AN: I'm rating this chapter 'R' just to be on the safe side. I'm rather paranoid at ratings and I don't want to get into trouble with fanfiction. They have screwed over some of my friends because of ratings.

Legato Part, IV

It took Legato a few tries and a bit of thinking before he was able to obtain food. It was during this time that he realized he was a beautiful boy and that if the right words were spoken and the right gestures were given, people would give him anything he wanted. He stood out from the crowd because of his unusual hair color and piercing gold eyes.

People were also attracted to his mysteriousness, which was really just his lack of showing emotion. Woman wanted to hold and cuddle him, they happily fed him. They wanted to do anything that would allow this little cherub to speak. But Legato rarely spoke to the hoards of people that would sometimes surround him and as he grew older he learned to hide his looks without actually covering anything up so as not to draw any unnecessary attention to himself.

On his first visit to town to acquire food he was blocked when a boy, about his age, came running past him. The boy wore a large smile as he ran by, and Legato followed him with his eyes until he disappeared around the corner. A few moments later, a herd of other young boys came running past Legato, but suddenly stopped, and turned to call out to him.

Legato didn't say anything but faced them, awaiting their question.

"Have you seen a kid about this tall" the child talking held up his hand to approximate the height of the kid he was describing. "He's kinda thin and he runs real fast"

Legato's thoughts wandered to the grinning boy who had just ran past him, he shook his head slowly and the kids ran off, not to be perturbed that this blue haired boy claimed not to know the whereabouts of their friend.

Watching as they took off in the wrong direction, Legato contemplated finding the boy, for he had sparked his interest but before he could decide to investigate he was overwhelmed by piercing screeches of the towns woman. They began to fuss over his rare blue locks and his intense gold eyes. Asking what a little darling such as himself was doing here all alone, where were his mother and his father?

Not really paying attention to their questions Legatos thoughts were still on that one particular boy. He had definitely been his age. Only 8. Brown hair, green eyes, nothing special about the boy, but it was the boys genuine smile of happiness. He was an innocent, Legato remembered what his Master had told him, that not everyone was beaten. This boy obviously was not. His face had been one of pure happiness, something Legato had never seen before. The boy didn't seem to have a care in the world except for the pressing matter of hiding from his friends.

His thoughts broke when he realized the women had still been waiting for his response. "I'm hungry and I'm getting food. My mother, I don't know who she is, but my father died, slain by me." He responded impassively.

The woman exchanged strange looks but laughed gaily at the boys "wild imagination", yet getting him all the food he wanted. Once full, he managed to pry himself from the women who had grasped him and he walked from the town, looking back once and seeing the brown haired boy and his friends walk into the local sweet shop. Biting his lip, he headed back into the desert, to where Knives was waiting for him. He would make sure to see that boy again.

When he had returned to his little oasis he found his Master gazing towards a direction that seemed to having nothing in its path. Knives looked up at his now, well fed boy. He stood.

"What are you going to teach me first Master" Legato asked, extremely curious at what he was going to be taught.

Knives thought a moment. "History and current events. Sit down Legato, this part of your tutelage only requires you to listen. You may interrupt only for clarifications, not questions. Is that understood"

The boy nodded.

Knives took a slight breath and turned away from his servant. "There are two forms of intelligent life on this plant. One is a basic form of intelligence, your kind, and the other is the superior form, my kind. You are a human and I am not. I am basically a plant angel. Similar to the angel you befriended. But not exactly alike. As for those differences, some are obvious. Others less obvious. Neither which I care to explain.

But know with my kind, the plants, there are two types. The plant angel used as an energy source and there is me and my twin. We are advanced versions of that plant angel, because we are free and are able to roam the planet undetected..."

Years later...

Knives continued to feed Legato the history and current matters of humanity, facing the outstretched desert, he stopped when he heard the sound of deep breathing, turning back to face his servant and apprentice, he frowned. Legato had fallen asleep. Such behavior was not accepted. Knives gave the sand a swift kick and watched as it went flying onto the sleeping boy who immediately woke in a coughing fit from having the sand enter his nostrils and open mouth.

