Ha, its been awhile huh? I'm sorry guys, theirs a lot of things that got in the way that prevented me from posting this. A couple people told me how sloppy and bland my writing was, so I've been trying to get better at it. So, I wrote this chapter a little differently. This Chapter was so long that I actually had to break it up into two totally seperate chapters, but I won't be posting the second one today. Maybe in a few days.

In order to make another character seem innocent, you have to bash another character. Or at least, thats the case for me. You'll see what I'm talking about. It wasn't intentional.

This chapter mainly focuses on Fugue and his past with Waltz. Couple Yaoi references, biolence, rape, ect. So here's your warning. Doesn't go too in depth with any of the above though.

Slight FuguexRondo suggestion..PERHAPS???

Chapter 4: Making Progress

A nervous squeak sounded from behind him. "Fugue, are we there yet?"

"No."

"But why?" Beat whined, his small hand grasping onto the man's shirt and slightly tugged at it. Fugue remained silent, though a good humored smile lay planted on his face. He had to admit, having the kid around wasn't all that bad. It had only been a couple of days since that incident under the cloudless skies. Fugue insisted that he had let his emotions get the best of him, even if Beat insisted otherwise. He was a persistent little runt, he could at least give Beat that.

The two walked on in silence, the boy seemingly unaware that he was still holding onto Fugue. It wasn't like that the first time he had done it. The first time it was done, Fugue had pushed Beat off on the spot. In their travels they never conversed, perhaps the occasional awkward glance. Still, the boy pursued him. Beat must of thought he never noticed, never noticed that he would look up at him in wonder or inch closer to his side from time to time.

Why this kid felt an attachment to him despite the abuse he dealt was well beyond him. Quite frankly, right about now he didn't give a damn. The sun today had been unforgiving as the heat was making his clothes melt to his skin. It was God awful. Not even loosening his collar and unbuttoning his shirt halfway did much to relieve his sweltering body. Fugue could only imagine how Beat must be feeling right about now. Lowering his gaze he saw the boy looking straight ahead, smiling without a care in the world, the heat not visibly phasing him at all.

Fugue altered his stare to the direction of Beat's, the path continued to a town just past the hill. Surely there was someone to thank for finally getting out of the forest, besides himself of course. It was a great feeling to be on a clear landscape without the worry of loss of oxygen from being wedged between two trees. That town up ahead was his goal, if they could just make it there, then maybe...

The man's thoughts were interrupted by a low, rumbling sound. That was definitely not coming from him. He easily singled out Beat and look down at him again. Beat's smile had faltered, turning into a pout of some sort where his free hand was now clenched over his stomach.

"Fugue." Beat asked timidly. "I'm hungry."

"Yeah, what do you want me to do about it?"

"Feed me."

"I already gave you something."

"But that was hours ago!"

"Yeah, and it was food. Get over it."

"But I'm hungry now, please Fugue?"

"I'm not your mother." Fugue snorted. "Feed yourself."

Beat stopped immediately upon the mention of his mother, his hand still in the air as if he were still holding onto Fugue's clothes. He stared ahead with wide, unblinking eyes. They shone brightly, undoubtedly on the verge of tears. He hadn't meant to bring up such a touchy subject, hell, who know what could of happened to this kid. There was still so much he didn't know about Beat, or even what Beat didn't know about Fugue. There were dark, dark things in his past. Things that a boy like him should never hear, never see, never experience. One could only imagine what thoughts were swimming through his mind right now.

"Well sit there and let the beast's maul you to pieces for all I care. I don't know about you but I'd like to live to see tomorrow." Fugue called over his shoulder and slowed down his pace just in case Beat tried to catch up. That was a lie. At this point in life, he welcomed death. Embraced it's dark tides with open arms, capturing people within it's waves and pulling them into the sea. Even the thought of returning to the Count made him shudder. Especially after all of this time he had pent looking for these glowing creatures. Waltz would be pissed, that was for sure, and he would surely be punished for it. Even so, he knew Waltz would never go as far as to send out men looking for him.

The soft scampering echoed through his ears as Beat's boots thudded against the floor. He was glad that Beat had decided to follow him after all because the guilt was starting to to grip him like a vice. Fearing that he he'd have to go back there and drag Beat along himself. Thankfully for him though, the situation had solved itself.

Beat said nothing once he caught up with him, Fugue building up to a steadier pace. He let his mind wander now, knowing that Beat was safely beside him. The road was oddly straight and only headed towards one direction, meaning his lack of attention wouldn't put the two of them in wronga bad state. For now, he'd be able to revel in pleasant fantasies. Even as something came to mind, the image of the Count broke through and he'd snarl with disgust. When was the last time he saw him again? His mind took on a whole new direction as it spiraled towards the last day he encountered Waltz.

