looked at Loshya, "Need any help looking?"

"Nah..." Loshya continued to shift through the bag... Which contained a lot of kids toys.

"Oh... A kidnapper?" A white cat asked as it pranced over and sat down a few feet away.

"Oh, I'll just take the ribbon off then." Will said as he started to untie the ribbon from the sword and noticed the cat. "I wasn't kidnapped, I sorta appeared here a few hours ago."

"A kidnapper?" Seth repeated looking at the white cat curiously.

"Well... Why does she have so many kids toys then?" The cat asked shifting into a (fully clothed.... Don't ask how) man with white hair.

"I... Take care of kids alot..." Loshya said now feeling bad.

"Hahaha it was just a joke... I'm Graham it's a pleasure." Graham said with a deep bow.

Seth shot Graham a death glare for making Loshya feel bad, "I'm Seth." He said flatly.

Elden got in front of Loshya and growled at Graham.

"Hi Graham, I'm Will Blackfire." Will said to Graham as he returned the slight bow. "You wouldn't happen to be a werecat would ya?"

"Hmmm yes, but I don't like being used for bait if that's where this is going." Graham replied not seeming to pay attention to the fox.

"Oh... You got me nervous... I actually have had people think I was a kidnapper before." Loshya snickered before patting Elden. "It's okay boy."

Elden licked Loshya's hand, but continued to throw his fox glare at Graham.

"I was just curious because I've never met another werecreature that wasn't a werewolf before." Will said to Graham.

"Hmm Well here I am!" Graham happily swooshing his tail as he gave a slow spin.

"You know, I don't think I've ever encountered a werecat." Seth said with a slight malicious glint in his eyes. 'I wonder how different they are from humans inside?'

"You're funny Graham, I'm sure that if my sister was still alive she would have loved to meet you." Will said to Graham with a smile.

"You lost family... I'm sorry to hear that... But you've come to the right place!" Graham said, they could tell he wasn't just being polite.

"I may have come to the right place, but there are some people I need to find though." Will said to Graham.

"Hmm... If you're in the right place... Why leave? If your truly meant to meet them... They'll come to You." Graham grinned.

"I doubt they would come here to find me." Will said to Graham. "I used to live around here and right now I just don't feel right being here, so that's why I'm going to find them."

"They might not even know about him... If that's the case they won't know to come here." Seth said.

"Hmmm how sad... Alright but remember... Our door is open." Graham said.

"I'm sorry... But you said you're a cat... Yet... Your fangs are..." Loshya didn't finish.

"They're still growing!!" Graham whined as his thumbs flew to his fangs and he dropped to the ground with teary eyes.

"She... She didn't mean anything by it." Seth said looking at the teary eyed Graham.

Elden trotted over to Graham and nudged his hand and looked at him.

Will nods and goes over to a wall and sits down with a sigh as he looks up at the sky. 'Maybe I won't have to come back here and I can stay with the other Blackfires.' Will thought with a small smile.

"Y-yeah... I didn't mean to hurt your feelings... Your fangs are lovely." Loshya said trying to cheer him up.

"*sniffle* re-really?" Graham asked patting Elden and looking up.

A young man with short brown hair walked up and stopped when he noticed Will. "What's your name?"

"Oh, he's Will Carson." Graham stated.

"Carson?" The young man repeated.

Elden licked Graham's hand and wagged his tail.

"Uhh... Yeah it's Will Carson." Will said to the young man with a smile. 'Please don't let him notice my scent is like that Dean guy's.'

Something fell out of Graham's pocket as he stood and quickly shattered on the ground. "Oh my... awfully sorry!"

"Oh lord Graham! Is that perfume?!" The young man asked covering his nose.

Elden jumped back when the bottle shattered and sneezed a couple of times before running off.

Will looks over at Graham with a look of thanks on his face before covering his nose from the smell of the perfume.

Seth sniffed the air, "UGH! That stuff stinks! And it's really potent." He said covering his nose.

Loshya sneezed and covered her nose. "Man! In small doses that might be nice... But seeesh!" She felt bad for poor Elden.

"I'm really sorry..." Graham replied pulling out a cloth to try to soak it up since it landed on the stone.

"That's one of the stronger ones." The young man hissed.

"Sorry Mark... I thought I had it deeper in there..." Graham replied.

"I know what you mean Loshya." Will said as he sneezed a few times. 'I'm glad Graham did that but it looks like I might have to leave sooner now.'

"Poor Elden." Seth said.

"Yeah..." Loshya agreed.

"Hmmm.... OH LOOK!" Graham jumped up and pointed at a cloud. "It's a rabbit! That's good luck! I also found a four-leave clover earlier!"

