A/N: The author does not have anything against homosexuality and did not use the term "gay" with the intention of discrimination.

Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.

WARNING: MODERATE LANGUAGE.

Chapter 3: Yami

Argilla walked out of the power room with Heat in tow. She may not be able to see him but she could practically feel his eyes burning a hole through her back. He was watching her intently. She didn't know why but she felt highly uncomfortable but at the same time, thrilled.

She stopped and he did too. She turned to face him, "Let's go to the rendezvous point."

Heat smirked, "Isn't that where we're supposed to go anyway? Why are you telling me this?"

Heat suddenly felt lightheaded. He was smelling something again. She was emitting that very addictive fragrance again. It was driving him crazy…

Heat regarded the woman before him with a dreamy expression not betrayed by his countenance; she was blushing. No doubt she was embarrassed. She was disoriented. And it was all because of him. Granted that she had been talking to the bastard, but, Heat knew, that the pink tinge on her face was not because of him.

"Well…?" he said sensuously, again, his desire rising.

Apparently, she felt it too, as she bit her lip unsurely, and turned around and started walking again.

Heat wasn't going to let her get away that easy, and so, he grabbed her hand, "Wait." he said gruffly, "We're not done."

"Yes we are." she replied steadily, her pink eyes meeting his intense stare.

She attempted to snatch her hand away from his, but he held on tighter, "Let me go Heat."

He furrowed his eyebrows, "Not until you tell me what you wanted to tell me in that room."

She tilted her head in confusion, "What are you talking about?"

He leaned closer to her, and she leaned back, trying to put space in between them. His other hand grasped her arm and pulled her closer, "Don't play innocent Argilla. I saw you…"

She trembled slightly, not used to the close contact between them, "I just wanted to…"

"To…?"

"Ask…if you…felt what I felt…" she breathed.

"Feel what?"

"That…" she was annoyed with herself. She felt so intimidated by him. She was a strong and smart member of Embryon, and here she was trembling before a man. A comrade no less.

"I feel warm…"

That had done it. Heat lost control. As she said those words, had he sooner pinned her on the nearest wall and ravaged her lips with his. She whimpered in pain as her head hit the wall. Heat pressed himself closer to her pried her lips open with his teeth and tongue.

Was she resonating of his desire for her? Was it possible that she saw him as a prospect as well? This was the first breakthrough he had had all day. And if so, he would do anything to widen that desire.

She gasped, her hands clawing at his suit. Heat moaned as he heard her gasp. It was such a beautiful sound. It was made for him and him only. His hand left her hand and attached itself to the back of her head, where he could pull her face closer and tighter against his own.

She moaned involuntarily as his tongue invaded her mouth, roughly coaxing her to respond to him. But she did no such thing and stood there, pushing him away.

He didn't budge and bit her lips, drawing blood. It was a silent order telling her to respond to him. She gasped once more at the pain and attempted to claw at his face. He grabbed her hands before she could do so and pinned them at her sides, while using his weight to hold her in her position.

Heat's inner self was ecstatic. His dream was coming into fruition. But his conscious self had told him that this was neither the time nor place to force her to submit to him. If they didn't succeed in this mission, they'd be one step closer to annihilation by the other tribes.

Besides, the others would get suspicious if they didn't make the rendezvous point in time.

And so, he pulled away from her, with a dreamy look in his face. He looked into her eyes which were filled with disbelief and…contempt.

He only had a quarter of a second to ponder on the emotions in her eyes before he felt the stinging sensation on his cheek.

She slapped him.

His hand immediately went to his cheek and he glared at her. But nonetheless, he said nothing and continued to walk through the halls. His original plan had been to gently seduce her…but with his move moments before, he knew that he had to abandon that plan.

Argilla stood there, not believing on the things that had just happened. Heat kissed her. He kissed her hard. With slightly trembling hands, she traced her lips and saw from her fingers, that she was bleeding. She ran her tongue through her lips and removed the blood.

Why had he done it?

She didn't know. But she shouldn't think about it right now. And so, she followed behind him. She stiffed when she received a transmission from Serph, "Heat, Argilla, report."

"We're heading to the point now. ETA, 5 minutes."

"Did you run into some problems?" Serph asked.

"No…it was smooth." came her reply.

"Roger that. Out."

xxxxx

They had arrived at the rendezvous point at the designated time; well, almost. They were two minutes late and Serph had already arrived. As Heat had walked into the control room, with Argilla closely behind, he couldn't help but notice the suspicious looks that his leader had sent his way.

