Blood Tithe

Chapter Thirty-Five

Teh'Han nearly tripped over a cold vampire body as he entered the center. He saw what lay within, his stomach tumbling like a two-ton weight into his feet.

Lightning lay there in the floor, blood spilling heavily from the wound in her stomach and from between her half parted lips. He froze, losing what strength he had and no longer able to stand. His knees struck the floor.

"Claire!" Snow barreled inside, going to her without another thought. His head twisted over his shoulder. "Hope, go get a doctor, go!"

The young man was gone in a flash.

Fang found herself stopped in the entryway as well, stunned, the color gone from her face.

"Come on, sis, wake up," he gathered her into his arms, seeing her eyes closed. "Wake up, talk to me."

Her lids fluttered and she was still breathing. The blue-green between the lashes was dim as they settled briefly on him.

"Hold on, okay? We'll get you help." and he picked her up like she was nothing, knowing the best place for her right now was the infirmary. "Jesus Christ."

Fang fought her way out of the stupor, her body shaking as she searched the area for someone to blame. She recognized the dark hair of the woman on the floor and rage shot through her like a drug, heroine and fury. It was that bitch from the conservatory. With heavy strides she went to stand over her, finding Sabine alive but with a gaping bloody wound in her chest. She bent over her, grabbing the front of her leather bodice and forcing her up.

"What have you done?" Fang's tone was acidic, lethal.

Sabine sputtered, what should have been a laugh. "I did...what I had to...j-just like you."

"Did you have to come here, do all this harm?"

"Yes." there was no hesitation. "For my lord's sake. Now he has been avenged...and his soul can be at peace...along with mine."

At first she didn't know what that was supposed to mean, then she felt the silky shiver of scales against her leg. She looked back to see the snake, no longer hissing with aggression but simply slithering about its way. Fang felt herself pale again.

"How do we stop it? Hey, you hear me? How the hell do we stop it?" she was screaming now, demanding an answer as Sabine dwindled.

"How," she breathed, "h-how does one...stop the ferryman...when his boat is already full?" and she laughed quietly, with finality, and then passed on.

Fang let go, not lingering a moment longer on her as she stood. With a cutting gaze she looked down on the serpent that had coiled up beside its former companion, and then crushed its head beneath her boot.

"By the saints...Maestro Sinclaire," Raul gasped.

"What a mess." Francisco agreed as he looked about. What a damnable mess.

Hope reappeared in that instant with the colony doctor and his entire crew behind him. They hurried right in, passed the bodies they knew were long since gone, and rushed down towards the infirmary.

Han was still in the middle of the corridor, unable to move even as Gurthang licked his face.

"I...I was too late." he breathed. He felt empty, and yet busted up inside.

Fang turned to him, kneeling beside him. "Come on, big brother. Let's see if we can find anyone else still living." She needed to know if Vanille was okay, and if she wasn't, Fang didn't want to have to face that fact alone.

Somehow he stood at her behest, finding the power to walk on his own. Francisco and Raul went with them.

Bradley was dead, the knife having gone right into his forehead. But he had taken at least a dozen vampires with him.

Shilo was alive, but had a nasty bump on his head. Amala had taken him by surprise, beating the living crap out of him until he couldn't get back up. But he came out of his dazed state almost immediately when he saw that his ae mot was indeed still alive and standing over him.

They found Bard against the wall in the next corridor, Amala's body nearby. His head lolled limply on his neck, from side to side, as he fought to stay conscious. He had a black eye, and his nose and lip were bleeding. He had a concussion. Fang went to him, shaking him gently to try and get his attention.

"Issat you, Miss Fang?" his head tipped back against her shoulder and one of his eyes opened.

"Yeah, nanny, it's me. You okay?"

"Oh aye, just a we dizzy is all. What about you?"

"I'll live."

"That's good." he tried nodding, but winced instead. "I was brave, Miss Fang. Finally I stuck out my chest and took it."

"Did you now?" the laugh was defiled with half a sob.