"Aghhhh Graham.... There is no such thing as charms and lucky clovers or clouds. =___=" Mark sighed raising a hand to the bridge of his nose.

Elden came back slowly.

Will sneezes a couple of more times as he got up and started to walk towards the forest. "I guess I should be going now. Graham, it was nice to meet you and please tell Haniko that I'm sorry I couldn't stay the night." Will said as he motioned for Seth and Loshya to follow.

"Hmm alright..." Graham replied.

Will let's a smile form as he walks into the forest. 'I hope that Haniko won't be mad that I left when I did, but if I had stayed then there would've been trouble.' Will thought as he walked.

Seth looked at Loshya before he went after Will.

Loshya quickly grabbed Seth's hand and caught up with Will.

Elden quickly caught up to them and walked beside Loshya.

---

The Ruins

---

"You know," a familiar rasp echoed around Mark, "this place has been abandoned for centuries. Long before my time, it was burned down, and nobody ever bothered to rebuild here. Some nonsense about a curse..."

"Curse? That's funny I've been busting the place up and nothing's happened."Mark replied as he kicked a wall down.

"Like I said." Aspen materialized over where the wall fell. "Complete nonsense."

Mark thought for a moment. "Hmm there is usually something that makes people claim there's a curse, say gas from a swamp ect., but I don't see much of a reason to claim this place is cursed."

"Well, it has a pretty nasty history~" Aspen replied. "Residents being burned alive, raids and torturous experiments, portals to some of the less hospitable parts of the underworld...."

"Really? Now this seems interesting!" Mark smiled. "Too bad that stuff ended years ago."

"Oh, I wouldn't know about that~" Aspen phased over to whisper in his ear. "They also say that the place was originally destroyed in a human raid and they killed off a werewolf clan called Blackfire~"

Mark smiled. "Really? Well I better stop then, don't want them to miss this place."

Aspen reappeared in front of him and pouted. "Now I almost wish I didn't tell you..."

"Sorry..but you know how much I hate traitors." Mark chuckled looking around. "Hmmm. If only I know how it used to look."

"I'm afraid even I can't help you there..." Aspen smirked. "But those blueprints and records the Grecos found in the basement might~ When that building was first built, its location was chosen specifically to keep an eye on the nearby non-human populations."

"I'll have to take a look...although we don't have much time." Mark sighed.

"Maybe even less than you think. Little Red's group is a little disorganized at the moment...Some of the less involved ones may be on their way here, and they barely even know it."

"Hahaha, that's great. So that means they probably don't know what to expect...still, why are they on their way? Dean tell them or something?"

"Not exactly~ I happened to let it slip that Haniko was searching for her brother and all those bleeding hearts over there decided to meet her halfway and make it a family reunion. >:P" Aspen explained. "Little Red and the Lapdog are out of town for the day, so they have no clue. And I may have forgotten to inform the little expedition that Haniko's group picked up a few stragglers and are on their way back instead of continuing~"

"e____e Of course! *sigh* Maybe Red could be of use. I mean if she was to find out I doubt she'd be very happy." Mark mused as he walked.

"So?" Aspen shrugged as she floated alongside Mark.

"Well...never mind. Then I wouldn't be able to beat the crap outta someone."Mark replied.

"A good point~"

"Hey Aspen? Hey did you get tangled up with Fern?"

Aspen raised an eyebrow. "'Tangled up'?"

"Some people call it tangled..but either way you understand my question."Mark smiled slightly.

"...Kind of...I mean, the slang use of that word has changed a few times since I died." Aspen crossed her arms. "If you're asking why we don't get along, though, it's really simple. I don't really care to play nice for anyone, and your sister doesn't care to put up with people she can't influence."

"So you simply don't like working for her because she makes you play nice?"Mark raised an eyebrow.

"I don't work for your sister, Mark." Aspen rasped. "I'm enslaved to Nova. Originally her great-aunt, actually."

"Enslaved." Mark echoed with a frown. "How?"

Aspen made a sound like clearing her throat and spoke dramatically. "The Laws of a Soul-Bound Spirit:
One: The spirit must come when called, no matter how far they are." She became a sort of mist and circled around Mark.
"Two: The spirit is unable to lie to their master.
Three: The spirit is incapable of refusing their master's requests.
Four: The spirit must always remain in the same plane of existence or dimension as their current master." She reappeared floating behind Mark and leaned over his shoulder.
"And five: The spirit may be devoured by their master at any point or time, no matter where they are or who they are possessing at the time--for whatever reason."

