((blood and memories; ~windsong~ part d. read the other parts first, right?))

“Hm, speaking of that pretty little son of yours,” Tuoni commented cheerfully, pulling a bit closer to the redhead, grabbing hold of his face, meeting Ikenna’s angry gaze. “I heard you almost got your precious little baby boy back, but... Sadly you lost him. Again. How tragic, really,” the man chirped with a false pleasant tone, a dark edge to his gruff voice. He moved his thumb to trace Ikenna’s cheekbone, a dark, lecherous grin on his large lips. “A delicate little thing like you, you must be so broken up. You failed your son. Again. Oh and for all you know, he may even be dead now. After all, he probably lost a lot of blood... How long did you cry when you found out, come on be honest. How long?” the demon questioned, his tone mockingly sympathetic, his grip on the lithe, blood-red haired man’s face tightening. “It must be terrible, not even knowing if your pretty little boy is alive.”

Ikenna took in a deep, angry breath, fighting to control the overwhelming urge to rip the man’s heart out of his chest and shove it down his throat. He instead only smacked the demon’s hand away, turning away from Tuoni to focus on the bar’s worn surface. He... Arrogant bastard... The man’s words had struck a nerve. That...

Yes, I’ve failed him more than once and yes I... I don’t even know if he’s alive and I... Ikenna showed no sign of the wave of melancholy rushing swiftly upon him, instead forcing a bored, irritated expression onto his pale, makeup painted face. “Tuoni, if that’s the best you can do, you shouldn’t even bother. Honestly, was that supposed to be intimidating?” he inquired coolly, forcing a small, cold smirk onto his dark lips. Bastard... He didn’t pull his focus away from the worn counter, his red gaze locked on the glass shards still present. No... I don’t even know if he’s alive... I...

“Heh. What, did I touch a nerve, Ikenna? Are you feeling guilt over your ineptitude to care for your one and only son? It’s been what, centuries? Yet he still suffers. Though it’s your fault to begin with and it’s your fault he’s still suffering, right, Nuiwa? Heh, even your own son despises you. I suppose you really are an utter failure,” the blonde demon remarked with a gruff laugh, his voice blasé and casual, yet holding a dark, vicious tone. “I feel sorry for you. Truly. Though Malba certainly isn’t much better, now is he? A human loving little failure, a deserter and a traitor.”

“Yes, I suppose I am a failure as a father and I suppose it’s true that my own son detests me. Though let me assure you that I will do what needs to be done, and anyone who stands in my way will die. Even if that person happens to be a fellow Councilmember. So I suggest you mind your own fucking business and leave my son out of this. Hate me, not him, arrogant fool,” Ikenna snapped, his voice rising, his red eyes flashing angrily. It was really getting quite hard to resist the urge to kill the man. As if my day wasn’t bad enough, now I have to deal with this fool...

“Ah, but Ikenna. One problem with that,” Tuoni replied, his tone deceptively nonchalant, friendly even. The large framed demon moved closer, a small smirk on his lips. “You see, a useless... Hm. I would call you a bastard, but that really seems too masculine, doesn’t it. How about bitch? Drunken whore? Yes, those work. Anyway, a useless little drunken whore like you isn’t too formidable. You really don’t have the appearance to pull off sounding tough. So you can stop trying to intimidate me, it’s cute, but sad. Really,” the man stated coolly, moving a hand up to touch Ikenna’s pale cheek, a small smirk on his lips. “Nice makeup by the way. Lovely. You need to tell me what brand that is, I’ll bet my girlfriend would like it, what do you think?” he then inquired, the smirk on his lips widening.

The slender redhead remained in silence for a moment, his gaze focused on the bar surface, the large shards of glass scattered about the smooth surface... “So. I don’t hold a threatening appearance, is that what you’re saying? Hm?” Ikenna inquired, his smooth voice taking on a calm, nonchalant tone, a small smile forming on his dark, lipstick painted lips. “Hm. Well, I suppose appearances can be deceiving.” With that said, the man quickly grabbed a large shard of glass from the counter, driving it deeply into Tuoni’s hand.

“Ow! Damn it, Nuiwa!” the large framed man snapped, attempting to pull his hand away, with no success. “Little fuck!” he then bit out as Ikenna violently twisted the piece of glass, causing the man’s already bloody hand to bleed even more so.

“What can I say, Arlo, I really dislike being touched by large, disgusting fools such as yourself. Now, is there any particular reason you tracked me down in the middle of the night, or are you here to solely be a pain in the ass?” Ikenna questioned smoothly, his tone light, neutral as he jerked the piece of glass from the man’s hand, tossing it to the bar surface. Be glad I put it through your hand and not your eye, fool. The redhead glanced down at his own left hand, apathetically noting the fresh gashes on his fingers. Well, it had been worth cutting his fingers, just to see the look on Tuoni’s face as he had rammed that jagged glass shard deeply into the man’s hand...

“You’ll pay for that,” the demon snapped angrily, moving to wipe his bloody hand on Ikenna’s black tunic. “Dick.”

Oh. That’s mature, the red haired man thought with a roll of his eyes, letting out an irritated sigh. Get blood on me, fool. It isn’t as if I can’t afford to buy one hundred new outfits, identical to this one... If I wanted to that is. Which I don’t. As that would be rather stupid... Why the hell am I even thinking about clothes? His thoughts were actually getting a little jumbled. Apparently the booze was finally beginning to kick in... “Yes, I’m sure I’ll pay dearly. Now if that’s all, I’d really like to get back to ‘drinking the whole bar,’ Arlo,” he stated flatly, his gaze moving to briefly rest on Nia, who stood at the opposite end of the bar, pretending to not pay attention to the two Councilmen. The man looked pretty nervous, really. Can’t imagine why...

“Hmph. Well, just so you know, there’s been a meeting called. Be there at eight am sharp. The Council wishes to discuss a few things with you,” the military clad demon snapped irritably, his green eyes focused on his bleeding hand.

“Wonderful. Sounds terribly entertaining. You can go now,” Ikenna retorted, his tone flat, expressionless. Was it too much to ask for a moment of quiet? He... He really just wanted to drink himself into unconsciousness. It was the only real way he could sleep anymore...

