Ace and Amon sat at on Li Ling and Raven's laps, respectively. They sat in a meeting, where Yamato was the main focus.

"Are you sure Yamato can be trusted?" Li Ling asked. "I understand that everyone has a duty right now, with these kidnappings and the underground miracle, but can't one of us relinquish our duties just for this?"

"It's more complex than that." Raven said. "I know you just want to run off and find Tang Xuan yourself, but we need someone who can be more flexible..."

"Raven, this could become a serious stain on the Union if this were to get out." Gaius said. "But I also agree. Understanding the Shadow Decree's current goal, we cannot let them throw away the lives of children for their plans."

"What do the children think?" Feng Nuxi asked.

"I don't want him!" Ace said, angry that this needed to be a meeting in the first place.

"I want mama and papa back." Amon said, not understanding the situation fully.

"There's only so much we can do," Raven said. "Our best bet is to let Yamato watch over the twins as we get back their parents."

The others all agreed, mumbling their thoughts and encouragement.

"It is decided." Gaius sat up and turned to the door. "We will let Yamato protect the kids..."

***

"...under specific conditions." Gaius told Yamato.

"Do tell me!" Yamato said happily. "I'll do anything~"

"You must stay with the kids at all times. You mustn't leave Esper Union soil. If we find out you've betrayed us, it's fair game for us,"

"I see, I see."

"And no killing-"

"What."

"You cannot kill anyone."

"Even if it's necessary?"

"Yes. Find a different solution."

"...so I cannot kill anyone? Not with my own two hands?"

"No."

"Fine, I will agree to these terms."

"One last thing," As Gaius said this, his eyes darkened. "If we decide we don't want you in this duty anymore, we will force you out."

"Ok, I understand."

Gaius took one last deep breath before giving Yamato keys.

"House keys." He said bluntly.

"Thank you." Yamato said, eager to begin his little plan.

And just like that, he was now a special member of the Esper Union. Though, he was hardly treated like it. Glares and awkward glances were all he got as he headed to pick up Ace and Amon.

Ace stood in front of Amon as Yamato came around the corner. He felt like crying in confusion; why did the adults let this guy be with them?

"We'll leave tonight." Ace told Amon.

"But we can't!" Amon said quickly. "What if the bad guys come and get us?"

He squeezed his sheep toy close to his chest. Ace felt his heart jump at the thought of getting captured by the Shadow bad guys. At least their weird uncle Yamato was just that, weird. Bad weird, but at least it wasn't just bad. Ace told himself that to make the situation feel better.

"It's time to go," Yamato said, "the big heroes need to work."

Amon took Ace's hand as they walked back to their house.

***

Ace stared at Yamato as he made a call.

"Moroyama," Yamato said into his communicator, "you better be here in the next two hours."

"I am already on the way." Moroyama responded. Yamato smirked and hung up.

Ace stared deeper at him. Yamato stated back, raising his eyebrows at the tiny boy.

"What is it?" He asked.

"No more people!" Ace said angrily.

"Someone is ornery, it seems." Yamato gave Ace a good shake. "Do you need supper?"

"No! I don't want dinner!"

Yamato lightly let go of Ace and slid into the kitchen. The kitchen was right open to the living room, where Ace was, and it was nice to be able to see him.

"Let's see here," he hummed, picking out bread from the breadbox and cheese from the fridge, "a grilled cheese sounds heavenly, no?"

Ace stared at the ground. It did sound really good. But mom said not to eat anything he gave him!

"Grilled cheese?!" Amon came running and sat at the stool. "I want a grilled cheese!"

"What about you, Ace?" Yamato asked as he plugged in the cooker.

"I'm going to watch you make it!" Ace said and ran over.

"Stay this far away, else you'll get burnt."

Ace stood on a stool next to Yamato as he made the grilled cheese, his eyes narrow on the cooker.

"See this? It

Soon, the steaming sandwiches came out. Yamato quickly heated some tomato soup, sprinkling a spice in and he finally let the boys chow down.

"Isn't it so yummy?" He asked, his eyes narrow and his smile slim.

"Mhm." Amon said, wiping his face off with a big yawn. Ace finished his food, tugging Amon's sleeve.