Mark grimaced. "And I'm guessing you don't know how to get out of this 'Soul-Bound' state?"

"Actually it's quite simple." Aspen replied blandly. "To breaks the bonds of one master, I'd have to become bound to another."

"Sooo~ How easy would it be for Luki, Haniko or someone else to Bind you to them?" Mark asked a little uneasy.

"Well, they'd have to have significant power...But the biggest obstacle I can see is that they'd have to find my remains." Aspen shrugged. "Her Royal Paranoia keeps my bones on her person at all times, though."

"O.o How have I not noticed?" Mark thought aloud. "So they need all your bones and to be strong...Luki is probably stronger then Nova since he taught her."

"Well, like I said, she pretty much inherited me, and her great-aunt was pretty high up there in power..." Aspen replied. "And as for not noticing my bones: It isn't like an entire skeleton or anything and she made them into a necklace a long time ago. Just the necklace you see. It kind of...hangs lower." She gestured to her chest area.

"Hmmm. Sounds like it would be very hard to get them away, without her realizing it." Mark sighed.

"Which is why she did it." Aspen agreed.

"Of course...it's never that easy." Mark muttered as the hideout came into view. "Hey Aspen...If you're not bound to Nova or..well anyone else Fern and I know...will you still visit?"

Aspen blinked. "If I can..."

Mark smiled. "Thanks."

Aspen smiled wryly. "But you can't say you'd be better off for it. I'm way past my expiration date, Mark."

Mark was quiet for a moment. "I know...but..maybe we can...change that....some how."

"I've tried to possess someone permanently before." Aspen said. "She died of exhaustion. Hosting two souls months at a time burns a body out from the inside. And dead bodies don't stop decomposing. I even tried a mannequin, once. Talk about limited movement..."

"I'll figure something out." Mark said in almost a pout.

"I'm sure you'll try." Aspen giggled before she started to fade away. "Oh, and it seems there's been a change in plans. Haniko's told her group they're heading back here, but she intends to sneak off to find her brother once they're asleep~"

"*sigh* How annoying." Mark muttered. "Although I could see why she'd try that."

"I'll keep you posted~" Aspen vanished.

---

"Where to start~" Lilly hummed rubbing her hands together.

"You can just start tearing down whatever, Lil~" Rhett said. "Unfortunately for me, stones don't bleed..."

"Hmm....Hey maybe a poor lil rabbit family made a home in here, and when we claps a wall you'll see them flip out! >;D"

"Perfect~ You go collapsing walls, and I'll stand by to gut it when it comes running." Rhett's crooked grin turned bloodthirsty as he leaned against a barely-there wall.

Lilly smiles but wasn't actually expecting him to go for it. She quickly reached in her sleeve and throw out a small grenade, which flashed twice before blowing the top of the wall up and causing the rest to fall with little sound.

"Nice aim. But I'd go for a little lower for maximum damage."

"I don't want to kill any animals though, that's what you're for~" Lilly hummed.

"How considerate~" Rhett chuckled.

Lilly chuckled as she tossed another grenade, this time slightly lower. Sure enough after the wall started crumbling some rabbits came running out. 

In the time it takes a human to blink, Rhett had his blade out and two of the four rabbits had slit throats.

"Oww~ nice, We ain't goin ungery tonight we got dinner!" Lilly stated in her best redneck impression.

Rhett threw his blade so it was imbedded in the third rabbit's lungs and held up the fourth rabbit by its ears, holding the terrified creature towards Lilly. "What should I do with this one, Lil?"

"Awww...it's kinda cute~ Gut it? Or give it as an offering to someone?"

"Alright~ I offer it to you! You're having a bad day, why not let the little rodent have it?"

Lilly takes the rabbit. "Hmmm actually I might give it to the squirts, I mean...I'm about to kill their mom, gotta apologize some how."

"Oh, sure~ 'Hey, kids, we've got to kill your mom, but here's a bunny!'" Rhett snickered.

"Exactly! A little less 'kill your mom', though~" Lilly winked with a smirk.

Rhett laughed. "Alright, then~ We've got a new pet bunny for the tykes~ Should we go find them to unload the little carrot-muncher, now? I don't think it would appreciate the sound of grenades or getting steamed alive in the spa."

Lilly snickered. "It's probably best to unload it now~"

"Smells like they're pretty close, anyways." Rhett mused.

"You're right...let's go!"

---

---

"Hey, hey Will.....Will~ wake up!!" Haniko's voice demanded.


"Huh, Where are we Haniko?"Will asked as he looked around.

"Some weird ruins Haniko found.....I think she kidnapped you, while you where asleep too." Yuki replied.

