"I'm not going to wear this." Stated Yuki firmly, looking disdainfully
at the
mask of a rat in his hand.
"Oh come now!" Said Shigure, while grimacing at his own mask. "It's not so bad and at least we didn't have to be in full costume although I was looking forward to wearing a furry outfit with a tail!" He started laughing until Hatori muttered a somewhat playful threat.
"That can be arranged." He glanced down at his own mask and costume which was a bit too loud and ornate for his taste. At least it was a dragon instead of a seahorse, he thought. And such a dragon was never seen in any child's story books. There was the mask with painted scales of gold and the more fantastic flowing robe of red, green, and gold silk. It was beautiful but Hatori could never imagine himself wearing it.
While Yuki held out his robes of silver for further study, Kyo was snickering in the corner. Yuki turned and stared at him with poison in his eyes. "What are you laughing at, stupid cat."
The deadly tone in his voice didn't stop Kyo from bursting out in laughter. "You're going to look so stupid in that!"
"I think their beautiful! You're all going to look so nice!" Chimed in Tohru, the only person who could have honestly meant that. "I'm sure you're going to have a lot of fun."
Kyo smiled. "Hell, for once I'm glad I'm not going!"
"Who said you're not going." Hatori said holding out a white box to Kyo. Yuki and Shigure stared at him in confusion. Rather than reel back in horror Kyo was struck dumb with amazement as he opened the box to find a cat mask and matching outfit. Was this really meant for him? But he was always excluded from zodiac events like on New Year's eve, it didn't make any sense. He hadn't defeated Yuki yet so why was he being included?
As if reading his mind Hatori explained, while holding a note in his hand. "Apparently the others are bringing their thirteenth member and I suppose Akito wanted things to be equal."
"This doesn't sound like Akito." Whispered Yuki, half to himself. A masquerade? The thirteenth being included? What was he up to? As for Kyo, his heart sank a little. So they hadn't really wanted him to come. It was just so Akito had as many zodiac members as the other.
So immersed in their own thoughts that neither Yuki or Kyo noticed someone walking up behind them until he loudly announced himself.
"Hello!" Said Ayame cheerfully, startling everyone. "I see Hatori has delivered your costumes! Aren't they brilliant? They are the very definition of beauty and radiance exploding with life and personality! The man who made these must be an artistic genius sent from heaven to bring magic and fantasy to people's lives!"
"Let me guess, you made them." Yuki said dully.
Ayame smiled and nodded. "However did you guess, clever brother?"
"By the bragging and egotistic tone in your voice it wasn't hard to guess. Even an idiot like Kyo could have guessed." Yuki replied.
"Shut up, you damn rat!" Snapped back Kyo, breaking out of his pondering.
"So Akito asked that you make these, Aya?" questioned Shigure, while putting his mask back in it's box.
"I would never have forgiven him if he hadn't! And not only that but he was also generous enough to advise the other family to come to me for their costuming needs! Oh you should see them, Shigure, their absolutely divine! Of course they would be divine but this time I've outdone myself! I was just putting the finishing touches on an emerald green dress that will soon embrace the soft body of a lovely young lady. Just think! Perhaps my dear brother and Lucky Kyo will find romance!" He brought the two close to him and they immediately tried to worm out of his grasp. "For there are a good many females in that family," he continued. "Shigure, I'm going to be very jealous if you run off with some pretty young thing! Who knows? We may even find a nice young man for the princess!"
Moving away from his brother, Yuki glowered at him. "Why are you here?"
"Honestly, you sound like you don't want me here!"
"I don't." Said Yuki, shortly.
Ayame shrugged this comment off. "Nonsense. I just came to see how marvelous everyone looked! I couldn't wait till the masquerade." He scanned the room and frowned.
"Where's Princess Tohru's royal costume?" He asked, to the surprise of everyone.
"Tohru's?" They all murmured in puzzlement.
"Yes of course!" Protested Ayame before going into a dramatic speech. "What criminal has stolen the Princess's costume and denied her right to go to the ball and meet the man of her dreams! You must have it surly? Akito told me to make her a costume especially for her and that it was his wish that she come as his guest! I'm sure it was put into your car Hatori!" Ayame swept out of the house and came back with yet another box. Hatori hadn't been aware that there was one for Kyo until he came across it but now one for Tohru as well!
