Hakumei winced against the pain in her stomach as she lagged behind Solomon and Karl. The pain was close to unbearable and her legs felt weak. Still, she forced them to carry her as fast as she was able. She gasped as the blood trickling down her torso and to her legs and feet caused her to slip a little. Strong arms steadied her before picking her up and carrying her along. She blushed into Karl's chest. She hated feeling so weak and useless. Solomon led them to an exit near the back and held to door open for the two. He quickly ushered them to the car waiting and hurried them into the back. Once sure they were set, he climbed into the driver's seat and sped off before they could set the Corpse Corps after them.

"If you're wondering," Solomon began when he felt safe enough to speak, "we're in New York. I found all of your belongings and have them in the trunk. Oh and I paid for your room at that last motel you had rented."

Hakumei gave him a confused look.

"While you were sleeping," Karl explained, "I gave him our destinations."

"Yes," Solomon nodded, "And after searching for that car after I realized that you'd been caught, I was able to gather your luggage."

Hakumei nodded and leaned against the door, staring sadly out the window as Solomon drove on. She glanced down at her sore and bleeding torso and gingerly set a hand to the wound. Her eyes were foggy and sore from crying and fatigue. She was hungry—she hadn't had real food in a while and she was hoping she'd be able to have something other than blood. After a few hours of driving, Solomon pulled into a heavily wooded area. They were quite far away from civilization, she surmised. But she supposed the lab had been as well…He instructed them to hurry as he got out and they followed suit.

"I recall that Saya and the others were in that direction," he instructed, pointing to a patch of trees where the lights of a city just barely peeked through, "I'm afraid however, that I'll have to leave you at this point. I have to make sure we weren't followed and you need to get out of here."

Karl nodded and climbed into the driver's seat as Solomon ran off in a flash of blue light to stall Amshel. Hakumei watched him go before sighing to herself and climbing into the passenger's seat; shaking her head for getting out of the car in the first place. After they were both situated, Karl sped off in the direction Solomon had instructed in silence. Hakumei glared down at her blood covered feet sadly.

"I won't forgive what you've done…" she spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Just sleep alright?" he asked in return, "I promise you that it's all over now. The nightmare is gone; you can dream again. I promise there'll be no more pain from me."

Hakumei shakes her head, unable to believe his words, but leans against the door. Her tired eyes close and she lets sleep take her.

Karl glanced up at the apartment building as he stood on the passenger's side of the car. Saya's blood was heavy in the air here; which meant that Saya was near. He turned to Hakumei, who was still sleeping and carefully opened the door. He picked her up and pulled her into his arms. Holding her in one hand and her luggage in the other, he searched for Saya's room by searching for Saya. After sensing her and the room she was in, he jumped to the window of the room in a flash of blue and broke through the window. Saya had her sword at the ready and Haji was already standing before her his cello case held up like a shield.

"Matte!!" Kirei shouted as Saya prepared to run at him, "As much as I wanna kill him too, we can't yet."

Saya turned to her and gave her a questioning look.

"At least we can't risk attacking him while he's holding Hakumei," Kirei finished, "After he puts her down, I'll kill him."

Kirei glared at her sleeping friend, her face and other areas of her body, particularly her stomach region, coated in blood.

"So why are you here?" Kirei asked, "Because if it's to kill Saya again, go ahead, no body wants her here anymore. She's become such a bitch. However, put her down first."

"I'm not here to fight," he spoke slowly.

"Then what do you want?" Saya asked this time.

Karl studied their expressions and looked down at Hakumei's sewn with sleep.

"I have merely come to leave my precious doll with another playmate, temporarily," he replied, brushing a lock of hair from her face.

"'Doll'?!" Kirei growled.

Karl ignored her as he stared down at Hakumei.

