Disclaimer: I do not own Black Clover as it belongs to its respective owner. For entertainment purposes.

Warning: This chapter does contain descriptions of a panic attack as well as some imagery some might find graphic, so if this effects you, please read with caution.

Tender Beginnings: A Bleeding Heart

The sounds of terrified shrieks resounded behind him, and Yuno begged his legs to run faster to escape them. Even with his heartbeat pounding loudly in his ears, they still pierced through and echoed in his mind. The overpowering metallic scent of blood filled the air, and with each panicked breath he took, the more it filled his lungs. It was like being strangled from the inside. But no matter how far he ran, he couldn't escape the screams nor the blood.

His feet connected with something in front of him, and he was sent crashing to the ground with a sickening splash following shortly after. A gasp left his mouth, and what little air he had left was forced from his form in the impact. Though his body screamed for rest, he couldn't stay down. He couldn't. If he did…If he did…

The cries of anguish spoke of what awaited him if he remained here. Mustering the determination to continue moving, he shakily rose his drenched form for a single moment. Then his legs collapsed under his weight, and he fell back to the ground. He had to keep going. He had to.

One of his trembling hands burrowed into the soft dirt ahead of him. He tried to ignore the way it slid through his fingers like ooze. He dug into it with all his might until he created enough of a grip to pull himself forward, just a tiny bit. His other hand soon joined in the effort as he dragged himself ahead at the cost of his aching fingers.

But it was too late. Always too late.

He found himself truly choking as a heavy pressure slammed onto his back. He sputtered a few coughs as the weight lessened ever so slightly. Any thought of attempting to remove the pressure himself was extinguished as quickly as it came. His body had finally given up and left him with not even an ounce of strength to twitch. His eyes burned as a few tears slipped down his cheeks. This was it. This was the end.

Yuno jolted with a start as he fought to catch his breath, but it was hard when everything was still dyed red from his dreams and the faintest metallic scent still lingered in his nose. Through the ringing in his mind, a distant ba-dum was echoing. Snapping his eyes shut, he tried to focus on the sound. Beneath him was familiar, calm heartbeat, and he could feel the steady rise and fall of the other's chest while snores filled the air above him. Matching the pace, Yuno forced himself to regulate his own breathing as he continued to listen to the beat playing in his ear. In and out. Like he had been taught to.

Gradually, with each soothing beat that passed, the vice-grip his chest was in lessened until it no longer felt like he was fighting for air. His stiff fingers uncurled themselves ever slightly from the fabric and the metal chain they had coiled around. Blinking, the room shifted in hue from red to orange to the golden glow of dawn. It still remained fuzzy in appearance, and the stinging in his eyes told him that he had unknowingly been crying either while he had been sleeping or when he had awakened. Possibly both.

Shakily, he shifted his elbow slightly to wipe his eyes since his fingers refused to fully detach themselves from the anchors holding him to reality. His eyes blinked once more as they adjusted back to the world around them. He shifted his gaze around the bed to see if his actions had disturbed anyone, and, thankfully, it didn't appear to be the case this morning.

Nash remained sprawled out to Yuno's left with the child's tuffs of brown locks looking tussled from the night. Looking behind his shoulder, he could see Recca curled near his side as she faced him. A small pit of guilt formed in his stomach when he saw that she had attempted to bury her curly, red hair under the pillows. Though at the same time, another part of him was grateful. He could barely handle seeing the color on the best of mornings. Glancing above him, he could tell from the smoothed jawline that Asta had not woken up when Yuno had…awakened.

Satisfied with his assessment, he settled his head back down over Asta's heart and listened once more to its beat while most of his tension melted away. Judging by the light shining through the window, Sister Lily and Father Ofai would be waking soon themselves and come collect the children for their morning routines. He might as well stay up.

"Asta," Sister Lily admonished, "Chew your food before you swallow."

Said boy had replied with something, but the food in his mouth made it impossible for Yuno to decipher what the other had said. Father Ofai shook his head in response and seemed to mutter a prayer at the ceiling. His attention returned to reading whatever papers were before him. Nash pointed at Asta and babbled while Sister Lily sighed as she cleaned the remainder of breakfast from his face with a small cloth. Recca rolled her eyes as she continued to eat her own potato pancakes.

