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Izumi stood, waiting, and looked at Zachery, letting him say what he needed to say. She could feel the anger in him, and knew it would be best to let him do the talking.

Umi sat on her bed, fingering the necklace around her neck, and trying desperately to hold back tears. She had promised herself not to cry, not to give up hope, but things seemed bleak at that point.

Helix walked outside, and sat with Lan. He didn't say anything, but he squeezed Lan's hand.

Izumi sighed. "Revenge...isn't always the answer," she said. "But..." her eyes were soft. "Sometimes, there is no other solution. If you're looking to avenge your family, and all the others who died, then I can't stop you." Her face was grim. "Just...promise me that you won't be hasty. Think about what you're doing." The wind rustled her hair and clothes as she looked at him.

Helix sighed. "I don't know, Lan. We have to move forward, I guess." He stared off into the distance. "We can't look back. That's for sure. We don't have anything to go back to." His face was serious. "We have each other, and that's it."

Izumi nodded. "I know..." She was quiet. "But you can always come to me..." She stopped, and said nothing more.

Helix nodded slowly. "Umi's a nice girl, but..." He hesitated. "I feel like we're burdening her. I mean, she's got enough on her plate right now...she doesn't need this." He bit his lip.

Izumi stood there alone for a few moments before turning awy, and walking back towards the train station. She had done what she could.

Helix sighed. "Lan...Umi's lost someone close to her as well," he explained. "She's feeling a little lost right now." He looked up towards the house. "Not to mention she's got a baby comming at some point. That'll be another person to look after."

Helix looked up, realizing Umi was standing in the doorway. He blinked a few times, shocked. She was crying, her tears running down her cheeks.

"You're...leaving?" she said. "I...I see..." She swallowed a sob, but couldn't stop herself. She threw her arms around the boys, and sobbed. "Don't leave!" she said. "Please! I...I..." She held them tightly. "I need you...I...I don't think I can do this alone."

Damien looked at the three hugging on his porch, and smiled a little to himself. He looked at Eichie standing beside him. "Say, Eichie, you don't have any family, do you?"

Eichie was surprised, but nodded. "No, I don't. My family was killed in Lior." He remembered the Lior incident, and felt a stab of anger at the man responsible for the murder of his parents and sister.

A man with a cold grin, and piercing purple eyes.

He forced himself to smile warmly. "Why do you ask, Boss?"

Damien sighed. "It might get kind of crowded in here, with the three of them. And if they do end up helping with the cafe, then they'll have a bit of money comming in..."

Eichie caught on. "You want to know if I'll take them in?"

Damien laughed nervously. "Well, I'm not trying to force you..."

Eichie grinned. "Sure, Boss! Not a problem! I'd be happy to!"

Umi let go of the boys, and smiled at Lan. "You tired?" she asked. She pushed some hair out of his face.

Helix stood up. "You should go to work soon, Umi."

Umi sighed. "It's kind of late now..." She looked at Damien.

Damien grinned, and looked off somewhere else. "Oh, I think the cafe had a little holiday today. But this had better not become a habit."

Umi grinned. "Maybe we can go shopping then!"

Umi smiled happily, able to feel at peace. She had no problem letting the boys become like sons to her.

Helix laughed suddenly. Umi looked at him. "What is it?"

Helix stopped laughing, but was still grinning. "Oh, nothing. It's just that...it's almost like you adopted us, or something. And you're...what? 18? You're only 4 years older than me." He laughed hysterically, and Umi blushed.

"Well, I had three brothers growing up, and Father to look after," she said. "I got used to being the mothering type, I guess." She smiled softly as she remembered her brothers, and a warm breeze blew by her.