He rubbed his eyes as he coughed harder, trying to get the sand out of his lungs as well as his eyes. Getting all he could he ran his hair through his head.

"Master was that necessary" Legato asked dully.

During the boys past teenage years he had started to get intolerable. He had been obedient as usual but he did his orders with far more resistance than when he had as a child. He was a young man now, perhaps somewhere in his mid 20's, Legato nor Knives was sure. Neither had bothered to keep count over the long years.

"I dare you to sleep while I am talking again Legato, just try it." Knives responded quietly. The young man didn't say anything more. Knives turned from him and placed his arms behind his back contemplatively.

"Though your inattentiveness has not gone by unnoticed in the manner which you think. I've taught you all I can about your kind and my own. It's time you had a few more physical experiences don't you think"

Legato's eyes shrank.

FLASHBACK

It was the usual cold night and Knives had decided on a field trip. Something he felt his Legato needed in order to really understand why humanity needed to be exterminated. They arrived at the town sometime in the early morning of the next. The town was quiet, even the local saloon had finally shut down for the night.

Knives stopped in front of a bigger house, that was set aside from the more small and shabbier houses.

"This is the mayors house. In terms of power he reigns supreme over this small village. He is loved and respected by his townspeople. Though, they don't know his true personality." Knives paused and looked down at the small boy who was looking back up at him attentively.

"Do you hear that?" Knives asked.

Legato nodded. He would never forget what it sounded like to be beaten. The muffled screams, the muffled hits, the crashes of furniture. It didn't disturb him at all. It was the time when he had asked his Master innocently, whether all people were beaten.

It was the first time he had ever been surprised, when his Master claimed that no, everyone was not.

Legato lifted himself up on the window ledge and peered into the house window. Two women, the mother and child were in the corner of the living room, shirking in fear at the large man that hovered over them, both were heavily bruised. The mans eyes crazed and demanding. What had he been yelling?

He wanted to know if they had been in his personal study that day, and they were pleading with him, telling them they had not. They received a few smacks each, and Legato disengaged himself from the ledge to peer up at Knives, who had been watching him closely.

"Is that it?" Legato asked.

Knives smiled. "No, that's not it. Third window down, Legato, look in."

He did as he was told and Knives watched as Legato again climbed on the ledge, his forearms holding him up. There were curtains blocking his view, and he thought nothing as his mind moved them aside, Knives took note of that. The young boy's eyes widened just a fraction. Inside the room was a teenage girl. She was strapped rudely to a bed post and lay unconscious on the bed, her mouth gagged. Her body, which bore no clothing was covered in whips and caked dried blood. Her dirtied hair covered her face but Legato's eyes were able to see past the hair and to the paled face.

When he thought he had seen enough, he heard the door knob turn and quickly pulled the shade down just enough so that he could still see through, but that the one who entered wouldn't notice anything. He watched as the man, the towns mayor, entered the room. He didn't turn on the light and he even peered out the curtains. Legato tensed but he knew the man wouldn't be able to see him.

His eyes weren't able to turn away as he watched the man drop his pants and climb atop the unconscious laying girl. She stirred and awoke and tried to scream and squirm, but the man was strong and held her in place. There was nothing she could do as he raped her and at one point tried to kill her when she squirmed too much. He wiped his mouth, hoisted his pants back up and left the room and the girl who was sobbing in the now fresh bloodied sheets.

The mayor, went peacefully to his room and turned off his bedroom light before quickly falling asleep. Mouthing his opening ceremony speech for the towns new water feature.

END OF FLASHBACK

That scene had haunted him for years until finally, against his Master's orders he went into the town and had killed the mayor. Ending the girls torture, but that very day it seemed her body had enough and had died. When he returned to the oasis, he found his Master waiting. Knives' eyes were calm as he hit him across the head. Legato had literally gone flying, but even so the hit hadn't hurt much. Knives made sure the hit had affected him internally rather than externally.

