~ Chapter Seven~

~My Wish~

"So he's just tired?" Asked Diva incredulously.

A nod was the only response from the white coat clad female.

"You're kidding!" Cried Diva. "That's impossible! Chevalier can't get 'tired'!"

The other woman shook her head.

"Diva…" She said as calmly as she could. "All living things require rest."

"But chiro-"

"Require it as well…"

"Not knights!"

"Even knights…"

A baffled look.

A sigh from the other female.

"I've discovered, after my tests on Hagi and Solomon and the comparison made from them, and have concluded several things. Firstly, that chiropteran knights have smaller versions of typical cells and four times as many of them. This, in collaboration with another few facts I've discovered; all the cells in their bodies are changed every ten days, except skin cells which are re-placed daily -this is one of the things that attributes to your youthful visage- and the limitless ability to multiply within seconds, that I have observed, enable their healing abilities. I am also pleased to report that I've discovered what could be the reason they do not eat. I've discovered that they photosynthesize."

"Like plants!" Exclaimed Nathan in shock.

Julia nodded.

"Although, it's a little different than the way plants do it…"

"How so?" Nathan inquired, obviously fascinated.

"Well, it turns out that the pigment in your kind's hair becomes much like chlorophyll after the transformation and absorbs energy from the sun. After which the rest is history…"

"Amazing, Juju-san~!" Sang Nathan.

"Please do not refer to me as such…" Calmly requested the doctor gazing impassively at the blonde knight.

"But Juju-san~!"

"Please stop…"

"But-"

"What does this have to do with Hagi actually being able to sleep!" Interrupted Diva with her ever supreme impatience, popping the scientific appreciation bubble that had encased her retainer and the specialist.

"Oh! Well…" The blonde woman began. "As for the exhaustion thing… Apparently, the cells on any upper surface in their bodies interchange at dawn and sunset with a second level of cells underneath that primary layer. In that way, the active cells get time to rest and are often never strained… Except when overworked…"

The doctor shot Diva a pointed look.

"The cells know when to exchange by instinct, yes, but mostly it is a chemical reaction to the sun's ultra-violet rays. So when cooped up…"

"Hagi's cells were unable to photosynthesize and unable to tell when to interchange properly!" Cried Nathan in realization. "Truly, your brilliance is only exceeded by your beauty, Juju-san! You and your research are worth every penny!"

"Hey… is that why is used to feel so sluggish when I lived in the tower...? 'Cause I couldn't draw in the sun's power?" Diva inquired softly.

Dr. Silverstein eyed her, answering cautiously, after all, who knew who sensitive she was to matters concerning that particular topic. "It's possible that queens work the same way…" She said.

Diva nodded.

"Any more questions?" She asked.

"I have a question…" Came a gentle voice.

Turning the group of three watched as Hagi shyly emerged from the changing room.

"Go ahead…" The blond woman coaxed kindly.

He flushed, averting his eyes.

"Um… Well… I…" He struggled for a moment before pausing and resuming a few seconds later –after he'd gathered his thoughts. "Why do we thirst for blood if we can acquire the necessary energy in that way?"

Julia heard his other, unspoken question –his silent hope…

And do know how to stop it…?

"I don't know…" She said sadly, knowing why he asked. According to Joel's diary, the poor man was so traumatized by having to kill human beings to save Saya right after his awakening that he swore off not only his chiropteran abilities, but also the consummation of blood as there was always the risk of harming the individual in the process of drawing it from them- losing yourself to the bloodlust. The guy was probably starving!

"Oh, I see…" He breathed; gaze returning to the floor and the little hope that twinkled in his dazzling cerulean and oceanic blue eyes, dying away.

Really, why did always torture himself with these hopes?

Oh!
Do you know what you got into
Can you handle what I'm 'bout to do
'Cause it's about to get rough for you
I'm here for your entertainment

Oh!
I bet you thought that I was soft and sweet
You thought an angel swept you off your feet
But I'm about to turn up the heat
I'm here for your entertainment

Just then Adam Lambert's 'For Your Entertainment,' echoed through the space.

With a laugh Nathan excused himself and left.

Scowling heavily, Julia Silverstein toyed with the packet of cigarettes in her pocket.

She had never wanted a smoke so bad.

The shadow of a man she used to know, one she'd read about and greatly admired, closed the door opposite her to the room connected to examination room they were currently in, and crossed over to his mistress; leaning down to peck her cheek as she'd ordered. Apparently unsatisfied, Diva snatched Hagi's face between her hands before he could move too far, and crushed their lips together.

He stiffened and whimpered softly –eyes shut tight- as a small trickle of blood trailed down his chin.

That was the fourth time –yes, she was counting- the blue-eyed chiropteran queen had bitten Hagi's lips in the past fifteen minutes alone.

Julia felt sick.

And for the twentieth –yes, again, she was counting- time that day, she wondered if this would have still ended up happening if her beloved professor Collins had betrayed Red Shield.

She sighed, stopping her train of thought – it never got her anywhere.

Diva's left hand slipped up to grip the knight's crotch and he jumped; breaking away as shame flooded his cheeks.

And that was the twenty-third time Diva had touched Hagi like that.

That was the twenty-forth time Hagi'd jumped like that – the woman had opened the door to the change room when Julia was helping the exhausted knight into the paper gown and sneaked up on the poor, sluggish man.

And it was the thirtieth time he'd blushed.

Yes, she counted them all.

Because counting helped, keeping track of numbers helped…

And because numbers were cold, calculative and purely logical, they helped her see these heart-breaking scenes with a cold, calculative and purely logical head.

They made her feel less guilty…

Did she mention that she really wanted a smoke?

Needed one, as a matter a fact…?

No?

Yes?

Well, she's saying it again, she really did.

She fondled the neat card-board edges as she watch Hagi struggle in the songstress grip.

"N-no, Diva… I-Arh!" He cried out; shoving at the unwanted, probing hands. "Please, mistress Di-o-ooh~ w-we're in Julia-san's- Ngh~!"

Diva shoved the panting, flushed and quivering male down on the examination table and fixed her piercing gaze on the doctor.

Taking the hint, she calmly pocketed her phone, flash drive, lighter and keys and left the office.

"Excuse me," She spoke.

And as she closed the door behind her and began her trek down the hall, Hagi's pleas and cries for mercy for Diva to cease her torture echoed through Julia's conscious.

She made her decision.

She was tired of seeing this thing take advantage of Hagi.

Screw counting!

On and on she walked, until she could no longer hear the nauseating noises. Digging her heels into the gravel walkway in the small garden outside the research facility, she whipped out her only means to save the man who surely deserved and was in great need of immediate deliverance from the hands of that madwoman.

Her cell phone…

Her last connection to Red Shield...

'David…'

She sighed.

It figures that he would be the first person she'd remember when she thought back.

A small, exasperated smile found its way to her face as she found herself scrolling pass Joel's number and down to David's - which was conveniently saved as, 'workahlic1.'

She hesitated for only a moment before she pressed 'call.'

It rang.

Her heart rate sped up.

"Hello…?"

Oh God… It was him.

She took a breath.

"David," She said. "It's me, Julia."

"Julia…!" He said in shock.

"Yes, it's me," She continued.

"Why did you call? Is there something you need? What is it? Or is it that you're coming back to Red Shield?" He asked clearly in a single breath.

"David," She called softly but firmly to pause his words. "I called you on behalf of Hagi."

"Hagi!" He cried. "Yu know where he is?"

"Yes," She replied. "I just examined him."

"Examined him?"

"Yes, he was ill, so, at Diva's request I acted as his doctor."

"I thought that chevalier couldn't get ill?"

"So did I, but I stumbled upon quite a few things while I was studying his tests' results, and compared them to some tests' I had previously conducted on another knight, " She said calmly as she brought the pen drive up to her eye-level –toying with it and the light that reflected off its surface.

A pause.

"Where are you? We'll pick you up immediately."

"Why ask? Can't Lewis trace the signal?"

She knew they couldn't trace that particular phone.

But, there was no harm in some friendly teasing, and she found she'd rather missed messing with the other blonde every now and then.

A sigh came from the other line.

