Disclaimer: I don't own or make money off the anime show Beyblade or its characters… I'm simply borrowing them in an attempt to amuse myself… John, Garnet and Mira belong to me though! As well as any other extras that may turn up…

Warnings: Swearing, yaoi (boyxboy love), OOCness (On Sanguinex's behalf)

Woffy - Thank you for the reveiw, NKingy! Unfortunately my computer won't let me reply to reveiws... -cries-

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Chapter 2

The clock's rhythmic ticking echoes around the expansive library, interrupted by the occasional turning of paper or a sigh of frustration. Johnny huffs as he turns yet another page. He can barely remember the information he'd read a few seconds ago, but he continues reading, or gazing over the page, unaware of the things taking place around him or in the book.

Tonight was the first time he'd sat down to eat with his mother since he'd fallen ill. His father had been unable to attend, leaving his mother, Lupinex and himself to eat together. Lupinex had been polite, so much so that Johnny had nearly dropped his spoon back into this bowl of soup. What was worse still was that Lupinex had noticed his fumble and trained deep blue, mirth filled eyes towards him, saying something he didn't hear but made his mother laugh. He can still feel his cheeks burning from the incident and see the damned beast's smirk.

Johnny flips another page and jumps slightly when he feels a hand settle against his shoulder. He glares up expecting to find a concerned servant, but finds his mother staring down at him with a surprised look. "You should go to bed." Garnet says and smiles slightly, gently tugging the book from her son's grasp.

Johnny clumsily pulls it back, "Father," He says the word with a grown, "Wants these read by Wednesday," He grumbles, motioning to the pile of three books beside him with a frown.

He can hear her mirth in her voice, "You're not really reading them are you?"

Johnny straightens in his seat, annoyed by his mother's accusation, no matter how true it is, "I am."

"What is the name of the book you're reading?"

Johnny remains silent for a moment, "It doesn't matter! At least I'm reading it!" He turns red as he notices the corners of his mother's lips curve up in the slightest of smirks.

"Johnny," She kisses his forehead and yanks the book from his grasp, "Get to bed. You have the weekend to read them." He wants to argue and takes in a deep breath only to release it steadily at Garnet's expectant look.

Johnny frowns and mumbles dejectedly but nods and sighs. She smiles and calls out a goodnight as he heads for the door, rubbing his temples and mumbling quietly to himself.

o0o0o

Lupinex frowns into the darkness, and his eyes flashing silver as they catch the moonlight. He's in the woods by the Dark Bladers' cottage, hoping, praying to every higher being that Sanguinex and Cenotaph are in a good mood.

Sanguinex's temper is becoming more explosive than even his or McGregor's and Lupinex knows he is dangerous, sober or otherwise. Unlike Sanguinex who is able to calm him, Lupinex is unable to cool his brother's temper in the slightest. Lupinex isn't too worried about Cenotaph, though he knows that if the news angers him there is a good chance of the mummy ignoring all injuries Sanguinex may cause him tonight.

He growls as he moves directly under the moon, a feeling of needles trailing over the skin bared to her. Lupinex realizes he should have found a coat before sneaking out; the moon isn't able to pierce through cloth and he finds the pricking and dragging nearly unbearable. He hesitates as he reaches the steps leading up to the cottage's entrance. Lupinex scratched idly at his elbow, before growling and stubbornly knocking on the oak door.

Cenotaph answers his knock, glancing over Lupinex's form when he realizes who he is and how long he's been away. There aren't any heart felt welcomes or admittances of worry, not that Lupinex had expected any, but Cenotaph storms straight into his lecture, not giving the werewolf any time to explain his absence. Lupinex worries that Cenotaph may pass out if he does not breathe soon.

"Where have you been? You do realize you're supposed to come back every night, or at least let us know where you are."

Lupinex resists the urge to roll his eyes. He's heard this lecture a dozen times, often because he'd fallen asleep in the sun and couldn't be bothered rushing home. He nods to Cenotaph's questions stepping around Cenotaph as he heads towards the main room, ignoring Cenotaph's warnings; he is far too much of a mother hen for Lupinex's taste anyway.

