"I want to be outside to breath fresh air. I don't like being inside all the time. Is there something so strange about that?" cassandra said with a sigh. "Ren thinks we're about to snap his head off or something" She said sadly as she looked up at the sky.The first place she'd felt safe at since the murders and now..."Nevermind. I think I'll just go sleep the rest of the day away" She said bitterly, as she started back to their room opening the door, and slipping inside inside, slamming the door shut because she wanted to be alone, but also knowing she couldn't stop Lorenzo coming in. She snatched her sword off her back, and put it against the wall near her bed, shrugged her jacket off, and crawled under her covers, throwing them over her head, and closing her eyes.

She didn't blame Ren or Kiddo for having any judgements about her now, but...she guessed she just got her hopes up that maybe they wouldn't care. Stupid, of course, she thought all they'll see now is the demon, and not the human grief rocketed through her, hard and fresh, and she called herself stupid its only been a day. You shouldn't care so much But she did. That was always her problem. She curled up, and squeezed her eyes shut tight.

---

Oliva looked up, and saw Ren. "What is it, Ren? I would have thought you'd be doing what any good friend would do, and be offering support and kindness. You're classes are over for today, and I have paper work to deal with, with that damned Naberius" She said, making no move to go towards Ren.

Lorenzo sighed loudly at this predicament. Lorenzo was so used to people seeing him like this that he had an easier time adjusting but Cassandra just woke his demon side, he could understand her pain so he decided to let her go. Lorenzo went back to the room and got his book that kiddo gave him and Lorenzo simply guarded their room outside on a bench for the time being waiting for kiddo or ren to come back. Lorenzo could tell ren was lying and was probably going to get a teacher to exorcise them but if that was the case then Lorenzo would take it and not care as long as Cassandra was safe later on. Lorenzo read his book and waited for the inevitable already thinking his life was forfeit by now and he was just waiting for the executioner to come over and give him his last rights. Lorenzo obviously hoped for better but that was all he had to go on was hope that something good would happen instead, Lorenzo read his book and waited for someone to come back or wait till it got dark and go back inside to sleep the day away and hope for a better tomorrow. Lorenzo was wondering what ren would be really doing at this point considering he was the one hiding his emotions about the entire ordeal and lying to Lorenzo about where he was going, Lorenzo only hoped that ren remembers that despite what they were they were still his friends and they would stand by him no matter what....he could only hope ren was the same way

Kiddo watched every body go back into the building as soon as he had gotten his stuff and came back outside. He followed them back inside and then went back to his room, Kiddo placed his weapons down on the desk and grabbed his sketching kit from under the desk. it was black leather case that held, 10 different types of pencils, a sketch book and some different things to color with. Kiddo wasn't much on coloring so he removed the colored pencils and oil pastels from the case went back to see where his friends went.

He heard a slam come from Lorenzo's and Cassandra's room. He walked a bit fast to see what was happening. When Kiddo arrived Lorenzo had exited the room and was now sitting on a bench in the hall. Kiddo walked up to him and sat down. "Hey buddy, stressful day huh?" Kiddo said while opening his sketching case and pulling at the book and pencils. Kiddo then began sketching the scene that had happened earlier. Kiddo drew the Demon first and then when that was don he drew Lorenzo who had just darted past Ren and was attacking the thing. After he finished Drawing Lorenzo in full detail he drew Cassandra and then the background. Kiddo was an Okay drawer. He didn't think he was the best but it gave him something to do.

He exhaled softly, and collected his words. "Professor, I don't really know what's going on. I know it might just be because I'm not the brightest pupil, but I am cautious, it's my nature. I like to know what I'm getting myself into before I do. Even more so in dangerous situations. No offense is meant but did the school handle this situation as well as they could have? You put us in a class, with two half demons, or something of that sort. Yes, I know they are my friends, but when they turned.... I saw the look in their eyes. It was a feral look, like it would kill anything that got in its way. I trust Lorenzo, and Cassandra, but what they turn into, I can't say I display the same feelings. I just wish we would have known, or maybe had an inkling of an idea." He felt terrible saying this, but it needed to be said. Not only had he insulted his friends but he insulted Olivia. It was the last thing he wanted to do, but they had all lied to him, and put him and Kiddo in harms way without any idea of what was happening. He couldn't stand for that.

He sat down saying,"Can you please explain what is going on... This whole, demons thing, it's all new to me. I need a more basic explanation. I just want to know so I can help them in any way I can. I know I should be supporting them now, but I can't without knowing the entire situation involving this. Like is there any way to stop them from becoming like they did today? What triggers it? Is it all random? I'm sorry for all the questions, It's just a lot to put on someone."

