A/N: Thanks again to Era for such a kind review! Ahh, it really means a lot XD There is a reason for Oz's apologies, so that'll be revealed soon, I promise. I really wish they'd had a little more of Oz and Gil as kids too, since I really love both ages for Gil, and it would've made writing this a little easier. Honestly, Gil is so confusing XD He's weak and shy and passive, but then he's so passionate and strong sometimes, even as a child, so it's always hard to accurately judge how he would respond in a given situation.
Honestly, I'm a bit disappointed with this chapter (because I wrote all of it today :/ *sigh*) I don't know...I just feel like the end didn't really come out the way I wanted it to...but I hope you like it! Thanks everyone for reading!
DISCLAIMER: Everything belongs to its original owners
Something soft brushed against Gil's nose. His face twisted, eyebrows pulling together as he straightened, opening his eyes and sitting up slowly. Oz made a quiet noise of protest, his grip tightening on Gil's shirt to pull him back down.
But Gil was frozen, staring at the velvety black ears protruding from Oz's golden hair. Sometimes it was easy to forget that his master was a chain. Gil swallowed hard. He had caused Oz so much pain…
There was a quiet chuckle from the other side of the room. "When rabbits let their ears rest all the way back like that, it means they feel very safe and relaxed."
Gil turned sharply, startled to find a slender man sitting at the end of the bed, a book in one hand and a strand of long red hair in the other. He was smiling slightly, but there was a sharp glint in his eyes that set Gil's nerves on edge.
"You should be honored. Rabbits are naturally quite nervous and distrusting creatures, especially so if they're injured or sick."
Gil glanced back down at Oz. The blond's mouth was turned down in a soft grimace, but otherwise he did seem more at ease than Gil had seen him lately. He swallowed down his guilt.
"Ah, Gil, it seems you and Duke Barma have already met." Oscar slipped into the room, Break and another man following close behind him. Break lingered beside the door, his eye narrowed on the red-haired man.
Oscar stopped beside Gil, ruffling his hair. He glanced at Barma. "Would you mind taking a look at him?"
Duke Barma tilted his head, giving a slight nod. He stood, setting his book aside and moved to stand beside Oscar. Gil moved behind Oz, letting the blond rest against him while the duke inspected him.
Barma lifted Oz's shirt, his eyebrows immediately raising at the sight of the wound. "Does it go all the way through?"
Oscar sighed. "Unfortunately."
"Incredible," Barma breathed, leaning in and pressing gently around the edges of the injury. Oz flinched. Gil grit his teeth. "Absolutely incredible."
"What is, Lord Barma?" The brunet wondered, adjusting his glasses and leaning closer.
"The wound has already begun to heal."
"What?" Oscar's eyes were wide. "But he's been so sick!"
Barma clicked his tongue. "The infection is still there, and it's still a danger, but the wound itself has already begun to close. Quite a bit in fact." He gestured for Oscar to move closer, pointing at the outermost edges of the wound. The skin was soft and pink, completely healed and moving in toward the center of the injury. Gil breathed in sharply.
"So it'll heal by itself, then?" asked Oscar, eyebrows knit together in anxious confusion.
"No. As I said, the infection is still a problem, but if we get it taken care of, at this rate the cut should close fully within a few days to a week." His eyes were bright with interest as he inspected the wound again. "That's even faster than the alleged healing abilities of the Baskervilles!"
"Do you have any idea why this is happening?" Oscar chewed his lip slightly.
Barma shook his head. "Not at all, but I would assume it is some side effect of the abyssal energy that's surrounding his body." Catching Gil's confused frown, he continued, "This body is human, yet the soul of a chain resides inside. So, naturally, the body is being worn down by the amount of energy and power of the chain. It's especially prominent in such a powerful chain as the Bloodstained Black Rabbit."
"But somehow that energy is manifesting itself in healing his body?" Break spoke for the first time, straightening and moving farther into the room. "Shouldn't his body eventually be destroyed because of such a high amount of energy?"
Gil and Oscar exchanged a worried glance.
