It was six o'clock at night. Annabelle sat crossed legged on her bed while Alice lay sprawled out on the floor. "We should start getting ready for the party." sighed Alice as she stood up and sat next to Annabelle. "What are you going to wear?" "To be honest, I haven't got a clue." sighed Annabelle. "I've never gone to a party before. As a shinigami I haven't got the time for such a thing, as you should know." She got off the bed and stretched. "Maybe I shouldn't go. I mean I don't even have a dress to wear!" A grin spread across Alice's face as she slowly stood up. "Oh I wouldn't say that, young Annabelle!" she grinned as she walked towards Annabelle's wardrobe and flung it open. In the wardrobe, carefully hung, was a sleeveless royal blue, satin gown.

On the bust area was a blue and white striped bow with a blue rose perched in the middle. Annabelle gasped as she slowly took it out. The satin felt silky and smooth in her hands. "I...I don't know what to say!" she gasped. "It's so beautiful! How did you get this?" Alice walked over to Annabelle. "I made it myself." she giggled. "I also made a necklace, hat and gloves to match!" She walked over to Annabelle's bed, bent down and took something out from under it, placing it on the dresser. "And here is your hat, necklace and gloves to match!" she giggled as she walked over to Annabelle. "Now, let's get you changed shall we?" she said as she began to strip Annabelle's clothing. "Hey! What did I say about doing that?!" Annabelle exclaimed as she tried to cover herself. "Well you need help with the corset don't you?" said Alice as she approached Annabelle with the horrid thing. "I...I don't wear them! Go away!" exclaimed Annabelle as she tried to escape. "Oh, but tonight you must. I want you to look like a proper lady for once! Now stand still!"

After an hour of frustration Annabelle was finally dressed in the royal blue gown, black gloves, blue necklace, a royal blue hat with a white ribbon tied around the base and the tight corset which she dreaded. She was also wearing her blue laced boots. Alice had also curled her hair and left it out letting it flow over her shoulders. She walked up to her mirror and looked at herself. "Ugh, I can barely breathe." She started to turn to Alice. "Hey Alice, does it look...oh my god!" She turned to find Alice in the exact same outfit, except hers was a rich purple. Alice giggled. "Do you like it? We match! Although my corset is obviously tighter." She grabbed hold of Annabelle's hand. "C'mon let's go!" she exclaimed as she pulled Annabelle down the stairs and out the front door. Bruno was waiting in the front yard, wagging his tail. "Bruno, you stay here!" said Alice as she and Annabelle ran past him. He whined and sat down. Annabelle felt for a portal in the dark and found one. She took hold of Alice's hand and jumped through.

They landed behind a cluster of bushes close to a path. They followed the path to the mansion where the party was being held. People were swarming in crowds around the front gate. "Well, this must be the place." sighed Annabelle. "Wow this mansion is huge!" exclaimed Alice as they pushed through the crowd. They walked up to the front door of the mansion where they were greeted by a butler. The butler opened the door for them and welcomed them in. They both gasped in astonishment. The room was painted in creamy white and red curtains hung from the huge windows. The tiled floor was polished so clean that you could see your reflection in it and crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow on everyone. On the other side of the room was a buffet table with an assortment of food and refreshments. "It's so beautiful!" gasped Annabelle as they walked through the doorway. "Look at all that food!" exclaimed Alice, eyes twinkling with excitement.

"Welcome to the party ladies." said William as he walked up to them. They looked at each other and curtsied. "Good afternoon." they said in unison. "I have prepared our table madam." said William as he offered his hand. Annabelle hesitated. "What about Alice?" "Oh, I'm sure she'll be able to have fun without you." grinned William.  Alice glared at William before pulling Annabelle aside. "Alice what's wrong?" she asked. "Be careful Annabelle. I have a strange feeling about this guy." whispered Alice. "And that's coming from you?" said Annabelle as she pulled away and linked arms with William before walking away.

Annabelle walked with William through a series of doors and rooms until she found herself in the courtyard behind the mansion. In the middle of the courtyard was a fountain next to which a table was set for two. William gestured for her to sit down so she did, only then did he sit down as well. Annabelle looked at the vase in the center of the table. It contained a bunch of blue roses. "Where did you find these roses?" she said as she admired them. "Technically they shouldn't exist." "I have an assortment of roses here in my courtyard." replied William. "Even the ones that shouldn't exist in the first place." He snapped his fingers and a butler came walking towards them. "Butler, bring Lady Annabelle and I some refreshments." The butler nodded and walked back into the mansion. Annabelle stared at William.

"Please excuse me my lord, but may I ask how you know my name?" asked Annabelle. "Let's just say a certain Alice told me." he replied. "What's Alice doing telling everyone about my private information?" thought Annabelle. The butler returned with two glasses of red wine. He placed them on the table in front of them, bowed and disappeared into mansion. Annabelle picked up her glass and took a sip.

