(((AN: CREDIT TO JESSE. AND OVERTHELOVEOFYOU, LOOK FOR THE EASTER EGG. THAT IS ALL))

After the big scare of the levitating items, The young woman was feeling better and more relaxed. Her eyes reclaiming that innocent look. Undertaker sat in his chair by his desk. His hands holding a newspaper.

He had managed to quell her fears. She had surprisingly recovered quickly. She was even digging into his books and looking at drawings and black and white picture. "Ah?" She asked, wondering what the name of the flowers were.

He turned his head to look at her . He was glad she had an interest in reading. He soon joined her. Carefully read the names to her, pointing to the letters as he read them, much like a teacher to a student.

She seemed to be absorbing the information. She seemed a fancy the beautiful drawings of flowers. He would have to show her the real thing...

She tilted her head at a picture of a purple water lily. She tried to read out the scientific name. But it was obviously too hard for her. But still she wanted to try. "Nyyyyym..." It read: Nymphaea nouchali.

She was willing to go out of Her way to read such hard words. He guided her through saying the word. His mouth moving slowly to enunciate.

But for some reason She seemed a little fussy. She seemed found of the word "Nym" and continued to repeat it happily. "Nyyym Nyyyyyyym!" She giggled. Throwing arms up into the air. Much like a child who found something important.

He was happy with even that. She was quite the little talker when she was excited. Again it was a positive emotion. There was nothing wrong with that. And now he had a name to call her by. " All right then, I shall call you Nym for now..."

She then tilted her head, looking at him before pointing to the word "Name" In the book. She was wanting his name. This surprised him, for it meant that she was learning quickly. Much more faster than he expected. So perhaps there was no mental block. She just simply wasn't taught.

The slight grin covered his features, "...Undertaker." He said slowly to her, so she could understand it clearly. She seemed a pause for a bit, her mouth slightly open. He was patient and easygoing. They had all the time the world.

Finally she spoke. But what she said surprised him. "Un...Ni?" She gave a giggle, knowing that wasn't his name.

He chuckled at her innocence, she couldn't help it. And being called that wasn't bothering him in the least. "Yes my dear."

She smiled wide, "Unni!" She giggled, putting her arms suddenly around his waist. The gesture of affection flattered him. He gently patted her. She seemed to be becoming attached to the old mortician. He petted her hair tenderly. "I like the sound of that."

She smiled wide. A cute blush covering her face. "Hehe. Hungry?" She asked as though she was feeling ravenous with hunger. She really was.

"Alright, it's about time for lunch." He mentioned, remembering the huge stew ready to be eaten soon. She was really needing it.

She perked, looking excited. She smiled. "Foooooood!"

He grinned, such a healthy appetite. He headed for the kitchen to see The progress. It was nearly done. Now all it needed was some spices. Healthy ones.

Nym followed him, leaning against the kitchen sink, her bright eyes watching. She wanted to memorize what he was doing. She was learning quickly. She soon giggled, making several items float in the air in a teasing manner.

He perked his head, watching the items float about. He gently took some of them as she floated them, "Thank you luvey..." he chirped, finding the items useful.

Nym giggled softly. She was indeed playful and gentle. And she seemed to have a hold on her powers. She soon fled into the shop and hid in the coffin once again, her shyness overcoming her.

Soon enough he returned, tapping the side of the coffin with his foot. Nym poked her head out cutely, blinking at the bowl of steaming food. She simply snatched the food and hid away into the darkness of the coffin. Undertaker snickered. She was like a little mouse. He could hear her gulping it down. She wasted no time. Even though it was hot.

He drooled a little at her sillyness. She still believed she was in danger so she scarfed it like a hungry wolf. He waited, knowing that she would finish very quickly. She soon poked her head out, her eyes pleading. "Ah?" She mumbled, holding her bowl out. She was pleading for more.

