Hey there again!^^ New chapter, we hope you enjoy! ( And on another note: The GL2 fanart gallery with the two masked ball pics has moved here:

http:/chephren . Livejournal . Com/53554 . html Look for the linky for Golden Lotus 2)

BMIK: Zack, Cloud, Angeal, Vincent, Tseng, Nero, Hojo

Chephren: Yazoo, Loz, Kadaj, Genesis, Rufus, Weiss

Chapter 21

"I'm afraid you must have him mistaken for someone else, Zacky," Loz joked, not at all fazed by the comment. "Yaz is over there. You missed the introductions tonight, huh?" How could one miss Yaz in that gorgeous ballgown... Loz was well used to Yazoo's working girl clothes but tonight... well, he felt a twinge of pride even for how far Yazoo had come, how he had done the best with the hand he had been dealt here...

"Ah no, I know how Yaz looks," Zack laughed, pulling Kadaj a bit closer. Cloud thought that Kadaj looked rather pale and narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "We met a few days ago," Zack explained. "In the bar, remember?" He looked down at the teen for confirmation. "I didn´t know this place had a new addition then, but I must say, he´s really cute. I think he´d look better with his natural hair color, but kids these days... So, what´s your name anyways?"

Kadaj's eyes quickly and nervously darted around to all his parental units watching him... thank gods, neither Yaz nor Seph were over here at the moment but that didn't mean they wouldn't find out.

"... Kadaj..." he said quietly, all feigned confidence of last time gone in the face of his family and his little, blond lover as he could see Cloud already saw through him. "Hello Zack, this is... my family..."

"Excuse me... what is going on here?" Angeal stepped in, pulling his son from the strange man´s grip. "What business do you have with my son? Who is this man?" Cloud had gone very quiet, his eyes darting from a confused Zack to the contrite Kadaj. It couldn´t be...?

"Did you sleep with him?" the blond asked his friend, emotionlessly, because the shock was too strong.

Kadaj was caught and since Lozzy and Cloud were here, he didn't seriously consider thinking up any lies. "... I did. I wanted to be ready..." and he didn't go on, didn't want to get Cloud in trouble too. "Father, last time I was here, I met Zack and he thought I worked here. I let him believe that..." He shifted uncomfortably as he waited for Lord Hewley's reaction, knowing he was in the deepest shit he had ever been in.

Ever.

Angeal didn´t know what to say. That was how disappointed and furious he was. Instinctively, he lifted his hand to slap the boy square across the face and Kadaj flinched and squeezed his eyes shut - but the slap never came. It took him all his self-control, but Angeal lowered his hand.

"What were you thinking?" he growled angrily. What was wrong with his kids? Why did they all end up in this damn whore house sooner or later?

"Oh my god, I am so sorry, I had no idea!" Zack had gone almost green in the face, putting his plate aside because he so wasn´t hungry anymore. He was sick. Cloud was sick too, the blood in his ears pounding. How could Kadaj do this to him? Cloud had thought they were friends, even more and that they had something special here!

Kadaj knitted his brows, feeling massive guilt rise and it wasn't because Angeal was punishing him, no... it was for that hurt look on Cloud's face. "I'm sorry..." he looked at everyone but his eyes rested on Cloud primarily. "Cloud... I'm sorry, I wanted to learn so much and..." He gave the boy a hug so he could whisper in his ear. "...to be good for you so you wouldn't have to teach me. I wanted to... seduce you like a proper seducer should... It was only once, I promise..."

Cloud remained stiff, not returning the hug and not saying anything either. He was too disappointed to accept any apology just yet. Zack on the other hand, saw himself confronted with one angry dad, which he could very well comprehend. What he didn´t quite get was how he himself could have been so very stupid to follow that boy into a bedroom that obviously wasn´t even his!

