Hiya! Demon Oki here!! Ahhh I love this story so much

To all readers, don't be shy! Please let me know how I am doing!! Being that this IS my all time favorite story, I want it to be Perfect! THANKYOU sooo much for at least reading this story… it makes me happy ^______^ … unless you read it and hated it and I would never know -_-;;;;;;;;;;

Okay, okay … enough shout-outs on with chapter 2!!

Silence in Darkness

Broken in Time

It is a strange time, a time when the humans ruled the world. It had been decades since that time of fear; that time when the humans coward in their holes and prayed the creatures in the darkness wouldn't devour them. The humans had since managed to domesticate some mystical creatures, and those that would not be tamed were hunted till they were no more. A cocky mentality had infected the general populous of the continent of Isteria, the idea that "if we can tame it, we don't have to fear it anymore." However that idea is mistaken …

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"THE THEIF WENT THIS WAY, SIR!!" a random voice yelled from somewhere in the alley-way. Ryo looked around frantically, they would reach him soon. Ryo began pacing,

Think, think, there HAS to be a way out of this … DAMN! Where in the hell did Oki go!! He left me here high and dry, and after all we had been through, Ryo contemplated this for a moment, what am I saying I barely knew him for five minutes … oh my god! What if he thought, he thought I was just like the others … that I wanted him to be my slave … he couldn't have, could he? Ryo felt like he was on the verge of tears, he had only wanted to free the slave; he had no ulterior motives. He had stopped in the middle of the alleyway feeling horrible, ready to give up. He was beginning to feel very depressed when he felt something poke his back. Ryo jumped up immediately, whirling around, grabbing at the hilt of his sword, only to come face to face with a large pair of golden eyes. Ryo's own eyes widened as he jumped back in surprise.

"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH," Ryo screamed. Pigeons took to flight, the centuries that had stopped to study a set of foot prints all looked up at the same time.

"Sir! It sounds like someone is in trouble!" one young looking century exclaimed to his commanding officer. The older man nodded in agreement. Raising his hand over his head, the commander traced a loop in the air and then pointed in the direction of the dead end.

"MOVE OUT!" he yelled. The centuries responded with grunting sounds as they formed two single file lines and began to march, double time!

Oki silently reached out and put a finger to Ryo's lips, in attempts to quiet him. Ryo flushed slightly, pushing Oki's hand away and grabbing at his chest still breathing heavy from the scare.

"Don't DO that!" Ryo scolded, barley above a whisper. It was then that Ryo noticed Oki was hanging upside-down from the top of the wall.

"What are you doing?" Ryo asked, tilting his body so that he could look at Oki "right side-up". Oki's face was as blank as ever, his lips moved slowly so that Ryo might be able to read them.

"Climb?" Ryo repeated. Oki nodded, his face wasn't even flushed from hanging upside-down for so long! Oki pulled himself up, then turned over and leaned over the top of the wall, extending his hand to his savior. Ryo hesitated for a moment; he had an ominous feeling that something bad was going to happen. Oki pulled back his hand putting it up to his forehead to shield the rays of the midday sun for a moment. He looked down the alleyway; the centuries were getting closer. Oki put his hand down to Ryo again; waving it impatiently, Ryo went to take it when he began to hear the Centuries. Ryo looked over his shoulder; Oki's eye seemed to twitch with annoyance! He leaned farther over the wall and clenched Ryo's shirt. To Ryo's surprise he was pulled up and over the wall, hitting it a few times along the way. On the other side of the wall, the ground was much farther down. Ryo and Oki stood on a small ledge. When the centuries came into view Oki quickly shoved Ryo's head down so he would not be seen then he himself ducked. The centuries looked around, a lot of them shrugging, as they found no evidence. The commander came upon the message in the loose dirt.

"Hmmmmm, Oki is it?" he said to himself. He looked around, then at the wall. Slowly he walked up to the wall, putting his hands on his hips he took a deep breath.

