Authors note: A certain part of this chapter contains a scene that is sexual in nature. If you are uncomfortable with such descriptions then avoid the part that contains such action. Thanks for reading.

Dr. Franxx gazed at the hologram of APE's world map. The beacons of light signifying the locations of the plantations; jutted out from the surfaces making the whole world look like a bizarre sea urchin.

He watched as two beacons flickered out. The first victims of the Queen's massive campaign. A week ago massive groups of Klaxosaurs had emerged from around the world; each targeting certain plantations. For now, only standard swarm and overrun tactics were being used. But he hoped that the queen had bigger units to deploy. The Klaxosaur forces had struck out at six plantations but unfortunately, the Nines had been able to repel four out of the six attacks.

He cursed himself for allowing Papa to get his hands on Zero Two for so long. Papa had used her as a base to create the Nines. The only good thing about it was that Papa's DNA extraction hadn't gone has well as planned. The Nines had inherited only a fraction of Zero Two's raw potential. But even with that small piece, it had turned them into the most effective parasite team Papa had. He shivered at the thought of what would have happened if it had gone as planned. A whole squad worth of Zero Twos' would have assured Papa's victory.

He wished that he had taken Zero Two away sooner. It had taken the promise that he could magnify Zero Two's power a hundredfold to get Papa to release her. Well if everything went to plan he would. They would be the one weapon that could defeat Papa. All he had to do was maneuver them and Squad 13 into position.

He needed to help them create a world where they could live free. After all the atrocities he had committed he owed her that much. He looked over at a picture of his daughter. A memory of her conception flooded back to him.

Werner Frank stood in front of a vat full of cloning liquid. Inside was the female fetus of his ultimate creation. A fusion of himself and the most beautiful princess in the world. It's little blue heart beat with life, at the center of it's forming body. He stared hungrily at it. It didn't matter that his arm was gone. This was perfection!

"Yes! Yes!" He groaned orgasmically. "You will be the ultimate creation."

He looked over at another vat. A human fetus floated in its cloning fluid. This one was a boy. A combination of the remnants of his dead wife and so random DNA donor. A useless creation! The ultimate daughter was growing right next to him. What did he need with some useless human boy? He walked over and began the shutdown sequence.

A mechanical female voice sounded as he came to the final step "Are you sure you would like to terminate this fetus?"

He was about to hit the terminate button when he stopped. A memory of his wife coming back to him."You know one day I would really like a child of my own."

His finger hovered over the terminate button.

"Fine!" He shouted. "You want a child so bad; then here you go!"

His finger hit the decline button.

He really was a sick monster! Why was science more important to me then my daughter!? If hell existed he deserved to be in the deepest part of it. Not only had he tortured her but he had let Papa use and manipulate her. The cry that still haunted his dreams came back to him.

He watched as they dragged in a little red girl. The guards threw her into a room. Her eyes began darting around the room in fear and desperation. Her horned head turning franticly as she searched. "Da…. Da….Da!" She cried.

A robed figure wearing a mask stepped forward. When he spoke his voice was deep and modulated. "Will you serve me?"

The girl wasn't paying attention to him but continued her search around the room. "Da! Da! Da! Da! D-DA! DAR!" She cried and cried desperately searching for the boy.

"It appears your mind wipe didn't work so well on her." The robed figure said.

"I believe the only thing she can remember is feelings. I think all the details are obscured." He said, in his half robotic voice. "I know for a fact that the boy's memory is completely wiped."

"Good. Make sure it stays that way."

"I will Papa." He said bowing.

Papa pulled out a hologram device and threw it on the ground. A boy appeared. The boy had wild black hair and was wearing a winter coat. His face, however, was so blurred that it was unrecognizable.

The little girl flew at the boy. "Da!" She cried.

She pasted right through him. She turned, bewilder and made to hug him. Her arms pasted right through the boy. "Da!?" Tears were starting to form and her face was melting in desperation. "Da!?" Her voice was beginning to crack. Frantically she tried grabbing every part of the boy. "DA! DA! DA!" Tears were cascading down her face as she poured her whole being into trying to hold onto the boy. "DA! DA! DA! DA! DARL!"

She collapsed on top of the hologram projector; trying to hold the image to her. "Da, Da, Da, Da, daDadaAdadadaDAdadaadaDadadadadadadadadadaada." Her desperate mewling was becoming unintelligible as she rocked back and forth, clutching the image.

"Do you want to see him again?" Papa asked.

The girl looked up tears of desperation sliding down her face. "Da!?"

"Do you ever want to see him again?" Papa repeated again, pointing at the figure.

She back up and the hologram projected the boy into the air again. Papa pointed at the figure.

The girl nodded desperately. "DA! DA! DA!"

"If you ever want to see him again, you will do exactly what I saw, for as long as I say it," Papa said casually.

The girl ran up to him desperately. "Da! Da! Da!"

Papa caught on how to communicate with her. "Want Da?" He pointed at the boy.

The girl nodded vigorously, hope and desperation filling her eyes.

"Do whatever I say, for as long as I say it, and you can have Da." He pointed to the boy again.

The girl had only heard the word "Da." She nodded vigorously her hands practically ripping Papa's cloak with desperation.

"Good," Papa said with a stratified smirk. "As a token of my good faith."

He pulled out from his robe her book titled "The Beast and the Prince."

She grabbed it, hugging it to her chest before looking around. "Da!" She called.

"Guards!" Papa called. "Take this monster back to her cage."

The guards burst in and snatched up the little girl. A look of deep betrayal and horror crossed her face. "DA! DA! DA! DA! DA!" She screamed and screamed and screamed. He watched as she fought tooth and nail to get out of the guards hold. But one little girl couldn't match the strength of four armored guards, and they dragged her from the room.

Hours later he had observed the little girl in her room. He watched as she banged her head against the wall, bit herself, licked her wounds, and even ate every page of her book. Each time she did this her face took on a look of remembrance. She was recalling details from her time with the boy. However, in the end, she looked miserable. She may have gotten the details, but she hadn't gotten the one thing she really wanted. His face.

How could I have done these things to my little girl!? Why had it taken him so long to feel any compassion at all!? WHY!?

He picked up the picture of his daughter and looked into her beautiful green eyes.

"I swear will do everything in my power to make you free." He mumbled to the picture. "After everything, I did to you. I-If you somehow find it in your heart to forgive me, t-than you are the most compassionate and loving person in the world."

Turning he looked over at a picture of his wife's son. The boy's wild black hair framing his face. "Make my daughter happy." He whispered to the picture. "Do that for me, a-and you have my blessing."

He placed his daughter's picture next to the boy and smiled. "Maybe one day that will be one big picture." He smiled a tear sliding down his face. "If you add a few children clustered around the both of you then you would make me the happiest person in the world."

The Queen's communication device buzzed in his pocket. Roused out of his revere, he frantically wiping away his tears and stood up. Quickly he composed himself and gather what necessary information he needed from the corners of his brain. Turning he threw the device on the ground, before taking a knee.

"My Queen." He said in the most dignified voice possible.

The Queen's harsh voice echoed into his mind "How is phase one progressing?"

"Smoothly." He said. "In fact, I may have discovered a new depth of potential."

"Go on." She said intrigued.

"I am not one hundred percent sure, but I believe that Hiro may be experiencing a transformation. If my theory is correct he may transform into a hybrid like her."

If the Queen was surprised, it didn't show on her face. "Interesting…. This will make him a far more valuable piece on the board." She glared at him; her glowing blue eyes felt like they were piercing his soul. "When can you get them to me?"

"I am afraid we are not quite there yet My Lady." He said reasonably. "I am working on educating Squad 13."

Her eyes flashed with anger. "I don't care about Squad 13! I want what you promised me!"

"Yes My Lady. But it will be hard to tear them away from the Squad 13. A more effective method would be to get the group as a whole to join you."

"And what makes you think that any human would want to fight for me?" She asked harshly.

"I am working on showing them that they are being used by Papa. When the time is right they will be ready for you." He answered calmly.

"What makes you think I won't use them?"

He looked her straight in the eye. "At least with you they have a fighting chance at being free."

She stared at him for a long moment. "Fine. Do as you please. I will except my daughter and Squad 13 to be fully willing to fight when they get here."

"Of course, My Queen." He said inclining his head. Looking up again he inquired about a curiosity he had. "My Lady. Was the parasite I sent you of any use?"

"Yes." She said tersely. "I thank you for that. It was a most useful gift." She paused for a long moment. "Your reward is my forgiveness for the part you played in the atrocity of mankind."

"Thank you." He said bowing. "One last thing My Lady."

She waved signaling him to continue.

"I would like your permission to have Squad 13 attack a nest."

