Thank you for the 700 and plus hits! I'd like to thank those who favored my story and reviewed it as well, I'd like to thank (in absolutely no sort of order): Anime master Inu, Ataraia, Ice Vanes, idlepianist23xDedrena, Maron Kanzaki, patheticteenager, Spleef, Spleefie, Whispers in the Wind, Yakumo1human, puppidawg, Mermaid Ninja, Onnie, Frost-and-Sleet, thread of fate, jasikaermine, I love Appa, Sophie-chan, hi, KiaGirl07, Christine, Just me and myself, and kayko15.
NOTE: "Lucifer" in Latin means "Morningstar". "Satan" in Hebrew means "Advesary".
- Zerosoul
muted fate, chapter X: men's talk
Beelzebub sighed and spoke to Aang in a clear voice:
"Ya see, kid, at da start of Hell, Heaven, and all da realms in in-between – there had to be a balance of power, of good and evil, or order and chaos, 'cuz in order for mortals to exist they needed things like balance and in chaos, mortals can't live. In order for dis to happen, The Creatrix's power must always be above everyone else's and no one else must rise to that level of power, least chaos rise. Dis is one of da oldest rules in da book.
"Now, 'fore Heaven 'n Hell, dere was only The Creatrix 'n all her 'lil angels up in her 'lil realm. Ya see, kid, The Devil 'n all of us were angels back then. So was Thanatos, 'cuz this was 'fore mortals and dere was no need for death. Now, The Devil 'n Thanatos had dese feelings for each other – big romantic non-sex feelings, not like all that lusty shit that goes on now. Now dey weren't s'posed to have these feelings 'cuz we angels are s'posed to be pure 'n nothin' like horny mortals.
"Now, The Creatrix knows dat a union between The Devil 'n Thanatos would spoil everything 'cuz he/she's got dis idea that dey're never s'posed tah meet 'n fall 'n love or it'd be the end for her/him. So, The Creatrix takes The Devil 'n da rest of us 'n tosses us into Hell with the first sinners of the mortal realm. Now, Thanatos becomes the Angel of Death, 'o Da Grim Reaper, now dat dere's sinners 'n death about in da new mortal realm but he still has feelings for The Devil 'n he'd still has tah go down 'n lead some souls tah Hell but The Creatrix sees this 'n figures a way to make The Devil fall out of favor with Thanatos.
"The Creatrix makes it so that we demons need the blood of the guilty sinners to survive and by the time we got down tah Hell, we were all hungry. Now, dat lake of blood – da same one you were born in, kid – was our only source of nourishment den since The Creatrix had drained the other sinners of all their lifeblood just to fill the lake. The Devil was still our superior, she got the first taste of the blood lake, not knowin' about da trap.
"Soon as The Devil enters the blood lake, the spirits of da deadly sins that reside in the lake – does are da spirits that cause ya tah change from spirit to demon, kid – take The Devil and impregnate her. It took only nine days before The Devil bore the first true demon ever in Hell 'n she named her 'Morningstar' but he calls him 'Adversary'. Ya prob'ly won't see him, kid, since he's always in da lover depths 'o Hell torturing the worst sinners 'n I can tell ya he loves his job too much tah leave.
"But moving on now, kid, as soon as Thanatos brings down a soul to Hell, The Devil wants to smother him in kisses 'n such, but da first thing Thanatos sees is da kid wit The Devil 'n thinks The Devil has been cheatin' on him wit one of us since The Devil was da only female dere. So, Thanatos wanted no part of The Devil 'cuz of dis 'n The Devil was so heart broken 'n angry dat she flung Adversary down into da bowels of Hell. If da kid wasn't immortal, he woulda prob'ly died. Belphegor 'n me saved 'im though.
"The Devil still loves Thanatos, y'know, despite Adversary. Still, The Devil was bound to Hell because of Adversary's birth. But ya see what The Creatrix forgot was dat The Devil can still tempt souls and as long as she can tempt 'n seduce souls, she can still get free 'n she knew dat de only way she would get out of there would be by letting a pure soul let her out. Ya see, kid, she knew ya were pure at heart – ya prob'ly still are in some manner,"
Aang didn't know what to say. He felt like there was a hollow pit in his stomach, sucking up all emotions that he should feel. He looked at Beelzebub.
"…are…are you saying that…I might cause…the end of the…world?" Aang choked out in a tiny voice.
Beelzebub suddenly embraced Aang and held onto him tightly. Beelzebub then said, "O, kid, doan think so negative of yourself! Sure, The Creatrix may hate ya but the world isn't gonna end!"