"OKI!" he boomed. Oki's eyes shot open as he trembled, biting into his lower lip. Ryo watched Oki go into a daze like state.

Is he having a flashback!?! Ryo thought as he tried to put a reassuring hand on the slave's shoulder. Oki immediately jerked at the touch, causing Ryo to lose his balance. With wide pale blue eyes, Ryo slipped off the small ledge and began falling to the ground far below. Oki snapped out of his trance as soon as he saw Ryo's frightened face, he didn't even bother screaming. Oki jumped from the ledge without hesitation, quickly catching up to Ryo and wrapping him in his arms. Ryo's eyes welled up with tears as he clenched them shut, burring his face, as he gripped onto Oki tightly. Oki rotated their bodies so that he would hit first. With a loud shush sound they landed on a thatched roof. Oki quickly spread out his arms and legs to distribute their weight, hoping they would not fall further. Slowly, as Ryo felt that they had stopped moving, He opened his eyes to find he had buried his face into Oki's neck, Ryo blushed, still tasting the metal from Oki's collar in his mouth. Ryo practically jumped off Oki, he quickly took in his surroundings. The roof they were currently laying on, topped off a rather tall building, almost like a large pavilion. He stood, stepping lightly on the yellowish woven straw. Oki looked up at him, flashes of apprehensive worry in his yellow eyes.

"Don't be scared!" Ryo began, putting his hands on his hips, there were no traces of the frightened boy who fell off the wall moments ago. "I won't fall," he finished. Slowly, Oki sat up, his actions were deliberate, his muscles tense. Obviously Oki was not convinced that this roof was as "safe" as Ryo tried to make it seem. If only Ryo had paid attention. To Oki's horror there came a loud 'CRACK' sound, and in the blink of those yellow eyes, Ryo was gone! Oki hurriedly crawled toward the place Ryo had been standing. There, Oki found a hole, barely large enough to fit him. He peered down the hole, his eyes took longer to adjust to the dim interior of the strangely tall building, and it looked almost like a stable of some kind. Finally his eyes caught hold of HIM, Ryo appeared to be fine. Oki let out a small sigh of relief. Then something dark, like a large shadow, flitted across his line of sight. Oki's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates! It was a Griffin!! It appeared this was a stable for the royal guards mounts. However, judging by the ropes attached to this magnificent creature, it was easy to conclude that it was still in the process of being trained. It was still a rogue, and judging by the strange cries it made, it was obvious that humans were its favorite thing … to maul, kill, maim, and even eat probably. Without a second thought Oki slipped through the hole in the roof, and landed with the grace of a swan on the hardened dirt below. The Griffin didn't notice the silent intruder; its attention was focused on an unsuspecting human. Ryo had no comprehension of the danger he faced. He stood there in awe of this magnificent creature; its beauty and strength captivated him. The Griffin thrashed about, as Ryo got a little closer. He wanted to touch it. He wanted to feel its fur, its feathers. Hell, he wanted to huggle the beast. The rope that tied back one of the Griffin's enormous talons suddenly broke. The Griffin lunged at Ryo. Everything went silent, as Ryo's eyes opened wide. With a sudden pressure to his chest Ryo found himself on the hard ground. The only sound was the tearing of flesh. Quickly Ryo inspected himself only to find he was still intact. He looked up to see Oki, his arms spread out before him.

H-he's protecting me!? Ryo thought, tears began forming in the corners of his eyes. He didn't want Oki to be killed for his sake. (That would sort of defeat the purpose of Ryo saving him earlier) Ryo was about to protest when he was met with a cold stare; actually frigid would be an understatement. Ryo shuddered, the glare he received from Oki pained him. Strangely it hurt his feelings, but he couldn't, for the life of him, figure out why it upset him so. Oki turned his attention back to the Griffin. They just stared at each other for a long time; finally the Griffin's large eyes widened, as it backed away, its tail tucked between its legs.