"I was wondering Annabelle, have you ever heard the tale about the shinigami and the demoness?" said William. Annabelle put down her glass. "I've heard rumors about it but I don't know much." she replied. "Would you like to hear it?" smiled William. Annabelle sighed. "Sure." she replied. "It was said that a long time ago there was a shinigami who, while collecting a soul that night, met a demoness, who was also collecting her side of the deal that same night. Her royal blue hair seemed to glow in the light of the moon and his black hair blended perfectly into the midnight sky. They met each other's eyes and smiled. Since then they started meeting each other every night and soon fell deeply in love. However, their love was not permitted. So the two of them ran away and isolated themselves from the outside world. They didn't care, they were finally happy.

The next year the impossible happened, the demoness gave birth to a daughter. This girl, half-demon, half-shinigami, grew up not knowing the grave danger she and her parents were in. On the night of her 8th birthday an angel arrived at their house. He said that he was sent to take the child and dispose of it. The demoness and the reaper protested to this idea so the angel tried to take the child by force. This resulted in a bloody fight.

Before the angel could see the child the demoness told her to run away and find a safe place to hide. The battle was fierce and the demoness was seriously injured. Sadly the battle became too much for her and she was killed by the angel. The shinigami tried to revive her only becoming distracted and was killed as well. Only then did the angel look for the child. Unknown to the angel the girl was hiding under a bridge, kneeling in water. She pulled her knees up to her chest and started to cry for she knew that her parents were dead.

"Please don't cry." said a voice behind her. She turned to see an angel knelt down in front of her. Her white hair flowed in the water and her purple eyes glowed in the darkness. Her wings were wrapped around the girl, forming a dome, creating a sense of security in the child. The feathers brushed against her skin, causing her to giggle. "See, you're safe now. I'm here for you." smiled the angel as she rested her hand on the girls shoulder. She looked into the girls eyes. "Would you like to come with me?" she asked. The girl smiled and nodded. The angel picked up the girl and stood up, cradling her in her arms. "I promise, I'll take good care of you!" she said as she flew into the air.

It is said that after that encounter the child was taken in by the angel. They lived a normal human life and they grew quite fond of each other. However as the child was half shinigami the time had come for her to leave the angel and live the life as one. Sadly her memory was erased by the angel to keep her identity safe. She was to know nothing other than that she was a reaper." William sighed. "And there you have it." "That poor girl." sighed Annabelle. "She lost everything, even her memory." She stood up. "I'm sorry but I really must be going. I promised Alice I wouldn't' be long." she said as she started to walk back into the mansion.

William smiled. "A shinigami's work is never complete, right?" he smirked. She stopped and slowly turned to face him. She hesitated. "W...what do you mean?" she asked. William stood up. "You know what I mean. You are a shinigami, aren't you?" He took a step towards her. "Well if you must know, yes." she replied. "But I sense something else, demon perhaps?" He took another step. Annabelle started to back away. "I don't know what you're talking about! I'm just a shinigami!" she exclaimed. He took another step, this time reaching out towards her. "You look just like your mother." he said as he caressed her face. Annabelle's eyes widened.

"I never wanted to kill you. I loved you. Even at the age of eight you were so beautiful." He put his other hand on her waist and pulled her closer. "I see you have your father's rich green eyes." He stroked her hair. "Yet you have both blue and black hair, how extraordinary." She pushed him away. "What are you talking about?" she exclaimed. "Annabelle, dear Annabelle, all you have to do is remember." he said as he walked towards her and rested his hand on her head. "All you have to do is remember me."

Suddenly Annabelle's head started to pound and the world around her changed. She found herself in the body of an eight year old girl. A woman came running up to her and put her hand on her cheek. "Annabelle, mummy and daddy need you to go and hide." said the woman. Annabelle nodded and ran into a forest. The branches cut her as she ran and pain shot through her body. She saw a bridge and slid under it. She knelt down in the water and cried. She heard a voice and turned to see an angel behind her. "Alice what are you doing here?" she tried to say, but the words didn't come out. Alice knelt down and picked her up. Annabelle was giggling but she didn't know why. They flew into the sky and towards London.

The scene changed. Now Annabelle was in the body of a sixteen year old. She was looking in the mirror and brushing her hair. "Wait a minute, isn't that me?" she thought. "Annabelle darling, dinner is ready!" said Alice from downstairs. "Coming!" exclaimed Annabelle as she ran down the stairs. The scene changed again. This time Annabelle was in the 'Head of Association's' office. She was handed a pair of round, grey glasses. She turned to find Michael standing next to her. "Michael?" she thought. He smiled and she smiled back. Suddenly everything turned white and Annabelle found herself back in the courtyard with William.

"I...I'm the girl." she stuttered. "My name is Annabelle Rosecliffe. My mother was a demoness and my father was a shinigami. When I was eight they were both killed by an angel. I was taken in by Alice. She was like a mother to me, so much in fact that I even started to call her mum. Then I had my memory erased and I was tricked into believing that I was a shinigami." She started to cry. "Alice, Michael, they knew everything." She stopped crying but the stains of the tears remained. "You...you killed my parents! You destroyed everything I had!" she yelled. "And you expect me to love you? You angels...you're all the same. You despise of us demons and shinigami." She clenched her fists. "Now, now my dear Annabelle, don't get mad at me. Alice and Michael are the ones you should be mad at. They kept everything from you." smirked William.