Aang swallowed and felt almost like passing out from Beelzebub's touch, "Beelzebub…I…"
Beelzebub's grip tightened and he continued on speaking, "Demons are grateful to ya, kid. We hated The Creatrix and his/her's tyranny over us wit all her angels 'n shit. He/she's been rulin' us for hundreds o' years now 'n ya might just've ended it! But doan worry, kid, dis chaos won't last for long! Maybe it'll make things better dan dey were before!"
Aang didn't know what to say. On one hand, he felt a tiny bit of reassurance at Beelzebub's words and on the other hand he was close to panicking because a homosexual man was touching him.
"Aang, you make me think of my sweet Belial so much o' Belphegor 'n me 'fore things went sour," Beelzebub said. He rested his chin on Aang's neck and stretched his mouth open, bearing pearly white fangs, ready to bite into the flesh on Aang's smooth neck, "…you make me feel so complete…"
"Beelzebub…" Aang breathed. He could feel Beelzebub's warm breath on his neck. Aang's voice was a shaky whisper, "….Beelzebub, please…please…let…go…of…me…"
Beelzebub had his fangs ready to strike, but at hearing Aang's plea, he loosened his grip and Aang pulled away from him immediately. Beelzebub moved away from him as well and got off the bed.
"I'm sorry, Aang, I…" Beelzebub said, his cheeks pink with embarrassment. He then started pacing, "I'm sorry, kid. I'm just a little hungry – just having a rabbit doesn't cut it for me sometimes. I…" He blushed even more and then rushed over to the window. He began to quickly open it. "I…I'm goin' tah go get a meal. I'll be back!"
Beelzebub's wings stretched from his body and flapped as he jumped out of the window. Aang remained on the bed as he watched Beelzebub fly into the night. Aang felt just as embarrassed as Beelzebub did, but decided to push the uncomfortable feeling of Beelzebub's skin against his and force sleep onto himself. He laid down, trying to think about other things besides Beelzebub.
Katara found she had arrived in the room just in time. The children were wreaking havoc in the room and Pepper was currently having a "Why?" discussion with Uncle (who's patience was obviously wearing very thin).
"Why?" Pepper asked.
"Because," Uncle said.
"Why?" Pepper asked.
"Because," Uncle said.
"Pepper," Katara said, touching the girl on the shoulder, "why don't you go play?"
"Okay," Pepper said, and went to go join the others in their game.
"Young lady, you are blessing is disguise," Uncle said.
"How was it?" Katara said.
"The children were a good reminder of why I haven't had my own brood," Uncle answered, "Where's Prince Zuko?"
"Talking with General Zhao," said Katara, "He said it was something like 'men's talk' so I couldn't come or something like that,""Oh…no," Uncle sighed, "I should go and get him before Zhao and him start trying to kill each other like before," Uncle then hurriedly left the room.
As soon as Uncle was gone, the children stopped their game of tag and crowded around Katara, who was feeling woozy again and decided to rest on a cot. Sayven and Ashes were the only children who kept away. Sayven scowled on his cot at the others who left him to be by Katara's side while Ashes laid on her cot and stared into nothing.
"Miss," Pepper said, pulling on Katara's sleeve, "are you noble?"
"Noble?" Katara asked.
"Yeah, 'cause I heard soldiers call your husband 'prince'," said Pepper.
"Does that make you a princess?" Rain asked.
"Princess?" Ribbon mimicked.
"Will you be queen?" FourEyes asked.
Katara wasn't really sure what to say. She then smiled a little, touching her stomach as the child jerked, "Yes…I guess that would make me princess…"
"Wow! I've always wanted to meet a princess!" Pepper said, a huge smile on her face.
Rain, at this point, saw the light dimming in the sea in the windows and realized it had to be close to nighttime. He got up, taking Ribbon by the hand, and led Ribbon to their cot where he got her ready to sleep.
"Is it hard being a princess?" Pepper asked.
"A little," Katara answered.
"How many butlers and maids do you have?" FourEyes asked.
"None so far," Katara said.
"Can you make laws?" FourEyes asked.
"No…" Katara answered.
"Do you have a jester like the princesses in the fairytales?" Pepper asked.
"No," Katara answered.
"Did your husband rescue you from a dragon like in the fairytales?" Pepper asked.
"Not exactly," Katara said.
Pepper was getting more excited by the minuet and questions came pouring out, "How did you two meet? Did he wake you up from a deep sleep with a kiss? Do you think you'll have children? Is he going to be king one day?"
