Servant

"Don't you turn away from me Pretty Boy!" Screaming, the man wrapped all in black slammed his fist into the yielding flesh of a young prostitute's cheek.1

"I am NOT your Pretty Boy any more Derrick!" The youth spat, throwing himself against the arms of the other men holding him back for the beating.2

"You know what? You're not. By FUCK you are RIGHT for once in you goddamn life! You aren't my Pretty Boy anymore." He laughed spitefully, drawing his face in close to the boy leaning haplessly against the bonds holding him. "You're just a Whore, a little past his shelf life."3

With that final word, he lifted a silver gun from his waistcoat. Upon the custom finished silver barrel were embossed in melted rubies 'Satan's Pimp' shone maleficent in the street lights. His gold tooth gleamed into the boy's eyes, forcing his head away from the painful truth.4

"Take it in bitch." He muttered, waiting for those still perfect lips to part, even the cold-sores could not take away from that. They opened almost immediately, and then the gun slid between them. "This is your last blow job. Hope it was fun."5

The striker pulled back halfway, a dreadful 'click' showing the coming death. The boy could only wait, blood-stained tears tracking through the mud caked upon his face before falling, onyx pearls, to the asphalt.6

Lightning hot pain, like an egg splashing on the back of his head, blood like the yoke washing down, oh, so terribly slowly.7

There stood a fourth man, taller than any of the others. His flawless teeth sparkled like the devil's would through his menacing smirk, his hands busied, putting on leather gloves with small studs of steel on the knuckles.8

Derrick swore loudly, turning about with little grace, almost falling into the wall as he faced the corpse that dared intrude on what he did to HIS bitch!9

"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DEAD MAN!" Acidic words spoken, in what the fist-fighter could only barely call English for its complete lack of regard for intelligence. He chuckled softly to himself, before that smirk drifted away to an emotionless mask, and his hand darted out again.10

Long, but thin, fingers found their way around the throat of the pimp with ease, and began to close into a fist. Blood began to build up against the edges of his digits quickly as he began to crush the neck completely. It took only a moment too long for the 'bodyguards' to take action though, a vessel burst in his grasp, squirting blood like a slash across his face, from bottom right to top left.11

"You son of a. . ." Derrick managed as he fell freely to the unforgiving alley floor. Dead before he hit the ground, a small observation the fist-fighter noted. Just as the other two made their way for him.12

One blow to the face, another to the other man's chest. Both fell backwards onto the ground. The fighter jumped up slightly, and the bodyguards found a boot into each of their rib cages, slipping between the ribs though, and crushing their hearts and diaphragms. Death would come swiftly for these two, but they would still feel the pain of it first.13

He bent down to the first one, appraisal the only motive apparent in him. Blood was pooled in four small circular dents in his forehead. He had missed the death of this one, a piece of the skull had broken off and pierced the brain. He had also died before he hit the asphalt, so he moved to the other.14

Deep, rasping breaths sharply hissed in and out of this one. Well, they would be if anything but the most minute amount could fit into the nearly collapsed lungs. Blood covered his chest, a small bar the size of the fighter's knuckles for a whole in his chest. Ten seconds later, another. . . 'man'. . . was dead.15

"Are you alright?" He asked, dropping the bloodied gloves to the ground, no need for them now, a new pair was needed after that. He'd embedded the knuckles inside the second bodyguard.16

"What the hell did you just do?" The boy demanded, looked up, fire-eyed, at the man that had apparently just saved his left.17

"I think, I just helped you. Forgive me if I did not." He smirked again, but no malice in it, just not-so-polite curiosity.18

"Oh great, so now instead of him as a pimp, I've got some sadistic bastard that can actually WATCH his victims die!? What the fuck!? At lest Derrick never had the balls to go that far, he didn't even have the balls to kill me!" Despairing now, the boy threw himself at the false Earth, slamming his fists against it. Laughing inside as he felt a rock between his knuckles.19

Chuckles, then laughter, and finally mania. The fighter, with exaggerated expressions, leaned back and forth under the weight of it all. Throwing himself around though his feet never moved, gone stark raving mad.20

"What the fuck are you. . ." Sheer horror then, eyes glossed over as he watched the inhuman man before him. No body could make such movements, it surely would have broken his ribs, and spine! Then he remembered himself, this man was a fighter, he could easily be a contortionist as well. Yet, horrific. . . .21

"I am sorry then boy," He stifled his laughter with one daintily held hand, "I shall leave you alone now. Good-bye!"22

"No you won't! You own me now you prick! I'm yours but you are obligated to take care of me! Turn around! Bastard I'm talking to you!" He was chasing him, he didn't know why, but in his world it was the right thing to do. Your pimp got killed, you belonged to his murder, that's all there was, whether they wanted you or not that's where you went. No matter what!23

