This is part c of enter the lion's den. Be sure to read the other parts first, neh?

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enter the lion's den; part c
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Veenom slowly blinked her eyes, sharp pain quickly engulfing her as she slowly regained consciousness. The poison demon let out a small moan, slowly turning over, her bloody face pelted with cool drops of rain. With another small moan the woman opened her green eyes, her blurred vision taking in the dark sky.

What... What happened? the green haired woman thought foggily, once again closing her aching eyes. My...Head... The rain continued to splash her face, slowly waking her from her semi-conscious state and she let out an angry growl as she recalled exactly how she had ended up like this.... Oh yeah... That... Stupid rooster...

“I...So hate humans,” she groaned, moving a hand up to her face, gingerly touching the deep gashes marring her face. She opened her eyes once again, moving her hand back enough to see the blood dripping from her fingers. That bastard...Better not have permanently scarred me... she thought, rubbing a bit at her blurry eyes.

“How the hell could a stupid human hit that hard anyway? What, is he like a superhuman freak or something?” she questioned aloud, dropping her hand back down by her side. “Ew. Gross,” she then muttered, realizing that she was lying in a muddy puddle of rainwater. “Damn it.” This had been a really sucky day.

First off, she had been harassed in stupid Laineka by some asshole with weird white hair wanting to ‘play’ with her, then she’d gotten freaking attacked by some gross bug-demon thing in the forest... And then, to top it all off... “I just got my ass completely kicked by a stupid human!” she shouted aloud, her voice echoing in the dark, rain sodden forest.

And I thought my day was looking up when I ran into those two... Druuvbin’s pet humans... I thought I’d get to make fun of them some and maybe sell them or just walk off and disappear all cool like and all... But NO. I had to get all mad and... Get my ass kicked... her thoughts trailed off as she slowly tried to sit up, only to drop back, unable to stay upright. Her head was spinning far too much...

“I’m so pathetic...”

A loud crash of thunder sounded and Veenom let out a small bitter laugh, her green eyes focusing on the black clouds and rain. “Yeah that’s right! I’m totally pathetic! Shut up!” she shouted, glaring angrily at the offending clouds. Even the damn storm is mocking me... And why the hell is it storming, anyway? How long have I been out? It didn’t look like it was going to storm before, did it? It had been cloudy, but not like all gross and storm like...

With a pained groan the woman finally pulled herself up into a sitting position, holding a hand to her aching, blood covered face. “That really hurts,” she whined, an angry tear slipping from her eye. “Damn you Druuvbin and your stupid human freaks!” she muttered, lowering her throbbing head into her hands. Damn it... I’m half tempted to just lay here and pass out again or something... she thought with a sigh, biting her lip as another wave of dizziness set in.

Though somehow she figured laying blood covered and alone in the Kainitif forest probably wasn’t such a great idea. “Meh.” With a suppressed moan she slowly stood, stumbling a bit, almost falling flat on her face. “Damn it.”

Veenom glanced about the dark forest, trying to get her bearings. Which wasn’t so easy, seems how the world was kind of... Spinning... Looks like he’s long gone. I bet he thought it was real funny, breaking my face... I shouldn’t have played around... I should have just knocked the asshole out with my blood to start with... But... He was being a jerk and I just... Wanted to teach the stupid human a lesson. He’d have felt real funny when he woke up locked up in Laineka again... the woman thought, once again gingerly touching the deep cuts running across her face. “Ow. Ow. Ow!” she bit her lip as a few tears ran down her face, mixing with the rain and blood...

She was really getting tired of this miserable country, this miserable world and... “I couldn’t even beat one lousy human? I’m so...” Okay so she was whining. She knew that, but damn it... She had just had a really bad day. No, make that year. Or ten. I can’t even beat one stupid human? This so sucks...

With her left hand pressed against the largest cut on her face and her right hand clenched by her side she began to walk, stumbling a bit on the rain soaked earth. I need to get to Laineka... Before another bug-monster demon thing shows up or something... There’s no way I can take on anything right now... Plus... The green haired woman looked down at her right wrist, noting the missing bracelet... My weapon... How could he have broken that? It...

Another angry tear slipped from her eye as she let out a deep breath, shame suddenly flooding her. That weapon... It had been the only thing left of... “I’m sorry sister...” she whispered, clenching her fist. It had been the last thing left... The only thing left of.... Her thoughts were interrupted as she lost her footing, suddenly falling face forward onto the muddy wet earth.

“...God damn it!” she growled, lowering her head, her forehead pressed against the muddy earth. I’ve got mud all over me, I’m bloody, this outfit is totally ruined and.... I lost my sister’s favorite bracelet... I really am a failure...

She knew she should be getting up, moving on but instead she remained face down on the earth, her eyes watery and her head aching. At this point... Did it really matter if a big bug came and ate her? The woman closed her eyes, listening to the occasional sounds of thunder, feeling the rain pound against her.

“I hate humans... I hate them so much,” she whispered, her thoughts drawing back to dark memories, memories of... Bekat... Bekat had been the only family she had ever known and... You took her away, you monster. They all warned me about you Druuvbin... But... I believed in you and you... You... I’ll never forgive you. And those fucking humans. I... I want them to suffer. I want the world to suffer. She had believed that the monster actually had a heart, had believed that all the talk was wrong... That...

That he wasn’t the cruel monster he really turned out to be.

Everyone had always talked and gossiped about the evils of the monster Druuvbin, but... She had been fooled by the false kindness in his eyes. But it was all a lie. It had to be. Otherwise... Otherwise he wouldn’t have...

A shuddering sigh escaped the green haired demon’s lips and she slowly pulled herself upright, stumbling a bit before standing. Veenom would get her revenge... Even if it meant she had to sell her soul, to work for the devil... A devil named Kaine. I need to get back to Laineka anyway, before Kaine gets pissed. I was supposed to meet the bastard after his stupid meeting or whatever...

