Hello my gorgeous shining stars!

Like I said, I'd put up another chapter (:

The beginning of "Shiori's Arc"

le enjoy~

The four exorcists looked around ''Japan is a beautiful place'' Miranda said gently looking around.

''It's alright I guess'' Ashlynn mumbled kicking a rock on the ground.

''What are you talking about? Blue skies, not a cloud in sight and the air is so crisp out here in the country'' Krory said looking around.

''Well c'mon, how do we know if the village is right one? Kumoi said it was unnamed village'' Lavi said ''Kumoi said it was just a few miles away'' Miranda mumbled ''let's hurry before it gets dark'' Krory said as they all nodded and walked on the path, it was close to the end of fall, the air was a bit colder and the trees around were all sakura trees, petals floating everywhere, like a soft and gentle pink snow fall. It was calming and beautiful, yet Ashlynn felt uneasy.

Ashlynn put her hair into a long ponytail and they walked, mild chatter was heard as the four spoke. After a few hours they sat next a river ''i'm beat'' Lavi fell to the ground as Miranda sat down. Krory sighed as Ashlynn leaned against the tree ''you've been awfully quiet Ashlynn is something wrong?'' Krory asked as Ashlynn looked up at him and forced a small smile.

''I just feel a little weird'' she said ''are you feeling sick?'' Miranda asked worried ''we could take turns carrying you until we reach the village'' Lavi suggested.

''N-no!'' she stood up straight hitting her head on a branch, the trio chuckled as she rubbed her head.

''i'm fine guys...'' she smiled ''well, let's fill up our canteens and head out again'' Lavi stretched. Ashlynn helped Miranda grab the tins as Lavi and Krory yawned ''are you sure you're alright?'' Miranda whispered as Ashlynn took off her fingerless gloves and dipped her hands into the river before splashing some on her face ''yeah i'm fine, probably just need some rest'' Ashlynn said pulling a few strands of black hair behind her ear and watched as the ripple stopped and she stared at her and Miranda's reflection as Miranda filled the canteens so Ashlynn could screw the caps back on.

Ashlynn looked at her mirror image, no matter how much she insisted she was fine, she felt odd...scared almost but for what?

She took one of the canteens and screwed on the caps, focusing on herself in the water.

The mirror image stared back at Ashlynn, looked so same yet so different; with bigger eyes, short hair and blood stained. Ashlynn gave a shocked gasp, a strangled scream came out of her as she fell backwards and dropped the canteen, distorting the image of her younger self in the water.

''Ashlynn!'' Miranda cried dropping the canteens and rushed over to Ashlynn who was breathing harshly ''what happened?'' Lavi asked kneeling down and Ashlynn looked up at him her breath slowly becoming normal ''what happened Ashlynn?'' Krory asked fetching the canteen in the water. Her eyes darted from left and right.

''I just thought...I saw someone was watching us across the river'' Ashlynn said ''really? We should go check it out'' Lavi said grabbing his hammer and him and Krory rushed over looking through the thicket of trees, Miranda checked Ashlynn's temperature and gave her some water.

''Hey guys! I see the village!'' Lavi shouted as they looked up.

''Are you serious?'' Ashlynn asked in disbelief ''yeah, come on guys!'' Krory said as they both got up and ran over and brushed through the trees before seeing a large red gate leading into a small village. Ashlynn's eyes widened as she looked at the quiet and peaceful town.

''No...'' she whispered her hands shaking as she leaned up against a tree ''are you feeling sick?'' Lavi asked holding her shaking hands ''y-yeah'' she said ''well, let's see if we can find an inn'' Krory said as they walked into the town.

The moment she passed through the gate an infinite amount of weight was pressed on her body, pulling her down. The town looked exactly like it used to...when she lived a life here as a child, when she hated innocence and what it did to her. Before she killed everyone and set fire to village that was impossibly standing before her.

Everything looked the same, the old traditional houses, the book store, the old bakery...how...how was this possible?

Ashlynn gripped onto Lavi's hand ''wow this place looks amazing'' Krory said ''let's look around for some medicine'' Miranda and Krory left to go look around.

