.: Nov 30 - Early Morning :.

Shoes pounded the ground as she ran down the street, forcing herself to go as fast as she could. A puddle was splashed into and water met her jeans leaving water and mud staining up the legs.

I do not believe you.

Her eyes clenched closed and she forced herself faster. He didn't believe her. Didn't want her to touch him.

She had hurt him.. By doubting. He still thought she had doubted him. Doubted that he loved her. In a way he was right. She had. Believed he had loved another when he had tried so very hard to show her..prove himself to her.

She hated herself. Hated that she allowed Zenny to sway her. Even if Zenny could see deep inside him and even though she really didn't want to believe Zenny..in the end she did. Enough that she wanted to give up herself...

The front door of the Zen flew open and she sped on in, tracking mud through the main hall and up the stairs. She slipped at some point and skidded down a few steps but a grip to the railing stopped her from spilling. Sniffing she pulled herself up and continued on.

She hadn't lied to him though. Even when Zenny had told her that..and made her think that. She hated herself. For not being enough. Enough to be what he wanted. Enough to tell her the things he was feeling...

He was hard to read and he knew it. He hid so much that he shouldn't have to when it came to her. He was suppose to trust her to be able to talk to her..Like she did with him.

Do you know how little faith I put into you saying that you trust *me* now?

She didn't know what to think or do. It just didn't seem like there was any way she could prove to him that she trusted him. All she knew was he was drawing farther and farther away and it scared her. A lot more than it had when Zenny had her thinking that he loved someone else.

The key was taken from her pocket even as she came thudding against the door. Leaning into it she just stared at it while fumbling to fit the key into the hole. The door finally opened and she tumbled inside. It was closed and locked. A line of possessions littered the ground as she walked from the little hall and into the main area, heading towards the blankets that made up a makeshift bed. The only thing kept on her was the coat which was hugged to her slender body.

Face first she landed, not caring she crushed her face and she just cried. What was she suppose to do? How was she suppose to prove to him? She had already gone so far as to show 'herself' to Patrick when he said..that she had picked a bad apple to hang her hopes on..Toby would just use her..

That wasn't going to happen. Toby loved her. They would get through this. They would! And she wouldn't doubt him again. Never again....

She just..had to prove that some how. She did not want this! She did not want him distancing himself. He was suppose to be there..with her...

Fingers curled against the sheets. Relaxing her hand swept up along the blankets, attempting for her head. Instead her fingers met something. Blinking she raised her wet and red face. It..was a familiar bag. No. This wasn't his..

Was this..?

The ache in her chest only thudded more greatly as she shifted onto her side to pull it closer. Her stomach tightened then relaxed as she tried not to cry out.

Before she could hug the bag to her she noticed..a note..

'This bag is yours, it took me a while to find it. The real gift is inside. I've had it for a very long time and I had been saving it for your birthday, but I figured what the hell. Right now is a lot better than later.'

She blinked at the note slowly. A lot better than later.. Was..he trying to make her feel better in some way? Tell her..

Pursing her lips she reached into the bag to pull out the large rolled up piece of heavy paper. Brows furrowed confusedly and she sat up more. "Mrmm..?" It was carefully unrolled and her hands quickly shook at the sight that was unfolded before her. Lips parted, nearly gawking at the beautiful painting of ...

"M-Mother..?"

The paint used for the hair, skin and clothing shimmered in the light. It was..breathtaking. And it floored her. He did this..for her. Been holding onto it for a while? How long..?

She found herself staring at the painting for a long while. Just..awe-struck. She wasn't sure if it was because of the painting itself or ..him. He did it for her. For her birthday no less.

Carefully the painting was set down on the blankets in front of her and she just sort of stared at it. Drawing her knees to her chest she tried to ease the pain she was feeling. It had only increased to the point it made her head throb.

"Oh..Toby.." Her eyes closed and she tightened her grip on her legs. Her arms were shaking. She was shaking. "I am so..so stupid..And I am so..so sorry.."

Her eyes opened to look sadly at the painting. "Wh-What am I suppose to do? I do not..want to lose him....anymore.." Her head dipped more until her cheek was on the bend of her knees.

She noticed a second note. More simple but..it still had a impact.

'Now you don't have to look at the book anymore to see it.'

She just stared at the painting until she cried herself to sleep. Sitting up.

.: Nov 2 - Early Morning :.

She hated you, Katt. And she has..for a very long time.

The tape. Toby. Words pounded through her with such ache she was amazed she could walk. Pain. Pain danced through every fiber of her being. There was absolutely nothing else. How could there be? Things got bad. Worse...And worse still..

I watched you both, I heard what you said to her, and I felt it. You did to her what I did to you when you told me you loved me. The difference is back then..I was trying to make a solid point. What the hell were *you* doing.

She..hadn't meant to. She hadn't meant to hurt Mayu like that. She should of handled things differently. She had been so confused. She wanted Mayu to be happy but in the end couldn't lie to herself nor to Mayu by being what Mayu really wanted. She..couldn't ...let her feelings for Toby go. Mayu knew this. Katt had told her. But she had also told Mayu was that she was important to her..it just wasn't like how she felt for Toby.

Had Mayu been lying the entire time about caring? About her being a dear friend? The determination to be there at the start when they went to the church to deal with her scars? Not wanting her to be in the duels because she would get hurt. Heck didn't she start doing the spiritual stuff so she could be of help to her and Toby? The deep and kind words from her at the island for her and Toby. That care and the way she was at the church....Had it been really just to put up with her? Why..did she kill herself then?

There were so many questions and noone to give answers. Only speculations and a tape...

All this time she had just thought things had just been rocky between them. And now..

This is not even about me, or about what I feel about you right now. Do you want me to say yes..? To say something like..all of the people that are important to you hate you..? I have just revealed to you that someone you thought cared about this *entire* time hated you because of something that you did to her..and you're asking me if I feel the same way.. Like that is *all* that matters..

He was right. It wasn't about him. However him saying that didn't help in the least and the look he gave her. And he was all she had left. Even though he was angry with her.. He didn't hate her. He wouldn't of gone through all that trouble of the painting and..and..the bag..the globe. He said ..nothing he did would make him forget that he...

Her head jerked sharply and rocked back. Everything was so ..blurry..White. Where..was she? Outside..that much she was aware of but she didn't know where. She had been in everything that was in her head and, in general, she was lost. She felt it. Felt completely and utterly lost.

...And alone...

Rubbing her knuckles against her lips she quietly sobbed. The other hand reached out for the tree she nearly bowled into, palm scraped up by the rugged bark. Once her shoulder was against the tree her hand lowered into the pocket of the hoodie.

There were so many misunderstandings and she had hurt Mayu. Out of all the people she thought Toby would of known that she didn't, nor never wanted to, hurt Mayu. Hell, that was the reason she skewered herself on his dagger that day ...Or..why she couldn't pretend she wanted to be with Mayu the way she was with Toby.

Slowly she released a breath, the cold air burning her lungs. Her head dipped forward then back into the tree. Repeatedly. When the pain became white as the snow that surrounded her she dipped her head forward and stared at the ground with dulled eyes. What would come of giving Mayu the tape recorder? It wasn't that she was afraid that Mayu really did hate her. That Mayu never liked her and had just been putting up with her. Well..Okay. Yeah she was. But... despite that she still cared for Mayu ...

Raising a hand she started to chew on her nail nervously. Her eyes lowered to her hand as she sank down to sit in the snow, not caring her rear got wet. She wouldn't let herself freeze. That would make Mayu's sacrifice meaningless. But..she had no clue where to go.

Drawing her knees to her chest she huddled in her spot. She wanted to hope that Mayu didn't really hate her. She just..made Mayu mad sometimes. Mayu..didn't..hate her.. Her arms tightened. It didn't dispute the fact that she hurt Mayu.

The recorder could of just been used..as something to vent on when Mayu was angry with her? But she also said some things that didn't make it sound like Mayu saw her as a friend. And she remembered the look Mayu held at the church. Her words.

But don't even think about not coming back for any reason... 'kay?

Rubbing her face she sniffed against her palm. "Mayu..."

.: Dec 10th - Early Morning :.

The cold air was getting colder. Her talk with Zenny left her on the edge of many questions and many feelings she didn't want. Or rather ones that she wished she could fix. Make better...

While walking through the frost she came across Porthos that had been dancing around a pole like a the wino that Katt was starting to think him as. Even still he was in fine spirits and even after his outburst about vampires and protecting her, the conversation with him hadn't..been that bad. Mostly about the tongue of other races. He spoke Latin and French..She didn't. She spoke eleven others, ten which he did not.

It was more for his entertainment that she spoke words, translating certain ones for him to try to pronounce and use at a later date.

She had noticed a shop opening and moved over to it, watching the man on the other end setting some wares. It gave her an idea. She ventured into the shop after listening to Porthos' words of vampires.

Creatures without a soul..

Even if she was only a part..a small part...It still hurt...

The shopkeeper was entirely unhappy to see someone entering so early and his voice boomed throughout the walls. It rattled her but she stood fast in order to make her purchase. She'd end up leaving, door slammed behind her, but purchase between those hands.

After parting ways with Porthos she started on her way towards the building that was growing familiar. How many times had she gone to it..and chickened out? She wouldn't this time..She..just couldn't. Moving to the door she tested it and found it locked.

Sighing she tilted her head and glanced up the building. Of course..she'd not be able to enter. Sighing her head tilted forward and thumped the door. She finally worked up the nerve to get close..

"Excuse me, Miss. You are in the way."

The voice made Katt nearly become one with the door. Stiffening she leaned into the door and quickly spun around to face the old woman was struggling with a number of bags. "O-Oh. Sorry!" She shuffled out the way and paused, an arm stretching out. "Do..you need some help?" It was asked after she watched the woman struggle around with the bags in order to get her keys.

"Oh no. Thank you dear but I've got it. Oh!"

A bag slipped but Katt dipped forward to capture it before it spilled. She held it and took another that was offered. Patiently she waited for the woman to open the door. Once she did she shuffled and glanced inside. While the other woman took the bags she swallowed softly. "E-Excuse me. May I ask a small favor?" The woman blinked at her and she smiled weakly.

"What is it dear?"

She paused. She didn't want to burden the woman any more. "Y-You see I have this ..I want to bring to a friend.."

"And you want me to let you in?"

"N-No. I was wondering if I could tell you where it is and you can leave it there for me?"

The old woman blinked and slowly nodded. "Alright. Since you were kind enough to help me. Let me go put these away and I will come back and collect what it is."

She nodded and held the door open for the woman so she could enter with less burden. Once she was safe the door was released and closed. While she waited she took out her sketchbook and quickly opened it to a clean page. Something was written down before the sketchbook and pencil were shoved back in her bag. A hairpin from her hair was pulled free, left bangs sliding along her cheeks. Using the hairpin she tucked the note to the scarf around her shoulders then removed the scarf. It was tied at the ends like a little bag and she stuffed the pouch into the cradle followed by a small container with two cinnamon rolls in it. She swallowed and stared at the makeshift pouch while she waited. She really didn't want to leave it in the care of a stranger but she could hope that it would make it there. Toby..probably wouldn't like that she snuck into the building anyways..

"...it's chilly out here. You really shouldn't be standing all alone."

She blinked and looked up to see the old woman standing in the doorway again. "O-Oh..Yeah. Here.." She offered the makeshift pouch over. "He..doesn't really stay in any of the rooms but if you could hang it on the door to uhmm.." She paused and described which room door it was. "I am sure he will find it when he passes through."

The odd look the woman gave her made her smile sadly. She wasn't sure if Toby was actually paying for the room so ..she could just hope..And hope..and hope some more.

"You want me to just hang it on the door?" the old woman questioned to make sure she had it correct.

"That door. Yes. Please.."

"Alright dear. Now you get yourself out of this weather. You look sickly enough as it is. You should be in bed and tucked under some warm covers!" The door was closed and the woman went on her task. The scarf would be hanged on the doorknob with the pouch safely inside. A note hanging from the scarf itself.

Katt watched the door close and she tilted her head with a frown. Turning she began her way back to the Zen. Even if she really..didn't want to go back...

Long and painful walk but she managed there in one piece and not leaving a trail of vital behind. The steps took the longest and quite frankly hurt the most. It felt like she was dragging herself by the time she captured one of the doors and pulled it open. Slipping inside she glanced around. Her eyes trailed up the large tree that took up the front.

"Katt..?"

It was a familiar voice. Slowly her eyes peeled from the lights and tree to find the face of Corey. He was lingering at the stairs and staring at her with those large steel blue eyes of his.

She stared back.

"Are you okay? Yo..oh wow no you aren't okay! I uh..I-" He stepped around the stair only to step back and scramble his way up the flight. "I'll go find Sister Isabella!"

Before she could even reply he was gone.

Her lips twitched a little and she pulled the door closed when she realized she had left it open. From there she started towards the stairs. They were almost as painful to climb as the ones outside just now she didn't have the morning air nipping at her.

The door to the room..his room..was fumbled with and drawn open. It was nudged close with her foot after she entered and only after pawing the light on she sluggishly she made her way towards the bed. She took to sitting with a heavy grunt.

"Ow.."

The bag was set aside and the rag withdrawn so she could examine the piece of wood a bit better. It jagged out a good two or three inches from her leg and was thick. It caused her already milky pale skin to turn an ugly black and blue. Course that could hardly be seen with the blood.

A knock at the door had her eyes raised.

"Mrph..Who is it?"

"It's me, Katt. Corey said that you were hur-"

"I'm fine.." The statement caused the voice on the other end to go silent. Figuring Isabella had left she lowered her eyes back to the piece of bloody wood.

"You don't sound fine."

Sighing she waved a hand at the closed door. The woman wasn't going to leave her alone and she knew it. "Fine..come in.."

The door was opened half a second later and the scowling Isabella could be seen from the hall. She moved in quickly with a tray of items between her hands. Seemed she came prepared. "You don't look fine either. Have you been getting yourself into more trouble?"

"No..I had an accident and fell through a floor." Or something like that. It was easier than explaining what was going on and where she was at the time.

"Ahh. I see. Just one leg?"

"Yeah.. I took a wrong step and fell through. It took me a while to get out too."

"Bet it hurt."

She nodded and flinched when Isabella yanked out the piece of wood. She watched as a stream of blood followed.

"Oh dear!" Isabella exclaimed and grabbed a piece of cloth to shove against the gaping hole.

Katt grunted and clenched at the bed sheet to stop herself from shoving Isabella away. "O..Ow.."

"Sorry!"

The sheepish look she gave made Katt smile faintly, trying to reassure Isabella that it was okay. She wasn't sure if it was or wasn't but if Isabella could patch it up ...Toby would never have to see it..or know. He worried about her. She knew he did.

The thought made it easier to smile. If just a little.

"Sister Isabella I brought that dri-Ah!" Corey clipped the corner of the door.

And she thought she was clumsy!

She glanced over to Corey as he approached, carefully handling the glass of what she presumed was water.

"Oh good. Give it to Katt please?" Isabella was working away, dabbing warm water against the wounds like a patient mother.

Nodding Corey dutifully forked over the glass to Katt. She murmured a thanks and watched as he shot back. She wasn't sure what his problem was. Maybe one day she would ask..

"Corey? Be a dear and go fetch Katt some fresh clothes from the laundry."

"Huh? Okay. What kind?"

"Sweater..white..please?" Katt looked up to Corey while cradling the glass between her hands.

"And some pants. Any will do just make sure they are warm." Isabella added.

And off Corey went. He was watched until he disappeared out of view. "You..and Corey get along really well. How..do you know each other?" She questioned as she took a drink. It was flavored. Peppermint?

"Corey? Oh I've known him since he was a babe. He was my best friend's little brother. When our village was destroyed while we were all away and-"

Isabella's story faded in her ears a little as she drank down the rest of the peppermint..water? She didn't know. Aside from a little flinch now and again..she felt rather..fuzzy. It was uncomfortable and she'd fidget, shifting in her place which caused the nun to scowl.

"Katt..sit still."

The world tilted and she went with it, back landing onto the bed hard enough that she squeaked out a breath and Isabella gasped in surprise. The glass that had been held fell from her loose grip, landing and rolling along the floor.

"Katt? Goodness!"

She felt the Sister attempt to make her comfortable on the bed. She couldn't assist even if she wanted to. Eyes closed she murmured something incoherently.

There was a hand that brushed at her hair, attempting to sooth her. It didn't. It didn't feel like when he did it. Her throat tightened even as tears began to work their way past her closed eyes and down the sides of her face into her hair.

"Oh dear.." She heard Isabella's soft words and something brushed her face. Something damp and soft.

It was the last thing she felt and heard.

.: Dec 12th - Early Afternoon :.

"Nhhh..." Rolling over she felt her face smoosh into a pillow. Her leg sung out loud and clear that it didn't appreciate being moved. Pain crawled right up into her hip.

Slowly an eye worked open and she peered around the empty room. What had happened? A hand fumbled, flattening to the bed and with a shaken push she forced herself to sit up. Her body didn't want to. She knew this feeling. She should just crawl back into the covers and not even bother.

She should...

Legs shifted to the edge of the bed, sheets pooling at her waist caused realization of how naked she was. It didn't really matter. She was alone after all. Drawing the sheet aside she blinked to find most of her thigh had been bandaged up. A soaked line of crimson could be spied but the work was decent enough.

Isabella must of done it..

She pushed herself to stand and stumbled almost instantly. Okay so her body was really telling her to get some more rest. A few more feet worth of stumbling had her over at the table. There was some fresh clothes.

Corey's doing no doubt.

They were scooped up along with her bag and she made her way slowly into the bathroom. A bath was drawn and while she waited the sweater and pants were dropped. Her bag followed but only after she pulled out the familiar hooded sweater. It was set on top of the bag and away from the rest of the clothes. She didn't know why..it was just how she did it.

The soak was long and she just stared at the wall while listening to the trickle drops that fell from the faucet. Each drop caused her lips to tick. Down..down..almost a frown but not quite so. She'd get out a hour or so later, dress, and leave the room.

Why did she pass out like that..? It was uncomfortable and almost seemed..forced? Like when she drank that potion that Sister Matilda gave her to put her asleep for the light work.

Making her way downstairs she noticed Corey sweeping up and she grunted quietly. Pausing next to a pew she watched as he suddenly tensed and slowly looked her way. Dumbfounded by his retreat she made no attempt to follow. Before she could even say a word he had already escaped into the side hall.

That..was weird.

Then again...rumors..

Sighing she turned and left the church. A limp to favor her left leg but nothing that really kept her any slower then the sluggish pace she had been keeping of late.

.: Dec 15th - Late Morning :.