Yuno picked at his meal lightly. His nose twitched, and he swear he could detect the faintest scent of blood as it did. His stomach turned, and Yuno pushed the plate of food away from him slightly. The small scrape of the plate across the table caught the interest of bright, green eyes. Asta had opened up his daily vial of medicine and quickly finished drinking it before turning to Yuno.

"Aren't you going to finish your pancakes?" Asta asked in that echoing voice of his that never failed to attract the attention of all who heard it. Sister Lily glanced over as she paused in tidying up Nash. Father Ofai had also looked up from his papers with his brows furrowing together. Unconsciously, Yuno's fingers grasped his necklace's chain as he shifted slightly at the amount of eyes now on him.

"Yuno," Sister Lily said softly while her teal eyes clouded slightly in concern, "You've hardly touched your food." Yuno turned his head away from his audience as he pushed the plate further away from him. He shook his head.

"I'm not hungry."

Father Ofai and Sister Lily opened their mouths to no doubt argue that he should eat, but before they could, the other two children had decided the food's fate. Asta and Recca divided up the pancakes between the two of them and quickly devoured them. Father Ofai frowned at the two while Asta retorted, "He said he wasn't hungry!"

"You need to learn to be patient," Father Ofai scolded before addressing the children, "That's extra chores for you two." Recca groaned while Asta huffed indignantly. "I have to report to the Hunter's Guild today," The priest continued as he pointed at Asta, "Which means you have to help on firewood and grocery duty." Switching his finger to Recca, he finished, "And you have to tend to the garden and help Sister Lily with Nash." When the two started to protest, he gave them a raised eyebrow that asked if they wanted to add more tasks to their day. They wisely shut their mouths.

Sister Lily turned to Yuno. "Are you feeling okay?" She asked as she touched his forehead lightly with the back of her hand, "How about you stay here and help with laundry today?" On any other day, he might have agreed to it. But today, his skin felt like it was crawling under the adults' observant gazes. So he said the first thing that came to mind.

"I'll help Asta," He said as he avoided her previous questions. When it seemed like she might disagree, he quickly added, "We'll get more wood with the two of us." Sister Lily glanced over at Father Ofai as the two shared a look. Whatever silent conversation they had, Sister Lily's shoulders fell slightly in resignation after a moment.

"Okay," She agreed with a sigh, "But you have to keep together."

The leaves crunched beneath their feet as Asta and Yuno made their way through the underbrush. He could tell the other was watching him, but Yuno did his best to ignore his gaze. Instead, he fiddled with his necklace's chain or picked up twigs from the ground. The other didn't question him, and he was grateful for that. He was more than content to listen to Asta's voice fill the silence between them than the faint echoes of voices he couldn't seem to erase in his ears. Though, he couldn't help but sense another pair of eyes on them from time to time.

When they had finally gathered enough of a wood pile to satisfy the growing need for warmth with the changing of the leaves' colors, the two of them came stopped for lunch on a hilltop's clearing. Asta rummaged through the bushes and plucked some red berries from their branches. He held some out for Yuno to take as he always did, and Yuno shook his head as usual while pointedly avoiding looking at some spots of juice that had spilt onto the other's hands.

He took a bite out of the loaf Sister Lily had given him and grimaced at its hardness. He imagined this would be what it's like to eat a rock. Still, it filled his grumbling stomach that had finally settled enough to hold something. A quick glance at Asta showed the other was having his own trouble eating his bread as he squished berries on it to soften the load. A strong metallic scent assaulted his nose, and Yuno couldn't help but gag as his hands rushed to cover his mouth. He bent over slightly as he fought to keep what little lunch he had in his stomach.

"Yuno?!" Asta yelped as he abandoned his bread and leaned over to get a better look at him. But the scent followed him, and Yuno could see his palms were soaked in red. He forced his eyes shut. Normally, he could handle it. He could look away while Asta munched on his favorite snack. But his mind was falling back to his dream, and it was too much.

Red, red, red. He was drowning in it.