"Weird ruins."Will said as he continued to look around before looking at Haniko."Wait you kidnapped me while I was asleep. What did you do that for?"

"I couldn't sleep...and I wanted to talk without being spied on.....plus...well I didn't want to wake you up."


"Oh, so what did you want to talk about?"

"D-do you really want to met the other Blackfires?" Haniko asked hugging her knees against her chest.

"In a way I do but I really don't have to. Why do you ask?"

"I-I.....Nevermind...." Haniko lowered her head as Yuki looked at Will as if asking if they should push the matter.

"Are you worried that I'm going to do what that Dean person did."Will asked as he moved to where he was sitting beside Haniko.

Haniko nodded before raising her head slightly. "B-but..Yuki told me how confused he is...cause Jace is nice..and now Fern is nice...What If I forget, who I'm loyal to when I go to the facility...what if I-I lose myself? I'm scared!! I know exactly what was going on, I know who my enemies where before yesterday....and now....I don't know!! Is-is my mom an enemy? Is Yuki an enemy? Who are my friends?"

"I already said that I was your friend and would stick by you no matter what, and I really have no use for the government or the Facility because of what happened to my family and my clan."Will said as he looked out over the ruins."I have a feeling that these ruins was my clans home at one point,but what little my parents did tell me of this place it was destroyed long ago."

"Haniko...I'll never be your enemy, you're my sister and I'll always think about you first!"

"Thank you Will...Yuki...don't say stuff like that, you never know what could happen." Haniko wiped away her tears as she stood up. "The enemy is the government! Yuki, you've seen Fern & Jace, they're brother and sister just like us....And the government turned them against each other! they'll do th same to us!" Haniko now turned to Will her voice dsoften. "Will, I don't have to tell you what the government has done to you and your family, so I wont~ It is clear who the enemy is."

"Your right and if those other Blackfires want to work with the government then I'll just have to do something about it."Will said.

Haniko chuckled. "Now,Now we are still young, any revenge we get will be by standing by Fern."

"Haniko no! We can't take on the government, for one they way stronger and have more people, & There are a lot of good people working for them!!"

"There are good people here too, Yuki. In war there is no clear good or bad. It is clear though, that the government can not continue!"

"Believe it or not Yuki, there is only one human that I do trust and its Drake. Besides I don't know how bad off my sister will be once she wakes up and if we was at the Facility and she flipped out, they could lock her up and I can't have that."

"You have no proof of that! neither of you have been there, neither of you have met the people there! Hana, Momo, Betty, Debbie and Abigail are all humans and great people! They've been through a lot too! Yet they don't hate us just because someone of our race wronged them!! So how can we do it?!!"

"My clan is almost gone Yuki and they didn't deserve to be hunted down like wild animals so forgive me if I hold a grudge against the humans."Will said tearing up."I would give almost anything to see what this place looked like in its prime."

"I-I......I love to many humans, wherewolf, vampires & aliens to see any of them get killed of just because of what they are!" Yuki replied getting up.

"Boys calm down. Yuki, how old are the humans you mentioned? any around our age ?"

"Abigail is five." Yuki replied abit happy to be talking about Abby.

"Then she might come with us. is that alright with you Will?"

"Yeah its fine."Will said as he wiped the tears away.

"Please don't be sad Will, going through all of that has made your stronger and given you something to strive for." Haniko said placing a hand on Wills head.

"Your right."Will said as he looked up at Haniko and gave her a smile.

Haniko smiled back as a cool breeze came. "Ooops~ you two aren't cold are you?"

"We-well you did forget my coat...bu-but I'm not to bad." Yuki giggled but Haniko pulled him closer anyway.

"I'm ok."Will said."besides if I do get cold, all I have to do is shift to my wolf form."

"Then do you mind helping me keep Yuki warm?!" haniko asked giggling as she moved so Yuki was between her and Will.

"Aggh...I-I fine!" Yuki protested.


"I don't mind at all."Will chuckled as he shifted to his wolf form.

"I'm not a baby...." Yuki pouted


"No one said you was one, Yuki."

"B-But you guys are sandwiching me to keep me warm..>__> " Yuki replied.

"What was we suppose to do, let you be cold."

Yuki got quit, before speaking. "S-so....we will be going to the facility?"

"Possibly...." Haniko replied.

"I'll still take you back Yuki, I just want to make sure that Amber wakes up and is ok first."

"I-I.....can't go back.." Yuki replied.

"What?! " Haniko asked happy but shocked.

"Graham, saved my life...and Fern protected me from Fath- Luki.. I have to repay them before I go back."