"Well here it is! I can't imagine why..." Ayame paused and looked at them all. A look of realization came across his face. "I see now! This is a conspiracy and you all are in on it!" He held Tohru to him protectively. "Well, I'm not going to stand by and see such an injustice committed! Don't worry Princess I won't let their jealousy come between you and your night!"
"What?" Kyo and Yuki exclaimed simultaneously.
"Don't pretend to be innocent, the guilt is written on your faces!" Exclaimed Ayame. "You all were so afraid that she'd meet her prince charming that you schemed to hide her costume so she couldn't go unless you wanted her to go without them! Oh, you naughty men!"
"We thought nothing of the kind." Said Hatori crisply.
Ayame let go of Tohru. "Oh well, my mistake!"
Kyo was trying to find words but none would come to him. Yuki volunteered some. "You're such an embarrassment to humanity! Weren't you surprised?"
"Well, yes, but maybe Akito has fallen under the Princess's spell!" He said cheerfully. Now Yuki was absolutely sure that something wasn't right. Now Tohru was invited? Not that that was a bad thing but he knew Akito for what he was. He must have some mischief in his mind. Then again perhaps he thought he and Kyo wouldn't come unless Tohru came like when they skipped the New Year's Banquet. That made sense but Yuki couldn't help feeling extremely suspicious. He'd never forgive himself if anything happened to Tohru...But he couldn't express his worries to Tohru this time. She looked so happy. Tohru clapped her hands together like an excited child. She could go! She felt very much like Cinderella! She peeked into the box but Ayame snapped the lid down.
"No, no, Princess. You should went until you make your grand debut!"
But Tohru had caught a glimpse of it and she looked at Ayame in shock. "It's so beautiful, I couldn't wear it."
"Nonsense! You'll look like the Princess you are!" Ayame assured her. "So tell me what the others are like! I've heard you met one!"
"Didn't you meet one when they ordered the gowns?" Hatori asked.
"As a matter of fact I did! He was a tall and muscular fellow of African descent. He gave me the colors and personality of the zodiacs but he was rather stiff. He wouldn't allow me to try short skirts or low necklines! They still look wonderful if restricted although there was one outfit..." He stopped and turned. "Oh well, I have to go."
"What were you saying?" Hatori asked. Ayame winced. If only it hadn't been Hatori that had asked.
"Oh, I suppose it's nothing really. It's just that he commissioned me to make twelve gorgeous costumes and one...that had to be the ugliest one I could think of. He had the nerve to ask me to clash colors, it was dreadful! Every time I tried to make it look right he threatened to take his business elsewhere. I'm ashamed to have made it." To everyone's amazement, especially Yuki's, Ayame sounded serious. Who was the costume for?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Here." Darius unceremoniously dropped the white box on the floor before Erik, who was lounging on his bed immersed in a book. He turned the page and glanced up at the formidable Libra.
"What's in it?" He asked, uninterestedly.
Darius smirked. "You'll need a costume if you are to attend the masquerade."
Erik gave a sarcastic smile and returned to his book. "That's very sweet of you but I already have mine."
Darius clenched his fists at his side. "What do you mean? Did you leave this room while I was out?!" He bellowed, his deep voice filling the room.
Erik nodded with a grin and closed his book. "You needn't worry though, you're watch came with me." He was referring to Tidus, who had been left by the door to make sure he didn't leave while Darius was out. He laid his head down upon the pillow and smiled with satisfaction at the memory of how he had 'convinced' Tidus to let him out. Tidus had been sketching in the hallway and he was so deep in concentration that it was only too easy for Erik to swipe it and threaten to take a lighter to it if he didn't let him out.
Darius was trembling with fury. "If it were my choice, you wouldn't go at all! It's not like anyone wants you to go anyway. But since you are you'll wear what I got you!"
Erik sat up and casually peeked into the box. He made a face and kicked it away. "It's a good thing I got my own. What did you do? Strip a beggar and wash it in bile?"
"You're going to wear it." Darius whispered dangerously.
Erik turned his head away. "You can't make me." "You've got a lot of nerve talking to me like that." Darius said, his voice rising. "I don't have to take any sass from an unwanted, illegitimate, little demon!"
Erik stiffened and rose to his knees, his eyes quickly filling with hellish anger. "What did you call me?"
