The Silver nodded and moved over- scooping Shotaro into his arms and cradling him like a small child.

The man threw a hand over his mouth to stop the squeak of alarm that threatened to come out. It didn't seem to startle the Silver, however, who quickly began to move so fast that Shotaro wasn't even sure Tobias Gale Jr could keep up.

--

Once Neko and Ryou had settled down, Kayen slipped off the sofa and carefully stepped over Domino's still form on the floor.

His ankle pounded in pain, but he ignored it, making for the back door and slipping across the dark yard, over to the mausoleum.

"Chess!" He called out as he pulled open the door.

"You seem like you're sneaking around." Kayen jumped as the voice came from behind him- making his spin around into the grinning face of Domino's twin. "Naughty~"

"Shut up," Kayen replied, icily. "Coem on... we've got work to do."

He gave the other a cold look that demanded obedience, before turning to leave, expecting Chess to follow.

"Just going to leave Dom sleeping on the floor for our little affair?" Chess snickered as he followed.

"He wont like what we're about to do," Kayen informed, walking away from the church - in the direction he'd seen Ryou coming from. "In fact, he might try to stop us."

Kayen was ignoring the fact that Domino never tried to stop him from doing anything he wanted to do.

"Don't want to be one to spoil the fun, but if it'll make Domino sad, you normally wouldn't do it." Chess pointed out.

"In the long run, this is better for everyone," The younger boy whispered. "And besides... I think you'll enjoy it. You're going to have a lot more 'puppets' to play with."

Chess clapped happily.

"You'll be the next one if make my brother cry." Chess giggled playfully- putting an arm around Kayen's shoulders.

Kayen turned to look at him coldly, his colorless eyes seeming to glow in the dim light of the three moons.

"I know you won't." Chess replied- hugging Kayen a little with the one arm around his shoulders.

Seconds later, Chess found himself laying on the ground staring up at the moons, his entire back aching.

Kayen turned and began walking once more, not bothering to wait.

Chess started hissing with laughter behind him.

--

The sun rose slowly the next morning, just as it always did. The hunting party scattered out, looking for both food and for more lost little siblings.

Rathi continued along with the party but hung back a little when he spotted something moving. When he reached for one of the others, they had already gone.

A pout on his face, the boy moved toward the form and slowly approached, careful to have his tail at the ready. He had no wings - the effect of being a hybrid - but he was just as good with his tail as any of the other children his age.

He wasn't, however, anticipating the razor-thin string that snapped as he moved through it, sending a heavy net crashing down onto his form.

--

It was sunrise by the time they reached the city, or at least it might have been. The air was bright, but Shotaro couldn't be sure if it was from the sun rising, or the huge fire that was engulfing the town in flames.

"...This...is not good." The Silver carrying him frowned and stopped immediately.

Shotaro had to cover his mouth to muffle the gasp that fell out. He stood, stunned, for a few moments, before rushing through the gate as people tried to flee out of it.

He stopped, however, completely horrified as he spotted a form standing amongst the flames - short white hair sticking to a pale face as the boy grinned and watched the city burn.

"Don't run!" Shotaro's attention was caught by a wooting blond at the gate where he was letting innocent civilians attempt to escape before sicking what looked like other people on them- letting them be killed in a rather gruesome fashion.

Rushing over, Shotaro grabbed hold of Kayen and spun the boy to look at him, staring into the teenager's face.

"Shotaro?" Kayen breathed in surprise, frowning. "Why are you in the city!? Is Adam here!?"

"Look at them run like little bugs!" Chess laughed gleefully. "I am so glad you talked me into this!"

Shotaro's eyes widened and he looked at Kayen, mouthing, 'This was your idea?'

"Where is Adam!?" Kayen demanded sharply, shoving Shotaro back. "Tell me where Adam is, Shotaro!"

Shotaro frowned, before gasping as he felt pain shoot through his body, sending him falling to his knees. He heard Chess pout somewhere off to the side as the victims fell dead at the sound of his cries.

"Where is Adam!?" Kayen screamed.

"Kayen!" Came a booming voice over the Shotaro's screaming.

Jumping in surprise, Kayen spun around quickly.

Standing silhouetted against the flames on the high-rise of the wall was a tall, dark form that could have only been one person. Adam leapt off the wall and down beside Shotaro. He reached down and helped his companion up- cradling him in his arms.

Kayen released the hold he had over Shotaro, who collapsed against Adam's arms, sobbing weakly - more for the people who he had killed then his own pain.

"Adam!" Kayen cried, smiling brightly. "Look, Adam-! Look, the people... We're going to find The Facility again next! We're going to free all the children-!"

"Kayen, you have to stop." Adam said desperately. "You're killing people."

"Isn't it wild?" Chess chuckled as he came over.

"I know!" Kayen cried delightfully. "Aren't you proud, Adam!?"

"Kayen stop, you hurt Shotaro!" Adam demanded.

"Buzz kill." Chess snorted.

"He wasn't telling me where you are!" Kayen whined. "Adam, look- they're suffering! Just like they made all of us suffer! Look at them... look!"

He pointed toward a burning house nearby.

"They sold their children to be tortured!" The boy screamed. "The parents of all of those children... my parents! They deserve to DIE!"

"You don't get to decide that!" Adam replied before taking a breath. "...Put out the fires...where's Domino?"

"You're gonna make us stop?" Chess raised an eyebrow.

"I will, if I have to." Adam told the blonde evenly.

The teenager hung his head shamefully and quickly waved his hand, making all of the fires go out.

"Jeez Kayen, at least have some conviction." Chess rolled his eyes.

"Shut up, Chess!" Kayen snapped at him, angrily. "This is all your fault!"

"My fault?" Chess pointed at himself. "Explain?"

"You should have stopped me coming out here!" The boy snapped angrily, his fists clenched. "You knew Adam wouldn't like it, but you didn't say anything!"

Shotaro gave a disgusted noise into Adam's shoulder.

"I only cared about what you wanted and what you liked!" Chess actually seemed angry, which was rare for him.

Kayen growled and lunged forward, tackling the blonde to the ground and starting to punch and kick at him wildly.

"Heavenly Father, what happened here!?"

Neko rushed up to the group, his eyes wide and horrified as he looked at what remained of the small city.

Chess covered himself before he rolled over the top of Kayen- glaring down into his face.

"What is the problem!?" He hissed. "I did what you told me to do! When did that stop being enough!?"

"Get off!" Kayen cried. "You're hurting me, get off of me!"

Neko looked at them in alarm, before he looked up at Shotaro and Adam.

"I'm not hurting you!" Chess leaned back. "I'm hardly even sitting on you!"

There was a rushing sound before an arrowhead was suddenly where Chess' left eye had been.

Kayen's eyes went wide as blood spattered across his horrified face, the dark red contrasting against his pale features rather beautifully.

Shotaro felt a hand cover his mouth as he screamed, muffling the sound thankfully enough that the worst it did was give Neko a pounding headache.