((blood and memories; ~windsong~ part b. read a first, neh?))

“Wait, he’s still completely out? You mean he hasn’t been awake at all?” Malba inquired, turning his gaze to the pink haired girl. He was still completely out? That... That wasn’t right. The guy was drained, but... He should have regained a little energy by now, right?

“Yeah, he’s completely out of it. He’s... He’s really sick. Yuki’s been taking care of him, but I don’t know. Kopaka’s not really getting any better,” the girl responded hesitantly, moving to bite at her thumbnail in a nervous manner. “Yuki’s getting a little freaked over it. I stopped in there for a sec when I went to get the washcloth just to see if he’d woke up or anything yet, and... Yeah. He’s still out cold. Kopaka really looks like hell,” she added with a sigh, her tone unnerved.

Malba frowned at this, feeling a wave of concern course through him at the girl’s statement. The guy was that sick? When the wind/ice elemental had passed out, Malba hadn’t been too surprised, but... Should he really still be so sick? To not have even awoken? Sure, he should still be pretty weak and all, but... Entirely unconscious? That... How the fuck much energy did he use? God Kopaka, what did you do? The darkness sprite turned his gaze to Ryuuji, sharing a look with the demon. --Should he still be that sick?-- he questioned telepathically, a black eyebrow rising. --It’s been several hours...--

--I don’t know. I could tell he was really drained, but... Hell, maybe even more so than I thought. I’d go check him out, but... I don’t think you can handle keeping Druu stable without my help, right?-- the spiky haired demon responded, an uneasy expression on his pale face.

Malba twitched a bit at this, but after a moment of thought... Well. He realized that no, he probably couldn’t handle keeping Druu breathing long enough for Ryuuji to even check on Kopaka. Which just really irritated the hell out of him. Why do I have to be so god damn weak? I guess I could check on him but... I don’t have enough energy left to really help him... I’m barely managing a little fire energy for Druu.

“So... Is Kopaka... I mean, is it normal for him to be this sick?” Rae inquired softly, her gaze moving to rest on the white comforter bundled around Druuvbin. “How sick do elementals get from energy loss?”

“It depends. Elementals can get damn sick if they use too much energy. I didn’t think he was quite that bad off, but I might have been wrong. Kopaka’s pretty good at hiding pain, so...” Ryuuji paused, a thoughtful frown forming on his lips. “Let’s give it a few more hours before we start to worry. It could very well just be he was more drained than what any of us thought,” he stated, a sigh escaping his lips.

“Er... What else could it be? I mean, what else would be causing him to get sick?” the girl questioned slowly, anxiety creeping into her voice.

“He’s not fucking contagious if that’s what you’re wondering,” Malba replied irritably, rolling his eyes at the human. Stupid girl and her phobias... “Stupid humans can't catch elemental sicknesses.”

“That’s not what I meant, asshole,” the pink haired human bit back, an angry look appearing on her face. “Jerk.”

“Right, sure it’s not what you meant. Stupid germaphobe,” the darkness sprite heatedly remarked, giving the girl an annoyance-filled glare.

“Oh screw you, Malba. That’s not what I meant! I’m too tired to be germaphobic right now,” she responded edgily, her weary aqua eyes flashing with irritation.

“Whatever.”

“Fairy...”

“What the fuck did you call me?”

“Deaf?”

“Stupid fucking human!”

“Alright kids, that’s enough,” Ryuuji cut in to the two’s argument, an aggravated tone bleeding into his smooth voice. “Like I said, it’s probably nothing, but if he doesn’t get any better in a few hours... I don’t know. Maybe one of us could jump him back to our world and have a doctor look him over or something. I seriously doubt that will be necessary however. Let’s not overreact. I’d say he just used more energy than what we thought,” he stated levelly, his tone rational and calm. “It’s nothing, I’m sure.”

Malba tightly closed his eyes, his jaw clenching. Sure. Like he didn’t have enough to worry about, now there was Kopaka... Of course he had been worried about the guy before, but... God... Ngh, damn it... He slightly tightened his grip on Druuvbin, lowering his head as his body buzzed, sharp stabbing sensations flowing through his veins...

--Malba?--

--Shut up.--

He wasn’t even starting another round of that stupid conversation. No, I’m not okay and no I technically don’t have enough energy to do this. I’m doing it anyway. The darkness sprite slowly opened his eyes, taking in Druuvbin’s pale lips, the agonized expression playing on his pallid face... He’s still too cold. With that thought, Malba summoned forth more fire energy, gently encasing the water sprite in warm energy. Come on, Druu.

“So... You never answered my question. If Druu starts bleeding too much and needs more meds, what do we do?” Rae inquired, her tone a tad uneven, her weary eyes apprehensive.

Malba let out a sigh, turning his gaze to the girl, forcing a reassuring smirk on his lips. He... He really shouldn’t have bit her head off over the whole ‘germaphobe’ thing, and... I’m such an asshole... “If I have to... I can make it. Kopaka has shown me and Kits both how to do it, in case something like this ever happened. You know, if he’s not around to make it or whatever... I don’t want to have to give him any more unless we absolutely have to though,” Malba explained quietly, his gaze moving to the psychic resting in his arms. “I know how much that shit hurts you, Druu. He lies and says it isn’t that bad, but... He’s full of it,” the darkness sprite stated flatly, a twinge of anger coursing through him. Those drugs... They... They hurt him so fucking much...

Plus, as tightly as his fists were involuntarily wanting to clench and as shaky as his body was getting... He really didn’t want to have to try to mix drugs anyway. With my luck, I wouldn’t even be able to keep hold of the god damn vials. Besides, I’m pretty much fucking clueless when it comes to all this medical shit... I know how to mix the drugs, but... I’m such an idiot, I’d probably screw that up too. After all, he was quite good at screwing things up. Yeah, I’m a real expert at fucking things up.

“Nggh...I...” Druu mumbled softly, his eyelids twitching, a small frown forming on his pale lips. “Nnn...”

“Druu? Druu, can you hear me?” Malba questioned, quickly refocusing his attention on the water sprite in his arms. He slowly sent forth another wave of warm energy into the psychic, warming that chilled, shuddering body. “Druu?”

“...I’m sorry...” he whispered in response, a cough quickly following his murmured words. His body shook from the force of the cough and Malba lightly massaged the sprite’s blanket covered chest, sending warm flows of fiery power into his surely throbbing, aching body. Druu. You idiot... Malba bit down on the inside of his lower lip, continuing to gently massage the psychic’s chest in a soothing manner, sending warm energy into the man’s weak body.

“Don’t be sorry,” Ryuuji stated firmly, lightly squeezing the water elemental’s hand, a frown on his light purple lips.

“Druu-chan?” Rae inquired softly, reaching out a hand to touch the man’s blanket covered arm. “Can you hear us?”

“Ngh...I’m...I’m sorry...” was Druuvbin’s only response, a few tears slowly leaking from his closed eyelids.