I just want to help them. I just need to understand.

you could say that again" Lorenzo said to kiddo softly as he read his book looking through all the different kinds of guns and how to maintain them "by the way I think I forgot to thank you for the presents. Although I should let you know im more into a hard hitting revolver then the 9mm" Lorenzo said softly as he read through his book glad to have someone still on his side after all of this. Then Lorenzo looked over and saw kiddo drawing them from the battle today and to be honest it actually looked pretty considering it was Lorenzo and Cassandra in their demon forms but still the good thing was that kiddo was accepting it and moving on with it that was more important considering he doesn't know what ren is doing at this point.

Lorenzo knew that ren would be asking all the questions about them in their demon form but it was only when we were in a battle situation like today where we took out our swords that we turned. Although Lorenzo was one to talk considering he almost flamed up after the obstacle course today because the ball shooters felt like a battle situation to him. Lorenzo needed to learn to calm his mind body and soul in situations of battle so he can better control his flames and make them obey him instead of making him go into a frenzy but Lorenzo had no idea how to go about it to begin with so all Lorenzo can do is avoid pulling out his sword whenever possible

Oliva sighed heavily, leaning forward, "You would have also seen how they fought themselves, and didn't attack you. If you had known what they were, Ren, would you have become friends with them? You seem to underestimate the value of feelings" She shifted, studying Ren.

"They stopped because they didn't want to hurt you. You can't imagine how hard that would have been for them, no one could. They aren't what the demon that spawned them, wants them to be. Because they are human. They feel, and right now, Lorenzo is probably feeling better then Cassandra. She took up her blade, knowing what it would cost her, to protect you and Kiddo. Everything she did, she did because she cared. Why should we have told you what they are? You just would have judged them, and shunned them-Like you are doing now. Would I have liked you to bond some more before this happened? Yes. But you can't change what is. They can't change what they are, Ren. But they can decide what they do"

She sighed. "They were born to a human mother. While Cassandra was raised by their m other, Lorenzo was sent away. I"m not even sure their mother knew she had had twins. They received spirit wounds off each other, I would imagine. I'm more then sure neither of them knew what they were for a while. I know Cassandra didn't find out until she came home to find her mother, and the only father she has ever known slaughtered. I was there, banishing the demon with others, but we came too late to save them. That's why I'm teaching them. And you. Their abilities awaken when they draw their swords. it holds their flames. As for what can stop them, well....their human side, really. Their feelings. I imagine you've hurt them, but not trusting them. They obviously felt like they could trust you, showing themselves to protect you. I hope they weren't wrong in that trust"

She rose, gathering her things. "That's all Ren. You can go"

After a few moments of soaking up the information, Ren spoke. "Thank you Professor, that helped a lot." He started to walk away, but the cold feeling he'd gotten from the professor irked him. He turned around. "I know you think that what I'm doing isn't the best thing a friend could do, but the only reason I came is because I care, not just about the twins, but about Kiddo, too. All of their safety is my biggest priority. I want to know what I'm getting into with them, so I can help, and am prepared to, in any situation. That's why I came in today, to learn from you, so I can help them to the best of my ability. Yes, I was uneasy, and yes my trust in them is lacking, but only because they lied. I can't tell you what my reaction would have been if you told me from the start, but either way this is the way it is now. If we're supposed to be a team, there shouldn't be secrets. I'm sorry for this outburst, but I needed to explain myself. Have a good rest of the day Professor." He walked out of the room and closed the door.

He sat outside the door for a few seconds and realized what he did. She's gotta hate me, but I couldn't let her think I don't care about them. It's just cold, I couldn't ever shun those two... I was just uneasy, uneasy because I didn't know the truth. Yeah... that's it. He wasn't sure what was the truth anymore, but he felt like what he had said in the teachers office was as close as it got. He didn't need to think about what he had said then, it just came out. Natural, and from the heart. He would protect his team. His friends were all he had.

"They didn't lie to you Ren. They just didn't tell you. It wasn't like you asked them "SO, are you demons?" and they said no. They just omitted the information. There's a difference" Oliva said before Ren shut the door.

Oliva sighed, and ran a hand through her hair. She was glad she didn't have to be a teenager anymore, with all the confusion, knowing the questions, but not the answers. The frustration. she shook her head, and rose, going to get a cup of coffee.

Tomorrow would be a fun day, she thought sarcastically to herself.