"Why?" She asked coldly.

"I believe that seeing it may show Squad 13 a vital secret."

She stared at him for serval long moments. "Fine. If you really think its important. Then do what you like."

The hologram flickered off. He made to get back up when it abruptly flickered back on again.

"Oh. One more thing." She said. "I am sending an experimental shield to you. Use it if Mistilteinn becomes a target."

"Y-Yes, of course." He said hurriedly and confused.

The hologram flickered off again, and the device folded itself back into a communicator.

Getting up he sat back in his chair and sent a communication to Hachi. "Move Plantation 13 towards the P45 Nest. When we get there you may prep Squad 13 for an attack mission."

"Right away Sir!" Hachi called.

He was about to hang up when he thought of something. "Oh, and inform Papa that we plan to eliminate the nest to increase security in the region."

"Got it," Hachi said understanding.

The connection was terminated. Dr. Franxx looked at his pictures one more time before sliding back into planning mode. Straightening he looked back up at APE's world map. "One step at a time." He muttered. "One step at a time."

Hiro awoke on his back lying in a bed. The suns morning rays were just starting to poke through the window giving the room a warm glow. The arms of a goddess give him a slight squeeze as she slept. Inhaling deeply through his nose, he breathed in a deep breathe of fresh air. He realized suddenly that something in the air smelled incredibly sweet. It reminded him of the rich aroma of honey, except that this smell had a deep and arousing complexity to it. Closing his eyes he followed his noise. The smell was becoming stronger and stronger. This smells amazing! What on earth could smell this good?

He opened his eyes. He was face to face with Zero Two. It was her! She was the one emanating that lovely smell! Oh, you've gotta be kidding me! How many more things could make her more perfect then she already is? It seemed like every day he discovered a new facet of her. How much more complex could this gem of a person be?

Infinitely, he decided. This could go on forever as far as he was concerned. He would gladly spend his life discovering the perpetual depths at made up this girl. No. Not just a girl; but a goddess. Such perfection could not be described as a mere girl. No, she was much, much more.

He sat there for several minutes just breathing in her enticing aroma. Slowly his conscious mind seeded the idea that, sitting here smelling her as she slept, was a tiny bit creepy. Sighing, he retreated away from her until he could remove himself from the bed.

Before getting up he gazed at her horns. Those ruby red protrusions were so beautiful. He studied them for several minutes; just basking in their magnificence. He noted that her horns had grown, now were slightly curving up. The sight of the larger horns reminded him of another person with horns.

"Are you the little girl from my dreams?" He whispered to her sleeping form.

Zero Two didn't respond and instead gave a slight sigh as she slept.

The thought of the little girl reminded him of another mystery. The Beast and the Prince. Now would be a good chance to look in the library. When Zero Two was awake he wanted to spend all his time with her, which meant that his time to search would be limited. Quietly he rolled off the bed. Grabbing his communicator he typed out a message to inform her that he would be back. Placing it where he had been laying he turned and made his way out of her room.

The stepped into Mistilteinn's realm of knowledge; unaware of the clues to life it now contained. He gazed at the great wall of books. Hopefully, the book he was looking for was among that great wealth of knowledge. Picturing the book in his mind he walked over to the computers inlaid in the desks.

Quickly he began searching through the libraries index. "The Beast and the Prince." He typed. The computer spent for what felt like and eternity loading. "No Data." The screen read.

No. No. No! NO!. This was not already happening to him! It hadn't even been five minutes and already his search was at a dead end! Why! Why was this happening to him! Every time I go to ask a question, theres never and answer.

He jerked forward as he was sucked into the past again.

"Hiro! Hiro!" A little girl called, her lime green eyes sparkling with joy. "Give the rest of the group names!"

"Sure thing Ichigo." He said smiling. "Let's see."

He pointed to a boy with yellow hair and glasses. "Goro." He went down the line pausing for a second at each of them. Naomi, Miku, Zorome, Kokoro, Futoshi, and finally Mitsuru.

Mitsuru gave him a look of warmth and affection at his new name. He smiled and turned back to the group.

"Would you give Code 196 a name when she comes back?" The newly dubbed Naomi asked, her chestnut head bobbing as she tried to get his attention.

"Sure thing, Naomi!" He said giving her a radiant smile.

Suddenly two Garden caretakers burst into the room. "What are you guys doing!" Who said you were allowed to change your designation?" One asked harshly.

"W-We weren't. I was just giving them names." He explained to the caretakers.

Before the first caretaker could respond, the second leaned over and whispered something in his ear. Quickly they had a whispered conversation before leaving the room.

Hiro mind flitted to another memory.

The bed of one of the children that had slept with them was empty. A garden caretaker removed the sheets leaving the bed barren. This wasn't the first time this had happened either. Every so often they would come back to the sleeping ward and find that another child had gone missing.

"Another one," Goro muttered next to him.

"Its such a shame to keep losing our friends like this," Ichigo said sadly.

He had enough. Why did the adults never answer his questions? Why was he the only one asking them?

Bursting forward and grabbed the caretakers sleeve. "Where is Tania?" He asked desperately.

"That is none of your concern. Papa will take good care of Code 979." The caretaker said brushing him off and leaving the room.

Abruptly Hiro snapped back into the library.

"What was that!?" He gasped.

Pulling at his hair in frustration he struggled to comprehend what he had just experienced. He had experienced this feeling before. The last few times this had happened he had witnessed the little red girl. But this time was different. He had just seen his squad at the garden. This had really happened. The only reason the squad had more than code numbers was because he had given them names.

His brain was crawling along like a snail. If this event was real, then did that mean that the other ones were real too. He gasped. The little girl. She could be real!

He closed his eyes, picturing the little girl in his mind. Ruby red horns towering above her head, beautiful green eyes, cherry blossom pink hair, a black robe, and finally blood red skin. He reached out as if to touch her. She was right there! Right there in front of him! She turned to look at him.

"Da?" She asked looking at him

"I'm here!" He called back.

"Da!" She ran towards him her arms outstretched.

He reached out to receive and hug her to him. She was about to collide into his chest when she disappeared. Desperately he hugged the air where she would have been.

"No. No. Please come back." He muttered desperately.

Defeated he released his arms. A book fell into his hands. "The Beast and the Prince."

"This is it! I have the book!" He cried. Grabbing the cover he turned to the first page.

He blinked awake back into the library. His arms were outstretched as if holding a book. They were empty. No book was waiting in his hands.

"No, please not when I'm this close!" He said desperately.

He clenched his fists as if trying to will the book to appear. Why? Why could he never get the answers he was looking for!? No! It has to be in here!

He got up and walked over to the wall of books. Desperately he started scanning every book on the shelf. His eyes flicked from cover to cover searching for the key words that would identify the object of his fixation.

"It has to be here!" He muttered desperately.

After what seemed like an eternity he got to the last book in the library. Nothing. The book wasn't here.

"No! Where is this damn book."

He started again. This time making sure to read every word in every title. He would find the tale of the beast and the prince, no matter what it cost him.

It didn't take long for him to become distracted. Now that he was paying attention, titles and words popped out at him. The first one to catch his eye was, "A Passion filled Night." He reached for it, before remembering his quest. He kept scanning. He needed to find the tale he was looking for.

The next book to tempt him with its knowledge was. "Your First Child Birth." He mind was sent reeling. What did those words mean!? He was sorely tempted by that book but forced himself to move on.

His heart stopped as he saw a "B" in the title of one of the books. He reached for it, but a second later he read. "A Beginners guide to Parenting." Not the book he was looking but it called to him all the same.

The next book that called to him he yanked off the shelf in less than a heartbeat. "Babies and how they're made."

"Babies," he said his heart pounding. "B-But I though humans couldn't have babies."

He flipped open the book and began reading the first page. His heart began swelling with odd emotions as he read. The first page was already boggling his mind. "The result of the sacred union between a man and a woman." What did all this mean? Why did Papa never teach us any of this? This was special. This was wonderful. If this was something humans could do why had they never learned this.

He flipped the page. The image of the human baby sat on the page; defying everything that he had ever been taught. It looked like a miniature human. It had pudgy little arms and legs with a big round head. Even in print, its eyes seemed to convey a sense of great wonder and curiosity.

"I-Is this a baby?" He mumbled shakily.

His heart was hammering in his chest. Emotions that he had never felt before were overwhelming him. His lip was trembling and tears were sliding down his face. Something about this picture was stirring deep emotions from inside him. Everything about it was precious. He wanted to hold and protect it. If humans could create this, then he wanted to know how.

"I should show this to Zero Two!" He gasped.

He was about to turn and make his way out of the library before remembering why he was here in the first place. Resolving himself he decided to finish his search for The Beast and the Prince.

