Mood: Meh? Who knows? x_x;;
Music: Illness Illusion --- Gackt

Rae: Weeeell. Look who it is.

Yesh, I finally return. Heh... I know, I said I’d post this part... Um... Months ago, but well... I got distracted. XD

So my faithful non-existent readers, how have you been? I’ve been... Er well, actually I feel like utter hell and have for quite some time now, but yeah. I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me. I just got yet another new doctor, so maybe he’ll figure something out. You know... Or not. XD

Ah, and yes. I do have pictures of most of the main characters for you... As well as a whole website dedicated to said characters. ^^ Yep. I actually got something accomplished. It’s still just a crappy freebie site, but YESH. The muses indeed now have a website. Which is entitled musings. *points up* Just click the story info link or the musings link (both work) to go to the site and see all the pretty pictures, etc. ^^

I still have a lot of work to do on the site, (like writing everyone’s profiles O.o) but it’s up. And it’s a prettyful, angsty Malba layout. T.T

Oh... Cairra doesn’t have a photo gallery up yet. Sorry about that. Um... I’m having um, some... Technical difficulties with that GOD DAMN VAILS device, so um... *sweatdrop* I don’t have any of Darcy yet. Gomen. *falls over*

Er, anyway, like I said, the site is still under heavy construction, but it’s up, and most of the main characters (minus Darcy) have photo galleries. All my muses are so pretty. XD And... Oh yeah. If you’re going to go check out the pictures first, don’t be surprised that there are some names in the profile/gallery section that you don’t recognize. We have a few new characters showing up in this part and the next part. ^^ Heh... Actually, I think there are a few spoilers lurking in the 'world' page as well... All well. XD

And yes, the next part is already finished. ^^ Plus about sixty-five pages of the next, next part. XD Heh.

....Ahem. Oh, and by the way, I’m also currently working on making a new website for the rest of my writings (cruxis-wings) and I’m debating making a small shrine for Zelos/Lloyd from ToS... Hm... Anyway.

So. Another part. Yep... Hm.

Again, next to nothing happens. Possibly even worse than usual. Though... There is kind of a reason...

Well, I might as well spoil this much. This part is highly centered on Malba. Even the parts that aren’t in his perspective still involve him, so yeah... In Mals’ case, a lot of inner dialogue and er, thoughts or whatever... I just really wanted to get back into Malba’s head again, but it seemed to take over this whole part. See I have a real problem with wanting to get into my characters’ heads, so much so that I don’t move the plot. It’s just... Stuck.

Ah, the woes of being a horrible, lame author of doooooom.

So, yeah. Not much happens. Maybe like an hour progresses during the whole damn thing. O.o; Meh...

Oh, and uh... Just a warning...

Angst lurks here in this part. Bucketloads. Maybe even truckloads. XD Eh, maybe more than usual even. Which is scary, neh?

Or who knows, maybe not worse than usual, but it kind of felt that way to me. I was actually starting to feel pretty guilty... *cough* Ahem. Anyway, enough of my pointless babbling. Let’s get on with the pointlessness that doesn’t even advance the plot and just... SUCKS. >.<

Angst: ANGST!!! ANGST!!! ^_______^ Shiny pink angst of doom!

Rae: O.o;;; Er... Riiight...

Angst: *spins around like a girly man* Heeee! <333

Rae: O_o;;;;

....

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~Blood and Memories; windsong~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Don’t forget me...”

Whispered words, drifting through the rain, through the wind... Blood and tears, words weak and pained.

Dying eyes filled with tears, a small smile on trembling, blood-stained lips...

“You won’t forget me, even if I forget myself, right? You won’t let me fade away, right?”

“I won’t forget.”

How could he? How could he forget? The blood and... Those haunting eyes... That last smile...

“Good. Good. I—I...Mal...”

The words drifted away with the wind. Forever carried away, along with that tired soul, leaving nothing but a dead shell behind. Blank, empty eyes, sightless, breathless... Motionless....

“I’m... I’m sorry... I’m so sorry....”

Over and over, he repeated those empty words, the rain beating upon him, his heart cold, his body numb. “I’m sorry.”

Lightning flickered across the dark, starless sky, thunder shook the earth.... Blood and tears. It... It hurt. That cold feeling washing upon him, as if tearing his very soul from his weak body.

Tears slipping from his eyes, blood leaking from his chest...

His eyes, red, blue, red, blue... His flashing eyes focused on that limp, motionless body, that pale face, those empty eyes...

“I’m sorry...”

His hands... His shaking hands still tightly clenched bloodstained daggers, his flickering eyes slowly moved to focus on those crimson-drenched blades. “I... Jinya, I’m... I’m so sorry...”

The blades slipped from his hands, his eyes closing, tears falling freely down his face. Mixing with blood and rain...

“I’m so sorry.”

How long had he stood over that body? Tears slipping from his flashing eyes, his fists clenching, his soul aching, his rain soaked body weakening...

--Don’t forget me—

How could he?

--Even if I forget myself—

Hollow, unseeing eyes, blank. Forever blank. Motionless bloodstained lips. Never to speak again, never to...

“I won’t forget.”

“Good. Good. I—I...Mal...”

The wind had stolen away those last uttered words. Now, now he would never know. Those last words, those tear-filled eyes, that sad smile....

It hurt.

His wounds were numb, his body unfeeling.

His soul... Ached, throbbed. Burning cold, aching, searing...

“I’m sorry.”

He wished for nothing more than... To die right along with that lifeless human. The human he had killed, destroyed. Utterly destroyed.

--Don’t forget me—

It was all lost in the wind and rain. All of it had been stolen away.

If only he... If only he had never met the human... Jinya would still be alive, smiling and laughing, breathing...

Instead he lay dead, blood covered and rain soaked. Empty eyes.

Those eyes... He...

His legs gave out, his wet body falling to rest on the rain soaked earth. His back pressed against a large, gnarled tree, rough, course bark biting into his flesh. He couldn’t feel it. He couldn’t feel the bullet in his chest, couldn’t feel the blood leaking from his wound...

All he could feel.... Were the tears falling from his eyes, mixing with the pouring rain... “I’m sorry...” It hurt.

How long? How long did he sit in the rain, blood and tears, watching that dead human, those unseeing eyes, that... Lifeless face....

“Malba... I’m so sorry. I should have come sooner... I’m so very sorry...I didn’t see it until... It was too late...”

A soft, weak voice.... He slowly looked up from that dead human, his vision blurred, hazy. “...Druu...” He focused on the slender, blue haired sprite’s pale face for a moment, taking in his tear-filled lavender eyes. Lavender eyes speckled with white... “...I...He's dead, Druu... I killed him... I-I fucking killed him...Stupid f-fucking...Human...” his words trailed off into silence, his voice drifting into the wind, into the rain...

He closed his flashing eyes, darkness swirling upon him, rain soaking his numb body, blood dripping from his chest... Was he dying? It... It would be nice to fade into the wind, wouldn’t it? But... Druu and Kopaka... He...

