Hey! Sorry it's been so long in between chpaters, I've been really busy... The summer camp that I teach art at just ended though so I should have a little more time now. Then again, I'm just starting high school so maybe not ^^' Anyway, remember to review and always check deviant art for new story art.

He knew it couldn't have lasted; his friendship with Mangetsu. He'd known it would only be a matter of time before she realized what a horrible person he was and left him. Nobody liked him when he didn't wear his mask, when he didn't change his personality to be more likable. But she wouldn't let him alter his personality so of course she'd finally learned that he wasn't worth much as a human being. He was worthless.

Fai looked at the people who surrounded him; he'd been forced to leave his pleasant little corner because people had begun staring. Now he was wondering amongst drunk, happy, laughing people who were too self-absorbed to notice how miserable he was at that moment. It didn't matter though; he didn't deserve to be noticed. He didn't deserve to be comforted. He didn't deserve someone like Mangetsu to be friends with. He deserved so much less than he had and he had so little already.

He was quickly spiraling into despair and paying absolutely no attention to his surroundings when he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder. He was turned around and he forced himself not to resist. After all, he was in the middle of a crowded room, what could happen?

When he looked up at his assailant, he was surprised to see a face he recognized; Lord Sinclair, a tall, muscular man with long black hair pulled back into a ponytail and dark, chocolate brown eyes.

His narrowed eyes didn't quite match his warm smile, but Fai was so happy to interact with another person that he ignored it.

"Hello, do you remember me?"

Fai forced a smile to his face and giggled out an answer.

"Of course I remember you, Lord Sinclair!"

Fai remembered liking Sinclair at one point; He was one of Ashura's closest allies. Of course now that just made him nervous. Also, he was one of Ashura's only allies that he'd seen with a male escort. It was never the same man twice though, and they were all feminine and beautiful and young; none over twenty, six years older than Fai. That didn't matter though as Celesian culture saw fit to perform marriages to anyone over thirteen. Not that he seemed all that interested in marriage…

Fai mentally smacked himself; Sinclair, while only being a level ten magician, was an extremely powerful telepath. He didn't just read auras, but, if he focused carefully on one person, he could listen in on their thoughts quite clearly. By the look on his face as he gazed at Fai, he was definitely concentrating. Fai blushed cherry-blossom pink and stammered.

"I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to be disrespectful…"

Sinclair laughed, deep and rich.

"It's alright Fai."

Somehow, this didn't make him feel better. Oblivious, or maybe not, Sinclair continued.

"Yes, it's true I've surrounded myself with many lovely young men, but you," he cast an appreciative glance at Fai, who felt himself blush further at the attention. "are far lovelier, and younger, than any of them."

He leant down slightly at the end of his sentence so that he was at eye level with Fai. The blonde shrank ever so slightly. Despite the fact that he was currently lacking in the "self-esteem" department and despite the fact that Sinclair was known to be both attractive and choosey and he knew he ought to be flattered, Fai was uncomfortable. He didn't know him, he'd just been introduced once, a long time ago and had always made a point to say hello afterwards. And he was older than him, but that wasn't uncommon at all; Fai, being a court magician, had been to several weddings, some of which were between girls younger than him and men who were twice their age. Sinclair was almost twice his age, at twenty-seven.

He was too close, Fai suddenly realized, and his voice was too soft for him to be able to hear him as clearly as he could in a room that was this loud. He was acutely aware of his heavy, controlling hand that was too hot on his shoulder, pulling him closer.

"You know," Sinclair spoke through a cat's grin, "I am currently without an escort if you don't have anyone to accompany this evening…"

Fai's stomach dropped; what was he asking him?

"No-no, that's alright, I-"

"Don't be so quick. It wouldn't be just one night, if that was your worry."

"Wha…?"

Sinclair caught his small chin between his index finger and thumb, tilting Fai's face towards his, forcing eye-contact.

"I would, of course, ask you to accompany me back to my palace as well. You could be with me as a… consort, if you understand?" He cocked an eyebrow.

Fai really didn't understand exactly what he was asking, but he got the general gist of it and nervously declined.

"N-no, thank you. I'm sure it'd be very nice but I-"

"Ah!" Sinclair cut him off with a smirk. Slowly, without breaking eye-contact, he slid his hand up Fai's face and behind his head, threading his fingers through soft hair. Tugging gently, he pulled the smaller up slightly, forcing him onto the balls of his feet, putting himself in control.

"I'd give you anything you wanted, my city is just as wealthy as the capital. I'd take good care of you; you're not just another whore like the rest of my… companions, you're special. Also, His Royal Highness and I are rather good friends, I'm sure he'd allow you to leave with me, even tonight... or, perhaps, tomorrow morning."