Over the years Legato had grown strangely fond of his Master, more so than Knives had expected and he himself, while not particularly fond of Legato, was careful with him. The boy must always trust and have faith in him if his future plan was to ever work out correctly.

Knives' hit had caused Legato to gravel in his emotionless manner, begging for forgiveness in his disobedience. Knives had ignored him and had left, leaving the boy alone for the most he had ever been. A month. When he returned Legato was that much more dead inside and that much more willing to do anything it took to keep his Master at his side.

"I said don't you think Legato" Knives repeated.

Legato hung his head, hiding his true feelings from Knives. "Yes Master if that is what you wish of me."

Legato stood, about to prepare himself for the leave when Knives spoke again. "Legato"

"Master"

"From all I have taught you I want to know what you think."

"What... I think, Master"

"Yes, you know, your opinion."

Legato pondered for a time in which anyone, especially Knives, had asked for his opinion. Never. He faltered in his response. Trying to be honest with himself but at the same time trying to think of an answer that would please his Master, and one which his Master would believe."

"I..., I believe all you have said Master, as I did witness what happened to that girl long ago. Such things shouldn't happen and they only happen within humanity. We are vile creatures, and after seeing so much of what we have done, I know we don't deserve to live. I know one day I should die as well for the sins committed by my ancestors."

Knives smirked. "You talk as if you only want to please me."

"Is that wrong of me"

"No. It's perfect. It allows me to see that you realize thinking for yourself isnt something you ought to do. Now unless you have more to say we should be on our way."

Legato shook his head and followed Knives out of the oasis towards a distant town. In their silent walk of the planet Knives thought over what Legato was becoming.

'He's obedient yes, he sees he is no exception to humanity, that is true, but he thinks too much. I can see his mind whirling with thoughts even though I cannot read them. He is too much of an individual. This will not do. He needs to become a mindless servant, one who thinks nothing more than of the orders I give out. And these new scenes should take care of that.'

As customary they arrived at the town of Knives' choice when the suns had fallen, their only light came from the crescent moons that hung in the sky. Knives ushered Legato, who was tense, towards the outskirts of town.

"This is..."

Knives cut him off. "Yes, this is the town of the boy you've grown attached to all these years. Don't think I don't know about your unhealthy infatuation with him, now I'd like you to walk into that small building over there."

Legato nodded, somewhat ashamed. There really was nothing but his own thoughts that could be kept from his Master. He walked slowly into the small building and opened the door, a creak escaping the old frame. Stepping in slowly he heard the sound of his boots echo throughout the room. The building was one giant empty open space. He saw stairs to the far right but there was no light leading up.

Knives appeared at his side. "Upstairs" he commanded.

Making his way up the stairs he stopped when he heard a noise. He only continued when Knives pushed him on. "Stay to the side, and you are only to observe, nothing more, do not interfere or you will be severely punished. Understood"

Knives' voice was filled with more malice that Legato had ever heard, but he nodded and went to the side as directed to him. In the corner of the room Legato could make out the faint images of two men and a younger man. They were all silent and when they talked their voices filled the room.

"What are you going to do with me" Asked a voice, that Legato at once recognized to be the boy he had watched intently on the sly for years since that day he saw him when he was only eight years of age.

"Your parents need to be taught a lesson, we thought regular kidnaping would do but it turns out they don't have nearly as much money as they spend."

"What's that got to do with me" The boy whispered his voice growing in fright. The men said nothing and Legato heard the sound of unzipping.

"It has everything to do with you."

The struggle couldn't be seen through the darkness but the sounds were enough to drive Legato to interfere, or he would have, had Knives not laid a tight hand on his shoulder, holding him back. Knives didn't say anything but Legato resumed his position to the side.

As they watched the dark figures movements the suns began to rise and light started to stream through the small building, enough for Legato to be able to see what was happening, but still not the faces. He saw his infatuation release a mumbled scream as one of the men began a torturous sodomy. Blood covered the lower half of the boy who happened to be bound and gagged. Legato made a move to turn his head but Knives caught it and forced him to look at the scene.