Katara bit her lip, not sure how to answer these questions. She then patted Pepper on the head, "Aren't you a curious little girl?" She then smiled widely at FourEyes and Pepper. "Why don't you two go play?"
FourEyes and Pepper looked at each other. Seeing how this was all the information they could get, they started up another game. Katara breathed a sigh of relief and laid down on her bed, looking towards the window. It was darkening outside and it was harder to see what was in the water. She closed her eyes and could hear the ocean sloshing against the sides of the ship. FourEyes and Pepper, now joined by Seyvan, played tag in the background, only to be shushed by Rain.
"Guys! Be quiet!" Rain said, "Ribbon is trying to sleep,"
"Don't see why she has to sleep so early," Seyvan said.
"Ribbon's younger than us and needs more sleep or she's cranky," Rain explained.
"Fine, fine," Seyvan said, "Let's play something else then,"
The others decided on a game of seeing who could tell the best scary story. Rain declined from joining them and sat besides his sister on her cot. Katara opened her eyes and looked at the boy, staring at his sleeping younger sister.
"Rain," Katara called him.
"Yes, miss?" Rain asked, walking over to her.
Katara smiled at him, "You take very good care of your sister. You must love her a lot,"
"Thank you miss," Rain said, blushing a little, "I do love her a lot," He looked at Ribbon, who was still in a deep sleep. "We're all we have,"
Katara sighed longingly and looked towards the window. "I used to have a brother. I took care of him though instead," Katara felt a pang of sadness for Sokka and fought back bitter tears.
"Are you okay, miss?" Rain said, seeing the saddened look on her face.
"Fine," Katara sniffed, "I'm fine, Rain. Go…go back to your sister,"
Rain nodded and returned to his sister's bedside.
"Let's continue this conversation inside, shall we?" Zhao suggested, with a smile.
"Let me show the way," Zuko answered, his voice filled with hostility as he forced a smile onto his face.
Inside of Zuko's ship and behind the closed doors of the captain's room, Prince Zuko and General Zhao sat across from each other with a table between them. The table was covered with maps and compasses, but they both ignored them and watched each other like two lions rivaled for survival in the harsh wilderness would.
"What do you want, Zhao?" Zuko demanded.
"What could you possibly mean, Prince?" Zhao asked.
"Don't toy with me!" Zuko snapped, "I know for a fact you didn't come down here just to wish my wife and I well,"
"I'm just curious at the rumor of you marrying someone," Zhao answered.
"What rumor?" Zuko answered. He made sure his voice did not waver in speaking so that the following lie could not be detected, "I married her and I'm not afraid to admit it,"
'This boy must take me for a fool! Years and years of training in the military teaches you how to figure out falsehoods from the spies of your enemy,' Zhao thought, 'And he is lying through his teeth right now. But I can't show. No…not yet,'"Yes, but I don't see why," Zhao answered. He then smirked, "We're both men, Prince Zuko, so let me ask you deliberately: why did you marry her? Is it just because you played a little game of sword-and-sheath with her and fucked her in the open like the peasant she probably is?"
Zuko found himself fighting both the urge to strangle Zhao and color from the embarrassment of Zhao almost being close to the truth. Zuko then calmed himself down, 'He's just trying to push my buttons…I know it. I can't let him rule me,'
"I don't know who you think you are, Zhao," Zuko growled, "but I suggest you be cautious of what you say about the love of my life,"
"Oh come now, Prince Zuko!" Zhao said, "As if a prince, even though exiled, would marry some unknown girl – rather than a wealthy princess as so to move up in the world – simply out of the blue! You can't expect me to not be a little suspicious!"
Zuko got up from the table and looked Zhao in the eye.
"It's lonely in exile, Commander Zhao," Zuko said, "and the sea is a cruel mistress and not the best of company. Now, I suggest you leave. My wife is ill and I must to tend to her,"
"I see," Zhao said, getting up from the table, "I'll show myself out, Prince Zuko," Before leaving, Zhao stopped at the door and whispered to Zuko. "I think Fire Lord Ozai will find this bit of news interesting, don't you?"
Zuko's heart thundered in his chest and he didn't reply. As soon as Zhao left, Zuko let out a shuddering breath of relief as so to loosen the tightness that had been building in his chest as soon as Zhao had arrived at the ship. He felt like he had just climbed the highest mountain and was taking the trip back down.
"Are you all comfy?" Katara asked Pepper.
Pepper nodded and looked up at Katara with a wide smile, "Yes. Thank you, miss,"
"Don't mention it," Katara answered, patting Pepper on the head.
