The Continent

“What lovely pain I see.”

A shadow slinked among the burning remains of what used to be large city. Weaving I and out of the flames and smog a certain location planted deeply in it head. It soon came upon the only untouched building in a graveyard of rubble. It was a quite shop with what seemed to be the remains of a perspective spell on it walls. The shadow almost moved past it at first pausing when it turned direction already knowing of the strong spell cats on it to lea people astray. The shadow sipped under the door and into a dimly lit room, where a old woman sat with a large crocodile at her feet.

“What a useless thing you are.”

The old women ignored these words and merely stated her own.“Balance. The world needs balance. If something is unbalanced, no matter how small it will affect everything because everything is connected in some way. This is the first thing taught to every witch it is the upmost rule. Keep the balance above all else this most never be forgotten.” The old witch mused glancing at the old crocodile at her side.

“Why have balance when you can have glorious destruction.”

The old witch chuckled cocking her head to the side she set her blind sight on a vague shadow in the doorway. “You will understand this to well someday pet.” She said softly.”It a lesson we witches must once again learn if the world is to keep turning. The shadow scoffed. The crocodile which had sat silent up to that point crept through the back door and left the two behind, doing it best to carry out its ladies last wishes the shadow Moved forward t made a swift motion a long limb cut down decapitating the wrinkled body cleanly before slinking back towards the door ignoring the already departed beast.

“What a dead traitorous woman says has no relevance to me.”

Yhu awoke with a gasp. He felt something pulsating underneath his jacket. It was the badge that he had gotten from WH. He had hung it around his neck with a red ribbon he had come across at some point in time. Yhu wondered if this meant the Witch Hunters needed assistance. He threw off his covers, grabbed his sword, and darted for the main entrance of his cave. After he reached it, he pushed the large boulder out of the way with ease, using his large metalic arm. He didn't waste time resealing it, as he rushed out into the open snow.

Since Yhu didn't have the badge for long, he didn't know that he could use it as a communication device. A loud voice erupted out of nowhere, causing Yhu to tense up.
"Helloooooo! Anyone there? This guy lives in a cave right? Could it be interfering with the signal?" Yhu then noticed that the feminine voice was caming from his badge. He grabbed it, wondering what to say.

"... This is Yhu. Why have you called for me?" He asked the badge while holding it to his mouth. There was no responce. He than decided to push some magical power into the badge and see if that works, and repeated the same thing. The cold frosty air was beginning to numb his already pale-white fingers.

"Oh! There you are. This is Miki. I'm a D-class agent for the northern WH base. I've called you to tell you that we have a mission that we need you to handle for us. Right now, we're searching for someone from our base to escort you. I'm guessing sense you're an A-class it will either be our S-class member or a senior A-class member. We still haven't found anyone yet. Would you like us to send transport for you?"
The girl asked him, although he did not fully understand. "...No thankyou. I will walk there on my own." Yhu responded, dropping the badge and making his way towards the base at a slower pace. 'This is all very strange. It will take some time to get used to being around other people... Or at least people.' Yhu thought to himself, staring down his manefestation of an arm.

He couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if he hadn't decided to help the WH when their ranks started fighting against each other. He probably would have remained simply living in his cave only eating off the fish he catches in his private fishing hole.

He didn't see what the use of having money would be, if people tried to kill you when you're simply trying to buy a loaf of bread. He decided eating nice meals was a reservation for the living, which he wasen't really much of anymore. As far as Yhu was concerned, he was already dead.

Once Yhu made it to the base, he was met at the front door by a B-class member who's name he never learned. He escorted him to the main office where most of the D-ranks were working diligantly, hoping to rise through the ranks one day.

Hi there! You must be Yhu. A small girl who seemed too young to be here walked up to him. She looked to be about 12 and had long brown hair that fell to her knee's. She wore red wire-rimmed glasses, and an extra-small WH woman's uniform.
I am Miki. The person you were talking to earlier. Wow. You really do have a strange looking arm, don't you? I was only recruited 2 weeks ago, so I wasn't there for the big rebellion. Anyway, you should come wait in here until we find you a partner for your mission." Miki stated, while opening a door that led to a waiting area-type room.
Yhu retained his deadpan expression the entire time, and went inside without question and sat himself down in a chair. He noticed a folded uniform next to him on a sidetable. 'Is this meant for me?' Yhu thought staring at the uniform in wonder.


--


Raith sighed as he made his way slowely and intimidatingly over to the D-class agent. "Wrong. Wrong! Don't just swing your arms! Put your whole body into it. If you get it wrong this time, I'll cut out your left kidney." He threatened, which only made the D-rank even more nervous. He dropped the sword and almost stabbed himself in the foot, because of the pressure. "Idiot! Make that both your kidney's!"
"No! Please! I'm sorry!" The young agent ran off, probably in tears.

"This is why I hate training noobies. The D-ranks will never get stronger than they already are, its pointless." Raith sighed to himself.
"Well then maybe you shouldn't be so rough with them." Bozu said in a lecturing tone, as she hopped down from the pile of sleeping mats she was sitting on.
"Why do we even need those things? Its not like were going camping." He refered to the sleeping mats.
"Well, since there aren't that many people who live here, the only other place to sleep are training rooms. And I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want to sleep on just the floor would you?" She commented back.