She woke sore and sluggish. If you could call it waking. After the initial hour she had spent most of her time tossing and turning. Sleep caught here and there only to be tugged awake by a dream or two..or several. She remembered waking up a few times with tears drenching her cheeks. Her throat didn't hurt so she didn't scream..? Maybe..

Sighing she crawled out of the bed, taking the time to tuck the sheets properly into place before she took leave of the room. Slow and steady she made her way down the hall, a limp in step keeping her from really rushing out of the church. Not like she was really in a hurry anyways.

"Have you gone to see Sera yet? Has she woken up yet?"

She blinked slowly at the voice that rose over the railing and she shuffled over to peer down into the area below. There were a couple of nuns down there. Talking about..Sera?

"Yes, and I don't know. Sister Matilda was there and wouldn't let anyone in the room."

"That's understandable.."

A frown tipped her lips. Something had happened? There was a gentle tug of an urge to go check on the small nun. After all..Sera was always taking care of her.

"It's a shame..a funeral this close to Christmas, Lord have mercy, this time should be about celebration and rejoicing!! Not the murdering of young people."

Her throat tightened. Someone..died?

"Has that bastard Toby been seen? Hiding with his tail between his legs? Patrick was right about him all along, and look where it got him."

Her face deadpanned at what she heard and she sneered down at the nuns below. She had the right mind to tell them off. Something...

"Zenny was the last one to have seen him."

"'I heard she consorts with demons all the time.. And we let that witch protect the church?"

"Sera hasn't been eating.. I hope she's alright.. I mean, I know she can't be alright, but it's not just her, her baby's in danger as well.."

Blink. Sera..was with child. Her lips pursed. Wow..Patrick and Sera were going to be parents..But who died? And...why was Sera bedridden?

"I know. But what else can we do? What can we say..?"

"We can pray for her!!"

"Don't sound so excited about it.."

She was so caught up in her own thoughts and listening that she didn't hear the two nuns approaching her. It was the clearing of a throat that caught her attention followed by the voice. "Take a wrong turn on your way back to Hell, did you?" The voice was ice cold and caused her head to snap around. A blink was made at the stare that the two nuns were giving her. Colder as the tone, if not colder.

"Uhh..?" She shuddered under the glares.

Before she could say any more the nun turned up her nose and walked off. The other, who Katt knew didn't talk, frowned at her and turned to follow after the first.

What..was going on?!

Turning she started down the stairs with a frown, pausing at the end when she heard a pair of kids.

"Aunty Sera's weal sick. And dey said somefin's wrong wiff Uncle Patwick too."

"'Everybody was yelling and screaming and everything!! Grown ups can do all the fun stuff.."

Something..happened with Sera and Patrick. Toby was involved? Or were they grasping at straws again like ... Shaking her head she turned and yelped out when a ruler brazed past her nose. "AH! What the hell!?"

"'The Lord's house isn't meant for the likes of you, she-demon! And if you see your murdering he-demon, pass along that message." Agatha's beady eyes were glaring at her.

All she got was a blink which quickly turned into narrowed greens. Before she could reply she found Agatha brandishing that ruler in her direction again.

"'I know that my status in this church has been in question of late, but make no mistake, protecting the Lord's house has been and will always be my first priority. You and that he-demon of yours have been like wolves in sheep's clothing, charming your way past these good people's defenses. We shall have no more that. Remove yourself from this holy place immediately."

Katt squished herself against the wall as the nun spoke, trying to avoid the ruler that was swiping the air. Suddenly she growled and found herself barking out without even realizing. "What the hell do you know you old biddy?! You don't know sh*t!! And you stop referring to him as that!" She felt the need to smack the nun. In the worse way possible.

Agatha's eyes rounded in surprise and quickly clenched tight at the ruler. A swing was made to either smack Katt one or just swipe the air really close. Either way Katt dodged out of the way. "How dare you speak to me in such a manner. After all that the both of you have put me and these good people through? Do you show no regard, no respect? Out!"

It didn't take much after that. The glares, whispers, and various other things she got from the nuns in the nave as she made for the door caused her heart to clench. She knew that look.

Disgusted. Hatred. They stared at her as if she were a monster...

Swallowing she opened the doors to slip out into the cold. Shaken hands placed the bears into her bag and the hairpin was drawn out. She wrote a quick message to Zenny to request a meeting. Zenny could just message her back when she was ready with time and place. Zenny..was the last one to see Toby. She would know more about the situation and why the church was in a craze.

Limping down the steps she decided to check outside the apartment for him. She could wait a little while. And she did. For hours she waited, hoping one or both would show up. When neither did? She started checking places she knew..places she hoped..

She was worried..

.: Dec 23rd - Late Evening :.

She didn't quite know why she was out and about. Being in the dojo left a heavy sensation on her chest that she couldn't even begin to shake. It was like someone or something had been sitting on her chest. Made it hard to breath or really even focus on anything particular.

She knew the reason...

The open air helped. Winter's crisp, cold air wasn't that bad and she was dressed in something that was meant to keep her warm. It felt weird to wear the knitted hat and gloves. The scarf was okay but she constantly found herself missing the overly large scarf.

The marketplace was lit up with Christmas cheer. Well what was meant to be Christmas cheer that is. Even the lights did very little to cheer her mood. There were people singing songs and laughter was everywhere. There was even a big statue or something of the sort that looked like the big man in the red suit. Santa. She still had very little clue who he was. The knowledge extended to a 'magical man' who gave good boys and girls gifts and the ...bad ..coal? There was lights galore and people were dressed in an assortment of colors. The bustle was more interesting that was for sure. People seemed almost in more of a rush.

None of the faces were the ones she was searching out.

She continued to walk the streets like normal, eventually coming to a house that music seemed to of sprouted from. The lights decorating the house seemed to dance with the music. Flickering on and off, shimmering their colors to the beat that was going. She found particular interest in the ones that looked like something was bouncing along the ground. It was..neat. Fascinating even.

She felt a tug on her sleeve and her eyes drifted down to the small child at her side. She recognized him. "Michael?" The young boy's name left her lips in an hushed whisper.

Before she could look up she saw the boy being torn away from her side. When her gaze did reach up she saw Corey staring at her. No. He wasn't staring. He was glaring. Approaching behind him was Isabella, carrying what looked to be the kitten she had left to Michael and Tabitha's care.

"Oh Katt. I've been looking for you." Isabella spoke up first though her tone, she found, was hardly warm. Nor were her normally gentle blue eyes.

The kitten was thrust in her direction and with confusion she reached out to take it. "Mrmm...?" Oh kitty happy insta-purr.

"We think it's a good idea you take him back. Some of the other people at the church are aware that it came from you and have been...very unkind to the poor creature."

The information caused her to frown almost instantly. "But it's just a kitten...." Said kitten was tucked into the coat, cradled happily in the pocket of the sweater. It's growing size was noted but it still fitted since the pocket was so long.

The sister nodded her head to show she understood even as she turned partly towards the group of kids. Among them was another pair of adults she had never seen before.

Both were obviously not human by the shape of their long ears that poked from their hair. One was a very cheerful young woman with raggedly cut short red hair and brilliant cobalt eyes. She was quite elegant dressed in a winter wear and a hairpin that Katt found to be rather interesting. The other, who was at least a foot taller than the woman, was a man who could of been older. With elven kin it was hard to tell age. His features were sharp and his lips seemed to have a permanent frown. The bushy white hair was a sharp contrast to the bronze flesh and hard steely gaze.

Her attention fell to Michael who had been ushered back to the group. Complaining the whole way. If it wasn't for Corey attempting to hold him back she had little doubt the boy would of been back at her side. It made her frown that she couldn't hear what Corey was saying but after the elven woman had taken Michael into arm he made his way back over to her and Isabella. Elven man in his wake.

She didn't like the way Corey was watching her. She knew that look. Like he was expecting her to attack or something horrible. Like she was... Frowning she looked to Isabella. "Who is saying bad things about the kitten?"

"We just think it's best if the kids had nothing to do with a monster like you." Corey quickly replied before Isabella had a chance to speak. Both women blinked at him but it didn't seem to stop him. "You and your monstrosity of a boyfriend.."

"Corey stop it." Isabella tried to cut him off.

"I will not! Stock and trade is deceiving their enemies. And they wormed their way into the church like the filth they are. Specially that Toby. You had heard Patrick. He just..used-"

"Shut up.." she snarled quietly as Corey rambled.

"-us! And look what he's done! He has caused havoc in the church! He has killed people related to the church! He kill Patrick! Probably to-"

"I said..shut up..." The words became louder then the quite tone she had been keeping of late. It registered more of a growl.

"- silence Patrick. Poor Sera...and her child.."

"Corey that is enough.." Isabella's tone was hushed. Katt wasn't sure if Isabella was agreeing with him or not. She wasn't making all that much of an attempt to shut him up!

"So where is he?" Corey's attention hadn't left her and he crudely ignored Isabella which to date Katt had never seen before. "He's not with you so..HA! Look at you! Haaa!" She blinked at Corey as he laughed. "He probably tossed you away once you were all used up too, huh? Surprised he didn't just kill you too! Guess Demons don't kill each other."

She had left her spot so swiftly that the sentence was barely finished. A fist went flying for Corey's face and she felt the cheekbone crunch under the force. Before he even went flying she quickly grabbed his collar with one hand while the other claimed the same cheek in another blow. She landed with him. On him. Both hands curled into his collar and she pinned him into the snow. Her lips twitched into a snarl. She didn't care if people talked about her like that. She was use to it. But talking about Toby..like that. He didn't deserve it. "What the HELL do you know?!" She snarled down at him, canines showing past her lips that sent Corey into a wide-eyed panic. "Toby did NOT kill Patrick! Do you f*cking hear me?! You people don't know sh*t!"

She felt a pair of hands land on her shoulders and attempt to yank her off. Both knees tilted and her legs tightened at Corey's ribs. She sneered angrily at Corey and released his shirt in order to punch his face again. It was a lot less damaging then the first if only because at the same time she had been yanked off. That was fine. She still got the satisfaction of feeling the bone of his face smash more inward. He shrieked loudly which was silenced by her heel swinging out to his ribs. If she broke some she wasn't aware, swung around by the collar of the coat like she was a piece of meat.

"Enough out of you creature!" The elven man had a thick, booming voice and both her hands went up to clench his wrists. He had some sort of metal wrapping them that she couldn't see due to the sleeves of the coat but that didn't mean she didn't clench on hard. Hard enough to dent whatever metal to nip at the wrists. He shoved her away and she stumbled a few feet.

She nearly collapsed thanks to her thigh but managed, somehow, to keep her footing.

They stared at each other long and hard. She did notice that Isabella had ran over toward Corey to assist him. He was coughing up blood. She smelled it on the crisp winter air.

"Corey what's wrong with you, saying those things." She heard Isabella scowling Corey.

"She used us too! She h-h-hurt you too!" He whined in his own defense. "She's no better than those beasts that k-"

She heard children crying and it drowned out the rest of their conversation. It was what caused her eyes to tear from the elven man. All of the children were clinging to the elven woman. All save Michael. He was just staring at her with wide-eyed surprise.

The look made her turn away.

Clenching her eyes she started to walk away. The space between herself and the group couldn't of grown fast enough.

They were wrong. Stupid church. Stupid rumors. Stupid Corey for not keeping his mouth shut!!

.: Jan 3rd - Afternoon :.

There was a touch more color to her face but the blank expression she had been wearing most of the day hadn't faded. Physically she was no longer in pain. Her leg had healed up right nice and the -need- was sated for now. But there was still that deep emotional pain that left her dragging her feet. Not literal but in time it just may end up happening.

Quite frankly she didn't know what to make of things and that was what hurt the most. He seemed so distant. Miles away even though he was right before her. He didn't trust her. Kept saying 'I'll believe you' as if she had lied to him.

Maybe that was why this..him being so distant hurt so deeply.

No. It was because she hurt him.

Why...Why did she have to go and listen to Zenny? Why did she have to be so damn afraid of herself and the idea that someone could actually, honestly, love her?

She hated that she hurt him but she didn't want to lose him because of it. Not when she was finally able to completely believe...

Looking up at the Zen she sighed. She didn't even realize she had gotten there nor did she really want to be there. She wanted to be with him. Rubbing her face she entered and started her way to her room. Several tears had to be swiped away and lucky for her she didn't hit anything on the way.

He had lead her to believe it had been okay. That things would get better. They didn't. They got worse..And worse..and ...

Her mouth opened in a quiet sob as her hands combed through her hair and she had to stop herself from walking.

He didn't even leave her notes anymore. That ..sorta really hurt in itself. She had told him how important they were to her. And the fact he didn't....stay with her anymore...

She sniffed and continued walking. She knew the way and could walk with her eyes closed. In this case was probably a bad thing. When she got to the door she grunted when her feet met something solid that wasn't the door. Slowly her eyes opened and she glanced down to the box set out in front of her door. The wooden box caused a fear that sent her stomach up into her throat.

Last time she got a delivery...

"Hhhh..."

The wooden box was stared at, limbs shaking which made it hard to dip down and collect the box.

There...was no way Tylor was back..right? Toby was okay..

"N...No.." She shook her head and clenching the box tight she quickly took off into a run. The stairs she had taken up were taken down much swifter. She broke from the Zen and into the streets without pausing to so much as dry her face.

She took to the city to find Toby.

This....That..wasn't going to happen again. This box..It wasn't..

No. She wasn't going to panic just yet.

Well...Panic more..

.: Jan 15th - Early Evening :.

A soft knock at the door snapped her out of her daze. Sleep..Whatever it was. Eyes groggily rolled open and her cheeks tilted into her palms in order to look at the door. How long had she been sitting there?

Flinching she sat up, a pain at the base of her spine letting her know she had been sitting slouched for far too long. Stretching out she stood just as the second knock came. It was followed by a soft voice.

"K-Katt..?"

She knew that kind, gentle voice. "It's okay to come in..." There was some period between saying that and when the door opened. She recognized the flaxen haired one and she managed a little smile for her. "Hello, Sera."

The smile was returned softly. The door was closed behind her. "Isab-bella said you were h-here."

She moved closer and gestured to the bed, offering it for Sera to sit. It was humbly declined with a shake of her head. Lowering her hand she nodded a bit. "Yeah I came to see if Zenny had showed up or if I could talk to Matilda."

"O-oh?" Sera blinked at her. "Do y-you need healing f-for.."

She felt Sera's eyes and peered at her confusedly. Why was Sera looking at her in concern. Raising a hand she rubbed her forehead. "Oh it's nothing. Just a lil scratch. No..I am really trying to find Zenny and..I haven't had any luck. I really need her help. I need.." She needed to know if Zenny could help Mayu. There had to be a way. There had to be...to save her...

"I'm s-sorry, K-Katt. I h-haven't seen Zenny or Mat-tilda here. H-her, Zenny's, assistants h-haven't been around the ch-church in some time either."

Sera's news hanged heavy and her eyes lowered to the ground. "I know I don't have the right to ask but if you see one of them can you have them contact me or Toby? Toby is staying at the inn and you have the addresses where I will be. Please.." Her eyes rose up, their murky green holding a deep plead. "It is utmost importance..."

She watched Sera's golden curls bounce as she nodded. "Of c-course.." Sera's hands smoothed over the slight round of her belly. There was...life in there...

"Thank you.." It faded from her lips and she sighed. What more could she do? Turning away she scratched her nails through her scalp, flinching when she felt several other scrapes in odd positioning along her head. It didn't matter. She wasn't that worried about it. She just wanted to know where Zenny was. Why did Zenny..Why did Matilda..Why did they have to be gone?!

"Katt?" She heard the concern in Sera's voice.

Turning she shook her head and smiled faintly. "Thank you, Sera. For your help. Oh!" She blinked and tilted faintly, opening the bag at her hip to dig around inside. Funny how her arms almost went to the elbow in that bag. It was pretty neat actually. Pulling out a few containers she offered them towards Sera. "These are for you."

Sera's small hands took the containers and she started to open them. There were a number of candies and pastries that made Sera squeal.

It made her smile a little at the sight. It was a ghost of a smile but a smile none the less. "I hope you like them.." Turning her head she looked at the door, hearing bustling on the other side of the door. "I should..probably go.."

"Oh!! H-have you e-eaten today? M-Marlena said there would be h-ham!!" Sera piped up.

She blinked and peered at her, slowly shaking her head. She hadn't. Not to her knowledge. Like before Sera somehow got her into getting some food from the kitchen. She spent a few hours in Sera's company while they ate. It was slightly amazing how much the small woman could eat. The conversation was light during the time but through it she couldn't help but feel upset that she once again had no luck with finding Zenny.

In parting she made a promise to bring more goodies. An excuse maybe to see the small nun again. Luckily the escape from the church was uneventful for both herself and Sera.

Rubbing her face she sighed into her palm, the cold afternoon air doing little for her. Shaking her head she started down the street with the idea of checking a few places.

Platform of earth crumbling away, building walls in same form floated in the set of skies red like fresh fallen blood. Below twilight. An abyss of darkness with speckles of light that faded in and out of existence. The soft glow of moonlight caressed over a lone figure sitting on a gilded chair fitted with maroon cushioning.

A somber expression was set upon pale features. Pupiless greens lacked the life that they once made them shine. They stared forward into the nothingness that stretched on before her for eternity and beyond.

"Does it really ssssurprise you, child? That he sssso readily gave up on you when he knowssss? Do you really think he actually loved you?"

She didn't respond to the snake-like voice. It crept into her ear with no physical form behind it. It was dark and eerie. She had heard it before somewhere but her mind didn't want to try and figure where....

There was silence for a number of moments before a voice started to fill the air. A familiar voice..

'A monster such as you shall never know what it is to be truly loved. Neither by that of family or by a lover. You are nothing more then a tool to be used and discarded.'

Something brushed over her hair softly as if trying to sooth her. She felt the scrape of claws. Talons? She didn't look. The voices..they rang in her ears and caused her heart to twist painfully in her chest.

"You have nothing. No friendsss. No love. No hopesss.. What do you have to live for now?"

"I..."

"You what? Mussst be there for people who don't even want you there? That girl. Mayu. What are you to her? Nothing. And the boy you love ssso dearly? Nothing. Thossse people that call you friend? They think you a kind girl. They do not know the sssoulesssss creature you are." The large hand left the crown of her head, sweeping forward over her shoulder. It was coated in glossy blue-tinted black scales.

"I..." Her head lowered and her hands rose up to hide her face. She sobbed quietly into her waiting palms.

"The two people that you cherisssh most. Who are important. They hate you."

"Stop it.." She sobbed softly, her shoulders shaking as a third word was strained out amongst the pain that swept through her.

"You sssspent all thisss time in an illusssion that the boy loved you."

"H-He.."

"Faked.."

"....."

"Faked... For how long? After you finally were able to get passst your doubtsss of yourssself? He didn't even want to think about how far he had been faking."

