A/N: First I would like to thank everyone for their reviews…In case I missed someone. And second, the reason I've been absent is because of break and not having a computer readily available. And I meant to get a chapter up sooner, but I've had family problems: my grandfather had open heart surgery, my insurance got cancelled, and my dad shattered his leg to name a few. So let me know if my style ends up being too different for the story I'm going for because I don't know how my writing will be with all my baggage right now.

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Chapter Four: Life

Five Years Later:

Emerald slowly went forward. He was playing a game with Bartholomew and wanted to spot him before he could jump on him. Unknown to him Bartholomew was right behind him barely holding in his chuckles as the little one in front of him tried to be quiet in his search. While Emerald had certainly had gotten better at hunting and hiding he was still to loud when dealing with the average creature, so Asher had enlisted his help to turn it into a game that the ten year old would want to play, when Emerald had shown no interest in learning how to do it in a way that relied on his sense rather than one his magic.

Emerald spun around quickly and yelled out, "I found you. I knew I could feel you near by but it was so confusing." Emerald grinned in accomplishment as he realized he had indeed actually found him and not ended up talking to himself which had happened several times.

Bartholomew leaned forward to give Emerald a light kiss in reward. "That was very good young one, it's your quickest time yet. Asher will be pleased when I tell him."

Emerald's grinned widened into a smile, "Yep and so will Mama." Emerald began to skip in the direction of Asher's rooms so he could tell him the good news. Without warning Bartholomew tagged him with a quick "You're it" before running down the long hallway. Without pause Emerald took chase. This game of tag continued until they reached Asher's quarters. Without pausing Emerald threw opened the doors, ran in, and jumped on Asher, who sat on the lounge, While Bartholomew continued in the direction of his own quarters.

"Ah, Mon Emeraude how did your game go?" Asher asked as he settled the boy more comfortable on his lap, twisting him so Emerald's head was tucked under his chin.

"I won and it only took me an hour. I can't wait til next time we play. Do you think he'll teach me how to use his whip some day? I mean he always looks so cool when he does it and mama said I could have one when I was older as long as you agreed." Emerald looked at Asher pleadingly. Unable to actually say no Asher smiled and replied "maybe".

Emerald maneuvered himself so Asher was laying down on the lounge with him on top. He sighed in pleasure once he was completely comfortable, and closed his eyes before murmuring, "I'm sleepy. But are you hungry? I don't want to go to sleep yet if you are." Emerald opened his eyes to look up at Asher to see him contemplating his neck as if to test how hungry he was. Without needing further encouragement, Emerald tilted his head to the side presenting his neck so Asher could feed. "I knew you were." Emerald muttered before once again closing his eyes.

Not resisting the temptation Asher leaned forward and bit gently in to the neck of his pomme de sang. Drinking his full, then pulling back and licking the wounds in order to close them. Seeing that his Emeraude had fallen asleep he thought back to the time when he had first found Emerald. The child had been so afraid of everything that it too forever to even get him to take a bath. It had taken hours to convince him to go near the tub and nearly an hour more to prove that he wasn't going to burn him with the water but wanted to get him clean and set. It had been a process to get him out of his clothes also. Asher was positive that Emerald had been sexually abused as a child because he had feared taking his clothes off. If it hadn't been for his ability to hypnotize people, he did not believe Emerald would have remained calm for the process. And bringing Emerald home had been a complete nightmare. That was the first time Emerald had used his magically abilities.

When they had arrived Belle Morte had met them pissed that Asher had taken nearly two weeks to put down a newborn rouge, when it should have only taken days.

FLAHBACK

"Where the HELLL have you been I was expecting you home a week and a half ago, how dare you take advantage of my generosity to stay away and laze about." Belle Morte ranted. Asher was grateful that His Emeraude was hidden behind him when Belle Morte begin to strike him with her power. It was five hits before Asher had finally went down and another two before suddenly Emerald screamed in rage and the swish of his tiny wrist Belle Morte had gone flying back wards across the entrance hall.

"You will not hurt my Angel. He's mine, he's mine," Emerald had raged, Glowing with his power. Every vampire in the room watched as a tiny child faced and beat one of the strongest vampire's alive without any effort at all. Emerald had continued to glow and hold Belle Morte pinned to the far wal until Asher had been able to drag himself to the child and gently gather him into his arms whispering that he was unhurt and was thankful for his help. With a start Emerald had looked around him at the room, it was then that Asher had realized the entire thing was trashed. Once he knew what he had down, once more turning into the hysterically lost boy he had been, before falling into an exhausted sleep.

Asher had looked up at Belle Morte when she once more approached and tried to explain, "Mistress, this is Mon Emeraude I found him and made him my pomme de sang, he was…."

Belle Morte gently hushed Asher, "It is alright I should have known you had a reason to stay away so long. We need to get you and your little one to your room to rest." She slowly began to lead them out of the entrance hall. Once they reached Asher's rooms she saw that the child was awake and tried to reassure him he was safe, no child should ever be afraid to express themselves it was one of the only times she overlooked protocol. "I am sorry for upsetting you, mon infante, I did not mean to. I was worried that something had happened to Asher and my fear turned to anger when I saw he was fine."

Seeing that the beautiful vampire did not mean to hurt him he relaxed into Asher's embrace and asked "What's your name?" in that innocent way only children can manage.

With a chuckle she had replied, "Belle Morte. I am Asher's creator or mother if you will."

"Oh, Bell Morma. That's a pretty name." Asher tightened his hold on Emerald when he saw the outrage on her face for the ruination of her name before she remembered that she was talking to an abused child.

"No it is Belle MORTE. But you can call me mama since you find it so hard to pronounce."

Emerald smiled happily before reaching out and grabbing her hand not trusting she wouldn't hurt him yet, but needing that physical comfort.

END FLASH BACK

Asher smiled as he remembered how Emerald had drove Belle Morte crazy and was now the only being that dare approach her without any fear or type of protocol, even when she was in a raged. While there were lots of good times there had also been bad. It had taken a long time before Emerald had been able to roam without Asher there with him, and an even longer time before he could allow anyone to touch him. Even now, Emerald did not like to be touched without knowing where and who it was coming from. His malnourishment and mistreatment had ensured that he would remain small forever. At ten he barely hit four feet and doctor's told him that because of the damage done to his bones Emerald would never grow to be taller than five feet, because his body would not handle the strain if it did. Asher slowly lost consciousness as the sun rose above the horizon and he fell into death.

A/N: I hope you all like it and Please leave a review...Otherwise I don't know if anyone likes it. THANKS!!!