"We don't have time for games," He scolded. "We need the facts. Where are y-"

But he never finished.

The phone had been plucked from her grasp at crushed before David could.

Nathan scowled; casting the remains into a nearby trash can.

And before she knew it, he was slamming her up against a wall by her neck so hard that the it made a crater around her form, and a sickening crack was heard as the back of her skull opened a bit. Blood rushed out.

His eyes flashed.

"What do you think you were doing?" He growled out; his voice deep, demanding and in no way the effeminate tone she was used to hearing from him.

To say she was scared shitless would be an understatement.

"I-I…!" She tried, but couldn't breathe -far less for get a word out- with his vice-like grip on her neck.

"Save it!" He grounded out; shaking her and making her more light-headed and nauseous than she already was.

She whimpered in pain, blood from her head wound dripping onto the lose ground.

"Never do that again! Or trust me, you won't have to worry about those friend of yours ever again. The moment they arrive…"

His eyes flashed scarlet in unspoken promise as she started clawing at his hand uselessly.

She was running out of oxygen.

"Understood?" He pressed; lips scowling in distaste at her unsightly squirming.

If she wanted to be a double agent, she should at least have the backbone and be mentally preparaed to accept the concequences if she was ever caught. He idly wondered iuf she'd fed them any otther, or rather, any important information. But no, if she had, Red Shield would already be knocking on their doors.

His scowled deepened at her non-responsiveness.

"Well?"

She nodded frantically.

"Excellent~!" He cried immediately - his voice sugar-coated once more- as he released his grip on her.

She fell to the ground in a heap; unceremoniously sprawled on the gravel.

"You're quite lucky you're a brilliant scientist, or I'd have killed you~!" He sang; hands clasped at the front of his chest.

She blinked up at him as her world began to spin.

"Sayonara, Juju-san…"

-o-o-o-

It had been four and a half months since he'd lasted seen her.

Seen her, heard her voice, felt her warmth…

"Saya…" Whispered Hagi brokenly, burying his lovely face into his hands as his deeply pained, gray-blue eyes burned with tears that he refused to let fall.

He could cry no longer. This was his new life. Diva was his new mistress. Her chevaliers were to be his brothers. The sooner he accepted it, the better.

But no…

His heart refused to acknowledge any of it. Any of them

'We love Saya. She is our one and only eternal mistress!'His heart would declare with certainty developed by years of the fact being true. False years that no longer mean anything…

'No…' His mind would breathe. 'We belong to Diva now.'

'…But then, what of Riku?' His crying soul would inquire; remembering the image of mirthful, childish brown eyes that glinted with innocence and intelligence.

'What of him?' Reality would demand. 'He is the one and only chevalier of your master's sister. Your brothers are your fellow knights under the blue rose…'

And with that he would sink farther into despair- wallowing in hopelessness 'til day by day he became steadily a shadow of himself.

His condition had reached the point where everyone, from Diva who adored him so, to Karl to abhorred his existence were scrambling to find something release him of the dreadful aura he excluded.

It had been four months and a half, nearly five whole months since he'd been parted from her by the malicious woman that was surely watching him from the mansion they'd moved to right after the on some island -Christina Island was it?- they were currently on, as he sat there miserably in the extravagantly large green house next to it that he now frequented with his torturer.

There were plants from all over the world at different corners of the green house, in special temperature controlled areas. There were exotic tropical plants like the shady Immortelle Tree and palm trees, with even a few coconut, cherry, orange passion fruit, grape fruit, chenet, Indian sorrel, mango and banana trees. There were tropical flowers too, hibiscuses' and island roses and the chaconia. Elegant Asian plants like the great bonsais and sakura trees with the occasional plum tree too and of course the durian, were present and accounted for as well. There were plants from the Amazon too, sap trees and fruits plants that bore pitomba, cupuaçu and pupunha. And there were plants from Africa like the strelitzia, halfmens, cycads, red disa orchids, arum lilies, pelargoniums of all kinds and even the lovely Egyptian lotus, Barberton daisies and Namaqualand daisies! And of course, let's not forget the typical northern American trees such as the great oak and mighty ash wood, and the kind but frequented and delicious fruit of normalcy…apple trees. And there was even Hagi's favorite: the tiger lily. All of this was spread enchantingly about a shinning crystal circle of a circumference of twenty miles. And to top it all off, there was an Aviary of birds from all over the world.

It was a magnificent to say the least and had been erected by Diva for him as a present about four months ago when she caught him starting longingly outside at the garden outside the great, Old English-styled manor a few miles away from the military base Hagi had spotted during the flight. But none of it mattered to Hagi. The flowers might have been beautiful, and he did enjoy watching all the birds flutter around from tree to tree to bush and plant after they were released from their aviary –a large sphere where they all slept in the centre of the green house, that was suspended from the ceiling- but that witch's attempts at buying him repulsed him, and he would not stoop so low.

Diva

The mere thought of her name alone made his entire body lurch as the unbelievable urge to vomit became present and in that same moment a loathing as similarly bitter as the bile rising in his throat, gripped his heart.

By Christ he hated that thing….

In his eyes she didn't even qualify to be called a woman anymore. Not a true lady anyways. Not like his prim little beloved, Saya.

Well, maybe she wasn't as prim as she was at the zoo, but times had changed, and in his eyes she was still impeccably decent, and impossibly strong with her heart of purest gold.

'As a true woman should be…' He affirmed.

But those thoughts merely ghosted over his consciousness as he was attacked by the memories of the tortures of his current existence.

'Surely, this can't be called a life…' He thought desperately; the tears that he tried to keep at bay all day long finally coursing down his cheeks from the tempest of his 'beau bleu' eyes.

If anyone was looking at him now, they would take in his hunched, shaking, weeping form and their hearts would clench.

Even more so when his hands would fall from his face to wrap about his form- hugging himself- as he cried out in spiritual agony and emotional anguish, trying in vain to comfort and warm his torn soul. Even more so when his right hand would loosely clench and shakily rise to his mouth where his pristine white teeth would bite down on it so hard it would bleed, the scarlet liquid staining the French-styled sleeves of his stark white peasant shirt as he tried yet again in vain, to stifle his sobs…

If that person were humane they would be already on their way to comfort the distraught man on his knees with his mid-calf, high-heeled, black, suede, crinkle boot-clad ankles lying uselessly at either side of his leather bound hips. If that person were humane they would be gathering him into their arms, crinkling the shirt in the possess, but not processing that as they concentrated on whispering sweet comforts in his ear and holding him close for all of time…

But none of this was happening.

Could it be no-one was this to see this young man's mental-state completely shatter?

Could it be than no-one cared?

The answer to both of the above is 'no.'

Someone was watching Hagi- observing him through the lens of hidden cameras as they sat on a beanie bag chair in the security room in the mansion. And this person cared for Hagi more than they'd ever cared for anyone or anything else. However, this person was not what one would call humane.

It was Diva, with Nathan faithfully at her side.

It had been four and a half months since a great gloom settled around Hagi, but nothing had changed.

Diva had tried everything that was within her- that had occurred to her… from kinky toys, to giving gifts, and even really creative ploys like the one she used a week ago where she'd stuck Hagi in a tub of ice to lower his body's temperature. Meanwhile, she'd been snuggling with a hot-water bag. By the time she made her move, Hagi was nearly happy for her to warm him up; practically clinging to her heated body as it moved against his own. And even though he'd hated himself for it later, the difference in temperature had made every touch practically electric.

That particular round was definitely on Diva's top ten list!

Yet, despite Diva's cunning, Hagi's attitude towards her was not improving. If anything, it was worsening. He was sometimes even more defiant than before, refusing to speak to her, look at her, even acknowledge her presence. She could torture him from dawn till dusk four years from now and it seemed as if he would continue to ignore her. Sure he would make a few tiny sounds-if anything- and if she was really lucky, scream (once or twice for the most), or maybe even whimper a little, but that was it. It seemed as if his hatred for her had increased, and then that in itself, had increased his tolerability. Other times she would just touch his cheek or kiss him and he would become but a broken doll in her arms- a bird with its wings clipped; weeping and begging her to 'stop touching him' and to 'leave him alone.' This would just turn Diva on- the want to dominate and mar that delicate, gentle beauty; watch as the frequented indifferent mask crumbled beneath her finger tips; make him cry and beg for mercies that would never come. Soon she would have him writhing and moaning wantonly from pain laced ecstasy and sinful pleasures of the flesh. He would always try to fight her off- silly as that thought was. But she would always win-as is her due as Queen.