He hadn't wanted her to think he had been faking over what he felt. She knew that. He even..stated it ..sorta. And he couldn't fake something that was there. Or no longer there.. That was why..

She jerked slightly when the chair started to sink, a number of limbs stretching out from the twilight below began to clench her legs. Crawling up in their cold grasp. Clinging. Pulling her down.

"You were just a temporary tool to easse hisss pain. You no longer do sssoo and now are no longer ussseful to him. He isss through with you."

"Hhhhh...S...shut up....." She tried to pull away from the blackness that was crawling up her legs, pulling her into the pit of darkness. The figure behind her chair did nothing in attempt to help her.

"Not even a bessst friend. Maybe not even a friend judging by hisss actionsss and wordsss."

Her head rocked back as the hands clenched at her face, wrapping well past her shoulders. Like quicksand. She couldn't get away. It was just..consuming her.

"No.. No. I don't..I don't believe it. I won't." It was a lie. That wasn't Toby. He wouldn't of done that to her. He had loved her. She should of dealt with it alone..She hurt him..and she was paying the price.

The creature finally swooped forward to look at her. Her cheeks were cradled by the darkness, making it impossible for her to move away from the sight. It looked almost draconic in appearance. It's drawn back lips showed a number of sharpened teeth and canines that were..familiar. It hovered above her, laughing in a way that sent a shudder down her spine.

"You are nothing." It got closer to her. She felt no warmth from breath. She felt..cold..and it was growing dark as the pit finally consumed her completely. "And you are alone."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Nnhhh.." She attempted to twisted weakly against the sheets of the makeshift bed. She couldn't move. Some force was keeping her from really doing so.

Hovering above the dark cloaked figure withdrew it's hand from her forehead, the crescent wound on her brow from before was renewed. Vital slowly creeping it's way in a path down between her eyes and along the side of her nose. From the sides of her face, sides of her neck, arms, and sides several slender appendages dislodged from her flesh, sliding back into place under the cloak. The cloaked figure turned sharply to look at it's companion sitting on the edge of the blankets.

The sleek canine like creature had sat, watching the dream manipulation in silence. Swirling marks of blue glistened against the obsidian that made up the creature's furry coat. The marks were matched by blue, glowing eyes. "Have you learned anything new?"

The figure, shrouded in the fine cloak of shadows gave a slow nod. "Aye. It seems things have transpired in our favor. She has no more will. No real drive."

"Is that so" The creature's head tilted to the paralyzed figure. "Then we shall return to the Master and give a full report. See what he wishes us to do."

"I suppose I should correct myself." The figure turned and stared across the room at the kitten who was hissing from it's hiding place. "She still holds a very strong attachment to the male and female. Harming them would probably not be advised."

"That shouldn't be too hard considering how things have turned out." An amused sound came from the creature as it drew up to it's paws and shook out. Tampered ears flicking as it too looked over to the hissing kitten. "It seems Rais has lost our little bet. He actually thought she had a chance."

"Hmm. She still may." The figure released, turning and joining at the side of the canine.

"Still? I think not. If he still cares it may very well be because he has known her for so long and they hold ties."

"Perhaps. But she still loves him. Still trusts him even if part of her feels betrayed. She still has hope that one day he will love her again and sees that she believes in him."

The creature snorted and shook itself out again. "I thought you said she has lost her drive?"

"It is something that is deeply seeded. He is her chosen one after all. If she lost hope -" The figure's words continued on even as the two of them were swallowed up by spheres of dark light. Not a trace was left of the two.

After half an hour or so the kitten finally inched from it's hiding place and made it's way towards Katt. She looked pale and there were a number of paper thin wounds, half an inch long, that marked in lines where the thin appendages had been. Her breathing was rasp, as if she were having trouble filling her lungs. The small kitten meowled at her, cold little nose poking at her cheek and eyelid as it sniffed along her face.

She didn't feel it.

.: Jan 23rd - Early Evening :.



Katt's pace from the teas was slow but true to where she said she would be going. The church. She didn't really want to be there but it would be better if she stayed and hoped to catch Zenny or Matilda instead of placing such a burden on Sera. Shouldering her way past one of the doors she glanced around before starting her way down the nearest hall. By now she knew the path to the cemetery. From the warmth of the inn to the chilling dead cold of the cemetery she would a go without a second thought.

"I'm telling ya, Sera, it's not like I don't fancy puttin' a twist in all these old bitties' knickers, but you're gonna freeze yourself to this chair one day."

"I'm fine," Sera's words were broken up by a sneeze and the sounds of very energetic and squeaky nose blowing. "Really, Helen, I'm fine. You don't have to s-sit out here with me."

"Sit out here? Hell, I just wanted to make sure you weren't gonna croak on my watch." The laughter and two female voices, while somewhat cheery, didn't bring life to the freezing cold graveyard. The standing figure passed the sitting one a large, shiny thermos.

A slow blink was made when Katt heard voices and dull greens searched out the cold area for the Helen she was thinking. Instead they found Sera and an unfamiliar face. From where she stood it sorta made her wonder if Sera had a sister. She hadn't..really came for company but that didn't seem to stop her feet from weaving their way towards the pair. She didn't realize this fact until she was close.

"Ya know he wouldn't want you sittin' out here until you caught your death."

"I know, Helen," Sera said exasperatedly, trying to open the thermos with giant knit mittens on her hands.

Helen laughed and reached to do it for her. 'Cute as ever, eh? I'm sorry I weren't here for the funeral."

"It's ok-kay. Oh..th-thanks.." Sera slurped from the thermos. Finding that it was steaming hot chicken soup made her giggle.

"Kinda can't believe I won't see him dodgin' Agatha or hear him laughin' his ass off from 'cross the church. Or hear you two makin' it like rabbits when ya think no one's listenin'."

Sera screeched, shook off a mitten and pitched it at Helen, who smoothly dodged it. Her smile was rakish and a half smoked cigarette dangled from the right half of her mouth.

"Can't deny it no more, Preggers."

"Sh-sh-shut u-up!!"

Wow talk about not what Katt was expecting to hear. And like many things it might of made her laugh or of given some reaction past a little twitch of her lips. The mitten was watched after and she even turned to follow after it. Collecting the mitten she made a quiet little clearing of her throat to show she was present. Just in case something else might of came up that she probably shouldn't of heard. Did rabbits squeak?

Sera leaned to see where the noise came from, squeaked again, then hid herself in the bundle of jackets and scarves she had wrapped around her. Then pulled the hood up and over her head for good measure.

Helen, on the other hand, turned smoothly, again, one eyebrow raising. She tucked back her jaw length blond hair with one hand. "S'alright, darling, it's not one of us. You here to see someone specific?" she asked Katt, tilting her head.

Rising up Katt toyed with the mitten while looking to Helen. Silently she passed her empty greens onto..well where Sera had been. Now seemed to be a bundle of fabric. To silently offer an answer she raised her chin towards Sera before looking back to Helen. She didn't quite know the face but the face now had a name. It sort of worried her but ah well..

"Ah, to see Sera. And, uh.." she looked Katt up and down like she was sizing her up before a competition, then squinted grey blue eyes through the haze of smoke curling up from her cigarette. "Who are you exactly?"

She steeled herself for what she expected to follow the answer that she was about to give. "Katt.." The single word left her barely parted lips. She made no attempt to move closer. At least for now.

The bundle on the chair squeaked and started shaking its head..then giving up on trying to free itself, just waved in Katt's general direction.

Helen laughed heartily, plucking the cigarette from her lips with two fingers and exhaled a stream of smoke. "Well well, now, I get to finally see what all the fuss is about, then." Helen closed the distance for them, leaning down to peer at her face..repositioning herself to get some light from the moon overhead. "Ah, not too bad, not too bad. Bit of scarrin', but that don't detract nothing," straightening. "Though with a body and face like Toby's," she clicked her tongue. "He could've had his fair share of women. It's that dangerous exterior, puppy dog interior that kills all the time. So I'll leave you two to it, shall I?" Helen looked back at Sera, who blinked.

Katt blinked ever so slowly but stood completely still during the..examination. Maybe a bit too stiffly. Helen's words caused her eyes to drift to the side. Not bad..? Was...Helen talking about how she looked? The side cast eyes lowered at the mention of Toby's name. Without another word she slipped past Helen and made her way towards the grave Sera was sitting nearby. Lowering her chin she stood silently to give a moment of respect and at the same time give Sera time to talk to Helen if she still wanted to.

"Y-yes, Helen..it's okay."

Right, right. We all know her, part two of the dynamic church destryin' duo. Good on ya, darling." Helen winked at the two and stubbed her cigarette out on the heel of her boot. The filter was pocketed. She had yet to show respect to something today. "Take my advice, yeah? Get her inside soon, she's already got a bit of a cold." Helen flicked a wave to the pair and strode from the cemetery, snow crunching, then hard footsteps fading into the distance.

Sera peered up at Katt from her chair. "Wh-what are you doing here so l-late?"

Helen didn't....seem to hate Katt like the rest of the church. Well minus Sera and Zenny. Wait..did Zenny count? And Matilda..she had no clue. Her head tilted, watching Helen get swallowed by the church. Slowly her head turned to face the headstone again. "I...am going to...be staying for a bit. To wait for...Z...Zenny..or..Ma..tilda..And..h..help out if they will let me.."

"Oh.." Sera nodded, then sneezed, and fought with all of her bundled clothing to take another drink of soup and blow her nose. "That is asking a lot from you, Katt. I still haven't seen e-either of them, but I s-saw that boy that f-follows Zenny around a few d-days ago. He didn't stay, but he didn't seem to b-be worried that something h-happened. Matilda hasn't been here, and I think H-Helen is supposed to be her replacement in the church. At least for wh-what she does for chores.." Sera coughed.

"It's not.." She turned and held out the mitten towards Sera. "Please...lets go inside. I..Have something I wish to...talk to you about..to..give you. And..you are coughing." Maybe if she did stay she would bump into the assistant fella. "He..len is ..in charge?"

"Oh, I am doing a lo--..lo--..lo--.." she finally sneezed and kicked her feet. Her chair rocked back and forth. She took the mitten and used it to wipe her nose instead of the tissues that were being crushed by the thermos. "I am doing a lot of th-things. Going ins-side sounds l-lovely." She gathered her things and twisted the cap back onto the thermos before she pulled the free mitten on. "No, she's not. But Sister Matilda did lots of ch-chores around the ch-church as w-well as the outside duties. W-we all split everyth-thing up when she leaves, but this seems to be Agatha's newest form of punishment for h-her."

Sera was watched even if her head didn't raise from the slight dip it had taken. "I will see...if I can help..l..lessen the burden. Who..is in c..charge when Matilda...." Instead of finishing she moved to the side and reached out to steady the chair for when Sera rose. Her other hand offered out to hold anything if need be.

"Agatha usually takes o-over. It never has to go down the ladder further than th-that because she never leaves. Th-thank you." She took the offered hand, holding everything else to her belly beneath all the clothes. "You d-do n-not want to deal with Agatha. If you'd l-like to help here, M-Marlena is a g-good choice. She l-likes you if you cook, eat or both. And you do one of th-those."

Her face twitched and she did her best not to flinch her hand away when it was grasped. "N..No I don't..want to deal with ..Agatha." Coiling her muscles she steadied herself to support Sera best she could, waiting till she was situated before even daring to move. "Okay. I..c..can take care of..out..here too.." They had been wanting to spruce up the cemetery, right? So why not..?

"I'm s-sure Nina and E-Erica will appreciate th-that. And H-Helen too, she h-helped all of us sometimes, b-but I think it was because she wanted to be around.." she sighed, shuffling along. "B-be around P-Patrick and T-Toby. If anyone gives you any p-problems, you can t-tell them that I said it was alright. That should h-help somewh-what."

"Don't...worry about anyone giving me a ..hard time. It doesn't..matter.." An even pace was kept along with Sera's shuffling. Stance remained stiff just in case Sera tripped. See. Katt remembered.

"Why would you s-say something like th-that, of course it matters." She leaned heavily into Katt, her meager weight not even close to enough to knock them both over. "Do not argue."

Why say something like the first then deny her to say anything? But she obliged. The sudden lean was foreign and yet she supported it easily enough without missing a step. Once they passed into the warmth of the church she dared to glance towards Sera. "Which..way is your r..room?"

"Th-this way." She pointed across the nave and looked up at her slightly taller guide. "Has something happened since the l-last time I saw you? You do not look or sound very we--..we--.." she sneezed and stomped her feet angrily. (s)"Well.."

Her throat twitched as she swallowed and started their path across the nave. She'd follow direction like Sera had done hired herself a personal bodyguard. "That..isn't why I am here..That.." Her expressionless mask broke long enough for her brows to twitch. She'd end up just shaking her head. "If..I was to..give you something..a gift..you..would accept?"

"Not until you t-tell me why you are in a stupor, oh!!" She kicked the corner she had just bumped into and pointed at the door that was blocking their way into the next hall. She didn't have any free hands.

Katt's chin rose up sharply and she glanced down to where Sera had bumped. She should of been paying attention better. Free hand swept out to the door and opened it so Sera could pass through first. "Please..be careful. With a cough like that you should be in bed resting."

"D-don't you start in on m-me too, I do not sit outside all day, and it's the season for these things. I was overdue for a cold anyway." Sera shook her hand free of Katt's and removed her mittens, stuffed them down in the huge coat. "I am getting enough rest and fluids and vitamin C," she said in a matter of fact tone, stopping at one of the several doors in the hall. It opened with a squeak, and she waved Katt to follow her. "Exc-cuse the mess." She set the thermos on the desk directly next to the door on her left.

Nearly every available space of the wall above it and the wardrobe on the western wall was covered in photographs. Old crinkled ones, newer ones. The focal points of most of them were a couple, one maroon haired and one blond. There were pictures of them as children, teenagers and young adults at various colorful locations. The bed across from the door was covered in several plush blankets and pillows, stationed under a window with its maroon curtains slightly parted. Sera kicked off her boots then peeled herself from three of her four layers and began to pick up the little puffy tissues that littered the floor like snow.

"Oh..n..no..I am not. But..with a cough like that.." She followed inward and glanced around. Remaining by the door she closed it, mostly. Leaving a crack just in case Sera felt weird about being in a closed room with her. The photos, while noticed, were not looked upon for very long for obvious reasons. Eventually she'd move over and offer to take the tissues collected. "I could b ...be far worse. I just said one thing.."

"I h-hope you w-won't be. I don't w-want to throw something at y-you or scream at you." She shook her head at Katt, then nodded at the waste basket near the desk that was half full with tissues already. "Wh-what was it that you were saying?"

Nodding she side stepped so that Sera could get to said wastebasket. Slowly but surely she started her way towards the table while her busy hands worked the bag open and she took out both the envelopes. The one scribed with Sera's name on the front was set on the desk. "I ..want to ..give this to you.."

She dumped all of the tissues into the trash, then brushed her hands off in her hair, trying to get it to lay at least out of her face. "What exactly is this? An envelope is too s-small to fit cookies." She took it up, weighing it in her hands before she started tearing it open.

"I want to ..h...help.. I don't know if the ch..church gives you everything you want or n..need.." She shrugged meekly and moved, starting her way towards the curtains. Without touching them she attempted to peer past to see what kind of view that Sera had.

It wasn't much of one, mostly of a dark and wide street and a shop or two just barely peeking out of the shadows. Sera sputtered when she got the envelope open. "Wh--wh-wh-why are you d-doing this, K-Katt, d-don't you n-n-need this m-m-money, I c-can't t-take this.." She nudged the chair away from the desk so that she could fall into it.

"I just told you why." After a bit of staring out into the dark street she finally looked back over to Sera. "Y..Yes...you can. Please? D...don't..worry. I have a little more s..stashed for if I need..But I.." Her eyes lowered down to the floor. "I..w..wanted to do this.."

She frowned as she thumbed the bills. On the one hand, if she took it, she knew where it would all go. The church and the orphanage would most definitely get what it needed, and the rest would be split and sent to both her and Patrick's family..but she set the envelope down and turned to face Katt, her expression serious. "Most people don't give away this kind of money, even as a gift unless something were very s-seriously wrong. You h-hardly know me, Katt. If this is some s-sort of apology for something, I do n-not accept it. You're not planning on harming yourself, a-are you?"

Her eyes rose up to Sera and a brief glimpse of confusion settled on her face. It came..and went. "Apo..logy...? N..No.." She shook her head and her lips twitched faintly. "I just..You are really nice S..Sera..very k..kind to me. I wanted to do this." It probably would of ended up being a wedding gift if.. Her lips pursed at the thought and she shook her head. "I...wan..wanted to do this..f..for you..because I w..wanted to."

"You just d-don't give this much money to p-people who are simply nice and k-kind to you.." She sighed, turning back to the desk. Her hand pressed into the fat envelope. "I h-have lots of people here that t-take care of me, and I f-feel safe here.." Her other hand pressed into her belly and her mouse like features crinkled even more. "What is going on? S-something didn't happen to Toby, did it?"

Katt sighed and slowly closed her eyes. The second envelope was tapped against her palm. "T..that..has no..nothing to do with this.." Her eyes slowly opened to look at Sera. "Y..you aren't ju...just..simply kind and nice to me. Y..You..are s..someone I actually tr...trust..and call friend. I don't..exactly trust many people.." She turned away in attempt to hide her frown. "He is..f..fine.."

"But that is wh-what I don't understand. You h-hardly know me, we've never spent time together except r-recently." She took the envelope into her hand and continued to weigh it. It could also mean an education for her child.. She sniffed and wiped at her eyes. "Y-you c-can't exp-pect me to make a de-decision like th-this, not n-now, n-not wh-while.. Do you t-truly not n-need any of th-this money..?"

Katt's eyes fluttered and fell closed. "If..you don't want to kee..keep it that..is fine. Y...ou don't need to make a decision right now either..I..I'm sorry..t..too..forward of me.." She frowned all the more but it melted away as her chin lowered to her collarbone.

"If you t-truly do not n-need it, and d-do not want it.." she sighed, drying her face with her hand. As she rose from her chair, she searched for more kleenex, her nose stuffier now than it had been when she'd gone outside. "I n-need to th-think about th-this. I c-could change a lot of th-things for very many people with th-this money." She blew her nose. "Was th-that all that you w-wanted to t-talk to me about..?"

"(vs) I want..t..to give it to you.." She nodded faintly to the question. The envelope in hand was raised and wiggled a little. "This..is going to M..Matilda..t..to help..with the or..phanage. To help the..kids.." Her arm relaxed, lowering sharply as if the limb had lost sudden function.

"What is wrong with you?!" she suddenly shrieked. "You are acting like you're giving away your worldly possessions before you commit suicide!! If that's the case, you can keep your damn money!!"