Clutching his new book he continued his search. He scanned title after title but still didn't find what he was looking for.

This library was filled with books that he had never seen before. As he continued his search he ran across more books that he had never seen before. More and more titles seemed to leap off their covers and into his mind. One, in particular, he made a note to return to was, "The Guide to Pleasuring a Woman." What surprised him was how thick the binding was. If this book was any indication then a woman would be a lot harder to please then he initially thought.

He continued his scouring for The Beast and the Prince, but he still couldn't find it. Why was it not here; when vast amounts of books that he had never even thought of were? Why was the one thing that he was looking for missing?

"Argh! Why is it not here!?" He exclaimed to himself.

He didn't know why, but somehow he could sense that this book was extremely important. There had to be a copy of this book somewhere. Why couldn't he find it? Why was the one thing he was really looking for not here when so many other things were? Where could he get a copy of this damned book?

Suddenly an idea struck him. Present day! He could request, The Beast and the Prince as his gift! Pulling out his communicator he hurriedly filled out a necessary request form. Hopefully, that would be enough. If not then he was completely out of options as to what he could do about obtaining it.

Closing his eye in relief he leaned up against the library window. He looked down at the request he had just sent. Hopefully whoever was on the other side would grant him his wish.

Sighing, he clutched his new book to his chest and made to get up. Just then he heard voices from outside. Quickly he turned to try an identify the owners of the voices.

Mitsuru and Kokoro were sitting talking to each other by a tree. He watched them chat away happily for a few minutes. The sight of a smile on Mitsuru's face was a strange sight for Hiro. The only expression he had ever seen on that face was a scowl. Kokoro's expression was just as puzzling. The way she was looking at Mitsuru was filled with longing. He scratched his head in confusion. What a minute, isn't Kokoro supposed to be Futoshi's partner? Not that the rest of the squad couldn't have friendly relationships; but piloting a FRANXX was a very intimate experience.

When piloting a FRANXX you let your partner penetrate into your mind. It was an incredibly intimate experience, so you had to be completely comfortable and trusting of your partner. And although the connections usually didn't transcend into a physical one, you could still feel your partners presences in your mind. So although Kokoro and Mitsuru could be friends; letting that relationship progress into one of affection and intimacy could drastically affect their ability to pilot with their respective partners.

It suddenly donned on him just how out of the loop he was with the rest of the squad. Ever since Zero Two's arrival he had been completely engrossed with his new partner. Not that it really bothered him too much, but it seemed he might have missed a few developments in the rest of the squad.

He was about to get up and return to Zero Two when he heard his name being mentioned in their conversation. Stopping he listened in on their conversation.

"I don't think he ever meant to hurt you," Kokoro said consolingly.

"Well, he did. Stupid jerk always forgets his promises." Mitsuru said angrily. "Finally thought I'd be rid of him, but no, as soon as he in trouble, some monster drops out of the sky for him."

Hiro's fury flared up like gasoline on a fire. MONSTER! Who did this scumbag think he was, calling Zero Two a monster! His blood felt like it was on fire and something felt like it was trying to burst out of his forehead. If anybody came into the library they would have seen his eyes glowing with icy hatred.

Luckily for Mitsuru and Hiro's fury, Kokoro was there to soothe things over. "You didn't really mean what you said about Zero Two did you?"

There was a long pause before Mitsuru responded. "No, I didn't. Still, I would rather have Naomi back instead of her." There was another long pause before he spoke again. "Just another innocent thing Hiro's ruined."

There were a few minutes of silence before Kokoro spoke. "Mitsuru I think that holding onto something that Hiro did a long time ago isn't going to help you. I-I think something happened to him that day. From that moment on he changed. H-He was never the same again."

Mitsuru gave a grunt of annoyance. "Hmph. Maybe that's because he forgot our promise."

"Maybe. But I think that it was something else." Kokoro said.

Pain flashed into Hiro's mind and he was sucked into the past.

"Hiro! Hiro! I did it! I kept our promise! "A little boy said excitedly.

He turned to Mitsuru fighting to maintain consciousness. "Promise?" He said dazed. "What promise?"

He saw Mitsuru's hands constrict around the ball he was holding while tears began to slide down his rapidly contorting face. "Y-You promised you would pilot with me if I survived t-the injections."

"Really?" He said curiously. "I don't remember doing that?"

Mitsuru burst into tears and threw his ball directly at Hiro. "YOU LIAR! YOU PROMISED! YOU SAID YOU WOULD!" The boy sobbed and his voice broke. "I-I HATE YOU!"

Hiro snapped back into the library. What had he just witnessed? The child Mitsuru had said they made a promise, which supposedly he had broken. Argh, was this a memory or some sort of dream? If it was a memory then it would go a long way towards explaining Mitsuru's hatred towards him. But FRANXXs didn't work with two male pilots, which was something Mitsuru should have known. So did that mean that this was a dream? But the detail of Mitsuru's injections was true though, so did that mean this really was a memory. Hiro already had one confirmed instance of remembering actual events, so maybe this one was real too.

Getting up he began to make his way back out of the library. It sounded like he had forgotten a really important promise, which had obviously wounded Mitsuru deeply. Why was he forgetting such important events? He had only known about his naming of the squad because they told him, but up until a few minutes ago, he had no recollection of that event. So now it sounded like he had forgotten a promise to Mitsuru.

He turned to make the finial stretch towards Zero Two's room; his book still clutched in his hand from earlier.

So if both of these events were real, then that had to mean that the little girl was really too? Argh, he was forgetting important people and events! Why!? There was no way that he would forget such things due to time. Argh! Why am I struggling with this!?

He reached out his hand to open the door when it was yanked open for him.

Zero Two awoke alone in bed. The warm body she had nuzzled against while sleeping was gone. Darling was missing. Where was Darling? She sat up abruptly looking around. The room was empty with the exception of a few things and a mirror. All signs of Darling were vacant. Disgusting room. Without Darling, room was icky and nasty.

Just then she felt a communicator clutched in her hand. Looking down she saw the message that Darling had written.

"I'll be back in a few minutes, I promise. Sorry I couldn't be there to greet you first thing. There's just something I wanna check."

Her heart filled with passion and love as she gazed at the message. Her heart beat accelerated and she felt a deep stirring in her core. Darling thought of everything! Darling was the best! She smiled stupidly and hugged Darlings communicator to her chest. Only part of Darling she could hold for the moment must keep close.

She realized that while he was gone, she had an opportunity to make herself look as pretty as possible. Must impress Darling! Must make him like me! She tucked Darling's communicator into her bra. Must keep Darling's things safe.

She walked over to the mirror and looked at herself. She was so ugly! How could anyone like her stupid face! Her horns had grown a little bit. She gazed at her there reflection. Stupid things! She wished that she could just cut them off, but unfortunately she could not. She had tried that before, and the stupid things had just grown back. She opened her mouth and gazed at her long canines. Stupid, useless things! She was such a monster. A disgusting useless monster. Why could she not have been born a human like Darling? Why did she have to be some nasty blue blood creep that nobody wanted?

"Where's that stupid file?" She said, looking for the file she usually used to trim her horns. Must get rid of them for Darling! Must!

Just then she heard somebody climbing the stairs to the third floor. Darling was back! Quickly she tucked her hair behind her ears and poised herself at the door. She grabbed the door handle and twisted it so she could yank open the door.

Step. Step. Step. Darling was getting closer. Step. Step Step. Darling was almost at the door. Step. Step. Turn. Darling was reaching for the door handle.

Quickly she yanked open the door and pulled a surprised Darling into the room.

"Zero Two, what...!" He cried in surprise.

"Good morning, Darling!" She cried happily.

Grabbing his hand, she practically threw him over to the bed. She was so intent on her goal that, she didn't even realize that the book that he had been holding flew across the room and skidded under the bed.

Darling crashed onto the bed and she jumped on top of him. Her knees landing on either side of his pelvis so that she was straddling him. She crawled forward so that her face was right above his. His warm, enticing breath tickled her face as he breathed.

"Um... Good morning, Zero Two." He said sounding a little confused.

"Good morning Darling." She said happily. She leaned forward and nuzzled her jaw against his neck. Humming happily, she sat there letting the vibrations from her throat gently tickle him. She breathed in a deep breath of air and picked up a very addicting smell.

She sat there breathing him in. Darling was letting off an incredibly addicting pheromone. It was driving her insane, and all she wanted to do was let herself be engulfed by it. There was a deep throbbing in her pelvis and she felt her chest expanding. Her whole body seemed to be tingling and her nerves felt like they were hyper sensitive.

