A/N: Thank you to everyone who has alerted, fav'd and reviewed this story. For a while I had difficulties writing this chapter because what was going on. To explain a few things, you can visit the map of the world on my profile (there's a link near by display picture) that'll help explain a little about this world and the places in it.

Chapter Three – Despair

"Didn't I tell you would regret it?" Kaito grumbled early that morning as the twins cooked breakfast, doing everything as quietly as they could so they wouldn't disrupt Kamui-sensei too much, who was nursing a headache from the alcohol.

"I didn't drink that much. I just don't handle alcohol well, and besides, my assistant always sends me the hard stuff. She never takes into account my tolerance."

"If you knew that, then why did you?"

"Because I was stressed, that's why."

"Poor you," there was sarcasm in Kaito's voice. It was clear he didn't feel sorry for the doctor. He stood there awkwardly, not sure what do with himself. He hated just standing about, but he didn't really want to sit down either. He just felt… edgy. He glanced towards the window, seeing the storm clouds coming towards them.

"It seems winter's going to start early this year," Kamui-sensei said as he sat back as Len placing a hot cup of tea in front of him. He thanked the boy who just smiled and went back over to his sister. "Some years it varies on the rainfalls earlier on in the year. The less rain falls in the year means a later winter, earlier rain falls and winter approaches faster."

"I never realised."

"Well, it's not always right, some years it tricks you, but the theories correct most of the time," Kamui-sensei said as he sipped the tea. "Besides, the sky gives away more than you would think."

"Is there going to be a storm?" Rin asked as she began to dish out breakfast.

"I don't know, but whatever it may be, it's approaching fast," Kamui said softly. The children were really uneasy. "It might be best you two stay here until the storms blown over. Your parents are aware you're both here this morning?"

"We told father before we left," Len replied before convincing Kaito to sit down at the table and eat with them. "He said he'll let mother know we're here."

Kaito stiffened, but the children didn't notice. Kamui, however, did notice the way Kaito tensed, but ignored it instead of raising the issue. "At least they know."

The two nodded before Len spoke out again. "Kamui-sensei… can we spend Christmas here?"

Kamui was now the one who seemed uneasy. "Wouldn't you prefer to spend it with your father?"

By the twin's expression, Kaito really doubted it. "Come on sensei, we won't get to see the two of you, can't we spend winter here?"

"But you have your chores; you're father can't do everything on his own."

The children looked depressed, so Kaito was the one who spoke out. "What's wrong with them spending Christmas here? Christmas comes every year, so what's wrong with them spending this Christmas with you?"

The twins seemed happy that Kaito was sticking up for them. "I didn't say anything was wrong with it," Kamui sighed softly. "I don't hate having them here… it's just…"

They both knew danger was on the horizon.

There was something wrong, something seriously wrong but neither Kaito-san nor Kamui-sensei noticed the dangers ahead of them. Strolling along a worn rode, Kagamine Len wondered just what exactly was wrong with this feeling. Rin didn't seem to notice it either as she wandered a few steps ahead on him, holding a brown paper bag filled with goodies from the market in the nearby town.

There had been something wrong there too, but it just didn't click with him. Maybe it was because he was too young to understand exactly what was going on, but the two adults had suddenly changed attitude in the last few days. They spent time together talking about escaping after Christmas when there was still confusion, but Len wondered why after Christmas?

It's because of us…

As the thought crossed his mind, he stopped walking. Rin didn't notice at first that her brother had stopped until she realised his footsteps had creased and she turned around, slightly confused. "Len, what's wrong?"

Is it because… we wanted to be with them for Christmas? Are they… in more danger than their acting? "It's nothing," Len said as he began walking, moving swiftly past his confused sister. It's because we asked to be with them that they feel that are obliged to remain until Christmas has past… are we really that selfish? "I was thinking… maybe we should stay home for Christmas after all… you know, because it's really the time we should spend with the old man."

"But you were the one who said we should be with Kamui-sensei and Kaito-san."

She was cute when she was naive. "Yeah, but the old man is our family… maybe we should spend some time with him."

