Mwa ha ha ha. The ten year old had somehow managed to sneak back into the house she'd been sharing with Ryo, no magic really. Just used the little holes and things around, and stealth of course. She'd been away for quite a while, not going home. In the kitchen she paused a moment, hesitating, debating on something.

Being careful to avoid Yamikage she padded into her room, grabbed a piece of paper and a pen, and wrote a short note to Ryo.

Ryo,

I'm okay, nothing bad has happened.. I've been living with Icer. I may be moving back in, not sure when though. I'm sorry for having disappeared for so long.

Shad.

Short and to the point. Her handwriting was much the same, slightly heavy handed, but curly. Almost like calligraphy, and written neatly. Though, the ink was a dark green, almost an emerald. Goodness knows where she got that.

Stashing a couple daggers in her belt she headed back to the kitchen, and laid the note in plain sight on the counter. Figuring that he'd find it quickest there. Still thinking she'd gone un-noticed by the cat, and thinking Ryo wasn't there.

Setting one of the heavier daggers on it to keep it there, the dagger was a pretty thing unto itself, an iron rose twined around the hilt. A small emerald made up the leaves, and where the thorns should have been. The head of the rose came out and tipped the hilt's point, carved of a brilliantly red ruby, but cracked down the middle.

She froze as she heard the knock, and slowly went to peek out the window. Pale blond hair might have been visible before she opened the door. Giving up her cover.

"Hi Gabe! Why're you here?" Sounding honestly curious as her head canted slightly. Never mind the fact that she was holding four daggers in her left hand, and the door with the other.

She blinked at him a moment, the pale-ish blue eyes traveling up his form and taking in the fact that he looked like he was gonna move in. "Um." Another blink. "Yeah! Probably, there are lots of empty rooms.. Why are you moving in though, I thought you had that manner? And is the duffel bag all you're bringing?" She led the way in.

She stopped about five steps away from him, and looked back in time to see that intense pain on his face. Wincing and hugging him close. "It'll be okay. We've got room, and you can stay until you get it all sorted out." She spoke softly, but had no doubt that he'd hear her.

Ryo, oblivious to the two others in his residence, had just gotten home himself. The door was shouldered open as he made his way towards his over-used kitchen, slamming the front door behind him and muttering a few curses under his breath. Stress-relief time. As he slid open the paper door, he didn't notice the note Shadow left, he simply went straight to the cupboard he knew held the flour. Gathering the necessary ingredients for his usual chocolate chip cookies, he growled slightly when he noticed the mixing bowl sat slanted. Lifting the empty dish to see what was causing it, he blinked at the note and dagger. Who left this?

He set the bowl back down, only this time on nothing but the counter. Lifting the note up to read and letting out a relieved sigh after he read the words over at least five times. So Shadow was fine, that's good. He hoped the worst part of living in Rhy'Din was behind him, now that one of his closer friends had reached him. He'd been feeling rather alone recently and this note gave him a feeling that it would soon be over.

His curiousity then brought his attention over to the dagger. Just why had she left this? Blinking with confusion, he picked it up, looking over the details it held. So like Shadow, leaving something like this. He smiled and set it back down. Might as well fix some of those wonderful round pastries for now.

He looked up at the noise, growling a bit. "Gabe, what the fuck are you doing here?!" He yelled angrily, not liking trespassers one bit.

"Then why the hell were you on the fucking roof?" He asked, still just as angry, now mixing his cookie batter with just a bit too much motion. "If you want to stay, go find a room and dump your shit there."

"Shit." He muttered as he glanced down to see that what Gabe said was true. He gave a sigh, now done with his mixing, he started to pour small clumps of the batter onto a cookie sheet. After that was placed in the oven and the timer set, he washed himself off as best he could and went to go see which room Gabe choose.

As he found the desired room, he slipped in and sat down by Gabe on the bed. "Sorry." He gave a sigh. "I'm just not having a good day.."

He poked Gabe's forehead. "I'm glad you accepted my offer though. I really think we should be friends."

He gave a smile, "Arigato."

A giggle, expecting that answer. "It means 'thank you'."

"'Do itashi mashite' is the proper term to use as a 'you're welcome'."

"Okay.. Well, maybe later. I don't really want to spend all my time teaching you.."

He nodded, flicking Gabe on the forehead and getting up and heading out of the room. Sliding the paper door closed as he made his way back to the kitchen.

It was bad enough Shadow had no sense, but worse since the fact she knew Gabe had some bad experiences as a child. He tossed and turned till she arrived. He was remembering when he killed his mom and dad. He awoke sweating realy bad. He wasnt thinking and had Shadow by the neck with his left arm. It was a pure death headlock. The kind you would use to strangle someone, and had her dagger positioned behind her head to sever her spine. The moment he came to he let her go the threw the dagger so it would stick in the wall.

"If you value life Shadow next time dont get near me when I sleep...."..

He sat on the bed and placed his hands over his face. He nearly killed her if it erent for the fact he snapped out of it.

The few days that had passed were of him nearly kiloing his body with training as he always did. Sometimes he would fight trolls...Others a couple of Dragons he asked to help him. Nothing to big....But he did have to be carefull so he didnt kill himself before his studies at the Ravensheart academy.