Her mind was flinging her across the universe in mere seconds. She drove again and again against him; greedily gathering his smell to her. Her enlarged breasts pressed against his chest; only separated by the stupid clothes they were wearing.

"Z-Zero Two... What are you d-doing?" Darling moaned.

She lifted her head and gazed into his powerful eyes. "Don't know." She panted. "J-Just came over me."

She leaned her head against his; her horns gently prodding under his hair and touching his forehead. Instantly she felt a sensation that she had never felt before. She could feel his heart's deep beating and feel the way his breath seemed to rise and fall out of his chest. She let herself penetrate deeper into this feeling. His body seemed to be just as sensitive as hers and she could almost feel a throbbing in his pelvis.

"Darling enjoy." She said. But instead of just speaking with her mouth, it felt like it was radiating out of her.

"Very much." Her ears heard a mumble, but she could feel a strong sense of pleasure emanating from him.

She sat there for a few more minutes trying to see if she could penetrate deeper into him. Unfortunately, however, that was as far as she could go. She lifted her head and the sensation was gone in an instant.

They sat there looking into each other's eyes. Their aroused breath pulsating against the others faces, as they both struggled to recover from their passionate moment.

"T-That w-was so cool." Darling panted.

"I-I know." She said just as breathlessly. "I don't think I've every experienced anything quite like that."

Breathlessly she sat up. Best to give Darling more room to breathe.

Suddenly she noticed that something was poking her between her legs. She rubbed herself against it to try and identify what it was. Inwardly she gasped. It was Darling! Darling's member was gently poking into her. The strangest feeling washed over her. The place between her legs throbbed and she felt a strange feeling begin to tingle in her pelvis. She could almost feel herself lengthening to accept him, and for some reason, the desire to have him inside of her was becoming overwhelming.

Her heart began to beat faster and faster. Maybe Darling was experiencing similar feelings to hers. If so, did that mean that he wanted her the same way she wanted him?

"Darling wants me!" She thought excitedly.

She felt like she was going to cry. The one person she cared for and would give anything for wanted her! She had spent her whole life looking for him. He was the only person to not treat her like so sort of caged animal. The only way she had been able to sleep was to remember the feeling of his protective arms. The feeling of him hugging her to his chest, and shielding her from the people who wanted to hurt her, was the only thing that had been able to relax her enough to sleep.

But now she had the real thing. Darling was sitting under her and now she wanted to be closer to him than ever. The only desire she had left in the world was to have him remember her. Just to remember those precious few hours that she had cherished her whole life. To tell him that she would hold his greatest gift to her until the day she died. Her name. When that happened she... she... She would make him the happiest person in the world.

"Z-Zero Two p-please get off me!" Came a horrified voice.

She snapped out of her reverie and looked up. Darling's face was a sparkling shade of deep crimson and his tone was one of petrified horror.

She realized that Darling's member was still pressing gently into her. Personally, she didn't mind, but part of her could see how he might be frightened that it would. The fact was, that another part of her desperately wanted to take this to the next level. It felt really good to have him gently prodding against that sensitive area. But what if the clothes that separated them weren't there? If it felt good now then without them would probably feel amazing!

Sadly she rolled off him to lie next to him. He hide his face in his hands, to try and cover the shame he felt. Fortunately for her, this left his back exposed. She reached up and began to stroke and massage the muscle on his shoulders and back. The muscles beneath her fingers were strong, powerful, but had a gentle feel to them. She continued her caressing and noticed something for the first time.

Darling felt like he had gotten bigger and stronger since when they had first met. She also noticed that he was actually now taller then she was. Before she had been several inches taller, but now he seemed to be a little taller. She felt that tingling in her core again. A bigger and stronger Darling. What wasn't there to like about that.

"Z-Zero Two, I'm really sorry," Darling said, still full of shame. "I-If there's anything I can do to make it up to you, please tell me."

Well, she wasn't about to pass up a perfectly good opportunity like that. "Okay fine. I'll only forgive you if you kiss me." She said into his ear.

"Yes, of course!" He replied, sounding a little too eager. He turned and pucker his lips to give her a quick kiss.

"A really long one." She said before he got to her.

He nodded.

They leaned forward and began to kiss. There lips pulsed and slide over each other as they continued there assault on each other's mouths. His lips were super soft but firm, which allowed her to pour her all her passion into him. Suddenly she had a desperate desire to taste the inside of his mouth. Sliding her tongue forward she rubbed it along his bottom lip. He got the hint and open his mouth. Both their tongues shot forward rubbing and caressing each other. She reached as far as she could, to taste the deepest visages of his mouth. She felt him do the same, and she thought she was going to explode. His tongue was stretching into the very corners of her mouth lapping at her saliva. She moaned into him as she felt something leak out between her legs. She could feel a dampness emanating from her lower lips as it throbbed with passion. She rubbed her legs together in ecstasy and felt the dampness spread throughout her whole crotch.

She continued her passionate assault on his mouth. Gently she used her canines to bit his lip. She was surprised however when he did the same. His teeth gently bit into her, their points passionately pressuring her skin.

Suddenly she realized that if he had those canines, then that meant riding with her gave them to him. She broke the connection and looked at him fear written all over her face. She had poisoned Darling. Him being near her was changing him into something that he wasn't meant to be. Darling was Darling. The perfect human. If she had corrupted that perfection then she needed to go.

"Darling..." She said her voice ladened with fear. "What's that in your mouth?"

He paused before answering. "Something I'm very fond of."

Something he was fond of! That was the last thing he was supposed to say. He interrupted her thoughts before she could respond.

"I know what you're going to say." He said calmly. "I, however, am very glad I have them." He paused. "You gave them to me; a-and that makes them special. I would gladly adopt every one of your features, I-if it meant I could be closer to you."

Unfortunately, she was in such a panic that she missed the entire meaning of what he was saying.

No this was not what Darling was supposed to be saying. She was a nasty, disgusting, ruthless monster. Darling was pure and perfect. If she was changing him, she needed to get away before she did any more damage.

Suddenly she felt herself being pulled into a comforting hug. "Zero Two you mean the world to me." He whispered in her ear. "We're partners. That means we look out for each other." He paused. "A-And, I don't know why but I feel as though you've been important to me for a very long time."

She felt him shift and suddenly she was looking directly into his eyes. "Please, at least allow me to stay with you until I figure out why that is."

Her heart was skipping beats. Was Darling remembering her! Had all her pleading finally begun to pay off?

Her mind was in such a rush that all she could choke out was a feeble. "O-Okay."

"Thank you." He said. Gently he separated himself from her.

She just sat there to lost and stunned to due more than gape at him. Her Darling scratched his head nervously before looking around for something to distract himself with.

Suddenly she heard a yelp. "Crap! If we don't hurry we're going to be late for breakfast!"

Forcefully she shook herself out of her thoughts.

"Zero Two I'll go get my clothes from the boy's dorm." He said standing up. "I'll meet you at the bottom of your stairs when I'm done okay."

"O-Okay." She said quietly.

He left the room and once again she was all alone. She sat on the bed gazing at the wall, trying to process the events of the last serval minutes. So much had happened in such a short time that she was emotionally drained.

The prospect of Darling transforming into something like her was scary but what would she do without Darling? She wouldn't go back to her previous life under Papa. She wouldn't! Papa had used her, tortured her, violated her mind, and justified it all with the lie that she could one day have her Darling back. She hated the Nines just as much as Papa. That disgusting Squad! A complete cesspool of Papa obsessed maniacs. She thought of their leader Nine Alpha. That disgusting slimeball! His nasty, greasy, icky yellow hair. Oh if she ever saw him again. That thing was going to pay for what he did to her. She remembered when she first joined the Nines. That thing had taken her and Strelizia and used them. She shivered. The amount of violation she had been forced to endure under him was degrading. And to top it all off when he was finally done with her he pasted her off to hundreds of other stamens.

She did her best not to think about those days. She had been taking all her anger at Papa and Nine Alpha out on those stamens. The worst part about it is that she had enjoyed destroying them. It had almost been therapy to feel their life forces sucked into her.

It was all Papa. She told herself. He was the one who had made her like this. If he had just given her Darling then maybe things would have been different.

But it didn't matter now. She had her Darling back, and she would destroy anybody who tried to tear them apart. She just couldn't leave him. He meant to much to her, and being separated again after all this time would leave her as nothing more than an empty husk.

Hopefully Darling would not change any more than he already had. Hopefully, teeth were where the line could be drawn. Darling was the perfect human and needed to remain as pure as possible. She would have done anything to be like him. Unfortunately, monsters couldn't be changed; which was something she had learned the hard way.

She buried her face in the place were Darling usually slept; and breathed in his calming scent. Darling was here now, and he was her's. She breathed in again, savoring the deep complexities of his scent.

