Shadows

Gilbert Nightray watched his younger brother, Vincent, step into the carriage from a window up on the hightest room in the Nightray manor. He hates to be in this mansion filled with people who have a bad reputation with almost every other nobility. But then again Vincent ordered his servent Echo to stay with him 'just in case' something happens, but Gil knows that his brother uses his servent to keep watch of him.

"Hey Echo, you can sit if you want..." he said a little queitly, as he watched the carriage leave. He was sitting at the cushined windowstill,with his back leaning at the wall and with one foot proped up to his chest while his other foot dangled down to the floor. Echo nodds and sits in a chair near Gil.

Gil likes it when Echo stays because he knows that she hides his secrets, and because he likes to talk to her. Usually she doesn't speak to anybody but when left alone with Gil, she talks more freely.

"Do you know if Dalia will be coming?" he asked the girl.

"Echo doesn't know." she responded with her usual monotone voice. Gil sighed as he looked at the ground. Echo took notice and with a faint blush she asked, "Does Gilbert-sama wish for Echo to go and retrieve her?"

Gil looked at the girl, and with a smile shook his head, "No it's ok."

They sat in silence as Gil watched the scenery outside as if expecting someone, while Echo looked at her covered hands. Gil's head shot upward when he heard some footsteps near them,and Echo heard them too but she already knew who it was.

"You're late..." Gil snorted as he now saw a certain albino coming towards the two.

The man chuckled as he sat in an armchair in front of Gil and Echo; resting his feet at the small cofee table in front of him, "Well, I stopped by for a visit."

"You went to see her again didn't you?"

"I can't help it..." the albino said with a small snicker.

Gil sighed as he stood up and sat at the small sofa near his so called friend, "Didn't I tell you that Vincent was planning to go see her, and that it be best if you weren't there. You're lucky that he just left."

"I know ...I guess that I just didn't want to believe it when I heard that Sharon will be going out with that rat... no offense." Break said adding that last part, hence the fact that the rat is the younger brother of Gil.

Gil just rolled his eyes, not noticing that it looked like he was staring at Echo.

Break smirked, "Gil-kun, I see that you have some interest in my little cousin" he laughed. Gil blushed hard as he noticed what he was doing, he didn't realize that he was staring at Echo.

"N-no you idiot I wasn't staring at her!"Gil yelled defensively, noticing Echo blushing as well.

"Yeah, yeah remember Gil she's the only family member I have left, and it's bad enough that she has to now work for your brother, imagine her dating you! My my I feel bad for you Echo you have idiots surrounding you." he joked.

"I don't mind being with Gilbert-sama..." she whispered still blushing. Gil blushed harder as Break began to crack up.

"Echo-chan you actually like him?" he laughed.

"B-Break leave her alone already...besides I know you didn't came here to just tease your cousin." Gil said hoping to get out of this awkward conversation.

"You're right I came here to see if you know anything new." Break said seriously.

"Unfortunatly, I don't. Sorry..."

"What about you Echo? Has the rat told you anything about Sharon or of the Rainsworths'?"

"Echo doesn't know about Sharon-chan but Vincent-sama has mentioned that Sheryl-sama is helping Vincent-sama with his plans."

"Plans? Like what?"

"Like telling Sharon-chan, that Vincent-sama is perfect for her."

"That Rat is far from being perfect." Break hissed. Gil noticed that Break was moody, which was rare for Break to be showing.

"Break are you ok?" he asked.

"What?'' Break, a little stunned of his question asked dumbfully.

"Something happened between you and Sharon..." Gil saw that Break turned away from him, answering his question, "What happened?"

Break stayed quiet for a moment reviewing of what happened earlier that night, "She called me by my name..." his voice was raspy, almost as if he were about to cry.

"Your name?"

"Kevin."he emphasized.

"Oh..."Gil didn't know what to say. He knew that Break has been trying to hide his true identity ever since that bloody day, but seeing that Sharon called him by his real name must be killing him. "What did you do?"

Break chuckled smiling, a thin line of sadness lingering at his lips, "Nothing. I ran from her like the coward I am."

"How did she found out your name?"

"I don't know... maybe because I began tickling her like how I used to when we were dating in secret. She probally remebered it because of her memory of us resurfaced."

Gil nodded now understanding, why would Sharon say his name out of the blue. "I still don't get why you don't want her to know you by your real name."