The world fading into silence... Only the soft sound of wind haunting his ears... It was dark and quiet....

Two cool arms wrapped around him, pulling him into a gentle embrace. “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. I’m going to get you help and... Just... Hold on. It isn’t your fault, I promise. Just... Don’t die. Please don’t die...”

No. It was his fault. If only... If...

His world faded away as he clung to Druuvbin, to that cool body, tears leaking from his closed eyes. “Druu... I killed him....” was the only response he could muster, as his world faded to black....

--“All of this rain. Brings back memories, doesn’t it?”—

Rain and blood...

--“Really, Malba. I’m surprised you risked being around another human anyway. Do you want this girl to end up like that other human you killed?”—

Tears and wind...

--“You destroyed the other one, didn’t you? You killed his mind and body both.”--

Empty eyes and bloodstained lips...

--“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?”—

Whispered words, lost forever to the cool wind... Stolen away...

--“...Why won’t you listen to me? I know you are upset about that human of yours, but listen to me! I’m your father and I will do whatever it takes to help you. Why can’t you see that you are only hurting yourself by protecting that monster? Why do you not trust your own father? I... I only want what’s best for you...”--

Voices floating through the wind... The past drifting within the falling rain... Red rain... Blood surrounding him...

--“Don’t call Jinya ‘that human.’ He wasn’t just ‘that human,’ you stupid bastard... You might be my ‘father’ but you’re fucking clueless. I don’t want your help. And Druu... He’s not a monster! Druu... Druu is... My friend.”—

Wind brushing against him, cold rain splashing against his tearstained cheeks... Blood-red rain...

--“Druuvbin is no one’s friend. When will you wake up and realize that?”—

So many words from the past, mixing together in a haunting song, a wind song full of bitter memories and tears. The trees bending, dancing in that melancholy lament... A requiem of wind and tears...

--“I should have died... Not Jinya...”—

Blood...

--“Malba... If you wish, I will turn myself over to your father. If it would help you... I don’t want you to suffer, Malba... If I could...”—

Memories...

--“No! You idiot... That... That... Don’t even think about that. Druu... You and Kopaka are all I have... You can’t... You can’t let him do that to you...”—

Tears...

--“I... I see... If that’s how you feel... Yet...”—

Wind and rain...

--“No. I mean it. No. Don’t even fucking think about it, Druu.”--

The rain so thick, drowning him in images from the past.

Words and faces, tear-stained cheeks and dead, empty eyes...

Images of the past and... Of that bloody night. That dark, windy night from so very long ago...

--“Don’t forget me...”—

Tears tinted with blood, rain tinted with tears... Blood and rain, teardrops and memories...

--“I won’t.”—

A haunting image of a face from the past, long since dead. Pale skin, sad ocean colored eyes and full, pink lips. An evanescent phantom of a memory. A long lost face, taken away by the wind.

-–Why did you kill me?— the question escaping pale-pink lips, his figure fading back into that dark night, floating away with the wind. --Why did... Why did you kill me, Malba?—

Why?

Because...

I...

....

.....

Malba jerked awake, his eyes shooting open as he took in a deep breath. His heart beating against his ribcage, his breath short, his palms sweaty... It... It was just a dream... Stupid... he thought shakily, closing his dark blue eyes, letting out a slow breath. A dream of the past, of blood and rain...

And this is why it’s always a bad idea to sleep... the sprite thought wryly, taking in yet another deep breath, attempting to calm his racing heart.

--Why did you kill me?--

Malba shuddered at those haunting words floating through his thoughts. That eerily realistic scene, filled with rain and blood... Not that it was anything new. All of his dreams... Every sleeping moment, every solitary dream... They always ended the same. No matter how the dream started, it always... A lingering dream that always ended the same. With the face of that human from years past, looking at him with such a melancholy expression in his teary eyes... --Why did you kill me?-- Whispered words as he faded back into the wind... Soft words fading away, tinted with betrayal, hurt and desolation... --Why did... Why did you kill me, Malba?—

I... God damn it... Malba closed his eyes tighter, fighting off the sudden sensation of something crawling through his very veins, tearing into him, tingling and.... It didn’t hurt exactly, but...Stay in control, fucking idiot... It was such an overwhelming feeling, his muscles involuntarily tightening, a shudder running throughout his lean body. Stop it!

The black haired elemental let out a shaky sigh, slowly opening his eyes. How... When had he fallen asleep, anyway? The last thing he remembered was watching Druu’s unconscious, suffering face and then.... He focused his blurred midnight-blue eyes, taking in the dark room. A clock on a grey wall read five seventeen. I can’t believe I let myself fall asleep. Fucking idiot... he thought irritably, casting his gaze to the large bed situated in the middle of the moody-grey room.

He watched that still form of Druuvbin for a few moments, noting with a small sigh of relief that the man was still breathing, his lips and nose blood free. Though his face was so very pallid, his trembling lips so pale they were practically blue. Malba could clearly sense the massive amounts of energy Ryuuji was summoning, keeping the psychic held in his arms breathing, keeping that weak heart beating...

Rae was sitting next to the purple haired demon, her hand gently clasping Druuvbin’s, her head lowered. Malba wasn’t entirely sure, but it looked as if the girl had drifted off, her breathing slow and deep. After our exciting little trip through Laineka and that stupid base, it’s no wonder she’s asleep... That’d be enough to wear anyone out... Especially a stupid human.

The dark haired elemental turned his attention back to Druuvbin for a few moments, fighting that wave of tingling, biting sensations flowing through his veins. It... Seeing the psychic like that, it always made him feel so... Druu, I... Malba shoved the thought away, turning his gaze down to his uninjured hand, finally noticing that... Kitsune’s pale, cool hand was gently clutching his own. ...Kits? Well, okay he hadn’t exactly expected that.

The icy haired woman sat on the hardwood floor, her head resting against the couch cushion, her hand clasping Malba’s. Her sleeping face was partially concealed by her loose tri-colored hair; yet he could see that bitter frown on Kitsune’s blue-white lips.

--Kits?-- he telepathed softly, his dark gaze focused on the ice-fox hybrid’s uneasy sleeping face. He received no response from the demon and he let out a sigh, gently squeezing her pale hand. He... He was actually a little worried about the mutt. She seemed pretty fucked up. What she said to Druu... She’s obsessing over it or something... Stupid mutt.

It had surprised him. The way the woman had been so... So... That soft kiss, the way she had held onto him, her face pressed into his shoulder... It... Well. That kiss wasn’t exactly like their usual kisses... She didn’t even bite me or anything. The look in her weary ice colored eyes... Stupid damn mutt. The darkness sprite gently squeezed the woman’s hand once more as another wave of tingling sensations raced through his veins, ripping, tearing... He ignored his tightening muscles, forcing himself to not think of that uncomfortable flow of biting, grating sensations.

