Yuri's eyes flickered open and he gazed dispassionately around his new surroundings. It appeared that he was in a cage of some description and his hands were chained together. Unimpressed by the severity of his situation, he closed his eyes.

"What do you think you're doing?" demanded Death Emperor. "We're in a cage! Are you too stupid to know what that means?! You've been captured!"

"And I care why?" Yuri muttered, eyes still closed. "It's not like you need to worry. After all, you always say that you can always find another Harmonixer."

If it was possible for a disembodied voice to look sheepish, Death Emperor was doing a remarkable job at it.

"That's not entirely true." Yuri's eyes shot open.

"So, you're stuck with me huh? So how come?"

"You became a Harmonixer too young. You're not supposed to be able to fight your souls at 10. And, where would I go? You're the only Hyuga around."

Yuri thought about that statement then replied, "So, you're linked to me somehow. Or my family anyway. Like, you're attracted to my bloodline or something."

"Very good!" Death Emperor commented sarcastically. "Now, with those kind of observations, why are we in a cage?"

"Oh shut up!" Yuri closed his eyes and fell asleep.

"Come one, come all! Ashton's Circus has come to town!" invaded Yuri's sleep. He opened his eyes, immediately closing them against the sun.

"Circus?" he asked rhetorically. Death Emperor, either not understanding the meaning of the word rhetorical, or merely ignored it commented "Congratulations! You're the first Hyuga to be a sideshow attraction!"

"Huh?" was Yuri's intelligent comment.

"Come see our acrobats, exotic animals, clowns! And our newest attraction…Beast Boy! Imported from the far shores of China, his innocent exterior hides a monster of unsurpassable strength! Maybe you'll be the one make him change!"

"Beast Boy?" Death Emperor commented, trying to hide his mirth. Not trying very hard, but certainly making an effort. "You're in a circus and they give you an awful name like that!"

"Shut up!" Yuri replied. "If you hadn't noticed, he basically gave them permission to do whatever they wanted to make me change. I'm more concerned about that then what he called me."

"Someone's grumpy this morning."

"Stop talking to me! If anyone sees me talking back, they'll think I'm nuts!"

"You mean instead of thinking that you're a borderline psychotic with an unfortunate habit of becoming a monster. Although I resent that name. I'm a god not a monster!"

Yuri ignored him. Instead, he began to think of an escape plan, being oddly reluctant to be abused, mocked or whatever the gawkers wanted to do to him.

"Look mummy! It's that Beast Boy! Can I try to make him change?" a small child demanded. The mother made a non-committal noise as she fussed with her baby's wrap. The child, taking that as a yes, began to throw rocks at Yuri.

"Come on! Let me out damn you!"  demanded Death Emperor.

"No!" Yuri whispered emphatically, then continued to dodge rocks. Eventually one hit him on his arm. A loud crack was heard, mixed with an agonised scream. Yuri looked at his arm in shock then at the child, tears in his eyes.

"Why?" he asked, not expecting an answer from his tormentor. He then passed out.

"Hey! Hey…Yuri!" Death Emperor called.

"What?" Yuri replied. "Leave me alone!"

"Look, I can't. Someone's gotta set your arm, and I certainly can't do it!"

"Why not?" Yuri asked curiously.

"I just can't. Now wake up! I'll talk you through this. I don't know about you, but I don't want to possess a body with a unusable right arm."

"Whatever…" Yuri replied then tried to wake up. That was a mistake. He had forgot how painful his arm was. It didn't help that he was lying on it. He whimpered to himself.

"Come on! Geez, it's just a broken arm! You'd think it was amputated or something!" Yuri didn't answer. "Fine. I'll just take over your left arm shall I?" Not waiting for an answer, Death Emperor moved Yuri's left arm toward his broken right. He then placed Yuri's hand over the break, and then shoved the two parts of the bone together. Yuri screamed. Death Emperor ignored the pain, took control of Yuri's body and looked around for a straight object. His eye fell upon a stick lying just inside the cage. He reached out and grabbed it, tying it to Yuri's left arm. With that done, Death Emperor joined Yuri in unconsciousness.

Authors Note: Sorry about the delay of the chapter. Final exams conspired against me. But, I'm finished school, and will update more often!

Nights Mistress