Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ The second to last pure, yet not quite so sane, human ❯ Chapter 7
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Mad Maxx Coyote 
Miscellaneous: Original Stories Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Horror / Psychological / Sci-fi | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 03.01.2009 | Pages: 7 | Words: 7.7K | Visits: 749 | Status: Work In Progress
Miscellaneous: Original Stories Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Horror / Psychological / Sci-fi | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 03.01.2009 | Pages: 7 | Words: 7.7K | Visits: 749 | Status: Work In Progress
Disclaimer. All Last pure human stuff belongs to TwistedHilarity, I’m not trying to steal anything. Gabriel however is mine.
Zonta blinked.
“What do you mean no? That’s some greeting for your younger brother. I didn’t even ask you anything Kasan.”
Kasan gave him a look.
“I have been briefed on the situation. I’m not letting Max anywhere near this…killer.”
Zonta’s jaw nearly dropped.
“W-What? H-How?….Who told you?”
“Nolluz and Jolan.” Kasan replied. Zonta growled.
“So your going to believe them over me?”
“Normally no, Nolluz is pretty much an ass. But Jolan’s always been honest. I would like to speak with Father on this more however.” Kasan said.
Upset was a little too mild a world for how Zonta felt. All this time they had been waiting for Kasan and Max’s return, he had been waiting. But now they finally return and his request is denied before he could even issue it?
“You know….I really did not expect this from you of all people.” Zonta said. “And I have to say…it bothers me how little my life seems to be worth to everyone. I mean…he saved my life, truly. I would be dead right this very second, yet apparently that doesn’t even factor into his treatment.”
“Zonta…” Kasan said gently.
“And did they tell you how that brute of a guard broke into my room? How he savagely beat the poor thing? I know for a fact that if someone did even a third of that to Max he wouldn’t have to do a thing, you would kill them before most could even blink.” Zonta growled.
‘This isn’t the same-” Kasan started.
“-Of course it is not. Because it doesn’t affect any one of you.” Zonta interrupted.
“I don’t want Max near a killer Zonta!” Kasan snapped.
Shaking his head Zonta crossed his arms and looked away from his older sibling.
“I have to say…this is SO out of character for you. Fine….where is Max, I’ll just ask him myself.”
“You leave him out of this.” Kasan said.
“Why? We have been waiting for you two, him more specifically, to return for help. How is this supposed to be resolved without him?”
Kasan sighed.
“You can work with him.”
Zonta snorted.
“Yeeeah, like I had not suggested that from the very beginning. But what makes you think he’ll trust me now, over one of his own especially. Would you? And let me point out that he not me, mentioned Max first.”
“Well for all we know Max is a common human name.” Kasan countered. Pursing his lips Zonta nodded his head slowly.
“Not an unreasonable theory.” Zonta mused. “But I really think they might know each other.”
Kasan rubbed at his brow, his tail twitching behind him as he sighed again.
“And what makes you think that? Mind you Max hasn’t mentioned a….Gabrieeel once.”
“A hunch, and the few scattered words I’ve been able to understand. Its Gabriel by the way.” Zonta reported.
Kasan threw his hands up in the air.
“Well I’m not risking my consorts life on a hunch!”
Zonta really had to wonder when his brothers had become so paranoid. Or is this what having a consort did to a person?
“And what if he is hunting Max? Have you thought of that?”
Actually the thought had never crossed his mind once. Gabriel just didn’t show that kind of body language or emotion. He looked too happy, too relieved. It certainly didn’t give Zonta the impression of someone who was plotting to kill.
“Tell me Kasan…where is this risk coming from? Do you really believe that this little human will rip hi way through bars designed to hold full grown Kyashin. Then with his bare hands no less, incapacitate yourself, who will undoubtedly be standing right there, and at least two other guards. The chase down your consort, who will mostly run for help after such a display, and murder him?” Zonta questioned, clapping his hands together. “Come on Kasan.”
Kasan wiped his hand over his eyes, and might have just agreed right there and there. But Zonta was too frustrated, had waited far too long, and was far too upset at being challenged as much as he had on this to just let it go like that.
‘You know what I think? I think your afraid. I think your worried you might just lose Max over this. What if they do know each other? What if they are lovers? Or at the very least…what if this takes away some of Max’s reliance upon you. After all…he will have someone he can speak to, truly speak to. Have to think that might take up a great deal of his time.” Zonta growled. “Maybe Gabriel even knows where other human’s are, maybe Max has a mate among them. After all, records show that human’s did not bind as biologically tight as we do. For all we know Max might not truly even like you, and simply goes along with what you want because he believes he has no choice in the matter. After all….he was never truly given a choice in the first place.”
Kasan’s eyes got wide and he growled.
“What are you trying to say?”
“Well…in layman’s terms….you raped him.” Zonta quipped. A part of him felt very guilty, it was not his nature to be cruel. But everyone else was being cruel. Everyone else was being cold and close minded. He was tired of all the -what ifs- very…VERY tired.
He couldn’t believe Kasan was denying him, Kasan had always been on his side. All he was trying to do was help a poor, innocent creature. One who had been captured and abused. God knew what kind of life little Nikea had led.
“Excuse me?!” Kasan snarled. Zonta felt a nervous rush, the last thing he needed was a Kasan styled beating, but hell….maybe he really was right. Maybe that was how Kasan truly felt about the situation.
It was extremely selfish, not something he would have expected from Kasan, but he also had not expected Jolan, and his own twin Aosh, to side so strongly against him.
“Well…lets be honest Kasan. You took him to save your own life, and while I am very glad you survived Shovak’s betrayal, with all my heart I am happy we still have you. But facts are facts. You did not court Max, he did not even know you. He was drugged and barely aware, certainly did not give consent. Nor did he attempt to seduce you in any way, per your own statements. Regardless the outcome it was very much non-consensual sex, which is also called….” Zonta trailed off, he didn’t need to say it. “And by your own admission you have taken him without consent, even in his sleep, when the need arose. So perhaps YOU should be incarcerated as well.”
Kasan just stared at him, mouth agape.
“What the hell has gotten into you Zonta? I mean what the hell?!”
Zonta ignored his question, he had answered the very same to too many people over the last few days.
“I wonder what Max will do when he finds out you’ve been hiding this from him. He won’t be pleased I imagine.” Zonta mused, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Then again…I suppose it does not matter. He is too small to do much of anything to you, and you are more then capable of taking what you want.”
Kasan looked hurt by Zonta’s words, and that made him feel even more guilty. He wanted to apologize, to make it better. But he pushed the feeling aside, no one else was feeling guilty, and everyone was trying to heap it all upon him.
“I’m just trying to look after my consort.” Kasan said softly.
“Yes well…I suppose I will leave you to that. Thank you very much for your time, its very nice to know that no matter what happens….I cannot count on you. Now…if you will excuse me…I apparently have a great deal more work to do.” Zonta said briskly before spinning on his heel and starting to walk away.
“That’s not fair Zonta…you know I’d do just about anything for you.” Kasan called after him.
That stopped Zonta in his tracks, and his temper rose. He had been perfectly content to just walk away and inform his Father of Kasan’s decision and find out what options were now available, but….
“Heh…you know…I’ve heard that a few times lately. I heard it from Aosh, I heard it from Jolan, I heard it from Tisu, I heard it from Father and surprise, surprise I even heard it from Nolluz. It got me thinking, and I realized that no one really ever does anything for me.” Zonta growled. “Now I all your defenses I’ve never asked. But I must say….not only am I very disappointed in my family, indeed in my very species. I am also feeling very used and unappreciated.”
“I don’t understand.” Kasan said.
Of course he didn’t, apparently no one did.
Pressing his fingertips together, Zonta turned to face his elder brother once more. Pursing his lips, Zonta spoke.
“When Aosh was going for his operating license, and was so sure he could seduce his way past the written test, only to discover very late that he could not, and was frantic because if he failed he would be locked out for five years. Who stayed up all day and all night the day before coaching him so that he might have a chance? Me.” Zonta took a step towards Kasan. “When Tisu first bonded with Roto, and was having such problem’s because of their size difference, poor Roto was bruised and sore from even some of Tisu’s most innocent actions. Who spent weeks sifting though text after text, compiling a massive data log on advanced massage therapy techniques, both to sooth Roto’s aches and help him relax when Tisu’s size sometimes brought back horrid memories and led to panic attacks? Me.”
