Mayhem meant to go to his own rooms, he really did. But, somehow, his footsteps led him up to the third floor. Deciding to go with it, he knocked on her door.

Chaos answered the door. He noticed the tear streaks down her cheeks and wasn't going to say anything. However, Chaos threw herself into his arms, sobbing quietly. Mayhem was at a complete lost.

"Um...Chaos?" he tried weakly. When the girl didn't respond, he awkwardly stroked her hair. After several minutes of crying, Chaos pulled away. She looked up at him sheepishly.

"I'm sorry. I...I...don't know what came over me."

"Hey, don't worry about it. I might have cried myself after my first. I know Dee bawled like a baby. Don't worry about it." He said soothingly.

"Well, at least, come in the door so I don't cry in the hallway." She told him. He did as he was told, closing the door behind him.

Mayhem watched her walk to the center of the room. With three strides of his own he was behind her, pulling her towards him before he even realized what he was doing. She tilted her head to meet him.

His kiss was hungry, his mouth hot on hers. She lifted her arms to his neck, letting her fingers tease the strands of dark hair that rested on his neck. His arms tightened around her as he tried to pull her closer to him.

The kiss ended, and Chaos stood there and watched him. He reached up and brushed the moisture from her cheek.

"Are you going to be okay?" he asked, "Maybe you should go to bed and get some sleep."

"Are you coming with me?" she asked, with the touch of a smile.

"If I come with you, you aren't going to get much sleep." He told her, responding with a smile of his own.

"I know."

Nemesis decided early in the morning that he was going to go to Market. He didn't really care for the place, but he wanted to pick up several things that were cheaply sold there. He was cutting through the garden when he saw something he wished he hadn't. High Lord Errian, who had been a thorn in Nemesis's side for as long as he could remember, stood in the garden. He looked at his old enemy and found that he really didn't feel the old hatred he used to.

"Well, if it isn't the retired Nemesis." A voice hissed at him. Nemesis wanted to ignore him, and kept silent. He stepped aside and moved to walk around him. Errian stepped into his path, demanding Nemesis's attention.

"If you will excuse me, My Lord." Nemesis said blandly. Errian looked at him.

"You have something, don't you?"

"I don't understand what you are saying."

"I think you do. I've destroyed everything you've ever worked to have, and you dismiss me so easily?" Errian's gaze narrowed as he studied Nemesis. Nemesis smiled at him as he slid around past him. He was continuing to walk down the path when something made him stop and face his old enemy.

"Oh, I have always wanted to ask. What is it that drives you try to take everything from me?"

"Don't pretend you don't know."

"But, I don't." Nemesis told him. Errian studied him, contemplating.

"Maybe you don't." Errian paused dramatically. Nemesis was tempted to walk away but something held him there. "Before you became Nemesis, your name was Ryven-wasn't it? Do you even know your mother's name?"

"That was a long time ago. And it is not something I will share with you." Nemesis shrugged, trying not to let any emotion show.

"It was Yinthilla, and you damn well know it. I know all about you. I heard about it when I was growing up. Ryven, the one my father lost."

"What are you saying? You are not making any sense."

"You are my father's bastard. He wanted you, but your mother had dumped you in that orphanage before he could find you. By the time he tracked you down, you were already entering training." Errian told him. Nemesis felt cold. Nothing could have torn him away from what the younger man said. Errian continued, "He used to get drunk and complain that I would never be able to replace what he had lost. I grew up knowing that if he had ever tracked you down, I would have been dumped out with nothing. Nothing. But, he never lived long enough to get you out of training, did he? He left me with the orders that I should assist you with whatever you needed."

"You son of a bitch. Nothing that comes out of your mouth is the truth. You know nothing about me, or my life. Get away from me." Nemesis turned and walked away from him. He could hear the Errian's laughter behind him.

"I will destroy everything you hold dear, Ryven. I will see your life ruined because of me! Do you hear me! I will find what is making you happy now and tear it away from you!" Errian called to the retreating back.