''Tell me what's going on'' Lavi said turning to her.

''It's nothing just not feeling too good'' she said looking around, it was like he went back in time, only five people knew her ugly past, there was no way in hell she'd ever let Miranda or Krory know. And God knows what would happen if Lavi found out.

She breathed in deep,

Just find the innocence kill the akuma and you're good. She reminded herself as she looked at Lavi and scooted over for a small kiss on the cheek ''don't worry about me Lavi'' she smiled as he sighed and hugged her close ''guys, we found a place to stay!'' Miranda called out ''that's great!'' Lavi shouted as she kept her eyes on children playing, laughing as they kicked a ball back and forth.

Her eyes widened 'there couldn't be...no impossible' she was glad that Lavi couldn't see her face. Her eyes were wide as she bit her lip.

there couldn't be...a survivor from the fire?

Her eyes narrowed lifting her head up and looked around, there was no way the entire town would look the same, if there wasn't a survivor ''Ashlynn?'' Lavi asked as she smiled turning towards him ''let's go to the inn'' she said as Lavi nodded holding her hand as they walked towards Krory and Miranda ''where's the inn?'' Ashlynn asked as Miranda pointed to a small and cute inn near the edge of town, the four walked inside ''hello?'' the four exorcists looked at the girl.

She looked as old as Ashlynn, maybe a year or two older. With a pale face and bright green eyes with black hair that was curled into two parts, it lay on her chest. She wore a black dress with frills ''what can I help you with?'' Krory looked at Miranda who stared at Ashlynn who looked curiously at them ''what is it?'' she asked blankly.

"Just...just wait'' Miranda and Krory sighed.

''Oh my god she's totally my type!'' Lavi squealed, hearts in his eyes.

''Excuse me?!''

Ashlynn crossed her arms and "accidentally" stomped on his foot before turning back to the girl who was oblivious to scene before her.

''We need a place to sleep'' she snapped and but glared at Lavi from the corner of her eyes. She shifted her weight onto her other foot.

''Well my brothers-''

''-please, please, please!'' Lavi took a hold of her hands and begged, the girl blushed ''u-um, alright...I can give you guys two rooms, is that enough?'' the girl stuttered ''oh thank you, you wont regret this!'' Lavi said.

''What's your guy's name?'' she asked.

''Miranda'' a timid voice said.

''Arystar Krory the Third'' the man mumbled.

''Ashlynn...''

''You can call me Lavi! What about you? You must have a cute name'' he said still holding onto both of Shiori's hands.

The girl shuffled her feet and blushed ''I-I'm Shiori'' she said.

Ashlynn looked at the girl ''they named you that?'' Ashlynn snapped.

''Y-yes...I know I have the demon's name b-but-''

''-demon?'' Krory asked.

''it's nothing'' Ashlynn said quickly.

''Well...here are your keys, come down when you guys settle in, i-i'll make some dinner'' Shiori said ''thank you!'' Lavi snatched the keys and everyone went upstairs, Ashlynn following behind sourly, her heels clunked across the wooden floor.

''Do you think she'll stay mad for long?'' Miranda whispered to Krory who shrugged ''it is amusing to Ashlynn jealous though'' Krory smiled as Miranda giggled ''what ever you two are whispering stop it before I make you stop'' Ashlynn rolled her eyes and Krory chuckled nervously moving away from the exorcist who was radiating jealousy.

''Wo me and Ash will share-''

''-I don't think so, Miranda and I will share a room and you and Krory can share the other'' Ashlynn said walking into her room and slammed the door shut without another word.

''U-um Ashlynn! I need to get in'' Miranda stuttered knocking on the door, the door opened for a second and she pulled Miranda in with inhuman force and slammed it shut again.

''What's up with Ashlynn?'' Lavi asked as Krory sighed ''you've never had a girlfriend have you?'' Krory asked Lavi gave him a look ''i'm a Bookman Kuro-chan, Bookman'' Lavi opened the door leading to a small room with two beds and a desk, a bathroom and a balcony. Lavi took off his coat and fell on the bed ''when you have a girlfriend you cant do the thing that you do when you see attractive girls Lavi, Ash is jealous that you're flirting with Shiori'' Krory explained.

