Akusho
A/N: @_@; Okay, so this took a while. *smiles* I'm sorry for the delay. I hope you enjoy and reviews are very much appreciated. Even though I haven't before with this particular fic, I'll see what I can do to respond to each and every one of you within the next few chapters.
^_^ Thank you again. You guys keep me going.
Er…The scenes switch a lot in this chapter, just to warn you. ^_^; I've tried to limit it down ^^;;;
Updated (for me, anyway): Important notice at bottom ;
~*~*~*~
"I said 'no'," Hisoka spat at the uh…thing before him. At first, Hisoka mistook it as a person when he awoke but realized otherwise. The abnormal characteristics that truly indicated another race were the give aways.
Ningai, as he introduced himself to Hisoka, sighed and placed the tray of warm food down before dusting off himself. "Hisoka-san, please eat. I would hate to see you so weak when Miy-ah…That is…"
Hisoka's eyes narrowed dangerously at Ningai. Honestly, Ningai was a very gentle creature towards him and never spoke harshly nor did he ever have a cruel look in his eyes. Doesn't his name mean something like 'outlaw'?
"What did you say?"
Instantly, Ningai gave a nervous chuckle and turned his back to Hisoka, concealing his blush of embarrassment. "N-Nothing, Hisoka-san."
Hisoka tugged at the uncomfortably comfy robe on his body, only managing to tangle the garments together. "You…grr...said something about someone meeting me?" he reminded Ningai.
Ningai turned slightly at the sound of rustling. "Hisoka-san! Oh, please don't play with that! It takes a long while to make them look good!" He rushed forward and began to mend it back into appropriate place.
Sighing, Hisoka allowed the dragon human…thing to place his ensemble. "You still haven't answered my question," he hissed, grumpily sitting on the luxurious bed that sat within an enormous yet beautiful room decorated with all sorts of antiques unknown to the human world.
Hearing a sniffle, Hisoka's eyes widened when he set them on Ningai. The creature appeared to have gone into a tiny 'chibi' form and was sniffling with a pair of innocent sapphire eyes.
"Please don't use a harsh tone, Hisoka-san," Ningai moaned desperately, "my feelings get hurt easily. I don't want you to be upset with me. I'm only following orders! Please don't hate me! I really like you! You've never hit me when I did something wrong! I'm so, so, so, so, so, so, sorry!"
Hisoka's eye twitched violently when Ningai burst into sobs of pleas and 'I'm sorry' chants. "Hey," he said, unable to endure the sobbing from what once appeared to be a grown…creature. Like Tsuzuki…"Hey, shut up. Look, I didn't intend to make you cry, okay?"
Ningai's helpless bawling reduced to small hiccups as his appearance was back to an adult size. He nodded and smiled widely. "Okay," he said cheerfully.
…What a freak.
"Ne, Hisoka-san, but…Well, you see…If you don't eat…Oh! I don't want to sound selfish," Ningai cried, placing his hands over his mouth as if trying to bite his unusually long nails.
"Just out with it already," Hisoka demanded somewhat kindly.
Ningai hesitated and sat beside Hisoka on the bed playing with an ornament attached to his similar looking robes. "Well," he began quietly with a frown, "every time you don't eat, I…I get beaten."
"…Because….I didn't eat?" Hisoka asked rather flabbergasted.
Ningai nodded. "Mi-Uh…Master knows I'm weak. I cry and I'll beg for mercy when I get hurt. I'm not afraid to admit that I'm a coward. And since you're my responsibility, he sees it fit that I get a good beating or endure a torturous act for not taking care of you."
For a moment, Hisoka stayed silent, allowing his brain to consume every word of it. He suddenly felt irritated that someone would be stupid to do such a thing on such a gentle beast.
"Hey," he whispered, beginning to feel a tiny pinch of guilt upon his conscience, "give me my food. I'm hungry."
Ningai stared at him with those wide child-looking eyes. His fangs were apparent when he grinned with a gasp of delight. "O-Of course, Hisoka-san!" He shot up from his spot and returned just as quickly with the food on the silver tray.
