I do not own Blood+, the characters, places, events, people, habits, cooperation's, anything. Thanks to all the artists and writers who inspire me, and everyone else!

Eleven

They were both covered in bruises and cuts that healed with the speed of a chevalier's capabilities.

James, bound and gagged, as well as tied to a chair, gave them both a look of utter distaste.

Both Solomon and Karl knew that ropes weren't going to keep a chevalier, so their movements were quick around their small inhabitant. They darted too and fro, locking the door so at least no humans could get in. Obviously James was going to get out at some point, but not without a couple words.

Karl ripped off his cloak- somehow surviving the rumpus. His mask was replaced with a look of anger, and he walked into the almost vacant living room. Solomon was clearly nervous around Karl now, his glances darting with lighting speed from James (who was already working through his bonds) to Karl, as he opened the windows. The wind from the ocean blew in and Solomon's paperwork flew everywhere.

From nowhere, Solomon rounded on James, and he'd managed to spit out his gag. Out of what Karl thought was sheer impulse, Solomon's teeth sank into his own wrist.

Karl watched in confusion as Solomon forced the bloody appendage into James's mouth. Forgetting his doubt for his brother, he watched as James was force-fed Solomon's blood.

"What…?" He heard James say, through a gurgled mouthful of blood.

Solomon looked partially satisfied. His wound closed, and he looked at James with an absolute serious expression. "You understand?" Solomon asked.

Karl understood that Solomon had probably brought James here for his own reasons. James's face was filled with shock as he stared at Solomon with both fear and the same confusion on Karl's face.

"What's going on?" Karl asked. He didn't understand.

"Our blood," Solomon said quietly. James wasn't struggling anymore. "Diva's blood is ours. The same, Itiedi must've thought it'd bring us back to life- since it made us chevalier, why shouldn't it?"

"But Diva was dead," James said. "How-"

"The same crystallized mass," Solomon said. "He must've pieced us together."

James made a disgusted sound. Karl looked at his hand, at the veins on his wrist. James wiggled on the couch through the ropes. "I've seen Diva's remains. They're hanging like a chandelier in Itiedi's dining hall."

So that was that. Karl looked out the window. Diva was still dead. Would always be dead, he supposed. But wait- hanging…? "What?" He whispered, disgusted. Itiedi did what with her remains? Hung? Like a chandelier? Where? Why? Though he wasn't about to ask why Itiedi would want anyone like him or James around. Was he just some sick researcher like… Joel? They were both collectors, and Karl could only think they had the same wish, he supposed. "Why are you trying to kill us?" He heard Solomon ask in the very smallest voice he could muster. "James… we're family…"

Of course.

Solomon was just as lonely as Karl was. And yet, Solomon was hanging onto Diva's…. attachments… even worse than Karl was. Solomon had, always, been closer to the family than Karl ever had. Karl hadn't cared.

And, to Karl's horror, James replied with the same disgusted and disbelieving look Karl had given him when he had said the same thing.

Karl and James were being used.

Karl wasn't new on this subject- he had lived with being Anshel's ingredient for a very long time. Though he never wanted to be used again.

His eyes narrowed. James' face was turned away from Solomon toward the open window Karl stood next to. He looked at Karl, and his face turned into a worse look of disgust. "Itiedi wants you dead," James said. "He never wanted you alive. You were just the ticket he needed to make sure his plan worked."

Karl felt his hands clench. He looked directly at Solomon. He could feel his mask pressing on the back of his skull hard, it might've been crooked. The feelings of anger and confusion were making it hard for him to stay standing in one place. "Solomon," he said quietly.

It was a decision.

He couldn't stay with Solomon. Lies, and now Solomon was probably using him for… something… He didn't want to be around him any more. Almost a whole year he'd out up with him, though Karl had always felt the need to be around someone who cared.

Solomon, he'd thought, cared. Not anymore.

"What" Solomon said quietly.

"Is there anything else?" He asked quietly. "Any more secrets?"

Solomon sighed loudly. He thought Karl was being annoying. "Of course not," he said. "I said that."

"Alright." Karl jumped onto the window. "Goodbye then… businessman." The night flew toward him, or was that the power it took for him to lift himself this far? He hadn't jumped this far in so long…

"KARL!" He hear Solomon yell after him.

It was no use. What Solomon saw was nothing but a deep, deep blue and lighter blue of a mixture of the sky and ocean.

The dust was like home under Karl's fingers as his cloak wrapped around him warmly when he landed. The dirt around the road was a long way away from where he had landed.

Once again, he was something no one wanted.

He had to go.

It was the first time in a long time he realized he was homesick. That thought made him smile just a little.

He'd go to Vietnam. Where he'd first met Diva.

I'm sorry, I haven't updated in a week or so… maybe longer.

Though I have many ideas, and many things that are stopping me from writing them.

Another apology, I feel, in needed.

One, I bagged that idea I talked about in that note.

I decided it wasn't my idea, so I wouldn't work off it. And other reasons.

Second, I suppose a lot of you are confused… and I was hoping someone

Would review, only they didn't.

If you would, it would, it would make my day.

thank GOD for your gift!