Fai squirmed at the hot breath on his face. He was shaking now, which seemed to amuse Sinclair, who was still speaking, though Fai was no longer listening. The larger man had pulled him to his side and, despite his panicked, shaky breathing, Fai forced himself not to pull away.

I deserve this, I Deserve This, I DESERVE THIS.

He repeated this mantra to himself over and over in his head. He knew he was a bad person; he'd practically killed his brother and now the one person he'd ever felt truly close to since his brother had just essentially told him she hated him. He was convinced he deserved whatever was about to happen to him.

He felt the hand tighten in his hair and pull him, much less gently, even closer. He yelped, earning a grin.

"Hey!"

Sinclair's head snapped up and turned to where the voice had come from. Fai tried to turn, but the grip on his hair was far too tight. He recognized the voice though.

"Ah, Maitresse Seether, I don't believe we've met yet."

"Get the fuck off my little brother!"

Little brother?

He allowed Fai to straighten, then promptly pinned him to his side. Now Fai could see Mangetsu; she was seething just a few feet away, hands balled into fists and upper lip drawn back so that she looked like she was snarling. He was reminded, suddenly, of when she had protected him from Emiel, all those years ago. She looked remarkably similar, but something was definitely different. Her confidence level, as always, was through the roof; her posture was threatening to say the least. Her eyes though… her eyes were different.

Instead of the last time, when they'd growled: 'Don't you even dare, you won't believe what I'll do to you.' Now they screamed 'Go ahead, I dare you, don't you want to see what I'll do to you?'

Fai wracked his brain, trying to figure out what would cause that change in attitude. It hit him suddenly, like a smack to the back of the head: Magic.

Just to be sure, he gave a tentative push with his aura and received exactly what he had been expecting: Absolutely no resistance whatsoever. The suppression didn't extend to the ballroom.

For a moment, he wondered why Ashura hadn't enlarged it, if only for the night, but he knew why- Seresu politics were cut-throat; no Lord or General in their right mind would willingly go to a political function where they knew they wouldn't have access to their powers, it was suicide.

So Mangetsu wasn't under any suppression and she knew it. Of course she was excited; she was going to use her powers to the full extent for the first time in years. She was also going to bring more trouble upon herself than she could possibly imagine.

"Maitresse," His voice had dropped the patronizing tone and now he was just trying to sound threatening.

"I am a Lord of our Kings court and you will treat me with all due respect."

Fai blanched. It would be bad enough if he didn't try to antagonize her. Doing it on purpose was just… stupid.

"Believe me," Mangetsu grinned, "That was for more respect than you're due."

Sinclair tensed and grabbed Fai's hair forcefully, eliciting a pained cry. The pleasure drained form Mangetsu's eyes, replaced with a cold fury Fai had become accustomed to.

"I gave you a chance."

Her eyes narrowed and, maybe it was a trick of the light, but they seemed to darken a bit. The air around her cracked silver as she brought her hands up slowly and made a shoving motion, unleashing a charge attack (Charge Attack: A concentrated bolt of one's aura that can be directed and thrown at a person or object. The power depends on the power of the magician controlling it, but no matter what, it always packs a punch.) that passed through Fai harmlessly, but sent Sinclair flying, crashing back through several startled people before hitting a dessert table and destroying a multi-level crystal chocolate display. He let out a grown and dropped his head.

Fai picked his way over to Mangetsu and she put her arm around him.

"I-" He whispered, but she cut him off.

"Apologize and I'll hit you."

He looked up at her just in time to see Ashura's hand clamp down on her shoulder and drag her back. Then he reached back and grabbed Fai's wrist, twisting it painfully.

Several guards were helping Sinclair to his feet and Ashura strode over, smaller beings in tow and seemingly forgotten.

"I apologize for their atrocious behavior; I hope they haven't insulted you too greatly?"

Fai's eyes widened. Insulted? Hadn't Ashura seen what had happened? He must have… seen… oh. He didn't care. That made sense. That was what Mangetsu had always said, and isn't it what she'd gotten mad about earlier? Denying what was right in front of his face?

"Of… course not… Your Highness."

Sinclair smiled between pained gasps of breath. He calmed himself and managed to leer at Fai. When Fai unconsciously shrank back, Ashura gave him a hard shake to keep him in place without even looking down. He heard something in his wrist snap and he yelped, looking at Mangetsu.

She was completely oblivious, staring in disbelieving rage at the controlling hand on her shoulder like she couldn't believe it was there. He switched his focus to the conversation going on over their heads.

"I was just noticing how… mature our lovely Fai had gotten over the years. I was actually wondering if… you had any plans for him? Only once you are finished and of course I'd provide compensation."

