The Story.

After a minute of not knowing what to do, she let her hands drop hopelessly. But that was behind she could hear a big woosh of wings, and footsteps. Instantly, she could tell she was in trouble, but as soon as she turned around she had felt instant guilt. Shoji...his whole body trembled...even to the tips of his wings.

Her hands were up in front of her as Shoji suddenly ran to her, warm arms embracing her tight, and his head carefully positioned on her shoulder. Everything at that moment seemed to go to one of just instant peace. Her eyes fluttered close for a moment as she brought her good hand held onto his kimono tightly, wanting him to stay dearly.

She knew he was mad, only by the look of his eyes, but by the embrace of him arms told a different story. He must have felt hurt...he promised her everything. Why would she throw it away?

Listening to his words brought only more and more guilt. But the more and more he spoke, the more understanding she got. She never meant for this to happen, and now she wished she could take it all back. All she wanted was for everyone just to be happy. But now she realized that perhaps her presence might have been what his concience needed.

But just then. Memories swarmed back into her mind as she looked to him with their foreheads meeting so warmly. Those eyes...fresh blooming roses...Sophie's eyes opened a bit wider.

"You are that boy from when I was a child, weren't you?" She asked, as her expression softened, now being able to piece it all together. "You promised me you would protect me from everything...you brought me back to my parents" She said, feeling the awful lump in her throat as she watched him with an embracing glance.

Before Shoji said anything he had kissed her hand, and with a small tingling feeling, everything went away, even the scars.

Without being able to help herself from letting the inner memories flow freely, she pushed herself from her position on the ground, sliding her head into good shoulder, her arms quickly clinging around him, as a giant smile arose on her face.

"Yes! It all makes sense too!" She said as she rubbed her face into the soft material kimono he wore. "I remember you scaring all those spirits away, I always wish you would have come back, but you never did..." She finished softly, leaving her head to rest on his shoulder. Things seemed to only go back in time, things seemed to return back to normal..

I found him...my protector..the one that would save me.

A weight had been lifted from Shoji's chest. She figured it out, just hours after meeting again after years apart, he discovered shed never forgotten about him. Just knowing she must've thought about him made his heart skip a beat. Sure, he was mad, but at the same time relieved.

"I didn't think you would remember me. I was just a little kid back then. So were you." Shoji hugged her tight. "Katsu, can you make it back by yourself?"

"Yeah. It's just a scratch." Honestly, it was. A faint line ran along his arm that hit hardest against the rock. That excluded the countless cuts from Eiji's katana, this was still nothing for the old man, "I'll clear the way Shoji."

The old Tengu stood from his crater and shook the rest of the rubble off of his body. He wasn't one for mush, especially if it had to do with his own master. Romance, was utterly ridiculous.

"Sohpie, I will protect you, until the day I die, no one will be able to hurt you. Everything from these pesky spirits.." As if on cue, he brushed a small transluscent spirit off of her shoulder, "I'll keep you safe. I promise."

Shoji pulled off the outer coat of his kimono and draped it around her, accidently untucking the white under kimono (thing... ). Without ending her embrace of him, the Tengu picked up Sohpia and gently kissed her forehead. It wasn't dark, not even cold yet, but there was nothing else he could do but take her back home. If she wanted to run from him so badly to start with, he should've just left her at home.

"Come on, let's take you home." Shoji calmly said to her. "If you don't want to stay with us and finish that chocolate pudding, I won't force you."


In the middle of the large dining table was the large bowl of pudding Nao had made earlier for their guest. It had been hours, and no one knew exactly what to do with the large gelatinous dish.

"I think we should eat it." Yuji said through hungry eyes. Chocolate was one of his favorite sweets.

"We can't, it's the Miss' chocolate!" Nao for once was stuttering. As chef of the household, it was his duty to protect his creation. Chocolate included. This particular bowl was for Sophia, and not Yuji.

"Well she left, didn't she, Nao-chan?" Yuji pinched Nao's cheek between his thumb and finger, smiling like a doting parent would greet a child.

"No she didn't. Everyone leave." Shoji tore open the door and did his best not to break the floors as he stormed in, Sophia was nowhere in sight. "Now."

As everyone filed from the room, Shoji picked up the pudding bowl and carried it flat in his right hand. He'd left Sophia in a guest room on the far end of the estate. Akihito was the only one who would have reason to be there, as an office was directly next door. Besides, he couldn't break his promise, she wanted chocolate after all.



