Ok this is the next chapter, obviusly, and I hope you enjoy it. I do not own the poetry, the song lyrics, or the characters... I am poor (cries) ahem, that's ok, I have Dracula! Kind of... ok please read and review.

And we're all, to blame

We've gone too far, from pride to shame

We're trying so hard; we're dying in vein

We're hopelessly blissful and blind, to all we are

We want it all...WITH NO SACRIFICE!

Party Harty Friends and sarcastic enemies, who needs family?
"Hey Benvolio, did you hear?" Mercutio ran up excitedly. His friend was sitting on a fence surrounding the horse paddock. His short messy black hair was looking rather electric and his bright eyes where misted over from missing too much sleep. (What can you do when you have party harty Mercutio for a friend?)

"Hear what?" His friend turned with a look of confusion on his face.

"That Capulet, the one on the streets all the time." Mercutio paused as he fumbled around for the name.

"Tybalt?"

"Ya, him, anyway. He tried to die last night!"

"Commit suicide?"

"Ya, that. Anyway, they found him half dead his bed, he used a piece of glass." Mercutio glowed as he told this story for the millionth time.

"And you're happy?"

"Well, ya. I mean he is a Capulet, it's good when they die. Hey Benvolio, where are you going?"

"I find it rather despicable that my friends and family take pleasure in another person's pain. I am going into to town to talk with Friar Lawrence." Benvolio gave Mercutio a curt nod of dismal and walked off.

He sits in the corner

Surrounded in a darkness

Friar Lawrence was bustling around when Benvolio arrived. Potions, rags, herbs, and various other things where strewn about.

"Friar?" Benvolio said as he caught the Friar's eye. "How is he?"

Friar Lawrence scowled then gave Benvolio a little smile. "I don't know whether this is good news or bad for you, but he will live. Lost a bit of blood, but luckily we managed to stop the bleeding."

Benvolio nodded and stood there in an uncomfortable silence. "May I see him?" He finally asked.

The Friar nodded and motioned for him to follow. Benvolio was led through many tunnels and doors, finally arriving in a small room tucked away to the back.

"Here you are, he just woke up, I think some company would be nice for him." The Friar turned and left. Benvolio wanted to cry out for him to stay, but he stilled his tongue. 'I can do this, it's only Tybalt. Only Tybalt, that's a relief.' Benvolio scowled as part of his mind took on a rather sarcastic tone. 'Yes, only Tybalt. The famed Prince of cats, could defeat anyone in a duel, maybe even old man Montague. Yes, it's only Tybalt.'

He took a gulp of air the entered in to inner chamber.

I'd wish to shed from him

He'll watch and he'll smile

"Who goes there?" A hoarse voice called out from the darkness. Benvolio shivered and took another step in.

"It's Benvolio. I won't hurt you…" He paused, "And I am not here to gloat." He could feel Tybalt's skepticism, he didn't blame him, he never did anything to prove that he was any different than the rest of the war mongering Montagues.

"You're aloud in further Montague." He spat the name out of his mouth. Benvolio's eyes slowly adjusted to the light, he could see Tybalt on a small cot tucked against the back wall. There where medicine bottles and bandages piled up neatly next to him. He had on a gray shirt and his arms were bandaged.

"I just wanted to make sure that you where ok." Benvolio said, keeping his voice down. He saw a chair close to the cot and sat down in it.

"Why? So you could go back to your little friends and tell them that the great Prince of Cats almost lost one of his nine lives. How thoughtful Montague." Tybalt hissed at him as he regarded him cautiously.

"I would not do such a thing! That's something that Mercutio would do." Benvolio covered his mouth after he realized what he said. Tybalt raised an eyebrow and blinked slowly at him.

"I thought Mercutio was your friend… Or was there a falling out that I didn't know about, because I believe just yesterday I saw you with him." Tybalt's clipped accent sent chills down Benvolio's spine.

"He is my friend, and we still get along. It's just that he can be a bit… brash, at times. Rather uncouth, you might say. He really is a nice person, just needs to learn when to hold his tongue." Benvolio said quietly, Tybalt nodded and appeared to be thinking over what he said.