She jumped and spun around so fast that she nearly tripped. The sudden outburst got one hell of a reaction and she took to shrinking back against the door. "Nhhh..N...No..I..mm...n..not!" There was a whimper that followed. "J..Just wa..want to help.." Her bottom lip was bitten on to stop it from trembling. The outburst..hurt..

"There is something wrong with you, I can f-feel it. Worse than it was back when you came to visit me last time." Her hand fisted around the kleenex, her gray green eyes blazing in a cherry red face. "If you just want to help, t-tell me the truth. Now."

Katt's fist met the door behind her, slamming hard but at the same time was quite meek in gesture. "T..Toby leaving me has nothing to do with this! I wanted to do this. E-even before. I just..h..hadn't been able to ..w...w..work up the nerve." She started to sink down until her rear met the floor and her face was buried in her knees. "It has nothing to d..do with this..I just..I just wanted to ..h..help.. I....I..." She didn't want to tell Sera about what happened. She had enough on her plate.

"He l-left you..? Wh-why..?" She went forward, eyeing the lock on her door just in case someone tried to force their way in. She hadn't exactly screamed quietly, her throat was still burning from it. "I-I mean..wh-why now as opp-posed to before..? I don't understand..most people wouldn't p-part with this kind of money *ever*. Come, get off the floor." She laid one hand on each of Katt's shoulders. "I-if someone tries to come in, you're g-going to get h-hit."

She gurgled out a sound and instantly started to shrink away from Sera's touch. It could almost be considered cowering away the way she scooted along the wall in retreat. "H..he to-told me..s..something was d..different..a..and he..he.." She shook her head at the smaller female, scooting along the floor until she found a spot along the wall deemed safe enough. "H..he just .d...didn't..w..want to hurt me....H..He told me t..the other night w..when I i..introduced him as m..my ..." She didn't finish it. Shaking her head she looked up to Sera. "Ho..Honestly..I..s..started s..saving wh..when I heard a..about y..you and P..Patrick g..getting m..m..." She grunted and curled her legs back to her chest. It stopped her from fleeing. "(vsw) W..was su..suppose to b..be a gif..gift.."

She didn't know what to say, and it showed. She stayed squatting in her position in front of the door, watching Katt tuck herself up in the corner. She didn't quite feel bad about screaming, as it had gotten the truth. Though she had the feeling that Patrick would have told her to keep it too, probably a lot meaner. "Alr-right then. We can t-talk about that l-later once you h-have calm--" The door burst open and smacked into the side of her head with a resounding thud. She tipped over instantly, her eyes closed.

"What the hell is goin' on in here? Katt, you better not be getting her ri--oh crap. Sera..? Sera..!" Helen knelt down beside the little fallen woman and brushed her hair from the rising lump on her head. She shot Katt a sharp look. "What the hell is she doing on the floor? I told you to take her inside, not drop her off at the bus station."

She squawked out at the sound and the envelope was dropped. Thrusting herself forward she crawled over towards Sera but stopped short. She was..being blamed for this? Of course she was. Why not.."Y..You are the one who barged in her r..room. T..The door hhh...hit her." Her eyes dropped to Sera worriedly.

"Jesus H. Christ, you're lucky it was me what caught you instead of anyone else." Helen looked Katt up and down again, then rolled her eyes, and scooped the smaller woman up into her arms. Obvious muscle showed in her bare arms and she counted herself lucky that she didn't lose the towel wrapped around her torso. "Sera doesn't scream without good reason and unless this place is haunted, I'm betting it's you. But I don't share her wall for nothin'. Move them covers will ya, darlin'?"

Was her...she was..the problem. Her throat twitched and she found it hard to swallow. That was all she was...a problem. Forcing herself to her feet even before Helen took up Sera. The request was quickly responded to. Moving to the bed she worked the covers, folding them to the foot of the bed. Any left over tissues were tossed quickly aside.

"Alrighty, we're just gonna set you down, like sooo, and get ya all comfyyy. And make sure that egg on your head's coveeered." Helen closed the curtains with a sharp pull, then waved for Katt to throw the covers over Sera. "She'll be fine, little bump on the head never hurt anyone. Even her, even while she's got an oven full of Patrick's bun. I saw her knock over a bloody stack of bibles earlier, even. I'll just thank my stars it wasn't her stomach what got smacked." She sighed, her hands on her hips. She assumed that all crisis was averted since there wasn't any blood. Blood equaled bad. "You wantin' to atone for that by staying with her, aren't you?" she asked in a way that didn't really leave room for argument. With a sweet smile and batting of eyelashes.

Long as it wasn't a concussion right? The blankets were drawn up over Sera, tucking her in very gently. A small nod rocked her head to show Helen she had heard and understood. If it hadn't of been for that..she probably would of left. Before anyone else showed up. When that thought came she tilted her gaze a bit towards the door.

"Very good. We'll count stupid off of the list of things you aren't. Least for now. I'll be back with an ice pack for her head and a new pitcher o' juice." Helen straightened her towels and huffed. "Possibly some food too because you look like you could use a sandwich or twenty, and I know Sera will want them." She pointed at Katt. "Don't go no place," then swept out of the room. She hadn't seemed all that concerned about walking around in towels either, and even started whistling on her way down the hall.

Boy weren't there a number of people that would correct Helen when it came to Katt being stupid. Her eyes rose faintly when pointed at and once Helen was gone she turned her attention to watch over Sera. "(vsw) S...sorry...S..Sera.." Her chin lowered until it met her collarbone. She'd just stand there, leaving the white fold of paper were it was. She wasn't going to leave until she was sure Sera was okay.

Hours Later....

After watching Helen come and go Katt had spent most of her day watching after Sera in worry. At least this way she could do something right. It was her fault Sera got hurt to begin with.

'You should stay with her to make up for what you've done'

The food that Helen had brought remained untouched but the icepack was set on Sera's head and checked on often. For the remainder of the time, however, she stayed against the wall. One leg tucked to her chest and the other tucked before her she watched over Sera like some silent sentry. Sleep was elusive which was just fine. She didn't want to sleep. Didn't want to dream. Didn't want to...remember...

She had to keep reminding herself that being there was a good thing. She could make sure Sera woke up. Could be there in case Zenny or Matilda showed up. Might be able to help Mayu. That was the main reason she was there.

The door creaked open once in a while but always closed without anyone entering. It was a going process throughout the day and she figured it was just someone checking on Sera. Seeing how she was behind the door and against the wall she wasn't spied by whoever was checking in on the smaller female. This was probably a good thing.

The hours were lost, uncounted for, before Sera's stirring caught her attention and she was quick to rise to her feet. She waited until Sera had sat up before addressing her. "Sera.."

She watched as Sera removed the icepack from her forehead with a look that boarded on annoyance. "K-Katt..? Wh-what are you doing here..? And why does my head hurt.."

A hand reached out to slow the smaller female before she tried to get out of bed. "The door hit your head. I..I'm s..sorry..."

Before she could continue the door swung open and in marched Helen. "Oh, you're awake." The old icepack was plucked off the ground while a fresh one was offered to Sera. While Sera's small hands took the icepack Helen turned attention on Katt. "And your still here. Good on ya, darling."

Katt's lips attempted to smile but nothing more then a twitch came out of it.

Helen attempted to look at the egg on Sera's forehead but kept getting batted away. She could hear Sera demand that she was fine. "Yeah, right, just let me ask the friend you've got growin' on your forhead for his opinion, shall I? Oh, and by the way. I'm being followed, so we should have company in three..two.."

Before Helen could finish the door opened just a sliver, much like how it had during the day. She heard voices on the other end before the door swung open and two other women came in. One ,who she recognized was Nina, was carrying a tray of food. She was followed by, almost instantly, by Erica who was babbling incoherently. Erica's tray of tea was set down quickly next to Sera's bed and she was instantly upon Sera in a fit of worry. Nina, on the other hand, stepped back while folding her hands.

"Sera are you okay?"

"Is the baby okay?"

"Would you like some tea?"

"Are you hungry?"

"Are you cold?"

"Oh Sera your head!"

All three women were going at it like hens and her lips parted to speak up in Sera's defense. Before she could the door slammed open and she leaped nearly two feet off the ground in surprise. Plastered to the wall she blinked over to the figure that had entered, ruler in hand and waving at the tree near Sera.

"What in the lord's name are you three doing?! Leave that poor child alone!"

Katt watched Agatha move towards Sera's bed. Nina had moved back even more and Agatha had to nearly peel Erica and Helen away. "Dear Lord! What happened to your head, Sera? Here lay down." Agatha's hand had moved to assist Sera down but her head shot around to send a glare to Helen. "What did you do now?! How could-"

"Whoa whoa whoa!! Weren't my fault that she was on the floor to begin with, just ask her." Helen scowled at being blamed and before she could point a finger out to Katt the ruler came swinging out.

"If your perpetually heathen ways don't worm their way in through normal means, you'll have to beat them into unsuspecting victims, won't you?"

"Sorry, *heathen ways*? Have ya ever tried any of my *heathen ways* for yourself? Probably got more bats in your belfry than--"

"How dare you use such foul language! I knew that time away from the this holy place could be nothing but detrimental--"

"S-Stop it! Stop it! STOP IT!!!" Sera's voice shrieked out and she threw her hands into the air. Blankets went spilling off the edge of the bed. "GET OUT! ALL OF YOU!"

"Sera. Calm down chi-" Agatha tried to ease Sera but her hands were slapped away.

"D-Don't touch me! Just get out!!!" Sera's squeaky voice rose higher as she tried to escape being touched. To lay back. To rest. To relax.

Katt watched with a frown as the four women began to crowd Sera again and her mouth opened. Again a little too late.

"I SAID GET OUT! DON'T TOUCH ME! JUST GET OUT!!!" Sera slapped them all away and when that didn't work Sera began to take handfuls of the food that had been set aside and flinging it at the four women. Agatha first. Helen next. Followed by Erica and eventually the ever quiet Nina. Each got food slung at them followed by dishes of various sizes. Nun attire was adored by shades of colors not meant to be there. Well those that wore the habit.

It was late but Katt would note that Helen wasn't wearing what the others were. How..strange. Right now though? The display was alarming. She had never seen Sera so angry and she found herself trying to become one with the wall. When Sera's eyes fell on her she felt a lump in her throat that nearly choked her. Sera's eyes were glowing gold. In fact Sera was enveloped in a warm, golden glow that was familiar by sight through the Light Workings she had seen with Matilda. The bump on her forehead seemed to be dwindling away to what Katt figured was Sera healing herself. She was not spared Sera's rage.

"Get out." Sera's voice was as low as a hiss but clear and strong, echoing like two beings were speaking instead of just one, and by this time Katt was far too quick to oblige.

Steps stumbled her out of the door and she scrambled into the nave. She bumped into someone and both hands rose up to shove them away. She saw it to be Isabella who was quickly rushing to see what all the screaming was about and Corey was close behind.

Isabella stumbled and fell over a pew, crying out a sound of surprise and pain as she crashed down.

"What the hell?!" Corey's voice echoed with Isabella's cry.

Stumbling back and to the side she murmured an apology to Isabella but kept on her way before she pushed out of the doors and into the cold air.

Corey reached out towards Isabella who corrected herself and was looking after Katt. Anger swept through Corey's face and he turned, shooting out the door after Katt. "Stop coming back here! All you are doing is causing problems you monster!!"

Katt's shoulders hunched as she quickly made her way down the steps and down the street.

The figure moved to Katt and nudged her over onto her back before stepping over her. Squatting down it almost seemed as if the figure was going to sit on Katt's stomach. Black cloak swept over Katt's legs like a blanket as the figure hovered there. Again the appendages stretched out, this time instead of like arms they were like thin belts. Readily latching onto Katt's flesh. Onto. Into. Piercing.

Katt's dull eyes shifted up to the figure, half dazed. She saw a hand reach out but in the closeness she saw within the shadows of the hood. Her eyes rounded in horror. "Wh-" Before the question could leave her lips she felt as if her head was being split in two. Her wide gaze rotated back into her skull and fell closed as the figure's finger pressed deep against her forehead. Cutting into already marred flesh. Entering flesh and what was worse, her mind.

The figure said something but she couldn't make it out. The world was black and the voice was barely a hum to her ears. She felt pain. It was everywhere and she couldn't fight it. She was trying but her body wouldn't move. It felt..cold. Heavy. Like weights were hugging her limbs down to the ground. She didn't want to be on her back. It hurt with the coat pressing into the back wound that ate up a majority of her back.

She couldn't..let this happen. She wasn't suppose to die. Even if things were different..he still cared. And she still loved him... And she had to be there for him...

An arm twitched under the influence of the strange, thin appendages. Where they entered her flesh was starting to grow a hint of purple as if some strange bruise was spreading from each entry point. Sickening green veins branching out. A poison of sorts was introduced into her system and was doing it's job well.

The hand at her forehead withdrew and the blood soaked finger that was raised to the figure's lips. Suckling the vital from it's finger the cloaked figure stood and effectively brought Katt with her. Katt, suspended by the appendages, looked more like a doll then a person. The figure turned and started to walk with Katt suspended before her and just as they exited the alley a loud thunderclap shattered the silent air.

"Release her!" A sword sliced into the appendages, cutting them away and sending Katt crashing to the ground where she spilled like the lifeless doll she was.

"How dare you!" The cloaked figure hissed and turned to face the elven man a few feet away. Moving forward the figure attempted to scoop Katt up but before she could a line of white darted across the ground before Katt's body and several blue-white flames shot up to ward the figure away.

Down the street the elven female's hand was working through the air. The air glowed as her finger lashed the air, leaving glowing blue-white lines in an intricate seal. Slightly behind her was Corey, hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.

"Worm! You brought reinforcements. That doesn't matter. You will all-"

The ground rattled as a pillar of light shot up around the figure and the figure hissed out, reeling back from the circle that had been formed at feet. Hood tossed back revealed lovely winter white hair that fanned in the air as the figure was whipped back. Correcting posture the figure's head leaned forward and a gloved hand swept up her face to toss back the white that had been freed, revealing a beautiful face. Soft, feminine. Apple green eyes that spanned wide and lacked any pupil. There was something sinister and cold in those eyes.

She laughed and it was colder then the winter air as she darted back and away from the elven's swinging blade. "Another time.." Several skips back had her melting into the shadows. "But do not think you've won. We've waited this long..We can wait a little longer."

"Get back here fiend!" The elven man chased to the alley's mouth.

"Ricter! Let her go." The elven woman called after him as she started towards the fallen Katt. He obliged the words of his counterpart and joined her and Corey at the unconscious figure. "She's heavily damaged. We need to get her someplace were I can look over her wounds better."

"Is it even safe to move her, Rufia?"

"And what would you have me do? Take care of her in the street?" She snapped at Ricter and his hand rose up in defense. A motion was made to Katt while she rose and she looked to Corey. "Return to the church. Tell Isabella that Katt is hurt and will be taken care of at our residance since it is closer. It is too soon to move her too far."

Corey nodded numbly as he watched Ricter collect Katt into his arms. There was a deep, raspy gasp that came from the unconscious figure and she shuddered violently. He couldn't even guess how much pain she was in.

"Corey!" Rufia's voice rose to catch his attention and his eyes, wide as saucers, turned to her. "You will return later on tonight and tell me what in Kai's hand is going on."

Corey's head lowered shamefully and he nodded.

"The demon will be safe with us."

Corey frowned. "H-Her name..i..is Katt.."

Rufia and Ricter both blinked at him but nodded. As carefully as he could Ricter started to walk. They were only a few blocks away after all.

Rufia lagged behind to eye Corey who was still just standing there. He looked guilty. "You do not have a role played in this ..do you?"

"Is she..going to die?" Corey asked without answering.

He didn't have to. His question aided in Rufia to find her own conclusion. "That is a possibility." Corey suddenly turned and rushed off to where Rufia figured was his way to the church. Shaking her head she turned and started after her husband.

Once they had reached the small cottage Rufia quickly set to work. Clean blankets were stretched out before the fireplace and Katt was lowered on them. "Quickly. I will need some water."

Ricter nodded his head and moved off to collect a large bowl and rags while Rufia started to peel off the coat that was sticking to Katt's back. Luckily it was enchanted and was neither dirty nor torn when tossed aside onto a chair. The same couldn't be said about Katt's broken body.

It matched her broken heart and soul.

I hate feeling like this
I'm so tired of trying to fight this
I'm asleep and all I dream of
Is waking to you

Tell me that you will listen
Your touch is what I'm missing
And the more I hide I realize
I'm slowly losing you

Comatose
I'll never wake up without an overdose of you

I don't wanna live, I don't wanna breathe
'Less I feel you next to me
You take the pain I feel
(Waking up to you never felt so real)

I don't wanna sleep, I don't wanna dream
'Cause my dreams don't comfort me
The way you make me feel
(Waking up to you never felt so real)

I hate living without you
Dead wrong to ever doubt you
But my demons lay in waiting
Tempting me away

Oh, how I adore you
Oh, how I thirst for you
Oh, how I need you

Comatose
I'll never wake up without an overdose of you

I don't wanna live, I don't wanna breathe
'Less I feel you next to me
You take the pain I feel
(Waking up to you never felt so real)

I don't wanna sleep, I don't wanna dream
'Cause my dreams don't comfort me
The way you make me feel
(Waking up to you never felt so real)

Breathing life, waking up
My eyes open up

Comatose
I'll never wake up without an overdose of you

I don't wanna live, I don't wanna breathe
'Less I feel you next to me
You take the pain I feel
(Waking up to you never felt so real)

I don't wanna sleep, I don't wanna dream
'Cause my dreams don't comfort me
The way you make me feel
(Waking up to you never felt so real)

Oh, how I adore you
(Waking up to you never felt so real)
Oh, how I thirst for you
(Waking up to you never felt so real)
Oh, how I adore you
The way you make me feel
(Waking up to you never felt so real)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Darkness....

It surrounded her. Held her in a cold cradle. There was nothing around her. Just...darkness. A blank stare was directed skyward. Or where she thought was the sky...Would of been the sky? Somewhere in the distance was a small pin of light. It flicked, disappearing for a long period before popping up suddenly. Like a star on the far horizon ready to collapse on itself.

"You are ssstill awake..?"

She didn't answer to the voice.

"Why do you cling to thisss exsssisstance? Thisss fassscade that you are, or ever could be, normal?"

Again no answer. It was just easier to stare into oblivion.

"You have no place in thisss world. Their world. They are better off without you. By now you sssshould of realized thisss."

She felt something slide under her body. Leathery fold that swept around her as if ready to consume her. It didn't. Instead it tilted her like it were a seat but at the same time presented her before the shadowy figure of what she would just call a 'Demon'. It filled her sight no matter how hard she tried to look away. Then came talon tipped fingers. They curled under her chin and tilted her head so that she had to look at that ugly mug.

