The Demon Inside.
Chapter 5 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------

Almost done with the story. * does happy dance *

This chapter has been re-written by request of my friend Sierra. Whom I love reviews from. Thanks for the critique, I truly appreciate it!

Just a note : Only one more chappie after this. Just one more . . . it's almost done anyway so I'll have it up in a little.

Happy Reading!

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"You what . . .?" Rath's face, which had previously been twisted in a look of malice, softened slightly. "What did you just say . . ."

"I love you. " Thatz closed his eyes, "I can't stand to see you like this, but I can't fight you." The pinned Knight turned his head stared up at the demonic Rath glowering above him. "Please Rath . . . If you're still in there . . . fight this . . ." Thatz pleaded, "Don't let it take over you . . . please . . . for me . . . "

Rath stared down at the earth Knight, crimson eyes wide; Thatz's plea had triggered the Dragon inside. The demon Rath suddenly released Thatz, shrieking in pain as his head flew back, every muscle in his thin frame constricting. Thatz watched as the demon and dragon fought for control over Rath's consciousness.

"NO! I'm NOT going back!" Rath screamed, his eyes glowing a hellish red, "Damn you! Damn you, dragon!" Thatz watched Rath's gaze travel down to the dagger. The demon growled and reached for it in a flash of movement, but stopped, fingers just barely brushing it. "If you won't let ME have this body, YOU'RE not having it back!" Rath snarled, fangs gnashing.

For a brief moment his eyes flashed gold and his body language became sluggish and pained, "Nooo . . . you can't . . . I won't . . . let you . . ."

Thatz realized that it was the normal Rath and he reached up and clutched the young Knight's shoulders, ignoring the pain in his hand. "Rath! Fight it, Damn it!" Thatz shook him slightly, "You can't loose to a demon!"

Without warning Rath snatched the dagger and whipped it around, plunging it into the ex-theif's sholder, who screamed in pain. "STAY OUT OF THIS!" the demon snarled. His fangs gnashed in rage and he threw his head back again, a howl tearing from his throat as the dragon invaded his mind.

Tense moments went by before a soft gold color began to bleed into the ruby of the fire Knight's eyes, driving back the demon.

"Rath . . . ?" Thatz watched the fire Knight's body convulse before he gave a pained whimper and crumpled on top of the ex-thief. "Rath . . .?!" Thatz ignored the pain in his hand and shoulder, and pushed the young Knight's trembling frame back so he could see his face. "Rath? Answer me," he whispered, barely audible.

The young Dragon Knight's head lolled to the side when Thatz shook him slightly. "Rath?" Slowly the exhausted Knight's eyes bled back to their normal ruby color as he began to regain consciousness again.

"Rath . . . answer me!"

"Thatz . . .?" Rath groaned and focused his eyes. Thatz loosened his grip as the young Knight sat back on his own power, slowly realizing where he was. He blinked and stared at Thatz, who gave him the best smile he could muster under the circumstances, "Please be Rath . . ."

"Thatz . . . Thatz!" Rath leapt forward and wrapped his arms around the earth Knight's neck and buried his head in the Knight's neck, "You're alive . . . I didn't kill you!"

Thatz put his hand back to support him and the happy Dragon Knight forgetting that he was wounded. He hissed as the shock sent a wave of pain up his arm and shoulder.

Rath saw the ex-thief wince, " What's wrong?" Then he saw the dagger protruding from Thatz's shoulder out of the corner of his eye. "Oh, no . . ."

Thatz gave the worried redhead a small smile and held up his hand for Rath to see. A gaping hole graced the palm of Thatz's hand. Blood had caked on it so thick Rath couldn't tell what was bone, muscle or flesh. "Bit of a scratch from your friend . . ." Thatz laughed weakly.

'He probably doesn't remember anything he did . . . or I said . . .'

Rath unwrapped one of his arms and gently took Thatz's hand in his, he held it to his chest, "I'm sorry . . . I never meant to do this . . . "

"I know you didn't, and that's what matters."

"I couldn't stop it, " Rath lowered his gaze, "the demon was stronger then before. It's getting out of hand." Thatz hugged the Knight close to him when he saw Rath's eyes begin to water, being careful to avoid his wounds. It was the first show of real emotion in a long time from the young Knight. "I'll understand if . . . you hate me, for what I've done to you." Rath tried futilely to hold back tears that he knew were coming.

Thatz almost died of shock at the younger Knight's words. "Hate you . . .? Why would I hate you for something you didn't do." He paused a moment, " I'm a little pissed that you kept this from me . . . but I'll get over that . . ."

Rath placed a hand on the ex-thief's chest and pushed away from his grasp, "But . . . I tried to kill you . . ."

Thatz laughed, "Rune has tried to kill me on several occasions, the same goes for you, but I don't hate him."

"He's not a demon."

"Yeah, but he's like Alfeegi with a dragon, and that's just as dangerous." Rath smiled a little at the comment. 'A smile,' Thatz grinned inwardly, 'we're getting somewhere."

"Now," Thatz pushed Rath a little with his good hand, "Get off of me and help me up. These wounds aren't going to heal themselves."

Rath nodded in agreement and grabbed Thatz's good hand, pulling him to his feet as he stood. "Whoa . . . " Thatz almost fell over when he stood and Rath placed an arm around his waist to steady him. The earth Knight tried to stand still for a moment but his head was swimming.

"Thatz? Are you okay? You're turning pale . . ." Rath sounded worried and Thatz shook his head, soon regretting the action, "Nah, just . . . I think the blood loss is finally getting to me . . . I'll be fine the sooner I get to lay down."

The ex-thief almost lost his lunch when Rath swept him up off his feet and carried him toward the castle. 'I know the boy is strong, but this is ridiculous . . .' "Rath?"

"Yeah?" Rath glanced down at the Knight in his arms.

"Do me a favor . . . and don't do that again . . . I almost hurled." Thatz made a face and Rath laughed, pulling the Knight closer to him. Thatz, realizing that there was no way Rath was going to let him go, laid his head against Rath's chest, his injured hand cradled in his lap. The dragon blood on Rath had dried to the point of not smelling so Rath's scent washed over the ex-thief's sense, slowly soothing him to sleep.

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Huzzah! I'm almost done! Just one more short chapter . . . I'm soo proud!

By the way: I was thinking about maybe adding a little tasteful Yaoi in the last chap. Nothing big, something sweet. I don't know . . . tell me, what do you think?

I hope everyone likes the story. Click and review, or hell, go to my author bio and e-mail me if you want to. I don't mind, I like communicating with humans once in a while . . . puny humans . . .
Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha!