Kage: Hello, faithful one's! Well, the end of the 3rd quarter for our school came up, so EVERY F-ING TEACHER IN EXISTENCE DUMPED A PROJECT ON MY ASS! -fumes- But... now it's over, and I finally have some free time! -claps- Okay, enough with my babbling!

We're going ahead at full force with this chapter! I have yet to hit the main points of my plot! cackles Ohhh yes kiddie's! This is just the beginning! Lots of more angst and all that fun stuff for Alfeegi and Ruwalk, D

WARNINGS: shonen-ai, slight YAOI, hints of Rath/Rune/Thatz just because I love the tripling! ((What? Well, it ain't a pairing! XP)) there also may be hints of Kai-Stern/Tetheus Beware of angst as well, lol.

Disclaimer: If it were mine, would I really be writing this crap?

As an apology for my extreme lateness, I present you with a 10 page chapter! -bows-

Thanks are at the bottom! Enjoy!


Chapter 7- Strength

"Alfeegi..." a soft, quiet voice whispered through the darkness.

"Mm?" he muttered, feeling so deliciously warm. Why was he so warm? He felt like he was being embraced by the softest kind of light... and he loved it.

"Alfeegi..."

"I'm here," he replied just as softly. If he spoke loudly, he'd break the silence, he just knew it.

The whispery voice chuckled. "Of course you are, you always have been."

"What?"

"Don't... forget... Don't lose me..."

"But who are you?"

"..." it chuckled again. "Thoughts and memories are all that remain of me; I'm so sorry."

Alfeegi felt guilty for some unknown reason. The voice seemed so very sad... "I won't... forget you..."

Another chuckle, "I'm glad. I don't what you to. Please stay, please keep being here."

A small smile tugged on the officer's lips at the horrid grammar. "I will, but what did you mean when you said I was always here?"

"Just what it sounds like. As far back as I remember, you were there." Something warm caressed Alfeegi's cheek. "I tried... I'm still trying... Don't forget me. Don't give up on me." the voice drew away.

Worried copper eyes searched the darkness as he felt the warm presence retreating, "W-where are you going?"

"Back to fight. I..."

Alfeegi sat up with a gasp.

His heavy breathing filled the darkness of his room. Yes, this was his room now. The warm, comforting darkness of his dream had been... different. Unexplainably so. The aquamarine-haired officer blinked. "I won't..." he muttered to the calm darkness, laying back down and drawing the covers over his shoulder. He wasn't sure what he 'wouldn't do,' but he felt like he had to give something to the comforting darkness.

In the morning, he had no recollection of the dream.

Alfeegi woke slowly, stirring sleep from his mind as he sat up and blink blearily around the room. After a few minutes, he shifted his body out of bed and stood up. He stumbled a little, his legs feeling pretty weak. Then he looked down.

"Ugh," he sighed in disgust, rolling his copper eyes. He had been in the same clothes for how many days now? Three? Four? He desperately needed to bathe as well. How foul...

Alfeegi locked the door to his room before going into his bathroom, stripping along the way. He felt disgusting. He hadn't bathed or changed clothes in days, and lord knows how long he went without working or eating. He had to pull his life back together. Now.

A hot bath had never felt so good. Its calm warmth tugged at some distant part of his memory, but the officer ignored it and concentrated on enjoying his bath.

He felt like he had shed an old skin as he stepped out awhile later. It was very refreshing... Actually, he didn't think it was just the bath. Some part of Alfeegi seemed... calmer. Clearer. Accepting. He shook an aquamarine-topped head. It was just the bath.

Alfeegi walked out of his bathroom, a towel around his waist as he stood at his closet, wondering what to wear. Probably something simple; he didn't feel like donningany fancy outfits today. He finally settled on black pants, a white long-sleeved shirt, then a light blue vest to go over it. Loose white boots with a slight heel completed the outfit.

After drying his hair and combing it into place, he took a deep breath and stepped out into the stone hallway-

Where he was immediately faced with Rune.

"Oh, good morning." The blue-eyed elf sounded genuinely surprised. He was dressed in a white long-sleeved shirt that folded across his chest then clasped to his right shoulder. A finely decorated sash was tied over his other shoulder, then knotted loosely at the opposite hip, the tails hanging down to his knees. Dark blue pants that fitted the lower half of his body loosely and black slip on shoes without socks made the outfit. Rune had tied his long hair back into a loose ponytail, then tied it again at the very bottom. A few loose strands were hanging almost out of the tie, hanging in his face slightly.

"Good morning, Rune," Alfeegi tried to smile, he honestly did. "Um, thank you for your help yesterday."

