Hakumei sniffled as she dried herself and her hair, picking the randomly scattered rose petals out of her long hair as she did so. How had time passed so quickly? How long was she in Karl's bed? For how long were they in the bath? She sighed when the answers didn't come and exited the bathroom. Karl wasn't in his chambers. He must've gone to tell Amshel that she was getting ready to leave for those awful labs. Loneliness coursed through her body and she collapsed on the bed, crying her heart out. Her tears halted suddenly when she noticed the blood staining the covers; obviously left behind from when Karl had made love to her. She shook at the thought before standing and walking to her closet. She picked out a blue and white, square-collared dress with blue rose designed buttons and Chinese-like blue shoes with a blue rose on the tongue. Standing in front of the mirror, she somewhat admired the pendant Karl gave her and briefly considered that he may truly love her…before reality sank back in. Love? No. There was no way he could even begin to understand such a feeling…He felt no love and especially not for her. She shuddered at the thought of what he'd done before reaching up to remove the pendant. A little voice in her head made her pause. What would Karl do if he saw that's she'd removed his gift? With a sigh, she left that necklace be and instead added the cloth choker necklace to take some focus off the pendant. Checking herself in the mirror one last time, she turned to the door and walked out, heading for the kitchens to fetch something to eat.

She sighed as she reached into the fridge and pulled out a few fish cakes and a California roll. She had a feeling there wasn't enough time for much else. As she stuffed the cakes into her mouth, she pondered over what could very well be her last meal for a long time…After just swallowing the California roll, Karl walked in and up to her; grabbing her arm by her wrist.

"Let's go," he growled, "The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can get back to our lovemaking."

Hakumei blushed and shuddered as she was ushered to a helicopter again. She had to sit with Karl, who was the only one with them since Amshel was waiting for them at the labs, but as of yet that didn't bother her. She doubted he'd really try anything here…Warily, however, she glanced at him. Yeah, he seemed to be too angry at Amshel at the moment—perhaps Amshel had forbidden him from such an act until she was sent back to his chambers? Hakumei prayed that was right as they took off from the ground.

Karl stared in wonder at the results from the MRI scan. Amshel eyed him suspiciously. He'd never seen that look in his little brother's eyes. Those cold, insanity-filled eyes were soft and loving as he gazed at the scan. The growths in her womb were not very significant, but apparently, Karl thought otherwise.

"Amshel," he began blissfully, "I would never have thought that I could help create such beautiful creatures, or anything so meaningful to my precious Diva…"

He paused after that, merely gazing at the scans longingly, before turning to Amshel again.

"Amshel," he sighed, "I would like to visit with my koibito."

Amshel shook his head and sighed, but consented.

"We'll need to run a few more tests on her blood," he began, "However; I suppose you can meet with her for a few minutes before we take her blood. We only need one sample really, and then you can take her home."

"Arigato," Karl bowed, "Niisan."

With that, he walked out of the room and made his way to his beloved.

Hakumei sighed as she stared down at the floor of her cold cell again. That machine was just as bad as she remembered…A shuddered trickled down her spine at the very thought of going through it again. They had given her a dose of blood to nourish her and her babies after they had gotten her out of that thing. She shivered; such a nasty taste—like iron. Another sigh escaped her lips; she wanted to go home—even if it meant having to put up with Karl and his cruel words…Glancing up as the doors opened, she eyed Karl carefully as he walked up to her.

"Konnichiwa, koibito," he smirked, patting her head teasingly before cupping her chin in his hand, "Nani? You look upset knowing that I'm the father of the life growing inside you."

"Iie," she shook her head slightly, her eyes tearing up.

He chuckled as she stared up at him sadly and began kissing her cheeks, smirking and whispering teasing words between kisses.

"I will so love having you by my side all our lives," he smirked, "Our children in our arms. If you're not happy with it though," his voice grew dark, "You'll just have to get used to it."

"Iie," tears were threatening to fall.

Hakumei glanced up at him sorrowfully.

"Get used to the dreadful reality of being my lover and my pretty little toy," his smirk widened as he neared her ear, "You are one with me, my beloved."

He laughed as she screamed 'Iie'. However he stopped and looked at her more closely. She was crying, though her voice held no tears. She glared up at him through tear glazed eyes.

"I can never be one with you," her voice wavered slightly as she spoke now, "I could never create something with you—you're nothing but a monster."

Karl glared, but didn't take 'no' for an answer here.

"The monster you love," he retorted.

"Iie," she was glaring hatefully at him now, the pain was still evident in her eyes, but couldn't be well seen through her anger, "My love for you died the day you stole me away from my happiness and shunned me to hell where you bound me with lock and chain! Where you forced me to bear your seed while you forced me into your bed! I. Don't. Love you."

Karl glared and tried a different tactic as he cupped her face in his hands.

"Demu," his voice attempted to sound benign, "Daisuki…"

"Iya!" Hakumei pulled away and covered her ears, "You speak nothing but empty words! You only love torturing me and take pleasure from my suffering! The children I'm going to bear are not yours because you forced me to have sex with you. I'll say it again," she turned to him to make sure her words sunk in, "You are not the one I love. You may still look like him, but inside you're just a bloodthirsty monster hell bent on breaking my soul for your own sick games."

She turned away again.

"I want my Karl-chan back…" she sobbed, hugging her arms a little as she shut her eyes tight, "The man I knew from Lycée…You made such a sin; stealing the appearance of an angel when that is exactly what you are not…"

Karl watched her sob before wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to him in a loving embrace.

"Koibito," his voice sounded so kind and gentle now, "I live within you as those beautiful creatures of hope grow inside you."

"Iie," Hakumei sobbed.

