Cassie felt better now knowing that Akuma was alright, but not being able to actually see him still worried her. She wondered if perhaps the boy she had met was just lying to her and trying to get a Purified Soul for his own benefit. Though he wouldn’t have known too much about her and her and Akuma’s relationship for that to be the case. Cassie sat in her room brushing her hair trying to think of a way to get what Akuma asked of her while keeping a low suspicion from Joshua.

Joshua Wilkins. He was an older man, around his early thirties in physical age, he had light ash colored hair that was always cut short in the back while he kept the front of his hair brushed nearly back. Most of the young woman, as well as the older women, in Heaven admired him for both his looks and skills. He was amazing at everything he did and knew how to 'treat a woman' as Cassie as heard. Cassie was different, even before she met Akuma, nothing he ever did worked on her, especially when she was mature enough to understand romance. Not talking to her, giving her a look that made any woman bend to his will, not even direct flattery and after Akuma joined the picture, it was even worse as she barely even noticed Joshua after that.

Cassie had no clue as to why Joshua had a loving aggression toward her. She thought it may have been because when she was younger she found out her power with his aid, as did all baby Angels born in her year, but ice Angels typically attracted fire ones as well. Though personality played a role, what you are played a bigger factor. Cassie sighed dropping the brush, it landed on the carpet and she sighed, staring at the fallen object.

Her eyes drifted to her door, she still had the jacket that Akuma forced on her after that time. Cassie wondered why nothing else on her body was burned, her hair had gotten singed, but she didn’t care too much about it, her wrist was the only thing that now had a darker tone than the rest of her tanned skin. She rubbed it feeling the stinging pain once there gone now.

“I don’t get it… It’s giving me a headache just thinking about it…” She laid on the bed trying to forget about what had happened and focused her view forward. She had to try and help Akuma. Then she wondered something else; what did his father do to him? And why? These questions rolled around in her head, but without knowing who his father was she could only guess. Her eyes closed and she soon fell asleep.

…

The next day Cassie went to see Joshua. After she left Akuma’s messenger, she had to report any strange happenings and Joshua stated said he wanted to make sure she was alright the next morning as well. So she was to report to him first thing before doing anything else. She entered his office, it was a large space, white all around with gold accents thrown here and there making the room appear brighter than it actually was. He sat at a shimmering wooden desk with assortments of all kinds sitting atop it, the man himself held a revolver that was made from dark brown wood with bright gold framing the weapon. Cassie approached and stood innocently at his desk. He looked from his polishing and smiled at her.

“Cassie, I’m glad to see nothing happened to you.” She smiled to him.

“I already stated in my report nothing happened to me. You should trust me a bit more.” He chuckled.

“Oh, if only I could, but I can’t see every one of my units while in the Human world, so anything you do can and is unknown to me.” Cassie nodded.

“I apologize. I didn’t think you were just looking out for us.” He chuckled standing up.

“I'll read the rest of your report later." He stood in front of her, "Today I need you to come with me to help purify a young boy. There has been an impure placed upon him, Human medicine has done its best.” Cassie beamed.

“You mean… This will be my first visit?” He nods, a visit were a purification is performed, is only preformed when the medicine found in the Human world is ineffective. Angels of ice must be present, as well as any other type, in order to cure them; in the Human world, they would call it a miracle. Joshua nodded to her.

“Yes, are you up for it?” Really, she wasn’t. She wanted to tell him no so she could spend more of her time looking for where the Purified Soul was or at least find out a way to get one so she could help Akuma faster, but if she did that Joshua would know that something was up for sure. She just smiled to him and nodded.

“Of course!” He smiled and they departed for the Human world.

...

The pair stayed behind to see the faces of the ones they had helped after curing the boy. Cassie felt pure happiness seeing them and knowing the boy would be alright. She imagined for a moment her life if she was born a Human first and not an Angel. Joshua looked over to the female deep in her thoughts, he chuckled bringing her back to reality.

“I think you did good on your first visit.” She smiled to him.

“Thank you… I thought I messed it up a bit.” He shook his head.

“You did wonderful! Though I do think your technique could use some… cleaning up.” She hummed a bit oblivious to his actual meaning. “I think we should try enhancing your power, giving you something more than what you just have now."

"Is what I have now useless?" He chuckled.

"No, what you have is beyond beneficial, but only towards Humans and incapacitated Demons. So when fighting stronger beings, or even needing to protecting someone, it’s not a very safe practice.” She understood what he meant. Of course she had thought of this herself at one point, but she could never improve on something that was never broken to begin with. She smiled anyways and nodded.

“What did you have in mind then?” He smiled.

“Let’s go back to Heaven. Let's train together.” Cassie nodded and letf the Human world with him.

...

