((fallout part d. read c first. XD duh.))

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“Damn that stupid moron!” Darcy snapped irritably, violently throwing her empty coffee mug across the room, taking satisfaction as it smashed against the wall. Of course it would have been even better if it had actually hit the random lab tech insect she was aiming for... Aevik Kaine. Stupid unreliable bastard.

Did Kaine really think she was THAT stupid? He’s hiding something. I know he is... The lavender haired woman let out an irate growl, slamming a hand to the metal surface of the desk before her. Again she was forced to wonder... “Why the hell do I have a bunch of FREAKING idiots working for me? Huh? Can someone tell me? I’d really like to know!” she shouted, glaring angrily about the active lab. No one dared to respond of course. With another irritated growl Darcy stood from her seat, kicking the chair away, letting it crash to the white linoleum floor. She’d had quite enough of the sterile white lab for one day.

“I’m leaving. You people better not slack off while I’m gone, either! Or I’ll you know, KILL you!” she snapped loudly, her silver-white eyes moving about the large room. Once again, no one dared to reply. She rolled her eyes, stalking away from her metallic desk.

With an irate sigh the demon headed towards the west section of the large room full of computers and other various technological machines of all shapes and sizes. She quickly reached a large metal door located on the west wall and she punched in the access code on the nearby key-pad. A green light flashed over the door and it slid open, revealing a long narrow white hallway.

I’m out of this stupid lab. It’s so boring today... the lavender haired demon thought with an irritated expression flittering across her pale face. Honestly, how was she supposed to concentrate on anything exciting with so many mediocre tasks shoved upon her? Nothing stimulating has been assigned to me for over a week now. How tedious.

Darcy quickly paced down the long white hallway, her black heeled boots clicking against the white tile. The damn lab is even boring LOOKING. White everywhere. Ugh. Enough to drive a person insane.

Though what did she expect? She had known what she was in for when accepting the position of head of biomechanics and medical research. Long boring days full of boring dull people... Not that she didn’t enjoy research, because it fascinated her. When it wasn’t trivial lackluster matters. Like the last week’s worth of assignments... Considering it’s MY department, you’d think I’d get more leeway. Stupid Ikenna...

Ikenna Nuiwa. She really despised the man. Always breathing down her neck. Do this, do that. Stupid bastard. I’d like to experiment on you. See how long it takes you to die with your heart ripped from your body. Though knowing Ikenna? Stupid bastard probably would just take his heart back, along with mine. It really annoyed her. She absolutely loathed it when... I hate it when someone has more power than me. Why should that fool be stronger? What makes him worthy of such strength? It was quite irritating indeed.

With an annoyed sigh Cairra Darcy made her way to the end of the long hallway, punching in yet another code on a keypad attached to the wall. The metallic door she stood before beeped, sliding open. The demon rolled her eyes, stepping into the small elevator car she had just unlocked. The metallic door slid closed and she turned, finding the control panel located on the side wall. “Cairra Darcy. Five zero nine, eight one three two, four B nine seven J,” she stated flatly, activating the voice sensor device on the panel.

“Confirm,” the machine responded mechanically, its digital voice of course holding no emotion. Darcy let out a frustrated sigh, raising her left hand to place on the flat control device. The machine read the tips of her gloveless fingers, a yellow light flashing on the side of the panel. “Cairra Darcy. Confirm,” the machine stated, the monotonous ‘female’ voice grating Darcy’s nerves. The lavender haired demon moved closer to the device as a red light scanned over her face, reading her retina and face structure. “Confirmed. Have a nice day.”

“Right,” the demon muttered irritably, crossing her arms. “Floor one, West B.”

“Floor one, West B. Confirm.”

“Yes, floor one, West B! Stupid piece of crap,” the woman snapped irritably, an annoyed growl escaping her painted black lips. God I detest that stupid thing. We have got to get a new upgrade. How about an AI with at least a little brainpower and not this robotic piece of shit.

“Confirmed.”

Darcy rolled her eyes, tapping her foot impatiently as the car began to swiftly descend. A soft mechanical noise sounded as the car switched tracks, now moving horizontally towards the western section of the building. A few moments later the car began to again descend and the woman frowned, moving her hands to rest on her lean hips. “Oh hurry up.” She hated waiting. Despised waiting.

With a small beep sounding from the control panel the car came to a stop, the metallic door sliding open. “Floor one West C. Have a nice day.”

“What? C? I said B you idiotic machine! B! Not C!” Darcy shouted irritably, her silver-white eyes flashing angrily. “Stupid piece of shit!”

“Have a nice day.”

“This isn’t where I want to be! Take me to Floor one, West B!” she snapped angrily, her hands clenching. I keep telling Ikenna we need a new AI upgrade, but NO! He’d rather waste all of my department’s money on stupid things!

“Have a nice day.”

“Take me to West B!”

“Have a nice day.”

“Fine! Just forget it!” the lavender haired demon growled, stalking out of the car, into another long white hallway. “Just wonderful! Now I have to walk an extra ten minutes! Perfect!”

This really isn’t my day.

With an agitated sigh the woman began to quickly pace down the long hallway, a frown on her lips. She crossed her arms angrily, making sure to glare at any unfortunate soul who happened to pass her by in the cold sterile white hall.

Of course to make matters worse, I have to go and see Ikenna, tell him that his precious Malba broke into the Tevrra 25-47A Venator facility in Gahlrey. Not to mention got injured and escaped. Perfect. She wasn’t looking forward to the conversation. At all.

It was all Kaine’s fault, really. How the hell could he let his men be so incompetent and... Idiotic? Oh wait. Because he’s an incompetent idiot as well. Plus... She knew the blonde demon was hiding something. I don’t trust him. He’s a heartless, soulless bastard, but... Would he cover for Malba? Surely not, after all that had happened. After... Kaine surely must despise Malba after everything that happened between the two, but... She couldn’t shake the feeling. He was lying. I know he was. But why? It’s not like Kaine has any emotion or feeling. He’s cold and calculating. After all he is the ‘Letrum Venator.’ So why...

