"Do you think today someone will come to adopt one of the little ones?" I asked my old friend Leo as he read. I know he was reading but he said he didn't mind talking to me. Said I didn't bother him. I, on the other hand, was putting some books away on the shelves.

"Hopefully," he answered turning the page. "And then maybe they could be happy again."

"Yeah," I stretched my arm to reach the top shelf above me but couldn't reach it.

"Use the stool," Leo said turning the page again.

"I can reach okay!" I snapped not turning and forcing myself to my tiptoes barley reaching the edge, the book's edges barely touching the shelf.

"Here," another male voice said behind me, close to enough, hanging over my head, grabbing the book and placing it in place. A voice I could recognized anywhere. "You're short. You should listen to Leo and use the stool."

"Shut up Elliot! I'm not short!" I snapped again turning to the noble son of the Nightray's. "Ah, another visit?" Leo asked standing up from his place.

Elliot turned to him, "Yeah. Came with Claude and Ernest this time." I sighed in relief. He caught that. "What? Still afraid of my father?" he laughed.

"Shut up okay!" I exclaimed. I twined my fingers like a scolded child. "It's just that he doesn't seem to like me."

"He doesn't like anyone. Some times he can be a bitter old man," Elliot played around bumping me with his book on my head.

"Hey!" I called and he laughed while Leo smiled. We were friends. I met Eliot the day his older siblings brought him here to the House of the White Angel. The day he met Leo. Leo was brought three years after myself. I was brought when I was eight. Being the antisocial I was back then Leo seemed to be the only one who was curious enough to talk to me and for one actually call me by my name. At first I didn't like Elliot very much or more like nothing at all. Maybe because he was one of the nobles. People like those almost all the time lie in front of others about themselves. That's mainly why many hate each other. Perhaps it's even the Nightray's and Vessalius' story too. One night I even talked about it out with Leo. When he talked about Elliot he sounded like he knew him for his whole life. He was the reason why I started getting close to the noble son in the first place. It's already been a bit more than a year since he first visited, it started almost exactly after I turned thirteen. That good for nothing back talker comes when his father or brothers come here.

I was still quite young to keep my feelings bottled. Well, actually thirteen isn't that young but then again that first time I was. When it all came to a close I was already fourteen by the time, a better listener and I could cope up with all his yelling towards Leo and all the yelling back. The kids asked me frequently why Leo and him fought a lot. I always told them that it was because they're good friends. Elliot always shouted at me saying they're not even close to that. Those two made me laughed all the time.

I remember…when I first came here I wouldn't even smile. For some reason no one here could understand how scared I felt. Not because I had been found unconscious on the edge of the hole near the House of the White Angel. The reason that I didn't want to talk to anyone was because I didn't want to be rejected. That feeling, though I remember nothing of my first eight years of life, is carved with treacherous fear into my mind. That was when Leo came close and talked to me. He gave me the courage to accept my big fear although I'm sure nothing can erase it.

When I arrived here I had in my possession a broche. It was a locket type of broche. Inside was a picture of a boy of about the age of eight. It was a black and white picture which didn't allow me to see his eyes true or his hair. However he looked happy he was smiling and holding somebody's hand however that part of the picture was torn. The insignia on the broche was quite unique too. It was carved in gold. The broche was an emerald color with gold entwined around it, some loops up to the side and down. It was something I treasured because it might give me some clue to what my life was before I was found. Besides that I had this scar on the left side of my forehead. It was a small cut that I was able to cover with my hair.

That year was something quite traumatic for me though. When that year almost came to its end something happened that took me totally off guard…

I had gone to pick a book I had forgotten that day at my room. Elliot was there and had stayed with Leo at the library. However when I returned it surely was something unexpected.

"I've made up my mind," I caught the bit of Elliot's voice as I approached the library. My first thought was that they were fighting again and I smiled. "I want you to be my servant."

I stopped right in my tracks. Something inside me twisted and it pained me inside. I was scared. Scared that someone I cared for was going to be taken away from me…again? My body strangely started shaking, I couldn't hear Leo's first answer of which they told me of later. At that moment I just caught Leo's voice saying, "So…I accept your offer, master." Something at that moment just tore in despair inside of me. They were going to take him away. I didn't want that. I didn't. Then my body moved on it's own. And stepped right in the doorstep and saw them shaking hands and I totally snapped.

I threw the book in my hands to Elliot. Both of them turned to me. I was crying but what I felt inside wasn't sorrow, it was an immense rage. "You're not taking him away from me!" I yelled at him. I ran up to Leo and yanked him from Elliot and ran off to my room and locked it behind me and leaned sitting against it.