Sanguinex is sitting in an armchair with a glass of wine balanced impressively in his left hand, gently swirling the plum red liquid in the glass around. The vampire immediately has his eyes trained on him and Lupinex briefly offers a nod to Zomb with the hope that he can calm his nerves soon as he seats himself on a squishy armchair opposite Zomb. He squirms uncomfortably on the chair, trying to get comfortable though he knows he won't, not with his team's eyes on him.

"Well," Sanguinex starts, as Cenotaph makes himself comfortable: leaning against the door's frame, "Where have you been?"

Lupinex can smell the wine in Sanguinex's breath and it turns his stomach, "I've been staying at the McGregor's castle," He says, his eyes darting between the other three members of his team, "I - The Brat owes me his life."

The news makes Cenotaph straighten and join Zomb on the couch a confused expression gracing his features. He is still wearing his bandages though Lupinex knows he almost looks completely human underneath, strands of dirty blonde hair can be sene poking through the bandages wrapping his head.

Lupinex waits patiently for his brother's reaction. He is surprised when the vampire simply raises his eyebrow in question and stares as though he's trying to drill a hole through Lupinex's head.

It takes a moment for Lupinex to start telling his story. He takes his time in going over what he'd done, what Johnny owes him and his decision in staying at the castle. Lupinex doesn't believe that Sanguinex is completely sober and he's surprised that he hasn't thrown the glass at him in complete rage yet. He can tell that Sanguinex is angry though, the vampire's knuckles are white as he clutches the arm rest and he can see the slight twitch in his brother's left eyebrow. Lupinex knows he's in trouble. He is just thankful his brother isn't completely wasted.

"You saved McGregor's life?" Sanguinex's voice is a hiss.

Lupinex nods, shrugging slightly in a mock gesture of apathy, "He would have frozen to death."

"Why did you care? Why do you care?" Sanguinex asks throwing his arms around, the wine sloshes out of the glass and onto the floor, a few droplets on Cenotaph's wrapped feet.

"If anyone or anything kills the Brat, it will be me." Lupinex states firmly, his voice a low growl as he fixes a stubborn glare on Sanguinex. He knows it's a mistake when Sanguinex launches himself out of his armchair to tower over him.

"Who cares? He would have been dead!"

"I don't see the Prince running around like a moron in the rain and wind!" Lupinex retorts with a hot burst of anger; the wine is getting to him now too, he can feel his thoughts becoming fuzzy and it is making him more irritable than he wants, "Give me a fair go! You don't have to worry about your prey killing himself before you beat the shit out of him! He has at least some goddamn common sense!"

Sanguinex's jaw is clenched hard, and Lupinex is sure he is going to hit him. Sanguinex is sluggish though and stumbles, slightly unbalanced. He has to steady himself on Lupinex's shoulders. Lupinex's hand shoot up to the vampire's elbows, making sure he doesn't fall, he is uncomfortable with Sanguinex's glaring though.

Lupinex is thankful when Cenotaph speaks up, "Perhaps this isn't a bad thing."

All three occupants' eyes are on Cenotaph, "What isn't?" Sanguinex asks slowly, still leaning on Lupinex.

"The debt." Zomb says, shifting slightly. Lupinex can tell he hasn't slept much over the past few days, most likely because of Cenotaph's worrying over him. They aren't as humanly challenged as before, though Lupinex doesn't understand why, and it makes it much harder for them to stay awake for longer periods of time like when he first met them. Sanguinex and him are still the same monsters they'd been turned into.

Cenotaph nods and continues, "While the debt's in place McGregor can't do anything to Lupinex, but Lupinex can do near anything he wants with McGregor."

"He can extract his revenge through the debt." Sanguinex says slowly understanding at a similar pace as he strokes his chin. He is standing up straight now, or as straight as he possibly can in his state of intoxication, and is staring out the window in thought.

Lupinex doesn't understand why he didn't explain the workings of the debt sooner, and is thankful Cenotaph and Zomb remembered at least that much. The werewolf knows Sanguinex's brain is near mush when he is even slightly drunk and he feels almost stupid for arguing with him.

"McGregor has already shown me how much he despises his position." Lupinex offers. "It's been awfully fun messing with his head so far."

The cottage is silent for a few more minutes, and Lupinex is near ready to storm off without looking back or caring what his team thinks; he believes Sanguinex's decision is taking far too long. He fidgets again, readying himself to stand, knowing he would have to fight off an angry vampire and a near infuriated mummy.

