Shinigami-cat: Well I hope this chapter works out alright... The song used is Dark Waltz by Hayley Westenra... I OWN NOTHING!

pocket watch

Gilbert sighed as he walked down the steps. Vines slowly wrapped around the banisters like snakes and the cool night air ran through his hair. From where he was standing he could out into the ballroom. Broad trees stretched up into the sky creating a dome that was equal to that of a cathedral in elegance and beauty.

A small weedy girl in a long black dress was standing alone on the stage with her violin. She lifted it up to her shoulder and began to play a haunting tune. It tugged at Gilbert heart to hear it. He looked down at the crowd of people laughing and dancing. They seemed to swirl and twist into a blur of black and grey. All except for one who seemed to stand out from the crowd.

He seemed to be dancing by himself in the middle of everyone. Gilbert couldn't understand why. He was the only one that seemed to stand out in his dark blue suit and bright blond hair. He seemed to shine like a diamond. Gilbert quickly moved through the crowd of swirling black to get to him.

Gilbert reached out and grabbed the boy's shoulder and turned him around. The boys eyes were a beautiful violet mixed with a hint of blue. Gilbert took the boys hand and bowed. "May I have this dance Birdie?"

We are the lucky ones
We shine like a thousand suns
When all of the colour runs together

Matthew laughed and kissed Gilbert's hand. "Of course Gilbert." With one hand on Matthew's waist Gilbert spun him into a waltz. As they danced Matthew rested his head on Gilbert's chest and sighed.

"What's wrong Birdie?" Asked Gilbert

Matthew looked up at Gilbert with his bright shining eyes. "Why did it take you so long to find me? I've been waiting for you for so long."

Gilbert kissed Matthew's forehead and sighed. "I'm sorry Matthew... But I won't leave you again."

I'll keep you company
In one glorious harmony
Waltzing with destiny forever

Matthew smiled up at Gilbert. "Thank you Gilbert. I never want you to leave me again. But when this dance is over..." Matthew looked away from Gilbert and rested his head against his chest again.

Gilbert frowned. "Matthew? What happens when this dance is over?"

Dance me into the night
Underneath the moon shining so bright
Turning me into the light

Matthew bit his lip and frowned. "When this dance is over I have to go."

Gilbert froze slightly but continued to dance. "What happens when this is over? Where will you go?"

"Where everyone goes when they disappear." Whispered Matthew mournfully. "I don't have a choice... I just have to when we stop dancing."

"Then we won't stop." Said Gilbert. "We can dance forever."

Time dancers whirling past
I gaze through the looking glass
And feel just beyond my grasp is heaven

Matthew smiled. "I'd like that Gilbert."

Sacred geometry
Where movement is poetry
Visions of you and me forever

Spinning and twirling around and around in circles. The dark dresses on the girls flowered out spinning, twirling and melting together in continues darkness that clung together. It all seemed so surreal and perfect yet tragic at the same time. Gilbert pulled Matthew close and clung to him. He would never let Matthew go again.

"Forever." Muttered Gilbert. "Let's stay together forever."

Matthew chuckled. "Remember when we said we would move to Canada."

"I won the coin toss." Said Gilbert. "We were moving to Germany."

"But I can't speak German." Said Matthew.

"And I can't speak French." Said Gilbert.

Matthew chuckled. "They have an English speaking part too! Besides I like it there, and I've never been to Germany."

"Then I would take you on a tour." Said Gilbert. "And I would teach you how to speak enough German to get by."

Dance me into the night
Underneath the moon shining so bright
Turning me into the light

Matthew laughed happily and looked up at the tree branches. He seemed mesmerized by the beauty of it all. His eye shone brightly and smiled. "It's so pretty... The moon is just so bright."

Dance me into the night
Underneath the moon shining so bright

Gilbert kept his eyes on Matthew and nodded. "Yeah... It lights up the whole place." He smiled and stroked Matthew's hair. "It shines only for you."

"How cheesy." Said Matthew.

Let the dark waltz begin
Oh let me wheel, let me spin
Let it take me again
Turning me into the light

The girl with the violin played the last note and disappeared in a swirl of black smoke. Slowly one by one the other dancers faded away into darkness leaving Matthew and Gilbert dancing alone to nothing. Gilbert couldn't look away from Matthew, lest he disappear like the other dancers. Matthew looked up at Gilbert with a pained look in his eyes. "I have to go now Gilbert."