“Damn it... He’s crying again,” the pink haired girl stated with a shaky sigh, moving a hand to wearily rub at her temple. “Druu-chan, don’t be sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologize for,” Ryuuji added softly, moving a hand to gently caress the psychic’s cheek for a moment, wiping away a few tears with his thumb. “Don’t be sorry,” he then stated, pulling his hand away from the man’s face, instead moving to once again take the psychic’s hand.

Malba took in a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment, fighting with his own blood to stay... In control, to stay calm and collected. Yeah, try to keep from going schizoid, red eyed and psychotic. Fucking idiot. God damn it... He shook his head, opening his dark blue eyes. “None of this is your fault, idiot. So, don’t be sorry. I promise it’s not your fault, okay, stupid?” he questioned softly, continuing to soothingly send energy into the psychic’s worn, ancient body. “You can cry all you want, Druu. It’s okay. Just... Just hold on....” The darkness elemental trailed off as his own words struck him, realizing how very... Ironic the situation was. Those words... Years ago, words quite similar had been uttered by Druuvbin, to Malba.

--“...It’s okay to cry. Just let it out... It’s not your fault... It’s not your fault. I promise you... It isn’t your fault at all... Just hold on, Malba...”--

As those words from his memories drifted through his mind, the image of that dark, rainy night... He... God...Damn it... Druuvbin was the sole reason he had lived that fucked up night, that... That windy, tempestuous night... If not for Druuvbin, he would have bled to death in that dark forest, rain drenched and alone. --Druu... Please wake up... I... I know I yell at you and I know I treat you like hell, but Druu...-- His telepathic request trailed off and he tightly closed his eyes, taking in a deep, unsteady breath. --Druu, please wake up for a minute, god damn it I just... I really want to talk to you....-- he added, his mental ‘voice’ sounding quite... Strangled and uneven. Actually the darkness sprite was pretty damn glad he had decided to say it telepathically, because it would have been entirely embarrassing if Ryuuji and Rae had heard that weak, almost pleading tone...

“...Malba?” Druuvbin mumbled softly, his closed eyelids twitching, his weak voice distant, far off. “Ngh...”

“Druu?” the dark haired elemental inquired gently, briefly moving his hand away from the psychic’s chest to touch Druu’s cheek, running a thumb along his pale, smooth skin. “Druu, wake up for a minute.” It was selfish and he knew it. The man was so weak, so weary and in so much agony. It was selfish to ask him to wake up, to talk to him, it...

I... I just... I want to talk to you... He was so god damn tired of watching Druuvbin fade, every year, every month, every week, every day... With each passing moment, it seemed... The guy was growing weaker and weaker. So many years of watching, unable to do a god damn thing as he continued to fade away. So many years, watching him suffer, watching him pretend that he was ‘fine’ and watching him... Watching him bleed, watching helplessly as he nearly choked to death on blood... Seeing blood pour from his nose, listening to the god awful noises sounding from the psychic’s chest... Watching him cry, watching... Watching him have those fucking visions and those seizures and... He... “Druu? Druu, can you hear me?” Malba just... He really wanted to talk to the stupid psychic.

“Malba...Stop...” the water elemental stated softly, his eyelids twitching, a frown on his pallid lips. “Jiaane...You...Na...Ngh. You don’t have enough energy...” Druuvbin whispered haltingly, obviously barely alert.

“Druu, it’s okay. I’m alright. Don’t worry about that,” Malba responded firmly, closely watching the water sprite’s pale face. “So, can you wake up for a minute?” he went on to question softly, gently running warm torrents of energy into the man’s body. I’m not stopping until I get him to look like he doesn’t belong on the fucking Titanic.

“No... You aren’t alright,” the ill elemental replied, his tone a little clearer, more alert. “That...Ngh... Malba, you’re injured and...” Druuvbin trailed off, a gagging, harsh cough interrupting his soft words.

“God damn it. I’ll be alright. Don’t fucking worry about that. I mean it. Just... Just talk to me, okay?” he remarked, his tone gentle, despite his harsh language. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Malba... I don’t... Don’t want...” the water sprite whispered weakly, his closed eyelids twitching. “Na...Ngh, I...” he trailed off, releasing a shaky, pained sigh.

“Druu, will you stop worrying about it?” Malba questioned, his voice holding a tint of exasperation. “Are you any warmer?” he inquired, carefully studying the psychic’s pale face.

“Ah...Well, y-yes...It...” Druuvbin responded weakly, a frown on his shivering lips. “But I... Nnn...” he started, only to have his whispered words abruptly cut off by a pained wince, a trickle of blood leaking from his mouth. “Ngh...”

“Then stop worrying about it and let me do it, idiot. I can manage,” the darkness sprite stated firmly, noting the pain flickering across the psychic’s face and the fresh blood trickling from his pallid lips. Malba frowned at this. If I hadn’t gotten myself shot and burned like a fucking idiot, I’d have enough energy to actually help a little, but this... This isn’t enough...

“Hey, Druu,” Ryuuji commented softly, moving to gently wipe at the water sprite’s red-stained lips with the damp blue cloth, cleaning away the wet blood on the man’s face. He then set the bloodstained rag beside him on the bed, taking the lean psychic’s pale hand into his own once more. “I, uh...” the man started, however trailed off, his tone holding a touch of uncertainty, and... Something else that Malba couldn’t quite define. What the hell is his problem? the darkness sprite thought, raising an eyebrow. It’s not like Ryuu’s exactly shy or anything...

“Ah... Ryuuji... I believe... I... Might have said something earlier... Aloud that I... I’m sorry...” Druuvbin whispered softly, his voice weak, fading off as a shudder ran through his body, his head moving to press firmly against Malba’s chest. A suffering moan issued from his lips, his frame jerking, twitching. “Nn...”

“What? No, Druu, it’s not that,” the purple-haired kokuei demon quickly replied, his grip on the psychic’s shuddering hand tightening. “Druu, that’s...” he trailed off, a frustrated frown forming on his light purple lips.

“I... Am sorry, Ryuuji... Truly...”

“Druuvbin. Don’t be.”

“I... I shouldn’t have...”

“...Druu. That’s not... Damn it...”

Malba raised an eyebrow further at the two’s exchange, a little confused to say the least. What the hell were the demon and psychic talking about? The darkness sprite frowned, turning his gaze to Rae, a questioning look in his midnight-blue eyes. --Do you know what the fuck they’re talking about?-- he asked telepathically, making a link to the human girl’s mind.

--Um, yeah, I think. Sort of. Earlier when Druu woke up.... Well, right before he passed out, he kind of mumbled something. It sounded like the same thing that Ryuuji kept saying to Druu when he was unconscious. Um, ‘lanei’ something?-- the pink haired girl responded mentally, a frown on her lips. –-Well, anyway, whatever Druu said, it seemed to kind of freak Ryuuji out or something. But... I don’t get why, because I know he was saying it to Druu...-- she added, her mental tone holding a confused tint. Rae raised an eyebrow, the frown on her lips deepening. --Did you ask Kits about why she was getting so pissed over it? That’s what she was getting pissed off at, right? That ‘lanei’ thing he kept saying?-- the girl then inquired, chewing her lower lip, a thoughtful look on her face.