Heat smirked. He was enjoying this.

The bastard had suspected something. Heat knew it and from the way that Serph had sneered, it would seem that Serph knew that Heat knew he knew. It was all a game of cat and mouse.

Cielo on the other hand had an amused look on his face.

Heat simply didn't give a damn whatever that dimwitted buffoon thought.

"Ey! Wat took you guys? We've been waiting ja?"

Serph remained quiet but his stern eyes said all that he wanted to say. He was challenging Heat for an answer.

Heat's inner self grinned. 'They've got nothing on you.'

Heat rolled his eyes, "It's been two minutes. Two fucking minutes. What are you guys so worried about?"

Argilla, who was still silent for the last two minutes, looked from Serph to Heat and back from Heat to Serph. The room was filled with tension and it was close to choking her. The two were both so deathly quiet that it would seem that they were about to leap for each other's throats at the slightest whimper from anyone.

She didn't like it.

She had to stop it. Whatever had transpired between herself and Heat was something that was personal and not the tribe's immediate concern. It was she who could resolve it on her own. But as she gazed at Serph's eyes which continued to elude her own, she knew that he knew something.

She looked at Heat and saw him clench his jaw out of anger. Cielo's amused look had vanished from his face only to be replaced with a concerned look.

This had gone on far enough.

If this continued any further, it would mean that one law of the Junkland may be invoked. The law to challenge. Serph, in so far of his leadership of Embryon had been successful but this success could only be held on for so long. Just as anyone had the chance of becoming a tribe leader, every leader had the obligation to defend his position and title to any and every challenger.

Heat was strong and smart. He would make a good leader.

It was no secret that Heat had wanted the position. It was also no secret that he had nothing but contempt for Serph. It was the perfect excuse to challenge him for the position.

"That's enough!" Argilla suddenly yelled, cutting in between them, spreading out her arms, looking at each of their eyes for a few seconds before slowly putting her arms down and slowly turning to Serph with stern yet hopeful eyes, "Heat's right Serph. It's only been a couple of minutes. We got a little sidetracked but it's no biggie. Really. Everything's under control."

Serph tore his eyes from Heat and looked at Argilla, his eyes narrowing slightly, before nodding and slightly brushing passed her, his shoulder colliding with hers.

He was mad at her.

She sighed. Serph had been like that lately. Although he was still his cute and sweet self, there were times wherein he'd just be well, moody.

He was tensed; very tensed. But she supposed it was due to this seemingly endless war that they were all fighting.

Her eyes followed Serph's back as he headed out the door. She then looked at Heat who regarded her just as coldly. She held his gaze for a few more seconds before turning her back at him and speaking to Cielo.

xxxxx

Three platoons arrived at the base an hour later. They had already started converting the base.

The four sat in the control room, quietly and unmoving. They had still to name the base. Everyone with the exception of Heat looked at Serph expectantly.

Serph would know what to name it.

Besides, he had every right to name it.

"Well Serph?"

"…Saraswati…"

Argilla raised an eyebrow, "What…?"

"Saraswati…" Serph repeated slowly.

"Hn…" Heat scoffed.

He hated the bastard. Because he led the Embryon, all attention was on him. Again. He got to name their teams, this base…and 'He'll be naming his spawn with her too…' he thought with contempt. He really shouldn't overanalyze things.

'Saraswati…? What the hell is that?' Heat asked himself bitterly. He glared daggers at his rival but he seemed to be oblivious to them. Serph seemed preoccupied and had his head cast down.

Heat sneered inwardly.

That's how Serph should always look like; tired and defeated.

He smirked.

However, his smirk quickly disappeared and was replaced with a more menacing look as he watched Argilla pull herself closer to the bastard and wrap an arm around him asking him what was wrong.

Heat frowned. He may look defeated and tired; a total undignified heap that was unbecoming of a tribe leader, but what did it matter?

He still had the undivided attention of their object of affection.

And that was Serph's ace-in-the-hole. Her concern and care for him. That was also why he won this round and why Heat lost.

Again.

'Damn that bitch!!' he inwardly shouted, glaring at Argilla.

'She'll be mine…I'll fuck her so hard she won't know left from right!' he promised dangerously.

His glare shifted from Argilla to Serph as he saw the bastard raise his head and look at the woman beside him, giving her a warm smile, saying nothing. He leaned in ever slightly into the crook of her neck…Heat's eyes widened. Was it…possible that…the bastard smelled it too?