Darcy wasn’t going to waste the manpower to send any patrols to Trinity. She was quite positive that Malba Nuiwa would not be found there. No. That was a lie. Malba isn’t heading for Trinity. Where would he go though? She bit her lip in concentration, shoving a meek looking man in a lab coat out of her path, turning a corner leading to yet another tediously white hallway. He wouldn’t have Druuvbin hidden in Trinity. No, someplace safer, smaller. Not in Laineka... Where? She frowned, an irritated sigh escaping her lips. It has to be somewhere near Laineka. Malba must have been pretty desperate too, to risk infiltrating the base.

She had to give the man one thing. He had some guts. Going into that base. Guts or stupidity. Probably stupidity.

Darcy really didn’t feel like dealing with all of this. Instead of getting to think more on the intriguing possibilities of the incidents in Teaja, the wave of energy, the assassination and the ‘suicide’... She had to deal with stupid Malba Nuiwa and Aevik Kaine. Not to mention Ikenna... Hmph. I should get paid more for this.

The lavender haired demon cleared her thoughts as she approached a large metallic door located on the far right of the white hallway. With an annoyed growl she quickly punched in the code on the keypad device, stepping through the door as soon as it slid open.

Darcy took a deep breath, looking up to see the cloudy smoggy sky of Atrum-Terra. She had finally exited the sterile white, incredibly boring building and now stood in a dimly lit alleyway, a side exit to the immense steel and glass structure. The demon frowned, crossing her arms at the cool gust of wind brushing against her. Now...

She really wasn’t looking forward to seeing Ikenna. Far from it. The man could be so temperamental, especially in all matters concerning Malba. I still don’t really understand why he cares about the little fool anyway. After all Malba has done? Completely going against Ikenna... Traitorous little fool.

Darcy let out an agitated sigh, her silver-white eyes moving to focus on the alleyway’s dirty paved ground. Well. No point in putting it off. The longer I wait to tell him, the angrier he’ll be when he finds out... She could take an automated car service or a train to the man’s office building, yet really that would take too long, be so very boring... At this time of day, the Atrum-Terra streets would be in utter gridlock, the trains crammed with mindless insects, foolish inferior demons and pathetic humans.

No, in this case... I’ll waste the energy just to get it over with. The lavender haired woman closed her eyes, concentrating on her demonic energy, the magick within her body. Teleportation was a fairly draining feat, and though she really hated to waste so much energy on such non-violent everyday things, in this case... I’d rather not be forced to ride a train filled with commoners.

Darcy concentrated on raising the energy, drawing it forth, her brow furrowing in concentration. It was really such a bother to have to exit the building before using her teleportation magick, yet... It would be an excruciatingly painful mistake to attempt such magick in the protected building. Not to mention an entirely fatal mistake. Security measures were of the utmost priority for the hi-tech, top secret facility. The Tevrra Operations and Development Center was protected by a barrage of different technological and magickal security measures. Any fool who would dare attempt to use magick to penetrate the building? Would suffer. Greatly. Unfortunately, that means I can’t leave the building with my magick. How inconvenient.

Honestly, the things she had to put up with. So very irritating.

With a small sigh she activated her magick, enough energy successfully summoned to power her teleportation across the large city of Atrum-Terra.

I really don’t want to deal with him right now... Darcy opened her eyes, finding herself standing in a short corridor, not sterile and white, though sparse and still rather boring. An office building. The lavender haired demon focused her silver-white eyes to the closed dark wooden door directly in front of her.

--Ikenna Nuiwa—
--709 E—

Wonderful. With another sigh the woman reached out a gloved hand, opening the heavy wooden door. She entered the small room, immediately noting the petite desk in the corner and the plump violet haired woman typing away at a computer resting on said desk. Ikenna’s mindless, idiotic secretary of course. Such an annoying twit, she thought irritably, glancing about the dull room, taking in the bland tan carpet and cream colored walls. Simple and boring...

“Ah? Miss Darcy? How unexpected,” the woman stated with a violet eyebrow raised, looking up from her computer screen. “Mr. Nuiwa’s in a meeting. He isn’t available. You’ll just have to come back later.”

Darcy twitched, her eyes narrowing as she met the woman’s blue gaze. “I’ll have to ‘just’ come back later? You best show more respect when speaking to me, you impudent cow.”

The violet haired woman did not blink or react to the threatening tone in Darcy’s cold voice, only let out a sigh, returning her attention to the computer on her small wooden desk. “Yes, well. Mr. Nuiwa’s still in a meeting, so you’ll just have to manage. Either wait or come back later. It’s your choice.”

How dare she? The lavender haired demon clenched her fists by her sides, fighting off the urge to brutally kill the arrogant woman. I really deserve a nice kill. After having to put up with all of this stupidity brought forth by Kaine and his inept underlings.

“Yes. Well, you might want to let Ikenna know this concerns Malba. And not in a good way. So I’d suggest you tell him to cancel his meeting, cow,” Darcy stated icily, her silver-white eyes holding an infuriated expression. Talk down to me again, you vile cow and I’ll enjoy killing you. Regardless of what Ikenna thinks. Secretaries aren’t exactly hard to come by. I’m sure he could find a suitable replacement.

The secretary’s eyes widened at this statement and she slightly nodded her head, reaching over to the phone resting near the computer monitor on the wooden desk. “Ah... Sir, I’m sorry to interrupt your meeting, however... There seems to be a, a matter concerning Malba that Miss Darcy would like to discuss with you,” the woman stated nervously into the phone receiver, a frown on her red lips. “Yes sir. I’ll send her right in.”

That’s what I thought, Darcy thought with a small smirk. Cairra Darcy waited for no one. That stupid cow really thought I would wait? Me? Stupid woman. “I’ll take it he wants to see me, correct?” the lavender haired demon questioned darkly, giving the secretary a cold smile.