Yeah, she’d get her revenge. On the world and that monster both. That is if his illness didn’t take him out first. Either way was fine by her.

She had actually seen Druuvbin have an attack before. So much blood and pain, that cough and... It was... It had terrified the hell out of her at the time. Plus the constant wave of pain and weariness radiating from his very being... She pushed the thoughts away. Good. He deserves it. Yeah.

Besides, Veenom had learned the hard way that... Caring... Caring about anyone or anything... It only gets you hurt. Having feelings and caring... It’s just a weakness. And I’m so never falling into that again.

She slowly moved on through the rain and wind, limping along the path leading to Laineka. After I do what needs to be done... It won’t matter. I won’t care anymore. But until then, I’m all I care about. I’ll live until it’s over... Then... Hah. Who cares?

“Man... This outfit is so ruined... I look like hell, and my face is all cut up and... I bet that stupid old bastard at the gate won’t even let me in... He better. Or... I’m so telling Kaine,” she muttered, wincing as she gently touched her tender wounds. “I need to grab a couple of humans and sell them... So I can buy a new outfit. This one is so trashed. Stupid rooster... Not to mention I’m going to need a new bracelet...”

Yes... Until she had her revenge on this disgusting world, she refused to die or to give up. Even if she was pathetic, a weakling who couldn’t even handle one human... She... “This world... Should just die.”

With that angry statement she carried on, as thunder crashed and lightning lit up the sky she trudged on, back towards Laineka.

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Rae felt her boots slipping a bit on the wet grass but she managed to keep her balance as she hurriedly moved towards the right side of the large steel and glass structure, the ‘government research facility’. “Okay. Um, so no one saw us, hopefully, right?” she questioned uneasily, glancing about the area.

“Nah. No one’s even looking. I told you, the security here is basically nonexistent. A few guards with handguns. That’s it,” Malba replied with a dismissive shrug, his dark eyes focusing on a few sets of large doors nearby. Three different doors lining the side of the building...

“Uh, which door?” Rae looked first to the doors, then Malba, an unsure look flittering through her eyes. “Are you sure that the security isn’t bad?” After all, the place was huge and... Somehow she found it hard to believe that breaking in could be so simple.

“Shut up,” Malba responded flatly with a roll of his dark-blue eyes. He then strode away from the girl, passing the first two doors without hesitation, his eyes locked on the third door further down the side of the long building. Rae frowned but quickly followed after the sprite.

Bad feeling, yeah big bad feeling about this, the girl thought as she caught up with the darkness elemental, following him to the third door... Badness...

The two stopped in front of the large door and Rae inspected the heavy metal surface...Thick door. Geez, solid metal? She then cast her eyes to a device located on the doorjamb. A small electronic key-card type device with a number pad located directly under the card slot... Hm, security key card things? Definitely not anything you’d see in Laineka... Hey I bet they have generators or something here to get power, because... Yeah. No powerlines obviously... That’s assuming this place uses electricity to start with... The girl shook her head, clearing her off-track, random thoughts. Why am I thinking about electricity? I need to concentrate. Stupid ADD....

“Ready?”

“Uh, yeah?”

Malba smirked a bit, moving to press a blue button on the small electronic device next to the large steel door. A few moments later a voice crackled from the device and Rae noted the small speaker next to the keypad and card slot. She tried to make out the male voice’s words coming from that crackling speaker, however quickly realized it was definitely not English...

Malba promptly replied to the voice, fluently speaking that same odd language, a touch of impatience in his voice. Rae watched the sprite, wondering what the hell he was even saying...I wonder what kind of language it is... It doesn’t really sound like anything I’ve heard before... Well, I guess it reminds me vaguely of Gaelic, but, not quite...

“That was easy,” Malba stated softly, a dark look in his eyes. “He’s letting us in. Fool.”

“Huh?”

Before the girl really had a chance to ask him what he had said to the guy on the speaker, the metal door swung open and a large heavyset man dressed in a dark brown uniform poked his head out to take in the two. His grey eyes widened and he immediately reached for the gun holstered by his side. “Wha... You! You?! Why are you--” the man started, but was quickly interrupted as the darkness sprite grabbed him, dragging him out of the doorway.

Rae watched with wide eyes as Malba made quick work of the man. With a quick jerk of his hands a distinct snap resounded from the man’s neck. The darkness sprite then let go of the heavyset man, his limp body slumping to the ground with a thump.

“...You... You killed him!” the pink haired girl stuttered, her wide eyes locked on the dead man at her feet.

“So? What did you want me to do, kiss him?” the sprite questioned sarcastically, raising an eyebrow at the girl.

“Uh... He was just some lame guard, right? What if he was just some innocent guy?” she questioned loudly, her eyes locked on the man’s blank face, his dead, unseeing eyes... “Couldn’t you have just knocked him out or something?” she questioned unevenly.

“Innocent? Trust me Rae. There’s not one single person in this fucking building that’s anywhere NEAR innocent,” Malba replied slowly, his tone flat. “Besides... I think he recognized me. I couldn’t let him live.”

“Umm... Uh, okay,” Rae responded hesitantly, still looking at the man’s open eyes. “Okay...” she trailed off, slowly pulling her gaze away, meeting the sprite’s dark eyes. Wow, that was a little freaky...

“Oh, come on. He was going to shoot us anyway, so it was self defense. Stop looking at me like that and let’s go,” the dark haired elemental bit out impatiently, using his foot to nudge the man over, away from the door. “Come on,” he went on to say, grabbing Rae’s hand, dragging her through the open entryway.

“Um... Is it such a good idea to leave him there? If someone finds him, we’re busted,” Rae responded, taking a deep breath and refocusing on the task at hand. Admittedly it had momentarily freaked her to see Malba snap the man’s neck, but... Logically, she... Well... The guy recognized Malba, and um obviously it’s not good for Mals to be here... And if someone knew... It could put him in even more danger, right? So... Malba is more important than some random guy with a gun. Maybe I am awful, but...