Finally, she got up to change. It was then that she noticed the cool wetness between her legs. During her moment of passion with Darling, something had leaked out of her. She wondered what had caused her to do this? She had experienced feelings that she had never felt before, and then something had come out of her. Stripping she gazed at her sodden underpants. They were completely soaked with her juices, and her crotch tingled as her wetness continued to cool on her.

Suddenly an embarrassing thought crossed her mind. "I didn't pee myself did I!?"

That would be incredibly humiliating. Peeing on Darling would be a sure as hell way not to impress him.

Quickly she raised her underpants to her nose and sniffed. Luckily there was no smell of urine.

But if it wasn't piss, then what was it. They only two substance that had every come out of there were urine and blood. This was neither of them. So then what was it!?

She sniffed again. It almost smelled musty. Except that the smell was incredibly arousing and stimulating. It had a weird complexity to it that she couldn't describe. She wondered if Darling would find it as enticing as she did.

Shaking herself forceful she snapped out of her pondering. Darling was waiting for her and she was here sniffing strange substances.

Wiping herself with the rest of the underpants she cleaned up. Throwing them into a corner, she grabbed her uniform and put it on.

Walking over to a mirror she adjusted her hair. When she was finished she gazed at her horns. Too bad she didn't have time to trim them. Stupid things were so ugly.

"Darling must think I'm so ugly." She thought angrily.

Brooding she yanked open the door. The walk to the stairs felt like an eternity. Even the suns warm rejuvenating rays couldn't lighten her mood.

She turned to descend the staircase. Her shine light was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs.

"You ready?" He called up.

"Yep!" She sat on the railing. "Darling catch me!"

She lifted her feet and began to slide down the railing. Darling was getting closer and closer as she flew down the railing. She was going to land in his arms. Even during the first few seconds of her slid, her mind was already running different scenarios and cuddling positions.

Darling's face was stunned but he had spread his arms to accept her. She flew into him her body crashing into his comforting hold. He staggered but managed to retain his balance.

He was holding her by her back and under her knees. Drawing her into his chest she nuzzled against him. Darling was so strong and warm. She wanted to stay here forever. Wrapping her arms around his neck she affectionately nibbled his ear.

Darling giggled softly. "Your very cuddly today." He said into her ear.

"Cuddly?" She asked, drawing herself closer to him. "What's that mean?"

"Don't know. I just made it up." He said making a thinking face.

She smiled. "Well, I like it. But if I'm cuddly that means that you're cuddly too."

"Why?" He teased. "You afraid to be cuddly all by yourself?"

"Yeah." She whispered. "It's much more fun if its two of us."

"Alright then, I guess we're both cuddly." He whispered affectionately. "But tell me. What do cuddly people do?"

"More of this." She whispered. That feeling from before was washing over her again. Her crotch was beginning to throb and her breasts were swelling. Her nipples felt like they were trying to pierce through her uniform.

"Your a greedy little girl aren't you."

"Only for you Darling." She whispered.

Suddenly Darling's communicator buzzed in her bra. She almost made an audible moan. Her hypersentive breasts felt like they had just been shocked.

Darling was looking at her with a confused look on his face. Ignoring it, she nuzzled close to him again. After a life of being abused, finally having somebody who would hold her close was liberating. He was so warm and strong that all she wanted to do was curl up in his protective arms.

"Zero Two. What was that buzzing?"

"Your communicator." She said, finally letting go of him a little.

"My... Wait really, I thought I had that on me." He said confused.

"You left it with me this morning."

"Oh, okay. I guess I forgot."

Slowly he put her down. She found it so sweet that even while he was returning her to her feet he made sure that she was as comfortable as possible. She really didn't deserve him. Why did such an ugly beast like her have such a noble prince?

When she was back to the ground she unzipped her uniform. Pulling at her bra she reached in and grabbed Darling's communicator. It was warm to the touch. Hopefully Darling wouldn't mind.

When she looked up she saw that Darling was staring at her chest. The expression on his face was full of hungry passion. Her heart beat accelerated again. Darling liked her! Darling liked her!

Suddenly she felt the urge to tease him. "Darling, you're a pervert!" She cried in a singsong voice.

Oh, that face was priceless. It was a shame that she didn't have a picture if that; because she would have put it on her wall. Although now she felt kind of bad. He was spewing frantic apologies and he looked like he was about to cry due to shame.

Zipping her uniform she smiled and laughed. "Come on Darling lets go get breakfast!"

She grabbed his hand and skipped down the hall towards the main stairs.

They arrived in the mess hall a few moments later. Everyone else had already arrived but it seemed like it had only been a few seconds difference.

"Good morning you two," Ichigo said to her a moment later.

"M-Morning..." She said mechanically.

This Ichigo girl was a puzzler. At first, she had tried to separate Darling from her. But recently her attempts had seemed to have stopped. The girl had even struck up a conversation with her during the trip to the city. She had even praised her and told her to be herself.

Everyone outside of Darling had thought that she was a monster, and the only redeeming quality about her was that she was a useful tool. This Ichigo girl had obviously felt the same in the beginning, but recently she had changed her toon.

Maybe she deserved a second chance. This person was Darling's friend after all. As long as she kept an appropriate distance from her and Darling, maybe she could be allowed to step a little closer.

She looked over Ichigo's shoulder. Her partner Goro was standing in his usual position behind her. Another of Darling's friends. She gazed around the room at Squad 13. The squad was different from everyone else. They seemed to be more than just Papa obsessed freaks. Breathing in a deep breath she made the most difficult decision in her life.

Ichigo and Goro would be allowed to approach Darling under very intense scrutiny. One step out of line and she would wipe both of them out. As for the rest of the squad. They still needed to keep their distance, but maybe she could tone down her open hostility towards them.

The sound of Ichigo's voice cut through her consciousness as she finished her decision.

"Everybody I want to try something today," Ichigo said to the group. "Let's try putting the tables together and eating as one big group."

Ichigo turned and looked at her and Darling's clasped hands. It was when that she noticed that Ichigo was wearing a lime green hair clip that matched her eyes. Interesting, I wonder why she changed it. She had been wearing a white one when they met, but apparently, she had changed it to this one.

Ichigo's suggestion was an interesting one. Not that it effected her; she was going to eat with Darling regardless of the rules. But what caught her as interesting was that a squad leader was suggesting an action that would be disapproved of by Papa. This Ichigo was certainly an interesting bag of tricks, to say the least.

Ichigo's suggestion was met with some resistance, but after a few minutes discussion, most of the squad agreed. She watched in somewhat disbelief as the squad pushed the tables together. This was probably the boldest stunt she had ever seen against Papa.

When they were done they all took seats. Ichigo sat with Goro and the rest of the squad seemed to gravitate towards their partners as well. Kokoro was the only exception and she sat with Mitsuru, leaving Ikuno to sit with Futoshi.

Still somewhat stunned Darling lead her over to a pair of free chairs. Sitting down she watched as the squad began to eat. They didn't even bother with Papa's morning grace.

They were about half way though breakfast when Ichigo brought up a question. "I got a message from Nana saying that today we could have the day off. I was curious what you guy's thought we should do with our free day?"

The squad chatted for a few minutes, each proposing a different idea. Personally, she didn't care just as long as it involved Darling.

"I have an idea," Darling said suddenly. "There are serval lakes dotted around Mistilteinn's forest. So maybe we could all go swimming in one of them."

She could have kissed him. That was a wonderful suggestion. She had been itching to get him into the water with her. Darling must be some sort of wizard; because he had read her mind like an open book. She glanced over and eyed Darling's soft, firm lips. The urge to kiss him was so strong that she was already licking her lips in anticipation.

Sighing she contented herself with just staring at him. She had already subjected him to enough teasing. An evil grinning spread across her face. Well, at least for now.

The squad all readily agreed. It seemed like they were all eager to see these lakes because apparently none of them had ever seen them.

Ikuno brought up a problem with Darling's suggestion. Apparently, none of the squad had swim wear.

Not that it matters to her. She was perfectly comfortable swimming nude. Darling had already seen everything there was to see. During that fateful first meeting, Darling had walked in on her while she was swimming naked. She hadn't minded then and she defiantly wouldn't mind it now.

The thought of seeing a nude Darling was making her heart race. She would be able to see all those powerful muscles sculpted around that beautiful body. Her heart was accelerating even faster. S-She would be able to see the genitals that Darling had been poking her with this morning.

Ichigo, however, had news that ruined all her fun. Apparently, while she had been day dreaming, Ichigo had contacted Nana about the lack of swimwear. It seemed that they were now going to be provided with the necessary equipment. She was tempted to swim nude anyway. She had no shame about showing off her body to Darling. Darling was Darling he wasn't going to hurt her.

