Disclaimers: All characters belong to rightful owners.
Story concieved by Lee.


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Sophia inhaled sharply as the death threats were issued. _Why_ would Sam respond in such a provocating manner? Of course, the boy had been wrong to simply assault him without provocation, but this went far beyond the boundaries of self-defense or even richeous anger. Indeed, it was almost as if... almost as if Sam too had gone insane.

At any rate, the two would have to be separated, that much was obvious. Though she didn't have the physical strength to really restrain him, Sophia grabbed blonde boy's wrist and attempted to speak to him. "Stop. Whatever you think you're doing, this isn't right. Even if you think he killed someone you know, you do _not_ have the right to simply attack him. I believe you've made a mistake, but if you're sure of yourself, go to the police with your story." Of course, if he had a fit like this while at a police station, it was doubtless they'd lock up anyone but him-- yet even so it would be better than what was happening now. And then, there wouldn't be what was now a very real danger-- that one, or both of them would have to be restrained. She'd do what she had to in order to ensure neither of them caused the other more damage.

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In Lucia's mind, all sorts of wonderful scehemes were being concocted. She could always seduce the boy. That wouldn't be to hard, and it promised her some fun. She could find out those deep, dark secrets in his heart of hearts... give him something that he wanted. Yes, this boy probably wouldn't be too much of a soul struggle... however, it might take time to get him to give himself to her. And time was one thing that Lucia--

A horrible, burning, throbbing pain shot out from behind her right ear. It filled her brain, clouding her senses and making her see spots of white. She let out an agonized scream, and before collapsing to the ground, one word came to the forfront of her fading consciousness. ::Samael...::

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Kisoku cringed, standing on the outside of the choas. He had no clue what the hell was going on in this madhouse. But the person he was most worried about was Sam... there was something about his friend that had him terrified. If only he knew what to do...

"Lukas, I think we need to get Sam out of here... he needs to calm down, or something..." Kisoku offered this feeble attempt at a solution, in the hopes that it might bring this whole mess to a resolution.

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Mousy, enjoying being stroked so nicely, took the oppurtunity to climb onto Lemy's hand and run up his arm to stop at his shoulder, squeaking once more in approval.

"Believe it or not, Mousy is like my little guardian, so it's good that he likes you so much." Sasurai giggled looking up at the two. They were _both_ adorable, "Chou kawaii neh!" Her voice again came out in squeaks similiar to Mousy (but just... words), yet that was a good thing; really, it was rare to see her so childishly happy.

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"He seems a good guardian for you!" Lem giggled happily as the mouse scittered up to his shoulder and, smiling gently, he scratched the fur behind Mousy's ears. Of course, he enjoyed the rare, childish quality to the girl's squaking, her laughter, and, glancing to her, he smiled happily. "You're both so close that you must be wonderfully good friends!"

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Sasurai nodded, her smile turning into a small grin, "We've been together ever since I came here. He was all alone-" like herself, but she didn't want to add any self-pity to her words, "-so I had to take care of him. We are very good, close friends. He's always wanted me to make new friends of course-" Sasurai puased, realizing her unusual behavior. Where did all this childish talkative energy come from? Was the pizza drugged? "Ehehe... gomen nasai... I must seem so-so-so si-si-silly, really usually I would-wouldn't be talking with-with-with anyone."

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"Ah, that's so nice that you've taken care of him!" Lem enthused as he smiled brightly to mouse as well to girl. As Sasuarai suddenly regresesd to her former shyness, though, he frowned slightly and, tipping his head on side, he wondered what had caused it. Nothing had been said and, really, it wasn't like taking care of a mouse was all that odd. Slowly, he tried to form his lips into a sympathetic smile.

"No, that's not silly at all..." He shook his head quickly. "I think it's really very sweet of you to take care of Mousy like that, not silly in the slightest."

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"No... it's not that-that-that..." Sasurai bit her bottom lip. Was she this emotionally and socially retarded? Couldn't she even voice her words right? "I love taking care of Mousy... it's just... I'm... not... usually..." She shook her head, looking down slightly, "I'm so used to-to be alone-" She heard Mousy's squeak of disapproval, "With Mousy as com-company of course, but not- not... anyone else."

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"Oh, I see." Lem nodded slowly to this and, tipping his head on side, he peered consideirngly into the girl's features. It was rather sad that this sweet, kind, gentle girl had to spend time alone, but, maybe, somehow, he'd find a way to correct that. Then again, maybe not since most of his time was spent either with Master Barano or working and he sincerely doubted that the girl would care for either of those things. "Still, even if that's true, well, at least you aren't alone today! Or... or would you... rather be alone?"

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"NO!" Sasurai eyes widened hearing that question. How could anyone want to be alone? Even if she has isolated herself, a life of solitude would be a crueler fate than death! However, her tone, which took an unsually sharp edge was what surprised her, and frightened her. Quickly looking away from him, she could feel herself shaking, trying to erase her error of yelling, "Go-go-gomen nasai! I didn't... it's just... I... I don't want to be alone... I'm grateful for your-your company... I'm-I'm sorry for yelling."