---

Cassandra could hear Lorenzo and Kiddo talk, and she sighed. She curled up tighter, holding the blankets closer to herself, wishing everything could just be okay. It wasn't, and it never would be again. She had made a mistake coming here. So far, the only one who would understand was Lorenzo.

Was this pain, this grief worth that? Worth finding Lorenzo, finding out that despite it all, she still had family? She didn't even need to debate that. It was. Even here, against the judgement, she still had her brother. She wasn't alone in the world.

"Then why are you just laying there feeling sorry for yourself?" She muttered. She sighed. She sat up, blinking around. "go kick butt." But how could she do that?

Lorenzo read his book about guns trying to think of a solution to all of this and bring his team back together. He was no hero Lorenzo was half demon with a dream of being better then the rest. Lorenzo had to find a way to get everyone on the same page and bring the now revealed strengths and weaknesses into play, Lorenzo knew that he and his sister would most likely be in the front lines but that was an variable considering his sister was going to be a support role of doctor as well and ren was going to be an aria and a dragoon so he had to keep his distance so Lorenzo would be front line with kiddo but kiddo had to be careful not to be to close to Lorenzo during rampage or he might get hurt by mistake so he might be the defender of the other two.

This was starting to get complicated but Lorenzo knew that they would get together and work out a strategy from now on. Lorenzo would lead them and help make sure that the group didn't suffer any loss and be a family, friends for sure but a family will always stand by each other like Lorenzo will protect his one blood relative he actually has with his life from now on no matter what. He will make sure none of them would feel the loss of loosing someone every again.

He had taken his time walking back to the twins room, he was nervous about the conversation that would take place. How do I do this.... Do I just say I'm sorry? Or what? He had no idea what to say to them. He was dreading the talk. Not only had he lied to his friends about why he went to see Olivia, but he also doubted them. The things he had said in Olivia's office were what he had wanted to be true, not how he really felt. He wanted to be there for his friends yes, but he didn't know how, friends had never come easy to Ren. He seemed to over analyze every situation. Things that shouldn't be a big deal were, and he hated it. They could have killed me... but they didn't... they fought it, just like Olivia said... I saw it happen. God Ren, just stop! Just let things happen, stop caring so much! They're good people!" No matter how much he argued with himself he couldn't shake his feelings. He felt betrayed, he shouldn't feel like that, but it had cut deep. He wanted to trust the two, and he wanted things to be the way they were before, but he didn't know how to make it that way.

[i]Just say what you feel Ren, it's the only way to send a clear message. You have to be true to yourself, and to the people who are close to you. That voice. It was a voice he hadn't heard in what seemed like an eternity. The voice was feminine, and caring. So familiar, but distant at the same time. He felt a warmth in the words though. Mom.. He hadn't thought about her in a while, months maybe. She had passed away years ago, when he was still very young, he couldn't even remember her face. His father had burnt all the pictures of her, it seemed like the memories were too painful to bear. That was also why he rarely thought of her, the memories were far too painful to hold close.

He neared the twins dorm and saw the two boys outside. He supposed he was disappointing they were there. He had hoped they were outside so he could postpone this talk. He approached them and asked,"Hey, do you both mind if we go inside? I need to talk to you , and Cassandra. There are a few things I need to say. We're a team, so I think we should all hear. If that's okay with you? I promise I won't be rude, and I won't get on your case. I know everything, well, everything I need to so I won't pry. I just need to share a few things with you all."

Kiddo sat drawing, Lorenzo didn't speak much when Kiddo sat down and spoke. They had small conversations every now and then but nothing that carried on. Kiddo knew he was engrossed in the book about guns or just pretending and thinking about other things. The day had been long and stressful and Kiddo understood that he didn't want to talk. When will Ren be back? Kiddo wondered. Kiddo wanted to know his opinion on what happened, Kiddo was okay with the two being half demons, it would really help when fighting and it doesn't really matter because their hearts are in the right place and they want to help. Kiddo thought to himself as he looked over the sketch he was working on.

Finally after about an hour Ren walked down the hall going to his dorm. Kiddo stood up as soon as he saw who was making the foot steps, "See ya later Lorenzo, I hope you enjoy that book. Hopefully it will teach you something. And, tell Cassandra I said goodnight." Kiddo smiled and turned to Ren who surprisingly stopped in front of Lorenzo. Kiddo was a bit embarrassed by the fact he thought Ren was going to just walk away. Another thing that surprised Kiddo was the fact that Ren wanted to go in and talk to the whole team. I guess I'm about to find out what Ren thinks, I hope he doesn't break the group. Kiddo thought to himself as he slipped his sketch in a folder that was in the sketch case.

