Disclaimer: I own none of the characters.

((lurks out)) Urgh...I missed my date by a week. I apologize for getting this out late and for producing a very short chapter compared to the others. I've been so tired from my new job (it requires me to be outside all day and lifting etc). I started when this chapter was originally due so the exhaustion took over. But! I managed to get up in my extention deadline.

Sorry for this chapter, but think of it like a filler or an in-between. I figured I've managed to produce a lot of long chapters that I should be able to have a little grace for a little chapter.

Anyways more Suzaku in this chapter.

(Unbetaed for the moment. Will fix soon). I promise the next chapter will be back to normal standards.


"Did you see that thing with Giancarlo?" Suzaku asked suddenly, an idea apparently forming. He heard Ookami give a dark chuckle.

"If by thing you mean that dark-haired one that was in Volkoff's seat for his play toys then yes." Ookami said as they entered the shade of the wall. "What do you have in mind? You think he might know something?"

"That fucking blond was conversing with him quite enthusiastically which is quite differently from his usual human instincts. There was something going on and I think that dark-haired one might have inside information from Volkoff. No doubt in return for keeping his bed warm. We'll search him out and see what he knows. Worst case he'll make a nice addition to the food stock for tomorrow's feeding." Suzaku said as he entered the underground hallway swiping a clawed glove at the guard that tried to run at him, ripping up his jugular. Ookami stepped on the body as if he didn't notice it in his way.

"What if this mortal doesn't want to cooperate?" Ookami asked as he pulled and released the clasps on his helmet removing the top visor part as he raked a hand through his bright red hair. Cyan ice eyes revealed themselves and stared at the other god who removed his helmet as well. Crimson eyes stared at the other with disinterest.

"Whatever you want, in the end I'll find what I want. Four hundred years in this place is more than enough for me."


Chapter Seven

"Wait, Giancarlo." Rei said as he staggered through the narrow tunnels that led out of the arena. The sounds of people yelling echoed through the passages. Five guards surrounded the two, making sure to stay close and alert. They were paid enough to protect their boss and any attachments that got involved in his business. Rei sighed at the relentless grip that the blond had on his wrist. Not once since they had left had he let go of the neko-jin.

"Shhh. Don't talk right now. The quieter we leave the quicker we'll get out, unnoticed as well. Volkoff won't be stationary for very long. He'll be concerned that you know something and that I am giving out information. Though in all honesty all I did was take you away from the scene. Plausible excuse." Giancarlo said quickly and with a slight smirk. Rei huffed as he was pulled down another hallway; one that was darker and more frigid. No one bothered to stop to light torches. They kept moving as if they knew the area very well and trusting their memory. Rei felt the grip tighten as the surroundings became darker. The sounds from outside were blocked and only the heavy breathing and footsteps could be heard with the quiet silent chill that accompanied darkness.

There were torches attached to the walls in the distance; only small dots though providing nothing more than something to focus on. Rei scrunched his face up uncomfortably as he moved his other hand to cover the one around his wrist.

"Don't hold my wrist so tight. It hurts."

"I told you to be quiet. You want someone to follow us?"

"I think you're a little late for that Giancarlo. I could hear your loud mouth a world away."

The group stopped suddenly at the voice that echoed in the dark. Rei pressed himself close to the blond's back, who had released his wrist in an instant. The guards and moved in closer than ever, their bodies less that a hand away. Rei turned his head around trying to find the source of the voice. The deep and calm voice sent an unexpected shiver run through Rei's body. He wasn't sure what it shook inside of him, but fear was a pretty good guess. The guards said nothing as they remained focused on anything that may come at them.

"That you Suzaku?" Giancarlo called out, his voice steady with a hint of mocking. Rei's eyes widened at the name that the blond threw out as he identified the figure. Suzaku was here? Had he followed them? Why?

"At least your memory is exceptional unlike other attributes." Suzaku stated. Rei still couldn't identify where he was. His voice seemed to encase them coming from every direction as if they were in some sort of sphere. Giancarlo scoffed at the god as he straightened up his body hiding more of Rei although it was a lost cause.

"I though getting knocked off that horse might have knocked some humility into you." The blond taunted as he mocked the god's present state. Suzaku didn't seem to care much as brushed the insult off immediately. He knew how Giancarlo used words and they were nothing compared to what he had heard in his long life.