Malba turned his gaze down to the psychic in his arms, noting the agonized expression playing across his pale features, a spark of irritation washing over him. Why the hell would Ryuuji be spazzing over something Druu had said? Especially if he’d been saying the same god damn thing. --Kits wouldn’t talk about it. I’m not sure what that was all about, really... I know Kitsune is pissed at him for making Druu worry, but... I guess it’s more than that,-- the dark haired elemental answered after a brief moment of silence, his gaze not moving away from the water elemental’s pale, suffering face.

--I just wonder what that means,-- Rae stated softly, her aqua eyes focused to the psychic as well, a frown on her lips.

--Hell if I know... I don’t even know what god damn language it is,-- was the darkness sprite’s response, another twinge of irritation rushing through him. Irritation, along with that grating, jarring sensation crawling through his veins... Ugh. That's... Not good... He pushed the thought away, forcing himself to fully concentrate on warming that cool body held in his arms. “Druu... Is it getting worse? You hurting worse?” he questioned softly, taking in the water sprite’s shallow, labored breaths, the pain on his face.

“...No... It’s... Fine, Malba...” Druuvbin responded haltingly, pressing his head against the man’s chest, a low moan escaping his pale lips. “It isn’t... That... Bad...”

“You’re so full of shit,” Malba responded gently, a bitter smirk forming on his lips. It was pretty damn obvious he was in a great deal of pain. He could tell just by the way Druuvbin’s body was tensing, the way he was pressing his head into his chest... I fucking hate this so god damn much... “Is it your head or your chest?” he then inquired, tenderly tightening his hold on the psychic.

“Ngh... Actually? Both...” the water sprite admitted sheepishly, his tone far-off, weak. “It’s nothing... To worry about... However...” he added softly, his breaths growing increasingly uneven, a wheezing noise sounding from his chest.

“Druu-chan...” Rae whispered, her worried gaze on the water sprite, her lips set in a deep, anxious frown.

“Druu. You need to take deep breaths,” Ryuuji stated softly, his smooth voice holding a tone of unease as he took in the sprite’s shallow breaths. “You’re starting to breathe too fast again. Calm down, Druu,” he gently instructed, a flash of guilt briefly playing on his pale face. The darkness sprite raised an eyebrow at that quick look of remorse on the kokuei’ demon’s cut blemished face. What the hell? He really didn’t get what was going on between the two. Kitsune obviously was royally pissed off about it... That ‘lanei’ thing or whatever... I’ve got to get her to tell me what the fuck that means...

“Ngh...” The water sprite let out a small moan, pressing his head against Malba’s chest a bit more. A ragged cough escaped his lips and he let out a pained whimper, a trickle of blood leaking from his mouth. The liquid dripping from his lips, staining Malba’s black shirt...

“Druu?” the darkness sprite questioned uneasily, feeling the red liquid seep into his borrowed long sleeved shirt. “Druu?” he inquired once more, his voice growing a touch uneven. Please don’t start bleeding a lot again... He... He really wasn’t sure if he could deal with it. I’m having enough trouble... Keeping it together as it is...

“Ah... S--sorry about that. After you finally were able... To get into dry, clean clothes... The first thing I... Do is get blood all over you,” Druuvbin stated softly, his weak voice sheepish and wry.

“Idiot. It’s not my shirt so I really don’t care,” Malba responded teasingly, gently tightening his hold on the ill psychic in what he hoped was a reassuring, soothing gesture. Though making sure not to hold the guy too tightly. That’d probably not be such a great idea... Sure, suffocate him, that’d be real smart. “Besides, even if it had been my shirt. It’s not like I can’t just buy more clothes, stupid psychic,” he added, moving his hand away from the water sprite’s chest, instead picking up the bloodstained rag lying next to Ryuuji. He moved to gently clean Druuvbin’s lips, wiping away the blood staining the man’s pale face. “You worry about the stupidest things.” Honestly... The guy was lying half dead, yet worrying about getting blood on his shirt? Druu... You’re such a... You’re such an idiot...

“Buy? Ah... Malba, don’t you mean... Steal?” Druu inquired lightly, his pained voice holding a joking, mischievous tone.

“He has a point,” Ryuuji added teasingly, moving to lightly place a hand on the psychic’s blanket covered shoulder in a consoling gesture. “You don’t buy anything, Malba. Kleptomaniac.”

“Hey... I buy things. Sometimes,” the dark haired elemental countered, his tone defensive. Well, okay. So not really, but still...

“You do?” Druuvbin remarked, a gentle, warm smile forming on his trembling lips. “I... Wasn’t aware...” he commented softly, his voice trailing off as he winced once more, his body tensing. “Ngh...”

“Druu-chan?” Rae questioned apprehensively, her aqua eyes focused on the sprite’s trembling frame. The girl moved to touch the psychic’s blanket covered arm, her eyes worried. “Druu?”

“Ah... Rae-chan, don’t get upset,” the water elemental responded tenderly, his voice weak, soft. “I... It just hurts a bit, that’s... All...” he admitted with a small smile, pain clearly written across his pale features.

The pink haired human’s frown increased as she turned her gaze to Malba, and it was rather obvious that she wanted to ask the man a question by her facial expression. A concerned, questioning look.

--What?-- he inquired telepathically, briefly meeting the girl’s troubled gaze before once again focusing on the suffering blue haired elemental in his arms.

--...Is he getting worse again? I mean he’s...-- Rae trailed off, her mental tone unnerved, anxious. Actually, the girl sounded pretty freaked out. Obviously she was starting to have issues with keeping calm... Not that he blamed the human. Hell. At this point... He was kind of having ‘issues’ keeping it together himself. Kind of? Heh... Right... It’s taking everything I’ve got to keep from going completely schizoid... Again...

--Is he getting worse?-- Rae asked again, her tone uneven, shaky. --He, um...--

--I’d say a lot of it’s caused by those fucking drugs. They keep him alive, but they make him feel worse. He’s hurting and he’s cold, but... He’s not bleeding all that bad right this second, and he’s woken up twice now. Those are good signs,-- he responded softly, moving to touch the water elemental’s cheek in a comforting gesture. --It gets better and worse. Like I said at the base... It takes awhile for him to get better. It’s... It really fucking sucks,-- the dark haired sprite added, a frown on his lips. He... He really hated it... So much...

--...It really does suck...-- was the girl’s only response, her worried blue-green eyes focused solely on the ill psychic.

--Yeah.-- With that said, the sprite closed the link he had made to the human’s mind, his dark, midnight-blue eyes locked on the suffering water elemental in his arms. Druuvbin pressing his head into Malba’s chest, his body tense, shuddering... It...

Nngh... Damn it... Malba let out a frustrated sigh, pushing away the downright... Painful sensations starting to course through his veins, focusing on the blue haired elemental instead. It’s... Starting to really hurt. Too bad. He had more important things to be worrying about right now. I don’t think I can help his head, but...