"Whatever. Lets just check up on the Boss. Lord knows what he's doing." Raith stated, avoiding the question.
"You're a real hard shell, huh?" Bozu asked following him.
"We've been working together for 3 years, and you've just now noticed?" Raith replied as he walked over to Vincent's office. Once he reached it, he kicked it as hard as he could, causing a crack or two to pretrude their way through the fine wood. "Hey Vincent! I'm coming in. I want to have a talk with you about why I've been stuck training damn noobies for the past few days. They're all spineless."

Raith opened the door, only to find that Vincent wasn't there. "Damn it. Where did that bastard go this time?" He hissed under his breath.
"Maybe he's trying to avoid you. I don't know what he was thinking choosing someone like you to be 2nd in command." She giggled.
"And it'll only be a matter of time before he kicks the bucket. Then I'll be the new WH leader, and I will make everyone bow before my supreme might. Hehehehehe." Raith chuckled to himself rather evilly.

"H-hey. You're not planning on making this place into an empire or something, are you?" Bozu asked him worriedly, a little scared by his sudden mood change. Although, she should be used to it by now.
There was a sudden akward pause as she asked the question. After a little while Raith started walking in a random direction, once again dodging the question. "Lets just find the damned boss already." He mumbled.
"Hey. Wait a minute!" Bozu followed after him. 'We're all going to die if he becomes the leader.' Bozu thought to herself as she followed him.

HEAD WITCH OF THE NORTH

Deidre woke slowly, the cold of the castle air seeping into her bedding. There was no light, no images, no color, nothing flowed before her open and unblinking eyes. She felt sadness sweep over her for a moment.

‘Samael’ she thought, a whisper on the tip of her icy red lips, though it wouldn’t seem to manifest. Immediately a lovely silver white bird flew down to her side.

‘Yes, Deidre?’ came the solemn reply of her faithful companion. Deidre reached a hand out and touched the soft feathered head of Samael and suddenly her sight came to life. She looked around her scarlet and white chambers with a sigh of comfort.

“You always make me feel so much better. Thank you dearest heart.” She murmured. That’s what he was to her. Her heart. He was part of her as she was part of him. That’s just how it was now.

“I had such a lovely dream.” She said as she sat up and he crawled up to her shoulder and became a small white cat that could drape across her shoulders and keep her warm wile she found appropriate clothing that wasn’t the simple whispy white night gown she wore at the moment. She went to her closet in silence, but was prompted to speak by Samael.

‘What of your dream mistress?’ he asked his silky voice wrapping around her comfortingly.

“It was silly….but it was summer here…and everyone accepted me…accepted us as we are. A pair; two halves of a whole. There was no famine, no strife…it was quite lovely….but silly none-the-less” Deidre said with a small sigh and a smile playing on her lips. She picked a dark purple gown that could almost be mistaken for black, and slipped into it.

‘You know…entertaining such thoughts will simply make you get your hopes up’ Samael said wisely. Deidre sighed knowing full well he was right. She picked up a brush and ran it through her snow colored locks.

“I know dear friend…I know…yet I cannot help It.” she murmured. With a flick of her wrist her fireplace was roaring and the creeping frost that nipped at her exposed flesh faded quickly.

“Well today is a new day….who knows…maybe my dreams will come true some day…..lets go find my general shall we?” Deidre said with a smile as she opened her large doors and exited in search of her General and good friend.




ROGUE WITCH HUNTER

Onyx paced. She paced because she was irritated. She was irritated because the stupid rebellion had gotten her caught up with the handsome guy that now resided in almost all her thoughts. She growled and punched a tree, God this was a pain.

She had even thought about becoming a fully re-instated witch hunter again. HA laughable thought, that.

She sighed again.

No choice…she’d have to kill him.

The sun was rising from the distance. Its golden lights brushed against every other beings, from the trees to the grass. It bathed everything in golden sun-lights like it was trying to warm everything. But its effort was futile. It was always cold here. Always. There wasn't a single thing that could be warmed like how the sun liked in this place. The sun could never truly reached the cores of the beings in here and even if the creatures in this place were warmed when the sun went up, the moment the sun was covered by the clouds, everything turned cold again. Even the humans. Their hearts were also frozen with the cold and the snow.

He stood there, watching the sun was, once again, trying to warm everything up. He watched it failed miserably as it couldn't even melt the tiny snowflake in his outstretch arm and Aisu resisted the urge to snort at its pathetic attempt. He really didn't understand why the sun shone in a place like this. The North. A cold, cold place where everything, half of the time, was covered in snow. His aqua blue eyes drifted toward the far distance and he allowed his emotionless face to relax even so slightly. Even if this was a place that wouldn't fit for people, it was still his home.

Home?...Do I still have a home anymore?

He asked himself and the answer quickly came into his mind. 'no...I don't have a home...not anymore...' He reached for his ice sword and touched it slightly, enjoying the coldness of the metal and the coldness of the ice melted into his hands. He sat down on the rooftop, crossed-leg and wearing nothing but his usual white t-shirt and blue jeans. He didn't feel the need of wearing a jacket. Such thing was useless. If he had to stay in this place, the least he could do was getting used to the cold. But Deidre didn't think so. She would somehow nag him until he had to go and retreat his jacket.