Malba slowly moved to sit from his lying position, biting down on his lower lip as a sharp, white hot pain enveloped his side. He swallowed a wince, pulling himself upright. The man moved his gaze briefly to his injured right hand, noting the swelling had somewhat gone down. Yet as he tried to move his hand, he felt the shattered bones grating, a sharp pain in his busted knuckles... Okay, so he probably shouldn’t try to move his hand so much. Eh, well at least it’s a little less swollen. Better than nothing I guess, he thought with a shrug, moving his gaze back to the cool hand held in his own. Kitsune’s pale, sword-calloused hand...

The dark haired sprite took in a deep, troubled breath, watching the woman sleep. Druu is going freak out when he finds out that you’re worrying about this so much, Kits... He knew you didn’t mean that, stupid fox. Malba slowly turned the ice demon’s hand in his, his gaze focusing on her pale palm, taking in the half moon marks deeply cut into her pale flesh. Deep gashes undoubtedly caused by her own sharp nails. Kitsune really had a bad habit of hurting herself like that.... Idiot. The darkness elemental gently ran his thumb over the marks, a frown on his lips. His frown deepened as the icy demon shifted in her sleep, quietly muttering a few words. He couldn’t quite make out those soft words, but could tell by the tone in her voice it wasn’t good, whatever it was. You really are a stupid mutt...

Malba closed his eyes for a moment as that jarring sensation of something swarming through his veins sharpened, causing his hands to involuntarily spasm. God damn it... This is bad. I guess I used more energy than I thought... The man took in a deep breath, slightly shaking his head. He then opened his midnight-blue eyes, refocusing on the ice-fox slumbering against the couch cushion. He... He really did care about the stupid fox. As fucking annoying as she could be... Malba gently released her hand, instead moving to run a hand across her sleeping face, brushing a few strands of icy hair away from her closed eyes. He cared about the stupid mutt a lot. Technically he kind of loved her... Or something... Not that he’d ever tell her that. Probably... Well. Okay, so maybe he sort of, kind of had told her before. Sort of... Idiot...

“Oh yeah. Total hate there, right, Mals?” a voice cut into his thoughts and he frowned, pulling his gaze up to see Rae watching him with a small smile on her lips. Great... he thought with a roll of his dark eyes, a flash of irritation coursing through him at the human’s knowing look. “Whatever. Stupid human. Go back to fucking sleep or something,” he responded irritably, meeting the girl’s blue-green eyes.

“I wasn’t sleeping. I was meditating. Big difference,” she replied with a grin, her tone light.

“Whatever...” He really hated humans. Annoying girl...

“How’s your stomach, Malba?” Ryuuji questioned quietly, moving his gaze up from Druuvbin, focusing on the dark haired sprite.

“It hurts. Stupid,” he responded, though his voice held no real animosity. Malba smirked a bit at the demon, lightly shrugging his shoulders. “I’ll live.”

--What about.... You know. Are you alright?-- the kokuei demon added telepathically, his focus solely on the darkness sprite’s face, a hint of unease apparent in his red gaze. --I know you lost a lot of blood, so...--

--I’ll live,-- he repeated, shrugging off the man’s concerns. It wasn’t like he hadn’t sort of grown used to it by now... It... It was basically a routine feeling. That crawling, jittery sensation. Like bugs under his skin, or snakes... Or something equally gross. Malba took in a deep breath, his dark eyes moving to Druuvbin, a frown on his lips. As he watched that pale, suffering face, his thoughts flashed over the dream he had woken from only minutes before. The words of his father echoing in his mind...

--“Why can’t you see that you are only hurting yourself by protecting that monster?”-- His fists clenched at the memory, those words spoken so many years ago... Bastard. The ill... The terminally ill psychic was anything but a fucking monster. It... I’m sorry, Druu. I really am. That you actually believe it yourself... I... He attempted to push the thoughts away, as he really didn’t want to think about his stupid father. Yet those words still echoed within his thoughts, the words of a bastard hypocrite, a... The man was dead to him. After, after the things he... The things ‘Ikenna Nuiwa’ wanted to do, all for... All for my sake... Right. You’ve never cared about me...

Why the hell was he even thinking of his stupid father, anyway? The sprite hadn’t even spoken to the man in years. --“Why do you not trust your own father? I... I only want what’s best for you...”-- What was best? That... Those words spoken so many years ago, even now, thinking of those words... Really pissed the dark haired elemental off. How is making Druu... Making him... How could that be ‘what’s best?’ He.... I don’t even want to fucking think about this... Stupid dream, bringing up... Things Malba didn’t want to contemplate.

He instead focused his attention back to the unconscious sprite lying motionless, held in Ryuuji’s arms. Well, for the most part motionless. Expect for the whole ‘freezing to death’-like shudders coursing through the psychic’s lean body. Lightly trembling, his skin so pale, his lips pallid-blue... He... The dark haired man clenched his fists, anger and... Worry racing through his veins. Anger and apprehension, along with that gnawing, grating feeling flowing through him... Tightening his muscles, causing his body to buzz with edgy, sharp sensations...

“How... How has he been doing?” Malba questioned quietly, listening to the water sprite’s ragged breaths, taking in his pale face and shivering lips. “Has the bleeding completely stopped yet?” Though that was actually kind of a stupid question, wasn’t it? The bleeding never completely stops... Even when he’s not having an attack, he still coughs up blood on a freaking daily basis... He shuddered at the thought, forcing it away. He... Malba really fucking hated it. That stupid sickness and...

“He’s... I think he’s a little better. He woke up for a few minutes a couple of hours ago, and he’s not bleeding much now. He did cough up a little awhile ago, but...” Ryuuji trailed off with a troubled sigh, his red gaze moving back to the psychic resting in his arms. “It’s just... He’s... He’s just really cold....”

“He... He was awake?” the dark haired elemental inquired, his fists clenching tighter. He had been awake? If I hadn’t fallen asleep like a fucking idiot... I could have talked to him... I... As much as the psychic could grind his nerves, he... He cared about the guy... So much and he... God damn it.

“Yeah. Only for a couple of minutes though,” Rae responded softly, her aqua gaze moving to Druuvbin, a frown on her lips. “He... He was... Blaming himself for everything like a big idiot,” she added quietly, her grip on the water elemental’s motionless hand tightening.

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Malba questioned dryly, the frown on his lips deepening. He’s been taking the blame for things his entire damn life, I guess it’s second nature by now. The man had been told he was a ‘monster’ for so long, listened to so many lies, he... You believe it. Of course you do. I... I guess that’s what happens when you take a little kid and... Brainwash them to believe they’re a god damn monster. He would never understand. Never understand why.... And I thought I had fucked up parents...

The darkness sprite released a deep breath, his gaze moving down to Kitsune, taking in her uneasy face and her frowning lips. I guess I actually got off pretty easy, compared to Druu, Kitsune and Kouji... Tatsuki was a fuck and Druu’s parents... Were... Yeah. I got off easy. My father’s a psychotic, obsessed jerk, but... With that thought he slowly moved a hand to the icy demon’s cheek, not caring if the stupid human saw. At the moment, he was too freaking tired and... Too mentally drained to give a damn.