(It's been edited, I tried not to do anything suspicious, and there's half azzed fan service in there. Don't be upset about what I took out.)

Sophie's eyes continued to glisten brightly, noticing the huge change in his behavior. She couldn't remember much from back then, but that one memory she held on to as much as possible only hoping that he would come back. What are the chances?

Her eyes then traveled to Katsu, worriedly. She wasn't too sure, considering the man was like what.....80? But was soon relieved as the old man stood up, and shrugged it off. It was amazing what these people were capable of.

Words managed to pull her attention back to Shoji as he told her once more, what she had failed to realize about him. This was the safest she had felt in a massive amount of time. Ever since her 16th birthday, she always noticed the immense amount of spirits that quickly loomed around her, but even now things were peaceful.

As if he played her by memory, he managed to catch her by surprise by brushing away a small weight on her shoulder, but was soon after replaced by a slightly heavier kimono. The sleeves fell flat against the rest of the material, using her hands to wrap it close around her. Silently without protest, she let herself be picked up by Shoji.

Later, after they arrived back home, she was placed on the ground in a tiny room quite a way from the area of the kitchen, and dining room. She wondered where Shoji was, but quickly managed to entertain herself by taking her fingers and pulling them through her hair gingerly, finding many tangles from the pulling of branches.

(Sorry, I backtracked again. Shower time~!)

The house was in chaos as Shoji managed to silently glide through the hallways. As graceful as one could be with a bowl of lukewarm pudding, anyway. No work had been completed for two days, since Megumi's arrival and their newest guests. Three small clan houses miles away had been attacked, the chief of the Tengu was demanding a visit from his grandson.

Life was just perfect.

"Shoji, Megumi is requesting to visit again. What should I tell her?" Mami asked sarcastically, of course the master would say no.

"No, we're already entertaining guests. If she comes I'll have grandfather strip her of her wings. Don't forget that last part." Shoji said cooly, and continued to walk on.

Hisoka sat by himself outside, he was waiting for his siblings to return. Mami had explained everything to him when the Master went looking for Sohpia. His sister was in critical condition at the local hospital, with Ren at her side all the while. Why couldn't he be there too? Yuji could take him, Nao could take him, anyone could take him to see her, but no one would.

As Shoji passed the last room in the hall he stopped at glanced towards it, Yuji's room. "Hey, Yuji."

"W-what?! Yes master, whatever you say." Yuji seemed startled. He dashed to the door and slid it a crack open, just enough for Shoji to see the stack of magazines strewn about the floor.

"No porn with guests around." Shoji shut the door for him and turned a corner.

From here, he could see Sohpia tangling her fingers in her hair. He hid a small smile with the edge of his free hand. She was so innocent looking, carelessly playing with her hair, even in the seriousness of her situation.

"Princess, your bowl of pudding has arrived, as promised." Shoji let out a small laugh as he handed her the bowl, with chopsticks.

She had never asked for a spoon, so to honor the Japanese way, he'd brought along the best pair in the house. They'd lasted the longest and had the best design to them. Small golden cherry blossoms etched into the redwood.

"Now, in all seriousness, we have something we need to discuss." Shoji laid himself on his side a few feet in front of Sohpia, his arm resting on his propped up knee and the other propping his head slightly, but still careful his kimono wouldn't slip so far down. "I know you don't like it here, so I'm giving you the option to stay at home. Not without restrictions, but it's doable. Also there's the matter of when you attend school. I'll be sending Ryo, Ryuu, and Yuji to watch over you during class. Mami will also be substituting as a school counselor, if you have any problems, find her."

Shoji gave her a moment of silence to let it sink into her head.

"You are not to leave with any stranger, and must have someone from the estate escort you home. I will not let you out of our sights, ever, is that clear?" Shoji ordered her. "If you have a problem with someone or something, take it up with me. And as soon as anything happens out of the normal report it immediately. I don't care who you tell, just tell someone."

He was about to go on, warning her of the dangers of Demons alike, when Mami popped her head through the door. She was holding one of her kimonos to her chest with both hands.

"Excuse me master, I just thought the Miss here would like some better fitted clothes." Mami offered the kimono to Sohpia. She then glanced at Shoji, kimono draped over his legs, and his robe wide open to reveal his chest. "And I will be back to get the master a fresh set of clothes..."

She left without a word after that. Shoji just shrugged it off. He didn't need it.

"You can change now if you want." He said, completely serious.