“No one even patrols the outside of the building during the day or evening. They won’t find him until later tonight,” the darkness sprite responded, dropping the girl’s hand, shutting the heavy door behind them. “As long as no one notices he’s missing from his post at the door that is. Which... They probably won’t.”

Rae nodded in response, her eyes moving about, taking in the hallway they now stood in. A long fluorescent lit, sterile-white hallway lined with numerous doors. It looks like a hospital or something... The girl took a few steps further into the hallway, noting that all the heavy wood doors were closed, some with key-card devices similar to the one outside. What the fuck is this place? What kind of research facility?

“Come on. Rear elevator corridor’s this way,” Malba cut into the girl’s thoughts, a flat tone in his voice. Rae turned her attention back to the dark haired sprite, biting her lip as she noted an odd look momentarily passing through his blue eyes. Whoa... He looks kind of...

“Sorry I wigged. I just, um... Yeah,” she stated quietly, trying to meet the man’s dark eyes with her own. “I, I didn’t mean to, um... You know...”

A small smirk appeared briefly on the elemental’s lips and he shrugged, however kept his eyes focused elsewhere. “Well. Now you know first-hand that I’m a cold-blooded killer. Not a big surprise though, right?” he stated with a small dark laugh, turning away from the girl.

“Hey, now wait. I didn’t say that,” she remarked, raising an eyebrow.

“No. I did,” he replied, turning back to give the girl another smirk. He then once again turned, taking a few steps away from Rae, heading left into the cold, barren hallway. “You coming or not?”

“...Yeah,” she replied, moving to follow the darkness elemental. Her wet boots squeaked a bit on the linoleum flooring and she frowned, casting an irritated glare at the offending boots. Man. Being all wet and funky sucks...

The two fell into silence as they walked through the long hallway, the only noise breaking the quiet being the occasional squeak coming from Rae or Malba’s wet boots. Malba’s acting kind of... It’s definitely not that I think he feels guilty about that random guy or anything, he just... I don’t know. It has to do with me... the girl thought as she glanced at the darkness sprite and his tense face. The smirk had faded, his lips set into a frown. What, is he afraid that I’m mad or wigged or something? Since when has he cared what I think? He hates me and uh, all of humanity... Right?

“Malba?”

“...Yeah?”

“Um... Nothing,” she trailed off, glancing down at her hands. With all the rain, the blood-stains had faded, but... The blood was still present. What had she wanted to say? She...

The sprite shrugged, his eyes directed straight ahead, down the empty hallway. “Whatever,” he replied apathetically, his tone flat.

Rae stifled a sigh, crossing her arms around her chest as she followed the sprite through the cold hallway. Oh fuck it. “Um... Look, Malba. About the guy, I get it okay? Don’t um, I don’t care. It’s okay,” she abruptly stated, once again turning her gaze to the darkness elemental’s face. There... I said it.

“Like I care what you think? Idiot,” Malba responded slowly, briefly looking over to the girl, a small smile playing on his lips.

“Idiot? Yeah, I thought we’d already established that,” the girl responded lightly, returning the sprite’s smile. Man... Was I right? He actually thought I was mad at him for killing that dude? Who knew he would care... You know Mals, I don’t think you are quite as ‘big bad evil darkness master’ as you want people to think you are... Eh... Even if you are good at breaking necks...

“I guess its one thing for you to hear me talk about killing people, but it’s a lot worse to actually see it, right? So I don’t blame you for... You know.... But, look... I know the guy recognized me because I know him. He’s been stationed here for a long time... I figured the bastard would have retired by now...” the sprite trailed off, shaking his head a bit. “Through here,” he went on to say, moving to open an unlocked door on the right side of the cold corridor.

Rae followed the elemental through the doorway, noting yet another long empty hallway. This place is weird...

“Hey, I know you kill people. I’ve known that. You all do. Hello, assassin mercenaries? I got over that,” she stated with a dismissive shrug, uncrossing her arms. “I’m sorry I got a little freaked, but it wasn’t like I was mad at you or anything. I’m just brain-fried. A lot’s happened today... Obviously. I just... I want to get this damn medicine and help Druu,” she added softly, her blue-green eyes flashing with a weary worried expression.

“...Yeah.”

“So...Looks like the guy’s retired now, right?” Rae couldn’t help but question, her morbid sense of humor kicking in.

“Hah. You could say that,” Malba replied, a smirk on his lips. “If it makes you feel any better, he was a real fucking asshole.”

“Oh yeah, totally. His aura was really bad you know,” the girl responded with a nod, a small grin on her face.

“You’re so full of shit,” the dark haired sprite stated with a roll of his midnight-blue eyes.

“Are you doubting my wonderful psychic powers?” Rae questioned melodramatically, blinking her eyes innocently.

“Idiot.”

“Heh...” Okay, so she hadn’t exactly seen the guy’s aura, but still... Hey, she was trying to lighten the mood a little. There, that’s much better, Malba, she thought with a bit of relief as she noted the darkness sprite’s small smirk.

“So, uh. We haven’t run in to anyone wandering around in these halls, but how long is that going to last? There’s gotta be people here, neh?” she then questioned glancing about the long barren corridor—almost identical to the last--.

“Lucky for us, most of the freaks are too busy in their little labs and stuff to do much wandering around. Only thing we need to watch for is a few guards. Hopefully we won’t run into any,” Malba replied evenly, moving a hand to push a small lock of wet fallen black hair behind his ear. But uh... You know, this is a shoot on site area...”

“Shoot on sight?”

“Yeah... Uh, you know. The guards. Trespassers are to be shot on sight,” the sprite answered with a shrug, smirk still on his lips.

“Wha-? Shoot on sight?! You didn’t mention that before!” Rae exclaimed, raising her eyebrow at the elemental. “So heh, uh we better not run into any guards, huh?”

“Well it’d be best to avoid them, yeah. Unless you like getting shot, that is. Personally? I get sick of playing fill Malba with holes all the damn time,” he stated, moving to open yet another door. “Here are the elevators. No one uses these much. They’re older and this is kind of a little used part of the building actually,” the elemental explained as the two moved through the doorway.