''What? That's crazy'' Lavi said ''idiot'' Krory sighed heading to the bathroom.

Lavi turned on his side glaring at the wall there was a candle on the desk that illuminated the room, the Japanese village was old, there was no way to get electricity so they used candles.

Miranda was unpacking some pajamas while looking at Ashlynn who was pacing around the room.

''Are you still jealous of Shiori?'' Miranda asked as Ashlynn gasped ''I am not jealous of Shiori'' she mumbled, Miranda giggled ''if you weren't you wouldn't have been so worked up on Lavi flirting with her'' she said ''whatever'' she sighed letting herself fall back on the bed ''are you hungry? We can go down for dinner now'' Miranda said. ''I will, i'll just take a shower first. You guys can head down first'' Ashlynn said grabbing some clothes and headed to the bathroom.

Miranda smiled changing into a plain dark purple night dress with sleeves and walked outside to see Krory wearing a black button up and black pants, Lavi came out wearing green button up and dark pants, he left the top few buttons unbuttoned and had his hair still up.

''where's Ash?'' Krory asked ''she's taking a shower she'll be down in a bit'' Miranda said as the three walked down to see Shiori ''good, you're eating'' she said wearing an apron ''do you need help?'' Lavi asked ''of course not, sit, i'm done'' she said pouring some soup in a bowl and taking out bread.

''Where is your other friend?'' she asked ''she'll be down in a bit'' Lavi smiled eating the soup ''this is lovely, thank you for dinner'' Miranda said biting a piece of bread ''so what's this village like?'' Krory asked.

''This village is very old and very superstitious, about ten years ago there was a girl who had a cursed arm'' Shiori said ''a cursed arm?'' Lavi asked ''yes, they called her a demon because they didn't know what she was. So the village treated her horribly and children would throw rocks and beat her in the middle of day'' the girl said.

Ashlynn ran a hand throughout her hair, soap in her eyes but she didn't care. She turned off the water and stood there for a bit.

Being back in this village...was horrible.

''The villagers convinced the girl's parents to kill her'' Shiori mumbled ''that's horrible, so she died?'' Krory asked ''she killed her parents and burnt down the village in her hatred, I got this from her'' Shiori said pulling her dress down right by her breast, showing a red scar by her heart ''you got that from her?'' Miranda gasped.

''And you're still alive?'' Ashlynn asked coming down the stairs, she wore a pale cream night dress similar to Miranda's ''yes, it's a miracle i'm still alive, there were more survivors from that night too'' she said ''no...'' Ashlynn whispered ''who?'' Lavi asked ''most have left the village, but me and my brothers survived'' she said.

''Your brothers are...''

''Ichika and Kaname'' she said, Ashlynn narrowed her eyes ''come eat'' she said as Ashlynn sat down quietly and ate the cold soup ''what happened then?'' Lavi asked.

''The demon set the village on fire and disappeared, we thought that she killed herself, so the survivors rebuilt the village to look as if nothing happened and here we are now'' Shiori said.

''I don't understand why they'd call you Shiori though'' Krory said

''Isn't that the name of the demon?'' Lavi asked, Ashlynn clenched the dress underneath the table.

''Yes, back then my parents were friends with the demon's mother, so they named us after each other'' Shiori said as Ashlynn raised an eyebrow ''really? So you were friends with the girl'' Ashlynn said ''yes...and no, you see ever since they found out about her cursed arm they hid her away in the mountains, my brother Kaname always liked her, so he would go give her food and kept her company'' Shiori said a bit sour, Ashlynn narrowed her eyes.

There was just no way...

''Kaname always liked her more than his little sister'' she said as she stood up ''she didn't deserve his love'' Shiori said firmly. Before anyone could say a word Ashlynn stood up.

''Maybe he knew she was lonely, and that she would give anything for someone to love her...'' Ashlynn whispered.

''Did you say something?'' Lavi asked as Ashlynn unclenched her fist around her spoon before letting it clang onto the table.

