CHAPTER THREE

: BARGAIN:

Dilandau slumped against the leather armchair, legs parting as he assumed a comfortable position, studying the luminous flames, flittering in an upward, ravenous motion. Eyes sweeping across the magnificent fire in admiration, he intertwined his slender fingers.

So…what shall my next move be in our little game, Fanel?

Irritably his murderous eyes swerved to the side, identifying the intruder as Dallet hesitantly entered the chambers, satisfaction visible within his swaggered composure. Tucking his right arm beneath the steel breast plate, strapped securely to his pectoral section, he obediently bowed upon retrieving the maniacal youths utter attention. Silence flooded within the room, wisps of air hissing past the open gothic windows, besetting the ominous walls, framed with velvety black draperies, flittering forth with each soft breeze.

" What is it?" Dilandau sneered, returning his indulged gaze to the shriveling flames, warming his seated frame. Reluctantly, Dallet sauntered forward, heeding the loathsome tone of the insane boy.

" The mess has been taken care of," He exclaimed, clearing his throat as he placed a fisted hand near his mouth, muffling the sonorous grunt.

" Was Chesta not ordered to take care of it?" The question was indeed….rhetorical, encased in annoyance as Dilandau surveyed the slayer with speculative taps from his fingers.

" Yes,"

" You know the penalty for disobeying me. Do you not, Dallet?" He remained motionless, momentarily resembling a mannequin.

" Of course, Lord Dilandau. But…" Fright evident in his voice, Dallet strode impetuously forward.

" Do not weary me with your damn excuses," Dilandau stated sternly, concealing his repulsed affection toward the slayer as his fingers instinctively clenched the edge of the armrest, digging his nails into the satchel chair.

" Chesta had his reasons, Sir." Arising he whirled around, eyes dilated, as he approached the confident soldier, cowering inwardly at the homicidal gleam, flickering in a circular motion past his eyes.

" You dare defy me." He ruggedly spat, and for the first time Dallet shuddered, sulking into the doorframe as he struggled to escape that look……….Dilandau had never looked so…..

Shit…….

A soft knock pounded against the door, followed by Chesta's quaint voice, as he addressed Dilandau from behind the door.

" Out of the way imbecile," He spat bitterly shoving the broad man brutally as he snatched the bronze handle, twisting it sharply as he tugged the door hastily open, a gust of wind ruffling past his tousled hair as his bangs swayed against his knitted brows, framed with annoyed wrinkles.

" I was able to find suitable attire for Hitomi, Lord Dilandau." Inspecting the linen material, heaped in the magnanimous slayers arms, he ruthlessly clutched the gown, examining it before tossing it in Chesta's aghast expression.

" She doesn't need to be pampered like some….. damn princess," He snarled, exiting the room, accompanied by Dallet who dismissed himself and descended the stairs.

" I thought……."

" You thought wrong," He growled, shoulders smacking into one another as Dilandau briskly strode past the slayer in a defiant fashion.

" What about food. Shouldn't we feed her?"

" She can starve for all I care." He solemnly grunted.

She deserves death for hanging around that bastard…………….

Smirking he relished the thought. Oh yes……..he would enjoy watching her die……….

And I shall be the one to honor her with it……….

Halting in his saunter he averted his gaze to the familiar wooden table, accompanied by a oval vase, filled with rife, diverse flowers, tainted with the maltreatment loss of attention as they grew shriveled, slumped downward with a crackling appearance. Snipping one of the decomposed roses he twirled it between his thumb and index finger, before crumpling it within his mechanical hand, smashing it into minute pieces.

Fanel wishes to play………then I shall be more than happy to show him my own game.

"And that moon bitch is the first step to victory…"

Chesta entered the room quietly, heeding the silence as the honey haired girl had invoked in slumber. Placing the precisely folded attire near the edge of the bed he sighed sharply, arising from his slouched position before studying the girl with remorse.

It must be hard for her………

A feminine whimper stumbled off her trembling lips as she opened her eyes drearily, writhing viciously against the binds as the silhouette shifted affront her bed.

" Its okay…..its just me. Chesta." He exclaimed, hesitantly soothing her back with his left hand as he walked beside her. Shutting her eyes tightly she quieted, calmed by his tender voice as he reassured her of her safety, squeezing her shoulder for emphasis before he backed away and directed her gaze to the heap of clothes.

" These are for you." He stated, smiling slightly as she looked at the elegant garments.

" Why are you doing this….?" She questioned meekly, peering up to rest her gaze with his.

" Doing….what?"