Thinking of Deidre brought a small smile to his hard face and his entire feature relaxed even further, making him younger than he really was. He had wanted to call her his Mistress but somehow, he didn't think she would appreciate it, especially when she saw him as a friend. But that didn't stop him from seeing her as something more than a friend. She was the first one and maybe the only one beside his contract to ever make him smile. There was something about her that made Aisu feel weird whenever he looked at her. Aisu wasn't like the other boys. He wasn't clueless. He knew he had a crush on her since the first day he met her but he never told her about it. He didn't want to because if she rejected him, that would mean the end of the little friendship he had with her.

"...Elric..." He called softly, unwilling to break the comfortable silence of the morning. "...yes, Master?..." Elric appeared next to him in a puff of smoke and he turned his head to look at his contract - the ice demon - Elric. He nodded his head and said quietly "...I remember that you said you loved the morning, correct?..." The demon didn't say anything and sat down next to him, watching the sunrise with him. Finally, it spoke "...why don't you tell her, Master?...I hate to see you hurting like this whenever you meet her because you want to keep her friendship but at the same time, want to confess about your love..." Aisu didn't reply for a long time, deep in thoughts. At last, the Ice king of the North opened his mouth, only to chuckle bitterly "...and risk destroying my friendship with her? No, thank you, Elric...besides, I'm not hurting that much..." The demon snarled angrily "...not hurting that much? don't lie to yourself and to me, Master...I can practically see you torn yourself apart with each passing second when you're near the Head Witch...if you want to tell her so much, tell her!..." But Aisu shook his head before adding, his tone was void of any emotions "...no, Elric...I do not want to discuss any further in this subject...I know what to do...you do not need to tell me..." He sighed and whispered, his voice was too quiet for any others to hear "...how can she love an emotionless person like me?..." Elric shook its head at its Master 's stubbornness and disappeared with another soft puff. Aisu could vaguely hear the demon's voice filled the air "...fine, Master...but if you continue to be like this...I won't care about your command anymore...and I'm going to tell the Head Witch about your emotions myself..."

Aisu offered no reply as he continued to stare at the sun. He whispered to no-one "...will you continue to be my Sun? Warm me but never truly here for me to grasp..." He said again, this time a deep, bottomless sadness entered his voice "...will you continue to be out of my reach forever, my Mistress? my Deidre?..." He heard the large gate opened and he looked down from the rooftop. Deidre was there, smiling like a goddess with her beauty and her warmth. Suddenly, Aisu could feel his whole body warm up like she was the source of warmth in his life. And Aisu concluded. No matter if she liked him or not, Aisu would continue to love her and protect her forever, even if she would never know about his love or how his heart was breaking apart right now with the knowledge that she was looking at him like a friend but not a lover.

He jumped down from the rooftop, his blue hair covered in snowflakes but he didn't bother making them go away. They would melt in time anyway. He offered a small smile - the largest one his emotionless face could really offer and he greeted her softly "...hello, Deidre...how are you this morning?"

well, as long as I'm near her...I'm home...

Deidre was startled….but not startled by Her general’s appearance. She had the innate ability to….just know…where he was. She had sensed him, much like she sensed the few living creatures in her realm. She felt his soul brush against hers ever time she was near him. She thought maybe it was because she was not just connected to Sameal, but the land. It was where, in the most technical way, she had died and been reborn. Not as a fiery phoenix, but as an icy queen of death. She had not however expected him to drop from above.
He offered a small smile.
"...hello, Deidre...how are you this morning?" Aisu asked, his voice, so quiet, as if unwilling to break the beauty of the hushed morning. The sun touched her face and it heated, radiated warmth onto her skin. She smiled brighter before returning her pale silver eyes back on her friend.
“It is quite lovely today…. Such a glorious morning yes?” She murmured as she studied him. Her pale eyes searching his aqua ones. He seemed unhappy at times, though he was good at hiding it, she wasn’t a head witch for no reason. She did not usually push the subject, but her heart called out for him to trust in her, to confide his hurts with her, so maybe, though she was born of death and pain, she could do some good, and heal it.
Then again, she knew she could not ask him. For she feared the loss of one of her only friends. She smiled sadly for a second then shook it off. If he ever truly trusted her, he would open up. Until then there was nothing she could do but wait and wonder about what lay underneath the beautiful mask that was Aisu.
“What troubles you, dear heart?” She asked, as she brushed her fingers gently through his hair, to knock the flakes of snow away.
“Are you sick? I warned you about running around without a coat….you’ll catch your death if you keep it up” she said in a stern concerned voice, though she knew very well that he was not ill. She hoped to coax it out of him, though she knew it was unlikely.
‘Deidre….i know what bothers him…he is not sick in the ohysical sense….but sick in the heart—‘ Samael whispered in her mind.
‘I do not wish to pry. If he wishes to tell me….he shall’ Deidre said back to him, touching his mind with her own.
‘I understand mistress….i wish to hunt soon, is that agreeable with you?’ Samael asked. Deidre knew she had offended him so she sighed and nodded.
“you may hund now” she murmured out loud and he shifted to bird form and flew away.
“Aisu dear….would you guid me for a little wile…I fear I have upset Samael.” She said with a sigh as she held out her hand and waited.