As soon as Shoji walked into the room with pudding at hand, she dropped her fingers from out of her hair, finding it a probably look a little less wild than it had as she was running away.

Pudding was set in front of her, but sadly with a pair of chopsticks. A very beautiful pair of chopsticks, the designs were simply incredible. But cutting her short, Shoji began to talk once more. Something serious from the sounds of it, but probably nothing too extreme.

But to her dismay, he was actually offering her the chance to go home. Although it wasn't as nice as it was at the estate, she wasn't sure she fit in, but she would have to ask him about it.

After nodding to each of his requests, she felt set to begin asking some of her own. But before she could even stop Shoji to ask, Mami stepped in with what seemed the most beautiful kimono she had ever seen. It was a long light pastel green shade with a small crow stretching his wings across the area near her midstomach, and behind his wings were beautiful vines that meandered around her body. Odd designs for what she normally saw in Japan, but unique.

But looking at Shoji, he seemed completely confident that she would change in front of him, there wasn't even the slightest of a chance, but considering this was her room all she would do would be to turn him around.

"Yeah, sure...I'll change behind you, but you better not look" She growled at him, earning her a sigh, and a scooting of his body, now looking away. To feel better, she turned towards the wall as well taking off a bloody, and ripped tank top, then slipping off the pants hastily.

The material of the kimono was soft, and this would be the moment she would start her questions as she attempted to tie the green ribbon around her, failing many times.

"When Eiji was...talking to me, he brought up a lot of things...I don't even remember much of what happened when we were kids, all I know is you aren't human..." She said cautiously, as she stuck out her tongue a bit, in an artist's way as she continued to try to tie the bow.

"Also, how am I supposed to do all of this when I don't even....Shoji, can you help me with this bow?" She asked with a small blush, moving her hand to her chest, making sure the kimono didn't fall. Why she was asking him, she had no clue.

"Like this..." Shoji kneeled behind Sophia, close enough so the top of his chest pressed against the back of her head. He adjusted the silky fabric around her body and pulled the thin green thread around her body, tying it in a bow behind her back. When he was done he wrapped his arms over her shoulders and pulled her back into his lap, "Normally we would've given you an obi to match, and something you couldn't dirty. Please be careful with that, it's Mami's deceased grandmother's robe. All of our guests clothes are dirty due to a recent visitor."

Megumi.

"You can do it. You have access to your own squad of elite Tengu, there's no way anything could get within 50 yards of you." Shoji sat with her in his lap, trying to remember what else there was to say. "By the way, I'm not some stupid demon. I have class. I'm a Tengu."

However short lived the moment was, Shoji felt he had to let go. She almost fell forward, but managed to sit up again. Shoji stood and bowed to her. Again, Mami appeared in the doorway.

"Shoji, I have a fresh set of clothes for you, and I've come to make your bed, Miss Sophia." Mami smiled. Shoji took the clothes out of her hands and walked past her.

"Alright. Goodnight Sophie." Shoji left and immediately joined Akihito in their small office space and sat down for a tedious all night work day.

"If the Miss would like, I could move you into my own room. Forgive my boldness of course, but I thought the Miss would be more comfortable with another woman instead of next to Yuji's room."

From down the hall Yuji yelled back at Mami, defending his inner perverted old man.

"Anyways, would you like to come with me instead?"

Tengu. She had heard of it once before, but she couldn't remember anything even to save her own life. Perhaps she could look it up herself, knowing it might be odd to ask anyone. The last thing she needed was to be seen as a stupid child.

After being forced out of the relaxing spot she managed to have within his lap, he suddenly and gently moved her off, causing her to slightly stumble, but maintain herself as Mami entered the room.

Before she could say anything between the quick dialog between the two, Shoji had already grabbed his clothes, and left her. To be honest, watching him leave..she wasn't sure if he was offended by her questions, or by something else but the absence of his presence lingered. It left her heart aching lightly, ever since she remembered the past, she never wanted to let him go away. Truthfully, she felt that without him, all the spirits would come back. He promised...but silly her, she was safe here.

Looking up at Mami, she had forgotten about her presence. A request to room with someone else for the time being seemed perfect, perhaps she could ask the woman questions as well in Shoji's place. Surprisingly at the insult towards the Yuji next door she managed a giggle, and nodded.

"Yes, company would be nice, you'd be surprised at everything that occured today" She said almost relieved, giving full rein for the woman ahead of her. A friend was needed, surely someone here could understand.

Slowly she walked closer to Mami, lifting the bottom of the kimono awkwardly. "Lead on" She offered with a confused grin.