Barma's eyes glinted with interest. "Yes, that is exactly why this is such a strange phenomenon." He turned to snap his fingers at the brunet. "Liam, grab my bag."
Adjusting his glasses again, Liam nodded and hurried out into the hall with a quick bow.
Oscar's face lightened. "So you'll help?"
Barma smiled shrewdly. "On one condition. You'll let me stay here and study this chain until I understand what's happening." Oscar opened his mouth to answer, his expression falling slightly, but the duke cut him off. "And I shall be allowed to conduct whatever tests I wish. You need not worry that I might betray you to Pandora, my own tests will be much more productive than any those imbeciles could even dream to attempt." He flicked a lock of hair with the back of his hand.
Sighing, Oscar ran a weary hand through his hair. "I don't really suppose we have a choice, do we? We need your help to lower the fever."
He and Barma shook hands. Liam hurried back into the room, carrying a large bag over one shoulder. Duke Barma took it from him brusquely, rummaging through what sounded like books and bottles. He pulled out three smaller bags and shoved them into Gilbert's arms.
"Go make these into tea. Add honey if you think it'll be too bitter for him."
Gil nodded shyly, gently helping Oz back down onto the pillows and slipping from the bed. The blond caught the back of his shirt, glazed green eyes watching him anxiously. Gil held the hand in his, giving it a soft squeeze. "I'm going to bring you something to make you feel better, alright? Master Oscar is here, and I'll be right back." Oz looked like he wanted to protest, but didn't; something Gil was grateful for. He couldn't have said no if Oz had asked him to stay.
He hurried down the hall, admittedly somewhat anxious to leave Oz alone. He'd stayed by his master's side almost entirely since the blond had saved him. The kitchen doors were in sight when a hand caught his arm, pulling him down a secluded hallway and shoving him back against the wall.
Gil stared up into the fierce green eyes of Zai Vessalius.
"Wha—"
Zai's grip on his wrist was starting to hurt. "Will you really be so loyal to that thing when it murders you in your sleep? Or Oscar, right before your eyes?"
Gil glared at the man, struggling to pull himself away. "His name is Oz!"
"Oz, the Bloodstained Black Rabbit." Zai sneered. "Do you know why it's called that? Do you know how many people that chain has killed in cold blood?"
Gil swallowed hard. "W-Why are you doing this?"
"I'm trying to protect my family from a demon." His voice was pure venom.
Finally managing to jerk himself away from the man, Gil snarled, "I'm protecting my family, too!" He began to back toward the kitchen again. "And if you ever lay a hand on him again, I'll…"
Zai's face twisted into a victorious smirk. "You'll what?"
Gil shook his head, turning and running into the kitchen, trying desperately to calm his racing heart. Why had Zai cornered him in such a way? There had to be some sort of hidden threat, he decided.
The thought made his steps shaky.
Was Zai planning to hurt Oz?
Barma was just finishing tying a large bandage around Oz's stomach when Gil slipped back into the room. He moved to Oscar's side, watching as Barma explained the benefits of Turmeric powder to the blond.
"Excellent, make that tea every few hours until the fever is completely gone." said the duke, nodding approvingly at Gilbert.
"Which herbs did you use?" Oscar wondered as Gil slipped back onto the bed beside Oz and held the cup to his master's lips.
"Yarrow, Peppermint, and Elderflower," Barma explained, gesturing at each of the bags in turn. "Together they should raise his temperature until he sweats out the last of the fever. Wrap him up quite a bit with those blankets, the heat will be good, trust my expertise."
Still looking slightly anxious, Oscar nodded, and together he and Gil tucked the chain in the thickest blanket.
Oz's ears twitched. He opened his eyes a crack, caught sight of Gil, and nestled deeper into the blankets with a muffled sigh. His ears fell back into the relaxed position Barma had mentioned earlier. The duke sent Gil a knowing glance. The raven blushed, setting the empty teacup on the bedside table, grabbing his book, and curling up beside his master to read.
The next morning, Gil was delighted to find that Oz was once again coherent enough to hold a conversation, something that restored his faith in the shifty Duke Barma.
Gil reached over to press a hand to Oz's forehead, relieved that it seemed the fever had broken sometime during the night. "How are you feeling?"
