A Nightmare's Nightmare [Zeke]

[Serenity/Charoa Avarie]

"Really now..." At his words she felt a pressure on the back of her mind, the little host trying to fight her way free. The boy's words were giving her courage and determination, both things that might allow her to break free. But Charoa wasn't about to relent just yet, she had a game to play with this little mouse and she fully intended to see it to its completion. She moved across the room slowly, all of the menace in her figure gone. When she reached him she raised her arm, fingers gently caressing his cheek.

As much as it appeared that Serenity had taken hold, it was still Charoa that held the controlling portion of their mind. Evil though she might be she knew how to act sweet, she'd studied the art well. Her extremely uncharacteristic actions were merely all parts of her little game. "Then tell me little one. If you truly care or her as much as you claim, then would you be willing to sacrifice yourself to save her from her fate?" At her words she felt the pressure die down, Serenity pausing in her struggles. It seemed that for once they both agreed on something, they were both curious as to what his answer would be. It'd better be a good one.

[Zeke Suzushima]

"Yes, really." Zeke chuckled, feeling another change in the air. It was slight, so very very slight, but he could tell Serenity heard him. It made his fear and anger lesson, replaced with worries. He had to wonder...just what happened to Serenity's concious when Chaora took the wheel? It made him curious, and sad. He'd just confessed, and she migh not have heard it. Dang.

The touch on his cheeks made his skin heat again. It took Zeke a minute to remember this wasn't the one he loved. His body returned to normal tempature, and his smile became soft and sad. "I'd throw myself infront of a bullet for her." The subject of death and sacrifice were never easy for Zeke, considering what had happened in his past... "I'll do anything to save her from any danger. Even you."

[Serenity/Charoa Avarie]

She too sensed a change, but this one in him. She sensed sadness upon him, odd as it faded the fear. Still, sadness was truly one of her favorite emotions, partly because it gave way to other delectable treats. If she could figure out what it was that had caused the feelings and feed them, then she would truly have a feast.

The beast chuckled softly as he rambled on, actually amused by his words. The girl was once again fighting back, but it was nothing she couldn't handle. Such pathetic vows... It was odd how he could say such things so easily, especially knowing what she was capable of. "Then what if I were to make you an offer. Your life in exchange for hers? Hmm?" At her words she felt the pressure only increase, actually becoming a bit discomforting. She frowned at this, having to concentrate fully on crushing the resistance. Every sickeningly sweet word from the boy and every threat from her only made the girl stronger. She could see that she wasn't going to be able to play her game much longer. Which meant she'd have to end it quickly.

(Shit post. ><)

[Zeke Suzushima]

With one quick movment, Zeke grabbed the hand on his face and squeezed it, not the kind of painful crush-your-palm squeeze, but tender and adoring. Is Serenity was in there, maybe she could feel him holding her hand...holding out for her to reach the surface. It felt a bit funny holding it when it didn't belong to the right conciousness.

For someone as fair as Zeke, being able to pale as he did was quite the accomplishment. But he did, all color gone from his face. Probably the rest of him too, but you couldn't tell. Zeke tightened his hold on Charoa's hand, and an icy glare that was extremly unlike him took the place of his smile. "Ya'know, I'd take that offer. I really would. But I swore to Serenity I'd never leave her, and I plan on keeping my promise."

He leaned in, pressing a kiss to his mistresses forehead.

"I won't let her be alone."

[Serenity/Charoa Avarie]

His attempts did little to aid him, or at least that's the way Charoa would have liked it to have been. But as it turned out, the little bitch only struggled more and more, causing Charoa to have to close one eye against the light ache. "Tch." Much as she despised it she was beginning to lose control, as was clearly evident when the hand he was holding lightly squeezed back. It got even worse when he spoke those words, her free hand suddenly raising towards him and her eyes flickering back to those of Serenity. However she refused to give up, jerking the hand back and clamping her eyes shut. A few moments later and she opened them again, a cruel chuckle escaping her lips. "Very well. Don't leave her. It works so much better for me, because it means I'll have an audience to her demise..."

For once the demon was too slow, not realizing the boy's intent until it was too late. She felt his lips press against the soft skin of her forehead, and then it all went straight to hell. "Nnnnn...." A sharp pain, feeling something akin to a jolt of electricity, shot through her body, causing her to claw her his shirt. She began to groan as her body shook, the spasms eventually becoming so great that she collapsed onto her knees. On the floor they refused to stop, black hair draped over her face as she clutched at the floor. "You....little....bitch..." Her voice was haggard, barely audible to even herself. The girl suddenly raised one arm, biting fiercely into her forearm until blood poured from the edges of her mouth. This seemed to give clear things a bit because the shaking began to lessen almost instantly. Raising her head she locked the boy in a soul rending glare, hair scattered all about her face. She remained silent though, as she daren't release her hold on the body. As long as the body was in pain then she could maintain the control that she was just barely holding onto.