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"...But that's *not* S--..." Lukas swung around to look over at Kisoku, who stood at the fringes of the spectacle they were all making of themselves. The blonde looked as dumbfounded, as confused, and - yes, as fearful - as he, himself felt. Blinking, Lukas shook his head, not in disagreement with Kiso's suggestion, but rather, with what he, himself, had been on the verge of saying. What had he been thinking? Of course, this was Sam - who else could it be?

"You're right," he murmured to Kisoku, lowering his hands which were still pressed against each boy's chest to keep them from going at each other again. Turning to face Sam, he then moved to grip his friend gently, but firmly just above the elbow. "Sammy... budreau..." he began, his voice soft, gentle, as if he were addressing a wounded, wild animal instead of his oldest and dearest friend, "We need to get outta here... Now." Giving Alexei as wide a berth as possible, he attempted to tug Sam gently toward the door, glancing over his shoulder at Kisoku as he went.

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"No, that's fine." The shock of hearing the girl's normally timid voice lift in a shout quickly left him and, shaking his head, he smiled gently to Sasurai. After all, he could understand it; though he never cared for crowds, he'd never want to be _entirely_ alone. Not a day didn't go by that he wasn't grateful for the few dear people in his life. "I understand completely. There's no need to be sorry."

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Kisoku breathed a sigh of relief. Now, just maybe, the insanity of the moment could stop. He followed after his two friends, placing a comforting hand on Sam's shoulder. He wasn't about to say a word... not until they were clear of the pizza place, but at least he could try to placate his friend.

He gave the cajun a puzzled look. Sam was an incredibly laid back guy. It was really odd to see him get so... angry and violent. It was downright terrifying.

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"You should take care, little boy..." Sam called to Alexei over his shoulder as he allowed Lukas to guide him doorwards. A smirk spreading his lips, he again offered that unpleasant laugh as he a flapped a hand in something of a wave. "You could easily die as pathetically as your brother, if you don't know where your boundries lie. It was guilt that took him, you know. Guilt over what you made him do. Sad, isn't it?"

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Lukas returned Kisoku's puzzled look with a helpless one of his own as the two of them steered Sam toward the door. For the life of him, he couldn't figure out what had gotten into his friend. As long as he'd known him, Lukas had never seen Sam just... go off like that on someone. And the things he'd said - not only that, but the way he'd said them... so much hatred... so much venom... It really was like Sam had become... someone else...

When Sam turned to take his parting shot at the boy who'd attacked him, Lukas tightened his grip on his friend's arm, shaking him a little, "Knock it off, Sammy," he said quietly, "Just let it go, okay? The kid's obviously nuts... or mistook you for someone else... or somethin'... So just... let it go..." As he spoke, he hastened his steps a bit, urging Sam toward the exit more quickly. The sooner they were back outside, away from that weird cactus kid, the better for all concerned.

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Slowly, Sasurai ran her right ahnd through her hair, flinching seeing the missing pinky finger she did so. Looking down, she couldn't help but smile at his gentle voice, and looked up slowly, "You're... you're too kind to me... and I thank you for that." She peered down again, and the usual, shy, contentment of the day crept over her and she murmured, "You're a rare person indeed Lemy-san."

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"Oh, I... really haven't been that kind to you." Flushing to the root of his hair, Lem quickly shook his head and, smiling sheepishly, he went back to idly playing with a curl of his hair. "I... really... I'm just being selfish, I guess."

"A rare person?" He blinked as Sasurai said this and, though it likely seemed impossible before, he flushed darker still. "I... I really don't think that's right. I'm... I'm no different from anyone else..."

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"Oh... w-well..." As if a chain reaction, Sasurai's skin seem to turn a deep shade of pink as she looked down and shifted her feet slightly, "W-we-well... usually I-I-I'm not... very noticeable... so... to me, you're rare because you noticed me and... was kind to me. Really you've been nicer th-than... most people I have met." It was true... despite the fact she kept herself away from most people.

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"Well, really, it... it was just my fault for jostling you like that..." Lem murmured quietly as his flushed deepened ever so slightly. Really, though, if he hadn't bumped into the girl, then he'd probably either still be hiding at the fringe or just... standing around like a marionette without a puppeteer. That seemed to be his usual routine, anyway. "I'm glad, though, that it did end up like this..."

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Shittsui managed not to laugh. He had meant that if there were a God then a certain pimp would have been struck by lightning long before now, but he decided not to enlighten his companion right now. "Perhaps you are right..." Sui agreed, "perhaps you are right..." And then he spotted Lemy and that girl again, and the two were awfully close. "Ah. I see a friend of mine," He told Nev, "Let us go say hello." He strolled over to the couple and cleared his throat. "Lemy, how nice to see you having so much fun." Said a very jealous pimp.

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