Roxane walked fastely trough the hallways looking for someone or something she could taker her anger out on. But for some reason the building seemed deserted so she ended up kicking a trashcan which of course fell over. For a moment she thought about cleaning it up. But before the thought had the time to install itself in her head,she had already pushed it away. She walked further trough the hallways till a D class collided against her. The D class was about to make a nasty comment against her but then she realized who she had before her. Roxane Vandenreyt,she was famous for her dirty temper and skills on the battlefield. The first one who spoke was Roxane. "Instead of staring at me with open mounth,do something useful like apologizing and cleaning up the trashcan that someone pushed over but was to lazy to clean his own mess up. "uh,yes Miss" Roxane glared at her. "Aren't you forgetting something?" The D class girl fastly bowed and apologized "I'm very sorry miss." "That's better. Now go clean that trashcan,you slothful person." It was quit obvious that Roxane hadn't heard of the word nice before and that she didn't feel the need either. So the D class person bowed again quikly and started running toward the direction Roxane had pointed while talking about the trashcan. "......Now that i think about it,that's the wrong direction isn't it?" An evil grin appeared on her face thinking about how the girl would search the whole building afraid to come under the S class her eyes before she had cleaned it up. "Wish you luck." she whispered walking further towards her room so that she could put on some comfortable clothing which existed out of black pants,a white sleeveless shirt and a black jacket. She opened her room which was located on the 4th floor and saw how messy it was compared to when she had left. She fekt her rage rising again thinking about how her roommate had probably done all of it. It became time that the girl learned where she standed. How dare she poke her nose into other people stuff without their permission. She walked towards the window and opened it up. She then again walked towards her roommates bed and picked up the pillow lying above it. It was only a few seconds later that someone was screaming that there was falling something white to the ground.

Onyx considered ways to kill her dearest Vincent.

Beheading? Impaling? No those where too good for such a low down dirty—what had he done again? Oh! Right! Captured her intrigue-and dare she say it?- a piece of her heart. His endearing grin must have been her down fall…or maybe the many times he saved her. Damn her heart and damn him. That’s why she had to kill him…and what more fitting way that to cut out his heart?

She mused to herself as she paced in the empty cabin in which she was now residing. No one lived there, and if they did, they took poor care of the place…so she would take over and make it her home base—for now. Until she had strategically placed moves put down in her mind. Mapped out….until she was ready. She thought for a moment that she might be procrastinating….then shook it off. Ya right, one of the most feared witch hunters procrastinating? She did not fear anything or anyone, let alone a lowly male witch hunter.

She sighed. Her mind was on overdrive, and she needed sleep. She laid down on the bed and stretched out. She had too much to think about and too little sleep. Now was the time to catch some zZzZz’s before she infiltrated the witch hunter base.

Her eyes closed as her mind swirled with thoughts of the aqnnoyingly handsome Witch hunter head.

"...of course, Deidre...it is my pleasure...would you like to take a walk around the forest? It is very beautiful in the morning or so I have heard..."

Deidre smiled. She wouldn’t be able to enjoy the forest because now, she couldn’t see again. Sometimes she hated not being able to see…she couldn’t see what was beautiful, she couldn’t see what mattered….she couldn’t see Aisu’s expressions so she couldn’t tell how he felt.

"...I may not need the jacket but I know you might need it...it is quite cold today after all...” a pause as something—the jacket—was placed over her shoulders. “...alright...we can go now..."

Deidre laughed.

“Well, I guess me ordering you to put on a coat when I wasn’t wearing one wasn’t very practical. I wish you would put one on….but if you insist….” She murmured and tucked her arm in his.

“Oh, and by the way, I can fuss over you all I wish, as you are my general and it would be…impractical….of me not to be concerned. Besides…I like fussing over you…because I care for you my dear.” Deidre said In a matter of fact tone then she grinned.

“Besides, if I don’t fuss who will?” she said still grinning like a little kid.

The wind whispered through her hair and she tilted her head a little listening. It told of the near future. She fell silent and her smile fell a little as her own mind drifted to the impending war. She knew the things that had been done…the things that she had done….to survive. Death just hadn’t been an option…so she had chosen to commit unimaginable acts that had scarred her for life and still made her wake up in a cold sweat at night. Things she could never rid herself of. She shook her head at the sad thoughts. She knew she would have to commit such acts again soon enough…that is if she wanted her, Aisu, and the rest of her queendom to survive the atrocities it now faced.

“Aisu….will you stay with me?” she murmured her eyes drifting in his general direction. She didn’t mean just for today, she meant for as long as possible….because in reality she had no one else. She had herself, Samael….and Aisu her faithful general and friend. She didn’t want to loose that….she didn’t want to lose him. Especially to war. He was one of the few that knew about the horrible things she had done to survive the last war. He knew because she was still haunted by the spirits of the witches she had tortured and killed. Enemies that refused to leave her in peace. He knew because she was sure he had heard her screaming in her sleep, or crying when she woke. He knew because she trusted him.

“I mean….i’m sorry, that was an unfair question. I don’t want you to stay because you think I need you…I do need you….but I would never ask you to stay through a war that is bound to tear this land apart….” She murmured. She knew she would fight to her last breath for the land, and its few people, but she couldn't ask Aisu to do the same.

"...as long as you still want me, Deidre...death won't be able to force me away from you......I promise..." There was a pause and she couldnt help but smile and squeeze his hand back.

