A/N: Going to New York tomorrow! Driving...for about 27 hours... can't bring laptop...but I will have plenty of time to type on my smart cellular device! Haha, then I will hopefully upload many chapters when I come back :) I got many plans for what I want to happen, so I'm sure chapters will come out a lot more steadily! Thanks again for those who are reading, it makes me HAPPY.

Chapter 11

Hizumi slowly opened his eyes, feeling a slight soreness in his side. He groaned and went to move, but quickly noticed his hands were shackled firmly above his head. His feet barely grazed the ground and his arms ached as they held up most of his weight.

"Ah, he awakens," Katsu smiled, standing up from her bed.

Hizumi looked around the familiar basement. "You brought me here? A little obvious, isn't it?"

"That's the point, genius," Katsu said. "You weren't really awake to see it, but the Blade Children weren't that eager to help you. Ayumu, on the other hand, will probably come right to the rescue."

Hizumi's eyes widened in realization.

Katsu smiled. "Sometimes a good hunter needs to use bait once in awhile."

"Katsu, please don't," Hizumi pleaded.

"What's your deal, anyway? Honestly, I see why you're not attempting to kill him since you believe in fate so easily. But why did you get so close to him? It would be so much easier to kill him if you weren't so attached," Katsu said. "So, I've decided I have to stop thinking of you like a brother."

"Katsu..." Hizumi said warily. "You don't have to do any of this. We can just go back to the way it was before."

"Really? You really think that? Because if you do then you are more stupid than I originally thought. The damage is done. You see how Ayumu is right now. I can never be around without everybody staring at me like a monster. I guess I became more like Yaiba than everyone thought."

"Katsu, let's just talk about this," Hizumi begged.

"The time for talking is done," Katsu smiled. "In the time it takes for Ayumu to get here, how about we have a little fun?" She picked up an object from her desk and Hizumi saw what it was as she let it uncoil to the floor. Katsu skillfully cracked the whip inches from Hizumi's face, making him flinch. "First I had God, now I have the Devil. How much more fun can this get?"

Without Hizumi there to sooth him, Ayumu's sleeping subconscious was clouded with nightmares. But instead of seeing himself there, going through everything that Katsu had did, it was Hizumi who was in pain. Ayumu woke up in a cold sweat still lying on the floor. He could only imagine what Katsu could be doing with Hizumi right now. Ayumu forced himself to get off the cold floor. Even though he was worn out and wanted to sleep for a week, he knew he had to go get Hizumi. Even if the other Blade Children wouldn't help him, Ayumu couldn't leave Hizumi alone with Katsu knowing what she could do to him.

Ayumu knew he shouldn't care. He knew the other Blade Children were right, but Ayumu couldn't help but need to have the Devil by his side once again.

Ayumu walked out of the door and looked around the darkness. He guessed he would travel back to where Katsu lived. Ayumu knew what Katsu was planning. He knew Hizumi was only bait to get him to go to her. He knew it was the stupidest plan to barge in with his injuries. But for some reason that Ayumu couldn't figure out, or maybe didn't want to figure out, he just couldn't let Hizumi be alone with her.

Hizumi yelped as another lash of the whip tore across his chest. "K-Katsu stop," Hizumi panted, feeling the warmness of his blood as it traveled down his torso.

Katsu sighed and glanced over at a clock. "It's only been an hour, and you're already complaining?" Katsu yawned. "I guess it is getting a little late. I don't want to fall asleep quite yet, though. What if Ayumu pops by?"

"He's too smart. He'll know it's a trap. Especially since we are here, he'll know your goal is to just get him."

"He may know, that is true," Katsu admitted with a shrug. "But will he care? I mean, this is you we are talking about."

"I don't know if you noticed, but I'm the only one who ever does anything. There's not a relationship there," Hizumi said almost sadly.

"I'm not so sure. But I guess we will see for sure. If he doesn't come, I guess I won't be bored with you here until I give them enough time to drop their guard," Katsu said with a shrug. "But I saw the way Ayumu got embarrassed. Tell me, have you ever really seen him show emotion?"

Hizumi paused, and then he shook his head.

"Exactly. Yet, I saw him get all flustered around you. It's humorous, actually. I'm sure even he doesn't know exactly what it is yet. But I have little doubts he will eventually come for you."

Hizumi didn't know what to think. The pain all over his body made it difficult for him to think at all. Thinking that Ayumu actually cared for him made Hizumi happy. But Hizumi wished with all of his heart that Ayumu would stay away. He needed to stay away.

As if on cue, the ringing of the doorbell seemed to echo throughout the house.

Katsu smiled. "We have company."

Hizumi looked at Katsu with pleading eyes. "Please, Katsu, don't."

"Sorry, but I've already made up my mind," Katsu said as she walked up the stairs. She opened the door with a smile. "I see you didn't try to sneak in."

"Would that have worked?" Ayumu asked.

Katsu laughed. "No. It would have been funny to see you try though." Katsu glanced behind Ayumu. "No friends?"

Ayumu shook his head. "They weren't really willing to come back."

"Well, now that you're here, what exactly is your plan?" Katsu asked, leaning against the doorway amused.

"It's me you want, correct?" Ayumu asked.

"Of course," Katsu nodded.

"Then let Hizumi go. I'm here, so there's no need for him to be."

"You come here, still wounded, and think you can demand things from me?" Katsu asked, straightening up.

"It's more of a request. I came here willingly, didn't I?" Ayumu said.

"After what I did to you, I'm a little surprised," Katsu admitted. "A little. But of course you'd come and try to save Hizumi."

"He did save me," Ayumu pointed out.

"And that's the only reason you're here, really?" Katsu smiled.

"O-of course!" Ayumu exclaimed, his face turning a slight shade of pink.

"Right," Katsu giggled, stepping away from the door. "Well, come on in. You know where he is."

Ayumu quickly made his way through the house and paused at the door that led to the basement. He thought he was never going to be back at this awful place. But here he was, walking in without being forced. For a stupid Devil.

Ayumu turned the knob and slowly made his way down the steps. He looked over to where Katsu had held him only days ago. He gasped at the sight of Hizumi, even though he knew what to expect.

"Hizumi!" Ayumu shouted, running towards Hizumi.

Hizumi looked at Ayumu sadly. "Why? Why did you come?"

"I can't pretend nothing happened when I know what you could be going through," Ayumu shrugged.

Hizumi sighed in frustration. "You're an idiot."

"Maybe I can get Katsu to let you go."

"You really think I'd do that?" Katsu asked while skipping down the stairs. She stopped with a bounce on the last step. "I think it will be so much more fun with the both of you, don't you think?"