Me: *crawls out of hole in the middle of Puerto Rico* Ugh, my aching head...but damn, that was some party last night, eh Feather-chan?
NinthFeather: That party wasn't last night, baka neko, it was four months ago.
Me: O.O WHAT? HOW THE HELL DID THAT HAPPEN? WHAT ON EARTH HAVE I BEEN DOING FOR THE PAST FOUR MONTHS?
NinthFeather:...You really expect me to answer that? Why don't you explain it to all your readers. That is, if you have any left after all this time...
Me: -.- Ok, so yeah...I guess you guys kind of deserve an explanation as to my sudden disappearance, huh? Well, to start out, back in August, my dad had a heart attack. He survived, and he's almost fully recovered, but it was a real strain on our family, so I had to help out with a lot of things. Then I landed in the hospital. Twice. And after several rounds of painful medical testing, the doctors still have no f-ing clue what's wrong with me. So now I'm on pain meds and have to go get MORE tests done in a few weeks. Oh joy.
Me: Well...that's about all of it. I'm soooooooo sorry that I haven't updated in so long. I thank you all for your patience and understanding, especially those of you that pm-ed to see how I was doing. I really appreciate it! Arigatou!
And now, without further ado, on with the fic!
Warning: I have officially decided to change the rating of this fic from T to M. Not because of anything in this chapter specifically, but because, let's face it, I should have changed it a LONG time ago...^^' Also, there's a bit of blood in this chapter and, as always, bishie x bishie love, so no like-
NinthFeather: Then what the heck are you still doing here?
Disclaimer: Even though I have been gone for four months, this still has not changed. I still do not own the bishies of Saint Beast, so Mr. and Mrs. Lawyer, please go home.
Gai had not been gone a hour when the screams started.
At first, Shin didn't even believe they were screams. After all, how could anything living—or at least, had at one time been living—make such a sound? A sound laced with so much agony, so much pain, that no one in the room recognized it for what it really was.
Except Gou.
As soon as the screams began, Gou's attempts to break his bonds became all the more frenzied. His dark complexion became pale as the blood drained from his face, and his normally calm bi-colored eyes grew wide and glassy with panic.
Shin, more than a little frightened by Gou's sudden frenzy, did his best to discover the source of his friend's panic. "Gou! Gou, what's wrong? What's gotten into you? Are you alright?"
Gou didn't even pause in his struggles when he replied, "What's wrong? How can you even ask? Don't you hear it? Don't you hear his screams?"
"Gou, I know the screams are terrible," Yuda said carefully, also greatly concerned by Gou's sudden change in temperament. "But you can't let it get to you like this. We don't even know who—,"
"Don't know who?" Gou shouted, finally stopping his frenzied movements and turning to glare at the crimson-haired angel. "How can you not know? How can you...how the hell can you not recognize him? How can you not..." Gou trailed off as fought to fight back tears, and resumed his fierce struggle to free himself from his bonds.
Yuda and Ruka looked at one another in confusion, then looked back at Gou, worry etched all over their faces.
"Gou, are you sure—," Ruka started, but he was cut off by Shin's sudden exclamation.
"Maya! Maya, are you alright? Maya, say something!" Shin called out anxiously, struggling against his chains in an attempt to get closer to the small half-angel.
Maya's face had lost all its color, and his body seemed to have gone completely limp, so that only the chains that bound him to the wall kept him from dropping to the ground. His eyes were glazed over, and his countenance was one of pure horror. Shin didn't know what was happening to the young half-angel, but he knew it could not be good.
As if reading his thoughts, Maya let out a shaky breath. "I-It's Gai," he stuttered, to the horror of everyone in the room.
Shin's first reaction was denial. No, it couldn't be Gai. It just couldn't be. Gai was the youngest of their group, and—though none would ever dare say this in front of the blonde angel—the most innocent as well. How could anyone, even the demons of hell, hurt a creature as pure as Gai?