Darius wasn't going to let himself be frightened by Erik. He simply sneered at him. "What? Illegitimate? Yeah, you heard me! To bring an anti-Christ like you into this world your mama must have screwed around with the Devil!"
Erik had no love for his mother but he didn't hate her either. He drew his lips back into a wolfish grin and hissed at Darius: "Shouldn't you be picking cotton, you colored..." He didn't get a chance to finish his cruel reply for upon hearing the first allusion to slavery, Darius had slammed his meaty fist against the side of Erik's head sending him hurtling off the bed and landing in a heap on the floor.
Darius was still shaking with rage as he stared hatefully down at Erik, who was holding his hand to the side of his head. Erik looked up at his cousin, the anger in his eyes replaced with childish confusion. He waited, expecting to see a look of remorse but there was none. If it had been Victor, he would have been crying his apologies but Darius just stood there, his eyes still glazed over with hate and disgust.
"The next time you spit out racial slurs out of that filthy mouth of yours, I'll kill you I swear to God!" He yelled.
Erik trembled and removed his hand from his head to see it streaked with blood. At the sight of that red liquid dripping from his hand he saw a memory flash before his eyes. A man staring down at him with hate, praying for his death, his misery. Hands and blood...clinging on to freedom till the last moment. The same strange emotion of terror and surprise filled him once more. He had enemies, he knew that. He had suffered their cruel words and harsh blows without a passing thought and yet with all this he could never accept that they hated him enough to wish his death. It was too much for Erik to think that someone could really hate him so much or anyone so much. He felt an unbearable pain coursing through his entire body, pain that he could not empty through tears or screams. He mustn't cry. He mustn't scream. His pride wouldn't permit it but it hurt so much! He wished with all his might that Arianna could be there with him, holding him, promising he wouldn't be hurt again...but he had shattered the fragile chance that that would ever happen.
The door burst open and Tidus entered to see what was happening. He saw with horror, the figure of Darius staring down at Erik, blood dripping down the side of his head as he attempted to stand. Looking at Erik pathetically trying to act as if the blow Darius had given him was nothing, Tidus felt pity for him. He wasn't sure why. Maybe it was because he realized that even if he hated a person, he still felt sad when they were hurt. Sometimes it was a real pain to be so nice. Erik wouldn't care if Tidus were in trouble so why should he care about his cousin?
"What the hell happened here?" He demanded.
Darius stared coldly at the Pisces. "Erik was acting full of himself. And I'm not surprised the way everyone lets him get away with things."
Tidus knew he was referring to him letting Erik out and accompanying him to the lobby of the hotel. Remembering Erik threatening his sketchbook, Tidus wasn't so sorry for him but that changed as Erik, overcome with the emotions battling against each other inside him, rose to his feet and promptly fainted.
"Oh my God! Darius what did you do?" Tidus said in concern. Darius rushed to Erik and tossed him back on the bed. He went into the bathroom and came back with a washcloth.
"Great." Said Tidus, nodding as he took the cloth from Darius and moving towards Erik. He felt a large hand grasp his shoulder and spin him around.
"What are you doing?" Asked Darius, staring at Tidus as if he were insane. He pointed to the floor. "Make sure he didn't stain the carpet."
Tidus' jaw dropped. "What the? Have you no compassion? What about Erik?" He protested.
Darius shrugged. "What about him?"
Tidus frowned and attempted to go over to Erik but Darius stood in front of him. Tidus was just about to object when he heard someone gasp behind him. He turned to see Victor, a shade paler than normal, staring at Erik.
"W-what happened?" He choked out meekly. He timidly walked over to Erik and brushed the blood covered hair out of his face.
"He did it to himself." Darius said simply while Tidus looked at him in disgust. How could he lie like that? This pillar of morals and justice. Victor swallowed with difficulty and a wild look came to his eyes.
"Arianna." He murmured.
"What?" Tidus and Darius both asked. Victor said nothing but left immediately. All the girls were in Electra's room looking at their costumes.
"My God, this is gorgeous!" Exclaimed Selena, appreciably holding out her gold dress. "This mask sort of stifles it though. Do you think we'll have to wear them the whole time?"
Arianna had to agree with Selena. Her dress was beautiful but the bull's mask didn't look right with it. They were startled by Victor bursting through the door.