Fugue had taken his usual place, kneeling down on one leg with his head bowed. He was positioned only a few feet away from the regal throne where Waltz sat. He was leaning slightly to the right, his cheek resting against his palm. The Count's eyes were slanted, violet eyes scanning the man's form back and forth. It was like a lion analyzing their prey before getting ready to spring. That was the unnerving feeling Fugue always got when under the mercy of the Count. A feeling of dread even, he knew what that man was capable of doing, capable of doing to him.

"Fugue," The Count finally spoke up, his voice echoing through the spacious clearing as a ghostly smile appeared on his face. It seemed so out of place on those angelic features, almost as if it should of never been there. As if he should of never been allowed to smile at all.

"Sir." The older man replied, nearly gagging at how polite and sincere he sounded. He hated the formalities, hated his submissive positioned, hated him. It wasn't always this way, he used to even admire the Count when he was first employed to Forte. He used to like being here, like his field of work and was enthusiastic about what he did.

However, something along the way went terribly wrong. Terribly, terribly wrong. Fugue could tell that Waltz started to...act different. He seemed to be secluded and keep more things to himself. Servants began to disappear without a trace as if they had never been here to begin with. Something really bad was happening here at Forte and Fugue found himself starting to resent it. He need to get away, far away from this place.

Fugue had dealt with the uneasy feeling for awhile. Locked it away deep into his subconscious. Something or some things were upsetting Waltz and he was obviously not dealing with it the right way. It became even more clear when Waltz asked for Fugue to join him, alone ina secluded room. Everything had been just fine at first, he seemed to be polite and in the right mind as always. They were just...talking. It all seemed a bit strange, the two didn't have to be alone to talk about everyday things. Come to think of it, he and Waltz hardly ever had any one-on-one conversations.

Maybe polite wasn't the right word...too polite if anything. Affectionate, maybe. Fugue tensed as the Count would inch closer to him, the depths of his eyes revealing nothing as he continued to speak. A soft growl seeped through clenched teeth as the younger man continued, placing a hand on Fugue's though. All of this contact was new to him due to his twisted family. He'd been ignored by his father for most of his life and his mother had died shortly after giving birth to him. Love and physical contact were two of the many things Fugue had been deprived of, which led to his sensitivity and unstable emotions.

Fugue drew the line at the addition of Waltz leaning closer to nip at the lobe of his ear. This was just..wrong. "No...Waltz.." Despite his uncertainty, his voice was firm as he pushed the Count away and got up from where they were sitting. The Count had held a shocked expression as he stared up at Fugue with mixed emotions. Still to this day he could hear that voice. Filled with pain and hate, like needles being thrusted into your heart as if it were a pincushion.

"You...you dare defy me...?!"

The question was so small in structure, so simple, yet it made Fugue's skin crawl as he shivered involuntarily. He didn't answer back, didn't even know if he could or really should for that matter. Instead, he turned away and left the room without another word uttered. that was the biggest mistake of his life, one that he will never forget and one he will never cease to live until the day he dies.

The following days resumed naturally, Count Waltz acted as if nothing and ever happened between them. His routines began to regulate and Fugue's suspicion of anything wrong with the Count disappeared, he was normal again, or at least Fugue thought so.

Everything happened so quickly, one minute fugue was sleeping peacefully in his designated chamber and the next he came toppling over on the tile floor. The tilt of the blinds let thin, pale lines of moonlight streak across the room. Fugue shouldn't of been surprised to see the Count looming over him, shouldn't of taken that small time of peace for granted. Waltz's alleged 'love' for Fugue was more then that, so much to the point to where it would be considered an obsession. He had to have him and make sure nobody else did.

Waltz had absolute control over him, Fugue was powerless. He was a toy, play0thing, puppet, punching bag, whatever you want to call it. He was at Walt'z disposal and his mercy. That night he had been beaten, flesh brutally mutilated by a whips unmerciful lashes. He wouldn't dare lay a finger on Waltz, not if he valued his life, but what life was there left to live now? The beatings continued day in and day out, each one more aggressive than the last. It would get so bad to the point were Fugue could barely get up the following morning.

Things only got worse as the days progressed. Fugue had been forced to sleep in the dungeon with the prisoners and his rations of food had been drastically reduced. If it hadn't been for his 'angel' Rondo, slipping him more food then he was supposed to receive from time to time, he would of surely been dead by now. Who knows, maybe he was better off that way. No one seemed to want him around anymore anyways.