“So, how many times have you been shot?” Rae inquired curiously, her eyes glancing over the new hall. Not that this corridor was that different than any of the others. The only real difference she could spot was the four elevators located at the end of the hallway.

“Too many times to count.”

“Wow. That sucks.”

“Tell me about it.”

Rae shook her head a bit, giving the sprite a small sympathetic smile. Poor Mals, getting shot all the time... The girl followed the elemental quickly across the hallway, approaching the elevators.

“Quick stop on the ninth floor and we’re outta here,” Malba stated, pressing the elevator call button, giving the girl a cocky grin.

“Yeah, if we don’t get shot...” she replied uneasily, waiting nervously for one of the elevators to arrive. Yeah watch it open and there be fifteen guards waiting for us or something...

“Ninth floor should be empty. They’re between shifts. We’ll manage,” the elemental commented, glancing down at his swollen hand. “Don’t worry about it.” The elemental once again turned his attention back to the closed elevator shafts. “Oh hurry up, stupid piece of crap...”

Rae nodded a bit, her thoughts running over what the sprite had just said. Between shifts... How the hell does he know? Why does he know his way around here so well? she frowned, another wave of unease floating through her mind.

Her thoughts were interrupted as one of the elevators arrived, the metal doors opening to reveal an empty car. “Well. It’s empty, that’s good,” she commented, nervously stepping into the small space. Malba nodded, quickly following the girl. The elemental pressed the button for floor nine and the doors swiftly closed, the elevator rising.

“Better hope no one’s waiting for an elevator,” Rae commented, a bit of anxiety in her voice as she watched the lights above the door. Three, four... Hey, why are the numbers in English anyway? Well... That dude Malba killed spoke some weird language, but he spoke English too... Hm...

“Stand behind me, just in case,” the sprite stated calmly, his eyes locked on the closed door.

“What? So you can get shot and killed?”

“I can take a bullet. You can’t.”

“Fine,” she muttered, moving to stand back, behind the lean elemental. I don’t want him to act like a fucking shield for kami’s sake... If he gets shot, I’m gonna be so pissed...

The elevator dinged, the doors opening to reveal an empty hall, eerily similar to the ones on the ground floor of the building. Man, this place is just weird. If I didn’t know better, I’d say we’re just walking through the same damn hallway over and over again, the girl thought as she and Malba stepped into the corridor.

“Okay,” the sprite muttered, striding over to the first door on the right, his eyes focusing on a small electronic panel attached to the wall directly beside the closed entrance.

“What’s that?” Rae questioned, moving to look over the device. This one had no card slide, instead only a small keypad with odd symbols on each button. Okay, that’s not English.

“It’s a lock. You’ve got to have the clearance code to get into the med lab,” he replied calmly, closing his eyes for a moment, seemingly in thought.

“Code? We don’t have a code, do we? How do we get in?” she blinked, eyeing the device nervously. What now? We have to get those meds!

“Shut up for a second,” he snapped, his eyes remaining closed. “Seven, four, nine, two, four, or was it three?” he muttered softly, a frown on his lips. “Oh. Got it,” he then commented, opening his eyes. He quickly punched in several buttons on the keypad and the device beeped, a small green light illuminating on the right side of the panel. The door clicked and Malba smirked. “There.”

Rae blinked in surprise, raising an eyebrow. “Uh... How did you do that?”

“They haven’t changed the code. Told you they’re overconfident,” the elemental replied, shoving open the heavy door, entering the room. “Fucking idiots.”

Yeah, but how did YOU know the code?! she thought, an exasperated expression flickering across her face. With a shake of her head she quickly followed the sprite into the ‘med lab’.

Again sterile and white, the room was fairly spacious, with several large cabinets spread out around the area. Sets of two doors lined each wall of the room, though they were closed so she couldn’t tell what lie within those... A few small tables were scattered about, with stacks of papers messily strewn across the table-top surfaces. As Rae stepped further into the room she noticed two large refrigerator type machines in the corner. The machines had clear doors, revealing numerous vials of various colored liquids held within...

Medicine! See Druu, we’re here and um, we’re getting the stuff. We’ll be back soon and... You’re going to... Be fine... she thought, her mind drifting back to the sick psychic, dying a world away. You better not be dead! You just keep breathing and...

“Alright, let’s see,” Malba muttered, throwing open one of the clear doors to the medicines, a blast of cold air rushing out of the refrigerated cabinet.

“Why, um. Why are they in a fridge?”

“Eh, with these types here they start to lose potency once you take ‘em out of this. This isn’t exactly a fridge, it’s got some kind of weird technology that’s in the air it pumps in there...Or... Uh, something like that. Hell. Just ask Kopaka, I’m not any good at this medical stuff,” Malba attempted to explain as he ran a finger over the different vials, his eyes scanning the labels on each container.

“Oh,” she responded, watching the sprite as he pulled out a few vials.

“Look through those cabinets over there and see if there’s some kind of case or anything I can put all this shit in,” Malba ordered firmly, his eyes narrowing in concentration as he continued looking through the various vials of drugs. “Oh, and uh. Grab some needles and stuff while you’re at it. Syringes and whatever else...”

“Um, okay,” the girl nodded, moving across the room to a group of tall cabinets lining the wall. She began looking through the contents of the first storage space, rummaging through the various odds and ends. A few folders with typed papers and a few other non-important items, nothing of any real use. The girl frowned, moving on to the next cabinet. Oh! Bingo, Rae thought as she pulled out a small black case. She opened the case, finding it empty. Hey this even looks like it has a place for vials. This must actually be a case for meds or something, the girl noted, examining the lined inner case with numerous slits about the size of a small vial... “Here Mals, found something.”

“Good. Just give me another minute,” he replied, pulling out another vial from the cold storage device. “Oh come on, where is it,” Malba muttered, an irritated growl escaping his lips.