"So… um, I don't want to step out of my boundaries, but why, may I ask, did you do that?" Benvolio motioned to Tybalt's bound wrists.

Tybalt shrugged, "A spur of the moment thing. I was rather mad at my Aunt, we had a… disagreement. And ya… So that's what happened."

Benvolio nodded, an uncomfortable silence descending over them. Benvolio shifted in seat and sighed, the silence grew heavier.

"Well… I better go…" He finally said as he stood up.

"Ya, you better. Good day Montague."

"Good day Capulet." Benvolio gave a little bow and left.

But that is all

He'll desire and he'll want

"Oy, where were you Benvolio?" Romeo asked as he bounded over. Benvolio smiled a little as his young blond haired cousin bounded over to him, a big grin plastered on his face.

"I was visiting some people." Benvolio answered shortly. Romeo shrugged it off.

"I saw a really pretty girl down the street." Romeo said as he hop-skipped around his cousin.

"Really?" Benvolio hoped his voice didn't betray his slight irritation and boredom with his younger cousin. Judging by the reaction of Romeo, it did not.

"She's really pretty."

"What does she look like?"

"Uhh, I think she has brown hair, could be black though…"

Benvolio chuckled and shook his head. Romeo could be very exuberant at times. As they walked down the street his mind wandered back to the darkened room and the Capulet that was sitting there alone and left to his own thoughts.

But no more

He may nod or try to speak

But the rest will push him off

"Benvolio, Benvolio, BENVOLIO!" Benvolio snapped out of his thoughts as party harty also known as Mercutio walked up. His gate was slow and he approached with caution, his friend's earlier outburst still fresh in his mind.

"Hmm? Yes?" Benvolio asked, keeping his tone cordial.

"Um, I'm sorry about earlier… I know you don't like the feud and stuff… So, how is he?" The two of them turned down the main rode. Heading into town.

"He's fine, bitter and sarcastic, but fine."

"What started it?"

Benvolio paused, not sure weather he should tell his friend or not.

"Um, I'm not sure, we didn't speak about that." Benvolio said, hopping that Mercutio would change the subject, and to his relief he did.

"So, there's a new girl here, her name is Maria. She is so good looking." Mercutio babbled happily. 'I am surrounded by girl obsessed, hormone crazed boys. Lovely.' Benvolio thought as he let his mind drift from the incessant prattle of his friend.

Others to protect me from him

And then I'm intrigued

After a few minutes Benvolio managed to break away from Mercutio and walk off towards a group of gossiping servants, and from their colors he could tell that they were Capulets.

"Oh ya, me Lady is all torn up aboot some'ine. D'uno whats gots her worked up and all." One dark featured servent said to the others.

"Di'nt you hear? Young mastah Tybal' was cut'in."

"Really? Well, that 'splains lot."

The group continued to murmur, their subjects ranging from the latest run away attempt from Juliet to the crops coming into season. Finally they made their way back to the more pressing situation, at least in Benvolio's mind.

"Ya, 'ees got a goo' head on 'ees shoulders. I 'unno why 'ee would try ta die." A sad shake of the mans head.

"Well, from what I've 'eard, the Lady is goin' ta let 'im off, 'ell jus' dis once."

"Tsk, tsk, should 'ave left 'eem out there. It's what I've would 'ave done."

"You would 'ave left ye own son out there."

"Sush."

"Ee is her nephew, I 'unno, I would 'ave ta'en 'im in."

The group nodded in agreement then said their good-byes and dispersed.

Benvolio stood there for a bit, a tad flustered and confused. 'Tybalt's Aunt is Lady Capulet, I knew that, but his parents are dead? That I didn't know… I wonder who they where…'

Benvolio hung around the market a bit more, listening in on more servants' gossip but hearing nothing new or of any pressing concern. So by sunset he had meandered back to home.

'Half-dead Tybalt, new girls, Mercutio actually said sorry… Lord, what will the next two hours bring?'

Benvolio sighed contently as he slid under his covers later that night. Quiet happy to be home and in bed.

His darkness, his light

I'll join his corner

Ok that's it… Hope you like it. Oh, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (several days late)

Poor Tybalt, he's all alone, with know one there beside him… But you gotta have friends…

Ahem, ok please review!