"I'm assuming Shoji told you that kimono is my grandmother's, long passed away?" Mami asked, Sohpia nodded. "It's not, just so your aware. So you don't have to be careful with it. Shoji gave it to me for my birthday a few years ago. He said it suited me, but I have no idea why. You're welcome to it if you like."

Mami waited until the Miss left the room, and led her past the office Akihito and Shoji occupied. Neither had any idea they were there, by the way they were so silent. The house, with all of it's turns and dead ends, seemed to be built like a maze, but was in fact, 'U' shaped at the very least. The back of the house was the one long side, where Mami and Sohpia currently were. They were walking behind the dining hall, in a small hallway that led to where the girl's slept. Shoji had long ago decided it was safer with Yuji sleeping so far away, and gave the girl's their own space, with one bathroom. The only exception being that Madoka and Hisoka shared a room in the girl's area.

"To the left is Madoka and Hisoka's room. To the right, the bathroom, just in case. That, at the end, is my room." Mami ushered her inside and gestured to a small pre-mad bed on the floor. "You can sleep here, I'll make my bed in a few minutes. Get some rest all right?"


"So what exactly do you plan to do with her?" Akihito asked very quietly. Through thin walls anyone could eavesdrop on their conversation. "We've only managed to capture her long enough for one day and she's already almost gotten two people killed. I understand how important she is to you, but at this rate, she could kill us all tomorrow."

"I'm aware, Akihito. You don't think I know?" Shoji ran a hand through his hair, he was worn out. No more rescue missions, no more work, let time just stop here and now. "I heard about Madoka's condition. Katsu has always been tough, but he took damage. I know."

"You know about Madoka then?" Akihito paused. The master had been so busy, in and out of the estate, he wasn't sure how much he really knew. There had been a phone call from Ren some time ago, but he wasn't sure if Shoji knew.

"That phone call. I overheard Mami talking to Hisoka about it, as soon as I got back a second time." Shoji pulled at the hairs on the back of his head, frustrated, "They couldn't save her arm. Ren had a pretty tough time explaining that injury too."

"You see then? I don't know how long we can keep Sophia in her current state. I plead you, do something, anything quickly!" Akihito's voice was slowly rising. Shoji shot one irritated glance his way and shut him up.

"I won't take her life." Shoji's eyes flashed crimson, he was threatening his best friend, over some girl.

"That's not what I was saying, I'm sorry." Akihito bowed his head down, and didn't raise it, "I mean, marriage. If she were to change, now, no one would be able to take her. It wouldn't be so much of a problem..."

"She's not a problem, Akihito, and if you think of her as such I'll have to ask you to resign as one of the Great Eight. You're better than this." Shoji scolded him, his eyes still flashing.

"I am sorry. I won't think of her as a problem. But, I just want to know, what you intend to do about her?" Akhito's head was still bowed. He was sorry for thinking of the special girl as such a problem, but there was no other way he could say it. By nature she would bring about horrible things.

Shoji sat in silence, thinking. He couldn't change her, or marry her so soon. She would never accept him in that way. But she did bring about problems, that much was true. It was up to him to save her.

"We'll... head to the main village. Soon. You'll stay behind, and I'll take Mami, Nao, and Yuji come with. Mami and Nao seem to get along with her, and Yuji asked I bring him next time. He hasn't been home in years." Shoji nodded, it was an acceptable team, "I leave the house to you in that time, when it comes up."

"Alright, now master, please start your work. We need to catch up." Akihito sighed, Shoji was holding a large set of records upside down, staring confused.

"I am working," Shoji flipped the papers right side up, "I'm just a little tired."

"Well, you can't sleep yet. That's an order." Akihito joked and handed Shoji another stack of documents. He couldn't help but chuckle under his breath, only Akihito could dare order his own master.

As soon as Mami came in, making her bed inches away from her own make shift bed. It was a bit odder then the full size bed that her parents had sent to go into their vacation home, but it didn't matter, she couldn't sleep. But when she did....

"Please leave me alone!" Her voice called out to the darkness, huffing around running and getting caught up in tree branches. A few seconds later, multiple spirits came in around her with the most gruesome expressions, and extreme bodily conditions. They came in closer to her, but before they could reach out, a man with wings flew down in front of her, taking out a katana, and slashed at the spirits. As the man turned around, all she could do was look in fear at the creature with blood red eyes, as he stalked closer to her. A malicious grin stretched from ear to ear, "My dear hime, I run out of patience for your trouble...now I shall eat you whole and gain all power!" He shouted and lunged at her.