"I did. Vampire tried to take me down, but I got her first." he had crushed Amala's skull with a well aimed kick. "She wanted me to tell her where the wee lass was...but I wouldn't."

"Why did you go and do that? You could've gotten yourself killed, you stupid goat."

"Because," he took a breath. "If I hadn't, Miss Vanille might have gotten hurt, and if that happened...it would've made ya cry. An' I cannae stand teh see ya cry."

"You're an ass." she laughed and cried at the same time. The emotions were swelling up in her like a riptide and she just couldn't hold it back.

"That's fine. I can live with that. It beats bein' a coward."

"Where is she, Bard? Where's Vanille?" she had to shake him as his eye threatened to close.

"She be down the hall a ways, in the closet."

"I'll go, you stay with him." Francisco offered, taking off.

"You did good, Bard." Han found it in him to say. He really was proud of the little fellow.

The satyr forced his good eye open a little wider, the amber meeting with silver. "Oh, there ya are, old man. So ya made it back then? That's swell."

BLAM-BLAM!

Everyone jumped at the unexpected sound. Raul went running as if it were a reflex, turning the corner and heading for the source.

Francisco was on the floor, rolling stiffly on his side, the closet door hanging open.

"Go, Miss Fang, I'll be fine. The lass needs ya."

And she went without hesitation. She had to.

"Oh my god." she gasped quietly, seeing what Raul had seen. She hurried down the hall and stopped just shy of the open door. She looked down as Raul gathered up Francisco, swearing under his breath.

"Vanille?" she called out, cautious. When she received no answer, "It's me, Fang. I'm coming in."

She eased around the door, looking into the darkened space. There she was, back to the wall, arms trembling as they were locked, straightened, the revolver clutched white-knuckled in her hands. She gasped for air, tears streaming down her face from the corners of her terror-widened eyes.

"Francisco," Raul breathed, his voice unsteady.

"I'm afraid I must have...scared the poor girl." Francisco seemed confused, as if he should have seen this coming and was curious as to why he didn't until now. "Maybe...it would've been better...if I had knocked first."

"Francisco, don't, please." Raul pleaded. The holes were in his chest, going through his heart. Even a vampire wasn't so mighty as to escape from that.

"It's all right," Francisco's eyes seemed vacant as he reassured his dear friend. "Life goes on. And think of it this way...now you can fall in love all over again. Remember how much fun we had doing that?"

"Yes," Raul found a smile somewhere within his twisted insides. "Such an adventure."

"And now you can have a brand new journey. Enjoy it. Be happy. Just...remember me."

Raul didn't cry as his partner passed, didn't weep with grief as many others would have. Instead he was overcome with shock. Vampires were not accustomed to death, living as long as they did, and it always seemed to take them by surprise.

Fang stepped into the closet slowly, carefully reaching for the weapon. "Take it easy, that's it,"

When her hand curled over her sister's she pushed downward, the barrel of the revolver to the floor. Then it was safe to move as normal. She gathered Vanille up in her arms.

"What happened?"

"His eyes," she sobbed, trembling. "I saw his eyes and...and," and then she couldn't stop crying. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean it!"

"Shh," Fang soothed, her heart twisting. "Shh, it's all right. We know you didn't mean to."

And shockingly enough, Raul did. He had seen so many slaves in his life after having freed them, he knew of the fears they fought from day to day. He had seen them in the throws of terror just at the mere thought of a vampire.

His kind's eyes tended to glow in the presence of diminished light, and that was surely what had startled Vanille enough to shoot Francisco. She had been surrounded by so much violence, so much fear, and then someone - a vampire - invaded what she felt was her refuge. He knew it wasn't out of malice or hate, and so he could handle it. He could find forgiveness. Though the pain was immense. He and Francisco had been together for almost one hundred and fifty years.

"I didn't mean to!" Vanille wailed into Fang's shoulder. Killing anyone, anything, was against the very core of her nature. And she was feeling the trespass as a stabbing sensation in her heart. My gods, what had she become?

"Fang, is she okay?" came Hope's gentle voice.

