Hey, I'm back with a new chapter to Sweet and Bitter Love, sorry if it took too long, I was working on my other fics. I would like to address my review from Elememtal1000, I'm glad you think Sarah's background is interesting and as too how she learned English so well, well…that's going to be addressed a little later on when insecurities are being pushed, and that's all I'm saying on the matter. As for what happens when people find out about Kaz's baby, well…I can't say much, but…I can't help but wonder who would be more pissed off, Chaor or Takinom…or Nivenna? As for Tom, just wait and see. Also, I'm not quite sure if I should continue writing the POVs separately in different chapters, since it seemed to make my second chapter rather short, you guys can tell me whether or not I should keep the chapter-style how it is or change it and put the two POVs in the same chapter.

Now, with that out of the way, on with the disclaimer! I forgot to do it the last two times, so here I go! I do not own Chaotic or any of its original characters, but I do own Kazlyn and her family (human family, that is). And here we go, enjoy!

Chapter 2 (Kaz's POV)

I still can't believe two full weeks went by, two weeks since the hell of a nightmare Von Bloot put me and Tom through had finally ended, and I was still gaining my strength back. Everyone was pitching in to keep me company, especially Nivenna, I guess, since she sees me as a sister (and the feeling's mutual, believe me), she must've felt she didn't do enough to protect me. So I've rarely had a moment to myself, especially after my brother finally got his code to Chaotic so he could come find me.

CJ had practically beaten the castle and infirmary doors in trying to find me, scaring everyone but me out of their wits, since I was used to his rude entrances. Everyone had thought it was Von Bloot coming back for me and Tom, who stopped the whole thing once he realized who it was.

Now, you see, CJ is surprisingly a lot like Chaor personality wise now that I think about, well…sort of anyways. They both anger pretty easily and they value loyalty, though CJ was more about honesty. I'm not kidding, CJ just can't tolerate liars. Though deep down, both are caring when they want to be, they just keep a tough image. Though, ironically, both seem to throw that out the window when it comes to me.

But I felt pretty bad as CJ blubbered on about how I disappeared in a flash of blue light during the family reunion and pretty much gave everyone heart-attacks, especially Uncle John and Grandpa. I told him everything that happened, Nivenna (having wanting to meet him since I first told her about him) also supplied details I couldn't renounce. I had to cling pretty tightly to CJ's arm to keep from attacking Tom after he discovered what transpired while we were held hostage, but once he learned of the intoxication, CJ immediately felt bad and apologized, before promising me Von Bloot's wings. And to be honest, I have little doubt I'll soon be getting the harpy's wings for present.

I suppose I couldn't really complained about being coddled by practically everyone I hold close in and out of Perim, since I knew those days Tom and I were missing must've really scared them. I still laugh remembering a little story that Nivenna had told me, apparently when Takinom heard of the kidnapping, she publicly panicked and practically ran around like a chicken that had its head-cut off. But that's besides the point, those days of being held hostage by Von Bloot scared the living day lights out of me and you can ask anyone, I don't usually scare so easily.

But even I had to admit, it killed me inside each and every time Tom would like at me with those expressive eyes of his filled with slight hurt, but more so mourn and forlorn every time a flinch away from either his touch or the raise of his voice. To be honest, the reactions were starting to get annoying for me.

"Seriously, Sunlight," My Japanese/Chinese friend insisted after I involuntarily flinched again exactly two weeks and a day after our rescue, "I can just go stay with Maxxor and Intress in Kiru City until you feel more like yourself."

"Little Sister, I'm going to have agree with Tom," CJ spoke brushing his chin-length, slightly curled at the end, black as night hair out of his face, blue eyes filled with concern for my well-being, "I think a little more time apart would be beneficial for you, if only to recover from the ordeal itself physically before mentally."

"Absolutely not!" I almost shouted in insistence and I'm sure my fear at the thought of Tom leaving showed as Lulu came over to my bedside to pass me a glass of water, before shooting the boys a pointed-look. After I was finally discharged from the infirmary, I was moved to my personal room in Chaor's more homey section of the castle. Lulu all but insisted to be my care-taker until I was a hundred percent as much as I trusted Sarah, the Greek-player was more of a fighter than a healer, same can be said with Nivenna. This also gave her the authority to kick someone out if they caused me enough distress, which she had already done twice to H'earring and Sarah.

"I'll be fine, I just…ugh!" I groaned flopping backwards after setting the glass aside, "I know this is hard, guys, I do, but its more important to me that you're here, Tom," I then tapped my head, "So I can get my annoyingly-stubborn brain to realize you're never going to hurt me like that again. Just…just trust me here."

"I do trust you, Kaz, more than you know," Tom sighed as CJ and Lulu watched, "I just don't like seeing you like this."