"Because! Because she doesn't have to know Kevin. Kevin died a long time ago, because he was a failure and a sinner!" Break blurted out, letting his emotions take the best of him.

Both Gil and Echo were shocked to see Break furious. They both know everything that has happened to him, even of how he was unable to protect his family, and how he let Sharon down after that frightful day.

"Xerxes-sama..."Echo whispered standing up and walking behind Gil.

"Echo... don't call me like that. You know that i'm no better than you and we both know that were not even related... so don't call me like that." Break scolded.

"N-no..." the girl whispered but cleared her throut to speak a little louder, "No... Break and Echo are not cousins, but you did save Echo when those people came to the house. Echo could have died but she didn't thanks to you. And Echo feels special when Break calls Echo cousin. It makes Echo feel like if she has a real family." She said bowing to him a couple times.

Break's lips curved to a ghostly smile, "Too bad that the others can't say the same thing''

"Break you're too hard on yourself. You need to understand that you couldn't have been able to save everyone-"

"You're right... I couldn't possibly be able to save everyone, but I should have at least saved someone..." he growled falling to his knees. Silence took over the three of them as Gil and Echo watched the ex-knight on the ground, loathing himself even more. The only noise that could be heard was the ticking of the grandfather clock, and Break's heaving.

Gil's tongue clicked as he stomped his way to the fallen man and forced Break to stand up, "That's enough Break! If that's all you're going to say about yourself then you're no different than Kevin Legnard! The way I see it both Xerexs Break and Kevin Legnard have sinned but to protect those they care about!" Gil yelled.

"G-Gilbert..."

Gil shook him to shut him up, as he continued, "Think about it! Kevin killed to protect the Sinclair family... Break is killing right now for the sake of the Rainsworth! Same kind of crap!"

Break sighed as he freed himself from Gil's hold and began to laugh, "Haha I guess you're right about that..."

"What are you going to do now? Are you planning to see her again?" Gil asked.

"Yes I am."

"At the party I presume..."

"Yeah at the party but I always keep watch of her even if she doesn't realize it."

"How?"

"From her shadows...I am her shadow while she is my guiding light." Break said abit somberly. Gil watched the albino make his way to the window.

"Echo do your cousin a good favor and keep watch of that Rat for me" Break told the quiet girl.

"Yes."

"And Gil do the same thing for the rat and for the Rainsworth especially Sharon. If you find out something you know how to contact me..."

"Whatever..."

Break opened the window feeling the nights cold air crawling on his skin. He began to climb out the window but before he jumped out he turned to face Gil and Echo once more.

"Gilbert... Echo... thanks."With that he lept out the window into the darkness of the night. Gil ran to the window to see if he made it down, but Break simply vanished from sight. It seemed like no trace was made that he ever stepped in the Nightray manor.

"Gilbert-sama..." Gil looked at his brother's servent, and saw that she was pointing at the cofee table.

"What is it?"

"Lollipops." was all she said. Gil looked at the table and indeed he saw two colorful lolipops with ribbons at their ends. Gil smiled as he took one of them and gave it to Echo.

"Huh?" Echo responded confused but knew what it basically meant and blushed.

"For you... Break left two... one for you and the other for me." he said smiling.

"Echo can't-"

Gil sighed as he took one of Echo's covered hand and placed the candy on top of where her palm should be.

"T-thank you." she said still blushing.

Gil blushed a tint of pink as well and turned his head away so she wouldn't see, "J-just make sure Vincent doesn't see it. You know how he gets whenever I give you gifts."

"Echo knows..." She smiled faintly. He headed back to the windowstill and sat down,

She clutched the candy to her chest. "Echo knows..." she whispered

XxENDxX

A/N: I know I know you guys are terribly angry at me and I don't blame you! I haven't posted anything for quite a while. I'm having some computer problems plus lots of projects are due this winter break and I didn't have time to make new chaps and post them. If anyone was wondering if this will also be an GilXEcho fanfic...maybe :3. Weird couple I know but I actually think it's kind of cute. Dalia is a character that I just found out about and I was surprised how no one has done any fanfics about her. But she won't be Gil's GF or anything... in this fanfic! Anywho... THANK YOU FOR THE REVIEWS! I love you all who reviewed it made me feel so HAPPY! Till next time!