Sophie shot up out of bed, gasping for air and managing not to scream. Next to her was Mami, who was still asleep. Quickly crawling out of the covers, she looked to the paper walls, and noticed sunlight. It was probably morning.

Being careful with the kimono she was wearing, she tiptoed to the door, and opened it a crack before slipping out. She needed comfort, knowing she wouldn't be able to sleep anymore, but knowing she probably looked like a witch with the way her bed hair curled around her throat, and a little way down her back.

With careful ears she maneuvered to the way she thought was the exit, finding herself at dead ends multiple times before she finally reached the home's entrance. It was her first slep outside with no intentions on running away. The fresh air was what she needed.

Sophie yawned, stretching her arms out to the sky as she looked around, "Morning..." She muttered uselessly.

Dark bags, two large drooping dark bags sat beneath Shoji's eyes. He didn't sleep, Akihito did, but he didn't. Night had completed avoided showing itself in the dark office space, and before Shoji realized he hadn't slept, morning had crept back around. It should've been obvious how much time had passed as soon as Nao crept from his room to start an early breakfast.

Slumping over the low wooden desk, a tall stack of papers fell onto the floor. Sighing, Shoji picked them up gracelessly. Still, for a clan that had no interference with humans, there was an awful lot of paperwork about them. This person has seen us doing blah, that person is living in the household, there shouldn't be this much work.

"Augh, damn!" Shoji threw the messy pile he'd just made into the air. The papers fluttered down to the floor, where they stayed. There would be no more work today.

"Master," Akihito rubbed his eyes, he looked well rested, even after his fair share of work late last night. "Here is the latest bill for Madoka, and the repairs to the garden."

Something inside Shoji snapped as he let out a loud wail.



"I'm going to kill that--" Shoji was screaming from somewhere deep inside the estate. However, only Akihito knew it was about the recent paperwork.

"Master do calm down! I'll help you with this!" Akihito screamed back. This must have shut him up.

"Don't mind that." Ryo sat down on the floor next to Sophia, who was just waking up.

"We think." Ryuu sat on the opposite side. Even if they were only brothers, they acted like a pair of twins.

"Apparently Akihito and the master stayed up all night. Shoji just grumbled the whole, Akihito is a quiet one." Yuji appeared behind Sophia, standing a head above her, even if he appeared to be the same age, she was much shorter. "The master is just so hard to please."

"But he's good to us Yuji, don't complain!" Ryo and Ryuu said simultaneously.

"True, true." Yuji hummed. "Sophia, you should forget about the master and come stay with me! You'd be much more comfortable."

"Knock it off Yuji!" Mami appeared from seemingly nowhere to grab Yuji by his collar and drag him back into the estate, "If you're going to be a pervert, go help the master!"

It was turning out to be a hectic morning. There were too many people.

"Well, let's go Ryo." Ryuu said to his brother.

"Yes, let's." Ryo smiled, too cheerfully at his brother.

"Where are you going?" Sophia asked.

"Why, Miss, we're going to pick up Ma--" The siblings were cut short my Nao.

"Breakfast is ready."

Surely the night calm stretch was quite pleasant, right about to when all the people started gathering around her. It was actually quite hectic considering all the shouting inside the estate. Luckily she was out of the way for whoever was storming, and fuming inside.

Surprising enough she had managed to forget about her nightmare just as quick as the twins were almost about to say something, whom were also cut out by the calling of food. Joyous. Would the surprises never end? Hopefully breakfast here was a whole lot more delicious then the casual bowl of ramen..

Walking a slow pace behind the twins, they managed to make it to the dining area. They seemed to have gotten there before Shoji and Akihito because she could still hear a few curses be sent from one another.

Sophie sat down at the corner where Shoji had placed her the afternoon before, making sure to sit on her feet. It was actually a lot easier with a kimono on, considering it folded up right on top of her legs.

Cautiously she looked towards the room door to only see Shoji barge in rediculously, with Akihito following a few inches away with a pleading look on his face.

"Didn't sleep well either?" She asked Shoji with a mixed look as he sat down with a rather pissed off expression.

"Ask it again and I'm feeding everyone to the dogs." The bags under Shoji's eyes grew darker with every passing minute, any more light, sound, any more of anyone would be enough to send him off the edge.