"Amon," he mumbled, "bed?"

Oh, but Amon had already laid his head down to sleep. Yamato walked around and rubbed Ace's head.

"You should sleep, too," he said sickly sweetly as he picked Ace up and laid him on the couch  doing the same with Amon.

Just in time, the doorbell sang to the house. Yamato danced to the door and swung it open, smiling at Moroyama and beckoned him inside.

"It's music to my ears," he sighed, "that you came just now."

"Alright," Moroyama said cooly, "what is it you need, boss?"

"It's something you're very good at. You see, they told me I can't kill anyone. What a shame!...oh, but they forgot you. You'll be my hands, my legs, my teeth"-Yamato let himself lean on the wall with a smirk-"you will kill for me whenever I tell you to."

***

Raven wondered if she made the right choice to let Yamato stay as she looked up at the hulking man that stared down at her from the doorway that normally only held the short Tang Xuan and Yuuhime.

"I think I deserve just a little help," Yamato explained, a grin on his face, "so I called an old friend."

"I am Moroyama," he said, bowing respectfully, "It is an honor to meet you."

"...same here." Raven said, eyeing the snakes resting on his shoulder. "Are you sure those snakes are safe?"

"They are part of my Esper transformation. They will not hurt anyone."

Raven nodded slowly, composing herself and looking towards the bedrooms.

"I'm here to check on the twins." She said, pushing into the house and towards their room.

"They are asleep," Yamato said, following close behind, "don't wake them."

Raven walked into the children's room, sighing when she saw them safe in their beds. She walked to their sides, noticing the sheep toy that Amon always had with him on the floor. She gently placed it beside Amon, rubbing his soft hair. She turn d her attention to Ace, furrowing her brow when she saw how puffy his eyes were.

"I'll bring eye drops over some time later," Raven said, turning to Yamato.

"You don't need to, that's why I called Moroyama over," Yamato replied, running his thumb down the side of the doorway, "He'll go get eye drops right now."

Raven bit her cheek but allowed it.

"I will send someone tonight." Raven said cooly as she left.

"...I'm sure you will." Yamato mumbled under his breath. He watched her leave, and as soon as the door shut, he turned on his heel to the boy's room and walked in.

"As soon as Moroyama comes back," He cooed, "you won't have to cry again."

***

Yamato was someone Moroyama both respected and feared.

When he first met the assassin leader, he didn't quite understand him.

"I like the way you act," he said, "come with me, and we'll destroy all who stand in our way."

Moroyama didn't think much about that at first. He assumed he would eventually be thrown to the wayside once Yamato found someone else.

That never happened once Yamato crumbled to the insanity of family.

Moroyama wanted to leave at first. He had no business being involved with family matters again.

"You will stay with me," Yamato said, giving another member of the Twilight Order a special new scar on his back, "you will never leave!"

A power like that should install fear into all.

And yet, it thrilled Moroyama.

An Esper like that surly could take over a whole city. Moroyama wanted to be on the side of that Esper.

Yamato sook out power from the miracles. But something always held him back from just letting himself gain these mythical powers.

Moroyama stared down at the one named Ace, his hair jet black, streaks of red on his bangs. His skin was tanned, Moroyama assumed that feature was from his father, as he remembered Yuuhime never tanning well.

The other, Ace, had striking red hair. He had skin like his mother's, but he was able to freckle. His monkey tail swayed even in his sleep, as if it were a snake looking to strike. Moroyama's own snake's head swayed with it, to the point he was worried it would latch onto the kid.

'Don't you go ruin your relationship with each other...' he thought to himself, before turning to see Yamato walk in.

"Aren't they just perfect?" he purred, running his slender hand through Ace's hair. Ace grumbled, his eyes opening a smidge.

"Aren't you just the cutest?" Yamato said as he picked up Ace. Ace was now fully awake, and he pushed Yamato away.

"Put me down." The tired Ace said angrily. "I'm not a baby!"

"I'll pick up Amon, then."

Ace wrapped his arms and legs around his uncle, giving a harsh breath and a cold glare.

"He's still sleeping! If you wake him up, I'll...I'll...!"

"Moroyama," Yamato said, rocking Ace casually against his chest, "go order us something, will you?"