"...if you don't want to tear this land apart...why do you still go into war with the witch hunters?..." he asked

Deidre let her hand caress the petals of the snow flower, as her mind painted the picture that her friend spoke of. His question caught her off guard just as much as hers did him. Why was she going to war? For her safety? Because it was only a matter of time before they came after her too? Because she knew she couldn’t let thousands of witches fight and die in a battle that she should be part of? Honor? Duty? What was it? She really wasn’t sure. She knew she had to protect her own, and if the witch hunters defeated one, they could defeat all. If one territory fell, it would be that much easier to take down the rest. She sighed.

“I don’t know. Isn’t it my duty to fight with my fellow witches?” She asked with a frown.

“Isn’t it my job to protect my land that they are bound to come after?” She asked her hand that what in his started to shake and her lips trembled.

Samael suddenly swooped in and landed on her shoulder. He barely avoided ripping open the flesh of her shoulder with his talons as he landed, but changed to a smaller bird—a sparrow—and perched there gently. Her sight returned so suddenly she got dizzy and stumbled backwards, the world spinning as the ground rushed to meet her. She caught her balance at the last minute as she shut her eyes. Slowly she opened them and looked around.

“It is just as you said. Beautiful” she murmured with a smile.

Far to the west in the middle of the vast dessert that occupied it, a bird flew its eyes taking in the landscape below it taking everything in. through its eyes looked another.

The bird flew over the border leading into the east it eyes finding what used to be village, only ashes remained. The bird flew low landing on the roof of a the only undamaged building, taking flight again it ducked down into the chimney, coming out on the other side it flew to land on the bookshelf. Observing the dead body on the floor it tittered down and over landing right on top of it, lightly pecking at the body. When the body didn’t move it simply cocked it head.

Miles way in a underground cluttered chamber of dusty books and a number of odd things sat the head witch of the west. Her name was that of her contract. Maud skeleton for she had a contract with bones that bound our bodies together. Although her name was Maud she was widely known by other names, most called her the bone witch while the witches of her coven referred to her as Mother Malkin.

Using her mirror as a medium Maud saw everything the bird did, so with a calm expression she observed the limp body of her former mentor.
Pursing her lips Maud glanced down at the large crocodile at her side. “What a fool she was announcing her allegiance with the WH so obviously, wasn’t she Artemis.” The crocodile shifted snapping it jaws up at her.

Maud nodded.” I agree I think about time we ended this silly thing, I will call a meeting.” She got up walking over to the and picking up the small glance orb on the table. “We shall sue the WH lack of members due to recent events to our advantage.” She mused.

Smashing the orb onto the floor she started drawing a pentagram on the floor that would take her to the head meeting room. The orb was special every head one, and if one was broken the others followed alerting their holders of the request to meet. Maud hoped none of the heads where fool enough not to heed. She had ways to make sure they would show up either they wished to or not. Maud smirked almost hoping one of them wouldn’t heed the call.

-

Vincent glanced up at his second in command giving him a small smile and wave.

“Ah hello~ .” he said cheerfully.

“I am quite good, if not a little stressed. I suppose I already know how you’re doing, but how about your lovely contract?” He chuckled. Motioning for Raith to sit beside him, Vincent adjusted himself into a more comfortable potion.

“Ah there’s a simple reason for your current work load involving as you called them the “noobs.” You see Raith being second in command has a lot to do with dealing with members issues and giving moral support as well as directing various missions and of course how can forget paperwork. You have same of that down but I have noticed especially by the way you made your way over here.” Pausing Vincent waved his had the several people Raith had knocked aside on his way to sit down.

“That you need to learn how to better react with people socially. Vincent got up an started off toward the other end of the courtyard motioning once again for them to follow him, he continued.” Until you have gotten a little more polite I’m afraid you stuck teaching the in training witch hunters, understand?” Vincent said firmly, as to not be questioned on his decision on the matter, the spilt second serious disappeared fast to be replaced by amore joking one

“Or if you prefer you can help with my mounds of paperwork.” He reached out poking Raith’s cheek playfully. “I really do need the assistance, it quite a handful and Elizabeth is a little too busy with others matters to help I’m afraid.”

Raith lost his irritated expression and immideatly broke out into an all out laugh. "Ahahahaha! Lovely? I've never seen a creature more hideous in my life." This automatically triggered Bozu slamming her fist into his gut, causing him to keel over for a few seconds.

"Who's the most hideous creature you've seen in your life, again?" Bozu looked down on him, practically with death intent.
"Hmph! I remember you being awestruck when you first saw me. If you apologize now, then I might forgive you." She stated taking the spot next to Vincent in Raith's place.
"Of course, I'd much rather have made a contract with you instead, Boss. I'm sure you would have appreciated me alot more than this sorry excuse for a human being. You're way more social than he could ever be." Bozu said, taunting Raith as well as buttering up Vincent.

"Damn it... I don't give a crap if you forgive me or not. The only reason for that is because you were a wolf at the time. Now you're just an annoying, talkative, pain in my ass..." Raith announced panting a couple of times before getting up on his feet.
"And don't talk about me as if I'm not here, stupid wolf! If you want to be his contract so bad just do it then! I prefer to work alone anyway!" Raith exclaimed almost storming off before he noticed Vincent walking off.

"You really are a useless master." Bozu mumbled to herself, getting up and following Vincent with Raith. As he was talking, she walked up and whispered in Vincent's ear.
"You know, Raith is actually a big softy. I caught him protecting his teamates when he was an A-class. But they never noticed. I think one of them thanked him, but he just blew it off saying that he was just fighting for his own sake." She giggled a little at the thought.
Meanwhile Raith ignored most of Vincent's advice, and thought to himself, 'The more this guy talks, the more I want to cut him down.'