“Yes, Miss Darcy. You may go right in. He’s clearing out his meeting as we speak,” the woman responded, turning her gaze once again to the monitor, her fingers returning to the keyboard resting on the desk’s flat surface.

Darcy let out a small growl at the woman’s lack of fear, her hands twitching by her sides. If only she could just kill the cow. It was so very tempting. The feel of blood on her hands... Yes, but Ikenna is going to be angry with me anyway, so I probably shouldn’t kill another one of his secretaries. He got so angry the last time...

“Fine,” the demon snarled, her eyebrow twitching as she briskly strode across the room to the entrance of the inner offices. She threw open the door, stepping into a long -just as bland- hallway. Darcy noted several men dressed in sleek suits exiting a large wooden door at the end of this new hallway. I suppose that’s where he was having his ‘meeting.’ She assumed Ikenna must still be in the large conference/meeting office then. Just how many different office rooms does the arrogant bastard need, anyway? Fool.

The black clad demon strode down the tan carpeted corridor, quickly reaching the conference office. She waited for the stream of men in suits to finish exiting the room and hallway, a small frown forming on her painted black lips. She... Well, actually, she was getting a slight bit nervous, now that she was directly outside of Ikenna Nuiwa’s office. What if he decides to torture me again? I like dealing torture, not receiving it...

Wait. A flash of inspiration flashed in her mind and a small smile replaced her frown. She knew the perfect solution to escaping the wrath of Ikenna. Give him someone else to be angry with. Well, Kaine DID say he took full responsibility...

--Are you going to wait out there all day?-- a smooth voice interrupted her thoughts and she let out a small sigh. Here goes nothing...

The lavender haired demon grasped the conference office door’s metal doorknob, a frown forming once again on her lips. I’m too beautiful to be tortured, but hopefully, if I play this right... I might possibly escape this relatively unscathed. With that thought she turned the knob, shoving open the heavy wooden door.

She glanced about the large office, taking in the great round table centered in the middle of the spacious room. Dark wooden seats surrounded the table and various papers were spread about on it’s smooth surface. Besides the impressive size of the table, not much else stood out. Another bland, boring room with tan carpeting and cream walls... How plain... with that thought Darcy’s attention centered on the lithe man standing next to the large table. Ikenna Nuiwa. Well... Here’s to hoping I can avoid torture...

“Ah. I see you are as whoreish as ever, Cairra,” Ikenna Nuiwa stated calmly, his red eyes focusing on the woman’s revealing black and gold clothing. “And the hair. Wonderful. Really,” he added with a small cold smile, sarcasm dripping from his smooth voice as he eyed the woman’s unusually styled ponytails.

Prick... Darcy thought, biting the inside of her lip as she took in the man. The resemblance was a little uncanny really. His hair was of course different, not long and black, but short and red. His eyes were not dark blue, but a bright iridescent red. Yet despite the differences, it was rather obvious. It’s obvious where pretty boy gets his girlish beauty from, she thought darkly, her silver-white eyes glancing over Ikenna’s pale, striking makeup covered face.

He wears more makeup than I do, I bet. Prissy bastard, the lavender haired demon thought cattily, glancing at the man’s dark lipstick and eyeliner.

The woman then took in his refined black and red attire, sleek and unique. Well. At least he doesn’t dress boring, Darcy thought, focusing on the long black tunic the man wore, the red undershirt, the black pants and high cut black and red boots. Not to mention the fashionable red cloth waistband completing the stylish ensemble. Yes. She’d give the bastard one thing. He had good fashion sense. “Ah, and you look as beautiful as ever. It’s a pleasure to see you, sir,” she responded, her voice saccharine sweet. God I hate sucking up to this bastard...

The red haired man let out a small sigh, crossing his arms about his chest as he casually leaned against the large oval conference table. “Spare me the pleasantries, Cairra. You have something to tell me regarding Malba?”

“Yes. I do,” Darcy replied frankly, crossing her arms as well.

“Well?” the man sighed, a small frown forming on his lips.

“First off, I want you to know I had nothing to do with it,” the lavender haired woman stated firmly, steeling herself for the man’s reaction. He is going to hit the roof...

Ikenna’s frown deepened, anger sparking in his red eyes. “What do you mean? You had nothing to do with what? What has happened to my son, Cairra?” he questioned coldly, his voice icy, dangerous.

“Your son was shot. At the 25-47A Venator facility,” she replied smoothly, hiding the unease she felt at the man’s angry gaze.

“...What? Shot? When?” he snapped angrily, an infuriated expression appearing on his attractive face. “Who would dare shoot my son? How serious?” Ikenna questioned coldly, his voice dropping, once again growing level and icy. Which to Darcy? Actually sounded even more frightening than when he shouted.

“It happened today, sir. I don’t know what condition your son is in, as he escaped. As far as who’s responsible? Well. Aevik Kaine is claiming full responsibility,” the lavender haired demon commented calmly, suppressing the small dark smirk threatening to form on her lips. That’s right. Aevik Kaine is fully responsible.

“...I want Aevik Kaine here. Today,” Ikenna ordered icily after a brief pause, his red eyes wrathful, his dark lipstick painted lips forming a deadly scowl.

“Of course, sir. He’ll be arriving here in Atrum-Terra in a few hours,” Darcy responded, again suppressing a smirk. This is perfect. After I speak with Kaine about Teaja, then I can send him to Ikenna. It’s time for you to learn a lesson, Kaine. This is what you get for hiding things from me, you impudent bastard.

“You. Find my son. All other assignments are on hold. I don’t care what it takes,” the red haired man stated calmly, his eyes dangerous, his voice ice cold.

“All other assignments completely on hold? Isn’t that a little drastic? Besides, this isn’t exactly my departm--” the woman started but was abruptly cut off as Ikenna stepped forward, raising a hand to smack Darcy’s face with such force her head jerked to the side. The man then grabbed her face, forcing her to look him in the eye. “Are you questioning my orders, Cairra?” he questioned, his voice silky smooth and lethal.