"It's just a bit more, and we'll be done, I promise." Akihito kneeled at the head of the table, behind Shoji. Apparently breakfast was a waste of his time, as there was too much work to be done.

"Fine." Shoji grumbled. He crossed his arms tight over his chest, he was still wearing the same kimono as last night. There hadn't been any reason to change into a new one for any reason. A bath was needed too, a nice relaxing bath.

"This is for you, S-Shoji." Nao placed a jug of coffee in front of his master, and a small bowl of rice. Breakfast.

"I don't like coffee." Shoji gritted his teeth, he wasn't going to drink it.

"Shoji, if you don't drink it, I'm going to show you the rest of the paperwork." Akihito threatened. Unwillingly, Shoji placed the large mug to his lips and inhaled the coffee. A shock went through his body as the caffeine hit him like a rock.

"Let's do this." If anything, Shoji had drifted into a rush of coffee and no sleep. Anything he said would never likely be brought up again.

As Sophie listened in to Shoji's numerous threats, she wasn't quite sure if any were directed at her...especially the dog threat. That was the last thing she personally needed..to be eaten by whatever pack of hounds wanted her.

Sophie sighed, trying to think of something she could do to possibly relieve the great tengu. He obviously wasn't puttting up with much of anything, especially Akihito who seemed only to increase the problems, and irritation.

Slowly she managed to get to her feet using the table mainly as support as she straightened herself out. Carefully she moved to him, ushering Akihito back a bit so she could now be the one behind him, slowly she outstetched her hands to above each of his shoulder blades, then started to massage the muscles carefully.

Somehow she had remembered the way she was taught to give a shoulder massage after having too many spirits perched up on her shoulders where they found even more ways of harrassing her. People only said that she was working too hard, but obviously no one could see the spirits.

With a deep breath she finally spoke, "You shouldn't have stayed up Shoji, maybe you could have done that with us as kids, but you are a full grown adult, you have to take care of yourself more" She scolded softly, before laying her head on his back, tired herself, but enjoying the brief contact of her old friend. It was comforting.

Firm hands pressing into his shoulders, before Shoji could shout another threat he was dozing. Even though half the cup of coffee was gone, his eyes were closing. Everything was blurring. There was a faint mumbling behind him, Akihito maybe?

"Shoji are you listening to me?" Akihito grabbed his master by the ear, it was amazing what he could get away with.

"Hnn?" Shoji slowly turned his sleepy head and stared blankly at his friend. Serious eyes stared at him for some sort of response, "Did I ever tell you, how serious you are?"

A few seconds later he fell back onto Sohpia's lap into a deep sleep. Akihito gaped at his master, napping like a baby.

"Oh no wonder, this is decaf. I wonder what kind of rush hit him..." Nao was holding a tin of instant coffee. In his other hand was a small pill bottle, sleeping pills.

"You didn't." Yuji laughed, mad with an instant hysteria at Nao's prank. He was supposed to be a goody two shoes.

"Nao. This is serious business." Akihito said seriously. "There is a lot of work to be done!"

"Oh relax." The siblings had been laughing right alongside Yuji the whole time, "It'll do him some good. He needs the sleep."

"Tell you what, I'll help, alright?" Mami stood, her light breakfast was finished, so she left with Akihito.

"I can't believe you did that Nao." Yuji couldn't help but laugh, he hooked the boy under his arm, like they were good pals. Shoji would be pissed.

At first, the whole thing she had thought that her massage was what did it, but the rate at which he felt down into her lap, completely passed out, she knew there was trouble. Sure enough, there Nao was holding a thing of decaf coffee in one hand, and some over the counter sleep meds in the other.

At first all she could do was look at Nao worriedly, hoping that Shoji wouldn't figure out, and hurt the innocent chief, but soon she found herself giggiling as well at the sight of everyone being so odd about the whole ordeal.

In the meanwhile of Yuji complementing Nao, she found herself aimlessly running her fingers though his hair, it really did feel so silky at the touch. Distracted, she continued to do so as she soon saw Mami get up, and go to finish the job.

As soon as Akihito, and Mami were gone, she looked back down at Shoji with an innocent grin, sure he could wake up any minute because he was special, but she wasn't quite sure. He really needed the sleep...being the head of the whole family must be so busy...it somewhat irritated her that he would be made to stay up, but even she wouldn't had the commitment to stay up like that.

With a sigh, she studied Shoji, he was absolutely handsome...like a model from some foreign county kind of model. But even now she could distinctly put the younger him, and the older him together, and manage to get the same person. It was amazing how youthful he looked compared to her.