"Oh really? Well fine then, if you so wish it. Here's my address, go there, ask Sven to clean you and clothe you. I will be in by dawn. Or, you can stay out here. It's completely your decision!" Smiling warmly, the man handed his card over, and walk-danced away. The boy could only think to himself, that blood-lust satiated, the man had gone mad with pleasure.24

"What the hell is this?" The boy muttered to himself, but after reading the address, he darted away to it.25

Rain fell heartlessly upon the prostitute as he pounded on the mansion door, losing his nerve quickly, and knocking all the more urgently for it. Finally, the door opened, and before him stood a blond man, only slightly taller than he, dressed in what was obviously a servant's uniform.26

"May I help you young sir?" Sven inquired pleasantly, completely unfazed by the state the man come to call was in. Either he ignored unpleasant sights, or he was used to this sort of thing.27

"Umm, yeah. This guy, gave me this card. He said to come here, and ask Sven to clean me and clothe me. Then I am to wait for him to return, he said he'd be back by dawn." The boy whispered, looking down at the white carpet of the home. Even people like him worried about what their filth could do to such lovely carpet.28

"I see, well he will be back by dawn as he said I am sure, he always is. Why don't you come in, we'll get you prepared. Just tell me in what manner you would like to be presented." Sven continued still to smile as he welcomed the boy in. Draping a towel around him and removing his shoes first, the man lead him to the bathroom.29

"Well, I am his. . . property. Whatever style he prefers them in, that's what needs to be done." Whispers only those words as he was sat down on the bottom of the raised shower.30

"Property? So he killed a pimp did he? Oh! Don't look so surprised. I know the rules of the streets as it were. Even if I got off them a decade ago." Sweetly smiling the servant turned on the shower, careful always the water stayed off of him and the floor as he undressed the submissive boy and cleansed him of a month's blood and mud. An hour later, smelling of lilac and frankincense, the boy was taken out of the shower. A silk shirt of violet to match his eyes, and tight leather pants to match the dog collar and fishnet under the silk shirt.31

"You sure this is what he wants me in? I can't make a mistake on my first night." It was strange how worried the boy was; sure he was, in his mind, this man's slave, but why actually care? Maybe just fear.32

"Trust me, this came from his favorite wardrobe, and it looks good on you. Although, I really think the only thing he'll find of interest is why you stayed. He doesn't understand the 'loyalty' of the streets, or the 'honor'. He understands that saving someone is worth his time, and if they want to stay, he has no reason to deny them."33

"Did he. . . ?" The boy began, the rest of his question obvious even though he stopped short.34

"Did he save me too? Oh yes, as I said it was about ten years ago, he killed someone trying to kill me, for no reason really, but I was bound by street rule since I was in a gang. I've lived here ever since. I re-payed him long ago, but I stay. The money's good and the house is pleasant to live in. I just feel at peace here."35

Sven offered the boy one last smile before he led him to a nice room with a balcony, and books if he could read. He said goodnight and then left, shutting the door behind him.36

The prostitute walked out onto the balcony, and watched the night pass over him. Stars shone brightly in the night sky still, though morning was coming swiftly over the horizon after not an hour. Dawn, she broke through the sky suddenly, and just as the city switched shifts from the street life to the business life, the door behind him opened. Apparently the new Master was punctual as well as eccentric.37

"Here I am, and here you are. I'm, surprised. You could have taken Sven's help and run. Neither of us would have done anything to stop you." The new Master smiled casually, making small gestures to imitate actions in his words.38

"Yeah well, apparently you don't understand the streets." The slave muttered, keeping his eyes steadily on his new master's as he approached, he stopped two feet away, and dropped to his knees.39

"I have very few rules here, but if you want to stay here you will be on your feet before you move another inch toward me, or you will move away." He spoke, sharpness in his voice for the first time. The boy moved to his feet immediately and stammered an apology before stepping back.40

"What do you want from me then?" The boy asked, turning his eyes out to the morning city.41

"Nothing, I saved you because it was right. Now you can do whatever you want with your life, that's why I saved it. So tell me what you need, or want. I'll do what I can to put the life I saved on track to what will keep it, but fuck 'street rules'."42

"Then let me stay here. I'll be your servant. Like Sven!"43

"Very well, if that is what you need. You can use this room. Anything here you do not require ask Sven about where you might move it. He knows this house better than I do. You can put anything you like in here. You and Sven will get a food budget, which I will double from the old to include you. You will learn to cook, and you will learn German and Japanese so I need not speak English in my own home. I prefer that you learn an instrument, pick one, then tell Sven or I and I will buy it for you. After the first you may learn as many more as you please. You will also get an allowance for entertainment. My only rule as far as the entertainment? You must fill that bookshelf, and you must read every book you purchase, before you do anything else. If you need another bookshelf, you'll get one, you need a different piece of furniture? You'll get one. To make things easiest you'll get some money to refurbish this room to your liking tomorrow. As for now, you sleep, Sven will wake you when I leave to begin your duties. Obey these rules, and you may stay here as long as you are pleased with it. Even if you stay the rest of your life. But you must remain happy, cared for, and obedient."44