"Dajy," Loz said sternly, for after all they had been through together now, he was starting to get used to the shocks on his poor heart. Though she was just standing there with him, Tifa gave him strength. "You know very well that this is exactly one reason why you are to remain with Cloud or with Yaz or I and not go wandering off? You want us to treat you as an adult but you run off and disobey and do what you like? Putting yourself in danger? What's more, when there is a killer on the loose?" Having just reminded himself of that as well, Loz bent down and hugged the two boys close to him fiercely. "You little weasel! Don't you think? What if something had happened to you? You don't go off with strangers!" Letting go, he looked down at them, still very angry and his heart bursting with relief all at once. "You will take whatever punishment we have for you and you will like it, little man!"

Meanwhile, at the other end of the garden, the auction was going on rather fiercely. Vincent did his best to stay on top of the game, because he wouldn´t let anyone else have Yazoo tonight; even if that meant that he´d have to pay a fortune! There were some pretty stubborn competitors though... Beside him stood Genesis, watching the whole scene in amusement, though Vincent didn´t know what was so funny about this at all - and over that thought, he almost forgot to bid and quickly held up his number.

The redhead was actually having a fabulous time tonight. He had Sephiroth on his arm the entire night so far and now the Silver Angel was even off to get his coat for him along with some food on the way back. Not that Genesis wanted to make Sephiroth his errand boy... well, maybe his cabana boy possibly... but as he had been telling himself all along, he could be a very patient man. Tonight had just been a moment of despair and apparently incredible misunderstanding. Oh, every time he remembered the man's hands on him... Be still my beating heart... He was quite excited standing there and Yazoo's creepy husband kept giving him strange looks. No matter though. Genesis thought he might go back up and see if he might try for another kiss... just one. Surely Sephiroth couldn't deny him that. He decided he wanted another jacket anyways than the one he had asked for. It was a convenient mistake and he just needed to be close to him again...

The redheaded succubus made his way back into the Golden Lotus and back up to his rooms to gently surprise his soft, strong... absolutely gorgeous... "Oh..." Genesis had to fan himself as the heat in his blood rose. "...lover."

On the stage, Yazoo's emerald eyes shifted back and forth between the four bidders. As the prices rose higher, the bidders dropped off and he was so happy that Vincent was competing for him tonight. It made him feel so elated and aroused at the same time, a faint blush in his cheeks deepening.

Vincent didn´t even notice that Genesis was gone, he was still bidding like a madman. The amounts were making him a bit dizzy and absently he reached into the pocket of his coat to get his purse, seeing if he had any checks with him. What he found instead was... Frowning, Vincent took a little recorder out of his pocket. He hadn´t put it in there... Still, lifting his hand mechanically, he held the device to his ear, pushing the 'play' button. Around him, the crowd was cheering, music played, people talked, but still, he could hear every word coming out of the speaker... and very slowly, he let his number sink down.

"Do I have eighty thousand? Eighty thousand gil?" Rufus was watching the paddles rise and fall like a hawk. This was more money than they had made on any virgin auction so far, even Yazoo's and the man could not be happier. Life seemed to be looking up for him and not only would they get some fool client's money, they may draw out the killer as well. "Eighty thousand to Dr. Hojo at the back." Yazoo flinched at that.

"Do I hear eighty thousand five? Eighty thousand five hundred... Yes, I see eighty thousand five hundred to Mr. Wallace. Good to see you, sir!" Rufus flashed a winning smile behind his mask and Yazoo, though he might have been happy to see Barret Wallace again, felt a nervous lump in his belly. Vincent was only sitting there now, not looking interested in bidding anymore, only staring at Yazoo and he didn't look resigned or remorseful... He was only sitting and Yazoo took a deep breath and tried not to feel hurt by it. Perhaps it was too much money... but he had been well aware of Vincent's and the family's funds they all built together and he knew it wasn't too much anymore... Lately, they were doing quite well. His head was swimming and he didn't hear Rufus' words anymore, only saw the bidding go back and forth between Dr. Hojo, Mr. Wallace, Mr. Highwind and another man he didn't know who was sitting with Mr. Hollander... Vincent was only staring at him with an expression that Yazoo couldn't read because of the mask. The silver haired youth could only guess that in his beloved's eyes, either Yazoo wasn't worth the money... or maybe just wasn't worth it anymore...