“Enjoy your alcohol. Drunken fool. It’s true, you really have lost your mind, all over that damn son of yours,” Arlo Tuoni bit out, standing from his sitting position, taking a few steps toward the main entrance of the small bar. “Though you know, there is one truly unfortunate thing about him escaping,” he then stated, pausing, turning back to focus on the red haired man.

“What is that?” Ikenna inquired with a weary sigh, growing quite tired of the man’s banter and brash, arrogant behavior.

“If your son had been caught, it’s possible we may have gotten a lead on the blood-fox’s brother. And I must say I’m so eager to dissect that boy, piece by piece. He’s such an innocent, cute little thing. It’ll be fun, don’t you think? Taking him apart to see how he works,” the large framed demon commented with a lecherous, dark smirk. “Piece by piece.”

“Get the hell out of here, you disgusting fuck,” Ikenna snapped angrily, turning to give the man an irate glare, a fresh wave of fury flowing through him at the demon’s vile words. Looking forward to harming an innocent child? Dissect him? That... That was downright nauseating. Though the whole situation with that poor boy was nauseating. At least Malba does have one thing right... Protecting that boy... Ikenna Nuiwa may be a cold, apathetic man, with very little conscience left, yet he still... That was one thing he would never understand. An innocent child, made into a weapon, frozen for thousands of years, then... Finally awoken, only to have to live in fear... Fear of every god damn country out there fighting over the boy, all wanting a piece of him. The stress of keeping that boy from getting captured must really... Be quite difficult for the blood-fox to handle.

“Heh. So, your son protects that little freak, along with the blood-fox and his other friends, right? It figures. Your son is a disgusting freak, so I suppose it seems fitting that he would wish to defend that boy, a fellow freak. Right?” Tuoni inquired, his gruff voice haughty, superior. “Your son... You should have killed him when he was a child. Weak things should be put out of their misery. It’s the way the world works, right?” he added with a dry laugh, shaking his head.

“You... You really have a death wish, don’t you Arlo?” Ikenna slowly questioned, his eyes literally alight, glowing with anger, his voice artic cold, dripping venom. “You disgusting, vile wretch.” With that statement, the slender redhead stood, taking a step closer to the taller, burly demon. “Get out, Arlo.”

“So high and mighty. You think you’re better than me? What of you? To save that son of yours, you’re willing to sacrifice one of his best friends. That monster friend of his. What does that make you? Hm, Nuiwa? Well?” the blonde demon inquired, his tone flat, his eyes locking with Ikenna’s, hate and superiority clear on his masculine face.

What does that make me? That... That... Ikenna opened his mouth to respond, however could think of nothing to say, nothing to... What does that make me? I...

“Alright, I’ve had enough! Look, this is my bar and what I say goes. Get the hell out of here,” Nia suddenly snapped, breaking his silence. The lean elemental placed his hands on his hips, anger in his black eyes. He then stepped out from behind the bar, walking directly in front of Councilman Arlo Tuoni, his fair, attractive face clearly showing his irritation. “Get out and don’t come back.”

“Do you have any idea who I am? Huh? Do you want me to teach you that lesson now, elemental?” the large demon growled, his gaze moving to the silver haired sprite. “Well?”

“I know who you are, Councilman Tuoni. It’s pretty damn obvious, as you’re the only person I know of who is stupid enough to wear full out battle gear in the middle of Atrum-Terra. You always look great on the news with that shiny armor of yours. Now, go fight an imaginary war somewhere with your shiny armor and get out of here,” Nia bit back, his light voice firm, agitated. The man then pointed a lean finger to the bar’s main exit, his lips forming a deep frown. “Out.”

“...That’s real cute. You’ll regret that someday,” Tuoni stated, his tone flat, his eyes angry. “See you at that meeting, Ikenna. Have a nice night.” With that said, the large man exited the building, slamming the thin door behind him.

“Well... That guy is a real creep,” the silver haired sprite remarked with a roll of his black eyes, shaking his head a bit. "Heh, oh and by the way, stabbing him with that glass was pretty cool," Nia commented with a wry smile. He then turned his attention to Ikenna, taking in the man’s face. “Uh, are you listening? Ikenna? Ikenna?”

--“To save that son of yours, you’re willing to sacrifice one of his best friends. That monster friend of his. What does that make you?”--

What did it make him? He...

--“...It’s interesting. You claim to care so dearly for your son, yet you care nothing for his wishes. That really is interesting, don’t you think? Fascinating indeed, sir.”--

Yet... Yet that... That...

“Ikenna?” the silver haired man tried again, taking a step closer to the man, his eyebrow rising. “Hey. Ikenna?”

“Give... Give me another drink,” the man finally responded, his tone flat, hollow. He moved to once again sit on a cracked barstool, his usual spot. “Make it a double... Or a triple. Can you get a quadruple?” he weakly joked, closing his red eyes, a deep frown on his lips.

“Hey... If it makes you feel any better, there was a reason Tuoni’s drink tasted so nasty,” Nia commented lightly, moving to the back of the bar, preparing a drink for the redhead.

“...Oh?” Ikenna apathetically replied, his gaze locking on the smudged, stained bar-counter’s surface. Nia... Really should clean that...

“Heh. Yeah. I put something a little extra in it,” the sprite admitted with a mischievous smirk, setting a fresh glass of liquor before the slender, red haired man. “I’m betting he won’t be at that meeting in the morning. He’ll be passed out somewhere for a day at least. Heh,” Nia added, his smile slightly widening as he hopped up onto the counter, crossing his legs.

“You know... You remind me a bit of someone...” Ikenna stated softly, his red gaze locked on his glass. His focus set solely on the liquor, a hollow expression playing on his pale face...

“Hm? Really?” the man inquired, cocking his head a bit in a questioning gesture. “Who?” he questioned curiously, reaching into a pant pocket to retrieve another cigarette and his lighter.

“One of... My son’s friends, actually...” the redhead responded after a few moments of silence. He carefully lifted the drink up to his lips, finishing the contents of the glass in one large gulp. He was getting rather dizzy, rather foggy headed... Good. Maybe he could finally forget for awhile... Forget everything. Too many memories and... He really just wanted to forget everything.

“Oh? So. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” Nia questioned with a small smile, a look of sympathy briefly flashing across his pale features as he carefully watched the man.

“...A good thing.”

“Hm. Cool.”