"You bore me more and more every time I hear you talk. I think that mouth of yours would work so well if it was stuffed and sewn together tight. Maybe then the world might have some rest." Suzaku responded watching from his spot as the blond tensed and glared at the darkness. The god smirked slightly at the poor sight of the group in front of him. No one was looking directly at him except that dark-haired human fuck toy behind Giancarlo. The boy might of have realized it, but his eyes were focused on the god. Suzaku raised a fine eye brow as he studied the human, or what was mostly human at least. His hair, skin, and eyes didn't match the people that Suzaku had come to associate with Renormi and that even counted the foreigners. Tilting his head to the side he studied the slim yet slightly tall figure which only caused him to scoff at the appearance. This…thing, for a lack of a better word according to Suzaku, was more like a woman. Worthless.

Giancarlo on the other side was slightly annoyed. He rolled his eyes at Suzaku's comment and crossed his arms across his chest. His years in the slave trade and dealing with the god's personality didn't leave him naïve and unsuspecting to the way he approached things.

"What do you want Suzaku? I know you don't chat with humans out of free will. If anything I think your little display earlier proved that." The blond said as he kept his voice calm and loud. A small chuckle emerged from the other.

Rei's ears perked at the harsh sound. He looked around the area, instinct in him telling him that Suzaku was very close. He probably was watching them too with that predatory gaze Rei was sure was hiding underneath the shade of the helmet's visor that the neko-jin could remember in his mind.

Peaking over Giancarlo's shoulder Rei allowed his eyes more room to roam in the dark area. His nose twitched at the dust that seemed to linger in the air.

"Giancarlo…" Rei said quietly not sure if Suzaku had some superb hearing. The blond tilted his head back a bit.

"What now?" His said quietly, but quickly.

"I thought we were trying to get away from him." Rei said hesitantly as looked around the area.

"It's not me who Giancarlo was trying to get you away from it seems. He might have been saving his own hide and decided to take you along as a reward." Suzaku said eyes focused on Rei. This person was nothing special. Rather the opposite in his opinion; naïve, shy, stupid.

Rei's eyes widened for a moment before they narrowed similar to the way he looked at Johnny originally.

"I know who I was escaping from. I'm not so stupid to realize that Volkoff's eyes wandered a bit too much to be deemed innocent." Rei said as Giancarlo nudged him quickly pushing him back. The guards moved closer and Rei realized that the blond was maybe a little nervous at his reaction. Well….good then. Rei was getting tired of these people seeing him as a delicate and naïve foreigner. He was just as or even more observant than they were.

A slight scraping sound from the shadows had everyone on guard. Rei stared straight ahead as small reflections shone in his vision. The reflections formed into an approaching figure. All six of them took a slight step back and the formation of Suzaku in front of them. Rei stared up at the figure eyes, locked on the bird visor that glared down at him. He could feel Giancarlo's hand grab onto his arm again, but he shrugged it off quickly.

Suzaku approached the group slowly, taking his time to glare them down. The dark haired one stood there almost challengingly. Stepping closer Suzaku stopped when he was a foot away from the man. Looking down at the shorter figure he waited for the man to show signs of fear. Rei looked straight ahead staring at armored chest that he would not admit aloud, but was very defined. He caught himself and turned his eyes to the side.

"Suzaku…"

"Fuck off mortal. I'm not interested in talking or even seeing you at the moment." The god said his voice dropping to almost a deadly tone. His eyes flickered over the short-dark haired head to the blond who glared at him, but did not come any closer. Watching the others for a few moments he slowly moved his eyes back to the one in front of him. The figure fidgeted a bit as he tried to avoid eye contact.

"Either look at me or I will permanently fix your neck so that you look up to everything in this world." Suzaku stated coldly as Rei tensed before raising his head slowly so that his eyes peered up at the good through shaggy bangs.

Crimson met gold and something challenged between them. Rei stared up at the face that was hidden behind the mask. The skin was taunt and flawless, yet pale compared to the civilians of the city. Straight features stood out strongly along with addition shadows which Rei guessed could be tattoos. The worst part was the eyes that stare down at him. They were malicious and filled with hate and judgment. Eyes that he knew had judged him before he even existed. The pale lips twitched before they moved smoothly. Rei stared at them as the deep voice filled his ears.

"Now…what brought you into my arena, let alone my newly acclaimed city mortal?" Suzaku asked chillingly, eyes gleaming at the flicker of fear that shone in the eyes below.


So yeah. There's that for now. Hopefully you all aren't too mad at this shortness.

As always please review, and not just favourite or alert. I can't stop you, but it's good to know what people think.

DevlinnReiko