I find the answers aren't so clear
Wish I could find a way to disappear
All these thoughts they make no sense
I find bliss in ignorance
Nothing seems to go away
Over and over again

Just like before...

Everything you say to me
Takes me one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
I need a little room to breathe
Cause I'm one step closer to the edge
I'm about to break.

He was a very annoyed man. Sage had been tougher than he had given her credit for, and that was costing him time, much needed time. Hey, being a gang leader there was a lot to get done, and as much as he enjoyed seeing her put through misery, there was work that needed to be done. So around one that morning they had finally called it, though his men seemed disappointed by this, they were reassured that is would continue on later that night.

Sage had been hauled off to the cells, they had gotten back to work, and he was now walking through the various hallways, mentally ready to go and get some sleep. However, when he turned down one he came to a certain point. He could go right and to his lavished chambers, or he could go left, and pay Sage another miserable visit. As much as sleep called to him, he couldn't resist making her more depressed. Though she hid it well, he could see her exhaustion was catching up, and that meant her barriers that held back her emotions were as well.

So he went left, through the hallway and quickly coming up to one part of the cells. He had ordered her to be put away from her friends, less hassle and no doubt the guards would get annoyed at their talking and at some point shoot them, they weren't known for their patience. So she currently had two guards in front of her cell, and when they saw him they greeted him appropriately.

He grinned. "How about you two take a break, I wish to have a talk with my longtime friend." He could see them under their masks break into grins of their own and nodded, quickly stepping through the door that led into the hallway. The cell had your standard metal bars, with a large lock off to the side, and was fairly large. And hanging on the wall across from the doors was Sage, once again having her arms be the only thing keeping her up. The chains were just low enough to where her feet could touch the ground, and were solidly bolted into the stone wall. Her hair was still wet, hanging limply around her, and she looked paler, no doubt from lack of warmth. He grinned.

The setting couldn't be more fitting.

"Hello Sage." She slowly lifted her head, and he could see that though she didn't look good health wise, she still had a fire blazing in her eyes. They'd have to take care of that.

"Bastard." Was all she said, her face a composed mask but her voice holding all the hatred for him.

"So I've been told." He replied with a wave of his hand. "So there's still time to reconsider, it definitely would make things go much more smoothly."

"Why would I make things easy for you, when you haven't given me that luxury?"

"Because that would be the smart thing to do." He took out a key and unlocked her cell, opening the door wide as he stepped in and walked up to her.

He stood mere inches from her, their bodies much to close for her comfort and he could even feel her somewhat raged breath on his face. "Because you know what I want that will allow you to live."

"Money or not you planned on killing me in the end." She growled, not breaking away from his gaze.

He lifted a strand of her hair with his hand, playing with it in his fingers. "But what if I had other ideas?" He asked, looking from her hair back to her face. "What if I had more happier plans?"

He cursed as her head slammed into his and stumbled back, holding his forehead gingerly. When he pulled his hand back, he was shocked to see blood there. Glaring, he looked back up at her and the smirk on her face, some blood also on her forehead. "Hell. No." She said.

"You little piece of-" He heard the door open up and wiped his forehead as the guards came back in, putting on that grin of his. "No worries, I'm sure we'll come up with a conclusion sooner or later, but I don't expect the wait to be that long." Sage held back a shudder as he walked out of the cell and the guards took up their posts again.

Sage sighed and rested her head against the wall, a headache coming on. But she didn't care, it was beyond worth it. A grin came across her face. And when she got the chance, she'd make sure to leave him with more than just a minor cut on his head.

XXXXXX

Carter was jumpy that night as he got ready for bed, which was simply pulling his shirt off and throwing on some slacks. He was the leader of one of the gang's top forces, he had been the one to bring the pain in the ass Sage in, and he was also one that had the deaths of well over a hundred people on his record. So of course, even with all of these under his belt, it had to be that something that was none of those things scared the crap out of him.

The nightmares had been getting more consistent. And each one had the same thing, almost said the exact same lines. A man would be standing there, his hard body and intense green eyes boring into him as his dark black hair hung just past his ears. His jaw was firm and he had the body of a construction worker. This man would always meet him in a black abyss, with the same message, one that he didn't have a clue as to why it would be important.