Heat couldn't take it anymore.

Without saying a word, Heat stood up and left the room, slamming his fist on the wall along the hallway.

"I tink he's jealous ja?" Cielo remarked timidly.

Argilla looked at Cielo wide-eyed.

'Could it be…why he…?' Argilla asked herself and stiffened. Could it be that he wanted…her to be his mate?

Serph remained quiet but he missed none of the body languages that passed through the room like noisy trains. Argilla stiffened when Cielo had mentioned of Heat being jealous. And the fact that Argilla and Heat were late that afternoon made him all the more suspicious. Had something happened between the two of them that he didn't know? Was she at all interested in him?

His face contorted back into its steely and cold countenance but nonetheless remained where he was. Her smell, although still intoxicating him, fueled his jealousy towards his rival.

So Heat really did want her eh?

Well, he was going to have to fight for her. And Serph wasn't about to give her up without a fight. That was the law. If two or more males had had their eyes set on the same female, they had the obligation to eliminate competition in order to lay claim. But of course, the female would always have a say in her future; she would have to choose and once she'd chosen, it was for life, unless the said mate had died.

Be that as it may, things had not changed. He would have to fight Heat for her.

xxxxx

Heat cursed himself as he lay there on his bunk.

Serph had decided that they remained at Saraswati for a few more days, possibly two more weeks.

Heat was bored, to say the least.

The place was so damn old; he was beginning to think that it was going to collapse! The base required a lot of work, and now, he was happy that they had more manpower. They were currently using the men converted from the vanquished Maribel.

Right…

The Embryon weren't sure of their loyalties yet. And so they were needed to monitor the bitches and bastards. Heat gritted his teeth; this was just an insult to his capabilities. This was all grunts' work.

But someone had to do it.

'And the unlucky dogs just happened to be us…'

His eyes narrowed but then, he forced himself to relax. Things could always get worse. Besides, he smirked, Argilla was here. That way, he could keep an eye on her. He still remembered her slap on his cheek. Although it did not hurt, it sent him a message that she did not want anything to do with him. And now that he kissed her, that he had tasted her, he was all the more determined to have the whole of her.

'Seduction?' Obviously, that didn't work. She did not even respond in their kiss. But…still, Heat knew she felt something. She said so herself. She felt "warm". He gritted his teeth; he would have her, even if it meant forcing her to see things his way. Hopefully, it wouldn't come to that, but war had taught him that he had to be prepared for all eventualities.

And so, as he thought of her, he closed his eyes wearily and let himself be carried away by the soothing winds of slumber.

xxxxx

He awoke the next morning with a throbbing heart and cold sweat. She came to him again the night before and as he suspected as he looked around him, his bed sheets, pillows and blankets were either torn up or in complete disarray, tossed in multiple, random corners of the room.

Heat growled while trying to catch his breath. That was the most vivid dream yet. But, that dream was different from the rest that he had thus far encountered. The previous dreams were more pleasurable.

More pleasurable for her. Heat's red eyes transfixed themselves on the wall, his eyebrows furrowing. He had been in complete control in the dream. He had her just the way he wanted.

'Wait…the way I wanted…?' he asked himself, suddenly feeling unsure.

In the dream, she was completely at his mercy, asking him, no, begging him not to do what he had done. He had hurt her; he had been cruel. He could clearly recall her cracked voice, hoarse from screaming. He remembered laughing as he hit her on her perfect little face, nearly breaking her jaw.

Her perfect body being adorned with his marks of passion only pressed his desire.

Heat let out a deep breath; was that what he really wanted?

He smirked; yes. It was what he wanted. It had taken him weeks of slumber torture to understand it. It wasn't a question of right and wrong. If asked, Heat would have told anyone and everyone that it was wrong to put someone through agony for the sake of one's own pleasure.

But that wasn't the case. The question was what would he have done about it, knowing that it was wrong? Would he still continue on or would he forget the idea?

Heat's eyes narrowed still as he placed his elbows on his knees, clasping his hands together, keeping them at the level of his eyes. He would continue. Why?

Because she, unwittingly had been continuously torturing him. With all the looks, secret glances and small touches that she had bestowed upon him, there was no way that she couldn't have known about his feelings towards her, or her own lust towards him.

In the previous night, he had hoped that it wouldn't come to that; that he wouldn't have to hurt her…but it would seem that his inner self had already decided what it wanted. He wanted her to hurt.

But, if it was a question of right and wrong, then, certainly, Argilla would be guilty of being wrong as well.

