Woah yikes, I'm getting some long reviews, WAI!! I see your point Bear, but you gotta think about how OOC Dilandau would have to be if Serryn became the dominant one. It could get messy, but don't you worry because though Serryn may not be able to over power Dilly-sama, she certainly makes up for it...ACK! what am i doing giving away hints, BAD SARAH-CHAN!! ^^; well anyway, here's the next chapter and as I warned before situtations between Serryn and Dilandau get pretty intense, and I'd like to put out a reminder that this IS an R-rated fic, so any kiddies out there ((i see you rachel, I thought I told you not to read this anymore!!)) stuff happens, but nothing too serious...or wait...erg just read before I ruin it for you!!
~Sarah~


Chapter 13- Unwanted Answers

"I didn't come this far
for you to make this hard for me.
And now you want to ask me 'how'?
It's like - How does your heart beat,
and why do you breathe?
How does your heart beat,
and why do you breathe?"~ Lisa Loeb


Serryn couldn't help the nervousness that overwhelmed her body as she crept down the hallway of the Vione. She didn't know why she was being so sneaky about it. It seemed as if most of the ship was asleep at this hour anyway.

But she couldn't help shaking slightly. She truly didn't know what to expect the red eyed general's reply to be now that she'd decided to ask him. Would he just laugh at her, and straight out deny it? Or would he strike her? Or...would he say yes?

At the moment either of the first two outcomes sounded most likely, but Serryn would hope. Hope that she really didn't have him figured out just yet.

She followed Celena's directions carefully, and was thankful when she didn't get lost. The ship was like a maze. But she now found herself standing in front of a large door. The symbol engraved in the metallic material was unintelligible to her, but Serryn was pretty sure it was the right room.

She raised an arm hesitantly, and taking a deep breath, rapped her knuckles against the door. It slid open almost instantly, causing Serryn to take a step back in surprise.

The door had opened automatically, for no one stood behind it. Serryn found her self stepping into a large room with a domed ceiling. The decor matched most of what she had seen in Folken's study. The only differences were the overly sized bed against one wall, and the large mahogany desk against the other.

Dilandau sat at the desk, his back to her, seemingly deep in concentration over something. Serryn moved closer to him, and for a moment she was worried he wasn't aware of her presence. She debated on whether or not she should say something to get his attention, but he spoke then, causing her to gasp involuntarily.

"To what do I owe the honor Princess?" He stood from the desk, and turned to face her, his expression smug. Maps and letters littered the surface of the desk, as well as a few daggers that only helped to add to Serryn's insecurity.

She immediately blushed when Dilandau turned around. Perhaps because she was embarrassed to think he wouldn't notice her the instant she had stepped into the room. But it was most likely the fact that she'd never seen him so...underdressed before. The only thing clothing him was his uniform leather pants.

She shook herself to clear her mind, finally finding her words, "I'm sorry to have bothered you so late in the evening Lord Dilandau," she might as well sugar coat this as much as she was capable of, "But I-"

"Is it accustomed for my soldiers to wander the late night halls of the Vione barefooted, or is that just something you do personally?" he interrupted her.

Serryn stared at the silver haired boy in confusion but was then made painfully aware of her appearance. She suddenly felt incredibly foolish standing there, clothed only in a pair of cotton shorts and a now uncomfortably thin shirt. And yes, she was indeed barefooted. "I....I..."
'Stupid, stupid, stupid,' her mind berated itself.

"You do know it's against regulation to even be out of your room at this hour, don't you princess?" he asked, cocking his head to the side.

Serryn's eyes widened. "I-I'm sorry, no I didn't know," she admitted, staring at her feet, "I just couldn't sleep so I-"

"So you decided to come pay me a visit?" He raised an eyebrow, "That's quite interesting..."

"No!" Serryn exclaimed. She flushed again, lowering her voice, "No Sir, I had something I wanted to ask you..." She trailed off, looking at him questionatively. He folded his arms, staring back at her. When it became obvious he wasn't going to ask, she continued.

"Um, I was just wondering, Lord Dilandau. Well, we won't be going to battle for another week," His eyes narrowed at this, "so I wanted to ask you if it would be all right if I took a day or two to go look for my sister? If she's alive, I mean..."

Dilandau stared at her for a moment silently, before throwing his head back, roaring with laughter. Serryn felt her heart sink into her stomach 'I should have know...' Tears forming at the corners of her eyes, she turned to bolt for the door.

But she had only taken a single step when Dilandau's hand shot out and grasped her arm, pulling her back. "I'm intrigued Princess," He smiled down at her, but his tone was mocking, "None of my Dragonslayers would have even thought of asking me such a thing."

"So...will you let me?" Serryn asked, trying not to be obvious about wiping away her tears.

"I didn't say that ... why should I anyway?"

Serryn was taken back. Was he just playing with her? Getting a rise out of her despair, then offering empty hope??

"Well, you said yourself that she might still be alive. That I should go on living so she wouldn't be alone! What you said was the whole goddamned reason I joined you Zaibach in the first place!!" She stated,snatching her arm away from him and gaining back her confidence. She knew what she said was partially true.

Dilandau shrugged turning back to his desk, "I say a lot of things to get what I want Princess."

Anger flooded into Serryn, causing her to disregard her fear for the moment, "And what exactly DO you want Dilandau??" she cried, "Why is it you feel you have to be the cause of torment and suffering to all the lives that you touch?? Are you that much of a bastard??" She glared daggers at his back, her fists balled, wishing she had something to strike him with.

