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Midori's voice was ice. "The boy's will be taken to an orphanage until suitable parants can be found for them."

Umi became very angry. "No, they won't!" she yelled. "They're not going anywhere! You'll take them over my dead body!" She slammed the phone down forcefully.

Damien winced. "Be more gentle with the phonse, Umi-chan," he said.

Umi felt like crying. She looked up to see Lan, and was startled. She hadn't heard him come in. She ran over, and hugged the boy to her, as her tears spilled over. "I won't let them take you," she wispered fiercely. "You two don't have to go anywhere."

Umi hugged Lan for a long while, until a knock on the knock made her shiver.

Damien looked at Umi grimly. "Now what have you got me into?"

Another knock, but this time more forceful.

Damien opened the door to find several miltery officers, and an older lady standing at the door. She glared at Damien over her wire-rimmed glasses.

"Where is Mis Umi?"

Damien swallowed. "Umm...she's...uhh--"

Midori pushed into the house, and made her way to the living room, where Umi was. Umi glared at Midori, and stood between her and Lan. "You can't take him. Neither of them are leaving this house."

Helix grumbled at first, but shot up when he heard "Devil Woman". "Oh no," he growled angrily. He swore a few times, and snatched up his clothes. "We gotta make a break for it!"

Umi wasn't moving, and Midori and Umi were glaring at each other. The MPs looked at each other, confused. Damien made a motion to say, 'Don't draw any weapons in my house, or you'll all regret it.'

"You have no right to stop me," Midori said.

"I do too," Umi countered. "I am their legal guardian, appointed by them, and will fulfill my obligations of protecting them no matter what."

Midori growled low. "Legal guardian my a**."

Umi became upset. "Fine then. If they need a parant, I'll be their parant! I formally wish to adopt them!"

Everyone stared at Umi, including Midori. Umi looked serious on the outside, but inside she was freaking out.

What did I just do? Oh no, am I ready for this? Wait...is this even going to work?! Oh no, she looks very upset...Umi, you've got the devil's luck...

Midori sniffed, and took a step back. "Well..." She turned on heel. "Then I expect you in the office tommorrow morning to fill all the paperwork out. And I'll be keeping a close eye on you," she said, turning to look at Umi. "Any sort of sign that you're not a fit mother, and those boys will be out of here faster than you can make a pie." She stormed out, the MPs in tow.

Umi collapsed to her knees after Midori left, too shook up to move anymore. She gave a loud sigh, and stared off into space.

Umi sighed again, but happily this time. She hugged Lan tightly, and smiled.

"I guess I am," she said softly.

Damien smiled. "Nice lady," he said sarcastically.

Helix stood in the doorway. He was relieved inside, and felt something come over him slowly. He walked over, and hugged Umi as well. "Thank you...Umi," he said.

Umi laughed nervously. "Well, isn't this something?" she said. She looked at everyone standing above her, and laughed again. "Umm...can someone help me up? I can't seem to move my legs..."

Damien lent a hand, and propped Umi up on his shoulders. He walked her over to the couch, where she sat down.

She sat there for a moment, not moving. "I feel...tired," she said finally. "That woman...makes me very tired."

Helix scowled. "That woman doesn't have a heart at all." He scoffed at the closed front door.

"How many times have I told you not to put bad things in your mouth?" Helix scolded Lan jokingly. He couldn't help grinning.

Umi laughed, but stopped and sighed. "I have a terrible feeling of foreboding," she said darkly. "Like something bad is bound to happen."

Damien smmiled a lopsided smile. "Try to cheer up, Umi. The boys are gonna be here for you, and so will I."

Umi looked off into space. "It's times like this I wish Greed was here to help me..."

Damien pursed his lips.