" Being nice to me. Is it part of Dilandau's scheme for him to gain my trust?" She questioned suddenly, voice attaining a bitter tone.

" No, I….."

" Because I won't fall for it!" She interrupted in a frantic shout. Blinking he backed away slightly, astonished by her outburst. Lowering his head he veiled the pink hue, smearing across his cheeks.

" No…….I just didn't think you'd want to be in those clothes forever." He remarked. Furrowing her brows she studied his posture.

I thought all of Dilandau's slayers were arrogant, conceited jerks. Is it some sort of trick…….? Maybe--

Swiftly her head jerked to the side, perplexed as his slender, nimble fingers tugged at the ropes, clinging to her battered wrists.

" W-what are you doing?" She whispered as he successfully unwound the knot, permitting the ravished rope to pool to the bed.

" Untying you, of course." He retorted with a generous chuckle as her mouth opened.

Is he going to let me go? Please let me be right!

" Please don't try and escape. I don't want to hurt you."

" Then why are you…"

" You need to bathe sometime. Do you not?" He interrupted, concentrating on her ankles as he began to unwound them. Stroking her left wrist, she winced as the raw skin stung from the contact.

" What are you doing, Chesta?" A gruff voice muttered irritably. Whirling around swiftly, he turned to the door.

" Dallet…w-what are you doing here?"

Crossing his arms over his muscular pecks, he tapped his right foot rhymically against the marble floor, corresponding with the ticking of the grandfather clock, chiming in a sonorous, low key.

" I asked what you were doing." Approaching the boy he hovered above his shorter stature.

" Did Dilandau give you orders to release the girl?"

" I asked him," Hitomi piped meekly, hesitantly reverting her vision to the smug slayer, eyeing her suspiciously.

" Is that so?" Arching a dark brow he arrogantly studied her features, lips pursing vaguely as the words tumbled off his taut lips.

" I-I asked him to untie me, so I could bathe and change." She exclaimed, exchanging glimpses with Chesta who turned to her with fascination. No-one had ever risked their lives to save him……….

Confidently Hitomi continued to look at Dallet, who seemingly accepted this fact as he waved his hand apathetically toward her.

" Fine. But if I find she has escaped……" He threatened, clutching the white cuff, furrowing out of the V-shaped shirt, clinging to Chesta's svelte neck. Winding his colossal digits under the garment he tugged the boy closer to him, lifting his small frame slightly in the air.

" You know the penalty for betraying Lord Dilandau." With a dignified grunt he tossed the youth back, glaring momentarily at his stumbling posture before retreating from the chamber. Adjusting his shirt he apologetically turned to Hitomi.

" I'm sorry. I didn't know he would come in."

I guess……..I can trust him…….for now…..

" Its okay. Can you….." Pausing she looked at the binds, firmly looped around her ankles.

" Oh, right!" He chuckled slightly as he advanced toward the edge of the bed, leaning over as he finished the deed, a triumphant smile brimming past his lips as he slumped up, composing his posture as he backed away slightly. Hitomi shifted against the bed, relishing the freedom as she tenderly treated her ankles, slumping forward and sweeping her fingertips softly against the burns, scarring her cream hued skin. Peering up she inspected the soft padding against the floor, identifying the source as Chesta headed toward the door, opening it slightly before tilting his head over his shoulders.


" I'm sorry, but I have to lock the door……" He proclaimed, digging the bronze key from his vest pocket, and shoving it firmly into the key hole.

" If you need anything…….." Nodding, assent ,she watched him wearily exit the room, the audible click of the key securely twisting the lock in place echoed into the silent room. Sighing sharply she lowered her head.

I guess……I should go bathe now……

There it is……..

Smirking triumphantly, Van approached the narrow door Dilandau had once leant against.

Cheh……..psychotic bastard talking to himself. I should've never left Hitomi alone! What was I thinking?! I'm suppose to protect her, not practically hand her over to the damn enemy!

Narrowing his eyes he stealthily swept his feet across the floor in a hunched manner, sneaking slyly near the desired entrance before clutching the knob in a desperate manner. Eyes widening sharply he frantically twisted the knob within his hand, jerking it back and forth before cursing irritably beneath his breath.

" Damn it. This one's locked too." He grumbled. He'd hoped this was the room Hitomi was in, but he wouldn't be able to get through without causing chaos…..suspicion and attention.

At least fifteen guards outside………five in the dining room…….and two inside near the entrance…..

If this was the room Hitomi was held captive, there was no way they'd make it out alive! He craved risky tactics and sly routes but he couldn't risk her life……..not Hitomi's.

