Disclaimer: I do not own Karneval and in no way profit off of this

Akuma no Uta inspired me as far as injuries go (read their story) but the rest of the story was inspired purely by my own opinion that Karneval could have been so much longer and more complex! I really like injuring my favourite characters as well, so expect that.

No pairings, no lemon, I dislike romance (most of the time) so there won't be any in this

(I honestly just cant picture Gareki being with anyone)

It was cold tonight. Gareki was glad he was wearing his magenta sweatshirt but still... the frigid temperature bit at his skin through the material. He reached up his gloved hands, pulling the collar of the sweater closer to his chin before reaching back down, fingering the gun strapped to his thigh. He glanced over at Yogi, crouching near a tree just to the left of him. The older man's facial expression was pulled taut into a mask of seriousness, one he did not wear very often but Gareki knew the situation they were in called for no error; Yogi couldn't afford to slip up. And neither could Gareki.

He closed his fingers around the hilt of the gun, clutching it in both hands as his trigger finger stood ready, waiting for the Verugas to find them. They had lost Nai and Tsukumo with the first sudden encounter and were currently trying to regain their bearings. The forest around them was still but eerily so and Gareki tried to pull his mind away from worrying about Nai. The lack of sound was making it difficult for he worried the Verugas went after the two of them instead of him and Yogi but he had to wipe any negative thoughts from his mind. Tsukumo was more than capable of protecting herself and Nai.

"Hey, Gareki," Yogi spoke softly, careful not to give away their position.

"Yeah?"

"I think we should move, try to find Nai and Tsukumo. If the Verugas went after them, they're going to need our help."

You mean your help, Gareki thought bitterly. It was no secret to him that Circus thought he was useless but he tried not to let it get to him. He was here for Nai, not Circus. Circus, he thought scornfully. The only reason they were here tonight was so they could use Nai to lure out more Veruga. They were just unlucky enough to encounter two. Damn them for putting Nai in danger. He grimaced, standing up slowly as Yogi did the same.

Gareki's gripped tightened around his gun as he heard a sharp snap, his breath catching in his throat as he listened. "Come out, Circus scum! Don't you want to play?" Gareki clenched his jaw as the gruff voice of the Veruga taunted them but he knew well enough to stay put. They didn't yet know where he and Yogi were. Or so he thought.

Suddenly, Yogi was grabbing Gareki around the waist and jumping away from the tree they hid behind. Gareki squirmed in Yogi's arms. "Hey, put me down!" he started but his eyes widened as the tree they once couched behind was practically shattered as the strong claws of the first Veruga tore through the trunk with ease. Gareki gasped, "Where's the second-" he was cut off as he felt a powerful force slam into him and Yogi. The strength of the impact caused Yogi to drop Gareki and they both went tumbling through the air, Gareki's body slamming against the ground like a ragdoll as he rolled across the forest floor, the trunk of a tree stopping his momentum. He cried out as he felt something within his chest crack and he clenched his teeth, fighting through the pain as he looked around for Yogi, only to see the second Veruga - the one that struck them - stalking toward him. The Veruga's flesh was a sickly grey and it's face was contorted into a sinister smile with at least two rows of razor sharp teeth glinting in the moonlight that managed to slice through the tree canopy. The beast was huge, it's long limbs strong and wrought with tight muscles. Gareki stuggled to force himself into a sitting position, his ribs screaming in protest from the movement but he had to push through it. If he didn't get up he'd be much worse off than a broken rib or two.

He grunted, his eyes glazing over as a white hot pain lanced it's way through his body and he stopped, taking deep breaths as he clutched his gun, thankful he had managed to keep a tight grip on the weapon. The Veruga was nearly upon him now and he lifted the gun up, his hand shaking as he struggled to steady himself, and took a shot. The bullet sunk into the hard flesh of the beast's shoulder, seemingly leaving the abomination unfazed. "Shit," he mumbled, he pushed himself upright, taking a few more shots before the Veruga was upon him. He screamed as the creature wrapped its large hand around Gareki's midsection, his ribs cracking audibly under the pressure. "Yogi!" He cried out desperately, knowing it was probably useless as he was sure that Yogi was busy with the first Veruga. His mind clouded over with agony, the Veruga was tightening it's grip and his newly broken ribs were surely broken in several places now but Gareki couldn't find the strength to scream, his lungs felt tight and it was getting difficult for him to draw in even the smallest breath. The Veruga grinned at seeing Gareki's pain and without warning, drew it's arm back and threw Gareki through the air.

The raven boy let out a loud yell as he felt his body soaring through the air weightlessly, his fly only coming to and end once he felt his leg crack against a tree and he fell to the ground in a broken heap, landing on his right side, he felt his forearm snap beneath his weight and his broken ribs shifted. He tried to take in a deep breath but his body shuddered from the effort and a violent cough wracked his body, blood trickling out of the corner of his mouth. His breathing was becoming difficult and in that moment he could no longer feel any pain. His body felt numb and his eyes were glazed over. The world in front of him was hazy and he could feel himself slipping into unconsciousness. He couldn't bring himself to care that the Veruga that was coming towards him again, he couldn't worry about where Yogi was because chances were Yogi wasn't going to save him this time. He almost couldn't even worry about Nai.. until he thought he heard Nai calling his name. "N-no.." he whispered weakly, "s-stay away, N-Nai..." And then there was nothing. Just darkness.

Short chapter; chapter two is already done but I'll post that in a day or so.

Reviews welcome; no flames