It was strange... As bitchy and cold as Kitsune acted while awake, her sleeping face was rather... Soft. Weary and melancholy, but not that cold, blank expression the woman forced upon her face so damn often. She... She really should leave her hair down more, he thought, running a hand through Kitsune’s loose locks. It softened her features, not pulled back in that stupid, lame ponytail-thing on top of her head.

He closed his eyes for a moment, synching in with the icy woman’s energy, trying to gauge how depleted she really was. It’s getting better. Earlier she was pretty much completely drained, but she’s getting it back fast. That was good. Her energy flow was growing quite rapidly. With a bit more sleep, the ice demon should be fine. That... Well. That was good. He didn’t want the stupid mutt drained... Malba knew how tired it must have made her. How wearying and aching, and... She bitched at me for being reckless, but she could have killed herself giving that much energy... Bitch. She can be just as reckless as me. Hypocrite. A smile briefly formed on his lips at the thought, his dark gaze still focused on Kitsune’s sleeping face. Yeah, she really was such an annoying mutt...

His thoughts were interrupted by a rasping cough escaping Druuvbin’s lips and he turned his gaze to the water elemental, a concerned expression in his dark eyes. He sounds awful... he thought uneasily, listening to the wheezing, ragged sounds coming from the psychic. “So... He, uh... What all did he say when he woke up?” Malba questioned quietly, having to force his voice to remain flat, toneless. He... It was hard, hard to keep that flat tenor in his voice, he...I should have been awake...

“He... He was just... Well, he was really glad that Ryuuji’s here, but... I don’t know. He seemed so... Sad... I just...” Rae shook her head, her weary aqua eyes troubled. “I feel so sorry for him. He’s hurting so much and he was so upset. Blaming himself for not being able to find Ryuuji, for you getting hurt, for Kopaka being sick... I don’t know, he just... He kept apologizing and he was crying and... Big baka,” she added softly, her eyes focused on the motionless hand held in her own. “He was just really... Really sad...”

Damn it, Druu... None of this is your fucking fault... Malba closed his eyes for a moment, fighting the buzzing sensation coursing through him, fighting to keep hold of his control on his flaring emotions. Now is completely not the time for this... Idiot... he berated himself, biting down on his inner lower lip.

The dark haired sprite slowly opened his eyes, refocusing on the water sprite, a wave of irritation flooding him. Irritation over the whole god damn situation. Anger for the life that had been pushed onto the psychic, the sickness, the... It just... It really pissed him off.

He took in a slow breath, attempting to calm his frazzled nerves, to still the quaking, biting sensations flowing through his body. Malba couldn’t allow himself to lose control. Not now. Heh... I was already... Having trouble keeping it together before this started. I mean I tried to burn Rae to ashes over a stupid song... Now... The added stress, and then his injuries... Those things Kaine had said and that fucking dream... Sitting by and watching as Druu lay dying... Dying yet again, it... It was all... Almost too much to handle. Yeah well too bad. Handle it anyway. Idiot. He couldn’t lose control. Not now. Just... Keep it together, idiot...

“Hey, Mals? Should you really be sitting up? I mean, you look kind of... Bad. Maybe you should lay back and rest some more, neh?” Rae questioned softly, breaking into the darkness sprite’s troubled thoughts. He moved his gaze to the pink haired girl, meeting the human’s worried eyes. The man opened his mouth to tell her to mind her own damn business, but after a moment of thought, he reconsidered. “I’m okay, don’t worry about it,” he said instead, forcing a small smirk on his lips. She doesn’t need me snapping at her like a jerk just for being worried...

“...You got shot and burned. That’s not exactly what I’d call ‘okay,’ Malba,” Rae responded dryly, her gaze moving to the man’s stomach, a frown on her lips. “You only slept for like, two or three hours. You need to rest too, ya know,” she added, turning her attention back to the sprite’s face, meeting his midnight-blue gaze.

Malba let out an irritated sigh, rolling his eyes. “I said I’m fine. Stupid fucking human,” he bit back, his voice rising. Well... So much for not snapping at the girl. Damn it... The dark haired elemental slowly released Kitsune’s hand, moving to instead rub wearily at his eyes. Will you keep it together, fucking idiot? Sometimes, he really hated himself.... Sometimes? Hah... It was ridiculous. How he couldn’t even manage to keep control of his own... It... It just... I’m such an idiot.

“Okay, Malba. Don’t get mad,” Rae quietly replied, not seeming to grow angry over the darkness elemental’s heated outburst. “I’m sorry, okay?” she went on to say, her tone holding no sign of irritation or exasperation. “Just don’t get mad.”

The dark haired sprite closed his eyes for a moment, continuing to rub at his tightly shut eyelids, his jaw clenching as yet another wave of oppressive, grating sensations flowed through him. I should have known it would get worse. I lost a lot of blood, so.... Damn it. I guess I’m going to... It didn’t matter. He didn’t care. He’d just ignore the damn feeling. I’m not losing it. No fucking way... I... “I’m sorry, alright? I just... I don’t know...” he muttered softly, his tone weary. He wasn’t quite used to apologizing, but it seemed like he’d been doing it a lot the past couple of days. Though you know, after you randomly try to fucking kill someone over a stupid song, a simple ‘I’m sorry’ seems pretty inadequate.

“It’s fine, Mals. You can yell at me if ya want, heh. I don’t mind,” the girl responded lightly, giving the man a teasing grin. “Don’t worry about it,” she then stated, waving a hand dismissively.

Malba raised an eyebrow at that, though a minute smirk briefly formed on his own lips. Stupid human....

“Ngh... Leiva...” Druuvbin mumbled softly, shifting in Ryuuji’s arms. “Te leiva....” he then whispered between short, uneven breaths.

“I know,” Ryuuji responded gently, a bitter look playing on his pale, cut marred face. “Just hang in there, Druu,” he stated, increasing his hold on the unconscious psychic, adjusting the blankets covering his lean frame.

“What did he say? And don’t even think about starting that shit Kits was pulling. What did he say?” Malba questioned, his midnight-blue eyes locked on that agonized, deathly pallid face. Druu... God damn it...

“He said it’s cold,” the spiky haired demon responded flatly, an agitated expression flashing across his face. “I can’t get him any warmer. I... It’s like his body fights against the energy I give him. No matter how much I give, it just...” the man trailed off with a sigh, shaking his head. “I don’t know. It’s just frustrating. He is doing better, but he’s so cold and... He’s in a lot of pain. There’s nothing I can do about it and that just... Aggravates the hell out of me,” he admitted dryly, turning his gaze to Malba, giving him a bitter smile. “And no matter how many blankets you pile on him or hell even some kind of heating pads or hot water bottles or something... None of it helps. It never does,” Ryuuji stated, pulling his gaze back to Druuvbin, concern in his red eye.