[Zeke Suzushima]

It happened so quickly, if Zeke had blinked, he would have missed it. He'd sensed the change in Charoa, and backed his head up with a smile, but it was instantly replaced with a terrified grimace. No, she wasn't in the clear yet. Far from it. And as his mistress fell, so did most of his hope. "S-Serenity!!!" he shouted, falling to a kneel next to her and preparing to catch her. Instead, she bit down. And started bleeding. Zeke's body foze, and he looked like a statue of marble.

Blood. Blood! Blood....!!

This was the true reason why Serenity always scared Zeke so much...at least when Charoa was concered. The slave of one of the most violent, sadistic, violence-obssesed Boogie in the palace was absolutley petrified at the sight of blood. There was a name for that, wasn't there? 'Hemophobia', or something? Whatever the name, Zeke couldn't even breath at the sight of all that crimson flowing out of his mistresses's arm. He would have fainted by now, were it not for some nagging voice keeping him concious.

"S...Stop..." he hissed, holding his breath so he couldn't smell the iron/salty smell blood had. That would have made Zeke drop for sure. He shook, more than Chaora had surprisingly, then tried to reach for her wound, to keep her from biting down again. His hand wouldn't listen to him. It stayed frozen, just like his expression...normally aloof eyes shining with a terror that nobody, certianly not Serenity, had ever seen. Finally he managed to move ever so slightly, pressing his hand to her knee. "D-Don't...hurt h-her..."

Zeke felt nauseous. He needed to close that wound before he passed out...

[Serenity/Charoa Avarie]

This was the perfect opportunity for her, the chance she'd been waiting for. Now she could easily pounce on the prey that had eluded her so long, and she could drain him dry of every bit of the sweet nectar that flowed through his veins. She could feast on his flesh, pick her teeth with the shards of his bones, and finally be rid of the pathetic insect that had plagued her these last years. How she longed to see his skin pale, his tattered corpse go stiff and grow cold. It was the perfect opportunity....if only she could move.

Every second that passed she could feel that pathetic little bitch fight back against her, her skull throbbing as though she were literally beating against the inside of it. Unfortunately all her other means had worked against her, and so her current action of self-maiming was the only semblance of control she had left. Ans the fact that it only seemed to disturb the boy just made things a bit better. But even this was working against her. The girl could see the boy, she could feel his terror just as easily as Charoa could. This made her angry, angry at the one causing it. And it meant that she fought back twice as hard. It was evident that soon she would break through, but it wouldn't be easy.

The girl unclenched her teeth, mouth stained crimson as she lowered the arm. Slowly she wrapped it in her night down, whimpering in pain as the convulsions began once more. "Z...zeke..." The voice was tiny, shifting from Serenity's innocent chime to Charoa's cold hiss. She looked up at him, fear and hunger, love and hatred in her eyes as they pulsated and flashed between those of the two. It was clear what was going on, but there would be no compromise, they were far too evenly matched in this. Something would have to tip the scales...

[Zeke Suzushima]

Ever tried to stay up to midnight the day after you satyed up til six a.m? That's the kind of weakness Zeke was feeling right now. Blood stained his mistresses arm, her hand, her lips...and he wanted to either faint or lose his dinner or both. But there was something still keeping him up. Serenity was getting stronger again, this time for sure. He needed to help her, maybe as he'd done so before when he kissed her forehead...but he couldn't even move his arm properly, much less his body.

And there was blood on her mouth.

Forget your stupid phobia and kiss her, dumbass! he shouted at himself, and his body actually reacted. Zeke pushed up from the floor, right at Serenity, and pressed his mouth onto hers feverishly. He winced at the salted taste. That was her blood. In his mouth. Zeke pulled back from her lips, but instead of moving away like he'd done so stupidly before, he wrapped his arms around her small frame.

"C-Come on, S-Serenity...don't go away...p-ple...ase..."

His tounge tasted more irony crimson, still on his lip, and he passed out still holding her.

