Haruka looked at him, amazed by the human system. She found their ways of life so cool. So this was natural to humans. It just looked odd to her. But then again she had never experienced much thanks to her strict father. These types of things were great. The more she learned the more she loved it. She couldn't help but wonder why other angels hated it. It was like angels were too good for demons and humans. That wasn't true at all. Haruka broke from these thoughts as Aki said she didn't seem human. She gently laughed to hide how nervous she felt. He couldn't find out who she is, no matter what.

When the waiter returned to them Haruka made eye contact with the man so she wouldn't have to look at Aki. Maybe she should just sneak off at night. She spoke what she wanted for a drink and turned back to her meal. "Just some ice and water, please." She tried the pasta salad for the first time and her eyes went wide. This flavor was wonderful to her. "You were totally right, Aki. This is the best thing I have ever tasted. This is so much better than cabbage soup... Thank you." Haruka looked at him and smiled again.

Once she was finished with her meal she began to feel tired. The hour was probably getting late anyways. She got up from the table with a smile on her face. She headed back to their room with Aki and once there she opened the curtains. She smiled as she looked at the stars that she would stare at every single night. It was even more beautiful here, where she was free. When Aki was asleep she wanted to sneak out and put that dress on so she could finally dance under the stars and moon light. It would be so much fun...

Aki finished his meal and drink, paying the waiter the rest of his gold coins. He followed Haru back upstairs and lay on his bed as she stared up at the night sky. He had always done so himself, wishing that his family would come back to him. He now knew that it was silly to wish, because they never came true. He was still here, hiding his true self. He glanced at the boy. He knew that Haru was hiding several things from him. He wished tht they both could be truthful to one another. He wished he could tell his companion that it was ok to be a girl and that she didn't have to hide it from him. But then he would make Haru uncomfortable and have to explain how he knew.

It was best if they kept hiding. It was safer that way. Aki didn't want to die. He closed his eyes, but didn't sleep. Demons rarely slept. They rested, but kept their minds and bodies alert. Like many forest creatures and hunters of the sea. He heard Haru leave the room and frowned, but didn't follow. He had been nothing but kind to his companion. If Haru ran away from him, he would be very offended and sad.

Once Haruka was sure Aki was asleep she slipped out with the silver dress. She had always wanted to do this. Once outside she set her hair free of it's boyish style and took out her contacts along with her boyish outfit. As soon as the silver dress was on she was more than happy to be free of her usual clothes. Wearing boy outfits was probably the hardest thing she felt she ever had to do. She loved how the dress was perfect for her. She spun around and danced under the moon light for an hour or two, loving every moment. Once she was done enjoying herself she took off the dress and put on the boy outfit once more. She didn't bother to put in her contacts and snick back into the room where Aki was. She didn't want ti stop dancing but she needed rest if she wanted to do anything tomorrow. She carefully opened to door to their room, her true ice blue eyes peaking inside.

"You have to be more careful," Aki spoke through the darkness. He was still lying on his back, opening his eyes as he heard the door open. His deep red eyes glowing in the dark, reflecting off the dim moonlight. "The City is dangerous at night. Murderers, rapists and thieves prowl the night streets looking for easy prey." He had never seen any, but he knew of many crimes happening in this area. His boss' daughter had been killed a few months back. This place had no justice. It made Aki feel sick.

"The moonlight feels good on your skin, doesn't it?" he muttered, closing his eyes again. He remembered the nights he worked in the fields with his father and brothers. The feel of the moon cleansing his skin while he toiled away planting crops. It was strange to be awake during the day, something Aki had to get used to during the War. It was obligatory for young male Demons to join the ranks of the Imperial Army, for as little as 2 years. Aki thought that it would be easy...

Haruka looked at him as she shut the door and a name finally came to her. His bright red eyes were definitely not contacts. It was then that she knew what he was, and he probably already knew she was a girl. "Thank you for the dress Aki. I know it's dangerous, but you wouldn't understand very well. I have been locked away all of my life and it was more awful than you can imagine. I had to be free, for at least one night. If I couldn't escape with my life, then I would of probably ran away with death. But we are alike in someways. Aki... You aren't human, are you? Just like I am not a boy. But the most important thing I want to know is if you can keep it a serect. I never want to go back to my old life ever again, so you have to promise Aki."