"Victor!" Snapped Electra. "Don't you know to knock first?"
Victor said nothing but immediately grabbed Arianna's hand and started pulling her through the door. She pulled her hand out of his grasp.
"Victor? What is it?" She asked.
Victor was only able to choke out: "Erik..."
Arianna frowned. After meeting Tohru, she had tried to talk to Erik but he wouldn't speak to her! "What about him?" She asked, uninterestedly.
"He needs you." He tried to explain but she interrupted him.
"There must be some mistake, Erik has only shown complete contempt for me and if he should wish to speak with me he can come himself."
Selena actually applauded her. "That's tellin' him!"
Electra stood by, uninterested until she heard Victor inform Arianna that Erik was hurt. Was he now? "I'll go to him."
Katherine raised an eyebrow. "Why should you want to help him?"
"Because I am of a forgiving nature." She explained innocently. But her offer wasn't even considered as Victor rushed Arianna out of the room.
Erik opened his eyes to see a blurred shadow hanging over him. As his eyes adjusted the shadow formed into Arianna. Had he mistaken Heaven's angel for the Angel of Death? But surly neither Heaven nor Hell looked like a hotel room. He blinked and attempted to rise but was forced back down to his pillow as he felt a painful throbbing filling his head.
"Erik." Arianna whispered gently. "How are you feeling?"
He was just about to answer her when he noticed out of the corner of his eye, Electra. She was standing by the door, watching. No! Why did she have to be there? Erik couldn't perform, not now! But he had to! What would happen to this sweet lady if he didn't? He placed a mask of loathing over his face and pushed Arianna away from him. He got off the bed, his head still throbbing.
"Erik!" Victor said sharply, hurting Erik's ears. "Why did you do that? She helped you!" "I don't need help." He murmured icily. He shuddered at seeing Arianna look up at him, looking crushed but he shrugged it off. "Now I'll have to disinfect myself." And with that he locked himself in the bathroom, relieved at seeing the disappointed look on Electra's face. Arianna was safe but perhaps he deserved that blow to his head anyway.
Important! Author's Note: There are comments in this chapter that do not reflect the views of the author and I humbly apologize if anyone was offended because that was not my intention.
mask of a rat in his hand.
"Oh come now!" Said Shigure, while grimacing at his own mask. "It's not so bad and at least we didn't have to be in full costume although I was looking forward to wearing a furry outfit with a tail!" He started laughing until Hatori muttered a somewhat playful threat.
"That can be arranged." He glanced down at his own mask and costume which was a bit too loud and ornate for his taste. At least it was a dragon instead of a seahorse, he thought. And such a dragon was never seen in any child's story books. There was the mask with painted scales of gold and the more fantastic flowing robe of red, green, and gold silk. It was beautiful but Hatori could never imagine himself wearing it.
While Yuki held out his robes of silver for further study, Kyo was snickering in the corner. Yuki turned and stared at him with poison in his eyes. "What are you laughing at, stupid cat."
The deadly tone in his voice didn't stop Kyo from bursting out in laughter. "You're going to look so stupid in that!"
"I think their beautiful! You're all going to look so nice!" Chimed in Tohru, the only person who could have honestly meant that. "I'm sure you're going to have a lot of fun."
Kyo smiled. "Hell, for once I'm glad I'm not going!"
"Who said you're not going." Hatori said holding out a white box to Kyo. Yuki and Shigure stared at him in confusion. Rather than reel back in horror Kyo was struck dumb with amazement as he opened the box to find a cat mask and matching outfit. Was this really meant for him? But he was always excluded from zodiac events like on New Year's eve, it didn't make any sense. He hadn't defeated Yuki yet so why was he being included?
As if reading his mind Hatori explained, while holding a note in his hand. "Apparently the others are bringing their thirteenth member and I suppose Akito wanted things to be equal."
"This doesn't sound like Akito." Whispered Yuki, half to himself. A masquerade? The thirteenth being included? What was he up to? As for Kyo, his heart sank a little. So they hadn't really wanted him to come. It was just so Akito had as many zodiac members as the other.
So immersed in their own thoughts that neither Yuki or Kyo noticed someone walking up behind them until he loudly announced himself.