Once they were back, Cassie already knew what was likely to happen, but had to play innocent. Being with Akuma sure did teach her some things about men. Though she was surprised to know that even some men in Heaven were like what Akuma had called 'perverts'. While they were training Joshua had his hands on her arm, forearm and anywhere else he could touch. When he spoke he would always try and get near her ear and neck and his lower half stayed awkwardly close to her body, she was shorter than him so it touched her back often.

“Right, I think now you should try it.” He finally backed away from her, allowing some time to breath. She was still nervous about trying her first offensive attack, but she tried it anyways. She held her hands as if she were holding a sword, she thought about forming a sword and eventually a hilt formed from her hand. She gasped, but kept focus. Then it grew from the ice there and formed into a jagged edged sword. She was so amazed she lost focus and it popped causing her to flinch Joshua chuckled walking over to her chuckling.

“Just amazing!" Cassie turned to face him. "You held it longer than I thought. If you keep practicing and trying it every day, soon you’ll be able to summon it easily and without even thinking.” She turned to him.

“May I ask what intention you had of me and this sword?” She asked.

“Instead of trying your luck and your safety, if you have this you’ll be able to do your job and watch over yourself. You’ll be protected and make sure you stay alive with as little injures as possible.” He explained.

“Well thank you for watching over me!” He smiled and touched her shoulder. Another excuse to touch her she assumed.

“We still have a little time before you’re supposed to go on partol, why not try it again?” As much as she didn't want to, she complied.

“Oh, but do you mind if I ask a little question?"

"Sure, hopefully I can give you an answer."

"Well, I’m doing a little research project for myself and I forgot if Purified Souls are forbidden or not.” His eyes narrowed.

“That’s basic knowledge Cassie.” His voice turned stern. She gave him a cute smile she knew he couldn’t be mad at, he sighed and explained. “Yes they are. They can only be obtained by Angels of my status, we are given a key and swear to prevent anyone from finding them.” She nods.

“Thank you for jogging my memory, let’s train now!”

…

Cassie had left for her usual patrol after their training. Of course this time she decided to ditch it and try and look for that key, but her plan wouldn’t work if everyone was calm and relaxed, especially if Joshua wouldn’t leave his office. Cassie decided to do something drastic. She waited in Akuma’s territory knowing someone would come there if she waited long enough, she was right as a Demon approached her.

“A little Angel? What are you doing out here?” His sharp teeth seethed words to her, Cassie kept calm not trying to appear worried.

“Hoping you’d help me.” He stared, he looked her up and down before licking his lips.

“I might be able to… Depends on what it is?” He got a bit closer to her and she took this as her chance. She turned the tables and formed her unstable sword and backed him up against the tree. Sweat formed at his brow as he kept his demeanor speaking to her.

“You bitch, hiding your power like that!” She grunted a bit.

“Please, hear me out. I don't need to kill you I just need your help.” He chuckled.

“What makes you think I’ll work with an Angel?” She sighed.

“Do you know a Demon named Akuma?” He grunted, but nodded. “Then… You know this is his territory, right?” He nods once more. “Then I hope you can explain to him why you would threaten someone he cares about on his territory." The Demon chuckled.

"He don't care about nobody but himself, not even his old man." Cassie sighed.

"Well, he’s never admitted it to me personally, but the one time a Demon has tried to harm me he marked me and threatened to kill them…” He gritted his teeth.

"So that was a mark... fine, I’ll do it, what do you want?” She sighed quickly releasing the blade before it could pop.

“I need you and maybe a few others, doesn’t matter how many, to storm into Heaven to cause some havoc. I need a great distraction that will gain the attention of a very powerful Angel named Joshua.” He shook his head.

“No way I’m getting myself killed for some princess. Go and have Akuma do it!” Cassie grunted, he went on. “And I know even if I turn you down I’ll be killed either way, at least I can fight against Akuma and have some chance at winning. You’ll have to ask someone else-”

“I’ll give you some souls.” His interest came back. “I have them on me already actually.” She pulled out on her side the same small cloth she once held in front of Akuma and opened it. Inside on her palm was twenty souls. The Demon gleamed at them trying to grab them, Cassie put them away. “Now will you work with me?” He scoffed.

“Why you need this anyways?” She shook her head.

“I can’t tell you that.” He chuckled.

“Fine by me, just wanted to bother ya’.” She grunted a bit as he held out his hand to her in a teasing fashion. “You can call me Barbu.” She nodded to him.

“Just call me Cassie.” He chuckled.

“You’ll have to give me some time before I can gather up enough of us.” She nods.

“Of course, but how quick do you think you can get what you need?” He looks up.

“Thirty minutes or an hour tops.” She nods.

“That’s fine, I can go off and finish my work so no one suspects me of anything.” Barbu give her a crooked grin.

“For an Angel you don't-” She grunted a bit to him.

“Please do not say it," She cut him off, "That’s an insult in Heaven!” He chuckles.