'I'll get her for what she has done…' he thought darkly.

Oh yes, he would make her pay.

It was then that his thoughts wandered over to his rival. Yes, he would destroy him one day as well. Serph had taken everything from Heat; all the opportunities, glory, positions…and last of all, her.

It wasn't fair.

Up until now, Heat had been letting it all pass, but now, now that he had finally realized what it was he desired, he wasn't about to let it slip through his fingers the way he let the others did.

He smirked; when he claimed her, she would think of only him. She would love only him. She would hate only him. She would scream only for him. She would bleed only for him. She would die only for him.

And by doing so, Serph would collapse, from the inside. Heat would break Argilla in more ways than one that she would be a mere shadow of her former self that Serph couldn't help but feel despair at the mere sight of her.

Oh yes, how they would pay.

And when it was all over, he would kill Serph, but he won't let her die.

No, she won't die. She would live. She would live knowing that it was he who had killed Serph.

'But what about her smile…?' an unknown voice broke through his soulless self.

'Her smile?!' Heat asked incredulously.

'Yes…her smile…her bright pink hair, her warm hands pressing against your own skin…? What of those things?'

'I would have those when I'm through with her!'

'You won't…'

'What did you say!?'

'You won't…When we're through with her…her smile will never come to pass…her bright pink her will become thin and dull, her warm hands cold and clammy…'

As Heat thought of Argilla being broken, his heart had softened. She would be a shadow of her former self, as he thought. But, the more he thought and envisioned it, the more he didn't like what he saw.

He shook his head, 'You're getting soft.'

And with a thought of finality, he willed himself to shut that annoying voice in his head and forced himself to tackle the new day.

xxxxx

Heat walked into the control room, his face expressionless, but his nerves were anything but. Serph had called them all that morning; Heat smirked. Finally, they would be doing something interesting.

He remembered walking around Saraswati. The ex-Maribel troops had performed efficiently and effectively. The base had been established, and was currently being fortified with defensive weapons and artillery, sensors were placed accordingly, control towers kept close and watchful eyes over the horizon of over a five-mile radius.

"Alright. Everyone's here." The "bastard's" voice broke through the silence that the Embryon group was otherwise oblivious to.

"As you know, the operation had been a success. We have established a new HQ. But, the real problem is sustaining the base. I need a secure line for supplies from Muladhara to Saraswati. As you all know, the distance from Muladhara to Saraswati is 40 miles."

The hologram had activated and the group was given a digital map of the terrain in which they would be placing the supply depots.

"As you all can see, the terrain is pretty much leveled but a bit rocky. It would provide as excellent cover and a straight line from Muladhara. I want three supply depots established, here," he pointed, "here and there."

"I've already sent a group from here and one from Muladhara to begin the construction of the supply depots at the outskirts of the respective HQs. Ten miles from each of the HQs. What I need now is the establishment of the last depot located at the centre of the line. It's only 20 miles from Muladhara and Saraswati, which means that the last depot is only 10 miles from the other depots. I need two volunteers to secure this mission."

"Why just two?" Argilla asked, after taking a minute to ponder on her leader's proposition.

"I'm needed here and I need an X.O here as well. The remainders are two other members. You three," he nodded at each of them, "are the best of the Embryon tribe, and I believe that any two of you are more than capable of leading the group to establish the depot."

"How many?" Heat interjected.

"A team of 10, with the team leader and his/her X.O." Serph replied expressionlessly.

"I'll do it." Heat deadpanned.

Cielo raised an eyebrow, "You serious brudda?"

Heat smirked at Cielo, "Why not? I'm bored twiddling my thumbs at this shit hole."

"I'll go too."

Whereas Serph had been thus far expressionless, his countenance had taken a complete 180 degree turn as he looked dumfounded at the source of the voice.

Heat's eyes widened as well.

"I want to go. Heat would need me for support." Argilla stated as-a-matter-of-factly.

"No fair! I wanna volunteer ja?" Cielo pouted.

Heat rolled his eyes, "I need a competent officer, not a liability."

Cielo glared daggers at Heat, "And what is dat supposed to mean you big oaf?!"

Serph sighed, he didn't like it, but Cielo and Heat wouldn't be able to work good together. They were just too different. They were most probably going to spend more time bickering and insulting each other rather than getting the work done whereas Argilla might prove otherwise.

The two seemed to get along well.

'Too well…' he thought darkly. His body began to stiffen with possessiveness.