The darkness sprite lowered his gaze, focusing on his injured hand clenched by his side. Ryuuji... He actually was a good guy. As bitchy as he had been with the demon earlier, he... Why had he been so fucking nasty, so fucking immature anyway? He... He didn’t deserve that... True, he was pissed that the kokuei had vanished without a trace, scaring the hell out of Druu and... Well okay, so maybe Malba had been a little worried about the guy. Not much of course, but... A little... Yeah... Still. Ryuuji was a good guy. Annoying and irritating but... If it weren’t for him, Druu could still be locked away in Tevrra. Or dead... Yeah. He’d be dead. It wasn’t that Malba hated Ryuuji. It wasn’t that at all. He just... I didn’t mean it... I... What the hell is wrong with me? Oh. Heh... Insanity. Already knew that... It wasn’t right. He knew it wasn’t. The way he had dug into the guy, yelling and... And...

--Hey, Ryuu...-- he telepathed hesitantly, watching the man’s pale face, taking in his eye-patch, his cuts and bruises.... I’m such a dick.

--Yeah? What is it?-- the demon responded, pulling his gaze to the darkness sprite, a little concern tinting his mental tone. --You okay?--

--Heh, I’m never okay. I’m an idiot. I...-- Malba paused for a moment, unsure as to what the fuck he was even doing. He just... --Look, about earlier...-- he trailed off, a frown on his lips, his dark eyes focused on his closed, injured hand. He squeezed his fist tighter, focusing on the pain from the shattered bones in his hand. It... It was better then the burning pain in his stomach and side, or... Or the grating, uncomfortable sensations flowing through his veins. Those thick, overpowering sensations, growing worse and worse...

--It’s okay, Malba. Really,-- Ryuuji replied, his mental tone quiet, reassuring. --Don’t worry about that.--

--I’m... I’m so fucking tired of being such an asshole all the time... I keep getting worse and worse. I... I didn’t mean it, okay? I’m glad you’re alive...-- he admitted after a lengthy pause, clenching his injured hand tighter, a spark of anger flaring within. Anger at himself. He was so tired. Right now, his body and mind were so drained, and he was tired of having to fight to keep himself together, fight to...

Apparently those things Kaine had said... Were affecting him more than what he thought. --“Those red eyes appear so quickly, don’t they, you fool? Don’t they? 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 was right of course. He was being a royal dick, but... I... Those words had stung... So badly. Idiot...

--Malba, did you hear me? Hey? Malba?-- Ryuuji’s telepathic ‘voice’ cut into the darkness elemental’s troubled reverie and the man looked up, meeting the kokuei demon’s concerned gaze. --Huh?--

--I said you’re not an asshole, okay, Mals? I mean it. I’m sorry I snapped at you earlier. Really, I am,-- the demon stated firmly, holding the sprite’s gaze, giving him a reassuring look.

--I’m not? Since when?-- Malba responded, raising an eyebrow. --I’m a bastard. Heh, literally and figuratively. Not to mention a dangerous, homicidal maniac,-- he added matter-of-factly, faintly shrugging his shoulders. --I still didn’t mean what I said though... I’m sorry, okay?-- the darkness sprite mumbled quietly, his mental tone flat, weary. He was too fucking tired to pretend to be apathetic to the situation. He was glad the annoying demon was alive. Even if he is irritating...

--Mals... It’s fine. I said not to worry about it. And you’re not a ‘dangerous, homicidal maniac.’ Idiot,-- Ryuuji stated with a frown, not taking his gaze away from the darkness sprite. --Don’t say stupid things like that,-- he added quietly, his expression troubled.

Malba shrugged his shoulders once more, moving his gaze away from the purple haired demon, instead focusing on Druuvbin. --Just telling the truth. No point denying it,-- he replied tonelessly, his dark-blue eyes hollow. --Just drop it, Ryuu. It doesn’t matter.--

Ryuuji let out a frustrated breath, his facial expression showing his exasperation with the sprite’s statement. --You’re such an annoying little brat, you know that?-- he inquired after a few moments of silence, his mental tone dry.

--Yeah, and you’re an irritating dick. So we’re even,-- Malba remarked, a hint of a smile briefly forming on his lips.

--Hm. I guess you’re right,-- was the spiky haired demon’s response, amusement tinting his mental tone.

Yeah... The demon really wasn’t a bad guy... He was actually... Well. A good friend. --Hey, Ryuuji?-- he questioned softly, his eyes not pulling away from the deathly ill psychic resting in the demon’s toned arms.

--Yeah?--

--...What happened to your eye?-- the darkness sprite inquired, his mental voice quiet, somehow... Utterly hollow.

--It’s not a big deal, Mals,-- the demon stated, brushing off the question, his tone casual, blasé.

Malba let out an irritated sigh at this, his eyebrow twitching in aggravation. --Will you just fucking tell me? Idiot!--

--...Hizeme-doku,-- Ryuuji responded after a prolonged pause, his tone nonchalant. --Don’t worry about it, it wasn’t that much.--

Wait... What?! Hizeme-doku? In his eye? In his eye? “What? Are you serious? Hizeme-doku?” he inquired aloud, his voice rising, startling the human girl who had until that point been focused solely on Druuvbin.

“Huh?” Rae questioned with a blink, glancing between Ryuuji and Malba with a puzzled look on her face. “Oh... That poison stuff...” she then stated, a look of realization appearing on her face. “You two are using the whole telepathy, ‘leave the human out of the conversation’ thing, neh?” the girl added, a somewhat rueful tone in her voice.

“Malba... It’s not that big of a deal,” Ryuuji responded evenly, meeting the sprite’s midnight-blue eyes, entirely ignoring the human’s remark. “What’s done is done.”

“In your eye?”

“Not that much...”

“Hizeme-doku... In your eye.”

“Uh, yeah. That’s what I said.”

“Yes, ignore the human,” the girl muttered dryly, a wry smile on her lips. With that said, she turned her attention back to Druuvbin, obviously giving up on even attempting to enter the conversation.

“In your fucking eye?” the darkness sprite practically stuttered, also ignoring Rae for the moment, a wave of guilt swiftly encompassing him. The whole pirate jokes and all seemed pretty fucking heartless, now that... Hizeme-doku... Malba knew what that shit did. He’d never felt it for himself, but he knew someone who had... The darkness sprite moved his focus to Kitsune, to the bandages wrapping her lower arms. That shit... It... Malba knew damn well what the ‘poison’ did. It was bad enough with... But in the eye? That...

--Malba. Don’t freak out,-- Ryuuji telepathed, his tone firm, his left eyebrow raised. --I’m alright.--

--...How sick did it make you? I mean... Absorbing into your eye, that had to...-- Malba trailed off, a deep frown on his lips, his fists clenching tightly as a fresh surge of biting, tingling sensations buzzed through him. His muscles involuntarily tightening, a spasm causing his fists to close even more so. Damn it...

--Will you calm down? I’m okay,-- was the man’s only response, dodging the darkness sprite’s question altogether.

--How sick? For how long?-- the elemental inquired, his mental tone firm, his dark-blue eyes moving to focus on the man’s cut marred face. His black eye-patch, his split purple lips...