"You are hoping. Hoping that the boy will want you back. That the girl will sssee how much you care. But he was so easssy to throw you away. After you told yourself over and over that he loved you. Would alwaysss love you. And the girl-"

Her hand shot up. She didn't want to hear him talk about Toby or Mayu. "Shut up. I'm tired of listening to you. I don't give a f*ck anymore."

"Isss that ssso?" The hand returned but this time clenched her cheek until talons bit against her cheeks. "Liar.."

"I am so sick of people calling me that!!!" She shrieked at the top of her lungs and the creature only laughed.

"It isss true."

"It is not!!" Her hands reached out to clench the thick wrist. "I don't care!! I still want to be there for them and that's all that matters. I told..Toby I would always protect him. I would always be there for him. And I am going to be!!! And Mayu is important to me. I want to protect her too!"

"Even if ssshe hatesss you? Can't ssstand the sssight of you? Doesssn't want anything to do with you." The creature's hand released her face and she rubbed at her cheeks. "Even if he betrayed you? Lied about alwaysss loving you? Lied about nothing he could do could make him forget that he loved you?"

"Yeah. Even though." She pushed away and floated in the air, her eyes thinning at the creature. "If they hate me..Fine. I can protect them from the shadows. I can disappear from their lives and still be there.."

"Disssappear from their livessss? Asss if you haven't been removed already?"

"And I am still here!" Her eyes shot away. "I'm not going to leave..."

"Really? Your chosen hasss denied you. Faked how he felt for you."

"He did not fake that he loved me!!!" Her legs kicked out in the air that she was hovered in.

"Are you ssso ssssure about that? You couldn't even tell when that girl was faking that ssshe cared. How do you know he didn't? He who you know ssso well."

"That's because I do know him! He wouldn't do that to me. He wouldn't hurt me!"

"He hasss hurt you. Over.. And over...and over...You are sssuch a glutton." The creature hissed out a creepy laugh.

"He didn't want to. And it always hurt him when he hurt me. He even told me so.."

"I sssee. Ssso at the inn. Do you think he was really hurting? He just sssat there unable to even talk to you. Just ...walked away."

Her eyes slowly lowered.

"Oh don't tell me you've forgotten. Here. Let me remind you.."

.: Feb 2nd - Evening :.

The crowd in the little home had grown. From two to four to seven. The first to arrive, strangely enough, was the twins. Zenus seemed like he was going to burst at the seams. Ion was...well..Ion. There was no expression to be read or felt.

Rufia was a little surprised to see them but when Zenus explained that he had heard from someone at the church that Katt had been seriously wounded he wanted to make sure she was okay. At first Ricter wouldn't even let them in, forbidding anyone to enter other then his wife but after heavy persuasion the twins were allowed in. They sat in the room with her for several hours doing nothing more then watching her.

Later hours brought Corey, Isabella, and Michael. The little boy held an armful of flowers that he refused to let anyone take even when they arrived. He even placed them in a vase that Rufia had set on the nearby table for him.

Between Corey and Isabella there was a heavy silence. Corey said not a word and Isabella did most of the talking for the trio. Where she talked with Rufia and Ricter, Michael stood near the bed. Funny enough wedging himself between the bed and anyone else who dared approach. His tiny little hand patted at her open palm softly. He kept asking questions that noone wanted to answer and it seemed to frustrate the five year old.

As the hours dwindled Isabella stepped outside with Rufia to talk and Corey took Michael back to the church. It was growing late and there were things that still needed to be done. Michael cried and kicked, having to be picked up and carried out of the small home.

A few hours later the twins left and Rufia reentered the small home with Isabella close behind. The conversation between the two women had left them with expressions that Ricter couldn't remembering either ever wearing. His mate looked angry and Isabella looked frustrated to high heaven.

"My heart? What troubles you?"

"I will explain later, husband of mine." Rufia smiled dearly to her husband as she and Isabella moved to Katt and began to tend her wounds together. "Please bring us some warm water. We are going to redress her wounds."

The elven man nodded to his wife and went to do the task she set for him.

"She is healing just slower then I expected. Her back is the worse of the wounds. I have no ability of magical healing so I've been addressing her wounds with herbs and ointments." Rufia offered to Isabella as she peeled back the bandages.

Isabella gasped at the sight of Katt's back and a hand rose up to her mouth to hide the gawk. "Oh Lord have mercy on this poor child. Do you think...her spine is broken?"

"I cannot tell you the answer to that Isabella. I will not be able to until she wakes. I have been trying to figure out what sort of poison is infecting her but ..."

"...But?" Isabella reached out to the edge of the burnt flesh. What were the green veins branching out everywhere under Katt's flesh? The poison? If so it was everywhere.

"But I've never seen such a poison as this.." Rufia replied in defeat. "It is consuming her and I cannot even feel her spirit anymore. It's like she's.."

"She is not dead. She's breathing." Isabella seemed far too quickly to point this out.

"Correct. She is very much still alive but it is as if something is blocking her from the world. Maybe the poison has shut down her being. I do not know. She has not so much as blinked an eye open since we've brought her here."

"Induced sleep?"

Rufia raised her eyes. "I wish I had more answers to these questions. It does seem like there is some outside force keeping her under."

Isabella started to help Rufia gently clean the wounds. Many of the thin wounds were nearly healed away but the more serious ones were very nasty looking.

"I can only hope the child's dreams are peaceful and she isn't in too much pain." Isabella's words held a heavily sad tone.

"Have you told others of the church?" Once the bandages were in place Rufia and Isabella drew the blankets up to Katt's shoulders.

"Yes I have but I've not told Sera. She has enough stress and if I know her she'd try her hardest to be here. I am not sure how the strain would effect her but I am not willing to put her in that situation. It's best she doesn't know. For both her sake and the child." Isabella sat back and began roll up the old bloody bandages. "Rufia.. Go get some rest. I will look after her."

"I am fine, Isabella." The small elveness rose up and her mate came behind her. Large hands settled on her shoulders to steady her swaying form.

"You are not fine. You are exhausted." Ricter scooped her up before she could argue and moved to their room to tuck his wife into bed.

Isabella chuckled softly and started to clean up not only the floor near the bed Katt was asleep on but also the kitchen and anywhere else she could busy herself.

.: Feb 7th - Morning :.

Ricter woke to finding his wife missing from the bed and the sheets were tossed aside in order to give him room to fling out of the bed. "Rufia?" He called out her name as he bowled through the house looking for her. Normally she was asleep when he woke.

Isabella and Rufia looked up from morning tea and Isabella's head turned sharply away at the nearly naked elven man. "O-Oh my."

Ricter barked out a laugh and with a red face he started his way back to the room. Rufia laughed at the flustered Isabella. "Quite a morning wake up call?"

Isabella laughed weakly and sipped her tea. They were joined some time later by the abashed Ricter who cleared his throat and apologized profusely.

"So what has you two ladies up so early?" Ricter ventured carefully as he took seat at the table.

"We are going to have Katt moved to the church either Thrusday or Friday." Isabella piped up and Ricter blinked. His heavy stare turned to his wife who was calmly sipping her tea. Isabella continued, "I asked Rufia as I feel it is important that Katt is somewhere safe. Everyone who is important to Katt knows that she is around the church often and..and..s-she was suppose to be staying at the church to help out so maybe.."

Ricter gave a few slow nods and stared at his wife. There had to be a reason she gave in so easily. "Alright. Should I bring her or are you going to have someone pick her up?"

"We will be bringing her in the early morning." Rufia finally spoke, her tone gentle soft and motherly.

"So someone has been searching for her. I was starting to wonder wh.."

"No. No one but myself. I am sure that once things catch Sera's ear that she too will be wanting to check on Katt. It will make it easier if Katt is in the church."

"Oh so you are thinking ahead. What about Katt's safety from the members of the church that don't agree with her being there?" Ricter's watched Isabella as her chin rose up defiantly.

"They will just have to deal. The church is suppose to be a place of safety for all. Katt is no danger to the church and they need to realize that."

Isabella stood and Rufia did as well. "We are going shopping, husband of mine. I shall return later." Rufia smiled to him and the two women stepped out, leaving the baffled man behind to take care of the unconscious Katt.

The weather outside was frightfully cold and Rufia could only do so much to keep warm. Her pace was swift through the streets of the city and she blessed the air as she came upon the steps of the church. Fleeing up them and into the warmth of the church she felt only a moment of embrace from the wards placed to keep the church safe from all harm. It was nice and toasty inside. She could hear laughter of children not far off. Poor dears made to stay inside during the cold. Cooped up with the want to run in the outside.

Spring was to come...eventually. They would have their chance and warm sun.

Rufia watched the snake like creature uncurl itself and begin to swim in the air. It disappeared somewhere along the line of the second story railing. Only by chance, afterwards, that she saw Corey chasing after one of the children and Rufia followed. "Corey?" He shrieked at his name and fell face first to the floor. Rufia flinched and took a step back when the young man tore off the floor to face her. Cringing away like she was Agatha with a ruler. Both her hands rose, delicate hands gesturing for him to ease his fear and show she was not armed. "Calm...Calm Corey."

"R-Ruf-Rufia w-what are you doing here?" He was crawling inches away from her as he spoke.

He seemed like a frightened animal to her. Rufia smiled weakly, "I am here to see Isabella? Where is she?"

"O-Oh s-s-she's in her room!" He turned and started to lead the way. Rufia followed and she noticed he looked over his shoulder to her after every five steps or so. If she got any closer he quickly placed more distance between them.

"Corey is so.."

"We are here." He gestured to the door then knocked on the door. Rapid knuckle beats on the door before he retreated away.

The door opened to show a half-awake Isabella. Her eyes steeled on Corey and he lowered his eyes down to the ground. "Rufia?" Isabella looked to the elveness.

The elveness smiled softly. "Hello, Isabella. Forgive me for waking you. Katt will be brought soon so I thought we could prepare her room? And see if we can find Zenny."

Isabella raised a brow and gave a few nods. "I wasn't even aware Zenny was back or around. We can look after the room is ready. Is Ricter bringing her alone?"

Rufia blinked at Isabella. "No. Zenus and Ion arrived at your instruction."

Isabella blinked back and she glanced over to Corey. He was looking between the two of them confusedly. Isabella quickly looked back to Rufia. "Rufia I ...I didn't send Zenus and Ion.."

Rufia frowned quickly. Something didn't seem right. "Are you sure? Zenus said.."

Isabella shook her head. "I haven't seen those two since we were all gathered at the house to visit Katt."

Isabella was barely even finished by the time Rufia was moving down the hall. "Find Zenny and have her ready for when we arrive."

"Rufia wait! What is wrong?!" Isabella took chase and reached out for Rufia but the elveness shrugged Isabella's touch away.

"If you did not send them then who did? I am worried about my husband and Katt. Just do as I ask!" Rufia quickly rushed out of the church and for home.

Isabella turned quickly to Corey. "Corey. Help me find Zenny."

The two began their combing of the church for the elusive woman named Zenny.

The front door swung open sharply as Rufia rushed in. Beside the warmth meeting her the heavy smell of blood rushed her senses. "Ricter? Husband?! Where are you?!"

"I'm in here." Ricter grunted and Rufia quickly rushed to the room where Katt had been held. Blood was splattered along the wall and pooled on the floor. There was her husband, sitting on the floor and patting his chest with a rag. "You are hurt?" And a few feet away Katt's body unnaturally littered the floor. "Katt? What is going on?"

"We are both fine. She was up for a short period of time but just passed back out. She has been unconscious for the last hour or so." His hand lowered when his wife's busy hands demanded to take over his attention to the wound on his chest. It could of been far worse, he knew. "Zenus and Ion.." He started and paused when Rufia looked up to him. "We need to get Katt to the church, Rufia. Ion is really that woman who attacked Katt and Correy."

Rufia's eyes went wide in surprise. "H-How?"

"I don't know but she is. And I *think* she had momentary control over Katt's body. Whatever she did to Katt made her weak enough that she didn't want to fight. And Katt's body is entirely too weak to fight me so .." He looked over to Katt's body.

"Then we need to get her to the church. She will be safe there." Rufia spoke quickly and whimpered when her husband shooed her from tending the claw marks across his chest.

"Yes we do. Get her ready and we will bring her now."

"But.."

"Wife, we do not have time to argue about this. If they return..If they control her again and attack themselves I will *not* be able to protect us."

Rufia yelped and quickly nodded. She stood and moved to Katt. A thick blanket was carefully wrapped around the re-unconscious Katt. A second blanket was wrapped and she looked over to Ricter who had stepped out to wrap his chest and place on a new shirt. When he returned he moved over to them and scooped up Katt. "Are you okay enough to carry her?"

"I am. Come. The faster we bring her the safer she will be."

Quickly the two elven slipped into the afternoon air. Ricter did his best not to jolt Katt around too much as they rushed the streets of the city. He was having trouble breathing and by the time they did reach the church steps he was wheezing.

"Ricter?" Rufia whimpered softly.

"I'm fine my heart. In we go." He smiled to her and Rufia nodded to him. Quickly she moved ahead and opened the door for him so he could slip within. Since Rufia never went with Isabella to prepare a room Katt was brought to the room that the couple used when they stayed at the church.

Katt was set into the large bed and she was rolled carefully onto her side. Tucked in Rufia looked at Katt's expressionless face. Or lower face since her eyes were covered. Reaching out Rufia tried to remove the blindfold. The crest gleamed an angry red and Katt sobbed out.

"Rufia wait!" Ricter grabbed her wrist to stop her from pulling the blindfold. "It's enchanted or something. You are hurting her." He warned and Rufia quickly released. His hand slid down to take her own and both frowned at the twitching Katt.

Eventually she settled back into the still state she had been in for weeks.

"When Isabella and Zenny get here we will go search for a healer." Rufia's voice was distant with worry. "I am sorry husband. We should of left earlier, together.."

Ricter chuckled softly and hugged his wife to him. "Silence yourself my heart. We got her here safely enough."

"Right." Rufia silently sulked into her husband's arms, exhaustion and fretting did not go hand in hand.

.: Feb 12th - Late Night :.


Zenny swept up the fanning staircase of the church, her canvas duster and skirts billowing in her wake. Her left hand was curled around a small bottle of sake that she rose to her mouth. An army of white spirit snakes followed her, their normally red eyes dim. They trilled and chirped quietly, swimming around her shoulders and head. As she opened one of the doors and stepped through the wards, one snake touched its nose to her cheek and burst into a powdery white dust. "You're certain, she is indeed here?" The spirit snakes that were left purred in unison. "Very well."

Anywhere and everywhere the lad was running through the church. Kitchen, cemetery, and so far a few of the upstairs rooms. He wasn't stupid enough to barge into the rooms. Currently Corey was running his way across the nave when the door opened. Yelping he skipped and bounced away from the figure that entered. Wide eyed surprise look was given to the snake like things more then Zenny. "Om-w-w-what is ...are those?!" His breaths were heaved showing that he had been running like a chicken with its head cut off.

Zenny blinked at Corey, momentarily not recognizing him, then she smiled. "They are Shoten." Another copy of the spirit snake touched her left cheek and exploded. Her eyes slid aside as she contemplated the information given..and waved her hand. "Collect yourself, you are indeed scaring the boy." The spirit snakes' eyes all closed, and they wriggled like they were laughing. One by one, they combined to form a larger version of all the copies, with ruby red eyes bright and shiny instead of unfocused. Shoten turned his nose toward the stairs and hummed.

More like completely freaking Corey out. He started to slide back a couple of steps while keeping both large eyes on the snake things forming into one. "U-Uh..O..Okay. Y-You are Zenny right?" His eyes snapped to the woman. She was equally as scary as the snakes. Or maybe it was just he thought she was pretty...scary.

"Yes." Shoten draped himself around her shoulders like a boa and as she stepped forward, the door closed behind her on its own. "I have indeed seen you around the church several times, always in the company of Isabella." Her eyes flicked up to the second level. "What is it that you need?"

Correy gulped and shuffled nervously. The witch of the church. He didn't dare take his eyes off of her while she looked to the second level. "S-Sister I-Isabella and Rufia told me to find you. Something to do ab-about..." He stalled and lowered his eyes. "They are upstairs in R-Rufia and Ricter's room. I think."

"Indeed," she said thoughtfully. After a single moment, she turned on her heel, curling a finger to beckon Corey to follow her. She didn't look to see if he would. "Tell me, aside from Shoten's presence, why are you nervous?" She started up the stairs.

"N-Nervous?" he squeaked and followed several steps behind. "S-Shoten." The mop of hair bounced around when Corey nodded. He blamed it all on the snake like creature.

She chuckled, deciding not to press. "Very well. He is indeed harmless. However now that you have revealed him to be the reason you are uneasy, he will tease you." Shoten turned his head to look at Corey over Zenny's shoulder and hissed in short bursts..little snickers.

And now there was more space between him and Zenny. Corey's big blue eyes stared at Shoten and it looked like he was about to shriek at any moment. "R-Right. Wait he can understand us?" Corey's left hand raised, pointing the direction of the room just in case Zenny didn't know.

"Of course he can," she said easily, almost surprised that that wasn't obvious. She followed Correy's lead, tipping the bottle of sake up against her mouth. "Indeed, he is not stupid."

"I didn't mean that!" Corey squeaked and looked at Shoten to prove that he didn't. Really he didn't! Good snake thing. Just stay there with Zenny. "K-Katt..S-She's..here."

"I am aware. It is why I have come." She finished the bottle of sake, her head tilting all the way back. Small beaded and bladed charms dangled from the pins stuck in the knot of black hair in the back of her head. "Indeed, one of Shoten's copies had only just located her prior to her transport. You were all wise to move her here."

"How...How much..d-do you know?" Now Corey was really fidgeting. He kept looking between Shoten and Zenny's head as they walked. How much did she know? How much did that thing know? Noone else but Isabella and the two elven people knew what he had done. Right? He gulped the lump in his throat.

She stopped in the hallway, slowly turning to face Corey. Shoten purred curiously and she scratched at his tail, muttering in a language that didn't sound anything close to english. He touched his nose to her cheek, uncoiled himself from her shoulders and swam up toward the domed ceiling of the church until he was gone. Her patient expression was a silent prompt for him to begin speaking.

Corey listened, having no clue what was being said. And Shoten leaving caused the boy to blink at Zenny. Had she gotten rid of it for him? No...that expression was something else. "Uh? W-Was that something I wasn't suppose to ask?" That look she gave him made him even more nervous.

"If you had wanted me to keep believing that you were not involved, then yes, it was indeed not something you should have asked." Zenny fitted the cork into the empty bottle of sake and stowed it into one of her pockets. She let that hang between them, then turned to eye each of the doors as she began to pass them. She stopped outside one, wrapping her knuckles on it.