Lucifer's earlier words came unbidden to the forefront of Shin's mind. Of course, the Byakko will be returned to you. Although what condition he is in when he is returned is entirely dependent on both you and him.
No! Shin thought, shaking his head to clear his mind of the traitorous thoughts. Lucifer hadn't been serious. He wouldn't really hurt Gai. He couldn't. The fallen angel was bluffing.
He just had to be.
Yet one look at the tortured expression on Gou's face, and Shin knew it was just wishful thinking. Gou and Gai had always shared a bond similar to that of his and Yuda's, only much, much older. Gou and Gai had know one another since the day of their creation, and at times, it seemed as if they were two halves of a whole angel rather than two separate beings. They knew each other inside and out, and when one was happy, the other would laugh with joy. And when the one was sad, the other would hold him close and weep tears of sorrow.
So it was only natural that Gai's pain would also be Gou's. And from the broken stance of the brunette angel's body, Shin knew that Gou was experiencing the worst agony he had ever known.
For a few seconds after discovering the identity of the tortured, blood-soaked creature surrounded by hordes of demons below them, Kira and Rei could do nothing but stare in horror and denial. No, no that couldn't be Gai. That couldn't be the cute, hyperactive feline they both knew so well. There was just no way...
But it was. That mutilated, wretched being below them was Gai.
Before the two angels had anytime to process this fact, however, the screams abruptly stopped. Leaning forward slightly over the ledge to see what was happening, Rei noticed—to his immense shock and relief—that the demons torturing Gai had pulled back. This respite was short lived, however, as no sooner had the demons pulled back than a cloaked figure with long, black hair emerged from the horde. And, though Rei had to strain to hear, the sound of the being's voice made the violet-haired angel go cold in horrified recognition.
Lucifer.
"Now Byakko-sama, I see no reason for this barbaric unpleasantness to continue any further. I know the pain must be absolutely...terrible for you," the fallen angel said in casual tone, gently running his fingertips over one of the deeper wounds on Gai's torso.
"The pain can stop anytime, Byakko-sama," Lucifer continued, licking the blood from his fingers, "All you have to do is denounce Zeus and the kingdom of Heaven, and swear allegiance to me, promising to reside in my paradise for the rest of eternity. Really, it's not such a bad bargain. Think of it," the black-haired figure continued in a dreamy tone, "True freedom. An existence free of the tyranny of an unjust god. A life where you are free to do as you please, live as you please..." Lucifer trailed off, then added softly, almost sadly, "And love who you please."
Immediately shaking off his somber mood as quickly as he had donned it, Lucifer continued pleasantly, "So what have you to say, Byakko-sama? Will you accept my offer? Will you cast away the chains of bondage Zeus has forced upon you, and accept true freedom?"
For a few moments after Lucifer's reciting of his rhetoric, Gai did not show any indication that he would respond, or that he had even heard the fallen angel, for that matter. But just as Rei was beginning to think that Gai's mind had shown him mercy and let him slip into unconsciousness, the blonde angel stirred. Slowly, the small, bloodied angel lifted his head so he was looking Lucifer directly in the eye. Rei's heart lept with joy as he saw a familiar spark of defiance in the seemingly broken angel's eyes, but that joy instantly died as Gai gave his answer.
By spitting blood right in Lucifer's face.
Ok, I know it's a bit on the short side, and I know not a whole lot happens in this chapter, but hey, at least it got written, right? Right?
NinthFeather: At this point, I'd be surprised if you have any readers left to disappoint...
Me: -.- No one asked you, Feather-chan.
NinthFeather: Since when have you had to ask for me to insult you?
Me:...Good point.
By the way, in case any of you were wondering about Lucifer's cryptic little dialogue in there, I am planning on writing a Lucifer centric fic soon. Even though I made him a real bastard in this fic, I think Lucifer deserves a little love every now and then, ne?
Now, I know after all this time, I probably don't deserve it, but if you all could find it in your hearts to review, even if it's only to tell me how much I suck, I will love you forever! XD
Until next time, my lovelies!
~Neko-chan~