"But…" Rin almost began to postest when they heard a noise in the distances. It was the sound of galloping. Horses? Len wondered before steering Rin from the path. It was getting late, and no doubt they would have gotten back just before nightfall, but who would be travelling out this way from the town behind them? Something was wrong. "Len… what's wrong?"

"I don't think it's safe here. We'll go the back way, and head straight for Kamui-sensei's cottage. Something is really wrong," Len pulled his sister along with him.

"But this path is longer!"

"Shh! I know, but it's safer," Len hushed at her before dragging her into the trees. Just as they vanished, he caught the sight of several horses, all of them wearing imperial uniforms. Len's stomach dropped lower than he could imagine…

…Imperial uniforms meant one thing…

…They were looking for Kaito-san.

"Kamui-sensei!" Gakupo would not admit the children bursting into his cottage scared him witless. He just wouldn't!

"What is it you two? Did you run all the way back or something?" Gakupo asked as he took the bag and placed it on the table. "What's wrong?"

"T-The Espias Imperial guards!"

That was enough of an answer the make Gakupo pale. "Where?"

"They were riding along the path. We went the back way, but they don't look like they're here yet. Kamui-sensei, they're the men from the Wastelands, from Espias!"

Espias was the country to the right of Ceylartium (the country they were currently in), and had very little green land in it (hence the name The Wastelands), and was once apart of Swonya, until Espias people choose separated from them. That caused a war and divided the two nations in the end. Espias was also, if Gakupo's judgment was correct, where Kaito was from. "Are you sure?" Gakupo asked cautiously.

"Dead sure, sensei, I would recognize their uniform from a mile away!"

Which meant they'd run out of time. This was not a good thing to happen, he wasn't prepared yet. Kaito was still healing, and in all honesty, it'd only been a month since he was brought here to his cabin. There was no way Kaito could even outrun them even if he tried. "Alright," Gakupo began slowly, keeping his anxiety at bay. "Remember the back route I showed you awhile ago. I want you two to take Kaito up there."

"But, the path is covered with snow!" Rin replied, glancing out the window. "And a storm is coming."

"I know, but we need to get him away from the village. It's not safe anymore. Things would get suspicious if I just disappeared now. I need to buy time. You'll have to take the back route towards Ceylosias, along the border. You've both remember the way right?"

"Of course, you showed us the way ages ago," Len grumbled. "Will we reach there before the storm, and how the hell do you plan to catch up to us and what if they go to Ceylosias? It could be their next destination!"

That was a good point, actually. "Ceylosias is in the Cythatus borders, Espias isn't allowed to cross the border line of Bythatus unless they plan to start a war. Unfortunately for Ceylartium, they aren't apart of that treaty, so Espias can just walk in whenever they want."

"Totally unfair," Rin mumbled before nodding, understanding what Gakupo was getting at. "The back way will add another four hours to the travel. The walking distance of Ceylosias is at least a day long. Maybe we could take some horses from the farm?"

"It'll be too suspicious," Len commented with a frown. "But they're on horses and could catch us up easy."

"Not if you follow the river down to the ocean," Gakupo said as he pulled a map from the shelf nearby. He unrolled it and pointed to where he was getting at. "It'll take longer, but you see here, you can catch a boat down the river. If you leave within the hour, you could make it in time to catch the last boat of the evening. To boat travels all the way down to the ocean. From the small ocean village, you can hire a carriage and travel along the ocean into Cythatus. It'll be at least another two days travel, but once I'm done here, I can get to Cythatus before you arrive."

"But the longer we take, the more time they have to get to us."

"Boat's aren't exactly fast either, sensei. They could be upon us before we know it."

He shook his head and smile. "You're going up, they're going down. It'll take six hours to get to the boat. The boat will take another four to get down to the ocean village. That's ten hours. They'll be there and out before you know it. Rest there in the village before in the early hours of the morning, hire a coach. The coach will get you into the Bythatus borders and into Cythatus by the late evening if you follow the ocean."

"Alright," Len said before turning to Rin. "Pack some supplies, enough for three days, and get Kaito while you're at it."

"Take the map with you," Gakupo said as he wrapped it up and handed it to Len. "You'll also need some money for this."

"Sensei, we couldn't," Rin took his hand and shook her head. "It's asking too much."