But then she thought about the previous night, how he had stormed out so abruptly. Even still she couldn't figure out what had him so upset, was it her? Surely it was considering how many she had hurt carelessly. Madoka, and the old man...she had to obey him, she couldn't risk anyone else getting hurt.

Knowing he seemed out for the moment, she silently hummed a small lullaby, still looking down at him, enjoying the moment for all it's worth before he would wake up with a vengence.

"We really should get going." Ryo said to his brother.

"Yeah." Ryuu and his brother stood, without having eaten anything Nao had cooked. Who knows what else was in the food, if he dared to put his master to sleep.

"Ah, that's right. Ren called, didn't he?" Yuji stopped his affections for his new best friend, Nao, to talk.

"Certainly did!" Ryo chimed.

"So we have to go pick them up, they can't exactly fly back here." Ryuu joked. Then his face seemed to ponder something, "We do have a car somewhere, right?"

"Of course! It's in the back, East side." Yuji said. It was a rare occurrence the house had to use a vehicle to get anywhere. The thing was more for show.

"I'm driving." Ryo called out before exiting. His brother chased him out.

"Miss Sophia, would you like anything specific for breakfast? I promise it's not going to have anything bad in it, I swear."

Sophie watched the rest of the group talk among themselves about picking someone up...wait Madoka? Before she could ask any questions she looked up to see Nao still in the room. She hadn't even really thought about the food, but luckily she knew that there wasn't a chance Nao would put anything in her own food.

"Well for now, is it okay if I just get something to drink? Sweetened tea would be amazing if you had any..." She said softly, before using her hands to unfold herself, so she could sit flat on her butt. Shoji's head was still in her lap, but a lot more comfortable. He looked so peaceful...

"Tao, is this how things normally are here?" She asked absentmindly, but knowing that must likely her presence had disturbed the normal equilibrium of the estate. Even now they had to go pick up Madoka...by flying? Why would they even think of that..wait..tengus...right...

"I'll make a home brewed sweetened tea, but it could be a while if y-you can wait." Nao went to the small stove in the back of the dining hall.

With a tea kettle set on the stove, he added some spices and left it to brew. There wasn't much he could do about the tea.

"But y-yes, it's normally like this. However, the Master doesn't always stay up so late." Nao shrugged like it wasn't a big deal.

"Oh... I see." Sophia seemed to be under the impression she was affecting the house.

"It's not because of you though. The Master has had to deal with a lot recently. We had sensed you when you first arrived, and then his cousin had decided to visit." Nao shuddered at the thought of Megumi. "She almost c-came back today. It's awfully good you don't have to meet her."

Megumi wasn't for defending the special girl. She'd even offered to get rid of her for the clan, bring her corpse to the elders. It was extremely good they never met.

"B-but, I suppose it's normally a lot more quiet. We aren't so used to eating together. B-but because you're a guest, Shoji forced everyone to eat at the same time. It's good really." Nao laughed, "It means I only have to cook once per meal!"

Sophie nodded, feeling a lot more better about the situation, knowing that her presence hadn't changed much in the estate other then being...special. Even since she was little she had been special, but even since she turned 16 the word special seemed to have been multiplied by one hundred.

Since leaving home, it seemed that she had put herself in the perfect situation for Shoji, she still had no clue what she really did in the whole scheme of things, but she would surely figure out. If only she could remember more from being a little kid, but then again who really has the ability to remember things like that.

All she remembers was being left.

Looking up at Nao, she smiled, looking back down at the sleeping beast, "Thank you so much for your hospitality towards me considering how different I am...but I must insist that you treat me as you would treat a friend...I am not quite sure what I have done to place myself in this situation, but now that I have...all I have been causing is trouble...for Shoji, and Madoka.." She said looking a bit sad as she turned back up to look at Nao.

"Oh n-no! The Miss is the miss, it would be inappropriate for m-me to consider you as a f-friend!" Nao's face flushed crimson. The Miss was the miss, as he said. He had to respect her. "B-but you aren't very different. You're just like any other human you know. All that's different is the effect your blood h-has on us."

The tea kettle hissed, signaling it was done. Nao got up to fetch it.

"If there's a-any thing else I can get you? There's food here." Nao offered her an assortment of foods, anything she wanted.

"Gotta..." Shoji mumbled in his sleep, Nao shrieked and ran for cover behind the stove. "Gotta finish."