"Yeah, she's shaken up pretty bad, but she's all right." Fang found the revolver and pulled it from her sister's grasp. As she stood, she lifted Vanille with her, turning towards the young man. "Here, watch her for me."

"Of course." and he took Vanille's hand, leading her along beside him. He too saw what had happened, did the math, and thought it best to get her away from it.

"I'm so sorry." Fang bent down beside Raul. "Is there...what can I do?"

"There is nothing." Raul shook his head, completely composed. "Actually, now that I consider it, we had been lucky to make it so long. I had accepted some time ago that this would happen someday. Though...can't say I was really ready. We were still having such a great time." and he looked to the human, his eyes holding onto all the sadness he wouldn't allow to show on his face. "But Francisco was right. Life goes on."

"You are something else." Fang marveled, wondering what his secret was. Maybe vampires just saw things differently. "You sure there's nothing I can...maybe get for you? You need some help?"

"Oh no, I can manage. But you have friends still who need you. Go, be with them."

She stood, lingering a moment longer. Then she held out her hand. "Come on, you're a friend too."

Raul looked up, surprised, maybe even confused. "But what about,"

"It'll be taken care of, I promise. Even if I have to do it myself. But don't make yourself be alone, come on."

And Raul took her hand. They went back the way they came, gathering up those of their party that still breathed.

All of them had lined up and were sitting against the wall across from the infirmary. And now Serah had joined them, unwilling to stay home alone and bringing baby Lora with her. It was an easy decision that Snow had to do little to talk her into, doubly so once she heard Lightning had been hurt. All of them were waiting anxiously for any word. The doctors had been in there, behind closed doors for nearly an hour now.

Lora started to fuss, and Serah could do nothing to soothe her. Snow took her, thinking he could do better. He rocked her, bounced her in his arms, whispered not formed words but just sounds intended to ease the baby's worries. But that didn't help. Eventually the child simply started to cry. She wasn't hungry, and her diaper was clean. So what was wrong?"

Shilo leaned over, looking on. "She senses your anxiety."

Serah and Snow both looked back at the cat.

"May I?" and he held out his massive arms. "I am a father too."

Serah and Snow exchanged glances, wary.

"Just let me try. I won't run off with her."

The two eventually relented, passing the baby to him still somewhat hesitantly. The Leonin cradled the child in his broad embrace and held her high against his chest. He started to purr, looking down at the baby with a gentle face, and already her crying eased but didn't cease. He gave her his large finger, the claw retracted, something to distract her from all the adult troubles swirling around.

Shilo then graduated to bouncing his arms, much like Snow had, and making a strange sound that was an odd mix of huffing and warbling. The parents watched him, mystified as their daughter was pacified in the arms of a stranger.

"If you are calm, so are the cubs." he said softly, smiling as Lora gabbed at the dangling tresses of his mane.

"Thank the gods the little tyke is too young to remember this." Fang shrugged, genuinely glad of the fact.

"Aye," Bard responded, though he hadn't even heard what she said. His consciousness came and went, blood still seeping from his nose. "Sweet teat of Amalthea," he groaned. "My head."

"It's all right, nanny, we'll get ya somethin' for it as soon as we can." she assured him, receiving a half limp smile in return.

The door to the infirmary suddenly swung open, one of the doctor's helpers dashing down the hall for the storage closet. He came back but seconds later, a large plastic container in his hands that was labeled "O-negative". The feeling of dread that resounded through the lot of them as he disappeared was palpable, as thick as a fortress wall.

"What on earth happened to her?" Raul's tone was that of astonishment.

"I don't know." Snow shook his head, looking guilty, as if he had been the cause of her injuries.

"Something bit her." Fang said, playing on what she had gathered from what she had seen and what Sabine had said in her last moments.

"What something?" Raul's eyes thinned, curious.

"Some snake. Had bright blue rings all down its back. Bright blue eyes."

"What?" Raul jumped to his feet. "Sweet saints help us." Without even knocking, apparently a shared habit, he strode right into the infirmary.

He knew what Sabine had done.