Carter ran a hand through his hair, going to rub the back of his neck. He had told one or two people about it, but they had just waved it off and said he should forget about them, they would end at some point. So he went along with it, praying for their words to be true.

"Just some stupid dream." He muttered to himself.

"You've disobeyed orders." He gasped and spun around, his legs threatening to give out under him as he stared at his nightmare.

The man stood in front of the door, his form towering and menacing. "You were to not harm the girl. You were to tell your Leader she wasn't to be harmed when captured. Orders were disobeyed."

"Y-You're not real." He stuttered. "N-Not real! Just a dream!"

The man smirked. "It doesn't seem that way. Now you have to be punished for your acts."

Carter backed away, but his back hit the wall and he was frozen on the spot as the man advanced on him. "Please, don't! I'll do anything!"

"To late." A hand shot out and grabbed him by the neck. Carter's eyes widened as something seemed to emit from his hands, and his throat felt like it was being held against flames and ready to peel back from the outside in. His hands tried to rip the hand away, but to no avail.

Minutes later the hand let go, and the body slid to the floor, dead eyes seeing nothing as they landed on the feet in front of them.

The man smirked and shook his head. "Was hoping to have the honors of making her life hell myself, but it seems like I came just a tad bit to late." A dark chuckling echoed in the room. "But that don't mean I can't contribute to it."

XXXXXX

It was nearing ten that night, the moon already shining down on Twilight Town as the last of its citizens rushed home to their beds. However, while they worked to get to bed, others were doing the opposite, and preparing for a late night. Riku had known that something was going to happen that night as he along with the rest of his friends sat in the cells. Their guards were getting animated and excited, talking in quick and hushed tones but their voices carrying on the anticipation.

When the clock tower bell started to ring, signaling eleven now, that's when things were put into action. All of them were removed from their cells and escorted throughout the large warehouse that played as their base. It was on the outskirts of town and seemed deserted, so it made sense since no one ever came here. It was a good five minute walk as they were led through various hallways, but soon they turned down the final one to reveal two large double doors at the end, and they could see a bright light emanating from the other side from the cracks.

The doors were pushed open and they were shoved in, taking in the sight of the large and clear second floor of the building. Along the rims of the area, in seemingly neat layers, rows of metal pathways were set around the room, allowing for the large crowds of people to stand and have a clear shot at the blank space in the center. On the wall far across from them one row was specifically dedicated to the Leader and a few of his higher-ups. There were no windows, but large lights that sent bright glares down onto the area, lighting it up with no problems.

They were escorted to the floor just above the Leader, and it was there that they took seats in the metal chairs given to them, their guards standing on either side of the group. Riku and Jason each sat on one end, with it going from left to right continuing with Namine, Denise, Sora, Kairi, Tyler and Roxas. After a couple minutes of loud talking it seemed without any effort the room fell into silence as the doors on the first floor opened up wide.

Sage walked in, shackles holding her hands behind her back and two guards leading her with her upper arms in a death grip. Even from a distance Riku could see the bags under her eyes, but she still walked tall and had that air of challenge around her, something that made him grin. When they reached the center they stopped and her bindings were removed before the guards walked away and back out the doors.

It was still silent as the crowd took her in. Sage crossed her arms and stood with her feet planted apart on the cement floor, looking straight up at the Leader. However, when she loved on the floor above him she scowled some when she saw her friends sitting in the chairs, preferring they wouldn't be here. She had heard rumors, and she didn't want them to see her in a more bloodied form of survival that was so second nature to her.

"Men." Their Leader called, a grin on her face. "I give you a challenge. Whoever is to make Miss Nightstalker surrender the payment first, will be rewarded with more than money and items combined." Cheers erupted throughout the area, and Sage worked to keep the frown off her face. "You will be given two minutes tops before the next group of contestants come up. But be forewarned-" He took two items in his hand and tossed them to the center of the arena.