"I can understand that. I owe Drake and Graham helping save my sister as well as the both of you."

"We didn't do anything. :/ " Yuki and Haniko replied.

"If it wasn't for Yuki finding my sister's ribbon, we would have been searching for Amber longer then what we did."

"True." Haniko agreed.

"speaking of ribbons." Yuki took his ribbons and placed one in Haniko's hand and one in Will's. "Now...if we do end up....separated you have something of mine!"

"Thanks Yuki."Willsaid as he took the ribbon.

"This..is so stupid >///>" Haniko said as she tied the ribbon around her sword handle.

"It may seem stupid now Haniko, but later on the ribbons may come in handy."Will said as he put the ribbon in his pocket.

"Yeah! and it's like I'm with you all the time now!" Yuki giggled.

"Fine...take this necklace...so well you have something too.."

"Okay~!" Yuki happily took the necklace and put it on. "I-I....I smell mom!"

Will ears twitch as he faintly hears sounds of someone talking. "I think someone is talking from over that away." Will said as he looked to the left of where he was sitting.

Haniko & Yuki got up and headed in that direction

Will got up and followed but had his hand on his swords just in case.

---

"Yuki, I don't think it is safe for us to be here because of Luki."Will said as he ran."I'll talk to Fern when we get to the hideout about taking you back to the Facility along with your mom ok."

"No,No! you can't! I haven't payed them back yet! a-and Haniko doesn't want to go with me yet! I-I-I don't want to be separated from her again!" Yuki said starting to cry.

---

Numori was sitting on a large rock in an area that had flowers of different colors, she was thinking about what Haniko had said to her and feeling guilty about not being able to find a way back to earth sooner.

"Heeeyy~ Isn't that the lady that took your dumb little butt in, after you nearly got yourself killed!" A male voice asked from near by.

"M-Miss Numori?" Arthur asked jumping over a wall.

"Hmm? Oh, Arthur!" Numori said looking over at the voices and smiling as she ran over and hugged him.

"Mi-miss Numori!!" Arthur gladly hugged back before turning paler.
"Wh-wa-wait!... You shouldn't be here! You need to leave!"

"What do you mean I shouldn't be here?" Numori asked curiously letting go of Arthur and looking at him with a raised brow.

"I-It's Luki.... He knows you're here... But he doesn't think you're the real Numori, He says the real Numori is still talking to him.... So... He wants you killed."

"Wants me killed? How bad has he gotten?" Numori asked looking worried.

"Numori..... He-he... After you died... He said you talked to him, he said you where so happy to be free and that you wanted everyone to feel that happiness... So, he started killing people to help them.... Yo-you did tell him you where happy didn't you?" Arthur asked looking worried as he started tearing up.

"Well I'm an angel now so yes I was happy, but I missed my family and I didn't want him to go out and kill people." Numori said.

"D-did you... Ever talk to him? Please tell me you did!" Arthur nearly begged.

"Oh wahh wahh so you killed some people, you know you liked it Arthy!" The voice from earlier hummed.

"I did once to tell him I was happy, but I didn't tell him to kill people." Numori said.

Arthur covered his mouth and dropped to his knees shaking his head.

"hahaha the squirt is tryin to say sorry lil wimp!" The voice laughed.

"Arthur, it's not your fault. You thought you were doing what I wanted because Luki told you it was what I wanted." Numori said kneeling down and hugging Arthur.

"B-b-but... I... I actually enjoyed it....." Arthur said quietly.

"You did?" Numori said blinking.

"No-not at first but.. Then... It... Got easier and... I got into it more..." Arthur replied crying.

"Don't cry Arthur, it's not your fault." Numori said hugging Arthur again and rubbing his back.

Arthur broke from the hug and looked around wide eyed. "_{Miss Numori... He's coming, you need to go.} "

"Where should I go?" Numori asked looking around curiously.

"I-I don't know..... Umm...... I saw Haniko over that way, hurry. I know she want take you to Luki." Arthur stated pushing her towards a small over grown path that was darkened by the tree line.

"Alright, don't push." Numori said laughing slightly and going to the over grown path.

Arthur quickly let go and ran up the road.

Numori watched Arthur leave before going further down the path so she was out of site.

"Arthur, who where you talking to?" Luki's voice asked it was calm but she know he wasn't happy.

'He sounds angry, I hope he doesn't hurt Arthur.' Numori thought from her hiding place.

"I was talking to Hax..." Arthur said as his voice got a usual "I'm bored" tone.

"Now, now. I'll ask you again, this time~... Don't lie." Luki stated as his voice got more hustle.

