Sizer stared morosely up at Pandora's encased body. Her mother hovered serenely above her, like a guardian angel. However, this angel could do little to bestow comfort upon her daughter. Sizer shook her head bitterly. "Where is your warm embrace, mother?" the girl thought. "Where is the motherly protection I've seen portrayed again and again. Mothers give their lives for their daughters, but you, you didn't even want to spend yours with me. Hamel," Sizer spat out her older brothers name with disgust, 'he was the one worthy of your protection wasn't he."

"Sizer-sama," A gentle voice called from the doorway.

The blonde angel turned to see her second in command hovering timidly by the doorway. Sizer cocked her head to indicate she had heard. If she was surprised to see Ocarina in her humanoid form, she didn't show it.

"Sizer-sama," Ocarina repeated, "If Bass-sama find you here again, you'll be punished."

Sizer snorted, "Ah yes," She murmured in a mocking tone, her eyes never leaving Pandora. "I mustn't provoke Hell's number one, must I."

Ocarina took a timid step into the room, determined to spare her ward further pain at the hands of Bass. "He's still upset with you over your attack on Drum. I'm sure he's just waiting for another reason to discipline you."

Sizer just laughed, "Ocarina, do you really think I care a flip what that little wrinkled head thinks. I'll fight who ever the hell I choose to and I'll come here to look at that icy bitch whenever I want! You can tell his mightiness that it's my inspiration to kill all those foolish meddling humans for him." Sizer inhaled sharply as she tightened her hands around her scythe, "If I can't keep this hatred I . .." Sizer's shoulders began to shake prompting Ocarina to run toward the lonely angel. Without thought of the consequences, Ocarina wrapped her arms around Sizer, holding her charge in a tight, warm embrace.

"I'm sorry," Ocarina whispered, "I can tend all your wounds but this one."

Sizer lay trembling in Ocarina's arms, refusing to allow herself the luxery of tears.

"You're not my mother," Sizer whispered harshly. The blue haired woman ran her fingers soothingly along Sizer's wing's, trying to help clam the girl. The Hawk King continued to lay huddled against Ocarina, her face pressed against her companions shoulder.

"Sizer-sama," Ocarina whispered tightly, "you're right, I'm not really your mother, and so, I can't give you a mother's gentleness, but I can . . " The mazoku trailed off losing the courage she needed for her proposal. The hawk mazoku had been aware for a long while how she truly felt about Sizer. The angel was beautiful, but more than that the intelligent woman possessed a pure soul. Though it normally lay buried beneath pain and hatred, whenever Ocarina could see a glimpse of the person Sizer truly was, she fell in love all over again and renewed her vows to one day help her angel escape this hell.

Sizer looked up at her guardian, her red eyes filled with curiosity. Ocarina looked down for a moment, then leaned forward and brushed her lips against Sizer's. Sizer jerked in surprise but as Ocarina's arms pulled her closer into the warm embrace, Sizer let herself give in.

Later that night, Ocarina watched as her angel sharpened her scythe, preparing for another battle.

"Should I have the troops stand by?" she asked,

"No," Sizer answered icily "I can handle this alone."

Ocarina reached out and took Sizer's hand, "Sizer-sama, you, you won't always be alone." the blonde paused, becoming completely still for a moment. The, she gifted her second with the barest of smiles. "Will you come with me then, like you used to?"

Ocarina smiled and bowed, "Whenever you need me" She murmured, then changed to her bird form and landed deftly atop Sizer's blood red shoulder plating. The small bird felt Sizer stroke her soft feathers gently, then remove her hand with a sigh. ocarina winced hearing the deeply felt pain in the girls voice.

"Someday," she thought, "I will tell you the truth. You won't live this life forever, I promise."