The blonde smiled softly, "You're welcome. I'm just going down to breakfast, would you like to join me?"

Alfeegi's stomach rumbled very loudly at that moment, causing the two to blush slightly. "Ahem, yes, I'd like that."

They walked down the hall in a comfortable silence, only interrupted by the occasional guard or maid. Torches flickered on the stone walls, lit since that part of the castle didn't have any windows, and thus didn't get much light. The click-clacking of their shoes echoed through the hall in a would-be eery atmosphere if it weren't for the singing birds and noise of other people in the castle.

Then the silence was shattered as several things happened at once.

Alfeegi saw a black shape came flying out of nowhere out of his peripheral vision, Rune gasped, and somebody shouted, "Ruuuuuuune!"

The blonde yelped as he hit the ground and Alfeegi jumped and looked at him, copper eyes wide and his hand over his heart, having been scared near to death.

"Argh! Rath! Don't DO that!" Rune shouted to the black shaped who was sitting on his back, trying to look innocent.

"Do what?" he tilted his head to the side, crimson eyes sparkling mischievously.

"Tackle me to the ground!"

"I just hugged you!"

"..."

"...With speed behind it..." he giggled.

Alfeegi felt something tug at his heart, but he ignored it. He struggled inwardly with himself for a moment; what should he say? Should he just walk away? Was he intruding? Something in the back of him mind probed him to say something. Should he?

...Why was he questioning himself? He had never done so before so why should he do it now?

"Rath, don't run in the castle," he sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

Crystalline blue and crimson red blinked at him, then the two on the floor smiled warmly. It was good to have Alfeegi back/

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

The three eventually made it down to the breakfast hall where Thatz was already inhaling any food that he found. Kai-Stern and Tetheus were also there, talking quietly at the other end of the table. Rune and Rath sat on either side of Thatz while Alfeegi took a seat across from them, a few seats away from Kai-Stern.

Alfeegi actually enjoyed himself. He nagged Thatz and Rath, conversed with Kai-Stern, and ate with the polite company of Tetheus and Rune. Usually he was up and about before anyone else, so he was used to fasting alone. But eating with friends was... nice...

Unfortunately, he had work to do. He politely excused himself and exited the dining room.

"Hmf Rnn, z'hi hk?" Thatz asked around a mouthful of food.

"Swallow first, Thatz," Rune sighed, rubbing a hand on his forehead.

The green-haired knight swallowed thickly. "I asked if he was ok."

"Alfeegi?"

"Yeah, I mean... y'know..."

Kai-Stern and Tetheus looked over, drawn into the conversation.

Rune shrugged, "He seems fine enough. Alfeegi isn't stupid, Thatz. He knows that he has to try and put... this incident behind him. The best way is to find distractions so your thoughts won't linger on what's painful. I suspect Alfeegi plans to find his distraction through his work."

Thatz mulled over this while everyone else remained silent. Rath gazed at his full plate of food without really seeing it. Something was stirring inside of him.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Alfeegi's boots click-clacked down the stone hallway again, this time he was alone though. His copper eyes strayed to the hug archways that cut through the wall and revealed the beautiful spring day. A slight breeze made the warm air slightly cooler, but he felt comfortable in his long-sleeved shirt and vest.

The gardens in Dragon Castle were so gorgeous. Lush green grass covered the ground, tempting those that saw it to come out with bare feet and enjoy its cool softness. Flowers of all different shapes, sizes, and color adorned the gardens gracefully. Large, blooming tree's and bushes marked pathways and guided travelers to stone benches, beckoning them to rest.

Alfeegi ignored the pull of the gardens. A part of him wanted to go out there so bad, but he knew what would happen. It was easy to get lost in thoughts and memories when you're alone and walking through Dusis's finest beauty.

And thoughts and memories were exactly what the officer was trying to avoid.

He turned stony copper eyes back to equally stony halls, ignoring the call of the gardens.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Rune breathed in deeply, tasting and savoring the sweet spring air that seemed to cleanse his lungs. The air smelled of flowers, grass, and a slight hint of rain. The blond exhaled slowly, smiling calmly to himself as he strolled lazily through the gardens.

Rune had permitted himself this joyous trip after he had finished his paperwork and had a brief snack for lunch. He even checked on Alfeegi, but the White Officer was lost in his own mound of work, so the former elf decided not to bother him. He had yet to see Ruwalk, but he wasn't entirely sure the brunette was up and about.

Sparkling, lively blue eyes wandered fondly over the plants and life that flourished around him. Nature had such a calming affect on the former elf. Apparently, it had the same affect over Thatz as well.