Sage stepped forward and caught them smoothly, pulling out her daggers she had carried all these years. "She is not unarmed. But you can use any weapon of your choice." More cheers, but Riku could see the glint in her eyes. He glanced over and saw Jason shaking his head, a smirk on his face. "So let the fights begin!"

Sage grinned, and it was one of her more malicious ones. A group of five dropped down from the first row and made a large circle around her, chuckling as they pulled out their various weapons. Sage placed her sheaths at her waist before she continued on to sheath her own daggers, leaving her hands bare. Murmurs were heard around the arena, and the teenagers gasped, wondering what was going through her head.

The fight began.

Sage leaned back as a throwing dagger flew by her, feeling the wind against her neck as it missed before she spun around forward, the ax embedding itself into the ground. The man in front of her charged her with a chain swinging in his hands, and she did a back flip her hands landing on the ax wielder's back and pushing him into the ground as she pushed off, landing in a kneeling position. She rolled on her shoulder to the right as she heard footsteps behind her, then quickly sprang to her feet as someone threw a fist her way.

Left arm coming up to block the oncoming fist, her other one connected with his gut and she stepped back, the chain wielding man back. He brought the chains down quickly and she stepped to the side, letting them fall next to her before she quickly grabbed one end and wrapped it around her arm. With the length of the chain in her favor, she brought her arm in an upward motion that sent the chain between the two of them flying up before circling the man's neck, secured tightly. Before he had time to do anything she did a roundhouse kick into his upper left shoulder, sending him spinning and landing on his stomach with the chain tightening. Her boot landed on his struggling back and she grabbed his end of the chain before ripping both ends up, and almost hearing the sound of his neck cracking as she did so.

The arena went silent as the chains unwound from her arms and she stepped off the now limp body. The final four got back into position around her, and her daggers slid free of their sheaths. "My turn."

The ax wielder went first, charging at her from the side. She stepped back, with him running past her quickly, but not quick enough to avoid the blade as it sliced through the side of his neck deeply, the body quickly dropping to the ground and a thin river of blood staining the floor. He was followed up by a member with a dagger of his own. She crossed her daggers as he tried to drive the small weapon into her chest, and feeling the metal slide across her own she pushed them up, his arm going up as well before her foot slammed into his knees, dropping him to the ground before she spun around and set another kick into his face, his head snapping to the side sickening as he dropped backwards. Now there were two.

They decided to double team her. One had an assortment of throwing knives at his waist which he reached for, while the other was a solid two-handed sword. Sage dodged to the side and low as the sword faked a head on attack and turned into a side-sweeping on, the blade going over her head before she had to do a somersault forward as two throwing daggers landed where she had been moments ago. She had somehow landed on her back after avoiding another hit so when the blade came down she had only one option.

The clashing of metal could be heard throughout the arena as her two daggers crossed, blocking the obviously heavier blade from cutting through her flesh. Her muscles tensed to keep the blades in place as her attacker leaned more into the attack, having the advantage.

Her blades were slowly being lowered, coming closer and closer to her. Sage took a deep breath and pushed, sending all of her energy into the move. It bought her just a couple inches that were enough to throw him off balance, and she moved them to the side, taking the sword with it before disengaging and rolling to the side, pushing herself back on her feet before launching herself at the swordsman. The large blade wasn't quick enough, so soon the daggers pierced his flesh like there was little resistance at all.

After the second stab she was once again assaulted by throwing knives. Sage turned and started running for the man, dodging left and right to avoid the weapons, but some still leaving scratches on her arms and legs as they flew by her. However it wasn't enough before she tackled him to the ground, a dagger being driven into his chest before she executed a roll and came up once again in a kneeling position a few feet away from the body.

Angry shouts were heard as she walked back and took the dagger out, blood glistening on the blades. Sage rolled one of her shoulders feeling a bit sore, but looking around her at the crowds of gang members, wishing she could just kill them all off one by one. When her eyes landed on the Leader his brows were furrowed just slightly before his signature grin came back. "Next group!"

Sage refused to look at her friends as five more men came onto the floor, her daggers coming up to follow up her arms as she held them tightly. Please forgive me. She thought sadly, and almost with begging. The command was given and once again the sickening games continued.