It was until the part where he said that Raith was stuck with these assignments that Raith started to pay attention. "Wait a mi-..." Raith started until he noticed Vincent's serious glare. He cursed to himself silently, as he gave up the protest.
"You don't have to worry about him, Boss. I'll make sure he gets the hang of training our newcomers as soon as possible." Bozu chipped in cheerfully.

"I'd much rather do paperwork. What does it matter if I get along with people as long as they get the message?" Raith asked, grabbing a fairly large stack of papers and a pen from Vincent and began looking them over. Raith is surprisingly good with paperwork, although he dosen't seem very smart as first glance.
"Hey! Quit screwing around with my face!" He protested brushing off Vincent's hands angrily.
"That I can't help with, seeing as I can't really read." Bozu stated meekly. She then joined Vincent by pulling on Raith's cheeks, which he had a harder time of getting away from him.

A few minutes later, another WH came into the room from a different door and saw Yhu sitting there, starring at the uniform. He seemed a bit shocked an frightened at first, and almost yelled out. But he soon recognized who Yhu was. "A-ah. You must be Yhu. There is a changing room over here, if you want to put on your uniform." He chuckled nervously, while holding the door open for Yhu.

Yhu blinked a couple of times in wonder, but then grabbed the uniform with his normal hand and began walking towards the man. He seemed to tense up with each step Yhu took towards him. His deadpan expression made him all the more nervous, because he couldn't tell what Yhu was thinking. The agent finally closed his eyes as Yhu walked by, and wandered off down the hall searching for the changing room.

It took him a few minutes to find an open stall to change in. Yhu began taking off his jacket, and then began stripping down his pants. He then noticed the scars aross his abdomen. Those were marks from Varriana's ritual that were a 2nd constant reminder of why he is like this, as well as his club. He finally stopped thinking about it, and finished changing into his uniform. It felt kind of strange to him, how the uniform fit him. It was a wonder he could put it on with his club in the way.

Another agent was waiting outside, and took his other clothes for him. The agent said someone would send his clothes back to his cave and leave it there for him. Yhu didn't protest, even though most would react differently to their home being broken into. Then again, most of the WH that don't live in the bases, live on the road. Constantly traveling town from town in search of witches to bring back to base.

All of a sudden Yhu heard a scream from outside the waiting room. Without hesitation he rushed outside to find one of the agents had fallen over. There lying in front of her was a pillow. Although the few who were around were rushing to the scene in worry, they all quickly broke into a laugh at the girl's reaction to a mere pillow. Yhu walked over to it and looked upward. There he saw a woman looking down at them. She was most likely the one who had dropped the pillow.

Roxane grinned and waved to the girl who had screamed. "Nice Scream!" she yelled. Immediately the girl looked up angrily searching for some way to insult the girl who was waving at her. But not finding anything at all she just kept staring silently at the S class.

It was only then that Roxane noticed a face she hadn't seen before. Someone maybe a year of two younger than her looked up at her with clear blue eyes and Dark blue-Black hair. She waved at him for a second and then decided that her curiosity was big enough to meet him. Most of the time she was a demon who seemed to have no feelings at all but she could be easily distracted from acting in that manner by her curiosity. She quikly dressed herself in the clothes which she weared for free time which existed out of black pants,a sleeveless white shirt and a black jacket. Then she walked out of her room and started walking towards the stairs .

She found immediatley the person who had looked up at her with blue eyes. She walked fastly towards him only to be asking. Who are you? But she decided that would be too rude. So she formally held her hand out waiting until he shook him and then said "Hi,I'm Roxane. You are?" silently she waited for his response.

Yhu looked back down at the girl who had screamed. The woman above them seemed to be taunting her. Then she waved a second time, which this time seemed to be directed at Yhu. He didn't wave back, however. She seemed to be furious at the woman, but couldn't find the words to say. He thought of helping her up, but she got up by herself a few seconds later.

Yhu then looked back up to the woman who had now dissapeared. He woundered if people did this all the time at the WH bases. Then again, the main base wasn't very orderly the last time Yhu was there. Yhu decided that he should get back to the waiting room seeing as the possible threat was just a false alarm. He stopped after a few feet as he saw that the woman from before was now on ground level. The laughing stopped immideatly instead of slowely dying down. Yhu looked from side to side, a bit confused.

He was a little surprised as the woman made her way over to him. Once she reached him, she held out her hand in greeting.
"Hi, I'm Roxane. You are?" She said as she displayed her outreached hand. Yhu looked towards her hand for a second, and then back to her. He stayed there starring akwardly, as he had no idea what a handshake was, since he had never seen one exchanged before. Finally he stated his name, while bowing his head slightly to greet her back.

"My name is Yhu. It is nice to meet you." He stated in an emotionless tone. Yhu finally noticed the eyepatch that covered her right eye. He couldn't help but wounder what might lay behind it. He dismissed the thought and tried not to think about it, as he awaited to see what her responce was.

Onyx woke with a start. The quiet was just too much. Almost suffocating. She sighed and ran fingers through her hair, whether it was a nervous habit or to come down the mess, she didn’t know. She brushed a hand across her eyes trying to remember what her dreams had been about. Nothing came to mind.

