Hibernal Heart - Part 2 Misunderstood

Author: LN Tora Title: Hibernal Heart

Hibernal Heart
For all disclaimers/warnings, please see the first chapter. Repeat for NC warning: non-con implied situations ahead. AN at end of chapter.

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part 2: misunderstood

[Despair] [Misunderstood] [Reflections] [Dreamscape] [Violence] [Severance] [Discovery] [Destiny]

Zel was sleeping comfortably when a slight problem made itself known. Gourry felt a twinge of guilt, but there were certain things even he couldn't avoid. Whispering that he'd be back soon, Gourry went to tend to nature's call.
As Gourry left, he took with him the warmth and safety that held the nightmares at bay. Alone, Zel slipped back into the dark fall of dreams, reliving the pain once more.
Hands. No, not hands. More like claws. Everywhere he looks, there were claws. Claws and demons, laughing at him, hurting him. Clothes torn. Too many of them. They're so close, hard to breath. He can't concentrate for a spell. Where is his sword? Won't work anyway. Why is this happening? He only wanted to find a cure. He never wanted this. Never meant for this to happen. Why him?
Something's wrong. They're not trying to kill him. A larger one is looking at him. The leader? What does he want? No, he's not... Not there, he doesn't want to be touched there.
no--
Someone is grabbing him now, turning him over on his stomach. No, please gods, no. Not this. Better to be dead than this. Please, no...
Claws again, trying to--Gods! Not inside! No! No! NO!
This isn't...
it can't be happening.
Oh G--
stop it!
Laughing again. This is a twisted game to them. Fuck the chimera, get a load off, have fun. Forget the fact they're destroying a soul in the process. No, not a soul. Just a body to them, interesting because of it's skin, but still just a body.
Why is this happening? What did I do to deserve this?
The claws are gone. No, please no... Too many, closing in. Their scent strong, sickening and overwhelming. A weight pressing against his back... Begging.
Please gods, please...
Please, Gourry, help me...

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Zel woke up screaming to the high heavens. He could still feel himself being mounted, could still hear their taunts as the leader broke him open, his inner flesh torn and bleeding. Their scent filled his nostrils, causing him to clutch at his stomach, when it threatened to empty itself. He shook uncontrollably, tears streaming down his face.
Hands sought embraced him, but Zelgadis didn't know who they belonged to. He was beyond rational thinking; the chimera did not want to be touched like that again! Zel instinctively lashed out, not caring when he heard a small yelp. Not mattered save keeping the hands away from him.
Not again!
A soft voice whispered in his ear, gentle and soothing. It told Zel he was safe, that no one would hurt him, that it would be okay. Zel quieted down; the sound more than the words calmed him quickly. Instincts told him he could believe that voice as his conscious mind tried to place it. It was a friend, a good friend. Someone he trusted. Someone he--
"Gourry?"
"Yeah, Zel, it's me. You had a nightmare. Are you okay?"
"I..." Zel swallowed, then noticed Lina escorting Amelia out, who was clutching her arm. Deep shame welled up inside the despondent chimera, spilling over from grey-blue eyes.
"Gods, I didn't mean--"
"We know, Zel. We know." Gourry didn't think Amelia should have tried that stunt anyway. If there was one thing he knew, it was never to grab a person just coming out of a bad dream. "It's nothing, she'll be okay. It's you we're worried about."
Zel turned away. He hated being so weak and vulnerable. Despised finding himself suddenly needy and emotional. Most of all, he hated the fact that his friends had to see him like this.
"I... I'll be fine."
That's a lie, and you know it. You don't have to hide, Zel. Not from us, not from me. Gourry sighed, not sure how to get past the wall he felt being put up. He decided to leave it for now and worry about more important things, like "Breakfast."
"Pardon?"
Gourry shook his head, realising he spoke aloud. "Do you think you can eat some breakfast? You haven't eaten since we got here."
"I'm not--"
Whatever Zel intended to say got ignored, the swordsman was already getting a plate while gesturing for the injured shaman to get back in bed. "Lina says the foods pretty good here. You should really try it." Gourry walked over and set a tray down on Zel's lap. He offered one of his patented 'dumb but sweet' looks, hoping it would get Zel to eat.
A sighed answered back, but Zelgadis relented and took a small bite of the food offered. "It's not bad. Thank you."
"Welcome. Try and eat what you can. I'm going to go talk to Lina right quick. Will you be okay?"
A surge of fear hit the chimera square in the chest. He swallowed it and his food down, looking ill.
Please, Gourry, help me...
"I'll be fine," he murmured. "You'd better hurry, you know how impatient she is." Zel managed a ghosted smile, reassuring his companion.
"Okay. If you need anything, just yell. Amelia will come by to check on you, just in case." His tone and expression told Zel that Gourry wasn't too keen on the idea, but there was nothing he could do about it.
"I'll be fine, really. Get going. Knowing Amelia, I'll be right here when you get back." As far as Zelgadis was concerned, he wasn't too happy with the plan either, yet he couldn't come up with anything better.
Gourry nodded and left. Zel tried eating some more, but his stomach turned on him. Sighing, he set the tray aside. Zelgadis didn't relish the idea of sleep any more than eating. A quick glance around the room found a book among his possessions. Reading was safe, and would keep his mind occupied until Amelia showed up. Zel picked the book up and flipped through a few pages, intent on letting his mind forget about what he'd been through for a little while.