Rune chuckled as he spotted his one of his lovers napping in the shade of a large tree. He walked silently over to the others side and sat down quietly. Loving eyes roamed over the scarred knight's lanky features, straying to his beautiful face. Short green locks tickled the relaxed face as a gentle breeze played through the gardens coyly. The familiar scar that crossed the knights face seemed slightly flushed, but it may have just been Rune's imagination.

How did Thatz get so many scars? the elf suddenly wondered. He knew the Dragon Lord had given him the one across his face, but the others were a complete mystery. As far as Rune knew, Thatz was a highly successful thief, so it was dubious he had gotten the marks from that but he couldn't be completely certain.

The blonde's brow furrowed delicately as he wondered who injured his love enough to make him scar, and not in just a few places either. He had scars all over his body. Rune's long fingers brushed a few bangs from the others closed eyes, lightly touching the identifying scar.

Emerald eyes blinked open to the world.

"Sorry," the elf apologized, drawing his hand back. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't," Thatz shook his head, yawning afterwards.

Rune smiled softly. "How in the world do you sleep so much?"

"I dunno," he shrugged, yawning again. Rune's smile grew fonder.

"Here," he offered, crawling over to the green-haired knight. He sat with his legs pushed together, then off to the side so Thatzs' head could rest comfortably on his legs.

"Hmmm," the Earth Dragon Knight moaned appreciatively, turning over and slightly curling into a ball. He shifted his head on the blonde's lap, drawing comfort from the smooth, pant-covered legs.

Rune continued to smile lovingly as he ran his fingers through the others soft green hair, playing with the short strands. A pang shot through the sensitive elf's heart as he realized Alfeegi no longer had this type of comfort.

Of love.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

"Ach-!" Alfeegi covered his mouth with his hand, blocking the sneeze that had threatened to fly. Copper eyes found the window in the large library. It's past noon; I've been working awhile... he thought to himself with slight amusement.

He allowed a soft, sad smile to play on his lips; working really was an effective distraction.

Distraction...

"Alfeegi!"

"Gah! Ruwalk! What have I told you about tackling me while I'm working! Just look at my signature!"

Playful eyes blinked at the messed-up signature, which read 'Alf-' followed by a large ink mark that ran all the way to the top of the page.

"Do you always target me just as I'm writing!" Alfeegi yelled in disbelief, crumpling the paper irritably.

"It just happens that way," Ruwalk shrugged apologetically. "Hey! But you know what? If you didn't write so much, you wouldn't have to worry about messing up when I startle you!"

Crystalline copper eyes narrowed. "You just gave a fine example of twisted logic, Ruwalk."

The brunette giggled, then started to pull on Alfeegi's arm. "C'mon 'Feeeeeeeggiiiiiii! Let's go somewhere!"

"I have work!"

"It'll still be here when we get back! It's not like it has anywhere to go!"

"To the Lord!"

"Bah, he'll be glad for a break!"

"Ruuu!" the White Officer grunted, thoroughly annoyed by now.

"If you don't come with me, I'll have to do something to you!" Ruwalk warned.

Alfeegi blushed bright crimson. "What could you possible do other than be more annoying!"

"This!" The brunette sealed the others lips with his own.

Alfeegi flinched, drawing himself out of his memory. There was an ache deep in his chest, but he haughtily ignored it as he turned back on his paperwork.

"Ever wonder why they call it 'paperwork'?"

"...Excuse me?"

"Well, y'know, it doesn't make any sense! Separate it and you get paper and work, right? The paper's not working you, you're working it!"

"...Stop saying that..."

"You're all red! How cute! No but seriously, shouldn't they call it workpaper?"

"Ruwalk..."

"In that case, 'rainbow' doesn't make much sense either! Rain an d bow? Rain can't wear bows!"

"Wrong 'bow' Ru! Like a bow and arrow? It's referring to the shape; a bow."

"...Is that why they call a bow a bow? 'Cause when you're bowing over, you like that a bow? Why are they all spelled the same? If someone was reading this, they'd be so confused."

"I suppose. I don't know why they're spelled the same though."

"Kind of like 'write' and 'right'!"

"Wow, really?"

"Hey! Put the pen down!"

"No, I have pa- work. And get off! My desk is not a bench!"

"It's made of wood, like a bench."

"A shelf's made out of wood too. Wood isn't used only to make benches, you know."

"Hm, I guess. Some benches are made of stone."

"...Yes, they are. So?"

"Soooo... some bridges are made out of stone too!"