“Well it woudda have been a compliment down in Hell, you should come down there some time. I’m sure everyone will have their eyes on you.” She scoffed knowing that wouldn’t be the case. He chuckled to her disgust and he flew up in the air. “Well you have yourself a good hunt, we will too!” and with that he was off.

…

Cassie’s plan had worked. She finished what she had to in the Human world and when she returned to Heaven she was approached by the gatekeepers who had been injured. They briefed her on the current situation and told her to hurry and help. She instead made her way to Joshua’s office, she hid as some guards ran past her, but they had useful info.

“Joshua’s in his usual mood. He’s so different when dealing with Demons.”

“Yeah, but if we don’t hurry he’ll have our wings!” That confirmed it: he was gone from his office. Cassie took this time and ran to his office. Inside she searched around trying to find anything that even came close to where a key would be. She searched his desk and came up short, only finding his gun. She turned to the book shelf and opened up the books with the most importance to Angels, as well as Heaven itself. Then she came across The Bible. She opened it and felt something in the spine. It was in there she found it, the handcrafted aluminum key. She prayed above her, even for her intentions, for how quickly she found it. Though she was done she got a bit greedy and not hearing anyone returning from the fighting, she figured to find out where the soul was being held too. She searched back through his desk and looked for any records on the current whereabouts of the Purified Soul.

Cassie decided for the top most desk drawer and found the revolver he was polishing the day before, below it there were some files. She took a breath and pulled out the folder careful of the gun, the papers slipped out and she released the breath.

“Cassie?” She froze, but her hand moved and stuffed the file into the front of her coat trying to hide them. She pulled her overcoat to and buttoned it as she stood up keeping her hand supporting the files.

“J-joshua… Are they all gone?” He nodded.

“Yes, they escaped from us, but we did manage some casualties after they were discovered.” She nodded to him.

“Oh, was anyone from our side hurt?” He stared his eyes progressively looking down her body. She tried to relax as much as possible, but he eventually answered her.

"Nothing too serious... but what were you doing in here? Did you just return?” She nodded.

“Y-yes, I was here looking for..." Her eyes went to the side. "Y-your gun!" He said nothing. "I-I thought you might have needed it.” He stared at her before nodding to her.

“Next time just go out in the field, we could have used your help.” She nodded moving herself opposite him and exiting through the back side of his desk.

“I’ll remember that next time.” He watched her as she left, she worried that perhaps he might check the desk. She had taken all the files and she knew he’d suspect her if she didn’t do something quick. Cassie ran out of the office and the building before anyone could say anything. If she was going to be suspected let it be after she found the souls! It wasn’t long after she had exited the building that she was stopped outside when she arrived at the road for her house by a few guards.

“Cassie Ann.” She stood her ground. “Did you leave Sir Joshua's office with important documents?” She couldn’t lie, she wanted to, but it wasn’t in her nature. She lowered her head.

“I did… But they were for a good reason!” They looked at one another then back to her.

“Then explain that to Joshua. He’s requested you come back.” She grunted, but couldn’t do much as against them. Cassie was returned back to his office where he sat staring at her, the files sat between them.

“Cassie… I hope you have a good explanation for this.” Joshua said. She nods.

“I do… Like I was asking you yesterday, I simply forgot and I wanted to know more! Honest!” She wasn’t lying just extending the truth. He sighed.

“What is it that you want with those Purified Souls?” She didn't know how to answer him. Wait… I can do this! She thought. She looked up to him determined.

“There’s a Human, I really want to help him and the only way I can is with a Purified soul… It’s just like our visit the other day. I know how to help him so I was willing to risk everything to!” Joshua was shocked by this information.

“Really?” She nods.

“Really.” He stared at her and realized she wasn’t joking.

“What is this Human afflicted with?” She sighed, taking a much needed breath.

“He was infected by a Demon who took his soul in placement of his, they switched bodies so to speak.” He hummed.

“Unusual… This is something I’ve never heard of. This Demon must have had some ulterior motive… You’re sure it’s not to attract some ‘helpless’ Angel who will stop at nothing to save this Human?” She shook her head.

“The Human told me the Demon stole, or rather switched, his soul for the Human’s because he was afraid of dying as a Demon… He didn’t tell him anything else apparently.” Joshua nodded.

“That does seem like a real problem, but it’s still very cunning of that Demon to plan something like that…. Keep on your toes.” She looked up to him.

“This means I-” He chuckled to her nodding.

“The soul you’re looking for is kept on the very top most floor of this building. If you go there and use that key, which I am also aware you found. You’ll find a door that holds the souls. They’re locked with the very same key, so after you’re done, bring it back where you found it.” Cassie jumped up. "If you need my help I'll be here." She nodded showing all of her gratitude in her expression.

“Thank you! You won’t regret this!” He smiled at her.

“Just watch out for yourself, I wouldn’t want you hurt.” She nodded to him.

“I can’t thank you enough!” She ran out leaving Joshua to his thoughts in his office.