[Serenity/Charoa Avarie]

When he kissed her, they both blanked. For several moments until the kiss ended neither of them thought, too stunned by the boy's sudden action. When they returned to consciousness, Charoa felt all the air leave her lungs, as though she'd just been sucker punched in the stomach. It seemed that the definitive blow had been dealt, Serenity's dominance over the body now reasserted. However, her other half was a spiteful individual, and she wasn't about to leave empty handed. And so as she faded into the back of their mind, she took with her every bit of their body's strength, leaving Serenity weak and just barely alive.

The instant Serenity regained full control she collapsed, her body cold and limp. She tried to reach out for Zeke, but she couldn't move. Likewise when she tried to call out his name, she hadn't the strength to make the muscles in her throat work. All she could do was lay there, body cold and still as her arm bled out onto the floor and her nightgown. Soon the blood loss began to make her vision blur, and she began a vain fight to maintain consciousness. She couldn't die yet, not after finally finding someone that genuinely loved her. The thought of leaving him alone to the mercy of some other boogie was unbearable. And yet, despite all her efforts, her world soon went dark.

[Zeke Suzushima]

...

...

Zeke didn't know how long he'd passed out for, but when he woke up the thunder had stopped. The room was completley quiet, the open curtians only blowing with a gentle cool breeze. He yawned, sitting up and rubbing his eye with his hand. It was wet, and he soon realized he'd smugged whatever was on his hand all over his eye. He blinked. What had happened? Why was he on the floor? Did he just not make it to bed, or was he lying on the ground with his hand in some red, gooey paint for some other reason?

Oh. Wait.

The slave turned sharply to look at him mistress, his Serenity, laying unconcious in the stedily growing pool of her own blood. That was what he'd rubbed on his face?! Panic later, help her now!! Zeke agreed with himself, rushing to his feet before moving and lifting Serenity into a sitting position. She was pale from bloodloss. Don't think about blood. Don't. DON'T. Blue eyes darted around the room for soemthing, medical tape or guaze to cover the wound. He noticed some on his bed and retrieved it, wrapping the white paper on the bite.

Apply pressure...keep elevated...all things from CPR classes... Zeke followed the steps, simuntaniously moving Serenity to the bed. She was still pale, and breathing very weakly. Zeke felt something warm, liquid on his face. It wasn't blood.

"S-Serenity...?" he choaked, "Wake up, please wake up...I can't lose you...not now. I was supposed to make you happy...not get you killed...!!" The blond sobbed, still keeping pressure on her arm. He was past the point of fainting or nausea...now it was panic. Don't let her die! Kami, do whatever you want with me...just keep her awake...!

[Serenity/Charoa Avarie]

...........

It's dark...

She opened her eyes to find only darkness, and endless sea of black. She was floating in it, weightless as she drifted about. Around her there was nothing, no sound or light, no sense of feeling of anything. It was all just....nothingness. She drifted there for what seemed an eternity, alone in the void. And then, she found her feet resting on something solid. looking about in confusion she saw nothing still, just the same emptiness. And then, from up ahead, their shone a blinding light. Shielding her eyes she looked in awe as she saw a door, light spilling out of it around the frame of a smiling young man. Gabriel... A smile flew to her face it was her brother! He smiled at he as she ran towards him, almost reaching him when she stopped. Behind her she could hear a voice, drifting out of the inky blackness. S-Serenity...? She looked at her brother and hesitated, turning back to face the source of the sound. Serenity... Staring behind her, it was a moment before she hesitantly turned back to her brother. To her dismay she saw him smiling softly, gently shaking his head as he slowly closed the door. That caused her to panic, what was she supposed to do? She felt herself torn, part of her wanting to run to her brother before it was too late, and the other half wanting to go to the owner of that voice. Her indecision rooted her to the spot, until the door closed completely and the light vanished once more, and then she was falling again. Wake up, please wake up...

Once more she slowly opened her eyes, but this time the darkness was gone, replaced by a room. her eyes moved about a bit before she realized where she was, this Zeke's room. What was she doing here? For her, it took a bit longer for the memories to come back than it did Zeke. But when they did she immediately tried to rise, finding herself unable to move. Instead she looked about wildly, heartbeat lessening as she caught sight of him. And try as she might to tell him she was okay she couldn't make the sounds come out. And so instead she simply mouthed the words 'I love you' to him, hoping dearly that he saw. She wasn't sure if she had the energy to try again.

[Zeke Suzushima]

Zeke didn't open his eyes, they were stained with blood and tears. He was hurting, naseous again and weak from fainting, but he couldn't really feel anything. One wrist of Serenity's in his hand, applying pressure, the other hand holding hers, that was all he could focus on. the rest wa numb. Like he'd been doused in ise water and she had some warm spark to her. But he didn't know how long she was going to hold out...she'd lost a lot of blood.