He felt Asta wrap an arm around his shoulder and tug him close. His head bumped against Asta's chest and a familiar thumping sounded in his ear. "We're alive," Asta repeated as he waited for Yuno to process his words. The metallic scent was still there, but if Yuno buried himself against Asta, he could smell the other's familiar mixture of the woods and the Church. A hand went up and down his back in a soothing circle with each cycle bringing his mind closer and closer into the present.

When he felt settled enough, he pulled away with a muttered, "Still here." Tears had once again fallen from his face, and he rubbed his eyes to rid himself of the remaining ones. Both of their lunches had been abandoned in front of them, and he couldn't find it in himself to resume eating. Instead, he focused on the small warmth that was still pressing against his back.

It was late afternoon by the time the two of them had carted the wood to the Church and ran to the market place before it could close. Yuno took the list and split it in two before handing a half to Asta. As much as he didn't want to separate from the other and deal with the whispering townsfolk or the glaring shopkeepers alone, there was no other way to complete their task before the market closed for the week.

"If anyone gives you trouble," Asta declared as he gave Yuno a thumbs up, "Let me know, and I'll have your back." His words brought a small smile to Yuno's face, and they bumped their fists together to seal the other's promise. Then Asta speed off with a determined yell that vowed trouble for any person who dared get in his way. And not for the first time, Yuno wished he could have an ounce of the other's courage. Instead, he stuck to the outer edges of the plaza to avoid the evening crowd but could still overhear their whispers.

"Did you hear about the attack on-"

"-heard from the Guild that they've-"

"-Keep getting closer to Hage."

"I bet its those Fae brats that-"

Yuno covered his ears as he quickly passed by the latest gossip. His eyes glued themselves to the cobblestone as he turned down an alleyway to avoid their burning eyes. When he had put some distance between him and the whispering townsfolk, he slowly removed his hands. His chest tightened, and he quickly brushed some of his black hair over the tips of his ears until he felt satisfied they weren't showing. He just had to turn this corner and circle back to the marketplace.

But instead, as he rounded the other entry of the alleyway to one of the main roads, he bumped into someone. "S-Sorry," He squeaked out as he backed up a couple spaces. However, when he turned his head upwards to look at who he had run into, everything in his body froze.

A too wide smile greeted him back along with red eyes that focused momentarily on his necklace before returning to Yuno's face. A chill ran down his spine as he heard the man before him laugh to himself. He wanted to run, but his body wouldn't respond. It felt as though he was being weighed by chains. The man said something, but Yuno couldn't quite process his words. His mind was racing, and he could feel himself beginning to slip away as a pale hand reached towards him.

"Found you."

He felt himself being lifted as the screams around him began to die. He felt like a ragdoll as he dangled before his pursuers. They appeared as shadowy monsters that grinned far too much to be natural with sharp teeth. Their red eyes pierced his soul, and he found himself unable to think much less move.

A hand reached out towards him, and he felt it grasp his chin. His head was tilted from side to side, and the crimson gazes all looked at him appraisingly. There might have been words being spoken around him, but to his ears, it sounded like a garbled mess. What he could hear clearly were the increasingly sounds of manic laughter that began to fill the silent air.

Then he felt himself being dropped suddenly. A bright beam of light engulfed him as the shadows scattered. There among the red of the world, he could see light-green eyes like the color of clovers watching him.

"-Yuno!"

Distantly, he heard someone shout his name and could see the man's hand retract. The man whipped his head towards the sound, and in the next moment, he was knocked down by the momentum of something ash-blond. Asta. Some part of Yuno wanted to move to flee, to help. But his body ignored his pleas. All he could do was watch the scene before him unfold.

"What were you doing?" Asta shouted at the man as he angled himself between the two of them. The stranger stayed at the ground in confusion as he stared at Asta with narrowed eyes. A beat of silence passed between them as the man blatantly refused to answer the other's questions. Asta glanced back slightly at Yuno and frowned when he met his gaze. Whipping his head back towards the man, the boy snapped, "What did you do to Yuno?!"