"Just give me more time, Moonlight," I soothed as he sighed again, "I'll be fine in the end, I've already begun to try and keep it in my head that your not dangerous," I then took out a gold sun charm that hung around my neck on a matching gold chain and smiled at him, "You and me…we're good, know that at least, Tom. Von Bloot is never going to destroy what we have, okay?"

Tom didn't answer at first, instead he pulled out a similar charm from under his shirt, only his was made from white gold and unlike mine, which was decorated with three rubies, his had three perfectly cut pieces of jade. We had them ever since we turned thirteen. Tom had gotten them made especially for us, claiming that back in his native country, it was a tradition in his village to craft a special gift for someone important to you on when they turn thirteen and he had crafted one for himself to show how connected we were. I wore mine ever since.

Tom stared at the white gold crescent moon for a moment, before giving me a small smile that reached his eyes, showing understanding and hope. "Okay," He nodded as Lulu grinned, "I…might not like this, but I understand, Sunlight."

Ever since, I've been working on mental exercises to force myself to get over the rapes, so that I'd stop having negative reactions towards my best friend. Aside from that, I was worrying myself to the bone about the baby.

'How in Perim am I going to tell them I'm pregnant?' I thought to myself one night when I had finally been allowed alone and was sure no one aside from the guards were within a ten mile radius of my room, 'I can't tell them Von Bloot just surgically put the fetus in me, for one, there are no pregnant players so how would he had gotten a human fetus to implant? I knew it wouldn't work cause Peyton and Ulmar would run tests to know for fact it was not only human, but also had Tom's DNA.'

I cursed myself for my logical sense, something I got from Uncle. 'If I just tell them, then Peyton will want to do an examination and with CJ as my legal guardian, I won't have much of a choice and they'll discover I had intercourse,' I continued to think, 'Then Tom will know that he raped me,' I took the pillow and slammed it over my face in frustration, 'What am I going to do?'

I couldn't let Tom know what he had done by force, it would surely kill…assuming Chaor, Takinom, Nivenna, H'earring and CJ don't get him first. Tom originally grew up in a very traditional part of China that was close to the Japanese border, hence his mixed heritage. His village being so old-fashioned believed that women were to be respected and treated equally in many ways and rape was one of the worst crimes to be committed. He was raised to believe such an act was unforgivable regardless of the circumstances. This would destroy him completely, end of discussion.

I guess I fell asleep at some point, cause next thing I knew, I was back in that room, chained to the bed with Tom on top of me, in me. As much as I knew this wasn't real, it still felt like my body was betraying me as I felt my body heat increase as well as shame once more to be reacting in such a way. I woke up just was Tom finished and noticed my underwear was wet.

"Damn it!" I cursed under my breath, "When I get my hands on Von Bloot he's a dead harpy!" I grabbed my scanner and saw in Perim it was no later than about four in the morning. I had no desire to risk my baby by porting, so after changing into one of the many Underworld-themed dresses and outfits that Takinom herself made for me, I slipped it into the sash-like belt, making sure it was secure before opening the window.

Hanging around here since I was six paid off in terms of my ability to get around, especially since I've already mastered my telekinesis since I turned thirteen. My powers ran in my mother's family for centuries and even though my father (wherever he was) didn't have such powers, my brother and I still inherited them, me especially, so my uncle took great care in training us. I've done a great job keeping my power a secret thus far and I don't plan on letting it slip now.

With little concentration, I lifted myself off the window ledge with levitation and glided through the air. With my hair tied into a bun and my pale skin clad in black I easily blended into the darkness of the cavern's version of night as all the lights that were usually on to signify day were all out. When I finally reached my destination, I took a deep breath and knocked on the door, then waited.

"Kaz?" Ulmar asked in surprise, "Why-what are you doing here so late?"

"I've come to ask you for a favor," I answered feeling unsure, but hide the fact from the green-skinned creature that served as both scientist, inventor and best healer for the Underworld. "Come in," He invited and I gratefully entered, in the back of my head, I can still remember the times of war when I would sneak in here for scan quests or just to annoy Ulmar, who'd then chase me, knowing full well what I was up to.

After putting together early breakfast for the both of us, he had to use a few books to sit on so he was closer to my height. "So, what can I do for you?" Ulmar asked once comfortable.

"Ulmar, what I'm going to tell you is to be kept under the strictest form of confidentiality," I told him getting right down to business, after all, as my other great uncle likes to say, beating around the bush gets you nowhere, "No one can know about this, not even Chaor."

"Is this about what happened with Von Bloot?" Ulmar asked to which I nodded. I then finally revealed what had really happened to me under Von Bloot's possession and why there was no evidence, also why he had done all of it to begin with. As Ulmar listened attentively, a look of absolute horror slowly dawned onto his face, despite what most people in Chaotic though, even Ulmar had his morals and standards, not even he would do such a thing that Von Bloot had.