Night had come, just as silent as usual, and the room was mostly dark now except for the lit lamps. The children had settled onto their own cots. Katara felt the need to assert herself into a motherly position and tuck them in. She had just finished tucking in Pepper, FourEyes, and Rain. Katara then walked over to Seyvan. Seyvan sat up on his cot, glaring at her.
"Don't touch me," Seyvan hissed.
"Okay, okay," Katara said, backing away from the hostile boy. She then went to Ashes. Ashes was lying on her bed, with the sheet kicked aside. She was sleeping, but tossing and turning and groaning with eyelids blinding racing under the skin. Katara felt the girl's forehead, but could detect no fever. She was just having a nightmare. 'Poor thing,' Katara thought. She then looked up from sleeping Ashes to see Seyvan was watching her.
"Is she like this every night?" Katara asked him. Seyvan didn't answer and Katara could only sigh as she looked at the tormented girl, pulling the cot sheets over her, hoping that the nightmare would end. She then went to the lamps and had blow out the tiny flames. When the last one was left, Rain stirred and spoke up.
"Miss," Rain said softly, "can you leave one lamp on? Ribbon doesn't like it to be completely dark,"
Katara smiled, "Of course, Rain,"
"Thank you," Rain answered.
'I'm so tired and hungry,' Katara thought as she laid down on a cot nearby the doorway, 'but Zuko hasn't come yet. He better come soon, or I'm leaving…'
Soon, Katara had drifted off to sleep. Pepper sat up and looked over at FourEyes, who was on the cot in front of her.
"A bed! No more sleeping in the streets!" Pepper giggled happily as she snuggled down into her cot.
FourEyes smiled at her, "It's warm inside too,"
Seyvan grumbled something and he sat up in bed with the blanket over his head. He reached into his shirt and pulled out a knife that had been concealed from before. He stroked the knife, ready to use it when threatened.
Rain stirred a little and looked up at Seyvan, "Why are you such a grouch, Seyvan?"
"Yeah, what's got your goat?" Rain asked.
"It's the Fire Nation that's got my goat," said Seyvan, "and my house, my family, and our old lives," He then hissed through his teeth, "And here you all are eating out of the palms of their hands!"
"Seyvan, why can't you see this lady's nice?" Pepper asked.
"Yeah, she doesn't even look like a Firebender. Or act like it," Rain said.
"Can't say the same for her husband," Seyvan answered.
"Seyvan, at least show some consideration to the lady," FourEyes said, "She saved us, fed us, and gave us a place to stay. She might even get us to Hishigata Island," He then paused and added, "She reminds me of my mother almost,"
"Me too," Pepper said, "My Mama was kind too and her eyes were always a little bit sad too, like the lady's,"
The door suddenly opened. Seyvan jumped out of his cot and looked at the door, knife in hand.
'"Who's there?" Seyvan demanded.
"Put that away, kid," answered Prince Zuko, with an asserting voice. He wasn't about to be pushed around by some dirty, arrogant, faced little boy, "before you hurt yourself,"
Sayven growled in reply. Zuko ignored him and went to Katara, who was now deep in sleep and shook her awake.
"Katara. Katara, wake up," Zuko said.
Katara stirred awake and looked up at Zuko, still half in her dream, "…Aang?"
"Aang? Who's Aang?" Zuko said.
Katara, at hearing Zuko's voice again, finally woke. She then faintly blushed and then shook her head, "No one. Nobody. Not anymore," She then looked up at Zuko. "Did Commander Zhao leave?"
"Yes, he's gone," Zuko said, helping Katara. He then sensed the children were watching then and immediately slipped into "good husband" mode, "Come on. Let me take you to your room so that you can rest properly,"
Katara nodded sleepily and leaned on Zuko. Zuko fought the urge to hotly blush in front of the eyes watching them and led Katara to the door, and out of the room. On the stairs up to the top floor, Katara's knees suddenly buckled and she crumpled the stairs.
"Katara," Zuko groaned, forcing her to sit up, "don't faint on me now,"
"I…fine…just…sleepy," Katara muttered.
"Katara, wake up! I am not carrying you!" Zuko said, shaking her.
Katara could only murmur as her eyelids closed again. Zuko growled a curse, seeing how this argument was lost, and lifted Katara up onto his back and struggled to carry her. Katara slept on, not aware of Zuko huffing and puffing to carry her up the stairs. After some more minuets of Zuko staggering to carry Katara, he finally reached her room and he forced open Katara's door and laid her on the bed.
Katara still slept on peacefully – moonlight from the window hitting her face, giving her an angelic appearance. Zuko sat down on the bed next to her, feeling his energy drained, fatigued like Katara from the long day of play-acting. Zuko laid down and fell asleep next to Katara, both of them exhausted.