XXXXXX

The kunai was the final weapon to enter the back of the neck. Sage released the smaller weapon and the member fell forward, just like so many before him. She had to give him credit, his weapons were a little more unique than the rest and had been fun to use. However that didn't keep the fatigue from threatening to completely consume her. It was almost two that morning, almost two and a half hours of fighting various members, some a lot more challenging than others. But she still won in the end, even if it was at a cost.

She could literally feel her friend's gazes bearing into her, and thought she would go mad from the weight of it as she turned around to face the wall where they sat. She lifted her head up and instead of that cool and collected grin, the Leader's face was of pure furry. The crowd of gang members was drastically thinned out, another thing that she took pride in.

The Leader stood up and stomped down the stairs onto the arena. "Why the hell can no one break her!" He yelled at the crowd, storming towards her. She did nothing as two guards grabbed her roughly and forced her into a kneeling position, her daggers already sheathed at her waist.

He took a gun from his own waist and waved it around at them. "It's not that simple!" The simple nine millimeter was aimed at her, and the trigger pulled.

Sage yelled in pain as the round tore through her arm, a well placed shot. Missing her bone and any vital arteries, it wasn't lethal, but it still hurt like hell. She kept her eyes shut so no tears would come from them, but she could still hear the yelling from somewhere in the area. Slowly opening them she looked up in front of her and could see her friends fighting against the guards, obviously angry. A small smile came across her face, they had witnessed her basically massacre all these people yet they still fought for her.

"And yet you're still smiling." The redhead next to her growled. He looked up and motioned with his hand. "Get them out of here." The group of teenagers were shoved out of the room unwillingly, back to their cells as the man started to circle her.

"Why won't you break." He was talking to himself, and the rest of the people still in the crowd just watched. "Why won't you just collapse and give in."

"Because." She breathed, clutching her bleeding arms, glad the bullet had just gone straight through. "Defeat is unacceptable."

A mocking laugh came from him. "Oh really? Hear that boys! Defeat is unacceptable." More laughing, just from larger numbers.

The large double doors swung open with amazing force, slamming into the walls and leaving the hinges just barely hanging on. Everyone except Sage turned towards it, the teen opting for just looking ahead at the ground and keeping pressure on her wound. The Leader looked over at the man who had entered. "Who the hell are you?"

He stayed silent, and it was noted how the large black cloak that fell around him obscured all features, the hood keeping his face hidden. "Hey, asshole. I asked who you-" As he walked into distance a hand shot out and grabbed him by the upper arm, taking him and throwing him at least fifteen feet to the left. The redhead landed harshly, his back slamming into the concrete, but that wasn't what had him in pain.

He screamed as it felt like his arm was being pulled apart, and ripped his sleeve off in a useless attempt to get rid of the pain. He and the other onlookers stared in horror as the flesh of his arm seemed to almost melt off like a steady stream, the Leader's screams still filling the space. When the flesh was gone, the muscle came next, and started to peel back from the bone, the blood escaping it's confines now that the flesh was no longer there to hold it back. It didn't take long before the dark magic started to work it's way to the rest of the body, crawling across the torso and up his neck, where his screams quickly died. The gang members ran for it by then, fighting to get to the exit before the same fate could befall them.

The hooded figure walked towards the center of the arena, where Sage was slowly getting up and turning around to look at him, her face blank. When she couldn't see his face she frowned slightly, but took both daggers out anyway, her wound not bleeding as badly as before. Like she had thought, since no bones or arteries were hit, it only hurt to move, but that didn't mean she couldn't do it. "Who are you." She asked, the most obvious question.

A low and dark chuckle came from the figure. "Now that's just rude. I thought I taught you better than that."

Sage's look turned quizzical. "What are you-" A strong hand came up and ripped the cloak off.

The elegant and bloody daggers clattered to the floor, Sage's blood running cold.

"No." She whispered, taking an unsteady step back. "You're dead!" Another chuckle answered her, and she had to do everything in her to keep from screaming.

"Now is that anyway to greet your father." His deep voice said, green eyes staring at her savagely.