He looked down at her, a smile appearing. "Say, can I please have some more?" He suggested softly. He knew she was bright. She was old enough to learn. Nym looked thoughtful. She'd say anything for food. "C-Caaaan..." She paused, thinking the words over in her head. She wanted to try without stuttering.

"Come on, luvey...You can do it." He coaxed her, knowing she could achieve it. Nym narrowed her eyes, focusing hard. "C-Can...I please have some more?" She asked carefully.

That made him grin wide and he leaned down and patted her head. "Yes you may, Nym." He replied, taking the bowl from her to go refill it. Nym blinked, surprised she had gotten it. She was slightly proud of herself.

He returned, handing her yet another bowl of stew. She snatched it, going into the coffin and eating again. He snickered in amusement. Yes, just like a mouse...

She would get the proper nutrients this way. He would start buying milk soon. Milk would help her little bones. She was in a crises situation. She didn't know it.

She soon poked her head out, handing him the empty bowl. It had been licked clean. She was quiet, signaling she wasn't hungry anymore.

"Now, Nym. How about a bath?" He asked her. Nym perked a little. Last time she bathed she enjoyed it. The water was warm.

.../\/\/\...

Nym giggled as she flung water at Undertaker. He kept ducking away cleverly. She then dunked underwater, before coming back up, spitting water at him. He laughed, wiping the water off his face. She was certainly playful, and didn't care she was naked as a babe.

He soon got to work cleaning her hair, hearing her chirp in happiness. She liked the smell. It relaxed her and it got rid of the nasty smell of dirt.

Soon, he moved her hair off to the side, getting to the roots, when he paused. He saw something he never noticed before last time.

On the back of her neck, so cleverly hidden, was a brand of numbers.

PRF204863

His hand caressed over the raised tattooed scar. Nym suddenly stiffened and arched up. "A-Ah..." She whimpered out. He had found that painful spot. That hateful spot.

"Nym...Where did you get this darlin'?" He asked gently, though not expecting a huge answer. Nym's eyes saddened. She remained quiet, her hands clenching tightly until they turned white.

Undertaker then straightened up, his hand leaving the brand alone. Nym quickly relaxed, her eyes remained hurt and dead however. He had a feeling what was going on now. He had seen a similar brand on a familiar servant to a certain noble...

He soon rinsed her hair out, not saying anything for the remainder of her bath. Nym said nothing as well. She remained deathly quiet. Her head was down. He soon lifted her out, drying her. She noticed she was staring at him, her eyes trying to understand him.

When he was drying off her legs, he was surprised to feel her hand touching his face. He ceased all movements, his hidden eyes staring up at her. Her hands were touching his scar on his face. He understood then. She was comparing his scars to hers.

Her eyes suddenly turned serious. Also curious. Her fingers delicately lifted his bangs. He knew what was coming. His eyes shut quickly, wanting to give her a tease. But Nym was not so easily defeated.

"...Shini...Gami..." She said suddenly.

His eyes snapped open then, staring at her. How did she know what he was? She stared at his eyes, her own eyes looking surprised. His eyes were so old. His eyes completely contradicted who he was right now. He was much older...

They just stared at each other. As if they were both anomaly's. As though they were both freaks of nature.

"Shinigami..." She said again with a sigh, moving her hand back. His bangs covered his devastating eyes back up. He slowly stood up, his own curiosity getting the better of him. "You are full of surprises...How did you know Nym?" He asked, smiling and tilting his head.

"..." She soon looked down again, unable to speak. She rubbed her arm, looking so innocent again. His smile soon faded. Was that the most he would get out of her tonight?

He soon helped her get dressed, noticing she looked like she was struggling with herself. She looked ashamed somehow. He soon lifted her, taking her back to the shop, knowing she wanted to be back in her coffin.

She remained quiet as he set her inside. She curled up into the soft material. Undertaker watched her with intelligent eyes. So she knew what he was, and wasn't afraid of him. He knew she would tell her story sooner or later.