“Druu, turn around a little, okay?” Malba requested softly, gently resituating the man so he had full access to his blanket covered chest. “Now, don’t get freaked out,” he stated wryly, a hint of a bittersweet smirk forming on his lips. He carefully pulled the blanket back enough so he could raise the sprite’s tie-dyed shirt, placing his palm directly on the man’s cool chest. “Not trying to rape you or something. Just tell me if this helps any, okay?” he added with a teasing tone in his voice, closing his eyes as he focused on sending a gentle stream of warm energy directly into Druuvbin’s chest. He bit down on his lower lip in concentration, struggling to ease the pain in the psychic’s lungs.

Ryuu is right... It’s like his body fights against any outside energy, he thought, closing his eyes tighter as he synched in with the man’s energy, trying to ease the radiating pain the water elemental surely must be feeling. Come on, idiot... Just, a little more energy... he thought with a touch of irritation, frustrated with his own weakness. Come on...

“Malba...Don’t...” Druu whispered softly, though his body slightly relaxed, his tense posture easing. “Ngh...”

“Is that helping or not?” the darkness sprite inquired firmly, his hand growing warm with the fire energy pulsating within his fingers. Warm, fire filled fingers pressed gently against pale, cool skin...

“It...Yes...” the psychic haltingly admitted, his tone guilty as a few tears leaked from his closed eyelids. “You still... Shouldn’t... Do it, Malba,” he added weakly, his soft voice uneven, guilt ridden.

“Don’t get upset, stupid. It’s okay,” Malba responded tenderly, pulling the suffering sprite closer in what he hoped to be a consoling gesture. He really wasn’t any good with the whole touchy-feely, affectionate, comforting thing... I’m too much of a dick to really know how to be comforting. Heh. Yet, he really... He didn’t mind giving the guy a hug, didn’t mind holding him. As many times as Druu had kept him from literally clawing his arms to try to stop that god damn crawling sensation in his veins... As many times as the guy had kept him from completely losing it... “It’s okay, Druu.” So he wasn’t so great at knowing what to say. That didn’t mean he couldn’t at least try.

Like with Kitsune... Earlier in the bathroom, when the woman had looked so... He really hadn’t known what the fuck to say or do, but... He... I wish I knew how to be something other than a fucking psychotic bastard, I just... He did the only real thing he knew to do. I suck with words and.... I... All he had really known to do for Kitsune was to hug her, to hold her. I don’t know how to make Kits feel better and I don’t know how to make Druu feel better, I don’t... Heh. I’m a fucking idiot. I don’t know how to really do much besides kill and fuck things up. Being the ‘big bad darkness master’ was so tiring and... He really hated it, actually... He was simply too fucking tired to keep up that apathetic front at the moment.

“Malba...Thank you...” Druuvbin mumbled softly, the pained look on his face faintly easing, his body relaxing.

“Don’t have to thank me. Stupid,” he responded gently, a sad smile forming on his lips. Stupid psychic. “Just hold on, okay, Druu? You’re going to make it through this, alright?” he then inquired, carefully watching the deathly ill elemental resting against him.

“Hey... Druu? Druu, listen... About earlier... What you said...” Ryuuji started hesitantly, as if he had finally worked up the nerve to address the issue, but trailed off as he watched the psychic’s face. “Druu? Are you still awake?” he then questioned, a deep frown on his split purple lips. “Druu? Druuvbin?”

The water elemental did not respond however and Malba took in a weary breath, realizing the man had fallen back into unconsciousness. God damn it... “Druu? Hey, Druu? Come on... Just stay awake for a little longer,” the darkness sprite stated softly, closing his eyes as a wave of jagged pain washed through him, grating, biting sensations... I know it’s probably just me being selfish to want him to stay awake but I... I don’t want him stuck in his fucking visions and... I... He didn’t even want to contemplate what the psychic had to endure while unconscious, so... So many horrible things for him to see and... Druu...

“I don’t know what’s worse. For him to be awake and in so much pain, or for him to be unconscious and -‘dreaming,’-” Rae admitted quietly, her tone uneven, her aqua eyes weary, worried. “I really... I really freaking hate this.”

“Malba. You’ve given him enough. He’s not that cold right now, so... Stop for awhile,” the kokuei demon suddenly stated, his red gaze focused on the darkness sprite’s pale face, a tone of concern bleeding into his smooth voice.

He didn’t want to stop... He had finally gotten the guy not so fucking cold, had finally managed to somewhat ease the pain in his chest and.... Malba closed his eyes tighter as that buzzing sensation pulsed through him, growing, doubling... Shit... That’s probably... Not so good...

--Malba. Stop,-- Ryuuji telepathed, his mental tone urgent. --I shouldn’t have let you do it to start with, but you need to quit it, now. You... Malba, your energy... You’re getting unstable, I can feel it,-- the purple haired demon added, his tone anxious, a worried frown on his lips. --Stop it, Malba.--

--I...-- the darkness sprite started, however trailed off as a wave of dizziness washed over him, a painful, buzzing, biting sensation engulfing his tense body. He’s... Probably right... Yet, if he... --Yeah, but he... I... He’s hurting so fucking much, if I can just...-- Malba just... He hated seeing the psychic suffer. Hated it so much...

--Malba, god damn it, listen to me. Stop it. I know you want to help him, but you’re going to... You’re not exactly ‘healthy’ either. I know you don’t want the humans to know, but you... Just stop, okay?-- the kokuei demon responded forcefully, an agitated tone entering his smooth mental voice. “Give him to me,” he stated aloud, his red gaze focused squarely on the darkness sprite.

“...Fine...” he muttered quietly, honestly unable to muster the strength to argue. Malba knew Ryuuji was probably right, and he knew the guy was just worried, but... A jagged spasm rocked through his tense muscles and he bit down on his lower cut lip, forcing down a groan. Fuck... The dark haired elemental forced himself to ignore the feelings, opening his eyes to meet Ryuuji’s concerned gaze. --I... Do you think I helped him at all?-- he questioned quietly, suddenly feeling so... So damn weary.

--You did. Definitely, Malba,-- the man responded warmly, giving him a reassuring smile. --You’re right. You are the only one out of all of us that has that much control over fire. You did help him, he’s warmer and he’s not in as much pain. That’s thanks to you. But you have to stop now,-- Ryuuji stated, an almost gentle, consoling like tone entering his mental voice. “Stop now, okay?”

“Malba? Uh, Ryuuji is right. You need to give Druu back to Ryuuji and stop. You’re... You’re looking really bad,” Rae commented apprehensively, her blue-green eyes glancing over the darkness sprite, taking in his face. “Malba?”

“Yeah... Alright, alright. God...” he murmured irritably, closing his dark eyes once more. Malba allowed Ryuuji to carefully take hold of the psychic, though not before the darkness sprite gave Druuvbin a gentle embrace. I’m sorry, Druu... I’m sorry that.... God damn, he was getting dizzy...

Ryuuji carefully pulled the water elemental into his arms, holding him to his chest in a consoling manner. He pulled the maroon and white blankets over the psychic’s lean frame, his red gaze focusing on his unaware, expressionless face. “Druu... Sana nai sa...” he mumbled softly. He then pulled his gaze to Malba, a frown on his lips. --Malba? Hey, Mals? Mals?--

--Nn... What?-- the darkness sprite responded after a few moments of silence, closing his eyes tighter. Damn it... It was... Really getting kind of... Painful.... He pressed a hand to his wounded side, attempting to distract himself with the pain from his burns. It was better than that biting, swarming...