"One hundred fifty thousand going once! Twice! Sold for one hundred fifty thousand gil to Dr. Hojo! Thank you, sir, come up and collect your prize and to you other three gentlemen, thank you for playing." Rufus was gloating to no end under his mask as he walked forward to congratulate the man as he sauntered up from the audience to escort Yazoo.

The silver haired youth gasped and quickly turned to Tseng beside him. "Tseng, please... will you stay with us? I don't want to be alone with him tonight..." The tone in his voice was pleading and fear made his voice shake even though his expression was as calm as he could manage.

Tseng was about to say something reassuring, not happy about the outcome at all. Hojo was already making his way upstairs and Vincent watched him, emotionally drained and exhausted, when suddenly there were panicked, piercing screams from the other end of the garden.

Everyone was looking up, alerted or curious. Just a few hundred meters away, Nero was stumbling through the crowd, falling to his knees, crawling further on the wet grass. His mask had gone, both of them. His costume was only rags and blood stained his face, his hair. Deep cuts were bleeding on his back, hands and legs as he tried to crawl away further from wherever he had come from.

"Help," he croaked, his shaking fingers digging into the cold earth.

Yazoo stood frozen because even if he had wanted to run over to the man, he didn't dare. He didn't trust anything Nero, the raven beauty, or his silver haired accomplice did, and it seemed like many of the other working girls felt the same way after being bullied by them. Weiss, who had been gorging himself on Loz' elegant buffet, ran over to his follower and gathered him up in his arms.

"What happened, Kid? Talk to me!" He tore the stupid mask off his head and threw it off to the side angrily, tearing at his silky pant leg to wrap around Nero's body. "Call the fucking medics, you assholes!" he roared in frustration as everyone's first impulses seemed to be either to stare or run around screaming in chaos. He leaned down as close to Nero's face as he could to hear what the man would say and bodyguards rushed to their side along with Loz and Tifa with a bucket of ice water and some clean napkins.

Nero swallowed, losing focus for a moment. Where was he? He could hear screaming, and his body hurt so much... Weiss! He stiffened, briefly blacking out.

He remembered... they had been at the party, and Weiss had ordered him to put the recorder into Valentine´s pocket unnoticed. Nero had done exactly that and went back to Weiss, but instead of praise, the man had just snapped at him to stop following him around. Nero had kept in the background then. Although he tried to be nice to potential clients, he wasn´t really in the mood, and then... Then he had seen Weiss going off to the less-crowded parts of the garden, maybe to meet there with a client, and he couldn´t resist following. He knew that if Weiss discovered him, he was done for, Weiss´d be pissed to no end. However, Nero had a bad feeling...

There hadn´t been as many lanterns there, almost none, but even so, between the bushes, Nero had suddenly seen a dark shadow, following Weiss and readying itself to attack. Nero wouldn´t let him though. In hindsight, it was a very stupid thing to do, but out of a reflex, Nero had thrown himself at the attacker. Silently, they had tumbled back into the bushes. If Weiss had noticed a sound at all, he might have thought it was the wind... Unlike Nero, the attacker had a weapon and oh, he could fight! It probably was only due to the advantage of surprise that finally, Nero managed to escape and crawl back to the party...

"The... killer..." he panted, when he came back to consciousness. Was that Weiss above him? Was he all right? Nero felt so sleepy...

"No! Stay with me, Kid!" Weiss' jaw clenched and he gave light slaps to Nero's cheeks to try and jar him back. "No!" A couple of bodyguards seemed to know how to make tourniquets and were doing so to stop the bleeding and already, one could hear the sirens of the approaching police, firetrucks and ambulance. "Why? Why would you get mixed up with the killer, you jerk?"