'He always could tell when someone was lying, maybe I should do something.' Numori thought fidgeting with her hands.

"Mommy?" Yuki voice came from behind her.

"Oh, hello Yuki dear." Numori whispered as she turned to look at him with a smile.

"What are you doing?" Yuki asked as the sound off someone getting hit was heard before a thump.

"I'm hiding from your father, Arthur found me and told me he doesn't think I'm the real Numori and wants me killed." Numori whispered, she looked back when she heard the thump.

She could see Arthur picking himself up with a reddish pink mark across it was already bruising.

"I really didn't want to do that~ now, where's Numori, Arthur?" Luki's voice asked with a unnerving calmness.

"Wh-what? I thought... He loved you?" Yuki whispered confused.

"Apparently my death drove him insane, Arthur claimed he was hearing my voice and I told him I was happy and wanted that happiness for everyone so he started killing people." Numori whispered looking worriedly in Arthur's direction.

"We-well we need to help Arthur." Yuki stated.

"I-I'll go. "Haniko said as she moved past Yuki.

"I'll go too." Will said as he caught up and walked out beside Haniko. "Can't have your father turn on you for helping Arthur."

"Haniko." Numori said looking at her daughter with worry.


Haniko didn't stop to reply, she quickly ran out and came to stop between Arthur and Luki.

"Haniko, what are you doing?" Luki asked not angry or happy.

"Arthur, is innocent. He tried to take out mo-....that woman but....she disappeared." Haniko stated, trying to sound disappointed.

"Then why lie?" Luki asked pulling his hand back to he's side.

"B-b-because...I-I didn't want to disappoint you." Arthur replied but Luki still wasn't buying it. 

"Lying and disappointment and disappearing women. Sounds like I miss all the fun~" Rhett grinned crookedly as he walked up with a scared, shuddering rabbit in his hands.

"Hmmm does sound like missed stuff." Lilly pouted.

"they trying to lie to me about my wife, it's a rather mean thing to lie about." Luki replied trying to look depressed.

"We aren't lying!" Haniko stated.

"They are not lying." Will growled looking at Luki.

Luki seemed very disinterested in the children's protesting. "Then... Why do I smell her~?"

"I don't but I do smell three people who need to leave the ruins of my clans former home."

"Hahahaha!! you certainly don't know all the history of this place~ these ruins have been home to several clans and humans, now they are just ruins." Luki stated before turning back to Arthur his smile disappearing. "Arthur, I don't want to kill you, so please behave and tell me."

"Leave him alone and leave." Will said as his hand landed on the hilt of his sword.

"Luki stop!" Numori said as she came out in the open to help Arthur.

Luki was about to strike Will when Numori came out. "Hello, love.... Hehehe it's been a little while... Now why where you hiding?" His facial expression seemed to switch from angry to depressed.

Will growls at Luki as he steps off to the side with his hand still on his sword.

"I heard you didn't think I was the real Numori and wanted me dead." Numori replied looking at Arthur hoping he was alright.

"I... Hehehehaha no, you're right, my wife died the day that little.... Thing was born." Luki stated glancing at Yuki as he came out from hiding.

"Sir, that's Numori she's alive!" Arthur exclaimed.

"That 'thing' is our son, and I did die, but I became an angel. I wanted to come back to see you, but I couldn't until now." Numori said a little shocked at Luki's attitude.

"An angel, eh?" Rhett grinned crookedly as he handed Lilly the bunny to shove his hand in his pocket and finger the knife he had in there. He had never killed an angel before...

Luki's lips formed into a smile as his eyes started to water. "Si-SILENCE!!!" The color of his eyes changed slightly as he reached towards Numori.

"M-mom!" Haniko pushed Numori out of the way and stopped in front of Luki.

"Back off you crazy psycho." Will said to Luki as he got in front of Numori with his swords drawn. "I will not let you hurt Miss Numori."

"Haniko, don't." Numori said pulling Haniko away from Luki so she wouldn't get hurt as she backed away quickly.

"Hahaha you pissing me of kid!" Luki said as his hand flow towards Will.

Yuki Grabbed Will's arm and pulled him back so Will's upper arm got grazed.

Lilly had on of her small explosives' ready in one hand.

Rhett finally took out his knife and dove for Numori's throat with a manic grin.

Will growls as he looks at his arm and then to Luki. "That hurt you a**." Will said as he gripped his swords tighter. "Try that again and I'll make sure you lose those hands."

Numori glared at Rhett as a bright golden light surrounded her and white angel wings spread from her back as she jumped back still holding Haniko in her arms.

"You annoy~" Luki said as he grinned and dove for Will.

