Sorry for the wait again guys. Hope this could be worth the wait. ^_^'

Chapter 28: Aquilo VS Thanatos

" Hm, how 'bout... Naw, not that, or th- Ooh, now this one's perfect. ''

Hands shuffling inside a black plastic bag. Thanatos pulls out a strapless pink dress that was, a bit... "revealing" in some parts, with a slit that'll show the left leg and a white bow on the chest with a plastic green gem on the centre of it.

Thanatos smiled full of glee as he marvelled the dress with shiny, excited dark-silverfish eyes.

'' This dress says "Cute~" all over, eh Marcy? Marcy? ''

Hearing nothing but silence, instead of an answer. Than turns around behind him to face the vamp teen, who... Looked anything, but GOOD. Marco was on the ground laying flat on his stomach, both his arms and ankles have enchanted chains which prevented him to get up AND make escaping looking quite dim. And not only that... Dirt, and bruises were present on his face, neck and stomach and legs. (Also tears and rips on his PJs, too)

Thanatos sighs, feeling his patience gettin' kinda thin with the vampire. And even after some... "Talking time" with him, the vampire STILL wasn't exactly cooperating, it seems.

'' What is it this time, Marcy? ''

Thanatos asked with a thin layer of venom creeping slightly, trying to keep a calm and clear head. Now before his laid figure. Thanatos was, let's just say... Was not that pleased to see tear-streaks on Marco's bruised face, and a couple of small tears went loosely down his cheeks just then.

Not one BIT happy with the other's attitude, Thanatos bends down as he roughly grabs onto Marco's head, by the hair. Then stood straight back up, pulling Marco up along with him so they were about face-level to each other.

'' I said: "What is it THIS time?" Ya know you're meant to answer back, right? Sooo... ''

Drawling out slowly on "So", and STILL seeing no interest from the other vampire. Thanatos, has had enough.

'' Oh for- What the HELL is wrong with ya?! TALK *****T! ''

Thanatos demanded loudly, angrily shook the teen vamp roughly to MAKE him speak, by force.

'' ... Lo. ''

'' Uh? ''

Anger all turned to confusion, just as Thanatos heard Marco utter what sounded like... "Lo". What's with that?

'' ... Aquilo. Ooheh... ''

Couple more tears fell from his glassy-ruby eyes as he still felt broken, and sad for Aquilo's unfortunate, REALLY unfair death. But Thanatos, he... He couldn't believe that Marco was STILL weeping-on over that useless, waste of flesh. Over, that...

'' Aha, Oof! ''

'' What's with him?! ''

Thanatos threw Marco roughly onto the ground, and now the vampire was sore even MORE thanks to Thanatos. Who was then shouting with rage at the hurt vampire teen.

'' What's with so special about that unfeeling, waste-of-flesh for an old witch's EXPERIAMENT?! TELL ME! ''

" OH! ''

Marco curled up slightly as Thanatos had just kicked him in the stomach, a "little" bit hard for the one's liking. Thanatos then went into a inhaling, and exhaling state. Taking breaths as his anger slowly subsides, and then...

'' Y... You wouldn't, really understand... The true meaning, of love. ''

Marco began off slowly to the light-grey vampire.

'' A-Aquilo, he... Aquilo's not a waste of flesh. Nor a, a... Witch's pawn. Aquilo... Is Aquilo, is, the... Aquilo is a wonderful, kind-hearted person. And, for all he is I-I... I fell for him. I love him, so much... I love Aquilo, for himself. ''

More tears escaped from his tear-filled eyes as memories of the white demon flashed before his eyes, ones that touched him, and made him feel... Love, towards Aquilo. This cheesy-display made Thanatos even MORE peeved-off now.

'' Love the guy for his "amazing" personality? HA! What a load of bull. I swear that over these past years we've known each other since kids, you're STILL the same old, pathetic and wimpy, hopeless romantic who'll NEVER have anyone love him. So shu- ''

'' I WON'T! ''

Thanatos reeled back a bit in shock by the other's sudden outburst, now staring at a "little", angry vampire teen.