"Kazlyn, if what you're telling me is true," Ulmar finally said after a moment of silence, "People are going to find out sooner or later."

"I know that, but first I need to know if its even true, which was why I came to you instead of Peyton," I replied, "The guy can't keep a secret like this to save his life." We both chuckled a bit at my attempt of joke. It was true though, next to Tom, Peyton was pretty bad at keeping secrets, but he did know how to bend truths so that was something.

"I'm desperate here to keep Tom from destroying himself, Ulmar," I explained, "He was raised to respect women, its bad enough he thinks he beat me. I can take the memories of the rapes to my grave without even Tom ever knowing, it isn't his fault, which is why I'm hoping Von Bloot was just trying to torture me mentally."

"Alright, I suppose you do have a point," Ulmar acknowledged, "There is really no point in anyone learning the truth if there really is nothing to be concerned about."

I spent the next hour being examined. I hid my discomfort to the best of my ability, I never did like doctors. I didn't have the best memories period in hospitals, to be honest the only doctors I could tolerate were vets. The thought made me start to miss my dog, my beautiful, loyal pure white, husky, wolf-mix dog Kyria (K-e-ria), I've had her since I was a toddler. I had to fight back a flinch as I endured a needle being pushed into my abdomen, allowing Ulmar to withdraw a type of fluid.

"Well?" I asked as Ulmar leaned back in a chair looking a bit shocked. "Kazlyn, y…you are a little over two weeks pregnant," He finally said in a gentle, a side to himself only very few have ever seen, me being one of then, "I was right, the tonic in your blood stream really did increase your fertility…and it is Thomas'."

I shook in shock. I much as I knew Von Bloot wasn't lying, part of me was hoping he was. "But it shouldn't be possible for players to get pregnant while in Perim," I said holding my head. "True, but you do remember that Von Bloot managed to open the portal in yours and Thomas' scanners just enough temporally to pull your physical beings here," Ulmar said making me mentally curse for forgetting that; it was all true, I've been bred with my best friend. That sounds very wrong!

"Kazlyn?" Ulmar spoke up getting my attention, "Have you…have you considered…the possibility of terminating the pregnancy?"

"The though did cross my mind, yes," I groaned feeling a headache coming on, "I but I refuse to go down that road, this baby didn't ask to be made this way, so I will not do something as cowardly or dishonourable as killing an innocent life."

"Thank the Cothica," Ulmar sighed in relief as I blinked in confusion, "I would have assisted if you had asked, but it is in all honesty the last thing I wanted to do."

I nodded as I rubbed my temples, this was far too much too quick. "Are you alright?" He asked eyes narrowing. "Just a headache, I think it comes from stress," I replied.

"That I can understand, I have been reading the book your friend Steel had written on the human body for Perim healers," Ulmar said, I forgot that too, Peyton wanted to make things more stable for humans in Perim, so he wrote a book for the healers about the human body, even the Codemasters were impressed with him. "I forgot he wrote that," I muttered.

"From what I understood you're going to have to take several steps to prepare the child's development," Ulmar began as I looked at him, he seemed rather happy to be taking part in all this despite the situation, "First of, I've been making modified versions of Perim prenatal vitamins that would be safe for humans," At my unsure look, he said in assurance, "Lulu's been helping me with them so I'm certain they're safe for you, also you'll be needing a very balanced diet, so stay away from water-acquired food in general as well as alcohol and…what's caffeine?"

I almost laughed at his question at the end, of course they wouldn't know what caffeine was. "It's just those seeds you ground into powder into tea, so I guess that means no tea or seafood," I said sighing, "Well, that's going to set off a few red flags. Of all the complicated things I've had to deal with since coming to Perim, this defiantly takes the cake…" At Ulmar's puzzled expression, I informed, "Just an expression."

Ulmar nodded, excepting my explanation as I took a moment to calm myself down before I had a panic attack, also to get my headache to go away. "Also, I think you should stay clear of medications for now," Ulmar said, "I don't know if any of Perim's native medicines would be safe for your baby or not. You'll also have to be careful with physical activity and get plenty of rest of rest. I want you back here once a week so that I can monitor your pregnancy."

"Alright, but I mean it, keep this to yourself," I said as I stood to leave, "Just one question though, how long until I start to show."

"According to Steel's book physical signs don't begin to show until the thirteenth week," Ulmar replied looking thoughtful, "But due to you being much younger than the average age of pregnant women, it might be a little earlier than that so possibly around the eleventh or twelfth, but there's no telling how being in Perim could possibly affect the child's growth, so around that time you will have to tell them."

"I know that," I groaned, "I just need time to figure out how, but for now, I better head back to the castle before they discover I'm gone."