"Will don't fight him!! Run!" Haniko demanded as Lilly charged for Numori's side.

"I will after I pay him back for grazing my arm." Will said as he dodged and slashed at Luki before throwing one of his swords at Lilly.

Rhett's manic grin faltered until he noticed Will's projectile. He threw his own knife and the sword faltered enough to barely scrape the back of Lilly's skirt.

"Thanks, Rhett~" Lilly hummed pulling a dagger out to slice Numori's arm.

"Will stop! If you fight him then Nova will get mad at Fern!!" Yuki said trying to pull Will away.

"Oh, but it's self defense for me~" Luki chuckled. "Lilly remember, I have to kill her~"

"Alright Yuki." Will said before taking in a large breath and letting out a loud howl hoping to get someone's attention.

Numori flew up into the air with Haniko in her arms still to protect not only herself, but her daughter as well.

"Ehh... M-mommy....." Haniko whimpered as she clung to her mother.

"Lilly aim for her wing... Just one though, I don't need her falling with my daughter." Luki hissed.

"Luki! I-If you try hurting her you could end up hurting Haniko! Which will get Nova mad!" Yuki yelled but it didn't seem to matter.

"It's ok Haniko, I won't drop you." Numori said holding Haniko tightly, but not too tight.

"Numori, take Haniko and fly towards the hideout. I'll follow with Yuki." Will said as he put his sword up and shifted to his wolf form. "Yuki get on my back and hold on ok."

"Alright." Numori said as she began heading for the hideout like Will said.

"D-d-do-don't drop me please!" Haniko said her eyes clamped shut.

"O-Oh okay." Yuki said quickly climbing on Will.

"Don't worry, I have you." Numori said holding Haniko slightly tighter.

Will looks at Luki and smirks before taking off, "Later Psycho."

"Damn it!! I want- no I need them dead!!!" Luki stated infuriated.

"Won't that free them?" Lilly asked using Luki's terms.

"Yes, it will free them to Hell~" Luki replied with a smile.

"Dead or alive, free or imprisoned, I just want to see that angel bleed~" Rhett smirked crookedly. "I've never killed an angel before~"

"Hey if you kill and she comes back again, can Rhett kill her?" Lilly asked pulling her bangs back and placing the knife back in a her sleeve.

"I don't intend for her to come back." Luki smiled.

Rhett sighed. "Thanks for trying, Lil."

"Thank you, for trying to help me.....*sigh* that should've gone a lot smoother."

"Sir, Your mind was not in the right place, with so many family members and a woman with your wife's face against you, it was understandable." Lilly stated before nodding to Luki and starting to walk away.

"So..." Rhett started as he walked alongside Lilly. "What do we do with the rabbit?"

Lilly looked down at the rabbit that she had nearly forgotten about. "O-Oh...yeah..well I still need to apologize to the twerps... I'm guessing they're peeing their pants in the house right now."

"Then do we head to the spa, or keep on wrecking the ruins?"

"Spa, we might met the kids on the way."

"Sounds like a plan~" Rhett said as he picked up his knife. "...You think the werewolf's going to fetch his sword?"

"Maybe...*sigh* I really wish the boss could've taken that brats soul...he got in the way too much." Lilly stated.

"Plus the idiot threw and left behind a perfectly good sword. He didn't even throw it very strongly." Rhett pocketed his knife. "Kids today have no respect for quality weaponry."

"Hey...wantta take it?" Lilly asked with a giggle looking over at the sword.

"I usually prefer smaller ones....But what the h*ll." Rhett picked up the sword and weighed it in his hands.

"Soo~ How's the weight, can you use it?" Lilly asked looking over the blade.

"It's well-balanced...If you know a good blacksmith, I can probably get three or four new throwing knives out of this~" Rhett grinned crookedly.

"Hmmm I do know a good blacksmith, but he's back in District 11." Lilly replied with a smirk.

"Guess I'm going on a field trip, tomorrow~"

"Hehehe maybe that kid will think twice about throwing swords at people~ ;D" Lilly hummed.

"Or at least get a little better at it. That throw would have nicked your ribcage, at most." Rhett stood, holding the sword rather carelessly now that he considered it spare metal.

"Hmmm maybe you could learn to sword fight?" Lilly giggled.

"Nah. Swords are too difficult to hide. I prefer subtlety~"

"True, as a spy. I can't really afford to have overly noticeable weapons." Lilly agreed.

"So, we drop off the rabbit and head to the spa, now?"

"Yup~"

---

"Here Celesty, Lesty-lesty~ Here girl~" Lilly giggled as she pretended to clap.