Zonta took another step.
“When Jolan was landed with Service and needed to track down and retrieve several rare herbs for the Elders. Who risked bringing trouble down upon his own head, when he not only did the research in record time, but also drew Jolan a rather detailed map to help keep him from an even greater punishment? Me.” Zonta continued. “When Nolluz’s children were sick with the Tarch, a sickness which causes both high fever and terrible muscle cramping, and can last six months up to a year. While the medicine available did help combat the virus, it did nothing for their pain, which at times became extreme. Who spent two tireless months working with specialists to fine the right balance of ingredients to provide both defense against the virus and pain relief, and the ever touchy problem of making it safe for them to ingest? Me.”
Now he was right in front of Kasan, just on the edge of invading his personal space.
“When Father needed someone to reprogram the communications room that YOU all smashed. Who spent all day AND all night making sure it was done properly, despite NOT being involved in the first place, when none of you could get it right? Me.” Zonta pressed. “And when you brought your human consort here. Who did the research, dug up the texts, obtained copies, all in the hope that it would aid you two in communicating as consort and mate need without even being asked, and out of the goodness of his heart, just to try and help your newborn relationship. ME.”
By the time Zonta was finished he was pressed chest to chest with Kasan, looming over him. Not that it would intimidate the throwback prince, it was just how he ended up.
“I’ve helped you all time and time again, and I was glad to, I’ve never asked for one single thing in return. Yet the one time I need help, the one time I devote myself to a personal task of at the very least semi great importance, not one of you will support me.” Zonta growled. “By all rights you are seriously in my debt Kasan. But I would never come to you and say that. So fine, do not help me. I will fined my own way, it is merely a setback.”
Zonta leaned in lose, moving his face in close to Kasan’s. It was foolish, Kasan was the best, most vicious fighter out of all of them. But he was too angry to even think about what he might be provoking.
“But know this big brother, the next time something comes up with Max, the next time you need research or aid….unless it is seriously life threatening, and I do mean SERIOUSLY….you are on your own. Don’t you dare ask me. But that goes for all of you really, but you can pass the message along for me can’t you? It’s a simple task. You can also come up with your own lie as to why I will not being continuing to help Max with his Hinta for the time being.”
With that he turned to leave, but Kasan’s strong hand closed around his bicep, preventing him from leaving.
“What’s gotten into you Zonta? They told me you were obsessing but….not why. This isn’t like you.” Kasan said, sounding more then a little stunned over Zonta’s tirade.
“Obsessing? Is that what they define a righteous call to do what IS right? Why you ask? Because I’m not being timid? Because I’ve shoved myself to the forefront for one? Because I’m standing up for what is right and not what is convenient? Because I’m doing my duty?” Zonta shot back. His anger startled even him slightly, he had never really felt so strongly about anything before. It also hurt him that one or more of his brother’s was painting him as a deluded obsessing fool.
“What duty? What are you talking about? Damn it Zonta….I know this is important to you, and it might even be important to Max and such. I know that this pertains to Shovak the bastard, and our duty to do right by what he has harmed. But I don’t know what YOU are meaning. Damn it Z….your acting like I’ve been here since this mess started.” Kasan stated.
“I found him, and when I did he was in much, much worse condition then you found Max. He bruised and beaten, the thing has scar’s that I can not even begin to determine the cause littering his body. Then not ten seconds after I come across him someone his shouting to break his legs when they DO find him. Though that statement does kind of give one an idea of the treatment he has been subjected to.” Zonta reported. “Then…despite this, he was fairly friendly to me once I got the point that I was an ally across. He slept right next to me, not you know….murdering me in my sleep as everyone seems to fear. Then when we were tracked to where I was staying, my fault really, he came to my defense, not once but twice.”
Zonta traced his throat line with his finger.
“You see….you can’t see it now. But for a while I had a very large bruise around my neck. A man snuck up behind a low wall and wrapped a thick rope around my neck. I couldn’t reach him, I couldn’t pull away, I couldn’t do anything. He very nearly strangled me to death Kasan. It was…terrifying. My thoughts were on all of you when I passed out. I’m not lying, I’m not exaggerating. He was inches away from killing me. Now…maybe a minute or two from death this supposed deranged human came to my rescue, not only freeing me, but considering all the date I’ve went over on strangulation, my throat constricted and my brain undoubtedly in an oxygen deprived panic, I can only assume he also resuscitated me.” Zonta continued with confidence in his voice, though it trembled slightly when he went over the details of his near death. “Then…obviously fearing more would come, this little human, only four…maybe five inches taller then Max, picks me up, he picks ME up, onto his shoulders and then proceeds to carry me out of town, two and a half, possibly three miles, then up a hill. The poor thing was exhausted, but he did what he could do to get me to safety.”
“I-” Kasan started.
“-Even if we do not know his weight, your how much bigger then Max? And I am how much taller and heavier then you? So what do you think the weight difference between me and Gabriel must be? Four, five, maybe even six hundred pound? That’s an incredible amount of willpower, and why would a deranged killer do such a thing? Even the simplest of minds would realize that escape would prove much easier without my added weight upon his back.” Zonta growled and yanked his arm away.
“If you would let me speak….I didn’t know any of that. They said that he helped you…but not all that.” Kasan reported. Zonta scoffed.
“So you made up your mind without even knowing the whole story?” Kasan winced. “I’m…terribly disappointed in you Kasan…”
“Based on the info I had, I said what I thought would be best for my consort. I wasn’t saying forever, just until I learned more. Did you not hear me when I said I wanted to speak to Father on this more?” Kasan asked.
“Is my word not good enough? It always has been before. ALWAYS. Yet why now am I some untrustworthy fool?” Zonta countered. Kasan sighed heavily, and rubbed at his face with both hands.
“If your so sure….I’ll allow it. BUT I wanted to know the whole story, every detail you have, first.” Kasan said.
Zonta lightened a little, that was a bit more like the Kasan he knew.
“I thank you then, but that will take some time…”
Kasan nodded his head slowly, a frown on his face.
‘I know, and I’m sorry. But I must know Zonta, and….I have not eaten in a while, we rushed back here, and I’m starving. Something also tells me you haven’t eaten either…am I right?”
Zonta crossed his arms.
“No I have not.” He confessed.
“Then let us have firstmeal and you can fill me in.” Kasan suggested.
It sounded good but….
“Your being reasonable Kasan, more then anyone else ahs but…I don’t want him in whatever cell they’ve locked him in much longer. Its not fair.” Zonta groaned.
“Wait…cell?” Kasan puzzled. “No one said anything about a cell.”
Zonta nodded.
“Holding cell…or so I was told. I don’t have much to go on other then this. But I KNOW he has been abused, its written all over his body, and how would Max react if he regained conciseness in a damn cage after he had been beaten by one of our guards. I know it might not be fair, but Max is the only thing I have to compare him to.” Zonta replied.
“A holding cell…..I thought you were being dramatic when you mentioned bars. Max….god he’d be scared to death….argh….alright….we eat here, I know a place, and you make it fast.”
Zonta opened his mouth to protest, but Kasan held up a hand.
“We can do no one any good without our strength, you can’t possibly help him if you pass out. I know you Zonta…you probably haven’t been eating much at all since this started. Max is in my room, he needs to rest anyway, I’m afraid the rapid trip has spooked him, and he’s just worn out. But….if you absolutely do insist….we go now. I’m not the type that will fill my stomach while shit like this is going on. Its your call Z.”
Zonta sighed. He really didn’t want this to be his call, he just wanted Kasan to say, yes lets go. But…he did have a point, Zonta was tired, his stomach was empty and his knee’s felt weak from it.
“Agreed….we eat quickly though, just enough to get by.” He grumbled.
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This was so not as shibby an idea as Gabriel has initially thought. It rather sucked….like donkey balls or something.
He was out of the cell, which was good, he was also out of the jail…technically, which was also good.
However…clinging to the side of a stone tower when he was NOT Spider man…was not good.
“Never a radioactive spider around when you need one.” Gabriel grumbled.
Now if his mental math was right, and Lord knew he might be rusty, from the window to the ground was like….maybe five hundred and sixty feet.
He could be wrong, his current position did not exactly favor calculations.