Although now that she thought about it maybe she should wear one. Darling seemed to get very nervous and apologetic whenever he saw a more intimate area of her body. She sighed. Fine, at least his sake she would wear one. She hoped they had a good selection. She needed to find the perfect one that Darling would like.

"Alright, so that's the plan," Ichigo called. "We will spend today at the lake. Nana says that swim suits will be in the bathroom's in an hour."

An hour later Zero Two was in the bathroom, a pile of discarded swimsuits already piled on the floor.

She just couldn't find the right one. None of them fit the perfection that was needed for Darling. Either they didn't show off enough skin, were the wrong color, or she simply didn't like the way they looked.

Argh, why was this so difficult. Why couldn't she find the perfect suit? She picked up a white one-piece with red highlights. Putting it on she looked at it in the mirror. No definitely not. It hid all her skin. Next, she grabbed a blue bikini. Nah, this was no good either. The color wasn't right.

"I don't think he'll care what you're wearing, as long as it's you." Called a voice.

Turning hurriedly she spotted Ichigo standing a little farther down. She had been so engrossed in her pursuit of the perfect suit that she hadn't noticed the girl.

Ichigo was standing in her undergarments so Zero Two could see her figure. Ichigo was shorter than her and nowhere near as curvy. Her chest and hips were small but even so, she couldn't deny that the girl had her own unique beauty.

"I know." She said, trying to keep her tone neutral. "But I care about it."

Ichigo chuckled. "You really do care about him don't you."

She did of course. There was nothing she wouldn't do for him. He was her whole universe. Everything revolved around him.

But this Ichigo girl didn't need to know that. In fact, it was something she hadn't even told Darling. She reminded herself to remedy that fact sooner rather than later.

"Of course." She said trying to think of an excuse. "He is my partner after all."

"Right..." Ichigo said unconvinced.

She needed to be careful around this girl. She was the kind of person who didn't miss much so it would be difficult to sneak lies around her. Maybe that was why she had been appointed as squad leader. Her astute attention to detail, careful planning, and the ability to think on her feet were definitely qualities that would make a great leader.

She watched as Ichigo's eyes scanned her whole body, before shifting to the rack of untested swimsuits. The girl seemed to be looking for something, and her lime green eyes evaluated each suit in turn.

Spotting what she was looking for she walked over to the rack, and pulled out a crimson red bikini.

"Try this." She said, holding it out to her.

Reluctantly she took the suit. She still hadn't decided on how she felt about this girl.

Remember you decided to give this girl a chance. She thought.

Cautiously she put it on; and was surprised to find that she actually liked this one. It showed enough skin and cleavage to be stimulating, but at the same time wasn't too kinky. She liked the way it hugged her body in just the right way to emphasize her natural curvy appearance. The color was spot on too. This deep crimson really suited her well.

It was then that she spotted the problem. The deep crimson was the same color as her horns, which meant that they stuck out like a soar thumb.

She grimaced in frustration, and unconsciously grabbed her horns. Why did these stupid things ruin everything for her! She had finally found the perfect suit but these stupid things had destroyed that. Again!

"Don't worry about your horns." Ichigo's voice said. "There what makes you unique."

That caught her by surprise. Was this girl really saying what she thought she said? Had she just praised her horns? Darling had been the only one to do that. But now there was this girl telling her it was okay for her to be different.

Ichigo smiled. As if she knew exactly what she was thinking. "Plus Hiro likes them too."

She knew that he did, but she still didn't like to believe it. "No, he doesn't." She said bitterly.

Ichigo laughed. "Y-Yes he does. In fact, he's probably obsessed with them."

"A-And how would you know that?" She said disbelievingly.

"Because he spends every free moment he can staring at you," Ichigo said as if stating a fact. "I guarantee that he was no problems with your horns."

The girl paused before continuing. "Look, I've known him for a long as I can remember. I know what he's feeling, and what he wants. I've never seen him more passionate about anyone before in my life."

"Really?" She was trying to keep the happiness out of her voice, but the attempt was a sorry one.

"Really," Ichigo said. The girl paused for another moment. "Zero Two your part of our squad now. I won't speak to your life before you came here, but know that at least now you have people you can help you."

She was speechless. Nobody outside of Darling had ever said such things to her. Here was this girl who had hated and feared her, now telling her that she had a place to belong. Was this girl really not afraid of her? Were there really people outside of Darling who weren't afraid of her?

"I... Ah...I..." She mumbled. "T-Thank you."

Ichigo smiled. "Just take care of Hiro and we'll be fine." She paused again before asking embarrassed. "Would you help me pick out a suit?"

"S-Sure." And going off her own experience. "Is there somebody you're trying to impress?"

Ichigo blushed a deep shade of crimson. "Mmmmmyy ppppartnerrr." She mumbled incoherently.

"Alright! One partner impressing suit coming up." She said, trying her bubbly tone for the first time on somebody who wasn't Darling.

Ichigo looked like she was going to explode. She looked like she had been dipped in red paint and embarrassed steam was practically coming out of her ears.

Zero Two bounded over to the rack. Grabbing one that looked suitable she turned to Ichigo. "How about this one."

The bikini was white with navy blue highlight. The suit was simple but elegant and the navy blue highlights matched Ichigo hair perfectly.

"That great!" Ichigo said relieved. She put it on and turned to get her approval. "How do I look?"

"Goro will love it." She said. Adding the name was a nice touch, so she was glad she had remembered it.

Ichigo looked like she was about to start combusting on the spot.

Just then the door to the girl's bathroom opened and the rest of the pistils filed in. All of them stared at Zero Two, each with a different expression. Kokoro looked jealously at Zero Two's body, probably wishing that she looked that good. Miku just looked surprised to see a mostly naked Zero Two for the first time. Ikuno gazed at her for a few moments, before smiling and nodding to herself, as if she was confirming one of her theories.

Zero Two let them all gaze for a moment before turning towards the door. It was time to go see Darling.

Hiro stood outside carry some swimming supplies. Picking a suit had been relatively easy so he had elected to wait for Zero Two outside.

His heart was already hammering in his chest at the thought of seeing Zero Two in a swim suit. She was the most beautiful thing that had ever graced his eyes. The thought of seeing her practically naked as already making his blood boil.

He heard the doors open and there she was. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief. How had Zero Two transformed herself into the purest expression of beauty?

She was gorgeous! He had to be the luckiest man in the world right now. Her body seemed to emulate elegant beauty. Her breasts looked so full, supple, and sat at the perfect size on her chest. His eyes followed her toned stomach down to her beautifully muscled thighs. His blood started flying through his veins at the speed of light. His eyes came to rest on the gap between her legs. Something about it was driving him crazy. He almost desperately wanted to get a closer look at what would be blooming from between her legs. During their first meeting, he had only caught a quick glimpse of that flower, but even that was enough to make him want more. It didn't help that this morning he had gotten a few tender prods and rubs with that most sacred of areas

The member between his legs was already standing like a soldier at attention. Pulsating with fiery blood.

This was extremely inconvenient. With his loss fitting suit, he was creating a mountain sized protrusion. Advertising to the whole world that he was excited and stimulated by the sight in front of him.

Luckily he had a bag full of towels that created a convenient shield. Placing it in front of him he waited with a nervous smile for his goddess to arrive.

"You ready Darling!" She said cheerfully bounding up to him.

"Y-Yeah." He laughed nervously. "But we should probably wait for the rest of the squad."

"Okay." She said happily. Wrapping her arm around his.

"Hey, which lake do you think we should go to?" He said casually.

She thought for a moment. "How bout that big one that wraps around that little hill with the crescent-shaped rock?"

"Alright, we'll go with that one." He said smiling. He wasn't surprised that she hadn't chosen their special lake. When they had come across the lake they had met at during their exploration of Mistilteinn; Zero Two had called it their special lake. He could defiantly understand why she didn't want to share that with the rest of the squad.

A few minutes later the rest of the squad arrived. Each wearing a swimsuit, and carrying bags of stuff for the lake.

He spotted Goro standing surreptitiously behind Ichigo, sneaking as many glances as he could at her body. Frankly, he wasn't surprised; he did the same exact thing with his partner.

The squad spent the next few minutes discussing the lakes and were the where located. Apparently, none of them had ever seen any of them before and wanted to know that they looked like.

"You'll see then you get there." He said answering a question proposed by Zorome.

Goro piped up with a suggestion. "Well, I think everyone is ready. Why don't the two of you show us the way?"

"Alright!" He said jovially. "Well if everyone's ready follow me."