"Not helping, Lil~" Rhett snickered as he expanded his senses to see if she was even there.

She wasn't too far from their current location.

"Isn't that how you get a bi*** to come to you?" Lilly asked innocently.

"Tone it down a bit, Lil~ She's close..."

"Awww fiinnneee~" Lilly giggled.

With a crooked grin, Rhett headed towards Celest.

Celest was looking over some of the more rare flowers in the garden.

"Enjoying the view~?"

Celest glanced over at him with a smile smirk. "Yes, its not often you can find a garden like this outside government walls."

"I've never seen most of these before..." Rhett noted with mild interest.

"Some of this flowers date back to before the virus." Celest replied before turning to face him. "You don't seem like much of a flower lover, so what brings you here?"

"Felt like walking." Rhett shrugged. "Care to walk with me?"

"Hmm~ A walk does sound nice." Celest agreed.

Rhett offered his arm with a crooked grin.

Celest grinned as she took his arm. "Thank you"

"You're quite welcome~" Rhett lead her on a leisurely stroll.

"Where's your little cat friend? I thought I heard her?" Celest asked curiously.

"Probably hanging around~ She thinks she's sneaky~"

"Cat is a fairly noticeable scent~" Celest chuckled.

Rhett snickered. "Especially since she was just in a steam room~"

"Not as bad as wet dog but still, not the most pleasant scent."

"Particularly with sweat~"

"True." Celest smiles wider. "...I think we scared her off..I don't smell or hear her."

"I suppose that means we have the place to ourselves~"

"Indeed~" Celest grinned.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you don't seem so disappointed I'm not the wind demon as I thought you would be..."

"I haven't seen that Greco all day, to be honest I'm actually hiding from one of the others right now."

"The fire demon?"

"Bingo~ He's rather arrogant..."

"If you're actively hiding, I assume he's persistent, as well~"

"Quite."

"You'd think someone so experienced would be a little less desperate..."

"*sigh* I don't doubt he is experienced, I figure he's probably just not used to women besides his boss, not falling for him."

"Sounds like he sticks with a specific type of woman...Usually it's a numbers game."

"Most likely......if you don't mind, could we talk about something else?"

"What would you prefer?"

"Well if it's not too personal...I'd like to know about the mysterious vampire that showed up with Luki yet has no connection other then the cat."

"That depends~ What exactly would you like to know?"

"Well to start, why do you stick around with Luki and his cat? You don't seem to be one to follow others orders..."

"I'm not. But I have a debt to Lil, so I'm hanging around until I repay her."

"I see, its not often someone would be that honorable...especially for five years."

"Nothing honorable about it. I milk every bit of entertainment I can out of annoying her~"

"I'm surprised you can still get a reaction from her."

"I have to get creative sometimes~ But luckily, she has a temper."

"*snickers* So I've noticed~"

Rhett gave a crooked grin.

"You seem rather level-headed though..."

"I fight for amusement, not grudges."

Celest grins widely. "It's more relaxing that way~ Although having a little fire from a grudge is supposed to make things a lot more intense and fun~"

"It does~" Rhett's grin widened, remembering the many times he has p*ssed people off just so they would give him a more intense fight.

"*sigh* Its hard to find a good fight of late."

"Yeah...everyone here is too concerned with alliances..."

"*sigh* They're playing nice for mommy."

"You mean the aristocrat, or the blonde boss-lady?"

"They are the ones playing nice, Nova is the "mommy". Its almost like a split up family, the mother took one child when she left and now several years later the children are reunited, the one knows that the others been with her longer so its trying hard to please mother, where as the other doesn't want to be out shined......it would be amusing if it wasn't for the "mother"."

"Not a fan of the matriarch~?"

"*sigh* Unfortunately it's the game you have to play if you don't want to be stepped on or constantly traveling to avoid trouble.."

"I don't mind travel, myself...But I see your point."

"I don't mind it either, but in order to travel in a more comfortable state, you need some power."

"Not one for roughing it?"

"There's no point in roughing it if you're not getting anything out of it...besides some momentary excitement..."

"I suppose I'm just in the habit of traveling light." Rhett shrugged.

"Nothing wrong with that, its simply how you are." Celest replied with a grin.

"'To each their own'~"

"I suppose. If you don't mind may asking, How can man like you get any type of enjoyment or interest out of working for the little kitten and her 'hero'?"

"By trolling the kitten, of course~ She has a rather volatile personality that I find quite entertaining~"

"Her child like reactions are rather amusing, yet I feel I'd get bored with them after awhile."

"That's when you aim for a different reaction. There's a sense of satisfaction to discovering a new sound of discomfort~"