Hisoka would have smiled at the thought someone's day could be brightened so easily, but was unable to. He was still enraged that someone had dare taken him from his hotel and ruined HIS vacation. HIS OWN DAMN VACATION! The nerve!
Scowling, Hisoka stared at the contents. He could not possibly begin to imagine what it was. It was…a glob, basically, of different colors with some sort of…vegetable sticking out its body from the mass of 'food'.
"Go on!" Ningai encouraged with a smile. "I made it myself. I think you'll love it."
Well, if I die again, I just hope it wasn't in vain. Taking an uneasy gulp of the water provided for him, Hisoka set the glass down gently and used a spoon to scoop up a bit of the…food. He could only watch it whither in despair but convinced himself it wouldn't taste as bad as it looked.
Sparing a glance at Ningai, who was still grinning with pride, Hisoka took the spoon into his mouth bracing himself for an unpleasant feeling down his throat. Surprisingly, it was sweet.
"…It's not bad," Hisoka admitted and took another swing of it.
"Of course it's not!" Ningai confirmed. "It took me a whole day to make it!"
Ningai giggled with joy, which slightly disturbed Hisoka but he kept quiet. "Now, when you finish, you can just leave it over there on the desk beside the mirror. I'll be back in a few minutes, okay?"
"…Where are you going?" Hisoka asked slightly disappointed. He couldn't help but feel at ease when Ningai was near. He had heard screaming on the other side of the door to his room when he awoke and feared what creature could enter his room and inflect who knows what on him. Basically, Ningai reminded him of Tsuzuki.
Ningai made a strange sound in the back of his throat and pointed at the door. "Well, Master is coming shortly and…" A sudden thought struck Ningai and he frowned deeply, sniffling. "Uh…I have to prepare for his arrival. I'll be back shortly."
Hisoka nodded slightly and began to stand. "Well, alright."
With manifest difficulty, Ningai gave a sharp intake of breath, his lizard tail twitched uncomfortably, and his strange long webbed ears drooped. He turned slowly and exited out the door, making sure to lock it with the code.
Walking slowly down the halls of the mansion, Ningai wiped a tear away, his heart aching painfully.
"You're a pathetic creature. Why do they keep you?"
Ningai's ear twitched and turned toward to source of sound. His eyes trailed to the right where they found one of the larger demons that roamed around the castle. He instantly flinched when it approached him. They often got a thrill of pleasure from watching him cry with agony.
Ningai cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, Ton, but I really must be on my way. I have to feed the prisoners and then prepare for…."
"Ah, I see. You're upset about what they're going to do to the boy, eh?" asked the demon, his huge form slithering from the darkness and red eyes glowing with the usual mischief.
Ningai shivered avoiding the eyes. "I must be going."
The demon snarled and landed a claw to Ningai's back, sinking his nails from the shoulders to the hipbone.
Producing a shriek of pain, Ningai collapsed against the wall, his own claws diving into the concrete to prevent his body from falling. He was aware that once he fell and curled into a fatal position, Ton would begin to rip and tear at his form until he bawled for mercy.
Groaning, Ningai turned his head slightly but received a powerful blow to his face. His ears caught the sound of a cracking of some sort. Praying that it wasn't his body that was creating the sound, Ningai struggled to keep balance.
Ton hissed with sadistic pleasure. "Come on now. You never fight back! Fight!" He raised a claw and smirked.
Ningai smiled kindly at him from his position against the wall. "I'm sorry I can't fight you, Ton. I'm a coward. I can't. I'm afraid to be hurt."
Blinking with confusion, Ton stared. Slowly, he returned his claw to his side as it dangled to his knees. Ton wasn't known for his intelligence or pleasing looks.
Bored and irritated by the comment, Ton huffed and turned away, crawling back to his duties. "Stupid…."
