*******************************************************************************

Disclaimer: I do not own Disgaea [but I definitely wouldn't mind owning Laharl. ;)] I only own Kyrii, Koko and Volcom.

This is purely fan made and is in no way associated with the anime or game companies. All songs used belong to their respective owners.

*******************************************************************************

The strong breeze bit harshly at my skin as I trekked across this new world, lost and very much alone. My luxurious clothes flapped loudly around my body, and I suddenly wished I had dressed more practically. I hugged my black-painted wooden bow against my chest for comfort. I only knew three things. I would die soon if I didn't find shelter, my heart was telling me to continue on against the wind in this direction, and I needed to get far away from my world and my old life. I finally reached the door of a large castle, windows brightly lit against the black night sky. I looked up at the building in awe, my golden eyes shining with fear and tears and I thanked my heart for taking me here. Then, I collapsed.

I awoke a short while later and felt myself carried in the arms of a boy about my age with blue hair and bright red eyes. He looked down at me just before my eyes closed again, a small smile playing across his lips. It looked like he hadn't smiled in a very long time.

One Year Later:

I sighed and peered out the bedroom window onto the barren landscape of the Netherworld. My choppy, shoulder-length white hair ruffled slightly in the breeze. I reached up subconsciously to adjust my spiky half-ponytail, and my fingers involuntarily brushed against two scarred bite marks on my neck. My thoughts turned to the man who had marked me as a surge of pain cursed through my body. I shuddered and turned my thoughts elsewhere, willing all my thoughts of the man who left me to leave my mind for a while. A slightly annoyed voice floated up towards me.

"Kyrii! Get down here or you're not getting any food!"

"Coming Laharl."

I dashed downstairs and, just now noticing the deep hunger protesting in my stomach.

After we left the table, I made to go back up to my room, but Etna grabbed my arm.

"Ky, I kinda need to talk to you."

"Alright."

I nodded and followed her to her quarters.

Etna plopped down on her bed and motioned for me to sit beside her. I obliged and leaned back on my arms, wondering what she needed.

She sighed and looked at me.

"I know we're not really close or anything, but I want to ask you this as a friend. Ky, how do you feel towards the prince?"

My eyes widened; I hadn't the slightest idea why she'd asked me this.

"Don't worry. I'm not trying to blackmail you or anything."

I exhaled and spoke.

"I really care about Laharl. I think I might like him like him, but he's so coldhearted all the time. It seems like we don't know the real Laharl."

"Hmmm… Ky, this may be a breach of privacy, but I've noticed the mark on your neck."

I held in a gasp as she continued.

"Someone's chosen you as a mate. Where is he?"

"He… left me. He decided I wasn't good enough for him. "

"He marked you and left?! That's despicable!"

"Yeah. I really don't like discussing my past, though."

"Yup, otherwise we'd know who you are and where you came from!"

I grinned.

"That's for me to know and you not to find out. See you later, Etna."

I laughed and left the room, wondering all the while about that strange conversation.

Later that day, I bumped into Laharl as I walked down the hall. Instead of yelling, he just glared at me, which was much more frightening. His crimson eyes shined in the limited light and their beauty made my breath catch in my throat. I muttered an apology and dashed back to my quarters.

I sat deep in thought for quite a while. I realized that as long as these marks were displayed on my neck, Laharl would keep his distance. Even if he did feel anything towards me, he would be kept at bay. I cursed the man who left me. It's not like I loved him or anything! But he bit me. I belonged to him – forever.

I hid myself away in my room for most of the day, falling in and out of nightmares and daydreams, thinking about what I could never have. When I left myself to die on his doorstep, I never expected him to save me. Some small part of me knew he would, though. I didn't even know him then. I was so sure there was something there, but now he probably thought I had someone. Even if he was capable of love, he'd never actually make a move.

At some point, tears took over. I continued to slip into nightmares of a loveless life and I was only dragged back to reality by the sound of Laharl's voice in my doorway.

I tried to hide my tears to no avail. The overlord stood, hands on his hips, and glared angrily at me with those glorious eyes of his.

"Why are you crying? Cut it out and come eat. I had to walk all the way up here to get you."

I remembered the silent anger in the hall earlier and realized that just his speaking to me made me smile. I wiped my eyes and stood up.

"I'm coming."

He turned to walk away.

"Laharl? Thanks."

"Whatever."

He turned towards the staircase and I followed, glad he wouldn't let me miss dinner. Sometimes he isn't as evil as he wants to be.

After dinner, I headed upstairs, exhausted. I flopped, spread-eagled, onto my bed and soon fell asleep. I didn't even notice how freezing the room was. All I cared about was falling asleep.

When I woke up, there was a blanket covering me.

I sat up, confused, and noticed a figure leaning against the doorframe.

Laharl.

I held up the blanket and groggily spoke.

"Did you give me this?"

"Yeah. You were shivering. What of it?"

"Nothing."