"I was just wondering what you knew. I-I might be able to fill in some stuff." He shuffled after her but didn't add any more to that. He watched the door she knocked on open and Isabella peeked out.

"Yes? Oh by heavens above! Zenny. Where have you been?" Isabella stepped back to offer way into the room once the door was drawn fully open. Over Zenny's shoulder Isabella sent a stare that made Corey shrink back.

"I have indeed been tending to several events as of late." She stepped into the room and shrugged out of her coat revealing a collared, halter vest that left much of her back exposed. Thin white lines resembling scars, that upon further inspection turned out to be runes, were drawn across her shoulderblades and anywhere that her hair didn't cover. She looked back, a dark brow curving up at the expression Isabella was shooting the unseen Corey.

"Corey go fetch Zenny and I something to drink." The door was closed on Corey, Isabella not even giving him a chance to object. Reaching out the nun smiled to Zenny. "Here let me take that for you." She gestured to Katt who was on her stomach and cheek on pillow to face them. "Are you atleast doing well?"

She stayed silent on it, filing away questions to ask at a later date. She let Isabella take the coat, her hands falling to the katana and wakazashi at her hips. She removed them, but didn't offer them over. "Indeed, I am. You may skip the pleasantries, Isabella. I have the feeling that time is of the essence in this situation as well." She stopped beside the bed. "What has happened to her?"

"Of course," Isabella replied to the 'getting down to business' setting that Zenny went into. Folding the coat over her arm Isabella followed Zenny like a patient mother. "A few weeks back Katt was attacked in an alley. Whoever it was has done something to her that we are unable to figure." Zenny's coat was lowered to a chair and the nun reached out to push back the blanket. "She had a number of wounds, some of them have healed by now but.." Isabella pointed to where one of the thin wounds had been, rise of green that veined along Katt's flesh stretched out. "There seems to be some sort of poison in her system that Rufia has not seen before. We aren't sure if it is the reason for her unconcious state.." Isabella continued to explain things but skillfully left out Corey's part.

She sighed evenly and sat on the very edge of the bed, her weapons carefully set to the floor. Her left leg shifted enough to let the skirt slip completely open from hip to booted toe. She retrieved a small, white square from a compartment in her boot and swiftly wiped her hands down. The intense burning scent of alcohol hit the air. Her expression was tense as she absorbed the information, and took hold of Katt's arm and gently swept the cloth over a few trails of green. As confident as she was in her skills to erect barriers and keep them held, the knowledge that her work had not been in vain was always welcome. "Sister Matilda, I know, has indeed not returned to the church yet, and Sera has her plate overly full with the addition to her small family. I wonder if another light worker should not be sent for..the lack of them here at St. Agnes is beginning to get ridiculous." She pinched a hold of one of the bandages covering Katt's back and began to separate it from her flesh.

Isabella reached out to stop Zenny from removing the bandage but stopped herself. The ugly burnt flesh and marring wound wasn't hard to miss."It would prove to be a good idea. How is Sera fairing?" The nun moved to the other side of the bed and began to help Zenny when required. "But I am not sure that even they would be able to heal her wounds. Rufia has tried but some of them, like the one on her back, has proven to be very stubborn in healing even a little. The others are on her brow and hand."

Other than a slight tension in her brow, Zenny was completely void of reaction to the generous burns. "Perhaps this poison still in her system is keeping the healing properties from reaching her. Indeed, it would not be the first time I've witnessed something like that." Her eyes traveled up Katt's back to her head where she studied the aforementioned 'blindfold' and everything else that had appeared with it. She shook out her left hand sharply until gentle, but bright, neon blue flashes crackled across her hand. She extended it toward the blindfold. "For having a child as early as she has, and the added shock of her fiance's return from the dead," she answered belatedly, "Sera is indeed doing exceptionally well."

"It very well could be but we've no idea how to even rid it of her sy-Oh Zenny wait!" Isabella reached out with a hand that shook at the news. Zenny was blinked at a number of times. That news..would have to wait. "What are you doing?"

"I have not forgotten that when this item was touched it caused her great pain. I am attempting to ascertain just what we are dealing with -- be it a demonic artifact or a magical one, and just how much power it possesses." Blue flashes continued to sparkle over her hand. She didn't retract it, even when she saw Isabella's.

Isabella drew her hand back and bit on her lower lip. "Removing it seems to hurt her quite a lot. Enough to stir her. She has only woken once since she fell." Isabella watched with care but no longer stopped Zenny.

The blue flashes dancing around her hand flickered from blood red to white, her hand shook as she kept the connection. Suddenly, a sound echoed like the amplification of a thousand, simultaneous sighs. Her eyes closed, then squeezed shut and Zenny yanked her hand back with a long wince. Smoke rose from all of her fingertips.

Isabella blinked and took a step back, unsure what to make of what she saw..heard. "Are you okay, Zenny?" Smoking fingertips could not be a good sign. Quickly the nun moved to collect a bowl of water in case Zenny's hand was burning or something to that effect.

"Yes, I am fine." She blew on her hand, but her fingers continued to smoke. "From what I can gather..this item is indeed magical, and has been fashioned for a crude purpose. My assumption is that it is half this device, half the poison that keeps her in a comatose state. Removing it will not be wise until we can understand its properties fully. Most of its power, and it is immense, comes from here." She motioned toward the crest on the blindfold with a still smoking pinky. "The extraction of the poison takes precedence. As pale as she is, bleeding her does not seem wise."

Isabella offered the bowl to Zenny's hand, attempting to see if the woman would need bandaging. "Bleeding her? The poor child already looks as if she has been."

She let her hand rest in the water, and seemed to pay no mind to the hiss and steam rising from the rim of the bowl. She kept her eyes on Katt. "Indeed. That's a crude method, one that I'm sure would have worked wonders had it been attempted just after her infection. There may be a way to force the poison within her system out through one of the wounds that has yet to heal. Being the largest, her back seems to be the best spot to try such a thing."

Isabella's brows rose high at the steaming, bubbling water when Zenny's hand went into it. "I am not sure that the item's purpose is to keep her unconscious. It was only recently placed on her person. She had been unconscious long since.."

"Whoever this mysterious woman was," Zenny squinted slowly, forgetting to finish her thought for almost too long. "They indeed wanted complete control of her, and from your recount of the attack upon Ricter, it may very will be a remote for this being should anyone decide to try and force the device from her." She nodded slowly to Isabella's remark, shaking her hand free of water. "The poison was what began this, but I doubt that this device doesn't play a part. It is attached to her being and mind both."

Isabella looked at Katt but turned when she heard a knock at the door. "Come in." She sighed at Corey who silently came in and settled a tray of breads and meats on a nearby able. There was also a pitcher of ice tea and two glasses. Isabella paid him no mind but returned to her conversation with Zenny. "That is what I think. Would...Would that woman be able to control Katt from inside the church?"

She crossed her legs, paying no mind to the fact that one was still completely exposed. A black hose stocking with a lace border reached her upper thigh, sleek leather boot to just beneath her knee. She glanced over at the new entrant. "The protection on this church is now second to none, indeed not enough to render this device completely useless, but I believe that anything from this woman would not be permitted to cross the threshold. If she tries, and fails, she may begin seeking Katt out, and I believe that trying our best to cloak the girl's presence while she recovers is prudent."

Corey's head rammed back like he had walked into a wall and the lad coughed, looking away from the trio of women. He was spluttering something that Isabella couldn't quiet poke through.

"Good because from what Ricter said..if that woman does control Katt..She is like a ravaging animal. We cannot have that in the church. A majority of the presence here does not like her 'kind'." Isabella spoke quietly. Corey's head went down with that. "Is there anything we can do to cloak Katt any more? If she awakes we also need to keep her here. It is the safest place there is."

A strange prickling sensation traveled across her back. Her head turned and she looked at Corey instead of Isabella; an all knowing look, one that suggested she knew a lot more than was obvious. "Indeed. There are children here, as well as a newborn, the elderly, and many innocents that filter in and out through the doors on a daily basis." She rose to her feet and brushed herself off as her slow steps carried her toward the table where Isabella had placed her coat. She searched through its pockets until she found an ofuda card and a brush. Thumbing the end, she began to scribble on its surface. "Now that we know it is a magical artifact, we can assume that the being that uses it is also of the same affiliation. However, placing simple cloaking wards and perhaps one to guard against demonic entities wouldn't be a bad idea. As long as the device is not touched, I do not believe we are in any danger of her awakening and I am loath to restrain her any further." She waved the card through the air to dry the ink and presented the list to Corey. "If you would please, visit Marlena and Robyn to collect the herbs on this list. They are indeed clearly marked. Do not tell them who they are for."

"Sera isn't aware of Katt being here is she?" This coming because Isabella wasn't aware that Corey was just finding Zenny upon entering. Turning she looked at Katt and frowned. Restraining Katt seemed so..cruel. "We are going to try to extract the poison?" Isabella looked up to see Corey turn and inch towards Zenny without actually looking at her.

The list was grabbed for and several nods tossed his mop. 'Y-yes ma'am!' Corey mumbled and fumbled his way out of the door as quick as his bare feet allowed. Isabella scowled after him briefly and shook her head.

"No, she is not. Out of the times that I have spoken with her, I have told her that I have been searching for Katt and implored her to focus on resting herself and taken care of her child." She watched Corey's swift exit, her arms folding over her chest. "Once she is well enough, I do indeed plan on informing her. It was her desire to find out the truth about Katt that tipped the scales in favor of a premature delivery. Apparently, the last time they spoke, they had a minor altercation and she has been worried ever since. We will try this method of removal, yes." She tapped her toe in thought, then turned for the narrow door leading to the adjacent bathroom. "What methods has Rufia tried so far?"

Isabella's lips pursed. "What is this about her fiance? I wasn't aware that she was seeing anyone after ..." The frown became apparent shortly after. "A number of herbal and magical ways. I am not sure the details but from what she has said she's tried all she is aware of that could help. I do not think the method you are suggestion was attempted. Katt's wounds seem more then just physical and Rufia has been very weary of doing too much to stress her body."

She smiled at the first question as she slipped into the bathroom. A small stack of bath towels were collected, and she returned before she began to answer. She took them to the bowl of water. "I am aware of that. I was briefly informed of a situation that transpired with Toby. As for Sera's fiance, that is indeed something that I am sure you will discover for yourself in due time. Do you happen to have a crucifix on you, Isabella?" She assumed the nun did, and held out a hand for it in wait.

"With Toby?" Isabella's eyes went wide. "Oh dear! Is he alright?" Of course she did but she moved to the wall to remove the simple crucifix from it's mount. It was placed in Zenny's hand. The nun gave Zenny a questioned look....someone was being mysterious! "We were starting to wonder if he and that girl have gotten hurt as well. Heaven forbid.."

Corey came in a few minutes later with a basket in one hand and a sandwich in the other. He couldn't exactly leave the kitchen empty handed. Not with crazy 'must feed everyone' in there!

"This situation with my apprentice is dire indeed, and I have yet to be informed of anything concerning the two of them in recent events." She eyed the crucifix, then Isabella..and finally shrugged. A cross was a cross. She gently laid it down on the stack of towels and smiled at Corey's arrival, reaching to take the basket from him. Each herb within was sorted through, carefully shredded into pieces and left to submerge in the water. The scents of aloe, jasmine and peppermint began to permeate the air in a calm, soothing fragrance. Next, she took up the cross, her eyes closing in concentration. As she muttered a simple latin prayer, the area around her buzzed with channeled spiritual power, enough to make fine hairs stand on end. She set the cross into the bowl. "The event I'm speaking of may very well indeed be the cause of her emotional distress." She dunked one towel into the water until it was sufficiently damp and then spread it across Katt's wounded back.

It was larger then the one Isabella had on her person. She figured it would serve better then the small silver one around her neck. At the news Isabella frowned. It grew deeper when Corey released the basket to Zenny's care. He had moved away but lingered in case he was needed more. Isabella raised her eyes to watch Zenny, hands clasped before her in patient wait. "I will not pry on such an event as it is not my business but I shall keep them and their safety in my prayers."

"Indeed, that is much appreciated. For both their sakes, I am sure." She knelt by the bed and stretched out Katt's arm toward her, clapping her hands together and rubbing them until they crackled. "Isabella, if you would please man the towel and keep watch if it is becoming stained with the green color of the poison. And Corey," she said, a little more firmly, just in case he wanted to make another swift exit while her back was turned. "Stand to my left and do not take your eyes off of the green veins of poison beneath my hand. If you see it move anywhere at all, call it out. We are hoping that it will be drawn out through her wounds and up into the blessed towel." She positioned her left hand over Katt's arm, right over the towel..and waited for them to move. "This is only an experiment, so if it does not work, do not be discouraged. There are several more methods to choose from if that is indeed the case."

Zenny smiled at the rush, her hand closing into a fist that she jerked up and away, in hopes of prompting the creature to take to the air, where the deadly strike of a blade forged purely from spiritual essence and throbbing with power was waiting to skewer it straight through and take it far away from any living being.

And it did. Core and all. A fist sized clump was such a core and was the end of the spiral that ripped free to attempt and latch onto a new host.

Isabella gasped at the disturbing sight. "Please be careful Zenny!" Isabella bidded, worried that it might find Zenny as the things next victim.

"You will not find my body habitable by any standard!" She spun the Naya around in her hand and darted back, away from the bedside and the two onlookers. Her arm brought the sword point careening down, aiming to pin the core firmly to the floorboards a foot in front of her toes.

Gross squishy sound as the core met Zenny's sword and as it was pinned it squirmed. Blue 'blood' came from the core, pouring to the wood. There was hissing and shrilling as the thing struggled to clench around the blade. The energy soon ate it away until it was still upon the floor like a empty seed case.

Corey stared at Zenny and the thing that was effectively..dead. Isabella was in course of lifting Katt's arm and checking her vitals.

Zenny sighed, her head lowering. But she kept the sword in its place, letting Naya's blade do the work with ten times less effort. "She needs blood immediately to refresh her stores. Without this parasite living off of her, I indeed hope that the rest of the wounds will heal without too much issue."

"I..I wouldn't know how to do a transfer of that nature, Zenny." Isabella was honest and asking Corey if he had such experience was laughable. Katt was wheezing and it made Isabella worried. She looked clear of the parasite though so that was good news.

"Normally, it is done with a needle stuck in each being and a tube to transfer the blood, but I do not think we have that kind of time." Her hand slipped from Naya's hilt and she frowned as she thought. "The only other way that I can think of that is immediate is by mouth, however that only works with vampiric creatures. Bleeding directly into her, vein to vein may also work, but it takes precision that I am sure I do not possess at the moment. It is something that we must try. I know this church has the supplies for regular medicine." Zenny leaned down to pull a dainty throwing knife from the cuff of her left boot and, shaking her detached sleeve out of the way, sliced cleanly down the inside of her wrist. She tried to turn Katt over as gently as possible and smothered her mouth with the wound. "Matilda or Agatha's offices should have the supplies. If this does not work, we will need them."

"W-Wait." Corey called out suddenly and in a burst. "We-We can give her my blood. I-I.." He seemed to sulk when Zenny was already in charge of 'feeding' Katt.

Rolling Katt over Zenny would find Katt far lighter then she appeared. Too much would send her tossing. The flow of vital into Katt's mouth was received and filled her mouth. Seeping down her throat. Katt's features tightened at the warmth that filled her veins. It was warm..unfamiliar.

"Don't you worry, Corey, she will indeed need more than I will be able to supply her. This, again, is just a test." She kneaded the muscle of her arm, coaxing blood to flow faster. "If this does not work, and I do not know if it will..it will be your responsibility. And even if it does, I indeed do not have an infinite supply."

Katt's body kicked into overdrive at the vital and her face twisted in agony. Muscles twitched, spasming, and jumping. Her body shifted like a sleeper 'falling' asleep.

Isabella blinked and reached out to Katt's arm to lift it. The place were Corey had nicked her was mending itself. "Interesting."

The binge of work without sleep or proper meditation, the constant use of powerful spiritual techniques, and now the loss of blood was draining her a lot more quickly than she would have liked. Reluctantly, she pulled away, blood still oozing freely down her wrist, the fingers of that hand limp. She gripped the wound tightly and sat back on her heels, steadying herself with a slow breath. Her eyes watched where Isabella was watching. "Interesting. It is indeed working?" her tone was complete disbelief.

Katt eased out a sound of a heavy breath when her mouth was freed from the press that Zenny had, what vital didn't make it between seeped from the corner of her lips.

Isabella looked over to Zenny with a rather wide eyed expression. "Yes. Yes it is! Look. Her wounds are healing!"

Corey moved to the side to witness too and he wondered to what extent that they would heal. His eyes turned down to the hand he skewered and he shuffled.

"Splendid," she chuckled, and weakly rose, her wounded arm held tightly to her stomach. She slipped the wakizashi back into its place on her right hip. The throwing knife was held out to Corey.

Corey looked at Zenny then the knife then back to Zenny. He gave her a confused look as he took it. When he realized why she was holding it out to him he gulped. Nervously he moved over and looked at the knife. Slicing way too deep into his wrist he flinched and quickly moved to follow Zenny's lead. "O-Ow."

Isabella moved from Katt to find the bandages and she motioned Zenny over. "Here let me."

She slowly followed Isabella, turning to look at Corey as he took her place. She held out her arm for the nun to tie it off. "These towels of poison and the parasite itself must be moved and this room purified. Until that happens, I indeed think she should be moved. Especially if her wounds are healing from blood transfers."

Isabella was gentle with the binding of Zenny's wound. Much like all her tending it was as if there was motherly love attached to the task. "Of course. I need to find if there are any rooms empty to accept her. You are meaning to keep her in the church still, are you not?"

Corey had flinched at the start but just stood there taking the empty of vital with a stare that made it seem like such a daunting task. Isabella frowned at the face he held as she tied off the knot to Zenny's bandages.

"Indeed. The removal of the parasite was only half the battle." She rubbed at her forearm, coaxing more feeling back into the limb. "Her strength recovery is critical, and during that time we might be able to deal with her.." she gestured to her own eyes. "Attachments." She turned and wrenched Naya out of the floor with a quick pull. The goopy core was scraped off of the blade and left to sink into the bowl of blessed herb water for safe keeping. She moved to collect the towels, stabbing them all with the point of the katana and leaving them in the bowl like they were pieces of meat.

"A-Ah!!" Corey suddenly screeched and yanked his arm back, staring down at Katt. Isabella had started to move to help Zenny collect the towels but stopped. "She bit me!" He explained and shook his bloody limb at Katt.

Course since there was no movement from Katt Isabella scoffed. "You are imagining things. Is that all you are going to give her?"