Relief embraced Ningai as he relaxed against the wall, pleased that the demon left him in peace. Cautiously, he raised his fingers to inspect the damage on his face. He knew his back would sting and create a painful shock that would run down his spine when moving but he wasn't sure of his face.
"Ah, I guess the crack was me after all," Ningai muttered, wincing when he did. It could have been worse, but at least it was not critical. He placed his hands down, forcing his claws to return to rest and used the remaining of his small strength to remove himself from the wall.
~*~*~*~
"Can you sense him yet?" Tsuzuki moaned with exhaustion of leaping from random trees or whatever they were at.
Yukio placed his hands on his hips and sighed, struggling to sense anything at all. Everything was disturbingly still. "I can't sense a damn thing."
Sighing and muttering cursed words, Tsuzuki plopped onto a thick carpet of grass underneath a willow tree. He gazed up towards the dark sky, trying to make out constellations out of boredom.
"Mah, Tsuzuki-chan," Suzaku murmured, casually coming to sit beside her master. "Do you think Hisoka-kun is okay?"
Tsuzuki's head bent down as he began fiddling with a strand of bright jade grass. "I doubt that he's hurt. The insane guy isn't likely to hurt him…unless…"
"…Hmm?" Suzaku blinked and placed her chin on her drawn up knees. She could easily sense the discomfort Tsuzuki was most likely enduring currently and it disturbed her to see her master so depressed. She became angered when she came to realization as to how close Tsuzuki was to opening up towards them. Now, this.
Giving a moment to think, Tsuzuki turned to meet her with his gentle and unusually melancholy eyes. "I don't really know what's going to happen. Hisoka doesn't have any memory of Miyuki…I don't know what they're going to do in order for him to remember."
"Well, all I know is that Miyuki is insane. He sounds like some cheesy villain from a comic book," growled Suzaku, standing and dusting herself off.
Tsuzuki chuckled. "Well…He is a Dream so I suppose he's supposed to say cheesy comments like 'curse you, Muraki!'."
They both grinned at each other but their smiles quickly faded. They turned away and watched Yukio to distract themselves of the reality that they wished was only a dream.
The young man was standing still staring at some bottles in his hands.
"Oi, Yukio…What are you doing?" Tsuzuki asked standing as well.
Yukio muttered under his breath. Grumbling and with a violent thrust, the bottles we placed back into the inside of his long coat. "Nothing. I was just wondering where the fuck Zenshin could be."
"Well, where's Anthony?" Suzaku suggested, "you said he was going after the freak."
"…I don't know. This sucks ass," Yukio cried out, stomping around like a child would when not getting his or her way.
Tsuzuki let out another sigh and began to inspect the area. He crouched back and then leapt up into a tree, balancing himself by placing his right hand on the trunk. His eyes began to dart around for anything unusual.
Suzaku's face greeted him by a nearby branch. "Anything strange, Tsuzuki-san?"
With a grunt, Tsuzuki shook his head. He was about to call it quits when he suddenly noticed a strange scent reach his nostrils.
"Do you smell that?" Suzaku whispered, sniffing the air.
Nodding, Tsuzuki concentrated to locate where the smell was rising from and what caused it. "What does it smell like to you, Suzaku?"
"…Smoke, I think," she said climbing higher.
"Damn. Too bad Byakko isn't around. He's good with smells."
A sudden cry forced them to break their thoughts on the smell and settled back on Yukio. They found him shaking a form in rage; the smaller body shaking much with the movements of a rag doll.
Tsuzuki crawled down and raced towards the forms. "Oi, Yukio! What the heck are you doing?"
Either not caring or too preoccupied, Yukio did not respond but insisted on shouting at the form in his hands. "I swear if you ever do that again, I'll make sure you die another time!"
It wasn't until the smaller form's head slightly turned did Tsuzuki gave a startled yet relieved yelp. "Zenshin! Yukio! Put him down, he's still recovering! Yukio! Ow! Don't hit me!"
After a good few moments of screaming, threats, punches, and much more violent attempts (poking the eyes. Right.), Zenshin was accepting the warmth of his older brother's embrace.
