After a few days after leaving the village, things seemed normal, well, almost normal. Luz had been much more quiet lately, and had been working in his room more often than usual. In all honesty, the friends couldn't help but wonder at what was bothering him. So they all agreed on making a plan to help cheer up the blond. And maybe then, Luz could be open about his problem.

As a certain albino was walking down the stairs in his regular clothes, he entered the small closed room before smiling at the group in front of him. "You guys ready?" He asked. The rest nodded before Sakata decided to speak up, "So what's the plan?"

Araki smiled, "Well, me and Mafu were discussing and we decided that I will stay Luz, since I have duty today after all. So it'll be easier to distract him with that. And Sakata will stay in the kitchen to make preperations here with Nqrse."

Shima then tilted his head, "What about me, Mafu, and Eve?" The albino then crossed his arms before happily speaking, "You two will come with me to the village. We're going to try to look for something nice for him as a gift." He explained.

Araki grinned, "So are we all ready now?" The friends nodded happily before making the albino smile even brighter, "Then let's go cheer up our friend~"

As the friends left the room, they all went to their assigned groups to the locations that were decided. Araki was opening the door and saw the blond looking out the window from his seat. He frowned before walking up to him, "You alright?" Luz then smiled, "Yeah, im alright."

The red-head nodded but really, he just didint like it when any of his friends lie. And he could tell that the blond's smile was fake, and anyone else could even tell too. At least, for those who's been around Luz for a long time. But for now, he knew he should stick with the plan. He was confident that this will work, now he just has to make sure he wouldn't head anywhere near the kitchen.

Meanwhile, outside the castle on the trail of the forest was Mafu, Eve, and Shima. The three were headed their way to the village, or well, soon to be town. It was a regular walk, Mafu would occasionally get distracted and Eve and Shima would have to keep him on track.

Once they had finally reached the village, Mafu, Eve, and Shima started walking in. They then stopped to a small bench near one of the fountains that were near. "So.. What are we looking for?" Shima asked. The albino then turned to him, "Anything really, well actually anything that's good for a gift."

The male nodded before standing up, "Then, should we split up and just walk around? It's pretty big and it'll take longer if we go together." Mafu nodded before Eve had stood up as well. "Then, I'll head this way, Shima you go the the left side, and Mafu, you can head straight." Eve explained, while fixing his mask. The two males nodded in agreement before the three had went to the direction given to them.

Everything was going well, and there were alot of stuff they had found. Most were pricey but they each got one for the blond. And so far, things were going smoothly, once they found their way back, they met up again.

"Looks like we all found something." Mafu smiled. Shima then happily crossed his arms, "Well, let's start heading back-"

"Excuse me."

The three then turned to the voice behind them and noticed a tall male, most importantly, the leader of the village. "You three, may I ask why your alone?"

"Damn paper work!" Luz exclaimed. Araki turned to him and grinned, "Having trouble again?" The blond sighed, "Yeah.." Luz then kept quiet for a few seconds before looking up at the red-head, "Where's Mafu, Eve and Shima?"

"Um... Here at the castle?" The blond then shook his head, "I know they're not here Araki, they were supposed to be on duty today. Now where did they head off to?" Araki then started scratching the back of his neck ,"They were headed towards the village to get you something nice." Luz sighed before looking down at his desk.

"Those idiots..."

"So what did you need us for?" Mafu asked feeling confused. Suzumu gave a smile, "Well, I was hoping you would be willing to help me with something." The three friends turned to each other before facing back at the male. "With what?"

"Well.. Im in current need of gold for the village. My people means alot to me you see..." Shima and Eve nodded in understandment but Mafu wasn't buying any of it, so he shook his head. Suzumu looked at the albino straight in the eye, "What are you shaking your head for?"

"No it's just that.. Luz-san is already helping you out with that. So why are you now asking us?" He said, slightly giving a glare at the male. It was clear that Mafu was obviously suspicious of Suzumu, Something about him had just seemed off. Suzumu stayed quiet for a few seconds before smiling at Mafu, "Well, I was hoping more people could help-"

"But you have Luz, a lord of our castle. Is his hard work not enough for you Suzumu-san?"

Eve and Shima looked at the albino, in their eyes, Mafu didint seem as happy like a few minutes ago. His eyes were just filled with distrust against tne male. Suzumu then sighed, "Alright, alright, I suppose that's true."

Shima nervously looked back before placing his hands on both Mafu and Eve's shoulders, "Well, we better get going now-"

"Wait, before you go, may I speak with the angel?" Shim looked at the albino before replying, "You mean Mafu?" The male nodded, "Yes, him." Eve and Shima were thinking about it, but seeing how much Mafu held so much dislike, they shook their heads but the albino then spoke out.