"I would be sorry if I could be," he began slowly, "but I can't. I feel no remorse for what I've done. However, I'll watch over her until I can leave the past behind. I love my koibito dearly but I'm afraid I cannot give her love; only hate and pain. For she is not destine to love me," at these words, he case Saya a look of hatred, "However, I'll return for her when the time comes; when she can lie next to me again. This was all for Diva—all for Diva that she be forced to mate with me and endure every shred of hateful passion I granted her. She is nothing more than a sex experiment for my beloved mother; to whom I wish to return, but cannot because she has probably disowned me by now. Despite that, and by all means, she is still Diva's property and my lover and doll. She is only to give me her innocence and be my plaything."

Kirei growled, wishing she could just kill him right now, but held back since Hakumei was still in his arms.

"I also see that what I have inflicted upon her has killed the only one I've ever loved," he concluded.

He leaned down and gave her a light kiss. Kirei's eyes narrowed as he set her down. He disappears in a flash of blue light and Kirei immediately runs to Hakumei's side. She shakes her a little, hoping to wake her up. She saw that blood was beginning to pool beneath her—her wounds had opened again. Immediately, Kirei tries to bite into her hand, but stops herself. Her blood had been defective. What if she hurt Hakumei? And, to go a little farther, Hakumei was of Diva's blood—what if she killed her? Despite that her blood had mutated, only certain substances from Hakumei's blood would heal Saya and her Chevalier. That was only in Saya's body and in Hakumei's body, it would process differently.

"K-Kai!" she turned quickly to him with a pleading look, "O-Onegai! Give her some of your blood!"

Mao glared at the very idea and Kai looked at her, shocked.

"Onegai!" Kirei begged, "I don't want to risk my blood hurting her—or Haji's blood, and we all know little Ms. Bitch over there wouldn't do it even if it was safe! Kai…she's seriously wounded…onegai…help!"

Kai took a moment, and, considering how much her safety meant to Kirei, sighed and nodded. He made his way to her side and took a blade from his pocket. He made a harsh cut in his palm and held his hand out to Hakumei. Hakumei's eyes blearily opened and she glanced down at Kai's hand and then to Kirei.

"It's okay," Kirei nodded, "You need blood."

Hakumei nodded wearily and gingerly held onto Kai's hand before putting her lips to the cut.

"By the way," Kirei continued as Hakumei drank, "This is Kai, Saya's older brother."

After she finished feeding Hakumei pulled away from his hand and let his wrist go. She glanced up at Kai and nodded.

"Arigato," she nodded, "And I heard about your little brother…" her voice was fading as she began to slip back into unconsciousness, "I'm sorry it happened…"

With that, she fainted in Kirei's arms. Kai nodded and moved away as wrapped a bandana around his bleeding hand. Kirei had Haji carry her while she grabbed Hakumei's suitcase and led him to the bathroom. After he set her down on the floor next to the bathtub, Kirei ushered him out.

"Arigato, Haji-kun," she hurried, "But I'll take it from here."

After Kirei had cleaned Hakumei up—having washed her in the tub and dressed her in a nightgown from her suitcase—Kirei asked Haji to help her set Hakumei on one of the beds. She noted how thin Hakumei was and ran out to find David, Lewis, and Kai talking.

"Guys, this is serious," she sighed, "She's seriously malnourished. I'm gonna go buy her some of her favorite food. In the meantime, I want you," she pointed to Kai, "to keep an eye on her. And Lewis…if you can…maybe you can cook something up—something chocolate; chocolate helps relieve pain…For when she wakes up—like a cake. A big chocolate cake would be great. And you," she gave David a serious look, "I don't want you anywhere near that room until I can talk to her—do you understand? She's been through enough—I don't need you making it worse with your questions."

The three nodded and Kirei took off to the market.

Kirei walked into the room, bags of sushi, fish cakes, and anything chocolate—cakes, brownies, fudge, cookies, candy, ice cream and donuts—in hand. Setting her bags on the counter, she quickly started putting things away. She jumped when she heard whimpering and rushed into Hakumei's room. She dragged Kai out and slammed the door before rushing to Hakumei's bedside.

"Hakumei—daijobu ka?" she asked, her brow knitting in concern.

Hakumei just sobbed for a moment, unable to stop. Kirei hugged her tight.

"Daijobu!" she cried, "Just let it all out. Tell me what's happened—can you?"

Hakumei nodded, and held her stomach as it protested.