Aki's eyes opened again. So she did know what a Demon looked like. He sighed slightly and sat up, walking over to Haru. He ruffled her hair and stared deep into her strange blue eyes. "I understand what it's like to be trapped and unable to be free, to do what you want, to be who you want to be," he said, his voice becoming his gruff growl of a Demon. It didn't sound threatening, however. It sounded very sad, as if every drama he had witnessed was leaking through. "No, I am not a human. I am something that is feared and hated in this place. Something that lost everything and has to hide his true form, else he would be killed on the spot." He bent slightly, so he was on level with the girl. "I promise you, I will never give away your secret, as long as you keep your word and never tell anyone about what I really am."

Haruka looked up at Aki sadly. So he did understand. He knew the pain, the loneliness, the bitterness, the darkness, the hate, the grudges, the need for escape, the pressure, and the deep disire for revenge. Even now, she would gladly make her father pay for trapping her away. She knew that her mother was dead because of demons, but she didn't deserve to be locked up in that place. She knew Aki was a demon, but she didn't hate him. She only could hate her father at this point. Haruka looked right into Aki's crimson eyes. She would never go back to her old life, but maybe she had a chance to make a new one. She changed her mind about running away from Aki. He was probably the only person she could trust here. "I promise I won't tell anyone. To be honest I would like to remain a friend, if I could. You are a nice guy, Aki. So please let me stay with you. I would be really sad if we couldn't be friends at all."

Aki smiled, showing his white teeth and sharp canines. "I'd like a friend," he said. He hadn't had a single friend since his people had been destroyed and he had fled to hide in this city. The humans got used to him, but they weren't that kind. He couldn't seem to get a good paying job and no one would let him rent or board in their homes. It was as if they knew that something wasn't quite right with him.

He made his way over to the window and glanced up at the starry night sky. He realised he had missed his nights of star watching and wishing. "It's tough being what I am in this city. Everywhere I go, I am constantly reminded about the hatred towards my kind. I never understood it... Why we were so bad, when we weren't the ones that started the War in the first place..." He shook his head, returning to his bed. The girl didn't need to hear about his troubles. "It's best to get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a big day. I will show you around the Marketplace."

Haruka watched him and gently sighed. In a way she completely understood. But her troubles were different. She was in constant fear of being discovered. She could be found at any moment. But there was no way she would go back now. She loved it here too much... She walked over to Aki, also looking at the stars. "I know why it started. But I don't think it was the demons either. Angels and demons had been in peace till that moment. You probably curse all angels, just like they will curse all demons. The thing was the angel queen suddenly died. The king thought it was the demons because a few came along with the demon king to talk about plans. During this hour the queen was found murdered in her chamber by some child. The child told the king and with no proof at all, he blamed the demon king and swore vengeance. This was just a rumor I heard, of course. Some rumors even say that this child was the king's daughter. But that's silky because no one has ever seen the king with a daughter. If they had one, she was probably killed too."

Aki nodded, hearing the familiar rumour. He refused to believe that his King had killed anyone. Before the War, relations between the Angels and Demons were very good. Why would the King throw that away to start a War they couldn't possibly win? Angels were the better fighters, and their weapons were ten times more deadly than the Demons'. They attacked during the day, when the Demons weren't awake fully to battle properly. It wasn't a War... It was a massacre.

"Still, they killed innocent Demons. They killed them all. Even if the rumour is true, they should have killed the soldiers and the King. Not the women and children. The elderly and sick..." his voice had grown angry. He swallowed, feeling that his hands were shaking. "They had waited until the soldiers were all sent away into battle. Then they attacked the city and Palace. To me, Angels will always be the evil cowards. I hope to get my revenge one day. But life isn't worth living if you only live on grudges."

Haruka looked down sadly. "No, it wasn't the demons. I know they didn't do it. Everything was fine up until that day. But who would want to frame the demons? Who would of wanted them all dead? Even I can't understand it. The demons never did anything wrong. I know how you feel Aki. I also want revenge too. But not exactly on the angels, but the one who started it. Aki... Would you kill every angel you ever saw, even if they weren't a part of the war? Also... What else do you live for? What are you waiting for in this world?"

Aki thought about her questions, wondering himself how to answer them. "I hate the Angels, but I am not like them. I would not harm an innocent." He stared at his claws, then brushed his hair away from his horns. To think that a Demon like him would not tear apart every Angel he could, a soldier of the Imperial Army, a Demon whose whole family was slaughtered. "I don't know what I live for any more..." he sighed, turning over in his bed. "Some days I am not even sure that I am even alive." Somedays I wish I wasn't he added in his mind. "I guess I am waiting for the day when I can go into the city as myself. Not as a disguise."