--Malba... I knew I shouldn’t have let you do that,-- Ryuuji stated, his tone anxious. --You want me to wake Kits up? You’re starting to look like hell,-- he added, unease in his ‘voice.’

--Are you crazy? Kitsune would kill me. I didn’t tell her it was... Getting worse anyway,-- Malba responded with a bitter smirk, forcing his eyes open to meet the purple haired demon’s red gaze. --It was going to happen anyway... I already told you it didn’t matter,-- he stated, lightly shrugging his shoulders.

--Damn it, Malba.--

--Oh shut up. Pirate.--

--...Brat...--

Malba smiled at that, closing his eyes once more. Brat? Heh...

“Uh, Malba? Malba you’re starting to look really freaking bad, I mean really bad,” the human girl stated unevenly and the darkness sprite opened his eyes, focusing on Rae. “I’m...Alright,” he responded slowly, taking in a deep breath. Damn it... He really hated how fucking weak he could be. How... How utterly useless, pathetic and... And...

“Are you sure? I mean you--”

“Damn it, stupid human! I said I’m fine, just... Shut the hell up,” he snapped irritably, his emotions unexpectedly surging, anger coursing through him. Stop it! He clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as that buzzing grew, biting, grating... Stop it, idiot! Just... Stay in control.

“Okay... I’m sorry, Malba,” the girl responded with a melancholy sigh, running a hand wearily over her forehead, then moving to massage her temple. “I’m sorry.”

A twinge of guilt coursed through him as he realized he’d just yelled at the girl. Again. Great work. Dick. “I... It’s nothing, Rae... Just.... Don’t worry about it,” he added, softening his tone, tightly closing his eyes.

Malba was... Getting really... Dizzy... I knew this was going to happen anyway... So... I guess it’s... “I’ll be back in a minute,” the darkness sprite stated quietly, opening his dark blue eyes. I have to get out of here. The room was too... Druuvbin’s wheezing breaths, Kitsune lying with that sad, troubled look on her sleeping face... Ryuuji’s patched eye and... He really... Just needed to get the hell out.

“Where are you going?” Rae questioned uneasily, raising an eyebrow.

“To take a piss,” Malba stated, forcing his voice into his usual flat, ‘darkness master’ tone. The man forced a small smirk on his lips, turning his gaze to the girl. “What, that not alright with you?” he added, fighting to remain in control, to sound like his bitchy, annoying self. Fucking idiot.

“Uh. Yeah, fine,” the girl responded with a blink, though her facial expression showed a hint of suspicion. “Can you walk well enough?” she inquired, closely watching the darkness elemental’s face.

“Yes. Idiot,” Malba replied, rolling his dark eyes. The man slowly moved to the edge of the large bed, firmly planting his feet on the cool hardwood floor. He was just wearing a pair of black socks, so he could definitely feel the cool, smooth floorboards, and he... Ngh...

--Malba?-- Ryuuji questioned apprehensively, his face troubled.

--I’ll be okay... In a minute...-- he responded, not meeting the man’s gaze. It was probably true. If he could just... Get his heart to stop beating so fast and his head to stop spinning.... Malba took in a deep breath, standing from his sitting position. The world spun but he kept steady, walking towards the room’s exit.

--Are you sure?--

--Er... No. Not entirely, but pretty sure,-- the elemental quipped, his tone holding a hint of dark amusement. --Heh... I’ll probably be alright. Either that or I’ll go insane and/or die. Either way works I guess.--

--Malba...--

--Just shut up, Ryuu.--

With that said, he moved to the room’s exit, reaching out his uninjured left hand to grasp the doorknob of the black door. He opened the door, quickly walking through, shutting it behind him.

Ngh. Damn. The darkness sprite took in a sharp breath, his vision swimming, his heart-rate increasing. Buzzing sensations flooding him, his legs growing weaker and weaker...

--Why did you kill me?--

Malba moved to walk down the darkened hallway, though he wasn’t sure if it was dark because the light was off or if his eyes were just fucking up. Either was possible and he was too dizzy to really care. He forced himself not to look into the open doorway of the living room, not wanting to see Kopaka ill, not wanting to... He... If I hadn’t gotten shot like the useless idiot I am... I could have helped Kopaka too.... I... The darkness sprite took in another shaky breath, heading further down the hallway, passing Jiro’s closed bedroom door, turning a corner. He was glad the teen’s door was closed... He didn’t want to see Kouji, so upset, broken... He...

The light-headed darkness elemental reached the bathroom, moving to grasp for the doorknob. His first attempt to grip the knob failed and he squinted his eyes, forcing himself to concentrate. Which was a little difficult, as there seemed to be three doorknobs to choose from... Make that four. God damn it.

Malba finally managed to open the door, stumbling through the entryway into the small white bathroom. He closed the door behind him, weakly moving to stand in front of the medium sized bathroom sink. He tightly grasped the porcelain sides of the basin, lowering his head as pain ripped through him. Ngh...

--Why did... Why did you kill me, Malba?--

Jinya’s light, soft voice ringing in his ears, his vision flooding with images of a dark forest, soaked in rain and blood...

--Why did you kill me?--

“Shut up, Jinya... I killed you because I’m an evil bastard,” he muttered softly, tightly closing his eyes, attempting to drive the voice away, drive away that face from the past. Jinya...

Blood on his hands, he could feel blood... Too much, it... Malba opened his blurry eyes, focusing on his reflection in the mirror over the white porcelain sink. They were right... I really do look like hell, he thought with a bitter smirk, taking in his white clammy skin and the black circles under his eyes... Malba looked into his reflection’s eyes, noting... --Why did... Why did you kill me, Malba?-- His eyes were blood red, glowing... Fuck. Just what he needed.

The dark haired man tightened his grip on the basin, focusing on the pain in his broken hand, attempting to drive away the sensation of blood... Blood soaking his tightly clenched hands... --Why did... Why did you kill me, Malba?--

I... Malba released his hold on the sink, instead lowering his uninjured hand to turn on a blast of cold water from the sink’s metallic-silver faucet. He lowered his shaking hands into the frigid stream, moving to splash his face with cold water. Stop it... Idiot... Just, stop it...

Not that it did a damn bit of good.

Malba turned off the water, lowering his head as the grating sensations rushing through him sharply intensified, crawling, swarming through his veins. He let out a moan, shutting his eyes, tightly grasping the sink edges. Just... Stay in control. It’ll stop in a minute, just... Stay in control....

--“You are going to end up just like that human you destroyed, you know that? That human you murdered? Poor Jinya didn’t have a chance once he met you, isn’t that right?”-- Kaine’s bitter voice floated through his mind, invading his ears, his thoughts, his shuddering body... Aevik Kaine.... He....