"God, Zenshin," Tsuzuki breathed, still in relief of the boy's safety. "Where have you been? Yukio said you were going after Anthony!"
Zenshin's ruffle of hair shifted as his eyes peered over his brother's arm. Sighing contently, he nuzzled closer. "Maah…I was. But, I realized how stupid that would have been. I'm in no condition to go up against Anthony. Being stupid is Onii-chan's job."
"I'll remember that next time you ask me to do something for you," mumbled Yukio playfully, still hugging his brother tightly. He leaned closer and whispered something inaudible into Zenshin's ear.
Tsuzuki blinked curiously and watched as Zenshin began to whisper back, a frown and ashamed look crossing over his tired face. A sudden pinch in his heart made Tsuzuki realize how much he missed his own sibling.
It wasn't easy to pull a smile every day.
"Tsuzuki-san, we should head back," Suzaku whispered quietly, tugging at Tsuzuki's sleeve. "It's late and looking for something we don't know exists won't help. But…"
"Zenshin?"
Suzaku paused in her sentence and turned her head to look at the pair behind them, leaning against a tree. Zenshin's eyes had gone slightly blank as if watching a scene from another portion of the world. "Is something the matter?"
Yukio reluctantly turned his vision from his brother to her. "Yeah. He does this when something bad is occurring and deals with Anthony…"
Tsuzuki bit his lip. He prayed if there was something bad happening, that it wasn't something that involved Hisoka. "…Do you think…um…?"
"No. It never happens when people he knows. That's why he wouldn't have been able to detect if Anthony was coming to our hide out the other day. I know it sounds confusing. It must be someone else though," Yukio tried explaining, shifting Zenshin when the boy twitched involuntary.
A burden of grief began to rise off Tsuzuki. Instantly he realized that someone else was suffering and felt guilty. Thankfully, Zenshin gave a groan and had come out of his trance.
Well, that was quick, Tsuzuki thought.
Suzaku came beside the two and knelt down, frowning at Zenshin. "You okay, kid?"
"What did you see?" Yukio asked, helping his brother into a more comforting position again.
"…The warning attack is over…"
~*~*~*~
"Byakko, I swear if your tail smacks me one more time I will rip it off!" Touda roared skimming through the files Watari had sent Tsuzuki and Hisoka through that strange machine of his.
Byakko pouted and grabbed his tail protectively. "You wouldn't dare!"
"Silence! Please!" Tatsumi shouted, taking a sip of the tea Watari made. Watari sat beside him sweatdropping as Touda and Byakko's argument became hushed threats.
"Stupid house pet," Touda growled snatching a sheet of paper from Byakko. "Give me that."
Hissing, Byakko turned and stomped to sit down in a seat. "…I was only trying to help…" he expressed with a hurt tone.
"It's okay, Byakko," Watari said cheerfully. "You know Touda. He doesn't mean it."
The Shiki nodded sorrowfully but appeared convinced enough. "I really hope 'Soka is okay."
Tatsumi placed the cup down onto the table and stretched his arms before reaching over and looking over the basic map of Jamaica and the floor maps of the largest restaurants, hotels, and buildings. Watari had also brought a few more files through his…machine concerning Miyuki. "We'll find him."
"How?"
Skimming his eyes over the maps, Tatsumi sighed and removed his glassed to rub his temple. He knew a throbbing headache would be coming by shortly. "Well, we can safely assume that Kurosaki-kun is being held where Rosa is. I have a strong feeling that Miyuki is collaborating with the woman for Heaven knows what reason.
"Also, Kurosaki-kun had encountered this woman, saying she was the son of some…owner of whatnot. We know that the man must really be James. Yes, you're wondering how we know this and so on, but just trust us. You didn't actually think I just sat behind a desk and counted money, did you now?"
Watari grinned sheepishly. "I was sure I saw you doing that when walking past the office."
"…Be quiet, Watari."
"So mean."