That particular serpent was only found in the farthest, most desolate regions of the Sepulcher. It was known by the natives as Teh'meh Haddai. The killer of kings. It was an ambush predator, like many reptiles, and could be easily identified, and thus avoided, by its markings.

Its venom did not kill, at least, not right away. It was a particularly nasty ploy on nature's behalf to make the toxin somewhat...delayed. It would bite its prey and then shy away, watching it as it fled. Then, some time later, it would follow the tracks and find the body somewhere further on.

Its venom was not lethal, but the symptoms from having it introduced into the blood stream were. It wore away at the arterial walls, thinning the veins and capillaries until they were the consistency of wet Kleenex. Then, once the blood pressure rose high enough, it would incite systemic, body wide hemorrhaging.

Already the bed linens and floor were spattered and stained red, smeared by footsteps. God, it was everywhere.

"What the hell are you doing in here?" the doctor protested as he hovered over the patient.

"I'm here to help. Now if you wish for this woman to live, you will listen to me. If not, then feel free to carry on as you are." and Raul was dead serious, his eyes unblinking as he stared at the mortal.

The medical staffed shared a brief period of ping-pong eyeballs, exchanging timid glances, before the doctor relented.

"Fine, what do we do? She's losing so much blood."

"Just do exactly as I say, and do it fast."

Raul's lessons in sorcery from his father Altaire had required him to become fluent in many different animals species, since their body parts were often crucial components for certain magical rites. But half of those lessons were comprised of how to catch said animals, and what to do should they harm you.

The former saint had been a wonderful teacher. Though he never made allowances for the victim to have gone this far without treatment. A small part of Raul was uncertain if he could do anything that would genuinely help.

Lightning was barely aware, but could feel the horrible burning coursing through her. Acid in her veins. It was the only thing keeping her from slipping into the welcoming blackness that was threatening to drag her under. Was she even breathing? There was a sensation of floating and then nothing else. If Sabine had waited but a minute more, waited to force steel into flesh, she would've felt the full force of the venom's presence. Something she might not have been able to take now.

There were muffled voices, half formed words that echoed in her distorted thoughts. She could feel herself losing grip...with everything.

She couldn't see, but feel as what were once small cuts began gushing blood like they were gaping wounds. Bruises grew and darkened from small and distinct blemishes to splotches of bright red and purple in a matter of minutes. The small shiner on her brow from the kick she received had grown to encompass almost half of that side of her face. But the worst of the visible damage was around the bite mark. The bruise was tremendous, threatening to circle her entire neck.

The smaller veins were already starting to dissolve, the pressure of her own struggling heartbeat tearing through them as they gave in to the snake's toxins. Next would be the bigger ones within the few following minutes, then the major arteries after perhaps a half hour, and then...well...

Lightning would die.

The knife had ripped through her liver and put a tiny perforation in the outer wall of the stomach. Though serious, it shouldn't have been bleeding so much. If they didn't do so something soon, there would be no saving her even if they could halt the effects of the venom. She was daring to flat-line already. But surgery was the only way to repair the damage.

"Step aside, please," Raul pushed his way towards the head of the bed.

"What are you doing?"

"Saving her life," he bit back, not wanting to deal with the human's small talk at the moment. "Now, I suppose you'll have to go in, yes? Very well. I'm going to count down from ten, and when I get to zero, get to it as fast as you can. Even if some of these noisy contraptions are going off. Understand?" common sense and hearing told him that one of those blinking, beeping things was monitoring her heart.

Reluctantly the doctor nodded.

Raul eased his hand beneath Lightning's head, his fingertips searching for something he knew would be there. He had studied this technique for years. It was a tiny spot, coin sized, that rested just below the hem of the skull, where it met the neck. It was only distinguishable by the slight bump of bone. Once certain he had found it, he shut his eyes and started to quietly chant. He summoned up a minor spell, a pulse of energy that was mild in comparison to what he was actually capable of. It was just enough to stimulate the pressure point.