Aang woke up a few hours before dawn. Beelzebub had returned and was sitting on his bed. Aang got a look at him to see his shirt was spattered with blood and dried blood was caked around his mouth. He seemed to be in a daze.
Aang got up the courage to ask him, "What happened?"
Beelzebub snapped back to reality. He then looked at Aang and smiled, showing blood-flecked fangs, "Gorged myself on guilty blood. It was sweet and succulent. I couldn't stop drinkin' until it was all gone,"
"On what?" Aang asked. He then grimaced, "On who?"
"Ya don't really want tah know," Beelzebub said, getting off the bed. He began to strip out of his bloodied clothes, "It won't do me any good though – havin' all this blood in me. I'll be sluggish for a while,"
"Beelzebub, about before," Aang said, "where you trying….to feed on me?"
Beelzebub paused and turned scarlet. He didn't answer the question and Aang decided to drop it as well with the other questions Beelzebub couldn't (or was it wouldn't?) answer. Aang wrapped himself up even tighter in his blanket and tried to get more sleep but found he couldn't. Sleep no longer came easy like it did when he was alive. Beelzebub eventually laid down and went to sleep. Aang got out of bed and walked to the window.
He felt strange and restless looking at the full moon through the open window. Something deep inside of him was stirring, strangely and newly alert – as if some sort of parasite
(inner demon)
was being awakened. Even looking out at the night, he could see people out – living their lives, or what would be left of them and even though Aang once longed to live this way again, he felt that need, that feeling suddenly disappear. He felt strange, he felt an emptiness where his
(am I truly undead now?)
soul once was. He then swung out a leg onto the window ledge and sat, scrunched in the window's frame and looking down on the people with cold neutral eyes. Then he looked at the ground
(would it matter if I fell from here? would it matter if my neck broken and my blood poured out? would I feel anything?)
which was at least more than a few feet below him. He thought of Sokka.
(gone)
He thought of Momo and Appa and then
(gone. gone. all gone. only I am here and I feel I am gone)
he realized that Katara was the only one left alive. How could
(only I am here and I feel I am gone like momo. like appa. like sokka)
he help Katara and defeat the Shadow if he himself
(gone. gone. all gone. all fall apart. all fall down.)
felt dead?
(ONLY I AM HERE AND I FEEL I AM GONE)
Aang sighed, pulling away from the window and closing it. He laid back on his bed, staring into the ceiling, words ringing in his head.
(ONLY I AM HERE AND I FEEL I AM GONE. ONLY I AM HERE AND I FEEL I AM GONE. ONLY I AM HERE AND I FEEL I AM GONE. ONLY I AM)
Aang forced a tiny laughter.
"I am nothing but a corpse. A walking corpse! I'm just a zombie!" Aang said, laughing still. He looked at his hand and took one of his finger. He gripped the finger and snapped it with a loud 'CRACK'.
(nothing. no feeling. not feeling. not pain. not joy. not sorrow. nothing. nothing. nothing. noth…)
"Nothing," Aang said, playing with the broken finger.
He saw pale sunlight filtering through the window and he realized that dawn had come. As son as the light hit him, Beelzebub woke up with a sluggish groan. Aang sat on his bed and watched the demon roll out of bed and pull himself up from the ground by clinging to the bed.
"Holy shit my head fuckin' hurts," Beelzebub murmured. He then looked at Aang, slurring his words as if he was drunk, "…wotsamatta wit ya kid? Ya look all sick 'n pale 'n sheet…"
"Nothing…nothing's wrong," Aang answered, "Maybe you should lie down or something,"
"Nuh uh woan do me any good if ah just do nuttin' all day…" Beelzebub said, standing up. He then wobbled around the room and then fell back down onto the ground.
"People are going to think you're drunk or something," Aang answered.
"Let peoples tink what dey wanna tink but if we wanna do what you what 'n stop dat spirit – wot's 'ish name again? I fergot but we gotta go out 'n get dat map 'n compass…" Beelzebub answered, "I'll be fine onesh I get outside…" He then smiled as he pulled himself off the floor. "Doan yah worry yer perdy lil head 'bout dit, kid, I'll be fine soon!"
Aang remained on his bed, looking at Beelzebub – wondering if he was serious or not. Beelzebub leaned on the door and looked at Aang.
"Well? Are ya comin' o' not kid?" Beelzebub asked him, still looking a sluggish, "Ya wanna help ya friend don't'cha?"