He is thankful when Sanguinex moves to sit down again and nods slowly, "Fine. Do as you like." Sanguinex's eyes narrow and he looks almost pained, "Just make sure you don't fall with him." He says slowly. He turns to his glass, pouring more wine into it and takes a noisy gulp. Lupinex nods slowly, shaking his head when Sanguinex offers him a drink.

o0o0o

Johnny loathes the idea of spending time with the Beast, but he knows he must, it is part of his debt's rules. That is why he is storming through his home's hallways, throwing doors open before he peers angrily inside the room, a growl falling from his twisted lips. He has searched half of the castle and is quickly growing tired of it.

Johnny releases a frustrated, almost feral, growl quickly followed by a few muttered curses as he happens upon the werewolf in the library. He watches with disgust as Lupinex stares with furrowed brows at the books on the shelf just above his head, before he gingerly plucks an old book from off the wooden shelving.

Johnny almost snorts at the care the beast displays for such a trivial thing, and watches with loathing as he carefully turns each page and scans over the writing. It surprises Johnny when he turns towards him and heads towards the armchairs he knows are behind him, the werewolf's blue gaze still on the words.

"What do you want, Brat?" He asks gruffly, his voice a deep rumble.

Johnny scowls at the name, following the werewolf huffily over to the red armchairs, sitting across from him. The boy quickly grows annoyed when Lupinex doesn't look up at him, ignoring him as he simply continues reading the book balanced so carefully in his hands.

"I owe," Johnny growls out the word, "you. I'm supposed to hang around so if the chance arises I may return this stupid thing." He mutters a string of curses under his breath and he realizes with a huff and a frown that Lupinex heard him and is smirking with amusement.

Lupinex's gaze finally falls on him and immediately makes Johnny fidgety. The mirth he suspects to find in Lupinex's gaze is there and it makes the young Lord nervous when it quickly disappears, but he's stubborn and remains still; he will not let the werewolf see him squirm. Lupinex clears his throat as he carefully closes the black covered book and places it on the table beside him, "I'll be away for a few days next week." He fdgets uncomfortably.

Johnny is surprised by the Beast's movements and frowns, "Why?"

"I'm a werewolf, Brat. I doubt you want me around during the full moon."

Johnny goes rigid, having forgotten about the moon's part in Lupinex's life. He knows he shouldn't be thankful because the stupid beast may kill himself during his transformation, thus making it impossible to repay him, but he does. He doesn't want any one in his family or in his family's hired staff hurt.

He eventually snorts, sticking his nose into the air, "Whatever. Just don't kill yourself." He stands up when he sees the glee return to Lupinex's eyes. Lupinex smirks, but says nothing, returning to the book he has found. Johnny growls when he hears the werewolf chuckle from behind his retreating form.

o0o0o

Lupinex can smell the maid before she opens the door and he looks up with little hesitation when he hears her usual quiet knocks. She appears nervous and talks quickly and in a high pitched voice that hurts his sensitive ears, "Have you seen Master Johnny, sir? His-"

"I've already asked you not to call me that." His tone was neutral, he can't be angry at the girl for doing her job properly. He knows she would get into trouble had the master of the house heard her speak to him the way he wanted to be spoken to.

The girl, Mira, nods quickly, "Lawrence, have you seen Master Johnny? His father wants him."

Lupinex frowns, "What for?"

Mira fidgets in her clean, leather shoes, and Lupinex quickly realises that her nervous behaviour has begun to annoy him. "I don't know. Most likely to lecture the young master on the ways of the family, he doesn't seem to get them." Lupinex is a bit surprised to hear disapproval in her voice. She soon notices his staring, "Oh! I'm sorry, that wasn't called for. I-I'll just go and look around the grounds, the master likes to take long walks-"

"Johnny said he wasn't feeling well." Lupinex says, grabbing the girl by her shoulders as she stumbles before gently turning her around and pushing her towards the still slightly open door.

"But, I checked-"

Lupinex's voice is quiet, "Mira, I said he wasn't feeling well. Tell me where his father is."

Mira nods hesitantly and stutters out that she'll take him to him right away. Lupinex frowns as he follows the maid. He hasn't yet met McGregor senior and from what he's heard before, he doesn't know whether he does want to meet him or not. He'd heard the slaps, the insults and he didn't need to wonder about who Johnny had inherited his violent temper from.