He started counting, feeling the energy coursing through Lightning's broken body. It was like sending the body a signal, a coded message. He was telling the heart to cease pumping. And slowly, as he counted closer to zero, it would stop. Why was this a good thing? Well, think of it as hitting a reset button. And once her heart started again it would be at a normal pace, not quickened or threatening to burst itself.

"Two...one...now."

The machines started going crazy, chiming and screaming that something was terribly wrong. The humans in the room, long since accustomed to it, weren't distracted. Though it hurt Raul's ears something awful. But he had to stay focused. If he lost concentration, he might lose the spell, and that could be disaster.

Stitches were tied and tightened, and an organic epoxy patch was placed over the perforation in the stomach which would later be absorbed by the body. Then the humans worked swiftly, masterfully, to seal the stab wound itself.

"Okay, that's done."

Raul only nodded, still having a tight grip on the sorcery. He had to count again, pulling the spell back slowly as not to shock the body. But as he reached zero, the machine's manic noises didn't stop.

"Still no pulse," one of the nurses announced.

Raul paled. This wasn't supposed to happen. Why wasn't her heart working again? Where had he gone wrong? Panic flooded him.

The pressure was simply too low, there was nothing to make her heart pump.

"Get the paddles."

Raul stepped away, helpless as he watched.

"Three...two...one...clear."

Her body jumped on the bed.

"Again." the doctor's voice was level, steely. "Two...one...clear."

Lightning's form jerked again, her chest thrusting upward as the charge went through her.

"Once more." and it would have to be only once. Any more attempts and they were looking at serious damage. "Two...one...clear."

And her heart finally responded. Everyone watched the machines for a long, tense moment, as the numbers steadily rose and eventually settled.

"Blood pressure is holding." the doctor breathed with relief. "Let's finish up here, people, there's bound to be more that need us."

Raul stepped out and felt the weight of everyone's heavy gaze on him, his breath forced quietly from his body. He saw the Serah had begun to cry, cradled against her husband's chest. The others exuded palpable despair. He almost couldn't take it.

"I did my very best. If she can pull through the next hour...the venom should be out of her system." and then he went back to where he had once been sitting, sliding down the wall. He tucked his head between his knees, tired and unwilling the bear the burden of their eyes.

Han sat on the end of the line along the wall, his head tipped back, his eyes open but distant. Self-reproach rippled through him, and a pain he hadn't felt to be so fresh in many years.

He had been too late. He was sure of it. If he hadn't slept so long in the dirt of the pass, or hadn't stopped to accept Fang's warm welcome, maybe he could have stopped this. Maybe he could have saved...

His heart clenched, his face twisting at the hard, pressing pain in his chest. But even that wasn't enough to completely banish his fatigue. He was still so tired, and didn't resist when a deep sleep beckoned him. Gurthang curled up beside him, giving his master some warmth and comfort. As if he knew.

Vanille was faring no better than her tribal brother. She had her own demons to fight at the moment. More had died, more innocent people had been killed because of her. One of which she had murdered with her own hands. Why? Why did it have to be like this? Why didn't she just let the vamps kill her? None of this would have happened. Why did she even have to be born, when all she had done was cause so much misery? She shuddered in Hope's arms, simply unable to stop the guilty tears.

Fang watched Vanille as she rode out whatever she was feeling, and it tore away at her. What could she do? There was no undoing this, there was no way to make it okay. She was powerless once again. Even now as her best friend lay in the next room, maybe dying, she couldn't do a damn thing but sit on her rump. It was enough to make her want to puke. Fang could almost feel the bile bubbling up her throat.

In time, within the next hour, the doctor emerged from the infirmary, blood all over the front of him.

"I need to speak to the family."

"We're all family." Fang proclaimed flatly.

"Aye, can ya not see the resemblance?"

The doctor blinked. After a moment Snow stood up. "What's going on?"

"Well...it's a bit double sided." he responded hesitantly. "Thanks to...you're friend, Miss Farron made it through the worst of it. She's stable for time being."

There was a quiet breath of relief from everyone, at least those who were still awake.

"So what's the bad news?" Snow knew it was coming, thought he was ready to hear it.