Rolling out of bed and grabbing her swords, she started for the door. She had a plan for getting into the Witch hunters Head quarters. She’d get captured, I mean, she was still a rogue so they would want her behind bars, right? She grinned, the half crazy grin she did often and stepped out of the little cabin into the light. Only blinking a few times before she set off at a brusque pace.

It took her an hour and a half to get to the base. That annoyed her. It took to much energy and she just kinda wanted to punch someone now….so she did. The guard at the front door got the full force of her irritation. She stepped inside the building and was immediately surrounded by guards.

“Hell of a welcoming party” She said in a relaxed easy tone as she grinned at them. In one quick movement her swords where out and she was taking down the guards easily. When there was only one left she slammed him against eh wall and got in his face.

“Tell your boss im here” She said then laughed as she let him go and started down the hall way after the scared shaking and running form. She had done enough damage to catch their attention, now all she had to do was wait for her dear old friend to show up.

She whistled a tune as she strolled down the hall. Suddenly it was flooded with men holding their weapons in her face. She turned to one of them, her grin never fading as she said “awful big sword you got there….compensating for something dear?” That earned her a shove, and she was pushed face first into the wall and her hands where bound behind her back.

“Oh darn you got me” she said with a laugh as she was lead to a holding cell.

Vincent let out a chuckle at the two before him. “You tow have just the cutest fights.” He said teasing them. Taking the paperwork back form Raith he shook his finger. “I think I’ve changed my mind, no paperwork for you until, you improve your handwriting. “He commented Glancing down at the papers. “Bow why don’t you two head back to traini—“Vincent was cut off as a S-class hunter swiftly approached him and his companions. Stopping just short of them the S-call gave a quick nod.

I have something to report sir.” He stated formally. Vincent gave him a smile and nod. “You seem hurried Severus did something happen? “he a little concerned. Severus nodded. “yes sir, our hunters caught a intruder identified as onyx. A rogue hunter. The arrested her at the gate.”
Vincent blinked standing up a little straighter surprised. “My, she came,” he mused. “How unexpected~” Vincent considered how he should proceed with this situation, he had offered her chance to rejoin the hunters after the relation however she had declined, escape easily enough. Although distracted with all the mess he had to clean hadn’t exactly made it difficult for her. He consider letting her rejoin the hunters if that was what she was her for, but could she be trusted after leaving so suddenly the last time.

Vincent turned to his turned his two companions smiling. “It seems I have some business sot attend to, you two are welcome to join me, or you can head back to training.” Vincent started off ahead following servous as they headed down to the containment cells where onyx had been taken and contained.

Upon arriving Vincent walked up to the steel Door and slide the window cover over, smiling he glanced into the cell. “Hello there lovely.” he said charmingly.

“Are you always so charming to your prisoners, or have you figured out that all this is just the illusion of me being caught?” Onyx asked with a tilt of her head. Her heart beat had sped up the minute she heard his distinct foot steps.

She rested her elbows on her knees and rested her head on her hands in a relaxed fashion, though she was ready to spring as soon as she got the chance…..damn she forgot how hot he was….had he always been that attractive?

She mentally slapped herself.

‘Snap out of It!’ she thought with a grimace, that she instantly replaced with a smile as she waited for his reply.

Yhu,she thought to herself. She was pretty sure that she had heard the name before but couldn't exactly remeber it and so decided that she would let it be for now. She slightly smiled at him before saying "The pleasure is all mine. Are you new?" She said as her eyes looked at the uniform which he was wearing. She noticed how he glanced for a second at her eyepatchbut didn't say anything about it. She knew she liked him. She liked the way he hadn't show any emotion until now. Even though Roxane was most of the time was the one to dominate her emotions she also knew that there were times that her emotions dominated her. And yet the boy before her hadn't even given her the tiniest glimpse of what he was feeling or thinking. She almost envied him for that. Almost that is.

“I don’t know. Isn’t it my duty to fight with my fellow witches?... Isn’t it my job to protect my land that they are bound to come after?”

Deidre asked him and Aisu went quiet again. What could he tell her? Could he tell her that if she wished to, he would abandon everything he held dear and find a place to live with her peacefully for the rest of his life? Could he really be that selfish? Could he...force her to abandon her responsibility and go with him? Aisu shook his head. Of course not, he would never be able to force her to do anything. No, on the contrary, he would scarify everything...even his life, his soul, his heart, his power for her without even regretting his decision. He noticed the small hand trembling in his and he put another hand on top of hers, steadied it and prevented it from shaking. He gave her a sad smile though she wouldn't be able to see it.

"...if I had a wish, I would wish to replace your place and finish the war for you...you do not deserve this...you deserve happiness...and I...I lo-..."

He couldn't finish his sentence as he felt a lump on his throat and he had to swallow hard. Why did it feel so difficult every time he had been so closed to tell her about his love? Why...why did he have to be such a coward? He pressed his lips into a thin line and squeezed her hand again. No, not yet. He could not afford to have her yet. She needed to concentrate on the war in order to survive. She did not need to distract herself with his emotions. And maybe...just maybe after the war was over, if he was still alive, maybe he could then confess his feeling for her...And just maybe she would...Aisu gave Deidre a longing look. If only he could...

He shook his head slightly, refused to continue with the train of thoughts. He could not lose his focus, either. He needed to win, to survive...he needed to be with her. Until the very end. He took a sharp breath and tried to help her regain her balance when Samael landed on her shoulder suddenly. Carefully, he held her hand to keep her from falling. He would not allow even the slightest threat to harm his love!