They meandered through the forest for about an hour before they came across the area they were looking for. It had been relatively slow going for most of the trip because the squad had taken numerous breaks to admire Mistilteinn's forest. Apparently, none of them had ever adventured this far from the house, so all of this was completely new to them.

When they finally arrived at the lake the entire squad gasped. The water was crystal clear and its pristine beauty was more astonishing than anything they had ever seen. Little waves lapped up against the shore as a gently warm breeze blew across the clearing. The warm sun was high in the sky shining its brilliant rays down upon the squad.

Hiro was suddenly very glad that he had paid attention during APE's swimming course. It was about the only thing he was willing to thank Papa for. But right now that didn't matter. He was at the lake and was about to go swimming with a goddess.

"Come on Darling lets go!" Zero Two shouted running towards the water.

Hurriedly he threw the bag of towels on the beach and charged off after her. He crashed into the water and ran for a few feet, before diving in after her. The cool water sailed around his body, as he shot like a torpedo after Zero Two. He broke the surface and gasped in a breath of air, before swimming after his query.

Damn, she was fast! She glided through the water like a dolphin. He was trying his best to keep up but she was just to damn fast.

Finally, he decided to just watch her; so he stood up in the waist deep water. Suddenly she lept from the water and into the air. She twirled, flipping herself around before diving back into the water.

"What was impressive!" He said in astonishment.

Turning he looked over at the squad, who were just now starting to make their way towards the water. They had all seemed to have taken a little more time with their stuff then he did. Serval beach umbrellas were already in place, along with serval spread towels. Ikuno already appeared to be reading, while Miku and Kokoro were unpacking serval beach balls to play with. The boys had begun to charge towards the water, serval floats already in hand.

There was a loud splash as someone's foot broke the surface of the water behind him. He turned just in time to catch Zero Two as she leaped from the water at him. They embraced as the force of Zero Two's leap sent them crashing back into the water.

Separating they shot back up to the surface gasping for air. They gazed at each other as their labored breathing punched the air around them.

"Y-Your a r-really amazing swimmer!" He exclaimed, a few moments later.

"N-Not really." She said, waving away his praise.

"Yes, you are!" He insisted. "I wish I could do that leaping thing. You looked so majestic!"

"Alright, let's try it then!" She stated.

"Try what?"

"The leaping out of the water. I'm going to teach you how to do it."

He had some serious misgivings about this. Zero Two was an amazing person and was capable of astounding things. She was, however, more than a mere human. It was because she was so different that he loved her as much as he did. Even in the short time that they had known each other, he had fallen in love with her. She had become the center of his universe, and there was nothing he wouldn't do for her. He wished he could be more like her. She had been alone all her life and was the only klaxo-hyprid in existence. If only there was some way he could be more like her. Even if it was just him, at least then she wouldn't be the only one. Unfortunately, for now, there was nothing he could do about it. He could wish all he wanted, but that didn't mean he could look or preform in the same way she did.

"O-Okay." He said hesitantly. Even if he couldn't do it; he owned it to her to try.

She smiled. "Don't worry you'll be fine. I know you can do it."

She wadded over to him and began touching the muscles that she wanted him to use. He, however, was finding it very difficult to pay attention to what she was saying. Her swim suit was very revealing, which meant that she was showing almost all of her gorgeous body to him. It was difficult not to drink in her elegant curves and toned body. He gazed almost hungrily at her breasts. Those beautiful mounds were so perfect, and they seemed like they would fit perfectly in his hands.

Her crown, however, is what he found the most beautiful. Those ruby red protrusions were the most beautiful things in the world. The whole universe seemed to be contained in each facet of there crystalline depths. Even if everyone else hated them; he would always love them.

Gulping nervously as he fought to keep his mind on her instructions and not on her body and horns.

"Alright so heres what I want you to do." She said, lightly running her fingers over his muscles. "Just beyond this point, the water becomes significantly deeper. When you get there I want you to dive down serval feet below the surface." She began touching the muscles on his legs. "Then reorient yourself towards the surface. Once you've done that start kicking with all your might so that you accelerate as you get closer to the surface. If everything is done right you should shoot out of the water."

Hiro felt like his brain was going to explode. How was he supposed to remember all that?

"O-Okay." He said dazed.

"Not worry, I know you can do it!" She consoled, and with that, she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. He watched in horror as a wicked smile crossed her face. "Now go! She yelled happily, before shoving him forward.

Stumbling into a dive he swam through the water. When he was finally above the drop-off he stopped, and treaded water while looking down into its foreboding depths.

"Let's hope this works." He muttered.

Taking a deep breath the plunged down into the watery depths. The water around him was getting colder and colder as he dived. The contrast between the temperatures at the surface and down here was night and day.

When he felt like he had dived far enough, he oriented himself back towards the surface. The light from the sun streamed through the water illuminating the warm area above him.

With a spur of inspiration, he began to pump his legs with all his might. He was accelerating faster and faster as he soared towards the surface. With superhuman force, he launched himself from the water and flew into the air.

The world took on a new perspective, as he sailed through the air. Zero Two was smiling up at him and he could see the stunned looks of the rest of the squad. He had done it! He had done everything that Zero Two hand said and he had done it! Her smiling face was below him, and he couldn't have asked for a better reward.

His euphoria was short lived however as his accent slowed. He crawled to the zenith of his arch before slowly beginning his turn down. The water far below him now looked a lot harsher than a moment ago.

"This is not going to end well." He muttered.

He had managed to get up here; but now that he was, he realized that he didn't know he to get down.

Well, gravity did the job for him. He flayed helplessly as he plummeted towards the surface. Those warm inviting waters didn't look so cozy anymore. With a panicked yell, he hit the water with a colossal splash. The waves from his impact rippled across the surface of the water.

Luckily he had landed closer to the start of the drop-off. Painfully he took a few strokes forward so he was able to stand up. Groaning painfully he took stock of his surroundings. The squad's laughter rang across they water to his ears. Apparently, his fall had looked pretty hilarious because they sounded quite winded.

Suddenly somebody grabbed his arm and he heard a panicked voice. "Darling! Darling! Are you alright!?"

He shook himself and looked over to find Zero Two already by his side. "Yeah, I'm fine." He said painfully. "More winded than anything else."

Zero Two looked over at the squad. "Jerks." She muttered

Hiro neglected to comment. He could see why it would be funny to watch him sail triumphantly through the air, only to comically plummet back towards the water. Heck, he would probably laugh at it if he saw it. On the other hand, the impact of him hitting the water really hurt, so a less forgiving part of him agreed with her.

Taking his hand she began to lead him out of sight of the rest of the squad. Up ahead the lake wrapped around a small hill concealing a hidden cove.

I wonder why she's going there. He thought.

Zero Two today had been very clingy. If this was going to go in the way he thought, then this would be the third time before lunch that she huddled close to him. Not that he really minded. He had been alone and helpless his whole life. It was true that the squad had always been there and Naomi had been his partner, but none of them had understood what it felt like. While the rest of the squad learned how to pilot a FRANXX and grew closer to one another; he had always been isolated. Every time he tried piloting with somebody it failed. Naomi had been the only person that had sometimes worked. But even then, piloting with her had always felt foreign and invasive. Nobody had or could understand him. Part of him had always been missing, and without it he was alone.

Maybe that was why he got along with Zero Two so well. She had always been alone too; nobody had ever been there for her. For what he had gathered and inferred, she had probably been passed around and used like some sort of animal. But that all stopped because now they had each other. From the moment he met her, he had been bonded to her. She could understand how he felt, and she was somebody he could pilot with.

In truth, he wasn't complete without her. He had friends and comrades in Squad 13, but with Zero Two it was different. She was his partner. She was the girl he loved. And together they made a pair.

They arrived in the cove a few minutes later. The water here was warmer and the cove was shielded from the breeze. A large crescent shaped rock stood in the shallow water. The area was very pleasant but kind of small. Hiro hoped that nobody would come an investigate were they went because there was no place to hide if that became necessary.

They walked around the cove still holding hands. There really wasn't a reason for it, other than to just be together. They talked pleasantly as they made their way around, circling back towards the crescent shaped rock.

Zero Two was acting kind of odd. She was walking in a slightly exaggerated way, her hips swaying seductively back and forth. Also although out their walk she had been playing with her lips. Whenever he looked over she was either flexing them, licking them, or bitting gently with her teeth. Her horns also seemed like something was arousing them too. They seemed to be dimly glowing with crimson radiance.

When the finally meandered their way over to the rock they stood inside the crescent. The water here was warm but clean. The water was just still enough that the suns rays heated its temperature, but at the same time water circulated enough for it to remain clean.