''I'm kinda tired, i'll go to sleep early. Thank you for the food Shiori, i'll see you all tomorrow'' Ashlynn waved ''night...'' Lavi mumbled as she looked at him once before turning her back and left.

Miranda sighed as Krory pushed him in her direction ''go'' he urged Lavi smiled and waved at everyone before walking up the stairs.

''Does he love her?'' Shiori asked.

''Yes'' Miranda smiled.

''He could do better'' she said underneath her breath turning and walked away.

Miranda and Krory looked at each other with a strange look.

''Come, you can sleep in my room'' Krory said as Miranda nodded.

Lavi knocked on the door, after a bit she opened the door.

''Miranda you have the k- Lavi?'' she questioned.

''Can I sleep here tonight?'' he smiled as she narrowed her eyes.

''I'm sorry, that I flirted with Shiori, but you know that she's not my girlfriend you are'' he nudged her as she scoffed ''come on'' she pulled him in and closing the door ''tired baby?'' he asked as she nodded sitting down and looked for a brush before yanking it through her hair ''doesn't that hurt?'' Lavi asked as she shrugged ''that's how Cross and Drusilla would comb my hair, the only person who did it softly as Allen'' she chuckled as she sat on the bed,

Lavi hopped over and took the brush before sitting behind her and took some soft hair and combed through it softly, detangling the hair. She smiled ''thanks Lavi'' she said as he chuckled ''how many more days until you go to the American Branch?'' he asked softly.

''I'm not sure, I was supposed to leave in nine days but we're on a mission, maybe i'll get another few days'' she said ''will you say bye to everyone?'' Lavi asked, she was quiet.

''Yeah''

He pushed all of her hair one side and kissed her neck, she leaned closer to him as he hugged her from behind.

''I'm going to miss you when I die''

''Don't say that'' he said as she turned around.

''But it's the truth Lavi, we all know that i'm going to die and Lenalee and Kanda could too'' she said taking his face into her hands.

''We've all accepted the fact that we could. We're scared Lavi. Me, Lenalee and Kanda...we don't want to die. But doing these experiments is suicide!'' she said standing up.

''You don't understand how these work Lavi, they'll hurt us...so much that we'd wish we were dead. But no, they push us to the very brink of death and drag us back before doing it again'' she whispered Lavi stared at her. He took a hold of her hand and pulled her back, she collided into his chest.

''I really wish you wouldn't talk like that'' he said stroking her hair as she closed her eyes.

''I'll stop'' she whispered ''good'' he smiled and pulled her onto the bed and the both crawled underneath the sheets ''there's another bed you know'' she said as she could feel his heat radiating. A different type of warm blossomed in her cheeks.

''Okay, then get out'' Lavi said, she punched him and snuggled closer to the boy.

''Shut up'' she sighed as he kissed her forehead ''night beautiful'' he whispered, she blushed a darker shade.

''Night idiot'' she said ''why is everyone calling me an idiot?'' he whined, she looked up at him.

''Do you really need me to answer that?'' she asked as he chuckled, a deep rumbling in his chest.

He kissed her gently on the lips, to her surprise as she let her eye lids close and melt into the kiss. Lavi pulled away ''wait'' Ashlynn whispered breathlessly placing her hands on his neck to pull him back into another kiss. She stuck her tongue out and flicked at his upper lip, slowly pulling on his lower lip with her teeth. Lavi eventually got on top, his legs on either side of her body, letting his hands travel to her waist before bring her closer. his calloused thumbs grazed on her revealed lower hip.

Lavi then pulled away smiling gently ''i'm serious Ashlynn, I need sleep and so do you'' he said softly as she nodded.

''Fine, fine" she said snuggling deep into the bed while trying to catch her breath.

"we can have hot make out sessions some other time'' Lavi teased as she rolled her eyes and they soon fell asleep.

God I love writing steamy scen- Uh I mean, hello! *coughcough

Didn't...uh...didn't see ya there.

Hope you all liked the chapter and as always: please follow/favorite but i'm also really looking for reviews. I wanna know what you guys think of the story so far and if I should continue it or not.

Until next time!

Adieu,

Curiex.S