"Sure."

"Are you sure?" Eve asked worryingly, Mafu nodded before Shima and Eve had taken a step back. The purple eyed male sighed, "Then, we'll be waiting here."

After the two had entered a room, Shima and Eve were sitting down. They had both decided to talk about the gifts that they had gotten for Luz. As Eve looked around the room a bit, he noticed some of the people gambling or badmouthing eachother.

Shima had takem notice too, and they started to understand why Luz had wanted to leave. They them looked at the door where the albino and the male had stepped inside, they couldn't help but wonder what Suzumu needed Mafu for.

"Those idiots!"

"Luz, calm down!" Araki exclaimed. The blond was standing up while staring down at his hands on his desk. The red-head then tried talking to him, "Luz.. What's wrong? Is it bad thay they went off to Suzumu's village?" He asked.

"Yes, yes it is... Suzumu wanted more than just gold. He also wanted something else." He explained. Araki crossed his arms confused, "What did he want?"

"He wanted one of us to keep."

Suzumu and Mafu sat down silently before the male started talking, "So Mafu-kun, im guessing your the one who Luz sees as a little brother?" The albino nodded before Suzumu smiled, "Well then, isint that nice?"

"Suzumu-san, what is it that you want?"

The male's expression changed to an unsettling one that started to make Mafu stay on gaurd. "Well.. Since you had found out too quickly, I might as well keep you instead. Given gold is nice, but it's not everyday where you see an angel. They sell well you know, and even get you more than gold." He explained.

Seeing that the male had stood up inching closer to him, Mafu started to stand up as well and started taking a step back. But Suzumu only kept going until the albino's back had hit the wall, "And you know... At first you had caught my eye with that beauty of yours, and im sure anyone would. And seeing that your treated like a prince from Luz, it would be a shame if something else were to happen to you."

Mafu started shaking a bit before Suzumu placed his hand on the albino's cheek, "Such soft skin... And beautiful crimson eyes.. Silky hair too, perhaps I'll keep you to myself for a while..."

Before the male could proceed any further, Mafu had suddenly kicked his leg, causing Suzumu to let go of the angel. He quickly ran to the door before quickly realizing it was locked. He then heard a voice near his neck, "Going somewhere?"

Without hesitation, Mafu quickly went to the side and took out his scythe and cut through the door without hitting the male's head, even though he wanted to. But if he did, he would've been hunted down for killing a village leader. He then quickly ran out before seeing Eve and Shima.

"Eve! Shima! W-We have to go!" Before they could question anything, Suzumu had suddenly grabbed the albino by the wrist. But almost immediately, Eve used his umbrella to hit the leader in the face, "Dont, ever touch him."

To be honest, when it came to anyone that Eve was close with, that was when Eve was fully upset. The male then grinned before whistling a signal. The three were surrounded by people in black robes, Mafu then recognized the people before glaring at Suzumu.

"You.. You were behind the attack in the forest from before?!" Mafu yelled out, he sighed before trying to calm down some of his anger. Suzumu laughed,"Yep~ Ever since I saw you with that swordsman, I kept my eye on you."

Mafu clenched his teeth before suddenly running at Suzumu before directly slashing his arm, leaving a gaint cut. That was a signal to the people around, that a fight had begun.

It was chaotic, people were running, the robed people wouldn't let Shima and Eve get to Mafu. It was clear to the three, they were outnumbered. Each hit, Suzumu would just return it even worse with his weapon. The fight was getting nowhere, the albino tried using some magic against him, but had taken no effect. Though Shima had a sword, Eve was able to injure many more men. He honestly didn't care anymore if they were dead or alive now.

Minute after minute, it was still going. Shima then yelled, "Theres too many of them-!" He was then interrupted by a spell holding him down. Eve quickly took notice and tried helping him up before being weighed down as well. The albino looked back before trying to help but was also being effected, he tried moving but each time he tried, the force felt even worse.

Suzumu laughed, "Looks like it worked well!" The three friends had then realized five of their enemies were hidden, performing a spell on them the entire time. They glared at Suzumu before the male grinned as he picked up the angel's scythe,
"Looks like I won~ Now then..."

"I'll be taking what's now mine."

Chapter 17 complete! This was finished today after doing some of it in the morning since I had nothing to do. And I finally finished right now! But um.. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and don't worry, Mafu will be okay soon enough. Anyways, thank you for reading! 💕