Summary: Frankenstein sensed another presence within his and Rai's link.

Set post season 6. Spoilers for 326.

Presence

By Dark Ice Dragon

The house had settled for the night, though it was more from exhaustion and Frankenstein checked on them all. M-21, Takeo and Tao were fast asleep, as were Miss Seira and Regis. The rest of the newcomers were in the living room, trying another batch of ramen.

He had been able to convince Master to r-

Frankenstein froze, his eyes widening. What was that?

There was someone else in the link he and Master shared.

But how? That could only happen if Master had created another contract and Frankenstein would have felt that also. He hurried towards Master's room.

Master knew the other person was there, but he wasn't surprised or trying to find out where the other person was, only…resigned…? He was communicating with the person, but Frankenstein couldn't hear what they were saying.

Frankenstein didn't understand – why wasn't Master-

He knew that aura.

'Peacock!' Pleasure that was not Master's or Frankenstein's and Frankenstein gritted his teeth at both the nickname and at the realisation of who the intruder was. 'Did you miss me?'

No, not at all. 'I thought you had said there would be no more messages.'

Amusement. 'When did I say that?'

'By saying you would disappear.' It had been too much to hope for, it seemed. 'Then what are you doing here?' Maybe the faster he said it, the faster the previous Lord would leave.

A chuckle. 'I'm checking on Raizel, of course. I've enough life force for that.'

'You won't stay down, will you, you buggar?' Frankenstein scowled, nearly at Master's room.

'Not if I can help it, no.' A laugh. 'But I think that's my time up, so I'll take my leave.'

For how long? Would it be only another day until the next time he decided to appear again?

But the previous Lord's presence was fading, leaving Frankenstein and Master alone again.

Frankenstein narrowed his eyes, inspecting the link as he pushed Master's door open. Was the previous Lord really gone or was he merely hiding? He couldn't sense him, in the very least…

"Master…?" Frankenstein said, looking around. He spotted him lying in bed where he had left him, no sign of blood or damaged clothes in sight. Frankenstein relaxed, sighing.

"I'm fine, Frankenstein," Master said, a small smile on his lips.

Frankenstein nodded, still prodding at the link to make sure that the previous Lord was gone. "I'm sure he'll show up again when it's most inconvenient," he said, his lips thin.

Master's smile widened, amusement trickling through their link.

He exhaled, bowing. "I apologise for disturbing your rest, Master." But he had to make sure Master was all right. "I've leave you to your sleep."

"Frankenstein," Master said as Frankenstein was turning to leave

He paused, looking back, his hand on the doorframe. "Yes, Master?"

"Make sure you rest as well."

Ah… "Yes, Master." He bowed, acknowledging the order. "I will." Now that the previous Lord had given Master the rest of his life force, he no longer had to search for a solution.

But it was only a temporary stopgap, and if Master were to use his powers again, then-

"Frankenstein."

He cleared his throat. "Yes, Master." He…would sleep, and start anew in the morning.

Not sure if it's obvious, but basically the previous Lord is now residing inside of Rai. XD