Chapter 33: ?

After returning home from an exhausting battle, Azami took every extra precaution she could think up, for everyone's safety. She figured that the safest place for the three of them would be the cellar. It took her servants it took them no more than an hour to make the place comfortable enough for the three of them.

"Is everything in order Azami-sama?" the servant asked.

"Yes… You may leave now."

With a courteous bow she left. Azami pushed the door shut and latched it into place and sighed. "He's still sleeping…" Yukino bent over the snoring boy. "I'm sure he'll wake up soon enough…" Azami said weakly. Yukino brushed away his bangs from his face and smiled warmly. "You sleep, I'll stay awake for the both of us." the brunette offered.

Azami nodded weakly, she was exhausted and was genuinely grateful for having a friend like Yukino, that made her feel even more guilty about lying to the girl. Azami collapsed on the mattress and closed her eyes. "Well… Goodnight…" Azami muttered.

"Goodnight." was the mage's reply.

And with that she drifted into sleep.

A loud crunching sound tore Azami from her slumber. The Alcemist-in-training's hands instinctively shot towards a katana that wasn't there. She looked around and neither Lei nor Yukino were in it, it dawned on her. 'Yukino must've heard everything!' she thought. Angry, she bolted towards the door. Upon placing both hands on the door's steel handle a chilly sensation shot into her fingers.

"Damn !" Azami grunted. Yukino had frozen the door into place and she would have to find something else to break the ice with, or wait for her servants to free her. The latter, wasn't really an option.

"I still can't believe it…" Lei repeated in wonder.

Yukino did her best to keep up with him as they ran for the train station. "So how do we get back to Geffen?" Lei asked her. Yukino revealed a pouch full of coins from her bag. "I stole some cash. You didn't think I'd get us out of there with no means to run away did you?" she grinned.

Lei smirked. "You surprise me."

Yukino blushed furiously as she quickened the pace. As they were about to pass around the curb leading into the city proper they were amazed and shocked to find a furious Azami waiting for them. "You thought you'd get away that easily huh?" she said in between ragged breaths.

Yukino moved in front of Lei and lifted her staff defensively. "That was the plan." she growled. Yukino's eyes were trained on the sword-wielding girl, her staff pointed at Azami's head. "But it seems I'm going to have to hurt you… Forgive me." Yukino stated in a firm voice, the expression on her face resolute.

Azami shook her head. "I don't want to fight you."

"What?" Yukino blinked. The scowl on her face replaced with a look of utter disbelief.

Azami placed her katana down on the ground and approached the two with both hands in the air. Yukino tentatively drew her staff away from the girl's face.

"What are you up too?" Lei spat, the anger in his voice obvious.

Azami kept her head bowed as she stared at her feet. "I'm sorry already… I was going to tell you, things got… out of hand and—" Lei interrupted. "—and I wont forgive you." he roughly shoved her aside and walked past her. Azami blinked, dumbstruck and most of all devastated.

"Yukino, are you coming?" he stooped and looked back at a visibly shocked Yukino. The latter reluctantly followed him.

Azami's legs gave way, she fell down on all fours, choking on her own tears as she fought the urge to run up to him and beg for forgiveness. "I already said sorry…" she cried out angrily.

Lei stopped in his tracks and turned around to face her. "Do you think that'll make me feel any better!"

Azami bit her lip and approached him, Lei froze staring into the girl's misted eyes. "What!" he hissed. Azami trembled and threw herself on him, her hands locked around a disgruntled Lei. "I love you!" she shouted in a hoarse voice. Lei wrenched her hands off his waist. "Please… just let go…"

Angry, confused and desperate Azami tackled him down on the ground, with a flick of the wrist a syringe slid into her hand. Without hesitation she emptied the clear liquid into Lei's skin.

"What the hell are you doing!" Yukino lifted her staff into the air only to be tackled down from behind by two women.

"Azami-sama, what will we do with her?"

Azami stood up and heaved an unconscious Lei on her shoulders.

"Were going back…"

Lei's eyes snapped open, he was on a bed, or so he thought. He tried getting up but the ropes around his hands and feet hindered any attempt he made to get up.

"You're awake I see…" he heard the voice Azami from behind him.

"What are you going to do?" he grunted while trashing wildly.

Azami revealed a vial from within the pockets of her robes. "Do you love me Lei Fu Yang?" she asked him weakly. He bit his lips and closed his eyes. "I guess I don't really have a choice here…" she removed the cork and placed a hand on his neck. With a gentle squeeze he gagged and she emptied the liquid unto his lips.