"Mmm...sweaty." Oz's lips twitched into a half-hearted smile. His voice was still soft, but Gil's heart soared to hear his master speak.
He shifted, moving to run a hand through Oz's hair, but the blond caught his wrist. "Did something happen?" He brushed a gentle thumb over the dark bruise that marred Gil's pale skin, brows knit together in worry.
Gil pulled his arm away quickly. "A-Ah...it's nothing, I smacked my arm on the cupboard while I was making tea…"
Oz studied his face for a moment, still frowning. "...Okay…" he said quietly, fists clenching in his lap. Gil swallowed. Oz didn't believe him, but he had accepted this answer as the one Gil wanted him to believe.
It felt like betrayal.
But how could Gil explain what had happened without frightening his master? Oz would take Zai's actions as a threat to Gilbert, and the raven would instantly be pushed away. Gil couldn't risk Oz shutting him out.
"Big Brother!"
Gil looked up from his book, surprised to see Ada hurrying into the room. She bounced to a stop beside the bed, green eyes bright and wide. "Uncle said you were sick, but that you're getting better now!" She giggled. "I'm so glad! I've really missed you…"
Oz's eyes filled with tears. "Ada…"
Just then, a small gray bundle hopped into Gil's lap. He stiffened, resolved to wait until the creature decided to leave, if only for the sake of his master, but then—
"Mew!"
Gil screamed, leaping from his chair and onto the bed, his book flying to the floor. The cat let out a squeak of surprise as it too fell, but it simply stood up and curled at Ada's feet. Still gasping from the horror of having a cat in his lap, Gil suddenly came to the awareness that he was sitting on Oz.
The blond was staring at him with slightly wide eyes.
"A-Ah! I'm so sorry!" Gil yelped, scrambling backward and nearly falling from the bed. Oz quickly caught his arms, pulling him back up before he could hurt himself.
"Careful!"
Gil quickly moved to sit beside his master, hands hovering anxiously, unsure of what to do. "I-I'm so sorry, did I hurt you?"
Oz stared at him for a moment, before leaning back into the pillows and letting out a small huff. "Of course not." The huff turned into a quiet chuckle, which then turned into full laughter.
Gil and Ada exchanged a startled glance. But, as he turned his gaze back to his master, Gil realized how long it had really been since he'd heard Oz laugh like that. So, so long. Too long. He relaxed, content to simply watch the sunlight play with Oz's hair as he laughed, head back and eyes bright. It had been so long since he'd gotten to see Oz so happy.
He resolved to do everything he could to make his master smile. Real, beautiful smiles like that.
His giggles finally quieting, Oz lay back, eyes warm and soft as he gazed up at the ceiling. He reached out and caught Gil and Ada's hands in his. "I really….missed this." His eyes darkened. "I missed you. I missed you so, so much."
Gil gave his hand a soft squeeze. Oz's eyes watered. "I-I missed you...so much…I—" His grip tightened as he moved the hand holding Gil's to his eyes, wiping at them with his knuckles. "—I-I wish...I wish we could just go back—"
"I don't." Gil interrupted. Oz went rigid. "I...regret everything that happened to you so much. I-I would give anything to change it, and I'll...I'll always treasure those days we had together….they were so, so beautiful, and if I had known all of this would happen, I would've done so much more for you...but...Oz...You have no idea how much it means to me to—" He broke off, blinking back his own tears as he waited for his voice to steady. "—to g-et to hear your….feelings like this…"
Oz stared at him. "Y-You…."
Ada jumped onto the bed, pulling both boys into her arms. "You both need each other a lot, remember that, Big Brother…"
Oz laughed wetly against Gil's shoulder. "Of course Ada, I will. Thank you."
Gil squeezed his hand.
"Hey—" Gil glanced up from his cookbook, surprised to find that Oz had fallen asleep. Biting his lip, he studied the page he'd stopped on. It was a recipe for apple crisps, one of Oz's favorite foods. He'd wanted to ask his master if he was in the mood for a sugary treat like that, but...it would be the perfect opportunity to surprise him…
He stood quickly, making sure Oz really was asleep, before hurrying from the room.