Ikenna closed his eyes, moving to rest his forehead on the worn, faded bar surface, a deep frown on his lips, a fatigued expression on his pale face. I... I really just want to forget for a moment...

--“...It’s interesting. You claim to care so dearly for your son, yet you care nothing for his wishes. That really is interesting, don’t you think? Fascinating indeed, sir.”--

This had... Been a bad day. Terrible in fact, it...

“Hey, Ikenna? Uh, look. I’m sure you’ll find that kid of yours some day and you know... Patch things up. Things sometimes have a way of working out. Just, don’t drink yourself to death,” Nia stated quietly, his tone firm, a soft smile still present on his lips.

“The Council will kill me long before the alcohol does, Nia,” Ikenna responded with a dry, humorless laugh, his voice hollow, empty.

“Heh. Don’t say that.”

“Why? It’s the truth.”

“Speaking of getting killed. That Tuoni guy’s probably going to come back and kill me for yelling at him, isn’t he? Oh, and if he’s smart enough to figure out that I drugged him... I guess he’ll kill me for that too. I didn’t really think of that until now,” the silver haired elemental commented with a nervous laugh, running a hand through his long, silky silver hair. “I guess I shouldn’t have done that,” the sprite stated, taking in a deep drag off of his lit cigarette.

“He won’t. He’s full of shit... The man isn’t nearly as powerful as he likes to pretend he is. He left when you told him to, didn’t he?” the lithe, slender man responded, closing his eyes tighter, pressing his head against the counter a bit harder. “He just likes to pester me, as he knows I can’t kill him without getting in trouble... He won’t kill you, Nia. I doubt he could, even if he tried...”

“Well, I hope you’re right... Heh...”

The room was spinning, his head swimming, his body weary, he... He really just wanted to forget. Just for a moment, he...

“Hey, uh... You look wiped out, so why don’t you go home? You need a ride? I could close the place long enough to drop you off,” Nia suggested with a small sigh, his black eyes focused on the redhead, a frown on his lips. “Ikenna?”

“...Just... Leave me be...” Ikenna mumbled softly, his voice holding a blank, expressionless tone.

“Uh... Well suit yourself,” the elemental responded, raising an eyebrow. “You can stick around here if you want.”

--“...It’s interesting. You claim to care so dearly for your son, yet you care nothing for his wishes. That really is interesting, don’t you think? Fascinating indeed, sir.”--

He... He wanted to forget, he...

--“To save that son of yours, you’re willing to sacrifice one of his best friends. That monster friend of his. What does that make you?”--

He... Ikenna, he just... “I just want my son back,” he mumbled softly, his head swimming, the world spinning...

“I know,” was Nia’s only response, the frown on his lips deepening.

“...I just want to see him... I...”

He... He really wanted to forget, to sleep, he...

--“Druuvbin isn’t a monster... You are.”—

That’s right... I am. I am a monster... But if it will help you... I...

“What if he’s dead?” he inquired quietly, taking in a deep, shaky breath, swallowing hard against the wave of melancholy, the...

“He’s not.”

Ikenna wanted to believe that, but he...

--“Druuvbin isn’t a monster...”--

So many years, not able to even talk to the stubborn, foolish...

--“...You are.”--

Those flat, sad words, that look of betrayal, pain, it... The last meeting with his son, that look on his face...

Ikenna really just wanted to slip into the world of liquor induced sleep, a dark... Cold place...

--“Druuvbin isn’t a monster... You are.”--

I know.

“Nia... Get me another drink.”

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

He wore the same attire from that dark, windy night... A night centuries past... Rain and blood...

Dark blue jeans and long, dark pink fingerless gloves... A black short sleeved top and a matching black headband, holding back those long pink locks.... Sad ocean-blue eyes and...

Malba closed his eyes, taking in a shaking breath. Stop it... He weakly scooted backwards on the hard tile floor, moving to press his back against the cold porcelain bathtub. He slowly pulled his legs up, resting his swimming head against his knees. Just go away...

“Why pretend to feel guilty over it? You don’t care.”

“Go away, Jinya,” he mumbled softly, wrapping his arms tightly around his legs, pressing his forehead firmly into his knees. His side burned, his hand throbbed, but... His body... Tearing, ripping, biting sensations flooding him, wracking his body... He... It’ll stop... Just don’t lose it... Idiot... He... The room was spinning, his emotions surging, anger and... And... Stop it!

“Why did you have to kill me? You pretended to care, but ya didn’t, did you. Nah. You didn’t care at all. I guess it’s what I got for trusting you... No one should ever trust you, right?”

“Shut up...”

He was sitting on the floor, talking to a hallucination. Oh sure, no he wasn’t fucking out of his mind. I guess Ryuu was right... Maybe I shouldn’t have used that much energy after all... Not that it mattered. When he had awoken from the nightmare, feeling that buzzing, biting, all too familiar sensation in his veins... I already knew it... Was going to happen. Didn’t want to think about it, but... At least he’d helped Druu a little... Not much, but still.

“Like you could ever help anyone? Right... That’s not your style, Malba. You kill people, not help them. You’re utterly useless.”

“Well, yeah. That’s true, but, you know... I don’t remember you being such an asshole,” Malba muttered, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. Heh, Jinya would never say any of this. Even if it is all completely true. More proof it was just another one of his blood induced delusions. As if it wasn’t enough evidence in itself that it was a delusion simply by the fact that there was a dead guy standing over him, chatting him up...

Blood induced hallucinations... Not too uncommon...

“Too bad it wasn’t you that night. You should have died, not me.”

“Yeah. I know,” Malba softly whispered, closing his eyes tighter.

“Well. Just so you know.”

“Yeah well, I do. So you can go away now,” the darkness sprite murmured quietly, his grip on his legs slightly weakening as the waves of ripping, crawling, buzzing sensations began to slowly fade.

Is that it? The feelings gradually diminishing, the shuddering, grating feelings beginning to wane, to slowly ease off....