--I don’t know. I can’t really remember. I was kind of out of it, actually,-- the kokuei admitted, a sheepish grin forming on his lips.

--Out of it? Yeah, I’ll bet,-- Malba replied dryly, shaking his head. --That... That had to hurt,-- he stated flatly, his lips still set in a frown, his dark eyes troubled. Hizeme-doku poured in the man’s eye... Yeah. That had to hurt. Really hurt.

--Well. It didn’t feel good,-- Ryuuji remarked wryly, his mental voice holding a tint of amusement. --I... Druu asked me what happened to my eye. I shouldn’t have told him, but he wouldn’t let me out of answering... He got pretty upset. I... I really shouldn’t have told him,-- the purple haired demon went on to confess, a tone of self-reproach entering his smooth mental ‘voice.’

--It doesn’t surprise me that he wouldn’t let you drop it. We both know how stubborn the idiot can be,-- the dark haired elemental commented with a bitter smile, his gaze moving to the unconscious psychic. Taking in those wheezing breaths and that lightly trembling -otherwise motionless- frame... Of course, Druu knows all about hizeme-doku, too... He didn’t have any physically put on him, but... His thoughts trailed off and he turned his dark gaze to Kitsune, taking in her bloodstained, bandaged arms once more. Hizeme-doku... One of Xzutai’s wonderful contributions to the world. A deadly, torturous ‘poison...’

--Yeah, he’s definitely that,-- the kokuei demon remarked dryly, his tone bittersweet. --Definitely stubborn.--

--Yeah.--

The two fell into silence at that and Malba let out a sigh, forcefully unclenching his uninjured hand, moving to rub at his weary eyes. Stubborn... That’s one way to describe him...

--Ryuu?--

--Hm?--

--Sorry we couldn’t find you.--

--My own fault.--

--Yeah. It was completely your fault, but still,-- Malba quipped dryly, turning his tired gaze to the demon, giving the man a small smirk. The spiky haired demon returned the grin, his visible eye revealing a touch of amusement at the darkness sprite’s statement.

The two once again fell into silence and Malba closed the mind-link, letting out a weary breath, shutting his eyes. He was starting to get a little dizzy. Whether it be from his wounds or from his own fucked up blood was anyone’s guess. It was hard to tell, really. The darkness sprite closed his eyes tighter, trying to ignore the worsening sensations wracking his body, that crawling, buzzing, fucking creepy sensation... God damn it.

“Malba?” Rae questioned softly, breaking into the darkness sprite’s thoughts. The black haired man opened his eyes, moving his gaze to focus on the girl. The human frowned, a look of concern on her face. “Are you okay?” she inquired, a touch of hesitance in her voice, as if she was unsure whether she would offend the elemental by asking.

“Yeah... Just tired,” he lied, shrugging his shoulders dismissively. Truthfully, he felt like hell. His stomach and side hurt terribly, his hand throbbed, but... None of that was as bad as that... That dark, buzzing feeling... Just ignore it. It’ll go away...Yeah, or not. Damn it.

“If you say so,” the girl remarked with a frown, obviously not convinced in the least. “You should at least lie down and rest a little, Mals,” she added quietly, her gaze moving to his left side, a troubled expression playing in her aqua colored eyes.

“The human’s right,” Ryuuji stated in agreement, a mischievous smirk on his lips. He turned his gaze to the pink haired girl, a teasing expression on his pale face.

“Oh, there you go with the ‘human’ thing again. Mr. Superior Demon,” Rae commented, obviously taking no offense, as an amused smile formed on her lips. “You demons...”

“Heh.”

Malba rolled his eyes at the two, shaking his head at their banter. Idiots... It seemed the two were getting along fairly well, apparently. Though that honestly wasn’t too surprising. Ryuuji was a pretty easygoing guy for the most part. Unless you piss him off... Then there’s nothing easygoing about him. He turns back into Tevrran military ‘macho man’ or something really lame like that... the sprite thought, a small smile briefly appearing on his lips.

“Te leiva...” Druuvbin mumbled softly, breaking into the darkness elemental’s contemplations. He turned his gaze to the unconscious psychic, a wave of sympathy washing over him at the man’s whispered words. Sympathy and a surge of that fucking annoying, buzzing, grating... Stop it...

“I know it’s cold, Druu,” Ryuuji responded softly, an agitated sigh escaping his light purple lips. “I know you’re cold.”

“I wish there was something we could do to get you a little warmer,” Rae stated quietly, briefly releasing the water elemental’s pale hand long enough to adjust the blankets covering his lean frame. She then retook his hand, an apprehensive look in her aqua colored eyes. “I’m sorry, I know you’re cold, Druu-chan.”

Malba sat in silence for a few moments, watching those shivering lips, listening to the harsh, rasping noises coming from the water sprite’s chest. He... Watching the psychic suffer, it... So cold and in so much pain, it... Oh, fuck it. What’s a little more wasted energy? I’m already screwed now anyway, so it’s not really going to matter, he finally thought, coming to a quick decision.

The dark haired elemental slowly moved to stand from his sitting position on the black couch, careful not to wake Kitsune. Once standing, he took in a few deep breaths, forcing the dizziness away, the weak feelings in his legs... He instead focused his gaze down to Kitsune, watching her sleeping face. Eh, I should let her have the couch anyway. She needs the rest more than me. Rest doesn’t cure insanity, after all. So I guess rest is useless for me. With that thought, he carefully moved to take hold of the woman, biting down a grimace as an eruption of white-hot pain seared through his burned wound. Ignoring the pain, he gently lifted the ice demon, moving to place her on the petite black couch, making sure to position her in a comfortable position. Well, as comfortable as a stupid little couch could be, anyway. At least this is better than her sleeping on the fucking floor.

“What are you doing? You shouldn’t be getting up, not to mention picking Kitsune up,” Ryuuji pointed out, raising an eyebrow.

“Oh bite me,” Malba snapped in response, rolling his eyes. He focused his dark gaze on the sleeping woman for a few moments, noting that she had not stirred from her deep slumber. Good. If she woke up right now, she’d get pissed with me for what I’m about to do. He carefully moved to caress her cheek, not giving a damn if Rae saw. What the hell did it matter anymore? It’s not like Kits and I have been exactly discreet... Heh.... Stupid mutt.

He then turned, slowly making his way to the large bed, forcing his weak legs to remain steady, making sure to not stumble like an idiot. Again. Malba moved to sit next to Ryuuji, his gaze focusing on the deathly ill psychic resting in the demon’s toned arms. So very sick, so cold and miserable, in so much pain... “Let me see him, Ryuu.”

“What?” Ryuuji responded, turning his gaze to the darkness sprite sitting beside him, his eyebrows furrowing. “Please tell me you aren’t seriously thinking about--” he started but was cut off as Malba let out a small growl, irritation washing over him.

“Just shut up and give him to me for a minute, Ryuuji. He’s getting colder and you can’t do anything about it. I can,” the darkness sprite firmly remarked, not taking his gaze away from Druuvbin. It’s not like it takes that much energy anyway...