The Griffin is frightened! Of Oki!? But why? Oki isn't dangerous … is he? NAW he has been a slave for quite sometime I think, and if he was so powerful why would he continue living that way when it is obvious he doesn't want to? Ryo rationalized. Oki turned towards him to see that he was okay. That is when Ryo caught a glimpse of the horrible gash on Oki's chest.

"OKI!!" Ryo yelped with wide eyes. Oki cocked his head at the blue haired youth, confused by Ryo's overflowing concern for him. Ryo immediately jumped up from the ground, putting his hands on Oki's shoulders inspecting the wound.

"We have to get you to a doctor … and get this wound clea…" Ryo was cut off when Oki put his hand over his mouth. Ryo looked up, shocked at Oki's action.

Does he want to die? THAT badly?? Ryo lowered his head; it pained him to think that such a beautiful creature would actually WANT to die. It pained him when ANY creature wanted to die.

Has your life been that bad Oki? Why? Ryo was snapped out of his depressing thoughts when he felt Oki's hand move from his mouth to his chin. Lifting his face so that their eyes met once again. Ryo could feel his checks grow warm, as he bit into his lower lip.

What is this feeling in the pit of my stomach? It is just like when I fell from the wall! Ryo thought growing slightly uncomfortable. Ryo was staring at Oki's mouth, as Oki opened and closed it.

"Watch?" Ryo repeated. Oki let go of Ryo's chin, and gestured towards the wound on his chest. To Ryo's amazement it already looked better, he watched, as it seemed to glow, the light healing the wound. Ryo couldn't tear his eyes away, he watched until it had completely closed up and the demonic youth was once again flawless. Ryo's legs felt like rubber as he wobbled back to the ground.

"How did-that was-are you …" Ryo's words were a jumbled mess, he continued to babble incoherently for a few moments. Oki cocked his head at Ryo, once again confused by the youth's emotions. There came noises from outside, as they heard the sound of the latch on the door, Oki scooped up Ryo and retreated to a dark corner behind a stack of bailed hay. The huge doors were swung open the sunlight blasting in, startling the Griffin. Two men walked in, one tall and super skinny, the other his polar opposite.

"Can you believe it Lurkmyre? Dey're finally gonna put dis bastard down!" the taller man said, his voice seemed to drip with the same greasiness as his appearance. The short man (Lurkmyre) just hacked as an answer to him. With a horrible gurgle sound he hawked a mouthful of phlegm and god knows what else and spat it onto the ground with a splat. Ryo cringed sticking his tongue out in disgust, and again Oki was caught off guard by Ryo's open display of emotions. Oki turned his attention back to the two men as they walked further into the large barn-like structure.

"I mean, dey kept tryin' but he kept resistin', and finally he maimed dat little girl, but dey were STILL gonna try to train de bastard… I just don't get it!" the taller man said shaking his head.

" 'E's the last of 'is kind, ya dumbass!" Lurkmyre said flatly. It seemed that Lurkmyre didn't like this other man at all, and only put up with him long enough to get his pay. Lurkmyre admired the beast, it saddened him slightly that today it was to be slaughtered and its magnificent pelt was to be used to make a cloak for her majesty the princess Estelle.

"Tch, royalty," Lurkmyre spat under his breathe.

"Huh? Did you say sumdin'?" the taller man asked sounding even more like the dumbass Lurkmyre portrayed him as. Lurkmyre rolled his eyes gesturing dismissively with his hand. The taller man shrugged, pulling on his long gloves and his apron he began mucking out the stable. The Griffin had retreated towards the back of the barn, quivering in the shadows. It was all too aware of what they spoke of. Lurkmyre also put on an apron and long gloves … but he collected some large brushes and some buckets as he headed back out side. Ryo craned his neck to see what he was doing, even though there was no possible way that he could. Ryo turned back towards Oki, a look of confusion furrowing his brow. Then, almost as if on cue, there came the sound of the water pump out in the courtyard. Ryo's eyes lit up in recognition and he nodded, mouthing an "Aaah" at Oki. Oki just looked at him like he had just laid an egg. Ryo turned his attention back toward the entranceway as Lurkmyre reappeared with two full buckets; one had a large cake of soap in it along with the water. The tall greasy man stopped mucking for a moment. He leaned on the handle of the rake he had just been using. He watched Lurkmyre, before finally letting his head drop forward chuckling. It didn't even sound like a chuckle, it sounded more like a dying mongoose taking one more snake with it into the afterlife. Lurkmyre had begun lathering up one of the long handled brushes; actually it looked almost like a broom. The excess bubbles overflowed from the wooden bucket, lazily floating to the dusty ground, some of them remaining aloft catching a breeze to carry them away to freedom. Ryo studied the bubbles, their funny iridescent color. He like it, suddenly it reminded him that Oki's hair was colored like that! Slyly he went to sneak a peak at Oki, out of the corner of his eye. Ryo's eyes widened as he turned totally to face the yellowed eyed demon.