“No... No sir,” she stuttered, her silver-white eyes slightly widening. Shit. I suppose I’m stuck with trying to find this bastard’s spoiled son. How boring. Obviously Malba gets his little asshole attitude from his father too... Damn it. I wanted to focus on Teaja...

“Go. Bring me Kaine when he arrives. I wish... To speak with him further about this matter. I assume he can give me all the details, correct?” Ikenna questioned coolly, letting go of the woman’s face.

“Yes sir. I’m sure he can explain everything,” Darcy replied, raising a hand to gingerly touch her red cheek. Yes, Kaine. Try to explain it all away. I’m going to love this...

“Good. And know this, Cairra Darcy. I am not a fool. If you think you have escaped responsibility, you’re sadly mistaken. Oh yes, and if my son dies? You will join him. Along with Aevik Kaine,” the red-head remarked evenly, levelly meeting the woman’s gaze with his angry red eyes. “That’s not only a threat, but a promise, you foolish whore. That is all. Get out before I change my mind and kill you now.”

“I see. Fine...Sir,” Darcy bit out in response, fighting to keep the anger from her voice. How dare he? It wasn’t as if she had anything to do with it! Why blame her? Bastard... “I’m sure Malba is fine, sir.”

“For your sake, you better hope so.”

“...Yes, sir.”

With that said Darcy turned, exiting the large conference/meeting office with her fists clenched, her silver-white eyes angry.

Well. I may still be in deep shit, but I have at least one comfort. Because as much trouble as I’m in? You, Aevik Kaine? Are in so much more. So very much more. You arrogant fool. Now if I can just keep Ikenna from killing me...

She... She really deserved a raise for all of this.

Now... Where the hell is Malba Nuiwa?

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“Hold still, fool,” Kitsune ordered flatly, adjusting the gauze she had just placed over the severe burns on Malba’s flat smooth stomach.

“Oh, fuck you. Bitch,” the darkness elemental muttered softly, closing his dark eyes, a frown on his lips. “Stupid mutt,” he added with a small wince.

The ice/fox demon let out a sigh, taking in the disheveled sprite’s appearance. The man sat on the edge of the white bathtub, his pale hands tightly gripping the cold porcelain... His face weary, pained.... Kitsune moved her gaze to briefly scan the small bathroom, the off-white walls, the white tile floor. The Rite-Aid bag lying haphazardly by her feet, dirty wet rags used to gently clean mud and blood from the sprite now lying in the sink. Not to mention the man’s mud and blood soaked clothes and coat lying in the white tub. So much blood on those wet clothes... Fool...

The woman turned her gaze back to the dark haired elemental, taking in his pale skin and weary expression. He really looked quite... Awful.

Kitsune had already helped him into the blue jeans, though she had not yet put the shirt on Malba, as she was still caring for the severe wounds on his stomach and side. So he sat shirtless, pale and injured...

Those injuries... Angered her. As she had carefully placed ointment on the burns, seen the pain flickering in his dark eyes... It angered her immensely. Fool. He... He could have been killed. Not only that, but the idiot was almost captured... That... It really pissed her off.

“You’re lucky this bullet went in your stomach and not your heart. Or your head. Not that you have a brain to damage, apparently,” she stated quietly, a frown on her blue-white lips.

“Well. Actually, I almost got shot in the head too. Luckily Rae grabbed Sefth’s gun and the bullet just nicked me,” Malba replied with a small smirk, moving a hand to touch the graze wound on his cheek. He opened his dark eyes, meeting her gaze. “Guess it’s a good thing Rae’s an idiot, right? Stupid human. Jumping on a demon with a gun.”

“Idiot,” Kitsune snapped in response. How can he... How can he be so very stupid?

“Yeah well, Kits. I’m fine, so...It doesn’t matter,” the dark haired elemental stated, once again closing his eyes.

The ice demon frowned at this, moving her gaze back to the wounds on his side and stomach. Yes, but you aren’t ‘fine’, you stupid fairy, the woman thought as she continued to gingerly care for his injuries. Idiot...

She... She was really growing quite weary of worrying. Worrying for Druuvbin, so deathly ill, for Kopaka and his odd brief state of catatonia earlier and the weak sickly expression on his face... Kouji, so very broken and lost... Not to mention Yuki's troubling behavior, the look in his eyes... Then Malba showing up with a gunshot wound and severe burns. It... It was tiresome. I’m too old for this...

As she carefully finished her task of applying gauze to the injury, Kitsune turned her gaze once again to the man’s face, taking in his expression. She... Kitsune knew that look. He was of course still acting like his usual asshole annoying self, yet... “What did he say to you?” the ice demon questioned quietly, carefully watching his face.

“Who?”

“The tooth fairy,” Kitsune responded flatly, rolling her eyes. “Kaine, you idiot. Who else would I mean?”

Malba remained silent for a moment before opening his eyes, meeting her gaze with his weary dark blue eyes. “Nothing I didn’t already know, Kits. Don’t worry about it,” he replied with a small smirk. A very hollow smirk. Stupid fairy. Kitsune despised that look.

“What did he say?” she inquired once more, the frown on her lips deepening. “He’s a fool, you know that. Whatever he said...”

“It was all true. He was being a dick, but still. It’s true. What he said. About... About Jinya, about me,” he replied softly, closing his eyes once more. “Like I said, don’t worry about it.”

He... You’re never going to get over that, are you? So many years ago, long before she had even met the man... I suppose it’s true. Some wounds never really heal... “It wasn’t your fault.”

“Kitsune. Don’t bother. We both know it was. So don’t start with that,” Malba replied flatly, wincing as he slightly repositioned himself on the cold porcelain side of the tub. “Just... Drop it.”

“...Fine.” It was obvious she wasn’t going to get anywhere with this conversation. She wasn’t going to force the man to speak about it. The woman frowned, standing from the crouching position she had been in. She moved over to the towel rack mounted on the white bathroom wall, taking hold of a fresh blue washcloth. “I won’t say anything else, except that you’re wrong. It wasn’t your fault and it’s stupid to still blame yourself for something that happened centuries ago.”