Tseng was immediately by their side, pushing Weiss away, not in an unfriendly way but decidedly. "Don´t move him," he said, pulling Nero´s lids open, slapping him once as well, which seemed to work, because Nero opened his eyes half way.

"The murderer, what did they look like!" Tseng´s face was tense, his posture stiff. They had been too careless, too rushed and decadent indeed, and there had been another victim, but this was the only one who had survived so far (if he made it through the night) and he was the only witness!

"...Mask..." Nero managed, coughing up blood, and Tseng let go, clenching his jaw. If this hadn´t been the most stupid idea ever, he didn´t know what was.

"...We- weiss..."

"I'm here, Kid... don't you ever fucking do that to me again, you hear? Don't be getting yourself killed," Weiss bent down and nibbled on Nero's cheek frustratedly, no longer caring what anyone thought, careful not to put any pressure on him as the medics filed in and he decided he would go with them to the hospital.

As soon as the crowd heard the word 'killer,' even more havoc broke loose. Clients, male and female, ran around the garden and the house, not listening to the bodyguards' instructions to stay calm and instead pushed. The gates opened up to clear their path out.

Rufus stood silently, his face inside the mask as blank as the mask itself, immune for once to all stress of the situation as his working girls were escorted safely inside and it was all being handled. After his breakthrough and consummation with Tseng today, frankly nothing could bother him. As long as they were both safe, as were his charges, and his money plans remained intact, nothing could touch him. Or maybe the extent of this catastrophe was just too overwhelming for him to process, so he shut down and retreated into his happy world, where no killer had just broken into his establishment despite a whole army of bodyguards. Now they couldn´t even manage to keep the people inside so they could question them and find the murderer. No, everyone was just fleeing the scene, making it impossible to find the culprit! Rufus gave a small, tired laugh and kept standing there, watching.

As Nero was carefully placed on a gurney, Weiss held his hand for a moment before they took him out to the parking lot and loaded him into the ambulance. A medic informed the silver haired man that Nero would be just fine as long as they could get him the treatment he needed and as long as Weiss stayed out of the way. The attendants made it clear that he was dangerously close to becoming another stressful element to the situation. Weiss had bloodied men for less but this time, he only wanted Nero, his friend, back.

Yazoo was rather ineffectually trying to dodge the advances of Dr. Hojo's wandering hands. The dark client would make the Fairy pay for ruining his last visit here... Yazoo could see it on his face.

"Dr. Hojo, sir... can you please go wait for me in my rooms? I will be right up," he said, a whimper escaping him as Hojo had him pinned to the nearest wall and his hands were reaching underneath the full skirts. "You... you won. I promise I will be right up... there is something I have to do..."

"If you don´t, I´ll cut you open!" the man threatened, but finally let go, reluctantly. The chaos and the crowd were making him nervous. Something seemed to have happened, but he wanted his prize! Still, security was already coming up to them, and so Hojo let go, getting escorted to 'a safe place'. Hopefully the Fairy´s room, or he´d make them pay!

Yazoo sobbed in relief as he followed the bodyguards for a moment before slipping away as nonchalantly as he could manage into the garden maze, where he had seen Nero emerge from. If Hojo was the killer, then Yazoo would be safe out here. If he wasn't... Who was he kidding? Yazoo knew he was a damn fool but his family was safer inside and he might lead the killer away from the Golden Lotus, all his friends and loved ones. His mask was starting to itch with the sweat forming on his brow from the fear welling up within him and Yazoo pulled it off, dropping it on the ground. He was as much of a spectacle with as without it and if the killer would kill him, he would just do it. Best that the beast know that Yazoo was Yazoo and not someone else.

He thought perhaps that since Nero had survived, he or she might still be out there, waiting for more prey and Yazoo would just give them what they wanted. Rounding corner after corner, venturing a bit deeper into the maze than he had in a while, the silver haired youth heard a crunch of twigs snapping on the ground and froze.

Oh gods... he thought but he had brought himself out here and it was time to face it. The reason he came back here...