Malba took in a deep breath, a wave of weariness swiftly encasing him. Well, that hadn’t been nearly as bad as he had expected. Pretty damn mild, really. I got off easy, considering how much energy I used. Yet it seemed he was actually lucking out, for once in his stupid life. It... It was easing off. That gnawing, creepy, fucked up sensation slowly fading, his body growing increasingly numb instead. Tired and dizzy, but... Malba opened his eyes, checking to see if his ‘friendly’ hallucination was still with him. The darkness sprite’s blurred eyes glanced about the room, noting he was thankfully alone. Stupid fucked up brain. Well. At least he was aware he was hallucinating. That was better than actually believing it was real, right? Sure... Fucking idiot.

The darkness sprite took in a deep shaky breath, closing his eyes once more, pressing his head a bit more firmly against his knees. Idiot... This was really -completely- not the time for him to be freaking out, losing it in the damn bathroom. Druu half dead, Kits so fucked up, Kopaka sick, and... Everything so... He... I’m so useless...

Malba pressed his forehead firmly against his knees, attempting to relax his body as his muscles twitched, a biting spasm ripping through him. Just stay calm... It’s stopping. Just... A little longer... He was tired of the whole ‘losing his mind’ thing. Really tired of it. It... It was so god damn wearisome.

There... It’s stopping... Idiot... The dark haired sprite’s body was growing progressively numb, an intense wave of fatigue encompassing him. Yet that was a hell of a lot better than the biting, grating feelings, better than the overwhelming rush of emotions and...

The dark haired man took in a deep breath, attempting to further calm his emotions, the flood of... So many nearly unbearable feelings. Overwhelming and painful... It... Just stop... Malba wanted to be back in the bedroom with Druuvbin and Kitsune, not... not sitting in a stupid bathroom, wigging out like a fucking moron. Kits is messed up and.... Druu’s so... So sick... I... Not to mention Kopaka. The man apparently had either completely drained himself or... Or there was something else wrong. There was also Kouji to worry about. The lost, broken look in the little half-human’s eyes... It... Malba liked the little dork, he didn’t want to see the kid so... God damn it. It was all too much. It... Everything just... Really hurt.

--Why did you kill me?--

Because... I’m a psychotic fuck. That’s why, Jinya. He was growing so very weary. Malba tried to force his eyes open, though found it difficult. His eyelids heavy, his body numbing... I guess I had enough energy left... To fight it off after all... the darkness elemental thought with a sigh, his body relaxing, finally somewhat relieved of that biting, grating pain. It was finally fading away. A few painful twinges, but for the most part... Just a few more minutes and it’ll stop...

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

“Ngh.” Malba let out an annoyed moan, shoving that pleading voice from the past away from his thoughts. I... I really need a cigarette. The darkness elemental hadn’t had one since... Well. He wasn’t even sure. He’d bummed one off of Renee earlier, but other than that... I think I still have a few left in my coat... Now. If he could just work up the energy to get them.

Malba opened his dark, blood-red eyes, weakly turning to look into the porcelain bathtub. His long, black leather coat still lay haphazardly in the tub, along with his mud and blood covered shirt and jeans. Ryuuji and Rae’s clothes were no longer there, as Renee had already put those in the washer, apparently. I know she thought I was crazy when I told her to leave my clothes alone, but... He couldn’t very well let the human woman touch his blood soaked clothes, now could he? Just as couldn't very well let Kopaka touch his burned, bloody wounds. It... It... Not again. I'm not letting it happen again... The darkness sprite closed his eyes, lowering his head back to his knees.

He’d work up the energy to get a cigarette... In a minute...

“Hey... Malba? Um, Mals?” a voice sounded from the other side of the closed bathroom door, breaking into his weary thoughts. Malba slowly raised his head, his gaze moving to the white door. Damn it...

“Hey, Malba. Don’t get mad, okay? You’ve been gone awhile and um... Ryuuji was acting kind of freaked and... I just wanted to check on you. Are you okay in there?” Rae’s voice drifted through the door, her tone hesitant, uneasy.

Malba opened his mouth to tell the girl to go the hell away, but after a moment of contemplation he let out a sigh instead, moving to press his forehead against his knees once more. How the hell am I going to get out of here? I can’t walk... I know I can’t... I... “You can come in if you want,” he finally stated, a frown forming on his lips at the weak tone in his voice. Idiot.

“Malba, are you... Oh my God,” Rae started, yet trailed off as she opened the door, stepping into the small bathroom. “Malba, are you okay?” she questioned, her voice shaky.

“No,” Malba mumbled quietly, slowly pulling his head from his knees, opening his red eyes to meet Rae’s worried aqua colored gaze. This is so fucking embarrassing. He despised his weakness, despised his.... Stupidity. Fucking idiot.

The darkness elemental noted the quick look of apprehension flash across the human girl’s features as she met his gaze. Guess my eyes must still be red... Yeah. To say that this was embarrassing would definitely be an understatement at this point. The man let out a shaky breath, lowering his head back to his knees, closing his red, glowing eyes. He didn’t want to see the look on her face, the unease, the... He really didn’t want to... Was it shame? Yeah... Yeah, that was it.

“Malba... Malba, what’s going on? Do you need me to go get someone?” Rae questioned gently, stepping further into the room, all trace of her unease vanishing, her tone only concerned. Stupid human... You should be afraid of me... What the hell was wrong with Ryuuji, letting the girl come alone to... For all he knew I could have fucking killed her. I’m not exactly sane right now... Okay, or ever, but yeah... Malba tightened his grip on his legs at this thought, pressing his forehead firmly against his knees. Insane fucking bastard... You should be afraid of me, Rae. Might kill you too... I’m good at killing people...

“Malba?” the girl questioned again, moving to crouch next to the sprite, reaching out a hand to lightly touch his shoulder. Malba jumped at the contact, involuntarily jerking away from the pink haired human’s touch. Oh, that was smooth... Idiot... he thought, releasing a shaky, uneven breath.

“Um, sorry. I’m sorry, okay? I won’t touch you,” Rae stated softly, pulling her hand away. “Malba? Come on, you’re freaking me out. Talk to me,” the girl went on to say, her voice growing uneven.

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

--“I won’t leave ya, I promise...”--

--“Don’t forget me...Even if I forget myself...”--

--“Please make it stop... Please?”--

“Malba? I’m going to go get Kitsune or something, okay? Just... Um, I’ll be right back, okay?” Rae inquired unsteadily, her voice concerned, shaking. “Okay, Malba?”

