I don't own SD3.

A/N: I'm back! O.o need a break once in a while. Good news, all! I know how to finish this fic! ^_^ bad news: I ain't telling! :D

Another thing. Weiila: you gave me the fluff bug x_x not much plot, more… pointless chats.

And someone's visiting! ^_^ guess who it is! If not… it says so at the end of the chapter .

And omg! I actually gave this chappie a name!

Touches of Evil

Moonlight Rendezvous.

"Is there a doctor in this town?!"

Koren demanded from the innkeeper, startling the poor old man almost to the point of a heart attack.

"Please, this is urgent!"

The man looked at the blond wizard, now messy with blood and dust. He looked behind him to see Duran carry Kevin inside and felt like gagging at the sight of Kevin's chest. Nodding, he pointed at one of the houses.

"Thank you. Get him on a bed, I'll get the doctor!"

Carlie helped Duran put Kevin on the bed and then ran to get some water, towels and bandages.

"Hold on, Kevin. Just… hold on…"

The little Bishop was on the verge of a mental breakdown as she ran around the room, making sure no window was open too much, no light was on too strong…

Duran sat on the other bed, watching as the werewolf fought to breath.

The door opened after what seemed like a small eternity and Koren walked back in. Alone.

"The doctor's visiting the queen, and I doubt anyone'll let me in at the moment."

A groan was heard from the back of the room and all three turned to their wounded friend. Carlie rushed to him and brought her ear closer to his mouth. She nodded, a small smile appearing on her lips.

"Carlie?"

She practically jumped into one of the bags and roamed through it. Her head soon popped up again and she hurried back to Kevin, several trinkets clinging together in her hands. Duran recognized the items and slapped his forehead.

"Of course!"

And he ran to his own bag. Koren was utterly clueless.

"What're those things?"

Light from Kevin's bed caught Koren's attention, as Carlie sprayed holy water on her fallen comrade. Turning back to Duran, Koren was lucky enough to avoid a Forbidden Book heading straight for his face, followed by other books, heart shaped items, and colored amulets. Soon Duran held his hand high in a victory pose, several silver amulets in it.

"What're those?"

"Lord's proof. And Carlie's using Holy Water vials."

Looking back from the brunette, the wizard was quite relieved to see Kevin sitting up. He was bloody, but the blood was mainly dried. He was ok.

"What happened?"

"Class change items. Work for more than just class change!"

Carlie said with a smile as she hugged the Beast King's son.

"Each class change item has its own ability."

Koren looked back to Duran as the swordsman explained.

"Each item, when used, creates an effect equal to a special ability the class teaches. For example, the Lord's Proof casts Heal Light, while the… Duelist's… proof, casts Dark Saber."

Koren studied Duran. He wasn't surprised to see that the warrior's armor had changed back into that of a Sword Master's. Same as with his sword.

"So, you have extras, I see."

"We learned those things have uses, so we just gathered 'em."

"Same here!"

Carlie said, not wanting to be left out. "Less talk, more walk."

Kevin said and stood up, back in fighting spirits.

"Gotta find Angie."

All looked at Koren. He looked at his feet.

"There's no way we could take on the Dragon Emperor on like this. We need to rest and stock on equipment."

The silence told Koren that his new comrades were too tired to argue.

"You guys rest, I'll talk to the locals, see what I can come up with."

Just before the door closed, Duran decided to voice his opinion.

"Koren!"

"Yeah?"

"… thanks for your help."

The blond shook his head gravely.

"It was my fault you and Angela were dragged into this. It's my responsibility to help."

The door closed, and neither males were ready for the fit of giggles coming from the female's direction.

"What?!"

"He… *giggle* he likes your Angie!"

Both blushed, without knowing for sure whom Carlie meant when she said 'your Angie'. Before too long, though, Kevin called out.

"Me shower first!"

"Hey, not fair!"

"*squeal*"

Emerald eyes fluttered open. She was stiff, tired. Cold. Why was it so cold? Where was she? And dark, of so dark!

"Good morning, my dear. Tell me, how does it fell?"

She felt his hand touch her cheek. Warmth, her body screamed. Good warmth… No! Her mind yelled back. BAD WARMTH! Bad person, stay away!

"How does it fell to be without a soul?"

She wanted to scream. Yet she found she didn't care. She was too cold.

"He, here you go, si, sir!"

Koren paid the shop clerk and heard the man collapse once he left the store. He wasn't welcomed. Although being feared had its advantages.

"Are you Koren?"

He looked around him, not finding the source of the voice.

"I'll take it as a yes."

Koren jumped back a bit when a shadow seemed to appear in front of him. He relaxed slightly, seeing that the figure was human at shape.

'Then again, the Dragon Emperor seems human…'

The stranger as though created a dagger out of thin air and held the knife by the blade. Warm, red blood drops fell on pure white snow. Koren gasped.

"I'm human. Can we talk?"

"Who are you?"

"Someone who owes your friends. Dearly."

"I needed that."

"we all did."

Kevin and Duran whispered once they were bathed and fed. Carlie was sucking her thumb in her bed, mumbeling something about Heath and too much Valentine's chocolates.