Byakko played with a few strands of his hair, not realizing he was actually braiding it. "So…Do you think they're using that big place as their quarters? You know, pretending like it's their home when it's not…?"
Tatsumi and Watari stared at him with amusement. "How big?" asked Tatsumi, his glasses returning to their appropriate place on the bridge of his nose.
"Hmm, not really sure. Touda, how big was the place, you think?" Byakko hollered towards Touda who tensed at the irritating voice.
Touda turned and leaned his back into the counter. He narrowed his eyes at Byakko. "Unnecessarily big. The damn thing was nearly a mile high and nearly 5 miles long. Far from any homes or public areas. It's almost like an island itself."
"Wait, wait," Tatsumi said leaning forward. He paused for a moment to quickly search throughout the files and maps before him. He found no such building. "When did you see this?"
Touda snorted and made a rude gesture towards Byakko. "He wanted to stop and get something to eat and we happened to see the place as we were walking by. Idiot wanted some sight seeing at the same time."
Byakko pouted but ignored the comment.
Tatsumi leaned back with an almost satisfied look. "…That's it then."
Watari cautiously glanced over the same scattered papers to double check. "But…I mean, wouldn't people think it odd for a place to be like that all on its own? I mean…If they didn't want us to find it, why have it right there?"
They stood silent with the wind whistling threateningly and the occasional ruffling of a raven's wings.
Touda's boots made a 'clunking' sound with each step he made towards the silent group. He bent at the waist and retrieved a photo of Rosa and a hooded figure silently standing with a mysterious and lethal posture adjacent to her.
"Maybe they want us to find them."
~*~*~*~
Quietly, Ningai entered a dark and exalted room where the prisoners were merciless held against their wills. Within his grasp, was another tray filled with fresh food he was to provide to a particular prisoner.
Ningai sighed sadly, hoping that no one would detect him within the room. He was not given the authority to feed the prisoners, but only to check on their status. His heart could not bear to let any of them starve though.
As he passed along the room, passing a few of the more horrid cells where those that have endured more torture were placed, a prisoner moaned and clawed out towards him.
"…They…haven' given…me water…for days…" the prisoner croaked, his sluggish and ripped flesh giving him an insane appearance.
Sympathetically, Ningai smiled at the prisoner not bothering to take notice of the missing two fingers. He cast a glance around to be sure no guard was nearby, knelt down at his knees, and placed the tray carefully on the cold ruthless floor. He bit his lip to stifle a cry of agony when his back gave a jolt of protest.
Ningai then pulled out what appeared to be a flask filled with cold liquid. He turned towards the poor man. "Here's some water. You can have the whole thing if it pleases you," he whispered and placed the flask into the man's greedy hands.
"Than-thank you, Ni-N-Ningai," the man groaned with a hoarse voice. Cursing, he managed to get it open and began to drink gratefully.
"Oh! I almost forgot. Here…" Reaching into his well equipped robes and pulled out a rather large piece of bread and a small container and…a spoon.
The man in his cell returned to his 'bed', which only consisted of a sheet and…yeah. Grunting, he leaned against the wall, concealing the flask from any eyes. "Nah," he said, grinning as much as the bruises, broken bones, and cuts allowed, "I still get some food, ya hear? The others haven't eaten in a while. Rats gotten into their food, ya know? Damn place."
Ningai nodded his head. "…You must have been in the Dark Room, am I correct? Otherwise, I'm sure I would have seen you here yesterday! I'm so sorry! If I had known, I would have managed someway to get you something to drink!"
"Ah, shut your yap, Ningai. You gots a good heart. Bastards always beaten' ya, huh? I hear ya screaming or cryin' the times they caught ya in here. Don't let those bastards break that heart, ya hear? Now, quit whimperin' and go to the others."
Sniffling, Ningai agreed and waved to the man before placing the items in his hands onto the tray before lifting it.
He passed a few other cells, giving a greeting here and there. He knew which prisoners received the poisonous food and which received the decent enough to at least call it edible.
