Something, a human, grabbed onto my shoulder. Naturally, my demon blood and years of experience exploded and I took hold of my sword. I tackled my captor to the ground, straddling their chest and using my knees to pin down his wrists. With my hands, I held the blade of my sword to their neck.

"I warned you," I heard someone say, as my hearing adjusted to the sudden motion. "Snap out of it!"

It was Zero. Zero was talking to me, he was besides me and we were safe. Closing my eyes, I sheathed my sword and let out a sigh. When I opened my eyes again, I noticed that I was still sitting on top of a panicked James. When I stood, I offered my hand to him.

"Sorry about that," I mumbled. "Didn't Zero warn you?"

"I did," Zero chimed in, "he just didn't listen."

I've been a mercenary for about eight years, since I was twelve. After a while, my natural response to being grabbed in my sleep, by anyone besides Zero, was to attack.

"Don't try that again," I warned, serious now. "I might accidentally kill you."

Thanks to a good nights sleep, the gash in my back had nearly healed. That and my Angel and Demon blood.

"We're heading out again," Peter said, walking away.

"What about food?" I asked.

"We already ate."

"I didn't eat. Why did you wake me up sooner?"

"Zero told us not to."

I glared at him and he gave me a toothy grin.

"Fine," I said, even if my stomach disagreed.

We walked over to the cart, only to notice the two horses that had been pulling earlier were gone.

"We were robbed," Luke muttered in disbelief.

"No shit, dip shit," I commented.

"We don't have to money to buy new horses," I heard Peter mumbled.

Looking to Zero, I smiled my devilish grin.

"Zero can pull," I said.

"What?" Zero cried, loosing his smile.

"Zero, I don't wanna hear any complaints from you. You're strong enough to to send that thing flying and you could easily walk without even noticing it."

"I guess," he mumbled in defeat.

Luckily for us, the robbers left the ropes. Using an easy method, Peter, Luke, and I tied them around Zero in a way that could easily be removed. Though, we left off all mouth pieces. I left them off because I figured it'd be uncomfortable. Peter and Luke left them off to avoid any contact with Zero's mouth. Smart humans.

"How does it feel?" Peter asked. "Any chaffing?"

Lifting up his legs and walking a few steps, Zero shook his head. The rest of us, besides Luke who, apparently, was a guide, of sorts, took a seat in the back.

Without a word, Zero moved forward, slowly at first, and then gaining speed. Luke climbed into the back with us and took a seat.

"Let me take a look at your back," Jessica said.

Noticing Luke's glance, I shook my head. "Don't worry about it. It's mostly healed."

"Yeah, right. Just lay down and let me see."

Rolling my eyes, I took a blanket from the corner. Noticing that there was no room to lay, I held the blanket over my breasts. Jessica helped me remove my shirt and I heard a few gasps, then a calloused hand rested on my shoulder, making me shiver. When I turned, I noticed it was Peter. He traced a gentle line across my back before removing his hand.

"Minus the scar," he said, "it's healed."

"I told you so."

"That's amazing!" James announced in childlike awe.

I pulled my shirt back on and moved the blanket.

"Since I'm already healed, we'll get out of your hair at the next town."

They nodded, a hint of disappointment in a few of their faces.

"Why don't I tell you a little more about the Demons and the Angels then," I suggested, hoping to lighten the mood. Apparently, it worked. The mood lightened immediately. "Well, I guess I'll tell you about more recent history, then."

"Terra, the Demon Queen, and Michael, the Angel King, had been at war for thousands of years. Earth was the battleground, the only place between Heaven and Hell. Humans, Angels, and Demons all suffered countless casualties, though the humans, the weakest species, suffered the worst.

"Anyway, after all that war, a peace treaty was made between Michael and Terra. As a sign of peace, they were married and Heaven and Hell were united. As a result of the marriage, two daughters were born between them, the first known hybrids. First, was a girl whose wings were as leathery as a Demons but, they were pure white like an Angels. She sprouted horns atop her head. She was the purest Demon.

"Next was a girl with darker features. She was born with a pair of feathery Angels wings, but they were tainted with black. She was the tainted Angel.

"The Demons and the Angels weren't welcoming to the couple, but peace lasted. That is, until the humans came. They invaded, killing off the Angels and the Demons, even the King and Queen. They said it was in the name of justice, saying that the Angels and Demons had it coming."

"What happened to the princesses?" James asked, cutting me off from my chain of though.

With a small smirk, I turned to him, and said, "No one knows." Thinking for a second, I asked, "Have you really never heard that story?"

"Almost no one knows what happened. That history's hard to come by," Peter answered. "How'd you learn it?"

"Well," I said, coming up with an excuse, "as you can tell from my name, my parents were 'friends', I guess you could say, with a few Demons. They knew a lot and thought me."

"Where'd you and Zero meet?" Luke asked, surprising me.

"Childhood friends," I said. It's not like it was a lie or anything.

"Akira," Peter said, catching my attention. "What are your plans after you leave?"

Plans? I didn't really have any. I spent most of my time wandering around, looking for Demons or Angels who'd join me. I'd found a few, but not enough.

"I don't have any."

"Why don't you stay with us?"

I nearly chocked. I stared at him, completely shocked by what he'd just suggested.

Breathing in, I took the biggest gamble of my life. Actually, I may have just shortened my life span. Oh, wait, I'm immortal, for the most part. "If none of you have a problem with it, I guess it wouldn't hurt to stick around for a while."

With a smile, they all slapped me on the back in welcome. Weird human customs.

You know, I didn't trust humans; too much betrayal. But, maybe being betrayed by these guys wouldn't be so bad. Besides, I could use some company. Not that Zero was bad company just...you get what I mean.