"Well, FINE!" She yelled when he didn't answer, "If that's the way you want to be, fine! I'm going to look for my sister, whether I have your permission or not, and I don't GIVE a damn what you have to say about it!!!"

There, she'd said it. There was no way in hell she would let him push her around now. She crossed her arms, a look of defiance set in place on her facade. But her confidence was washed away the moment Dilandau turned to her again, and she felt herself pale.

His features were twisted in a bizarre way, making it hard tell if it was laughter or fury that shrouded his face. His eyes did not look at her, instead studying the wickedly sharpened dagger he now grasped.

"Is that so?" he asked softly, and Serryn took a step back. There was something very disturbing about the silver haired boy's expression. "I wouldn't say such things if I were you," his garnet eyes now locked hers, and Serryn felt as if he were trying to burn a hole to her soul.

"Why not?" she countered, "I will not let you push me around. You don't scare me!" It was a lie, she knew but at the moment she could pretend it was the truth.

"I don't?" he chuckled stepping toward her, Serryn stepped back again, eyeing the dagger nervously. "No," she said, though her voice was shaky.

"Not even a little?" he continued his advance as she in turn retreated.

"I...I..." Serryn stammered, her backward steps quickening. She gasped suddenly as she felt the back of her legs bump against something hard. She glanced back and bit her lip realizing Dilandau had backed her up against the bed.

"I think you're lying," he said, now directly in front of her, toe to toe. "And I think I'm going to have to prove that to you." He grinned, watching Serryn's eyes widen as he raised the dagger up in front of her.

She flinched when he brushed the smooth part of the steel blade against her cheek, but dug up the courage to counter him, "Are you going to kill me Dilandau?" She asked hoping her tone was a taunting one.

"Oh no princess," his voice was wicked, "this is going to be MUCH more fun."

Serryn opened her mouth to ask him what the hell he was talking about, but her words came out in a surprised cry as Dilandau reached out, using his unarmed hand to push her onto the bed. She fell easily, having been taken by surprise.

Surprise was instantly replaced by terror when she realized as he moved over her, what Dilandau's intentions were.

"No!" she cried, pushing herself up in a desperate attempt to escape, but he held her down with strong arms. The grin on his face was almost demonic.

"Yes, Princess," he replied, "I'm tired of playing this game. It's over. I won, and now I'm taking the prize."

Serryn's heart was racing. 'What game??' her mind screamed, but the words didn't reach her mouth, as she was too occupied with trying to break free. But she couldn't. Dilandau's strength was no match for her petite body.

Her eyes caught movement and Serryn let out a shriek as the hand holding the Zaibach General's dagger came plummeting down. He was going to kill her. Her eyes squeezed shut, bracing herself. But the blow never came. Instead there was a muffled thump as the knife imbedded itself into the mattress, inches from Serryn's head.

She panted, relief quickly washing over her, but it was short lived. Dilandau leaned forward capturing her lips. It was a fast kiss, hard and fiery, meant to get her attention. He broke it, leaving her gasping, and positioned his hands so he held both of her wrists with only one. Using the free hand he moved to undo the laces of her shirt as his lips covered her neck.

"NO!!" Serryn shrieked again, trying to twist her body away, "Please don't do this!" she pleaded.

"Why not?" he asked, his warm breath brushing against her throat as he pulled the laces loose, "It would be so easy..."

Serryn's eyes widened. It was déjà vu. His words, the situation. All the same as the first night they'd met. Only this time it wasn't her life that was in danger. But suddenly it dawned on her. She had a defense.

"You're right Dilandau," she whispered, closing her eyes ceasing to fight, "It would be easy... And I know how much you like taking the easy way out." Dilandau's eyes snapped up, his brow furrowed, but Serryn wasn't finished, "But wait...weren't you the one who said you HATE anything that is taken easily?? 'The only things worth taking are the ones you fight LONG and HARD for.' Isn't that right Dilandau??" she demanded, her voice rising with each word.

The silver haired general stared at her, his garnet eyes wide with shock. He backed away from her then, glaring at her like she'd grown a second head. Serryn took this chance to get her legs back under her, but she didn't bolt, not just yet.

"It's funny though," she remarked watching him carefully, "you don't strike me as the hypocritical type." She'd hit the nail on the head, she could tell. Dilandau looked completely lost, his eyes no longer set on her, instead on his own shaking hands

'I should be happy to have finally caused him some pain,' she thought idly, 'he deserves it for all he's done to me." But for some reason, she didn't feel right about it at all. She almost wanted to put an arm around him, comfort him. She'd never seen him this way before, and it scared her...

Her thoughts were shattered suddenly as Dilandau lurched forward, grabbing the hilt of the dagger he'd thrust into the bed. With a snarl he ripped it out and hurled it at Serryn. She screamed, jumping away. The blade gouged into the wall as Serryn painfully landed on the cold floor of the room.

"Get OUT!!!" Dilandau roared, the glint in his eyes not quite sane anymore, "Get the fuck OUT!!!!"

Serryn didn't hesitate. She scrambled to her feet and fled. Grasping the front of her shirt to keep it closed, she bolted to the door. Somewhere along the way she was aware of the crashing sound of another item being thrown in her direction. But she didn't stop, didn't turn, until she was safely out the door.

It slid shut behind her silently, leaving the princess alone in the dimly lit hallway, gasping for breath and clutching her beating heart.