Rae nodded, once again returning to her search of the cabinet, quickly locating a few sealed unused syringes and adding them to the black case. She then grabbed a few pieces of square gauze and other assorted bits of things that might prove to be useful, placing these items carefully in the case as well. She snapped the black box closed, turning to face Malba.

“So, um... Being optimistic here, let’s say that the meds work and all, and Druu doesn’t die... How long does it take for his attacks to stop and for him to um... Get better?” Rae questioned softly, her eyes locking on the case’s exterior as she ran a finger over the strong black material. He’s going to be okay...

“It depends, but it’ll take a little while. It’s not like one of those stupid human tv shows, you know? The ones where some person randomly just ‘wakes’ up from some life threatening coma or whatever. It takes time,” Malba replied flatly, moving to look through the second large cold storage device, a frown on his lips. “Stupid human tv...”

“Yeah... Television’s stupid,” the girl commented, a small smile on her lips at the sprite’s ‘human tv shows’ remark. Please don’t tell me Malba has been watching soap operas or something...

“Yeah. Really stupid.”

“So... What happens to make the attacks stop? Or do you know?”

“Not really... All I know is it just kind of eases off. He stabilizes, his body starts to, you know... Starts working again or whatever. The drugs help some, but... I don’t know. It’s a fucking mystery to me,” the sprite sighed, pulling out another vial. The elemental now had several small, thin vials clutched in his swollen hand, his good hand moving to sort through the rows of containers still in the cold-cabinet.

“Hey, you want me to take th--” Rae started but suddenly stopped as she noticed movement from the corner of her eye. She quickly turned, noting with wide eyes that the side door closest to her had been opened. A tall blue haired man in a dark brown uniform—much like the uniform of the man Malba had killed-- now stood in the doorway, his gun raised. “Shit!” she snapped, realizing who the man was aiming at. “Malba!”

“Huh?” Malba responded, turning at the sound of the girl’s sharp voice. “...Oh,” he stated flatly as he locked eyes with the gunman. “Long time no see, Sefth.”

“You? Hah. Well this is kind of funny. Who would have thought,” the short haired man stated with a touch of surprise as he took in Malba’s face. “Who knew deciding to patrol this boring floor would lead to such a reunion. Ah, but you know the rules. Too bad for you, huh?” the man smirked, cocking the gun held in his hands. “I don’t know what you’re doing here, and I really don’t care. I’m just glad I get to finally kill you.”

“Oh fuck you, Sefth,” the darkness sprite snapped, glaring at the armed man with an annoyed expression. “I really don’t have time for this.”

Oh man... Mals is too far away to do anything without getting himself shot and he um, can't use magick, but I’m closer... If I... the girl’s thoughts trailed off as an idea quickly flashed through her mind. Not much of a plan, but... Well. It was better than watching Malba get his head blown off...

“Don’t have time, you say? Well. That’s too bad. Because it’s time for you to die, sir, along with your pet human here,” Sefth stated icily, sarcastically emphasizing the word sir. His finger tightened around the trigger and Rae decided that yeah, her plan may suck but... With that she threw the case clutched in her hands at the man with all her might. The black case slammed into the man’s chin and he jerked in surprise. Taking the man’s moments of hesitation to her advantage, she rammed into him, grabbing his arms, digging her nails into his flesh.

“Oww! Stupid human bitch!” the man snapped, fighting to regain control of the gun Rae was struggling to pull from his hands. He pulled the trigger, a loud bang erupting in the large room. Fuck! She clawed harder, jerking his hands to the side, trying to keep his aim away from the dark haired sprite across the room. Another bang erupted from the gun and the man sneered, shoving the girl away with ease. Well. Yeah that figures. I knew I couldn’t take some demon dude...

Rae went flying back, hitting the linoleum floor with a thud. Ow... Ignoring the sharp pain that seared through her at the hard landing, she quickly pushed herself up, turning her gaze to Malba. Don’t be shot! She sighed in relief to see the sprite still standing, with a head and everything...

Uh-oh... Malba's eyes had changed, now once again flashing that eerie bright red. With that the darkness sprite reached out a hand, and to Rae’s surprise a black flame erupted from his palm, a black wave swiftly rushing to meet the blue haired gunman. Sefth’s eyes widened as that black flame slammed into his body, the powerful blast blowing him out of the doorway, into the next room.

Rae blinked, peeking into the room as she slowly stood. Whoa...Um... I don’t think that guy’s getting up anytime soon... Is he even alive? she thought, taking in the man’s slack face and closed eyes... The dark burns on the man’s face and arms, not to mention his singed azure hair... “Uh, I think you got him.”

“Well. So much for not using magick,” Malba muttered, an irritated expression on his face. Thankfully the red had faded, only dark blue in those annoyed eyes, Rae noted with relief. She moved closer to the sprite, noticing a small trail of blood slipping from a fresh cut on his cheek.

“...Malba! He like, almost blew your head off!” she exclaimed shakily, her eyes locked on the sprite’s grazed cheek. “Are you okay?”

Malba blinked, raising his free hand up to feel the wound. “Oh. Yeah, That was kind of close I guess,” he stated, a small smirk on his lips.

“Kind of close? Kind of? Yeah, I’d say that’s very close!” she replied, taking a deep breath. “Wait, there were two shots. He didn’t get you anywhere else did he?” she questioned, glancing over the elemental with concern in her aqua-colored eyes.

“...I’m fine,” the sprite stated with a shrug, turning back to look at the vials of medicine in the storage chest. “Just a few more drugs and we’re out of here... Oh... And, uh... That was really stupid. You...” he trailed off, his eyes focusing on the various containers.

“Saved you from getting your head blown off?” she added helpfully with a small smile.

“Feh. Whatever.”

“So, um. You used magick,” she stated uneasily, glancing nervously back into the adjoining dimly lit room, to the unconscious –possibly dead-- man on the floor... “Uh, pretty cool magick by the way. That was neat,” she added. Which was true, it had been pretty damn cool. Like a black wave of fire...