A few moments later he passed by a tiny cell.
"Ningai? That you?" said a small voice from the small cell.
"Hey…They brought you back into the cell," Ningai noticed, settling down beside the cell. "God, it's been a while, Shiloywn."
A small head poked out of the darkness and Shiloywn crawled beside Ningai, the bars of electricity preventing him from anything entering or escaping. "Yeah," he said leaning back. Shiloywn was of a strange mix. Part demon, part...cat. Yes, cat. There were stranger in the area, Ningai admitted to himself.
"…Did they hurt you a lot?" Ningai asked with a frown.
The small 'kitten', as Ningai called him for his young age and tiny size, mewled and sniffed. "…Well, not as bad actually. But…"
Ningai cocked his head and waited patiently, watching the yellow eyes begin to fade into a dull orange like shade.
"I'm to be executed tonight."
Time stood still for Ningai. He burst out into a gasp and attempted to get closer to the kitten. "Oh dear gods! What for? Others here have done worse! You're so young! Why on…"
Shiloywn scowled and wiped a tear away, glaring at the ground. "No, it has nothing to do with what I've done. I haven't done anything besides gone against this…pure…hatred…all that cheesy stuff."
"…You're…one of the ones to…?"
"Yeah. It's because I'm so young and have a lot of that youth blood."
Ningai made somewhat of a whimpering sound of despair. "…I have food for you, if it helps a bit."
Shiloywn shook his head, causing his coarse dark hair to shake. "No," he said, "I'm not hungry. Just do me a favor?"
"Yes, of course. God, I wish I could get you out. I can, you kno-"
Hissing, Shiloywn stared at Ningai, piercing his eyes into the darker ones, holding him still. "No. Listen, you got to do something to save that boy they brought. I know once he's been taken…well, you know that stupid master of yours will do! Please, Ningai. They're going to kill my people and so many other races if they...you know."
Ningai frowned and thought. "But Master doesn't care about them. Why would he kill them?"
"No, not your master directly. That bitch, Rosa is the one who wants to kill them off if they don't help her. Your master is just simply aiding her in the process," Shiloywn explained with a hint of panic rising in his voice.
Flinching at the harsh word 'bitch', Ningai stood up and grabbed the tray once more. "…Don't worry, Shiloywn. I...I know I can't do a lot except try to make you all feel comfortable but…"
"…Yes? What do you plan to do?"
Ningai sighed helplessly and stared at the enormously high ceiling engraved with the bones of prisoners and enemies that have died at their hands. Dry blood still marked the entire 'dungeon'. "There's still someone who can help."
Shiloywn smiled slightly letting out a breath he didn't realize he had been containing. "I hope I know who you're talking about. You just be sure when you watch me die with the others, you don't cry. Don't be sad of the inevitable."
"…I promise," Ningai assured with a grin. "Just you wait. Things will be okay…"
He walked along quietly, sending Shiloywn one last good-bye.
With a painful adjustment, Shiloywn leaned into the hardness of the wall, staring upwards into a portion of his cell that was ensnared in darkness. For some reason, Ningai's words provided enough comfort for him to sleep one last time.
~*~*~*~
"Lord…Anthony?"
Anthony tensed and cast a passing look towards the doorway. Grumpily and cursing the idiot who dared to interrupt him, he snatched his cloak and threw it on his form to hide his features. He stormed towards the door and stepped through it.
Startled, a student stumbled back to prevent from crashing into Anthony. With frightened eyes, he stared.
Anthony stayed silent and crossed his arms, waiting patiently. "Yes?" This boy was of his group, so he did not mind to speak before him.
"Um…"
"I grow impatient easily. What is it?" he demanded calmly.
The student blinked and licked his lips. "Well, the…the boy is in his quarters and…um…Ningai left. But the boy is causing a scene. One of us went to pick up the food but he threw a tantrum screaming at us to leave."
Anthony raised an eyebrow, but, of course, the boy couldn't notice. "Did you shield your mind."