Aang nodded and forced a tiny smile, "Sure,"
"Well, let's go then!" Beelzebub said.
They walked down the stairs and into the tavern. It was early in the morning, but there were still a few people there. Some of the girls were serving up breakfast for some of the men there while they talked amongst each other. Beelzebub steps were slow and sluggish, but after a while his mind began to clear up.
"I'm startin' tah feel a little better," Beelzebub said.
"You sound better," Aang said.
"All dat blood in me was just an overfloodin' o' energy dat needed tah be used," Beelzebub answered, "I just needed tah walk da excess off a bit. Speakin' o' blood, kid, did yah feed yet?"
Aang was a little hungry but he was currently being tempted by the scent of regular food that was clouding all around Beelzebub and him in the tavern, "…can we have normal food?"
Beelzebub shook his head, "I wouldn't suggest it, kid. Regular food clogs your essence - you'd be like I was a few minuets ago, maybe worse,"
"Let's just go and find a map and compass," Aang said, "I'm fine,"
Aang and Beelzebub were close to the door when someone called out to Beelzebub from behind them. It was one of the girls that was working in the tavern. She was a younger girl than Jin though, and had to be about 13.
"Aren't you a little…young to be working in here?" Aang asked the girl.
"I saw you come in here yesterday, but I was too shy to say anything," the girl said. She then smiled, "My name's Kiki. What's yours?"
"My name's not important," Aang answered and walked out the door.
Beelzebub followed him into the street, "What was dat all about?"
"What?" Aang answered. He looked around the town to see a sign in the distance for a shop for travelers. He started walking in its direction.
"Dat little girl in dere liked you 'n yah didn't even give her a smile," Beelzebub said.
"I've got better things to worry about," Aang answered.
"Aw, doan be such a sourpuss, kid," Beelzebub said, "How old are ya anyhow?"
"112," Aang asked. They passed a store window. Aang looked into the glass and found he was physically changing as well. His hair was growing back in a thin crown, and he was getting a little taller. Normally, Aang would've shaved the his head at this point but
(I feel I am gone)
what was the point now? He also felt
(I FEEL I AM GONE)
as if he was no longer Aang, just Aang's restless spirit that didn't want to die yet. As if he was just another ghostly copy of the true Aang, who was long gone and dead.
Beelzebub let out a low whistle, "112, eh? Not too bad, but you're still a kid. I bet ya've never even kissed a girl, let alone have a girlfriend,"
"I kissed a girl once," Aang admitted, "and then I died,"
"'Oh, she was special wasn't she?"
"She's The Vessel now,"
"And I assume you had somethin' tah do wit dat prob'ly?"
"Yeah…" Aang then trailed off as he looked at himself in another shop window. His eyes were so dark so
(inhuman)
empty looking. He sighed and continued walking. Beelzebub had seen him look in the window and smiled at Aang.
"A little surprised to see the years go by so fast, kid?" Beelzebub asked.
"A little. I always wondered what it would be like to get older. I had the body of a 12-year-old before,"
"Here we are," Beelzebub said.
Beelzebub opened the door of a tiny shop. A woman approached and greeted them. Aang would have normally greeted back, but he was too busy staring at the spirit on the woman's shoulder. It was a tiny blue impish spirit with a bulbous head and large black eyes. It was almost transparent and stared at Aang.
"Beelzebub…." Aang murmured, tugging at his sleeve.
"Not now, kid," Beelzebub said, not even looking at him, "Ya doan see nothin', right? Nothin' at all?"
Aang got his drift and nodded.
"It's so good to see two nice young men for a change," said the woman to Beelzebub and Aang, "Those Fire Nation soldiers have been on high alert – bossing everyone around like they own them – ever since that guard got killed last night,"
"Guard?" Aang asked. He glanced at Beelzebub, who paled immediantly at the mention of the guard.
"Oh yes, happened late last night too," the woman said.
"We're here to buy a map and a compass," Beelzebub said, trying to change the subject.
"Oh, of course I can get that for you, sonny," the woman said.
"What about the guard?" Aang pressed.
"The guard? Well, the guard was on patrol I suppose," the woman said, "when something got him – I think it was some sort of bear. Well, whatever it was, it left a mess of him. Ripped his heart clear out. They just buried him this morning but the other guards are afraid of the woods now, though some of them think we decent townsfolk had something to do with it,"
"I don't think it was any of you…" Aang said, glaring at Beelzebub.
Beelzebub had paled and looked like he had shrunken a little from the mention of the guard. He thanked the woman for the compass and the map quietly, paid for it, then left the shop. Before Aang went out the store to follow him, he turned to the woman.
