Disgaea: Hour of Darkness

Title: Forgotten Memories

Author: The Rogue Shadow

Genre: PG-13

Rating: Drama/Humor

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Chapter 3: No Hope for the Abused

- Laharl -

What the hell?! First she gets lost in her own thoughts, then she slaps me in the face, and now she's crying?! Again?! Damn, what in the Netherworld is wrong with this girl?

As usual I voice out my thoughts without thinking about the consequences.

"Hey you!" I can only address here like this since she never even managed to tell me her name with the whole tackling me and thinking I was dead. "What the hell is your problem?!"

It's only a matter of time before I manage to regret my words sooner or later.

She looks at me with her tears glistening down her cheeks.

This time it's sooner.

"What's wrong with me?" She asks me with her voice breaking up. "Just look at me!"

I did look at her and despite her choice of clothing, I found nothing wrong about her.

"I'm a parentless bastard! I have no family or friends! Everyone always looks down on me and treats me like dirt. And why wouldn't they?! I'm lower than a vassal!"

I just stood there calmly listening to whatever it was she had to say. She'd feel at least a little better after she got all of that out of her system. That's what mother always does when I'm off complaining. She'll let me rant and rant for hours, until I'm too tired to say anything anymore. So I continue listening to her list of problems which I must admit is pretty bad.

"So go ahead! Hit me! Beat me down just like everyone else does! There's nothing I can do about it, even if I could fight, because you're the prince! Hurt me! I don't care anymore! I'm already dead!"

Annoyed, I make my way up to her all the while looking her in the eye the entire time.

"So that's it, then? You'll just give up?"

I slightly narrow my eyes while her own widen.

"Hm. Well that's too bad. You showed a lot of potential back there. You waited for just the right moment and then hit me with everything you had. That was pretty good for someone who doesn't even know how to throw a punch yet."

I smirk and rub my head.

"It's a shame to see that you'll give up like this. With a bit of training, you might've been able to kick some major ass, but whatever. It's none of my concern."

I glance out of the corner of my eye to see if she takes the bait.

Being weak is bad enough, but she's lost the will to even live and there's nothing's worse than giving up.

Right now, I decide that I'll give this girl the hope she needs.

It's really like what mother said. If you don't have hope then you have nothing.

She looked up, some emotion coming back to her face.

"I... I really could become stronger? Me?"

Her eyes are full of disbelief and I merely scoff at her reaction.

"Of course you can!" I say in my all-knowing voice. "Anyone can with the right person training them!"

"Would you be able to do it? Would you be able to help me get stronger?"

I stand here caught off guard by that question. I really didn't see that one coming but no matter.

My shocked face turns into a grinning one.

"Hah! Of course I can! It's the future Overlord's duty to know everything about anything and that includes knowing how to raise an invincible army!"

Before I realize it, she grabs me by the shoulders and looks intensely at me with her pleading face.

"Please! Please help me get stronger. I need to become stronger! I'll do anything!"

She slowly falls down to the ground with her arms sliding down my chest before they hit the floor.

Her voice is now lowered to slightly above a whisper. "Anything..."

I kneel down and take a good look at her. Being this close, I can see that she has some fading bruises and a cut on her lip. I inwardly growl at this.

I can't believe that there exists actual beings in the Netherworld who would pick on the weak and defenseless. How low could these pathetic excuses for demons go?

Well if that's the way those morons want to play it then it's fine by me. Next time they try to attack her, they'll be in for a rude awakening.

Heh, heh, heh.

"You know what?"

She holds her breath, waiting for me to speak.

"I think I will help you. It might be fun to have someone around who's strong enough to fight against."

The next thing she did caught me completely off guard. She threw her arms around my neck and hugged me closely.

"Thank you! Thank you so much! I swear I'll be the best student you've ever had."

Slightly flustered, I slowly push her away from me.

Her eyes are glistening with tears of joy. Jeez, that's the third time she started to cry in the time I've known her, which has only been for like half an hour or so including the time I spent in my little concussion.

"Yeah, yeah. Technically, you'll be the first student I ever had, but whatever. Now cut the water works so we can head to our first line of business."

I turn around and begin walking so that she won't see my heating cheeks.

That was the first hug I've ever received from a female, aside from my mother. It made me feel... warm.

- Etna -

He's already walking away before I can register what it was he said.

"Uh, what exactly is the first line of business?"

He turns around and looks at me like it should have been obvious.

"Well, you want me to help you get stronger right?"

I merely nod.

"Then the first step is sign you up as my vassal. That way you and I can train without anyone trying to start some idiotic rumors about the two of us."

I speak out a little timidly out of fear of what the answer for my next question will be.

"So... would that make you my master?"

He blinks at me and I can see a frown forming on his face.

"No, I'm not the kind of demon that's in to having mistresses and playing S&M, so don't think I'm like that. In fact, the mere thought of it is enough to make me nauseous. Got it?"

With that said, he begins once again to walk away.

"Oh... okay then."

I know he said he wouldn't treat me like that that but I still feel that I shouldn't get my hopes up. I've trusted before and those times turned out to be some of the worst moments I've ever experienced.

"Hey." He addresses me without even turning around. "I'm serious. You better not be thinking that I'm doing this, just so I can have someone I can abuse 24/7, ok?"

He pauses for a moment and I remain silent.

"Now, listen up because I'm only going to say this once. I pride myself on having more nobility than those sad excuses for demons. I, for one, don't enjoy picking fights with weaklings nor do I use my power to make people's lives a living hell. I'm simply not like that."

He turns around and stares deeply into my eyes. I can't help but feel that he's peering into my soul.