Nemesis's world seemed covered in a red haze. He felt his anger swell up inside of him, destroying all logical thought. All he could see was Errian standing there, taunting him. He snapped. In a blur of moments, he wasn't aware of how is hands ended up around Eriian's throat.

Finding his hands there, he squeezed. He watched Errian's face contort in surprise and felt his hands clutch at his. It was glorious.

Then, just as suddenly it was over. Nemesis stood back, held back by several sets of arms. He couldn't pull his gaze off of Errian, who now sat on the ground, looking dazed.

"Sir?" a voice he didn't recognize called. He pulled his gaze off of his enemy and looked at one of the men holding him. From the ground, Errian coughed uneasily and pushed himself up.

"You'll pay for this, Nemesis." He taunted. The choking seemed to have robbed him of some of his anger. He hurried off, still rubbing at his neck. Nemesis watched him go.

"Sir, are you all right now?" the voice asked tenativly.

"I won't chase him down." Nemesis assured him. The arms dropped, and Nemesis stood for a second longer to regain control. He turned to face the two who held him back. He was slightly surprised to see that they were only trainees.

"I owe you my thanks. I lost my temper for a moment." Nemesis told the pair, trying to get past the awkward moment. The pair didn't know what to say, so they opted for silence. Nemesis cleared his throat, "What's your names?"

"I'm Burin and this is Melcit." The shorter one told him. He looked at Nemesis calmly. Nemesis was taken back by the maturity that seemed to pour out of Burin's eyes.

"I am called Nemesis, and I will not forget what you have done for me today." He told them. With a nod to himself, Nemesis left them there, choosing a different path then the one Errian followed.

Nemesis didn't go to Market. He wandered around the city aimlessly, turning over and over what Errian had said. He found himself in a part of Krynica he hadn't visited for years. He stopped before an abandoned house. The door hung open on its hinges, the windows were all broken out by children with rocks. He went up the rickety steps into the tiny shop that used to hold an assortment of weapons. He looked around, allowing the memories to wash over him. In his mind, he could still see the woman he had loved and his son, instead of the tumbled down ruin that surrounded him. He sank down to the floor with his back to the wall. Resting his head against the wall, he lost himself in memories.

Mind if I join you?" a voice broke in. Nemesis lifted his head off of his arms and looked up to see Thanatos standing before him.

"Did you come all the way down here to scold me?" Nemesis asked.

"No, but I thought you would want to talk about it." Thanatos walked to the center of the room, looking around. He looked back at Nemesis, "This was the weapons shop, right?"

"Yes. And you know it. You were here the first day with me." Nemesis snapped irritably. Thanatos ignored the irritation in his friend's voice.

"You still come here after all these years?" Thanatos asked.

"I come here when I want to remember her. Her memory seems stronger here." Nemesis admitted.

"I thought you would have..." Thanatos voice trailed off.

"Forgotten Hinthinia?" Nemesis sounded shocked, "Everyday, I fell the pain of their deaths, Than. And today, I could have killed Errian. I wanted to. I still want to."

"You can't Nem. I'd have to have you executed for killing outside of orders." Than told his friend seriously.

"Does it matter?" Nem asked bitterly.

"I'll ask Chaos what she thinks."

"I guess she would be upset with me. Maybe I'll put off killing him until you can find me a reason to." Nemesis told him.

"I'm still looking." Thanatos told him seriously, "How is the rest of the house?"

"Falling apart. Everything has been stolen that hasn't been nailed down, so it is empty." Nemesis pushed himself off the floor and went to the small door that linked the shop to the house. It hung on its hinges, protesting loudly when Nemesis pushed it out of his way. Thanatos followed him silently.

The summons came around noon. Mayhem had risen before Chaos and answered her door quickly to keep from waking her. The page handed him the summons. He cursed, but headed back to her bed. He settled himself on the edge, looking down at where she lay sleeping. One hand rested beneath her cheek, giving her a younger look.

"Caz?" he whispered. She frowned and muttered something under her breath.

"Caz, come on, sweetheart, we got summons" he told her quietly. One eye opened and she looked at him.

"Summons again? Didn't we just get them?" she muttered.