"Miss," Aang said, "how have you been doing lately? You look a little sick,"
"Well, to tell the truth," said the woman, "I have been feeling a little sick in the heart for a few days now. The healer says I might get better,"
"Get better," Aang said. He then left the store to find Beelzebub sitting in the shadow of a store across the street. Aang walked over to him. Beelzebub looked up at Aang with pleading eyes. Aang clenched his fist, "You did it didn't you?"
"I'm sorry, Aang," Beelzebub murmured, "I just wanted a little nip 'n de man's blood was so sweet 'n filled with so many sins," Beelzebub played with his fingers, not looking Aang in the eye. "He was a terrible mortal – an awful mortal who had committed so many sins 'n his blood was so tasty and delicious…" He paused. "This realm would be better without him. He really was a bad man,"
"I'm sure, but he didn't deserve to die," Aang answered.
Beelzebub swallowed, "…I know…"
Aang saw the sadden look on Beelzebub's face and sighed, "Well, it wasn't completely your fault. C'mon. We should probably get go back to the inn and see if we can locate The Shadow or my friend,"
"…okay," Beelzebub said, standing up.
"So…what was that thing on that woman?" Aang said, trying to steer away from the gloomy subject.
"A parasite," Beelzebub said, "It feeds on the life energy of mortals. That woman's heart will give out eventually and the parasite will take what's left,"
"Can we do something?" Aang asked.
"No. She might make it. She might not. It's the way things work,"
Aang didn't answer. They headed back to the tavern when someone grabbed Beelzebub by the shoulder.
"Beelzebub! Is that you?"
At the voice, Beelzebub froze in his tracks. Aang turned around to see who it was. It was a young man, about Beelzebub's age. He had fiery crimson hair – short and spiky. He had spiraling goat horns and his wings were ragged and blood stained. He had hooves as well. Beelzebub stretched a thin smile at the demon.
"Hello…Belial," Beelzebub said.
Aang looked at the demon – so this was the Belial Beelzebub talked about so much, huh? Belial looked at Aang, "I see you got a new feeding boy, Beelzebub. That was quick of you,"
"Feeding boy?" Aang asked.
"What do ya want, Belial?" Beelzebub growled. He glared at Belial, his eyes angry and hostile towards the other demon.
"Just wonderin' what brings you up from Hell," Belial said, "How's that tongue of yours? Still working well I hear. Best example of craftsmanship by me," He stepped close to Beelzebub and took his chin in his hand, jerking Beelzebub's face up at him. "Even after all these years, your face hasn't changed a bit. You're still handsome…"
Beelzebub spat on Belial, "Get out of here, Belial. We're not together no more, remember?"
Belial snorted and wiped the spittle away, "Still feisty as ever I see. Well, I suppose you'll come around eventually," He gave a wave to Aang. "Let me know when you want to join 'Beelzebub's playthings' club,"
Beelzebub snarled and Belial just laughed and walked away. Beelzebub looked infuriated and chewed on his lips.
"…so that's Belial?" Aang asked.
"Not the Belial I used ta know," said Beelzebub. Aang nodded and Beelzebub started to walk back tot the inn at an intense pace. Aang walked nearby him – silence going between them both. Suddenly, Aang felt his knees tremble and his energy drained. His breath came in shallow gasps and he leaned against one of the shop's walls.
"Kid, what's wrong?" Beelzebub asked.
"I feel…tired…really…tired…" Aang gasped.
"Here, lean on me," Beelzebub said, helping Aang stand. He then looked towards the woods in back of the town and started heading towards there. As soon as they were a few feet away from the prying eyes of the townsfolk, Beelzebub rested Aang against a tree, "Damn it, kid! When was the last time ya fed?"
"Ye…yesterday…" Aang slurred. He felt exhausted and his eyelids felt heavy.
"No! Doan fall asleep!" Belial said, "Kid, ya were just made a few days ago – ya need tah feed at least three times a day," Aang's head dropped again and Beelzebub shook him. "Doan fall asleep! If ya go ta sleep ya might never wake up again! Here,"
Beelzebub lifted Aang onto him and pressed Aang onto him and pressed Aang's head to his neck. Aang murmured sleepily.
"…wha…" Aang murmured.
"Aang, feed on me. Just bite down and take my blood," Beelzebub said. Aang shook his head and Beelzebub gripped him, "Doan argue! Just bite!"