"Well, we've done some tests to determine any other injuries, and while we found a few minor contusions and other head trauma, none of them are enough to cause the state she's in."

"Which is?" Snow's brow furrowed, his blue eyes thinning.

"To put it simply, Miss Farron is in a coma." he said as plainly as possible without sounding uncaring. "And what with the injuries to her head so minor, I can only assume it to be a physical fail safe."

Serah stood up, standing beside Snow. "What do you mean?"

"Your sister lost a great deal of blood, and there were other injuries that were much more severe. Her body is trying to recover by shutting down all unnecessary functions in order to do that, such as consciousness. Although, I need to ask, has this happened before?"

"Yes." Serah nodded, ignoring her husband's look of surprise. "When we were younger. She was in the accident that killed our parents. She was hurt pretty bad."

"How long did it last?"

"About a month or so. I can't rightly remember." she shook her head, her gaze lowered.

"Well, all we can do now is wait. As it stands I'd say, with confidence, there's maybe a seventy-thirty chance of her coming out of it. But that could change. I can tell you more once we know."

Snow put his arm around Serah. "All right. Thanks doc."

"Of course. Is there anyone else that needs me?"

"Our goat buddy got smacked around pretty hard, he's having trouble staying awake."

"Then he's next." before he stepped away, the doctor said one more thing. "Don't lose hope. These things aren't set in stone."

"I know." and Snow forced a smile, only letting it fall when the doctor had walked away.

Fang watched as Bard was lifted up and helped into the infirmary, his leaning forward allowing droplets of blood to spatter to floor when he stood. When the door closed once again, she stood up. Slowly, heavy.

"So that's it?" she asked. "So all we can do is just...is just stand here? That's it?"

Snow was the only one to look at her, Serah pressed against his chest. "Fang, I..."

Fang's breathing hastened, her fists clenched and her body shook. "That can't be it. It can't be, gods damn it it all; it can't!" tears welled up and fell from her eyes without her meaning them to. One could only imagine the degrees of anger and anguish that were ripping through her. Yes, Lightning had survived, but at what price? She was laid up in a bed, unable to move or speak, for what might be for good. What the hell kind of a consolation was that? Lightning had fought so hard for them, for all of them time and again...why her? Why this? Why in the gods' names did they had have to keep losing in order to win?

Fang raked her scalp with both hands, nearly drawing blood as she dragged her nails, her face twisted up in furious defeat. She turned, hunched, still shaking as she faced the wall. She leaned against it, her heated forehead against cold, unfeeling aluminum. Tears rolled down her cheeks, but she fought back the sobbing that clawed at her insides. Instead she punched the wall, the impact reverberating through the entire building. She punched it again...again, this time harder...and again...then with both hands in quick succession until she couldn't hold it in anymore. The once proud warrior sank to her knees and openly wept.

Otherwise everything, inside and out, was as quiet as a grave.

Shilo sat with the baby a while longer, listening and watching. After a long moment he stood, going to return Lora to her parents. He then padded over to where Fang still knelt, still cried, and crouched. She didn't fight the Leonin as he picked her up, carrying her back to where she had once been, and keeping a hold on her as he settled into what had been her place. He eased her down to sit beside him, and then stretched out his other arm to circle around Vanille. She in turn pulled Hope close to her, and he in turn reached for Raul. Snow and Serah came to sit with them as well, and with Gurthang's prodding, Han did also.

And this family, so mismatched and misplaced, so damaged, held on to one another. It was the only way they would make it through this hell.

(-)

Dawn came and it was all still the same. The bodies were where they had fallen, untouched all night, but all of the blood had since turned a dull rusty hue as it had dried.

Thirty bodies.

Thirty, if you counted humans and vampire's together.

They were all gathered, lined up and covered in sheets. Those that still remained went about them, identifying those they could. Aid from Cocoon had been sent for and would be here soon to help clean up this hot mess. And military assistance had also been requested, thinking it better to have the extra protection just in case. All that, along with a requisition for a new clerk. Until that came about, Bradley's assistant was stuck with everything, a mousy little runt named Eugene, and he had about as much confidence in his ability to do the job as a nun with C-4.