But should I risk leaving her here overnight? No! Don't be foolish, Fanel!

Frightened he looked up upon hearing the familiar sound of a shower running.

If she's in this room, why would she be taking a shower!? Arching his brows he dully looked at the door, as though hoping he'd be able to see through it…….eventually.

" You idiot!" A husky voice screeched.

" That sounds like Dilandau," Van murmured warily, walking towards the muffled conversation as he hesitantly thrust his head outward, allowing a single, maroon eye to rest upon the two men, standing affront a door. Enraged, Dilandau seared his mechanized hand against the boy's cheek, accumulating a crimson hue as the impact bruised his bone, fractured in multiple places. There was no doubt that his inhumane arm increased the normal affect, shattering Chesta's cheekbone as he clutched it impetuously, tending the fragile portion with trembling fingers.

" Disobey me again, and the least you'll be worrying about is a simple slap!" He bellowed. Numbly, Chesta nodded his head, before hastily leaving the premises. Heeding his approaching figure, Van leapt back, pressing his back firmly against the wall as he shut his eyes, hoping the action would somehow make him…….invisible.

Tentatively, the boy scurried into his chambers.

I have to do something………if Dilandau's like that around his own men, then just think of the things he might have already done to Hitomi!

" I'm working with a bunch of retarded buffoons!" Dilandau shouted, thrusting his hands into his hair as he paced affront the door. An insane expression indulged his visage before he belligerently unsheathed his sword, gripping the handle with both hands as he aimed it downward, slicing the black vase into two separate portions as it split in the center and slammed into the cracking wooden table that burst and succumbed to the floor in a dismembered heap.

Van watched as the crease of Dilandau's mouth twitched upward, his white teeth glimmering before he looked at the accomplished deed with maniacal laughter.

Hitomi climbed over the tub, wrapping the white towel firmly around her bare, damp body as she retreated from the bathroom. Oddly the bargain she offered Dilandau made its way into her memory as she was thoroughly scrubbing the shampoo into her short hair. What if he agreed? What would she do then? Join his side until he endured faith upon her, then betray him and run back to Van?

No….

Tiredly she plopped onto the bed, absently fiddling her soaked hair with the small towel she had grabbed on her way out. Leaving the cloth to drape over her head she looked at the door, unable to contain her hope that Van would burst in any second. What if he was taken hostage too?

Oh no! I hadn't thought about that!

Nervously she arose from the bed, biting her nails as it had become a habit whenever she was scared, worried or in this case….nervous. What if her vision already occurred? What if Van was already dead!?

No! Don't think like that Hitomi! This is Van were talking about………he makes it out of anything…..

The churning in her stomach told her otherwise as she pondered over the effigies she'd seen earlier of Dilandau's victory……..and Van's…….death.

Van will--no he has to make it out alive. And so do I…

" He just has too…" She whispered, encasing the pendant within her palm, hoping this vision was falsely interpreted.

Dilandau fell onto the floor, dropping the weapon beside him as he impacted with the wall. Inhaling with rugged, rasped breaths, he lifted his hand, placing it against his forehead, dampened with perspiration. Squeezing his temples he palliated the visible throbbing, vibrating against the gold item, strapped to his forehead. Slipping his fingers under the gold crown he lifted it slightly, allowing him to feel the warmth, residing near his brows.

A fever perhaps?

Hah! Such simple things don't affect me! He assured smugly before grunting as an unbearable ache rushed through his robotic arm. Left eye twitching slightly he growled and sneered at the deformation he was damned to for eternity.

" Shit……must be another….malfunction….." He felt so…vulnerable……weak, deprived, and it repulsed him. He of all people was not one to tolerate weakness, and would not disregard this factor for himself. Tossing his arm to the side he tucked his fingers beneath the forsaken blade, picking it up before flipping it till the tip of the weapon faced his abdomen. Thrusting his head back he penetrated the sword slightly within his left pectoral muscle before gliding it partially across his chest, then tugging it out and throwing the sword apathetically to the wall affront him.

Placing his cupped hand beneath the wound he collected the droplets of blood, falling into his awaiting palm as he studied it with lulled eyes. Appearing slightly dormant as his eyes loomed downward.

This………this scar shall remind me of the penalty for weakness…..

Van, aghast, closely exchanged glimpses with Dilandau and his scarred torso. He was mad! Inflicting pain upon himself for no reason at all! Van twirled around, resuming his cautious position against the wall as an idea formed in his mind.