He turned to the boy after his little speech and then decided to grant him one piece of the 'reward' the boy's code of honor dictated he was to give his new master. The man kissed his new servant tenderly on the lips for a moment before he left out the balcony, only a ten foot jump to the ground. . . . The boy sighed to himself lightly and collapsed onto his bed, and let himself slip to his dreams.45

"Time to wake, 'The Master', if that's what you please to call him, just went out for the night." Sven roused the boy from his dreamless slumber with pity, knowing that the life of the streets still had their marks and their stresses left upon him, especially from the last night he'd even spend in them.46

"Right, I'm up, I'm up." The boy muttered, rolling out of bed and onto his feet. He smiled pleasantly as he flattened his hair and straightened his shirt, waiting for his first order.47

"First thing. What's your name?"48

"My name? I. . . don't have one. You make one up!" The boy replied, somewhat excited by the last sentence. The prospect of a real name clearly pleasant to him, clear enough to be sad.49

"How's Malick then? 'Master' is fond of that name, do you like it?"50

"It's beautiful. . . much better than Pretty Boy by a long shot." Malick giggled.51

"Good. Right, your uniform. It can be what you have on, the exact same thing or anything from that wardrobe; otherwise, you could wear the actual uniform like what I have on. You could switch back and forth I suppose, but if you choose to do so I would put a pattern to the days you do it. He prefers that things stay the same as often as possible. That's why you need to learn those two languages. Which, by the way, I will start teaching you when you get used to things."52

"I'm thinking I'd like to wear this kind of thing, and at least for today this exact outfit. He seemed to like it, although perhaps it could be me being too hopeful. Anyway, as for the languages, I already speak German, thank my father for that."53

"All right then! Good to hear you speak one of the needed languages already let's get to work. First up is the basic cleaning. Never takes too long. Then we'll go over everything else. Work 'day' ends at midnight so you don't get antsy, but we need to refurnish your room so it might be all day without any free-time. Okay?"54

"Yes, thank you."55

"You are welcome. Let's get started."56

"Gods, I'm exhausted." Malick muttered as he dropped down into his bed lazily. A new bed mind you, but still. He sighed to himself lightly as he straightened his hair again and moved over to the balcony. The sun was already returning, finally. At the break of down the 'Master' would return. The event he'd awaited all night.Then, as before, just as the sun broke over the first building, he heard the door open ever so quietly.57

"Good evening. I wager you had a busy day. Are you tired?" The 'Master' inquired in strangely soft-spoken German as he stopped in the center of the room, his eyes fixed directly into his new servant's.58

"I did, but Sven did make it amusing at least. We redid my room as well, I hope you like it. Am I tired? Gods yes, but I wish to speak with you." The boy smiled softly, his lipstick shining in the dawn's light.59

"Is that so? Whatever you wish, what would you like to speak about?" 'Master' gestured casually in affirmation of his words as he seated himself in one of the two seats on the balcony. A soft sigh escaped him as he settled into his seat comfortably.60

"Well, for starters, what should I call you? Neither you nor Sven seem to think 'Master' is fitting although you don't seem to care, so I still think I should know what you do think is fitting." Malick took his place as the seat set intentionally close to the other and crossed his legs, left over right.61

"You may call me whatever you wish. I understand you gave us the same courtesy for what to call you. So in your words, you make one up."62

"You're telling me you do not have a name? Or are you saying that your name is of no importance? If the latter is true I beg to differ, and for you to tell me it anyway."63

"I am telling you I have no name. However, if you prefer I tell you what to call me I suppose I could come up with one. I could give you the name Sven calls me too I suppose. Like you, he came up with the name I use in this house."64

"Well, I think it would be best if we both called you the same thing. So what name did Sven give you sir? If mine's any measure of his creativity, I'd imagine it is better than one I could invent anyway."65

"Very well, my name is Xavier." The man responded, smiling softly, the slight green available in his eyes shining brightly.66

"Xavier, a wonderful name. Truly lovely." Malick rose then and took the two steps to be at Xavier's feet. He dropped down, but to a squat instead of his knees this time, and kissed his master's hand lightly.67

"Malick, might I inquire as to why you are doing that?" Came a slightly annoyed voice, he was assuming the damned code was driving that action, and he would not allow that idiotic thing in his home.68

"Because I wanted to kiss you, and I thought it too bold to kiss anywhere else." The boy blushed furiously, his pale flesh especially showing the crimson.69

"That. . . is a reasoning I can accept." Sensual lips curved up in a slow smile as the man leaned in toward the other's own. He stopped for a moment less than an inch away before placing their lips together in a gentle kiss. "Was that what you desired?" He asked as the kiss broke.70