Why do I care what you think? You... You turned out to really be that cold, unfeeling jerk you always claimed to be. I was wrong about you I guess, Aevik, Malba thought foggily, swaying on his feet as he nearly lost balance. It... It really freaking hurt.

--“Malba, don’t worry. I won’t leave ya, I promise.”-- A soft voice drifting from the past, a broken promise of course... A voice of a person long since dead. Empty eyes...

His head was spinning, his heart racing, throbbing against his ribcage. Way too fast, he... Stop it...

--“Please... Please, Malba. Please? Please just kill me! Kill me you idiot! Please? Please? Malba... Please make it stop... Please?”--

“Nnn....God...Fucking damn it...” Malba muttered softly, taking in a shallow breath, fighting the waves of biting, clawing sensations running through him, like insects, snakes... Biting spiders in his veins... It’ll stop in a minute, just... Don’t lose it... It was so hard, so... Suffocating and... He...

--“Why do you not trust your own father? I... I only want what’s best for you...”—

“Stop it...” he whispered softly, biting down on the inside of his lower lip, tightly clenching his jaw. Stupid... I really hate you, Dad...

-- “...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...”-- his own words from earlier echoed in his ears and he tightened his grip on the basin, taking in another shallow breath. Druu...

--“I’ve known the guy for... The majority of my life, and... It... It won’t be the same. When...”--

--“When he dies?”--

He... The room was spinning so fast and he...

“Kitsi...” Malba whispered softly, closing his eyes tighter. He didn’t even know why the name escaped his lips but he... He just... “Nnn....”

--“Don’t forget me...”--

“I didn’t forget you... Stupid human. Ngh...”

He...

Malba lost balance, his weak legs collapsing. The darkness sprite fell to the cold tile floor, his injured side smacking the corner of the sink as he fell. An eruption of sharp, blinding pain ripped through the elemental’s stomach, his vision going white for a moment as he let out a pained wince. Well, that hurt. Clumsy fucking idiot...

He didn’t have the strength to even attempt to stand, so instead he just sat on the cold tile, his body throbbing with buzzing, tearing sensations, his muscles involuntarily tightening, his fists clenching. It was... If he could just keep in control, just for a little longer... It’ll stop, idiot... Just... Don’t go fucking... Schizoid... Malba’s thoughts trailed off and he let out a shaky sigh, fighting away the urge to claw at his arms, just to stop that... Fucking... Feeling... It...

--“...A soul barely there will forget all, melt away, confused by the scars revealed to me, I stick out my hand. The final moment is too much for that blank stare to handle, those falling tears are the promise of a day long gone...”--

Music floating through his mind, dark, haunting words... That stupid song. The stupid fucking song that human had sung in Tokyo. Those words... It’s just a stupid song. I can’t believe... I let myself get so... Freaked out over a song. Malba clenched his fists tighter, attempting to fight away the bits and pieces of lyrics floating through his mind, through his ears...

--“...Tears of farewell permitted only for us, no one could stop them if they tried. A promise from the past, to end this endless cycle of error, here...”---

Stop it... Just... Stop it... Idiot... If he could just... Hold on for a few more minutes... It should probably stop. If... If he...

--“...This incessant lust won't be satisfied. Even if just for a little while... I'd like to be human again...”--

Those stupid words, it... Human... Human again...

--“Malba... Make it stop... Please? Please?”--

Those fucking lyrics of that stupid fucking song... It...

--“...If it'll make this pain in my heart go away, just kill me already. Don't make a sad face, I'd like for at least you to smile, at least in the end...”--

“Damn it,” the dark haired elemental muttered, his body twitching, buzzing... Stabbing, sharp pains, biting, gnawing... Stop...

--“...Breathing in and out, in and out, I can't find what I need.
I ruin all peace, making the same errors again and again...”--

He... God he just... Wanted it to stop. If he could just... Idiot. Weak fucking idiot. You... This was not the time to be... He...

--“...Tears of farewell permitted only for us, no one could stop them if they tried. A promise from the past, to end this endless cycle of error, here...”--

Malba closed his eyes tighter, desperately fighting away the overwhelming sensations flooding him. His emotions, his.... Fighting against his very blood. It... Tearing, ripping, biting... It’ll stop in a minute... It...

“How does it feel to be a cold-blooded murderer? How does it feel, Malba?” a voice echoed in his ears and he slowly opened his eyes, his blurred gaze making out a lean man standing over him. A man with long, dark pink hair, ocean colored eyes and pale skin... Pink lips and melancholy eyes...

Jinya.

Great. He was hallucinating again.

Just fucking wonderful.

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

Mithra Starne took in a deep breath, attempting to stifle the yawn threatening to escape his lips. He shook his head, his long magenta ponytail swishing at the movement. He... He was really tired. Though, honestly, his unease far outweighed his weariness.

It had taken nearly an hour to reach Atrum-Terra, even with the impressive speed of the Tevrran transport. Of course it had taken that idiot Terac over a half of an hour to ready the damn thing... Fifteen minutes my ass... Worthless fool. A half of an hour wasted. Then an hour to get here... That’s too much time. Mithra frowned, a small sigh escaping his lips. What if he’s already dead? It wasn’t that he particularly liked the Letrum Venator of course, but still. He just... Well. Felt a little sorry for the man. To be drained by Ikenna Nuiwa, then left alone in an alley. It seemed rather... Cold.

Plus, those words...

--“I wonder... Do you think there is anyone... In the world... That doesn’t despise the Letrum Venator?”--

Kaine had stated it so airily, so casually, but... Why would he ask that? It... The magenta haired demon crossed his arms about his chest, his purple eyes moving about the area, taking in the surrounding city. Night had fallen in Atrum-Terra, yet that certainly hadn’t stopped the bustling, busy atmosphere of the teeming metropolis. Crowded streets and bright lights, noise and movement, lights and pollution... It was quite different than the quiet nights of the 25-47A Venator facility, in the desolate, isolated country of Gahlrey.

Now... To find out if he’s even alive and if he is... If he’s going to kill me... the small framed man thought with another sigh, his vivid purple eyes locked on the medium sized brick structure directly before him. Ikenna Nuiwa’s office building to be precise.

Old building... Why would Nuiwa pick this place for an office? And this district for that matter? Mithra took in a deep breath, moving his gaze back to the rather old, less modern structure before him. It almost seemed a bit out of place in the bustling, modern city of Atrum-Terra. It seemed the Cinis District was less modern than the rest of the metropolis, however. Old buildings, polluted and low class...

Enough stalling. Now... Knowing Darcy... the demon’s thoughts trailed off and he rolled his purple eyes, choosing to head to the left of the older, somewhat dilapidated building. He briskly strode towards the side alleyway, drenched in shadow. I would say he’s probably as far in as she could get him... Obnoxious bitch. He really couldn’t stand the woman. Not only was Cairra Darcy quite terrifying, but she was annoying as well. A terrible combination. A brief wry smile formed on his pink lips at the thought. Kaine makes me nervous, but at least he isn’t obnoxious...