Checking the kitchen, Gil was disappointed to find they had used the last of the apples last night to make a guest dinner for Duke Barma. If he wanted apples, he'd have to go get them himself. Sighing, Gil pulled on his coat and hurried out into the chilled evening air.
He'd be back before Oz woke up.
The apple tree was deeper in the forest than he'd remembered. It was right along the path, so he knew he wouldn't miss it, but the sun was starting to set, and he didn't want Oz to wake up alone.
At last the tree came into view, crisp red apples hanging from its branches. He leaned up, picking several and putting them into the small basket he'd brought along. Smiling softly, he turned to head back to the manor, freezing at the sound of a twig snapping nearby.
He turned his head slowly, biting his lip and praying it was only a rabbit or something. The nighttime shadows always set his nerves on edge.
A face grinned back at him from the darkness, empty black eyes and a stitched together mouth twisted into a feral grin. Gil screamed, stumbling back and turning to run. There was an earth-shaking crash from behind him. The creature was following.
Gil's foot caught on a branch, sending him tumbling to the ground, the basket of apples cradled to his chest. It was a steeper hill than he'd first thought, and he gasped as his leg twisted painfully beneath him.
There was another thump. The creature was getting closer. Gil tried to push himself to his feet, but his left leg buckled instantly. Terror consumed him. He couldn't breathe. How could he have left Oz all alone when there was a chain on the loose? And now he wouldn't even get to say goodbye….
The creature's face came into view, it's grin seeming wider than before.
"Make a contract with me, little boy. Isn't there a past you want to change?"
"I already have a chain!" Gil gasped, trying once more to stand. He crumpled to the ground with a yelp.
The chain laughed, a deep ring that seemed to echo all around Gil. "Well, that's too bad! I guess I'll just have to eat you then!" It lunged forward, giant hands outstretched.
"Don't you listen when people are talking?"
Gil's blood froze at the voice. No….Please, you can't be here…
A chain shot from the darkness, wrapping around the creature's hands and pulling them away from Gil. A from darted in front of him, scythe poised and ready to strike.
"How dare you attack my contractor!"
The creature laughed again, although it was struggling to pull itself free from the chains. "This kid, the contractor of the Mighty B-Rabbit? HA, what a joke!"
"Please leave here!" Oz yelled, stretching out his arms. "If you go back to the Abyss, I won't hurt you!"
"Get out of my way, B-Rabbit! That kid was my dinner!" The chain lunged again, this time flinging its entire body forward.
"Oz!" cried Gil, attempting to stand once more. Oz was going to get hurt, and it was all his fault—
Oz leapt up, his scythe flashing down and slicing the chain's head off in one swoop. The body disintegrated instantly.
Gil stared, open-mouthed, at his master as the scythe vanished. He had seen B-Rabbit fighting the Baskervilles, but this...this was Oz.
The blond hurried to his side. Gil didn't miss the way he seemed to be favoring his right leg. "You're hurt!"
"I-I'm fine," said Gil, gathering the basket of apples into his arms. "You hurt your leg!"
Oz blinked at him. "Huh? No, I...Just let me help you," He knelt beside Gil, pulling the shorter boy onto his back.
"Don't push yourself!" Gil gasped, another wave of pain shooting through his leg. Oz stumbled.
"I told you, I'm fine!" Oz snapped. "Tell me what happened. Why were you out by yourself at night?"
Gil's grip tightened on the basket. "It doesn't matter…"
"It matters to me."
Gil's cheeks reddened in embarrassment. "W-Why? I was stupid and that's all that matters. You shouldn't have followed me, you could've gotten hurt!"
Oz sighed sharply. "And you could've died!" His voice softened. "Please tell me what happened to your leg."
The manor came into view between the trees.
"Please stop asking...I….it's not important."
Oz sighed again, but said nothing. Gil frowned into his master's hair. If only he hadn't been so stupid, now he couldn't even walk to the kitchen. The apples were useless.
He was so useless.