"Hello!" Said Ayame cheerfully, startling everyone. "I see Hatori has delivered your costumes! Aren't they brilliant? They are the very definition of beauty and radiance exploding with life and personality! The man who made these must be an artistic genius sent from heaven to bring magic and fantasy to people's lives!"
"Let me guess, you made them." Yuki said dully.
Ayame smiled and nodded. "However did you guess, clever brother?"
"By the bragging and egotistic tone in your voice it wasn't hard to guess. Even an idiot like Kyo could have guessed." Yuki replied.
"Shut up, you damn rat!" Snapped back Kyo, breaking out of his pondering.
"So Akito asked that you make these, Aya?" questioned Shigure, while putting his mask back in it's box.
"I would never have forgiven him if he hadn't! And not only that but he was also generous enough to advise the other family to come to me for their costuming needs! Oh you should see them, Shigure, their absolutely divine! Of course they would be divine but this time I've outdone myself! I was just putting the finishing touches on an emerald green dress that will soon embrace the soft body of a lovely young lady. Just think! Perhaps my dear brother and Lucky Kyo will find romance!" He brought the two close to him and they immediately tried to worm out of his grasp. "For there are a good many females in that family," he continued. "Shigure, I'm going to be very jealous if you run off with some pretty young thing! Who knows? We may even find a nice young man for the princess!"
Moving away from his brother, Yuki glowered at him. "Why are you here?"
"Honestly, you sound like you don't want me here!"
"I don't." Said Yuki, shortly.
Ayame shrugged this comment off. "Nonsense. I just came to see how marvelous everyone looked! I couldn't wait till the masquerade." He scanned the room and frowned.
"Where's Princess Tohru's royal costume?" He asked, to the surprise of everyone.
"Tohru's?" They all murmured in puzzlement.
"Yes of course!" Protested Ayame before going into a dramatic speech. "What criminal has stolen the Princess's costume and denied her right to go to the ball and meet the man of her dreams! You must have it surly? Akito told me to make her a costume especially for her and that it was his wish that she come as his guest! I'm sure it was put into your car Hatori!" Ayame swept out of the house and came back with yet another box. Hatori hadn't been aware that there was one for Kyo until he came across it but now one for Tohru as well!
"Well here it is! I can't imagine why..." Ayame paused and looked at them all. A look of realization came across his face. "I see now! This is a conspiracy and you all are in on it!" He held Tohru to him protectively. "Well, I'm not going to stand by and see such an injustice committed! Don't worry Princess I won't let their jealousy come between you and your night!"
"What?" Kyo and Yuki exclaimed simultaneously.
"Don't pretend to be innocent, the guilt is written on your faces!" Exclaimed Ayame. "You all were so afraid that she'd meet her prince charming that you schemed to hide her costume so she couldn't go unless you wanted her to go without them! Oh, you naughty men!"
"We thought nothing of the kind." Said Hatori crisply.
Ayame let go of Tohru. "Oh well, my mistake!"
Kyo was trying to find words but none would come to him. Yuki volunteered some. "You're such an embarrassment to humanity! Weren't you surprised?"
"Well, yes, but maybe Akito has fallen under the Princess's spell!" He said cheerfully. Now Yuki was absolutely sure that something wasn't right. Now Tohru was invited? Not that that was a bad thing but he knew Akito for what he was. He must have some mischief in his mind. Then again perhaps he thought he and Kyo wouldn't come unless Tohru came like when they skipped the New Year's Banquet. That made sense but Yuki couldn't help feeling extremely suspicious. He'd never forgive himself if anything happened to Tohru...But he couldn't express his worries to Tohru this time. She looked so happy. Tohru clapped her hands together like an excited child. She could go! She felt very much like Cinderella! She peeked into the box but Ayame snapped the lid down.
"No, no, Princess. You should went until you make your grand debut!"
But Tohru had caught a glimpse of it and she looked at Ayame in shock. "It's so beautiful, I couldn't wear it."
"Nonsense! You'll look like the Princess you are!" Ayame assured her. "So tell me what the others are like! I've heard you met one!"
"Didn't you meet one when they ordered the gowns?" Hatori asked.
"As a matter of fact I did! He was a tall and muscular fellow of African descent. He gave me the colors and personality of the zodiacs but he was rather stiff. He wouldn't allow me to try short skirts or low necklines! They still look wonderful if restricted although there was one outfit..." He stopped and turned. "Oh well, I have to go."