The only reply he ever got to that was a soft moan followed by Malick snuggling his head into his lap and falling asleep in mere moments. Sven stood at the door with a pleasant smile also upon his lips, practically 'aww'ing over the mere child sleeping so soundly. Malick was really still just a boy, no more than sixteen or seventeen, compared to them he was just a child.71

"I think he likes you Xavier. How about you?"72

"What are you talking about? It was just a kiss, we do that." He said defensively, as he lifted the boy gingerly from his lap and carried him to bed, cooing to him quietly when he began to wake.73

"Yes, but we are good friends, and our's aren't like that. Besides, from the look of things, I'd say you feel the same way about him. Oh my god you do don't you, you're falling in love with an underage prostitute!" Sven giggled, bringing a silk blanket to cover Malick with.74

"No, I am not. What is wrong with you Sven? I kissed him once because it made him feel more like he was following that damned code of whatever, and again because he specifically said he wanted to do it. If you haven't noticed I do anything I have no real reason to deny for those that I please to. You and he I saved, your lives are like an investment for me. I saved them and therefore I make sure they are worth having so that you do not end them. That's why I am actually glad he's here, because he's even higher risk than you were for that sort of thing."75

"Not when you're around, oh no not at all. You are both at risk for something else however, something wonderful, and you'll be laughing about this conversation in a month when it happens and you get to say 'Sven, you were right.' You will too, just wait."76

Both men chuckled softly, disregarding anything else that might have been said as they finished setting Malick up in bed. Then, after he thought Sven had left, Xavier placed a quick kiss on Malick's forehead. Sven, smirked to himself in satisfaction having witnessed that, and then retired to his own bed. So as normal, Xavier left for one last hour before he would return home to sleep.77

"Are you still awake Malick?" Xavier whispered as he entered his servant's bedroom in the dawn's earliest light.78

"Yes, will be every morning until you come in." He replied, rising from his chair slowly and placing his book back on the shelf.79

"Oh so you've begun reading then?"80

"Yes, this one's a romance novel."81

"Let me see it?" He requested, taking it carefully from the shelf. The name was 'Lost Before the Dawn', about two young lovers and their spiteful parents trying to tear them apart, so they run away. The names were Max, and Xavier. . . . "Is it any good?"82

"I'm enjoying it. Eh, do you mind if I smoke?" Malick asked, holding a cigarette in his left hand, obviously rolled himself seeing that it was in a leaf.83

"Not at all, just keep it to your room and, please tell me that isn't a drug."84

"It isn't, I wrapped it in a mint leaf." He replied, lighting it with a match as he sat back into his chair. "You know, I wish you'd come back before dawn some night, dawn is wonderful and all, but I'd like to speak with you while the moon was still out sometime."85

"Well, I might be able to get in early one of these nights, but I am a very busy man. I get here at the exact same time every day. It would be quite queer to be home much before that time."86

"Well don't be much before, just a slight."87

"I'll try, I promise." He sighed, slipping into the other seat at the balcony.88

"So, how was your night?"89

"Dull, same as every night."90

"What is it you do anyway?" Malick quirked a brow as he flicked his cigarette's ashes over the balcony.91

"I can not answer that." Those beautiful eyes fell away for the first time, almost in shame.92

"May I kiss you again?" The boy asked hopefully, dropping his cigarette onto the floor. He crawled over to his master and kissed his hand again.93

"Why do you want to? Why do you want it? There must be a reason."94

"Because. . . I really like you Xavier. You saved me! I have no obligation to you, I have no law or honor left to follow. Especially not that of so dishonorable a place. I have my own mind and heart to follow, my own laws. They say I should kiss you, they say I should be with you." Pleading on his knees, kissing that beautiful hand over and over again, worshipping Xavier.95

"It is time for me to leave." Xavier rose abruptly, knocking Malick away, and he dropped from the balcony to hit the ground running.96

Xavier was not to return the next morning, or the following, or the one after. In fact, Malick and, as far as he knew, Sven did not see Xavier for next two weeks. It did not affect Sven at all it seemed. He still woke, he still cleaned, he still taught Malick the language and the flute. He still sang to himself as he cooked, and still jested with Malick. While Malick slothfully went about his chores and then went and waited by the balcony for hours on end until he'd finally collapse and Sven would place him in bed, for the cycle to begin anew.97

Then one morning, with Malick passed out with his head upon the rail and a cigarette dangling in his mouth, Xavier returned at precisely dawn.98

"Wake up Malick." Came the silk voice of his master to his ears. Malick jumped slightly as he turned about in his chair to be sure he had truly heard that voice again. Sure enough, the lovely semblance of his master was there before him, smiling.99

"You're back. . . ." He whispered, restraining his urge to leap from his chair and embrace the man that had frightened him so since the night they had met, and so terribly in his absence.100

"Aye, I am. And I am sorry that I left so abruptly." Came the reply, as Xavier took his seat.101