Oki was starring at me!! Just blankly starring at me! Why is that making me blush? Ryo questioned himself, the golden eyes still upon him. Ryo tried not to think about it as he broke eye contact and tuned his 'attention' back to the two men at work. Although his attention was still pulled toward the stare that was transfixed on the side of his face!

Just don't think about it Ryo, just ignore him … he reminds me of a lost and hungry puppy begging for food and shelter! Ryo relaxed slightly.

" 'Ey! Thistle!? What's so funny!?" Lurkmyre asked stopping his work for a moment to hear what moronic thing came out of Thistle's mouth. Thistle kept leaning on his rake handle as he leaned forward sneering at Lurkmyre.

"Why ya boder cleanin' da bastard, he is just gonna get axed in an hour!" Thistle drawled, taking a moment to spit a wad to the dirty floor. Ryo grimaced again. Oki looked back toward the griffin his stare was so intense it could have burned a hole through steel. The Griffin cocked its head at the men before it.

"Ya dumb fuck!! 'e is still got ta look nice fer the princess!" Lurkmyre said disgustedly shaking his head. Thistle seemed to pale a bit, he had nothing to say to that. No 'witty' retort, big surprise there! Thistle went back to mucking muttering under his breath. Lurkmyre went back to lathering up his brush before approaching the beast. The Griffin tried to back away further but was met with the back wall of the stable like structure.

"Now, now! Cut that out! C'mon out 'ere you!" Lurkmyre spoke to the Griffin like it was as intelligent as it really was. Perhaps Lurkmyre wasn't just another uneducated peon of this town, this kingdom. The beast reluctantly did as he said. The Griffin allowed him to clean his fur and feathers, the Griffin even allowed him to groom his wings.

"ACK! Don't understan' that fuckn' bastard only list'ns to ya! It's weird I tell ya!" Thistle remarked at the obedient behavior of the Griffin.

An Hour passed. A fancy bridle was placed over the Griffin's immense beak. The large doors of the stable were opened and looking out one could see the beginnings of a crowd of people outside wait for the 'festivities' to begin!

"Disgusting," Ryo spat under his breathe. Oki gave him another on of his quizzical looks.

"I just don't think it is right! Offing that magnificent Griffin simply because he wouldn't be tamed! … I just can't stand it" Ryo revealed. Oki promptly stood up.

"What are you DOING!?" Ryo whispered harshly. Oki looked down at him, his face as blank as ever. Ryo eyes just widened, he didn't know what to do. Oki disappeared into the interior of the large stable. Ryo looked around for a minute before deciding to sneak out, and into the crowd. Ryo lost himself in the crowed and began looking around frantically.

Where in the world did Oki go!? He asked himself looking around. That's when he spotted her!

"Princess Estelle!?" he said under his breathe. She was seated in a special royalty box. He long blonde hair was half pulled back into a bun at the back of her head surrounded by her royal crown, the remaining hair hung down past her shoulders the ends curled into ringlets. Ryo felt his cheeks flush and his eyes seemed to glaze over. The Princess stood looking towards the large doorway. He turned to look as they brought out the Griffin. Its feathers and fur were a dark chocolate brown. Its wings were tipped in silver, as were its ear tufts. Its beak was a deep onyx and its eyes were large and round and looked like nice silver blue sort of like his eyes. Ryo smiled at this realization. The crowed began gasping and hollering. Ryo looked up, and standing on the roof of the stable was none other than Oki!