Haruka glanced away sadly. To him all angels were the same. If he knew she was the daughter of the angel king, what would he do? She was almost scared to find out. All Aki knows is revenge and that meant he would probably do anything to get it. That was all revenge had ever been. Haruka was the best item for revenge. If she was found out, the whole world would want to use her to get what they wanted. She thought about the white prison compared to risking a life here. No, she wouldn't go back no matter what. "I want to live and stay in this place. It is so much better than my home. If I was to be honest, I would have to say right now I live for freedom. It means so very much to me...."

Aki smiled, his back still turned towards his companion. "Freedom is a nice thing to live for," he said finally. He had fought for his freedom. For his family's freedom. For his King's... Yet, he had failed. He hoped that she would keep hers. He closed his eyes, falling back into his meditation-type stage that could be confused for sleep. He promised that he would protect her and help her keep her freedom no matter what.

(In the morning)

The bright sunlight cut into the room from the open window, making Aki squint his eyes in distaste. He wasn't built for daytime. He got out of his bed, stretching and yawning before closing the curtains once more. He went to where he had stashed his valuables, noticing that they were short on money. Aki hated using magic to trick kind humans, but he would have to so Haru could be happy. They would stop off at his house later and see if she could sleep in there with him. He took the coins and concentrated, feeling the power of his eternal fire flowing through his veins and towards the coins. He muttered a few words in another tongue and the coins multiplied. Soon he had a whole pouchful of golden coins.

Haruka whimpered as the smell of fire came into her nose. It sparked a memory she had locked away. She recalled fire like it had been burnt deeply into her soul. A fear traced through her body as she recalled some of her fears. Her body shivered as her hands gripped the bed. Out of her sleep she softly called out. "Mother..." She repeated this a few times then jolted up, tears tracing down her face. She looked around in sudden panicky until she saw Aki and finally settled down. She looked away quickly, hoping he hadn't seen her crying.

Aki noticed how embarrassed Haru had been when she had woken crying out for her mother. It seemed they were both orphans. He didn't comment, however. Sometimes when he slipped into true sleep, he'd wake from nightmares of his family's corpses staring up at him. He closed the money bag and tied it tightly to his belt. He found his cloak draped over a chair and wrapped it around himself, hiding his face. "Once you are ready, we shall go downstairs for breakfast. Then the day is yours, M'lady," he bowed low, giving her a friendly smile. He wanted her to be happy today and to feel free.

Haruka slowly relaxed and whiled all her tears away. She shuddered as she pushed the memory back as best as she could. She then got up and fixed her hair back into it's boyish style. She set her purple contacts in and glanced at him, shaking her head. "Remember that I am supposed to be a guy. I can't be a girl for a while. Until I am sure I am safe, you must regard to me as a boy. Unless you want me to be taken away, that is. Now let's get out of here. Staying in this place for a long time might be risking it..."

Aki chuckled and nodded, leading them downstairs. The kitchen was only open for lunch or dinner, so they would go elsewhere for breakfast. He knew of a nice bakery just down the road. He wasn't hungry, but he supposed Haru would be. He led the way down the sleepy street. The humans were all just waking up, scurrying off to their businesses or off to do their daily chores. Aki had always found it interesting to watch them. He always wondered why they did the same thing every day, like clockwork. He smiled and hummed a little as he headed towards the small bakery. It was already open, of course. The baker always got up really early to freshly make her wares for the next day.

Aki led Haru into the small store. It was just big enough for five people to stand by the baskets filled with all sorts of baked goods. The baker, a chubby woman with a slightly harassed look on her face, brushed flour off her hands and onto her apron. She grinned when she saw who it was. Aki was a regular costumer and a very memorable one. "Ah! Mister Aki, what will it be today? Your usual brioche?" she questioned, about to reach over to a small bun. Aki shook his head and chuckled.

"No, Doris, nothing for me today. My friend would like something, however," he explained, motioning towards Haru.