"Well Lorenzo, do you think Cassandra is up for talking?" Kiddo asked looking at Lorenzo.

well either way if she's ready or not we all need to set things straight" Lorenzo said softly as he got up and frog tailed his book for later as he move to the door and opened it walking inside and letting the others in. Like before Lorenzo sat next to his sister just in case as Lorenzo sat down he watched and waited for ren to speak up, since ren was the undetermined person in all this it was his opinion that worried Lorenzo but despite that ren was the one that wanted to talk so it could mean that ren is serious about keep the group together no matter what and that made Lorenzo feel a little more at ease. Lorenzo could only hope that if ren wanted to say something negative he would say it Lorenzo since he was well enough to take it but his sister is still vulnerable after being awaked and it would bring a lot of chaos into the room if ren went down that road towards Cassandra instead of Lorenzo...

Waiting for them all to sit down and adjust themselves seemed to take forever. Why am I so nervous? I know what I need to say. Just get on with it Ren. His bargaining didn't make him feel any better. His palms were sweaty, his stomach felt like a pit, and his vision was starting to blur. Why is this happening? Is this really that big of a deal? Another voice entered his head. It was sweet, and fragile, he could feel the warmth radiating from it. Friends are the most important thing you'll have Ren, do everything you can for them and they'll do the same for you. The people you become close with will shape you into the person you'll become. Make sure you find good people, that have warm hearts, then do anything you can to keep them close. The voice was right, that was why he felt so nervous. He was almost losing the people that he cared about, for selfish reasons. His own insecurities were making him distance himself. He knew the problem. He was ready to speak.

He glanced around the room and saw Lorenzo and Cassandra sitting on the same bed, and Kiddo sitting on the other. He pulled a chair inbetween them all, so he could face them equally and make eye contact. He started his speech,"I'm sure you know why I called you all in here. And Cassandra, I'll say what I told your brother outside. I promise I won't be rude, and I won't get on your case. I know everything, well, everything I need to so I won't pry. I just need to share a few things. My personal opinions, and concerns I suppose. And, since I know so much about you all, I feel it's unfair. I'll tell you about myself, we might as well get to know each other better." He flashed them all a smile. "Since we ARE a team."

Cassandra sighed, seeing everyone come in again, but she sat up, running her hands through her hair once more, thinking that she might as well just get up and grab her hair brush. She narrowed her eyes, watching Ren, and listened as he spoke.

"The problem is Ren, you've already been rude, and its clear that you went behind our backs, after us telling you about ourselves, telling you what it's like. You've doubted us. And that hurts. It means you don't trust us" She stopped herself from continuing, from saying what she wanted to say, but that would have just been her own grief, and bitterness coming out, and despite it all, she didn't want to hurt Ren.

"You've hurt me. Do you know what I was thinking when I pulled out my blade? Protect them, at all costs. I guess I just thought that maybe you wouldn't care. But I understand. More then you can ever know, I understand the doubts" She sighed, "So say whatever you want to say"

Lorenzo sighed a little patting his sister's back to calm down, he knew what he was feeling cause he knew that's what his parents were like but they had a lot more doubt and tried not to interact with Lorenzo as much ad possible but even then Lorenzo never hated them for it. "Just relax sis, I understand how you feel ren cause we are half demon and that's a lot to take in at once so say what you want to at so we can get this mess behind us and be a team again. Besides I want that cheerful clown I used to tease yesterday" Lorenzo said softly smiling at him letting him know that Lorenzo was understanding of him and wanted him to take any anger out on Lorenzo. ... Cause he understands

Kiddo was shocked by Cassandra's response, "Sorry to butt in guys but I'm only going to say one thing." Kiddo said in a calm voice. "Um, I know all of us may be a little confused and maybe mad at each other but we are a team. No matter what I will be by your sides because you were the first friends I made here, and that is something to cherish. Friendship, family, trust, hope and love are all things we need to cherish and keep close. Maybe it's a little hard for you, Lorenzo and Cassandra, to keep your family close and I'm sorry for that. But me and Ren are here and we're like your family now. You guys are all like my family now too. I trust all of you with my life and I love you all in a brotherly way even though we've only known each other for 2 days. I'll do anything for you guys, and everybody in this room should feel the same. We need to stick together through thick and thin, no matter what. Sorry if I rant on to much but that's all I have to say."

Kiddo felt as if he drew his "Speech" out to long. He felt like he got off track and began talking about other things, Hopefully they'll take what I said to heart and not fight and give up on each other. Kiddo thought to himself as he waited for the somebody to speak up.