Malick had no idea what he should or even could say.Anger just boiling up within him as he wondered what the bloody hell Xavier thought he was doing running off like that, even in his excitement he was home. Minutes passed like seconds and Xavier made the decision quick enough to speak. He only got one word out, one that Malick didn't even hear, before he burst out in rage.102

"What the fuck is your problem eh!? You ran away for two weeks after I confessed I liked you! What kind of fucked up 'man' are you? No problems killing and watching someone die but you haven't the balls to face someone who wants to be with you? What the. . . Just fuck off!" He said through a shuddering voice. He threw his cigarette as he turned and ran the only way there was to go that was in fact away, right off the balcony.103

Xavier watched in horror as Malick hit the ground running, and he did run, right out of sight. Gone into the morning light, but it would not betray where. He dropped to the ground under the massive weight of the first sorrow he'd truly felt in years, the first new sorrow to grace his heart. The first beautiful pain in so long, what he'd run from, and tears fell from him. Sven ran to his side to hold him, but he pulled away in anger, biting his lip until blood fell onto the alabaster balcony. He would not lose the boy.104

He lept from the balcony in follow suit, and darted out into the city. The streets had eyes after all, he would find his Malick yet. By day's end by the great gods he would not lose him! Not over this, not like this. . . .105

"Man I told you I don't fucking know!" The hustler cried from the street, spitting a mouthful of blood out to mingle with the dirt and grime of the street.106

"Boy, I ask you once more, where is the prostitute Pretty Boy! I swear to you, if any of you boys have gotten to him before me, if he's sucked even one person off in the past week, I'll kill all of you rat bastards. I let you rats live under one rule! You listen to me! Now you hear this! I want him found, and I want him unharmed and given back to me! And if Derrick's boys find him first, they had better end up dead before I find out, or you all will. You know I'll do it too dammit. Don't fuck with me!" Xavier whispered into the man's ear with malice. He smirked lightly afterward and patted his cheek before walking away.107

The man sat there in shock, grinding his teeth and his bloodied hand grasping at the asphalt forcefully. "We'll see Bastian, We'll see what you really do with your Pretty Boy in our hands. I'll take real good care of him I assure you, and trust me, who he sucks is the least of your worries."108

"Three weeks Sven! Three weeks and I still haven't found him! How is that even possible? I own these streets! I own these bastards! These fucking coach roaches. They answer to me! Why hasn't he been found. . . .Why!?" Xavier raged, pacing his room, tears falling wildly about as he turned and thrashed at himself, inhuman gestures still. His body flailing like the hatred and angst within his mind and heart. Sven watched with pity, all he could do.109

"They have to know where he is, they have to be keeping him from me. All these years of regulating them, they finally found a way to get back at me and they're taking it. Gods Sven, what if they've killed him!? Worse yet. . . what things have they had the time to do to him. It's all my fucking fault too! I let him leave! I left! I didn't listen to you Sven! Because of that, now he's gone!" He threw his glass across the room, and it shattered against the bookcase. He watched the liquid slowly run down what wwas coincidentaly one of his favorite books, and then collapsed into himself on the living room floor.110

"Xavier, listen to me. . . . It isn't your fault, he ran from his own emotions, whether you were involved in him having them or not doesn't matter. He knew not to go back to those people, and he did it anyway." He said soothingly as he could, and in return, he found himself slapped forcefully.111

"Don't you ever. . . speak of him like that again. To me, yourself, or anyone else! He did this because of me! He's not some stupid person Sven, he made a mistake, but it was I who caused it. I made him feel safe here and then I left him. The pimps at least never did that! They made him feel needed even if they did beat him and treat him like a dog. I made him leave, and now I can't even get him back. I should just follow through with my threat. What would the cops do anyway!? We have a pact, I take care of this district with my own law, and they stay out. I protect them and slip them a cut, and everyone wins. Well, who cares if I kill all my workers then? I'll find him through a river of blood if I have to I swear to. . ." Sven covered his mouth finally to silence him and took a deep breath. He smiled warmly as he let go and then took his turn to speak.112

"You will not, this district is chaotic enough, if you kill these men then the gangs will come back, it will be war all over again. It took you ten years to stop that war last time until one group lasted. You let the safest group win, and you keep them in check, without them the others can come back. You need them just as much as they need you. Without them, the cops might decide to return too, and then what? Then you go to jail, for a long, long time."113

"What could they do? Give me triple life? I'd still get out! So I can't kill them, fine it's their kind of solution anyway. So what can I do? Talk? Like those underworld assholes would understand that kind of business. They understand blood, not words. Sure as hell not German. If they understood that perhaps it might frighten them. Perhaps if the understood Japanese they would have more honor eh? Well they aren't Germans Sven, and they are definitely not Japanese. Gods if they were the Yakuza we could have settled this like civilized people. I would have him back by now! But no, I got these stupid ass illiterate American pimps! The bloody realizations of all black stereotypes that these men in particular hate. True, full blown niggers! Bloody idiots. . . ."114