“No... Don’t. Just... Just sit and talk to me for a minute... Okay?” Malba finally questioned quietly, not moving his head from his knees. He closed his eyes tighter, irritation flooding him at how very lame and frail his voice had sounded. He... God damn it. “I won’t try to... Kill you. I promise,” he added weakly, a deep sigh escaping his lips. This time... For all I know I might kill you as well as everyone else one of these days...

“I know you won’t,” the girl responded gently, moving to sit next to the darkness sprite on the cool tile floor. “Malba... Are you sure you don’t want me to wake Kitsune up?” she then questioned, her tone anxious.

“No... She deserves to get some rest. I’ll be okay... In a few minutes,” he responded slowly, his voice muffled by his knees. “She’s got enough going on in her stupid head without me making it worse,” Malba stated flatly, taking in a breath as a spasm shot through his body, a quick jab of biting, sharp pains. It’s... Still hurting a little, but it’s fading off now... If he could just keep himself in control for a few more minutes... It... I should be alright this time.

“...Okay...” Rae responded, her tone unsure and apprehensive.

--“...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...”--

That song flashed through his thoughts once more and he tightened his hold on his legs, taking in a sharp breath, fighting off the images from the past. The blood, the rain... That sad, smiling face, those tear filled eyes and... That dead, lifeless body... It...

--“Don’t forget me...”--

“Ngh...” he moaned, pressing his head firmly into his knees, taking in another sharp breath. Stop it. Stop it, you fucking moron...

“Malba?” Rae inquired shakily, her aqua eyes holding an anxious, worried expression. “Mals?” she questioned gently when Malba failed to respond, her lips set in a deep, concerned frown.

“Don’t have a spasm,” he stated softly, slowly pulling his head away from his knees, leaning back against the porcelain tub. He weakly turned his gaze to the human, taking in the fearful, troubled expression playing on her face. “Just... I’m just really fucking tired,” the darkness elemental whispered hollowly, his red gaze lowering to focus on the tile floor. It was the truth. He was tired. So fucking tired. So very tired of being a psychotic bastard, so very tired of... Having to fight to keep from killing the few people he actually cared about... He... I’m so tired of this. Tired of the dark, overwhelming sensations, tired of being such a damn... A... “I’m just really tired.”

Rae remained silent, a troubled, sympathetic look in her aqua eyes. She moved a hand closer to the man, however paused, obviously wanting to place a comforting hand on his shoulder, yet afraid of angering him. Somehow the fact that the girl was apprehensive to touch him really... I really am such a bastard... It really made him angry. With himself. “I won’t kill you if you touch me, if that’s what you’re wondering. I’m sorry I jumped a minute ago,” he admitted wearily, moving to once again rest his head on his knees. The dark haired sprite let out a deep sigh, tightly closing his red eyes. I’m so tired...

“Malba... Don’t apologize. It’s okay,” Rae responded tenderly, gently moving to place her hand on the man’s shoulder in a consoling gesture. “Hey... You know that stupid thing Kaine said? About telling me what you really are or whatever?” the girl questioned quietly, her gaze locked on the man, her lips still set in a concerned frown.

“I... I really don’t want to talk about it right now, Rae,” Malba mumbled weakly, his tone fatigued, hollow. He didn’t want to talk about it with the human. The darkness elemental didn’t want the girl to know. He... Kitsune might be right. Maybe she and the others wouldn’t care, but... Malba really didn’t want to even take the chance. He... Why do I care? They’re just a bunch of stupid humans... Uh, and a weird ghost thing... Or whatever the hell Yuki really is. The dark haired man didn’t want to... Didn’t want... I don’t want them to know what I am. What I...

“No, that’s not what I mean. You don’t have to talk about it. I just wanted to tell you that he was wrong. If you were worried about what he said? Don’t be. He’s an idiot. Kaine was acting like I would care or something, but Mals, uh, I don’t. I trust you, regardless. Whatever he meant, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change anything,” Rae stated firmly, her tone sure, unhesitant. “It doesn’t matter, so don’t worry about what that idiot said,” she added, lightly rubbing the sprite’s shoulder in a consoling movement.

...Idiot... Was the girl out of her mind? He... How can it not matter? She’s full of shit... It matters. Aevik might be a dick, but he’s right... I... “You’re wrong. Idiot. It does matter. Haven’t I told you to never trust me? Do you want to die? Is that it? The last human that trusted me ended up dead. So don’t fucking trust me and don’t say it doesn’t matter. It does,” Malba remarked, his tone empty, utterly hollow. Which was pretty embarrassing but he honestly couldn’t work up the energy to put an edgy, bitchy tone to his words. The darkness sprite was far too weary.

“Malba. You’re the idiot. Baka,” the girl responded, her tone gentle, despite the insult. “You’re trustworthy. Dork. Like tonight... Oh, well it's after five, so technically last night. Whatever. You know, you could have gotten killed getting those meds for Druu, but you didn’t care. You did it anyway. And hey... You know, Ryuuji told me about how he broke Druu out of that base and how you came to meet him, even though you figured it would be a trap. That was insanely reckless, but completely cool of you, too. Malba, that right there proves you aren’t some kind of ‘untrustworthy’ big bad that you keep making yourself out to be. You care about your friends and you’re a nice guy. Kaine’s an idiot. Period,” Rae stated firmly, continuing to lightly run a hand over the dark haired man’s shoulder in a soothing manner. “I trust you, stupid. Even if you don’t trust yourself or whatever,” she said after a moment of silence, a bittersweet smile on her lips.

Malba took in a shaky breath, tightening his hold on his legs as a sudden wave of melancholy raced through him. Deep, deep melancholy. The girl... Was so very wrong. Completely and totally wrong. There’s nothing ‘trustworthy’ about me. Not one god damn thing. The dark haired sprite attempted to shove the memories of the past away, the blood and the... The sad smile on Jinya’s lips as he died, fading away into the wind... It... “You’re so damn stupid,” he mumbled softly, his voice sounding uneven and shaky, even to his own ears. Idiot... Totally ruining the badass image here... Though honestly? At the moment, Malba was too exhausted to give a damn. So she finds out I’m secretly a big fucking wimp. It’s probably pretty damn obvious anyway, he thought bitterly, squeezing his eyelids shut a bit more firmly.