Stranger yet was the fact that he'd began to sleep. Sleep! Doctor Silverstein theorized that perhaps even a chevalier's body had its limits, and that Hagi's refusal to drink blood for the past century and over, coupled with his current predicament, and possibly the distance from his queen- you know, all the psychological strain and what not, had his body resting in order to recuperate. Often it seemed he would have dreams- nightmares, more like it- that would make him awake; reaching for her across the mattress of their mostly shared bed in his new crystal birdcage. He'd bury his face in her chest and beg her not to leave him, not to leave him alone with 'him.' 'Him?' Who the heck was Hagi talking about! Nathan claimed that he might have been talking about Amshel and his subsequent molestation, and it made her blood boil when she thought of it. It was all way weird in any case, and was making Diva extremely… dare she say it? Concerned…

And as if to add to her…concerns, about her pet's mental health, most times he'd barely make a squeak when in her presence, but would sometimes randomly break down and sob and sob and sob. So much so, that he would work himself into a frenzied mess and his psyche would completely unravel. He would beg for Saya's forgiveness and cry and scream for mercy from Diva… even if she wasn't doing anything to him at the moment! He'd ask the maids if they had seen the young Mistress Saya, or if Master Joel was in his office, or other such related things about his life at The Zoo all those years ago. And when they claimed not to know anyone by those names- the poor maids- he burst into tears! Madness! One time he even threw himself into Nathan's arms begging him to save him from 'those crazy people!' Yeah, they were the ones with problems. Afterwards, when he'd calmed and settled, he'd sleep. Always, sleep… And she would put him to bed –with the help of Nathan, who seemed to be her right-hand-man these days- and tuck him in, and place a sweet kiss on his forehead. Her neglected maternal instincts merging questionably with her wifely adoration and love for him.

Sometimes the bouts of unconsciousness would last for days, with Hagi snoring lightly and muttering little, quiet, incomprehensible and senseless things. Sometimes he would smile in his sleep, and sometimes he would giggle and even laugh- making Diva believe these dreams were a happy relief from the obvious onset of madness in her pet. And she would smile; her lips curling up in delight at the ends as Hagi's joyful chimes echoed in her skull.

Sometimes, during these times, she would curl up next to him. Watching the rise and fall of his chest, she would lay her head upon it and listen closely to the unique rhythm of his strong heart beats and it would loll her into a deep meditation- a limbo where she was neither awake nor asleep- and she would see it, a content life with Hagi by her side. In her fantasies Joel her chosen her instead of Saya and raised her as his daughter, she would have Hagi all to herself, and Saya would stay forever locked in her tower. In her fantasies, Hagi would adore her and only her, he would play his cello for her and only her, and his favorite song would be the sound of her voice, the sweet chime of her laughter, the soft beat of her heart as she slept. He would become her one and only chevalier. They would get married; have children …live forever in each other's arms…

Sometimes, Saya would escape her tower and the madness would begin, but Hagi would gallantly protect her, slaying her vile sister. Sometimes Saya would flea right before Hagi was able to kill her, and the entire story of their lives in the real world would be re-done in her head. With herself cast into the role of the repentant heroine, and with Hagi by her side of course…

But all too soon Hagi would awake- startled to find himself with her on his chest, so far away from the place in his dreams, his memories- and wake her from her stupor with his violent moves to displace her, get away from her.

But those fantasies were so beautiful, that they would keep her content for days at a time- while Hagi withdrew into himself; isolated himself farther into himself, out of distress at finding all his dreams… were just that. Dreams… Later Diva would chastise herself for letting herself, fall prey to Hagi's innocent, sleeping visage. For letting him, torture her with things that would never be.

Now, Diva watched him.

She watched as he cried himself to sleep yet again- curled adorably and pathetically under the shade on the immortelle's spreading branches, the attractive flush still on his pale cheeks, the moisture still gathering between his thick, blacken lashes and his full, pale pink lips parting to draw in soft breaths that made his hard, sculpted chest and abdomen (which see knew so well and in such detail that see could picture behind the blouse) rise and fall smoothly with momentary peace- and decided that this time she would not put him to bed and start the damned vicious cycle again. At least… not yet…

Getting up, she made to for the door when a voice stopped her.

"Leaving so soon, my Diva?" Cooed Nathan teasingly. "Are you going to fetch your little blue birdie? What me to come help? Or are you gonna observe him in the garden up close?"

"No… To all accounts," She replied. "Just leave him be. For now anyway... And keep an eye on the cameras poised on and around the estate itself. We gotta find James' little missing recruit."

-o-o-o-

There was rustling and a yelp a short distance away from Hagi as he awoke.

He stirred, a groan leaving his lips as the sunlight hit his face.

Hagi opened his brandeis blue-eyes and came into contact with a pair of dazzling jade.

He yelped; startled, and pushed the owner of the green orbs away from him as he scampered backwards towards the trunk of the immortelle. And with his eyes shut tightly, he panted and awaited the beginning of his torture.

But in never came…

Instead, he heard a sweet, boyish voice and the cheerful yip of a puppy.

"Yo, dude, you alright?" Came the voice.

Hagi opened his eyes, confused, and saw the most strange sight he'd seen in months…

A little boy, maybe fourteen or fifteen years old, max, with a head of cropped black locks that curled lightly on top his head and large, slightly angular, glittering jade green eyes, dressed in a military uniform from head to toe with the trademark sack of supplies- sleeping bag included- with a small, hyperactive golden retriever pup barking excitedly in his arms.

He blinked.

The boy blinked back at him.

"Yo!" He greeted with a grin, pulling an arm out from around the pup and shifting the thing around in his arms before finally stretching it out in greeting. "I'm Marcus! S'up, man?"

Hesitantly, Hagi offered his own, significantly bigger, hand.

"Hagi…" He muttered practically in audibly.

Realizing the difference in size of their hands, the boy pouted.

"Hum…" He hummed thoughtfully. Within moments he perked up.

Snatching up three of Hagi's longer, slender fingers in a firm grasp in his tinier ones, Marcus shook them vigorously.

Hagi smiled a small smile.

The boy reminded of Riku greatly. He may have been a bit more, erm… energetic than his brown haired blood-brother, but he was just a cheerful as his little otouto.

Riku…

Hagi's smile fell and his eyes turned sad.

"What was that, man? Nagi?" Asked Marcus as soon as he'd released the others fingers; leaning closer to Hagi and stooping to his level a bit to hear him better.

"Hagi…" Breathed the knight.

"…Hagi…?" Repeated the boy slowly, both testing it on his tongue and asking him if that was what he said.

Hagi nodded.

"Cool name, man!" He exclaimed. "I've never met someone with that name before! It rocks most hard. Say, dude, can you tell me where I am? Me, Pep- that's this little dude here," He took the dog's little paw and made him wave. "Say Hello, Pep!" Pep answered with a yip, a clear 'hello.' Marcus beamed. "But yeah, us 'n' my class were dragged to this island anti-paradise by Drill-Sergeant Regis to tour the base and get inspired to train hard to become like, 'real' soldiers or something…" Marcus rolled his eyes, making air-quotes at the word 'real.' He shook his head. "But whatev… So… do ya know where I am? I really need to get outta here before someone spots me or before that freaky General Ironside decides to send someone to hunt me down…"

Hagi blinked, taking in all the information.

"I see," He pronounced the words slowly, cautiously. "Young man, you are on Christina Island. I believe it is some kind of Military base for The United States…"

Marcus rolled his eyes, "Yeah, I know that. That's why my Military School class got dragged here…"

"…"

"…"

Hagi cleared his throat, the flush rising steadily to his cheeks. "Right, I see. Umm, well," He struggled for a way to recover a little composure- something he hadn't had for quite some time. Looking up through the branches of the tree he realized something. "Wait, Marcus was it?"

Marcus nodded.