Aang's demon instincts took over and instantly his jaw opened and his fangs clamped into Beelzebub's neck. Dark black red blood came flooding out and Aang gulped it down. As he drank,
(memories. thoughts. feelings.)
he was filled with a
(my/beelzebub's thoughts. my/beelzebub's feelings. memories gone by.)
happy, ecstatic
(belphegor. his/my lover. his/my one and only. him/me in belphegor's arms. beelzebub/me crying out in ecstasy. leviathan. leviathan lusting after beelzebub/me.)
feeling. After drinking for a few minuets,
(screaming. screaming. ohcreatrixohcreatrixdon'tlethimhurtmepleasedon'tlethimdothis)
Aang pulled away from Beelzebub, shaking violently feeling old pains of Leviathan digging his claws in Beelzebub's back as he mounted him with the serpent tail wrapped around Beelzebub's body.
"Dat should keep ya full for a while," Beelzebub said, "since I'm a stronger demon dan ya,"
Aang forced himself to stand, but still leaned on Beelzebub, "Beelzebub, why didn't you tell me I could feed on you?"
"I…didn't want ya tah know," Beelzebub answered.
"Why?"
"Cuz…" Beelzebub colored. "…kid, it's a different thing when ya feed on other demons. When ya feed on other demons. When ya feed on animals or guilty mortals, it satisfies the need to feed. When ya feed on another demon, it satifies the hunger but…" Beelzebub turned a deep red. "..but you share things with the other demon. Demons feeding on each other is meant to be a more personal…intimate…thing…" He then trailed off a little, fumbling with his fingers. "Understand?"
Aang nodded, now he was blushing as well.
"Let's go back ta da inn," Beelzebub said, helping Aang stand, "so we can look at da map 'n see if we can help ya friend,"
"Beelzebub…" Aang murmured.
"Yeah?" Beelzebub asked.
"…are those scars still there?" Aang asked.
Beelzebub froze, "…what scars?"
"The ones on your back. From Leviathan. Are they still there?" Aang asked.
Beelzebub looked down and answered quietly, "…yes…"
"You should take care of those…" Aang said.
Beelzebub didn't answer him, lost in the memory of what caused those markings.
Zuko woke up after an hour and a half of rest. He sleepily sat up in bed and felt a headache coming on. He looked in bed next to him to see Katara was still sleeping soundly, laying on her side. Zuko, even after knowing the child was coming and play-acting "the good husband" and "the good wife" for all to see, still could feel nothing for the girl.
But why didn't he?
Perhaps it was all the bad blood between them. Of course, Katara was not the most horrible person in the world. 'It could be worse,' Zuko thought. And in a way, he did have some level of respect for her since she was the woman carrying his child but
(love)
he didn't love her. He would feel no flutter of joy or excitement in his heart when she was near he felt a cold
(together in child, separate in heart)
neutrality. Katara murmured in her sleep and rolled onto her back. Zuko looked at her body and saw through her dress that her stomach was starting to curve and bulge. Gods, how long had it been since she's had the child? Zuko counted the days briefly and found it had been two weeks. He put a hand gently on Katara's belly and felt a twitch. Zuko almost jumped away from the feeling, but then felt a little flame of pride rise in him.
'At least you can sleep easy, son,' Zuko thought (naturally assuming he would have a son to pass down his line to) as he got out of bed. He decided it would be best if he went to his room, figuring Katara wouldn't love the idea of sharing a bed with him.
Katara only murmured again as Zuko got off the bed. Out in the hallway, Uncle walked over to Zuko.
"Prince Zuko! I've been looking all over for you!" Uncle said, "I heard Commander l Zhao was aboard and you were talking to him but then I got caught up in a game of–"
"Zhao is gone," Zuko answered, letting out a breath of relief, "and thank the gods for that," He then walked towards his room. "I'm going to sleep,"
"Didn't you sleep in Katara's room?" Uncle said.
Zuko stopped walking and made a face, "Well, we weren't doing what you're probably thinking,"
"I didn't say anything, Prince Zuko," Uncle answered.
"You implied it," Zuko answered.
Uncle shrugged innocently, "What's a man to think of two youths who share a room late at night with no one around?"
Zuko let out a grumble and went to his room. He was starting to prefer the company of Zhao than having to deal with this constant nightmare.
Okay…about the "sword and sheath" thing….you see, it was an idea I had. I know that the Fire Nation is like a military/army based society and so they probably would refer to certain things as weapons…so…yeah. (sweat drops) I thought it'd be interesting to use "sword and sheath" instead of them saying "sex". By the way, if you don't know – a sheath is something a sword goes into. (winks) Sort of like a medieval version of "pencil and pencil sharpener".
Yeah, I'm strange like that. – ZeroSoul