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"You should be more careful with him, Amelia. Zel's feeling even more touchy than normal right now."
Gourry watched silently as Lina scolded the Seyruun princess. He himself agreed with Lina, but didn't offer an opinion. He was sure Lina could handle it. Besides, the girl was on the verge of tears. One word from him would probably start the waterworks, which wouldn't help the current situation. They just needed to make Amelia understand how fragile, and dangerous, Zelgadis was.
"But Miss Lina, I was only trying to--"
"I know, Amelia. But Zel is real sensitive about being touched right now. When he feels better, then maybe that will change. For now you're gonna have to be careful. He probably feels bad about hurting you as it is."
Amelia shook her head frantically. "But it was my fault! You warned me before he might be jumpy. It's just... when I heard him screaming, I didn't--I mean..."
You didn't think, is all. And Lina says I'm bad. Gourry wisely kept his mouth closed, hoping Lina could get through to the girl.
The fiery sorceress took Amelia by the shoulders. Her mood was unusually somber as red-brown eyes met startled blue.
"Amelia. Gourry and I are going to go look for the Mazoku that hurt Zelgadis. That means you'll have to look after him until we get back. Zel might look okay, but he's not. He's hurting really bad, and you have to be extra careful with him, got it?"
The princess nodded once, her mood now matching Lina's. "I promise to take care of him, Miss Lina."
"Good. Make sure he rests. don't let him out of your sight, and try to keep him calm. If anything, and I mean anything happens, send one of the stable hands to us and we'll come right back."
"Yes, Miss Lina. You can count on me."
"Good girl." Lina ran tired fingers through her hair. "We're going back to where we found Zel. Maybe we can find something there. There must be a reason this bunch attacked him the way they did."
"Miss Lina," Amelia bit her lip. She still didn't understand one thing, and had to ask, "Exactly how was Mister Zelgadis attacked?"
Gourry and Lina both fell to the ground in a twitching heap. Gourry recovered firest, smacking his forehead in sheer exasperation. I think Lina's been making the dumb cracks to the wrong person.
Lina settled for giving Amelia an 'oh brother' look before answering. "Nevermind that, Amelia. Let's just say it was a really vicious attack and leave it at that, okay?"
"O-okay. Do you think Mister Zelgadis would--"
Gourry couldn't keep quiet any longer. "It might not be a good idea to ask him about it either."
"But..." The younger girl trailed off when Lina shook her head.
"I have to agree with Gourry on this one. Just make sure he's comfortable, and try not to do anything to upset him."
Amelia looked like she wanted to say something else, but a well practice glare from Lina stalled any further arguments. Satisfied that the princess would cooperate, Lina glanced over in Gourry's direction.
"Ready?"
"Yeah." Gourry shifted his sword. He wasn't even bothering with the steel blade this time. He knew the only way to kill Mazoku was with the Sword of Light, and he was more than ready. "Let's go."
The two quickly left the inn, heading back to the place where the attack occured. Though hardly a religious person, Gourry still said a small prayer that Amelia wouldn't send the reclusive chimera further inside his walls. With a quick "hurry up" from Lina, the pair were racing back to where it happened.

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Zelgadis was still reading when a strange chill made him shiver. He looked, but the window was locked. He closed the book, holding it close to his chest, and sent a prayer up to the gods.
Please, let them be okay. Let him be okay.

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In a dark cavern a ways off frm the village, a bunch of demons danced around their latest kill with perverted glee. Several looked at their Master, but he merely sat brooding on a rough hewn throne of rocks. Ever since that day, he had been unable to get the thought of blue skin and slit grey eyes out of his mind. Nothing held the same kind of joy as having that young whelp under him. His screams more beautiful than any orchestra, he pain sweeter than blood. Try as he might, the leader could not forget his chimeric toy.
Ahriman stood up, knocking several smaller Mazoku to the ground.
"Get ready," he bellowed. "We're going for a hunt."
tbc

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AN: Well it didn't take me a week for this one, but I can't promise I'll keep the pace up. However, this story is already finished, so no worries there. It's just undergoing small editting fixes.
reviewer appreciation: To XellosNoHimitsu, hope you'll continue to enjoy the coming parts.

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