"What were you saying?" Hatori asked. Ayame winced. If only it hadn't been Hatori that had asked.
"Oh, I suppose it's nothing really. It's just that he commissioned me to make twelve gorgeous costumes and one...that had to be the ugliest one I could think of. He had the nerve to ask me to clash colors, it was dreadful! Every time I tried to make it look right he threatened to take his business elsewhere. I'm ashamed to have made it." To everyone's amazement, especially Yuki's, Ayame sounded serious. Who was the costume for?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Here." Darius unceremoniously dropped the white box on the floor before Erik, who was lounging on his bed immersed in a book. He turned the page and glanced up at the formidable Libra.
"What's in it?" He asked, uninterestedly.
Darius smirked. "You'll need a costume if you are to attend the masquerade."
Erik gave a sarcastic smile and returned to his book. "That's very sweet of you but I already have mine."
Darius clenched his fists at his side. "What do you mean? Did you leave this room while I was out?!" He bellowed, his deep voice filling the room.
Erik nodded with a grin and closed his book. "You needn't worry though, you're watch came with me." He was referring to Tidus, who had been left by the door to make sure he didn't leave while Darius was out. He laid his head down upon the pillow and smiled with satisfaction at the memory of how he had 'convinced' Tidus to let him out. Tidus had been sketching in the hallway and he was so deep in concentration that it was only too easy for Erik to swipe it and threaten to take a lighter to it if he didn't let him out.
Darius was trembling with fury. "If it were my choice, you wouldn't go at all! It's not like anyone wants you to go anyway. But since you are you'll wear what I got you!"
Erik sat up and casually peeked into the box. He made a face and kicked it away. "It's a good thing I got my own. What did you do? Strip a beggar and wash it in bile?"
"You're going to wear it." Darius whispered dangerously.
Erik turned his head away. "You can't make me." "You've got a lot of nerve talking to me like that." Darius said, his voice rising. "I don't have to take any sass from an unwanted, illegitimate, little demon!"
Erik stiffened and rose to his knees, his eyes quickly filling with hellish anger. "What did you call me?"
Darius wasn't going to let himself be frightened by Erik. He simply sneered at him. "What? Illegitimate? Yeah, you heard me! To bring an anti-Christ like you into this world your mama must have screwed around with the Devil!"
Erik had no love for his mother but he didn't hate her either. He drew his lips back into a wolfish grin and hissed at Darius: "Shouldn't you be picking cotton, you colored..." He didn't get a chance to finish his cruel reply for upon hearing the first allusion to slavery, Darius had slammed his meaty fist against the side of Erik's head sending him hurtling off the bed and landing in a heap on the floor.
Darius was still shaking with rage as he stared hatefully down at Erik, who was holding his hand to the side of his head. Erik looked up at his cousin, the anger in his eyes replaced with childish confusion. He waited, expecting to see a look of remorse but there was none. If it had been Victor, he would have been crying his apologies but Darius just stood there, his eyes still glazed over with hate and disgust.
"The next time you spit out racial slurs out of that filthy mouth of yours, I'll kill you I swear to God!" He yelled.
Erik trembled and removed his hand from his head to see it streaked with blood. At the sight of that red liquid dripping from his hand he saw a memory flash before his eyes. A man staring down at him with hate, praying for his death, his misery. Hands and blood...clinging on to freedom till the last moment. The same strange emotion of terror and surprise filled him once more. He had enemies, he knew that. He had suffered their cruel words and harsh blows without a passing thought and yet with all this he could never accept that they hated him enough to wish his death. It was too much for Erik to think that someone could really hate him so much or anyone so much. He felt an unbearable pain coursing through his entire body, pain that he could not empty through tears or screams. He mustn't cry. He mustn't scream. His pride wouldn't permit it but it hurt so much! He wished with all his might that Arianna could be there with him, holding him, promising he wouldn't be hurt again...but he had shattered the fragile chance that that would ever happen.
The door burst open and Tidus entered to see what was happening. He saw with horror, the figure of Darius staring down at Erik, blood dripping down the side of his head as he attempted to stand. Looking at Erik pathetically trying to act as if the blow Darius had given him was nothing, Tidus felt pity for him. He wasn't sure why. Maybe it was because he realized that even if he hated a person, he still felt sad when they were hurt. Sometimes it was a real pain to be so nice. Erik wouldn't care if Tidus were in trouble so why should he care about his cousin?