“Malba. No,” the kokuei demon quickly replied, his tone exasperated, his pale, cut blemished face holding a look of agitation. “No.”

“It’s not like it’s that big of a deal, idiot! I can do it, okay? So just shut the fuck up and let me see him for a minute. You can give him energy without holding him,” Malba snapped, his voice rising, anger sparking in his midnight-blue eyes. I’m already fucked up anyway, so a little more energy loss isn’t going to make any fucking difference.

“Malba. No way in hell. I mean it.”

“I said I can do it!”

“No.”

“God damn it, Ryuuji!”

“Uh... What are you two talking about?” Rae questioned with an eyebrow raised, watching the two bicker with a perplexed expression on her weary face.

“All I’m going to do is use some fire energy to warm him up a little, it’s not like it’s going to be that much. Torching people and warming Druu are two fucking different things. It’s not a big deal,” the darkness sprite replied irritably, casting an angry glare at the tall, spiky haired demon. Fucking ass...

“Wait, but Kitsune already tried that, didn’t she? It didn’t really work that much... Even I could feel the fire energy she was using, it was really strong, but it just... It didn’t work very well,” Rae commented softly, her tone weary, a melancholy expression briefly flashing across her features. “And Mals, what’s up with you liking fire so much, anyway? Pyro. I thought you were of the ‘darkness’ or whatever. What, did Kitsune teach you to use fire or something?” she then questioned teasingly with a smile, her gaze focused on the dark haired elemental.

Did... Kitsune teach me to use fire? Malba twitched at the girl’s question, growing rather aggravated with the whole discussion. “I think you’ve got that backwards, stupid human,” he muttered quietly, giving Rae a heated glare.

“Wait, what? You taught her to use fire? You’re the one who taught her? You?” the pink haired girl inquired, her eyes widening, her voice holding a tone of surprise. “Really?”

“...Why is that so surprising? What? You think I’m completely powerless just because I’m not a stupid mutt like her?” he responded flatly, twitching irritably. Stupid human...

“Well, geez, bite my head off,” Rae stated with a wry smile, briefly releasing her hold on Druuvbin’s hand to throw her own hands up in mock surrender. “I’m sorry. You are the master of fire, my bad. That’s really completely cool that you taught her and... Uh. Wait...” the girl trailed off, her eyes narrowing. “Uh... I thought elementals’ magick and demons’ magick are kind of different. How did you teach her to use magick when you two have different types?” she questioned suspiciously, carefully watching the darkness sprite.

Oh. Oops... “Uh, well...”

“It’s not that different. Magick is essentially the same, regardless. Elementals and demons are pretty similar, really. Just minor differences,” Ryuuji cut in smoothly, his tone level. “It’s not that difficult for an elemental to teach a demon to use an element, etc, or vice versa,” he added, lightly shrugging his shoulders. “Druu has taught me a few things over the years.”

“Oh. Okay,” Rae responded with a blink, her gaze moving to the unconscious psychic. “Druu’s taught you stuff? That’s cool....”

Malba let out a small breath, clenching his injured hand into a fist, irritated with himself over his slip up. Not that what Ryuuji said wasn’t true. In reality, the difference between demons and elementals really wasn’t that much, but... I still shouldn’t have said that... He really should think more before opening his big mouth...

--...Thanks, Ryuu...--

--No problem. Idiot.--

--Stupid dick.--

--Annoying brat.--

Malba rolled his eyes at the exchange, though he felt no real anger over the insult. It was sort of a routine to argue with the idiot. He’d kind of missed getting to fight with the bastard, in a way... “Anyway. Let me see him,” the darkness sprite then stated, refocusing his attention to the shivering psychic in Ryuuji’s arms.

--Malba. I said no and I mean it. I know it doesn’t take much energy for you to do it, but you’re already drained, not to mention injured. Do you realize how dangerous it would be if you started using fire energy right now?-- the spiky haired demon stated telepathically, a deep frown appearing on his split, light purple lips.

--Ryuuji... I’m already fucked anyway. It’s not going to make much of a difference. I’m just going to use enough to keep him from fucking freezing to death. Kitsune’s good with fire, but she’s not me. I might be fucking useless otherwise, but I can handle fire better than any of you put together and you know it,-- the sprite bit back in response, his tone sharp. He wasn’t backing down. Hell, just in the few minutes that Malba had been awake, Druuvbin had been progressively growing colder and colder, his teeth chattering, his lips pallid-blue... The water elemental was in enough agony as it was, he... If I can just make him feel even a little better... I... Druu...

“Damn it, Malba,” the demon snapped aloud, an exasperated tone in his smooth voice, his visible red eye holding a troubled expression.

“Malba... Are you sure you can handle it? You’re really hurt. Like, really hurt,” Rae stated softly, casting a concern-filled look to the dark haired man. “Druu would get pissed if he knew you were going to risk making yourself worse,” she went on to say, a frown on her lips.

--I’m not worried about the burns or the gunshot wound. You know why you shouldn’t be doing this right now. Malba, it’s a bad idea. I don’t want you to...To...-- Ryuuji trailed off, focusing his red eye to Druuvbin, an uneasy expression on his pale face. --Yes, he’s damn cold, and I hate it, but I still don’t want you using any more fire energy than what you already have. You have to keep a little or...--

“I’m doing it,” Malba stated flatly, cutting off the man’s telepathic statement. “And you can’t stop me, so just shut the fuck up,” he added matter-of-factly, shooting an irritated glare at the man. Stop being such a dick... Stupid ass. The darkness sprite knew that using too much fire wasn’t exactly the greatest idea, but... I’m... It’s going to happen anyway... It’s too late to worry about it now.

“Oh, I can’t stop you? Want to bet on that?” Ryuuji responded darkly, a flash of irritation appearing on his pale face. “Don’t start, Malba. I’ll knock you out if I have to.”

“Try it, eye-patch boy!” Malba snapped irately, forgetting to feel guilty over making fun of the eye-patch for the moment. He’d feel guilty about it later. Right now, he was just... Really pissed.

“Uh, guys, could you two calm the hell down? You’re going to wake Kitsune up. No one’s knocking anyone out. Let’s just, uh, calm down,” Rae cut in, an exasperated tone in her voice, her weary face holding a hint of annoyance. “Malba, you don’t need to make yourself worse than what you are. You already look like you’re about ready to pass out or something, so somehow I don’t think it’s a real good idea to go wasting more energy, okay?” she went on to say, moving a hand to rub at her temple, closing her aqua eyes. “So stop yelling, neh?”

