The gentle flicker of a lighter's flame fluttered as the cold winds outside the Yagami residence blew tiny specks of snow across the empty deck. The small light illuminated only a part of the one holding it, revealing the beautiful face of Signum, leader of the Wolkenwritter as she pursed her lips and held the cigarette up to the flame. With the deep sigh of someone relaxing after a long strenuous day, she leaned back against the wall and watched the snow fall around her while she smoked the cigarette. Her Master, Hayate, had told her how dangerous the things were, and Signum could only marvel at the peculiar habits of the inhabitants of Earth that these "Cancer sticks", as the convenience store clerk she usually bought them from had called them.

But Signum wasn't a Human, so she didn't worry about things like that. She was a program, designed for defending her Master and collecting the pages of the Book of Darkness. Her face darkened for a second as she watched the end of the cigarette burn out and turn to ash. It was slowly becoming harder and harder to collect the pages. The Time Space Administration Bureau was offering more resistance all the time, and the two mages that had begun appearing to interfere with them on this planet had made things more difficult. If only...

"Signum, why are you standing out there with that look on your face?" A light voice came from inside, questioning. Signum spun to meet the speaker, and her gloomy expression vanished as she looked down on her wheelchair bound Master.

"Aa, nothing," Signum said, covering herself. There was no reason to worry Hayate any more that necessary. She walked over to Hayate and stooped slightly to pick her up, holding the young girl in her arms and smiling as she responded by wrapping her arms around her neck. With natural grace, Signum carried Hayate out to the middle of the deck, silently looking at her face as it lit up with joy. It was something of a ritual between them.

The cold wind blew across the deck, and Signum detected a slight shiver pass through Hayate's body. Almost unconsciously she pulled the girl closer and wrapped her heavier jacket around her. Things like this would have been beyond her comprehension just a few short months ago. A tool to be used was what all the masters before Hayate had thought of Signum and her companions, but to her they were actually people. And for that bright smile, Signum would do anything. Even what Hayate had told her not to do.

The two looked each other in the eye and Hayate let loose a small giggle as Signum turned and carried her back to her wheelchair, then watched as she rolled herself towards the kitchen. Shaking her head, Signum slipped off her jacket and made her way towards the bathroom, where she would indulge in her favorite new hobby, the Japanese Bath, and then off to sleep. Tomorrow was going to be another difficult day of collecting for the Book of Darkness.