Another dead person lay in the grass, one of the lower floor prostitutes. It had been her bad luck that, in her panic, she had run into the wrong direction... Well, good for the killer. It had been most unsatisfying that the first victim had escaped, but this one had fairly made up for it. A dark shadowy figure stood, towering above the mutilated corpse, inspecting his creation coldly, detached from behind his white, blood stained mask. His body was clad in a black coat, hooded, no speck of skin or hair to be seen.

A sound made the figure look up and there... there he stood. The Fairy, wide eyed, terrified and absolutely beautiful. Finally.

Yazoo stood frozen to the spot except that he was quaking with fear. "Wh-..." he couldn't find his voice until finally, he managed, "Why are you doing this?" Then, when no answer came, the silver haired youth resigned himself to looking at that frightening mask, glowing eerily in the moonlight in a black sea of cloak and hood, as fearlessly as he could muster, saying, "All right, I'm here... what do you want?" He also braced himself for the impact of projectiles or sharp, cutting edges...

The killer spoke no words, because that only added to the young man´s fear. It was such a delight to see him in pain, in misery... The killer had his full attention, as he slowly circled Yazoo, drawing nearer. He hadn´t even drawn a weapon, but still Yazoo was trembling, he could see it... Maybe it was the blood on his mask that frightened the boy? Or the bloody, slaughtered corpse just a few feet away? It didn´t matter. Silently, the killer reached out one gloved hand, brushing over Yazoo´s lips with the fingertips, leaving a red smear of blood.

Breath catching in his chest and heart pounding in his ears, Yazoo couldn't take it anymore and he sprang toward the masked shadow, drawing the gun from the waistband of his skirt. "Don't fuck with me!" he hissed, "Either get on with your business or leave us be!" He snarled as he pulled the trigger instantly only... only nothing happened. Flipping the gun open in the blink of an eye, Yazoo gasped when he saw the bullets had been removed! Before the killer could come any closer, the silver haired youth thrust upwards with the heel of his hand into the region of his attacker's throat, more adrenaline pumping through him than he had ever felt.

The killer blocked it easily, holding Yazoo´s arm in place for a moment, before swirling him around and pinning him against the next tree, face first. Now that had been quite close... maybe. The killer was prepared. Oh, he was so excited. That squirming, lively body pressed against his, the adrenaline from the fight, the strong smell of blood - it all intoxicated him!

Yazoo thrust backward with bony elbows and even threw his head back once, knocking his attacker in the nose but it didn't seem to faze him. His opponent also had heightened reflexes too, the energy swirling like electricity all around them. The boy's own nose was being prodded by old bark and he fought to get free.

"Please!" he cried, hoping that the guy, for the strong form pressed against him felt like a male, would just kill him already and get it over with but with the details of the last killings, the look of that poor girl on the ground back there, Yazoo knew an easy death was not to be his fate.

Almost annoyed, the killer put more weight onto the lithe figure, so Yazoo wasn´t able to move anymore. One hand grabbed long hair and held Yazoo´s head still... while the other held Yazoo´s hip. Such a slim hip it was, so bony, and barely covered... The hand trailed down further, over the thin fabric of the dress and then slipped underneath to grope a bare leg, boldly slipping between warm thighs, and up. Ah, how the killer wished for skin to skin contact, but this would have to do.

"Unh!" Yazoo squirmed to get away! He could handle it inside, in his bedroom with the clients, but he didn't want this, not here, not with someone who terrorized him and everything he knew! "Stop it! Why not just come to me as a client? This party... tonight... It was for you, unhhhh! No..." he whimpered as his body began to tire after a while and he was most inclined to just let the killer have what he wanted. At least Yazoo would be alive...

Maybe.

