AR: AAAAAAARGH! I am SO incredibly sorry! I… I… I don't know what took so long, I just… I had the worst case of writer's block, I had no motivation whatsoever; I even had to start a whole new fic (for a friend) in order to think of what to write for this one! I'm sorry! I know you are all probably very angry, so… Please use something other than rotten tomatoes. I don't like tomatoes very much…

Umm, well… I suppose some thanks are in order. Thank you Freaky-san for all the reviews. They didn't help my writing too much, but they made me smile nonetheless. Gratitude to Leviathan-san as always (any chance you could e-mail me that site? I still can't see it…). Also, thanks to Darklight-san and two new reviewers, Fukki-san and… and… I forgot the other one… Sumimasen! Anyway, thanks to all of you for putting up with me!

So, before I'm covered in filth, on with the fic!

Disclaimer: Well, even if I did own the characters, my reviewers would probably have stolen them from me in punishment for taking so long…

Chapter 5: Arrival

"Son of a… I don't even know where the hell I'm going…" Zero muttered as he continued his flight through the countryside. He had been searching for that voice and the tormentor that kept it for about a day now and he still had no idea where he was, much less where he was going. The land around him was unfamiliar; there were farms and forests as far as the eye could see, and he spotted no castle or mansion or anything of the sort to indicate that there was a wealthy person here. He felt that his feet and his heart were leading him in the right direction, but his mind said otherwise.

"If only that voice could tell me where to go," he mumbled in irritation. "Problem is, I don't even know who he is…"

The only clues that Zero had gotten from his dreams were those stunning green eyes. They looked so sad, helpless. They bored into Zero's soul and his memories, forcing most other thoughts away. Zero knew only one other person with eyes as green as those, and he hadn't seen him in months. They had been out of touch for a while, and Zero had been unable to contact the other for that whole time. He had tried sending letters, but they hadn't been replied to. Zero had figured that the other was just busy; he would reply sooner or later. There had been times that Zero was busy himself, never as long as this, but it was possible.

"Wait a minute…" Zero whispered to himself as slight realization hit him. Harpuia? he thought, wondering if perhaps the green-eyed boy was the one being tortured. "No way… Harpuia would never let himself get caught like that. He's too strong…"

Zero slightly doubted his half-hearted assurances, but they were all that he had at the moment. Harpuia was the last person that Zero wanted to see tortured. The boy didn't deserve it. He had been twisted and led on by so many others; it would be much too cruel for him to be led on by another. Zero didn't know if the boy could take another deceit like that; he was strong, but no one was strong enough to withstand what he had been through another time over. It would be too much.

First, there was that powerful, pitiless man who called himself "X" and deceived those that he wanted. Not only had Harpuia been tricked, but also his friends, Leviathan and Fefnir were led on as well. X forced them to do whatever he pleased and they could do nothing but follow. Zero had managed to kill their captor that time, but not before engaging in tremendous fights with them. Though Zero loved a good fight, those battles felt wrong. He knew that the three were unknowingly fighting for the wrong reasons, and that pissed him off. Being tricked like that is the one thing that should never happen to anyone. The reason being that it was simply unfair.

The second time that Harpuia was tricked however, was much worse. That time, he hadn't wanted to fight Zero at all. The conniving Elpizo somehow forced the green-eyed boy to engage in battle with Zero to prevent Zero from stopping him. Again, Zero was able to avenge Harpuia, but not without Harpuia getting a few scars of his own both physical and mental. Harpuia had run away in shame for a while, and Zero hadn't seen him since. Now, there was this incident. Zero had no idea if the captive really was Harpuia, but he knew of no one else that knew his name and had those eyes. It couldn't be.

"Damn it!" Zero cursed, clenching his fists tightly. There was no way it could be Harpuia! But then… why hadn't Zero heard from him in such a long time? They were good friends. Harpuia had always kept in touch before that, and if he were busy, Leviathan or Fefnir would keep in touch for him. Why hadn't they spoken to him in such a long time?

"No… Oh, god please… Don't let it be Harpuia…" Zero begged. "I don't want him to suffer another thing like that…"

Zero looked around at his surroundings, realizing that he had stopped in his tracks. His deep thoughts must have slowed him down. He took a deep breath and turned his face up to the dark sky, closing his eyes calmly. If it really was Harpuia, then that was all the more reason to rescue him. He was a good friend and Zero couldn't think what his life would be like if he knew that he had let the beast do his way with Harpuia. Zero only hoped that it wasn't too late…

Soon, the trees and farms were speeding past Zero in a blur once again as he continued his mad dash to where his heart led him. Time moved slowly for Zero; the moon never seemed to move despite how long he seemed to be running. The lands merely passed by him, unseen by his eyes. The only thing he saw was the path in front of him. The path towards a tortured boy.

Tortured boy… Damnit… Zero thought as emotions flooded his mind and his body making his legs and his heart pump all the faster. He bit his lip harshly as the thoughts surfaced in his mind. What will I do if it really is Harpuia?

His brows furrowed as the unpleasant thoughts made him realize the true gravity of the situation. It was enough that an innocent person was being tortured that way, but if it was someone he knew… there would be hell when he caught the torturer.

He had seen his share of pain and suffering in his life. When he left the mansion to be alone, he often wandered into the near city to merely gather his thoughts. He saw so many things there that no one deserved; theft, beatings, rape, sometimes as far as murder. He had wanted to help all those victims so badly but he had felt so helpless. He was afraid that he would just make everything worse, so he stayed out of those disasters. But now… all of that guilt and all of those desires were building up and he had to help this person. Zero knew that this would never make up for any of his past flights from helping those people, but he knew that he couldn't run away from it anymore. He had to help this suffering boy.