"No, I'm the one who's asking a lot here."

"And what excuse do you plan to make up for us?" Len asked with suspicious.

"I'll work something out."

It was too cold for travel, but it seemed Rin didn't mind it. Kaito did, however, shivering slightly as the twins took him into the forests. "What's going on?" he asked the two, feeling a little left out of the loop. He'd been dragged off with little explanation to why panicked twins wanted to get him away from the village. He'd asked Kamui, who offered no enlightenment on what was going on just that he had to go with the twins. He then mentioned that in two days time, he'd meet up with the three of them.

"Kamui-sensei said not to tell you until we were away from the village," Len admitted, trotting along side him. "He wants the three of us away from the village as quickly as possible."

He had a feeling now why Kamui wanted that. "They're here, aren't they?" He felt Rin's hand tightened and knew it. "He's endangering you both by doing this. I can carry on by myself."

"You can't," Rin said, her voice on the edge of tears. "You don't know the way to the boats on the river or how to travel from the ocean village to Cythatus either. We know the way therefore, it's better if we go with you."

Kaito stayed quiet for a moment before he managed to let go of Rin's hand, the twins stopped, puzzled. "You've underestimated them, haven't you?"

"What do you mean?" Len demanded angrily, his eyes red from suppressed tears.

"There is no way you can get away from them if they're this close. Go back to the village now, its better this way. If they catch the two of you, they'll enslave you both. Its better that you two head back and I carry on. I wouldn't live with myself if you too got caught because of me."

The twins went to argue but he rose his hand, pleading with them to listen to him…

Villagers scrabbled away as the large, metal plated horses and men stormed into the village. After they stopped in the square of the village, the man up front jumped from his horse, looking around at the unsure and frightened villagers. He smiled darkly to himself before he spoke out to them. "I had some news that you were harbouring a slave of the capital of Espias, Eurisaea, amongst you. If you do not wished to be hurt, then please bring him to us immediately."

There was nervous chatter, and the leader, the Master of the Guards in the Eurisaea court, over heard it. Many asked what he meant, others mentioned a name, that maybe it had something to do with him. However, before he could question again, a bright came from ahead of them. A sensation man already in his sleep attire came over to the group, speaking in a loud voice as he did. "What in gods name is going on over here," his voice wasn't one that seemed used to speaking loudly, but it certainly wasn't a voice of a quite many either. "Heavens sake, do you realise what godly hour this is?"

The Master of the Guards nodded his head respectfully towards the man. He noticed many people relaxed around him, and wandered who he might be. "I'm Goodwin of the court of Eurisaea, and we are here to collect a slave that has gone missing."

"A slave, what nonsense, does it look like any are here?" The man spoke darkly, more upset that he was startled from his slumber rather than anything else. "I've treated every single person here for the last two years and I have not seen any slaves among us."

Goodwin narrowed his eyes and approached the man. "Is that so, sir…?"

"Kamui-sensei," the man replied, crossing his arms, the lantern hanging to the side of him from his hand.

"Kamui-kun," Goodwin spoke, his voice holding mockery in it. "May I enquire where you are from? It's rare to see a man of your manner living amongst villagers like this?"

"Is that flattery I sense, Goodwin-san, because flattery will get you no where."

"Certainly, not, Kamui-kun, I'm just curious why a man from the notorious Genecea is here. After all, even in this dim light it is easy to tell that your beautiful violet hair is natural. I only thought the Genecea people had such a hair colour."

"I do have some relations there, but this has nothing to do with why you've come here."

"Oh, but this does," Goodwin waved his hand, his dark smile growing. "Most Genecea's are lairs."

"That's stereotyping us, and that will get you no where. My people are, as most people know, a warrior race. We don't enjoying being patronized, and will act violently towards anyone who thinks they can get away," Kamui's eyes flashed, a bloodlust boiled in them. "We're just as dangerous as we are elegant, remember that Goodwin-san."

Goodwin took a step back, feeling a dark aura coming from the young doctor. It seemed he did cross a bad path with Kamui, but after a moment he smiled at the man. "Excuse my rudeness, but may I have your full name?"

Kamui narrowed his eyes. "Kamui Gakupo."