He then retreated, leaving her alone, her eyes watched him go. He soon entered one of his own coffins. Though she didn't see which. Minutes later, Nym crawled out of her coffin, standing up and looking around. Which coffin?...

Her ears picked up a whisper. A faint whisper. She turned her head, staring at a old black coffin. She quietly walked over, the cold floor stinging her skin. She didn't care.

She got down on her feet, quickly pushing the coffin lid to the side. A hand suddenly grabbed hers. She blinked, staring at Undertaker. He was staring at her in the darkness of the coffin, curious about what she was doing. "Cold..." She whispered.

He kept staring at her, before pushing the lid further for her to slip through. The coffin was wide enough for them both. She was tiny after all.

Nym then slowly climbed in, quickly latching herself onto Undertaker's arm. She whimpered softly. She wanted to tell him everything. She trusted him. "Burned..." She mumbled. Undertaker didn't need to ask watch she meant.

"They burned your neck..." He nodded in understanding. Nym copied him. "Hurt..." She mumbled. He nodded again.

She turned her head slightly, hearing a whisper. "...Isabelle..." She mumbled. Undertaker lifted his head slightly. "Is that your name lovey?" He asked. She shook her head. "...F-Friend..."

"You had a friend? Was she like you?" He asked curiously. Nym had to think about what he meant. She then nodded. Now he was curious. Forget sleep.

"Where is she now?" He asked her. She suddenly looked saddened. Her fingers pointed to her chest. "Here..." She mumbled. Undertaker tilted his head. "Did she pass away?" He asked.

"...Her body...did..." She mumbled, unsure if she was speaking the right words. Undertaker was curious now. "Her spirit remained." He said as a matter of factly.

"I-Isabelle protects me." She squeaked out, covering her heart. "She s-saved me!" She whimpered. Undertaker quickly shushed her. "It's alright luv...What did she die from?" He asked gently.

Nym suddenly looked hurt, tears formed in her eyes. "...Hungry...Thirsty..." She said finally.

Undertaker's face didn't look amused anymore. Not that he was before during the whole conversation. His mouth was a thin line. Her friend starved to death in the room with her it seemed. They both starved. And Nym had survived...That explained everything...A horrifying way to end your life.

"Her...soul...Is inside me." She said in a low voice, tears spilled down her face. Undertaker glanced at her chest. His old eyes narrowed. There was definitely something there within her. Something attached. Stirring, alive, pulsing...Throbbing with power.

This explained her powers. That big burst. "Did they try to reap her..." He asked suddenly Nym looked up, shocked. How did he know? He was a good reader. "Y-yes...Isabelle hid...She helped me leave..." Undertaker then understood. Her friend was powerful, even in death.

Nym remembered being in that cold room. It smelled of feces and piss. Her cell mate was less then 5 feet away from her. Isabelle. She looked like a skeleton. She remembered how she promised everything would be okay. That she wouldn't be alone still. Even after her death. When Isabelle stopped breathing, Nym lost it. She had lost her companion. She lost her friend. Someone who understood her and shared food with.

Nym let out a scream and tried to shake Isabelle awake. But within minutes after her death, the door to the cell had unlocked. All on it's own. Nym stood up, staring at the door wearily. Until it swung open slowly, as though it was trying not to scare her. What she heard next made her heart jump in her throat.

RUN!

Undertaker stared at her face. Perhaps it was an experiment the led up to this. Perhaps it was Isabelle that was talking through her right now.

"Does Isabelle approve of me?" He asked,knowing that wandering souls feared reapers. Since reapers stole them to be reaped.

"You fed me...Gave me water..." She suddenly looked like she couldn't take her emotions any longer and clung to his arm, hiding her face in his chest. She was an emotional creature.

But what came next actually startled the old man. Made him actually rethink what he was doing. Nym muffled out a word, but it was clear as day. He stared at her. This wasn't what he thought would happen. Things were so not going his way.

"Papa..."