"Excuse me?"
Growling Anthony snatched at the boy's neck, sinking his nails into it. "The boy is an empath! I thought I had told you all this! Surely, your minds contain too much for him to handle! Fool!"
Squirming, the boy cried out when the nails began to draw blood. "Yes! I'm sorry! Please!"
Anthony grew bored quickly and released some pressure. His finger now caressed the broken skin and traveled up to catch the jaw. "Hmm…Tell me, what is your age again?"
The student gulped and responded fearfully, "...Eleven."
Instantly, Anthony's interest came to life. "Eleven," he barely said. He gave a shudder and struggled to stay on task (A/N: He doesn't hit on little kids, if that's what you're wondering. He's not THAT much of a pervert!). "Do you have news of James and of the attack?"
"Y-yes. They succeeded. They should um…be back within two hours or so," the student explained, blushing.
"And what of those to be delivered to me? The ones to be executed?"
The student hesitated, thinking. "W-well…" he stammered.
Anthony grabbed the student's jaw tightly enough for the boy to yelp.
"They only have two!" the boy desperately cried, yanking away. Anthony allowed him to do so, placing a hand on his hip as he saw the boy's shoulders tremble.
Angry, he repeated, "Two?! I specifically asked for three! We need three in order for enough blood to be spilled! What of the third?!"
"…She…She died in the cell this morning," the boy whispered shamefully.
"Cause of death?"
"Beaten."
"Those stupid thick headed beasts and demons or whatever they are! I'll see they all die at my hands," Anthony threatened as his rage began to tempt him…
With a sly smile he eyed the boy. "No matter." He analyzed the boy and came to the conclusion that the boy was a fire caster.
"Tell them I've found the replacement," Anthony then said gently patting the boy's bright long hair. Like many of the other boys with long hair, it was pulled back and tied to prevent any of it from falling into his dark eyes.
The boy nodded. "Y-yes, of course. Who?"
The student felt Anthony's hand slide to his waist. With a cry, he was pulled against the man's firm body and he felt it shake when Anthony chuckled.
"Why, you of course. Now, I think it's time for you to sleep while I pay a visit to our friend."
~*~*~*~
Ningai silently muttered under his breath as he struggled to open the enormous doors without losing balance of the tray. It was still considerably dark and creatures of a tiny size roamed over the ground so placing the tray down was out of the question. And he really wasn't in the mood for his back to experience any worse damage than it had already done.
The area with the cells had led him to another pair of doors where two of their well-kept prisoners were held. Well, technically one did get a beating once and a while but only in a furtive manner. If the beaters were caught, they would be put to death.
As I was explaining, the other was the Warlock's so called 'pet' and was placed in some strange contraption to prevent others from touching him…or it. Ningai never worried about bringing it food.
"There we go," he said triumphantly once he balanced the tray on his hip and pushed the doors ajar. Entering, he heard the gurgling of water.
Casting a glance, Ningai saw the pet floating in a strange liquid container. Cords were embedded into its body. Ningai was unable to see any details of the creature due to the liquid's dark color, but could see the outline of what could be a lean man. Of course, it wasn't a man though.
A sudden shudder ran through his veins and he quickly strolled past the area. There, stood another door, but always slightly open. He pushed through and closed it securely behind him.
A boy with messy brown hair and amethyst eyes peered up at Ningai from a clean square container that consisted with the basic necessities to live. "Ningai," he gasped with joy, "you came back! I knew you would."
Ningai smiled. "How are you?"
"Ah, you know. The usual. Say, is Hisoka-san really here?"
Ningai nodded in confirmation. "That he is," he said. "Listen…I don't have much time left now, actually. But…"
The boy watched cautiously and with interest as Ningai placed the tray down on a near by dresser and reached out a hand to touch the container that glowed a bright blue color.
"Hey, what are you doing?" the boy asked curiously.
"Please don't talk," admonished Ningai, more like pleaded, but oh well, "I'm concentrating."