“Yeah... We need to get out of here, fast,” he replied, a slight edge in his voice as he quickly sorted through a few more vials. “Bring that case over here.”

She nodded, moving to quickly retrieve the case she had slammed into the guy’s face. Luckily it had been closed when she threw it, so none of the contents had spilled out... The girl grabbed it up from its position on the floor, carrying it over to the dark haired elemental. Rae opened the case, holding it out for the sprite. He quickly placed the numerous vials into the small case, a rushed, somewhat anxious expression flashing through his eyes. “There,” he stated, one again turning back to the medicines. He shoved a few vials out of his way, sending a few falling to the floor as he continued his search.

Rae briefly looked down at the broken vials of medicines on the floor and then turned her attention back to the sprite. Her unease was growing with every passing second. We have to hurry... Not only did Malba use magick, but those gunshots were loud... Someone should have noticed. “What’s left?”

“Just one more... There! Got it,” he replied quickly, placing the last vial of liquid in the case held in Rae’s hands. She nodded, glancing down at the containers... That’s over ten different things... Damn... That’s a lot of drugs... She snapped the case closed, clutching it tightly in her left hand. “Okay. Let’s go.”

Malba nodded in response and the two quickly left the med lab, practically running back to the elevators. Luckily it only took a few moments for the elevator doors to open and they rushed into the car.

“Maaan, that was close. That guy startled the fuck out of me,” Rae commented with a shaky breath, running her free hand over her eyes. “Hey... By the way... Why the hell did he call you sir?”

“...I don’t know. Who cares?” the sprite responded with a dismissive frown. “I’m just glad I got to burn him.”

“Heh... Well I’m just glad I didn’t get shot when I grabbed his gun,” she replied, a wry grin on her lips. That guy was weird... And I wish Malba would tell me what the fuck this place is exactly... A government research facility? Not so specific...

“You know, you’re really freaking reckless. First you almost got yourself stabbed in Tokyo, and now you just about got yourself shot. You’re definitely reckless... Or just plain fucking stupid, I’m not sure which one,” he replied with a small smile, shaking his head a bit.

“Hah, I’m reckless and stupid! You know that,” she replied with a wink, returning the sprite’s smile. “But hey, I couldn’t let my favorite bitchy pretty boy get his head blown off,” she added with a mischievous laugh.

“What did you call me?”

“You heard me.”

“Stupid human.”

“Pretty boy.”

The two’s banter was interrupted as the elevator reached the ground floor, letting out a small ding. “We’re almost out of here,” Malba stated as the doors opened. The two quickly stepped into the hallway, immediately moving at a hurried pace towards the far side of the hall, back the way they had came...

“Freeze!” a voice shouted from behind them and Malba let out a small aggravated groan, turning with a flap of his coat to face two men in brown uniforms, guns held in their gloved hands. “Damn it to hell,” he muttered with a roll of his dark eyes. Before the men had a chance to fire, the darkness sprite raised his hand, once again sending a wave of black fire spiraling from his palm.

Two brief screams erupted from the men and then only silence as two bodies slumped to the floor. Rae raised an eyebrow, turning her gaze to Malba. Whoa, that was a lot of energy. Even I could feel that, she thought, turning back to glance at the fallen guards.

“Let’s go.”

The two continued their fast paced trek through the building, practically running through the halls in hopes of avoiding any further contact with guards. Rae bit her lip in thought as they headed through another white hallway, the medicine case clutched tightly in her left hand. Hey...Those uniforms... Brown... They look kind of like...

“And we’re out,” Malba broke into the girl’s thoughts as they finally approached the side exit of the large building. “About damn time.”

“Yeah,” Rae replied, a look of relief in her eyes as they quickly exited the building, back out into the rain. She hurriedly stepped over the fallen dead man still lying on the ground near the door, following Malba as he lead the way back toward the forest.

The rain had not lessened any, if anything it was only pounding down even harder, quickly drenching her already wet hair and clothes. The girl let out a small moan, getting really, really tired of being wet...

“Man. We so look like drowned rats,” she commented as they hurried through the forest, back towards the small rocky path and Malba’s motorcycle. “But we got the meds! So that means all that’s left is to get to Kainitif, find Sano and jump. Right?”

“Yeah,” the sprite responded distractedly, slowing his pace a bit.

“What’s wrong?” she questioned, glancing at the elemental’s rain drenched face. “What is it?” the girl asked with concern as she noted Malba wince a bit, a pained look briefly flashing in his dark eyes.

“It’s nothing. Come on,” he replied, once again quickening his pace. Rae raised an eyebrow, moving to walk beside the sprite, a questioning expression in her eyes. Nothing? Yeah right, she thought with concern, her uneasiness steadily growing. “Uh, Malba? Don’t be an asshole, tell me what’s wrong,” she then stated, a frown on her lips. That wasn’t a ‘nothing’ face. That was an ‘ouch, pain’ face...

“There’s the bike, let’s get out of here,” the sprite completely ignored the girl’s remark, instead swiftly trekking up the small incline leading to the narrow gravel trail. Malba quickly grabbed a hold of the handle-bars of the motorcycle, pulling the wet bike upright. He once again winced, his eye slightly twitching as he bit his lip. “Damn it,” he muttered, his hand briefly moving to his left side. He then pulled his hand away, shaking his head. “Come on.”

“No, not until you tell me what’s wrong,” she replied with an eyebrow raised, suspicion starting to enter her mind... Man, don’t tell me he... “Let me see,” the girl ordered, moving to look at the slender man’s left side.

After transferring the case to her right hand, she pulled his black coat back a bit with her left hand. The girl’s eyes widened at what lay underneath. “You idiot! You said you didn’t get hit! What the hell do you call this?” Rae exclaimed, her wide eyes focused on the large bloodstain seeping into his wet shirt. His whole side was blood covered, and a hole in his black shirt revealed a bleeding bullet wound on the left side of his smooth stomach.