Oh sure it sounded real good at first, there were deep groves in the stone, which he could easily slip his fingers and toes into, he highly doubted that a kitty man could….so score one for humanity.
However it was only deep enough to almost reach his second knuckle and climbing down with only his fingertips and toes supporting his weight was not easy.
Oh and then there was the wind, the high speed wind that threatened to rip him of the wall every two minutes.
“Someone hates me….that’s all there is to it.” Gabriel groaned.
He was soooo fucked if at some point the grooves ended. It was hard enough going down, but pulling himself up? Riiiight.
He’d either have to try or hang on and hope to God for a rescue. Not that he expected one, he clearly was not among friends here.
Then again if the grooves ended and he didn’t realize it, he’d just be taking a fall. No deposit no return and all that.
It would make a rather gooey mess for the cats to clean up though, he would hit his terminal velocity from this height pretty easily, they might even have to power wash him off. So at least he could annoy the big bastards a little.
Maybe he could even land on one of them.
Be a weird obituary that was for sure.
Gabriel’s poor hands and feet were killing him….well no, actually they were saving him, it would be the sudden stop as his body slammed into the ground that would be killing him, but they were just four hot spots of burning, aching raw pain.
He almost wished they would hurry up and go numb. But they he might not be able to feel for the next groove.
How long had he been at this? How far did he still have to go? He didn’t really want to look…but he did.
“Yup…just as I suspected. Still at way to fucking high height.” Gabriel grumbled.
It didn’t help that looking down made him dizzy, and did he mention that it was cold up here? Because it was!
Hard to breathe too, though whether that was because the air might be thinner or because of how he had to basically plaster himself to the wall to prevent high impact death he couldn’t say.
Not that he really cared much about living or dying when he got right down to it.
After all it was pretty clear Max wasn’t here, he’d been spiked, so he wasn’t sure what he was going to do if he managed to get down alive. No Max, no purpose.
Besides…death would bring him to Michael, which was really the only place he cared to be anymore. Though he was pretty sure Michael would totally smack him upside the head if he died from something like this.
Honestly though, about the only thing that was keeping him from saying fuck it and letting go was he didn’t want his body getting fucked with. Being dead he wouldn’t care, but as of now he did not like the idea.
Plus there was the whole death sucks thing.
“Knowing my luck…even if I get down in one piece I’ll probably get caught right at the bottom.” Gabriel thought. If that happened after all of this he was going to be beyond pissed, and so were they…literally. Because he had to pee like nobodies business and the first one to pick him up would find that out first hand.
Just as Gabriel began to move down to the next groove a big gust of wind slammed into him. It pushed him hard, and right in the middle of the transition, thus he only had one hand hold.
Try as he might he didn’t really have much to hold onto in the first place.
He lost his grip…and then he was falling.
“Shit!!” Gabriel screamed. Oh he was so fucked!
The rough stone tore at his right cheek as he tried to stop himself. The fingers on his right hand exploded with sharp pain as he clawed at the stone, doing everything he could to keep from drifting away from the wall, barely, just barely was he able to get his fingers into another groove, jamming the toes of his left foot into one as well.
His grip was weak and he pulled himself at tight as he could into the stone of the tower. Gravity continued to torment him, he felt like something was pulling at his back, at his waist, trying to drag him down.
The groove in the stone was quickly filling up with his hot, sticky blood, so much so that it was oozing out and running down the wall. He had a feeling he was missing a few fingernails….annnnnd he was pretty sure a few of his toes were broken.
“This fucking sucks.” Gabriel growled.
His cheek was bleeding too, he could feel it running down his face. Well….at least it didn’t mess up his Lilly, getting re-inked on giant kitty land probably would not be easy.
He was so going to shove his hand right up someone’s ass for all of this….and they had better NOT try and enjoy it. Fisting…so damn gross.
Going down now was harder then before, the blood seeping out of his fingers was making the stone slippery, but he would have to manage. Easy going to get it, one at a time.
No waffles, no pork chops, and NO Max….oh yeah…he was so going to fuck big Red’s world.
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Zonta cracked his neck as he and Kasan made their way back. He had to admit that he did feel a little better with his belly full, but Kasan had been silent since they had left the eatery, and it was making him nervous.
“What are you thinking about?” Zonta finally asked. “I truly hope your not thinking about changing-”
“-I’m thinking about barbed wire to the balls.” Kasan muttered, shivering as he did. “Damn Z…I mean DAMN. That’s just…mean. What kind of person looks at some barbed wire and goes hey! I think I’ll saw on his sack with this.”
“Yes well….I will admit it was extremely gruesome, but there were not that many things he could do to harm such a large man I don’t think. Also on the hill he was very despondent, I think his actions were weighing quite heavily upon him.” Zonta said.
“That’s good…I suppose. Still I….what the hell is that!?” Kasan exclaimed.
Slightly startled by the sudden shift Zonta jerked his head around, trying to find whatever Kasan was looking at.
Finally discovering it Zonta was confused. It looked like someone was clinging to the east-tower, maybe twenty feet off of the ground.
“Ugh…stupid kids.” Kasan growled. “Don’t they know how dangerous it is to try and climb the tower?”
Zonta agreed, it was extremely foolhardy, grooving the stone had been a mistake, kids often dared each other to see how high they could get. No one had ever died that Zonta knew of thank God, but there had been many injuries.
“Looks like he’s coming back down. If it is a he.” Zonta said.
“Good…lets go have a chat.” Kasan growled.
As they neared the figure slipped.
“Careful!” Zonta hissed.
It didn’t do much good, unable to regain his grip the boy plummeted to the ground. It was only an eight foot drop but still…ow.
The child landed on his back with a thud, and Kasan winced.
“He’s probably gonna feel that in the morning.”
The boy, Zonta guessed it was a boy…it seemed boy shaped, rolled over onto his side as they rushed over, and as they neared Zonta realized he looked familiar.
It was the hair really. Where had he seen such colors before?
With five feet remaining the boy pushed himself up to his knees and Zonta stopped dead in his tracks, Kasan halting beside him.
“What is it?” Kasan asked, obviously confused by Zonta’s actions.
Black hair with purple and red bangs….it couldn’t…..
**“Ow fuck…..”** Gabriel groaned.
The human was sweaty and looked exhausted. Zonta’s mind was flooded with questions. Where had he been? How did he get out? Was he alright? Why was he climbing the tower?
But for some reason he couldn’t seem to voice them.
Gabriel hadn’t seemed to have noticed them just yet, instead he wiped at his forehead with his left arm. It was then Zonta noticed that blood was dripping off of Gabriel’s face, a large gash was visible on his cheek. The cloud cover shifted and a ray of sun settled on Gabriel’s very pale face. The human groaned, temporarily blinded and raised his right hand to shield his eyes.
Gabriel’s right hand and forearm were covered in blood, his fingertips looked ragged and torn, with fresh blood still oozing out of them.
Rage exploded inside of Zonta, and the urge to just HURT someone came so swiftly it scared him slightly.
But dear God….what had been done to the poor man now?
The clouds shifted once again and Zonta took a step forward.
“Gabriel?” Zonta breathed.
The human’s head turned to face him, and he blinked before his face twisted into a look of disgruntled disbelief.
**“Oh for fucks sake….that’s just not fair.”**
Zonta couldn’t make much of that out, but it certainly did not seem happy.
“Wait….this is the other human? What is he doing out here?” Kasan asked. “And what the hell happened to him?”
Zonta shook his head as Gabriel slowly rose, he didn’t know what had happened but his anger only grew, anger at his brothers, at his Father. Had someone abused Gabriel once more? Why was little Nikea such a target?
“Gabriel…” Zonta repeated, trying to pool together a few reassuring words from his woefully lacking reserve of English. God only know what the human was thinking right now anyway.
Gabriel took a deep breath and let out a sharp sigh.
Then he bolted, tearing off away from them.
**“Wait!”** Zonta cried out. **“Gabriel wait!”**
**“Yeah cause that’s gonna happen!”** Gabriel yelled over his shoulder.
Zonta took off after him, Kasan wordlessly following.
Zonta had always been face, faster then all of his brothers. In fact he had won every single foot race he had ever been in, official or otherwise.
Gabriel was moving quickly, but Zonta had a much larger stride, and the human had a slight limp.
Zonta quickly began to close the distance, he could catch Gabriel easily, and this time he was not letting him out of his sight. Period. He was going to personally make sure the little creature received proper medical treatment and then he was going to rub away every little ache and pain the man had picked up from all of this mess.