"Yes, if the Yakuza were your associates again it would all be better, if the Germans were around you'd only have to worry about protecting the Turks, but you've got Americans now Xavier! You'd better learn to deal with them too, or else this is all going to come apart. You took over with brute force, you cut them to pieces and frightened them with Kanji characters that didn't even mean anything. Oh yes you got in easily. Then you warred like a samurai, and you got your followers. Then you failed to learn how to deal with them Xavier! And now it's all coming apart. You'll lose everything over this boy, and you'll have to go to another country. Where you going to go then Xavier? They're aren't enough screwed up places left. You going to go back to France? That didn't work. They have things under control there. The Yakuza are sick of you. You have got to keep this thing under control!"115

"How Sven? Give up the boy? Say they are welcome to him? Say I'll lighten up, and consider him a gift as an apology for killing Derrik? Let them kill him!?"116

"Well. . . that's the only way I see that would work. . ."117

"Sven. . . . I love you, but right now if you don't shut up, I might forget that. Let it go Sven, I know you have my best interest at heart, but think of Malick. I know you love him too. I know you want him back. He is worth everything to us. Stop assuming he's not to me, because I know he is to you. Am I wrong?"118

"No Xavier, but I don't want you to lose it all again. You remember what happened in Kyoto, if it happens here, you might not make it out alive."119

"Ha, with the American shooting and fighting style the only people that have a chance are the marines! I doubt they send the Marines here very much. This is Bay City Sven, everyone here would shoot at them. This is the city with seventy percent of the populace owning guns, and with a zero percent voter rate for offices outside the city itself. Look Sven, I'll be alright, as soon as we have him back. I'm going back out, I'll find him tonight I promise not to kill anyone, unless they try to kill me first."120

"Take your sword, please. Just in case. . . ."121

"I will, good night Sven, I'll be back by noon. With the boy."122

"Well, well, well. . . . Boys look who it is! Bastian, come to us. The stupid prick. You realize what you've done to us don't you? You realize what we do to people like you don't you? You saw what we did to the Mexicans, you helped. Well, you've become as much a thorn in our side as they have. You kept the cops away, you got rid of the rest of the gangs. Good for you, but you've outlived you're usefullness Bastian. Your faggot ass killing our best men? You killed Derrick you stupid fuck! Now, we'll kill you."123

"Where's Pretty Boy. Last chance Tyrone. Last chance. . . ." Xavier muttered, taking a step closer to the bleeding pimp at his feet, holding a gun pointed directly at him.124

"I'm not taking it dick. I don't need it. You might manage to escape this my friend, but the rest of Bay City is after you now. You're public enemy number one now. We've even let the cops back in to find you. They're even more eager than we are to get you too. They said they'd gladly come in just to take you back out and then leave us the hell alone. Frankly, I don't care even if they stay, we own the streets now. Not them, and not you!"125

"Fine, I'll just kill you all until I get Malick back, and then I'll leave. Die happy knowing you've gotten rid of me, but remember who got rid of the other gangs, and know that after I'm gone, they and the cops are coming back. The city will run red with the blood of you bloody Niggers!"126

"You cock sucker!" The trigger pulled, too late. A fist buried into the pimp's chest, and a sword slice to remove the head. So ended the bastard's life.127

"Sorry Sven, looks like they'll have it in their fashion. It's all come to an end, but it isn't I who is ended. Stay home and wait, we'll be lost before the dawn." Xavier muttered to himself as he wiped his blade clean and rose. The bullet had only grazed his shoulder, and he was unfazed. He smirked to himself and marched into the den the pimp had so stupidly hinted his Malick was within.128

"Guten Abend mother fuckers! My name is Bastian and I'll be your waiter for the evening. Tonight's special, death over easy with a light sauce of blood. Cost, your lives if you do not hand over Pretty Boy!" He burst in laughing, stupid corny threats, quite American he believed. He tapped his blade over his shoulder while he grinned manically, and bullets swarmed around him.129

An inch on the left, a centimeter from his ear, under his foot, two through the hair. Dodging the swarm easily, counting the missed deaths he so narrowly evaded. Then counting as they fell. One, two, three. . . . Death rampant and blood all over the floors. No more would those men harm, too bad it took death to ensure that. He walked from room to room, killing all that denied him the location of Malick. Then came the sirens, and the sound of the Police ramming down the door. That sound had not been heard in that district in three years. the last time it had been him they were coming to save, now it was him the came to slay. So they would die too if he could not find the boy in time130

"He's in the next room! Oh God please don't kill me!" Finally one had broken, this one was spared since he was helpful. Like all the others could have been if they had cooperated. A tear fell from him and he opened the door.131

There he collapsed, in the corner Malick was truly there, needle in his arm, soaking in a bath of what was likely his own blood. He was sobbing, but still smiled as Xavier approached him.132