"Those green eyes…" Zero whispered, letting his heart lead him as his mind was in another place. The clear green eyes pierced his thoughts with that sad, longing look. They looked so… desperate for freedom. He knew that they were trapped, unable to escape and yet… they wanted so badly to be free. And at that moment, he knew.

"Shit… Harpuia…" he whispered, his eyes stinging with tears at the thought of the boy being imprisoned like a caged bird with a broken wing. Zero bit his lip fiercely to keep the tears from spilling. He never cried. Not for anyone.

God… What am I thinking? I don't cry? Then what is this stinging in my eyes and the salty wetness dripping down my cheeks? Tch, I don't cry for anyone… Yeah, right. At least, I didn't use to…

It must have been the thought of such a close friend being tormented like that. It was almost too much to bear. The green-eyed boy was so strong too; sweet, but strong. He wouldn't have let anyone take him like that. Something must have happened… Something drastic.

What could have happened to allow the boy to be captured? Had he been weakened? Yes… That must be it. Harpuia wouldn't go down without a fight anyway…

"What could allow you to be captured like that… my dear friend…?" Zero mumbled, going over dozens of situations that would have weakened Harpuia that much. He stopped however as the last part of what he said hit him. He hadn't realized it before, but saying that Harpuia was just a "friend" seemed… wrong. It was like "friend" wasn't the right word.

What in the world is this… feeling? he thought, furrowing his brows once again as he realized that something in his body felt strange. Why does my heart ache? What the hell is happening?

All thoughts of the rescue fled from his mind as confusion caught him and whirled around him like a hurricane. His dash turned from smooth to frantic quickly and he started running faster, trying to escape his fears and uncertainty. His eyes widened as these new thoughts and feelings threatened to drown him completely if he didn't get away from them quickly. They were frightening; they were unfamiliar. They were wrong.

"…no… No…! NO!" he bellowed as he fled from his feelings, those piercing green eyes once again springing tears to his eyes with that pitiful look… This time though, the tears that flowed weren't just sad. They were filled with desperation, panic, desire.

"NO! I can't… It's not… possible…" Zero stuttered, realizing that Harpuia meant more to him then he ever realized. It frightened him. "Shit… shit… It… it is…"

It is… he thought as his words were cut off by his short breaths from his constant running and the added burden of his tears. He had completely changed in the last few moments. All this time he had been stone cold, introverted, uncaring of others feelings and now… his tears were flowing freely. Only one thing, one person made him feel this way.

He's more than a friend to me… If only I had realized that sooner…

The next thing that Zero saw completely broke him out of his suffocating reverie. He stopped in his tracks and simply stared at the sight before him.

"Oh, god…" he whispered, utterly in awe as the realization hit him. "Have I… arrived?"

A huge stone castle stood before him, looming over the lands; daunting in its frightful image. It would have taken years to build this monster of a building. The castle was large enough to house over a hundred people and it likely did, though is seemed rather quiet and a bit out of date. It most likely survived the medieval ages and still stood now, but Zero doubted that it was still used for its original purpose. Now, it was more than likely a very elite and elegant place to live. If this really was the place where Harpuia was being kept, then Zero would have a bit of a tough time finding him. Though his feet had been faithful this far, so perhaps they would stay that way. Zero slowly studied the stone ramparts, getting a feel for the castle. He would need it in order to search for Harpuia. His heart was his only chance in finding Harpuia. All right… No pressure…

The castle was bordered by a dark forest with colossal trees and sported large towers that looked over the surrounding country. It seemed as though no one dared live near it for there were no houses or farmlands near the castle walls, not that Zero blamed them. Its grey, stone walls and heavy, iron portcullis were enough to turn any brave man away. However, Zero hadn't come this far to turn away with his tail between his legs.

He had come for a reason.

That reason was enough to die for.

Zero was about to charge in headstrong as always when he suddenly let out a huge yawn that nearly cracked his jaw. When it was finished, he blinked, surprised, and shook his head in order to set his priorities straight.

"I guess I need some sleep first," he said to himself looking around for a place to camp for the rest of the night. "Not surprising, considering I haven't slept for about a day and a half now…"

As soon as he spotted a place to sleep, he took off his bag and leaned backwards, stretching out his sore muscles. Hopefully all of his vigorous training would prevent him from having serious leg cramps tomorrow, though he quickly pushed away those thoughts. No need for self-doubt at this point…

Zero lay back against the cool grass, using his pack as a pillow for his head. The stars sparkled mischievously at him as he gazed up at them, thinking about his newfound mission. It seemed so impossible… So close, yet so far away… Death was waiting around every corner now that he was in the true battlefield.

A grin spread across Zero's face as the thought of an invigorating mission such as this filled his body with a tingling sense of anticipation. He was finally ready. He would rescue his beckoner.

I'm almost there, Harpuia… he thought, once again sending the message with all of his heart to the beautiful green eyes.

Just wait for me… I'm coming.

AN: Umm… was that okay? Are you upset? I'm so sorry… Well, at least it's finished. And just let me say that, holy shit. This chapter was such a bitch to write. I couldn't think of anything when he was running towards the castle… I tried to make it long and add some thought junk in there, but it didn't work out too well. Oh, well. I hope it's satisfactory for you guys.

Hopefully now that Zero's almost there, it'll be easier for me to write from here on out. I can't really guarantee anything… I can guarantee that I'll try my hardest though! And, I just realized, that I'm now writing two fanfics with a main character named "Zero." o.O Hmm… I should write a crossover. Hahaha… Just kidding. You can expect updates for both of my fanfics soon! See you in the next chapter!

Don't forget to leave a review. Wink, wink.