“Hey, I never said I didn’t get hit,” the darkness sprite responded, gingerly pulling his coat back in place, covering the wound. “It’s just a flesh wound. I’ll live. But I really have to reiterate, it gets really old getting shot all the time,” he went on to say, a wry smirk forming on his lips. “I’m just glad he didn’t get my coat.”

“Flesh wound? Flesh wound?! Uh, no. A flesh wound is a little graze like thing. That is a gaping hole in your freaking stomach!” she retorted, once again moving to pull the coat back, her concern filled eyes taking in the bleeding wound. Damn it! That’s a lot of blood... she thought with a touch of alarm, reaching a hand to delicately pull the sopping wet shirt back a little, trying to get a better look at the wound. Damn that looks painful... Before she could examine the wound any further the sprite jerked forcefully away. “Don’t touch it!” he snapped, taking a step back.

What, this again?! What, am I that bad? Fine I won’t touch you, jerk! “God Malba, sorry. I’ll keep my evil human germs away from you,” she bit back, irritation entering her voice. “I’m just worried about you! You’re like spurting blood, you big jerk! You need to at least put pressure on it or you're going to bleed to death or something! But yeah, No human germs, I won't ever touch you again. God!”

“It-It’s not that, it’s-- just-- Shut up! Fucking idiot,” he retorted with an aggravated growl, turning his attention back to the motorcycle. “I’m fine. I’m not some stupid human, this is nothing. So just shut up and get on!” the dark haired elemental snapped, mounting the bike with a small flinch.

Rae released a deep shuddering breath, trying to calm her frazzled nerves. As if she hadn’t been nervous enough before, now she had to deal with the realization that Malba had a huge deep hole in his side and... This day just keeps getting better and better, the girl thought bitterly. “Fine. But you fucking better not bleed to death,” she finally responded, climbing on the bike. In one hand she tightly held the medicine case, her free hand wrapping gingerly around the man’s upper chest, carefully avoiding his wound.

“Whatever,” the sprite responded, starting the bike up, revving the engine. “Hang on.” With that he kicked off, sending the bike speeding down the trail.

Rae glanced up at the darkened sky, rain pelting her face. She... Was starting to get really scared... Even more so... Druu’s dying with no real cure, I left Sano to fight a freaking demon all alone, Malba’s shot and um... Yuki is hiding things from me and Kouji was like going catatonic or something and... Um... her thoughts trailed off and she pulled her gaze away from the sky, back to the dark rainy trail. The pink haired girl gently leaned her head against Malba’s shoulder, a deep sigh escaping her lips.

This... Really sucks.

--Don’t get weird and whiny. Everything’s gonna be okay. Stupid...-- the darkness sprite’s voice suddenly echoed in her head, his tone sharp, yet... There was a reassuring hint in his telepathic ‘voice’.

Sorry. I’m just... I Dunno... she replied mentally, not moving her head away from his lean shoulder. The girl was actually a little surprised he hadn’t told her to get off, actually.

--Yeah yeah. Stupid human,-- the darkness sprite responded, no real malice or irritation in his tone. Instead, his words almost served to comfort the girl. Which was weird seems how he had just insulted her, but still...

Are you sure you’re okay, Malba? she questioned the sprite, closing her eyes as the wind jarred the bike, rain drenching the two already soaked riders.

--I already told you I’m fine.-- the elemental responded impatiently, expertly guiding the beaten up bike through the wind and rain, along the dark bumpy trail.

So... Why didn’t you tell me he shot you?

--Because it’s not a big deal? Plus I didn’t want you freaking out like the big loser you are. Stupid. Just stop worrying and be quiet. We’ll be back in Laineka in a few minutes... Things’ll work out. The stupid rooster is fine and... Druu’s strong... He’ll... He’ll be okay,— Malba replied, though his tone wasn’t entirely convincing, his mental voice faltering a bit on the mention of the ill psychic...

Yeah...

The two fell into silence as they rode on through the raging tempest, lighting flashing and thunder booming as they raced towards Laineka and the Kainitif forest...

Please... Please let Malba be right...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Get off of me!”

Sanosuke was really sick of being molested. First that freakish Kousuke guy in Tokyo, and now this... How the hell do I wind up in situations like this?!

“Oh but dearie, I want to make pretty colors on your neck! The tempest took those pretty marks away with your wounds. But I can put them back, you see?” Hanneke whispered suggestively from her position on top of the tall teen.

The woman was actually straddling his lean frame, pressing Sano firmly against the large kitchen table. The odd demon had literally jumped on top of him, pinning him to the flat table’s surface... Her old wrinkled face drawing closer to his...

NO. NO. HELL NO. “Get off of me you psychotic hag!” he screamed angrily, attempting to push the woman away. How can a little old woman be this damn strong? he thought with an exasperated sigh, unable to budge the woman’s tight grip on his neck.

“Can I bite you now, my pretty rooster?” the white haired woman questioned hopefully, a downright devious smirk on her red lips.

“NO! You cannot!” the brunette snapped in response, his dark eyes flashing with anger. “Get away!”

“But my sexy rooster, I want to have fun,” the demon whined with a pout of her lips. “My pretty human.”

“NO!”

How had this started? Oh yes... The woman had been acting semi-normal, by her standards anyway, pouring tea and then.... She just randomly jumped me. This is ridiculous! And why does she have to keep turning old when she’s doing this?! God! “What about tea? Huh? You need more of your, uh, ‘non doom’ tea, right?” he questioned hopefully, trying to distract the nymphomaniac...

“Hm? Oh no dearie. I’d much rather have you,” she grinned in response, moving a hand away from the teen’s neck to stroke his face. “Don’t you agree, Chippora?” the demon inquired, turning her attention to the blue chicken standing beside the table. The chicken made a small cluck in response and Hanneke’s lecherous smirk widened. “You see? Even the poultry product agrees.”