"You do realize that 'the freaky General Ironside' lives here don't you?" He waited for the negative or incredulous reaction from the child.

He wasn't disappointed.

"WHAT!" Cried Marcus.

"Shush!" Exclaimed Hagi in a harsh whisper with a finger to his lips. He pat the dirt next to him, offering the boy a seat.

Marcus took it, discarding his bag and holding it on his lap with the pup on top.

"You mean to tell me," Began the boy quietly but desperately; obviously terrified. "…That I lead myself into the lion's den!"

Hagi nodded.

The boy didn't know how right he was when it came to that.

"Oh man! What do I do? What do I do!" Cried Marcus like madman, jumping back up onto his feet pacing and ripping at his hair. "Hagi, you can't tell anyone I was here!"

"I shan't…" He breathed gently.

"Swear."

"I swear."

The teen sighed.

"Shit, man," He began. "This situation is so, so…" He trailed off, unable to find a word to describe the matter at hand himself.

"Diaphoretic…?" Supplied Hagi.

Seeing the blank look on the boy's face, he continued, "It means sweat inducing…"

"…Right, let's just go with that…" Said Marcus as Pep yipped near his feet, nipping and chewing at the laces on his dark green boots. "But, Hagi, man…What do I do! I really can't take boot-camp anymore and Regis won't let me keep Pep! Poor little guy was abandoned before; I can't let him struggle on the streets by himself! Although, knowing Regis, he might just drown Pep like he drowned Grant's cat."

"Who's Grant?"Asked Hagi, "…A friend?"

Marcus looked sad for a moment, responding with a soft, "He's a class mate. I don't have any friends. Everyone back at base thinks I'm weird."

"Oh…?" Replied Hagi in askance. "Why would they think that? You seem likable enough…"

"I don't go home during vacations…"

Hagi stared at him, clearly not believing that excuse.

"What?" Retorted Marcus. "I don't like my family!"

"Really?" Asked Hagi.

Marcus nodded.

"Why?"

"I…" He faltered momentarily.

"You…?" Coaxed Hagi.

"I just don't okay!" He said defensively; plopping down next to the older.

"Alright, but I don't think that's the only reason… Neither for your dislike of your family, nor the reason or reasons for your classmates dislike of you." Hagi spoke calmly and gently.

"It's a lot of things, k? Mainly, 'cause I hate being touched…" He replied somberly.

Hagi raised an elegant eyebrow, a clear 'why.' It's not that he did like it, but most normal people-particularly teenagers- loved to touch one another. Hugs and kisses; poking and holding hands… the works. So why did this boy dislike it so much? Enough to make his classmates dislike him…?

Marcus sighed.

"It freaks me out," He muttered softly. "But I have my reasons, okay! I'm not just some random nut…"

Hagi nodded slowly, a sneaky suspicion rising within him. But it wasn't possible. Was it? No-one would do that to a child, right? But it was the only reason he won't like to be touched… Well, that coupled with the fact that he didn't like his family… Someone in the home, maybe…?

"But it's okay!" Marcus said brightly, picking up his hyperactive animal companion. "I don't need friends! Or my family! I'll always have Pep! Right, boy?" He exclaimed with seemingly bountiful happiness as the little dog barked happily in turn.

But Hagi saw right through it.

"Hey, Hagi…" Started the younger.

"Yes…?"

"You live here too, right?"

A nod.

"What do you do? I mean, are you like staff or snob?"

Hagi blinked; his left brow raising.

"I meant, do you work here, or are you like the master or whatev…?" Clarified Marcus.

Hagi blinked, mulling that statement over.

He wasn't sure. So he told the boy that.

"What do mean: 'you don't know!'"Exclaimed Marcus in shock. "You gotta know!"

"Well, I suppose I would be a servant…" He whimpered abysmally with his head bowed low.

Yes, he was a pleasure slave to that thing, Diva…

A cheap whore…

A common harlot…

A Jezebel…

Tears burned at the corners of his eyes again, but he refused to let them fall.

No.

Not in front of this melancholy little boy with problems that far out-ranked his own.

"Now why are you lying to the little angel, hum, Hagi?" Questioned an eerily familiar voice that made Hagi freeze on spot, quickly growing fearful.

Both Marcus and Hagi swiveled to find a blond man in hot pink leather pants and a violet blouse.

"Nathan…" Hagi spat angrily and tearfully.

Marcus' brows rose at Hagi's change in demeanor.

One minute the guy is practically the incarnation of the word 'taciturn,' and the next he's hissing at people? Woah, was he bipolar or something?

"Why are you here?"The gorgeous, blue-eyed male questioned him with a pain-laced, bitter voice as he drew his feet up to his chest, wrapped his arms around his knees and buried his face in the resulting gap. "Come to take me to Diva? And what are you taking about me 'lying to Marcus? I've told only the truth. I'm but that sick wretch's pet!"

Nathan smiled exasperatedly as he listened to Hagi's muffled statements, and spoke his next words gently, as if he was dealing with a tantrum-throwing toddler, "No…" He cooed. "I'm not here to take you to Diva. I am however, here to take the boy to James." He continued; pointing to Marcus.

"No!" Cried Hagi and Marcus at the same time.

The raven-haired chevalier immediately stood up and crossed the space between himself and the boy at his chiropteran speeds; standing before him.

Marcus blinked in shock.

This guy, Hagi, was fast. Really fast.

Meanwhile Hagi swore he would not let Marcus be taken back to misery. The boy reminded him of himself a little. After he was sold to Joel, he too hated his family. Although, he had a bone-chilling feeling that Marcus' situation was a little more serious than his ever was back then. He may not know all of the facts, but he trusted his instincts.

Nathan smirked.

"Aw… You've grown attached so soon, Hagi?" Inquired Nathan mockingly. "Well, what if I told you that you had the power to save him? Humm?"

"I'd not hesitate to call you a liar…" He retorted smoothly; his confidence suddenly returning.

Nathan blinked; surprised, then secretively smiled.

"And I'd not hesitate to tell you the truth that you don't seem to realize and that you've been lying to this sweet little boy about!" Rebutted Nathan with cheer.

An elegant left brow arched higher up Hagi's forehead.

"Oh?" He breathed calmly. "And what truth would that be?"

"That you are the most powerful person in this household," Replied Nathan in the same calm voice.

Hagi stared at the other chevalier incredulously…and promptly began laughing his sexy ass off.

He laughed and laughed and laughed some more. The utter ridiculousness of the notion, the utter unbelievably of that sentence… It was all too much!

Hagi's bent at the waist as his laughter escalated; clutching at his middle with his left and bracing himself with his right as he fell to his knees his laughter turning to tears.

"That," He whispered brokenly. "…isn't funny. Not by a stretch of thy imagination… What a cruel joke!" He cried out, punching the manicured grass with his right fist as he curled in on himself farther and sobbed silently; his shoulder shaking with effort, his chest heaving as he sucked in breaths.

Him… powerful!

As if…

People with power had control.

Control over themselves and their lives at the very least.

They had a will of their own.

Were able to make their own decisions.

They had dignity, pride and confidence.

He had no any power. And he most certainly wasn't in control over anything as he had none of the above.

An arm touched his right shoulder as Marcus plopped down next to him.

"Hey…" Came the pubescent voice. "You okay, man?'

Hagi shook his head, 'no.'

"What happened, dude?" Asked the teen. "One minute you're all badass and stuff, and the next you're down here, crying your ass off! What's up with that?"

Hagi smiled at him tearfully.

"Nathan tells really bad jokes," He replied. "They're always so horrid that they often make me cry."

Marcus snickered as Nathan indignantly yelled out a 'Hey!'

"Fine!" Cried the blonde pouting. "Don't take my word for it. But always remember that the one who rules Diva's heart is you, and Diva, well my queen will soon have all the world in her dainty snow-white palms. What then, will the life of a little boy be worth to her, in exchange for the only thing she doesn't have…your love; acceptance?"

And with flare, he made his leave…

-o-o-o-

They talked for hours.

Well, Marcus, or 'Mad-Man-Mars' as he someday-as Hagi surely wasn't saying it- wanted to be called, did most of the talking as Pep –whom he apparently named after a beverage call 'Peppy Cola'- lay sleeping on Hagi's lap.