Corey shuffled and shoved his arm back into place stubbornly. He mumbled in defiance. She bit him! He knew she did!

She wiped both sides of Naya's blade off on the hem of the bed's blankets, sheathed her, and slipped her into place on her left hip. "There should indeed be empty rooms, this church is large. If these people keep treating her and other beings in the same manner, I will just have to acquire a Mark from the Congregation for her. I would have thought a lesson would be learned by now, but apparently not." She collected her coat and shoved her arms into it. Corey's cry that he'd been bitten didn't seem to faze her. Vampiric creatures had teeth, it was common knowledge. She moved to carefully take the bowl into her hands.

"People fear what they do not understand, Zenny. It is human nature." Isabella moved to Corey with bandages ready. "Come, Corey. Enough for now." He had began to pale but Isabella was pretty sure it was coming from the fact he was positively afraid he was being bitten into. When he drew back she bandaged him up like she had Zenny. "It might be wise either way as a precaution." Lowering her hands she turned to Zenny and sighed. "You should rest too. I will have her moved to a room and I will let know where. Would you like if I took care of the cleansing as well?"

"Indeed. Of all the people of this church, I am not one that needs that specific lecture." Her eyes rose to Isabella. "If you think yourself capable of the task, then by all means, do so. I am going to make sure that Masaru gets these," she lifted the bowl, turning on her heel for the door to the room. Resting sounded absolutely divine.

Corey's mouth gaped open to speak but clamped shut when

Isabella shifted a dark stare his way. "Thank you for your assistance, Zenny. Please rest well." Isabella moved to follow Zenny a bit to make sure she was okay enough to make it to her room.

Zenny opened the door and stepped over the threshold, casting a last look back at Corey near the bed. There were still questions in the back of her mind, but she would be fit to ask them later. She nodded quietly to Isabella and swept out onto the landing, steps leading her swiftly down the stairs, belying her unsteady, fatigued attitude just moments ago.

Isabella watched Zenny then turned to Correy. "You can't rest yet. We've still work to do!" Corey pouted but nodded. Isabella moved over to Katt and took up her hand to check her wounds.

.: Feb 13th - Early Evening :.

The day sped by and Isabella spent most of it sitting in the chair next to the bed that Katt was in. A few feet away there was a heated discussion between Ricter and Rufia going on that they were trying to keep hush hush about. Ricter sighed and stalked away from her suddenly and rubbed at his face harshly.

Rufia sided gently and started to approach the bed. "How is she doing?"

"She is still asleep but her wounds are healing quicker then expected." Isabella turned her head up from her sewing to look at Rufia. "What is wrong?"

"Oh.." Rufia looked after Ricter when she heard the door open and close. The absences of her husband caused the elveness to frown. "Do you remember what you told me about Zenny saying the church needed more Light workers?"

Isabella nodded and lowered her sewing. "Yes and I think it would be a good idea to have more healers."

"I told him I wish to start expanding my abilities as a healer."

Isabella's brows rose up at the news. She knew that Rufia was already a decent healer with herbs and slightly with magic. She wanted to grow better. "Why is he so upset about that?"

"Because he wants to return home." Rufia spoke with a soft tone and turned her eyes to Katt.

"Oh...Oh that is right. You were just going to stay here to help with the children until the orphanage was ready. But it isn't..So what would be wrong with learning while you are still here?"

"He is afraid I will become to attached and not wish to leave once the children are settled. I admit that I am settled here..." Rufia moved to Katt and out of curiosity began to unravel the bandages on Katt's hand. There was still a gaping hole but it looked a lot better then before. Rufia gasped when Katt's fingers twitched as if they were getting ready to clench her hand. It was odd to watch the inner workings of her hand...

"She has been moving quite a bit during the day. That is a good sign."

"Indeed! She hadn't moved any during her stay at my home." Rufia turned and smiled to Isabella. "What happened?"

"Zenny she..." Isabella started to explain what had happened and Rufia's eyes grew wide. "Oh. Oh my. That Zenny is quite amazing."

Isabella laughed quietly and nodded. "That she is. She is very amazing. I hope she has rested well."

"Do you think...Do you think she will wake.."

"I hope so..." Isabella sighed delicately and rose from her seat. "Would you like to take watch for a little while? I need to get something to eat and pass by Zenny to give her an update."

"Of course. Oh. I was told that the room was cleansed if you wish to check on that as well." Rufia took the seat that Isabella had been in.

Nodding her head Isabella turned and stepped out of her room to deal with a number of things that had to be seen to. Rufia watched the door ease closed and turned to look at Katt. Taking out a book she began to hum while settling into reading of the fine printed words.

.: Feb 21st - Afternoon :.

"How is she?" Corey asked lightly.

Isabella smile weakly an shook her head. "I..do not know. Has Rufia returned yet?"

"R-Rufia? Not that I know of. I can go check."

"No, Corey. Not right now. It is okay lets just let her rest for a while longer." Isabella looked over to the door to the room that Katt was staying in.

Movement and functions were coming back slowly but her head felt so heavy. Unable to really see she relied on her hearing which also was hampered by the blindfold. What little walking she did it was around the room, placing the surroundings to her memory. Finding the window she clenched onto the sill. She could feel the cold from the window. It wasn't as cold outside as she remembered. Did that mean...spring was coming?

Hearing the door open her head tilted. There was more then one person that much she knew. "Mrmm..?"

"I..I uh..w-we brought you some c-clothes." Corey stuttered.

By the time he was done talking she had turned back to the window. By this point the sill was leaned into and it was the only thing keeping her on her feet.

"Katt..you barely touched your food." Isabella touched the plate with a sandwich still on it. There seemed to be a single bite eaten off the edge. Atleast the milk was gone.

"H..hurts to.." she confused in a mumble. It hurt to speak still but her words were not cracking apart.

"How about some soup? Do you think that would be easier to eat?"

Nodding her head she turned to Isabella. She heard Corey squeak and him crash into something. Sighing she reached out a hand for whatever clothes was brought to her. It took them a bit to realize why she was stretching her hand out but eventually she felt something settle into her waiting palm. When Isabella tried to help she leaned away and pulled on the simple dress.

"How are you feeling?"

"Mrph.." she measured steps until her knees met the bed. Turning she sat own on the edge. "I'll live." She stressed the word just to make Corey squirm.

"Rufia will be coming soon. I think you should take it easy until you have had a couple of healing sessions with her."

She jumped a bit when she felt the bristles of a brush meet her hair. What was suppose to be calming only made her want to move away but she took it anyways. "Okay.."

"I think it will also be a good idea if you remain in the church for a while." Isabella continued.

Sure..why not? She was going to stay there to begin with...help out..do stuff..Not like... "Understood..." The single word came out as if Isabella had given a order.

Isabella blinked. That had been way too easy. Not only that by the lack of sheer..anything coming from Katt was a bit disarming.

"I-If you w-want to leave the church I will go with you." Corey spoke up and surprise both himself and Isabella.

She grunted at the offer and turned to face Corey. The smile she gave was weird. "Why? So you...can try to k...kill me again?"

"Katt!" Isabella blurted out.

She turned to Isabella and snorted. "What? He has tried once why wouldn't he t-"

"N-No! I won't..I..W-Won't do it again. I pr-promise." Corey shuffled and lowered his head. Called on his actions made him realie that she knew and remembered.

How couldn't she? Her body was still in pain from it..

"I think it would be wise if you just stayed here for now. It's safer here." Isabella tried to pull Katt's thoughts from going out.

Not that she was thinking about it. Zenny was right here in the church. Zenny was the reason she had been searching...

Zenny was the start to hopefully helping Mayu. Why her and..

and...

She grunted quietly and rubbed her temple. "When is Rufia arr......arriving? A..And h...how is s..Sera?"

"Sera? Oh she is busy with her family. Speaking of family...Katt may I ask you a question?"

"Her..family?" she tilted her head curiously.

"Oh yes! Sera had her baby."

Her brows shot up at the news. Sera had her...baby...Biting down on her bottom lip she dipped her head. "I...Is she...okay?"

Isabella quickly nodded several times. "Both she and the child are well! And..."

Isabella's pause was given no note. "What is yo..your question?"

"My que- Oh! Who was that woman who attacked you?"

Katt's head rose up and she turned away from Isabella. She didn't want to answer the question. "Is...C...Corey...g..going..to be f...following me...around?"

Isabella and Corey looked at each other and Corey shrugged.

"If you want him to. He does want to -"

"I don't...want him...n..near me.." Her lips peeled a small hiss.

Corey began to fidget. "B-But K-"

Turning her head sharply she growled at Corey. "Y..you..t.r....ied to kill me.. Wh..What did you think...I as going....t..to want?"

Corey shuffled back and turned, quickly retreating out of the room. Isabella took chase after him leaving her alone. She was use to being alone. Curling up on the bed she rolled onto her side. She didn't have enough strength to really roam but she could at least roam a little around the church...

There was hope to bumping into Zenny...

Getting help for Mayu...

.: Feb 25th - Late Evening :.

"Rufia!" Isabella called across the snowy front of the church. The elveness was gliding her way up the many steps and stopped to the call.

Smiling warmly the elveness turned to wait for Isabella and Correy. Once they were close gracefully presented a bow to them. "Good evening to you Isabella, Corey. How are you both this splendid night?"

"Oh we are doing well." Isabella answered for the both of them. Correy swiftly nodded to show he agreed. "How are you and your husband?"

"We are doing very well. Ricter seems fueled lately with his training." Isabella raised a brow to Rufia. The elveness gave a musical laugh. "He does not take to being beaten very well."

"Wh-Who beat him?" Corey questioned, following behind the two women.

"Katt did.... When she was under the influence of Ion." Rufia admitted softly and after drawing open the doors she stepped to the side to usher Isabella and Corey inside first.

"Oh.."

"How is Katt doing?" Isabella piped up while walking into the church.

"I...." Rufia walked after them and drew the doors closed. The taller woman didn't answer at first, just stared at the intricate work of the handles. "I am not sure.." She finally turned to Isabella and Corey to find both were staring at her. The unsure tone hanged on the woman's delicate face. "I don't know."

"What do you mean?"

Rufia had already begun her way towards the stairs when Isabella asked. "I remember when I first met Katt. She was a well of emotions and life. But now...." The elveness stopped after a few steps, Corey close on her heels. Isabella was a few feet behind, listening to the explanation. "....Before she woke I couldn't feel anything from her. I still can't. I feel a small sliver of pain, which I figure are from her wounds, but besides that..."

Corey seemed confused by this news and it grew more and more when they saw Katt walking down the hall with Michael hanging on her pinky finger.

"She is moving around and speaking better but.." Rufia watched the little boy run off ahead to Katt's room.

"But?" Isabella urged Rufia on. "I have seen Katt roaming around the church these past few days of her recovery."

Rufia stopped and turned to the two following her. "I do not know how to explain it. I've seen her smile and even laugh. They look real but they feel empty. If I had to say...I would say she was faking.."

Isabella's brow rose up and the nun smiled weakly. "Do you think your tiredness effects your empathy, Rufia? I, too, have seen Katt smile. I have also seen her fuss at Corey. I doubt that is faking."

Rufia's head shook, tossing the cropped hair against her cheeks. "No. I am telling you that isn't the real Katt...I don't know where she is but that.." The elveness pointed to Katt and Michael who entered Katt's room. "...That isn't her. Or a complete her."

Isabella frowned and watched Corey head off after Katt and Michael. "Mayhaps that thing isn't just hiding her memories but who she is, too?"

"But why...? Why do th..." Rufia blinked and tilted her head. "To control her." Rufia sputtered nervously. "Ricter said that Ion was controlling Katt. Maybe whatever they did was so that they could control her."

"If that is true then..Oh my I should probably let Zenny know. If that is true then we need to get that thing off of Katt and soon."

"I agree but there is something that bothers me..." Rufia moved to Katt's room with Isabella close behind. "If they have control over her why haven't they commanded her to leave yet? Why haven't they made her attack?"

"Maybe they can't. Maybe they are too far or the ward that Zenny has around the church disturbs whatever spell Ion has on Katt?" Speculations was all that Isabella could grasp at. "It does seem odd. It has been over a month now.."

Rufia sighed and stepped into Katt's room. Michael was laughing and Corey was chasing him around the room.

"Can't get mes! Can't get mes!" Michael chimed.

Katt laughed from her bed, hands clasped in her lap. She smiled politely and tilted her chin to the door. "Sister Isabella...Rufia. Please come in."

"Hello Katt." Rufia spoke softly and started to routine checkup. "Have you taken any blood since we had talked about it?"

"No.." she answered quick and to the point.

"Katt.." Rufia started but stopped and looked over her shoulder. Michael had stopped, clinging on Corey's hand. They were whispering back and forth. Isabella was preparing some fresh clothing for Katt at the table. "You need to take care of yourself." Rufia looked back to Katt and sighed.

"I'm fine.." she smiled politely again. "Thank you for your concern, Rufia. How are my wounds?"

"Your shoulder looks much better. It might take a little more time for your hand.." Rufia carefully rebound Katt's hand.

She chuckled lightly. "Well yeah it was skewered through. I am lucky I can still move it. How is my back?" When there was no answer her head craned one side. "Rufia?"

"Your back is still in the mend." Rufia offered kindly. "Is there anything I can do to make your stay here more comfortable?"

"Um....When can I uh..." She motioned to the blindfold. "Remove this?"

"When the time comes." Rufia patted Katt's hands and stood. A helpless look was given to Isabella.

"Rufia? Am I well enough to go out soon? I want to go ...to my apartment. I have a cat that hasn't been fed in over a month..."

"Katt. I think it would in your best interest if you stay here.." Isabella quickly chimed in.

"But Corey can come and escort me so I don't bump into things.." she sighed. Feeling helpless didn't ever seem to go away.

"I am sorry, Katt. You need to stay here." Isabella's tone meant there was no room for argument.

She leaned to the window and sighed. "Fine.."

"Psst. Corey? Why are thems being means to Katt?"

"Shhhh! They aren't being mean they are just..."

There was mumbling she couldn't make out. Slipping out of her bed she started to measure out steps to the door.

"K-katt! W-where are you going?" Corey stuttered nervously.

She felt a hand and she was detoured back to the bed. The soft hand made her sigh. "I want to go walk a little." Isabella gently was tucking her in. By the time she was under the covers she found herself simply not wanting to fight it.

"You are still tired, Katt.." Rufia spoke over Isabella's shoulder. Isabella softly rolled Katt onto her side to get a better look at the crest. "Corey...Take Michael to bed. It is way past his bedtime."

"But I don't wannnnaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Michael whined pitifully.

"Michael don't argue with me." Isabella scowled.

Michael screamed out a fit almost instantly. Big fat tears strolled down the small boy's face and he fought against Corey even after he was scooped up. His fit continued as Corey carried him out, muffled when the door closed.

The room was silent and she wondered if she was alone...until she heard Isabella sigh. "What is wrong?" She finally asked to break the heavy hanging silence.

Isabella was busy examining the crest when Katt asked and the nun shook her head. "Oh nothing dear! We are just looking you over to see if we can do more to help you on your road to recovery."

She didn't quite believe Isabella but that was fine. Yawning she curled up and tucked her pillow under her cheek. Sleep tugged at her, drawing her down until she slumped completely.

Isabella looked at Rufia. "How *are* her wounds?"

"Her back hasn't changed at all since the parasite has been removed. I don't know why."

The two women passed words between themselves for several hours, trying to weed out what to do..

...The crest needed to go!

.: Feb 28th - Early Morning :.

She had made her way to her room some time after eating and had fallen asleep. Waking up after a few hours she felt something next to her. An arm draped over her side made it hard to really roll over and at the same time felt vaguely...familiar. A little nudge had the small figure flop over in a mumbling fit.

It was... Michael?

Sighing she pushed up out of the bed, being careful not to disturb the sleeping child. After a bit of fumbling to find the slip on shoes she found her way out of the room and eventually down the stairs. She couldn't of been sleeping that long..the church was still really quiet.

The last of the stairs was taken and she felt torn between going into the kitchen or...

Turning she made her way to the doors and opened them enough to slip out. She felt something push against her. It was weird but ignored. The door pulled softly closed behind her she started down the steps. She grunted quietly at the slippery steps under her shoes. There was a lot of steps and it took a lot to make her way down them without falling.

Her mind kept reminding her that there was a fountain in front of the church. Broken but it was there. Hands went out after the last step and she ambled forward until she found the fountain's edge. Turning she sat, facing the church.

Hands settled in her lap she just sat there. This.. This was familiar. Sitting on a fountain...

It felt like...

...She was waiting...

"She is such a pa-"

"Shut up, Zenus. We need to get her to the waystone." The woman growled at her canine counterpart.

"Fine. Do y-What the hell?!"

It was growing louder. A sound like there was a livewire hissing in the air.

"Zenus! MOVE!"

It was too late. Katt rolled over, legs kicking at the canine like creature to the ground. Both hands went up and crashed down into the ribcage and the livewire sound exploded. Literally. Gray blood, fur, and innards flew into the air, splashing not only her but the mysterious woman in gore. The carcass of Zenus slumped between her knees. Snarling her head tilted in the direction of the woman.

The woman laughed and started towards her. Quickly she raised from the body and clenched at the air, forcing her body to endure the exhaustion of creating a shadow dagger.

"Oh do you plan on attempting to dispatch me as well? I think not, my little flower." The woman cooed softly.

The creation of the weapon melted when she heard the woman say that. Brows furrowed against the blindfold. She started to ask question the woman but before she could someone ran by.

"Kitty!"

"M-Michael?" she choked out.

"Mic-Michael! G-Get away it's dangerous!!!"

Her head whipped. Corey too? She felt Michael's arms wrap her waist. He was sobbing and clinging on for dear life.

"Pests. You all! It matters not. I will kill you all and return her to her rightful place."

Lowering her arm she pushed Michael away. "Go Michael."

"N-No!" the little boy whined.

She growled even as darkness began to ink along her arms, fashioning her fingers into wickedly curved claws. "Michael! Go!"

"Oh how adorable. You are going to protect them?" The woman laughed.

She used the laughter to swiftly approach the woman. Slashing the air she missed and something metallic met the claws. Flinching she grunted and tilted to follow the sword's direction.

"Other way Katt! She's behind you!" Corey directed.

A little late. Her head rocked back when the crest was grabbed. She gasped, mouth gaped open.

"Enough of this foolishness. It is time to g-" The woman choked in surprise and stumbled back, clenching her waist. She stared at Katt who was still standing there with her arm bent, a backward blade protruding from her elbow dripped with vital. "Resourceful." The woman laughed and attempted to stand fully. Katt had managed to tear from the puncture point to rip out the side leaving the other female with a nice gap in her side.