Haruka followed Aki, looking around at every store. She kind of slowed him down so she could look at items in the windows. Everything was so different to her. She couldn't help but wonder what current items were. For the most part, she was clueless on human ways. Once at the bakery she looked over every item in excitement. She was like a flame of energy that never died out. After wondering around she happily picked out a berry flavored jam on top of a begal. Once Aki got it for her, Haruka took a big bite and chewed slowly, her eyes lighting up as she swallowed. "It tastes wonderful. You should try some Aki!"

"It's ok, I am not very fond of sweets so early in the morning," he replied with a smile. He bowed to Doris and they left the store. The lady was so pleased to see that Aki had a friend that she had given Haru the bun for free. It really made his day when he was treated like a friend like that. Doris reminded him of his mother in many ways. He had even told her that once, and she had thought it was sweet. Her husband had passed away before they bore any children. She made up for the emptiness in her life by baking her scrumptious bakery foods and giving them to the local children. Aki hoped she would find happiness soon.

He glanced up and down the main street they now stood on. Its cobbled pavement painted white and silver as it led towards the Angel's Inner Sanctum; the Palace grounds and castle. He screw his nose at the building in dislike and turned away from it. "Alright then, where would you like to go? Down this street we have many different stores selling all sorts of items. From weapons to toys, you can find it all along this road. Further down is the park, which I believe you have already been in. We also have an art gallery and a museum." He smiled at the thought of the latter. Recently, they had an exhibition on Demonic artefacts, something Aki wanted to see before the Angel's forced them to stop showing it.

Haruka looked at the Angel's castle nervously. She didn't want anyone to see her. Some of the older angels might find her out. She could only stay hidden for so long and being near this place did not help. She noticed some guards and quickly followed Aki. She tried to blend in but she could see the guards following her. She could hear her heart pounding out loudly. "Um... They all sound nice Aki. How about a place that kind of shows off some history? I would like to see some old records and dates. But if you --" Haruka was cut off by a sudden gruff voice. Two guards got in their way and rose up a picture of her when she was just ten years old. The first guard spoke roughly. "Have you seen this girl? She ran off from the castle just a day ago. We have to find her soon or both the king and Xerox will be angry. After all she is to meet Xerox today for future plans so we must find her."

Aki had shrunk into the crowd of people. He hadn't seen the guards and slowly hid down an alley, hoping Haru would understand why he had abandoned her. The last thing he needed was for a pair of guards to get curious as to what his real face looked like. He waited for them to leave before calling the girl over to him. "I am sorry I had to go. It's just, if they see me I would be killed on the spot." He shuddered. "What did they want anyway?"

Haruka shook the guards off after chatting with them. She was glad they hadn't found her out. It was a good thing too. Now she had an idea of how long she could hide and who wouldn't notice her. She relaxed once she was at Aki's side again. She was more than happy that she hadn't totally flopped out. She sighed as she walked with him. "They are looking for the princess. Appearantly, she ran away so the angel king is super pissed off about it. He won't make the time to look for her himself. If J lost my child I wouldn't have stupid guards looking for him. I would look under every rock without any help. But I doubt something like that would ever happen. I will probably end up in a forced marriage and there is no way I will have kids with a guy I don't even love."

Aki noticed that Haru had broken out of her act and admitted that she was the runaway princess. He chose not to comment, in case she got scared. He had sensed that she wasn't human and the colour of her eyes and hair had made him suspect that she was an Angel. He didn't find it shocking at all and found that he didn't even want to harm her. He trusted her fully, why would he hurt her. He wasn't like her father. No innocents will die by his hands.

"That would make your name Haruka," he said as he led her towards the museum. "But I think I like Haru better. Much easier to pronounce and sounds better." They slipped out from the alley and continued down another busy road, this one covered in dust and leading out of the city. Many carriages and horse-drawn carts walked down this road, so crossing was tricky business.

When Aki spoke out her name she couldn't help but glance away. He was right about who she was. Then he probably already knew exactly who she was. The fact that she was an angel and the king's daughter. She had never wanted to hide it in the first place. But still the guilt had sunk in. This probably showed that she didn't trust Aki. Well at first she couldn't come to trust anyone, but Aki had been so nice. Even now, when he knew she could fe used against the king, he didn't treat her any different. Looking at Aki, she suddenly felt her heart skip a beat. She was so surprised that she stopped walking. In her new confused state she could feel her face burning bright red and in panicky she dashed over to Aki. "Aki something is wrong with my body! Could I be having a fever? Please feel my head..." Haruka glanced around in panic as she could her heart rate speeding up and her body getting dizzy. She had no idea what was going on.