"Duran… we… need to talk."

"What about?"

The blond bit his lip.

"Angie."

Duran nodded.

"What about her?"

"Who… you know… once we get her back…"

Once we get her back. Where was the werewolf getting all that confidence? Was he really so sure, or… was he just too scared to think anything else?

"Kevin, let's concentrate on getting her back first. Then we'll cross that bridge. Ok?"

The Sword Master turned to sleep, but apperantly the Death Hand was too troubled to let go.

"I… love her, Duran."

If Duran was still evil, he'd have impaled Kevin with his bear hands. The idea was nice even now that he was back on the 'good' side. But he knew that no matter what, he simply couldn't stand… seeing Angela cry. And he knew she would.

He sat up and the two locked eyes.

"I love her too. Annoying, and bratty, and hot tempered as she may be. I love her too."

"So, who gets her?"

Duran knew Kevin didn't mean disrespect. Perhaps that was the way it worked in the Beast Kingdom, the males decided who gets the females. Maybe.

"The answer to that is simple, Kevin. The one who gets her…"

Deep breathes. Don't lose it.

"…Is the one Angela wants to have her."

Both were silent again for a few minutes.

"Duran, if she wants you, then… know, we still friends."

Duran's eyes widened slightly. How he felt horrible! Just because Angela was flirting a bit with Kevin, just because he didn't pay her enough attention, he was willing to join forces with the one thing he hated the most. And here was his so called opponent in love, telling him that no matter what, he still wanted to be friends.

"Kevin… If Angela chooses you, I'll still be your friend. On one condition."

Kevin seemed to hold his breath, ready to accept whatever Duran would say.

"If she chooses you, then… Make her happy. Make sure she's happy or the Goddess herself won't stop me from hurting you."

"Same here."

The two shook hands, not knowing what else to do.

"Hm, no, Angie. Don't eat that! Heath give chocolates to Carlie!"

The boys stared at the girl, Duran shaking his head.

"Angela's a flirt even in Carlie's dream!"

"And they hardly know each other!"

Both boys laughed, sealing their promise of friendship.

'Angie, I'll find you. And that wolf boy had better make you happy!'

Koren was ready to run away when the stranger leaned against the tree he jumped from and looked at the moon.

"Owe them?! What do you mean?!"

"They helped me a while back. Figured I could pay 'em back some."

"Where are you from?"

In the silver light of the moon, Koren could see that the stranger was smiling.

"I just finished a week's visit to Rolante. The reconstruction's going along nicely. Too bad about the prince, though."

"Yeah, I heard about that. Those Navarre ninjas… poor fellows."

The stranger tensed, yet returned to his somewhat carefree pose once Koren showed his sympathy.

"So, why're you approaching me? I'm no good… to anyone…"

"Because they need their rest. You seem quite awake, given the time of night."

"I have to. Like you said, they need their rest."

Koren examined his companion. He wore dark clothes. Really dark, he hardly saw him, even the parts that were illuminated by the moon. His eyes were covered by a blood red mask and his blue hair waved loosely in the night's breeze.

"So again. What's to you and me?"

"I need you to deliver a message."

"Is it good or bad?"

"I have information. Whether it's good or not, isn't for me to decide."

"Information… About…?"

"I've heard rumors you're looking for a purple haired princess, a native to this area. Rings any bells?"

The sack fell to the floor and Koren could feel his excitement rising.

"Angela! Where is she? Please tell me, I'll pay any price!"

The man laughed.

"If I needed your money, I'd have stolen it by now. Without giving it back, that is."

Koren's money pouch was thrown at him and the stranger shrugged.

"Force of habit, I guess. And like I said, I have a debt to pay."

"Where is she?"

"I saw a blue light from the labyrinth of ice walls."

"I did too. So?"

The monsters stay away from it. A while after you guys got here, however, the light faded. The monsters still stay away."

"And I don't suppose you were dumb enough to go in?"

A laughter.

"But I did. Good news: She's there. Bad news…"

"So is the Dragon Emperor."

Koren said, looking at his feet again.

"That old guy was THE Dragon Emperor?! Get out of here!"

"Fine. You gave me the message. What else do you want from me?"

"Several things. Here."

Koren almost fell as the stranger threw a sack full of things at him.

'How can someone so thin be so strong?!'

"It has poto oils, mama poto oils, claws, coins, scales, you name it, it's there."

"Thank you. I'm sure they'll appreciate it."

"Don't do it, Koren."

"Pardon?"

The wizard was obviously confused. The man stepped out of the tree's shade and took off his mask. His olive eyes shined in the moonlight, showing much sadness and pain.

"I know that you think you're worthless. Useless. That you're weak. Don't run away from this, Koren. They need you. Angela needs you."

There was silence as Koren thought over the somewhat harsh words.

"Thank you."

He finally said.

"Don't mention it. And don't worry. I'll be back."

Koren finally found the courage to approach the man and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"I'll need to know who to credit all of this. Who to thank."

A small smile graced the ninja's face.

"I'm Hawk. Nice to meet you."

And then he disappeared into the night.

A/N: YES! I did it! I got Hawk in here! ^_^ R&R!