Marcus liked skate boarding and video games. He was allergic to books, and loathed mathematics in particular. He loved music, in particular alternative rock, but also thought that classical music, or 'the basics' as he called them, were cool too. His favorite colour was purple, and he was indeed fourteen. He was just a typical boy.

And Hagi had listened to his senseless prattle, quietly commenting here or there or making other little sounds of approval, disapproval or exasperation as the boy's inane chatter filled his ears.

It was a pleasant time that very much reminded him of his time with Saya at The Zoo. That girl could talk!

He smiled warmly as Marcus related the tale of how he skipped an entire two terms' worth of Math classes and gotten away with it by telling his very old and fortunately for him, exceptionally gullible- if not a little dimwitted in Hagi's opinion- Math substitute teacher (his real Math teacher was having twins and then took maternity leave until summer vacation), that he had a deathly illness that made him bleed profusely when he had to deal with anything math-related.

And before that it was the tale of the great food fight of the grade-school ages.

And before that, it was the story about him greasing all the toilets in the teachers' lounge of his super elite private school on April Fool's Day and the epic escape from detention that followed the teachers' discovery that he'd done it.

Hagi shook his head in exasperation, idly petting the sleeping pup.

This boy was too much!

But at least he was a pretty decent story-teller.

"Would believe she fell for it!" Cried Marcus as tears coursed down his cheeks from pure joy; emerald eyes sparkling. "It was priceless!"

Hagi sighed yet again in fond exasperation, a tiny smile curling upon his lips.

"My," Said the elder. "What a delinquent you are…"

"Am not!" Exclaimed Marcus giggling. "I'm worse!"

Hagi snorted uncharacteristically.

"Yes," He said his voice heavy with mirth. "Much worse!"

Their laughter filled the air; the atmosphere light and joyous.

But nothing good lasts forever.

All too soon it their fun; Hagi few fleeting moments of joy, was interrupted by the cheerful calling of Hagi's name in a devastatingly familiar voice.

"Haaaagi~!' Called Diva. "Haaagi-muffin! Come out; come out, wherever you are!"

Hagi panicked all the laugher and joy and normalcy sucked right out of him.

Hagi thought for a moment; trying to come up with a reasonable plan of action.

"…Always remember that the one who rules Diva's heart is you, and Diva, well my queen will soon have all the world in her dainty snow-white palms. What then, will the life of a little boy be worth to her, in exchange for the only thing she doesn't have…your love; acceptance?"

Nathan's words came back to him, and suddenly he realized that the other might have been on to something.

No.

.Was on to it.

It was true…

He quickly pulled himself together-ignoring Marcus' inquiries about his well-being- and formulated a plan; pushing passed the nausea the very idea itself caused.

"Marcus," He began. "Take Pep and your backpack and go hide in that bush…"He commanded softly; pointing to an island rose bush. "Don't come out til I come get you, and whatever you do don't look- no matter what you hear, okay?"

Sensing his friend's change in attitude and guessing that it was probably another of the mansion's freakish inhabitants and that it'd do best to listen to his elders for once in his life-you know, for karma and stuff- he nodded and did as told.

Hagi breathed in deeply, preparing himself for what he was about to do.

It would be hard but he had too…

'For Marcus…' He thought to himself.

"D-Diva…" He called out; voice shaking a little at the beginning. "I'm over here!"

Diva was beside him in seconds; having followed his voice.

"L-Let's go to…bed…" He said shakily.

Her eyes lit up.

-o-o-o-

After it was all over- all eight rounds of it, that is- Hagi curled in on himself.

He felt disgusting; like a cheap whore.

And most frightening of all, he'd just sold himself off to this wretch.

He was just like one of those vulgar women who stood on street corners and invited men into their beds -with coy smiles and fluttering lashes- with ulterior motives. Like one who sold their bodies from money…

This shame was limitless and was a disgrace onto his beloved: his Saya…

No.

Not his, not anymore…

And thank God for that.

'At least I'll never taint her with my presence…' He thought abysmally.

Diva sighed in contentment; laying next to Hagi on the king-size bed in his crystal cage.

He was so amazing tonight.

He'd moaned and panted and mewled; growled and shivered and was overly-sensitive; more so than usual for that last one, anyway. He'd responded more eagerly than ever and had actually participated.

It felt like a dream…

'No. Don't be fooled into another fantasy, Diva!' She thought harshly to herself. 'There must be a logical explanation!'

Was his body adjusting to hers?

Maybe… But them why not before?

And wouldn't something like that be gradual? She'd had to have noticed the little signs! Surely even she would be that observant!

Then…

Was he just in the mood?

Nope.

Definitely not.

If he was that simple and base a man, he'd have been 'in the mood' when she was -men of that nature were usually always up and ready to go- or if not, been that way at least once before. And if he was -she'd have noticed.

Or…

Was he using her!

She swore she'd heard a voice-other than Hagi's- earlier, but she hadn't seen anything before she was been distracted by his willingness to 'go to bed…'

But if she ever found that someone else -she didn't care who exactly it was- was drawing Hagi's attention away from her…

Even if it was totally platonic

Well, let's just say they wouldn't live much longer to continue doing so.

Thankfully, Hagi would never.

He was too kind; too gentle.

As she often teased him, 'he wasn't made for all this violence.'

Right?

Yes, absolutely…

Meanwhile, Hagi was internally battling himself.

Did he really just sell himself?

Did he really plan on using Diva?

She was a manipulative, cruel, heartless witch, but was he really going to use her!

He'd be even worse than her!

But… Marcus… he had too, right?

Taking a breath, Hagi turned to Diva.

"Excuse me, Di-" Hagi stopped short; taking in the woman's blissful expression and adoring, electric blue eyes piercing into him…

She seemed… so happy…

Hagi sighed; his heart torn.

He couldn't do it.

He wouldn't.

If he did he'd never be able to look Saya in the eye ever again…

Damn that moron, Nathan, for filling his head with these strange and confusing and unrealistic words!

And damn himself for believing the other!

How would he save Marcus now!

'I'll find another way…' He promised himself as Diva leaned forward to claim his lips for a goodnight kiss.

-o-o-o-

For the next two weeks or so, Hagi -with the surprising but appreciated help of Nathan- snuck food, drink and blankets into the green house for his little friend as he mulled over the 'Marcus Issue,' as he'd dubbed it. For the most part, the boy seemed quite happy to live in the garden- claiming he always thought Tarzan was cool and that lots of rockers were environmentalists.

And of course, Pep would be right there to yip in agreement.

Things seemed alright for the meanwhile – Marcus got so comfortable around him that he'd told Hagi why he didn't like to be touched. Apparently he father started an affair with his mother's step-sister, 'Aunt Ruen.' His father already spent so much time at the office and with his lover that Marcus can't even remember what he looked like anymore. The man didn't even try to hide the affair from them. The pair had children to whom he gave his name, and went on family vacations, and he bought them toys, clothes and spoilt them silly. He attended every special day in their life, while ignoring Marcus and his Mother – Evangeline. Most importantly, the bastard loved them all and even had the audacity to let them live in the family's manor home. The combined effect killed his mother so much that she used him – Marcus- as a replacement for her husband –since he looked so much like the old man. Let's just say he became the man of the house in more ways than the conventional for boys of his age when an older male is missing from the picture. Add that to his mother's drinking, having to take care of his five year old twin baby sisters –one was asthmatic the other, anemic, all on his own, the bullying at the hands of his even wealthier peers in his private school, their teasing because of his father's public unfaithfulness and the torture of having to watch his world, his once happy family self-destruct at the hands of the father he once adored while still having to deal with the feeling of being tainted… Because of this, all of his suffering…

Marcus Von Rozenthal trusted no one.

Until then…

Because Hagi understood what is felt like to be tainted, to suffer at the hand of another's lust or pain… And because as the slate-eyed man had held the jade-eyed teen as he cried himself to sleep, and prayed that one day, please, one day, that the little boy leaning on his body on Hagi's own, would find someone or something that brought him happiness, Marcus had heard his breathless, teary prayer. And as Hagi remained ignorant of Marcus' knowledge of this, the boy continued to observe the other as he muttered his prayers.