There wasn't any way in hell the sleeping pills wore off, but Shoji managed to stand and escort himself from the room and down the hall before crashing onto the floor.

"Oh g-god, what have I done?!" Nao stood from behind the stove, quivering out of fear. "If anyone asks, I went to go see Madoka. Yes, Madoka. Goodbye!"

Sophie felt slightly defeated at Nao's answer, knowing that might have been the case, but sooner or later she would definately have to fix it, Miss or not. His responce on her blood on the other hand had her curious on if it was because of her ability or some blood line type ordeal.

The noice of the kettle's steam awoke her thoughts as Nao rushed in to attend to the tea. He offered her anything for food, but before she could respond, she felt movement on her lap.

She could hear Nao panicking within the kitchen, whom quickly dissapeared before Shoji finally stood up and managed to do a zombie-like walk towards the hall where she heard a loud bang. With that Nao quickly addressed his exit, and ran past her to the opposite hall to the exit.

With that, she stood up and walked to the hall where a sleeping Shoji was crashed on the floor, all sprawled out. Sighing loudly, she bent down, which was when she picked up his upper body, attempting to drape him on her so she could drag him to his room, but found him to be too heavy, and eventually succumbed to the weight, falling flat on her face.

Giving up momentarily she continued to just stare at the end of the hall like it was the end to a 6 mile jog, but there was no way she wanted to be the one to wake him up. So quit to find a solution, she ran to the room Mami shared with her, took the pillow, and then rolled him so his head was resting on it, still in the middle of the hallway.

"Stupid bird thing!" She grumbled exhaustedly, as she stood up, and looked at him with a rather aggrivated look.

There was something soft under his head, this wasn't the floor was it? What did he drink? Shoji lifted himself off of the floor and sat up. Wait, the floor?

"NAO." Shoji yelled. A series of gasps echoed through the house. Shoji was awake again, in the middle of the hallway. No one could decide who would be brave enough to tell him that it was now five in the afternoon. He'd slept all day.

"Now Now Sho-chan. It's not good to yell." A familiar voice greeted him from behind. Shoji turned to see who and was attacked by a small body. Madoka.

"Madoka!" Shoji wrapped his arms around her. She must be alright then. But, from the way his embrace failed to wrap around her body like it used to, he knew something was missing.

As she pulled away, all smiles for him, he noticed it. Her entire right arm was missing.

"Ren had to steal me away! I was done healing once they took off my arm." It was amazing how calm she sounded when talking about the fact her limb was missing. "By the way, Sho-chan, why were you sleeping in the hallway?"

Shoji smiled so bright, he thought he was going to cry. Madoka was okay. He hugged her again to hide how close he was to tears. "I was tired. However..."

Shoji let go again and finally stood all the way up.

"Who was the one that put something in my drink? Where's Nao?!" Shoji once more began to scream, rampaging through the hallways.

Sophia had been walking down the corridor, yawning. The dream she had was still on her mind the whole time, the thought of many demons horrifying her. Spirits...she could get used to, but demons that look like beautiful demons were something quite unlike any other. Flaunting their good looks just for the sake of being them, blah.

Brown eyes widened at the sound of a familar voice, Madoka? Sophia quickly turned around the corner, managing to get the sight of Shoji yelling out Nao's name, and then afterwords run down the hallway as if Madoka was only an alarm clock.

"Madoka!" She shouted with a smile on her face, attempting to hide her troubled expression. Her eyes continued to look at her pretty and young face, and the arm that was missing. Guilt struck her like an arrow through the heart. Would Madoka even forgive her for her stupidity?

After walking a few steps closer, her smile dimmed a bit, "Are you well now?" She heard, not able to mask the worry now. After all the baby sitting, she would have never have guessed that this girl was a demon.

"Yes I am Sophie darlin'!" Madoka saluted her with the one good hand, only wobbling slightly. "I heal fast, I'm special."

"Like me?" Sophia asked. It wasn't possible that this girl was like her, she was a Tengu.

"No, I'm just special!" Madoka smiled, she sure was something.

"Come on, your brother is waiting to see you." Ren reached out for her good hand and led her away.

"We'll play sometime soon okay?" Madoka swung her arms with her brother and walked away.

Thankfully, Sophia thought, Nao came by to explain things. Madoka was destined to be a great healer, so her body was used to healing itself quickly. She never got sick, and never noticed an injury long enough to know it was serious. If a limb was missing it would only speed up the body's function.

"Now, if you don't mind. You have to get ready for school, don't you?"