“Well. Yeah, I’m stupid. Duh,” Rae responded lightly, her tone teasing. She continued to run a hand along his shoulder, her face showing her concern for the darkness sprite. “I’m still right, though. You’re not a bad guy, Malba. Bitchy and girly maybe, but other than that...” the girl trailed off, her tone joking, obviously meaning no offense to the man.

“Bitch,” the elemental muttered softly, though he couldn’t muster an angry tone. He felt no anger at the girl’s words, only weariness. Malba... Was so very tired. “So... Ryuuji told you how he broke Druu out?” the dark haired elemental went on to question, not pulling his head away from his knees. How much did he tell her?

“Yup. He told me all about it and how you were stupid and went to meet Ryuuji without even telling Kitsune or Kopaka. I bet Kitsune kicked your ass for that, right?” the girl inquired teasingly, that small, bittersweet smile still present on her lips. “Not too bright, neh?” she added softly.

“What do you expect? I’m an idiot,” Malba responded flatly, a humorless laugh escaping his lips as he pressed his forehead a bit harder against his knees. “And yeah. Kits was pissed. Though surprisingly, Kopaka was almost as scary,” the dark haired elemental admitted, a touch of humor entering his flat, weary voice. A minute smile briefly formed on his lips at the memory of Kitsune and Kopaka’s reactions... Kitsune had of course punched him, her eyes black with anger... Though Kopaka’s reaction was actually more amusing...

“Kopaka? Scary as Kits? I find that hard to believe. Er, and rather disturbing,” the pink haired human replied with a dry laugh. She then let out an uneasy sigh, worry again appearing in her aqua eyes. “Mals... You feel kind of strange. Your body... You’re like, twitching weirdly or something... Are you, um...” Rae trailed off, concern bleeding into her voice.

“It’ll stop in a few minutes... Don’t worry about it,” Malba stated tonelessly, squeezing his eyelids shut even tighter. True, for the most part, his body was numbing and the pain was fading, but he still felt kind of... Well. The girl’s description was pretty accurate, really. Twitching weirdly... Heh... One way to put it.

Rae remained in silence for a few moments, a troubled frown on her lips and a concerned expression in her blue-green eyes. “Are you sure?” she finally inquired, her tone uncertain.

“Yeah,” the dark haired sprite responded, slowly raising his head, opening his red eyes to meet her blue-green gaze. He gave the girl a weak grin, shrugging his shoulders. “Don’t worry about it. Stupid.” He was tired of the girl having that concerned, worried tone in her voice... He... I don’t deserve to be worried about. Trust me, Rae.

“So... Uh... Okay, you have to tell me how Kopaka was scarier than Kits,” the girl finally stated, her face still holding a trace of uncertainty, but she smiled, her tone light and teasing.

“Well. It took me a few days to get to Inanai and I didn’t exactly tell them I was going, so... Technically, I guess they kind of thought I’d went missing or something. I just.... I didn’t want them to get involved. Druu was already missing; I didn’t want anything happening to them too. So I went alone, and... I met up with Ryuu and found out that surprisingly, it wasn’t a trap. Heh. I couldn’t believe it. Druu was alive. I had really started to doubt I’d ever see him again,” Malba softly confessed, a smile forming on his lips at the memory. The water elemental had been asleep, bundled up in a thick brown blanket in the back of the old beat up car that Ryuuji had swiped... It... He looked so pathetic, so thin and pale... God only knows what all they did to him while he was at that fucking facility...

“Yeah, Ryuuji said you pulled a dagger on him and threatened to burn him,” Rae responded with an amused grin, her aqua-colored eyes focused on the darkness sprite’s face. “You really like burning people, neh?” she then inquired teasingly, continuing to gently run a hand over the man’s shoulder in a consoling gesture.

“Yeah... Burning people is fun,” Malba commented, a rueful smirk briefly forming on his lips. Hm. Guess Ryuu left out the part after that. When I freaked out like a big idiotic baby. After his anger had faded and he had calmed down... Malba had just sat in the backseat of that crappy black car, hugging Druuvbin, crying like a big fucking idiot. It... Druuvbin had been missing for so long and he... It was my fault he was taken. Damn my fucking father...

It had been such a... Gut wrenching, agonizing feeling. Looking for the water elemental, desperately trying to find where he had been taken... Knowing, knowing that he was in Tevrran hands, yet... Not able to... Knowing that he was being... Experimented on and... It... It had almost been too much for Malba to take. Over a year, knowing that the psychic was suffering, all because of... All because of me. If it weren’t for me, he... So. When he had finally been able to see the man again, it... Lying in the backseat of that beat up, piece of shit car, lying so ill and... Malba had just held the guy and cried like an idiot for a good ten minutes. Apologizing. Heh. Ryuu’s actually a pretty good sport about that. He never makes fun of me for it for some unknown reason. Makes fun of everything else about me, but never that.

“Malba?” Rae inquired softly, cutting into the darkness elemental’s thoughts and he blinked, refocusing his attention to the human.

“Uh yeah, anyway. So, I called Kits and Kopaka and told them I had found Druu. Brought him to Kopaka’s apartment so he could take care of him, give him some of those fucking drugs and all... After things calmed down and Druu was stable, Kits and Kopaka both just about tore me a new one,” Malba explained with a small smile, shaking his head a bit. Yeah, they were both pretty pissed. Heh... Akiona was pissed too... Yeah... His smile faded at that, memories of Kopaka’s older sister briefly running through his weary thoughts. The woman had still been alive then and... Yeah. Akiona definitely could have a temper... Smacked him on the head and everything. Heh... He... He had liked Akiona.

“Well. Can ya blame them? I mean it wasn’t exactly smart. Even if you were doing it because you didn’t want them getting hurt. You could have got hurt instead, baka,” Rae remarked lightly, her voice quiet, kidding and gentle. “So. Kopaka was mad... It’s still hard for me to imagine. Though he did snap at you and Ryuuji so... Heh,” she then said, her blue-green eyes amused.