Turning they stood and stared at each other. Something was defiantly off about her. Her pupils were all dilated, as her eyes were darting all over his body. The rise and fall of her chest was accompanied by the sound of labored breathing. On top of it all, she kept shifting back and forth so that her thighs rubbed together.

Suddenly a stimulating smell aroused his nose. It complexities made his blood boil and he wanted to fall into the euphoria of his arousal. Something about this strange pheromone was driving him nuts! His mouth began to water, and all his blood felt like it was rushing to between his legs. He shuddered in excitement, almost as if trying to feebly regain control of himself. A second later Zero Two did the same thing, but hers was accompanied by an almost inaudible moan.

Almost as if compelled by some divine force they walked towards each other, their eyes never breaking contact. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled so that their bodies were mashed together as one. Her arms inclosed themselves around his head feverishly trying to pull him closer to her.

Serval minutes of tender kissing ensued; each gauging the arousal of the other pair. The air around them was full of their stimuli, ensuring that each breath contributed to their passion filled obsession. Their aroused sweat mingled together, coating each other in the essence of the other.

Their lips broke apart, and they panted in gasps of aroused air. Her green eyes sparkled, and they seemed to be trying to beam all her passion into him. He could stare at them forever and just watch as they shifted and moved.

Zero Two had other ideas. Suddenly she launched forward, driving their mouths together once more. Her tongue shot into his mouth, desperately trying to intertwine with its pair. He responded with equal enthusiasm licking and prodding, desperately trying to harvest the essence of her mouth. Gathering as much as he could, he gulped her saliva and made it apart of him. He did this serval more times, drinking in the essence of her mouth.

They broke apart, desperately dragging in the air that they had neglected to breathe. When he had finally regained enough oxygen to function he switched targets. He leaned down and placed his tongue between her breasts. She moaned in excitement. Grinning he licked his way up her chest. The taste of her on his tongue was exhilarating, her sweet salty sweat was like candy. She moaned and tremble under against him, her whole body engrossed in his hungry desire.

Suddenly she jumped and her legs wrapped around his waist, and her arms clung to his shoulders. He grabbed her toned thighs, supporting her weight so that she was free of the burden of hanging on.

The place between her legs nuzzled itself against his own excitement, and he felt its light contractions even through their suits. An animalistic feeling washed over him and he drove her back against the wall of rock. They moaned into each other as their bodies mashed together.

He felt the gyrating of her hips as she ground her most sensitive of areas against his member. He grunted in animalistic pleasure as the feeling of her erect lower lips tried to suck him through their suits. The need to sheath himself within her was starting to turn into desperation. He grunted in pleasure as the feeling of her lips under the suit touched his tip.

Zero Two was trembling and spasming uncontrollably against him. Her arms and legs were squeezing him to her out of desperation, as she continued to grind herself against him.

A feeling was building in his balls, and something felt like it was going to explode out of him. Something within him wanted to be released from his body, and become a part of Zero Two.

Zero Two's moans turned into cries of pleasure and she lost all control of her shaking.

"Darling! Darling! Darling!" She gasped desperately.

All of a sudden her arms and legs contracted vice like around him. With a cry of exhilaration something warm and wet burst from her, soaking both their pelvises with its essence. She moaned and gasp against him as her body went completely limp.

He tried to hold her to him, to feel the spurts of her essence that were still escaping from her. But the attempt was futile. He was just too exhausted to hold all her weight on his own. Gently he let her down onto her own two feet. She leaned against him doing her best to stay upright. She appeared to be so lost in her afterglow that she was having trouble standing. He held her to him, just letting her absorb her pleasure until she could regain control of herself.

Finally, after serval long tender minutes, she looked up. "T-That was amazing." She panted, still looking dazed.

"I know." He said equally as breathless. "Nothing like this has ever happened to me before."

He looked down towards were the source of their passion had originated. Her wetness had soaked both their suits, and little droplets of fluid were still dripping from between her legs, creating little ripples in the water. He smiled. For some reason, he took immense pleasure in the fact that he had caused Zero Two so much pleasure that something had come out of her. It was a hard feeling to describe. He liked the idea that, they were so comfortable with each other that their bodies were allowing them to experience things that they had never felt before.

He remembered his own feelings. The feeling of wanting to make himself apart of Zero Two. The feeling of something stirring within him that wanted to take root and grow within her. Something about this whole experience felt primal. Like this was something that they were meant to do. To come together as partners and create something.

"Darling, please stop staring at me, its embarrassing." She mumbled.

He looked up. "Why? I think its kind of cool."

Zero Two's face was one giant red blush. "I don't know. It's just that something came out of me and now you're covered in it." Suddenly she grabbed his hand and begged. "Please, Please forget about this! I'm really sorry Darling! I really am! I didn't mean to do this I promise!"

He laughed. Here she was worrying that he might find it weird, while he was sitting here wondering when they could do this again.

"Don't laugh at me." She said embarrassed. "You're really disgusted by what I just did, you just don't want to tell me."

He picked her up and twirled her in the air. Mere words couldn't express the excitement and passion that had just kindled within him.

Setting her down he looked into her eyes. "Maybe you should ask what I think, before coming to your own conclusion." He said.

"I don't need to, I already know." She said not meeting his gaze.

He pulled her close and whispered in her ear. "If that were the case, then you know that it was the coolest thing I have every felt."

"R-Really?" She choked into his ear.

He pulled away to look her in the eye. "Really."

Tears were starting to form at the corners of her eyes. He thought that maybe he should add on to the effect, but decided to tease her a little first.

"Actually I lied." He said joking.

Her face fell in an instant and horror was starting to creep its way onto her face.

"This is number two. Your horns win out on the scale of awesomeness. They're just too beautiful to be replaced by your stimulating juices."

It took her serval long seconds to process what he had just said. He watched with a smile; almost hearing her mind work overtime.

When she finally figured it out her lip started to tremble. "D-Darling." She choked.

Just then a cry and loud shouting rent the air. Somebody was yelling furiously while somebody else defended their innocence stoically.

They both started in surprise. Just then Hiro realized that the rest of the squad was still here, and might start getting suspicious of where they went. He looked over at Zero Two. Her mind was obviously thinking along the same lines.

In unison, they both started running towards the hill back to the bay that contained the rest of the squad. They dived into the water and began swimming hurriedly back around the bend. The juices of Zero Two's passion washed away as they propelled themselves back to the squad.

They arrived out of breath back on the beach a few minutes later. Miku was yelling furiously at Zorome while he defended himself with equal vigor. The rest of the squad just stood watching. Apparently, none of them wanted to have Miku's wraith turned a pawn them, so they stayed out of her way.

Goro gave Hiro a suspicious look as he approached. He for his part decided to ignore it. What he and Zero Two did when they were alone was their business, not anybody else's.

So instead he decided to pay attention to the argument. After a few minutes of intelligence gathering, it sounding as though during a game, Zorome had tripped and somehow torn off Miku's bikini bottoms. Apparently, he had gazed mesmerized at her and had only looked away after he had regained control of himself. Although Miku made it sound like he had done it on purpose and only stopped violating her when she had yelled at him.

"Look it was an accident okay! I didn't mean to grab your bikini, I tripped!" Zorome yelled for what sounded like probable the hundredth time.

"Liar! You wanted to see me naked! So you took your chance and showed me off for your own pleasure!"

"I did not!" Zorome raged. "IT! WAS! AN! ACCIDENT!"

"Yeah right!" Miku screamed. "Then why did you stare at me so long!?"

Something that was probably unintended for her ears burst from his mouth. "You're really cute! When I saw you I just couldn't keep myself from looking!"

Miku face blushed such a deep red that her hair looked white by contrast. "Whaaaaaaa!"

Hiro had enough and decided to walk away. Zero Two caught up with him and they walked hand in hand down the beach.

For now, it was just small expressions of intimacy. The dance of passion was a long one, few can commit what is really necessary to create an eternal bond. But if a pair was really willing to dance, then the climax of their passion will result in a sacred contract, bound in flesh and blood.

Authors note:

Thank you for reading Chapter 7 of The Jian Bird.

I would like to apologize for the delay. I have spent the last two weeks visiting family which severally delayed this chapters completion. Between traveling and visiting it was hard to find time to write.

Anyway back to the story. Back in chapter one, I posed the question of whether or not you guys wanted a lemon chapter. The answer was yes, but if you have any objections then let me know if your opinions have changed. I guess one question I do have is this. When describing certain actions or feelings, I am trying to do it from the point of view and knowledge of the character feeling it. Which means that certain words that they wouldn't know aren't being used. The question I have is would you rather me ditch the immersion and use words that we the audience would know or stick with the more in universe explanations?

The next chapter should be out in another week.

Stay tuned for chapter 8 of The Jian Bird: Logos and Maya