The stranger finally reacted as he hit Asta out of the way. The other crashed into a stone building with a crash before bouncing off and hitting the ground. The man took a step towards Yuno, and Yuno could see Asta rise to his hands and knees while coughing. Then Asta tackled the man again, but he failed to knock the stranger off balance again. Instead, he was tossed aside again.

"Stay out of my way," The man hissed at Asta who was rising again despite the bruises forming on his face. Asta shook his head and ran at the stranger. This time, he ducked at the swiping hand and kicked the man in his knee. The man yowled before snatching the back of Asta's white tunic and throwing him against some barrels. The wood creaked upon impact. "You're testing my patience," The stranger snarled as knuckles cracked with his fingernails sharpening to claws. Something in Yuno was screaming for Asta to run.

"I'm not giving up," Asta declared as he spat out blood and possibly a tooth, "Not until you leave Yuno alone!" Then he got on feet and leaped at the man. However, the stranger swiped at the boy and caught him around the middle. Drops of blood like rain hit the cobblestone from Asta's stomach. In his mind, Yuno was pounding against the invisible barrier that was holding him prisoner. A few tears managed to escape his eyes.

Asta gritted his teeth with a choked gasp. Then he crouched down and headbutted the man in the jaw despite the blood the motion sent rolling down. The stranger growled as he grabbed Asta by the throat. He raised the struggling boy above the ground and pulled his free hand back. Yuno could see the fingers straighten into a spear formation. Yuno was screaming, begging, pleading, but not a word would past his lips.

Asta grasped at the man's hand with his own in a vain attempt to pry them from his neck. The eye that wasn't swollen glared at the man before Asta managed to spit a few speckles of blood on the stranger's face. The man's speared hand rushed forward.

Only for the stranger to drop Asta in a shriek as his back erupted into flames. The other fell to the ground in a thump and gasped for air. The stranger slammed into nearest stone building in an attempt to snuff of the fire. He spun around in circles with his arms pounding wildly at his back before letting out a bloodcurdling scream as another burst of flames erupted on his back. The man ran past the two of them and down another alleyway with his cries of anger and anguish following him.

The hold on Yuno's body released, and he nearly fell forward in his desperation to get to Asta. The other hadn't moved since his fall. He was resting on his stomach, and Yuno could see a small pool of blood beginning to surround him. Sobs racked his body, and Yuno couldn't help but cry out, "Why?" A cough racked Asta's body as he spat out more blood. A hazy clover-eye looked up at him, and even though Yuno could only see part of Asta's face, he saw the corners of the other's mouth perk up. "T-Told you," Asta stated, "I got…your back."

More tears slipped down Yuno's cheeks at his words. He should have just left him. He knelt beside Asta and ignored the way his knees were beginning to get soaked. This was all his fault. Why couldn't he have moved or done something? Carefully, Yuno rolled Asta on his back and winced at the hiss of pain the other gave at his actions. Asta's eyes fluttered slightly as his gaze became more unfocused.

Three deep red lines oozed blood from the wounds, and Yuno could feel his heart begin to pound. He could see Asta's breathing beginning to grow fainter. His chest tightened as he pressed his hand against Asta's chest. A shuttered shook his form as he felt the heartbeat beneath his palm become weaker and weaker. No. No.

"Asta," Yuno choked out as he moved to shake the other's shoulders when Asta's eyes kept slipping closed. "Don't leave," he begged as he frantically looked to see if he could spot anyone. The street remained deserted. His gaze returned back down to see that Asta's eyes had closed. He shook his shoulder again, but the other didn't respond. A whimper broke through him. "Don't leave," He pleaded as his voice cracked as he grabbed his necklace so tight that his fingers turned white.

Everyone was gone in a sea of red. It was just him. Tears streamed down his face as he sunk to the ground. He was all alone surrounded by destruction that overtaken what had once been his home. He buried himself in his arms while sob after sob ripped their way from his throat.

Then a hand pressed on his shoulder, and Yuno looked up to see the man from before standing in front of him. He knelt down to his level and held out a closed hand to him. Yuno could see bits of a metal chain peeking through his fingers. When the other uncurled his fingers, he could see a blue stone with golden markings in the center of his palm.