The road ahead looked like an uneven and treacherous one.

But what remained of our party had little other mind than to take it all in stride. Life went on, regardless of their pain, their guilt, their fatigue. The sun rose, the wind blew, with or without them. They helped gather the bodies, refraining from fully explaining the events of last night to anyone as they went. Most everyone already knew, but they didn't need to know why. Gods only knew what would happen if they had someone to point a finger at for this.

"I think that's the last of them," Snow said as he brushed his hands together. "Hope's doing one last walk-through to make sure."

Fang nodded, straightening and listening to tiny snaps and pops that came from her back. She wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand, the mid day sun pulling the asshole card and making the air particularly hot. "Good."

"I'm surprised at how well he's dealing with it though," he shook his head. "You'd think he'd been around it before."

Considering that idea, Fang decided quickly, was unsettling. No one should have to see this many bodies, not in one lifetime, not ever.

"Serah and the baby okay?" she asked, suddenly thinking about them as her mind wandered away from what she was seeing.

"Oh yeah, just fine. Still can't believe Lora calmed down for Shilo, though. I thought he would make it worse." Snow was convinced the look of the Leonin would have scared her. But, then again, he had been wrong before.

"Shilo's just a big puss." she laughed a little. "Besides, he's got his own brood, he knows his way around a baby."

"Yeah, how many?" he was just curious.

"A dozen or more," she guessed. "Something like that."

Snow looked shocked. "Wow."

"What, jealous?" she actually smiled.

"Almost, though Serah would never go for it." he chuckled. "I guess one's enough for us right now."

"That's nothing to be ashamed of." Fang crossed her arms, shaking her head as she turned and started to walk. Snow followed beside her as she passed him.

He glanced towards her, seeing how her eyes were fixed on the ground, her brow creased gently at the center.

"You holding up okay?"

Fang took a breath, her head tipping back and her eyes closing briefly. "As best as I can...it's a lot to take in all at once." Honestly she felt like she was just barely holding. Fingertips clutching to the edge of a cliff, and beneath her; darkness and the gnashing of teeth.

Snow nodded. It was a lot for everyone.

"And Vanille?"

"I let her sleep. She needs it."

"Poor kid." he sighed. "Can't catch a break."

"Can any of us?" she countered, honestly seeking an answer. "I mean...for the last twelve hours all we've been given is a shovel full of shit. There's just no end to it."

"Well, yeah," he sputtered, "at least Shepherd made it home."

"There's that...not to sound ungrateful," her brow furrowed tighter. "It's just...damn."

"I know. It's like no matter how hard you try it just won't come out right. I get it." and he most certainly did, once you remember who he has for an in-law. "Personally, I'm just wondering what's going to happen now. I'm hearing rumors of folks planning to move out, go back to Cocoon."

"That so? Can't say I'm surprised. Maybe it's better that way."

"Hard to think all that hard work to build this place up, now its just crashing down."

"Story of our lives, eh?" her laugh was without any genuine feeling other than bitter sarcasm. Snow couldn't help but agree with her, his big hands in his pockets as he nodded his head.

Hope came striding towards them from around the center, something in his arms. They spotted him, becoming curious as to what he was carrying.

"What'd you find?" Snow cocked up one eyebrow as the younger man came to stand before him.

"It was in pieces. I found most of them." and Hope held out the remnants of the fractured gunblade.

"Good gods," Snow picked up a piece of it, turning it over as he inspected the fragment in disbelief. "What the hell was that bitch made of?"

Fang touched the slivers of cold steel, scowling. "Same stuff as you and me." and that was the scary thing.

"I could fix it...but it'll take a long while. I know dick about metallurgy, and some of this is going to have to be reforged entirely." some of the plating had been cracked, and some inner working joints had come undone. It was a bit of a mess, really.

"I'd say you've got your work cut out for you." Snow nodded, his hands on his hips.

"Yeah." he nodded. "Any more word from the doctors?"

"Not today." the older man answered. "But it's only been a few hours really."