This was his punishment for rejecting the Count, and there was nothing he could do to worm out of the situation. Fugue couldn't just leave, there was no way he could survive out in the world for too long and even though it was extremely unlikely possibility, Waltz might send people out looking for him. It was only very recently that Waltz began to do more drastic things to Fugue like send him on impossible missions, go days without rations, intensified beatings and even resorted to rape. It was so degrading, everything being issued to him. He couldn't fight back, how could he?

With all of this neglect and abuse, Fugue thought that Waltz wanted him dead. If that were so, why hadn't he just killed him in the first place? Fugue still refused to fight back and took everything administrated to him, no matter what it was that the Count did to his body or mind, he could get away with anything. Then, a thought occurred to him. Waltz was enjoying tortuting him. Who knows, maybe he did the same to others within the castle walls. But, was it all really just because he had denied himo f his affection. Or, was it something much deeper then that?

"Did you get all of that Fugue?" The Count asked coolly.

"Uhh...yeah." Fugue stammered, wishing his mind hadn't drifted.

"You don't look sure..repeat." Waltz commanded simply.

Fugue remained silent. Shit, shit, shit! There was nothing he could say now, unless he wanted to sound like an idiot. If there was anything he had learned here, it was that Waltz was not patient. If you didn't do something right the first time, you were screwed.

"Once a failure always a failure. You just can't seem to do anything right these day, can you?" The Count asked firmly, smiling. Another shiver ran up Fugue's spine as the misplaced smile, it wasn't supposed to be there! If it was, one could only imagine what was going through that man's head. He nearly jumped as Waltz stood from his throne, slowly making his way toward him. "Alas, you are my favorite. I suppose I could overlook it just this once."

Waltz took hold of Fugue's chin possessively, thrusting it up so that his violet eyes could stare daggers into his soul. "The Glowing Agogo's, Fugue. You know the plan and you also know that I need them for it to work." His grip tightened around Fugue's jaw.

"I understand." was all Fugue could manage to say, he had to admit for such lithe hands, the withheld so much strength. However, compared to him, they wouldn't even compare. Still, Fugue refused to opposes him.

"Good boy." Waltz purred, stroking his chin as if he were a cat of some sort and let go.

You sorry ass bastard. I'm not your pet. I don't belong to you, I don't belong to anyone! Fugue waited for Waltz to seat himself on the regal throne again before nodding and excusing himself. Slowly he got onto his feet and backed away before turning, heading for the door that lead out of Forte Castle.

"Fugue...?" Came Beat's rattling voice, he looked up at him with big, bright eyes filled with a torrent of concern and dread. Maybe the boy didn't trust or like him, I suppose he couldn't blame him for that. Beat's fear of him however, was absolute. It all seemed so familiar, their relationship couldn't be just like...

"Fugue?" Beat asked again with ore determination, Fugue hadn't turned his head to face him yet. Although his thoughts had cleared and he was now listening to the boy.

"Yes?" Fugue replied a minute later, just now noticing how close the city was getting. If luck was on their side, they'd be there by noon.

"Are you okay?" Beat questioned.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Well...it's just, you have been quiet this whole time."

"I'm always quiet." Fugue said defensively, adjusting his monocle nonchalantly.

"But...you've been staring in the same direction for a while with a serious look. What are you thinking about?"

fugue flinched, that was one sharp brat. Either that or he was as easy to read as an open book. He liked to believe that he could conceal his emotions best whenever he willed it, but that was a straight out lie. He knew his emotions almost always got the better of him in all situations.

"It's nothing kiddo, just drop it."

"But Fugue..."

"I said drop it kid!"

Beat pouted, not even phased by Fugue's raised tone. He was probably used to it by now. "Well if you say so...and stop calling me a kid! I told you already that my name is Beat!"

Fugue could feel a flicker of humor grace his features, chuckling in a entertained manner. "I'll telly ou what. When your older then me, I'll start calling you by your first name."

Beat nodded at first before he realized the joke and nearly cried out. "Hey...hey wait a minute now Fugue! That's not fair!"

Fugue could only continue to laugh while it only further flustered beat as he tried to justify himself. Who knows, maybe that kid wasn't so bad after all. Fugue needed the company on the trip either way. Who knows, maybe with Beat at his side, the journey would only take that less longer.

"Now, lets go get you something to eat then. That is, it your still hungry?" It was good to see Beat's eyes light up as he eagerly responded, following behind him with each step.

I did a quick run through and didn't see anything wrong grammar wise. If you guys find something though, please let me know and I'll fix it.