Suddenly a hand grasped Katt's wrist, pulling her along. "Katt. Hurry! Back inside!" Corey dragged her to the steps but she kept her attention in the direction of the woman. He shoved Michael ahead and when Katt didn't move like he wanted he grabbed her arm sharply and pulled her close. Then slung her over a shoulder. He stumbled, unaccustomed to her weight. "Ack!"

"What the hell are you doing?!"

"Ack! She's coming! Shut up!" Corey ran up the stairs with the added weight, the woman close on his heels.

Suddenly she found herself dropped and shoved forward. The thickness she stumbled past made her feel as if she was passing through tar but she fell to the ground on the other side of the barrier. She heard a choking sound come from Corey as he was skewered through. Rolling over she felt Michael grabbing at her arm, the boy trying to breath through tears and sobbing in his attempt to tell her what happened. She quickly shoved Michael back and pushed to her feet. She didn't even make it to the doorway. Corey pushed from the sword's end and wrapped her up in a hug, using his weight to toss them both back into the church. She landed on her back with a thud and pain rushed through her. Corey's weight pinning her.

"Worthless human trash. How dare you get in my way." The woman paced at the doors, unable to enter.

"Ka...Katt...D-Don't.." Corey kept her pinned, refusing to release her even as he bled out.

"M-Michael. Don't go outside. Close the doors! Quick!"

The little boy did as he was told, jumping when the woman snarled at him. The doors were slammed in her face. Michael then ran off. "SISTER ISABELLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

She listened as Michael ran off and Corey's raspy breathing. "Corey..."

"W-Why..d..did you ...g..go outside?" He gurgled in her ear quietly.

"I..I'm sorry Corey. I ...I just..I was trying to ..remember.. P..Please don't die.." She sniffed softly. He wasn't suppose to die. He...

He...

...wasn't..suppose to leave...

"You...can't die.."

Corey chuckled weakly against her ear. "I'm ..n..not..S-She missed a..anything.." He went quiet.

"W-Wake...Wake up..W-WAKE UP!" She shook Corey until she felt another pair of hands.

"Katt! Stop it!" Isabella took Corey into her arms and Katt quickly scrambled to sit up.

"H..He.."

"He is breathing. Go to your room. I will take care of him."

"B-But.."

"NOW!"

She cringed at the echoing voice and rushed to her feet. The shadows had yet to leave her body. Stumbling to her room and it struck her late but...

She had been unable to draw on her Altian strength. That was a bit ..alarming. It didn't matter. She paced her room and eventually sat down. She didn't sleep just..sat..waiting.

.: Mar 3 - Late Afternoon :.

The group of children that Isabella and Corey watched over were scattered throughout the marketplace, making the two scurry in attempt to collect each and every one of the wee ones.

Tabitha and Michael were the last two gathered. Tabitha had been crying and Michael was trying to comfort her. They were lead back to the church, Isabella scowling the entire way. Michael paid her no mind but was keeping a steady eye on the younger Tabitha. After she had stopped crying she had been really, really quiet.

Too quiet.

Michael did like always once they arrived in the church and quickly scrambled his way to Katt's room. He found the door ...locked. Little fist pounded at the door until it was opened and Ricter peered down at the little boy.

"What is it child?"

The elven man's voice made the boy nervous but he squared his shoulders and huffed out bravely. "I wants to see Kitty!"

"Kitty? Oh, Katt. Sorry, lad, she is busy at the moment. Come back later." Ricter tried to explain but the sudden howl of a shriek behind him had the boy squeezing by the little space between the tall man and the door. "Michael! Wait!"

Michael did but because of what he saw. Rufia and Katt on the floor, separated but both spilled. Rufia was holding her face while Katt was on her knees, hands attempting to grasp at the floor as she gasped for air. "K-Kitty."

"Katt. Calm down." Rufia tried to reach out for her but she coiled away from both voices. Rufia could tell she was having terrible trouble breathing. "Katt.."

Katt's hand shoved at the air, swatting Rufia away a lot lighter then she had before. Springing to her feet she made for the door, just barely in her right mind to grab the coat from the hanger nearby. She sped past Michael, leaving the poor boy in a daze. When Ricter tried to grab her she shoved him but his grip was a lot stronger then she remembered. In her panic she squirmed and eventually got out of his grasp.

"Katt wait!" Isabella called as Katt sped by and Corey blinked.

Steps were not the most easiest of things to work her way down and she stumbled, catching hold of the railing. She didn't let it stop her. By now measured steps were familiar and she didn't have to count. She was out the door before any of those chasing her could catch her. Amazingly she was out of the church and on the streets without much hassle. Breathing was still hard to do but eased the farther she got from the church.

Maybe it was the fresh air but she was pretty sure it was something else...

A few hours later...

"Where are we going." Because it felt like they were going in circles. Michael was pulling her one way and Tabitha was attempting to pull her in another. It was confusing...Eventually she was lead to what seemed like a wide alley of sorts. Or a building? She didn't know but she knew when Michael talked his voice bounced off the walls.

"Are yous sure Tabby?" Michael asked the curly haired girl. He blinked when she shied back behind Katt's leg. "Whas wong?"

"It took you long enough, child. Mister teddy bear here was getting lonely.."

Katt stiffened to the voice and yanked on Michael to pull him behind her with Tabitha. Before she could do it fully Tabitha had broken away and was running forward to collect her teddy from the cloaked woman who was holding it out in wait. "Tabby wait.." Katt started after the child.

The woman gave the bear to Tabitha as a prize for the 'delivery' and looked to Katt as she approached. Silence meant she was able to wait even if Michael was tugging to keep her back.

Katt's head turned when she heard Tabitha scurry by, Michael's silence and pulling trying to get her to retreat. She decided to do just that but before she could get too far she felt a hand grasp a lock of her hair. Yelping she was drawn close. The woman smelled like.....nothing...

"Do you see what you get for trusting? Back stabbed at every turn." The woman sighed softly against Katt's ear as she was drawn up into a hug of sorts. "Good little children do as they are told."

Michael looked at Tabitha who, of course, had no clue that she had been used to weasel Katt out of the church. Huffing the little boy turned to the woman. "Let Kitty go!" Brave little man he was, Michael started marching forward.

The woman chuckled at the show, watching him with amusement. A slender hand curled along Katt's chin and brushed along her cheek while words were whispered into her ear. From cheek to the back of her head the woman's hand moved until it found the crest.

The crest glowed and Katt inhaled sharply, lips parting to release a heavy breath into the air. It was riddled with pain and then nothing.

Michael stopped a few feet away when he noticed something crawling along Katt's skin. It was creepy looking.. Dark gray substance alive, crawling and attempting to consume her. "Kitty..Mean lady stop hurting Kitty!"

The woman grinned at Michael, her eyes turning to watch Tabitha run away. "Boy..I am not hurting her. If anything I am freeing her. This is who and what she is.."

"N...No..." Katt groaned and tilted her head back, trying to keep the creeping ink from covering her face. It was already washing over her cheeks. A claw tipped hand rose up to grasp the wrist that clenched her hair.

The woman chuckled at Katt. "No?" The woman nestled into Katt's hair, close to her ear, and whispered again. Once she was done she released Katt who simply stood there.

Michael wanted to approach but when he saw her hands..the shining metal like substance on her fingers that looked like razor sharp claws.. "Kitty?"

Katt dipped towards Michael and a hand reached out as if to cup his small face with the metal plated palm. The motion came quick and her claws bit into the youth's shoulder and upper arm. The impact was enough to send the boy slamming into the wall. There was no check to see if the claws had shredded him or if the impact killed him.

The woman laughed, looking to the small body that littered the trash. Smooth motions had her stepping to Katt's side, a hand cradling Katt's cheek. If it were not for the blind the woman might of seen something that would be been displeasing. "Finally...Come, little flower. It is time to go." The woman started to walk, passing by Michael.

Katt dutifully followed...

.: Mar 6 - Morning :.

The day went by, uneventful. The woman ... or rather creature ..had shed its disguise the closer to the 'magic hour' it got.

It was essentially the 'demon' from Katt's dreams. The implant of itself while connected to her was easy. To prey on her hopelessness and heavy sense of being utterly alone. No matter how strong she wanted to be there was only so much one could take before they broke.

..that breaking point had been pushed upon brutally and without mercy.

A clicking sound caught the creature's ears and it's beady eyes lowered to the square stone that met the ground. "About time. Come." Talon fingers clicked out a snap and the figure hiding in the shadows dropped silently to the ground next to him.

Ion watched the stone as it rose up and folded back in half then folded out again. Stretching wide and long to form a doorway of solid stone. Wild energy spat out from the edges and a roll of eerie fog crawled along the ground to their feet.

Beckoning...

"Sssseemsss like it isss time to go." Ion moved forward, heavy feet set the ground shaking with each step. Looking over shoulder he looked to Katt to make sure she was following.

Her delicate form shaded like it was, with the swirls of darkness and the claws that were nothing like her altian form.

He took the time to watch the deadly stalking 'creature' from over his shoulder. A part of Katt she had wanted to forget..almost did forget..would of forgotten. That Darkness of her very being that was left to consume her whole now that she was no longer hindered by her memories and desires. A smirk pulled on Ion's reptilian like lips. It was a self-satisfied expression...Victorious.

Ion turned and stepped through the waystone, the energy wall crackled soundly but accepted the bulky form without hesitation. The smaller form followed moments behind and the gate . Once she had passed through the gate collapsed in on itself. The crackling energy faded from the waystone as it fell to the ground, clanking noisily until it stilled in it's roll.

..silence overtook the hall once again.

.: Mar 10 - Evening :.

Rubbing her face she stumbled into the cemetery. The encounter with Mayu and Toby left her aching in far too deep a way that not even the cold could ease. She wasn't given much warning upon passing the arch.

**THWAP!**

"GAH!" her head rocked back when a clump of snow found her face with force. Her head slowly rolled forward and she started to wipe away the packed white fluff. Red rimmed eyes glared at Max who was on the far end of the cemetery laughing up his victory.

If looks could kill..

She watched as he bellowed and rolled in his laughter until..

**Thwap!**

Max went down like a tumbling block, a snowball catching the very temple. Eliam, leaning against a tree, calmly shoved the glasses up the bridge of his nose but had that smug smile on his face. It wasn't he who throw it. No. It seemed to be the giggling tree.

She knew that giggle. Terasa was there it seemed. She didn't really want to interact with any of them. Rubbing the snow away she sighed and closed her eyes. A number of steps retreated her back but before she got too far she felt a pair of arms grab her waist.

"Oh no you don't! Come play spoiled sport!" Max swung her around like she was a sack of potatoes and dragged her to a patch of snow.

She snarled and kicked her legs. "Max. Let me go. NOW!"

"Ma-Max let her.." Terasa tried to chime in to save Max from a fate he wouldn't enjoy.

At both the female's warnings he released Katt to her feet and she quickly pressed past, making her way to the way she had came. "Whoa. She's wound up tighter then normal." Max blinked after Katt and suddenly rocked forward after a sounding smack rattled the air. Rubbing his head Max looked over his shoulder to find Eliam glowering. Of course Max was lost as to the reason and it was rare that Eliam ever lost his smug smile.

"Miss Kathryn!" Terasa chased after Katt and reached out to touch her hand. The contact never happened as Terasa drew back and blinked up at Katt. She didn't need to touch Katt to feel the emotions that came from her. It was almost suffocating and splitting.

"I'll be back later, Terasa. You can scold me then.." She shook her head and slipped out of the cemetery.

The three blinked but Eliam was the one who took charge. Sliding forward he glided swiftly after Katt. "Lady Kathryn." He called to her, his voice echoing through the nave that she was trying to push through swiftly. He followed her despite her lack of answer. Despite the fact she obviously didn't want company. By the time she made it out of the church he was at her side, pace kept in time with her own. "Do you wish to talk?"

She glanced to the side with a look that just screamed how stupid that question was.

He just smiled ever so calmly to her. "Well then I suppose we shall walk in silence."

She knew what that meant. He was going to walk with her if she wanted it or not. That was okay. The company wasn't that bad even though she had no intentions on talking.

"As I was saying earlier.." Eliam started, his hands clasped to the small of his back. "Your progress is coming along very well. You seemed to of adapted to the changes and knowledge."

Her face flattened at his words.

"And what about the .."

"It's fine." she grunted without waiting for him to finish.

"What about.."

"I don't want to talk about it." She sliced him off before he tried to continue to where she was sure he was heading.

"Terasa told me what she saw."

Her eyes turned to him. How long had Terasa been there? How much had she spied on? "What..did she tell you." Eliam smiled at her with that smile she was having a feeling he used just to poke at her without physically touching her.

"Don't forget your healing session with Terasa in the morning." He eased to her carefully.

She turned to find he had wandered off just after they had passed the fountain. To a bookstore.

She wasn't that surprised...

.: Mar 24th - Late Night :.

"Oh my precious little flower. You've come home." The laughter was deep and rumbling. Dark eyes stared and a grin placed firm upon thin lips...It was alarming to view this man, chained to the floor with his hands bound behind his back. Demonic glowering enhanced by the matting of clumped dark hair that flowed over his face. The clothes and armor both were caked with blood and mud that had been there for who knows how long.

A disturbing sight and the smell was just as bad.

Dangerously close to be standing there she watched as the man leaned down to her level, eyeballing her closely. "I see Ion was partly successful in his task of retrieving you. Come, my child. Release me from my shackles and we shall unleash such a hell upon these lands like they have never seen. Be quick before that fool Oda brings the guards."

She didn't move. Simply..stared.

His eyes narrowed upon the smaller form and his annoyance started to grow. "Release me now! Or you will die with the re-"

"SHUDDUP!" She bellowed out, in his face and without remorse. Hands curled up to her sides. How could this man..be alive? "Why.. Why did you do this to me?! Why couldn't you of left me to my life?!"

The man stumbled back and to the side. Not from surprise of her raised voice but from the laughter that sent him tittering. "Hahahaha! Life? What *life* do *you* posses child?" His head tilted and he grinned like a madman in her direction. "You are nothing but a doll. A puppet for my strings. You were born for one purpose and one purpose only. To do my biding." He rocked around to face her, the grin growing to the point she was waiting for his face to split in half. "You are nothing. Nothing but an amusement for me. Stuck between light and darkness. Oh yes, I had plans for you. To open the ivory gates wide for me but what use do I have for a plaything that thinks they have life..? A purpose.." He snorted at her when he noticed her shaking with anger. "Self-awareness. I thought my brother had beaten that out of you."

"S-Shut up. I have a purpose. I have life. I *am* self-aware! And I have people who care about me! Who have helped me get over all this cra-" She blinked when the man fell to his knees, laughing so hard that he doubled forward then rocked back. He was...laughing at her?

"Ha! Did Oda bring you in here to kill me with this dribble?! Do you honestly believe anyone cares about you? Even to Oda you are a plaything! In the end, child, all one has is their self and power. That is all and you don't even have *that*!"

Her hands clenched tighter and she turned her head. His words stung. Shaking her head she forced it away. "Is..my mother really dead? Or..I-Is..she alive?"

The man's laughter stilled almost instantly at the question and his overall demeanor seemed to drop. They stared at each other for a long period of silence. It was weird to see him like that but soon enough the wicked grin sprouted back into place. "I skinned that worthless piece of trash after the men had their way with her. She gave me what I needed. A weapon of destruction. A child stuck between two worlds and can never be whole. She gave me *you* with open arms and a bright smile."

"LIAR!" She shrieked at him and dove forward, slamming a fist into his cheek so hard that her knuckles hurt. He reeled back into the wall. Clenching her hand she tried to shake off the sting of being touched and stalked after the man who could do nothing but lean into the wall. "My mother loved me! If she had known what a monster y-"

"We. You are my daughter after all.." He grinned down at her.

"No. No I am not. You are *nothing* to me.." She glared up at him darkly.

"Believe what you may, my precious flower, but in due time. I will be released and I will bring you home and-"

"I have no home.."

"Oh..Oh is that so? So there is no place of value to you? How amusing. It just makes it that much easier for you to adapt when I am free now won't it?"

"I am going nowhere with you..I will *never* go anywhere with you."

He pushed off the wall, leaning towards her once again. His voice lowered, thick and dangerous. "Oh..You will. There is no place you can hide. I will always come for you, my child. So long as there is breath in this body I will make sure that one day you will be returned to my side."

Her eyes tilted up to his face. No place..she could hide. "You..will never leave me alone..and let me live..will you?"

His lips twitched into a smirk that was all knowing. "I think you are getting th-" Before he could finish his words there was a loud choking sound and his eyes grew wide in disbelief. He stared down at her even as her flesh began to overrun with the embrace of darkness. Lodged deep into his gut with her hand, armor-plated fingers flexed wide. He laughed even as the blood bubbled from his lips. "That's my girl. B..But we both know..you can't kill me."

Forty-five minutes later the door opened and Oda dipped into the large holding cell, stopping short after just entering the disturbing scene. Standing before him was the gore drenched girl with a unyielding blank expression. Behind her was a mangled corpse that not even he could distinguish who it had once been. If he had been any other person he would of been confused by the scene but behind the steel demeanor was understanding.

The large man moved forward, slipping an arm across her shaking shoulders. He tried to move her but the pressure didn't seem to budge her...at first.

She stumbled a step as if knocked out of some trance and tears instantly began to swim down her blood soaked cheeks. Turning her eyes up to Oda she shook her head. "O-Oda...m..my mom..She..She did love me right?"

Oda's expression echoed heartache. Grasping her shoulders he turned her to face him fully. "Your mother was an honorable and great woman, Kathryn. She loved you wholehearted and gave her life to protect you. Do not ever doubt that."

She sniffed and nodded weakly. It was nice to know that at least that part of things had been true. Weakly turning she stumbled out of the holding cell.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Eliam stop! You've hurt her enough!"

"Ah! Terasa stop that!"

The young girl's flailing hits disturbed the rites the man was performing and a mess was created in end result. The cluttering of a bowl spinning on the ground stole both attentions and soon Terasa was sighing.

"I'm sorry. I just..she's had enough tonight I think. Let her rest. Her mind is already in enough turmoil."

"You are not just saying that because you too are tired?" Eliam looked over to the young girl who quickly huffed.

"Of course I am tired! We have been doing this for almost twelve hours!"

"She only has a few more days, Terasa!" Eliam barked sharply, making the girl draw back instantly. A calming breath left Eliam and he forced the glasses up his nose. "If we are going to make sure that her illness will be lessened we need to get everything done before the pact ends. I am just.."

"You are exhausting us and yourself. We will be here for her when the pact ends so.. For now lets all just rest." Terasa smiled to him and shooed him out the door. Eventually she followed, closing the door to leave the sleeping Katt to her dreams.