This would have been the precise time to rid Dilandau of this world, forever. So then why wasn't he moving!?

Van turned his attention back to the door. For some mischievous reason he knew she was in there…..waiting for him to take her from this hell. Dilandau's hell.

He'd wait….wait till the slayers were slumbering , then rescue Hitomi like always… For now he'd hide……conceal his presence till midnight…..and hopefully the guards and Dilandau would be oblivious to his actions.

Hitomi trotted hurriedly to the door upon hearing a feverish grunt nearby. Pressing her right ear firmly against the door frame she squinted her eyes, struggling to interpret the voice, oddly familiar to Van's. Placing her hands against the door she pushed herself back with a shake of her head.

No it can't be……….he would have been seen by now!

Dilandau arched his head back, his normally curved hair faltering, as it plastered to his flustered cheeks, gaining a damp appearance. Eyes wavering, the affect began to drain his energy as he struggled to keep his eyes from closing. Lifting his hand he brushed his fingertips against the tender wound, hissing through clenched teeth before lifting his forefingers, pooled in the red substance.

At this rate I won't be able to stay awake for long………. A strained girdle arose in his chest, the crease of his lip stretching as a white fang appeared. Leaning against the wall he pushed his body up with a pained expression.

" Dallet! Where the hell are you!?" Scanning the area he belligerently awaited the slayer running hurriedly up the staircase.

" Yes, Lord…" The soldiers visage transformed into horror as he heeded Dilandau's battered condition.

" What happened to you!?" Dallet questioned abruptly, stepping forward as he outstretched his arms to assist the youth.

" Don't touch me you fool! I can walk on my own!" He protested, smacking Dallet's hands away with a snarl, heeding the confused expression, faltering the brunette's visage.

" What about your …….."

" Just bring some bandages!" He ordered before clutching his head as Dallet hastily scurried away. Gliding his black gloved hand down his face he jerked his head to the side upon seeing a silhouette, lurking in the shadows. Parting his middle and index finger he allowed one eye to search the corridors, deftly swerving left to right.

Fanel…….

Narrowing his eyes with enragement he intently studied the shifting movements of the figure.

So the fool thinks he can save her without a fight?

Grinning maliciously his teeth bore a ravenous glimmer as a ray of light peered over his eyes, leaking with the inner remorse of innocence.

" Here, Lord Dilandau." Dallet sauntered beside him, his arms cluttered with the necessary aiding tools as he turned to face the smirking boy. The significant loss of color drained from the slayers complexion as he studied the disturbing visage. Licking his parched lips he cleared his throat with a low grunt. Acknowledging the soldier Dilandau whirled around with a vicious snarl.

" Put it in my room you insolent fool!"

Nodding he escorted the Lord into his chambers, placing the supplies atop the bed. Slumping onto the bed Dilandau dismissed Dallet with a jerk of his head, before arching his back toward the bed as he breathed raggedly. Slowly he began the task of removing the armor. Placing his hand on the red tinted shield he removed the large objects, draped over his shoulders. Shutting his eyes with a grunt he relished the loss of weight as the two mounds clattered to the floor. Tucking his fingers beneath the linen black collar he tugged it down just below his abdominal muscles, contracting with each strained intake of air.

Lifting the white bottle he exasperatedly tore the top off with an indignant scowl. Dipping his fingers into the glutinous substance he rubbed it over the slanted scar, hissing as it nipped from the antidote smeared across it.

Picking up the white gauze he draped it several times around his pectoral section, before tying a knot securely beneath his armpit. Falling atop the bed he closed his eyes, unable to escape slumber.

Van Fanel…..you'll just have to wait for your death…….

Hitomi cuddled into the blankets, after donning the elegant attire Chesta had given her. Shutting her eyes she was unable to sleep, consistently worried over the angels safety……as well as his whereabouts.

Wherever you are Van………I just hope your alright……

Van found a decent resting area near the locked door, which was a small room that seemingly stored weapons. Moving the sheathed swords, nun chucks and other diverse weapons, he rested in the closet; glad for once his wings were intact within him. Strands of his dark bangs fiddled over his closed eyes as he relentlessly fell asleep.

He'd be sure to wake up before Dilandau or any of the slayers did, then he could rescue Hitomi. The thought made a smile gift his melancholy, slumbered expression as he shifted in his sleep.

I will come for you Hitomi………….you can count on it…..

A/N: Hope that was ok. The next chapter might take me awhile to update with thanksgiving coming up and all. Well hope you enjoyed this chapter. And just incase I don't get to update before…Happy Thanksgiving! ^o^