'' I will not listen to any more of this. I am through with being put down, abused like a toy since childhood and high school. And... I am tired, of being afraid of you, Thanatos A- GHACK! ''

Marco's angry and brave words were unfortunately "ceased", from... Thanatos straddling Marco's body and having both hands onto the teen vamp's bruised neck, STRANGGLING the HECK out of him.

'' Don't ya dare start actin' all high and mighty with me, ya little ***t! ''

Thanatos growled through his clenched fangs, watching Marco choking and coughing, and the pained-tears rolling down his face... After a second. Thanatos loosens his hold on Marco slightly, watching the vamp regain his breath as a... small, sickly-sweet smile graced his lips.

'' Ya know, I really like this look on ya. This weak, broken and bruised, pained-look on your adorable face... And pretty figure~ ''

Than breathed out with now lusty-eyes as he eyed-down the teen vamp's body. Licking his lips as he remembers that Marco was NOW left to his... Little "desires". Using his right-hand to reach into his cape... Than pulls out a sharp knife out and wavers it slightly, seeing his grinning reflection in the blade.

Marco was wide-eyed in fear as he stared at the knife, nervous and... "actually" knowing, what's gonna happen now.

'' W-What ya doin' with tha- L-Let go, he- ''

'' Hush, hush now... Kitten~ ''

*RIP!*

In one go... Thanatos had just SLICED the knife across Marco's black shirt, right down the middle. Marco let out a shocked gasp and struggles about, desperate and trying to get the vamp off of him. But sadly, to no avail, as Thanatos has just managed to remove his top clothing. Chest, arms and all exposed completely to sadistic, hungry eyes.

'' Your body is lovely. And now with bruises on it... Makes it more, irresistible~ ''

'' N-No, stop it! ''

Marco cried out with desperation and dread, feeling those hands... Being disgusting, all over his chest and back. Eyes tightly shut with tears pricking at the corners of them.

'' Aw, don't lie now Marcy. ''

Thanatos said lustfully to the quivering vampire, tracing his fingertips faintly from top-to-bottom at the vamp's back. Making the poor thing whimper, and trying not to arch to that SINFUL touch.

'' Nehe, imagine what your friends and own family- ''

'' Excuse me, there! ''

All the gleeful, victorious feeling has now vanished. Now replaced with startle, and confusion from that SUDDEN unknown voice. (Marco was quite surprised too) Turning his head behind him. Than's eyes went wide in shock AND disbelief, for there standing some distance away... Was the VERY white demon, who was (supposedly) dead back at the forest, rotting away like a corpse SHOULD.

'' W-What the...?! ''

Thanatos was a bit too stunned to speak. And Marco was the same, for here he was... Aquilo, all alive and well again, by MIRACLE. (And yet again, a new form) And this time... A difference in not ONLY his form, but the ability to now SPEAK and FEEL!

'' Why are you on top of Marco? ''

Aquilo asked innocently with a curious look, before noticing the... Signs of bruises, all over the teen vamp, and the dry tear-stained face.

'' *Soft gasp* W-Why is he... Covered, in boo-boos? Is he badly hurt? ''

Aquilo now asked with worry to the light-grey vampire. Thanatos couldn't believe the ATTITUDE from this guy. Is he like, for real? Arising to his feet and standing beside Marco, Thanatos smirked at the white demon.

'' Well, well looks like someone's not having their "sleepy-time". And not only that, you've just interrupted our special time too. So don't even THINK ab- ''

*SWISH!*

Thanatos was suddenly cut-off by that suddenly, UNEXPECTED swish of wind blowing right passed him. Opening up his eyes... Thanatos was FLABBERGASTED to see the demon... Now HOLDING Marco in his arms, seeing that he was now no longer beside him!

'' Sorry, I didn't listen there. I was rescuing Marco from you, hehe~ ''

'' Gwa-You-How-When- AGGH! Ya little brat, how dare ya! ''

Aquilo didn't even seemed annoyed with the vampire's angry words at him, and instead just looked down at the teen vamp in his arms. Smiling down at him tenderly, like a mother with her new-born.

'' It's nice to see you again. It's alright now. ''

'' A-Aquilo? ''

Smiling sweetly, Aquilo then lowered the vampire onto the ground, setting him down gently. When suddenly...