"Alice and Michael are the only ones in this world who give a crap about me! They actually love me!" she yelled. "Even Bruno my demon hound cares about me more then you!" She started to run back to the mansion. "Alice! Where are you! I need you!" she thought. William jumped into the air and landed in front of Annabelle, blocking her escape. "Now, now my dear Annabelle, don't play hard to get. I'm not a patient man." he said as he wrapped his arms around her. "Let go of me you freak!" exclaimed Annabelle as she tried to escape. There was a gush of wind behind her and she turned to see a pair of large white wings behind William's back. "Come now Annabelle, we'll leave this wretched place and live in the clouds of heaven." he said as he flew into the air.

"Let go of my mistress!" exclaimed a voice. "She doesn't belong to you!" William let out a cry of pain before dropping Annabelle. A red liquid splattered all over her body. She screamed as she fell, only to be snatched up again. She looked up to see the grinning face of Alice. "You're late...but thank you." she said as they landed softly on the ground. Annabelle jumped out of Alice's arms. "So you're an angel as well?" she asked. Alice sighed. "Yes, I believe I am." She hugged Annabelle. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?" asked Annabelle. Alice let go. "I wanted to protect you. And besides, it was part of the agreement. "She looked up into the night sky. "I wonder where Lord what's-his-name went?" she said. "I don't know, but he is sure to return." sighed Annabelle. She gripped hold of Alice's hands. "Alice I need you to gather everyone and meet me at my house. I want to know everything!" she said. Alice nodded and flew away. Annabelle leaped onto the roof of the mansion, felt for a portal and went through it.

It wasn't long before everyone had gathered at Annabelle's house. Michael and Alice were sitting on the lounge. Bruno sat impatiently outside of the window, he was too big to fit into the house now, and Annabelle stood in front of Alice and Michael. "What's this all about?" Michael whispered to Alice. "She knows." Alice replied. "I want you to tell me everything, starting with you Michael." Annabelle finally said. Michael sighed. "I don't know anything other than that you had your memory erased so that you could enter the society as a full blooded shinigami. Other then that, I knew that you were to be my partner for the duration of our study at the SDS." He shuffled his feet. "I also knew about Alice and how she took you in like you were her daughter." Annabelle turned to Alice "Thank you Michael. It's your turn now Alice." Alice hesitated. "I...I...I know who tried to kill you on the night of the fire. It was that angel that you met at the party, Lord whats-his-face. Apparently he paid well." She stood up. "He doesn't really love you, he wants you dead!" "You are an angel too, aren't you? Don't you want to kill me as well?" said Annabelle.

A wide grin spread across Alice's face. "Oh I was kicked out ages ago!" she exclaimed. "Here we go again." sighed Michael. Alice jumped onto the lounge. "They said I was a complete nutter! Would you believe that? Me? Stuffed in the brain?" She leaped off the lounge and cluttered onto the floor. "They said I was mad? Well they can all go to hell for all I care!" She ran up to Annabelle and grabbed hold of her hands. "And it was that same night I left that I found you! You looked all sweet and innocent, I just had to take you in!" She let Annabelle's hands drop. "And besides, if I hadn't of found you, he would've killed you." She sat back on the lounge. "As an angel I could of never of let that happen."

Annabelle sighed. "And what about Bruno?" she said. "He's been with me from the start. Although he never actually grew at all until he met you. It must have been because you're half demon." Annabelle sat down next to Alice. "I'm glad you guys told me the truth. Thank you." She yawned. "I'm gonna go to bed. You're welcome to stay if you want." Alice jumped up. "Yes! Sleep-over party!" she exclaimed. Annabelle walked up the stairs and into her bedroom. She got changed, took off her glasses and climbed into bed. "Hopefully Alice will be able to get the blood-stains out of my dress." she thought.

She was just about to fall asleep when she felt someone next to her. "How did you find out?" said the voice. She peeked out from under her blanket to see Michael sitting on the end of her bed. "About me?" she yawned. "Well, I guess I found out from William. Before we had our little disagreement that is. I still can't believe what he said was true. After all these years..." Michael laid on his back next to Annabelle. "You could've been hurt. I mean he could've killed you." he sighed. He rolled onto his side. "Listen, I have to go to work tomorrow so are you coming or not? I can tell them that you're sick if you don't want to come?" Annabelle giggled. "Shinigami don't get sick silly!" She rolled over to face him and sighed. "I don't really want to go to work tomorrow. I've just been so tired lately." He kissed her forehead and sat up. "I'm sure I'll think of something." he replied. "If I couldn't then what kind of a friend would I be?" Annabelle pulled the blanket back over her head as Michael started to leave the room. "Make sure Alice is okay tonight." she yawned. Michael nodded as he quietly closed the door. "I owe her my life." she thought as she drifted off to sleep.