Zonta was so lost in his thoughts that he forgot one important fact from Max’s frantic flight at his unveiling.
Humans were capable of much sharper turns then they were.
Gabriel did just that, veering right down an alley.
At his height and well over seven hundred pounds Zonta could not turn at high speeds like that. He hit the brakes but his momentum lurched him forward and he ended up tumbling head over heels along the ground.
Picking himself up Zonta watched as Kasan had more luck, digging his claws into the stone of the building and swinging himself around quickly.
What was so bad about being a throwback again?
Zonta jumped up and hauled it to the mouth of the alley, just in time to see Gabriel scrambling up a drainage pipe, it looked like he barely had the strength to do it but pulled it off nonetheless. Kasan was right behind him, scaling up the stone just as Gabriel reached the top and jumped over to the near wall.
“I got it! Go around the other side!” Kasan hollered. Zonta nodded to himself and took off around the building.
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R 20;Little guy is quick….” Kasan thought. Slick too, Zonta had nearly had him when he had pulled that little trick.
Didn’t matter though, Kasan was halfway up the wall already, the guy wouldn’t be able to get down before Kasan reached the top, and even if by some chance he did, fleet footed Zonta would be on the other side in a flash.
Beside Max had shown that human’s seriously froze up at high heights. Which made him wonder why they both chose to climb. Some strange instinct perhaps?
But what Kasan really wanted to know is why he was all tore up. The blood smelled of him, so Kasan knew it wasn’t someone else’s. Plus he certainly didn’t look dangerous, Zonta was right….he was barely bigger then Max. Kasan reached the top and was surprised to see the human still there, laying on his back with his legs pulled up.
**“Hello.”** The human said, right before he drove both feet into Kasan’s face.
It was a pretty solid shot and it knocked Kasan’s grip on the wall loose. The whole thing was so unexpected that Kasan didn’t even have time to right himself in the air, instead he just landed with a thud, knocking the wind out of himself slightly.
“Well….I just hope Max doesn’t start doing that.” Kasan muttered as he sat up.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Zonta heard Gabriel’s voice followed by a heavy body hitting the ground, he certainly hoped nothing to terrible had happened.
Reaching the other side of the alley Zonta spotted Gabriel climbing down a series of crates staked almost like steps along the wall. He had the human cornered….though it would probably not be good to get cocky at this point.
**“Gabriel stop…Zonta no hurt you. Zonta friend.”** Zonta said as he slowly made his way towards the end of the crates. He was really starting to feel stupid about all this mono-syllabic speaking though.
Gabriel gave him a look that was most certainly not friendly.
So much for diplomacy.
Gabriel looked back at the wall, then seemed to make a decision. He charged down the crates with speed that made Zonta rather nervous. One slip and little Nikea would take a serious bruising, might even break his neck.
Zonta rushed forward himself, intending on trying to make Gabriel jump, so that he could snatch the human out of the air before he landed. He lunged for Gabriel’s legs, and nearly caught them, but instead of jumping away the human used his momentum to perform a kind of running summersault over Zonta’s arms.
Gabriel’s back hit the last crate and he kept on moving, landing on his feet, and taking off like a shot without a moments hesitation.
Zonta turned and was puzzled when Gabriel suddenly let out a surprised shout and dropped to the ground. He didn’t have to wonder long as Kasan came sailing through the air, just narrowly missing his target. Kasan rolled to his feet and the two brothers resumed the chase.
“Good reflexes on that one.” Kasan muttered. “How long do you think he can keep this up? He seems pretty tired.”
“No clue, but I hope we catch him before he exhausts himself.” Zonta replied.
“Climb probably did it.” Kasan mused.
“Yes well….he is headed right for the busiest part of the capitol. If he gets into a crowd we will never catch him.” Zonta growled.
“Where’s the fun without all the complications?” Kasan quipped.
Gabriel veered left sharply, slipping into another side alley. They reached it just in time for Zonta to see the human making a quick right turn around the corner.
Either Gabriel had figured out he could turn much quicker then they could, or he was simply choosing whatever he saw.
Zonta cursed as he followed Gabriel’s turn a few seconds later, up ahead was one of the many market streets, which meant lots of people….Zonta could already hear and see a large crowd…and Gabriel was heading right towards them.
Digging his toes into the ground Zonta began to kick off hard, lowering his body as his pushed for all the speed he could get. It didn’t really matter to him if he ran into someone, if he could just get a hold of Nikea it would be fine. He could apologize later.
Zonta exploded out of the alley, completely ignoring a very startled Jolan’s shout.
What were the odds of that?
He could hear Jolan and Kasan’s voices, what was Jolan doing right there anyway? But he was solely focused on the fleeing human’s back. He was gaining ground quickly, fortune had shifted to his side, the straightaway was relatively clear and Gabriel was beginning to slow.
The poor thing had his forearm pressed into his side, clearly pained from either the running or the fall….or possibly both.
Zonta’s outstretched fingers were mere inches from the straps of Gabriel’s upper garment when the human pulled a move.
Nikea’s arm shot out, catching a near by stand which was promptly yanked over into Zonta. He was too close to avoid it and as such caught it right in the knee’s. He tried to jump at the last second but his legs slammed into it anyway, sending him tumbling to the ground.
Just as he raised his head Kasan came vaulting over him, Jolan quickly moving around him as he stood. Zonta fell in behind Jolan, there wasn’t yet enough room to try and get around him.
“Interesting morning.” Zonta quipped.
“Indeed.” Jolan replied. “What I want to know is how he got out of the tower.”
Out? Had Gabriel been IN the tower? It was somewhere Zonta wouldn’t normally look, though now that he thought about it, it did have holding cells, so he must have been. But….they had found Gabriel on the outside wall….did that mean Gabriel had climbed DOWN the tower? That couldn’t be possible…
“What are you doing here?” Zonta asked, pushing the thought aside. It didn’t matter where Gabriel had been at the moment, all that mattered was catching him and keeping him safe and sound.
“Shopping for Ko.” Jolan huffed, making Zonta think he had gotten himself into trouble. “Tisu and Roto are around somewhere too, Roto got the shopping bug this morning. Aosh might be as well….I dunno, I haven’t seen him much lately.”
“We have to get this place closed down.” Zonta said. If Gabriel managed to elude them, and actually got out into the capitol….who knew what might happen.
“I called it in when I saw what was going on.” Jolan reported.
Good.
Up ahead Gabriel had managed to avoid Kasan, and even managed to create some distance between them when he nimbly darted between two befuddled clerks, whom Kasan had to nearly break his ankles to keep from crashing in to.
Twisting to the side Zonta jumped, leaping at the wall of a nearby building which he promptly kicked off of, diving ahead of Jolan. He trusted Kasan not to be too rough with the poor human….he couldn’t say the same of the rest of his brothers.
Perhaps as a stroke of luck he saw Roto way up ahead, right were Gabriel was heading. There were no side exits, they could block him right here. Roto might be the biggest or the strongest, but he was bigger then Gabriel…surely he could hold him long enough for Zonta to get there.
Seeing them running towards him probably confused Roto, but the cheerful little Kyashin simply smiled and waved enthusiastically at them.
“Hey! Kasan, Zonta hi!” Roto called out.
“Roto! Grab him!!” Jolan shouted.
Roto seemed confused for a moment, then appeared to grasp the situation.
“Oh…oh! Right!” Roto yelled before he rushed at Gabriel.
They might have caught the little human there, but seconds before Roto would have been upon him Gabriel dove, slipping right between Roto’s legs.
Things did not go smoothly however, Nikea’s shoulder clipped Roto’s shin. Roto stumbled and fell forward, smacking his face off the hard ground. Zonta could see a little blood spurt from Roto’s nose and fear gripped him when he discovered that the last person that Gabriel needed to see Roto even slightly hurt….in fact saw it.
Tisu’s enraged roar split the air as he exploded into view, smashing his way right though some innocent person’s stand.
Gabriel seemed to be extremely startled by their largest siblings appearance, and to be honest who wouldn’t? And was just barely able to duck a massive right hook from Tisu.