I smiled and wished I had some slight idea of what went on in his head.

When I woke up again, my door was still open. Obviously Laharl was still here. But where?

Suddenly, I noticed the tip of his scarf flying back and forth out on the balcony.

I creeped towards the open door and hid just out of sight, occasionally peering out the door to watch the soft breeze ruffling his hair and scarf.

But then he started speaking to a crow perched on his forearm, and his voice came as soft and unsure as the wind.

"I must be crazy. There's no way I can ever be with her. She's marked! Hell, I don't even believe in love! She doesn't feel for me… This love business is driving me mad!"

My heart wrenched miserably. Me not love Laharl? Impossible!

But I couldn't tell him. Not without being punished for eavesdropping. And I'd bet anything I was dreaming. I just inched my way back towards my bed and pretended to sleep, awaiting his return to the room.

A few minutes later, Laharl entered the room with his head down in a defeated stance. I quickly closed my eyes as he passed, not wanting him to see the emotions my face surely betrayed.

Laharl slowly walked towards the door and headed towards his own room.

I was slightly saddened by his leaving, but it didn't surprise me. I soon fell asleep, forgetting about sleeping arrangements and thinking about love.

When I woke up again, I wished I hadn't. My body felt like fire and ice. At one moment my skin boiled and another moment it froze like liquid nitrogen. I lay in a pool of cold sweat, breathing deeply. My vision was clouded by the fever, but I heard a voice calling out to me. Laharl's voice in the most caring tone I had ever heard him use.

"Ky? Ky, what's wrong?!"

I could only groan, and Laharl's voice left me.

He returned moments later and placed a damp cloth on my head. I smiled weakly and he left again, promising to return soon.

When he reentered the room, he lifted a spoon to my lips.

"It's my father's homemade porridge. It should make you feel better."

I sipped groggily from the spoon and a strange new warmth surged through my body. I still couldn't see clearly, but my body was no longer fire and ice. I smiled weakly and tried to speak, but no sound came out. But shortly after, I heard Etna's voice.

"Hey, Prince? Why does it matter to you if she dies? You're becoming such a softy."

"I told you never to call me that! Besides, I don't want to lose a valuable vassal."

"Whatever you say."

I daresay I agree with Etna, though. I knew and believed with every fiber of my being that my being his vassal wasn't the reason. I just knew he didn't want to display the weakness and utter loss of control that love brings along. Laharl just wasn't one to make himself vulnerable in such a way. But someday he'd learn…

I sure hoped this sickness didn't kill because at some point in my life, I needed to hear those three words come from the boy I loved. I needed to hear Laharl say he loved me. I slipped off to sleep, dreaming of Laharl and love.

When I woke up in the wee hours morning, I could see. It was dark and I was alone, or so I thought. I turned slightly to find Laharl asleep beside me, curled up in a ball on the other side of my bed, about a foot away from me. I tried to speak and found I could.

"L-Laharl?"

My voice was weak, but his hearing was good.

When he answered, his voice was groggy as if he was still half asleep. But it was worth a try.

I took a deep breath and plunged into my confession.

"Laharl, I love you."

I got no answer.

I began to worry, thinking maybe I had heard wrong on the balcony. Maybe he didn't want me! But then I heard light snores and realized that he had fallen back asleep, probably before I had even spoken.

I had used up all my courage for the day, but now that I had recovered from my sudden illness, I could tell him what I had longed to say for ages. I would just have to build up the boldness again.

A few days later, I came across Laharl in the hall. I reached out to grab his arm and he stopped and looked at me.

"Laharl? I need to talk to you. Can you come to my room?"

He nodded and followed me up the stairs and into my bedroom.

"What is it? This better be important."

I smiled at Laharl just being Laharl. He felt he had to be bitter all the time. I had a theory as to why, but it was none of my business.

"Laharl…"

I took a deep, steadying breath and continued.

"I love you."

"What?! Dammit Ky you're marked!"

I frowned.

"I know, but he left me. I'm not his anymore."

Laharl's face suddenly showed and emotion something like… sympathy?

"Ahh I see."

He stepped closer to me and I felt his fingers travel across my neck, coming to a rest right below the scarred marks.

"Does it still hurt, Ky?"

"Only sometimes."

"Bastard. If I ever meet him I'll kill him."

His fingers brushed over the marks and the slightest tickling sensation appeared for only a moment; Laharl gasped.

"What is it?"

"They disappeared."

His voice came out shocked and confused, but somehow in a good way.

"W-what?"

"I touched them and they faded."

Suddenly I was gifted with a knowledge I had never heard before.

"It's because I finally, truly let him go. I found someone else to love. I found you. I will never be his mate. I'm yours; officially."

And then I felt hot breath on my neck and a sharp prick. Laharl turned to look at me, blood slightly staining his small fangs.

"No, now it's official. I love you Kyrii."

Laharl kissed me then, and for the first time in my entire life, I felt happy; like I belonged.