“Whatever,” the sprite stated indifferently, not opening his eyes.

Idiot... Kitsune moved to the sink, running a bit of water onto the blue rag. She then turned the knob, shutting off the tepid stream, wringing out excess water from the cloth.

He came close to getting taken away. Not only shot and burned, but... If Kaine had taken him to Tevrra... “Do you realize how difficult it would have been to get you out of Tevrra? If he had taken you? To even find you?” she questioned flatly, moving over to the sprite, carefully wiping at the man’s sliced lower lip. “If you were taken to Tevrra...”

“I wasn’t. Ryuuji shot the bastard, we got away. Stop worrying about it,” Malba commented with a small sigh.

Ryuuji... She didn’t... Didn’t want to even think about that fool at the moment. It... It wasn’t that she disliked the man exactly... She... The ice demon had been glad to see that he was alive. Yet... She... She was angry with the demon. Very angry. He had no right to say that to Druuvbin. After he... Kitsune really didn’t want to even think on it at the moment. With Druuvbin dying, so sick, and Ryuuji... He... You weren’t here, you bastard. Druuvbin warned you not to go, but you just... She frowned, forcing the thought away. “Don’t even say that fool’s name,” the ice demon stated irritably, her eyebrow twitching.

“What the hell did he say that has you so pissed off?” Malba inquired curiously, giving the woman an inquiring look.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“...Okay.”

I... It’s not that I dislike Ryuuji... It’s just... Kitsune cleared her thoughts, instead focusing her attention back to Malba, gently cleaning the blood and dirt from his face. Not to mention the smudged makeup stains... “Why do you insist on wearing this?” the demon inquired, frowning as she attempted to remove the smudged black eyeliner.

“..Shut up,” Malba snapped irritably, a small blush spreading over his pale cheeks. “Bitch.”

Kitsune felt a hint of a smile form on her blue-white lips at his response. It was rather amusing. The fairy sometimes acted more like a woman than she did... Which. Well. I suppose that really isn’t saying much. I’m not exactly the picture of feminine grace.

“Ngh. Damn,” Malba muttered softly, lightly pressing a hand to the gauze covering his wound. “Hurry up so we can get out of here. This isn’t exactly comfortable,” he grumbled, glancing down at the porcelain tub.

“Idiot,” was Kitsune’s only response, though she gently ran a hand over his face, moving stray damp strands away from his dark eyes. She wasn’t fooled. The man was weak. Not to mention in pain. Again she felt... Anger. At Aevik Kaine and Virade Sefth... At the Tevrrans...

Malba closed his eyes for a moment, letting out a sigh. “Kaine’s a real dick, isn’t he?”

“Yes. He is,” the demon agreed, wiping the warm rag over his forehead, removing the dried mud present. After wiping away the remaining stains on his face she set the rag aside, placing it on the sink. “He really is.”

“...Why did he let us go?” the dark haired sprite inquired, a frown forming on his lips. “That was too easy. He... He let us go.”

Kitsune remained silent for a moment, contemplating an answer. “I don’t know why he let you go,” she finally replied, moving her gaze to the man’s face. She really didn’t know. It... It didn’t make any sense. He went to all the trouble to find Malba and hurt him... Then just let Ryuuji take him? I don’t understand.

“He doesn’t make any sense. I really hate him,” Malba muttered irritably, his frown increasing. “Bastard.”

“Hn.”

The two remained in silence for a moment before Malba let out another sigh, rolling his eyes. “Whatever. I don’t really care. Kaine is a fucking moron. Not to mention insane. So, I guess it doesn’t really matter,” he stated flatly.

“I suppose.” The demon honestly didn’t have the energy to contemplate Aevik Kaine at the moment. After giving Druuvbin so much energy, she... Was utterly exhausted, drained. Kaine’s motives? She really didn’t know. It’s hard to tell what his intentions are...

“Yeah.” With an annoyed sigh Malba carefully moved his hands to his head, reaching back to pull on the band holding roughly half of his dark hair in a disarrayed fallen ponytail. The rest of his hair was loose, knocked free from the band. Knocked loose undoubtedly when Kaine had tortured the sprite. “God damn it!” Malba suddenly snapped, irritation flickering in his eyes.

“What?” Kitsune inquired, raising an eyebrow.

“...I can’t get the damn thing out,” he muttered, a flash of color playing on his cheeks.

Kitsune rolled her eyes, a small smirk on her lips. “Fool.” The ice demon moved closer, pushing the man’s hands away from the band. She attempted to pull the stretchy fabric out of the elemental’s black hair, though frowned when she realized it was... Well. Malba’s hair was actually tangled around it, and... It was stuck. Great. With a frown she pulled again. And again. Damn it...

“Ow! Will you be careful? Stupid bitch!” Malba snapped, giving the woman an annoyed look, a frown on his lips.

“Shut up. Fool,” she responded irritably, jerking the fabric once more, finally removing the band. Only to find she had accidentally snapped the small elastic material.

“Oh. Good job,” Malba muttered sarcastically, eyeing the broken band in the woman’s pale hands. “Wonder-mutt.”

“Fuck you,” she bit back, tossing the broken elastic at the man, hitting him in the face with it. Stupid fairy.

“Bitch.”

“Fairy.”

“Mutt.”

“Fool.”

The two glared at each other for a moment before both the demon and elemental rolled their eyes. Kitsune let out an irritated sigh, reaching up to her own ponytail. She removed the dark elastic hair-band holding her hair back, letting her icy locks fall free. “Here, pathetic fairy. Use mine,” she snapped, moving to pull the sprite’s wet black hair back into a low loose ponytail. At least it would keep the man’s damp hair away from his face...

“...Thanks,” he muttered, shrugging his shoulders indifferently. "Mutt."