“Tisu! Don’t!” Zonta screamed as he jumped over Roto, and Kasan who had stopped to check on him. Roto was talking, so he must have been alright. Zonta felt a bad about not even sparing Roto a second glance, he adored Roto as they all did….but if he didn’t catch up to Gabriel before Tisu did….the enraged mate would likely cripple the poor man.
Tisu didn’t care, when it came to Roto he was ETREMELY single minded.
“Fuck.” Zonta snarled.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Zonta blinked.
“What do you mean no? That’s some greeting for your younger brother. I didn’t even ask you anything Kasan.”
Kasan gave him a look.
“I have been briefed on the situation. I’m not letting Max anywhere near this…killer.”
Zonta’s jaw nearly dropped.
“W-What? H-How?….Who told you?”
“Nolluz and Jolan.” Kasan replied. Zonta growled.
“So your going to believe them over me?”
“Normally no, Nolluz is pretty much an ass. But Jolan’s always been honest. I would like to speak with Father on this more however.” Kasan said.
Upset was a little too mild a world for how Zonta felt. All this time they had been waiting for Kasan and Max’s return, he had been waiting. But now they finally return and his request is denied before he could even issue it?
“You know….I really did not expect this from you of all people.” Zonta said. “And I have to say…it bothers me how little my life seems to be worth to everyone. I mean…he saved my life, truly. I would be dead right this very second, yet apparently that doesn’t even factor into his treatment.”
“Zonta…” Kasan said gently.
“And did they tell you how that brute of a guard broke into my room? How he savagely beat the poor thing? I know for a fact that if someone did even a third of that to Max he wouldn’t have to do a thing, you would kill them before most could even blink.” Zonta growled.
‘This isn’t the same-” Kasan started.
“-Of course it is not. Because it doesn’t affect any one of you.” Zonta interrupted.
“I don’t want Max near a killer Zonta!” Kasan snapped.
Shaking his head Zonta crossed his arms and looked away from his older sibling.
“I have to say…this is SO out of character for you. Fine….where is Max, I’ll just ask him myself.”
“You leave him out of this.” Kasan said.
“Why? We have been waiting for you two, him more specifically, to return for help. How is this supposed to be resolved without him?”
Kasan sighed.
“You can work with him.”
Zonta snorted.
“Yeeeah, like I had not suggested that from the very beginning. But what makes you think he’ll trust me now, over one of his own especially. Would you? And let me point out that he not me, mentioned Max first.”
“Well for all we know Max is a common human name.” Kasan countered. Pursing his lips Zonta nodded his head slowly.
“Not an unreasonable theory.” Zonta mused. “But I really think they might know each other.”
Kasan rubbed at his brow, his tail twitching behind him as he sighed again.
“And what makes you think that? Mind you Max hasn’t mentioned a….Gabrieeel once.”
“A hunch, and the few scattered words I’ve been able to understand. Its Gabriel by the way.” Zonta reported.
Kasan threw his hands up in the air.
“Well I’m not risking my consorts life on a hunch!”
Zonta really had to wonder when his brothers had become so paranoid. Or is this what having a consort did to a person?
“And what if he is hunting Max? Have you thought of that?”
Actually the thought had never crossed his mind once. Gabriel just didn’t show that kind of body language or emotion. He looked too happy, too relieved. It certainly didn’t give Zonta the impression of someone who was plotting to kill.
“Tell me Kasan…where is this risk coming from? Do you really believe that this little human will rip hi way through bars designed to hold full grown Kyashin. Then with his bare hands no less, incapacitate yourself, who will undoubtedly be standing right there, and at least two other guards. The chase down your consort, who will mostly run for help after such a display, and murder him?” Zonta questioned, clapping his hands together. “Come on Kasan.”
Kasan wiped his hand over his eyes, and might have just agreed right there and there. But Zonta was too frustrated, had waited far too long, and was far too upset at being challenged as much as he had on this to just let it go like that.
‘You know what I think? I think your afraid. I think your worried you might just lose Max over this. What if they do know each other? What if they are lovers? Or at the very least…what if this takes away some of Max’s reliance upon you. After all…he will have someone he can speak to, truly speak to. Have to think that might take up a great deal of his time.” Zonta growled. “Maybe Gabriel even knows where other human’s are, maybe Max has a mate among them. After all, records show that human’s did not bind as biologically tight as we do. For all we know Max might not truly even like you, and simply goes along with what you want because he believes he has no choice in the matter. After all….he was never truly given a choice in the first place.”
Kasan’s eyes got wide and he growled.
“What are you trying to say?”
“Well…in layman’s terms….you raped him.” Zonta quipped. A part of him felt very guilty, it was not his nature to be cruel. But everyone else was being cruel. Everyone else was being cold and close minded. He was tired of all the -what ifs- very…VERY tired.
He couldn’t believe Kasan was denying him, Kasan had always been on his side. All he was trying to do was help a poor, innocent creature. One who had been captured and abused. God knew what kind of life little Nikea had led.
“Excuse me?!” Kasan snarled. Zonta felt a nervous rush, the last thing he needed was a Kasan styled beating, but hell….maybe he really was right. Maybe that was how Kasan truly felt about the situation.
It was extremely selfish, not something he would have expected from Kasan, but he also had not expected Jolan, and his own twin Aosh, to side so strongly against him.
“Well…lets be honest Kasan. You took him to save your own life, and while I am very glad you survived Shovak’s betrayal, with all my heart I am happy we still have you. But facts are facts. You did not court Max, he did not even know you. He was drugged and barely aware, certainly did not give consent. Nor did he attempt to seduce you in any way, per your own statements. Regardless the outcome it was very much non-consensual sex, which is also called….” Zonta trailed off, he didn’t need to say it. “And by your own admission you have taken him without consent, even in his sleep, when the need arose. So perhaps YOU should be incarcerated as well.”
Kasan just stared at him, mouth agape.
“What the hell has gotten into you Zonta? I mean what the hell?!”
Zonta ignored his question, he had answered the very same to too many people over the last few days.
“I wonder what Max will do when he finds out you’ve been hiding this from him. He won’t be pleased I imagine.” Zonta mused, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Then again…I suppose it does not matter. He is too small to do much of anything to you, and you are more then capable of taking what you want.”
Kasan looked hurt by Zonta’s words, and that made him feel even more guilty. He wanted to apologize, to make it better. But he pushed the feeling aside, no one else was feeling guilty, and everyone was trying to heap it all upon him.
“I’m just trying to look after my consort.” Kasan said softly.
“Yes well…I suppose I will leave you to that. Thank you very much for your time, its very nice to know that no matter what happens….I cannot count on you. Now…if you will excuse me…I apparently have a great deal more work to do.” Zonta said briskly before spinning on his heel and starting to walk away.
“That’s not fair Zonta…you know I’d do just about anything for you.” Kasan called after him.
That stopped Zonta in his tracks, and his temper rose. He had been perfectly content to just walk away and inform his Father of Kasan’s decision and find out what options were now available, but….
“Heh…you know…I’ve heard that a few times lately. I heard it from Aosh, I heard it from Jolan, I heard it from Tisu, I heard it from Father and surprise, surprise I even heard it from Nolluz. It got me thinking, and I realized that no one really ever does anything for me.” Zonta growled. “Now I all your defenses I’ve never asked. But I must say….not only am I very disappointed in my family, indeed in my very species. I am also feeling very used and unappreciated.”
“I don’t understand.” Kasan said.
Of course he didn’t, apparently no one did.
Pressing his fingertips together, Zonta turned to face his elder brother once more. Pursing his lips, Zonta spoke.
“When Aosh was going for his operating license, and was so sure he could seduce his way past the written test, only to discover very late that he could not, and was frantic because if he failed he would be locked out for five years. Who stayed up all day and all night the day before coaching him so that he might have a chance? Me.” Zonta took a step towards Kasan. “When Tisu first bonded with Roto, and was having such problem’s because of their size difference, poor Roto was bruised and sore from even some of Tisu’s most innocent actions. Who spent weeks sifting though text after text, compiling a massive data log on advanced massage therapy techniques, both to sooth Roto’s aches and help him relax when Tisu’s size sometimes brought back horrid memories and led to panic attacks? Me.”
Zonta took another step.