So THAT'S where you went!! Ryo thought. He pushed his way to the front of the crowed never tearing his eyes off of Oki. As soon as Oki caught sight of Ryo in the crowd he took a step and then simply jumped from the roof onto the back of the Griffin.

"OKI!" Ryo gasped. The Griffin bucked but then became fully relaxed as Oki steadied it. The crowd began running around like chickens recently relieved of their heads! Oki managed to take the reigns and steered the large animal towards Ryo who was still standing in the same place almost in shock. Oki reached his hand down to him, Ryo's mind was still blank as he took the hand given him and found himself pulled onto the back of the beautiful Griffin.

"There's no saddle!!" Ryo revealed a slight hint of terror. Oki ignored this and silently commanded the Griffin to take flight. The Griffin bounded forward and leapt into the air leaving the people far below. As Ryo watched the ground get farther and farther away, he saw the Centuries come onto the scene. In a few moments they were high enough that Ryo could no longer distinguish between peon and solider.

"UH!! OKI!! DID I EVER TELL YOU ABOUT MY FEAR OF HIEGHTS!?" Ryo yelled over the sound of the wind as it whipped past his head. Oki pulled slightly on the reigns and the Griffin banked to the left. Ryo felt like he would slip off the back without a saddle, he was gripping onto tufts of fur and feathers. He gritted his teeth feeling tears well up in his eyes, he had NEVER been this scared in his short life. He needed to hold onto something better than handfuls of fur. He scooted himself closer slowly, then placed his hands onto Oki's strong sloped shoulders.

"SORRY! BUT I'M REALLY SCARED AND I NEED TO HOLD ONTO SOMETHING MORE SOLID, I HOPE YOU DON'T MIND! DO YOU!?" Ryo yelled over the wind again. Oki of course said nothing, but slightly shrugged his shoulders so Ryo would know he didn't mind. Oki turned his head, looking at Ryo out of the corner of his eye over his shoulder. Ryo blinked then smirked sheepishly.

"HEAD FOR THAT FORREST SOUTH OF TOWN, MY PARTY IS WAITING FOR ME THERE. HEH! I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE GETTING SUPPLIES!" Ryo chuckled light heartedly. Oki pulled the reigns and the Griffin turned sharply, Ryo gasped throwing his arms around Oki. One over his shoulders the other around his trim waist. Ryo pulled himself closer; so close they were practically spooning[1]! Surprisingly a smile played at the corners of Oki's mouth! Oki breathed in sharply almost appearing to become lightheaded. Before they knew it, they were soaring over the forest in question. Oki squeezed his legs slightly, letting the Griffin know it was time to land. The Griffin found a clearing large enough for it to land in and slowly made its way down. Ryo had buried his face into Oki's back, he wasn't even aware of how close they were to the ground now. Once the Griffin landed it took a few steps to lose its un-needed momentum. The movements of its steps caused Oki and Ryo to ungulate into each other. Ryo felt a strange movement in Oki's chest almost like a giggle. Ryo lifted his head and rested it on Oki's shoulder.

"Oki?" he asked softly unsure of what that was. Oki turned his head slightly looking at Ryo out of the corner of his eye. There was a slight smile at edge of his pink lips and his cheeks were slightly flushed. Their faces were mere inches apart. They just stared for a moment. Ryo's eyes widened as he quickly let go of Oki and pushed himself away from him.