Mithra stepped further into the long, dark alley, allowing his eyes to adjust to the shadowy murkiness. Even the bright lights of the city could not penetrate the darkness of the narrow, isolated alleyway, the long passage desolate and dirty, dark and bleak. Like something out of a bad movie, he thought dryly, taking in the graffiti marked walls, paint and stains... Stains that Mithra really didn’t want to focus too closely on. He’d rather not know.

I... I just hope I’m not too late. Despite the blonde demon’s bizarre, cold mannerisms and his unpredictable nature... The man simply didn’t deserve to die alone in an alley. No one deserved that. Or wait. Sure, some people deserve that. Like Sefth. Or Darcy, the magenta haired man quickly amended, a dark smirk briefly forming on his pink lips. Actually, he could think of quite a few people who deserved such a fate. Yes, like ninety-eight percent of the 25-47A Venator facility, and a good seventy percent of our ‘wonderful’ government. To say that Mithra was ‘unimpressed’ with the Tevrran regime would be a severe understatement. I’ve seen far too much to have any respect left for this country... Or for the world in general.

The small framed demon shrugged off the thought, his vivid purple gaze scanning the dark alley for any sign of the Letrum Venator. He made out nothing more than litter, empty liquor bottles and dirty, discarded needles... For such a high up government official, you would think that Councilman Nuiwa could have an office in a better part of the city, he thought, distaste evident on his feminine face. Why choose such a rundown, crime polluted district? The Cinis District wasn’t exactly a real high class, respectable part of Atrum-Terra... And yet another reason I need to find Kaine. Usually, the man could -of course- take care of himself, but after a ‘death kiss’ from the soul-fire vampire? Highly doubtful.

Mithra increased his pace, his booted feet clicking against the ground, echoing in the narrow alleyway. He kicked a broken bottle out of his path, a weary sigh escaping his lips. Where is he?

A gust of cool wind whistled through the passage, brushing against the demon, blowing bits of litter along the dirty ground. Soft rustling noises of papers and glass bottles, used needles and rubbish blown by the cool Tevrran wind. Mithra felt a small chill run up his spine, shuddering at that frigid breeze. It seems like it’s always cold in Atrum-Terra. Fitting, he supposed. A cold city, full of cold, apathetic people...

He’s got to be here somewhere. Mithra again hastened his pace, quickly approaching the rear of the alley, making a sharp turn to find himself behind the dark, rundown brick building. “...Sir?” The small framed demon stopped still in his tracks, his purple eyes widening at the sight before him. Oh... Oh, damn.

The Letrum Venator lay on his side, against the left wall of the passage. His head resting against the pavement, his medium length light blonde hair concealing his face... A cell-phone still held in his motionless hand. His Hunter uniform bloodstained, wrinkled and dirty, his frame still. Blood staining the dirty pavement, blood... Blood everywhere.

That... That’s... He looks far worse than what I had even imagined. Mithra slowly stepped forward, his vivid purple gaze locked on the blonde Hunter lying lifelessly on his side, motionless... “Kaine, sir? Kaine?” he questioned, his tone soft. The magenta haired demon moved to kneel on the dirty, cold alley ground beside the man, his pink lips forming a frown. “Sir?” he inquired once more.

No response.

Damn... The small framed Hunter took in a fatigued breath, a twinge of unexpected melancholy washing over him. It... The man looked terrible. Damn you, Cairra Darcy. You and Ikenna Nuiwa both. I’m not sure why I care, but still. It just seems... Wrong. “Sir?” he tried once more, yet Aevik Kaine remained still, giving not even a trace sign of response. Is he even alive? Mithra’s frown deepened at this thought and he moved to remove his right glove from his small, feminine hand. He then reached out his now bare hand to gently touch the Letrum Venator’s neck, feeling for a pulse.

...Nothing... The magenta haired demon continued to press two fingers against Kaine’s neck, closing his eyes, trying to sense any life from the man. Wait... The small framed demon opened his eyes as he finally made out a faint heartbeat. Weak, but a heartbeat regardless. “Kaine, sir? Can you hear me?”

Mithra moved to gently roll the man over onto his back, focusing on the Letrum Venator’s chest, trying to determine if the demon was breathing. I can’t believe he’s alive, and... Yes. He is breathing. Not breathing very well, but he’s breathing. His breaths soft and shallow, his pulse weak and rapid... “Kaine, sir?” he gently prodded, his gaze focusing on the demon’s bloodstained face, noting that Kaine’s glasses were missing. Probably fell off when Darcy dumped him back here... “Sir?” He... He really felt sorry for the guy.

“Nn...” was the man’s only response, so soft it was hardly even distinguishable amongst the chill Tevrran breeze.

What should he do? Should he really move the man in this condition? Well. I can’t very well leave him lying on the filthy ground, now can I? Mithra cast a slow look over the demon, taking in his pale face, his burned, blistered lips, his charred cheek... The dried blood present on his chin... Not to mention the blood staining the front of his brown Hunter uniform. That’s a lot of blood. The magenta haired demon then briefly focused his attention on the ground, noting a great deal of blood staining the dirty pavement. Damn, he’s bled a lot. That’s a lot of blood just on the ground. He either coughed that up or vomited it... Either way wasn’t a good sign. Obviously. Even with the Letrum Venator’s impressive strength and regenerative powers... Hm, and he said he was ‘fine.’ Stubborn fool. I’d hardly call this ‘fine.’

“...Malba...” Kaine murmered softly and Mithra raised an eyebrow, not sure what to think of the man’s sudden muttering. Malba Nuiwa... What in the world happened between those two? I know... There are rumors that they were friends, but... The magenta haired demon slightly shook his head, quickly concluding that it wasn’t something to even contemplate. After all, it wasn’t his business, now was it?

“Uh, Malba? No, sir. It’s Captain Starne. Can you hear me, sir?” the demon finally responded, his light voice holding a touch of sympathy. Honestly, he knew it probably wasn’t the best idea to allow such a tone into his voice, as... Well... There’s a good chance it’ll just piss Kaine off. Though he’s hardly in any shape to kill me at the moment, So I suppose I’m safe for now, Mithra thought dryly, again moving to take the man’s pulse. I really need to at least get him back to the facility, let those damn doctors look him over... Not that there’s much that can be done, I’m sure. “Sir?”

“Nn... Mi... Starne? What...” the Letrum Venator mumbled, his closed eyelids twitching, a small frown forming on his raw, blistered lips. “What... Why are you here?” he inquired haltingly, his yellow eyes slowly opening, a questioning look appearing on his pale face.

Hm. Why am I here? Because I’m a sucker, apparently. “Uh, well sir...” Mithra started, however trailed off as the blonde Hunter gagged, blood dripping from his lips. The magenta haired demon moved to turn the man on his side, watching with concern as Kaine spit out a mouthful of blood. “Sir, I--”

“I... Thought I told you to get some... Rest. I’d hardly call... Traveling all the way to Atrum-Terra ‘rest,’ Starne,” Kaine commented lightly, taking in a shallow breath, tightly closing his yellow eyes.

“Well, sir. I suppose I let my conscience get to me. It hardly seemed right to ‘rest’ while you were lying in an alley in the Cinis District of all places,” Mithra replied, deciding to be honest with the man. I suppose if he gets angry, he’ll just... Have to get angry.