"However, if you're still unconvinced and uncomfortable with this whole deal then feel free to just walk out. I'm not going to stop you. I haveno reason to. Remember that I'm not the one who wants this. This is all up to you."

I avert my eyes and turn them to the ground.

What should I do? Can I really believe him? He did say that I could walk out on this deal if I wanted to. Should I? Can I?

Feeling so much frustration, I cover my face with my hands to cover the expressing forming. It's then I wince at the touch of one of my old bruises.

That's right. If I back out now, then I'm back at square one. They'll continue hurting me and I'll still be as powerless as ever to fight back.

I look up and speak.

"Can I really trust you?"

A small smile forms on his lips.

"I can't answer that one. Only you can decide if you can trust me or not. Only you can decide if I'm being honest or insincere. The only thing I can do is give you my word."

I consider his words very carefully. Is this ok? Will everything turn out for the best?

He talks to me once again in a somewhat softer voice. "So what do you say? Can you take a leap of faith and trust that I'll catch you?"

"Yes."

I blink; slightly surprised by the answer I gave.

I don't know what possessed me to say that. It was as if it were a reflex. Damn I really have to learn to control myself in the future.

Regardless, it's too late now. I've already agreed to a member of the royal family and here in the Netherworld that's just as good as a contract written in your own blood. I just sincerely hope that this won't end with me lying beaten in front of another castle gate.

The prince walks up to me and gives a grin.

"In that case, from this moment on you're my vassal. All we need now is to legalize it. Let's head to the Dark Assembly. They should be in session by now."

Accepting this as my fate, I force a small smile.

"Yes, master."

His smile fades away and he slowly makes his way to me.

I hold my breath, worried that I've done something wrong already.

He stops right in front of me. He slowly bends down so he's less than an inch from of my face. This time I manage not to lash out a slap him.

I feel a blush form on my cheeks whether from embarrassment of that memory or his closeness, I don't know. However, my attention right now is on what he's going to say next.

"I told you. Don't call me master. It doesn't work like that. As long as it's not degrading, you can feel free to call me whatever you want. You can even call me by my first name, something that the other vassals don't address me as."

He blinks.

"Come to think about it, I've never given you my name have I?"

Still transfixed by his closeness, I only manage to shake my head.

"Well then, I'll have to change that."

He takes a step back and for some reason I find myself a little disappointed. He then straightens his back and makes a pose with his arms crossed over his chest.

"My name is Laharl. I am the soon to be Overlord of the Netherworld."

I stare at him, as I repeat his name in my head.

Laharl... It just rolls off the tongue.

"So may I have the name of the girl who has tackled, slapped, and yelled at me before she even knew my name?"

Once again, feeling a little embarrassed; I look down at my feet.

"My name is Etna."

"Alright, Etna it is. So for future reference, what do you plan on calling me?"

Hmm... What should I call him? He doesn't want me to call him master, though I don't think I would like that either. Come on. Something that I'd be comfortable with. Does he even need a nickname?

I look at him and say the first thing that comes to mind.

"I think I'll go with Prince."

I search for his approval in his eyes.

"Is that... ok?"

He raises an eyebrow at me.

"Prince, huh? Hmm, sure. It kinda has a ring to it. Well now that that's out of the way, to the Dark Assembly!"

I feel myself smile, which is something I haven't done ever since the king found me. With a new rise of hope for the future, I set out to obediently follow my prince.

I inwardly giggle at the thought.

- Laharl -

Am I doing the right thing? Will the Assembly even let me keep her without a fight?

Regardless of their choice, I've made a promise to her and it's one I intend to keep.

I swear that I won't let her go back to her old life.

I'll continue to give this girl hope and then maybe she'll one day have the confidence to stick up for herself.

Till that day, I will protect her.

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A/N: Jeez, did that update take forever or what? There are just so many annoying interruptions that keep occurring in my life. For an example there was this one time when these morons from some other school wanted to try to start something with me. They were all like, "We're better than you! You better do what we say!" Seriously... So then I said- (stops self) Actually, nevermind. I don't want to waste anymore of your time like they did to me, or how I did to those waiting for this chapter. By the way, you guys or girls can check my profile for updates on the 'progress' I make. In which, I create a whole chapter in one day. Heh, heh. Keep on reviewing!!

I'm a little disappointed in this chapter and thought it would've been more impressive if it was put together with the second chapter. Do you guys think I should? Let me know because your (points for effect) opinions decide the fate of this fic.

- Response to the Reviews -

ClawsofDeath:

I'm seriously glad you like it. The update is coming soon.

Goldamon:

(grins) Cool. That review just busted the doubt I was starting to have about this story. I appreciate it a lot. Also, I'll do better to update. The reason I ended the chapters so short was because I was wondering if it was too long. Guess there's no questioning that now, huh?

Kei-kun:

I have a "feeling" that things will go a little bit more than smoothly. Of course, it can't be all peaches and plumbs because then where would the story be? I'm glad you liked this chapter. Hope you find the next one to be good too.

neko-chan123:

Thanks. I'll be sure to update on a regular basis. Of course, I don't mean something like once a month... That's too cruel on both the author and those actually waiting for the update. I hope you'll like the next chapter.

cajef:

Thanks a bunch. I really don't hear those kinds of things that much. Hope you enjoy the chapters to come.

lobo-the-lone-wolf:

Jeez... that long period of time shouldn't have existed. Well I mean the time passing is natural but I meant without updating it. Luckily though I was able to realize that there were people waiting for it. Or if not waiting then curious. (hangs head in shame) I hope you enjoy the fourth chapter though. It's because of your review that it's up right now. Feel free to leave any advice and hope to hear from you in the future!