He listened to them all in turn. Cassandra's words had stung him, but they were true. The other two just wanted everything smoothed out, which was nice. But this apology wasn't for just Cassandra, it was for them all. "Guys, look, I'm not saying you have to forgive me for this. I just want you to know why I acted this way, and to let you know I'll try my best to make up for it. You're all my friends, something that was extremely rare to me before. I don't want to lose you all. Just let me explain." This conversation was a lot harder than expected. He choked up, and paused a few moments to catch his breath. "I did go behind your backs, because in all honesty, I was terrified." He looked down from them, partly from shame, the rest from the memories that entered his head. It'll be okay Ren, I promise. That same sweet voice, emerged in his head, pushing aside the hurtful memories. Just tell them how you feel. He needed to do this.

He looked up, shifting his eyesight to each friend in turn before he spoke,"The only demon I knew of before I came here was my dad. He wasn't a real demon or anything, but he was as close as it got. My mom and I, we were terrified of him. Every night, the same thing would happen. He'd drink, and drink, and drink, until he'd lose himself, then he'd come after one of us." Tears welled up in Ren's eyes as he recalled his past, the memories were painful, but he pushed on. "My mom took most of it, she didn't want to see me get hurt. She was always so kind to me, even with this happening. She'd just tell me to go to my room and play, but I could hear it. It was horrifying. Every night it was the same, until one afternoon, I came home from school and I found her. She was hanging from the ceiling, the cops ruled it suicide. She'd probably had enough of everything. I was honestly glad she got away from the hell we were put through, because when he got home, and he found her. He came at me, with that same look I saw in your eyes today." He said glancing at Lorenzo. "That same rage, that same hatred. He took everything out on me after that. It wasn't too long before protective services took me away from him. I ended up living with my uncle after that. He was still pretty harsh, but no where near my real dad's level. So, that's why I acted so rashly, 'm sorry for comparing you to that, but it just shocked me. I've been trying to forget for so long, and it just got drug back up. I don't expect you to do anything like that at all or anything, it was just so sudden and all that just hit me like a brick. I just didn't know how to react." He looked down again. "Please don't take that the wrong way."

Lorenzo was silent and he got up walking over to him and after a moment of silence....flicked him on the forehead smiling "apology accepted you little clown. look believe me im afraid of what I turn into when I let my flames loose. Im just glad you understand that we wont ever do anything to hurt you since we are your friends. Although that little flick was because you thought this had to be so bad that we would hurt our favorite clown of the group" Lorenzo said smiling glad that ren has finally told us everything about him and now it meant that they could be stronger as a team and as a family....even if Cassandra was the only mom lol! "now as punishment you have to buy me and Cassandra lunch tomorrow for going behind our backs" Lorenzo said grinning at him glad to see he can understand that we aren't the demons we look when our flames are loose.

To Lorenzo this was just a great thing that they all spoke out about it and talked everything out and understood how each other felt since now ren knows that we feel like monsters when our flames are loose he can understand that neither Lorenzo or his sister wanted to flame up willingly until they had control which with due time they would work on

Cassandra sighed. She guessed that all of them had probably had bad pasts, but she must couldn't understand why he had felt the need to go behind ther backs, instead of coming to them to begin with. It just screamed distrust. And she didn't know if she'd ever Be able to get over that. "I guess I can understand" she said softly "but you'll never get over it, never get over what we are, until you deal with the passed. Everytime you see us like that, you'll feel that same terror." She said

"And I don't know how we can be a team if you are afraid of us" it hurt to say, but it was the truth. She just didn't know how it would work, and she looked away, her chest hurting with emotion, her throat raw. She swallowed painfully, and fell silent as Lorenzo talked

Kiddo smiled, happy that the group was still together. "What about my lunch?" Kiddo chuckled. He was joking of course, he didn't like it when other's bought him stuff. "Just kidding I'll buy my own lunch." Kiddo said with a laugh. He was going to give Ren the money for their lunches even if Lorenzo was joking. It was a nice thing to do.

The story Ren told was sad and brought tears to Kiddo's eyes. He didn't wish that pain on anybody. Kiddo thought he had it bad because his mother died at such a young age, he didn't know that Ren had it even worse. "And Ren, I'm sorry about your mother." Kiddo said with a saddened tone of voice. "Also, thanks for telling us about your past. That took a lot of guts." Kiddo said while lightly punching Ren on the shoulder.

Then Kiddo heard Cassandra talk. "Cassandra, you have a point. But, Ren is willing to face his fears and be on a team with us." Kiddo said smiling to Cassandra. "Give the man some credit. It takes guts to face your fears."