Gilbert frowned. "Please don't do this Matthew... This hurts so much."

"It hurts me to." Whispered Matthew. "Just close your eyes and count to four."

Gilbert stroked Matthew's cheek. It was ice cold. "I'm sorry for everything Matthew. My Birdie. My everything."

Matthew nodded and smiled half-heartedly. "Please Gilbert... It hurts me when you say that... Just close your eyes and count for me, please?"

Gilbert sighed and closed his eyes. "One, two, three, four."

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Gilbert opened his eyes and groaned. He was looking up at the ceiling of his room. Another night another dream of Matthew. His sweet, perfect Matthew. He sighed and looked at his alarm clock. The time was about six in the morning. He groaned and sat up. There was dried blood on his arm from where he cut the night before and his bed sheets were stained red. "Shit... I need some bleach or something..."

He got up and quickly grabbed the blood stained items and silently walked down to the laundry room. He quickly put the sheets into the washing machine and threw in some bleach and washing powder. While that was happening he made his way to the bathroom to clean his arm. He didn't like dry blood. It was a pain to get out of clothes and a pain to get off cuts.

He sighed and looked at his newly bandaged arms. 'Cutting won't make the pain go away... What does he know? He's just some freak who runs a pawn shop.' With that thought in mind he went back to his room to get dressed. There was no way in hell he was getting back to sleep.

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Francis and Antonio were laughing and chatting to each other at their table while eating their lunch. Gilbert just sighed. He hadn't even touched his food yet. Francis pouted and poked Gilbert's face. "What's wrong Gilbert? You haven't touched your food yet."

"I don't feel like eating." Said Gilbert. "Don't really feel like doing much at all really..."

Antonio and Francis shared worried looks. "There has to be something you want to do." Said Antonio. "Want a tomato?"

Gilbert sighed. "No Antonio... I don't want a tomato." He frowned and rested his head in his hands. "I had a dream about him last night."

Francis nodded knowingly. "Which one?"

"The one where we are dancing." Said Gilbert. "I hate it. I can only meet him in my dreams. It's almost like he's haunting me!"

Antonio sighed. "That's just silly. He wouldn't haunt you."

"Sure as hell feels like it." Growled Gilbert.

"Hey tonight after you're finished at the shop why don't you come out with us?" Asked Francis. "There's a party a Vash's house."

Gilbert frowned. "Vash? Isn't he that kid that dose paintball all the freaking time and hates anyone going near his sister?"

"That's the one." Said Francis. "And everyone is going to be there."

"Even him?" Growled Gilbert in disgust. "If he goes I'm not."

Antonio tilted his head in confusion. "Who are you talking about?"

"He who must not be named." Hissed Gilbert.

Antonio's eyes went wide. "Voldemort?" Five seconds later Antonio was kicked out of his chair. "Ouch! What was that for?"

"You know who I'm talking about." Hissed Gilbert. "Alfred. Matthew's brother. He still hates me for what happened you idiot."

"He can't still blame you." Said Francis. "You just didn't want to go."

"That's why he blames me." Said Gilbert. "If I just said yes and went with him..."

Francis slammed his hand down on the table. "NO! You are not going to talk about it Gilbert. You are not going to think about it. You know if you do you will want to cut again!"

Gilbert rolled his eyes. "I've been cutting for so long now it seems like a regular part of my day now. So you can shut the fuck up Francis or go find some random drunk person to fuck. I don't give a shit."

Antonio frowned. "That's horrible Gilbert. Cutting shouldn't be a regular part of life."

"Well it is for me." Hissed Gilbert. "Why don't you just shut the fuck up and go molest that fuck face Italian."

Francis and Antonio frowned. "Think before you speak Gilbert." Said Francis. "We have been doing out bet to help you and you just act like a brat! Even friends have their limits! You can't keep acting like this!"

Gilbert sighed. "I know... Yesterday was just stressful... My boss found out that I cut."

Antonio gasped. "Did he tell your grandfather? What did he say? You weren't bleeding out in the bathroom were you? That's horrible!"