"Good morning to you, too." He told her with a smile. She rolled over and stuck her tongue out at him. His smile widened, "Don't tempt me, we have to go meet Thanatos."

With a sigh, she rolled out of bed and tracked down a clean uniform. She washed up using the pitcher and basin that sat on her chest of drawers. Braiding her hair into its long plaits, she turned back to face Mayhem.

"Fine, let's get this over with."

Fury looked smug as he let them in to Thanatos office. Chaos didn't really like the look on his face. They went in and faced a somber Thanatos.

"Good work last night. However, you have been tagged."

"What?" cried Mayhem in disbelief. "I was watching myself, no one could have seen us."

"That doesn't matter. We wanted the work to be known as Shadows, however, someone has blamed you, specifically. Now, I have been a meeting with your accuser and the King and they know it was you. So, I have to get you out of here before any stricter actions can be taken."

"Exile?" Mayhem interrupted again.

"Exile. The pair of you will be going away."

"Nungia?" Mayhem asked, sounding almost resigned.

"If you want. You can go anywhere that isn't Anganoc or part of her territory."

"Nungia? I don't speak the language!" Chaos interrupted this time.

"You don't have to go there, Chaos. Not if you don't want to. You can go back to Nami if you really wished, I will find you when I need you." He told her, " I want you on the road by this evening. Don't sneak, let anyone who is watching see the pair of you heading out. I will send for you when you can come home. Mayhem, you can tell Chaos what you usually do when I send you up there. Be careful and stay out of trouble."

"Will this be a long stay?" Mayhem ventured to ask.

"Yes, I don't know how soon this will blow over. You did a good job last night, I think there is more to this then what is being said. Now, go pack. You need to be on the road as soon as possible." Thanatos waved them out of his office hurriedly.

Chaos walked back out of the office, followed by Mayhem. He seemed lost in his own thoughts. He was silent until they reached the hallway.

"Are you really going back to Nami?" he asked. She turned to look at him.

"I was thinking about it. I don't know if my aunt survived the slavers attack, maybe I can find her." She thought about it for a moment, "You know, if I find her, she's going to want to rebuild the clan. I could use some help with that."

Mayhem considered this for a moment, "Well, I've already seen Nungia. I've no desire to have an extended stay there. And, hell, we are partners- I can't leave you when you might need me."

Chaos grinned, "Want to come to the Plains with me?"

Chaos packed very light. She picked up Sifyi and cuddled him to her chest. Tears leaked out of her eyes and down her cheeks as she held him tightly. Sifyi used one paw to touch her cheek.

What is this that makes you sad? He asked in her mind.

I have to go away again. This makes me so told him.

Why is this different from the rest of the times you leave? You don't get sad then Sifyi pointed out. Tearfully she smiled down at hi m.

This will be a longer trip, Sifyi. Will you watch Nemesis for me?:She asked.

The old one? Of course. He feeds me sausages. The cat told her. Chaos grabbed her pack and headed out of the door, still holding the cat. She turned back, looking over the room that had been hers. She shut the door quietly behind her and headed toward Nemesis's room.

She almost started to cry again when she found that Nemesis wasn't in his room. She dropped Sifyi onto the table and went off in search of paper to leave a note. She kept the note short, not noticing the tears that fell onto the page. She left it on the table and patted Sifyi on the head.

She was getting Quitnis ready to travel when Mayhem met up with her. Pulling her into his arms he allowed her to cry for several minutes. She held onto him like she was going to be torn away. After several minutes of sniffling, she pulled back and looked up at him. He kissed her gently on the forehead.

"We'll come back." He told her quietly. She didn't say anything, but offered him a weak smile.

When the pair led their horses outside and mounted, she took a last look at the Shadows building.

"I feel like I'll never see it again." She said mournfully.

"Don't be such a pessimist, Caz. We'll be back." He repeated confidently, "Thanatos won't leave us to rot."

I hope we get a chance to run today. The sun is nice and feel the wind Quintis told her. She leaned over and patted the horse's neck.

"Let's head south." She said, squaring her shoulders and nudging Quintis forward.