Kitsune rolled her eyes, gingerly running a hand through her own loose hair. It felt... Odd. She always wore it up, so now... Well. The demon simply wasn’t used to letting her hair down, flowing freely about her face, touching her shoulders.

“It looks fine like that. Stupid,” Malba muttered, raising an eyebrow at the woman. “You should wear it like that more often.”

“It’s just a nuisance,” she replied matter-of-factly, rolling her ice colored eyes. “Why bother?”

“You’re such an idiot. Stupid mutt,” the sprite responded, letting out an irritated sigh. “Just forget it.”

“Fairy.”

“Bitch.”

Idiotic fairy... Kitsune thought with a roll of her eyes. The ice demon then frowned, noting the sprite’s pale face, his tired pained expression. She took in a frustrated breath, moving a hand to carefully touch the graze wound on his cheek. Stupid, stupid fairy... What if that bullet hadn’t missed its mark? If... Kitsune moved her gaze down, taking in the sprite’s lithe pale torso, his slender arms. She... Again felt... Anger. He could have died. Fool.

“...Will you stop that?” Malba suddenly questioned quietly.

“Stop what?” she responded, raising an eyebrow.

“Stop looking at me like that. I said I’m fine.”

“...I know what you said,” Kitsune frowned, her eyes traveling to the man’s right arm, a small sigh escaping her lips as she took in the sprite’s pale flesh. There... There had been more to her request for Rae to get Malba a long sleeved shirt than merely teasing the sprite. Not that it hadn’t been amusing, calling him a 'delicate fairy,' yet... The ice demon moved a sword-calloused finger to gently trace the large tattooed mark marring the majority of his lower right arm. “You say you’re fine. However, I do not believe that.”

“...I... I’ll be alright,” Malba replied softly, a small smirk forming on his lips. “I just... I don’t know. Let him get to me a little I guess. Plus it does kind of hurt...” he admitted wryly with a dry laugh.

“Fool,” she muttered quietly, tracing the flowing overlapping blue lines of the tattoo. The demon knew how much he despised the mark. A tattoo that even if he had the energy to conceal... It wouldn’t matter. No magick could ever hide it. It was no ordinary tattoo. Kitsune frowned at this thought. The mark had been forced onto him of course. It’s meaning... None of the humans from this world would know of course, but... He doesn’t want anyone to see it. The sprite was ashamed of the mark. He shouldn’t be. It isn’t his fault...

“Hey, Kits?” Malba questioned softly, moving to touch the woman’s hand on his arm.

“Hm?”

“Don’t let me do it again.”

“I’ve already told you I won’t.”

“I know.” Malba smiled a bit, closing his eyes. “You’re such a mutt.”

“You’re such an idiot,” she replied, a small smile on her lips as well.

“Yeah. I am.”

Yes... You really are an idiot. An impossible idiot... The ice demon moved to sit next to the sprite on the cool tub side, gently placing a hand on his uninjured left hand. She simply sat in silence for a moment, her ice eyes locked on the sprite’s tattooed arm.

“...He was... He was going to use my blood on her,” Malba suddenly admitted softly, his voice flat, his hand twitching in Kitsune’s.

The ice/fox’s eyes slightly widened at this, her gaze moving to the sprite’s face. She took in the dark expression on his pale face, the anger in his eyes. “He didn’t.”

“No. Even he isn’t that much of a bastard I guess. But... If he had... I couldn’t have stopped it. I couldn’t do a damn thing. That...” he trailed off, shaking his head. “... I really hate humans...”

Kitsune remained quiet for a few moments, contemplating a response. It was true, if Kaine really had... There would have been nothing the sprite could have done. Not one thing. The girl was a human and... Damn you, Aevik Kaine. A fresh wave of anger sparked within her at the blonde demon’s actions, to.. To taunt Malba with that...To... “He didn’t. That’s what matters.”

“No. What matters is I couldn’t do a damn thing.”

“Kaine is powerful. Of course you couldn’t stop him. Fool. His strength surpasses yours, Kopaka’s, mine, Ryuuji’s, even Druuvbin’s,” the demon replied quietly, a frown on her blue-white lips. It wasn’t something she liked to admit, but it was the truth. Perhaps if Druuvbin wasn’t so weakened by his illness... If he were healthy, then maybe... Maybe he could compare. But not now. None of us can compare to Kaine. It was frustrating. To be faced with an enemy with such strength...

“That’s not exactly comforting, Kits,” Malba stated wryly, a small smirk on his lips.

“It wasn’t meant to be. It’s simply the truth,” the woman responded evenly, her gaze again focusing on the blue mark on the sprite’s arm.

“Yeah, well... I’ve had enough of the truth for one day,” the dark haired elemental commented flatly, a small sigh escaping his lips.

“..You want me to lie to you then?”

“No.”

“Then stop complaining.”

“Bitch.”

“Fairy.”

The two fell into silence once more and Kitsune lightly squeezed the man’s hand, her sensitive hearing focusing on the sounds of light rain falling outside, a slight breeze rustling trees... The truth hurts. Though lying to yourself hurts even more. Stupid fairy.

“...Should I tell the humans?” Malba inquired softly, his dark eyes moving down to the tattoo on his arm. “Do you think I should tell them?”

Should he? Kitsune frowned, her thoughts flickering over the humans. Did they deserve to know? Probably, but... “Only if you want to.” The demon knew the humans would want to know, though not for the reasons Malba was concerning himself with... They wouldn’t care. Fool.

“I don’t know what I want,” he stated flatly, closing his dark eyes.

“You’ll tell them. When you’re ready,” she replied quietly, turning her gaze once again to the sprite’s pale face. “They won’t care.”

“...Won’t they?”

“No. They won’t.”

“I don’t know why I care. It’s not like I like them or anything. Stupid fucking humans,” Malba muttered darkly, not opening his eyes. “I don’t care.”

“Right. Fool,” she responded, rolling her ice colored eyes.

“Fuck you.”