"Why did you do that?" Leo asked me. But even if he asked me I wouldn't have had been able to give him an answer.

Then came the knocks on my door. "Go away!" I yelled covering my ears and putting my head between my knees.

"Let me in so we can talk," Elliot tried to convince me.

"Hey, why not try talk this through," Leo said backing him up.

"NO!" I yelled at them now the tears flowed down my face. Now I was truly in grief. "I don't want you to leave. I don't want to be alone again. Please…" I begged him crying. My mind was completely blank in some sort of reminisce. I heard my self sob and it started to get hard for me to breath due to how much I was crying.

"You won't." Those words made me look up it recognition of Elliot's voice now gentle. "I'm planning to take you with me as well."

"Huh?" was the only word, if even, that came out of my mine. I sniffed and gazed up at Leo who was simply smiling at me. "Why? You…knew?"

"I'm sorry," Leo apologized. "He was talking about it right there when he asked me to. I guess you missed that part of the chat." He kneeled in front of me still smiling and looked into my glassy eyes. "Now why don't we let him in. It's rude to keep our master waiting, you know." I opened the door, Elliot stood there looking confused at what he was seeing. Leo was smiling at him as I pouted childishly. "She might need some training but nevertheless she'll make a good servant."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," I hissed not wanting to see Elliot's face. Then I felt his hand patting my head.

"See? Now you won't be alone anymore, Claire." he smiled. Later he told me too that Leo had told him about my terror of being neglected. A couple days later we were ready to head to the mansion. The kids were so sad that day we had to leave.

"Will big sis come again to do the White Flora?" one of the kids had asked me when we were waiting for the carriage to arrive.

"But of course," I smiled at them. "Then one day one of you will do it. I still have one year left." They all cheered.

"White Flora?" Elliot asked Leo and me.

"It's a ceremony Claire came up with. With my help we made it for the whole house," Leo said happily.

"What kind of ceremony?" he asked me.

"To give a message to those these children have lost to the Abyss. Someone is chosen and for five years is to chant a hymn to those poor souls and broken hearts that had to leave their loved ones behind," I explained. "This started when I was ten, I did it by myself. Then Leo came and we did it here for one year to the children. This year will be my last and then someone else will take my place and so forth."

~X~

When I came to the household it was hard to get the approval from the Duke. He scared me for reasons only Leo knew of, I wouldn't dare tell Elliot. But soon enough Elliot managed to bring us to acceptance in front of his father. Then I met his family. Ernest, Fred, and Claude I already knew and I had heard of Vanessa from Elliot. However, he had never mentioned his older adoptive brothers: Vincent and Gilbert. Gilbert was alright, he wasn't so cold as he appeared to be that time. But Vincent…just gave me a really bad feeling altogether.

But it didn't stop there, when I had stood in that mansion for barely four months he gave Duke Nightray a crazy suggestion.

"He did what?" I yelled at Elliot. He and Leo were attempting to teach me to use a sword sadly for both I had the habit of holding it with my left hand and I use a reverse grip. However I noticed with time that by using my left and reverse grip together gave me some amazing speed.

"Yeah, just like you heard," Elliot said holding his sword towards me. "Vincent suggested that at least one of my personal servants possessed a Chain and said that he saw great potential in you. That you might have the qualifications needed."

"Yeah, well," I called back pouting like a child and taking my stance. "I doubt that it's for your well being."

A week later I was told by the Duke that he was planning for me to make a contract. Vincent was such an ass that he even suggested to be my guide for that night. I hate him. He's a total creep. The thing that totally through me off guard was that not even Elliot or Leo could be present when I stood before the door. Well, at least I'll have Gilbert there, they say in case something happens. And this was going to take place in two weeks.

Then the day came. I was freaking nervous to be preparing for this. Vanessa was with me trying to calm me down and preparing the dress I was to use. Apparently, something unknown to me, I had to be properly dressed just like Gilbert did when he contracted Raven. Gosh, I hate dresses.

"How about…" Vanessa trailed looking through the closet. "This one." she picked out one for the ninth time.

"Milady, I'm telling you I am not wearing something so vulgar!" I pleaded knowing she would understand.

"I know what you mean," my eyes glimmered in hope. I heard her sigh and that hope quickly went 'poof'. "But father will not like it if you don't dress adequately."

I sighed giving in the option of alternate wearing. I stood up from my sit on the edge of the bed. I searched through the closet. Then my eyes lit and I noticed just something I might like to wear for the slightest ten minutes I have to be down there.

"And this one?" I asked taking it out.

Vanessa's smile grew, "Did I have that in there?" She seemed surprised for some reason. "Never mind that, it would fit you perfectly. I mean with your sapphire eyes and black hair. That's it your using this one."