...She really is out of her mind... Completely... the teen thought with a groan, rolling his brown eyes. “Hanneke... Will you please, please get off of me?” he questioned through gritted teeth, trying to keep his flaring temper under control.

“But dearie...” the woman pouted, her lower lip trembling.

“Hanneke!”

“You are simply no fun at all. You must learn to lighten up and relax my sexy little human rooster,” Hanneke remarked with a small shake of her head. “Allow me to teach you, yes?”

Sanosuke let out an irritated groan, closing his brown eyes. Why me? Huh? Why me? What did I do to deserve this?! Well... Okay so maybe I haven’t always been the greatest person in the world but, but! No one deserves this! Except maybe Shishio...Though that freak would probably enjoy it.... the teen’s thoughts trailed off as he noticed the woman take in a deep breath, a small pained sound escaping her lips.

The brunette opened his eyes, noting the woman once again in her young form, a frown on her lips. “What is it?” he questioned, raising an eyebrow.

Hanneke let out a shaky breath, carefully climbing off of the teen. “That isn’t good at all dearie,” she commented quietly, her green eyes suddenly flashing with a perturbed expression. The blonde walked gracefully away from the table, back to the rain streaked window.

What the hell? Sano blinked, not sure what to make of the woman’s sudden change of mood. The teen sat up, quickly hopping off of the wooden kitchen table. “Uh, what isn’t good?” he questioned as he moved to stand beside the blonde demon.

“I was afraid of this. My Malba has awoken the lion,” she replied with a small sigh, her green eyes focused on the dark rain sodden scene, her hand touching the glass.

“Huh? Lion? Are Rae and Malba okay?” Sano questioned anxiously, the woman’s nervous demeanor quickly rubbing off on him. Lion? What is she talking about?

“Yes, the den has been stirred with a blast of black fire. This is not a good thing. I’m afraid a meeting with the hunter is now inevitable...” Hanneke commented softly, not moving her gaze away from the rain speckled window.

Black fire and a hunter? Why can’t she ever make any sense? Sano was getting tired of trying to decipher the eccentric woman’s odd words... “Hunter?”

“Yes. Hunter. A very bitter, angry hunter with such a sweet, pretty face,” she replied, shaking her head a bit. “We... We need more tea...”

Sanosuke bit his lip, unease running through his mind... A hunter? And black fire? What... What the hell is she talking about? His dark eyes focused on the black sky, the wind blowing the gnarled thick trees... There’s that feeling again... With a frown he turned his back to the window.

“Alright Hanneke. Tell me more about this hunter.”

“Yes... Of course.”

Somehow, Sano had a feeling he wasn’t going to like this....

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
to be continued...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Rae: DUN DUN DUN. XD
Whoa. Over eighty pages and like, basically not one god damn thing happened. I ramble on pointlessly... I so friggin’ suck. T.T

So. Things just keep getting better and better, right?

Let’s review. Druu is dying from some unknown horrible disease. Malba has a big gaping hole in his side. Kopaka is literally making himself sick from energy loss. Yuki has vowed to keep Druu alive, even if it means he uses up all of his remaining energy and fades into this ‘grey void’. Kouji is having a psychotic break. Sanosuke is trapped with a crazed nymphomaniac. Said nymphomaniac Hanneke is having weird mood swings. Kitsune is in the middle of Teaja, wherever that is, and can’t jump. Veenom is hobbling around in a forest with thoughts of world destruction running through her mind. And Jiro? Is... Uh, gnawing his nails off? XD

Not to mention this lion den thing... Hm....

What will happen next?!?! DOOM I say! DOOM!

*falls over*

God I so suck.

(Jiro, don't even try to say you don't gnaw on your nails. Because you so do. Big time. XD)

Man, I wanted so much more to happen in this part. *pouts* But, it was getting so fucking long I figured I better just wrap it up...

I wanted to go into Mals’ perspective and um... Some other stuff. But that will have to wait until next time....

Yeah...

*sigh*

So... Man. Druu has been fighting this attack off for a long time now, ya know? I actually already had this all planned from like, his very first appearance... But I kept pushing it off... Because. T3H ebvil guilt!1!1!111 *glomps poor sickly Druu* If you look though, I’ve been hinting at it for uh, forever now. ^^;; But dude. What the hell is wrong with him, neh? Poor guy. And I don’t care what Veenom says, I still say he’s no monster. >.< *glomps poor sickly Druu-chan again*

Speaking of Veenom... So, she’s working for the devil? Dude. She’s working for Kyousuke from Soultaker? XD Oh, okay, so maybe not... Wow. I actually felt kind of sorry for Veenom. She broked her sister’s bracelet... Oh dear. And whoa. Mental issues much? The whole world should die? Hmm....

Hm, so... What’s up with this odd connection between Kopaka and Yuki? Kopaka has weird déjà vu and Yuki can see colors better when in contact with Kopaka? Whoa, is Kopaka like a big color battery or something? XD Um, okay, so probably not. But what is up with Yuki anyway, right? If he’s not a ghost, what the hell is he, ANNND why does he seem to know so much about the other world and our favorite assassin/mercenaries? Hmmmmm.....

Let’s see, what else...

Whoa, Mals actually cared that I was freaked over the whole neck snapping incident? Who knew? And whoa. Malba can break necks. That’s a handy skill to have, right? XD

Oh. And, yeah, I know the first scene with Hanneke and Sano dragged on and on... Well... I was having fun writing Hanneke and... I went a little overboard. T.T I told you people, I CANNOT WRITE. PERIOD.
Plus... I've been wanting to write more of Sano. Because a lot of the time he just ends up being comic relief, and I um... Even though it's fun picking on him, I want to show his serious side more. Plus I want to like, show that he's getting attached to my time and, uh, the crazy muse group. XD *not making sense, brain is fried*

So. Nothing happened. This was basically pointless and I’m lame. That cover it? Okay. Good. *falls over again*

Ahem.

Now. On to the pictures. ^___^

Which I'm posting here in a sec. So yeah, back in a few...

~Rae