"Sorry …" Ryo said sheepishly looking away. He quickly slid off the griffins back, he was so glad to be back on the solid ground. His legs wobbled out from under him and he found himself on his hands and knees almost in tears to be able to run his fingers through the dirt again. Oki's face quickly returned to the stone like expression he always wore. With one fluid movement he jumped from the Griffin's back and landed gracefully on the ground. Ryo sat on the earth his legs wrapped around each other like a pretzel, silently he found himself watching Oki's every move. Ryo leaned his elbow onto his knee and his chin in his hand. Oki stood before the magnificent creature, with a natural grace, Oki lifted his hand towards the Griffin's face. Slowly the Griffin lowed its head to him. Oki gently pulled the bridle over the Griffin's ear tufts, then cupped the Griffin's chin and carefully bulled the painful bit from its mouth. Tossing the bridle and bit away it landed to the ground with a clunk. Oki carefully caressed the Griffin's cheek, he then leaned in lightly kissing its smooth snout. Ryo's eyes widened slightly, unconsciously he focused in on Oki's lips as the pressed onto the Griffin's beak. He continued starring as those lips pulled away, pink and slightly parted as Oki released a small sigh. Ryo continued staring until finally he noticed what he was doing. Quickly he turned and looked away just in time to see a familiar set of feet appear before him.

"RYO TARTAAS!! What exactly did you do!? GEEZE even the people in the outskirts of Galsbad are talking about YOU!!!" A female version of Ryo barked, her hair shone ruby red in the sporadic sunlight, as it filtered through the leaves. Her angry eyes flashed pale pink, her lips painted the same color as her hair, which she currently wore up in long pigtails the ends curled up in spirals.

"HEY! It isn't like I go LOOKING for trouble you know!" Ryo stood to face her. Their faces were exactly the same and if it weren't for the difference in color they would almost be indistinguishable. As more people began filtering their way into the clearing the Griffin, feeling on edge, took off leaving them a gust of kicked up dust.

"TCH! Yeah I know Ryo! But somehow Trouble always seems to find YOU!" the girl griped over the noise of the Griffin's take off. That is when she noticed the silent figure standing farther behind Ryo. Oki stood there, his head bowed slightly. She blushed slightly as she took him in. she caught site of the cat-like eyes and the pointed ears, her eyes widened.

"A DEMON!! RYO WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU THINKING!" She screamed, shaking Ryo by his shoulders. Oki cringed at being referred to in such a negative tone. Ryo looked at Oki over his shoulder, he saw him jump at his sister's words. Anger began building in the pit of his stomach; before he could consider his actions he slapped his twin square across the face!

"LAY OFF! RYONA! HE HAS BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH BULLSHIT ALREADY!" Ryo yelled back. Ryona stood there in shock her hand to her stinging cheek. Ryo NEVER got angry enough to yell, let alone slap her! Ryona's face softened as she rested her forehead on Ryo's.

"I'm sorry Ryo, I have just been really worried about you … I-I didn't mean to be so harsh!" she said sincerely. Ryo's face softened now, and he smiled at her. He moved back away from her and gestured towards Oki. Obediently Oki came forward, but he was reluctant to get as close to them as Ryo had wanted. Carefully, Ryo grabbed a hold of Oki's forearm pulling him gently to his side.

"Ryona of fallstatte, I would like you to meet Oki, the free man," Ryo beamed, proud of his good deed. Oki stepped forward and bowed deeply. Ryona found herself blushing again; she curtsied politely before turning back toward her brother.

"Let's head back to camp shall we?" she ordered more than asked. Ryo nodded and then turned toward Oki, flashing him a wide smile. Oki cocked his head at him, but followed closely behind him as they walked into the forest as the day slowly turned to early evening.

To Be Continued …

One small note! Early on in the planning stages of this story … a friend of mine brought it to my attention that the names Oki and Ryo when arranged like Ryo and Oki made the name Ryooki (or the name of that cute little cabbit from Tenchi!!) XDDDD he told me that name is now forever ruined for him … XDDDDDDDD well I thought it was funny … -_-;;;

[1] See L-Chan!! I know what spooning is!!! :P so there!! The easiest way to describe what spooning is … is to think of two spoons and how when you stack them they fit together! Well spooning with a person is like that sort of like melding into them … well that is the best I can do to explain!!