What?

He blanched at Ashura's pleased smile.

"How much did you have in mind?"

"Oh, say…" He eyed Fai appraisingly, making him squirm, uncomfortable. "Fifteen-thousand silver pieces?"

Fai choked; that was an obscene amount and it scared him that he was willing to go to that length to get what he wanted. Ashura chuckled.

"That sounds more than reasonable. Although…"

He grinned conspiratorially. Sinclair returned it.

"Yes?"

"He could be yours much sooner for twenty."

Fai jumped.

"What are you-"

"Shut up." Fai received another harsh shake, jarring his injured wrist. Sinclair chuckled.

"Don't damage your own merchandise Your Highness."

Ashura grimaced and it struck Fai how, even though Sinclair was addressing King Ashura as "Your Highness" and using all other protocol, he still seemed to be in charge. Ashura seemed to be catering to him and Fai wondered if he was that nervous and desperate for allies that he'd let someone walk on him to avoid alienating a "friend".

"I apologize once more; he's usually so well behaved. It's the girl, she's a horrible influence on him."

"But that means they're close, right? That's what you needed after all."

Ashura nodded, Sinclair continued:

"So, you need him until the next full moon and then…?"

"He's all yours."

"BASTARD!"

Mangetsu suddenly burst out. She jerked herself away, grabbing the back of Fai's collar and dragging him with her. She'd shouted so loudly that it had caught more attention then her charge attack. The music came to a strangle halt and couples stopped dancing. Everyone turned and looked.

Mangetsu shoved Fai behind her protectively.

"What are you even talking about? Why do you need him until the full moon? Why do you need him at all? And you!" She jabbed a finger at Ashura, shaking all over with rage and panting with pent up frustration that was forcing itself out all at once.

"How could you even think of doing something like that to him? Don't you see how he idolizes you, you son of a bitch?"

She was shaking even harder. When she let out a hiss of pain and put a hand to her head.

"Shit! Why does my head hurt?"

Ashura smirked and called several guards over.

"She's not under the suppression, she's going to turn. Give her an injection to control it so I can get them back to their rooms."

Ashura snatched Fai's injured wrist and dragged him back. Mangetsu didn't even notice; she dropped to her knees and clutched her head in both hands. Even so, the soldiers approached her warily, surrounding her completely before they all jumped her at once. Fai didn't think she even noticed when they pinned her. Her face was screwed up in pain and was panting harder. One of then plunged a syringe into her neck and suddenly, she froze. She was still conscious, but something in her eyes had dulled. They had also lightened back to their original color; he was positive now that they had grown darker. Soldiers helped her to her feet and one walked up to King Ashura.

"That stopped it, for now. She'll be out of it for a little bit, but with this one, it won't be long; five minutes at the most. Anyone else would be unconscious after the dose we gave her. Shall we take them back to their rooms?"

"No." Ashura reached over and applied his new-found death grip to the back of her neck. She didn't respond. "I'll escort them back and place them both under the suppression."

Fai's stomach was burning in fear. He didn't understand what was going on or what had happened to Mangetsu. He stumbled along, pulled by a furious Ashura who was speaking, though Fai was too confused to listen.

Along side him, Mangetsu began to come out of her stupor. She turned and made eye contact with him as he bit his lip. As he dragged them up the steps to Mangetsu's rooms, Mangetsu twisted out of his grasp once more. Ashura had expected it though, and snatched a handful of her hair, making her yelp. He threw them both against the door and they leaned on each other as they watched the normally calm, collected king rage in front of them.

"You little brats!" Fai cringed "How dare you make such a scene! Over what? Showing such disrespect to one of my closest allies! Do you know the damage you could have caused if he hadn't liked you?"

So he was right, Fai realized, Ashura was worried about losing an ally. He felt himself shaking and he grabbed Mangetsu's hand out of pure fear. She squeezed it, and it was comforting because the emotions flowing off of her were anything but frightened; they were anxious, admittedly, but also strong and angry and ready to fight. When she spoke, her voice was low and commanding.

"I want to know now. What. Is. Going. On. Why am I here, why is he here and what happens on the full moon?"

Whew! Now it picks up. Finally, right? I HATED writing the beginning with Sinclair, I'm squeamish when it comes to that, but I think of Seresu as being sort of in the middle ages. In the middle ages girls were married both under-age and for political power. I figure in a society where homosexuality is excepted, the same thing could happen to guys. I really do have to stop doing stuff to him though... o.0 Anyway, my dad's kicking me off of the computer so remember to review, Review, REVIEW^^

ありがとう

ShingetsuXMangetsu