'' YHA! ''

*STAB!*

Aquilo went rigged, froze still as a statue. For Thanatos... Had came up, and STABBED the white demon from behind. Using his FIRE demon knife, to be precise. Marco was horrified by this turn of events, and he felt even worse to see Aquilo's frozen state.

'' Aquilo! Aquilo, are you ok?! ''

'' Shut it! He's alre- ''

'' Ouchie! ''

'' AAH! ''

All in a twist. Thanatos was then suddenly just BUCKED OFF the white demon, and now went flying through the air and landed on the hard ground a distance away, in quite some pain and DISBELIEF now. Marco was shocked at the unexpected turn-about, but quickly snaps out of it as he manages to sit onto his knees, and look up at the whimpering demon.

'' A-Are you ok?! H-Hold on, I'll us- ''

Marco's frantic words were then gone, as the small stab-hole on the demon's chest... Glowed a soft-white. Ice then covering the small light, and then vanished to reveal the hole... All gone. No sight of wound anywhere.

'' Whoa... ''

'' No worries~ I'm ok, that I am. ''

Marco was quite amazed how Aquilo just change-gears like that. Aquilo looks over to Thanatos who was groaning slightly, then goes over to the teen vamp and once standing in front of him.

'' How in the... How come ya didn't die? Are you a monster or somethin'?! ''

'' "Monster?" ''

Aquilo said curiously, looking at Thanatos confusingly before an adorable smile takes over.

'' I'm no monster. I'm Aquilo, that's my name~ ''

'' Ok, this guy is cree-PY. ''

Thanatos thought snidely to himself. But becomes taken-back when a white hand is extended out before him, looking up to see... A warm look, on the demon's face.

'' Need a hand? ''

What the... Why he'd help...?

'' Don't mock me! ''

Thanatos cried out angrily, slapping the demon's hand away in the process. Making Aquilo startled as he then watched the vampire rose back up onto his feet, and dusting himself slightly.

'' Ya know what? Fine, keep the little prune. But, despite this defeat demon... We WILL rise over all! ''

Going bat-mode, Thanatos flew away as he headed back base whilst Aquilo watches him leave, curious by his behaviour.

'' Wonder if he's ok...? ''

'' Aquilo! ''

Blinking, Aquilo then remembers Marco as he goes over to the vampire and gets down onto his knees, eyeing the chains on his wrists and ankles.

'' Those don't look so comfy. ''

Placing a hand on the chained-wrists, the other on the ankles. The chains soon turned into ice, and with slight force... Aquilo removes both the icy-chains with ease, Marco amazed in the process also.

'' There, much better~ Ho- Oof! ''

Aquilo was then cut-off by Marco who just latched onto his chest, arms tightly around the demon as his cheek pressed against his cold body.

'' Oh, Aquilo I... You've no idea how glad I am, to s-see... *Sniffle* ''

'' Marco. ''

A small frown graced itself on the demon's face as Aquilo sees the vamp's body shivered, along with little sniffles he made. Putting his arms around him, Aquilo hugged him back as he rocked gently, trying to console the weeping vamp.

'' There, there it's ok. It is alright now, it is. ''

Stroking a tear away gently with his thumb. Aquilo gently made Marco look up towards him as he gave him the sweetest smile he could make, just for him.

'' No need to feel blue~ ''

Making one last sniffle... A little smile soon shows itself on the vamp's face, as he gently nuzzled Aquilo's chest. Feeling so... So happy, that he's alive, and this time... Much MORE expressive now.

'' Aquilo... Thank you. ''

'' Hehe, you're like a cat Marco, cute~ ''

Marco's cheeks went to a shade of red as he half-heartedly buried his face into his chest.

'' Wellsies, time we head back home. Hold tightie now~ ''

Aquilo then took off into the air as he flew across the sky to a journey back home, holding Marco bridal-style while so. Marco, right now... Felt a little emotional, inside. But... Most and truly, he's happy Aquilo's ok again. And... Being in his arms, joyful~


That all for this Ch. guys.

Aww... Everyone's alright now, and Marco kinda enjoyed being in his arms, eh? X3

Stay tuned for next Ch. to see what happens next, thank you! ^u^