"Where is all this coming from!"

"Heeehee, I dunno! I wonder if there's anything thing else made out of skin."

"...Animals."

"No, but like, human skin! I wonder if anyone ever tried to make a bench out of human flesh before!"

"That's just sick, Ruwalk."

"I'll be some sick sadist did it once, but it didn't work out. It was probably too saggy."

"That isn't a word and stop talking about that."

"I guess it wouldn't work out anyways. I mean, the flesh would just rot eventually right?"

"Ruwalk..."

"And then it'd smell funky..."

"Ruwalk..."

"Then you try to sit on it and all the rotten, smelly flesh sags under your weight at the bench is broken! Or you just sink right into it... Hey! 'Feegi! Where are you going! Wait for me!"

"Alfeegi?"

"Waugh!" Said secretary flew backwards in his chair, snapped out of his memories by a pair of large yellow eyes.

"Alfeegi!"

"Don't do that, Kai-Stern! Argh!" he threw his hands in the air irritably, bending over and rescuing his chair from the floor.

The albino officer chuckled. "Sorry, but I was calling you for like 5 minutes!"

"Did you have to get right in my face!"

"Oooh, sorry Sir. I forgot about you're ginormous privacy bubble."

"I don't like your sarcastic tone."

"Well-"

"And 'ginormous' isn't a word!"

"You don't have to shout!"

"I do just to get anything through your thick skull!"

"What's wrong with a thick skull!"

"It limits brain capacity, obviously!"

"I have enough brain!"

"You just think you do, but you can't tell you're lacking because you don't know what its like any different way!"

"...O-oh yeah!"

Alfeegi hung his head with an exasperated sigh. "Just get out; I have too much work to do to squabble with you."

"Fine, I see how it is!"

"About time!"

"Nyaan!" Kai-Stern stuck his tongue out, enraging the other with his childish act.

"GET OUT!"

The albino ran out the door. A wise move.

The White Dragon Officer salvaged his remaining pride as he glared copper daggers at the wooden door. Finally, he sat down with a huff, restarting his paperwork with renewed fervor.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Kai-Stern chuckled from his position of his back to the library door. The sounds of Alfeegi's furious writing evident even through the wood.

"Very clever." The albino looked over to see Tetheus looking at him with slight admiration. "You got Alfeegi so worked up he forgot about Ruwalk and got back to his paperwork."

Kai-Stern shrugged. "S'no big deal. I was just tired of the guy staring off into space all the time."

"Uh huh..." The raven-haired youkai nodded, but didn't sound convinced.

Time to change the subject. "Where you goin'?"

"I'm temporarily relieved of duty, so I thought I'd stroll around the gardens a little."

"Mind if I join you?"

A small, fond smile stretched across his lips. "No, not at all."

Kai-Stern smiled and fell into step beside the taller youkai as they made their way through the vast halls of the castle towards the garden. As they walked, black-gloved hand found a pale white one and laced fingers together indiscreetly.

The albino smiled wider. Maybe things weren't so bad after all.

If only he had stayed at the library door a little longer, the Blue Officer would've seen a certain brunette enter the room where Alfeegi was working alone.


Kage: Betcha can't guess who the brunette is, XD What will happen between the two while they're alone! gasps dramatically I promise promise promise promise to NOT spend months on this one too, ok! PLEASE DON'T ABANDON ME! cries

Thanks to...

yaoi-is-gay-13- Yesh, Rune's a sweety, heehee!

minea- I knooooooow! I'm soo sorry! This one's late too! I'm such a procrastinator! T.T

DragonessFei- Hope you liked this update too, late as it is... x.X;;

CrimsonRedWolf- Not as much angst in this chappie, but I hope you liked it anyways!

Reviewer- -nods- I like this title better too. I would've called it something different had I known it would've developed beyond a one-shot, lol.

yamatoforever- Dear God NO. I hate those stories where the character gets all depressed and cuts himself, then the lost-memory-guy comes back and is so guilty that the others already dead that HE kills himself... This is not another Romeo and Juliet story! XP

naz- Lol, glad you liked it! Hope you like this one too, n.n

Midnight- I like the book thing too; I'm happy my muse came up with it, lol.

Lost and Far Away- Sorry I didn't hurry with this one; I hope you like it anyways, heh.

Lady of Infinity- Well, there you go; not a whole lot of angst in this one, but plenty of fluff, teehee!

Misty- Lol! Sorry, but I've promised to make this not so cliche!

Please review! It keeps the story alive!

Hope you enjoyed! See you next chapter!

Angst ensues...