"Relax Antonio." Said Gilbert. "I wasn't cutting. He pulled my sleeve up and saw my bandages."

Francis frowned thoughtfully. "What did he say?"

"He just told me not to cut." Said Gilbert. "He said it wouldn't make the pain go away. What the hell does he know? He's just a creep that owns a pawn shop."

"I take it you are still working for him?" Asked Francis.

"What do you think?" Snapped Gilbert. "I'll be working for that dick forever!"

Francis rolled his eyes and sighed. "So what now? Are you going to come with us to this party?"

Gilbert shrugged. "Fine. Pick me up after work. I end at about seven..."

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"AHHHHHHH!" Cried Gilbert as he got buried under a pile of clothes. Canada just shook his head and sighed.

"How hard is it to get a vest?" He asked.

Gilbert growled and sat up. "Shut up! That stupid vest was right at the bottom of the fucking pile! You fucking suck!"

Matthew shrugged, picked up the vest he was after and dusted it off. "Well fold up the rest of the clothes and go help Kuma buff some metal plates." He draped the vest over his arm and walked out of the room. Gilbert growled and began to fold up the clothes and shove them back in the wardrobe where they came from.

'Why the hell are there so many dresses? And why the hell are they so freaking frilly? AHHHHHHH! How the hell do you fold this?' He felt like he was going to kill someone. Dresses were such a hassle, especially the really big bell shaped ones. What was with dresses back then? You could hide someone under one of those things if you wanted to... Maybe he would test that later...

Eventually he had finished putting everything away. "Finally... Where the hell does he get all this stuff?" He closed the door to the wardrobe and heard something clink. "Huh?" He frowned and looked down. There was a small gold chain sticking out from under the wardrobe. He kneeled down and pulled at it. "Huh? A pocket watch?"

It was indeed a pocket watch. It was small, golden and round. It had an intricate design of an eagle engraved onto it. He turned it over in his hands and frowned. This seemed oddly familiar... He had no idea why it just did. He opened it and had a look at the clock face. Small black enamel hands moved around the spotless white face of the clock. It kept perfect time. Gilbert smiled a little. 'Must have fallen out of one of the pockets or something... Looks expensive.'

"Cool." He slipped the watch into his pocket and went to find Kuma. It wasn't that hard. Kuma was sitting in the kitchen with a bunch of rusted looking metal plates and a polishing rag. He sat down across from Kuma and started to polish.

Kuma looked at him and frowned. "Who are you?"

"GILBERT!" Screamed Gilbert.

Kuma shrugged and went back to buffing. Gilbert just rolled his eyes and started listening to his iPod. A little bit of Hollywood Undead always brightens up the mood... maybe not... But still who cares? It's his fucking iPod. After what felt like forever he took the watch out of his pocket and looked at it again. It was so light. Suddenly Canada snatched it out of his hand. "HEY!" Cried Gilbert. "I was looking at that!"

Canada frowned and looked at the watch. "Where did you find this?" He asked.

"Under the wardrobe. I think it fell out of the pocket of something there." Said Gilbert. "Is it valuable?"

Canada sighed and shook his head. "Not really... I mean it's gold plated and lots of gloss has been applied to the enamel but it's pretty much worthless. But it has sentimental value... I've been looking for this for a while actually. I thought I lost it."

"So it's yours?" Asked Gilbert.

Canada shook his head. "No. I'm just minding it for someone... But I doubt they will ever come back for it."

Gilbert frowned. "Why?"

Canada smiled half-heartedly. "He's dead. I watched him die..."

Gilbert's eyes went wide. "You watched someone die?"

Canada nodded. "Yeah... He drowned."

Gilbert froze, his mouth went dry and a chill ran down his spine. "Drowned? As in drowned, drowned."

Canada nodded. "Yeah... They fell off a cliff and fell into the sea. That's kind of why I open a shop by the sea. To be closer to them you know?"

As much as Gilbert hated to admit it he understood what he meant. "Yeah... A friend of mine disappeared near the ocean... I sometimes go there to be closer to him..."

Canada nodded. "I see... is that why you cut?"