Meanwhile, as the days passed, and for that time, for those seventeen days… Hagi came to believe from the bottom of his heart that maybe, yes maybe one day…

Marcus Von Rozenthal might learn to trust.

And with that, surely the boy would find some happiness!

And with that, surely he -Hagi himself– when he gazed upon his little friend's joy, would also find a little measure happiness…

But even deeper, further down than he'd ever dug, Hagi knew it -this happiness- couldn't last.

And on the Wednesday of the second week, when Marcus began to wonder about his mysterious benefactor, Hagi's fears came to pass…

They were in the garden; Hagi and him, he was eating a lunch of two grilled cheese sandwiches and Pepsi, and Hagi was sketching a kiskadee in brilliant detail. He didn't even know Hagi could draw so well! Not that he knew anything about the man…

He needed answers.

"Hagi," Began Marcus. "Can I ask you a few questions?"

"Sure…" Replied the other, setting the sketch pad aside.

"Okay," Said Marcus. "What's your full name?"

"Hagi Goldschmidt…"

"You are, how many years old?"

Hagi bit his lip, how would he answer that one?

"In human years?" He asked.

"No, in dog years…" Deadpanned Marcus. "Yeah, human years!"

"Twenty-one…"

"Cool…You can drink legally."

A nod from the quiet man.

"K…" Said Marcus. "What's your favorite colour?"

"Crimson…"

"Hobbies?"

"Playing the cello, mainly, but I play other instruments too, the harp, the piano, the flute… I enjoy reading, writing, sketching… Once, I even enjoyed horseback-riding and canoeing…"

"Horses…? Canoeing…!" Marcus grinned. "Nice…"

Hagi smiled; chuckling and Marcus flushed in brotherly admiration.

Geez, this guy was too perfect sometimes! He must have to beat the chicks of with a stick!

"So, um…" Continued the boy; clearing his throat and scratching the back of his head awkwardly. Itching to finally ask the big questions he'd been wondering about, he inquired in a rushed voice, "Who's Diva? And is she the reason you were crying when we first met? And that Nathan-guy? What's up with him?"

"Marcus…" Tried Hagi, sighing; in an attempt to quiet him.

"And why do you all live in the same house as General Ironside?"

"Marcus…" Hagi tried again.

"Plus! I wanna know who the hell this Karl guy you sometimes grumble about is! And~! Solomon! Who the heck is he! And I really, really, really wanna know this Saya-chick is! You gotta, you just gotta tell me! I mean, you whisper her name like every single time you nap! And-"

"MARCUS!" Cried Hagi. "Enough! Okay? Enough!"

Hagi paused for a moment; to regain composure and to come up with an excuse for both stopping the boy and for not answering his questions. For he'd not be answering them.

He came up blank.

"Aren't you gonna answer, Hagi?" Asked Marcus gently; afraid of spooking the man and making him close-up, but still wanting answers.

Hagi shook his head.

"I can't…" He breathed. "I just can't… I…"

He shook his head again, unable to speak anymore, and buried his face in his crossed arms, which lay on his knees that were drawn closely to his chest- a now common pose for him.

"Why not, Hagi-muffin?" Came a woman's voice nearby.

Hagi and Marcus turned towards the voice; the scene eerily familiar, as they saw the young, blue-eyed girl in a white gown with bright blue trim walking towards them.

"No, wait!" Came another voice. "You really don't want to go in that direction, my Queen!"

Nathan burst from the same canopy as the woman.

"Diva…" Hagi breathed; standing and glaring at the intruder as he pushed the younger male behind him.

Sensing Hagi's distress, Pep barked angrily at Diva.

However, the dog's barking was silenced in moments as Diva crushed the poor thing with her kinetic abilities; blood and chunks flying everywhere.

Nathan sighed out an, 'Oh boy…'

The two other males eyes widened in shook.

"Pep!" Cried Marcus; falling to his knees near one of the little mounds of bloodied flesh that was once his best friend.

Tears coursed down the boy's cheeks as he screamed out in emotional anguish.

"Oh God," He began. "What the hell!"

He turned to Hagi, only to find him some distance away in the embrace of the maniac.

"Dude…?" Tried Marcus watching the scene with growing trepidation.

"Ignore him…" Diva breathed almost inaudibly so that only Hagi would hear her. She nipped at his earlobe. "If you don't…" Another nip to the red-tinged appendage. "…I kill the boy…"

Nathan shook his head in exasperation, leaning on the mango tree behind him.

Hagi nodded a tiny nod so that Marcus wouldn't notice.

"…Put your hands on my waist and thank me for getting rid of that pesky mutt because it was driving you crazy." The blue-eyed queen ordered. "Oh! And make the boy cry! It'll be so funny…"

Hagi pulled back slightly to implore Diva with his eyes.

'Please don't make me…' His oceanic orbs pleaded.

But she simply smiled; her hands tightening around him, and gripped Marcus' ankle with a kinetic hand.

She twisted it until a nauseating crack filled the air.

The boy's sobs of pain and shock soon followed as he demanded to know just what kind of monster Diva was.

Hagi's eyes teared up and he drew in a shaky breath.

"Do you need anymore persuasion?" Whispered Diva as she nipped at his pulse point harshly.

Hagi shook his head.

Steeling himself he closed his eyes and began; thanking God his back was to Marcus so that the other wouldn't see the tears on his face.

"Thank you for getting rid of the pesky, obnoxious mutt, love…" He breathed softly but audibly in a smooth, sexy voice. "It was driving me nuts!" He continued; pecking Diva lightly on the lips.

Marcus eyes bulged out of his head.

"Hagi?" He shrieked. "What are you saying man? You loved Pep!"

Hagi snorted.

"Please," He muttered. "All its yipping was annoying…"

"Y-you… You don't mean that!" Yelled Marcus; hysterical by now. "Y-you can't! Pep was your friend too! He was our pal; buddy; companion! You know…?"

Hagi laughed.

"It was just a mangy mutt, get over it," Said Hagi callously.

"Dude…" Started the younger, only to be interrupted by the chevalier.

"Shut up!" Demanded Hagi. "And stop calling me 'dude.' I'm not one of your little friends! Oh that's right, you have none… And while we're clearing things up, leave me alone you foolish child. It was quite entertaining to play with you, but I'm bored of playing around with a petulant child."

Marcus' jaw dropped; his once glittering jade jewels dulling as the sting of betrayal worked up his spine and clutched his little heart. Silent, crystalline tears made their way down his cheeks unchecked as piece of him died away.

He had admired the elder; the way he was so tranquil and together most of the time, and the times he wasn't, the way he wasn't afraid to cry- to show how he really felt. He admired the way he walked- that elegant stride that made him seem untouchable, the way he talked- always so eloquent and intelligent. Man, he even admired the way Hagi smiled- he had really shinny teeth, girls liked guys with nice smiles. Hagi really handsome and polite-chicks ate that stuff up, and he looked like those male models on the covers of those magazines. Hagi was a great artist, too! Just like he wanted to be when he grew up. He was so kind to him and always listened to him babble about crap without ever complaining. And he gave great advice too. He was like a father to Marcus…

But it was all an act.

Diva giggled.

Oh, this would teach Hagi a valuable lesson. He needed no-one but her. And he absolutely should not have even spoken to anyone but her. He was not to deter his face away from her, or his thoughts from her or even his soul from the emotions she pain-stakingly sparked within him. He belonged to her! And only her…

Marcus looked at Hagi, soul-less eyes string for but a moment, before he took off; confusion, pain, incredulity, heartbreak and loathing all churning into a bitter draught in the pit of his stomach.

He'd never trust again: he swore to himself, 'Never again…'

Nevertheless, he didn't get far.

Looking up after he came into contact with a strong chest, Marcus sighed.

Of course…

"Good afternoon General Ironside…" He muttered.

"Afternoon solider…" The man retorted. "I'm hoping you enjoyed your vacation, because once we're back you'll be punished severely for this folly and trained for two weeks without sleep- you know, to make up for the two you missed."

"Yes, Sir."

"Boy…?" Called Diva.

Marcus never halted his feet, and obviously didn't turn to her.