“When Jolan was landed with Service and needed to track down and retrieve several rare herbs for the Elders. Who risked bringing trouble down upon his own head, when he not only did the research in record time, but also drew Jolan a rather detailed map to help keep him from an even greater punishment? Me.” Zonta continued. “When Nolluz’s children were sick with the Tarch, a sickness which causes both high fever and terrible muscle cramping, and can last six months up to a year. While the medicine available did help combat the virus, it did nothing for their pain, which at times became extreme. Who spent two tireless months working with specialists to fine the right balance of ingredients to provide both defense against the virus and pain relief, and the ever touchy problem of making it safe for them to ingest? Me.”
Now he was right in front of Kasan, just on the edge of invading his personal space.
“When Father needed someone to reprogram the communications room that YOU all smashed. Who spent all day AND all night making sure it was done properly, despite NOT being involved in the first place, when none of you could get it right? Me.” Zonta pressed. “And when you brought your human consort here. Who did the research, dug up the texts, obtained copies, all in the hope that it would aid you two in communicating as consort and mate need without even being asked, and out of the goodness of his heart, just to try and help your newborn relationship. ME.”
By the time Zonta was finished he was pressed chest to chest with Kasan, looming over him. Not that it would intimidate the throwback prince, it was just how he ended up.
“I’ve helped you all time and time again, and I was glad to, I’ve never asked for one single thing in return. Yet the one time I need help, the one time I devote myself to a personal task of at the very least semi great importance, not one of you will support me.” Zonta growled. “By all rights you are seriously in my debt Kasan. But I would never come to you and say that. So fine, do not help me. I will fined my own way, it is merely a setback.”
Zonta leaned in lose, moving his face in close to Kasan’s. It was foolish, Kasan was the best, most vicious fighter out of all of them. But he was too angry to even think about what he might be provoking.
“But know this big brother, the next time something comes up with Max, the next time you need research or aid….unless it is seriously life threatening, and I do mean SERIOUSLY….you are on your own. Don’t you dare ask me. But that goes for all of you really, but you can pass the message along for me can’t you? It’s a simple task. You can also come up with your own lie as to why I will not being continuing to help Max with his Hinta for the time being.”
With that he turned to leave, but Kasan’s strong hand closed around his bicep, preventing him from leaving.
“What’s gotten into you Zonta? They told me you were obsessing but….not why. This isn’t like you.” Kasan said, sounding more then a little stunned over Zonta’s tirade.
“Obsessing? Is that what they define a righteous call to do what IS right? Why you ask? Because I’m not being timid? Because I’ve shoved myself to the forefront for one? Because I’m standing up for what is right and not what is convenient? Because I’m doing my duty?” Zonta shot back. His anger startled even him slightly, he had never really felt so strongly about anything before. It also hurt him that one or more of his brother’s was painting him as a deluded obsessing fool.
“What duty? What are you talking about? Damn it Zonta….I know this is important to you, and it might even be important to Max and such. I know that this pertains to Shovak the bastard, and our duty to do right by what he has harmed. But I don’t know what YOU are meaning. Damn it Z….your acting like I’ve been here since this mess started.” Kasan stated.
“I found him, and when I did he was in much, much worse condition then you found Max. He bruised and beaten, the thing has scar’s that I can not even begin to determine the cause littering his body. Then not ten seconds after I come across him someone his shouting to break his legs when they DO find him. Though that statement does kind of give one an idea of the treatment he has been subjected to.” Zonta reported. “Then…despite this, he was fairly friendly to me once I got the point that I was an ally across. He slept right next to me, not you know….murdering me in my sleep as everyone seems to fear. Then when we were tracked to where I was staying, my fault really, he came to my defense, not once but twice.”
Zonta traced his throat line with his finger.
“You see….you can’t see it now. But for a while I had a very large bruise around my neck. A man snuck up behind a low wall and wrapped a thick rope around my neck. I couldn’t reach him, I couldn’t pull away, I couldn’t do anything. He very nearly strangled me to death Kasan. It was…terrifying. My thoughts were on all of you when I passed out. I’m not lying, I’m not exaggerating. He was inches away from killing me. Now…maybe a minute or two from death this supposed deranged human came to my rescue, not only freeing me, but considering all the date I’ve went over on strangulation, my throat constricted and my brain undoubtedly in an oxygen deprived panic, I can only assume he also resuscitated me.” Zonta continued with confidence in his voice, though it trembled slightly when he went over the details of his near death. “Then…obviously fearing more would come, this little human, only four…maybe five inches taller then Max, picks me up, he picks ME up, onto his shoulders and then proceeds to carry me out of town, two and a half, possibly three miles, then up a hill. The poor thing was exhausted, but he did what he could do to get me to safety.”
“I-” Kasan started.
“-Even if we do not know his weight, your how much bigger then Max? And I am how much taller and heavier then you? So what do you think the weight difference between me and Gabriel must be? Four, five, maybe even six hundred pound? That’s an incredible amount of willpower, and why would a deranged killer do such a thing? Even the simplest of minds would realize that escape would prove much easier without my added weight upon his back.” Zonta growled and yanked his arm away.
“If you would let me speak….I didn’t know any of that. They said that he helped you…but not all that.” Kasan reported. Zonta scoffed.
“So you made up your mind without even knowing the whole story?” Kasan winced. “I’m…terribly disappointed in you Kasan…”
“Based on the info I had, I said what I thought would be best for my consort. I wasn’t saying forever, just until I learned more. Did you not hear me when I said I wanted to speak to Father on this more?” Kasan asked.
“Is my word not good enough? It always has been before. ALWAYS. Yet why now am I some untrustworthy fool?” Zonta countered. Kasan sighed heavily, and rubbed at his face with both hands.
“If your so sure….I’ll allow it. BUT I wanted to know the whole story, every detail you have, first.” Kasan said.
Zonta lightened a little, that was a bit more like the Kasan he knew.
“I thank you then, but that will take some time…”
Kasan nodded his head slowly, a frown on his face.
‘I know, and I’m sorry. But I must know Zonta, and….I have not eaten in a while, we rushed back here, and I’m starving. Something also tells me you haven’t eaten either…am I right?”
Zonta crossed his arms.
“No I have not.” He confessed.
“Then let us have firstmeal and you can fill me in.” Kasan suggested.
It sounded good but….
“Your being reasonable Kasan, more then anyone else ahs but…I don’t want him in whatever cell they’ve locked him in much longer. Its not fair.” Zonta groaned.
“Wait…cell?” Kasan puzzled. “No one said anything about a cell.”
Zonta nodded.
“Holding cell…or so I was told. I don’t have much to go on other then this. But I KNOW he has been abused, its written all over his body, and how would Max react if he regained conciseness in a damn cage after he had been beaten by one of our guards. I know it might not be fair, but Max is the only thing I have to compare him to.” Zonta replied.
“A holding cell…..I thought you were being dramatic when you mentioned bars. Max….god he’d be scared to death….argh….alright….we eat here, I know a place, and you make it fast.”
Zonta opened his mouth to protest, but Kasan held up a hand.
“We can do no one any good without our strength, you can’t possibly help him if you pass out. I know you Zonta…you probably haven’t been eating much at all since this started. Max is in my room, he needs to rest anyway, I’m afraid the rapid trip has spooked him, and he’s just worn out. But….if you absolutely do insist….we go now. I’m not the type that will fill my stomach while shit like this is going on. Its your call Z.”
Zonta sighed. He really didn’t want this to be his call, he just wanted Kasan to say, yes lets go. But…he did have a point, Zonta was tired, his stomach was empty and his knee’s felt weak from it.
“Agreed….we eat quickly though, just enough to get by.” He grumbled.
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This was so not as shibby an idea as Gabriel has initially thought. It rather sucked….like donkey balls or something.
He was out of the cell, which was good, he was also out of the jail…technically, which was also good.
However…clinging to the side of a stone tower when he was NOT Spider man…was not good.
“Never a radioactive spider around when you need one.” Gabriel grumbled.
Now if his mental math was right, and Lord knew he might be rusty, from the window to the ground was like….maybe five hundred and sixty feet.
He could be wrong, his current position did not exactly favor calculations.
Oh sure it sounded real good at first, there were deep groves in the stone, which he could easily slip his fingers and toes into, he highly doubted that a kitty man could….so score one for humanity.
However it was only deep enough to almost reach his second knuckle and climbing down with only his fingertips and toes supporting his weight was not easy.
Oh and then there was the wind, the high speed wind that threatened to rip him of the wall every two minutes.