Muttering a silent 'oh', the boy sat back on his cushioned bed and waited with the slightest bit of impatience. He began to feel a hint of nervousness when his mind began to warn him of someone's arrival.
He hesitated to warn Ningai but decided to keep still and silent when Ningai's eyes shut tightly.
At the same moment, the area around him began to shift slightly up and down. He panicked and gave a cry when he was tossed off his bed, landing awkwardly on his arm. "Ow, ow…"
When he sat up he noticed his prison beginning to crack and shatter. It was only within a few seconds when the entire containment shattered into tiny shards that provide no threat to Tenkei's skin when they showered on him.
Ningai released a shaky breath and smiled. "There."
"…. God…How did you do that?"
Ningai smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of his head. "Ah, well, I could always do that if I have enough energy. I never did it before because Master could detect when I do. Oh! Which reminds me, you have to get out now before they find you!"
The boy stood up hastily and rushed towards Ningai. "Are you crazy? What about you? How do I get out?"
Ningai bit his lip. "Don't worry over me. You can escape by going through the window in the room beside yours. They won't catch you if you're quiet."
"…Wh…Where…?"
Ningai reached into his robe and retrieved a brochure of some sort. "Here. This is where Tsuzuki Asato is staying. I got the information about his whereabouts by snooping around. You just got to be careful though, okay? If someone hears you they might not be merciful."
The boy nodded and winked. "Ah, you know me. I'm a good runner."
Ningai smiled. He began to lead the boy out, cautious as to inspect the area. When confirming no one had bothered to enter the room, he ushered the child out of his chambers and into the much larger room where the creature slept in its container.
"Now, remember, stay as quiet as possible," Ningai reminded him heading towards the long window. With a grunt, he succeeded in cracking the lock off and opening it, flinching when it made an obnoxious creaking sound.
The child came by his side and stared down at the ten or so story high jump he would be obligated to do. Slowly he turned his violet eyes at Ningai. "…This is good-bye, isn't it?"
Ningai took in a deep shaky breath and shut his eyes. He licked his lips and kept his composure over the tears that wanted to spill. "Y-yes. I…They'll know."
"When?"
"…Tonight, I assume," came the reluctant reply.
"Ningai!" the child cried and flung himself around the beast's waist, refusing to leave without a decent farewell. Burying his face within the silk robes, he gave a sob of grief.
Ningai smiled gently and responded to the hug in kind. "Now," he said with forced ease. "You better hurry…"
The child was pried off with effort. "Ningai," he whispered mournfully, "of all people…things…You…Not you. You're so kind to me. You fed me. You gave me a drink when I asked…You never hurt anyone or anything…"
"Don't get all upset now. Hurry. Now, don't cry. I'm not worth it. Others still need your help. You're the only one who can help us…Please."
"You're right…But…I'll miss you…Take care of Hisoka-san," the boy ordered and climbed towards the window and placing his bare feet on the tiny edge to prevent from losing balance.
Then he climbed completely out before turning his head slightly to meet Ningai's eyes. "What of my brother?"
"…I'm sorry."
A pair of eyes widened and then returned to their original state, though they hid beneath the veil of bangs. "I understand. Take care, Ningai," he finally whispered before he leapt down and vanished.
Ningai stared at the spot where he watched the tiny body vanish into thin air. "Good luck, Tenkei Kyomeito."
The door shut to the room Ningai was in with a soft sound. With a start, Ningai sharply turned towards the sound to demand as to who entered without consent, only to let out a silent scream as the last essence of his life was taken away in a single cut.
~*~*~*~
A/N: _; Yeah. Review. Love you all. Really, I do. No, not joking. I'd marry you all for reviewing but I already got a wife X3 Right, Elffy-chan? ^-^
Extras: x_x I really wanted to quit on this fic because it was just COMPLETELY screwed up during the "laptop hates me days". It got me confused when I read it, thinking "Wait, that's NOT what I saved!" and I don't have time to re-post x_x I'm highly considering to quit on it still, actually. x-x;