He spun her around and took her hand and placed it on her stomach with his own.

"I can feel the life in your womb now," he pressed his lips to her forehead, "You should acknowledge the life I've granted you to bear. In fact," his voice grew malicious and cruel as he shoved her to the floor angrily, "You should be grateful that someone even wants you! You should be on your knees, thanking me for making love to you and giving you children and your heart's desires! And…!"

Hakumei shut her eyes, waiting for another barrage of insults and curses. Karl knelt down in front of her and placed one hand on her stomach and stroking the other through her hair.

"And you are bearing my children," he sounded loving and sweet as he placed his forehead against hers, "Our twin daughters and Diva's children…"

Hakumei raised her hand and placed it on Karl's, staring up into his eyes; shocked by his actions as another tear escapes her eye and trickles down her cheek. Karl lifted his hand to wipe it away when a cough interrupted.

"Gomen ne, Karl," Amshel nodded, "But I'm afraid I must ask you to wait by the helicopter until we are finished. I will send her to you as soon as we're done here."

Karl glared at his older brother, but was not one to act against him and stood, giving Hakumei one last fond look before walking out past Amshel.

Hakumei sat in the helicopter alone. Amshel said that he hadn't anticipated such strange results so quickly and had sent Karl home since they would need to do a few more tests. She was growing anxious as the copter came in for a landing. She was awfully hungry and she feared what Karl would do…After landing, she waited as the pilot helped her open the door and step down. Bowing a polite thank you, she turned again to the mansion and proceeded forward to meet Nathan who was waiting at the front door.

"Hey sweetie," he began, placing a hand on her shoulder as he walked her inside, "How are you feeling?"

"Hungry," she replied, holding her stomach.

Nathan nodded.

"Well then let's get you somthin' to eat!" he smiled happily.

Hakumei happily followed him as he walked into the dining room and sat her down.

"Anything in particular that you'd like?" he asked sweetly.

"Just a snack," she shrugged, "How 'bout some stuffed tofu squares a few sushi rolls."

"Coming right up," he smiled, before walking away to the kitchens.

Hakumei smiled after him, glad he was still on her side as she relaxed in the chair, trying not to think of what would happen later that night. Nathan brought her the meal shortly after leaving and sat down with her while she ate.

"Are you mad at me about having to cancel our trip to the beach sweetie?" he asked as she started with the sushi rolls.

"Iie," she replied, "It's Amshel's fault anyway. Why would I be mad at you?"

Nathan smiled happily.

"That's good to hear," he sighed.

Hakumei didn't reply and he took that as an incentive to let her eat in peace. After finishing, Hakumei rubbed her eyes.

"Sleepy?" Nathan asked with a smile.

Hakumei nodded and stood, after thanking Nathan for the meal, and began walking back to Karl's room. She closed the door, too tired to care if it was locked or not, and moved over to her closet. Glancing at the bed, she found the Gossamer gown Karl had given her earlier and shrugged. It would be comfortable. Stripping out of her formal dress, she pulled on the nightgown and crawled under the covers. She thanked the stars that Karl wasn't there. Maybe now she could finally get some rest…

Hakumei stirred to warm lips against her cheek and a flickering light around her. She tensed as she opened her eyes and her sleep deprived mind began to take in her surroundings as Karl smirked down at her.

"Oh koibito," he chuckled, slipping her gown off.

"I-Iya!!" she cried putting her hands on his shoulders, "I will not make love with you, you horrible, wretched demon!!"

Karl chuckled. He had only unveiled her torso. Turning her onto her back, he began to massage the stiffness out of her back.

"So tense koibito," he smirked at the moan he received as he dug his thumbs into her back in a soothing way, "You ought to relax."
Hakumei tried to fight to get away, but couldn't ignore the pleasure he was providing as he added a little more pressure. She vaguely wondered why he wasn't trying to rape her anymore—she was more than vulnerable at the moment; it's be easy—but the thought was lost as her back popped slightly from his ministrations. Karl hated that Amshel had forbade him from further acts of intercourse, but didn't mind as much that he could torture and tease her this way. He so enjoyed the gasps he received as he moved from her back to her legs.

"Iie," she gasped, trying to hide her pleasure.

"You know you love it koibito," he chuckled, "You so love it when I touch you this way."

Angrily, she flipped back onto her back quickly, trying to stop him. Karl smirked and held her down as he gently massaged her stomach before kissing her stomach greedily. She moaned and writhed slightly as he moved up her body and left a trail of kisses in his wake. He stopped to tease her left breast; stroking the sensitive area there and kissing her right breast hungrily. With a smirk, he then moved to her neck and began nibbling on her earlobe. Hakumei shook her head and pushed him away, covering her body with her nightgown as she held it against her body.

"Onegai!" she cried, shutting her eyes tight, "Iya! Onegai! No more! Ongai..."

Karl neared her again and set his hands on her face, causing her to open her eyes wide to him. He leaned in close to her face as he spoke his taunting words.

"My dear koibito," he purred, "Soon you will be with me once more."

Her eyes rolling back into her head, Hakumei fainted; fear filling her. Karl chuckled darkly and kissed her lips before crawling off of the bed and leaving the room. He started as he nearly ran into Nathan.

"Karl," Nathan's voice sounded uncharacteristically strict and angry, "Listen to me and listen well."

Karl raised an eyebrow at him as he leaned against his closed door.

"Now," he began with a horrible glare, "Amshel got what he wanted and so did you. It's time you let that poor girl rest. This is not a game, Karl," his voice changed to a demon's as he finished and drew close to Karl's face, "And I kill anyone who harms a women and her children."

With that, he walked away, leaving Karl to stare after him in disbelief at his strange behavior.