Oscar smiled gently. "Thankfully, it looks like it's only a bad sprain. It should be alright within a few weeks." He finished wrapping Gil's ankle and stepped back to ruffle the raven's hair.
Gil's fist's clenched in his lap. Weeks...He really was useless.
Oscar patted Oz's head gently. "We're so lucky you found him in time."
Oz nodded, his gaze downcast. "It was lucky." He fingered the hem of his coat. Gil frowned at him.
"Master Oscar, Oz hurt himself too."
The duke turned to his nephew, his face stern, but Oz shook his head. "I didn't." He sounded tired. Gil scowled.
"You did! You were limping!"
Oz looked up at Oscar, his expression conflicted. The duke's eyes widened. "Was it his left leg, Gil?"
"Yes Master Oscar, I think something happened when he was fighting the chain, but...he won't tell me…"
Oscar sighed heavily. "I don't think I'd worry too much about it then." He glanced at Oz, his eyebrows knit together anxiously. "It shouldn't put too much strain on his body for now, don't worry."
Oz gave a slight nod, but his fists were clenched in a white-knuckled grip.
Gil frowned. "A-Alright...Master Oscar…"
The duke spared his nephew one last glance, slipping from the room.
"Please tell me what you were doing," said Oz quietly, moving to sit beside the bed.
Gil set his jaw. "Why won't you tell me what's wrong with your leg?" He countered stubbornly.
Why wouldn't Oz let it rest?
"Because there isn't anything—"
"Just stop it!" Gil yelled, pushing himself to his feet. Pain shot along his leg. Oz gasped, reaching in to steady him, but Gil smacked his hands away.
"G-Gil—"
"Why didn't you tell me you weren't feeling good that day? You could've died!"
Oz's fists clenched. "And you could've died tonight!"
"Why didn't you tell me, Oz? How can you expect me to tell you things when you won't even trust me with something like a fever? Now do you see how much it hurts?"
"I-I…" Oz dropped his gaze to the floor. "I...didn't...want to burden you….I…" He shifted, crossing his arms uncomfortably. "I know...that you wanted the old Oz back...but I can't—"
"Your feelings will never be a burden to me!"
"I'm just a chain!" Oz shouted. "You shouldn't have to worry about my problems! As your master, it's my job to protect you!" He looked away, biting the inside of his cheek. "You shouldn't have to worry about the mistakes of a fake like me—"
Hot fury swirled into Gil's blood. "You always say you're a fake because you're a chain, but you're not! You're not, Oz! The life we had was real!" Oz's eyes went wide with surprise. Gil's vision blurred. "No, Oz, you're a fake because you act like you're okay when you're not! You always keep everything to yourself, and in the end, everyone gets hurt because you were too stubborn to admit you're in pain!"
Oz looked like someone had struck him. The wounded expression was like ice in Gil's veins. He reached out to brush the blond's shoulder, but Oz jerked back, his eyes wide.
"O-Oz…?"
"I…" Oz shook his head. His breath was sharp and quick.
Gil took a step forward, gritting his teeth at the flash of pain in his leg as he hobbled. Oz cringed. Nausea sank into Gil's stomach. "I...I didn't mean…"
"I'm sorry….I…" Slow tears began to slid down his master's cheeks, curling under his chin. "...I-I…Gil…"
He seemed breathless. Gil swallowed. "H-Hey, why don't you sit down…"
"All my fault….everything...I.."
Gil gasped. "N-No! No...I didn't mean that!" He tried to take another step toward his master, but Oz began to back away. Throbbing pain began to build in Gil's temple. He pressed a hand to his head, looking up through his bangs to see Oz doing the same. The blond buried his face in his hands, a thin wail escaping him.
"Oz!"
But Oz turned on his heel, whirling out into the hall. "Wait—" Gil tried to move too quickly and his left leg buckled completely beneath him, sending him to the floor with a pained gasp.
No….Oz…
….Everyone gets hurt….
….Everyone….
….All because of you….
….You always...hurt everyone….
….Always….
Shut up.
….Always….
Shut up!
….So useless…
Stop…
…..All your fault…
Please...stop…
…..It would have been better….if you had never been born…
Please….Jack….