"You think I'm a monster?"

Still no reaction.

Diva pouted.

She hated being ignored.

"James~!" She whined. "You little solider is being rude to me~!"

With a bow to Diva and a, 'I'll take care of it, Mama,' he was dragging the boy towards his queen, forcing Marcus to face forward, and then stepping back unobtrusively.

"James…?"

"Yes, Mama?"

"Say out of this one."

"…Hai."

"You too Nathan," She ordered. "Don't think I've forgotten about you."

"Alright…~!" He whined; raising his hands in mock surrender.

Turning back to the black-haired boy, "As I said before: You think I'm a monster, right?"

Marcus didn't answer.

"Right?" Diva pressed.

He turned his face away.

Diva's eyes flashed.

'Unforgivable…' She thought.

"Are you still going to ignore me?"

Marcus turned on his heel and began walking away.

Diva's fists clenched at her sides and the winds around her picked up; charged with energy.

"Boy…" She said with warning and murder heavily lacing in her voice. "Come back here."

Marcus just kept walking.

After all, what could she do, kill him?

With the way he felt right then, he would have welcomed death with open arms.

Hagi tensed.

He knew how much the blue-eyed queen hated being ignored, and with Marcus' current attitude…

'Oh no,' He thought. 'I have to stop this; protect him!'

It was at that exact moment that Diva's patience ran out.

She sent a blast of kinetic energy strong enough slice the boy in half four times over, towards him.

But it never hit.

At least, not who it was suppose to…

For a moment, time slowed.

One moment her beloved was beside her, the next, he was before that boy, shielding him.

And with the boy's slightly grown out, short hair cut, for a moment it was as it used to.

Hagi standing before his queen, his Saya; bandages flowing in the wind.

Then, the attack; the one she wished with all her heart she could call back, hit.

He flew back; tossed like a rag doll by the momentum, as the blade of energy simultaneously slice through him like a sharpened sword through butter; spreadable butter.

'What just happened?' Marcus wondered at the same moment as Diva.

Hagi had rushed forward and taken the hit, for him. Hadn't he?

The evidence was the bleeding body that had crashed into several palm trees before hitting the dirt and being pushed clear across the field of hibiscuses', then passed them into the field of Namaqualand daisies the former bled into, and through a large rock the size of a car.

'But why?' He wondered. 'I thought he'd gotten "bored of playing around with a petulant child" and then he "wasn't one of my little friends?" So why?'

Did it really matter?

'Yes…' He thought.

But then, wouldn't he have a reason?

It was then that Marcus came to wonder if what had just happened; what Hagi ad just said…

Was it willingly?

'Maybe,' Thought the jade-eyed boy. 'Maybe not…'

With that Marcus steeled himself, and time started moving again.

"HAGI!" He cried as he ran towards him.

At least, it began moving for him…

Diva meanwhile, remained frozen; her hand still in the position it was when she sent the attack.

In her mind she kept seeing her love pushed back by her own attack, thorn apart by her own blade, bones probably crushed by the force of an impact with a rock that was a part of a gift she gave him…

Why?

Why did things like this always happen this way?

Why did everything she touched, fall apart at the seams? Burst into flames…? Shatter and fall away…?

She was a monster…

She didn't deserve any of what she had… Not the houses, the cars, horses, jewels, dresses, knights that followed her every command…

Not even Hagi…

No, make that especially Hagi.

…The strong, kind, charming, intelligent, beautiful, blue moon that waned at her touch.

Even he will disintegrate in the palm of her hand…

Now, Hagi was lying a quite a distance away from him originally, so it took Marcus quite a bit to reach him, and when he did he nearly passed out.

'The poor boy,' Thought Hagi, 'He probably isn't accustomed to seeing so much blood…'

Marcus went even paler as he watched Hagi; lying amongst the grey rubble calmly blinking up at him.

He was spread eagle but his left leg was mangled so terribly that was as if someone had taken hold of his knee and twisted it around completely so that it would face front again. His right leg seemed to be fearing better, except its ankle that the teen was sure wasn't supposed to bend that way. His left hand was hidden under a large piece of rubble close by, probably crushed, and his right, clawed hand caught Marcus off-guard, but he realized that the other wasn't human after meeting that guy, Nathan, for first time. No-one was that fast. And as for Hagi's torso…

Marcus' stomach lurched and he barely had time to turn away from the sight of Hagi's completely sliced and separated mid-section before he was throwing up; empty his system of the grilled cheese sandwiches and Pepsi that did not look good the second time around.

Hagi, meanwhile, breathed in the slate scent of the musk and dust in the air around him, shakily as his fingers and claws twitched.

One would think he would be in extreme pain right now, but he was actually completely numb.

Of course, that proved that he was in critical condition…just couldn't feel it.

His entire body was pulsing with what he assumed was supposed to be the agonizing thrones of merciless pain –his head in particular which also seemed very light, all of a sudden. It was getting harder to breathe and as he tasted the metallic burn at the back of his throat, he realized that there was a good chance of internal bleeding. He felt as if a ten ton iron block was upon his chest; weighing him down and making it not only even harder to breathe than before, but it made him feel as if his ribs were about to give way. Although, judging from the minute pressure at about three points that he felt on what he guessed was his right lung, some of them might have already given away. And as he looked down on himself and saw his spinal column, heart and a few other internal organs staring and blinking right back at him, he realized why Marcus was puking and that his, Hagi's suspicion was right.

He had been cut in half.

Somehow, he knew this day would come. What with the 'constantly get impaled' thing. He always thought it was just a matter of time.

If Saya was there, she'd have laughed at the dry tone he just used when thinking the previous thoughts.

'Perhaps,' Thought he. 'This is the end…?'

He surely hoped so. But first…

"Marcus…"

God! Was that his voice?

It sounded more like the crock of a frog who had a head cold!

The boy turned to him; pale, shivering and with tears burning in his eyes, and crawled to his side.

The teen sniffled.

"Marcus…" He breathed as some of his life-blood made a trail from the corn of his mouth to his chin. "I'm sorry…"

"Hush, man…" The teen spoke desperately but softly. "Just shut you trap and save your energy!"

And in the same seemingly harsh and lamenting whisper that men such as himself, who life was cruel to more often than not, employ when they try to fight off the relentless, overpowering tears that break down their walls, Hagi spoke – his voice hoarse and quivering, " No…! I… must…"

"You must keep quiet!" Marcus interrupted with desperation and forcefulness coating his quiver-less voice. He cautiously picked up Hagi's disfigured hand; clutching it in his own. "Man, Hagi, I-"

His words were lost to the winds as his voice broke and with it, shattered his restraint.

Marcus squeezed his father figure's hand tighter, practically curling around it. His sobs echoing through the entire dome.

All the minute sounds of life that often acted as a background to Hagi's soft baritone and lulled him to sleep, stopped…

The birds that soared in the air above…

The fish in the ponds below…

The insects that were naturally drawn to the abundant plant life that rustled in the calming breezes…

It all stopped as Marcus repeatedly tried and failed to get the words out – ask what he so desperately needed to ask. To quell the conflictions of adoring, loving admiration and bitter, loathing betrayal within him.

The man befriended him.

Sheltered and fed and clothed him…

Those slate eyes had twinkled with vibrant amusement at Pep's antics.

And listened to his pains, struggles, idle chatter, idiotic ramblings and complaints –his entire damn life story for Christ's sake- without uttering a single negative statement or scornful rebuke or sneer or complaint of his own!

Yet…

Then he'd let the same dog he treasured as much as Marcus did, die so ruthlessly.

Then he had laughed at Marcus' pain.

Then Hagi had rejected him so suddenly, so coldly.

The betrayal seemed so surreal…

Marcus needed to know!

But it was no use.

He just couldn't get his question out.

But Hagi, a man who had grown accustom silence, and whose taciturn ways were unbreakable after all the time he spent in silent pain – distress, in silent thought and preparation for three short, fleeting years that were but precious moments – mere but invaluable grains of sand on the shore of this world – to spend time with but one person, this man, Hagi, read the air precisely and nearly smiled that the fact that they were thinking around the same lines.

I say nearly, because it came out more like a grimace as he began choking on the blood building in his mouth.