“Stupid fairy.”

“Bitch.”

Kitsune let out an irritated breath, her gaze moving to the black long sleeved shirt strung haphazardly over the top of the small white hamper in the corner of the room. “...Are you ready to put that on?” she questioned quietly.

Malba opened his eyes, also focusing on the shirt borrowed from Jiro. “...Yeah.”

The ice demon nodded, moving to stand from her sitting position. She moved to retrieve the long sleeved shirt, turning her gaze to the darkness sprite. “Well. Put it on. Fairy,” she stated flatly, tossing the shirt to the man, hitting him in the face with the light fabric.

“Bitch,” he muttered, rolling his midnight-blue eyes. The dark haired elemental moved to pull the shirt on, wincing as he raised his left arm. “Damn it...”

“You really are pathetic,” Kitsune commented softly, a small smile briefly forming on her lips. With that said she moved forward, helping the sprite put the shirt on, careful not to jar his wounds. “There.”

“...Whatever,” the elemental responded irritably, giving the demon an annoyed glare. “Bitch.” The sprite glanced down at the black shirt, which fit surprisingly well, considering it was a teenage boy’s shirt...

Kitsune rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. “Well?”

“...Give me a sec,” he muttered, closing his eyes once more, letting out a wince. “Ngh.” Malba sighed, moving to rest his head on the side wall directly beside the tub.

“Malba?” Kitsune questioned, raising an eyebrow. She frowned, moving to sit next to the sprite.

“Just... Tired,” he stated softly, a frown on his lips.

She really hated the tired, pained tone in his voice. It... It bothered her. The demon moved to take hold of his uninjured hand, a small sigh escaping her. “You need to rest.”

“...I will. After... Druu gets a little better... If he...” the sprite trailed off, taking in a deep breath. “...He’s in really bad shape this time, isn’t he?” Malba inquired softly, his dark eyes opening, showing his agitation.

“Yes. He is,” she commented, lowering her gaze to the bandages wrapped around her lower arms. Bloodstained bandages. So much blood... She... I... I’m so sorry, Druuvbin. What I said... The ice demon closed her eyes, her frown deepening. Even after summoning so much energy, it... It hadn’t helped the water sprite. Not enough. Not nearly enough. Even with that much energy, I couldn’t help. Not really... It had been everything she could possibly muster, so much energy. Honestly, her body was completely worn and weary from handling that much energy, but... It wasn’t enough...

At least Ryuuji... As much as Kitsune loathed admitting it... The purple haired demon was a better healer. In some ways the man was much stronger than her. Especially in healing. I’ve... I’ve never been a healer. I’m a killer, not a healer. Her father had not deemed it necessary for her to learn healing arts. --“What use is healing magick to a murderer? You have no use for such trivial things.”-- Until she had met Druuvbin, it had seemed completely pointless. Why bother with healing magicks? What good would healing do for the blood-fox?

I’m getting better with it, but I still... I’m not as skilled with healing as Ryuuji. If he hadn’t shown up... I’m not sure that I could have kept up giving that much energy... I...I wouldn’t have stopped. Even if had killed me... But... It’s good that Ryuuji is here. Even if he is an idiot... I’m still glad he’s alive. Kitsune shoved the thought away, opening her eyes to focus on Malba’s pale face. His worried blue eyes, the frown on his lips. Why... Why do I say such terrible things? Her thoughts were drifting back into dangerous territories. Thoughts of... Of that deathly ill psychic touching her hand, so forgiving and understanding... “Why do... Why do I say such terrible things?” the ice/fox demon suddenly questioned aloud, her eyes locked on the blood soaked bandages on her lower arms.

Malba turned his attention to the woman, raising a black eyebrow. “What did you say to him this time?” he questioned knowingly, a small smirk forming on his lips.

“...Earlier. When I brought Kouji, Druuvbin was already here. He looked awful and I... I was so angry. I said such a terrible thing,” she admitted quietly, closing her ice eyes. I’m sorry, Druuvbin... I am.

“Well? What did you say?” Malba inquired evenly.

“...I told him... That he’s a burden. That it would be better with him gone,” Kitsune commented quietly, the frown on her lips deepening, her voice growing a touch uneven. Kopaka was right to get angry with me... I... I don’t understand myself. Why I...

“Heh. You can be such a bitch,” the darkness sprite remarked, shaking his head. “A real bitch.”

“I am a bitch,” she agreed flatly, her ice eyes opening, locking on those blood soaked bandages, crimson stains...

“Wouldn’t have you any other way,” Malba added, giving the woman a smirk. “I like you the way you are. Bitch and all.”

“Why... Why would I say such a thing? I... I don’t understand. Why would I say that?” Kitsune questioned softly, turning to meet the sprite’s dark gaze. How could I say something so...

“He knew you didn’t mean it, Kits,” the sprite replied firmly, a small smile on his lips. “He knew you didn’t mean that.”

“I know. It doesn’t help,” the ice demon admitted, her gaze dropping, focusing on the white tile floor. “It doesn’t help at all.” How could it? If anything... After hearing those words, the way Druuvbin had touched her hand, completely forgiving, understanding... If anything, I feel worse now. I... He’s suffers so and I... I only make it worse. What’s wrong with me? The guilt, it.. It was painful. Very painful. After apologizing to the dying psychic, his soft response... --“I wouldn’t have blamed you...If you had meant it...”-- How could the man... How could Druuvbin be such a fool? I’m sorry... I am...

Malba let out an irritated sigh, rolling his eyes. He turned, reaching out a hand to take the woman’s chin, forcing her to look up, meet his gaze. “Look, Kits. He knows you care, stupid. How we all care. He doesn't get it, but he knows we want him to live,” he stated firmly, his dark eyes locked on her, his voice even. “Why the fuck do you think he stays alive? He fights it for us. Because we want him to. You know how he is. If it were up to him...I don’t think Druu really cares whether he lives or dies. He just cares about us...” the sprite trailed off, shaking his head.