"Ugh, Kazlyn, wait a minute!" Ulmar said urgently making nearly trip over myself to stop, "I would also suggest not using your scanner to travel since there's no way to tell how it may affect the child."

"I'm aware of that, which is why I didn't port here," I told him smirking a little at his confused look. "Then how did you get here without being seen?" Ulmar asked. "I snuck out," I answered bluntly, no need to be telling him about my powers yet besides it wasn't that far from the truth, "I wasn't Chaor's sole human alley for nothing, how do think I was able to get in here so many times without you knowing?"

"I did wonder about that," Ulmar admitted frowning, making me laugh and leave with a wave, feeling a little better that how I felt when I got here.

As I walked back to the castle, taking note of the day lights lighting up, my mind raced with all the new information Ulmar shared with me. I had less than nine months to figure how to tell everyone about my pregnancy without anyone knowing Tom was the father. I was so engrossed in my thoughts, I nearly missed footsteps rushing in my general direction, but looked up in time to see Tom skid around the corner behind a house, looking clearly panicked about halfway from the castle.

"Kaz!" He nearly shouted in relief, before calling behind him, "I found her!" We were soon joined by Sarah, Peyton, Lulu and CJ.

Guess I better describe my brother better. He was taller than all of my friends, having turned nineteen just last month as well as being incredibly well-muscled, a trait we were told he got from our father along with the rest of his appearance and personality. His short black hair curled at the end and he looked naturally angry, despite the clear relief and concern in his baby blue eyes, the only similar thing between us was our pale skin. He wore a black shirt with a red 'X' over it on the front with dark jeans and white and black sneakers with pale blue laces.

"Thank God!" CJ said in relief pulling me into a tight hug, muttering for me to hear, "Don't scare me like that!"

"Sorry," I muttered back, realizing I must've given everyone a heart-attack again. "Where the hell have you been?" Sarah demanded, "When Lulu came into the dining room saying she couldn't find you we were all worried sick!"

"Ah," I breathed earning a suspicious look from both my brother and self-proclaimed nurse, I decided to tell half the truth since I couldn't lie in front of my brother of all people, "I was at Ulmar's."

Everyone blinked at me in surprise, even Nivenna. "Why were you there?" Peyton asked. "I just wanted to talk to someone about Von Bloot and what I've gone through," I said while mentally crossing my fingers, making sure CJ couldn't read my mind, a skill he was particularly good at, smiling apologetically, "I just needed to talk to someone that wasn't a close friend or family-figure."

"You're still scared of me, aren't you?" Tom asked with downcast eyes, but the way he said it didn't make it sound like a question. I frowned at that, before grabbing his arm and turned him to look at me.

"I am not afraid of you, Tomoko Majors-Kon (1)!" I denied heatedly as he looked at me with wide eyes, "But I'm not made out of stone either, I won't lie and say what happened wasn't a very trying time in my life. I just need to talk to someone that I won't automatically assume would judge me or tell me what I want to hear."

"We'd never do that!" Sarah almost growled with a frown, making me chuckle. "I know that here, Sarah," I replied pointing at my heart, but then my head, "I just need to get that across here. That's why from now on I'll be seeing Ulmar once a week so I can get through this."

"Just one question, why Ulmar?" Lulu asked. "Why not?" I replied, "I'm not as close to him as I am the others, but I know that no matter what I ask him, he won't lie to me or just simply tell me what I want to hear. He's also someone I'm familiar with so I guess, compared to other creatures around here, he's my most logical choice." I mentally patted myself on the back for my smooth explanation, I'm getting so good at this, I'm honestly starting to scare myself.

I looked over at CJ when he suddenly snorted and shook his head. "Stubborn redhead," He said with his rare grin as he looked at me, "Leave it you or Aunt Danna to come up with some kind of schedule that helps someone improve. I swear, she and Uncle have gotten you addicted to schedules and training!"

I just grinned ruefully back at him as I replied, "Schedules yes, training no, you can blame Takinom for that one."

Everyone laughed and I smiled at seeing Tom was smiling in a way that seemed to light up the area. It felt so good to see his fears starting to melt away and see him relax since our rescue. As we walked back to the castle, I hid my growing unease. I as much as I hated hiding the truth and upsetting everyone, but I knew that all these disappointments weren't stopping any time soon. 'Baby,' I thought glancing down at my still flat stomach, 'You'd better be worth it.'

(1) Tom is half Japanese, half Chinese in this fic, his father is Japanese and his mother Chinese and he was born in China, hence why I gave him a Chinese based name. I think it be a pretty good twist if I gave Tom a full name more based on his Asian appearance instead of the usual Thomas.

And that is that! Coming up next is Tom's POV starting after they return to Chaor's castle and how he and Peyton tells and explains to Kaz's creature family about what she told them when they found her. Read and review! And remember the Golden Rule! NO FLAMING!