Spring Breaks officially over today, so I don't think you'll see any updates from me anytime soon.

*Puts up hiatus sign*

Enjoy lovlies, I appreciate you sticking with me so far are giving me in depth reviews and commentary.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 3: Punishment

Beat had finally gotten to sleep, curled up snugly in a fetal position, only to be awoken by Fugue's pained moans. His eyes slowly fluttered open, groggily pushing himself up into a sitting position. Arching his back and stretching his arms before propping himself up onto his feet. He took cautious steps toward Fugue in fear of getting sprung upon again. "F-..Fugue..?" He stammered, daring to reach forward and nudge his shoulder.

Fugue's eyes where lidded, glazed with supplementing agony. It startled Beat to see him in such a broken state. His body looked crumpled, arms laying limply beside him. His shirt had been undone to reveal his defined chest. Puffy, red scars dotting along the length of his body. Beat covered his mouth with his hand. "G-..gee Fugue, I..I didn't do this, did I?"

The man only chuckled, though the pain still remained, his expression turned into a humorous one. "Brat." Fugue said simply, sides heaving as if it were hard for him to breathe. Beat leaned over to inspect the wounds. Something flashed through his mind at the moment he had lay his eyes on them. A little girl, around his age, had lived with her dad who ran a flower shop. He used to love to visit here, where she would go on and teach him of different plants and herbs and what they could be used for. Though he was never allowed to see her again after being accused of stealing merchandise from the shop, the knowledge that she provided him with proved useful. A light green herb she had described to him had helped quell irritated areas, and could prove to benefit Fugue if only he could locate it..

The forest. Deeper into the forest he found a patch of herbs under a overhanging tree. One of them might be something that Fugue can use! He perked up, declaring boldly. "Say Fugue, remember back where we slept when we first met? Well, I saw a herb patch that should contain a useful one to help heal your scars."

"Hm, so your going to run away, are you?" Fugue snapped back, edged with his own pain. Beat looked on in dismay, Fugue was barely moving now. How long had he been like this?

"I don't leave my friends." The man stayed silent, softly sighing before closing his eyes. Beat slowly turned away, eyes rolling back to check on Fugue's motionless body as he reentered the more dense part of the forest.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Eureka! Checking the herb patch was a wonderful idea! The same leafy green herbs Beat's friend had described and presented to him lay in thick clusters around the crotch of the tree. He was sure Fugue would benefit from them. Beat reached out a hand to grab a herb stem, tugging so that it was completely uprooted out of the soil.

Beat sat on his knees as he continued to scavenge for the herbs, wiping off additional dirt that had accumulated on them. He looked up at the canopy of trees, grateful for the shade they offered. An orange butterfly fluttered and perched itself on his nose, flapping it's darkly marked wings. He wanted to reach out and touch the leathery skin of it, just once. The sun was exceptionally bright, not a cloud in the sky...and Fugue was laying out in the open.

The boy jolted up, causing the insect to startle and leap away. Now wasn't the time to relax. He needed to help Fugue!

Because Fugue felt pain too.

__________________________________________________________________________________

When Beat returned to the clearing, Fugue had removed all of his upper-body clothing. It lay in a disoriented heap next to him, where he now sat up. His head was bowed, flanks still heaving to gasp for air. At the sound of Beat's presence, Fugue perked his head up. Forcing a calm smile to accumulate on his face.

Fugue remained quiet, scanning every move Beat made when he knelt next him. He seemed so intrigued, watching Beat mash the herb into a minty pulp. "This may sting a little." The boy recited. "But it'll make you feel better in no time!"

Despite his cheerful words, Beat still held his doubts. After all, he had never put these herbs to the test before. He flinched when he felt Fugue's body tense, plastering the medicine on the puffy scars. His peripheral vision caught sight of Fugue's hand raise, his body locking in place and turning his head, bracing himself for a strike..

But the strike never came. All he felt was the blunt fingertips ruffle loosely through the strands of his hair. Beat looked up at Fugue, who was smiling at him warmly. He held no hidden emotions, if one hadn't known of his previous acts, he would of looked like a saint. Beat returned his kind gesture, resuming his prior task. Fugue waited patiently for all of his scars to be coated, eyes half closed and shoulders slumped in a relaxed manner.

"What was that for?" Fugue asked tiredly, he looked so drained of life and energy.

"What was what for?" Beat asked honestly, wiping the remainder of the medicine from his hands and fingers.

"You helped me in a time that I couldn't fend for myself, and after all the things I did to you...why would you even consider it?"

"Well...I always help my friends when they need it! I don't like seeing them or anyone else in trouble."

"Your friends?" Fugue spat, his smile furrowing into a frown. "I truly hope you got your priorities straight, kid. The only one you can count on is you, because your so-called 'friends' won't have your back forever."

"No, that's not true." Beat said, shaking his head. "My real friends will stand by me no matter what! Thats what Retto told me."

"Then you obviously have none." Fugue hissed, outstretching his arm to no one in particular. "Where are they now?"

Beat sat quietly for a moment, his eyes burning with emotion. "Your with me."

Fugue looked at him with a shocked expression, eyes widened and mouth slightly agape. A light flush reddening his cheeks. It was clear that he wanted to change the subject, so Beat did not pursue it any further. The man received his upper articles of clothing and reapplied them. Pushing himself up and dusting his pants off.

"Well, I suppose we should be on our way."

Beat giggled, bouncing up onto his feet, nodding in agreement. "Okay!"

The pair took their time finding their way out of the forest, which had become less dense by now. The trees no longer offered the cool shade that they now so earnestly craved with the evening sun upon them. Beat hated the silence that had now hung over him. He really did like to talk to Fugue, depending on which mood he was in.

"So Fugue," The boy boldly chimed in. "Where did all of those scars come from anyways?"

The man winced at the question, but he did not evade it. "Each one is a mark of my failure. If my job is not done correctly or efficiently, a punishment is dealt."

Beat frowned, giving him a curious look. "Well, thats doesn't sound very nice at all!"

Fugue gave a hallow laugh, though he did not reply. He seemed so much gentler now, more subtle and even kind. But Beat knew how quickly his emotions could change, yet he was unafraid. As time went on, he thought about all of the emotional and physical pain that Fugue had been through. He was working for the Count, could that mean he was the one who was inflicting all of those scars? The very thought made him shiver, going to Forte didn't seem all that welcoming.

"Fugue, my feet hurt." Beat finally complained, they had been hurting for the past hour but he hadn't said anything until now. The pit of his stomach growled, another ache that he ignored.

"Then we'll rest here." He said, though it was still clearly light outside. "You sure are more trouble than your worth."

Beat plopped down beside him. "Hey! What is that supposed to mean!?" His response only further amused Fugue, lip curling in a smile to reveal a shiny canine. Oh, how infuriating it was! His expression took on a more serious one, sighing before starting.

"I never got to thank for what you did."

"Oh, it was nothing! Really." Beat gave another hearty smile. He yelped as his body was pulled forward, pressing against Fugue's.

"No. What I did to you..what I did to you was wrong and unforgivable." His voice was cracking, and Beat could feel a wet drop of water hit his face. That was fairly strange, for there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

"Could you...ever forgive me?" Fugue's hands were trembling now, clenching onto the back of Beat's coat. The boy settled himself more comfortably into the caress, leaning his head against his chest as more salty drops trickled down his cheek. So warm, so safe, so secure...

"I never blamed you."

__________________________________________________________________________________

THE END

..

…

….

…..

Okay, not really.

Oh hey....the chapter ended without them going to sleep.....

Isn't that weird..?

How sad.

Fugue's an emotional wreck.

You should give him a hug or something.