“Yeah well. First he hugged me. Then he yelled at me. Then he hugged me again. Then he yelled at me some more. Then he hugged me. This went on for at least an hour. I don’t know what the fuck drugs he was on that day,” Malba stated dryly, a wry smirk forming on his lips. Though he was pissed for more than one reason... Not only because he hadn’t told them, but... Well, okay so technically he hadn’t exactly been in great shape at the time and probably shouldn’t have driven all the way to Inanai by himself. Technically... Okay, so I guess I was still supposed to be in that stupid underground hospital Kopaka put me in, but... Yeah well, I didn’t drop over or go insane so he really didn’t have to get so pissed. Heh... Not like putting him in that stupid hospital had really did any good, anyway. It never did. What's the point? So yeah, I was in bad shape, but there wasn't anything that could be done anyway...

An amused smile formed on Rae’s lips and she laughed a bit, shaking her head. “Kopaka did all that? That’s actually kind of funny,” she commented softly, her aqua gaze focused on the darkness sprite.

“I thought so,” he responded, his smirk not fading. Yeah, Kopaka could definitely be a weird guy, but... Heh. Well, he was Malba’s oldest friend. Hell, he’d known the wind/ice sprite for practically his whole life. They’d been next door neighbors as children after all... Heh. He’d look after me, even though I was an obnoxious, dorky, sickly little kid... He... He really liked the guy.

“Malba?” Rae inquired quietly, breaking into his reverie and he turned his attention to the girl, meeting her worried gaze. “What?” he questioned, raising an eyebrow at the odd look passing over the human’s face.

“...They were right to be pissed, you know. You really are too reckless. I mean... Just... Don’t do anything stupid like going off by yourself to a possible trap again and get yourself killed, okay? Because... Um... That would really suck,” Rae stated with an uneven voice, a concerned, weary look in her aqua eyes.

“Heh... Stupid human. You worry too much,” Malba responded with a small smile, lightly shrugging his thin shoulders. She was freaked out by that? Hell, it’d been over a decade ago, nothing to worry about now. “That was a long time ago, why are you worrying about it? So yeah, maybe it was stupid, but it worked out. Don’t worry about that,” he added, a hint of reassurance in his otherwise weary voice.

“I’m not worried about that time, baka. I’m worried about the next time you decide to go off and do something stupid,” the girl remarked dryly, a wry smile on her lips. “I just don’t want you to get killed. Seeing you get shot and freaking tortured was bad enough, ya know,” she commented with a sigh, moving her hand away from the man’s shoulder to instead rub at her temple.

“I’m sorry about that. I know it wigged you out,” Malba stated with a weary sigh, his smile fading. That had been pretty fucking stupid. Bringing the human into the base and then... Letting Kaine sneak up on him or whatever...

“Wigged? Heh... You’re such a valley girl,” Rae commented with a laugh, her tone affectionate, her aqua eyes holding a warm, amused expression.

...What?! “Excuse me?” the dark haired sprite inquired flatly, moving his eyes to meet the girl’s gaze, taking in her playful expression. “I am not a ‘valley girl.’ Stupid human,” he retorted irritably, his eyebrow twitching.

“There, that’s better. It seems weird when you’re not bitchy and pissed with me,” the girl teased, moving her hand back to his shoulder, a warm expression overtaking her round face. “And see, you’re hurt and used all your energy warming Druu up, so I don’t have to worry about you tearing my head off when I make fun of you,” she added, obviously meaning no real offense, her tone light, teasing.

Wrong... The girl was wrong about that. No... Actually now is when I’m the most dangerous, stupid human. If I lose control, then... If he lost control, then he... He wouldn’t be able to... It... Ironic. The only time I’ve got any real power anymore is when I’m fucking schizoid and can’t control it... Yeah, and not only do I go schizoid, but I’m such a weak idiot that it can kill me too. I’m so damn pathetic... he thought, a wave of self-disgust washing upon him. Malba forced a small smirk on his lips however, shoving away the troubling thought. “Doesn’t mean I can’t tear your head off once I get a little energy back,” he commented flatly, a trace hint of a joking tone entering his voice.

“Yeah, well. I’ll take my chances,” the human responded with a soft laugh, shaking her head. Rae’s smile soon faded however, replaced by a serious expression on her face. “Malba... Seriously though... I really am sorry I didn’t... I don’t know. If I had just remembered his god damn name,” she stated quietly, her voice troubled, tinted with remorse.

Malba rolled his eyes at her statement, letting out a frustrated sigh. “Are you still worrying about that?” he inquired, raising an eyebrow. “Like I said before, how the hell were you supposed to know? And what about me? You said some weird guy with a name starting with ‘a,’ right? If anyone should have figured it out, it was me, not you. Moron,” the dark haired elemental pointed out, giving the girl a reassuring smile. Stupid human...

“Yeah well, I still feel guilty. For more than one reason,” was Rae’s only response, the frown on her lips increasing, a guilt-stricken expression flashing across her features.

What the hell? What was the idiot talking about now? Malba took in an agitated breath, meeting the girl’s troubled blue-green eyes. “What the fuck are you talking about? Guilty for what?” he inquired, a puzzled frown forming on his lips.

“...That ability of Druu-chan’s... You know, the one where he takes your pain?” Rae softly questioned, her gaze moving to focus on the white tile floor, guilt clearly written across her face.

“Yeah, so? ...Oh,” Malba stated with a blink, realization flooding him as he took in the human’s frown, her remorseful demeanor. Druu, you idiot...

“He used it on me. Ryuuji says that the Jump actually hurts like hell when it’s implanted. You, Kitsune and Kopaka just don’t remember. Druu used that stupid ability when he put the Jump on me... He said that’s not why he got sick, but... I dunno. He wasted energy, took some horrible pain... For me, and that.... Geh. I dunno. I just feel guilty,” Rae quietly admitted, shaking her head. She then moved a hand to rub at her forehead, closing her aqua eyes. “If he did get sick because of that, then in effect... That means it’s my fault you got hurt and that Kopaka’s sick and... Kouji’s so upset and...” she trailed off with an aggravated sigh, shaking her head. “Whining now. Sorry.”

Malba remained silent for a moment, taking in the girl’s words, a frown on his lips. “So he used that ability on you? Yeah, well, join the club. Druuvbin has done that to everyone. You wouldn’t believe how many times he’s made himself sick using that,” the dark haired elemental commented with a bitter smirk, his voice flat, weary. “I doubt Druu using it on you is what caused him to have a full out attack though. Out of all the years I’ve seen him use that fucking power? I’ve only seen him have an actual attack because of it once. Usually he just makes himself sick, causes a flare-up,” the sprite explained with a shrug of his shoulders, closing his eyes for a moment as a quick, stabbing pain ripped through his veins. Ngh. Damn it...