“Someone hates me….that’s all there is to it.” Gabriel groaned.
He was soooo fucked if at some point the grooves ended. It was hard enough going down, but pulling himself up? Riiiight.
He’d either have to try or hang on and hope to God for a rescue. Not that he expected one, he clearly was not among friends here.
Then again if the grooves ended and he didn’t realize it, he’d just be taking a fall. No deposit no return and all that.
It would make a rather gooey mess for the cats to clean up though, he would hit his terminal velocity from this height pretty easily, they might even have to power wash him off. So at least he could annoy the big bastards a little.
Maybe he could even land on one of them.
Be a weird obituary that was for sure.
Gabriel’s poor hands and feet were killing him….well no, actually they were saving him, it would be the sudden stop as his body slammed into the ground that would be killing him, but they were just four hot spots of burning, aching raw pain.
He almost wished they would hurry up and go numb. But they he might not be able to feel for the next groove.
How long had he been at this? How far did he still have to go? He didn’t really want to look…but he did.
“Yup…just as I suspected. Still at way to fucking high height.” Gabriel grumbled.
It didn’t help that looking down made him dizzy, and did he mention that it was cold up here? Because it was!
Hard to breathe too, though whether that was because the air might be thinner or because of how he had to basically plaster himself to the wall to prevent high impact death he couldn’t say.
Not that he really cared much about living or dying when he got right down to it.
After all it was pretty clear Max wasn’t here, he’d been spiked, so he wasn’t sure what he was going to do if he managed to get down alive. No Max, no purpose.
Besides…death would bring him to Michael, which was really the only place he cared to be anymore. Though he was pretty sure Michael would totally smack him upside the head if he died from something like this.
Honestly though, about the only thing that was keeping him from saying fuck it and letting go was he didn’t want his body getting fucked with. Being dead he wouldn’t care, but as of now he did not like the idea.
Plus there was the whole death sucks thing.
“Knowing my luck…even if I get down in one piece I’ll probably get caught right at the bottom.” Gabriel thought. If that happened after all of this he was going to be beyond pissed, and so were they…literally. Because he had to pee like nobodies business and the first one to pick him up would find that out first hand.
Just as Gabriel began to move down to the next groove a big gust of wind slammed into him. It pushed him hard, and right in the middle of the transition, thus he only had one hand hold.
Try as he might he didn’t really have much to hold onto in the first place.
He lost his grip…and then he was falling.
“Shit!!” Gabriel screamed. Oh he was so fucked!
The rough stone tore at his right cheek as he tried to stop himself. The fingers on his right hand exploded with sharp pain as he clawed at the stone, doing everything he could to keep from drifting away from the wall, barely, just barely was he able to get his fingers into another groove, jamming the toes of his left foot into one as well.
His grip was weak and he pulled himself at tight as he could into the stone of the tower. Gravity continued to torment him, he felt like something was pulling at his back, at his waist, trying to drag him down.
The groove in the stone was quickly filling up with his hot, sticky blood, so much so that it was oozing out and running down the wall. He had a feeling he was missing a few fingernails….annnnnd he was pretty sure a few of his toes were broken.
“This fucking sucks.” Gabriel growled.
His cheek was bleeding too, he could feel it running down his face. Well….at least it didn’t mess up his Lilly, getting re-inked on giant kitty land probably would not be easy.
He was so going to shove his hand right up someone’s ass for all of this….and they had better NOT try and enjoy it. Fisting…so damn gross.
Going down now was harder then before, the blood seeping out of his fingers was making the stone slippery, but he would have to manage. Easy going to get it, one at a time.
No waffles, no pork chops, and NO Max….oh yeah…he was so going to fuck big Red’s world.
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Zonta cracked his neck as he and Kasan made their way back. He had to admit that he did feel a little better with his belly full, but Kasan had been silent since they had left the eatery, and it was making him nervous.
“What are you thinking about?” Zonta finally asked. “I truly hope your not thinking about changing-”
“-I’m thinking about barbed wire to the balls.” Kasan muttered, shivering as he did. “Damn Z…I mean DAMN. That’s just…mean. What kind of person looks at some barbed wire and goes hey! I think I’ll saw on his sack with this.”
“Yes well….I will admit it was extremely gruesome, but there were not that many things he could do to harm such a large man I don’t think. Also on the hill he was very despondent, I think his actions were weighing quite heavily upon him.” Zonta said.
“That’s good…I suppose. Still I….what the hell is that!?” Kasan exclaimed.
Slightly startled by the sudden shift Zonta jerked his head around, trying to find whatever Kasan was looking at.
Finally discovering it Zonta was confused. It looked like someone was clinging to the east-tower, maybe twenty feet off of the ground.
“Ugh…stupid kids.” Kasan growled. “Don’t they know how dangerous it is to try and climb the tower?”
Zonta agreed, it was extremely foolhardy, grooving the stone had been a mistake, kids often dared each other to see how high they could get. No one had ever died that Zonta knew of thank God, but there had been many injuries.
“Looks like he’s coming back down. If it is a he.” Zonta said.
“Good…lets go have a chat.” Kasan growled.
As they neared the figure slipped.
“Careful!” Zonta hissed.
It didn’t do much good, unable to regain his grip the boy plummeted to the ground. It was only an eight foot drop but still…ow.
The child landed on his back with a thud, and Kasan winced.
“He’s probably gonna feel that in the morning.”
The boy, Zonta guessed it was a boy…it seemed boy shaped, rolled over onto his side as they rushed over, and as they neared Zonta realized he looked familiar.
It was the hair really. Where had he seen such colors before?
With five feet remaining the boy pushed himself up to his knees and Zonta stopped dead in his tracks, Kasan halting beside him.
“What is it?” Kasan asked, obviously confused by Zonta’s actions.
Black hair with purple and red bangs….it couldn’t…..
**“Ow fuck…..”** Gabriel groaned.
The human was sweaty and looked exhausted. Zonta’s mind was flooded with questions. Where had he been? How did he get out? Was he alright? Why was he climbing the tower?
But for some reason he couldn’t seem to voice them.
Gabriel hadn’t seemed to have noticed them just yet, instead he wiped at his forehead with his left arm. It was then Zonta noticed that blood was dripping off of Gabriel’s face, a large gash was visible on his cheek. The cloud cover shifted and a ray of sun settled on Gabriel’s very pale face. The human groaned, temporarily blinded and raised his right hand to shield his eyes.
Gabriel’s right hand and forearm were covered in blood, his fingertips looked ragged and torn, with fresh blood still oozing out of them.
Rage exploded inside of Zonta, and the urge to just HURT someone came so swiftly it scared him slightly.
But dear God….what had been done to the poor man now?
The clouds shifted once again and Zonta took a step forward.
“Gabriel?” Zonta breathed.
The human’s head turned to face him, and he blinked before his face twisted into a look of disgruntled disbelief.
**“Oh for fucks sake….that’s just not fair.”**
Zonta couldn’t make much of that out, but it certainly did not seem happy.
“Wait….this is the other human? What is he doing out here?” Kasan asked. “And what the hell happened to him?”
Zonta shook his head as Gabriel slowly rose, he didn’t know what had happened but his anger only grew, anger at his brothers, at his Father. Had someone abused Gabriel once more? Why was little Nikea such a target?
“Gabriel…” Zonta repeated, trying to pool together a few reassuring words from his woefully lacking reserve of English. God only know what the human was thinking right now anyway.
Gabriel took a deep breath and let out a sharp sigh.
Then he bolted, tearing off away from them.
**“Wait!”** Zonta cried out. **“Gabriel wait!”**
**“Yeah cause that’s gonna happen!”** Gabriel yelled over his shoulder.
Zonta took off after him, Kasan wordlessly following.
Zonta had always been face, faster then all of his brothers. In fact he had won every single foot race he had ever been in, official or otherwise.
Gabriel was moving quickly, but Zonta had a much larger stride, and the human had a slight limp.
Zonta quickly began to close the distance, he could catch Gabriel easily, and this time he was not letting him out of his sight. Period. He was going to personally make sure the little creature received proper medical treatment and then he was going to rub away every little ache and pain the man had picked up from all of this mess.
Zonta was so lost in his thoughts that he forgot one important fact from Max’s frantic flight at his unveiling.
Humans were capable of much sharper turns then they were.
Gabriel did just that, veering right down an alley.