Finally, after she had found her balance again and stood straight, Aisu released a breath he didn't know he was holding. He gave her a small smile when she gave the nature a compliment. He spoke at last "No nature is as beautiful as you are, Deidre..." He brushed a stray of her silver hair from her eyes and looked at the face of the one he loved so dearly before breaking eyes contact.

...soft, echoed footsteps...

Aisu's eyes widened as he listened to the soft footsteps echoed through the clearing. Whoever that was, they were obviously spying on Deidre and him. He narrowed his eyes, the warmth disappeared completely and he looked around sharply, taking in the scene in front of him in order to determine the source of the newest threat. Growling quietly underneath his breaths, Aisu silently cursed his luck as he couldn't even spend a little time alone with Deidre without having anyone to interrupt his business.

THERE!

Immediately taking out his sword, Aisu threw it, hitting the target precisely. He faintly heard a small 'eep' from who seemed like a little girl hiding behind a tree. She started struggling weakly even though her attempts were futile. Her white shirt was being pinned to the tree by his sword. He released his hold on Deidre's hand and felt the warmth from her soft hand melted away. His eyes took on their usual cold glare as his heart was frozen once again as it was forced to leave the warm source of its life. He walked slowly, his eyes locked on the trembling girl's eyes. His eyes were promising pain, slowly, torturous pain and his voice was dripping with murderous intent "...well, well, well...what do we have here?...a spy, huh?..." He spoke, his voice was sarcastic and uncaring.

The girl shook her head frantically and begged "...I-I'm s-sorry...I-I j-just h-happened t-to c-come a-a-across y-y-y-you an-and t-the h-head w-w-witch...I s-swear I-I'm n-not a-a-a spy..." However, Aisu was having none of it and he hauled the girl to where Deidre was standing. Throwing her hard to the ground, he stepped on her left hand and heard a small crack, indicated that he was breaking her hand with his foot. Aisu, once again, showed no real emotion or pity as he crushed the little girl's left hand and heard a heart-broken sob from her. He snorted and focused on Deidre again. He spoke, slipping back into his old habit of calling Deidre his Mistress. After all, both Deidre and he all had a reputation to keep. "Mistress Deidre...should I kill the intruder? Or do you wish for me to interrogate her?..." He sneered in disgust at the word 'intruder' and waited for Deidre to make up her mind. The small girl, with tears still streamed down her face, begged again "I-I'm n-n-not a-a s-s-spy...I-I s-swear..."

oops?

"...if I had a wish, I would wish to replace your place and finish the war for you...you do not deserve this...you deserve happiness...and I...I lo-..." Deidre’s breath caught. Would he say it? Was it true? No….he stopped. She bit her lip but smiled none the less.

"No nature is as beautiful as you are, Deidre..." he said

“You are too kind Aisu” she said

Deidre’s eye’s focused on the girl. The girl squirmed under her stare. Deidre’s mouth moved only slightly, a spell whispered in the wind, as she knelt to the ground and looked into the girl’s eyes…into her soul. Sadness, fear, a spark of hope…but no treachery.
She smiled slightly. The girl was telling the truth. There would be no death today. She felt like rejoicing.

“Aisu dear….let go of her” Deidre ordered as she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and helped the girl up. She touched her hand and looked at Samael.

‘Dear heart….do you forgive me?’

‘Or course deidre…’

‘Will you heal her hand?’ she whispered telepathically. The wound started to heal almost instantly. The girl cried out in wonder and pain.

Deidre heard the crunch of feet but ignored it, trusting her general to protect her as she directed the flow of healing in the girls hand.

When it was done she smiled at the girl and looked up. A man, who looked like the little girl stood above her.

‘He must have shoved Aisu out of the way…’ she mused objectively. It made her angry but she bit it back.

“You WITCH what have you done to my daughter?!” he yelled, his rage almost palpable.

“Healed her” Deidre answered not backing down. Samaels hackles rose as he changed to a leopard.

‘down’

‘let me kill him’

‘no’

“You whore, you laid your hands on my daughter!” he hissed, then back handed her. She stumbled and landed on her but then touched her stinging cheek and came away with blood. He had scratched her cheek and broke the skin of her lip. Irritation rushed through her. He turned on Aisu again and her fury rose to a peek. She lashed out with her power and held him in thrall.

“You DARE turn on my general. YOU DARE TURN YOUR BACK TO ME MORTAL?!” Fury gave her voice power as she glared at him. He fell to his knees her power crushing him. She felt Samaels satisfaction in the back of her mind and it fed her more power. His eyes began to bleed, then his nose and mouth. He gurgled something she didn’t care to make out.

Suddenly a pummeling on her leg woke her out of the rage. It drained away as she looked at the tear stained face of the little girl.

“Leave him alone! PLEASE!” she cried. This brought her memories….old memories she wished she could bury with her mentor rushing back. Memories of her saying the same thing to a witch hunter. He had shown her no mercy. She would not do the same.

“Aisu….let us leave.” She murmured her voice quiet again as she took his hand, hers shaking worse than before.

“Little girl, your father….he is an idiot….but he will be fine. Next time he tries to confront me—I will rip his heart out with my bare hands. Remember that” She called over her shoulder coldly.