"What the hell happened here?" He demanded.
Darius stared coldly at the Pisces. "Erik was acting full of himself. And I'm not surprised the way everyone lets him get away with things."
Tidus knew he was referring to him letting Erik out and accompanying him to the lobby of the hotel. Remembering Erik threatening his sketchbook, Tidus wasn't so sorry for him but that changed as Erik, overcome with the emotions battling against each other inside him, rose to his feet and promptly fainted.
"Oh my God! Darius what did you do?" Tidus said in concern. Darius rushed to Erik and tossed him back on the bed. He went into the bathroom and came back with a washcloth.
"Great." Said Tidus, nodding as he took the cloth from Darius and moving towards Erik. He felt a large hand grasp his shoulder and spin him around.
"What are you doing?" Asked Darius, staring at Tidus as if he were insane. He pointed to the floor. "Make sure he didn't stain the carpet."
Tidus' jaw dropped. "What the? Have you no compassion? What about Erik?" He protested.
Darius shrugged. "What about him?"
Tidus frowned and attempted to go over to Erik but Darius stood in front of him. Tidus was just about to object when he heard someone gasp behind him. He turned to see Victor, a shade paler than normal, staring at Erik.
"W-what happened?" He choked out meekly. He timidly walked over to Erik and brushed the blood covered hair out of his face.
"He did it to himself." Darius said simply while Tidus looked at him in disgust. How could he lie like that? This pillar of morals and justice. Victor swallowed with difficulty and a wild look came to his eyes.
"Arianna." He murmured.
"What?" Tidus and Darius both asked. Victor said nothing but left immediately. All the girls were in Electra's room looking at their costumes.
"My God, this is gorgeous!" Exclaimed Selena, appreciably holding out her gold dress. "This mask sort of stifles it though. Do you think we'll have to wear them the whole time?"
Arianna had to agree with Selena. Her dress was beautiful but the bull's mask didn't look right with it. They were startled by Victor bursting through the door.
"Victor!" Snapped Electra. "Don't you know to knock first?"
Victor said nothing but immediately grabbed Arianna's hand and started pulling her through the door. She pulled her hand out of his grasp.
"Victor? What is it?" She asked.
Victor was only able to choke out: "Erik..."
Arianna frowned. After meeting Tohru, she had tried to talk to Erik but he wouldn't speak to her! "What about him?" She asked, uninterestedly.
"He needs you." He tried to explain but she interrupted him.
"There must be some mistake, Erik has only shown complete contempt for me and if he should wish to speak with me he can come himself."
Selena actually applauded her. "That's tellin' him!"
Electra stood by, uninterested until she heard Victor inform Arianna that Erik was hurt. Was he now? "I'll go to him."
Katherine raised an eyebrow. "Why should you want to help him?"
"Because I am of a forgiving nature." She explained innocently. But her offer wasn't even considered as Victor rushed Arianna out of the room.
Erik opened his eyes to see a blurred shadow hanging over him. As his eyes adjusted the shadow formed into Arianna. Had he mistaken Heaven's angel for the Angel of Death? But surly neither Heaven nor Hell looked like a hotel room. He blinked and attempted to rise but was forced back down to his pillow as he felt a painful throbbing filling his head.
"Erik." Arianna whispered gently. "How are you feeling?"
He was just about to answer her when he noticed out of the corner of his eye, Electra. She was standing by the door, watching. No! Why did she have to be there? Erik couldn't perform, not now! But he had to! What would happen to this sweet lady if he didn't? He placed a mask of loathing over his face and pushed Arianna away from him. He got off the bed, his head still throbbing.
"Erik!" Victor said sharply, hurting Erik's ears. "Why did you do that? She helped you!" "I don't need help." He murmured icily. He shuddered at seeing Arianna look up at him, looking crushed but he shrugged it off. "Now I'll have to disinfect myself." And with that he locked himself in the bathroom, relieved at seeing the disappointed look on Electra's face. Arianna was safe but perhaps he deserved that blow to his head anyway.
Important! Author's Note: There are comments in this chapter that do not reflect the views of the author and I humbly apologize if anyone was offended because that was not my intention.