"You're right." Hope corrected himself, sounding as though he thought his question was silly. "But...you'll let me know if there is, won't you?"

"Now that's a dumb question," Fang crossed her arms. "What, are ya new?"

Hope shied a little.

"Lighten up," she mussed his hair, forcing a smile to reinforce the fact that she was just kidding. And then, without another word, she started walking on, leaving the boys to do what they will. Hope's question had tickled her own sober curiosity.

She went into the center, finding it in less of a mess than last night. Blood still stained the floors and the walls, some of them dented, but the bodies had been moved and Bradley's desk had been put right again. Raul was sitting there among the scattered papers and spent shells, Kibo sitting on his shoulder.

"Good morning," he greeted without looking.

"Same to you. Looks like your pet came back."

"Yes," he looked up this time, smiling briefly.

"What are you doing, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Not at all. I just...I needed to occupy myself, so I thought I would clean this up."

"Oh. You want some help?"

"Saints no," he sighed. "Thank you though. I just want to stay busy is all."

"I understand. Just let me know...you know...if you need something. Any time." she just couldn't ignore the need to help him, to make up for what happened.

"That's much appreciated." he nodded to her, hoping she would go on her way. It was taking all of his control to keep himself together, and she was distracting him. Not that he wasn't touched by her attempts.

"All right...if you're sure." and she started walking again, down the hall and out of sight.

She found Han and Vanille right where she had left them, huddled together, still in the floor. No one had the heart to wake them when dawn came, so someone fetched a blanket and let them be. The only change is that now Gurthang had draped himself across their laps, his massive head between his paws. It was kind of cute.

The dog perked up, looking about as she drew closer. Quickly she bent down and pet him, assuring the animal that nothing was wrong and that he could go back to sleep. She straightened, dwelling on Han a moment. He was scraped up and bruised, clawed and bitten all over. To think he had really survived that fall.

Fang then turned to face the door behind her, feeling her body suddenly become heavy. Her throat dried slightly as she reached for it, pulling it open.

There was hardly any light, but Fang could see once her eyes adjusted. Bard was the first thing her gaze settled on. A mountain of pillows had been stuffed beneath him to keep him in the sitting position, that making it harder for him to fall asleep. The blows he took to the head had been rather bad, enough that if he happened to doze off there was a chance he might not wake up again. She realized he was hooked back up to the morphine, and was surprised to see him move. Quietly she approached him, wondering if he was coherent or not. Most likely not.

Out of some strange impulse, she brushed a stray curl of hair from his face.

He stirred. "Who's there?" his eyes stayed closed.

"Just me," she answered gently. "Thought I'd look in on you."

"Mighty sweet of you." he said sleepily. His hand move, settling over hers as she leaned on the mattress. He halfheartedly gripped it, and raised it so that he might kiss her knuckles. "But...I'll be fine. Don't ya worry none. I'll be out of here in no time...maybe play another song for you."

"I'd like that, nanny. Really. But how about you just take it easy for now?"

"Aye...that would be best." and he released her hand, his awareness drifting.

When she knew he was no longer paying her any mind, since he hadn't any to spare, she took a deep breath.

She almost didn't want to turn around, knowing with some idea what she would see. Part of her simply didn't want to face it. Would you? Still, like everything else, she sucked it up and shoved it down. She turned anyhow.

Author's Note: Seemed like a good place to stop. Don't ask why. Just seemed right I guess. Hope none of this has turned out too corny for you, but hey, that's drama. The next chapter probably won't be much different, but just accept it as part of the story. I'm losing some steam, I'm afraid.

Also, something fun I'd like to do. I've been mulling over the idea of maybe getting the readers involved once again, but this time in a different way. Is there something you, the readers are wondering? Got any questions? Well, why not send them in a review or on my DA. If I get enough, I'm going to do a sort of interview for youtube, and I'd be happy to answer them myself. It can be fic related, art related, or even addressing me directly. Just keep it decent. Think of it as a kind of "twenty questions" sort of thing. Now, I know most of you probably don't give a crap, but I just thought it would be fun. See you next chapter.