But, this was neither the place nor the time to be thinking of these kinds of things. They had a mission to complete and the sooner it was done, the better, for all of them.

"That's enough." Serph said plainly, "It's decided. Heat and Argilla will head the mission." He looked hard at Heat, "Heat will lead the team and Argilla will be his second."

Heat returned his strong gaze and was grinning mad inwardly. That bastard was really stupid. Well, it was no skin off his back really. It would seem as if Heat's luck was finally turning around. It was all perfect for his plan. No Serph and no Cielo.

But of course, Serph wasn't the leader of Embryon for nothing. He probably half-knew or knew what his intentions were towards their pink-haired comrade. But, as he said so himself, he could do nothing. The mission came first. The lives of their tribesmen depended on it.

They were best-suited for the job and whilst Serph didn't like it, his hands were tied.

"When do we leave?" Argilla asked seriously, her pink eyes burrowing into Serph's steely ones.

"You leave tomorrow at 0500 hours. Dismissed."

Heat nodded, his arms remaining crossed and stalked out of the room not before stealing a glance at the woman and the bastard who, at the time, seemed to have a private and intimate conversation of their own.

Cielo had already left but then again, Heat really couldn't give a damn if he just rolled onto the sidewalk and died.

A part of him wanted to blend in with the shadows and attempt to hear what their conversation was about, but then, Serph would know and it wouldn't work to his advantage anyway.

So, he left the room, his feet stomping the floor noisily out of extreme irritation. For now, she could do whatever she wanted. But, after he had claimed her, she would be his and his alone. She would do what only he had said.

xxxxx

Heat took a deep breath and exhaled just as deeply as he gazed at the horizon before him. He was sitting on the roof of the control tower, just gazing at the sandy terrain; arid and inhospitable, and how it seemed to glow from the illumination provided by the full moon. All things aside, all in all, it was quite a sight to behold. The moon was truly wonderful.

Heat's mind had always been full of turmoil and unrest. And yet, there he was, appreciating the scenery that laid before him. He sighed. This was one of those rare moments for him where he was just where he wanted to be; doing what he wanted to do without any preoccupations. Just being…

But…then, as always, his tranquil mind was brought back to the cruel reality.

It was close to midnight and he knew that he should be asleep. He had an early start tomorrow; he and Argilla. Well, she was part of the reason why he didn't want to sleep. The dreams. That and the fact that it seemed that he couldn't sleep either.

His thoughts were interrupted as he felt a familiar presence behind him.

And in that instant, his blood boiled.

That bastard.

What did he want now?

He was silent. Heat was as well. It was still irking him to no end that he had been so preoccupied in his thoughts that he failed to notice the presence until he was but a meter from him.

Argilla had that effect on him. She rendered him careless and incapable.

"If you don't want to lose both your head and your title, I suggest you crawl back into whatever gay bunk that you came from." was Heat's statement, which was a threat more than anything.

"I didn't come here to discuss my problem with you." was Serph's response to Heat's threat. That was Serph. He always knew how to handle aggressive people. But Heat was more than just your everyday whacko. Serph had not chosen to rule under power. He chose to earn his tribesmen's allegiances through friendship and camaraderie. But for some reason, Heat was the only person who was resistant to his leadership capabilities.

It was just that Heat hated him.

Serph had tried and tried and he knew that deep down, Heat was a comrade, but given the choice of dethroning him or pledging his undying allegiance in the event of an opportunity, he knew, with great disdain, that Heat would choose the former rather than the latter.

And now, he simply didn't want to deal with Heat and his issues with him.

When Heat did not say anything, Serph drew a quick breath and nodded, "I came to talk to you about Argilla." he finished sternly.

Heat had expected this.

"What about her?" Heat asked calmly.

"I won't tell you to do or not to do anything Heat. You are a member of Embryon and you should already know our protocols. She is an integral part of our team. But, this matter is outside military jurisdiction. You already know of what I speak."

"…"

"As the leader of Embryon, I know I shouldn't say this, but, if you try anything…I'll kill you." Serph said with a dangerously low tone.

And before Heat could say anything, he found himself alone once again.

He grinned, "Bring it on you son of a bitch."

xxxxx

A/N:

Yami: Japanese for "darkness".

Saraswati/Sarasvati: Hindu goddess of intelligence, learning and is a matriarch of sorts of arts and music. Students pray to Saraswati when faced with exams and tests. She is the wife of Brahman the Creator. She is usually seen wearing a white robe or a sari while seated on a lotus. She is often seen with a swan or a peacock.