“So I’m not the only one, huh?” the pink haired human inquired, a shaky smile forming on her lips. “God he’s such a baka... So... How did he make himself sick enough to have a full out attack that one time or whatever?” Rae then inquired curiously, moving her gaze to focus on Malba.

Should he tell her? Eh, why not? It wasn’t like it was some kind of big secret or anything... “There’s a reason Kits wears those stupid bandages on her arms all the time, you know,” he stated flatly, his facial expression taking on a dark, troubled look.

“Oh?” Rae inquired softly, a concerned frown on her lips. “Why?” she then questioned, a tone of unease in her voice.

“Because. Her fucking father got pissed at her for some stupid reason or another and decided she needed to be ‘punished.’ God damn bastard. He put two full vials worth of hizeme-doku on her arms,” Malba admitted, his voice taking on an edgy, angry tint.

“What? Hey, that’s the stuff Ryuuji...” Rae trailed off, her eyes widening. “Malba... What the hell is that stuff?” the girl then questioned, nervously running a hand through her long pink hair.

“It’s a poison specifically made for torture. It’s... It’s probably one of the most painful things you could ever feel. You have it poured on your skin and it starts eating away your flesh and... It makes you bleed a lot and leaves really weird, nasty looking burn like sores,” the dark haired man admitted with a soft sigh, his thoughts drifting back to that night, when... “The burns aren’t the worst part though. Once it absorbs into your skin or... Eye, it... It makes you damn sick. I mean... Really sick. It causes you to have a high fever and... Well. It’s not fun, to say the least,” he commented flatly, an image of Kitsune’s bloody, marred arms flashing through his thoughts. It... That had been bad. Real bad. “Hizeme means torture by fire, so... It’s a fitting name, let’s just put it that way.”

“Oh my God...” was Rae’s stuttering response, a look of dismay in her wide blue-green eyes. “Oh man... That...”

“Yeah. Kitsune was fucked. I mean... Really fucked. She was sick and... There’s nothing that can be done about it. You just have to wait for it to ease off or whatever. There was nothing Kopaka could do. The poison gets in your blood and basically cancels out any kind of meds or anything. Even pain meds don't work. There's literally nothing you can do for it. Druu couldn’t stand it I guess. He didn’t want her to be in so much pain, so he... Yeah. Took it for her,” the darkness sprite explained, a frown on his lips. “Man was Kits pissed when she snapped out of it and found out he had done it,” he then stated, a minute bitter smirk forming on his lips at the memory. Kitsune had been pissed alright. Though... I do get why Druu did it. It was stupid for him to, but...

The woman had been so sick, so injured, in agony. There hadn’t been a god damn thing they could do for her, besides just...Sit with her. Malba had held her and it.... God she was fucked up. Druuvbin... Druuvbin had stood by and watched for a bit, a frown on his lips, his lavender eyes troubled, upset... The water sprite had then ordered Malba to give Kitsune to him, allowing no arguments. Yeah, got that ‘argue with me and I’ll tear your spine out’ look on his face... It took so much energy for the psychic to take that pain, so much energy that it... Yeah. "So, anyway. She was still unconscious, still had a fever, but Druu was the one that dealt with the rest of it... It finally eased off after about twelve hours and... Druu had an attack a few minutes after he stopped taking the pain for Kits. He was pretty fucked up."

“That... That’s so awful... Poor Kitsune and Druu... Damn,” Rae mumbled softly, her voice a bit uneven. “So those bandages are to hide the scars.”

“Yeah. It leaves really nasty scars. That’s only been about four or five years ago, so she’s still got really bad ones. They’ll fade eventually, but for now she just covers them up. I don’t think she really cares that her arms look nasty, she just hates the reminder that her Dad fucked her up that bad. It pisses her off that she ‘allowed’ herself to be ‘punished’ or whatever,” the elemental stated with a dry, humorless laugh, rolling his eyes. “She’s... Such a stupid mutt,” he added with a smile, a hint of affection briefly appearing in his red eyes.

“So... What the holy fuck would that stuff do to someone’s eye? I mean... Ryuuji... He...” the human started, however trailed off, a sympathetic, concerned expression on her face.

“I don’t even know... I can’t believe those fucking bastards put it in his god damn eye,” Malba responded, a spark of anger rushing through his veins, along with a wave of sharp, stabbing sensations... Stop getting pissed stupid or you’re going to make yourself worse again, he berated himself, tightly closing his eyes. The last thing he needed was to start losing it again... It... “Ngh...”

“Malba?” Rae inquired uneasily, gently touching the man’s arm, her voice worried, her eyes nervous. “You okay?”

“...Yeah,” he mumbled softly, taking in a weary breath. He... He was just... “Thanks for... You know... Sitting in here with me or whatever,” he murmured, not opening his eyes. It had helped a little, distracting himself with talking to the stupid human.

“Uh, Malba. You don’t have to thank me,” the girl responded, raising an eyebrow. “Why wouldn’t I sit with you? You obviously feel like hell and I know I’m annoying but uh... Yeah. Wouldn’t want you in here all alone, right?” she added softly, not taking her hand away from the elemental’s arm.

Malba took in a weary breath, closing his eyes tighter at the girl’s words. He... He just really... He was so damn tired of having to worry about if he was going to go crazy and kill everyone. It... It was beyond fucking annoying. “You... Don’t have any cigarettes on you, do you?” the sprite inquired quietly, letting out a shaky breath. He... He really needed a cigarette.

“No, not on me. I can get you one though. Hey, do you have any left in your coat?” Rae responded, moving to look into the white porcelain tub, her aqua eyes focused on the dirty, long black coat.

“Yeah, but I don’t feel like getting them,” Malba admitted wearily, moving his uninjured hand up to his closed eyes, lightly rubbing his eyelids... He didn’t feel like moving...

“I can get them for you,” the girl responded with a blink.

“...No. Don’t Rae,” the sprite softly stated, his tone weary, hollow. Really, it had probably been long enough that it wouldn’t matter if the girl touched the bloodstained clothes, but... He... Not again. I’m just... I... Better safe than sorry...

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