The air crackled with the presence of something, and Yuno shielded Asta's form the best he could. He looked up to see a young man, perhaps in his late teens, with crimson hair like that of a flame standing before him. His mouth, neck, and his shoulders were covered in black binding while his chest remained open. Around his waist was black furs with a chained golden orb and a closed pouch looped around his hip. His black pants stood out much like the rest of his clothing against his pale skin. "Unless you want your friend to bite the dust," The guy said, "Move."

Yuno's eyes widened as he realized that it was the peddler he had seen Sister Lily and Father Ofai talk to occasionally. The man who made the medicine for Asta. Still, after the last encounter with a stranger, Yuno couldn't help but hesitate. The peddler grunted, clearly not in the mood to wait, as he knelt and shoved Yuno off. He fell backwards and caught himself with his arms.

"You stupid brat," Yuno heard the other hiss under his breath as he dug into his pouch to pull out a familiar looking bottle. Popping the cork, the guy picked Asta's head off the ground and kept it tilted upwards. Then he opened Asta's mouth and forced the liquid down his throat. Despite his rough handling, it was clear the other was taking care to make sure the boy didn't choke.

As Yuno watched the medicine go down Asta's throat, he could see the wounds on Asta's chest begin to stitch themselves closed. However, they didn't heal completely, and he heard the peddler snarl some foul words to himself as he tossed the now empty bottle away. Then, the guy slipped his arm under Asta's back and knees before rising. Without acknowledging Yuno and leaving him to scramble after them, the peddler turned and began walking down the street with Asta in tow.

"Xerx," Sister Lily addressed as she tried and failed to keep the tremble from her voice, "How can we repay you?" Yuno watched from the doorway as she cut the last string of gauze and tucked it into the binding on Asta's chest. Throwing her dirtied supplies into a bucket, she turned to fully address the man.

Xerx shrugged nonchalantly, and from his position, Yuno could not see his expression. "I'm running low on rice wine," He answered before his shoulders twitched ever so slightly. He waved his hand in a dismissing fashion. "On second thought," He amended, "I'll just add it your tab and collect it later." He moved to turn and said, "I just remembered I have some important business to finish up." He put his hands behind the back of his head and added, "Can't keep them waiting forever, you know?" He passed Yuno, and for a split second, their gazes met. Then he snorted and continued his pace down the hall.

Yuno waited a beat before entering the room. On the bed, Asta slept restlessly with his ragged breaths filling the space around them. Then the sound of Nash crying from down the hall reached them. Sister Lily sighed and tussled Asta's head lightly before shifting to face Yuno. "Would you watch him for me?" She asked in a cheery voice that didn't match the strain in her eyes or the fake smile that was barely plastered on her face. Not trusting his voice, Yuno nodded shakily.

She rustled his hair lightly as well before getting up to check on the other children. Yuno took her place on the chair and watched Asta's chest rise and fall for a moment. It was his weakness that almost got Asta killed. His stinging eyes drifted to his chest where three distinct red lines could be seen despite the layers of white gauze covering them. Yuno hesitated for a moment before placing his hand on over Asta's heard. The other groaned slightly at the touch but fell silent otherwise. Beneath his fingers, a weak but steady heartbeat.

Yuno looked at the necklace now in his hand before returning his gaze to the man before him. The other had pulled away with the light of rising dawn making his ash-blonde hair shine in almost white halo. "This is a special…charm," The other explained, "When the time is right, it'll grant you strength."

Pulling back, Yuno grasped his necklace firmly. Between his fingers, a bluish radiance glowed. He wouldn't let himself hide behind anyone any more. He'd become strong enough that no one needed to protect him, and instead, he'd be the one to shield them. Wiping his eyes with his elbow, he vowed to Asta and to himself.

"I won't cry anymore."

Author's Note:

Thank you all so much for your patience! Unfortunately for me, school is taking most of my time with projects' deadlines coming up. Especially since my finals week is right around the corner. I'm hoping with winter break, I'll be able to work on the story more regularly and get both part 4 out and Arc 2. I hope you all continue to enjoy the story none the less :)