AN: Alright, this was supposed to originally be a three-chapter fic, but the storyline was too good to waste, I had another idea, and so...it continues!

Chapter Four: Entangled

Sighing heavily, Gaignun leaned back in his chair. Closing his eyes, he rubbed the tips of his fingers over his eyelids, hoping to relieve some of the pressure that had been building up.

I hate paperwork...as soon as you get rid of some; more seems to materialize out of nowhere... Opening his eyes slightly, he chuckled. Just like Gnosis...perhaps there's a connection? Getting up, he walked over to the window behind his desk, admiring the spectacular view of the Foundation it offered. He and Jr. had poured their blood, sweat, and tears into the dummy Kukai Corporation, desiring nothing more than a home and a way to combat U-TIC...and then turning it into a haven, a place where those who had special abilities, those who were rejected by society could live in peace...he and Jr. knew how it felt like to be ostracized, hated, scorned just because they were "different"...he knew it all too well. Recognizing the dark mood that had come over him, he shook his head in an effort to clear his thoughts.

I've been staring at facts and numbers for too long...maybe some fresh air will help. Pulling his jacket down, Gaignun headed out of his office, deciding on an impulse to see Jr. Fortunately, he didn't have to go far...

"Got you!" He heard Ziggy bellow.

"Aah! Not the swimsuit, not the...YEEOWW!" Shrieks of female laughter and groans of pain echoed down the hallway, the groans soon turning into violent cursing. Gaignun winced. Sounded like Jr. had gotten the mother of all wedgies...

I defiantly remember how those felt like. Being the youngest of 669 children meant you were automatically set up for pranking by every one of your older siblings...A smile danced across Gaignun's lips. Those were some of the happy memories of his so-called childhood...after all; prank had to be repaid with prank, right?

Heh, I'll get him later. Right now I'll let Ziggy have all the fun.

----

He couldn't understand why. Unable to think, sleep, focus...he had entered Simeon, setting a course for his "twin"'s home. Something was pulling at him, luring him there...a mythical Siren's song, one he was unable to resist...

Why do I feel this way?! Hissing in pain, he clutched at his silver-white hair. What leads me here?! Is it that bastard? Laughter bubbled up from his throat, high and wild. Rubedo, is this your doing?! Yet deep within him, he knew the true reason why he had come...his obsession, the voice that echoed in his mind, the eyes that had never left him...they were always there, looking at him, bringing up unwanted thoughts and feelings... Albedo bit back a bark of hysterical laughter.

"What would you do if you knew that I think of her?!" He howled to no one. "That she fascinates me, haunts me...was this the same way for you too?!" When he was met with no reply his head lowered, shoulders quaking. "Of course...it wasn't the same way for you...she knew you existed! And you were free to reciprocate back..." Amethyst orbs glimmered with malice as his head shot up, glaring down at the Kukai Foundation. "But to her, you are dead...and so she is free for the taking, despite what you say or do! I will know everything about her, more than you ever knew!" He cackled then, rocking back and forth with laughter.

"Maybe I'll even let you have her body when I'm through with her...after all, is she truly needed for what your master has in mind?!"

----

Blowing out a breath, Gaignun bent over, removing the can of soda from the vending machine. A jolt of caffeine mixed with some sugar would probably wake him up just enough to finish off all that infernal paperwork...

I'm leaving the office after this and heading to the beach. Mary and Shelley have been after me lately to relax... Starting to walk back to his office, he popped the top off the soda can and lifted it to his lips.

Now, now, Nigredo...you know soda's bad for you! Chills danced up Gaignun's spine as the voice whispered inside his mind...giving the black-haired man several seconds to slam up his mental shields just as something hurled itself towards him on the mental plane. The soda can dropped to the floor, its dark contents spilling out as Gaignun fell to his knees, clutching his head.

Albedo! A chuckle, and then the sensation of claws scraping against his mental barriers...Gaignun gritted his teeth as the sound echoed in his brain, his nerves screaming from the assault.

Now, now, take it easy, little brother! All I wanted to do was have a nice conversation with you...

What the hell do you want?!

My, aren't we in a bad mood today. Albedo crooned. Did I come at a bad time? Narrowing his eyes, Gaignun forced himself to stand up.

Rubedo... He couldn't bear it if Jr. sensed Albedo...after all the stress and strain of the past several days; he wanted his older brother to have some peace...You bastard! Eyes a blaze of green fire, he dropped his mental shielding to blow Albedo's head off with a powerful psychic blast, and then checked to make sure that Jr. was out of mental range of his "twin".