“Why... Why in the world would you care?” Kaine questioned, opening his eyes to focus on the magenta haired demon. “Why let something so trivial trouble your ‘conscience,’ Starne?” the demon then inquired, a tone of pure puzzlement, genuine confusion tinting his weak, deep voice.

Mithra blinked at this, not sure how to respond. Trivial? Trivial? I’d hardly call dying in an alley ‘trivial.’ “Trivial, sir? I... It just seemed wrong to leave you alone here, sir. That’s all. I apologize if I’ve angered you, but... I couldn’t just leave you to die alone in an alley,” he finally responded frankly, a wry smirk briefly forming on his pink lips. Letrum Venator or not, you still at least deserve someone to talk to if you are indeed dying... Which... May very well be the case. The small framed demon frowned at this thought, his vivid purple eyes focused on the blonde’s pale, bloodstained face. The man... He looked terrible. I’m actually surprised he’s even alive.

“I see. You are... Far too kind, Starne. Too kind for your own good,” Kaine slowly responded, his weak voice light, pleasant. A small smile formed on his raw, blistered lips, his pain-filled yellow eyes closing. “That... Is a rather unusual... Trait for a Hunter to have...” he added softly, his words trailing off as he spit out another mouthful of blood.

He’s bleeding way too much... Mithra really needed to get the man off of the cold, filthy ground, needed to get him someplace warm. Where was the blood even coming from? After being.... Drained and burned, tortured by Ikenna Nuiwa... It was hard to tell what all had been damaged, what injuries the man’s internal organs had received during the torture. He’s obviously got massive internal bleeding. He’s going to bleed to death... If he could get the Letrum Venator back to the facility, perhaps those foolish doctors, those ‘scientists,’ could at least give Kaine blood... If they can just keep him alive long enough to restore a little of his energy... “Sir, I have a car waiting for us to be taken back to the Transport. Terac can have us flown back to Gahlrey in around an hour.” Really, it would probably be best to take him to a hospital in Atrum-Terra, though somehow Mithra highly doubted the Letrum Venator would agree to it. He didn’t even want me to come, so I doubt he’ll want to go to a hospital. Fool... He may very well bleed to death on the way back to Gahlrey.

“Ah... Well, if you don’t mind terribly... I’d like to just...” the blonde Letrum Venator started, however his words trailed as he took in a shallow breath, somehow summoning the strength to slowly pull himself into a sitting position. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to just sit here... For a moment...” he finally added, his tone weak, yet that pleasant, amiable smile firmly in place on his blistered lips. The tall demon moved to rest his back against the alley wall, his yellow eyes closing. “You really shouldn’t have come, Starne,” the man then stated softly, thin trickles of blood slowly leaking from both corners of his mouth.

Mithra raised an eyebrow at this, a perplexed expression overtaking his petite, feminine face. What the hell? He wants to sit in a cold alley? And why shouldn’t I have come? The Letrum Venator was certainly acting... Odd. First the incident with Malba Nuiwa and that unauthorized test, then provoking Councilman Nuiwa... Now, he wants to bleed to death in a cold alley? He... He really just didn’t understand Aevik Kaine. “Sir, but don’t you think...” the small framed demon started, but his words quickly trailed off, his tone somewhat anxious. Mithra frowned, his vivid purple gaze moving about the dark alleyway, taking in the litter and debris, the graffiti covered walls and bleak desolation. “Sir, don’t you think it would be best to at least get out of this cold air?” he finally questioned uneasily, his focus moving back to the injured, bleeding Letrum Venator, attempting to gauge his reaction. Please don’t get pissed.

“Oh? Is it... Cold?” Kaine inquired softly, his yellow eyes opening, moving to meet Mithra’s purple gaze. “I wouldn’t know,” he stated pleasantly, his weak voice light, blasé. A cold gust of wind swept through the alleyway, brushing against the two demons, ruffling Mithra’s long magenta ponytail, blowing Kaine’s medium length blonde hair away from his pale face. Kaine leaned his head back against the wall as the wind continued to ruffle his blonde locks, a far off look in his yellow eyes. “It always feels cold to me... So I really wouldn’t know,” the Letrum Venator added, his deep voice nonchalant, friendly and amiable.

“Uh...” Well. Mithra really didn’t know what the hell to say to that. “Cold... Sir?” he finally questioned, his tone hesitant, unsure. Always cold? What the hell?

“Ah. Nothing, Starne. My apologies,” the bleeding demon responded with a dry laugh. Kaine’s laugh was abruptly cut short however as he gagged, lowering his head, choking up a rather large amount of blood.

“Sir?” Mithra questioned uneasily, apprehension coursing through him as he took in the amount of blood leaking from the man’s mouth, dripping down to stain his already red-soaked Hunter uniform. He’s going to die if I don’t get him out of here... Hell. He’s probably going to die regardless. The magenta haired demon shuddered a bit, feeling a wave of sympathy for the blonde. The pain he must be in... It... Mithra shuddered once more, his weary body chilled by the cold Tevrran wind and chilled by... By the pained look on Aevik Kaine’s face.

“I wonder... I wonder if this is what it must feel like... For Druuvbin? The blood and... The pain... He’s rather strong willed, don’t you think?” Kaine inquired slowly, taking in a shallow breath, leaning his head back to rest on the wall. The blonde tightly closed his pain filled yellow eyes, a frown forming on his blistered lips. “For so many years... It’s hard to imagine what it must be like,” he slowly remarked, letting out a pained sigh. “Yes... I’d say he’s incredibly strong willed...”

“Druuvbin, sir?” Mithra responded softly, a questioning tint in his light, feminine voice. What had brought that up? Druuvbin, the so-called monster... The magenta haired man moved his gaze to the bloodstained ground, a troubled expression flittering across his small face. A monster... That was another debatable issue, as far as Mithra was concerned. He of course didn’t know the terminally ill elemental, didn’t know all of the details or... Or if there was any truth to the numerous rumors floating about concerning the sprite. He didn’t know, but... Why would Nuiwa’s son throw his whole life in Tevrra away for a ‘monster?’ To go against his father, to give up everything? It didn’t make any sense. If this Druuvbin was truly such a terrible person, why would Malba Nuiwa care for the man? It makes no sense.

“I asked him... Once. How he was able to stand such... Unrelenting pain. This has of course been centuries ago... Right after Malba killed Jinya,” Kaine stated quietly, his deep voice suddenly shifting to that inexpressive, hollow tone. “Druuvbin was deathly ill, yet he... Never left Malba’s side. I asked him how he was able to do such a thing,” the Letrum Venator admitted, his tone blank, his eyes closing tighter.

“What did he say?” Mithra inquired, his tone soft, a perplexed expression in his vivid purple eyes. When Malba killed ‘Jinya.’ That human... Hm. So I suppose Kaine really must have been involved with Nuiwa’s son somehow... But... Centuries ago, were they really... Friends? Malba and Kaine? Kaine? A friend? It was quite hard to imagine. Aevik Kaine having a friend?

((--next page now, neh?--->