Vanessa and I came slowly down the stairway that led to the main door from there Vincent and Gilbert would guide me down to the door. I was having trouble walking heels. White ones at that. And although it matched nothing in my dress I had convinced Vanessa to keep my broche on. As I came down the stairs I feared what would be being with Vincent. However as I came closer to the end I saw two people who I was more than overjoyed to see there.

"Elliot! Leo!" I practically cried out hugging them. I saw something weird with Elliot when he saw me but I ignored it. "What are you guys doing here? I thought you were leaving to do something tonight."

"We're leaving soon," Leo pointed out.

"Y-yeah, we just came to see you and wish you good luck," Elliot finished for him stuttering which was weird for him.

"Are you ready, Miss Claire?" Vincent asked his voice though warm sounded frigid to me.

"Yes," I answered politely.

"Good luck," Leo said opening the door for Elliot and signaling that they had to take their leave.

"Don't die on us, okay," Elliot said back to his impolite and childish manner.

"Yes!" I smiled happy and reassured that they had faith in me.

"Now if you please," Vincent called again stretching his hand to help me walk. Yeah that was going to be a long night. We were walking down the stairs: Gilbert in front guiding the way with a candelabra in hand, I in the middle, and Vincent behind me which, by the way, was so~~ freaky.

"So," I said my voice echoing. "How's this going to work?"

"Basically," Gilbert started. "You'll be in front of the door in enter a space that's the entrance of the Abyss. There a specific Chain will be drawn to you depending on how strong you are."

"Then you should be pretty strong Master Gilbert," I said out loud without thinking.

"Indeed," Vincent came in. "My big brother is quite the handful."

"Vince," Gilbert called out.

We arrived there after a couple seconds. It was just a huge circular room. It was quite odd. In front was a huge double door of gold. We walked there and I stopped in front while they stayed a couple steps behind.

"So if anything happens you'll help right?" I wanted to make sure.

"Don't worry. If anything comes up we'll stop it," Gilbert pointed out.

"There's nothing to worry about with us here," Vincent said.

I cleared my throat. I took a step forth and slowly raised my hand and touched the door. In an instant the scenery changed to succumbed darkness.

"What?" I whispered to myself.

"Did you call me?" a voice as cold as ice called to me from the dark.

I cleared my throat again. "Yes. Show yourself now."

"Pretentious I see," the voice called in mockery. "Do you expect to form a contract with that kind of attitude?" I gasped, how did it know? "You ask yourself that. Child, I am able to see the past, present, and future. I knew your visit as to come sooner or later. For it was you who has the same powers as I."

"Same powers? What do you mean?" I demanded forcefully. Suddenly I saw a small dark gem florescent with a black aura around it. I covered my eyes with my sleeve. Suddenly something from nowhere hit me in my forehead. It made me bleed. I put my hand over the wound and noticed it was where my scar was. Abruptly out of nowhere chains caught me by my hands and legs. Now the blood I could not wipe was tearing down my face.

"Beautiful. An innocent soul that was brought to exile with its companion. I pity you. Alas I cannot see why you need me. You have nothing to give in exchange."

"What if I do?" I said that unconsciously. Those words just came to my mind.

"Do tell," it asked intrigued.

"If you help me I'll find Lacrimosa for you," my words trailed off to silence that not even it could break.

"Your soul speaks from you subconsciously. Lacrimosa and I have the same connection that you and that boy have. However you must comprehend. That he who you knew is no more. Darkness has engulfed the boy you knew in memories. He now yields my beloved with hatred wounding her even more. If you plan to exchange a promise for my contract then you'll have to know that you cannot live as long as he does and he cannot live as long as you do."

"One of us will have to die." Those words coming out of my own mouth were petrifying.

"If you understand then…"

"Just do the damn contract already!" I yelled infuriated.

What I remember last of that was a huge light glowing through the dark gem. It changed into a glowing sphere of light. Then a pair of small hands grabbed hold of the sphere. A body came after the hands as it curled itself around it and a huge tail came around the sphere.

"Then," the voice now sounded warm and not cold as it did before. "Light shall clash against darkness, time against space, love against hate. Opposites who were born to this world together must now fight to keep balance in this world. I am the time keeper, Chronos. I shall serve you the Key of Time until this prophecy is made true."

Then black blood fell upon my broche that was on my chest. And made it glow intensely.

"I have done my part. Now you must fulfill yours…" it's voice trailed off my mind. The chains had freed me and I fell unconscious to the floor that I knew was now the one I had enter but five minutes earlier.

Lacrimosa and Chronos. That boy and I. One cannot live as long as the other is alive.

One must die...