Good...he's too far away for Albedo to try something. Maniacal laughter echoed in his mind as his older brother recovered from the mental/physical attack.

Hahaha...still sharp as ever, I see. Still waiting for a chance to perform your "duties"? Gaignun clamped down on the impulse to blow the white-haired U.R.T.V.'s head off again, knowing it wouldn't faze him any.

Leave. Now. He ordered, iron in his voice. Albedo laughed again, and Gaignun had the sensation of something oily snaking around his limbs, squeezing, paralyzing...

"Gaignun!" As if it were a church bell's pure notes resounding through a fog, offering a sense of direction, the younger U.R.T.V. heard Shion's cry, releasing him from the painful mental battle as she came running up to him, catching him in her arms as he staggered backward from the pain of the link being snapped...

"Ugh!"

"Gaignun?! Hang on; I'll go get some help!"

No! "No!" Gaignun bit out, reaching out and gripping Shion by the wrist, struggling to rise. "I'll...I'll be fine, I just don't..." Pain flared up in his skull again, and he fell to his knees again, nearly snarling while Albedo's crazed laughter still rang throughout his head.

Son of a... Then suddenly, the laughter stopped, a cool sensation washing over his weary nerves and revitalizing him. Huh? Opening his eyes, he felt gentle fingers run through his hair and over his scalp, the touch so tender that he wanted to weep.

"Feel better?" Looking up, he met Shion's eyes.

"What did you...?"

"Medica. You had a horrible headache; I used the Scan Ether to find out what was wrong before I cast the healing one." She answered, her eyes dark with worry. "Did something happen?" Gaignun lowered his head.

"It's nothing." As he rose to his feet, Shion stepped back to give him some room. "I guess staring at all those facts and figures caught up to me."

"Maybe you should join Jr. and the others at the beach. You look like you could use some sun." Gaignun's eyes narrowed into slits as he sensed Albedo's presence again, a hovering dark cloud of malice. So he hadn't left after all...

What does he want?! If he's not here to provoke Rubedo, then what is he after?! Hearing Shion's voice, he shook his head.

"Say what?" The brunette's eyes narrowed and Gaignun's own eyes widened in surprise as she stepped forward and placed a hand on his head.

"Are you sure you're feeling well? You look like you've just seen a ghost..."

----

You have no idea. Albedo thought smugly as he watched the exchange between the two. Only I'm far worse than a mere spirit! As he watched Shion remove her hand from his younger brother's forehead, a wave of rage washed over him, his fingers tightening around Simeon's controls until they threatened to break because of the pressure. Every time, every time, every time he wished to carry out his own plans, she was there, her presence thwarting him, bringing back those feelings he thought he had gotten rid of long ago, making him weak, unable to fight...

I finally bring Nigredo to his knees and then she comes! Even at this distance, Albedo could feel the power of the Medica ether Shion had cast on Gaignun. Her powers were starting to surface; the new strength of her Ether was testimony to this.

She's like an unborn child...The thought came to him, crystal-clear and displacing the madness that threatened to devour him, a sweet darkness that would last for a while, and then leave him vurnable once more to the demons that plagued him. Fast asleep in the womb, innocent and unaware of the harsh, cruel, outside world... Laughter tore from his throat. You've sensed this already, haven't you, Nigredo?! Yet you or that bastard...my bastard...you haven't touched her!

"How rich! Almost just like ma peche!" He laughed with glee, but it was short lived. "And yet..." It didn't explain everything about her, only one part. But it didn't matter...the madness was returning, sinking onyx-tipped claws deep into his mind. "Such fun...I'll have to come and take her from you soon!" He cackled, purple eyes flashing. "Best to do it quickly, lest they find out and prevent me..."

----

Gaignun's head whipped sharply to the side as Albedo's mental energy vanished as suddenly as it had appeared.

He's gone? He stood still for a minute, focusing his thoughts. He is... Sighing heavily, he sank into his chair. He had been able to get back to his office by promising Shion he'd go to the beach if she'd accompany him...she had been a little hesitant, but after he told her that Mary and Shelley wouldn't mind (and they wouldn't) and that he could use the company, she agreed and had left.

What was he doing around here? Hissing softly underneath his breath, he rubbed his temples. If it hadn't been for Shion, I'd probably would have been worse off... A thought suddenly occurred to him, and his hand stilled. Wait a she have sensed us fighting? No, she's not that advanced...but then again, she shouldn't even know how to put up mental shields...wait! Fear arose in him, an icy wave through his bloodstream.

What if...what if he was after Shion?!