"Ah, the Queen Killer, I head about you."

The name didn't shock the doctor like Goodwin thought it would have, instead, it made Kamui smile foully at him. "Ah, I guess those who work in the courts would know me by that name, but thankfully, that has been suppressed, otherwise, they may be another blood bath."

Goodwin shivered. He knew the stories, knew that the Queen Killer strangled the Queen of Genecea after a night of service. He also tried to kill the young Princess, but she managed to escape him. He murdered several other guards and young provinces Queens in his escape before disappearing. He turned up in the main slave court and threatened to murder every single owner of slaves if his name was not removed and suppressed. Just to prove that he was willing to do so, he even brought in one of the province Queens head with him. No one wanted him in the slave houses and did as he wished before disappearing, never to be heard of until, well, now. "No, we wouldn't want that," Goodwin said more to himself than Kamui. "Anyways, by the order of the King, we are to search every house for him."

Kamui's face didn't shift, but he glanced at the people. "You damage any property, and I promise I'll damage your men."

Goodwin glanced at his men, hoping they understood before he sent them on their way. Soon, it was just him and Kamui faced off. Wouldn't his kind just love him for bringing back the most dangerous slave though by far? It'll certainly boost his status, but as the thought crossed, his eyes connected with the ones in front of him. No, it wasn't worth dying for yet. However, now he knew the young doctors location, he could easily tell the king about it. "Why do you choose a small, remote town to practice in? Certainly there are better places for more money," Goodwin said as he lit up a cigarette, offering one to the doctor who kindly refused.

"It's not about the money, I just want to help those in need," Kamui replied softly, but there was something about his tone that made Goodwin suddenly suspicious. He was hiding something, but what was it? "This town may be remote, but the community is close, everyone here helps each other out in all kinds of tasks. It's the kind of place I grew up in before I was taken away and forced into the slave camps."

"Was it now?"

"Surely you're against enslaving people. What if it were your children, your wife? Have you ever considered what this does to a person," Kamui whispered then laughed bitterly. "Of course, you'd think in the sense of 'I have power, I don't need to think like that', but in all honesty, what if you lost your status, your power… you could end up in the same position."

"I'm not afraid of enslavement; after all, if I lost my power I'd kill myself before they could."

"So you don't even fear death?"

"Why would I fear death? I live on the death row every day. We're continuously at war with Swonya, though many people don't realise that until they live in the two countries."

"Why would you be at war?"

"Why wouldn't we? We wanted to be separate from the Swonya people, yet they still keep us bound. We may have our own territory, but we're not free, at least, not yet."

"And have you ever pictured the situation you're in being almost the same as a slave's life?"

Goodwin stared at Kamui for a long moment and laughed bitterly. "I guess it is, after all, a slave doesn't know when they'll be killed by their master."

"What of this slave you're hunting for, what will happen to him?"

"He'll probably be punished, but I highly doubt he'll be executed for his crimes, after all, they're petty crimes," Goodwin shrugged. "Besides, my men are good at what they do, so he didn't escape on his own, but saved by someone."

"And who would be sane enough to save a slave?"

"A ex-slave with a name for himself," Goodwin challenged. For a moment, Kamui looked startled by this but then he smiled sweetly, stepping up right into Goodwin's face. "Isn't that right, Kamui-kun?"

"First you mock me, then you treat me like a child and then you act as if I was behind this?"

"Many people aren't aware you're behind the recent slave releases, Kamui-kun, but I do work in the Slave Courts as well as being the Master of the Guard for Eurisaea."

"I thought your face looked familiar, Goodwin-san."

Sparks clashed between them before an echo of horses flooded the area. Suddenly, Kamui tensed up enough for even Goodwin to notice. Kamui turned to face the noise before a scream pierced the air. He had paled by now. Goodwin brushed past him and moved towards the noise. Horses burst around the corner of the far house – the place where Kamui had come from – carrying what it seemed like three people. "Sir, we found these three travelling in the forests. One of them in the slave in question, sir."

Goodwin only had to glance over his shoulder to see how pale Kamui had gone in the dim light.

A/N: I hoped you enjoyed this latest installment. Let me know what you think is going to happen next =D