He felt her pulse quicken. In the wrist he held down, it spe, then slowed to a normal pace. Zeke's eyes shot open, coming to rest on hers. A weak but warm smile lit up his face, contrasting the blood and crying-stained cheeks perfectly. "Good morning, Serenity." Zeke kissed the palm of her unbloodied hand, then put it down. His own hand he moved to touch her cheek lightly, feeling returning to his body again. "Are you allright? That was a terrible fright you gave me..."

With feeling came clearer memory, and with memories came fear. The blood still terrified him, but he pushed it back. Pushed it like he always did. All that mattered was that she was alive still, and he would make her better. In more ways than just healing that wound.

[Serenity/Charoa Avarie]

He hadn't seen her. That brought a hint of despair to her mind, one that she quickly forced down before her other self could take advantage of it. It didn't matter that he hadn't seen, or so she told herself, because there would be many more opportunities to tell him in the future. She planned to tell him a thousand rimes a day how much she loved him, and each time would only be truer than the last. Her love for him good never do anything but grow, and she planned to make it grow as large as it could possibly get. Because she did love him, more than she'd loved even Gabriel.

Serenity delighted in the soft caress of his hand on her cheek, wishing with everything she had that she had the strength to take his hand in her own. But all she could do was lie there virtually motionless, a barely perceptible nod being the only answer she could give in response to his question. It pained her far more than any physical hurt to know that she couldn't speak to him, couldn't even move to hold him. She hadn't been this weak in centuries, not since those last days at home. Those days after her brother's death when she'd been chained to the walls beneath her family's house.

Quickly she tried to force the memories away, not liking them nor the emotions they brought about the slightest bit. She needed to focus on Zeke now, needed to find some way to make him happy despite being in what might as well be a coma. She knew he wasn't happy, she could see the tears on his face. It was obvious to her that he'd been crying, but that it had been because of worry for her was something she never could have guessed. By concentrating all her efforts she could make the corners of her mouth twitch a bit, something she hoped would let him know that she was alive and happy just to be with him.

[Zeke Suzushima]

Zeke felt estatic seeing that frail smile. It was a sign she was okay, even if she couldn't talk. She was allright, and that was the onlything that mattered to him. Saphire blue eyes closed as he smiled right with her, moving the hand on her cheek to rest on the bed just above her shoulder. He pushed himself up, leaned down to kiss her on the forehead, then stood and breathed a sigh of relief. The open window blew in some brisk winds, ruffling his hair.

"Thank God. I was about to jump out the window if you didn't wake up." The blonde half-joked. He smiled again, eyes on his mistress like a blind man seeing sun for the first time. "Do you need anything? Can I get you a glass of water?" A pause. "Just nod if it hurts to much. You'll be fine in a second, I'll make sure of it." Zeke turned his head to the window. The storm had calmed so quickly, right beofre he'd fainted. Right when Serenity came back. Was that a coincidence, or what? He mused, giving his mistress another smile.

But there was still an edge to his smile. Somewhere Charoa was in there. He couldn't pretend she wasn't. And now, she was his own personal nightmare...the girl he couldn't live without and the girl who could kill him, all wrapped up in one package. Bad 2 for 1 deal there.

(Ugggghh... -kicks muse-)

[Serenity/Charoa Avarie]

At first she was saddened that he'd moved his hand away, not wanting him to stop his gentle caress. But when she saw him leaning over her the sadness gave way to joy, her eyes closing softly as he placed a kiss on her forehead. She tried her best to move, to lean up and return the action, but she was still incapable of movement. It was torturous, only being able to lie there while the man she loved was just above her. She promised herself that she'd make up for it, she'd give him as many kisses as he wanted as soon as she was well.

As he began to fret over her she laughed silently, instantly regretting the action as she found herself unable to breathe. Several long moments passed, seeming like an eternity to her. But after a short period she regained her breath, gasping deep lungfuls of air. She'd never been so happy to just be able to breathe. For a few terrible seconds she'd been afraid that she was going to die, that she was going to be parted from her love. But now she knew that everything would be okay.

With the return of her breathing she felt a return of her strength. It came ever so slowly, and only a trickle of it at a time, but she definitely felt it coming back. She felt a real smile appear on her face, though it was still rather small. "Zeke..." Her voice was so low that she could barely hear it, so she doubted that he had. But she dearly hoped he did.