TBC

Comment replies –

BMIK/Chephren replying

lovelostinthegrave – Yesh, once again, Dajy really does get what's coming to him. XDDDD He just has this thing about breaking the rules, doesn't he? Oh yayyy! Kitties and cookies! Some of the best things ever, thank you! XDDD Haha, Zack has the worst timing ever, hasn't he? And thanks for the cake and kitties (and the chocobo, I luff chocobo! 3) XDDD

xxxXXXSMILEXXXxxx – Awww, angels, thank you! *loves!* I'm sorry to hear you were having a bad day! I'm glad that our angsty chaps make you feel better. XDDD I hope your sunburn is better! :O That is really messed up of strangers to do to you! It's hard to know who to trust as it is, you know? Yesh, poor Zacky, he so didn't mean to cause so much drama. XD I am glad we could help you feeling better! Those two guys seem pretty nuts, you should go to the police because that is not funny at all, that is criminal! Who the hell they think they are? Anyway, I am happy you enjoyed the chapter and the upcoming drama!^^

natzilla – Yesh, GenGen so would have gone naked... I was so very tempted there. XDD Especially since it was a Yazoo event. Yeah, with Sephy, I think Gen just really wanted to be the one to have rocked Seph's cock so he got a little distracted. He's very well-behaved tho. Hopefully didn't traumatize the Sephster too much. XD I know, Vin is SO cool! Uncle dead guy. ROTFLMAO! XDDDDD You feared them getting close...? Hehe, not a big Seph/Gen shipper I see ;) Hm, I think it was a pretty decadent sight with lots of naked skin, I guess XD Wasn't there some kind of similar movie out there...?

Shadow haloed Angel – Thank you so much, Angel! *huggles!* Yesh, I don't know about BMIK but I think we might live for scenes like this one. XDD It's so fairytale and extravagant. Just makes you want to be there with them and party it up before the murderer strikes. Zack has the worst timing ever -.- And we are happy that you liked it, thank you so much for the compliment!

Psycho Steph – Yesh, I hear ya. People can be so unforgiving but then again, a lot of people think if someone does something that bad once, they will do it again. Poor guy is being very understanding tho. He is like an ex-con trying to get a job. XD Yesh, Vinny is such a sweetheart! I am pretty sure I want to marry him too now. Yeah, poor Cloudy... and poor Daj... I can't say I blame Daj too much, the sneaky lil babe, but poor Cloudy. Yes, everyone is wary of Seph, but they didn't meet him during his best times I guess XD Hm, the Kadaj/Cloud part was very fun to write, they are adorable XD But I guess Cloud won't be too happy to know that Kadaj has been with someone else...

Lenko – Hey thank you, Lenko! XD Yesh, Sephy and GenGen are both a little quirky, aren't they? It does seem like Seph does care a little. Yesh, Vinny really is amazing! Yazzy so knows how lucky he is. It so has been a very long time for them indeed! Yazzy wasn't over there for the reaming of Dajy but I'm sure he won't be too happy about it. ;D Right now, he is starting to freak out a little. So you like bitchy and protective!Yaz? Good to know! XD TTYS! Poor busy Lenko! *huggles* Thanks for taking the time and commenting anyways! Well yes, Genesis deserves some happiness too, doesn't he? And he is so persistent XD Hm, Vincent is probably at a point where he would do practically everything for Yazoo and get this whole killer affair over with, poor thing :D Well, no one is overly thrilled about Zack screwing Kadaj, so there will be some bitching all right XD

Aubrieta – Yesh, Sephy is a real trooper. This whole thing isn't even his fault, poor baby. Yesh, you were right, the murderer sure was lurking! Vince and Yaz are in a strange, uncomfortable place again... That was pretty painful. That Ruffy comment was so BMIK! XD Thank you so much, love! Next, we need to rescue Yazzy! :O I think Sephi is quite pissed right now, Weiss should probably crawl into a deep dark hole and hide there till the storm is over XD A lot of drama, as usual, that is what's next XDDD

The killer arrived at the scene! *LE GASP* Can Yazoo escape? Will he find out the killer's identity? (We're still taking guesses btw XD) See you next chapter, and please don't forget to leave a little comment!