Legato's eyes widened and even so no emotion was shown on his light face. He was forced to watch as the one man got tired of his deed and handed him over this his friend who did the same thing. Legato heard the sound of something being zipped up, what seemed like hours later. The men were done with that act and the boy lay limp on the floor not unconscious but very much in pain.

"Look at you" one of the men began. "Wallowing in your own blood." Together the men laughed in their loud wheezing voices.

'Stop.' Knives thought. 'Caine, Monev that is quite enough, burn the boy and be on your ways.'

'Yes, Master Knives.' Both men thought back to Knives.

Legato hadn't heard the conversation through thoughts and watched in his horror as one of the men walked over to the corner, opposite of him and his Master, to pick up a jug of clear thick smelly liquid. He knew it was gasoline. In his knowledge that he could do nothing more than watch, Legato crumbled to the ground, seeing the man pour a heavy amount of the smelly fluid onto his infatuation and then he turned to gaze at the other who lit a match. Using it to light a cigarette first.

Knives eyed Legato's reaction carefully. Noticing the young man had fallen to the ground, yet his eyes had not changed and his mouth was limp. Monev was the one to light to match and drop it on Legato's infatuation, who fought the eternal flames until he died within them. It was obvious to all that the boy died in greater pain than was necessary. The fire from the boy began to spread around the building and the two men backed against the walls, shielding the heat from their faces.

"The true face of humanity" Legato whispered not realizing his Master was listening to him as he gazed at the high flames that threatened to surround him and Knives.

Caine and Monev left the building giving an unnoticeable bow of the head to Knives before leaving out the back. Legato never saw their faces and would never remember their voices from that day.

"You are free to do as you wish for a day and a night. You will report back to the oasis then." Knives interrupted the silent crackling of the spreading fire.

"Yes Master." Legato responded, still eyeing the flames not watching as Knives retreated from the heat.

Outside the building, across the way, Knives met up with Caine and Monev. "He is to never know it was you two in there."

"Naturally Master." They replied in unison.

Knives curled his lips in disgust. "I don't want to lay eyes on either of you for years to come. I'll call you when I need you."

The two gave Knives a deep bow and went their separate ways. Knives turned to the burning building, watching as the dead wooden frame started to crumble. He could sense Legato was still inside but didn't bother to get him. Legato was his mind, body, and soul now. Even if his body burned in the fire he would return to the oasis as it was commanded of him.

It took Legato a moment to come to the full conclusion that his clothing had been set a flame. With slow movements he put out the fire attached to him and threw himself towards the start of the fire, ignoring the pain it caused his flesh. He pulled out the few remains of his infatuation to the side. The boy was already burnt far beyond recognition. Legato gazed at his burnt out eyes and blackened corpse. His golden eyes narrowed in a tired expression as he broke of the head of the boy that easily came off with a slight snap. Kicking the remaining body back into the flames he walked out of the building just as it fell to the ground in a heap.

He drew in a deep breath of smoke filled air and made his way into the desert just as the people in the town had started to wake in alarm.

The suns were higher in the air, it was probably around seven in the morning and Legato Bluesummers had lost all faith in humanity. He would wear the skull of the boy in his only defiant act towards his Master. He needed the skull of his infatuation to always be with him as a reminder in case he ever wandered from why he would kill. But it was foolish because his thoughts were no longer his own, he had become the puppet Knives had always dreamed he would become.

End of chapter 4

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AN: A quick note, on Legato's infatuation with that boy for over 18 years- I just wanted to emphasize that he was more amazed with the idea that anyone could be that happy and carefree. Don't read too much into it. One last chapter after this!

Oh, and two you of you asked what Legato's real name was. Well, see the thing is... I don't know... :sweat drop: I just liked the idea that perhaps Knives had given him the name Legato, I thought of actually giving him a normal human name, but everything I came up with just sounded absolutely stupid. But I image Legato's real name is something very plain and human like. Something like Jack Smith.

Faery Goddyss :)