"You. . . came. I knew you would. You always save me Xavier, even back then. . . ." He sobbed happily, delirious and lost. He was a child. A child with cold sores and bruises, a body full of drugs and lost of much blood. A dieing child, clinging to the only semblance of life he knew. It made Xavier wish he had time to stop and weep. But there were still the bastards coming for them to deal with. The bastards that had done this. They had to be dealt with appropriately.133

"Pigs! If you can hear me hear this! Turn back now! This is my district! I own these men! I killed every last one of them! I will kill you too if I must! Turn away!"134

They did not listen, and the first SWAT member appeared in the doorway. A bullet blocked by the blade, and sent back into the gunman's face, death instant. Two dozen bodies later, bathed in the blood of betrayal, Xavier took Malick from the tub, and ran like the Devil to his home.135

"Sven! Sven!" Xavier called as he set Malick down gingerly into his bed, holding back the hot tears of hatred and sorrow. He wouldn't die, he was already mending, that was good. Not so much blood lost as he imagined, most of the bath must have been water.136

"Oi, holy. . . . Dear gods you said you wouldn't kill anyone!"137

"Yeah well I didn't, I killed EVERYONE! All of them Sven, all dead, and Malick. . . . Gods Sven I was so terribly late. Just look at him Sven! He's covered in his own blood, and he's got drugs in him, so much. Gods Sven. Help him, please help him! Get him dressed, take that needle out of him. Get him ready to go, we're leaving Bay City. I've got to call in a favor. . . ."138

"Kai? It has been some time, to what do I owe this honor." The voice of Kentaro, an old friend.139

"The name's Xavier now Kentaro. . . . I need your help my old friend. Things have fallen apart in Bay City. I got out of Germany, but I'm stuck here. The cops, the pimps, Kentaro I need your help. Not because of me, because of Malick. I can't let anything more happen to him. Can you help us?"140

"Xavier? Well, I can't do much. If I remember properly, you did quite dishonorable things here in Kyoto. If I can help you, I don't think it would be wise to help you get back here."141

"Please. . . I beg you. I would do kotawas before you if I were there, I beg you sir. This boy, he does not deserve the life I've led him to. Remember your son, I saved him, please. Save this one for me."142

"Are you actually crying? Xavier. . . . Very well. I suppose you want into Japan given your past everywhere else. I'll get you and him here. By the time you get to the Bay City airport you'll have two tickets waiting on a nonstop flight to Kyoto."143

"Three if you can, please. . . . Sven, I cannot leave him."144

"Oh Sven is still with you? Marvelous, I really like that one. I'll make sure there are three then. According to my man in the PD though you have thirty minutes before the airport knows not to let you out of the country. The people will know you, trust me. You've got half an hour to get on that plane. Good luck my old friend. Don't be late." He hung up.145

"Sven! You ready? We've got half an hour to get to the. . ." Xavier began, but was interrupted as Sven came through the door with Malick shouldered up and carrying all the belongings truly needed.146

"Yes, we are, now let's go."147

All night in the hospital, intensive care, massively overdosed on methamphetamine. 'Lucky to be alive', 'Recovering, but still in the danger zone', 'Just a few more nights here and he'll be fine.', 'You should get some sleep'. Doctor's words rang in Xavier's ears as he sat by Malick's bed. His tears had left an ugly stain upon the oh too white sheets. Three days of that had already been endured, and the boy was still in a drug-induced comatose state. The boy was dieing, and there was nothing anyone could do to save him.148

"Malick. . . wake up. . . ." The command that had worked so easily before, roused him fully instantly, had now no affect. The gods were after this one, and the command of a god was more than even his could veto. Why him, what had he done so wrong in his life to go like this? Been a victim of street crime, the crime he, Xavier, had protected. It was his fault the boy was like this, and the boy would die for it? Not fair, not right, not just. . . not honorable.149

"Sir, you really should get some sleep." The angel-voiced nurse suggested from the doorway. He only waved her away and let his head fall onto Malick's hand. He couldn't leave him here, he wouldn't leave until the boy could come with him. Not a moment sooner. He wouldn't sleep until the boy was no longer in such a state. No respite for the guilty. No rest for the weary, no ease deserved to him.150

The nurse turned and sighed as she went. Left alone again with him. Watching that chest rise and fall rhythmicly, watching that bruised face shiver as air passed between broken lips. Still perfect, those lips were truly infallible. Nothing could ruin them, not even the cut that split them, or the scab upon them. Not anything.151

The night went on, and so did the coming day. Doctors shooing him away every few hours while the performed their little tests. The poison level was decreasing, almost completely gone, and yet Malick did not rouse. . . . The liver was recovering, the kidney transplant was a success, the brain was showing a large amount of activity. Still he did not wake.152

"Sir, I think it's time we discussed the possibility that the boy has entered a coma. In which case, he could never wake, and the chance of it grows slimmer each day."153

