Chapter 51: Give and Take.
It was like a nightmare that refused to end, playing in a loop before her eyes as it had done many times before. It was like Hell had come to Earth, everywhere she looked being shrouded by fire or merciless carnage. Even with the excruciating pain she was in, she found herself running as fast as her legs could take her.
She didn't cry out whenever she tripped and fell due to her carelessness. She knew that, if she did, she would only end up inhaling a mouthful of ash, likely suffocating.
Their cries rang in her ears as though it was happening all over again.
"Save us! Please help!" the countless tortured souls would plead. She ignored them. Even if the sound of their agony-filled screams or the smell of burning and decaying flesh would haunt her for years to come, she found herself thinking selfishly of herself to herself.
'I have to find them...I have to find them...I have to find them...'
She could think only of one place, her family home where her most valued "treasures" were.
The horror she saw and the terror she felt would forever stain her soul.
Everything was burning...burning...burning...dying and decaying.
She could feel the embers singe her fingers as she dug through the ash and rubble. What could have been blood or tears stung her eyes as she dug desperately, trying to break through to the inside.
'What had we done...? What was our sin...?' She thought to herself, countless horrific scenarios playing through her head as she dug through the remains of her family home.
Relief filled her heart as she felt her hand brush against unburnt, living flesh. She dug more desperately, digging and digging until she had fully uncovered his body. It looked so small and helpless, but not broken. Alive, but barely. He coughed several times, shivering in what could have been pain or fear. She cradled him in her arms, hugging him tightly.
They were gone. She knew that. Nobody else would be left.
She had to run...She had to run...She had to run...She ran.
Run from fire, run from rubble, run from death. Running...Running...Running...
She simply turned her back and ran, accepting everything she knew was gone.
They had taken it.
"Mmm..." She heard a small whimper from the young child in her arms.
'No,' She realized, 'not everything.'
There was no choice but to keep running, running until she couldn't run anymore...
Not a single clue as to where she was...there was a stream flowing by her, as if indifferent to the carnage and despair occurring mere miles away. But she didn't care. Everything hurt, her throat was dry, and she knew she would die if she did not rest.
Her greatest error.
She gently set the child down so as to not wake him and quickly buried her head in the water, gulping down several mouthfuls, almost crying from the relief it gave to her burns. After realizing something, she pulled her head out of the water, cupping her hands and gathering some of it.
He was also thirsty, so she let him drink from her hands, the poor child barely half-conscious. His trembling subsided somewhat as he drank...
'It is only a momentary reprieve,' She thought to herself. 'We'll continue walking after a short rest...'
She should have kept running. She knew she should have. It was her own selfishness that made her stop.
Just like before.
Selfish, selfish, selfish little girl.
She decided for him, too focused on her own exhaustion to worry. She hated herself for that. She regretted it.
She had not realized they weren't alone anymore until a pair of hands clamped over her mouth, dragging her back against her will. When she saw one of them pick him up, she bit a finger on one of the hands, struggling to break free until a stronger pair of arms wrapped around her body, holding her tightly and rendering her immobile. She struggled and struggled but could not break free.
She was weak. Pathetic. Fool. Stupid. Idiot. Useless. Worthless. Failure. Loser. Moron.
No matter how much she fought, she could not break free.
They hit her.
One held her down while the others took turns beating her, as if it were some sort of game.
Arms, legs, shoulders, chest, ribs, knees, neck, head, but not the face. Never the face.
They wanted to have some fun, and her face was pretty. She would die anyway. Why not?
Why? Why? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY?! WhY?! wHy!? whY!? wHY!? WHY!?
They suddenly stopped.
She hoped for salvation.
Another one came within her vision, shoving the other three away.
She had thought she was saved...then he smiled. Smiled a smile worse than the smiles of the others.
"Don't forget, you fools." He had said. "These two, even with filthy blood, just became a rarity."
Then he grabbed her, pulled her, dragged her, yanked her by the hair. She struggled, crying in pain. When she fought, he kicked her. He kicked her. He kicked her. Again and again and again and again.
Blood-Pain-Despair-Anguish-Hope-Joy-Despair-Suffering-Death-Good-Evil-Carnage-
It hurt-It hurt-It HURT!
Everything went black...
...
She remembered the room vividly. It stunk of cheap cigars and dirty, old men in white coats.
He was with her, so she felt safe. Together. Safe. Alone.
He was trembling, afraid. She hugged him, held him tightly. He was crying.
The man came in again, the same twisted smile on his face.
"Thank you for donating your bodies to my cause~!" He said gleefully, as if it had been a choice. "I'm sure we're going to get along, little kittens~!"
Hate.
She hated him.
Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate!
Never forgive! She would never forgive! Only hatred!
Never fOrgiVe...nEveR-
(Reality)
"…" Opening her eyes to the setting sun, Natsuru lets out a sigh as cold sweat fell off her chin.
'That's right back then I…' Natsuru blankly stares through the window of the Ferris wheel.
'No, that isn't important.'
Natsuru looks down to see the pair, Michael and Rias enter the carnival, they first headed towards a nearby ice cream booth. After asking for what Rias wanted he ran to the booth, got the ice cream cones and returned to hand it back to her.
To the two enjoyed their frozen desserts while wearing satisfied smiles. Smiles. Those were the last things they would experience once everything comes together.
'It won't be long now…until then enjoy this farce peace while you can.' Natsuru glared at Rias who was clearly having fun.
'Gremory-san, I've given you the perfect setting for a date and more, so don't hold anything against me when I take what I want.'
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Retribrutus
Retribrutus ...
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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