Gilbert growled and shook his head. "FUCK YOU! I DON'T WANNA TALK TO YOU ABOUT THAT! JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP! I FUCKING HATE YOU!"

Canada sighed and put the watch in his pocket. "I get it already. Go dust some of the cabinets up the front when you've calmed down." With that he walked upstairs.

Gilbert pouted and grabbed a dust rag. He walked into the front of the shop and started to mumble curses under his breath. 'Shit... why the hell did I tell him about Matthew? FUCK!' He started to dust off a cabinet and sighed. 'So the sea took something from both of us huh? Weird... I wonder who he lost. I know it was his friend but what kind of friend? Best friend? Friend? Girlfriend? Boyfriend? Friend with benefits?' He chuckled and shook his head. 'Canada doesn't seem like someone who gets booty calls.'

"Excuse me but is this Canada's shop?" Asked a voice.

Gilbert turned around and frowned. Standing there was a Taiwanese girl in what looked like fantasy cosplay. Complete with black cat ears, tail and yellow cat eye contacts. "Um... Yeah..."

The cat girl smiled and tilted her head causing some of her long black hair to fall over her face. "You aren't Kumajiro... How did Canada acquire you?"

Gilbert frowned. "Acquire me?"

She nodded. "Yes. Did he find you or were you bought?"

"BOUGHT?" Cried Gilbert. "WHAT THE HELL?"

Suddenly Canada walked into the room and put his hand on Gilbert's shoulder. "Mai." He said. "It's been a while. For what do I owe this pleasure? This is Gilbert by the way. A local boy." He added emphasis on local.

Mai nodded. "I see... I need to speak to you about..." She glanced at Gilbert. "Maybe we could talk somewhere less crowded?"

Canada nodded. "Of course. Please follow me." Canada led Mai out of the room and into the back of the shop.

Gilbert frowned. "The hell? What the fuck? What was that woman on about? Bought? I'm pretty sure human trafficking is illegal in most countries these days."

"Depends on where you go." Said Francis as he walked through the front door. "Do you think prostitution could be considered human trafficking if they are whored out against their will?"

Gilbert shrugged. "Maybe. Is it seven already?"

"Yep." Said Francis. "Are you ready to go?"

"One second." Gilbert walked into the back of the shop where Kuma was still. "Hey Kuma I'm going now."

"Who are you?"

"Fuck you Kumajiro." Snapped Gilbert. He turned and walked back to the front of the shop. "Ready to go." Francis grinned and led Gilbert to his car, where Antonio was waiting in the back seat playing angry birds on his iPhone.

Gilbert jumped into the passenger seat and sighed. Antonio looked up from his game and beamed. "So how was work?"

"I don't work." Said Gilbert. "People who work get payed. What I'm doing is child labour!"

Antonio chuckled and continued to play his game. "Well at least you're out of the house."

"I still want money damn it!" Snapped Gilbert. "Money makes the world go round!"

"No it's love!" Said Francis. "Love makes the world go round!"

Gilbert rolled his eyes. "Love is just for idiots who have nothing better to do with their time. People with no ambition or dive left... stupid people... It makes me sick when I see stupid couples wasting time with each other. Every relationship always ends up in heart break... Even couples that go into old age... One will die and leave the other. Love is for suckers."

"You used to be one of those suckers not too long ago." Said Francis.

Gilbert rolled his eyes. "Yeah... then I got a reality check. Love never has nor ever will exist in this world."

Antonio frowned. "That's not true. When I'm with Lovi I feel all happy and bubbly inside. He makes me really happy. If that isn't love then what is?"

"Ah but you see Antonio you are an idiot." Said Gilbert. "Love is a concept you think exists so you believe in it. Francis has nothing better to do with his time so he thinks that weird tingling sensation he gets in his crotch when he sees someone pretty is love. But I've opened my eyes and now I see the truth."

Antonio shrugged. "If I have to be an idiot to be in love then I hope I keep up with my C average."

"Agreed." Said Francis. "Life is meaningless without love."

"Monks and Nuns don't believe in love." Said Gilbert.

"Yes they do." Said Antonio. "They just choose to not have sex."

Gilbert rolled his eyes. "Oh shut up."

TBC

Shinigami-cat: Well... please review?