At his height and well over seven hundred pounds Zonta could not turn at high speeds like that. He hit the brakes but his momentum lurched him forward and he ended up tumbling head over heels along the ground.
Picking himself up Zonta watched as Kasan had more luck, digging his claws into the stone of the building and swinging himself around quickly.
What was so bad about being a throwback again?
Zonta jumped up and hauled it to the mouth of the alley, just in time to see Gabriel scrambling up a drainage pipe, it looked like he barely had the strength to do it but pulled it off nonetheless. Kasan was right behind him, scaling up the stone just as Gabriel reached the top and jumped over to the near wall.
“I got it! Go around the other side!” Kasan hollered. Zonta nodded to himself and took off around the building.
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R 20;Little guy is quick….” Kasan thought. Slick too, Zonta had nearly had him when he had pulled that little trick.
Didn’t matter though, Kasan was halfway up the wall already, the guy wouldn’t be able to get down before Kasan reached the top, and even if by some chance he did, fleet footed Zonta would be on the other side in a flash.
Beside Max had shown that human’s seriously froze up at high heights. Which made him wonder why they both chose to climb. Some strange instinct perhaps?
But what Kasan really wanted to know is why he was all tore up. The blood smelled of him, so Kasan knew it wasn’t someone else’s. Plus he certainly didn’t look dangerous, Zonta was right….he was barely bigger then Max. Kasan reached the top and was surprised to see the human still there, laying on his back with his legs pulled up.
**“Hello.”** The human said, right before he drove both feet into Kasan’s face.
It was a pretty solid shot and it knocked Kasan’s grip on the wall loose. The whole thing was so unexpected that Kasan didn’t even have time to right himself in the air, instead he just landed with a thud, knocking the wind out of himself slightly.
“Well….I just hope Max doesn’t start doing that.” Kasan muttered as he sat up.
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Zonta heard Gabriel’s voice followed by a heavy body hitting the ground, he certainly hoped nothing to terrible had happened.
Reaching the other side of the alley Zonta spotted Gabriel climbing down a series of crates staked almost like steps along the wall. He had the human cornered….though it would probably not be good to get cocky at this point.
**“Gabriel stop…Zonta no hurt you. Zonta friend.”** Zonta said as he slowly made his way towards the end of the crates. He was really starting to feel stupid about all this mono-syllabic speaking though.
Gabriel gave him a look that was most certainly not friendly.
So much for diplomacy.
Gabriel looked back at the wall, then seemed to make a decision. He charged down the crates with speed that made Zonta rather nervous. One slip and little Nikea would take a serious bruising, might even break his neck.
Zonta rushed forward himself, intending on trying to make Gabriel jump, so that he could snatch the human out of the air before he landed. He lunged for Gabriel’s legs, and nearly caught them, but instead of jumping away the human used his momentum to perform a kind of running summersault over Zonta’s arms.
Gabriel’s back hit the last crate and he kept on moving, landing on his feet, and taking off like a shot without a moments hesitation.
Zonta turned and was puzzled when Gabriel suddenly let out a surprised shout and dropped to the ground. He didn’t have to wonder long as Kasan came sailing through the air, just narrowly missing his target. Kasan rolled to his feet and the two brothers resumed the chase.
“Good reflexes on that one.” Kasan muttered. “How long do you think he can keep this up? He seems pretty tired.”
“No clue, but I hope we catch him before he exhausts himself.” Zonta replied.
“Climb probably did it.” Kasan mused.
“Yes well….he is headed right for the busiest part of the capitol. If he gets into a crowd we will never catch him.” Zonta growled.
“Where’s the fun without all the complications?” Kasan quipped.
Gabriel veered left sharply, slipping into another side alley. They reached it just in time for Zonta to see the human making a quick right turn around the corner.
Either Gabriel had figured out he could turn much quicker then they could, or he was simply choosing whatever he saw.
Zonta cursed as he followed Gabriel’s turn a few seconds later, up ahead was one of the many market streets, which meant lots of people….Zonta could already hear and see a large crowd…and Gabriel was heading right towards them.
Digging his toes into the ground Zonta began to kick off hard, lowering his body as his pushed for all the speed he could get. It didn’t really matter to him if he ran into someone, if he could just get a hold of Nikea it would be fine. He could apologize later.
Zonta exploded out of the alley, completely ignoring a very startled Jolan’s shout.
What were the odds of that?
He could hear Jolan and Kasan’s voices, what was Jolan doing right there anyway? But he was solely focused on the fleeing human’s back. He was gaining ground quickly, fortune had shifted to his side, the straightaway was relatively clear and Gabriel was beginning to slow.
The poor thing had his forearm pressed into his side, clearly pained from either the running or the fall….or possibly both.
Zonta’s outstretched fingers were mere inches from the straps of Gabriel’s upper garment when the human pulled a move.
Nikea’s arm shot out, catching a near by stand which was promptly yanked over into Zonta. He was too close to avoid it and as such caught it right in the knee’s. He tried to jump at the last second but his legs slammed into it anyway, sending him tumbling to the ground.
Just as he raised his head Kasan came vaulting over him, Jolan quickly moving around him as he stood. Zonta fell in behind Jolan, there wasn’t yet enough room to try and get around him.
“Interesting morning.” Zonta quipped.
“Indeed.” Jolan replied. “What I want to know is how he got out of the tower.”
Out? Had Gabriel been IN the tower? It was somewhere Zonta wouldn’t normally look, though now that he thought about it, it did have holding cells, so he must have been. But….they had found Gabriel on the outside wall….did that mean Gabriel had climbed DOWN the tower? That couldn’t be possible…
“What are you doing here?” Zonta asked, pushing the thought aside. It didn’t matter where Gabriel had been at the moment, all that mattered was catching him and keeping him safe and sound.
“Shopping for Ko.” Jolan huffed, making Zonta think he had gotten himself into trouble. “Tisu and Roto are around somewhere too, Roto got the shopping bug this morning. Aosh might be as well….I dunno, I haven’t seen him much lately.”
“We have to get this place closed down.” Zonta said. If Gabriel managed to elude them, and actually got out into the capitol….who knew what might happen.
“I called it in when I saw what was going on.” Jolan reported.
Good.
Up ahead Gabriel had managed to avoid Kasan, and even managed to create some distance between them when he nimbly darted between two befuddled clerks, whom Kasan had to nearly break his ankles to keep from crashing in to.
Twisting to the side Zonta jumped, leaping at the wall of a nearby building which he promptly kicked off of, diving ahead of Jolan. He trusted Kasan not to be too rough with the poor human….he couldn’t say the same of the rest of his brothers.
Perhaps as a stroke of luck he saw Roto way up ahead, right were Gabriel was heading. There were no side exits, they could block him right here. Roto might be the biggest or the strongest, but he was bigger then Gabriel…surely he could hold him long enough for Zonta to get there.
Seeing them running towards him probably confused Roto, but the cheerful little Kyashin simply smiled and waved enthusiastically at them.
“Hey! Kasan, Zonta hi!” Roto called out.
“Roto! Grab him!!” Jolan shouted.
Roto seemed confused for a moment, then appeared to grasp the situation.
“Oh…oh! Right!” Roto yelled before he rushed at Gabriel.
They might have caught the little human there, but seconds before Roto would have been upon him Gabriel dove, slipping right between Roto’s legs.
Things did not go smoothly however, Nikea’s shoulder clipped Roto’s shin. Roto stumbled and fell forward, smacking his face off the hard ground. Zonta could see a little blood spurt from Roto’s nose and fear gripped him when he discovered that the last person that Gabriel needed to see Roto even slightly hurt….in fact saw it.
Tisu’s enraged roar split the air as he exploded into view, smashing his way right though some innocent person’s stand.
Gabriel seemed to be extremely startled by their largest siblings appearance, and to be honest who wouldn’t? And was just barely able to duck a massive right hook from Tisu.
“Tisu! Don’t!” Zonta screamed as he jumped over Roto, and Kasan who had stopped to check on him. Roto was talking, so he must have been alright. Zonta felt a bad about not even sparing Roto a second glance, he adored Roto as they all did….but if he didn’t catch up to Gabriel before Tisu did….the enraged mate would likely cripple the poor man.
Tisu didn’t care, when it came to Roto he was ETREMELY single minded.
“Fuck.” Zonta snarled.
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