Turning his head and ignoring the pulsing at the back of it –more to the base of his neck really, but not quite- Hagi parted his cheery licorice lips and let the blood flow out.

He felt Marcus' stomach muscles clench beneath the flesh of his clawed appendage.

'Poor boy…' Thought Hagi as he looked at Marcus as well as he could through his blurring vision. 'He looks as if he's going to be quite ill… How ironic that I, who prayed for his happiness have robbed him of his only friend and betrayed him. I have only made his suffering worse. Better would it have been if we'd never met…'

Right then, all Hagi wanted to do was sleep. But no. He needed to tell Marcus…

And so the words flew out of his mouth as he gave Marcus the summary of his situation. All that he could. He even went into details as to how he and Saya lived so long, why he rebuked his chiropteran powers, why he was there in that dreaded place with that woman…

He told it all, as fast as he could.

And as the sun shone down upon the crimson scene and began its slow descent, the teen, who still sat clutching at his hand, came to believe each and every word. Even as part of him told him that it ridiculous and even as he struggled to comprehend why he was being trusted with this tragically incredible man's life story… What had he done that was great enough to warrant an explanation; an apology from one who had suffered for centuries without rest? What was it? The other had felt pain for most of his existence and would continue to forever without the release of death!

And yet, here he was crying and complaining because life had dealt him a slightly more difficult hand than most?

He should be happy that he was still human and didn't have to struggle to remain sane and humane. That when he ate and drank he would not continue to hunger in such a disgusting and animalistic way… That he should be immensely happy that he would not have to suffer forever to protect the one he loved… He should be-

"And I," Hagi said; startling him from his thoughts before falling prey to another coughing fit.

Marcus' eyes grew even more worried.

When Hagi recovered, more apologizes streamed from his heart but before he could finish saying sorry for saying such callous things…

The devil towered over him.

And with that the boy; the last ray of sunshine in Hagi's world, was gone, both literally, and figuratively, for at the exact moment that Marcus dragged out of the green house -kicking and screaming for Hagi- the sun set, and there was only darkness around him.

The claws on his disfigured hand twitched cold without Marcus' little ones warming them and as the only response to him trying to reach for the boy.

'Marc-" He tried; only for his voice to give out on him.

'What else, Lord?' Thought Hagi abysmally.

Nathan's manicured finger tips were rubbing his throat gently, next.

"Shush…" He cooed. "Don't try to speak. You need your strength and by the looks of it, you could lose your voice~"

"Lose his voice!" Cried Diva; obviously aghast.

'What else will you take always from me?'

"Not permanently…" Clarified the blonde knight.

The queen breathed a sigh of relief.

'What more!'

"Marc~!" Tried Hagi again as the image of James dragging Marcus away became several times smaller.

"What is it, little blue birdie~?" Nathan sang gently in askance.

The image grew even smaller.

'Will you take everything?'

"Mar~!" Was all Hagi could get out.

James and his squirming bundle began entering the tree line.

'…Fine. Then take it all…'

"What?" Nathan Inquired.

"Mah~!" He was trying really hard to get his point across.

And he couldn't see Marcus anymore!

'Fulfil my wish… And take it all…'

He closed his eyes as they burned with tears again.

'Take my every joy…'

It was amazing that he had enough fluids in his body at this point to cry.

'And my every sorrow…'

He felt the unwanted press of a shaky kiss to his lips.

'Take my every smile…'

Then came the equally loathed, but nevertheless tender promise that he'd been fine because he hadn't asked permission to die.

'And my every frown…'

And she wouldn't have granted it anyway, so he wasn't allowed.

'And leave me as empty as I feel…'

And probably can't die from being cut in half anyway, so guess what. He's gonna stay by her side forever!

'Yes... That is it…'

His tear glazed eyes shone as he opened them, the full moon baring witness to his silent prayer.

'I wish… At times like this I wish…'

And as the darkness of the night entered his eyes; the ends of his blurry view turning black as awareness slipped through his fingers like sand.

'That… If fate must be this cruel…'

"Come on!" Cried Diva; her voice piercing. "Where is that doctor!"

'That I would be able to forget it all…'

Nathan sighed.

"Patience my Queen~!" He chided.

'Please…'

And then he was lost to the world.

-o-o-o-

A tall, pale man lay unconscious on a cherry wood canopy bed that was covered completely in white sheets, pillows and comforter with baby blue accents. His beautiful ebony locks curled about his flushed cheeks and pass his collarbones and even pass the dusty light pink buds on his strong, well defined, bare chest. A few strands had even slipped into the warm and teasing cavern hidden behind the juicy strawberry folds of his lips. He breathed in and out slowly through the straight, aristocratic nose of his and as his chest fell and rose in rhythmic pattern, soft, pale, manicured hands maneuvered the circular end of a stethoscope to different points of his torso.

And as the rich, bright morning sun shone through the ceiling to floor windows and dust molts danced in the rays, all Diva could think about was that Hagi looked heavenly bathed in its light.

…To think, this ethereal being belonged only to her…

But that woman was blocking her view!

'Unacceptable…' She decided mentally to herself.

"Move…" She commanded quietly from her seat near the foot of Hagi's bed.

Doctor Julia Silverstein paused in her work, blinking curiously at Diva.

"Pardon?" She inquired.

"You heard me, move…" The blue-eyed girl stated plainly not even blinking. "I won't repeat myself again."

"Diva~!" Nathan scolded while wagging of his finger at her.

"What?" She asked sharply as her eyes flashed.

"Behave~!" He chided.

"But she's blocking my view of Hagi-koi…!" Diva whined in her defense.

"Diva~!" Nathan chastised again.

"It's fine," Julia replied nonchalantly as she straightened from over her patient.

Diva and Nathan looked at her, gazing deeply through her –passed her skin- as if to try and see what she was really saying. It was a look that the girl had probably picked up from her knight, and it chilled her to the bone every time it was directed her way... which was, unfortunately enough, frequently. What with her having to live with Diva and her knights at least until Hagi became healthier and had awoken.

"Well," Julia said as she stuck her hands in her lab coat. "Hagi seems fine. Perhaps it wouldn't be a stretch to say that with all the rest he's gotten in the past month while he's in this… coma of his, that he's probably in the best health he's become your chevalier. Then, seeing the other's eyes flash as she snarled in indignation, Julia tried to amend her statement, "I-I, umm, I mean that I erm…"

And as the good doctor struggled, a long sigh of calm bliss and restfulness flew pass the full lips on the androgynous face, thick, long, black lashes fluttered, tickling the being's cheeks as they opened to reveal otherworldly, slate-blue eyes that glittered with peace and a childish joy.

Everyone turned to the bed as the brilliant orbs were hidden behind pale eyelids and the young man sat up stretching and yawning.

He cocked an eye open as he felt eyes on him.

He blinked; his head tilted to the left as he processed. Or at least, tried to…

"Veuillez m'excuser, mais qui êtes-vous?" He spoke clearly, eyes squinting as he fought to recall… anything at all really. (1)

"Et pendant que vous êtes à elle, qui suis-je?" Hagi inquired in a relaxed tone as his right hand gesticulated. (2)

The occupant took in the man on the bed, he radiated charm, class, compassion and measured confidence as he gazed at them expectantly.

Diva and Julia blinked; neither even processing it when Nathan swooned.

Hagi sighed.

Well these people were a big help.

A/N: Hello peoplez!

Sorry for the wait!

-bows-

And because I made you wait so long, I made the chappie extra long for ya!

-grins, wink and flashing trademark peace sign-

That should be a good enough apology. This thing is 37 pages without the authors note!

I do not own Blood+!

So don't sue!

Please!

I have no money~!

LOL

However…

IMPORTANT: Marcus Von Rozenthal belongs to moi. I own! (Never thought I'd be able to say that on !) He is a character in my own book. Do not steal him or his back story, please!

If you wanna use him, ASK!

I don't mind lending him out because I only put half of his background here. But still~!

DON'T STEAL!

For Your Entertainment belongs to Adam Lambert and other peoplez, not me. I do not own.

French Translations:

(1) ~ "Excuse me, but who are you?"

(2) ~ "And while you're at it, who am I?"