"Wait right there," Kirei motioned for her to stay; "I have a ton of food for ya—don't worry!"

Kirei rushed out and ran into the kitchen. She grabbed a plate and piled on sushi, and fish cakes. She then took another plate and got out the brownies, fudge, cookies, and etcetera; and laid them out. Lewis walked into the kitchen to check on the cake in the oven and saw her setting out all the food.

"Is she awake then?" he chuckled.

"Shut up," Kirei retorted as she picked up the plate of fish cakes, "Knock when the cake's done and I'll let you know if you can bring it in okay?"

"Alright," Lewis shrugged with a laugh as Kirei carefully carried her load into Hakumei's bedroom.

She sat the plate in front of her and told her she could have anything she liked.

"Arigato," Hakumei smiled as Kirei closed and locked the door.

"So…" Kirei was hesitant, "You think you can tell me…what happened?"

Hakumei paused, her eyes cast down. With a nod, she began in Vietnam.

"After he took me away from all of you," she began, "he cut off the leg that was beginning to crystallize. Then, he took me to this cave far away. I was dazed after he set me down. I used to have a long gash right here," she lowered her collar and indicated where her scar had been, "where his fangs dragged across my neck," Kirei made a face, but said nothing and let Hakumei continue, "I'd never been so scared up to then—I mean, imagine seeing Haji like that, with the intent to kill in his eyes right before…" she paused and shuddered, "right before he drives his grotesque fangs into your neck. Karl fed on me for what felt like ages. My body grew cold—I thought I was going to die. He was able to push him away for a moment and tried to get away. He grabbed my leg and pulled me back, he told me I was going to help him no matter what…and…he asked…he asked if I loved him…It hurt so much more than his fangs in my flesh when he spoke those words…using my deepest insecurity against me before he bit me again and I finally just passed out.

"A little while after that…" she paused, "K-Karl…raped me…" she shuddered again, holding her arms and crying, "I was dressing in one of the new gowns I'd received…and he came to me…He held me close and whispered 'A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,' and placed a blue rose in my hair. I tried to run. He caught me and held me close as he disrobed me. When he kissed me…his lips were so cold and unloving…his entire being was cold and cruel. It was so painful…He tore into me, despite knowing I was a virgin, and it felt like he was tearing me apart—raping the fabric of what made my innocence so virtuous. I begged him to stop as I cried. He was so cruel. You've no idea how it felt when he showed me no mercy; tearing out my heart as he tore away my innocence. He whispered things to me I wish I could erase from my mind. He told me things like; 'I know you love it—you've dreamt of this for so long.' When I cried he merely laughed and hissed, 'Shh, my beloved koibito; I'll be gentle if you accept me.' And there's more of what he said; 'Tonight you shall be mine', 'Do not fear me, for I am granting you my love tonight, koibito—Haven't you always wanted this?', and 'Why so tense, koibito? I am your first; like you've always longed'.

"It was horrible…" she concluded, rubbing her hands up and down her arms, "It was horrible knowing that it was Satan I was being forced to mate with…" she shook harder in fear as she recalled more, "But things didn't stop there…After Karl raped me, Amshel took me to this laboratory. There, they performed horrible tests on me—testing my blood, testing for pregnancy—it was awful…And then they started putting hallucinogens in my food, so I stopped eating. These hallucinogens caused my nightmares to grow worse—I even started seeing and hearing things. They kept me there for months…maybe it was a year—I lost track of time…Even after he found out I was pregnant, he raped me again...and again, it was horrible. There was no love to begin with, but, still, there was even less love here…It was a while later that they started testing my voice. They never told me why, but after that, I became Diva's personal doll and had to sing her to sleep every night. However, after a while, Diva decided she'd grown bored with me and started abusing me.