“I hate that. So very much,” Kitsune commented softly, her voice low, her eyes agitated. “I hate that.” She hated it. That he... He doesn’t care. Druuvbin is such a fool. He...

“I hate it too, but it’s the truth,” Malba responded with a frown, releasing his hold on the woman’s chin. He let out a weary sigh, running his uninjured hand over his eyes.

“I know it’s the truth,” the ice demon replied, her gaze again lowering to the tile floor. It is the truth. It’s the truth and I despise it.

“...I've known him for so long, and... I know I treat him like hell but... God damn it. I don't want him to die,” the darkness sprite suddenly stated, anger in his agitated voice. “I fucking hate this so god damn much and we can’t do a fucking thing. I’ve known the guy for... The majority of my life, and... It... It won’t be the same. When...” Malba trailed off, letting out an irritated growl.

“When he dies?” Kitsune finished the sprite’s statement, her voice flat, her eyes blank. Such a dark, weary feeling flooding her...

“Yeah.”

“I know.”

There was no point in pretending that the water elemental wasn’t getting worse. Within the last decade... She and Malba... We both know it’s not... It’s too much. Too many years, he can’t... He isn’t going to be able to keep this up much longer, he...

“Kopaka isn’t going to find a ‘cure’,” Malba commented tonelessly, his dark eyes hollow, tired. “There must not be one. After centuries? If there was something to find, he’d have found it by now.”

“Hn,” was her only response, her ice eyes not pulling away from the floor, her voice low, flat.

“I don’t understand it,” the dark haired sprite added softly, shaking his head. “I really don’t. How can it be... How can there be nothing? It...”

Kitsune closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath. I... Druuvbin, you aren’t a burden. Not at all. I.... Without really thinking, the woman moved to rest her head on Malba’s shoulder, lightly wrapping her arms around the lithe sprite. I didn’t... I...

“...Kits?”

It hurt. So many feelings. Emotions. It was so very hard. Feeling things, the guilt and worry. The anger and uncertainty. It... I...

“Kitsune?”

The ice demon let out a sigh, increasing her hold on the elemental, taking in the feel of his lean body, the... She was being a fool of course but... For a moment... She just...

“Kitsi?” Malba questioned softly, wrapping his arms around the woman, running a hand along her back.

“I didn’t mean it,” she muttered quietly, her voice muffled by the elemental’s shoulder. “I didn’t mean it, Malba.” It hurt. The feelings running through her. It hurt, watching Druuvbin suffer, to see those tears slip from his closed eyes. It hurt watching Kopaka fight to hide his weakness, his sickly weak face... It hurt to see the pain and weariness in Malba’s eyes, to see that wretched tattoo on his arm... The... The... Everything. It hurt. Why... Why did I have to learn to feel? It hurts... Watching her brother weep uncontrollably, so scared and miserable and... The worried fearful expressions on the humans’ faces... The odd behavior of Yuki, that look in his eyes... Everything. It was simply too much. “I didn’t mean it.”

“I know you didn’t,” Malba responded gently, the usually harsh edgy tone in his voice gone, replaced with a soft, reassuring tint. He gently held the demon, running a hand through her loose icy-blue hair streaked with white and black. “I know.”

“Why did I say it?” she questioned hollowly, her tone flat. The ice demon pressed her face into the sprite’s shoulder a bit more, holding onto him, trying to... To escape the cold wave of guilt and worry, to escape the painful emotions coursing through her.

“You get scared. Then you get pissed. Druu knows that. It’s just the way you deal with things, Kits. It’s hard for you. I know. Druu knows too,” Malba replied softly, continuing to run his uninjured hand through her hair, holding the woman firmly. “Stop thinking about it, idiot. It’s not something to worry about. Druu knows you care. So stop worrying about it.”

Funny. How Malba could anger her so much, drive her so crazy, but... At the same time, the man... She... Kitsune pulled back, meeting the sprite’s dark gaze. The ice demon frowned, taking in his pale face. If Malba had been taken away? She... Kitsune moved forward, gently pressing her lips to his, closing her ice colored eyes.

Malba seemed somewhat surprised by the gentle nature of the kiss. After all, their kisses were generally not... Well. Not gentle. The sprite quickly recovered however, softly responding, holding the woman close.

I’m being a sentimental fool... Yet... For just a moment, I... It was comforting. The feelings seemed a little more manageable, a little more bearable when held by the darkness elemental. So just for a moment... She just... Kitsune just wanted... To be held.

The ice demon ended the soft kiss, moving to once again rest her head on the sprite’s shoulder, closing her eyes tighter. “I’m... I’m glad you didn’t get your head blown off. Stupid fairy.”

“Er. I’m glad I didn’t get my head blown off too,” Malba responded, a touch of amusement in his voice. “Stupid mutt.”

“Fairy.”

“Mutt.”

Kitsune felt a slight smile form on her lips at the exchange. Stupid fairy... She really... Cared for him so. Even if he is an obnoxiously pretty, annoying asshole. “Malba.”

“Yeah?”

“We’ll find a way to keep him alive. One way or another.”

“...Yeah. Yeah, you know me. I’m a stubborn asshole. And you’re an annoying bitch, so.... We’ll figure out something. One way or another. There has to be something. We’ll... We’ll find something. With you, me, Kopaka and Ryuuji... I’m sure we’ll find something...”

“...Yes...”

Was there any truth to that? She wasn’t sure, but... Kitsune had to believe it. Had to believe there was a way... I’m not going to give up. I... I’ve learned to care, so now... I’m not losing anyone. I can’t. I don’t think I could... I don’t think I could handle it. So... I refuse to lose anyone. I refuse to...

“Well. Let’s go see how the guy’s doing. Besides, this bathroom is too fucking small. I think I’m getting claustrophobic or something,” Malba stated lightly, running a hand across the ice demon’s back in a soothing gesture.

“Hn...”

One way or another... She... Kitsune wasn’t giving up.

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

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(one more. XD)