Malba rolled his eyes, clenching his fists in annoyance. Well. Partially in annoyance. Actually it was mostly involuntary, as his damn muscles were tightening, his body buzzing and... Ugh... Damn it... He shoved the sensations away, (or to the back of his thoughts, anyway) moving his gaze to meet Ryuuji’s single red eye. --Ryuuji. I think I’m probably... It doesn’t matter, okay? Get it? It’s... A little more isn’t going to matter at this point.--

Ryuuji frowned at this, a concerned expression flashing across his pale, attractive features. -- ...Damn it. Are you sure? How bad?--

--Dunno. Have to wait and see. I can never tell until it happens...-- he responded with a shrug, a sigh escaping his lips. --At the base, I had to use a lot of extra energy because I was shot... I was bleeding, so... It was harder for me to get enough fire going without using a lot. So, I really don’t think it matters, okay? Just... Just let me help him. As many times as he... As he’s helped me... There’s not much I can do for him, but I can do this,-- Malba stated, his mental ‘voice’ softening, a bitter smile forming on his lips as he moved his gaze to Druuvbin. The guy had... Had helped him through a lot of shit over the years and... As much as you can piss me off Druu... I...

Ryuuji remained in silence for a few moments, his face holding a mixed expression, indecision in his red gaze. “I... I don’t know, Mals, it still...” The man trailed off as a sudden jagged cough shook Druuvbin, a thin trail of blood slipping from his shivering lips. “Damn it,” the demon mumbled, his expression apprehensive.

“Will you please just give him to me?” Malba questioned, his tone quiet, his gaze locked on the blood slowly dripping from the psychic’s lips, down his chin... God damn it...

--Fine. But if you die or go crazy, don’t blame me,-- Ryuuji stated telepathically, his tone unsure, his face holding an uneasy expression.

--Whatever.--

With that said, Ryuuji gently handed the lean water elemental over to Malba and the darkness sprite pulled the psychic close, holding him against his chest in a comforting manner. He bundled the blankets around that trembling frame, wrapping his arms securely around Druuvbin. He’s so cold...

“Rae, go get something to clean the blood off of him,” the dark haired man ordered quietly, his gaze focused solely on the psychic resting in his arms. So very cool, so very pale...

“Yeah, okay,” the girl responded, her voice a touch uneven. She stood from her sitting position on the bed, quickly moving to exit the moody grey room.

Malba could clearly feel the stream of dark, shadow energy pouring into the water sprite’s cool body from Ryuuji, keeping him breathing, keeping his heart beating... Now, let’s see what I can do. “Hey, Druu. I don’t know if you can hear me, but... Just hold on,” he stated softly, his usual edgy, sharp tone gone, instead replaced by a caring, gentle tint. There was no way in hell he could keep up the whole big bad darkness master persona while holding the guy, more than half dead, in so much pain, lost in his own god damn visions and memories... “I know this probably feels like musical fucking chairs or something. Everyone keeps passing you around, right?” he questioned teasingly, moving to touch the psychic’s cool, pallid cheek.

“Ngh...” Druuvbin softly moaned, his eyelids twitching.

“Hey, does that mean you can hear me?” Malba inquired, carefully watching the psychic’s deathly pale face for any sign of response. Come on, Druu... Talk to me...

“Malba...” was the only answer the water elemental was able to give, his eyelids twitching once more. Druu then let out another ragged, jarring cough, gagging as a bit of blood slipped from his lips.

“That’s right. It’s me,” the darkness elemental responded, a bitter frown forming on his lips. I guess... At least he can hear me, maybe, but... He... He hated it that the man couldn’t pull himself from his dreams, from his visions and... “Just hold on.”

“Damn it... I hope he’s not going to start bleeding again, as bad as he was earlier...” Ryuuji mumbled softly, moving to take hold of the psychic’s limp hand. “That’s the last thing he needs. He’s already bled entirely too much,” the kokuei demon said with a somewhat shaky sigh, his focus on the blood slowly dripping from the water sprite’s mouth.

“Let’s warm you up a little, okay, Druu? I know I’m pretty much fucking useless, but I can at least be a heater,” Malba commented, attempting to keep his tone level. It... Actually it was getting a little hard. It... His body was buzzing, his emotions flaring and he... The darkness sprite took in a deep breath, forcing himself to concentrate. I can do this.

Malba gently moved to place a hand on the psychic’s blanket covered chest, focusing on summoning forth the power of fire. Which wasn’t too difficult, as fire was kind of his... ‘Specialty.’ I’m pretty much fucking useless otherwise, but I can at least do the whole fire thing... Taking that warm energy, slowly encircling the water sprite in his arms with gentle flows of power, using it to hopefully ease the tight pain in the man’s chest... To ease away the bitter cold....

“Is that a little better?” he questioned softly, noting the way Druuvbin shifted, pulling a bit closer. “Just hang in there, okay?” he stated gently, his voice growing a little uneven. --You know I’m fucking crazy, anyway. There’s no way I could deal with losing any of you guys. You, Kits, Kopaka and... Eh, I guess Ryuuji, maybe... You guys are all I’ve got to keep me from completely losing it. So just... Hang on, okay?-- he added telepathically. He didn’t know if the psychic could hear, but he... He really hoped the man could hear his words. --Hang in there, Druu... Just hang on...--

“Here, got a fresh washcloth,” Rae’s voice cut into his thoughts and he looked up as the girl moved to sit on the bed, a damp blue washcloth held in her hands.

“Thanks,” Ryuuji stated, taking hold of the rag with his free hand. He gently moved to clean the blood from Druuvbin’s lips, his red gaze full of concern. “You’re going to be okay, Druu.”

Malba closed his eyes tightly as he felt a jagged wave of sharp pain rip through his side, as he felt that swarming, grating sensation rushing through him... Stop it... He pushed it away, reopening his eyes to focus on Druuvbin. “Hey, Druu... Any chance you could wake up and talk to me? You were a jerk and waited until I was asleep to wake up. I didn’t get to talk to you, so... Wake up and talk to me now,” the dark haired elemental requested quietly, fighting to keep his voice even, to keep his emotions in check, fighting away the buzzing sensations rushing through his blood, the... Ngh... Damn it... Just, got to hold it off for a little longer... Until I get him warmer and...

--Malba, are you sure you can do this?-- Ryuuji questioned telepathically, his uneasy gaze moving to focus on Malba’s pale face. --You’re looking worse... As in a lot worse.--

--Shut up, Ryuuji.--

--Damn it, Malba... Kitsune is going to kill us both when she finds out...--

--So don’t tell her,-- Malba snapped irritably, rolling his dark eyes. The guy was really starting to grind his nerves. Fucking idiot...

--Yeah well, I wasn’t planning on telling her, but it’s going to be kind of hard to explain when she wakes up and finds you dead,-- Ryuuji responded sarcastically, the frown on his light purple lips increasing.

--Well. If that happens, I won’t have to worry about it. I’ll already be dead,-- the darkness sprite couldn’t help but quip, a small smirk briefly forming on his lips. --It’ll just be you that has to deal with her, not me.--

--Idiot.--

--Pirate.—

--Brat.--

“So... Guys, um... I haven’t really wanted to ask this but... What if Druu starts bleeding really bad again? Kopaka’s still out cold. What if Druu-chan needs more meds? Then what?” Rae suddenly questioned uneasily, her aqua eyes focused on the bloodstained rag still clutched in Ryuuji’s free hand.

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