"You're wrong, now go away." Xavier managed, shooing the man away so he could mourn continuously the boy. It couldn't be true, he would wake, and everything would be back the way it should be. Everything would be fine, any minute now, those beautiful eyes would just open.154

Two months passed. He only left the boy's side for an hour every two days to eat and bathe a room away in a hospital shower. Then right back to his side. Sleeping, weeping, cursing his own stupidity. Every day like that.155

"Dammit Xavier, if you don't leave this hospital you'll be stuck here in a bed beside him!" Sven cursed once, toward the end of one of his visits.156

"Then I'll have gotten my due now won't I?" He retorted, and then implored even Sven to leave him and Malick alone. The doctors kept saying the boy would never wake, they were right liars. Idiotic bastards, how could Malick never wake? There were so many conversations left to be had, after-all they had scarcely finished covering their bare names. . . . There was so much to be shared, books to be read, nights to explore. There was so much to admit, there was so much he had to apologise for! There were three words he had to say. . . . If he never woke, none of that could ever happen. He had to wake, there was no other possibility.157

Another month in that hellish state, he had long since lost his voice, and his tears; yet, he stayed, and wept dry and silently for what had come to be. He waited hopelessly for what he believed had to come, but somehow knew would not. The boy had not stirred in three whole months. . . . What was there to say he would ever again?158

"Sir, seeing as you are the closest thing to family we have found for him, we need to discuss your final option. The boy isn't going to wake up, after three months the chance is down to almost nothing, and decreases exponentially each passing hour. It might be time to pull. . . ."159

"No." A dried and cracked voice managed. There was so much else he wanted to say, he wanted to scream, he wanted to yell, he wanted to tell that doctor to fuck off, but he couldn't. All other words were gone from him, he couldn't speak any more than that one word if he tried.160

Both bodies began to break down. Malick's liver failed again, and only the great sum of money got him a new one. Xavier's heart stopped beating for three minutes before someone realized and fixed him. Sven could only watch by as both whom he cared for were wasting away to nothing.161

"Sir, you're suffering from malnutrition, take these vitamins and for God's sake eat something, if we have to you will be thrown out of this hospital."162

Only a nod, words so long ago lost. Four months he'd lived by this bed, and if it weren't for who he was he would not have been allowed that, but Kentaro owned the hospital, and if he said someone got to stay, they did.163

"Malick, please. . . wake up." He forced his plea once more, spitting a slight of blood that speaking caused from his throat onto his shirt. He placed a tender kiss on those perfect lips for what must have been the tenth million time, and passed back into the sleep realm of nightmares.164

A soft song broke through the darkness. He was alone, swimming in a black pool of dark matter. He couldn't breathe. That song continued on, a wave of green dancing in around him. Air found its way back into his lungs. The voice of an angel singing. Thrumming along with the beat of his heart. Tousling his hair like the spring winds. He held fast to that, and it pulled him from the black sea of his own despair.165

Two minutes later he woke, to doctors swarming in, and the cause of the singing he had dreamed. It was the heart monitor, finally flat-lined. . . .166

A dreadful cry rose from the very core of Xavier's being at that moment, seemingly capable of destroying that entire room for it's aguish. It was the last sound he ever made. With strength his body should no longer have been capable of, Xavier threw all from the room, blocked to door with the heart monitoring machine, and lay down with the boy. 167

Four months of waiting, for months of praying, four months of dieing with him, and now the boy was dead. He smiled as he pulled a scalpel from the bedside drawer. Nothing he could do, all his power, all of his strength. Every last bit of influence and control he had, it amounted to nothing. He had never wanted to achieve anything, and he got everything he ever reached for. Finally, he desired something with all of his being, and he could not have it, no matter how far he reached. 168

Cold steel kissed his wrists in a brief moment of pain, he barely noted. Pain, it was no pain, pain was the months he spent in this room, pain was what he'd done to Malick, pain was his heart, this. . . was nothing compared to that pain. His blood seeped out lazily, he didn't even have the energy left to bleed freely. He draped his arms about his love, scarlet staining those horrifically clean sheets. His fingers drew across the chilling flesh of the boy, it was still warm though. It was still slightly warm though there was no life in it, no pulse, no breath, no love flowing through his veins. Though, as the world darkened in his eyes, he swore he felt a second heartbeat against his. 169

Not yet. . . but soon enough they would be together. He smiled softly, kissing the tender flesh of the boy's shoulder. Love, his heart felt so warm, though his flesh was beginning to freeze and turn livid. Darkness, nothing graced his sight any longer, for his sight was gone. Let him not rush to death, enjoy this last few moments of living flesh, his strength could draw this out to the last possible moment, not a second wasted passed out, only straight to death. Still, he realized the end was quickly coming for him and he embraced that. Last words, choose them carefully Xavier, Malick may not hear them, but they shall still be the last you speak to him. 170

"We'll be lost before the dawn." He mouthed, incapable then of speech. 171

"Yes we will my master. Now. . . come with me"172