"In fact it was all because of Diva that I had to endure all of this," she cried, "All because of Diva that I was forced into sexual intercourse with Karl…" she sobbed harder, "And he did his job with such cruel passion…it was like he prayed to tear the wings off an angel and taste the blood and tears—licking my wounds so bitterly and desiring more of my wounded flesh," she took a long pause, "Actually…I can say that there's something I can…well…thank him for; the babies I wasn't allowed to have. You know…even though those babies were the reason for my pain, I still loved them dearly…" she chuckled a little through her tears, "When Karl wasn't around; I'd actually curl up into a ball and hum so they could hear. And—And even though the thought of drinking blood sickened me, I willingly allowed myself to feed on blood for them. I truly treasured them…I mean, they were one of reasons Karl was no longer permitted to have sexual relations with me—I can't say he wasn't still quite physical, but he held back considerably for a while. Nathan was so wonderful—and please don't hate him for what happened at the theater—I doubt I'd have survived if it weren't for him…"

"I love him, in a way," she explained, "I mean, he saved me, fed me and clothed me when Karl beat me and left me outside like a stray puppy…I owe him a lot…I hope I get the chance to repay him…"

"Nathan...Nathan..." Kirei tapped her chin as she thought, "Wait, in't he the one who hit on Haji?"

Hakumei laughed nervously and nodded.

"He's a big flirt with teh men folk," she replied with a smile.

"Okay..." Kirei sighed, "I won't kick his ass anymore then. I can't—I mean, he took care of you—I can't possibly kick his ass now...Now...I have to give him a big kiss and a hug. Ne?"

"Kirei..." Haji turned to her, "He's interested in men...remember?"

"How'd you get in here?!" Kirei jumped.

"Saya wished for me to come and see how she was doing," he replied humbly.

"Oh she cares now?" Kirei asked back, sarcastically, "And she'd fine now. You can go tell the bitch that. Oh and I don't give a fuck if Nathan's into men or not!" she snapped, "It's like I just said; he took care of Hakumei, so I won't beat the shit outta him and I'll hug him anytime."

Hakumei smiled as Haji shook his head and left, but shook her head as more tears welled in her eyes, "Anyway, back to Diva; You know…at first, I sympathized with her. I mean, Diva just wanted a family—she was abused for so long. She even called me her 'Imoutosan' and treated me as such…She was sweet…well until I found that damned piano…"

"Piano?" Kirei asked.

"Yeah," Hakumei nodded, "Where I was staying; in one of the rooms was a gorgeous piano. I couldn't help it. I walked in and began playing. Diva was impressed. She begged me to sing for her. I did. Afterwards, she had me sing her song in the garden. I did…That was when things went downhill. That's when she demanded that I sing her to sleep and such and became her 'pretty little doll'. A few days ago, I thought it was all over. Karl had told me that he'd be leaving and would never return—it hurt…I thought it was over. I was eating lunch when Solomon came and fetched me. He took me to Karl and stopped him from killing himself and Solomon. I'm quite thankful to say that after we escaped for a while, he couldn't get too far on the…second night when he tried to 'make love to me'—as he liked to put it. After we were captured and sent back to the lab, Amshel…Amshel had them slice me open—like an alien autopsy on those old movies we liked to watch on weekends in the cafeteria—and killed my babies—no…Diva's babies…Karl…he…he promised me," Hakumei couldn't articulate her thoughts; she was crying so much, "He promised to help me escape—for Saya of course—and that he'd grant me new offspring and a new life—but only at his side…"

Her knees were pulled to her chest as she cried into them, sobbing as loud as her voice would allow.

"I regret ever loving him!!" Hakumei sobbed, "I regret ever laying eyes on him!! He made me feel so empty with that promise—so much more empty I should say. I hurts so much to know that I mean nothing to him…even after all I've been through…he still sees me as a concubine and nothing more…I hate him…I hate him so much…"

Kirei let her cry a moment before a thought occurred.

"I know what'll cheer you up," she smiled.

Hakumei looked up at her and sniffled. Kirei jumped up excitedly, ignoring the dirty plate that was now empty of its contents.

"There's a ton of chocolate waiting for you in the kitchen!!" Kirei exclaimed, "And if you don't get your butt in there with me, I'm eatin' it all."

Hakumei laughed through her tears and jumped up. She followed Kirei out of the room to where to chocolate was eagerly waiting to be eaten.