az: I felt that the one-shot lacked something... hehe, or maybe it was too short. So I added this as a filler story... Happy Reading!!'
Disclaimer: I don't own Count Cain or Earl Cain (whatever the translations be) but I do own that one copy of God Child part one and the rest I owed to my sis and Sakura-Crisis's scanlations and other translations. Characters and original excerpt from the fic are copyrights of Kaori Yuki and Crisis as for the translation. No infringements are intended during this production and man, I do owe ppl for their language!! -
The Missing Love
Missing... and crooked love...
Written by Azzie -- Alienna Azuani -- Yami Azzie
Riff gathered all of his master's clothes according as he saw a slip of paper falling off to the floor. It was coming from his master's shirt pocket. Assuming it as just merely a scrap of useless paper, the butler picked it up to throw it. To his utmost surprise, it was not so and that what he had held was an old photograph of a child. The butler gasped as upon careful observation, this picture was of the young count; looking no more older than three years old. He gasped. It had amazed him so much that the photograph was still well-preserved and intact... so much for one who had claimed to hate his only son with intense hatred.
For no other conclusion seemed reasonable to him now but the fact that this old photo was given to the boy indirectly by none other than Alexis Hargreaves; the realization struck him as rather uncanny. It was strange indeed that Alexis still kept this photo until now with none other damage than a slight blurring of the picture. It was a wonder indeed on why did he kept this picture for so long. Yes... Riff knew that this picture was from him, no other picture of the young master was present on anywhere around the house; or even at the Cornwall castle.
'...haa..', came a mournful gasp from beside him as Riff looked over towards his master. He sighed as he watched the young master tossed and turned, trapped in his nightmare. Gradually, the young lad ceased tossing as he was swept into an uneasy sleep.
--
He's near... I can feel it!! I must run... I have to!!
Cain fell to the ground as he fell onto the grassy ground. He felt his knees pricked.. but it doesn't matter. More important now for him to run!! Or could he? Cain turned around as the darkness loomed over him...
His eyes jerked open as he returned inside his own cozy bedroom. It's dark already... the others might have already asleep by now. Still the dark, haunting fear inside his heart didn't fade. Unfazed, Cain lazily turned his head to his side when he felt like dying once again. His whole body shook with fear as Alexis Hargreaves cast a longing look towards him for the second time tonight!!
'No.. How?', squeaked the lad as he tried to edge himself away from him. Alexis placed a hand on his side, stopping his movements as he hung his head near Cain's. 'I have my ways... and my child, having nightmares... are we? Need me to soothe your fears?', drawled the older man as the lad shook his head fearfully. Alexis snickered as he placed an affectionate kiss on Cain's cheek. Cain closed his eyes tightly in fear of receiving another punishment, but none came. He opened his eyes to find his father looking at him again.
'Acting brave, are we now? What happened to that plea of wanting me to love you? Aa... I guess that was a mistake then...', said the mysterious man as he shifted his weight to get off the bed...
... Alexis paused as he felt a tug on his shirt. He turned and smiled as he saw the frailty that was inside Cain's eyes. Shocked at realizing what he had unintentionally did, Cain released his grip as he pondered in horror of his thoughts of wanting to remain longer beside his demonic father. The said man grinned widely as he crept closer. A cold hand caressed Cain's cheeks as the lad shivered out of cold and fear. Alexis gripped the back of the lad's neck and brought him closer to his face.
'You know... child, we could have lived happily and together like before if only you hadn't KILLED her!! If she was still alive, as long as she kept on suffering for her sins... I would have always spared you. Then you won't have to receive this heavy punishment...', he drawled menacingly as he wrapped his dark hands around Cain's frail body. The former ran his fingers over the lad's back, carefully following the whip mark with apt interest.
Cain's body quivered as he tried to shook off the horrible terror. '... why... are you being... so evil? To her--', Cain's words were cut off as Alexis grabbed the back of his head and forced him to look at him. 'Me... evil?! What lies did she spoke to you before she dies--?! Evil... ha! She should have been the one with the wretched existence!! She did not love you as I--'
'You hated her so much... and me, but why didn't you kill me...', gasped Cain as he felt the hold around him loosen and as Alexis gave him an almost maniacal look...
--
Lord Neil walked arduously using his walking stick towards the front yard of mansion as he was about to ring the door bell. To his surprise, the door was unlocked. He briskly entered the house when he met Riff, who was also shocked at the knowledge that someone might have been sneaking into the mansion last night and considering the brief encounter with the former count...
The old men entered the mansion as Riff dashed upstairs while he waited below. But a soft sobbing sounds caught his attention as the old man followed the sound...
It caught him by surprise later as he found Cain sat on the cold floor, hidden beside the fireplace while still wearing his silken pajamas. Lord Neil knelt beside him as he noticed the lad was trembling horribly. It hurts his heart so much seeing Cain like this as he moved forward and wrapped his arm around him.
Riff eventually got downstairs, having not found his master in his room and saw him with Lord Neil instead. Standing not far from them, Riff watched them helplessly...
'It felt the same... yet why is it so terrifying--?!' The old man frowned as he looked down at his nephew before noticing the faded bruise around Cain's neck and wrist which looked as if it was very recent that Cain had it. Remembering the previous unlocked door and the intensity of Cain's fear, it falls down to Lord Neil's mind of what had really happened...
'Alexis... did he came here last night?', he asked as Cain slowly nodded his head. '--he was watching me sleep...', said Cain unexpectedly, causing Riff to gasp in horror. Lord Neil glanced at him as he guessed that the said man had came to visit, more than once yesterday. The old man sighed as he held the young lad close. He looked away for a moment as he noticed a piece of something written on its back.
To my beloved son, A.H., read the inscription as the elderly man turned the paper around. The old man's eyes widen as a picture of a younger Cain smiling at him, caught his attention...
--
'Father... I had not seen you yesterday...', said Jezebel as he followed the cardmaster into the study. Alexis glanced sideways towards him before casting an angered growl at him. 'Why--? It was none of your business even if I had stayed all night with my beloved child. Now, get out of my sight until I summon you!!'
Jezebel bit his lips as he reluctantly took his leave. Alexis snickered as he took out a pocket watch. He flicked it open and under the tin cover, another old childhood picture of Cain was kept. He closed it again as he placed a soft kiss on the pocket watch. '...because I loved you deeply, my precious. The day you die would be the end of us both... and until that day arrives, I will always be around to show my love for you...'
'My precious Cain...'
'Cain... can you get up on your own, or would you have Riff to take you upstairs?' The young count looked up towards his uncle as he shook his head. 'No.. you don't have to worry about me, Uncle Neil. I can get up on my own... though I can't seem to move my legs--', said Cain unconvincingly as Lord Neil cast a worried look at him. 'Poor child... you don't have to face it alone by yourself. Riff, please--'
Suddenly, Cain straightened up and wrapped his arm around his uncle's neck. The elder man gasped ot the unexpected gesture. 'I'm sorry, Uncle Neil... I became a burden to you--' Lord Neil merely sighed as he ran his fingers over the lad's dark hair. 'You're never a bother to me. Regardless of what ill was brought onto me, I will always do me best to protect you, Cain.'
'Thank you, Uncle Neil...'
'Thank you very much...'
FIN
az:...aah, read the last chapter on Hana to Yume last two week. Well, no spoilers... but it made me feel split between two choices of either buying the vol. 8 of God Child or Yami no Matsuei vol 10... T-T