He follows Mira down all sorts of hallways, listening half-heartedly to the tapping her shoes create as he concludes that each hallway is just as grand as the next. Lupinex realises with no surprise that he hasn't ever been down these hallways before and he quickly takes a sniff, resisting the urge to cringe at the tang of alcohol the air holds.

Mira eventually stops in from of a thick oak door and motions for Lupinex to head inside. She bows politely before departing. Lupinex's head is starting to ache, just a dull throb just above each of his slightly pointed ears. The Lord either has been or is drinking and he is not sure whether he really wants to go inside. Still… He is stubborn and knocks confidently, before being disgusted by the smell that assaults his nose once he opens the door and slams it closed.

The room is much like the library, except for its smaller size and the bitter taste of whiskey and wine permitting the air. Lupinex resists the urge to growl at such a horrid smell and the poor habits the man sitting at the large desk in front of him must have to have such a smell spread so strongly around him.

McGregor Senior is a taller broader version of his son, his features sharper and much more aged. His eyes, unlike Johnny's, are a dull green, though his hair is the same deep red. Lupinex takes in the Lord's prim and proper dark clothes with a barely held back snort.

"Where's Johnathan?" He asks with a deep, almost silk-like, voice.

Lupinex doesn't hesitate to answer, he knows better to show any sort of weakness. He answers while walking to an armchair in front of the desk, "He wasn't feeling well and went to bed."

The other man nods slightly, "You understand the position my son is in, Mr. Williams?"

Lupinex snorts at the title, looking more than a little amused. But he is almost sulkily wondering why everyone cannot simply call him by his given name. "Lawrence will do." He grumbles.

"Call me John then." Lupinex has to force his eyes from narrowing with amusement. Only nobles would name their sons after themselves.

However, Lupinex doesn't voice his thoughts and answers John's previous question, "I do. And I think you're expecting too much from him. He's barely an adult." Lupinex felt anger swell in his chest with John's look of disgust and as it soon turned to a look of almost pained suffering.

"He's 18, old enough to be responsible and act like one." He said gruffly, standing to walk primly to a small wooden cupboard.

The handles, Lupinex realises, are made of silver and have been cut and moulded into the shape of a thick rose vine with thorns and several small, half open rose buds. Lupinex has to fight in order to not shudder violently at their presence in the room. The rest of the cupboard consists of a intricate pattern of vines and leaves, carved from the dark red wood, several gold plates weaving amongst the pattern.

Lupinex frowns and shakes his head when John pulls out a bottle of whiskey and offers it to him, his eyes locked on the older man's straight back. The Lord moves to sit back down after he has drained one glass and takes the bottle with him. John sighs quietly, "I do not think he understands what he's jeopardising."

Lupinex finds he can not disagree with that, though he himself doesn't understand it all himself, and nods slowly, trying to ignore the smell of alcohol, "Not completely, but he doesn't need it shoved down his throat every second day." Lupinex flips his wrist in a mock gesture he'd found Garnet doing on more than one occasion, "Lecturing him won't make him take a wife any sooner."

He chuckles at the Lord's almost disgusted stare, "Don't tell me how to raise my son, Mr. Williams."

Lupinex can't help the smirk that finds his way to lips and flashes his sharp teeth with a cheeky grin, "Keep him on a tight leash and he's bound to fight back, John." The werewolf stands and mock bows, his mirth only continuing to grow when he heard the Lord's small huff and shifting, before he looks up and sees a dark frown on his face. "Don't talk to Johnny about a wife while I'm around, I'm sick of his moping. I will leave if you do."

The threat doesn't fall on deaf ears and John sits up straight with a look of surprise on his once stoic face. Lupinex relishes in being able to spark such a reaction from the harsh lord and chuckles harshly, turning to head for the door with a wide smirk on his face, "Bye."

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Woffy: My, my, my… I wonder how Johnny's going to take being protected…

But anyway, with this done: On to chapter three! Please remember though, reviews are my life blood when it comes to writing… I tend to feel guilty if I leave people waiting for a chapter for too long and they also give me an inspiration and ideas for the development of the story… So review and show me that you're reading this and tell me what you think!